Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I share the concerns of my friend from Kansas regarding the need to upgrade the Nation's ground- based aviation infrastructure in a much timelier fashion. Aviation is a part of the backbone of the U.S. economy and keeping all aspects of the system up to date is essential to continued growth and quality of life for all Americans. The backlog of ground-based navigation aids that are currently operating past their useful life is real. In fact, at the current slow pace of modernization, some of these systems will be more than 100 years old by the time they are replaced.

As Chair of the Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Aviation, I am committed to addressing this issue before it becomes a crisis for the aviation system. The funding in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will give the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) the tools it needs to make significant improvements in the safety and reliability of critical ground-based infrastructure by acquiring, installing, and commissioning new instrument landing systems; distance measuring equipment; tactical air navigation equipment; runway lighting systems; and very high frequency omni-range equipment. Further, this funding supports the FAA's administrative expenses, including salaries, giving the agency the flexibility to bolster its workforce and implement innovative solutions to accelerate the modernization of these systems.

Ensuring the safety and reliability of the Nation's ground-based aviation infrastructure is a priority of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, and I am committed to working with Representative Davids on this issue as we move forward, including oversight on the U.S. Department of Transportation spend plan.

Madam Speaker, I rise to honor the life and distinguished career of Everett Mayor Robert ``Bob'' Carl Anderson, the city's first mayor under its modern charter, who passed away on July 8, 2021.

Mayor Anderson was instrumental in establishing the Boeing 747 ``Jumbo Jet'' plant at Everett's Paine Field in the late-1960s, which has had a lasting impact on the local economy for 50 years.

Bob Anderson was born on July 11, 1929, in Portland, Oregon to Carl John Anderson and Helen Anderson. He spent most of his childhood in Seattle before later moving to Everett.

He graduated from Roosevelt High School in Seattle and the University of Washington,

where he met his wife, Dona. Bob and Dona were married in 1950 and raised four children in Everett.

Bob served in the Navy for six years during the Korean War.

He was elected Mayor of Everett in 1968 and served until he became an executive of the Olympic Bank in 1977.

In 1978, he became the director of the Washington State Department of Commerce and Economic Development.

He founded the Washington State China Relations Council where he served as president, director and senior advisor.

I would like to honor the life of Mayor Bob Anderson, his service to our country and his important contributions to the development of Everett and the State of Washington.

Madam Speaker, I rise to celebrate the 100th birthday of Ms. Marianne Weingarten.

Marianne Lilli Katz Weingarten was born in Germany in 1921. At age 14, she was sent to Spain to live with her aunt and uncle, but four months after she arrived, the Spanish Civil War broke out and she was forced to return to Germany.

Marianne and her parents fled Nazi Germany in 1938 and immigrated to the United States. She worked with the Jewish Emigre service in Seattle during the war, taking immigrants off boats and helping them on their next steps in their new country.

She married Morty Weingarten of North Dakota, who had come to Everett to work for The Boeing Company.

Marianne and Morty had 2 children, Tom and Susan. Marianne has lived in her home in Seattle for 70 years, during which time she has cruised all over the world.

She now serves on the gardening committee in her senior residence and enjoys playing ping pong.

I would like to celebrate Ms. Marianne Weingarten for her rich and full life, and for her service to others that helped make the Pacific Northwest and this country a better place.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to clarify my position on the Motion to Adjourn considered on the floor this morning.

I support full consideration of the For the People Act and the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act. I was unable to vote this morning. Had I been present, I would have voted: nay, on rollcall No. 56.

Madam Speaker, I rise today with my colleague Representative LaHood to honor Wayne Morrison, Specialist in International Trade and Finance in the Foreign Affairs, Defense and Trade Division of the Congressional Research Service (CRS).

Wayne recently retired after 36 years of distinguished service at CRS as a leading expert on U.S.-China trade and economic relations.

Wayne has always been helpful to our offices and willing to speak to groups, Members and policy staffers about trade and China.

Before starting his career at CRS, Wayne worked in the office of Senator John Heinz, engaging directly with constituents on international trade issues.

From there, Wayne has spent over three decades working in trade policy. Wayne has been involved in nearly every major trade bill and U.S. trade law, as well as U.S. trade relations and negotiations with key U.S. trading partners and at the World Trade Organization (WTO).

As the Chairs of the US-China Working Group, we rise with appreciation for Wayne's work on China specifically. Wayne's knowledge of China's economy and its economic rise have been critical to Congress. One of Wayne's greatest strengths is his ability to explain the complexities of the bilateral relationship in an authoritative yet accessible manner, providing invaluable assistance to Members of Congress, as well as to the most experienced congressional staff and to those just starting to work on China.

