John Rutherford

Mr. RUTHERFORD

Mr. RUTHERFORD. Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend for yielding time. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act. This LEOSA Reform Act will expand the ability of qualified officers, whether active, retired, or no longer in law enforcement, to carry concealed firearms in any State or territory, regardless of State or local laws. If we trust our law enforcement officers to carry guns while they are wearing a badge, why wouldn't we trust them to carry one on State and Federal property in their retirement? There is no one better trained and equipped to safely use and carry these firearms. In fact, we encourage our officers at the State and local level to carry their firearms when they are off duty because they are never off duty. They are always required to respond if an incident occurs in their presence. Officers carry off-duty anyway, but what this does is expand that protective force multiplier concept to the entire country. I don't see what is wrong with that. In fact, I think it makes good sense that we would want good men and women who are qualified to carry firearms to protect those who do not. This bill also gives retired officers more flexibility in the timing of their firearms recertification, reducing unnecessary burdens while ensuring that they are still properly trained in firearm proficiency. They must remain proficient. Officers would be able to carry a concealed firearm if they qualify yearly, or whatever their State may require, up to a 3-year limit. The LEOSA Reform Act also extends concealed carry rights into, as you heard earlier, certain Federal facilities, such as post offices and Social Security Administration offices, whether or not they are there in an official capacity. I am not sure how that would create a lot of confusion. We carry firearms into all sorts of facilities now. This simply makes it open to these Federal facilities. This legislation very importantly will also exempt LEOSA-certified officers from State magazine capacity limits, which is very important. This will simplify concealed carry for officers as they travel across cities and States, ensuring that, in various locations, their local laws don't interfere with the operational readiness of these officers. Mr. Speaker, I have to tell you, as a former sheriff, I have seen how law-abiding citizens have used legally owned and carried firearms to protect their lives, their family's lives, and the lives of others who they don't even know in many situations in my own hometown of Jacksonville. These officers have dedicated their lives to protecting the public. We must leverage every bit of their training and skills to keep our communities safe even when they are out of uniform. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this important bill to keep our police officers ready to protect our communities wherever they may find themselves. This will be a tremendous force multiplier for all of our State and local law enforcement agencies.

