The majority and minority leaders for morning hour debate. The chair will alternate recognition between the parties. With time equally allocated between the parties and each member other than the majority and minority leaders and north whip limited to five minutes. The silver hammett award is given to those for their excellent and outstanding accomplishment in americanism, defense, rehabilitation, Congress Congressional and civil Certificate Service n2002 sergeants major helped bring back the amvets post to camp adderberry. After serving in the u. S. Army for 32 years, he resigned as a reservist in 2008. Sergeant major Rick Caldwell has committed his life to serving this country and his community in our hometown of columbus, indiana. Im honored to call rick my friend. Congratulations, Sergeant Major Rick Caldwell, on this award. Thank you for your service. Mr. Pence mr. Speaker, i rise today to celebrate 246 years of service by the United States marine corps. Founded on november 10, 1775 before our nation was established, ma reasons stood ready to win our countrys hardest battles and never back down. Marines are guided by our corps values of honor, courage, and commitment. Even when the United States has faced tremendous odds in the war to preserve our freedom like iwo jima, the marines have answered the call to always remain faithful. As a marine whose greatest honor it has been to serve our nation and to those who have served and continue to serve, semper pie. Semper fi. Mr. Speaker, i rise today to congratulate Columbus Norths girls Crosscountry Team on winning the state championship this past weekend. This marks the second state title for the bulldogs and i want to congratulate each of these young student athletes, head coach, and the entire team on a job welldone. Furthermore, the Columbus North boys also finished third as a team in the state finals, while reese claimed overall victory in the boys race. Having each of my four children having participated in crosscountry at Columbus North, i know these accomplishments stand as a true reflection on their outstanding program. Its great to see the bulldogs back on top again. Mr. Speaker, i rise today to recognize the hard work and dedication of greenfield mayor, chuck fuel, as he has announced his retirement. A fellow marine, chucks career started in Law Enforcement as a member of the Shelbyville Police department before moving on to become an indiana state trooper. When there was a vacant seat to serve as mayor, chuck stepped up and answered the call, serving his neighbors in the community for nearly a decade. So today i congratulate chuck on his many years of dedication to making greenfield such a great place. And as i know and speak for many when i say he will be dearly missed at city hall. On behalf of indianas sixth district, we wish the mayor a peaceful retirement enjoying time with his wife, four kids, and seven grandkids. Mr. Speaker, i rise today to note that the u. S. G. D. P. Has dropped to a disappointing 2 in the third quarter. Thanksgiving 2021 is a expected to be the most expensive in the history of the holiday. A turkey tax year. Americans are being warned that their christmas presents will cost more this year and might not arrive on time. Numbers dont lie. Democrats outofcontrol spending and far left socialist policies are to blame for the supply chain and economic crisis america is facing. Its clear the democrats are out of touch with hoosier values and out of touch with america. Mr. Speaker, i rise today to highlight the Energy Crisis that my hoosiers and all americans are facing. This week President Biden jetted off to glass cao flats gao to rub shoulders with disig any tears and take a nap. American energy costs are soaring while hes sleeping and the bottom line is this. This Administration Needs to worry less about their image and more about how hoosiers can keep their lights on, keep their heat their homes this winter and afford to fill up their gas tanks. With that i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the chair recognizes the gentlewoman from nevada, ms. Lee. Ms. Lee thank you, mr. Speaker. I rise today to talk about evapotransporation. Perhaps you are not used to getting a mini Earth Science on the floor of the house. Hear me out. Nevada boasts 300 sunny days a year. Its great for hiking and biking, not so great when it comes to precipitation and our growing severe drought. But we cant rely on we cant just rely on precipitation data and understanding our drought because we are losing water with all of our sunny days. Evapotranspora ation is water lost through evaporation from the land. Its a critical measurement that we need to plan for the future of western water. Until recently, frankly to my surprise, water managers could not access this data. But a group of scientists, academics, advocacy organizations, and even corporations are working to change that. Open e. T. Is filling the biggest data gap in Water Management by giving everyone access to e. T. Data. And i mean everyone. You can google it and pull it right up on your computer. From water managers to utility providers, to farmers and ranchers, to conservationists this data will help folks across the west make better water decisions to protect our most vital resource for decades to come. And that is exactly why i have introduced the bipartisan, bicameral open access evapo transportation act with senator cortez masso, to fill these Critical Data gaps and inform Drought Solutions across the west. Im all in when it comes to finding solutions for nevadas drought. We must explore every option and make these investments before its too late. Mr. Speaker, i rise today as we continue to negotiate the build back better act. When i ran for congress i promised my constituents that i would do everything to fight for lower drug prices. Over and over again in town halls i hear from my constituents that they are so extremely worried about how they are going to pay for Prescription Drugs. In fact, one in five seniors reports not taking their medicines as prescribed because of the cost. I have even heard from constituents who say they skip meals so they can afford the prescriptions they need to stay healthy. This is outrageous. I urge my colleagues to address this problem with the urgency it deserves. With the build back better agenda, we have a once in a Generation Opportunity to change the status quo. And make good on our promise that no one should have to choose between affording their Prescription Drugs or putting food on the table or paying rent. We must enact legislation to lower the cost of Prescription Drugs. The time is now. Our constituents all over this country are counting on us. And with that i yield the remainder of my time. The speaker pro tempore the chair recognizes the gentleman from tennessee, mr. Kustoff, for five