Brad Schneider

Mr. SCHNEIDER

Mr. SCHNEIDER. Mr. Speaker, as we have this debate and talk about the lack of strategy of this administration, I am reminded of Sun Tzu in the book, ``The Art of War'' where he wrote: The one who figures on victory at headquarters before even doing battle is the one who has the most strategic factors on his side. He continued, more than 2,000 years ago, saying: The one with many strategic factors in his favor is the one who wins. We all agree that Iran, the regime in Iran, is an intolerable threat to the United States, our Gulf allies, Israel, Europe, and much of the rest of the world. We agree that Iran must never ever have a nuclear weapon. Before President Trump launched the current war with Iran, we had four goals: eliminate Iran's nuclear program; thwart Iran's missiles, rockets, and drone capabilities; dismantle Iran's terror support network; and address the regime's human rights abuses. Two hundred days later, having lost 19 servicemembers with more than 800 wounded and dangerously depleting our weapons stockpiles, Iran is still pursuing its nuclear program. It still has missiles, rockets, and drones. It is still threatening the Strait of Hormuz, the Gulf States, and Israel. It is still supporting its terrorist proxies, oppressing its citizens, and violently suppressing dissent. After 200 days of war, none of the four original goals are realized, and we have added a fifth: reopening the Strait of Hormuz to public shipping. After 200 days, we have had no hearings in this body and no substantive debate. Our Constitution is clear: Our Framers gave only Congress the power to declare war and commit our troops to extended conflict. The President is, indeed, the Commander in Chief, but that authority does not create or erase the role and responsibility of our legislative branch. Before we ask more American servicemembers to risk their lives and the American people to take on more sacrifice, Congress and the American people deserve to know the administration's military objectives and how we intend to achieve them. That is why this War Powers Resolution exists. President Trump has a responsibility to come before Congress, and Congress, this Congress, has a responsibility to hold open hearings, public debate, and a vote. Mr. Speaker, if we allow any President, Republican or Democrat, to take our Nation into an open-ended war without congressional authorization or a basic explanation to the American people, we establish a dangerous precedent that will outlast this conflict and this administration. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.

Mr. SCHNEIDER

Mr. SCHNEIDER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and remember a remarkable community leader and a dear personal friend, Dr, Mary Ross Cunningham. Mary was a force of nature--larger than life, with the biggest of hearts and the most indomitable spirit. For more than two decades in her hometown of Waukegan, Illinois, and across Lake County, she served her community with dignity and grace, fiercely advocating for those she represented. Born on November 19, 1945, in rural Alabama, Mary Ross was one of 22 children. She later moved to Chicago and then to Waukegan with her husband, Samuel Davis Cunningham, to build a life and raise their family. Following the tragic murder of her husband in 1968, Mary became the sole provider for their four children--Emerson, Sam, Jackie, and the late Alvin. Through determination, faith, and perseverance, she instilled in her family the values of education, service, and respect. Her own experiences shaped a lifelong commitment to helping others overcome hardship with dignity and hope. Before entering elected office, Dr. Cunningham devoted nearly three decades to serving veterans at the Veterans Administration Hospital in North Chicago. She also worked extensively with the Waukegan Housing Authority, Community Action Partnership, and PADS Lake County, becoming a tireless advocate for affordable housing, economic opportunity, and individuals experiencing homelessness. In 2002, Dr. Cunningham was elected to represent District 9 on the Lake County Board, serving portions of Waukeean and North Chicago. In 2018, she made history as the first Black woman to serve in Board leadership when she was elected Vice Chair, a position she held with distinction until her untimely passing. Throughout her tenure, Mary championed equitable access to county services, public health, veterans services, workforce development, and criminal justice initiatives. She was instrumental in establishing Martin Luther King, Jr. Day as a fixed county holiday for employees and worked to expand opportunities for residents through numerous county and national leadership roles. As a member of the Lake County Forest Preserves Board, Dr. Cunningham believed that everyone should feel welcome in the county's natural spaces. She was especially devoted to the annual Gospelfest celebration, helping it grow into a beloved tradition that brought people together through music. Mary never lost sight of the people she served. She encouraged others to remember why they sought public office. Beyond her public accomplishments, she was known for her warmth, generosity, elegant style, and vibrant spirit. Above all, she took great pride in her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, whose accomplishments reflected the values she worked to instill. Dr. Mary Ross Cunningham leaves behind an extraordinary legacy. I will miss her as a colleague and as a mentor, but most of all as a friend. I send my deepest condolences to the entire Cunningham family and to the community mourning this great loss. May her memory forever be a blessing.

