Cliff Bentz

Mr. BENTZ

Mr. BENTZ. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of my amendment No. 8. This fiscally responsible amendment would establish a 1.85 percent administrative cap for the Department of the Interior when implementing title III of this bill. Title I of the bill, which provides funding to State fish and wildlife departments for species conservation, includes a 1.85 percent administrative cap. Title II of the bill, which covers Tribal Wildlife Conservation and Restoration, includes a 3 percent administrative cap for the Department of the Interior. However, as currently drafted, title III does not have an administrative cap. The original intent of this bill was to provide States with funding to conserve species of greatest conservation need. Unfortunately, the majority decided to ignore the committee process by airdropping in title III to give more funding to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Not only did they circumvent process to add the entire title to the bill, they didn't carry over any of the good government amendments made in committee. Under the current text, the State and Tribal portions of the bill would be subject to strict administrative caps, but the Federal Government would not be. This is backwards, as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service needs much more oversight since the agency is part of the reason we find ourselves in the position we are currently in with respect to the broken Endangered Species Act. Additionally, the programs funded in title III already receive existing appropriations, and if the majority would like to increase them, they should do it through the appropriations process instead of airdropping in another layer of statute and bureaucracy into the legislation. For these reasons, title III should be struck from the bill. Unfortunately, the majority refused to allow a vote on my colleague from Utah's amendment that would have done just that. The very least we can do is at least ensure that title III is subject to the same administrative requirements as the other titles. I urge my colleagues to support this amendment.

Mr. BENTZ

Mr. BENTZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, S. 3823 would make modest and temporary changes to the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. First, the bill temporarily increases debt limits for small business debtors under subchapter V of chapter 11 and for individual debtors reorganizing debt under chapter 13. Subchapter V of the Bankruptcy Code is a lower cost reorganization bankruptcy option for small businesses. These businesses don't have deep pockets, and traditional, expensive chapter 11 reorganizations may not be feasible. Subchapter V is a more affordable and streamlined approach, which can lead to more successful reorganizations. That means that both debtors and creditors should be better off because, hopefully, less of the debtor's estate will go toward professional fees and more will be left for the debtor's business and, ultimately, the creditors. Subchapter V took effect in February 2020. At that time, the debt limit for those wishing to utilize this more streamlined law was just over $2.7 million. Due in part to expected trouble for small businesses, the CARES Act and later legislation temporarily increased the debt limit for subchapter V filers to $7.5 million. That temporary increase sunsetted in March of this year. This bill again extends the $7.5 million debt limit for another 2 years. Likewise, the bill also changes the bankruptcy debt limits for chapter 13, which is a way for eligible individuals, including sole proprietors, to reorganize their debts. The bill removes the distinction between secured and unsecured debt limits under chapter 13 and increases the overall debt limit for those who wish to file for their individual protection from about $1.9 million to $2.75 million. Like the adjustment to subchapter V, these changes to chapter 13 apply for only 2 years. Put simply, Americans are having a harder time making ends meet due to what I think we would agree are mistakes made under the Biden administration and Democrats in control of Congress. Raising the debt limit will allow those suffering from these failed policies to adjust their debts to fit the new realities of our economy, skyrocketing energy and input costs, not enough workers, and more. A successful reorganization can leave both debtors and creditors better off. At the same time, we just don't have certain data about some of these bankruptcy policy changes or their likely long-term effects. That is why these changes to our Bankruptcy Code should be temporary. An additional 2 years of normal post-pandemic bankruptcy activity will give us a better understanding of the underlying policy issues and will help guide the future design of our bankruptcy system. It is also worth noting that this bill did not go through regular order in the Judiciary Committee, so it did not benefit from robust oversight or legislative hearings. Americans are best served when Federal policy is made after careful and focused congressional deliberation, something that would have occurred in regular order. The bill makes clarifications to small business bankruptcies that relate to eligibility, trustee responsibilities, and bankruptcy plan requirements. These would be permanent. The bill also makes accounting- related clarifications that will operate to improve the U.S. Trustee System Fund. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BENTZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. BENTZ

