Floor Statements

Mr. Chair, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Chair, I rise today in support of clean water and in support of the Clean Water Act, and in opposition to H.R. 1, the polluters over people act.

Clean water is a basic human right--the health and safety of our communities and the success of our economy depends on it. House Democrats stand for clean water.

Last Congress, we passed a historic and bipartisan investment in our Nation's infrastructure through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The BIL included almost $13 billion in clean water infrastructure upgrades and is creating jobs in communities across the country.

The Clean Water Act, passed in 1972, is one of the most successful environmental laws in our Nation's history. It

has protected rivers, lakes, and streams from pollution and contamination, ensuring that we have access to clean and safe water.

Section 401 of the Clean Water Act allows States to review projects that could impact their water quality. For 50 years, States have used this authority to protect their water resources, and it has helped them ensure that projects move forward only if clean water would not be compromised as a result.

These proposals that are in H.R. 1, to narrow the scope of section 401, are a misguided effort at permitting reform. By limiting the ability of States to review projects, we are sacrificing the health of our communities and our environment for the sake of expedience and profit.

I recognize the majority's interest in ensuring that permitting requirements are not insurmountable barriers to investment. I share the goal of speeding up project delivery.

Last Congress, I supported not only the BIL, but also the CHIPS Act and the Inflation Reduction Act. These laws showed what Congress is capable of when it focuses on addressing the real needs of American families. I want these laws and their investments to be successful.

However, to quickly put these investments to work, we need a robust partnership between the Federal Government and its State and local partners and Tribal partners, to address State, local, and Tribal requirements, and to ensure community buy-in before these investments are implemented.

To be effective, that process must build on a mutual trust between the parties because any effort to force that process often results in opposition, delay, and litigation.

Yet, H.R. 1 misses the mark by stifling local participation and buy- in, which will only result in these projects taking longer to implement.

In fact, State organizations, such as the Western States Water Council, believe that placing arbitrary and strict limits on section 401 application review times and processes will require the States ``to issue an increased number of denials, due to inflexible deadlines that do not accommodate State public engagement laws or allow sufficient time to gather adequate information on project impacts.''

Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to reject H.R. 1, and reject the efforts to weaken the Clean Water Act and our Nation's other bedrock environmental laws. We must protect our water resources for future generations and for the health of today's communities and families.

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

Mr. Chair, I yield 4 minutes to the gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Napolitano).

Mr. Chair, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from the District of Columbia (Ms. Norton), one more person who appreciates the most important natural resource we have, and that is our clean water.

Mr. Chair, I yield an additional 30 seconds to the gentlewoman from the District of Columbia.

Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. DeSaulnier).

Mr. Chairman, we know that this side of the aisle is not trying to shut down domestic energy production.

In fact, the Inflation Reduction Act made a major investment in clean energy production in the United States to expand the use of renewable energies and renewable energy production. That is one reason why I want people to vote ``no'' on H.R. 1 because this bill removes some of those incentives.

Mr. Chairman, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from Washington State (Ms. Strickland), who is another person who is strongly against this bill.

Mr. Chair, I yield an additional 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Washington.

Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Ryan).

Mr. Chair, I yield 4 minutes to the gentlewoman from Ohio (Mrs. Sykes).

Mr. Chair, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Hawaii (Ms. Tokuda).

Mr. Chair, I yield myself the balance of my time. H.R. 1, the bill before us today, is permitting reform in name only, putting polluters who want to fast-track special projects ahead of the public's interests. It includes unnecessary and unwarranted giveaways to fossil fuel and mining industries, and this polluters over people act also repeals historic investment in clean energy and climate change investments passed by the previous Congress.

I agree with the administration's statement on this bill, which called for working in a bipartisan manner to address lowering energy costs and working in a bipartisan manner to reform the permitting process and to address our energy challenges.

I know my colleagues want to speed up project delivery, and I share that goal, but it is not going to be achieved through H.R. 1.

In the last Congress, the House and Senate reached a historic agreement to restore, upgrade, and advance our Nation's interconnected infrastructure networks through the bipartisan infrastructure law, including major investments in improving clean water infrastructure.

