Thomas Suozzi

Mr. SUOZZI

Mr. SUOZZI. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 9500, the Tax Relief for Fraud Victims Act. I would first like to thank my colleagues on the other side of the aisle for partnering with me on this bipartisan, commonsense bill, which will ensure that Americans do not have to pay taxes on money that they were defrauded out of. Mr. Speaker, Americans are being scammed at incredible rates. According to the Federal Trade Commission, last year, 3 million American consumers reported over $15 billion in fraud losses, the highest for any year on record. This is an increase of over 25 percent from the previous year. That spike is driven by a rise in six-figure scams. Imagine losing the money that you were saving for a down payment, the money you had built up for your kid's education, or even a savings account that helps you sleep better. Our seniors are among the most vulnerable to scams. According to the AARP, which has endorsed this bill, 4 out of 10 older Americans have lost money to fraud. Last year, Americans aged 60 and older reported $7.7 billion in losses, a dramatic 60 percent more than the previous year. These numbers don't account for the widespread underreporting. The Federal Trade Commission estimates that Americans could be losing as much as $200 billion to criminal fraudsters every year. These aren't abstract numbers. These are our grandparents, small business owners, and the neighbor next door. When a victim uncovers a scam, they have to contend with the immediate ramifications, not only the devastating financial loss but also the shame they may feel. Then, after the scammer takes their money, the IRS comes for them, too. Imagine, you earn money or you withdraw it from your 401(k); you get cheated, defrauded; and then you have to pay taxes on those lost earnings or your lost 401(k) distributions. It is unfair. It pours salt in the wound of an already painful and incredibly stressful situation. This wasn't always the case, as was mentioned by Ms. Chu. Prior to the passage of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act in 2017, victims of scams could deduct their losses from their taxes, but since then, these victims have been on the hook for hundreds of thousands of dollars in payments to the IRS despite their already precarious financial situation. It gets worse. Many scam victims who took money out of their 401(k) or IRA account to pay the scammer still have to pay the income taxes on the money they withdrew, and if the victim is under the age of 60, they get hit with an additional 10 percent early distribution penalty. They lose their retirement savings, then they get hit with a tax bill on top of that. Mr. Speaker, this is unfair, plain and simple. It is simply not right to make anyone pay taxes on money they don't have, especially after a traumatic event like discovering you were the victim of a scam. We have the opportunity tonight to right this wrong by supporting H.R. 9500, the Tax Relief for Fraud Victims Act. This bill would restore the theft loss deduction so that victims of a scam or fraud are not taxed on money that was stolen from them. This bill would also waive the 10 percent early withdrawal penalty when a victim was forced to pull money from their retirement account because of fraud. Most importantly, this bill provides retroactive relief for Americans who fell victim to scams or fraud while this deduction was unfairly restricted. Mr. Speaker, this is not a partisan issue. The Federal Government should not tax stolen money. That is why this bill passed through the Ways and Means Committee under Chairman Smith and Ranking Member Neal with unanimous support. By supporting this bill, Congress can right a wrong and make sure the government is not coming after victims who have lost everything to criminals. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 9500, the Tax Relief for Fraud Victims Act.

