Ann Wagner

Mrs. WAGNER

Mrs. WAGNER. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1469, the Senior Security Act. I thank my colleague, Representative Gottheimer, for his work on this vital piece of bipartisan legislation that will strengthen protections for senior investors. I am proud to be the co-lead of this bill. Fraud and exploitation jeopardize the integrity of our capital markets. When this illicit activity specifically targets senior investors, it poses an even graver threat, impacting those who often rely most on their investments. According to the FBI, in 2023, senior investors fell victim to scams and fraud totaling over $3.4 billion in losses, an increase of approximately 11 percent from the year prior. The Senior Security Act is designed to reinforce and enhance our safeguards protecting senior investors from financial fraud and abuse. H.R. 1469 creates the senior investor task force within the Securities and Exchange Commission which is tasked with reporting on industry trends and challenges impacting investors over the age of 65. The task force will also make recommendations for changes to existing legislation and regulations to address the unique issues faced by our senior investors. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1469 has received strong bipartisan support in the past, passing by suspension in the last three Congresses. It remains a commonsense solution to ensure that senior investors receive adequate protection against fraud and exploitation. Again, I thank Mr. Gottheimer for his work on this bill and his partnership on other efforts to protect senior investors, including my Financial Exploitation Prevention Act. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 1469.

Mrs. WAGNER

Mrs. WAGNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3351, the Improving Access to Small Business Information Act. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleagues on both sides of the aisle, Representatives Kim and Gottheimer, for their work on this commonsense, bipartisan piece of legislation that will give Americans, small businesses, and entrepreneurs a stronger voice at the SEC. H.R. 3351 offers a straightforward solution to empower the SEC's Office of the Advocate for Small Business Capital Formation, the advocate, making it a more effective champion for American entrepreneurs. Mr. Speaker, I also rise today in support of my bill, H.R. 3382, the Small Entity Update Act. I thank my colleagues across the aisle, Congressmen Casten, Himes, Scott, and Torres, for their support of this impactful bipartisan legislation. It ensures that the SEC fairly weighs in its rulemaking the regulatory burdens faced by small businesses. This bipartisan bill would direct the SEC to assess the costs of compliance for small and growing businesses, ensuring that regulations placed on these businesses are not overly burdensome. Specifically, the bill would direct the Commission to conduct a study, followed by a rulemaking consistent with the results of such study every 5 years, including defining the term ``small entity'' under the Regulatory Flexibility Act. Simply put, small businesses can't afford the extensive legal and regulatory expertise that large, multinational firms employ to comply with every regulation while still managing their operating costs. Recognizing that company sizes and market dynamics constantly evolve, my bill requires the SEC to update its definition of ``small entity'' every 5 years. For our economy to flourish, Congress and regulators must ensure that all policies consider their impact on America's millions of small businesses. Mr. Speaker, by creating a more focused regulatory approach for small entities, the Small Entity Update Act will make it easier for entrepreneurs across the country to achieve the American Dream. Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to vote for this bill, H.R. 3382.