A ``yes'' vote on H.R. 1 begins to pull back on our ability to maintain the promise of those investments. I urge my colleagues on the other side of the aisle to consider what real bipartisan work on permitting reform would look like.

Mr. Chair, I ask my colleagues to vote ``no'' on H.R. 1, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Clean water is a human right, and the health and safety of our communities and the success of our economy depend upon it.

House Democrats stand for clean water, and today, I rise to oppose H.J. Res. 27.

Last Congress, we passed a bipartisan, once-in-a-generation investment in our Nation's infrastructure through the bipartisan infrastructure law, investing almost $13 billion in clean water infrastructure upgrades and creating jobs in communities across this country.

The BIL showed what Congress can do when we focus on the needs of American families. Yet, instead of putting people over pollution, this CRA does the opposite.

Now, my State of Washington is defined by its clean water, including the health of the Puget Sound and the hundreds of lakes and thousands of miles of rivers and streams throughout the State.

My constituents know that rivers, streams, and wetlands, are intrinsically connected. Pollution that starts in one body of water does not stay put.

House Democrats believe we can protect clean water, while providing certainty to businesses, to farmers, to Americans who depend upon clean water for their lives and livelihoods.

This is especially true for the 117 million Americans who depend on smaller streams as a source of their drinking water at a time when many States are facing historic droughts.

My colleagues on the other side of the aisle say they want clean water rules that are simple, clear and easy to follow. I want that, too.

The Biden administration's Clean Water Restoration Rule does exactly that; following the law and the science of protecting clean water and providing regulatory certainty and stability to the implementation of the Clean Water Act.

This resolution does the opposite. This resolution will not bring back the previous administration's Navigable Waters Protection Rule, which removed Federal protections on roughly half of the Nation's wetlands and 70 percent of its rivers and streams.

That rule was rightly rejected by a Federal court in 2021, as ``fundamentally flawed'' and likely to cause ``serious environmental harm'' every day it remained in effect. It is off the table entirely.

This resolution before us today will also not eliminate the use of the ``significant nexus'' test because that test was mandated by the U.S. Supreme Court. It has been in effect since the Bush administration and remains in place today.

However, this resolution will adversely impact farmers, ranchers, and developers by creating regulatory chaos and eliminating important exclusions that have been codified in the new rule to help water- dependent businesses and farmers to understand and comply with the law.

Now, despite fear-mongering on this issue, the truth is simple. The Biden proposal will have no impact on the average family farmer in this country. Why? That is because farmers are, by law, largely exempt from the Clean Water Act permitting requirements where less than 1 percent of all annual wetlands permits relate to agricultural activities nationwide.

Therefore, if your farm is engaged in normal farming, forestry, and ranching activity, or undertakes the construction or maintenance of a farm, stock pond, or irrigation ditch, you are exempt from the permitting requirements of the act, and the current proposal does not change that exemption.

Finally, for those waiting to see whether the Supreme Court will somehow fix this issue in the upcoming Sackett case, this resolution will actually hinder the ability of the Corps and the EPA to respond to the Supreme Court's potential recommendations later this year.

That is why this resolution before us makes no sense. It would invalidate the Biden rule and all the clarifications and exceptions for business it contains in favor of a similarly structured but much less clear regulatory framework. That is a recipe for uncertainty, legal battles, and continued gridlock, the opposite of what proponents say they are looking for. It would also tie the hands of Federal agencies seeking to help individuals comply with the law, unless Congress acts again.

This shortsighted action will lessen, not increase, certainty. It is a big mistake. I support the administration's efforts to efficiently implement the critical water infrastructure investments included in the BIL so we can begin to realize the public health, economic, and environmental benefits that come with clean water.

This resolution represents a giant step backward for clean water, increases uncertainty for farmers, homebuilders, roadbuilders, and all American families, and doubles down on the infighting and chaos.

I urge my colleagues to join me in opposing H.J. Res. 27 and move together toward a future with predictability for those that need it and clean water for communities that cannot survive without it.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from New Mexico (Ms. Stansbury).

Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record a list of 91 organizations in opposition to H.J. Res. 27 and an open letter to Congress from the Environmental Protection Network in opposition to H.J. Res. 27.

Organizations in Opposition to H.J. Res. 27, Resolution of Disapproval

of Biden Clean Water Restoration Rule

350.org, A Community Voice, Alabama Rivers Alliance, Alaska

Community Action on Toxics, Alliance for the Great Lakes,

Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments, American

Geophysical Union, American Public Health Association,

American Rivers, American Sustainable Business Network,

Amigos Bravos, Anthropocene Alliance, Appalachian Trail

Conservancy, Associacion de Residentes de La Margaita, Inc.,

Atchafalaya Basinkeeper, Black Millennials 4 Flint, Cahaba

River Society, California Environmental Voters, Center for

Biological Diversity, Center for Environmental

Transformation, Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Children's

Environmental Health Network, Clean Water Action.

Clean, Healthy, Educated, Safe & Sustainable Community,

Inc., Coalition for Wetlands and Forests, Committee on the

Middle Fork Vermilion River, Community In-Power and

Development Association Inc. (CIDA Inc.), Concerned Citizens

for Nuclear Safety, Concerned Citizens of Cook County

(Georgia), Conservation Alabama, Earthjustice, Environment

America, Environment Texas, Environmental Law & Policy

Center, Environmental Working Group, For Love of Water

(FLOW), FreshWater Accountability Project, Freshwater Future,

Friends of Buckingham, Friends of the Mississippi River, Gila

Resources Information Project, Greater Edwards Aquifer

Alliance, Greater Neighborhood Alliance of Jersey City, NJ,

GreenLatinos, Groundswell Charleston SC.

Gullah/Geechee Sea Island Coalition, Healthy Gulf, Hispanic

Federation, Idaho Rivers United, Illinois Council of Trout

Unlimited, Izaak Walton League of America, Lake Pepin Legacy

Alliance, Lawyers for Good Government (L4GG), League of

Conservation Voters, Lynn Canal Conservation, Maine

Conservation Voters, Malach Consulting, Michigan League of

Conservation Voters, Milton's Concerned Citizens, Mississippi

River Collaborative, Missouri Confluence Waterkeeper, Montana

Conservation Voters, MS Communities United for Prosperity

(MCUP), National Parks Conservation Association, National

Wildlife Federation, Natural Heritage Institute, Natural

Resources Defense Council, NC League of Conservation Voters.

New Mexico Climate Justice, New Mexico Environmental Law

Center, New York League of Conservation Voters, Northeastern

Minnesotans for Wilderness, Ohio River Foundation, Patagonia

Area Resource Alliance, PES, Rapid Creek Watershed Action,

Renewal of Life Trust, River Network, Save the Illinois

River, Inc., STIR, Serene Wildlife Sanctuary LLC, Sierra

Club, Southern Environmental Law Center, Surfrider

Foundation, The Clinch Coalition, The Water Collaborative of

Greater New Orleans, Tookany/Tacony-Frankford Watershed

Partnership, Virginia League of Conservation Voters,

Washington Conservation Action, Waterkeepers Chesapeake,

Weequahic Park Association, Winyah Rivers Alliance.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Napolitano), the ranking member of the Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentlewoman from Ohio (Mrs. Sykes).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Beyer).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Velazquez).

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

I just want to make a note that the argument that this is like a taking does not hold any water--excuse the pun--because a 1992 case in the Supreme Court determined that rules like this actually do not qualify as a taking under the U.S. Constitution or under U.S. law.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume just to go back to an argument a previous speaker made about the Democrats having the majority in the House, the Senate, and the Presidency.

It also should be on the Record that the other side of the aisle had the majority in the House, the Senate, and the Presidency in 2017 and 2018 and also did nothing on this rule. It wasn't important enough for them to do anything.

Then the President's rule at the time moved forward, and it was tossed by two different courts. It was rejected by the courts, which leaves us in this position where we are today of playing ping-pong with the waters of the U.S. rule.

