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07Resignation as Member of Committee on Foreign Affairs
09Adjournment
1 member spoke
10Congressional Earmarks, Limited Tax Benefits, or Limited Tariff Benefits
Daily Digest
Public Bills and Resolutions Introduced
30 public bills, H.R. 569-598; and 1 resolution, H.J. Res. 25, were introduced.
Pages H256-58
Report Filed
A report was filed today as follows: H. Res. 53, providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 471) to expedite under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 and improve forest management activities on National Forest System lands, on public lands under the jurisdiction of the Bureau of Land Management, and on Tribal lands to return resilience to overgrown, fire-prone forested lands, and for other purposes, and providing for consideration of the bill (S. 5) to require the Secretary of Homeland Security to take into custody aliens who have been charged in the United States with theft, and for other purposes (H. Rept. 119-1).
Page H256
Speaker
Read a letter from the Speaker wherein he appointed Representative Smith (NE) to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.
Page H233
Recess
The House recessed at 12:31 p.m. and reconvened at 2 p.m.
Page H236
Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Appointment
The Chair announced the Speaker appointment of the following Members of the House to the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Representatives Himes, Carson, Castro (TX), Krishnamoorthi, Crow, Bera, Plaskett, Gottheimer, Gomez, Houlahan and Quigley.
Page H237
Recess
The House recessed at 3:23 p.m. and reconvened at 6:30 p.m.
Page H250
Suspensions
The House agreed to suspend the rules and pass the following measures: Authorizing the National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation to establish a commemorative work on the National Mall to honor the extraordinary acts of valor, selfless service, and sacrifice displayed by Medal of Honor recipients: H.R. 186, to authorize the National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation to establish a commemorative work on the National Mall to honor the extraordinary acts of valor, selfless service, and sacrifice displayed by Medal of Honor recipients, by a \2/ 3\ yea-and-nay vote of 414 yeas with none voting ``nay'', Roll No. 18;
Page H250
Providing for the standardization, consolidation, and publication of data relating to public outdoor recreational use of Federal waterways among Federal land and water management agencies
H.R. 187, amended, to provide for the standardization, consolidation, and publication of data relating to public outdoor recreational use of Federal waterways among Federal land and water management agencies, by a \2/3\ yea-and-nay vote of 413 yeas with none voting ``nay'', Roll No. 19;
Pages H238-40, H250-51
Directing the Secretary of Commerce to establish a task force regarding shark depredation
H.R. 207, to direct the Secretary of Commerce to establish a task force regarding shark depredation;
Pages H240-42
Providing for a land exchange in the Chippewa National Forest, Minnesota
H.R. 197, to provide for a land exchange in the Chippewa National Forest, Minnesota; and
Pages H242-44
Requiring that the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of the Interior submit accurate reports regarding hazardous fuels reduction activities
H.R. 204, to require that the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of the Interior submit accurate reports regarding hazardous fuels reduction activities.
Pages H244-46
Suspensions: Proceedings Postponed
The House debated the following measures under suspension of the rules. Further proceedings were postponed. Directing the Secretary of the Interior to complete all actions necessary for certain land to be held in restricted fee status by the Oglala Sioux Tribe and Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe: H.R. 165, to direct the Secretary of the Interior to complete all actions necessary for certain land to be held in restricted fee status by the Oglala Sioux Tribe and Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe; and
Pages H246-48
Requiring the Secretary of the Interior to partner and collaborate with the Secretary of Agriculture and the State of Hawaii to address Rapid Ohia Death
H.R. 375, to require the Secretary of the Interior to partner and collaborate with the Secretary of Agriculture and the State of Hawaii to address Rapid Ohia Death.
Pages H248-50
Committee Resignation
Read a letter from Representative Wagner wherein she resigned from the Committee on Foreign Affairs.
Page H251
Senate Referral
S. 5 was held at the desk.
Page H237
Senate Message
Message received from the Senate by the Clerk and subsequently presented to the House today appears on page S237. Quorum Calls--Votes: Two yea-and-nay votes developed during the proceedings of today and appear on pages H250 and H251. Adjournment: The House met at 12 p.m. and adjourned at 7:53 p.m.
Every speech and line is the Congressional Record's own text, read from GovInfo. Speakers are matched to members by GPO's own metadata. Referandom places each turn on the Clerk's video by matching its words: 105 of 148 spoken turns were found. Turns without a time are still listed; they just can't seek.
Morning-Hour Debate
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the order of the House of January 3, 2025, the Chair will now recognize Members from lists submitted by the majority and minority leaders for morning-hour debate.
The Chair will alternate recognition between the parties, with time equally allocated between the parties and each Member other than the majority and minority leaders and the minority whip limited to 5 minutes, but in no event shall debate continue beyond 1:50 p.m.
Mr. Speaker, yesterday, President Trump was inaugurated for his second term as President. Now, it is time for us to deliver on his promises.
The American people overwhelmingly supported President Trump's candidacy, a candidacy that was built on restoring the American Dream, strengthening our national security, and making America once again energy dominant.
I have no doubt that President Trump will continue to do the work that we have already started right here in the House of Representatives to Make America Great Again. The golden age of America does start right now.
Mr. Speaker, after the inauguration, President Trump shared his plans for the American people.
During his speech, the President made it clear that the days of a weak America are over, and now, we will return to being that shining city on a hill. The policies that President Trump laid out in his speech resonate with the American people.
More than his policies, his message resonates with Americans throughout this great land. It is a message of strength on the international stage, a message of dominance in the production of energy, and a message of safety on our city streets.
President Trump's speech is why the American people overwhelmingly returned him to the White House.
Mr. Speaker, President Trump has laid out a vision for our Nation over the past few months, from the campaign trail to his first day back in office, a vision that he took action on immediately after being sworn in by signing numerous executive orders to secure our border, lower costs for the American public, and drain the swamp.
President Trump also shared his support for ending California's out- of-touch electric vehicle mandate. I strongly support this action and look forward to working with President Trump to pass my legislation, the Preserving Choice in Vehicle Purchases Act, to protect the individual consumer's right to drive the type of vehicle that they want.
Mr. Speaker, thousands of pro-life advocates will be coming to Washington for the annual March for Life this week. Like these fierce advocates, I firmly believe that all life is worth protecting.
This week, I was proud to be an original cosponsor of H.R. 21, the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act. This important piece of legislation will require medical attention for children who survive botched abortions and impose strong penalties for those who do not comply.
Life is truly a gift from God, and I will always work to preserve the sanctity of human life.
Mr. Speaker, I rise once again to honor the lifetime contributions of Marie Ridder to Virginia and the Nation.
Marie, a distinguished journalist and one of the most passionate conservationists I have known, will celebrate her 100th birthday next Monday, January 27.
Marie Ridder began her career as a journalist covering the reconstruction of post-World War II Europe, writing for the Philadelphia Bulletin. Over the next few years, she wrote for The Washington Post, the Boston Globe, and Knight Ridder publications. Not just a writer, Marie edited for Vogue, Glamour, Mademoiselle, and Conde Nast magazines.
I became close with Marie when she hosted my first-ever political event more than 37 years ago. When everyone else was skeptical, including my own family, Marie believed in me. Over the
Marie is passionate about saving our landscapes and our environment. She has been the champion of the Piedmont Environmental Council for decades and led the successful fight against the 1990s Disney effort to blanket the Virginia Piedmont with houses. She has served on the boards of the League of Conservation Voters and the Trust for Public Land.
Maria is a master gardener, working in her garden high above the Potomac River in McLean. It was there that she was first bitten by a copperhead snake and rushed to Sibley Hospital for the antivenom. When she was struck again by a copperhead a few years later, the emergency room doctor noted that he had only treated two snake bites in his career. Both were on Ms. Ridder.
It will come as no surprise that he was yet again the attending physician on her third snake bite. This is the same garden where Marie or her gardener--it is not clear who--killed an invasive deer with a bow and arrow. I do my best to avoid that garden.
Marie's public service history is both remarkable and intriguing. She was deputy national director of Head Start, where she also served as the direct liaison for First Lady Lady Bird Johnson for 4 years. Later, she led the Sasha Bruce House, a compassionate home for the lost children of our Capital City--the abused, abandoned, neglected, and runaways.
Marie has won many awards in her fight for democracy. In 2019, I was privileged to honor her with the Clara Mortenson Beyer Women and Children First Award for her outstanding accomplishments and commitment to empowering women.
Megan and I are most fortunate to count Marie Ridder as our beloved friend. America is the longtime beneficiary of her creativity, energy, and tireless commitment to others.
When you earn her trust, Marie will even tell you about her date with the bachelor John F. Kennedy.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to my good friend, Timothy ``Tim'' Cliff Bauer, of Winnie, Texas, who passed away at his home on December 19, 2024, after a hard-fought battle with cancer, surrounded by his loving family.
Tim was born to Patricia and Leroy Bauer on September 13, 1951, in Beaumont, Texas. He grew up in the Winnie-Stowell community and was a devoted member of Grace Methodist Church.
While attending East Chambers High School, he met the love of his life, Vicki Cuniff. After graduation, Tim attended Texas A & M University, earning his bachelor of science in agronomy in 1973. He married Vicki during his senior year, and they returned to Winnie, where Tim farmed rice and raised Red Angus cattle.
In 1998, Tim and Vicki moved to the original Bauer Ranch homestead and lovingly restored it, going to great lengths to preserve its wonderful history and significance to the local agricultural community.
Tim founded Texas Financial in 2002 and revived the Bauer Ranch's cattle operation in 2011. He created the F1 Braford herd. He retired from his financial advisement business in 2015 but continued to ranch for another 7 years.
In 2023, Tim and Vicki moved to Kerrville, Texas, where he enjoyed the golden years of his life.
Tim was a man of conviction, stewardship, and passion. He held leadership roles in many organizations and was very well known for his love of hunting, fishing, and Western art.
Tim will be remembered for his sincere adoration for his family, unwavering faith, and steadfast presence. He was a true cowboy, a man's man, and tough as a boot. I am incredibly proud to have called him my friend.
May the Lord bless his memory and his wonderful family. We will all miss him.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today with a heavy heart for the thousands of California families who have been devastated by the recent wildfires in and around the Los Angeles area.
Homes have been burned to the ground. Lives have been lost. Family pets are gone. Precious family photos and sentimental belongings have been charred, damaged, and, in many cases, totally destroyed.
The fires didn't just destroy personal possessions. The fires took away the safe place we gather with family and call home, and it took out entire communities.
What I saw, what I witnessed on my tours of the fire-damaged areas, was heartbreaking, devastating, just unreal. It was like being in a war zone. There was a smell of burnt trees and homes, with smoke still in the air, as firefighters continue to put out smoldering fires. The ash irritates your eyes.
What was equally heartbreaking was the evidence of a desperate panic to evacuate, shown by the abandoned cars left in the middle of the streets, many charred, as I imagine people started to run to safety.
Yet, I also saw our brave firefighters. I say thank you to them and our first responders for being on the front lines and for all that they are doing.
There will be a long road to recovery. We must stand with our neighbors, with our friends, with humankind. It is the right thing to do. It is the compassionate thing to do. It is what we have done repeatedly when communities face natural disasters.
It does not matter if you are in Louisiana, Florida, Georgia, or California. When our communities suffer, we must pull together as one to help communities with the aid they need to rebuild.
