[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 64 (Thursday, April 30, 2015)]
[House]
[Pages H2742-H2764]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT,
2016
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to House Resolution 223 and rule
XVIII, the Chair declares the House in the Committee of the Whole House
on the state of the Union for the further consideration of the bill,
H.R. 2028.
Will the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Collins) kindly take the chair.
{time} 2310
In the Committee of the Whole
Accordingly, the House resolved itself into the Committee of the
Whole House on the state of the Union for the further consideration of
the bill (H.R. 2028) making appropriations for energy and water
development and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September
30, 2016, and for other purposes, with Mr. Collins of Georgia (Chair)
in the chair.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The CHAIR. When the Committee of the Whole rose earlier today, an
amendment offered by the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Stivers) had been
disposed of, and the bill had been read through page 57, line 11.
Announcement by the Chair
The CHAIR. Pursuant to clause 6 of rule XVIII, proceedings will now
resume on those amendments on which further proceedings were postponed,
in the following order:
Amendment by Mr. McClintock of California.
Amendment by Mr. Ruiz of California.
Amendment by Mr. Griffith of Virginia.
Amendment by Mr. Swalwell of California.
Amendment by Mr. Byrne of Alabama.
Amendment by Mr. McClintock of California.
Amendment by Mr. Ellison of Minnesota.
Amendment by Mr. Swalwell of California.
Amendment by Mr. Quigley of Illinois.
Amendment by Mr. Garamendi of California.
Amendment by Mr. Hudson of North Carolina.
Amendment by Mr. Sanford of South Carolina.
Amendment by Mr. Burgess of Texas.
The Chair will reduce to 2 minutes the time for any electronic vote
in this series.
[[Page H2743]]
Amendment Offered by Mr. McClintock
The CHAIR. The unfinished business is the demand for a recorded vote
on the amendment offered by the gentleman from California (Mr.
McClintock) on which further proceedings were postponed and on which
the noes prevailed by voice vote.
The Clerk will redesignate the amendment.
The Clerk redesignated the amendment.
Recorded Vote
The CHAIR. A recorded vote has been demanded.
A recorded vote was ordered.
The CHAIR. This is a 2-minute vote.
The vote was taken by electronic device, and there were--ayes 126,
noes 295, not voting 10, as follows:
[Roll No. 195]
AYES--126
Allen
Amash
Babin
Benishek
Bishop (MI)
Black
Blackburn
Brady (TX)
Brat
Bridenstine
Brooks (AL)
Burgess
Carter (GA)
Carter (TX)
Chabot
Clawson (FL)
Coffman
Collins (GA)
Conaway
Cook
Cramer
Culberson
DeSantis
DesJarlais
Duffy
Duncan (SC)
Duncan (TN)
Emmer (MN)
Farenthold
Fleming
Flores
Forbes
Franks (AZ)
Garrett
Gohmert
Gosar
Gowdy
Granger
Graves (GA)
Graves (LA)
Graves (MO)
Grothman
Guthrie
Harris
Hartzler
Hensarling
Hice, Jody B.
Holding
Hudson
Huelskamp
Huizenga (MI)
Hultgren
Hunter
Hurt (VA)
Issa
Jenkins (KS)
Johnson, Sam
Jones
Jordan
King (IA)
Knight
Labrador
LaMalfa
Lance
Long
Loudermilk
Marchant
Massie
McCaul
McClintock
McHenry
Meadows
Messer
Mica
Miller (FL)
Miller (MI)
Mulvaney
Neugebauer
Noem
Nugent
Olson
Palmer
Paulsen
Perry
Pitts
Poe (TX)
Poliquin
Pompeo
Posey
Price, Tom
Ratcliffe
Ribble
Rice (SC)
Rohrabacher
Rokita
Rooney (FL)
Roskam
Ross
Rouzer
Royce
Russell
Ryan (WI)
Salmon
Sanford
Scalise
Scott, Austin
Sensenbrenner
Sessions
Smith (MO)
Smith (NE)
Smith (TX)
Stutzman
Thornberry
Walberg
Walker
Walorski
Walters, Mimi
Weber (TX)
Webster (FL)
Westmoreland
Wilson (SC)
Wittman
Woodall
Yoder
Yoho
Zinke
NOES--295
Abraham
Adams
Aderholt
Aguilar
Amodei
Ashford
Barletta
Barr
Barton
Bass
Beatty
Becerra
Bera
Beyer
Bilirakis
Bishop (GA)
Bishop (UT)
Blum
Blumenauer
Bonamici
Bost
Boustany
Boyle, Brendan F.
Brady (PA)
Brooks (IN)
Brown (FL)
Brownley (CA)
Buchanan
Bucshon
Bustos
Butterfield
Byrne
Calvert
Capps
Capuano
Cardenas
Carney
Carson (IN)
Cartwright
Castor (FL)
Castro (TX)
Chaffetz
Chu, Judy
Cicilline
Clark (MA)
Clarke (NY)
Clay
Cleaver
Clyburn
Cohen
Cole
Collins (NY)
Comstock
Connolly
Conyers
Cooper
Costa
Costello (PA)
Courtney
Crawford
Crenshaw
Crowley
Cuellar
Curbelo (FL)
Davis (CA)
Davis, Danny
Davis, Rodney
DeFazio
DeGette
Delaney
DeLauro
DelBene
Denham
Dent
DeSaulnier
Deutch
Diaz-Balart
Dingell
Doggett
Dold
Doyle, Michael F.
Duckworth
Edwards
Ellison
Ellmers (NC)
Engel
Eshoo
Esty
Farr
Fattah
Fincher
Fitzpatrick
Fleischmann
Fortenberry
Foster
Foxx
Frankel (FL)
Frelinghuysen
Fudge
Gabbard
Gallego
Garamendi
Gibbs
Gibson
Goodlatte
Graham
Grayson
Green, Al
Green, Gene
Griffith
Grijalva
Guinta
Gutierrez
Hahn
Hanna
Hardy
Harper
Hastings
Heck (NV)
Heck (WA)
Higgins
Hill
Himes
Honda
Hoyer
Huffman
Hurd (TX)
Israel
Jackson Lee
Jeffries
Jenkins (WV)
Johnson (GA)
Johnson (OH)
Johnson, E. B.
Jolly
Joyce
Kaptur
Katko
Keating
Kelly (IL)
Kelly (PA)
Kennedy
Kildee
Kilmer
Kind
King (NY)
Kinzinger (IL)
Kirkpatrick
Kline
Kuster
Lamborn
Langevin
Larsen (WA)
Larson (CT)
Latta
Lawrence
Lee
Levin
Lieu, Ted
Lipinski
LoBiondo
Loebsack
Lofgren
Love
Lowenthal
Lowey
Lucas
Luetkemeyer
Lujan Grisham (NM)
Lujan, Ben Ray (NM)
Lummis
Lynch
MacArthur
Maloney, Carolyn
Maloney, Sean
Marino
Matsui
McCarthy
McCollum
McDermott
McGovern
McKinley
McMorris Rodgers
McNerney
McSally
Meehan
Meeks
Meng
Moolenaar
Mooney (WV)
Moore
Moulton
Mullin
Murphy (FL)
Murphy (PA)
Nadler
Napolitano
Neal
Newhouse
Nolan
Norcross
Nunes
O'Rourke
Palazzo
Pallone
Pascrell
Payne
Pearce
Pelosi
Perlmutter
Peters
Peterson
Pingree
Pittenger
Pocan
Polis
Price (NC)
Quigley
Rangel
Reed
Reichert
Renacci
Rice (NY)
Richmond
Rigell
Roby
Roe (TN)
Rogers (AL)
Rogers (KY)
Ros-Lehtinen
Rothfus
Roybal-Allard
Ruiz
Ruppersberger
Rush
Ryan (OH)
Sanchez, Linda T.
Sanchez, Loretta
Sarbanes
Schakowsky
Schiff
Schrader
Schweikert
Scott (VA)
Scott, David
Serrano
Sewell (AL)
Sherman
Shimkus
Shuster
Simpson
Sinema
Sires
Slaughter
Smith (NJ)
Speier
Stefanik
Stewart
Stivers
Swalwell (CA)
Takai
Takano
Thompson (CA)
Thompson (MS)
Thompson (PA)
Tiberi
Tipton
Titus
Tonko
Torres
Trott
Tsongas
Turner
Upton
Valadao
Van Hollen
Vargas
Veasey
Vela
Velazquez
Visclosky
Walden
Walz
Waters, Maxine
Watson Coleman
Welch
Wenstrup
Westerman
Whitfield
Williams
Wilson (FL)
Womack
Young (AK)
Young (IA)
Zeldin
NOT VOTING--10
Buck
Cummings
Herrera Beutler
Hinojosa
Lewis
Smith (WA)
Wagner
Wasserman Schultz
Yarmuth
Young (IN)
Announcement by the Chair
The CHAIR (during the vote). There is 1 minute remaining in this
vote.
{time} 2314
So the amendment was rejected.
The result of the vote was announced as above recorded.
Amendment Offered by Mr. Ruiz
The CHAIR. The unfinished business is the demand for a recorded vote
on the amendment offered by the gentleman from California (Mr. Ruiz) on
which further proceedings were postponed and on which the noes
prevailed by voice vote.
The Clerk will redesignate the amendment.
The Clerk redesignated the amendment.
Recorded Vote
The CHAIR. A recorded vote has been demanded.
A recorded vote was ordered.
The CHAIR. This is a 2-minute vote.
The vote was taken by electronic device, and there were--ayes 172,
noes 249, not voting 10, as follows:
[Roll No. 196]
AYES--172
Adams
Aguilar
Amash
Bass
Beatty
Becerra
Bera
Beyer
Bishop (GA)
Blumenauer
Bonamici
Boyle, Brendan F.
Brady (PA)
Brown (FL)
Brownley (CA)
Bustos
Butterfield
Capps
Capuano
Cardenas
Carney
Carson (IN)
Cartwright
Castor (FL)
Castro (TX)
Chu, Judy
Cicilline
Clark (MA)
Clarke (NY)
Clay
Cleaver
Clyburn
Cohen
Connolly
Conyers
Cooper
Costa
Courtney
Crowley
Davis (CA)
Davis, Danny
DeFazio
DeGette
Delaney
DelBene
DeSaulnier
Deutch
Doggett
Duckworth
Edwards
Ellison
Engel
Eshoo
Esty
Farr
Fattah
Foster
Frankel (FL)
Fudge
Gabbard
Gallego
Gibson
Grayson
Grijalva
Guinta
Gutierrez
Hahn
Hastings
Heck (NV)
Heck (WA)
Higgins
Himes
Honda
Hoyer
Huffman
Israel
Jackson Lee
Jeffries
Johnson (GA)
Johnson, E. B.
Jones
Keating
Kelly (IL)
Kennedy
Kildee
Kilmer
Kind
Kuster
Langevin
Lawrence
Lee
Levin
Lieu, Ted
Lipinski
Loebsack
Lofgren
Lowenthal
Lowey
Lujan Grisham (NM)
Lujan, Ben Ray (NM)
Lynch
Maloney, Sean
Matsui
McCollum
McDermott
McGovern
McNerney
Meeks
Meng
Moore
Moulton
Mulvaney
Murphy (FL)
Nadler
Napolitano
Neal
Nolan
Norcross
O'Rourke
Pallone
Payne
Pelosi
Perlmutter
Peters
Pingree
Pocan
Polis
Quigley
Rangel
Ribble
Rice (NY)
Richmond
Roybal-Allard
Royce
Ruiz
Ruppersberger
Rush
Sanchez, Linda T.
Sanchez, Loretta
Sanford
Sarbanes
Schakowsky
Schiff
Schrader
Scott (VA)
Scott, David
Serrano
Sherman
Sinema
Sires
Slaughter
Speier
Swalwell (CA)
Takai
Takano
Thompson (CA)
Thompson (MS)
Titus
Tonko
Torres
Tsongas
Van Hollen
Vargas
Veasey
Velazquez
Walters, Mimi
Walz
Waters, Maxine
Watson Coleman
Welch
Wilson (FL)
Yoho
NOES--249
Abraham
Aderholt
Allen
Amodei
Ashford
Babin
Barletta
Barr
Barton
Benishek
Bilirakis
Bishop (MI)
Bishop (UT)
Black
Blackburn
Blum
Bost
Boustany
Brady (TX)
Brat
Bridenstine
Brooks (AL)
Brooks (IN)
Buchanan
Bucshon
Burgess
Byrne
Calvert
Carter (GA)
Carter (TX)
Chabot
Chaffetz
Clawson (FL)
Coffman
Cole
Collins (GA)
Collins (NY)
Comstock
Conaway
Cook
Costello (PA)
Cramer
Crawford
Crenshaw
Cuellar
Culberson
Curbelo (FL)
Davis, Rodney
DeLauro
Denham
Dent
[[Page H2744]]
DeSantis
DesJarlais
Diaz-Balart
Dingell
Dold
Doyle, Michael F.
Duffy
Duncan (SC)
Duncan (TN)
Ellmers (NC)
Emmer (MN)
Farenthold
Fincher
Fitzpatrick
Fleischmann
Fleming
Flores
Forbes
Fortenberry
Foxx
Franks (AZ)
Frelinghuysen
Garamendi
Garrett
Gibbs
Gohmert
Goodlatte
Gosar
Gowdy
Graham
Granger
Graves (GA)
Graves (LA)
Graves (MO)
Green, Al
Green, Gene
Griffith
Grothman
Guthrie
Hanna
Hardy
Harper
Harris
Hartzler
Hensarling
Hice, Jody B.
Hill
Holding
Hudson
Huelskamp
Huizenga (MI)
Hultgren
Hunter
Hurd (TX)
Hurt (VA)
Issa
Jenkins (KS)
Jenkins (WV)
Johnson (OH)
Johnson, Sam
Jolly
Jordan
Joyce
Kaptur
Katko
Kelly (PA)
King (IA)
King (NY)
Kinzinger (IL)
Kirkpatrick
Kline
Knight
Labrador
LaMalfa
Lamborn
Lance
Larsen (WA)
Larson (CT)
Latta
LoBiondo
Long
Loudermilk
Love
Lucas
Luetkemeyer
Lummis
MacArthur
Maloney, Carolyn
Marchant
Marino
Massie
McCarthy
McCaul
McClintock
McHenry
McKinley
McMorris Rodgers
McSally
Meadows
Meehan
Messer
Mica
Miller (FL)
Miller (MI)
Moolenaar
Mooney (WV)
Mullin
Murphy (PA)
Neugebauer
Newhouse
Noem
Nugent
Nunes
Olson
Palazzo
Palmer
Pascrell
Paulsen
Pearce
Perry
Peterson
Pittenger
Pitts
Poe (TX)
Poliquin
Pompeo
Posey
Price (NC)
Price, Tom
Ratcliffe
Reed
Reichert
Renacci
Rice (SC)
Rigell
Roby
Roe (TN)
Rogers (AL)
Rogers (KY)
Rohrabacher
Rokita
Rooney (FL)
Ros-Lehtinen
Roskam
Ross
Rothfus
Rouzer
Russell
Ryan (OH)
Ryan (WI)
Salmon
Scalise
Schweikert
Scott, Austin
Sensenbrenner
Sessions
Sewell (AL)
Shimkus
Shuster
Simpson
Smith (MO)
Smith (NE)
Smith (NJ)
Smith (TX)
Stefanik
Stewart
Stivers
Stutzman
Thompson (PA)
Thornberry
Tiberi
Tipton
Trott
Turner
Upton
Valadao
Vela
Visclosky
Walberg
Walden
Walker
Walorski
Weber (TX)
Webster (FL)
Wenstrup
Westerman
Westmoreland
Whitfield
Williams
Wilson (SC)
Wittman
Womack
Woodall
Yoder
Young (AK)
Young (IA)
Zeldin
Zinke
NOT VOTING--10
Buck
Cummings
Herrera Beutler
Hinojosa
Lewis
Smith (WA)
Wagner
Wasserman Schultz
Yarmuth
Young (IN)
Announcement by the Chair
The CHAIR (during the vote). There is 1 minute remaining.
{time} 2317
Mrs. DINGELL changed her vote from ``aye'' to ``no.''
So the amendment was rejected.
The result of the vote was announced as above recorded.
Amendment Offered by Mr. Griffith
The CHAIR. The unfinished business is the demand for a recorded vote
on the amendment offered by the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Griffith)
on which further proceedings were postponed and on which the noes
prevailed by voice vote.
The Clerk will redesignate the amendment.
The Clerk redesignated the amendment.
Recorded Vote
The CHAIR. A recorded vote has been demanded.
A recorded vote was ordered.
The CHAIR. This is a 2-minute vote.
The vote was taken by electronic device, and there were--ayes 177,
noes 244, not voting 10, as follows:
[Roll No. 197]
AYES--177
Abraham
Aderholt
Allen
Amodei
Babin
Barletta
Barr
Barton
Benishek
Bilirakis
Bishop (MI)
Bishop (UT)
Black
Blackburn
Bost
Boustany
Brat
Bridenstine
Brooks (IN)
Bucshon
Burgess
Byrne
Carter (GA)
Carter (TX)
Chabot
Clawson (FL)
Coffman
Cole
Collins (GA)
Collins (NY)
Comstock
Conaway
Cook
Costello (PA)
Cramer
Crenshaw
Davis, Rodney
Denham
DesJarlais
Duffy
Duncan (SC)
Duncan (TN)
Ellmers (NC)
Fleming
Flores
Forbes
Frelinghuysen
Garrett
Gibbs
Goodlatte
Gosar
Gowdy
Granger
Graves (LA)
Graves (MO)
Green, Gene
Griffith
Grothman
Guthrie
Harper
Harris
Hartzler
Hensarling
Hice, Jody B.
Holding
Hudson
Huelskamp
Huizenga (MI)
Hultgren
Hunter
Hurd (TX)
Hurt (VA)
Issa
Jenkins (WV)
Johnson (OH)
Johnson, Sam
Jolly
Jordan
Kinzinger (IL)
Kline
Knight
Labrador
LaMalfa
Lamborn
Latta
Long
Loudermilk
Lucas
Luetkemeyer
Lummis
Marchant
Marino
Massie
McCarthy
McCaul
McClintock
McHenry
McKinley
Meadows
Meehan
Messer
Mica
Miller (FL)
Miller (MI)
Moolenaar
Mooney (WV)
Mullin
Mulvaney
Murphy (PA)
Neugebauer
Nugent
Nunes
Olson
Palazzo
Palmer
Pearce
Perry
Pittenger
Pitts
Poe (TX)
Poliquin
Posey
Price, Tom
Ratcliffe
Renacci
Rice (SC)
Rigell
Roby
Roe (TN)
Rogers (AL)
Rogers (KY)
Rohrabacher
Rokita
Rooney (FL)
Roskam
Ross
Rothfus
Rouzer
Royce
Russell
Ryan (WI)
Scalise
Scott, Austin
Sensenbrenner
Sessions
Shimkus
Smith (MO)
Smith (NE)
Smith (TX)
Stewart
Stivers
Stutzman
Thornberry
Tiberi
Tipton
Trott
Turner
Upton
Valadao
Vela
Walberg
Walker
Walorski
Walters, Mimi
Weber (TX)
Webster (FL)
Wenstrup
Westerman
Westmoreland
Whitfield
Williams
Wilson (SC)
Wittman
Woodall
Yoder
Young (AK)
Zinke
NOES--244
Adams
Aguilar
Amash
Ashford
Bass
Beatty
Becerra
Bera
Beyer
Bishop (GA)
Blum
Blumenauer
Bonamici
Boyle, Brendan F.
Brady (PA)
Brady (TX)
Brooks (AL)
Brown (FL)
Brownley (CA)
Buchanan
Bustos
Butterfield
Calvert
Capps
Capuano
Cardenas
Carney
Carson (IN)
Cartwright
Castor (FL)
Castro (TX)
Chaffetz
Chu, Judy
Cicilline
Clark (MA)
Clarke (NY)
Clay
Cleaver
Clyburn
Cohen
Connolly
Conyers
Cooper
Costa
Courtney
Crawford
Crowley
Cuellar
Culberson
Curbelo (FL)
Davis (CA)
Davis, Danny
DeFazio
DeGette
Delaney
DeLauro
DelBene
Dent
DeSantis
DeSaulnier
Deutch
Diaz-Balart
Dingell
Doggett
Dold
Doyle, Michael F.
Duckworth
Edwards
Ellison
Emmer (MN)
Engel
Eshoo
Esty
Farenthold
Farr
Fattah
Fincher
Fitzpatrick
Fleischmann
Fortenberry
Foster
Foxx
Frankel (FL)
Franks (AZ)
Fudge
Gabbard
Gallego
Garamendi
Gibson
Gohmert
Graham
Graves (GA)
Grayson
Green, Al
Grijalva
Guinta
Gutierrez
Hahn
Hanna
Hardy
Hastings
Heck (NV)
Heck (WA)
Higgins
Hill
Himes
Honda
Hoyer
Huffman
Israel
Jackson Lee
Jeffries
Jenkins (KS)
Johnson (GA)
Johnson, E. B.
Jones
Joyce
Kaptur
Katko
Keating
Kelly (IL)
Kelly (PA)
Kennedy
Kildee
Kilmer
Kind
King (IA)
King (NY)
Kirkpatrick
Kuster
Lance
Langevin
Larsen (WA)
Larson (CT)
Lawrence
Lee
Levin
Lieu, Ted
Lipinski
LoBiondo
Loebsack
Lofgren
Love
Lowenthal
Lowey
Lujan Grisham (NM)
Lujan, Ben Ray (NM)
Lynch
MacArthur
Maloney, Carolyn
Maloney, Sean
Matsui
McCollum
McDermott
McGovern
McMorris Rodgers
McNerney
McSally
Meeks
Meng
Moore
Moulton
Murphy (FL)
Nadler
Napolitano
Neal
Newhouse
Noem
Nolan
Norcross
O'Rourke
Pallone
Pascrell
Paulsen
Payne
Pelosi
Perlmutter
Peters
Peterson
Pingree
Pocan
Polis
Pompeo
Price (NC)
Quigley
Rangel
Reed
Reichert
Ribble
Rice (NY)
Richmond
Ros-Lehtinen
Roybal-Allard
Ruiz
Ruppersberger
Rush
Ryan (OH)
Salmon
Sanchez, Linda T.
