FUNDING THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

FUNDING THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 40 (Tuesday, March 3, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 40 (Tuesday, March 3, 2026)] [House] [Page H2344] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] FUNDING THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (Mr. Joyce of Pennsylvania was recognized to address the House for 5 minutes.) Mr. JOYCE of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my deep concern over the lapse in funding for the Department of Homeland Security. Every single day that we fail to provide DHS with the necessary resources, the risks facing the American people dramatically increase. The security of our homeland should never be a bargaining chip. Instead of prioritizing the safety of the American people, Democrats have chosen to weaponize the appropriations process for political leverage. This is not how our Democracy was founded to operate. Americans continue to bear the consequences of Democrats engaging in political theater. As we return to the floor for a vote, Members of Congress must set aside partisan agendas and personal politics. Our first duty is to protect the citizens that we serve. With the war in Iran, we have reached an increase in global instability. In moments like this, we should be strengthening our Homeland Security posture and not allowing it to lapse. An unfunded Department of Homeland Security sends the wrong message to our adversaries and leaves our homeland vulnerable. It is neither a safe nor responsible act. It is a failure of Congress not to have met one of its most fundamental obligations. Mr. Speaker, the American people deserve better. The American people deserve leadership that puts their safety first. It is time to end the theatrics. It is time to fund DHS. It is time to fulfill and protect this Nation. recognizing jordan ott Mr. JOYCE of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize a native of McConnellsburg, Pennsylvania, Jordan Ott, who is the head coach of the Phoenix Suns. As a three-sport athlete at McConnellsburg High School, Coach Ott has always dreamed of working for a professional sports team. That goal was recognized in 2013 when he joined the Atlanta Hawks as a video coordinator. Coach Ott went on to serve as an assistant coach with three NBA teams. Last June, he was hired as the head coach of the Suns, where he was named NBA's Western Conference Coach of the Month for January. A former high school teammate described Coach Ott as someone who will accomplish everything and take credit for nothing. What a coach. That is a character trait worth emulating by individuals throughout all of Pennsylvania's 13th Congressional District. In fact, it is worth emulating throughout all of America. Mr. Speaker, I offer best wishes to Coach Ott for continued success that exceeds his incredible expectations that will continue to rise throughout the NBA. Honoring Snider Family of Bedford County, Pennsylvania Mr. JOYCE of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the Snider family of Bedford County, Pennsylvania, on the selection of their operation as a recipient of the National Beef Quality Assurance Award. Singing Brook Farm is a third-generation farm currently managed by Ross Snider and his sister Greta Halahan. Founded by Obie and Mary Ann Snider in 1951, Singing Brook Farms was later operated by their son, Bruce. Notably, Singing Brook Farms is an established leader in education and advocacy. Mr. Speaker, I congratulate the Snider family on receiving the National Beef Quality Assurance Award. Their commitment to agriculture continues to benefit all of the constituents of Pennsylvania's 13th Congressional District. Honoring Claysburg-Kimmel Elementary FIRST LEGO League Team Mr. JOYCE of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, it is with pride that I rise to honor the Claysburg-Kimmel Elementary FIRST LEGO League Team that captured the championship in the Best Robot Design category during regional competition. What is most impressive about the achievement of these fifth and sixth graders is that they were the first LEGO Club at Claysburg-Kimmel Elementary that only formed last fall. During the competition, students demonstrated their robot creations and offered presentations on how their robots would function in real- world settings. Mr. Speaker, I congratulate this team from Claysburg-Kimmel, their teachers and coaches Suzanne Wicker and Brandon Ickes, as well as elementary school principal Kevin Edmondson and Superintendent Darren McLaurin on this incredible achievement. Best wishes for continued success. ____________________