When hurricanes hit Florida, Georgia, and North Carolina over the years, we didn't say, ``Don't send aid because of politics.'' When the Speaker's home State of Louisiana suffered losses and devastation, we didn't say, ``Let's attach strings to the aid.''
We don't do that because, above all, we help our fellow Americans. We don't turn tragic situations caused by natural disasters into political fights. Let's not start now.
I implore my colleagues to put politics aside, to love thy neighbor as yourself, to support a bipartisan recovery effort with no strings attached that builds a safer, more resilient future for our communities harmed by the wildfires.
Mr. Speaker, on his first day in office, President Trump wasted no time in addressing California's water crisis by signing the memorandum titled ``Putting People Over Fish: Stopping Radical Environmentalism to Provide Water to Southern California.'' We are very pleased with the President's strong actions on that and many fronts yesterday. We look forward to working with his administration on that.
Now, it did say ``southern California.'' As a Representative of northern California, I was like, what are you doing, Doug? We want people to understand that, due to stories like this--this is Lake Shasta up in Shasta County, just north of Redding. It holds 4\1/2\ million acre-feet of water when full. It is part of the Federal project known as the CVP, the Central Valley Project, built in the 1930s.
We have an opportunity to raise it 18 feet, add 600,000 more--that is a different story for a different day right now--as well as the other projects we have around the State that hold a lot of water; Lake Oroville, right near my home, 3\1/2\ million acre-feet.
The President wanting to have water that is already available, useful for other Californians, instead of being lost or not stored to begin with, I appreciate that directive. You know
Instead, we have this situation year after year. This poster is a bit dated, but it is the same thing year after year. It shows how much water is being lost out through the Bay Delta. We have this massive flow, in this particular timeline, 7 million acre-feet came in. We are losing 6\1/2\ million acre-feet because we are just letting it go out.
It is not helping the delta smelt you have heard about. The delta smelt, they can't find it anymore. They do trolls, and they can't find it. It is gone. Even with all the extra water that has been pushed out since 1992, it never did help the smelt. Maybe too much water actually drowns the fish or something. I don't know.
We don't need to flush that much water through the delta even to keep saltwater intrusion from coming back up and affecting some of the Delta. We need to be trapping that water. We need to be saving that water for the San Luis Reservoir and for crops which would be helpful in the San Joaquin Valley.
Also, when we talked about southern California--my colleague just talked about the horrendous fires down there. This is a reservoir right near the Pacific Palisades, which burned to the ground. This reservoir had that been full, would have had enough water to last several days instead of just a few hours that their hydrant system had.
That is what it looks like full, more or less. That is what it looks like empty. It was empty. It had been empty for nearly a year. What kind of management or planning is that where they don't need to tell the fire department it wasn't full at the time?
They are supposed to be doing some kind of repair on it. It probably could have been done in a couple of weeks. Instead, they are putting it out for bid and this or that. Probably, their local staff could have done it, they say. We lost that opportunity to trap water. Get this: It holds about 40 acre-feet. I just showed you how many hundreds of thousands of acre-feet go out through the delta. You could fill that up in minutes if you could somehow channel the delta into that. Yet, this is what you get.
Instead, we would have the opportunity to have those reservoirs full, and have southern California have what it needs. Also, let's not forget the San Joaquin Valley, which President Trump knows a lot about. They grow these amazing crops. So many of them come from down there, as well as my part of northern California, to feed the United States and even the world.
These products--when we show you these percentages here--these are percentages of crops that come from California that Americans use; not just Californians. If we don't grow them in California with all this abundant water we have, then where is this stuff going to come from? Where is this food going to come from? We are going to have to import it or do without it. We think, well maybe we don't have mandarins anymore, maybe we don't have avocados anymore. We will just eat something else. Why?
We need to have these choices, and we have the ability to grow them because we have plenty of water when we trap it. Even in drought years, there is still enough water that comes down.
With that, the management of water supply is also tied back to fire management. Unfortunately, what my colleague was talking about, the horrific fires in southern California, this is some of the brush that grows on the hills above those areas. It is a pretty arid climate down there. We know that.
If we are smart about it, we can actually be removing this brush, and make it so that if fire does happen, it is just burning weeds at a slow pace instead of being driven by the Santa Ana winds at a high rate of speed, 80 miles an hour. You can't beat that. Firefighters can't beat that.
They do their best efforts. They have got to try and at least make a line of defense at the city, but when it is flowing over the top of them like fire does and like happens in my district all the time, it is humanly not possible.
This is how we stay ahead of it; removing this brush in the timber areas, like in my district where fire burned 1 million acres one time. We can be removing brush. We can be removing dead trees and small trees. We are still leaving the forest, but it is a thin forest. It is a managed forest.
Instead of empty promises being made--empty-handed like Gavin Newsom time and time again saying: Oh, we are going to do something about the water. We are going to do something about the fuel in the forests. No, he isn't. He is dragging his feet on seeing the water supply built in California.
He needs to be directing his people on the water commission, directing people on the water control board to make things happen to build these projects as expeditiously as possible instead of just trying to slow down the lawsuits. We need to do this to scale. We need to do this with speed. We are tired of the empty talk from the Governor.
President Trump is leading the way on his first day, showing the path forward on helping our water supply, on helping our forests, helping the people in our State at home and our country to have what they need.
No more empty promises. No more nonsense. Gavin Newsom needs to get out of the way. Let President Trump--instead of putting aside $50 million in the legislature, which is what they are talking about to fight Trump, and they want to tie that to State aid for southern California for fires.
Talk about conditions--we hear about conditions a lot around here. Oh, no, conditions. You are making conditions on the State legislature to tie $50 million to fight Trump with lawsuits for State aid.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to address a critical issue for all of America, Social Security.
Mr. Speaker, as you know, there are more than 70 million Social Security recipients in the United States of America. What most Americans don't realize is that it has been more than 50 years since Congress last enhanced Social Security. Richard Nixon was President of the United States the last time Congress voted to enhance benefits.
Now, some will say: Well, wait a minute, didn't we just recently vote on Social Security in terms of making sure that teachers and firefighters and municipal employees and police officers would be able to get Social Security insurance? The answer is, yes, we did, except it wasn't paid for, which means that when we say it hasn't been enhanced, in fact, what that did is cut the Social Security trust fund.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to say that it is long overdue that we have a vote on Social Security. That doesn't seem to ask too much of the new Congress, and after all, the incoming President says that he cares about Social Security and has proposed also that there be tax cuts for people on Social Security. That is a good idea, except they have to be paid for. His legislation doesn't call for that, but ours does.
We have put before the American people, and will be bringing to the floor, Social Security legislation that enhances the program for the first time in 50-plus years. Imagine that, 70 million recipients. There are 5 million of our fellow Americans who get below-poverty-level checks from Social Security after having paid into the system all their lives because Congress hasn't acted. Congress hasn't voted.
There are some 35 million Americans whom the only benefit that they have is Social Security. The average Social Security payment is $18,000 for a male, $14,000 for a female. No one is getting wealthy on Social Security, but it is, as I like to say, the lifeline of capitalism, the full support for capitalism.
It allows people to take risks. It allows us to be entrepreneurial because in the event the business doesn't succeed or fail, there is that system. The
This also is, for Americans, a lifeline because of what it does. Speaker Smith was just in the chair before, and I was explaining that in his district, he has over 150,000 recipients, Mr. Speaker. Those recipients are broken down in several different ways: Retirees, over 100,000; spouses, over 8,000; widows, 8,000; 14,000 disabled people in Speaker Smith's district, but they haven't received an increase from the United States Congress since 1971.
If you disagree with it--if you disagree that people don't deserve this, to have their Social Security updated, brought into the modern times that we live in, then vote against it, but for God's sake, for the more than 70 million Americans who rely on this and need this, it is long overdue for a vote. Don't you think so?
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to discuss a vital piece of legislation, the Laken Riley Act.
On February 22, 2024, Laken Riley, a 22-year-old Augusta University nursing student was murdered by an illegal Venezuelan migrant while she was jogging in Athens, Georgia.
Prior to the attack on Laken, her killer illegally entered the United States and was apprehended and released at the border. The perpetrator was also previously arrested by both Federal and State officials in multiple jurisdictions, and each time released due to certain States' soft-on-crime policies and the failures of the Biden-Harris administration to protect our southern border.
The Laken Riley Act is straightforward in its purpose, safeguarding the safety and security of our neighborhoods from the threat posed by criminal, illegal aliens who disregard our laws and endanger our citizens. It sends a clear message that we will no longer tolerate leniency when it comes to those who commit theft, burglary, larceny, shoplifting, or other serious crimes.
This bill also empowers States to hold future administrations accountable. For too long, radical far-left policies weakened immigration enforcement and prioritized open borders over the safety of American families.
By providing States with legal standing to challenge Federal officials who fail to enforce immigration laws, we ensure that no administration, present or future, can turn a blind eye to the dangers posed by criminal, illegal aliens.
Recently, January 10 would have been Laken Riley's 23rd birthday. This legislation isn't just another bill. It is a promise to address the real challenges and commitment to creating a safer, more equitable future for all. This is our chance to honor Laken Riley's legacy by building something lasting and meaningful.
It is a chance to prove that we can rise above partisanship and come together to solve real problems for real people. This will protect the fundamental rights and freedoms of every American, restore trust in our immigration system, uphold the rule of law, and ensure that every community in this country is safe and secure. It is time to put the safety and security of the American people first.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote for this vital legislation and to return it to the Senate.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor those fighting the deadly wildfires that are destroying our homes, businesses, and taking lives across southern California. In the face of this natural disaster, I thank our brave first responders who are on the front lines fighting one of the worst fires in California history.
I am also proud of our local Orange County firefighters that are helping our neighbors in Los Angeles. I am happy to say that we are not alone. I am grateful for firefighters from across the country, neighboring States, as well as our neighboring countries, Canada and Mexico, who have also come to help us fight these fires.
Moments like this remind us that strength is through unity and helping each other out. Of course, that includes almost 750 incarcerated individuals who are stepping up and acting as firefighters on the front lines.
Mr. Speaker, I also want to thank the immigrant community in the area who are offering free food to the first responders and collecting donations for the families in need.
From firefighters to food vendors, friends, and local neighbors, all coming together in this time of tragedy, that is what community is all about. That is what this Nation is all about.
Recognizing Lestonnac Free Clinic Executive Director Edward Gerber
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the work of my very good friend, Ed Gerber, the executive director of the Lestonnac Free Clinic in Orange.
Ed graduated from the University of Texas after 4 years in the military. Since then, he has dedicated his time as an executive director at the Lestonnac Free Clinic. His priority is free medical and dental services to the uninsured and low-income families across southern California.
Under his leadership, Lestonnac Free Clinic has expanded to 13 satellite clinics and 2 mobile medical vehicles. He pioneered the specialty care program to help low-income families access specialty medical care.
We love Ed. We want him to stay healthy. We need him, and we thank him for his very, very good work in our community.
Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 186) to authorize the National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation to establish a commemorative work on the National Mall to honor the extraordinary acts of valor, selfless service, and sacrifice displayed by Medal of Honor recipients.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Westerman) and the gentleman from California (Mr. Huffman) each will control 20 minutes.
Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 186, the bill now under consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from Arkansas?
Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Madam Speaker, as we approach the 250th celebration of our Nation next year, there is perhaps no greater way to celebrate our history than passing H.R. 186, which honors the valor and sacrifice of some of our Nation's bravest heroes, Medal of Honor recipients.
