Virginia Foxx
Representative for North Carolina · Republican · United States
“The bill, as amended, shall be considered as read. All points of order against provisions in the bill, as amended, are waived. The previous question shall be considered as ordered on the bill, as amended, and on any further amendment thereto, to final passage without intervening motion except: (1) one hour of debate equally divided and co…”
“Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Mr. Speaker, we live in the greatest country in the world. We just celebrated the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. We have a lot more to be talking about, about the founding of this country, and I hope people will pay close attention to that.”
“No one should benefit from public service, but wouldn't the easiest way to do that be to just completely ban stock trading entirely, not take the baby steps attached to this bill included in the rule? Still, I was open to voting for the bill, to accept that incremental but wholly insufficient progress. What I am not open to, Mr.”
“Will they vote with me to fund important priorities, such as the programs that will allow communities in my district and many others to clean up and recover from years of PFAS contamination, or will they vote to hold hostage programs that will make Appalachia communities, like mine, healthier all to score political points?”
“McGovern of Massachusetts Strike section 8 of the resolution, insert the following, and redesignate the subsequent sections accordingly: Sec. 8. Upon adoption of this resolution it shall be in order to consider in the House the bill (H.R.”
“113 begins the process to provide urgent, necessary resources for our Nation's firefighters, reinforce election integrity measures, and support the hardworking men and women of our agricultural community so that our Nation's food supply and food security remain as strong as they possibly can be. H.R.”
The complete record
Every one of 319 lines we hold for Virginia Foxx, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 2 of 7.
“8800 for amendment, the chair and ranking minority member of the Committee on Armed Services or their respective designees may offer up to 10 pro forma amendments each at any point for the purpose of debate. Sec. 5. At the conclusion of consideration of H.R. 8800 for amendment the Committee shall rise and report the bill, as amended, to the House with such further amendments as may have been adopted. The previous question shall be considered as ordered on the bill, as amended, and on any further amendment thereto to final passage without intervening motion except one motion to recommit. Sec. 6. Upon adoption of this resolution it shall be in order to consider in the House the bill (H.R. 8884) to amend title II of the Social Security Act to reauthorize demonstration authority for the disability insurance program.”
“It shall be in order at any time for the chair of the Committee on Armed Services or his designee to offer amendments en bloc consisting of further amendments printed in part A of the report of the Committee on Rules accompanying this resolution not earlier disposed of. Amendments en bloc offered pursuant to this section shall be considered as read, shall be debatable for 40 minutes equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking minority member of the Committee on Armed Services or their respective designees, shall not be subject to amendment except as provided by section 4 of this resolution, and shall not be subject to a demand for division of the question in the House or in the Committee of the Whole. Sec. 4. During consideration of H.R.”
“(b) Each further amendment printed in part A of the report of the Committee on Rules shall be considered only in the order printed in the report, may be offered only by a Member designated in the report, shall be considered as read, shall be debatable for the time specified in the report equally divided and controlled by the proponent and an opponent, shall not be subject to amendment except as provided by section 4 of this resolution, and shall not be subject to a demand for division of the question in the House or in the Committee of the Whole. (c) All points of order against further amendments printed in part A of the report of the Committee on Rules or against amendments en bloc described in section 3 of this resolution are waived. Sec. 3.”
“All points of order against provisions in the bill, as amended, are waived. Sec. 2. (a) No further amendment to H.R. 8800, as amended, shall be in order except those printed in part A of the report of the Committee on Rules accompanying this resolution, amendments en bloc described in section 3 of this resolution, and pro forma amendments described in section 4 of this resolution.”
“General debate shall be confined to the bill and amendments specified in this section and shall not exceed one hour equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking minority member of the Committee on Armed Services or their respective designees. After general debate the bill shall be considered for amendment under the five-minute rule. In lieu of the amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the Committee on Armed Services now printed in the bill, an amendment in the nature of a substitute consisting of the text of Rules Committee Print 119-33 shall be considered as adopted in the House and in the Committee of the Whole. The bill, as amended, shall be considered as the original bill for the purpose of further amendment under the five-minute rule and shall be considered as read.”
“Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 1438 and ask for its immediate consideration. The Clerk read the resolution, as follows: H. Res. 1438 Resolved, That at any time after adoption of this resolution the Speaker may, pursuant to clause 2(b) of rule XVIII, declare the House resolved into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for consideration of the bill (H.R. 8800) to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2027 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes. The first reading of the bill shall be dispensed with. All points of order against consideration of the bill are waived.”
“Michael Poliakoff, the president of ACTA, captured this sentiment perfectly in this report: ``The birth of America 250 years ago amazed the world, and our founding documents have inspired the search for freedom and human rights throughout the world. The colleges and universities built and maintained by the vision and generosity of generations of Americans owe it to the Nation to ensure that every student they graduate understands the precious heritage we share.'' Let us not forget the wisdom of Thomas Jefferson who once opined on this very issue: ``If a nation expects to be ignorant and free, in a state of civilization, it expects what never was and never will be.'' I commend ACTA and the many authors who contributed to this report for calling attention to this issue. It is one that we all would do well to wholeheartedly support.”
“The broadside is reminiscent of the many broadsides published during the revolutionary period that were so important in informing the people along with getting their support for the revolution. Being an informed citizen isn't passe. It is one of our most sacred responsibilities as Americans and one we cannot afford to abandon or ignore. As the report's authors lay out: ``True patriotism includes a commitment to and appreciation of American values and principles. Since the founding of our Nation, our greatest leaders have recognized that our freedom and our prosperity depend on informed and engaged citizens.'' We just celebrated 250 years of American greatness, Mr. Speaker, and we ought to do all that we can to learn of and espouse the values and principles that make America the greatest country in the world.”
“We should all take the time to recognize the impeccable, business- driven and value-driven people in our communities and across the Nation like the McCourt family for all they do in supporting our great American economy. a modern broadside Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, I rise to highlight a very insightful and pertinent report from the American Council of Trustees and Alumni, ACTA, titled: ``A Broadside for the Nation, Preparing College Students for Informed Citizenship.'' ACTA is a wonderful, nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting academic excellence, academic freedom, and accountability through the trustees at America's colleges and universities as well as informing and engaging the general public.”
“After building his reputation and business acumen across Europe, he and his wife, Eileen, relocated their family to the United States, and he soon established his own distributorship in Texas. Fast-forward to today, and the McCourt family runs a highly successful equipment business with a reputation and a track record that is steeped [[Page H4686]] in high quality and unparalleled commitment. Their business is family owned and family operated with over 500 years of experience in the industry and over 150 employees. I was fortunate to meet members of the McCourt family recently in Washington through Associated Equipment Distributors. They are a wonderful group of dedicated people. The wonderful story of their parents, John and Eileen, as well as the story and success of their entire family, is something to marvel at, Mr. Speaker.”
“Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 119 (Tuesday, July 21, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 119 (Tuesday, July 21, 2026)] [House] [Pages H4685-H4686] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] THE WONDERFUL McCOURT FAMILY (Ms. Foxx of North Carolina was recognized to address the House for 5 minutes.) Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize John McCourt and his wonderful wife, Eileen, who are the epitome of the American Dream. John began his career in 1970 in County Tyrone, Ireland, in the screening equipment business on the factory assembly line for Powerscreen International Limited.”
“Section 303 of the Congressional Budget Act, which prohibits consideration of legislation providing new budget authority, a change in revenues, or a change in the public debt limit, for a fiscal year until the budget resolution for that year has been agreed to. ____________________”
“Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 119 (Tuesday, July 21, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 119 (Tuesday, July 21, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E715] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] REPORT (H. REPT. 119-755 TO ACCOMPANY HOUSE RESOLUTION 1438 ______ HON. VIRGINIA FOXX of north carolina in the house of representatives Tuesday, July 21, 2026 Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, the Rules Committee report (H. Rept. 119-755) to accompany House Resolution 1438 should have included in its waivers of all points of order against consideration of H.R. 6955 a disclosure of the following violations: Clause 10 of rule XXI, which prohibits consideration of a measure if it has the net effect of increasing mandatory spending over the current, five-year, or ten-year period.”
“Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time, and I move the previous question on the resolution. The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Kustoff). The question is on ordering the previous question. The question was taken; and the Speaker pro tempore announced that the ayes appeared to have it. Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays. The yeas and nays were ordered. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further proceedings on this question will be postponed. ____________________”
“``(b) Payment restrictions.--A Member of Congress may not pay any of the penalties under this section by using amounts from the following sources: ``(1) The Members' Representational Allowance. ``(2) The Senators' Official Personnel and Office Expense Account. ``(3) Any contribution (as defined in section 301(8) of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (52 U.S.C. 30101(8))) accepted as a candidate, and any other donation received as support for activities of the individual as a holder of Federal office. ``(c) Publication.--Each supervising ethics office shall publish on a publicly available website a description of-- ``(1) each fine assessed by the supervising ethics office pursuant to this section; ``(2) the reason why each such fine was assessed; and ``(3) the result of each assessment.''. Ms. FOXX. Mr.”
“``(i) Interpretative guidance.--The supervising ethics office shall issue interpretive guidance on any relevant term not defined in this subchapter. ``Sec. 13153. Penalties ``(a) In general.-- ``(1) PENALTIES.--Any covered individual who violates the restrictions on trading or ownership of covered investments in section 13152 shall, at the direction of the supervising ethics office-- ``(A) pay a fee equal to ten percent of the value of the covered investment; and ``(B) disgorge the profits of any transaction that violates the provisions of this subchapter. ``(2) PAYMENT OF PENALTY TO TREASURY.--A penalty imposed under paragraph (1)(B) shall be payable into the Treasury of the United States.”
“``(g) Assets acquired in special circumstances.--In the event that a covered individual acquires a covered investment after the date of enactment of the Restore Trust in Government Act other than by purchase (such as by marriage, inheritance, divorce settlement, or other circumstance), the covered individual shall have 90 days from the date on which such investment was acquired to divest such covered investment at fair market value. ``(h) Extension.--A supervising ethics office may grant a covered individual an extension of time to comply with a divestment deadline under this subchapter if a covered investment cannot be divested by such deadline due to low liquidity, vesting schedules, or contractual restrictions.”
“``(2) FAMILY TRUST.--A supervising ethics office may grant an exemption for covered investments held in a family trust only if-- ``A) no covered individual-- ``(i) is a grantor of the family trust; ``(ii) contributed any covered investment to the family trust; or ``(iii) has any authority over a trustee of the family trust, including the authority to appoint, replace, or direct the actions of such a trustee; and ``(B) the grantor of the family trust is or was a family member of the covered individual. ``(3) REQUESTS.--A covered individual seeking an exemption under paragraph (2) shall submit to the applicable supervising ethics office a request for the exemption, in writing, certifying that the conditions described in that paragraph are met.”
“``(e) Occupational exception.--A spouse or dependent child of a covered individual as described in section 13151(2)(B) may trade any covered investment if such covered investment is not owned by a covered individual and if such trade is performed as a function of the primary occupation of the spouse or dependent child. ``(f) Trusts.-- ``(1) QUALIFIED BLIND TRUST.--Any covered investment held in a qualified blind trust as defined in section 13104(f)(3) shall be divested in accordance with subsection (b)(1)(B) by the effective date established in subsection (b)(2).”
“``(2) ISSUANCE OF CERTIFICATE OF DIVESTITURE.-- ``(A) IN GENERAL.--Each supervising ethics office shall issue a certificate of divestiture to each covered individual required to divest under this subchapter upon submission of proof of compliance by such individual with the requirements to divest or any extensions granted by the supervising ethics office. ``(B) ELIGIBILITY.--Such certificate shall include an identification of each specific property eligible for the application of the certificate of divestiture program as determined by the supervising ethics office. ``(d) Income tax.--A loss from a transaction or holding involving a covered financial instrument that is conducted in violation of this section may not be deducted from the amount of income tax owed by the covered individual.”
“``(c) Certificates of divestiture.-- ``(1) APPLICATION OF CERTIFICATE OF DIVESTITURE PROGRAM.-- For purposes of section 1043 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986-- ``(A) this section shall be treated as a Federal conflict of interest statute; ``(B) any covered individual described in section 13151(2)(A) shall be treated as an eligible person described in section 1043(b)(1)(A) of such Code; and ``(C) any spouse or dependent child described in section 13151(2)(B) shall be treated as an eligible person described in section 1043(b)(1)(B) of such Code.”
