[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 4 (Wednesday, January 7, 2026)]
[House]
[Pages H112-H120]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 4593, SAVING HOMEOWNERS FROM
OVERREGULATION WITH EXCEPTIONAL RINSING ACT; PROVIDING FOR
CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 5184, AFFORDABLE HOUSING OVER MANDATING
EFFICIENCY STANDARDS ACT; AND PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 6938,
COMMERCE, JUSTICE, SCIENCE; ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT; AND INTERIOR
AND ENVIRONMENT APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2026
Mrs. HOUCHIN. Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I
call up House Resolution 977 and ask for its immediate consideration.
The Clerk read the resolution as follows:
[[Page H113]]
H. Res. 977
Resolved, That upon adoption of this resolution it shall be
in order to consider in the House the bill (H.R. 4593) to
amend the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to revise the
definition of showerhead. All points of order against
consideration of the bill are waived. The bill shall be
considered as read. All points of order against provisions in
the bill are waived. The previous question shall be
considered as ordered on the bill and on any amendment
thereto to final passage without intervening motion except:
(1) one hour of debate equally divided and controlled by the
chair and ranking minority member of the Committee on Energy
and Commerce or their respective designees; and (2) one
motion to recommit.
Sec. 2. Upon adoption of this resolution it shall be in
order to consider in the House the bill (H.R. 5184) to
prohibit the Secretary of Energy from enforcing energy
efficiency standards applicable to manufactured housing, and
for other purposes. All points of order against consideration
of the bill are waived. The amendment in the nature of a
substitute recommended by the Committee on Energy and
Commerce now printed in the bill shall be considered as
adopted. The bill, as amended, shall be considered as read.
All points of order against provisions in the bill, as
amended, are waived. The previous question shall be
considered as ordered on the bill, as amended, and on any
further amendment thereto, to final passage without
intervening motion except: (1) one hour of debate equally
divided and controlled by the chair and ranking minority
member of the Committee on Energy and Commerce or their
respective designees; and (2) one motion to recommit.
Sec. 3. Upon adoption of this resolution it shall be in
order to consider in the House the bill (H.R. 6938) making
consolidated appropriations for the fiscal year ending
September 30, 2026, and for other purposes. All points of
order against consideration of the bill are waived. The bill
shall be considered as read. All points of order against
provisions in the bill are waived. The previous question
shall be considered as ordered on the bill and on any
amendment thereto to final passage without intervening motion
except: (1) one hour of debate equally divided and controlled
by the chair and ranking minority member of the Committee on
Appropriations or their respective designees; (2) proceedings
under section 4 of this resolution; and (3) one motion to
recommit.
Sec. 4. The proceedings referred to in section 3 of this
resolution are as follows:
(a) after debate pursuant to section 3 of this resolution,
the Chair shall, in the order specified by the Chair, put the
question on (1) retaining Division A and (2) retaining
Divisions B and C;
(b) the yeas and nays shall be considered as ordered on
each of the questions under subsection (a); and
(c) after disposition of the questions under subsection
(a), the Chair shall put the question on engrossment and
third reading of the text comprising those portions of the
bill retained pursuant to subsection (a).
Sec. 5. In the engrossment of H.R. 6938, the Clerk shall
conform division and section numbers and make related
corrections to cross-references in the event a portion of the
bill is not retained pursuant to section 4 of this
resolution.
Sec. 6. The chair of the Committee on Appropriations may
insert in the Congressional Record not later than January 9,
2026, such material as he may deem explanatory of H.R. 6938.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentlewoman from Indiana is recognized
for 1 hour.
Mrs. HOUCHIN. Mr. Speaker, for the purpose of debate only, I yield
the customary 30 minutes to the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr.
McGovern), pending which I yield myself such time as I may consume.
During consideration of this resolution, all time yielded is for the
purpose of debate only.
General Leave
Mrs. HOUCHIN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their
remarks.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentlewoman from Indiana?
There was no objection.
Mrs. HOUCHIN. Mr. Speaker, earlier this morning, the Rules Committee
met to produce a rule, H. Res. 977, providing for the House's
consideration on the following three bills:
First, the rule provides for H.R. 4593, the SHOWER Act, to be
considered under a closed rule. It provides 1 hour of debate equally
divided and controlled by the chair and ranking minority member of the
Committee on Energy and Commerce, or their respective designees, and
provides for one motion to recommit.
Second, the rule provides for H.R. 5184, the Affordable HOMES Act.
H.R. 5184 would be considered under a closed rule. It also provides for
1 hour of debate equally divided and controlled by the chair and
ranking minority member of the Committee on Energy and Commerce, or
their respective designees, and provides for one motion to recommit.
Third, the rule provides for H.R. 6938, Commerce, Justice, Science;
Energy and Water Development; and Interior and Environment
Appropriations Act, 2026. H.R. 6938 would be considered under a closed
rule, and it also provides 1 hour of debate equally divided and
controlled by the chair and ranking minority member of the Committee on
Appropriations, or their designees, and provides for one motion to
recommit.
The rule provides for separate votes on division A and divisions B
and C.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this rule and in support of the
underlying legislation. These bills reflect a simple governing
philosophy: freedom of choice, fiscal responsibility, regulatory
clarity, and a government that focuses on the American people, not
bureaucracy.
Let me begin with the appropriations package. Beginning with H.R.
6938, the Commerce, Justice, Science; Energy and Water Development; and
Interior and Environment Appropriations Act of 2026, these bills make
targeted, disciplined investments to strengthen American energy
dominance, reinforce our nuclear deterrent capabilities, support law
enforcement, and expand access to critical minerals. These policy
priorities are shared by President Trump, congressional Republicans,
and millions of Americans. Importantly, this appropriations package
ends Biden-era policies enacting a more conservative vision, all while
cutting fiscal year 2026 spending by nearly $2 billion, delivering
significant savings for taxpayers. Let me repeat that: Passing full
year appropriations ensures we are not defaulting to Biden-era spending
levels or radical priorities. It allows Congress to reset funding
levels in support of the conservative policies aligned with President
Trump's agenda.
The Commerce, Justice, Science; Energy and Water Development; and
Interior and Environment Appropriations Act of 2026 provides $78
billion in discretionary funding, including resources to stop the flow
of fentanyl, and provides critical funding to support State and local
law enforcement. It increases funding for the Drug Enforcement
Administration to combat the fentanyl crisis, supports the Department
of Justice grant programs that target opioids and child exploitation,
and facilitates immigration enforcement. It protects the Second
Amendment by keeping long-standing safeguards in place that prevent
Federal agencies from restricting lawful firearms, ammunition, and
sporting equipment without congressional approval, and decreases
funding for the ATF. It also maintains pro-life Hyde protections to
ensure taxpayer dollars are not used to fund abortions.
The Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations
Act directs $58 billion towards national security and strengthens
America's energy independence. These investments are essential to
restoring American leadership in nuclear energy and achieving the
administration's goal of dramatically expanding nuclear capacity by
mid-century. At the same time, they eliminate wasteful Biden-era
offices that prioritize ideology over outcomes.
The Interior, Environment and Related Agencies Appropriations Act
provides $38 billion to expand access to public lands, reverse harmful
regulatory overreach, and rein in agency budgets. It increases funding
for responsible onshore and offshore energy development in oil and gas,
exempts farmers and ranchers from burdensome greenhouse gas emissions
reporting schemes, and reduces funding for the EPA.
In addition to these wins for the American people, I am proud that my
office was able to secure $8 million in community project funding for
Indiana's Ninth Congressional District. This funding will support
projects, including a riverbank stabilization plan for the Ohio River
shoreline in Clarksville, Indiana, and support booster pump stations
that are needed to increase water capacity to serve constituents in
Bloomington, Monroe County, and the home of Indiana University football
and students at Indiana University.
Funding in this package will also provide residents and businesses in
Brown County with long, and greatly needed, sewer services and support
for
[[Page H114]]
the city of Madison's stormwater mitigation project to reduce flooding
and improve water quality.
These investments will support critical infrastructure and local
priorities that communities themselves identified, bringing
improvements from shoreline protection, to water systems, to supporting
economic development that will directly benefit residents across the
Ninth District.
{time} 1220
Together, these bills reflect a disciplined approach to governing by
investing in community priorities, cutting unnecessary spending, and
reducing good governance.
Turning next to H.R. 4593, the SHOWER Act, this is a simple bill with
a simple goal: end the regulatory whiplash and return consumer choice
and common sense to a basic household product. A showerhead should not
require extensive regulation. Yet, under the Obama and Biden
administrations, bureaucrats redefined a clear term to advance an
ideological agenda creating confusion for manufacturers and frustration
for consumers.
This was the status quo under the leadership of Democrats--regulate
everything in our lives right down to our showerheads. It is incredible
if you think about it. This may seem like a ridiculous bill to be
considering by our Democrat counterparts. Believe me, it is ridiculous
that their policies would require legislation to prevent this kind of
government intrusion, but here we are.
The Biden administration regulated every nozzle in every American
home individually, reducing water pressure and frustrating homeowners,
all while increasing costs for compliance. Ending this rule will
permanently save Americans billions of dollars, reduce regulatory
bloat, and restore a workable standard.
The Department of Energy estimates that eliminating this rule, along
with dozens of related inflationary standards, will save consumers $11
billion and will cut more than 125,000 words from the Code of Federal
Regulations.
Finally, Mr. Speaker, I turn to H.R. 5184, the Affordable HOMES Act,
which I was proud to author with Congressman Mike Flood. This bill
addresses a real problem in the housing market, one that affects our
most vulnerable homebuyers. It reduces the upfront costs of buying a
home, making it easier for Americans to achieve the dream of
homeownership. The Affordable HOMES Act restores clarity by placing
manufactured housing standards back under the Office of Housing and
Urban Development where they belong and eliminating duplicative
regulatory authority by the Department of Energy.
It overturns a 2022 Biden administration rule that increased
manufactured housing costs, again, without regard for what consumers
want or how the market actually works prioritizing energy efficiency
under the Green New Deal and directly contributing to the housing
affordability issues we see today.
The objective here is clarity so manufacturers can build more homes
and families can afford them.
Mr. Speaker, this rule moves legislation that reflects fiscal
discipline, regulatory sanity, consumer choice, and a commitment to
affordability and growth. I urge my colleagues to support the rule and
the underlying bills.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from Indiana for
yielding me the customary 30 minutes, and I yield myself such time as I
may consume.
Mr. Speaker, it is a new year in America, but judging by the remarks
of the gentlewoman from Indiana, it is the same old Republican Party.
Here is where we are at on January 7, 2026. We have a Republican
President who promised to put America first. Instead, in just under a
year he has bailed out Argentina, bombed Venezuela, gave Qatar an air
force base in Idaho, pardoned the former Honduran drug trafficking
president, and cozied up to dictators all around the world.
We have a Republican majority that promised to bring down prices.
Guess what. Prices are going up. Families across this country are
hurting. People are losing health coverage because you guys chose
deliberately, Mr. Speaker, to let the Affordable Care Act tax credits
expire. Rent keeps going up. Grocery prices keep going up. Paychecks
are not keeping pace.
Meanwhile, the President of the United States is openly boasting that
America is now running a foreign country. His own advisers can't even
answer basic questions about what the hell comes next, what the plan
is, how this ends, or when the Venezuelan people can expect democracy.
We have a Speaker of the House who is the weakest and most
incompetent Speaker of the House in the history of this body. I mean,
honest to God, Mr. Speaker, I don't know whether that is a good thing
for the country or a bad thing. On one hand, he is so incompetent he
can't get anything done. On the other hand, the things he wants to get
done are crazy.
Don't ask him his opinion on anything. He doesn't have one. He
doesn't watch the news. I don't even think he goes outside. I don't
know what keeps him so busy that he doesn't have an opinion on
anything, but he certainly isn't legislating.
With all that is going on--conflict, economic strain, and real crises
facing the American people--let us turn to the calendar and see what
important issue that this Republican majority has us debating on the
floor this week, Mr. Speaker. Do you want to know what it is? It is not
housing, not food prices, not rent, not war and peace, foreign policy,
or America's future, no, no, no, no. All of us are here on the floor
right now at the behest of this Republican majority to debate
showerheads. You can't make this stuff up.
As if that weren't bad enough, they are still trying to pass last
year's appropriations bills. Let that sink in. These are bills that
should have been passed months ago. That is the state of governance
under this Republican majority: late, unserious, and completely
detached from the lives of the people they claim to represent.
One of these appropriations bills funds the Department of Justice and
Federal law enforcement. That brings us to something Republicans would
rather forget, but what our country must not: Yesterday marked the 5-
year anniversary of the January 6 insurrection.
It has been 5 years since a violent mob, whipped into a frenzy by the
lie that Trump won the election even though he lost, stormed into this
building to overturn a free and fair election.
Mr. Speaker, it has been 5 years since law enforcement officers,
Capitol Police, and others were beaten, crushed, stabbed, pepper
sprayed and hunted down by a MAGA mob determined to overturn the
election and stop the peaceful transfer of power.
They hunted Members of Congress, Democrats and Republicans alike. I
can still remember them chanting ``hang Mike Pence'' because I was here
that day, Mr. Speaker, right where you are sitting right now, right in
that chair. I was one of the last Members to leave the House floor, and
I watched officers barricade the Chamber doors behind me here with
furniture, knowing that they were outnumbered but refusing to
surrender. I smelled the tear gas. I felt the chaos. I saw the mob
outside of the Speaker's lobby.