Wayne represents CRS at its finest in serving Congress. We will miss him and wish him the very best in his retirement.

Madam Speaker, a few weeks ago, Democrats and Republicans engaged in the annual Congressional Soccer Match, and we are taking a very brief amount of time here to announce the outcome of that Congressional Soccer Match. In a few moments, I will recognize my Representative friend from Nebraska.

This is an important timing of this particular recognition because tomorrow the U.S. Women's national team kicks off at 3 p.m. to defend their World Cup title. For those in the Pacific Northwest, that is noon. I am encouraging everyone to watch that game if it is possible.

So we are here to recognize the Women's national team, but also to recognize the winners of this year's Congressional Soccer Match, the Republicans.

Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Bacon).

Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Castor), who is also on our team and the other co- chair.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of the 2020 Census. Every decade, the Census shapes important local infrastructure and investment decisions like where to build new schools, establish workforce training sites, invest in road and public transportation projects, and fund health care and affordable housing. The Census also determines how many Members of Congress are allocated per state and informs decisions about Congressional district lines, ensuring fair representation.

An accurate Census is vital to the well-being of Washington's communities. That is why I oppose adding a citizenship question to the Census. By enabling informed decisions, accurate Census data can create jobs, stimulate economic growth and increase employment opportunities for people in Washington's Second District. Adding an un-tested citizenship question will sow fear and lead people to not respond to the Census survey, negatively impacting local communities.

Madam Speaker, I continue to support a well-researched and just 2020 Census to foster innovation, growth and prosperity for Washington state communities.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to support H. Res. 1162 and voice my outrage at continued Russian violations of Ukrainian sovereignty.

The list of Russian provocations is lengthy.

Russia has fueled the war in the Donbas, first by providing material and mercenary support to armed separatists and later by sending in troops to fight directly. Russia also illegally invaded and occupied the Crimean Peninsula. Additionally, Russian-backed separatists using Russian-supplied weaponry shot down a passenger airliner, killing 298 innocent civilians. To this day, Russia refuses to accept responsibility despite overwhelming evidence. Most recently, Russian ships seized and boarded Ukrainian vessels sailing between two Ukrainian ports in the Kerch Strait, detaining Ukrainian sailors. This violation of international law cannot go unmet.

What happens to Ukraine matters to the United States because violations of international borders and maritime law harm the United States. The United States benefits greatly from the rules-based order it set up with a coalition of countries after World War II. Any violation of these rules and norms must be responded to appropriately. Now that H. Res. 1162 has passed on voice vote, I call on my colleagues in Congress and the administration to explore further ways to hold Russia accountable for its blatant violations of Ukrainian sovereignty. Finally, as the Ukrainian government works to strengthen transparency and the rule of law, I urge my colleagues in Congress to be willing partners to secure the benefits of democracy and stability for the Ukrainian people.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to voice my strong support for H. Res. 1149 and the alliance between the United States and the Republic of Korea.

Our two nations have forged an important military alliance and strong economic and diplomatic friendship built on shared support for democracy, free markets and human rights. I have long advocated for increasing the American commitment to the Indo-Asia-Pacific region, with the important U.S.-Korean relationship central to that strategy.

Both of our nations are threatened by North Korea's nuclear program. With nuclear talks at an apparent standstill, the current reduction in bilateral military exercises may be harming joint readiness with little to show for it. I will continue to urge the administration to conduct exercises when militarily necessary and separate our military cooperation with South Korea from ongoing negotiations about North Korea's nuclear program.

The United States and the Republic of Korea share a desire to eliminate the threat posed by North Korea's nuclear and missile

programs and secure a lasting peace on the Korean Peninsula. By working together as allies and friends we increase the likelihood of making these aspirations into reality.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the Frank LoBiondo Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2018.

Protecting the maritime jobs of the hardworking Washingtonians in the second district of my State, including at Dakota Creek Industries in Anacortes, is a priority of mine. The passage of this legislation supports U.S. maritime defense policy and sustains a strong domestic shipbuilding industry. It is a win as well for the hundreds of men and women at Dakota Creek Industries, which is a key contributor to our regional economy.

I appreciate the coordination with Senator Cantwell, Senator Sullivan, and Representative Don Young as we have worked for a year and a half to find a path to save the hundreds of jobs at DCI.

