[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 128 (Tuesday, July 25, 2023)]
[House]
[Pages H3900-H3901]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               FUNDING THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from 
Iowa (Mrs. Miller-Meeks) for 5 minutes.
  Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, this week, House Republicans will 
introduce H.R. 4366, the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and 
Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2024, to fully fund our Department 
of Veterans Affairs.
  As a 24-year Army veteran and chairwoman of the Veterans' Affairs 
Subcommittee on Health, I understand how crucial it is to have a fully 
funded VA Department. These appropriations bills will ensure that the 
VA has the resources needed to continue their vital operations.
  Current armed services members will also see a more than $17 billion 
investment that will go entirely toward improving the quality of life 
in their barracks and family housing.
  These commonsense policies will help improve the VA and the military 
as a whole, and I urge all of my colleagues to support them.


                            Lead by Example

  Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, Iowans are experiencing one of the 
hottest summers in history. In weather

[[Page H3901]]

like this, ensuring your home stays cool and comfortable is top of mind 
for many, but it is also lifesaving.
  Unfortunately for us, the Biden administration is telling Americans 
that their thermostats should be at 78 degrees when they are home 
during the day and even higher when sleeping. How can anyone be 
comfortable in their home with the thermostat set so high?
  That is why I, along with my good friend Senator Ernst, introduced 
the Lead by Example Act. This bill would require the Department of 
Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency office buildings to be 
set to the Department of Energy's recommendation of at least 78 
degrees, to set their thermostat where they are recommending it be set 
for you.
  Currently, with so many DOE officials working from home, taxpayers 
are paying to cool empty office buildings. Once again, do as I say, not 
as I do.
  It is outrageous that Biden's executive agencies are the exception to 
the rule, yet the Department of Energy is urging hardworking Americans 
to change their lifestyles without any consideration for varying 
climates or health concerns. That is why I am proud to join Senator 
Ernst on the Lead by Example Act, and I encourage all of my colleagues 
to support it.

                              {time}  1215


  Honoring the Life and Memory of Former Hawkeye Football Player Cody 
                                  Ince

  Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and 
memory of former Hawkeye football player Cody Ince, who passed away 
unexpectedly at the age of 23.
  Before Cody became a Hawkeye, he grew up in Wisconsin playing 
football and he graduated from Unity High School in Balsam Lake. In 
2018, Cody came to Iowa City to be an offensive lineman for Hawkeye 
football and helped the team earn a winning record all three seasons he 
played.
  Cody also received the All-Big Ten honorable mention in 2020, an 
honor given to standout players for their accomplishments on the field. 
After graduating in 2022, Cody moved back to Wisconsin and got engaged 
to his fiancee, Olivia, where they were preparing to start their life 
together before his sudden passing.
  My prayers go out to Olivia and his parents Tammy and Marty. I cannot 
imagine the pain of losing a child. I will continue to pray for their 
family in this time of mourning.


                    Congratulations to Annelise Bell

  Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I will take a moment to congratulate 
Annelise Bell, a student at Pella Christian High School on her recent 
Team USA placement at the world championships. She placed second among 
the Female Solo Junior 1 Division at the International Dance 
Organization's World Acrobatic Dance Championships in Mexico this past 
week.
  The International Dance Organization is a nonprofit dance federation 
with over 90 member nations representing dancers from all continents. 
Annelise is such a talented young lady. I thank her for representing 
the United States and Iowa well.
  Mr. Speaker, I wish a happy anniversary to my district representative 
John Kaufmann and his wife Rachel on their second wedding anniversary 
on July 31. Happy anniversary, John and Rachel.
  Happy 40th wedding anniversary to my very good friends Kurt and Kathy 
Haller on August 13.
  Happy 44th wedding anniversary to Mary and Kirk Ferentz this August.
  I especially wish a very happy 40th anniversary on September 4 to my 
husband, Curt. Happy anniversary, honey.

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