August Pfluger

Mr. PFLUGER

Mr. PFLUGER. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for yielding me time. Mr. Speaker, I rise to speak in support of my bill, H.R. 9616, the Environmental Monitoring and Remediation Technology Assessment Initiative, or EMRTAI, Authorization Act of 2026. Critical materials are essential to some of the most important technologies and products in the communications, energy, defense, and transportation sectors. However, their supply chains are vulnerable to disruption, and we rely on other nations, including adversaries such as China, for many of them. China is currently responsible for over 70 percent of global rare earths metal production and refines up to 87 percent of the world's supply of critical minerals. Unless we develop more domestic sources for critical materials, we will remain at the mercy of our enemies. Fortunately, cutting-edge technologies are emerging to identify and take advantage of unconventional sources of critical materials right here at home. For example, in my home State of Texas, researchers and companies are exploring ways to recover lithium and other critical minerals from produced water generated during oil and gas production. The Permian Basin alone generates millions of barrels of produced water every day, one of the largest produced water streams in the world. The sheer volume of that water can present a challenge but also presents an incredible opportunity to recover valuable critical minerals from a resource that has been historically treated as a waste stream. Mr. Speaker, there are thousands of contaminated sites across the United States, including over 1,300 on the EPA's National Priorities List of the country's most contaminated sites. Additionally, on Federal lands alone, the Federal Government has spent over $100 million remediating contamination from abandoned hardrock mine sites. However, while these sites are threats to human health and the environment, they can be good sources of critical minerals. The EMRTAI Authorization Act of 2026 directs the EPA to stand up a program to support methods to identify and recover critical materials at contaminated sites, contributing to the development of new domestic sources and encouraging the remediation of these sites. EPA already has experience funding such projects. Addressing our supply chain vulnerability is a daunting challenge, but creative solutions that leverage technological innovation play a major role in solving it. I am grateful that we can work across the aisle to advance this legislation, and I thank my colleague from Ohio, Mr. Landsman, for joining me in leading this endeavor. Mr. Speaker, I encourage colleagues on both sides of the aisle to vote ``yes'' on this legislation.

Mr. PFLUGER

Mr. PFLUGER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a remarkable Airman and leader, Lieutenant General John P. Healy, on the occasion of his retirement as the Chief of Air Force Reserve and Commander, Air Force Reserve Command, after more than three decades of distinguished service. A native son of Connecticut, General Healy graduated from Windsor High School in 1985 and attended the University of Connecticut (UConn), earning his commission through the Reserve Officer Training Corps in 1989. General Healy then embarked on a career that would see him become a command pilot with more than 5,000 flight hours, including 402 combat hours operating in hostile airspace over Iraq and Afghanistan. An ``Air Mobility Warrior,'' his journey took him from the C-141 Starlifter at then-McGuire Air Force Base, to the initial cadre of the C-17 Globemaster III program at then-Charleston Air Force Base, and ultimately to the C-5 Galaxy at Westover Air Reserve Base. A true Citizen Airman, General Healy also served as a Captain with U.S. Airways from 1999 to 2002, commanding the Boeing 737, and continues to serve as an Airbus A320 Captain with JetBlue. Throughout his career, General Healy has commanded at all echelons, demonstrating exceptional leadership and a deep commitment to the Airmen under his command. Joining him on this journey and making it all possible is his wife of 34 years and fellow UConn Husky, Cathy. The Healy's have two daughters, Shannon and Paige, born in 1996 in Charleston, South Carolina, and in 1998 in Altus, Oklahoma, respectively. It was while they were in South Carolina and Oklahoma that General Healy was actively training future generations of C-17 pilots as an Instructor Pilot and the Chief of Standardization and Evaluation. General Healy then progressed from critical squadron and wing assignments to key command and joint assignments, including the Director of Exercises and Assessments for U.S. European Command and then the Commander of the Twenty-Second Air Force, culminating in his current position where he is a steadfast advocate for more than 67,000 Reserve Citizen Airmen worldwide. General Healy's tenure as Chief of Air Force Reserve has been marked by his clear vision of a force that is ``Ready Now and Transforming for the Future.'' He has championed the modernization of the Air Force Reserve, ensuring that it remains an efficient, experienced, accessible, and lethal force prepared to meet the challenges of the twenty-first century. Having personally experienced the challenges of balancing civilian-sector expertise with military excellence, General Healy is a tireless promoter for the well-being of Reserve Citizen Airmen and their families, recognizing that they are the foundation of the Reserve Advantage and the key to the Air Force's continued success. General Healy's leadership has been instrumental in shaping the Air Force Reserve into the formidable force it is today. His dedication to our Nation, his commitment to the men and women of the Air Force, and his visionary leadership have left an indelible mark on the service. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of a grateful Nation, I extend my deepest thanks to Lieutenant General John P. Healy for his extraordinary service to his family, his airmen, and this country. I wish him, his wife Cathy, and their daughters, Shannon and Paige, all the best in his well-deserved retirement.

Mr. PFLUGER

Mr. PFLUGER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in memory of one of our own, Mr. Ed Scott, whose life was taken by a senseless act of violence on June 12, 2026. Ed graduated from Lake View High School in San Angelo, and he was a dedicated city of Midland employee, serving his community for many years. He was well known throughout Midland and west Texas for his involvement in softball, where he spent over 30 years as an umpire, officiating recreational, high school, and collegiate games. Ed's impact extended far beyond the softball field. He devoted much of his time to mentoring young athletes and umpires, creating memories that will live on for generations. The loss of Ed Scott leaves a void that cannot be filled. He was the kind of man who made his community stronger simply by being a part of it. His love for family and dedication to softball and so many other activities will continue to inspire all who knew him. We continue to pray for his wife, Laura; his children; his grandchildren; and the entire community of Midland. May God grant them peace, and may his memory serve as a blessing to all who knew him.

