The Future of Appropriations
Floor Speech
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Mr. KILEY of California. Mr. Speaker, I will say a brief word about the passage of today's reconciliation bill. At a time when Congress is more polarized than ever, today's vote is likely to make things worse.
The House is giving away its most important power--to make appropriations on an annual basis and assure funds are spent in a way that carries out the intent of Congress while reflecting the will of the American people.
This precedent also threatens a last vestige of bipartisanship in Washington, turning appropriations into a party-line exercise.
The issue of interior immigration enforcement, in particular the tragic events in Minnesota, have deeply divided the country. Congress needed to come together with bipartisan reforms to restore trust and focus the mission of our immigration agencies. Reforms like body cameras, training, identification, warrants, and nonenforcement zones near schools are supported by the vast majority of Americans and would receive strong majority support in the House.
I made it clear for months that I would not consider voting for a party-line reconciliation bill absent these policy changes. There is no national security imperative for additional immediate funding when last year's reconciliation bill provided $170 billion for immigration enforcement.
Mr. Speaker, I will continue to vote for what is best for my district, irrespective of partisanship, and will fight for commonsense solutions to the challenges facing our country. Recognizing Detective Austin Alvarez
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Mr. KILEY of California. Mr. Speaker, as part of the California Congressional District Three Police Honor Roll and in recognition of National Police Week 2026, I wish to honor Detective Austin Alvarez, a dedicated member of the Folsom Police Department, for his exceptional dedication to public service.
Throughout his distinguished career, Detective Alvarez has exemplified the highest standards of professionalism, integrity, and courage in service to the communities of Sacramento County. With 7 years of experience in law enforcement, he has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to protecting public safety and fostering meaningful community engagement.
During his ongoing tenure, Detective Alvarez has served in roles such as officer and detective, earning the respect and admiration of colleagues and constituents alike. He has been recognized with the Folsom Police Department Lifesaving Award and Unit Citation Award, reflecting his commitment to excellence and a record of exemplary service.
Detective Alvarez is known by others for his compassion, exceptional investigative skills, and unwavering commitment to justice.
Over the past 2\1/2\ years, he has been working on highly sensitive and emotionally difficult cases during his assignment to the Sacramento County Hi-Tech Crimes Task Force. In this role, his primary mission has been investigating internet crimes against children and identifying those who exploit and prey upon some of the most vulnerable members of our community. His efforts have directly contributed to the identification, arrest, and prosecution of offenders involved in the exploitation of children, while also helping safeguard victims from further harm.
The nature of these crimes often requires long hours, extensive follow-up, and exposure to deeply disturbing material. Regardless of these challenges, Detective Alvarez is regarded by his colleagues and leadership for his ability to continue to perform at the highest levels while representing both the task force and his department with distinction.
He also stands out for his ability to build strong working relationships with partner agencies and prosecutors at the State and Federal level, enhancing regional collaboration in combating crimes against the most vulnerable members of our community.
Mr. Speaker, it is my great honor to recognize Detective Alvarez of the Folsom Police Department as part of this year's District Three Police Honor Roll. Recognizing the El Dorado County Sheriff's Office Strike Team
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Mr. KILEY of California. Mr. Speaker, as part of the California Congressional District Three Police Honor Roll and in recognition of National Police Week 2026, I wish to honor seven dedicated members of the El Dorado County Sheriff's Office for their exceptional dedication to public service, including Sergeant Blake Alvarez, Deputy Josh Stillman, Deputy Craig Reimche, Deputy Vincent Durant, Deputy Griffin O'Camb, Detective Zachariah Kraus, and Deputy Tyler Costere.
Throughout their distinguished careers, this team has exemplified the highest standards of professionalism, integrity, and courage in service to the El Dorado County community. Within their many years of experience in law enforcement, they have demonstrated an unwavering commitment to protecting public safety and fostering meaningful community engagement. They have earned the respect and admiration of colleagues and constituents alike. Their commitment to excellence and exemplary public service is commendable.
This team stands out for their heroic actions during an officer- involved shooting in the town of Camino earlier this year. After they had received a report that a man had shot and wounded a PG&E contract worker and was barricaded in his home, these El Dorado County Sheriff's deputies arrived on the scene, formed a perimeter, evacuated neighboring homes, and attempted numerous ways to establish contact with the suspect to resolve the situation safely.
After their efforts to contact the suspect were unsuccessful, the El Dorado County Sheriff's SWAT team was summoned to take over the scene and work toward the safe surrender of the suspect.
