Stephanie Bice

Mrs. BICE of Oklahoma

Mrs. BICE of Oklahoma. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise again in support of H.R. 7077, the Empowering the U.S. Fire Administration Act. As I previously mentioned, the USFA has valuable and lifesaving resources in preventing, responding to, and investigating fires. This bill would ensure that State and local governments have access to these resources and that the U.S. Fire Administration has the authority needed to conduct on-site investigations of major fires. We cannot afford to let any more tragic and preventable fires like the one in Representative Torres' district happen in the future. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. BICE of Oklahoma

Mrs. BICE of Oklahoma. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1437, the PRECIP Act. This legislation, sponsored by the Chairwoman of the Environmental Subcommittee, the gentlewoman from New Jersey (Ms. Sherrill), would amend the Weather Act to enhance precipitation estimates and improve how NOAA works with stakeholder groups to best utilize this data. This precipitation data is crucial to our forecasting abilities. Accurate precipitation estimates not only inform our decisions on agriculture and water resources but also help us better predict and protect ourselves from natural disasters like flooding and landslides. To improve these estimates, this bill directs NOAA to partner with the National Academies to review current practices for estimating precipitation and identifying research needs in order to improve these forecasts. Additionally, the legislation requires NOAA to update its maximum precipitation estimates within 6 years of the National Academies report and every 10 years afterward. Finally, this bill directs NOAA to develop and publish a national guidance document for Federal and State agencies, meteorologists, and other users to follow when performing probable maximum precipitation studies. The commonsense steps in this bill will provide tremendous benefits across the country. Communities will benefit from access to better data as they make key decisions about creating and updating infrastructure to address extreme weather events, including flooding. This will make a real difference across America. My home State of Oklahoma is home to thousands of dams. Many of these structures are in need of repair and modernization, and the communities responsible for these dams rely on accurate data to ensure we are prepared for future rainfall. Too often, we have had to rely on out-of-date data to make these critical decisions, which will not be the case if the PRECIP Act becomes law. I am proud to be a cosponsor of the legislation, and I will thank Chairwoman Sherrill for her work on this important topic. I urge my colleagues to support the bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. BICE of Oklahoma. Madam Speaker, I once again thank Representative Sherrill for sponsoring this important legislation. Better precipitation estimates will improve the way we do business, manage infrastructure, and prevent losses during natural disasters. This is a smart and practical bill that ensures we have accurate data from NOAA on precipitation. It also ensures NOAA will update its estimates more frequently so communities can use timely data to make crucial decisions. I appreciate my colleagues' work on this important topic, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. BICE of Oklahoma

Mrs. BICE of Oklahoma. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to call up H.R. 471, the PAUSE Act, to protect all Americans from Biden's border crisis.

Mrs. BICE of Oklahoma

Mrs. BICE of Oklahoma. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of the motion to instruct from my colleague and Oklahoma delegation member, Mr. Lucas. Safeguarding our national security, improving our supply chain resiliency, and bolstering American innovation are things that we can all agree on. However, in the COMPETES Act, Democrats took these problems and drafted ineffective, partisan policies in response. As a member of the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, we had previously advanced strong legislation to combat these very issues. On top of this, when this legislation came to the House floor for a vote in February, Republicans in the House were denied the opportunity to provide input on these important issues through the restrictive processes of the majority. While over 600 amendments were submitted, less than half of those were made in order by the Committee on Rules. Of the 600, there were a number that would have taken steps to address the ever-growing threat we face from the Chinese Communist Party and their affiliated companies operating in the United States. This motion to instruct will ensure that the critical investments we are making in America's innovation don't fall into the hands of our foreign adversaries. Democrats' failure to include similar provisions in the COMPETES Act exemplify their continued, weak policies on China that compromise our strategic advantage and our national security. It is common sense that U.S. taxpayer dollars should not be lining the pockets of the Chinese Communist Party, and instead, should be used to strengthen our industries here at home. Investing in American companies will strengthen the economy while keeping the Nation safe. Madam Speaker, this should not be a partisan issue. I encourage the adoption of the motion.

Mrs. BICE of Oklahoma

Mrs. BICE of Oklahoma. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the remarkable life of Mrs. Jasmine Moran, an admirable Oklahoma Fifth District philanthropist. After surviving World War II in England, she uprooted her life to move to Seminole after meeting her husband, an oil man from Oklahoma. Inspired by a children's museum in Michigan, Mrs. Moran decided to start her own in Seminole in hopes of reigniting the city. Eventually, her idea came to life, and she created a world-class children's museum that attracts 70,000 visitors a year. But she didn't stop there. Almost single-handedly, Mrs. Moran created an animal shelter that adopts out 75 animals a month. Mrs. Moran's generosity, resilience, and commitment to the betterment of her community and everyone around her is truly inspiring. Though she will be deeply missed, there is no doubt that through her selfless endeavors, her legacy will live on forever. Mrs. Moran's story and the way she lived her life should stand as an inspiration to all Oklahomans.

