Austin Scott

Mr. AUSTIN SCOTT of Georgia

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, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, last night the Rules Committee met and reported a rule, House Resolution 377, providing for consideration of two measures. The first one is H.R. 276, the Gulf of America Act, 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 Natural Resources or their respective designees, and provides one motion to recommit. Additionally, the rule provides for consideration of H.R. 881, the DHS Restrictions on Confucius Institutes and Chinese Entities of Concern Act, to be considered 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 one motion to recommit. Mr. Speaker, we are here to debate a rule on two pieces of legislation beginning with H.R. 276, the Gulf of America Act. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 276 is straightforward. It permanently renames the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America and directs Federal agencies to update their documents and maps to incorporate the new name. President Trump directed the name change a few months ago, Mr. Speaker, and there have been no issues during that time. We are simply using our Article I authority to reflect the Gulf's importance to our country. Moving on, Mr. Speaker, the rule also provides for the consideration of H.R. 881, the DHS Restrictions on Confucius Institutes and Chinese Entities of Concern Act. It goes without saying, Mr. Speaker, that the Chinese Communist Party does not share our interests or our values. Confucius Institutes were originally established in America in 2004 and marketed as a way to promote Chinese language and culture, support local Chinese teaching internationally, and facilitate cultural exchanges; however, it has become clear that this was not the real goal, Mr. Speaker. The true intent was a sophisticated and global influence campaign, allowing the CCP to conduct espionage in our country and steal our intellectual property and trade secrets. While there are less than five Confucius Institutes still currently active in the United States, the Government Accountability Office has reported that 43 of the 74 schools it surveyed still maintain a relationship with the entity that supported their Confucius Institute. Further, the Department of Education has shown that over $3 billion has been collected by U.S. universities from entities connected to the People's Republic of China and the Chinese Communist Party. This bill, which has been worked on and will pass in a bipartisan manner, I believe, simply bans eligibility for DHS funding from an institution with a relationship to a Confucius Institute, Thousand Talents Program, or Chinese entity of concern until such a relationship is terminated. Mr. Speaker, I look forward to consideration of these 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 would just remind my colleagues that Donald Trump was elected President of the United States. While we are yet to put many of his policies into law, where the Democrats left us was with an interest payment of $2.6 billion a day. If you took 100 percent of the money from the people that are billionaires in this country, you probably couldn't pay the interest on the national debt for a year. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. AUSTIN SCOTT of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I would just like to point out that in the State of Georgia in the district that was referenced, 68 percent of the voters in that district, as patriots, voted for Donald J. Trump to be President of the United States because they don't believe they need the Federal Government to micromanage their life. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. AUSTIN SCOTT of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I would remind you that the Chinese Communist Party is no longer an economic adversary. They are an enemy. They have been very creative in the way they have embedded themselves into the university systems in this country. This rule gives us a vote on kicking them the rest of the way out of this country. I think, Mr. Speaker, that that is going to pass in a very bipartisan manner. With all of the antics, yelling, screaming, and pointing of fingers, I just remind you, there is a very serious piece of legislation to deal with the Chinese Communist Party in this rule that I believe will pass in very much a bipartisan manner. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. AUSTIN SCOTT of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time for the purpose of closing. Mr. Speaker, we have heard a lot over the last few minutes about the $2.6 billion a day interest payment that the Democrats, under Joe Biden's lead, left the United States citizens with. Now we hear their demand that we allow the current tax rates to expire, thereby raising taxes on virtually every American citizen. It is very convenient that they say billionaires. Now, they have acknowledged millionaires, but just factually speaking, if the tax rates are allowed to expire, virtually every American that works would receive a tax increase. We as Republicans are committed to stopping that. Today, and this week, the House has the ability to advance two pieces of legislation under this rule: H.R. 276, the Gulf of America Act, which simply reflects the Gulf's importance to our country, the United States of America, and H.R. 881, the DHS restrictions on Confucius Institutes and Chinese Entities of Concern Act which puts our national security first and bans eligibility for DHS funding from an institution with a relationship to a Confucius Institute, Thousand Talents Program, or Chinese entities of concern until such relationship is terminated. Mr. Speaker, the Chinese Communist Party is our enemy. That is a decision that they have made. 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 rise today to recognize the 1-year anniversary of the passing of Colonel Ralph Puckett, Jr. Colonel Puckett was the last living Medal of Honor recipient from the Korean war, and he was from my hometown of Tifton, Georgia. Colonel Puckett was a warrior's warrior and one of the finest men I have ever met. He served as an Army Ranger in the Korean war where he, alongside his soldiers, fought off five assaults by enemy forces even while outnumbered by 10-1. His heroic actions earned him the Medal of Honor. During his career, he received two Silver Stars, two Bronze Stars, five Purple Hearts, and the two highest awards for military valor: the Distinguished Service Cross and the Congressional Medal of Honor. On April 29, 2024, Colonel Puckett laid in honor here in our Nation's Capitol Building. Mr. Speaker, Colonel Puckett was a blessing to our country. It was an honor to know him. Mr. Speaker, I am grateful for the minute I had to honor Colonel Ralph Puckett.

