James R. Walkinshaw

“President Trump's war in Iran is making everyday life and gas more expensive for families. He broke his promises to lower costs and stay out of foreign wars. I want him to end this war and bring our troops home.”

“Mr. Speaker, my constituents can’t catch a break. They are paying more for groceries, electricity, housing, and healthcare, and President Trump’s war of choice in Iran is making life more expensive. In August, gas prices stayed above $4 a gallon, the most expensive August in American history. Every trip to work, every school dropoff, and every grocery run costs more because of this war. Donald Trump promised to bring down prices on day one. He promised to keep America out of foreign wars. He broke both promises, and American families are paying the price. End this war. Bring our servicemembers home. Put American families first.”

“I want the House to pass my amendment. Right now, companies must pass two separate security reviews to sell cloud tools to both civilian agencies and the military. My amendment sets up a test program to let the military quickly accept tools that civilian agencies have already approved. This will save money and get new cybersecurity tools to the military faster.”

“Mr. Chair, I rise today in support of Amendment No. 309 to the FY2027 National Defense Authorization Act. My amendment would establish a pilot program to enable the Department of Defense (DoD) to more efficiently deploy modern cybersecurity solutions by accelerating the security verification of solutions that have already received FedRAMP High certification. FedRAMP is a standardized approach to certifying and assessing the security of cloud computing technologies used across federal agencies, and a FedRAMP High certification is the strictest cloud security authorization level within FedRAMP. This level of certification ensures compliance with the standards needed to securely handle and process the federal government’s most sensitive unclassified information and data. FedRAMP seeks to create a ``certify once, reuse many times’’ model for cloud products and services that provides a secure and cost- effective approach to federal cloud service adoption. The idea behind this concept of ``certify once, reuse many times’’ or ``reciprocity’’ as I like to refer to it, is that if a cloud service’s security controls have already been certified at a basic level, multiple federal agencies should be comfortable with adopting the service for their own purposes. For years, DoD has relied on its own assessment and verification process for cloud-based services, separate and distinct from FedRAMP-- however, both DoD’s and FedRAMP’s assessment and verification processes rely on the same NIST standards and have the same goal, which is to certify that a cloud-based product meets security standards for federal use. What this means in practice is that both the government and our private sector partners must invest significant time and resources to verify security controls for cloud service deployment not just once, but twice if they hope to make that service available to both Federal Civilian and DoD customers. Additionally, maintaining two parallel certification pathways has created bottlenecks in deploying modern commercial cloud capabilities, including critical cybersecurity tools, within the DoD--even when those solutions have already been certified for civilian agency use under the same NIST standards through the FedRAMP program. This amendment would save the federal government time and resources by encouraging reciprocity between the parallel FedRAMP and DoD cloud security assessment processes. It establishes a pilot program to accelerate the DoD’s assessment of cloud-based cybersecurity solutions that have already been authorized under the same underlying NIST standards that the Department’s existing assessment process relies on. In doing so, this pilot will help deliver innovative commercial cybersecurity capabilities to the warfighter more quickly, at a time when cyber threats from our adversaries are growing more sophisticated. I urge my collegues to support this amendment. The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendments en bloc offered by the gentleman from Alabama (Mr. Rogers). The en bloc amendments were agreed to.”

“I am voting against this bill. It cuts foreign aid and hurts our global health work. Helping other countries fight diseases keeps Americans safe, and cutting this small amount of money will not fix the national debt.”

“Mr. Chairman, America’s strength in the world has never been that we are perfect. It is that, unlike our adversaries, we have consistently aspired to lead by example and with our values. Building the capacity of a local community abroad to combat deadly diseases like malaria, Ebola, tuberculosis, and HIV is not just the right and just thing to do. It serves American interests. Disease outbreaks do not respect borders, and investments in global health protect Americans at home. That is why the dismantling of USAID is so dangerous. USAID isn’t a charity. It was boots on the ground, a force multiplier for the CDC and our broader national security efforts. Let’s be honest. Slashing foreign aid will not balance the Federal budget. Anyone with a calculator knows you are not going to address the skyrocketing deficit by cutting programs that amount to a rounding error in Federal spending. This is about American values and American security. Mr. Chairman, that is why I cannot support this bill. It ignores the reality of what has already been lost.”

“I support this bill. I just want to make sure it is not used to cut funding for intelligence work at the Department of Homeland Security.”

“Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Madam Speaker, I appreciate the gentleman’s and the committee’s work on H.R. 7574, and it sounds like, I think, that we are in alignment. I just want to be sure that the language in the bill referring to redundancies isn’t used to defund the I&A at the Department of Homeland Security. It sounds like the gentleman and I are on the same page. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.”

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  Speech on a bill

  Signal 35 of 100

  Much of this statement went to praise, blame, greetings, routine procedure or general stories rather than reasons, requests or specific points.

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“I want the House to pass this bill. It makes the Department of Homeland Security share information and track how well it stops illegal fentanyl.”

“Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, H.R. 8535, the bipartisan Measuring Illicit Fentanyl Trafficking Act, is based on the nonpartisan research and recommendations of the Government Accountability Office, which last year examined the Department of Homeland Security’s efforts to detect, deter, and seize illicit fentanyl. GAO identified critical gaps in DHS efforts against fentanyl trafficking: a lack of coordination, information sharing, and measures to assess DHS’ effectiveness. As a result, GAO made three straightforward recommendations: first, establish a program to collect data and measure effectiveness; second, ensure access to information across DHS components; and, third, develop performance goals and measures aligned with DHS’ strategic objectives. Our bill simply would put into law those commonsense recommendations. Fentanyl remains one of the most devastating public safety and public health challenges facing our Nation. The scourge of fentanyl trafficking is sobering. CDC data showed that fentanyl accounted for over 69 percent of all drug overdose deaths in the United States in 2025. Last year alone, in the D.C. metropolitan region, there were nearly 1,000 deaths due to fentanyl overdose. With lives, resources, and time on the line, it is important for DHS personnel to not only work hard in the fight against illicit fentanyl but to also work smart against this enormous challenge. That requires collaboration and the ability to assess how their operations are having an impact. Madam Speaker, I thank Mr. McCaul, who was my co-lead on this legislation. I thank the chairman, Ranking Member Thompson, and Mr. Correa, as well, who worked hard on it. As I said, this bipartisan legislation would put three GAO recommendations for combating illicit fentanyl into law. It would require the establishment of a program to collect data and measure the effectiveness of current efforts to counter illicit fentanyl, ensure information sharing across DHS components, and require the development of performance goals and measures. Madam Speaker, I urge all Members to join me in supporting H.R. 8535, and I yield back the balance of my time.”

“I support this bill. It requires a report on terrorist groups operating in friendly nations outside of NATO. This report will help Congress understand threats to our country and decide how to fight them.”

“Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 8168, the Major Non-NATO Ally Terror Threat Assessment Act. This bill directs the Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the Secretary of State and the Director of National Intelligence, to provide an assessment of the threats to the United States posed by foreign terrorist organizations and specially designated global terrorists present in countries that the State Department designates as ``major non-NATO allies.’’ The assessment required under the bill will give Congress a more comprehensive view of terrorist threats to the homeland, which will inform Congress of authorities and resources needed to combat those threats. Mr. Speaker, I support the bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.”

“I want you to vote for this bill. It makes airport security easier for families with young children while keeping travel safe.”

“Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Mr. Speaker, the airport experience is difficult enough for young families. This bill will help improve that experience while upholding security standards, and I urge support. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.”

“I urge my colleagues to vote for this bill.”

“Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Mr. Speaker, I applaud Representative Kennedy’s leadership on this bill, and I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 3106. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.”

“I want my colleagues to vote for this bill. It keeps a program going that makes travel easier for people flying into the country from abroad.”

“Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Mr. Speaker, this bill will continue operations for this growing TSA pilot program, helping to improve the travel experience for inbound passengers on international flights. I urge my colleagues to support this measure, and I yield back the balance of my time.”

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  Speech on a bill

  Clarity 26 of 100

  Much of this statement used imprecise wording, lacked details on timing or responsibility, or made broad claims without support.

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“I want the House to pass this bill. It extends a program that lets TSA set up extra security checkpoints at airports. It also lets the program expand from eight airports to 14 through 2031.”

“Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 9391, the Reimbursable Screening Services Program Extension Act of 2026. The TSA Reimbursable Screening Services Program, or RSSP, is a pilot program that permits TSA to conduct passenger screening outside primary airport terminal screening areas under reimbursable agreements with up to eight TSA-regulated entities, such as an airport operator. RSSP facilities are located at airports across the country, including in Los Angeles, Atlanta, and New York City, and the newest location recently opened in Boston. The pilot program is set to expire at the end of September 2026. H.R. 9391 would extend the pilot program until the end of September 2031 and expand the number of pilot program locations to 14 to allow the program to grow and bring new RSSP concepts online. Passing this bill would provide important clarity for a program that has been operating under repeated short-term extensions. Mr. Speaker, as I said, this bill ensures the RSSP at TSA can continue to operate and develop additional passenger screening locations at airports across the country to improve the travel experience. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.”

