Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, it is with a great deal of pride that I rise to pay a very special tribute to an outstanding high school athlete from Ohio's 5th Congressional District. Isabella Zahn, a senior at Coldwater High School, has represented her school ably on her way to achieving three Division III State Titles for the 200 Meter Dash, 400 Meter Dash, and Girls Long Jump at the State Track and Field Meet. Isabella overcame the challenges posed by intense competition in her effort to win the title.

In pursuing the State Championship, Isabella defeated her opponents with an impressive time of 23.04 seconds in the 200 Meter Dash, 52.89 seconds in the 400 Meter Dash, and a jump of 18-08.50 in the Girls Long Jump. Her hard work and dedication, both on and off the track, in achieving this accomplishment is truly outstanding. She has achieved an impressive season, bringing pride to her school and community.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in paying special tribute to Isabella Zahn of Coldwater High School. On behalf of the people of the 5th District of Ohio, I am proud to recognize this great achievement.

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to House Resolution 1075, I call up the bill (H.R. 4758) to repeal provisions of Public Law 117-169 relating to taxpayer subsidies for home electrification, and for other purposes, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 4758.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 4758, the Homeowner Energy Freedom Act, sponsored by the gentleman from Texas' 12th Congressional District.

The Homeowner Energy Freedom Act repeals disastrous policies from the Inflation Reduction Act that were used to subsidize expensive mandates and implement backdoor fossil fuel bans.

Today, in the United States, the dream of home ownership is out of reach for far too many Americans. In fact, 75 percent of households today cannot afford a medium-priced home.

Mr. Speaker, provisions of the Inflation Reduction Act to force States to implement green energy building codes only serve to make matters worse.

It is estimated that building codes associated with the HOMES rebate program raises the cost of a single-family home by $31,000. These building codes effectively prevent the use of natural gas and require expensive equipment to accommodate EV chargers and other intermittent energy sources.

It is important to remember that upwards of 60 percent of homes utilize natural gas appliances and that the number rises to more than 75 percent in colder climate States. These aren't just talking points. They are real-world impacts.

Take Kansas City, for example. After adopting the latest IECC building codes, the city saw a 22 percent decrease in construction permits, while the surrounding communities saw a 117 percent increase.

The data is clear. The cost of a new home goes up when Democrats get their green mandates in place. If the Biden administration's so-called energy efficiency regulatory agenda was cost effective for the American people, why did they also have to have a billion dollar slush fund to pay for it?

Instead of a one-size-fits-all mandate from Washington, House Republicans are focused on limiting the authority of the Federal Government, making it easier to build affordable homes and taking advantage of abundant natural gas reserves beneath our Nation.

Importantly, H.R. 4758 builds on the important work of the Working Families Tax Cut law by officially putting an end to these egregious authorities so future abuses cannot occur.

By passing this legislation, House Republicans are continuing to address the affordability for hardworking American households and responsibly protecting finite taxpayer resources.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Goldman), the sponsor of the bill.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, returning to the legislation before us, we are here to debate H.R. 4758, the Homeowner Energy Freedom Act. Again, I thank the gentleman from Texas' 12th Congressional District for sponsoring this legislation.

This legislation is about reversing the damage caused by President Biden's Inflation Reduction Act's aggressive regulatory agenda and taxpayer-funded spending spree.

Whatever happened to the free market? What has happened to consumer choice?

Housing affordability is a critical issue facing the American people. Look at the numbers.

The costs associated with IRA programs this bill seeks to repeal significantly add to the price of new homes and lead to higher energy bills for the American people.

According to the Federal Reserve, median home prices have skyrocketed over the past decade, with the largest increase from 2020 to 2022, which saw a 40 percent increase in median homes.

When you talk about the home rebates that we are talking about here today and who is getting them, it provides taxpayer subsidies for households earning over 150 percent of the median household income for the area.

The data from 2024 shows that the median income in the District of Columbia was $104,800, meaning that households in Washington making up to $156,000 can receive taxpayer subsidies to upgrade their appliances. In the same numbers in 2024, median income for Massachusetts was $113,900, meaning that households making up to $170,850, which is nearly double the nationwide median household income, qualify.

H.R. 4758 brings the dream of homeownership back to millions of Americans.

By the way, let's talk about electricity costs again. We talk about this a lot, reliable power, affordable power. Look at the increases. Where is it? It starts in Maryland and goes to Maine. It is California. If I lived in those States, as I said before, I would call my legislators in those States and say: What are you doing out there? What is the Governor doing?