Mr. PFLUGER

Mr. PFLUGER. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that I may hereafter be considered to be the first sponsor of H.R. 2323, a bill originally introduced by Representative Gonzales of Texas, for the purpose of adding cosponsors and requesting reprintings pursuant to clause 7 of rule XII.

Mr. PFLUGER

Mr. PFLUGER. Mr. Speaker, a delayed commercial flight prevented my timely arrival in Washington, D.C. As a result, I was unable to be present for the scheduled votes. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 138, and YEA on Roll Call No. 139.

Mr. PFLUGER

Mr. PFLUGER. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of my bill, the Foreign Emissions and Nonattainment Clarification for Economic Stability Act, also known as the FENCES Act. States and communities are being pushed into nonattainment because of pollution that they don't control and they can't prevent. As was just mentioned by my colleague from New Jersey who said that we can't control pollution across borders, that is right. That is why we have to come up with this bill. Smoke from Canadian wildfires, emissions drifting across our southern border, and other foreign sources can overwhelm local air quality readings even when the States are fully compliant and acting in good faith. Congress has long recognized this reality. That is why the Clean Air Act allows States to account for foreign emissions when those emissions interfere with attainment, but that balance was disrupted when EPA guidance under the Biden administration sharply narrowed what counts as foreign emissions, limiting relief to certain human-caused sources while excluding events like wildfires. That distinction was arbitrary and unworkable. States cannot regulate another country, and they certainly cannot regulate natural disasters. The FENCES Act corrects that mistake. In fact, let me change that phrasing. The FENCES Act corrects that overreach by the previous administration. It clarifies that all foreign emissions, whether natural or human caused, must be excluded when the EPA makes nonattainment determinations or reviews new source permits. Just as important, the bill allows States to raise these issues earlier in the process rather than years after the planning and investment have happened when the consequences are most severe. Those consequences are significant. Nonattainment designations impose substantial regulatory burdens on States, communities, energy producers, and manufacturers. They trigger stricter permitting requirements, delay infrastructure projects, and raise the costs for businesses trying to expand or hire. For energy producers, it means slower approvals for drilling and processing. For manufacturers, it means uncertainty around whether a project will even move forward. For local communities, it means fewer jobs and less investment, even when they have done everything right to comply with the law. The issue is not theoretical. In my area, the Permian Basin, we saw how even the possibility, the threatening of a nonattainment designation can create uncertainty. That uncertainty affects permitting timelines, capital planning, and long-term investment decisions for both producers and local communities. Companies begin to question whether new jobs will face delays or additional requirements, and local leaders are left planning around an unclear regulatory future. When the stakes are that high, EPA needs to get the analysis right. That is the way the law was written, and this bill gets us back to that intent. It was said that this bill favors the dirty production in manufacturing and lowers the air quality. No, it actually holds our communities accountable. It holds them accountable, the communities that we care about domestically that should be held accountable, but shouldn't be penalized for cities in Mexico or wildfires that are happening in Canada or other foreign sources that they don't control. That is what this bill does. When the Supreme Court decided on the Loper Bright case, that is the Chevron deference case, this is the decision they had in mind because the Biden administration overreached so often and so critically. This bill is a targeted, commonsense measure that does not change air quality standards. In fact, it actually enforces them more accurately within our local communities, and it makes a narrow adjustment to ensure that compliance determinations are fair by excluding foreign emissions from EPA nonattainment designations. American workers and businesses should not face regulatory penalties for pollution originating outside our borders or for uncontrollable natural events. I urge my colleagues to think about a commonsense solution and to get back to the intent of the law, which is exactly what the FENCES Act does. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes.''

Mr. PFLUGER

Mr. PFLUGER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a remarkable milestone in American energy leadership, the 50th anniversary of the American Exploration and Production Council. As the proud Representative of Texas's 11th Congressional District, home to the Permian Basin and the world's most productive oil and natural gas fields, this anniversary holds tremendous significance to my constituents and our state. Founded in 1976 during a time of energy shortages and growing dependence on foreign oil, AXPC has long advocated for policies that support responsible domestic production. Over the past five decades, independent producers have driven the innovation that transformed the United States into the world's leading producer of oil and natural gas. Through exceptional technological ingenuity and know-how, these companies are the authors of the shale revolution. They have strengthened our energy security, created millions of jobs, and enabled the United States to become a net energy exporter. This progress has also contributed to meaningful environmental gains. The United States' carbon dioxide emissions have reached their lowest level in decades in large part due to the work of AXPC and top American producers. As global energy demand continues to rise, American producers remain essential to meeting that need while fueling our economy and national security. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing AXPC's 50th anniversary and the independent producers whose steadfast commitment to American energy dominance will solidify our Nation's prosperity and national security for decades to come.