Sanchez, Loretta
Sanford
Sarbanes
Schakowsky
Schiff
Schrader
Schweikert
Scott (VA)
Scott, David
Serrano
Sewell (AL)
Sherman
Shuster
Simpson
Sinema
Sires
Slaughter
Smith (NJ)
Speier
Stefanik
Swalwell (CA)
Takai
Takano
Thompson (CA)
Thompson (MS)
Thompson (PA)
Titus
Tonko
Torres
Tsongas
Van Hollen
Vargas
Veasey
Velazquez
Visclosky
Walden
Walz
Waters, Maxine
Watson Coleman
Welch
Wilson (FL)
Womack
Yoho
Young (IA)
Zeldin
NOT VOTING--10
Buck
Cummings
Herrera Beutler
Hinojosa
Lewis
Smith (WA)
Wagner
Wasserman Schultz
Yarmuth
Young (IN)
Announcement by the Chair
The CHAIR (during the vote). There is 1 minute remaining.
{time} 2320
Mr. AMODEI changed his vote from ``no'' to ``aye.''
So the amendment was rejected.
The result of the vote was announced as above recorded.
Amendment Offered by Mr. Swalwell of California
The CHAIR. The unfinished business is the demand for a recorded vote
on the amendment offered by the gentleman from California (Mr.
Swalwell) on which further proceedings were postponed and on which the
noes prevailed by voice vote.
The Clerk will redesignate the amendment.
The Clerk redesignated the amendment.
[[Page H2745]]
Recorded Vote
The CHAIR. A recorded vote has been demanded.
A recorded vote was ordered.
The CHAIR. This is a 2-minute vote.
The vote was taken by electronic device, and there were--ayes 173,
noes 248, not voting 10, as follows:
[Roll No. 198]
AYES--173
Adams
Aguilar
Bass
Beatty
Becerra
Bera
Beyer
Blumenauer
Bonamici
Boyle, Brendan F.
Brady (PA)
Brat
Brownley (CA)
Bustos
Butterfield
Capps
Capuano
Cardenas
Carney
Carson (IN)
Cartwright
Castor (FL)
Castro (TX)
Chu, Judy
Cicilline
Clark (MA)
Clarke (NY)
Clay
Cleaver
Cohen
Connolly
Conyers
Cooper
Courtney
Crowley
Davis (CA)
Davis, Danny
DeFazio
DeGette
DeLauro
DelBene
DeSaulnier
Deutch
Dingell
Doggett
Duckworth
Edwards
Ellison
Engel
Eshoo
Esty
Farr
Fattah
Fortenberry
Foster
Frankel (FL)
Fudge
Gabbard
Gallego
Garamendi
Gibson
Grayson
Grijalva
Gutierrez
Hahn
Hastings
Heck (WA)
Higgins
Himes
Honda
Hoyer
Huffman
Israel
Jackson Lee
Jeffries
Johnson (GA)
Johnson, E. B.
Jones
Kaptur
Katko
Keating
Kelly (IL)
Kennedy
Kildee
Kilmer
Kind
Kirkpatrick
Kuster
Langevin
Larson (CT)
Lawrence
Lee
Levin
Lieu, Ted
Lipinski
Loebsack
Lofgren
Lowenthal
Lowey
Lujan Grisham (NM)
Lujan, Ben Ray (NM)
Lynch
Maloney, Carolyn
Maloney, Sean
Matsui
McCollum
McDermott
McGovern
McNerney
Meeks
Meng
Moore
Moulton
Murphy (FL)
Nadler
Napolitano
Neal
Nolan
Norcross
O'Rourke
Pallone
Pascrell
Payne
Pelosi
Perlmutter
Peters
Pingree
Pocan
Polis
Price (NC)
Quigley
Rangel
Reichert
Rice (NY)
Roybal-Allard
Royce
Ruiz
Ruppersberger
Rush
Sanchez, Linda T.
Sanchez, Loretta
Sanford
Sarbanes
Schakowsky
Schiff
Schrader
Scott (VA)
Scott, David
Serrano
Sewell (AL)
Sherman
Sires
Slaughter
Speier
Swalwell (CA)
Takai
Takano
Thompson (CA)
Titus
Tonko
Torres
Tsongas
Van Hollen
Vargas
Veasey
Velazquez
Visclosky
Walz
Waters, Maxine
Watson Coleman
Welch
Wilson (FL)
Yoho
NOES--248
Abraham
Aderholt
Allen
Amash
Amodei
Ashford
Babin
Barletta
Barr
Barton
Benishek
Bilirakis
Bishop (GA)
Bishop (MI)
Bishop (UT)
Black
Blackburn
Blum
Bost
Boustany
Brady (TX)
Bridenstine
Brooks (AL)
Brooks (IN)
Brown (FL)
Buchanan
Bucshon
Burgess
Byrne
Calvert
Carter (GA)
Carter (TX)
Chabot
Chaffetz
Clawson (FL)
Clyburn
Coffman
Cole
Collins (GA)
Collins (NY)
Comstock
Conaway
Cook
Costa
Costello (PA)
Cramer
Crawford
Crenshaw
Cuellar
Culberson
Curbelo (FL)
Davis, Rodney
Delaney
Denham
Dent
DeSantis
DesJarlais
Diaz-Balart
Dold
Doyle, Michael F.
Duffy
Duncan (SC)
Duncan (TN)
Ellmers (NC)
Emmer (MN)
Farenthold
Fincher
Fitzpatrick
Fleischmann
Fleming
Flores
Forbes
Foxx
Franks (AZ)
Frelinghuysen
Garrett
Gibbs
Gohmert
Goodlatte
Gosar
Gowdy
Graham
Granger
Graves (GA)
Graves (LA)
Graves (MO)
Green, Al
Green, Gene
Griffith
Grothman
Guinta
Guthrie
Hanna
Hardy
Harper
Harris
Hartzler
Heck (NV)
Hensarling
Hice, Jody B.
Hill
Holding
Hudson
Huelskamp
Huizenga (MI)
Hultgren
Hunter
Hurd (TX)
Hurt (VA)
Issa
Jenkins (KS)
Jenkins (WV)
Johnson (OH)
Johnson, Sam
Jolly
Jordan
Joyce
Kelly (PA)
King (IA)
King (NY)
Kinzinger (IL)
Kline
Knight
Labrador
LaMalfa
Lamborn
Lance
Larsen (WA)
Latta
LoBiondo
Long
Loudermilk
Love
Lucas
Luetkemeyer
Lummis
MacArthur
Marchant
Marino
Massie
McCarthy
McCaul
McClintock
McHenry
McKinley
McMorris Rodgers
McSally
Meadows
Meehan
Messer
Mica
Miller (FL)
Miller (MI)
Moolenaar
Mooney (WV)
Mullin
Mulvaney
Murphy (PA)
Neugebauer
Newhouse
Noem
Nugent
Nunes
Olson
Palazzo
Palmer
Paulsen
Pearce
Perry
Peterson
Pittenger
Pitts
Poe (TX)
Poliquin
Pompeo
Posey
Price, Tom
Ratcliffe
Reed
Renacci
Ribble
Rice (SC)
Richmond
Rigell
Roby
Roe (TN)
Rogers (AL)
Rogers (KY)
Rohrabacher
Rokita
Rooney (FL)
Ros-Lehtinen
Roskam
Ross
Rothfus
Rouzer
Russell
Ryan (OH)
Ryan (WI)
Salmon
Scalise
Schweikert
Scott, Austin
Sensenbrenner
Sessions
Shimkus
Shuster
Simpson
Sinema
Smith (MO)
Smith (NE)
Smith (NJ)
Smith (TX)
Stefanik
Stewart
Stivers
Stutzman
Thompson (MS)
Thompson (PA)
Thornberry
Tiberi
Tipton
Trott
Turner
Upton
Valadao
Vela
Walberg
Walden
Walker
Walorski
Walters, Mimi
Weber (TX)
Webster (FL)
Wenstrup
Westerman
Westmoreland
Whitfield
Williams
Wilson (SC)
Wittman
Womack
Woodall
Yoder
Young (AK)
Young (IA)
Zeldin
Zinke
NOT VOTING--10
Buck
Cummings
Herrera Beutler
Hinojosa
Lewis
Smith (WA)
Wagner
Wasserman Schultz
Yarmuth
Young (IN)
Announcement by the Chair
The CHAIR (during the vote). There is 1 minute remaining.
{time} 2324
Mr. PAYNE changed his vote from ``no'' to ``aye.''
So the amendment was rejected.
The result of the vote was announced as above recorded.
Amendment Offered by Mr. Byrne
The CHAIR. The unfinished business is the demand for a recorded vote
on the amendment offered by the gentleman from Alabama (Mr. Byrne) on
which further proceedings were postponed and on which the noes
prevailed by voice vote.
The Clerk will redesignate the amendment.
The Clerk redesignated the amendment.
Recorded Vote
The CHAIR. A recorded vote has been demanded.
A recorded vote was ordered.
The CHAIR. This is a 2-minute vote.
The vote was taken by electronic device, and there were--ayes 139,
noes 282, not voting 10, as follows:
[Roll No. 199]
AYES--139
Aderholt
Allen
Amash
Babin
Barr
Bilirakis
Bishop (UT)
Black
Blackburn
Brady (TX)
Brat
Bridenstine
Brooks (AL)
Burgess
Byrne
Carter (GA)
Carter (TX)
Chabot
Chaffetz
Clawson (FL)
Collins (GA)
Conaway
Cook
Cramer
Crenshaw
Culberson
DeSantis
DesJarlais
Duffy
Duncan (SC)
Duncan (TN)
Farenthold
Fincher
Fleming
Flores
Forbes
Foxx
Franks (AZ)
Garrett
Gibbs
Gohmert
Goodlatte
Gosar
Gowdy
Granger
Graves (GA)
Graves (LA)
Grothman
Guthrie
Hardy
Harris
Hartzler
Hensarling
Hice, Jody B.
Holding
Hudson
Huelskamp
Huizenga (MI)
Hultgren
Hunter
Hurd (TX)
Hurt (VA)
Issa
Jenkins (KS)
Johnson, Sam
Jones
Jordan
Knight
Labrador
LaMalfa
Lamborn
Long
Loudermilk
Love
Lummis
Marchant
Massie
McCarthy
McClintock
McHenry
McMorris Rodgers
Meadows
Messer
Mica
Miller (FL)
Miller (MI)
Mooney (WV)
Mulvaney
Neugebauer
Nunes
Olson
Palazzo
Palmer
Perry
Pittenger
Pitts
Poe (TX)
Poliquin
Pompeo
Posey
Price, Tom
Ratcliffe
Ribble
Rice (SC)
Rigell
Roe (TN)
Rogers (AL)
Rogers (KY)
Rohrabacher
Rokita
Rooney (FL)
Ross
Rothfus
Rouzer
Royce
Ryan (WI)
Salmon
Sanford
Scalise
Schweikert
Scott, Austin
Sensenbrenner
Sessions
Smith (MO)
Stutzman
Thornberry
Walberg
Walker
Walorski
Weber (TX)
Wenstrup
Westmoreland
Whitfield
Williams
Wilson (SC)
Wittman
Woodall
Yoder
Yoho
NOES--282
Abraham
Adams
Aguilar
Amodei
Ashford
Barletta
Barton
Bass
Beatty
Becerra
Benishek
Bera
Beyer
Bishop (GA)
Bishop (MI)
Blum
Blumenauer
Bonamici
Bost
Boustany
Boyle, Brendan F.
Brady (PA)
Brooks (IN)
Brown (FL)
Brownley (CA)
Buchanan
Bucshon
Bustos
Butterfield
Calvert
Capps
Capuano
Cardenas
Carney
Carson (IN)
Cartwright
Castor (FL)
Castro (TX)
Chu, Judy
Cicilline
Clark (MA)
Clarke (NY)
Clay
Cleaver
Clyburn
Coffman
Cohen
Cole
Collins (NY)
Comstock
Connolly
Conyers
Cooper
Costa
Costello (PA)
Courtney
Crawford
Crowley
Cuellar
Curbelo (FL)
Davis (CA)
Davis, Danny
Davis, Rodney
DeFazio
DeGette
Delaney
DeLauro
DelBene
Denham
Dent
DeSaulnier
Deutch
Diaz-Balart
Dingell
Doggett
Dold
Doyle, Michael F.
Duckworth
Edwards
Ellison
Ellmers (NC)
Emmer (MN)
Engel
Eshoo
Esty
Farr
Fattah
Fitzpatrick
Fleischmann
Fortenberry
Foster
Frankel (FL)
Frelinghuysen
Fudge
Gabbard
Gallego
Garamendi
Gibson
Graham
Graves (MO)
Grayson
Green, Al
Green, Gene
Griffith
Grijalva
Guinta
Gutierrez
Hahn
Hanna
Harper
Hastings
Heck (NV)
Heck (WA)
Higgins
Hill
Himes
Honda
Hoyer
Huffman
Israel
Jackson Lee
Jeffries
Jenkins (WV)
Johnson (GA)
[[Page H2746]]
Johnson (OH)
Johnson, E. B.
Jolly
Joyce
Kaptur
Katko
Keating
Kelly (IL)
Kelly (PA)
Kennedy
Kildee
Kilmer
Kind
King (IA)
King (NY)
Kinzinger (IL)
Kirkpatrick
Kline
Kuster
Lance
Langevin
Larsen (WA)
Larson (CT)
Latta
Lawrence
Lee
Levin
Lieu, Ted
Lipinski
LoBiondo
Loebsack
Lofgren
Lowenthal
Lowey
Lucas
Luetkemeyer
Lujan Grisham (NM)
Lujan, Ben Ray (NM)
Lynch
MacArthur
Maloney, Carolyn
Maloney, Sean
Marino
Matsui
McCaul
McCollum
McDermott
McGovern
McKinley
McNerney
McSally
Meehan
Meeks
Meng
Moolenaar
Moore
Moulton
Mullin
Murphy (FL)
Murphy (PA)
Nadler
Napolitano
Neal
Newhouse
Noem
Nolan
Norcross
Nugent
O'Rourke
Pallone
Pascrell
Paulsen
Payne
Pearce
Pelosi
Perlmutter
Peters
Peterson
Pingree
Pocan
Polis
Price (NC)
Quigley
Rangel
Reed
Reichert
Renacci
Rice (NY)
Richmond
Roby
Ros-Lehtinen
Roskam
Roybal-Allard
Ruiz
Ruppersberger
Rush
Russell
Ryan (OH)
Sanchez, Linda T.
Sanchez, Loretta
Sarbanes
Schakowsky
Schiff
Schrader
Scott (VA)
Scott, David
Serrano
Sewell (AL)
Sherman
Shimkus
Shuster
Simpson
Sinema
Sires
Slaughter
Smith (NE)
Smith (NJ)
Smith (TX)
Speier
Stefanik
Stewart
Stivers
Swalwell (CA)
Takai
Takano
Thompson (CA)
Thompson (MS)
Thompson (PA)
Tiberi
Tipton
Titus
Tonko
Torres
Trott
Tsongas
Turner
Upton
Valadao
Van Hollen
Vargas
Veasey
Vela
Velazquez
Visclosky
Walden
Walters, Mimi
Walz
Waters, Maxine
Watson Coleman
Webster (FL)
Welch
Westerman
Wilson (FL)
Womack
Young (AK)
Young (IA)
Zeldin
Zinke
NOT VOTING--10
Buck
Cummings
Herrera Beutler
Hinojosa
Lewis
Smith (WA)
Wagner
Wasserman Schultz
Yarmuth
Young (IN)
Announcement by the Chair
The CHAIR (during the vote). There is 1 minute remaining.
{time} 2327
So the amendment was rejected.
The result of the vote was announced as above recorded.
Amendment Offered by Mr. McClintock
The CHAIR. The unfinished business is the demand for a recorded vote
on the amendment offered by the gentleman from California (Mr.
McClintock) on which further proceedings were postponed and on which
the noes prevailed by voice vote.
The Clerk will redesignate the amendment.
The Clerk redesignated the amendment.
Recorded Vote
The CHAIR. A recorded vote has been demanded.
A recorded vote was ordered.
The CHAIR. This is a 2-minute vote.
The vote was taken by electronic device, and there were--ayes 110,
noes 311, not voting 10, as follows:
[Roll No. 200]
AYES--110
Amash
Babin
Bilirakis
Bishop (UT)
Black
Blackburn
Brady (TX)
Brat
Bridenstine
Brooks (AL)
Burgess
Byrne
Carter (GA)
Carter (TX)
Chabot
Chaffetz
Clawson (FL)
Collins (GA)
Conaway
Cook
Cramer
Culberson
DeSantis
DesJarlais
Duffy
Duncan (SC)
Duncan (TN)
Farenthold
Fincher
Fleming
Flores
Forbes
Foxx
Franks (AZ)
Garrett
Gibbs
Gohmert
Gowdy
Granger
Graves (GA)
Graves (LA)
Grothman
Harris
Hensarling
Hice, Jody B.
Holding
Hudson
Huelskamp
Huizenga (MI)
Hultgren
Hunter
Jenkins (KS)
Johnson, Sam
Jones
Jordan
LaMalfa
Long
Loudermilk
Love
Lummis
Marchant
Massie
McCarthy
McClintock
McHenry
McMorris Rodgers
Meadows
Messer
Miller (FL)
Miller (MI)
Mulvaney
Neugebauer
Olson
Palmer
Perry
Pitts
Poe (TX)
Pompeo
Posey
Price, Tom
Ratcliffe
Ribble
Rice (SC)
Roe (TN)
Rohrabacher
Rokita
Rooney (FL)
Ross
Rouzer
Royce
Ryan (WI)
Salmon
Sanford
Scalise
Schweikert
Scott, Austin
Sensenbrenner
Sessions
Smith (MO)
Stutzman
Thornberry
Walberg
Weber (TX)
Wenstrup
Westmoreland
Wilson (SC)
Wittman
Woodall
Yoder
Yoho
NOES--311
Abraham
Adams
Aderholt
Aguilar
Allen
Amodei
Ashford
Barletta
Barr
Barton
Bass
Beatty
Becerra
Benishek
Bera
Beyer
Bishop (GA)
Bishop (MI)
Blum
Blumenauer
Bonamici
Bost
Boustany
Boyle, Brendan F.
Brady (PA)
Brooks (IN)
Brown (FL)
Brownley (CA)
Buchanan
Bucshon
Bustos
Butterfield
Calvert
Capps
Capuano
Cardenas
Carney
Carson (IN)
Cartwright
Castor (FL)
Castro (TX)
Chu, Judy
Cicilline
Clark (MA)
Clarke (NY)
Clay
Cleaver
Clyburn
Coffman
Cohen
Cole
Collins (NY)
Comstock
Connolly
Conyers
Cooper
Costa
Costello (PA)
Courtney
Crawford
Crenshaw
Crowley
Cuellar
Curbelo (FL)
Davis (CA)
Davis, Danny
Davis, Rodney
DeFazio
DeGette
Delaney
DeLauro
DelBene
Denham
Dent
DeSaulnier
Deutch
Diaz-Balart
Dingell
Doggett
Dold
Doyle, Michael F.
Duckworth
Edwards
Ellison
Ellmers (NC)
Emmer (MN)
Engel
Eshoo
Esty
Farr
Fattah
Fitzpatrick
Fleischmann
Fortenberry
Foster
Frankel (FL)
Frelinghuysen
Fudge
Gabbard
Gallego
Garamendi
Gibson
Goodlatte
Gosar
Graham
Graves (MO)
Grayson
Green, Al
Green, Gene
Griffith
Grijalva
Guinta
Guthrie
Gutierrez
Hahn
Hanna
Hardy
Harper
Hartzler
Hastings
Heck (NV)
Heck (WA)
Higgins
Hill
Himes
Honda
Hoyer
Huffman
Hurd (TX)
Hurt (VA)
Israel
Issa
Jackson Lee
Jeffries
Jenkins (WV)
Johnson (GA)
Johnson (OH)
Johnson, E. B.
Jolly
Joyce
Kaptur
Katko
Keating
Kelly (IL)
Kelly (PA)
Kennedy
Kildee
Kilmer
Kind
King (IA)
King (NY)
Kinzinger (IL)
Kirkpatrick
Kline
Knight
Kuster
Labrador
Lamborn
Lance
Langevin
Larsen (WA)
Larson (CT)
Latta
Lawrence
Lee
Levin
Lieu, Ted
Lipinski
LoBiondo
Loebsack
Lofgren
Lowenthal
Lowey
Lucas
Luetkemeyer
Lujan Grisham (NM)
Lujan, Ben Ray (NM)
Lynch
MacArthur
Maloney, Carolyn
Maloney, Sean
Marino
Matsui
McCaul
McCollum
McDermott
McGovern
McKinley
McNerney
McSally
Meehan
Meeks
Meng
Mica
Moolenaar
Mooney (WV)
Moore
Moulton
Mullin
Murphy (FL)
Murphy (PA)
Nadler
Napolitano
Neal
Newhouse
Noem
Nolan
Norcross
Nugent
Nunes
O'Rourke
Palazzo
Pallone
Pascrell
Paulsen
Payne
Pearce
Pelosi
Perlmutter
Peters
Peterson
Pingree
Pittenger
Pocan
Poliquin
Polis
Price (NC)
Quigley
Rangel
Reed
Reichert
Renacci
Rice (NY)
Richmond
Rigell
Roby
Rogers (AL)
Rogers (KY)
Ros-Lehtinen
Roskam
Rothfus
Roybal-Allard
Ruiz
Ruppersberger
Rush
Russell
Ryan (OH)
Sanchez, Linda T.
