Denver Riggleman

Mr. RIGGLEMAN

Mr. RIGGLEMAN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to offer my gratitude and appreciation for Esther Page, my constituent services director. Known as the Constituent Whisperer and Queen of Casework, Esther is retiring this January after 31 years of service. She truly is the model of what a nonpartisan public servant should be, having shown the same care and devotion for Virginia's Fifth District even as the seat swapped back and forth between parties. I will read a comment from one of my constituents who benefited from Ms. Page's service: ``I felt from her very first contact that she was committed to advocating for me and my best interests. Without Ms. Page, I truly believe that I would still be waiting, my case file deeply buried on someone's desk.'' Her devout faith was an example to me and all constituents she helped. She will be retiring to her home in Nelson County this January, and I wish her a long and fulfilling retirement. Esther, I think I speak for all the Fifth District in offering my deepest appreciation for the service you have done. This is not in the speech but know that we all love you.

Mr. RIGGLEMAN

Mr. RIGGLEMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today, after 2 years of service, to address this Congress for perhaps the last time. I rise today humbled by the opportunities granted to me by this great country and the citizens of the Fifth District. That I could go from living on food stamps decades ago to serving in this hallowed body is a testament to the American Dream and the opportunity provided by this land of liberty. I would be remiss if I did not begin this address by thanking my beautiful wife, Christine, and my three daughters, Abby, Lauren, and Lily, for their support throughout this journey. I married Christine fresh out of high school at the age of 19, and she has been my rock ever since. And to have my two new granddaughters in Washington, D.C., with me today is an overwhelming blessing. I never intended to enter politics or subject my family to the challenges and strains that accompany public life, but they have taken on every challenge and continue to inspire me every day. I have spent most of my life in service to this country as an enlisted and commissioned airman in the United States Air Force and working for and with intelligence community and Department of Defense organizations. I served in the Balkans during Operation Allied Force, spent time in the Middle East, and deployed immediately after 9/11 as part of a team that mission planned the first bombing runs into Afghanistan. I was taken away from my family in service to the country I love. And while my family is with me now, I know that they made countless sacrifices to help me get to this point. Though my time in this Chamber will be shorter than I may have hoped, I am proud of what we have accomplished. Just 2 weeks ago, this House passed H.R. 2466, the State Opioid Grant Authorization Act of 2020. A bill that might seem like a footnote in the Congressional Record to some can save countless lives. One of my priorities during my time in Congress has been addressing the very real crisis of opioid addiction, which has devastating consequences for families across this great Nation. I was sitting at my desk in Congress about 1 year ago when I got the call that my cousin, Trey, had overdosed not far from where I was sitting. I talked about this with my friend and colleague, Congressman David Trone, the Democratic party lead on the State Opioid Response Grant Authorization bill and the leader of the Freshman Working Group on Addiction. He had lost a nephew, Ian, to the scourge of addiction. We knew that something had to be done, and we came together in a bipartisan way to accomplish something great. A special thanks to Representatives Sherrill and Armstrong for their incredible support on this legislation. Trey and Ian, we worked to honor your memories and to help those who might not be able to help themselves. During my time in Congress, I have worked to expand access to broadband internet in rural areas, especially in those remote areas of the Fifth District. Our rural communities need broadband access to keep up with the demands of the modern economy. Closing the digital divide is critical in enhancing economic opportunity, job creation, access to healthcare, and education in rural America. My district carries history matched by few in this Nation. The first representative from my district was James Madison. I have used his legacy to guide me in my fight to protect constitutional principles, and I believe that his example is one that can guide all representatives in this body. James Madison said this: ``A well instructed people alone can be a permanently free people.'' I internalized that statement into a baseline for carrying out the duties as a representative of the people, duly elected by the citizens of Virginia's Fifth District. My background as a veteran and Air Force intelligence officer employed at times by the National Security Agency and working with other government agencies taught me the value of honor, service, and integrity in all I do. It also taught me the invaluable lesson of considering the source when evaluating information from my colleagues and constituents and when fighting radicalization and disinformation campaigns. James Madison also stated that ``knowledge will forever govern ignorance; and a people who mean to be their own governors must arm themselves with the power knowledge gives.'' A well instructed people and a knowledgeable people--pillars of a working republic. Those pillars are now being assaulted by disinformation and outlandish theories surrounding this Presidential election. As we transition to a new administration, I implore all to consider the sources of information you receive, to fact-check diligently and to recognize that many bad actors who spread spurious and fantastical conspiracy theories under banners like QAnon, Kraken, Stop the Steal, Scamdemic, and many other emotive terms and coded language are not disseminating information rooted in knowledge, but with questionable motives. They are rooted in misunderstanding or fraud or, in some cases, ignorance. To all those on the end of the disinformation firehose, please know that I am you and