Mr. AUSTIN SCOTT of Georgia

Mr. AUSTIN SCOTT of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I'm not recorded because I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 53. Stated against:

Mr. AUSTIN SCOTT of Georgia

Mr. AUSTIN SCOTT of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 38.

Mr. AUSTIN SCOTT of Georgia

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, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, last night the Rules Committee met and reported a rule, House Resolution 53, providing for consideration of two measures, the first of which is H.R. 471, the Fix Our Forests Act, to be considered under a structured rule. The rule provides for 1 hour of debate, equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking member of the Committee on Natural Resources, or their respective designees, provides for one motion to recommit, and makes two amendments in order. Additionally, the rule provides for consideration of S. 5, the Laken Riley 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 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 timely pieces of legislation, beginning with H.R. 471, the bipartisan Fix Our Forests Act. Mr. Speaker, according to the U.S. Forest Service, more than 1 billion acres of forest land are at risk of wildfire. Further, nearly one-fifth of all land overseen by the Federal Government is at high or very high risk of wildfire. This didn't happen overnight. It is the result of the buildup of bureaucratic red tape, burdensome regulations, and frivolous legislation that have prevented forest management activities like thinning, prescribed burning, and mechanical treatment. What we are left with are dangerous wildfires occurring at record levels and intensities. It doesn't have to be this way, though, Mr. Speaker. The Fix Our Forests Act takes the proper steps toward restoring forest health, increasing resiliency to catastrophic wildfires, and protecting communities. It does so by reforming NEPA to expedite environmental reviews, reducing frivolous lawsuits, and increasing the pace and scale of forest restoration projects. Additionally, H.R. 471 promotes Federal, State, Tribal, and local collaboration through the creation of a new fireshed center. It will provide agencies with new technologies and other critical tools which allow a quicker response to wildfires and the ability to implement the most vital forest management projects immediately. As we are unfortunately seeing more frequently, active forest management techniques and a focus on forest health are needed now more than ever. This bipartisan product is a step in the right direction. Mr. Speaker, the rule also provides for the consideration of S. 5, the Laken Riley Act, another bipartisan piece of legislation. Mr. Speaker, Laken Riley was murdered in my home State of Georgia in February of 2024 by a Venezuelan man who was illegally present in the United States. He previously crossed our southern border in September of 2022, where he was paroled and released for further processing. Between arriving here and committing his heinous act, the individual was arrested in New York and then again in Georgia for stealing from a Walmart. At the time of Laken Riley's murder, there was a bench warrant out for his arrest for failing to show up in court. Mr. Speaker, S. 5, the Laken Riley Act, as amended, requires the Department of Homeland Security to issue a detainer for any individual inadmissible to the United States who is charged with, is arrested for, convicted of, admits to having committed, or admits to committing acts which constitute the essential elements of any burglary, theft, larceny, shoplifting, assault of a law enforcement officer, or any crime that results in death or serious bodily injury to another person. Additionally, the bill grants the attorney general of a State the power to hold future administrations accountable by providing standing to bring civil action against Federal officials for the failure to enforce immigration statutes, including mandatory detention, individual parole authority, and visa sanctions. I commend my colleague from Georgia, Mike Collins, for his work on this legislation. I send my condolences to Laken Riley's family. Mr. Speaker, I look forward to passing this rule. I look forward to passing this bill in the House for the third time and sending it to President Trump's desk. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. AUSTIN SCOTT of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, as the gentleman knows, we are here to discuss H.R. 471 and S. 5. I yield 3 minutes to my colleague from Texas (Mr. Roy).

