Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, on June 4, America's Natural Gas Alliance issued a report contesting the EPA's recent study on greenhouse gas emissions and natural gas development. Specifically, the study found that methane emissions from shale operations are 86 percent lower than EPA estimated. Furthermore, methane doesn't remain in the atmosphere for long relative to other gasses.

Unfortunately, some energy alternatives receiving government subsidies have worse emissions than what we thought. The new book, ``Green Illusions,'' by Ozzie Zehner, shows that building solar cells releases substantial quantities of emissions like sulfur hexafluoride, which lasts 267 times as long in the atmosphere, and have nearly doubled since 1998.

According to a May report from the International Energy Agency, U.S. carbon emissions are down more than any other country. In fact, since 2006, U.S. emissions have fallen 7.7 percent, with the increased use of shale gas as a key factor in the drop, according to the Agency's chief economist.

This leads to a conclusion that many might find paradoxical. If global warming is a problem we need to address, then we should welcome the increased production and use of natural gas as a prime energy source.

Madam Speaker, President Obama's regulatory war on coal is having an effect. In the 2015 2016 capacity auction by regional transmission organization PJM Interconnection, the market clearing price for the mid-Atlantic area was $167 per megawatt. And for northern Ohio, it was $357 per megawatt. The average over the last 8 years has been $89.

Andy Ott at PJM Interconnection said:

Capacity prices were higher than last year's because of

retirements of existing coal-fired generation resulting

largely from environmental regulations which go into effect

in 2015.

A study published in 2010 by the Edison Electric Institute identified seven different new regulations that will raise the cost of electrical generation by 2017. The costs are huge. The EPA's estimate of costs for its utility MACT regulation alone is $9.6 billion per year starting in 2015.

The House of Representatives has taken action to prevent the imposition of new regulatory burdens in the midst of this fragile economic recovery, but the Senate has yet to follow that lead. Madam Speaker, prices are climbing, and Americans will suffer.

Mr. Speaker, there are too many Americans out of work, and the President's policies only make things worse. There are fewer prime working-age adults in jobs than at any point in the two decades prior to the start of the recession. By combining those who are not actively seeking work, along with those who are involuntarily working part-time, the real unemployment rate checks in at 14.5 percent.

The President's policies have led to lower U.S. rankings on world indexes of economic freedom and business opportunity. The President's regulations are costing businesses billions. The EPA Utility MACT rule alone will cost $9.6 billion per year to the American consumer, according to the Agency's own estimates.

The President has stalled energy development on public lands, leaving us subject to foreign oil imports and high gas prices.

Mr. Speaker there are 28 bipartisan bills awaiting Senate action. It is long past time for the President and the Senate to join with the House to increase American jobs, opportunity, and competitiveness.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Agriculture be discharged from further consideration of the bill (S. 3261) to allow the chief of the forest service to award certain contracts for large air tankers, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Madam Speaker, I rise in support of S. 3261. This bill waives the congressionally mandated 30-day notification period before the Forest Service can issue new contracts for aircraft for its air tanker fleet.

There is some urgency to this bill given the catastrophic wildfires that are afflicting the western United States. The west is currently experiencing a drought that has drastically increased the hazards of wildfire this year. A wildfire in New Mexico has already burned more than 400 square miles and is still raging.

The Forest Service must modernize its fleet of air tankers and must do so immediately. The fleet is using several tankers that have been in service for 50 years or longer. The agency intends to issue four contracts for seven new tankers, and this bill will allow the agency to move forward more quickly during this critical time.

Two tankers were lost this past weekend. Only nine tankers remain to fight fires at this time, which is inadequate to deal with wildfire threats our western communities face.

A tanker was forced to make a crash landing in Nevada this weekend when its landing gear failed.

Sadly, we learned the danger of flying these missions when a Forest Service tanker crashed in southern Utah this past weekend, killing both pilots.

I want to take a moment to recognize the pilots of these planes, Todd Neal Tompkins and Ronnie Edwin Chambless, both of Boise, Idaho. I hope their families know that we appreciate their service and sacrifice in making our communities safer.

This is a simple step Congress can take to assist the Forest Service during this critical period.

The bill was read the third time, and passed, and a motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

General Leave

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks on the bill just considered.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that when the House adjourns today, it adjourn to meet at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, June 12, 2012; when the House adjourns on that day, it adjourn to meet at 10 a.m. on Friday, June 15, 2012; and when the House adjourns on that day, it adjourn to meet at 2 p.m. on Monday, June 18, 2012.