Sanchez, Loretta
Sarbanes
Schakowsky
Schiff
Schrader
Scott (VA)
Scott, David
Serrano
Sewell (AL)
Sherman
Shimkus
Shuster
Simpson
Sinema
Sires
Slaughter
Smith (NE)
Smith (NJ)
Smith (TX)
Speier
Stefanik
Stewart
Stivers
Swalwell (CA)
Takai
Takano
Thompson (CA)
Thompson (MS)
Thompson (PA)
Tiberi
Tipton
Titus
Tonko
Torres
Trott
Tsongas
Turner
Upton
Valadao
Van Hollen
Vargas
Veasey
Vela
Velazquez
Visclosky
Walden
Walker
Walorski
Walters, Mimi
Walz
Waters, Maxine
Watson Coleman
Webster (FL)
Welch
Westerman
Whitfield
Williams
Wilson (FL)
Womack
Young (AK)
Young (IA)
Zeldin
Zinke
NOT VOTING--10
Buck
Cummings
Herrera Beutler
Hinojosa
Lewis
Smith (WA)
Wagner
Wasserman Schultz
Yarmuth
Young (IN)
Announcement by the Chair
The CHAIR (during the vote). There is 1 minute remaining.
{time} 2330
Mr. PITTENGER changed his vote from ``aye'' to ``no.''
So the amendment was rejected.
The result of the vote was announced as above recorded.
Amendment Offered by Mr. Ellison
The CHAIR. The unfinished business is the demand for a recorded vote
on the amendment offered by the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Ellison)
on which further proceedings were postponed and on which the noes
prevailed by voice vote.
The Clerk will redesignate the amendment.
The Clerk redesignated the amendment.
Recorded Vote
The CHAIR. A recorded vote has been demanded.
A recorded vote was ordered.
The CHAIR. This is a 2-minute vote.
The vote was taken by electronic device, and there were--ayes 175,
noes 246, not voting 10, as follows:
[[Page H2747]]
[Roll No. 201]
AYES--175
Adams
Amash
Bass
Beatty
Becerra
Bera
Beyer
Blumenauer
Bonamici
Boyle, Brendan F.
Brady (PA)
Brat
Bridenstine
Brownley (CA)
Burgess
Capps
Cardenas
Carney
Carson (IN)
Cartwright
Castor (FL)
Chabot
Chaffetz
Chu, Judy
Cicilline
Clark (MA)
Clarke (NY)
Clay
Cleaver
Cohen
Conyers
Crowley
Davis (CA)
DeFazio
DeGette
Delaney
DelBene
DeSantis
DeSaulnier
Deutch
Dingell
Doggett
Edwards
Ellison
Engel
Eshoo
Farr
Fattah
Foxx
Frankel (FL)
Franks (AZ)
Fudge
Gabbard
Gallego
Garamendi
Garrett
Gibson
Gohmert
Gowdy
Grayson
Grijalva
Grothman
Gutierrez
Hahn
Hastings
Heck (WA)
Higgins
Holding
Honda
Hoyer
Hudson
Huelskamp
Huffman
Huizenga (MI)
Israel
Jackson Lee
Jeffries
Johnson (GA)
Jones
Jordan
Kaptur
Keating
Kelly (IL)
Kennedy
Kildee
Kilmer
Kind
Kirkpatrick
Kuster
Labrador
Langevin
Lawrence
Lee
Levin
Lieu, Ted
Loebsack
Lofgren
Love
Lowenthal
Lowey
Lujan Grisham (NM)
Lynch
Maloney, Carolyn
Massie
Matsui
McCollum
McDermott
McGovern
Meadows
Meeks
Meng
Miller (FL)
Moore
Moulton
Mulvaney
Murphy (FL)
Nadler
Napolitano
Nolan
Norcross
O'Rourke
Pallone
Payne
Pelosi
Peters
Pingree
Pitts
Pocan
Poliquin
Polis
Pompeo
Price, Tom
Quigley
Rangel
Ribble
Rice (NY)
Rice (SC)
Rohrabacher
Rokita
Roybal-Allard
Royce
Ruiz
Rush
Sanchez, Linda T.
Sanchez, Loretta
Sanford
Sarbanes
Schakowsky
Schiff
Schweikert
Scott (VA)
Scott, David
Sensenbrenner
Serrano
Sherman
Sires
Slaughter
Speier
Stutzman
Swalwell (CA)
Takai
Takano
Titus
Tonko
Tsongas
Van Hollen
Vargas
Velazquez
Walz
Waters, Maxine
Watson Coleman
Welch
Wenstrup
Woodall
Yoho
NOES--246
Abraham
Aderholt
Aguilar
Allen
Amodei
Ashford
Babin
Barletta
Barr
Barton
Benishek
Bilirakis
Bishop (GA)
Bishop (MI)
Bishop (UT)
Black
Blackburn
Blum
Bost
Boustany
Brady (TX)
Brooks (AL)
Brooks (IN)
Brown (FL)
Buchanan
Bucshon
Bustos
Butterfield
Byrne
Calvert
Capuano
Carter (GA)
Carter (TX)
Castro (TX)
Clawson (FL)
Clyburn
Coffman
Cole
Collins (GA)
Collins (NY)
Comstock
Conaway
Connolly
Cook
Cooper
Costa
Costello (PA)
Courtney
Cramer
Crawford
Crenshaw
Cuellar
Culberson
Curbelo (FL)
Davis, Danny
Davis, Rodney
DeLauro
Denham
Dent
DesJarlais
Diaz-Balart
Dold
Doyle, Michael F.
Duckworth
Duffy
Duncan (SC)
Duncan (TN)
Ellmers (NC)
Emmer (MN)
Esty
Farenthold
Fincher
Fitzpatrick
Fleischmann
Fleming
Flores
Forbes
Fortenberry
Foster
Frelinghuysen
Gibbs
Goodlatte
Gosar
Graham
Granger
Graves (GA)
Graves (LA)
Graves (MO)
Green, Al
Green, Gene
Griffith
Guinta
Guthrie
Hanna
Hardy
Harper
Harris
Hartzler
Heck (NV)
Hensarling
Hice, Jody B.
Hill
Himes
Hultgren
Hunter
Hurd (TX)
Hurt (VA)
Issa
Jenkins (KS)
Jenkins (WV)
Johnson (OH)
Johnson, E. B.
Johnson, Sam
Jolly
Joyce
Katko
Kelly (PA)
King (IA)
King (NY)
Kinzinger (IL)
Kline
Knight
LaMalfa
Lamborn
Lance
Larsen (WA)
Larson (CT)
Latta
Lipinski
LoBiondo
Long
Loudermilk
Lucas
Luetkemeyer
Lujan, Ben Ray (NM)
Lummis
MacArthur
Maloney, Sean
Marchant
Marino
McCarthy
McCaul
McClintock
McHenry
McKinley
McMorris Rodgers
McNerney
McSally
Meehan
Messer
Mica
Miller (MI)
Moolenaar
Mooney (WV)
Mullin
Murphy (PA)
Neal
Neugebauer
Newhouse
Noem
Nugent
Nunes
Olson
Palazzo
Palmer
Pascrell
Paulsen
Pearce
Perlmutter
Perry
Peterson
Pittenger
Poe (TX)
Posey
Price (NC)
Ratcliffe
Reed
Reichert
Renacci
Richmond
Rigell
Roby
Roe (TN)
Rogers (AL)
Rogers (KY)
Rooney (FL)
Ros-Lehtinen
Roskam
Ross
Rothfus
Rouzer
Ruppersberger
Russell
Ryan (OH)
Ryan (WI)
Salmon
Scalise
Schrader
Scott, Austin
Sessions
Sewell (AL)
Shimkus
Shuster
Simpson
Sinema
Smith (MO)
Smith (NE)
Smith (NJ)
Smith (TX)
Stefanik
Stewart
Stivers
Thompson (CA)
Thompson (MS)
Thompson (PA)
Thornberry
Tiberi
Tipton
Torres
Trott
Turner
Upton
Valadao
Veasey
Vela
Visclosky
Walberg
Walden
Walker
Walorski
Walters, Mimi
Weber (TX)
Webster (FL)
Westerman
Westmoreland
Whitfield
Williams
Wilson (FL)
Wilson (SC)
Wittman
Womack
Yoder
Young (AK)
Young (IA)
Zeldin
Zinke
NOT VOTING--10
Buck
Cummings
Herrera Beutler
Hinojosa
Lewis
Smith (WA)
Wagner
Wasserman Schultz
Yarmuth
Young (IN)
Announcement by the Chair
The CHAIR (during the vote). There is 1 minute remaining.
{time} 2332
Mr. ASHFORD changed his vote from ``aye'' to ``no.''
So the amendment was rejected.
The result of the vote was announced as above recorded.
Amendment Offered by Mr. Swalwell of California
The CHAIR. The unfinished business is the demand for a recorded vote
on the amendment offered by the gentleman from California (Mr.
Swalwell) on which further proceedings were postponed and on which the
noes prevailed by voice vote.
The Clerk will redesignate the amendment.
The Clerk redesignated the amendment.
Recorded Vote
The CHAIR. A recorded vote has been demanded.
A recorded vote was ordered.
The CHAIR. This is a 2-minute vote.
The vote was taken by electronic device, and there were--ayes 202,
noes 219, not voting 10, as follows:
[Roll No. 202]
AYES--202
Adams
Aguilar
Ashford
Bass
Beatty
Becerra
Benishek
Bera
Beyer
Bishop (GA)
Blum
Blumenauer
Bonamici
Boyle, Brendan F.
Brady (PA)
Brooks (AL)
Brownley (CA)
Bustos
Butterfield
Capps
Capuano
Cardenas
Carney
Carson (IN)
Cartwright
Castor (FL)
Castro (TX)
Chu, Judy
Cicilline
Clark (MA)
Clarke (NY)
Clay
Cleaver
Clyburn
Cohen
Connolly
Conyers
Cooper
Costa
Costello (PA)
Courtney
Crowley
Cuellar
Curbelo (FL)
Davis (CA)
Davis, Danny
DeFazio
DeGette
Delaney
DeLauro
DelBene
Denham
Dent
DeSaulnier
Deutch
Dingell
Doggett
Dold
Doyle, Michael F.
Duckworth
Edwards
Ellison
Engel
Eshoo
Esty
Farr
Fattah
Fitzpatrick
Foster
Frankel (FL)
Fudge
Gabbard
Gallego
Garamendi
Gibson
Graham
Grayson
Green, Gene
Griffith
Grijalva
Gutierrez
Hahn
Harris
Hastings
Heck (NV)
Heck (WA)
Higgins
Himes
Honda
Huffman
Israel
Jackson Lee
Jeffries
Johnson (GA)
Jones
Kaptur
Katko
Keating
Kelly (IL)
Kennedy
Kildee
Kilmer
Kind
Kirkpatrick
Kuster
Lance
Langevin
Larsen (WA)
Larson (CT)
Lawrence
Lee
Levin
Lieu, Ted
Lipinski
Loebsack
Lofgren
Lowenthal
Lowey
Lujan Grisham (NM)
Lujan, Ben Ray (NM)
Lynch
MacArthur
Maloney, Carolyn
Maloney, Sean
Matsui
McCollum
McDermott
McGovern
McNerney
McSally
Meeks
Meng
Moore
Moulton
Murphy (FL)
Nadler
Napolitano
Neal
Nolan
Norcross
O'Rourke
Pallone
Pascrell
Payne
Pelosi
Perlmutter
Peters
Peterson
Pingree
Pocan
Polis
Posey
Price (NC)
Quigley
Reichert
Rice (NY)
Richmond
Roybal-Allard
Ruiz
Ruppersberger
Rush
Sanchez, Linda T.
Sanchez, Loretta
Sarbanes
Schakowsky
Schiff
Schrader
Scott (VA)
Scott, David
Sensenbrenner
Serrano
Sewell (AL)
Sherman
Sinema
Sires
Slaughter
Speier
Stefanik
Stivers
Swalwell (CA)
Takai
Takano
Thompson (CA)
Thompson (MS)
Titus
Tonko
Torres
Tsongas
Van Hollen
Vargas
Veasey
Vela
Velazquez
Visclosky
Walz
Waters, Maxine
Watson Coleman
Welch
Wilson (FL)
Woodall
Yoho
Zeldin
NOES--219
Abraham
Aderholt
Allen
Amash
Amodei
Babin
Barletta
Barr
Barton
Bilirakis
Bishop (MI)
Bishop (UT)
Black
Blackburn
Bost
Boustany
Brady (TX)
Brat
Bridenstine
Brooks (IN)
Brown (FL)
Buchanan
Bucshon
Burgess
Byrne
Calvert
Carter (GA)
Carter (TX)
Chabot
Chaffetz
Clawson (FL)
Coffman
Cole
Collins (GA)
Collins (NY)
Comstock
Conaway
Cook
Cramer
Crawford
Crenshaw
Culberson
Davis, Rodney
DeSantis
DesJarlais
Diaz-Balart
Duffy
Duncan (SC)
Duncan (TN)
Ellmers (NC)
Emmer (MN)
Farenthold
Fincher
Fleischmann
Fleming
Flores
Forbes
Fortenberry
Foxx
Franks (AZ)
Frelinghuysen
Garrett
Gibbs
Gohmert
Goodlatte
Gosar
Gowdy
Granger
Graves (GA)
Graves (LA)
Graves (MO)
Green, Al
[[Page H2748]]
Grothman
Guinta
Guthrie
Hanna
Hardy
Harper
Hartzler
Hensarling
Hice, Jody B.
Hill
Holding
Hoyer
Hudson
Huelskamp
Huizenga (MI)
Hultgren
Hunter
Hurd (TX)
Hurt (VA)
Issa
Jenkins (KS)
Jenkins (WV)
Johnson (OH)
Johnson, E. B.
Johnson, Sam
Jolly
Jordan
Joyce
Kelly (PA)
King (IA)
King (NY)
Kinzinger (IL)
Kline
Knight
Labrador
LaMalfa
Lamborn
Latta
LoBiondo
Long
Loudermilk
Love
Lucas
Luetkemeyer
Lummis
Marchant
Marino
Massie
McCarthy
McCaul
McClintock
McHenry
McKinley
McMorris Rodgers
Meadows
Meehan
Messer
Mica
Miller (FL)
Miller (MI)
Moolenaar
Mooney (WV)
Mullin
Mulvaney
Murphy (PA)
Neugebauer
Newhouse
Noem
Nugent
Nunes
Olson
Palazzo
Palmer
Paulsen
Pearce
Perry
Pittenger
Pitts
Poe (TX)
Poliquin
Pompeo
Price, Tom
Rangel
Ratcliffe
Reed
Renacci
Ribble
Rice (SC)
Rigell
Roby
Roe (TN)
Rogers (AL)
Rogers (KY)
Rohrabacher
Rokita
Rooney (FL)
Ros-Lehtinen
Roskam
Ross
Rothfus
Rouzer
Royce
Russell
Ryan (OH)
Ryan (WI)
Salmon
Sanford
Scalise
Schweikert
Scott, Austin
Sessions
Shimkus
Shuster
Simpson
Smith (MO)
Smith (NE)
Smith (NJ)
Smith (TX)
Stewart
Stutzman
Thompson (PA)
Thornberry
Tiberi
Tipton
Trott
Turner
Upton
Valadao
Walberg
Walden
Walker
Walorski
Walters, Mimi
Weber (TX)
Webster (FL)
Wenstrup
Westerman
Westmoreland
Whitfield
Williams
Wilson (SC)
Wittman
Womack
Yoder
Young (AK)
Young (IA)
Zinke
NOT VOTING--10
Buck
Cummings
Herrera Beutler
Hinojosa
Lewis
Smith (WA)
Wagner
Wasserman Schultz
Yarmuth
Young (IN)
Announcement by the Chair
The CHAIR (during the vote). There is 1 minute remaining.
{time} 2335
So the amendment was rejected.
The result of the vote was announced as above recorded.
Amendment Offered by Mr. Quigley
The CHAIR. The unfinished business is the demand for a recorded vote
on the amendment offered by the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Quigley)
on which further proceedings were postponed and on which the noes
prevailed by voice vote.
The Clerk will redesignate the amendment.
The Clerk redesignated the amendment.
Recorded Vote
The CHAIR. A recorded vote has been demanded.
A recorded vote was ordered.
The CHAIR. This is a 2-minute vote.
The vote was taken by electronic device, and there were--ayes 164,
noes 257, not voting 10, as follows:
[Roll No. 203]
AYES--164
Adams
Amash
Bass
Beatty
Becerra
Bera
Beyer
Blumenauer
Bonamici
Boyle, Brendan F.
Brady (PA)
Brownley (CA)
Bustos
Butterfield
Capps
Capuano
Cardenas
Carney
Carson (IN)
Cartwright
Castor (FL)
Chu, Judy
Cicilline
Clark (MA)
Clarke (NY)
Clay
Cleaver
Cohen
Connolly
Conyers
Cooper
Crowley
Davis (CA)
Davis, Danny
Davis, Rodney
DeFazio
DeGette
Delaney
DeLauro
DelBene
DeSaulnier
Deutch
Dingell
Doggett
Doyle, Michael F.
Duckworth
Duncan (TN)
Edwards
Ellison
Engel
Eshoo
Esty
Farr
Fattah
Foster
Frankel (FL)
Fudge
Gallego
Garamendi
Grayson
Griffith
Grijalva
Gutierrez
Hahn
Hastings
Heck (WA)
Higgins
Himes
Honda
Hoyer
Huelskamp
Huffman
Israel
Jackson Lee
Jeffries
Johnson (GA)
Jones
Kaptur
Keating
Kelly (IL)
Kennedy
Kildee
Kilmer
Kind
Kirkpatrick
Kuster
Langevin
Larsen (WA)
Larson (CT)
Lawrence
Lee
Levin
Lieu, Ted
Lipinski
Loebsack
Lowenthal
Lowey
Lynch
Maloney, Carolyn
Massie
Matsui
McCollum
McDermott
McGovern
McNerney
Meeks
Meng
Moore
Mulvaney
Nadler
Napolitano
Neal
Nolan
Norcross
O'Rourke
Pallone
Pascrell
Payne
Pelosi
Perlmutter
Peters
Pingree
Pocan
Polis
Price (NC)
Quigley
Rangel
Ribble
Rice (NY)
Rice (SC)
Rohrabacher
Roybal-Allard
Royce
Ruiz
Rush
Ryan (OH)
Sanchez, Linda T.
Sanchez, Loretta
Sanford
Sarbanes
Schakowsky
Schiff
Scott (VA)
Scott, David
Sensenbrenner
Serrano
Sires
Speier
Takai
Takano
Thompson (CA)
Titus
Torres
Tsongas
Van Hollen
Vargas
Veasey
Velazquez
Visclosky
Walz
Waters, Maxine
Watson Coleman
Welch
Yoho
NOES--257
Abraham
Aderholt
Aguilar
Allen
Amodei
Ashford
Babin
Barletta
Barr
Barton
Benishek
Bilirakis
Bishop (GA)
Bishop (MI)
Bishop (UT)
Black
Blackburn
Blum
Bost
Boustany
Brady (TX)
Brat
Bridenstine
Brooks (AL)
Brooks (IN)
Brown (FL)
Buchanan
Bucshon
Burgess
Byrne
Calvert
Carter (GA)
Carter (TX)
Castro (TX)
Chabot
Chaffetz
Clawson (FL)
Clyburn
Coffman
Cole
Collins (GA)
Collins (NY)
Comstock
Conaway
Cook
Costa
Costello (PA)
Courtney
Cramer
Crawford
Crenshaw
Cuellar
Culberson
Curbelo (FL)
Denham
Dent
DeSantis
DesJarlais
Diaz-Balart
Dold
Duffy
Duncan (SC)
Ellmers (NC)
Emmer (MN)
Farenthold
Fincher
Fitzpatrick
Fleischmann
Fleming
Flores
Forbes
Fortenberry
Foxx
Franks (AZ)
Frelinghuysen
Gabbard
Garrett
Gibbs
Gibson
Gohmert
Goodlatte
Gosar
Gowdy
Graham
Granger
Graves (GA)
Graves (LA)
Graves (MO)
Green, Al
Green, Gene
Grothman
Guinta
Guthrie
Hanna
Hardy
Harper
Harris
Hartzler
Heck (NV)
Hensarling
Hice, Jody B.
Hill
Holding
Hudson
Huizenga (MI)
Hultgren
Hunter
Hurd (TX)
Hurt (VA)
Issa
Jenkins (KS)
Jenkins (WV)
Johnson (OH)
Johnson, E. B.
Johnson, Sam
Jolly
Jordan
Joyce
Katko
Kelly (PA)
King (IA)
King (NY)
Kinzinger (IL)
Kline
Knight
Labrador
LaMalfa
Lamborn
Lance
Latta
LoBiondo
Lofgren
Long
Loudermilk
Love
Lucas
Luetkemeyer
Lujan Grisham (NM)
Lujan, Ben Ray (NM)
Lummis
MacArthur
Maloney, Sean
Marchant
Marino
McCarthy
McCaul
McClintock
McHenry
McKinley
McMorris Rodgers
McSally
Meadows
Meehan
Messer
Mica
Miller (FL)
Miller (MI)
Moolenaar
Mooney (WV)
Moulton
Mullin
Murphy (FL)
Murphy (PA)
Neugebauer
Newhouse
Noem
Nugent
Nunes
Olson
Palazzo
Palmer
Paulsen
Pearce
Perry
Peterson
Pittenger
Pitts
Poe (TX)
Poliquin
Pompeo
Posey
Price, Tom
Ratcliffe
Reed
Reichert
Renacci
Richmond
Rigell
Roby
Roe (TN)
Rogers (AL)
Rogers (KY)
Rokita
Rooney (FL)
Ros-Lehtinen
Roskam
Ross
Rothfus
Rouzer
Ruppersberger
Russell
Ryan (WI)
Salmon
Scalise
Schrader
Schweikert
Scott, Austin
Sessions
Sewell (AL)
Sherman
Shimkus
Shuster
Simpson
Sinema
Slaughter
Smith (MO)
Smith (NE)
Smith (NJ)
Smith (TX)
Stefanik
Stewart
Stivers
Stutzman
Swalwell (CA)
Thompson (MS)
Thompson (PA)
Thornberry
Tiberi
Tipton
Tonko
Trott
Turner
Upton
Valadao
Vela
Walberg
Walden
Walker
Walorski
Walters, Mimi
Weber (TX)
Webster (FL)
Wenstrup
Westerman
Westmoreland
Whitfield
Williams
Wilson (FL)
Wilson (SC)
Wittman
Womack
Woodall
Yoder
Young (AK)
Young (IA)
Zeldin
Zinke
NOT VOTING--10
Buck
Cummings
Herrera Beutler
Hinojosa
Lewis
Smith (WA)
Wagner
Wasserman Schultz
Yarmuth
Young (IN)
Announcement by the Chair
The CHAIR (during the vote). There is 1 minute remaining.
