Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my staunch opposition to H.R. 596, legislation to repeal the Affordable Care Act.

Yesterday was Groundhog Day, yet it is today's vote that really feels familiar. The House has now attempted to repeal or undermine the Affordable Care Act for 56 times. It is disappointing that the Republican leadership continues its partisan campaign to undermine the ACA and create barriers for millions of uninsured Americans having access to health insurance.

Based on the latest estimate from the Congressional Budget Office, 19 million Americans--and 20,000 in our Houston area district--would lose their health insurance this year if the ACA is repealed. These are people who would be without coverage today if it were not for the ACA.

H.R. 596 would take away critical benefits and health care coverage for hardworking families. Not only that, this bill would increase the deficit, repeal reforms that help slow the growth in health care costs, and undo basic protections that provide security for the middle class.

It is long past time to stop playing political games on health reform. We need to work to enact reforms that improve and build on the ACA for the good of the American people.

Mr. Speaker, let me explain the problem we have and the need for this bill today.

The bill is the exact same language that passed this House last Congress, and it came through our committee, the Energy and Commerce Committee.

Now, what this bill does is give the Department of Energy some deadlines to make a decision on our national interests--that is what it does--so we can do it. They have held those permits sometimes up to 2 years to make that determination.

If you have a free trade agreement with the United States, we can export natural gas to you. But they need to decide the national interests. I want the DOE to do that, but I also want to make a decision in very quick time.

We know who our friends are, we know who our adversaries are. We don't really want to send it to our adversaries, we want to send it to our friends. So that is DOE's job.

The reason we need this bill is that right now today, or yesterday, gas is $2.88 per million cubic feet. It was up about $4, which is still not great for a producer. But what we have been doing in south Texas is flaring natural gas. It is bad for the environment. It is bad for the people who produce it because they don't have a customer. And what we need to do is be able to export what we can't use.

In Texas we are very proud of Blue Bell ice cream. In fact, their advertising slogan is: ``We eat all we can and we sell the rest.''

I have a chemical industry, I have a utility industry that uses natural gas. They are using it. But we still have a lot of production. So why would we not use all we can in our country and sell the rest and make somebody else pay for those jobs that we have in our community? And that is the problem.

We know the price of oil is going down. But oil and natural gas sometimes come out of the same well. So that is why we need to make sure that we have the right, on a reasonable timeframe, to export natural gas to countries that we want to be friendly with. I would love to have a natural gas export right now to Ukraine. The infrastructure over there is not there. It could get there with some reversing pipelines.

H.R. 351 represents a bipartisan effort to legislate and warrant its approval.

We worked together on this bill, and it represents that hard work.

The bill is good for the economy, the climate, and the U.S. security interests. The United States has natural resources to become the largest exporter of LNG in the world. Our natural gas reserves can meet all our domestic natural gas needs and still have an excess capacity of 3 trillion cubic feet.

Before we discuss H.R. 351 it is important we clarify the LNG permitting process, just so there is no confusion. A project applicant must submit two separate applications: the first to the Department of Energy and the second to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission,

I thank the ranking member. I appreciate it.

If the project sends the LNG to a country without a free trade agreement, then the DOE must issue a permit based on the public interest. These are very important determinations. However, LNG will not leave the United States with DOE approval only.

For a project to actually export LNG, in either case, the applicant must receive a FERC permit. FERC reviews the environmental impacts of the actual LNG facility. FERC conducts and reviews all environmental impacts to satisfy the requirements of NEPA. No company will export a single cubic foot of LNG without FERC approval. FERC's process takes 12 to 18 months and costs approximately $100 million.

We have worked extremely hard to protect the environment. It is the DOE non-FTA process that is the problem. The DOE currently has approximately 30 non-FTA permits awaiting decision. The DOE has held most of these permits almost 4 years. Even the DOE recognized this huge problem and tried to address the backlog last summer by changing the approval process. Unfortunately, the changes failed to expedite approval or provide any certainty to companies who are investing $100 million, and these are U.S. companies.

