Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I want to give my thanks to the chairman of the Natural Resources Committee for his support and leadership in moving this bill through the House.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to proudly offer H.R. 2259, the North Fork Watershed Protection Act, for consideration in the full House.

This bill is special to Montana for many reasons.

The Flathead River is one of the most cherished waterways in our great State, and our country, for trout fishing. In fact, it is considered a ``red ribbon'' stream. That is Montana's version of a blue ribbon trout stream.

The Flathead is an area beloved by the local community for recreation and supporting the region's forest-based economy.

Last but not least, this watershed is a gateway to one of the crown jewels of the National Park system, Glacier National Park.

Protecting the watershed and ensuring its value extends for future generations has been a task shared by Governors and legislatures of both parties, our neighboring Canadian Province of British Columbia, as well as our local Chambers of Commerce. It is also supported by Montana Senators Max Baucus and John Tester, and myself. We all support protecting this area for future generations. It makes this bill the first lands legislation supported by the entire Montana delegation in nearly 30 years.

The North Fork Watershed Protection Act protects 430,000 acres along the North and Middle Forks of the Flathead River from mineral development. Eighty percent of leases in this area have already been voluntarily relinquished. The bill explicitly protects the rights of existing leaseholders, and there is no loss in production.

The North Fork Watershed Protection Act represents commonsense resource management. It is the kind of common sense Montanans understand and Washington, D.C., needs more of.

The North Fork Watershed Protection Act ensures the region's current uses--forest management, hunting, fishing, outdoor recreation, quality water supply for local communities, access to gravel for infrastructure maintenance, and livestock grazing--will continue for many generations to come because that is our way of life in Montana.

The North Fork Watershed Protection Act is a key to international agreement between the State of Montana and British Columbia. In fact, in February of 2010, the Province of British Columbia and the State of Montana

signed a Memorandum of Understanding to preclude mineral development along the Flathead. British Columbia completed prohibition of mineral development along the Flathead River in 2011.

The North Fork Watershed Protection Act is necessary to hold up the U.S. end of the bargain and to be a good neighbor. The Canadian province has expended significant resources for the sake of upholding this agreement and strongly supports passage of this legislation so their efforts will be solidified.

The bill also has an unprecedented mix of supporters, from ConocoPhillips, Anadarko, and Chevron, to Ducks Unlimited, Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, and local chambers of commerce. This unity across diverse stakeholders is reflective of the bill's strong support among Montanans. It is time we get this done.

Montanans have been working toward protecting the Flathead for decades. Senator Max Baucus began work to protect this watershed in his very first year in Congress. That was back in 1974, when he was Montana's Congressman in the House. I am proud to be part of the effort to get it done and across the finish line.

Passage of the North Fork Watershed Protection Act is a major stop towards a commonsense goal that Montanans have worked toward together for decades.

Though Senator Bachus has now retired and is serving in China, the passage of the North Fork Watershed Protection Act will send a strong message to the Senate to get it done.

I urge passage of H.R. 2259, the North Fork Watershed Protection Act.

Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of H.R. 3590, the SHARE Act.

As a fifth-generation Montanan and as a lifelong sportsman, I know that hunting, fishing, motorized recreation, and hiking are simply a way of life for us in Montana. The outdoors is a critical aspect of our culture, and as 30 percent of our State is owned by the Federal Government, we depend on responsible stewardship and public access to these lands. Unfortunately, our Federal Government too often imposes rules and regulations that prevent responsible land use and our freedom to use the land that we pay for.

Roughly 2 million acres in Montana are inaccessible to the public. That is the most of any State in the Nation. Many of our hunting and fishing opportunities are locked away. The SHARE Act is an important bill that will protect Montanans' access to public lands for outdoor recreation. Too often, the Federal Government forgets that hunters, anglers, outdoorsmen--those whose livelihoods and passions rely on the land--respect our outdoor landscape the most and are the best stewards of our public lands.

Here we have the Federal Government trying to expand its authority over lead bullets, keeping millions of dollars spent on ammo and fishing tackle by hunters and anglers from being used for conservation and wildlife management. Like its Senate counterpart, the SPORT Act, this bill would protect our sportsmen and industries that manufacture these goods from these unnecessary regulations.

The SHARE Act would also protect our Second Amendment rights where the administration has tried to constrain them. It ensures that State and local governments are consulted in decisions managing shooting ranges, and it ensures that real outdoorsmen, instead of a bunch of Washington bureaucrats, are advising the administration on conservation and sportsmen issues.

Simply stated, the SHARE Act is an important bill to protect America's outdoor heritage and to ensure the responsible use of our public lands. I urge the passage of this bill.

