Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I am so honored to stand here today in support of this legislation, which will revolutionize how our Nation researches and develops new cures and treatments for some of the world's most difficult diseases.

There is not a person in this room or in this Capitol who hasn't been impacted in some way by a devastating disease--cancer, Alzheimer's, or something else. These diseases don't care if you are a Democrat or a Republican. They affect all of us. It needs to be our collective mission to cure all of them immediately.

The ripple effect that they have on our communities is immeasurable. The pain and suffering that they cause, not just to those who become ill but to their families, friends, and loved ones, is irreparable. They place significant strain on our public health systems and significant strain on our economy.

For years, scientists and researchers, both here in the U.S. and around the world, have been searching for ways to prevent and treat these devastating illnesses.

I see my friend and colleague Fred Upton here on the floor with us today. Fred and I worked on the 21st Century Cures bill in 2016 which has revolutionized the way we do a lot of this discovery and development. But what we need more of now is an all-hands-on-deck approach to end these illnesses, and that is exactly why this legislation was developed.

As Ms. Eshoo, Mr. Pallone, and others said, it will create a new Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health, ARPA-H, which will bring together some of the world's greatest minds and give them access to the Federal Government's seemingly unlimited resources to make the impossible possible.

Mr. Speaker, modeled after the DARPA program, as you heard, the new agency will be lean and it will be mean. It will be targeted at specifically researching and finding cures for some of the most intractable diseases that we have.

It is going to be run by a small number of program managers, and it will be able to take on the high-risk, high-reward projects that others simply cannot. It will not substitute for the basic research at the NIH or the research at our great universities or in private

business. It will supplement it by targeting these tough issues, and it will reshape the future of biomedical research in this country for many, many years to come.

As I said, this legislation is an opportunity. It is an opportunity to put our country on track to ending cancer as we know it. It is an opportunity to save millions of lives. If we cure cancer, and if we save lives and improve the health and well-being of our constituents, isn't that what we came here for?

Mr. Speaker, I urge everyone to vote ``yes.''

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize one of Denver's most dedicated public servants, Norman ``Norm'' Early, who passed away on Thursday, May 5, 2022, at the age of 76.

Norm was born and grew up, right here, in our nation's capital. As a high school track star attending Calvin Coolidge Senior High in Washington, D.C., he was recruited to run track at American University. In addition to attending classes and running track as a member of the university's track and field team, Norm also worked as a member of the school's grounds crew to help pay his way through college.

If all that wasn't enough, Norm decided to run for--and ultimately became--American University's first Black student body president in 1966. And, after graduating from American University in 1967, Norm went on to earn his law degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana- Champaign.

It was then, as a newly minted lawyer, that Norm decided to move to Denver where he immediately got to work helping some of the most vulnerable members of our community. Norm's passion for helping others knew no bounds. He served 10 years as Chief Deputy District Attorney in Denver, before becoming Denver's first Black District Attorney in 1983 following his appointment by then-Governor Dick Lamm. Norm would serve in this post several years after winning successive elections in 1984, 1988, and 1992.

Throughout his career, Norm used his positions to make Denver a better place to live and work. During his 10-year tenure as Denver's District Attorney, Norm earned numerous awards for his outstanding efforts to help victims of crime and the work he did to help survivors of sexual abuse. And even as he served our community, Norm also worked to found the Sam Cary Bar Association and the National Black Prosecutors Association where he would go on to serve as its first president, a position he would, again, use to promote justice and fairness throughout the country.

There are endless stories from those who knew Norm best about the work he did to make Denver a more just place--and the barriers he broke along the way. Even so, for those of us who considered him a friend, it's Norm's charm and wit that we will miss the most. He always had a kind smile to give and was always the first to offer a good laugh. Truly, I am grateful for the time I had to work with Norm and see firsthand his passion for public service and tireless compassion for survivors.

As our community gathers to remember Norm's life, I offer my heartfelt sympathies to his family, friends, and former colleagues. I hope they find comfort in knowing the lasting legacy Norm leaves behind. The work he did to break barriers and pave the way for a new generation of leaders has had a real impact on our city--and it will never be forgotten.

Madam Speaker, I rise today, along with my colleagues, Congressman Ed Perlmutter, Congressman Jason Crow, and Congressman Joe Neguse, to recognize one of Denver's most beloved public servants, Dennis Gallagher, who passed away earlier this month at the age of 82.

Dennis's lifelong passion for wanting to change people's lives for the better can be traced to his earliest days. Born in north Denver in 1939, just as the Great Depression was ending, to first generation Irish American parents, Dennis saw firsthand the hard struggles many families faced merely trying to survive. And those early experiences shaped him. He felt called to a life of constant learning, teaching, and advocating on behalf of others.