Look where those States are and look where the affordability crisis is in this country.

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

Mr. Speaker, Pursuant to House Resolution 977, I call up the bill (H.R. 5184) to prohibit the Secretary of Energy from enforcing energy efficiency standards applicable to manufactured housing, and for other purposes, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks on the legislation and to insert extraneous material on H.R. 5184.

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

Mr. Speaker, since 2020, it is estimated that America's housing market has climbed 57 percent, sidelining first-time home buyers and impacting communities across the country. In fact, polls show that more than four out of five Americans agree that housing affordability is a problem in the area in which they live, with median-priced homes costing more than 50 percent of a typical household's income.

There are many contributing factors to the surge in prices, such as a demand shift and material costs. Inappropriate and duplicative regulatory structures have compounded these issues for the construction of manufacturing housing.

The Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 required the Department of Energy to set energy efficiency standards for manufactured housing. This duplicates the Department of Housing and Urban Development's longstanding jurisdiction, first granted in the National Manufactured Housing Construction and Safety Standards Act, over these standards.

The law also required the DOE to base these new standards on the International Energy Conservation Code, the IECC, which is intended for site-built homes. Builders of site-built homes build according to that specific region, and the IECC reflects those unique characteristics. On the other hand, manufactured homes are built without knowledge of the final location of that home.

Manufactured homes play an essential role in meeting our Nation's demand for affordable housing. In fact, the average income of a manufactured home buyer is $63,000, while the average income for a site-built home buyer is about $143,000.

We must ensure regulatory morass does not deteriorate access to these homes. H.R. 5184, bipartisan legislation led by the gentlewoman from Indiana, eliminates DOE's authority to issue energy efficiency standards for manufacturing housing. Instead, HUD will maintain full regulatory authority, and DOE may provide recommendations throughout the rulemaking process.

This legislation will not diminish the energy efficiency of these homes. Our colleague from the other side of the aisle, the gentleman from Massachusetts' Fourth Congressional District, issued a Dear Colleague and put it well by saying: This bill in no way diminishes the importance of energy efficiency. It simply ensures HUD, under its affordability mission, is the authoritative voice.

Consumers will continue to be protected by HUD's existing process, and manufacturers will have a regulatory process that will facilitate the efficient construction of affordable homes in the United States.

Homeownership remains a significant aspect of achieving the American Dream. H.R. 5184 helps bring that dream closer to reality for millions of Americans.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, Republicans have been working to make sure we bring down utility costs and energy costs across this country, and that means making sure that we have that energy that has been given us.

When we look at what we have been able to do, especially in oil and natural gas production, from the days of Jimmy Carter when we were told that we were supposed to shut down our thermostats, make sure you put a sweater on, walk to work, well, Republicans did something about it and put the laws and regulations into place to make sure.

However, people who live in certain States are going to see their prices going up. Looking at this chart, what we see is when you look at California, Hawaii, Maine, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, their prices have gone up. We also know that we had the Governors up in New England this year who stated that they were fearful that their consumers were going to pay 40 percent more for power this winter.

Republicans want to do something about that in this country and make sure we get the permitting laws done that we have been working on in committee.

At this time I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Carter).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Allen). He represents Georgia's 12th District.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Auchincloss).

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from the 10th District of Michigan (Mr. James).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Indiana (Mrs. Houchin), the bill's sponsor, who represents Indiana's Ninth District.

Mr. Speaker, I yield an additional 30 seconds to the gentlewoman from Indiana.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Evans), who represents Colorado's Eighth District.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Kim), who represents the 40th District.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Flood), who represents the First District.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Yakym).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Wyoming (Ms. Hageman).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Shreve).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Moore).

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

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

Mr. Speaker, one of the things that Energy and Commerce has been working on for years is to make sure that we have more power out here for the American people. Just this week in the Energy Subcommittee, we had another hearing on nuclear power to make sure that we are bringing nuclear power back online in this country.

We have got to make sure we have energy out there for the American people so they can go out there and make sure that when they turn on that switch, it is not too expensive.

Once again, let's look at this map of the United States. It is kind of interesting, Mr. Speaker. If I live in California or Michigan or from Maryland up to Maine, why is it that their kilowatt hours are more expensive than the rest of the country?