Our argument today is: Let's bring certainty to the Clean Water Act, bring certainty to the waters of the U.S., reject H.J. Res. 27, and move forward with the existing rule from the current administration.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I want to be clear that I do agree with some of the comments made by the previous speaker that this has been a ping-pong match among administrations over the last 10 years where all Americans have lived under various definitions of this rule.

I, too, want to end that ping-pong match which is why I am calling on the House of Representatives to vote ``no'' on this resolution and get on with the certainty that the current administration's rule provides.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

This debate we are having today is only about clean water, and we need to put people and clean water above pollution. The administration has a rule that provides certainty, and we should move forward on that. But this debate is about clean water.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I do have to address the comment about who cares about rural America. I am not making an argument today that any one party or any one person cares more about rural America.

However, if we are going to support rural America, keep implementing the bipartisan infrastructure law, which puts $65 billion into broadband, including billions of dollars to expand broadband into rural areas--something happening in my State and States around the country.

Pass comprehensive immigration reform so there is a supply of workers in this country, including farmworkers.

Open up trade agreements. Open up trade for agriculture, including ag in my State, in my own district for the milk producers, the potato producers, the raspberry and blueberry producers, who are exporting product all over the country.

That is what it means--at least on my side of the State--to support rural America.

I support rural America, and a lot of folks in this Chamber on both sides support our farmers and rural America. Let's take action to do just that.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I will note that in the current administration's rule the agencies added six additional exclusions to the regulatory text for generally nonjurisdictional features under the pre-2015 regulatory effort and continues the agencies' two longstanding exclusions for wastewater treatment systems and prior converted farmland.

In addition, the final rule continues the agencies' longstanding regulatory definition of wetlands, as well. Now, that changed a longstanding definition of wetlands, something that again adds to the certainty of the rule as well as with the six additional exclusions creates more exclusions than in the Bush-era rule.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time to close.

Last year, this Congress came together to provide historic investments in our Nation's infrastructure through the bipartisan infrastructure law, providing communities with almost $13 billion in clean water infrastructure upgrades and creating jobs.

These clean water investments help areas like Skagit County, where I am from, which has used the Clean Water State Revolving Fund money to protect the water quality of Gilligan Creek, the drinking water source for many in that county.

Every day, more and more American families are realizing the public health, economic, and environmental benefits of the bipartisan infrastructure law, benefits that will continue as additional BIL resources are made available and implemented across the country.

The BIL is what Congress can do at its best. This resolution is not.

This resolution provides no benefits to public health. It seeks to eliminate protections for rivers, streams, and wetlands, many of which serve as a source of drinking water for hundreds of millions of Americans.

This resolution provides no benefits to our economy as a whole. It not only casts aside a time-tested, scientifically based tool to implement the Clean Water Act, but then further blocks the Corps of Engineers and the EPA from providing any additional clarity to businesses, farmers, and homebuilders going forward.

In short, this resolution is a recipe for uncertainty, for litigation, for continued gridlock, the very things that my friends on the other side of the aisle are really trying to avoid, as we are as well.

This resolution is a step backward for clean water. It is a step backward for certainty. I urge my colleagues to see this resolution for what it is. It is not for clean water. It is an attack on our clean water future. It fails to provide clarity. It fails to provide consistency for our businesses, our farmers, and for many in our communities who rely on clean water who are not businesses, who are not farmers, who are not ranchers. Many of those folks look to Congress to ensure clean water, as well.

Mr. Speaker, I am urging my colleagues to vote ``no'' on H.J. Res. 27, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, today, I rise in opposition to H.J. Res. 7, a resolution to terminate the COVID-19 emergency declaration, a resolution introduced by Representative Gosar.

The coronavirus pandemic has been a public health and economic calamity for our country. We lost over 1 million of our fellow citizens to this deadly virus in wave after wave of devastating news for families. Entire industries have been forced to shut down and then restart from a standstill. Others have had to entirely reimagine the way they do business, costing billions of dollars in the process.

The impact of the pandemic was inequitable in the extreme. The digital divide grew even wider as those with internet access could work from home or go to school from home while others were left behind. Transportation workers, healthcare workers, law enforcement, and grocery store workers were all unable to work from home, leaving them at an elevated risk during a very dangerous time.

