Ann Wagner

Mrs. WAGNER

Mrs. WAGNER. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2797) to amend the Securities Act of 1933 to require certification examinations for accredited investors, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mrs. WAGNER. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. WAGNER. Mr. Speaker, I strongly urge my colleagues to support H.R. 2797, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mrs. WAGNER

Mrs. WAGNER. Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman McCaul for yielding, and I thank him for his leadership. Mr. Speaker, in just 2 years, over 5 million illegal migrants have crossed our southern border, in addition to over 1 million known got- aways. That is equal to the entire population of my home State of Missouri. Among other malfeasance, it is undeniable that the Biden administration has created an appalling humanitarian crisis in the United States. I want to talk about what often goes unspoken and unseen: the trafficking and exploitation of children. In February, The New York Times exposed that the Biden administration had lost 85,000 unaccompanied children released into the U.S. by the Department of Health and Human Services. These children were forced to work in dangerous conditions to pay off debts to their smugglers and cartels and, even more horrifically, their HHS-designated sponsors. Despite child welfare agencies sounding the alarms on trafficking and labor exploitation, the Biden administration continued to facilitate this abuse. In fact, HHS Secretary Becerra reportedly threatened to fire his subordinates if they refused to accelerate these cruel and dangerous releases, showing no regard for the children's safety. H.R. 2, the Secure the Border Act, addresses this catastrophe head- on, and it ensures that this can never happen again. Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to support this legislation.

Mrs. WAGNER

Mrs. WAGNER. Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend, the chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, for yielding, and I am glad that I made it. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Res. 311, which I did introduce, to honor 75 years of friendship between the United States and Israel. The decades-long partnership between our nations underpins security in the Middle East and promotes economic growth throughout the region. Tonight marks the beginning of Israel's 75th Independence Day, a remarkable milestone that celebrates the establishment of a democratic Jewish homeland. I have had the privilege to travel to Israel several times as a Member of Congress; from Jerusalem to the West Bank. I met so many wonderful and welcoming people there: parents and businesspeople who simply yearn for peace in their region. Being on the ground in the Holy Land was among the most moving experiences of my life. The United States was the very first Nation to stand in recognition of Israel at its founding in 1948, and I am proud of what our countries have accomplished together. The signing of the Abraham Accords more than 2 years ago heralded an unprecedented opportunity for growth in the Middle East and beyond. Already, the Abraham Accords have proven to be enduring and fruitful, contributing to regional stability and a sense of kinship between Israel and its neighbors. As a founding co-chair of the Abraham Accords Caucus, I have been delighted to meet so many young people, entrepreneurs, innovators, and leaders who are working to establish relationships of trust and appreciation and lay the foundations for a prosperous future. These efforts will have region-wide implications, encouraging sustained economic growth, peace, and stability. This resolution urges other nations to normalize relations with Israel and ensure that existing agreements continue to reap tangible security and economic benefits for all peoples in the region. We must all, however, be frank in recognizing the immense security challenges facing Abraham Accords countries. Iran is closer than ever before to joining the ranks of nuclear powers, a terrifying prospect for us all, but especially so for Israel and its neighbors. H. Res. 311 calls for continued support for United States security assistance to Israel so that Israel can defend herself. However, security cooperation must be accompanied by real and sustained progress on eliminating anti-Semitism, an abhorrent ideology that continues to impede expansion of the accords and poison international institutions. To secure universal acceptance of Israel's inherent right to exist, my resolution calls for Israel's robust participation in the community of nations. Israel is a force for peace and a beacon of democracy in a challenging region. At a time of heightened anti-Semitism across the globe, it is more important than ever that we maintain our strong connection to this very key ally. I thank my colleagues, Representatives Manning, McCaul, and Schneider, for joining together in introducing this resolution. They are all true champions of the U.S.-Israel alliance, and I have had the pleasure of working with them for many years to advance this essential relationship. I congratulate the people of Israel on their 75th anniversary of their independence, and I urge each of my colleagues to support H. Res. 311.

