Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I am honored to rise today in recognition of the 38th anniversary of the Taiwan Relations Act (TRA). Signed by President Carter on April 10, 1979, the TRA had strong support from Congress and that support remains strong to this day.

One of the most important aspects of our friendship with Taiwan is trade. In 2016, trade between the United States and Taiwan accounted for an estimated $86.9 billion. In addition, Taiwan remains our 10th largest trading partner in the world. Because of this important relationship, an updated U.S.-Taiwan bilateral trade agreement would be an asset to our trade balance, our economic strength, and our strategic partnership with our ally Taiwan. We have had a great relationship with Taiwan over the years and it is my hope, and my expectation, that we will build on our partnership to create even more prosperity for America and Taiwan. I will work with both my colleagues in Congress and the President to move such an agreement to fruition.

There has been--and remains--a unique balance for the United States in dealing with Taiwan, the Republic of China, and the People's Republic of China. We value our relationship with each as major trading partners and key allies in the war on terrorism and violent religious extremism. When Chinese President Xi visits the United States, our nation will welcome him and further our friendship, but we will not waiver in our friendship and strategic support of Taiwan.

The Taiwan Relations Act is a cornerstone of our foreign relations in Asia and we will continue our long-term strategy of defending our allies, making new allies in the region, and promoting peace and prosperity through trade and defense policies.

Mr. Speaker, it's an honor to recognize the anniversary of the TRA and the entrepreneurial spirit of the people of Taiwan.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1430, the HONEST Act, sponsored by the chairman of the Science, Space, and Technology Committee, Chairman Lamar Smith.

Let's all go back to the fifth grade, where we learned about the steps of the scientific method and do a quick review.

After we formulated our question and came up with our hypothesis, what did we do?

We tested that hypothesis by performing an experiment and collecting the data in a reproducible manner.

Data isn't reproducible if it isn't even made available. Now, Mr. Speaker, transparency and reproducibility are basic tenets of science that every elementary school student learns and values. Yet our very own Environmental Protection Agency has issued regulation after regulation using studies and data that are not available for public review, despite the very serious ramifications of that very data.

In 2012, President Obama's own chair of the Science Advisory Board testified ``that literature and data used by the EPA be peer-reviewed and made available to the public.''

This is common sense, Mr. Speaker: let's make public policy using public data and use public data for public policy.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for leading this initiative.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and memory of a true statesman, Congressman Eni Faleomavaega.

I'm Congressman Paul Gosar and I represent Arizona's Fourth Congressional District.

I am also Chairman of the Congressional Western Caucus, Chairman of the House Committee on Natural Resources Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources, and Vice-Chairman of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.

I would like to start by thanking Congresswoman Amata for her great leadership in the House of Representatives and for organizing this bipartisan special order today to pay tribute to our colleague Eni.

On February 22, 2017, a Member of the House who served the Congress and represented the people of American Samoa for 26 years, passed away out West while at his home in Utah.

Eni was a patriot who honorably served this great nation in uniform in the U.S. Army. Unfortunately, he was exposed to Agent Orange during one of his tours, something that negatively impacted his health for the rest of his life.

Eni did not let this incident hold him back though and went on to serve our great country for nearly three decades as the Delegate for American Samoa. He also served the territory as its Lieutenant Governor.

I got to know Eni through our work together on the House Committee on Natural Resources. Eni was a passionate and effective member on issues impacting the Pacific.

Eni was a devoted husband and father of five children. Eni and his wife were active members of their church.

Family, friends and colleagues were saddened to learn of his passing last month. This demonstrates just how much he will be missed. I am confident there will be a large turnout next Saturday the 25th at his memorial service and subsequent reception that follows to celebrate his life.

Again, I would like to thank Congresswoman Amata for organizing this most worthy tribute to our colleague Eni. Eni left big shoes to fill, but Congresswoman Amata has stepped up, continued the excellent representation the people of American Samoa have come to expect, and become an effective leader that is respected throughout the country.

