Greg Pence

Mr. PENCE

Mr. PENCE. Madam Speaker, it is with immense sadness that I rise today to mark the passing of one of my very best friends, a true community and family man and a beloved member of my entire community, Dr. Robert W. Petry. One of my dearest friends, Bob and I bonded over so much--our love for the outdoors, fishing, hunting; of food and travel; and most importantly, our bonding over family. Bob was a loving husband to Rosie and father to Katie, Robbie, and Denise. Yet, for a man who lived such a full life in the nearly 73 years the good Lord provided him, Bob's greatest prize on this Earth may have well been his grandchildren, who he spent a great deal of time with, and he took a great deal of pride in being with them. All those who knew and loved him will forever miss Bob Petry. His legacy, the Petry way, will live on in those who served in his practice, those he loved, raised, and inspired throughout his life like he inspired me. Madam Speaker, as we say farewell for now to this wonderful man, we will keep Rosie, Katie, Robbie, Denise, and the entire Petry family close by and embrace them in our own families. We will forever be grateful for the life of Robert Petry, and one day we will see him again. May God bless him.

Mr. PENCE

Mr. PENCE. Mr. Speaker, I missed the first vote series today due to travel disruptions while returning from a funeral. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 359, YEA on Roll Call No. 360, YEA on Roll Call No. 361, and YEA on Roll Call No. 362.

Mr. PENCE

Mr. PENCE. Mr. Speaker, I missed all votes today due to a funeral. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 356, YEA on Roll Call No. 357, and YEA on Roll Call No. 358.

Mr. PENCE

Mr. PENCE. Mr. Speaker, I missed all votes today due to a doctor's appointment. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 336 and YEA on Roll Call No. 337.

Mr. PENCE

Mr. PENCE. Mr. Chair, I rise today in support of my bipartisan Amendment No. 143, included in En Bloc 1. I would first like to thank my colleagues, Representatives Carson, Mrvan, and Donalds for cosponsoring this important amendment. It will provide additional funds, fully offset, for reducing critical risk and bolstering the power-producing capacity of the DoD's Transportable Microreactor program, which is set to deliver the nation's first advanced reactor into operation through Project PELE. Transportable nuclear technology, offering uninterrupted mission power in remote and strategically important locations, will not only strengthen operational resilience--it will save lives. As we learned in Iraq and Afghanistan, the necessity of hauling fuel into combat areas comes at a tremendous price. Able to operate for years without refueling, transportable reactors can untether America's warfighter and ensure credible operational resilience. I am thrilled that Rolls-Royce LibertyWorks in Indianapolis, Indiana is providing the Power Conversion Module and Heat Exchange Module for Project PELE and for the hundreds of Hoosier jobs this project supports. I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of this bipartisan En Bloc and support the underlying Defense Appropriations Bill.

Mr. PENCE

Mr. PENCE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Eric Jenkins, who was named Indiana Teacher of the Year. An Indiana native, Eric teaches English at Franklin Community High School, a high school in my district. Those who know him say that Eric is dedicated to his students and passionate about instilling a love of reading. Mr. Speaker, I thank Eric for his work to grow our next generation of leaders.

Mr. PENCE

Mr. PENCE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay a debt of gratitude to a terrific public servant, a trusted adviser to me and to many others in public service, and someone that has become a very close friend to the Pence family. Kyle Robertson, my chief of staff, is departing our team after decades together in politics and here in Washington, D.C. Here on Capitol Hill, Kyle's wise counsel has guided me from day one, and under Kyle's exemplary leadership, I am proud that our office has built a reputation throughout Indiana's Sixth Congressional District for putting constituent services first. His leadership will be missed by every member of our staff and so many other people here in the House Republican Conference and up on the Hill. Mr. Speaker, I am going to miss Kyle every day that I am here and he is not, but our loss is Indiana's gain. Kyle and his family have made the decision to move home to Indiana, and I am pleased the Robertsons will be close by, reachable, and I can bother him there. I am confident that his leadership will continue to be in demand throughout the Hoosier State and beyond in the next endeavor he is going to embark on. Mr. Speaker, to Kyle I would say, well done, good and faithful servant. I thank him for everything he has done for me and my family.

Mr. PENCE

Mr. PENCE. Mr. Speaker, inflation under this administration continues to hit record highs. We are all paying the price for this administration's mistakes. In April, the average Indiana household was paying $948 per month more than they were in January 2021. Everything, from electricity to rent to groceries, costs more under this administration. Numbers don't lie, and the Democrats can't keep pretending everything is okay. Mr. Speaker, I strongly urge the Biden administration to quit ruining the American middle class.