Mrs. WAGNER

Mrs. WAGNER. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Kim), my good friend and colleague, who chairs the Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Indo-Pacific and is the Republican coauthor of this bill.

Mrs. WAGNER. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 406) to provide for the treatment of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations as an international organization for purposes of the International Organizations Immunities Act, and for other purposes.

Mrs. WAGNER. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on this measure.

Mrs. WAGNER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or ASEAN, is of immense strategic and economic importance to the United States of America. This powerhouse region joins the Indian and Pacific Ocean regions and serves as a conduit for global trade. Southeast Asian states are increasingly vital to the prosperity of the U.S. economy, generating hundreds of thousands of American jobs and investing more in our economy than China and India combined. Home to one of the world's largest and youngest populations and numerous key shipping routes, ASEAN represents the future of growth in the Indo-Pacific. It is an important region that cannot be forgotten and is certainly not forgotten by the People's Republic of China. The PRC is actively looking for ways to expand their footprint in ASEAN, whether it be through infrastructure projects, predatory lending, or police training. A growing number of Southeast Asian countries no longer believe that China's intentions are benign. Our partners are seeking assurance of U.S. support as they try to maintain economic independence from China and defend their territorial claims in the South China Sea. To strengthen our relationship with Southeast Asian Governments and counter PRC influence, we must find ways to deepen our relationship with the ASEAN. The United States has worked closely with ASEAN for more than four decades, and 15 years ago, we became the first nonmember to name an ambassador to ASEAN. This bill will build on that legacy of cooperation and will enhance ties between the United States and this critical region of the world. It will accord ASEAN representatives in the United States the same diplomatic immunities we provide other regional organizations, such as the EU or the Organization of American States. This is a tangible demonstration of our commitment to that organization. I thank the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Castro). I would also thank my good friend from California, Young Kim, for introducing this important bill. I have the great privilege of being co-chair and cofounder with Mr. Castro of the ASEAN Caucus. I am very sorry that Mr. Castro is unable to join us on the floor today but want to convey our prayers and very best wishes for his full and speedy recovery, Mr. Speaker. This bill received unanimous bipartisan support during committee markup and deserves our full support today. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. WAGNER. Mr. Speaker, in closing, we have a national interest in sustaining U.S. leadership in Southeast Asia, supporting human rights and respect for democratic freedoms, and articulating our strategic priorities. We will find willing partners in our many friends and allies in the region who share our grave concerns regarding China's growing power, but we must demonstrate that these partnerships are a key U.S. priority. H.R. 406 sends an important message to the region: The United States values its important relationship with ASEAN, and we strongly support its mission to promote stability and growth in Southeast Asia. I urge my colleagues to join me, Representative Young Kim, Representative Castro, and Ranking Member Meeks, along with Chairman McCaul, in supporting H.R. 406. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mrs. WAGNER

Mrs. WAGNER. 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 the measure.

Mrs. WAGNER. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1159) to amend the Taiwan Assurance Act of 2020 to require periodic reviews and updated reports relating to the Department of State's Taiwan Guidelines.