Mr. SUOZZI

Mr. SUOZZI. Mr. Speaker, I am so happy to be joining with my colleagues in the spirit of bipartisanship to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Long Island Association. It has been a long journey, where over 100 years, a few name changes, under different leadership, and over a transition from farmland to suburbia to one of the densest, most productive regions in the Nation, the Long Island Association has brought together the best minds in business, labor, education, government, and the not-for-profit community to lay out a vision to move our community forward. The Long Island Association has helped lead the way to make Long Island one of the most powerful regional economies in the United States of America. Now, the Long Island Association has not done everything right. In preparing for this speech, I learned that the Long Island Association, along with none other than Robert Moses, proposed a bridge from Connecticut to Long Island. It might have been a good idea for business and traffic, but it would have ruined my beaches. I have been in public life for over 30 years, first elected as mayor in 1993. As a result, I had the opportunity to be friendly with each leader of the Long Island Association during that time, from Jim Larocca to Matt Crosson to Kevin Law to Matt Cohen, and now the extraordinary Stacey Sikes. I worked together with Stacey when I was Nassau County Executive. I saw firsthand her intelligence, work ethic, integrity, and her ability to bring people together. She, together with our chairman, Larry Waldman, and so many other good people on the board, we realize the Long Island Association is in very good hands. For a century, the Long Island Association has been in the room for nearly every major conversation about our region's future. It helped advocate for the creation of Jones Beach State Park. It advocated for the Long Island Expressway and the Grand Central Parkway. It was there for the growth of Levittown and the merger of North Shore University Hospital and the Glen Cove Hospital, which laid the foundation for what is now Northwell Health. The Long Island Association has supported the growth of research and innovation and has brought together leaders to address the workforce development, housing, clean water, energy, and the stewardship of our natural resources like the Long Island Sound. The association knows what businesses and workers need. It knows where Long Island commerce is pulling ahead and where it is falling behind. It understands the challenges we are facing when it comes to housing, transportation, workforce shortages, and energy reliability. It knows who needs to be in the room to ensure Long Island stays competitive in a rapidly changing economy. We need the Long Island Association now more than ever. In our contemporary world, with the division between Democrats and Republicans and a fractured media environment, it is hard to know who to trust. We need the Long Island Association to continue to bring us together in search of a common vision to make Long Island the best place to live, work, and enjoy our lives. The challenges we face today are different than they were 100 years ago, but the need for people to work together to cross party lines, to cross from business to labor, from elected officials to the not-for- profit community and education is the same need we have always had. We must work together to build upon the progress that has been made to increase the SALT deduction and make life more affordable for Long Islanders. We must work together to build more housing in downtowns so that we can expand the tax base and create an environment that is attractive and affordable to young people, and thereby expand our workforce and create cool downtowns. We must work together to ensure that our energy is sustainable, reliable, and affordable. We must work together to improve our infrastructure, reduce traffic, and hasten our commutes. We must work together to protect the environment and to keep our communities safe so that we can maintain one of the greatest qualities of life of any region in the Nation. Working together, Democrats and Republicans, in league with our partners represented by the Long Island Association, we know that Long Island's best days are ahead. Congratulations on an extraordinary first century, and here is to the next 100 years.

Mr. SUOZZI

Mr. SUOZZI. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time to close. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 5347, the Health Care Efficiency Through Flexibility Act, is a commonsense, bipartisan bill to provide more flexibility when accountable care organizations report on the care they provide to their patients. This bill ensures that the CMS provides a smooth transition as it improves these reporting requirements, thereby reducing confusion and administrative burdens for physicians who are with us at the most vulnerable times in our lives. While Congress continues to work on other legislation to address physician payment issues and more, I urge my colleagues to support this bill that Mr. Buchanan and Mr. Panetta have worked on together in a bipartisan fashion. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. SUOZZI. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 5347, the Health Care Efficiency Through Flexibility Act, which was introduced by two of my good friends, the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Buchanan) and the gentleman from California (Mr. Panetta). Mr. Speaker, this is a commonsense, bipartisan bill to improve care for Medicare patients while reducing burdens on healthcare providers. The bill does this by expanding quality reporting options for accountable care organizations. These organizations, accountable care organizations, are groups of doctors, hospitals, and other healthcare professionals who work together with the aim of providing better care to patients on Medicare. They do this by coordinating their efforts and sharing information with one another rather than working separately. These organizations were created under the Affordable Care Act to improve healthcare quality and to lower costs. When an accountable care organization is able to improve care and reduce costs, they get to share in the savings generated. The legislation would provide for a wider variety of quality measure reporting methods to be used in Medicare through the year 2029. It also creates a digital quality measure pilot program to ensure that any transition to digital quality measures continues to assess care quality and reduce burdens for providers. The Health Care Efficiency Through Flexibility Act is supported by the National Association of Accountable Care Organizations, America's Physician Groups, Epic Systems, Oracle Health, Accountable for Health, and the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society. Doctors in my district tell me, like many of my colleagues, all the time that they want to spend more time caring for their patients and less time with paperwork and medical records systems. Today's physicians are bogged down in insurance paperwork and are severely underpaid because Medicare reimbursement rates have not kept up with the rate of inflation. Physicians work incredibly hard every day to care for us and our loved ones in our communities, and they deserve to be supported so that they can continue to provide quality care for patients across the country. This bill is a step toward ensuring that physicians have the support they need to provide the best care possible for their parents. The Health Care Efficiency Through Flexibility Act received unanimous support from the members of the House Ways and Means Committee, and I urge my colleagues to support this bill on the floor today. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SUOZZI

