[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 173 (Thursday, November 21, 2024)]
[House]
[Pages H6183-H6186]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
COMMERCIAL SPACE TRANSPORTATION
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under the Speaker's announced policy of
January 9, 2023, the Chair recognizes the gentleman from California
(Mr. Kiley) for 30 minutes.
Mr. KILEY. Madam Speaker, today, I am announcing new legislation that
is of great importance to the future of space exploration.
My bill will elevate the Office of Commercial Space Transportation as
an independent entity within the Department of Transportation. It will
remove it from the jurisdiction and the auspices of the FAA, the
Federal Aviation Administration.
This is actually the way the office was originally set up when it was
created in 1984, but in the mid-nineties, it was folded into the FAA.
That was never a good fit. It was never really what the FAA was
designed to do, and the commercial space industry is a dramatically
different enterprise today than it was in the mid-nineties, than it
even was just a few years ago.
This is a commonsense reform that, in fact, has been endorsed by the
FAA's own Commercial Space Transportation Advisory Committee, which
unanimously recommended removing the Office of Commercial Space
Transportation from the FAA and making it its own independent entity
that reports directly to the Secretary of the Department of
Transportation.
This will remove a layer of bureaucracy that has proven to be very
problematic when it comes to innovation in space. It was underscored
very dramatically just last month when the world witnessed the
extraordinary scene captured in this photograph, when the launch of
flight 5 for SpaceX's Starship, which is the most powerful rocket ever
built, resulted in the booster being returned to the launch site and
being caught in this tower without the use of landing legs or anything
like that, using the Mechazilla chopstick arms.
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This booster, by the way, has 33 of what are called Raptor engines.
Each one of those 33 engines has twice as much thrust as the engines of
a Boeing 747. It is truly an awe-inspiring amount of force, and the
scale and power of this space vehicle is truly unprecedented. The feat
that was accomplished in flight 5 was something that folks didn't even
think was possible.
By the way, I had the chance to go to flight 6 earlier this week,
which was another very successful test for SpaceX and truly something
that was remarkable to witness in person.
However, this amazing scene almost didn't happen, or at least
wouldn't have happened when it did, because the FAA had tried to hold
back the launch. The FAA had come out and said that it was going to
depart from the previously announced timeline and was going to delay
the launch by months for no good reason at all.
I cross-examined the FAA Administrator about this myself, and he
could provide no good reason, certainly no public safety reason, for
delaying the launch. He, in fact, came up with bogus reasons that were
quickly debunked as false.
Thankfully, the FAA did finally come around and allowed the launch to
move forward, but if those initial delays had been allowed to stick,
then both flight 5 and flight 6 wouldn't have happened by now.
This all just goes to underscore that the FAA really should not be
involved in these matters.
With my legislation, we will get them out of the picture. The Office
of Commercial Space Transportation would be housed as an independent
entity within the Department of Transportation.
The fact is it should not be more difficult to get the paperwork
approved for a launch than it is to actually build and launch the
rocket.
This is worth putting in perspective because, in spite of the fact
that we have had a redundant and, at times, hostile regulatory regime,
we have seen incredible progress in the commercial space industry, in
particular by SpaceX, which has given the United States a position of
dominance when it comes to space.
In fact, SpaceX, this one company, accounts for well over 90 percent
of the mass that is launched into orbit around the world. In fact, just
in the last 48 hours, SpaceX has had four different launches from not
just Texas, where Starship was launched, but from Florida and
California as well. That is unprecedented, four launches in 48 hours.
As a point of comparison, the entire continent of Europe has had fewer
launches this entire year.
It is truly extraordinary what is being accomplished in spite of
regulations and bureaucracies that are attempting to hold us back.
Just imagine, Madam Speaker, what we could accomplish if we actually
had our laws and regulations and agencies be on the side of innovation.
Just imagine what might be possible.