Mr. Chair, on rollcall No. 366 I inadvertently voted ``no,'' I meant to vote ``aye.'' Had I voted correctly, I would have voted ``aye.''

Stated against:

Mr. Speaker, the USDA Biobased Markets program was created to provide new markets for farm commodities and to encourage consumers to purchase environmentally friendly biobased products. Unfortunately, under the current law, most forest products are excluded from both the Federal procurement preference and the market label of the USDA Biobased Markets program. For instance, bamboo plywood is already eligible for the BioPreferred label and is used as a ``green'' alternative for hardwood flooring or lumber.

The Forest Products Fairness Act of 2012 modifies the definition of ``biobased product'' to clarify that forest products should be included in the Biobased Markets program if they

meet the minimum biobased content requirements. The Forest Products Fairness Act of 2012 will enable U.S. producers to build back a competitive advantage through stronger, expanded product markets and new economic opportunities so that the industry can better compete in the global marketplace.

Including U.S.-made forest products as part of the USDA's BioPreferred program is a win-win for consumers and producers. It will promote healthy, well-managed forests and the protection of communities that rely on these jobs and industries to survive.

Mr. Speaker, President Obama has often claimed that we have 2 percent of the world's proven oil reserves, which is nothing but an excuse for inaction when developing American- made energy. As The Washington Post's fact-checkers noted, the President's claim is ``true, but false.'' False because ``proven oil reserves'' is only one category of oil, a fraction of the overall oil in the ground. ``Proven reserves'' refers to amounts of oil where seismic studies have identified available resources.

Due to the long Presidential and congressional bans on Outer Continental Shelf development, the inventory of resources has not been tracked in over 30 years. The U.S. Geological Survey and the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management estimate the U.S. has a 16 percent share of the world's undiscovered, technically recoverable, conventional oil resources. The Middle East also has a 16 percent share.

Rather than saying what we can't do, the President should be doing more to facilitate the safe discovery and development of U.S. resources.

Mr. Speaker, the President says he supports ``an all-of-the-above strategy for the 21st century that develops every source of American- made energy.'' The question now is whether he is willing to prove it.

Madam Speaker, today I rise to recognize Military Mental Health Awareness Day, which is tomorrow, May 16, 2012. Our servicemembers have made tremendous sacrifices for our country, and many face serious conditions, including the potential for anxiety, depression, anger; and a growing number of those experience post-traumatic stress injury. For one reason or another, too many, tragically, result in suicide. According to the Army, during 2011, there were a total of 164 confirmed active duty suicides. For 2012, there have been 61 potential active duty suicides--35 confirmed and 26 still under investigation.

Madam Speaker, these statistics are daunting. One servicemember taking his or her own life is too many. In Congress, we have worked to increase access and availability and also to remove the stigma associated with these conditions in hopes that more soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines will be more easily diagnosed and seek the available resources and treatments.

I want to thank everyone involved in Military Mental Health Awareness Day as we continue the important work of delivering care to these brave men and women who have served this country with honor and distinction.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in order to recognize National Teacher Appreciation Week by sharing my heartfelt praise of Pennsylvania's teachers and educators throughout this great country.

I would like to recognize Tricia Miller, Pennsylvania's Teacher of the Year from Penns Valley Area School District located in my home county in the Pennsylvania Fifth Congressional District, and Margaret McLaughlin of Garnet Valley Area School District in eastern Pennsylvania, who was the recipient of the Education Support Professional of the Year Award for Pennsylvania. Their accomplishments are impressive, and both are the type who go above and beyond when helping our students achieve academic success.

Like so many other teachers, they remain tirelessly committed to high achievement and developing the next generation of leaders. And while these two are Pennsylvania's award winners, there are countless others who dedicate their lives day in and day out to ensure that students live up to their individual potential and strive to push young learners to surpass that potential.

As a Nation, we must make sure that we celebrate outstanding educators every day. During National Teacher Appreciation Week, I want to thank all teachers for their hard work and dedication.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize Zippo Manufacturing Company, which is located in the Fifth District of Pennsylvania, city of Bradford, McKean County.

Zippo employs approximately 900 people in Bradford, which is a community of approximately 8,000 people, making it the largest employer in the county.