Mr. SUOZZI. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I am prepared to close. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. H.R. 8873, the Recover COVID Unemployment Fraud in Banks Act, is a commonsense bill that helps eliminate waste, fraud, and abuse; recovers stolen taxpayer dollars; and protects some of our most vulnerable citizens, including older Americans. At a time when too many families face the uncertainty of unemployment, high gas and grocery prices, and seniors are forced to choose between food, rent, and healthcare, we can't allow fraudsters to get away with stealing funds meant to help hardworking families. We have a responsibility to root out fraud, hold bad actors accountable, and protect Americans and their identities from being exploited ever again. I again thank the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Van Duyne), my colleague, for working in a bipartisan and collaborative fashion on this commonsense legislation. I urge my colleagues to support this bipartisan bill. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. SUOZZI. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 8873, the Recover COVID Unemployment Fraud in Banks Act. I thank Chairman Smith, and I want to especially thank my colleague Representative Van Duyne for sponsoring this bipartisan, commonsense bill that will help root out fraud, protect vulnerable Americans, and help return stolen funds to the States who were robbed. We have to remember that COVID was a really terrifying period for our country. Everyone was vulnerable, and hardworking Americans lost their jobs, homes, and loved ones overnight. Many struggling families were forced to rely on unemployment assistance to make ends meet. Twenty-two million workers lost their jobs, and about a quarter of all U.S. workers received unemployment benefits. As a result, States issued billions in unemployment benefits, some of it on prepaid debit cards through contracts with banks. These benefits were meant to help families afford their basic needs during the lockdown. These benefits kept more than 5 million people out of poverty as they faced the threat of mortgage defaults, utility shutoffs, and hunger. Unfortunately, while people were isolated and overwhelmed and desperate for reliable information, criminals and fraudsters exploited those vulnerabilities and attacked unsuspecting Americans. In fact, domestic and international cybercrime rings weaponized stolen identities. That is, they stole people's identities. They used loopholes to actually apply for unemployment insurance using the fake identities that they had stolen, and they applied for this Federal pandemic aid. Right now, as I speak to you, some of the stolen money is still sitting untouched in debit cards. Even worse, investigators estimate that the majority of fraudulent debit cards are as a result of identity theft, and many of the victims have no idea that they were even targeted. These are working families and senior citizens. Cybercriminals have figured out how to take complete advantage of our system. Most importantly, they wait to withdraw the funds from these debit cards until the statute of limitations expires on each case and, therefore, avoid the legal consequences for stealing. According to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, FinCEN, in 2021, banks experienced $212 billion in suspicious activity related to identity. That number increased to $394 billion in transactions in 2023. The statute of limitations for prosecuting many of these pandemic crimes is 5 years, meaning that consequences began expiring for some of these criminals in March of 2025. This has already resulted in the loss of hundreds of millions of dollars of taxpayer funds. We have to act now, before we lose these millions of dollars. Congress has to be united in going after fraud and protecting Americans from illegal scams and identity theft. We have an opportunity to take that action today by supporting H.R. 8873, Recover COVID Unemployment Fraud in Banks Act. This bill would extend the statute of limitations for the remaining cases, where it hasn't already expired, and create a task force to support recovery of those funds identified by the inspector general that can be recovered cost-effectively, without diverting time or money from future fraud protection. Every time a debit card that was issued using a stolen identity is detected, in addition to recovering the money, this bill ensures that the victim of the theft is notified and provided with resources. This is critically important because, if the criminal has used the victim's identity to apply for pandemic unemployment insurance, chances are that that criminal is going to use that stolen identity to commit other crimes as well. By extending the statute of limitations, this bill would allow the Office of the Inspector General to complete at least 300 current investigations into large-scale unemployment insurance fraud and potentially recover those funds for the taxpayer. By supporting this bill, Congress can help States focus their energy on the most cost-effective prevention and recovery efforts. Money recovered by the States will help ensure that State unemployment insurance systems are able to prevent fraud and pay earned benefits on time and accurately to unemployed Americans in the future. This is especially important right now. Gas prices are too high. Grocery prices are too high. Healthcare prices are too high, and too many Americans live in fear of losing their jobs and being unable to afford their families' basic needs. We have a responsibility to eradicate fraud, hold fraudsters accountable, and keep Americans and their identities safe from harm online. Mr. Speaker, I once again thank Representative Van Duyne for sponsoring this commonsense bill, and I urge all Members to support this legislation. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SUOZZI

