[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 107 (Monday, June 23, 2025)]
[House]
[Pages H2839-H2840]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   OPERATION MIDNIGHT HAMMER SUCCESS

  (Mr. Joyce of Pennsylvania was recognized to address the House for 5 
minutes.)
  Mr. JOYCE of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate 
President Trump and our incredible servicemembers who planned and 
perfectly executed Operation Midnight Hammer to destroy the nuclear 
enrichment facilities in Iran.
  President Trump has made it clear since he first ran for President in 
2015 that Iran can never become a nuclear power. This weekend, that 
promise became a reality.
  The Iranian regime has supported terrorist groups throughout the 
Middle East that all have one goal in common: to destroy the United 
States and our allies in the region.
  A nuclear-armed Iran is a threat to our servicemembers in the region 
and a threat to the entire Western world. President Trump's decisive 
action this weekend stomped out the threat of an unstable nuclear 
power. For that, the world is grateful for his leadership.
  It is now time for the Iranian regime to negotiate in good faith, 
bring peace to the region, and end the conflict with Israel.


                      Promises Made, Promises Kept

  Mr. JOYCE of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, my colleagues in the U.S. 
Senate will vote this week on President Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill 
Act, moving President Trump's agenda one step closer to being signed 
into law.
  This is critical legislation that will prevent the largest tax hike 
in history by extending President Trump's Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 
2017, which ushered in historic economic growth for our country.
  The legislation also provides rural Americans with much-needed tax 
relief by extending immediate expensing to help our Nation's farmers 
secure the most up-to-date technology and by delivering relief from the 
death tax to more than 2 million family-owned farms, which ensures that 
the next generation of American farmers can continue to feed this great 
Nation.
  In November, the American people voted for a change in leadership and 
a return to the prosperity that our Nation enjoyed during President 
Trump's first term.
  I now urge my colleagues in the Senate to support this legislation 
and deliver on the promises that we made to the American people.


                          Supporting Veterans

  Mr. JOYCE of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, the House will vote on our 
2026 appropriations bill for the military construction and veterans 
affairs programs.
  Our Active-Duty servicemembers and our veterans have given so much to 
our Nation to ensure that we remain safe and free. It is now our duty 
to support them.
  This critical piece of legislation fully funds veterans' benefits, 
healthcare, and other VA programs that so many of our veterans need. 
This legislation also furthers President Trump's goals of removing 
waste and abuse from our government by codifying his executive orders 
to end funding for ridiculous DEI and pro-abortion VA policies.
  Additionally, this legislation ensures that programs to fight veteran 
homelessness are fully funded. It also supports the Veterans Crisis 
Line and other VA suicide prevention programs.
  This is critical legislation to ensure that our Nation's veterans 
have the support that they deserve.


                         Honoring Bette Slayton

  Mr. JOYCE of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the 
career of the president and CEO of the Bedford County Development 
Association, Bette Slayton.
  Bette is retiring after 35 years as the senior executive of an 
organization that recruits new businesses to move into Bedford County 
and helps existing firms expand.
  Recognized as the 2021 Economic Developer of the Year by the 
Pennsylvania Economic Development Association, Bette played vital roles 
in the restoration of the beautiful Bedford Springs Resort, the 
recruitment of the Walmart and REI distribution centers, and the 
construction of new business parks and business centers.
  Under Bette's leadership of the Bedford County Development 
Association, economic growth has facilitated job

[[Page H2840]]

creation, increased public revenues, and fostered collective hope for 
future prosperity throughout Bedford County.
  On behalf of everyone in the 13th Congressional District, I 
congratulate Bette on her retirement and wish her the best.

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