Mrs. WAGNER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the Taiwan assurance implementation act, my bipartisan legislation to ensure the United States engages Taiwan in a way that deepens our relationship with this important partner. Taiwan faces an unprecedented threat from an increasingly capable and erratic People's Republic of China. Xi Jinping has said that so-called reunification with Taiwan is a core goal of his great rejuvenation campaign, and Chinese Communist Party officials have made clear that they are not afraid to use force to achieve this goal. Mr. Speaker, our own intelligence community has assessed that the PRC is investing in military capabilities that will enable it to take Taiwan by 2027, but we do not need intelligence to tell us what we already see. The PRC is flying bombers and fighter jets into Taiwanese airspace and waters, threatening to sanction Taiwanese businesses, and harassing Taiwanese Government officials. If we are to defeat China's plan to replace the United States as the world's preeminent power, we cannot be ruled by fear. That means boldly standing by our friends and partners, particularly Taiwan. We must increase our economic ties, defense relationship, and political support of Taiwan's democratic system. Unfortunately, our own State Department has often unilaterally censored or restricted its engagement with Taiwan. Hiding behind opacity and red tape hurts our partnership with Taiwan at a moment when we need to be standing shoulder to shoulder with our allies and partners. Any waffling invites bullies like Xi and Putin to push the envelope. This is why the Taiwan Assurance Act, or TAA, was enacted with strong bipartisan support in 2020, but the threat Taiwan faces has only grown since then. This bill amends the TAA to ensure that the State Department's policy of engagement with Taiwan is appropriate to today's geopolitical challenges. We must acknowledge the growing threat Taiwan faces and help build resilience to that threat. I was proud to introduce this bipartisan bill along with the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Connolly), who has been an absolute champion for Taiwan for so many years. It received unanimous support during markup by the Foreign Affairs Committee, and I urge my colleagues to support this bill. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. WAGNER. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. WAGNER. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time, and I am prepared to close.

Mrs. WAGNER. Mr. Speaker, the geopolitical situation surrounding Taiwan is changing rapidly. Our relationship with Taiwan must be flexible enough to meet these new challenges. Unfortunately, the State Department's classified Taiwan contact guidelines are often not conducive to a robust relationship with Taiwan, and Congress has little insight into the decisionmaking behind these guidelines. Mr. Speaker, the bottom line of this legislation is this: H.R. 1159 would reauthorize the bipartisan Taiwan Assurance Act of 2020, strengthen its reporting requirements, and require greater transparency from the State Department. It would ensure the United States is approaching its relationship with Taiwan in a manner that strengthens our relationships with democratic partners who are under threat by aggressive dictatorships, and it would ask the administration to identify opportunities to lift remaining self-imposed restrictions on engagement. Mr. Speaker, I urge each of my colleagues to support this important bipartisan bill. I thank the ranking member, Mr. Meeks, and I thank the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Connolly) for joining me in supporting this unanimously out of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mrs. WAGNER

Mrs. WAGNER. Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman McCaul for yielding the time and for this resolution. I rise in support of the resolution. Literally, from the heart of Missouri's Second Congressional District, there I was, in the suburbs of St. Louis County, as I watched this spy balloon with my own eyes. I wasn't the only one. I was getting calls from friends and family all over Missouri who were horrified that this was allowed to happen. We watched in real time from our backyards and workplaces as a foreign aircraft equipped with spyware navigated over our neighborhoods, our military installations, and our vital infrastructure. As this spy balloon approached Alaska, the response should have been crystal clear. It should have been shot down before it entered our skies. Instead, the Biden administration waffled again. They knowingly allowed a foreign military aircraft equipped with spyware to invade U.S. sovereign territory and navigate itself unimpeded all across the country, putting the privacy of countless Americans at risk. Communist China issued a deliberate and serious provocation. Instead of responding with strength and resolve, the administration showed the dictatorship in Beijing that they could again be bullied. President Biden's weakness and indecision send a dangerous signal to our adversaries like Iran, Russia, and North Korea, and it certainly does not give confidence to our allies. It is unconscionable that the administration waited so long to take action and protect our national security, infrastructure, and military assets. The administration needs to take action to correct its mistake and to restore American deterrence. Congress must get to the bottom of this deeply disturbing episode. We have a duty to our constituents, many of whom feel much less safe today than they did at about this time a week ago. I can tell you that that is the case in Missouri's Second Congressional District, where families literally watched as a foreign military aircraft flew over their private property, collecting data about their lives to send back to Beijing. Mr. Speaker, this must never happen again. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H. Res. 104.