minutes. Mr. Kustoff thank you, mr. Speaker. Today i rise to speak about something that play as special role in american life, thats College Athletics. College sports is ingrained in our culture and its impact is farreaching on student athletes, alumni, and their fans. For decades College Athletics have been governed by the National Collegiate athletic association, nor commonly known as the ncaa. The ncaa has tremendous power, really omni omni potent powe. They decide the rules of play, to gets to play, and who gets the revenue. The n ncaa investigates and penalizes any school, coach, or student athlete that it claims infringes on its rules. This is what the ncaa calls the infractions process. Lets be clear. The ncaa infraction process is systematically and fundamentally flawed. The ncaas rules are vague, they are constantly changing, and irregularly enforced. The ncaas investigations lack transparency, establish procedures, and they are performed while universities are oven kept in the dark. Fundamentally there is no due process for member schools nor for their students. The ncaaing investigations ncaa investigations can last years and cost universities millions of dollars in legal fees and other expenses. Finally, the ncaa punishes universities and student athletes with no consistency and no predictability. The ncaa may decide to punish one school but not another. Without a doubt the ncaa acts with little regard for fairness, due process, or transparency. Through its mon interoperablistic power and lack of oversight, the ncaa has caused irreparable damage to athletics departments, colleges, and to universities across the nation. Thats why today im introducing the ncaa accountability act, with my colleagues, representatives Burgess Owens and josh hart. This Bipartisan Legislation will establish due process protections for any athlete, university, or individual going through the ncaa infraction process. These protections include a fair notice on enforcement proceedings, a defined statute of limitations, and a deadline for the completion of investigations. The ncaa accountability act also includes mechanisms to ensure that ncaa sanctions are equitable and fit the alleged infraction. Universities will have the right to resolve punishment disputes with the ncaa through binding arbitration, and this will bring an independent, unbiased voice into the process to ensure that an i can wittable outcome is obtained. If the ncaa fails to comply with these obligations, the department of justice will have the authority to fine the ncaa and its staff and the department of justice will have the power to permanently remove any member from the ncaa board of governors. For our universities and our student athletes, its vital that congress and the ncaas long reign as prosecutor, judge, jury, and executioner over College Athletics. I urge my colleagues to support this important, Bipartisan Legislation that will finally hold the ncaa accountable. Thank you. I yield back my time. The speaker pro tempore the chair recognizes the gentlewoman from minnesota, mrs. Craig, for five minutes. Mrs. Craig thank you, mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, years ago i began running for congress because i believed that hardworking americans shouldnt have to pay three times what people in other countries pay for the same exact medicines. I ran for congress because i believed that none of our constituents should have to pay 20,000 a year on insulin. A medication they quite literally cannot live without. I ran for congress because i believed that minnesotans deserve a representative who will fight to lower the cost of drugs. Even in the face of millions of dollars in attack ads funded by big pharma. My fellow colleagues, this week we have a real opportunity to make a difference in our constituents lives. To save American Families thousands of hardearned dollars every single year. While standing up finally standing up to an industry that has raked in record breaking profits at the expense of hardworking americans. We cannot allow this opportunity to pass us by. Empowering medicare to negotiate drug prices would not only grant long overdue relief to struggling constituents, but save the american taxpayers billions of dollars annually. We may not get everything we wanted in this package, but we must take the power back from big pharma. Big pharma has had power over this town for way too long. This is our opportunity to demonstrate to our constituents that we work for them, not for big pharma. We cannot return to our districts without delivering on our promise to lower the cost of Prescription Drugs. I urge my colleagues to do what is right and fight for these critical provisions in the build back better act. Thank you, mr. Chairman, and i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the chair recognizes the gentleman from virginia, mr. Griffith, for five minutes. Mr. Griffith mr. Speaker, i offer these remarks today to honor the bravery and the Selfless Service of the Law Enforcement officers and other First Responders that work to ensure the safety of the residents of buck county during the horrendous flooding in the small town of hurley, virginia, on august 30, 2021. Their efforts saved lives and were core to rescue and recovery following the destructive power of the flood. Particularly, i want to honor the sheriff mcclanehan, deputy lieutenant brandon paul, deputy lieutenant mitchell, deputy williams, deputy andy webb, deputy john hage iii, and deputy tasha meadows. The excessive rainfall resulted in blocked roadways, numerous landslides and severe flooding in the town of hurley. There were School Closures from the storm as well. All of this caused devastating damage and dep ar died the safety of many. In the face of danger, these officers and First Responders of the county displayed great heroism by rescuing a number of citizens from harms way. The storm caused a level of flooding in hurley which has not been seen for nearly 20 years. And matched any level of devastation from a Natural Disaster that i have seen in the ninth Congressional District of virginia. Hundreds of residents had to evacuate their homes as many as 1,000 were left without power and drinking water. And i saw roughly 20 homes that had been uprooted from their foundations. But the terrible flood was also an occasion of heroism and helping others. Besides the deputies and the sheriff, around 500 volunteers lent their time to rescue and cleanup efforts. Mr. Speaker, let me highlight one remarkable rescue from the flooding on monday, august 30, 2021, involving a woman trapped in her home. The womans mobile home had been swept off its foundation, carried downstream, and when it crashed into a railroad trussle, the home with the woman inside of it were caught between the raging water and the train. The home would have continued