Lori Chavez-DeRemer

Mr. Speaker, I was attending a funeral of a family friend this weekend, and my flight back to DC on Monday was severely delayed due to maintenance, causing me to miss the vote series. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 440; YEA on Roll Call No. 441; and YEA on Roll Call No. 442.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and recognize an important sector of business aviation that will be highlighted at the National Business Aviation Association's 37th Maintenance Conference, which will be held this week in Portland, Oregon.

General aviation has a significant impact on the Oregon economy, supporting over 213,000 jobs and sustaining a payroll of $10 billion. The economic impact of airports in Oregon totals $28.5 billion.

Furthermore, aviation maintenance ensures aircraft operations' safety, reliability, and compliance. It contributes significantly to the economy by supporting jobs and businesses in the maintenance, repair, and overhaul sectors. Maintenance programs also build customer confidence, prolong aircraft lifespans, and reduce aviation's environmental footprint through optimized efficiency and emissions management.

The NBAA's Maintenance Conference serves as a vital gathering for professionals in the business aviation industry and provides industry leaders, technicians, engineers, and service providers a platform to come together, share knowledge, discuss emerging trends, and explore advancements in aviation technology and safety protocols.

As the aviation sector continues to evolve rapidly, conferences like the NBAA Maintenance Conference play a crucial role in fostering collaboration, innovation, and excellence within the industry.

Moreover, hosting such a critical aviation event in Portland, Oregon, further underscores the state's significance as a hub for aviation innovation and excellence. With its vibrant aviation community, world- class facilities, and commitment to sustainability, Portland serves as an ideal backdrop for fostering discussions on the future of aviation maintenance and sustainable practices.

Oregon boasts a robust aviation infrastructure, with 49 repair stations, 17 FAA-approved pilot schools, 3,604 student pilots, and 1,844 flight instructors, according to FAA data. The state is also home to 52 fixed-base operators and 149 heliports.

I commend the National Business Aviation Association for its dedication to advancing the business aviation community's interests and organizing this important event. I extend my best wishes for a successful and productive conference to all participants, sponsors, and organizers.

May the NBAA Maintenance Conference in Portland, Oregon, serve as a catalyst for continued progress and collaboration in business aviation maintenance while highlighting the vital contributions of aviation maintenance jobs to Oregonians and individuals across the Nation.

I am grateful for the opportunity to recognize this important event.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the FOCUS Act, a bill that makes much-needed reforms to the Federal Government's real estate practices.

With our national debt at $34 trillion and rising, it is our duty as lawmakers to root out wasteful spending and restore fiscal responsibility.

Recently, the Government Accountability Office reviewed 24 Federal agencies to analyze office space usage. The study found that of the 24 offices reviewed, 17 of the agencies used just 25 percent or less of the building's capacity.

It is clear that office space utilization has decreased dramatically in both the public and private sectors. Many companies have adjusted by downsizing or selling office space to save money.

As a small business owner myself, consolidating office space to reduce costs would be a straightforward, sensible decision to make.

Unfortunately, we often see the bureaucracy treat Americans' tax dollars like monopoly money. We throw it around. The FOCUS Act would change

that and, by promoting consolidation, ensure taxpayer money isn't being wasted on unused real estate.

Transparency leads to accountability, and that is why this bill also requires Congress to be notified of significant increases in rent payments.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this commonsense proposal to rein in unnecessary spending and improve transparency in Federal real estate practices.