Madam Speaker, 162 years ago, President Abraham Lincoln awarded the first Medal of Honor in the midst of the Civil War. It remains our Nation's highest honor awarded to members of the Armed Forces and is bestowed sparingly to only those who have demonstrated the highest acts of valor. Less than 70 Medal of Honor recipients are alive today out of the more than 3,500 medals that have been awarded.
As the highest and most prestigious military decoration in the United States, the Medal of Honor symbolizes extraordinary acts of bravery, selflessness, and sacrifice beyond the call of duty.
Madam Speaker, by recognizing these remarkable individuals, the Medal of Honor inspires a sense of national pride, honors the memory of fallen heroes, and motivates future generations to embody the values of courage and honor.
The Medal of Honor continues to instill a profound sense of respect and gratitude for the sacrifices made in the defense of freedom and justice.
Congressman Moore's bipartisan bill, the Hershel ``Woody'' Williams National Medal of Honor Monument Location Act, will ensure that the monument honoring these brave heroes can be placed on what is known as the Reserve but is commonly referred to as ``The National Mall'' here in Washington, D.C.
A monument honoring our most exceptional citizens should be placed in an equally exceptional location. According to National Park Service data, The National Mall receives upward of 25 million visitors each year. The monuments and memorials located on The National Mall are the centerpiece of this history, and it is appropriate to include a new monument honoring veterans who have displayed the most courageous acts of valor recognized by our country.
In my home State of Arkansas, our State capital also has a memorial dedicated to Medal of Honor recipients. I hope the monument in D.C., like the one in Arkansas, can inspire reflection, patriotism, and gratitude for our Nation's military heroes.
Last Congress, the Committee on Natural Resources had the privilege of hearing from one of the 61 living Medal of Honor recipients, Master Chief Special Warfare Operator Britt Slabinski. In his inspiring testimony, he reminded us the Medal of Honor represents those willing to go above and beyond in any circumstance, no matter how small.
This monument will serve as an everlasting reminder of this country's greatness and the difference that one single person can make. The legislation before us today, H.R. 186, would authorize the location of the National Medal of Honor Memorial in a prominent location on The National Mall, with the intent to keep it near the Lincoln Memorial as President Lincoln was the first to give out this special award.
I was proud to support the original legislation authorizing this memorial. I am proud to support this subsequent legislation today.
Madam Speaker, I thank Congressman Moore for his leadership. I urge my colleague to support the bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.
Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Madam Speaker, I agree with the chairman. The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration. It is awarded to brave individuals whose extraordinary acts of valor, selfless service, and sacrifice exceed the call of duty.
In 2021, Congress authorized establishing a National Medal of Honor Monument to honor over 3,500 Medal of Honor recipients from the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Coast Guard, ensuring that their courage, sacrifice, patriotism, citizenship, integrity, and commitment are shared for generations to come.
The bill before us today would allow for this memorial to be placed on The National Mall in close proximity to the Lincoln Memorial. That is appropriate, and Democrats support it.
In December of 1861, as the first brutal year of the Civil War came to an end, President Lincoln signed a bill authorizing the Medal of Honor recipients. I think it is appropriate to place this memorial in the footprint of the Lincoln Memorial as a fitting tribute to that legacy.
I thank Representatives Moore and Veasey for their collaboration and leadership on this legislation, and I urge my colleagues to support it.
Before moving on, I do want to mention that there are growing demands on The National Mall. In 2003, Congress declared The National Mall a completed work of civic art and prohibited future construction of new memorials and monuments in the core area known as the Reserve. As we all know, Congress changes its mind. Since then, it has agreed to authorize the placement of several new memorials and for good reason.
Just last month we approved the Women's Suffrage National Monument sponsored by Representative Neguse. That new memorial will ensure that women's stories are better reflected, filling an important gap that perhaps was not considered when Congress established the Reserve 20- plus years ago.
The National Medal of Honor Monument is another fitting tribute that deserves a place on The National Mall. We need to be clear-eyed about the future of The National Mall. I hope that this is a conversation we can have this Congress so that we can continue to make the best decisions about what has been dubbed America's front yard, one of the most visited and revered units of the National Park System.
Madam Speaker, I support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.
Madam Speaker, I thank the chairman and the ranking member for the time.
Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of the Hershel ``Woody'' Williams National Medal of Honor Monument Location Act. This bill, which passed the House unanimously during the 118th Congress, is the final legislative step to establish a location for a monument recognizing America's Medal of Honor recipients on The National Mall.
Of the estimated 40 million individuals who have served in the United States Armed Services, fewer than 4,000 have been awarded the Medal of Honor.
President Abraham Lincoln awarded the first Medals of Honor more than 160 years ago, and it is only fitting that this monument is located near the Lincoln Memorial on The National Mall.
This monument will serve as a reminder that freedom is not free, and it will inspire new generations of Americans to revere and support the brave men and women who we owe our freedom to.
Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 186 to give America's heroes and their families a monument for their sacrifices for our Nation.
Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for his hard work on this legislation. I thank the gentleman from California and the minority for supporting it, as well.
Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Madam Speaker, I note that this bill has been named after Hershel ``Woody'' Williams who, sadly, passed away in June of 2022. He was known for his extraordinary heroism in the Battle of Iwo Jima in World War II. At the young age of 21, he single-handedly cleared a path for American troops against Japanese forces in an act of extraordinary bravery.
This is a good bill that honors Hershel ``Woody'' Williams, our Nation's heroic Medal of Honor recipients, and all those who have served. It honors their memory, remembers their legacy, and reaffirms our unwavering commitment to upholding the principles for which they fought so valiantly.
Madam Speaker, I urge adoption of the bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Westerman) that the House suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 186.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 187) to provide for the standardization, consolidation, and publication of data relating to public outdoor recreational use of Federal waterways among Federal land and water management agencies, and for other purposes, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Westerman) and the gentleman from California (Mr. Huffman) each will control 20 minutes.
Madam 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. 187, the bill now under consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from Arkansas?
Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 187, the Modernizing Access to Our Public Waters Act, or MAPWaters Act, sponsored by Congressman Moore of Utah.
This bill seeks to improve recreational access for our country's boaters and anglers by requiring agencies to digitize the maps of Federal waterways and information related to the regulations and restrictions on accessing those waterways.
The bill then calls upon Federal land management agencies to publish this information online and work with the private sector to make it easily available to the public. This bill is necessary because access to information related to regulations and restrictions on Federal waterways can often be hard to come by.
The Natural Resources Committee heard testimony about a specific example of an unfortunate situation at Yellowstone National Park. A group of backpackers were hiking to a remote lake in the park where the group planned to fish. Upon arriving at the lake, they discovered that half the lake was off-limits to fishing because of nesting swans. The half of the lake
This is unacceptable. Passing this bill would prevent incidents like this by ensuring this information is easily available to the public.
The House passed a nearly identical version of this bill by voice vote in December. The bill language we are considering today incorporates technical edits that have been agreed to with the Senate, helping to ensure that this bill can advance through both Chambers in a timely fashion.
Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.
Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Madam Speaker, I support this bill. It is a good idea to standardize information to improve the accessibility of that information if we want to help users, such as recreational fishers, navigate and access Federal waterways. This includes access, fishing restrictions, and navigation information, which are all very important.
On the Natural Resources Committee, we strive to ensure that Federal outdoor spaces are accessible to fishers, hunters, boaters, and other recreational users. It is important that they have up-to-date, easily accessible maps. This will allow us to improve outdoor recreation experiences while protecting existing natural, cultural, and recreational values.
To that end, this bill will direct agencies to develop and adopt interagency standards, ensuring that their databases are compatible and interoperable. They can more effectively collect and disseminate geospatial data to help inform folks about recreational opportunities.
I see multiple important applications for collecting and publishing this data. It could include vessel speed restrictions, the types of watercraft allowed in certain areas, the location of boat ramps, fishing sites, equipment and bait usage restrictions, and even waterway catch and release policies which can vary from place to place.
By standardizing and digitizing all of this, it gives Americans the information they need and the confidence to engage in recreation without the nightmare of searching through and trying to decipher a tangled web of information on numerous agency websites.
Madam Speaker, this is a good bill. I support this bill. I urge my colleagues to support it, and I yield back the balance of my time.
Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
Madam Speaker, I again thank Representative Moore from Utah for his work on this bill and as a Member of this body to increase recreational access to our public lands. It is something he cares deeply about. I thank Mr. Huffman and the minority for supporting this good legislation.
Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.
Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of my bill, the Modernizing Access to Public Waters, or MAPWaters Act.
This legislation builds upon the success of my MAPLand Act, enacted in 2022, and MAP Army Corps language included in last year's Water Resources Development Act to ensure Americans can quickly see the public resources around them and spend more time recreating on the land and water they love.
The MAPWaters Act will improve the standardization, consolidation, and availability of information on the recreational opportunities on Federal waterways, allowing recreationalists in Utah and around the country with the most up-to-date information on what is available to them.
In addition to providing chances for families to experience the outdoors and instill a love of nature in new generations, recreational boating and fishing are major drivers of Utah's economy, contributing over $536 million in 2023.
As our love for the outdoors continues to grow, accessing these public treasures should be as easy as possible.
I thank my friends Mr. Panetta from California, Mr. Fulcher from Idaho, and Mrs. Dingell from Michigan, as well as our Senate companions, Senators Barrasso and King, for partnering with me on this effort. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 187.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Westerman) that the House suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 187, as amended.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 207) to direct the Secretary of Commerce to establish a task force regarding shark depredation, and for other purposes.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Westerman) and the gentleman from California (Mr. Huffman) each will control 20 minutes.
Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on H.R. 207, the bill now under consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from Arkansas?
Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 207, sponsored by the Committee on Natural Resources vice chairman, Congressman Rob Wittman of Virginia.
Concerns over shark depredation are increasingly common in the Florida Keys, the Gulf of Mexico, and North Carolina's Outer Banks. Shark interactions can be frustrating for anglers, resulting in loss of catch, damaged gear, and degraded fishing experiences. They also potentially impact the post-release survival of both target fish and bycatch.
As the number of reports of shark depredation has increased, the underlying cause remains uncertain. It could be due to an increase in the number of sharks as stocks rebuild, a learned behavior by sharks as they recognize motors, fishing techniques, or shark feeding locations as a source of food. We simply don't have enough information to answer all the questions.
To emphasize the scale of this issue, during the consideration of this legislation, we heard from Captain Jack Graham, who fishes out of the renowned Oregon Inlet in North Carolina. Captain Graham has been keeping records of tuna depredation impacting his small marina of about 25 boats. By his estimates, a staggering 250,000 pounds of tuna are depredated each month during tuna season just within his marina.
To make matters worse, shark depredation involves many Federal and State jurisdictions, but because no single entity is responsible for addressing it, very little is being done.
H.R. 207 would require the Secretary of Commerce to establish a task force to address shark depredation. The task force membership would include representatives from NOAA, the Regional Fishery Management Councils, marine fisheries commissions, State fish and wildlife agencies from the States within the Regional Fishery Management Councils, and non-Federal experts.
In the 118th Congress, this legislation was passed unanimously through the Committee on Natural Resources, and it passed the House by voice vote. I am grateful that we are again considering this legislation that will help the Federal Government respond to the challenge.