“``(b) Compliance.-- ``(1) REQUIREMENT.--To comply with subsection (a)-- ``(A) a covered individual may not purchase a covered investment; and ``(B) a covered individual shall divest of any covered investment by the effective date established in paragraph (2) at fair market value. ``(2) EFFECTIVE DATE.--The effective date is established as follows: ``(A) 180 days for an individual who is a covered individual on the date of enactment of the Restore Trust in Government Act. ``(B) 90 days within the date on which an individual becomes a covered individual if such date occurs after the date of enactment of the Restore Trust in Government Act.”
“``(6) SECURITY.--The term `security' has the meaning given the term in section 3(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78c(a)). ``(7) SMALL BUSINESS CONCERN.--The term `small business concern' has the meaning given that term under section 3 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 632). ``(8) SUPERVISING ETHICS OFFICE.--The term `supervising ethics office' has the meaning given the term in section 13101. ``Sec. 13152. Trade and ownership of covered investments ``(a) Conduct during federal service.--Except as described in subsection (b)(1)(B) and [[Page H4705]] subsections (e) through (g), no covered individual may, directly or indirectly, own or trade a covered investment.”
“1606(g)(1)(A)); or ``(viii) any share of Settlement Common Stock, as defined in section 3 of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (43 U.S.C. 1602). ``(4) DIVERSIFIED.--The term `diversified', with respect to an investment fund, means such fund does not have a stated policy of concentrating its investments in any industry, business, single country other than the United States, or bonds of a single State within the United States except for the State in which the Member of Congress resides. ``(5) FUTURE.--The term `future' means a financial contract obligating the buyer to purchase an asset or the seller to sell an asset, such as a physical commodity or a financial investment, at a predetermined future date and price.”
“``(3) COVERED INVESTMENT.--The term `covered investment'-- ``(A) means an investment in a security, a commodity, a future, or any comparable economic interest acquired through synthetic means, such as the use of a derivative, including an option, warrant, or other similar means; and ``(B) does not include-- ``(i) a widely held investment fund described in section 13104(f)(8) that is diversified and publicly traded on a national or regional stock exchange; ``(ii) a United States Treasury bill, note, or bond; ``(iii) a State or municipal government bill, note, or bond; ``(iv) any compensation received by a spouse or a dependent child described in paragraph (2) from an employer of the spouse or dependent child; ``(v) an interest in a small business concern and, in the case of an investment in a family farm or ranch that qualifies as an interest in a small business concern, a future or commodity directly related to the farming activities and products of the farm or ranch; ``(vi) an interest in a limited liability company created for the sole purpose of purchasing or holding real estate that serves as the personal residences of the Member of Congress; ``(vii) any share of Settlement Common Stock issued under section 7(g)(1)(A) of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (43 U.S.C.”
“``(D) The President, or the spouse or a dependent child (as defined in section 13101) of the President. ``(E) The Vice President, or the spouse or a dependent child (as defined in section 13101) of the Vice President. ``(F) A Supreme Court Justice, or the spouse or a dependent child (as defined in section 13101) of the Supreme Court Justice.”
“Definitions ``In this subchapter: ``(1) COMMODITY.--The term `commodity'-- ``(A) has the meaning given the term in section la of the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. 1a); and ``(B) does not include a precious metal (as defined in section 1027.100 of title 31, Code of Federal Regulations). ``(2) COVERED INDIVIDUAL.--The term `covered individual' means any of the following: ``(A) A Member of Congress, as defined in section 13101. ``(B) A dependent child (as defined in section 13101) or a spouse of a Member of Congress. ``(C) A trustee of a trust in which an individual described in subparagraph (A) or (B) has a beneficial interest in the principal or income of the trust as described in section 1403(b)(5) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.”
“Sec. 9. The amendment referred to in section 8 of this resolution is as follows: Strike all after page 1, line 1, and insert the following: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Restore Trust in Government Act''. SEC. 2. RESTRICTIONS ON TRADE AND OWNERSHIP OF COVERED INVESTMENTS. (a) Table of contents.--The table of contents for chapter 131 of title 5, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: SUBCHAPTER IV. RESTRICTIONS ON TRADE AND OWNERSHIP OF COVERED INVESTMENTS 13151. Definitions. 13152. Trade and ownership of covered investments. 13153. Penalties. (b) Restrictions.--Chapter 131 of title 5, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end a new subchapter: ``SUBCHAPTER IV--RESTRICTIONS ON TRADE AND OWNERSHIP OF COVERED INVESTMENTS ``Sec. 13151.”
