Steve Womack

Mr. WOMACK

Mr. WOMACK. Mr. Speaker, I was unavoidably absent and unable to vote. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 286, YEA on Roll Call No. 287, and NAY on Roll Call No. 288.

Mr. WOMACK

Mr. WOMACK. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for yielding me time this afternoon. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of my bill, H.R. 1107, the Protecting Veteran Access to Telemedicine Services Act of 2025. Mr. Speaker, this legislation is pretty simple. I argue that it is a very commonsense bill. Most importantly, it is vital. It ensures that our veterans, whether they live in the heart of our largest cities or in the most rural, remote communities, have uninterrupted access to the healthcare that they have earned. I thank my good friend Chairman Bost and Ranking Member Takano for their support in advancing this bill as one part of the effort to support our veterans. I also thank my friend Mark Berry, a former adjutant general for the great State of Arkansas and a former State representative, for his advocacy on behalf of our veterans on this issue. Mark brought this to my attention, and I wouldn't be standing here today without his encouragement. In 2008, Congress passed the Ryan Haight Online Pharmacy Consumer Protection Act to address the rise of rogue online pill mills and the potential for abuse in prescribing controlled substances. At the time, it was the right step to safeguard public health. Yet, the world of 2008 is not the world of today, and the law has not kept pace with the realities of modern medicine or the unique needs of our veterans. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the in-person requirement for prescribing controlled substances under the Ryan Haight Online Pharmacy Consumer Protection Act was temporarily waived. This flexibility allowed VA doctors and specialists to reach veterans where they are through secure, effective telemedicine. The Department of Justice and the Department of Health and Human Services have continued to extend this waiver. Yet, without further action, it will expire at the end of this year. My bill would permanently extend the exemption for VA healthcare professionals with the appropriate safeguards so that they can continue to prescribe medically necessary treatments to veterans via telemedicine. For veterans in our urban communities, letting this waiver expire means longer wait times, fewer appointment slots, and even more strain on an already overburdened VA system. For veterans in rural America, the consequences are even more serious. Many of these men and women live hours away from the nearest VA provider. For them, the exemption has meant timely care without the cost and hardship of traveling hundreds of miles for a single appointment. Mr. Speaker, this is not just a matter of convenience. It is a matter of necessity. It is about ensuring that every veteran, regardless of where they live, has equal access to the care that they have earned through their service and sacrifice to this Nation. Our veterans have given this Nation their best. It is our duty to give them our best in return. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this legislation and to act swiftly to make sure that our veterans never see their care delayed, denied, or diminished because of outdated laws.

Mr. WOMACK

Mr. WOMACK. Mr. Speaker, on August 26, Madison County, the State of Arkansas, and the Nation's trucking industry lost a remarkable self- made businessman when Lew Thompson of Huntsville died unexpectedly at his home. I lost a dear friend. The Lew Thompson brand is synonymous with short-haul trucking, particularly in the live-haul business. His iconic red trucks are recognizable all over Arkansas and our Nation. Lew had an entrepreneurial spirit, taking a one-man show, hauling turkeys for Butterball, to a major fleet of 700 trucks and 1,200 trailers. It is a rags-to-riches, multimillion-dollar operation. He had a huge heart for his home region and never forgot his roots and the friends and family that contributed to his enormous success. I will never forget my last visit with Lew and the folks at Lew Thompson & Son Trucking the week before he passed away. He was excited about the future and now gone too soon. Mr. Speaker, I send my condolences to his wife, Carla; his son, Josh; his daughter, Tiffany; and scores of extended family and friends. Rest in peace, my dear friend.

