Derek Schmidt

Mr. SCHMIDT

Mr. SCHMIDT. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 5185 was prepared for the Judiciary Committee by the Office of Law Revision Counsel, a nonpartisan office of the House of Representatives charged with maintaining the official United States Code. In 2011, Congress enacted a positive law restatement of title 41, which pertains to public contracts. After Congress enacts a positive law restatement of a title of the code, a follow-up bill is sometimes necessary to correct technical errors, make conforming amendments, and incorporate additional provisions. H.R. 5185 is such a follow-up bill. This bill does not change the substantive meaning of any law on the books today. It simply helps ensure that the code is up to date, accurate, and accessible. Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SCHMIDT. Mr. Speaker, I urge all of our colleagues to support H.R. 5185, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. SCHMIDT

Mr. SCHMIDT. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 5174) to make revisions in title 51, United States Code, as necessary to keep the title current, and to make technical amendments to improve the United States Code.

Mr. SCHMIDT. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and insert extraneous material on H.R. 5174.

Mr. SCHMIDT. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 5174 is a ministerial bill that makes technical corrections and updates to the United States Code. This bill was prepared for the Judiciary Committee by the Office of Law Revision Counsel, a nonpartisan office of the House of Representatives charged with maintaining the official United States Code. In 2010, Congress enacted a positive law restatement of title 51, which pertains to national and commercial space programs. Subsequent to the enactment of this restatement, additional laws pertaining to title 51 were enacted. H.R. 5174 incorporates these additional laws into title 51. This bill does not change the substantive meaning of any law on the books today. It simply helps ensure that the code is up to date, accurate, and accessible. Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SCHMIDT. Mr. Speaker, I urge all of our colleagues to support H.R. 5174, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. SCHMIDT

Mr. SCHMIDT. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 5182) to make improvements in the enactment of title 54, United States Code, into a positive law title and to correct related technical errors, as amended.

Mr. SCHMIDT. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and insert extraneous material on H.R. 5182.

Mr. SCHMIDT. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. SCHMIDT. Mr. Speaker, unsurprisingly, H.R. 5182 makes technical corrections and updates to the United States Code. This bill was prepared for the Judiciary Committee by the Office of Law Revision Counsel, a nonpartisan office of the House of Representatives charged with maintaining the official United States Code. In 2014, Congress enacted a positive law restatement of title 54, which pertains to the National Park Service and related programs. After Congress enacts a positive law restatement of a title of the code, a follow-up bill is sometimes necessary to correct technical errors, make conforming amendments, and incorporate additional provisions. H.R. 5182 is such a follow-up bill. The bill does not change the substantive meaning of any law on the books today. It simply helps ensure that the code is up to date, accurate, and accessible. Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SCHMIDT. Mr. Speaker, I urge all of our colleagues to support H.R. 5182, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. SCHMIDT

Mr. SCHMIDT. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for bringing this bill forward and for his leadership. I also thank my colleague from Michigan (Ms. Scholten). It has been a pleasure to work with her on this bipartisan, commonsense piece of legislation. Mr. Speaker, I add my voice to those advocating in support of the Main Street Competes Act. Our bill addresses the concerns that small businesses have limited visibility into how Federal antitrust enforcement efforts may affect their ability to compete. While large mergers and anticompetitive practices can disadvantage small firms, there is currently no consistent governmentwide assessment of how enforcement actions by the Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission may affect small business competitiveness or how such agencies respond to small business complaints. To address this gap, the Main Street Competes Act requires regular reporting and analysis of antitrust enforcement related to small businesses. It directs the two enforcement agencies to submit those biennial reports to the SBA Office of Advocacy, detailing their antitrust work. That office, in turn, is positioned to take that information and data and report and recommend to Congress steps that may be prudent for our consideration in increasing the competitiveness of small businesses in the marketplace. By better understanding how antitrust enforcement affects small businesses, Congress can make more informed policy decisions to promote competition, prevent harmful market consolidation, and ensure small businesses have a fair opportunity to grow. Mr. Speaker, at the end of the day, a free-market economy requires that players compete in good faith and have an opportunity to be at the table when the competition occurs. Small businesses are where ideas come from. They are the lifeblood of our communities. This bill makes sure that policymakers and antitrust enforcers are taking those facts into consideration. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the work to make this happen, and I encourage my colleagues to vote for this bill.