Madam Speaker, I applaud Representative Wittman for his work, and I reserve the balance of my time.
Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Madam Speaker, this bill would establish a new task force led by the National Marine Fisheries Service to identify shark conservation needs and depredation research. That is fine.
Before getting into that, I want to point out that the suspensions today are supposed to reflect some of the bipartisan work of the Committee on Natural Resources to find common ground and move bills that had process last Congress. This legislation should certainly be one of those, but committee Republicans blocked an accompanying bill, Representative Keating's Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Act. We should be voting on that bill today, and we are not.
Last year's hurricanes and floods damaged key sea turtle rescue and rehabilitation facilities, forcing them to lose money and space that would otherwise go toward recovering stranded turtles. Representative Keating's legislation would help support these facilities as they care for Endangered Species Act-listed sea turtles.
The Committee on Natural Resources and the Senate Commerce Committee secured a deal in December to move that bill, along with this SHARKED Act and two other bills. Unfortunately, unelected billionaire Musk's last-minute power play on the CR scuttled that modest package, and here we are.
It is disappointing that our colleagues on the other side of the aisle have decided to forgo those bipartisan commitments and move this legislation as a standalone. If House Republicans won't even follow through on these easy bipartisan agreements, it is hard to see how Democrats can trust them to keep their word in the midst of the tougher negotiations that lie ahead. It is very disappointing and part of a growing pattern of striking deals and then immediately walking away from them.
Turning to this bill, sharks are critical to healthy ocean ecosystems. As the oceans' apex predators, they help shape marine food webs, and they are a key indicator of ocean health. Unfortunately, many shark species are also threatened or endangered. Oceanic sharks and rays have declined by a whopping 71 percent since 1970. That happened in many of our lifetimes. Three-quarters of these remaining species are at risk of going extinct.
In the seventies and eighties, a fundamental lack of understanding of shark biology and their ecological importance, combined with widespread fear, was partially responsible for dramatic increases in the recreational harvest of sharks in the U.S.
Some shark populations are recovering now, but human activities are reversing even those meager gains. Scientific estimates are that humans are causing nearly 100 million shark deaths every single year, and current levels of fishing pressure will cause the majority of shark populations to continue to decline. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature, overfishing threatens half of coastal sharks and rays with extinction.
Given these declines and their causes, any effort to address shark depredation must align with our Nation's goal to recover shark populations and consider the impact of heightened fishing pressure and climate change.
Last year, we passed the SHARKED Act in the House. However, I recognize the concern over whether this legislation goes far enough to ensure good outcomes for shark populations and isn't just a slippery slope toward increasing shark harvests.
Through a collaborative effort, we refocused this bill on changing angler behavior and managing expectations, as well as building out the scientific understanding of shark ecology and the impacts of climate change on predators and prey in the ocean. This is vital because nonlethal deterrents and simple changes in angler behavior are proven to reduce the probability of sharks taking fish by 65 percent.
NOAA admitted in the legislative hearing on this bill that depredation research is complex and requires sustained investment due to sharks' high intelligence and adaptability.
Another area of concern is that this bill doesn't include funding. Without it, NOAA will be unable to expand their work to address shark conservation and depredation.
I hope my colleagues who support this bill will also work with us to ensure robust funding for shark conservation priorities, like increased shark stock assessments.
This bill should promote better collaboration between the fishing community and shark researchers. That is a good thing. This partnership is necessary to reduce risks to both sharks and humans from depredation events and build our understanding of the importance of sharks and how to conserve them. These are goals we should all support.
Madam Speaker, I rise today to urge support for my bill, H.R. 207, the Supporting the Health of Aquatic systems through Research Knowledge and Enhanced Dialogue Act, also known as the SHARKED Act. As a lifelong recreational fisherman, I am particularly passionate about this bill.
Picture this: A charter boat fisherman takes an excited group of anglers 90 miles off the coast in hopes of reeling in a bluefin tuna, tarpon, or other big game species. One of the individuals hooks the first fish and starts to fight to reel it in, but before the fish ever gets to the boat, sharks have bitten and eaten the fish. This phenomenon is called depredation, which occurs when sharks interfere with fishing activities. It is essentially a massive impact on the coastal recreational fishing industry, especially the charter industry.
Shark depredation is accepted as a natural part of fishing, but it has become a widespread issue in our waters and has increased rapidly in recent years.
During the House Natural Resources Committee hearing for the SHARKED Act last year, we heard from experts discussing the impact of this phenomenon.
According to the American Sportfishing Association, 52.4 million people went fishing in the United States in 2023, supporting 826,000 jobs and contributing $129 billion to the economy.
The American Sportfishing Association also found that 87 percent of charter guides surveyed said they experienced depredations with clients, resulting in negative impacts on their business.
Anglers are losing their catch and tackle to sharks at alarming rates, and they are understandably becoming increasingly frustrated by it.
I introduced the SHARKED Act to study this issue and evaluate how we can improve sportfishing conditions for anglers while protecting sharks.
This bill establishes a fishery management task force to focus on identifying research opportunities, recommending management strategies, and developing educational materials for fishermen. The task force's membership would be appointed by the Secretary of Commerce and include representatives from the Regional Fishery Management Councils, marine fisheries commissions, the National Marine Fisheries Service, and State fish and wildlife agencies, as well as folks who enjoy recreational fishing.
This legislation will help fishermen and -women understand which species of sharks have higher rates of depredation and where you are most likely to run into that species. It will also serve as the first major step in improving communication and coordination among fisheries managers in addressing shark depredation nationwide.
Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the passage of H.R. 207.
Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
Madam Speaker, I again thank my colleague, Mr. Wittman, for taking action to address the challenge that fishing communities across the United States currently face.
I have had the opportunity to do some recreational fishing in the western and eastern Gulf. I have had the opportunity to go out on research vessels and even down in the Florida Keys and on the Atlantic Coast. There is one thing in common, and it is you can be certain somebody is going to be reeling in a fish and a shark is going to take everything but pretty much the lips off of the hook.
People who fish more than I do and who are around this will tell you that it has gotten much more common over the years. Improving coordination between fisheries managers, State agencies, and other experts to solve the challenge of shark depredation is an approach that respects the bottom-up approach that has allowed the United States to be the gold standard in fisheries management.
Madam Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to support the bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Westerman) that the House suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 207.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 197) to provide for a land exchange in the Chippewa National Forest, Minnesota, and for other purposes.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Westerman) and the gentleman from California (Mr. Huffman) each will control 20 minutes.
Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on H.R. 197, the bill now under consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from Arkansas?
Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 197, the Lake Winnibigoshish Land Exchange Act of 2025, led by Representative Stauber.
This commonsense legislation authorizes the U.S. Forest Service to enter into a land exchange with the Bowen Lodge, a family-operated resort on the shores of Lake Winnibigoshish in northern Minnesota.
Exchanging parcels between the Chippewa National Forest and Bowen Lodge will create a win-win scenario. The lodge will gain permanent access to the lake, and the Forest Service will be able to reconfigure part of its unwieldy checkerboard pattern of land ownership. This change will provide excellent fishing and recreation opportunities for the local community and improve management efficiencies for the Federal Government.
Representative Stauber has done an excellent job of leading this bill that would help this small business improve its operation for years to come. This bill would improve outdoor recreation opportunities for its constituents and for all who have the pleasure of visiting and recreating in northern Minnesota. He has long been a strong advocate for responsible public land management and access to outdoor recreation, and this legislation is an excellent reflection of that commitment.
Last Congress, this bill passed the House unanimously by voice vote. I urge my colleagues to do the same today and support this important piece of legislation.
Madam Speaker, I support the bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.
Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Madam Speaker, I support this bill, which would authorize the Forest Service to exchange a parcel of the Chippewa National Forest for a parcel of land currently owned by the Big Winnie Land and Timber company in Minnesota.
We note that the Forest Service land in question is already used commercially through a permit at the site of Bowen Lodge, a fishing and hunting resort that operated a marina on the shores of Lake Winnie, a place where Mr. Stauber has never invited me to go fishing, I am sad to say, even though it sounds pretty wonderful and I might be able to catch the first musky in my life. I will continue to wait for that invitation.
In the meantime, the land exchange in this bill would help simplify the operation of the resort and marina for continued visitor and commercial activity. In turn, the Forest Service would gain a parcel of land directly adjacent to the Chippewa National Forest and the shoreline of Lake Winnie.
Integrating this parcel into the Forest Service will provide for better management of undisturbed sites, critical wetlands, and wildlife habitat that are currently adjacent to Federal lands. That makes good sense.
To quote my Republican colleague, this is a win-win near Lake Winnie, and I reserve the balance of my time.
Madam Speaker, the gentleman from Minnesota has invited me to Minnesota to fish before. It is a lovely time of year to fish in Minnesota if you like fishing through a little hole in the ice, but I am sure it would be great on Lake Winnie.
Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Stauber), who is the lead sponsor of the bill.
Madam Speaker, to the ranking member from California, it is 37 degrees below zero in Minnesota with the wind chill. Come on over.
Madam Speaker, I rise in support of my bill, H.R. 197, the Lake Winnibigoshish Land Exchange Act of 2025.
Lake Winnibigoshish, or Lake Winnie, as it is also known, is located within the boundaries of the Chippewa National Forest and is home to Bowen Lodge, a premier, family-owned fishing lodge. Bowen Lodge has been in operation and welcoming guests since 1925.
For the past four decades, Bill and Gail Heig and their family have operated Bowen Lodge, serving as great stewards of Lake Winnie and providing incredible fishing and vacation memories for Minnesotans and other out-of-towners over these many years.
Currently, Bowen Lodge has a 20-year agreement with the U.S. Forest Service to lease 17\1/2\ acres of shoreline along the lake, where they operate their marina. Under the Heigs' stewardship, Lake Winnie has remained accessible to citizens of Itasca County and the many people who visit.
Notably, the Heigs purchased extra acreage in 2021 after an out-of- State mega resort developer sought to purchase a parcel of land, which would have changed the face of Lake Winnie forever. Now Bowen Lodge is seeking to convey that extra acreage to the Chippewa National Forest.
It is in the best interest of the public that the Forest Service take stewardship of this land rather than out-of-State developers who may not prioritize public access for our local community. Additionally, this land will make it easier for the Forest Service to access and responsibly maintain their other acreage in the area.
The bill before us today would facilitate the land exchange between Bowen Lodge and the Forest Service: 17 acres of shoreline to Bowen Lodge, so they can continue to operate their marina in exchange for 37 acres of nearby land to the Forest Service, which would then be added to the Chippewa National Forest.
This exchange would better align boundaries, put the right acreage under the right management, and ensure Minnesotans have the ability to boat, fish, and enjoy beautiful Lake Winnie. Thanks to the Heigs' quick thinking and strong advocacy, our way of life will be preserved.
I am proud that this land exchange is supported by the local community in Itasca County, including the local county board of supervisors who testified in support of the bill before the Natural Resources Committee last Congress, as well as the Mississippi Headwaters Board and other local environmental organizations. It is also supported by the U.S. Forest Service and leadership of the Chippewa National Forest Service.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The time of the gentleman has expired.
The House of Representatives passed this bill unanimously last September, but the Senate, unfortunately, never took it up. It is my hope that after this House passes the bill today, the Senate will quickly take it up and send this good piece of legislation to President Trump for his signature.
Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this legislation.
Madam Speaker, I have no further requests for time.