The officers who were here that day saved lives. They upheld their
oath to the Constitution. Many of them were hospitalized. Many were
permanently injured. Some died either from injuries sustained that day
or by suicide after the trauma that they endured.
Nearly 2,000 people were arrested, tried, and found guilty for their
crimes that day. What did Donald Trump do? He pardoned every single one
of them. He pardoned the criminals who beat officers bloody, desecrated
this building, and tried to tear American democracy apart. In my book
those pardons were unforgivable, unforgivable.
Do you know what he did yesterday? He put up a disgusting,
disgraceful statement on the official White House website lying about
what happened that day, blaming the police, blaming the police and
calling everyone who was here that day innocent. There was not a single
mention, not a single mention of the 140 officers who were assaulted
that day with weapons like bear spray, stun guns, hockey sticks, broken
pieces of furniture, and flag poles--not a single mention.
In fact, the White House even put up a statement that ``zero law
enforcement officers lost their lives,'' which is
[[Page H115]]
a disgusting lie. It is a disgusting lie and a disgrace to the memory
of Officer Brian Sicknick who laid in honor in the rotunda of this
Capitol Building after he died in the aftermath of January 6.
After all of that, after all of that, Speaker Johnson still refuses
to display a plaque in the Capitol Building to honor the officers who
stood up to the mob that day, a memorial he is required by law to put
up. I mean, you know, here it is, Mr. Speaker. Here it is right here.
That is what the Speaker refuses to put up.
{time} 1230
This is what it looks like. It is not the real one because the real
one is downstairs in storage somewhere. Speaker Johnson refuses to hang
it up.
Why? Why? We all know why. We all know why. He won't hang it up
because he is Donald Trump's puppet. That is all this is. If he hangs
up the plaque, Trump might get mad at him. What a pathetic and shameful
abdication of duty.
I am sure the gentlewoman won't address a single point I made here
about January 6. I don't know whether she is afraid of the
repercussions, but the bottom line is that I just want to say, for the
record: Shame on Republicans for trying to cover up their complicity in
what happened that day, and shame on them for wasting the people's time
on showerheads while ignoring the economic, democratic, and moral
crises staring this country in the face.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Members are reminded to refrain from
engaging in personalities toward the President.
Mrs. HOUCHIN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
I am not sure if the gentleman from Massachusetts heard my opening,
but this is about housing. We literally have a bill called the
Affordable HOMES Act, and it addresses the cost of housing.
He also commented that we are only appropriating and considering our
appropriations bills yet today, but we weren't the ones who shut down
the government for 41 days, preventing us from doing our appropriations
work. They did this. The Democrats shut down the government to fight
for taxpayer-funded healthcare subsidies that would go to the
wealthiest ObamaCare enrollees across the Nation.
Think about that, Mr. Speaker. They shut down the functioning of the
government, preventing us from appropriating on the very good things
that we talked about in the opening comments, meaning millionaires
would be eligible to receive tens of thousands of dollars of taxpayer-
funded subsidies for their ObamaCare plans. This would give $350
billion in taxpayer bailouts not to the American people, but to big
health insurance companies, all while they are receiving record
profits.
This incentivizes bad actors to manipulate individuals to sign up for
coverage through the ACA marketplace, oftentimes without people even
realizing that they had been enrolled.
This is government waste, fraud, and abuse at its worst, and I am
proud the House Republicans stood up against that.
The gentleman from Massachusetts also referenced the SHOWER Act that
we have here today. I would just like to say that I will stand up here
every day of every week to restore freedom of choice and freedom of
movement back to the American people.
You have to start somewhere, Mr. Speaker, from electric vehicle
mandates to prohibitions on gas stoves and heaters. Showerhead
efficiency and efficiency standards in affordable homes and
manufactured housing will cause the cost of homeownership to go up and
void American Dream opportunities for millions of Americans, but that
is business as usual with Democrats in Congress. Closing businesses and
demanding quarantine is Big Brother knows best, and that is what the
Democrats are best at.
House Republicans are going to fight back to restore that personal
choice, all while ensuring fiscal responsibility.
Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr.
Weber).
Mr. WEBER of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for
yielding.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of House Resolution 977, the
combined rule for the consideration of H.R. 4593, H.R. 5184, and H.R.
6938.
Mr. Speaker, it gets fun listening to the fairy tales from the other
side from time to time. I have to give them that.
This rule advances the combined appropriations package that includes
critical investments for Texas' 14th Congressional District, which I am
proud to represent. My district is home to some of the largest
refineries in the United States, three LNG gas export terminals,
numerous petrochemical facilities, and vital energy infrastructure that
keeps our Nation running.
The energy produced in southeast Texas, Mr. Speaker, moves across
America and to our allies through pipelines, trains, trucks, and even
cargo ships. Federal provisions in this bill ensure that energy
continues to flow reliably and securely.
Funding for the coastal Texas protection and restoration project,
more locally known as the coastal spine project, is included in this
underlying bill. This critical project focuses on flood damage
reduction and environmental enhancement as well as economic resiliency.
It could save $2.3 billion, with a b, annually by reducing flood damage
and improving over 6,000 acres of coastal marsh and land to help
mitigate storm surges.
Just as importantly, it protects 30 percent of the Nation's refining
capacity, 42 percent of specialty chemical feedstock, and 80 percent of
our military-grade fuel supply.
The bill also provides over $9 million to upgrade the Sabine-Neches
Waterway, which moves over 194 million tons of cargo each year and is
projected to exceed 210 million tons in the near future. This waterway
supports approximately 375,000 jobs.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The time of the gentleman has expired.
Mrs. HOUCHIN. Mr. Speaker, I yield an additional 30 seconds to the
gentleman.
Mr. WEBER of Texas. It is indispensable to America's economy and
energy security.
Mr. Speaker, this appropriations package delivers real results not
just for southeast Texas but for the Nation. I urge my colleagues to
support the rule and this critical legislation.
Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, let me just respond to the gentlewoman: A lot of words,
a ton of words, but as I predicted, there is not a single word about
the brave officers who defended this Chamber and defended every Member
of Congress on January 6 who were attacked by a violent mob. I heard
not a single word, not a single word.
I just also want to remind the gentlewoman, because maybe she forgot,
regrettably, Republicans are in charge. They are in charge of the
House, they are in charge of the Senate, and they are in charge of the
White House. So they can complain about Joe Biden and they can complain
about Democrats, but they are running this show.
I was really fascinated to hear the gentlewoman talk about the
shutdown. Again, the Republicans are in charge of everything. They have
the votes to do whatever they want to do, but when the government shut
down--it was a Republican shutdown, by the way. When it shut down, they
could have worked on the appropriations bills, by the way, which were
already late by definition. By the time of the shutdown, they were
already late. Republicans could have worked on getting the
appropriations work done.
