David Valadao

Mr. VALADAO

Mr. VALADAO. Mr. Chair, in the event that this amendment was to pass, emergency services that run throughout the Capitol complex would continue, as would the security initiatives. Members would not see a change in their service, as Members are the first priority of the Office of the Attending Physician. However, the Office of the Attending Physician would decrease services to staff, security forces, and visitors to the campus. Medicines and immunizations for official travel would be limited only to Members. The staff required to travel on official business would have to find other means of preparation on their own time and with personal funds. The same would be true for seasonal influenza shots. It would be limited to Members and not to staff or security forces. In addition, over-the-counter medications and lower-cost durable medical equipment for health units would not be replaced. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. VALADAO. Mr. Chair, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. VALADAO. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. VALADAO. Mr. Chairman, again, I think it is important to remind folks at home watching that these are all-electric vehicles in the building. So for the 33,000 people who required shuttle assistance to get around the Capitol, elderly and disabled people who needed assistance to visit their building that their tax dollars are paying for, there are a lot of services. As the amendment is written currently, I have to oppose the amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. VALADAO. Mr. Chairman, I oppose this amendment as written. The amendment would prohibit the use of all Architect of the Capitol electric vehicles and equipment, which are used for facility and ground maintenance activities. For example, the Capitol Visitor Center's electric shuttles provide transportation to those needing mobility assistance while they are visiting the Capitol. Over the past year, Visitor Services provided over 33,000 shuttle rides for the elderly and disabled constituents and visitors to the campus. These electric vehicles, currently in good working condition, would need to be replaced which would require a significant initial outlay of funds and would cause exposure to engine exhaust and noise for the equipment that would then have to be used indoor and in the buildings that we work in. In addition to AOC operations, this would also adversely affect Members and House staff who pay to use the power from receptacles in the House garages. Due to these adverse impacts, I oppose this amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. VALADAO. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. VALADAO. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Bacon).

Mr. VALADAO. Mr. Chair, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Espaillat).

Mr. VALADAO. Mr. Chair, I oppose my friend's amendment because I do not believe all the good the Congressional Office for International Leadership has done for Congress over the last 25 years should be negated by one embassy programming selection. The Congressional Office for International Leadership links Members of Congress to leaders in Eurasia and Asia and is an instrument for Americans engaged in citizen diplomacy. COIL's place as the only regularized international exchange program in the legislative branch provides opportunities for Members of Congress and their constituents to engage with their peers from countries of strategic importance to the United States. COIL convenes congressional leadership and its constituents to provide foreign visitors with a multilevel State, Federal, and local introduction to American democratic governing systems and accountable governance. This is the next generation of government and civic leaders where they begin, in the Halls of the most powerful legislative body in the world, the United States Congress. The exchange establishes a personal and profound connection between leaders from around the world, providing unique and meaningful insights and experiences while fostering a spirit of cooperation and mutual respect. Thousands of Americans across the country benefit from hosting COIL participants in their homes and communities. The agency provides an important service for a very modest amount of money. Mr. Chair, I oppose the amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. VALADAO. Mr. Chairman, I claim the time in opposition.

Mr. VALADAO. Mr. Chair, I rise in opposition to the amendment.

Mr. VALADAO. Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. VALADAO. Mr. Chair, I am prepared to close, I and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. VALADAO. Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. VALADAO. Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. VALADAO. Mr. Chairman, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Clyde).