The dominance that the United States currently has in space is a
tremendous national asset, and it is of vital importance in a number of
ways when it comes to national security, of course, as well as when it
comes to connectivity, bringing the internet to all corners of the
globe. I have constituents in Death Valley, which I represent, who use
SpaceX's Starlink system. It has also been used by our fire agencies
when connectivity is disrupted with wildfires.
They have managed to accomplish all of this in spite of adverse
regulations. If we manage to change that paradigm, if we manage to
actually have regulations that are designed to encourage those who are
innovating to make these seemingly impossible feats be brought somewhat
closer or more readily within the bounds of possibility, then it will
not only enhance U.S. dominance in space and it will not only further
all of those advantages I just mentioned, but I think it will continue
to bring folks together around something that is truly inspiring around
this common purpose. It will be something that is larger than any of
us.
I think that when we witnessed this epic catch of the Starship
booster last month, it was really a singular moment, more than any
other moment perhaps in decades. It has heralded a new era of space
exploration with literally infinite possibilities.
I am truly excited about this. I think it is something that everyone
in our country and all across the world can be excited by. I am excited
about the new possibilities that will open up when we get this bill
passed and signed into law.
Crime Once Again Illegal in California
Mr. KILEY. Madam Speaker, I rise to present some good news from
California, which is that crime is, once again, illegal in my home
State.
California voters have overwhelmingly passed, with almost 70 percent
of the vote, Proposition 36, an initiative to make crime illegal again.
It passed with a higher percentage of the vote than any other
initiative on the ballot in California. It passed in each and every one
of California's 58 counties, and it wasn't close anywhere. It passed in
San Francisco. It passed in L.A.
It passed everywhere across the State, and this was despite the fact
that the leaders of the supermajority legislature were against it. It
is despite the fact that Governor Gavin Newsom fought the initiative
tooth and nail each and every step of the way. Newsom concocted schemes
to try to remove the initiative from the ballot. When that failed, he
led the campaign against the initiative.
Yet, at the end of the day, California voters overwhelmingly passed
it, and
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Governor Newsom, for his part, decided to insult the voters. He said
that the initiative was a very lazy response to the State's crime
problem. He even said that he doesn't recognize the State that he is
living in. That is probably a good thing because the State that we have
been living in is one where crime has effectively been legalized.
Madam Speaker, if you walk into a store in many parts of California,
first of all, on your way into the store, you might have to walk
through an open-air drug market or a place where drugs are being openly
exchanged and used. You might have to step around needles that are on
the ground. This might happen on your way to school, or in a park, or
in many other public places.
Then, you go into a store. Let's say it is a CVS, and you just need
to get some shampoo or a stick of deodorant. You can't just take it off
the shelf and pay, Madam Speaker. It is going to be under lock and key,
and you are going to need to press a button or summon an attendant to
unlock the cabinet so you can get your stick of deodorant or your
bottle of shampoo.
The reason, of course, they are doing that is because the legal
system cannot be relied upon to deter crime, so retailers have had to
take matters into their own hands. If there is a theft incident, which
does actually dramatically reduce the margins of retailers and is
driving many out of business in California, there is nothing they can
do about it. They just have to watch the person walk out the door with
stolen merchandise. Usually, they won't even bother to report it to the
authorities because they know nothing is going to happen because the
laws on the books are not strong enough to make a prosecution worth
going through in most places.
That is why I say that this initiative was designed to make crime
illegal again, because currently in the State, there is no consequence
for criminal activity, so crime effectively is legal. Proposition 36,
which has been overwhelmingly approved by voters, changes that.
First of all, what it does is it restores penalties for those who
repeatedly steal merchandise from our stores. Number two is that it
restores rehabilitation, mandatory treatment, for those who are
repeatedly arrested for drug use. Number three is it toughens penalties
for fentanyl dealers, with fentanyl poisoning and overdoses continuing
to result in such tragic losses in every community throughout
California.