H.R. 351 resolved this issue only after it receives all environmental permits.

H.R. 351 would place a 30-day timeline for the DOE to issue a decision after the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission completes its environmental reviews.

Once again, we have protected the environmental review process. We have protected the public interest. And DOE, which held some of these applications 4 years--we cannot allow DOE to sit on these permits any longer. They must do their job and do it in a timely fashion.

Opponents of H.R. 351 say if all permits are approved, we will export more than 35 trillion cubic feet. Opponents say exports will double or triple domestic natural gas prices. Opponents say exports of that size will endanger our domestic industry, raise electricity prices, and have ruinous effects on our economy.

Mr. Speaker, I urge passage of the bill.

Mr. Speaker, I represent enormous petrochemical facilities, power generators, and workers.

I remember when domestic natural gas prices caused companies in my district to move jobs overseas.

If what opponents of H.R. 351 say were even remotely possible, I would be the first one to oppose this bill.

My constituents work at those facilities.

Those facilities pay taxes and fund the hospitals and schools in my district.

There are dozens of applications pending at DOE.

No more than a handful of projects will be constructed and ultimately export LNG.

But each project deserves a fair opportunity at review.

Each company deserves the opportunity to pursue financing in the capital markets.

The government should not make those decisions.

Each LNG facility costs billions, not to mention the jobs associated with pipeline construction, electric transmission, local services, etc.

I ask my colleagues to support H.R. 351 and support this bipartisan effort.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to express my opposition to H.R. 7, the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act.

Longstanding federal policy explicitly prohibits the use of federal funds for abortions, except for certain narrow circumstances of rape, incest, or severe health complications that threaten the life of the mother. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) maintains this ban and a federal appeals court confirmed that no federal dollars may be used to pay for abortion services under the law.

Far more sweeping in scope than the title implies, the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act goes well beyond codifying the Hyde Amendment and protecting public funds. This bill intrudes on women's reproductive autonomy and access to health care, manipulates the tax code to put additional financial burdens on many women and small businesses, and unnecessarily restricts the private insurance choices available to consumers today.

The House of Representatives should be spending our time working to improve access to health care for all Americans, instead of deceptive legislation that interferes with a woman's ability to make personal, private medical decisions.

Madam Speaker, on rollcall No. 44, had I been present, I would have voted ``yes.''

Madam Speaker, on rollcall No. 45, had I been present, I would have voted ``no.''

Mr. Speaker, I rise in remembrance of the over 130 innocent men, women, and children who were killed by the Red Army in the days following its invasion of Azerbaijan 23 years ago.

On January 20, 1990, the Soviet Union, in a brutal attempt to end the growing independence movement in Azerbaijan, sent in 26,000 troops under the pretext of restoring public order, while actually aiming to forcefully end peaceful demonstrations for independence.

The invasion and subsequent massacre, which resulted in over 130 killed, 611 injured, and 841 arrests, is remembered as ``Black January'' in the Republic of Azerbaijan today and has left an indelible mark on that nation's memory.

It was the overt oppression of innocent people by the Soviet government that further inspired the Azerbaijani people to regain its independence after 70 years of foreign rule.

Less than two years later, on October 18, 1991, Azerbaijan gained its independence from the Soviet Union and was soon recognized by the international community.

Today, the United States and Azerbaijan enjoy a close and important relationship, built on trust, understanding, and mutual support. It is important on this day that America remembers the trials and tribulations our friends in Azerbaijan have had to endure for the cause of freedom and continue to support their vital role as a beacon of democracy and prosperity in the Caspian Region.

Mr. Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to please join me in remembering the tragic events of Black January and honor those who gave their lives in order to give birth to their country.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to H.R. 161, a bill that claims to expedite applications for construction of natural gas pipelines in the United States.

First, let me say as a native Houstonian and as a Democrat, I support American energy development.

The energy revolution that has taken place over the last decade is unlike anything I've seen in my lifetime.