Mr. VALADAO. Mr. Chair, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Chair, I rise today to offer H.R. 8772. The Legislative Branch Appropriations Act for 2025. The recommendation for the fiscal year 2025 Legislative Branch Appropriations Act provides $5.546 billion, excluding Senate items, which are traditionally left to the Senate to determine. The bill supports the legislative branch as an essential branch of government and ensures the House is open to and works for the American people. Regardless of what side of the aisle you are on, we can agree that our greatest duty is to our constituents and that this bill funds our ability to advocate on their behalf. It invests in the resources necessary to provide robust oversight of the executive branch. It also includes modest increases to ensure the safety of the Capitol complex and the work of the Capitol Police as well as the institutions that support our work such as the Library of Congress and the Government Accountability Office. I believe the bill balances the legislative branch's capacity to effectively serve the American people in a fiscally responsible manner. I thank Chairman Cole for his leadership and guidance throughout this process, and I also thank Ranking Member Espaillat for his cooperation and support throughout the formation of the bill. Finally, I thank the legislative branch staff for their hard work in getting the bill to this point. Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. VALADAO. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous materials on H.R. 8772, and that I may include tabular material on the same.

Mr. VALADAO. Mr. Chair, I oppose this amendment. Many of my colleagues are highly frustrated by the way the attending physician managed the COVID pandemic here in Washington. I am one of them. I understand, but I do not agree that decreasing the funds of the Office of the Attending Physician will reduce the actual attending physician's salary. To do that, how the United States Navy pay structure works needs to be changed. We are paying a nonnegotiable reimbursement to the Navy, and that is the way this process works. This will not affect the attending physician's salary. I make clear that what this amendment will do is dramatically reduce the medical services provided to the people who work, visit, and protect this campus. For this reason, I cannot support this amendment. Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. VALADAO. Mr. Chair, I rise in opposition to the amendment.

Mr. VALADAO

Mr. VALADAO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. Ronald Raper on Atomic Veterans Day and thank him for his service to our Nation. Mr. Raper was born on May 31, 1938, in Boulder, Colorado. At the age of 18, Mr. Raper enlisted in the United States Navy. In 1958, Mr. Raper was a part of Operation Hardtack I, where he was a member of the flight crew that flew into radioactive fallout to conduct air sampling of nuclear tests at the Pacific Proving Grounds in the Marshall Islands. During this operation, Mr. Raper also contributed to Operation Newsreel, a high-altitude naval study conducted near Johnston Atoll. Following the Vietnam War in 1973, he was deployed with USS Coral Sea and played a crucial role in Operation End Sweep. Stationed in the Gulf of Tonkin, North Vietnam, he contributed significantly to the Mine Logistics Carrier Stations, where he helped in the removal of naval mines in the waterways of North Vietnam. To recognize his dedication and leadership during this operation, Mr. Raper's Navy Commander awarded him with a citation for outstanding performance of duty. During his military career, Mr. Raper was stationed throughout the United States and around the world, having served in California, Tennessee, Oklahoma, and Japan. This past year, Mr. Raper was awarded the Atomic Veteran Certificate and Atomic Veteran Service Commemorative Medal from the United States Department of Defense, to honor his service in Operation Hardtack I. This recognition is a testament to Mr. Raper's lifelong career of service and sacrifice in advancing our Nation's atomic and nuclear weapons program. In addition to this honor, Mr. Raper has received other distinguished awards throughout his career, including the Navy Good Conduct Medal, which he was awarded four times, and the National Defense Service Medal. In 1975, Mr. Raper retired from the Navy after serving 20 honorable years. Mr. Speaker, I ask all my colleagues in the House of Representatives to join me in honoring the incredible life of Mr. Ronald Raper on Atomic Veterans Day and thank him for his dedicated service to our Nation.