Mr. PFLUGER

Mr. PFLUGER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 7084, the Defending American Property Abroad Act. I thank Chairman Graves for his support. Let's be clear, American companies operating abroad should not have to fear arbitrary government actions that undermine their property rights, but right now, that is exactly what is happening. When countries violate trade agreements and illegally seize assets from U.S. companies, it puts American job security, economic security, and, quite frankly, our national security at risk. H.R. 7084 ensures there are enforceable consequences for those actions. Specifically, it strengthens U.S. maritime security law to address these unlawful seizures. Through existing Coast Guard authorities, it also authorizes the President to deny entry into U.S. ports for vessels that operate through expropriated American-owned port infrastructure in Western Hemisphere countries with U.S. free trade agreements. We know this is not just a hypothetical example. For years, the Mexican Government has targeted the U.S.-based Vulcan Materials Company. In 1986, Vulcan Materials Company built the only deepwater port in Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula, and for decades this operation supplied crushed limestone to critical infrastructure projects across the Gulf and Atlantic Coasts, roads, bridges, housing, and energy facilities in States represented by Members on both sides of the aisle. But starting in May of 2022, the Mexican Government launched an endless pressure campaign against Vulcan Materials and sent the military to forcibly shut down its operations. In 2023, they invaded and occupied the property again just to hand it to a private Mexican competitor. In 2024, they declared the port and a quarry adjacent to it a ``naturally protected area'' to complete the expropriation, and now Mexico is weaponizing its tax authority, pursuing billions in retroactive dollars in claims to seize what remains. Meanwhile, Mexico has allowed a dozen unpermitted quarries in the same exact region for Mexican companies to operate freely. Let me say that again. Mexico used its military to forcibly shut down an American company and created false environmental claims to do so. That is a direct violation of the USMCA. We did not resort to legislation as a first option. In fact, for 4 years, the United States has pursued every available diplomatic tool, congressional letters, administration engagement, and bilateral pressure, and none of that worked. This represents a coordinated multifront campaign by Mexico against an American company that undermines our diplomatic progress and threatens all U.S. investment in Mexico. Now, my colleagues may ask: Why is this bill the right response? First, it is surgical. It targets expropriated port infrastructure only. It will not disrupt current, legitimate shipping operations. Second, it includes clear off-ramps. If the foreign government returns the property, provides fair compensation, and resolves the dispute, then the restrictions are lifted. Lastly, it includes exceptions for emergencies and maritime safety. I am proud to have worked in a bipartisan way with Representatives Carbajal and Sewell and Chairman Graves' committee staff on this legislation. This isn't just about one company. We cannot allow a foreign government to steal American property and face zero consequences. This is an opportunity for us to protect American investment abroad, to protect American companies, and to protect our own communities. If you are an American company operating abroad, we have vowed to protect you, and this legislation does just that. I urge colleagues on both sides of the aisle to vote ``yes'' on H.R. 7084.

Mr. PFLUGER

Mr. PFLUGER. Mr. Speaker, I will remind my colleagues across the aisle that not a single Republican has ever voted for ObamaCare. This is your plan. You put it into law. It was a disaster then. It is a disaster now. It was more expensive now than it has ever been, and it is your plan. It is our job to fix it, which is exactly what we are doing. Mr. Speaker, ObamaCare has failed to deliver on its promises. It has left millions of Americans with higher premiums. Again, your votes did that. It has fewer choices, less coverage, and is plagued by fraud, waste, and abuse. Mr. Speaker, I recently had a constituent write to me, outlining her and her husband's experience, demonstrating systematic fraud within the ACA marketplace. Her husband has been repeatedly enrolled in an ACA plan without consent since November 2023 in a scheme where brokers and agents are fraudulently enrolling individuals to collect commissions and meet enrollment quotas. This broker gained unauthorized access to his prescription records and replaced his legitimate employer-sponsored insurance coverage at his pharmacy. I wish I could say that these examples are one-time instances, but we know they are not. The system was built for this kind of fraud. They represent the broader failure that is ObamaCare. We must take action to fix this broken system and make healthcare actually affordable, not the Ponzi scheme that it currently is. The Lower Health Care Premiums for All Americans Act is a great first step toward this mission, and we will drive down health insurance premiums immediately by 11 percent through cost-sharing reduction payments, provide patients with greater transparency, and support small businesses that offer employment-based healthcare. Mr. Speaker, we should do more as a Republican Conference, including creating Trump health freedom accounts and allowing Americans to shop across State lines, encouraging competition. Not a single Republican ever voted for your plan, but we are fixing it now. This is a good first step.

Mr. PFLUGER

Mr. PFLUGER. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of my legislation. I am proud to offer H.R. 1949 today, Unlocking our Domestic LNG Potential Act. It has been a long time coming. For 4 years, we suffered as a nation under the Biden administration's disastrous energy policies that put our energy security and the security of our allies at serious risk. The White House launched a whole-of-government assault on American energy production: slow-rolling permits; killing infrastructure projects, like pipelines; and, most importantly, pandering to radical climate activists. Then they delivered perhaps the most damaging and egregious move of all: They banned new exports on LNG. This wasn't to help the environmental laws or to lower prices for American families. It was to satisfy the radical green activists. Let me be clear that this ban put politics over people by jeopardizing the American economy and handing Vladimir Putin a lifeline as our European allies were forced to scramble for energy. That was not leadership. That was failure. It gets worse. After independent experts uncovered major flaws in the study used to justify the freeze, the Biden administration doubled down, and senior officials deliberately hid reports that completely contradicted their argument. The administration knew the truth, and they hid it. They buried it. Mr. Speaker, the American people deserve the truth that exporting American LNG strengthens our country. U.S. LNG exports replace dirtier fuels from adversaries like Russia and Iran. In fact, during Biden's LNG export ban, Russia overtook the U.S. as the lead supplier of gas to Europe. In no world was this good for the American consumers or our allies. Mr. Speaker, I would like to say that Republicans and Democrats have similar goals, but that is just not true. We had 4 years to study this. We had 4 years of evidence on this. Democrats want to kill hydrocarbons, plain and simple. Republicans are moving to lower prices, and anybody who knows this industry, anybody who has studied this industry, and anybody who has been to where this industry happens, knows for certain that this is a good bill because they understand not just the economics of it, but they understand the long-term implications of this industry. If Members vote against it, they are telling me and the American people one thing: They haven't studied this industry. Gas exports strengthen our economy. They stabilize prices, and they drive much-needed investment in energy infrastructure that bolsters our energy security. The facts are clear: We must reform the broken approval process and unlock LNG's potential. My bill does exactly that. It eliminates the politicized DOE, which was weaponized by the previous administration, and gives FERC sole authority over that authorization process. This is common sense. FERC already leads the review of LNG facilities under section 3 of the Natural Gas Act. It completes the environmental work. It completes the technical review. It completes the full analysis. We are cutting the red tape. This is promises made, promises kept. The Unlocking Our Domestic LNG Potential Act removes that red tape and replaces it with a streamlined, transparent process that gives producers certainty, strengthening global energy security, and lowering the cost for all of our domestic consumers. We have to depoliticize the export process. Once again, when the Biden administration banned LNG exports, they weaponized and they politicized that aspect, but today we have the opportunity to stand with American families and businesses and lower the cost and restore energy dominance. This legislation should be an easy, bipartisan bill. If you support affordable, reliable energy, then this bill strengthens our economy. It lowers prices, and it signals that you have studied the industry and that you know your facts. Mr. Speaker, I urge all my colleagues to support this and am proud to offer H.R. 1949.

