August Pfluger

Mr. PFLUGER

Mr. PFLUGER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in advance of Veterans Day, to take a moment for our country, to take a moment and to thank those who have served. You are going to see some faces on here, and I am just going to highlight five individuals from my district in West Texas, amongst the thousands who have offered to serve. Many of these are part of the Greatest Generation and this is the greatest country in the world, and it is because of their sacrifices. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a World War II hero, Mr. Bill Womack of Midland, Texas, who celebrated his 100th birthday this year. Mr. Womack joined the National Guard immediately after graduating high school. And after the Pearl Harbor bombing, Mr. Womack became an artilleryman stationed in North Africa and Europe. Bill is one of the legendary Texas Liberators, a group of 488 Texans who fought against the Nazi regime to liberate Jewish prisoners. He was among the group of heroes who first breached the concentration camp, Dachau, and helped bring World War II prisoners to safety. Countless lives were saved because of the efforts and the selflessness of Mr. Womack. Recognizing Phil George

Mr. PFLUGER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to highlight a hero of mine, Mr. Phil George, of San Angelo, Texas, a distinguished veteran and university basketball coach. Mr. George is a legend in my hometown of San Angelo. He is a veteran of not only World War II and Korea, but also of Vietnam where he spent years as an incredibly talented fighter pilot. When our Nation called, he answered, multiple times. I cannot overstate the sacrifices that he made both professionally and also in his community after his service in the military. Not only is he a hero, but he is also a mentor to so many. He leaves a legacy in San Angelo to this day of the selfless ability to lead others, to motivate others, to a life of service. His stories are incredible. His faith in God is palpable, and his love for his late wife, Toddy, and his entire family, are inspiring. In addition to his record of service, he has an incredible record as a basketball coach and athletic director at Angelo State University. Mr. Speaker, I thank Mr. George for his service to this Nation. Recognizing Maynard Schwertner

Mr. PFLUGER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize Mr. Maynard Schwertner, a Vietnam veteran who spent his entire life in the service of this country, both in Vietnam and back at home. As a well driller in Vietnam, Mr. Schwertner spent his time providing clean water for civilians and the military. Back at home, Mr. Schwertner has dedicated his life to serving fellow veterans, and that includes helping establish Vietnam veterans chapters, memorials, and support groups in San Angelo, Texas. He is a distinguished member of the community who lives a life dedicated to supporting our Nation and our Armed Forces. Recognizing Gilberto Torres

Mr. PFLUGER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize Mr. Gilberto Torres for his service in World War II. Gilberto was part of the second wave of the D-day invasion of Normandy, the legendary amphibious invasion that turned the tide of the war and led the allies to liberate Europe. Tragically, when trekking through war-torn Europe, Gilberto was fired upon and struck by enemy machine guns. He survived his injuries and was honorably discharged, but not before earning many medals for his heroism and his bravery, including the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star Medal, and many more. He is in his 90s today and he hopes to visit Normandy. I hope he can do that. Recognizing J.L. Stevens

Mr. PFLUGER. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize Mr. J.L. Stevens, a west Texan, a World War II veteran who also took part in both the Normandy invasion on D-day and the invasion of Okinawa. His service to this country was inspired at the age of 17 as he enlisted in the Navy with the desire to follow in the footsteps of his brother. Stevens' sacrifice helped create a safer world for his two daughters, his six grandchildren, and his 12 great-grandchildren. Mr. Speaker, I think it is important for us to recognize the service of all of these servicemembers as we approach Veterans Day. These are just a few stories, among many, bipartisan in all of our districts. My hope is that this country can look to the service of these, many of whom are part of the greatest generation, and we can realize that this is the greatest country in the world, but it is not without sacrifice. It is these folks and it is their families' sacrifice who brought us together. Once again, I believe that going forward, veterans just like these will continue to bring us together. It is my challenge to everybody in this body and all across the United States that we recognize our veterans' service and their families' sacrifices as we approach Veterans Day.

