Bill Posey

Mr. POSEY

Mr. POSEY. Madam Speaker, on April 21, 2022, Inspector Christopher Welsh retired after 28 years of distinguished service from the Florida Department of Corrections Office of the Inspector General. Christopher has distinguished himself as leader in his selfless dedication to the law enforcement profession, leaving each post and every person who has worked with him or under his leadership better off. He will be missed by all those who have had the privilege to serve with him. Christopher began his career with the Florida Department of Correction as a Correctional Officer at Broward Correctional Institution in 1994. He quickly moved up the ranks and by 2007 he was promoted to Inspector at the Martin Correctional Institution handling cases involving employee misconduct and malfeasance within the Florida Department of Corrections. In 2015 he was promoted to Lead Inspector in the Region 5 area where he trained and mentored new inspectors. In 2021 he was again promoted to Inspector Supervisor in Region 5 area and retired in 2022. Mr. Welsh's noteworthy career extends beyond his time at the Florida Department of Corrections. Before serving in the FDC, Mr. Welsh served as a police officer in the United States Air Force and is a veteran of Operation Desert Storm. We are grateful for his military service. He is also a graduate of the Law Enforcement Academy and a Criminal Justice and Standards training Commission Certified Instructor. Mr. Welsh is a man of faith having served as the Youth and Family Minister at our Savior Lutheran Church in Plantation, FL, and is also an avid volunteer with a decades long commitment to giving back to his community. He coached the wrestling team at Sebastian High School and has coached baseball and football in local recreational leagues. Mr. Welsh, a hardworking father dedicated to his faith, his family, and his community, embodies the American Dream and all that makes this nation so great. I urge my colleagues to join me in recognizing Mr. Christopher Welsh and his exceptional career on the occasion of his retirement.

Mr. POSEY

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

Mr. POSEY

Mr. POSEY. Madam Speaker, on Saturday, May 7, 2022, thousands of residents from across Central Florida will gather at the Cocoa Beach Pier in Cocoa Beach, Florida, to take part in the Eleventh Annual ``Footprints in the Sand'' Cocoa Beach Kidney Walk. Katie and I have joined others in our community in participating every year since the first walk was organized in 2012 by Rich Salick, Bill Hahn and volunteers with the Florida Affiliate of the National Kidney Foundation. The ``Footprints in the Sand'' Kidney Walk brings our community together to show our love and concern. So many of us have family, friends and loved ones that are afflicted by kidney disease, and they need our strength and support. The road ahead is not easy for them, but as the kidney walk demonstrates, they do not have to travel that path alone. The National Kidney Foundation of Florida, its supporters and activists have made a significant difference in people's lives. They not only raise awareness about this disease, but they have helped push for much needed changes in our laws and new innovations to give patients more treatment options and a better quality of life. This year organizers of the kidney walk will recognize organ donors and their families for giving the precious gift of life so that others could receive a second chance and continue with their lives. Those recognized include: Dawn Futch honoring Micheal Futch, Vivien Pogeler honoring Scott Pogeler, Jasmin Persaud honoring Anand Persaud, Jennifer Eden honoring Blake Eden, Mandee Seitz honoring Aryia Grace, Teresa Ervin honoring Timothy Dean Ervin, Shebna Dorsey honoring Andrew Dorsey, Ellen Tuech honoring Geoffrey ``Geoff'' Wasden, Pat Brown honoring Michael Brown, Mary Carpenter honoring Shawn Carpenter, Tammy Lee honoring Dylan Rowe, Sherri Wilson honoring William ``Garrett'' Coe, Kathleen Deleonardo honoring Anthony Deleonardo, Monica Beyrooti honoring Seth Beyrooti, Susan Sharp honoring Sean Sharp, Leslie Collins honoring Jose Collins, and Nancy Velazquez honoring Pedro Batista. I ask my colleagues in the U.S. House of Representatives to join me in recognizing the strong will of these caring families, their loved ones and all those who have joined the effort and worked tirelessly to raise awareness about kidney disease.

Mr. POSEY

Mr. POSEY. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to call up H.R. 471, the PAUSE Act, to protect all Americans from Biden's border crisis.