Mr. PFLUGER

Mr. PFLUGER. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for the time. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1736, the Generative AI Terrorism Risk Assessment Act. The mass adoption of artificial intelligence is the latest in a series of technological revolutions that have permeated and influenced every aspect of our lives. Today, we face a new reality: The same technologies driving innovation are now being weaponized against us by hostile actors. Earlier this year, the Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence held a hearing to consider the extent to which terrorist groups are using generative AI for recruitment and radicalization. We know now, without a doubt, that terrorist organizations have already integrated generative AI into their operations. We found that groups, including ISIS and al-Qaida, are actively training in the use of artificial intelligence and using it to produce highly convincing propaganda, making it much easier for terrorist groups to recruit, radicalize, and carry out attacks on the U.S. homeland. My bill requires DHS to conduct annual assessments on threats to the U.S. by terrorist organizations using generative AI. It also requires greater information sharing and coordination across the intelligence community to ensure that we have the clearest possible picture of AI- related terror threats. This is an issue that requires us to be proactive and outmaneuver any group or individual seeking to do us harm with this emerging technology. The Generative AI Terrorism Risk Assessment Act ensures that our homeland security and capabilities remain ahead of adversary tactics. Our response cannot be reactive. We must anticipate the future of terrorist methods and be prepared before these threats materialize. Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to support this bill and hope to see the Senate take similar action in the very near future. Passing this bill will equip our national security agencies with the tools they need to adapt and defend against the threats of tomorrow today.

Mr. PFLUGER

Mr. PFLUGER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of Robert Wade Turner, who dedicated more than four decades of service to law enforcement in Coleman County, Texas. Robert Wade Turner began his law enforcement career on August 1, 1975, in Coleman, Texas, with the Coleman County Sheriff's Office, where he faithfully served his community for his entire career. On November 5, 1988, he was elected Sheriff, a position he held with distinction until his retirement on January 1, 2017. Over the course of 42 years in law enforcement, including 28 years as Sheriff, Robert embodied the highest standards of duty and honor. He was recognized as an honorably retired peace officer for the State of Texas. Robert Wade Turner passed away on Sunday, September 28, 2025. He is survived by his wife, Linda Turner, his son, Joe Turner, and his daughter, Ami Polston. Sheriff Turner leaves behind a legacy of selfless service, integrity, and dedication to the people of Coleman County. I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing his decades of honorable service to Texas and to our Nation.

Mr. PFLUGER

Mr. PFLUGER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and celebrate the 150th anniversary of St. Mary's Episcopal Church in Lampasas, Texas. Founded in 1873 during the turbulent years of Reconstruction, St. Mary's has stood as a steadfast place of worship and community for a century and a half. From its beginnings under the leadership of Dr. Thomas S. Denny and a small group of faithful families, the church persevered through frontier hardships, local feuds, floods, and economic trials. Over the years, it has grown into a vibrant congregation rooted in service, tradition, and faith. The sanctuary itself, built of native limestone in the Victorian Gothic style, is a testament to the perseverance of its early leaders, including Capt. A.H. Barnes, Dr. James Bierbower, W.T. Campbell, T.H. Haynie, W.C. Price, and others whose dedication made possible the construction of a permanent church home. Generations of families, like the Campbells, the Haynies, the Richeys, the Olivers, and many more have sustained and enriched the life of St. Mary's across decades, ensuring its continued presence as a spiritual cornerstone of the Lampasas community. Today, St. Mary's remains a thriving parish, carrying forward its mission with more than a dozen families whose membership stretches back multiple generations, while also welcoming new parishioners who bring fresh perspectives and energy. Together, this congregation embodies the resilience, stability, and continuity that have defined St. Mary's since its founding. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring St. Mary's Episcopal Church for 150 years of faithful service to its members, the people of Lampasas, and the greater Central Texas region. May the congregation continue to serve as a beacon of hope, light, and grace for generations to come.

Mr. PFLUGER

Mr. PFLUGER. Mr. Speaker, during Roll Call Vote No. 279, on H.R. 1047, I inserted my vote card and due to a technical error, it appears that my vote was not recorded. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 279.

Mr. PFLUGER

Mr. PFLUGER. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the resolution honoring the life and legacy of Charlie Kirk. Charlie was a man of God. He was a loving husband and a father and an unrelenting advocate for the Constitution, for American free speech, and for his Christian belief. I had the honor of knowing Charlie, but also serving with Charlie on the Air Force Academy Board of Visitors. As we started our meeting, we talked about the love of country, and we talked about patriotism. He asked a question. His question to the Air Force Academy was: Do you teach a course on American exceptionalism? Do you teach a course on loving this country and on why it is the greatest country in the world? He said that because these men and women who are about to graduate and be commissioned as officers in the Air and Space Force and who are willing to give their lives in the defense of this country should know why they love this country. They should know why this is the greatest country on Earth and why they are willing to die for it. I thought it was an incredible question. We toured the Air Force Academy chapel. I am going to challenge our Department of War and I am going to challenge our country to finish that chapel as a symbol of the spiritual aspect of this country. I want to challenge everyone who hasn't watched Charlie's message about how this country was founded on Christian principles to watch that and to learn about the founding of this country and the spiritual roots. It is important to finish that Air Force Academy chapel, having now been delayed for almost 8 or 9 years, so that we can get that spiritual aspect back into the lives of our military, our warfighters, and those who are graduating. Charlie, we love you. Your legacy will stand firm in our minds, and I am absolutely convinced that your legacy will have a lasting effect on this country.