Mr. SCHMIDT

Mr. SCHMIDT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of a devoted public servant, educator, and proud Kansan, my friend, Bob Tomlinson, who passed away in February 2025 at his home in Kansas. Bob Tomlinson lived a life defined by service to others. Whether in the classroom, the Kansas Statehouse, or around the family dinner table, Bob believed deeply in showing up for people, listening carefully, and leaving every place a little better than he found it. From an early age, Bob demonstrated a passion for public service and civic engagement. In fact, his family recalls that his first campaign began in junior high school when he ran for student council. That sense of responsibility to contribute, to lead, and to serve never left him. As a young man, Bob attended Boys State, worked with Republican U.S. Senator Bob Dole and Democratic State Senator Anthony Hensley, and built a bipartisan spirit that would become a hallmark of his public life. Bob understood that public service was never about headlines or partisanship. It was about people, especially those who felt unheard or overlooked. Bob earned his bachelor's degree from the University of Kansas and later a master's degree from Baker University. He went on to spend nearly two decades working in education, serving as a social studies teacher and counselor at the Shawnee Mission School District alternative education program at Horizons High School. Those who knew Bob understood that he had a special heart for students who needed extra care, extra patience, and someone who believed in them when much of the world often did not. Bob did not simply teach history. He taught young people that their lives mattered and that they could still shape their own futures. Bob's commitment to his community naturally led him into elected office. He served on the Roeland Park City Council before representing Kansas' 24th House District in the Kansas State House of Representatives from 1993 to 2003. During his decade in the legislature, Bob earned respect on both sides of the aisle for his thoughtful approach, his kindness, and his ability to build genuine friendships across political differences. He later served as assistant insurance commissioner for the State of Kansas from 2003 to 2012, continuing a career centered on protecting and serving Kansans. If you knew Bob, you knew there was always a joke. There was always a story. In every situation, he could find a way to lighten the mood and make people feel at ease. He never met a stranger who would not later become a friend. Bob loved Kansas deeply. He traveled to every corner of the State multiple times during his years in public service. He cared about rural communities, small towns, working families, and the people whose voices too often went unheard. He believed government worked best when leaders listened first. However, of all the titles Bob carried, the title he treasured most was ``family man.'' Bob and his beloved wife, Carole, shared 38 years of marriage. Together, they raised two sons, Phillip and Christopher, and later welcomed a granddaughter, Audrey, who brought Bob enormous joy. Family traditions mattered to Bob. Every summer, the Tomlinsons would pack up and travel together to visit historic sites and State capitals across America. Thanks to Bob's love of history and their travel, his sons can say they visited 48 State capitals and our Nation's Capital here in Washington. Those trips reflected Bob's belief that learning never stops and that the best memories are made together. While Bob could discuss history, public policy, or baseball with anyone, his granddaughter, Audrey, may have known him best for yet another talent entirely: his unforgettable Donald Duck impression, which he happily performed for hours just to make her laugh. That was Bob Tomlinson. He was accomplished but humble, serious about service but never about himself, a man whose greatest joy came not from recognition but from bringing joy to others. On behalf of so many people in Kansas and of this U.S. House of Representatives, I extend my deepest condolences to Carole, Phillip, Chris, Megan, Audrey, and the entire Tomlinson family. May they find comfort in knowing that Bob's life made a lasting difference in the lives of so many others. May he rest in peace.

Mr. SCHMIDT

Mr. SCHMIDT. Mr. Speaker, I am grateful that the House last week approved the FY27 agriculture appropriations bill, the second FY27 appropriations bill brought to the floor under regular order. The bill we passed contained the PURR Act, which is a bill I have championed to modernize the labeling requirements of pet and animal food. The Kansas Second District is the pet and animal food capital of America, employing nearly 20,000 people in all aspects of the industry, from nutrition research and development to production. Overall, the animal feed and pet food industries annually contribute nearly $100 billion in value to the U.S. economy and more than 750,000 jobs. Modernizing the labeling requirements on these products will improve efficiency and reduce compliance costs for pet food manufacturers. It will strengthen the industry. This will have a direct benefit for the affordability of pet food for consumers and animal feed for our farmers and ranchers. Mr. Speaker, I thank the Appropriations Committee for including this important measure from my district in the bill. I look forward to the Senate advancing it and the President signing it into law.