After receiving his bachelor's degree from Regis University in 1961, Dennis set out to Washington, D.C., where he earned his master's degree from Catholic University in 1967. Afterwards, when he returned home to Denver, Dennis began working as a professor at his alma mater Regis University, where he would spend more than 40 years teaching and mentoring students in speech, classical languages, persuasion, and media.

Early in his career as an educator, Dennis also discovered he could positively affect people's lives through politics, so he ran for office and won. First elected to Colorado's state House of Representatives in 1970, Dennis spent two terms representing his community in the state House before moving to the state Senate where he would serve the people of his district for the next 20 years. As a senator, Dennis notably worked to pass the ``Gallagher Amendment'' to the state's constitution, a policy that set limits on property taxes for homeowners and renters. Dennis eventually went on to serve his community as a member of the Denver City Council beginning in 1995, and then as the city's auditor starting in 2003, a position he held for more than a decade until his retirement in 2015.

Everyone who knew Dennis, including each of us, could describe him in at least two ways. First, Dennis was a larger-than-life figure who never hesitated to speak his mind or make friends with someone new. It cannot be overstated that Dennis was extremely well known, not just in Denver but across our state as well. In fact, the power of Dennis's outgoing personality was key to his success in public service. At every level of government that he served, Dennis earned the respect and support of both his colleagues and his constituents.

Second, anyone who knew Dennis could tell you he was deeply proud of his Irish heritage. He was famous for hosting St. Patrick's Day celebrations, complete with musicians and step dancers. And though he maintained close ties with Colorado's Irish community, Dennis always made room to learn more about people from different backgrounds with diverse perspectives.

Truly, there will never be another Dennis Gallagher. Those of us who knew him well are grateful for the time we got to spend with him, and we will be forever thankful for his service to our community. He was a legendary leader, teacher, and friend to all of us, including me and my family.

As our community mourns the loss of a true giant, we offer our heartfelt condolences to Dennis's family and friends, especially to his son Daniel Gallagher and his brother Tim Gallagher. Dennis Gallagher will be sorely missed, but it's quite clear that his legacy will endure for many years to come.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the University of Denver's Men's Hockey team on winning the 2022 National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Men's Ice Hockey Championship.

It's the ninth time that the University of Denver Pioneers have won the Frozen Four Championship. After a tremendous 2021-2022 season where the team recorded 31 wins, 9 losses and 1 tie, the University of Denver Pioneers are now tied for the most all-time NCAA National Hockey Championships, and only the second team in NCAA history that has won the championship nine times.

On Saturday, April 9, 2022, the DU men's ice hockey team defeated the Minnesota State University Mavericks 5-1 to win this year's championship. Pioneers goaltender Magnus Chrona was widely credited for making 27 saves in the championship game, holding the Mavericks to just one score and giving his team a chance to take the lead in the third period.

It was then that Senior Ryan Barrow, Brett Stapley and Cameron Wright, along with Sophomore Mike Benning and Freshman Massimo Rizzo each scored for the Pioneers to seal the 5-1 victory and the school's first championship since 2017.

For his remarkable play throughout the series, Denver's Mike Benning was named the tournament's Most Outstanding Player. He, along with Denver's Goalie Magnus Chrona and Forwards Carter Savoie and Ryan Barrow, were also named as members of this year's all-tournament team.

Winning doesn't come easy. And for many of the players on this year's championship team, Saturday's victory was the culmination of a lifetime of hard work and dedication to their sport. It's also a testament, not only to the talent and skill of every player on this year's championship team, but to the University of Denver itself--and the incredible culture they have created there.

What made this year's team so special was that every single player gave everything they had to help their team win. That collective spirit is a credit to Pioneers' Head Coach David Carle and his entire staff, who deserve a tremendous amount of credit for what this team has accomplished.

At age 32, Head Coach David Carle is now the fourth youngest head coach ever to win an NCAA Division I Men's Hockey championship--and our entire community cannot wait to see what he and the entire program accomplish next.

I know all my colleagues in the House and Senate join me in congratulating the University of Denver Men's Hockey team for a remarkable season and an incredible ninth national championship victory this past weekend.

Madam Speaker, I rise today along with my colleagues, Congressman Ed Perlmutter, Congressman Joe Neguse, and Congressman Jason Crow, to recognize the life and achievements of former Colorado State Senator Gloria Tanner, who passed away on Monday, April 4, 2022, at the age of 86. Gloria was a courageous leader who dedicated her life to improving the lives of other Coloradans. She was also a friend and mentor to so many in the Denver community, including all of us.

Madam Speaker, on Roll Call No. 286, on Agreeing to the Amendment offered by Mr. Langevin of Rhode Island No. 42, I am not recorded because I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA.

On Roll Call No. 289, on Agreeing to the Amendment offered by Mr. Smith of Washington En Bloc No. 3, I am not recorded because I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA.