The natural gas plays currently developed in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Texas are solely responsible for the recovery the U.S. has seen.

Low natural gas prices have given our industries an advantage over international competitors.

Low natural gas prices have given our homeowners cheaper electric bills.

Low natural gas prices have resulted in lower emissions and smaller contributions to climate change.

To reap those benefits, however, we need pipelines to move that product from the field to market.

I can confidently say, I am a big supporter of pipelines.

The stacks of raw materials and finished pipe in my district are probably unlike any other district in the country.

Pipelines are the most economically efficient and environmentally sound method of moving oil and natural.

I am an advocate of building more pipelines.

I have co-sponsored legislation to build domestic and international pipelines to facilitate energy development.

I have advocated for expediting the application process, so that our federal agencies provide private investors certainty.

Unfortunately, I cannot support H.R. 161.

While I am an advocate of all things natural gas, I am not in favor of completely circumventing the permitting process.

About a decade ago, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), which has jurisdiction over pipeline approvals, had some issues.

We worked closely with the industry and the agency to improve the processes and timelines so that we could get pipe built in this country quickly.

FERC has done an admirable job working with industry and other key stakeholders to improve the process.

Currently, FERC approves the majority of permits in less than 18-to- 24 months.

Where there are problems and delays with other permits, namely at the local and state level and FERC is working to resolve those issues.

Unfortunately, this bill does nothing to address those issues.

This bill sets a timeline for FERC and if that timeline expires, then any permit is approved.

Our federal agencies have an oversight role to play and allowing permit applications to essentially ``run out the clock'' when issues arise is a way to circumvent our federal process.

In Energy and Commerce, we put a lot of work into this bill and I want to thank my colleagues for working closely with our side.

But, I cannot support H.R. 161 and I urge my colleagues to oppose the bill as well.

Madam Chair, I rise in support of a clean Homeland Security Appropriations bill that has bipartisan support and oppose the Republican amendments.

Madam Chair, I rise in support of passage of a clean Homeland Security Appropriations bill that has bipartisan support and will ensure the security of the American people and in opposition to the Republican Amendments to this legislation, most notably the Aderholt and Blackburn Amendments.

The Aderholt Amendment would bar the use of any funds to expand the DACA program, which has helped thousands of young people in my district in North and East Houston and Harris County come out of the shadows and be able to go to college and get a job without fear of deportation, as well as the Administration's recently announced DAPA initiative, which would similarly help up to 5 million immigrants who are parents and spouses of U.S. Citizens, who will be required to get right with the law and pay back taxes before receiving relief.

The Blackburn Amendment would end the DACA program, deporting hundreds of thousands of DREAMer young people who were brought to this country as children and know no other home.

These amendments serve as nothing more than poison pills that will ruin months of bipartisan work by the Appropriations Committee and endanger funding for the very agencies that protect our country from terrorists, drug cartels, and organized crime and harm millions of immigrants who simply want to get right with the law and a fair, transparent path to legalization and earned citizenship.

The whole world saw the horrific acts of terrorism in Paris and France last week which resulted in the deaths of 17 innocent people, including 3 police officers, by 4 suspects who are believed to have connections with al Qaeda.

In this time of heightened security concerns, the last thing this chamber should contemplate is another fabricated funding crisis.

The Obama Administration has already announced its support of the bill, as introduced, and will sign this must-pass legislation into law immediately.

I call on my colleagues to support the clean passage of the underlining legislation, oppose these cynical amendments, and to join me in calling for this Congress to take on comprehensive immigration reform and fix our broken immigration system once and for all.

``The privilege of the writ of habeas corpus shall not be suspended, unless when in cases of rebellion or invasion the public safety may require it.

``No bill of attainder or ex post facto law shall be passed.

``No capitation, or other direct, tax shall be laid, unless in proportion to the census or enumeration herein before directed to be taken.

``No tax or duty shall be laid on articles exported from any State.''

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 3, a bill to approve the application for the construction of Keystone XL pipeline.

I rise in support of this bill because I support North American energy development.

