Austin Scott

Mr. AUSTIN SCOTT of Georgia

Mr. AUSTIN SCOTT of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, this morning, the Rules Committee met and reported a rule, House Resolution 682, providing for consideration of two measures. The first measure is H.R. 3838, the Streamlining Procurement for Effective Execution and Delivery and National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026, under a structured rule. The rule provides 1 hour of debate, equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking member of the Committee on Armed Services or their respective designees, provides for one motion to recommit, and made 298 amendments in order. Additionally, the rule provides for consideration of H.R. 3486, the Stop Illegal Entry Act of 2025, under a closed rule. The rule provides 1 hour of debate, equally divided and controlled by the chair and the ranking member of the Committee on the Judiciary or their respective designees, and provides for one motion to recommit. Mr. Speaker, we are here today to debate a rule on two pieces of legislation. First, H.R. 3838, the Streamlining Procurement for Effective Execution and Delivery and National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026. Mr. Speaker, under the leadership of Chairman Mike Rogers and Ranking Member Adam Smith, one of the top priorities of the bipartisan fiscal year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act was to reform the defense acquisition system and equip our armed services with the technology they need to deter national security threats. Mr. Speaker, as anyone who follows this process knows, it can take more than a decade before new capabilities are finally deployed. By then, the threat has changed, the technology is outdated, and the programs are over budget. This bill cuts red tape and shifts the focus of the defense acquisition system from compliance to quickly and cost-effectively fielding new capabilities to ensure that our Armed Forces are the most lethal and effective fighting force in the world. Implementing the Peace Through Strength agenda, the fiscal year 2026 NDAA codifies over 45 executive orders and legislative proposals from President Trump. It fully funds top defense priorities, revitalizes the defense industrial base, and grows manufacturing jobs in America, all while pressing our NATO and other allies to pay more for their own defense. Building upon last year's NDAA, which focused on servicemember quality of life, this bill supports a 3.8 percent pay raise for all servicemembers, improves housing and DOD schools, and expands access to healthcare and childcare. To deter our adversaries, the fiscal year '26 NDAA focuses on countering the threat from China, bolsters Taiwan's defense, and supports Indo-Pacific allies and partners. Additionally, this bill continues to focus on countering threats to our national security from Russia, North Korea, Iran, and other foreign terrorist organizations. To counter emerging threats, the bill focuses on rapidly deploying new, innovative technologies to our warfighters while strengthening nuclear deterrence and missile defense. To further secure our border and fight drug trafficking, the fiscal year '26 NDAA fully funds the establishment and enforcement of national defense areas along the southwest border of the United States, authorizes DOD to provide additional support to Customs and Border Protection, and authorizes President Trump's budget request of nearly $1 billion to combat drug traffickers. Finally, the fiscal year '26 NDAA reforms programs and saves taxpayer dollars. It saves over $20 billion from DOGE cuts and DOD workforce reforms, limits funds available for senior leader travel until DOD makes progress toward fully passing an audit, and overhauls military construction to reduce costs and expedite project delivery. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleagues and House Armed Services committee staff for all the work that went into creating this strong, bipartisan legislation that should pass with overwhelming support. Mr. Speaker, moving on, the rule also provides for the consideration of H.R. 3486, the Stop Illegal Entry Act of 2025. While existing law criminalizes both illegal entry and illegal reentry to our country, often the punishments are not sufficient to defer aliens from illegally reentering the country after committing crimes or being removed from the United States. In fact, of all the aliens charged with illegal reentry in 2023, more than 70 percent had criminal records, Mr. Speaker. H.R. 3486, if enacted, gives Federal officials more tools to prosecute aliens who illegally enter the United States. It requires between 5 years of imprisonment to life imprisonment for an alien who illegally enters the United States and is later convicted of a felony. It requires between 10 years of imprisonment to life imprisonment for an alien who illegally reenters the United States after being removed following a felony conviction. Mr. Speaker, I look forward to consideration of these pieces of legislation, and I urge passage of this rule. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. AUSTIN SCOTT of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, if you don't like President Trump, that is fine. If you don't like the legislation, that is fine. However, for a Member of the House to walk down here and to intentionally take the name of the Lord in vain on the floor of the House of Representatives of the United States of America is just a new low for this institution, Mr. Speaker. I think it is a sad day for our country, and it says a lot about how far society has fallen. While I know, and I actually read the Book of James yesterday, the tongue is hard to tame, that was an intentional use of language taking the name of our Lord in vain on the floor of this House. I am going to leave it at that. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Obernolte).

