What Don Bacon said, and what was done

“Mr. Chair, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 8800, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2027. I thank Chairman Rogers and Ranking Member Smith for their leadership in compiling this bill.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a man from Omaha who is known for his dedication, integrity, tenacity, and voice. Bill Jensen, also known as the Voice of the College World Series, started his radio broadcast career at KLIN in 1967.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor the late Mrs. Ruth Patrick Thomas, an Omaha icon and pioneer for the North Omaha community. Living a wonderful and blessed 105 years, Mrs.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and recognize a true example of resiliency, generosity, and commitment to serving others, my friend LaVon Stennis Williams from Omaha, Nebraska.”

“Mr. Speaker, today's vote, are we going to stand with good or are we going to stand with evil? That is what this is about tonight. Ukraine is a democracy, a free market, and rule of law.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to Bruce Van Zuiden, who is retiring after 39 years of dedicated service to this great Nation both in our military and civilian service.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Command Sergeant Major Darrold D. DeGunia on his retirement from the United States Army Reserve. His career began in 1986 after enlisting in the Army from Crawford, Nebraska.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and recognize a true example of resiliency, generosity and commitment to serving others: LaVon Stennis-Williams from Omaha, Nebraska. LaVon is a woman of many titles--attorney, author, entrepreneur, and mentor.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today during Women's History Month, to recognize and honor the late Mrs. Ruth Patrick Thomas, an Omaha icon and pioneer for the North Omaha community.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize Beth Ragland, who I call my honorary mother, a remarkable Nebraskan who is celebrating her 90th birthday this week. Beth represents the spirit of our district.”

“Mr. Speaker, in recognition of Black History Month, I rise today to honor two community leaders and two outstanding youth for their contributions to the Second Congressional District of Nebraska.”

“Armed Services be discharged from further consideration of the bill (H.R. 7194) to authorize the President to award the Medal of Honor to Kareem N. Dockery for acts of valor as a member of the Army while serving in Afghanistan, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Colonel Patrick Flood, United States Air Force retired, who recently departed the House of Representatives as our deputy chief of staff and national security advisor after more than 39 years of Federal service.”

“Selected to lead several of the Air Force's most engaged combat intelligence units from 2006 to 2013, Colonel Flood commanded the 55th Wing's 488th Intelligence Squadron at RAF Mildenhall, England; led the 603rd Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance Division at Ramstein Air Force Base, Germany; and commanded Distributed Ground Station 2 and the 548th Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance Group at Beale Air Force Base, California.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the twelve distinguished inductees of the Omaha Central High School Hall of Fame. On October 9, 2025, the Central High School Alumni Association and Foundation honored alumni for their outstanding accomplishments in the realms of business, education, and public service.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a distinguished veteran of the Army Air Forces who served the United States during World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War by fighting in the skies.”

“American combat pilots, on September 25, 2025. He was 100 years old. Lt. Colonel Hardy was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1925, as the second oldest of seven children.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a journalist and a beloved anchorman who has made a significant impact in our district and the region, always striving to remain professional, balanced, unbiased, and compassionate.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Lisa Yanney Roskens, a true leader whose vision, dedication, and compassion have touched the lives of tens of thousands of military families and veterans across our Nation.”

“Mr. Speaker, on behalf of my constituents at St. John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church in Omaha, I would like to welcome their Spiritual Leader, the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, His All Holiness Bartholomew, to the United States.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Suarez-Delgado family from my district for Hispanic Heritage Month. Their story is one of resilience, devotion, and the pursuit of opportunity, one that reminds us of the enduring promise of the American Dream.”

“Mr. Chair, I 100 percent support the Baltic Security Initiative. All three countries are our best friends. They embrace freedom, democracy, free markets, and the rule of law, and no one has embraced our values like these Baltic States.”

“Mr. Chairman, I stand 100 percent opposed to this amendment. I am a Reagan and Eisenhower Republican and a post-World War II conservative. I believe in peace through strength, strong allies, and that we are the world's leader in defense of freedom; and we do not cower to bullies.”

“We could not have accomplished this without the tireless dedication and efforts of the subcommittee staff, Sarah Moxley, Caroline Kehrli, Andrew Smith, Brooke Alred, Mireya Jurado, Michael Hermann, and Wendell White.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the Bellevue-Papillion Rotary Club of Nebraska on the celebration of their 50th Anniversary. Since its founding on January 15, 1975, the Bellevue-Papillion Rotary Club has exemplified the values of Rotary International by promoting peace, advancing education, and delivering vital services to the community.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the exceptional career achievements of Ms. Christina L. Richards, a committed civil servant, decorated veteran, and a constituent of the 2nd Congressional District of our great state of Nebraska.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize my great friends and two wonderful civic leaders of Omaha, Bruce and Pam Friedlander, during Jewish Heritage Month for their lifelong commitment to service, generosity, and helping others in our community.”

“Bruce bought Food 4 Less at 84th and Harrison and attempted his first retirement in 1993. He then worked for Bakers, following the owner's motto: Find a way to say yes to your customers.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate National Space Day, a moment to honor the extraordinary contributions of the aerospace community to our Nation and the world. Designating May 2, 2025, as National Space Day gives us the opportunity to reflect on the achievements of the past, recognize the advancements of today, and inspire the possibilities of tomorrow.”

“Day to address the alarming rise of antisemitism in our nation and express our unwavering support for Jewish communities everywhere. Since October 7, we have witnessed an unprecedented 200 percent increase in antisemitic incidents across the United States and an even more disturbing 500 percent spike on our college campuses targeting Jewish students.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize for Women's History Month, Amanda Brewer, Chief Executive Officer of Habitat for Humanity of Omaha, who has the heart of service for her community.”

“Answering the call to serve is an honorable quality in a person, and Amanda's story of courage, compassion, and commitment to others is a testimony to the power one person can have when they answer that call.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 85th birthday of the 55th Wing, the ``Fightin' Fifty-Fifth'', headquartered at Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska. This Air Force organization is home to the thousands of men and women who dedicate their lives to providing global vigilance as a vital part of America's national defense.”

“Madam Speaker, I rise today as we celebrate Black History Month and honor the incredible achievements of Kenny McMorris, a visionary leader, champion for community well-being, and constituent in our Second District of our great State of Nebraska.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to discuss an increasingly alarming problem facing America's public health, which is the flow of unregulated illicit nicotine pouch products. These illicit products, most of which are coming from China, avoid FDA regulation, confusing adult consumers seeking safer alternatives and retailers, and muddying the waters for manufacturers that are following the rules.”