Mr. POSEY

Mr. POSEY. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize the most competent, respected, and effective advocate for children and families that I have ever known, someone who has made a difference in the lives of countless Space Coast families, Irene Burnett. When the space center was developed in the early 1960s, there were almost no social services, so Irene was brought in to lead the Human Planning Council. Irene devoted herself to serving the health, mental health, and social needs of our communities, establishing circles of care, the first dental clinic, and the first legal aid society. Irene's philosophy was: ``We don't work with blind or disabled, we work with people,'' always stressing the importance of not only helping individuals but families as well. Irene exemplifies servant heart leadership. Thus, I ask my colleagues to join me in saluting Irene Burnett's lifetime of service.

Mr. POSEY

Mr. POSEY. Madam Speaker, on February 16, 2022, the City of Palm Bay will recognize the courage and bravery of the City's law enforcement officers and civilians during their Annual Award's Presentation Ceremony to be held at Bayside High School. Over two-hundred Law Enforcement Officials and Civilian Employees make up The City of Palm Bay's Police Department. The 173 men and women who are the Sworn Officers of the Palm Bay Police Department lay down their lives daily to protect and serve. They exemplify their motto of ``Connect, Serve, and Impact'' as they connect with the community and serve with pride to provide a positive impact. Their noble and selfless actions help keep our community safe. I am honored to show my support for the law enforcement personnel of the Palm Bay Police Department and their heroic acts. I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing their sacrifices and the sacrifices of their families. Among those to be recognized are the Officer of the Year Recipient, Officer Cole McDonald, the Civilian of the Year Recipient, Kimberly Carlo, Records Specialist, and the Telecommunicator of the Year, Communications Officer, Lyndsey Veina. The Medal of Valor Award Recipients: Corporal Vincent Galioto, K9 Officer Byron Patrick, Officer Joseph Moreno, Officer Matthew Harris, Officer Omar Forbes, Officer Andrew Samuels, Officer Christina Martin, Officer Ryan Van Note, Brevard County Sheriff's Officers, Deputy Tyler Smith, and Deputy Jose Rodriguez. The Distinguished Service Cross Award Recipients: Officer Caroline Jodoin and Officer Christopher Morris, Brevard County Sheriffs Officer Deputy William Kidd. Officers and Civilian Recipients of the Life Saving Award: Mayor Rob Medina, Sergeant Christopher Snedeker, Sergeant Edward Bermudez, Sergeant Neal Valenti, Corporal Brandon Neely, Corporal Jason McCoy, Corporal Michael Sielicki, Officer Aaron Arndt, Officer Brandon Williams, Officer Cassandra Woronka, Officer Jasmine Smith, Officer John Neal, Officer Kendra Smith, Officer Melanie Trimboli, Officer Scott Kenney, Officer Stephen Ball, Officer Virginia Stepp, Officer Tyler Fooks (Second Award), Officer Amanda Hollcroft, Officer Caitlynn Trenor, Officer Ryan Van Note, Officer Andrew Samuels, Officer Christina Martin. Category 2 Awards Officers and Civilian Recipients of the Meritorious Service Award: Lieutenant Virginia Kilmer, Sergeant Antoinette Schrum, Sergeant Mark Trammell, Corporal Christopher Richards, Detective Ken Shedrick, Detective Scott Searles, Officer Zachery Morris, Officer Greg Moore, Officer Chad Kirk, Officer Sharon Kurval, Officer Amanda Hollcroft, Officer Caitlynn Trenor, Reserve Officer Mark Gensiejewski, Desk Booking Specialist, Kendall McMullen, VCOP Eva Evans, VCOP Brian Evans, Communications Officer Meaghan Koleszar, Evidence Technician, Dawn Subrin. Officers and Civilian Recipients of the Community Service Award: Lieutenant Michael Smith, Lieutenant Steve Bland, Sergeant Alcine Phang-Pennington, Corporal Samantha Missale, Corporal William Pennington, Corporal Vincent Galioto, Officer David Porter, Officer Monica Ruiz, Officer Robert Vickers (Second Award), Officer Ryan Austin (Second Award), Officer Tony Williams, Officer Christopher Morris, Officer Cole McDonald, VCOP Karen Sharpe.