Mr. SUOZZI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Arthur James Reddick on the occasion of his 100th birthday. Arthur is a member of the Greatest Generation. On June 26, 1926, he was born in Jersey City, New Jersey to Alice and William Reddick. Arthur served in the Army Air Corps, a predecessor to the U.S. Air Force from July 1944 to August 1946 where he earned five medals. Following his discharge from service, Arthur returned to New Jersey to launch a long career in business, including employment with American Home Products, General Foods and ultimately running his own business-- Promotion Designers and Manufacturing. Arthur and his wife Susan moved to Glen Head, New York in 1990 and became parishioners at St. Patrick's Church in Glen Cove. They spent many years in Sarasota, Florida but returned to the North Shore, settling in Glen Cove in 2017. As Arthur celebrates this milestone birthday, I want to thank him for his service to our country and for defending the values we hold so dear. The deeds and sacrifices made by the Greatest Generation, including by Arthur, will be remembered with gratitude for generations to come. I thank Arthur and wish him a happy birthday.

Mr. SUOZZI

Mr. SUOZZI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today, as Chair of the Pakistan Caucus, during Asian American Heritage Month, to wish Muslim Americans a blessed Eid al-Adha. Happy Eid (Eid Mubarak). Eid al-Adha, the festival of Sacrifice, is the holiest holiday in Islam. It commemorates faith, mercy, sacrifice, and devotion to God. Eid traditions include prayer, spending time with family and loved ones, wearing new clothes, and sharing meals and charitable gifts with those who are less fortunate. This is also a sacred time of reflection when many Muslims start their Haaj, or holy pilgrimage to Mecca, a central pillar of Islam. I wish those making the Haaj, a safe and meaningful pilgrimage. As Chair of the Pakistan Caucus, I am especially proud to recognize the enormous contributions of Pakistani Americans and Muslim Americans to our nation during this Asian American month. Our country is stronger and more successful for the Pakistani-American diaspora, and the values of hard work, family, and faith they bring. I also want to join the Muslim American community in mourning after the awful shooting at the San Diego Islamic center just a few days ago. At a time when the world can feel divided, holidays like this remind us of our shared humanity. Eid Mubarak, and may God bless all those celebrating.

