August Pfluger

Mr. PFLUGER

Mr. PFLUGER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Moolenaar), the chair of the China select committee.

Mr. PFLUGER. Mr. Speaker, I will point out that this bill was actually brought up during the Biden administration and has nothing to do with one administration or another. It was bipartisan, and those entities of concern are named in and are labeled within the DOD. We do have a pattern of history of Confucius Institutes switching names but remaining the same for the purpose of malign influence. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Stauber).

Mr. PFLUGER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Evans), also a cosponsor of this bill.

Mr. PFLUGER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Mr. Speaker, I thank the ranking member and the gentleman from Rhode Island (Mr. Magaziner) for his work on this bill. This is a process that has taken a couple of years, and I believe that we have a good, bipartisan bill that addresses the issue at hand. Mr. Speaker, let me close with this. Continuing to use our taxpayer dollars to give the Chinese Communist Party a seat in the front row of our universities' classrooms and research labs would be a catastrophic mistake. It has been proven that the CCP does use programs like Confucius Institutes, not to build bridges or promote culture, as they may say, but to expand their influence inside the United States for malign purposes. This legislation would put an end to this egregious national security threat. Quite frankly, it is well overdue. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to come together, to stand firm for our American education system, and to vote ``yes'' on this legislation. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. PFLUGER. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. PFLUGER

Mr. PFLUGER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today not just as a Congressman but as a servicemember and friend to advocate on behalf of veterans and servicemembers fighting a second battle that they never signed up to fight. This is in support of H.R. 530, my legislation called the ACES Act, the Aviator Cancers Examination Study Act. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Bergman) for being willing to give his life and serving in the military as a helicopter pilot. I thank Chairman Bost, the ranking member, and the majority leader, Mr. Scalise. Military aviators and crewmembers are tragically and unfortunately being diagnosed with various forms of cancer at alarming rates. According to a 2021 Air Force study and subsequent Department of Defense research, our aviators have a 29 percent greater probability of testicular cancer, a 24 percent higher probability of melanoma, and a 23 percent higher risk of prostate cancer compared with the normal civilian population. Those aren't the only forms. These aren't just statistics. These are real lives, real families, and real sacrifices. 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 my legislation is so important. The ACES Act directs the Department of Veterans Affairs to partner with the National Academy of Sciences to conduct a comprehensive study on cancer prevalence among military aviators and identify the agents, chemicals, compounds, and mechanisms in military aviation environments that may be causing these elevated rates of cancer. By identifying specific risk factors unique to aviation environments, we can develop targeted screening protocols for early detection when treatment is most effective. This means faster access to benefits and treatment for those diagnosed without the burden of proving their cancer resulted from their service. If every aviator receives specialized cancer screenings based on their specific exposure risks, countless lives would be saved. To put this study's profound impact into perspective, picture this. A melanoma caught early, treated, and cured sends a mom back to her family. Prostate cancer found before it spreads allows a doctor ample time to set up a proper and more likely successful treatment plan. A testicular tumor found and removed in a routine screening designed for pilots, versus in an emergency room situation, gives the dad a chance to eat around the table with his family for years to come. This is what the ACES Act makes possible. As an Air Force fighter pilot myself for 20-plus years, I fought alongside the best the Nation has to offer. I have also stood in hospital rooms watching far too many of my brothers and sisters fight their toughest battles not in the air but in hospital rooms against cancer. Today, I am honored to be joined by a group of extraordinary heroes from our Air Force and Navy, Americans who have raised their hands in support of our Nation and volunteered to serve as pilots. These patriots, who defended our skies, are now fighting for their lives. The ACES Act is for them. It is for the families of those fighting, who spend countless hours at the hospitals and treatment centers and surrender everything to care for their loved ones and keep hope alive. It is for those who we have already lost, whose names we will always remember, and who I will always remember in my heart. It is for my friend, Colonel Andy ``Pablo'' Shurtleff, an F-22 fighter pilot, a brother in arms, who at this very moment is fighting for his life against cancer. In March, Colonel Shurtleff testified before the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs, sharing how a promising career was cut short after a sudden diagnosis. He explained that an earlier understanding of what causes cancer among pilots could have led to an earlier diagnosis for him, one that could have very well been instrumental in his treatment. The ACES Act has the support of over 20 veteran organizations, cancer advocacy groups, and medical experts because they recognize what is at stake. This isn't a partisan issue. It is about fulfilling a promise that our country made to those who were willing to serve. It is a promise that when someone serves our Nation, we will serve them in return. Every day we wait means more aviators receiving life-altering diagnoses without understanding why, more families devastated by uncertainties, and more veterans fighting for the care they deserve. It is time to acknowledge the true cost of aviation service. The ACES Act is not just a bill. It is a lifeline for those who have already given so much for our freedom. It is a moral obligation. It is a message to every pilot who has ever put on that flight suit to protect our skies that we see them and hear them and that we are here to also do the right thing. Mr. Speaker, when I signed up to run for Congress, this issue was on my heart. When I signed up as a member of the Air Force, I didn't know that this was a potential issue. There are groups out there like the River Rats, led by so many amazing pilots, men and women who were ready to give their lives, who are now trying to do the right thing. Mr. Vince ``Aztec'' Alcazar is one of those people who has really led on this issue. I know that my colleague from Michigan, the ranking member, and I know lots of people who were in a situation and are in that situation now, and the ACES Act is that lifeline. Mr. Speaker, once we pass this on the House floor today, I urge my colleagues in the Senate to do the right thing and to act this week. Let's send H.R. 530 to the President's desk this week and have it signed into law. Let's do something that many Americans think isn't possible, and that is act with speed inside the U.S. Congress. Let's keep our mark up and do the right thing and send this to the Senate, get it passed, and get it to the President's desk. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman of the House Veterans' Affairs Committee, Mr. Bost, and the majority leader, Mr. Steve Scalise, for acting with speed, acting aggressively, and keeping the mark up. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.

