Austin Scott

Mr. AUSTIN SCOTT of Georgia

Mr. AUSTIN SCOTT of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 1612 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 New Mexico (Ms. Leger Fernandez), 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 in which to revise and extend their remarks.

Mr. AUSTIN SCOTT of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, last night, the Rules Committee met and reported a rule, House Resolution 1612, providing for consideration of three measures, including the Senate amendment to H.R. 5009, the Servicemember Quality of Life Improvement and National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025. The rule makes in order a motion offered by the chair of the Committee on Armed Services or his designee that the House concur in the Senate amendment with an amendment consisting of the text of Rules Committee Print 118-52. The rule provides for 1 hour of debate on the motion, equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking member of the Armed Services Committee or their respective designees. The rule also provides that the chair of the Armed Services Committee may insert into the Congressional Record, not later than December 10, 2024, such material as he may deem explanatory of the Senate amendment and the motion specified in section 3. Additionally, the rule provides for the consideration of H.R. 7673, the Liberty in Laundry Act, under a closed rule. The rule provides for 1 hour of debate, equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking member of the Committee on Energy and Commerce or their respective designees, and provides for one motion to recommit. Further, the rule provides for consideration of S. 4199, the Judicial Understaffing Delays Getting Emergencies Solved Act of 2024, under a closed rule. The rule provides for 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. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to support the rule and the underlying piece of legislation, beginning with the Servicemember Quality of Life Improvement and National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025. Mr. Speaker, under the leadership of Speaker Mike Johnson, Chairman Mike Rogers, Ranking Member Adam Smith, and additional colleagues in the House and Senate, the fiscal year 2025 National Defense Authorization Act represents the result of months of bipartisan and bicameral collaboration. It is a bill that balances the needs of our servicemen and -women and the fiscal challenges facing our Nation. The NDAA significantly improves the quality of life for our servicemembers, deters our adversaries, supports our allies, and focuses on military readiness and our national security. Our country is facing serious threats to our security and freedom at levels that we have not seen since World War II. It is imperative for our national security that our servicemembers and their families are supported so that they can focus on their mission. Ahead of the NDAA, Chairman Rogers established a panel to evaluate the quality of life for our servicemembers and found that servicemembers' standards of living are a major cause of low morale and family stress. This undermines our recruitment, retention, and military readiness. The NDAA puts our servicemembers and their families first and addresses many of the issues found by the Quality of Life Panel. This legislation boosts compensation, improves housing, expands access to medical care, increases access to childcare, and provides support for the spouses of servicemembers. Through the tireless work of the House Armed Services Committee and Rules Committee staff, the NDAA advances important policies to support our warfighters at home and abroad and deters our adversaries. The National Defense Authorization Act ensures that our Nation's military is organized, trained, and equipped to deter our adversaries. Communist China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, and any other nation or terrorist group must know that they will never succeed in a war with the United States of America. To strengthen our defense, the NDAA supports the continued modernization of our nuclear deterrent. It invests in our naval fleet, increases innovation, and revitalizes our defense industrial base to ensure our warfighters have the capabilities they need to win on future battlefields. The NDAA restores American deterrence by restoring lethality, defending Israel, securing our southern border, and providing oversight and accountability. We must continue to modernize our military. The NDAA fosters innovation by providing for the development and fielding of artificial intelligence, hypersonics, quantum computing, and autonomous systems. The NDAA builds and maintains the overmatch we need to deter China. This legislation counters Communist China's maligned global influence in Africa, South America, and Central America. The NDAA removes Communist China from our supply chains and prevents CCP spies from infiltrating our research institutions. The NDAA bolsters Taiwan's defense and support of our Indo-Pacific allies as they work to deter our shared adversaries. This legislation also supports our ally Israel as they defend themselves from Hamas terrorists by fully funding cooperative missile defense programs