Our State, Madam Speaker, I am happy to report, is on a path back to
sanity. For folks around the country who love California, who have
considered it the Golden State and are dismayed by what has happened in
recent years, this is cause for hope.
Not only that but a decision of the U.S. Supreme Court, which I wrote
an amicus brief for, has restored the ability of our communities to
actually remove homeless encampments from public places, which a
previous Ninth Circuit decision blocked them from doing. We are already
seeing some of our streets getting cleaned up.
Not only that but we just had a couple of the most reckless district
attorneys in the country, including George Gascon in Los Angeles,
removed from office, so we truly are on a path back to sanity.
I believe it is a new day for California, and I am very excited about
the progress that we are going to continue to make in the months and
years ahead.
Honoring the Memory of John Hidahl
Mr. KILEY. Madam Speaker, I wish to recognize and honor the memory of
a good friend of mine, John Hidahl, the El Dorado County supervisor for
District 1, who passed away this month on November 2.
Supervisor Hidahl was an outstanding public servant who served in the
El Dorado Hills area for over 40 years, most recently two terms on the
board of supervisors.
John was raised in Ceres, California, on the Hidahl family ranch,
where he performed farm work as well as driving for his family trucking
business.
John's family had been ranching for generations, and beyond his work
for the family growing up, he continued the family farming legacy by
serving as the chairman of the board of Hidahl Ranch.
During his years at Ceres High School, John earned his Eagle Scout
rank at the age of 16. I actually used to see him at every Eagle Scout
ceremony I went to in the area. He was always there, a proud Eagle
himself, and so proud to recognize and honor the young Eagles as they
reached that milestone.
Also in high school, he met his wife of 52 years, Eileen, who is a
retired public school teacher.
John studied mechanical engineering at California Polytechnic State
University-San Luis Obispo, which launched his career in the aerospace
industry. During these years, he conducted impressive work at Aerojet
and Northrop Grumman and excelled at multiple roles, including rocket
test engineer, rocket design engineer, director of engineering, and
chief systems engineer.
John was propelled by his personal motto of ``Service before self''
to serve his community, guiding his transition to public service. He
led his community in various roles. He served on the El Dorado Hills
Water District for 33 years, the El Dorado Hills Area Planning Advisory
Committee for 36 years, the El Dorado Hills Community Council for 23
years, and the list goes on.
The thorough dedication and leadership shown by John is one of the
things that has allowed our region to remain an amazing place to live,
learn, work, and raise a family. It has been a true privilege to know
John, and I am certain that the impact of his lifelong ``Service before
self'' slogan will be felt by the county for many, many years and for
generations to come.
During my time in both the State assembly and in Congress, it has
been an honor to work alongside Supervisor Hidahl. He truly exemplified
what it means to be in public service, and he worked tirelessly to
improve the quality of life for all of his constituents.
Therefore, on behalf of California's Third Congressional District and
the United States House of Representatives, I extend my heartfelt
condolences to John's wife, Eileen; their five daughters, Kathryn,
Maureen, Christine, Rachel, and Brittani; and to the many others whose
lives John touched in El Dorado County and the neighboring region.
John will be greatly missed, and his legacy will be felt for a long,
long time to come.
Celebrating Lake Tahoe Community College's 50th Anniversary
Mr. KILEY. Madam Speaker, I wish to mark and celebrate the 50-year
anniversary of Lake Tahoe Community College.
In 1974, the formation of the college was approved, with the official
opening of their doors taking place on September 18 of the following
year. Now, 50 years later, the Lake Tahoe Community College is a true
pillar in the community.
Ranked among the top 20 best community colleges in the country in
2023, Lake Tahoe Community College is an evolving, dynamic academic
institution located in the heart of South Lake Tahoe, California.
It is northern California's highest elevation college, and it is a
microcosm of the natural beauty of the nearby national treasure, Lake
Tahoe.
The college currently serves 7,500 students annually from the local
community, neighboring jurisdictions, other States, and even from
across the globe.
