Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Weber) for yielding me time.

Mr. Speaker, S. 97, the Nuclear Energy Innovation Capabilities Act, directs the Department of Energy to enable the American nuclear power industry to conduct civilian nuclear energy research and development that will advance our leadership in nuclear technology.

While we are considering the Senate version of this bill today, I would like to credit the author of the original legislation, Energy Subcommittee Chairman Randy Weber, his primary cosponsors, and Science, Space, and Technology Committee Ranking Member Eddie Bernice Johnson for their years of leadership on this issue.

The originating Science, Space, and Technology Committee legislation was developed over 4 years of collaboration, including hearings, coordination with DOE and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, and countless meetings with stakeholders. Every effort has been made to ensure this legislation will provide the resources necessary to more effectively and efficiently develop the next generation of nuclear power.

Advanced nuclear energy technology is the best way to make reliable, safe, and emission-free electricity available throughout the modern and developing world. The legislation authorizes the research facilities and infrastructure necessary to help development of new, advanced nuclear reactors here at home, maintaining American leadership in the global nuclear technology sector.

This technological edge allows us to better influence global nonproliferation standards and prevent civilian nuclear energy technology from being misused for weapons development overseas. S. 97 directs DOE to develop plans for long-term research and authorizes critical infrastructure at the DOE national labs. This includes leveraging DOE state-of-the-art super computers to accelerate the theoretical development of advanced reactors.

The bill also authorizes construction of a research reactor at a DOE site. This research reactor will provide access to the fast neutrons necessary to develop advanced nuclear reactors. By investing in research infrastructure, DOE can maximize the impact of Federal research dollars and facilitate the development of a wide variety of nuclear technologies.

Finally, S. 97 creates a reliable mechanism for the private sector to partner with DOE labs to build DOE-certified prototype reactors at DOE sites. While the Science, Space, and Technology Committee has heard from dozens of companies with innovative reactor designs, the ability to move new nuclear technology to the market has been stalled by government approval and licensing red tape.

S. 97 provides an alternative pathway for these nuclear entrepreneurs. The safe development of advanced nuclear technology at DOE sites will provide access to DOE resources and expertise, and fast track the commercial regulatory process by involving nuclear reactors at the earliest stages of prototype design and construction.

Nuclear power has been a proven source of safe and emission-free electricity for over half a century. By enacting this legislation and investing in the capabilities needed by the private sector to develop advanced reactors, we can build on the history of American leadership in nuclear power and reduce emissions around the world.

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Chairman Weber and Ranking Member Johnson for their work on this bill, as well as our Senate colleagues, including Senator Mike Crapo, Senator Jim Risch, Senator Lisa Murkowski, Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, and Senator Cory Booker for leading the effort to pass this bill through the Senate.

Mr. Speaker, I strongly encourage my colleagues to support and clear this legislation for President Trump's approval.

Mr. Speaker, since 2004, the Greehey Children's Cancer Research Institute (Greehey CCRI) at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UT Health San Antonio) has advanced scientific knowledge relevant to childhood cancer, contributed to the understanding of causes of childhood cancer, and accelerated the translation of knowledge into novel therapies. Through discovery, development, and dissemination of new scientific knowledge, Greehey CCRI strives to have a national and global impact on the problem of childhood cancer.

Cancer biology, genomics, RNA metabolism and experimental therapeutics are among its many areas of strength in research. Additionally, Greehey CCRI is developing expertise in drug discovery, target identification and nano-technology driven delivery of small molecule and RNA therapeutics.

Recently, Greehey CCRI partnered with the Mays Cancer Center at UT Health San Antonio MD Anderson to become a member of The Pediatric Oncology Experimental Therapeutics Investigators' Consortium (POETIC). Their studies focus on the biological basis for anti-cancer therapy, and discover and evaluate new agents and novel combinations of therapies early in clinical development.

The educational mission of the Greehey CCRI is to train the next generation of researchers in pediatric cancer research. This includes creating a pipeline of trainees through their program for undergraduates engaged in summer research, medical students within the MD with Distinction in Research program, fellows in the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education--approved hematology-oncology fellowship program, as well as the traditional graduate programs in Cancer Biology and other relevant areas.