and expanding emerging technology research and development efforts. The NDAA reforms and improves the acquisition process by streamlining the budgeting, milestone, and contracting processes making them more efficient, user-friendly, and less costly. Additionally, Mr. Speaker, the NDAA includes language that saves our taxpayers over $31 billion by cutting inefficient programs, obsolete weapons, and Pentagon bureaucracy. We live in the greatest Nation on Earth, and it is imperative that we support those who protect our freedoms. Mr. Speaker, the fiscal year 2025 NDAA is another step in that direction. Now, moving on to H.R. 7673, the Liberty in Laundry Act. Mr. Speaker, this bill is simple. It clarifies the intent of the Energy Policy Conservation Act of 1975 by prohibiting the Secretary of Energy from imposing new efficiency mandates or enforcing existing standards for washing machines unless these standards: one, are cost- effective and technologically feasible; two, save the consumers money; and three, save a significant amount of energy. The Energy Policy Conservation Act of 1975 already requires the Department of Energy to follow specific criteria for prescribing new efficiency standards and the DOE may only propose the new standard if the new standard results in a significant conservation of energy, is technologically feasible, and economically justified. The DOE, under President Biden, has consistently ignored the consumer protections built into the underlying statute and has used efficiency and appliance standards to pursue climate objectives over consumer choice. They have attempted to impose these mandates on every appliance in our homes: gas stoves, clothes dryers, dishwashers, refrigerators, and air-conditioners. These mandates have increased the cost of appliances, undercut appliance production quality, and jeopardized consumer choice. It is just another example of executive overreach that has made the cost of living for everyday Americans more expensive. If the Biden administration had proposed standards in accordance with the law, H.R. 7673 wouldn't be coming to the floor. Finally, we have S. 4199, the JUDGES Act of 2024. It is another simple bill, Mr. Speaker. Congress last comprehensively updated judgeships for the district courts in the Judicial Improvements Act of 1990. Since then, the population of the United States has grown by nearly 100 million people and Federal caseload has increased by 40 percent. In the last 20 years, civil cases pending more than 3 years have increased 346 percent and the average time between filing cases and trial is over 2 years, but often it is 3 to 4 years. This bill is based off the 2023 recommendations of the Judicial Conference of the United States and increases district judgeships by 66 over time, splitting the new judges into six tranches across at least two Presidential administrations. Additionally, S. 4199 amends certain districts in Utah, Texas, and California, and requires a GAO report on the caseload of district courts and courts of appeals with recommendations on how to alleviate any caseload-related challenges. Mr. Speaker, to simplify it further, this bill requires the President to appoint, with the advice and consent of the Senate, new judgeships for certain district courts by each of the years 2025, 2027, 2029, 2031, 2033, and 2035. That is across six different Congresses, across three different Presidential terms, and at least two different Presidential administrations. This bill passed the Senate by unanimous consent in August. I will say that again, Mr. Speaker. This bill passed the Senate by unanimous consent in August, and the House should now do its part to address the workload demands in the courts. Mr. Speaker, I look forward to consideration of these important pieces of legislation and urge passage of this rule. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. AUSTIN SCOTT of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I will take just a second to read to the American citizens the provision that the Democratic Party, at least some in the Democratic Party, are using as an excuse to vote against the National Defense Authorization Act. I will read this word for word: ``Medical interventions for the treatment of gender dysphoria that could result in sterilization may not be provided to a child under the age of 18.'' Let me read that one more time, Mr. Speaker. ``Medical interventions for the treatment of gender dysphoria that could result in sterilization may not be provided to a child under the age of 18.'' That is the provision that they are talking about that is their excuse for voting against the National Defense Authorization Act. We are talking about children under the age of 18, and we are saying that we are not going to allow a surgical procedure on them that could lead to or result in sterilization. I don't understand why we are even having this discussion. It defies logic to me that it is even legal to do that to a child under the age of 18. These are permanent and irreversible procedures, and they should not be allowed. Mr. Speaker, they certainly shouldn't be an excuse to vote against the National Defense Authorization Act. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. AUSTIN SCOTT of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I do want to acknowledge that the citizens did vote for lower gas prices, grocery prices, secure borders, and extension of the Tax Code. I again want to read the provision of the bill: Medical interventions for the treatment of gender dysphoria that could result in sterilization may not be provided to a child--a child, Mr. Speaker-- under the age of 18. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. AUSTIN SCOTT of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I just want to tell you a couple of the great things the National Defense Authorization Act does: 14.5 percent pay raise for our junior enlisted, and a 4.5 percent pay raise for all other servicemembers. It fixes some of the cost of living and the basic needs allowances for our soldiers, and it authorizes an additional $954 million over the Pentagon's request for housing and facility maintenance accounts. It authorizes over $569 million to build new family housing units, $1.2 billion to renovate and build new barracks. It increases access to childcare, authorizes over $176 million for the design and construction of new childcare centers. It fully funds childcare fee assistance programs to eliminate all fee assistance wait- lists for eligible families. Mr. Speaker, there are a lot of good things in this National Defense Authorization Act. It takes care of our military servicemen and -women, and it makes sure that we are safe. 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, I think every American knows that when agencies pass rules and regulations just for the sake of passing rules and regulations, those rules and regulations increase the costs of consumer goods. It doesn't hurt the billionaire. It hurts the working Americans. This week, we have the ability to advance significant legislation in the House of Representatives. In fiscal year 2025, the National Defense Authorization Act fully authorizes our national defense and improves efficiency while eliminating wasteful spending and harmful programs. Mr. Speaker, it strengthens our military and takes important steps to address the security threats Americans face from our adversaries including China, Iran, and foreign terrorist organizations. It improves our military readiness, provides robust support to our ally, Israel, and supports law enforcement operations at our southern border. Critically, Mr. Speaker, it focuses on improving the quality of life of our servicemembers and their families who sacrifice so much to defend us. This NDAA provides a 14.5 percent pay raise for our junior enlisted servicemembers and a 4.5 percent pay raise for all other servicemembers. The NDAA has been enacted into law every year for 63 years, and I encourage all Members to do what is best for our military and national security and support this legislation. Additionally, H.R. 7673, the Liberty in Laundry Act, pushes back on executive overreach that is increasing the costs of appliances and diminishing their quality. Again, H.R. 7673 clarifies the intent of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act by prohibiting the Secretary of Energy from imposing new efficiency mandates or enforcing existing standards for washing machines, unless they are cost effective and technologically feasible, not likely to result in any additional costs to Americans, and save a significant amount of energy. Again, passing additional rules and regulations that increase the cost of people's appliances doesn't matter to the billionaire. It does matter to the working American. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to support this bill which supports energy efficiency standards. As long as the technology exists to meet them, they don't take more money out of the pockets of hardworking Americans, and they actually save energy. Finally, S. 4199, the JUDGES Act of 2024, adds 66 judgeships over three different Presidential terms. It fairly works to address the workload demands in our courts. I call on my colleagues to join me in voting ``yes'' on the previous question and ``yes'' on the rule. Mr. Speaker, I urge on my colleagues to support this legislation which passed out of the Senate unanimously. The material previously referred to by Ms. Leger Fernandez is as follows: The material previously referred to by Ms. Leger Fernandez is as follows: An Amendment to H. Res. 1612 Offered by Ms. Leger Fernandez of New Mexico At the end of the resolution, add the following: Sec. 5. Immediately upon adoption of this resolution, the House shall proceed to the consideration in the House of the bill (H.R. 9643) to protect and expand nationwide access to fertility treatment, including in vitro fertilization. All points of order against consideration of the bill are waived. The bill shall be considered as read. All points of order against provisions in the bill are waived. The previous question shall be considered as ordered on the bill and on any amendment thereto, to final passage without intervening motion except: (1) one hour of debate equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking minority member of the Committee on Energy and Commerce or their respective designees; and (2) one motion to recommit. Sec. 6. Clause 1(c) of rule XIX shall not apply to the consideration of H.R. 9643.