Zippo has been making lighters since 1895 and became very popular during World War II. Next month, Zippo will celebrate the production of its 500 millionth windproof pocket lighter at the company's manufacturing plant. The actual 500 millionth Zippo lighter will be classic brushed chrome with two-tone engraving and an individual serial number of ``1.''

But it's not just the number that Zippo and its employees will celebrate; it's that over the years Zippo has developed an iconic brand; it's that consumers in over 160 countries around the world buy Zippo products; it's that despite the drastic downturn in the economy, Zippo, through hard work and innovation, has continued to successfully grow its business, support our domestic manufacturers and the strength of our communities.

For these reasons, Zippo CEO Gregory Booth was recently nominated to serve on the U.S. Department of Commerce's Manufacturing Council.

I want to congratulate Zippo on this tremendous accomplishment.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Thomas C. Detwiler, a constituent and friend from Ridgway, Pennsylvania. Tom is the mill manager of Johnson Domtar's Johnsonburg mill, and earlier this week he was awarded the prestigious Mill Manager of the Year Award from the Paper Industry Management Association at their international conference.

Tom was named vice president and mill manager on July 1, 2006, which is the pinnacle of a professional journey that began over 38 years ago at the same facility when he was hired as a process engineer. Over the years, Tom has become a recognized leader in the industry. His work and dedication is an inspiration to all of us, and his concern for the mill and the employees over the years is truly commendable.

While being diagnosed with a severe health issue that began almost 6 years ago, Tom is devoted to the Johnsonburg area, the mill, and especially the 378 employees. A native of Johnsonburg and 1970 graduate of Johnsonburg High School, Tom holds a bachelor of science degree in medical technology from Penn State University. He resides in Ridgway, Pennsylvania, with his wife Kathy. They have two grown daughters, Lauren and Lynn, who reside in Williamsport, Pennsylvania.

I want to thank Tom for his service to the community and congratulate him on this esteemed award.

Mr. Speaker, over the past two decades, our Nation's small businesses have generated 65 percent of new jobs. According to a recent small business survey from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, today 64 percent of small businesses stand idle at current staffing levels, with 52 percent not hiring because they aren't confident in our Nation's recovery, and another 33 percent pointing to uncertainty driven by Washington.

These concerns are justifiable, Mr. Speaker, with the Senate continually choosing to ignore our jobs crisis in favor of advancing an agenda that will only grow government, not our economy.

The latest proposal surely wasn't about economic growth, for it takes private investment away from small businesses and turns it over to bureaucracies. It wasn't even about fairness, because it was fair to no one--not to the wealthy who pay even more taxes instead of investing in our economy, and not to the rest of us who need jobs, growth, and greater opportunity.

With economic uncertainty still pervasive, every decision made by government must pass the simple test of

whether or not it aids the Nation's recovery. Senate Democrats either fail to understand our economic problems or have, as troubling as it may be, chosen to ignore them.

Mr. Speaker, this week we remember and recognize the sinking of the Titanic 100 years ago. It is humbling to reflect upon the frailty of even so mighty a ship.

Titanic-like, this country faces threats that this generation must sadly confront and must address. We can see the icebergs in the water ahead. Recent spikes in interest rates on Spanish debt reinforce cause for concern about our own future. President Obama's successive trillion-dollar budget deficits have sunk us deeper in debt than we've ever been before. We see the fiscal icebergs looming around us, yet the Senate has not even passed a budget for 1,000 days.

Mr. Speaker, it's time to recognize that we cannot spend money that we do not have. It's time for us to get serious about finding ways to steer for open water. We owe it to ourselves, our children, and our grandchildren to balance the long-term income and expenses of this government and of this country. If we do not steer clear of the icebergs, they will send us down.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to bring attention to H.R. 1959, the Medicare Orthotics and Prosthetics Improvement Act. This legislation has been designed to improve the quality of orthotic and prosthetic care and reduce fraudulent payments for orthotic and prosthetic services under Medicare.

This legislation would require the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to reimburse only those providers who have been accredited or licensed in orthotics and prosthetics. The legislation also would require CMS to report to Congress on its enforcement efforts to reduce fraud and abuse. Fraud and abuse contributes not only to rising costs, but it also harms patients, particularly when medically necessary devices are arbitrarily provided or without qualified providers.

Mr. Speaker, we need to collectively look at ways to create savings by combating waste, fraud, and abuse in the Medicare system. This legislation will enhance patient care and ensure that Medicare fraud is addressed, particularly when the fiscal solvency of the Medicare program is in question.