Mr. BENTZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, today our law enforcement officers are under immense pressure as they face more and more criminal activity with fewer and fewer resources. Often, officers are called on to respond to high-stress situations involving people who are an extreme emotional or altered mental states. This bill will help law enforcement to better understand and interact with individuals experiencing traumatic brain injuries or post- traumatic stress disorder. While traumatic brain injuries affect people of all ages and backgrounds, data suggests that there is a higher prevalence among certain groups, including veterans, the homeless, and those who have been incarceration. These groups are also more likely to have encounters with law enforcement. Studies have shown that it is often difficult for law enforcement officers to differentiate between those suffering from brain injuries or PTSD, and those who are intoxicated by alcohol or drugs. For example, common signs of intoxication, such as slurred speech, outbursts of anger, slow response times, and forgetfulness can also be signs of traumatic brain injury. Training officers to recognize the differences between traumatic brain injury or PTSD and intoxication can lead to more favorable outcomes for the officers and the individuals they encounter. This bill will require the Bureau of Justice Assistance within the Justice Department to develop training that will inform officers on what type of treatment and resources the individual may need. For individuals suffering from traumatic brain injury, medical referrals may be the most appropriate. This training will promote the safety of our men and women in uniform and improve public safety in our communities. Mr. Speaker, in closing, it is important to note that seeing this body support law enforcement, rather than to condemn it, is a welcome, if only brief, departure from how Democrats have treated our police forces over the past 2 years. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BENTZ. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I am prepared to close. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. BENTZ

Mr. BENTZ. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize Colonel Jeffrey B. Edwards, United States Air Force, for his exceptional dedication and distinguished service to the United States of America. Colonel Edwards will retire on May 15, 2022, from his current assignment as the Commander of the 173rd Fighter Wing at Kingsley Field in Klamath Falls, Oregon. We thank him for his commitment to our country over the past 27 years. Colonel Edwards graduated from the United States Air Force Academy in 1995. His first mission took him to Elmendorf Air Force Base in Alaska, then to Tyndall Air Force Base in Florida, and then Osan Air Base in the Republic of Korea. During his time in Alaska, he was deployed twice to defend our nation, which included 52 combat sorties in Operation SOUTHERN WATCH in Iraq and Operation ALLIED FORCE, over eastern Europe. In 2000, he was assigned to Tyndall Air Force Base in Florida, where he served as an F-15C fighter pilot instructor, training the next generation of fighter pilots. In 2003, Colonel Edwards was stationed in Osan Air Base in the Republic of Korea as the Chief of Air Defense Plans for the 7th Air Force. After his service in Korea, in 2004, he joined the Oregon National Guard at Kingsley Field. In 2006, Colonel Edwards attended United States Air Force Weapons School. In 2019, after serving in several positions at Kingsley Field, he earned the Command of the 173rd Fighter Wing. Colonel Edwards has been awarded the 173rd Fighter Wing Instructor Pilot of the Year award, the USAF Weapons School F-15 Academic Award, the 19th Air Force Air-to-Air Fighter Pilot Instructor of the Year, the Meritorious Service Medal, Aerial Achievement Medal, and the Air Force Commendation Medal. His service has included over 3,200 flight hours. Colonel Edwards embodies the Air Force Core Values of Integrity First, Service Before Self, and Excellence In All We Do as a Commander, leader, and Airman. Kingsley Field is a critical asset for American national security. It serves as an outstanding training center for the Air National Guard and active-duty pilots. In Colonel Edwards' time as Commander, Kingsley Field was designated as first in line to function as a formal training unit for the Boeing F-15EX fighter jet. A critical part of domestic defense missions, the first operational F-15EX squadron was designated to operate in the Oregon Air National Guard. Additionally, Colonel Edwards led Kingsley Field effectively through the COVID-19 pandemic. Plans were formalized for Kingsley Field's dedicated men and women to support their families while carefully maintaining the overall mission. In 2021, he seamlessly balanced the activation of over 250 Airmen for COVID-19 and hospital support. In 2022, over 145 members were activated to help the State of Oregon's deal with the Omicron variant. During this time, never once did Colonel Edwards' leadership waver. He stands on the front line, supporting innovation in aircraft, managing issues as they arise, and holding fast to a vision of a better future. Furthermore, Colonel Edwards extends his focus on the future beyond his service to the men and women of Kingsley Field as a member of my Military Service Academy Nomination Board, which includes other exceptional active and retired officers. His experience as an Air Force Academy graduate, a pilot and a leader provides invaluable help as he, and the other military officers of my annual nomination board, interview students to assess their character, leadership, physical aptitude, motivation, academic preparation, extracurricular, and community service activities. For a man who has demonstrated such strong leadership, allegiance, and sacrifice during his service to our Nation, recognition is a very modest attempt to thank him. We indeed owe a serious debt of gratitude to Colonel Edwards, because, though technology, time, and power may change, the attributes of a good leader remain unchanged. Colonel Edwards has dedicated his life to this nation, and we thank him for the service, vision, and leadership he has demonstrated both at home and abroad. Madam Speaker, as we reach the culmination of his distinguished career, I join my colleagues today in congratulating Colonel Edwards for his lifetime of service to our country. We wish him, his wife, Teresa, and their six children: Matthew 22, Anna 20, Andrew 17, Rachel 14, Sarah 12, and James 10 best wishes as he retires from the United States Air Force.

