Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I thank Congressman Kelly. What inspiring words. I thank Congressman Smith for his incredible leadership. I am so proud to stand with my colleagues today to support the right to life.

I commend all of those who will be coming to our Nation's Capital this week, including from my home State of West Virginia, to let their leaders--us--know that we are a country that values life and human decency.

Each and every life is a precious gift from God. It is our responsibility to stand up for the unborn who were made in God's own image. They have no voice. We must be their voice. I am proud to join my colleagues in using our voices to protect life and to stand up for the unborn. I am proudly pro-life.

As we near the anniversary of Roe v. Wade, we grieve for the lost lives. We pledge to protect the babies yet to be born. No taxpayer should be forced to pay for abortions. That is why I have consistently supported legislation to repeal ObamaCare and to defund Planned Parenthood.

I was also proud to be a cosponsor of the recently passed Pain- Capable Unborn Child Protection Act, which would stop late-term abortions and the torturous pain that comes as the result of this despicable practice.

I am also a proud cosponsor of the bill that will be taken up later this week, the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act. This legislation ensures that babies born after a failed abortion attempt are given the appropriate medical care to live and are treated as human beings.

Mr. Speaker, every life--born and unborn--is precious, and I am proud to stand here with my colleagues to reaffirm our values--that life is a gift from God, and every baby deserves life.

Mr. Speaker, I missed votes due to a previously scheduled event in West Virginia. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 11 and YEA on Roll Call No. 12.

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

Mr. Chairman, my amendment is very straightforward. It supports the mission of the underlying bill to responsibly increase opportunities for hydropower across the Nation.

My amendment authorizes agencies with an existing memorandum of understanding with FERC to study the expansion of hydropower. The need for this arises from a project in my district in Summersville, West Virginia. There is what is called a run-of-the-river hydroelectric project in Summersville. There is an MOU between the town--the city of Summersville--FERC, and the Army Corps of Engineers.

The Summersville hydro project was actually licensed by FERC in 1992 and constructed in 2001, with the cooperation of the Army Corps of Engineers. It provides enough renewable energy to power 22,000 homes. It might be possible to increase hydropower by adjusting the seasonable pool levels and managing the releases. Even if this is only for just a few days, it could result in a 15 percent increase in power generation for the surrounding community.

Unfortunately, I have heard that even to conduct a study requires explicit authorization from Congress. So that is what we are doing here today with this amendment. This amendment would provide that authority, and only in limited cases where there is an existing MOU on the books between the agencies and FERC.

Mr. Chairman, I yield 30 seconds to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Upton).

I yield to the gentleman from Illinois.

Mr. Chairman, I thank the minority very much for their support on this and, again, to the chair, for his leadership on this effort.

Mr. Chairman, let me close by thanking specifically a couple of individuals:

Jim Price, who has been integrally related and involved with this project from its inception, and I appreciate his leadership so much.

Enel Green Power North America, the operator and developer on this project. I thank them for their efforts.

Also, the mayor of the city of Summersville, Robert Shafer. I thank Bob Shafer for his incredible support and leadership in the city of Summersville.

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

Mr. Speaker, everyone remembers the excitement of receiving that first paycheck and the feeling of accomplishment that hard work brings. We also remember just as vividly the disappointment we experienced when we saw just how much of our hard-earned money went to taxes.

It is a rite of passage that we have grown used to, but that doesn't mean it is right. Americans deserve to take home more of their pay.

That is exactly why we need tax reform, tax cuts, and tax simplification, and why I am working with President Donald Trump to make our tax system work for West Virginia's families.

Our tax framework would cut taxes for West Virginia's middle class families, double the standard deduction for individuals and couples, and create jobs by making small businesses and American companies more competitive.

West Virginia's families work hard and have been squeezed by our State's economic downturn. Under our tax framework and with the support of President Trump, help is on the way.

We will also make it easier and simpler for Americans--West Virginians--to file their taxes. Most families will be able to file their taxes just on a postcard, saving them both time and money.