Madam Speaker, what we are seeing in Texas, Mississippi, and elsewhere is an unprecedented attack on Americans' right to abortion care. It is a systemic effort by politicians who want to roll back the clock on women's healthcare freedom in this country.

To those who continue to rehash the same outdated arguments that would put their own personal beliefs on millions of women, and they say it is somehow good for America, I say, save your breath. It is not.

And for these overheated claims that are being made today on this floor and the rhetoric, I say that is simply not the case.

Madam Speaker, let me suggest a different paradigm that protects the full range of women's healthcare freedom in this country. I will decide what happens to my body, and you decide what happens to yours. I will decide what is best for my health and my life, and you decide what is best for yours.

What is at stake in this fight is not some frivolous benefit. It is the fundamental right of women across the country to decide. Vote ``yes'' on this important bill.

Madam Speaker, I yield 30 seconds to the gentlewoman from North Carolina (Ms. Adams).

Madam Speaker, may I inquire as to the time remaining on both sides.

Madam Speaker, I yield 30 seconds to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Crist).

Madam Speaker, I yield 30 seconds to the gentlewoman from Washington State (Ms. Jayapal).

Madam Speaker, I yield 30 seconds to the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Garcia).

Madam Speaker, I yield 30 seconds to the gentlewoman from Georgia (Mrs. McBath).

Madam Speaker, I yield 30 seconds to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Green).

Madam Speaker, I yield 30 seconds to the gentleman from New Hampshire (Mr. Pappas).

Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Massachusetts (Ms. Pressley), an original cosponsor of this legislation.

Madam Speaker, I yield 30 seconds to the gentlewoman from New Jersey (Ms. Sherrill).

Madam Speaker, I yield 30 seconds to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Jones).

Madam Speaker, I yield 30 seconds to the gentlewoman from New Mexico (Ms. Leger Fernandez).

Madam Speaker, I yield 30 seconds to the gentlewoman from North Carolina (Ms. Manning).

Madam Speaker, I yield 30 seconds to the gentlewoman from Georgia (Ms. Williams).

Madam Speaker, I yield 30 seconds to the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson Lee).

Madam Speaker, I am ready to close, whenever the gentlewoman is ready. I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of my time.

I continue to reserve the balance of my time, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker, I would like to thank Judy Chu, the author of this legislation who has been fighting tirelessly for years, also Barbara Lee, my co-chair of the Pro-Choice Caucus, and to all of our colleagues who value Americans' freedoms and the freedom of women to have the full range of healthcare that they need.

This bill codifies the content of the law of the land, Roe v. Wade, no more and no less.

The overheated and incorrect rhetoric on the other side of the aisle is shameful. It is shameful because it denies the freedom of all Americans to get the healthcare services that they need and to which they are entitled.

Madam Speaker, we are a country of freedom, and we are a country of freedom of religion. As a practicing Christian, I am offended by the efforts on the other side of the aisle for people to impose their-- their personal--religious views on me as a Christian.

Every woman and every man in this country deserves the freedom to exercise their religion and also to exercise their ability to get the healthcare that they need.

For more than 50 years, as so many of my wonderful colleagues said, women across this country have had the right to get the abortion care they need because of a landmark decision made right across the street. But that right is being severely undermined in States across the country like Texas, Mississippi, and other States.

For people in Texas and these other States, 50 years of precedent and healthcare access is being undermined as we speak. There are more than 500 laws that have been introduced in States across this country that would restrict the ability of Americans to get the healthcare that they need and deserve. As a result, more than 90 percent of American counties no longer have abortion clinics. Some people might think that is good, but the vast majority of Americans believe that it is the choice of a woman and her healthcare provider about what healthcare she should receive.

So today, if the Justices across the street won't act to protect this freedom of healthcare, this House of Representatives will.

I will say it again: the decision of a woman to have an abortion should be made between her and her doctor. The last thing the women in this country want is a bunch of politicians in Washington, D.C., or in Austin, Texas, or someone else telling them what their healthcare should be.

So, therefore, let's codify Roe v. Wade. Let's codify these rights. Let's stop the histrionics and inaccurate rhetoric. Let's oppose the motion to recommit. Let's support this wonderful bill, the Women's Health Protection Act.

Madam Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to vote ``yes'', and I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I have an amendment at the desk.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of my amendment to add the first six titles of the Protecting America's Wilderness in Public Lands Act to this year's NDAA bill.

This legislation will preserve nearly 1.3 million acres of public land across Colorado, California, and Washington State, and it will add more than 1,000 miles of river to the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System.

Preserving these untouched public lands from the threat of future development is more than just protecting our environment. It is about protecting our economy and jobs and our western way of life. It is also about ensuring that some of our Nation's most elite military pilots have the opportunity and the space they need to train.