Mr. POSEY

Mr. POSEY. Madam Speaker, due to a COVID-19 diagnosis, which resulted in my quarantining due to a doctor's order, I was unable to travel to D.C. for the legislative session on December 8, 2021. Had I been present, I would have voted: NAY on Roll Call No. 406; YEA on Roll Call No. 407; YEA on Roll Call No. 408; YEA on Roll Call No. 409; NAY on Roll Call No. 410; NAY on Roll Call No. 411; YEA on Roll Call No. 412; YEA on Roll Call No. 413; YEA on Roll Call No. 414; YEA on Roll Call No. 415; YEA on Roll Call No. 416; YEA on Roll Call No. 417; YEA on Roll Call No. 418; NAY on Roll Call No. 419; NAY on Roll Call No. 420; YEA on Roll Call No. 421; YEA on Roll Call No. 422; YEA on Roll Call No. 423; NAY on Roll Call No. 424; NAY on Roll Call No. 425; YEA on Roll Call No. 426; YEA on Roll Call No. 427; YEA on Roll Call No. 428; YEA on Roll Call No. 429; YEA on Roll Call No. 430; YEA on Roll Call No. 431; YEA on Roll Call No. 432; YEA on Roll Call No. 433; YEA on Roll Call No. 434; and YEA on Roll Call No. 435.

Mr. POSEY

Mr. POSEY. Madam Speaker, today I rise to honor the Florida Institute of Technology's Cyber League Team, FITSEC, for their extraordinary perfect score and first place finish in the Fall 2021 National Cyber League team tournament on November 7, 2021. The National Cyber League team tournament is a biannual national competition in which 650 institutions around the country face off to solve simulations of real-life cybersecurity problems. The National Cyber League assesses a team's ability to address nine critical cybersecurity workforce categories outlined in the NIST NICE Cybersecurity Framework and the NSA Knowledge Units. This year more than 3,900 teams competed, with our hometown team clinching the victory. The Florida Institute of Technology of Melbourne, FL, in my district, is leading the way in cybersecurity research and education and has been recognized as a National Security Agency (NSA) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) National Center of Academic Excellence (CAE-R) in Cyber Defense Research. Their rigorous undergraduate Cyber Operations Concentration, modeled after the NSA Cyber Operations Knowledge Units, is developing bright young minds that will most certainly be among our nation's future leaders. It is good to know that students right here in Brevard County will soon help solve the problems of tomorrow, like countering unchecked foreign threats and filling the shortages in this growing field already identified by the federal government. The 2021 Florida Institute of Technology's team was coached by Dr. TJ O'Connor and consisted of two graduate and five undergraduate students in Computer Science, including Blake Janes, Carl Mann, Dave Breeden, Isaiah Thomas, Logan Suarez, Stephanie Wood, and Tiffanie Petersen. I urge my colleagues to join me in congratulating FIT and these student leaders on their outstanding accomplishments and wish them every success in the future.

Mr. POSEY

Mr. POSEY. Madam Speaker, on December 18, 2021, Brevard County families, businesses and local community organizations will gather to celebrate the 13th Annual Family Christmas Extravaganza. Having become one of the largest Christmas celebrations on the Space Coast, this year's event will be bigger and better than ever, promising a place for family and friends to partake in a wide variety of holiday festivities to get them in the Christmas spirit. This year's event will take place at Fred Poppe Regional Park in Palm Bay from 11:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. and will be completely free of charge thanks to over 60 local businesses and organizations. As a demonstration of love, The House, Eastwind Pentecostal, Victory in Christ Jesus, Elevation, Center of Love Church, Grace Bible, Jornada al Cielo, Church on the Rock, His Place Ministries, Christ is the Answer (CITA), Bay West, and Wings of Grace have all united to bring the 13th Annual Family Christmas Extravaganza to our City and County. Because of their generous contributions, families will be able to enjoy food galore, ride horses, and see live entertainment. This year's Family Christmas Extravaganza will even feature God in a Box production by ANEW Life International, a 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament by Court Kingz, and an acrobatic show by Cirque Adventure. The House of Palm Bay, City of Palm Bay Parks and Recreation, along with several community business partners such as Thrifty Specialty Produce, Chick-Fil-A, Gator Automotive, Ben & Jerry's, The Source, and Dignity Foods are just among the few names of many we must thank for providing the venue and resources to make the celebration unforgettable. Senior Pastor Ken Delgado of the House at Palm Bay said in anticipation of the event, ``With today's news being filled with division, contention and expressions of hatred, it is exciting to see the City of Palm Bay, along with its businesses and citizens, create an event where love, joy and peace is expressed. The Family Christmas Extravaganza is the greatest expression that so many people yearn for and is what the angels proclaimed at the birth of Jesus saying, `Peace and good will towards all men.' '' The City of Palm Bay issued a proclamation in support for this year's celebration, proclaiming December 18, 2021, Family Christmas Extravaganza Day. The spirit of the holidays is all about giving and spending time with loved ones. This year's Extravaganza brings our community together to remind us of that. I ask my colleagues to join me in saluting all those who are doing their part to spread the Christmas spirit this holiday season and those who have worked so hard to make the 13th Annual Family Christmas Extravaganza possible.