Mr. PFLUGER

Mr. PFLUGER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of my legislation, H.J. Res. 35, to nullify the EPA's rule on the waste emissions charge, also known as the natural gas tax. With President Trump back in office, it is time to restore American energy. It is time to restore American energy dominance, which is why I am proud to lead this CRA to rescind the ill-conceived natural gas tax. As part of his war on energy, former President Biden took radical steps to end fossil fuels during his administration, which hurt the hardworking energy producers not only in my district in the Permian Basin in Midland and Odessa but also across America. This Congressional Review Act is a tool that Congress uses to overturn Federal agency actions, a direct example of congressional checks and balances on the executive branch and one of Congress' most important duties. My CRA will not eliminate the program that collects this tax, but it will remove the EPA's ability to collect it. This is an essential first step in eliminating this tax, while we work to undo the underlying statute: killing the natural gas tax once and for all. It is critical to negate these punitive regulatory requirements now to ensure that the United States can reclaim its place as the world leader in energy for generations to come. In the waning days of the Biden administration, the EPA doubled down on Biden's disastrous energy policies, imposing a burdensome and harmful tax on oil and natural gas facilities called the waste emissions charge, also like we have been discussing, the natural gas tax or the methane tax. This natural gas tax was a blatant abuse of power and the first time that the Federal Government has ever directly levied a tax on emissions, creating a duplicative layer of red tape that would devastate American energy, if continued. The specifics of this tax started at $900 a metric ton in '24, increasing to $1,200, and then $1,500 in the subsequent years. While the statute directs the EPA to develop a formula to impose and collect a tax based on intensity, Biden's EPA did so by ignoring well- established international standards. Actually, one of the things I have heard here today is that industry was consulted. That is false. Industry was not consulted. In a hearing, I asked a member of Biden's Department of Energy to tell me one producer they had worked with. I asked them to name one producer they had worked with, and they couldn't come up with that producer. They couldn't come up with even one until pressed. Then they said whatever producer they thought. I went back and double-checked that. They hadn't been consulted. They hadn't been talked to. This is an important day. Taxes, like the one we are discussing, raise energy production costs. They discourage investment. They ultimately lead to higher consumer prices and costs. Not only is this a tremendous burden on both producers and consumers but this rule also completely ignores the significant progress that the United States private sector has made over the past decade or more. U.S. emissions have decreased by 18 percent between 2005 and 2022, making the United States the world leader in reductions of emissions, while simultaneously increasing production threefold or fourfold. Today's vote exemplifies the principles upheld in the Supreme Court's landmark Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo decision. By overturning Chevron deference precedent, the court restored the judiciary's rightful role in interpreting statutes and checking agency overreach. This is important for all of us. What Biden's administration did for 4 straight years was to overreach, to impose burdensome regulations, and to hurt innovation, the actual innovation that was reducing emissions. They destroyed that progress. I am very proud to lead this CRA. I am proud that it will be bipartisan. I have had multiple Democrats who have told me that they are going to vote for this because it is common sense and it actually helps all of our goals: affordable, reliable energy that also helps the environment. Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to vote ``yes,'' and I thank the chairman of the Committee on Energy and Commerce for leading this.