Included in the nearly 1.3 million acres of land this measure would protect are some of our Nation's most important military training grounds, including the High Altitude Aviation Training Site, or HAATS, in Colorado, that is responsible for training some of our most elite helicopter pilots to take on some of the harshest conditions anywhere on the planet.

As a fourth-generation Coloradoan, I know how important these lands are to the people in my State, and I know how important these training grounds are to the brave men and women who serve in our Nation's military.

The designations included in this amendment were not made up overnight. They were the result of decades of hard work by citizens across the State of Colorado, and they have garnered widespread support among the public across the West.

It is why the legislation has been passed by this Chamber now three times in just 2 years, including as a part of last year's NDAA bill, and again, this year, as a standalone bill.

I want to thank my colleagues, Representatives Huffman, Carbajal, Chu, Schiff, Kilmer, Neguse, and the chairman of the Natural Resources Committee, Chairman Grijalva, for their unwavering support and all the work they have done to get this package to the floor.

I urge all Members to vote ``yes'' on the amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from California (Mr. Schiff).

Madam Speaker, may I inquire how much time is remaining.

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

Madam Speaker, all of the six areas in this bill have been studied, have been worked on, and have been under consideration for several decades, as my colleague, Mr. Schiff, pointed out.

The areas in Colorado in my bill were originally designated as wilderness study areas in the 1980s, and they have already been managed as wilderness for almost 40 years. What this would do is it would simply make permanent what everybody in Colorado knows. These are the most special wild areas that we can have.

My colleague from Colorado alleges that helicopter training would be prevented by this bill, but, in fact, that is incorrect. After working with the National Guard, we withdrew the areas that were scheduled to be wilderness and called them potential wilderness so that the helicopters can continue to land there, as I pointed out in my opening statement, allowing our military to have the high-level training that they need.

Finally, to my knowledge, there are no rare minerals in any of the six potential areas of this bill. In fact, what we are doing is simply preserving for future generations the wilderness that we all know and the wilderness that stimulates jobs and the economy throughout the West.

I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this amendment and preserve these very special places, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the life and achievements of Colorado's former Governor Richard ``Dick'' Lamm who passed away on Thursday, July 29, 2021, at the age of 85.

Governor Lamm was born and raised in the Midwest and lived all over the country in his youth, but he found his true home after he came to Colorado in 1962. In the nearly 60 years he lived in the state, he was a visionary leader helping craft the policies that became the bedrock of Colorado's future.

When he moved to Colorado, Dick was a newly-minted lawyer and an accountant. He established a law practice, but his strong desire to serve beckoned him to run for the Colorado House of Representatives. He was elected in 1964 and immediately began making a lasting mark on our state.

Then-Representative Lamm was a fierce advocate for women's reproductive health. In 1973, just three years after the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision, he passed the nation's first liberalized abortion law, enabling Colorado women to have control over their own health care. The law, still in effect today, has served as a national model for women's reproductive rights.

Concerned about transparency in government, Dick cosponsored and helped pass the Colorado Open Records Act which has since granted countless Coloradans access to their state and local governments' documents and activities on their behalf.

One of Dick's deepest passions was to preserve our precious environment. After he moved to Colorado, he became an avid outdoorsman and advocate for environmental justice and preservation. In 1972, concerned about the potential effects of the 1976 Olympics on Colorado's fragile ecosystem, he led the successful ballot initiative in which Colorado voters refused to fund the games, causing Denver to become the first host city in history to pull out of already-awarded games.

In 1974, Dick ran for governor to further his progressive agenda. During his campaign, he famously walked the entire state to support his platform of limiting growth to protect our environment. He went on to serve at the helm for 12 years, from 1975 to 1987.

In keeping with his strong advocacy for gender and racial equality, he diversified state government. His judicial appointments included the first woman Colorado Supreme Court Justice, Jean Dubofsky, and the first Hispanic Justice, Luis Rovira, who went on to become Chief Justice. In addition, Governor Lamm appointed women and people of color to his cabinet. He also successfully demonstrated how a Democratic governor could work with a Republican legislature to further the interests of the state, including strengthening our state's economy, maintaining a responsible budget, and protecting our citizens when natural disasters struck.

Even after Governor Lamm's final term, he never retired from the arena of public discourse. He held strong and frequently unpopular opinions, many of which were based on his lifelong concern about the future of our planet. Although his views were not the norm, he relished the public debate and never shied away from engaging in spirited policy discussions with friends and family, colleagues, members of the press, and his fellow Americans. I was privileged to engage in a number of those spirited discussions with him and, while we might not have agreed, I always came away learning something new.

Dick Lamm had a spectacular career in the public arena, but he would argue that his most important treasure was his family. In 1963, he married Dottie Vennard. They forged an important partnership that redefined the role of political spouse. With Dick's unwavering support, Dottie established herself as a strong feminist voice and gave a new definition to the term ``first lady.'' On the way, they parented two children, Heather and Scott. Their family bond is one of the strongest I have ever seen.