I ask my colleagues to join me in supporting the critical research done by organizations like the Greehey CCRI.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Roskam) for yielding me time, and I thank another gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Rodney Davis) for introducing this legislation.

The Equitable Access to Care and Health Act is a bill that I strongly support. It expands the religious conscience exemption in the Affordable Care Act.

The bipartisan legislation has broad support in the House and in the Senate. It has passed the House by voice vote in the last two Congresses.

The ACA currently provides for a religious conscience exemption, but the exemption is unduly narrow and applies only to a few faiths. This exemption should be expanded to accommodate other religions whose sincerely-held religious beliefs could cause them not to purchase healthcare insurance.

With the recent repeal of the individual mandate, the CBO now estimates that the bill will result in about $30 million in cost savings. I hope my colleagues will support this piece of legislation. It will help advance the cause of religious freedom.

Mr. Speaker, when it comes to immigration policies, a recent poll shows that the American people are far closer to President Trump than to the liberal media. The results of a Harvard- Harris poll by Mark Penn, a former Hillary Clinton strategist, came up with surprising results, considering what we have heard from the media.

When asked, ``Do you think that people who make it across the border illegally should be allowed to stay in the country or sent home?'' 64 percent said they should be sent home.

When asked, ``Do you think we need stricter or looser enforcement of our immigration laws?'' 70 percent said stricter; 60 percent support building a combination of a physical and electronic barrier across the U.S.-Mexico border.

When asked about sanctuary cities, 84 percent of respondents said that cities should be required to notify immigration authorities about taking custody of deportable immigrants, and 69 percent said the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency should not be abolished.

The administration's immigration policies do reflect Americans' views.

Mr. Speaker, Gallup recently polled Americans on their perceptions of bias, inaccuracy, and misinformation in news reporting. Their survey found:

Sixty-two percent said the news they read in newspapers, see on television, or hear on the radio is biased;

Forty-four percent believe the news they read in newspapers, see on television, or hear on the radio is inaccurate;

More than a third described the news they see on these channels as misinformation--false or inaccurate information that is presented as if it were true. In other words, fake news.

The same poll found 8 out of 10 adults feel angry or bothered by seeing biased information.

It is obvious that the news media have abandoned objective, fact- based reporting and are instead promoting a liberal agenda. Their news reports only tell one side of the story: their side. Until the news media returns to objective reporting, Americans will continue to view them skeptically.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the vice chairman of the Space Subcommittee for yielding me time, and I appreciate all that Mr. Brooks, the gentleman from Alabama, has done for space exploration and for spaceflight.

The House Science, Space, and Technology Committee has demonstrated time and again that U.S. leadership in space is a bipartisan priority. The scientists, engineers, and technicians at the Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, have, for more than half a century, led the world in the development of rocket propulsion.

H.R. 5345, the American Leadership in Space Technology and Advanced Rocketry Act, recognizes the impressive accomplishments of Marshall as well as vital, ongoing work they continue to do to ensure continued American leadership in space technology and rocketry capabilities.

As our future in space looks bolder, bigger, and brighter, I am confident that Marshall will continue to be a reliable, powerful, and dependable team player in moving this Nation forward.

Mr. Speaker, Vice Chairman Brooks has always been a strong and effective advocate for space initiatives and Marshall Space Flight Center. I appreciate all he has done on the subject, and I very much appreciate his being such a leader on the Science, Space, and Technology Committee.

Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the longtime efforts of the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Posey) to advance space initiatives. His efforts are reflected in H.R. 5346, the Commercial Space Support Vehicle Act, which he authored and brings to the floor today.

Maintaining and expanding America's leadership in human space activity, especially in the commercial space sector, is a priority of mine and of paramount importance to Mr. Posey and the members on the Science, Space, and Technology Committee.

The Commercial Space Support Vehicle Act was developed with input from the Department of Transportation as a new and better approach to streamline the licensing and permitting process of hybrid launch vehicles.

Private companies would like to use space support vehicles to train crews and spaceflight participants by exposing them to the physiological effects and reduced gravity environment encountered in spaceflight, and many spaceports would like to encourage those companies to operate out of their facilities.

H.R. 5346 provides the fairest, most appropriate regulatory approach by authorizing the Secretary of Transportation to develop regulations, according to the requirements of the bill, by March 1, 2019, thereby enabling licensed space support flights.