Mr. PFLUGER

Mr. PFLUGER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with immense pride to honor San Angelo, Texas, native and commander of the 449th Aviation Support Battalion, Lieutenant Colonel Jordan Boyd, as well as two extraordinary National Guard units: the 108th Assault Helicopter Battalion in Austin and the 149th General Support Helicopter Battalion in San Antonio. These units are extraordinary. On the morning of July Fourth, as floodwaters devastated central and west Texas, these two units immediately jumped into action and have not stopped since. Knowing many of the stranded children were present at that time, these crews pushed themselves to every imaginable limit, flying through adverse weather to reach Camp Mystic and the entire Guadalupe River. Their daring efforts saved 366 lives that day and reunited hundreds of families. Mr. Speaker, I thank not just the pilots but also the maintainers and support personnel and all of the people in the Texas National Guard that have shown immense heroism over the past few months. I can't thank them enough for their heroic efforts.

Mr. PFLUGER

Mr. PFLUGER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to include in the Record an opinion column from the Odessa American titled ``Campbell: The Nature of Truth,'' published May 1, 2025. In it, the author reflects on how society grapples with competing claims of truth and encourages readers to return to foundational and verifiable sources--a theme with deep implications for both our civic culture and the way we approach legislation. I believe this thoughtful reflection is a meaningful reminder of the importance of clarity, honesty, and shared understanding in democratic discourse. [From the Odessa American] Campbell: The Nature of Truth Truth is ephemeral in the temporal world. It seems that everyone has his or her own version and whether or not they actually know the truth is open to interpretation and subject to one's own preference or prejudice. It's a key concept in my business, journalism, where truth is the lynchpin. We are bound to be truthful to the best of our ability and we are prohibited from writing anything that we know to be false. We can be fired for doing it. That's the difference between the Odessa American and publications like the National Enquirer, which publish nothing but stories that they know to be untrue. That's not to say we never publish falsehoods, but we don't do it deliberately. It's that we have good reasons like credible sources and reliable references to believe that what we write is true. In the case of political candidates, if we had to believe everything they say we would never write anything about them. We're not saying that what they say is true. We're saying it's true that that is what they said. We attribute accurately and leave it to the readers to ascribe credibility or not. There has never been a newspaper or a book written that had nothing false in it. Only one book is 100 percent true: the Bible. God cannot lie and we may be certain that every word of the Bible is true. Depending on the translation, Jesus 75-80 times in the Gospels uses the phrase ``I tell you the truth'' or variations of it and in John 14:5 he is even more specific when he says, ``I am the way, the truth and the life.'' So he was not just telling the truth, he was and is the truth. He embodies it. I think Jesus emphasized the truth and the fact that he was always telling it because he understood the inherent deceitfulness of the world. He was saying, if you want the pure truth, look to me. At the end of Revelation we see the importance of this issue when it says that everyone who loves and practices falsehood is classified with the sexually immoral, murderers and idolators as being among those who will be damned. Of course some people occasionally tell white lies in deference to the feelings of those they love, but then people who are always strictly truthful are often respected for it and their candor is accepted in deference to the values they espouse. Truth derives from wisdom and like wisdom it is more valuable than much pure gold and sweeter than honey from the honeycomb. The English philosopher Francis Bacon (1561-1626) said truth is the child of time, meaning that it emerges and is revealed through the passage of time, not through someone's immediate authority or declaration. When we hear things privately or in the public arena, if the truth of them is not discernible we may be confident that time will show the truth. The political writers' adage is that nothing anyone says during a campaign may be true, but during the course of it the truth will become clear and the voters will know whom to vote for from the total body of the dialogue. German philosopher Immanuel Kant (1724-1804) said lying steals one's dignity and we know from Scripture that God wants us to maintain our dignity as Christians by avoiding such things. Stone-Campbell Church Movement leader Alexander Campbell (1788-1866) advocated for a rational and deliberative understanding of Christianity, firmly rooted in the New Testament. He opposed both speculative theology and emotional revivalism, emphasizing a return to the Bible as the primary source of truth. Campbell advocated for a focus on biblical text and avoided theological systems that relied on philosophical or speculative reasoning. Truth derives from the wisdom developed through the fear of the Lord and wisdom and truth are indispensable in our pursuit of virtue. How may we obtain these treasures of the Holy Spirit? Of course, through prayer, reading Scripture, attending church and fellowshipping with other Christians. Pray and ask God for the wisdom to discern truth and succeed in our ever-advancing pursuit of higher and higher virtue. Ask to be empowered to bear well the responsibility of being a link in the multi-generational sustenance and progress of good character in your family. Ask for a complete God-given understanding of the nature and importance of truth and thereby avoid the errors that can set back or thwart your spiritual goals.