Mr. RUTHERFORD

Mr. RUTHERFORD. Mr. Speaker, ``As a law enforcement officer, my fundamental duty is to serve mankind; to safeguard lives and property; to protect the innocent against deception, the weak against oppression or intimidation, and the peaceful against violence or disorder; and to respect the constitutional rights of all men to liberty, equality, and justice.'' Mr. Speaker, that is the opening line of the Law Enforcement Officers Code of Ethics, a code every officer whose name is etched into the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial lived and died by. Today, I rise to honor two fallen police officers from my district whose names were added to the memorial wall this year, Sergeant Michael Paul Kunovich and Deputy Sheriff Peder Thomas Johnson. Mr. Speaker, on Friday, May 19, 2023, following the arrest of a combative suspect armed with a knife, Sergeant Michael Paul Kunovich suffered a fatal heart attack from the physical exertion and stress caused while apprehending the fleeing suspect. Sergeant Kunovich served 26 years in the St. Johns County Sheriff's Office. He received numerous awards, including a Meritorious Service Award in 2023 and 2013, an Exceptional Service Award in 2010, and many letters of commendation. Sergeant Kunovich also served on the SWAT team for 5 years while earning his bachelor's degree in public administration from Flagler College. Through and through, Sergeant Kunovich was a servant leader, dedicated to protecting his community until the end of his watch. He will be greatly missed by the whole northeast Florida law enforcement community. My thoughts and prayers are with his family, including his two sons, Michael Jr. and Max; his friends; and the men and women of the St. Johns County Sheriff's Office. Mr. Speaker, I also rise today to honor the life and service of Deputy Sheriff Peder Thomas Johnson who was shot and killed while investigating reports of a discharge of a firearm on December 24, 1913. That is right, 1913. You see, Mr. Speaker, Deputy Johnson served in the Duval County Sheriff's Office for 11 months before his end of watch over 110 years ago. However, until this year, he had never been recognized. We are forever grateful for his service and the heroic legacy that he left behind. We promise our officers every day that, as has been said so eloquently by my colleague here, we will never forget. This is evidence tonight that we will never forget if an officer is called upon to lay down that full measure of devotion. Ralph Waldo Emerson once said: ``The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well.'' Mr. Speaker, these two men whom we honor tonight lived well. May these heroes never be forgotten. Mr. Speaker, as a law enforcement officer for 40 years, including 12 years as sheriff of Jacksonville, I have dedicated my life to protecting and serving my northeast Florida community alongside some of the finest men and women. Now, in Congress it is my calling to protect those men and women who are serving today. Anyone who has put on a badge and answered the call of duty knows the dangers that may await. Sadly, that is the reality officers and their families accept each time they leave home. In 2023, with a 30 percent increase in ambushing of law enforcement officers, 378 law enforcement officers were shot in the line of duty compared to 331 in 2022. That is a 13 percent increase in just 1 year. These attacks must end. That is why I introduced the Protect and Serve Act, a bipartisan bill to increase penalties on those who want to target, ambush, and harm our police officers. I urge Congress to pass it. If these bad actors want to target the police, then we in Congress should target them. It is our responsibility to protect those who protect us. As anyone who has worked in law enforcement knows, losing a loved one, a colleague, or a friend in the line of duty changes you forever. I know what officers go through every day when they put on their uniform and say goodbye to their families. During my over 40-year career, I lost 26 colleagues and friends who laid down their lives in service to our community. One police officer killed in an ambush is one too many. The increase in ambushes and dangerous rhetoric about law enforcement has left many agencies struggling now to hire and retain the best and the brightest. We must give agencies the tools they need to hire and keep these officers. That is also why I introduced the HELPER Act, a bicameral and bipartisan bill that I introduced in the House to make it easier for police officers and other public servants in our community to buy their first home. Families everywhere are struggling to get by. In fact, many of our Nation's first responders and teachers are priced out of the very neighborhoods that they are called to serve. By making homeownership easier, the HELPER Act would work to boost the recruitment and retention of our dedicated public servants and help make our communities safer. Everyone benefits from being neighbors with those serving and protecting our way of life. Mr. Speaker, I urge the House to pass these important bills to make our communities safer and deliver for our law enforcement officers nationwide. Mr. Speaker, I just hope and pray that all of us can lead lives that are worthy of their sacrifice.

Mr. RUTHERFORD

Mr. RUTHERFORD. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from New York for yielding. I really appreciate him hosting this Special Order hour so that we can recognize the sacrifice of these two men. As a law enforcement officer, my fundamental duty is to serve mankind, to safeguard lives and property, to protect the innocent against deception, the weak against oppression and intimidation, the peaceful against violence and disorder, and to respect the constitutional rights of all men to liberty, equality, and justice. Mr. Speaker, that is the code of ethics for every law enforcement officer across this great country. That is the code and the oath that binds us all together as law enforcement officers. So as a former sheriff, I rise today with a truly heavy heart to honor the life of Lieutenant Michael Hoosock and of Michael Jensen. Mr. Speaker, as you have heard, on Sunday, April 14, of 2024, Lieutenant Hoosock and Officer Jensen were killed in the line of duty while responding to a traffic stop that went awry. These officers' lives were suddenly and viciously taken while answering the call to protect and serve their community. Lieutenant Hoosock was a brave servant leader and a devoted public servant, father, and husband. He served 17 years in the Onondaga County Sheriff's Office where he served wherever he was needed the most, I am told. Wherever they would send him, he gave his best. He joined the sheriff's office in 2007, was promoted to lieutenant and was the commander of his unit's bomb squad. According to those closest to him, Mr. Speaker, if you knew Lieutenant Hoosock, you felt like you were immediately his best friend. He is survived by his wife, Caitlin, and their three children, and I cannot tell you how heartbroken we are for you. Officer Michael Jensen was a lifelong athlete, who was also an accountant before joining the Syracuse Police Department. He graduated college with two business degrees and answered the call to serve his community less than 3 years ago. However, just this past December, Officer Jensen was named Officer of the Month. That is the kind of officer he was. He is remembered for his infectious smile and his personal interactions with the residents throughout the Syracuse community. My thoughts and prayers are with both officers' families and friends, the Onondaga County Sheriff's Office, the Syracuse Police Department, and the greater Syracuse community as they mourn this great loss. Ralph Waldo Emerson once said: ``The purpose in life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you lived and lived well.'' These fine officers laid down their lives protecting the community that they loved. They lived their lives honorably, with compassion, and dedicated to serving and making a positive difference in the lives of others. Simply stated, Lieutenant Hoosock and Officer Jensen truly lived well. I pray that we may all live our lives worthy of their sacrifice. May their service and sacrifice never be forgotten. May God bless them, and may God bless their loved ones.

