Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3962) to amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to reauthorize the National Estuary Program, 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 insert other extraneous material in the Record on this bill.

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

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 3962, as amended, reauthorizes EPA's National Estuary Program until 2031. The NEP was created by Congress in 1987 as a nonregulatory program to deliver cost-shared grant money to local communities to improve water quality in coastal areas.

The NEP is a clear success story demonstrating that when Washington empowers local experts to lead in the areas they know best, the outcomes are stronger.

For every Federal dollar invested, the NEP's estuaries leverage an additional $17 from other sources. This approach has improved water quality in estuaries nationwide without imposing new regulations.

This program was last reauthorized by President Trump. I commend my colleagues on both sides of the aisle, particularly the diligent and hardworking Mr. Figures, as lead sponsor, for their work on this bill, and I urge support.

H.R. 3962, as amended, also adds the Mississippi Sound to the list for priority consideration of selection by the EPA for inclusion in the

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

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

I think, Mr. Speaker, the American people can be forgiven if they are watching cable news and assume the only thing we do around here is fight, but I think the last three bills on the floor are a good example that, indeed, is not the case.

Now, let's be honest. None of these bills have been silver bullets slaying the biggest policy challenges facing our Nation, but they are real attempts at governing. The Save Our Seas Act, FMC reauthorization, and this, the ESTUARIES Act, are attempts by serious legislators, people like Mr. Mast, Mr. Haridopolos, Ms. Bonamici, Mr. Larsen, and Mr. Figures, to address real problems facing our country.

Indeed, this bill is a bipartisan attempt to reauthorize the longstanding, nonregulatory EPA grant program that does empower locals to solve these problems far more powerfully than if we just had the experts in D.C. do it.

This is a good bill. It is a continuation of a theme on the floor today of serious legislators doing serious work.

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

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Colorado for yielding time.

Mr. Speaker, I will admit to being pretty excited that the ePermit Act is on the floor today, not just because it is my bill but because America needs this.

For years, both parties have agreed that our permitting system is too slow. It is too complicated. Frankly, it is too stuck in the past. That is too bad because, really, the story of America has been in no small part a history of big ideas and big projects. It is time for us to get back to that: for more housing, for more broadband, for more critical infrastructure that will power this American economy for decades to come.

Too often in the last few years, our permitting process has stood in the way of that. Here we are, arguably the most technologically advanced nation in the world. Yet, our agencies have been using decades-old fragmented systems that simply were not built for the kind of scale and complexity that we see with modern projects.

It is almost laughable. We have got modern agencies. We have multiple agencies that will look at the same project using different data standards, using different approaches, and different systems. Believe it or not, they are still trading old, outdated, mostly static PDFs.

Perhaps not surprisingly, this creates confusion, delay, and a lack of transparency for project developers, for communities, for the public, and for our own Federal agencies. Sometimes they don't even know with specificity what is going on at a particular stage in the process.

This bill, the ePermit Act, addresses those problems. Because of this bill, we will modernize and digitize our permitting process with uniform data standards and a unified permitting portal so that agencies can work together and so that the public and communities can see what is actually happening.

Of course, as the gentlewoman mentioned, we are not starting from scratch. I was involved when Congress recognized the importance of these digital solutions in the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023. She is right that the Trump administration has prioritized this work, and we have worked with the administration to bring legislative clarity to that vision.

Let's be honest. There are many parts of the siting and permitting process that Republicans and Democrats disagree on, but this is not one of them. A more efficient and a more transparent permitting system is bipartisan. Our diverse coalition of cosponsors and supporting stakeholders shows just that.

I thank Mr. Peters for being a good partner on this legislation. I thank Chairman Westerman and Ranking Member Huffman for their support.

Mr. Speaker, the ePermit Act is a win for builders, a win for transparency, a win for communities and the public, and a win for America's competitiveness. I urge my colleagues to join us in letting America build again.

Mr. Speaker, due to flight delays as a result of winter weather, I missed Monday evening votes.

Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 306, and YEA on Roll Call No. 307.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Brady Ryan Sage of Rapid City, South Dakota, who earned First Place in Engineering at the Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge, the Nation's premier middle school science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) competition.

Brady's project, ``Optimizing Driver Flight Distance and Accuracy'', demonstrated exceptional creativity and engineering skills, applying physics and design principles to improve golf driver performance. Selected from nearly 2,000 applicants nationwide, Brady's achievement reflects his dedication to science and the strength of STEM education in South Dakota.

I am proud to recognize Brady for his remarkable accomplishment and for representing South Dakota with excellence. His hard work and ingenuity serve as an inspiration to students across our state and our Nation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and congratulate Gena Jorgenson of Aberdeen, South Dakota, on being named to the USA Swimming National Team in preparation for the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.

A proud product of the Aberdeen Swim Club, Gena is an All-American at the University of Nebraska who has earned this honor through years of dedication, discipline. and excellence in training and competition. Her silver medal performance in the 1,500-meter freestyle at the World University Games in Germany showcased her talent on the international stage and secured her spot on Team USA.