Our plan for tax reform, our plan for tax cuts, our plan for tax simplification will help us build a better America, a better West Virginia, one where families have more opportunities, more jobs, and more money in their pockets.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Arizona and all those who have spoken, obviously, so emotionally and so passionately about protecting the unborn.

Mr. Speaker, I am a proud cosponsor of H.R. 36. I am a strong believer in the sanctity of life. I believe each and every person, born and unborn, is a child of God.

Our children are our future and a gift to all of us, and respecting the right to life is one of the strongest values we hold as Americans. That is why I come to the floor today to urge my colleagues to support the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act, which would stop late- term abortions.

Studies have shown that unborn children can feel pain in the womb 20 weeks after pregnancy, an agonizing fact with disturbing indications that we know that this is a gruesome act against the unborn.

As a proud father of three, we know, when those babies come into this world, that their cries are cries of joy; it is a cry of life. That is what we are protecting. No child of God should be subjected to the torturous pain that comes as a result of a late-term abortion.

Mr. Speaker, it is clear that my constituents sent me to Washington to promote a culture and respect for life. They know as well as I do that it is vital for us to fight for those who have no voice and cannot be heard.

This bill shows the world that America will stand up to protect the most vulnerable amongst us. I strongly urge my colleagues to support the passage of the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act.

Let this Congress and the vote of each and every Member be known as the one who stood up for life by speaking out against the horrors of abortion.

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

Mr. Chairman, HIDTA, the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area, is a critically important program that brings together Federal, State, and local law enforcement, and it is making a difference in my home State and in many parts of the country.

HIDTA is a flexible program that has helped law enforcement afford critical overtime and equipment that they would struggle to afford. This program is tackling our most challenging public health and safety issue of our time: the drug opioid epidemic.

HIDTA is needed. The opioid epidemic is getting worse, and this is not a time to hold back on funding programs that work.

At Thomas Health System in South Charleston, West Virginia, the number of infants born exposed to opioids and other drugs increased from 95 babies in 2013 to 189 babies in 2016. That is an increase of 99 percent in just 4 years.

Overdose death rates continue to climb as well. In my home town in Huntington, overdoses in 2017 have already surpassed the number in 2016. In 2017, there have been 1,250 overdoses, an increase of--get this--450 percent since 2014, a 450 percent increase in 4 years.

Just last year, West Virginia added two new HIDTA counties and another county's application is pending review.

HIDTA works. It is evident, with counties across this country applying to become HIDTA counties, there is demand. We must increase funding for this critical program.

I urge adoption of this amendment.

Mr. Chair, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. Barr).

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

Mr. Chairman, let me close by saying a deep, heartfelt thank you to Congressman Barr from Kentucky. He has been a stalwart in fighting this drug epidemic and supporting efforts like HIDTA.

Mr. Chair, I thank the subcommittee chairman, Chairman Graves. He has been terrific in Financial Services. When you think about where we started in this process, he has brought us light-years away in funding for HIDTA.

Mr. Chair, I thank the chairman of the full committee, Chairman Frelinghuysen. He has been terrific in, again, restoring much-needed funding.

This amendment, if adopted, is an important final step needed to address this critical issue.

Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the hard work of Dr. Terry Fenger of Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia. Dr. Fenger has played a key role in developing the university's highly successful Forensic Science Center, which has repeatedly been named the nation's best forensic science program.

Dr. Fenger has served as the center's director since 1994, overseeing its Digital Forensics section, Forensics DNA Analysis laboratory, and FEPAC-accredited Forensic Science Graduate Program. His passion for teaching students how to succeed in the forensic science field and caring for his fellow West Virginians is on show for all to see. By overseeing the program's role in West Virginia's sexual assault test kit initiative, Dr. Fenger has proactively taken a leadership role in helping get criminals off our streets. His expertise in his field has helped create a new generation of forensic experts to solve crimes and keep our communities safe, and I join his friends, family and colleagues in wishing him well during his hard-earned retirement. He will always

be a part of the Marshall University family. I look forward to seeing the great things he achieves in the future.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the hard work of Dr. Pamela Staton of Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia. Dr. Staton has played a major role in the success of Marshall University's Forensic Science Center, which has repeatedly been named the nation's best Forensic Science Program.