What did my Republican friends do?
They decided to go home and take a vacation. They just left. They
walked away. They did not do a thing. They went on an extended vacation
rather than doing the people's business.
I have to say to the gentlewoman: With all due respect, I do
townhalls all the time. I don't know whether the gentlewoman does. I
know a lot of Republicans do not, but when I do my townhalls, what I
hear from people is about the high cost of living. I hear about the
high cost of groceries. I hear about the high cost of healthcare. I
hear about the high cost of housing.
Mr. Speaker, do you know what I don't hear people talk about? It is
showerheads. When they talk about freedom and liberty, they don't talk
about showerheads. I don't know what planet my Republican friends are
living on, but I have news for them: The number one issue in America is
not showerheads.
[[Page H116]]
It is healthcare. It is affordability. It is housing. It is making
sure that they can support their families. People look at life through
their kitchen window, and they have to pay bills. They have to make
sure that they make ends meet, and right now, under this Republican
economy, life is too damn expensive. People can't afford basic needs.
I just gave a 1-minute speech before we got into this debate about
the increase in hunger in this country.
Do you know what the Republican response to that is, Mr. Speaker,
what the Trump administration is doing to combat hunger?
They are now banning the monthly report, which gives us the data on
how many people are hungry in this country. No, we are not investing in
programs to help combat hunger. We are not fighting for higher wages.
We are not trying to lower healthcare costs. We are just going to hide
the information from people so that people don't know how bad the
situation is.
So, again, I appreciate all the gentlewoman's words, but, quite
frankly, they ring hollow. What people want us to do is to fight to
make life more affordable and more reasonable for them.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
{time} 1240
Mrs. HOUCHIN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I remind my colleague on the other side of the aisle
that House Republicans did pass a funding mechanism out of the House of
Representatives to the Senate, and because of the 60-vote rule in the
Senate we did need the help of Democrats in the Senate to fund the
government. They held out, again, for the purpose of funding taxpayer-
funded healthcare subsidies to benefit the wealthiest ObamaCare
enrollees in the Nation and fat cat insurance companies.
I would also note that much of what the gentleman has been referring
to, the deflection is like a magic trick. You can say words, just like
he accused me of saying many words, but the facts outweigh the
deflection, which is that it took much of 2025 to rid ourselves of the
sleepy Joe, America last, Biden economic hangover, but Republicans in
Congress and President Trump have delivered. America is now reaching
new milestones under Republican leadership, turning the tide back to
American greatness.
Let's just look at the economy. Quarter three GDP growth was a
roaring 4.3 percent, the fastest growth in years. The deficit is being
addressed. The Federal Government's cumulative deficit for fiscal year
2026 at the end of November was 19 percent lower than the same time
last year. Core inflation is at 2.6 percent, the lowest we have seen in
4 years.
Rents are falling month after month, and shelter inflation is at a 4-
year low. Gas prices are down to their lowest levels in 4 years. Stocks
were at near highs by the end of the year, with the S&P climbing by 17
percent in 2025.
All of this occurred before the gains of the Working Families Tax Cut
Act are realized, and we are just getting started.
It will take us a while to recover from the years of inflationary
policies of the Biden administration, but the facts show that House
Republicans under President Trump's leadership are delivering on
promises to reduce costs for American families.
Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Arizona (Mr.
Ciscomani).
Mr. CISCOMANI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of this
bipartisan conference agreement covering the Commerce, Justice, and
Science; Energy and Water; and the Interior and Environment
appropriations bills.
This package shows that when Congress works together, we can deliver
full-year funding that meets the needs of our communities. This package
makes smart, responsible investments in public safety, energy
reliability, our public lands and, for those of us in the West, water
conservation and infrastructure.
As the only member of the Arizona delegation in both the Senate and
the House serving on the Appropriations Committee, I have worked to
make sure this bill delivers real results back home in Arizona's Sixth
Congressional District. That includes specific Community Project
Funding requests developed directly with local leaders who know their
communities best and targeted at the issues that matter to our
communities the most.
This bill supports, for example, community safety vehicle fleet
modernization so that Tucson's first responders have reliable vehicles
when every second counts in their line of work. It also includes
funding for the Sahuarita Police Department radio replacement, so
officers can communicate clearly and safely in the field.
As the Colorado River continues to face a worsening drought, water
security is more important than ever. This package helps fund water
reclamation facility upgrades in Tombstone that will improve efficiency
and replace aging infrastructure.
It supports the multi-municipality sewer treatment project that
modernizes systems and protects public health across multiple
communities in Graham County.
It also invests in source water system improvements at Marana
Regional Airport and the Pioneer Well PFAS Treatment Project to help
ensure safe and reliable water for families and businesses. These are
practical, locally requested projects that are transparent,
accountable, and focused on results.
Mr. Speaker, this conference agreement reflects a responsible use of
taxpayer dollars while strengthening public safety, water security, and
critical infrastructure. I am proud of the work we have accomplished,
and I strongly urge my colleagues to support this package.
Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, again, the gentlewoman said nothing about January 6 or
nothing about the brave men and women who protected this Chamber and
all of us on that terrible, terrible day.
I have to say that I was more than amused by listening to the
gentlewoman spout about how great everything is right now: The Trump
economy is perfect. Everybody is doing great. Everything is wonderful.
Everything is terrific.
I don't know whether the gentlewoman holds townhalls or not, but I
wonder whether the voters of Indiana actually share that point of view.
I have got to tell you, I don't think so because I don't think the
voters in general in this country, the citizens of this country, share
that view.
Every poll that I have seen, every townhall that I have been at--by
the way, not only in my district but in other States--people have
complained about how expensive things are. They say Trump's economy is
making life more expensive, more difficult. The price of health
insurance is going through the roof because this Chamber won't extend
the ACA tax credits. Groceries are going up. I don't know whether the
gentlewoman goes to the supermarket or not, but the price of groceries
is going up.
Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to include in the Record an
article from Politico titled: ``Poll: Trump's own voters begin blaming
him for affordability crisis.''
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Massachusetts?
There was no objection.
[From POLITICO, Dec. 4, 2025]
Poll: Trump's Own Voters Begin Blaming Him for Affordability Crisis
(By Erin Doherty)
New polling shows many Americans have begun to blame
President Donald Trump for the high costs they're feeling
across virtually every part of their lives--and it's shifting
politics.
Almost half--46 percent--say the cost of living in the U.S.
is the worst they can ever remember it being, a view held by
37 percent of 2024 Trump voters. Americans also say that the
affordability crisis is Trump's responsibility, with 46
percent saying it is his economy now and his administration
is responsible for the costs they struggle with.
