Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, each day, we hear about new opportunities as a result of developing our own domestic energy resources. What we hear less about is how many crises we have avoided as America has moved from energy scarcity to energy abundance.

Last week, on July 15, historian, Pulitzer Prize winner, and renowned energy expert Daniel Yergin stated that, without the recent domestic boom in oil production, the United States would be in deep economic trouble.

``I am convinced, were it not for what's happened these last few years, we'd be looking at an oil crisis,'' he said, according to the Pennsylvania energy news publication, StateImpact, covering Mr. Yergin's remarks.

``We'd have panic in the public. We'd have angry motorists. We'd have inflamed congressional hearings, and we'd have the U.S. economy falling back into a recession,'' he added.

Not only that, Mr. Speaker, we have jobs coming back to the United States that were previously headed overseas due to cheaper labor and other competitive advantages. Today, the U.S. is looking a bit more welcoming for businesses and job growth and for the American worker.

From The Wall Street Journal earlier this week, ``The competitive advantage that U.S. companies will receive from the lower cost provided by shale gas . . . is attracting investment from some of the industry's bigger names. Just last week, the International Energy Agency said some 30 million European jobs are at risk as manufacturers of petrochemicals, plastics, and fertilizers are relocating to the U.S.''

Additionally, as reported in Politico earlier this week, ``A strange thing happened in the past few months as Ukraine battled with Russian- backed separatists, rockets flew over Israel, and much of Iraq fell to Islamist insurgents: gasoline prices for U.S. motorists stayed pretty much flat. The price at the pump has even fallen in the past week, even after Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 exploded over Ukraine and Israel sent ground forces into Gaza . . . It's yet another sign of the unexpected changes wrought by the U.S. energy boom, which has turned the United States into one of the world's largest oil producers and the biggest producer of natural gas.''

Mr. Speaker, the opportunities of domestic energy production are apparent. As a result, we have new opportunities here at home and abroad. Americans are keeping more money in their pockets due to lower heating costs and prices at the pump.

U.S. businesses are bringing operations back to the U.S. to create jobs here at home. Companies from across the globe are bringing their operations to the United States, so that they can do business at a lower cost.

American families are able to find good-paying jobs. We are helping the U.S. remain competitive, and we are becoming more economically secure.

Madam Speaker, the Environmental Protection Agency's regulatory attack on our economy and way of life in central and northwestern Pennsylvania has been growing for some time.

In recent months, the EPA moved forward with an egregious power grab to redefine the Agency's jurisdiction under the Clean Water Act through a new proposed rule commonly known as the Waters of the United States.

In Pennsylvania, agriculture is our number one industry. As in other parts of the country, our farmers and ranchers know that clean air, clean water, and being good stewards of the environment in which they live and work is of fundamental importance to their livelihoods.

Despite local prerogatives and successful State and regional initiatives to protect our natural resources, the Federal Government, once again, has chosen to undercut these efforts with punitive Federal regulations.

In March, the EPA issued the Waters of the U.S. proposal, explaining that the rule expands neither Federal authorities, nor the amount of water or land under the Agency's jurisdiction.

Well, the EPA has argued the action is necessary to eliminate ambiguity over which bodies of water are jurisdictional under the law. Unfortunately, this is a far cry from the truth. In reality, the EPA's plan represents an unprecedented expansion of Federal power that will harm our economy and erode the rights of both States and private landowners.

Enacted in 1972, the Clean Water Act was created as a partnership between the States and the EPA in order to better manage identified pollution sources through a range of pollution control programs, such as setting wastewater standards.

The scope of the law is limited to navigable waters, and for the first time, it made it unlawful to discharge any pollutants into these bodies, unless a permit was obtained.

The law was never intended to impinge upon States' authority as the primary managers of water resources within their borders. The law was never intended to regulate small, noncontiguous bodies of water, such as streams, ditches, ponds, and creek beds, which would impose unnecessary burdens on economic activity. Unfortunately, that is exactly what the EPA has proposed.

Despite Supreme Court rulings interpreting the regulatory scope of the Clean Water Act more narrowly than what the Federal Government has asserted, the EPA's new rule moves in the opposite direction.