Dr. Pamela Staton joined the Forensic Science Program in 2002, and leads the Bacterial Source Tracking Research Project at the Robert C. Byrd Biotechnology Center. Her invaluable experience as the Forensic Science Center's program administrator and chief academic advisor for its graduate students has contributed greatly to the program's reputation and plays a central role in its success. Dr. Staton's contributions to the Huntington community and West Virginia are invaluable, and I wish her the best of luck on her retirement. I know she will always be a part of the Marshall University family and look forward to seeing all the great things she achieves in the future.

Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman so much for his leadership on this issue.

WOTUS, waters of the U.S., it has really been talked about for a number of years. This is a classic case of Barack Obama, the administration previous to the Trump administration, overreaching its authority. This is executive branch takeover, waters of the U.S., saying that we have got what is called navigable waters and using the executive authority to redefine what navigable waters are.

This hurts farmers. This hurts small businesses. The suggestion that just a puddle, a small creek is defined as a navigable water, we know that is simply not the case.

Let me remind folks about the three branches of government: legislative, executive, and judiciary. We have Supreme Court decisions that were putting a stop to the overreach of the Obama administration's WOTUS rule. Thank you to the courts.

We now have an opportunity as the legislative branch. We appreciate the work of the executive branch. We appreciate the fact that Donald Trump and Scott Pruitt and this administration are working to put a stop to it, because the Court said, as we all know, the Obama administration overreached.

Now what we are doing, what this appropriations bill provides is the voice of the legislative branch to say, yes, the prior administration overreached; the executive branch historically needs to be curtailed; the courts were right. We need to speak as the legislative branch giving the authority to stop this onerous rule.

I applaud the work of the Appropriations Committee. We need to put the legislative stamp of approval on what the Trump administration is doing to stop this overregulation.

I thank the chair, and I certainly oppose this proposed amendment.

Mr. Chairman, I claim the time in opposition.

Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to the gentleman from New Jersey's amendment.

The fossil Energy Research and Development account actually helps the Nation use the full extent of our resources safely, wisely, and efficiently. I always hear Members say--and I have heard it several times tonight already--that they support an ``all-of-the-above'' energy strategy.

Unfortunately, this amendment does just the opposite. It picks energy winners and losers. The level of funding for fossil Energy R&D in this year's bill recognizes the important role fossil energy plays in our Nation's future.

At a time when fossil power generation is actually expanding around the globe, the activities funded in the bill advance our Nation's position as a leader in fossil energy technologies.

I just hosted a conference in my home State of West Virginia on something that is getting a lot of attention lately: rare earth elements.

I want everybody just to think about that phone that they hold in their hand or, if they are watching on TV, that TV in their home.

Guess what. These phones and those TVs have what is called rare earth elements. And you would think by the term ``rare earth,'' it must mean, gosh, they are rare, hard to find.

Guess what. Rare earth elements are found in many places. Amazingly, coal contains an abundant supply of rare earth elements.

This is important to our national security because, currently, China has a monopoly on the rare earth element market. Ninety percent of all rare earth elements that are in every phone and every TV are controlled by China. But we know that coal, through research, can unlock an abundant supply of these critical elements that we need for everyday technology.

So this just isn't about energy production. This is about everyday items that impact our life.

So for our Nation's security and electric grid reliability and use of our domestic fossil fuel resources, investment in fossil R&D is critical. Each of these programs represent a partnership with the private sector that provides an even greater leverage to Federal funds. Therefore, I urge our Members to vote against the gentleman from New Jersey's amendment so we can support fossil energy R&D for our country and for our future.

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

Mr. Chair, I rise in opposition to the gentleman from New Jersey's amendment.