Mr. POSEY

Mr. POSEY. Mr. Speaker, the President's theme, Build Back Better, just can't pass the straight-face test. In reality, it is more like demolish America faster. If you really think it builds America back better, your view of America is a lot different than most of the people I know. We grew up in an America where college professors taught students how to think, not what to think. We grew up in an America where you could express your thoughts on any subject without having the media collude with Big Tech to censor you through bullying, intimidation, or bogus so-called fact checks. We grew up in an America where parents were encouraged to support the education of their children, not targeted by the Department of Justice as domestic terrorists for telling the school board members that they think they are going in the wrong direction. We grew up in an America where immigrants, like most of our predecessors, our ancestors, were welcomed if they came here legally. I can move to Mexico, but it would be impossible for me to become a Mexican. I can move to Honduras, but I can never become Honduran. I can move to Somalia, but it would be impossible for me to become a Somalian. On and on it goes. But it is possible for people from other countries to come here and become Americans. If they work hard and play by the rules, they can build a better future for themselves and their families. They can achieve the American Dream. That is why people risk their lives, and some have died, trying to come to this country. No other countries with the kind of policies you are trying to force down the throat of Americans are like that. Yes, we lived in an America where most folks, unless they were plagued with affluenza, wokeness, entitlementitis, or Trump-phobia, believed they lived in the greatest and the freest country in the history of the world. Pre-COVID-19, we lived in an America with the lowest unemployment rate in decades, the lowest African-American and Hispanic unemployment rate since they began keeping records. An America that was energy independent. An America with mostly fair elections. And an America with secure borders. Speaking about secure borders, let's be clear. There is a crisis at the border, even though the President, the Vice President, and most of my colleagues across the aisle deny it. Coming into our country illegally does not make someone a legal immigrant any more than someone breaking into your house makes them one of your family. Most people know there is a difference between legal immigration and the illegal invasion that we are witnessing right now. Proposed mass amnesty will only encourage others to come and try illegally. It is not hard to see where you are coming from. Based upon the false promise that he would unify America, President Biden got into the Oval Office, and my friends on the other side of the aisle gained a razor-thin majority in the House and Senate. But we all know, everybody knows, the unification promise was a lie, and their majority is going to be short-lived. So they must feel compelled to rush through a radical agenda before the midterms. Now, people are understandably frustrated. Actually, they are very angry, and they are not going to sit back and take it much longer. Instead of the bogus Build Back Better plan and reconciliation plan, you know what they want? They want the Democrats to help put America back where they found it and leave it the hell alone. Let's go, Brandon.

Mr. POSEY

Mr. POSEY. Madam Speaker, ironically, it was my bill, the Election Reform Act of 2001--after the closest Presidential election in history, decided by about 350 votes--and my Election Reform Act, after all that hostility, passed 38-2 in the Senate and 120-0 in the Florida House, and that is how election reform bills should pass. If they don't pass with an overwhelming majority of both sides, they are not fair and they shouldn't be enforced. Americans are feeling the rise in prices at the gas pump and in our grocery stores. Favorite products are in short supply, and some are even not available. To make matters worse, they are discovering that the resolution before us is full of wasteful spending and big tax increases. The administration only responds to our economic crisis by making excuses and pointing fingers. Claiming supply chain disruptions and inflation are just high-class problems is incredibly wrong. Madam Speaker, you can call it what you want on TV, but at the end of the day, it is just, plain and simple, bad policy. All this resolution does that we are asked to vote for is to green-light more of it. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``no'' on this resolution.

Mr. POSEY

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

Mr. POSEY

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

Mr. POSEY

Mr. POSEY. Mr. Speaker, this week is National Estuaries Week, a special time to raise awareness about the vital role estuaries play in our communities and our economies, and to encourage local involvement in caring for our diverse ecosystems. My home in Florida is part of an estuary called the Indian River Lagoon. Supporting the health of our lagoon also supports vast economic, environmental, and recreational needs of our communities. When our Nation's estuaries are thriving, we know our environment, our fishermen, our businesses and, most importantly, our families are thriving. I encourage my colleagues to join us in recognizing National Estuaries Week and the important role estuaries play in our communities.