Today, the Nebraska Supreme Court affirmed that Keystone XL should be built.

Keystone XL pipeline not the first cross-border pipeline project built in North America.

But if some opponents had their way, Keystone XL pipeline would be the last pipeline we built in North America.

Energy prices are at their lowest point in the last decade.

Energy imports from partners like Canada and Mexico, and domestic production, have put more than $900 a year in the pockets of the American people.

Keystone XL will continue this success in a time of struggle.

The United States still imports approximately 40 percent of the oil we use domestically.

The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) has decided to directly challenge the new North American energy market by maintaining, and in some cases, increasing production.

This is a direct affront to North American producers and an all-out price war.

This, however, is a struggle we can win, with the help of our North American partners.

Breakeven prices for North American crude, including Canadian oil sands and United States shale oil, are as low as $40 per barrel.

Our producers can support our domestic demand while further driving out more expensive competitors.

Unfortunately, our domestic producers cannot win without cost- effective and environmentally sound transportation.

Keystone XL offers that advantage and I support it, although I do not believe H.R. 3 is the perfect legislation.

I believe that oil sands should be subject to the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund.

Almost every other source of crude oil that transits the United States is subject to the Trust Fund tax and oil sands should be as well.

It makes fiscal sense, it makes environmental sense and it makes competitive sense.

Oil sands should not be favored over any other sources in our country.

The Keystone XL pipeline is the most scrutinized project in as long as I can remember.

As we face the 114th Congress, we have real problems that require answers.

Keystone XL pipeline is good for the United States, it's good for North America and we should support this bill.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to express my opposition both to the rule and also to the underlying legislation, Save American Workers Act of 2015.

To paraphrase President Reagan: There you go again. This bill is another effort to undermine the Affordable Care Act, and, even worse, this significantly makes the problem worse. Raising the threshold for full-time employees from 30 hours a week to 40 hours a week would result in lost work hours for 6.5 million people. This essentially guts the employer responsibility requirement at the direct expense of the hardworking employees and of the taxpayers who end up subsidizing these employees' health care coverage.

According to the Congressional Budget Office and the Joint Committee on Taxation, the misnamed Save American Workers Act will cause 1 million people to lose their employer-based health insurance coverage, increase the number of uninsured Americans by 500,000, and add $74 billion to the deficit over the next 10 years.

It will make shifts toward part-time employment more likely rather than less.

Starting the 114th Congress with the 54th attempt to undermine or repeal the Affordable Care Act is disappointing, and the American people deserve better.

Mr. Speaker, Houstonians and baseball fans

all across the country today are celebrating. The Houston Astros have their first person into the Hall of Fame, Craig Biggio. He is called the greatest Astro because, for his 20-year career, he spent his total time with the Houston Astros. We have a number of other players in the Hall of Fame, but they didn't spend their entire career with the Astros.

The Houston Astro franchise started in 1962, 52 years ago, as the Colt .45s. In 1965, they changed the name to the Houston Astros and played in the Astrodome for many years. Now they play at Minute Maid Park. The famed Astrodome is still there, although we need to refurbish it. But it is historic.

The Astros organization and Houstonians today are celebrating Craig Biggio, who was a great mentor to a lot of baseball players. Mr. Hustle, as he was known in the Houston area, is now a member of the Hall of Frame.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the Senate amendments to H.R. 4007, the Protecting and Securing Chemical Facilities from Terrorist Attacks Act.

I am an original co-sponsor of this important legislation which will finally authorize the CFATS program in federal code and not through the appropriations process.

Last October, during the government shutdown, the American people saw that without authorization of the CFATS program, there were no legally binding regulations in place to protect our nation's chemical facilities from criminal and terrorist attacks once appropriations expired.

I have the honor of representing north and east Harris County and the Houston Ship Channel, at the heart of our nation's petro-chemical industry. The expiration of the CFATS program puts the safety my constituents who work in and live in the communities that surround these facilities in danger and it

is obligation, as the people's elected representatives, to do everything we can to protect them from harm's way.

