Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2717) to authorize the National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation to establish a commemorative work on the National Mall to honor the extraordinary acts of valor, selfless service, and sacrifice displayed by Medal of Honor recipients, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 2717, as amended, the bill now under consideration.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, this Saturday is Veterans Day. There is perhaps no greater way to celebrate this day than passing H.R. 2717, which seeks to honor the valor and sacrifice of some of our Nation's bravest heroes, Medal of Honor recipients.

Mr. Speaker, 160 years ago, President Abraham Lincoln awarded the first Medal of Honor in the midst of the Civil War. It is our Nation's highest honor awarded to members of the Armed Forces and is bestowed sparingly to only those who have demonstrated the highest acts of valor. Less than 100 Medal of Honor recipients are alive today out of the more than 3,500 medals that have been awarded.

As the highest and most prestigious military decoration in the United States, it symbolizes exceptional acts of bravery, selflessness, and sacrifice beyond the call of duty. Through the recognition of these remarkable individuals, the Medal of Honor inspires a sense of national pride, honors the memory of fallen heroes, and motivates future generations to embody the values of courage and honor. Inspired by the Victoria Cross, the Medal of Honor continues to instill a profound sense of respect and gratitude for the sacrifices made in the defense of freedom and justice.

Congressman Moore's bill, the Hershel ``Woody'' Williams National Medal of Honor Monument Location Act, would ensure that the monument honoring these brave heroes can be placed on what is known as the Reserve but is commonly referred to as The National Mall here in Washington, D.C.

A monument honoring our most exceptional citizens should be reflected in the location of the memorial. Millions of Americans and visitors from across the world travel every year to our Nation's Capital to learn about the history of our great Nation. According to National Park Service data, The National Mall receives upward of 25 million visitors each year. The monuments and memorials located on The National Mall are the centerpiece of this history, and it is appropriate to include a new monument honoring veterans who have displayed the most courageous acts of valor recognized by our country.

In my home State of Arkansas, our State capital also has a memorial dedicated to Medal of Honor recipients on its grounds. I hope this monument in D.C., like the one in Arkansas, can inspire reflection, patriotism, and gratitude for our Nation's military heroes.

Earlier this year, the Committee on Natural Resources had the privilege of hearing from 1 of the 65 living Medal of Honor recipients, Master Chief Special Warfare Operator Britt Slabinski. In

his inspiring testimony, he reminded us that the Medal of Honor serves to represent those willing to go above and beyond in any circumstance, no matter how small.

This monument will serve as an everlasting reminder of the greatness of this country and the difference that one single person can make. The legislation before us today, H.R. 2717, would authorize the location of the national Medal of Honor memorial in a prominent location on The National Mall, with the intent to keep it near the Lincoln Memorial, as President Lincoln was the first to ever give out this special award.

Mr. Speaker, I was proud to support the original legislation authorizing this memorial, and I am proud to be supporting this subsequent legislation today.

Mr. Speaker, I note that this bill has been named after Hershel ``Woody'' Williams, who sadly passed away last year. He was known for his extraordinary heroism in the pivotal Battle of Iwo Jima during the Second World War. At the young age of 21, he singlehandedly cleared a path for American troops against Japanese forces in an act of extraordinary bravery. This is a touching tribute in his honor.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill. I thank Congressman Moore for his leadership, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Moore), the lead sponsor of the bill.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from West Virginia (Mrs. Miller).

Mr. Speaker, I yield an additional 30 seconds to the gentlewoman from West Virginia.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Ranking Member Grijalva and all the cosponsors of this bill and the great bipartisan work that has gone into making this happen. What a fitting tribute to Mr. Williams to name this bill after him.

I think back about a codel we made this past summer down to the country of Palau. We went out to a small island called Peleliu where one of the most bitter battles of World War II was fought. On that small island, really in a very hard place to get to, there stands a small monument to commemorate eight U.S. servicemembers who received the Medal of Honor in one battle.

As we were there, I thought not many Americans are ever going to get to see this small monument, and it made me realize how important it is that we do this monument here in Washington, D.C., to recognize not just Mr. Williams but all those who have served, to honor their memory, to remember their legacy, and to stand unwavering in our commitment to upholding the principles for which they fought so valiantly.

Mr. Speaker, I urge adoption of this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1318) to authorize the location of a monument on the National Mall to commemorate and honor the women's suffrage movement and the passage of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution, and for other purposes.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 1318, the bill now under consideration.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, this year marks the 175th anniversary of the beginning of the women's suffrage movement in 1848. For the first 144 years of our Nation's history, women were not afforded the right to vote.

During the 19th century, the women's suffrage movement emerged with the goal of securing this important constitutional right for women across the Nation. It took years of hard work and dedication. Securing this important

change took over 40 years to accomplish. Finally, in 1920, the 19th amendment was formally ratified, and women were finally given the right to vote in our Nation's elections.