Madam Speaker, I offer my deepest personal condolences to Dottie, Heather, Scott, and all of Dick Lamm's family and friends. On a personal note, I was proud to count him as my friend and as a real mentor, modeling courage of conviction and hard work for future generations of political leaders. Dick will be remembered as the formidable figure he was who, in the critical development years of our state, shaped us for who we are today.

Mr. Speaker, on July 22, 2021, I was unable to be present to cast my vote on the Averting Loss of Life and Injury by Expediting SIVs Act of 2021 or the Allies Act (H.R. 3985) I wish the record to reflect that had I been present for rollcall No. 218, I would have voted ``AYE.''

Members Recorded Pursuant to House Resolution 8, 117th Congress

Amodei (Balderson)

Boebert (Gosar)

Buchanan (LaHood)

Comer (Arrington)

DeSaulnier (Matsui)

Frankel, Lois (Clark (MA))

Fulcher (Simpson)

Garcia (IL) (Garcia (TX))

Granger (Calvert)

Grijalva (Stanton)

Johnson (TX) (Jeffries)

Jones (Williams (GA))

Kirkpatrick (Stanton)

Lawrence (Beatty)

Lawson (FL) (Evans)

McEachin (Wexton)

Meng (Jeffries)

Napolitano (Correa)

Payne (Pallone)

Porter (Wexton)

Reschenthaler (Van Drew)

Ruiz (Correa)

Rush (Underwood)

Salazar (Cammack)

Stewart (Moore (UT))

Titus (Connolly)

Wilson (FL) (Hayes)

Mr. Speaker, along with Mr. Peters and Mr. Lamb, I am very proud to stand as the sponsor of the House companion of S.J. Res. 14, and I rise in strong support of the legislation.

The purpose of the legislation is very simple. It is to reduce our methane emissions and to help stave off the worst effects of the climate crisis before it is too late.

Methane, as we all know, is one of the most potent greenhouse gases on the planet, and when it is released into our atmosphere, it becomes a leading contributor to global warming.

Climate experts agree that one of the most important things we can do right now to combat the climate crisis is to reduce the amount of methane in our atmosphere, and that is exactly what this legislation does.

It restores the 2016 methane emission rules that were put into place during the Obama administration, and it negates the Trump administration's last-minute attempt to roll back these rules on its way out the door.

One-third of all of the methane that is released in this country comes from the production of oil and gas.

This legislation will, once again, require our oil and gas producers to take the steps needed to reduce the methane emitting from their drilling sites.

These emissions don't just harm our planet. When methane is released from oil and gas sites, it is often accompanied by other pollutants that are known to cause additional harm to people's health.

That is why this legislation is so important, and that is why the Trump administration's egregious attempt to eliminate these important rules and let oil and gas companies release more methane from their drilling sites was met with such outrage and fury by citizens across this country.

And you know something?

And not just from the citizens, but from the biggest oil and gas companies in the country, including ExxonMobil, Shell, BP, and more, and also from smaller producers around the country. These are the companies that stand to benefit most from the rollback of the methane rules, and even these are against it.

So when I hear the ranking member talking about how we are going to be on the backs of oil and gas companies, the very companies she is talking about support this legislation today.

I just want to read a few of the names of the companies, large and small, that support the rollback of the Trump administration's methane rule and the reinstatement of the Obama-era rule:

BP America; Shell U.S.; Equinor North America; Total USA; ExxonMobil; Jonah Energy; Pioneer Natural Resources; EQT Corporation; Interstate Natural Gas Association of America; Cheniere; DTE Energy; Equitrans Midstream Corporation; Occidental Petroleum; Devon Energy; Edison Electric Institute, which is a consortium of groups; Center for Liquefied Natural Gas; Austin Energy;

Calpine Corporation; Pacific Gas and Electric Company; Tenaska, Inc.; and others have all submitted comments, and the comments they have submitted are in support of S.J. Res. 14 and the rollback of the Trump administration's egregious rule.

So when my colleagues on the other side say this is going to hurt oil and gas, the very companies they are talking about support this because the Trump administration's rule was so extreme and egregious.

Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record a summary of the quotes in support of this legislation from these companies, a letter from BP, a letter from Occidental, and a letter from Equinor.

Energy Companies Support Federal Methane Regulations

Many oil and gas companies publicly support direct federal

regulation of methane because methane pollution hurts public

health, the planet, and the industry itself. These companies

also support restoring the common-sense requirements to

control methane pollution that were eliminated and undermined

at the end of 2020.

Methane regulations work to reduce methane emissions and

waste from oil and gas operations. To meet the requirements,

companies use cost-effective tools and off-the-shelf

technologies to find and plug methane leaks and reduce

venting and flaring. But the previous administration revoked

all federal air pollution limits for oil and gas transmission

and storage facilities and created legal confusion that

undermines further progress in cutting methane pollution.