This measure passed the House in July by voice vote.

I backed the House-version of this measure because the bill will solve the personnel surety issue by allowing workers who have TWIC or HME cards to have access to chemical facilities without having to get another federal credential.

This is important to my constituents who already have TWIC cards and work in our petrochemical plants and drive the trucks to deliver raw materials and products they produce.

I am supportive of some of the changes the Senate made to this legislation. In particular, I am supportive of measures that will add greater worker participation into plant security plans and provide greater whistleblower protections for plant employees who want to report unsafe conditions at a plant.

I do have some concerns with allowing smaller facilities to self- certify, as added in by the Senate, because even smaller facilities, as we have unfortunately seen in Texas in recent years, can be dangerous and the American people deserve full assurance that facilities near them are safe.

Nonetheless, the underlining legislation is still sound and needs to be enacted. I urge my colleagues to join DHS Secretary Jeh Johnson, and impacted stakeholders and vote in support of the Senate amendments to

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to one of the great legislators of our time, Congressman Henry Waxman.

I have had the honor of working with Henry on the Energy and Commerce Committee for many years. In that time, we have worked together on children's health coverage, affordable prescription drugs, environmental protection, and universal health care coverage, the Affordable Care Act.

In Congress, Henry has served as the Chairman and currently serves as the Ranking Democrat on Energy and Commerce and previously served as the Ranking Democrat for the Oversight and Government Reform Committee.

Henry and I both currently serve as co-chairs of the Democratic Israel Working Group where we have worked together in supporting our nation's partner in peace in the Middle East, Israel.

Henry, along with fellow Californian, Rep. George Miller, are the last two House Members of the ``Watergate'' Class of 1974 and have left an indelible mark on our chamber. Their leadership will be sorely missed.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank Henry for his years of public service on behalf of millions of Americans who have benefitted from his work from tobacco regulation and reproductive rights to air and water quality standards and ensuring that all Americans have access to health care coverage.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to one of the legislative giants of our era. A man who I am proud to call my colleague and my friend, Congressman George Miller.

George first came to Congress as part of the legendary ``Watergate Class'' of 1974. In the four decades that George has been a member of this chamber, he has played a key role in the passage of some of our nation's most import education, labor, and health statutes.

George has served as chairman of three committees: the Select Committee on Children, Youth and Families, the Committee on Natural Resources, and the Committee on Education and Labor. He continues his legacy of leadership to this day as co-chair of the Democratic Steering and Policy Committee.

George has been a tenacious fighter in support of workers' rights, students and teachers, workplace safety, the environment, and a livable wage for all working Americans.

As a card carrying member of the Communications Workers of America and someone who shares George's commitment for working Americans, Congressman Miller has been a colleague I have continued to look to on issues important to the labor community.

Before I close, I would like to thank George for his decades of public service on behave of our nation's working families. Our chamber will be losing one of the true lions of our generation and I wish him and his family all the best.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to our colleague from Florida, Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz, the Democratic sponsor of this legislation.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 5185, the EARLY Act Reauthorization of 2014. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, over 220,000 women and 2,000 men were diagnosed with breast cancer in 2011, making breast cancer the most common cancer among women. Approximately 11 percent of the new breast cancer cases occur in women under 45 years of age.

Young women who have close relatives diagnosed with breast cancer before age 45, have changes in certain breast cancer genes, were treated with radiation therapy to the breast or the chest as a child or a young adult, or possess certain other risk factors may be at higher risk for getting breast cancer at a young age.

The EARLY Act was first signed into law in 2010 to improve young women's breast health awareness and assist young women diagnosed with breast cancer. The act has supported public health research on breast cancer in young women, communication and education initiatives, and support services to young breast cancer survivors and their families.

Mr. Speaker, today's legislation reauthorizes the EARLY Act at currently appropriated funding levels and requires a study to identify any activities under the act that are duplicative of other Federal breast cancer education efforts.