Mr. PFLUGER

Mr. PFLUGER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to announce the introduction of my bill opposing the latest attack on American energy producers. Crisis after crisis after crisis, and yet Democrats are pushing a natural gas tax that will reduce our GDP by $9 billion, kill at least 90,000 jobs, and raise energy bills for every American. In fact, every American family will pay nearly 20 percent more on their utility bills almost immediately. President Biden's out-of- control spending is already driving prices up on everything. We know that this is going to be the most expensive Thanksgiving in history. And now Democrats are desperately searching for new ways to squeeze even more money out of the American people to pay for Big Government projects. A natural gas tax is a tax on every single American, and it will disproportionately hurt working-class Americans, farmers, and ranchers. President Biden's message in Europe is, American energy--never. Our message should be American-made energy is better than ever.

Mr. PFLUGER

Mr. PFLUGER. Mr. Speaker, this bill is about accountability. It is about leaving no American behind. The safety of our Nation depends on our heroes who are willing to raise their hands and put their own lives on the line regardless of if they are at home or abroad. Tragically, a current loophole in Federal law has allowed the killers of Jaime Zapata, a Texan and American hero, to escape the murder convictions and sentences that they were found guilty for, and justice must be served. In 2011, as you heard the details already, Mr. Speaker, let's reiterate the two ICE agents, Jaime Zapata as well as Victor Avila, were deployed to Mexico to curb human and drug trafficking at our southern border. The two were ambushed and gunned down by members of a Mexican drug cartel who opened fire on them along Highway 57. Both agents were struck, and Jaime Zapata tragically died from his injuries. Weeks after the ambush, seven of these killers were extradited to the United States, and two were found guilty of murder. But last year, a Federal appeals court dismissed the murder convictions on the basis that the district court did not have jurisdiction over the crimes that were committed against those law enforcement agents who were stationed outside of our borders. This is unacceptable, as has been mentioned. Anyone who attacks a U.S. Federal agent who is protecting our country, whether at home or abroad, must be held accountable and must be brought to justice. I am proud to support this legislation to work with my colleagues across the aisle, and I am proud of the bipartisanship that Ms. Jackson Lee, Mr. Cuellar, and so many others have brought forward today. It is very important. Again, this goes to the heart of accountability, and it goes to the heart of leaving no American behind. I appreciate also the leadership of Senators John Cornyn and Chris Coons on this very important initiative. Our country's heroes deserve to know that those of us in Congress in a bipartisan way will hold those to account who break the law. It is so important for us to stand by law enforcement, especially those who are willing to give their all outside of our borders.

Mr. PFLUGER

Mr. PFLUGER. Madam Speaker, crisis after crisis after crisis. We now know that over 2.1 million people have illegally entered this country this year. That is 1.7 million who have been apprehended, the highest number ever on record. And 400,000 additional gotaways that the administration is now owning up to; yet we know nothing about them, we know nothing about their intent for this country, we know nothing about what they are doing. And more fentanyl has been seized by CBP at our southern border to kill seven times over every single American. Even as migrant caravans with thousands of migrants march toward our border, this administration continues to mislead and deny that we have a crisis. I am extremely concerned about who is facilitating these caravans and what organizations are involved in the drug and human trafficking along the way. The blame for this crisis falls squarely on the Biden administration and his open-border policies. Biden has abandoned Texans, and this administration's blatant disregard and incompetence for border security is endangering every single American. Let me again say that the President is abandoning not just Texans, but every American. This administration needs to get back to work, and I urge the Democrats to come to the table.