Now, 175 years after this important movement began, we are coming to the House floor to ensure that the monument honoring this movement is placed in the most prominent location in our Nation's capital--on The National Mall. I think it is significant to note that out of the 40 monuments and memorials on the Reserve, zero are dedicated to women's history. The Women's Suffrage National Monument would be the first.

That is why I support H.R. 1318, the Women's Suffrage National Monument Location Act. This is a worthy cause and will enhance the interpretation of The National Mall, which is visited by millions of Americans annually.

This monument, which was originally authorized by legislation signed by President Trump in 2020, would not use any Federal funds. In fact, the foundation supporting the monument even has plans to address the multimillion dollar deferred maintenance backlog in Constitution Gardens, the preferred location of the women's suffrage monument. This is a true win-win and a great model for future commemorative works.

I would be remiss if I didn't mention my disappointment with the Biden administration, which testified against this legislation earlier this year. The administration argued that The National Mall is already complete and there would be no space for this monument. I find this hard to believe, considering that the preferred location for this monument is currently occupied by food trucks.

This is a good, bipartisan and bicameral bill, and I thank Representatives Lesko and Neguse for leading this effort. I support the bill and reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from Puerto Rico (Mrs. Gonzalez-Colon).

Mr. Speaker, I am prepared to close, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Again, I thank Representatives Lesko and Neguse and all the Members in the House who have come together to support this bill.

I thank my colleague Ranking Member Grijalva for his support and for working together on this and also the Senate for their bipartisan support.

It has bipartisan support because it is a good bill that will provide a place of prominence on our National Mall for the Women's Suffrage Monument.

It will forever enshrine the dedication and sacrifice of countless women who worked toward the goal of women's suffrage.

For those reasons, I urge adoption of this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Chair, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Chair, I commend my colleague from Idaho (Mr. Simpson) for the great work that he and his committee did in giving us this appropriation bill. I also commend the minority and everyone who spent so much time on the floor working through these amendments. Everybody will be glad to know that this is the last one. It is a great one, and I hope everybody will support my amendment.

Mr. Chair, I obviously support my amendment, which prohibits funds from being used to implement the Biden administration's ocean justice strategy, which undermines the intent of the Ocean Policy Committee by forcing so-called environmental justice principles into the Federal Government's role in ocean economic activities.

In 2018, then-President Trump signed Executive Order No. 13840, which established the Ocean Policy Committee. The Ocean Policy Committee, co- chaired by CEQ and the Office of Science and Technology Policy, was created to focus on growing the ocean economy, prioritizing scientific research, coordinating resources and data sharing, and engaging with stakeholders.

The committee was codified into law through the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021.

The Ocean Policy Committee should be working on important issues, such as leveraging resources and expertise to maximize the effectiveness of Federal investments in ocean research. Unfortunately, this administration has chosen to advance a misguided agenda that is not focused on the founding tenets of the Ocean Policy Committee to grow the ocean economy. Instead, it is pushing concepts like the ocean justice strategy, which forces environmental justice principles into the Federal Government's ocean activities.

Ocean justice or environmental justice should not be used to hijack legitimate work that benefits the American people. It cannot and should not become a driving force and detrimental tool to impede our Federal resources management.

For those reasons, I support and urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this amendment.

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

Mr. Chair, the Ocean Policy Committee should focus on addressing the issues that it was actually created to address--most importantly, streamlining Federal coordination.

This administration's push of this ocean justice strategy is just another example of unchecked bureaucrats forcing their agenda on Americans and increasing red tape.

My amendment stops them from moving forward. Our ocean economy is as diverse as the ocean itself, and there is no one-size-fits-all approach to managing it. The problem we have with Federal programs is they take a different course from how Congress intended for them to go. This isn't cutting funds from the Ocean Policy Committee. It is just forcing the Ocean Policy Committee to do the job that they were established to do without adding unnecessary burdens to their work.

Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting the amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Chair, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Chair, I will start by thanking the chair of the subcommittee for the great work that they did on this bill and for working with us on so many issues. I have one little adjustment I would make that would make the bill even better.

I rise in support of my amendment, which would reduce funding for the Council on Environmental Quality from the 2023 level of $3,750,000 to its currently authorized level of $1 million for fiscal year 2024.

While I do, again, appreciate the Appropriations Committee's efforts to reduce funding for this account by $926,000 from fiscal year 2023 levels, as well as rescind the $62.5 million of funds made available to CEQ by the so-called Inflation Reduction Act, it is my belief that Congress must go further to hold CEQ accountable for their actions.

I am deeply concerned by CEQ's lack of accountability to congressional oversight and their unwillingness to answer basic questions or even answer a letter in a timely manner. Congressional hearings and letters of inquiry are important tools that elected Representatives use to engage directly with administration officials to conduct oversight on policy objectives, openly debate legislation, and spotlight waste, fraud, and abuse occurring in government. These officials have an obligation to be responsive to Congress, engage in the oversight process, and be accountable to the American people.