As they were establishing their presence on the scene, the suspect abruptly exited his home and ran up to an elevated nearby bank embankment that offered tree cover and limited visibility for officers. The suspect began shooting at the deputies below him. Deputy Reimche was shot in the lower leg, causing him to fall to the ground. Deputy Stillman was struck on the upper thigh and went down. Their fellow deputies moved them to safety and administered aid, even breaking cover and risking their own safety to do so.
As the shooting began, Deputies Durant and Costere maneuvered toward the suspect, bounding from tree to tree, until they were able to restrain the suspect and take him into custody, also providing the suspect with a medical assessment and treatment, as well as transfer to a nearby hospital.
This event illustrates the core foundation of selfless sacrifice and service that embodies the men and women who swear an oath to protect our communities every day as peace officers. They remained calm under fire, even after being wounded, addressed the suspect as he fired on deputies, pulled deputies to safety under fire, applied lifesaving intervention care, and transported the wounded to medics. Their decisive actions and effective teamwork made a meaningful difference toward stopping the threat of a suspect and resolving the incident.
It is an honor to represent exemplary individuals like these officers in Congress. On behalf of California's Third Congressional District and the United States House of Representatives, I extend my sincerest gratitude to this team in the El Dorado County Sheriff's Office for their continued dedication to safeguarding and serving our communities.
I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring these officers and all those who serve in law enforcement during National Police Week. Recognizing Officer Phillip Brooks
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Mr. KILEY of California. Mr. Speaker, as part of the California Congressional District Three Police Honor Roll and in recognition of National Police Week 2026, I wish to honor Officer Phillip Brooks, a dedicated member of the Nevada City Police Department, for his exceptional dedication to public service.
Throughout his distinguished career, Officer Brooks has exemplified the highest standards of professionalism, integrity, and courage in service to the Nevada City community. Within his 16 years of experience in law enforcement--2 in law enforcement and 14 in probation--he has demonstrated an unwavering devotion to protecting public safety and fostering meaningful community engagement. He has earned the respect and admiration of colleagues and constituents alike, and his commitment to excellence and record of exemplary service is commendable.
Officer Brooks stands out for his dedication to servant-oriented policing and to building strong relationships with the public. He represents his city with distinction and to a level that is highly regarded by his community, colleagues, and leadership. He is known for the great number of written compliments that he receives. In fact, it is not uncommon for his department to see a new compliment submitted every week recognizing Officer Brooks for his outstanding service.
It is an honor to represent remarkable individuals, like Officer Brooks in Congress. On behalf of California's Third Congressional District and the United States House of Representatives, I extend my sincere gratitude to Officer Brooks for his continued dedication to safeguarding and serving our communities.
I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Officer Phillip Brooks and all those who serve in law enforcement during National Police Week.
Recognizing Placer County Sheriff's Office Cold Case Unit
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Mr. KILEY of California. Mr. Speaker, as part of the California Congressional District Three Police Honor Roll, and in recognition of National Police Week 2026, I wish to honor the Placer County Cold Case Unit with the Placer County Sheriff's Office for their exceptional dedication to public service.
This specialized team of investigators focuses on unsolved cases, utilizing advanced DNA technology and genetic genealogy to secure breakthroughs in decades-old murders, including the recent arrest of James Lawhead, Jr., in the 1991 case of Cindy Wanner.
For 34 years, investigators continued pursuing answers in relation to Cindy Wanner's murder, never allowing the case to be forgotten. After detectives identified Lawhead as the suspect, they collaborated with other law enforcement agencies and used facial-recognition technology to locate him under his new identity.
Their steadfast efforts in cases such as these represent a meaningful step toward justice for victims, some of whom have waited decades for answers.
The investigators of the Placer County Cold Case Unit have exemplified the highest standards of professionalism, integrity, and courage in service to the Placer County community. With decades of experience in law enforcement between them, they have demonstrated an unwavering commitment to protecting public safety and fostering meaningful community engagement.
This team has earned the respect and admiration of colleagues and constituents alike. Their commitment to excellence and record of exemplary service are commendable.
It is an honor to represent exemplary individuals like the investigators of the Placer County Cold Case Unit here in Congress.
On behalf of California's Third Congressional District and the United States House of Representatives, I extend my sincere gratitude to the Placer County Cold Case Unit for their continued dedication to safeguarding and serving our communities.
I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the Placer County Cold Case Unit and all of those who serve in law enforcement. Honoring Greg Jensen
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Mr. KILEY of California. Mr. Speaker, as part of the California Congressional District Three Police Honor Roll, and in recognition of National Police Week 2026, I wish to honor Lieutenant Greg Jensen, a dedicated member of the Rocklin Police Department, for his exceptional dedication to public service.