you are me. Unbiased, fact-based information sustains our republic. My objective in serving my district was never to judge others, because all of us are only human. None of us has a special dispensation to rule over another. We are common in our belief that the Constitution stops the tyrannical encroachment of a man, woman, or group claiming to have some extraordinary knowledge that allows them insights that we as individuals cannot attain. Disinformation hinders our free exchange of ideas and creates super- spreader digital viruses that create a fever of nonsense. Disinformation operations can attack specific pillars of democracy at strategic moments: from belief in democratic elections, to trust in public health and public institutions. In technical terms, sophisticated influence operations using combinations of bot-like- networks and synchronous mass posting behavior, termed ``coordinated inauthentic behavior,'' is a tactic, a tactic which disinformation peddlers such as QAnon community members use with great success to hijack the national conversation. My 2 decades of intelligence, warfighting, and counterintelligence experience coupled with serving in the 116th Congress is why I will not allow conspiracy peddlers to hijack our ability to conduct reasonable policy discussions for the betterment of all Americans. Just like creating a vaccine to eradicate COVID-19, we must work together to inoculate against the social contagion of disinformation, conspiracies, anti-Semitism, dehumanization, racism, deep state cabal nonsense, cults, and those grifters posing as servants of the people. Big data, machine learning, and facts-based analysis are the ingredients for our digital vaccine. If we build that vaccine, we can encourage facts over fantasy, people over politics, love over hate, and unity over division. I am now serving on the board of a nonpartisan organization that will utilize advanced analysis, data methodologies, and network modeling to track disinformation over social media. If you are in the grifting and propaganda business, know that I am not going anywhere. As I go back to my incredible life on 50 acres in the Blue Ridge Mountains, I can reflect on how I conducted myself in Congress. My dear friend, Congressman Kevin Brady from Texas, told me he appreciated that I ``called balls and strikes'' even when it was not advantageous to me. To be clear, Kevin Brady is an example of that service and what calling balls and strikes looks like. So let me call three pitches right now. First, I will always fight disinformation wherever I see it, hear it, or watch it. For those who spread disinformation, know that I will not stop in tracking those who push falsehoods onto decent Americans. Radicalization through disinformation has no place in the United States, and in this fight, I will not relent. Second, working together for the betterment of the American people in a bipartisan way is not a bug, it is a feature. Third, people are more important than party. Pandering is a political sickness. As I reflect on the accomplishments we have made for the Fifth District, I am moved to recognize some of the many people who have made these accomplishments possible. Esther Page and Denise Van Valkenburg are dedicated public servants who served the Fifth District from before my time in office. Regardless of the party affiliation of the Representative, they served the people of the Fifth District of Virginia exceptionally, and they should be lauded for their efforts. To Jim Pomeroy, Steve Harvey, and Josiah Leonard, your service has not gone unnoticed. It was never my plan to be a politician, so I should thank my staff for helping me to learn this process and do my best to serve the Fifth District. Dave Natonski, who served as my chief of staff through good times and bad, was an invaluable asset and friend. My current chief of staff, Haley Brady, is as competent as she is great. A big thank you to my legislative team, without whom the legislative accomplishments could not have happened: Borden Hoskins, a financial services savant with as devastating a wit as a pen; Eli Woerpel, my right hand on everything broadband and agricultural; Jason Eagleburger, my friend and confidante, who spearheaded the China Task Force and helped with complex policy issues; Nicole Nentwich, who was my go-to for healthcare policy; and Lexi Klein, who my Fifth District constituents love and appreciate. To my communications team, thank you for your sound advice and constant guidance. Joe Chelak has been with me since I started my run for Congress, and his strategic leadership has been invaluable to my success. Kate Currie has made the most of her time in my office and exhibited incredible talent. And to Ben Mullany, without whom I would not have gotten this far, thank you. Jimmy Keady, thank you for talking me into this craziness, and your leadership and guiding me through this beautiful and treacherous passage. Chris Woodfin, thank you. Your counsel has been invaluable. To the Cloakroom, thank you for putting up with me these last 2 years. And to my congressional colleagues, where there are far too many to name and thank, know that I am not far away. I am always available for a snort of bourbon, a tipple of irreverence, and a nod to Bigfoot. In January of next year, the Fifth District of Virginia will be represented by a new Member, who I hope will heed these lessons: that service to your district should be your priority; courage in the face of disagreement should be lauded, not ignored; and to always remember the strength of holding to your principles will last far longer than any allegiance to a position or a party. There is an incredible dart game scene in the show ``Ted Lasso'' where Ted is vastly underestimated in a darts competition and ends up besting an arrogant opponent, a former owner of the soccer team that Ted coaches. Please watch that scene. In that scene, Ted quotes Walt Whitman: ``Be curious, not judgmental.'' Let's not throw hyperbolic darts at each other. Let's rely on facts and compassion. Let's listen together and move this country forward together. May God bless the Commonwealth of Virginia, may God bless this Congress, and may God bless the United States of America. And for the last time, Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. RIGGLEMAN