Mr. Speaker, again, I want to thank Mr. Posey who is always a leader on space issues for taking the initiative on this bill.

Mr. Speaker, first of all, let me thank the chairman of the Energy Subcommittee, Mr. Weber, the gentleman from Texas, for yielding.

I strongly support this bill, H.R. 5905, the Department of Energy Science and Innovation Act of 2018. This bipartisan legislation, sponsored by 12 members of the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee authorizes the basic research programs within the DOE Office of Science for fiscal years 2018 and 2019. The programs include research in basic energy sciences, advanced scientific computing, high- energy physics, biological and environmental research, fusion energy science, and nuclear physics.

These basic research programs are the core mission of the Department of Energy and will produce the scientific discoveries that will help maintain U.S. leadership in technology.

This bill also prioritizes basic research funding for solar fuels, electricity storage, bioenergy research, exascale computing, and low- dose radiation research. It provides the Office of Science funding for upgrades and construction of seven high-priority user facilities at DOE national labs.

This legislation is the product of more than 4 years of bipartisan work by the Science, Space, and Technology Committee to advance basic research and set clear science priorities for the Department of Energy.

H.R. 5905 builds on the initiatives included in the House-passed bill, H.R. 589, the Department of Energy Research and Innovation Act, and also incorporates four bipartisan Science, Space, and Technology Committee infrastructure bills that passed the House in February.

One example of the central missions authorized in the DOE Science and Innovation Act is the exascale computing program. Developing an exascale system is critical to enabling scientific discovery, strengthening national security, and promoting U.S. competitiveness. Exascale computing will have real-world benefits for American industry and entice the best researchers in the world to conduct groundbreaking science at the DOE labs.

To strengthen U.S. energy independence, this legislation also supports fusion energy sciences. When commercial fusion becomes available, it will revolutionize the energy market and could significantly reduce global carbon emissions.

H.R. 5905 also authorizes funds for U.S. contributions to the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor project, a critical step to achieving commercial fusion energy.

Again, I want to thank Representative Weber, as well as Representative Lofgren, for their longstanding support of basic research and investments in our world-class science facilities at the DOE national labs.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the bill.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Oklahoma, the vice chairman of the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology (Mr. Lucas), for yielding me time on his bill.

The energy bill we are considering is H.R. 5906, the ARPA-E Act of 2018. It establishes clear DOE policy in a new direction and new requirements for the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy, called ARPA-E, program.

This legislation updates the mission of ARPA-E to focus on developing technological solutions to energy, economic, environmental, and national security challenges. This includes allowing ARPA-E to develop technologies to address the management, cleanup, and disposal of nuclear waste and to enhance the security and resilience of the electric grid.

H.R. 5906 also maximizes the Department's resources. It requires ARPA-E to coordinate with other DOE programs, avoid duplication, and ensures that ARPA-E grants go to innovative technologies that would not otherwise be funded by the private sector.

The bill reforms ARPA-E but does not authorize any funding for ARPA- E. Instead, H.R. 5906 provides much-needed reform to the ARPA-E program. It also leaves the door open for Congress to readdress ARPA-E funding in the future and determine if the Agency is meeting its intended purpose.

Unfortunately, there have been some mischaracterizations of this legislation, so let the Record be clear: Supporting H.R. 5906 will not prevent Congress from cutting--as we did in the House-passed Energy and Water Appropriations bill earlier this month--or even eliminating funding to ARPA-E in the future. Instead, it allows us to enact reforms today that refocus ARPA-E on technology within the DOE mission.

In addition, one organization that opposes this legislation apparently didn't read the bill and confused it with another bill that reauthorizes ARPA-E.

Mr. Speaker, thanks go to Vice Chairman Lucas and Ranking Member Johnson for their work on this reform bill and for their support of advanced research around the country.

Mr. Speaker, I just want to mention one more thing, and it might be of interest to all Members, even those who are not on the Science, Space, and Technology Committee. After this bill passes, of the 27 bills that the Science, Space, and Technology Committee has brought to the House floor, 24 of the 27 have, in fact, been bipartisan pieces of legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Mr. Hultgren for yielding me time on his bill, H.R. 5907, the National Innovation Modernization by Laboratory Empowerment Act, or NIMBLE Act.