I also want to thank my friend, Frank LoBiondo. It is fitting that this bill is named for him, as he is a champion of all things transportation. He has worked tirelessly for the people of New Jersey, the people of his district, and for the people of this country to ensure that we have an infrastructure system in this country that works for all of them.

It has been an honor to serve with him for nearly two decades, and I will miss the work of Representative Frank LoBiondo.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the distinguished life and distinguished career of 100-year-old Chief Erwin Roy Olney of Burlington, Washington.

Chief Olney is a World War II and Korean War U.S. Navy veteran who served in Dutch Harbor, Alaska; Honolulu; and New York City.

He enlisted at 17 on August 4, 1936. He was discharged in October 1941, but re-enlisted in December, 1941, after the attack on Pearl Harbor.

While in Dutch Harbor, he shot down a Japanese Zero fighter plane. The recovered plane helped U.S. engineers understand their enemy and improve U.S. fighters at a critical time in the war.

Chief Olney retired in 1956 with more than 20 years of service. His rank at retirement was Chief Aviation Machinist Mate.

On October 11, 2018, Chief Olney turned 100 years old.

He is a patriot and deserves to be honored not just for this milestone birthday but also for his commitment to this country.

During the month of his 100th birthday, I rise to recognize and thank Chief Olney.

Mr. Speaker, thank you, Chairman Katko and Ranking Member Watson Coleman, for calling this important hearing to take a closer look at the new challenges that pose security threats to airports and carriers nationwide.

As Ranking Member of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure's Aviation Subcommittee, I am committed to ensuring the United States continues to have the safest airspace system in the history of flight. In light of recent events, it is clear there is more Congress can do to make the system safer.

Less than two months ago, on August 10, 2018, an airline employee stole an aircraft at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (Sea-Tac) in my home state of Washington and engaged in unauthorized flight.

If not for the rapid response teams, particularly Sea-Tac air traffic controllers and the Air National Guard, who remained calm throughout a very intense situation and worked diligently to contain the incident, this tragedy could have devastated communities in Northwest Washington.

Sea-Tac is a major hub in the national airport network and has long been a leader in airport security. The airport conducts extensive security clearance measures and thorough employee background checks, and uses advanced technologies to ensure the safety of its passengers and employees.

However, this incident demonstrates the need for the federal government and industry

alike to consider new ways to ensure the safety and security of passengers and employees.

For years, I worked with my colleagues on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee to develop a long-term Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reauthorization bill to address, among other things, safety issues present in our airspace system, and I am pleased Congress has recently enacted a comprehensive measure that will raise the bar on aviation safety for years to come.

This legislation will help lessen the likelihood of incidents similar to the August 10 event at Sea-Tac in the future by requiring the FAA and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to work with industry to evaluate security gaps in our aviation system and provide recommendations on industry improvements.

Among its provisions, the legislation authorizes the FAA to carry out a pilot program to support non-federal acquisition and installation of surveillance systems for the non-movement areas of airports, such as airport cargo and maintenance areas.

It also calls on the FAA to collaborate with stakeholders to advance a global standard for access to air carrier flight decks, and it directs the TSA to consult with the FAA to complete a detailed threat assessment to identify any safety or security risks associated with unauthorized access to flight decks on commercial aircraft.

While this long-term reauthorization makes considerable progress in aviation safety and security, our work is not done. In addition, industry must work proactively to address these pressing issues. I commend Sea-Tac and aviation stakeholders for their collaboration following the August 10 incident on a new series of industry best practices to advance airport security.

I look forward to working with this Subcommittee, industry, and other stakeholders to address these new threats and to ensure the United States continues to maintain the safest aviation system in the world.

With that, I thank the Chairman and Ranking Member for their bipartisan leadership on this important issue.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Whatcom Community College (WCC) for its leadership in cybersecurity education. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, as of 2016 there were over 100,000 cybersecurity jobs in the U.S. Yet the cybersecurity workforce gap is projected to reach 1.8 million unfilled cybersecurity jobs in 2020. Congress needs to invest in the future of the cybersecurity workforce.

WCC is one example of how academic institutions in the U.S. engage students in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) to excel in the cybersecurity field. As a National Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance, WCC leads the expansion of cybersecurity education nationwide. WCC through their leadership in CyberWatch West, works to improve existing cybersecurity resources to develop effective training and teaching modules to raise awareness and build partnerships among academia and industry. It is imperative for local communities to increase connections with industry around cybersecurity to better enable the U.S. to foster the growth and complexity Octobers education.