But thanks to actions of the previous Congress, including the American Rescue Plan, the CHIPS and Science Act, the Inflation Reduction Act, and the bipartisan infrastructure law, we are well on our way to robust recovery from this dark chapter of our Nation's history.

However, our work is not done. New variants continue to emerge, taking a toll on our workforce and exacerbating the labor shortage facing many businesses. Healthcare workers are still on the front lines of this pandemic. Last week, they saw nearly 4,000 Americans die from

Mr. Speaker, I just note that there is no record that the national emergency exacerbated supply chain problems in the U.S. There is every record in evidence that COVID exacerbated supply chain problems in the U.S., bringing our economy to a standstill, and in my view, every evidence that the investment in the bipartisan infrastructure law and the CHIPS and Science Act are doing exactly what they needed to do, to bring our economy back. There is no evidence otherwise. Just saying that for the record.

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

Mr. Speaker, thank you for that announcement.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

I would just note that everyone is looking forward to the day when COVID-19 is a distant memory. But we have to work toward that day cautiously and steadily, and the emergency declaration should not be terminated until there is time to conduct a careful review on science. It should not be terminated on the whim of any one Member of Congress.

The administration has a plan to bring the national emergency declaration to an orderly end on May 11, aligning with their commitment to give at least 60 days' notice prior to the termination. I think it is a sensible and reasoned approach that Congress should support.

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

Mr. Speaker, I would just note that if we are going cite President Biden's comment that the pandemic is over, will the House also agree with the President that there will be no cuts to Social Security and Medicare?

Will the House also agree that President Biden has said that the economy has turned around, creating 11 million jobs, and the economy is robust?

If we are going to pick and choose what the President says to make any one argument, then let's look at the totality of the President's record, in fairness to the President.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Payne).

Mr. Speaker, I yield an additional 1 minute to the gentleman from New Jersey.

Mr. Speaker, I yield an additional 30 seconds to the gentleman from New Jersey.

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

Mr. Speaker, my colleagues on the other side of the aisle are fond of quoting the President and saying the pandemic is over. I just hope they will also agree with the President that we have had the 2 strongest years of job growth in history the last 2 years. We have had the lowest level of unemployment in 50 years. We have a new record low unemployment for Black and Hispanic Americans and record low unemployment for people with disabilities.

I hope as they are picking and choosing what they choose to agree with the President on, that they look at these facts, and also come out and agree with the President that these are also the facts.

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

Mr. Speaker, the administration has a plan to bring the national emergency declaration to an early end on May 11, aligning with its commitment to at least 60 days' notice prior to termination. This gives time for a deliberate and sensible wind down of the national emergency.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to oppose H.J. Res. 7, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 255, the Federal Disaster Assistance Coordination Act, introduced by Representatives Gonzalez- Colon, Peters, and Plaskett.

This legislation amends the Disaster Recovery Reform Act to help Federal agencies streamline and consolidate information collection and Preliminary Damage Assessments following disasters.

After a major disaster, there is no time to wait for bureaucracy. However, Federal recovery assistance following disasters is currently hampered by inefficient information collection and assessments conducted by multiple agencies.

This bill will remove information collection barriers that currently impede disaster aid. It creates a working group to identify duplicative assessments and propose their elimination.

Further, it would streamline Federal disaster recovery efforts by concluding that a single agency is sufficient to conduct damage assessments to account for the needs of disaster victims. The Federal Government can and should be doing this work smarter.

Mr. Speaker, I support this bill, and I urge my colleagues to do the same.

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

Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I am prepared to close. I inquire of my colleague if there are any remaining speakers on his side.

Mr. Speaker, in closing, this bipartisan bill passed the House on suspension in the 116th and 117th Congresses. It will help disaster survivors by taking a step toward streamlining the Federal Government's fragmented approach to disaster assistance.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 259. This bill, introduced by Resident Commissioner Gonzalez-Colon and Delegate Plaskett would create a new online system for tracking Federal disaster projects and assistance.

People should know how and where their disaster funds are being spent without wading through reams of governmental paperwork. This legislation simplifies the data collection process for Federal disaster recovery projects.