Mr. WOMACK

Mr. WOMACK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor University of Arkansas baseball sensation Wehiwa Aloy, the 2025 Golden Spikes Award recipient given to the top amateur baseball player in the United States. This great shortstop propelled the Razorbacks to the semifinals of the Men's College World Series in Omaha. Previous to this honor, Wehiwa was named the 2025 Southeastern Conference Player of the Year. Aloy was one of college baseball's most electrifying all-around players in 2025. This Wailuku, Hawaii, native started all 65 games at shortstop during the season, and he turned in one of the best offensive campaigns in Razorback history. He led the team in nearly every major category, including slugging percentage, on-base plus slugging, hits, runs scored, doubles, triples, home runs, extra-base hits, multihit games, and total bases. In many of these categories, he ranks among the top 10 in the program's single- season record book. Defensively, Aloy dazzled with just 5 errors in 229 total chances while helping turn 31 double plays during the 2025 season. Wehiwa reached the pinnacle of collegiate baseball without having earned major offers out of Baldwin High School on Maui. Yet, after a year at Sacramento State, he transferred to Arkansas and found his groove. He captured the hearts and minds of Razorback fans everywhere. In fact, Baum-Walker Stadium looked more like a luau on game day, with so many fans donning leis, Hawaiian shirts, and other island merchandise in recognition of his native Hawaii. He joins former Razorbacks Andrew Benintendi and Kevin Kopps as the only Arkansas players with national player of the year honors. Mr. Speaker, this has been an unprecedented spring at Arkansas, with Razorback athletes claiming player of the year honors in both softball and baseball. That has never happened before. I join his parents, Jamie and Napua; his brother and teammate, Kuhio; and his sister, Kiani, in congratulating Wehiwa Aloy for his Golden Spikes Award and his impact on Razorback baseball. We wish him well as he embarks on what should be a promising professional career. Go Hogs.

Mr. WOMACK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor University of Arkansas softball sensation Bri Ellis, the Southeastern Conference and USA Softball Player of the Year in NCAA women's college softball in 2025. Mr. Speaker, before I speak to her personal credentials, I will say the Razorback softball team had another banner season, albeit short of qualifying for the Women's College Softball World Series. The Hogs advanced to its fourth super regional in program history. Under Coach Courtney Deifel, Razorback softball has steadily climbed in the rankings over the last several seasons. Much of that success over recent years is clearly due to attracting quality players like Bri Ellis. Bri is a native of Houston, Texas. She is a graduate of Memorial High School in Hedwig Village, Texas, and is the 20th ranked player in the Nation. She signed with Auburn and played two seasons with the Tigers before entering the transfer portal and coming to Arkansas. As a junior, she became a first-team All-SEC player, and it got better in her senior season. This year, Bri hit .440, with 59 hits, 9 doubles, 26 home runs, and 72 RBIs. She posted a nation-leading 1.142 slugging percentage and a .646 on-base percentage. Her talent and skills made things difficult on opposing teams, but no one sequence during the year better described this young lady's ability than a game against Georgia in the 2025 SEC tournament in Athens. Realizing her prowess, the Georgia strategy was to limit any damage Bri could inflict on the Bulldogs by refusing to pitch to her, effectively surrendering to her as a base runner, with nine straight pitches out of the strike zone. She was walked twice and then hit by a pitch in her first three at-bats but then came the bottom of the seventh and final inning. The score was tied at 1-1, and Arkansas had loaded the bases ahead of--you guessed it--Bri Ellis. One run wins the game. Georgia had to pitch to her. On the 10th pitch that she saw that day, Bri did what Bri does best. She launched one deep over the left-field fence for a walk-off grand slam home run. No moment in Razorback softball history fully captures the impact that this outstanding player has had on the sport in Fayetteville than that game. Softball experts, recognizing her accomplishments, made her only the fifth position player to win the Player of the Year honor. Bri Ellis didn't just elevate Razorback softball. She became a Bogle Field legend at Arkansas. I join her parents, Ron and Molly Ellis, and her sister, Emily, in congratulating Bri for an outstanding collegiate career and the legacy she leaves at the University of Arkansas. Go Hogs. Honoring Wehiwa Aloy