Mr. RIGGLEMAN. Mr. Speaker, I thank my good friend, Representative Walden, Congressman Pallone, and also David Trone. Our Freshman Working Group has been incredible on this issue. It is interesting how it has come full circle. Mr. Speaker, 2 years ago, in my very first speech on the floor of the House of Representatives, I called on Congress to act and address the opioid addiction crisis that causes tens of thousands of deaths every year. During the 2 years since that speech, I have been working hard to provide solutions and take positive steps to address the crisis. I also have become more aware of the harm the opioid epidemic has caused in our streets and in our districts. I have seen how the crisis has affected the friends and the family members of so many, including some in this Chamber today, like my dear friend David Trone, who tragically lost his nephew to an opioid overdose. I have been personally affected by this crisis, and I know the toll it takes on those affected and the people who love them. I was sitting at my desk in Congress about 1 year ago when I got the call that my cousin Trey had overdosed, not far from where I was sitting. I talked about this with Congressman Trone. We knew we had to do something. I think that is why we have to thank Members like Representative Sherrill and Representative Armstrong for their incredible support in this. Trey and Ian, I think this bill is for them and all the people who have suffered through this incredible scourge. Mr. Speaker, the bill before us today starts to address some of those challenges and is a positive step toward combating the very real crisis of opioid addiction that has had devastating consequences for families across this Nation. Obviously, I strongly support H.R. 2466, the State Opioid Response Grant Authorization Act of 2020. Not only must Congress act to address this crisis, but we must lead. I chose to colead this bill because it will help countless numbers of my constituents, and it is the right thing to do. But I have to applaud the efforts of my dear friend David Trone and all the members of the Freshmen Working Group on Addiction. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill. Again, I don't think I can say this any stronger: This bill is for Trey and Ian, and this bill is for all those affected by the overdoses, the awfulness that happens within each family.

