The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“INFLATION” mentioning the U.S. Dept of Agriculture was published in the in the House section section on pages H7790-H7791 on Sept. 14.
The Department is primarily focused on food nutrition, with assistance programs making up 80 percent of its budget. Downsizing the Federal Government, a project aimed at lowering taxes and boosting federal efficiency, said the Department implements too many regulations and restrictions and impedes the economy.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
INFLATION
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Clyde) for 5 minutes.
Mr. CLYDE. Madam Speaker, the American people are facing persistent pain in their wallets and pocketbooks, with inflation in August hitting 8.3 percent, higher than expectations.
But yesterday, hours after new inflation figures revealed that price hikes are continuing to burden hardworking Americans, President Biden held an event to celebrate the signing of the deceptively-named Inflation Reduction Act into law, touting the radical legislation as a victorious success.
The Inflation Expansion Act a success? Not quite. Not even close.
Grocery costs have surged nearly 14 percent, gas rose more than 33 percent, electricity costs have increased nearly 16 percent, rent almost 7 percent, and transportation has soared 11 percent.
Republicans warned that burning through billions of dollars in order to expand the IRS by 87,000 new agents, advance Green New Deal initiatives, and deliver crushing tax hikes would only plunge our economy into deeper turmoil--worsening inflation and contributing to our ballooning national debt.
Yet, Speaker Pelosi, Senate Leader Schumer, and President Biden steamrolled ahead anyway--selfishly advancing their Big Government Socialist agenda that costs the American people over 1 month's pay every year. Yes, Americans are now losing a month's pay every year because of Biden inflation.
Enough is enough. Americans simply cannot afford the cost of one-
party Democrat rule in Washington any longer. We must prioritize financial security and fiscal responsibility over runaway spending and reckless monetary policies in order to provide American workers, families, and small businesses, the economic relief they desperately need.
Border Crisis
Mr. CLYDE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to highlight the raging crisis that continues to plague our southern border.
Since President Biden stepped foot into the Oval Office, his failed policies and radical open border agenda have provoked an unprecedented illegal alien invasion at our southern border.
While Vice President Kamala Harris, our so-called ``Border Czar,'' comically claims that the southern border is secure, the American people know good and well that this is a blatant falsehood. But unlike our delusional Border Czar, the numbers don't lie.
Nearly 5 million illegal aliens have crossed the southern border since Biden and Harris took office. To make matters worse, 66 individuals on the Terrorist Screening Database have been stopped trying to illegally enter our country--this is more than double the last 5 years combined--double the last 5 years combined.
Furthermore, U.S. Customs and Border Protection has seized enough fentanyl in this fiscal year alone to kill almost 2.4 billion people--
over seven times the U.S. population.
The southern border is, in fact, not secure, and the Biden administration knows it. After all, chaotic open borders have always been their plan. Unless the Biden administration abandons this sinister scheme, communities across the country will only continue to be ravaged by deadly drugs and border lawlessness.
It is simple: Americans deserve border security, not an administration actively manufacturing mayhem, advocating for mass amnesty, and emboldening dangerous cartels.
President Biden must immediately about-face on his open border agenda, commit to securing our southern border, and finally put American people first.
USDA Letter
Mr. CLYDE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to strongly oppose the Department of Agriculture's poultry line speed waiver rule.
Back in July, over 50 chicken plants that currently participate in the U.S. Department of Agriculture's waiver program received a notification from the Department stating that within 1 month these plants must participate in a third-party study in order to retain their line speed waivers.
In addition to granting a third-party group unlimited and unannounced access to poultry plants, the study also requires these plants to submit heaps of data and burdensome paperwork. Failure to participate in this study results in chicken plants slowing production by 25 percent, creating supply chain mayhem in the industry, and undeniably posing a serious threat to food availability.
The Biden administration's line speed waiver rule forces an ultimatum on poultry plants, burdening both consumers and workers already battling supply chain disruptions and hyperinflation, for the sake of a vague, intrusive, and unnecessary third-party study on worker safety.
Since I represent and serve the ``Poultry Capital of the World,'' Gainesville, Georgia, I proudly led 34 of my colleagues in sending a letter to USDA Secretary Vilsack expressing grave concerns about the third-party study and urging the delay in the mandate.
Given the adverse effects this rule imposes on the industry and poultry production, Secretary Vilsack must immediately provide substantive answers to Congress about why this rule must be put in place.
Madam Speaker, I am fully committed to conducting proper congressional oversight into the USDA's line speed waiver so that we can continue to run at full capacity.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Members are reminded to refrain from engaging in personalities toward the Vice President.
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