To increase transparency, the bill also creates a page on USASpending.gov where everyone can track agency disaster recovery activities and the amount of assistance expended by an agency on a quarterly basis.

Federal agencies need to be accountable to the victims of disasters and allow them peace of mind when they are at their most vulnerable.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues on both sides to join with me and support this legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I am prepared to close.

Mr. Speaker, the House passed this bipartisan bill on suspension as well in the past two Congresses. I look forward to passing this commonsense transparency measure again today.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support it, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 388, the Securities and Exchange Commission Real Estate Leasing Authority Revocation Act.

This legislation, introduced by Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton of the District of Columbia revokes the independent real estate leasing authority of the SEC and directs the Government Accountability Office to update its 2016 report on Federal entities with independent real estate leasing authority.

While some Federal agencies have independent real estate leasing authority and have used it responsibly, the SEC has a history of egregious real estate practices.

Congress granted the SEC independent leasing authority in 1990, which means the SEC does not need to use the General Services Administration for its real estate needs like most other government agencies do.

In 2010, anticipating the agency would expand in response to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, the SEC leased 900,000 square feet of space in the Constitution Center building in Washington, D.C.

Then, a year later, in 2011, the SEC's Office of Inspector General issued a report which found that the SEC Office of Administrative Services conducted a flawed analysis to justify the need for this leased space and potentially committed Anti-Deficiency Act violations.

SEC's Office of Inspector General found that OAS grossly overestimated the amount of space needed at SEC headquarters for the SEC's projected expansion and prepared a faulty Justification and Approval to support eliminating competition.

Thankfully, Delegate Norton introduced identical legislation to repeal this authority during the 117th Congress, and that bill, H.R. 1468, passed both the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the House of Representatives with bipartisan support. Unfortunately, H.R. 1468 was not considered by the Senate. Today, we are trying one more time to approve this commonsense legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from the District of Columbia (Ms. Norton).

Mr. Speaker, I yield an additional 2 minutes to the gentlewoman.

Mr. Speaker, it is time for Congress to return the SEC's leasing authority to the GSA, the Federal Government's civilian real estate arm. This legislation would do just that.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 346, the NOTAM Improvement Act of 2023, as amended. This bill was introduced by the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Stauber) and the gentleman from California (Mr. DeSaulnier).

On the morning of January 11, the U.S. airspace came to a standstill when the FAA grounded all airline domestic departures for the first time since September 11, 2001, due to an agency contractor mistakenly causing an outage of the FAA's NOTAM system.

NOTAMs are a critical part of our aviation infrastructure as they provide essential, real-time flight safety information--such as potential hazards--to pilots, flight dispatchers, and other airspace users.

Although the FAA worked to quickly solve the problem and lift the subsequent domestic flight ground stop, the cascading effects of mass delays and cancellations were seen for hours.

I fully support the FAA's actions to ensure the NOTAM outage would not affect the safety of the national airspace system; however, our constituents deserve better. They deserve to have both a safe and reliable national airspace system.

The FAA has moved to put several operational and systematic mitigations in place to try to prevent future NOTAM outages from occurring. However, the recent NOTAM system outage shows a clear need to reexamine and modernize the safety-critical systems and legacy infrastructure that flight crews and airline passengers depend upon.

To help strengthen the integrity of the system, this bipartisan bill directs the FAA to create a task force on NOTAM improvement to review existing methods for the content and presentation of NOTAMs to pilots; determine best practices to prioritize and disseminate critical flight information to pilots in a way that optimizes review and retention; and develop recommendations to ensure stability, resiliency, and cybersecurity of the NOTAM system.

This task force will be comprised of key aviation stakeholders, including airline pilots, air traffic controllers, air carriers, and aviation safety and computer system experts, among others.

This bill is an important step in a series of efforts Congress and the FAA will undergo to modernize the NOTAM system. Later this week, the chair and I and other Members of this body will be briefed by the FAA Acting Administrator on the status of the preliminary investigation into the NOTAM outage, how the FAA is responding to the incident, and issues that Congress should be considering to further strengthen the NOTAM system.

