LEGISLATIVE DAY OF MARCH 25, 2026 — sitting of 25 March 2026: transcript & video

04:26 - 04:34

Speaker 1

The house will be in order. The house lays before, the chair lays before the house at communication from the speaker.

04:38 - 04:51

Speaker 2

The Speaker's Rooms, Washington DC, 03/25/2026. I hereby appoint the honorable Riley m Moore to act as speaker pro tempore on this day. Signed, Mike Johnson, speaker of the House of Representatives.

04:53 - 05:28

Speaker 1

Pursuant to the order of the House of 01/06/2026, the chair will now recognize members from lists submitted by the majority and minority leaders for morning hour debate. The chair will alternate recognition between the parties with time equally allocated between the parties and each member other than the majority and minority leader and the minority whip limited to five minutes, but in no event shall debate continue beyond 11:50AM. The chair recognizes the gentleman from Ohio, mister Taylor, for five minutes.

05:35 - 08:02

Speaker 3

Thank you, mister speaker. I rise today to solemnly honor the life of an American hero who gave his life and service to his country on Thursday, 03/12/2026 while deploy deployed as part of Operation Epic Fury. Six crew members were killed when the US Air Force KC one thirty five aerial refueling tanker crashed in Iraq's airspace. Two crew members were from our Buckeye State and one was from my district, Captain Curtis Angst of Wilmington. Curtis was a standout student earning honors from both Wilmington High, where he graduated in 2014, and at the University of Cincinnati, where he earned a degree in aerospace engineering.

He had a great love for aviation, which began in his childhood. Curtis's mother Lisa remembers how Curtis would play with toy airplanes outside his family's home. Curtis's father Matt was a private pilot and took Curtis up in the air for the first time when he was just a toddler. Lisa worked as a flight attendant for airlines, so Curtis seemed destined to take flight when he got older. Captain Anx was only 30 years old when he made the ultimate sacrifice.

During his final mission, he was serving as a pilot for the hundred and sixty sixth air refueling squadron at the hundred and twenty first refueling wing at Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base in Columbus. With a decade of service, captain Ank Sabin had completed 880 flight hours and sixty seven combat hours, leaving behind a legacy of selfless service and a deep commitment to protecting our nation. Earlier in his career, Captain Inks had also deployed in 2015 an operation Spartan shield and was responsible for flying worldwide for air refueling, aeromedical services, cargo transport, and passenger operations. Captain Inks leaves behind a loving wife, Mary. My heart goes out to her and the rest of Curtis's family as they navigate this unthinkable loss.

This tragedy is a solemn reminder that freedom is not free, and we owe a debt of gratitude to Curtis and the other service members who have given their lives and service to this country. I continue to stand resolutely behind our courageous service members and their families as they prune prove time after time that America is the land of the free because of the brave. Captain Angstor, your service and sacrifice will never be forgotten. I salute you for your courage and speak on behalf of Southern Ohio when I say that you will be remembered as an American hero. My prayers and deepest condolences will continue to be with you and your family in the months ahead.

Thank you, mister speaker. I yield back.

08:03 - 08:10

Speaker 1

The chair recognizes the chair recognizes, the gentleman work, mister Latimer, for five minutes.

08:20 - 09:03

Speaker 4

Mister speaker, I rise today to salute the community presence of Greater Centennial AME Zion Church, a beacon of faith and service in the city of Mount Vernon, New York. Under the spiritual leadership of the reverend doctor Steven Pogue, Greater Centennial traces its founding to 1896, one hundred and thirty years ago. Those founders' vision have been realized in today's greater centennial. Dynamic weekly worship services, bible study classes, weekly prayer call, Sunday school and programs for young people, wellness Wednesday programs, and in the outreach to assist those of the community in need with food, clothing, seniors in need of companionship and care. Doctor.