Mr. RIGGLEMAN

Mr. RIGGLEMAN. Mr. Speaker, before I begin today, I extend my best wishes to President Trump and Melania. Our thoughts and prayers are with them as they battle COVID-19. I also thank Tom Malinowski for the amazing discussions that we have had going forward on this resolution. He is an amazing person to work with, and I thank him--and everyone else--for their work. Mr. Speaker, I do rise today at a pivotal moment in our Nation's history and a moment of reckoning for our national discourse. The vitriol and anger spewing from both sides of the political aisle, echoing across the darkest corners and caverns of the internet has led to violence and hate, divisiveness and anger. It has all but extinguished the light of reasonable political discourse in this great country called by so many, a ``City on the Hill.'' But we cannot continue to be this beacon of hope that we have been for so long if we can't address the issues holding us back, the webs that have ensnared us and the mistrust that has invaded our politics. The resolution before us today is not a panacea but it asks us a question about our purpose here in this august body: Will we stand up and condemn a dangerous, dehumanizing and convoluted conspiracy theory that the FBI has assessed with high confidence as very likely to motivate some domestic extremist, wholly or in part, to engage in criminal or violent activity? When my friend and colleague, Representative Malinowski, and I introduced a resolution condemning the QAnon conspiracy theory, we knew that we could draw the ire of those that believe in fantastical theories. We were condemning something that is a danger to our political discourse. QAnon believers have accused me of running a pedophilia ring for Israel, being a member of the Zionist Organizational Government, been called a traitor--accompanied by a picture of the gallows--and stated I was part of a target list. The grotesque nature of the tweets and Instagram posts, and the anti-Semitic tripe spewed by QAnon adherents should cause concern for everyone. Obviously, this is all ridiculous, much like their theory. But the death threats Tom Malinowski received were a surprise and a shock. This type of behavior is easily condemned--condemned by all of us here in this Chamber today. Putting aside the bizarre views of QAnon adherents, I call on this body to condemn them because of their actions, actions that include threatening the life of my friend, Tom Malinowski. Plotting to plant a bomb in the Illinois Capitol rotunda to make Americans aware of the pizzagate conspiracy theory; the murder of a man in New York in 2019, and other such activities. QAnon and the conspiracy theories it promotes are a danger and a threat that has no place in our country's politics. I condemn this movement and urge all my fellow Members to join me in taking this step to exclude them and other extreme conspiracy theories from the national discourse. We talk about the First Amendment all the time. It is absolutely appropriate for the Members of this body to use the First Amendment to call out those that are using their First Amendment gift as United States citizens to attack other individuals. This Nation has passed through stronger storms than this in the past, and we will come out stronger still. But it takes leadership from the top to stand up against extreme ideas like QAnon. I call on this House to do that today. Support this resolution. Pass it. I agree with my friend and colleague, Tom Malinowski, that we should not be playing with fire. I have been in the intelligence business. I know the power of information operations and false information. Again, let's pass this resolution.

Mr. RIGGLEMAN

Mr. RIGGLEMAN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the work being done by 5th District residents to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. The employees of Standard Communications, Inc. have worked diligently with the Department of Veterans affairs to install medical IT solutions. This work has included a new device to aid in the decontamination of medical equipment using ultraviolet light. As we continue to face the COVID-19 pandemic, we have had to adapt and change the way we practice medicine in America. As the Congressman for Virginia's 5th District, I have been meeting with doctors, nurses, and other frontline healthcare workers to address our medical needs. One thing has become clear: Increasing our telehealth capabilities is critical to treating patients during the ongoing pandemic. In rural communities, we have seen a drop-off in patients seeking medical treatment for non-coronavirus related illnesses and injuries. This can create serious long-term issues in our healthcare system, where veterans can be vulnerable. The work done by Standard Communications and their founder John Moliere is helping to alleviate some of these issues. During the COVID- 19 pandemic we must strive to find innovative solutions to the medical needs of our community. Telehealth is now helping connect patients with healthcare providers in a way we had not considered before the outbreak. By increasing the number of doctor visits that can be done without face-to-face meetings we can continue to slow the spread of the virus and flatten the curve. I am grateful for the work of John Moliere and Standard Communications.

Mr. RIGGLEMAN

Mr. RIGGLEMAN. Mr. Speaker, I have a motion to recommit at the desk.

Mr. RIGGLEMAN. Mr. Speaker, I am opposed to the bill in its current form.

Mr. RIGGLEMAN. Mr. Speaker, this amendment will not kill the bill but simply ensure that it will not exacerbate the risks of identity theft or misuse of consumer data. Mr. Speaker, a Social Security number may be the single most important piece of government-issued identification that a U.S. citizen can have. H.R. 5332 takes that single most important piece of identification and increases its overuse, which will have negative consequences for consumers. In the digital age, relying on one number that defines each of us has made us extremely vulnerable to identity theft. Someone can use your Social Security number to open credit cards, take loans in your name, and destroy your credit. According to the Privacy Rights Clearinghouse, identity theft now affects between 500,000 and 700,000 people annually. Victims often do not discover the crime until months after its occurrence. As we speak, Washington State is working to recover more than $500 million in unemployment benefits paid to criminals who used stolen identities to file claims during the coronavirus pandemic. These attacks on data will only escalate. We are in a new era of economic and data warfare and creating a common node of exploitation, a Social Security number, in a centralized location will advance bad actors' ability to infiltrate our data. When your Social Security number is exposed and sold through nefarious means, it is extremely difficult to simply go get a new one. This bill will cause a proliferation in the use of Social Security numbers. That is exactly the wrong direction to go. The amendment I am offering simply ensures that we are not putting policies forward that increase the risks to consumers. During the floor debate, the bill's own sponsor agreed that we should be studying alternative ways to identify consumers as it relates to credit reporting. The bill directs GAO to study the means and feasibility to replace our Social Security numbers as an identifier. To that end, I would simply ask my colleagues, before we put consumers at risk, let's do our work. Let's see what GAO reports and work together on a bipartisan solution. We need to make sure that whatever we do in the name of improving accuracy in credit reporting is not putting Americans at greater risk of fraud. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this amendment. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. RIGGLEMAN