Mr. AUSTIN SCOTT of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, again, as long as that treatment did not result in the sterilization of a child under the age of 18, then there is not a provision in this legislation that should be a problem. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. McCormick).

Mr. AUSTIN SCOTT of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I would inquire of the gentlewoman if she has any additional speakers.

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

Mr. AUSTIN SCOTT of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, once again, I will read the provision word for word: ``Medical interventions for the treatment of gender dysphoria that could result in sterilization may not be provided to a child under the age of 18.'' That is word for word the language in the bill. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. AUSTIN SCOTT of Georgia

Mr. AUSTIN SCOTT of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Bryce A. Johnson, who passed away suddenly this week at the age of 52. He was a husband to Erika, father to Will, son to Terry, and a friend to me. He was a dedicated public servant who served as the Tifton Judicial Circuit District Attorney. In addition to his legal career, his love for our country and politics led him to teach history and political science to students at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College. He also had a passion for Georgia high school football and cohosted a local Friday night high school football radio show for about 15 years. Bryce was one of those guys that no matter what team he was on or what group he was in, the organization was better because of him. Bryce was a genuinely good person who will be missed by those of us who had the privilege to know him.

Mr. AUSTIN SCOTT of Georgia

Mr. AUSTIN SCOTT of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 100th Anniversary of the Alapaha Colored School in Alapaha, Georgia, on November 8, 2024. Built in 1924, the Alapaha Colored School is one of the last surviving wood-framed schools that served the black population in and around Berrien County, Georgia. Alapaha Colored School was founded by Mr. Nathan Bridges, a former slave who moved to Alapaha around 1880, and Mr. Brutus Shipman, who was raised by Bridges. This school was in operation from 1924 until 1953, when a modern school was constructed for African American children. The school accommodated eleven grades while only having four classrooms. The school board later used the building for summer GED classes for WWII veterans who could not finish school before the war. In 2002, after the restoration efforts of Alapaha's former Mayor, James Boone, and several former school students, it was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. Today, it is a museum for everyone to visit and learn about this important piece of African American history in our district. This school is a testament to its founders' commitment to educating African American children in Georgia's Eighth Congressional District. I join the Town of Alapaha in recognizing and celebrating the historic achievements of this establishment.

Mr. AUSTIN SCOTT of Georgia

Mr. AUSTIN SCOTT of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I am not recorded because I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 356, YEA on Roll Call No. 357, and YEA on Roll Call No. 358.

Mr. AUSTIN SCOTT of Georgia

Mr. AUSTIN SCOTT of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. John L. Eunice, III, who is retiring after over 40 years of dedicated service in the U.S. Air Force. Mr. Eunice began his career in 1981 after receiving his commission from the United States Air Force Academy and served for twenty-seven years on active duty, achieving the rank of Colonel. While on active duty, he served two command tours, serving as Commander of the 36th and 347th Civil Engineer Squadrons. For the last sixteen years of his career, Mr. Eunice served as Deputy Base Civil Engineer for Moody Air Force Base in Lowndes County, Georgia. During this period, the outstanding performance, professional competence, and ceaseless efforts of Mr. Eunice resulted in the completion of twenty military construction projects and modernization projects supporting both the 23d and 93d wings. His guidance was recently instrumental in the development of the 23d Wing's F-35 bed- down plan. Mr. Eunice also led the development of benchmarked intergovernmental service agreements, partnering with Lowndes County on the operation of the base water and wastewater treatment plants, a shared-use golf course, and municipal services agreements. His efforts led to the first Defense Community Infrastructure Program project in the State of Georgia, contributing to the 23d Wing and Lowndes County being awarded the 2023 Air Force Community Partnership award. I am honored to represent distinguished public servants and veterans like Mr. John Eunice. I wish him the best in his well-deserved retirement.

Mr. AUSTIN SCOTT of Georgia

Mr. AUSTIN SCOTT of Georgia. Mr. Chair, on Roll Call No. 302, I mistakenly voted NO when I intended to vote aye. Amendment No. 14 Offered by Mr. Gosar

Mr. AUSTIN SCOTT of Georgia

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

Mr. AUSTIN SCOTT of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to amend the pending resolution with an amendment that I have placed at the desk.