Mr. AUSTIN SCOTT of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Kansas (Mr. Schmidt).

Mr. AUSTIN SCOTT of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. AUSTIN SCOTT of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from North Carolina (Ms. Foxx), the Chairwoman of the Rules Committee and the toughest lady in Congress.

Mr. AUSTIN SCOTT of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, there is absolutely nothing that can make Affordable Care Act plans affordable. It was a gift to the insurance industry from the Democratic Party. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. AUSTIN SCOTT of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I commend Chairman Comer for the work that is being done in the Oversight Committee. I commend the courage of the victims who came forward. I should have commended the courage of the victims that came forward to Congress last week and met with Members, including the Speaker of the House of Representatives, before I even commended Chairman Comer for his work on the Epstein files. The key to the Epstein files is the flight logs and the tax records, neither of which is mentioned in the Khanna-Massie language. We are pushing forward. Chairman Comer is doing a good job. I commend him and the bipartisan work that is being done on the Oversight Committee. I commend the victims for coming to Washington and doing this. I apologize to the victims for the gamesmanship that is being played at their expense by the other side of the aisle in the Democratic Party. I think they support, from what I understand, what is being done in a bipartisan manner in the Oversight Committee. We are going to continue to push forward that way. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. AUSTIN SCOTT of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Mr. Speaker, first of all, it wasn't a speedboat. It was a panga full of drugs. I would rather that so-called speedboat, as they call it--I call it a panga full of drugs--be at the bottom of the ocean than another American be at the bottom of a six-foot hole because of drug overdoses. I personally think the President and the Secretary of Defense made the right choice, and I hope they will do it again. In fact, I challenge them to do it again. Mr. Speaker, this week the House can advance two pieces of legislation under this rule. H.R. 3838, the Streamlining Procurement for Effective Execution and Delivery and National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026, significantly improves the defense acquisition system. The act implements the Peace Through Strength agenda and restores lethality to our Armed Forces. It secures America's borders and improves the quality of life of our servicemembers. The fiscal year '26 NDAA reforms key programs and saves taxpayer dollars, resulting in a ready, capable, and lethal fighting force. This legislation will deter China, defend Israel, and counter Russia, North Korea, Iran, and other foreign terrorist organizations, including the drug dealers riding around the oceans with pangas full of dope. Finally, this act strengthens our nuclear deterrence, builds the Golden Dome, and grows our Nation's strategic space capabilities. This is bipartisan, must-pass legislation that every one of my colleagues should support. Additionally, H.R. 3486, the Stop Illegal Entry Act of 2025, simply strengthens current law to deter criminal aliens from entering and reentering again and again the United States and gives Federal officials more tools to prosecute aliens who have illegally entered the country and are convicted of a felony or who try to reenter the country after removal following a felony conviction. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in voting ``yes'' on the previous question and ``yes'' on the rule.

Mr. AUSTIN SCOTT of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time, and I move the previous question on the resolution.