As a fifth generation Montanan and sportsman, I know the importance of protecting and preserving Montana's outdoor heritage. Hunting, fishing, and hiking on our public lands are important parts of many Montanans' way of life. It is something that my grandpa and dad passed on to me and something we are passing on to our kids.

But almost 2 million acres of public lands in Montana are inaccessible to the public. Three other States--Wyoming, Colorado, and New Mexico--have more than 500,000 acres of inaccessible land to the public, and that is simply unacceptable. I strongly believe we must ensure the public has access to the public lands we already have.

There is strong bipartisan agreement that the Land and Water Conservation Fund can play an important role in increasing access to these lands, and that is what the Making Public Lands Public Access Act will do. My bill seeks to increase Montanans' opportunities to enjoy outdoor recreation and ensure that our public lands are truly public. I urge support for my bill.

Mr. Speaker, during a recent Homeland Security Oversight Committee hearing, we learned just how deeply flawed the ObamaCare Web site was upon its launch. The problems with this Web site went well beyond

error messages and Americans being unable to successfully purchase insurance. We have learned that security risks to the ObamaCare Web site were ``limitless'' long before the Web site's official launch.

Worse, the Obama administration knew of these risks before the October 1 planned launch. Rather than fixing the problem, they consciously allowed Americans to put their personal information at risk by using this deeply flawed Web site.

As someone who has worked in the technology sector, I know that if a private company launched a Web site with these kinds of issues, the company might have gone under, or at least people would have been fired.

The administration's failure to secure this Web site in advance of its launch is wholly unacceptable. That is why I am proud to support the Health Exchange Security and Transparency Act, which requires HHS to notify Americans if their personal information has been stolen or unlawfully accessed through an ObamaCare exchange.

The American people deserve to know if the ObamaCare Web site jeopardized their privacy. I strongly urge my colleagues to join me in support of this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Congressman Mullin for the work he has done in leading this important bill and bringing it to the floor, as well as the bipartisan support from my distinguished friend and Member from Arizona (Mr. Grijalva), as we are bringing something together here that is bipartisan in nature for a very important reason.

Montana is the proud home of seven federally recognized tribes, along with the State-recognized tribe the Little Shell. Montana's tribes not only represent an important part of Montana's history and our heritage, in fact, more than 2,500 Montana tribal members are veterans who serve as true examples of service, of bravery, of patriotism.

Last month, I was blessed with the opportunity to meet with some of those Montana veterans, their families, and other tribal members in Washington, D.C., for a Congressional Gold Medal ceremony honoring the Native American code talkers who served in both World Wars. In fact, it was a special moment.

I brought several of those members of the Crow Tribe, descendants of these Crow code talkers, to the House floor for a tour after Congress had adjourned. And here we were, in this great Chamber, as these members of the Crow Tribe presented a blessing in their native language that was helpful in allowing us to win the World Wars.

This recognition was long overdue and well-deserved for these brave and selfless men and women. I think it is important that all of our Native American veterans receive the honor they deserve.

This bill would help a memorial commemorating our Native American veterans to be constructed on the National American Indian Museum grounds here in Washington, D.C. This memorial will serve as an important symbol of gratitude for the thousands of native men and women who have fought to keep us free.

I hope all Members will join me today in supporting this effort to show our Native American veterans the appreciation and honor that is most deserved.

Madam Speaker, pursuant to clause 1, rule I, I demand a vote on agreeing to the Speaker's approval of the Journal.

Madam Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.

Madam Speaker, this weekend, the Bozeman High School girls cross-country team will be in Portland, Oregon, to run in the Nike Cross National Championship. These dedicated and talented young women have won seven consecutive Montana Class AA State championships and have competed for five consecutive years at the Nike Cross Northwest Regionals.

This year, after securing their seventh State championship, they came in first at the Nike Cross Northwest Regionals in Boise, Idaho. They will now advance and compete this Saturday against high school runners from across the country at the Nike Cross Nationals.

As a graduate of Bozeman High School and a Bozeman Hawk, I couldn't be more proud to see the Bozeman girls cross-country team representing Montana at the Nike Cross Nationals. I join all Montanans in wishing them the very best on Saturday. Go Hawks.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of my bill, H.R. 1963, the Bureau of Reclamation Conduit Hydropower Development Equity and Jobs Act.

In Congress, one of our top priorities is to secure American energy independence, and as we all see in this institution, we don't always agree on how best to meet that goal. However, hydropower is a clean, renewable source of energy, and finding innovative ways to develop this resource is an area where most of us can agree. I am grateful that Chairman McClintock and Ranking Member Grijalva support this bill, and I was pleased to see the bipartisan spirit behind this legislation.

