Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this bill which is important to all the Federal employees in New Mexico. This bill ensures that furloughed employees will be made whole. It is also important for contract employees who work at our national labs. It is clear that Congress intends to insulate those workers who provide vital services to our Nation from the effects of the shutdown.

In the past, DOE has sought to treat lab employees the same as Federal employees. This legislation sets the precedent for how those employees will be treated. We are sending the message that DOE should certify backpay for lab employees as an allowable cost so they will be made whole if they are furloughed. I submit into the Record my letter to Secretary Moniz expressing congressional intent to insulate those workers who provide vital services to our Nation from the effects of a shutdown, which includes contract employees at our national labs.

Congress of the United States,

House of Representatives,

Washington, DC, October 5, 2013.

Dr. Ernest Moniz,

Secretary of Energy, Washington, DC.

Secretary Moniz: I write today to call your attention to

the many New Mexicans who work at Los Alamos and Sandia

National Laboratories who have been adversely affected by the

continuing budget impasse in Congress and the resulting

shutdown. As you know, these labs are essential to our

nation's national security as well as its scientific and

research capabilities. Their workforce is comprised of many

of the smartest scientists, engineers, and researchers in our

country, all of whom have devoted their careers to serving

and protecting our nation.

This government shutdown risks betraying these men and

women who have made personal sacrifices for our collective

security and technological advancement. While lab employees

work for the contractors who manage the labs, they are

subject to much of the same uncertainty as their colleagues

in the federal workforce. While neither of the New Mexico

NNSA laboratories have yet announced a need to furlough their

workforce, a number of my constituents have written to my

office or contacted me directly to share the stress of

potentially being furloughed from the labs and missing out on

a needed paycheck.

Today, the House of Representatives will pass H.R. 3223,

the Federal Employee Retroactive Pay Fairness Act, which

would compensate all federal employees who would not

otherwise receive their full salaries due to the shutdown.

President Obama has declared that he supports the legislation

and his office writes,

``Federal workers keep the Nation safe and secure and

provide vital services that support the economic security of

American families. The Administration appreciates that the

Congress is acting promptly to move this bipartisan

legislation and looks forward to the bill's swift passage.''

The overwhelming bipartisan support for this legislation

demonstrates the clear Congressional desire that the federal

workforce should not be adversely impacted by the shutdown

nor should they shoulder the burden of its resulting

uncertainty. While the employees of New Mexico's national

laboratories are not included within the bill's specific

terms, Congress clearly intends that those workers who

provide such vital services for our nation should be

insulated from the effects of a protracted shutdown.

It is my understanding that the Department of Energy can

certify to the labs that it is an ``allowable cost'' for them

to use their appropriated dollars to compensate their

employees for back pay due to any furloughs caused by.a

shutdown. Due to the tremendous economic uncertainty

currently faced by the laboratories' workforce, I urge you to

certify as soon as possible that back pay will be allowable

upon the restoration of government functions. The employees

of our nation's national laboratories deserve to know that

they will be fully compensated for their service to our

nation.

Sincerely,

Ben Ray Lujan,

Member of Congress.

Mr. Speaker, the House Republicans are not fooling anyone. Right now is hunting season in New Mexico. The Republican bill does nothing to keep open access to hunting on Federal lands, on the BLM or Forest Service. The Republicans are keeping hunters stranded and turning a blind eye to the small business owners and guides that depend on hunting season.

Hunters across America, call the House Republicans and tell them to let us vote on the clean Senate CR.

Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. Chairman, I rise today to offer an amendment that would protect Native

American sacred and cultural sites associated with the land conveyance outlined in the bill. This bill transfers land out of the public domain and into the hands of a private mining company with no guarantee of protecting sacred sites.

Currently, the cultural and sacred sites of Apache Leap and Oak Flat are located on public land and not on an Indian reservation. Although these sites are not on an Indian reservation, they're still sacred to the San Carlos Apache, Yavapai Indian Tribe, and other tribes in Arizona, just as a Catholic church, where I practice my faith, is considered a holy place even though it's not located in Vatican City.

Because these sacred and cultural sites are currently on public land, they are protected under certain Federal laws. This bill would transfer the lands that contain these sacred sites to a private company for private ownership, effectively taking away any protections under Federal law.