Her journey from local pools in Aberdeen to the national stage is a testament to her determination and resilience. Gena's success reflects the best of South Dakota: hard work, humility, and perseverance. She has brought pride to her hometown, university, and entire state.

Mr. Speaker, I congratulate Gena Jorgenson on this remarkable achievement and wish her continued success as she represents both South Dakota and our Nation with great distinction.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and commend Dr. Jose-Marie Griffiths for her outstanding decade of leadership as President of Dakota State University in Madison, South Dakota.

Since 2015, Dr. Griffiths has led Dakota State University to national leadership in cybersecurity education and research, broadening programs and partnerships that strengthen South Dakota's workforce and the Nation's cyber resilience.

Her vision and leadership have positioned the university as a key contributor to South Dakota's technology-driven economy while also advancing our Nation's cyber defense capabilities. Through initiatives such as the Madison Cyber Labs and innovative workforce development programs, Dr. Griffiths has built an enduring foundation for future generations of students and professionals in the cybersecurity field.

Following this year, Dr. Griffiths will step down as president to become Dakota State University's first chancellor, continuing her work to advance the university's mission and expand its national reach in the cyber and technology fields.

Dr. Griffiths's dedication has strengthened both the university and our state. I thank her for her outstanding service and congratulate her on this well-deserved appointment.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and congratulate Bill Zortman on the remarkable milestone of hosting his 5000th radio show. As a longtime voice behind ``It's Your Business,'' Bill has amplified leading voices to guide South Dakota listeners with practical wisdom and sound judgement.

Bill's distinguished career in radio and television broadcasting spans more than forty years, including over fifteen years here in South Dakota. Beyond the microphone, he has demonstrated a deep commitment to public service and community leadership.

After the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, Bill took a break from journalism and served as the Executive Director for the Red Cross of South Dakota and Nebraska. He has also contributed to many causes close to home, serving as President of Realtors for Kids, organizing the Professional Real Estate Associates Military Thank You Picnic, and earning recognition from his peers as Real Estate Spirit of the Year in 2008 and the Professional Real Estate Associates Spirit Award in 2012.

Bill has become more than just a broadcaster; he's a trusted voice for business, agriculture, and civic life in our state. Through ``It's Your Business'' and ``lt's Your Business to Know'', Bill has built a trusted forum for businesses, public leaders, and neighbors.

Mr. Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to join me in celebrating Bill Zortman on his 5000th broadcast and in recognizing his decades of dedication to his profession and community. South Dakota is fortunate to call him one of our own.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the officers and crew of the USS Pierre (LCS 38) as they prepare for the commissioning of their ship, the 19th and final Independence- variant Littoral Combat Ship of the United States Navy.

The USS Pierre is the second Navy vessel to bear the name of South Dakota's capital city. Littoral combat ships are fast, agile, and mission-focused, built to counter 21st-century coastal threats while ensuring security and supporting joint operations across the globe. The men and women who serve aboard the USS Pierre will carry forward this mission with dedication and distinction.

For the people of South Dakota, it is a great honor to see the name of our capital city once again sail under the flag of the United States Navy. This ship and her crew will continue a proud legacy of service that began with the first USS Pierre during World War II.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating the officers and crew of the newly commissioned USS Pierre (LCS 38). We honor their commitment and thank them for their service.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and congratulate Becky Haenfler of Avon School District, who has been named the 2026 South Dakota Teacher of the Year.

A graduate of University of South Dakota with a master's degree as a reading specialist, Mrs. Haenfler has built a reputation as a teacher who not only educates but also transforms lives. She currently teaches English Language Arts to fifth, sixth, and seventh graders in the very school she once attended, even in the same classroom where she first discovered her love of reading.

For nineteen years, she has created a learning environment filled with energy, curiosity, and high expectations, inspiring students to connect with literature in ways that challenge and motivate them. Her dedication has left a lasting impact on both her students and her community.

As South Dakota Teacher of the Year, Mrs. Haenfler will represent our state in the National Teacher of the Year program in Washington, D.C. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to extend my congratulations on this well- deserved honor and to express gratitude for her remarkable commitment to her students, community and teaching profession.

Mr. Speaker, each year, the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program recognizes a select group of schools across the country, celebrating their academic achievements and contributions to educational excellence. As a South Dakotan, I am proud of Howard High School, Jones County Middle School, and Warner Elementary School for being named as National Blue Ribbon Schools by the South Dakota Department of Education.

Howard High School is recognized for their outstanding achievement in English and mathematics, Warner Elementary for their strong graduation rate and attendance, and Jones County Middle School for supporting students in overcoming barriers to succeed in English, mathematics, and attendance.

Outstanding teachers and a supportive community are key to the success of each of these Blue Ribbon Schools. It is paramount that we continue to have exceptional teachers and schools for our kids and the future of our Nation. Mr. Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to join me in congratulating these three exceptional schools in South Dakota. I am confident they will continue making great contributions to our future leaders.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the South Dakota Air National Guard's 114th Fighter Wing, which recently received three top national honors at the National Guard Association of the

United States Conference. They were awarded the Distinguished Flying Unit Plaque, the Winston P. Wilson Trophy, and the Major General John J. Pesch Flight Safety Trophy.