Mr. PFLUGER

Mr. PFLUGER. Madam Speaker, thank you to my good friend from Louisiana. Crisis after crisis after crisis. Madam Speaker, I rise against the extreme anti-American policies that we see right now that are being discussed in this forum, in this House. I ask two simple questions of the President: Are you making us more secure? Are you making us more prosperous? And the answer to that is no. Unequivocally, no. We have got an anti-American energy movement in this country that is going to devastate every American. It is going to leave us cold, dark, and hungry; it is going to embolden our adversaries; and it is going to harm our environment. This administration is taking a hard line against American energy by canceling thousands of pipeline jobs, by canceling drilling permits, by kneecapping our energy producers with targeted tax increases and harmful regulations. Americans are already feeling the pain of the Biden energy crisis at the gas pump, at the grocery store, where we see exorbitant prices that are continuing to skyrocket. Just today, I had a Democrat colleague who said: In my district, small businesses are feeling the pain everywhere. I said: Well, push back. Stop this madness. Any vote for reconciliation is a vote against the American worker; it is a vote against American energy. To make matters worse, heating bills are forecasted to be 54 percent higher in 2021. Under this administration, make no mistake about it, middle-class families will pay the price, and they will be forced to think twice before turning the heat on this winter. We are nearing an all-out energy emergency that is eerily close to where our neighbors in Europe are feeling, at $25 for gas--$25 in Europe. It is only going to get worse. Instead of unleashing the producers in the Permian Basin, where I represent, people who have done more to innovate and bring emissions down to levels that the Paris climate accords could never have dreamed of, we are cutting them off at the knees. The American family, our mothers and fathers, the working-class American, is who is paying for this. Adversaries whose energy is nowhere near as clean as ours are going to benefit from this. You see that today, on average, $3.30 per gallon, over a dollar more at the pump than what we saw last year. It is only going to get worse. I am urging my colleagues to oppose this radical agenda, to stand up for American energy producers, and to provide every American household with affordable, reliable energy that has come from this country that has allowed us to lift a billion people out of poverty in this world.

Mr. PFLUGER

Mr. PFLUGER. Madam Speaker, I would like to thank my colleague from Pennsylvania for hosting this Special Order. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of every American family. Cold, dark, and hungry is where those families will be if we continue on this path: cold, dark, and hungry. Just two years ago, the United States became energy independent, the number one producer of oil and gas in the entire world, thanks to the previous administration's leadership on deregulating industry that made greater gains in reducing harmful emissions than any other administration in the history of this country. Now, we risk losing our competitive edge on the world stage with needless regulations and more taxes in the budget reconciliation bill that will only hurt small and independent producers and will hurt every working-class family in this country. Let's look across the Atlantic to our neighbors in Europe right this second who are currently suffering through a cataclysmic energy crisis. Their shortage of natural gas and fuel is causing multiple governments across Europe to shut down factories and to warn their citizens to prepare for consistent blackouts. Cold, dark, and hungry. Meanwhile, the fuel lines are growing scarily close to what we saw in the 1970s. This world of shortages, blackouts, and fuel lines may be in Europe today, but it is going to be a reality right here in the United States if this administration continues to push reckless and destructive energy policies. The fate of this is in the hands of this body right here, of Democrats who say that they support oil and gas. But we know that the vote that is going to happen this week will determine whether or not they really support it. As technology advances and the world population continues to grow, we are only going to need more and more energy to power this world. The truth is that renewables simply cannot provide affordable and reliable energy. In my home State, in my district, we produce more wind energy than the entire State of California. We know a little bit about renewables. A strong energy sector is nonnegotiable. Unfortunately, my colleagues continue to push policies that have destroyed American energy independence and will devastate over 10 million jobs right here in the United States. American private energy industry ingenuity can compete toe-to-toe with anyone in the world to deliver a safe and responsible energy source, but we cannot shackle our production with ill-advised policies and regulations. The Permian Basin, where I represent, is the reason that every American can enjoy affordable, reliable energy in so many other places across this United States. Energy security is national security, and nothing can be more important. Anyone voting in favor of reconciliation is voting against American energy and is voting against the independence that keeps our national security so strong. I urge my colleagues to support the energy industry and to embrace an all-of-the-above energy approach, which is so dependent on American oil and gas.