Mr. WOMACK

Mr. WOMACK. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor and remember Nonnie Alvis ``Whitey'' Smith of Rogers, Arkansas, who passed away on April 25, 2025, at the age of 88. Anyone with connections to the athletic programs at Rogers High School either knew him personally or fully recognized what he has meant to Mountie athletics. No one I know or have ever known has done more for the program--not a coach, not a player, not anyone. It all started back in the 1950s when Whitey himself was a Rogers Mountie. Playing tackle on the football team, he was the team's most valuable player in 1955. In that same year, he became the first from Rogers to play in the Arkansas All Star football game. While his athletic pursuits were quite enough to make him a Rogers Mountie Hall of Famer, his greatest contributions, Madam Speaker, came over the next nearly 70 years as a friend of the program. First, it was as a volunteer, working with and for the program to make sure every athlete had what they needed to succeed. The passion was intense. The ingredient? Chicken. Yes, chicken. For 55 years, Whitey's Chicken Cookin' Crew gathered at a pit near the tracks on Locust Street, and over that span raised an estimated $1.5 million. The aroma emanating from the pit had a unique and mysterious way of slowing traffic to a halt. Passersby knew two things: Five bucks would get you a delicious meal, and those dollars would flow right back into the community. Like Whitey always said: It is for the kids. Whitey Smith was also a businessman, having owned and operated Ozark Fence Company for over 50 years. The headquarters was a favorite gathering place for those in his circle. The potluck events were a regular happening. It became a who's who of the community who joined in the fun. I also knew when I drove down Cherry Street and saw his pickup between the tracks and the shop, Whitey was there, likely planning his next benefit. Madam Speaker, I know that in every community big and small there are individuals who have a special fondness for serving. In Rogers, that guy was Whitey Smith. Inducted into the Rogers High School Hall of Fame in 1990, he was a staple in the community, and today the football stadium and a scholarship bear his name. Whitey was well into his public service when I played against Rogers in the 1970s, but after moving to Rogers in 1979 and for 12 years as its mayor, I can attest to the tireless and selfless work of this pillar of the community. It is my high honor to recognize him here on the floor of the House of Representatives for his contributions to the kids and his personal example. To Janice, Becky, Tim, and his extended family, our heartfelt sorrow for their loss. May Nonnie Alvis ``Whitey'' Smith rest in eternal peace. May his legacy of service and compassion always inspire and be remembered. {time} 1230

Mr. WOMACK

Mr. WOMACK. Mr. Speaker, 50 years ago today, the capital of South Vietnam, Saigon, fell to advancing North Vietnamese forces. The collapse of the anti-Communist South Vietnamese Government marked both the end of a decades-long conflict and the beginning of a painful chapter for millions of South Vietnamese people. As the North Vietnamese Army launched its final offensive into Saigon, fear and uncertainty gripped the city. For countless South Vietnamese, the Fall of Saigon was not only the loss of their capital, but it was the loss of their country, their dreams, and, for many, their safety. Having allied with and supported the United States in the fight for a free republic, they now faced the terrifying prospect of persecution or worse. Among the individuals was a young boy named Phi Nguyen, whose story I have the privilege of sharing with you today, Mr. Speaker. Phi is the second-born child of parents Dung Nguyen and Diem Le Do. Notably, his father worked as a newspaper cartoonist whose art illustrated the complex political dynamics in Vietnam during the war, which is preserved in the Library of Congress today. In the final days of April 1975, Phi was 8. His older sister, Mien, was 10, and his younger brother, Thuc, was just 6. With the fate of Saigon hanging in the balance on April 28, 1975, Phi's family raced to Tan Son Nhut Air Base for a chance to escape. This would not be an easy task. The airbase had already been heavily bombed in the days before, causing severe damage to its runways and planes. As the North Vietnamese Army closed in, they were actively launching rockets and artillery, even as desperate families attempted to flee. Yet, in the dead of night, after two planes ahead of them were shot down, the Nguyen family boarded what would become the last fixed-wing aircraft to depart Tan Son Nhut. Their escape was harrowing, but their journey toward freedom, safety, and hope had just begun. Mr. Speaker, I can only imagine the mixed feelings of relief and heartbreak they felt as the plane left Vietnamese airspace, finally touching down at Clark Air Base in the Philippines. From there, they were transported to Guam and eventually to Camp Pendleton in California, a place known then as Tent City, which saw more than 50,000 Vietnamese refugees who awaited new lives and new homes. After 3 months at Camp Pendleton, the Nguyen family received a life- changing letter. A Lutheran church in Shavertown, Pennsylvania, had offered to sponsor them. So, they made another journey, this time across the U.S., to begin again in an unfamiliar place, adjusting to a new climate and embracing an entirely new culture. After 2 years in Pennsylvania, they relocated to Virginia in 1978, where Phi and his family have lived ever since. The Nguyen family even welcomed a new family member, their youngest daughter, Mai-An. So, Mr. Speaker, why am I standing here on the floor of this House sharing the story of this family? This story could be about any of the Vietnamese families who found freedom in the United States. Here is why, and he is sitting right in front of me. From this family came someone many of us recognize and know professionally, but maybe not personally, a man who has spent nearly four decades serving as a photographer in the Halls of this House, and that man is Phi Nguyen. In 1986, Phi began working for the Senate Photo Studio, where he would spend the next 15 years capturing history through his lens. Then, in 2002, he transferred to the House Photographer's Office, a role in which I have had the distinct pleasure of working with him many times. That same year, Mr. Speaker, he married his wife, Tam Nguyen, whom he met during the Moon Festival in Arlington, Virginia, a celebration marking the end of the harvest season. It was a fitting beginning to their relationship, one rooted in tradition and thanksgiving. Together, they became the proud parents of two wonderful children. His daughter, Quynh-Chi Nguyen, is 20 years of age and attends James Madison University, pursuing a degree in architecture. His son, Hoai- Viet Nguyen, is 19 years old and studying cybersecurity at George Mason University in Fairfax. Phi's story is not just one of survival. It is one of resilience, adaptation, and success. It is, at its heart, a multigenerational story of the American Dream, a dream that Phi and his father before him pursued with determination and faith in the promise of a better future. Over his nearly four decades of service to the United States Senate and House of Representatives, Phi has captured countless moments that only a photo can, and while doing so, he has also captured the hearts of those who know and work with him. Mr. Speaker, in preparation for this speech, I asked Phi: What do you want the listeners and the viewers to take from your story? His answer was simple: ``The American Dream is real, and I am evidence of that. You can do it, too.'' Today, on this anniversary of a day that changed the course of history for millions, I want to take a moment to honor one remarkable individual whose life journey embodies the spirit of the American Dream. I thank Phi Nguyen. All of us who share in a professional relationship with him thank him for his service and commitment to capturing history and doing it with excellence. It is with the utmost sincerity that I commend Phi for his 39 years of service to this institution and congratulate him on one-half century of living the American Dream.