Those are among the new results from The POLITICO Poll that
crystallize a growing warning sign for Republicans ahead of
next year's midterms: Some of the very groups that powered
Trump's victory last year are showing signs of breaking from
that coalition, and it's the high cost of living that's
driving them away.
It's a growing vulnerability that Democrats exploited
repeatedly in recent months, with campaigns focused on
affordability sweeping key races in last month's elections in
New Jersey and Virginia and powering an overperformance in a
deep-red House seat in Tennessee on Tuesday.
``This is a small warning, but it's one that Republicans
need to understand, is that to
[[Page H117]]
hold the House in 2026, it's going to be an all-hands-on-deck
effort,'' GOP strategist Ford O'Connell said after the
Tennessee election, where Republican Matt Van Epps beat
Democrat Aftyn Behn by 9 points, but underperformed against
Trump's 22-point margin in 2024.
One year ago, Trump's economic message helped him piece
together a diverse winning coalition, fueling his return to
the White House amid widespread frustration over spiraling
inflation.
Then Trump, after campaigning against Joe Biden, inherited
the economy he spent months attacking, and both parties were
anticipating the moment when voters would begin to turn their
blame to the new incumbent.
Almost one year into Trump's term, that shift is well
underway.
The POLITICO Poll, conducted by Public First, found that
despite Trump's continued support among the Republican base,
his softest supporters--the ones the GOP most needs to hold
onto next year--are expressing concern.
Republicans were already worried about how they can turn
out lower-propensity voters during a midterm cycle when Trump
himself is not on the ballot. Now Democrats are also trying
to peel away their voters by focusing aggressively on
affordability, which remains a top priority for 56 percent of
Americans, according to The POLITICO Poll. As was the case in
November, affordability was central to the Tennessee special
election, with Behn repeatedly centering her campaign on an
affordability pitch.
``Republicans have long had the advantage on dealing with
the economy, but if [it] remains in the doldrums and prices
remain high, it's harder to find a good job, they will blame
the party in power, and that's Republicans,'' said Arizona-
based Republican strategist Barrett Marson.
Republicans' growing vulnerabilities on the economy
represent a stark inversion on an issue that has long defined
the GOP, and presents an emerging splintering in Trump's 2024
winning coalition as his party heads into a high-stakes
midterm fight.
Three-quarters of Trump voters say they trust the
Republican Party over Democrats to reduce the overall cost of
living. But his numbers are far weaker among those who say
they voted for him, but do not identify as ``MAGA
Republicans''--61 percent, compared to 88 percent of MAGA-
aligned voters--pointing to a possible weak spot in his
coalition.
Even among Trump voters a meaningful portion--nearly 1 in
5--say Trump holds full responsibility for the state of the
current economy.
The White House disputes that Trump is losing ground on the
economy. ``Cleaning up Joe Biden's economic disaster has been
a Day One priority for President Trump,'' spokesperson Kush
Desai said in a statement.
``President Trump is just getting started implementing the
policies that created historic economic prosperity in his
first term, and Americans can rest assured that the best is
yet to come.''
Americans agree that affordability is their top priority, and they hold
Trump responsible for addressing it
Across parties, age groups, races, genders and income
levels, Americans say the cost of living is the nation's top
problem, The POLITICO Poll finds, a sign that the economy
will again overshadow other political topics in next year's
midterms.
The poll underscores just how pervasive the affordability
crisis cuts across Americans' everyday lives. A 45 percent
plurality list grocery costs as the most challenging things
to afford, followed by 38 percent who say housing costs and
34 percent who say health care. (Respondents could select
multiple responses.)
Forty-three percent of Americans--including 31 percent of
Trump voters--say there is less economic opportunity in the
U.S. now than there has been in the past.
Other indicators present a similarly bleak view: Consumer
sentiment fell in November to one of its lowest levels on
record, according to the University of Michigan.
And while Trump frequently points to his predecessor to
deflect blame for inflation and high prices, the survey
reveals that defense is starting to crack.
More Americans say Trump holds most or all responsibility
for the economy (46 percent) than say Biden does (29
percent).
``Voters aren't going to go, `I voted for Trump to better
the economy, but Biden just hamstrung [him] too much,' ''
Marson said. ``Voters are going to very quickly forget about
Joe Biden and just as quickly turn their ire to Trump unless
things get better.''
The survey underscores how Trump is now running into the
kinds of economic headwinds that dogged Biden and the
Democratic Party during the 2024 campaign.
While inflation rates have fallen from a high of 9.1
percent during the Biden administration to roughly 3 percent
last month, voters' frustration with the cost of living has
remained elevated.
Biden repeatedly pointed to job growth to argue the economy
was strong, even as prices rose. Now Republicans--who
repeatedly hammered Biden over his handling of affordability
concerns--are increasingly concerned that Trump is taking a
similar tack.
``It's striking to see President Trump make the same
mistake,'' said Michael Strain, the director of Economic
Policy Studies at the historically conservative-leaning
American Enterprise Institute.
Voters say Trump isn't doing enough, and it's fracturing his coalition
The survey shows that there is a limit to how long Trump
voters are willing to give him to deliver on a core campaign
pledge. Already, 1 in 5 say he has had a chance to change the
economy but has not taken it, underscoring how an issue that
helped Trump form his coalition is now splitting it.
A significant portion of Trump's voters last year did not
come from his base--more than a third, 38 percent, self-
identified as not being a ``MAGA Republican'' in the survey--
and those voters are more likely than self-identified MAGA
Republicans to hold a pessimistic view of Trump's handling of
the economy.
Among non-MAGA Trump voters, 29 percent say Trump has had a
chance to change things in the economy but hasn't taken it--
more than double the 11 percent of MAGA voters who say Trump
had not taken his opportunity.
Non-MAGA Republicans were also much more likely than MAGA
voters to say the Trump administration is more responsible
for the things they find difficult to afford, including
grocery costs, utility bills and health care costs.
Democrats are eager to take advantage of the shifting
politics of affordability and make the 2026 midterms a
referendum on Trump's economic record--and plan to link GOP
candidates up and down the ballot to his policies.
Democrats from New York to Georgia zeroed in on
affordability to propel them to victory in last month's
elections, and many party leaders believe it's a playbook
that candidates should follow closely next year.
``House Republicans should 100 percent expect to see ads
next year calling them out for their broken promise to lower
prices and for supporting Trump's tariffs,'' CJ Warnke, a
spokesperson for the Democratic super PAC House Majority PAC,
said in a statement.
Republicans, for their part, argue they're the ones focused
on reducing costs. ``While Democrats are fighting amongst
themselves on who can be the next Zohran Mamdani socialist,
Republicans are laser-focused on lowering costs, rebuilding
prosperity, and delivering relief for the middle class,''
NRCC spokesperson Mike Marinella said in a statement.
Trump allies also say he's making an affordability pitch,
even if voters aren't yet feeling improvements in their daily
lives. But Trump himself has sent mixed messages on the
issue.