Throughout his distinguished career, Lieutenant Jensen has exemplified the highest standards of professionalism, integrity, and courage in service to the Rocklin community.
With more than 19 years of experience in law enforcement, he has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to protecting public safety and fostering meaningful community engagement.
Lieutenant Jensen has earned the respect and admiration of colleagues and constituents alike. His dedication to excellence and record of exemplary service are commendable.
Lieutenant Jensen is widely regarded by others for his devotion to community safety, visionary leadership, and results-driven policing. He stands out for his reliability, strong work ethic, and innovative approaches. His contributions have made a meaningful impact on the Rocklin Police Department, resulting in measurable improvements in investigative outcomes, operational coordination, community engagement, and organizational performance. His willingness to take on demanding assignments in addition to his primary duties demonstrates a commitment to his role that far exceeds expectations.
Lieutenant Jensen oversees some of the most complex and high-impact operations within the Rocklin Police Department and performs with distinction in this role. His leadership is defined by strategic direction and an ability to translate extensive experience into quantifiable outcomes that strengthen organizational effectiveness and reinforce public trust. He fosters an environment rooted in accountability, mentorship, and collaboration, ensuring that team members are supported, empowered, and held to the highest professional standards.
Last year, he supervised a team comprised of four detectives and a sergeant in the investigations unit that delivered truly outstanding results for the department. This team was responsible for 193 criminal investigations and achieved an exceptional clearance rate of 89 percent.
Lieutenant Jensen's leadership was instrumental in guiding this highly skilled team of detectives to solve numerous high-profile, multijurisdictional cases.
In one notable organized retail burglary investigation, approximately nine suspects used a stolen vehicle to forcibly enter a business and steal nearly $100,000 in merchandise.
Working collaboratively across multiple jurisdictions, including agencies in Oakland, Santa Rosa, Campbell, and Berkeley, Lieutenant Jensen and his investigative team coordinated a complex and far- reaching effort. Through the team's diligent investigative work, detectives identified stolen property being sold online, secured search warrants, and ultimately recovered more than 1,200 stolen items. This marks just one of the many cases successfully led by Lieutenant Jensen.
Beyond his operational accomplishments, Lieutenant Jensen has demonstrated initiative in developing programs that strengthen community relationships and invest in the future of the law enforcement profession, including the administration of justice dual-enrollment program with Sierra College and the Rocklin Unified School District.
Additionally, he played a key role in implementing the Blue Envelope Program in the department, enhancing communication, safety, and trust during law enforcement interactions, particularly for individuals with specific communication needs.
My district team and I have had the pleasure of working with Lieutenant Jensen in his support of our district office. He has played a key role in ensuring the safety of my team and visitors, preserving our ability to provide constituent services. We have been touched by his positive and proactive approach to public safety.
It is an honor to represent remarkable individuals like Lieutenant Greg Jensen in Congress. Therefore, on behalf of California's Third Congressional District and the United States House of Representatives, I extend my sincere gratitude to Lieutenant Jensen for his continued dedication to safeguarding and serving our communities.
I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Lieutenant Greg Jensen and all of those who serve in law enforcement during this National Police Week. Honoring Alana Gruchow
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Mr. KILEY of California. Mr. Speaker, as part of the California Congressional District Three Police Honor Roll, and in recognition of National Police Week 2026, I wish to honor Investigator Alana Gruchow, a dedicated member of the Placer County District Attorney's Office, for her exceptional dedication to public service.
Throughout her distinguished career, Investigator Gruchow has exemplified the highest standards of professionalism, integrity, and courage in service to the Placer County community. With 14 years of experience in law enforcement, she has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to protecting public safety and fostering meaningful community engagement.
During her ongoing tenure, Investigator Gruchow has served in roles such as deputy for the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Office, officer for the Roseville Police Department, detective for the Roseville Police Department, and investigator for the Placer County District Attorney's Office, earning the respect and admiration of colleagues and constituents alike within these roles. She has been recognized with the 2019 Elks Lodge Roseville Police Officer of the Year and numerous other accolades from coworkers, supervisors, and citizens, reflecting her commitment to excellence and a record of exemplary service.
Investigator Gruchow is widely regarded by others for her strong work ethic, her unmatched positive attitude, and her unwavering support for victims. She stands out for her tenacious approach to investigations and commitment to faithfully supporting her colleagues and serving her community.
Investigator Gruchow began her career in the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Office, where she worked as a deputy. She later moved to the Roseville Police Department in 2015 and has been an integral part of Placer County's law enforcement team since that time.