Mr. BENTZ

Mr. BENTZ. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 441, as amended, that will direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Indian Health Service, to convey by warranty deed and for health- related activities certain parcels of Federal land to the Tanana Tribal Council, the Southeast Alaska Regional Health Consortium, and the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium. This amended text is a compilation of three separate Indian healthcare land transfer bills for the State of Alaska introduced by the late Congressman Don Young. All three of these bills were favorably reported out of the Committee on Natural Resources by unanimous consent during this Congress. The first land transfer directed under this act includes 10.25 acres of land in Tanana, Alaska. In 1995, the Tanana Tribal Council assumed responsibility for healthcare services from the Indian Health Service. The parcel of land the Tribe is seeking title to encompasses a portion of a former Indian Health Service hospital site. The council intends to use the land to construct a new community wellness clinic, expand eldercare, and develop nursing services. The second transfer includes 10.87 acres of land that is part of the Mt. Edgecumbe Hospital campus in Sitka, Alaska. The Southeast Alaska Regional Health Consortium is a Native-run nonprofit health organization that assumed responsibility for providing healthcare services from the Indian Health Service in 1976 and currently operates its Mt. Edgecumbe Hospital in Sitka. The consortium intends to use the parcel to support future hospital expansion and replacement. The third land transfer under this act includes 3.5 acres of land that is part of the Alaska Native Medical Center campus in Anchorage. In 1999, the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium assumed responsibility for healthcare services from the Indian Health Service, and the consortium provides comprehensive medical services at the Alaska Native Medical Center. The ANTHC is the largest Native-run nonprofit health organization in the United States, serving more than 178,000 Native Alaskans. Gaining title to the parcels will enable the ANTHC to streamline its operations, update and refurbish, and expand the hospital's capacity to offer health services to patients outside of Anchorage. Before I conclude, I will take a moment to again recognize all the hard work Congressman Young put into serving his constituents and, notably, his work for Native people in Alaska during his tenure in Congress. I think it is more than appropriate that we are renaming this legislation after the late dean of the House, further memorializing his efforts for Native Alaskans. Mr. Young will be deeply missed by all of us. Madam Speaker, I urge adoption of this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. BENTZ