Mr. PFLUGER

Mr. PFLUGER. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to the Democrats' $3.5 trillion spending spree that favors green special interests over American wages and livelihoods. This legislative package is pushing amnesty, adds trillions to our already historic levels of debt, expands the welfare state to disincentivize work, and enacts Green New Deal policies that will drive up utility bills for Americans across the Nation and destroy our American energy industry. Additionally, the crippling tax hikes could cost up to 4 million jobs nationwide, with the middle class and our Main Street businesses burdening much of the cost. One proposal pushed by Democrats, the elimination of the stepped-up- basis, effectively creates a new, second death tax that would eviscerate over 1 million jobs and hurt farmers and ranchers across the country. While some of these proposals may not currently be in the House bill, we must remain vigilant until Senate Democrats and the administration take these harmful policies off the table entirely. Folks in my district, and I believe most Americans, do not want a top-down, one-size-fits-all, job-killing agenda that will completely reshape our society. Everyday working-class Americans are hurting, not the rich. I will oppose any measure that results in higher taxes, lower wages, higher prices, more government control, and less economic growth.

Mr. PFLUGER

Mr. PFLUGER. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of the 2022 National Defense Authorization Act, and I applaud the efforts of Chairman Smith and Ranking Member Rogers to bring this bipartisan bill to the floor. This bill boosts defense funding in line with the recommended 3 to 5 percent real growth needed to maintain our competitive edge over China. The debacle in Afghanistan has weakened our position on the global stage and is a propaganda boon for our adversaries seeking to dismantle the democratic world order. There is no doubt that China and Russia are eyeing this opportunity to cast doubts on U.S. resolve and our commitments. It is imperative that we reassure our allies and partners of American strength at every turn. China is building its military and technological capabilities, and these investments will help achieve the next-generation joint fighting force, specifically of air and sea power. I am an F-22 pilot and have flown against some of the world's most technologically advanced weapons systems. Now is the time that we need to take this seriously. Every threat around the world is looking at our vulnerabilities, and it is this body's work that will help us maintain those competitive advantages. To meet these challenges head-on, we must fully embrace the whole-of- government approach to counter any malign intentions. Congress is integral to this concept, and we must recognize these challenges and respond with strength at this time. We should not let perfect be the enemy of good, and we cannot delay this legislation at all. The strength of our military is at stake. The readiness and lethality that the warfighters so desperately need, which this bill includes, is absolutely imperative to making sure the United States can meet any challenges and defeat any enemy around the world. Madam Speaker, I urge passage of the underlying bill, and I look forward to ironing out our differences through the conference process.

Mr. PFLUGER

Mr. PFLUGER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to oppose the abortion on demand act. This week, Democrats have brought the so-called Women's Health Protection Act to the floor for a vote. This grotesque bill would dismantle all efforts by State lawmakers who work on behalf of their constituents to protect the unborn. The passage of pro-life laws in Texas, such as the heartbeat bill, has broad support in the States in which they are enacted. Voters elect Republican legislators to ensure that their values are protected and defended. Out-of-touch Democrats are overriding the consciences of millions of Americans who support the right to life. Most egregiously, this bill would legalize abortions up through the last trimester. Late-term abortions are not a healthcare issue; they are a human rights issue. With this bill, pro-choice colleagues fail to address one crucial element, the choice of an unborn child to live out their God-given destiny. Republicans stand ready to give our voice to the voiceless and to do everything in our reach to ensure that this bill never becomes the law of the land.

Mr. PFLUGER

Mr. PFLUGER. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to the previous question. There is absolutely no denying that there is a crisis at our southern border. I spent Saturday in Del Rio, Texas, where I would invite everyone in this House to go take a look for themselves at what I saw, nearly 15,000 people crammed under the bridge in unsafe, shanty-like structures after bum-rushing our border and getting into this country illegally. Meanwhile, the port of entry is closed, just a hundred yards from this bridge. Most of these people are from the age of 18 to 35, but I spoke with many children, families, and even women who were expecting within the next day, multiple of whom have given birth this past week, all while suffering the sweltering heat, 100 degrees during that day. You cannot fathom the horrific conditions--the rape, the assault, the crime, the drugs--right here on our border. I spoke to migrants who told me that the U.S. border is easier to get into than that of Mexico, Honduras, El Salvador, and Guatemala. This is unacceptable and is a direct result of the Biden administration's disastrous crisis and policy at our border. Just today, senior DHS officials have told us that the border is secure. It is not. I am proud to join with Ranking Member Katko and my colleagues on the Homeland Security Committee to offer a comprehensive border security solutions bill. It is time to stop playing political games with our security and with our immigration laws. We must return to policies that we know work to stem the flow of illegal immigration and regain operational control of our southern border. Enough is enough. Something must be done. I urge my Democratic colleagues to call this what it is, a crisis, and to stand for our border security.