further downstream if it had not been trapped and as officers quickly arrived on the scene, her home was already little more than rubble. As the water thundered by and the rain continued to pour down, the trailer, surrounded by water, was at the care yusly positioned and appeared ready to collapse completely at any moment. Amid this peril, the officers showed no regard for their own safety as they came to the rescue. Deputy raymond webb was first to arrive on the scene. He crossed the railroad tracks, climbed over to where the collapsed home remained, water raging around, and was able to cut a hole in the roof of what was left of the house. Shortly after, sheriff john mcclanehan and deputies steves, webb, owens, hage arrived at the scene to assist of the rescue. The rest of the officers and personnel retrieved her and pulled her out of the trailer and up to safety. Thanks to the Rapid Response of these officers from the Sheriffs Office, she was rescued from the battered trailer. This storm was devastating for the town of hurley, and a time when the community was in great need, these officers courageously came together to do their utmost to ensure the safety and the security of those who were in harms way. I offer my gratitude to the officers from the Sheriffs Office as well as all the Community Leaders and First Responders that played a hand in keeping hurley safe on that day and the days that followed. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the chair recognizes the gentlewoman from missouri, ms. Bush, for five minutes. Ms. Bush thank you, mr. Speaker. St. Louis and i rise. Many of us being survivors of Sexual Harassment and violence, because we are tired of victim blaming. Were tired of being told that if we had just done this or done that, it wouldnt have happened to us. Were tired of being told to feel guilty about what we wore or what we said. Were tired of our truth being dismissed. Today, i rise to change the narrative and give some tips on how to prevent Sexual Violence. So lets talk about it. If youre thinking about putting drugs in someones drink, dont. If you cant keep yourself from committing Sexual Assault, always have a trusted friend by your side to stop you from committing Sexual Assault. If you encounter someone who is drunk, unconscious or asleep, do not commit Sexual Assault against that person. If you see someone walking by themselves, just leave them alone. If youre worried about committing Sexual Assault, make sure you wear something that will remind you not to, like a sign or a sticker. If you think you might commit Sexual Assault, always carry a whistle. When you find yourself about to commit Sexual Assault, blow the whistle until someone else stops you. To every survivor of Sexual Violence, know no matter how hard the media or your peers or others try to make you feel what happened to you was your fault, it was not. Hear me when i say this, it was not your fault. Know that your congresswoman is working every day to build a world where Sexual Violence no longer exists, a world where survivors are protected, where we have access to the care that we need which includes abortion care, a world where the instinct to blame the survivors is replaced with one to provide healing and care. Know that in this moment that i love you and that there are others here who love you and want to make sure you are healthy and you are protected. We see you, we hear you, we love you. And thank you to the advocates for giving us all these great tips. Thank you and i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the chair recognizes the gentleman from texas, mr. Arrington, for five minutes. Mr. Arrington mr. Speaker, before my commentary on this disastrous border, selfinflicted by this administration, i want to speak on behalf of my fellow texans. I think i can say this with confidence they welcome the immigrant. The godfearing, freedomloving immigrant that want to make this country their home, pledge allegiance to our flag, embrace our ideals, and improve even our way of life. We welcome the immigrant, mr. Speaker. But only if they respect our laws, our sovereignty, and the safety of our fellow americans. Since january, this administration has created an unprecedented and unmitigated crisis at our southern border. Theyve repealed every effective measure that was in place to stop the flow of Illegal Immigrants and to secure the border. They have willfully disregarded the constitution and its mandate on the peoples government to provide for the common defense. Our president has failed to faithfully uphold the law to fulfill the sacred duty to enforce the laws of the land. They have completely ceded control of our border and the sovereignty of this great country to paramilitary drug cartels. They have enriched, empowered these narcoterrorists at the expense of the vulnerable migrants who take this dangerous trek. And most importantly, at the expense of the American People. Our families. Our children. Mr. Speaker, this administration has intentionally opened up our border to a flood of human trafficking. Unprecedented drug smuggling and a record amount of crime and gang activity. Theres no apology for it. Theres no recognition of it. There seems to be no sign of changing the posture and policies of this administration. Theres no accountability. Theyre not committed to detaining and deporting, the catching and releasing. Lawlessness, mr. Speaker. And chaos and a border beyond recognition. This central tenant of catch and release has not only rewarded illegal immigration but it has dispersed this crisis beyond our border in every state in the United States making every state a border state. Since march, 160,000 Illegal Immigrants have been released into the United States. This in addition to almost half a million gotaways. Mr. Speaker, i recently learned that folks who are being detained, Illegal Immigrants, were being released into neighborhoods and communities in my district. They couldnt tell me how many. They couldnt tell me where they came from. They couldnt tell me who was going to follow up, when theyd show up for court. They had nothing. They could confirm, however, there were people being released, Illegal Immigrants, into our communities who were covid positive. And some who had criminal records. Nobody notified. Not me, not our governor, no local officials. Just releasing folks. Meanwhile, this administration is mandating and insisting on vaccines and Public Health protocols but letting folks just stream into our country. They say one out of every five Illegal Immigrants crossing is covid positive, and so theres this Public Safety threat of another surge, inundating our hospitals, while they force their policies on the American People in this regard. Shameful. Shameful. And theres been exponential increase in criminal aliens apprehended at the border. These are folks who committed a crime on our soil who have crossed back over. Four times as much criminal activity. Criminal aliens. The numbers are startling, mr. Speaker. 