Mr. PENCE. Mr. Speaker, the state of our southern border is a travesty, and this administration refuses to face the facts. I am here to repeat what we all know and what we have all said: Border security is national security. We have seen over 7.8 million illegal aliens cross over since President Biden took office, bringing chaos, crime, and terror into our country. It is time to take a real action: Build the wall. Grow the Border Patrol, and reinstate the policies that we know work. Record-High Inflation

Mr. PENCE. Mr. Speaker, this weekend is the 108th Running of the Indianapolis 500. Beginning in 1911, the first Indy 500 was unlike anything the world had ever seen, with 40 qualifiers fighting a 500-mile race for an overall total purse of $27,000. Eighty thousand spectators came out to watch Ray Harroun drive into victory, and a tradition was born. The Greatest Spectacle in Racing has evolved over the last century, but its time-honored traditions keep racing fans coming back every Memorial Day weekend, like I will this weekend. This weekend promises to be no different, hosting hundreds of thousands of people from all over the world. I wish all this year's drivers the best of luck, and I am glad to say: This is May. Our Southern Border

Mr. PENCE. Mr. Speaker, I recognize former fire Captain Mike Buckley. Mike served the Rushville Fire Department for 32 years, retiring as captain in 2017. He later worked for the Indiana State Police as a motor carrier inspector. I recently met Mike and learned of his cancer diagnosis at a benefit in his honor at Glenwood Volunteer Fire Department. I am so proud that that community is supporting him in this challenge, and I am grateful to have met him. God bless Mike and the entire Buckley family. Recognizing Emma McLeish

Mr. PENCE. Mr. Speaker, I recognize Ed Jenkins, who was named Indiana Teacher of the Year. An Indiana native, Ed teaches English at Franklin Community Early College, a high school in my district. Those who know him say that Sam is dedicated to his students and passionate about instilling a love of reading. Mr. Speaker, I thank Ed for his work to grow our next generation of leaders. Recognizing Mike Buckley

Mr. PENCE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Sam Simmermaker, who is retiring this week after 64 years with White River Broadcasting in my hometown of Columbus, Indiana. Sam grew up in Pulaski County and graduated from Indiana University in 1954. He started his radio career in Goshen and later covered the Indianapolis Indians for WTTV. Sam joined WCSI on January 1, 1960, and over the past six decades, he has covered generations of high school athletes. Receiving multiple awards, including the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame and the Indiana Sportswriters and Sportscasters Hall of Fame, Sam and his trademark ``holy cow'' will be truly missed. Mr. Speaker, I congratulate and wish Sam the best of luck in his retirement. Recognizing Ed Jenkins

Mr. PENCE. Mr. Speaker, I recognize Franklin County college student Emma McLeish, who recently received the American Red Cross' Lifesaving Award for Professional Responders. Last year, Emma used her Red Cross training to help save lives twice. In July she unexpectedly helped deliver a neighbor's baby, and then in October she saved a man suffering from cardiac arrest. Emma is a true hero, and it is my honor to recognize her today. 108th Running of the Indianapolis 500

Mr. PENCE

Mr. PENCE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the exceptional work of Indiana's very own Bosma Enterprises. Bosma is the largest employer of people with vision loss in the state. Over half of its employees are blind and employed at all company levels, from production to executive leadership. Each year, nearly 900 clients benefit from their services, learning the skills necessary to live independently. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to support Bosma Enterprises and their work through the AbilityOne Program. They are truly making a difference in people's lives by creating opportunities for people who are blind or visually impaired, allowing Americans to be independent and pursue their own version of the American Dream.

Mr. PENCE

Mr. PENCE. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for yielding. I thank Congressman Pfluger for introducing this important legislation that I am proud to cosponsor. I rise in support of H.R. 7176, which will streamline LNG export authorizations and put our Nation back on track toward energy dominance. This bill would put downward pressure on global natural gas markets and expand economic opportunities across the country. We are blessed with abundant natural resources that create jobs, lower costs for Americans, and advance our national security interests abroad. Unfortunately, since day one, the Biden administration has led our Nation into an energy crisis of their own making. President Biden's latest LNG export ban is nothing more than a political stunt to appease far-left activists. Hoosiers watching at home won't be fooled by false claims of environmental stewardship. American LNG is the cleanest form of natural gas available and has allowed the U.S. to lead the world in emissions reductions. Mr. Speaker, it is way past time this administration paid attention to the experts and not the radical environmentalists.

Mr. PENCE

Mr. PENCE. Mr. Chair, I thank Chairwoman Rodgers for yielding time. I am proud to support the Protecting Health Care for All Patients Act championed by my good friend and a true leader, Chairwoman Rodgers. We need to recognize and affirm that every life is precious and a gift from God. It is unconscionable that healthcare payers use quality- adjusted life years as a measurement to determine if treatment options for patients are cost-effective. Federal healthcare programs should provide patients with the best care available, regardless of preexisting conditions and those suffering with disabilities. It is important we find fiscally and ethically responsible solutions to reduce healthcare costs in this country without devaluing the sanctity of life. Mr. Chair, I urge support for final passage.