Here's what industry is saying about closing these loopholes

and directly regulating methane:

BP America: ``Direct federal regulation of methane is key

to preventing leaks throughout industry and protecting the

environment--and gets us closer to #netzero. That's why we

support the Congressional Review Act methane resolution.''

Shell US: ``Sound policy surrounding natural gas is

critical to its role in the energy transition. We need to

restore the direct federal regulation of #methane emissions--

and we urge Congress to approve the methane resolution under

the Congressional Review Act.''

Equinor North America: ``Ensuring that natural gas

continues to provide climate benefits means reducing

emissions from its production. We support the methane

resolution under the Congressional Review Act. Direct federal

methane regulation is an important step on the pathway to net

zero.''

Total USA: ``Curbing methane emissions with bold policies

is imperative to get to #NetZero2050. We welcome direct

federal regulation of #methane emissions and support

resolution via the Congressional Review Act #cutmethane.''

ExxonMobil: ``Last year we [ExxonMobil] announced our

support for the direct regulation of methane emissions for

new and existing oil and gas facilities. That hasn't

changed.''

Jonah Energy: ``Jonah Energy believes in common sense

federal regulation of methane emissions to reduce impacts and

achieve climate goals. We support Congressional Review Act

measure S.J. Res. 14 (https:/lnkd.in/ebHbACW) that will

reverse prior rulemaking and allow reasonable federal

oversight of methane. In fact, we opposed the rollback by the

last administration. Achieving climate goals is important in

our backyard, and across the nation. Reasonable federal

regulations of methane emissions provide consistency and

certainty covering all sectors of natural gas development and

promote public confidence our national energy sources.

Pioneer Natural Resources: Pioneer has long supported

federal regulation of methane if those regulations encourage

innovation and operational flexibility. Clear rules would

provide certainty for operators and strong environmental

benefits. We support use of the CRA to reinstate regulation

of methane''

EQT Corporation: EQT Corporation supports congressional

resolutions that would reinstate a rule imposing a federal

standard on methane. Company believes the ``responsible

development of natural gas will help meet future global

energy demand as we address climate change together''.

Interstate Natural Gas Association of America:- ``We

support federal methane standards . . . our members have a

long history of minimizing methane emissions from their

operation. A stable regulatory framework will allow the

industry to invest in the critical infrastructure necessary

to reduce emissions and meet increasing demand for cleaner

and more affordable energy.

Cheniere: To maximize the climate benefits of natural gas,

we recognize the imperative to minimize #methane emissions

across the natural gas value chain. We support effective

policies and regulations that reduce methane emissions,

including the current Congressional Review Act effort to

restore federal regulation of methane emissions. Cheniere

will continue to collaborate with industry, academia and the

scientific community to deliver cost-effective solutions that

reduce methane emissions from the natural gas sector. We also

will continue to push for increased transparency regarding

methane emissions reporting and data, as well as efforts that

create a level playing field with all operators domestically

and internationally.

DTE Energy: Strong, sensible methane regulations at the

federal and state level give our industry the foundation on

which to go even further through these voluntary initiatives.

Providing a proper regulatory framework ensures industry's

ability to continue to make important progress reducing

methane emissions. [Public Comment 11/25/2019]

Equitrans Midstream Corporation: ``We must continue to push

our industry forward in a meaningful way in order to

effectuate real mitigation of climate change impacts, and we

support approval of the methane resolution under the

Congressional Review Act,'' said Diana Charletta, president

and chief operating officer of Equitrans Midstream.

Occidental Petroleum: ``We support the direct regulation of

methane . . . because it is very potent and we need to have

regulations in place to ensure that we have adequate controls

throughout the industry.''

Devon Energy: We believe a meaningful reduction in methane

emissions is essential to managing the risks of climate

change. While the Congressional Review Act is an

extraordinary legislative tool that should be used

judiciously and with caution, we support the ongoing effort

in Congress to chart a path toward a durable framework for

regulating methane at the federal level that encourages

innovation and operational flexibility.

Edison Electric Institute: EEi supports Congress using the

Congressional Review Act to enable EPA to develop strong and

cost-effective federal regulations on methane emissions

throughout the natural gas supply chain for new and existing

sources.

Center for Liquified Natural Gas: The Center for Liquefied

Natural Gas (CLNG) and its members support the proposed

resolution of disapproval under the Congressional Review Act

(CRA) and the reinstatement of regulations of methane

emissions from the natural gas sector.

Austin Energy, Calpine Corporation, Pacific Gas and

Electric Company, Tenaska Inc, and Others (Joint Comments):

``EPA should continue to directly regulate methane from new

sources in the oil and natural gas source category . . . the

importance of controlling these emissions is clear when

considering that the oil and natural gas source category is

the largest source of anthropogenic methane emissions in the

US, contributing 31 percent of US methane emissions in 2017,

according to EPA's Inventory of US Greenhouse Gas Emissions

and Sinks: 1990-2017 (published in 2019).''