Mr. PFLUGER

Mr. PFLUGER. Madam Speaker, I thank the chairman for bringing this bill to the floor. The American public spoke loud and clear on November 5. They said energy was on the ballot. They said that the hilarity and the fraudulent approach that the Biden administration took towards energy policy was wholly rejected. Madam Speaker, we are in a new day and thank goodness we are. I represent the Permian Basin, Midland and Odessa, Texas, and for 4 years, this community was demonized, demonized, by the President, demonized by my colleagues on the other side of the aisle, demonized for the work that they did to bring affordable, reliable energy to this country. They did so with an all-out assault. I am proud today to support my legislation, H.R. 26, the Protecting American Energy Production Act. This is on behalf of every one of my constituents in Midland and Odessa, Texas, who provide the very pen that is being used by my colleagues on the other side of the aisle, who provide the cell phones and the cosmetics and the personal protective gear that goes into an emergency room. They are not just using liquid fuels, but using a safe technology, hydraulic fracturing, which was completely falsely characterized briefly this morning by my colleague on the other side of the aisle. In 2019, America became the number one oil and gas producer, and it is wholly in part due to the shale revolution and the technology of being able to environmentally friendly extract this product and produce it here domestically for our use and to ship it to our allies and our partners around the world. After 4 years of the previous administration's outright assault on American energy, it is critical now that we codify and that we work tirelessly to restore some integrity and some character to this American energy dominance and pass meaningful legislation that will unleash American energy and create jobs for hardworking Americans. My legislation that is being considered today is a necessary first step in reversing the Biden administration's war on energy and preventing the Federal Government from banning the use of hydraulic fracturing. Fracking is safe. It is clean. It is an effective way to produce affordable energy and to strengthen our national security. By ensuring its continued use, we can reestablish our global energy leadership. We can keep costs low for consumers, every consumer, and we can drive further technological advancements in the industry. This bill advances President Trump's rightful position, his pro- energy, pro-American outlook on energy, to restore our position as the top producer in the world. Instead of allowing Russia, Iran, and Venezuela to do so, we are going to produce it here. I thank my constituents for the fact that even though you were demonized, even though you were made to feel like you weren't doing something that was worthwhile, you did. You stood up, and you did it in the face of adversity. Even at the end of the campaign season in 2024, then-candidate for President Kamala Harris in a debate said that she was pro-fracking. So it is hard to believe that anybody would actually vote against this legislation today because that was the platform of my colleagues on the other side of the aisle. Today is an opportunity to bring us together, Republicans and Democrats, to codify what we both know has been a major advancement. It is time to end the bans and unleash our lands. It is time to come together. I am proud to work with our colleagues on the other side of the aisle because I know this will be a bipartisan bill. I know that there will be many Democrats who vote for this. I am glad that we can do this. I thank the chairman for bringing H.R. 26 to the floor. I fully support it, and I urge my colleagues to also support it.

Mr. PFLUGER

Mr. PFLUGER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in full support of H.R. 28, the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act. Female athletes should never be forced to compete against biological men in sports, plain and simple. Allowing biological men to compete in female sports is not only a complete and utter failure to women who have trained their whole lives to achieve their dreams, but it also completely ignores the scientific fact that men and women have clear biological differences that make competing on the same sports team unfair and dangerous. Mr. Speaker, last year, the Biden administration tried to push a radical Title IX change that would have prevented any institution receiving Federal funding from banning biological men from competing in women's sports. That is insane. Educational institutions have a responsibility to protect the women and girls who attend them, and this legislation ensures that they will be able to do just that. Let me be clear: Allowing biological men to compete in women's sports hurts women. It takes away opportunities, scholarship funds, and titles that are meant for women. As a father of three girls, this is personal to me. I want my girls to be able to succeed in the sports that they play. I want them to be safe. I want that to be a level playing field. What we are talking about here is protecting women, protecting my three girls. The Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act will prevent schools from allowing biological men to compete in women's sports by defining sex in an athletic competition by genetics at birth. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlemen from Florida (Mr. Steube), my good friend, for leading this effort, and I urge all of my colleagues to vote ``yes.''