Additionally, it is important to protect the subsurface area of these sacred sites, which this bill does not do. Native American sacred sites, just as a church or temple, have both surface and subsurface religious quantities. Would we allow subsurface mining below the National Cathedral? I would say not.

I have heard from my colleagues the mining would take place below the ground and therefore leave the sacred sites undisturbed, but this is a rather absurd argument and, quite honestly, not factual.

Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the very distinguished gentlewoman from Minnesota (Ms. McCollum), one of the cochairs of the Native American Caucus.

Mr. Chairman, I yield myself the balance of my time.

I don't know where to begin with the comments suggested by one of my colleagues whom I respect, Mr. Gosar. I don't know how to be more clear.

These sacred sites are on public land. I think it would be a new low for this Congress to go and tell tribes across America that sacred sites that are not located on a reservation are no longer sacred. I'm surprised. I'm appalled. I think tribes across the country would be, as well.

With regard to sections 4(i) and 4(j), I ask the author of the legislation to come back and read it with me. The way that I read this, there's only one section of law that is referred to that can't be enforced because this is on private lands, not on public lands; and the area that's identified in the law is the National Environmental Policy Act.

What happens when this land is given from a public perspective back to a private perspective is we lose the opportunity and ability to enforce the National Historic Preservation Act, the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, the American Indian Religious Freedom Act, and the administration's December 2012 memorandum of understanding to protect sacred sites.

Mr. Chairman, I submit into the Record all the organizations across America, including all the tribes from Arizona, that are opposed to this underlying legislation.

Mr. Chairman, I have here not a picture of Apache Leap, but a picture of what happens with blockade mining. So even in the poor attempt that talks about trying to address Apache Leap, the author of the legislation failed to include Oak Flat, which is a sacred site that would be covered here.

This is what happens with blockade mining. Don't take my word for it, as I will submit into the Record a presentation by Resolution Copper Mining. In this, which I wish I would have blown up, Resolution Copper shows pictures of how this starts to cave in. It will eventually look like this.

Mr. Chairman, this is a commonsense piece of legislation. In your words, this will improve the law. This will improve what we're trying to do here. This doesn't give the Secretary blanket authority to do anything.

Let's just protect sacred sites and work together. The Congress has always done this. There's a reason why Democrats and Republicans have come together to create a Native American Caucus and to advocate for tribes across America. The Congress has always stood strong.

Mr. Chairman, I ask my colleagues to please give due consideration and support this amendment. I hope to work with the majority and Chairman Hastings, whom I respect very much, to try to get this addressed.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Tribes and Organizations Opposed to H.R. 687, SE AZ Land Exchange

Tribal Organizations

National Congress of American Indians--the oldest and

largest organization representing tribes across the country

National Indian Gaming Association--represents 184 tribes

across the country

Inter-Tribal Council of Arizona--represents 20 tribes in

Arizona

Inter-Tribal Council of Nevada--represents 27 tribes in

Nevada

United South and Eastern Tribes--represents 26 tribes in

Maine, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island,

North Carolina, South Carolina, Alabama, Mississippi,

Louisiana, Florida, and Texas and based in Tennessee

California Association of Tribal Governments--represents

tribal governments in California

Midwest Alliance of Sovereign Tribes--represents 35 tribes

in Minnesota, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Iowa

Affiliated Tribes of the Northwest Indians--represents 57

tribes located in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Southeast

Alaska, Northern California, and Western Montana

All Indian Pueblo Council--represents 20 pueblos located in

New Mexico and Texas

Eight Northern Indian Pueblos of New Mexico

Great Plains Tribal Chairman's Association--represents 16

tribes in North Dakota, South Dakota, and Nebraska

Coalition of Large Tribes--represents 14 tribes in North

Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, Idaho, Arizona, New Mexico,