Mr. SCHNEIDER

Mr. SCHNEIDER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and remember a remarkable community leader and a dear personal friend, Mary Ross Cunningham. Born in rural Alabama on November 19, 1945, one of 22 children, Mary was a force of nature, larger than life, with the biggest of hearts, and the most indomitable of spirits. For more than two decades, in her hometown of Waukegan, Illinois, and across Lake County, she served her community with dignity and grace, fiercely advocating for those whom she represented. Mary was first elected to the Lake County board in 2002, and in 2018 was elected by her colleagues to be county board vice chair. She moved to Waukegan, Illinois, in the 1960s with her husband, Samuel, to start her family. Tragically, Samuel was murdered in 1968, and Mary was left to raise their four children alone. She raised four incredible children: Emerson, Sam, Jackie, and the late Alvin. Mary epitomized public service and was a fierce advocate for her constituents. She fought to expand access to affordable housing and quality healthcare, and she was an unwavering voice for those experiencing homelessness. Her commitment to equity and justice was matched only by her love of community. Mary leaves behind an extraordinary legacy. I will miss her as a colleague and a mentor, but most as a friend. I send my deepest condolences to the entire Cunningham family and the community mourning a great loss. May her memory forever be a blessing.

Mr. SCHNEIDER

Mr. SCHNEIDER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Veterans Assistance Commission of Lake County (VACLC) as it celebrates 100 years of service to the veterans and families of Lake County, Illinois. Founded in 1926, the VACLC came into being when local veterans recognized the need for a centralized organization dedicated to serving veterans and their families. For a century, the VACLC has worked tirelessly to ensure that the men and women who served our Nation receive the benefits, resources, and support they have earned through their sacrifice. What began as a single service office has become a well-respected veteran's service organization in Illinois and has aided veterans from all eras and conflicts. Today, the Commission offers a broad range of essential services, including disability claims advocacy, financial assistance, burial benefits, and survivors' benefits. The VACLC also provides professional representation for veterans navigating the claims and appeals process, ensuring that those who have served our country receive the benefits which they have earned and deserve. Notably, the VACLC provides these services free of charge as part of the Commission's unwavering commitment to serving veterans and their families. The Commission's continued success is due in large part to the dedication of its leadership and staff. Led by Executive Director Andrew Tangen since 2017, the VACLC has expanded its impact and strengthened its service to veterans throughout Lake County. A United States Navy veteran who served eight deployments and attained the rank of Lieutenant Commander, Mr. Tangen has brought his extensive military, legal, and professional experience to the Commission. His leadership has positioned the organization for continued success in serving the growing needs of today's veterans. Working closely with local governments, community organizations, and veteran advocates throughout Lake County, the VACLC continues to ensure that no veteran is left behind. I am especially proud of the Veterans Assistance Commission of Lake County's partnership with my office. Every year the VACLC has joined me honoring our local veterans at my annual Veterans Day Breakfast and has partnered with my staff to help share our community's gratitude through our annual Valentines for Veterans program. Their commitment to our veterans extends far beyond the many services they provide. Mr. Speaker, the Veterans Assistance Commission of Lake County embodies the values of service, dedication, and community that make my district a desired home for so many veterans. As the VACLC celebrates their centennial anniversary, I congratulate its leadership, staff, volunteers, and clients on this remarkable milestone and thank them for 100 years of outstanding service to our veterans. I look forward to seeing the Commission continue its important mission for many years to come.