Mr. PFLUGER

Mr. PFLUGER. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support and full support of H.R. 29, the Laken Riley Act. It is long overdue that we actually take law and order seriously, that we enforce the laws that are on the books. Laken Riley is not an isolated incident, unfortunately. Jocelyn Nungaray from Texas, mother Rachel Morin, and many others, were innocent women who were horrifically killed by illegal aliens, and their families are going to be mourning their loss of life for the rest of their lives. Violent criminals like the ones who committed this heinous act and others continue to pour over our border daily, which is why we desperately need to pass this act today. This legislation will protect American communities by requiring Immigration and Customs Enforcement to issue detainers, mandatory detention for those who are here illegally who also commit theft. It is pretty simple. There should be nothing controversial about this. In fact, I am interested to see how my colleagues on the other side of the aisle who vote against this go back to their districts, Madam Speaker, and say: I don't stand for law and order because I don't want illegal aliens who are here committing theft, rape, murder, or any other offense, to be detained. How can you go back to a district and say that? In Texas, by the way, good news. With the Laken Riley Act, you now have standing to sue the Federal Government when they don't do this, when they don't enforce the laws on the books. You have standing to sue the Federal Government for failing to uphold the laws that are on our books. My heart goes out to Laken Riley's family. My heart goes out to other people who have had to watch as this administration has stood by and done nothing to protect our country, our communities, and the sanctity of the safety that we as Americans should always have. Let's go home and let's be proud, in a bipartisan way, that we are willing to uphold the law. I stand in full support of the Laken Riley Act.

Mr. PFLUGER

Mr. PFLUGER. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Ohio for yielding me time. I rise in support of my legislation, the Federal Broadband Deployment Tracking Act. This bill is essential to improving transparency and efficiency in the broadband deployment process, which will help close the digital divide for rural Americans. According to a 2024 GAO study on broadband deployment, the BLM and Forest Service, which handle most of the permitting reviews on Federal lands, often exceed the 270-day statutory deadline for processing applications. Lengthy application reviews, excessive fees, and complex environmental and historic preservation reviews mean delays in providing service and higher prices leaving ordinary Americans without basic broadband services. My legislation is simple. It requires the National Telecommunications and Information Administration to submit a comprehensive plan to Congress within 180 days detailing how the agency will track the acceptance, processing, and disposal of broadband permitting applications on Federal lands. These applications are essential for accessing easements and rights-of-way to build or maintain telecommunications infrastructure. The NTIA will also be responsible for detailing how quickly they will implement their plan and any potential barriers that they could face. The Federal Broadband Deployment Tracking Act is a critical step toward a more connected America. By enhancing government accountability and accelerating broadband deployment, we are not just improving a process, we are investing in the future of our Nation. This act will help ensure that investments in broadband expansion reach Americans more quickly and effectively. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this important legislation. Together, we can close the digital divide and create a more connected future for all Americans.

Mr. PFLUGER

Mr. PFLUGER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the passing of former Mayor Bert Massey of Brownwood, Texas on November 13, 2024. Mr. Massey was born in Brownwood on October 3, 1943, and he was a pillar of leadership in his community throughout his life. Mayor Massey graduated from Brownwood High School and went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Texas in August 1967, followed by a Doctor of Jurisprudence from the University of Texas School of Law in January 1969. He served on the District Court for the Northern District of Texas and the United States Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. Mr. Massey served on the city council from 1978 to 1984 and as Mayor of the City of Brownwood from 1984 to May 2010, while practicing law as a partner for Massey & West. As the longest-serving Mayor, Mr. Massey was instrumental in countless public infrastructure and quality-of-life projects. Among these are the renovations of the Depot Civic and Cultural Center, the construction of the Martin & Francis Lehnis Railroad Museum, the relocation of City Hall to Center Ave., the construction of the Joint Law Enforcement Center, the relocation of the Senior Citizens Center, the construction of the Bert V. Massey II Sports Complex and the Camp Bowie Family Aquatic Center. Along with his years of service to his community, Mayor Massey was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. He was known for his wealth of knowledge, engaging stories about his beloved community and his warm smile. Mayor Massey's dedication to the Brownwood area and love for his family will be deeply missed by all. I am proud to honor Mayor Massey's many incredible contributions to the City of Brownwood, and I extend my deepest condolences to his family and all who had the privilege of knowing him.