Mr. RUTHERFORD

Mr. RUTHERFORD. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Arkansas for yielding and I thank my colleague from Virginia for introducing this bill, the Protecting Access for Hunters and Anglers Act of 2023. This is a poorly decided agreement on a court case where the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, as you just heard, was actually sued by the Center for Biological Diversity. They sued the Department of the Interior, and the agreement was: We will just throw them seven of our national wildlife refuges to get them to go away. That is not the best science. It is not based on science at all. In fact, it is best regulated by the States. Our colleague across the aisle even said some States have actually shut down areas because of lead issues. That is what all of these States should be doing--managing these resources themselves. It should not be from some bureaucrat in Washington, D.C., trying to settle a lawsuit and throwing away people's rights to enjoy the land. Millions of Americans, including myself, are avid outdoorsmen and - women who greatly enjoy hunting and fishing, and we depend on reliable access to these public lands and waters. That is why a ban on the cost- effective traditional lead ammo and tackle is so concerning. It will affect hunters, it will affect recreational and commercial anglers, and it will simply increase the cost which will reduce the participation by those who enjoy these two American pastimes. As you heard earlier from my good friend from Georgia, it is a 25 percent higher cost for the nonleaded ammo versus the traditional lead ammo. When you start cutting that, you are going to cut the excise tax that actually provides money for wildlife conservation here in America. States already have the ability, as I mentioned earlier, to regulate lands for conservation purposes. Instead of these Federal mandates we should be leaning on the States that know an area's conservation needs better than anyone else. State-driven, public-private partnerships are much better than top- down Federal mandates that do not take into consideration site-specific science necessary to make these decisions. In fact, the Center for Biological Diversity in their suit said that lead hunting and fishing on these lands might or could create lead issues. They used words like ``could'' or ``might.'' There is no science there, Mr. Speaker. This is strictly a top-down land grab. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this important bill. We must protect our hunting and fishing in our national wildlife refuges. Let's leave it to the States and local authorities to decide what can and can't be used on public lands and keep the Biden administration's Green New Deal agenda out of these great American pastimes.

Mr. RUTHERFORD

Mr. RUTHERFORD. Mr. Chair, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding. Mr. Chair, I rise today in strong opposition to H.R. 4639, the Fourth Amendment Is Not For Sale Act, and all of the attending amendments, as well. Mr. Chair, I also stand with, I think, every major law enforcement agency association in the country. This bill will only make our communities less safe by preventing local law enforcement and State law enforcement from being able to access information that has been legally collected and is publicly open-source information. Every day, law enforcement officers use open-source, legally collected, and commercially available data. We use that to connect the dots to actually develop and find the leads that solve crimes like child abduction, drug trafficking, terrorism, and all sorts of different heinous crimes. The Fourth Amendment Is Not For Sale Act will require law enforcement to get a warrant before they can access otherwise publicly open data. Google and Facebook can access it. The Chinese can access it. The cartels and criminals can access it. Private actors can access it, but not the police. Only law enforcement will be blocked. I can tell you, as a former sheriff, police officers work on time- sensitive cases every day where accessing this information quickly is a matter of life and death. I am a 40-year law enforcement officer, and I can think of dozens of cases where minutes mattered and my officers saved lives by accessing this data. Some of the supporters of this bill say that all of those other folks who I just listed that still have access can't put you in jail. Let's be truthful here. The police can't put you in jail either without probable cause of a crime. The Fourth Amendment Is Not For Sale Act will make communities far less safe by making officers' jobs harder. In fact, it helps out only the criminals. Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to vote ``no'' on this dangerous, antipolice bill.