Mr. WOMACK

Mr. WOMACK. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate one of Arkansas's own, Peyton Bolling. She was crowned recently as Miss America's Teen, and she made history in doing so, the first Miss Arkansas' Teen to win the coveted title of Miss America's Teen. Madam Speaker, this comes just a year after another Arkansan, in this case, Madison Marsh of Fort Smith, Arkansas, was crowned Miss America 2024. When Peyton Bolling came to my office last year, she shared with me her passion for civic engagement, an issue that demands the attention of our next generation of leaders. Her passion to serve began at a young age as a daughter of a U.S. Marine Corps colonel. Peyton's dedication only grew in time as she witnessed government in action as a U.S. Senate page. Now, she is taking her passion nationwide, encouraging our young people to get involved and shape their communities for the better. This Rogers, Arkansas, native and proud Bentonville High School Tiger has made Arkansas proud. I congratulate Peyton. I look forward to seeing all that she accomplishes as Miss America's Teen and beyond.

Mr. WOMACK

Mr. WOMACK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Arkansas' 6A State football champions, the Greenwood Bulldogs, after a convincing 61-35 victory over Shiloh Christian Saturday at Little Rock's War Memorial Stadium. The Bulldogs went back to back in winning their 12th overall State title. I commend Head Coach Chris Young and his staff and players for another thrilling chapter in Greenwood football with this perfect and magical 13-0 season. Mr. Speaker, this title is not without tragedy. Earlier in the season, a house fire took the life of one of Greenwood's finest athletes, 18-year-old Isaiah ``Ike'' Arrington; his 46-year-old mother, Wendy Medrano; and his 5-year-old sister, Vivian. This season was dedicated to the memory of Ike and his family. The motivation to make this a season to remember helped Greenwood not only bring home the trophy but record its 70th consecutive home win in the process. I congratulate Greenwood. Their Bulldog pride is showing today, and they have made all of us Arkansas Proud.

