“I am starting the debate on this rule.”

“Mr. Speaker, for the purpose of debate only, I yield the customary 30 minutes to the gentleman from Massachusetts, 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.”

“I want the House to approve the rules for debating six bills. These bills fund the military and the government, help disabled people work without losing benefits, stop lawmakers from trading stocks, require photo ID to vote, support community banks, and set the federal budget.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the rule and the underlying legislation. Yesterday, the Committee on Rules met and produced the rule, H. Res. 1438, providing for the House’s consideration of H. Con. Res. 113, H.R. 9770, H.R. 8800, H.R. 8884, H.R. 7008, and H.R. 6955. This rule provides for consideration of H.R. 8800, the Fiscal Year 2027 National Defense Authorization Act, under a structured rule and makes in order 320 amendments. The rule provides for 1 hour of general debate equally divided and controlled by the chair and the ranking member of the Committee on Armed Services or their respective designees, and one motion to recommit. Additionally, the rule provides that upon House passage of H.R. 8800, the Clerk shall add the text of S. 1383, the SAVE America Act, to the bill and transmit it to the Senate as one bill. The bill further provides for consideration of H.R. 8884, the Removing Barriers to Work for Disabled Americans Act, under a closed rule. The rule provides for 1 hour of debate equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking member of the Committee on Armed Services or their respective designees and one motion to recommit. The rule further provides for consideration of H. Con. Res. 113, establishing the congressional budget for fiscal year 2027, under a closed rule. The rule provides for 1 hour of general debate equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking member of the Committee on the Budget or their respective designees. Additionally, the rule provides for consideration of H.R. 7008, the Stop Insider Trading Act, under a closed rule. The rule provides for 1 hour of general debate equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking member of the Committee on House Administration or their respective designees and one motion to recommit. The rule further provides for consideration of H.R. 6955, the Main Street Capital Access Act, under a closed rule. The rule provides for 1 hour of general debate equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking member of the Committee on Financial Services or their respective designees and one motion to recommit. Finally, the rule provides for consideration of H.R. 9770, the Continuing Appropriations Act, 2027, under a closed rule. The rule provides for 1 hour of general debate equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking member of the Committee on House Administration or their respective designees and one motion to recommit. Mr. Speaker, the rule and its six underlying measures are a direct reflection of our Republican majority’s expressed commitments on multiple fronts. Contrary to the predictable and entirely incoherent hubbub that will reverberate from the other side of the Chamber during today’s debate, Republicans remain at the helm, like we always have, and remain focused, as we always have. It is okay to tune out those on the other side of the aisle while they are blathering on, Mr. Speaker. Their fevered, political rhetoric does not carry an iota of substance. There is a great deal of business to attend to this week, Mr. Speaker. All of us understand that time indeed is of the essence here. Let’s talk for a moment about that business. H. Con. Res. 113 begins the process to provide urgent, necessary resources for our Nation’s firefighters, reinforce election integrity measures, and support the hardworking men and women of our agricultural community so that our Nation’s food supply and food security remain as strong as they possibly can be. H.R. 9770 upholds Congress’ explicit Article I duties to fund the Federal Government so that its operational continuity does not lapse or is subjected to the same disgraceful political subterfuge that our colleagues across the aisle engaged in last year. H.R. 8800, the keystone of Congress’ mandate to provide for the common defense of the Nation, delivers for our Nation’s servicemembers, allocates the resources necessary to maintain a strong posture of defense and deterrence, and confronts waste, fraud, and abuse head-on. H.R. 8884 allows disabled Americans, who want to join the workforce to better their own lives, to do so without having to worry about whether their disability benefits will disappear abruptly. H.R. 7008 prohibits Members of Congress, their spouses, or dependent children from purchasing publicly traded stocks, while also implementing the requirement--that the American people overwhelmingly support--of requiring a photo ID to vote in Federal elections. It is entirely disingenuous for the other side to use fear-mongering tactics to scare people into believing that Republicans are trying to take away anyone’s right to vote. That is downright false. Finally, H.R. 6955 makes life more affordable for Americans, while also empowering Main Street, by ensuring that community lenders are no longer burdened by ill-advised mandates that make it harder for them to serve families, small businesses, and local economies. That is the business at hand, Mr. Speaker. We are not here to entertain the ever-so-tired ranting and raving from our colleagues across the aisle that the sky is falling, the world is ending, or any kind of absurd political musings they may want to spout off. We are here to do the people’s business, the business that makes America stronger, more secure, and more prosperous. As we celebrate the 250th year of the greatest country in the world, Republicans are working hard to strengthen America and help it endure. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.”