I know Eni would be proud of the Congresswoman and the great work she has done for American Samoa.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Goodlatte and the Judiciary Committee for their thorough work on this bill. I would also like to express my appreciation to the broad group of stakeholders who have helped to shape, improve, and support this commonsense and consumer- centric legislation.

As Congress, once again, faces the preeminent task of repairing our Nation's healthcare system, first and foremost, we must establish the proper foundation for a competitive and consumer-driven health insurance marketplace that empowers patients.

The Competitive Health Insurance Reform Act of 2017 will restore the application of Federal antitrust laws to health insurance and infuse much-needed competition and transparency to the industry. Ending the special-interest exemption is the essential first step to broader healthcare reform. Popular cost-reducing reform priorities, such as selling insurance across State lines and developing diverse, consumer- driven plans, are predicated on the robust competitive markets this bill will enable.

As a healthcare provider for more than 25 years, I understand firsthand the importance of a competitive and dynamic health insurance market. Patients, doctors, and hospitals alike benefit when health insurers compete to provide a variety of quality coverage options.

It is apparent that after 70 years, McCarran-Ferguson, the broad- stroked exemption created by Congress in the 1940s, was not wise. Over decades, and expeditiously since the passage of ObamaCare in 2009, the health insurance market has devolved into one of the least transparent and most anticompetitive industries in the United States. These antiquated exemptions are no longer necessary for health insurance. There is no reason in law, policy, or logic for the industry to have special exemptions that are different from all other businesses in the United States.

The interpretation of antitrust law has narrowed dramatically over the decades. Many of the practices which insurers say they need this exemption to do, such as analyzing historical loss data, have proven to be permissible by the Federal Trade Commission and the courts over the decades since McCarran-Ferguson was passed.

This narrowing of scope has resulted in a law whose efficacy and usefulness long since expired. Yet, the shell of this zombie law lurks to scare off potential, legitimate legal challenges from States, patients, and providers. These entities do not have the tools, money, or manpower to challenge these monopolies in court or head-on in the current market. Only the Federal Government, with its resources, can enforce the laws which rebalance the playing field of interstate commerce fairly.

I would like to stress the point that this legislation does not affect any other type of insurance other than health insurance. The language of the bill was carefully and deliberately drafted to exclude other areas of insurance, such as life insurance, property and casualty insurance, and excepted benefits like disability income insurance. In short, the legislation before the House today does not repeal the McCarran-Ferguson Act for life insurance, annuities, property and casualty insurance, disability income insurance, and long-term care insurance.

The broad stakeholders of healthcare professionals, insurance providers, and consumer protection groups support this narrow and important scope of the language. I am open to efforts to strengthen the narrow and deliberate scope of this legislation going forward should the need and opportunity arise.

Repeal of this specific section of the McCarran-Ferguson Act, which applies only to health insurance, has strong bipartisan support. As labeled earlier, in the 111th Congress, it passed by a vote of 406-19 and passed the Republican-led House in the 112th Congress by a voice vote. Similar legislation has been introduced by multiple Democratic Members of the House, and the text of my bill has been included in the Republican Study Committee's healthcare reform bill for the last four Congresses in a row.

The passage of the Competitive Health Insurance Reform Act into law is an important first step towards increasing competition in health insurance markets and will assist with setting the foundation for real, competitive, and patient-centered healthcare reform.

At the end of the day, you can tell a lot about a bill by who supports it. H.R. 372 has the support of the healthcare professionals that actually provide care to patients, including doctors, dentists, surgeons, pharmacists, chiropractors, optometrists, and others. This key law, by liberating, liberates the insurance industry and doctors and empowers the patients. Doctors will see and insurance will see that the patient is empowered for new opportunities. Things that we can't even imagine today will exist through competition. It is the American way.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman and the members of the committee for their work on this issue. I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

Mr. Speaker, on August 5, 2016, the Obama administration published another overreaching regulation that threatens the authority of States nationwide to manage fish and wildlife.