Mr. WOMACK. Mr. Speaker, I would be remiss if I didn't acknowledge the last speaker, my friend, Earl Blumenauer. It was a source of pride for me to be here on the floor this morning and see the gentleman's last speech on the floor of the House of Representatives. Though we may disagree on policy, and we have many times, I count the gentleman as a dear friend and colleague. It has been a great honor to serve with my colleague Earl, and this place is going to miss him. The gentleman has made me a better Congressman, and he has made me a better person. I congratulate the gentleman and wish him the best. Congratulating the Greenwood Bulldogs

Mr. WOMACK

Mr. WOMACK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a legend in Arkansas broadcasting who has decided to retire after more than 70 years of outstanding service to the industry, and the last nearly 45 years as the owner and operator of KURM Radio in Rogers, Arkansas. Mr. Speaker, he is not just a career broadcaster, he is my father, Kermit Womack, or ``The Colonel,'' as we all know him. Kermit grew up in rural Arkansas just outside the small town of Danville. It should be noted that on that little farm in the Ranger community, he didn't enjoy the modern conveniences of life: no electricity, no indoor plumbing, no car. He picked cotton for mere dollars a day to earn money to buy school clothes. My dad knew what it was like to be poor. Dad was a great speaker. Through the FFA organization, he competed in public speaking. It was that gift that gave him an opportunity to go to college, and it was in college that he joined the Army ROTC program. Commissioned in 1957, the year I was born, my dad began a 36-year career in the National Guard. He also worked at the local radio station in Russellville to help support his family. His broadcast career took him to Lexington, Missouri, for 5 years, then to Moberly, Missouri, for 11 years. It was there at KWIX/KRES in Moberly that he became the broadcast voice of the local junior college basketball team. The Moberly Greyhounds, under Cotton Fitzsimmons, won two national titles during that time, both in 1966 and `67, with Kermit providing the description for the fans unable to make the trip. As sales manager, he practiced and he perfected the kind of radio that reflected the interests of his area. In 1973, Kermit returned to Arkansas and became the general manager of the station where it all began: KXRJ, now KARV. There he brought true community involvement radio to that region. He was even the play- by-play voice for my high school football games. I cherish those recordings. Soon Kermit began to yearn for his own station and in 1979, we founded KURM Radio in Rogers, Arkansas. On November 9, 1979, at noon, KURM took the air for the first time. Mr. Speaker, in the last nearly 45 years, KURM has been the regional voice of northwest Arkansas, southwest Missouri, and northeast Oklahoma with its booming AM signal. In the early years, he added FM service as well. Local talk shows like a free want-ad program ``Dial-A-Trade,'' his personal talk show ``Party Line,'' and his unique style of broadcasting covering local events, daily news, weather, and sports, with a special emphasis on production agriculture, has been so vital to our local economy. You would hear him, live weekly, broadcasting from the local cattle auction. KURM was unique. No other station did what KURM did, but it was hard work and required dedicated people to perform such a unique service. Mr. Speaker, times have changed. The habits of consumers have changed. As time has marched on, the responsibilities fell more and more on The Colonel and very recently at 89 years of age, health issues have begun to catch up with him. So, come Monday, this Monday, July 1, The Colonel will sign off for the final time, and KURM, the last of a vanishing breed of stations, will retire with him. It will mark the end of an era, and it will most certainly leave a void for his listeners. Today, Mr. Speaker, it is with a heavy heart but a grateful heart that I recognize and congratulate my dad, Kermit Womack, for his contributions to the broadcast industry and the communities he has called home. It will be sad not to hear his signature signoff: Agree or disagree, we are still going to be friends. You take care. Have yourselves a great day. We love you. The Bible says in the Book of Matthew: ``Well done, good and faithful servant.'' That is a fitting Scripture for a man who has given more than 70 years of his life to his community and Nation. Mr. Speaker, I will say to my dad: Colonel, we are proud of you. We are going to miss your service to your country and your fellow man. May God richly bless you in retirement.