Mr. RUTHERFORD

Mr. RUTHERFORD. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding. It is good to stand with him on this very important topic. Mr. Speaker, I have to tell you, I rise today in strong opposition to H.R. 4639, which is the Fourth Amendment Is Not For Sale Act included in the rule before us today. I have to tell you, I am standing shoulder to shoulder here. Although you don't see them, every major law enforcement agency in this country is standing with me in this opposition. The Fraternal Order of Police, Major County Sheriffs of America, Major Cities Chiefs Association, National Association of Police Organizations, National Sheriffs' Association, and the list goes on. I am disappointed to say that the Fourth Amendment Is Not For Sale Act truly is one of the most antipolice bills I have seen since I have been in Congress. No one's Fourth Amendment rights are being bought. No one's Fourth Amendment rights are being sold. No one's Fourth Amendment rights are being violated. This bill will simply block law enforcement from accessing open- source, commercially available, lawfully collected data that can help them solve crimes. It can help them develop probable cause. Google and Facebook can access this data. The Chinese can access this data. Cartels and criminals can access this data. But we are not going to let the police access this data. Now, my advocates will say: Private citizens and foreign adversaries can't put you in jail. Well, that may be true. Some of them can actually do worse to you. Here is the thing that we need to remember: No one can put you in jail without probable cause of committing a crime. This is open-source data. Only law enforcement will be blocked from collecting and accessing this data. The bottom line is, the Fourth Amendment Is Not For Sale Act will make communities far less safe, Mr. Speaker. I adamantly oppose this bill. I will still vote ``yes'' on the rule because I believe in our process of regular order that gives Members the opportunity to hear both sides, debate, offer amendments, and, ultimately, vote a bill up or down. I am absolutely good with that. Lately, some of my colleagues claim that they want regular order, yet they vote against regular order time and time again when they join with the Democrats to take down a rule. Seven times, I think, since I have been in Congress we have seen these rules go down. It is their way or the highway, and that is sad. We promised the American people we would do better. Voting down a rule is not doing better. Mr. Speaker, let's pass this rule. Let's pass the bills included in this rule that will punish Iranian aggression toward our ally Israel. Then, let's defeat the Fourth Amendment Is Not For Sale Act, which is only going to make our communities less safe.

Mr. RUTHERFORD

Mr. RUTHERFORD. Mr. Chair, I thank the gentleman from Ohio for yielding. Mr. Chair, I rise today in strong support of this bill and equally strong opposition to the amendment. Simply put, this amendment ties the hands of our intelligence community, making all of us less safe. This amendment requires the IC to get a probable cause warrant to search a set of data that has legally been collected. Our intelligence community must have access to legally collected, pertinent information, and we should not be adding roadblocks. As a former law enforcement officer, I strongly believe in the civil liberties of all Americans. I spent my life protecting them. However, this amendment does not provide any more protection to Americans. All this amendment does is gut 702, giving to terrorists, adversaries, and bad actors a major win. Restricting access to already legally collected data makes us all less safe, and 702 is a vital piece of our security and must be preserved. Mr. Chair, I urge a ``no'' vote on the amendment.