Mr. RIGGLEMAN. Madam Speaker, I rise today in opposition to H.R. 5332, the Protecting Your Credit Score Act. I would like to thank the ranking member for his leadership, but also my colleague from New Jersey. Not only is he a friend, but I respect him very much, and I do applaud his efforts on this legislation. I share his interest in ensuring credit reports are complete, accurate, and transparent, but I believe this bill fails to achieve that goal. The passage of H.R. 5332 will have harmful and unintended consequences for consumers. It is, simply put, yet another veiled attempt to socialize the credit reporting and scoring industry that will cause harm to hardworking Americans. This bill is disguised as pro-consumer, but H.R. 5332 will decrease competition, increase the cost of credit for consumers, provide opportunities for trial attorneys to exploit the litigation system, and expand the authority of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. It undermines the Fair Credit Reporting Act and our ability to maintain a nationwide credit reporting system that benefits businesses and consumers. This bill would create a conflicting patchwork of interpretations of the Fair Credit Reporting Act that will lead to confusion among financial institutions and raise costs for all consumers. While my colleague named this bill the Protecting Your Credit Score Act of 2019, it does little to protect consumers and their data. Quite to the contrary, it expands and increases the risk of harm to consumers affected by a data breach. This bill mandates the three nationwide credit reporting agencies create a shared online portal and would create significant cybersecurity vulnerabilities for consumers and companies, all while creating opportunities for bad actors to manipulate and take advantage of our consumer data. I know a little bit about this because I have done this for about 22 years. Creating a one-stop-shop for the credit report, personal information, and Social Security number of every individual would be disastrous in the event of a cyber hack or data breach. We need to find targeted solutions that focus on increasing the cybersecurity capability at credit reporting agencies, increase competition, and increase access to credit for consumers and businesses, rather than put forward proposals that undermine the consumer reporting system and further empower unelected bureaucrats at the expense of the free market.

Mr. RIGGLEMAN

Mr. RIGGLEMAN. Mr. Speaker, I have a motion to recommit at the desk.

Mr. RIGGLEMAN. Mr. Speaker, I am opposed to the bill in its current form.

Mr. RIGGLEMAN. Mr. Speaker, I offer this motion to recommit because Americans across this country are watching the steps we take in Congress. Millions of Americans need our help and, unfortunately, millions more will lose their jobs if we consider partisan wish list legislation that has no chance of becoming law. Our Nation continues to battle the COVID-19 pandemic, and the strength and ingenuity of the American spirit has shone forth. We in this Chamber came together to pass the CARES Act, a bipartisan aid package in March of this year. In times of crisis, Americans should come together, but that togetherness has waned and the bipartisanship has vanished. Masked in darkness and socially distanced from any review or debate, this bill is filled to the brim with progressive agenda items. Hidden amongst these poison pills is a provision that would change the ID requirement for the CARES Act rebate checks from Social Security number to taxpayer identification number. This switch will allow illegal immigrants and noncitizens to get checks they aren't eligible for. I didn't think that a global pandemic meant it was time to stop helping American citizens who are desperate for assistance. Now, more than ever, we need to make sure these rebate checks go to Americans who need it. This motion to recommit shouldn't be controversial. Unauthorized immigrants are not eligible for most Federal benefits, including SNAP, TANF, and most housing assistance programs. They weren't even eligible to receive this money in the first CARES Act. The reason they are being included now is because this provision is the latest in a grab brag of liberal priorities that Democrats are trying to sneak through in this bill. But not on my watch. That is why I am proud to offer this motion to recommit. It is time we show Americans that we will stand up and do our jobs in Congress, be the responsible leaders Americans elected us to be, not partisan headline grabbers or those who think messaging bills are more important than sensible legislation for all Americans. The authors of the bill do not intend for this to become law, make a mockery of our responsibility to govern. Enough of the messaging bills. Let's stop playing politics and start working on solutions that will help the American people. Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to join me, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. RIGGLEMAN