Mr. BENTZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I acknowledge that last week we celebrated National Park Week. Each April we celebrate our national parks and invite every American to get out and actually experience them. My home State of Oregon harbors five units of the National Park System: Crater Lake National Park, Fort Vancouver National Historic Site, the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument, Nez Perce National Historical Park, and Oregon Caves National Monument and Preserve. I look forward to at least the next century of visitors discovering Oregon's parks and everything Oregon has to offer. In recent years the National Park Service has made a concerted effort to provide a more inclusive look at American history to ensure that our parks tell the stories of all Americans. I applaud the National Park Service for its effort to make all Americans feel welcome and included in our National Park System. S. 270, the Brown v. Board of Education Historic Site Expansion Act, adds to the Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site currently located in Topeka, Kansas, so that it would include additional sites in South Carolina, Virginia, Delaware, and the District of Columbia each as an affiliated area. This bill will help to recognize and preserve sites associated with the Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka case, which resulted in a landmark Supreme Court ruling that racial segregation of public schools is unconstitutional. We owe a huge debt of gratitude to the students, parents, and lawyers whose extraordinary courage and vision led to the dismantling of the separate but equal doctrine. Mr. Speaker, I urge adoption of S. 270, and I look forward to its being signed into law. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BENTZ. Mr. Speaker, I urge support of this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. BENTZ

Mr. BENTZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 2793, a bipartisan bill sponsored by Congressman Sean Patrick Maloney of New York, to reauthorize the Highlands Conservation Act. The stated purpose of the Highlands Conservation Act, which was signed into law in 2004, is ``to recognize the importance of the water, forest, agricultural, wildlife, recreational, and cultural resources of the Highlands region,'' which, as was indicated, spans some 3.4 million acres across Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, ``and the national significance of the Highlands region to the United States.'' Under the current authorization, the Governors of these States identify conservation partnership projects in the region and submit a list annually to the Secretary of the Interior, who is tasked with working with the Secretary of Agriculture to submit a final list to Congress for approval and funding. H.R. 2793 would reauthorize the Highlands Conservation Act and allow municipalities to enter into conservation agreements with the Department of the Interior. This bill is the product of bipartisan negotiations with the Committee on Natural Resources. Mr. Speaker, I urge adoption of this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BENTZ. Mr. Speaker, I urge adoption of this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. BENTZ

Mr. BENTZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3525, offered by Representative Meng, to authorize a commission to study the potential creation of a National Museum of Asian Pacific American History and Culture. My home State of Oregon has a proud and growing Asian-American and Pacific-Islander population. Oregon is home to many cultural centers, museums, gardens, and historic sites related to Asian-American and Pacific-Islander heritage. This commission would be tasked with preparing a report for Congress and the President providing recommendations regarding the feasibility of establishing and maintaining a National Museum of Asian Pacific American History and Culture in Washington, D.C. The commission would be required to consider several factors, including the availability and cost of the collections to be acquired, the cost of constructing, operating, and maintaining the museum, and the feasibility of the museum becoming part of the Smithsonian Institution. While I support this bill, I am concerned about the significant financial and operational challenges that adding an additional national museum to the Smithsonian's portfolio could pose. Just 2 years ago, Congress authorized the establishment of the National Museum of the American Latino and American Women's History Museum. In addition to constructing two new museums, the Smithsonian is facing a facilities maintenance backlog approaching $1 billion; identified collection storage needs; a $900 million renovation of the National Air and Space Museum expected to conclude this year; and ongoing rehabilitation of other historic structures on the National Mall. I appreciate Chair Grijalva's willingness to address Republican concerns about the Smithsonian's capacity. At markup, an amendment was adopted to require the commission to consider the potential impact on the Smithsonian's existing maintenance backlog and identified construction or renovation costs for new or existing museums. Additionally, I appreciate an amendment adopted at markup to prohibit the use of Federal funds for the commission. These are good governance amendments that will strengthen the commission's work and eventual report. I appreciate our friends on the other side of the aisle taking this bill through regular order and working with Republicans to address our concerns. Mr. Speaker, I urge adoption of the bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BENTZ. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BENTZ. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I am prepared to close.