Mr. AUSTIN SCOTT of Georgia

Mr. AUSTIN SCOTT of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the opportunity to speak in support of H.R. 4550. This legislation reauthorizes the United States Grain Standards Act, a cornerstone of American agriculture and trade for nearly a century. Mr. Speaker, I don't want to go any further without first thanking Chairman Thompson for his work, Ranking Member Craig for her work, and the gentlewoman from Kansas (Ms. Davids) for her work on this piece of legislation. As chairman of the General Farm Commodities, Risk Management, and Credit Subcommittee, I, too, have seen firsthand the importance of this law. Earlier this year, we held a hearing with industry stakeholders to discuss the act's significance and explore ways to foster innovation. The provisions in this bill ensure transparency, market confidence, and fair price discovery, all of which are essential to a functioning agricultural market. H.R. 4550 not only reauthorizes this critical legislation, but also advances grain grading technology to modernize inspection and weighing services. These updates will help the industry adopt new technologies, improve the accuracy and the efficiency of grain standards, and keep American agriculture competitive in a global market. Allowing this law's authority to lapse would have severe consequences, costing our farm economy over $70 million a day and disrupting supply chains and international trade partnerships. Exports of grain and grain products in my home State of Georgia contribute over $900 million annually in economic output. The United States exports over $26 billion of grain on an annual basis. These numbers underscore the need for uninterrupted, reliable, and cost- effective inspection services. H.R. 4550 protects these essential services and helps maintain the United States' reputation as the global standard in grain production. I was proud to work with Ranking Member Davids on the General Farm Commodities, Risk Management, and Credit Subcommittee to hold a hearing that laid the groundwork for this reauthorization. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to support this bipartisan legislation, and I urge my colleagues to support its final passage.

Mr. AUSTIN SCOTT of Georgia

Mr. AUSTIN SCOTT of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, we all know from watching the last 4 years the Democrats have been working for an autopen the last 4 years and not the American citizens. As a guy from a small town, I want my friends on the other side of the aisle to know this. My town is so small that we literally don't have a red light unless the train comes through. We don't need big-city people telling us how to live. We get along just fine. In fact, right down the road from my house, a person can open up a cooler and pull fresh vegetables out of there based on the honor system. The bag says how much someone is supposed to pay for them. There is a box with cash in it. Mr. Speaker, try that in one of your metropolitan areas. While I hear my colleague talk about how much help we in the small town need for more government, as a small-town guy, the deficit and the debt scares us. It does. Let's talk about the facts about this package. If there is anything that is wrong with the package, it is that it doesn't cut enough. The net increase in spending so far this fiscal year, the last 9 months, is $318 billion. Let me say that again for the American citizens. The net increase in spending has gone up $318 billion in the last 9 months. This piece of legislation cuts less than one-half of 1 percent of discretionary spending. It is a rounding error on the increase. I wish that DOGE were working as effectively today as it was the first several months of the year. I hope that we, as Republicans, get back to exposing where the American tax dollars have been wasted over the last several years. Mr. Speaker, I encourage people to vote for this minor cut, but a minor cut is better than no cut.

Mr. AUSTIN SCOTT of Georgia

Mr. AUSTIN SCOTT of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the opportunity to address the American citizens for just a couple of minutes. I know many of our citizens are concerned about some of the language in the bill, and I think maybe the reason they are concerned is because the people that are telling them what is in the bill never bothered to read the bill, so I thought I would just read to them a part. If the Democrats have read this, then they are lying to the general public. This excerpt is on SNAP. ``Exceptions. Paragraph (2) shall not apply to an individual if the individual is-- (A) under 18, or over 65, years of age; (B) medically certified as physically or mentally unfit for employment; (C) a parent or other member of a household with responsibility for a dependent child under 14 years of age . . .'' When the Democrats are telling you that we are kicking disabled people off of SNAP or we are kicking disabled people off of Medicaid, it is an absolute lie. Look at pages 16 and 17 of the legislation. It will take about 60 seconds to read it. That is exactly what it says.