Mr. SCHNEIDER

Mr. SCHNEIDER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. I am proud that we are here today to advance this seemingly modest, bipartisan bill that will have an outsized impact to improve service at the IRS. I have long championed investing in modernization at the IRS to improve taxpayer service and make government more efficient. The archaic, manual transcription process that IRS currently uses to process paper returns results in significant delays that can last months or even years and cause severe hardship. It is long past time that the IRS implement scanning technology to improve the speed and accuracy of processing these returns. Implementing a modernization process is a commonsense change with bipartisan support that will reduce refund delays, all the while lowering administrative costs. No matter how Americans file their taxes--digitally or by paper--they should be able to rely on timely resolution and quality service from our IRS. I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. SCHNEIDER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 6956, the BARCODE Efficiency Act, which I am proud to introduce with my friend and colleague, Representative Yakym from Indiana. This bill would help expedite the digital transition at IRS, requiring the IRS to implement scanning technology to speed up paper return processing. In tax year 2023, the IRS reports that around 7 percent of tax returns were filed on paper. Now, 7 percent may sound like a small number, Mr. Speaker, until you realize it represents approximately 10 million paper returns to be opened and processed. That is more than the entire population of New York City, our most populous city. In fact, that is more than the population of all but 10 U.S. States. This bill will help expedite the process of these 10 million returns by directing the IRS to adopt barcode scanning and optical character recognition, or OCR, technology. For those wondering why this bill is necessary, you only need to learn about the current intake process for paper returns in the IRS. Millions of Americans still use paper returns, including both returns prepared electronically but printed and filed on paper and any handwritten returns and paper correspondence. Currently, when a paper return arrives at the IRS, an employee manually transcribes the data into IRS systems line by line by line by line. This process is not only time-consuming, it is costly and often inaccurate. Data entry errors from manual transcription are common and cost the American taxpayers money. Return processing delays translates directly into refund delays, needlessly causing financial hardship for taxpayers with limited savings or fixed incomes. Data transcription errors can lead to prolonged disputes, and the issues compound from there. A data entry error can cause math error notices requiring taxpayers to respond to the IRS if they disagree with the adjustments made. Errors also cause taxpayers to wait even longer for resolution, requiring more documentation from the taxpayer, more calls, and more correspondence to the IRS as delays continue to build. These extra steps all add to the backlog at the IRS costing all taxpayers more money and eroding trust in the overall tax system. The good news is that we have a solution. The BARCODE Efficiency Act will require the IRS to implement scanning technology and dramatically reduce the number of paper tax returns that require manual data entry, thereby accelerating processing and improving taxpayer service. IRS' problems with digitization and processing paper returns have long been an area of focus for the National Taxpayer Advocate, which listed the IRS' challenges in processing and digitization as the first and second most serious problems at the IRS in last year's annual report to Congress. I, again, extend my appreciation to my friend, Representative Yakym, for his partnership working to address this problem with commonsense solutions. I thank Chairman Smith and Ranking Member Neal for their support of this bipartisan legislation. I also extend my thanks to the Taxpayer Advocate Service for their recommendation that led to the creation of this bill and for their critical, ongoing work to reduce taxpayer burden and improve the IRS' performance. I am proud that this bill has the support of both the National Taxpayers Union and the American Coalition for Taxpayer Rights, the national trade association made up of retail tax preparation and tax software companies. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill to help the IRS operate more efficiently and better serve the American taxpayer, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SCHNEIDER

Mr. SCHNEIDER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 4930, introduced by the Representative from Utah (Mr. Moore), my colleague and friend. I join him in praising our staffs, who worked together. It is good to see us working on a commonsense solution. H.R. 4930, the counterfeit notification act, gives U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents the ability to share information about counterfeit goods with retailers and manufacturers. The bill clarifies U.S. Customs and Border Protection's authority to share information about packaging, product specifications, and packing materials when their agents encounter a shipment of suspected counterfeit goods entering the United States. Sharing this information with retailers, manufacturers, and logistics companies will help them better identify fraudulent shipments and target organized counterfeiting operations. The bill also allows CBP agents to work directly with the intellectual property owners and with parties involved in the supply chain to better intercept counterfeit goods and track their country of origin. Protecting intellectual property is essential for sustaining innovation, economic growth, and global competitiveness, especially in my district, which is home to some of the largest companies developing the next generation of medical technologies. We know that counterfeit products can be dangerous to consumers and present serious safety and public health hazards. In fiscal year 2024, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection seized more than 32 million counterfeit and pirated items across more than 300 ports of entry, which, all told, were valued in excess of $5 billion. In the past 5 years, the number of illicit goods seized by CBP has more than doubled, while the value of those seized goods has grown by more than 400 percent. The members of the International Anti-Counterfeiting Coalition note that the cost of trafficking counterfeit goods is not only measured in dollars but also in the injuries caused by dangerous products, jobs lost to unfair competition, and the threats such products pose to our national security. Whether we are talking about baby products, fashion goods, pharmaceuticals, or even electronics, this bill presents a commonsense solution to strengthen our country's ability to detect counterfeit goods and to keep the American people safe. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Moore), my friend and colleague, for working with me on H.R. 4930. I was proud to see this bill pass out of the Ways and Means Committee last year with a unanimous bipartisan vote. Mr. Speaker, this bill gives U.S. Customs agents the tools they need to identify counterfeit goods, investigate supply chains, and better protect Americans from dangerous counterfeit products. Again, I thank the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Moore) for his partnership on this bill. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on H.R. 4930, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. SCHNEIDER

Mr. SCHNEIDER. They are hiding behind false claims and unauthorized administrative barriers in order to inflict pain on States that the President dislikes. Let me be clear. These payments are legally required under the law, and this freeze is unlawful. The administration needs to pay the States what they are owed. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``no'' on the bill.

