What Chuck Edwards said, and what was done

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Sheriff Ricky T. Buchanan on his retirement after over twenty years of exceptional and steadfast service to the people of McDowell County.”

“Mr. Speaker, our national debt has now surpassed $39 trillion, and every second that we fail to address it, that number continues to grow, placing an even greater burden on future generations.”

“Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the chance to speak on this bill and I certainly appreciate Chairman Bost's leadership on this important matter. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 1041, the Veterans 2nd Amendment Protection Act.”

“Mr. Speaker, as we recognize those who serve in law enforcement during Police Week, we must also pause to remember those who gave their lives in the line of duty.”

“Mr. Speaker, I thank Mr. Harris for bringing this important legislation forward. Mr. Speaker, public safety should never take a back seat to politics. That is why I rise today in support of the Cashless Bail Reporting Act.”

“Mr. Speaker, western North Carolina is still recovering from Hurricane Helene. Families are rebuilding homes; small businesses are getting back on their feet; and communities are working every day to repair critical infrastructure.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. Sean Gerry, a resident of Jackson County, North Carolina, whose quick thinking and selfless actions helped save the life of a young woman in Buncombe County.”

“Mr. Speaker, western North Carolina is still recovering from Hurricane Helene. Families are rebuilding homes, small businesses are getting back on their feet, and our communities are repairing critical infrastructure.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Officer Debbie LeCroy upon her retirement from the Asheville Police Department, following twenty years of distinguished, honorable service to the people of Western North Carolina.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Phillip Barrier for his 27 years of dedicated public service to Avery County, North Carolina, as County Manager. Phillip's career reflects a lifetime commitment to serving his community with integrity, professionalism, and an unwavering sense of responsibility.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the rule. The appropriations bills need to be passed for fiscal year 2026 Defense; Homeland Security; Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education; and Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development.”

“Last October, more than 2\1/2\ months ago, the Senate sent to the House on a bipartisan basis this joint resolution to terminate the global tariffs. In this House, our Republican majority has continued to block a simple up-or-down vote.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 5184, the Affordable HOMES Act. I thank Representative Houchin for her leadership in advancing this important piece of legislation.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor the exceptional service of Jessie Frank, whose six years of dedicated public service to the State of North Carolina and to the United States Congress reflect the highest standards of professionalism, integrity, and commitment to the public good.”

“I want to add my congratulations to FMC's past presidents and to thank them for their role in creating this incredibly important vibrant and impactful organization, which is a perfect transition to the next part of our agenda focused on FMC's work in 2025 and our vision for 2026.”

“Thank you, Barbara, for this report of FMC's work in 2025. I hope you all will take the time, as Barbara said, to read the more in-depth narrative.”

“Thank you all for these really wonderful insights, anecdotes, and celebration of the Article I branch. You have given us the perfect setting as FMC commences the America250 programing.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Ms. Annie Clarkson for her work as an intern, serving in my D.C. office. I would like to take this opportunity to thank her for her hard work and recognize the meaningful contributions she has made to the office this fall.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the extraordinary service and leadership of Madison County's Ms. Deanna Ponder in the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Helene. When Hurricane Helene devastated our communities, access to fuel was critical to sustaining emergency operations.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Matt Yeakley, and his wife Morgan, for their extraordinary service and leadership during the aftermath of Hurricane Helene in Marshall, North Carolina.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to selfless service Linemen Matt Martinka of Duke Energy. Mr. Martinka is a Journeyman Lineman in the Asheville area working for Duke Energy, a leading energy company that focuses on delivering electricity and natural gas services to the citizens of North Carolina.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the selfless service of line apprentice, Nathan Curlee of Buncombe County. As a line apprentice, Mr. Curlee is typically responsible for assisting linemen in the installation, maintenance, and repair of electrical power systems; however, after the devastating damage left in the wake of Hurricane Helene, Mr.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Yancey County residents Jackie Thomas, Alyssa Styles, and Makayla Thomas for their extraordinary service and selfless dedication in the devastating aftermath of Hurricane Helene.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and commend the extraordinary service of the iHeartRadio Asheville team to the people of Western North Carolina during and after Hurricane Helene.”