I want to acknowledge Representatives Wasserman Schultz and Ellmers for their work on this issue and also thank leaders and staff on the Energy and Commerce Committee for helping to bring H.R. 5185 to the floor today.

I urge colleagues to join me in supporting this legislation. Breast cancer is an issue that has touched almost every family I know, and this is one way Congress can react to it.

Mr. Speaker, we are ready to close, and we have no other speakers.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Walz), the sponsor of this bill.

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

(Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. Speaker, I support H.R. 5705, the Propane Education and Research Act.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to support H.R. 5705, the Propane Education and Research Enhancement Act.

Today, tens of millions of Americans rely on propane and heating oil.

Propane and propane accessories are used in everyday life from cooking to commercial agricultural uses are vital to farmers in the Midwest that use propane to dry corn and feed the world.

Heating oil is used throughout the Northeast to heat homes and water during the long New England winter.

Personally, in years past, I've relied on propane when I didn't have access to the vast network of pipelines that supply natural gas.

Unfortunately, like many important commodities, unless you've run out of propane or heating oil, most people probably don't know or understand the vast importance of this product.

In the early 2000s, the Energy and Commerce Committee passed legislation that authorized the Propane Education and Research Council and the National Oilheat Research Alliance.

These two national entities implement consumer education, research and development, and safety and training programs related to the use of propane and heating oil.

While PERC and NORA are federally-authorized, these two organizations cost the federal government absolutely nothing.

But they play an important role in the communities they serve.

H.R. 5705 amends the Propane Education and Research Act of 1996, the original legislation, and expands the ability of PERC to educate distributors and consumers in strategies to deal with future propane price spikes.

Last winter, the United States faced a propane emergency.

The industry has stepped up to ensure that we don't face another crisis like that.

But we always need to be prepared and armed with knowledge of how to better deal with any situation.

With preparation legislation like H.R. 5705, we can assist Americans, all over the country, by sharing the best information possible.

I lend my support to H.R. 5705 and I am pleased my colleagues do the same.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I am not so sure about a noted Texas landmark, but I want to thank you for scheduling a Special Order for our good friend, Ralph Hall.

I rise to pay tribute to a great American who has dedicated his life to protecting and serving our Nation and the great State of Texas, Representative Ralph Hall, a true gentleman.

Ralph began his commitment to service seven decades ago when he joined the United States Navy and served as an aircraft carrier pilot during World War II. Returning to Texas after the war, Ralph began private law practice in Rockwall, Texas, where he served as county judge in the 1950s and represented that area in the Texas State Senate from 1962 to 1972.

That is when I first met Ralph Hall, because in 1972 he ran for Lieutenant Governor in Texas in the Democratic primary. There were a few other folks in that race, so Ralph didn't make it into the runoff. But Ralph was elected to Congress in 1980 as a conservative Democrat, where he served our State honorably on the Energy and Commerce Committee and the Science Committee, where he was chairman from 2011 to 2013.

In 2003, Ralph became a Republican. His votes were always conservative, though. My job in the 1990s as a deputy whip on the Democratic side was to whip Texas Members. So I would go to Ralph, and he was the distinguished gentleman. And that is just not a title; he really was. He would tell me, he said: Well, Gene, what do you want me to do?

I said: Well, Ralph, I want you to vote thisaway.

He said: You know, Gene, I can't really do that.

I said: Well, Ralph, can you vote late?

Ralph was always a conservative, no matter what Republican or Democratic label he had. I had the honor of serving with Ralph in Congress since 1993 and on the Energy and Commerce Committee since 1997, and Ralph has always been, like I said, a true gentleman to me and to all I have ever seen him work with.

I will best remember Ralph as a true hero of Texas who was a committed public servant, either in uniform or elected official, and always stayed true to his beliefs and did everything he could for his constituents.

Mr. Speaker, Congressman Hall will be sorely missed by all of us, and I want to thank him for both his hard work and dedication for years, but more importantly for his friendship to a lot of Members--not just Texans, but a lot of Members in Congress. Ralph will be very fondly remembered.