Funding the Department of Veterans Affairs

Floor Speech

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Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, this week, House Republicans will introduce H.R. 4366, the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2024, to fully fund our Department of Veterans Affairs.

As a 24-year Army veteran and chairwoman of the Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Health, I understand how crucial it is to have a fully funded VA Department. These appropriations bills will ensure that the VA has the resources needed to continue their vital operations.

Current armed services members will also see a more than $17 billion investment that will go entirely toward improving the quality of life in their barracks and family housing.

These commonsense policies will help improve the VA and the military as a whole, and I urge all of my colleagues to support them. Lead by Example

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Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, Iowans are experiencing one of the hottest summers in history. In weather like this, ensuring your home stays cool and comfortable is top of mind for many, but it is also lifesaving.

Unfortunately for us, the Biden administration is telling Americans that their thermostats should be at 78 degrees when they are home during the day and even higher when sleeping. How can anyone be comfortable in their home with the thermostat set so high?

That is why I, along with my good friend Senator Ernst, introduced the Lead by Example Act. This bill would require the Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency office buildings to be set to the Department of Energy's recommendation of at least 78 degrees, to set their thermostat where they are recommending it be set for you.

Currently, with so many DOE officials working from home, taxpayers are paying to cool empty office buildings. Once again, do as I say, not as I do.

It is outrageous that Biden's executive agencies are the exception to the rule, yet the Department of Energy is urging hardworking Americans to change their lifestyles without any consideration for varying climates or health concerns. That is why I am proud to join Senator Ernst on the Lead by Example Act, and I encourage all of my colleagues to support it.

Honoring the Life and Memory of Former Hawkeye Football Player Cody Ince

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Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and memory of former Hawkeye football player Cody Ince, who passed away unexpectedly at the age of 23.

Before Cody became a Hawkeye, he grew up in Wisconsin playing football and he graduated from Unity High School in Balsam Lake. In 2018, Cody came to Iowa City to be an offensive lineman for Hawkeye football and helped the team earn a winning record all three seasons he played.

Cody also received the All-Big Ten honorable mention in 2020, an honor given to standout players for their accomplishments on the field. After graduating in 2022, Cody moved back to Wisconsin and got engaged to his fiancee, Olivia, where they were preparing to start their life together before his sudden passing.

My prayers go out to Olivia and his parents Tammy and Marty. I cannot imagine the pain of losing a child. I will continue to pray for their family in this time of mourning. Congratulations to Annelise Bell

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Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I will take a moment to congratulate Annelise Bell, a student at Pella Christian High School on her recent Team USA placement at the world championships. She placed second among the Female Solo Junior 1 Division at the International Dance Organization's World Acrobatic Dance Championships in Mexico this past week.

The International Dance Organization is a nonprofit dance federation with over 90 member nations representing dancers from all continents. Annelise is such a talented young lady. I thank her for representing the United States and Iowa well.

Mr. Speaker, I wish a happy anniversary to my district representative John Kaufmann and his wife Rachel on their second wedding anniversary on July 31. Happy anniversary, John and Rachel.

Happy 40th wedding anniversary to my very good friends Kurt and Kathy Haller on August 13.

Happy 44th wedding anniversary to Mary and Kirk Ferentz this August.

I especially wish a very happy 40th anniversary on September 4 to my husband, Curt. Happy anniversary, honey.

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