348 increase in criminal aliens convicted of dchlt u. I. D. U. I. s coming back to the United States. 454 increase in criminal aliens convicted of drug possession. 477 robbery, theft, burglary. Over 200 increase in sex offenses. And 600 increase in criminal aliens who have come over to our country and committed murder, committed murder. I wish i had more time, mr. Speaker. But to respect the rules of this great chamber, i yield back. The speaker pro tempore at this time the chair will receive a message. The messenger mr. Speaker, a message from the president of the United States. The secretary mr. Speaker. The speaker pro tempore madam secretary. The secretary im directed by the president of the United States to deliver to the house of representatives a message in writing. The speaker pro tempore the chair recognizes the gentleman from North Carolina, mr. Rouzer, for five minutes. Mr. Rouzer mr. Speaker, i rise today to recognize mr. Robert Powell Holding iii of wilmington, North Carolina. Thomas jefferson once said, god who gave us life gave us liberty. North carolina is fortunate to have an embodiment of this american spirit in Robert Holding iii, who is continuing his battle against pancreatic cancer by working on a new e. A. Morrisrobert p. Holding Pancreatic Cancer Research fund. I first met robert, or robbie, as so many of his friends call him, when i was a teenager working on our family farm during the summers. He drove up in his pickup with his wrist resting on top of the steering wheel, the window rolled down, of course. I dont know how i can recall that detail so vividly and not remember the exact year, but i think i was about 13 or 14. He had stopped by the shop there at the farm to visit with my for a bit. They talked weather and the crops, and the latest news in the county for a good 30 minutes. Maybe longer. That wasnt the first time i had seen a neighboring farmer come by in their pickup to talk, but it was the first time i ever met a holding. I heard about the family rae for years. Arguably the most influential family in Johnston County in eastern North Carolina. But i never met one until that day. Years later we would be neighbors at mcgees crossroads in Johnston County and wilmington as well. Former u. S. Senator said it best when he wrote about robber the holding. Are you one of the strongest people of faith i know. Lock went on, i remember launching my campaign in your living room. You had been in the top leadership for reagan in 1980. Senator jesse helms, myself, senator doal, and dole and others. My dear friend and former Congressman George Holding added, i watched my older brother worked hard for years, building businesses in manufacturing, media, real estate, and finance. And i watched him tirelessly give back to his family and community. I personally seen firsthand how robert hoedlings hard work, insightful mind inspires others. Hes helped make our state and nation a much better place. From the Nutcracker Company to Vice President of promotional wholesale, from founder and c. E. O. Of caralantic communications and r. P. Industries to founding reedy branch farms robert has worked to be a contributor to his community. From founder and c. E. O. Of alleyed communications, delta broadcasting, and wkfttv to c. F. B. Construction company, jefferson marketing, r. P. Holding realty, the coalition for freedom, and the vance young team at intercoastal real at this, robert has provided love, leadership, and jobs to employees and owners. From americans for reagan to helms, dole, leo, and the congressional club, and so many others robert is a visionary Business Leader who stands for what he believes. You can see his kind heart and how he continues to give back to our community locally through his nonprofit work and by his help to champion the e. A. Morris Cancer Center at duke university. He was helping lead projects in Johnston County to strengthen providence presbyterian church, expand life spring academy, and support Friendship Baptist church, as well as his work with the wilmington boys and girls club in leadership of monday night bible study. Hes also worked tirelessly to champion Wildlife Conservation across North Carolina with legendary conservationist eddie bridges. His vision for the yesterday i eddie c. Bridges robert p. Holding black creek youth conservation grounds will help future generations value our amazing natural resources. Like his father and grandfather before him, Robert Holding iii is the example of the american spirit that makes this country great. The spirit of faith, family, and community. The spirit to be the best we can be and to help others. God bless you, robert. Thank you. May god bless your wife, your children, your six grandchildren, your brothers frank and george, your sister, and all those whose lives you continue to touch. Its truly an honor to know robert and to recognize him today. With that, mr. Speaker, i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the chair recognizes the gentleman from arkansas, mr. Hill, for five minutes. Mr. Hill i thank the speaker. Mr. Speaker, washington, in fact, has a spending addiction. We doubled our spending last year to fight the pandemic, protect Public Health, and get the economy back opened and protect jobs. But on top of that this spring the democrats spent another 1. 9 trillion on extra spending. And now my colleagues on the other side of the aisle are further fueling this addiction and just cant take their foot off the gas. We are headed downhill with no brakes. They continue to push forward with what amounts to an additional 5. 5 trillion tax and spending spree thats nothing more than a trojan horse filled with tax hikes for American Families and a far Left Progressive priority. We need to abandon this reckless spending and come together in a bipartisan way and put together a commonsense 2022 budget plan before we burden our children and grandchildren with further debt. Mr. Speaker, winter is right around the corner and households could see their heating bills jump 54 . While some of this can be attributed to our supply chain issues, the administrations spending addiction, coupled with their antiamerican energy policies, arent helping. At every turn the Biden Administration has hindered Domestic Energy production. They halted construction on the keystone x. L. Pipeline, costing jobs in my home state of arkansas and throughout the midwest. They halted new oil and gas leasing on u. S. Lands and waters costing one million american jobs in the near term. And now they are pushing a heat your home tax in their tax and spending spree. Mr. Speaker, the holidays are around the corner and americans will unfortunately bear