In fact, essentially all waters in the country under the EPA's proposed rule could potentially be subject to regulation and permitting approval by the Federal Government.

The Obama administration and the EPA have argued the rule is intended to eliminate ambiguity and offer greater protections for States, farmers, and landowners when, in fact, it will create new regulatory burdens, more ambiguity, and less certainty.

EPA Chief Gina McCarthy earlier this month characterized the growing opposition to the Waters of the U.S. rule--which has come from both Republicans and Democrats--as ``ludicrous'' and ``silly'' and recently summarized the backlash as a ``growing list of misunderstandings.''

Madam Speaker, it is no misunderstanding. EPA's new Waters of the U.S. rule is a historic power grab that poses a fundamental threat to our economy and way of life in Pennsylvania and for communities across the country.

Unfortunately, the only thing ludicrous is how the EPA continues to believe a punitive one-size-fits-all approach to environmental stewardship is the only way forward.

Mr. Chairman, I rise to claim the time in opposition, although I am not opposed to this amendment.

Mr. Chairman, while claiming the time in opposition, I rise as a supporter and cosponsor of this bipartisan amendment with my colleague and fellow cochairman of the House Career and Technical Education Caucus, Congressman Langevin.

Our amendment would allow eligible entities to submit to the Institute of Education Sciences information regarding the number and percentage of students who are able to find employment, jobs in a field relating to their program or course of study.

This will provide for the collection of longitudinal data and will allow policymakers to have a further understanding of course study and career alignment, but more importantly, students will be able to utilize these findings to see what courses of study have a higher prevalence of job placement.

Mr. Chairman, I often say, ``It is not where you start out in life, but it is where you end up,'' and education is the key to that journey.

This amendment will further assist students participating in competency-based programs, many of whom will be nontraditional students and will provide them with another opportunity to attain success in life.

I urge my colleagues to support this bipartisan, no-cost amendment and reserve the balance of my time.

I just want to thank my colleague for his work and leadership on this amendment. I thank the chairman and the ranking member for their leadership on the underlying bill.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to discuss efforts to strengthen America's higher education system, make it more affordable, and provide students the tools they need to make smart investments in their futures.

Later this week, the House will consider three bipartisan bills that recently passed the House Education and the Workforce Committee, which include H.R. 3136, the Advancing Competency-Based Education Demonstration Project Act; H.R. 4983, the Strengthening Transparency in Higher Education Act; and H.R. 4984, the Empowering Students Through Enhanced Financial Counseling Act.

Together, Madam Speaker, these measures will support innovation, strengthen transparency, and enhance financial counseling, which will ultimately help students access a more affordable education.

These legislative proposals are part of a broader effort to reauthorize the Higher Education Act. The House remains determined to strengthen America's higher education system and provide students the tools that they need to succeed.

I encourage my colleagues in the House to support these commonsense bills and call on the Senate to join us in working to make a difference in the lives of students and families.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today as a cosponsor of the Securing Access Via Excellence, or SAVE, Medicare Home Health Act, legislation introduced by my colleagues Mr. Walden and Dr. Price to replace the cuts to Medicare home health funding under the President's Affordable Care Act with a value-based purchasing program.

Home health care allows the ill and disabled to access essential care services within the home setting and enables our seniors to have more control over health care decisions.

The Affordable Care Act cuts Medicare home health by 14 percent by the year 2017. This will have a devastating impact on a large portion of the 3.5 million Americans who receive these services, including more than 143,000 in Pennsylvania. Of equal concern, these cuts could result in the loss of thousands of jobs for caregivers and health professionals.

The SAVE Medicare Home Health Act will achieve the same level of savings in the Medicare program. Rather than indiscriminately cut this funding, this legislation protects beneficiaries' access to home health by making these services more effective and cost efficient.

I urge my colleagues to cosponsor this legislation. America's seniors deserve as much.

Mr. Speaker, natural gas production in the Marcellus and Utica shale formations is projected to grow 36 percent by 2035, according to a recently released industry report from ICF International.

According to the report, which is released quarterly:

Well data from producers suggests ultimate recovery of gas

in the Marcellus will average 6.2 billion cubic feet per

well, up from 5.2 billion cubic feet per well in the last

report.