Utah, Washington

Alaska Inter-Tribal Council

Alabama

Poarch Band of Creek Indians, Alabama

Arizona

San Carlos Apache Tribe, Arizona

Hopi Tribe, Arizona

Ak-Chin Indian Community, Arizona

Ft. McDowell Yavapai Nation, Arizona

White Mountain Apache Tribe, Arizona

Colorado River Indian Tribes, Arizona

Cocopah Indian Tribe, Arizona

Hualapai Tribe, Arizona

Tohono O'odham Nation, Arizona

Quechan Indian Tribe, Arizona

Tonto Apache Tribe, Arizona

Ft. Mojave Indian Tribe, Arizona, California, and Nevada

Navajo Nation Council, Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah

California

Susanville Indian Rancheria, California

Coyote Valley Band of Pomo Indians, California

Hopland Band of Pomo Indians, California

Soboba Band of Luiseno Indians, California

California Valley Miwok Tribe, California

Santa Rosa Band of Cahuilla Indians, California

Connecticut

Mohegan Tribe, Connecticut

Florida

Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida

Idaho

Shoshone-Bannock Tribes, Idaho

Kansas

Kickapoo Indian Nation, Kansas

Louisiana

Jena Band of Choctaw Indians, Louisiana

Tunica-Biloxi Tribe, Louisiana

Maine

Penobscot Indian Nation, Maine

Massachusetts

Aquinnah Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head, MA

Michigan

Saginaw Chippewa Tribe, Michigan

Sault Ste. Marie Tribe, Michigan

Minnesota

Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe, Minnesota

Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Indian Community, Minnesota

Nevada

Shoshone-Paiute Tribe, Nevada

Walker River Paiute Tribe, Nevada

New Mexico

Jicarilla Apache Nation, New Mexico

Mescalero Apache Tribe, New Mexico

Pueblo of Zuni, New Mexico

Pueblo of Tesuque, New Mexico

Pueblo of Santa Clara, New Mexico

Oklahoma

Cherokee Nation, Oklahoma

Osage Nation, Oklahoma

Rhode Island

Narragansett Tribe

South Carolina

Catawba Indian Nation, South Carolina

South Dakota

Oglala Sioux Tribe, South Dakota

Washington

Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, Washington

Puyallup Tribe of Indians, Washington

Quinault Indian Nation, Washington

Hoh Indian Nation, Washington

Samish Indian Nation, Washington

Wisconsin

Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians

Oneida Nation, Wisconsin

Sokaogan Chippewa Community, Wisconsin

Stockbridge-Munsee Community, Band of Mohican Indians,

Wisconsin

Environmental and Religious Groups Opposing H.R. 687/S. 339, SE AZ Land

Exchange

Town of Superior

Queen Valley Golf Association, Queen Valley, Arizona

Queen Valley Homeowners Association, Queen Valley, Arizona

Arizona Mining Reform Coalition

American Lands

Access Fund

Arizona Mountaineering Club

Arizona Native Plant Society

Arizona Wildlife Federation

The American Alpine Club--Golden, CO

Center for Biological Diversity

Chiricahua-Dragoon Conservation Alliance

Comstock Residents Association--Virginia City, NV

Concerned Citizens and Retired Miners Coalition--Superior,

Will the chairman yield?

I thank the chairman.

Mr. Chairman, I don't believe that anyone is suggesting that items are being waived.

The fact of the matter is, when land is transferred from a public domain to a private domain, it goes away. And that's the problem here. And I am glad to hear--and I know the profound respect that Chairman Hastings has for tribes across the country and the sacred sites, protections--

Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. Speaker, it's time for Congress to work together on a commonsense solution to address the impacts of climate change.

As we begin Hispanic Heritage Month, it's important for us to recognize the impact climate change is disproportionately having upon minority communities across the country. Whether it's farmers and ranchers in my home State of New Mexico struggling through devastating drought conditions or communities that are being impacted by recent flooding as a result of more severe weather, millions of Americans have been impacted by the effects of climate change.

Released earlier this year, a survey conducted by Public Policy Polling found 74 percent of Latinos believe climate change is a serious or a very serious problem, a higher level than the 65 percent among all American adults; 68 percent of Latinos support the President using his authority to reduce greenhouse gas pollution, including 60 percent of all American adults; 69 percent of Latinos agree with the President's statement that ``for the sake of our children'' and our future, we must do more to combat climate change, compared to 62 percent of all American adults.

Combating climate change and preserving our land, water, and air is a top priority for many Americans, especially those in minority communities. For years, a coalition of stakeholders, including Hispanic farmers and ranchers, tribal communities, conservation groups, hunting and fishing organizations, and local governments came together to lay the foundation that led to President Obama establishing the Rio Grande del Norte National Monument earlier this year. This is an example of the type of leadership and advocacy that can make a real difference in addressing climate change and preserving our precious resources. By establishing the Rio Grande del Norte, we have created economic certainty for farmers and ranchers, increased recreation and tourism opportunities, and, most importantly, protected our land, water, and air for future generations.