{time} 2339
So the amendment was rejected.
The result of the vote was announced as above recorded.
Amendment Offered by Mr. Garamendi
The CHAIR. The unfinished business is the demand for a recorded vote
on the amendment offered by the gentleman from California (Mr.
Garamendi) on which further proceedings were postponed and on which the
noes prevailed by voice vote.
The Clerk will redesignate the amendment.
The Clerk redesignated the amendment.
Recorded Vote
The CHAIR. A recorded vote has been demanded.
A recorded vote was ordered.
The CHAIR. This is a 2-minute vote.
The vote was taken by electronic device, and there were--ayes 149,
noes 272, not voting 10, as follows:
[Roll No. 204]
AYES--149
Adams
Amash
Bass
Beatty
Becerra
Bera
Beyer
Blumenauer
Bonamici
Brady (PA)
Brownley (CA)
Bustos
Capps
Cardenas
Carney
Carson (IN)
Castor (FL)
Chu, Judy
Cicilline
Clark (MA)
Clarke (NY)
Clay
Cleaver
Cohen
Conyers
Crowley
Davis (CA)
DeFazio
DeGette
Delaney
[[Page H2749]]
DeLauro
DelBene
DeSaulnier
Deutch
Dingell
Doggett
Doyle, Michael F.
Duckworth
Duncan (TN)
Edwards
Ellison
Engel
Eshoo
Esty
Farr
Fattah
Foster
Frankel (FL)
Fudge
Gallego
Garamendi
Grayson
Green, Gene
Griffith
Grijalva
Grothman
Gutierrez
Hahn
Hastings
Heck (WA)
Higgins
Himes
Honda
Hoyer
Huelskamp
Huffman
Jackson Lee
Jeffries
Jones
Kaptur
Keating
Kelly (IL)
Kennedy
Kildee
Kilmer
Kind
Kirkpatrick
Kuster
Langevin
Larsen (WA)
Larson (CT)
Lawrence
Lee
Levin
Lieu, Ted
Loebsack
Lowenthal
Lowey
Lynch
Maloney, Carolyn
Massie
Matsui
McCollum
McDermott
McGovern
McNerney
Meeks
Meng
Moore
Nadler
Napolitano
Nolan
O'Rourke
Pallone
Payne
Pelosi
Peters
Pingree
Pocan
Polis
Price (NC)
Quigley
Ribble
Rice (SC)
Rohrabacher
Rokita
Roybal-Allard
Ruiz
Rush
Ryan (OH)
Sanchez, Linda T.
Sanchez, Loretta
Sarbanes
Schakowsky
Schiff
Scott (VA)
Scott, David
Sensenbrenner
Serrano
Sherman
Sires
Speier
Takai
Takano
Thompson (CA)
Titus
Tonko
Tsongas
Van Hollen
Vargas
Veasey
Vela
Velazquez
Visclosky
Walz
Waters, Maxine
Watson Coleman
Welch
Yoho
NOES--272
Abraham
Aderholt
Aguilar
Allen
Amodei
Ashford
Babin
Barletta
Barr
Barton
Benishek
Bilirakis
Bishop (GA)
Bishop (MI)
Bishop (UT)
Black
Blackburn
Blum
Bost
Boustany
Boyle, Brendan F.
Brady (TX)
Brat
Bridenstine
Brooks (AL)
Brooks (IN)
Brown (FL)
Buchanan
Bucshon
Burgess
Butterfield
Byrne
Calvert
Capuano
Carter (GA)
Carter (TX)
Cartwright
Castro (TX)
Chabot
Chaffetz
Clawson (FL)
Clyburn
Coffman
Cole
Collins (GA)
Collins (NY)
Comstock
Conaway
Connolly
Cook
Cooper
Costa
Costello (PA)
Courtney
Cramer
Crawford
Crenshaw
Cuellar
Culberson
Curbelo (FL)
Davis, Danny
Davis, Rodney
Denham
Dent
DeSantis
DesJarlais
Diaz-Balart
Dold
Duffy
Duncan (SC)
Ellmers (NC)
Emmer (MN)
Farenthold
Fincher
Fitzpatrick
Fleischmann
Fleming
Flores
Forbes
Fortenberry
Foxx
Franks (AZ)
Frelinghuysen
Gabbard
Garrett
Gibbs
Gibson
Gohmert
Goodlatte
Gosar
Gowdy
Graham
Granger
Graves (GA)
Graves (LA)
Graves (MO)
Green, Al
Guinta
Guthrie
Hanna
Hardy
Harper
Harris
Hartzler
Heck (NV)
Hensarling
Hice, Jody B.
Hill
Holding
Hudson
Huizenga (MI)
Hultgren
Hunter
Hurd (TX)
Hurt (VA)
Israel
Issa
Jenkins (KS)
Jenkins (WV)
Johnson (GA)
Johnson (OH)
Johnson, E. B.
Johnson, Sam
Jolly
Jordan
Joyce
Katko
Kelly (PA)
King (IA)
King (NY)
Kinzinger (IL)
Kline
Knight
Labrador
LaMalfa
Lamborn
Lance
Latta
Lipinski
LoBiondo
Lofgren
Long
Loudermilk
Love
Lucas
Luetkemeyer
Lujan Grisham (NM)
Lujan, Ben Ray (NM)
Lummis
MacArthur
Maloney, Sean
Marchant
Marino
McCarthy
McCaul
McClintock
McHenry
McKinley
McMorris Rodgers
McSally
Meadows
Meehan
Messer
Mica
Miller (FL)
Miller (MI)
Moolenaar
Mooney (WV)
Moulton
Mullin
Mulvaney
Murphy (FL)
Murphy (PA)
Neal
Neugebauer
Newhouse
Noem
Norcross
Nugent
Nunes
Olson
Palazzo
Palmer
Pascrell
Paulsen
Pearce
Perlmutter
Perry
Peterson
Pittenger
Pitts
Poe (TX)
Poliquin
Pompeo
Posey
Price, Tom
Rangel
Ratcliffe
Reed
Reichert
Renacci
Rice (NY)
Richmond
Rigell
Roby
Roe (TN)
Rogers (AL)
Rogers (KY)
Rooney (FL)
Ros-Lehtinen
Roskam
Ross
Rothfus
Rouzer
Royce
Ruppersberger
Russell
Ryan (WI)
Salmon
Sanford
Scalise
Schrader
Schweikert
Scott, Austin
Sessions
Sewell (AL)
Shimkus
Shuster
Simpson
Sinema
Slaughter
Smith (MO)
Smith (NE)
Smith (NJ)
Smith (TX)
Stefanik
Stewart
Stivers
Stutzman
Swalwell (CA)
Thompson (MS)
Thompson (PA)
Thornberry
Tiberi
Tipton
Torres
Trott
Turner
Upton
Valadao
Walberg
Walden
Walker
Walorski
Walters, Mimi
Weber (TX)
Webster (FL)
Wenstrup
Westerman
Westmoreland
Whitfield
Williams
Wilson (FL)
Wilson (SC)
Wittman
Womack
Woodall
Yoder
Young (AK)
Young (IA)
Zeldin
Zinke
NOT VOTING--10
Buck
Cummings
Herrera Beutler
Hinojosa
Lewis
Smith (WA)
Wagner
Wasserman Schultz
Yarmuth
Young (IN)
Announcement by the Chair
The CHAIR (during the vote). There is 1 minute remaining.
{time} 2342
So the amendment was rejected.
The result of the vote was announced as above recorded.
Amendment Offered by Mr. Hudson
The CHAIR. The unfinished business is the demand for a recorded vote
on the amendment offered by the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr.
Hudson) on which further proceedings were postponed and on which the
noes prevailed by voice vote.
The Clerk will redesignate the amendment.
The Clerk redesignated the amendment.
Recorded Vote
The CHAIR. A recorded vote has been demanded.
A recorded vote was ordered.
The CHAIR. This is a 2-minute vote.
The vote was taken by electronic device, and there were--ayes 143,
noes 278, not voting 10, as follows:
[Roll No. 205]
AYES--143
Allen
Amash
Babin
Bilirakis
Bishop (MI)
Bishop (UT)
Black
Blackburn
Blum
Brady (TX)
Brat
Bridenstine
Brooks (AL)
Brooks (IN)
Buchanan
Burgess
Byrne
Carter (GA)
Carter (TX)
Chabot
Chaffetz
Clawson (FL)
Coffman
Collins (GA)
Conaway
Cook
Culberson
DeSantis
DesJarlais
Duffy
Duncan (TN)
Emmer (MN)
Farenthold
Fincher
Fleming
Flores
Forbes
Franks (AZ)
Garrett
Gibbs
Gohmert
Goodlatte
Gosar
Gowdy
Granger
Graves (GA)
Graves (LA)
Graves (MO)
Grothman
Guthrie
Hardy
Harper
Harris
Hensarling
Hice, Jody B.
Hill
Holding
Hudson
Huelskamp
Huizenga (MI)
Hunter
Hurd (TX)
Hurt (VA)
Jenkins (KS)
Johnson, Sam
Jordan
Kline
Knight
LaMalfa
Lamborn
Lance
Long
Loudermilk
Love
Lummis
Marchant
Massie
McCarthy
McCaul
McClintock
McHenry
McMorris Rodgers
Meadows
Messer
Mica
Miller (FL)
Miller (MI)
Mooney (WV)
Mullin
Neugebauer
Olson
Palmer
Paulsen
Pearce
Perry
Pittenger
Pitts
Poe (TX)
Poliquin
Pompeo
Posey
Price, Tom
Ratcliffe
Ribble
Rice (SC)
Roe (TN)
Rogers (AL)
Rohrabacher
Rokita
Rooney (FL)
Rothfus
Rouzer
Royce
Russell
Ryan (WI)
Salmon
Sanford
Schweikert
Scott, Austin
Sensenbrenner
Sessions
Shimkus
Shuster
Smith (MO)
Smith (NE)
Smith (TX)
Stivers
Stutzman
Thornberry
Tiberi
Walberg
Walker
Walters, Mimi
Weber (TX)
Webster (FL)
Westerman
Williams
Wilson (SC)
Wittman
Woodall
Yoder
Yoho
Zinke
NOES--278
Abraham
Adams
Aderholt
Aguilar
Amodei
Ashford
Barletta
Barr
Barton
Bass
Beatty
Becerra
Benishek
Bera
Beyer
Bishop (GA)
Blumenauer
Bonamici
Bost
Boustany
Boyle, Brendan F.
Brady (PA)
Brown (FL)
Brownley (CA)
Bucshon
Bustos
Butterfield
Calvert
Capps
Capuano
Cardenas
Carney
Carson (IN)
Cartwright
Castor (FL)
Castro (TX)
Chu, Judy
Cicilline
Clark (MA)
Clarke (NY)
Clay
Cleaver
Clyburn
Cohen
Cole
Collins (NY)
Comstock
Connolly
Conyers
Cooper
Costa
Costello (PA)
Courtney
Cramer
Crawford
Crenshaw
Crowley
Cuellar
Curbelo (FL)
Davis (CA)
Davis, Danny
Davis, Rodney
DeFazio
DeGette
Delaney
DeLauro
DelBene
Denham
Dent
DeSaulnier
Deutch
Diaz-Balart
Dingell
Doggett
Dold
Doyle, Michael F.
Duckworth
Duncan (SC)
Edwards
Ellison
Ellmers (NC)
Engel
Eshoo
Esty
Farr
Fattah
Fitzpatrick
Fleischmann
Fortenberry
Foster
Foxx
Frankel (FL)
Frelinghuysen
Fudge
Gabbard
Gallego
Garamendi
Gibson
Graham
Grayson
Green, Al
Green, Gene
Griffith
Grijalva
Guinta
Gutierrez
Hahn
Hanna
Hartzler
Hastings
Heck (NV)
Heck (WA)
Higgins
Himes
Honda
Hoyer
Huffman
Hultgren
Israel
Issa
Jackson Lee
Jeffries
Jenkins (WV)
Johnson (GA)
Johnson (OH)
Johnson, E. B.
Jolly
Jones
Joyce
Kaptur
Katko
Keating
Kelly (IL)
Kelly (PA)
Kennedy
Kildee
Kilmer
Kind
King (IA)
King (NY)
Kinzinger (IL)
Kirkpatrick
Kuster
Labrador
Langevin
Larsen (WA)
Larson (CT)
Latta
Lawrence
Lee
Levin
Lieu, Ted
Lipinski
LoBiondo
Loebsack
Lofgren
Lowenthal
Lowey
Lucas
Luetkemeyer
Lujan Grisham (NM)
Lujan, Ben Ray (NM)
Lynch
MacArthur
Maloney, Carolyn
Maloney, Sean
Marino
Matsui
McCollum
McDermott
McGovern
McKinley
McNerney
McSally
Meehan
Meeks
Meng
Moolenaar
Moore
Moulton
Mulvaney
Murphy (FL)
Murphy (PA)
Nadler
Napolitano
Neal
Newhouse
Noem
Nolan
Norcross
[[Page H2750]]
Nugent
Nunes
O'Rourke
Palazzo
Pallone
Pascrell
Payne
Pelosi
Perlmutter
Peters
Peterson
Pingree
Pocan
Polis
Price (NC)
Quigley
Rangel
Reed
Reichert
Renacci
Rice (NY)
Richmond
Rigell
Roby
Rogers (KY)
Ros-Lehtinen
Roskam
Ross
Roybal-Allard
Ruiz
Ruppersberger
Rush
Ryan (OH)
Sanchez, Linda T.
Sanchez, Loretta
Sarbanes
Scalise
Schakowsky
Schiff
Schrader
Scott (VA)
Scott, David
Serrano
Sewell (AL)
Sherman
Simpson
Sinema
Sires
Slaughter
Smith (NJ)
Speier
Stefanik
Stewart
Swalwell (CA)
Takai
Takano
Thompson (CA)
Thompson (MS)
Thompson (PA)
Tipton
Titus
Tonko
Torres
Trott
Tsongas
Turner
Upton
Valadao
Van Hollen
Vargas
Veasey
Vela
Velazquez
Visclosky
Walden
Walorski
Walz
Waters, Maxine
Watson Coleman
Welch
Wenstrup
Westmoreland
Whitfield
Wilson (FL)
Womack
Young (AK)
Young (IA)
Zeldin
NOT VOTING--10
Buck
Cummings
Herrera Beutler
Hinojosa
Lewis
Smith (WA)
Wagner
Wasserman Schultz
Yarmuth
Young (IN)
Announcement by the Chair
The CHAIR (during the vote). There is 1 minute remaining.
{time} 2345
So the amendment was rejected.
The result of the vote was announced as above recorded.
Amendment Offered by Mr. Sanford
The CHAIR. The unfinished business is the demand for a recorded vote
on the amendment offered by the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr.
Sanford) on which further proceedings were postponed and on which the
noes prevailed by voice vote.
The Clerk will redesignate the amendment.
The Clerk redesignated the amendment.
Recorded Vote
The CHAIR. A recorded vote has been demanded.
A recorded vote was ordered.
The CHAIR. This is a 2-minute vote.
The vote was taken by electronic device, and there were--ayes 171,
noes 250, not voting 10, as follows:
[Roll No. 206]
AYES--171
Abraham
Aderholt
Allen
Amash
Amodei
Babin
Barletta
Bilirakis
Bishop (MI)
Bishop (UT)
Black
Blackburn
Bost
Boustany
Brady (TX)
Brat
Bridenstine
Brooks (AL)
Buchanan
Bucshon
Burgess
Byrne
Carter (GA)
Carter (TX)
Chabot
Chaffetz
Clawson (FL)
Coffman
Collins (GA)
Conaway
Cook
Cramer
Crawford
Culberson
Davis, Rodney
DeSantis
DesJarlais
Duffy
Duncan (TN)
Ellmers (NC)
Farenthold
Fincher
Fleming
Flores
Forbes
Foxx
Franks (AZ)
Garrett
Gibbs
Gohmert
Goodlatte
Gosar
Granger
Graves (GA)
Graves (LA)
Griffith
Grothman
Guinta
Guthrie
Hardy
Harris
Hartzler
Hensarling
Hice, Jody B.
Hill
Holding
Hudson
Huelskamp
Huizenga (MI)
Hultgren
Hunter
Hurt (VA)
Jenkins (KS)
Jenkins (WV)
Johnson (OH)
Johnson, Sam
Jolly
Jones
Jordan
Kline
Labrador
LaMalfa
Lamborn
Latta
Long
Loudermilk
Love
Lummis
Marchant
Marino
Massie
McCarthy
McCaul
McClintock
McHenry
McKinley
McMorris Rodgers
McSally
Meadows
Messer
Mica
Miller (FL)
Miller (MI)
Mooney (WV)
Mulvaney
Murphy (PA)
Neugebauer
Newhouse
Noem
Nugent
Nunes
Olson
Palmer
Paulsen
Pearce
Perry
Pittenger
Pitts
Poe (TX)
Poliquin
Pompeo
Posey
Price, Tom
Ratcliffe
Reed
Renacci
Ribble
Rice (SC)
Roby
Roe (TN)
Rogers (AL)
Rohrabacher
Rokita
Rooney (FL)
Roskam
Ross
Rothfus
Rouzer
Royce
Russell
Ryan (WI)
Salmon
Sanford
Scalise
Schweikert
Scott, Austin
Sensenbrenner
Sessions
Smith (NE)
Smith (TX)
Stewart
Stutzman
Thornberry
Walberg
Walker
Walorski
Walters, Mimi
Weber (TX)
Wenstrup
Westerman
Westmoreland
Whitfield
Williams
Wilson (SC)
Wittman
Womack
Woodall
Yoder
Yoho
Young (AK)
Zinke
NOES--250
Adams
Aguilar
Ashford
Barr
Barton
Bass
Beatty
Becerra
Benishek
Bera
Beyer
Bishop (GA)
Blum
Blumenauer
Bonamici
Boyle, Brendan F.
Brady (PA)
Brooks (IN)
Brown (FL)
Brownley (CA)
Bustos
Butterfield
Calvert
Capps
Capuano
Cardenas
Carney
Carson (IN)
Cartwright
Castor (FL)
Castro (TX)
Chu, Judy
Cicilline
Clark (MA)
Clarke (NY)
Clay
Cleaver
Clyburn
Cohen
Cole
Collins (NY)
Comstock
Connolly
Conyers
Cooper
Costa
Costello (PA)
Courtney
Crenshaw
Crowley
Cuellar
Curbelo (FL)
Davis (CA)
Davis, Danny
DeFazio
DeGette
Delaney
DeLauro
DelBene
Denham
Dent
DeSaulnier
Deutch
Diaz-Balart
Dingell
Doggett
Dold
Doyle, Michael F.
Duckworth
Duncan (SC)
Edwards
Ellison
Emmer (MN)
Engel
Eshoo
Esty
Farr
Fattah
Fitzpatrick
Fleischmann
Fortenberry
Foster
Frankel (FL)
Frelinghuysen
Fudge
Gabbard
Gallego
Garamendi
Gibson
Gowdy
Graham
Graves (MO)
Grayson
Green, Al
Green, Gene
Grijalva
Gutierrez
Hahn
Hanna
Harper
Hastings
Heck (NV)
Heck (WA)
Higgins
Himes
Honda
Hoyer
Huffman
Hurd (TX)
Israel
Issa
Jackson Lee
Jeffries
Johnson (GA)
Johnson, E. B.
Joyce
Kaptur
Katko
Keating
Kelly (IL)
Kelly (PA)
Kennedy
Kildee
Kilmer
Kind
King (IA)
King (NY)
Kinzinger (IL)
Kirkpatrick
Knight
Kuster
Lance
Langevin
Larsen (WA)
Larson (CT)
Lawrence
Lee
Levin
Lieu, Ted
Lipinski
LoBiondo
Loebsack
Lofgren
Lowenthal
Lowey
Lucas
Luetkemeyer
Lujan Grisham (NM)
Lujan, Ben Ray (NM)
Lynch
MacArthur
Maloney, Carolyn
Maloney, Sean
Matsui
McCollum
McDermott
McGovern
McNerney
Meehan
Meeks
Meng
Moolenaar
Moore
Moulton
Mullin
Murphy (FL)
Nadler
Napolitano
Neal
Nolan
Norcross
O'Rourke
Palazzo
Pallone
Pascrell
Payne
Pelosi
Perlmutter
Peters
Peterson
Pingree
Pocan
Polis
Price (NC)
Quigley
Rangel
Reichert
Rice (NY)
Richmond
Rigell
Rogers (KY)
Ros-Lehtinen
Roybal-Allard
Ruiz
Ruppersberger
Rush
Ryan (OH)
Sanchez, Linda T.
Sanchez, Loretta
Sarbanes
Schakowsky
Schiff
Schrader
Scott (VA)
Scott, David
Serrano
Sewell (AL)
Sherman
Shimkus
Shuster
Simpson
Sinema
Sires
Slaughter
Smith (MO)
Smith (NJ)
Speier
Stefanik
Stivers
Swalwell (CA)
Takai
Takano
Thompson (CA)
Thompson (MS)
Thompson (PA)
Tiberi
Tipton
Titus
Tonko
Torres
Trott
Tsongas
Turner
Upton
Valadao
Van Hollen
Vargas
Veasey
Vela
Velazquez
Visclosky
Walden
Walz
Waters, Maxine
Watson Coleman
Webster (FL)
Welch
Wilson (FL)
Young (IA)
Zeldin
NOT VOTING--10
Buck
Cummings
Herrera Beutler
Hinojosa
Lewis
Smith (WA)
Wagner
Wasserman Schultz
Yarmuth
Young (IN)
Announcement by the Chair
The CHAIR (during the vote). There is 1 minute remaining.
{time} 2347
Mr. GUTHRIE changed his vote from ``no'' to ``aye.''
So the amendment was rejected.
The result of the vote was announced as above recorded.
Amendment Offered by Mr. Burgess
The CHAIR. The unfinished business is the demand for a recorded vote
on the amendment offered by the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Burgess) on
which further proceedings were postponed and on which the ayes
prevailed by voice vote.
The Clerk will redesignate the amendment.
The Clerk redesignated the amendment.