Their academic programs help students earn terminal degrees, prepare
them for transfer to 4-year institutions, and ready them for exciting
and fulfilling careers.
Of particular note is the college's career and technical education
program, which provides certifications and training with an avenue
directly into employment in a variety of important local career paths,
such as firefighting with CAL FIRE and forestry protection with the
U.S. Forest Service.
In fact, they have had students who have gotten their certifications
and have gone right out immediately to help fight against wildfires,
providing an incredibly and very much needed service.
The college's dedication to promoting educational opportunities and
access to higher learning contributes to a diverse and enthusiastic
college environment that inspires scholars through hard work and
determination to thrive in their academic and career goals.
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The professors, administrators, staff, and board of the college are
to be highly regarded for their remarkable leadership, contributions to
the Tahoe community, and the instrumental support they provide toward
the success of their students.
I am proud to represent exemplary colleges like Lake Tahoe Community
College in Congress.
Madam Speaker, on behalf of the United States House of
Representatives, I am honored to recognize Lake Tahoe Community College
for more than five decades of dedication to academic achievement,
empowering individuals, and enriching our community.
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Death Valley '49ers
Mr. KILEY. Madam Speaker, I wish to mark and celebrate the 75-year
anniversary of the Death Valley '49ers.
For more than seven decades, this volunteer, nonprofit organization
has been dedicated to raising public awareness and preserving the
history and natural beauty of Death Valley National Park, the Nation's
largest conserved desert landscape.
The Death Valley '49ers had its beginning in 1949, when it produced a
historical pageant in Death Valley to highlight the spirit of the
California pioneers. Since then, the Death Valley '49ers have sponsored
an annual encampment each November to celebrate this pioneer spirit and
the highly valued national resource of Death Valley.
Through their efforts to both protect the rare desert environment and
famed recreational space, this organization has played a pivotal role
in educating the public on the history of Death Valley in the
settlement of the west.
In addition to sponsoring the annual encampment, they are also
involved with a variety of projects that support Death Valley and the
surrounding community, including hosting art shows and musical events,
providing scholarships and educational opportunities for local
students, publishing books and other communications about the park,
assisting in renovation projects, spearheading monument and State
landmark efforts, and maintaining contact with the Timbisha-Shoshone
Tribe.
Their devoted efforts have made a lasting impact in the region, and I
am confident that their ongoing contributions will continue to serve
the park, visitors, and residents for many generations to come.
Therefore, on behalf of the United States House of Representatives, I
am honored to recognize the Death Valley '49ers for their 75 years of
commitment to the Death Valley National Park and the history within.
Roseville Housing Authority
Mr. KILEY. Madam Speaker, I wish to mark and celebrate the 50-year
anniversary of the Roseville Housing Authority.
The Roseville Housing Authority started providing rental assistance
in 1980 and has since directed more than $132 million in Federal funds
to those in need who qualify as low-income households for rental
assistance.
Acting in conjunction with the Department of Housing and Urban
Development, the Roseville Housing Authority works as the hands that
reach out to the local community to make housing assistance both
affordable and accountable.
This outreach has expanded as they administer for the city of Rocklin
in providing both project-based vouchers and housing choice vouchers.
Moreover, in the last decade alone, the Roseville Housing Authority ran
the Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing Program, which collaborates
with the United States Department of Veterans Affairs.
I am proud to say that their work of housing veterans is progressing.
In 2021, the Roseville Housing Authority leased the first project-based
vouchers in Roseville, which provided lease assistance for households
directly from homelessness, and nearly two-thirds were issued to
veterans.
The enduring strength and innovation of the Roseville Housing
Authority in creating and implementing new housing opportunities was on
full display last year when their new landlord incentive program served
140 households and achieved a near-perfect 97 percent lease success
rate.
These recent successes provide a short glimpse into the Roseville
Housing Authority's dedication to assisting with and initiating housing
opportunities in the community.
