Mike Rogers

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 70th birthday of Virginia Payne. Virginia was born in Lee County, Alabama, on August 24, 1956, to Mr. Arthur Lee Lockhart and Mrs. Lucille Lockhart and raised with strong faith and family values. Virginia is married to Wilbert Payne and was blessed with four children: Audrey, David, Jacques and Doricho. The Paynes have 10 grandchildren. Virginia retired from Walmart in 2021 after 30 years of serving others during her time there. She was affectionately known as ``Mrs. V'' to her colleagues and customers--always lending a hand or a smile. Virginia was a member of the Zenith Horizons Social Club since the late 1970s, demonstrating a longstanding commitment to fellowship, friendship and community. She has served as a table host for the Cheryl Comer Ministries Brunch, raising more than $2,100 to support local youth scholarships and ministry efforts. The Payne family are members of Truth and Love Ministries Church and faithfully attend Sunday worship and fellowship at Green Chapel Missionary Church. In her retirement, she enjoys spending her time with her family. She also loves to dance and is a member of a dancing group called the Opelika Dancercize Club. When not dancing or with family, The Paynes enjoy traveling. Virginia's family lovingly describes her as ``the rock'' and the reason for many of their individual successes. She has supported her family to help them accomplish their goals, assisting with celebrations and helping in any way she is needed. She has also provided unwavering and unconditional support to her husband throughout his civic involvement. Mr. Speaker, please join me in recognizing Virginia Payne and wishing her a Happy 70th Birthday.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Robin and Garrett Dixon and their children, Chandler Jane and Cash, for being named Alabama's Outstanding Young Farm family. The Lee County farmers received the honor during the Alabama Farmers Federation Farm and Land Conference on August 8 in Mobile, Alabama. The Dixon family primarily grows cotton and peanuts on their farm in Salem. The crops they tend clothe and feed America and the world. Garrett began growing the farm from near scratch in college and has invested countless hours into improving every acre of land his family tends. He has installed irrigation, improved soil fertility and has now accepted a new challenge of growing their cattle herd. The livestock graze cover crops planted in row crop fields each winter, adding value to the land. Their sphere of influence extends beyond the farm. Robin is an agriscience teacher at Smiths Station High School and shares on-farm experience with her students. The Dixons understand grassroots involvement and have deep ties to groups such as the Alabama Farmers Federation. Garrett has chaired the State Young Farmers Committee and serves on multiple boards. Mr. Speaker, please join me in recognizing this young family on this great honor. I congratulate the Dixons.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 50th anniversary of the 1976 graduating class of Talladega High School in Talladega, Alabama. Members from the 1976 class, including many of their former teachers and coaches, will gather for a reunion banquet on Saturday, August 15th in Talladega. Fifty years ago, 200 members of this class proudly walked across the stage, marking the culmination of years of dedication, learning and friendship. This 50th reunion is a moment to reflect on cherished memories, honor those who have passed away and celebrate the remarkable journeys of each class member. The members of this distinguished class have, over the past five decades, contributed greatly to their families, communities, professions and to the betterment of society; and the bonds formed within the halls of Talladega High School have endured the test of time, serving as a testament to the strength of shared experiences, mutual respect and lifelong friendship. Mr. Speaker, please join me in wishing the 1976 graduates of Talladega High School congratulations on this milestone and a wonderful celebration in August.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Robert ``Bob'' Anthony Klimek, Jr. who passed away January 30, 2026. Robert was born in Chicago, Illinois in 1933 to parents Robert Anthony Klimek, Sr. and Emma Ellen Klimek. During the Korean War, he enlisted in the Air Force with the aim of becoming a pilot. Following his successful completion of pilot training, he served as a test pilot, a flight instructor, and flew the F100 as a fighter pilot. By the end of his career, Bob has amassed 5,000 hours of flying time, rising to Command Pilot. Later in his Air Force Career, Bob specialized in electronic warfare. This became especially important during his service in the Vietnam War. During his service in Vietnam, he invented, and received a patent for, a device to detect and avoid Russian Surface to Air Missiles (SAMs). This groundbreaking invention saved countless lives and was so effective only one plane was lost to a SAM following its deployment through the end of the war. Following a distinguished 24-year career in the Air Force, Bob retired at the rank of Colonel. For his outstanding service, he received Military Merit Medal, Medal for Meritorious Service, Bronze Star and the Legion of Merit. He also earned undergraduate degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Colorado, Master's degree in Engineering Management from George Washington University and a Juris Doctorate degree from Georgetown Law School. Bob became a lawyer with a focus on government and international contracts following his time in the Air Force. He lived an adventurous life, developing passions for scuba diving, sailing, flying recreationally, and travel. He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Lucia Casale; along with his children, Robert Anthony Klimek, III, and Constance Conway; his grandson, Niel Young; and great-grandchildren Peyton and Emma Young. Mr. Speaker, please join me in honoring the life of Robert ``Bob'' Anthony Klimek, Jr.