Mr. PFLUGER

Mr. PFLUGER. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of the much- needed student dormitory project at Goodfellow Air Force Base in San Angelo, Texas. The district I represent is at a crucial crossroads of national security, energy security, and agriculture security that makes our Nation stronger. At the heart of this district sits Goodfellow, home to the training of over 12,000 airmen, soldiers, sailors, marines, and guardians every single year who do intelligence work and also in the training of fire. Goodfellow plays a really critical role in continuing to provide world-class intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance, as well as that fire rescue that I just mentioned. The national security demands of our Nation are quickly outpacing the capacity of Goodfellow to house the ever-growing stream of new students. The base is currently experiencing a drastic shortage of housing. In fact, to meet this shortage, the base has entered into an agreement with Angelo State University for the use of their dorms to ease the capacity concerns. While ASU is a proud and willing partner with Goodfellow, this is not a permanent solution. We cannot expect our communities to shoulder these burdens forever. This project is vital to the national security mission that Goodfellow provides to the country and to that of the Concho Valley community. It is imperative that Air Force Education and Training Command maintain this project as a top priority. I am also offering an amendment tonight, and I rise in support of that, to strike the funding for the expensive and unreliable electric vehicle purchases by the United States Postal Service. Let me be clear. We cannot maintain a functioning and prosperous country without affordable, reliable energy. Yet, my colleagues on the other side of the aisle are completely bent on pursuing a feel-good green energy policy to pat themselves on the backs in the name of saving the environment. But the truth is, they are not improving the environment. They are actually destroying the prosperity and security of our country by doing so. During several days of brutal cold in Texas, the city of Austin saw its fleet of 12 new electric buses rendered completely inoperative during the power outages. By allowing the USPS to go to an all-electric fleet, we are basically saying that when the weather is too hot, too cold, not windy enough, with not enough sun, Americans will not have their mail service. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this amendment and others.

Mr. PFLUGER

Mr. PFLUGER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in defense of the precious lives of our unborn. Last week, my colleagues in the Appropriations Committee voted to authorize taxpayer-funded abortions by passing a spending bill that omits the Hyde amendment. The Hyde amendment prohibits taxpayer dollars from being used to fund abortions and it has saved an estimated 2.5 million lives. It has been included in every appropriations package since 1976 until now. The move to eliminate Hyde is another blatant attack on the sanctity of life, following this administration's budget proposal that has also failed to include the Hyde amendment and other pro-life policies in Federal programs. This is a crucial moment for all of us to uphold the inherent dignity of human life. Every unborn child should have the right to life. There are few greater priorities. I will continue to do everything in my power to protect the vulnerable, to safeguard taxpayer consciences, and to preserve the sanctity of life. We must protect the Hyde amendment. Liberty for Cuba

Mr. PFLUGER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to advocate for liberty, for freedom. For over 60 years, the Cuban people have been oppressed by the worst impulses of a brutal regime and the failed promises of Communist propaganda. What we are seeing today is those people are saying ``enough is enough.'' The Cuban people are shouting ``libertad'' for freedom, waving American flags and rising up to finally demand independence and autonomy over their own lives. Cuba is showing us in real time. In fact, they are showing the world in real time that massive government control over society simply does not work, and how its demise quickly spirals into deadly conditions of poverty, starvation, and hopelessness. I recently had the chance to speak to a Cuban American and a Cuban. Their stories are horrific about the atrocities that their own government is using, the violence, that they are using to control the society. This is causing enough desperation that Cubans will stare down their oppressors in the streets. They will risk their lives, crossing treacherous waters on homemade rafts to reach the shores of America, the shores of freedom. The truth is clear: The United States remains the beacon of freedom and democracy around the world. We must do everything in our power to keep it that way and valiantly support liberty at home and abroad. Fleeing of Texas Democrats