This legislation authorizes the Secretary of Energy to provide signature authority to the directors of the national laboratories, allowing these lab directors to make funding decisions on cooperative agreements with industry where the total cost is less than $1 million.

This commonsense reform provides the labs with more flexibility and eliminates the red tape and bureaucratic process that makes it difficult for businesses to partner with the labs.

DOE national labs can provide the private sector with access to critical research infrastructure as they develop new technologies. But a burdensome approval process can smother an industry's interest and constrict the pace of technology development. This bill gives the labs freedom to pursue agreements that will increase U.S. competitiveness and maintain our innovation and productivity leadership.

I thank Representative Randy Hultgren again and this bill's 10 Science, Space, and Technology Committee's cosponsors, including Representative Ed Perlmutter, Vice Chairman Frank Lucas, Energy Subcommittee Chairman Randy Weber, and Energy Subcommittee Vice Chairman Steve Knight for their ongoing support of DOE's world-leading national laboratories.

Mr. Speaker, I want to say about Mr. Hultgren that his leadership on the committee has been appreciated for years. He has never failed to be an effective advocate and leader for the national labs. This is a good example of his interests being put into legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

Mr. Speaker, let me thank the chairman of the Judiciary Committee, the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Goodlatte), for all that he has done to advance immigration reform during this Congress.

I do support H.R. 4760, Securing America's Future Act. This legislation ensures that our immigration policies put the interests of Americans first.

We need to thank not only Chairman Goodlatte, but others who have put so much time and effort into this legislation. We appreciate Mr. Goodlatte's diligence, expertise, and commitment to improving our immigration system.

Any immigration reform considered by Congress must, at a minimum, secure our borders, implement workforce verification to end the illegal jobs magnet, reduce chain migration, bolster interior enforcement, and prevent abuse of our asylum laws. Securing America's Future Act includes all of these necessary provisions.

The bill delivers on the President's pledge to voters to complete physical barriers along our southern border, penalize lawless sanctuary cities, and end the Obama administration's catch-and-release policy that returns dangerous criminal immigrants to our streets to prey on innocent Americans.

Of special interest to me is the inclusion of the Legal Workforce Act in the bill, which requires all new employees' work eligibility to be verified. This will reduce illegal immigration and save jobs for American workers.

Also important is the deadline to finally implement an entry-exit tracking system to identify visa overstayers. They comprise half of the almost 1 million new illegal immigrants every year.

Securing America's Future Act helps keep our communities safe and protects American workers. It deserves our enthusiastic support.

Madam Speaker, again I want to thank Chairman Goodlatte for offering this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, today we congratulate the 2018 Service Academy appointees from the 21st Congressional District of Texas.

The following individuals have accepted Academy appointments:

Amadou Sara Bah, Claudia Taylor ``Lady Bird'' Johnson High School, United States Military Academy; Conner McNeil Beasley, Westlake High School, Greystone Preparatory School at Schreiner University, United States Naval Academy; Ryan Conley Booth, Winston Churchill High School, United States Air Force Academy; Catherine Rose Buckingham, Winston Churchill High School, United States Military Academy; Jack Lowell Erwin, Central Catholic High School, Northwestern Preparatory School (CA), United States Air Force Academy; Hunter Alan Jackson, Regents School of Austin, United States Military Academy.

James Angelo Katson, McLean High School (VA), The Hill School (PA), United States Naval Academy; Chloe Elizabeth Lucas-Brown, Claudia Taylor ``Lady Bird'' Johnson High School, United States Naval Academy; Micah Peter McAnany, Ronald Reagan High School, Greystone Preparatory School at Schreiner University, United States Merchant Marine Academy; Kathleen Elizabeth McCusker, STEM Academy, Lee High School, United States Naval Academy; Roman Isaih Ocampo, Claudia Taylor ``Lady Bird'' Johnson High School, United States Air Force Academy; Marshall Alan Shults, Geneva School of Boerne, United States Air Force Academy; Karyl Vincent Taylor, Jr., International School of the Americas, United States Air Force Academy.

These outstanding students have much to contribute to their chosen Academy and to our country. We appreciate their talents and their patriotism.

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

Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment to H.R. 5895, the Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2019.