Mr. WOMACK

Mr. WOMACK. Madam Speaker, preserving the safety, security, and prosperity of our Nation is arguably our most important duty. There is a new axis of evil on the rise around the world, and just like the terrible original, this group is bound together by their desire to subjugate their people and destroy freedom and democracy all around the world. They want to end American leadership and prosperity. The second half of the 20th century was the most prosperous in our Nation, and that prosperity was underpinned by relative peace. Increasing our strength and the strength of our allies is the only avenue to peace. This package does just that. I thank Speaker Johnson for his courage and leadership, and I thank my good friends, Chairman Cole, Chairman Calvert, and Chairman Diaz- Balart, for putting this package together and putting it on the floor. Madam Speaker, I was in the Army National Guard for over 30 years. A significant part of that time was spent training to fight and win against the Red Army in the Fulda Gap. There is a new Red Army today, and they are inching closer to Central Europe. This time, we have a democratic country in Eastern Europe in their way. All they need are weapons and training. That is among the bills in the package that we provide today, which this body will vote on. Without this package, Putin will continue his march of death and destruction. Without this package, our own Army will have to cancel Combat Center training rotations, the training events that keep our forces the greatest in the free world. During those 30 years, I was deployed with my battalion to the Sinai in Egypt. Standing on the Egyptian side of the Rafah crossing, I saw firsthand the death and destruction of Hamas. I also saw our greatest ally in the region, Israel, defending itself. This package today provides Israel with the tools it needs to destroy terrorists killing, capturing, and raping its citizens. Our friends need our help, and without this package, our Navy--our Navy--will be without critical air defense munitions required to protect our sailors. These air defense assets enable our control of the seas. Another dictator is marshaling his resources and planning to upend the free and open Indo-Pacific region that has contributed so much to American prosperity. This package makes important investments in our defense capabilities to deter this aggression. Without it, we will produce fewer submarines, produce fewer antiship missiles, and underfund the requirements of our commanders in the region. Madam Speaker, Arkansans are at the forefront of producing critical munitions, from Tomahawk missiles to standard missiles to naval strike missiles, all funded in this package. Yes, Arkansas, like many other States, is the forge of the arsenal of democracy. Today's vote seems pretty simple to me. We are choosing between strength and weakness, between freedom and repression, and between prosperity and decline. Madam Speaker, I ask my fellow Members to look past the end of your noses, understand the context and gravity of the situation we face and that our partners and allies face, and support this package today.

Mr. WOMACK

Mr. WOMACK. Mr. Speaker, I send to the desk a concurrent resolution and ask unanimous consent for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. WOMACK

Mr. WOMACK. Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend, Chairman Calvert, for giving me an opportunity to speak on this very vital piece of legislation. It is our solemn duty, Mr. Speaker, to protect our allies and defeat our common enemies. I think we have agreement on both sides of the aisle that we need to do that. On October 7, 2023, Hamas launched a brutal attack on our friends in Israel. We have all seen the carnage, the assessment of damage, and the terrific loss of life in Israel. This unwarranted and unprovoked attack was a cruel display of the worst of humanity. We should all agree to that. Israel is a stabilizing force in the Middle East. It has to be supported at all costs. From my time as a commander of forces in the Sinai Peninsula, where I had a close working relationship with the IDF, to my time as a Member of Congress on this important subcommittee, I have always been a strong supporter of Israel and will continue to advocate on its behalf. This $17.6 billion appropriated will save Israeli lives, and it will work to defeat Hamas terrorists. The funding will replenish and procure advanced weapon systems, defense articles, and defense services. It will provide for the procurement of the Iron Dome, David's Sling, and Iron Beam defense systems to combat short-range rockets and support U.S. military operations in Israel. Mr. Speaker, in short, we need to pass this bill. I encourage all of my colleagues to take a serious look at it. Pass the bill. Let's get it to the Senate and get it to the White House.

Mr. WOMACK

Mr. WOMACK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the new Miss America, Madison Marsh; that is, Second Lieutenant Madison Marsh of Fort Smith, Arkansas, crowned Miss America 2024 in ceremonies in Orlando, Florida, last Sunday. Now, for the record, Mr. Speaker, it should be noted that she competed under the title of Miss Colorado, having been a cadet at the U.S. Air Force Academy. This amazing young lady graduated from Fort Smith Southside High School in 2019, and it was in the foyer of her high school where I first became acquainted with her. She met with me to discuss the possibility of her attending the Air Force Academy. After a brief discussion, it became clear to me that she had all the attributes we look for in future military officers, and she earned the designation as my principal nominee to the academy that year. Soon thereafter, the academy brass agreed with my nomination and gave her an appointment. In her 4 years at the academy, Lieutenant Marsh excelled at everything, and she graduated and received her commission in the Air Force in June of 2023. Just prior to graduation, however, she won the title of Miss Colorado and earned a trip to the Miss America Pageant, where she became the first military officer in the history of the pageant to compete for the title of Miss America. Then, on Sunday, last Sunday, just before 10 o'clock eastern time, she was crowned Miss America. Mr. Speaker, it is hard to put into words how proud I am of this young lady. In this job, I have the opportunity to work with a lot of very special people. She is certainly one of them. Few people have the blend of intellect, talent, poise, fitness, and beauty as Madison Marsh--an astrophysics major, selected for pilot training, Truman Scholar, Rhodes finalist. Accepted into Harvard Kennedy School, she is well on her way to her advanced degree in this prestigious university--now, Miss America. All of that is impressive, for sure, but one of the most redeeming qualities of this young lady is her passion for finding the cure for pancreatic cancer, a cause she has taken up due to the untimely death of her mother, Whitney, at age 41. That led to the founding of the Whitney Marsh Foundation, purposed in raising awareness and funding for pancreatic cancer research. This new platform will give rise to an increased awareness of this dreadful disease, and Lieutenant Marsh is the perfect spokesperson. I have had the privilege of being associated with three Miss Americas: Elizabeth Ward from my hometown of Russellville, Arkansas in 1982; Savvy Shields, Miss America 2016 from Fayetteville, Arkansas; and now, the reigning Miss America, Madison Marsh. What an honor, Mr. Speaker, to have played a small role in this young lady's success. We join her family, her father, Mike; sisters Heidi and Sarah; brothers Nick and Chris; and her extended family in congratulating Madison Marsh for this terrific honor. I know Whitney, who is looking down from Heaven, is enormously proud of her daughter for what she has become. Now, the rest of America knows.