Mr. POSEY

Mr. POSEY. Madam Speaker, I rise to direct the House's attention to H. Res. 3281, the RPM Act. The RPM Act is necessary because of a gross abuse of the Administrative Procedures Act by unelected, unaccountable, unrecallable bureaucrats. Madam Speaker, most people aren't aware that the chances are better than a thousand to one if you are ever hauled into Federal court under charges, it is more than likely you will be subject to a violation of rules, administrative rules, that are enforceable as laws. Most Members of Congress seem oftentimes to forget that, and we have allowed the rule-makers, the unelected, unaccountable people, to make an incredible amount of laws that become a heavy burden on our society. So we are hoping, with the RPM Act, H. Res. 3281, we can right some of those wrongs.

Mr. POSEY

Mr. POSEY. Mr. Speaker, I'm proud to join Congresswoman Bonamici as an original cosponsor. For those of us who live on the ``coast,'' the coast is that unique place where our lives, our environment, and our economy participate in a special relationship with the ocean. In my own State of Florida, we know that about 6 million people work in our coastal counties. They earn nearly $280 billion dollars in wages and produce close to $700 billion in gross domestic product. Life on the coast is rich in rewards, but also uncertain and often perilous. Those of us who live on the coast have known for a long time how important sustainability and resilience are for our coasts. We have weathered the storms of the past and we must do so in the future. Science and research are our best hope for continuing to live in harmony with our coasts. Research can prepare us for assaults on our coasts and help us defend our wildlife and biodiversity from threats like acidification. We must take care of our precious coasts so that we can continue to enjoy the lifestyle and the economic well-being we cherish. That is why I've joined Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici in directing NOAA to pick up the role of leading research for coastal acidification. I ask my colleagues to support the COAST Research Act.

Mr. POSEY

Mr. POSEY. Mr. Speaker, I'm pleased to rise in support of H.R. 2533, The National Estuaries and Acidification Research (NEAR) Act. I want to thank Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici and Congressman Brian Mast for working with me to advance this important legislation. I also want to thank the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine for their valuable input. The NEAR Act is a national proposal with a very special personal connection. People in my district--the 8th district of Florida-- understand in a very deep way, the economic and environmental importance of the ocean and our estuary--the Indian River Lagoon. This bill focuses on estuaries--those wondrous nurseries and homes for sea life. Unfortunately, the Indian River Lagoon, and other valuable estuaries throughout the country, are being threatened by ocean acidification, along with other stressors. Scientists tell us that when carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere, about one third of that carbon dioxide is absorbed by seawater, creating carbonic acid. Shellfish and other marine organisms don't do well in acidic waters. We know that. We have over a decade of research on the impacts of acidification in the open ocean. Unfortunately, we don't have the same kind of knowledge about acidification in estuaries and waters near our shores. We need to deepen our investment in research in our estuaries so we can protect and restore our estuaries and defend our environment and coastal economy. The story of my district and the Indian River Lagoon plays out along our entire national coastline. More than half of the U.S. population lives in coastal areas. Five years ago, Congresswoman Bonamici and I cofounded the bipartisan Congressional Estuary Caucus to preserve and restore our estuaries. Coastal watershed counties provide an estimated 69 million U.S. jobs and contribute an estimated $7.9 trillion to the GDP annually. The National Academy study authorized by the NEAR Act is a great step toward filling in the gaps in our knowledge of how acidification affects our estuaries--both environmentally and economically. Mr. Speaker, when we take care of our environment, we take care of ourselves, and therefore, I ask my colleagues to join me in taking this important step toward understanding how ocean acidification affects our precious estuaries and support this bill today.

Mr. POSEY

Mr. POSEY. Mr. Speaker, I thank the good Congressman from Texas (Mr. Cloud) for leading this important discussion. When I visited the border, I saw the dangers of open borders, not only for Americans, but for thousands of illegal immigrants smuggled across the border. Open borders empower drug cartels. Cartels are ruthless and inhumane in their treatment of their human cargo. President Trump secured agreements with El Salvador, Honduras, and Guatemala that curbed the flow of illegal immigrant caravans. Those agreements, along with the Remain in Mexico agreement, deprived the cartels of billions and billions of dollars and saved hundreds of thousands of immigrants from sexual abuse and exploitation at the hands of the ruthless drug cartels. Sadly, on January 20, President Biden gave the ruthless cartels a green light to resume their exploitation of women, children, and young men when he signed executive orders effectively repealing those agreements, which had curbed illegal immigration and were defunding the cartels. Now, the record-low crossings of immigrants and drugs have been replaced by record highs. Customs and Border Protection agents are overwhelmed and have resorted to catch and release, which rewards the cartels, further enriching those guys. Rather than abandoning border security, the Biden-Harris administration must abandon the failed policies that created the crisis. Restoring our border is essential to putting the safety and security of Americans first, to protect immigrants from exploitation and harm, and to deprive the drug cartels of victims and revenue. The worst is still to come if this administration continues down this reckless road.