However, on three separate occasions just this year, CEQ Chair Brenda Mallory has refused to testify before the

Committee on Natural Resources. In addition, Chair Mallory's staff, in written emails from just a few months ago, actually questioned the precedent and need for congressional oversight hearings.

CEQ has also failed to respond to basic document production letters, most recently missing yet another deadline on Monday, October 31, for a second request for the production of documents.

I will note for the record that we are not the only committee experiencing frustration with CEQ, and the specific issues we have been seeking answers on since June--well, let's just say that we are not alone in this endeavor. This type of behavior from political appointees in the executive branch is unacceptable and must not be allowed to continue.

Mr. Chairman, I come before you today to provide solutions. Working hand in hand with the Appropriations Committee and through the appropriations process, Republicans and Democrats alike should support a reduction in funding to agencies and agency heads that refuse to comply with congressional oversight.

One of the hearings where Chair Mallory refused to appear focused on CEQ's proposed changes to NEPA. These proposed changes have far- reaching impacts and affect countless stakeholders, which would make one think that oversight and transparency would be a high priority for

Mr. Chairman, in closing, I would say the only thing slowing down and providing blockades for projects across the country is CEQ and the influence they are having across other organizations. They are unresponsive to Congress. We should stand up for our Article I rights as Members of Congress, cut their funding, and make them more responsive.

Mr. Chairman, I encourage my colleagues to support this amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Chair, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Chair, I commend Chairman Fleischmann for the hard work in the Appropriations Committee and this particular subcommittee and the good product that they put out.

I do have a slight adjustment I would like to make to it, even though the subcommittee was very generous in working with the Natural Resources Committee and other committees in getting the base text.

I rise in support of Westerman amendment No. 14. It is an amendment that I would describe as an intentionally punitive amendment, but with a just cause: to protect the integrity of the legislative branch and, more specifically, the House of Representatives.

My amendment reduces funding for the Bureau of Reclamation's policy and administration account to fiscal year 2022 levels. At the Bureau of Reclamation, the policy and administration account finances the agency's centralized management and administrative functions that are not chargeable directly to a specific project or program. This includes the Office of the Commissioner, the administration's political leadership of the agency.

You may be asking why the chairman of the Committee on Natural Resources is here asking for an administrative funding cut to an agency under our jurisdiction. One of Congress' most vital responsibilities is oversight of the executive branch, making sure they are accountable to the American people. Congressional hearings are an important tool that we use to engage directly with administration officials and to conduct oversight on policy objectives, openly debate legislation, and spotlight waste, fraud, and abuse occurring in agencies.

These officials have an obligation to be responsive to Congress, engage in the oversight process, and be accountable to the American people. However, this administration, like many others from the past, on both sides of the aisle, chose to blatantly disregard this responsibility when they specifically refused to participate in a congressional hearing earlier this year.

There, we considered H.R. 215, Congressman Valadao's WATER for California Act. This legislation addresses the operation of the Central Valley Project, which is a Federal water project owned and operated by the Bureau of Reclamation. This legislation is critical not only to the Central Valley but to our entire country's food supply. The legislation was important enough that it was included in the base text of this bill.

However, even with ample notification with an invitation sent 2 weeks prior to the hearing, the Bureau of Reclamation failed to appear at the hearing. The Bureau of Reclamation employs roughly 5,000 employees, so they clearly have the ability to send a representative. While written testimony was submitted the day before the hearing, this was a poor substitute for engaging with the committee members.

Non-Federal witnesses who appeared at the hearing repeatedly mentioned the Bureau of Reclamation, which daylighted the missed opportunities for dialogue between the agency and the people they serve.

Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to support this amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Chair, I will again point out that this funding is for the administrative part of the Bureau of Reclamation. It has nothing to do with functions that are chargeable directly to a specific project or program.

The Bureau of Reclamation does oversee many important programs. We want to see those programs function properly, and we also want accountability from the executive branch. The executive branch's clear pattern of disregard for congressional oversight indicates an entitled leadership that lacks accountability to the American taxpayer.

It is not my goal to have to come to the floor and cut the budget of an agency because they refuse to respond to Congress, but what tools do we have when they will not even come to a hearing that is directly related to the work that they do and when they just act like congressional oversight is an annoyance to them and is nothing serious?

My amendment will send a clear message to the executive branch that blatant disregard for congressional oversight is unacceptable.

Mr. Chair, I hope this is a bipartisan sentiment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Selah, s-e-l-a-h, selah. This unique word, scattered throughout the Psalms, signals to the reader to pause, reflect, consider, and maybe take a deep breath before moving on.