the burden of President Bidens illconceived antiamerican energy policies. I urge the administration to end their war on american jobs and our energy independence. Mr. Speaker, today i rise and recognize terrorist at this kisstry, the 2021 history teacher of the year. She earned her bachelor and masters degree in education from Arkansas State university at jonesboro and currently working on her doctorate. Currently she teaches u. S. History and english iv at the high school. To those who know her this award is no surprise. Her hard work and dedication have been previously rewarded. Winning a 2019 Arkansas Council for social studies, 9 through 12 teacher of the year, and 2016 rotary educator of the year. Mrs. Prayfield on behalf of all the parents in Central Arkansas, i thank you for your hard work, your dedication to your students, and congratulate you on this meaningful award. Mr. Speaker, i rise today to recognize the Outstanding Achievement of julia of mayflower, arkansas. This summer she won the bronze medal in the 400 meter freestyle and the bronze medal in the 100 meter backstroke at the tokyo paralympics. She has been swimming competitively since 2015 and quickly has made a name for herself. This year was her first paralympic appearance and it was an awe inspiring achievement. Her path to being a paraalimb pick medalist was unlike any other. After a setback in this years games, she said, hi to move on. Im so happy i was able to bounce back and earn a bronze for team u. S. A. I admire julias courage and determination which are the characteristics that led her to para that paraolympic paralympic podium. You make mayflower and all of Central Arkansas proud. Mr. Speaker, i rise today to recognize the remarkable accomplishment of four and son hardware for marking 100 years in business in Central Arkansas. They originally started as a feed store, operated by walter at the corner of 28th and arch in little rock in 1921. Over the past 100 years, they weathered the storm of change. They have expanded to include hardware and added five locations in Central Arkansas. They are now launching an Online Shopping option. All that by remaining closed on sundays. The founder said, some money just costs too much. Congratulations to the kren centennial for them. With that, mr. Speaker. I yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the chair recognizes the gentlewoman from North Carolina, ms. Foxx, for five minutes. Ms. Foxx thank you, mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this thanksgiving will be the most expensive on record. And americans have the Biden Administration to thank. Put yourself in the shoes of hardworking families across america. Every morning they wake up and leave for work. The moment their feet touch the ground outside, inflation is already reaching for their wallets. They turn on their cars and head to the gas station where inflation is ready and waiting for them. At the Grocery Store inflation is lurking within the aisles. Its a sobering reality for so many working families and people are rightfully angry. I share their anger. Mr. Speaker, consider what these working families are thinking as thanksgiving approaches. Will they be able to afford President Bidens turkey tax . On thanksgiving dinner . Are they be able to get themselves to the Grocery Store in time before the shelves are empty . Will they even be able to get to the Grocery Store at all because of rising gas prices . Consider this, thanksgiving dinner this year is estimated to cost 4 to 5 more for American Families, and thats assuming theyll be able to put food on the table. Just this morning i did an interview with a local Radio Station in the fifth district. The host remarked to me that under the Biden Administration we are going to have to get used to empty shelves and rising prices. I take great issue with where the direction of this country is headed under this administration. Americans have been told to, quote, lower their expectations, end quote. And to get to used to doing with less. No, we wont. This is america and we do not settle for less. We are better than meeting meager expectations, lowering the bar, and expecting less. Thats just not who we are as a country. And its certainly not who we are as a people. Lets not forget that this administration touted an alleged savings of 16 cents for family barbecues over the Independence Day weekend earlier this year. Nobody took that claim seriously then and it certainly does not hold up now. From President Bidens turkey tax, to rising gas prices, empty store shelves, to rising cost of heating homes during the winter everyone is feeling the squeeze of inflation. This is not a high class problem by any stretch of the imagination. Since President Biden took office, we have watched every month as inflation has ravaged the country. What is this administration thinking . Is it so blind to the fact that families and hardworking americans are struggling to make ends meet . Mr. Speaker, the Holiday Season is on the horizon and americans are more concerned than ever. With thanksgiving dinner and everyday commodities becoming out of reach now, christmas dinner will cost americans an arm and a leg. This is down right shameful. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the chair recognizes the gentleman from kansas, mr. Mann, for five minutes. Mr. Mann mr. Speaker, i rise today to offer a solution to decongest americas ports, revive americas supply chain, and get americans back to work. In the past few months we learned the hardway that congested ports create a real interstate commerce and supply chain problem. Families are waiting six months for working refrigerators. Farmers two months or more for a part to fix their equipment. And Manufacturing Companies five to six times longer for electronic components. People are tired of watching their paidfor, necessary goods sit on our ships off the coast. And the Biden Administration is not doing anything about it. Today i introduced the truckers responding at National Shipping ports overcoming retail turmoil act requiring the secretary of transportation to establish a Grant Program for Motor Carriers to relieve congested ports a National State of emergency or when ports are congested at 50 or more. My bill would empower the secretary of transportation to issue federal grants from unused relief dollars to truckers or distributors to transport goods from a port of entry to a destination point. Additionally, my bill would temporarily waive state operating standards should they be more strainent en stringent than the federal standard. My bill would allow kansas farmers and truckers to operate their u. S. Department of transportation client trucks in california, a state that other wise restricts trucks older than 2011 from entering the state. To help relieve the ports and transport goods