Mr. SCHNEIDER. Mr. Speaker, I think it is shameful that my Republican colleagues have brought this bill to the floor to funnel money to so- called crisis pregnancy centers and away from programs that truly help families in need. My Republican colleagues are saying that these centers help women. In reality, too many of these centers trick women before they even walk in the door. They advertise themselves as real medical clinics. They are not. They might look like a normal doctor's office with ultrasound machines and employees wearing lab coats, but the coats are for show, and the employees are not medical professionals. Mr. Speaker, don't be fooled. The primary purpose of these centers is to deceive women, and the organizations promoting these centers are the same organizations advocating for a national abortion ban. Here is what should concern us all: These centers routinely spread medical misinformation and intentionally cause delays in accessing legitimate healthcare. Their theory is delay long enough and women in crisis are effectively forced to continue their pregnancies. Now, Mr. Speaker, you will hear my Republican colleagues tout that these centers offer maternal care. They don't. Real maternal care requires real medical professionals who offer real, ethical, and comprehensive health services, who are licensed and regulated, and who don't have a personal bias counter to their patients' medical interest or decisions. Yet, my Republican colleagues want to divert Federal TANF funding away from families in need and to these clinics instead. This is a disgraceful diversion. If my Republican colleagues were serious about helping children and families in need, let them speak out against this administration's illegal payment freeze for childcare and child welfare funding. Right now, as we debate this bill on eligibility for TANF spending, the Trump administration is illegally holding up more than $10 billion in Federal funding for childcare and family assistance funding, including TANF funds, to States, including my own of Illinois, as well as California, New York, Colorado, and Minnesota. The administration is illegally withholding payments to States for childcare, foster care, child protective services, and cash assistance to low-income families.

Mr. SCHNEIDER. Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record links to three articles. The first is: The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. ``Issue Brief: Crisis Pregnancy Centers.'' https:// schneider.house.gov/sites/evo-subsites/schneider.house.gov/files/evo- media-document/crisis-pregnancy-centers-rep-schneider.pdf. The second is from the AMA Journal of Ethics: ``Why Crisis Pregnancy Centers Are Legal but Unethical.'' https://schneider.house.gov/sites/ evo-subsites/schneider.house.gov/files/evo-media-document/why-crisis- pregnancy-cen ters-are-legal-but-unethical-rep-schnei der_0.pdf. The third is an article by a number of doctors from Women's Health Reports: ``Truth and Transparency in Crisis Pregnancy Centers.'' https://schneider.house.gov/sites/evo-subsites/schneider.house.gov/ files/evo-media-document/truth-and-transparency-in-crisis-preg nancy- centers-rep-schneider.pdf.

Mr. SCHNEIDER

Mr. SCHNEIDER. Mr. Speaker, last week, the bipartisan House Abraham Accords Caucus was privileged to host Rabbi Yehoram Ulman and Ahmed al- Ahmed, of Sydney, Australia, and survivors of the terrorist attack at Bondi Beach last month. When a father-and-son pair of ISIS-inspired gunmen began massacring Jews during a Hanukkah celebration on the beach--murdering 15 people, including Rabbi Ulman's son-in-law--Ahmed, a Muslim who was at the event by serendipity, rushed for cover. As one of the terrorists approached his position, Ahmed heroically rose to the moment, charged, and single-handedly disarmed the attacker, saving countless lives. On behalf of the entire Abraham Accords Caucus, I thank Rabbi Ulman and Mr. al-Ahmed for traveling here and passionately sharing their stories. I also thank my many colleagues for joining us to honor these two great men. The Abraham Accords Caucus was formed after the accords were signed five years ago on a simple belief: Jews and Arabs belong to the same land, and elevating the people will elevate the land and bring peace to everyone in the region. Yesterday, Rabbi Ulman and Ahmed al-Ahmed showed that this spirit extends far beyond the Middle East. Their shared humanity and embrace of each other reflects our hope for the future, a future in which people see the dignity and grace in one another and have the strength to stand up and confront hatred and evil. As I told Ahmed, he is a hero to us all. He teaches us that love of the stranger can lift us all and defeat hatred. Or, as Rabbi Ulman and Mr. al-Ahmed have titled their visit around the world, ``The Light Will Win.''

Mr. SCHNEIDER

Mr. SCHNEIDER. Mr. Speaker, yesterday morning the House Abraham Accords Caucus hosted Rabbi Yehoram Ulman and Ahmed al-Ahmed, survivors of the terrorist attack at Bondi Beach last month. When terrorists began massacring Jews during a Hanukkah celebration-- Rabbi Ulman's son-in-law among them--Ahmed, a Muslim who was at the event by serendipity, rushed to cover. As one of the terrorists approached his position, rather than fleeing, Ahmed heroically rose to the moment, charged, and singlehandedly disarmed the attacker, saving countless lives. The Abraham Accords are premised on a simple tenet. Arabs and Jews belong to the same land and that, by elevating the people, we will separate the land and bring peace to the entire region. Today, Rabbi Ulman and Ahmed al-Ahmed showed that the spirit of the Abraham Accords extend far beyond the Middle East. As I told Ahmed, he not only is a hero to us all, he teaches us that love of the stranger will lift us all and defeat hatred. Rabbi Ulman and Mr. Al-Ahmed have titled their visit around the world: ``The Light Will Win.''