Recorded Vote
The CHAIR. A recorded vote has been demanded.
A recorded vote was ordered.
The CHAIR. This is a 2-minute vote.
The vote was taken by electronic device, and there were--ayes 232,
noes 189, not voting 10, as follows:
[Roll No. 207]
AYES--232
Abraham
Aderholt
Allen
Amash
Amodei
Babin
Barletta
Barton
Benishek
Bilirakis
Bishop (MI)
Bishop (UT)
Black
Blackburn
Blum
Bost
Boustany
Brady (TX)
Brat
Bridenstine
Brooks (AL)
Brooks (IN)
Buchanan
Burgess
Byrne
Calvert
Carter (GA)
Carter (TX)
Chabot
Chaffetz
Clawson (FL)
Coffman
Cole
Collins (GA)
Collins (NY)
Comstock
Conaway
Cook
Costello (PA)
Cramer
Crawford
Crenshaw
Culberson
Curbelo (FL)
Davis, Rodney
Denham
Dent
DeSantis
DesJarlais
Diaz-Balart
Duffy
Duncan (SC)
Duncan (TN)
Ellmers (NC)
Emmer (MN)
Farenthold
Fincher
Fitzpatrick
Fleischmann
Fleming
Flores
Forbes
Fortenberry
Foxx
Franks (AZ)
Frelinghuysen
Garrett
Gibbs
Gibson
Gohmert
Goodlatte
Gosar
Gowdy
Granger
Graves (GA)
Graves (MO)
Griffith
Grothman
[[Page H2751]]
Guinta
Guthrie
Hardy
Harper
Harris
Hartzler
Heck (NV)
Hensarling
Hice, Jody B.
Hill
Holding
Hudson
Huelskamp
Huizenga (MI)
Hultgren
Hunter
Hurd (TX)
Hurt (VA)
Issa
Jenkins (KS)
Jenkins (WV)
Johnson (OH)
Johnson, Sam
Jones
Jordan
Joyce
Katko
Kelly (PA)
King (IA)
King (NY)
Kinzinger (IL)
Kline
Knight
Labrador
LaMalfa
Lamborn
Lance
Latta
LoBiondo
Long
Loudermilk
Love
Lucas
Luetkemeyer
Lummis
MacArthur
Marchant
Marino
Massie
McCarthy
McCaul
McClintock
McHenry
McKinley
McMorris Rodgers
McSally
Meadows
Meehan
Messer
Mica
Miller (FL)
Miller (MI)
Moolenaar
Mooney (WV)
Mullin
Mulvaney
Murphy (PA)
Neugebauer
Newhouse
Noem
Nugent
Nunes
Olson
Palazzo
Palmer
Paulsen
Pearce
Perry
Peterson
Pittenger
Pitts
Poe (TX)
Poliquin
Pompeo
Posey
Price, Tom
Ratcliffe
Reed
Renacci
Ribble
Rice (SC)
Rigell
Roby
Roe (TN)
Rogers (AL)
Rogers (KY)
Rohrabacher
Rokita
Rooney (FL)
Ros-Lehtinen
Roskam
Ross
Rothfus
Rouzer
Royce
Russell
Ryan (WI)
Salmon
Sanford
Scalise
Schweikert
Scott, Austin
Sensenbrenner
Sessions
Shimkus
Shuster
Simpson
Smith (MO)
Smith (NE)
Smith (NJ)
Smith (TX)
Stefanik
Stewart
Stivers
Stutzman
Thompson (PA)
Thornberry
Tiberi
Tipton
Trott
Turner
Upton
Valadao
Walberg
Walden
Walker
Walorski
Walters, Mimi
Weber (TX)
Webster (FL)
Wenstrup
Westerman
Westmoreland
Whitfield
Williams
Wilson (SC)
Wittman
Womack
Woodall
Yoder
Yoho
Young (AK)
Young (IA)
Zinke
NOES--189
Adams
Aguilar
Ashford
Barr
Bass
Beatty
Becerra
Bera
Beyer
Bishop (GA)
Blumenauer
Bonamici
Boyle, Brendan F.
Brady (PA)
Brown (FL)
Brownley (CA)
Bucshon
Bustos
Butterfield
Capps
Capuano
Cardenas
Carney
Carson (IN)
Cartwright
Castor (FL)
Castro (TX)
Chu, Judy
Cicilline
Clark (MA)
Clarke (NY)
Clay
Cleaver
Clyburn
Cohen
Connolly
Conyers
Cooper
Costa
Courtney
Crowley
Cuellar
Davis (CA)
Davis, Danny
DeFazio
DeGette
Delaney
DeLauro
DelBene
DeSaulnier
Deutch
Dingell
Doggett
Dold
Doyle, Michael F.
Duckworth
Edwards
Ellison
Engel
Eshoo
Esty
Farr
Fattah
Foster
Frankel (FL)
Fudge
Gabbard
Gallego
Garamendi
Graham
Graves (LA)
Grayson
Green, Al
Green, Gene
Grijalva
Gutierrez
Hahn
Hanna
Hastings
Heck (WA)
Higgins
Himes
Honda
Hoyer
Huffman
Israel
Jackson Lee
Jeffries
Johnson (GA)
Johnson, E. B.
Jolly
Kaptur
Keating
Kelly (IL)
Kennedy
Kildee
Kilmer
Kind
Kirkpatrick
Kuster
Langevin
Larsen (WA)
Larson (CT)
Lawrence
Lee
Levin
Lieu, Ted
Lipinski
Loebsack
Lofgren
Lowenthal
Lowey
Lujan Grisham (NM)
Lujan, Ben Ray (NM)
Lynch
Maloney, Carolyn
Maloney, Sean
Matsui
McCollum
McDermott
McGovern
McNerney
Meeks
Meng
Moore
Moulton
Murphy (FL)
Nadler
Napolitano
Neal
Nolan
Norcross
O'Rourke
Pallone
Pascrell
Payne
Pelosi
Perlmutter
Peters
Pingree
Pocan
Polis
Price (NC)
Quigley
Rangel
Reichert
Rice (NY)
Richmond
Roybal-Allard
Ruiz
Ruppersberger
Rush
Ryan (OH)
Sanchez, Linda T.
Sanchez, Loretta
Sarbanes
Schakowsky
Schiff
Schrader
Scott (VA)
Scott, David
Serrano
Sewell (AL)
Sherman
Sinema
Sires
Slaughter
Speier
Swalwell (CA)
Takai
Takano
Thompson (CA)
Thompson (MS)
Titus
Tonko
Torres
Tsongas
Van Hollen
Vargas
Veasey
Vela
Velazquez
Visclosky
Walz
Waters, Maxine
Watson Coleman
Welch
Wilson (FL)
Zeldin
NOT VOTING--10
Buck
Cummings
Herrera Beutler
Hinojosa
Lewis
Smith (WA)
Wagner
Wasserman Schultz
Yarmuth
Young (IN)
Announcement by the Chair
The CHAIR (during the vote). There is 1 minute remaining.
{time} 2350
So the amendment was agreed to.
The result of the vote was announced as above recorded.
Amendment Offered by Mr. Barton
Mr. BARTON. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.
The CHAIR. The Clerk will report the amendment.
The Clerk read as follows:
In the Account ``Office of the Assistant Secretary of the
Army for Civil Works.'' After the dollar amount, insert
(increased by $30,000,000) (decreased by $30,000,000).
The CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 223, the gentleman from Texas
and a Member opposed each will control 5 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Texas.
Mr. BARTON. Mr. Chairman, I had offered an amendment for the Record
that was a very specific amendment, and I am going to read that:
The Secretary shall accept from the Trinity River Authority
of Texas, if received by October 31, 2015, $30,191,026 as
payment in full of amounts owed to the United States,
including any accrued interest, for water supply storage
space in Joe Pool Lake, Texas, previously known as Lakeview
Lake, under contract No. DACW63-76-C-0106.
Mr. Chairman, this amendment was approved by the Corps of Engineers,
approved by the Trinity River Authority, and approved by the
municipalities that are obligated to purchase water that is stored in
this lake. However, only one of those municipalities is actually taking
the water, and because of a very high interest rate, it would never be
feasible for the water to be taken by the three municipalities that are
not taking it. Under this agreement, the Trinity River Authority would
pay all principal and accrued interest but at an interest rate of a
little over 2 percent.
The Corps has accepted it. The municipalities have accepted it. The
State of Texas has accepted it. It has all been accepted. The committee
of authorizing jurisdiction is supportive of it, which is the
Transportation Committee. In principle, on policy, the appropriators of
the subcommittee on both sides of the aisle are supportive.
However, there is a point of order against the amendment as
originally drafted. I respect that point of order. I respect the
subcommittee chairman and the ranking member, and I respect the full
committee chairman, so I have drafted the substitute amendment, which
there is no point of order against. I am told that, if accepted, this
will have an effect that, if the appropriators support it in principle,
the Corps will accept it, and the municipalities will accept it, and we
will get this problem solved.
I want to emphasize that the United States Government is going to get
all of its money back with interest at the prevailing market rate of
the little over 2 percent that exists today. This is not a giveaway.
This is literally found money that goes back to the Corps of Engineers,
and they, under the leadership of the subcommittee that Mr. Simpson and
Ms. Kaptur are responsible for, can designate that money however they
think it is best to be obligated.
I ask for the chairman of the subcommittee to enter into a colloquy
to see if he accepts this amendment in principle and is willing to work
with me and Ms. Johnson to implement it in the appropriate fashion at
the appropriate time.
Mr. SIMPSON. Will the gentleman yield?
Mr. BARTON. I yield to the gentleman.
Mr. SIMPSON. Mr. Chairman, I understand what the gentleman would like
to do and how it would be helpful to his constituents. I would be happy
to continue the discussion of this issue to see if there is anything
that this subcommittee can do. I will not oppose this amendment, and I
will try to help accomplish this goal that the gentleman is trying to
achieve. It is amazing to me that, when everybody agrees on something,
how hard it can still be to get it done.
Mr. BARTON. In reclaiming my time, we are trying to give money to the
Federal Government that your subcommittee can use. It is a good
amendment. I appreciate your support, Mr. Chairman.
I reserve the balance of my time.
{time} 0000
Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I seek time in
opposition, although I am not opposed to the amendment.
The CHAIR. Without objection, the gentlewoman is recognized for 5
minutes.
There was no objection.
Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Let me thank my friend and
colleague from my home State of Texas (Mr. Barton), who I share the
lake with.
This is a commonsense amendment. I want to thank all of those who
have
[[Page H2752]]
helped to arrive at this acceptable language for this amendment.
The language of the amendment has been scored by the Congressional
Budget Office and has a zero score. More importantly, the amendment
would provide a revenue for the government. It would make good on
unintended consequences that came as a result of a now antiquated
metric of calculating costs for such projects.
In the 1986 WRDA bill, Congress recognized this mistake in its
formulas for rates and added a provision allowing for the recalculation
of such project rates for ever 5 years, but it was not retroactive.
This amendment will enable the Trinity River Authority to make a
final payment to the Corps of Engineers, begin providing water supply
and storage, and allow the Federal Government to finally begin
collecting revenue on this investment.
I will remind my colleagues these contracts are congressionally
approved, but this contract was agreed to on terms no longer favorable
to the U.S. Government.
The original formula has tripled the valuation of the project, and as
it stands, the project will never be completed, and we will never
collect on the contract. There is no existing obligation to pay for the
completion of the project, so what we have now is a half-completed
project and no path forward for the government to collect on its
investment.
This is revenue for our government. It has a zero CBO score, and it
is a commonsense amendment.
I urge my colleagues to adopt this amendment, and I thank all those
who helped us to arrive at this point.
Mr. BARTON. Will the gentlewoman yield?
Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. I yield to the gentleman from
Texas.
Mr. BARTON. Is it not true there literally is an escrow account in
Texas with $30 million in it that they wish to send to the Federal
Government?
Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. That is true. They are ready to
pay it.
Mr. BARTON. Is it not true that this is what we would call found
money?
Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Yes, indeed; $30 million is a lot
of money for the government these days.
Mr. BARTON. Is it also not true that, if Mr. Simpson and Ms. Kaptur
and their subcommittee and the full committee accepts this and works in
good faith to actually implement it, that the subcommittee and the full
committee can use these unobligated funds in whatever fashion they see
best for programs within the jurisdiction of the Corps of Engineers?
Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. That is true.
Mr. BARTON. I thank the gentlewoman.
Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the
balance of my time.
Mr. BARTON. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.
The CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the gentleman
from Texas (Mr. Barton).
The amendment was agreed to.
Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word.
The CHAIR. The gentlewoman from Ohio is recognized for 5 minutes.
Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Chairman, I yield to the gentlewoman from Maine (Ms.
Pingree).
Ms. PINGREE. I thank the ranking member for yielding, and thank you
to our ranking member and the chair for the good work that they have
done on this bill.
Mr. Chairman, I rise to add my voice to those in support of water
power and the Bonamici-Perry-Pingree amendment.
This amendment provides a modest increase in funding for the
Department of Energy's Water Power Program, but that modest increase
will make a big difference in developing new sources of clean energy,
tidal power, and hydropower from all across the country.
I have seen this program work firsthand in the State of Maine. Ocean
Renewable Power Company has taken advantage of this program and
leveraged these modest investments into a company that has created or
retained over a hundred jobs in every part of our State and directly
pumped over $25 million into our economy.
Tidal and river power projects create jobs in areas where they are
needed most, in Eastport, Maine, for example, or in rural villages in
Alaska. These projects lower energy prices and create jobs. For some
remote communities, creating these new forms of clean energy is a
matter of survival.
These projects are examples of American technology and know-how at
work. By creating homegrown solutions to our energy needs, we are
investing in our communities and developing technology that the rest of
the world wants to buy from us. Most importantly of all, this allows us
to keep the money we spend on energy right here in America.
This Department of Energy program supports private sector research
and development and implementation of water power technology that
creates these jobs and these new sources of clean energy. This modest
increase in funding will translate directly into jobs and an increase
in the supply of clean renewable energy across the country.
Ms. KAPTUR. I want to thank Congresswoman Pingree of Maine for her
efforts here this evening and for her dedication to renewable energy,
including in the tidal arena.
I yield back the balance of my time.
Amendment Offered by Mr. Abraham
Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.
The CHAIR. The Clerk will report the amendment.
The Clerk read as follows:
At the end of the bill (before the short title), insert the
following:
Sec. __. None of the funds made available by this Act may
be used to implement, administer, carry out, modify, revise,
or enforce Executive Order 13690 (entitled ``Establishing a
Federal Flood Risk Management Standard and a Process for
Further Soliciting and Considering Stakeholder Input'').
The CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 233, the gentleman from
Louisiana and a Member opposed each will control 5 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Louisiana.
Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. Chairman, we are here today because, with the stroke
of a pen, President Obama has threatened decades of work by Americans
and local governments to combat flooding.
Executive Order No. 13690 establishes a Federal Flood Risk Management
Standard that greatly expands the area defined as flood plain and
imposes unreasonable standards on any Federal activities in that
expanded flood plain.
The administration crafted this policy in secret, without input on
its merits from local officials or stakeholders, those stakeholders
that will have to live with this policy.
The Office of Management and Budget predicts that this standard will
significantly increase the cost of living and doing business in all
areas that are at any risk of flooding.
This is just another case of the President imposing his climate
change politics on hard-working Americans. This new standard will have
a real devastating impact on communities throughout the country.
I urge my colleagues to support this amendment that will prohibit
funding for this woefully shortsighted executive order.
I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Louisiana, Dr. Boustany, my
good friend.
Mr. BOUSTANY. Mr. Chairman, the administration continues to rule
using executive orders and a top-down approach without taking
stakeholder voices into account. That is arbitrary, and it is just
wrong.
This Federal Flood Risk Management Standard is a case in point
established by executive order. The President solicited no public input
on its merits before charging full speed ahead. This is horrible for
Louisiana. It will be devastating for our coastal communities,
inhibiting their ability to grow and develop.
This order affects critical programs like disaster preparedness
assistance and Federal highway and housing aid; yet no cost-benefit
analysis was ever undertaken. This is just not the way things are
supposed to work around here.
I encourage all my colleagues who are concerned not only with the
content of this, but the fly-by-night process by which this revision
was proposed, to support our amendment and send a message to the
administration that this will not stand.
Mr. ABRAHAM. I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr.
[[Page H2753]]
Scalise), our great friend and majority whip.
Mr. SCALISE. I want to thank my colleague, Mr. Abraham, for his
leadership on this issue.
Mr. Chairman, if you look at this proposal, the way it came about,
there was not the right kind of planning and the right kind of
feedback, the right kind of working with people who have been working
hard on flood protection structures.
Mr. Chairman, this proposal by the President, if it were implemented,
would actually make it harder to build flood protection projects. Why
would the President want to bring forward a proposal that is going to
make it harder for people to protect their homes from flooding?
This isn't just a south Louisiana problem; this impacts the entire
Nation. There are people all around the country that would not only be
threatened by the inability to build stronger flood protection, but
this would also lead to dramatic increases in insurance rates on
homeowners.
This proposal by the President is not only a solution in search of a
problem; this is going to be a dangerous proposal that will have
dramatically devastating impacts on families all across this Nation.
This is a proposal that needs to be reversed. I support it.
{time} 0010
Mr. Chairman, I yield to the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Graves).
Mr. GRAVES of Louisiana. Mr. Chairman, I want to thank Congressman
Abraham for bringing this amendment up.
I strongly support resiliency efforts, making our communities more
resilient and our ecosystem more resilient. In this case, we are taking
a standard that is universally considered to be a 100-year standard and
bumping it, in many cases, to a 500-year standard.
In the State of Louisiana, FEMA has gone through and tried to
establish maps to determine a 100-year standard. We found areas where
they are 6 feet off where they should be, yet we are going to try and
go to a 500-year standard. I remind you, our Nation hasn't even been
around that long.
Most concerning, Mr. Chairman, is when you combine this proposed
executive order with the Waters of the U.S. proposal that clearly
states that flood plains are within the jurisdiction of the Federal
Government, you suddenly grossly expand the Federal Government's
jurisdiction over private property and prevent or obstruct or increase
the cost of development on that private property.
Lastly, Mr. Chairman, I just want to state that in December of last
year, Congress raised strong concern about this, about the huge
implications of this and, therefore, they put a provision in law that
required that input from stakeholders occur before this executive order
be put forth, and that was ignored.
Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to the amendment.
The CHAIR. The gentlewoman from Ohio is recognized for 5 minutes.
Ms. KAPTUR. I rise in opposition the gentleman's amendment.
It doesn't take a mental giant to see that floods are among the most
costly and frequent of all nature's hazards.
Between 1980 and 2013, the United States suffered more than $260
billion worth of flood-related damages. Flooding accounts for
approximately 85 percent of all disaster declarations in the country.
And on average, more people die annually from flooding than any other
natural disaster. I can tell you that even in the Midwest, which isn't
one of the coastal communities, we have more significant storms of late
and more rainfall and more flooding to deal with.
The costs borne by the Federal taxpayer by flooding exceed any other
natural hazard. Losses caused by flooding impact our economic
prosperity, public health and safety, and our national security by
straining disaster response resources and increasing the frequency and
cost of disaster relief.
When you look at the cost of what FEMA has to spend to try to clean
up everything from basements to neighborhoods, oh, my goodness. The
millions and millions of dollars that go out, the billions of dollars
that go out the door because of these disasters around the country
related to flooding is huge.
Flooding risks are anticipated to increase over time due to the
continued occupation of flood-prone areas, the impacts of climate
change, and other threats. That damage can be particularly severe to
our Nation's infrastructure, including our buildings, roads, ports,
industrial facilities, and even our coastal military installations.
I actually have traveled to Louisiana, and my heart goes out to the
people of New Orleans and all of the surrounding areas for what they
suffered. But I can tell you, I was shocked to see that there were
decisions made for land planning to absolutely rebuild where all the
damage had occurred. I even made suggestions in the Ninth Ward inside
New Orleans. I said: Why don't you leave that open for agriculture, so
that when you get another big threat from the ocean, you won't harm as
many people? It was as though no one wanted to listen.
Well, God bless everyone, because nature we can't control. She does
what she wants.
Federal agencies will be given the flexibility to select the best
approach for establishing the flood elevation and hazard area they use
in siting, design, and construction: utilizing the best available
actionable data and methods that integrate current and future changes
in flooding based on science and experience; 2 or 3 feet of elevation,
depending on the criticality of the building itself, above the 100-
year, or 1 percent, annual chance flood elevation; or a 500-year, or
0.2 percent, annual chance flood elevation.
The new flood standard will help reduce the risk and costs and,
frankly, loss of life of future flood disasters by providing a margin
of safety so that federally funded structures, facilities, and
infrastructure last as long as intended.
Why should we ask people who are living responsibly with the land and
the forces of nature to pay for those who want to live irresponsibly
with those same forces?
It seems to me that one of the most cost-effective things we can do
is to be sensible about our land planning for the future, so that we
avoid the harm to human life and our built environment. We are more
intelligent, we hope, than we were a century ago. We have a lot more
data. We have a lot more experience, and it should influence our
decisions from now into the future.
I oppose the amendment and urge my colleagues to join me. Let's be
responsible in this new century and minimize the harm, both to human
life as well as taxpayers' pocketbooks.
I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. Chairman, the good, hard-working people that live in
these areas that would be affected now have not incurred floods in
their lifetimes or in their generations of lifetimes before them, but
this would impact some States up to 40 percent of their total landmass.
This is unacceptable. Cost of flood insurance would go astronomically
high in some cases. Federal overburden would again be an issue, and
businesses could not function. Even existing businesses would be put
out of business.
This administration has violated the congressional intent in the
Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2015 by crafting the Federal Flood
Risk Management Standard without consulting the necessary officials and
basing it on some climate issues that have no scientific basis at this
point.
This standard will affect both private and federally financed
development in areas considered flood plain. This means certification
and accreditation of new and improved levees, issuance of section 404
Clean Water Act permits, issuance of federally backed mortgages,
issuance of grants, construction of new transportation projects, and on
and on would be affected.
I yield back the balance of my time.
The CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the gentleman
from Louisiana (Mr. Abraham).
The amendment was agreed to.
Amendment Offered by Ms. Jackson Lee
Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.