Psalmists use selah to emphasize the significance of a statement. For example, King David wrote: ``Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears our burden, the God who is our salvation. Selah.'' That is a profound statement with huge implications. It deserves more than a cursory consideration.

Within the next hour, this House will vote ``yea'' or ``nay'' to vacate the Speaker's chair, a profound action with huge implications. This was last tried in 1910. Joseph Cannon won the vote. One hundred thirteen years later, my office is in the Cannon Office Building, and Uncle Joe Cannon's statue sits just outside this Chamber.

No living human has taken the vote we are about to take. It deserves that we pause and reflect, that we consider deeply the ramification of our actions.

To my fellow Republicans who would consider voting ``yes'' to removing our Republican Speaker, please pause and ask yourself two questions: Will your ``yes'' vote make America stronger? Will your ``yes'' vote strengthen conservative policies?

If you believe ``yes'' is the right vote, please stand before this body and the American people and articulate your plan--not your grievances or your wishes, your plan. Convince the vast majority of the Republican Conference that strongly disagrees with you to follow you.

If you cannot do that, which you have failed to do so far, then voting ``yes'' is, at the least, a disruptive overreaction. In reality, it is selfish, bad for conservative policies, and bad for America.

That is why I strongly support Speaker Kevin McCarthy and why, without hesitation or reservation, I will vote ``no'' on this disastrous resolution.

Mr. Speaker, we have all heard that life is about making choices. Serving in Congress requires making big choices on a big stage that are forever chronicled in our votes. Take out all the rhetoric and all the policy disagreements and, at the end of this debate, every Member of the House will have a choice to make and a vote to cast.

Making choices is about setting priorities. House Republicans have made it clear that cutting spending, securing the border, and keeping the government open while we finish the yearlong spending bills are our priorities.

It is no secret, based on previous actions, that my friends across the aisle prioritize out-of-control spending and an open border. I anticipate their priorities will outweigh their desire to keep the government open. That is their choice.

Since President Biden took office, our debt has skyrocketed, inflation is strangling our citizens, and thousands of pounds of fentanyl and millions of illegal immigrants, including more than 150 on the terrorist watch list, have poured over our southern border and into our communities. This immigration crisis is so bad that the Biden administration has resorted to building migrant shelters in our national parks and waiving environmental laws to do it.

This has to stop. The choices are clear. The conservative solution will

avoid a government shutdown, secure our borders, and keep us on track to restore fiscal sanity. Let me be clear that a vote against this bill is a vote to continue down the path of out-of-control spending, to keep our borders open, and to shut down the government.

Mr. Speaker, I have made my choice to vote ``yes,'' and I encourage others to do the same.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the distinguished career of Professor Joseph Carter Corbin and his contributions to education in the state of Arkansas. Mr. Corbin was an educator, journalist, mathematician, and scholar. He became one of the most educated men of his day, earning an Artium Baccalaureus degree and two master's degrees from Ohio University.

In 1872, Professor Corbin made the Natural State home for him and his family. He was then elected as the Superintendent of Public Instruction and President of the University of Arkansas Board of Trustees. Mr. Corbin recognized the need for teachers and laid the foundation for a teacher's college of the ``poorer class.'' Branch Normal College of the Arkansas Industrial University is what we now know as the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. Professor Corbin became the first African American superintendent of public education in Arkansas, and he had a profound impact on the school. He worked tirelessly to advocate on behalf of Arkansas's black educators. His dedication to serving the people of Pine Bluff is most admirable, and his legacy shall not be forgotten.

I want to thank Professor Corbin for making such a deep and lasting impact on his community, the 4th District of Arkansas, and our country. I hope his record of service will be an inspiration to all who follow in his footsteps. I am proud to recognize September 27, 2023, as Professor Joseph Carter Corbin Day in Pine Bluff, Arkansas.

Mr. Speaker, many people are familiar with the passage of scripture found in First Corinthians Chapter 13, verse 4, ``Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.'' However, fewer may remember verse 5 which states that love ``always protects, always trust, always hopes, always perseveres.'' When the apostle Paul was inspired to write these words so many years ago, I believe he had persevering and loving couples like Cleovis and Arwilda Whiteside in mind. Since 2019, the Whitesides have been recognized as Arkansas' ``Longest Married Couple.'' This Sunday, September 24, 2023, in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, they are being recognized for their 84th year of marriage.

On what I am sure was a hot and humid Monday, July 24, 1939, 17-year- old Cleovis and 13-year-old Arwilda made a lifetime commitment to God and each other that has endured the test of time. The next year, Mrs. Whiteside delivered the first of their 12 children. In an interview last year, Mr. Whiteside, who was 100 at the time, stated, ``We've been together all this long time and I still love my wife. She still loves me, and we still get along just as good.'' Mrs. Whiteside added, ``I ran to him since I was nine years old and I've run first to God, then him ever since.'' We find within these 2 statements the foundation of a strong, Christ-centered marriage that inspires me and countless people, in Pine Bluff, Jefferson County, and the entire state of Arkansas.