Mrs. WAGNER

Mrs. WAGNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of my bill, H.R. 500, the Financial Exploitation Prevention Act. It is, indeed, a bipartisan bill that will help prevent seniors and other vulnerable adults from becoming victims of fraud. I thank Chairman McHenry for his very strong support on this important legislation and the ranking member for working with us on this legislation. Financial exploitation of seniors and other vulnerable adults is a serious and growing problem. Over the next 10-plus years, 10,000 Americans will turn 65 every day, with seniors making up 18 percent of the Nation's population by 2030. As more investors age into retirement, their risk of exploitation increases. Sadly, about one in five senior investors falls prey to financial fraud, and those investors lose an estimated $2.9 billion annually in reported cases. However, according to the National Adult Protective Services Association, only 1 in 44 cases of financial abuse is ever even reported. Right now, approximately 44 percent of households headed by a baby boomer and 30 percent of Silent Generation households own mutual funds. My bill proposes a solution to fight elder abuse in the context of mutual funds. Since some mutual fund shareholder accounts are held directly with the mutual fund and serviced by the fund's transfer agent, or direct- at-fund accounts, as they are known, the transfer agent is typically responsible for opening and servicing the accounts, maintaining the account records, and serving as the fund's point of contact for those shareholders. Under current law, when a fund's transfer agent suspects financial exploitation in a direct-at-fund account, it cannot lawfully delay the disbursement of redemption proceeds while an investigation occurs. My legislation would codify both a FINRA and SEC issued no-action letter from 2018 that permits a mutual fund and its transfer agent to delay the redemption period of a security if they reasonably believe that a request was made by exploiting seniors or other vulnerable adults. It does not stop this trade from going through, it just takes a pause while they check with that senior to make sure that there has not been fraud or elder abuse anticipated. This will provide our potentially vulnerable investors with an important layer of investor protection to help make sure that they receive the hard-earned savings that they have built up over the years. Additionally, and importantly, my bill also requires the SEC to report to Congress on additional potential legislative solutions for further combating financial exploitation of seniors and vulnerable adults. Many of us have had the bittersweet experience of caring for a parent or loved one as they grow older. This legislation will give our constituents the peace of knowing that their loved ones are better protected from fraud. Mr. Speaker, I strongly urge my colleagues to support the Financial Exploitation Prevention Act.

Mrs. WAGNER

Mrs. WAGNER. Madam Speaker, I thank my friend and colleague, the chairman of the Judiciary Committee, for his strong defense of life, for the precious unborn, and for promoting a culture of life at all times. I stand, Madam Speaker, in support of H. Con. Res. 3, expressing the sense of Congress condemning the recent attacks on pro-life facilities, groups, and churches. There have been now nearly 100 recorded acts of violence and intimidation against pro-life individuals and organizations by radical pro-abortion activists since the initial leak of the draft Supreme Court Dobbs opinion. Following the leak and issuance of the Supreme Court's decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, anti-life fanatics have targeted, destroyed, or vandalized, as I said, over 100 pro-life facilities, groups, and churches to further their radical cause. Pro-life pregnancy centers nationwide play a critical and important role in supporting and assisting pregnant women, their children, and their families. Because the Biden Justice Department refuses to protect these vital resource centers, Congress must be clear in condemning the violence against pro-life facilities. Madam Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to stand against violence and to support H. Con. Res. 3.