Mr. RIGGLEMAN. Mr. Speaker, it wasn't so long ago that our country experienced an event that would bring Americans together to fight a common enemy and help those in need. On September 11, 2001, America experienced the worst act of terrorism in its history. The resolve and patriotism I felt that day, as a warfighter, is so very similar to the resolve and patriotism I feel today. Government can do some things for the American people. The CARES Act is not perfect, but it provides much-needed funds for medical equipment, support for small businesses, and additional tools to fight the crisis. This bill is a step forward, and when combined with the same American spirit that brought us through 9/11 and crises past, we can come out of this stronger. The true strength of our great Nation is what people do for each other. Rugged individualism turns into compassionate sacrifice. The charity of American spirit expands and envelops all others. We see those in need. We act. We volunteer. We lead. We step into the breach. Almost nothing perfect comes out of government. Service, however, demands that we put forth a perfect effort to do the best we can.

Mr. RIGGLEMAN

Mr. RIGGLEMAN. Madam Speaker, I stand in strong opposition to H.R. Res. 68, which is a divisive resolution that ties President Trump's hands during a time when our Nation and regional allies like Israel need our support. This resolution ignores efforts the President has made to avoid war, instead continuing the Democratic Party's fixation on the President's strike on Qasem Soleimani in Iraq. My background does give me an expert perspective on the challenges in the Middle East, and an understanding of the current situation on the ground. Not only did I deploy directly after 9/11, I was the counter- IED team chief in 2006 and 2007 for the Counter-IED Operations Intelligence Integration Center. So our team saw firsthand what Iranian Quds Forces could do to U.S. forces based on IED deployment and technology transfer. This was not some type of reckless assassination. This was a targeted elimination of a terrorist on our target list. President Trump's escalated air strikes against those planning to inflict harm on Americans are warranted responses against Iranian actions. The United States reserves the right to defend itself, especially against bad actors like Soleimani and Iran. Instead of supporting a President who struck a terrorist, Democrats have retreated to partisan talking points and have flocked to this bill, which undermines the President's actions and shows a lack of American resolve to our enemies abroad. This legislation harms our ability to protect American interests. It harms our military preparedness. Lines 20-25 of the resolution state that the President must terminate the use of United States Armed Forces for hostilities against Iran ``or any part of its government or military?'' Does this include proxies in Iraq, Afghanistan, Lebanon, Algeria, Yemen, Bahrain, and Shia militia groups? The IRGC is a foreign terrorist organization, including its Quds Force. Soleimani was with a person called al-Muhandis, the center of command and control against American forces, Shia militia groups, and an Iranian proxy. Do we consider force protection conditions? The Commander in Chief needs flexibility in this new Arab warfare. And I do agree that it is time for Congress to update our authorizations for use of military force. I am eager to participate in this process during this time of asymmetric warfare and rapid response to terrorism. Let's provide solutions. Let's not provide political hyperbole.

Mr. RIGGLEMAN

Mr. RIGGLEMAN. Madam Speaker, I was unable to attend votes on March 9, 2020. Had I been present, I would have voted: YEA on Roll Call No. 91 and YEA on Roll Call No. 92.

Mr. RIGGLEMAN

Mr. RIGGLEMAN. Madam Speaker, I was unable to attend votes on March 3, 2020. Had I been present, I would have voted: YEA on Roll Call No. 81, and YEA on Roll Call No. 82.

Mr. RIGGLEMAN

Mr. RIGGLEMAN. Madam Speaker, I was unable to attend votes on March 2, 2020. Had I been present, I would have voted: YEA on Roll Call No. 79, and YEA on Roll Call No. 80.

Mr. RIGGLEMAN

Mr. RIGGLEMAN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to salute a life of service. Next week, Fire Chief Mike Brent will hang up his helmet and enter a well-deserved retirement. Mike joined the Fluvanna County Volunteer Fire Department in January of 1977 as a member of the Palmyra Volunteer Fire Company. He quickly rose through the ranks, and just 10 years later he was elected to serve as the Chief of Fluvanna County Volunteer Department; leading volunteers from Palmyra, Fork Union, and Kents Store. During his 32 years as chief, he was instrumental in many significant improvements to the delivery of fire and EMS services in Fluvanna County, to include a capital improvements plan for three new, state-of- the-art firehouses. Even after retiring as chief, Mike continues to volunteer as a member of the Palmyra Volunteer Fire Company; a true testament to his resolute commitment and unwavering service to our community. Chief Brent truly embodies what it means to be selfless and putting others' needs before his own. We are forever grateful for his service.