Mr. Speaker, I have also come to the floor today to express my concern for the House Republicans' plan to slash funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. This program is vital to many in New Mexico, especially our children. Sadly, New Mexico ranks near the bottom when it comes to childhood well-being and ranked worst in childhood hunger.

The Republican plan to cut $40 billion from the SNAP program caters to the most extreme views. Earlier this year, they tried to cut $20 billion, only to have the Tea Party revolt. So the new plan goes even further at a time when many communities are still struggling from a slow economy, even including a provision that prevents high unemployment areas from receiving additional assistance.

Today we have 47 million Americans living in poverty. And while we should

be doing more to address the root causes, we should not turn our backs on those struggling to make ends meet by cutting benefits that help put food on the table for working families.

I believe we all share the goal of seeing a stronger economy that creates jobs and reduces the need for this kind of assistance. But until that time, let's not make the most vulnerable among us pay the steepest price.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the heroic efforts of Staff Sergeant Hiroshi H. Miyamura of the United States Army, who called Gallup, New Mexico, home.

Sergeant Miyamura was with the 3rd Infantry Division and was awarded the Medal of Honor for extreme bravery in action from April 24-25, 1951, near Taejon-ni, Korea. Staff Sergeant Miyamura's company was holding a defensive position when a strong enemy force launched a surprise attack to overrun them. Understanding the severity of the situation, Staff Sergeant Miyamura hustled to the line and plunged into the oncoming enemy forces with his bayonet, killing 10 of the attackers.

During the second assault, he used his machine-gun, taking out the enemy. He insisted that his men pull back while he covered their withdrawal. While unloading on the enemy's advances, Staff Sergeant Miyamura killed at least 50 and provided a safe withdrawal of his unit.

It is for his heroism and distinguished service that I am proud to honor and remember the actions of Staff Sergeant Hiroshi H. Miyamura.

Mr. Speaker, recently, one of our Republican colleagues made remarks about the Hispanic community and children that have no place in our public discourse. These words offend DREAMers, who have been brought to this country through no fault of their own, and they offend our entire Nation.

In talking about DREAMers, Representative Steve King said:

For every one who's a valedictorian, there's another 100

out there who weigh 130 pounds, and they've got calves the

size of cantaloupes because they are hauling 75 pounds of

marijuana across the desert.

Mr. Speaker, I don't know what's more disappointing, that the most extreme voices in the Republican Conference continue to make appalling comments about the Hispanic community or that the rest of my Republican colleagues are silent on this kind of offensive and outrageous rhetoric.

At a time when we should be working together to address our broken immigration system, these hateful words only seek to divide rather than bring people together to find common ground.

It's no wonder that the American people continue to see House Republicans as out of touch when comments like these are made.

Mr. Speaker, as fires across the West grow more intense and superstorms in the United States do more damage, it is clear that the cost of inaction on climate change is growing. The economic toll that it is taking on communities across the country is impacting the American people.

Hurricane Sandy cost the United States $70 billion in damages, many lives, and lost economic output. In my home State of New Mexico, where wildfires have burned all summer, many communities that rely on tourism and access to our majestic lands have seen their businesses negatively impacted. Farmers and ranchers in New Mexico have had to sell off their herds because of drought conditions that made it too expensive to feed their animals.

Opponents of efforts to address climate change and to transition to cleaner fuels and renewable energy often cite the cost of these efforts. What they fail to account for is the increasing cost that global warming is having in the form of more severe droughts, more dangerous wildfire seasons, and increased devastation from superstorms.

Mr. Speaker, if we continue down this path and fail to take steps necessary to address climate change, the costs will only continue to grow and the impact on our communities will only increase.

Last week, I joined my colleagues in the Safe Climate Caucus in sending a letter to Speaker Boehner asking him to schedule a debate on the House floor to discuss climate change and our Nation's response to this growing threat.

The time for action is now. We must not sit idly by and ignore the facts and ignore the science while communities in New Mexico and across the country experience the negative impacts of climate change.

Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. Chairman, I rise to amend H.R. 2609, the Energy and Water appropriations bill, for the purpose of addressing several issues in New Mexico.