On Saturday, he posted on Truth Social about drug prices
that he claimed are falling so fast Republicans should easily
win the midterms, declaring: ``I AM THE AFFORDABILITY
PRESIDENT.''
Days later, he said ``affordability'' is a ``Democrat
scam'' and ``con job'' during a Tuesday Cabinet meeting.
``They just say the word,'' he said. ``It doesn't mean
anything to anybody. They just say it--affordability. I
inherited the worst inflation in history, there was no
affordability. Nobody could afford anything.''
Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, I don't want to be lectured about wealthy
people in this country because the Republicans have done everything
they can to help those who were well off get more and those who are
struggling get less.
We saw the One Big Beautiful Bill Act that included tax cuts for
multimillionaires and multibillionaires, giveaways to billionaires,
giveaways to Big Ag, Big Tech, Big Oil, and we see cuts to programs
that help average people in this country to get by.
By the way, their big, ugly bill included a trillion dollar cut to
Medicaid. They are cutting moneys for SNAP, the Supplemental Nutrition
Assistance Program. That is basically to help people put food on the
table. By the way, increasingly, a majority of the people who are on
SNAP are working families, and they are cutting that at the same time
that groceries are going up. However, if you are a billionaire, don't
worry about it.
We are fighting a war of oil right now because we want to make sure
Big Oil, that invested so heavily in the last campaign, gets their
payback. The bottom line is, when it comes to people who are well off,
well connected, and have lots of money, you know, they are doing fine.
Everybody else is getting screwed.
If you ask the average person on the street about what they think of
Donald Trump's economy, I will tell you what they will say. They will
say it sucks.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mrs. HOUCHIN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Let's just review some of the wins in the Working Families Tax Cut
Act because taxpayers are expected to take home an additional $91
billion in refunds and keep an additional $30 billion in their
paychecks from reduced withholdings.
[[Page H118]]
Taxpayers are set to continue to receive support in tax years to come
through a double standard deduction and lower tax rates, making the
2017 tax cuts permanent, an increase in the standard deduction by up to
$1,500 per family in 2025, no tax on tips, no tax on overtime, no tax
on Social Security, a boost to the child tax credit of $2,200 while
indexing its value to inflation, expanding access to childcare and paid
leave tax credit permanently, expanding the 529 savings accounts to
help families choose education that best fits their needs, and expanded
health savings accounts so American families can control their own
healthcare. That doesn't sound like benefits to millionaires and
billionaires. It sounds like benefits to hardworking American families.
Also, I note that the subsidies that the gentleman from Massachusetts
so wants to support, the American people would not see a dime of that.
It would go directly to insurance companies who, again, are seeing
record profits.
The one thing we can do is continue to support health savings
accounts, continue the Trump-era tax cuts from 2017, making them
permanent, and continue to promote the tax provisions in the Working
Families Tax Cut Act that received no Democratic support, by the way,
that really will help American families.
Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr.
Taylor).
Mr. TAYLOR. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from Indiana for
yielding me the time.
Ohio families are working harder than ever day in and day out just to
make ends meet. They are frustrated that they have to stretch their
dollar as far as it can go just to keep a roof over their heads, afford
to buy the basics, and deal with higher utility bills to keep their
water and power on. Buckeye families have worked too hard to struggle
this much, and I am standing here today ready to do something about it.
House Republicans have listened to hurting families, and we are
bringing forward legislation to help them get ahead. The Affordable
HOMES Act will cut through unnecessary and complicated red tape that
has been driving up the cost of manufactured housing for far too long.
Who has ultimately shouldered the burden of these soaring costs? It
is not the manufacturers. It is the hardworking families who are simply
trying to buy a home and live the once-attainable American Dream.
{time} 1250
Owning a home shouldn't be this much of a challenge. This bill will
help Ohio families check homeownership off the list, knowing they were
able to achieve exactly what they worked for.
House Republicans are also reining in the Biden administration's
overregulation of everyday household water fixtures and bringing down
costs for all Americans with the SHOWER Act. I applaud Representative
Fry for leading on this legislation.
Americans don't need the government to tell them which showerhead to
use. They need the government to get out of the way so they can afford
the necessities and have money to spend on other things in their lives.
This bill will claw back ridiculous Biden-era red tape and put American
families first.
Lastly, I am working alongside my fellow Republicans to pass full-
year funding for several critical programs. In my district, several
water and police projects will be funded, which will benefit some of
the poorest and most rural areas in this country. These projects will
help fund long-overdue water infrastructure projects and make local
improvements, ultimately driving down costs for communities throughout
the Nation.
Mr. Speaker, I recognize Representatives Houchin and Russell Fry, as
well as our Republican leadership and the Appropriations Committee led
by Chairman Cole, for their leadership on these critical pieces of
legislation being considered. I urge Congress to pass these commonsense
bills to lower the cost of living not only for Buckeye families but for
families across America.
Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I will tell everybody a little secret here. The
Republicans are really clever, but not really as clever as they think
they are. The big, beautiful bill that they passed, the one that
includes tax cuts for multimillionaires and multibillionaires and the
one that guts Medicaid by a trillion dollars, is incredibly unpopular.
It is incredibly unpopular.
In fact, the Kaiser Family Foundation said that 64 percent of
American families oppose it, and even FOX News says that 59 percent of
the American people oppose it.
Why do they oppose it, and why is it so unpopular? It is because of
what is contained in it. Rather than fix that--and we just heard the
gentlewoman do this. Rather than fix it, they renamed the bill the
Working Families Tax Cut Act. That never passed the House. That is a
new title they made up.
They think all they need to do is change the title of a bill, and
then the American people won't realize all the garbage that is tucked
into the bill. It is like lipstick on a pig. It is ridiculous. This is
insane.
The American people are hurting because of the Republican policies.
The American people are hurting because they won't extend the ACA tax
credits.
By the way, people will see their health insurance costs go down if
the ACA tax credits are extended. The gentlewoman is all upset about
it, but I will urge her to talk to some of her Republican colleagues,
by the way, who have signed on to a discharge petition to force a vote
on extending the ACA tax credits. We will begin that debate today and
vote on it tomorrow.
It is not just Democrats. There are some Republicans who are hearing
from their constituents that they are getting screwed over on their
healthcare, and they want us to do something.
The bottom line is, they can change the titles of bills and all that
kind of stuff, but if they don't change the substance, if they don't
get Donald Trump to back off on his tariffs--which, by the way, are
responsible for rising housing costs in this country--if they don't get
him to change his views on that, things are going to continue to get
worse. They can change the titles of bills all they want, but they are
not changing the reality for millions of Americans.
It is hard to believe that in the House of Representatives, which is
supposed to be a serious body, this is what we are talking about. We
are changing titles of bills so that maybe the American people won't
know what we are talking about.