across this country. Temporarily waving state requirements is a small price to way for pay for a strong supply chain fully stocked shelves in Grocery Stores, and employed transportation workers. Congested ports have farreaching implications and its uncashable to let the American People suffer because of the unwillingness to solve the problem that imfacts us all. Impacts us all. Mr. Speaker, i rise today to defend the American Public from the worst sort of federal government overreach that which involves their private bank accounts. President bidens proposal to give the i. R. S. Unprecedented access to Americans Bank accounts would pose heavily compliance burned on community banks, hamper the ability of individuals to access capital, and entrech the federal government further into our daily lives. Delaying freedom and eroding personal liberty. This is wrong for america. I stand and will continue to stand in opposition to this indefensible and wasteful proposal to invade the privacy of nearly every american. Mr. Speaker, lastly, i rise today to recognize and thank bryce for his sr. Have is to me, my office, and kansans disans throughout the big First District. During his time in my office, bryce has hes shown himself to be kind, creative and joyful. I most enjoy his loyalty. His adaptability and willingness to step outside his comfort zone. God continues to put open and closed door in front of us. Im proud to have bryson on my team and i pray the lord will help him blossom in his next adventure. Thank you, bryson. With that, mr. Speaker, i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the chair recognizes the gentleman from nebraska, mr. Bacon, for five minutes. Mr. Bacon thank you, mr. Speaker. I rise today in recognition of National Native American Heritage month, and honor the 35th anniversary of the nebraska urban Indian Health coalition, a private Nonprofit Organization in nebraska. The nebraska urban Indian Health coalition provides Community Health care and services targeting the urban American Indian and alaskan native population in the greater omaha area and lincoln and sioux city, iowa, since 1986. The diabetes selfmanagement program is nationally recognized. Currently, theyre led by their c. E. O. , dr. Donna poke. Donna was raised by her father after her mother was killed by a drunk driver. The doctor was only 7 years old. She credits her grandmother, anna lee mays, for her inspiration. Dr. Polk firmly believes having a vision and you have to see how things can be. If you dont you dont work to effect change. Between 1972 and 1985, dr. Polk served as the affirmative action and equal opportunity officer at the state of nebraska. She volunteered at the nebraska Corrections System for 26 years and started her own tv showed called frankly female a show for and about women. Dr. Polk earned her bachelors degree in university studies, masters in counselor psychology and doctorate in curriculum all from the university of nebraska at omaha. She is an author. She shined the light on prominent africanamerican individuals in our state. She joined the urban Indian Health coalition in 1981, running the program for women. She leads the team of over 40 employees that services suffers as inpatient and outpatient drug recovery, Health Care Services and transportation to their facilities. Dr. Polk takes great pride in the community programs, project upstream, the Elders Program which help native youth and families overcome socioeconomic disparities and provide meals and Educational Opportunities and even Extracurricular Activities for all ages. Dr. Polk is thrilled for the inauguration of their new headquarters scheduled to open in the spring of 2022. In recognizing the nebraska urban Indian Health coalition, we shine a spotlight on 35 years of helping elevate the Health Status and disparities of urban indians and other underserved populations in nebraska and iowa. Through education, collaboration, advocacy and Health Services delivery. Congratulations to dr. Polk and her team for 35 years of excellence serving our great opportunity. Mr. Speaker, i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the chair recognizes the gentleman from ohio, mr. Ryan, for five minutes. Mr. Ryan mr. Speaker, this infrastructure bill is about two things. This is about putting money in the pockets of the American People whove had a rough go for the last 40 years, and this is about taking on china. Now weve seen in the last couple of weeks c. E. O. Pay since the 1970s has gone up 1,300 . Weve seen that the top 10 wealthiest 10 of the wealthiest people in this country own 90 of the stocks. And so this bill is about how do we get money in the pockets of people. University preschool. Universal preschool. Thats one year less of childcare that a family has to pay. Capping childcare at 7 of your income. Thats money in your pockets. Helping seniors with glasses or hearing aids. Thats money in their pockets. A tax cut, finally, for working people, not for the top 1 , but for families. Thats money in their pockets. And if we dont recognize in this chamber and down the hall that china is a looming threat not even looming theyre here. Semi conductors they outmanufacture us. Electric vehicles, they outmanufacture us. Pharmaceuticals. Our seniors get their pharmaceuticals from china. When are we going to wake up . When are we going to have the guts to level the playing field, the guts to take on china, the guts to do whats right so our kids and grandkids can thrive in the United States . We have got to make these investments. Weve got to make them now. Washington has to wake up or were going to the next bill were going to have to pass is mandarin in all our schools because the games going to be over. I yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the chair recognizes the gentleman from arkansas, mr. Westerman, for five minutes. Mr. Westerman thank you, mr. Speaker. I rise today to honor the life of dick antoine, a wonderful man and beloved local radio personality in my hometown of hot springs. Dick served in the u. S. Air force during the vietnam war and in 2018 retired from his daily Talk Radio Program talk of the town, where he informed and entertained his faithful listeners for 31 years. Dick is not only known for his inciteful interviews and witte commentary but also his leadership. A few of his many projects include the Veterans Memorial of garland county, hot springs annual Christmas Parade for over 25 years and the veterans day parade for 17 years. Families will cherish the memories of dicks characteristics of santa claus, the worlds tallest leprechaun and also in a chicken costume. Dicks legacy will live in the minds and memories of hot springs residents and his presence will be sorely missed. My condolences to dicks family and many friends as we grieve his passing and celebrate his life. Mr. Speaker, i rise today to honor the work of a fellow arkansan and forester dr. James goaland. He taught at the university of arkansas at monticello for 10 years before joining the United States Forest Service Research Division where he made great contributions to our knowledge of forest ecology through his applied research and publications over a career that spans nearly three decades. Jim restores Southern Pine ecosystems illustrating how thing and prescribed burning are common sense and highlight effective tools for a healthy forest, providing cleaner air and water as well as abundant wildlife habitat. I truly believe jim is the worlds most knowledgeable person when it comes to short leaf pine and his work will live long in the forest thats benefited from his labor of love. Ive known conservationists in my life. I wish him a happy retirement and many days ahead catching smallmouth and Clear Mountain streams and spending time where all foresters are most at home, in the woods. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the chair recognizes the gentleman from georgia, mr. Carter, for five minutes. Mr. Carter mr. Speaker, i rise today to congratulate beth brunson for being named to georgia trends 2021 40 under 40 class. Driven by her passion to improve the Financial Health of others, beth received her undergraduate degree in business from virginia tech. Since returning to savannah, shes successfully served her community through various positions at the fiduciary group. Beth is a Third Generation of the Butler Family to work at the fiduciary group which was founded in 1970 by her grandfather, lee butler. Dedicated to serving others, beth works tirelessly to prepare individuals for their life beyond retirement. Outside of the workplace, beth is an active volunteer throughout the First District. She serves on the board of the historic savannah foundations 13th colony and the Savannah Country Day School alumni board. Her dedication to preserving savannahs history while continuing the legacy of the fiduciary group is truly inspiring. Im honored to recognize beth for this prees t. J. Ous accomplish prestigious accomplishment and i know she will make an impact throughout georgias first Congressional District. Mr. Speaker, i rise today with a heavy heart to remember and honor one of my pharmacy mentors, charlie waldrop, of savannah, georgia, who passed away at the age of 102. A devoted public servant, charlie was a world war ii veteran, a pharmacist, and a friend to all who knew him. Charlie was drafted into world war ii at the age of 22. He would go on to serve throughout europe, successfully attaining the rank of major before finishing his military service in 1946. Discovering his passion for Public Health, charlie continued his education at the university of georgias college of pharmacy. Charlie then returned to savannah where he would serve his community for the next 40 years as a pharmacist at crumleys pharmacy. Charlies life was defined by his extraordinary character, and i am grateful for his lifetime of service to georgias First District and our great nation. Im also thankful for the great example he set for me when i was a pharmacy intern working under charlie. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family, friends, and all who knew him during this most difficult time. Mr. Speaker, i rise today to congratulate o. C. Fowler jr. Of Chatham County by being recognize veteran of the year. Georgias first Congressional District is home to many of our nations veterans who put everything on the line to protect our freedom. Is a being recognized as veteran of the year is an incredible honor. Mr. Fowler joined the United States navy in 1967 and flew over 33 3,300 flight hours and helicopters and fixed wing aircrafts. After seeing how Vietnam Veterans were treated when they returned home, mr. Fowler had dedicated his life to ensure our Service Members are unconditionally supported. Among his many lifetime achievements, he helped raise over 35,000 for local charities, including the Chaplains Fund at hunter army airfield. Hes an active member of the United Service organization, the National Museum of the 80th air force. I cant thank mr. Fowler enough for his Outstanding Service to our nation, and i want to congratulate him, again, on this wonderful accomplishment. Mr. Speaker, i rise today to recognize and honor Deborah Rodriguez garcia for being named georgias trend 40 under 40 class. Deborah graduated with a masters in modern language. This fueled her knowledge and incredible drive which she is using to make a difference across the globe. Deborah creates Educational Opportunities for migrant and refugee communities. She focuses on helping children become more resilient through playbased learning. Thanks to deborah, refugee children in south asia find comfort in Early Learning opportunities through a version of sesame street in their native clothing and language. Children have benefited immensely from her passion and experience. On behalf of the people of the first Congressional District of georgia, i congratulate deborah on her nomination to georgia trends 2021 40 under 40 class and offer my appreciation for her continued service and dedication toward children across the world. Thank you, mr. Speaker, and i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the chair recognizes the gentlewoman from tennessee, mrs. Harshbarger, for five minutes. Mrs. Harshbarger one of the top concerns for americans is the cost for Prescription Drugs. Congress must do something to lower the Prescription Drug prices. We know americans want lower prices but they dont want to lower access to great receiving treatments. I know a thing or two about safeguarding Patient Access to Affordable Medicines and solving patient problems. We absolutely need to reform the way pharmaceutical manufacturers price their products and sometimes manipulate the system. But theres another part of drug pricing equation that doesnt get nearly as much attention but is equally important and thats the role of the pharmacy benefit managers, or p. B. M. s. Their lack of transparency, their market dominance, and the effects of their Business Practices on drug prices and patient choices. P. B. M. s were created as middle men to reduce administrative costs for insurers, validate patients eligibility, administer plan benefits and negotiate costs between pharmacies and health plans, but theyve morphed into the most highly concentrated and least accountable Profit Centers in the health industry. They have been able to consolidate their market powers virtually unchecked. Chair, medicaid medicare, medicaid, commercial health plans use p. B. M. s. Thats more than 260 million american lives. These pharmacy benefit managers wield enormous power as middle men on numerous fronts. They choose what drugs are covered and not