At the end of the 13th chapter of Corinthians, Paul tells us that when all is complete, 3 things remain: ``faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love.'' I offer my most sincere congratulations to Mr. Cleovis and Mrs. Arwilda Whiteside on their 84 years of marriage. I thank them for exemplifying the greatest gift of persevering love.

Mr. Speaker, as Co-Chair of the Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus, I rise today to recognize two individuals that have made significant contributions to our Nation's fish and wildlife conservation efforts, as well as America's longstanding outdoor traditions. These individuals are also the recipients of an award named after members of this body that have made lasting and significant contributions to our Nation's outdoor heritage.

Richard Taylor ``Dick'' Schulze was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to John L. and Grace (Taylor) Schulze in 1929. Schulze attended the University of Houston, Villanova University, and Temple University and served in the United States Army.

Schulze was elected to the United States House of Representatives in 1975, where he served for 18 years. As a result of his leadership and understanding of complex policy, Schulze rose to serve as the Ranking Member of the House Ways and Means Committee, but his passion always remained with conservation. To satisfy this passion, Schulze also served on the Natural Resources Committee and was a member of the Migratory Bird Conservation Commission, two roles that positioned him to be a true leader for sportsmen and women across the country. Recognizing his passion and knowledge of conservation and the outdoors, President George H. W. Bush appointed Schulze to serve on the board of the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.

Robert Lindsay Thomas was born in 1943 in Patterson, Georgia to James and Aline (Jones) Thomas. He attended Gordon Military Academy in Barnesville and graduated from the University of Georgia in 1966. After graduation, Thomas served in the Georgia Air National Guard and was in the 165th Tactical Airlift Group. Prior to his political career, Thomas worked as an investment banker and stockbroker until 1973, when he took over management of Grace Acres Farm in Screven, Georgia. Thomas is the father of three children and still resides in Georgia with his wife.

Thomas served five terms in the United States House of Representatives during the 1980s and early 1990s. Following his political service, Thomas served as the director of state governmental affairs for the Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games. He also served as the president and chief executive officer of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce. Thomas also served as a longtime board member of the Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation, serving as Board Chairman from 2010 to 2012. Today, Thomas can be found enjoying the outdoors on his family farm, particularly through fall deer hunting and turkey hunting in the spring.

What makes these two individuals unique amongst the conservation community is that Schulze and Thomas were instrumental in the establishment and development of the Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus, one of the largest bipartisan, bicameral caucuses in the United States Congress. Schulze, a Republican, and Thomas, a Democrat, banded together in support of sportsmen and women and conservation across the country, an issue that recognizes no political labels, to develop one of the most important entities for outdoorsmen and women in the country. Since being established in 1989, the Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus has earned a reputation for its bipartisan effectiveness and for its unparalleled ability to advance policies of interest to sportsmen and women. The Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus brings together members with a shared passion for our outdoor traditions to work together to protect and advance hunting, fishing, and professional wildlife management.

Mr. Speaker, as the Co-Chair of the Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus, I am proud to continue the legacy of Mr. Schulze and Mr. Thomas in support of hunters, anglers, trappers, and recreational shooters across the Nation.

In recognition of Schulze and Thomas' leadership in Congress and their innovative commitment to sportsmen and women through the establishment of the Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus, they have been chosen as this year's recipients of the Dingell-Young Sportsmen's Legacy Award by the Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation, a well- deserved recognition to individuals who have shown such dedication to their country and to America's outdoor heritage.

Named in recognition of the Dingell family--Congressmen John D. Dingell, Sr. and John D. Dingell, Jr.--and the late Congressman Don Young, the Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation created the Dingell- Young Sportsmen's Legacy Award to recognize the extraordinary individual and collaborative leadership of the Dingell family and Congressman Young, and their long-standing dedication to the advancement of conservation policy and our outdoor hunting and angling traditions. Like them, Schulze and Thomas' contributions to our outdoor traditions relied upon a unique commitment to bipartisan collaboration and a shared passion for hunting, fishing, and conservation. With their shared dedication and the vital role they played in establishing the Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus, the Dingell-Young Sportsmen's Legacy Award is a fitting tribute for Schulze and Thomas.

I want to thank these innovative leaders for their contributions and dedication to America's outdoor heritage and for founding the Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus, something that I am truly proud to lead today in a bipartisan fashion, just as Mr. Schulze and Mr. Thomas envisioned. I would like to congratulate them for the well-deserved recognition as the recipients of the Dingell-Young Sportsmen's Legacy Award, the top award offered by the Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1567) to require that the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of the Interior submit accurate reports regarding hazardous fuels reduction activities, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 1567, as amended, the bill now under consideration.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of Representative Tiffany's legislation, H.R. 1567, the Accurately Counting Risk Elimination Solutions, or ACRES Act.

