[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 13 (Wednesday, January 22, 2025)]
[House]
[Pages H261-H262]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    PUTTING AMERICA ON A BETTER PATH

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Pennsylvania (Mr. Thompson) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise to celebrate 
President Trump's inauguration and his commitment to revitalizing our 
great Nation.

[[Page H262]]

  Over the past 4 years, Pennsylvania families have struggled under 
Biden's America-last policies. While every administration faces 
challenges, President Biden leaves behind a legacy of weakness and 
failure.
  As President Trump said in his inaugural speech on Monday, our 
country is at the dawn of a golden age, thanks to the President's 
commitment to America First policies.
  Look no further than the dozens of executive orders the President 
signed on his very first day in office as a sign that our country has 
turned the corner and is headed toward a brighter future. These orders 
immediately implement policies that will unleash American energy, 
ensure the freedom of speech in this country, end Federal censorship, 
secure our southern border, and restore accountability throughout the 
Federal Government.
  While all of these policies put our country on a better path forward, 
I want to highlight a few that will have immediate, positive impacts 
for our country.
  With a commitment to safeguarding our great Nation, President Trump 
is restoring commonsense immigration policy. On day one, he reversed 
the dangerous immigration policies of the Biden administration, 
reinstating sound enforcement measures like the remain in Mexico 
policy.
  President Trump further prioritized our national security by 
designating the crisis at our southern border as a national emergency. 
Through this designation, the Trump administration can deliver military 
assistance and critical infrastructure investments to combat the 
cartels' campaigns of violence. These actions are critical in 
reclaiming control of our southern border and upholding the sovereignty 
of our Nation. By strengthening our resolve to fight unauthorized entry 
and unlawful presence, President Trump has once again demonstrated his 
commitment to American security and prosperity.
  Unlike the previous administration, President Trump also recognizes 
the unique and present threat that drug smugglers and cartels pose to 
the health and safety of the American people. His declaration to 
designate these organizations as foreign terrorists will ensure the 
full capabilities of the Federal Government are being utilized to 
combat these bad actors.
  On the global stage, America's standing suffered under President 
Biden. His disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan led to chaos and the 
rapid resurgence of the Taliban. This not only endangered countless 
lives but also tarnished the credibility of the United States among its 
allies and adversaries alike. President Trump's plan to restore 
America's leadership on the global stage is centered on strength, 
accountability, and putting America's interests first.
  This is why President Trump also issued an executive order to enhance 
vetting procedures for foreign nationals entering the United States, 
focusing on identifying security threats and establishing stricter 
screening protocols.
  On day one, President Trump also put our country back on the path of 
energy independence with his Unleashing American Energy initiative, 
which reverses the previous administration's harmful policies and 
expands domestic energy production. Representing the fairway of the 
Marcellus shale in Pennsylvania, I know firsthand how important 
domestic energy production is for our national security and the global 
environment. By expediting permits, eliminating unnecessary 
regulations, and fostering the development of America's abundant 
natural resources, we are reclaiming our status as a global energy 
leader.
  Mr. Speaker, all these policies were implemented within hours of 
President Trump taking office. His message and determination to put 
this country on a better path are absolutely clear. I look forward to 
working with President Trump and his administration in ensuring a more 
secure border and energy independence and making our Nation respected 
again.

                          ____________________