According to a recent Energy Information Administration drilling report, gas production in Pennsylvania alone has more than quadrupled from 2009 to 2011.

Today, Bloomberg News reports:

Record natural gas production from the Marcellus is helping

send U.S. output to an alltime high.

Another recent industry report from Morningstar, Incorporated, noted that Pennsylvania is now ranked third in the Nation for natural gas production and that the Marcellus is expected to account for nearly one-fourth of all U.S. gas output by 2015.

Mr. Speaker, natural gas continues to provide jobs and family- sustaining incomes that are much needed in the Nation's slow economic recovery. At the same time, we are moving closer to energy independence.

Mr. Speaker, in a dramatic shift from just a short time ago, the United States is reducing its dependence on

foreign sources of energy. It has the opportunity to become a major force in the international energy market. It is being made possible through the development of our domestic energy resources, namely the expansion of unconventional resources, such as shale gas and oil.

Through remarkable innovations, the U.S. has been able to access oil and gas from shale formations that were previously inaccessible or uneconomical to produce. As a result, we have quickly moved from energy dependence and a weaker footing to energy abundance and strategic leverage both domestically and abroad.

At a time when the economy has not recovered at an acceptable pace, gas production in particular areas, such as the Marcellus shale in Pennsylvania, have provided a key source of economic relief and job creation. As a result of the Marcellus, Pennsylvanians and Americans across the country are benefiting from lower heating costs, businesses are able to produce goods more efficiently, and manufacturers are looking to relocate to the United States to create products, support economic expansion, and grow jobs that were previously headed overseas.

But, Mr. Speaker, if we are to sustain the same level of growth and expansion, policymakers must make smart choices for the future so that we support rather than hinder this opportunity. To start, we must continue to expand gas utilization domestically.

The Marcellus shale, for example, has changed where, in the United States, gas is transported and utilized and how it is transported from region to region. This reconfiguration requires new infrastructure, including pipelines for transmission and transport and new processing facilities, and this all requires long-term planning and investment.

Additionally, because the domestic production of natural gas is far surpassing U.S. demand, most economists agree that a modest expansion of natural gas exports would serve to stabilize domestic prices and supply, which is critical to sustaining the rapid growth in the industry that we have witnessed. Furthermore, each gas export terminal is a multibillion-dollar investment that creates construction jobs in addition to the more permanent positions within the natural gas value chain. That means jobs for steelworkers, turbine manufacturers, pipefitters, and others, which will help communities across the country.

Given the situation in Ukraine and events in the Middle East, we are reminded that our energy resources can also provide significant geopolitical benefits. Exporting even a small amount of these plentiful resources overseas to our allies will strengthen not only our domestic economy but our national security. President Obama, Secretary of State Kerry, and leaders of the European Union have clearly stated that additional global supplies of natural gas will benefit Europe and our strategic partners. For this reason, I am proud to say the House recently passed H.R. 6, the Domestic Prosperity and Global Freedom Act. This bipartisan bill would streamline the permitting process for natural gas exports.

In February 2014, the United States Department of Commerce reported that our national trade deficit for 2013 improved by $63.1 billion in comparison to 2012. However, despite this improvement, figures for the month of April are now showing that imports are increasing and that exports are decreasing, and as a result, the trade deficit is now at a 2-year high. With the U.S. Department of Commerce having acknowledged that increased petroleum exports are a key factor that can contribute to a lower trade deficit, it makes perfect sense to allow additional LNG exports in order to further reduce the trade deficit. In addition to its economic and international benefits, natural gas has helped to significantly lower our carbon emissions, which decreased by 3.8 percent last year in the United States, down to 1994 levels, according to government data.

The United States needs a smart energy policy that enables the citizens to continue receiving the benefits of abundant, low-cost energy, but also one that utilizes these resources as a tool of strategic leverage to improve our environment and shape international events to the benefit of America and its allies.

Mr. Speaker, we have made a smart and strategic decision in the House with the passage of H.R. 6. Let's continue to advance similar policies to further leverage the many benefits of our domestic energy resources. Let's do it for the good of the American people and our Nation's strategic competitiveness in the world.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize retired Captain Marshall Hanson, United States Navy, who suddenly passed away last week at the age of 63.