Bureau of Reclamation projects, such as canals, pipelines, and dams, play an important role in supplying water for our communities. Agriculture is the primary economic driver in my home State of Montana, and having a sound and strong irrigation system is critically important to us back home.

H.R. 1963 will amend the Water Conservation and Utilization Act to allow for conduit hydropower development on 11 Bureau of Reclamation projects governed under this act. That includes some in my home State of Montana, including the Buffalo Rapids near Miles City, the intake project by Glendive, the Milk River Project, as well as the Missoula Valley Project. With this legislation, our irrigation systems can also power our homes and our businesses. Additionally, this bill will help provide revenues to improve critical infrastructure for farmers and ranchers who rely on these systems.

In Montana, balancing energy development with responsible stewardship of our resources is the way we do business in Montana. Our livelihoods, our access to recreation, and the future of our State for our kids rely on a robust, balanced energy plan that also protects our unique landscapes, and that is what keeps us Montanans loving the place we call home. A diverse energy portfolio helps keep electric prices low for Montana families and creates jobs. Hydropower is an important part of that puzzle, and my bill will help us get there.

H.R. 1963 has received strong bipartisan support in committee, and I urge the same here today.

Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of H.R. 2728, the Protecting States' Rights to Promote American Energy Security Act.

Hydraulic fracturing has been critical to the production of our rich Montana-Bakken oil. It is key not only to our State's economy but also to unlocking a valuable source of revenue for the Federal Government and our State. This helps fund our schools, our teachers, and our infrastructure in Montana.

Montana has smart, environmentally sensitive regulations of this process already in place. Like most Montanans, I love to hike, I love to hunt, I love to fish. We are the safeguards of the environment in Montana. We do not need bureaucrats in Washington telling us how to protect our lands in Montana. Yet the Obama administration has put more senseless barriers in place by stiffening the Federal restraint and red tape on this process.

Do you realize that Montana Indian tribes face over 50 percent unemployment? This rule could deny our Native Americans the independence that energy development on their lands can make possible. H.R. 2728 would ensure the Federal Government does not get in the way of responsible energy development on tribal land and throughout Montana. Washington, D.C., needs to look more like Montana, not the other way around.

The people of Montana and our country need a responsible energy plan that protects our environment and creates a better future for our kids. That means jobs and lower energy prices.

I urge passage of H.R. 2728.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to an extraordinary tribal leader in Montana, Chief Joe Medicine Crow, who recently celebrated his 100th birthday. As the Crow Tribe's last traditional War Chief and oldest living man, Chief Medicine Crow is not only a celebrated member of the Crow Tribe but an important historic figure in Montana.

He enlisted in the U.S. Army and joined the 103rd Infantry Division. As a proud member of the Crow Tribe he never went into battle without his war paint beneath his uniform and a sacred eagle feather beneath his helmet. During World War II he achieved the war deeds to be declared Chief. He also earned the Bronze Star for acts of bravery or merit for his

service in the U.S. military and the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor.

Among his many accomplishments, he was the first member of the Crow Tribe to earn a master's degree. A celebrated writer, he also received an honorary doctoral degree from the University of Southern California and Rocky Mountain College. As a distinguished lecturer and historian, Chief Joe Medicine Crow has worked tirelessly for decades as an advocate for the Crow Tribe. I am proud to know Chief Joe Medicine Crow and thank him for his leadership and loyalty to this country.

Mr. Speaker, President Obama promised if you like your

health care plan, you can keep your health care plan; but for tens of thousands of Montanans, his words are nothing more than a broken promise that has resulted in canceled insurance plans and rising health care costs.

I have already heard from hundreds of Montanans who are looking for relief from ObamaCare; and, unfortunately, the President's recent announcement isn't a long-term fix; nor does it address the core problems with this failed law.

Mr. Speaker, this is called the people's House, and I want to share the story of the people of Montana tonight in this body.

Dean and Summer, from Flathead County, who have an autistic son and a daughter with muscular dystrophy, were just notified, as I spoke with the mom last week on the phone, that their rates are going up $4,500 a year because of ObamaCare.

Or take, for example, Jim, a business owner in Troy, Montana, who will need to cut employee hours to avoid paying the ObamaCare fine and keep his business afloat.

Or Anne Marie in Miles City, Montana, whose family is facing an additional $3,000 per year in health care costs due to increased premiums and deductibles.

Or Paula, a health care provider in Kalispell, who is questioning the viability of her private practice and her ability to continue providing care to many of her patients.