“Mr. Speaker, I thank Mr. Valadao from California for his leadership on Modernizing All Veterans and Survivors Claims Processing Act. This important legislation streamlines the VA claims process, helping veterans and their families receive the benefits that they have earned and deserve.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Cabe Monroe Lambert, the last living World War II Veteran of the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians. Mr. Lambert was born on September 25, 1926, and currently lives in the Wolftown community on the Qualla Boundary in Cherokee, North Carolina.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Ms. Margaux Sauvage, for her work as an intern serving in my D.C. office. I would like to take this opportunity to thank her for her hard work and recognize the meaningful contributions she has made to the office this summer.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my deepest gratitude for the Greenville-Spartanburg NOAA/NWS team's exceptional service during and after Hurricane Helene, one of the most devastating extreme weather events in recent history.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the lifelong service of Commissioner Dwight Penland of Clay County. Mr. Penland is the longest-serving commissioner in Clay County history, with a tenure of nineteen years.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Ms. Aniyah Yattassaye, for her work as an intern serving in my D.C. office. I would like to take this opportunity to thank her for her hard work and recognize the meaningful contributions she has made to the office this summer.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today with a heavy heart to honor the life and sacrifice of Officer Francisco Flattes, a devoted detention officer in Cherokee County, North Carolina, who was killed in the line of duty on June 30, 2025.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor Heather Millett, who has served with distinction as Legislative Director in both my state senate and congressional offices. Heather embodies the very best of public service.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Sheriff's Office and Emergency Medical Services of Clay County. On September 27, 2024, Hurricane Helene slammed into Western North Carolina, leaving a trail of devastation and destruction.”

“The Clay County Sheriff's Office and Emergency Medical Services were flooded with donated supplies from area churches, local businesses, and citizens. Once transported to the affected areas, these supplies were received by first responders with great relief and deep appreciation.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. Rayan Malik for his work as an intern serving in my D.C. office. I would like to take this opportunity to thank him for his hard work and recognize the meaningful contributions he has made to the office this summer.”

“Mr. Speaker, there is a lot of noise coming from the other side claiming that House Republicans are cutting Medicaid with our commonsense work requirements. Let me be clear: That is just not true.”

“Stay up to date on how I'm fixing the way Washington works Do you find it helpful to use Truth Social to stay updated on the latest issues affecting Americans?”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Staff Sergeant Fred Bruner Lunsford of the United States Army, who passed away on March 1, 2025. Fred was born on March 7, 1925, and was enrolled as a member of the eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Ms. Lillie Connet, for her work as an intern serving in my D.C. office. I would like to take this opportunity to thank her for her hard work and recognize the meaningful contributions she has made to the office this summer.”

“The Corps shared that they were not just removing debris for the short-term. Instead, they have been focused on the long-term health of the region by implementing a zero- tolerance policy for over-cleaning or reckless removal of debris.”

“Mr. Speaker, once again, Democrats are distorting the truth to smear a bill that protects working-class Americans. They scream: Tax cuts for billionaires. Yet, not a single personal income tax rate from the Trump tax cuts is being changed, tax cuts that pulled over 6 million people out of poverty and brought our country's poverty rate to a record low.”

“The left can't spin it all they want, but the facts don't lie. Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Wasserman Schultz).”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today during National Police Week to honor the brave men and women in law enforcement who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Ms. Bethany Moy, for her work as an intern serving in my D.C. office. I would like to take this opportunity to thank her for her hard work and recognize the meaningful contributions she has made to the office this fall.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the achievements of Deputy Galina Claussen of the Clay County Sheriff's Office. Deputy Claussen was assigned to the Special Operations Division of the Clay County Sheriff's Office which is specifically responsible for civil process service, courtroom security, evidence room management, and animal control.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Ms. Olivia Bates, for her work as an intern serving in my Hendersonville office. I would like to take this opportunity to thank her for her hard work and recognize the meaningful contributions she has made to the office this spring.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Staff Sergent Fred Bruner Lunsford of the United States Army, who passed away on March 1, 2025. Fred was born on March 7, 1925, and was enrolled as a member of the eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.”

“Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Smith for his leadership on this important piece of legislation. During the pandemic, Congress created three new unemployment benefits and issued $675 billion in benefits to folks who lost their jobs because of the pandemic.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Gertrude Pauline Whitener Milburn on turning 100 years old later this week on March 14th. Gertrude Pauline Whitener Milburn was born on March 14, 1925, and grew up in a small textile community known as Brookford, located in Hickory, North Carolina She had two brothers and a sister.”

“Mr. Chairman, first of all, I acknowledge the great work that our Budget Committee chairman has done to bring us to this point today. It has taken him hundreds of hours and tested his blood pressure quite seriously to get us to this point.”