Mr. PFLUGER

Mr. PFLUGER. Mr. Speaker, it is my great honor to rise today to recognize and commend the distinguished service of the 6994th Security Squadron of the United States Air Force Security Service, along with the 360th, 361st, and 362nd Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadrons. These squadrons executed highly classified and dangerous missions aboard the venerable EC-47 aircraft to meet the intelligence requirements of the Military Assistance Command and the Central Intelligence Agency in the operating areas of Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia. These integrated aircrews flew out of Tan Son Nhut, Nha Trang, Pleiku, Phu Cat, and Da Nang Air Bases in the Republic of Vietnam, as well as Nakhon Phanom and Ubon Royal Thai Air Force Bases in Thailand, from 1966 to 1974. The 6994th Security Squadron was primarily composed of enlisted logistical and maintenance personnel, intelligence analysts, Morse intercept operators, and cryptologic linguist mission specialists. These professionals maintained and operated state-of-the-art airborne radio direction finding (ARDF) equipment aboard the EC-47 aircraft, used to detect, identify, and geolocate low-powered enemy transmitters on the battlefield. They also collected critical signals and communications intelligence about enemy plans and movements. Working closely with the aircraft navigator, the mission specialists were able to geolocate enemy radio transmitters, often within a 200- meter radius, and determine the identity of enemy units. When priority targets were detected and confirmed, their locations and identifications were relayed to ground commanders for decisive action. During its tenure in Vietnam, the 6994th earned five Air Force. Outstanding Unit Awards with Valor, two Presidential Unit Citations, and the Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Device. It remains the most highly decorated squadron in the command from its origins in the United States Air Force Security Service to its current configuration as the 16th Air Force. Their success came at a high cost; 17 members of the squadron were killed in action during the conflict. The 360th, 361st, and 362nd Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadrons were co-located with their 6994th counterparts and provided the pilots, navigators, and maintenance personnel necessary to operate and sustain the EC-47 aircraft. In flight, pilots controlled the aircraft while navigators coordinated with enlisted mission specialists to take electronic lines of bearing on specific enemy radio transmissions. These lines were then plotted on maps to pinpoint the exact location of enemy transmitters. Like the 6994th, the Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadrons also endured significant sacrifice, losing 19 members during the war. As integrated teams, these squadrons provided battlefield intelligence that was vital for ground commanders to plan offensive and defensive operations. It has been reported that, thanks to intelligence provided by the ARDF program, many attacks on friendly forces were mitigated, and up to 95 percent of B-52 strikes during the Vietnam conflict were influenced by data collected through the program. Even today, much of the work and results of the Airborne Radio Direction Finding program in Vietnam remain classified. Nonetheless, their impact on the success of the war effort and the broader mission of safeguarding the interests of the United States and the free world is undeniable. Today, we honor the professionalism, dedication, and courage of the airmen of the 6994th Security Squadron and the 360th, 361st, and 362nd Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadrons, whose work in executing the Airborne Radio Direction Finding program provided critical intelligence to ground commanders during the conflict in Southeast Asia. May the legacy of their service and sacrifice be remembered and honored forever.

Mr. PFLUGER

Mr. PFLUGER. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for yielding me time. Mr. Speaker, I rise today not just as a Member of Congress but as a wingman, a servicemember, and a friend to those in uniform and in strong support of S. 201, the Aviator Cancers Examination Study Act, or the ACES Act. Far too many of our military aviators and aircrew are being diagnosed with cancer at troubling rates. A 2021 Air Force study supported by additional Department of Defense research found that aviators face a 29 percent higher likelihood of testicular cancer, a 24 percent higher likelihood of melanoma, and a 23 percent higher risk of prostate cancer compared to their civilian counterparts. These are incredibly healthy, in-shape, well-tested individuals, yet they have almost 30 percent higher cancer rates than the average civilian population. Mr. Speaker, these numbers tell a painful story. When brave men and women volunteer to defend our Nation from the cockpit, they shouldn't face a second battle against cancer without our full support. This is why this legislation, led by me and my friend from California (Mr. Panetta) in the House and by Senators Kelly and Cotton in the Senate, is critically necessary. The ACES Act directs the Department of Veterans Affairs to partner with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to conduct a comprehensive study on the prevalence and causes of cancer among military aviators. We need to know the why, and we need to provide our aircrew with air cover for their own health. By identifying the unique risk factors associated with aviation service, we can implement targeted screening protocols that enable earlier detection, when treatment is most effective. This leads to faster access to care and benefits, significantly improved survival rates, more time with loved ones, and the opportunity for continued service. This bill builds upon previous research that has been done, but it goes the distance and increases the pool to the veteran population, not just those who are Active Duty, but also to those who have previously served as aviators. I am an Air Force fighter pilot with over 20 years of service, and I fought alongside the best that this Nation has to offer. I have also stood beside too many of my brothers and sisters as they face their toughest battles--not in the air, but when they got home, in hospital rooms, fighting a disease that they never saw coming. That is the story of my friend, Colonel Andy ``Pablo'' Shurtleff. In March, Andy did a wonderful job of testifying before the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs, sharing how his sudden cancer diagnosis brought his promising career to an abrupt end. He spoke with clarity and conviction about how a better understanding of cancer risk in the aviation community might have led to earlier detection not only in his case but in many of our friends and many of our wingmen, detection that could have saved his life and their lives. Shortly after that, on Friday, May 23, my friend Pablo lost his battle with cancer. In his final days, one of the few comforts he knew was that the ACES Act was on track to becoming law. His courage, voice, and advocacy for other servicemembers should not be forgotten. There are countless others I have served with, including people like Colonel Michael ``Bam Bam'' Stapleton and so many others who many of us know. That is what this bill represents. It represents keeping Pablo in the cockpit. It represents Pablo's kids and others in the next generation wanting to sign up for this because they know that we are going to give them that air cover. This bill received bipartisan support on the House floor with a vote of 376-5 in May. This bill has the support of over 20 veteran organizations, cancer advocacy groups, and medical experts because they recognize what is at stake. With the passage of this version of the bill, it will be sent to the President's desk, and I am hopeful that the President will sign it into law quickly so we can fulfill our promise to those who serve, a promise that when someone serves our Nation, we have their backs, that we will serve them, and that we will protect them. Today, as we cast our votes on this critical legislation, we stand closer than ever to honoring the memory of heroes like Andy and giving future servicemembers a real chance at early detection, better treatment, and lifesaving research. I sincerely thank my colleagues who cosponsored this bipartisan legislation, as well as Chairman Bost, the chairman of the Veterans' Affairs Committee; the ranking member of the Veterans' Affairs Committee; Chairman Luttrell; members of the House and Senate Veterans' Affairs Committees; Majority Leader Steve Scalise, Senator Jerry Moran; and leadership for their unwavering support for moving this bill. Unlike many others in Congress, this was moved with Mach, with airspeed, and I appreciate that. I am also deeply grateful to the dedicated volunteers of the MACH Coalition, whose passion and persistence helped carry this effort forward. My heartfelt thanks go to Senator Mark Kelly, himself a combat veteran, a pilot, and an astronaut, and Senator Cotton for championing this bill in the Senate. Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to vote ``yes.'' There really is no reason that we can't make this a unanimous ``yes'' vote in support of the ACES Act. Most of all, my deepest gratitude goes to the thousands of pilots and aircrew members who are defending our Nation every single day. We see them. We thank them. We have their backs. This is the air cover that they so desperately deserve.

