Gus Bilirakis: “I am here to talk about my good friend, an outstanding leader, Chairwoman Rodgers. We are going to miss her. I am glad…”

“I am here to talk about my good friend, an outstanding leader, Chairwoman Rodgers. We are going to miss her. I am glad we can gather today, actually this evening, to recognize the outstanding leadership of Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers. For the last 4 years, she has been an inspiring partner, leading priorities on our side of the aisle to protect consumers from harm, hold the administration accountable for regulatory overreach, and save children from the mental health crisis of the online generation. This leadership is best exemplified in the work done to ban Chinese access to Americans' personal data and national security information, starting with the divestiture of TikTok from the Chinese Communist Party. Throughout her tenure, Chair Rodgers' tenacity to fight for the people is a trait that should be emulated by us all. It is this determination that has served a great service to our committee and our country. While Chair Rodgers returns to Washington State as a constituent to her successor, she does so having improved the lives of Americans, and she should be proud of the work achieved under her leadership. Mr. Speaker, this is an outstanding individual, what a role model and great statesperson. We are going to miss her. She has helped me in so many different ways over the years, first as Conference chair and as chair of the best committee in the House of Representatives. I will always be grateful to her.…”