Their success is consistent and historic, as they have earned the
designation of ``High Performer'' by the Department of Housing and
Urban Development for decades.
This distinguished and meritorious status is the highest rating the
Department can bestow on a public housing agency. The Roseville Housing
Authority is and has been among the top public housing authorities in
the country.
It is a great honor and privilege to represent pioneering and
exceptional organizations such as the Roseville Housing Authority in
Congress. Therefore, on behalf of the United States House of
Representatives, I am honored to recognize the Roseville Housing
Authority for 50 years of providing outstanding contributions to our
community.
In Recognition of the Retirement of Placer County Board Supervisor Jim
Holmes
Mr. KILEY. Madam Speaker, I would like to take a moment to recognize
retiring Placer County Board Supervisor Jim Holmes, who has served the
foothill communities of Placer County, California, for nearly 20 years.
A native to the city of Auburn with long family roots that extend
back five generations, Supervisor Holmes attended Placer High School
and Sierra College and completed his undergraduate education at
Humboldt State University with a bachelor of arts degree.
He worked for nearly 30 years as a manager and owner of a gas station
and repair shop, thus setting the stage for his public service based on
lessons learned as a small businessman.
Supervisor Holmes is known for being accessible to his constituents,
active in the community, and attentive to varying sides of an issue
before making a decision he believed to be in the best interests of
Placer County citizens. By any measure, Supervisor Jim Holmes has
established a tradition of public service in Placer County that sets a
marker and an expectation.
He has served faithfully on a wide variety of community boards,
commissions, and committees, including: the First Children and Families
Commission; Auburn Area Salvation Army Advisory Board; Placer County
Consolidated Fire Protection District Board; and, the Placer County
Transportation Planning Agency, among others. He was also a founding
member of the North Auburn Municipal Advisory Council, as well as the
Highway 49 Business Association Board.
During Supervisor Holmes' tenure, he promoted affordable housing
projects and programs, improved traffic and highway safety concerns,
invested in fire protection and prevention efforts, supported our local
public libraries, preserved the agricultural heritage of the area, and
enhanced overall services throughout the county.
Supervisor Jim Holmes achieved a wide diversity of accomplishments to
improve the quality of life and experiences for residents, businesses,
and visitors of Placer County. Some of his particularly noteworthy
accomplishments include his contributions toward fully funding the
Placer County retirement obligation, bringing Mercy Housing to North
Auburn, building the Rocklin Public Library, and leading improvements
to Highway 49, just to name a few.
It is because of the leadership and commitment of people like
Supervisor Jim Holmes that Placer County is such a great place to live,
work, and recreate. I am confident that the legacy he built and the
public service he provided will continue to benefit the county for many
years to come.
Therefore, on behalf of the United States House of Representatives, I
am honored to recognize Supervisor Jim Holmes for the years of
dedicated leadership he provided to the people of Placer County, and I
wish him all the best in his retirement.
In Recognition of the Retirement of Sacramento County Supervisor Sue
Frost
Mr. KILEY. Madam Speaker, I wish to recognize the retiring Sacramento
County supervisor for district 4, Sue Frost, for her years of service
to the Sacramento area community.
Supervisor Frost has served the people of the Sacramento area for
more than three decades with a career in elected office that spanned 12
years.
Before pursuing her interests in the public sphere, Supervisor Frost
held a
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distinguished career and made exceptional contributions in both
healthcare and business. With a strong foundation in nursing and
physical education from Pacific Union College, she became a California
certified emergency nurse, showcasing her dedication to community
health.
In the business world, she has excelled as a businessowner for 34
years in mortgage lending, consulting, and real estate investments
until her retirement in 2014.
Her involvement with the Sacramento Association of Realtors has
allowed Supervisor Frost to have an impact on the industry with her
vast knowledge and unwavering commitment to the community.