The CHAIR. The Clerk will report the amendment.
The Clerk read as follows:
At the end of the bill (before the short title), insert the
following:
[[Page H2754]]
Sec. __. None of the funds made available by this Act for
``Department of Energy--Energy Programs--Science'' may be
used in contravention of the Department of Energy
Organization Act (42 U.S.C. 7101 et seq.).
The CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 223, the gentlewoman from
Texas and a Member opposed each will control 5 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Texas.
Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Chairman, let me thank again the chairman of the
subcommittee and the ranking member for their courtesy and, as well,
for the work that they have done on this legislation.
This amendment was in this bill in the 113th in the FY 2013 Energy
and Water Resources. It is a continuing effort to ensure that we focus
on the need for science, technology, engineering, and math among
minority populations in the United States.
The amendment prohibits the use of funds made available for science
in title III of the Department of Energy programs to be used in
contravention of the Department of Energy Organization Act, and
addresses the need to increase programs that educate minorities in
science, technology, engineering, and math.
Some almost 20 years ago, on February 11, 1994, President Clinton, in
an executive order, directed Federal agencies to identify and address
the disproportionately high and adverse human health or environmental
effects of their actions on minority and low-income populations.
The Department of Energy seeks to provide equal access in these
opportunities for underrepresented groups in STEM, including
minorities, Native Americans, and women.
Mr. Chairman, women and minorities make up 70 percent of college
students but only 45 percent of undergraduate STEM degree holders. This
large pool of untapped talent is a great potential source of STEM
professionals.
As the Nation's demographics are shifting, as more and more of our
children come of age, it is important that we continue to focus on
improving the numbers of minorities who seek STEM opportunities. It is
good for the country.
I applaud Energy Secretary Moniz' commitment, which will increase the
Nation's economic competitiveness and enable our people to realize
their full potential.
Mr. Chairman, there are still a great many scientific riddles to be
solved, and the more people we have trained in the sciences, the more
competitive our Nation will be; and the more we invest in underserved
communities, the more competitive our Nation will be.
The larger point is that we need more STEM educators and more
minorities to qualify for them. So I ask my colleagues to ensure that
we continue this very important focus and emphasize the continued
investment improving access to science, technology, engineering, and
math to, in essence, solve, or help solve, the scientific riddles that
continue to be before us to improve the quality of life of all
Americans.
{time} 0020
I ask my colleagues to support the Jackson Lee amendment, which
invests in STEM in America for those who are underserved and whose
lives could be enhanced by these programs.
Mr. Chair, thank you for this opportunity to describe my amendment,
which simply provides that: ``None of the funds made available by this
Act for `Department of Energy--Energy Programs--Science' may be used in
contravention of the Department of Energy Organization Act (42 U.S.C.
7101 et seq.).''
This amendment was approved and adopted in identical form on June 5,
2012, during the 112th Congress as an amendment to H.R. 5325, the
Energy and Water Resources Appropriations Act of 2013.
Mr. Chair, I want to thank Chairman Simpson and Ranking Member Kaptur
for their stewardship in bringing this legislation to the floor and for
their commitment to preserving America's great natural environment and
resources so that they can serve and be enjoyed by generations to come.
Mr. Chair, twenty years ago, on February 11, 1994, President Clinton
issued Executive Order 12898, directing federal agencies to identify
and address the disproportionately high and adverse human health or
environmental effects of their actions on minority and low-income
populations.
The Department of Energy seeks to provide equal access in these
opportunities for underrepresented groups in STEM, including
minorities, Native Americans, and women.
Mr. Chair, women and minorities make up 70 percent of college
students, but only 45 percent of undergraduate STEM degree holders.
This large pool of untapped talent is a great potential source of
STEM professionals.
As the nation's demographics are shifting and now most children under
the age of one are minorities, it is critical that we close the gap in
the number of minorities who seek STEM opportunities.
I applaud the Energy Secretary Moniz's commitment which will increase
the nation's economic competitiveness and enable more of our people to
realize their full potential.
Mr. Chair, there are still a great many scientific riddles left to be
solved--and perhaps one of these days a minority engineer or biologist
will come-up with some of the solutions.
The larger point is that we need more STEM educators and more
minorities to qualify for them.
The energy and science education programs funded in part by this bill
will help ensure that members of underrepresented communities are not
placed at a disadvantage when it comes to the environmental
sustainability, preservation, and health.
Through education about the importance of environmental
sustainability, we can promote a broader understanding of science and
how citizens can improve their surroundings.
Through community education efforts, teachers and students have also
benefitted by learning about radiation, radioactive waste management,
and other related subjects.
The Department of Energy places interns and volunteers from minority
institutions into energy efficiency and renewable energy programs.
The DOE also works to increase low income and minority access to STEM
fields and help students attain graduate degrees as well as find
employment.
With the continuation of this kind of funding, we can increase
diversity, provide clean energy options to our most underserved
communities, and help improve their environments, which will yield
better health outcomes and greater public awareness.
But most importantly businesses will have more consumers to whom they
may engage in related commercial activities.
My amendment will help ensure that underrepresented communities are
able to participate and contribute equitably in the energy and
scientific future.
I ask my colleagues to join me and support the Jackson Lee Amendment.
I yield back the balance of my time.
The CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the
gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson Lee).
The amendment was agreed to.
Amendment No. 5 Offered by Mr. Rothfus
Mr. ROTHFUS. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk, printed
as No. 5 in the Congressional Record.
The CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
The text of the amendment is as follows:
At the end of the bill (before the short title), insert the
following:
Sec. __. None of the funds made available by this Act may
be used by the Department of Energy to apply the report
entitled ``Life Cycle Greenhouse Gas Perspective on Exporting
Liquefied Natural Gas from the United States'', published in
the Federal Register on June 4, 2014 (79 Fed. Reg. 32260), in
any public interest determination under section 3 of the
Natural Gas Act (15 U.S.C. 717b).
The CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 223, the gentleman from
Pennsylvania and a Member opposed each will control 5 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Pennsylvania.
Mr. ROTHFUS. Mr. Chairman, I rise today to offer an amendment that
will keep America's energy economy growing and keep good-paying jobs
coming to gas-producing regions across the country, including western
Pennsylvania.
The natural gas boom is transforming local economies across the
country, and it is creating a new wave of opportunity for hard-working
Americans who want to earn a living and provide for their families.
American ingenuity has empowered us to safely harness our tremendous
energy resources, turning the United States into a breakout success
story as the world's top natural gas producer. Countries in Europe and
Asia, many of which are our allies, are eager to tap this abundant
supply of affordable American energy. They consider America to be a
much more attractive business partner and a safer alternative to their
reliance on belligerent, energy-rich countries, like Russia.
Given the abundance of domestic natural gas resources, especially in
the
[[Page H2755]]
Marcellus shale region, American energy companies are eager to accept
more business and stand ready to fulfill the global demand.
We must do everything we can to help energy producers succeed so they
can continue to grow, hire more workers, and bring prosperity back to
our American cities.
Congress must work to lift barriers to energy exports and help
domestic energy producers cut through the bureaucratic red tape that
threatens to put a stranglehold on continued economic growth.
My amendment seeks to eliminate unnecessary challenges to these
increased energy exports on environmental grounds. Specifically, my
provision would prevent the Department of Energy from using its report
entitled ``Life Cycle Greenhouse Gas Perspective on Exporting Liquefied
Natural Gas'' in any public interest determination under the Natural
Gas Act.
There are legitimate concerns that this DOE report and many of its
arbitrary determinations may now be used to slow-walk or completely
block much-needed liquefied natural gas export approvals. Identical
language was proposed and included in last year's Energy and Water and
Related Agencies appropriations bill by then-Representative Bill
Cassidy from Louisiana.
I thank Chairman Simpson for his hard work and support, and I urge
all my colleagues who support an all-of-the-above approach to American
energy independence to vote ``yea'' on this amendment so we can keep
our energy sector booming.
Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to this amendment.
The CHAIR. The gentlewoman from Ohio is recognized for 5 minutes.
Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Chairman, when a company wants to export liquefied
natural gas, LNG, it has to submit an application with the Department
of Energy. For export to countries with a free trade agreement with the
United States, the Department of Energy must grant the applications
without modification or delay. For export to countries without a free
trade agreement, the Department of Energy must approve an export
application unless it finds that the proposed export will not be
consistent with the public interest.
To make this determination, the Department of Energy evaluates a
range of factors when reviewing an application, including economic
impacts, international considerations, U.S. energy security, and
environmental effects.
The Rothfus amendment prohibits the Department of Energy from even
considering one of the most important factors; that is, the impact of
LNG exports on climate change.
The world's leading scientists are unequivocal: climate change is
already happening on all continents and across the oceans and will get
much worse if we do not act to cut our emissions of carbon and other
greenhouse gas gases. That means that we need to scrutinize the energy
infrastructure decisions that we make today for their impacts on
climate change in the future.
Every decision to build a new LNG export terminal has climate
implications. We need to understand and weigh those effects.
Whether exporting LNG will have a positive or negative impact on
global greenhouse gas emissions is a complex but critical question.
Natural gas combustion for electricity emits less carbon pollution than
coal. And that is good. Proponents of LNG exports argue that these
exports will displace coal consumption in other countries, which could
produce a climate benefit. That is good.
But LNG exports will raise natural gas prices in the United States,
which could increase coal consumption and carbon pollution from coal-
fired power plants. LNG exports also would drive new domestic natural
gas production in the United States.
Coming from Ohio, I can guarantee you, this would increase emissions
of methane, a potent greenhouse gas, unless we take measures to control
that pollution at the wellhead and throughout the natural gas system.
It is a great problem to have but one we need to meet.
In a carbon-constrained world, we need to understand and consider the
climate impacts of key energy policy decisions, such as building new
LNG export terminals and exporting America's natural gas.
The Rothfus amendment takes a head-in-the-sand approach, I am sorry
to say. The Department of Energy has completed a report examining
lifecycle carbon emissions from LNG. This amendment says that the
Department of Energy can't consider those findings of climate impacts
when making a public interest determination. Considering climate
impacts is not going to slow down the review process. It makes no sense
to require the Department of Energy to make a determination without the
benefit of all the facts.
Let's make enlightened decisions. Ignoring climate change will not
make it go away. Quite the opposite.
I urge my colleagues to oppose this amendment. Let's move to the
future, not the past.
I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. ROTHFUS. Mr. Chairman, it has been the practice of this
administration to stall, stall, stall, delay, delay, delay. We have had
tremendous growth in our economy in western Pennsylvania and in Ohio,
for that matter, given the natural gas boom that is going on.
The price of gas is suppressed right now. We see drillers even
slowing down, which is affecting jobs in the gas areas. Fewer wells are
being drilled.
And to take a report that the DOE has, with its arbitrary
determinations, to, again, slow-walk approvals, which is what we have
been seeing with the administration--meanwhile, allies in Eastern
Europe are literally being held hostage to Russia--this natural gas
will be used. Natural gas will be used by these countries in Eastern
Europe. They are going to use Russia's natural gas or they want to use
American natural gas.
So, again, I would encourage adoption of this amendment, and I yield
back the balance of my time.
The CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the gentleman
from Pennsylvania (Mr. Rothfus).
The question was taken; and the Chair announced that the ayes
appeared to have it.
Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.
The CHAIR. Pursuant to clause 6 of rule XVIII, further proceedings on
the amendment offered by the gentleman from Pennsylvania will be
postponed.
Amendment Offered by Ms. DelBene
Ms. DelBENE. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.
The CHAIR. The Clerk will report the amendment.
The Clerk read as follows:
At the end of the bill (before the short title), insert the
following:
Sec. __. None of the funds in this Act may be available
for the purchase by the Department of Defense (and its
departments and agencies) of welded shipboard anchor and
mooring chain 4 inches in diameter and under unless the
anchor and mooring chain are procured from a manufacturer
that is part of the national technology and industrial base.
The CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 223, the gentlewoman from
Washington and a Member opposed each will control 5 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Washington.
Ms. DelBENE. Mr. Chairman, I rise today to offer a simple and
straightforward amendment to this year's Energy and Water Development
and Related Agencies Appropriations bill.
Every year since 1991, Congress has included a provision in the
Department of Defense Appropriations bill to require that military
agencies purchase anchor and mooring chain from American manufacturers.
{time} 0030
My amendment simply clarifies that this requirement also applies to
anchor and mooring chain purchased by the Army Corps of Engineers.
Everyone in this Chamber can agree that taxpayer dollars should be used
to buy goods manufactured right here at home whenever possible.
While our economy continues to recover, it is imperative that we
protect and support Americans' production capabilities. Doing so not
only supports employment opportunities for Americans, but also
reinforces our national security.
Both Congress and the Pentagon have long recognized the importance of
maintaining a strong industrial base
[[Page H2756]]
right here in America. While I understand that we must balance our
procurement needs with shrinking budgets, we should not be putting
foreign workers ahead of Americans.
My amendment is a commonsense way to protect a critical production
capability, support our manufacturing industry, and put American
workers first. I urge my colleagues to support it, and I yield back the
balance of my time.
The CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the
gentlewoman from Washington (Ms. DelBene).
The amendment was agreed to.
Amendment Offered by Mr. Gosar
Mr. GOSAR. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.
The CHAIR. The Clerk will report the amendment.
The Clerk read as follows:
At the end of the bill (before the short title), insert the
following:
Sec. __. None of the funds made available by this Act may
be used for the removal of any Federally owned or operated
dam.
The CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 223, the gentleman from
Arizona and a Member opposed each will control 5 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Arizona.
Mr. GOSAR. Mr. Chairman, I rise to offer an amendment that will help
prevent future floods, as well as protect valuable water storage and
hydropower systems throughout the country.
Specifically, the Gosar-Newhouse amendment will prevent any funds in
this bill from being used to remove any federally owned or operated
dams. In recent years, extremist environmental groups have increased
efforts to dismantle and remove Federal dams. These efforts defy common
sense, particularly at a time of major water challenges across the West
and with an increasing need for clean, renewable hydropower.
The gentleman from Washington has seen these attempts firsthand, and
I am grateful for Congressman Newhouse's leadership in coleading this
amendment.
Electricity generated from the Army Corps of Engineers and Bureau of
Reclamation operated dams is utilized by millions of Americans every
day and represents the largest source of renewable energy in this
country.
These dams are multiuse facilities that provide navigation,
hydropower, and important recreational benefits. Fringe efforts to
remove these dams are not only misguided, but extremely dangerous. Many
of these dams are essential components for flood controls, strategic
water storage, and life-sustaining irrigation for millions of acres of
American agriculture.
Tens of millions of Americans rely on these dams to supply their
drinking water and to support their livelihoods. The vital water,
energy, economic, and ecological benefits provided by these federally
owned and operated dams must be protected.
Mr. Chairman, I urge my colleagues to support the Corps of Engineers
infrastructure and to support this amendment. The Corps of Engineers
and the Bureau of Reclamation have both indicated they have no plans to
remove any dams in fiscal year 2016, and both agencies don't have any
issues with this amendment.
Both committees of jurisdiction have also signed off on and support
the amendment. Any emergency removals will be made by a different
authorization or appropriation.
With one of the worst droughts in 100 years currently transpiring in
the West, there is no logical reason to oppose the commonsense Gosar-
Newhouse amendment.
Mr. Chairman, I yield to the gentleman from Washington (Mr.
Newhouse), my friend.
Mr. NEWHOUSE. Mr. Chairman, I would like to thank the good gentleman.
Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of the Gosar-Newhouse amendment
which would prohibit any funds in this act from being used for purposes
of removing Federal dams, which are a vital component of the water
infrastructure in the West.
I would like to thank my good friend and colleague Congressman Gosar
for his hard work on this issue which is so important, given the
devastating drought conditions facing most of the Western United
States. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor for March 31, 2015, all
or significant portions of 11 Western States, including the State of
Washington, are suffering from severe to exceptional drought.
Given the current drought conditions facing my State and many other
States in the West, now is not the time to consider removing Federal
dams. These dams provide important hydropower in my State and also have
conservation, recreation, and navigation benefits.
Additionally, Mr. Chairman, these dams play a pivotal role in water
storage, irrigation, and flood control. They also help ensure many
rural and agricultural communities in the West have access to clean
water supplies, providing critically important irrigation for countless
agricultural operations and millions of acres of farmland.
We have fought these dam wars for decades; and, with the West facing
a possible 100-year drought, now is not the time to destroy and remove
these assets which benefit all of us. Removing this vital
infrastructure would have a devastating impact on communities, farms,
and businesses throughout the West.
This commonsense amendment will help ensure States like mine are not
additionally burdened as we work to deal with impacts of mounting water
shortages and drastic drought conditions.
Mr. Chairman, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this
amendment, and I would like to thank my good friend from Arizona for
his hard work on this.
Mr. GOSAR. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman, and I reserve the
balance of my time.
Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Chairman, I claim the time in opposition to the
amendment, even though I am not opposed to it.
The CHAIR. Without objection, the gentlewoman from Ohio is recognized
for 5 minutes.
There was no objection.
Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Chairman, I rise to express the opinion, though I
will not oppose the amendment, because there are no funds in the bill
for dam removal, and I wanted to just clarify that for the Record, Mr.
Chairman.
I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. GOSAR. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.
The CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the gentleman
from Arizona (Mr. Gosar).
The amendment was agreed to.
Amendment No. 22 Offered by Mr. Grayson
Mr. GRAYSON. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.
The CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
The text of the amendment is as follows:
At the end of the bill (before the short title), insert the
following:
Sec.__. None of the funds made available by this Act may be
used to enter into a contract with any offeror or any of its
principals if the offeror certifies, as required by Federal
Acquisition Regulation, that the offeror or any of its
principals:
(A) within a three-year period preceding this offer has
been convicted of or had a civil judgment rendered against it
for: commission of fraud or a criminal offense in connection
with obtaining, attempting to obtain, or performing a public
(Federal, State, or local) contract or subcontract; violation
of Federal or State antitrust statutes relating to the
submission of offers; or commission of embezzlement, theft,
forgery, bribery, falsification or destruction of records,
making false statements, tax evasion, violating Federal
criminal tax laws, or receiving stolen property; or
(B) are presently indicted for, or otherwise criminally or
civilly charged by a governmental entity with, commission of
any of the offenses enumerated above in subsection (A); or
(C) within a three-year period preceding this offer, has
been notified of any delinquent Federal taxes in an amount
that exceeds $3,000 for which the liability remains
unsatisfied.
The CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 223, the gentleman from
Florida and a Member opposed each will control 5 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Florida.
Mr. GRAYSON. Mr. Chairman, this amendment is identical to other
amendments that were inserted by voice vote into every appropriations
bill that was considered under an open rule during the 113th Congress,
as well as one yesterday.
My amendment would expand the list of parties with whom the Federal
Government is prohibited from contracting due to serious misconduct on
the part of contractors.
[[Page H2757]]
Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.
The CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the gentleman
from Florida (Mr. Grayson).
The amendment was agreed to.
Amendment No. 10 Offered by Mr. Gosar
Mr. GOSAR. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.
The CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
The text of the amendment is as follows:
At the end of the bill (before the short title), insert the
following:
Sec. __. None of the funds made available by this Act may
be used for the Department of Energy's Climate Model
Development and Validation program.
The CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 223, the gentleman from
Arizona and a Member opposed each will control 5 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Arizona.
Mr. GOSAR. Mr. Chairman, I rise today to offer an amendment to save
taxpayer money, help the Department of Energy avoid duplicative
programs, and ensure the agency's limited resources are focused on
programs directly related to its mission to ensure energy security for
the United States.
This simple amendment would prohibit the use of funds to be used for
the proposed Climate Model Development and Validation program within
the Department of Energy. This exact same amendment passed this body by
a voice vote last year, and this year, I am also proud again to offer
this commonsense policy.
The duplicative and wasteful nature of this new program has been
recognized by several outside spending watchdog groups. This amendment
proposal has been supported in the past by the Council for Citizens
Against Government Waste, The American Conservative Union, Eagle Forum,
and the Taxpayers Protection Alliance.
Mr. Chairman, the House of Representatives already declined to fund
the proposed climate model program in fiscal years 2014 and 2015. In
previous years, the committee has proactively included language in the
committee report to prohibit funding for this new program. However,
such language does not exist in this year's report, making this
amendment even more necessary.
Mr. Chairman, I feel strongly that the House of Representatives must
continue its firm position that we should not be wasting precious
taxpayer resources on new programs that compete with the private sector
and are funded by private investment.
If funded, this program would be yet another new addition to the
President's ever-growing list of duplicative global programs that have
been instituted and funded all over the Federal Government in recent
years.
The nonpartisan Congressional Research Service estimates this
administration has already squandered $77 billion from fiscal year 2008
through fiscal year 2013 studying and trying to develop global climate
change regulations.
While research and modeling of the Earth's climate and how and why
Earth's climate is changing can be of value, it is not central to the
Department's mission and is already being done by dozens of government,
academic, business, and nonprofit organizations across the globe.
{time} 0040
Considering the extensive work that is being done to research, model,
and forecast climate change trends by other areas in the government, in
the private sector, and internationally, funding for this specific
piece of President Obama's climate agenda is not only redundant, but is
also inefficient.
I thank the chairman, ranking member, and committee for their work on
this bill. This amendment is about effective use of taxpayer money, and
I ask my colleagues to support this commonsense amendment that passed
this same body just last year.
With that, I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to the amendment.
The CHAIR. The gentlewoman from Ohio is recognized for 5 minutes.
Ms. KAPTUR. The Gosar amendment blocks funding for the Department of
Energy's Climate Model Development and Validation program. This is
climate science denial at its worst.
The world's top scientific institutions are telling us that we have a
rapidly closing window to reduce our carbon pollution before the
catastrophic impacts of climate change cannot be avoided.
So far, the world already warmed by 0.8 degrees Celsius, and we are
already seeing the effects of climate change. Most scientists agree
that 2 degrees Celsius is the maximum amount we can warm without really
dangerous effects, although many scientists now believe that even 2
degrees is far too much, given the effects we are already seeing. But
absent dramatic action, we are on track to warm 4 to 6 degrees Celsius
by midcentury. That is more than 10 degrees Fahrenheit.
The International Energy Agency has concluded that if the world does
not take action to reduce carbon pollution by 2017, just 3 years from
now, then it will be virtually impossible to limit warming to 2 degrees
Celsius.