Madam Speaker, I rise today, along with Congressman Ed Perlmutter, Congressman Jason Crow, and Congressman Joe Neguse, to recognize the life and achievements of former Chief Justice of the Colorado Supreme Court Mary Mullarkey, who passed away on Wednesday, March 31, 2021.

Mary's journey is a familiar Colorado story. She was born and raised elsewhere, in Wisconsin. While there, she graduated from St. Norbert College before earning her law degree at Harvard University in 1968. After law school, Mary traveled to Washington, D.C. in order to work for the Department of the Interior in the agency's equal employment opportunity division. Not only did she find the beginning of what would become a lengthy and distinguished career in public service, but she also found the love of her life, Tom Korson. By 1973, the two had married and moved to Denver for what was supposed to be a brief ``adventure,'' not to exceed two years. However, as the story so often goes, they fell in love with Colorado and thankfully decided to make our state a permanent home for themselves and eventually for their son Andrew.

As many Coloradans have reflected in the wake of her passing, Mary-- or ``the Chief,'' as she was affectionately known by her former law clerks--was a remarkable woman with a brilliant legal career. She advised Governors, ran her own law firm, served as our state's Solicitor General and led the appellate division in the Colorado Attorney General's Office before her appointment to the Colorado Supreme Court in 1987. Mary served on the court for 23 years.

Mary's legacy while serving on this esteemed bench is unmatched. She was nominated by her colleagues to be the court's first woman Chief Justice in 1998. She served in this capacity for 12 years, and she is the court's longest serving chief justice. During her time on the Court, Coloradans benefited from her fair and thoughtful decisions. She authored more than 470 opinions, including her most memorable case, which was a 2002 decision granting land access to descendants of Mexican homesteaders in the San Luis Valley after decades of dispute.

Beyond the courtroom, her reputation as a trailblazer and a tireless advocate continued. During her tenure, she accomplished the amazing feat of building a new home for the judiciary, the Ralph L. Carr Colorado Judicial Center, named for the state's Republican governor who opposed the use of internment camps for Japanese individuals during World War II. She also expanded access to the courts by hiring professional interpreters to break down language barriers for those who sought the court's protection. To that same end, she added more jurists to resolve more cases and insisted that childcare be provided in courthouses so that parents could more easily access the court system.

When Mary was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, she faced that challenge the way she approached life in general--with determination, grit, and resolve. My husband Lino and I are honored, along with so many others, to call her a friend and role model.

Truly, the light that Mary cast over once hidden spaces within the state's judiciary, over those parents and individuals who sought the court's haven, and over those Coloradans who get up and work hard every day despite living with a debilitating disease--that light will shine as strongly and brilliantly as Mary Mullarkey did for many, many years to come. Our heartfelt condolences go out to her family, in particular to Tom, Mary's husband of 49 years, as well as to their son Andrew, and to all the friends, colleagues, and Coloradans who mourn her loss.

Madam Speaker, I rise today, along with Congressman Ed Perlmutter, Congressman Jason Crow, and Congressman Joe Neguse, to recognize the life and accomplishments of the first and only African American to serve on our state's highest court, former Colorado Supreme Court Justice Gregory K. Scott who passed away on Wednesday, March 31, 2021 at the age of 72.

Justice Scott graduated from Rutgers University before attending law school at Indiana University. In 1977, he and his wife Carolyn, also an attorney, moved to Denver so that Scott could start his new position as a trial attorney at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission's regional office. Later, Scott joined the faculty at University of Denver's Sturm College of Law as a professor, where he taught numerous students about securities and corporate law. While making their life in Denver, the couple welcomed two sons, both of whom sadly preceded them in death.

In 1993, then Governor Roy Romer appointed Scott to the Colorado Supreme Court, making him the first--and thus far the only--African American to serve at the highest level of our state's judiciary. During his time on the bench, Justice Scott participated in 1,000 decisions, some notable ones including Evans v. Romer, which involved the court stepping in to stop enforcement of a ban that infringed the rights of our gay and lesbian Coloradans, and also Hill v. Thomas, a decision he penned himself to uphold the state law I wrote to mandate an 8-foot buffer zone between protesters and individuals trying to gain entrance into Colorado abortion clinics. I am proud to note that the U.S. Supreme Court later upheld this decision, finding the same truth we hold so dear in Colorado, that rights of speech and access to reproductive care can both be vigorously protected.