More specifically, my amendment would increase the construction account by $15 million to ensure local governments, like the city of Rio Rancho, the county of Benalillo and the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District, get reimbursed for the work that they have done in conjunction with the Army Corps of Engineers. The Army Corps of Engineers works with local governments in New Mexico to construct levees, implement flood control measures, and other important infrastructure for the safety of the public.

More specifically, the city of Rio Rancho entered into a reimbursement contract with the Army Corps of Engineers and has not been paid back for several years due to the lack of appropriations. The same goes for the county of Benalillo and the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District, and others across the country.

This delay in reimbursement has led to interruptions in financing for other city projects and also has the potential to hurt the credit ratings of these entities if they do not recover these funds via reimbursement, as stated in their contracts.

By increasing the dollar amount in this account, which includes a number of programs and accounts that are critical to local governments--like engineering, construction, technical assistance, flood control, and environmental infrastructure--we can get these entities reimbursed and get these liabilities off the books of the Army Corps of Engineers to get the projects going.

Mr. Chairman, local governments have been left holding an IOU from the Federal Government for doing work based on good-faith written agreements with the Army Corps of Engineers. Mr. Chairman, I understand that there may be opposition from the Republican majority, but I'm hoping I can persuade the chairman to support me in this effort. Section 593 of the Water Resources Development Act of 1999 is under which the city of Rio Rancho and these other local governments entered into agreements with the Army Corps of Engineers. If the Republican majority disagrees with the authority, they should repeal it; but let's make these local governments whole.

When city and local governments enter into reimbursement contracts, they expect to be reimbursed. They have annual budgets with the expectation they will get paid back. Congress should live up to these obligations in the authority given to the agency by Congress. I understand the constraints that the subcommittee dealt with with the allocations given to them, but we need to make sure that we're working to make these local governments whole. Again, going forward, if this is an authority that the Republican majority feels we should do away with, we should do away with it. But let's make these local governments whole.

With that, Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Chair, I move to strike the last word.

Madam Chair, I rise to engage in a colloquy with the chairman and ranking member on the Laboratory Directed Research and Development program at the National Nuclear Security Administration.

The Laboratory Directed Research and Development, LDRD, program at the National Nuclear Security Administration's national laboratories has, over the past two decades, made it possible for these labs to develop capabilities that have been critical to meeting the future mission needs via high-risk, high-payoff R&D. For example, at Los Alamos National Laboratory in my district, LDRD has supported a key technology that is now being applied toward the detection of nuclear and radiological threats and is a winner of this year's R&D 100 awards.

LDRD is also very important to recruiting and retaining top scientists and engineers. At Los Alamos, LDRD supports about one-half of the post-docs who have gone on to become the lab's permanent employees and is one of the key and leading sources of new lab employees.

The funding for the program is derived through a certain percentage of each lab's operating budget. Currently, that percentage is limited to not more than 8 percent. The bill we are considering today would lower that to be not more than 4.5 percent. I am very concerned that such a low level could harm the national labs' ability to meet future mission needs and ask the chairman and ranking member to work with us in making sure that the levels allowed for LDRD do not adversely impact the national security capabilities of the labs.

With that, Madam Chair, I would yield to the gentlelady from New Mexico (Ms. Michelle Lujan Grisham).

Madam Chair, I yield to the chairman, the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Frelinghuysen).

Madam Chair, I yield to the gentlelady from Ohio (Ms. Kaptur), the ranking member.

Madam Chair, I thank the chairman and the ranking member for their service and for agreeing to work with us on this important issue.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Amendment Offered by Mrs. Noem

Mr. Speaker, as we come to the House floor this morning, many communities across the West suffer from severe wildfires, and they're having a more devastating impact due to extreme drought conditions this year. In my home State of New Mexico, firefighters have bravely worked to battle a number of blazes, and I extend my sincerest thanks for their tireless efforts.

With global climate change contributing to drier and hotter summers and more intense fire seasons, it is critical that we take steps to address the root causes of climate change before it gets too late. And while we should focus on the steps we must take to reduce greenhouse gases and encourage energy conservation, we must also ensure that we're preparing for the drought conditions that will continue to impact our communities in the years to come. The National Integrated Drought Information System is an important tool in this effort. This program collects and consolidates drought-related data and information. It operates regional drought early warning system pilot projects across the country.