“The bill, as amended, shall be considered as read. All points of order against provisions in the bill, as amended, are waived. The previous question shall be considered as ordered on the bill, as amended, and on any further amendment thereto, to final passage without intervening motion except: (1) one hour of debate equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking minority member of the Committee on House Administration or their respective designees; (2) the further amendment specified in section 9 of this resolution, if offered by Representative Magaziner of Rhode Island or a designee, which shall be in order without intervention of any point of order, shall be considered as read, shall be separately debatable for 10 minutes equally divided and controlled by the proponent and an opponent, and shall not be subject to a demand for division of the question; and (3) one motion to recommit.”
“McGovern of Massachusetts Strike section 8 of the resolution, insert the following, and redesignate the subsequent sections accordingly: Sec. 8. Upon adoption of this resolution it shall be in order to consider in the House the bill (H.R. 7008) to amend chapter 131 of title 5 to require certain restrictions on stocks for Members of Congress and their spouses and dependents, and for other purposes. All points of order against consideration of the bill are waived. In lieu of the amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the Committee on House Administration now printed in the bill, an amendment in the nature of a substitute consisting of the text of Rules Committee Print 119-38, modified by the amendment printed in part B of the report of the Committee on Rules accompanying this resolution, shall be considered as adopted.”
“Speaker, it is really no secret that this is a week of monumental importance in the people's House. The rule and six underlying measures carry with them a commitment to deliver upon the priorities of the President, the Nation, and the American people. Some are quick to write off the progress that this Republican majority has made thus far, and they are dead wrong in doing so. This week, Mr. Speaker, we will continue to build upon that progress in just the one issue I discussed, H.R. 1. {time} 1310 Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on the previous question and ``yes'' on the rule. The material previously referred to by Mr. McGovern is as follows: An Amendment To H. Res. 1438 Offered By Mr.”
“Over 29 million filers claimed no tax on overtime with an average deduction of over $3,100, and over 35 million seniors have claimed the enhanced deduction for seniors with an average deduction of over $7,500. We do, indeed, care for the American people in allowing them to keep the fruits of their labor. More than 5.5 million Trump Accounts have been opened with 1.4 million eligible for the $1,000 pilot program contribution. Nearly 40 million families have claimed the enhanced child tax credit, and over 127 million filers, or 90 percent of all tax filers, have claimed the permanently doubled standard deduction. We do, indeed, care for American taxpayers. I am not at all surprised by the recent rant from our colleague when one-half of the Democrats could not vote for a resolution against socialism. Mr.”
“We believe on the Republican side that the people have a right to what they have earned and not that the government should take their money and spend it the way the government wants to spend it. Let me remind our colleagues that just 1 year ago H.R. 1 delivered the largest middle- and working-class tax cut in U.S. history. Low- income workers realized the largest percentage reduction in their tax liability. Yes, we indeed care about the American people and the fruits of their labor. Nearly 40 percent of taxpayers have claimed one of President Donald Trump's signature cuts this year. This tax season over 7.5 million filers claimed no tax on tips, with an average deduction of over $7,000.”
“People have had it. They are fed up with the corruption in Washington. They are fed up with the policies that reward the well-off and well- connected. They are tired of getting screwed over. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time. [[Page H4704]] Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Mr. Speaker, we live in the greatest country in the world. We just celebrated the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. We have a lot more to be talking about, about the founding of this country, and I hope people will pay close attention to that. We do have a government that is on the side of the American people. We believe in capitalism. Our friends across the aisle constantly talk about how much people need to be paying more in taxes.”
“We will hear talks about socialism and communism and all this other stuff to get people to not focus in on the fact that they are getting screwed over. The American people deserve more than excuses. They deserve more than distractions. They deserve more than another blank check for the people on top from this failed Republican majority. They deserve a government that is on their side. They deserve a government that is on their side, and that is not what they are getting here. Mr. Speaker, I urge a ``no'' vote on this rule. We have to do better. We have to do better. The American people are hurting, and my friends on the other side of the aisle behave like everything is just fine and nobody is noticing. Go and do in-person townhalls in your districts, I would say to all my colleagues who are listening, and you will get an earful.”