Mrs. WAGNER

Mrs. WAGNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Srebrenica Genocide. I thank the Congress of Bosniaks for bringing together dignitaries, faith leaders, human rights advocates, policymakers, scholars, and community leaders from around the country to mourn loved ones lost, and commit ourselves anew to a future of peace, mutual tolerance, and truth. I want to give a special welcome to the delegation from my home state of Missouri. I represent the largest Bosnian community outside of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Over the years, I've had the honor to get to know and share meals with Bosnian families in my district, so many of whom came to Saint Louis in the wake of the tragic wars of the nineties. This community has shaped what the city looks and feels like; it has added great cultural diversity to the city, immense intellectual capital, thriving small businesses, and a strong religious presence. Three decades ago, members of our Bosnian community were refugees. In 1995, Orthodox Serbs under the command of General Ratko Mladic initiated a horrific ethnic cleansing campaign against majority-Muslim Bosniaks. The escalating bloodshed forced 130,000 Bosnian refugees to seek new lives in the United States. Thousands more were murdered in Srebrenica. We remember those unthinkable events as the Srebrenica Genocide. On the 30th Commemoration of the genocide, I wish to honor the memory of innocent lives lost and celebrate the courage and indomitable spirit of the survivors--especially my Bosnian neighbors, whose wit, warmth, and generosity inspires me to seek change. With conflict and turmoil roiling every corner of the world, including the Western Balkans, it is so important to look back at the experiences of the Bosnian people during the wars and genocide of the 1990's. When we say ``never again,'' we must mean it. That is why I am leading bipartisan legislation, the Upholding the Dayton Peace Agreement Through Sanctions Act, that would codify and mandate key sanctions authorities to send an unmistakable message to any actor that threatens the peace, security, stability, or territorial integrity of Bosnia. Sanctions work. The State Department told me that Republika Srpska officials begged the U.S., ``Please, no more sanctions.'' However, much more leverage needs to be brought to bear against Dodik and his inner circle, their Russian backers, and the corrupt politicians who recklessly use ethnic tension to grow their power and wealth. This bill has overwhelmingly passed the House multiple times, and I am pleased to announce that I reintroduced it earlier this week, alongside my fellow co-chairs of the Bosnia Caucus, Representatives Turner, Auchincloss, and Bell. With Dodik's separatists emboldened to a shocking degree and the institutions of Dayton under overt attack, it could not be clearer: the time to enact this legislation is now. I thank those who traveled for this Commemoration and their commitment to justice and truth. They have many friends in Congress who will always fight for a peaceful, prosperous Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Mrs. WAGNER

Mrs. WAGNER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Mr. Speaker, in closing, the Expanding Access to Capital for Rural Job Creators Act takes care of our hardworking small business owners who are ready to grow. They deserve a seat at the table, Mr. Speaker. I urge all of my colleagues to support H.R. 1190. I commend the Representative from Montana (Mr. Downing) for introducing this legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. WAGNER. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Montana (Mr. Downing), my friend.

Mrs. WAGNER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1190, the Expanding Access to Capital for Rural Job Creators Act. I commend Congressman Downing for leading this commonsense bipartisan bill. Too often, the conversation around capital formation is centered on financial hubs like New York and San Francisco, but the backbone of America's economy is the local business communities in cities and towns and rural areas across all 50 States: the family-run manufacturers, agricultural innovators, entrepreneurs, and small-town tech startups. These businesses face unique but very real obstacles when trying to raise capital. H.R. 1190 ensures that those voices aren't left out. The bill directs the SEC's Office of the Advocate for Small Business Capital Formation to proactively engage with rural communities, study the structural funding gaps that they face, and tackle their challenges when crafting policies. This is not about expanding bureaucracy. It is about sharpening the focus of an office that already exists to ensure that its mission reflects the incredible variety of businesses that are the engine of the U.S. economy. We all have rural counties in our districts where hardworking small business owners are ready to grow if only they can access the capital that they need. This bill gives them a seat at the table and a voice in sharpening the policies that affect their future. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 1190, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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 this bill.

Mrs. WAGNER. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1190) to amend the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to expand access to capital for rural-area small businesses, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mrs. WAGNER

Mrs. WAGNER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. In closing, the Encouraging Public Offerings Act is about giving growing businesses the confidence to enter the public markets and helping them reach new investors, expand operations, and create jobs across the country. I ask my colleagues to support my bill, H.R. 3381, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. WAGNER

Mrs. WAGNER. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 910) to require the Secretary of the Treasury to pursue more equitable treatment of Taiwan at the international financial institutions, and for other purposes, as amended.

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 bill.

Mrs. WAGNER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 910, the Taiwan Non- Discrimination Act of 2025. I will start by thanking Representative Kim for her important work on this legislation. Following the House's passage of this bill last Congress, Taiwan announced that it would seek membership from the International Monetary Fund, or IMF. This is a direct result of the gentlewoman's leadership on the issue, and I applaud her for her dedication and her efforts. Taiwan boasts a resilient and innovation-driven economy powered by its high-tech industries, robust financial institutions, and dynamic export sector. The island plays a significant role in global supply chains, particularly in the semiconductor and advanced manufacturing sectors. Yet, despite its economic strength and proven track record of responsible financial governance, Taiwan continues to be marginalized and held to a second-class standard by the IMF. Make no mistake, Mr. Speaker, Taiwan is eligible to join the IMF, and U.S. policy has long supported Taiwan's membership in international organizations whenever possible. Excluding Taiwan undermines the legitimacy and effectiveness of the IMF as a truly global institution in an increasingly complex world economy. The IMF's core mission involves advising governments on economic reform. What better society can the IMF point to when driving home the importance of good policies. Taiwan's per capital GDP has grown more than 35 times larger since the end of the Chinese Civil War. The island has crucial insights to offer an institution that seeks to put its borrowers on stable footing. It is long overdue for Taiwan to receive the recognition and representation it rightfully deserves at the IMF. Mr. Speaker, I urge all my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 910, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. WAGNER. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Kim).