Specifically, the new rule undermines Alaska's authority to manage fish and wildlife on State, private, and Federal lands. The new regulation destroys the cooperative relationship between the State of Alaska and the agency that historically worked well.

This power grab threatens management policies and wildlife refuges nationwide and, if allowed to stand, will set a dangerous precedent for future top-down mandates from the Federal Government that seize authority from States.

The rule violates the Alaska constitution and two laws that were passed by Congress in the form of the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act and the Alaska Statehood Act. People throughout the country oppose this misguided rule that harms the State of Alaska's authority to manage fish and wildlife within its borders.

In my home State of Arizona, 21 different sportsmen's groups have come out publicly against the rule and endorsed Representative Young's bill to overturn this Washington power grab. The 21 Arizona sportsmen's groups include:

Anglers United; Arizona Flycasters; Arizona Sportsmen for Wildlife Conservation; Arizona Antelope Foundation, Arizona B.A.S.S. Nation; Arizona Big Game Super Raffle; Arizona Bowhunters Association; Arizona Catfish Conservation Association; Arizona Chapter of National Wild Turkey Federation; Arizona Council of Trout Unlimited; Arizona Deer Association; Arizona Desert Bighorn Sheep Society; Arizona Elk Society; Arizona Houndsmen Association; Arizona Outdoor Sports; Coconino Sportsmen; Outdoor Experience for All; Shake Rattle and Troll Outdoors; the Bass Federation-AZ; Xtreme Predator Callers; and 1.2.3.Go.

Representative Don Young's bill is also supported by 27 different sportsmen and conservation groups throughout the country. The National Rifle Association, who is key voting in support of Representative Young's bill, stated:

The sustainable management of these natural resources needs

to be led by the State working in cooperation with the Fish

and Wildlife Service. The Fish and Wildlife Service's final

rule would set an ill-advised national precedent that could

have far-reaching negative implications on the lower 48

States. H.J. Res. 69 will restore the jurisdictional State-

Federal relationship as Congress has previously directed.

Americans for Prosperity, who is also key voting in support of H.J. Res. 69, stated:

The Interior rule relating to nonsubsistence take of

wildlife, and public participation of closure procedures on

national wildlife refuges in Alaska undermines the ability of

Alaskans to manage fish and wildlife on refuge lands, which

make up more than 20 percent of the State.

Instead, Congress should work with the Trump administration

to ensure cooperative Federalism and greater public

participation over fish and wildlife management decisions.

I share these concerns and urge rejection of this Obama power grab that undermines Alaska authority to manage fish and wildlife on State, private, and Federal lands. I applaud Representative Don Young for his excellent work and leadership on this issue. He has been remarkably successful over the years of protecting the interests of the people of the State of Alaska. This is yet another classic example of the bureaucratic overreach that Representative Young is working hard to overturn.

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game knows best how to manage fish and wildlife in the State of Alaska, not Washington bureaucrats.

I urge adoption of Representative Young's commonsense bill.

Mr. Speaker, today I would like to recognize Ms. Kathy McLaughlin of Prescott, Arizona. Kathy is an accomplished and respected former law enforcement officer whose career has resulted in a series of firsts for women serving on the force in Arizona. Her distinguished service is deserving of all of our admiration.

Kathy's career in law enforcement began in 1977, when she was hired as Yavapai County's first female fulltime patrol deputy. She excelled in the role. Having proven her place on the force, she was transferred in 1987 to Black Canyon City and promoted to sergeant. This promotion provided Kathy the second first of her career, as no other woman had served as a patrol supervisor in Black Canyon City until then. In 1998, while stationed in Prescott, Kathy was promoted to Lieutenant. Kathy prioritized community engagement and trust while in the line of duty, a necessity in smaller, rural communities. She played a key role in the introduction and implementation of Yavapai County's Volunteers in Protection program in 1994, which to this day recruits qualified and trained citizen volunteers to participate in uniformed patrols.