This is a commonsense, good governance bill that will bring sorely needed transparency and accountability to the misleading way our Federal land managers are tracking and reporting hazardous fuel treatments.

We remain in the midst of a historic catastrophic wildfire crisis that has devoured an average of 7 million acres every year for the last two decades. This alarming figure is more than double the annual losses seen during the 1990s.

This worsening problem is directly linked to insufficient forest management, which has created a dangerous build-up of hazardous fuels in our forest. Despite the clear need to confront this crisis head on, Federal land management agencies like the Forest Service are still failing to increase the pace and scale of their treatments.

Even more concerning is the recent investigative reporting by NBC News that found that the Forest Service is overreporting the number of acres they treat annually by over 20 percent. This happens because the Forest Service will count the same piece of land toward its risk reduction goals multiple times if different treatments, such as prescribed thinning and burning, are completed on that land.

In some extreme cases, the Forest Service counted the same parcel of land 30 times, meaning the agency reported to Congress that they reduced hazardous fuels on 30 acres when, in fact, only one acre had received treatment.

This problem gets worse if treatments can span several years. For example, NBC News found an example of a hazardous fuels reduction project in southern California that lasted for 5 years. The Forest Service reported that they treated 744 acres of land when, in fact, only 173 acres had been treated.

If the Forest Service were treating at the order of magnitude that they need to be treating, these numbers wouldn't matter, but I think inflating the numbers is just a way to try to cover up the inadequate management that is happening. Instead of talking about hundreds of acres, we need to be talking about thousands and tens of thousands and even hundreds of thousands of acres that are being treated.

This kind of reporting means that the Forest Service suggested to Congress and the public that they are doing as much as four times more work than they had actually accomplished. This is absolutely unacceptable, particularly in an area where wildfire risk and the risk to communities is extremely high.

This legislation simply requires the Forest Service to submit data to Congress annually that details their hazardous fuels reduction work by only counting each individual acre once even if multiple treatments were performed. This exact idea has been supported in reports from the Government Accountability Office and USDA's Office of Inspector General.

The fact that we need to pass legislation to tell the Forest Service to count the way that we all learned how to count should show us just how deep this problem runs within our agencies when it comes to confronting our catastrophic wildfire crisis.

By holding Federal land managers accountable for their actual work, the work that they are doing on the ground to help improve forest health and to make our Nation's forests safer for all of us, we are required to do this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I commend Representative Tiffany for bringing this bill forward. I ask that we support this bill strongly, and I reserve the balance of my time.

House of Representatives,

Committee on Agriculture,

Washington, DC, September 5, 2023.

Hon. Bruce Westerman,

Chairman, Committee on Natural Resources,

Washington, DC.

Dear Mr. Chairman: This letter confirms our mutual

understanding regarding H.R. 1567, the ``Accurately Counting

Risk Elimination Solutions Act'', or the ``ACRES Act''. Thank

you for collaborating with the Committee on Agriculture on

the matters within our jurisdiction.

The Committee on Agriculture will forego any further

consideration of this bill. However, by foregoing

consideration at this time, we do not waive any jurisdiction

over any subject matter contained in this or similar

legislation. The Committee on Agriculture also reserves the

right to seek appointment of an appropriate number of

conferees should it become necessary and ask that you support

such a request.

We would appreciate a response to this letter confirming

this understanding with respect to H.R. 1567 and request a

copy of our letters on this matter be published in the

Congressional Record during Floor consideration.

Sincerely,

Glenn ``GT'' Thompson,

Chairman.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Tiffany), the chairman of the Subcommittee on Federal Lands and the sponsor of this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time. I am prepared to close, and I continue to reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, it is imperative that we do everything in our power to ensure that our forests are being managed properly. The ACRES Act is one small step in the right direction. It is a commonsense solution to a problem that really shouldn't even exist in the first place.

Again, I thank the ranking member in the minority for supporting this bill. The idea that we are actually moving toward more forest management is encouraging to me.

Mr. Speaker, I urge adoption of this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1450) to amend the Agricultural Act of 2014 to modify the treatment of revenue from timber sale contracts and certain payments made by counties to the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of the Interior under good neighbor agreements, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 1450, the bill now under consideration.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I strongly support Congressman Fulcher's bill, the Treating Tribes and Counties as Good Neighbors Act.

This legislation would greatly enhance the collaborative stewardship of our Federal lands with Tribal and county partners. This is a bipartisan effort that passed out of the House Natural Resources and Agriculture Committees unanimously, and it is my hope that we can pass this thoughtful proposal in a similar fashion here on the House floor today.

The Federal Government owns roughly 640 million acres, an astonishing 28 percent of the entire country. States, Tribes, and counties all have a very clear interest in how these lands are managed.