Mr. PFLUGER

Mr. PFLUGER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Pastor Darin Wood of the First Baptist Church of Midland, Texas, who will be opening the House floor in prayer on Friday. Pastor Wood grew up in Joshua, Texas, and started his career in pastoral ministry in 1999. The Wood family later moved to the Permian Basin and started preaching at First Baptist Church of Midland in February of 2016. His leadership is truly inspirational in the Permian Basin. He is no stranger to lending a hand to others, and he has opened the congregation's doors to the public during times of need. In his own words: ``you may enjoy the title of `pastor,' but truthfully, it is an earned role, won bit by bit . . .'' His wife, Julie, and son, Joshua, will be joining him on Friday. Pastor Wood is an inspiration to so many. For those who live in Midland, the Permian Basin, Midland-Odessa, they know Pastor Darin Wood. They know the inspiration that he brings to the community. Not only is he a voice of reason and of wisdom, but he also urges discernment. He has personally helped me since I have been here. In fact, just recently, he was telling me about his study on Ezra and Esther and Nehemiah and talking about the stories of the Old Testament and how they apply to us today. I thank Pastor Wood for his inspiration. For those who live in Midland, they know how inspirational he truly is, and he has been inspirational to me and so many others around Washington, D.C., as he prays for us continuously. I think our country needs prayer right now. Mr. Speaker, I thank Pastor Wood for what he does to serve the Permian Basin, to serve First Baptist Church, and to serve so many people. I also thank him for his inspiration, education, and prayers for me and so many other leaders.

Mr. PFLUGER

Mr. PFLUGER. Mr. Speaker, U.S.-Mexico relations are at risk as President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador continues to take unprecedented and irresponsible steps to unlawfully seize American property. President AMLO is planning to take control of a quarry and port owned by Vulcan Materials Company on the Caribbean coast of Mexico. Vulcan has been in litigation and arbitration with Mexico since 2018, under NAFTA and then the U.S.-Mexico-Canada agreement. Yet still, President AMLO has taken a vendetta against the company, continuously trying to expropriate the American company's property and operations and making claims of environmental damages. My legislation, the Defending American Property Abroad Act, would protect U.S. companies in the Western Hemisphere experiencing similar attempts at expropriation so economic growth and national security may continue. American companies operating abroad should not have to fear arbitrary government actions that undermine their property rights. This is a gross abuse by the Mexican Government and sets a dangerous precedent for other American companies operating in Mexico.