Mr. POSEY

Mr. POSEY. Mr. Speaker, over the past 10 years we have made a lot of progress in making Congress more transparent and accountable. After years of persistence, I was pleased to see that the House finally adopted the comparative text rule that I proposed. The comparative text rule made it possible for Members of the House and the public to actually see and understand exactly what a bill changes. Every legislature in the country does that. But sadly, boom, in an instant this year the House abolished that rule, even though it was a top priority with the bipartisan Government Efficiency, Accountability, and Reform Task Force for commonsense solutions to a better government. Now, Mr. Speaker, that is shameful.

Mr. POSEY

Mr. POSEY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to express my strong opposition to H.R. 1 and my great disappointment that the Majority refused to allow my commonsense amendments to be offered to this bill. This bill was written behind closed doors and though Members of Congress offered over 180 amendments to improve this bill only 56 were allowed to be offered on the House floor. That is a travesty for Congress and the American people who want and deserve honest and transparent elections. This bill bans voter identification laws and mandates States implement mail-in voting both of which will lead to massive election fraud. Even European countries have rejected these failed policies due to fraud. While serving in the Florida Senate I was tasked with reforming Florida's election laws following the 2000 election and chaos that ensued. Having tackled election reform in the aftermath of an uncertain election, I know firsthand how important it is to restore confidence and eliminate existing grey areas that may lead to fraud or raise questions about fairness. Events surrounding the 2020 election raised questions from my constituents about the operation and certification of voting machines used throughout our state and the nation. Chief among those concerns was whether our voting machines are connected to the internet and vulnerable to manipulation through hacking. To answer these and other questions I contacted the U.S. Election Assistance Commission which certifies voting hardware and software for use in our elections. In her letter to me, the Inspector General of the U.S. Election Assistance Commission addressed this topic stating that the ``EAC believes Michigan may use modem transmission features in at least some of its Dominion voting systems.'' This is in direct conflict with assertions by the maker of the Dominion Voting System who stated, ``. . . Voting systems are by design meant to be used as closed systems that are not networked meaning they are not connected to the Internet.'' To end the confusion on this issue and restore confidence in our system, I filed an amendment that would prohibit voting systems from being connected to the Internet; specifically, stating that no system or device upon which ballots are programmed or votes are cast or tabulated shall be connected to the Internet at any time. That would ensure the integrity of voting machines. Unfortunately, that amendment was not allowed to be debated and voted on. My second amendment would ensure that election machines are fully auditable--no longer would election officials and election equipment providers deny full audits of elections due to proprietary software or hardware. The American people have a right to a full audit of any election to ensure the full integrity of elections. There is no good reason to oppose this amendment but, again, it was not allowed to be debated and voted on. And, my third amendment would have prohibited the use of voting systems produced by a foreign entity. It would also require all components of the voting systems be manufactured and maintained in the United States. Why should the votes of the American people be subject to counting using foreign equipment that cannot be audited and that may be connected to the Internet? My amendments would ban all three of these things. By denying elected Members of Congress a vote on these amendments, Speaker Pelosi decided against providing full transparency and accountability in our federal elections. This partisan bill should be rejected.