Mr. SCHMIDT

Mr. SCHMIDT. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague from Utah for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise today during National Police Week to honor the brave men and women in law enforcement who put on the badge every day and stand between safety and danger. Across Kansas and across our Nation, law enforcement officers answer the calls most of us hope we will never have to make. They run toward danger when others are running away. They work long nights, miss holidays, and experience difficult moments that often go unseen or unrecognized. Their service demands courage, sacrifice, and an unwavering commitment to protecting their communities. This week, we especially remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. Sadly, last year, we lost four heroes from the State of Kansas. We honor Officer Scott Heimann of the Hays Police Department in Hays, Kansas. Officer Heimann was a devoted public servant who faithfully protected his community with professionalism and integrity. We remember Officer Hunter Simoncic of the Kansas City, Kansas Police Department. Officer Simoncic dedicated his life to serving others, and his courage and commitment will not be forgotten. We recognize Deputy Brandon Gaede of the Phillips County Sheriff's Office. Deputy Gaede answered the call to serve rural Kansans with dedication and selflessness, and we remain grateful for his service and sacrifice. We remember Deputy Elijah Ming of the Wyandotte County Sheriff's Office. Deputy Ming's commitment to duty and to protecting others reflected the very best of Kansas law enforcement. These officers were sons, friends, colleagues, neighbors, and public servants. Behind every badge is a human being who chose a life of sacrifice. Behind every fallen officer is a family whose sacrifice continues long after the headlines have faded. During National Police Week, we honor not only those we have lost but also every officer who continues to serve. We thank them for their courage, their professionalism, and their steadfast commitment to keeping our communities safe. To the families of our fallen officers, your loved ones will not be forgotten. Their legacy lives on in the communities they protected, in the officers they served with, and in the grateful hearts of the people of Kansas and of our great country. May God bless the memory of these fallen heroes and protect all who wear the badge, and may He continue to bless the United States of America.

Mr. SCHMIDT

Mr. SCHMIDT. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 8352) to authorize peace officer standards and training agencies to access criminal history records, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. SCHMIDT. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 8352.

Mr. SCHMIDT. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 8352 is a commonsense and bipartisan bill that fixes a critical flaw in the Federal statute. State peace officer standards and training agencies, or POSTs, are responsible for certifying, licensing, and overseeing law enforcement officers in their respective jurisdictions. All 50 States have some form of a POST agency, although they go by different names. More than 50,000 individuals apply each year for law enforcement positions across the United States, and local, county, State, and Tribal agencies submit these applicants to their respective State POST agencies for certification. It is our expectation that each of those men and women would be a person of integrity and capable of upholding the position of public trust, but we shouldn't just take an applicant's word for it. As President Reagan might have said: ``Trust, but verify.'' Applicants voluntarily consent in writing to these background checks when applying for employment to perform the duties of a law enforcement officer, but current Federal law does not give POST agencies full access to criminal history records contained within the FBI's CJIS system. This can result in POST agencies having incomplete records when deciding whether to certify a candidate for employment as law enforcement. This unnecessary barrier has resulted in candidates with disqualifying convictions slipping through the cracks. My own State of Kansas is currently dealing with an issue of an officer with a disqualifying conviction who was hired by an agency without performing the mandatory background criminal history check. Since Kansas C-POST does not have the authority to run its own criminal histories, it has to rely on the hiring agency's verification that the applicant has met all the minimum requirements. That officer has been working for more than 18 months with a disqualifying conviction. Giving POST agencies this access is a commonsense step that strengthens accountability and helps keep communities safe by preventing individuals with disqualifying criminal history records from entering or remaining in the profession. I thank Chairman Jordan and my colleagues on the Judiciary Committee for unanimously supporting this bill during our committee markup last month. I thank my colleague, the gentlewoman from North Carolina (Ms. Ross), for her leadership in making this a bipartisan partnership and effort, and I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this bill. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SCHMIDT. Madam Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SCHMIDT. Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Madam Speaker, this week across America we honor the brave men and women in law enforcement who work every day to protect and serve the American public. In particular, we honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice, whom we recognized in a resolution on this floor just a few minutes ago. A few weeks ago, I was honored to speak to the 355th Basic Training Class of the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center which provides basic training and continuation education for most of the law enforcement officers in our State. The auditorium at the training center where the graduation ceremony is held is appropriately named Integrity Auditorium. Each graduate is presented with a challenge coin that bears the phrase: ``Integrity is the basis for community trust.'' This bill is about ensuring that all law enforcement officers across our country are held to that standard of integrity and that disqualifying prior criminal convictions are properly disclosed to the appropriate State licensing agencies. I want to thank the International Association of Directors of Law Enforcement Standards and Training for bringing this issue to our attention. I want to thank my colleague and friend Ms. Ross of North Carolina for joining me in introducing this important bipartisan bill. Madam Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to support this legislation, and, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. SCHMIDT