“They have time to protect the President, bail out powerful special interests, and finance another endless war. However, helping working people somehow never makes the cut. It never makes the cut. Mr. Speaker, these bills are not just stacks of paper. They are statements on our values. They tell people who matter, who gets hurt, who gets helped, and who are expected to fend for themselves. The answer from MAGA has been painfully clear, Mr. Speaker: The greedy get protected. The well-connected get rewarded, and everyone else gets told: Sorry, maybe next time. Again, I ask: Are Americans better off? The answer is ``no.'' Do the measures in this rule lower their costs, improve their healthcare, make them safer, or give them greater peace of mind? The answer is absolutely ``no.'' Nothing does that.”
“There is a lot packed into this rule, a budget resolution, a continuing resolution, a Defense bill, a disability bill, a banking bill, a bill on Congressional stock trading, and a bill to rig the elections. I could go on and on and on. Republicans could not--could not--find a single provision for us to consider today about lowering the cost of housing, or lowering the cost of food, or lowering the cost of medicine or healthcare or electricity. There is nothing--nothing in anything we are going to be considering does any of that or focuses on any of those issues. They have time to weaken bank oversight. They have time to combine a watered-down stock trading bill with new restrictions on voting. They have time to bring back bills that failed weeks ago.”
“Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time. Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, I think after that, I will reserve the balance of my time. Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Mr. Speaker, I want to return to the question I asked at the start of this debate: Are Americans better off than they were 18 months ago? Think about the family sitting at the kitchen table tonight. The rent is due. The electric bill is higher, and groceries cost more. The gas tank is on empty. A prescription is waiting at the pharmacy. Somebody is trying to figure out which bill they can put off for 1 more week. That family does not need a lecture about how great Donald Trump is. They know what life costs, and they know it costs more--much, much more--than it did 18 months ago. Eighteen months is long enough to judge a majority by its choices.”
“They don't want to talk about that, and they definitely don't want to talk about their higher grocery prices or skyrocketing gas prices or higher inflation or the cost of healthcare or their new endless illegal war that has now cost over $100 billion. Instead, they scream and they yell because they have nothing else left to offer. This would be funny, Mr. Speaker, if it weren't so pathetic and so unhinged. Mr. Speaker, Democrats are patriots who love this country enough to fight for it. We are fighting to make it easier for people to afford groceries. We are fighting to try to make it easier for people to afford rent, prescription drugs, and healthcare. We will not be lectured by a fascist Republican Party that offers the American people nothing but lies, fear, endless culture wars, and tax breaks for billionaires. Mr.”
“It is a party that, in fact, pardoned everyone who invaded this building on January 6, 2021, and tried to throw out the votes of millions of Americans because the President couldn't accept a loss. How dare that party lecture anyone. How dare they talk about communism when their own party has totally lost touch not just with the founding ideals of this country but lost touch with reality itself? If we are going to start assigning political labels based on conduct, then let's call things by their proper names. The Republican Party has become the party of fascism, full stop. They have become a party of far-right fascists who are hell-bent on destroying our country and our way of life. Every single time they call us Communists, it is nothing more than a projection of their own radicalization.”
“It is a party that says their political opponents are internal enemies and calls them ``the enemy within.'' It is a party that is okay with invading our allies, including other democracies, and it is a party that punishes their political opponents. It is a party that has deployed troops on our own streets, that wants to use the American military on the American people. It is a party that believes any unhinged lie, fantasy, and conspiracy theory as long as it comes from one man. {time} 1300 It is a party that tries to lock up Members of Congress for exercising their free speech rights. It is a party that has tried to violently overthrow the results of a free and fair election in the United States of America.”
“These guys dust off the same, tired, old talking points every time they are backed into a corner. Every time a new poll comes out saying that their economic agenda sucks, what they do is they change the subject. They try to divert attention. It is pathetic. But, fine, if they want to play that game, let's play that game. Let's talk about the Republican Party, a party that worships one man above the Constitution in a cult of personality, a party that demonizes immigrants and says they poison the blood of our country, a party that calls the free press the enemy of the people and sics the Justice Department on journalists they don't like.”