Mr. POSEY

Mr. POSEY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to express my strong opposition to H.R. 1 and my great disappointment that the Majority refused to allow my commonsense amendments to be offered to this bill. This bill was written behind closed doors and though Members of Congress offered over 180 amendments to improve this bill only 56 were allowed to be offered on the House floor. That is a travesty for Congress and the American people who want and deserve honest and transparent elections. While serving in the Florida Senate I was tasked with reforming Florida's election laws following the 2000 election and chaos that ensued. Having tackled election reform in the aftermath of an uncertain election, I know firsthand how important it is to restore confidence and eliminate existing grey areas that may lead to fraud or raise questions about fairness. Events surrounding the 2020 election raised questions from my constituents about the operation and certification of voting machines used throughout our state and the nation. Chief among those concerns was whether our voting machines are connected to the internet and vulnerable to manipulation through hacking. To answer these and other questions I contacted the U.S. Election Assistance Commission which certifies voting hardware and software for use in our elections. In her letter to me, the Inspector General of the U.S. Election Assistance Commission addressed this topic stating that the ``EAC believes Michigan may use modem transmission features in at least some of its Dominion voting systems.'' This is in direct conflict with assertions by the maker of the Dominion Voting System who stated, ``. . . Voting systems are by design meant to be used as closed systems that are not networked meaning they are not connected to the Internet.'' To end the confusion on this issue and restore confidence in our system, I filed an amendment that would prohibit voting systems from being connected to the Internet; specifically, stating that no system or device upon which ballots are programmed or votes are cast or tabulated shall be connected to the Internet at any time. That would ensure the integrity of voting machines. Unfortunately, that amendment was not allowed to be debated and voted on. My second amendment would ensure that election machines are fully auditable--no longer would election officials and election equipment providers deny full audits of elections due to proprietary software or hardware. The American people have a right to a full audit of any election to ensure the full integrity of elections. There is no good reason to oppose this amendment but, again, it was not allowed to be debated and voted on. And, my third amendment would have prohibited the use of voting systems produced by a foreign entity. It would also require all components of the voting systems be manufactured and maintained in the United States. Why should the votes of the American people be subject to counting using foreign equipment that cannot be audited and that may be connected to the Internet? My amendments would ban all three of these things. By denying elected Members of Congress a vote on these amendments, Speaker Pelosi decided against providing full transparency and accountability in our federal elections. This partisan bill should be rejected.

Mr. POSEY

Mr. POSEY. Madam Speaker, transparency has always been a cornerstone of good government. Over the past 10 years, we have made important progress toward making Congress more transparent and accountable to those we serve. In 2010, I introduced a resolution calling for a 72-hour period of public availability before the House could bring a bill up for a vote, so Members of the House and the public could actually see what was in a bill before we were asked to vote for it. In 2011, the proposal was adopted into House rules as a 3-day rule. But, sadly, this year's House rules package abolished that rule. It is incredibly sad to see that this House is moving backward and making government less open and less accountable to those we were sent here to represent.