Mr. SCHMIDT. Mr. Chair, I rise today in support of my amendment, No. 43, which would direct the secretaries of agriculture and health and human services to enter into a memorandum of understanding to conduct collaborative research related to increasing the domestic production of crops that can be used to produce natural food colors. With growing interest among consumers in foods containing no synthetic food dyes, the demand for natural alternatives is increasing. Currently, the United States lacks domestic production of natural food dyes, requiring these dyes to be sourced from overseas. This increased demand for natural food colors presents an opportunity for American agriculture to step into the gap and grow the crops necessary to produce the brightly colored foods that so many of us enjoy. Working together, under the direction of my amendment, USDA and HHS will work to identify the barriers that exist to producing these crops domestically and processing them into the natural dyes that can be used by American food companies. I am grateful to Chairman Thompson and the Agriculture Committee staff for working with me on this amendment and for including it in the en bloc amendment. I am also grateful to the industry groups who worked with us on this issue. I include in the Record a letter of support for my amendment signed by seven industry groups. Mr. Chair, thank you for your consideration. I urge the adoption of my amendment as part of the en bloc package, and passage of the long- overdue Farm Bill. April 28, 2026. Hon. Derek Schmidt, Longworth House Office Building, Washington, DC. Dear Representative Schmidt: As representatives of food and ingredient manufacturers and suppliers, we write to share our support for your Amendment #204 to H.R. 7567, the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026, which would direct the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to coordinate activities to enhance the capacity of domestic producers to increase production of crops used in naturally derived food and beverage colorants. The U.S. food industry is currently managing a complex, system-wide shift in how color ingredients are sourced, produced, and incorporated into finished products. This transition is being driven by evolving regulatory frameworks and supply chain realities that will require alignment across agricultural production, ingredient processing, manufacturing systems, and distribution and retail channels. Coordinated federal engagement between USDA and HHS is essential to ensure that these interconnected elements develop in a practical, efficient, and economically viable manner. Enhancing the capacity of domestic producers to increase production of colorant crops presents a meaningful opportunity for U.S. agriculture, but doing so at scale will require deliberate planning, sustained research, and targeted investment. Key considerations include agronornic suitability across regions, identification of crops most effective for reliable colorant production, crop genetics, and the need to address barriers to scale such as pest and disease pressures, harvesting technology, and other production challenges. In addition, investment in processing and extraction infrastructure--such as juicing and extraction facilities-- and the development of stable, predictable markets for growers will be essential. In the absence of coordinated efforts, these factors may limit the pace, efficiency, and affordability with which domestic production capacity can be developed. At the same time, the current supply chain for many naturally derived colorant inputs is global in nature. U.S. manufacturers rely on established international sourcing channels, which introduces exposure to trade dynamics, regional production variability, and logistical constraints. Federal coordination that considers both domestic production capacity and global sourcing dependencies can help support continuity of supply as domestic capabilities are developed over time. From a manufacturing perspective, incorporating naturally derived colorants involves significant operational considerations. These ingredients often require different handling, processing conditions, and quality control approaches than traditional alternatives, and their successful integration may necessitate capital investments, process modifications, and updated supply chain management practices. Coordinated research, development, and demonstration of methods and technologies, along with information sharing across stakeholders, will be important to support efficient implementation while maintaining product consistency and regulatory compliance. Your amendment appropriately recognizes that this is not a single-agency issue. By establishing a framework for interagency coordination, competitive and merit-reviewed research, and collaboration across federal agencies, institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations, and industry partners, the amendment creates a strong foundation for advancing this work. Support for research infrastructure, workforce development, and public-private collaboration will be critical to translating research into scalable, real-world outcomes and sustaining progress over time. Thank you for your leadership on this issue and for your attention to the operational and economic considerations facing both U.S. agriculture and food manufacturers. We stand ready to serve as a resource as this effort moves forward and strongly encourage the House of Representatives to adopt your amendment. Sincerely, National Confectioners Association, Consumer Brands Association, International Dairy Foods Association, Independent Bakers Association, SNAC International, American Bakers Association, National Seasoning Manufacturers Association.