Mr. PFLUGER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express disappointment in the dereliction of duty of Texas Democrats who last week in the State legislature decided to flee the State to keep the Texas House from taking any action during the special session. This stunt, complete with private jets and plenty of congratulatory media coverage, slows the passage of initiatives including: family violence prevention, property tax relief; support for our teachers; and a widely supported bill to strengthen election integrity. The majority of Texans support safeguarding our elections. Unfortunately, colleagues in the Texas House are peddling lies about the election integrity bill. In reality, this measure merely disbands COVID-19 voting protocols that had never been used prior to 2020, while creating a more secure voting process. Showing ID, proving who you are in a State and Federal Government election allows thousands of people to enter illegally every single day, and ending voting at 4 o'clock in the morning. It is time for the media and the Washington elites who are cheering on this charade to see it for what it really is: political theater. Texans deserve better.

Mr. PFLUGER

Mr. PFLUGER. Mr. Speaker, I was absent from votes to tour the immigration and humanitarian crisis at our southern border. Had I been present, I would have voted ``nay'' on rollcall No. 197, ``nay'' on rollcall No. 198, ``nay'' on rollcall No. 199, ``nay'' on rollcall No. 200, and ``nay'' on rollcall No. 201. Members Recorded Pursuant to House Resolution 8, 117th Congress Babin (Nehls) Boebert (Gosar) Cardenas (Gomez) Cawthorn (Nehls) Cohen (Beyer) Comer (Cammack) Fallon (Nehls) Gallego (Gomez) Garcia (TX) (Jeffries) Grijalva (Stanton) Herrera Beutler (Kinzinger) Horsford (Jeffries) Jacobs (NY) (Garbarino) Jayapal (Pocan) Johnson (TX) (Jeffries) Kirkpatrick (Stanton) Lawson (FL) (Evans) Leger Fernandez (Jacobs (CA)) Lieu (Beyer) Long (Fleischmann) Lowenthal (Beyer) McClain (Bergman) Meng (Jeffries) Mullin (Lucas) Napolitano (Correa) Owens (Stewart) Payne (Pallone) Reschenthaler (Nehls) Ruiz (Aguilar) Rush (Underwood) Sewell (DelBene) Steube (Franklin, C. Scott) Strickland (DelBene) Timmons (Gonzalez (OH)) Wilson (FL) (Hayes) Young (Mast) Amendments En Bloc No. 3 Offered by Mr. DeFazio of Oregon

Mr. PFLUGER. Mr. Speaker, I was absent from votes to tour the immigration and humanitarian crisis at our southern border. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall No. 202, ``nay'' on rollcall No. 203 and, ``yea'' on rollcall No. 204. Members Recorded Pursuant to House Resolution 8, 117th Congress Babin (Nehls) Boebert (Gosar) Cardenas (Gomez) Cawthorn (Nehls) Cohen (Beyer) Comer (Cammack) Fallon (Nehls) Gallego (Gomez) Garcia (TX) (Jeffries) Grijalva (Stanton) Herrera Beutler (Kinzinger) Horsford (Jeffries) Jacobs (NY) (Garbarino) Jayapal (Pocan) Johnson (TX) (Jeffries) Kirkpatrick (Stanton) Lawson (FL) (Evans) Leger Fernandez (Jacobs (CA)) Lieu (Beyer) Long (Fleischmann) Lowenthal (Beyer) McClain (Bergman) Meng (Jeffries) Mullin (Lucas) Napolitano (Correa) Owens (Stewart) Payne (Pallone) Reschenthaler (Nehls) Ruiz (Aguilar) Rush (Underwood) Sewell (DelBene) Steube (Franklin, C. Scott) Strickland (DelBene) Timmons (Gonzalez (OH)) Wilson (FL) (Hayes) Young (Mast) Amendments En Bloc No. 5 Offered by Ms. Davids of Kansas