Mr. SUOZZI

Mr. SUOZZI. Mr. Speaker, I thank Congressmen Gottheimer and Rutherford, two great friends. I really admire the bipartisan work that both of them have done in the Law Enforcement Caucus. It really means a great deal to all of us that they work together with such close collaboration. It is really a great honor for me to join with them this evening. Tonight, we recognize police officers who lost their lives throughout 2025 throughout our country, over 360 police officers, 13 of whom we lost in New York State, 11 of those 13 died from 9/11-related injuries and sicknesses, 1 was killed in a shooting, and another died of a heart attack after a physical altercation. I served as the mayor of a small city and oversaw the police department, and I served as a county executive of a large county and oversaw the 12th largest police department in the United States of America. It pains me when I hear people criticize the police. People need to recognize that tonight, here in our Nation's Capitol, we honor law enforcement officials, police officers who lost their lives in the line of duty, sometimes in very tragic circumstances that left behind families who were shattered. We also have to recognize that, every single day, police officers go to work. Sometimes, their jobs are very boring. They could go on a regular patrol. They walk a beat. They drive their car. The day goes by without incident. Then, without notice, they are called to an incident where they could lose their life in a shooting, breaking up a crime, or in a fire. Other times, they deliver miracles to people's lives when they stop a crime, when they deliver a baby, or when they respond to a fire. Some days, it is very mundane: people ask you for directions, you say hello to folks that you see on a regular basis, or you do investigations. Other times, it is 9/11, and you are put in harm's way that will challenge you for decades and decades after that incident. I join my colleagues here tonight, Democrats and Republicans, to come together to say to our police officers in our Nation and in my Third Congressional District in New York: Thank you for your service. We honor you. We respect you. We recognize how difficult your jobs are. We recognize that sometimes people don't treat you with the respect that you deserve, but we respect you, admire you, and are grateful to you for the sacrifice that you have made on our behalf so that we can live with some sense of safety because of the safety that you provide to us.

Mr. SUOZZI

Mr. SUOZZI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today, on National Peace Officers' Memorial Day, to honor first responder Wendy Bolden, who gave her life in the line of duty on May 15, 2014. Wendy Bolden gave everything to her community while serving as a 911 dispatcher. Wendy truly enjoyed helping everyone in her community. It was her true passion. She worked hard to make sure everyone felt safe and cared for. Wendy Bolden was a devoted wife to Keith Bolden and a dedicated mother to her three children. Her beloved daughter was 22 when she passed, and her precious sons were only 13 and 9. For over a decade, Wendy's family has carried the memory of her service and suffered the weight of her loss. Her children remember her as a baseball team mom whose personality would bring a smile to the face of anyone she encountered. Wendy had a great sense of humor and could make everyone laugh. She always brought loved ones together during the holidays. She is remembered as someone who welcomed others into her home. Her co- workers expressed the same at her funeral. During Police Week, as we remember our heroes and heroines, our officers who risk their lives, who leave their beautiful families behind while fighting to protect ours, let us not forget first responders like Wendy, whose sacrifices are too often unseen. American families sleep safely, knowing that no matter what happens, first responders are just a 3-button phone call away. They are the first line of defense against fires, natural disasters, accidents, crimes, and even terrorist attacks. Today, let us honor our firefighters, law enforcement officers, emergency medical technicians, paramedics, and 911 dispatchers. Though we can never repay them, let us pause, bow our heads, and thank them for their bravery and sacrifice.

Mr. SUOZZI

Mr. SUOZZI. We urge the Chinese Communist Party to stop defending the indefensible and enhance China's standing in the world by working with President Trump to finally get this done.