Fortunately, we are due for an FAA reauthorization bill this year, giving us an opportunity to build upon the 2018 law and further implement any necessary improvements to safeguard the NAS from similar system outages.

The task force created under this bill will play an important role in the FAA's ongoing NOTAM modernization initiative to ensure pilots, flight crews, and other airspace users receive NOTAMs that are timely, relevant, and accurate.

There can be no compromises when it comes to safety in the national airspace.

As demand for air travel begins to meet and even exceed prepandemic levels, this bill will help the FAA and the U.S. aviation industry implement best practices to improve the safety of the traveling public and the U.S. aviation workforce.

Mr. Speaker, I support this legislation, and I urge my colleagues to do the same.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. DeSaulnier).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Torres).

Mr. Speaker, as the ranking member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, I believe we have to do everything we can to ensure the U.S. remains the gold standard in aviation safety. That is why I support H.R. 346, as amended, and I urge my colleagues to do the same.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I rise in recognition of Chief Master Sergeant Terry Mickens, United States Air Force, and her work as the Department of Defense legislative fellow detailed to my office for 2022.

In 2021, Chief Master Sergeant Mickens was selected to represent the Air Force as a Department of Defense legislative fellow.

The Department of Defense (DoD) legislative fellowship program provides superior service members with valuable legislative experience and DoD with an understanding of how congressional actions affect DoD's budget, roles and missions, force structure, military projects, and quality of life.

Over the past year, Chief Master Sergeant Mickens has been essential to my office and the defense portfolio. She has crafted and coordinated NDAA amendments in line with my priorities and the needs of Northwest Washington communities.

She worked to protect service members from online sexual harassment, strengthen the total force by providing access to advanced education for enlisted members, improve interoperability with partners and allies in the Pacific and she pressed the Department of Defense to strengthen service cohesion, transparency and force restructure in electromagnetic spectrum operations.

Chief Master Sergeant Mickens conducted research and provided comprehensive updates on DoD Arctic Strategy, DoD 5G Pilot Programs, AI/ML Education Strategy, and Electromagnetic Spectrum Operations to inform my policy agenda.

Chief Master Sergeant Mickens dedicates her time to her family, education and community.

Chief Master Sergeant Mickens hails from El Paso, Texas. She is the proud mother of Asia Mickens-Perez and is the daughter of Cynthia Mickens and Army veteran, Leonard Mickens.

She completed over 60 hours of professional development, was selected for the MIT AI/ML for Business Course and completed the Wilson AI and National Security six-week Fellowship program. She earned a certificate in Legislative Affairs from Georgetown University's Government Affairs Institute.

She and I share a love of soccer, and Chief Master Sergeant Mickens volunteers her free time to support regional soccer teams and raised $4,000 for a soccer travel abroad program.

The Air Force recognized her hard work, leadership and dedication and promoted her to the rank of Chief Master Sergeant in October 2022.

I thank Chief Master Sergeant Mickens for her commitment and service to her community, Washington's Second Congressional District and the United States of America.

Madam Speaker, I rise in recognition of the retirement of Les Reardanz and his remarkable 31-year career of service in the United States Navy.

Les's years in uniform have meant time away from his family and friends. He has served our country, the Navy and our community with devotion and integrity. Whether on deployment in Afghanistan, advising the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff on legal matters, or helping safeguard Puget Sound following 9/11, Les's tours of duty were as expansive as his skill set. The Navy and the Judge Advocate General's Corps are undoubtedly better off thanks to his years of service and leadership.

Les also served as Executive Director for the Port of Everett. During his tenure, he strengthened the critical relationship between the Port and the Navy and helped lay the foundation to expand the seaport and redevelop the Everett waterfront. Also, Les played a key role in reaching the agreement that created the Blue Heron Slough.

I wish Les the best as his Navy career ends, new chapters begin and as he continues serving his community at the Whatcom Transportation Authority.

I thank Les for his dedicated service and congratulate him on a job well done.

Mr. Speaker, had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall No. 466.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that I may hereafter be considered to be the first sponsor of H.R. 783, a bill originally introduced by Representative Young of Alaska for the purposes of adding cosponsors and requesting reprintings pursuant to clause 7 of rule XII.