“I want the House to pass this bill. It makes sure Congress gets the reports we need to protect security programs in big cities, including the Washington area. This helps keep our communities safe and protects past federal investments.”

“Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. I thank the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Carter) for his work on this legislation. I also thank the chairman for his work. UASI grants have played a critical role in my region, the D.C. metropolitan region, in protecting Northern Virginia, Maryland, and the District of Columbia, including this Capitol complex. This bill that will improve transparency, strengthen congressional oversight, and ensure that important security investments made over many years are not lost is a wonderful piece of legislation. Passage of H.R. 8874 will ensure that Congress has the information needed to understand the impact of UASI transitions and help preserve the critical Homeland Security capabilities our communities rely on. It will strengthen oversight, support our local partners, and help ensure that years of Federal investment and preparedness are not lost. I applaud Congressman Carter for his leadership on this issue and strongly urge my colleagues to support H.R. 8874. I yield back the balance of my time.”

“I want the House to pass this bill. Military members and their families sacrifice a lot for our country, and this bill makes airport travel easier for them.”

“Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Mr. Speaker, military servicemembers and their families make sacrifices for our Nation every day. We owe it to them to make their lives easier in ways big and small wherever and whenever we can. This bill represents a step toward easier travel for Active Duty military and their families. I thank the gentlewoman for her work on that, and I yield back the balance of my time.”

“I support this bill because it gives TSA workers better safety tools faster to protect travelers. I want to work with both parties to make sure it does not harm TSA workers.”

“Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 8770 will help ensure TSA’s frontline staff get more of the tools they need to keep travelers safe, and at a faster pace. I look forward to working with our colleagues on both sides of the aisle to ensure there are no unintended consequences for TSA’s workforce if this bill becomes law. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.”

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  Clarity 11 of 100

  Much of this statement used imprecise wording, lacked details on timing or responsibility, or made broad claims without support.

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“I support this bill to name a post office in Georgetown, Ohio, after Ulysses S. Grant. He was an American hero who led the Union to victory in the Civil War, worked to end slavery, and later served as president to protect civil rights for Black Americans.”

“Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, some of my Virginia ancestors are rolling over in their graves today, but I am very happy to be here to speak in support of H.R. 7809 to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 201 East Grant Avenue in Georgetown, Ohio, as the Ulysses S. Grant Post Office Building. Ulysses S. Grant was an American hero who helped lead the United States Army to victory against the Confederacy in the Civil War before serving as President of the United States. After graduating from West Point, Grant served in the Mexican- American war under the leadership of General Zachary Taylor, who would later become the 12th President of the United States. Grant initially resigned from the Army in 1854, but at the outbreak of the Civil War, he served as commander of a volunteer regiment and was quickly promoted to brigadier general. Throughout the war, he fought and won numerous battles. His victories included the capture of Fort Henry and Fort Donelson and the defeat of rebel forces at Shiloh and Vicksburg. As the war progressed, his military leadership played an instrumental role in enforcing President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation and advancing the United States’ commitment to ending slavery. In March 1864, President Lincoln designated Grant as the general-in- chief of the U.S. Army Forces, ultimately leading to a Union victory in April 1865 with the surrender of Confederate General Lee at Appomattox in Virginia. After the war, Ulysses S. Grant served two terms as President of the United States. During his time in office, he pushed forward the Reconstruction agenda, advocating for civil rights and protection from political violence for Black Americans. I encourage my colleagues to join us in honoring the life and legacy of President Grant by naming this post office in his hometown of Georgetown, Ohio, after him. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.”

“I want to pass this bill to name a post office in Fairfax after Gerald Connolly. It honors his decades of public service to our community.”

“Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Texas for his kind and eloquent words. I also thank Chairman Comer for his support of this legislation. As I said, Gerry Connolly is somebody who loved this body. He loved Fairfax County. He loved the Postal Service. This naming of the post office on Page Avenue in Fairfax will mean a lot to his family. Just as importantly, it will mean a lot to our community, which recognizes his decades of dedicated and passionate service with the integrity that he provided. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.”

• Little substance
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  Speech on a bill

  Signal 28 of 100

  Much of this statement went to praise, blame, greetings, routine procedure or general stories rather than reasons, requests or specific points.

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