It needs to be talked about, Mr. Speaker. They need to talk to their State Governors, and they need to talk to their legislators and regulators. They are raising the prices for their citizens in those States. We have to make sure we understand what is happening here.

We have to do our part this Congress, but let's look at these States. We are making sure we are working hard in the Energy and Commerce Committee to ensure those rates are low for Americans.

As we have heard from both sides of the aisle today, H.R. 5184 is a commonsense reform to unlock the construction of manufactured housing and increasing housing affordability for all Americans.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 5148, the Affordable HOMES Act, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, it is with a great deal of pride that I rise to pay a very special tribute to an outstanding high school cheerleading team in Ohio's 5th Congressional District. The young student athletes of the Midview High School cheerleading team have represented their school ably on their way to achieving the Division III State Spirit Title. In their effort to surpass all other teams in the Division III State Spirit Competition, the Midview Middies overcame the challenges posed by intense competition.

In pursuing the State Championship, the Middies defeated their competitors to win their first state spirit championship. The members of this very special team have shown that their sport requires an individual effort for a team result. Their hard work and dedication, both on and off the floor, in achieving this accomplishment, is truly outstanding.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in paying special tribute to the Midview High School cheerleading team. On behalf of the people of the 5th District of Ohio, I am proud to recognize this great achievement.

Mr. Speaker, it is with a great deal of pride that I rise to pay a very special tribute to an outstanding high school athlete from Ohio's 5th Congressional District. Paul Stechschulte, a sophomore at Kalida High School, has represented his school ably on his way to achieving the Division III State Golf Title. Paul overcame the challenges posed by intense competition in his effort to win the title.

In pursuing the State Championship, Paul defeated his opponents with an impressive final total of 140. His hard work and dedication, both on and off the course, in achieving this accomplishment is truly outstanding. He has achieved an impressive season, bringing pride to his school and community.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in paying special tribute to Paul Stechschulte of Kalida High School. On behalf of the people of the 5th District of Ohio, I am proud to recognize this great achievement.

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. Speaker, it is with a great deal of pride that I rise to pay a very special tribute to an outstanding high school volleyball team in Ohio's 5th Congressional District. The young women of the Tiffin Calvert Catholic High School girls' volleyball team have represented their school ably on their way to achieving the Division VII State Girls Volleyball Title. In their effort to surpass all other teams in the Division VII State Volleyball Playoffs, the Calvert Senecas overcame the challenges posed by intense competition.

In pursuing the State Championship, Tiffin Calvert defeated the Monroeville Eagles to win the state volleyball championship. The members of this very special team have shown that their sport requires an individual effort for a team result. Their hard work and dedication, both on and off the court, in achieving this accomplishment, is truly outstanding.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in paying special tribute to the Tiffin Calvert Catholic High School girls volleyball team. On behalf of the people of the 5th District of Ohio, I am proud to recognize this great achievement.

Mr. Speaker, it is with a great deal of pride that I rise to pay a very special tribute to an outstanding high school volleyball team in Ohio's 5th Congressional District. The young women of the Avon High School girls' volleyball team have represented their school ably on their way to achieving the Division II State Girls Volleyball Title. In their effort to surpass all other teams in the Division II State Volleyball Playoffs, the Avon Eagles overcame the challenges posed by Intense competition.

In pursuing the State Championship, the Avon Eagles defeated the Anthony Wayne Generals to win the state volleyball championship. The members of this very special team have shown that their sport requires an individual effort for a team result. Their hard work and dedication, both on and off the court, in achieving this accomplishment, is truly outstanding.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in paying special tribute to the Avon High School girls volleyball team. On behalf of the people of the 5th District of Ohio, I am proud to recognize this great achievement.

Mr. Speaker, Pursuant to House Resolution 951, I call up the bill (H.R. 3632) to amend the Federal Power Act to adjust the requirements for orders, rules, and regulations relating to furnishing adequate service, to require owners or operators of generating facilities to provide notice of planned retirements of certain electric generating units, and for other purposes, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 3632.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3632, the Power Plant Reliability Act, sponsored by my colleague from Virginia's Ninth Congressional District (Mr. Griffith).

This legislation improves existing tools under the Federal Power Act to keep the lights on for households and ensures more effective long- term planning for our generation resources.

In the event that a power plant closure creates a shortage of available electricity, H.R. 3632 equips States and grid operators with an opportunity to seek relief from FERC until replacement capacity comes online.

