Providing for Consideration of H.R. Reforming Intelligence and Securing America Act; Providing for Consideration of H.R. Extending Limits of U.S. Customs Waters Act; Providing for Consideration of H. Res. Denouncing the Biden Administration's Immigration Policies; and Providing for Consideration of H. Res. Opposing Efforts to Place One-Sided Pressure on Israel with Respect to Gaza

Floor Speech

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Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, this place is so broken, it is pathetic.

It is interesting to listen to the gentleman from Texas, who is now managing this rule and who regularly lectures us on the importance of regular order and making sure that we have a more open process.

The rule that he is bringing before the membership today contains four measures. Three of these measures are being brought to us under completely closed rules. No amendments are made in order. Three of the bills weren't even considered by committees of jurisdiction--no hearings and no markup--yet here we are. What a wonderful process to celebrate.

I mean, this place is not functioning. We don't even know whether this rule that we are spending time debating today will even pass because there is such disarray on the Republican side. It is a pathetic way for this Congress to be run.

Mr. Speaker, I could be here all day talking about the dysfunction on the other side, but I rise today to applaud two public servants who I think have made this institution a better place.

First is our senior professional staff member and director of Member services, Eric Delaney, who will have his last day with us this Friday.

Eric is a Philly native and alum of Binghamton University, New York. He has spent over 18 years working for the American people here on Capitol Hill.

Like many staffers, Eric's journey began when he became a legislative assistant working for Representative Ted Strickland and the people of Ohio. He spent 8 years as a senior adviser for Member services under Xavier Becerra, the Caucus vice chair and then chair. He then served as legislative director for Representative Anthony Brown before joining the Rules Committee in 2018.

Eric has an impressive resume, but let me also say he is also just a great guy and an integral part of our team. His dedication to public service, skill as a coalition builder, fast problem-solving, and quiet leadership have left a mark on all of us, and we will miss him at the Rules Committee.

We are sad to see him go but excited to see what he will accomplish in his new role at the Department of Energy. On behalf of all of us, I thank him for his hard work and unwavering commitment to this institution.

Mr. Speaker, I also want to congratulate my dear friend, Tom Cole, who has officially been selected by the Republican Conference as the next chair of the Appropriations Committee.

It is no surprise to me given his skill as a legislator, his dedication as a public servant, and his decency as a person. I cannot think of any other person I would rather have chairing the Rules Committee except me, but that is going to take change in the majority, and that is up to the American people, not us.

Tom has consistently demonstrated a tremendous respect for this institution, and he has always conducted himself in a way that demonstrates it, and it is not just in public when the cameras are rolling, but he does it in private, too. He is a man of integrity, a man of his word, and he works hard to do the right thing even after the gavel comes down and the cameras shut off.

To be honest, I wish there were more Tom Coles in Congress because he knows the secret of legislating, which is you don't have to agree on everything to agree on something.

The American people send us up here to work out our differences on their behalf, to do what is right for our country. It is a skill I have seen Tom Cole deploy time and time again to bring people together to try to find common ground.

Although Chairman Cole and I don't always see eye to eye, I think what we have done is show the American people that it is possible to disagree without being disagreeable. I think that is worthwhile. I think it matters, especially in this time of polarization and partisan anger.

On a more personal note--and I said this last night in the Rules Committee, and I hope I don't get in trouble for this--I value Tom Cole's friendship and respect his guidance and the example he sets around here. He conducts himself in a thoughtful, decent, and dignified manner.

I am thankful for the staff that he has surrounded himself with. I think they reflect positively on him, and they are a credit to this institution. I hope he doesn't take them all away from the Rules Committee when he goes to Appropriations.

I look forward to continuing to work with him in his new capacity, and I think all of us can learn a lot from Chairman Cole, and we should all join in a bipartisan way in honoring his service to this institution and to this country.

Ms. LEGER FERNANDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman very much for his words. I think they are very inspiring as to the wonderful leadership that we have had with Chairman Cole, and also, we are going to miss Eric.

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