Maxwell Frost
Representative for Florida · Democratic · United States
“He murdered 49 angels in my community and wounded another 49. Instead of helping to prevent the next tragedy, this bill makes it easier for those warning signs to be missed yet again. It strips law enforcement of an essential tool to stop violence before it happens, making every community in our Nation less safe.”
“Mr. Speaker, I think it is important to say because we hear over and over from our colleagues about the Constitution: If using merchant category codes violated the Fourth Amendment, where is your bill on amending this for every purchase at a pharmacy, liquor store, or casino? This is a standard accounting tool that is used by banks.”
“Mr. Speaker, I strongly oppose the Protecting Privacy in Purchases Act. Sponsors claim this bill prevents the privacy of gun owners, but in reality, it protects mass shooters, terrorists, gun traffickers, and the profits of the firearms industry.”
“Mr. Speaker, I have a motion to recommit at the desk. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Clerk will report the motion to recommit. The Clerk read as follows: Mr. Frost of FL moves to recommit the bill H.R. 1181 to the Committee on Financial Services. The material previously referred to by Mr. Frost is as follows: Mr.”
“General Raaen led his unit up the steep bluffs of Normandy Beach, helping liberate prisoners from Nazi concentration camps and marking the beginning of the Allied victory in World War II.”
“Congressional Record, Volume 171 Issue 70 (Monday, April 28, 2025) [Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 70 (Monday, April 28, 2025)] [House] [Page H1670] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] HONORING MAJOR GENERAL JOHN C. RAAEN, JR. (Mr.”
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“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. ____________________”
“Pursuant to clause 2(b) of rule XIX, the previous question is ordered on the motion to recommit. The question is on the motion to recommit. The question was taken; and the Speaker pro tempore announced that the noes appeared to have it.”
“Mr. Speaker, I have a motion to recommit at the desk. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Clerk will report the motion to recommit. The Clerk read as follows: Mr. Frost of FL moves to recommit the bill H.R. 1181 to the Committee on Financial Services. The material previously referred to by Mr. Frost is as follows: Mr. Frost moves to recommit the bill H.R. 1181 to the Committee on Financial Services with instructions to report the same back to the House forthwith with the following amendment: Add at the end the following: SEC. 3. TERRORISM EXCEPTION. Nothing in this Act shall prevent law enforcement from using merchant category codes as part of an investigation relating to an act of terrorism or suspected act of terrorism, or to prevent an act of terrorism. The SPEAKER pro tempore.”
“Mr. Speaker, I think it is important to say because we hear over and over from our colleagues about the Constitution: If using merchant category codes violated the Fourth Amendment, where is your bill on amending this for every purchase at a pharmacy, liquor store, or casino? This is a standard accounting tool that is used by banks. This argument, unless you are going to follow it up with legislation to essentially make it illegal to track and have the same codes, which is just a four-digit number, for pharmacies, casinos, liquor, and other things as well, the argument falls flat. Law enforcement needs to go through a legal process to access the financial records here. Mr. Speaker, it is not a good argument. We are talking about something that doesn't track what you are buying. It doesn't track the guns you are buying.”
“He murdered 49 angels in my community and wounded another 49. Instead of helping to prevent the next tragedy, this bill makes it easier for those warning signs to be missed yet again. It strips law enforcement of an essential tool to stop violence before it happens, making every community in our Nation less safe. For this reason, at the appropriate time, I will offer a motion to recommit this bill back to committee. If the House rules permitted, I would have offered an important amendment to make clear that nothing in this bill should prevent law enforcement from using merchant category codes to assist in investigating and preventing acts of terrorism. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to insert the text of this amendment into the Record immediately prior to the vote on the motion to recommit. The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. DesJarlais).”
“Mr. Speaker, I strongly oppose the Protecting Privacy in Purchases Act. Sponsors claim this bill prevents the privacy of gun owners, but in reality, it protects mass shooters, terrorists, gun traffickers, and the profits of the firearms industry. Financial institutions have already been using merchant codes to detect crimes like money laundering and human trafficking. They should be allowed to use that same responsible monitoring to help prevent gun violence. I know personally why this matters. The Pulse nightclub shooter opened up six new credit cards in 8 months. He racked up more than $26,000 in credit card charges on guns and ammunition in the days before his killing spree in the middle of my district in my home of Orlando, Florida. Our system failed to turn those warning signs into an alert for police.”
“I urge the Speaker and my colleagues to take swift action to ensure he receives the recognition he deserves. ____________________”
“General Raaen led his unit up the steep bluffs of Normandy Beach, helping liberate prisoners from Nazi concentration camps and marking the beginning of the Allied victory in World War II. His bravery and that of his fellow soldiers on D-day remain a powerful symbol of courage, unity, and the ongoing fight for a more just and peaceful world. For his heroism, he was awarded the Silver Star and went on to serve in Korea and Vietnam, rising to the rank of major general before retiring after 36 years of service. It is an honor to represent such a remarkable hero in Congress. Mr. Speaker, in 2022, Congress passed a bill to honor the brave Army Rangers of World War II with the Congressional Gold Medal, but at 103 years old, General Raaen has yet to receive this award.”
“Congressional Record, Volume 171 Issue 70 (Monday, April 28, 2025) [Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 70 (Monday, April 28, 2025)] [House] [Page H1670] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] HONORING MAJOR GENERAL JOHN C. RAAEN, JR. (Mr. FROST asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.) Mr. FROST. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the extraordinary service and sacrifice of Army Major General John C. Raaen, Jr., who dedicated his life to serving our great Nation. At 22 years old, he was captain of the Army's 5th Ranger Battalion during the Normandy invasion.”