Madam Speaker, I rise to honor Robert A. Hungerschafer from Bellingham, Washington.

Robert is a dedicated volunteer who has served his community with selflessness and compassion by donating blood, plasma and platelets.

His contributions are staggering.

Robert has made 1,100 voluntary donations, potentially saving more than 7,900 lives.

He has donated more than 300 gallons of blood, plasma and platelets and traveled over 74,000 miles to help save lives.

But Robert is more than a donor.

He also volunteers by documenting the lives of Washington state servicemembers who lost their lives in World War I.

Robert's donations help save the lives of people he will never meet. This selflessness is essential to building stronger communities and is a reminder that everyone can play a part in improving the lives of their neighbors.

It is my honor to recognize Robert A. Hungerschafer for his service to his community, Washington state and the United States.

Madam Speaker, Everett, Washington, suffered a tragic loss 2 weeks ago. On Friday, March 25, Everett Police Officer Dan Rocha was killed in the line of duty while responding to a call near Everett Community College.

Today, the city of Everett celebrated Officer Rocha's life at a memorial service attended by many family members, his friends, law enforcement, other first responders, and, of course, community members.

My thoughts and prayers are with the Rocha family during this very difficult time, Dan's wife, Kelli; his two sons, Thomas and Harrison; and his very large extended family.

As a citizen of Everett, I myself have called upon the Everett Police Department a few times in my neighborhood for help, for assistance, and just for presence. They have always responded without question.

Officer Rocha made an incredible impact in a short time at the Everett PD, serving as an officer for the last 4 years. Two years ago, he landed his dream assignment as a day-shift patrol officer in north Everett. On the day he passed, Officer Rocha was doing the job he loved, serving and protecting the community.

Sadly, the Everett PD has experienced tragedy before. In 1999, Officer Brian DiBucci was killed while pursuing a suspect near the U.S. 2 trestle.

Law enforcement officers like Officers Rocha and DiBucci have dedicated their careers to keeping northwest Washington communities and residents safe.

I know that the women and men of the Everett Police Department will continue to go out into the community every day and carry on Officer Rocha's legacy by upholding that department's commitment to service, integrity, professionalism, and honor.

Today, I stand with my hometown of Everett to honor Officer Rocha and his service to our community.

I thank Representative Newhouse for this opportunity to participate in the Special Order tonight.

Mr. Speaker, people have been traveling across the Merrill and Ring Creek Bridge in Everett, Washington, since Herbert Hoover was President of the United States.

Every day, residents drive, walk, pedal, and roll across the bridge to get to and from work and school in Everett and to catch a ferry in Mukilteo. Commuters on Everett Transit's route 18 bus rely on the bridge to access Sounder commuter rail and Amtrak service at Everett Station.

However, a recent assessment revealed the bridge is not only structurally deficient; it is vulnerable to collapse in the event of an earthquake. Thanks to the bipartisan infrastructure law, Washington communities will receive more than $605 million over the next 5 years to invest in critical bridge repairs.

Last week, Everett officials took me across the Merrill and Ring Creek Bridge and told me how this bold, long-term investment will create jobs, drive economic recovery, and keep people on the move.

Mr. Speaker, you cannot have a big-league economy with little-league infrastructure. Thanks to the bipartisan infrastructure law, communities in my district now have the resources needed to repair aging bridges and build a winning game plan for the region's economic future.

Madam Speaker, I rise to honor the life of Robin Hebert. Robin was a beloved wife and a Gold Star mother.

She passed away on September 13, 2021, after an extended battle with bone marrow cancer at age 63.

Robin was an active and compassionate member of her community.

On August 1, 2003, Robin lost her son, Army Specialist Justin Hebert when his vehicle was struck by a rocket-propelled grenade in Kirkuk, Iraq.

Robin fought her battle with cancer with the same honor and courage as Justin.

Robin volunteered as a trial patient for an experimental bone marrow transplant. While she could not donate her organs, she proudly donated her information to researchers to save lives even after she passed.

Robin will be remembered by friends and family for her resilience and tenacity. She will be missed greatly.