Following her service on the police force, Kathy transitioned to serving as the Executive Director of the Arizona Child and Family Advocacy Network. Kathy's track record of excellence continued on into this role, which she held until her retirement last year. From her position at the helm of the Network, Kathy leveraged her organizational abilities and her tremendous compassion for the plight of victims of sexual and physical abuse to deliver resources and training to advocacy centers across Arizona. Kathy and her amazing career serve as a beacon of civic duty and care for one's community, and I sincerely appreciate the opportunity to recognize her today.

Mr. Speaker, on December 12, 2016, the Obama administration published another overreaching midnight regulation in the form of the BLM's new resource management rule, commonly referred to as BLM 2.0. That same day, six Western States filed a lawsuit alleging the new rules will severely impair their ability to work with the BLM on future planning and management issues.

More than 3,350 comments were submitted on BLM's Planning 2.0 rule. Rather than reviewing and incorporating those suggestions, the Obama administration hastily rolled out another midnight regulation that failed to address the technical flaws raised during the public comment period.

Let me be clear: Planning 2.0 takes planning decisions away from local communities and centralizes those decisions with bureaucrats in Washington, D.C. BLM's Planning 2.0 rule is a significant departure from the planning process that has existed more than three decades and allowed significant local government involvement.

Planning 2.0 directs the BLM to perform large, landscape-scale planning efforts that stretch across county lines and State lines. This new regulation allows radical, special interest groups from other States to have the same influence as county and local officials in the planning process.

In many counties in the West, less than 20 percent of the land is privately owned. According to the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service, the Bureau of Land Management manages more than 247 million acres of public land and administers about 700 million acres of Federal subsurface mineral estates throughout the Nation.

Rural counties and Western States depend on their ability to use BLM and public lands in order to support their livelihoods. Critical activities like grazing, forest thinning, mining, recreation, responsible energy development--including wind and solar--all take place on these lands and are the lifeblood of many communities. Unfortunately, Planning 2.0 will prevent many of these uses on BLM lands and cause significant harm to local communities.

The American Farm Bureau Federation supports Representative Cheney's bill and opposes Planning 2.0, stating: ``We . . . are concerned that the Planning 2.0 rule will diminish the statutory requirements multiple use and dismantle the cooperative ideals of Federalism. . . . BLM did not fully evaluate the impacts on consumers, public lands-dependent ranching families, energy, mining, recreation, and rural communities across the American West.''

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, who is key voting in support of the bill, stated: ``This Obama administration `midnight regulation' undercuts States from fulfilling their role as managers of resources and land use decisions. The shift in authority away from local planning and land management will inherently jeopardize jobs throughout the West in industries ranging from timber, energy, mineral development, grazing, and recreation.''

Western Energy Alliance has also raised serious concerns about BLM 2.0 and has urged adoption of Representative Cheney's bill, stating: ``Besides delaying oil and natural gas development indefinitely, Planning 2.0 would prevent ranching, mining, timber harvesting, and other productive uses of the West's working landscapes that sustain rural communities and livelihoods.''

Americans for Prosperity, who is key voting in support of the bill, stated: ``The process outlined by the Planning 2.0 rule is highly problematic--it limits public involvement in decisionmaking, centralizes planning in Washington rather than in State and field offices, redefines BLM's interpretation of the `multiple use' requirement, prioritizes conservation over sustained yield, i.e. mineral leasing, and could further lengthen an already long permitting process.''

The National Association of Conservation Districts supports the bill, stating: ``The CRA allows for the BLM to go back to the drawing board and write a planning rule that truly increases local government involvement as opposed to centralizing the planning process.''

Again, the BLM Planning 2.0 rule takes planning decisions away from local governments and, instead, allows those important decisions to be made by bureaucrats in Washington who aren't familiar with our land, water, or communities.

Mr. Speaker, I urge adoption of Representative Cheney's commonsense bill.