In closing, Madam Speaker, this is a straightforward bill that benefits the people of northern Minnesota and our public lands.
Once again, I applaud Representative Stauber for his work on the legislation, I urge its passage today. I hope the Senate will take up this legislation quickly, and I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Westerman) that the House suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 197.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 204) to require that the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of the Interior submit accurate reports regarding hazardous fuels reduction activities, and for other purposes.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Westerman) and the gentleman from California (Mr. Huffman) each will control 20 minutes.
Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to add extraneous material on H.R. 204, the bill now under consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from Arkansas?
Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of Representative Tiffany's legislation, H.R. 204, the Accurately Counting Risk Elimination Solutions, or ACRES Act. This is a commonsense, good-governance bill that will bring sorely needed transparency and accountability to the misleading way our Federal land managers are tracking and reporting hazardous fuel treatments.
This month, wildfires in southern California leveled entire communities and took the lives of at least 24 people. Local residents forced to flee their homes described the scene as a war zone.
Unfortunately, the tragedies in southern California are just the latest consequences in what has been a historic wildfire crisis, devouring an average of 7 million acres every year for the last two decades. This alarming figure is more than double the annual losses seen during the 1990s. This worsening problem is directly linked to insufficient forest management, which has created a dangerous build-up of hazardous fuels in our forests.
Despite the clear need to confront this crisis head-on, Federal land management agencies like the Forest Service are still failing to increase the pace and scale of their treatments. Alarmingly, investigative reporting from ``NBC News'' found that the Forest Service is overreporting the number of acres they treat annually by over 20 percent, but that is not all. The same report found that overcounting was worse in areas of greater risk, such as California, where the total acres treated were overcounted by 35 percent in the wildland-urban interface. In one example, the Forest Service reported that they treated 744 acres of land when, in fact, only 173 acres of land had been treated.
This means that the Forest Service suggested to Congress and the public that they had done four times more work than they had actually accomplished. This is unacceptable, particularly in an area where wildfire risk and the risk to communities and lives is extremely high.
This inaccurate and misleading reporting results from the Forest Service counting the same piece of land towards its risk reduction goals multiple times if different treatments, such as prescribed thinning and burning, are completed on that land. In some cases, the Forest Service counted the same parcel of land 30 times, meaning the agency reported to Congress that they reduced hazardous fuels on 30 acres when, in fact, only 1 acre received treatment.
This legislation simply requires the Forest Service to submit data to Congress annually that details their hazardous fuels reduction work by only counting each acre once, even if multiple treatments were performed. This exact idea has been supported in reports from the Government Accountability Office and the USDA's Office of Inspector General.
The fact that we even need to pass legislation to tell the Forest Service how to count makes it clear just how deep this problem runs when it comes to confronting our catastrophic wildfire crisis. Holding our Federal land managers accountable for their actual work on the ground is a good first step. We need to improve the health of our Nation's forests as we fight against these catastrophic wildfires, and this bill will help us do that.
Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.
Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. The Forest Service manages millions of acres of forestland, including vital watersheds, critical wildlife habitat, and countless outdoor recreational areas.
The Forest Service's 10-year wildlife crisis strategy implementation plan stresses the importance of fire-adapted landscapes and hazardous fuel treatments to build resilient forests. These critical wildfire risk reduction projects are complex, multistep processes requiring significant planning and investments often carried out over several years.
In order for these projects to operate effectively, we must receive accurate, transparent, and accessible data on how they are planned and implemented. This bill proposes requiring the Forest Service and the Department of the Interior to include in the President's annual budget a report on hazardous fuel activities carried out in a given fiscal year to account for each treated acre.
The ongoing reporting requirement would enhance transparency and accountability, providing critical information that could help guide investments in the management of our national forests, including how we deploy the historic funding for wildfire risk reduction efforts that were included in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and in the Inflation Reduction Act if we can hang on to that historic funding in the coming months. I certainly support this bill for proposing that idea of an ongoing reporting requirement. However, I want to clarify that the bill does not actually require or even authorize it. The Congressional Budget Office found that the reporting requirements proposed by this bill would need significant funding, including for hiring 30 additional Federal employees.
Now, I think that would be a worthwhile investment for wildfire risk reduction. These days the Freedom Caucus tends to call the shots on these matters, and they don't allow us to consider bills that authorize that kind of money without spending reductions elsewhere.
So what we have before us is a revised version of the bill, a workaround, that doesn't even authorize the reporting activities that it describes. It is right there on the last page of the bill in all caps: No additional funds authorized.
Madam Speaker, you will notice that the CBO score on this bill is now zero. That is because the revised bill doesn't actually do anything.
We need to do better than this. We have a serious, real fire crisis in front of us. We can't fight climate change with window dressing or thoughts and prayers. I am going to support this bill because it doesn't do any harm and it does bring attention to a good idea, but this is nowhere near enough.
I will point out that the Biden-Harris administration achieved record acres of annual forest treatments thanks to the investments secured by House Democrats in both the IIJA and the IRA. This includes vegetation management to reduce hazardous fuels and prescribed burns.
That is important work worth doing, and I look forward to continuing to work with the majority and the new administration if they are willing to make those investments. We have to ensure that agencies have resources so they can continue reporting back with record-breaking numbers that we achieved under the last administration.
Unfortunately, this bill and the so-called Fix Our Forests Act that we will be considering later this week simply fail to provide any resources. Team extreme might be unhappy with a bill that includes a price tag, but I guarantee that it would be far less than the cost of the mass destruction from fires that we are seeing in places like L.A., and it is certainly worth the lives that would be saved.
Madam Speaker, I thank my friends across the aisle, Mr. Huffman and the minority, for supporting forestry bills both small and large. This is, I think, a small step in the right direction, and it shouldn't cost any more to report accurate data than to report inaccurate data.
I look forward to passing this bill as well as some larger bills like the Fix Our Forests Act that we hope to have before the body this week.
Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Tiffany), who is the lead sponsor of the bill.
Madam Speaker, in spite of what was just said on the other side of the aisle, I want to invite the gentleman from California to Wisconsin. He can get some good fishing in in northern Minnesota, good musky fishing, but if the gentleman wants the best, then come to northern Wisconsin. I have an invitation for my friend.
This bill will bring transparency, Mr. Speaker, to the misleading and inaccurate way hazardous fuels treatments are reported.
Decades of mismanagement of our Federal lands have left our forests overstocked with trees and created tinderbox conditions, and we have long known the reported pace and scale of forest management has been insufficient to truly address our catastrophic forest health crisis.
There is a better way to actively manage our public lands, and that starts with holding our Federal land management agencies accountable by requiring accurate reporting on the effectiveness of their work in fuel reduction.
According to troubling reports, the situation is even worse than we have been led to believe, as agencies have been overstating their treatments by over 20 percent. Accurate reporting is necessary to broadly track the progress made on our larger wildfire mitigation targets as well as individual projects.
The ACRES Act is a simple solution to hold our Federal agencies accountable to see the actual work they are doing to reduce the enormous risks of wildfire. American taxpayers deserve to know they are getting what they paid for. This bill will help ensure that happens.
Mr. Speaker, this is a small step in what needs to be a number of steps to get back to active forest management to protect the life and health of our forests and the people who live around them in the United States of America. I hope this incoming administration and this Congress are active in getting us back to active forest management here in America.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes.''
Mr. Speaker, I look forward to working with our friends across the aisle on the accounting issue that has been discussed here today. Obviously, we want to make sure that the Forest Service is not taking advance credit for phases of projects that haven't happened yet.
I think that is for the most part what has happened that the gentleman from Arkansas identified. I don't believe there has been any actual double or triple counting, but either way, we want it to be accurate. We all need good, accurate data on that reporting.
We will work together on that. In the meantime, I urge my colleagues to support this bill. I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. Speaker, as we continue to pray for communities across the Nation that have been impacted by wildfire, we do need to put feet to our prayers to ensure that our forests are being properly managed.
The ACRES Act is a step in the right direction and a commonsense solution to a problem that really shouldn't even exist in the first place.
Mr. Speaker, I urge adoption of the bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Westerman) that the House suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 204.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 165) to direct the Secretary of the Interior to complete all actions necessary for certain land to be held in restricted fee status by the Oglala Sioux Tribe and Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, and for other purposes.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Westerman) and the gentleman from California (Mr. Huffman) each will control 20 minutes.
Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members are given 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on H.R. 165, the bill now under consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from Arkansas?
Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
H.R. 165, the Wounded Knee Massacre Memorial and Sacred Site Act, introduced by Congressman Johnson from South Dakota, would place approximately 40 acres of fee land within the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation into restricted fee status for the Oglala Sioux Tribe and Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe.
The land would be held as a memorial and as a sacred site in remembrance of the Indian people killed in the Wounded Knee Massacre in 1890.
During the mid and late 1800s, several armed conflicts occurred between Tribes, settlers, and U.S. military on the Great Plains in the Western United States.
This contributed to distrust, fear, and misconceptions between groups, and the Wounded Knee Massacre was a result of that atmosphere.
On December 29, 1890, a group of Lakota Indians led by Chief Spotted Elk made camp near Wounded Knee Creek on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota. The U.S. Army's 7th Cavalry were sent to disarm the Lakota.
A struggle occurred between the U.S. Army and some of Chief Spotted Elk's Band, a majority of which consisted of women and children.
A shot rang out, and the U.S. Army opened fire on the largely unarmed group. At the time, it was estimated that approximately 300 Indian people were killed.
In September 2022, the Oglala Sioux Tribe and Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe jointly purchased 40 acres of land where an old trading post was located. The piece of land also contains a portion of the area where the Wounded Knee Massacre took place.
On October 21, 2022, both Tribes signed a covenant stating that this property shall be held and maintained as a memorial and sacred site without any economic development and prohibited any gaming on the land.
I applaud the gentleman from South Dakota (Mr. Johnson) for working collaboratively with both Tribes to develop H.R. 165, which would place the 40 acres into restricted fee status held jointly by both Tribes and memorialize their covenant.
Restricted fee land contains the same restrictions against alienation and taxation as land held in trust, but the Federal Government does not hold title. Instead, it will be held by the Oglala Sioux and Cheyenne River Sioux Tribes.
This legislation and the land it sets aside will memorialize and honor the Indian men, women, and children who were killed in 1890.
I again thank the gentleman from South Dakota (Mr. Johnson) and the Oglala Sioux and Cheyenne River Sioux Tribes for their work on this important legislation.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
I rise in support of H.R. 165, the Wounded Knee Massacre Memorial and Sacred Site Act.
This is an important step to honor the Lakota lives lost at Wounded Knee and the Lakota people for generations to come.
The bill would place approximately 40 acres of land located within the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation into restricted fee status for the Oglala Sioux Tribe and Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe. This is land believed to be the site of the 1890 Wounded Knee Massacre.
In the late 1800s, Tribes began holding Ghost Dances for the renewal of stolen land and in protest of the U.S. Government, which had prohibited American Indians from practicing their religious freedom.
In December of 1890, the government, our government, sent the Army's 7th Cavalry to disarm the Lakota near Wounded Knee Creek, and what resulted was a brutal massacre. Troops murdered over 350 American Indian women, men, and children. Mr. Speaker, 25 U.S. soldiers were lost in that massacre, as well.
The Wounded Knee Massacre was one of the most atrocious moments in our Nation's history, the dark side of that manifest destiny that was romanticized in the President's speech yesterday.