Justice Scott served admirably both inside and outside of the courtroom, especially when it came to championing the civil nights causes he cherished deeply. While living in Denver, he took pride in mentoring law students, especially law students of color, who believed as he did--as we all do--that diversity in the legal profession is vital to the best interests of clients, whether corporate or individual, and every Coloradan. Additionally, Scott was active with the local NAACP chapter, the Urban League, and the Sam Cary Bar Association. Even in his retirement years, Scott continued answering the call to serve. After moving to his wife's hometown in Indiana, he became the executive director of the Indiana Civil Rights Commission.

Justice Scott has been remembered by friends and former colleagues as a ``giant'' in Colorado's legal community with a brilliant legal mind and a profound respect for the rule of law. Truly, he will always be remembered for his lasting legacy on our state's supreme court, but also as a bowtie-wearing jurist who was as likable as he was learned, and as socially conscious as he was compassionate. We send our heartfelt condolences to his wife Carolyn and to the entire Scott family, as well as to the Coloradans who are saddened by his loss.

Mr. Speaker, I just couldn't let this go. Insinuating that the sponsors of this legislation, on all the titles of this legislation have not been to these areas and that these designations do not have local support is simply untrue.

Two-thirds of the individuals in the affected areas in title 1 of my part of the bill, which have been mostly managed as wilderness study areas for 40 years, support wilderness. Scores of local public officials, scores of local mayors, city councils, and, yes, county commissioners have supported this over the years.

I personally have been to almost every area in the legislation. I have met with scores of businesses, local elected officials, and citizens, and I challenge anybody to go look at these very special areas and tell me that they should not be preserved for future generations.

The same goes for every single title of this legislation. It has been vetted, it has been revetted, and it has been revetted again, and it has strong reasons for designation as public lands, and it has strong local support.

Mr. Speaker, I am so proud to rise in support of H.R. 803, and I am so proud to be the primary sponsor of this beautiful legislation, Protecting America's Wilderness and Public Lands Act.

The bill seeks to protect some of our Nation's most treasured public lands. Not only will it help protect the air we breathe and the water we drink but also the wildlife that call these untouched areas home and the world-class recreation opportunities they provide.

In all, this legislation preserves almost 3 million acres of public land across Colorado, California, Arizona, and Washington State. It designates 1.49 million acres of public land as wilderness, giving these areas the permanent protection that they deserve. It also protects an additional 1.2 million vulnerable acres from the threat of future uranium mining claims in Arizona, and it adds a thousand miles of river to the National Wild and Scenic River System.

Preserving our Nation's public lands is about more than just protecting our environment. It is about protecting our economy and our way of life as well. In my home State of Colorado alone, our public lands support a $12 billion--that is a b--a $12 billion outdoor recreation economy and hundreds of thousands of jobs across the whole State.

Perhaps most importantly, what this bill will do is to jump-start our commitment to protecting 30 percent of our Nation's lands by 2030 to help combat the climate crisis.

This package includes eight separate public lands bills, as you heard from Mr. Neguse. All of those bills were heard in committee, marked up, and passed by this Chamber two times last year.

I know that each of the individual bill sponsors plans to say a few words, so I would like to talk about title I of the legislation, which contains my bill, the Colorado Wilderness Act.

This is legislation I have been working on for more than two decades to permanently protect about 660,000 acres of wilderness in 36 unique areas in Colorado. Most of these areas are low-lying canyon country, BLM areas that have been managed as wilderness study areas for almost 40 years now.

As a fourth-generation Coloradan, I know how important these lands are to the people of my State, from the dramatic ridgeline of Grand Hogback to the sprawling plateaus of Little Book Cliffs, from the stunning red cliffs of the Dolores River Canyon to the winding riverways of Browns Canyon, the areas in this bill are some of the most beautiful and irreplaceable landscapes that our State has to offer. It is why the bill has received such unbelievable support from residents, businesses, and groups across the State.

You heard from Mr. Neguse about the support. More than 14,000 people have written letters of support, and over 350 businesses. Now, I personally have visited most of the areas in the bill. I have gone on foot, and I have gone on horseback. I even went on raft to see them for myself.

I met with landowners and ranchers and business owners to get their feedback. And when necessary, I adjusted the boundaries to address their concerns.

As I said, the Colorado Wilderness Act is just one of eight bills in this legislation included in the package, and I want to thank each of my colleagues who are here today--Representatives Huffman, Carbajal, Chu, Schiff, Kilmer, Neguse, and also, of course, Chairman Grijalva-- for their unwavering support and for all the work that

they have done to get this package to the floor. I want to thank all the staff from the Natural Resources Committee and our personal staffs, too.

I just want to say that we have worked tirelessly on this legislation. It is so important not just for us but for the future generations who will come to these very special places, who will see the petroglyphs that I saw the last time I went out, who will see the Book Cliffs and the beautiful canyons.

I think that protecting our untouched wilderness is so important. It is my number one priority in this Congress, and I know all my cosponsors feel the same way. I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to vote ``yes'' on this important legislation.