I worked closely with Captain Hanson in his role as the director of legislation and military policy at the Reserve Officers Association. I know that so many of his friends and colleagues share my sentiments when I say that we have lost a tireless advocate of America's Reservists and the men and women who serve in uniform.

Captain Hanson was born in Darby, Pennsylvania, and raised in Glen Rock, New Jersey, and Seattle, Washington. A 1972 graduate of the University of Washington, he was commissioned through Naval ROTC. Later, he earned an MBA from the University of Washington and graduated with distinction from the Naval War College.

Captain Hanson served 3 years in Active Duty and 27 years in the Naval Reserve, retiring in August 2002, before continuing his service to those in uniform through his advocacy on Capitol Hill.

I offer my thoughts and prayers to Captain Hanson's family and loved ones. May he rest in peace.

Mr. Speaker, I move that the House do now adjourn.

The motion was agreed to; accordingly (at 10 o'clock and 44 minutes p.m.), under its previous order, the House adjourned until tomorrow, Tuesday, July 15, 2014, at 10 a.m. for morning-hour debate.

Mr. Speaker, this week, I had the opportunity to join rural school advocates from across the country here in Washington for the release of the Why Rural Matters 2013-2014 report, a biennial report from the Rural School and Community Trust which analyzes the state of rural education for communities in each of the 50 States.

This important research document gives policymakers and the public fresh insight into the social and economic contexts that influence educational outcomes and also reinforces how these conditions must be better understood, including in the context of how the Federal Government allocates title I funding.

Title I was initially created to offset the impacts of poverty on student learning. Unfortunately, the report shows once again that children receive preferential treatment based not only on their economic circumstances, but on the basis of their ZIP Code.

Surely my colleagues on both sides of the aisle believe that all children are equal. Unfortunately, most are surprised to learn, as we were reminded again this week, this is not the case.

I believe this body can do better, for our children deserve as much.

Mr. Speaker, recently I joined fellow lawmakers in sending a letter to the U.S. Agriculture Secretary concerning the U.S. Forest Service's proposed groundwater resource management directive.

Similar to a large number of other proposals stemming from this administration, the directive seeks to further federalize water resources at the expense of State authority and private property rights. Additionally, it will unnecessarily interfere with State and private water rights, along with other activities.

Furthermore, the directive was proposed without State or local input, which will encourage litigation and potentially interfere with the adjacent State, local, and private land and water rights.

In Pennsylvania's Allegheny National Forest, 93 percent of the subsurface rights are privately owned, which means the consequence of this directive could even be more complicated and threatening to private property and water rights.

Mr. Speaker, the mission of the Forest Service is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the Nation's forests. Unfortunately, this policy will achieve little or no environmental benefit while it, at the same time, undermines the agency's statutory obligation to manage these lands.

The Forest Service should withdraw this ill-timed and punitive directive.

Mr. Speaker, we must achieve stronger economic growth, and we must train and educate Americans to succeed in a modern economy.

Last year, the House advanced the Supporting Knowledge and Investing in Lifelong Skills, or SKILLS, Act, another House-passed jobs bill which reforms our Federal workforce development programs and will help Americans acquire the skills, education, and training that they need to climb the ladder of opportunity.

Despite Senate Leader Reid's opposition to acting on any of the more than 40 House-passed jobs bills, we recently saw light at the end of the tunnel when movement began on a compromise package of Federal job training reforms. In late May, congressional leaders announced a bipartisan agreement on this package, which passed the Senate in June, and will be considered by the House today.

As a member of the House Education Committee's Higher Education and Workforce Training Subcommittee, I am proud to have worked to help advance these commonsense reforms. I also want to thank my friend and colleague, subcommittee Chairwoman Virginia Foxx, for her tireless work on this legislation.

Job training is the best strategy and solution for opportunity and access to jobs. America's competitiveness depends on a qualified and trained workforce.

Remembering William R. Raup

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to remember William R. Raup.

As we walk our way through life, many times we meet individuals who have an impact on our lives in significant ways. Bill Raup was such a person. He was a 1947 graduate of Sunbury High School and a 1951 graduate of Bucknell University in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania.

