Jeff Duncan

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to talk about a piece of property in South Central Alaska known as the Bering River Coal Field located in the magnificent Copper River Delta. This issue goes back to the days of Theodore Roosevelt as a conservation effort.

The United States government has the opportunity to purchase the mineral rights to this field.

This Congress provided the U.S. Forest Service $8 million to buy the Bering River Coal Field through the Land and Water Conservation Fund, but the appraisal came in at $6 million.

The Korean Alaska Development Company that owns it will sell for $8 million, and I want to thank a gentleman, Joe Shinn, and the KADCO board of directors for staying at the table.

We have an opportunity, and I believe the members on both sides of the aisle would agree if you could by acclamation to give the Forest Service the ability to purchase this remarkable property for conservation. But the United States government cannot pay more than appraised value unless we in Congress authorize them to do that.

The difference is between $6 million and $8 million dollars, and I ask my colleagues, if not now then, in the future, to help the United States of America to set aside the Bering River Coal Field in perpetuity for all future generations to enjoy.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to talk about a piece of property in Alaska. Southeast Alaska is called the Copper River Delta. There is a coalfield there called the Bering River coalfield.

Mr. Speaker, this goes back to Teddy Roosevelt's days as a conservation effort. The United States Government

has an opportunity to purchase the coal rights of this field. I thank the gentleman, Joo Shin, and the KADCO board of directors for staying at the table. The appraisal came in at $6 million. The Korean owner, Joo Shin, wants $8 million for the property.

We have an opportunity, and I believe that Members on both sides of the aisle could agree by acclamation with this conservation effort. The United States Government cannot pay more than the appraised value unless we, in Congress, authorize them to do that. The difference is between $6 million and $8 million.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues, either now or in the future, to help the United States of America set aside the Copper River Delta area, the Bering River coalfield, in perpetuity for this conservation effort.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me the time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 3293, the Expediting Federal Broadband Deployment Reviews Act.

I thank House leadership for allowing this legislation to come to the floor. I thank my colleagues on the Energy and Commerce Committee on both sides of the aisle for supporting this legislation in committee and supporting it here today.

Mr. Speaker, in the 21st century, broadband internet access is no longer a luxury. It is a necessity. It connects our communities. It drives economic growth and allows our constituents to fully engage with the digital age. Yet, millions of Americans still lack access to reliable high-speed internet.

This digital divide is a barrier to opportunity, holding back businesses, hindering education, and limiting access to essential services. H.R. 3293 takes a crucial step towards bridging this divide and streamlining the process for deploying broadband infrastructure.

Currently, the review process for obtaining permits and authorizations can be lengthy and bureaucratic, causing significant delays in deployment. This bill establishes an interagency strike force to coordinate and expedite these reviews, ensuring that Federal agencies prioritize broadband expansion. Streamlining these Federal processes

will help get broadband deployed in the rural parts of America just like the Third District of South Carolina.

The benefits of H.R. 3293 are clear. Faster broadband deployment will create jobs, stimulate economic development, and improve the quality of life for countless Americans. Students will have access to online learning resources. Telehealth services will become more accessible, and rural communities will be better connected to the global economy.

H.R. 3293 is a commonsense solution that will help us achieve universal broadband access. It is a critical investment in our future, and I urge my colleagues to support this important legislation.