Mr. PFLUGER

Mr. PFLUGER. Madam Chair, I thank the chair for bringing this bill to the floor, H.R. 1516, the DHS Restrictions on Confucius Institutes and Chinese Entities of Concern Act. Members have to ask ourselves: Why are we here? I will point back to last Congress, in the 117th Congress, where we had H.R. 7779, which was a bill that we actually worked together on in the Committee on Homeland Security, under the chairman, my friend from Mississippi. It was never actually brought to the floor. I am not sure why it wasn't brought to the floor. That is why we are here today, because we are serious about protecting our country. In the NDAA, it went to the Rules Committee, and they voted it down. That is why we are here. We are here because we didn't get a chance to actually get serious about our Nation's most serious threat, the Chinese Communist Party, which is using every tool at their disposal to undermine our interests by using malign activity. For years, they have done this in conjunction with the People's Liberation Army. They have exploited the open and collaborative nature of our society of academia to conduct widespread industrial and military espionage inside the United States. Starting in 2004, various academic institutions across the country organized Confucius Institutes as a way to promote Chinese language and culture, to support Chinese teaching internationally, and facilitate cultural exchanges on campus. However, it quickly became apparent that these institutes were nothing more than a Trojan horse acting as an extension of CCP's global influence apparatus. These institutions and operations have allowed the CCP to develop and have an immense impact on the decisions made by academic institutions and enable individuals to spy for the CCP on activities across the country and promote the CCP's aggressive national strategy, most commonly known as the Military-Civil Fusion, to help the People's Republic of China develop the most technologically advanced military in the world by 2049. Thankfully, our society has woken up to these dangers, and now we, as Congress, are taking steps to correct that course. In fiscal year '21, the National Defense Authorization Act prohibited DOD funding from going to institutions of higher education that host Confucius Institutes, and it is time for DHS to do the same. If DOD has done that, why are we treating DHS any different for their funding? We must make every effort to protect Americans' tax dollars from being used to fund the CCP's nefarious activities. The legislation we are discussing today, H.R. 1516, ensures that schools prioritize the security of their scientific research and technological development efforts above a paycheck from the CCP or entities affiliated with the PLA. Specifically, this legislation restricts DHS funding from going to universities who maintain relationships with entities connected to the CCP or support the People's Republic of China Military-Civil Fusion program. This bill safeguards our American taxpayer dollars. It safeguards our society. More importantly, this is a bill that guarantees that U.S. institutions are free from the CCP's malign influence, protects students and faculty who speak out against the CCP's nefarious activities. Let's think about the research papers that are written that actually tell the truth about what is going on inside mainland China. This protects those students to be able to have the ability to write those things. Many of my colleagues today might argue that this bill is not the same bill passed out of committee last Congress. They are correct. It is far stronger than the last bill. Since the beginning of Congress, we have seen multiple instances of the dangers the CCP poses to the United States. In fact, we have a China select committee to just investigate those differences. The threat landscape has changed. Instead of a strategy of appeasement that has been offered by this administration, let's have a strategy of strength that deters action that would undermine our national security. I really don't understand the pushback on this for technical reasons. Get with the program and let's get behind the security of this United States. We need to think about the surveillance balloon that was flown across the continental United States. We worked in good faith last Congress and that bill was never brought to the floor. This Congress, when the people have given us the responsibility for the security of this country, we are going to take action. There will be individuals who bring up the fact that there are only five known Confucius Institutes left in the United States and that they are no longer a threat. That is simply untrue. The CCP has worked to rebrand their educational efforts and are operating in full force on college campuses across the United States. There is little to no transparency from universities in what type of assistance they receive from the PRC. Data collected by the Department of Education shows that universities in the United States have collected over $3.8 billion from entities connected to the PRC and the CCP. Some will argue that this bill is too restrictive. According to GAO, the Secretary of Defense has never issued a waiver. It has never been necessary to issue a waiver. That is why we are taking a strong stance at this time with regards to DHS funding. We cannot allow any of these malign activities or actions to continue to undermine the United States. You are either going to take a step in support of the strength of the United States and pushback on the CCP and rightfully identify that they want to undermine us in every single area: militarily, informationwise, diplomatically, and economically, or you are going to be on the side of somebody else's security. I know where I stand. Madam Chair, I thank Chairman Green for bringing this bill up for markup. I especially thank staff member, Chase Sauvage, in particular, who has done an amazing job of not letting this issue go and maintains a strong stance.

Mr. PFLUGER

Mr. PFLUGER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to offer support for H. Res. 1371, Strongly Condemning the Biden Administration and Its Border Czar, Kamala Harris's, Failure to Secure the United States Southern Border, and in fact, all of our borders. This administration's failure to secure the border has been so significant, so catastrophic, that Congress must use its power to provide accountability. On day one, the Biden-Harris administration issued 64 executive orders to open the border to human traffickers, terrorists, and foreign adversaries. In fact, over 300 known or suspected terrorists have crossed the border illegally that we know about and 50 migrants with ties to ISIS are currently on the loose inside the United States. What are we hearing from our colleagues on the other side of the aisle with regards to that? Don't they care? They don't want to do anything about it. They just want to defend an open-border policy because that is what they are doing. The American people are paying the real cost of this border crisis. It is people like Laken Riley, like Jocelyn Nungaray, like Rachel Morin, who were assaulted and killed by violent criminals who crossed the southern border illegally. I have even lost constituents in my own district to this border crisis. The Tambunga family lost 78-year-old Maria and 7-year-old Emilia to a human trafficker who was here illegally, evading law enforcement, doing over 100 miles an hour. What is being done? Where is the compassion that I just heard from my colleague toward that family? Law and order is compassionate. Americans deserve accountability for this crisis that has wreaked havoc on our communities. Unfortunately, Vice President Harris does not take it seriously, has not done anything positively to shut down the border, to restore law and order, and her complacency and complete disregard to secure the border is unprecedented. This isn't about politics. In fact, for the first 2 years of the administration, we didn't have a single hearing on border security, not a single one, on the Committee of Homeland Security. This resolution simply calls for accountability. How many more hearings do we have to have under our current chairman to call for accountability on this because our colleagues on the other side of the aisle are not willing to actually call out President Biden and Vice President Harris? How many more times do we have to call out for help in our communities? This was led by the border czar. This open-border policy was led by the border czar, and it doesn't matter what we hear, it doesn't matter what excuses are said, and it doesn't matter what else is said from the other side of the aisle. The facts are clear: 8\1/2\ million people plus have entered this country illegally, 300 plus on the terrorist watch list. Thousands of people who are associated with gangs, who are associated with criminal activities, and who are associated with delivering fentanyl that has killed over 100,000 people in this country. I don't think it is funny. I personally don't think it is funny.