Mr. BENTZ. Mr. Speaker, I just want to say how important this bill is, in part because of the incredibly valuable folks we have in my part of my State, including the Kitamuras, the Nagakis, the Maedas, the Nambas, the Saitos, the Itos, the Tanakas, the Teramuras, and many others, all of whom are absolutely wonderful parts of our community. They are also incredibly conservative, and I am sure will be happy to see the portions of this bill that reflect the agreement to make sure that we are able to pay for whatever it is that we do. They are truly deserving of this recognition. Mr. Speaker, I urge adoption of this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. BENTZ

Mr. BENTZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 5973, a bill sponsored by our colleague, Representative Debbie Dingell from Michigan, to reauthorize the Great Lakes Fish and Wildlife Restoration Act. Under the authorities provided by this law, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service developed six common Great Lakes fish and wildlife restoration goals in collaboration with State and local partners. To date, 81 fish and wildlife restoration grant projects have been funded through this cooperative effort. This law has been reauthorized three times, most recently in 2016. The bill we are considering today would extend these authorities until 2027 without increasing funding authorization. We appreciate Congresswoman Dingell's commitment not to move this bill until the Fish and Wildlife Service provided a mandatory report to Congress. In late March, we finally received this report, which allowed us to evaluate the current program and its progress toward meeting its goals. I commend Congresswoman Dingell for her leadership on this legislation, and I urge adoption of the measure. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BENTZ. Mr. Speaker, I urge adoption of this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time

Mr. BENTZ

Mr. BENTZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 6023, a bipartisan bill sponsored by Representative Jim Costa of California to reauthorize the Multinational Species Conservation Funds Semipostal Stamp Reauthorization Act of 2013 and to require the U.S. Postal Service to sell all remaining Multinational Species Conservation Fund Semipostal Stamps. The Multinational Species Conservation Funds Semipostal Stamp Act of 2010 first directed the Postal Service to issue this stamp to support the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Multinational Species Conservation Fund, which provides grants, as previously outlined by the previous speaker. According to the Fish and Wildlife Service, stamp sales have raised more than $5.7 million for the fund as of 2019. The authorization for offering the stamp expired in 2017, at which point the Postal Service suspended the sale, despite having more than 49 million printed and unsold stamps on hand. H.R. 6023 would direct the Postal Service to sell the remainder of these stamps and report to Congress when all have been sold. Mr. Speaker, I commend Mr. Costa for his leadership on this legislation. I urge adoption of this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. BENTZ

Mr. BENTZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 6201 offered by Representative Watson Coleman would extend the authorization for the establishment of a memorial to honor the approximately 5,000 enslaved and free Black Revolutionary War patriots who served as soldiers or provided civilian assistance during the American Revolution. In 2014, Congress authorized the National Liberty Memorial to be established in Area 1 in Washington, D.C., which is defined by the Commemorative Works Act as a location just off the National Mall. Under the Commemorative Works Act, sponsoring organizations are provided a 7-year period to construct the memorial, which unfortunately has expired. The subject matter of this memorial is extremely important, and I support extending the authority for the National Mall Liberty Fund D.C. to continue its valuable work to construct a lasting memorial in our Nation's Capital to honor the brave enslaved and free Black Revolutionary War patriots that fought to secure American independence. Mr. Speaker, I urge adoption of the bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BENTZ. Madam Speaker, I urge adoption of this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. BENTZ

Mr. BENTZ. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 6651, the Alaska Salmon Research Task Force Act, sponsored by our late colleague, the dean of the House, Representative Don Young of Alaska. The day before his passing, Congressman Don Young was in our Natural Resources Committee room discussing the need for this legislation. Since 2018 alone, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has issued 14 fisheries disasters determinations in Alaska. This bill seeks scientific answers and recommendations to solve these declining salmon runs. Specifically, the bill would require the Secretary of Commerce, in consultation with the Governor of Alaska, to create an Alaska Salmon Research Task Force composed of up to 19 individuals representing various sectors of the salmon economy and culture. The intent of the task force is to create a coordinated salmon research strategy, and support collaboration and coordination in salmon conservation efforts. The task force must also produce a report and recommendations within 1 year of convening. If Mr. Young were here today, I am certain that he would remind us that salmon are important to Alaskans due to their cultural, economic, and recreational value. I urge my colleagues to honor the late dean of the House by supporting this bill. Madam Speaker, I urge adoption of this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. BENTZ