Mr. Speaker, there is no question that President Obama put his own environmental legacy ahead of the well-being of the American people. The Obama administration squandered taxpayer money for 8 years attempting to force the stream protection rule down our throats.

The deception and lack of transparency utilized to implement this rule were unprecedented. Along with manipulating job loss numbers, the administration even changed the rule's name, thinking the American people might forget about it. But the fact is, you can't put lipstick on this pig. Whether you call it the stream buffer zone rule or the stream protection rule, the rule still stinks.

The American people who want good-paying careers have missed out on hundreds of thousands of jobs around the country as a result of President Obama's ideologically-driven war on coal. But today is a new dawn in America, and this job-killing, midnight regulation is now directly in the crosshairs of the Trump administration and of this Congress.

On behalf of all hardworking Americans, I urge my colleagues to vote to support this commonsense legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to talk about Kayla Mueller, one of my constituents, who was brutally kidnapped and killed by the Islamic State, or ISIS.

Kayla was a young woman who was still full of youthful exuberance, optimism about peace and human relations, and who was willing to put her life on the line to help others halfway around the world. She was a beautiful soul, and I know she is with God now.

I am not youthful.

I see ISIS for what it is.

This is an Islamic terrorist group that is a scourge to humanity. Our society cannot exist with barbaric and evil people who value death over life, war over peace, and chaos over order. Their evil deeds are well known--as they publicize them--genocide, mass murder, sadistic killings.

I am done. I hope you are, too.

The elimination of ISIS is long overdue. In order to defeat these terrorists, we need a strategic and comprehensive military strategy.

Madam Speaker, we, the Arizona delegation, rise today to honor the life of one of our own, one of our young, and one of our very best.

Kayla Jean Mueller of Prescott, Arizona, was a young woman full of youthful exuberance, optimism about peace and humanity, and was willing to put her life on the line to help others halfway around the world. Kayla stood as a beacon of light and hope in a time that is too often filled with darkness. She was a beautiful soul, and I know she is with God now.

While all of our hearts are heavy with the sadness of Kayla's passing, we stand here unified and strengthened to carry on her spirit, courage, and compassion that has touched millions. We must endeavor to remain brave and strong in the face of those who wish to terrify, just as Kayla did.

No parent should ever have to endure the pain and suffering of losing a child so early, but now, let us look back fondly upon her life and the many ways she made our lives better by the words she spoke: ``I find God in the suffering eyes reflected in mine. If this is how you are revealed to me, this is how I will forever seek you.''

I now yield to the gentlewoman from Arizona (Mrs. Kirkpatrick).

Madam Speaker, I now ask the House to join my colleagues and me for a moment of silence to honor the immortal spirit of Kayla Mueller.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Ms. Penny Gage for her dedication and commitment to the Dental Industry. Ms. Gage has served as a Tri-County Dental Society executive director for over 30 years. During this time membership expanded from 700 to 2000 members. She was a strong promoter in building a relationship between the society and the dental students within the two dental schools in the program's area. Ms. Gage has been active in participating with the American Association of Dental Editors and Journalist organization in providing ideas and proof-reading the AADEJ's newsletters. She has also served with the American Dental Association.

During her time with the Tri-County Dental Society she developed the ``Give Kids a Smile'' program as well as encouraged members to help provide free dental clinics. That program has led to another exceptional program, ``Give Adults a Smile'', which she also supports. Ms. Gage has developed a network of relationships throughout dentistry and has been essential to its promotion and progress in these areas. Actions such as hers have helped to make more smiles possible.

Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I recognize Ms. Penny Gage for her long time service to the Tri-County Dental Society and oral health promotion as a whole. Her achievements in expanding membership and programming helped to improve the lives of many and help everyone to smile more.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my concerns about the current efforts to punish and stifle freedom of expression in Turkey and to share my worry that Turkey is drifting away from the tolerant secular nation founded by Kemal Ataturk almost 100 years ago and towards religious extremism and authoritarianism.