Bill was an Eagle Scout, and, following college, he worked as a Boy Scout executive in various locations, including the Juniata Valley Council that serves the Pennsylvania counties of Centre, Huntingdon, Mifflin, and Juniata. It was in this capacity that our paths crossed on the scouting trail in the 1970s.

When I was a Scout growing up in the Juniata Valley Boy Scout Council, Bill was the council executive. As I advanced into youth leadership positions in the Council, I had the good fortune to work with Bill. His commitment and love for scouting was evident and continuous for more than 70 years.

After ending his professional service with the Boy Scouts, he and his wife Ruth owned and operated the Awards Centre in State College and Recognition Engraving in Lewistown. He attended First United Methodist Church in Lewiston and was a member and past president of the Rotary Club of Lewistown.

Bill lost a battle with Alzheimer's on June 10, after a lifetime of service to others. He is survived by his wife, Ruth; a daughter, Kristin; and his son, Jeffrey.

Happy trails, and well done, Scouter.

Mr. Speaker, I requested leave and was absent from the House on June 25 and June 26 due to a death in the family, and missed several rollcall votes during that time.

Had I been present on Wednesday, June 25, I would have voted as follows: Roll 355 on the Previous Question: ``yea;'' roll 356 on the Adoption of the Rule: ``yea;'' Roll 357 on the Adoption of the DeFazio Amendment to H.R. 6: ``nay;'' roll 358 on the Motion to Recommit H.R. 6: ``nay;'' roll 359 on the Passage of H.R. 6, the Domestic Prosperity and Global Freedom Act: ``yea.''

Had I been present on Thursday, June 26, I would have voted as follows: Roll 360 on the Adoption of the Wittman Amendment to H.R. 4899: ``yea;'' roll 361 on the Adoption of the Lowenthal Amendment to H.R. 4899: ``nay;'' roll 362 on the Adoption of the Capps Amendment to H.R. 4899: ``nay;'' roll 363 on the Adoption of the Deutch Amendment to H.R. 4899: ``nay;'' roll 364 on the Adoption of the Blumenauer Amendment to H.R. 4899: ``nay;'' roll 365 on the Adoption of the Bishop of Utah Amendment to H.R. 4899: ``yea;'' roll 366 on the Adoption of the DeFazio Amendment to H.R. 4899: ``nay;'' roll 367 on the Motion to Recommit H.R. 4899: ``Nay;'' roll 368 on the Passage of H.R. 4899, the Lowering Gasoline Prices to Fuel an America That Works Act of 2014: ``yea.''

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize FEMCO, a small business located in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, which later this month will celebrate its 50th anniversary.

Founded in 1964, FEMCO began as a technical services company catering to the coal industry. During the past two decades, the company has diversified to keep pace with the growing demand in oil and gas, construction, recycling, and industrial manufacturing.

Over the years, FEMCO has relied upon a strong local workforce, which includes welders, engineers, mechanics, business managers, and support staff, among other positions. These talented professionals manufacture and rebuild a wide range of technical components, including drilling rigs for the energy industry, balers, shears, and shredders for the recycling and scrap industry, and also sustain a full-service support team for a wide array of industries that rely on immediate technical expertise and support.

Today, FEMCO is a strong base of economic support for the Punxsutawney area and has over 130 employees.

I want to offer my praise to FEMCO for 50 years of constant innovation and offer my thanks to the extraordinary men and women who work to make their continued success possible.

Madam Speaker, yesterday the United States Fish and Wildlife Service announced it will extend the deadline on its decision whether to list the northern long-eared bat as endangered under

the Endangered Species Act in order to further review public comments on the proposal. The announcement comes in response to a letter initiated by members of the Pennsylvania congressional delegation outlining the lack of sufficient data used to support the designation and cautioning that moving forward with the listing would constitute a fundamentally ineffective approach to species restoration while severely harming the economy.

The Service initially cited the effects of the white-nose syndrome as the lone basis for its proposed endangered listing. Although the disease is impacting the long-eared bat in areas of 38 States, the Service has acknowledged that the economic activities that would be most affected by the proposed listing have little impact on the population numbers or the decline of the species.

Madam Speaker, this extension will allow for a fresh look at the sufficiency and the accuracy of the data and, with any hope, will allow the Service to consider a better alternative or more effective approach to combat the white-nose syndrome.