Mr. SCHNEIDER

Mr. SCHNEIDER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to strongly and proudly support Leader Jeffries' discharge petition to extend the ACA premium subsidies. Just 8 days ago, President Trump and the Republican Congress let the ACA subsidies expire. Consequently, rather than working on their new year's resolution, 22 million hardworking Americans are forced to decide what sacrifices they need to make to afford their insurance or whether they need to sacrifice their families' healthcare. That is why today is a happy day. We are one step closer to helping millions of Americans afford healthcare. Getting to this day wasn't easy, but Democrats stayed united and stood firm. After fighting for months, we are joined by Republican colleagues who recognize that we have a responsibility to help ensure Americans can afford to provide healthcare for their families. Mr. Speaker, it is our job to bring down the cost for Americans. It is our job to make life better for Americans. It is our job to ensure that every family has access to affordable and quality care. Let's do our job. Let's extend the ACA credits. I urge my colleagues to support the discharge petition.

Mr. SCHNEIDER

Mr. SCHNEIDER. Mr. Speaker, I hadn't originally planned to talk about this, but today, December 18, is the anniversary of my grandfather's passing 51 years ago. My grandfather Emil and his wife, Molly, had 18 grandchildren. What made them extraordinary is that they saw the grace of every one of their grandchildren and wanted each and every one of their grandchildren to reach their full potential. What made them truly special is that that love extended to everyone in our community and across the globe. As a father of two, I want nothing more for my kids than for them to be happy and to reach their potential. As a Representative in this body in the House of Representatives, we all should want nothing more for our kids than for every kid in America to reach their full potential and be comfortable in their personal identity. That is why I rise so strongly in opposition to H.R. 498. I ask my colleagues on the other side: What are you afraid of? This harmful bill would prohibit State Medicaid programs from providing lifesaving gender-affirming care to individuals under the age of 18. It not only bars the use of Federal funds to States for this care but prohibits States from using their own money to provide it. My Republican colleagues want to insert themselves into the practice of medicine and make a family's medical decision from the Halls of this Chamber. Shame on them. My Republican colleagues want a veto in what health services are available to children and their families. Mr. Speaker, even if you live in my State of Illinois where the State legislature signed into law protections for gender-affirming care, this body would still prevent that access. This bill purposely targets kids, children, and only kids. These are decisions that should be made by the patient, their parents and guardians, and the medical providers providing the care to give these kids the chance to reach their potential and to be comfortable in who they are as Americans. Without access to these services, my Republican colleagues are putting children's lives at risk, and it is despicable. I oppose this bill, and I urge my colleagues to oppose this bill. I urge my colleagues, as I have done, to talk to people and to talk to families to hear the stories of how this care has saved lives and to get their noses out of the business of individuals, their families, and their medical providers.

Mr. SCHNEIDER

Mr. SCHNEIDER. Mr. Speaker, my Republican colleagues are saying we are seeing inflation. Inflation in healthcare has been going on for generations. In fact, during the years of the George W. Bush administration, premiums increased 118 percent. The Republican-led legislation they are presenting to us today is barely even a concept of a healthcare plan. After 15 years of efforts, they should be embarrassed by this slapdash effort. Not only does the bill not address the expiring tax credits, it hurts patients, it hurts families, and it hurts women and seniors. I want to be very clear. My Republican colleagues are taking zero action to extend the tax subsidies that help American families provide insurance to their families. We need to do better. We can vote today on a clean 3-year extension because we have Republicans who have joined Democrats to call for that. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the 3-year extension.