“I just want to address something that happened this morning, and that is the Republican leadership in this House held this wackadoodle press conference. I have never quite seen anything like it, trying to divert attention away from issues of affordability and get people to look someplace else. Basically, the Republican Party's new favorite talking point is calling Democrats Communists. I mean, oh, my God, Mr. Speaker, I mean, really? Really? Communists? Did we accidentally step into a time machine? I get it. I get it. They don't want to talk about the real issues, the bread-and-butter issues. They don't want to talk about affordability. I guess my question is, is Joe McCarthy back from the dead? It sounds like that is who wrote all the garbage coming from Republicans about communism.”
“Speaker, you know, one of the frustrating things about kind of where we are in terms of political debate in this country is that issues that really matter to regular people are being ignored or being shoved aside because, quite frankly, Republicans don't want to do anything about it. They know that their agenda is unpopular. They know that people are struggling with the issue of affordability. They know that people are having a tough time paying their rent, filling up their gas tanks, affording healthcare costs--I can go on and on and on--buying food, and they don't want to talk about that. They know that the American people kind of are sick and tired of what they are doing here, and so they are trying to divert attention.”
“Photo ID as a form of verification is a part of American life. Americans must show an ID to participate in a wide range of everyday activities, including boarding a plane, entering government buildings, cashing their checks, buying a gun, and enjoying Olive Garden's Never Ending Pasta Bowl. Politico just announced that more than 6,000 noncitizens were registered to vote in New Jersey and have been voting since 2023. This is clearly an issue which must be addressed. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time. [[Page H4703]] Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr.”
“The Supreme Court has held photo ID laws are constitutional only where the State provides a photo ID to those who do not have them. In other words, a photo ID requirement in the bill is not a barrier to voting for someone who cannot afford to pay the typical photo ID fee. The data supports that Democrats are being disingenuous when they claim this bill would suppress voting. The nonpartisan National Bureau of Economic Research tracked 1.6 billion data points over an 8-year period. This massive amount of data confirms strict voter ID laws have no statistically measurable negative impact on voter participation. This comprehensive, multiyear study found zero negative impact on overall registration or turnout, no drops in participation among minority or young voters, and an increase in Hispanic participation in some ID law States.”
“The bill permits voters to use several different forms of photo ID: a valid State-issued motor vehicle driver's license that includes a photo of the individual and an expiration date, a valid State-issued identification card that includes a photo of the individual and an expiration date issued by a State motor vehicle authority, a valid United States passport for the individual, a valid photo identification card for the individual issued by the Department of Defense or the Department of Veterans Affairs, or a valid identification document issued by a Tribal government that includes a photo of the individual and an expiration date. While my friends across the aisle claim the bill will prevent individuals who cannot afford a photo ID from voting, this is nothing but false alarmism.”
“It is one more ruse by this Republican majority to distract the public from their inability or their unwillingness, or both, to rein in costs and address corruption. The American people deserve so much better. I urge a ``no'' vote. Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, the voter ID provisions in this bill amend the Help America Vote Act to require States to obtain a photo ID from an individual to vote in person in a Federal election or to require a copy of the photo ID to be submitted with a ballot cast other than in person. These requirements do not apply to an absent uniformed services voter or an individual provided the right to vote other than in person by the Voting Accessibility for the Elderly and Handicapped Act.”
“No one should benefit from public service, but wouldn't the easiest way to do that be to just completely ban stock trading entirely, not take the baby steps attached to this bill included in the rule? Still, I was open to voting for the bill, to accept that incremental but wholly insufficient progress. What I am not open to, Mr. Speaker, is accepting modest progress on stock ethics, insufficient progress in exchange for significantly compromising American voting rights, and that is also exactly what this bill would do. It would add unnecessary and unrelated provisions that make it harder for Americans to vote. Republicans can't even be bothered to provide the IDs they would have Americans be required to have in order to vote. In fact, that was in the bill, and they took it out. That is not reform, Mr. Speaker. That is a bait-and-switch.”
“He says: ``The House will pass a $12 billion bailout for farmers suffering from high fuel & fertilizer prices caused by the Iran war, expensive equipment & parts caused by tariffs, and lower sales prices for commodities due to trade disputes with China. But the GOP is fighting communism!'' The Republican leadership had a big press conference earlier today. It was all about communism, but I have to say to Mr. Massie, I don't think I have heard truer words spoken by a Republican Member of Congress. I really appreciate that, the truth, the accuracy of what the situation is. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Olszewski). Mr. OLSZEWSKI. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to this rule. I agree, it is past time that we ban congressional insider trading.”