covered by insurances. They negotiate purchasing deals from drug makers. They determine copays for consumers. They decide which pharmacies are included in prescription plans and which are not. They decide how much pharmacies are reimbursed for the drugs they sell. Where, by the way, a lot of pharmacies dispense drugs to a patient and they are paid less than what they pay for the drug. In 2020, the top six p. B. M. s handle more than 95 of the total u. S. Equivalence claims. And this market power concentration was allowed by our federal trade commission over the last 15 years. The very agency Whose Mission is to safeguard americans from concentrated corporate power. What are the effects between 2015 and 2018 . Nearly half of the increase of total brand drug spending went to payers, including p. B. M. s, according to an nalcies from the Berkeley Research group, it has catapulted the u. S. P. B. M. Market to be valued at more than half a trillion dollars, thats with a t. An analysis see p. B. M. s continuing to prosper in the coming years. The virtually unchecked powers to be able to number one charge drug manufacturers hefty rebates for preferred placement on formularies, the higher the list price, the higher the rebate. No one knows where they go. Number two, impose restrictive take it or leave it contracts with Community Pharmacists. Number three, charge Community Pharmacists outrageous clawbacks or v. I. R. Fees totally unpredictable where clawback or take back moneys they reimbursed farm pharmacies weeks or months after the transaction. The Community Pharmacy pays roughly 81,000 a year in d. I. R. Fees make it all but impossible to set a budget future teur. These and other Business Practices happen in relative seek vericy with no real oversight. No one is able to follow the dollars on how and where the money flows, not the payer, not the pharmacist, certainly not the patient. I have introduced bart legislation, the p. B. M. Accountability study act, h. R. 1829, that would have the u. S. Government Accountability Office study the roles p. B. M. s play in drug pricing and spending. The market concentrations and states of competition. My bill also requires g. A. O. To make religiouses on lowering drug costs, improving transparency and competition in the p. B. M. Industry. This is a commonsense bipartisan bill and i invite my colleagues to go and sponsor and help with this important legislation. I sincerely hope we can Work Together to include the provisions of bill and other p. B. M. Reforms any drug pricing legislation we consider this year. Thank you, mr. Speaker. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the chair recognizes the gentlewoman from new york, ms. Tenney, for five minutes. Ms. Tenney thank you, mr. Speaker. I rise today to recognize Mohawk Valley Community College on its historic 75th anniversary this year. Mvcc first opened its doors to students in october, 1946. Back then it was known as new York State Institute of applied arts and science. Since these early days they have grown tremendously and today boasts more than of,000 full or parttime 6,000 full or parttime students. They were founded on the principle of adapting its programs to fit the needs of our region. Boy, have they done that. It has played an Important Role in developing our work force and empowering studentstocheerve their goals and be of service to our community. They mold students into leaders and continues to be an incredible institution for our community. It is one of the great 11 colleges and universities in my district i want to thank the president for his leadership and wish them the greatest successes over the next 75 years. Im grateful to them for all they have done and for being a college near in my neighborhood. Thanks again, mr. Speaker. I yield back. For becoming the new york state section 3 class 3 champions after a win this weekend. Way to go, girls. The can stowinga raiders prevailed 31 in a dramatic battle for the class d krsh championship. Chance, corey, and mckenzie all scored goals for the raiders. Sealing the vick 2reu. The raiders have now won 11 straight games and face off against little fall force the state playoffs this week. Im wishing them all the best as they prepare for the championship game this week. I also want to congratulate ver roana on what i know was hard fought season. Thank you so much. Best of luck to the girls. I yield back. Thank you, mr. Speaker, i want to recognize a binghamton woman who is larger than life, a fixture at community events, a staple in the very communities that needed her most. The adopted grandma of kids who looked up to her for advice well into adulthood as a life skills coach, majita used her own mix of street psychology with a strong dose of rule enforcement, consistency, and most of all accountability. In her work with crater opportunities, she was a fighter for local issues, someone who encouraged and works for new investments in local communities, investments in children who needed it most. As a staple at the city of binghamtons Community Development advisory community, she had a unique ability to sort through the fluff then address the real issues. She lived an amazing life which, unfortunately, was cut short this past winter by koavment so i ask my colleagues to please join me and the citizens in broom, new york, remembering and honoring her for her years of community service, binghamton and the storn tier and lucky to have such a beautiful person advocating on their behalf. May god bless her soul. I yield back. Thank you, mr. Speaker. I yield back my time. The speaker pro tempore pursuant to clause 12a of rule 1, the chair declares the house in recess until noon tod today, the u. S. House working on several bills dealing with Small Business development as well as native American Lands and casino gaming bills. Negotiations also ongoing on President Bidens social spending package. Lawmakers could take up that bill and the senatepassed 1. 2 trillion infrastructure bill later this week. When the house returns, live coverage here on cspan. Cspan is your unfiltered view of government. Were furnded by funded by these Television Companies and more, including charter communication. Broadband is a force for empowerment. Thats why charter has invested billions, building infrastructure, upgrading technology, empowering opportunity in communities big and small. Charter is connecting us. Charter Communications Support cspan as a public service, along with these other television providers, giving you a frontrow seat to democracy. Today, a House Financial Services Committee Task force is meeting with experts testifying on the pros and cons of Financial Technology products that are available on the market. Live coverage here on cspan. Theres a mismatch in our economy right now between the 10 million jobs that are available and gettg