Mr. PENCE

Mr. PENCE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to this administration's latest attack on the American energy industry, and I thank my very good friend, Congressman Joyce, for holding this Special Order. President Biden's LNG export ban is nothing more than a political stunt simply to appease the far-left activists. It has become abundantly clear that President Biden and his administration lack a competent understanding of global energy markets. This export ban will fuel higher costs for families here at home and push our allies abroad into the hands of our adversaries. Hoosiers watching at home won't be fooled by false claims of environmental stewardship. American LNG is the cleanest form of natural gas available and has allowed the U.S. to lead the world in emission reductions. Since day one, the Biden administration has led our Nation into an energy crisis of their own making, and we have arrived: Energy costs are through the roof. Our electric grid is on the brink of failure, and all forms of reliable baseload power are retiring at an alarming rate, leaving us perilously afraid of the future. House Republicans are not alone in our concerns. Engineers, grid operators, refiners, and the rest of our energy industry are saying in unison: This will not work, and it is not working right now. It is past time this administration paid attention to the experts and not radical environmentalists.

Mr. PENCE

Mr. PENCE. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of my colleague's legislation, the Choice in Automobile Retail Sales Act. I thank my colleague, Congressman Walberg, for leading on this important legislation. After 3 years, it has become abundantly clear that the administration's approach is bad for my Hoosiers and bad for the Nation. You can't create demand by forcing supply. EVs continue to pile up on dealer lots across the country and in my district. Almost daily, we hear of auto manufacturers that are tempering investor expectations because of underwhelming sales. The money is leaving. Simply put, people are not buying EVs. EPA's aggressive rule is a de facto mandate on Hoosiers to switch to EVs. This legislation would curb EPA's electrification-or-nothing approach and allow consumers to choose the best type of vehicle that fits the needs of their family. As I have repeatedly stated, this administration is fundamentally ignoring the reality of energy distribution.

Mr. PENCE. EVs may make sense for densely populated areas, but the lack of range and insufficient towing capabilities do not meet the needs of rural Indiana's Sixth District. The CARS Act will begin to bring sensible policy back to the forefront and allow American innovation to lead the way to the next generation of transportation. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the bill.

Mr. PENCE

Mr. PENCE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to raise my concerns about the command and control regulations in EPA's PM2.5 rule. These regulations will only hurt Indiana's electric reliability, raise costs on Hoosier businesses, and hinder economic growth in our State. Additionally, at a time when companies are looking to re-shore domestic manufacturing, this rule serves as a detriment to new investment. Overall, this rule is bad for Hoosiers and for all Americans.

Mr. PENCE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to share my concerns about our Nation's electric grid reliability. Our electric grid is on an unsustainable path, and if we do not change our direction now, we could be heading toward a catastrophic failure in the future. In fact, this month, for the first time ever, NERC has identified certain energy policies as the major threat to our grid's reliability. These policies include increased usage of electric vehicles, as well as reliance on wind and solar energy. Yet, the Biden administration and far-left Democrats continue to try to push their rush-to-green energy agenda and force electrification of everything from cars to stoves. It is past time for this administration to face reality and put our Nation on a sustainable path forward to ensure the American people are able to keep their lights on. EPA's PM2.5 Rule

Mr. PENCE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to speak about my takeaways from a roundtable I attended with Hoosier stakeholders in Franklin, Indiana. At the roundtable, research universities such as Purdue University and Vincennes University, along with the State of Indiana parking and mobility experts, and EV charging station developers joined together in Indiana's Sixth District to share lessons learned and best practices for the electrification policy. We also discussed why the current timelines and excessive regulations of the Biden administration are far ahead of what is possible, practical, and of course affordable. This roundtable just further proved that it is time for the Biden administration to slow down their electrification-or-nothing approach. Electric Grid Reliability

Mr. PENCE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to express my deep concern with President Biden's decision to hand over $6 billion to Iran, the largest sponsor of terrorism, as part of a ransom deal on the anniversary of 9/11. September 11 is a day where we should be remembering the Americans who lost their lives, honoring our first responders, and praying for the families who lost a loved one. The Biden administration's decision to broker a deal with terrorists on 9/11 is tone deaf, shameful, and desecrates the day. Additionally, this deal emboldens our enemies, puts our Nation's safety and security at risk, and will ultimately fund anti-American terrorist activities. It is time for President Biden to stand up to our adversaries and put America's interests first. Serving Veterans in Shelby County

Mr. PENCE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to speak about my recent visit to Rush Memorial Hospital in Rushville, Indiana. During the visit, we discussed the current state of rural healthcare and what can be done to improve it. I also got to meet and speak with the outstanding stat flight team, who deliver timely and critical care to those in need throughout the southern Indiana district. I really enjoyed my visit to the hospital and thank the entire team at Rush Memorial Hospital for all they do and for their hospitality. Put America's Interests First