Mr. WOMACK

Mr. WOMACK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a legend in University of Arkansas athletics, Coach Lance Harter, the longtime coach of the Arkansas Razorback Women's Track and Cross Country program. Coach Harter retired this past June after having won seven NCAA championships, including a trifecta in 2019 winning the NCAA indoor, outdoor, and cross-country titles. Harter's program has been named the Program of the Year twice in 2022 and 2023 by the U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association. His career numbers are staggering: Nine National Coach of the Year honors, 45 conference championships, 25 regional championships, 46 SEC Coach of the Year awards, 654 All-Americans, 472 of them first teamers, and 31 Academic All-Americans. He has represented the United States five times on the international circuit, including the 1992 Summer Games in Barcelona. Team USA head coach in the 1999 World Athletics Outdoor Championships and coached the U.S. women at the 2003 World Athletics Cross-Country Championships in Brussels. Coach Harter came to Arkansas in 1990 after a very successful 11 years at Division II Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. There he won a Division II record of 14 national championships--8 in cross-country and 6 in track and field. He was a Division II Coach of the Year 10 times. Arkansas is legendary for its track and field programs. Lance Harter's name and reputation are the epitome of excellence, so much so that the University of Arkansas named the track at the Tyson Center in Fayetteville in his honor, with his signature near the finish line. Mr. Speaker, it has been an honor for me personally to know Lance Harter. The legacy of this Hall of Fame coach will endure forever in the Razorback nation, and it is a high honor for me to recognize him for his contributions to the sport and to the young ladies he has mentored down through the years. I wish him and his wife, Kim, all the best as he settles into retirement after decades of remarkable accomplishment. Go Hogs.

Mr. WOMACK

Mr. WOMACK. Mr. Chair, I move that the Committee do now rise.

Mr. WOMACK. Mr. Chairman, I thank my friend from South Carolina for yielding. Look, I am just going to be really brief. What we don't need is a disruption of innovation. That is what we don't need. What we do need in the financial industry are clear rules of the road, not confusing compliance standards within the analytics space. Mr. Chair, I am pleased to support the gentleman from South Carolina's amendment.

