[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 65 (Wednesday, April 19, 2023)] [House] [Pages H1881-H1884] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
Date: 2023-04-19
Chamber: HOUSE
Mr. KUSTOFF: I thank the gentleman from Louisiana for organizing tonight when we can speak directly to the American people. Monday marked 100 days of the new Republican majority here in the United States House of Representatives. Since then, we have been committed and worked hard to fulfill our commitment to America. That is our promise; to build an economy that is strong, a Nation that is safe, a future that is built upon freedom, and a government that is accountable to the American people. Our very first vote here in the majority was to defund President Biden's army of 87,000 new IRS agents that were to target families and small businesses with more burdensome audits. We passed the Parents Bill of Rights. Now, House Republicans know how important it is to have a say in their children's future, and the Parents Bill of Rights ensures that their important voice is heard. The Parents Bill of Rights does five things: First, the right for parents to know what is being taught in schools and to see reading material. Secondly, the right to be heard. Third, the parents' rights to see schools' budgets and schools' spending. Fourth, the right to protect their child's privacy. Fifth, the right for parents to be updated on any violent activity at school. I was proud and am proud to cosponsor this legislation that puts power back in the hands of parents certainly across our country and also empowers them with the information that they need to ensure that their children receive the best education possible. In addition, for people following at home, we passed a bill, the bill number is H.R. 1, the title of the bill is the Lower Energy Costs Act. H.R. 1, what it does is it unleashes American energy. It lowers energy costs for families across my district in West Tennessee and across the Nation.  {time}  1845  President Biden's war on American energy, frankly, has made us more reliant on foreign energy sources. Americans know that because they have been paying the price for this in higher gas prices, higher utility bills, higher energy prices, in general. H.R. 1 will unleash American energy and lower costs. It does five things: It increases domestic energy production. It reforms the permitting process for all industries. That is the second thing. The third thing, it reverses anti-energy policies advanced by President Biden's administration. Fourth, it streamlines energy infrastructure and exports. Fifth, it boosts the production and processing of critical minerals. I think that is so important.  That is H.R. 1. Obviously, it is one of the most important pieces of legislation that will pass here in the United States House of Representatives. We as House Republicans have also been doing our part to talk directly with Americans, in part by taking our committee hearings outside of Washington, D.C. We are talking directly to people across the country by having committee hearings outside of Washington, D.C., in the heartland of the country. I am honored to be on the House Committee on Ways and Means. Under the chairmanship of Jason Smith who chairs the House Committee on Ways and Means, we have had field hearings in West Virginia and in Oklahoma. By taking these committee hearings to places like West Virginia and Oklahoma, we have been talking--but more importantly, listening--in our committees to people who may not be able to travel to Washington, D.C., who could testify directly to our committee and to the other committees. By doing that, again, listening to issues that are important to the House Ways and Means Committee, and certainly to the other committees, as well, we really appreciate their valuable input. In addition to all this, other things that House Republicans have done, we have reopened the people's House. It is great to walk around the House Chamber, to walk around the Halls of Congress and see people, see our constituents, see school groups. Here in the House of Representatives under the Republican majority in these 100 days, we have worked to protect the sanctity of life. We have worked to counter the Chinese Communist Party and their influence. We have worked to counter the Biden administration for their weaponization of the Federal Government. Mr. Speaker, frankly, we are just getting started. We have got a lot of work cut out for us, but we are up to the challenge. We are working hard for the American people. The Republican majority is committed to delivering results for the American people each and every day in this body. Like you, I appreciate the honor to serve, and I appreciate Congressman Johnson for organizing tonight's Special Order so that Members like me and other Members in the Republican House majority can talk to the people, can talk about the accomplishments and also the important issues that our Nation faces.