Mr. AUSTIN SCOTT of Georgia

Mr. AUSTIN SCOTT of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 530 and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. AUSTIN SCOTT of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, for the purpose of debate only, I yield the customary 30 minutes to the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. McGovern), pending which I yield myself such time as I may consume. During consideration of this resolution, all time yielded is for the purpose of debate only. General Leave

Mr. AUSTIN SCOTT of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks.

Mr. AUSTIN SCOTT of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, last night, the Rules Committee met and reported a rule, House Resolution 530, providing for consideration of four measures, including H.R. 3944, the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2026, under a structured rule. The rule provides 1 hour of debate equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking member of the Committee on Appropriations or their respective designees, provides for one motion to recommit, and makes 32 amendments in order. Additionally, the rule provides for consideration of H.R. 275, the Special Interest Alien Reporting Act of 2025, under a closed rule. The rule provides 1 hour of debate equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking member of the Committee on Homeland Security or their respective designees and provides for one motion to recommit. Further, the rule provides for consideration of H.R. 875, the Jeremy and Angel Seay and Sergeant Brandon Mendoza Protect Our Communities from DUIs Act of 2025, under a closed rule. The rule provides 1 hour of debate equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking member of the Committee on the Judiciary or their respective designees and provides for one motion to recommit. Lastly, the rule provides for consideration of H. Res. 516, Condemning the Violent June 2025 Riots in Los Angeles, California, under a closed rule. The rule provides 1 hour of debate equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking member of the Committee on the Judiciary or their respective designees. Mr. Speaker, we are here today to debate the rule on four pieces of legislation, beginning with H.R. 3944, the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2026. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 3944 supports those who have sacrificed for our country and maintains our commitment to the well-being of both servicemembers and veterans. It provides a total of $453 billion in overall funding, including a discretionary allocation of more than $152 billion, which is nearly $5 billion above the previous year's enacted level. It fully funds veterans' healthcare programs, including medical care for toxic exposure. It fully funds veterans' benefits and VA programs and supports President Trump's effort to combat veteran homelessness by investing in the new bridging rental assistance for the veteran empowerment program. It protects the Second Amendment rights of veterans by preventing the VA from sending information on veterans to the FBI without a judge's consent. Further, it syncs with President Trump's executive order on no funds for DEI or gender-affirming care and protects the Hyde-like language at the VA. Additionally, Mr. Speaker, H.R. 3944 continues support for the Guard and Reserve, providing more than $1.2 billion for Guard and Reserve facility construction. It includes $2 billion for military family housing, with a focus on child development centers to improve the quality of life of our military families. It provides robust funding for military construction, which enables continued investment in the Indo-Pacific region and the infrastructure necessary to support U.S. advanced weapon systems. Furthermore, it prohibits the VA from purchasing resources directly or indirectly from the People's Republic of China. Mr. Speaker, this bill provides significant investments and support for our veterans, servicemembers, and their families, and it should pass in a bipartisan manner. Moving on, Mr. Speaker, the rule also provides for the consideration of H.R. 275, the Special Interest Alien Reporting Act of 2025. It goes without saying, Mr. Speaker, that the situation at our southern border has improved significantly under the Trump administration. However, under the previous administration, illegal aliens from over 170 different countries, including Iran, the People's Republic of China, and Russia, came across our borders. H.R. 275 would require the Secretary of Homeland Security to publish a monthly report on the number of special interest aliens--people who pose a significant threat to our national security based on analysis of travel patterns--who have been encountered while attempting to illegally enter the United States. This bill is common sense, and the American people have a right to know. Additionally, Mr. Speaker, the rule provides for consideration of H.R. 875, the Jeremy and Angel Seay and Sergeant Brandon Mendoza Protect Our Communities from DUIs Act of 2025. This bill is simple and necessary. It closes a loophole in U.S. immigration law and ensures that aliens who endanger communities by driving while intoxicated are inadmissible to and deportable from the United States. All three of the individuals included in the title lost their lives in automobile crashes caused by illegal aliens who were driving under the influence. We should honor their memory and work to keep the American people safe by passing this bill in a bipartisan manner. Finally, Mr. Speaker, the rule provides for consideration of H. Res. 516, Condemning the Violent June 2025 Riots in Los Angeles, California. The First Amendment to the Constitution protects the right to peacefully protest. However, it does not protect against riots and violence. This resolution recognizes the right to assemble and protest peacefully while condemning the riots and violence against law enforcement. Mr. Speaker, I look forward to consideration of these pieces of legislation. I urge passage of this rule. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. AUSTIN SCOTT of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I thank the President of the United States, Donald J. Trump--I know it pains my colleagues to say that, ``President of the United States Donald J. Trump''--for his decisive action. I thank him for calling both sides out on the cease- fire. I point out to my colleagues on the other side of the aisle that, as of right now, the cease-fire is holding, and most of the world wants that cease-fire to hold. Mr. Speaker, when you talk about a cult, the cult would be the people who hate Donald Trump so bad that they want the cease-fire to fail. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. AUSTIN SCOTT of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, may I inquire as to how much time each side has remaining.