Mr. WOMACK. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of the gentleman's amendment. Despite what my colleague on the other side says, when I hear regulation, I don't necessarily hear protection. Sometimes I hear just more red tape and more bars to success. The private fund adviser rulemaking is a perfect example of the aggressive regulatory posture Chairman Gensler has taken that has threatened our markets and financial systems. Bureaucratic overreach has been a hallmark of this administration's SEC. It is past time, Mr. Chairman, that these rules be stopped. The sweeping proposal for private fund advisers is a prime instance of the agency's failure to conduct thorough economic analysis, missing the serious potential impact of underserved business and emerging asset managers. This proposal could create additional hyper-regulatory hurdles for those who have overcome obstacles of their own to break into the market. Therefore, I support the gentleman's amendment and yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. WOMACK. Mr. Chair, I rise to point out something that is pretty obvious to everybody, and that is that this process that we are going through right now can come across very complicated, but it is a broken budget process system. What I would like to see happen as we matriculate through the remainder of the Financial Services-General Government bill and as we move toward trying to get something done on Commerce-Justice-Science and Labor-Health and Human Services is that maybe we would have this moment of sobriety as a House and recognize that fixing this broken budget process is going to be essential if this Congress is going to be successful. We are sitting here today with a clock ticking and the sand is in the hourglass running right through to where on November 17 we could be facing a government shutdown. There have been many opportunities for us to complete our work on appropriations, move bills through the House, get them conferenced with the Senate, and get them signed into law. Of course, we are working against a deadline at the end of this year that will require a 1 percent sequester if we don't get all 12 bills through. So it is my fervent belief that Congress can fix this issue if Congress will recognize that it has an issue. I think the American people recognize it. We are looking right down the barrel of a government shutdown. If we can't find the resources to prevent a lapse in government funding by next weekend and then even at the end of this year, we are, as I said, facing that 1 percent sequester. So we have a lot of work to do that is going to require the cooperation of the left and the right to be able to come to terms, fix our broken budget process system, and get this regular order system back and working for the American people. I was hoping for some buy-in from my friends on the left because they, too, recognize this process, but I guess they look at us and say: You are the governing majority, and it is up to you to make this thing work. Nevertheless, it has been broken with both sides being in control, so it is essential, I think, that we do that. Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time. Amendment No. 63 Offered by Mrs. Harshbarger

Mr. WOMACK. Mr. Chair, I move to strike the last word.

Mr. WOMACK. The fact is the building is crumbling, and there is going to be a need to do something. What that something is, I am not an expert on. I think it would be wrong for us to be taking this action today pursuant to this amendment without having at least a hearing and an opportunity for the people responsible for the facilities--FBI, GSA, any other stakeholder--to be able to help us understand what the situation is today and what the needs are of tomorrow. That discussion can take place, should take place, but I think it is a bit shortsighted and premature for us to be taking the action that this amendment would call for here today.

Mr. WOMACK. Mr. Chair, my thanks to the minority side for giving me an opportunity to speak. I rise in opposition to the gentleman from Florida's amendment. We are not always going to hate the FBI. I realize there are people on my side of the aisle that don't like some of the activities of the FBI. I am not going to pick an argument on that. What I will argue is that it is bad policy for the Congress to be taking steps to deny a Federal agency that is in serious need, in my opinion, of an improvement to their headquarters. Now, notice I said improvement. I didn't say some massive, big expansion, necessarily. What I do know is that when I toured the FBI headquarters, I saw it in a state of disrepair that is going to need the attention of the owners of that property. That is us. To deny the FBI the opportunity to be able to explore other alternatives, I think, is a bit shortsighted.

Mr. WOMACK. Mr. Chair, I rise in support of the gentleman's amendment. I agree that it is our job. The once measured, productive, and independent FTC has, in recent years, certainly under this administration and Chairwoman Khan, turned into an agency that has disposed of tested and proven operations and rulemakings. Gone are the days of competition based on prices, products, and business innovation. Today, we have an FTC that is guided by political whims and I guess the overall notion that big has to be bad. As a result, numerous rulemakings have raised serious questions for the American people and American businesses of all sizes, which is especially true for rules developed under the FTC's unfair methods of competition standard, which this amendment prohibits, including the ill-advised noncompete rulemaking. I stand here today in support of my friend from Wisconsin's amendment in order to rein in the Biden administration's FTC by prohibiting section 5 actions and the suspension of the early termination to premerger notification filings. Mr. Chair, I thank my colleague for his thoughtful amendment, and I encourage my colleagues to support it.

Mr. WOMACK. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentlewoman for her amendment, and I rise in support. Plainly and simply, environmental policing is not within the SEC's scope. It is just not. I know this process that we have undergone this morning sounds a lot like we are ganging up on Gensler, and maybe we are, and for good reason. Scope 3 emissions are hard to quantify, requiring the shifting of information needed from outside partnering companies like family farmers. The information that would need to be reported to bigger companies the farmers rely on for business is overly burdensome. Farmers are American heroes. They don't need any more negative input factors on how they feed, clothe, and fuel this Nation. They already have enough to deal with--high inflation, markets, weather. Somebody has to stand up for the family farmer, and that is why I am proud to support my colleague from Minnesota's amendment here, and I encourage my colleagues to do the same. Mr. Chair, the farmer needs an advocate, and that is what we are doing.