Mr. SCHMIDT

Mr. SCHMIDT. Madam Chair, on Roll Call No. 147, I mistakenly voted AYE when I intended to vote NO. Amendment No. 28 Offered by Mrs. Luna

Mr. SCHMIDT

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

Mr. SCHMIDT

Mr. SCHMIDT. Mr. Speaker, 20 years ago this spring, there was a Cinderella moment in southeast Kansas. The Iola High School girls' basketball team, known as the Fillies, won the 2006 Kansas State High School Activities Association Class 4A State basketball championship. This came on top of a remarkable 24-2 season. As a Kansas State senator at the time, I had the privilege of sponsoring a resolution in our State legislature to commend the team's win and to host the team at the Kansas State House to see the resolution's unanimous adoption. A week ago, on the 20th anniversary, the community in Iola came together and inducted that 2006 team into the Iola High School's Don Bain Hall of Fame. Believe me, Mr. Speaker, the community has not forgotten what they accomplished. The auditorium was packed. Former classmates and teachers came home to join in the celebration. Back in 2006, the student members of this outstanding basketball team received statewide recognition for their fine sportsmanship and athletic accomplishments. At the Hall of Fame induction last week, the team was also recognized for the ongoing camaraderie and success of its members in the years since. As I said in the Kansas State House back in 2006, the team did an outstanding job of representing Allen County and southeast Kansas in the State tournament. I am very proud of their achievements, and I am honored to say in the United States Capitol today, 20 years later, I continue to be very proud of this team, the young women who composed it, and the community who supported it. Congratulations, Fillies.

Mr. SCHMIDT

Mr. SCHMIDT. Mr. Speaker, I, too, want to add my voice to those thanking our colleague from Missouri for her leadership on this work. It has been a pleasure to work with her and with our colleagues on the other side. It has been an honor to help lead the support for what she is trying to get done here. Mr. Speaker, in my State, we dealt with this issue a number of years ago, and it is a policy fight that is separate from what we are doing here today. We actually ultimately decided to move our State-based crime victim support programs into appropriated support from our general fund and deposit all of these erratic streams from the court system into the general fund so that the risk of funding was shifted onto the State generally and not borne by those who rely on the services in particular. That is a discussion for another day. I share it today because for me, at least, this brings back memories of a time when we were wrestling with the same issue back home. Mr. Speaker, how do you look a rape victim or a domestic violence victim in the eye and tell them that the good folks in your community, the advocates and the supporters of domestic violence services or rape crisis centers or child advocacy centers who want to be there to help you in your time of greatest need may not be there because their government didn't pay the bills? The lights aren't on. The staff wasn't paid, so they left. That is where we are writ large in this subject matter, and we are there because of the vagaries in the recovery cycle and all kinds of things that happen in the court system that generate these revenue streams. This is a way to put our finger in the dam until we figure out longer term how we provide that sort of certainty. There are a lot of different groups of crime victims. By the way, none of them asked to be crime victims. They didn't wake up and expect to be victimized. They have had a terrible moment thrust upon them by somebody else's actions, and they are in a time of need where they need help. That is what advocates do in these support services. That is what this money goes for. This helps a lot of different types of crime victims. I will share a couple of moments in my last minute or so here about the work of the child advocacy centers that this supports. I have often said in the work I did when I was a State legal official, we did a lot of work with crime victims, child crime victims, supporting our child advocacy centers, and prosecuting criminal cases under State law against offenders who committed terrible crimes against children. I have often described it to people this way: It is not like on TV in the crime shows. When the victim is an 8-year-old child or a 7-year-old child, and when what happened to them was some form of sexual abuse, the odds are about 90-10 that the offender is somebody that the child knew and trusted. It is rare that it is a stranger offense with little kids. That is because that is how the offender got access to the child.