Mr. Speaker, we are in the midst of a reliability and affordability crisis because of the Biden-Harris administration and blue States who took a hatchet to our baseload capacity resources, while making it impossible to build the necessary energy infrastructure to replace it.

These policies were designed to achieve environmental goals that were unrelated to reliability, affordability, or stability of the bulk-power system. Nothing can be more destructive to our communities than a blackout.

When a State seeks to close a power plant without identifying a sufficient replacement, there is little recourse for effective households in neighboring States that need the power. The Power Plant Reliability Act solves this by providing a bridge solution to maintain generating resources until sufficient capacity can come online to fill the gap.

The numbers are staggering. Over the last decade, 115 gigawatts of power are expected to go offline, while 150 gigawatts of demand are expected to come online. The Department of Energy finds that the current pace of retirements and generation growth could increase the risk of outages over 100 times in just 4 short years.

Making matters worse, our adversaries are close on our heels to securing leadership positions in the next-generation economy. There is little time to waste.

Importantly, significant investment is flowing in growing our base of dispatchable resources. The Trump administration is working tirelessly to reverse unnecessary barriers to generation development and fuel innovation and baseload power like advanced nuclear. Yet, before these policies can take root, we must ensure that States and grid operators are equipped with the necessary tools to maintain reliability of the bulk-power system.

This legislation is another step to securing the grid and improving long-term planning needed to lead the next-generation economy. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 3632.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, in 2024, the FERC Commissioner, Mark Christie, testified before us in the Energy and Commerce Committee. He was referring to the severe impact that the Biden administration EPA's power plant rule, commonly known as the Clean Power Plan 2.0, was having.

He stated this: ``If the EPA's new power plant rule survives court challenge, it will force the retirements of nearly all remaining coal generation plants and will prevent the construction of vitally needed new combined-cycle baseload . . . generation.''

This loss of this dispatchable generation resources will be, in his words, ``catastrophic''--``catastrophic.''

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Carter), from the First District.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Balderson), from the 12th District.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Fry).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Evans).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from North Dakota (Mrs. Fedorchak).

Mr. Speaker, I yield an additional 15 seconds to the gentlewoman from North Dakota.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Alabama (Mr. Palmer), who represents Alabama's Sixth District.

Mr. Speaker, this chart tells it all. We talked about it the other day.

Mr. Speaker, look at the top 12 States that are having problems. California is at the top. Then look at the New England States: Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Vermont. Their Governors earlier this year stated that their citizens are paying 40 percent more for fuel this winter. Why is that?

Well, if they don't allow pipelines, they don't allow energy to get into their area, and they rely on somebody else to do it for them, then it is going to happen.

If the people want to know who is causing the prices to go up, then they had better go home and talk to their State's legislators and their Governors and find out why, because these numbers don't lie. They do not lie.

We are going to take off 115 gigawatts of generation alone in this country when we are supposed to be putting on 155 gigawatts of power.

Earlier this year, the RTOs and the ISOs, those are the folks who manage the wholesale electricity markets and transmission in this country, all testified for us in committee and said this: We need more power not less, more power not less.

They also said this: And we can't take off any generation. If you want to see prices go up, just keep taking that generation offline because that is what is going to happen.

I thank the gentleman from Virginia's Ninth Congressional District for sponsoring this important legislation.

This bill provides a critical tool for States and grid operators to secure the grid until new generation comes online and ensures long-term effective planning by improving our understanding of our available generation resources.

There is nothing more expensive than a blackout, and this bill will ensure processes are in place to keep the lights--the lights--on for all Americans and to make their utility bills more affordable.

H.R. 3632 has broad support from America's Power, the National Hydropower Association, Americans for Prosperity, and the National Mining Association.

Democrats like to talk about affordability, but electricity prices went up over 25 percent--25 percent--during the Biden administration. House Republicans are taking action with legislation like H.R. 3632, to help lower Americans' utility bills.

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

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to House Resolution 936, I call up the bill (H.R. 3668) to promote interagency coordination for reviewing certain authorizations under section 3 of the Natural Gas Act, and for other purposes, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 3668.

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

Mr. Speaker, our Nation is at the crossroads when it comes to powering our future. This pivotal moment will shape our economic trajectory, national security, and global competitiveness.

After years of modest growth in electricity consumption, the next 5 years could see upwards of 128 gigawatts of new demand. The vast majority of this demand growth will require new, baseload, dispatchable power, and natural gas will fill that gap.

