[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 120 (Thursday, July 13, 2023)]
[House]
[Page H3484]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
ENDING WEAPONIZATION OF LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from
Virginia (Mr. Cline) for 5 minutes.
Mr. CLINE. Mr. Speaker, for years, Americans have watched their
televisions or read their newspapers and seen the FBI constantly in the
headlines--and not for the good.
Under Director Christopher Wray's leadership, the FBI has become
weaponized, and the American people's trust in the institution has been
severely damaged. We have seen the agency launch an entirely
unwarranted investigation against Donald Trump to prove nonexistent
collusion with Russia.
We have seen the agency use the Steele dossier to abuse the FISA
process and spy on conservatives.
We have seen the agency label parents concerned about what their
children are learning in schools in Northern Virginia as domestic
terrorists.
We have seen the agency target whistleblowers who expose corrupt
behavior and political bias.
We have seen the agency target Catholics in Richmond, Virginia, who
are simply exercising their First Amendment right to express their
faith.
The Republican-led House Judiciary Committee is demanding that
Director Wray accept responsibility for the agency's abusive overreach
of power, and the Appropriations Committee is taking action, using the
power of the purse to rein in the abuses that have occurred in this
agency.
There is no place for politics within the FBI, and we will not stop
working to bring an end to this weaponization of our law enforcement
agencies and the use of these agencies against law-abiding Americans.
Congratulations to Glenvar High School Men's Tennis Team
Mr. CLINE. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the Glenvar High School
men's tennis team for winning the Class 2 State title.
This victory marks the program's first championship since 1996. By
training hard to ensure that they are at their best and by encouraging
each other, the Highlanders left it all on the courts and dominated the
Bruton Panthers.
These talented young men include Blaine Bishop, Alec McIlwain, Marco
Gustafson, Logan Garner, Beckett Wilkinson, and Ian Kelley.
Leaving the singles match, the Highlanders were out to a strong 4-2
lead, needing just one more win to get the State title.
Blaine Bishop, alongside his doubles partner Alec McIlwain, clinched
the championship after Bishop dominated the Panthers' doubles team,
securing the championship for the Highlanders.
For the last three seasons, Head Coach Bob Haynie has brought the
team together, becoming not just teammates but a family they can rely
on both on and off the court.
Mr. Speaker, I congratulate the Glenvar High School men's tennis team
and the parents, faculty, and staff on this incredible achievement.
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