Mr. VALADAO

Mr. VALADAO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Borba Dairy Family as they are awarded the title of 2024 Dairy Family of the Year. Frank G. Borba. Sr. immigrated from the Azores Islands of Portugal to the United States in 1914 at the age of 18. He worked various jobs until he had the opportunity to start his own dairy in 1924. In 1920, Frank married Esperanza (Belmeira) Berberia and they welcomed their son Frank Jr. in 1928. In 1939, the dairy moved to its current location in Porterville, California. Frank Jr. worked on his father's dairy and took over operations in 1951. In 1953, he married Nadine Bettencourt. Together they had 5 children--Susanna, Frank, Chris, Eric, and Mary-- who were raised on the family dairy. In 2000, a partnership was formed that established Borba Dairy. Today, the family operates three dairies and takes great pride in their family-owned business. This June, the Tulare Chamber of Commerce, Tulare County Dairy Women, and California Milk Advisory Board are hosting the Annual Salute to Dairy and Dairy Princess Coronation in celebration of National Dairy Month. Each year, Salute to Dairy recognizes a local dairy family for their dedication to the dairy industry and engagement with the community. The Borba Dairy Family is being recognized due to their longstanding commitment to producing quality dairy products and continuing their family legacy. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues in the United States House of Representatives to join me in celebrating the Borba Dairy Family as they are awarded the title of 2024 Dairy Family of the Year. Their contributions to the Central Valley will be felt for generations to come.

Mr. VALADAO

Mr. VALADAO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Porterville Exchange Club on their 65-year anniversary and thank them for their significant contributions to the Central Valley. The Porterville Exchange Club is a nonprofit organization that plays a vital role in meeting the needs of Tulare County residents. Since their founding, the Porterville Exchange Club has remained steadfast in its commitment to providing individuals and their families with the support they need to live fulfilling lives. For more than six decades, the organization's staff and volunteers have worked tirelessly to support Porterville's youth, senior, and veteran populations. The Porterville Exchange Club is passionate about improving the quality of life of all residents of the community. Their programs are instrumental in connecting veterans with permanent housing, helping families in crisis, and supporting the community's brave law enforcement officers and healthcare workers. Every year, the organization hosts the Treasure Trove Dinner Party, which helps to support these essential initiatives. The organization is focused on serving children in Tulare County and hosts numerous fundraising events every year to ensure they have the resources they need to serve our community. Through the annual Child Spree event, the Porterville Exchange Club, in partnership with a local store, provides students with back-to-school clothes and school supplies for the first day of school. Every year, the Child Spree event supports hundreds of students and their families in Porterville. Mr. Speaker, I ask all my colleagues in the House of Representatives to join me in celebrating the Porterville Exchange Club on their 65-year anniversary. Their work to improve the lives of residents of the Central Valley will be felt for generations to come.

Mr. VALADAO

Mr. VALADAO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the ProYouth organization on their 30-year anniversary and to thank them for their significant contributions to the Central Valley. In 1991, a dedicated group of volunteers from Visalia came together to establish Visalians for a Gang Free Community, aiming to address the challenges faced by children affected by gang violence in the Tulare community. Three years later, the organization attained non-profit status and became known as ProYouth. In 1998, ProYouth established their inaugural program, HEART--Health, Enrichment, Academics--to increase access to after school opportunities for students. For more than 30 years, ProYouth has remained committed to its mission to protect all children from gang violence through after school programs and other essential initiatives. Today, ProYouth serves nearly 20,000 students annually across 60 schools in the Central Valley. In addition to their educational grant- and contract-based programs, ProYouth's dedicated staff and volunteers also provide meals to students. Just this year alone, ProYouth is expected to serve one million meals to its program's attendees. Through their wide range of programs and initiatives, ProYouth develops students' academic, social, and emotional skills, equipping them with the foundation they need to succeed in their futures. During the COVID- 19 pandemic, ProYouth was essential in helping Central Valley families who were impacted by school closures and the transition to remote- learning. ProYouth established a program to provide support and an in- person learning environment for affected students. For more than three decades, ProYouth has helped not only support our Central Valley students, but they have given them the tools to succeed in life. Their work to enrich the lives of these students will be felt for generations to come. Mr Speaker, I ask my colleagues in the United States House of Representatives to join me in celebrating ProYouth on their 30-year anniversary.

Mr. VALADAO

Mr. VALADAO. Mr. Speaker, due to family obligations, I was not present for today's votes on H. Res. 1215 and H.R. 6983. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 233 and YEA on Roll Call No. 234.