Mr. AUSTIN SCOTT of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I don't think that the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act is ridiculous. I think it is necessary. I think our veterans have earned it. I think it is a good piece of legislation. Ultimately, Mr. Speaker, I expect it will probably pass in a bipartisan manner. I will say this: President Trump wants peace between Israel and Iran. He took decisive action, and without that decisive action, that peace would not have been possible. He wanted peace with India and Pakistan, and he wants peace with Ukraine and Russia. He wants peace. Now, Mr. Speaker, you may disagree with the way he goes about it, but to attack him and say that he doesn't want a resolution that ends the killing, you just don't know the man if you think that about him. He wants peace. Sometimes peace requires strength, and it requires a leader who has the mental capacity to make the decisions to carry out the actions necessary to bring about that peace. I am thankful that we have a President who has the ability to make those decisions. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. AUSTIN SCOTT of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I certainly have thanked before, and I will thank again, all of the law enforcement and the men and women who keep us safe in this Capitol. I appreciate what they do for us. Mr. Speaker, I am prepared to close if the gentleman is prepared to close. I don't have any additional speakers. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. AUSTIN SCOTT of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Mr. Speaker, this week, the House has the ability to advance four pieces of legislation under this rule. H.R. 3944 is the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2026, which provides significant investments and support for our veterans, servicemembers, and their families, as well as military construction. I expect and hope that it will pass in a bipartisan manner. H.R. 275 is the Special Interest Alien Reporting Act of 2025 which provides transparency by publishing a monthly report on the number of special interest aliens attempting to enter the U.S. and includes the encounter location and their country of origin. This is information that the public has a right to know. H.R. 875 is the Jeremy and Angel Seay and Sergeant Brandon Mendoza Protect Our Communities from DUIs Act of 2025, which works to keep the American people safe by closing a loophole in U.S. immigration law to ensure that aliens who drive intoxicated are inadmissible to, and deportable from, the United States. Again, Mr. Speaker, I hope and expect it will pass in a bipartisan manner. H. Res. 516 condemns the violent June 2025 riots in Los Angeles, California, which recognizes the right to assemble and protest peacefully while condemning the riots and violence against law enforcement. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in voting ``yes'' on the previous question and ``yes'' on the rule.

Mr. AUSTIN SCOTT of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time, and I move the previous question on the resolution.

Mr. AUSTIN SCOTT of Georgia

Mr. AUSTIN SCOTT of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I have a motion at the desk.

Mr. AUSTIN SCOTT of Georgia

Mr. AUSTIN SCOTT of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 377 and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. AUSTIN SCOTT of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, for the purpose of debate only, I yield the customary 30 minutes to the gentlewoman from Pennsylvania (Ms. Scanlon), pending which I yield myself such time as I may consume. During consideration of this resolution, all time yielded is for the purpose of debate only. General Leave