Mr. POSEY

Mr. POSEY. Madam Speaker, it is with a heavy heart and solemn remembrance that I rise to pay tribute to a great man and my longtime friend, Capt. (Ret) James Michael Kuzma. Jim passed away unexpectedly on Friday, February 5, 2021, just three days shy of his 60th birthday. Jim was born February 8, 1961 in Steubenville, Ohio. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from the U.S. Naval Academy, a Master of Science in Engineering Management from the Catholic University of America, and a Master of Science in National Resource Strategy from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces (ICAF). Jim served 28 years with the U.S. Navy before ``retiring'' to Cocoa Beach in 2011. I say ``retiring'' in quotations because anyone who knew Jim knew that it was nearly unthinkable for him to rest. He was always thinking of creative ways to solve challenges. For the last decade, Jim served as Space Florida's Senior Vice President and General Manager of the Cape Canaveral Spaceport, working to cement the state's position as a world leader in aerospace. Recruited to Space Florida to strengthen and grow its operational support for the commercial space industry at Cape Canaveral Spaceport, Jim embraced the mission and excelled at finding ways to respond to industry's needs. He led efforts to secure Federal Aviation Administration spaceport operating licenses for both the former Shuttle Landing Facility (SLF) and other former Government sites on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. Jim spearheaded the transfer of the SLF to Space Florida's management and operation, and he was instrumental in attracting Blue Origin to base its orbital program in Florida. For the past two years, he worked tirelessly to ensure a solution for replacing NASA's 1964 Indian River Bridge that would meet the spaceport's needs far into the future. These were only a few examples Jim's accomplishments to further America's space program in positive ways. Jim visited my office frequently in Washington, advocating for the commercial space industry, offering creative solutions to problems, and urging needed regulatory reform to ensure America's leadership in space. He served on the Board of the Commercial Spaceflight Federation, and more recently on the CSF Executive Committee. Jim began his Naval service on the USS Jacksonville SSN 699. He went on to Naval Sea Systems Command, serving during 1988 through 90 as a Fleet Liaison and Systems Test Director for various submarine Combat and Weapons System Program Offices. He served as Engineering Officer on the USS Newport News SSN 750 from 1991 to 1994. In 1994, he was assigned to the Commander in Chief, U.S. Atlantic Fleet (CINCLANTFLT) Nuclear Propulsion Examining Board. He served as the Executive Officer on USS Atlanta SSN 712 from October 1996 to July 1998 before reporting to Submarine Warfare Division of the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations (OPNAV) staffer where he served as Submarine Combat Systems Requirements Officer. Following that, he served as the Commanding Officer of the USS Boise 764 from March 2001 until October 2003. He then became Deputy Director for Operations on the staff of the Commander, Naval Submarine Forces from 2003 to 2005. From October 2005 to August 2007, Captain Kuzma served as Special Activities Division Chief on Strategic Command's Joint Functional Component Command for Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance staff before attending the Industrial College of the Armed Forces (ICAF) from August 2007 to June 2008. He rounded off his impressive Naval career as the Commanding Officer of the Naval Ordnance Test Unit in Cape Canaveral (2008-2011). Captain Kuzma's personal decorations include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, two Meritorious Service Medals, six Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals and four Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals. Yet, he never spoke about them. Jim was indeed passionate about his work, but his greatest joy in life was his family. Anyone who spent time around Jim instantly knew that he was a family man; he delighted in attending concerts and visiting theme parks with his family, especially his grandchildren. He is survived by Karen, his wife of 36 years, their four children, James Michael II (Andrea Pinzon- Garcia), William Jordan (Patricia Kuzma), Lauren Rose (Aaron Possinger) and Candace Marie and five grandchildren, Ariana, Lillian, Camilo, Adelaide, and Maverick. He is also survived by his mother, Catherine Kuzma, and mother-in-law, Candace Jordan. He is also survived by innumerable friends and colleagues, who all miss him dearly. On a personal note, I am proud to have called Jim my friend for many years. Jim served on my selection board for the U.S. Naval Academy. He believed in the importance of serving our nation and was a strong supporter of our brave men and women in military uniform as well as our military veterans. Jim was proud of our nation's space program, worked tirelessly to promote America's mission in Space along with our commercial space endeavors, and was champion for local businesses in Brevard County, Florida. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in saluting Captain James Kuzma for a lifetime of service to the United States and his fellow citizens. I would also like to ask my colleagues in the House to join us in extending our deepest sympathies to Jim's family, friends, colleagues, and loved ones during this difficult time.

Mr. POSEY

Mr. POSEY. Mr. Speaker, I have been reading the COVID ``unrelated'' relief bill. At least when President Trump was borrowing money to keep the economy from crashing, he was creating jobs, making America energy independent--lowering gasoline and fuel prices for every American family--lowering unemployment, protecting our borders, rebuilding our military, and so on. Now, however, with the assistance of this Chamber, this administration is doing just the opposite. It sounds like something right from the pages of Saul Alinsky's book, ``Rules for Radicals,'' how malcontents propose to destroy America. This COVID ``unrelated'' relief bill is more about keeping America closed and funding liberal policies than getting past this virus, and it is outrageous.

Mr. POSEY

Mr. POSEY. Mr. Speaker, through the National Security Act, Congress required that the Secretary of Defense be from civilian life and placed a limitation on the appointment of former military personnel to that position mandating that a nominee be retired from military service for ten years. In 2008, Congress shortened that period to seven years. I have several concerns which I would like to express and go on record in opposition to providing a waiver. First, I thank the General for his service to our nation in uniform. I have reservations about providing yet another waiver from the law intended to preserve civilian leadership in the role of Secretary of Defense. If confirmed as Secretary of Defense by the U.S. Senate, after fewer than five years from his last military assignment, General Lloyd Austin (Ret.) will be expected to uphold the principles of civilian control of the military. My hope is that General Austin's focus will be ensuring that our nation is prepared to meet head-on the threat posed by adversaries including China, Russia, and Iran. He should follow and focus on the bipartisan 2018 National Defense Strategy that stresses the need to strengthen our military for potential major conflict. Mr. Austin should work to preserve the strategic nuclear triad, protect and ensure American space superiority, and maintain Naval supremacy as cornerstones of our freedom. Serving as our nation's Secretary of Defense is an awesome responsibility and I await the U.S. Senate vetting General Austin as the U.S. Senate has the responsibility under the Constitution of reviewing Presidential nominees.