When Federal lands are mismanaged, it is those closest to the lands that are most impacted. There is no clearer example of this reality than the forest health and wildfire crisis affecting vast swaths of Federal lands. Fire knows no boundaries between managed land and unmanaged lands. It knows no jurisdictional boundaries.

As Federal land managers struggle to address this worsening problem, Congress developed the Good Neighbor Authority to empower States to assist in active forest management efforts on Federal lands.

Under the Good Neighbor Authority, the Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management had the ability to authorize States to undertake restoration projects such as hazardous fuel reduction, habitat improvement, and road restoration on Federal lands within their borders.

By all accounts, this program for States has been very successful. Since 2014, over 490 projects have begun in 38 States. Just last year, approximately 274 million board feet of timber was sold under Good Neighbor agreements.

The 2018 farm bill extended Good Neighbor Authority to counties and Tribes in the hopes that even more active forest management could be accomplished. Unfortunately, the participation of counties and Tribes has been limited.

Current law does not give Tribes and counties the same authority that States have benefited from to retain timber receipts for use on additional restoration work. This reality removes a substantial incentive for counties and Tribes to pursue Good Neighbor projects, and the numbers have shown this to be true. There are currently only six counties and five Tribes that have entered into Good Neighbor agreements.

H.R. 1450 offers a solution to this dilemma by extending the authority to retain timber receipts from Good Neighbor projects to counties and Tribes to fund additional restoration projects, bringing them into parity with the treatment that States currently receive.

In addition to providing important parity, this bill will also improve cross-boundary work by allowing restoration projects to occur on non-Federal lands. As I mentioned earlier, wildfires know no boundaries.

Good Neighbor Authority has unquestionably been a successful program that has not yet reached its full potential. I believe that Congressman Fulcher's bill will improve this program and pave the way for Tribes and counties to partner on much-needed forest management efforts. Fully empowering counties and Tribes to utilize this authority will reduce wildfire risks and improve the health of our Federal lands for generations to come. I applaud Congressman Fulcher for his leadership on this important issue.

Mr. Speaker, I support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Idaho (Mr. Fulcher), the sponsor of this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Stauber), the chairman of the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Thompson), the chairman of the Committee on Agriculture.

Mr. Speaker, I must say it is an honor to work with a colleague like Chairman Thompson who cares so much about forest health, and I appreciate the ranking member in the minority for supporting this bill as well, as it did pass unanimously out of both committees.

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

Mr. Speaker, the magnitude of our forest health crises demands an all-hands-on-deck approach that utilizes all of the tools in the toolbox.

The Good Neighbor Authority has proven to be an exceptional tool when used by the States. We need to improve and expand on that with H.R. 1450 by including Tribes and counties.

Mr. Speaker, I urge adoption of the bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3389) to require the Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Chief of the Forest Service, and the Secretary of the Interior to conduct an evaluation with respect to the use of the container aerial firefighting system (CAFFS), and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on H.R. 3389, the bill now under consideration.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I strongly support Congressman Valadao's bill, the Emergency Wildfire Fighting Technology Act of 2023.

This legislation, rightly named, has the potential to provide another tool in the toolbox for addressing the catastrophic wildfire crisis. Americans have tragically grown accustomed to increasingly severe wildfire years that are lasting longer and producing more destruction than ever before. This summer, devastating wildfires impacted the community of Lahaina on the island of Maui, devastation I saw firsthand along with several of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle.

Unfortunately, the reality is that decades of inadequate forest management have created an unprecedented forest health crisis. Across the U.S., there are now 1 billion acres of at-risk land for wildfire. In the absence of dramatic change, the future outlook remains bleak.

When it comes to fighting these out-of-control infernos, we simply don't have the luxury of ignoring potential new technologies that could improve the cost efficiency or effectiveness of suppressing fires.

It is critical that wildland firefighting agencies have all tools and methods available to them to fight fires and protect lives and property. Aircraft and helicopters provide lifesaving support to ground crews, often by delivering water or fire retardant. In order to drop water or fire retardant from a plane or helicopter, the aircraft must be designed or retrofitted for such purposes, limiting the number of aircraft that are available.

Mr. Valadao has worked with various stakeholders who have developed and improved a container aerial firefighting system to drop water and fire retardant from aircraft via disposable containers. This technology could decrease the response time to wildfires by increasing the number of aircraft available, thus saving more lives and more structures. This technology is not new. However, the system has not been recently studied by the wildland firefighting agencies.

H.R. 3389 would require the U.S. Forest Service and Department of the Interior to conduct an evaluation on the use of container aerial firefighting systems in response to wildfires. The evaluation will focus on effectiveness, cost, ease of delivery, and safety.

Directing our wildfire fighting agencies to study new and emerging technology is a win for the wildland firefighting crews and a win for those who live in fire-prone areas.

I applaud Congressman Valadao for his leadership on this important topic. He is a leader on bipartisan solutions that meaningfully improve forest health and reduce wildfires.