Montanans deserve a permanent solution, not a short-term, politically driven patch. I will continue fighting to fully repeal ObamaCare and working toward real solutions that protect Montanans' access to their doctors and the health care plans they want.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to congratulate Vance Home Gun, a member of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes from Arlee, Montana.

Vance was recently recognized as the 2013 Center for Native American Youth ``Champion of Change'' for his work to preserve the Salish language in his school and his community. I had the opportunity to meet with Vance just last night and learned more about the work he is doing on the Flathead Reservation.

Vance was introduced to a Salish language camp by his aunt when he was just 11 years old and has been determined ever since to become a fluent speaker in his tribe's language. He has been working with tribal departments, organizations, and youth groups for the past 6 years to help preserve the Salish language. Vance teaches language classes at high schools and leads an organization that utilizes peer-to-peer methods to teach language and culture.

I commend Vance for his commitment to preserving and increasing awareness of this important part of his tribe's culture and history, and I congratulate him on his well-deserved award.

Vance Home Gun, well done.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of this resolution to appropriate funds for the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the Indian Health Service, and the Bureau of Indian Education because our Native Americans cannot sustain another day of this Washington gridlock.

In my home State of Montana, we have seven Indian reservations and also the State-recognized Little Shell Tribe, and we are working right now to get Federal recognition for the Little Shell Tribe. Native Americans encompass 6 percent of Montana's population, but on our reservations, unemployment can rise as high as 50 percent.

The Indian Health Service and the Bureaus of Indian Affairs and Indian Education can literally be lifelines for many. Earlier this year, when I visited the Salish Kootenai College, I learned about their slogan: ``Grounded in Tradition, Charging into the Future.'' Our reservations want to be self-sustaining, but without adequate health services, education, and economic opportunities, that goal is unattainable.

I want our Native children to be able to thrive in my home State of Montana. That is why I support this resolution today.

Mr. Speaker, whenever I drive across Montana, I see signs of our State's strong ag heritage in about every turn in the road. From the fields of sugar beets and wheat to grazing cattle and sheep, these are visual reminders of the importance of agriculture to our State and everywhere across this country.

Agriculture is the backbone of Montana's economy. And as a fifth- generation Montanan, I have a deep appreciation for the value of this industry to our State. Agriculture injects several billion dollars into Montana's economy every year, and one in five Montana jobs rely on agriculture.

But agriculture is more than the economic driver of our State. It is a way of life for thousands of Montana families who have lived off the land for generations. My own great, great grandmother came to Montana as a homesteader. In fact, she homesteaded up in the Golden Triangle of Montana, north of Great Falls, in the heart of Montana's wheat country.

I know how important it is to ensure that young Montanans have the opportunity to continue working on family farms and family ranches. And that is why Montanans are so frustrated and I am so frustrated by Washington's persistent failure to pass a long-term farm bill that provides Montana's producers with the certainty they need and deserve.

Montanans are sick and tired of the political games that have long delayed the passage of a 5-year farm bill. This critical legislation is long overdue, and it is unacceptable that Congress continues to stand in the way of providing our ag producers and rural communities with a long-term solution.

Agriculture is not only an important part of Montana's economy, but it is a critical industry that impacts each and every American. And as Montana's sole voice in the U.S. House of Representatives, I am committed to being an advocate for Montana's farmers and ranchers. We can't wait any longer. We need a farm bill now.

Mr. Speaker, I stand in strong support for the legislation that will reopen our national parks in this country, and I speak as a fifth-generation Montanan. I speak also as a voice of the people from the State of Montana who know that our national parks not only represent an important part of our economy, but also an important part of our national heritage.

We're seeing firsthand, as we are listening to phone calls coming in from constituents across my State, the undue hardships that the communities surrounding Glacier and Yellowstone National Parks are facing due to Washington, D.C.'s failures.

As a fifth-generation Montanan, I've got great memories of visiting Montana's national parks. In Yellowstone Park, fishing, spending time listening to the elk bugle in September, seeing Old Faithful. In Glacier National Park, there is nothing like going over Going-to-the- Sun highway, watching mountain goats there on Logan Pass.

But communities like Glacier, Whitefish, Columbia Falls, Kalispell, around Yellowstone Park, West Yellowstone, Gardiner, Cooke City, Silver Gate, Livingston, they're being directly affected by these parks being shut down. They depend on these parks for tourism, for economic growth, for jobs.

I'm grateful I raised these concerns this morning to the leadership of the House, and here we are this afternoon responding to these problems and solving them. A little less talk, a lot more action is what is needed. I'm glad we're going to be moving forward here to open up the national parks.

I urge Congress to come together and provide the funding needed to keep our national park gates open.