Let me simply state, while he politely suggests we have agreement, bottom line, his amendment guts the fossil energy R&D. It takes over $300 million out of the fossil research and development, the kinds of research and

development that can generate rare Earth elements and other things that we have talked about, in addition to use for our power generation.

Mr. Chair, I simply oppose this amendment and ask for its rejection.

Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.

Will the gentleman yield?

Mr. Chairman, I will be very brief.

By my calculation, this is about the third or fourth amendment from the minority trying to take money out of a very important future- looking initiative, the fossil energy R&D, and redirect it elsewhere. They keep trying to raid this important funding.

I am sitting here with my colleague from West Virginia, who NETL is actually physically in his district. There is no stronger champion of NETL than

the gentleman from West Virginia. This is hundreds of jobs in our State, in his district, but the impact of their work reaches across the country and literally around the world.

I spoke on a previous attack on this funding a moment ago. I defend strongly the work of the fossil energy R&D. And to suggest this is just looking to yesterday is missing the point that I made a moment ago talking about rare earth elements and unlocking the potential that these fossil resources have in so many ways, not just energy production.

So I thank the chairman of the subcommittee for recognizing and supporting fossil energy R&D; and my colleague from West Virginia, who is such a staunch supporter of NETL, and my ability to work with him.

Please, I encourage people to reject the gentleman's amendment.

Mr. Speaker, due to President Trump's visit to my Congressional District for an event with Secretaries Zinke, Price, and Perry and Boy Scouts from across the United States, I missed votes.

Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 407, YEA on Roll Call No. 408, and YEA on Roll Call No. 409.

Mr. Chair, I thank Chairman Thornberry for yielding me the time.

Mr. Chair, my amendment proposes to increase the authorized funding for the Counterdrug Program by $10 million.

For 30 years, the National Guard has successfully performed drug interdiction and counterdrug activities to support our local communities and our national security. The National Guard partners with local, State, and Federal law enforcement agencies, and community organizations to effectively combat the supply and demand for illegal drugs. The National Guard Counterdrug Program works.

In the past 4 years, the West Virginia National Guard successfully seized more than $500 million of illegal drugs, black market drugs that are devastating our communities and towns. And as our Nation copes with the devastating drug epidemic, we must fund programs to stop drug trafficking and keep drugs out of our communities.

For more than a decade, Congress has consistently provided funding above the budget request. It is important that we continue that support.

Mr. Chair, I thank Chairman Thornberry and his hardworking staff that helped to make this amendment possible. I urge adoption of this amendment.

Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman for this opportunity. I have been sitting here listening very carefully to this debate. It sounds like a partisan fight. Democrats say this is a bad bill. Republicans say it is a good bill. If you are watching at home, you think: Here we go again. Just gridlock in Washington. Can't get something done.

Well, let me tell you and let me suggest that preserving and protecting access to care should not be a partisan issue. Why do I say that? I am from West Virginia, and 14 years ago we passed medical liability reform very similar to what we are getting ready to pass today, including $250,000 caps on noneconomic damages.

Why do I know it was not a partisan issue back then is because the Governor of West Virginia who introduced the bill, House Bill 2122, was Congressman Governor Bob Wise. Bob Wise had been a Member of Congress for 18 years as a Democrat here in Congress. He introduced the bill 14 years ago in West Virginia. He signed the bill. It was his bill.

The West Virginia Legislature, the House of Delegates, was 68 percent Democrat. The West Virginia Senate was 70 percent Democrat. A Democrat Legislature, a Democrat Governor, and the reform is just like what we are getting ready to pass today.

Here is what Democrat Governor Bob Wise said about the bill and why they did it. What was the goal? ``To work together towards a common goal preserving the healthcare system that serves all West Virginians.''

What else did Governor Democrat Bob Wise say? He said, ``This is a prime example of how government can work for the people,'' when he passed this bill and signed it.

