Transcripts For CSPAN U.S. 20240703

I think that powerful to have watch all of our programs on our website, cspan. Org. We are going to leave this here to take you live now to the u. S. House of representatives. Where members will be working on a Senate Approved version of a fiveyear reauthorization of funding for the federal Aviation Administration. The house is also expected to take up a bill to provide transparency on pricing for tickets for events and lodging purchases. And one in support of Law Enforcement during National Police week. Live coverage of the house here on cspan. The speaker pro tempore the house will be in order. The prayer will be offered by chaplain kibben. Chaplain kibben would you pray with me . Holy god, we seek you first this day. Graced with power and privilege, we humble ourselves to be subjects of your kingdom and agents of your righteousness. God be in our heads and in our understanding that our knowledge and fear of you would be the beginning of all wisdom. God, be in our eyes and in our seeing. Let the scales of human judgment and narrow opinion fall away from us, that we would see the world through your lens of mercy. God, be in our mouths and in our speaking, that the word you speak would not return to you empty, but in our speech, shall what you desire be accomplished. God be in our heart and thinking, that we would meditate tools on what is true, honorable, just, pure, and lovely. God, be in us this day, and may you be glorified through us. In your gracious name we pray, amen. The speaker pro tempore the chair has examined the journal of the last days proceedings and announces to the house the approval thereof. Pursuant to clause 1 of rule 1, the journal stands approved. The speaker the pledge of looks will be led by mr. Latta. Mr. Latta i pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of america, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation, under god, inidivisible, with liberty and justice for all. The speaker the chair will entertain requests for oneminute speeches. For what purpose does the gentleman from North Carolina seek recognition . I ask unanimous consent to address the house for one minute. Thank you, mr. Speaker. This week we celebrate and recognize the impact of the 8,000 public Charter Schools across the country. Charter schools offer students and their families a crucial alternative to the one size fits all education model. Ms. Foxx about four Million Students benefit from Charter School education. 60 of whom are from lowincome communities. In a clear testament to the effectiveness of Charter Schools, a recent study found that Charter School students gain an additional 16 days of learning and reading and six days of math per year over their Traditional Public School peers. Thank you to all the advocates across the country who are working tirelessly to expand Charter School access. Your work is vital for the parents who desire more options and for the students who are now able to learn in an environment best suited to their individual goals and needs. I yield back. The speaker the gentleman yields back. The chair will receive a message. Mr. Speaker, i message from the president of the United States. Madam secretary i am directed by the president of the United States to deliver a message to the house of representatives a message in writing. The speaker pro tempore the chair lays before the house a communication. The clerk the honorable speaker house, under clause 2g of rule 2 of the rules of the u. S. House of representatives, i designate lisa b. Grant, miss sarah meyer, and the director of personnel to sign any and all papers and perform all other acts for me under the name of the clerk of the house for which they would be authorized to do by virtue of this designation, except such as provided by statute. In case of my temporary absence or distant. This designation shall remain in effect for the 118th congress, signed sincerely the acting clerk of the house. The speaker pursuant to clause 8 of rule 20, the chair will postpone further proceedings today on motions to suspend the rules on which a recorded vote or the yeas or nays are voted under clause 6 of rule 20. The house will resume proceedings on postponed questions at a later time. For what purpose does the gentleman from ohio seek recognition . Mad maam speak, i move the house pass h. R. 4510 as amended. The speaker pro tempore the clerk will report the title of the bill. The clerk h. R. 4510, a bill to rethat the National Telecommunications and Information Administration to update the mission and functions of the agency and other purposes. The speaker pro tempore pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from ohio, mr. Latta, and the gentlewoman from massachusetts each will control 20 minutes. The chair recognizes the gentleman from ohio. Mr. Latta i ask unanimous consent that all members may have five legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and insert extraneous materials in the record on the bill. The speaker pro tempore without objection. Mr. Latta i yield myself such time as i might assume. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Mr. At that time l. A. thank you, madam speaker. I rise in support of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration reauthorization act of 2023, which i am pleased to lead with the Ranking Member of the subcommittee on communications and technology, the gentlelady from californias seventh district. This is an Agency Within the department of congress tasked with advising the president on manners related to telecommunications policies. It is responsible for a variety of activities, which include federal Spectrum Management, administration of broadband grants, internet governance, representing the United States in International Tell communication forums, and developing cybersecurity policy. Congress has not reauthorized this since 1992 before many of these responsibilities existed or were relevant. This legislation ensures ntia has the right structure and resources to fulfill the 21st Century Mission as directed by congress. Todays ntia also plays a key role in our effort to maintain Global Leadership in wireless communications. Ntia has important statutory obligations to manage federal spectrum, which is especially important as federal and nonfederal use of spectrum has intensified with the explosion of mobile phones and new connected technologies. The bill considered today reaffirms ntia is responsible for coordinating the views of the executive branch and presenting them to the f. C. C. , building more safeguards into the federal coordination procedures so other agencies needs are appropriately accounted for as the f. C. C. Makes decisions on commercial spectrum use. Many federal agencies use spectrum. It is important to have an open and transparent Spectrum Management process so all agency views are heard and accounted for as ntia prepares and presents the views of the executive branch on spectrum policy. I look forward to working with all the stakeholders, as well as reauthorizing Spectrum Auction Authority and identifying future opportunities for spectrum use. Todays ntia also plays a significant role in closing the digital divide. Congress recently provided ntia with 48. 2 billion for broadband deployment and Digital Equity and inclusion. This reauthorization is one way to ensure ntia has the tools it needs to effectively manage these programs and is held accountable for the decisions it makes. Further, with over 130 federal broadband programs spread across 15 agencies, this legislation would direct the ntia to develop a strategy to improve coordination of these programs. Ntia also addresses some of the nations spectrum challenges, including cybersecurity and Public Safety. The legislation codifies existing offices related to both the outlines or duties. The bill also provides clarity and transparency for the team Telecom Process for National Security reviews, of foreign participation and telecommunications sector. Finally, we need to make sure ntias leadership reflects the Important Roles it plays today, both domestically and internationally. Thats why this legislation elevates the ntia administrator from an assistant secretary of commerce to undersecretary of commerce. This elevation will help ntia best represent the United States as it coordinates with other agencies and works with other countries. Ntias role has drastically changed since it was last reauthorized, and i appreciate the work of the agency and my colleagues to update the authorizing statute. I thank the gentlelady from californias seventh district for her work on this Bipartisan Legislation, and i urge my colleagues to support h. R. 4510, and i reserve the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from ohio reserves. The gentlewoman from massachusetts is recognized. I yield myself such time as i may consume. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman is recognized. Thank you, madam speaker. I rise in strong support of h. R. 4510, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration reauthorization act. Ms. Trahan the ntia has done tremendous work to help connect all americans to high speed, reliable, and affordable broadband. An historic 65 billion in broadband investments we included in the bipartisan infrastructure law last congress are supercharging those efforts. I have confidence that ntia is doing all that it can with this funding to connect as Many Americans as possible to fast, reliable, and affordable internet. Congress has also tasked ntia with other meaningful responsibilities. The agency manages federal spectrum and its users and coordinates with the federal Communications Commission to ensure that our airwaves are effectively managed in a safe and secure manner. It is also charged with advising the president on advanced technologies. A lot has changed since the ia was last reauthorized in 1992. We should ensure that it continues to have the authorities it needs to implement many of the nations broadband efforts and Technological Advancements in such areas as Spectrum Management and Artificial Intelligence. H. R. 4510 helps achieve this goal. This bipartisan bill reauthorizes ntia and elevates its leadership by making its administrator an undersecretary within the department of commerce. Taking these important steps will better reflect ntias importance as the president s primary advisor on telecommunications and technology policy. This legislation also includes the text of several bipartisan bills, the energy and Commerce Committee have worked on this congress and last congress. It includes the plan for broadband act, coled by representatives custer and wallburg, which direct the ntia to develop a National Strategy to close the digital divide. As part of this strategy, the agency must develop a plan to monitor the consistency, afford ability, and quality of Broadband Service supported by federal broadband programs. It also includes representative allreds open run outreach act, the two bills coled by representative issue to address cybersecurity issues. This includes important provisions to codify the current work and responsibilities. It would firmly establish ntias role in Public Safety communications. From managing next generation 911 grants to its important First Responder network at the institute for telecommunications sciences. Ntia plays an Important Role in ensuring that the public and Law Enforcement agencies have a modern and Reliable Communications network. So i am please that had this bill cements ntias Public Safety responsibilities. I also want to note that this bill incorporates feedback to address questions and concerns we heard from other committees, included the Armed Services committee, the science committee, and the intelligence committee. The staffs have had productive discussions about these important issues, among other things we have improved ntias ability to file classified information with the f. C. C. On behalf of other agencies. We have also agreed to work further with our colleagues to better develop methods for advancing ntias Spectrum Management capability. I am pleased that we could find a path forward to vote on this today and thank the chairs Ranking Members and staff of these three committees for their cooperation. I also want to thank chair rogers in communications and Technology Subcommittee Ranking Member matsui and chairman latta for their bipartisan work on this bill. With this legislation, we ensure that ntia has the authorities it needs to continue both connecting all americans to highspeed, reliable, and affordable broadband, and overseeing innovative technological developments. Madam speaker, i urge my colleagues to support h. R. 4510, and i verve the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman from massachusetts reserves. The gentleman from ohio is recognized. Mr. Latta thank you, madam speaker. I yield three minutes tote gentleman from michigans fifth district. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from michigan is recognized for three minutes. I thank my friend and colleague from ohio. Madam speaker, i rise in support of h. R. 4510, the ntia authorization act. Iticallys my it includes my plan for broadband act which requires the ntia in consultation with all relevant agencies to develop and implement a National Strategy to close the digital divide. I thapg my cosponsor thank my cosponsor, representative cust ever, for custer, with her efforts with regard to this legislation. A g. A. O. Report found that there are more than 130 federal broadband programs administered by at least 15 separate agencies, totaling hundreds of billions of dollars that could be used to increase connectivity across the country. But without clear goals, objectives and performance measures, these programs are fragmented and can result in duplication and overbuilding or not building at all. In rural districts like mine, where thousands of my constituents lack access to a reliable connection, we must ensure federal dollars are spent effectively and efficiently. The plan would synchronize interagency coordination among federal broadband programs, identify ways to lower costs and ease administrative burdens for states and localities to participate in these programs. And make recommendations to better distribute and administer the federal taxpayer funds. We cant be wasting time, money and resources deploying to areas that have already been covered at the expense of those who havent or are inadequate. A National Broadband strategy is key to closing the digital divide. The broader package also includes muchneeded language to reauthorize the ntia, enhance Spectrum Management processes, Fortify Network security, and foster nationwide connectivity. I want to thank chairman latta for his leadership on this, the larger bill, as well as my coleads in the house and senate for their partnership and commitment to connecting rural america. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation and with that, madam speaker, i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from ohio reserves. The gentlewoman from massachusetts is recognized. Mrs. Trahan i have no further speakers, im prepared to close. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman reserves. The gentleman from ohio is recognized. Mr. Latta madam speaker, we have no further speakers on our side. If youre prepared to close. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman from massachusetts is recognized. Mrs. Trahan thank you, madam speaker. This reauthorization of ntia is Bipartisan Legislation that ensures that ntia will have the authority it needs to continue both connecting the americans to high speed, reliable and affordable broadband, and overseeing innovative technological developments. I urge my colleagues to support h. R. 4r5 10 and i h. R. 4510, and i yield. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman from massachusetts yields back. The gentleman from ohio is recognized. Mr. Latta thank you, madam chair. As has been mentioned already, the ntia has not been reauthorized since 1992 and, again, as stated before, many of the responsibilities that it has, it didnt even exist or were relevant at that time. We think about federal Spectrum Management, administration of broadband grants, internet governance, representing the United States in International Telecommunication form and developing cybersecurity policy, its absolutely essential that h. R. 4510 be enacted. And with that, madam chair, i urge passage of the legislation and i yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the question is, will the house suspend the rules and pass the bill, hrment r. H. R. 4510, as amended. Those in favor say aye. Those opposed, no. In the opinion of the chair, 2 3 of those voting having responded in the affirmative mr. Latta mr. Speaker. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentleman rise . Mr. Latta i ask for the yeas and nays. The speaker pro tempore the yeas and nays are requested. All those in favor of taking this vote by the yeas and nays will rise and remain standing until counted. A sufficient number having arisen, the yeas and nays are ordered. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule 20, further proceedings on this question will be postponed. For what purpose does the gentleman from florida seek recognition . Mr. Bilirakis mr. Speaker, i move that the house suspend the rules and pass the bill, h. H. R. 4310. The speaker pro tempore the clerk will report the title of the bill. The clerk Union Calendar number 413, h. R. 4310. A bill to ban the sale of products with a high concentration of Sodium Nitrate to individuals and for other purposes. The speaker pro tempore pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from florida, mr. Bilirakis, and the gentleman from new jersey, mr. Pallone, each will control 20 minutes. The chair recognizes the gentleman from florida. Mr. Bilirakis thank you, mr. Speaker. I ask unanimous consent that all members have five legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and insert extraneous material in the record on the bill. The speaker pro tempore without objection. Mr. Bilirakis thank you. Mr. Speaker, i yield myself as much time as i may consume. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Bilirakis thank you, mr. Speaker. I appreciate it. I rise today in strong support of h. R. 4310, the youth poisoning protection act. It is important for the house to pass h. R. 4310 because, sadly, we have seen a significant rise in selfpoisonings using Sodium Nitrate in the United States since 2017. Many of these poisonings occur due to simple Online Purchases of these ingredients. While Sodium Nitrate has a wide variety of valuable commercial and industrial uses, which importantly this legislation does not effect, it is also crucial that congress intervene to prevent these tragic outcomes. Particularly amongst our children. This legislation seeks to address poisonings through a narrowly tailored prohibition on the sale of Consumer Products that contain Sodium Nitrate at concentrations greater than 10 , which precludes consumer access to products regulated under the Consumer Protection safety act. I want to thank representatives trahan and casey for their strong bipartisan work on this legislation and i urge my colleagues to vote yes today and i reserve the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from florida reserves. I recognize now the gentleman from new jersey. Mr. Pallone mr. Speaker, i yield myself such time as i may consume. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Pallone mr. Speaker, i rise to speak in support of h. R. 4310, the youth poisoning protection act. This legislation is necessary because, sadly, online forums are providing detailed instructions and realtime guidance on how to die by suicide by consuming just a small amount of Sodium Nitrate. As a result, over the past few years, data from the centers for Disease Control and prevention has shown a sharp increase in the rise of selfpoisoning using Sodium Nitrate. H. R. 4310 would ban the sale of high concentrated Sodium Nitrate to consumers in order to help prevent it for this use. And experts have made it clear theres no good reason for consumers to purchase this product as such at such high concentration. This bill is an important step in ensuring that lethal levels of Sodium Nitrate stay out of the hands of those who will use it to harm themselves. And i want to commend the sponsor, representative trahan from our committee, for her leadership on this issue, and i urge my colleagues to support this bill. And with that, i reserve the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from new jersey reserves. The gentleman from florida is recognized. Mr. Bilirakis mr. Speaker, i will reserve as well. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from florida reserves. The gentleman from new jersey is recognized. Mr. Pallone mr. Speaker, i would yield now such time as she may consume to the sponsor, the gentlewoman from massachusetts, mrs. Trahan. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman is recognized. Mrs. Trahan thank you, mr. Speaker. I thank the gentleman for yielding. And im grateful to Ranking Member pallone, chair rogers, Ranking Member schakowsky, chairman bilirakis, and members of the energy and Commerce Committee for their unanimous support for this bipartisan, bicameral legislation. Mr. Speaker, the youth poisoning protection act is urgently needed to limit consumer access to high concentrations of a dangerous, toxic chemical thats being promoted online as a method to die by suicide. Two years ago an investigation by the New York Times exposed online suicide assistance forums, websites that operate in the shadows of the internet. These platforms are home to many users who present themselves as a community dedicated to helping others experiencing Suicidal Ideation. But who instead encourage those in dire need of help to end their lives and even help facilitate their attempt to do so. Their activities have contributed to a rise in suicides using the chemical Sodium Nitrate, which in low concentrations is safe and often used to cure meat and fish. However, in high concentrations Sodium Nitrate is toxic at levels comparable to cyanide. If thats not bad enough, it gets worse. While those same unanimous users promote the poison as a painless way to die by suicide, survivors tell a very different story. Detailing experiences of nausea, vomiting, intense stomach pain and heart palpatations as the substance chokes off oxygen to critical organs. When notified by my office of the products popularization as a suicide method, many websites that sold the product, including amazon, eventually took down their listings or limited sales to businesses with a proven use for it. But there are bad actors out there looking to capitalize on people experiencing Suicidal Ideation by creating websites for the sole purpose of selling the chemical as suicide kits. And right now theres no law on the books to stop them from doing so. Mr. Speaker, the youth poisoning protection act changes that by prohibiting the consumer sale of Sodium Nitrate products with a reason toes traition higher with a concentration higher than 10 , the threshold agreed upon by experts. I will note for my colleagues that this bill solely limits the sale of this product to consumers. There are some businesses that cure meat and fish in bulk and need to purchase Sodium Nitrate in high concentrations as part of that process. This bill will not affect them effect them. It solely seeks to end the straight to consumer sale of highly concentrated Sodium Nitrate that is helping fuel the efforts of unanimous Suicide Forum users pushing Vulnerable People to end their lives. Its simple. Its straightforward. And it has the potential to save lives. Thats why im so grateful to my colleagues on both sides of the aisle and in both chambers who were instrumental in the drafting and advancement of this legislation, including representatives mike carey, who has been a tireless advocate for his constituents who have fallen vick to ithis victim to this poison, as well representatives porter and milloy and senators duckworth and vance. I urge members on both sides of the aisle to join us in supporting this strong Bipartisan Legislation. Thank you and i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from florida is recognized. Mr. Bilirakis yeah, mr. Speaker, i have no additional speakers. Im going to yield to the gentleman from if hes prepared to close, the gentleman from new jersey. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman reserves. The gentleman from new jersey is recognized. Mr. Pallone thank you, mr. Speaker. I would urge everyone to support this bill. I think its pretty obvious why this bill is so important and i want to thank the sponsor again, mrs. Trahan, for bringing this up. Because it will save lives. And with that, i yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back. The gentleman from florida is recognized. Mr. Bilirakis thank you, mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this is a bipartisan bill, as far as im concerned its a nobrainer. We need to get it over to the senate as soon as possible to save lives. In closing, again, i encourage a yes vote on this particular bill and i yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the question is, will the house suspend the rules and pass the bill, h. R. 4310. Those in favor say aye. Those opposed, no. Mr. Bilirakis mr. Speaker. The speaker pro tempore in the opinion of the chair, 2 3 of those voting having responded in the affirmative mr. Bilirakis i ask for the yeas and nays. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentleman rise . Mr. Bilirakis i ask for the yeas and nays. The speaker pro tempore the yeas and nays are requested. All those in favor of taking this vote by the yeas and nays will rise and remain standing until counted. A sufficient number having arisen, the yeas and nays are ordered. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule 20, further proceedings on this question will be postponed. For what purpose does the gentleman from indiana seek recognition . Mr. About how much on i move the house pass the bill h. R. 4581 as amended. The clerk r4581, a bill to amend title five of the Social Security act to support stillbirth prevention and research and for other purposes. The speaker pro tempore pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from indiana, mr. Bucshon, and the gentleman from new jersey, mr. Pallone, each will control 20 minutes. The chair recognizes the gentleman from indiana. Mr. Bucshon insert extraneous records in the material on the bill. The speaker pro tempore without objection. Mr. About how muchen no objection. Mr. Speaker, i yield myself such time as i may assume. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Bucshon i rise in support of the maternal and Child Health Stillbirth Prevention act of 2023. According to recent data reported by the c. D. C. , this equates to one out of 75 births. This is an unacceptable high and a recent study funded by the National Institutes of health shows that one in four stillbirths may be be preventible. It is clear that we must do more. States are authorized to use their maternal and Child Health Services block Grant Funding for still birth education and related activities, but due to a lack of clear federal guidance, some states have refrained from using this funding for these purposes. H. R. 4581 clarifies that states can use this funding for evidencebased programs and outcomes researched to prevent and reduce the incidence of stillbirth. This bill supports the sanctity of human life by helping to prevent future stillbirths and supporting mothers and babies across the country. I encourage my colleagues to support this bill, and i reserve the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from indiana reserves. The gentleman from new jersey is recognized. Mr. Pallone i yield myself such time as i may assume. The United States faces a devastating crisis in maternal health, and this includes an ongoing crisis of still births. According to data from the centers of Disease Control and prevention, there are approximately 21,000 still birth infants born every year in the United States. Thats about 58 still births every day. According to the march of dimes, the annual number of stillbirths far exceeds the number of deaths among children from preterm birth, sids, accidents, drownings, fire, and flu combined. Women who experience a still birth are also more likely to experience complications or even death after the delivery. According to the march of dimes, severe morbidity is nearly five times more common than in women who experience a healthy pregnancy and delivery. And these women are also justifiably more likely to suffer from depression. H. R. 4581, the maternal and Child Health Stillbirth Prevention act, is Bipartisan Legislation which clarifies that states can use title five funding for evidencebased programs, activities, and Outcome Research to reduce the incident of stillbirth. It could include communitybased programs that provide home visits or other types of support and research or evidencebased programming to prevent stillbirths. And this bill is supported by more than 30 Womens Health and Research Organizations across our healthcare spectrum. This bill will provide better certainty for states to enhance the safety of women throughout their pregnancy, delivery, and postpartum experiences. The hope is that states would focus their efforts on communities with large Health Disparities and birth outcomes. I want to thank representative adams for her leader should. I own all my colleagues to vote yes on this bill, and i reserve the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from i understand as i understand recognized i yield three minutes to the gentlelady iowa, ms. Hinson. Type the gentlelady is recognized. Ms. Hinson good afternoon, everyone. I rise today to urge my colleagues to support my bill, the maternal and Child Health Stillbirth Prevention act. The United States continues to lead the world in medical innovation, development of new cures and cuttingedge medical technology. However, the high Maternal Mortality and still birth rate in the United States is inexcusable. Over 211,000 babies are stillborn every year and nearly one in four of these deaths are preventible. In the last two decades, the stillbirth rate in the United States declined by a negligible. 4 . In a report published by the World Health Organization comparing progress in improving still birth rates, the United States ranked 183rd out of 195 countries. Our moms and our babies deserve better. The tragedy of a still birth, the unexpected death of a baby after 20 weeks of pregnancy is devastating to mothers and fathers. Many women who endure a still birth have already picked out their babys name or started decorating a nursery. The heartbreak of stillbirth leaves an unfillable void for the families that it impacts. Stillbirth disproportionately impacts minority, rural, and underserved communities, including many communities in my home state of iowa that are designated assist maternal healthcare deserts. Ive heard from women in rural iowa who drive over an hour to see their ob gyn or visit the nearest maternal warder or hospital and struggle to receive the quality care they need throughout their pregnancy. Ensuring expecting women have access to high quality maternal care regardless of their zip code or their income level is critical to preventing stillbirths and improving outcomes for both moms and babies. Congress must use every tool at our disposal to end stillbirth and support the prevention research. So thats why were here today. My bipartisan maternal and child health still birth profession act would dedicate funds toward stillbirth prevention and research, saving the lives of mothers and babies. Throughout my work on this legislation, ive had the opportunity to sit down with stillbirth prevention advocates who have turned their pain into passion. These brave women are on a mission to ensure that no mother, no father, or family ever endures the tragedy of stillbirth again. And they are truly some of the strongest women ive ever met. Ive been honored to bring this vital legislation across the finish line, as well as with my colead on this bill, congresswoman adams. She has long fought to improve stillbirth prevention, and i am proud of the work that weve done together in a bipartisan manner to support expecting moms from iowa to North Carolina and across the country. Additionally, this Bipartisan Legislation has been endorsed by Public Health and medical providers associations, and it was passed by the Senate Already in a similar fashion by unanimous consent. I was blessed to be able to spend mothers day with my two sons over the weekend, but by heart continues to ache for the women who are mourning the loss of the child they never got to meet. I urge my colleagues to join me in helping bring more wonderful babies and a healthy pregnancies into this world by supporting this bill. Thank you, and i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady yields. The gentleman reserves. The gentleman from new jersey is poised. Mr. Pallone i have no additional speakers. Im prepared to close, but i reserve. Mr. Bucshon i have one additional speaker. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from i understand as i understand recognized. Mr. Bucshon id like to yield one minute to the gentleman from georgia, mr. Carter. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Carter i rise today in strong support of the bipartisan maternal and and child health still birth prevention act. Ads a father of three sons and grandfather to seven beautiful grand babies, theres nothing more important than improving Health Outcomes for mothers and children. More than 21,000 babies are stillborn every year, upending the lives of mothers and families across the United States. No family should have the experience to have, the heartbreak of a stillborn. Thats why im proud to support this act so that women and children have the best Health Outcomes our nation can provide. Increasing access to maternal care, especially for rural and underserved communities, is critical toward preventing stillbirths so more babies experience a healthy birth and make it home with their fakes. This critical legislation which strengthened the child care grant, which will ensure expecting moms can receive quality prenatal care, we value women. We value life. And this bipartisan bill prioritizes both. Id like to thank representative hinson for working on this important issue, and i urge my colleagues to support this legislation. Thank you, mr. Speaker, and i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman reserves. Gentleman from new jersey is recognized. Mr. Pallone im prepared to close. This is a very important bill for mothers safety to prevent stillborn infants, and i urge all my colleagues to support this on a bipartisan basis, and with that i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from indiana is recognized. Mr. Bucshon in closing, i encourage a yes vote on this bill, and i yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields. The question is, will the house suspend the rules and pass the bill h. R. 4581 as amended. Those in favor say yea. Those opposed, no. In the opinion of the chair, 2 3 being in the affirmative mr. Bucshon mr. Speaker. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentleman from indiana seek rec significance . Mr. Bucshon i request the yeas and nays. The speaker pro tempore all those in favor will rise and remain standing until counted. A sufficient number have risen, the yeas and nays are ordered. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule 20, further proceedings on this question will be postponed. For what purpose does the gentleman from indiana reek recognition . Mr. Bucshon i move the house suspend rules and pass h. R. 6960. The clerk Union Calendar number 404, h. R. 6960, a bill to amend the Public Health service act to rethat the Emergency Medical Services for Children Program. The speaker pro tempore pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from indiana, mr. Bucshon, and the gentleman from new jersey, mr. Pallone, each will control 20 minutes. The chair recognizes the gentleman from indiana. Mr. Bucshon i ask unanimous consent that all members have five legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and insert extraneous materials on the record, in the record on the bill. The speaker pro tempore without objection. Mr. Bucshon i yield myself as much time as i may assume. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Bucshon i rise in support of h. R. 6960, the Emergency Medical Services and children reauthorization act led by representative carter. Recent data from the Health Resources and Services Administration suggest that Emergency Departments with high Pediatric Readiness have lower mortality rates among children with critical illness. This data also found that more than 1,400 pediatric deaths may have been avoided had all the surveyed Emergency Departments been well prepared. H. R. 6960 reauthorizes the Emergency Medical Services for childrens program, which provides support to states and schools of medicine to expand and improve Emergency Care for children. This bill will continue support for this Critical Program and help up prevent avoidable pediatric deaths. Ien courage my colleagues to support this bill, and i rereserve the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from indiana reserves. The gentleman from new jersey is recognized. Mr. Pallone mr. Speaker, i yield myself such time as i may assume. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Pallone i rise in support of the Emergency Medical Services for children reauthorization act sponsored by representatives caster and carter. The Emergency Medical Services for Children Program works in communities across the country to improve the quality of pediatric medical care. We know that children have unique needs in emergency situations, and treating children requires specialized skills, training, and equipment. The Emergency Medical Services for children reauthorization act will reauthorize this important program. The bill will allow the program to continue supporting improvements, such as adding children appropriate equipment and ambulances and Emergency Departments, providing training to paramedics and First Responders, and improving the system that allows for efficient, effective pediatric emergency medical care. The program also Funds Research to set standards for pediatric Emergency Care and to assess the current capabilities of health systems. Now, this program has been a success, helping to reduce pediatric injuryrelated death rates by more than 40 since it began four decades ago. This bill will ensure that the program can continue building on this work for another five years. So i hope my colleagues will join me in this effort to strengthen and expand Emergency Medical Services for children in each state. Ien courage all my colleagues to vote yes on h. R. 6960, and i reserve the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman reserves. The gentleman from i understand as i understand recognized. Mr. Bucshon i yield two minutes to the gentleman from georgia, mr. Carter. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Carter i rise today in strong support of my bill, h. R. 6960, the Emergency Medical Services for children reauthorization act of 2024. As a healthcare professional serving in congress, my goal is to increase accessibility, affordability, and quality of healthcare for all patients, including children. Thats why im proud to sponsor the bipartisan Emergency Medical Services for children reauthorization act, which will improve the Emergency Care for children. This bill reauthorizes the Emergency Medical Services for Children Program, which focuses on addressing the unique needs of children in emergency medical systems with the ultimate goal of reducing the prevalence of morbidity and mortality in children. Emergency medical services for Children Program has been the only federal Grant Program specifically focused on addressing the needs of children in emergency medical systems. As we know today, children have special Health Care Needs. Whether children require Emergency Care following a car crash or fall ill in the middle of the night with nowhere else to turn, our emergency medical system needs to have staff trained to treat children. A major part of that is providing the resources to equip Health Care Professionals with the right sietzed medical stools right sized medical stools. I understand how critical it is that children receive care thats specialized to their unique needs. Thats why im proud to be leading the reauthorization of this act, which is proven to be an effective approach for saving americas children. The authorization of the Emergency Medical Services for Children Program is set to lapse on september 30 if congress does not reauthorize it. Thats why we are strongly urging for congress to reauthorize this program through 2029 without any disruption to it. Id like to thank representative castor, dr. Joyce and dr. Schrier for working with me on this important issue and i urge my colleagues to support this legislation. Thank you, mr. Speaker, and i yield back. I reserve. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman reserves. The gentleman from new jersey is recognized. Mr. Pallone mr. Speaker, i would yield now such time as she may consume to the democratic sponsor of the bill, the chairman of im sorry, the Ranking Member of our subcommittee, ms. Castor. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman is recognized. Ms. Castor thank you and i thank mr. Pallone for yielding the time. Mr. Speaker, i rise in support of h. R. 6960, the Emergency Medical Services for children reauthorization act. Im proud to lead the effort with my good friend, mr. Carter of georgia. Mr. Speaker, children and adolescents require unique Emergency Care and congress can ensure the best medical outcomes when we pass this reauthorization. In congress, i serve as the cochair of the Childrens Health care caucus where we focus on the unique Health Care Needs of our kids and that includes Emergency Care. In times of emergency, thats why we this bill is so important. Its a bipartisan, bicameral bill, would reauthorize emsc for another five years at increased funding levels, it passed the house energy and Commerce Committee unanimously earlier in the year. Its worked for 40 years to improving care for young patients, saving lives and improving Health Outcomes. It really is one of the cornerstones of pediatric care across america. Because it gives all providers a playbook for the best ways to treat children in an emergency. Every day in every state and territory. My local providers in florida are leading the way. In florida its served more than 4. 3 million children and their families, providing resources to 320e. M. S. Agencies and 335 Emergency Departments. When Hurricane Ian slammed into the state in 2022 it resulted in the evacuation of 81 critically ill neonatal and pediatric patients from local hospitals. We knew then that the transport vehicles were properly equipped for children thanks to florida e. In emsc safe transport. Using emsc funding, Florida Disaster Response Committee has also developed a pediatric mass casualty triage tool. Theyve distributed it across the state. Florida emsc was able to develop and distribute more than 2,300 Communications Cards for children who speak spanish or Haitian Creole or they may be nonverbal to help Health Care Professionals communicate with them directly during an emergency. The results speak for themselves. Nationally pediatric injury related death rates have increased decrease because of this initiative. Thats why its important to reauthorize it today. So i encourage a yes vote and i yield back the balance of my time. Thank you. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman yields. The gentleman from indiana is recognized. Mr. Speaker, i yield two minutes to the gentleman from pennsylvania, dr. Joyce. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Joyce i thank the gentleman for yielding. Theres a saying in the medical field that children are just not small adults. Children have unique medical needs and ensuring that they receive the correct care from the moment that an ambulance is called is critical in helping to save individual lives. For decades the Emergency Medical Service for children reauthorization act has helped to protect some of the most vulnerable members when they are in need. Any parent, any grandparent who has a child who is sick will tell you that making sure that they can recover is the most important thing in their world. Reauthorizing the emsc program will help provide tailored medical equipment, increased training materials for paramedics and e. M. T. s and develop educational materials that cover every aspect of pediatric Emergency Care. Since this program was first enacted, pediatric injuryrelated death rates have fallen by more than 40 . And we can only hope and provide that this recovery rate continues to fall. I urge all of my colleagues to support this vital legislation and i yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields. The gentleman from indiana mr. Speaker, im prepared to close so i reserve. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman reserves. The gentleman from new jersey is recognized. Mr. Pallone thank you, mr. Speaker. I will close now and just say that we need to reauthorize this program. Its so successful in reducing pediatric injuryrelated death. And so it should be reauthorized for another five years. And with that i would yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields. The gentleman from indiana is recognized. Mr. Speaker, in closing i encourage a yes vote on this bill. Mr. Bucshon and i yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields. The question now is, will the house suspend the rules and pass the bill, h. R. 6960. Those in favor say aye. Those opposed, no. In the opinion of the chair, 2 3 of those voting having responded in the affirmative mr. Bucshon mr. Speaker, i request the yeas and nays. The speaker pro tempore the yeas and nays are requested. All those in favor of taking this vote by the yeas and nays will rise and remain standing until counted. A sufficient number having arisen, the yeas and nays are ordered. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule 20, further proceedings on this question will be postponed. For what purpose does the gentleman from florida seek recognition . Mr. Bilirakis i move that the house suspend the rules and pass the bill, h. R. 1797, as amended. The speaker pro tempore the clerk will report the title of the bill. The clerk Union Calendar number 370. H. R. 1797. A bill to require the Consumer Product Safety Commission to promulgate a Consumer Product safety standard with respect to rechargeable lithiumion batteries used in microability devices and for other purposes. The speaker pro tempore pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from florida, mr. Bilirakis, and the gentleman from new jersey, mr. Pallone, each will control 20 minutes. The chair recognizes the gentleman from florida. Mr. Bilirakis thank you, mr. Speaker. I ask unanimous consent that all members have five legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and insert extraneous material in the record on the bill. The speaker pro tempore without objection. Mr. Bilirakis thank you, mr. Speaker. I appreciate it. Mr. Speaker, i yield myself as much time as i may consume. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Bilirakis thank you. Thank you, mr. Speaker. I rise in support of h. R. 1797, the setting consumer standards for lithiumion batteries act. It is important that the house pass this legislation because when lithiumion batteries are poorly made, usually ones that come from china, i might add, lack adequate Safety Standards, are charged improperly or damaged, they are prone to ignite a fire. The associated fires may be accompanied by explosions in the release of and the release of toxic gas, causing significant injuries for consumers. We cant let that happen. As these micromobility devices have risen in popularity, the use of lithiumion batteries has increased, as has the use of counterfeit or unsafe batteries coming from china. Creating the need for a federal standard. H. R. 1797 would require the Consumer Protection Safety Commission to issue a Consumer Product safety standard for rechargeable lithiumion batteries used in micromobility devices, to protect against the risk of fires. I want to thank representatives garbarino and torres and others from new york such as representative clarke and all other members, for leading this important bipartisan effort to protect citizens and First Responders. I urge my colleagues to support this necessary piece of legislation and i reserve the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman reserves. The gentleman from new jersey is recognized. Mr. Pallone thank you, mr. Speaker. I yield myself such time as i may consume. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Pallone mr. Speaker, i rise to speak in support of h. R. 1797, the setting consumer standards for lithiumion batteries act. This bill will protect americans from fires from lithiumion batteries. It requires the Consumer Product Safety Commission to create a safety standard for rechargeable lithiumion batteries in micromobility devices like electric bicycles and scooters. Fires caused by faulty or misused batteries are increasing throughout our nation. As just one example, between 2019 and 2023, the Fire Department of the city of new york reported more than 400 fires, 300 injuries and 12 deaths from fires caused by lithiumion batteries in new york city alone. Just a few weeks ago two people and a cat had to be rescued from a bridgewater, new jersey, apartment not far from my district because of a fire caused by an electric bicycle battery. And all of these accidents, and yet right now theres no federal standard to ensure the products on the market are safe. As electric bikes and scooters grow in popularity, we must act to guarantee a strong federal safety standard for lithiumion batteries. Consumers deserve to feel confident that the products that they see for sale are thoroughly tested and safe. And this legislation would do just that. So i want to commend the main sponsor of this bill, representative torres, for his leadership on this issue. I also thank representative clarke for championing this bill in our committee and i urge my colleagues to support this legislation and i reserve the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman reserves. The gentleman from florida is recognized. Mr. Bilirakis mr. Speaker, i have no further speakers so im prepared to close. Ill yield to the gentleman from new jersey. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman reserves. The gentleman from new jersey is recognized. Mr. Pallone mr. Speaker, id like to yield such time as he may consume to the sponsor of this bill, mr. Torres of new york. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Torres mr. Speaker, i rise in strong support of my Bipartisan Legislation entitled, setting consumer standards for lithiumion batteries act. I am grateful for the support of chair rogers, Ranking Member pallone and all of the members of the energy and Commerce Committee. Im also grateful for the partnership of Congress Members Yvette Clarke and andrew garbarino. At the core of our legislative progress has been the advocacy of the fdny, the nations premier Fire Department. The sheer speed and scale of the destruction that a lithiumion battery fire can bring to communities like mine is nothing short of staggering. In the bronx, we saw one of our few neighborhood supermarkets, 2096 grand concourse, reduced to complete rubble at the hands of a five alarm fire caused by a malfunctioning lithiumion battery. Lithiumion battery fires are happening with greater frequency and ferocity in america. New york city in particular has emerged as the epicenter of lithiumion battery fires which have grown exponentially, from more than 30 in 2019 to more than 40 in 2020, to more than 100 in 2021, to more than 200 in 2022. In the span of just four years, americas largest city has seen a 900 surge in lithiumion batteries creating an unprecedented crisis in fire safety. Poorly manufactured lithiumion batteries, largely imported from china, are hidden ticking time bombs waiting to detonate in American Homes and communities. The fire hazard here has become too glaring to ignore. The house of representatives is poised to pass Bipartisan Legislation that would finally empower the Consumer Product Safety Commission to set long overdue mandatory Safety Standards for the manufacturing of lithiumion batteries in devices. In passing legislation so urgently needed, with err upholding our most we are upholding our most solemn obligation, Public Safety. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields. The gentleman from florida is recognized. Mr. Bilirakis the gentleman is correct, the sponsor of this bill. We are upholding this very important issue, very important need. Were moving it forward because we have a chairman and Ranking Member that worked very hard to address these issues and move them forward, lets get this done as soon as possible. I encourage a yes vote on this particular bill and i yield back the balance of my time i know that the of my time. I know the speaker, i believe the gentleman has time close and then ill close as well. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman reserves. The gentleman from new jersey is recognized. Mr. Pallone thank you, mr. Speaker. I yield myself such time as i macon psalm to close. I dont think i can stress enough the importance of this bill, as mr. Torres has relay related. These fires, these problems are getting worse all the time. So we have to set a standard. I would urge my colleagues to unanimously, on a bipartisan basis, support this bill and i yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields. The gentleman from florida is recognized. Mr. Bilirakis in close, i encourage a yes vote on this particular bill. I yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from florida yields. The question is, will the house suspend the rules and pass the bill h. R. 1797 as amended. Those in favor say aye. Those opposed, no. In the opinion of the chair in the opinion of the chair 2 3 being in the affirmative for what purpose does the gentleman from florida seek recognition . Mr. Bilirakis i ask for the yeas and nays. The speaker pro tempore the yeas and nays are requested. All those in favor of taking this vote by the yeas and nays will rise and remain standing until counted. A sufficient number having reins, the yeas and nays are ordered. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule 20, further proceedings on this question will be postponed. For what purpose does the gentleman from florida seek recognition . Mr. Bilirakis mr. Speaker mr. Speaker, i move that the house suspend the rules and pass the bill h. R. 4814 as amended. The speaker pro tempore the clerk will report the title of the bill. The clerk Union Calendar number 414, h. R. 4814 a bill to direct the Consumer Product Safety Commission to establish a Pilot Program to explore the use of Artificial Intelligence in support of the mission of the commission and to direct the secretary of commerce and the federal trade commission to study and report on the use of Block Chain Technology and digital tokens, respectively. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from florida, mr. Bilirakis, and the gentleman from new jersey, mr. Pa lope, each will control 20 minutes. The chair recognizes the gentleman from florida. Mr. Bilirakis thank you, mr. Speaker. I ask unanimous consent that all members have five legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and insert extraneous materials in the record on this particular bill. The speaker pro tempore without objection. Mr. Bilirakis thank you, mr. Speaker. I yield myself as much time as i may consume. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Bilirakis thank you. I want to express my support for h. R. 4814, the Consumer Safety Technology act, led by representatives soto, burgess, strahan and guthrie. It should be no surprise, mr. Speaker, that the global race for Economic Dominance today is centered around technology. Specifically, around emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence and blockchain. Throughout this congress, the energy and Commerce Committee, led by our chairwoman, Cathy Mcmorris rodgers, and our Ranking Member, of course, mr. Pallone, the committee has examined ways that the u. S. Can continue to lead in the development and deployment of such technologies. In our subcommittee, we have discussed the need to ensure america leads the world and wins this critical competition, particularly against our adversaries, in this case china, in every field. And this legislation will complement other initiatives we are undertaking. If enacted, h. R. 4814 would ensure our Consumer Protection agencies stay up to date with emerging technologies and would encourage the use of emerging technologies such as a. I. And blockchain in support of product safety and Consumer Protection. I thank my colleagues for their work on this particular piece of legislation. And i urge a yes vote on h. R. 4814. I yield. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman reserves. Mr. Bilirakis i reserve. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from new jersey is recognized. Mr. Pallone i yield myself such time as i may consume. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Pallone i rise to speak in support of h. R. 4814, the Consumer Safety Technology act, our Consumer Protection agencies play a Critical Role in ensuring unsafe products do not enter the u. S. Market. Advancements in technology, especially as it relates to Artificial Intelligence, have the potential to help alleviate the stress some of these agencies may face in being underfunded and understaff. H. R. 4814 would require the Consumer Products Safety Agency to stay up to date on new and emerging technologies by integrating them into their daily agency functions. It also requires the federal trade commission to study Blockchain Technologies and tokens. Both the cpsc and the f. T. C. Do important work to protect all americans from dangerous products. While this bill will help assist these in those efforts, its no replacement for properly funding these agencies. I want to commend the main sponsor of this bill, representative soto, a member of our committee, for his leadership on this issue. With that, i reserve the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman reserves. The gentleman from florida is recognized. Mr. Bilirakis i reserve, i have no further speakers. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman reserves. The gentleman from new jersey is is recognized. Mr. Pallone i yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from florida, the sponsor of the by. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from florida is recognized. Mr. Soto thank you, mr. Speaker. I rise in strong support of my bill, the Consumer Safety Technology act, h. R. 4814. It directs the Consumer Product Safety Commission to launch a Pilot Program to use Artificial Intelligence to track injury trends, identify hazards, monitor recalls and identify products not meeting importation requirements it also requires the department of commerce and other agencies to study Blockchain Technology in the context of consumers products and safety. It also directs the department of commerce and the federal trade commission to report on their efforts to address unfair and deceptive trade practices related to digital tokens and to promote innovation. We heard in committee, mr. Speaker, that the crooks are already using a. I. On the internet. And that we need the cops on the beat to have Artificial Intelligence as well to keep our consumers safe. Think about it. The internet is nearly infinite. So are the ways to push unsafe products and put consumers in harms way. Thats why the federal trade commission testified before our committee that the use of Artificial Intelligence would help them protect consumers. To track trends of injuries involving a myriad of Consumer Product, thousands happening all the time each day. Identifying Consumer Product hazards and being able to cat taborrize them, monitoring the sale of recalled Consumer Products. Think of how much commerce happens every day in america. And to identify Consumer Products that do not meet the importation requirements. It also requires a report to congress on how and to what extent Artificial Intelligence improved the agencys ability to advance its mission. The f. T. C. Testified it would help them save money and that it would be a really economic, efficient way to deploy other members of f. T. C. To go after other areas. I do agree with the Ranking Member that thats no substitute for making sure they have full funding that they need. In addition, Blockchain Technology, directing the department to be able to study the applications of blockchain and to address fraud and unfair and deceptive trade practices. Blockchain can be used so many different way, whether cryptocurrency, storing data through cyberrer security, through communications. Of course theyre going to be doing that in consultation with the federal trade commission, the f. T. C. Finally, weve commissioned the federal trade commission to report to congress on unfair and deceptive trade practices relating to tokens. We have seen also a need to protect consumers and promote innovation. We need rules of the road eventually. This is helping get us there with blockchains. We need more certainty so that we get growth in both blockchain and Cryptocurrency Firms in the United States giving them and understanding and certainty of the laws and their obligations and also to protect consumers from scams like pump and dump, whitewashing and other financial schemes. For that and more im thrilled to be able to have this bill be heard on the floor and i want to thank my colleagues, representatives burgess, trahan, guthrie, castor, my fellow floridian, chairman Gus Bilirakis and of course our Ranking Member, frank pallone, for presenting this today. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back. The gentleman from new jersey reserves. The gentleman from florida reserves. The gentleman from new jersey is recognized. Mr. Pallone the gentleman is about to close . I would urge, mr. Speaker, that we support this bill on both sides. Obviously an important consumer safety bill. With that, i yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields. The gentleman from florida is recognized. Mr. Bilirakis thank you, mr. Speaker. This is a great bill. You know these bills are high profile bills but theyre important. They affect our constituents directly and we have to stay ad of the crooks. We appreciate it. In closing i encourage a yes vote on this bill and i yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields. The question now is will the house suspend the rules and pass the bill h. R. 4814 as amended. Those in favor say aye. Those opposed, no. In the opinion of the chair, 2 3 being in the affirmative, the rules are suspended, the bill is passed and without objection the motion to reconsider is laid on the table. Without objection, the title is amended. For what purpose does the gentleman from florida seek recognition . Mr. Bilirakis mr. Speaker, i move that the house suspend the rules and pass the bill h. R. 5390. The speaker pro tempore the clerk will report the title of the bill. The clerk Union Calendar number 415, h. R. 5390, a bill to direct the secretary of commerce to conduct a study on the feasibility of manufacturing in the United States products for Critical Infrastructure sectors and for other purposes. The speaker pro tempore pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from florida, mr. Bilirakis, and the gentleman from new jersey, mr. Pallone, each will control 20 minutes. The chair recognizes the gentleman from florida. Mr. Bilirakis thank you, mr. Speaker. I ask unanimous consent that all members have five legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and insert extraneous materials in the record on this particular bill. The speaker pro tempore without objection. Mr. Bilirakis thank you. Mr. Speaker, i yield myself as much time as i may consume. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Bilirakis thank you. I rise in support of the Critical Infrastructure manufacturing feasibility act and i want to thank representative miller meeks as well as representative bucshon, castor, schrier and spanberger for their leadership on this particular piece of legislation. Manufacturing remains an essential sector for the United States, not only in terms of economic stability and american job creation but also to ensure our Global Leadership in areas like developing and deploying emergency technology. Emerging technology. With that in mind, it is important that the United States examines where barriers exist for manufacturing in the u. S. In particular, manufacturing critical products that are in high demand in the United States. Failure to do so may cause Companies Offering products and services to become reliant upon countries like china for critical components and goods necessary for those products and services. Instead, we should be analyzing ways to feasibly manufacture these product heres at home. Im strongly supportive of finding pathways forward to increase our capacity to manufacture products domestically here in the United States. In fact, im the cochair of the newly formed domestic pharmaceutical manufacturing caucus with my colleague and good friend buddy carter and we are looking at ways to bring back American Manufacturing of biopharmaceuticals here in the United States as well. So i want to thank my colleague, all of my colleagues, the doctor in particular here, for their important work on h. R. 5390. This legislation will help the United States identify the pathway to secure leadership in domestic manufacturing and innovation and protect economic and National Security. I urge my colleagues to support this particular bill sponsored by my good friend, dr. Miller meeks and i reserve the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman reserves. The gentleman from new jersey is recognized. Mr. Pallone i rise in support of the Critical Infrastructure manufacturing feasibility afnlgt our nations Manufacturing Base was once the envy of the world but unfortunately its faced steady headwinds now for the last several decades. The United States share of Global Manufacturing activity has declined from 28 in 2002 to less than 16 in 2021. Investments in americas small and medium manufacturers, the bedrock of our industrial might, has also declined over the last 20 years by more than 200 billion. And this has also resulted in our domestic Manufacturing Base shedding more than four million jobs. Fortunately the work we did last congress, passing the bipartisan infrastructure law, the inflation reduction act, the chips and science act, are already helping to turn the tide. Our nation added nearly 800,000 manufacturing jobs during President Bidens first 20 months in office. In total, Construction Spending on manufacturing in this time has skyrocketed for nearly 200 billion per month, more than doubling prepandemic levels. So h. R. 5390, the Critical Infrastructure manufacturing feasibility act, will further support americas manufacturing renaissance by commissioning the department of commerce to study the costs, benefits and feasibility of Manufacturing Products within Critical Infrastructure sectors in the United States. I want to thank representatives millermeeks, spanberger, custer and custor and bucshon for their leadership on this issue and with that i reserve the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman reserves. The gentleman from florida is recognized. Mr. Bilirakis mr. Speaker, i yield three minutes to the gentlewoman from iowa, my good friend, dr. Millermeeks. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman is recognized. Mrs. Millermeeks thank you, mr. Speaker. And i wish to thank my colleague, representative bilirakis, for yielding me time, to enthusiastically support my legislation, h. R. 5390, the Critical Infrastructure manufacturing feasibility act. As we gather on the house floor, the urgency of this legislation has only intensified since its consideration in committee. And the challenges facing our Manufacturing Sector grow more acute. The Global Supply chain disruptions that have plagued us in recent years, especially during the pandemic, have not abated. If anything, they have deepened. Record level inflation and the specter of foreign adversaries exuding undue influence over our Vital Industries loom even larger. Our dependence on foreign sources for critical goods is a vulnerability we can ill afford. The concentration of supply chains in the hands of nations like china or the Chinese Communist party leaves us exposed to the whims of the Geopolitical Forces beyond our control. It imperils not just our economic prosperity, but our National Security as well. In the face of these threats, the imperative for action is clear. We must strengthen our domestic supply chain resiliency, bolstering our capacity to manufacture essential goods right here at home. H. R. 5390 represents a crucial step in this direction, by directing the secretary of commerce to explore the feasibility of manufacturing Critical Infrastructure goods within our borders, particularly in Rural Communities like those in iowa. This bill charts a course toward greater selfreliance and security. But let us be clear. This is not just about mitigating risk. It is about seizing opportunity. By investing in domestic manufacturing, we can revitalize communities, create good paying jobs, and unleash the innovative potential of the american workforce. This legislation is not a panacea. Nor does it claim to be. It is a starting point. A declaration of our intent to reclaim control over our economic destiny. But it is a vital starting point, one that merits our fullthroated support. Im proud to have joined forces with my colleagues in introducing this bipartisan bill. Let us stand together in support of h. R. 5390, and in doing so let us reaffirm our commitment to the strength and resilience of the american economy. I urge my colleagues to join me in voting for this critical legislation. Thank you, mr. Speaker, thank you, representative bilirakis, i yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman yields. Mr. Bilirakis i reserve. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from florida reserves. The gentleman from new jersey is recognized. Mr. Pallone mr. Speaker, i have no additional speakers so ill continue to reserve. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman reserves. Mr. Bilirakis mr. Speaker, i yield two minutes to the gentleman, the physician, that were going to miss greatly, hes done a great job here on the energy and Commerce Committee, a great friend from indiana, dr. Bucshon. Two minutes. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Bucshon thank you, mr. Speaker. And thank you, chairman bilirakis, for those kind remarks. I rise in support of dr. Millermeeks bill, the Critical Infrastructure manufacturing feasibility act, which i am proud to colead. Indiana is an extremely manufacturing intensive state, home to more than 546,000 manufacturing jobs. This means that supply chain disruptions in recent years have been especially damaging for the hoosier state. This Bipartisan Legislation will direct the department of commerce to study which products in critical sectors are being imported due to manufacturing and supply chain constraints. Based on this study, the department will develop recommendations on how to stand up production capabilities in the u. S. , in rural areas. Expanding our Manufacturing Capabilities in rural areas will help prevent supply chain shocks from occurring. I want to thank dr. Millermeeks and other sponsors of this bill for their leadership and i urge all of my colleagues to support this important legislation. Thank you, mr. Speaker, and i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back. Mr. Biliral reserve, mr. Speaker. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from florida reserves. The gentleman from new jersey is recognized. Mr. Pallone ill continue to reserve. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman reserves. Mr. Pallone do you have additional speakers . Mr. Bilirakis i dont have additional speakers. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from florida reserves. The gentleman from new jersey is recognized. Mr. Pallone i would just ask that we support this important legislation on both sides of the aisle. With that, i yield back, mr. Speaker. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from new jersey yields. The gentleman from florida is recognized. Mr. Bilirakis thank you, mr. Speaker. In closing, i encourage a yes vote on this critical piece of legislation. Ill yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from florida yields. The question is, will the house suspend the rules and pass the bill, h. R. 5390. Those in favor say aye. Those opposed, no. In the opinion of the chair, the 2 3 of those voting having responded in the affirmative, the rules are suspended, the bill is passed and, without objection, the motion to reconsider is laid on the table. For what purpose does the gentleman from florida seek recognition . Mr. Bilirakis mr. Speaker, i move that the house suspend the rules and pass the bill, h. R. 6571, as amended. The speaker pro tempore the clerk will report the title of the bill. The clerk Union Calendar number 392 h. R. 6571. A bill to establish a critical supply chain resiliency and Crisis Response program in the department of commerce and to secure American Leadership in deploying emerging technologies and for other purposes. The speaker pro tempore pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from florida, mr. Bilirakis, and the gentleman from new england, mr. Pallone, each will control 20 minutes. The chair recognizes the gentleman from florida. Mr. Bilirakis thank you, mr. Speaker. I ask unanimous consent that all members have five legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks, and insert ex treanious material extraneous materials on the record in the record on the bill. The speaker pro tempore without objection. Mr. Bilirakis thank you. Mr. Speaker, i yield myself as much time as i may consume. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Bilirakis thank you, mr. Speaker. Today i rise in support of h. R. 6571, the promoting resilient supply chains act. I want to thank dr. Bucshon and representative blunt rochester for their hard work negotiating this bipartisan policy. Since the pandemic, we have quickly learned how our nation has become too reliant on foreign adversaries. I can say that again. Weve relied too much on foreign adversaries. Enough is enough. Adversaries like china, for critical goods and components of such goods. H. R. 6571 would establish a Mapping Program at the department of commerce to examine our supply chains, to better prepare our economy for any future shock that we may see. Monitoring these trends will help protect us from overreliance on our nations enemies and instead help industries to adapt quickly. Further, this legislation will require the assistant secretary to carry out a program with the private sector to better understand vulnerabilities in our supply chains. Including supply chains for emerging technologies and provide recommendations for promoting emerging technologies and making critical supply chains more resilient. This will continue our technological leadership in the global war against china. I want to thank my colleagues for their bipartisan work and of course dr. Bucshon in particular to secure American Leadership and competitiveness. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this legislation and i yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman reserve . Mr. Bilirakis yes, i do reserve. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from florida reserves. The gentleman from new jersey is recognized. Mr. Pallone mr. Speaker, i yield myself such time as i may consume. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Pallone mr. Speaker, i rise to speak in support of h. R. 6571, the promoting resilient supply chains act. The covid19 Public Health crisis exposed serious vulnerabilities in our critical manufacturing supply chains. Vulnerabilities that harmed our efforts to combat covid19 and its economic fallout. Ask any doctor, nurse or essential worker who needed personal protective equipment during the height of the covid19 pandemic, ask any Assembly Line worker, manufacturer or startup who did not have enough semiconductors essential to produce critical products and consumer electronics. Ask the everyday consumer who could not find basic Household Essentials like toilet paper and cleaning supplies, as demands surge and supply chains ground to a halt. So fortunately the supply chain crisis is over, but serious vulnerabilities remain. The biden administrations 100day supply chain review found that manufacturing supply chains instrumental to our National Security and economic welfare remain vulnerable to disruption, strain, compromise and elimination. These vulnerabilities are industrywide and effect every american. The department of defense warns that the decline in domestic Manufacturing Capabilities could result in a growing and permanent National Security deficit that presents challenges to our military and technological supremacy. Last Congress Congressional democrats took bold action to strengthen our Manufacturing Base, bolster supply chains, create good paying jobs for american workers, unleash innovation and lower cogs for consumers costs for consumers. Representatives blunt rochester, dingell, kelly and wild, spearheaded supply chain legislation that passed the house in 2022. Over 160 stakeholders, ranging from manufacturers, innovators, workers, consumer groups and local governments, endorsed their supply chain legislation. While i was disappointed that supply chain package did not become law, im pleased the house is poised to pass legislation that grew out of that work. So h. R. 6571, the promoting resilient supply chains act, improves supply Chain Resilience and strengthens our nations Economic Vitality and National Security in three key ways. First, the bill creates a program at the department of commerce to map and monitor supply chains, identify supply chain gaps and vulnerabilities and identify opportunities to address supply chain risk. Second, it equips the private sector with voluntary standards and guidelines needed to proactively identify and mitigate supply chain vulnerabilities before Government Intervention is even necessary. And third, the bill assigns the assistant secretary of industry and analysis with the responsibility to lead a governmentwide effort to strengthen supply chains. And this will reduce bureaucratic impediments and improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the federal response to a supply chain crisis. So, mr. Speaker, we have to heed the Lessons Learned from the supply chain crisis during the pandemic and ensure that the federal government is equipped with the tools and authorities needed to address vulnerabilities before they become fullblown crises and thats what this legislation tries to do. Its a great start. I want to commend representatives blunt rochester, dingell, kelly, wild and bucshon for their leadership on this issue and urge my colleagues to support this legislation and i reserve the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from new england reserves. The gentleman from florida is recognized. Mr. Bilirakis mr. Speaker, i yield two minutes to the gentleman from indiana, my good friend, dr. Bucshon. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Buck thank you, mr. Speakek you, mr. Speaker. And thank you, chairman. I rise in support of h. R. 6571, the promoting resilient supply chains act, which i am proud to colead with my colleague, Representative Lisa Blunt rochester. During the covid19 pandemic, producers in sectors across the economy had to slow or stop production. They couldnt access the inputs they needed to operate due to shipping bottlenecks or a lack of diversified suppliers. My bill establishes a Program Within the department of commerce to map and monitor critical supply chains, utilized by american producers. It will allow us to know where our strength and vulnerabilities are. A critical step in improving our economic and National Security. This program will also develop best practices to advise manufacturers on how to strengthen their supply chains and help government and private sector stakeholders plan for and respond to supply chain shocks. Hoosier manufacturers make some of the best products in the world and need reliable supply chains. Having the department of commerce study and advise on how to strengthen supply chains will allow producers to plan appropriately. I urge my colleagues to support h. R. 6571 and i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields. Mr. Bilirakis ill reserve. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from florida reserves. The gentleman from new jersey is recognized. Mr. Pallone i have no further speakers and im prepared to close. Let me just say that this act to promote resilient supply chain is very important, and the lessons we learned from the covid pandemic. I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support the legislation and i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields. The gentleman from florida is recognized. Mr. Bilirakis in closing, i encourage, again, a yes vote on this particular piece of legislation. I yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields. The question is, will the house suspend the rules and pass the bill h. R. 6571 as amended. Those in favor say aye. Those opposed, no. In the opinion of the chair 2 3 being in the affirmative mr. Bilirakis mr. Speaker, i ask for the yeas and nays. The speaker pro tempore the yeas and nays are requested. Those in favor of taking this vote by the yeas and nays will rise and remain standing until counted. A sufficient number having risen, the yeas and nays are ordered. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule 20, further proceedings on this question will be postponed. For what purpose does the gentleman from florida seek recognition . Mr. Bilirakis i move that the house suspend the rules and pass the bill h. R. 6572 as amended. The speaker pro tempore the clerk will report the title of the by. The clerk Union Calendar 417, h. R. 6572, a bill to direct the secretary of commerce to take actions necessary and appropriate to promote the competitive of the United States related to the deployment, use, application and competitiveness of Blockchain Technology and other distributed Ledger Technology and for other purposes. The speaker pro tempore pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from florida, mr. Bilirakis, and the gentleman from new jersey, mr. Pallone, each will control 20 minutes. The chair recognizes the gentleman from florida. Mr. Bilirakis thank you, mr. Speaker. I ask unanimous consent that all members have five legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and insert extraneous materials in the record on this particular bill. The speaker pro tempore without objection. Mr. Bilirakis thank you. Mr. Speaker, i yield myself as much time as i may consume. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Bilirakis thank you very much, mr. Speaker. I rise in support, strong support, of h. R. 6572, the deploying american blockchains act. I think i want to thank the sponsor and lead on this particular piece of legislation, representative bucshon, dr. Bucshon for his tireless efforts. Hes on a roll here. According to a report from the electric capital, the United States is at serious risk of losing our Global Leadership in Blockchain Technology. The report states that in 2015, 40 of all Blockchain Developers were based in the United States but today, that number has fall ton just 29 , mr. Speaker. And its continuing to decline. We cant let that happen. Weve got to stop that. Our country benefited greatly from our leadership and the development and deployment of the internet decades ago but we cannot cede leadership over Critical Technologies like blockchains to others. This important bill will direct the secretary of commerce to take action necessary to promote u. S. Competitiveness related to the deployment, use, and new applications of this particular piece of technology. Instead of pushing american innovators abroad, the commerce secretary needs to ensure americans the american innovators build here in the United States of america. So i urge my colleagues to join me in voting in favor of h. R. 6572 and i reserve the plans of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from florida reserves. The gentleman from new jersey is recognized. Mr. Pallone i yield myself such time as i may consume. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Pallone i rise in support of h. R. 6572, the deploying american blockchains act. For decades, our nations technological leadership has helped build the largest, most dynamic economy in the world. But we must continue working to ensure we outcompete the rest of the world because our economic rivals are trying to close the gap. Last congress, House Democrats championed historic legislation, the chips and science act that President Biden signed into law. This bill makes transformational investments in research and development, science and technology, and the work force of the future. It will help us maintain the nations leadership in the world of tomorrow, including nanotechnology, Quantum Community and computer intelligence. The chips and science act is already making a difference but we must build on its success. H. R. 6572 the deploy mooing american blockchains act, directs the secretary of commerce to study american use of blockchain for Data Security and data transactions. I want to commend representatives dingell and bucshon for their work on this and encourage my colleagues to support this bipartisan bill of i reserve the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman reserves. The gentleman from florida is recognized. Mr. Bilirakis i yield two minutes to the gentleman from indiana, dr. Bucshon. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Bucshon i rise in support of h. R. 6572, the deploying american blockchains act, that i introduced alongside lisa blunt rochester. This bill will promote American Innovation and help develop the utes of blockchains and distributed ledger technologies throughout the u. S. Economy. Americans are leaders in utilizing blockchains in public and private sector areas ranging from ensuring the traceability of drugs to managing supply chains for manufacturers. Unfortunately in recent years our leadership position has diminished as other countries see and embrace the promise that blockchains hold. According to a 2023 report, the United States is at serious risk of losing its Global Leadership in blockchain. In 2015, 40 of Blockchain Developers were based in the United States. In 2022, that number was just 29 and dropping. And our share continues to dwindle. Deploying american blockchains act will help rectify this trend by requiring the secretary of commerce to create a program to help promote the competitiveness of the United States in the deployment, use, an application of blockchains. Instead of pushing american innovators abroad, the department of commerce should work with american innovators to build their products here. I urge my colleagues to support the deploying american block it is chains act. Thank you, mr. Speaker, and i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields. The gentleman mr. Bilirakis i reserve. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from new jersey is recognized. Mr. Pallone i have no additional speakers and im prepared to close. Mr. Speaker, ill close by saying that again this is important in terms of our competitiveness globally. I would ask all our colleagues to vote in favor of this bill on a bipartisan basis and i yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields. The gentleman from florida is recognized. Mr. Bilirakis in closing i encourage a yes vote on this particular bill and i yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from florida yields. The question now is, will the house spleuls and pass the bill h. R. 6572 as amended. Those in favor say aye. Those opposed, no. In the opinion of the chair 2 3 being in the affirmative, the for what purpose does did the gentleman rise . Mr. Bilirakis i ask for the yeas and nays. The speaker pro tempore the yeas and nays are requested. Those in favor of taking this vote by the yeas and nays will rise and remain standing until counted. A sufficient number having risen, the yeas and nays are ordered. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule 20, further proceedings on this question will be postponed. For what purpose does the gentleman from florida seek recognition . Mr. Bilirakis i move that the house suspend the rules and pass the bill h. R. 6132. The speaker pro tempore the clerk will report the title of the bill. The clerk unocalen air 431, h. R. 6132. A bill to direct the Consumer Product safety coup sill to direct strap dardz for awnings. The speaker pro tempore the chair recognizes the gentleman from florida. Mr. Bilirakis i ask unanimous consent that all members have five legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and insert extraneous materials in the record on this bill. The speaker pro tempore without objection. Mr. Bilirakis thank you, mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, i yield myself as much time as i may consume. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Bilirakis thank you. First, i want to say thank you to representative balderson and castor for introducing this particular piece of legislation, h. R. 6132. The awning safety act. I encourage my kleeings to support it. I want to thank our constituents for bringing i encourage my colleagues to support it. I want to thank our constituents for bringing these issues to our attention. And i want to thank the chairman and Ranking Member, they are bringing these issues forward, they need to be passed in the house to go to the senate. Motorized awnings pose a known hazard to the public with about 270,000 units being subject to a recall by the manufacturer, facilitated by the u. S. Consumer Product Safety Commission in august of 2019. This product is associated with many incidents, including at least one report of a death and six serious injuries. The death involved a 73yearold man who died after falling from a ladder over an elevated porch when the motorized awning opened and unexpectedly struck him. Theres currently no voluntary standard for motorized awnings and the recall only covered one manufacturer of the products. H. R. 6132 will save lives and will require cpsc to promulgate a mandatory standard regarding these home retractable ahn tigs is within the jurisdiction of the cpsc. This is a commonsense bill, mr. Speaker, and i urge my colleagues to support this particular bill. I reserve the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from florida reserves. The gentleman from new jersey is recognized. Mr. Pallone i yield myself such time as i may consume. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Pallone i rise to speak in support of h. R. 6132, the awning safety act. In 2019, the Consumer Product Safety Commission issued a recall of 270,000 motorized awnings that had caused six injuries and tragically one death. These products are a known hazard to the public and while i commend the cpsc for taking action in 2019, we must do more to ensure motorized awning products regardless of brand or manufacturer, are safe. The awning safety act before us today would require the cpsc to create a mandatory safety standard for fixed and Free Standing retractable awnings. Currently there is no standard, voluntary or mandatory, for these awnings and injuries continue to mount. Just last year, dr. Michael nat, father of a former Republican Committee staffer, tragically died as a result of an incident involving a retractable awnings. We must act to ensure other American Families dont suffer a similar tragedy because of problems with retractable awnings. I want to commend representative castor, the democratic lead on this bill, and congressman balderson, for their bipartisan work and leadership on this issue. I urge my colleagues to support h. R. 6132, the awning safety act. With that, i reserve the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from new jersey reserves. The gentleman from florida is recognized. Mr. Bilirakis i yield two minutes to the gentleman, the sponsor of the bill, representative balderson from the great state of ohio. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Balderson thank you, mr. Speaker. Thank you, chairman. I rise in support of my bill, the awning safety act which. As which aims to enhance the safety of awnings found on homes across the nation. A retractable awning can serve as a source of shade and a Gathering Spot for family and friends. However they can pose a significant risk if not properly hand thsmed legislation directs the Consumer Product safety comights to establish Safety Standards for fix and Free Standing awnings typically found in homes. We learned of the risk of the awnings this past august when tragedy struck the family of olivia shields, a staff member for the committee at the time. Olivia and her mother are in the gallery. Her father was taking down the ahning from the family home. He was on a ladder when the springloaded arm of the awning shot out at him forcing his ladder to tip, causing him to fall. Michael suffered a severe spinal cord injury and despite efforts to save him he tragically passed a i way a few days later. His passing affected his family profoundly and reverberated throughout the community he is touched. Michael was renowned for his kindness, generosity and selflessness, often going above and beyond to help others in need. He was a devoted family man, cherished husband to jill, and loving father to their children, annelise, olivia, james, and their grandchildren. Michaels untimely death underscores by passing this legislation today we can prevent future tragedies. Thank you, mr. Speaker. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields. The gentleman from florida reserves. The gentleman from new jersey is recognized. Mr. Pallone mr. Speaker, i yield such time as she may kuhnel now to the democratic consume now to the democratic sponsor of this bill and the Ranking Member of our o. N. I. Subcommittee, ms. Castor. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman is recognized. Mr. Castro thawing ms. Castor thank you, mr. Speaker. I thank mr. Pallone for yielding the time. I rise in strong support of the awning safety act, that passed out of the energy and Commerce Committee unanimously. I want to thank representative balderson for working with me in leading this important Consumer Protection bill that will prompt the Consumer Product Safety Commission to promulgate a safety standard for fixed and freestanding motorized retractable awnings. Awnings are common in household as i cross the country household as i cross the country and households across the country and the last thing a person should be worried about is a defective product. In 2019 a motorized awning product was recalled after 14 incidents, including one fatal injury. The cpsc work quickly with the manufacturer to recall the product and provide a remedy for consumers, but all consumers deserve protections and its important that the cpsc continue this work to save lives and keep families safe. Thats why representative balderson and i are offering this bill, to provide oversight and increase safety, empower the Consumer Product Safety Commission and help prevent other families from suffering through tragic injuries and even deaths. Consumers and their children deserve to enjoy the Great Outdoors without the fear of injury or death from products they presume to be safe. I also want to thank the committees chairwoman, Cathy Mcmorris rodgers, for encouraging us on in this effort and Ranking Member pallone and the entire committee. I encourage a yes vote and i yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman yields. The gentleman reserves. Mr. Bilirakis ill reserve. Ill reserve. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from florida reserves. The gentleman from new jersey is recognized. Mr. Pallone im going to close by saying that i would urge all of my colleagues to support this bill. Obviously we have to prevent more tragedies like what occurred. So id ask unanimous con support for this legislation and i yield back the balance of my time unanimous support for this legislation and i yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from new jersey yields. The gentleman from florida is recognized. Mr. Bilirakis thank you, mr. Speaker. Again, i urge a yes vote. I want to thank my colleagues, representative castor from the state of florida and of course mr. Balderson from the state of ohio, for sponsoring the bill and i urge passage. I yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from florida yields. The question now is, will the house suspend the rules and pass the bill, h. R. 6132. Those in favor say aye. Those opposed, no. In the opinion of the chair, 2 3 of those voting having responded in the affirmative, the rules are suspended, the bill is passed and, without objection, the motion to reconsider is laid on the table. For what purpose does the gentleman from florida seek recognition . Mr. Bilirakis mr. Speaker, i move that the house suspend the rules and pass the bill, h. R. 3950, as amended. The speaker pro tempore the clerk will report the title of the bill. The clerk Union Calendar number 412. H. R. 3950. A bill to require sellers of events tickets to disclose comprehensive information to consumers about ticket prices and related fees and for other purposes. The speaker pro tempore pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from florida, mr. Bilirakis, and the gentleman from new jersey, mr. Pallone, each will control 20 minutes. The chair recognizes the gentleman from florida. Mr. Bilirakis thank you, mr. Speaker. I ask unanimous consent that all members have five legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and insert extraneous materials in the record on this particular bill. The speaker pro tempore without objection. Mr. Bilirakis thank you, mr. Speaker. I yield myself as much time as i may consume. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Bilirakis thank you, mr. Speaker. Today im honored to speak in support of my bipartisan bill, h. R. 3950, the transparency in charges for key events ticketing act, or the ticket act. I want to thank my bipartisan colead on this particular piece of legislation, the Ranking Member of the subcommittee, ms. Jan schakowsky from the great state of illinois. We have had true collaboration and partnership on this initiative and im grateful that we are able to move this Bipartisan Initiative forward. I want to thank the staff too on both sides. They did an incredible job on this particular piece of legislation. And it really is needed. H. R. 3950 addresses Price Transparency in the live event ticketing marketplace, which has long been plagued by hidden and confusing fees tacked on at the end of the checkout process. It would require ticket issuers, including issuers on the secondary market, for live events to clearly and conspicuously disclose at the beginning of the transaction and throughout the ticket purchasing process the total ticket price for the event. Its as simple as that. Its not a lot to ask for. And an itemized list of the base ticket price and each Fee Associated with the total price. Further, this upfront pricing requirement includes the total ticket price and any advertisements or other marketing activities. The ticket act also incorporates h. R. 6568, the speculative ticketing oversight and prohibition act, or the stop act, led by representatives armstrong and blunt rochester. This will hold bad actors countiable for ripping off accountable for ripping off and frauding consumers through the sale of fake tickets that they do not possess, referring to speculative tickets. It also prevents bad actors from using deceptive ticketing websites or fake u. R. L. s. No fan should be caught left with nowhere to turn when theyve been sold a fake ticket that they thought they had purchased from a website selling tickets. Only to find out that the website is a scam and the ticket that that the ticket does not exist at all. This bill also provides fans with refunds if the event is canceled or postponed and requires the f. T. C. To study the enforcement bolts act and hurdles that Law Enforcement may have to go after bad actors who use fake ticket purchasing vaults that are already illegal. It is important that the house pass this particular legislation and i hope the senate will approve this without delay. As this bill will have an Immediate Impact to provide market transparency and enhance the event ticketing experience for consumers. As americans look to attend summer outings, this will provide an enforcement mechanism for fake and deceptive websites claiming to be selling legitimate event tickets. I thank all the stakeholders for working with us, for their input on this initiative and i know we have struck a key balance between both sides thanks both sides, thanks to the staff as well, from both sides of the aisle to protect consumers and ultimately pass the most consequential ticketing reform in years. We got to get it through the senate as well. So, i encourage all of my colleagues to pass this particular piece of legislation on behalf of your constituents. You know, you go you buy a birthday present for a child and you think youve budgeted enough money for that, whether its a baseball game, Football Game or any type of a concert, what have you. And then low and behold lo and behold youre surprised that you dont have the funds because of these overcharges or whatever you want to call them. Hidden fees is what they are. So lets pass this bill and make sure that our families have the opportunity to take their children or take their spouses, what have you, their friends, to these particular really these events, these wonderful events that take place in our country. So, ill reserve the balance of my time and then i know that the gentleman has speakers as well. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from florida reserves. The gentleman from new jersey is recognized. Mr. Pallone thank you, mr. Speaker. I yield myself such time as i may consume. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Pallone mr. Speaker, i rise to speak in support of h. R. 39 r50, the ticket act 3950, the ticket act, and i want to start by applauding innovation, data and commerce subcommittee chair bilirakis and schakowsky for all their hard work, producing a bipartisan ticketing bill with strong protections for consumers. But i also want to commend my friend and colleague from new jersey, representative pascrell, for his tireless efforts and leadership on improving the ticketing experience for consumers. This is something that has been very important in our state of new jersey, and for years representative pascrell has fought to ensure that those who want to enjoy their Favorite Sports Team or see their favorite artist can do so without breaking the bank. Representative pascrell has been a staunch advocate to ensure fairness and transparency in the ticketing marketplace and im proud to have partnered with him in his efforts and those efforts are directly reflected in the bipartisan bill we have before us today. H. R. 3950, the ticket act, incorporates many of the proposals that representative pascrell and i have called for over the last several years. This bill mandates all inpricing disclosure, bans speculative ticketing, requires refunds for cancellations or postponements, and prohibits deceptively named ticketing websites. That means consumers wont be hit with additional fees when they go to checkout. They will also know that the ticket they are purchase something from a reputable website and in the sellers actual possession. Im pleased we were able to come to a strong bipartisan c consens so we can help consumers who just want to go see their favorite artist perform. While i believe theres more that can be done to address anticonsumer practices in the ticketing space, this bill goes a long way in improving the ticketbuying and event experience for all fans. I strongly urge all of my colleagues to support this bill and with that i reserve the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman reserves. Mr. Bilirakis ill reserve. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from florida reserves. Mr. Pallone madam speaker, now i would like to yield to the subcommittee chair and the democratic lead on this bill, the gentlewoman from chicago, ms. Schakowsky. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman is recognized. Ms. Schakowsky thank you. I rise in strong support 3950. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman will suspend. For how much time is yielded to the gentlewoman . Mr. Pallone im sorry. I yield to the gentlewoman as much time as she may consume. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman is yielded as much time as she may consume. Ms. Schakowsky thank you. I rise in strong support of this legislation, 3950, the ticket act. And as my colleague and the chair of the subcommittee, mr. Bilirakis, has said, we worked for months to finally get to this legislation being here today and im so excited about it and in addition to the chair and the Ranking Member, i also want to say to congressman bilirakis to congressman pascrell, that weve been hearing about this issue for a very long time and appreciate you pushing it for as long as you did and here we finally are. Totally bipartisan, this bill passed unanimously out of the energy and Commerce Committee. But it took some work for us to finally get here and i am very, very happy that we have. It really has three separate parts. One is we make sure that the price you think youre going to pay when you first go online or you see an advertisement is the price you will pay. Right now many, many consumers have found they think they know the price, they go online, they finally finish, at the end of the contract that they want to sign, and they find that it could be 10, 20, 30 10 , 20 , 30 , 40 more than they thought it was going to be. And then its a decision moment. Are you going to be able to go to that venue . Are you going to be able to go to that concert . Are you going to be able to go to that ballpark, to that game . And can you really afford it . Your children are begging to be able to go to that concert and yet its far more than you thought it was going to be. So this legislation will finally put an end to those hidden prices and the price you pay is the price the price you see is the price that you will pay. Number two, refunds. How many times have people gotten tickets to go and find out that the concert has or the event has actually been canceled . Now they will have to be compensated fully if that happens. And third, the scammers. There are websites that are fake. That are hooking in people to buy them and now under this legislation, the federal trade commission will go strongly after them. And so, you know, this is not necessarily one of these pieces of legislation that saves your life as we have heard today. From the energy and Commerce Committee. But it is one of the great aggravations that lots of families face when they want to have that special day. And so i am very happy, not only for consumers, but also for artists and also for the venues that are going to benefit from this legislation. And i certainly urge all of my colleagues to vote yes on this important legislation and also once again to thank the bipartisan effort, all the players who were involved in getting this passed. With that, i yield back my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman yields. The gentleman from new jersey. Mr. Pallone ei reserve. The speaker pro tempore mr. Bilirakis i reserve. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman reserves, the gentleman from florida reserve, the gentleman from new jersey. Mr. Pallone i yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from new jersey, mr. Pascrell. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from new jersey is recognized. Mr. Pascrell thank you, mr. Pallone. Mr. Chairman. That is here. Mr. Speaker, madam speaker, a fan shouldnt have to sell a kidney or mortgage a house to see their favorite performer. Thats what its come to. Thats what its come to. Of course i remain committed to the boss act and the swift act, just take a little longer. Sometimes were slow learners. Im catching up. The most comprehensive and consumerfriendly ticket reform bill. This is a big deal. This is a very big deal. Because youve introduced, you and the Ranking Member, youve introduced a lot of bills that protect consumers today. First of all, its rare that its bipartisan. Second of all, youre going to be really helping the consumer. Because thats who we serve. They pay our salaries. Everybody is a consumer. You want to go to a concert, you want to send your family to a concert, you need a trainload of money. Because people want to act like gangsters. They should go into the movies. So, i want to thank mr. Pallone who has been a tireless supporter of consumers on our quest to fix the ticket market for years. Of course our solution is a little different. The ultimate solution is to break up ticket master. They should have never been allowed, under a democratic administration, to join together. And im a democrat and im saying that to you, mr. Chairman. Six years ago, mr. Pallone and i called on the federal trade commission to do more to protect consumers. In response, the f. T. C. Organized the workshop online event tickets to review the many challenges faced by ticketbuying fans. It is a menagerie. It was at that workshop that every single ticket seller agreed to the concept of an allin Ticket Pricing law. Allin Ticket Pricing is a policy ive been fighting for since 2009. And it will make a real difference, i believe, in peoples lives this. Change will take some of the mystery and the frustration out of concert sales. And also allow americans to make real price comparisons. That is big. What we are doing is setting up a system, have set up, allowed it to be set up this only those affluent enough to make those concerts, i mean, music, plays, ballgames, theyre for everybody. They should be accessible. Todays measure includes other items we have been seeking for years. Speculative tickets posted by sellers have led to countless Horror Stories for fan across america. In factoring i first understood this problem best when i started to get letters from canada about this situation in 2008 and 2009. So. The committee added two items if the boss act helping consumers get their refunds and ensuring fans are not duped by shady websites. And there are enough of them. Theyre out there. You cant believe it when you read it. They dont know what theyre paying for the ticket whence they finally get stopped. They dont know what the fees are. The ticket market is like the wild west. Mammoth, opaque, speculative, and brutally unfair. Theyre all in on it. Whether youre talking about the stars, whether youre talking about the actual sellers, they want to control everything, mr. Chairman. They want to control the venues. The beer and the peanuts you name it. The whole situation. And that is why ticket master controls at least 80 of the market. 80 . If thats not a monopoly, what is . Listen, ill listen to you, while we need to do much more, todays bill starts to lay down the law to achieve real change for americans. Thank you, mr. Chairman. Thank you, frank. Were doing it jersey style. Theyll catch up with us. Thank you very much. Thank you, madam speaker. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from new jersey yields. The gentleman from new jersey reserves. The gentleman from florida. Mr. Bilirakis i continue to reserve. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from new jersey. Mr. Pallone thank you, madam speaker. I will close by just saying this is a piece of legislation that many of us have been working on for some time so im pleased to see its finally seeing the light of day. I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support it. With that, i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields. The gentleman from florida. Mr. Bilirakis madam speaker, im just proud that i played such played a small role in passing this legislation. Obviously im the sponsor. But we had mr. Pascrell from new jersey, every time i went around to the democratic side to talk about p particular bill he would grab me and tell me, tuck to me about the boss act. And you actually saying you made a good bill better we appreciate you so very much. Again, without the chairperson, Cathy Mcmorris rodgers and the Ranking Member, and the ronging Ranking Member of the subcommittee, my partner, ms. Schakowsky this would never have gotten done. So our constituents will benefit from this. Our constituents will benefit from this. And you know, that is great example of how congress should intervene. And put again, folks we pass it out of the house. Weve got to lobby the senate to get this done as soon as possible. So i want to thank the staff. We couldnt do it without the staff. Thats for sure. On both sides of the aisle. Working out the details. But energy and commerce is famous for working together and protoirkt consumers. So with that, i urge passage of this particular bill and i yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from florida yields back. The question is, will the house suspend the rules and pass the bill h. R. 3950 as amended. Those in favor say aye. Those opposed, no. In the opinion of the chair mr. Bilirakis madam speaker, i ask for the yeas and nays. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentleman from florida seek recognition . Mr. Bilirakis i ask for the yeas and nays. The speaker pro tempore the yeas and nays are requested. Those in favor of taking the vote by the yeas and nays will rise and remain standing until counted. A sufficient number having risen, the yeas and nays are ordered. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule 20, further proceedings on this question will be postponed. For what purpose does the gentleman from texas seek recognition . I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill s. 546. The speaker pro tempore the clerk will report the title of the bill. The clerk senate 546, an act to amend the omnibus crime control and safe streets act of 1958 to authorize Law Enforcement agencies to use cop granted for activities and for other purposes. The speaker pro tempore pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from texas, mr. Hunt, and the gentleman from maryland, mr. Ivey, each will control 20 minutes. The chair recognizes the gentleman from texas, mr. Hunt. Mr. Hunt i ask unanimous consent that all members have five legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to insert extraneous material on s. 546. The speaker pro tempore without objection. Mr. Hunt i yield myself such time as i may consume. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Hunt thank you, madam speaker. We are pleased to have the recruit and retain act before the house today. The recruit and retain act is about helping our men and women in blue. This legislation passed the senate by unanimous consent and i am proud to sponsor and lead this bill in the house along with my fellow Committee Member across the aisle, representative glenn ivey. Our Police Departments are struggling with crisislevel recruiting shortages. Here in washington, for example, the metropolitan Police Department has the lowest number of officers it has had in the past 50 years. Another example, since 2019, Chicago Force has lost 3,300 officers, as of october, 2022, and has only replaced about half of those departures. Some small towns that dont have as many resources are even having to shutter their Police Departments entirely. We cannot stand by and let this continue to happen across our country and this is why we need recruit and retain act. Currently, the d. O. J. Provides grants to state and local and tribal governments to hire Law Enforcement officers you should the cops hiring act. The recruit and retain act would leverage the Cops Hiring Program to ensure its responsive to the latest hiring challenges Law Enforcement agecis are experiencing nationwide this. Bill would reduce the cost of onboarding new officers, specifically costs associated with background checks, psychological evaluations and other testing. It would alleviate administrative burdens an ensure grants are accessible to all Law Enforcement agencies and it will create new opportunities for Law Enforcement to build trust and interest in Law Enforcement careers with local youth. Lastly, the bill will require research into the latest data and uncover new insight into new enforcement recruitment and Retention Trends across the country. This bill does not authorize new funds or create new Grant Programs and it only allows existing cops grants to be used for cry out recruiting and retaining Police Officers. Im proud to say this bill has been endorsed by the federal Law Enforcement officers association. The fraternal order of police. Mayor of cities chief association. Mayor and county sheriffs of america, National Association of Police Associations and National Police association and others. When our Police Departments are wellfunded and maintained, our communities are safer. Americans are safer. Lets support our cops, lets help attract the best and brightest to the. Mr. Ezell it is important in the environment that we live and work with every single day. I urge my colleagues to support the recruit and retain act and i reserve. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman reserves. The gentleman from maryland. Mr. Ivey thank you, madam speaker, and i yield myself such time as i may consume. I rise in support of s. 546 the recruit and retain act. The bill that im coleading with representative hunt passed last week. It addresses two key goals that are essential to police week, recruiting young people who want to be Law Enforcement officers and relieving the financial burden of recruiting and retaining Law Enforcement officers by assisting with the costs of the recruitment and application processes. The recruit and retain act is supported by National Sheriffs association, major cities chiefs association, federal Law Enforcement officers association, National Association of police organizations, major county sheriffs of america and several other organizations. Recruiting and retaining Law Enforcement officials is of utmost importance. To attract the most compassion nature dedicated men and women is vital to the health and wellbeing of our nation. Keeping our residents safe and promoting this will lead to safer streets. We must incentivize hiring and to wise use most up to date Law Enforcement techniques. Law enforcement agencies nationwide have been facing a challenge in their efforts to maintain an appropriately staffed police force. Due to changing in demographics and retirements, the 2021 survey revealed that 5 decrease in the overal hiring rate and 18 in resignations and 45 increase in retirements from responding agencies. The recruit and retain act would establish a new model for future Law Enforcement officers who want to join Law Enforcement agencies for the right reasons. Law enforcement officers who are dedicated to the highest premises of policing may reduce attrition and resignations. Through the bills Pipeline Partnership program, students will benefit about the rule of law, the value of law in society and centrality of Law Enforcement and the judicial system including the role that Law Enforcement officers play in maintaining these values within our society. With the ageappropriate and importance coming from Law Enforcement officers and teachers, some students may join Law Enforcement while others may pursue careers in lawyers or other areas of the government. Introduction to Law Enforcement through such schools would be similar to the Junior Program for older students who may become interested in Law Enforcement careers without a contractual commitment and may increase the pipeline for desirable reasons. The Pipeline Partnership program would be deployed in a small number of jurisdictions similar to a Pilot Program and its positive outcomes could encourage other jurisdictions to replicate it. It will reduce the administrative costs of recruiting and retaining officers by assisting with application fees such as those for background checks and psychological testing. Funds would defray rehiring officers taking the burden off strained Law Enforcement agencies. Our bill directs the Government Accountability office to better understand the factors of recruitment and Law Enforcement agencies. This study will recommend practices that reduce barriers. Importantly, the g. A. O. Study will address factors experienced by Law Enforcement agencies nationwide in communities of all sizes including those in rural areas which in some context receive less attention when Law Enforcement policies are evaluated and developed. Rather than allocate additional funds, the recruit and retain act will receive cops grants to utilize funds for the purposes outlined in the bill with some limits and restrichs. The bill includes an annual list of 3 million funds to connect students with Law Enforcement agencies through the Pipeline Partnership program. This is a very modest sum, it is sufficient for the cry eying of this program and limited number of states and municipalities to test this concept. By implementing these projects, the recruit and retain act will help states make informed decisions about adopting the program and Law Enforcement recruitment procedures. I want to thank congressman hunt for his leadership on this legislation and for these reasons i support s. 546 and i urge my colleagues to support this important bill as well. I reserve the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman reserves the balance of his time. The gentleman from texas, mr. Hunt. Mr. Hunt no further speakers. I reserve. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman reserves the balance of his time. The gentleman from maryland is recognized. Mr. Ivey i reserve and am prepared to close. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from maryland is recognized. Mr. Ivey thank you, madam speaker. Madam speaker, the recruit and retain act initiatives will serve as a project for localities are large and small, urban and small. Law enforcement agencies will benefit from each otherser experience. And i urge my colleagues to join me in supporting s. 546 the recruit and retain act. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back the balance of his time the gentleman from texas. Mr. Hunt i yield the remainder of my time. The speaker pro tempore the question is will the house suspend the rules and pass senate 546. Those in favor, say aye. Those opposed, no. In the opinion of the chair, 2 3 being in the affirmative for what purpose does the gentleman from texas seek recognition . The yeas and nays are requested. Those in favor of taking this vote will rise and remain standing until counted. A sufficient number having arisen, yeas and nays are ordered pursuant to clause 8 of rule 20, further proceedings on this question will be postponed. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentleman from ohio seek reek nice . Mr. Jordan i move to suspend the rules and pass house concurrent resolution 106. The speaker pro tempore the clerk will report the title of the concurrent resolution. The clerk concurrent resolution expressing support for local Law Enforcement officers and condemning efforts to defund local Law Enforcement agencies. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from ohio, mr. Jordan and the gentleman from maryland, mr. Ivey, each will control 20 minutes. The chair recognizees the gentleman from ohio. Mr. Jordan i ask unanimous consent that members may include extraneous material on house concurrent resolution 106. The speaker pro tempore without objection. Mr. Jordan i yield to the sponsor of the legislation, a member from the great state of mississippi, mr. Ezell. Mr. Ezell my resolution expressing our support for the men and women in Law Enforcement. They work tirelessly to protect and serve putting their lives on the line to uphold the rule of law as a former sheriff and 42year Law Enforcement officer, i see what they go through. I know the toll by sleepless nights and time away from families and console victims from honoredous crimes. I have seen things most americans will thankfully never have to experience. Our Law Enforcement officers are trained to run towards danger to fight crime and protect the innocent. Far too often, they dont make it back. Mississippi has not been spared for from these tragedies. Bay st. Loose two officers were shot and killed while conducting a welfare check on a woman and a child sitting in a vehicle. Last june, randy tyler was shot and killed responding to a hostage and this january a sheriffs deputy was shot and killed on a traffic stop. These men who made the sacrifice represent the best of our state and nation. Fallen heroes are being honored during National Police week. There is no better time for us to pass this resolution and make it clear we stand with Law Enforcement this week while thousands of local Law Enforcement officers and their families are gathering in our nations capital. My resolution does just dha. It expresses gratitude are the importance of a healthy lip tweb Law Enforcement and the communities they protect. It condemns attempts to undermine that relationship through rhetoric about defunding and abolishing the police. These narratives demonize and encourage hostility towards Law Enforcement. They will put both officers and the general public at risk. We have seen targeted ambush style attacks on Law Enforcement officers including one as recently as sunday. Agencies across the country are struggling to hire and keep talented officers as they villify for deciding to serve their communities. At the same time, we are seeing increases in crime in cities like washington, d. C. , and americas fear of crime is at its highest level. Its time for this body to lead and time to make it clear we stand with our Law Enforcement against lawlessness and time for a majority bipartisan we will not abolish the police. Join me in voting for this resolution and with that, i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from mississippi yields. The gentleman from ohio reserves. The gentleman from maryland. Mr. Ivey i yield myself such time as i may umh consume. As a former prosecutor who handled cases in federal and state courts, i worked closely with many Law Enforcement officers on a daytoday basis developing strong relationships with officers who put their lives on the line. My record in relationship with officers is part of the reasons i have been endorsed by the fraternal order of police every time i have run for office. And that is why in part i regret to rise in opposition to h. Con. Res. Are 106. National police week has been recognized as a solemn occasion, a time when members come together in a bipartisan fashion to recognize and honor the men and women of Law Enforcement to put their lives on the line every day to protect our communities. Instead of that, some of my colleagues have moved forward with frankly political rhetoric in this will resolution to satisfy partisan purposes. This resolution amounts to a slap in the face of many federal Law Enforcement officers who serve and protect us as well. Among this resolution if flaws, it ignores federal Law Enforcement officers who fight crime and working with local Law Enforcement officers who who we are discussing here today. Many of them enforce against human and Drug Trafficking and rise in fentanyl and massive rise of firearms and ghost guns which we endanger all of us. And this is just plain wrong. I made this objection in the committee when we were having a hearing on a related bill a few weeks ago and shouldnt come as a surprise to my colleagues. In recent years, republicans have blamed the rising level of crime on democrats and labeling democrats as the party to defund the police. Yet, one colleague of ours, a republican colleague introduced h. R. 374 abolish the a. T. F. Act that would deal away with the bureau of alcohol and tobacco and firearms. He offered to abolish the f. B. I. , a. T. F. And d. O. J. If they dont come to heal. Another one called for another s called for defunding the f. B. I. An other republican colleagues have made calls to defund federal Law Enforcement, even though i think all of us recognize how critical they are to protecting the United States and handling matters in conjunction with local Law Enforcement authorities or in some instances where local Law Enforcement authorities dont have the jurisdiction to handle the matter. H. Con. Res. 106 endeavors to continue those efforts, unfortunately, repeating the verbatim attacks we heard on federal Law Enforcement and the dernlings sentiments that were asserted in a different context in h. Con. Res. 40 last year when the democrats offered legislation for National Police week. That resolution claimed this resolution claims that the defund the Police Movement vilifies and demonizes local Law Enforcement, putting them at greater risk of dame while ignoring the republicans own efforts to defund Law Enforcement, whether by opposing Grant Funding that sometimes supports state and local agencies or by calling to abolish federal agencies as i mentioned a moment ago. We should be reminded that the through the American Rescue plan, democrats have provided the largest federal investment in Public Safety in the nations history. 350 billion has aloud cities across the country to keep Law Enforcement officer on the beat and communities safer from violence. Police departments have used this funding to establish training facilities, hire more officers, and raise salaries. Rather than playing at partisanship like we are today, in the 117th congress, House Democrats passed priority policing bills that extended death benefits to Law Enforcement officers with ptsd, provided funding to Law Enforcement and other First Responders to improve interactions with civilians, authorized 300 million in grants for Law Enforcement agencies with fewer than 125 officers, made significant investments in deescalation train, and provided 100 million per area in grants to solve cold case violent crimes, all over republican objections. More disappointingly this resolution before us today continue the republican record of devaluing the lives and contributions of the 137,000 federal agents an officers serving in the 50 states and the district of columbia, including the Capitol Police who we all should recall protect us here on a daily basis. Although h. Con. Res. 106 does not demonize specific democratic members or socalled leftist act vies who support efforts to defund or reallocate funning for Law Enforcement agencies as h. Con. Res. 40 did last year this resolution is similarly a missed opportunity to truly support Law Enforcement officers across the country and is designed once again to falsely paint democrats as opponents to have Law Enforcement. For these reasons, i a pose h. Con. Res. 106 and urge my colleagues to do the same. Lets restore the dignity of police week by advancing truly bipartisan acclamations and support for Law Enforcement efforts. Thank you and i reserve the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman reserves. The gentleman from ohio. Mr. Jordan we reserve and are prepared to close. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from ohio reserve, the gentleman from maryland. Mr. Ivey im prepared to close. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Ivey madam speaker, in 2002, president george w. Bush proclaimed that Police Officers memorial day and police week pay tribute to the local, state and federal Law Enforcement officers who serve and protect us with courage and dedication. Since its inception, National Police week has been meant to bring members of congress together, no matter their political affiliation, to acknowledge the contributions of Law Enforcement, all Law Enforcement professionals, and honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice while in the line of duty. Whether state, local, tribal or federal, were grateful for the service of all officers, agents and support staff who worked tirelessly to protect us and keep us safe. We should be able to make that clear today. With that, madam speaker, i yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields. The gentleman from ohio is recognized. Mr. Jordan thank you, madam speaker. A little over a year ago, governor sarah huckeby sanders give gave the response to President Bidens state of the union address. I thought she did a wonderful job but the line that stuck out to me was in the considers of her remarks she said, the divide in America Today is normal versus crazy. You can start thinking about the crazy policies advocated by the radical left. Its crazy not to have a border. It is crazy to think noncitizens should be able to vote in our federal elections. Its crazy to think boys should compete against girls in sports. Its crazy in my mind to let a chinese spy balloon fly clear across the country and then shoot it down. Most people i represent would have shot it down before it went across the country. And it is crazy to defund the police. Americans understand that instinctively. And yet that is something that the left has advocated now for, what . Five years . We should thank the numerous Law Enforcement officers who have come to washington, d. C. For police week and all those across our great country. Every day, Police Officers put their lives on the lynde to on the line to safeguard our families and communities. The lefts defund the Police Movement cons to cause detrimental effects across our nation with attacks against Police Officers increasing and becoming more brazen. Weve all seen it. Its on the streets of new york city. Weve all seen it happen. The harmful rhetoric that is demonized demoralized our Police Officers and directly impacted their ability to maintain Public Safety. Law enforcement agencies across the country are facing challenges in recruiting and retaining qualified Law Enforcement officers. I support the bill we just passed. The gentleman from maryland was right on that one. This resolution is exactly whats needed. Congress must declare that we oppose the defund the police rhetoric. House concurrent resolution 106 seeks to correct these false and harmful narrative by explicitly condemning efforts to undermine Law Enforcement agency. This resolution acknowledges and expresses the gratitude of congress for the dedication and commitment shown by the men and women of Law Enforcement. Law enforcement officers serve and make sacrifices every single day for the good of our communities. This resolution is rooted in common sense. Common sense. Normal policy. I believe we can all agree that the defund the Police Movement was a disdprais and our Police Officers deserve better. So lets all Work Together, take a stand against cutting our Police Department funding, and calling for not abolishing the police but actually funding our Law Enforcement officers again in our municipal tirks our county, all over our country. I urge my colleagues to support the resolution and i yield back the balance of our time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields. The question is will the house sprools and agree to house econcurrent resolution 106. Those in favor say aye. Those opposed, no. In the opinion of the chair 2 3 being in the affirmative, the rules are suspended, the concurrentres. Solution agreed to and without objection the motion to reconsider is laid on the table. For what purpose does the gentleman from missouri seek recognition . I move to suspend the rules and concur in Senate Amendment to h. R. 3935. The speaker pro tempore the clerk will report the title of the bill. The clerk h. R. 3935, an act to amend title 49 United States code to reauthorize and improve the federal Aviation Administration and other Civil Aviation programs and for other purposes. Senate amendment. The speaker pro tempore pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from missouri, mr. Graves, and the gentleman from washington, mr. Larson, each will control 20 minutes. The chair recognizes the gentleman from missouri. Mr. Graves thank you, madam speaker. I ask unanimous consent that members have five legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and insert extraneous material into the record on Senate Amendment to h. R. 3935. The speaker pro tempore without objection. Mr. Graves thank you, madam speaker. I yield myself such time as i may consume. The speaker the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Graves i rise today in strong support of passing and concurring with the Senate Amendment to h. R. 3935, the f. A. A. Reauthorization act of 2024. This bill is a bipartisan, bicameral comprehensive agreement to reauthorize the federal Aviation Administration, our nations aviation safety and infrastructure programs through fiscal year 2028. I want to thank Transportation Infrastructure Committee Ranking Member rick larson, Senate Committee science and transportation chair maria cantwell, and Ranking Member ted cruz for their partnership in crafting a strong final agreement. I would also like to thank the house aviation subCommittee Chairman garrett graves, Ranking Member steve cohen, Senate Aviation subcommittee chair duckworth and Ranking Member moran for their supporting in getting this across the finish line. For over a century, the United States has led the world in aviation safety and administration. Unfortunately, our Gold Standard status is being threatened by competition, changes in technology, and influences at the f. A. A. Due to process failures and inadequate practices. H. R. 3935 is critical to ensuring america remaining the Global Leader in aviation, and it is vital to our economiering and to millions of american job, and to the millions of passengers that depend on our National Aviation system, air space system, every single day. H. R. 3935 also provides the longterm certainty necessary to ensure the safety and prosperity of american Aviation Industry for decades to come. This bill makes reasonable organizational reforms at the agency, it provides muchneeded agility while simultaneously providing safety each step of the way. The f. A. A. Is too slow in everything it does, from rule making to aircraft registrations and from certification, simple paperwork. This bill ensures robust investments in infrastructure for airports of all sizes, especially with special emphasis place odd then thousands of smaller and general aviation airports that make up the bulk of our nations airport system. Further its a personal point of pride with me that this bill includes the very first ever general aviation title in the f. A. A. Reauthorization bill. Ive been saying this for year. G. A. A. Is the foundation of our aviation, our Civil Aviation system and its where many of our pilots, our mechanic, and other hardworking aviation professionals began their careers. Its also responsible for helping meet the Critical Community needs and thousands of cities and towns all across america. This bill recognizes the importance of g. A. A. And protects the freedom to fly for every american. As previously mentioned, the shortages across the Aerospace Work force are a growing risk to the future of american aviation. H. R. 3935 addresses work force challenges head on by removing barriers for individuals and veterans interested in pursuing careers in aviation such as through improving aviation Work Force Development programs. Bottom line, our bill encourages the growth of our aviation work force through targeted and meaningful reforms. Whats, many h. R. 3935 maintains American Leadership when it comes to development and integration of new and emerging technologies in the air space, such as drones and advanced air mobility, or a. A. M. Specifically this bill requires the f. A. A. To move beyond endless testling of Pilot Programs that go nowhere and move toward integrating innovations such as drones and a. A. M. Into the National Air Space system. As air travel recovers from the covid pandemic, renewed growth in air travel has come with some difficulties for the traveling public. Our bipartisan bill includes an entire title dedicated to improving issues each of our offices hear about from constituents almost daily. The flying experience for the traveling pick including individuals with disabilities, and finally and most importantly, this bill recognizes while our Aviation System is safe, we have to continue raising the bar for safety. The bill is centered around a strong aviation safety title and makes many important reforms that address the close calls and near misses that have unnerved many of us over the past several years. I have every confidence that the provisions we enact here today will make aviation safer, thus ensuring that america continues to be that worlds Gold Standard in aviation safety. One of the most important safety features of this bill is the title for a fiveyear reauthorization of the National Transportation safety board, ntsb. Independent federal agency that investigates all Civil Aviation and other transportation accidents. I believe f. A. A. Reauthorization act of 2024 is one though farthest reach, most consequential pieces of legislation the house will consider in the 118th congress. I want to take a moment to point out, the first will help protect general aviation airports from closure. Airports are a valuable Community Resource and our vast National Aviation airports are part of what has brought about American Leadership in aviation. Many of these airports are also grant obligated. Meaning that they made assurances to the federal government that they will operate and develop the airport to its fullest potential. Too many places, local neglect or hostility threaten the viability of many of these small airports and the communitys commitment to these obligations, this is vital to our National Interests and our bill includes that will prohibit them from waiving grant obligations if they find it would result in its closure. This bill contains a legislative waiver of grant obligations for banning airports in california, this should not be viewed as a unique as anything other than a unique exception to the hard and fast rule that congress is enforcing in this bill. Moving forward, it will take legislative action to pursue closing an airport and getting a waiver on those grant assurancees one other provision i want to point out. Airline refunds. I am concerned that the new department of transportation rule is going to have unintended including increased prices when all the passenger wants is to be rebooked on the next flight home. Now that the senate has amended the refund provision to align with the d. O. T. Rule it adhere to its sixmonth implementation rule. It should not short circuit the implementation period which is necessary to adopt news systems to adopt regulatory compliance. I look forward to work with them in implementing the important sections in this bill. So to finish, this bill has the support of more than a thousand aviation organizations and companies addressing thousands of members and stakeholder issues and requests that rewe receive. This bill is vital to americas Airport Infrastructure and economy to the future of American Leadership and honor to stand here and urge all of the members in the house to support this transformational bill. With that, i would reserve the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from missouri reserves. The gentleman from washington is recognized. Mr. Larsen i rise in support of Senate Amendment to h. R. 3935. A bipartisan bicameral effort done in good faith to create a safer, greener, more innovative and more accessible Aviation System. After reviewing member priorities holding Six Committee hearings and engaging in months of negotiation with the senate, we have reached a pivotal milestone the final passage of the f. A. A. Reauthorization act of 2024. I am proud to support this to ensure that american aviation continues to be a powerful economic innovation and supports local communities across the country. Before i get into the details i provide the, 4 billion, that is how much we boost the annual airport improvement program. And at least 150 million for Airport Noise and environmentally sustainable projects. 60 million, the new robust annual funding for Work Force Development grants to grow the next generation of a aviation workers and pilots and 12 million setaside for the willow brown Education Program to support outreach and Educational Opportunities to underrepresented communities. Zero dollars and how much it will cost families to sit with Young Children on commercial aircraft. 200 million for new annual grants to increase runway safety and resiliency. 350 million to establish groundbreaking Reimbursement Programs to replace pfas foam with safer alternatives and 20 million to launch to fund Capital Projects that improve accessibility. The u. S. Aviation system is the safest in the world. This bill helps presentence runway are ex occurrings at major airports and alert pilots of danger and fatigue on the work force caused by understaffing, this bill requires the f. A. A. To hire controllers and adopt the staffing model to meet the systems evolving needs and at a time of unprecedented, this final bill provides a framework for new entrance to scale safely in our skies. It will issue rulemaking and joint operations and finalized the certification standards and operate rules for power lift advanced mobility. It will help state, local and tribal governments to use drones for Infrastructure Construction and repair so crews can work safely. The 2024 authorization bill has a greener bill. The bill allows u. S. Airports to use funds for alternative fuel infrastructure including for hydrogen and unleaded fuels and mitigates noise on communities like those near payne field in my own district. The reauthorization bill is a jobs bill that will build the economy and diversify our aviation work force to recognize how critical it is. And in addition for Work Force Development grants, this bill directs the f. A. A. And department of defense two collaborate the career transition and establishes a task tr force on the f. A. A. s efforts to support the Mental Health of the aviation work force of the the bill fosters air safer work force and protect they will from assaults and ramp worker call to action to reduce the congestion and blast zone. Moreover after many incidents for passengers in the recent years this sets the passengers back on the right path allowing for safer, accessible and more dig nye filed and makes passengers whole and requirement that they provide tax refunds to passengers and harmonize to the rule to allow the refunds to be automatic and reimburg them for males and hotels. Furthermore this reauthorization breaks down barriers by improving training for Airline Personnel and contractors who assist these passengers with boarding or deplaining an aircraft and handling their devices and allow passengers to travel with approved service animals. The f. A. A. Reauthorization act cements a greener more greener innovation. I thank my colleagues sterve cohen aer ell for their collaboration and the 350 stakeholders representing airlines, airports, disability rights organizations, Health Care Votes so many groups who endorsed and build support since we passed this out of Committee Last july. I stand here to urge my colleagues to support this bipartisan bicameral legislation. And i reserve. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from washington reserves. The gentleman from missouri. Mr. Graves how much time . The speaker pro tempore the gentleman has 11 1 2 minutes remaining. Mr. Graves i yield five minutes to the gentleman from louisiana, also chairman of the aviation subcommittee, mr. Graves. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized mr. Graves thank you, madam speaker. We passed the bill out of the house in july of last year in a strong bipartisan manner of 35169 despite the fact we have been in this challenging and polarizing congress and we came together because of the importance of this legislation of recognizing. Since 2018 the last time we have done an f. A. A. Bill, we have see profound changes. In 2018, there were 100,000 remote drones, remote pilot certificates and today, there are 400,000. In 2018, 38 commercial space launches that were licensed by the f. A. A. This year alone so far in the fishes four months there have been 47. In ground stops in the first time in 20 years, we had a National Ground stop and weeks ago, we had a fall silt incident where there were three of the nations largest airports that had a nation ground stop. So we have seen profound changes in the Aviation Industry over the last six years. This bill brings fundamental solutions into areas like aviation safety that is so critical, ensuring that we have an entire title on innovation looking at advanced mobility and general aviation is appropriate and ensuring we have the work force thats needed, not for yesterdays Aviation Industry but truly for tomorrow. This bill authorizes the f. A. A. That recognizes newer technologies and move faster and more seamlessly and ensure we learn from mistakes and failures and most importantly, mr. Speaker, this bill focuses on the Passenger Experience ensuring that curbtocurb experience is a good unand over the last six years, we have had one new commercial aircraft ser mr. Tiffany indicated by the f. A. A. It is becoming more come and this mr. Williams bring us out of the 20th century ander allow us to lead. The bill offers an opportunity to compete for the Investment Opportunities and new forms of aviation and advances the use of drones and new forms of aviation for activities such as infrastructure inspections. The bill takes each of the challenges facing aviation in the u. S. And provides forwardlooking paths to serve the public today. We take a deep dive into the authorities and processes of the f. A. A. To reorgan streamline them and breaking down the silos that prevent the f. A. A. From utilizing expertise. And First Standalone title and provide certain to the industry prodding the f. A. A. To allow drones to move beyond Research Projects in the scaledup programs. We build upon the nepa forms in the fiscal responsibility act and environmental streamlining reforms in delivering our promise as noted to improve upon the Passenger Experience. Nearly 28 of adults have never stopped foot on a plane. We have to make sure that experience is a positive experience and especially for those young families traveling with kids parking in the parking lots, security, checking and bags getting on planes, getting off planes and this bill focuses on that entire experience. I talked about how we have been dealing with this for nearly a year and the legwork took 18 months before that. There are a number of people who put countless hours into this legislation. I thank the people including hunter, lay man, julie, andrew, will, corey, chris and our own aviation staffer. And democrat staffer, adam, liz, alex and michael, staff directors jeff and kathy and also this couldnt have happened without steve and rick. And mr. Speaker, no one has more expertise in this congress than the aviation guru same graves. This bill is truly transformational. I yield back. Kohn kohn i yield my mr. Cohen i yield myself such time as i may consume. I rise in support of Senate Amendment to h. R. 3935, which reauthorizes the f. A. A. And its related authorities through fiscal year 2028. At long last, after the house passed our bill almost a year ago, the senate caught up with the house. And it passed a bill thursday night. Making critical investments in key policy reforms to the Aviation System to deliver for the American People and the american economy. From air Traffic Controller staffing challenges to the modernization of the f. A. A. s legacy safety and Technology Infrastructure to the integration of new entrance in the u. S. Sky, theres no shortage of problems facing the aviation sector. This f. A. A. Reauthorization bill takes significant steps to addressing these issues and ensuring the u. S. Aviation system remains the safest and most efficient in the world. It will bolster aviation safety, strengthen Consumer Protections and accessibility and make landmark investments in sustainability, enhance and diversify our aviation workforce and advance American Leadership in aerospace. Im pleased that many might have priorities have made it into this bill that many of my priorities have made it into this bill. I worked with senator markey on this on the senate side, airlines will now be required to provide full cash refunds to those situations, if a passenger does not accept alternative compensation. Im also glad to see the inclusion of my proposals that provide transparency in complaints from passengers with disabilities and help passengers who use mobility aid such as wheelchairs. Too many times weve seen wheelchairs tossed like some type of rubber baggage, damaging peoples wheelchairs and they have disabilities and they have trouble leaving even leaving airport. But this will protect those people and have them have access to the skies equal to everybody. This bill additionally directs the f. A. A. To consider reallife conditions in its evacuation standards and initiating rulemaking on seat sizes. Weve worked on rulemaking on seat sizes since shuster was the chair of the committee, my friend and a great chairman, and we got it into the bill but we still havent got the f. A. A. To get a test where they had real situations that were like it is when you fly to see how long it takes to evacuate a plane and to have seat sizes that are safe for the american public. Finally, long overdue requirements for aircraft cockpit voice recorders, to record the most recent 25 hours of audio and for critical flight data to be recoverable without underwater retrieval to be included. This was included in part of the bill that i received from suggestions of the former ntsb chair, jim hall, a great tennessean and a former ntsb chair. Hes been a tireless champion in these requirements and this will provide greater clarity for accident investigations. The challenges facing u. S. Aviation system make it clear that we must pass this longterm comprehensive reauthorization. I want to thank my friends and colleague, chairman graves, sam graves who did a great job in bringing this bill together, bringing everybody together, giving everybody the opportunities to be included and to make sure it was successful. And garrett graves who is a big fan of steve larsons and Ranking Member rick larsen. Our partnership is on this body so we can come together and pass legislation. It is bipartisan, it is bicameral, it is bicoastal, its not bisexual. I support the Senate Amendment to h. R. 3935 and i urge my colleagues to do the same. I yield back the balance of my time. I reserve the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman reserves. The gentleman from missouri is recognized. Can i inquire as to the time on both sides, mr. Speaker . The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from missouri has 6 1 2 minutes. The gentleman from tennessee has 9 1 2 minutes. Mr. Graves thank you, mr. Speaker. At this time id yield one minute to the gentleman from oklahoma, mr. Lucas, who is chairman of the full committee on science and technology. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from oklahoma is recognized for one minute. In mr. Lucas thank you, mr. Speaker. I rise today in support of the senates amendment to this bill. Ive worked with my colleagues for over a year on this bill and im proud of the agreement that weve come to with our Senate Counter parts. I want to give a special thanks to Ranking Member lofgren for working with me throughout this process, the research and Development Title of the bill provides a comprehensive safe framework and integration of emerging tech nothings in the air technologies in air travel. By protecting the houses provisions of this bill, weve ensured this is the most Robust Research and Development Title weve seen in an f. A. A. Bill. This bill includes essential support for the air Traffic Control academy located at the Nautical Center in oklahoma city, the center is named after former oklahoma u. S. Senator mike maroney, who wrote the federal aviation act that created the f. A. A. Senator maroneys legacy is realized every day through the more than 6,000 employees that e sent that are serve the f. A. A. s mission of training, research and operations for the flying public. The air Traffic Control academy in the center is responsible for the first few months of training for all air Traffic Controllers. Centralized training at the academy ensures operating in the National Air Space is seamless, from one end of the country to the other. Im proud to represent and support the interests of this institution which gives us the safest flying in the world. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back. The gentleman reserves. Without objection, the gentleman from washington is recognized to control the time. Thank you very much, mr. Chair. At this point id like to recognize for one minute the representative from georgia, representative johnson. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized for one minute. Mr. Johnson thank you and i rise in support of the 2024 f. A. A. Reauthorization act and i commend Transportation Committee chair sam graves, Ranking Member larsen and subcommittee chair and Ranking Member garrett graves and steve cohen respectively for their hard work and bipartisan effort to get us to this point. One key provision that i championed in this bill promises a more diverse Aviation Industry through the aviation Education Program, named in honor of the first africanamerican woman to receive her pilots license on american soil. This program will provide opportunities for underrepresented individuals to access jobs in the Aviation Industry. And the legislation takes bold steps towards combating aircraft noise, while promoting environmental resilience and sustainability. It will prioritize accountability and accessibility for consumers through provisions ensuring timely departures, fair treatment and compensation. And with 10 new slots at d. C. A. Airport, they will have more connectivity and economic expansion and thats why ill be voting in favor of this legislation. And i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back. The gentleman from washington reservings. The gentleman from missouri is reserves. The gentleman from missouri is recognized. Mr. Graves thank you, mr. Speaker. At this time id yield one minute to the gentleman from utah, mr. Owens. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized for one minute. Mr. Owens thank you, mr. Chair. I rise in support of h. R. 3935, the f. A. A. Reauthorization act of 2024. This legislation seeks to strengthen, protect and modernize the american Aviation Industry, a sector often hund hindered by an agency stuck in the previous century. Since 1966, the federal rules increased costs for americans flying through reagan airport. This bill contains a simple but important fix, it adds five new routes while maintaining all existing flights, whether theyre within or outside of the perimeter. This legislation is designed not just for one airport or airline but for all of us. It gives more convenience and more opportunities to families traveling into washington, d. C. I thank the negotiators of this bill for working with me over the past year to ensure this type of solution could be part of the final package. I urge my colleagues to support this bipartisan and bicameral agreement and to help d. C. A. Fly into the 21st century. Thank you and i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back. The gentleman from missouri reserves. The gentleman from Washington State is recognized. Mr. Larsen thank you, mr. Chair. At this time id like to recognize for one minute the representative from nevada, representative titus. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady is recognized for one minute. Ms. Titus thank you. I rise in support of this f. A. A. Reauthorization bill which will have farreaching impact on air space in nevadas first district, by including provisions that i led requiring the maximum hiring of air Traffic Controllers and protecting large Outdoor Events from unauthorized drone incursions. Furthermore, im proud to say the bill includes provisions from my air carrier access amendments act, previously led by my good friend, former representative jim langevin. It will protect the rights of disabled passengers by establishing aircraft accessibility standards and setting a timeline for d. Ompt t. To d. O. T. To investigate and respond to disabilityrelated complaints. I want to thank chairman sam graves, Ranking Member larsen, and aviation chair garrett graves and Ranking Member cohen for their hard work on this bill and helping me to get these provisions included. Thank you and i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady yields back. The gentleman from washington reserves. The gentleman from missouri is recognized. Mr. Graves thank you, mr. Speaker. At this time i would yield one minute to the gentleman from kansas, mr. Mann. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from kansas is recognized for one minute. Mr. Mann thank you. Mr. Speaker, the economy of the state of kansas has a strong relationship with aviation. My district alone is home to six commercial airports, 39 general aviation airports and five essential air service communities. After a consult, aviation is the second largest impact on my states economy. Over the past year ive advocated for an f. A. A. Reauthorization thats Cost Effective and invests in programs that are crucial to the Aviation Industry in kansas and across the country. Ive advocated to expand section 65 workforce to include manufacturing and engineering and to reform the Current Workforce Development programs to support the longterm growth and diversification of the pilot profession. Most importantly, ive advocated for us to authorize reauthorize an aviation bill that prioritizes safety. In order for the Aviation Industry to thrive, we need an f. A. A. That adopts long overdue policy changes and regulatory requirements. America has been and should continue to be the Gold Standard of aviation. I call on my colleagues to pass the f. A. A. Reauthorization that gives the industry the policies that it needs to continue to thrive. Thank you and i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back. The gentleman from missouri reserves. Mr. Graves i reserve. Can i ask for the time again, both sides. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from missouri has 3 1 2 minutes. And the gentleman mr. Graves i reserve. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from washington has 7 1 2 minutes. And you are recognized. Mr. Larsen thank you, mr. Chair. At this time id like to recognize for one minute the representative from california, representative desaulnier. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from california is recognized for one minute. Mr. Desantis i want to thank mr. Desaulnier i want to thank the gentleman for yielding. I want to thank the leadership of claireman graves and chairman graves and graves and Ranking Member rick cohen. Im very happy that many of the priorities that ive worked for over the last few years made it into this reauthorization, including several provisions made from our safe landings act. Like addressing near misses and expanding airport surface surveillance and safety systems. Im also excited to see the creation of the task force on Human Factors for aviation safety, an effort that ive worked on after a nearmiss of that what could have been the largest aviation disaster in the history of the country at San Francisco international in 2017. We learned a lot from that experience and this piece of legislation helps correct some of the things that almost created that disaster. This task force will help to keep our savation system Aviation System safe by better understanding the ways pilots operate and make decisions and help to improve training and outcomes. I appreciate the Senate Working with us to ensure that important provisions for safety, supporting the workforce and protections for every passenger are included. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from california yields back. The gentleman from washington reservings. The gentleman from missouri is recognized. Mr. Graves thank you, mr. Speaker. At this time id yield one minute to the gentleman from new jersey, mr. Van drew. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from new jersey is recognized for one minute. Mr. Van drew thank you, chairman. I thank our chairman, i thank all the chairs and vice chairs. Todays truly historic. This district, not only in my district, but this establishes the legal establishment of the f. A. A. , William Hughes Technical Center in advanced aerospace. Its a real big deal for south jersey. But its a real big deal for the United States of america. The permanent Technical Center will expand into a new field called advanced aerospace. Thousands of workers and businesses will come into our country, come into our state, and make a real difference. Critically, this law ensures that the Technical Center is locally controlled and protected from reorganization. Congress must ensure that the new law is faithfully executed. I will work with my colleagues to achieve that goal. The future of aviation, even with the problems that we have had, is bright for the Technical Center, bright for the United States and bright for south jersey. I urge swift passage and enactment of this important new law. Thank you. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from new jersey yields back. The gentleman from missouri reserves. The gentleman from washington is recognized. Mr. Larsen thank you, mr. Chair. At this time id like to recognize for one minute the representative from california, representative carbajal. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from california is recognized for one minute. Mr. Carbajal thank you. Mr. Speaker, i rise i express my support for the f. A. A. Reauthorization and i thank you for crafting this bipartisan agreement. We can achieve when we Work Together in good faith to advance the priorities of all our communities of the it will help create a safer and cleaner Aviation System. Additionally, the bill includes many, many of our priorities, providing 4 billion for Airport Infrastructure, tackling pfas to accomplish a Reimbursement Program to repa place firefighting foams and reports from federal agencies and to support the western range ensuring the f. A. A. Can improve realtime of space launches and reentries. I urge my colleagues to vote yes. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back the balance of his time the gentleman from missouri is recognized. Mr. Graves at this time, i yield one minute to the full Committee Chairman of the Resources Committee any way, the gentleman from arkansas, mr. Westerman. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized for one minute. Mr. Westerman i rise in support of h. R. 3935 the f. A. A. Reauthorization act of 2024. I commend sam graves and Ranking Member larsen and their dedication to bipartisan, bicameral has been instrumental. In arkansas 4th Congressional District we have small and mediumsized airfields and we are home to a unique and robust Agricultural Industry and included provisions that specifically address safety and Rural Communities like mandating tower marking rules and improving radio at somewhere mountain airports and improving infrastructure and Work Force Development. The f. A. A. Reauthorization act of 2024 is not just about passenger and pilots but comprehensive legislation that will benefit farmers, health care and i urge my colleagues to vote yes. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back the balance of his time the gentleman from missouri reserves. The gentleman from washington is recognized. Mr. Larsen i recognize the gentlewoman from washington. I in support of the f. A. A. Reauthorization. My state is a proud legacy of birth place of authorization and ensure that it continues to be a ion ear in the industry. This invests billions including in my district, the akron and Kent State University airport. These much needed resources will make our aviation cleaner and greener. I want to highlight the requirements. The Consumer Protections that will help keep costs down and language that i advocated for the Remote Tower Program in ohio thvment will improve air Traffic Control that utilize smaller airports. This legislation is a major victory for americas aviation work force and improves starns on the air and on the ground. I yield back. Gentlem an has 1 1 2. Would it be appropriate if both sides get two extra minutes . The speaker pro tempore sure. Without objection. The gentleman is recognized mr. Graves i yield one minute to the gentleman from texas, mr. Roy. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized for one minute. Mr. Roy i thank my friend from missouri and i rise in support of this legislation. And second largest market without a direct flight to Reagan National airport. It has about 82,000 active duty and 100,000 military and cybersecurity and something that they have been working on for a long time and Important Development and for the reasons that i just articulated and give a deal of thanks. To senator cruz and his leadership in the senate to get these additional five slots which will provide opportunities for other cities that are in the same situation and wont have a Significant Impact because they are having the hop. And im grateful for their support and i will support the bill. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back the balance of his time the gentleman from missouri reserves. The gentlemanfrom Washington State is recognized. Mr. Larsen i yield one minute to the gentlelady from michigan. For months we have been hard at work crafting the f. A. A. Reauthorization act of 2024. I am so excited we are here to pass this critical piece of legislation that includes so many wins for my district back home. This bill is innovative and collaborative and essential. Removing air travel forward. Thank you to the chairman and Ranking Member and all the members who passed this bill out of committee. My district is home to president ford. It is one of the busiest but its growth is being inhibited by a control tower that doesnt have new necessities and been passed over for replacement. My bill directs the f. A. A. To consider older towers at airports in selecting projects and increasing transopinions dwsh the speaker pro tempore 30 seconds. When using which towers need to be updaded. This will help other airports forge a path forward to meet the needs. I thank the chair for working with me and i urge passage of this bill for our airport workers and travelers. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman from missouri is recognized. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman reserves. The gentleman from. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from virginia is recognized. Mr. Beyer i rise in Firm Opposition to h. R. 3935. Im concerned about the provisions that would aggravate dangerous conditions. It would add two new flights. Last month there were a near miss on the busiest runway. All flights are delayed for over an hour. You hear they have serious concerns about safety. The house has already spoken and rejected this. I am we should not a backroom deal between senators to reflect special interests. This would rescore the bill and its painful this is on the bill despite widespread opposition. I could directly harassments our airport. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back the balance of his time the gentleman from washington reserves. The gentleman from no i am ready to close. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from washington is closed. The gentleman from washington has four minutes. Pattern pattern i want to close by saying that are the f. A. A. Reauthorization act of 2024 wouldnt have been possible without the staff here in the house of representatives that has spent more than a year of negotiating a and and you i wont go through titles but brian, adam, alexander, liz, alex on the subcommittee staff. Stanton, ryan, peter, paul, and i also want to republican the avian staff which would not have been done because boightd fer both staffs took the direction and play team house of represent tips and be partisan through this entire process. And on the republican, hunter, lani, julie, andrew, will, more key and christopher. Meg an and and justin and carey goldberg. From the office of legislative council, karen, jordan, robert, and michelle. Your efforts have allowed us to craft a bill that we can be proud of. This bill is a bipartisan bicameral and ensures youness lip in disain built and job create. I urge fer urge the Senate Amendment and urge outline of my colleagues to support it as well. And with that, i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from missouri is recognized. Mr. Graves this is a strong bipartisan and forwardlooking piece of legislation and im not going to go into the so many great things that are lived in this bill. But i serve for 23 years and i look forward tay passing this bill for a long time and this is the bill that a chairman gets to do once and i dot be more provided of the final product ann i thank my partner, miami grateful for that testimony that you and shown and no bows of the legislation especially one that is not as comprehensive is not complines without behind the scenes work. I in evidence it by at would he and hunter and brian. I want to thank and kerry, jake, briana and patrioten and the republican subcommittee, aviation subcommittee, lainy, andrew, julie, and maggie. Lastly, the last thing i want to say is recognize my general company, corey cook. That is more to do with the fact after 5 1 2 she is debating for the senate and watching and waiting on the senate, i cant say her decision to lead the worse fer house is guided in the right election direction. And we have done everything and she works with me on my chair manship and Small Business and very local staffer who will always be consideredded part of team graves. I urge every member to support final passage and i yelled back. The speaker pro tempore corys former boss yields back. Will the house suspend in the rules and those in favor say aye , those opposed, no in the opinion of the chair 2 3 being in the affirmative. The senate aamendment is not aagreed and without objection, the. The gentleman asks for the yins. The yeas and nays are requested rntion those will resize until starting. The rapes are recorded rntionp and further questions on this motion will be postponed. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentleman from missouri seek recognition . Mr. Graves mr. Speaker, i move to suspend the rules and pass h. R. 7659, as amended. The speaker pro tempore the clerk will report the title of the bill. The clerk h. R. 7659, a bill to authorize and amend authority, programs and statutes administered by the coast guard. The speaker pro tempore pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from missouri, mr. Graves, and the gentleman from california, mr. Carbajal, each will control 20 minutes. The chair now recognizes the gentleman from missouri. Mr. Graves thank you, mr. Speaker. I ask unanimous consent that members have five legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and insert extraneous material into the record on the bill. The speaker pro tempore without objection, so ordered. Mr. Graves thank you, mr. Speaker. Id yield myself such time as i may consume. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Graves thank you, mr. Speaker. I rise in support of h. R. 7659, the coast guard reauthorization act of 2024. This bipartisan measure authorizes funding for the coast guard, one of six Armed Services, for the next two fiscal years. The men and women of the coast guard deserve the support of this congress in their efforts to meet the challenges of their evergrowing mission. Those missions are wide ranging and include ensuring the safety of maritime trade, including our vital supply chain, enforcing United States laws at sea, protecting our nations borders, helping counter undue chinese influence in the pacific, helping to develop the United States redefined role in the rapidly changing arctic and countering Human Trafficking and the influx of illust drugs into illicit drugs into this country. This provides the coast guard with the authorities and resources it needs to carry out its mission and i commend Ranking Member larsen, subcommittee chair webster and subcommittee Ranking Member carbajal for working to reach a bipartisan agreement on this bill. With that, mr. Speaker, i would urge support of this legislation and i reserve the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman reserves. The gentleman from california is recognized. Mr. Carbajal thank you, mr. Chair. Mr. Speaker, i rise to yield myself such time as i may consume. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Carbajal i rise in support of the coast guards reauthorization act of 2024. I am proud to have played a part in this development and passage out of committee and i appreciate the bipartisan leadership of chairman sam graves, Ranking Member larsen, and subcommittee chair webster. This legislation is an example of how working together in a bipartisan way can result in good legislation. As one of the six branches of the Armed Services, the u. S. Coast guard protects our National Security and is an essential asset to d. O. D. Missions overseas. Often facilitating diplomatic relations, result from unique authoritiesing, the coast guard authority, the coast guard fosters partnerships with other countries not easily achieved by other branches. This bill will renew and enhance support for Critical Missions of the u. S. Coast guard. Every day coasties work to safeguard our economic interests and ensure the fluidity of the marine transportation system. They maintain our nations waterways for the sake of commerce, human and environmental safety, time after time these brave coasties have demonstrated their resourcefulness, but they need our support. The increased funding in todays bill signals our confidence in the coast guard and begins down the road to providing the resources coasties need to successfully complete their missions. The coast guard is facing a precarious future with an aging fleet, crumbling infrastructure and a recruiting shortfall. In order to grow the service, we must ensure Service Members are safe from harm, trust their leadership and receive the benefits they have earned. That is why h. R. 7659 includes the coast guard protection and accountability act of 2024. Which will hold the coast guard accountable and ensure in the wake of operation and the service to hide decades worth of Sexual Assault and sexual harassment. This legislation begins to address the worsening mariner shortage by authorizing the modernization of the mariner credentialing system and modernizing mariner eligibility. This bill will provide longterm sustainable jobs and for american mariners. I am proud to have worked with my colleagues on this important legislation and i look forward to seeing it passed into law. Thank you and urge support for this passage. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from california yields . The gentleman reserves . Mr. Carbajal the gentleman reserves. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from missouri is recognized. Mr. Graves thank you, mr. Speaker. At this time id yield five minutes to the gentleman from louisiana, mr. Graves. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from louisiana is recognized for five minutes. Mr. Graves thank you, mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this year in august were going to hit the 234th birthday of the United States coast guard. We have seen profound changes in the coast guards mission. They perform the jobs of probably a dozen federal agencies over water. They do a remarkable job. Everything from drug and alien interdiction to maritime security, to maritime safety. They do absolutely everything. Ill say it again. That a dozen agencies do on land, the coast guard is responsible for over water. It is absolutely remarkable, the braving men and women that we refer to as the brave men and women that we refer to as the coasties have served our country with incredible honor, distinction and, mr. Speaker, we refer to them as the Swiss Army Knife of the federal government. They do so much. They conduct search and rescue mission, support safe navigation in our waterways and help to defend our maritime border from nefarious actors. Now more than ever coast guards missions dont go unnoticed and its important we provide the coast guard with the resources that they need to conduct their operations. Chinas maneuvering to overtake the United States maritime supremacy. Today china has the capacity to manufacture 234 times the ship building capacity of the United States. Let me say that again. Today china has 234 times the ship building capacity of the United States. And these ships arent being used for honorable activities, mr. Speaker. We have seen as china is now fishing approximately 42 of its fishing in what is known as distant waters. And that means in someone elses exclusive economic zone. Said another way, theyre illegally fishing in other countries waters and theyre overfishing. China is the worst illegal unreported and unregulated fishing nation in the world. This isnt limited to just china or chinese waters. We recently had a major bust of i. E. U. Activities in the gulf of mexico on the red snapper. The coast guards vital to protecting our waters and our National Security, particularly here in the United States. And in the area you and i share, mr. Speaker, in the gulf of mexico. The coast guard plays a Critical Role in protecting our maritime boundary from drugs and from migrants and while we rightfully focus our attention on the Southern Land border with mexico, we cannot ignore the maritime border. Countless migrants enter unnoticed via boat and often theyre accompanied or should i say theyre accompanying dangerous drugs such as fentanyl. Louisianas overdose death rate is nearly double the national average. Largely thanks to massive influxes of fentanyl coming through the undetected through the southern border, including the maritime border. Over the past year, a Sheriffs Office in my district removed nearly six times the fentanyl, six times the fentanyl that they recovered in just 2022. Wouldnt it be amazing if the coast guard could help to stop the drug interdictions, stop these Illegal Drugs and migrants from coming across our maritime border . Our coasties cant be successful in defending our National Security without the proper resources. As china seeks to insert itself in the pacific, this bill authorizes two Fast Response cutters that will be used to support missions with partners in the indopacific. Furthermore, as the world and russia moves into the arctic, this bill authorizes the second polar security cutter or heavy icebreaker for the coast guard. Its imperative that we fund the coast guard at the levels authorized in this bill and we protect our people, our environment, our fisheries and to continue to push back on nations such as china and russia. Im proud to have contributed to and supported this bill in committee and i look forward to voting for it favorably on the house floor. I do want to thank all of the members that have been involved, especially our Ranking Member webster and, again, the leadership of our fearless chairman, sam graves, as well as the Ranking Members that have worked on this bill for months and months. I urge support of the bill and i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back. The gentleman from missouri reserves. The gentleman from california is roitszed. Mr. Carbajal thank you, mr. Speaker. I yield two minutes to the gentleman from virginia, mr. Beyer. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from virginia is recognized for two minutes. Mr. Beyer thank you, mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, i rise to flag an issue on the coast guard reauthorization. One particular provision in the bill can negatively impact offshore wind. Installing monopiles requires a specialized planning and fleet. The u. S. Fleet doesnt include offshore windspecific vessels. Theyre the lynch pins in construction. With the current bill language mandating exclusive use of domestic crews on a few foreign vessels, it could lead to vessels that can install offshore wind to exit the u. S. Market altogether. Adding these crew requirements for certain vessels would freeze offshore wind construction. Offshore wind is essential to achieving our decashization goals. But its a brand new industry in the United States and it needs time to build a supply chain from the ground up. Ive been proud of dominion energys recent announcement that the first jones act compliant vessel is on track to be completed by late 2024. The offshore wind industry in america is investing in more than 40 american vessels, all of which will be required to have allamerican crews. But until we have these vessels well be reliant on the foreign vessels. The ship relationships in this bill would impede the involvement of the current plead necessary to kickstart these projects and give the u. S. Any viable alternatives. The absence of these specialized vessels would mean numerous american ships and mariners will lose Employment Opportunities and there would be no offshore wind farms to build or maintain. We can address this and find a fix that avoids job losses for Union Workers or causes significant delays. While we all champion american jobs and offshore wind, its important to recognize that this industry is still in its early stages domestically. Mr. Chairman, i urge you to address this issue moving forward as this legislation moves toward conference. Its imperative that we do not stumble as we embark on this promising new industry which holds the potential to enhance Energy Security and create thousands of american jobs. Thank you and i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back. The gentleman from california reserves. Mr. Carbajal mr. Speaker, id like to say something. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Carbajal thank you. I appreciate my colleagues concern and our shared commitment to rapidly developed clean energy. I also believe that the American Maritime industry should play a meaningful role in the development and maintenance of offshore energy. If everyone comes together to negotiate a compromise, i believe everyones concerns can be addressed. Ranking member larsen and i are committed to finding that compromise. But its important that all stakeholders, including offshore wind developers, come to the table to accomplish that. With that, mr. Speaker, i reserve. The speaker pro tempore now the gentleman reserves. The gentleman from missouri is recognized. Mr. Graves thank you, mr. Speaker. At this time id yield two minutes to the gentleman from new jersey, mr. Van drew. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from new jersey is recognized for two minutes. Mr. Van drew thank you, chairman. I rise in support of the coast guard authorization act reauthorization act of 2024, my district of south jersey is an official coast guard community. We are deeply proud to be the home of the United States coast guards training center, cape may. On the vast majority of all recruits are trained right there. This legislation includes historic levels of funding for the training center, it unlocks over 200 million in authorities that will build cape may into a world class facility. New barracks, indoor training, shooting ranges and more. This is a strong bill for south jersey, its a strong bill for the coast guard, it is a strong bill for the United States of america. I urge swift passage of this legislation. I want to thank the chairman and the Ranking Member and the chairman of the subcommittee and the Ranking Member as well. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back. The gentleman from missouri reserves. The gentleman from california is recognized. Mr. Carbajal mr. Speaker, i yield four minutes to Ranking Member larsen from the state of washington. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from washington is recognized. Mr. Larsen thank you. I am pleased to speak in support of h. R. 7659, the coast guard authorization act of 2024. This Bipartisan Legislation reauthorizes funding for the u. S. Coast guard for fiscal years 2025 and 2026, and updates coast guard programs and policies. This bill is a result of bipartisan negotiations between chair graves, chair webster, myself and Ranking Member carbajal, and includes numerous contributions from members on and off the committee. This bill is this bill is the latest example of bills thriving on the transportation and infrastructure committee. Coast guard operational readiness is at risk. Lack of investment led to 3 billion infrastructure backlog, lack of ice breaking capacity in arctic and great lakes and reduced several missions such as marine safety. This bill begins to address the shortfall by authorizing 14. 78 billion for the coast guard for 2025. These increases over current levels will give funding to execute its mission and have a basic standard of living. This bill authorizes the Procurement Construction and improvements account at 3. 84 billion for fiscal year for 2025 and 3. 65 bell above the president s budget request. It should maintain its capitalization the polar security cutter and offshore cutters and 180 million for the seattle base seattle for security scutters. We enacted substantial for safety and mariners. This legislation builds upon that work by addressing additional safety rirvetion on vessels. In 2022, a vessel began taking on water in puget sound in my district. What should have been a salvaging firefighting turned into an oil spill. The salvager listed did not have the capacity to respond and led to the vessel sinking and discharging oil. This bolsters response plans and salvage firefighting responses. This bill includes vital provisions to address the current mariner shortage. The program is outdated and relies on paper applications. Delays impact. I appreciate chair graves to include an authorization of 11 million for a credentialing system and this will address the mariner shortage and include the coast guard and accountability act. The coast guard deliberately hid foul anchor and decades ever Sexual Assault and harassment. The commandant is working hard to repair the loss and this legislation provides the tools to do so by increasing and i thank chair graves for their cooperation in crafting this important legislation. I look forward to continued collaboration. I urge all members to support the bill and with that, i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from washington yields back. I would like to respond in closing i want to again thank chairman graves and Ranking Member larsen, subcommittee chair webster and i thank our staff. Matt, cheryl and with that, i reserve. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman reserves. The gentleman from missouri. Mr. Graves i yield two minutes to the gentleman from texas, mr. Hunt. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized for two minutes. Mr. Hunt i rise today in opposition not to h. R. 7659 or the United States coast guard but to a provision inside this bill that will decimate gulf oil show production. It would impose on crews and foreign flight vessels that they would cease drilling. Within 90 days, production will come to an abrupt halt. Within 90 days, american oil and Gas Production will cease. The vessels used in this industry are specialized and complex and requires foreign workers. There arent enough to conduct such complex offshore work. The systems tuesdayed on these vessels take years to experience and maintain. Anything short could result in catastrophic. I am America First and i am a veteran and rhyme realistic. Foreign flagged vessels are used because United States lacks trained crews to work in the specialized area. This provision will put an end to the United States as a competitive disadvantage and drive up prices for American Families. As i said before, american oil and gulf shore produce oil and gas and should be producing more, not less. This provision recalls the u. S. To allow other countries to step into the void. Lets cede the advantages that will produce dirtier and increase Financial Burdens and undermine our National Security and way of life. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back the balance of his time the gentleman from missouri reserves. The gentleman from california is recognized. Mr. Carbajal i yield two minutes to mr. Menendez. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized mr. Menendez i rise in support of the coast guard authorization act of 2024 which includes h. R. 7772. The bill is personal to me and to our district. In july of last year, fire broke out aboard a vessel two firefighters paid the sacrifice. Newark and the entire state of new jersey will remember their heroes and beloved by their families and communities and newark Fire Department. While we cant bring them black, we can prevent tragic accidents like this one happening again. Responding to fires. Vessels and presence of smoke and tight unfamiliar spaces make it much more dangerous for our firefighters. Our bill tasks the g. A. O. And examine to address vessel fire risk and preparedness and responses and training for fires. I am proud this bill was included in the coast guard reauthorization act. I urge my colleagues to vote for this important bill and i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back the balance of his time the gentleman from california reserves. The gentleman from missouri is recognized. Mr. Graves i yield one minute to the gentleman from louisiana, mr. Graves. Mr. Graves i want to respond to my friend from texas and the comments about the offshore. I represent southeast. Alaska, california, texas, louisiana, mississippi and alabama and add up the offshore production in those five states combined and you have to multiply it times four to meet the Energy Production in federal waters off the coast of lea house, senate, republic and democrat are fully supportive because it does improve the safety and security of operations in the gulf of mexico and of course, mr. Speaker, it would not cause the shutdown of oil and gas and Energy Operations in the gulf coast. It would improve the safety and security. There are waivers and exceptions for foreign vessels that ensures that they will operate in a way that is safe and secure. I urge adoption and i yield back. The gentleman from missouri reserves. The gentleman from california. Mr. Carbajal i reserve. Mr. Graves i yield five minutes to mr. Webster and chairman of the coast guard subcommittee. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized for. I rise in strong support of this piece of legislation to important work of the coast guard. It does protect the waters and stop Human Trafficking and protect maritime safety. In my state of florida bracees for Illegal Immigrants and funding through fiscal year 2026 and makes investments to meet their current and growing mission and demands. The measure directs much needed investment in the coast guard infrastructure and authorizes heavy lift aircraft helicopters. As a coast guard faces a shortfall in servicemembers and civil members, this supports the coast guards efforts to address the reoccurring and retention challenges that supports the efforts in the tool of qualified u. S. Merchant marines and can mobilize during a time that is needed. The bill has language to strengthen the ability to counter cyberthreats that jeopardize the safety of our supply chain and incorporates the protection act of 2024 that Ranking Member carbajal and i newsed. The provisions will strengthen protections of members of the coast guard against Sexual Assault and harassment and increase trp within the service and the manner in which these cases are held. I appreciate chairman glaives act along with Ranking Member larsen and subcommittee Ranking Member gar bay hall. I urge my colleagues to support and i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back the balance of his time mr. Graves i have no more speakers and am prepared to close. Mr. Carbajal i thank my colleagues for this Bipartisan Legislation. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation. And i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back the balance of his time the gentleman from missouri is recognized. Mr. Graves as member knows well this important piece of legislation would not be possible without the hard work of our staff. I thank the staff director john. Thank you, john, reed, humry, nicole and to all of the staff who have worked on getting us here today. I want to say thank you to the minority led by kathy and matt. This legislation provides the support that the men and women of the United States coast guard need to do their jobs and improves safety with the help of our nation and confronts drugs and underchinese in the pacific. I urge support and i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back the balance of his time the question is, will the house suspend the rules and pass h. R. 7659. Those in favor say aye those opposed, no in the opinion of the chair mr. Graves i ask for the yeas and nays. The speaker pro tempore the yeas and nays are requested. Those in favor of taking this vote will rise and remain standing until counted. A sufficient number having arisen, the yeas and nays are ordered pursuant to clause 8 of rule 20, further proceedings on this question will be postponed. The chair lays before the house a message. To the congress of the United States, section 202d of the National Emergency act 50 u. S. C. Provides for the automatic ternlg nation unless within 90 days prior to the anniversary date of its declaration, the president publishes in the federal register a notice stating that the emergency is to continue beyond the anniversary date. And set to the federal register, the enclosed notice say that the meed emergency with respect to yemen is to dont beyond may 167, 2024. The actions and policies of certain former members of the government of yemen and threatening its peace, stability and security poses a threat to the National Security and foreign policies of the United States. Therefore, i have determined it is necessary to continue the national amerges with respect to yes, maamy. Joseph r. Biden junior, the white house. May 14, 2024. Referre d to the committee on. Pursuant to clause 12a. The house is this years focus was on implementation of the bipartisan infrastructure law and other challenges an opportunities still ahead. Watch the event tonight at 8 00 eastern on cspan 2. Cspan now, our free mobile video app. Or online at cspan. Org. They want to come here and collect our welfare instead. So no asylum cases. Most people come here to make a better life. If not for them, for their kids. My italian grandparents never spoke english. I never had a conversation with them. And yet they made america great. This friday, author ann coulter and columnist amare debate over the question should the u. S. Shut its borders. The debate is moderated by journalist barry white. Mary weiss. Watch it live on cspan and online at cspan. Org. Cspan is your unfiltered view of government. Were funded by these Television Companies and more including comcast. You think this is just a Community Center . No. Its way more than that