Mr. RUTHERFORD

Mr. RUTHERFORD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Pastor Terry and Reverend Cynthia Horn on celebrating their 50th anniversary of active children's ministry aimed at teaching good citizenship, along with biblical moral values. Dr. Terry Horn, as you can see here beside me, is affectionately known as Uncle Sam, and he and his wife Cynthia began their ministry, as I said, 50 years ago to teach Christ's love, hope, and healing in poverty stricken areas. The Horns have brought the Gospel message to major cities throughout the United States before finally being called to relocate to Jacksonville in 2011. It is that time that I was sheriff in Jacksonville, Florida, and got to know their program well. Their current organization, Metro City Kids, is a faith-based mission serving Jacksonville's inner-city children. Their efforts have had notable and tangible importance in our northeast Florida community. Metro City Kids works to connect children living in public-assisted housing to Christ and encourages them through weekly mentoring, Bible study, and prayer to live a Christian lifestyle. The Duval County's Sheriff Office, which I was sheriff, reported that juvenile crime in public housing areas where Metro City Kids operated saw a 40 percent reduction in their first 5 years of service. That was an amazing, amazing accomplishment. Metro City Kids' impact on Jacksonville is far-reaching, and hundreds of children and families have been blessed by their dedication to our community. Mr. Speaker, I thank Pastor Terry Horn, ``Uncle Sam,'' and his wife, Reverend Cynthia Horn, for their ministry in the parts of our community that were most in need. Their investment in our next generation has made northeast Florida a safer, more loving place to live, and I thank them for that. Congratulations to Ponte Vedra High School and Creekside High School

Mr. RUTHERFORD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the exemplary athletic achievement of the girls' soccer teams from Ponte Vedra High School and Creekside High School, both located in my district. On Saturday, March 2, these two varsity teams became 2024 Florida High School Athletics Association State champions, following playoff wins at the Spec Martin Stadium in DeLand, Florida. The Ponte Vedra Sharks won the Class 6A State championship against East Lake High School with a pair of second-half goals. Hadley Conway, Jenny Dearie, and Elle Anderson scored for the Sharks, earning them a 3-1 victory. Over the course of the team's five playoff games, Ponte Vedra outscored their opponents 22-2. I have to mention that this is the fourth State championship for Ponte Vedra's powerhouse soccer program since the school's inception in 2009, all under amazing Coach Dave Silverberg. Now, the Creekside Knights triumphed over Boca Raton in the Class 7A league, also securing their spot as State champions. This is the second time in that program's history that the Knights have claimed the title, both in the past 3 years, again under amazing Coach Joe Soto's leadership. Goals from Chloe Iliff and Sarah Weisberg cemented the well-deserved 2-1 win that concluded their fantastic season. Mr. Speaker, I am truly honored to congratulate the hardworking student athletes of Ponte Vedra and Creekside High Schools for their great achievements. I thank Coaches Silverberg and Soto, their parents, the entire Ponte Vedra and Creekside communities for supporting these champion athletes. Florida's Fifth Congressional District is truly proud to have such determined and dedicated students. I wish them the best in their continued endeavors, and I wish both of their programs great success. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. RUTHERFORD

Mr. RUTHERFORD. Madam Speaker, today hundreds of thousands of children and adults all across America, including over 177,000 just from my State of Florida, live with digestive gastrointestinal liver or pancreatic disease or inherited metabolic disorders, commonly referred to as ``IMD,'' that actually inhibits their bodies from being able to process typical foods. When left untreated, Madam Speaker, inherited metabolic disease or gastrointestinal conditions actually cause the body to fail to absorb nutrients, and the food can actually become toxic. Without necessary nutrition, patients can face severe health risks, including unnecessary surgeries, hospitalizations, intellectual disabilities, or death. Our health system must be structured to support proven treatments so that these patients can continue to live with these diseases. I recently introduced legislation with Representative McGovern that would make medically necessary nutrition more easily accessible to patients across the Nation. H.R. 6892, the Medical Nutrition Equity Act, builds on coverage Congress passed for TRICARE and would actually cover medically necessary food, vitamins, and individual amino acids for these Americans with digestive and inherited metabolic disorders and allow them to lead normal, healthy lives. As co-chair of the Crohn's and Colitis Caucus where I advocate for these digestive disorders, I urge my colleagues to consider supporting this legislation as we work to pass it into law. Holding Rule Breakers Accountable