On the day he signed the bill, this is what Democrat Bob Wise's newsletter said: ``My number one commitment is the health and safety of the citizens of West Virginia?''

Mr. Chair, this should not be a Democrat/Republican issue. This should be an American healthcare issue. This should be preserving and protecting access to quality care. Just like Democrat Congressman Bob Wise in West Virginia 14 years ago set the example, we ought to set the example here of passing this with strong bipartisan support. This is quality care for the American citizens.

Mr. Speaker, 1 year ago, on June 23, 2016, we experienced one of the darkest days in West Virginia's history.

Floodwaters raced through small towns without warning, washing away homes, washing away businesses, and, yes, washing away lives. Twenty- three souls were lost, while thousands were left without shelter and food.

Now as we approach the 1-year anniversary of this tragic event, we pause to remember those we lost and honor their lives. We reflect on how our communities changed over this past year. We pledge to continue rebuilding until our towns and our cities are better than they were before the rivers rose.

We have seen so many examples of strength, faith, and hope in this past year, examples that carry us forward and inspire us all. More work remains to be done. We still have churches, schools, libraries, and other community centers that need to be rebuilt, replaced, and restocked. Many are still in temporary and rental housing. The scars still remain.

But the message that we should carry forward is the one that carried us through this terrible event: the knowledge that West Virginians will always have each other's backs. We are stronger when we stand united than when we stand alone.

Through everything that lies ahead, we will stay strong. We will thank those who put their lives on the line to help rescue others. We will remember and honor those whom we lost, and we will continue to offer our support to those who are rebuilding their lives. That is what we do as neighbors. That is what we do as friends. That is what we do as West Virginians.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Dr. Gerard J. Oakley, Jr. of Huntington, West Virginia. Dr. Oakley served his country as a medical officer in the United States Air Force during Operation Desert Storm, retiring after 20 years of service with the rank of lieutenant colonel.

After serving in the armed forces, Dr. Oakley made his home in Huntington with his wife, Tanyia, and their four sons to continue his practice as a gynecologic oncologist. Dr. Oakley has spent the last 20 years providing quality cancer care for patients in his community, both through his private practice and with the Mountains of Hope Cancer Coalition.

Dr. Oakley has been recognized as a leader among his peers on numerous occasions, from service as the leader of gynecologic oncology at Marshall University to chief of staff at Cabell Huntington Hospital. Dr. Oakley was instrumental in the founding of the Edwards Comprehensive Cancer Center in Huntington and has been serving as its medical director.

Dr. Oakley helped the Edwards Comprehensive Cancer Center obtain its certification as an Academic Comprehensive Cancer Program and brought new technologies in radiation oncology and robot assisted surgery to the cancer center, allowing patients to have cutting-edge cancer care close to home.

I thank Dr. Oakley for his leadership, his service, and all he has done for the people of the great state of West Virginia in the fight against cancer.

Mr. Speaker, too many men and women who have served our Nation in uniform find themselves without stable, secure housing. Statistics show a veteran is almost twice as likely as a civilian to experience homelessness.

I rise today to recognize the work the Huntington, West Virginia, Area Habitat for Humanity is doing to reduce veterans' homelessness thanks to its Veterans Housing Initiative. Because of this Habitat initiative and support from the Huntington VA Medical Center's Homeless Veterans Resource Center, veterans can now make down payments and complete volunteer hours to buy their homes.

I recently toured some of the homes built through this program in the historic Fairfield neighborhood in my hometown of Huntington. So far, 10 homes have been built, and 5 are now called home by veterans and their families.

The housing not only helps veterans, but it also helps the community. These homes will help revitalize the neighborhood, an area filled with possibilities. It also frees up more housing for other veterans in need. As a veteran moves into one of these homes, his or her previous rental or apartment or room is now available to someone else in need.

I am grateful to all the Habitat volunteers and staff who are part of this life-changing project. Thank you for what you are doing to give back to those who gave so much for our Nation. Veterans in Huntington now have a brighter future and a path to homeownership.