I first want to thank the gentleman from Idaho, Congressman Mike Simpson, the chairman of the House Appropriations Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Subcommittee, for working with us to develop a strong, pro-science appropriations bill.

I strongly support division A of this legislation, and I appreciate the chairman's initiative in basic science research.

This amendment provides for critical facility upgrades and construction of basic research infrastructure that are within the core mission of the Department of Energy and will lead to scientific discoveries that will maintain U.S. leadership in innovation and technology.

In February, the House unanimously passed three bipartisan House Science, Space, and Technology Committee research infrastructure bills: H.R. 4376, the Department of Energy Research Infrastructure Act; H.R. 4377, the Accelerating American Leadership in Science Act; and H.R. 4378, the Nuclear Energy Research Infrastructure Act. These bills authorized full funding for upgrades in construction of several high- priority user facilities at DOE National Labs.

This amendment provides $76.8 million from within funds appropriated to the Office of Science to meet the House-passed authorization levels for four of the infrastructure projects included in these bills, including the LINAC Coherent Light Source high energy upgrade, the proton power upgrade to the Spallation Neutron Source, the construction of the Spallation Neutron Source Second Target Station, and the construction of the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams.

My amendment also fully supports basic research in fusion energy science, a field that could lead to a revolutionary new energy source. Specifically, it provides $50 million from within the funds appropriated to the Office of Science for the direct U.S. commitment for fiscal year 2019 to the construction of the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor, or ITER, project.

While I am pleased that division A of this legislation provides $163 million for the agreed-to hardware and other in-kind contributions, cash contributions to ITER are not designated in the bill. My amendment is intended to address this issue and fully fund the U.S. commitment in fiscal year 2019.

I want to also draw attention to another shared priority with the chairman, reinstating the Low Dose Radiation Research Program at DOE. This program is essential to understanding the health impact of low doses of radiation.

There is a broad consensus within the radiobiology community that more research is necessary for Federal agencies, physicians, and related experts to make better-informed decisions regarding low-dose radiation.

Earlier this year, the House passed H.R. 4675, the Low Dose Radiation Research Act, which authorizes $20 million in fiscal year 2019. I hope we can work together to provide this funding for low dose radiation research.

Mr. Chair, I again thank Chairman Simpson for his long-standing support of basic research and investments in DOE's best-in-the-world science facilities.

I greatly appreciate the effort the chairman has made to prioritize fundamental science and our long-standing partnership to responsibly fund DOE.

Mr. Chair, I am prepared to withdraw my amendment and to continue working with the chairman to advance the House-passed authorization levels for these important projects in conference.

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

Mr. Chair, I appreciate Chairman Simpson's commitment and support.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Chair, I withdraw my amendment.

Mr. Speaker, one of the greatest threats to free speech is the ongoing politicization of online platforms.

Some, which have millions of users, have allowed liberal interest groups to determine what content is available to the public. A recent example is the Southern Poverty Law Center being allowed to censor content that they deem hate speech.

The SPLC has a ``hate map'' that lists over 900 organizations. These include pro-life, religious freedom, and border security groups, all popular with the American people and all unfairly targeted by the SPLC.

Why do online platforms empower the SPLC to suppress conservative views? There is only one answer: They want to promote their liberal agenda even if it means stifling free speech.

This is a clear and present danger to democracy, and it represents another effort to control what the American people hear and see.

Mr. Speaker, here are some excerpts from the book, ``Presidential Courage,'' by Michael Beschloss that might sound familiar:

``Andrew Jackson said, `I was born for the storm, and calm does not suit me.' ''

``Warned that some decision of his would risk a public clamor, Jackson once said, `I care nothing about clamors, sir. . . . I do precisely what I think just and right.' ''

``Theodore Roosevelt genuinely thought of himself as a gladiator against evil. . . . Like Andrew Jackson, he was taking a large risk by challenging the citadels of wealth and power.''

``T.R. boasted that the `farmers, mechanics, small tradesmen, hardworking professional men' all considered him `their President'. . . . ''

``Roosevelt had always inveighed against the `lies' in the press `as foul and dirty . . . as ever was made by any dog.' ''

To me, President Trump is carrying on the legacies of Presidents Jackson and Theodore Roosevelt.