Mr. RUTHERFORD. Madam Speaker, as a former sheriff, I dedicated my life to holding rule breakers accountable, and I am here to tell you this morning that President Biden and Secretary Mayorkas are rule breakers. Their inaction on securing the southern border is not a failed policy, Madam Speaker--it is their policy. For over a thousand days now they have refused to secure our southern border. The House tried to intervene when we jointly passed H.R. 2, the Secure the Border Act, the strongest border security bill in history. While Senator Schumer and President Biden refused to act on this bill, we continue to see record numbers of illegal immigrants at our border, increasing rates of fentanyl poisoning, and an uptick in our national security threats. Senator Schumer and President Biden falsely claim that they need additional authority to fix this situation at the southern border. That is blatantly false. If the President cared about truly securing the border, Madam Speaker, all he has to do is undo the 94 executive actions that he has taken since becoming President that have created this crisis at the southern border and support States like Texas and others in their efforts to secure their own borders, and he can sign H.R. 2 into law. I am proud to join with Representative Hinson and my other colleagues in demanding that the President enforce our laws on the books today to immediately address this crisis at the border. I have to say that the President's inaction is costing American lives and billions of dollars. For 3 years, Republicans have been the balefire to America that our southern border was in crisis--3 years. It takes a Presidential election and the impeachment of the Homeland Security Secretary to actually get Democrats to finally admit that there is a crisis at our southern border. That should not be.

Mr. RUTHERFORD

Mr. RUTHERFORD. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and celebrate the St. Augustine Art Association's 100th birthday. Founded on January 18, 1924, 100 years ago today, the St. Augustine Art Association has now become the 13th oldest continually operating art association here in the United States. The association plays an integral role in preserving and promoting the artistic heritage of St. Augustine, Florida, the oldest continuously inhabited European settlement in the continental United States and has been described as the epicenter of the local arts community. The St. Augustine Art Association Art Center is open year round and is free to the public, welcoming over 10,000 visitors annually. The gallery hosts exhibitions, concerts, workshops, classes, lectures, and artwork from more than a thousand different artists of all backgrounds. Thanks to the art center's involvement, these contemporary artists are able to keep St. Augustine's present day art colony alive and thriving. The St. Augustine Art Association also provides outreach programs that serve several groups within the community, including the blind, local public school students, elder groups, and community businesses. These groups are all given access to the association's user-friendly gallery there in the heart of St. Augustine. On behalf of Florida's Fifth Congressional District, I am proud to recognize the St. Augustine Art Association for its contributions to our community's local culture, history, and community. We wish them a happy 100th birthday.

Mr. RUTHERFORD

Mr. RUTHERFORD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and celebrate Fort Mose Historic State Park in beautiful St. Augustine, Florida. Fort Mose, a national historic landmark, is the site of the first legally sanctioned free Black settlement in the United States. In the 1600s, enslaved people in the British Carolinas made their way south to freedom in St. Augustine, which at that time was under Spanish rule. Next week, the park, along with the Florida State Parks Foundation and community partners will break ground on a full-scale reconstruction of the original fort that once stood there. You can see the updated renderings of the fort here beside me. It is really going to be an amazing site. This project is the realization of decades of dreams, dedication, and hard work from hundreds of individuals who share a love for the Fort Mose history and rich, rich story. Thanks to the partnership of the Florida State Parks Foundation, the Fort Mose Historical Society, and Florida State Parks, the fort will be completed this winter, and it is expected to draw visitors from around the world to northeast Florida. The reconstructed Fort Mose will have lasting impacts for St. Johns County, our State, and our Nation for generations to come. So congratulations from Florida's Fifth Congressional District, to, again, the Fort Mose Historic State Park, and to all who have been involved in bringing this amazing story to life. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. RUTHERFORD

