[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 144 (Tuesday, September 17, 2024)]
[House]
[Page H5242]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          ESTABLISHING REFUNDABLE TAX CREDIT FOR IVF EXPENSES

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from 
Iowa (Mrs. Miller-Meeks) for 5 minutes.
  Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of my bill to 
establish a refundable tax credit for expenses incurred through in 
vitro fertilization, or IVF.
  For many, including some of my own family members, the struggle with 
infertility has been profoundly heart-wrenching. While IVF presents its 
own challenges, it offers a vital opportunity for pregnancy and 
parenthood that should be accessible to all families facing these 
difficulties.
  With the U.S. birthrate declining and IVF contributing to 2 to 3 
percent of births, it is crucial to support families seeking to grow.
  As a physician, I value every life, and as a mother, I understand the 
importance of empowering families to expand on their own terms and 
their own timelines.
  This measure will provide a fully refundable tax credit for IVF-
related medical expenses up to $30,000 over a lifetime. It will cover 
essential costs, such as transportation, egg retrievals, counseling, 
and medications.

  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill, making the 
dream of parenthood more attainable and reaffirming our commitment to 
helping families.


                      Horrific Acts in Gaza Strip

  Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today disgusted by the 
horrific acts which have taken place in the Gaza Strip. This brutal 
execution of six hostages taken by the Hamas war criminals is nothing 
more than the most recent development in a campaign of terror with one 
goal: the extermination of the Jewish State of Israel.
  One of these hostages, an American man by the name of Hersh Goldberg-
Polin, was enjoying the Re'im music festival when this band of thugs 
turned this peaceful day into a living hell. During the attack, Mr. 
Goldberg-Polin's arm was blown off by a grenade. He spent the next 330 
days terrified that he would never see his family again. On August 31, 
2024, they executed this badly wounded American music lover.
  I recently visited the families of some of the hostages in Israel as 
well as here in the United States. I saw firsthand the unimaginable 
hope and strength these families have lived with for the past 11 
months.
  Hope for Goldberg-Polin's family has run out, but strength remains as 
they mourn their loss.
  The thoughts and prayers of the American people will continue to be 
with the Israeli people. May God be with them.


                         Honoring Kids for Vets

  Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and thank Kids 
for Vets, which raised over $10,000 through lemonade stands for veteran 
causes in the Quad Cities.
  As a 24-year Army veteran, it warms my heart to see America's youth 
so deeply concerned about our servicemembers.
  Kids for Vets partners with amazing nonprofit organizations, such as 
the Quad Cities Outreach Center and SEAL Family Legacy, to provide 
support to Gold Star families, food banks, job placement, housing 
assistance, and so much more for America's heroes.
  Because of the outstanding work of Kids for Vets and their partners, 
veterans in the Quad Cities and greater eastern Iowa have a support 
system that puts their essential needs first.
  Mr. Speaker, I applaud the amazing work of Kids for Vets, and I ask 
my colleagues to join me in supporting and thanking this incredible 
organization.

                              {time}  1215


                      Congratulating Matt Stutzman

  Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Matt 
Stutzman of Fairfield, Iowa, for winning the gold medal in archery in 
the 2024 Paralympics. Matt is a distinguished athlete who has overcome 
the immense obstacle of being born without both arms to set the new 
Paralympic record of a score of 149 points out of 150 points possible.
  In admiration of his father, Matt developed an interest in bow 
hunting. Upon noticing his interest in hunting, Matt's father bought 
him his first bow at age 16. From that point on, he was passionately 
dedicated to enhancing his skills. His first achievement came in the 
form of an Olympic silver medal in the 2012 Paralympics.
  Next, in 2015, he set a new world record by hitting a target from 283 
meters away, a record previously held by an able-bodied athlete.
  Matt is a testament to the will and determination of Iowa's First 
District, and we expect further great things from him in the future.


 University of Iowa's Space Technology Innovation and Education Project

  Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to highlight the $1.5 
million in Federal funding secured for a space technology innovation 
and education project at the University of Iowa's department of physics 
and astronomy. This funding will be used to build state-of-the-art 
space equipment to help train the next generation of cosmic leaders.
  I was happy to visit the university shortly after securing these 
funds to speak to students and faculty about the impact this will have.
  The University of Iowa is already a leading school for researching 
the skies above, and this critical investment will further the 
University of Iowa's standing as a leading university in the 
development of space instruments for NASA and for America's astronauts.
  Our country is in dire need of leaders in the astronomical field, 
which is why I am proud to secure this funding for one of America's 
leading educational institutions. With that said, I ask my colleagues 
to join me in wishing the best for the University of Iowa's future 
astronauts.


                       Happy Birthday Curt Meeks

  Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I extend the warmest birthday 
greetings to a most amazing man and life partner, my husband Curt 
Meeks.

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