Mr. BENTZ. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of S. 497, the American Fisheries Advisory Committee Act, introduced by Senator Dan Sullivan of Alaska. This legislation is simple: It directs the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to reestablish an American Fisheries Advisory Committee for the purpose of selecting grant projects that meet the research needs and priorities of the commercial fishing industry. This committee will include a board of experts, with members chosen regionally and across all sectors of the fishing industry, and will help provide significant input on how research grants will be focused on fishing communities. One goal of this bill is to keep fishing communities healthy and viable through local collaboration. I urge my colleagues to support this bill, which was introduced in the House our late colleague, Representative Don Young, and commend Representative Young and Senator Sullivan for their efforts. Madam Speaker, I urge adoption of this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. BENTZ

Mr. BENTZ. I am prepared to close, and I reserve the balance of my time, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. BENTZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Mr. Speaker, this bill, as I mentioned previously, fails to appropriately fund the police in all the States that will be facing the challenges that we face in Oregon. This is not a question of money. The bill, as drawn, will be raising literally billions of dollars at 8 percent tax over the next how many years--billions. Somehow, some of that money has to make its way into law enforcement. Without law enforcement, Mr. Speaker, you will see situations like we have in southern Oregon replicated across the Nation, regardless of the optimistic thought that somehow the cartels no longer have the monopoly and, therefore, will go away. That is not going to be the case as long as there is a higher price. In many cases, it is going to be a much higher price for legally produced marijuana. The bill fails to address impairment. My friends, many of them in the law enforcement space, including my brother, a former county sheriff, have said this is a huge problem where we don't know when people are driving impaired. Studies are ongoing. Why are we broadening this problem when we don't know how to charge those who are driving under the influence? Of course, as we have heard, it fails to address the ever-increasing potency of the drug. It fails to address the age at which marijuana can be legally used. What is that about? We know this drug adversely affects particularly young men's brain development all the way up to age 26, yet this bill says nothing about it. It fails to address the differences between marijuana and hemp. Some would say, well, that is such a small issue. It is a huge issue. It is a huge issue, and it needs to be addressed. This bill is the proper vehicle to address these issues. I see that there are some amendments being brought which perhaps will at least go partially in that direction. But the bill itself and the legalization are premature, given the nature of those amendments. This is an untimely and incomplete bill. Its greatest failure is in not recognizing and addressing the damage the drug will do to our kids and our communities. Mr. Speaker, I strongly urge a ``no'' vote, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. BENTZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, there is a war raging in Ukraine, killing thousands and thousands of innocent people. Gasoline, diesel, and grocery prices are through the roof. For all practical purposes, we don't have a southern border anymore, so hundreds of thousands of immigrants continue to flood into the United States, and the situation there is about to get much worse. Rampant inflation is making short work of the hard-earned money of all Americans, but the main priority for the Democrats this week isn't Ukraine, skyrocketing gasoline prices, 8 percent inflation, or the border crisis. No. Instead, it is marijuana. It has been obvious for years that at some point, marijuana was going to be formally legalized. What is deeply and truly disturbing, however, about this bill is its failure to address the clear consequences of legalization--such as what this drug does to children, to drivers on our highways, to the mental health of up to 30 percent of those adults who choose to use marijuana, to communities inundated with hundreds, if not thousands, of foreign cartel-operated, unlicensed, and out-of- control marijuana growers, and finally, to those who actually try to produce cannabis, marijuana, legally. Let's take a closer look at Oregon, my State, to see what really happens when marijuana is legalized without careful and necessary thought. The picture behind me is a hoop house. It is about 100-feet long and 50-feet wide. At current retail, it will produce about $6 million worth of marijuana a year. The next picture is a picture of a grow consisting of 30 to 40 hoop houses. By the way, these are all in my district in southern Oregon. And if each of these hoop houses is in full production, 40 hoop houses would generate $240 million, at retail, of marijuana each year. To put this in perspective, there are currently 180 grows like this in Jackson County, Oregon, alone, many of which are illegal. Hundreds upon hundreds of hoop houses. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that a video taken from a helicopter of approximately 180 grows in Jackson County be entered into the Record.