In 2022, the Oglala Sioux Tribe and the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe purchased this land and signed a covenant to hold and maintain the land as a memorial and sacred site.
This bill would reaffirm that covenant and would allow the Tribes to hold, maintain, and protect the land from any development.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. Speaker, I thank the chair and the body for bringing up my bill, the Wounded Knee Massacre Memorial and Sacred Site Act, this afternoon.
This is the greatest country in the history of the world, and when you are a country that is that great, it is important that you acknowledge your failures and that you try to do better in the future.
As has been said, in December 1890, Chief Spotted Elk and his band of Lakota, which largely consisted of women and children, were headed from the Cheyenne River Indian Reservation to the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. While they were en route, they were stopped by the Army's 7th Cavalry, and they were forced to make camp at Wounded Knee Creek.
It was the next morning, December 29, 1890, that the 7th Cavalry began to disarm the Lakota. There was a struggle, a shot rang out, and before people realized it, there were hundreds of Lakota being massacred, the overwhelming majority of which were noncombatants, women and children.
On the 100th anniversary of Wounded Knee, this body made a formal apology and expressed deep regret for what had happened that day.
Another important step forward was in October of 2022 when the Oglala Sioux Tribe and the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe jointly purchased that 40 acres that is the site of the 1890 massacre.
This bill very simply places those 40 acres into restricted fee status, which is in essence putting it into trust.
My bill ensures that those two Tribes working together can protect this land as sacred without any commercial development, and they can retain their sovereignty to manage that land appropriately.
It was last Congress that I told you all about my trip to the massacre site in June of 2023. It was there I spoke at length to an older gentleman whose grandmother had survived the massacre that day. He, with his own ears, had heard the oral history of the terrible tragedy that occurred that day.
I then went and visited St. John's Church where the Lakota had taken their wounded to treat their injuries. Their blood, the blood of the survivors, stained the floorboards in the church that day. The wounds of that dark day remain present to this day, and this land is sacred. I do think this action, this cooperation between the two Tribes and our Federal Government, will make sure that we do right as much as we can in the wake of that tragedy.
Mr. Speaker, I thank the Wounded Knee descendants. I thank Oglala Sioux Tribal Chairman Frank Star Comes Out and Cheyenne River Sioux Tribal Chairman Ryman LeBeau for their teamwork in advancing this legislation.
Last Congress, this bill passed unanimously out of this body, and I would just ask my colleagues to again vote for H.R. 165, the Wounded Knee Massacre Memorial and Sacred Site Act, so that we can provide the Oglala and the Cheyenne River Tribes the authority they need to protect this land.
Mr. Speaker, this legislation will further allow the Lakota people to memorialize and honor their relatives and ancestors killed in the Wounded Knee Massacre.
It gives the title of the land to both the Oglala Sioux Tribe and Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, while ensuring that the land has the protections provided by restrictions against alienation and taxation.
I again commend my friend from South Dakota for bringing us this bill.
Mr. Speaker, I urge its adoption, and I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Westerman) that the House suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 165.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 375) to require the Secretary of the Interior to partner and collaborate with the Secretary of Agriculture and the State of Hawaii to address Rapid Ohia Death, and for other purposes.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Westerman) and the gentleman from California (Mr. Huffman) each will control 20 minutes.
Mr. Speaker, I ask that all Members be given 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on H.R. 375, the bill now under consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from Arkansas?
Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, Representative Tokuda's legislation, the Continued Rapid Ohia Death Response Act of 2025, is important legislation that directs the Secretary of the Interior to partner and collaborate with the Secretary of Agriculture and the State of Hawaii to address rapid ohia death.
Rapid ohia death is a fungal disease that has ravaged Hawaii's ohia tree population. The ohia tree is important ecologically and culturally to Hawaii. Ohias play an important role in regulating water flow in addition to preventing soil erosion.
If the loss of ohia trees continues, there could be significant economic impacts, including lost tourism revenue and increased water treatment and erosion control costs. Unfortunately, there is currently no cure that can help the afflicted trees.
H.R. 375 helps address rapid ohia death by focusing Federal and State agencies' efforts on detection, prevention, and restoration to combat this disease.
I thank Representative Tokuda for her work on this legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the Continued Rapid Ohia Death Response Act, introduced by my colleague from Hawaii, Representative Jill Tokuda. We worked on this bill last Congress. Unfortunately, it didn't make it all the way across the finish line, but I thank Chair Westerman and my colleagues across the aisle for agreeing to schedule a vote early in this new Congress to keep the momentum going.
This legislation is vital. It addresses an urgent need to combat rapid ohia death, which has already led to the loss of over 1 million native ohia trees in Hawaii just since 2014 when this harmful fungus was discovered.
The significance of these trees can't be overstated. They are Hawaii's most abundant native tree. They play a critical role in preserving the State's unique biodiversity and protecting its native ecosystems. It is essential that we take immediate action to prevent further devastation and ensure the survival of this iconic species.
This bill emphasizes the need for research and aid to enhance our understanding of this deadly fungus and explore innovative solutions to combat its impact. It also fosters collaboration between Federal agencies, the State of Hawaii, and local stakeholders.
This comprehensive approach will help mitigate the threat of this disease and protect Hawaii's native forests and ecosystems, safeguarding these treasured and ecologically vital trees for future generations and preserving the unique ecosystems and rich biodiversity that make our Nation so exceptional.
Mr. Speaker, I thank Representative Tokuda for her leadership and tenacity on this critical issue, and I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on the bill.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 375, the Continued Rapid Ohia Death Response Act of 2025.
The ohia lehua tree forms the backbone of Hawaii's forest and watersheds making up 80 percent of our native forests. It is the very first tree that you will see spring up from a recent lava flow. It grows from sea level to 8,000 feet above, and it protects our communities by literally holding up our mountains from eroding, keeping them together.
Ohia lehua also provides critical habitat for Hawaii's federally endangered forest birds and many culturally important species.
These trees are a keystone species in Hawaii's forest, and it is catastrophic to see its decline. It has the potential to trigger major imbalances in our ecosystem that would impact watersheds, cultural traditions, natural resources, and the safety and quality of life of our people.
Because of the vital role they play in maintaining Hawaii's forest canopies and watersheds, rapid ohia death, or ROD, poses an existential threat to the ecological balance of our islands and the everyday life of our people.
Initially reported in 2010, ROD has already spread to tens of thousands of acres and killed over a million trees on Hawaii island alone. If you visited the Big Island of Hawaii where our volcano erupts from time to time, literally, we have lost a million trees just on that island. Large swaths of dead ohia trees leave environments more prone to habitat-modifying noxious weeds and trees like miconia and strawberry guava, all of which are known to harm watershed health and alter ecosystem functions.
Efforts to contain ROD have also failed to prevent its spread to the islands of Oahu, Kauai, and Maui. With no known cure for ROD, it has the potential to kill off ohia trees statewide and devastate our island ecosystems.
In addition to its impacts on delicate native ecosystems, ROD has the potential to create deadly consequences for our local residents and visitors alike. The death of tens of thousands of acres of native forests, turning them into brittle tinder, creates acres of deadly fire fuel for wildfires that pose a growing threat to our communities. One of the things that people love about Hawaii is the greenery and the vegetation in and around our communities. Tragically, we know all too well the risks that come when our greenery and vegetation are no longer green and the consequences that can happen as a result of fire.
Despite the dire implications of ROD on Hawaii's natural resources and communities, Federal support for combating ROD has been extremely limited. For example, the Lyon Arboretum, a local research facility on Oahu, relied on funding through a GoFundMe campaign to further the vital seed banking for ohia lehua.
My bill, the Continued Rapid Ohia Death Response Act, seeks to address ROD and the urgent threat that it presents. The bill requires the Department of the Interior to partner and collaborate with the Department of Agriculture and the State of Hawaii to address ROD. It also supports ongoing detection, prevention, and restoration efforts to combat rapid ohia death. By empowering the U.S. Forest Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to fully assist the State of Hawaii in its ROD efforts, we can begin to not only more effectively prevent the spread of ROD but move to restoring native forests throughout our State.
Mr. Speaker, I very much thank and send our sincerest ``mahalos,'' ``thanks'' to Chairman Westerman, Ranking Member Huffman, and their staff, especially the Federal lands team, for the support, assistance, and continued prioritization of this very important bill.
We cannot afford to wait. We cannot afford to stand alone and continue to lose our native forests in Hawaii. They protect and sustain our people and provide critical habitat for native species. This bill can also help to turn the tide in the fight against Rapid Ohia Death and, in doing so, protect and preserve ohia lehua and Hawaii's unique ecosystems for our future generations.
Mr. Speaker, I thank again all who have supported our bill, and I urge my colleagues to join me in voting ``yes.''
Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
Mr. Speaker, again, I thank the gentlewoman from Hawaii (Ms. Tokuda) for her work on this bill.
Mr. Speaker, before a lot was understood about the science of forestry, Teddy Roosevelt, maybe our original conservationist in America, understood that trees were the lungs of the Earth. They breathe in carbon dioxide; they breathe out oxygen, but he also understood that trees are kind of like the kidneys of the Earth. They are extremely important to protect watersheds. They are extremely important to maintain our ecosystems. It is what we are looking at today with the ohia tree and the importance that it has to Hawaii's ecosystem, to the people there, and to the economy.
When we talk about an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, figuring out what is happening to these trees and stopping that will save tens of millions if not billions of dollars in the future if damage is done to the watershed there in Hawaii.
It is another example of how having a healthy resilient forest benefits everyone. We are not necessarily talking
This legislation, again, will help focus Federal and State resources on conserving one of Hawaii's most important species.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Westerman) that the House suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 375.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
Hershel "Woody" Williams National Medal of Honor Monument Location Act
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, the unfinished business is the vote on the motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 186) to authorize the National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation to establish a commemorative work on the National Mall to honor the extraordinary acts of valor, selfless service, and sacrifice displayed by Medal of Honor recipients, on which the yeas and nays were ordered.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Westerman) that the House suspend the rules and pass the bill.
The vote was taken by electronic device, and there were--yeas 414, nays 0, not voting 18, as follows:
So (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
The result of the vote was announced as above recorded.
Modernizing Access to Our Public Waters Act of 2025
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, the unfinished business is the vote on the motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 187) to provide for the standardization, consolidation, and publication of data relating to public outdoor recreational use of Federal waterways among Federal land and water management agencies, and for other purposes, as amended, on which the yeas and nays were ordered.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by
This is a 5-minute vote.
The vote was taken by electronic device, and there were--yeas 413, nays 0, not voting 19, as follows:
The SPEAKER pro tempore. There are 2 minutes remaining.
So (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
The result of the vote was announced as above recorded.
Mr. Speaker, I was unavoidably absent in the House chamber today due to illness. On January 18, 2025, I was seen in the emergency room and subsequently admitted for treatment of influenza and pneumonia. Had I been present, I would have voted: YEA on Roll Call No. 18 and YEA on Roll Call No. 19.
Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the Kinley family's Pennsylvania Centennial Farm designation.
For over 100 years, the Kinley beef farm has operated in Cogan Station, Lycoming County. This farm has been more than a source of livelihood. It has been a legacy of hard work, dedication, and love for the land.
When Samuel Kinley first purchased this 106-acre farm in 1904, he likely couldn't have imagined that his vision and determination would span five generations. From Samuel's hands to Adam and Shannon Kinley's stewardship today, this farm has been a cornerstone of Lycoming County agricultural heritage.