Mrs. WAGNER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. In closing, Mr. Speaker, it is long overdue for Taiwan to receive the recognition and representation it rightfully deserves at the IMF. I urge all my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 910, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. WAGNER

Mrs. WAGNER. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1713) to amend the Defense Production Act of 1950 to include the Secretary of Agriculture as a member of the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States, and for other purposes, as amended.

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 this bill.

Mrs. WAGNER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1713, the Agricultural Risk Review Act of 2025. I thank Representative Lucas for his longstanding leadership on this important legislation. Today, the United States confronts a critical issue at the intersection of national security and agriculture: foreign investment in American farmland. The Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States, or CFIUS, plays a vital role in safeguarding our country by reviewing foreign acquisitions that could pose risks to our national security. Ensuring that CFIUS has the right expertise and authority to evaluate these transactions is more important than ever. For the first time since 2007, H.R. 1713 would formally add a Cabinet Secretary to CFIUS, giving the Secretary of Agriculture an official role in reviewing relevant agricultural transactions for national security risks. CFIUS has long held jurisdiction over foreign acquisitions of agricultural businesses, including farmland involved in interstate commerce. Since 2018, it has also been authorized to perform reviews of land purchases near sensitive government sites. However, there is a need to connect the Agriculture Department's expertise, including its longstanding tracking of farmland purchases, with CFIUS' operations. CFIUS could greatly benefit from the Secretary's expertise, and that is what Congressman Lucas' legislation allows. As one of the first Members of Congress to recognize this need at CFIUS, I applaud Representative Lucas for his foresight and his dedication in advancing this legislation. I look forward to supporting his bill today. I urge all my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 1713, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. WAGNER. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. Lucas).

Mrs. WAGNER. Mr. Speaker, in closing, there is a need to connect the Agriculture Department's expertise, including its longstanding tracking of farmland purchases, with CFIUS' operations. I look forward to supporting this bill today. I urge my colleagues to do so and join me in supporting H.R. 1713, and I applaud Mr. Lucas for this bill. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. WAGNER

Mrs. WAGNER. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3352) to require the Securities and Exchange Commission to revise rules relating to general solicitation or general advertising to allow for presentations or other communication made by or on behalf of an issuer at certain events, and for other purposes, as amended.

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 this bill.

Mrs. WAGNER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3352, the Helping Angels Lead Our Startups Act, and I thank Congressman Lawler for his leadership on this bipartisan bill. Around the country, early-stage entrepreneurs are developing new technologies, products, and services not in boardrooms but in shared workspaces, university labs, and community accelerators. At this stage, the most important thing they need is capital and, often, a chance to talk with potential investors. That is what makes events like demo days so important. These are informational forums where startups share their business ideas, not investment pitches. Under earlier SEC guidance, even participating in one of these events could be considered a ``general solicitation,'' which, in turn, could block the startup from using key offering exemptions. Although the SEC has since addressed this through rule 148, H.R. 3352 codifies those protections and ensures that demo day participation does not unintentionally violate securities laws, provided certain conditions are met. This bill strikes the right balance. It doesn't weaken investor protections. It simply ensures our regulations don't punish small businesses for talking about their work. H.R. 3352 supports entrepreneurship, encourages capital formation, and reflects how innovation actually happens. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support it, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. WAGNER. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Lawler).

Mrs. WAGNER. Mr. Speaker, in closing, H.R. 3352 supports entrepreneurship, encourages capital formation, and reflects how innovation actually happens. I urge my colleagues to support Mr. Lawler's bill, H.R. 3352. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. WAGNER

Mrs. WAGNER. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2225) to permit a registered investment company to omit certain fees from the calculation of Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses, and for other purposes, as amended.