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Chair, I rise in strong support of this budget resolution. This resolution unlocks $60 billion in critically needed supplemental funding to support the warfighter and ensure our military readiness. Without these funds, military training exercises will be canceled, maintenance of equipment facilities and weapon systems will be deferred, munitions procurement will be postponed, and the combat readiness of our Armed Forces will suffer. This budget resolution will enable us to move legislation to provide $1.6 billion to ensure our servicemembers are paid on time; $17 billion to cover unplanned operational costs such as fuel, training, and maintenance repairs; and $18 billion to replenish the arsenal of critical munitions. Yesterday, you may have noticed Secretary Hegseth testified before the Senate that, without these funds, we face critical shortfalls that threaten the Department's ability to pay our servicemembers, rapidly replenish equipment and munitions, and sustain vital operations without disruption. No matter how you feel about the current events, these funds are necessary to ensure our fighting forces remain ready, our troops are paid, and our Nation is safe. Mr. Chair, I urge all Members to support the resolution.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Chairman, I move that the Committee do now rise.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Chair, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Chair, I will start by thanking my good friend, Adam Smith, the ranking member of the Committee on Armed Services, for his work on this bill. Again, this year, we have continued to work in a bipartisan fashion to lead the Committee on Armed Services, and we have done this for years. I could not have a better partner in doing that. Folks really need to take note of this, because this is the largest piece of authorizing legislation that moves through the Congress. It authorizes over half of all discretionary spending. We lead this committee in a bipartisan fashion. We passed this bill out of committee in a bipartisan fashion, and that doesn't just happen. That occurs because of leadership that we get from both sides of the aisle. The staff take their cue from the chair and the ranking member--and other Members do--when we conduct our business, and we do it in a bipartisan fashion. It is so important. We are talking about our Nation's security. We are talking about our men and women who put their lives at risk for our Nation, for the families involved. We want them to know that this is not political gamesmanship that is leading up here. This is Members working in a serious, focused fashion to try to get good policy developed that will make their lives better and keep our Nation free and safe. Adam Smith just does a great job in leading the committee. When he was chair, he led by example, and he has continued to lead by example as ranking member, and I appreciate that. I also thank the staff for their work. We have an incredible professional staff on the Committee on Armed Services on both sides of the aisle. They do follow our lead, and they work in a very collaborative fashion, and I thank them for that. We had a little over a thousand Member provisions submitted to our committee before the markup. We had 1,200 amendments offered during committee markup and 1,400 amendments here. The staff had to go through all of that and work it up, and they have just done it in a very professional fashion. I also thank House legislative counsel, CBO, and the Parliamentarian for their leadership and staff in developing this bill to the point it is at today. Mr. Chairman, a couple of weeks ago, we celebrated the 250th anniversary of our independence. But as many of you know, the Army, Navy, and Marine Corps are each celebrating their 251st birthday this year. That is because in 1775, the Continental Congress knew we needed a professional fighting force to secure our freedom. It was a bold and courageous act that shocked the British and the world. I am certainly not asking for Congress to do anything that courageous. But for the sake of guaranteeing our freedom well into the future, we need to act now to reverse decades of underinvestment and neglect in our Armed Forces and our defense industrial base. This bill will do that and much more. It will build the ready, capable, and lethal fighting force we need to deter China and other adversaries. I know there are provisions in this bill that some folks disagree with, but understand that this is just a single step in a long process. Everyone should know that we will continue to work in a bipartisan manner as we make our way through the Conference committee. We will work to produce a bill that can best pass both Chambers and be signed into law. I urge all Members to help us reach that goal by supporting this bill today and moving it along. Mr. Chair, I urge a ``yes'' vote, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Chair, I move to strike the last word.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Chairman, I urge support of the en bloc package, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Chair, pursuant to House Resolution 1438, I offer amendments en bloc.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Chairman, I have no speakers on this en bloc package. Mr. Chairman, I urge support of the package, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Chair, pursuant to House Resolution 1438, I offer amendments en bloc.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Chairman, I have no further speakers. At this time I urge support of the en bloc package, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Chair, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Davidson).

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Chair, pursuant to House Resolution 1438, I offer amendments en bloc.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Chairman, I urge all Members to support the en bloc package, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Van Epps).

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Bresnahan).

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Chairman, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. McCaul), my friend and colleague.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Fong).

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Chair, pursuant to House Resolution 1438, I offer amendments en bloc.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Madam Chair, I move that the Committee do now rise.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Chair, I move that the Committee do now rise.