Authorization for this program is currently scheduled to end this year. That is why I'm working in a bipartisan effort to reauthorize the National Integrated Drought Information System for another 4 years. This will enable the Federal Government to further develop regional drought early warning systems and identify research, monitoring, and forecasting needs that can help farmers and firefighters alike. Because whether it's growing crops or raising livestock or battling wildfires in the West, drought conditions in the coming years will continue to pose challenges for our communities, and we will need to do all we can to assist those whose lives and livelihoods are impacted by climate change.

Mr. Speaker, today I'm also offering an amendment to be able to provide grant authorization to many small, predominantly Hispanic communities across northern New Mexico that are in these areas where these waterways have been carved through our mountains, through our watersheds to provide opportunity to small farmers, rural communities all across New Mexico called acequias.

For many years, local farmers in New Mexico have been asking for an amendment that would allow acequia and community ditch associations to access EQIP funds. An acequia is a centuries-old irrigation structure that is still in use today, providing opportunities for many private land owners all across New Mexico and southern Colorado.

The board of private land owners, also called an acequia and community ditch association, is in charge of administering maintenance of the irrigation infrastructure which often requires work on sections of the ditch of the acequia on private land. These small community ditch associations do not have the authority to levy taxes. That's why I'm asking for Members to please consider and offer your support on this amendment today.

Members who are watching and tuning in to C-SPAN this morning, as well as offices, please take a look at this amendment. We need your help in New Mexico, and our farmers would certainly appreciate the kind support of Members of Congress.

So thank you so much, Mr. Speaker. We have a lot of work to do. Let's make sure we can get this done on behalf of people who are struggling and working all across America today.

Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. Chairman, thank you very much. For many years, local farmers in New Mexico have been asking for an amendment that would allow local acequia and community ditch associations to access EQIP funds. An ``acequia'' is a centuries-old irrigation structure that is still in use today in primarily Hispanic communities across New Mexico, and it is governed by a small board made up of private landowners.

The board of private landowners, also called the acequia and community ditch association, is in charge of administering maintenance of the irrigation infrastructure, which often requires work on sections of infrastructure residing on private land. Because of current EQIP rules, individual producers can apply for assistance under the program but are not allowed to include the community ditch association to help with the work, even though the community ditch association is charged with maintaining the infrastructure for all water users.

Mr. Chairman, you can see the dilemma that we're facing in New Mexico.

This translates into burdensome roadblocks to improve conservation practices or manage scarce water resources.

Mr. Chairman, in New Mexico, we are seeing one of the worst droughts in our history, and improving water use and conservation practices are key to keeping our agricultural communities alive.

The Natural Resources Conservation Service, NRCS, charged with administering the EQIP program, has indicated this language in my amendment would create the administrative efficiency needed when working with small producers in New Mexico who irrigate their crops via acequia and community ditches.

This amendment does not open up the program to large irrigation districts or government entities but simply affords local Hispanic farmers in rural New Mexico equal eligibility to compete for funding. Acequia community ditch associations, which are comprised solely of private landowners, do not have the authority to impose taxes or levees, and are in need of this clarifying language.

Mr. Chairman, these programs are put together State by State and funded State by State, and it's my hope that through the work with the committee staff--and, Mr. Chairman, I really want to thank the minority staff and the majority staff because they really took the time with my team to take a look at this, and I think everyone understands the need, although there still may be some questions.

I yield to the gentleman from Oklahoma.

Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time, and I thank everyone for their help on this.

Madam Chairman, I move to strike the last word.

Madam Chairman, I rise to engage Chairman Carter in a colloquy on the Science and Technology Directorate within the Department of Homeland Security.

Mr. Chairman, as you know, the enabling act that created the Homeland Security Department provided the new Department with special access to the Department of Energy's national laboratories. The intent was for DHS to utilize the unique capabilities at the national laboratories so that DHS would not build up the duplicative capabilities within the Department.

Building duplicative capabilities at different agencies is a poor use of taxpayer dollars, and there is no need to do so given the Department's access to the existing national labs. At a time when our government has dramatically reduced its ability to conduct cutting-edge research into new technologies, we must ensure that the Department of Homeland Security is using its resources in the most cost-effective methods possible.

Instead of reinventing the wheel and developing new capabilities, the DHS should be utilizing our DOE national labs whenever practicable as they conduct research, development, testing or evaluate activities. The national labs have first-rate capabilities in many areas relevant to Homeland Security, ranging from explosive detection technologies to advanced cybersecurity techniques. Mr. Chairman, I urge us to work with the Department to ensure that their research and development funds are effectively spent and not used to create redundant capabilities.