The current Government in Turkey has arrested members of Turkish media deemed non-supportive of the government. For decades, Turkey has had a free press and the freedom to disagree and vigorous political debate. It is a disturbing negative trend for the current government to reverse decades of transparency and to seek to impose authoritarianism.

I am informed that Mr. Ekrem Dumanli, editor-in-chief of Zaman, a daily newspaper in Turkey, and Hidayet Karaca, General Manager of Samanyolu Media Group, were arrested on December 14, 2014. To the shame of the current leadership, Hidayet Karaca is still in detention awaiting trial. They were not arrested for actual crimes, but on transparently political charges, thus bringing the total number of detained press and media personalities to 29. These members of the media have ties to the Islamic scholar Fethullah Gulen, a scholar who preaches tolerance and peace and who is a known critic of the Erdogan Administration.

In December 2013, allegations of corruption were levied against the Erdogan Administration based on legal investigations. Afterwards, about some 400 people (including 150 stated Gulen supporters) were monitored on Twitter and ultimately the Turkish people's access to Twitter was blocked. These arrests, and the effort to stifle opposition, have a chilling effect on freedom, democracy, and economic prosperity for all of Turkey. Turkey's bid for accession to the European Union continues to languish under these policies--before negotiations on the matter develop, Turkey must recognize basic press freedoms and the right to political dissent.

Turkey plays a critical role as an ally to the United States in the Middle East. To allow it to go down the road of sectarian extremism and authoritarianism without meaningful discussion and diplomacy is disconcerting. Turkey is a key leader in the region and a cultural, historic, and political bulwark between the Middle East, Europe, and Asia. Turkey is an important member of NATO, and I believe all rational people want to see the Turkish Government abandon intimidation and embrace a free press and tolerance of dissenting voices. The Turkey founded by Ataturk deserves our support. International remonstration is needed to bring it back to the ranks of nations that do not fear its own people, do not fear opposition, and do not fear universal freedoms.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor one of my constituents, Irene Porter Powers Mathew of Lake Havasu City, Arizona.

Irene Porter was born in Downs, Kansas, on November 20, 1917. She moved to Colorado where she attended high school at the age of 12, where she played basketball, sang in a trio, and the Glee Club. She graduated at the age of 16.

Following high school, she worked for the Colorado Agriculture Extension Service. In 1937, she went to work for the Farm Security Administration in Colorado. Around 1940, she moved to Amarillo, TX to assist in the establishment of the FSA regional headquarters.

On July 28, 1942, Irene married William (Bill) Powers, who was serving in the Army Air

Corps. They were married and raised four children: Rosemary, Gary, Suzanne, and Marilyn.

In the 1960s, Irene moved to Colorado Springs, Colorado to work as a private secretary with the Central Bank in Colorado. In 1974, she became the first female bank vice president in Colorado Springs, and likely in Colorado. This was a position she held until she retired in December 1979.

In the 1980s Irene and Bill retired and toured the country in a Holiday Rambler, including a trip to Guatemala. When they returned to the States, they returned to Colorado and spent the summer volunteering at Lutheran Valley Retreat, a Lutheran youth camp.

In 1986, as a second retirement, Irene and Bill retired to Lake Havasu, Arizona. Where they lived until Bill Powers died in 1991.

Irene married Kenneth A. Matthew, a retired lobster fisherman on February 3, 2007.

Irene is preceded in death by her parents, a brother, a sister, her first husband, Bill, two grandsons and one great-grandson. She is survived by her husband, Ken; children, Rosemary/Dave Tunnell, Gary/ Sharon Powers, Suzanne/Rick Twinchek and Marilyn/Ryan Paradis; ten grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren, two great-great-grandchildren and two sisters.

One last word from Irene, ``I want Ken, all my children, all my grandchildren, and now all my great-grandchildren to know how much I love them. You are all an important and beautiful part of my life.''