Mr. PFLUGER

Mr. PFLUGER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in tribute to the life and legacy of Lee Clark, a soft-spoken and kind country gentleman, a loving husband, an amazing father, and a true friend. Lee passed into the arms of our Lord on Friday, June 27, 2025. His loss is deeply felt by all who had the privilege of knowing him. A sixth-generation Texan and rancher, Lee exemplified the values of integrity, diligence, and quiet strength that define the best of rural Texas. Born and raised in Menard, Lee Clark, a steward of the land, devoted his life to the care of his livestock and range. His tireless work ethic, principled nature, and gift for storytelling earned him the respect and affection of all who knew him. On September 8, 1990, Lee married his best friend and the love of his life, Lisa Price Clark. Together they built a life centered on faith, family, and hard work. Lee was a devoted father to his two daughters, Candice and Madelon, and he was endlessly proud of the women they became. He was dearly loved by his family and inspired those who crossed his path with his encouragement. I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the memory of Lee Clark--a devoted family man, a true Texas rancher, a pillar of his community, and a man who lived with steadfast purpose. May God grant comfort and peace to Lisa, Candice, Madelon, and all who mourn his loss. May Lee's memory be a blessing, and may he rest in eternal peace.

Mr. PFLUGER

Mr. PFLUGER. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for yielding time. Mr. Speaker, I want to say that he has done a great job of representing in a very tough time. It is easy to lead when times are good. When times are tough, we see character. Mr. Roy has done a very nice job, an extraordinary job, in leading in a very challenging situation. It is with a heavy heart that I rise today to honor all of the lives that were lost during this devastating and tragic series of floods that swept through central and west Texas last week and to recognize the bravery and the selflessness of the heroes who stepped up when they were needed most. I will start by honoring the memory of the 11 lives that were lost from my district. They were: Officer Bailey Martin, Bobby Martin, Amanda Martin; and Jayda Floyd from Odessa. Lost from Midland were Michelle and Cody Crossland; and Joel, Kyndall, and Tasha Ramos; Tanya Burwick from Blackwell, who worked in San Angelo for many years; and Steve Edwards from San Angelo. These lives were lost far too soon, selfless individuals, leaders, officers in the police force, and people whom we will miss dearly. We will continue to pray for the many more whose lives have been lost and for those families that are still searching for them, hoping and praying for a miracle. I sent my young girls to Camp Mystic for a couple of reasons. Number one is because, for young women, this was a place where they didn't have access to the digital world. They had access to relationships. They were taught about faith. They were placed in cabins with other young girls where they learned how to develop friendships. They learned things like horseback riding, archery, swimming, and camp craft. My girls are fourth-generation campers at Camp Mystic. I learned about this when I was a kid and went to many closing ceremonies as a young child, watching my sister and her friends. Now, I have had the opportunity to watch my own girls for the last 10 years attend this camp. I want to say that my wife, Camille, and I are eternally grateful that we are reunited with my two daughters who were present at the camp during this tragedy. While we rejoice their safety, and I will be forever grateful to God for sparing their lives, we are mourning and deeply grieving the many families who are having to say good-bye to their loved ones and to their daughters up and down the river, campers who were there for the Fourth of July to celebrate our Nation's independence and to celebrate being with families. It is just unimaginable the grief. It is unimaginable the heartbreak, especially those young kids and those young girls specifically at Camp Mystic. I want to honor Dick Eastland, who was the owner of Camp Mystic. He was a man whom I have known my entire life, a man who gave his life trying to save campers at Camp Mystic. The Eastland family for years has poured their lives into young women, building these young women and these young ladies to be women of faith, to be women of character, to be citizens of this great Nation, and to raise families in a way that we would see the character and the strength of their faith. Dick Eastland and the entire Eastland family are like many other families throughout this country who run camps. Whether they are Boy Scout camps, Girl Scout camps, YMCA camps, summer camps, or church camps, it doesn't matter. These camps are important to our Nation. In ways that sometimes parents can't always do, these camps represent a place where these kids can come to learn how to be better citizens, better friends, and better community members. They are important. Camp Mystic was important. The image that I will never forget in my mind as I walked the camp just 2 days after this tragedy is where my young daughter stood getting away from the flood that was rising very rapidly, and where she had her head bowed, praying for safety. They were singing songs, knowing that there was a really tragic event unfolding in front of them. They were praying for their friends and for their safety. My middle daughter said that this was a family. Everybody knew everybody, and this family is deeply grieving right now. I hope that this serves as a wake-up call for our Nation and that it serves as a wake-up call for us to congratulate and celebrate the countless heroes, some of whom gave their lives. We will never know their stories. We celebrate the fact that we live in a country where we can freely worship and where we can stand firm on our faith. Camp Mystic was a place like other places throughout this country that taught that to these young, innocent souls. It taught them to lean on their faith and taught them to lean on their friends, their relationships, and their families. It taught them the core values of what this great country affords. I hope that this serves as a wake-up call for all of us to get back to that foundation, that we can take a lesson from this tragedy and build on it in a way that we do good and honor the memory of almost 130 people now, and rising, those that tragically lost their lives. We won't ever forget. This green ribbon serves as a reminder here today. Again, I thank my friend here, Chip Roy, for representing during this hard time and for calling this hour to recognize that memory.

