[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 172 (Wednesday, November 20, 2024)]
[House]
[Page H6117]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              THE MANDATE

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Kansas (Mr. Mann) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. MANN. Mr. Speaker, when I last spoke on this floor, I laid out 
the choice the country had before us. Then, on November 5, 2024, 
America made its choice loud and clear. America gave Washington, D.C., 
a mandate endorsing the greatest political comeback in American history 
with the election of President Donald J. Trump as the 47th President of 
the United States and Republican majorities in both the House and the 
Senate.
  Kansas and the Big First District rejected 4 more years of the chaos 
we have experienced under President Biden and Vice President Harris. 
They voted for a government that works for the people and makes their 
lives easier, not one that handcuffs them and their families with 
overreaching regulations. They voted for a government that enforces the 
law and seeks commonsense solutions, not open-border policies that put 
our national security at risk. They voted to reduce Federal spending, 
to end the weaponization of the Federal Government once and for all, 
and for our future.
  When I came to Congress almost 4 years ago, America was strong, our 
streets were safe, and our border was much more secure. House 
Republicans and President Trump had passed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, 
putting more money in the pockets of American families and spurring 
economic growth that led to the strongest U.S. economy in decades.
  The Trump administration had spearheaded historic trade agreements 
and peace agreements across the globe that kept Americans competitive 
and secure.
  Rather than capitalizing on that momentum and strength, the Biden-
Harris administration wasted 4 years pushing through partisan, 
trillion-dollar spending packages and using the Federal Government to 
air its grievances with the previous administration. America clearly 
said: No more.
  Mr. Speaker, those days are long gone. This House Republican 
majority, alongside President Trump and the incoming Senate Republican 
majority, are ready to restore American greatness and the American 
Dream. We are committed to securing a future American families can feel 
optimistic about.
  When I ran for Congress, I promised to fight for agriculture and our 
conservative Kansas values. That commitment stands. While there is a 
lot of work to do to get this Nation back on track, I humbly accept 
that challenge. I am committed to working with my colleagues to unleash 
American energy and finally rein in energy prices that have crippled 
American families for the past 4 years. I will fight to make the 2017 
tax cuts permanent and once again empower working and middle-class 
families who have been strangled by the record-level inflation caused 
by Washington Democrat spending. I will work for commonsense policies 
that don't empower the Mexican cartels or incentivize illegal 
immigration. Americans deserve an immigration system that makes it 
easier for people to come here legally and more difficult for people to 
come here illegally. That should not be controversial.
  The task before us is a big one, but I have never been more confident 
in our ability to deliver for America and get this country back on 
track.


                      Farewell to Sydney Robinson

  Mr. MANN. Mr. Speaker, for the past 2\1/2\ years, my family and team 
have been blessed and honored to call Sydney Robinson a colleague and, 
most importantly, a friend. Sydney is a fellow believer, an incredibly 
hard worker, and one of the best that Capitol Hill has to offer.
  Sydney joined my team in 2022 and has served as staff assistant, 
scheduler, and, most recently, as our director of operations. She often 
served as the face of the front office, ensuring that whether it was a 
Kansans' first or fiftieth trip to our office, they were met with 
enthusiasm, kindness, and professionalism. Over the years, she oversaw 
our internship program; assisted Kansans during their visits to the 
Nation's Capital; balanced an ever-changing schedule, prioritizing time 
in the district, votes, and committee activity; and much more.
  On top of all that, Sydney helped our team host weekly prayer 
breakfasts for Members of Congress and the 2024 National Prayer 
Breakfast. As the co-chair of the National Prayer Breakfast, I am 
honored to plan and host the event for congressional leaders, the 
President of the United States, and spiritual leaders. It is no easy 
task, but Sydney served as a partner in bringing every detail and 
logistic to life.
  Sydney will always be part of Team Mann, and Audrey and I are deeply 
grateful for her service to our team, my family, and to the Big First 
District of Kansas. She will be deeply missed in Cannon 344, but we 
will all be praying for her and rooting for her in the days ahead.
  I thank Sydney for serving so incredibly well. She makes everything 
she touches better. It is an honor and privilege to call her a friend.

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