Our producers are the backbone of our Nation. They work tirelessly every day to feed, fuel, and clothe the world. Farms like the Kinleys remind us that agriculture is not just about feeding our families today. It is about sowing the seeds for future generations.
Mr. Speaker, I thank the Kinleys for their contributions to the community and to Pennsylvania agriculture.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the North Crowley Panthers football team on their 6A Division 1 State championship in the Texas UIL.
The Panthers completed their perfect season with a sound defeat of a venerable Westlake Austin team in the title game 50-21, behind performances from senior receiver Quentin Gibson and senior quarterback Chris Jimerson, Jr.
Head Coach Ray Gates emblazoned the 817 area code on the helmets and turned this team into an instant contender, going 42-2 since he took over 3 years ago. This is the first time in 76 years that a State champion in Fort Worth received the highest division high school football championship, and that was my alma mater of Arlington Heights High School.
Our entire community could not be prouder of these young men for their achievement this season. I hope North Crowley keeps the momentum going and can bring home another State championship to Funky Town Fort Worth. Go, Panthers.
Mr. Speaker, yesterday Donald Trump was sworn in as President of the United States, and there is a feeling of patriotic renewal among Americans.
Don Feder with the Washington Times wrote an appropriate editorial yesterday titled, ``Trump's presidency heralds a patriotic renewal in America,'' stating: ``The most iconic image of the 2024 campaign came from the . . . Pennsylvania rally, where President-elect Donald Trump stood with blood on his face . . . shouting `Fight'. . . . The moment seems to symbolize the patriotic renewal thanks to the [now] President.''
``Mr. Trump is perfectly positioned to lead a patriotic renewal. While others talk about patriotism, he acts.''
Mr. Trump understands that national security hinges on patriotic renewal. Secretary of Defense nominee Pete Hegseth, a combat veteran, agrees.
In conclusion, God bless our troops as the global war on terrorism continues. Open borders for dictators puts all Americans at risk of more 9/11 attacks imminent, as warned by the FBI. Trump will reinstate and is reinstating existing laws to promote American families with peace through strength.
Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the Tarboro High School football team for clinching our State's 1A Championship and ending their season with a 14-1 record.
As the reigning champions, they own a whopping nine State titles. The Vikings defeated a physical Corvian Community Cardinal team 45-24.
I am so proud to congratulate Coach Jeff Craddock, also known as the GOAT. I congratulate all of the coaches, parents, the community, and players, including Kamerin McDowell-Moore, who scored a sensational four touchdowns to secure the MVP.
Tarboro High School, in the heart of eastern North Carolina, has produced NFL greats such as Kelvin Bryant, Shaun Draughn, Donald Frank, Todd Gurley, Bill Hull, and Tyquan Lewis. Clearly, the Vikings are a powerhouse. If America didn't know about Tarboro High School, well, now they know.
Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor the life and legacy of Miles Taylor, a cherished leader and beloved member of the Nyack community, who passed away suddenly at the age of 60.
A 1982 graduate of Nyack High School, Miles dedicated over 25 years as the school's track and cross country coach, mentoring countless student athletes, and leaving an enduring mark on their lives.
Just this past October, he was inducted into the Nyack High School Athletic Hall of Fame, a testament to his exceptional contributions to the school and its athletic programs.
Beyond his commitment to athletics, Miles served his community as a lifelong member of the Nyack Fire Department, joining at just 16 years old and eventually rising to the rank of chief.
His dedication to public service, both on and off the track, exemplified the spirit of selflessness and leadership. Miles Taylor's sudden passing is a profound loss for the entire Rockland County community. May his memory be a blessing to those who knew him, especially his family, his student athletes, and the Nyack community.
Mr. Speaker, freshwater is life. I rise to highlight the importance of the first piece of legislation introduced this year, the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative by our bipartisan Great Lakes champions, the GLRI Act of 2025.
This Act was introduced earlier this month alongside my congressional Great Lakes co-chairs David Joyce, Debbie Dingell, and Bill Huizenga. This bill is among our highest priorities for the Great Lakes region.
The district we represent traces much of the entire Great Lakes region, but mine alone, the southern rim of Lake Erie, is the largest watershed in the entire Great Lakes. It is the largest body of freshwater on Earth.
We all know how important protecting our Great Lakes is for the generations to come. The GLRI provides instrumental funding to meet an enormous unmet need for our region and the millions of people who depend on the Great Lakes for their drinking water, livelihoods, and leisure.
Our legislation would provide an annual authorization level of $500 million beginning in FY27. By the way, that is half as much as the West receives for the Bureau of Reclamation. They get well over $1 billion.
In 2020, the GLRI contributed $3.1 trillion to our economy. Mr. Speaker, there is nothing more important that our colleagues say than, let's protect the Great Lakes and turn it over to future generations in better condition than we found it.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of William G. Fallin who passed away on January 4, 2025, at the age of 92.
Mr. Fallin was born on September 9, 1932 in Thomas County, Georgia, and later moved to Moultrie where he graduated high school at just 15 years old. He went on to attend Georgia Military College and Mercer University, earning degrees in history and law.
He was married to his beloved wife, Barbara Vines, for 67 years, and together, they raised three wonderful children. A dedicated attorney, Mr. Fallin practiced law for over 60 years and cofounded the law firm Fallin & McIntosh. He also served two terms in the Georgia House of Representatives and chaired the Colquitt County Board of Commissioners for 12 years.
Mr. Fallin left a lasting legacy, helping the construction of Colquitt Regional Medical Center and preserving historic landmarks in his community. He was deeply committed to his faith, serving as a deacon, Sunday schoolteacher, and choir member at First Baptist Church. An avid sportsman and outdoorsman, he enjoyed tennis, golf, hunting, and fishing. His life was celebrated on January 8, 2025, at First Baptist Church in his hometown.
Mr. Speaker, on day 1, President Trump took bold action to revoke the unrealistic Biden mandate that aimed for 50 percent of all new cars to be electric by 2030, only 4\1/2\ model years from now.
This decision protects Americans and industries from being sacrificed on the alter of radical environmentalism. Automakers can now focus on innovation and consumer desires, rather than being forced into a one- size-fits-all EV agenda that stifles competition and choices for real people.
Gavin Newsom's California has been a cheerleader for these extreme policies, pushing mandates that hurt working families and drive up costs to meet their California goals.
President Trump's move rejects that failed approach, puts common sense back in the driver's seat. That is part of a broader effort to restore energy independence, roll back harmful regulations, and ensure America isn't crippled by radical climate agendas.
Today's actions are putting the needs of Americans ahead of an out- of-touch environmental elite. Instead of empty-handed promises by Gavin Newsom, we have President Trump who is focused on a forward-moving approach on real solutions, leading the way to support our economy, our workers, and our future.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under the Speaker's announced policy of January 3, 2025, the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Wasserman Schultz) is recognized for 60 minutes as the designee of the minority leader.
Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the subject of this Special Order.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentlewoman from Florida?
Mr. Speaker, before I yield to other Members, Mr. Speaker, I will begin with my own remarks regarding my longtime chief of staff, Tracie Pough.
Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor a woman who, as much as anyone in my adult life, has been a true partner, mentor, counsel, confidant, and quite frankly, like the sister that I never had. I do have a great brother, though.
I rise to honor my chief of staff, Tracie Pough, who is retiring after 20-plus years of service in the House, which has spanned my own 20 years representing my community in our beloved home State of Florida.
Rarely, Mr. Speaker, are any of us blessed with someone who can see our inner self with just a glance, someone who without one word knows exactly where you stand, someone who is truly your natural alter ego.
Throughout all of my time in Congress, and even before that, in my time in the Florida Legislature, I leaned on no one more than my chief of staff, Tracie Pough.
We often joke in my office about how the two of us share one brain. I can't tell you how many nights I leaned on her for advice, knowledge, and insights, not just on how to make life better for the people that I represent, but how to navigate through life.
Anyone who knows her has benefited from her Tracie-isms, wisdom that comes with its own vocabulary. She is a staff leader who has mentored and trained dozens of staffers on our team, many of whom are watching C-SPAN. I know I am breaking rules referring to people in the gallery, but many are also joining us in the gallery tonight.
She is a staff leader who is sought out by other staffers, as well as chiefs, for her guidance. She is widely respected on both sides of the aisle, and her political acumen is legendary. Tracie is and always has been a trusted voice, an empathic voice to all who seek her counsel.
Her amazing political instincts, unmatched relationships, and her highly structured leadership of my office is something I have come to rely on for two decades.
When former staffers reached back to me with their thoughts about her leadership, many shared how Tracie was an invaluable mentor to them over her 21 years in Congress.
She has been both my top general and that ever-reliable shoulder to cry on. She has been there with me through it all. Tracie helped lift me to my highest of highs, and she was right there to pick me up in those low times.
It is during these times that you find out who you can really count on, Mr. Speaker, who has the courage, the passion and temperament and loyalty to continue to help you take steps forward, never back.
I have a couple of items that I want to recall, one of which was the story behind my passage of the first bill that I ever passed as a Member of Congress all the way back in 2005, which created Jewish American Heritage Month.
It is a lengthy story, but suffice it to say, you want to find yourself--to the new Members who may be listening to these remarks--you want to find yourself a chief of staff, a team leader, who knows the intricacies of the legislative process, who actually picks up the daily calendar, who looks closely at it, and then figures out what plays need to be made to get your legislation to the floor.
I can comfortably say that we would not have just celebrated the 17th year of Jewish American Heritage Month this past year in May if not for Tracie Pough's acumen, her strategic incite, and her relationships. As a freshman, I can tell you, I would not have been able to carry that ball by myself.
Tracie has also been an incredible generational bridge, which both of us have very much needed as the evolution of the age and generations of my staff have gotten younger than we are today.
I was elected to Congress, Mr. Speaker, when I was 37 years old, and suffice it to say, that I had several staffers that were older than me back then. No longer. If anyone has dealt with the challenges--and I am now a parent of Gen Zers, three Gen Zers, whom I, like every parent, struggle to understand--but now I have an entire team, almost an entire team of staff who are either Millennials or Gen Zers, and Tracie and I have enjoyed helping raise them up.
Under her leadership, we taught them how to actually pick up the telephone and call other people, rather than just shoot them a text or send them an email. When they are sitting there wondering why someone hasn't gotten back to them, or they are ready to throw their hands up, and say, you know, it is time to move on, Congresswoman, Tracie will say, why don't you have Debbie actually go talk to that Member on the other side of the aisle.
Lo and behold, when I take the opportunity to do that, the logjam and the dam breaks. Human interaction is so incredibly important, and with the explosion of technology that the next generation of staffers and children and kids grow up with, she has been an incredible guide to ensuring that old school remains new school.
As with all wonderful relationships, this one will now evolve. She is prepared to move on and start that inevitable new chapter. Her impact on me, our staff, and the people that I represent runs so deep.
Through her tireless work, Tracie has made life better for millions of people across Florida, across my congressional district, and this entire Nation. She is someone who there aren't words to describe the depth of my feeling about her departure, but I will so miss working with directly and spending time with her each day. Although, I am confident that we will probably talk almost every day, at least for the foreseeable future and much to her dismay, probably.