How do we know all of this? There are multiple lines of evidence,
including direct measurements. But scientists also use sophisticated
computer models of how the atmosphere and oceans work and how they
respond to different atmosphere concentrations of heat-trapping gases.
For projections of future emissions and their impacts, scientists have
made numerous advances by collaborating across academic fields,
including climatology, chemistry, biology, economics, energy dynamics,
agriculture, scenario building, and risk management. These projections
are critical, as they provide guideposts to understand how quickly and
how steeply the world needs to cut carbon pollution in order to avoid
the worst effects of climate change.
The goal of the Department of Energy's Climate Model Development and
Validation program is to further improve the reliability of climate
models and equip policymakers and citizens with tools to predict the
current and future effects of climate change, such as sea level rise,
which we know is happening, extreme weather events, and drought.
Mr. Gosar's amendment scraps this program. It says no to enhancing
the reliability of our climate models. It says no to improving our
understanding of how the climate is changing. It says no to informing
policymakers about the consequences of unmitigated climate change. That
is absolutely irresponsible.
The amazing thing is the base bill already zeroes out funding for
this program. But apparently that wasn't enough to satisfy the
Republicans' climate denial. So Mr. Gosar has offered this amendment to
just reiterate the point that the House Republicans reject the
overwhelming scientific evidence about climate change.
I urge my colleagues to oppose this redundant amendment, and I yield
back the balance of my time.
Mr. GOSAR. Mr. Chairman, I find it interesting that we have numerous
universities already doing this duplicative study, like the University
of Michigan, like the University of Colorado Boulder, like Harvard
University, the University of Arizona, the University of Chicago, the
University of California--Berkeley--hardly squandering research.
This is a duplicative problem and program, and that is exactly what
we are doing. I want to find out exactly this climate model change that
we have been seeing over and over with time, but it is best to be done
by those universities and those who are already there.
We have also got a dire emergency in regards to the finances that we
find this country in. Duplicative services from the Department of
Energy should be on their mission statement, and that is dependable
energy for this country.
I yield back the balance of my time.
The CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the gentleman
from Arizona (Mr. Gosar).
The question was taken; and the Chair announced that the ayes
appeared to have it.
Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.
The CHAIR. Pursuant to clause 6 of rule XVIII, further proceedings on
the amendment offered by the gentleman from Arizona will be postponed.
Amendment Offered by Mr. Castro of Texas
Mr. CASTRO of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.
[[Page H2758]]
The CHAIR. The Clerk will report the amendment.
The Clerk read as follows:
At the end of the bill (before the short title), insert the
following:
Sec. __. (a) For an additional amount for ``Corps of
Engineers-Civil--Construction'' for additional funding for
ongoing work on authorized projects (except for Flood and
Storm Damage Reduction, Navigation, and Environmental
Infrastructure projects) there is appropriated, and the
amount otherwise made available for such account is hereby
reduced by, $10,000,000.
(b) None of the funds made available by this Act for
``Corps of Engineers-Civil--Construction'' in excess of
$276,117,000 may be used for additional funding for ongoing
work on Flood and Storm Damage Reduction projects.
Mr. SIMPSON (during the reading). Mr. Chairman, I reserve a point of
order on the gentleman's amendment.
The CHAIR. A point of order is reserved.
The Clerk will read.
The Clerk continued to read.
The CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 223, the gentleman from Texas
and a Member opposed each will control 5 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Texas.
Mr. CASTRO of Texas. Mr. Chairman, the Army Corps of Engineers
construction general account permits the Corps to enter into agreements
with local governments and municipalities to reimburse these entities
for certain funds. This allows cities across the country in both
Republican and Democratic districts to take on public works projects
and leverage the fact that they will later be reimbursed by the Federal
Government.
The problem we face today is that millions, hundreds of millions of
dollars are owed to localities across the country, and the account to
pay them back this year is slated to have only $10 million in it. Last
year, that amount was $25 million. It has gone down by $15 million.
So for just a second, I want to give you an example of a wonderful
public project in my hometown of San Antonio, Texas. The San Antonio
River Authority, or SARA, recently undertook a sizable project along
the San Antonio River, called the Mission Reach Ecosystem Restoration
project. It has been an effort to extend, both to the north and the
south, the wonderful San Antonio River Walk in San Antonio, Texas, one
of the crown jewels for tourism and culture in our city. Despite the
fact that this project was completed sometime ago, the city is still
owed much money from the Corps.
This is just one example of a wonderful public project where the
Federal Government owes our cities or local entities a substantial
amount of money. There are other examples in Texas, in Harris County,
the Brays Bayou project in Harris County, where $146,885,000 is
pending; the White Oak Bayou project in Harris County, where $73
million is pending; also, the Lower Colorado River Basin, Onion Creek,
in Austin has $5 million pending. I know there is a big project in
Florida.
So my effort, my amendment, is an attempt to expedite getting these
local agencies paid back because they are owed so much money. I know
that as we do our budget and we do our appropriations, we are talking
about doling out money in the future to fund programs, but these are
projects that were already completed with the promise that they would
be reimbursed. They have not been reimbursed to the tune of millions
and millions of dollars.
I hope that as a gesture of good faith we can increase this account
by $10 million. Bear in mind, that would still be $5 million less than
was dedicated to this account in the last year.
With that, Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.
{time} 0050
Mr. HURD of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I claim time in opposition, although
I am not opposed to the amendment.
Mr. SIMPSON. I object. I am going to be opposed.
The CHAIR. Does the gentleman continue to reserve his point of order?
Mr. SIMPSON. Yes.
The CHAIR. Does the gentleman claim time in opposition?
Mr. SIMPSON. Yes, I claim time in opposition to the amendment.
The CHAIR. The gentleman from Idaho is recognized for 5 minutes.
Mr. SIMPSON. Does the gentleman have time remaining?
Mr. CASTRO of Texas. I reserved the balance of my time.
Mr. SIMPSON. You reserved your time. So you could yield time to the
gentleman.
Mr. CASTRO of Texas. Absolutely.
Mr. Chairman, if you will permit me, I would be glad to yield time.
How much time do I have?
The CHAIR. The gentleman has 2 minutes remaining.
Mr. CASTRO of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman
from Texas (Mr. Hurd).
Mr. HURD of Texas. I thank my colleague for yielding time.
Mr. Chairman, where I am from in Texas, when you make a deal with
someone, you look him in the eye and shake his hand, honor the
agreement, and keep your word.
For years, the United States Army Corps of Engineers has been making
deals throughout the country. Yet, in many instances, despite project
cooperation agreements, the Corps has failed to honor its end of the
bargain. Many State, local, and municipal entities have advanced
funding or paid out of their pockets to help better their communities
with the understanding that the Federal Government would reimburse
them. This is what happened in my hometown of San Antonio.
This amendment would limit expenditure on flood and storm damage
reduction to $10 million less and would add $10 million to the ``other
authorized purposes'' item in the committee report. This is a matter of
fairness to our communities, and if we cannot proceed with this
bipartisan amendment, I hope the chairman will work with us going
forward.
Mr. SIMPSON. Mr. Chairman, I withdraw my point of order.
The CHAIR. The reservation of the point of order is withdrawn.
Mr. SIMPSON. Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to this amendment.
First, let me assure my colleague that I am sympathetic to the
intention of what he is trying to do here. The gentleman seeks to show
support for additional funding for projects that are important to his
district and to his constituents, and I understand that.
Unfortunately, although I know it is not the gentleman's intent, the
amendment would limit all funding for the construction of flood control
projects to no more than $276 million. That is a cut of almost $500
million in flood control projects. I would hope that we would all agree
that that is unacceptable. Even as intended, though, I must oppose the
amendment.
The President's budget request increased funding for environmental
projects above the fiscal year 2015 level while slashing funding for
flood control projects by almost $300 million. In this bill, on the
other hand, we were able to restore the flood control funding, and we
did it without slashing the funding for environmental projects.
I would, respectfully, ask my colleagues to vote against this
amendment even though I understand what the gentleman is trying to do.
We would be more than willing to work with him--with both of you--in
trying to address this issue as we move this process forward.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. CASTRO of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I know the appropriations process
is a tough one. You are making difficult choices among many things.
I would just point out that, in this account, as you know, there have
been funds that have gone unallocated in recent years in this very
account from which I withdraw. Again, our local agencies in Republican
and Democratic districts have already committed these funds with the
promise that they would be reimbursed. A failure to reimburse them is
essentially saying that we are going to stiff them on money that we
said that we would pay them. This is a very small amount given the
amount of money that is owed by the Corps to our local agencies.
I would ask you for your reconsideration now, and certainly, as I
know how Congressman Hurd feels and many others, I would ask for your
help in remedying this situation.
Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. SIMPSON. Mr. Chairman, again, I understand what he is trying to
do, and I sympathize with what you are trying to do. You are correct in
that the funds remain unallocated in the
[[Page H2759]]
flood control account. That is because, for some reason, the
administration is dragging its feet on allocating these funds. It is
not because the funds are not needed or cannot be used. In fact, the
bill includes language to try to correct this problem. But I can't
support increasing funding for environmental projects at the expense of
projects that improve public safety and protect our communities.
I would offer both of the gentlemen the opportunity to work with the
committee, and I will work with you to try to address this issue as we
move forward.
I yield back the balance of my time.
The CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the gentleman
from Texas (Mr. Castro).
The amendment was rejected.
Amendment No. 13 Offered by Mrs. Blackburn
Mrs. BLACKBURN. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.
The CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
The text of the amendment is as follows:
At the end of the bill, before the short title, add the
following new section:
Sec. 507. None of the funds made available by this Act may
be used to finalize, promulgate, or enforce the Department of
Energy's proposed rule entitled ``Energy Conservation Program
for Consumer Products: Energy Conservation Standards for
Residential Furnaces'' (80 Fed. Reg. 48: March 12, 2015).
The CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 223, the gentlewoman from
Tennessee and a Member opposed each will control 5 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Tennessee.
Mrs. BLACKBURN. Mr. Chairman, the Department of Energy has proposed
new rulemaking that will eliminate the use of noncondensing natural gas
home furnaces.
On average, condensing furnaces cost $350 more than noncondensing
furnaces and require as much as $2,200 in additional installation
costs. The DOE itself has estimated that it will cost the American
consumer up to $12 billion to install condensing furnaces nationwide.
The upfront costs of installing a natural gas condensing furnace may
force families to switch to alternative furnaces which are cheaper to
install but that cost more to operate. Home furnaces fail and need to
be replaced when people are most likely to use them--in the middle of
the winter when it is cold outside. Families shouldn't have to face
increased costs to replace their natural gas furnaces to get the heat
flowing back into their homes.
Furthermore, the proposed rule creates a nationwide standard that
fails to take into account the different climate zones throughout the
country. The Department of Energy has proposed a one-size-fits-all
approach that unfairly punishes Americans living in warmer climate
zones such as the Southeast. This means that the payback period for the
installation of condensing furnaces in the warmer climate zones will be
much longer than in the colder zones.
My amendment to this appropriations bill will prevent the Department
of Energy from using funds to finalize, promulgate, or enforce the
proposed rule.
My amendment has been supported by the American Gas Association, the
American Public Gas Association, the Home Builders Association, the
Indoor Environment and Energy Efficiency Coalition, the Air Condition,
Heating, and Refrigeration Institute, and the heating and air-condition
and refrigerating distributors.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Chairman, I claim the time in opposition to this
amendment.
The CHAIR. The gentlewoman from Ohio is recognized for 5 minutes.
Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to the Blackburn
amendment because it would prevent the Department of Energy from
issuing long-needed efficiency standards for residential furnaces. In
the end, that will only hurt consumers and needlessly waste energy.
The current standards, which are essentially 25 years old, leave
consumers with higher utility bills than are necessary. Further delays
to the furnace rule will allow this situation to continue indefinitely.
The new DOE standard would cut energy waste, saving consumers more than
$600 over the lifetime of their furnaces. On a national level, that
will work out to savings between $4 billion to $19 billion. The
proposed DOE standard does not apply to furnaces that are already in
use. It grandfathers them or it doesn't apply to repairs that can be
made to existing furnaces.
It is also worth mentioning that the Blackburn amendment would be
especially negative for low-income households. Many low-income people
who are renters do not get to choose the furnaces that heat their
homes. Property owners will generally choose the lowest cost furnace
even if that furnace will result in higher energy bills. In the end, it
is the low-income renters who are stuck with the gas bills from the
inefficient furnace. The DOE standard would help ensure all Americans
can benefit from lower energy bills thanks to increased efficiency.
Finally, the proposed rule would save more natural gas than other
rules to date and would, therefore, deliver large, cumulative
greenhouse gas emission reductions at a cost savings to everyone. The
Blackburn amendment would throw away that opportunity.
{time} 0100
It is true that there are still some things to be worked out with the
regulation, and we should move toward that end, but what the industry
needs and what the consumers need is certainty going forward, so
everyone can plan to build and install the latest and most efficient
technology. We should let the Department of Energy do its job.
Let's not waste time; let's not waste energy, and let's not waste
money and consumer savings that will result.
I urge a ``no'' vote on the Blackburn amendment, and I yield back the
balance of my time.
Mrs. BLACKBURN. Mr. Chairman, I am so pleased that my friend and
colleague mentioned cost because I want to point out, again, what it
would cost. These furnaces cost $350 more and require as much as $2,200
additional in installation cost.
In addition to that, there are alterations that are needed to
existing homes for venting purposes. Those cost estimates are $2,550
per home just for the venting that is necessary for these.
This is one of those regulations, Mr. Chairman, that is too expensive
to afford. The cost on this is astronomical. Even DOE itself says the
cost to the American consumer is $12 billion to install these furnaces.
Then you say that, maybe over the lifetime of this, you are going to
save an amount. I think that this is one of those areas where you look
at how much it is going to cost.
This is why this amendment is so widely supported. I encourage
support for the Blackburn amendment, and I yield back the balance of my
time.
The CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the
gentlewoman from Tennessee (Mrs. Blackburn).
The amendment was agreed to.
Amendment No. 12 Offered by Mrs. Blackburn
Mrs. BLACKBURN. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.
The CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
The text of the amendment is as follows:
At the end of the bill (before the short title), insert
the following:
Sec. __. Each amount made available by this Act is hereby
reduced by 1 percent.
The CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 223, the gentlewoman from
Tennessee and a Member opposed each will control 5 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Tennessee.
Mrs. BLACKBURN. Mr. Chairman, this is an amendment that I bring every
year. I told Chairman Simpson that I knew he was delighted to see me
back on the floor again this year with the amendment for the 1 percent
across-the-board spending cut.
I do want to thank the committee for its hard work in cutting, and it
is important to note that the proposed funding levels for this
appropriations bill this year is $35.4 billion, which is $633 million
below the President's budget request.
I have got to say, with the situation in our Nation with our debt, I
think my 1 percent spending reduction, which will save taxpayers an
additional $356 million, is something that is necessary, and it is a
step that we need to take.
[[Page H2760]]
I am really fully aware that some of the appropriators aren't
standing in favor of the 1 percent across-the-board cuts. In fact, when
I offered this amendment to last year's bill, I was told that cuts of
this magnitude, quite honestly, go far too deep.
Well, I think that, when you look at the fact that we need to be
cutting another penny out of a dollar, that is not too deep because our
debt is something that is damaging our Nation's security.
Even Admiral Mullen has said that the greatest threat to our Nation's
security is our growing national debt. Because of that, we need to do a
little bit more every time we come to the floor for appropriations to
get this $18.2 trillion debt under control.
As I have said before, across-the-board spending cuts effectively
control the growth and cost of the Federal Government. They not only
give agencies flexibility to determine which expenses are necessary,
but more importantly, they don't pick winners and losers.
Not only do I support the across-the-board cuts, many of our
Governors support them, Republican and Democrat. When I was in the
State senate in Tennessee, we couldn't adjourn that until we balanced
the budget. That is why our States are controlling their debts, reining
in their expenses, and our Federal Government is not.
We kick the can down the road, go print more money, run up more debt.
It is time to get it under control. Saving another penny on a dollar is
a necessary step.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. SIMPSON. Mr. Chairman, I claim time in opposition.
The CHAIR. The gentleman from Idaho is recognized for 5 minutes.
Mr. SIMPSON. Mr. Chairman, I appreciate the gentlewoman from
Tennessee's consistency.
We have seen a lot of these amendments. The problem is with the
debate. You would think that we were not doing anything to reduce this
deficit, that we were not cutting spending. The reality is the only
committee in Congress that is actually cutting spending is the
Appropriations Committee, and we have been cutting spending for the
last 4 years.
Now, this bill that we have before us today meets with and falls
within the budget resolution that was just adopted earlier this day,
and, if we had wanted to reduce everything by 1 percent again, then we
should have adopted a different budget resolution.
It is easy to say let's just take one penny out of every dollar. Who
can't do that? We have taken much more than one penny out of every
dollar as we have cut spending more and more in the appropriations
process by the Appropriations Committee.
It is not that we don't want to reduce spending; we are reducing
spending, but, of course, we could cut one more cent out of every
dollar we spend. Who couldn't do that? Then we will have a new
baseline. You know what? Then we ought to cut one penny out of every
dollar at that baseline. You know what? Then we will have another
baseline, and we can cut one more penny out of that.
We are trying to do it smarter. We are trying to look at the needs of
the agencies that we fund, reduce spending, and set priorities.
While I commend my colleague for her consistent work to protect
taxpayers dollars, this is not an approach that I can support.
While the President may have proposed a budget that exceeds this
bill, the increases were paid for with proposals and gimmicks that
would never be enacted. This bill makes the tough choices within an
allocation that adheres to the current law.
While difficult tradeoffs had to be made--and difficult tradeoffs
were made--there are accounts in this bill that I think we ought to be
spending more money on. There are accounts in this bill that I think we
ought to be spending less money on that are a higher priority to some
other Members of Congress. That is kind of the nature of how the
appropriations process works. Nobody gets everything they want.
One thing we have been consistent on for the fifth year in a row is
that we have been reducing spending. We prioritize funding for critical
infrastructure and our Nation's defense. Most of the increases that are
in this budget this year that will be coming out of the overall
302(a)'s went to the national defense, the NNSA, our nuclear weapons
programs.
We prioritize funding, as I said, for critical infrastructure. The
President cut $750 million--around that--out of the harbor maintenance
trust fund. In trying to secure our inland waterways and our harbors
for the commerce that our economy needs, we replaced that, which means
we had to make even more difficult cuts in a lot of these agencies.
These tradeoffs were carefully weighed for their respective impacts
and their responsibility; yet the gentlelady's amendment would propose
an across-the-board cut on every one of these programs.
This makes no distinction between where we need to be spending or
investing our infracture, promote jobs, and meet our national security
needs and where we need to limit spending to meet our deficit reduction
goals.
I would urge my colleagues to vote against this amendment.
Let me say again, I appreciate the gentlewoman's consistent effort in
making sure that we keep focused on addressing what is the number one
problem in this country, and that is the debt this country faces, and
this committee has been doing that.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word.
The CHAIR. The gentlewoman from Ohio is recognized for 5 minutes.
Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Chairman, I am opposed to this amendment.
The way you balance budgets is to have a robust economy, where
everybody is helping to pull the ship forward. That isn't the case
right now.
What we have dug out since 2008 was the largest recession since the
Great Depression. America's chief strategic vulnerability throughout
this period of time--for actually over a quarter century now--and our
largest area of economic loss is energy.
{time} 0110
It rests in energy. Since 2003, just since 2003, our country has
spent $2.3 trillion importing foreign petroleum. That is just
petroleum. That is not a country that is self-reliant. That is a
country that deeply needs energy security here at home.
The result of this amendment will be less investment in the sector
most critical to helping us right this hole that we have dug for
ourselves.
Can you imagine if that $2.3 trillion had been spent in this country,
the number of jobs we would have, the greater amount of income and
revenue we would have flowing into people's pockets and also into the
public sector where we have to pay the bills?
In addition to moving us backwards on the energy front, this
amendment will be less investment in water resources, and we have $62
billion worth of Army Corps projects alone that have sat on the shelf.
We have no new starts in this bill. That is not a country on the grow.
That is a country in retrenchment.
So this amendment, it isn't a 50 percent cut. It is meant to send a
signal. I say to the gentlelady, as I said to the chair of the Ways and
Means Committee today who turned away from me and walked to the back of
the Chamber, you know, it is pretty hard to balance a budget when not
everybody is at work, their wages have been cut, the middle class has
shrunk, but then you don't put revenues on the table.
Some of those lucrative operations, these transnational corporations
have operating offshore aren't bringing their money home. They are
holding it over there.
Revenues need to be on the table and mandatory spending has to be on
the table.
He walked away from me, the chairman of the Ways and Means Committee.
It was a rather interesting conversation.
The Appropriations Committee can't do this alone, and we certainly
shouldn't do it in sectors where America truly is hurting.
At a time when unemployed Americans are losing jobless benefits and
many young families struggle just to survive, we should be creating
jobs and securing the American Dream, starting with a self-reliant
energy future.
This bill underfunds that. The chairman has spoken eloquently to
that. And it harms American economic
[[Page H2761]]
growth and energy growth and energy security, and it damages those
portions of our budget that are critical to our national security:
vital weapons programs, our Naval research reactor research, and
nonproliferation funding.
We believe our bill builds America forward to achieve progress for
our country again and not retrenchment.
So I oppose the gentlelady's amendment. I think she has the right
spirit, but I think she is looking in the wrong place in terms of what
we face as a country. I oppose her amendment.
I yield back my the balance of my time.
Mrs. BLACKBURN. Mr. Chairman, I am just so delighted that my friend
mentioned what we need is a robust economy because I agree.
The Obama economy has been abysmal and has been terrible for our
country. And you are exactly right. The middle class has shrunk. Wages
have been cut. All that has happened.
I know the American people are sick and tired of it, and they would
like to get this country moving again. And the Obama economy has caused
many of the problems that are in front of us.
I am so pleased, too, that she mentioned the $2.3 trillion that we
have spent importing oil. If you look at who has been importing a lot
of that oil, OPEC, exporting that to us. OPEC is one of the top five
holders of our debt. That adds to both our energy security and our
national security problems. Mr. Chairman, it is time to open up our
lands and drill here and drill now.