Mr. Speaker, if we defeat the previous question, I am going to offer
an amendment to the rule to bring up H. Con. Res. 33, which calls for
the plaque honoring the brave police officers that defended this
Capitol and our democracy on January 6 to be put up in the Capitol as
required by law.
Mr. Speaker, I am sick and tired of Republicans standing up and
proclaiming their unwavering support for law enforcement when they
won't even honor the law enforcement that saved them, that saved us and
our democracy here on January 6.
Yesterday was the fifth anniversary of the January 6 attack on the
Capitol by supporters of Donald Trump. Over 140 officers were injured,
an officer was killed, and others died by suicide following the trauma
of that day.
Do you know how the White House marked this anniversary? They marked
it by putting up an Orwellian web page, rewriting history, and claiming
it is the officers who were to blame for the violence. How disgusting.
How despicable. How disgraceful.
I ask my Republican colleagues: Do you really believe that crap? When
you look in the eyes of the Capitol Police who guard this building, do
you accuse them of being responsible for the violence of that day?
How dare the President of the United States say such a thing, and how
shameful of this Republican majority to stay silent in the face of this
depravity and rewriting of history.
Republicans found the time to illegally slap Donald Trump's name onto
the Kennedy Center, defacing a memorial to a great President in a
single day, within 24 hours, but a legally required honor for the
officers who defended this democracy? It is 5 years of excuses, 5 years
of delay, 5 years of cowardice and disrespect to law enforcement by
Republicans.
When all is said and done, history will not look kindly on these
Trump Republicans and this Republican majority, and they all know it.
[[Page H119]]
At this point, let me say to my Republican friends that it is always
the right time to do the decent thing, the thing the law requires,
which is to hang the plaque honoring these brave men and women who put
their lives on the line to defend us, to defend this building, and to
defend this democracy.
Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to insert the text of my
amendment into the Record, along with any extraneous material,
immediately prior to the vote on the previous question.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Massachusetts?
There was no objection.
Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mrs. HOUCHIN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from
Utah (Ms. Maloy).
Ms. MALOY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this rule that moves
appropriations bills, bills that reflect the leadership of Chairman
Cole and the priorities of this Congress, avoiding another shutdown and
spending taxpayer dollars responsibly in a way that directly benefits
Americans.
These bills lower the cost of living and boost the economy. They
support domestic energy production, resulting in lower costs for
American families and businesses, and invest in water infrastructure to
address drought and protect supplies for communities across this
country.
These appropriations bills that are included in the rule spend hard-
earned tax dollars responsibly, reduce spending below current levels,
putting money back in Americans' pockets, and reduce our deficit. They
ensure that government funding works efficiently to deliver services
that make life better for Americans.
The American people are watching us. They want to see Congress do our
most basic, essential function, which is spending government dollars
and controlling the power of the purse. Through bipartisan, bicameral
negotiations, led by appropriators, we are turning priorities into
action and putting America first.
Mr. Speaker, this package demonstrates the value of Congress by
delivering results for communities in Utah and across the country.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the bill.
Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, again, no discussion, no comments on what happened on
January 6 or about what the White House put on its web page yesterday,
blaming police officers for the violence of January 6, saying that no
police officer died when we know that is a lie, and no explanation as
to why we are having such a difficult time hanging a plaque that, quite
frankly, the law requires us to hang.
Again, the gentlewoman voted against an amendment to force the
Speaker to hang the plaque. I am happy to yield to the gentlewoman if
she wants to explain why she voted that way. Does she have any reaction
to the White House's horrific and disgraceful statement yesterday,
basically smearing the brave men and women who are in our law
enforcement and the Capitol Police officers?
{time} 1300
Mr. Speaker, I am happy to yield to the gentlewoman.
And nothing. And nothing. I mean, really? That is what things have
come to? We can't even come together and stand in defense of the
Capitol Police who defended us that day? We can't honor them? Somehow
that is a no-no because Donald Trump doesn't like it. I mean, that
really is shameful.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mrs. HOUCHIN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from
Florida (Mr. Haridopolos).
Mr. HARIDOPOLOS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding
time.
Mr. Speaker, the Affordable HOMES Act is commonsense legislation that
cuts red tape and lowers housing costs for hardworking American
families.
We all recognize between 2021 and 2024 that interest rates went from
3 percent to 7 percent. In my home community, that meant we spent
$1,200 more a month for the average home in my community. We spent
$1,200. We need to think of commonsense ways to turn this around and
make housing more affordable.
President Reagan once said: ``If it moves, tax it. If it keeps
moving, regulate it. If it stops moving, subsidize it.''
Today, Washington has regulated the same thing twice. Manufactured
homes are being hit with overlapping energy mandates from HUD and the
Department of Energy. The Affordable HOMES Act fixes this by repealing
DOE's separate energy rules, restoring clear authority to HUD, which
already oversees construction and safety standards.
Lower costs mean more homes built and greater supply. More families
will be able to build equity and secure their future. This is
conservative policy at its best. It is less government, more
opportunity, and more relief for American families.
Let us also remember that home prices also went up because 10 million
people came into this country in a 4-year time period. The simple law
of supply and demand tells me that causes prices to rise radically,
much like radical policies from 2021 through 2024.
Mr. Speaker, I am proud to support the Affordable HOMES Act to cut
red tape and help more Americans achieve the dream of homeownership. I
very much thank the chairwoman for leading this charge.
Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mrs. HOUCHIN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from
Missouri (Mr. Alford).
Mr. ALFORD. Mr. Speaker, for too many American families, the American
Dream seems further out of reach each and every year, especially when
it comes to owning a home.
Do my colleagues know that housing is the number one monthly expense
for most families? When Washington piles on blue tape mandates and
bureaucratic nonsense, working families pay the price.
Under the Biden administration, their so-called Inflation Reduction
Act, which was really nothing of the sort, homebuilders were buried
under costly green new scam mandates and overregulation, driving up
construction costs and pushing homeownership even further out of reach.
This was also known as the green new scam in action. House
Republicans are changing that. We are cutting the blue tape. We are
lowering costs. We are making homeownership more affordable in 2026 and
beyond.
One great example is the Affordable Homes Act, led by my colleague
Congresswoman Erin Houchin. This commonsense bill removes unnecessary
Federal interference and eliminates costly energy mandates that drive
up the price of manufactured housing. This is one of the most
affordable pathways to homeownership for first-time buyers, young
families, and seniors.
This is just one example, Mr. Speaker, of how House Republicans are
working to lower housing prices. As co-chair of the Real Estate Caucus,
I worked with the Trump administration to reverse these disastrous
policies because the government should get out of the way and not stand
in the way of the American Dream.
Back home in Missouri, I have seen exactly what these mandates do. A
Kansas builder showed that so-called green energy codes save homeowners
only about $125 a year but add more than $1,200 a year to families'
mortgages.