Mr. SCHNEIDER

Mr. SCHNEIDER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor my dear friend, and Fox Lake, Illinois's 23rd Mayor, Donny Schmit, a public servant, community leader, and proud alumnus of Grant Community High School. I am proud to recognize Mayor Schmit for his decades of dedicated service to the people of Fox Lake and his lifelong commitment to civic and community engagement. And I am proud that Donny's service is now forever recognized with his induction this year into the Grant Community High School Hall of Fame. The Grant Community High School Hall of Fame honors alumni who have achieved distinction, outstanding accomplishment, or significant contribution in their professions, their communities, their schools, their families, or their personal lives. Inductees are chosen as role models for students and as examples of the excellence the school seeks to inspire. Donny's life and career undoubtedly reflect these very ideals. Donny graduated from Grant in 1971, where he lettered in both football and wrestling. Following high school, he embarked on a successful career in the trades, but his true calling has been in service to his hometown community. Over the years, he has served as a Village Trustee, Planning Commission Board member, and is currently in his fourth consecutive term as Mayor of Fox Lake. In this role, Donny has been a steadfast supporter of Grant High School, regularly attending events, welcoming student interns to the Village, incorporating student voices into municipal planning, and honoring students and coaches. His service extends well beyond his mayoral responsibilities. Donny dedicated more than 25 years as a volunteer with the Fox Lake Fire Department, coached young athletes with the Lakeland Cardinals, and helped lead programs with the Lions Club, including as an instructor for the blind bowling league. In addition, he has been an active member of his church, where he received the Christi Fidelis Award from Cardinal Francis George for his exceptional volunteer work. Through his leadership, Donny has guided significant improvements to the Village of Fox Lake and has been a tireless advocate for his community. He embodies the values of service, leadership, and integrity and serves as a role model for students and citizens alike. As part of his Hall of Fame induction, Donny will be celebrated during a series of homecoming events--including a reception, pep assembly, the varsity football game, and the homecoming parade--giving the community and students alike the opportunity to honor his achievements. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Mayor Donny Schmit for his extraordinary service to Fox Lake, his devotion to Grant Community High School, and his well-deserved induction into the Grant Community High School Hall of Fame. His contributions will have a lasting impact, and his example will continue to inspire future generations.

Mr. SCHNEIDER

Mr. SCHNEIDER. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to rise today to recognize and express my deep appreciation and gratitude to Emma Weir, who served as Communications Director and Senior Advisor for the New Democrat Coalition over the past 4 years. Emma has been an extraordinary part of our team--bringing not only her sharp communication skills and strategic insight but also her kindness, dedication, and unwavering passion for public service. Her excellent work has helped shape our message, build connections, grow the New Dem brand, and advance the values we hold dear. As a communicator, Emma is second to none. As Chair of the New Democrat Coalition, and before that Vice Chair for Communications, I have worked hand-in-hand with Emma to find new ways to address the challenges facing our country, adapting to a constantly evolving media environment to connect with the American people and earn their trust. Emma's hard work has ensured every New Dem Member and their staff has the tools, knowledge, and resources they need to succeed. As she starts her next chapter, Emma should know she has made an indelible mark on our Members and the Coalition. While we will deeply miss her at New Dems, I am so proud and excited to see her step into a new opportunity with Chairman Pete Aguilar and the House Democratic Caucus. I have no doubt Emma will bring the same compassion, professionalism, and excellence to the House Democratic Caucus that made her so effective with the New Dems. Emma's tenure with the New Dems has been--by any measure--an immense success. As she departs, Emma leaves behind a strong New Dem brand and media presence that will continue to grow atop the foundations she worked so hard to establish. Though we are sad to see her go, the Coalition, our leadership team, and I, wish Emma all the best. We look forward to working with her in her new capacity to move our country forward and deliver results for the American people.

Mr. SCHNEIDER

Mr. SCHNEIDER. Mr. Speaker, though I was present on the floor, I missed Roll Call vote No. 246, on Congresswoman Mace's Amendment No. 14 to the defense authorization bill. I intended to and would have voted no. This amendment cruelly denies transgender service members access to gender-affirming medical care through TRICARE. Every sailor in our Navy begins at Naval Station Great Lakes in my district, and they deserve the best care this country can provide. To deny them that care is to betray their service and lose our moral compass.

Mr. SCHNEIDER

Mr. SCHNEIDER. Mr. Speaker, Americans expect Congress to complete the basic work of government before leaving town for recess, not the least of which is passing the 12 funding bills for fiscal year 2026. Having passed only two bills, it is absurd that Republicans have decided to pack it up early. Meanwhile, millions fear what Republican cuts to Medicaid will mean for their families. Shoppers are tightening their belts because of record prices for chicken and beef. Businesses are stymied by President Trump's on-again, off-again tariffs. ``Taco or not taco'' is the question they are asking. Why are Republicans rushing to take the break when so many Americans can't even catch a break? Simply put, Republicans are running scared of a titanic Presidential temper tantrum over releasing the Epstein files. My Democratic colleagues and I are here to work to lower costs and grow our economy, to build healthier and safer communities, and to ensure strong national security and national defense. I implore my colleagues on the other side of the aisle to join us. Let's get back to work and deliver the results that the American people sent us here to achieve.

Mr. SCHNEIDER

Mr. SCHNEIDER. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to amend the rule to make in order the amendment at the desk that protects against any cuts to Medicaid and SNAP.