Unfortunately, the build-out of interstate natural gas pipeline infrastructure has faced significant challenges. Approvals are often delayed due to a lack of coordination, pure inaction, or outright obstruction by States and relevant Federal agencies.

Section 401 of the Clean Water Act has turned into a procedural chokepoint with varying application and drawn-out State reviews, undermining otherwise federally authorized projects.

This has resulted in energy shortages in certain areas of the country, exposing consumers to high prices and our grid to increased vulnerability.

In fact, a recent study estimated that pipeline blockades have already driven average natural gas prices up by 160 percent in major demand centers. This doesn't have to be the case.

Activist States like New York have used their delegated authority under section 401 to repeatedly kill interstate natural gas pipeline projects. These Clean Water Act denials haven't been because of legitimate water quality impact concern. The basis of these blockades has been in the name of radical climate agendas, ignoring what is best for consumers, grid reliability, and economic growth.

During the 2013 to 2021 time period, several pipeline projects were canceled, leading to a pipeline capacity growth of only 26 percent. Meanwhile, natural gas demand increased by 49 percent. This trend will be compounded if there are not statutory reforms.

H.R. 3668 would strengthen the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's, FERC, lead agency role and further define the process for participating agencies.

Additionally, under this legislation, instead of having to obtain a section 401 certification from a State through its EPA-delegated authority, FERC would incorporate this water quality review into its existing National Environmental Policy Act, NEPA, review, including any terms or conditions proposed by States that are required for compliance with the underlying statute.

Opponents argue that this legislation will gut the Clean Water Act. However, this legislation doesn't even amend the Clean Water Act. It maintains statutory protections of legitimate water quality concerns.

FERC already analyzes water quality impacts as part of the NEPA process, imposes mitigation measures as needed, and is equipped to respond to raised concerns as part of the review process.

Again, nothing in this legislation alters the environmental review of these projects. Expanding natural gas pipeline capacity is estimated to save Americans $76 billion by 2040.

Without statutory reforms to section 401 of the Clean Water Act, these savings will not be realized, our Nation will not be able to compete with China in the intelligence race, and our electric grid will experience serious vulnerabilities.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Hudson).

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

Mr. Speaker, just to point out some things here, when you are talking about changes in electricity prices over the last 20 years, it is important to look at this chart. This is from the EIA. If you look at the top 12--and as the gentleman from North Carolina pointed out about his legislation, especially in New England, the States up there, look at what has happened here. Look at California, Hawaii, Maine, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island in the top six. We can see these prices going up. Round up the top 12, and Vermont, New Hampshire, New York, and New Jersey are also in there. What is happening is why we have to

have this legislation. When States are pushing back on trying to get the pipelines in and pushing for just one type of energy source, it is hurting their people.

We know that because, earlier this year, there was an article that came out that the New England Governors were all complaining that their citizens were going to pay 40 percent more for utility prices this fall. Why is that? It is right here. This is why this legislation is needed.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Weber), the vice chairman of the Subcommittee on Energy.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Allen).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Balderson).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from North Dakota (Mrs. Fedorchak), who is the at-large Representative.

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

Mr. Speaker, natural gas is the most affordable and reliable energy solution. Also, if it comes from the United States, then it is clean. An expanded pipeline capacity is critical to lowering costs for American families and businesses.

We have had hearings on pipeline safety this past summer.

For too long, States have used section 401 authority as a one-State veto of multistate projects with national significance.

Again, the facts speak for themselves. Mr. Speaker, if you want to look at the top 12, it is New England, New Jersey, and New York. If you want, Mr. Speaker, ask these people who live there, or ask their Governors, their State legislators, or their regulators why their prices are so high.

It is simple. It is because, again, these States have used that veto.

As global natural gas demand is projected to continue to grow for decades to come, investment in pipeline projects will be of utmost importance for keeping prices low for our Nation and to keep it secure.

In the 1970s, when we had an oil embargo across this country when the Arabs cut us off, we were told we had no energy in this country. What has happened? If you put the right laws in place and have the regulations that follow and turn the entrepreneurs and innovators loose in this country, we are number one in the world--number one in the world. We produce more natural gas. It is the cleanest.

This is what we are looking at. We had a hearing early this year with our RTOs and ISOs that regulate across the energy grid out there. They told us all the same thing. We have to produce more energy in this country, not less, and at the same time, we better not be taking any generation offline.