Now, quite frankly, a penny on a dollar is another way to engage
rank-and-file employees. I have seen it work at the State level. I know
other States have used that, as I said. Both Democrat and Republican
Governors have done it. My State of Tennessee did this as we reduced
the size and growth of the budget in our State.
By the way, we had to do it because we were the test case for Hillary
Clinton's healthcare plan, and that just threw our budget all out of
whack.
So yes, we found ourselves cutting about 9 cents across the board per
department.
Do across-the-board cuts work? Yes. Do they send the right message?
Absolutely. Do they engage the rank and file? You better believe it.
Are they a step toward getting out-of-control spending under control?
Yes, they are, and we need to do that.
Every man, woman, and child in this country, right now, has over
$56,000 worth of debt that they would be responsible for. That is a per
person load for our $18.2 trillion worth of debt. We have got $18.2
trillion worth of debt, and we can't cut another penny out of a dollar?
The chairman has done a great job. They have the right focus. I think
that what we do is give them another little push, engage the
bureaucracy--which, by the way, they are not having to make the cuts
that men and women and small businesses are having to make. It is the
fair thing to do.
I yield back the balance of my time.
The CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the
gentlewoman from Tennessee (Mrs. Blackburn).
The question was taken; and the Chair announced that the noes
appeared to have it.
Mrs. BLACKBURN. Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.
The CHAIR. Pursuant to clause 6 of rule XVIII, further proceedings on
the amendment offered by the gentlewoman from Tennessee will be
postponed.
Amendment No. 16 Offered by Mr. Luetkemeyer
Mr. LUETKEMEYER. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.
The CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
The text of the amendment is as follows:
At the end of the bill (before the short title), insert the
following:
Sec. __. None of the funds made available by this Act may
be used to continue the study conducted by the Army Corps of
Engineers pursuant to section 5018(a)(1) of the Water
Resources Development Act of 2007 (Public Law 110-114).
The CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 223, the gentleman from
Missouri and a Member opposed each will control 5 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Missouri.
Mr. LUETKEMEYER. Mr. Chairman, from extreme flooding to extreme
drought, the Missouri River basin has been hit very hard over the past
few years. The families who live and work along the Missouri River have
endured great hardships, and these events serve to highlight the
importance of maintaining effective flood control infrastructure.
Though it is one of our region's greatest resources, the Missouri
River would produce extreme, erosive, regular flooding and be mostly
unfit for navigation if not for aggressive long-term management by the
Army Corps of Engineers.
Congress first authorized the Missouri River Bank Stabilization and
Navigation Project, BSNP, in 1912, with the intention of mitigating
flood risk and maintaining a navigable channel from Sioux City, Iowa,
to the mouth of the river in St. Louis. Though the BSNP's construction
was completed in the 1980s, the Corps' ability to make adjustments as
needed remain crucial to this day.
President Obama, in his fiscal year 2015 budget, requested $47
million for the Missouri River Recovery Program, which would primarily
go towards the funding of environmental restoration studies and
projects. This funding dwarfs the insufficient $9 million that was
requested for the entire operations and maintenance of the
aforementioned BSNP.
It is preposterous to think that environmental projects are more
important than the protection of human life. I do not take for granted
the importance of river ecosystems. I grew up near the Missouri River,
as did so many of the people I represent, yet we have reached a point
in our Nation in which we value the welfare of fish and birds more than
the welfare of our fellow human beings. Our priorities are backwards,
Mr. Chairman.
My amendment will eliminate the Missouri River Ecosystem Recovery
Program, or MRERP, a study that has become little more than a tool of
the environmentalists for the promotion of returning the river to its
most natural state, with little regard for the flood control,
navigation, trade, power generation, or the people who depend on the
Missouri River for their livelihoods.
The end of the study will in no way jeopardize the Corps' ability to
meet the requirements of the Endangered Species Act. MRERP is one of no
fewer than 70 environmental and ecological studies focused on the
Missouri River.
The people who have had to foot the bill for these studies, many of
which take years to complete and are ultimately inconclusive, are the
very people who have lost their farms, their businesses, and their
homes.
Our vote today will also show our constituents that this Congress is
aware of the gross disparity between the funding for environmental
efforts and the funding for the protection of our citizens. This exact
amendment has been passed by voice vote during the debate in the last
three fiscal year appropriations bills, which were ultimately signed
into law by President Obama. It is supported by the American Waterways
Operators, the Coalition to Protect the Missouri River, the Missouri
Farm Bureau, and the Missouri Corn Growers.
{time} 0120
It is time for Congress to take a serious look at the water bill and
funding priorities, and it is time we send a message to our Federal
entities that manage our waterways.
I urge my colleagues to support this amendment and support our
Nation's river communities and encourage more balance and Federal
funding for water infrastructure and management.
With that, I yield back the balance of my time.
The CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the gentleman
from Missouri (Mr. Luetkemeyer).
The amendment was agreed to.
Amendment Offered by Mr. McClintock
Mr. McCLINTOCK. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.
The CHAIR. The Clerk will report the amendment.
The Clerk read as follows:
Page 57, after line 11, insert the following:
Sec. 507. None of the funds made available by this Act may
be used to purchase water to supplement or enhance the
instream flow requirements in the State of California that
are mandated under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, the
Central Valley Project Improvement Act, or the National
Environmental Policy Act of 1969.
[[Page H2762]]
The CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 223, the gentleman from
California and a Member opposed each will control 5 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California.
Mr. McCLINTOCK. Mr. Chairman, hydrologists tell us that California is
facing the worst drought in 1,200 years. With the rain season
officially over, our snowpack is just 3 percent of normal, and many
reservoirs are already drawn down perilously. Californians are now
threatened with draconian fines if they take too long in the shower.
This amendment forbids the Bureau of Reclamation from purchasing
scarce water in California in the midst of this catastrophic drought
for the purpose of dumping it in rivers to adjust the water temperature
to nudge baby fish to swim into the ocean.
As ridiculous as this sounds, that is exactly what the Bureau of
Reclamation has been doing throughout this drought. It is using money
taken from families' taxes in order to purchase water that is
desperately needed by these same families and then literally dumping it
down the drain in front of them.
This exacerbates an already perilous scarcity of water while forcing
the price of our remaining supplies even higher. It also makes a
mockery of the sacrifices that every Californian is making to stretch
every drop of water in their homes. And it undermines the moral
authority of the government to demand further conservation from the
people when it is squandering water so outrageously itself.
We don't know exactly how much the Bureau is spending for this
purpose because they don't account for how their purchased water is
used.
This measure would forbid them from wasting any of our water on such
frivolities as adjusting water temperatures.
Now if this sounds harsh for the fish, let's remember that in a
drought like this one, there would be no water in our rivers. There
would be no fish. The dams make it possible to save the water from wet
years so that we can get through the dry years. That doesn't work if we
open floodgates in an extreme drought like this to make the fish happy.
This month, the Bureau of Reclamation released nearly 30,000 acre-
feet of water from the New Melones Dam in my district for that purpose.
That is enough water to meet the annual residential needs of a
population of nearly 300,000 human beings for the express purpose of
encouraging the offspring of some 29 steelhead trout to swim toward the
ocean--which, by the way, they tend to do anyway. And to add insult to
injury, almost all of these smolts will be eaten by predators before
they reach the ocean.
So let me put this again and quite bluntly. In order to benefit a
handful of steelhead trout, the Bureau sacrificed enough water to meet
the annual needs of a human population of 300,000. At $700 per acre-
foot, the cost of this exercise amounted to $21 million.
This is the lunacy of the environmental left and the policies they
have imposed on our State and our country. It needs to stop now. And to
the extent that we can do so through the power of the purse, we must.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Chairman, I claim the time in opposition.
The CHAIR. The gentlewoman from Ohio is recognized for 5 minutes.
Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Chairman, I oppose this McClintock amendment because
it sounds like a solution in search of a problem.
This amendment seeks to undermine the Endangered Species Act by
restricting the Bureau of Reclamation from expending funds on water for
the purpose of managing endangered fish populations.
While I oppose the spirit of the amendment, I must also object to it
because it does absolutely nothing. The Bureau of Reclamation does not
purchase water for the purpose of temperature management. The Bureau of
Reclamation does not purchase water now, and they have no plans to do
it in fiscal year 2016. In fact, due to water scarcity, the price of
water is too high.
The extreme drought in the West presents significant management
challenges, and Bureau of Reclamation biologists should have every tool
possible to make decisions and provide a safety net for species nearing
extinction.
Instead of attempting to undermine the judgment of those
professionals, we should be working on solutions to grow the water
supply in California. That involves water reuse; increased
efficiencies, which have already started; conservation; storm water
capture; agricultural practices.
The dry West faces very difficult choices, and we want to walk
alongside them but with solutions that make sense and that are capable
of being implemented.
I oppose the gentleman's amendment, and I yield back the balance of
my time.
Mr. McCLINTOCK. Mr. Chairman, perhaps from the damp State of Ohio,
this might look like a solution in search of a problem. I would invite
the gentlelady to come to California in the midst of this drought to
see the devastation it is causing.
The Bureau just released 10 billion gallons for this stated purpose,
to adjust river water temperatures and to nudge steelhead trout smolts
to the ocean. They weren't coy about it. They were very, very clear.
They have been very clear in their budget requests for this practice.
But let me, just for the sake of argument, accept the gentlelady's
point that they have no plans to do so. Well, if that is the case, she
should have no objections to this measure. The fact is, they not only
have plans to do so, but they have been doing so, and it is devastating
what little precious water is remaining behind our precious reservoirs.
We will run out by the end of the summer if these practices continue.
And if they continue and if we do, I think that the gentlelady will
need to make an apology to the 38 million suffering people of
California.
With that, I yield back the balance of my time.
The CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the gentleman
from California (Mr. McClintock).
The question was taken; and the Chair announced that the ayes
appeared to have it.
Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.
The CHAIR. Pursuant to clause 6 of rule XVIII, further proceedings on
the amendment offered by the gentleman from California will be
postponed.
Amendment Offered by Mr. LaMalfa
Mr. LaMALFA. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.
The CHAIR. The Clerk will report the amendment.
The Clerk read as follows:
At the end of the bill (before the short title), insert the
following:
Sec. __. None of the funds made available by this Act may
be used to implement, administer, or enforce the requirement
in section 323.4(a)(1)(ii) of title 33, Code of Federal
Regulations, or section 232.3(c)(1)(ii)(A) of title 40, Code
of Federal Regulations, that activities identified in
paragraph (1)(A) of subsection (f) of section 404 of the
Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1344(f)(1)(A))
must be established or ongoing in order to receive an
exemption under such subsection.
The CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 223, the gentleman from
California and a Member opposed each will control 5 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California.
Mr. LaMALFA. I thank the gentleman from Idaho, Chairman Simpson.
Mr. Chair, the House has previously passed language to require the
Army Corps of Engineers to apply the Clean Water Act as the Congress
has passed it, not as the Corps may wish it to have been written.
Unfortunately, the Corps has disregarded these efforts and imposed
regulations that could actually prevent farmers from changing crops or
fallowing fields during, especially, California's historic drought.
{time} 0130
Section 404 of the Clean Water Act exempts from regulation the
following: ``Normal farming, silviculture, and ranching activities such
as plowing, seeding, cultivating, minor drainage, harvesting for the
production of food, fiber, and forest products, or upland soil and
water conservation practices.''
No additional requirements are included, and these activities are
specifically identified as exempt. However, the Corps and the EPA have
used creative interpretations to drastically increase their
jurisdiction beyond what Congress has intended.
[[Page H2763]]
In fact, the Corps states the following on their Web site:
If a property has been used for cattle grazing, the
exemption does not apply if future activities would involve
planting crops for food.
An operation is no longer established when the area on
which it is conducted has been converted to another use or
has lain idle.
Now, under this interpretation, a farmer switching from one crop to
another, such as corn or tomatoes, would no longer be engaged in normal
activities and could be subject to regulation.
As I mentioned earlier, in this time of record drought in California,
a practice such as leaving a field fallow, as is happening now across
California due to the historic droughts, means that replanting the
following year, if possible, would be seen by the Corps as a new--not
existing--activity triggering regulation and permitting requirements.
This is not the intention of what Congress had years ago with the Clean
Water Act.
This overreach could even prevent farmers from switching to less
water-intensive crops, if they saw fit, during California's droughts
for fear of an impossible morass of regulatory requirements or, with
the involuntary cuts that have been underway, see that they would again
be required to have new permits because of this misinterpretation by
the Corps.
Mr. Chairman, the House has supported amendments I have sponsored on
two other occasions. Language addressing this issue previously passed
by voice vote and was included in the CR/Omnibus; yet the Corps has
refused to recognize clear congressional intent and abandoned its
interpretation.
My amendment, for the third time, will seek to prohibit funding for
these creative interpretations. I urge your support of this effort to
once again make clear the will of Congress.
Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to the amendment.
The CHAIR. The gentlewoman from Ohio is recognized for 5 minutes.
Ms. KAPTUR. I rise to oppose the amendment offered by the gentleman
from California (Mr. LaMalfa). This amendment makes a significant
change to the Clean Water Act regulations, one we should not be making
late at night in an appropriations bill. It deserves thoughtful
consideration. I think the gentleman probably would agree with that.
Mr. Chairman, under current law and regulation, activities that
convert wetlands that occur as part of existing, ongoing farming,
ranching, and silviculture activities do not require a section 404
wetlands permit.
Let me repeat that for my colleagues. The Clean Water Act explicitly
exempts certain activities from regulation, and these include normal
agricultural activities like plowing fields, planting and harvesting
crops, and maintaining irrigation and drainage ditches.
Those exemptions were added by Congress in 1977. The 1977 law created
the list of activity-based exemptions from normal farming, ranching,
and forestry activities; but it also included safeguards to ensure that
these exempted activities were not exploited by large-scale commercial
interests. The regulations implementing those exemptions were completed
in 1986 during the Reagan administration.
The underlying fiscal year 2016 Energy and Water Appropriations bill
before us already includes language in section 106 affirming that these
activities exempted by Congress 38 years ago continue to be exempt. It
clearly states that none of the funds made available by this act may be
used to require a permit when these activities are conducted.
The gentleman from California wants to go further than the language
already in the bill with his amendment. In his view, wetlands should be
able to be filled even when a farm has been converted to another use or
farm fields have lain idle so long that modifications to the hydrology
are necessary to conduct operations.
I say to my colleague from California, it is hard to understand how
any discharge can be normal for an operation that isn't established.
Mr. Chairman, let me tell my colleague why this concerns me.
According to the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, in my home
State, since the late 18th century, 90 percent of Ohio's wetland
resources have been destroyed or degraded through draining, filling, or
other modification. Because of the valuable functions the remaining
wetlands perform, it is imperative to ensure that all impacts to
wetlands are properly mitigated.
Wetlands help filter impurities from water. Sediment settles out of
runoff, and contaminants bind to plant surfaces in wetlands resulting
in improved water quality. Wetlands perform other valuable functions,
including reducing flood flow and shoreline erosion control. They are
almost like lungs. They are the lungs of the Earth and connect the land
to the water.
In Ohio, we also depend upon our wetlands as haven for rare and
endangered plants, and one-third of all the endangered species depends
on wetlands for survival. Many wetlands are important fish spawning and
nursery areas, as well as nesting, resting, and feeding areas for
waterfowl.
We should make certain that any changes we make to wetlands policy
that may result in the destruction of these remaining very important
ecological areas are evaluated carefully and we do not overturn nearly
40 years of policy lightly.
It is for these reasons, Mr. Chairman, that I must respectfully
oppose the gentleman's amendment. I urge my colleagues to do so as
well, and I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. LaMALFA. Again, Mr. Chairman, I appreciate the comments by my
colleague from Ohio on that, but in practice in California, they are
already moving well beyond established law in the 404 section that
would indeed allow for normal activities to be exempted.
I say ``normal activities.'' It is normal for farmers to change
crops, to rotate crops as what fits the land, that fits available water
supply, that fits what the farmer deems to do with his or her land.
There is this thing called property rights in Ohio and California.
It is amazing to me that the Army Corps continues to misinterpret and
creatively interpret the 404 exemptions because, in practice in
northern California, we have seen that the ability to switch crops, to
do as you see fit with your land within the permit, with the exemptions
of the 404, are being violated.
We have attempted to work with the Army Corps in northern California
on that when I was told recently that they would ignore this section
and ignore the efforts we have made previously.
That is why this amendment is necessary, not only to send a message,
but to remove the funding that they would try to use to stop the
cultural practices of farmers across the country, especially as it
seems to be affecting northern California, to do as they see fit within
the exemptions that are already in the law, but seemingly outside of
what the wishes of the Army Corps are.
Mr. Chairman, I would ask for the ``aye'' vote on this bill, and I
yield back the balance of my time.
The CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the gentleman
from California (Mr. LaMalfa).
The question was taken; and the Chair announced that the ayes
appeared to have it.
Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.
The CHAIR. Pursuant to clause 6 of rule XVIII, further proceedings on
the amendment offered by the gentleman from California will be
postponed.
Amendment Offered by Mr. LaMalfa
Mr. LaMALFA. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.
The CHAIR. The Clerk will report the amendment.
The Clerk read as follows:
At the end of the bill (before the short title), insert the
following:
Sec.__. None of the funds made available by this Act may be
used to deliver water to the Trinity River above the minimum
requirements of the Trinity Record of Decision or to
supplement flows in the Klamath River.
The CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 223, the gentleman from
California and a Member opposed each will control 5 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California.
Mr. LaMALFA. Mr. Chairman, as was discussed earlier, California is
seeing the most severe drought in many, many years. Our own Governor
has recently ordered a mandatory 25 percent water rationing across the
State.
[[Page H2764]]
Despite these dire conditions which have idled hundreds of thousands
of productive farmland and caused billions of dollars in economic
damage, the Bureau of Reclamation has unnecessarily diverted water from
the Central Valley Project which serves the entire State, 20 million or
more people, to salmon habitat in the Klamath River. I say
``unnecessarily'' because the chinook salmon of the Klamath River are
not threatened or endangered and have, in fact, been returning in near
record numbers.
Mr. Chairman, the Bureau has misused over 100,000 acre feet of water
over the last 2 years, which will be enough for up to 800,000 people or
even 30,000 acres of cropland.
What is more, stakeholders have already reached an agreement. All the
stakeholders in the area have a previous agreement to ensure enough
water for both humans and for salmon, according to the Trinity Record
of Decision.
{time} 0140
The Bureau's actions go above and beyond the requirements of the
agreement and negatively impact the very stakeholders that agreed to
it, including my constituents.
Two years ago, a bipartisan group from this Congress sent a letter
urging the Bureau of Reclamation not to carry out this activity. Mr.
Chairman, this amendment simply prohibits the Bureau of Reclamation
from releasing water beyond the record of decision it is a party to and
ensures that cities and farms have access to as much water as possible,
especially during this acute drought period. It also maintains the
river flows that stakeholders have agreed to and forces the Bureau of
Reclamation to keep its promises to the people of California.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to the amendment.
The CHAIR. The gentlewoman from Ohio is recognized for 5 minutes.
Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Chairman, I oppose this amendment but, believe me,
with sympathy toward what the people of the West are facing. I just
hope that we can get through this situation reasonably and seamlessly
somehow. I oppose the amendment because it would lock in a specific
operating regime, regardless of facts on the ground.
In 2014, the Bureau of Reclamation made the decision not to release
water above the minimum requirement, clearly showing they are realistic
and willing to change to meet the circumstances at hand. I hope the
gentleman agrees. Reclamation monitored temperatures and fish health to
balance risks.
Then last September, the Bureau of Reclamation did release flows
because of a deadly detection of a parasite impacting salmon. Yet we
must ensure that the massive fish kill of 2002 doesn't happen again.
This balancing act is really difficult, but we cannot sacrifice the
environment either. We must find a way to balance the needs of people
and the environment in the West.
Further, in the Klamath Basin, we must meet our obligations to the
tribes who have relied on the river. None of this will be easy. We
should not be locking in an operating regime that ignores science and
does not allow us to adapt to changing circumstances.
On this basis, I oppose the gentleman's amendment and honestly hope,
as a country, we can do what is necessary to help the West.
Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. LaMALFA. Mr. Chairman, well, I appreciate that sentiment on
helping the West. Perhaps a pipeline from Ohio with all that excess
water during flood flows would help us out. But short of doing that
right now, indeed, coming back to what is happening with the fish we
are speaking of in these systems, the salmon in the Klamath River that
we are speaking of are not in danger and are near record numbers in
that leg.
This amendment will assist actually downstream on the Sacramento
River the endangered winter-run chinook with this additional flow. So
even though there may have been detected a parasite, it is not
affecting natively what we are talking about here.
And this goes beyond the Record of Decision with agreed water flow
amounts of the stakeholders involved. So this is more by whim of BOR
once again deciding that additional flows, based on no science beyond
the Record of Decision, are taking valuable water away, and it could
happen again in this record drought year.
We need not lose the opportunity to have these waters, or other ones
talked about earlier tonight, based on the whim of a bureaucracy
somewhere that really doesn't seem to be paying attention to the needs
of California's farms, cities, and that the water is actually being
used to the best benefit of the fish being debated in any one of these
systems. So diverting more water away from this is not productive. It
doesn't fulfill any scientific goals.
With that, I ask the ``aye'' votes of this Chamber.
Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.
The CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the gentleman
from California (Mr. LaMalfa).
The question was taken; and the Chair announced that the ayes
appeared to have it.
Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.
The CHAIR. Pursuant to clause 6 of rule XVIII, further proceedings on
the amendment offered by the gentleman from California will be
postponed.
Mr. SIMPSON. Mr. Chairman, before I make a motion, let me thank you
for your excellent stewardship of this bill through general order,
through the amendment debate in the wee hours of the morning. We all
appreciate it. It has been fair and helped move it along in an orderly
manner.
Mr. Chairman, I move that the Committee do now rise.
The motion was agreed to.
Accordingly, the Committee rose; and the Speaker pro tempore (Mr.
LaMalfa) having assumed the chair, Mr. Collins of Georgia, Chair of the
Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union, reported that
that Committee, having had under consideration the bill (H.R. 2028)
making appropriations for energy and water development and related
agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2016, and for other
purposes, had come to no resolution thereon.
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