Mr. RUTHERFORD. Mr. Speaker, I thank my good friend from Arizona for yielding. As very well stated, Mr. Speaker, a little over 2\1/2\ years ago, the Republicans in this body were talking about a crisis at the southern border. The illegal immigrants that were pouring into this country had created a crisis. Finally now, 3 years later almost, the Democrats across the aisle finally want to admit that there is a crisis, but they blame it on funding. We need more funding. Well, Mr. Speaker, I am here to tell you, it is not a funding issue, it is a policy issue. We need to change our policy. In May, House Republicans passed H.R. 2, the Secure the Border Act. In 2023, we passed that bill. This robust border bill will require the Biden administration to complete the Trump-era border wall, increase the number of Border Patrol agents, reinstate the remain in Mexico policy, and remove all the incentives that are encouraging people to cross our border illegally. Senator Schumer must bring H.R. 2 to the Senate floor for a vote. We need them to do their job over in the Senate. We need relief from this crisis. Mr. Speaker, for the last 7\1/2\ months, that bill has been sitting, languishing in the Senate, with Democrats refusing to even negotiate the issues. It is very clear now, 7 months after House Republicans passed that bill, that now the Democrats own the border crisis and the Democrats own the national disasters that will flow from this crisis. In 7 months' time, over 1 million illegal immigrants have been encountered at our southern border. Make no mistake, the United States has been and will continue to be a nation of immigrants that welcomes people from around this world who love this land. I have seen firsthand the death, destruction, disorder, and diseases that have been brought into our communities by the unvetted migration coming over our porous southern border. Mr. Speaker, 2 years ago, a 24-year-old man, who HHS left unidentified, posed as a minor, was flown to my district, where he killed one of my constituents. The Democrats own that. He was not the first criminal to enter as a criminal, and he won't be the last. Even the leaders in New York, California, and other blue States are calling out for support as they deal with the influx of migrants into their cities. The Democrats own that. Among the 2.4 million people that CBP encountered in FY 2023, 15,000 of them had criminal records, and 169 of them were on the terrorist watch list. Again, these are just the ones that we know about. The Democrats own that. This humanitarian national crisis has stretched our immigration system to a breaking point. A nation without borders is not a nation. Every day that President Biden and Senator Schumer ignore this crisis, our country becomes less safe. While the Senate has refused to negotiate and accept the major tenets of H.R. 2, CBP has intercepted 8,400 pounds of fentanyl at the southwest border. The fentanyl pouring in over this border is killing our neighbors, friends, and families at an alarming rate. In just 2022, over 70,000 people died of fentanyl poisoning. The Democrats own that, too. If we can't prove who is coming across the border, the default policy, according to Secretary Mayorkas, is to let them in. Don't know who they are, but come on in. That has to stop. The Democrats own that, too. I implore Senator Schumer to bring H.R. 2 to the floor for a vote. The Democrats own this border crisis and the death and destruction it has and will cause in our country. The Democrats own that, too.

Mr. RUTHERFORD

Mr. RUTHERFORD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with great pride to honor five students from my district who were selected to perform at the 2023 National Youth Orchestra. Each summer, Carnegie Hall's Weill Music Institute invites some of the brightest young musicians from across the country to travel the world in a free, multi-week training residency with world-class professional musicians. The National Youth Orchestra participates in a platform to shine on a global stage. Today, I recognize five of the 2023 National Youth Orchestra participants from my district. They are Beckett Miles from Jacksonville; Leila Warren from Ponte Vedra Beach; Nelson Keakopa from St. Johns County; and Luke Valian Malobay from Jacksonville; and Theodore ``TJ'' Shistle from Jacksonville. Thanks to countless hours of practice, determination, and dedication, these students have participated in performances which have touched the hearts of audiences around the world and demonstrated an outstanding proficiency, grace, and commitment to excellence. On behalf of Florida's Fifth Congressional District, congratulations to each of these young musicians for their contribution to the field of music performance, their passion for their craft, and their willingness to share their talent. Mr. Speaker, our community is behind them as they go on to accomplish their future accolades.