Right now, we are scheduled to take 115 gigawatts of power offline in this country. Our adversaries in Communist China are doing what? They are outproducing us. We are projected to need 170 gigawatts on top of that.

It is time that people wake up. We have an all-of-the-above policy in this country. Republicans brought it forth in 2008. In 2008, we said that we are not going to pick the winners and losers, and that is important. When the Federal Government wants to go out there and pick the winners and losers, this country is going to lose.

H.R. 3668 is the solution. I thank the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Hudson) for his leadership, and I urge all of my colleagues to support this bill.

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

Mr. Speaker, it is with a great deal of pride that I rise to pay a very special tribute to an outstanding high school cheer team in Ohio's 5th Congressional District. The young student athletes of the St. Paul High School cheer team have represented their school ably on their way to achieving the Ohio High School Cheerleading and Dance Coaches Association Division V Best in the State title.

In their effort to surpass all other teams in the division, St. Paul overcame the challenges posed by intense competition. The members of this very special team have shown that their sport requires an individual effort for a team result. Their hard work and dedication, both on and off the floor, in achieving this accomplishment, is truly outstanding.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in paying special tribute to the St. Paul cheer team. On behalf of the people of the 5th District of Ohio, I am proud to recognize this great achievement.

Mr. Speaker, it is with a great deal of pride that I rise to pay a very special tribute to an outstanding high school football team in Ohio's 5th Congressional District. The young men of the Liberty Center High School football team have represented their school ably on their way to achieving the Division V State Football Title. In their effort to surpass all other teams in the Division V State Football Playoffs, the Liberty Center Tigers overcame the challenges posed by intense competition.

In pursuing the State Championship, the Liberty Center Tigers defeated the Wheelersburg Pirates to win the state football championship. The members of this very special team have shown that their sport requires an individual effort for a team result. Their hard work and dedication, both on and off the field in achieving this accomplishment, is truly outstanding.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in paying special tribute to the Liberty Center High School football team. On behalf of the people of the 5th District of Ohio, I am proud to recognize this great achievement.

Mr. Speaker, it is with a great deal of pride that I rise to pay a very special tribute to an outstanding high school football team in Ohio's 5th Congressional District. The young men of the St. Henry High School football team have represented their school ably on their way to achieving the Division VII State Football Title. In their effort to surpass all other teams in the Division VII State Football Playoffs, the St. Henry Redskins overcame the challenges posed by intense competition.

In pursuing the State Championship, the St. Henry Redskins defeated the Hillsdale Falcons to win the state football championship. The members of this very special team have shown that their sport requires an individual effort for a team result. Their hard work and dedication, both on and off the field, in achieving this accomplishment, is truly outstanding.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in paying special tribute to the St. Henry High School football team. On behalf of the people of the 5th District of Ohio, I am proud to recognize this great achievement.

Mr. Speaker, it is with a great deal of pride that I rise to pay a very special tribute to an outstanding high school soccer team in Ohio's 5th Congressional District. The young men of the Avon High School boys soccer team have represented their school ably on their way to achieving the Division II State Boys Soccer Title. In their effort to surpass all other teams in the Division II State Soccer Playoffs, the Avon Eagles overcame the challenges posed by intense competition.

In pursuing the State Championship, the Avon Eagles defeated the Kings Mills Knights to win their first state soccer championship. The members of this very special team have shown that their sport requires an individual effort for a team result. Their hard work and dedication, both on and off the field, in achieving this accomplishment, is truly outstanding.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in paying special tribute to the Avon High School boys soccer team. On behalf of the people of the 5th District of Ohio, I am proud to recognize this great achievement.

Mr. Speaker, it is with a great deal of pride that I rise to pay a very special tribute to an outstanding high school volleyball team in Ohio's 5th Congressional District. The young women of the Avon High School girls volleyball team have represented their school ably on their way to achieving the Division II State Girls Volleyball Title. In their effort to surpass all other teams in the Division II State Volleyball Playoffs, the Avon Eagles overcame the challenges posed by intense competition.

In pursuing the State Championship, the Avon Eagles defeated the Anthony Wayne Generals to win the state volleyball championship. The members of this very special team have shown that their sport requires an individual effort for a team result. Their hard work and dedication, both on and off the field, in achieving this accomplishment, is truly outstanding.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in paying special tribute to the Avon High School girls volleyball team. On behalf of the people of the 5th District of Ohio, I am proud to recognize this great achievement.