Mr. Speaker, I support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

House of Representatives,

Committee on Agriculture,

Washington, DC, September 5, 2023.

Hon. Bruce Westerman,

Chairman, Committee on Natural Resources,

Washington, DC.

Dear Mr. Chairman: This letter confirms our mutual

understanding regarding H.R. 3389, the ``Emergency Wildfire

Fighting Technology Act of 2023''. Thank you for

collaborating with the Committee on Agriculture on the

matters within our jurisdiction.

The Committee on Agriculture will forego any further

consideration of this bill. However, by foregoing

consideration at this time, we do not waive any jurisdiction

over any subject matter contained in this or similar

legislation. The Committee on Agriculture also reserves the

right to seek appointment of an appropriate number of

conferees should it become necessary and ask that you support

such a request.

We would appreciate a response to this letter confirming

this understanding with respect to H.R. 3389 and request a

copy of our letters on this matter be published in the

Congressional Record during Floor consideration.

Sincerely,

Glenn ``GT'' Thompson,

Chairman.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Valadao), the lead sponsor of the bill.

Mr. Speaker, I again thank Mr. Valadao for bringing this important piece of legislation. I thank the ranking member and the minority for their support on this bill.

Again, we must provide all necessary tools for the wildland firefighting agencies so that they can combat this wildfire crisis.

Mr. Speaker, I urge adoption of the bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3324) to extend the authority to collect Shasta-Trinity Marina fees through fiscal year 2029.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on H.R. 3324, the bill now under consideration.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3324. This is a good bipartisan effort being led by Representatives Huffman and LaMalfa and will help to improve recreation opportunities to their constituents in northern California.

This bill extends the authority of the Shasta-Trinity National Forest to collect and retain existing marina fees for the purpose of enhancing recreation opportunities and improving access at the Whiskeytown- Shasta-Trinity National Recreation Area, which is located within Congressmen LaMalfa and Huffman's districts.

The Whiskeytown-Shasta-Trinity National Recreation Area encompasses large reservoirs and abundant mountain terrain. This area is very popular with hunters, anglers, and outdoor recreationists.

The authority to collect and retain marina fees expired in 2019 but has been temporarily extended through appropriations legislation. The marina fees retained by the Forest Service are spent on recreation enhancement projects such as boat ramp improvements, lake cleanup efforts, maintaining recreational facilities, and improving access for visitors with disabilities. The Forest Service also provides educational programs with these funds.

This bill would not increase or otherwise affect the price of the current marina fees. H.R. 3324 simply continues a current authority that has yielded positive results for families who enjoy visiting this idyllic destination. I commend Representatives Huffman and LaMalfa for their collaborative work on this effort.

Mr. Speaker, I support the bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I commend Mr. Huffman and Mr. LaMalfa for bringing this legislation forward. I think this could actually be a model that could be expanded on across the country so that recreation fees collected in a certain area could be retained and used to reinvest back into that area to provide Americans more access to our public lands.

Mr. Speaker, I urge adoption of the bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the service and heroism of U.S. Army Specialist Charlie Simpson, Jr. Mr. Simpson was drafted into the United States Army in 1968 and went to Basic Training in Fort Ord, California. After Basic Training, he successfully completed Advanced Infantry Training and later, Jump Training School. He then received orders to join our brave soldiers in Vietnam.

Mr. Simpson was injured on November 1, 1969, while serving the United States of America, and he was hospitalized in Japan for 30 days. He returned home to the U.S. in December 1969, and recuperated at the Fitzsimons General Hospital in Denver, Colorado, for 1 year. As a result of his combat service-connected injuries, Mr. Simpson lost both of his legs. He received an honorable discharge in 1970, and he was recognized for his tremendous service with the awarding of a Purple Heart and other prestigious medals. With such serious injuries, some would have given up, but that's not Charlie Simpson's way. After his discharge from the Army, Mr. Simpson returned home to Malvern, Arkansas, where he met his wife, Brenda, and where they made a tremendously full life together. The Simpsons have 5 children: Aaronda McNair and her husband, Tony, Veronica Rose and her husband, Cletis, Charlie Simpson, III and his wife, Nikya, Leticia Franklin and her husband, Kevin, and their dearly beloved, deceased son, Aaron Simpson. They have also been blessed with 11 grandchildren and 2 great- grandchildren to carry-on the legacy of their brave grandfather and great-grandfather.

Mr. Speaker, we often mention the sacrifices our men and women in uniform and their families make for our country, and rightly so. But today, along with our thanks, let us also celebrate the good work and contributions these soldiers, airmen, and marines have made in their communities. I would like to thank Specialist Simpson for his tremendous sacrifice for our nation and wish him well as he continues working for the people of Malvern, Arkansas. All Arkansans are eternally grateful for his service.