Mr. PFLUGER

Mr. PFLUGER. Madam Speaker, I thank Chair Comer, my good friend from Kentucky, for yielding me time. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of my bill, H.R. 884, that would prohibit individuals who are not citizens of the United States from voting in elections in the District of Columbia. This is a commonsense bill. I am going to start with a question. It is posed: For what reasons-- why--would my colleagues on the other side of the aisle want foreigners to vote in local elections in Washington, D.C.? What is the purpose? Let's just pose that question of why. I ask the American public to ask your Representative where they stand on this issue because it is a bipartisan issue, with over two-thirds of this body having voted for it last year. Free and fair elections are a prerequisite for the healthy Republic that our Founding Fathers envisioned in the District of Columbia as the epicenter, and they entrusted its care to Congress in Article I, Section 8, Clause 17 of the U.S. Constitution. On November 21, 2022, the D.C. City Council made a radical decision to allow noncitizens, including illegal aliens and those who are aligned with embassies of foreign countries, to vote in local D.C. elections. After the noncitizen voting law went into effect, the District actively encouraged noncitizens to vote for Mayor, attorney general, members of the State Board of Education, and more. Some may wrongly dismiss these as merely local elections. However, the reality is that local elections are a vital part of our democratic process and have a significant impact on communities. Local elections determine critical matters, such as taxation, the criminal code, and the election of city council members who create essential ordinances, including those that dictate voting rights. It is also important to acknowledge that many local elections are decided by razor-thin margins, underscoring their significance and the importance of active participation. I find it unimaginable that the District, along with many across the country, would intentionally weaken the power of their constituents, citizens, many of whom come from underserved communities, in favor of noncitizens who, in some cases, have broken our laws to enter this country or could potentially be employed by a foreign adversary. As the capital of our democracy, Washington, D.C., should be at the forefront of ensuring safe and secure elections, not encouraging illegal immigrants and others to vote for policies that we don't want. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues on the other side of the aisle to look beyond the Democrats' claim that this bill is discriminatory or misrepresents its intended purposes. No, it doesn't. It absolutely does not. This keeps the sanctity of being a citizen of this great country at the highest possible level. Madam Speaker, let's restore that sanctity, and I go back to the question. This is common sense. We have to ask ourselves: Why would we want a foreign agent, an illegal immigrant, or somebody else who is not a citizen voting for elections in D.C.? What nefarious purpose are my colleagues pushing? As I mentioned last Congress, the House passed this bill with bipartisan support. All Republicans and one-third of Democrats supported this commonsense measure. I ask everyone in the House of Representatives to stand up and do the right thing and vote for this bill.

Mr. PFLUGER

Mr. PFLUGER. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to House Resolution 377, I call up the bill (H.R. 881) to establish Department of Homeland Security funding restrictions on institutions of higher education that have a relationship with Confucius Institutes, and for other purposes, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. PFLUGER. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 881.

Mr. PFLUGER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of my bill, H.R. 881, the DHS Restrictions on Confucius Institutes and Chinese Entities of Concern. I have long been concerned that the threats the Chinese Communist Party poses to our homeland are not only real, but they are right here. In the Homeland Security Committee and on my Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence, we have heard from a wide array of national security experts and law enforcement officials who have continuously raised alarms about the CCP's increasing subversive activities inside our country through organizations like the CCP's Confucius Institutes, the Thousand Talents Program, and other CCP- affiliated groups. While Confucius Institutes are presented as centers for promoting Chinese language and culture, it is proven that they have been used to steal critical research, recruit talent for military-civil fusion enterprises, conduct espionage, commit transnational repression, and influence academic institutions to the benefit of the CCP. At their peak, the United States hosted approximately 118 Confucius Institutes, primarily at colleges and universities. Now, there are fewer than 14 active Confucius Institutes today, but the danger still remains. Many of these programs have rebranded themselves within universities with the same mission as before, and that is to subvert national security and expand CCP influence operations. Another example is the CCP's Thousand Talents Program, which the FBI has listed as the most prolific sponsor of State-sponsored talent recruitment programs that bring outside knowledge and innovation back to China, often through stealing trade secrets, breaking export control laws, or violating conflict of interest policies. These talent recruitment programs are a win-win for China. China wins twice. First, U.S. taxpayers are funding their research, not China; and, second, China then uses the research it would not have otherwise had to advance its own economic and military interests. Today, we are debating H.R. 881, my legislation which, by the way, is bipartisan, that would prohibit DHS from funding American universities that host a Confucius Institute or Thousand Talents Program or maintain relationships with Chinese entities of concern. H.R. 881 also ensures that universities prioritize the education of their students over any of their partnerships with these institutions. This legislation passed the House last year with bipartisan support, and this year H.R. 881 passed the Committee on Homeland Security with unanimous, bipartisan support. I thank Chairman Green; Ranking Member Thompson; my counterpart on the Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence, Ranking Member Magaziner; and the Committee on Homeland Security staff for moving this critical legislation forward. The DHS Restrictions on Confucius Institutes and Chinese Entities of Concern Act would play a vital role in protecting our students, intellectual property, and national security. Together, this effort demonstrates a unified, bipartisan way to protect our Nation from the insidious influence of the CCP, and that our students, our intellectual property, and our national security are protected from the malign influence of the CCP. Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my Republican and Democratic colleagues to support this legislation. I reserve the balance of my time.