[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 194 (Wednesday, December 14, 2022)]
[House]
[Page H9742]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         A SUCCESSFUL CONGRESS

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mrs. Lawrence). The Chair recognizes the 
gentleman from California (Mr. Costa) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. COSTA. Madam Speaker, the 117th Congress, I believe, will go down 
as one of the most successful Congresses in modern history. We have 
passed over 200 bipartisan bills, provided funding for vaccine relief, 
the American Rescue Plan, $1.2 trillion bipartisan investment in 
infrastructure, efforts to deal with our veterans, focusing on reform 
on the Postal Service, the Inflation Reduction Act, and the list goes 
on and on.
  We have not passed such successful legislation since perhaps the 
Great Society in the 1960s. As we reflect upon that and the historic 
Speakership of Nancy Pelosi, we reflect upon the success of the last 2 
years with a 4-vote majority and a 50-50 tie in the Senate. Certainly 
her Speakership is historic in so many different ways.
  Madam Speaker, I look on to the next Congress, the 118th. Hopefully, 
notwithstanding our divisions, we can find ways to work together on 
infrastructure as we continue to invest in America, in water, extreme 
drought conditions facing the West and California, much necessary for 
the long-term future because where water flows, food grows; investing 
in transportation to compete around the world; broadband; I want to get 
a medical school in the San Joaquin Valley. We have a shortage of 
physicians, and we need to increase the number of nurses to improve 
better healthcare for all Americans. We need to focus on rural America. 
I represent a great deal of it.
  Yes, there are divisions in this country, but I hope the 118th 
Congress remembers that we are here to serve the people. This is the 
people's House. That is our purpose, to work together and solve 
problems.
  Madam Speaker, I am hoping that my alma mater, Fresno State Bulldogs, 
will be successful in Saturday's game. Go, Dogs.

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