Mr. RIGGLEMAN

Mr. RIGGLEMAN. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding. Madam Speaker, I rise today in an America with a booming economy, strong military, and optimistic future. On Tuesday, President Trump outlined the ``best is yet to come'' blueprint during the State of the Union Address. This agenda is an optimistic plan to continue the record-setting economic growth we are seeing and provide solutions to problems that ail American citizens. It is imperative that Congress step forward and support this agenda as I do. It is an agenda that dramatically lowers prescription drug prices and raises wages for hardworking Americans, an agenda that will build an inclusive society and make sure every young American has the opportunity to achieve the American Dream, and an agenda that will ensure every citizen can have access to high-speed internet, including in rural areas. With a national unemployment rate of 3.5 percent and a Virginia unemployment rate of 2.6 percent, it is clear the economic policies the President has implemented are working. The ``best is yet to come'' blueprint will continue this growth and build upon it. The American economy is stronger than ever, and we should work to continue this growth. I have a district that is 10,000 square miles large, bigger than the State of New Jersey. Seeing the optimism and excitement in Virginia and Virginia's Fifth District is something to behold. We have built an inclusive economy where the least well-off are making some of the fastest gains and unemployment is at an all-time low. There is no doubt that we are in the midst of a blue-collar boom in this country. Those who support the previous question are opposing the economic boom. That is why I will be voting against the previous question. A vote against the previous question is a vote for lowering the number of impoverished Americans on food stamps. A vote against the previous question is a vote to continue the booming economic growth we have experienced. A vote against the previous question is a vote for enacting all these policies into law and furthering President Trump's agenda. Madam Speaker, I urge defeat of the previous question so that we can consider my resolution and support the policies outlined in the ``best is yet to come'' policy blueprint.

Mr. RIGGLEMAN

Mr. RIGGLEMAN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding. I stand in strong opposition to this amendment. Since I mission-planned the first bombing runs in Afghanistan in early 2001, warfare has evolved. It is fascinating to think that my military career started with dropping bombs. One of my jobs was to flush out, bury, or kill insurgents who used caves as places for cover. Technology was certainly in use when utilizing GPS-guided weapons, electro-optical and laser-guided missiles. We mensurated coordinates by using systems like raindrop and tracked our aircrews with systems like combat track. For us older warfighters and folks here, it was incredible then, but today it would be like playing tank war on an original Atari. Terrorists still use caves, but those caves could be in cyberspace. By 2018, I was working on tracking targets through a myriad of activities, finding gaps in vertically integrated network infrastructures, linking proxy groups to IED resupply, perfecting telephony analysis, computer network attack and identifying network critical touchpoints in command and control architectures. I wasn't just dropping bombs anymore. Instead of executing war, our group worked to determine as many asymmetric terrorist attack modalities as we could and then used research and development to advance new concepts, such as algorithmic warfare or instantaneous information sharing. My job, in two decades, took me from bombs to algorithms. This amendment is ill-timed and irresponsible and seems do coincide with impeachment. This act is political, without any forethought to what a possible AUMF would look like in this new era of asymmetric warfare. We have Iran on the ropes, have killed their number one terrorist and struck their command and control hierarchy in a devastating way. This amendment, at the bottom of page 2, states: No Federal funds may be obligated or expended for any use of military force in or against Iran, unless Congress has declared war, enacted specific statutory authorization for such use of military force after the date of the enactment of this act that meets the requirement of the War Powers Resolution. Let's ensure we enact specific statutory authorization or reason way before we remove statutory authority already in place. Does this amendment restrict use of resources already in place if Iran employs cyberattack, critical infrastructure attack, electronic warfare, chemical attack, biological attack, or any other attack modalities that terrorists like to employ? And what if terrorist-specific modalities can be used where Iran supports terror operations in places such as Iraq, Afghanistan, Lebanon, Algeria, Yemen, Bahrain; is the United States then limited to new resource allocation to defend forces? The speed of warfare is intense. And let's make no mistake: Congress cannot always move at the speed of warfare in a time of asymmetric kinetic--think airplanes--or nonkinetic--think electric power infrastructure and military communications network--attack. That is why we have a Commander in Chief. That is why we have Article II of the Constitution. That is why our Founders made it this way. Sometimes military force is not war. Of course we must preserve Article I powers. Let's approach this fix in a way that preserves our Constitution and considers the nongeographic threat posture we live in today.