These awards reflect the Wing's nearly 80 years of excellence. Over the past year, the 114th deployed twice, once to the Pacific and once to the Middle East, while maintaining outstanding readiness at home. Their record has once again placed them among the very best in the Nation.

This recognition highlights the leadership of Colonel Brandon Eskam and the commitment of every Airman in the unit. As Major General Mark Morrell noted, these honors are not pursued, but earned through professionalism, discipline, and daily dedication. The 114th represents the best of South Dakota and a standard of excellence for the entire Air National Guard.

Mr. Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to join me in congratulating the 114th Fighter Wing on these well-deserved honors and in thanking them for their service to South Dakota and the United States.

Mr. Speaker, it has been such an honor to work with G.T., French, Angie, Don, Brian, and so many others on something that is real.

It is sometimes hard to separate the real from the fake in this town. That is certainly true for digital assets, NFTs, and memecoins. These generate tremendous attention, and they can pull our gaze away from what really matters.

Here is what matters: Blockchain technology, Web3, will transform every single industry in the same way that the internet has transformed every single industry over the last 30 years. That transformation will happen much faster than people realize if we can keep government from continuing to screw this up.

This is not about buying bubble gum with bitcoin. This is about blockchain innovation happening here rather than overseas, about more liquid capital markets, about small businesses creating new services and products, about removing friction from transactions for every single American, and about protecting consumers so the debacles like the FTX meltdown never happen again.

We tend to overstate the impact of what we do in this town. Everything is historic, even when it is not. However, this is different. This is huge.

Before I came to Congress, I was in the broadband industry, and the Telecommunications Act of 1996 provided the regulatory certainty needed to launch the internet era. That was a watershed victory for this country. Mr. Speaker, we are here again.

The regulatory certainty provided by this incredible bipartisan work product will launch a golden age of innovation and the golden age of digital assets. Today, now, this moment, this is a watershed victory for this country. Today we do something real.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to clarify the changes to depreciation rules in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act as they pertain to energy property installed by the geothermnal heating and cooling industry. Section 70509 of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act will exclude certain energy property from qualifying as ``5-year property'' under section 168(e)(3)(B) of the tax code. It is my understanding that after this change, geothermal heat pump systems (i.e., energy equipment of the type described in section 48(a)(3)(A)(vii) of the tax code) will qualify as ``7-year property.'' This is because geothermal heat pump systems do not have a class life, and it is my understanding that they are not considered residential rental or nonresidential property for purposes of the tax code. Accordingly, such systems are 7-year property (which is one of the asset classes eligible for bonus depreciation).

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor Colonel Derek C. Oakley on the occasion of his retirement from the United States Air Force, concluding an extraordinary career of over two decades in service to our Nation.

Colonel Oakley most recently served as Commander of the 28th Bomb Wing at Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota. Under his instrumental leadership, the 28th Bomb Wing, home to the largest operational B-1 combat wing, provided unmatched global strike capabilities and remained a vital part of our national defense.

Since commissioning through Officer Training School in May 2000, Colonel Oakley's record of service has been marked by excellence, professionalism, and an unshakable commitment to duty. Over the course of his distinguished career, he logged more than 3,400 flight hours, including 991 in combat. His career has spanned key leadership roles in operations, training, and strategic development.

He has commanded at multiple levels, served on the Joint Staff, and played a vital role in the development of the B-21 Raider, shaping the future of American airpower. His service has been recognized with many decorations, including the Legion of Merit, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, and multiple Air Medals.

On behalf of a grateful state and Nation, I thank Colonel Oakley for his decades of honorable service. We in South Dakota are proud to call him one of our own, and we wish him and his family all the best as they begin this new chapter.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the remarkable career and retirement of Colonel Derek C. Oakley.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and celebrate the 300th anniversary of the Reformed Church in the United States.

The Reformed Church in the United States was founded in 1725, proclaiming the Gospel while serving communities across our Nation.

I'm especially honored to note the pivotal role that South Dakota churches have played in advancing the mission and heritage of the Reformed Church in the United States through the Eureka Classis and beyond.

During the Revolutionary War, one-fifth of German Reformed pastors served as chaplains in the Continental Army. One member, Captain Peter Humrickhouse, even crossed the Delaware River with General George Washington and delivered critical supplies to Yorktown, helping secure our Nation's independence.

Presidents George Washington and Theodore Roosevelt both recognized the influence and integrity of the Reformed Church. President Washington openly praised the loyalty and devotion of its clergy and congregants. President Roosevelt regularly attended Grace Reformed Church in Washington, D.C. and laid its cornerstone himself.

This June, members and friends of the Reformed Church in the United States will gather at Mount Rushmore in my home state to mark this historic tricentennial milestone. It is fitting that such a celebration should occur in South Dakota, a state shaped by faith, perseverance, and patriotism.

Join me in recognizing the Reformed Church in the United States for 300 years of devotion to faith and service.