Mr. SCHNEIDER

Mr. SCHNEIDER. Mr. Speaker, what are you and the President afraid of? What are you hiding? You and the administration are shirking your duty to provide Members of Congress a timely and complete classified briefing about Saturday's U.S. strike on Iran, on the intelligence that justified it, on the legal justification, on the objectives, and on the consequences. Mr. Speaker, we should not have to remind you that the Constitution gives only Congress, not the President, the exclusive power to declare war. The War Powers Resolution of 1973 requires the President, after taking military action, to provide to Congress the information it needs ``in the fulfillment of its constitutional responsibilities with respect to committing the Nation to war and to the use of United States Armed Forces abroad.'' Yesterday, all Members of this House, Republicans and Democrats, were to receive an already overdue classified briefing from administration officials. However, moments before the briefing was scheduled to begin, you and the administration abruptly, without explanation, canceled it, leaving Members of Congress and the American people in the dark. There are now reports of a leaked classified battle damage assessment from the Defense Intelligence Agency that disputes what the President and the Secretary of Defense have been telling us. The American people are left wondering: Are the President and the Secretary telling the truth? Again, I ask you, Mr. Speaker, what are you and the President afraid of? What are you trying to hide? We are proud of the extraordinary servicemembers who put their lives on the line and perfectly executed a complex battle plan, expertly hitting their intended targets at Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan. We can see from the publicly available satellite imagery that the bombs at Fordow, for example, entered the fortified mountain location exactly where intended. The Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant is buried 300 feet below ground. We can't see inside the mountain to know with certainty whether the GBU- 57s ``obliterated'' the FFEP or not. That is what makes the leaked report so concerning and why it is so important for the administration to give Members of Congress the full details in a classified setting. Canceling or even delaying the briefing is completely unacceptable and a failure of your duties and responsibilities to this body. Mr. Speaker, the stakes could not be higher. For more than 40 years, Iran has threatened its neighbors, threatened Israel, the United States, and the world. Under the Ayatollahs, Iran has been the largest state sponsor of terror in the world. It has financed, trained, and directed Hezbollah, Hamas, Palestinian Islamic jihad, and the Houthis. For the last 30 years, Iran has marched forward in the pursuit of nuclear weapons, all while chanting: ``Death to Israel, death to America.'' Let me state the obvious: Iran must never be allowed to have nuclear weapons, ever. President Trump's decision to unilaterally withdraw from the JCPOA in 2018 enabled Iran to advance forward in its nuclear program to the point that the regime was weeks, if not days, from having sufficient enriched uranium for multiple nuclear bombs. Some have assessed that Iran could have built up to 10 nuclear bombs within a few months or even a few weeks. The worry, after the IAEA report issued 2 weeks ago declaring Iran was no longer in compliance with the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty, was that the regime may have decided to do exactly that. I just returned from visiting Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates with colleagues, both Democrat and Republican. All these countries recognize that a nuclear-armed Iran poses an existential threat to their futures, and of course to Israel, as well as the United States and Europe, so I support the U.S. efforts to stop Iran's march to a nuclear weapon. However, we cannot permanently end Iran's nuclear programs without a negotiated agreement, without inspectors on the ground, without Iran agreeing to reverse course. We must permanently block every path to a nuclear weapon that Iran might have. The 12-day war over the skies of Iran and Israel has certainly weakened Iran's program, but we don't know without a classified briefing if it has obliterated it, if it has defeated it. In fact, we don't know the full extent of the damage to the program. How much of the more than 600 kilograms of highly enriched uranium was Iran able to hide? How many centrifuges remain intact and operational? How easily can Iran replace the nuclear scientists eliminated by Israel? Was Fordow, as claimed, obliterated, or slightly damaged and easily repaired? Again, Mr. Speaker, we didn't get the briefing. This is unacceptable.

Mr. SCHNEIDER

Mr. SCHNEIDER. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to this bill and in support of America's working families, families who are trying to provide healthcare, feed their children, and secure their futures. My Republican colleagues continue hiding under the cover of darkness as we sit here at almost 5 in the morning, wrapping up. What are they trying to hide? Are they trying to hide the largest cut ever to Medicaid with 14 million losing healthcare, the largest cut ever to fighting child hunger, and adding $5 trillion to the Nation's debt, all to line the pockets of Trump's superrich family and friends? Just yesterday, the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office assessed that the bottom 10 percent of taxpayers will be poorer because of this bill while the top 10 percent will get richer. Not only that but the CBO also determined that the Republican plan to explode the deficit will trigger mandatory cuts to Medicare totaling $500 billion. My Republican colleagues are attempting to hide the truth of this bill because they know the pain it will inflict on American families. This is not one beautiful bill. It is one awful deal for the country. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to oppose the bill and to stand up for their constituents, who will be worse off if this bill passes.