Mr. RUTHERFORD

Mr. RUTHERFORD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Bonnie Faye Haddock Jackson on the occasion of her upcoming 100th birthday. Bonnie was born in Kings Ferry, Florida, to Louis and Mattie Henderson Haddock on November 26, 1923. Bonnie spent her life investing in our community. Bonnie attended Eagle Academy in King's Ferry and Hilliard High School in Hilliard, Florida. She then met the love of her life, Fred Jackson, a U.S. Army officer, who served our Nation during World War II. Together, Bonnie and Fred raised a family and built a legacy in northeast Florida that is carried on by their 11 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren, and 14 great-great-grandchildren. A steadfast steward of her faith, Bonnie has been a lifelong member-- that is 100 years of membership--at Ephesus Baptist Church in Hilliard. Her family values and dedication to those around her have earned her a reputation as a meticulous housekeeper, an amazing cook, a talented gardener, and a faithful and devoted matriarch to her growing family. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to have the opportunity to wish Bonnie a very happy 100th birthday from the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives. Mr. Speaker, I thank Bonnie and her family for all they do to enrich our northeast Florida community. Her impressive legacy sets an example for all of us to follow. Mr. Speaker, God bless Bonnie in her 100th year of life.

Mr. RUTHERFORD

Mr. RUTHERFORD. Mr. Chair, I move that the Committee do now rise.

Mr. RUTHERFORD

Mr. RUTHERFORD. Madam Chair, I encourage all of my colleagues to vote ``no'' on this amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. RUTHERFORD. Madam Chair, I claim the time in opposition.

Mr. RUTHERFORD. Madam Chair, we are going to use $100 million, to use the Senate's number, to influence what should be a local decisionmaking process on zoning for affordable housing. We all support affordable housing. That is not really the issue. The issue is who is going to make the zoning decisions within each and every location and jurisdiction throughout this country. We don't believe that it should be the Federal Government imposing its will on local government in those zoning decisions. That should be up to the locals. Madam Chair, I urge all of my colleagues to vote ``no,'' and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. RUTHERFORD. Madam Chair, let me reiterate that Washington bureaucrats ought not be getting into the zoning business of local jurisdictions across the United States with $100 million to influence folks to make decisions that may not be in the best interests of those in the community. Madam Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. RUTHERFORD. Madam Chair, I thank the gentleman for yielding. Madam Chair, the CDBG program is one of the few opportunities that the Federal Government has where we actually take taxpayer dollars and send them back to the State and local governments to use the way they see fit. That is the reason I rise in opposition to this amendment. This will cut $13 million just from the State of Florida and a little over $4 million just from my district alone. Madam Chair, having been in local government as a sheriff for 12 years, I can say that CDBG was a tremendous opportunity to help public safety in the way that our community needed assistance. It wasn't a mandate down from bureaucrats in Washington, D.C. It was an opportunity to take tax dollars, return them to the taxpayer, and allow their elected representatives to decide how best to use that money. For that reason, I am opposed to the gentleman's amendment, and I ask all my colleagues to vote ``no.''

Mr. RUTHERFORD. Mr. Chairman, I just have to say that across the board 57 percent--and it does look like we are going above the 2023 numbers, but actually we had to start off with a cut of about $8 billion to fill a hole that was caused by last year's Democratic budget gimmicks and the disasters of the Biden economic plan. We reduced wasteful spending funding across 19 different DOT and HUD grant programs. We have right-sized spending for transportation infrastructure. We have prioritized two things in this bill: transportation safety and housing assistance for vulnerable Americans. That is where the focus lies. We have cut significantly from the 2023 numbers. Cutting this bill through indiscriminate across-the-board cuts really abdicates our responsibility to make sure that we are protecting the priorities of this Nation in transportation safety and housing for America's most vulnerable. Mr. Chairman, I urge a ``no'' on this amendment.

Mr. RUTHERFORD. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding. Mr. Chairman, I am very supportive of this amendment. The gentlewoman has been leading on this topic for quite a while through the REINS Act. I have to tell you, Mr. Chairman, I think this is one of the two areas that most threaten our democracy right now, and that is rulemaking in executive orders that absolutely go around our Article I authority here in this body. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of this amendment. I would love to see it in every bill that we pass in appropriations.

Mr. RUTHERFORD. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Chair, I rise in support of this amendment. Let me reiterate the point that was just made that this is such a break from the norm in the evaluation of these antitrust analyses going forward. DOJ has had that responsibility. I particularly thank the gentleman for really staying on top of this. This is clearly an overreach by the Biden administration, and I thank the gentleman for that.