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Achieve Human Services and the AbilityOne Program. The AbilityOne Program partners with participating community-based nonprofit agencies that are dedicated to training and employing individuals with disabilities. Organizations like Achieve, located in every state of our great nation, employ nearly 45,000 Americans who are blind or have significant disabilities through this Program.

AbilityOne affiliated non-profit agencies offer people who are blind or who have significant disabilities opportunities to acquire the job skills and training necessary to receive good wages and benefits that ultimately improve their quality of life. The value of these opportunities cannot be overstated as only 21 percent of individuals with disabilities currently have jobs.

Achieve helps Americans with disabilities lead more productive lives, support their families, gain important work experience and share in the same pride that each of us have after an honest day's work. Many of these individuals work in support of our men and women in uniform, doing their part to improve our country and ensure safety and security for us all.

Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I recognize the AbilityOne Program and to Achieve Human Services. I also want to acknowledge the dedication and commitment of Ms. Carol Carr, the Executive Director of Achieve, and her staff for helping individuals who are blind or have significant disabilities find employment opportunities. Such actions greatly improve the lives of those less fortunate and make our country a better place.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to start by thanking the House Committee on Natural Resources Chairman, Doc Hastings, and his staff for all their efforts on H.R. 4924.

As many of you are already aware, Chairman Hastings is leaving at the end of this Congress. Doc has served honorably since 1995. During my relatively short tenure in Congress, I have had the pleasure of working with Chairman Hastings on important matters, like protecting western water rights, improving our Nation's forest health, and increasing our access to American energy resources. Since this could be the last time I work with Doc on a bill, I would like to thank him for his leadership and for everything he has done to make our country a better place. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to call Chairman Hastings a friend and a mentor. He is one of the classiest individuals I have had the pleasure of serving with, and he will most certainly be missed.

Water in the West is critical to our future economic prosperity and, of course, is a limited resource on which there are many existing demands. H.R. 4924 is important legislation that will facilitate a fair and equitable settlement of certain claims within the Bill Williams Watershed in Arizona amongst the Hualapai Tribe; Freeport-McMoRan, a mining company; the Arizona Game and Fish Commission; and the Federal Government. My bill is good for property owners, good for local economies and jobs, settles an outstanding water rights dispute, and will result in a net water benefit to the basin.

The first of the two agreements codified by this legislation allows for certain private water rights owned by Freeport to be severed and transferred to provide water certainty for one of the company's mining operations. The Baghdad mine has an economic impact of $339.1 million to the State of Arizona and sustains nearly 4,000 direct and indirect jobs.

Under this first agreement, Freeport will also donate 3,400 acres of private land to Arizona Game and Fish Department to be managed as part of the Multi-Species Conservation Program.

Finally, this first agreement will benefit water users throughout the West as Freeport has agreed to cap its withdrawals of water in the Wikieup Wellfield at 10,055 acre-feet, despite being entitled to nearly 40,000 acre-feet of existing water rights. Thus, my bill will result in an overall net water use reduction in the basin of approximately 35,000 acre-feet per year.

The second of the two agreements approved by H.R. 4924 will secure certain water rights for the Hualapai Tribe as well as two non-Federal contributions that will be provided by Freeport to the tribe for an infrastructure fund and economic development fund.

In addition, there is a provision in H.R. 4924 that will allow for new public access for hunting and fishing on the lands involved with this legislation.

Furthermore, the local counties benefit from the good-paying jobs and tax revenue associated with the continued use of the mine.

H.R. 4924 passed the full House Natural Resources Committee by unanimous consent on November 19.

Preliminary Congressional Budget Office estimates indicate that the bill costs nothing to the Federal Government and will not score. The entire bipartisan Arizona delegation and both Houses of Congress strongly support H.R. 4924 and signed on as original cosponsors of this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the opportunity to discuss this legislation that is extremely important to the State of Arizona. I urge immediate adoption by the House and hope my colleagues in the Senate will follow our lead and pass this critical bill in a timely manner this Congress.