Mrs. WAGNER

Mrs. WAGNER. Madam Speaker, I thank my good friend and colleague, a champion for life, our chair of the Judiciary Committee, Jim Jordan. I rise today, Madam Speaker, in support of H.R. 26, the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act. I have championed this issue for decades, and I have been blessed and honored to lead this legislation since 2019. I am so grateful to the co-leads of this bill, Representative Kat Cammack and our Majority Leader, Steve Scalise; to the leadership of this Congress; and especially to the thousands of champions of life across the country for their tireless work and support of the most vulnerable Americans, unborn and newborn infants. Thanks to these efforts, after dozens of unanimous consent requests, two discharge petitions, and countless hours of advocacy work, the House will, at last, take action to ensure that every single baby born in the United States receives lifesaving medical care at their most vulnerable moment. All children should be welcomed with joy and wonder, no matter the circumstances of their birth. Yet, too many of these sweet little ones are denied the medical care they need to survive and thrive simply because they were unwanted. This commonsense legislation will require healthcare providers to administer the same level of care to the babies who survive abortions that they would to any other child born at the same gestational age. I hope that my colleagues on the other side of the aisle will, again, join me in supporting the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act, as some did, as our chairman mentioned, when it passed the House in both 2015 and 2018 with bipartisan support. To that point, I want to be absolutely clear that this bill has nothing to do with the Supreme Court's decision in Dobbs to return abortion to the States. Not a word of the born-alive act obstructs States' ability to implement Dobbs as they see fit. I strongly believe that States should control pro-life policymaking, just as I support exceptions for rape, incest, and the life of the mother, but today, we are considering an entirely separate issue. We are considering the protection of infants that have been delivered alive after an attempted abortion. That is it, plain and simple. I implore my Democratic colleagues to put aside politics and stand in support of lifesaving care for these innocent newborns. We must remember today that children are not the only victims of born-alive abortions. Women, fathers, and whole families all suffer deeply from the loss of a child. Our communities are weaker because these bright young ones did not grow up to share their wisdom, laughter, and ingenuity with all of us. Just down the hall a little bit later this afternoon, we will meet with extraordinary women who survived abortions. When they entered the world, they were not greeted with the profound love and all that I felt when I held my children and grandchildren for the first time. Instead, they were left to die. They are alive today because of courage and grace, mostly of nurses who chose to act as they struggled for breath. Each of these women has built a happy, healthy life, bringing light and joy to their friends and families and enriching their communities. They inspire us all. As a mother and grandmother, they affirm my belief in a culture of life for children, born and unborn, and their mothers and families. Every single newborn, regardless of the circumstances of their birth, deserves to share the miracle of life and have lifesaving medical care. We must act with compassion to protect these little ones and give women a strong support system as they navigate the miracles and challenges of motherhood. This bill will save real lives, and it will give survivors a precious chance to build a future. Madam Speaker, I urge every Member of the House to vote ``yes'' on H.R. 26, the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act.

Mrs. WAGNER

Mrs. WAGNER. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Wenstrup), my dear friend, for yielding to me. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 8876, the Jackie Walorski Maternal and Child Home Visiting Reauthorization Act. I would commend Chairman Neal, Chairman Davis, Ranking Member Brady, and all the members of the Committee on Ways and Means for bringing this legislation to the floor and honoring our late colleague and my dearest friend, a selfless servant, Jackie Walorski. The MIECHV program is backed by decades of research that proves home visits by a nurse, social worker, or other trained professional during pregnancy, and in the first year of a child's life supports positive parenting, improves maternal and child health, and promotes child development and school readiness. This program has proven vital to families in underserved communities, especially in my home State of Missouri. Life is a beautiful and precious gift, and all babies deserve the opportunity to thrive. Women need a strong support system as they navigate the miracles and the challenges of motherhood. This legislation that embodies my dear friend, Jackie Walorski, was very close to her heart. It will give women, especially the most vulnerable, the support they need to build a happy, healthy future for their children. Right now, Jackie Walorski's light is shining down on this institution and on the people of Indiana's Second District. All our love to her dear husband, Dean; her mother, Martha; and all of those that served with her.

Mrs. WAGNER

Mrs. WAGNER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill. In the more than two decades since the Peace Corps was last authorized, the agency and its volunteers have done great work around the world on behalf of the American people, but the agency still has work to do. By building on key reforms as volunteers go back into the field, this legislation will ensure that the Peace Corps is prepared to meet the challenges of tomorrow. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.