I yield to the gentleman from Texas, Chairman Carter.

I thank the chairman and the ranking member for their work on this.

With that, I yield back the balance of my time.

Amendment Offered by Mr. Meehan

I have an amendment at the desk.

Madam Chair, in what has been one of the worst drought years in the recorded history of my home State of New Mexico, we're already feeling the effects of another severe fire season. Already, more than 18,000 acres of forest have burned as a result of two fires caused by downed power lines, and those numbers are growing as we speak. Hundreds of homes have been threatened and families have been evacuated. In 2011, during the Las Conchas fire, we lost 150,000 acres of forest to wildfire, again caused by a downed power line.

The importance of disaster preparedness is key to saving human lives and property. My amendment today would make available an additional $10 million for State and local grant programs to ensure local towns and communities can be prepared for catastrophic wildfires before they hit. This amendment is cost neutral.

While there may be concerns by some of my colleagues and even opposition, I would ask, Madam Chair, that we work together to understand that when there are communities burning that we reach out and we try to do what we can to help these innocent individuals.

My amendment would also allow local utilities to take preventive measures for the causes and impacts of wildfires. We must do all we can to ensure that communities have the resources they need to address the dangers and damages of wildfire before and after catastrophic events occur.

I urge my colleagues to support my amendment.

Madam Chair, before I yield back, I would like to take a moment to thank all of the firefighters for their brave service battling the Tres Lagunas and Thompson Ridge fires in northern New Mexico. Time and again, those on the frontline, as well as those on the command teams, have acted admirably while putting their lives at risk. To all of those who have volunteered, donated resources and lent a helping hand to the firefighters and our displaced friends and neighbors, God bless you and thank you for your hard work.

Again, Madam Chair, I urge my colleagues to consider supporting my amendment that will help our communities prepare for wildfires. And with that, Madam Chair, I thank the chairman and the ranking member for their work in this important area, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Chair, I move to strike the last word.

Madam Chair, I know everyone's tired. I just finished getting off the floor, offering an amendment, and a colloquy with my colleague, the dear chairman, Mr. Carter, as well. I went back to my small place to make a sandwich, and I saw this amendment come on the floor. And I had to hurry back.

Everybody's tired because it's so late, Madam Chair. Here we are, it's midnight. Under the dark of night, here we have an amendment that I hope the talk shows are paying attention and watching tonight, and I hope that dreamers across America are watching their televisions. Because, if not, they're going to be reading about this in the morning.

At a time when, as Congressman Gutierrez described, we're coming together as a Congress and as a Nation to try to get comprehensive immigration reform adopted; at a time when we should be concentrating our efforts on going after those criminals that are doing bad, bad things; when the Chamber of Commerce of the United States and faith- based organizations, churches across America on Sundays and Saturdays and even at Bible study on Wednesdays are talking about the importance of respecting our friends and our neighbors, especially those young people, these dreamers--these young men and women who serve in our military who are undocumented here in the United States, to look after them and to pray for them and encourage the Congress to come together, this amendment is a slap in their face, Madam Chair.

The King amendment would make communities less safe by discouraging crime victims from coming forward to police. The Morton memo on victims and witnesses encourages the agency not to initiate removal proceedings against an immediate victim or witness to a crime. This is needed to ensure that victims of domestic violence and other crimes come forward to seek protection. It is needed to help effective prosecutions of criminals.

The memo supports the U visa and the Violence Against Women Act's self-petition process that came under fire during the recent Violence Against Women debate, notwithstanding the strong law enforcement support for both these protections.

Let me see if I can make that simpler. An undocumented woman who is here in the United States who is a victim of rape, who comes forward to say who raped her, goes before the law enforcement without the memos in place and these protections, potentially, she is to be detained and deported because she was raped and she came forward with the courage to be able to try to get that individual who perpetrated that crime.

It's sad, Madam Chair, that here we are yet again at a time when Democrats and Republicans have come together to be able to advocate for the importance of taking care of our dreamers, when this passed this House and so many of our Senators came forward, when the leaders of our respective parties in this very House of Representatives that we're honored to be a part of have come together and advocated for this change. We're having

this debate after midnight here in Washington, D.C., tonight. It's sad.