Mr. AUSTIN SCOTT of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, for the purpose of debate only, I yield the customary 30 minutes to the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Neguse), 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, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 1316 and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. AUSTIN SCOTT of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, last night the Rules Committee met and reported a rule, House Resolution 1316, providing for consideration of three measures. H.R. 8774, the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2025, is to be considered under a structured rule. The rule provides for 1 hour of debate, equally controlled by the chair and ranking member of the Committee on Appropriations or their respective designees, provides for one motion to recommit, and makes 193 amendments in order. H.R. 8771, the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2025, is to be considered under a structured rule. The rule provides for 1 hour of debate equally controlled by the chair and ranking member of the Committee on Appropriations or their respective designees, provides for one motion to recommit, and makes 75 amendments in order. H.R. 8752, the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2025, is to be considered under a structured rule. The rule provides for 1 hour of debate equally controlled by the chair and ranking member of the Committee on Appropriations or their respective designees, provides for one motion to recommit, and makes 61 amendments in order. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to support the rule and the underlying pieces of legislation, beginning with H.R. 8774, the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2025. Mr. Speaker, our country is currently facing threats at levels we haven't seen since World War II. However, H.R. 8774 delivers a strong response to the situations we currently find ourselves in. This bill provides nearly $834 billion to support our national defense and remains consistent with the levels set in the law by the Fiscal Responsibility Act. Additionally, this bill rejects $18 billion of unjustified, unnecessary, and politically motivated spending included in the President's budget request. It redirects those resources to programs and activities that counter the threats we are facing from hostile actors, fosters innovation, enhances the DOD's role in combating the fentanyl crisis, and supports servicemembers and their families. Mr. Speaker, the threat posed by the Chinese Communist Party is clear, and this bill recognizes that. It prioritizes defense articles and services to Taiwan as well as deterrence initiatives throughout the Indo-Pacific region. The bill modernizes our military and invests in next-generation fighter aircraft, helicopters, and tactical combat vehicles and submarines, ensuring our warfighters are prepared for the threats that lie ahead. This bill supports our ally Israel, which is under constant threat by the terrorist group Hamas. It provides funding for the Israeli cooperative missile defense programs, including Iron Dome, David's Sling, and the Arrow. Additionally, it prohibits funds to withhold the delivery of defense articles and services from the United States to Israel, as we have seen the Biden administration do in the past. It requires any withheld articles to be delivered within 15 days. This bill refocuses the Pentagon on its core mission and prohibits funding for DEI offices and climate change executive orders, as well as other divisive social agendas and radical policies. Further, Mr. Speaker, this bill provides the funding to deliver a 4.5 percent pay raise for all of our military personnel and an additional 15 percent pay raise for our junior enlisted servicemembers. The world is a safer place when America leads, and this bill ensures we are able to do so. Moving on to H.R. 8771, the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2025, Mr. Speaker, this bill is another step in the right direction toward protecting our national security, safeguarding our global economic interests, supporting our allies and partners, and promoting freedom abroad. This bill also supports our ally Israel and provides funding to ensure they can defend themselves against terrorist attacks like we saw on October 7. Additionally, it prohibits funding for UNRWA, which we have seen support Hamas. Mr. Speaker, the United States is facing an imminent threat on our southern border. This legislation prohibits funds that encourage or facilitate dangerous migrations toward the U.S.-Mexico border and provides funding to combat the flow of fentanyl and other illicit drugs that are pouring into the United States and killing innocent Americans. Further, Mr. Speaker, this bill redirects taxpayer resources and prohibits funding for the Green Climate Fund, the Wuhan Institute of Virology, and any gain-of-function research in labs in adversarial nations like China, Iran, Russia, North Korea, and Cuba. The world is a dangerous place right now, and again, Mr. Speaker, the world is safer when America leads. This bill redirects funding from flawed Biden administration policies that make the United States and our allies weaker to policies that make the U.S. stronger and the world a safer place. Finally, on H.R. 8752, the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2025, Mr. Speaker, it is clear that what our President is currently doing at our southern border is not working. H.R. 8752 takes the necessary steps to combat illegal immigration and the consequences that have come with it. This bill provides $600 million for construction of the southern border wall and requires Secretary Mayorkas to adhere to the law and build physical barriers immediately. It is pretty simple, Mr. Speaker. We are a country of laws. We need to uphold our immigration laws. If we had done so in the last 3\1/2\ years, we wouldn't be in this position. This has placed a tremendous burden on our already strained Border Patrol agents. This bill provides an additional $300 million for border security technology to help them do their jobs while also preserving funding for the 22,000 agents who are serving on the front lines of our border crisis. Tragically, Mr. Speaker, the Biden administration's failure to protect the border has resulted in dangerous criminals in our communities, putting Americans at risk. This bill provides $4.1 billion for custody operations to get these criminals off our streets and $822 million to fund transportation and removal operations. Further, Mr. Speaker, this bill focuses the Department of Homeland Security on its core mission of ensuring a homeland that is safe, secure, and resilient against terrorism and other potential threats. This bill prevents the Department from carrying out its equity action plan or advancing critical race theory. Additionally, it rejects funding requests by the Biden administration that encourage illegal immigration and reduces funding for programs that could enable it. Altogether, Mr. Speaker, these three bills meet the needs of our Nation as they currently stand. They provide for our national defense and counter our adversaries. They support American values and principles, work to secure our southern border and address the illegal immigration issue Americans are fed up with, and ensure the proper use of taxpayer dollars by requiring that funding goes toward carrying out the core mission of the Departments. It is simple, Mr. Speaker. These bills put the American people first. I commend the Committee on Appropriations for the work they did to craft these bills. I look forward to consideration of these important 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, Americans want the border secure. House Republicans want the border secure. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Burgess), the chairman of the Rules Committee.

Mr. AUSTIN SCOTT of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I yield an additional 1 minute to the gentleman from Texas.

Mr. AUSTIN SCOTT of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, may I inquire how much time I have remaining.