Mr. SUOZZI. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of my friend Chris Smith's resolution to encourage our President while in China to push for the release of political prisoners of the Chinese Communist Party. First is Dr. Gulshan Abbas. Dr. Gulshan is a minority Muslim in the Xinjiang region of China, a Uyghur who has been imprisoned for 8 years for the crime of being a practicing Muslim and as retribution for her sister's human rights advocacy. Even before I started the Congressional Uyghur Caucus in 2021, I have been fighting alongside Gulshan's U.S. citizen sister, Rushan Abbas, and U.S. citizen daughter, Ziba, and other family members to free this innocent woman. Second, Pastor Jin Mingri, a man of tremendous faith, who was imprisoned for the crime of leading a powerful Christian movement in Beijing. He and other Christian leaders in China are the victims of the Chinese Communist Party's war on faith. In anticipation of the summit, we cosponsored a bipartisan and bicameral letter with over 30 Members of the House and Senate calling for the release of Pastor Jin and other leaders of his church. Pastor Jin's U.S. citizen daughter, Grace, has been an inspiration, as have been the messages coming from Pastor Jin. Jimmy Lai is a remarkable man imprisoned for the crime of journalism. I met Jimmy Lai here in our Nation's Capital in 2019 as he fought against the corruption and human rights abuses by the Chinese Communist Party. As he fought with peaceful protest in favor of democracy in the face of brutal repression in Hong Kong, he wanted me to encourage student protesters in Hong Kong to remain peaceful and practice nonviolence. Instead of me advocating for the students to remain peaceful in their protest, I enlisted the help of one of America's great civil rights icons, John Lewis. Congressman Lewis joined me in a video message that was viewed by millions of people throughout the world. John Lewis reminded us all to practice ``peace, love, and nonviolence to change things.'' He told us to respect the dignity and worth of every human being. Now Jimmy Lai, 78 years old and in failing health, has been wrongfully imprisoned since 2020 and is sentenced to 20 years more. His daughter, Claire, and son, Sebastien, have done heroic work to have their ailing father released. Now we need the Chinese Communist Party to heed the message of John Lewis and so many others to respect the dignity and worth of every human being and release Dr. Gulshan Abbas, Pastor Jin Mingri, Jimmy Lai, and every other person who has been wrongfully imprisoned and to change the dynamic between our two countries. This resolution encourages our President to make this release a priority on this trip.

Mr. SUOZZI

Mr. SUOZZI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor my constituent, Josh Mirsky, who created the Neurodiversity Strength Flag. Sadly, many neurodivergent Americans feel that they don't belong and that the world is not designed for them. Too often, they face ignorance and stigma. They face bullying at school, at work, and even in their families. They are picked last for sports teams and scolded by teachers for behaviors they themselves may not fully understand. They struggle in job interviews when employers misinterpret differences in communication styles--such as difficulty maintaining eye contact--as a lack of confidence or ability. For Josh Mirsky, and other neurodivergent Americans, these challenges are not signs of personal weakness, but of the weakness of a society that has yet to appreciate diverse and unique ways of thinking and experiencing the world. The consequences of this misunderstanding can be devastating. Research shows that many neurodivergent individuals, particularly those with conditions such as autism or ADHD, experience significantly higher rates of depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation. It was for this reason that Josh created the Neurodiversity Strength Flag in October 2021--a flag of red, white, and gold. The design features two red bars at each end, a gold backdrop, and a large white diamond containing a red infinity symbol, accented with subtle gold highlights. When asked to explain the symbolism of the flag, Josh said: ``Red is a power color, representing the immense inner power and strength of neurodivergent people. We have survived and endured so much. In the diamond we see value, because deep down we have always known our worth--and when this flag flies high, the world will see it as well. In gold we see first place. For too long we have been seen and treated as second- or third-class citizens. We fly this flag unapologetically and say: no more. We are first class, just like the rest of the population. And in the infinity symbol we see the true emblem of neurodiversity-- not a puzzle piece struggling to fit in, but an infinite spectrum of possibilities.'' Mr. Speaker, I am proud to call Josh Mirsky my constituent. His creativity, compassion, and dedication to uplifting others is exemplary. By creating the Neurodiversity Strength Flag, Josh has given a sense of pride and visibility to millions of neurodivergent individuals.

