[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 180 (Wednesday, November 1, 2023)]
[House]
[Page H5183]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    SPEAKER JOHNSON IS READY TO LEAD

  The SPEAKER. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Pennsylvania 
(Mr. Joyce) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. JOYCE of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, at the Constitutional 
Convention in my home State in Pennsylvania, in Philadelphia, Benjamin 
Franklin called upon his fellow delegates to begin each day in prayer. 
He said: I know that my redeemer lives. And if a sparrow cannot fall 
without His notice, surely a nation cannot rise without His aid.
  Since coming to Congress, Speaker Mike Johnson has embodied Benjamin 
Franklin's words, turning to prayer and to faith in God as he serves in 
the U.S. Congress.
  Since first being elected, Speaker Johnson has been a tireless 
champion for conservative values, fighting for life, protecting our 
Constitution, and standing for the rule of law.
  Now, as we move forward, it is clear that Speaker Johnson is the 
right choice to lead the House of Representatives at this critical 
time.
  In the days before he was elected as Speaker, I had the opportunity 
to talk with Speaker Johnson about the challenges that we face in 
Pennsylvania. We discussed the fentanyl poisonings that have become the 
leading cause of death for young Americans. We discussed how energy 
prices are soaring and how families are worried about how they are 
going to be able to afford gas and food for their families. We 
discussed how so many Pennsylvanians are feeling the effects of 
President Biden's failed leadership. As we confront these issues, 
Speaker Johnson is ready to lead.
  Together, let's work to defend our allies from Hamas terrorism, let's 
address the skyrocketing inflation that we face, and let's pass a 
budget that is worthy of the American people.


                 Returning to the Energy Under Our Feet

  Mr. JOYCE of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, as the leaves begin to fall 
from the trees, American families, businesses, and churches are 
confronted once again with the soaring prices of energy that will make 
it difficult to heat their homes, their businesses, and their places of 
worship this winter.
  Instead of addressing this crisis and opening new oil and natural gas 
leases, which would help to address OPEC's cuts to oil production, 
President Biden has chosen to cut permits, create new bureaucracy, and 
enact policies that will only drive energy costs higher.
  Simply, this is unacceptable. By working to impose Green New Deal tax 
incentives, the President has chosen to put his wealthy donors ahead of 
Pennsylvania families.
  With energy prices now costing Americans over $3,000 more each year 
than when Joe Biden took office, it is clear that the President's 
failed policies are to blame for the skyrocketing price of gas, oil, 
and electricity.
  It is time to rein in these runaway prices by returning to the energy 
that is underneath the feet of the constituents in central and western 
Pennsylvania.

                          ____________________