Mr. PFLUGER. Mr. Speaker, I personally don't think it is funny. For those laughing on the other side of the aisle, shame on them. The Tambunga family deserves better in my district. In fact, every American deserves better. How many more classified hearings, Mr. Speaker, are we going to have where the FBI comes in and where other intelligence agencies come in and say we have got a problem? How many more classified hearings are we going to have to have where they come into Congress to tell us that we have known and suspected terrorists inside our country? The post-9/11 Commission said the system was flashing red. We need to wake up. The system is flashing red right now, and it is due to President Biden and Vice President Harris' inability to secure the border and do something to secure our country. Shame on those who won't stand up and do the right thing. Mr. Speaker, I strongly urge my colleagues to support H.R. 1371 and to bring accountability back to the southern border.

Mr. PFLUGER

Mr. PFLUGER. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. PFLUGER. Mr. Chair, I rise today to present an amendment that seeks to improve our understanding of the link between military service and cancer risks, specifically among our aviators. The amendment I am proposing to the fiscal year 2025 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies appropriations bill underscores our commitment to protecting and supporting our men and women in uniform during their service and long after that, as well. Specifically, my amendment calls for the Secretary of the VA to allocate funds for collaboration with the National Academy of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to study the prevalence and mortality of cancer among individuals who served as Active-Duty aircrew in the Armed Forces. Tragically, military aviators and crewmembers are being diagnosed with various forms of cancer at alarming rates. A 2021 study conducted by the Air Force Research Laboratory's 711th Human Performance Wing found that pilots and aircrew have higher risks of developing prostate cancer and melanoma with possible links to Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and testicular cancer. Additionally, a study from the DOD found elevated rates of cancer among military aviators and aviation ground personnel. The existing evidence demonstrates a link between cancer and military aviation service. However, we must gather more comprehensive data to understand this correlation better and to properly care for our servicemembers. After putting their lives on the line for their country, our airmen and -women deserve assurances that they will be cared for and not exposed to unknown dangers. The U.S. military must understand any potential health risks threatening our military heroes in the cockpit or those serving as crewmembers. As a former U.S. Air Force fighter pilot myself, who has lost many colleagues to cancer, this issue is personal to me. My amendment ensures that cancer incidence rates are adequately studied, that they are adequately understood, and that the military and the Department of Defense has the tools that it needs to properly care for our military heroes. I think this is a commonsense amendment. It is building upon work and studies that have already been done, and I would urge all of my colleagues to support this as we support those who are serving and protecting our country. Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. PFLUGER. Mr. Chair, just to clarify, I am not sure what the opposition is. I didn't hear what the opposition was.

Mr. PFLUGER. Mr. Chair, I yield to the gentlewoman from Florida for the purpose of a colloquy.

Mr. PFLUGER. Very good.

Mr. PFLUGER. Mr. Chair, I yield to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Carter).

Mr. PFLUGER. Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. PFLUGER

Mr. PFLUGER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to wish Mr. Phil George, a distinguished veteran and legendary coach from San Angelo, Texas, a happy 100th birthday today, and I believe that he may be watching right now. Phil George is a legend in San Angelo, Texas, a veteran of both World War II and Vietnam, where he spent years of service as an incredibly talented pilot. When our Nation called, he answered, multiple times. I cannot overstate the sacrifices he made, both professionally and personally, by putting his career as a basketball coach on hold and leaving his loving wife and children while he answered the Nation's call to serve in World War II and Vietnam. His stories are incredible, his faith in God palpable, and his love for his late wife and family inspiring. In addition to his record of service to our Nation, Mr. George has an incredible record as a basketball coach and athletic director at Angelo State University. Mr. Speaker, when one thinks about the Greatest Generation, we think about Mr. Phil George. Mr. George, happy birthday today.