Mr. SUOZZI

Mr. SUOZZI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Operation Democracy and their Flags for Freedom program. In my district, the hamlet of Locust Valley proudly founded Operation Democracy's sister city program in 1947, partnering with the first town, Normandy, France, liberated on D-day. Now, Oyster Bay-East Norwich and Cold Spring Harbor, also in my district, participate in the Flags for Freedom program, as well. Operation Democracy was founded in the wake of World War II as a humanitarian effort to rebuild war-torn cities across the globe. Since then, it has connected more than 500 communities with partner communities throughout the world, fostering diplomacy, peace, and mutual understanding. Their Flags for Freedom program builds powerful bridges between generations. Through American Legion posts, local veterans present American flags to graduating high school seniors. Nearly 10,000 flags have already been presented as living lessons of service, sacrifice, and citizenship. I encourage every congressional district across the country to enter into the Flags for Freedom program. It is a simple, nonpartisan tribute to our veterans and our Nation's flag, and it is rooted in both history and gratitude.

Mr. SUOZZI

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

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

Mr. SUOZZI. Mr. Speaker, I hope my colleagues will join me in voting for the motion to recommit.

Mr. SUOZZI. Mr. Speaker, I thank Mr. Pallone for yielding me time. Mr. Speaker, here are three simple facts. Number one, the cost of living in America today is the number one concern on the minds of Americans. Number two, increasing energy prices are a major factor causing an increase in American families' cost of living. Number three, energy-efficient appliances and appliance standards save Americans more than $500 in energy bills per year. They are also good for our environment. More efficient appliances will not only save money, but they conserve water, conserve energy, and reduce overall emissions that are killing our planet. This bill, without an amendment, would gut the program that sets these standards and pave the way for the administration to repeal existing standards. It is bad for our wallets. It is bad for our planet. It is just bad policy. I cannot vote for the proposed bill as written, and I urge my colleagues to do the same. Mr. Speaker, that is why, at the appropriate time, I will offer a motion to recommit this bill back to the committee. If the House rules permitted, I would have offered the motion with an important amendment to this bill. My amendment would require the Secretary of Energy to certify that revoking existing energy standards will not negatively impact consumers. It simply requires that the Secretary of Energy certify that getting rid of standards such as these would not increase costs or increase greenhouse gas emissions. This ensures that we are protecting American families from further harm to their wallets and to the air they breathe. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to insert into the Record the text of this amendment immediately prior to the vote on the motion to recommit.

Mr. SUOZZI

Mr. SUOZZI. Mr. Speaker, religious leaders from across the world are coming to Washington, D.C., this week to celebrate religious freedom. It is hard to imagine that something we take for granted, like the right to worship, is denied to much of humankind across the globe. Muslim Uyghurs are put in forced labor camps by the Chinese Communist Party. Hindu and Buddhist religious minorities are being persecuted in Bangladesh. Christians are being tormented in Syria, India, Egypt, Nigeria, and elsewhere. Jews worldwide are facing anti-Semitism. Sikh turbans are banned, and Muslim headscarves are not permitted. Have you heard about the Ahmadis, the Rohingyas, the Druze? What about the Tibetan Buddhists in China and the Baha'is in Iran? There must be a worldwide effort to celebrate our diversity, promote religious freedom, and stop the evil forces that try and divide us instead of seeking the common ground that we all share. As we celebrate the 250th anniversary of our Nation, let us promote the religious freedom that we enjoy in our country, and let us serve as a beacon to the world once again.