And the Morton memos are hardly new. Prosecutorial discretion memos in the immigration context have existed since 1976. Congressman Gutierrez eloquently described the letters that were sent by Congressman Hyde and Congressman Lamar Smith asking for the Executive to use its discretionary authority.

Madam Chair, it's a sad, sad day that we're here tonight--under the dark of night--where I hope dreamers across America are paying attention. Because we need them tomorrow to light up those phones and make sure that they're talking to their friends, their families, to their deacons, to their priests, to their faith-based leaders and ask them to please stand up and encourage Members of Congress, when this comes up for a vote tomorrow morning, to call Members of Congress and tell them to reject this amendment.

With that, I yield back the balance of my time.

Offered by: Mr. Ben Ray Lujan of New Mexico

Amendment No. 19: At the end of the bill (before the short

title), insert the following:

Mr. Speaker, the news that carbon dioxide in the atmosphere passed 400 parts per million for the first time in human history should serve as a wake-up call that we can no longer ignore the threat of climate change. Now, I know there are some that still don't believe in science and still believe that climate change isn't real, but we should all agree that this is a problem that we have to confront.

Addressing climate change is not only important for our environment, but also for our economy. Creating a clean energy economy powered by

solar, wind, and other renewable resources will spur new jobs, new technological advancements, and grow our economy.

In order to ensure that we can compete and win in the global market to develop clean energy technologies, it is vital that we have a trained workforce ready to work. That's why this week I reintroduced the Community College Energy Training Act, legislation to support clean energy job-training programs in our community colleges. Community colleges play an integral role in training and retraining Americans who want to get ahead and learn the skills that will open up new opportunities.

By investing in training programs in the clean energy sector, we can lay the foundation for success in a field that holds such great potential and prepare our students for the good jobs of tomorrow.

Mr. Speaker, at a time when our communities are dealing with the impact of climate change, cuts from the sequester will negatively impact our

long-term efforts to combat this challenge.

Energy conservation is a vital component of reducing carbon emissions. Weatherization programs and the Energy Star program have been instrumental in reducing consumption. In 2011, Energy Star helped Americans reduce emissions by the equivalent of 41 million vehicles; and, during these tough times, it cut utility bills by $23 billion.

As a result of the sequester, further progress on these programs is at risk. Research and development in clean-energy technologies are essential to reducing our dependence on oil and cutting emissions.

Sequestration's funding reductions threaten to slow developments in solar and advanced battery technology. Sadly, my Republican colleagues have been reluctant to even debate further action to address climate change.

That is one more reason why we cannot afford to sit by and do nothing while sequestration reduces the effectiveness of the programs we already have in place that are part of the climate change solution.

Mr. Speaker, the House Republican budget unveiled yesterday by Chairman Paul Ryan is a repeat of the same Tea Party principles that have already been rejected by the American people.

House Republicans are once again determined to place the burden of deficit reduction on the backs of middle class families, while the wealthiest Americans get yet another tax break. After wasting valuable time last Congress voting more than 30 times to repeal health care reform rather than focus on jobs and the economy, the Republican budget again calls for its repeal.

In addition, their budget ends Medicare as we know it, and surprise, surprise, turns it into a voucher program that reduces benefits and leaves seniors paying higher out-of-pocket costs.

While this budget blueprint is still lacking specific details, it is clear that in order to meet the spending targets it outlines, House Republicans would slash investments in key areas that are essential to economic growth and job creation. Education, job training, science, and research will all be on the chopping block in order to reduce the deficit, with little regard for the jobs that would be lost and the impact it would have on our Nation's competitiveness. The Republican budget factors in the sequestration's arbitrary cuts over the next decade, something else that is being rejected by the American people.

For New Mexico, this can mean more cuts to education targeted at low- income and special needs children; painful cuts to tribal communities that jeopardize our responsibilities to Indian country with our trust responsibilities; and cuts that impact funding for Los Alamos National Lab and the small businesses that contract with it, including cuts to important funding for environmental cleanup at LANL.

Regardless of the Republican rhetoric, the math just doesn't add up without steep cuts that will take their toll on New Mexico, threatening services that support the most vulnerable and investments that lay the foundation for a brighter future.

Our country needs a balanced path forward that focuses on growing the economy and providing opportunities for the middle class families. Sadly, the Republican budget fails to meet this goal.