Mr. PFLUGER

Mr. PFLUGER. Madam Speaker, I was absent from votes in order to tour the immigration and humanitarian crisis unfolding at our southern border. Had I been present, I would have voted ``nay'' on rollcall No. 193, ``yea'' on rollcall No. 194, ``nay'' on rollcall No. 195, and ``nay'' on rollcall No. 196. members recorded pursuant to house resolution 8, 117th congress Babin (Nehls) Boebert (Gosar) Bourdeaux (Kuster) Cardenas (Gomez) Carl (Joyce (PA)) Cawthorn (Nehls) Clark (MA) (Kuster) Cohen (Beyer) Fallon (Nehls) Gallego (Gomez) Garcia (IL) (Gomez) Garcia (TX) (Jeffries) Grijalva (Stanton) Horsford (Jeffries) Jackson Lee (Butterfield) Jacobs (NY) (Garbarino) Johnson (TX) (Jeffries) Kind (Connolly) Kirkpatrick (Stanton) Lawson (FL) (Evans) Leger Fernandez (Jacobs (CA)) Lieu (Beyer) Lowenthal (Beyer) McClain (Bergman) Meng (Jeffries) Mullin (Lucas) Napolitano (Correa) Norman (Wilson (SC)) Owens (Curtis) Payne (Pallone) Ruiz (Aguilar) Rush (Underwood) Sewell (DelBene) Steube (Franklin, C. Scott) Strickland (DelBene) Timmons (Wilson (SC)) Torres (NY) (Jeffries) Wilson (FL) (Hayes) Young (Joyce (OH))

Mr. PFLUGER

Mr. PFLUGER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Hill), a great patriot.

Mr. PFLUGER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume, and I thank the chairman. Mr. Speaker, 682 days ago, my constituent, Trevor Reed of Granbury, Texas, was thrown into jail by the Russian Government for a crime he did not commit before being convicted in Russian kangaroo court. He is an Eagle Scout, a U.S. marine, and, more importantly, a beloved son and brother, who stands to endure a decade of his life in a Russian prison if we are unable to bring him home. Trevor was initially detained for public intoxication, but when the Russian Federal Security Service discovered that he was a U.S. marine, they upped the charges and accused him of endangering the lives of police officers. The accusation and the lack of evidence to support it was so ridiculous that even a Russian judge erupted in laughter during his trial. U.S. Ambassador John Sullivan said justice was not even considered in this case, and described Trevor's trial as a theater of the absurd. His trial was a sham, and his treatment in the custody of Russian authorities has been nothing short of appalling. He has been denied medical care, counselor access, and has been repeatedly moved without prior or proper notification. Even when he was infected with COVID, the Russians cut off communication with our embassy and with his family. Vladimir Putin himself recently smeared Trevor Reed's name, further underscoring the reality that Trevor's detainment is, in fact, politically motivated. Mr. Speaker, I thank Ranking Member Michael McCaul for partnering with me to introduce this resolution, and for the support of Chairman Meeks, and for our commitment together in a bipartisan way to stand up for Trevor and the entire Reed family and others who are unlawfully detained. Mr. Speaker, the passage of this resolution could not be more timely than it is today. In fact, just today, a corrupt Russian appeals court rejected Trevor's final appeal certifying the absurd 9-year sentence. Our message is simple: The United States will not tolerate an American citizen being held by the Putin regime as a political pawn. Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to join together and stand firm with Trevor and his family, to reunite Trevor and his family, and to bring him home. Free Trevor Reed. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. PFLUGER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, again, I thank the chairman and Ranking Member McCaul. Mr. Speaker, the United States must send a strong message to Vladimir Putin that we will not tolerate a U.S. citizen and a marine veteran being held as a political pawn. I, again, want to recognize those here in the Chamber who have supported this. Ranking Member Michael McCaul from Texas, Mr. Hill from Arkansas, and others for partnering with me on the resolution, that we will not stand for any unlawful detention of any American. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. PFLUGER

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