Supporting Indiana's National Guard

Floor Speech

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Mr. PENCE. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support for the Army National Guard's proposal to station a cyber battalion at Atterbury- Muscatatuck in Indiana's Sixth District.

The Indiana National Guard's existing capabilities, programs, and infrastructures make the Hoosier State an ideal location for a cyber battalion. Home to the Department of Defense's only live, full-scale cyber range, Muscatatuck Urban Training Center boasts cutting-edge technology that is only a stone's throw away from national experts at the Naval Surface Warfare Center--Crane.

I am thankful for the opportunity to have visited Camp Atterbury and Muscatatuck a few weeks ago, and I hope that soon we are able to welcome the next cyber battalion to the Hoosier State.

Supporting the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

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Mr. PENCE. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Hours of Service proposal to improve safety and increase flexibility for truck drivers.

Over 80 percent of Hoosiers depend on the trucking industry to keep their businesses moving. Reducing these burdensome regulations will help Hoosiers and all Americans.

As a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, providing flexibility for our truckers is my top priority. Thank you, Secretary Chao, for supporting commonsense proposals to increase the safety of our Nation's roads. Supporting Passage of the USMCA

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Mr. PENCE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to reiterate my commitment to passing the USMCA, a deal that will lead to strong economic growth for Hoosiers and the American people.

The USMCA will generate tens of billions of dollars and create over 175,000 new American jobs. Why won't Speaker Pelosi act? This agreement would rebalance trade for American manufacturing, increase market access for agriculture, and level the playing field for our small businesses.

While back in my district, I met with Hoosier farmers and manufacturers who told me the same thing: Congress needs to act now. Pass the USMCA. I urge my colleagues to put partisan politics aside and ratify the USMCA on behalf of our farmers, ranchers, businesses, and all American workers. Thanking the U.S. Department of Agriculture

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Mr. PENCE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to thank the U.S. Department of Agriculture for standing with Hoosier farmers. They have faced hardship due to adverse weather conditions. Indiana farmers experienced prolonged rains, negatively impacting their ability to plant corn and soybeans before crop insurance deadlines passed.

Just 2 weeks ago, Secretary Perdue declared 74 counties across the Hoosier State eligible for Federal assistance. On behalf of Indiana's Sixth District, I want to thank the Secretary for assisting farmers faced with a shortened growing season and a small harvest with access to this critical help. Supporting Broadband Access

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Mr. PENCE. Madam Speaker, I rise today regarding an issue impacting constituents in every corner of Indiana's Sixth District. My district ranks among the lowest in the Nation in regard to broadband access.

According to the FCC, 42 percent of Hoosiers in rural areas of my district are without high speed broadband internet. That puts almost half of my constituents in rural communities at a disadvantage. This is not unique to my district. Over 16.8 million rural Americans across this Nation are lacking adequate access to a broadband connection.

We must ensure rural America is not left behind. We must close the digital divide.

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