In 2023, Investigator Gruchow lateraled to the Placer County District Attorney's Office as an investigator, where she handles the child abuse and sexual assault caseload.
In navigating these difficult cases, Investigator Gruchow meets and exceeds expectations through her dedication to the fine details of a case and willingness to exhaust all leads. She has handled at least 400 cases in the past 4 years, guided victims through trying court processes, and played a crucial part in keeping dangerous criminal offenders off the streets.
In addition to the management of her caseload, Investigator Gruchow proactively brings her peers and law enforcement partners together in meaningful ways. For example, she leads a team comprised of law enforcement representatives from Placer County for the Baker to Vegas Annual Relay Race that spans from Baker, California, to Las Vegas, Nevada. It is the world's largest law enforcement sporting event, which hosts over 10,000 participants each year.
With Investigator Gruchow's leadership, the Placer Regional law enforcement team has finished at the top of its category for the past 2 years, bringing home a coveted mug. This success, enforcing regional comradery and helping to improve morale across agencies, could not happen without the tireless devotion of Investigator Gruchow.
It is an honor to represent remarkable individuals like Investigator Gruchow in Congress. Therefore, on behalf of California's Third Congressional District and the United States House of Representatives, I extend my sincere congratulations and gratitude to Investigator Gruchow for her continued dedication to safeguarding and serving our communities.
I ask my colleagues to join me in offering Investigator Gruchow and all those who serve in law enforcement their gratitude, as well in honoring these amazing individuals and public servants during this National Police Week. Recognizing Bobbi Gagnon
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Mr. KILEY of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize school librarians across California's Third Congressional District as part of National School Librarian Day, which was on April 4, 2026.
School librarians play a critical role in a student's educational journey, from collaborating with both students and teachers to enable the access of educational resources in a wide variety of formats, to guiding them in how to acquire, evaluate, and use new information. In doing so, they promote curiosity and learning experience by introducing young scholars to new literature and other types of resources.
As such, it is my privilege to honor a select group of outstanding school librarians from California's Third Congressional District for their dedication to supporting the education of our country's future leaders and workforce.
But there is one librarian who received the highest number of nominations across my district, that being Bobbi Gagnon of Orangevale Open Elementary School in the San Juan Unified School District. This outpouring of support from students, parents, colleagues, and community members alike is an inspiring testament to the impact she makes every day.
I will say, I happened to get the chance to see her read a book to her students, and I can understand why she is so popular and has such a great impact on students there.
Therefore, I am proud to name Bobbi Gagnon as the 2026 School Librarian of the Year for California's Third Congressional District.
Through her role as school librarian, she has enriched her school and the Orangevale-Fair Oaks community, making a meaningful and positive difference in the lives of all those she serves.
She is known for her kindness, compassion, care, and commitment to student access. Bobbi opens the library doors before school and during lunch to provide a welcoming place for students to come and finds unique ways to connect with each individual student in the school. In doing so, she fosters a love of learning and an environment of support that motivates students to grow.
It is an honor to represent exemplary individuals like Bobbi Gagnon in the United States House of Representatives. Therefore, on behalf of California's Third Congressional District and in celebration of National School Librarian Day, it is my privilege to recognize Bobbi for her tireless efforts and devotion to the students and families of the Orangevale-Fair Oaks community.
I thank and congratulate her. Honoring James Berardi
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Mr. KILEY of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and congratulate James Berardi on his retirement from the Sierra-Plumas Joint Unified School District earlier this year.
Throughout his career in education, Mr. Berardi was known for his creative thinking, positive energy, and his commitment to students, families, and staff. Mr. Berardi had the unique experience of retiring from the school district where he not only worked as a teacher, principal, and superintendent but where he was also a student.
Mr. Berardi was born and raised in Downieville, California, and attended the local high school. After high school, he joined the U.S. Merchant Marines and then went on to start his teaching career at Lindhurst High School. He then returned to Sierra County as a teaching principal, later serving as both the principal and superintendent of the Twin Ridges Elementary School District. He then went on to serve as the Sierra County superintendent of schools while simultaneously working as teacher, principal, and superintendent.
Not only did Mr. Berardi wear many hats during his career, but he also navigated through unique challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic, and he developed innovative solutions to continue to support students in their academic journeys through these difficult times.
Deeply valued by his community, Mr. Berardi is seen as a pillar of inspiration to his peers, students, and family. On behalf of the United States House of Representatives, I am honored to join the community in celebrating Mr. James Berardi's successful career and service to the communities of the Sierra-Plumas Joint Unified School District and to wish him the very best in his retirement.
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