Mr. SCHNEIDER

Mr. SCHNEIDER. Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record remarks from Rose-Helene Spreiregen, a holocaust survivor. Never, as a young Jewish girl hiding in France during World War II, could I have possibly dreamed of standing where I am now. Never could I have imagined addressing democratically elected representatives, in a country where people can live freely, a country that I love. My name is Rose-Helene Spreiregen. I was born in Paris in 1931 into a family that fled Poland in the late 1920s because of antisemitism. Little could they imagine what was to happen a decade later. Germany invaded Western Europe in May 1940. France fell a month after, and Nazi occupation began immediately. Jews were ordered to register with the police, who became close collaborators with the occupiers. Anti-Jewish laws and acts of discrimination quickly followed. Jews could not go to restaurants, to movie theaters, not even parks. They could not own radios or telephones. They could not be out after 6:00 p.m. It got only worse. In 1942, every Jewish person over six years old was issued three yellow Stars of David inscribed with the word ``JUIF'' (Jew in French). It had to be sewn on an outer garment. Jews could shop only one hour a day at a time when stores were mostly sold out of goods. On the Metro subway, they were restricted to the last car. They could not travel more than 17 miles from Paris. I stopped going to school in July 1942 because Jewish children were pulled from their classrooms by collaborating police and deported with their families to Nazi concentration camps. More than 13,000 Jews were arrested that same month, most were sent to their deaths. Luckily, my mother was warned by a sympathetic policeman. Immediately she went into hiding. She then obtained forged identity papers and, with the help of a smuggler, set out to cross the border from Nazi-occupied northern France into French-controlled southern France--so- called Vichy France--but still equally dangerous for Jews. Instead of helping her cross the border, the smuggler betrayed her, and she was arrested. She was then sent to Drancy, an infamous rail juncture and holding town just north of Paris. From there, its prisoners were transported to concentration or death camps. Grandmother and I stayed hidden in my mother's apartment for a year, never leaving for fear of being arrested or worse. I went out alone to get food. Every day I stood in lines, unable to conceal my Star of David, and because of it, I was cursed as a ``dirty Jew.'' From our window, we saw other families being pulled from their apartments and hauled away in trucks. In August 1943, grandmother decided we had to flee Paris. We obtained false identity papers with new names and equally false personal information. We departed from Paris on an overnight train that would pass through two border control checkpoints, the first under German control, the second under French. I decided to take charge for us since grandmother spoke with a thick Polish accent--a giveaway. I told her to pretend she was asleep. When the German soldiers came to check our papers, I asked them not to wake her. They complied. At the second checkpoint, controlled by the French, I made the same request. Miraculously it worked. We got through. In all those years of living in near unbearable fear, none had been more terrifying than those border passings. I couldn't stop shaking for hours after. I was twelve years old. We found our way to the small and remote mountain town of Voiron in east central France. My aunt and younger cousin had successfully made the same journey to a nearby town. Grandmother and I found a place to stay in what I recall as a warehouse. We had no furniture. but a kind neighbor gave us a mattress, a small cooking stove which helped keep us warm, and other utensils. I found a job running a small grocery. I was paid meager wages. Grandmother mended clothing and bartered her wine rations for food. We scoured the nearby forest for chestnuts and firewood. My only warm dress, made from a blanket, was destroyed beyond use by mice. Deliverance finally came with the liberation of Voiron in August 1944 by American soldiers, the ``greatest generation,'' the generation of many of your grandparents. They gave us crackers, chocolate, and, of all things, chewing gum, something I'd never known. But above all, they gave us freedom. Still, I had no knowledge of my mother's fate. I kept hoping she would come back. She never did. Later I learned what happened. At Drancy, she had volunteered to accompany a trainload of children to Auschwitz, 1,000 miles east, a horrific journey of several days and nights. They were packed into freight cars like animals. No water. No food. No sanitation. No windows. No place to sit let alone room to lie down. All this was in the heat of August. Upon arrival, all who survived the journey were murdered in gas chambers. Such was my mother's fate. She was thirty-one years old. It is always difficult for me to tell my story. But I am compelled to tell it because of the global surge in antisemitism, including here in the United States. While it is reassuring that our government--in your hands--is addressing it at the highest levels, it is troubling that it has to be addressed at all. It doesn't take much history to teach us that what starts with hatred of the Jewish people does not end there. What are the conditions that nurture antisemitism? Ignorance. Intolerance. Indifference. Injustice. That is why Holocaust education is so vital. That is why this country must again lead this fight, as it has done for just causes so often and so nobly in the past. That is my story.

Mr. SCHNEIDER

Mr. SCHNEIDER. Mr. Speaker, I was unable to be in Washington, D.C. today due to a family medical event. Had I been present, I would have voted: YEA on Roll Call No. 72 and YEA on Roll Call No. 73.

Mr. SCHNEIDER

Mr. SCHNEIDER. Mr. Speaker, I move that the House do now adjourn.