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, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 53 and ask for its immediate consideration.

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

Mr. AUSTIN SCOTT of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I, too, am concerned about some of the pardons that were issued. I can't fathom what was going through President Biden's mind when he pardoned his family members and any of his political allies this past week. It is something that I think does merit much more discussion on how someone just gives family members and political allies a blanket pardon when they had not yet been charged for the crimes they had committed. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to my colleague from Michigan (Mr. Walberg).

Mr. AUSTIN SCOTT of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I don't have a whole number, the total number, but how many murderers had their sentences commuted by then-President Joe Biden? Do you know? How many was it? Let's see, Biden commuted the sentences for 2,500 drug offenders and clemency for 37 of the 40 people on death row, 1 of whom shot two FBI agents , if I am not mistaken. So you are pretty quick to point the finger at the gentleman who was the 45th and now the 47th President of the United States. I would suggest to you that Donald Trump is the President of the United States today and sitting in the White House today because your policies are so bad because you put illegal immigrants and their rights above the rights of American citizens. So, again, Biden commuted a lot of sentences for a lot of drug offenders and a lot of people who committed murder. So I don't think you should be pointing the finger at what the 47th President of the United States did when the 46th President of the United States is the one who let people who shot FBI agents out. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Mr. AUSTIN SCOTT of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, this rule is about the Laken Riley Act and the Fix Our Forests Act. I hope people vote for it, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. AUSTIN SCOTT of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I, too, want to thank all of the law enforcement and first responders who protect this country on a daily basis, and, Mr. Speaker, we know the polls show that a majority of them voted for Donald Trump. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. AUSTIN SCOTT of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time to close. Mr. Speaker, this vote is on the rule to advance H.R. 471, the Fix Our Forests Act; and S. 5, the Laken Riley Act, regardless of what you have listened to if you have been watching this over the last hour. This week, the House has the ability to advance significant legislation in the House of Representatives. That is our job. The Fix Our Forests Act can mark a return to active forest management and return resilience to overgrown, fire-prone forested lands, and I would be willing to bet that that piece of legislation probably passes in a bipartisan manner. The Laken Riley Act will ensure that criminals who illegally cross our borders and endanger our communities are detained and deported while also giving States the ability to bring civil action against any Federal official in the future should they refuse to enforce our country's immigration laws and put American citizens at risk by refusing to do so. Again, I thank the law enforcement officers, the Capitol Police specifically, and all those who take care of us on a daily basis. I send my condolences to Laken Riley's family. Mr. Speaker, I look forward to voting ``yes'' on this bill and sending it to President Trump's desk for his signature. I urge my colleagues to join me in voting ``yes'' on the previous question, ``yes'' on the rule, and then I hope Members will vote ``yes'' on the legislation. The material previously referred to by Mr. McGovern is as follows: An Amendment to H. Res. 53 Offered by Mr. McGovern of Massachusetts At the end of the resolution, add the following: Sec. 3. Notwithstanding any other provision of this resolution, the amendment specified in section 4 shall be in order as though printed as the last amendment of the report of the Committee on Rules accompanying this resolution if offered by Representative Lee of Nevada or a designee. That amendment shall be debatable for 10 minutes equally divided and controlled by the proponent and opponent. Sec. 4. The amendment referred to in section 3 is as follows: Strike all after the enacting clause and insert:

Mr. AUSTIN SCOTT of Georgia

Mr. AUSTIN SCOTT of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Republican Conference, I send to the desk a privileged resolution and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. AUSTIN SCOTT of Georgia

Mr. AUSTIN SCOTT of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to just honor Chairman Burgess. I thank you, Chairman Burgess, for being just a good, solid, steady voice on a lot of complex issues. I thank your family. I will tell you, unless you have been here, nobody knows the toll it takes on your family. I was glad to see them here the other day when they unveiled your portrait that will hang in this Capitol for years to come. I thank the people of Texas for sending you here. This place, this country, it is better because you have spent so much time up here in these hallways of Congress. You are just one of those people who always did right and was always working to find a way to get that good piece of legislation across the finish line, and we need more people like you up here. I am sorry to see you go, but just a good, solid American with good common sense standing up for the Constitution and our American way of life. Godspeed. I look forward to continuing our relationship for many years to come.

Mr. AUSTIN SCOTT of Georgia

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