Mr. SUOZZI

Mr. SUOZZI. Mr. Speaker, everyone here knows that affordability and the affordability of healthcare is the top concern of Americans today. Failure to extend these tax credits will cause health insurance premiums to skyrocket all across our land. In my district, Mr. Speaker, if you utilize the premium tax credits, a family of four making $130,000 has to pay 8\1/2\ percent of their income for health insurance premiums, or about $10,000 or $11,000 a year. If we refuse to act, their bill will go to $30,000 a year, or $1,500 more per month. That is crazy. They won't even buy their insurance. As a result, it will reduce the risk pool, which will cause everyone's premiums in our country to go up. That is why for months the Problem Solvers Caucus has been working across the aisle, both here in the House and the Senate, to find bipartisan solutions to this very real affordability crisis. Mr. Speaker, let's deliver a huge victory for the American people. Let's overcome the partisan toxicity of Washington, D.C. Let's get Democrats and Republicans, Members of the House and the Senate, to work together to serve the needs of the American people. I urge all of my colleagues to vote ``yes.''

Mr. SUOZZI

Mr. SUOZZI. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor the life and legacy of Claudia Moyne. She served as mayor of Sea Cliff when I was mayor of Glen Cove, and she was a close colleague. Claudia was an extraordinary educator, public servant, and pillar of the Sea Cliff community. Her life reflected a deep commitment to learning and service. She devoted her professional career to shaping young minds as a social studies teacher and department chair at Wheatley high school where she inspired generations to think critically and believe in their own potential. Claudia gave tirelessly to her community, most notably as the first woman to serve as the mayor of the village of Sea Cliff. She knew her neighbors personally, cared deeply for the well-being of the village, and remained actively engaged until the very end of her life. At the center of Claudia's life was her family. She was a devoted wife of John, a loving mother to Nicholas and Parvin, and a proud grandmother and sister. Those who knew her well will remember her sharp intellect, warmth, and exceptional energy. Her life was a great example of a life well lived. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the people of New York's Third Congressional District, I extend my deepest condolences to her family and loved ones. I ask that this recognition and recollection of her remarkable life be entered into the Congressional Record.

Mr. SUOZZI

Mr. SUOZZI. Mr. Speaker, during Roll Call vote No. 203, I was unable to vote. I would have voted NO.

Mr. SUOZZI

Mr. SUOZZI. Mr. Speaker, there are so many issues in our country right now that are affecting our people, but one of the biggest concerns is an urgent matter that on December 31 of this year, premiums for people's health insurance are going to be skyrocketing because of the expiration of the premium tax credits. We have heard so much talk. We have heard so many petty partisan messages, people attacking each other, but right now, we have to actually do something about this issue. In my district, if you are a family of four and make $130,000 a year, right now under the premium tax credits you have to pay 8.5 percent of your income for your health insurance. That is about $10,000 or $11,000 a year. Those premiums are going to go up to $30,000 on January 1. People are going to go broke. They are not going to buy health insurance. When less people are on health insurance, everybody's health insurance rates go up. Right now, there are three discharge petitions in this House giving people options as to how to address this, two of which are bipartisan, negotiated ideas. There is one for a 1-year extension and another for a 2-year extension. Mr. Speaker, we need the Speaker of the House, the majority leader, and the President of the United States of America to engage in this issue. Pick a way forward and solve this problem that is affecting so many Americans.

Mr. SUOZZI

Mr. SUOZZI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, His All-Holiness Bartholomew I, who is the spiritual leader and the Primus inter Pares (First among Equals) of Orthodox Christianity worldwide, a Church of 300 million people. This September, His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew visited our Nation's capital, continuing his longstanding practice of meeting with the President and engaging with Members of Congress from both political sides. His All-Holiness is the spiritual leader of more than 300 million Orthodox Christians worldwide, representing faith's ability to bring people together across borders and generations. His leadership has fostered dialogue among faith communities and highlighted the positive role moral guidance can play in promoting cooperation and understanding. His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople, has been called the Bridge Builder and the Patriarch of Peace by Christians and non-Christians alike. I am proud to welcome a peacemaker of his caliber to the Capitol.

Mr. SUOZZI

Mr. SUOZZI. Mr. Speaker, I hereby remove my name as cosponsor of H.R. 5494.