She is someone to whom I will forever remain attached to. Tracie Pough is family to me, and I cherish her friendship and the time we have spent together more than I can ever put into words. As I always say, when a trusted and valued team member goes on to the next stage of their career, they will always be on team DWS, but she will technically move to the concentric circles of our family. She will always remain in the center as a trusted adviser, dearest friend, and sister.
On behalf of so many here today, and so many others, I thank her. I am honored to have her by my side and to celebrate her work, her character, and the indelible mark she has left on all of us.
Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Clyburn).
Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding me the time.
Mr. Speaker, I thank you so much for allowing me to join you in honoring our mutual friend and confidant, Tracie Pough.
Robert Frost, the great writer, once wrote:
I don't argue with Robert Frost, but I beg to differ a little bit with that notion because I am of the opinion, and from my own experiences, no matter what road one chooses to travel, it is the people with whom you intersect that make the difference.
When I first met Tracie Pough, I don't remember where it was or exactly when it was, but it was more than 20 years. It was not long after I came to Congress. Of course, I am a bit older than both Debbie and Tracie.
We for some reason just kind of hit it off. Our spirits kind of congealed. I don't know exactly how to explain it. We started doing political stuff together, traveling.
She just reminded me of a trip we shared to Louisiana, a part of Louisiana I didn't know existed. I didn't know about all these places. It was this little place we went to work on behalf of a candidate, and we won. Of course, the candidate later switched parties. Then, I think we lost.
The fact still remains I got to know her on that trip. I often wonder what it is about Tracie that makes my chief of staff sometimes have to consult with her before he answers my question.
Be that as it may, I do believe it is because of her background. Early in our relationship, for some reason I went to Jacksonville, Florida. I met her parents, and we began to compare notes. Then it occurred to me. Jacksonville, Florida, is in Geechee country. I was married for 58 years to a Gullah woman.
People tend to separate those two. There isn't a separation. If you are in North Carolina and South Carolina, it is Gullah. If you are in Georgia and Florida, it is Geechee. I think my getting to know the Gullah-Geechee culture is really the background as to why our spirits tend to agree.
If I had met her before the first 2 or 3 years of my marriage, we might not have gotten along because I didn't particularly get along with the Gullah culture. I learned I had to make some adjustments. Those adjustments worked. It was the same thing with Tracie.
I really feel a part of her, getting to know her family, getting to work with her, getting to really consult with her sometimes behind Debbie's back but oftentimes for the benefit of both of us.
I really was a bit surprised when I was told several days ago, maybe several weeks that she was going to retire and leave the Hill. I can say this. Truly. I love this young lady. She has been a part, an extension really of my staff, a part of my life. I have enjoyed every minute of our relationship, and I feel that she is in many instances as close to me as those three daughters that I have.
Tracie, you are going to be missed on this Hill. I want you to know that you won't be far from us because I know how to use this device in my pocket, and I expect you to answer my calls when I call you. I want you to enjoy whatever it is you are doing after you leave this Hill.
I also want you to know that if you ever think that I can be of any assistance in helping you do what you do better, just call. I know how to answer this device, as well. I also know I owe it not just to you but to your lovely family to respond in a positive way.
I often rely upon great writers to make the point. I am now thinking of the great writer, Shakespeare, when he wrote his I think it was his Sonnet 116. Shakespeare wrote:
That is the love that I have for you. I thank you so much for being a part of my life. I join Debbie in wishing you great success, and let me know when I need to answer this device.
Mr. Speaker, I thank my good friend and colleague from Florida (Ms. Wasserman Schultz).
Mr. Speaker, it is an honor to express my gratitude and good wishes to Tracie Pough for her years of service to this body, to the Congresswoman, to the State of Florida.
I also share that on behalf of the two chiefs of staff that I have had during my terms here, Clay Phillips and Lara Hopkins, they always consulted Tracie. They sought her counsel on how to run a congressional office, and how to do it in a proactive and positive way.
There are often twists and turns here on Capitol Hill, especially here in the people's House. Tracie has always had that steady hand. She has an open door. She is a good listener. She is the chief of staff to chiefs of staff. She is known as the consummate professional. She doesn't lose her temper. To the contrary, she is even-keeled and thoughtful in everything she does.
Let me say that sometimes that is not easy when you work for a Member of Congress who is a go-getter and is trying to accomplish a hundred things at a hundred miles per hour every single day.
I think it is that yin and the yang where Tracie has been able to provide that steady hand and leadership to Congresswoman Wasserman Schultz that has really demonstrated her unbelievable capacity for being able to get things accomplished.
The record out of her office is incredible. It is not just because of Debbie's senior seat on the Appropriations Committee. It is because of her knowledge of our beautiful State of Florida. I don't think we would have such massive investment in saving the Florida Everglades without Tracie standing firm and getting to know the Army Corps of Engineers probably on a first-name basis.
I think some of her expertise comes from her service back in the Florida Legislature. We will claim you from the Tampa Bay area, a little Tampa credit, because she reminded me that she worked for Jim Hargrett who is a statehouse member from Tampa, who went on to be a State Senator; the great Jim Davis who was my predecessor here in Congress but also served in the statehouse; and also Arthenia Joyner.
On behalf my neighbors across the Tampa Bay area, I want the world to know that Tracie Pough has made an incredible difference. She has made the lives of the people of the State of Florida and the United States better. It takes a lot to serve a Member over the course of 21 years in the United States House of Representatives.
Every day there is a new challenge, and Tracie has handled these challenges with intelligence. Because of her even-keeled nature, her sense of fairness, her love for this country and the State of Florida, her love for the Congresswoman and all of the interns and staffers that came through her office over the years, Tracie Pough will leave an incredible legacy of service. For that, I am extremely grateful.
Mr. Speaker, I met Tracie almost 27 years ago. I am looking at her and thinking it was when I was a Member of the Florida Legislature. She was a very young, clear-eyed, energetic person with the belief that she could make a difference in the lives of people.
Mr. Speaker, do you know what? It is the same thing today. She is smart. She is energetic. I am even going to call her young at heart but still with that belief, and she has made that difference. She has had an extraordinary career in public service.
I feel so blessed that our lives have become interwoven, going back to the
Tracie still has that great smile.
I will thank her, as Representative Castor did, for her work with our staff and all the work she has done for our State, especially for the children and families of America.
I am going to say thank you to Tracie. Her work has inspired us. She leaves a really great legacy.
Mr. Speaker, for anyone who is listening to this, what they need to know is that they don't have to run for political office to really make a difference in the lives of people. Tracie has proven it.
I am going to read the words of a poet that I think describes Tracie.
Ever heard of Maya Angelou? I will just read a passage.
Now you understand
Just why my head's not bowed.
I don't shout or jump about
Or have to talk real loud.
When you see me passing,
It ought to make you proud.
I say,
It's in the click of my heels,
The bend of my hair,
The palm of my hand,
The need of my care.
'Cause I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman.
That is you. That is you. I am wishing you the best in your next chapter. I hope it is exciting and fulfilling. Come back anytime to see us. Love you.
Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding.
Tracie Pough: This Is Your Life, the Congressional Version.
In this House of Representatives, every knight needs a good squire, and Tracie has been a super squire. Team WS is one of the most prolific offices in this Chamber, and Debbie's legacy is her legacy. We all know it.
Disaster relief, protecting reproductive rights, advocating for immigrant rights, a strong U.S.-Israel relationship, navigating the COVID crisis--but for me, the biggest legacy is all the funding brought back for the Everglades.
None of this was a guarantee. It took 20 years of work. When we started, water was drying up in the Everglades, and the water supply in south Florida was a real challenge. Roads cut right through it.
There was a lot of hope with CERP in 2000, a little before they got here, but without all the work, CERP would have been just words on a paper. Instead, they wrote a reg.
To the gentlewoman, how long did it take before you became a cardinal, literally working the budget that makes that happen? What was it, 6 years?
Mr. Speaker, Tracie is a super squire for all that, and Debbie's legacy is Tracie's legacy, in particular with the northern Everglades, which we are starting to work on. I know Tracie worked a lot with our team, helping us navigate the Army Corps of Engineers. That is like the seventh level of black belt Kung Fu legislating around here. I thank her for helping us with that.
Secondly, as it was alluded to a little bit, Tracie is a chief of chiefs. Not only has she advised a lot of other chiefs, new ones coming in for the entire Florida Democratic delegation over the years, but she was my chief's boss back in the day. That was on the DCCC side, and that is a whole other thing, but my chief still to this day considers Tracie a mentor, so I thank her for helping because that knowledge can be lost. Imagine being a chief with no mentor coming into this place. Tracie served Florida well through that.
Tracie has also been a committee assignment guru, with Debbie always seemingly one way or another getting onto steering and policy, now one of the chairs two terms in a row. It was with Tracie's help and DWS' help getting on the Energy and Commerce Committee, getting on the Agriculture Committee, getting on the Natural Resources Committee as of just a few hours ago. Her legacy is still being written right now.
I thank Tracie for all of her help personally because it makes me more effective to be on the committees I need to be on. I thank her for all the advice to my team to help her boss navigate that.
Central Florida also lays claim to Tracie, too. I heard the Tampa Bay story, but she went to Rollins College, so we claim Tracie also as a favorite daughter of central Florida.
Lastly, since there have been a lot of things about age and all this and that, Tracie has a whole third act left. I am looking forward to seeing what she ends up doing. I know it is going to be something special. Because of her work ethic and passion, I know it is going to be another big thing--hopefully, a little easier for a while, maybe a sabbatical for a few weeks. Maybe not. Probably not, but I am hoping.
Either way, I wish Tracie well in this third act. I know it is going to be amazing.
Thank you so much for all you have done for my team. On behalf of our constituents, we appreciate you.
Mr. Speaker, I thank Mr. Soto and all of my colleagues for helping me honor this remarkable woman.
Mr. Speaker, I will close with this. I think every Member can appreciate that their chief of staff, really their entire congressional staff, but their chief of staff is often a person we spend more time with than we spend with any member of our family, including our spouses and significant others. It is someone who needs to put up with us and tolerate the highs and lows.
Tracie has done all that and more. She has taken calls at all hours of the night. Then, in the morning, she has always made herself available.
The sacrifices that all of our staff members make to be able to help us be successful and make sure that our constituents are able to have their representation maximized is truly remarkable.
Tracie and I have been through marriage, children, raising those children, helping one another raise our children; appointments to committees for me, like the Appropriations Committee in my second term, becoming a cardinal on my first day; being diagnosed, beating, and surviving breast cancer; and chairing the Democratic National Committee, and surviving the aftermath of that experience, including threats, bomb threats, international hacks.
We had the absolutely incredible opportunity to be able to do all of that together and to be able to make sure that we do the best job every day when we walk across the threshold of our office doors to give voice to the people of now Florida's 25th Congressional District, but prior to that the 23rd, and prior to that the 20th.
Mr. Speaker, I am so proud to be able to honor this remarkable woman on the floor of the United States House of Representatives, the beacon of democracy, our temple of democracy that is a light unto the world and whose light is going to be a little bit dimmer with her departure on Friday.
I know that we will continue to work together and lean on one another for all the rest of our days.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair reminds Members that the rules do not allow references to persons in the gallery.
Mr. Speaker, I move that the House do now adjourn.
The motion was agreed to; accordingly (at 7 o'clock and 53 minutes p.m.), under its previous order, the House adjourned until tomorrow, Wednesday, January 22, 2025, at 10 a.m. for morning-hour debate.