It is simple, folks. If a policy costs families more than it saves
them, it is not a smart policy. House Republicans are fighting to make
housing affordable again. They are putting families first. The first
step is this bill.
Mr. Speaker, I urge passage of the rule. I urge passage of this act.
Let's make homes affordable in America again and save the American
Dream.
Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, may I inquire as to how much time is
remaining.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman from Massachusetts has 9
minutes remaining. The gentlewoman from Indiana has 4 minutes
remaining.
Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
Mr. Speaker, let's be honest about what we have seen from this
Republican majority. Republicans can't govern. They can't lead. They
won't and don't fight for the people who sent them here.
[[Page H120]]
They rush, rush, rush to the floor to redefine what a showerhead is.
That is the big issue. They move at lightning speed on tax breaks for
billionaires. They bend over backward to enrich Trump and his inner
circle, going so far as to invade another country to grease the skids
for Big Oil. It is not about democracy. It is not about human rights.
It is not even about drugs. It is about Big Oil.
The priorities of Big Tech, Big Oil, Big Pharma, and Big Banks move
at lightning speed. Tax cuts for the wealthy pass overnight. Corporate
giveaways face no obstacles.
When it comes to protecting healthcare for millions of Americans,
suddenly there is hesitation. Suddenly, there are delays. Suddenly,
there is no money. Suddenly, they move in slow motion. Suddenly, we
can't do anything.
It may be 2026, but it is the status quo for this Republican
majority. It is a new year but the same BS for them except when it
comes to what is happening in Venezuela. Then they are dragging us back
to 2003.
Other than that, it is always the same funding from elite donors with
phony talk about helping regular people. It is the same contempt for
their own voters. It is the same recklessness abroad. It is the same
incompetence at home.
Here is what Republicans always underestimate. The American people
are paying attention. They are not stupid. They know when billionaires
get everything and everyone else gets excuses. They know when
governance is replaced by stunts, distractions, and culture war
nonsense. There is always a reckoning for that kind of failure. This
year will be no exception. They know all the gimmicks.
We passed this monstrosity of a bill called the One Big Beautiful
Bill Act. The American people are horrified by what is in it. There are
excessive giveaways to the wealthiest in this country. There are
cutbacks in healthcare. There are cutbacks in everything that matters
to working families. Every poll that is done says that it is incredibly
unpopular.
What do they do? Rather than fix the problem, they come up with a
counterfeit name for the bill. It is no longer the One Big Beautiful
Bill Act. Now it is the Working Families Tax Cut Act. I don't know what
the hell that is. I don't know who came up with that idea. Maybe some
pollster gave it to them, as if changing the name of what they call
this big, ugly bill will make a difference.
Mr. Speaker, all I can say is that with all that is going on in this
country right now, with all of the concerns that the American people
have, and with people desperately pleading with this Republican
President and this Republican majority in the House and Senate to do
something to make their life better, we have an opportunity to maybe
legislate and help people. Instead, we are talking about showerheads. I
mean, really? I urge my colleagues to vote ``no'' on this bill.
Mr. Speaker, I will also again remind people about the vote on the
previous question. We have a chance to actually do something positive
today, and that is to honor the men and women who protected us on
January 6. Unfortunately, Republicans on the Rules Committee all voted
``no'' to require the Speaker again to hang the plaque.
They all voted ``no.'' Not a word has been said. There is no
explanation as to why. Not a word about what happened on January 6 has
been spoken on this floor by the Republicans today. I don't know how
that can be. I don't know how that can be.
Mr. Speaker, I was there that day. I was in the Speaker's chair. I
saw what happened. I saw what happened when I walked out to the
Speaker's lobby. I saw the people who protected us being beaten by this
angry mob, and not a word. We can't get the Speaker of the House to
hang up this plaque. That can change with the previous question vote.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
{time} 1310
Mrs. HOUCHIN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
Mr. Speaker, this rule is very straightforward. We are here to cut
burdensome red tape and regulatory overreach that leads to higher
energy costs for Americans. Commonsense reforms like these are simple
and long overdue.
We are also here to move an appropriations package that provides
critical funding and returns us to more responsible spending levels
while delivering for the American people.
One thing we have noted is that there is fraud in government
programs, including in Medicaid and SNAP. Republicans have sounded the
clarion call to try to eliminate waste, fraud, and abuse, while
Democrats want to minimize it.
We have known about it for decades, even when we went after some of
the waste, fraud, and abuse in ObamaCare, and guess what. After we
passed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, the CBO stated that healthcare
premiums would go down as a result of our work.
We went after Medicaid fraud, especially involving illegal
immigrants. By the way, a Federal court recently ordered officials to
turn over Medicaid information to ICE enforcement. If illegal
immigrants weren't accessing Medicaid on Democrats' watch, as they
tirelessly asserted, then why would a Federal court provide such an
order?
We went after waste, fraud, and abuse through our rescissions
package, and once again, Democrats refused to acknowledge that that
premise ever existed.
Mr. Speaker, we are cutting out waste, fraud, and abuse. We are
becoming fiscally responsible. We are putting the American family first
by reducing burdensome regulations that increase costs.
Mr. Speaker, I look forward to moving these bills out of the House
this week. I ask my colleagues to join me in voting ``yes'' on the
previous question and ``yes'' on the rule.
The material previously referred to by Mr. McGovern is as follows:
An Amendment to H. Res. 977 Offered By Mr. McGovern of Massachusetts
At the end of the resolution, add the following:
Sec. 7. Immediately upon adoption of this resolution, the
House shall proceed to the consideration in the House of the
concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 33) directing the
Architect of the Capitol to install at a permanent location
on the western front of the United States Capitol an
honorific plaque listing the names of all of the officers of
the United States Capitol Police, the Metropolitan Police
Department of the District of Columbia, and other Federal,
State, and local law enforcement agencies and protective
entities who responded to the violence that occurred at the
United States Capitol on January 6, 2021. All points of order
against consideration of the concurrent resolution are
waived. The concurrent resolution shall be considered as
read. All points of order against provisions in the
concurrent resolution are waived. The previous question shall
be considered as ordered on the concurrent resolution to
adoption without intervening motion except one hour of debate
equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking
minority member of the Committee on House Administration or
their respective designees.
Sec. 8. Clause 1(c) of rule XIX shall not apply to the
consideration of H. Con. Res. 33.
Sec. 9. The Clerk shall transmit to the Senate a message
that the House has adopted H. Con Res. 33 no later than one
calendar day after adoption.
Mrs. HOUCHIN. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time, and I
move the previous question on the resolution.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on ordering the previous
question.
The question was taken; and the Speaker pro tempore announced that
the ayes appeared to have it.
Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further
proceedings on this question will be postponed.
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