In 2020, WCC is planning to apply to become a Center of Excellence in Cybersecurity. Designating WCC as the next Center of Excellence in Cybersecurity would provide valuable resources to community colleges seeking to improve their cybersecurity education programs and foster innovation and interest in cybersecurity education throughout the U.S.

I thank WCC for its contribution to cybersecurity education in the U.S. and will continue to advocate for increased investment in STEM.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the life of Lynn Fallows. Lynn was a passionate mother, wife, teacher and ovarian cancer research advocate. On August 16, 2018, Lynn lost her battle with ovarian cancer.

Ovarian cancer is the deadliest gynecologic cancer and the fifth- leading cause of cancer deaths for women in the U.S. Despite advancement in medicine, no effective screening test exists for ovarian cancer. To complicate factors, symptoms are hard to catch in early stages, if not altogether absent.

In February 2015, Lynn was diagnosed with Stage III ovarian cancer. Lynn did not have a family history of ovarian cancer and, like many women diagnosed, was completely blindsided by her diagnosis. Like the fighter she was, Lynn wasted no time educating herself and getting involved in the ovarian cancer community.

The month she was diagnosed, Lynn started a blog to share her experiences and connect with other ovarian cancer patients and survivors. Within a year of her diagnosis, she began volunteering at the Rivkin Cancer Center in Seattle to help educate women and raise awareness about ovarian cancer. She later joined the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund Alliance's Advocate Leader program to advocate for ovarian cancer research and expanded access to care.

Mr. Speaker, Lynn dedicated the last years of her life making a difference in the lives of others through her advocacy work. Her family and friends will greatly miss and always remember Lynn's dedication, resilience and tenacity.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this bipartisan, long-term measure to reauthorize the Federal Aviation Administration.

I want to thank Chairman Shuster, Chairman LoBiondo, and Ranking Member DeFazio for all of the work that they have put into this bill for nearly 5 years now.

I am pleased that we have come to a bipartisan and bicameral agreement to raise the bar on aviation safety, improve the experience for the traveling public, better prepare and diversify the aviation workforce, increase the global competitiveness of U.S. aerospace manufacturers, and pave the way for advanced drone operations in U.S. airspace.

Many reforms included in this bill have an immediate impact and benefits in Washington State where I am from. It is a leader in U.S. aviation and aerospace. General aviation contributes an estimated $3.6 billion to our economy and supports more than 30,000 jobs a year.

Improving the FAA's certification processes for aircraft and other aviation and airspace products allows U.S. manufacturers like the smaller contractors and suppliers throughout my district to get newer and safer products to market faster. The bill's certification reforms will better enable U.S. aviation manufacturers to compete globally.

H.R. 302 also recognizes the importance of recruiting, training, and developing the next generation of aviation workforce. The bill creates a task force to develop recommendations on encouraging young people to pursue careers in aviation maintenance, manufacturing, and engineering through apprenticeships, as well as two new grant programs to support pilot education and recruitment of aviation maintenance workers.

In addition, the legislation includes strong consumer protections like establishing minimum seat dimensions, prohibiting airlines from involuntarily bumping passengers who have cleared the gate, and designating nursing rooms for mothers in each terminal.

I have advocated, as well, to better address the needs of passengers with disabilities while traveling. This measure makes significant improvements by requiring the FAA to study lavatory access for passengers with disabilities and increases civil penalties for damaging passengers' wheelchairs or mobility aids.

Importantly, the agreement also protects the safety of our flight attendants by mandating 10 hours of rest for flight attendants, a requirement that has not been updated in two decades and is long overdue.

The bipartisan legislation lays the groundwork for the safe and swift integration of drones into the national airspace, and advanced drone operations like package delivery.

If the U.S. cannot accommodate the growing drone industry, Congress has been told the innovation and economic benefits would move abroad. This long-term FAA reauthorization ensures these jobs stay in the United States.

Further, the bill reauthorizes the TSA. This language is particularly important to me as, less than 2 months ago, an airline employee stole an aircraft and engaged in an unauthorized flight, which could have had devastating impacts in communities in northwest Washington State. To help ensure a similar incident does not happen again, the bill requires the TSA to work with industry to evaluate security gaps and how to make industry improvements.

This moment has been a long time in the making. I am proud to have worked with the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee members and the staff on this milestone. I would like to give special thanks to my retiring colleagues, Chairman Bill Shuster and Chairman Frank LoBiondo for their years of service, dedication, and, most importantly, their friendship.

The long-term FAA reauthorization bill is a strong, bipartisan effort that will propel the aviation industry, ensure the safety of the traveling public, and support economic growth.