Mr. RIGGLEMAN

Mr. RIGGLEMAN. Madam Speaker, today I wish to observe and mourn the passing of Tom Wilson Page, Jr. who was called home unexpectedly this past week. A devoted husband, father, grandfather, and friend, Tom was a pillar of our Nelson County community and his loss will be felt throughout our district. A small business owner, Tom was always ready to lend a helping hand to anyone who needed it. His passion and love of community were evident in where he spent his time; at his church and on the baseball field. Tom was an instrumental part of the Nelson County Youth Baseball Association, where he mentored young players and taught them the fundamentals of the pastime he loved. He leaves behind his beloved wife of 43 years, Esther W. Page; his sons, Prennis ``Lamonte'' Page and Brandon S. Page; and two grandchildren. I join all of Nelson County in mourning his loss, and extend my thoughts, prayers, and deepest sympathies to the Page family.

Mr. RIGGLEMAN

Mr. RIGGLEMAN. Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to support our brave men and women serving overseas, specifically, those in Iraq and the Middle East. I support their mission, as I did during my time on Active Duty. I also rise to recognize all of those who have been working to support this mission, including constituents of mine working at the National Ground Intelligence Center in Charlottesville, Virginia. I have personally worked, during my past, with NGIC on efforts to stop the Quds Force and Qasem Soleimani, specifically their support to IED technologies that killed American troops. Soleimani was a terrorist. The President recently addressed the Nation proposing an allied effort with our partners in NATO to address Iran and ensure they stop their pursuit of hegemonic goals and their nuclear program. I support this effort. Resolute strength is the only way to deal with state sponsors of terrorism.

Mr. RIGGLEMAN

Mr. RIGGLEMAN. Madam Speaker, I oppose this impeachment effort and will vote ``no'' on the Articles of Impeachment. I represent the Fifth District of Virginia, which was home to so many Founding Fathers whose vision shaped the great country we are living in today. Thomas Jefferson and James Madison are not around to see what their creation has become, but I don't think they would be pleased to see Congress subverting the will of democracy by holding an impeachment vote because the majority party simply cannot accept the 2016 election. Instead of wasting the taxpayers' time and money on specious investigations, we could have passed legislation to address surprise medical billing, secure the border, address the opioid epidemic, reduce student debt, and solve a litany of other issues that Americans actually care about. Tomorrow, we might have a vote on the USMCA, which we should have passed months ago had it not been for the obstruction and delays from Democrats, delays that have made farmers in my district and other districts suffer. Votes like the one we will take today, the decisions that have led up to today's vote, the nature and entire process of this proceeding reeks of careerist bureaucrats and politicians that put politics over people. I was not elected to take political votes that attempt to overturn the will of the American people. I ran for office to serve my constituents. Let's remember: that is why we are here. Weaponizing emotion is not the way to serve the United States of America. And, Madam Speaker, to my colleagues who do just that, I offer a quote Thomas Paine wrote in ``The Crisis'': ``To argue with a person who has renounced the use of reason is like administering medicine to the dead.''

Mr. RIGGLEMAN

Mr. RIGGLEMAN. Madam Speaker, 40 Virginia localities have declared themselves ``Second Amendment sanctuaries,'' resolving to support the Constitution and stand against infringements on the Second Amendment. Across my district, thousands of citizens are rallying outside the meetings of their local government to show their strong support for the rights of gun owners. Virginia has always been a cradle of constitutional rights. There is no divide between our rural and urban populations. All of us want to defend our rights as citizens of the United States of America. I represent the same district that James Madison represented in the first Congress. He understood America's rights to bear arms when he wrote it into our Constitution. I am a strong supporter of the Second Amendment, and I am proud to stand with the people who are speaking up for their constitutional rights and for the Commonwealth of Virginia. James Madison would be proud. I know I am.