“Our main focus is correct. Protecting the country is the federal government's most important job.”

“Mr. Speaker, I will just note that our priorities are not out of whack. The number one role of the Federal Government is the defense of this Nation. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Fuller).”

“I want the House to pass this rule. It lets us vote on important bills, keep the government open, and fund cleanups of water pollution in my district. I believe Democrats are trying to shut down the government for politics.”

“Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding me time. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the rule. This important legislation is required to allow Republicans in this House to advance important priorities for the American people, including funding legislation to keep our government operating. Unfortunately, it has become clear, as the House has considered appropriations legislation on the floor and in Chairman Cole’s committee, that Democrats are trying to hold our government hostage. This legislation will make clear where Democrats stand. Will they vote against keeping the government working for the American people, or will they vote to keep us hostage? Will they vote with me to fund important priorities, such as the programs that will allow communities in my district and many others to clean up and recover from years of PFAS contamination, or will they vote to hold hostage programs that will make Appalachia communities, like mine, healthier all to score political points? I know where I stand. I know where leadership in this body stands. I promised my constituents that I would be a warrior for north Georgia, and I am proud to do that today. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this rule.”

“I want the House to pass this bill. It bans members of Congress, their spouses, and their children from buying individual stocks. It also requires lawmakers to give public notice before selling stocks. This will help restore public trust and make sure lawmakers do not use insider information to get rich.”

“Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Our colleagues on the other side of the aisle are skirting very closely to having their words taken down when they call out individual Members. Mr. Speaker, our colleagues sometimes ask who is to blame for the lack of trust of Members of Congress. It is Members of Congress and the press who call into question acts that are done by Members of Congress that are totally legal. We already have laws in place against insider trading. There have been a couple of Members of Congress who have been prosecuted for that, and that is appropriate, but the Stop Insider Trading Act will prevent that. I believe, and Republicans believe, that no lawmaker should profit off of insider information. I frankly don’t know how people get the insider information, but the top line of the legislation we are bringing here, the Stop Insider Trading Act, led by Committee on House Administration Chairman Bryan Steil, will ensure that lawmakers cannot use their positions to profit off insider information, if there is insider information. The Stop Insider Trading Act has a prohibition on stock purchasing. It bans Members, their spouses, and their dependent children from purchasing securities issued by publicly traded companies. It requires Members to file a public notice at least 7 days but no more than 14 days in advance for any intended stock sale with the Clerk of the House of Representatives or the Secretary of the Senate. Then, if a Member of Congress, spouse, or dependent child decides not to sell a covered investment, the Member must publicly withdraw the notice prior to its expiration. There are penalties, Mr. Speaker, for violators. They will be assessed a fine equal to $2,000 or 10 percent of the value of the transaction, whichever is greater, and then any net gain realized from a transaction. This is designed to make sure that Members do not take advantage of any potential information or advantage that the Member has. Mr. Speaker, we want to restore public trust in this institution. Members are doing their jobs diligently. They do not want to be under a cloud. News outlets and social media accounts have garnered significant attention for aggregating the stock trades of Members of Congress. Under the STOCK Act of 2012, lawmakers are prohibited from using nonpublic information for their own financial benefit, but many Americans have become concerned that the STOCK Act is insufficient and stronger measures must be implemented. The Stop Insider Trading Act will increase transparency and reinforce to the American people that Members are working for them, not themselves. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.”

“I support this bill because it requires voters to show a photo ID in federal elections. Studies show that voter ID laws do not lower voter turnout, even among young and minority voters. People already need an ID for everyday activities, and this rule will help stop noncitizens from voting.”

“Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, the voter ID provisions in this bill amend the Help America Vote Act to require States to obtain a photo ID from an individual to vote in person in a Federal election or to require a copy of the photo ID to be submitted with a ballot cast other than in person. These requirements do not apply to an absent uniformed services voter or an individual provided the right to vote other than in person by the Voting Accessibility for the Elderly and Handicapped Act. The bill permits voters to use several different forms of photo ID: a valid State-issued motor vehicle driver’s license that includes a photo of the individual and an expiration date, a valid State-issued identification card that includes a photo of the individual and an expiration date issued by a State motor vehicle authority, a valid United States passport for the individual, a valid photo identification card for the individual issued by the Department of Defense or the Department of Veterans Affairs, or a valid identification document issued by a Tribal government that includes a photo of the individual and an expiration date. While my friends across the aisle claim the bill will prevent individuals who cannot afford a photo ID from voting, this is nothing but false alarmism. The Supreme Court has held photo ID laws are constitutional only where the State provides a photo ID to those who do not have them. In other words, a photo ID requirement in the bill is not a barrier to voting for someone who cannot afford to pay the typical photo ID fee. The data supports that Democrats are being disingenuous when they claim this bill would suppress voting. The nonpartisan National Bureau of Economic Research tracked 1.6 billion data points over an 8-year period. This massive amount of data confirms strict voter ID laws have no statistically measurable negative impact on voter participation. This comprehensive, multiyear study found zero negative impact on overall registration or turnout, no drops in participation among minority or young voters, and an increase in Hispanic participation in some ID law States. Photo ID as a form of verification is a part of American life. Americans must show an ID to participate in a wide range of everyday activities, including boarding a plane, entering government buildings, cashing their checks, buying a gun, and enjoying Olive Garden’s Never Ending Pasta Bowl. Politico just announced that more than 6,000 noncitizens were registered to vote in New Jersey and have been voting since 2023. This is clearly an issue which must be addressed. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.”

“I want the House to pass this rule so we can vote on these six bills. Republicans believe people should keep the money they earn instead of paying higher taxes. Our recent tax cuts have helped millions of workers, families, and seniors save money. These bills keep delivering on what the American people need.”

“Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Mr. Speaker, we live in the greatest country in the world. We just celebrated the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. We have a lot more to be talking about, about the founding of this country, and I hope people will pay close attention to that. We do have a government that is on the side of the American people. We believe in capitalism. Our friends across the aisle constantly talk about how much people need to be paying more in taxes. We believe on the Republican side that the people have a right to what they have earned and not that the government should take their money and spend it the way the government wants to spend it. Let me remind our colleagues that just 1 year ago H.R. 1 delivered the largest middle- and working-class tax cut in U.S. history. Low- income workers realized the largest percentage reduction in their tax liability. Yes, we indeed care about the American people and the fruits of their labor. Nearly 40 percent of taxpayers have claimed one of President Donald Trump’s signature cuts this year. This tax season over 7.5 million filers claimed no tax on tips, with an average deduction of over $7,000. Over 29 million filers claimed no tax on overtime with an average deduction of over $3,100, and over 35 million seniors have claimed the enhanced deduction for seniors with an average deduction of over $7,500. We do, indeed, care for the American people in allowing them to keep the fruits of their labor. More than 5.5 million Trump Accounts have been opened with 1.4 million eligible for the $1,000 pilot program contribution. Nearly 40 million families have claimed the enhanced child tax credit, and over 127 million filers, or 90 percent of all tax filers, have claimed the permanently doubled standard deduction. We do, indeed, care for American taxpayers. I am not at all surprised by the recent rant from our colleague when one-half of the Democrats could not vote for a resolution against socialism. Mr. Speaker, it is really no secret that this is a week of monumental importance in the people’s House. The rule and six underlying measures carry with them a commitment to deliver upon the priorities of the President, the Nation, and the American people. Some are quick to write off the progress that this Republican majority has made thus far, and they are dead wrong in doing so. This week, Mr. Speaker, we will continue to build upon that progress in just the one issue I discussed, H.R. 1. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``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. 1438 Offered By Mr. McGovern of Massachusetts”

“I am asking the House to end debate and vote on this rule.”

“Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time, and I move the previous question on the resolution. The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Kustoff). 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.”