09:03 - 11:58

George Latimer

Pogue has led Greater Centennial for over a decade, having served in the ministry previously from Harlem to Oakland, California. He holds masters and doctoral degrees in divinity studies. His service extends beyond the congregation as a chaplain for the Mount Vernon Police Department, vice chair of the Westchester County Human Rights Commission, and membership in prominent African American organizations, including president of the United Black Clergy. From the floor of the US House of Representatives, we salute Reverend Doctor Stephen Pogue and the pastor that he shepherds as Greater Centennial AME Zion Church in Mount Vernon. Mister speaker, permit me to extend happy birthday wishes on April 4 to Pelham Mayor Chance Mullen, who is showing talent and leadership in the public sector and in the private nonprofit world as well.

Chance was elected mayor of the village of Pelham in 2019 and is serving in his fourth term. He served previously as a trustee on the village board. He is the chief elected official for Pelham Village, a community of 7,000 people with all the municipal responsibilities and headaches that come with the position of mayor. The responsibilities for police, fire, sanitation, and the like. Through all of that, he has done an exemplary job, but that's not his only job.

Chance, in his professional life, serves as the executive director of the Housing Action Council, a regional nonprofit organization dedicated to expanding housing opportunities for low and moderate income households. Finally, Chance Muller is an active Pelham volunteer, Cub Scouts, Little League Baseball, the Picture House, Pelham Civic Association, and more. From the floor of the US House of Representatives, happy birthday, Mayor Chance Mullen, and take a break for at least one day. Mister speaker, last Wednesday, March 18 was a day for democracy in New York State. Voters in many of our villages went to the polls to elect leaders to serve their home communities, running the village governments that provide basic services in their area.

Police, fire, sanitation, recreation, snow removal, land use authority, and the like. In Westchester's 16th Congressional District, let me salute those who have won. In the village of Bronxville, Helen Knapp and Vanessa O'Frio were elected trustees to the Bronxville Village Board. William Primmes was elected village justice. In the village of Elmsford, Nelson Lopez and David Signer were elected trustees to the Elmsford Village Board.

In the village of Scarsdale, Tim Foley, Ron Schulhof, and Scott Suberfein were elected trustees to the Scarsdale Village Board. These elections were held without controversy or incidents. There were no claims of illegal voting or stolen elections. Just simply democracy at work. Congratulations to the winners, and thanks as well to all who competed in their service to the communities.

Thank you, mister speaker, and

11:58 - 12:04

Speaker 1

I yield back. The chair recognizes the gentleman from Kansas, mister Mann, for five minutes.

12:07 - 14:24

Tracey Mann

Mister speaker, I rise today to honor chief judge Eric f Melgren of the United States District Court of the District of Kansas and to recognize his distinguished service on the federal bench. Today, the district of Kansas unveiled judge Melgram's official portrait and celebrated his lasting legacy after nearly two decades of active judicial service. As of 09/01/2025, judge Melgram has assumed senior status, which he will continue to serve with the same dedication and commitment that have defined his entire career. Judge Melgram's story is a Kansas story. Raised on a cattle and wheat farm in Southwest Kansas, he is the first generation college graduate who went on to lead a student body president at Wichita State University and later earned his law degree from Washburn University.

From private practice in Wichita to serving as the United States Attorney for the District Of Kansas and ultimately to his appointment to the federal bench by president George w Bush, his career affects a life rooted in hard work, service, and leadership. Over eighteen years on the bench including his time as chief judge, judge Melgren has upheld the rule of law with integrity and a deep respect for the constitution. He has also given back to his community, leading organizations like United Way of the Plains and Leadership Wichita, and remaining closely connected to the people and institutions that helped to shape him. In the Big 1st District and across Kansas, we value those who serve with humility, lead with principle, and stay grounded in their roots. Judge Melgram embodies those values.

I thank you for his service, congratulate him on this milestone, and wish him the very best as he continues his hard work on the bench. Thank you, mister speaker. And mister speaker, I rise today to recognize a proud Kansan whose work honors the legacy of American agriculture and the generations who built it. Michael Hinton of Hutchinson has dedicated his life to preserving the history and heritage of rural America through antique tractors. But his work goes far beyond restoring old equipment.

It is about telling the story of the men and women who have worked the land, provided to their families, and helped feed the world. Through his creation of Antique Tractors Preservation Day and the launch of talkingtractors.com, Michael has built a platform that brings agriculture history to life and connects generations through a shared appreciation for hard work