Transitioning to public service, Supervisor Frost impacted our region
through extensive service on various boards and associations, including
serving as a vice president of the Birdcage Heights Neighborhood
Association, vice president of Roseville Parkinson's Support Group, and
former president of the Citrus Heights Green Team. Elected to the
Citrus Heights City Council in 2012, she served as vice mayor in 2014
and mayor in 2015.
During this period, she championed fiscal discipline, economic
growth, and public safety.
As mayor, Supervisor Frost sought regional and economic cooperation
and supported nonprofit organizations through key initiatives, such as
the Regional Leadership Council, the Community Leadership Conference,
and the We Support Veterans celebration, which raised over $10,000 for
the Vets Helping Vets Fund.
In January 2017, Supervisor Frost was sworn in to represent district
4 on the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors.
Dedicated to engaging with residents across her district, including
Orangevale, Folsom, and surrounding communities, Supervisor Frost
prioritized engagement with her constituents with continuing community
meetings, which allowed residents to interact directly with her and her
office.
Furthermore, she showed commitment to supporting county services by
working with over 30 departments to foster safe neighborhoods, ensure
economic development, advocate for veterans' resources, and protect our
quality of life.
It is because of the leadership and commitment of people like
Supervisor Sue Frost that our communities are such a great place to
live, work, and recreate.
I am confident that the legacy she built and the public service that
she provided in so many ways will continue to benefit the county for
many, many years to come.
Therefore, on behalf of the United States House of Representatives, I
am honored to recognize Supervisor Sue Frost for the dedicated
leadership and years of service that she provided to the people of
Sacramento County, and I join the Sacramento area and all of her
constituents in wishing her the very best in her retirement.
In Memory of Robert Hugh ``Bobby'' Tanner
Mr. KILEY. Madam Speaker, it is with a heavy heart that I wish to
take a moment to honor the memory of Robert Hugh Tanner, known as
Bobby, an Inyo County resident and community leader who passed away
earlier this year in June.
Bobby Tanner was known by others as an inspiration, a role model, a
local legend, a man of integrity, a great ``mule man,'' and a friend to
the Eastern Sierra who contributed greatly to his community.
He was born in Inyo County in the city of Bishop in 1959. Bobby was
raised working in his family business, the Red's Meadow Resort and Pack
Station, where he would lead pack strings into the Sierra Nevada
mountains, a way of life that became one of his dearest passions. He
graduated from Bishop Union High School in 1978 and went on to earn his
degree from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.
Bobby owned and operated his own businesses, Tanner Hay Company and
Rock Creek Lodge, and eventually became the owner of his family
business, Red's Meadow Resort and Pack Station. As a businessman and
entrepreneur himself, he maintained a strong commitment to supporting
other local small businesses and organizations, contributing to the
strength and economic vitality of the region.
He loved the outdoors, which was reflected in his enthusiasm for
sports; namely, skiing and football, skills of which led him to
mentoring and coaching youth in the local ski and high school football
teams.
Bobby placed his heart in the center of the Eastern Sierras and
served the community in several capacities. Of particular note were the
monumental contributions he and his family made to the famous Bishop
Mule Days Celebration, a first-rate mule show and classic Eastern
Sierra tradition. As a son to one of the founders of Mule Days, Bobby
participated in this event since its inception in 1970, when he was
just 10 years old, and served for many years as a member and president
of the board later in life. He also played a vital role in recreating
and operating the famed Twenty Mule Team, a special historical
attraction iconic to Death Valley.
Undoubtedly, Bobby Tanner's many contributions are part of the fabric
and fiber of the city of Bishop and surrounding communities, and I am
confident that the impact of the remarkable legacy he left will be felt
for many generations to come.
Therefore, on behalf of California's Third Congressional District and
the United States House of Representatives, I offer my heartfelt
condolences to Bobby's mother, Jean; wife, Claudia; son, Bo; sister and
brother-in-law Suzanne and Harvey Bertrand; and the countless others
whose lives he touched throughout Inyo County and the Eastern Sierra
region. Bobby Tanner will be greatly missed.
Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
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