Mrs. BICE of Oklahoma

Mrs. BICE of Oklahoma. Madam Speaker, I thank Mr. Cole for yielding. I rise today in opposition to the previous question so that we can immediately consider H.R. 6858, the American Energy Independence from Russia Act. Gas prices are at a record high, and unfortunately, they will continue to rise. While the Russian invasion of Ukraine has worsened the crisis, it is not the sole cause. The root cause of high energy and gas prices is due to the anti-energy policies of the Biden administration, which suspended all oil and gas leasing on Federal lands, slow-walked liquefied natural gas exports, and halted construction of the Keystone XL pipeline while green-lighting Russia's Nord Stream 2. These steps allowed Putin to corner the energy market and fund his invasion of Ukraine. American dollars can no longer go to countries whose interests run counter to America. America produces some of the cleanest oil and gas in the world. If my colleagues on the other side of the aisle want to lower emissions and promote clean energy, they would rely on American oil and gas production in States like my home State of Oklahoma, not foreign countries like Russia, Venezuela, and even Iran. Oklahomans are tired of inaction from Washington. They expect solutions. We cannot continue to tap into the strategic petroleum reserve, which is at some of the lowest levels since 2003. In addition, releasing 30 million barrels is only enough to meet our Nation's energy requirements for about a day. Sadly, this week House Democrats are not bringing forward a single piece of legislation to address the energy crisis. Under the Trump administration, America was energy independent and a net total energy exporter for the first time since 1952. Madam Speaker, energy security is national security. Sadly, under this administration, we have neither. Congress must act immediately to take up the American Energy Independence From Russia Act. This legislation would promote America's oil and natural gas production and unleash American energy independence once again.

Mrs. BICE of Oklahoma

Mrs. BICE of Oklahoma. Madam Speaker, the anti-energy policies of the Biden administration have targeted oil and gas production and eliminated American energy independence. Since day one, the Biden administration has embarked on an agenda of regulatory overreach. Something you might have heard from the White House press secretary recently is that there are 9,000 untapped drilling permits that companies are not using. While this is in part true, they are being dishonest and purposefully leaving out crucial context and factors that cause companies to wait to drill those wells. For starters, many of the wells produced predominantly natural gas, not oil. In addition, drilling can't begin overnight as leases can take months or years before companies actively drill. Furthermore, the Federal permit to drill is not the only government approval required. Rights-of-way can take years to acquire before companies can access leases. Most companies cannot drill before pipelines are in place, and the delayed approvals have resulted in companies developing drilling access at much slower rates. This administration is taking up to three times the amount of time to approve Federal permits than the Trump administration, and that is if they approve them at all. The American people are tired of the Democrats' blame-shifting while they ignore the real causes of crushing gas prices. We must unleash American energy and lower gas prices domestically. In addition, restoring American production will remove Putin's control of the energy market and end his leverage over Europe. To solve the crisis, President Biden must immediately end the Federal freeze on all new oil and gas projects, fast-track pending LNG export permits, expedite approval of all pipeline and energy development, and stop the regulatory assault on American energy development and financing.

Mrs. BICE of Oklahoma

Mrs. BICE of Oklahoma. Madam Speaker, I rise today in response to President Biden's State of the Union address. While I appreciated that Biden emphasized the importance of continuing to support Ukraine, overall, his speech was a lot of talk without tangible plans to solve the numerous issues that are devastating the Nation. The President's speech didn't address the root causes of inflation, a crisis that is crushing many American families. I found it ironic that Biden talked about securing the border when, throughout his entire time in office, he has actively ignored the unprecedented number of illegal crossings, which are due to his open border policies currently in place. Finally, I am incredibly disappointed that he made no plan to restore American energy independence. We can produce affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy right here at home in States like my home State of Oklahoma. Frankly, his address focused a lot on rehashing and disguising Build Back Better while lacking concrete solutions to the pressing issues negatively impacting the lives of American people.

Mrs. BICE of Oklahoma

Mrs. BICE of Oklahoma. Madam Speaker, I rise as the designee of the gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Kim), and I have an amendment at the desk.

Mrs. BICE of Oklahoma. Madam Speaker, I claim the time in opposition, although I am not opposed.

Mrs. BICE of Oklahoma. Madam Speaker, I claim time in opposition.

Mrs. BICE of Oklahoma. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I think my opening statement made the point that this is actually conflating two issues and shouldn't. And so for that reason, I strongly oppose the amendment. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. BICE of Oklahoma. Madam Speaker, I claim time in opposition.

Mrs. BICE of Oklahoma. Madam Speaker, I rise in opposition to amendment 22. I believe this amendment will undermine our ability to appropriately deal with human rights abuses and aggressions towards the United States. This amendment would require the Secretary of State in coordination with the Secretary of Energy to submit a report to Congress on how U.S. sanctions are affecting our ability to adapt to climate change and promote environmental justice, among other things. First, let me remind my friends across the aisle that we are meant to be discussing the competitiveness bill today, not a climate bill. This bill is meant to address the Chinese Communist Party's growing aggression and to ensure the United States remains the world leader in science and technology. This amendment doesn't prioritize our competitiveness, and it doesn't help us face the threat from China. Worst, it could hinder our abilities to address that threat. Let's not forget sanctions are for countries that have committed inexcusable offenses against their own people or the United States. It seems to me that the purpose of this amendment is to show that our sanctions against China, who is committing forced labor crimes every day, are actually hurting progress towards adapting to climate change. Essentially, this amendment places technological adaptations to climate change on the same footing as forced labor and genocide. I fully believe that the United States has the capacity to develop innovative technologies to continue to reduce our emission and mitigate the effects of climate change. And I do not accept that to do this, we need to prioritize China's innovation over their use of forced labor. Addressing climate change does not require sacrificing American ideals and standards. We can best address global climate change by innovating in America and holding China accountable, not by giving them a pass. I would much rather look at how the United States can encourage more participation in research and development than drive innovation. Let's support our research enterprise, our workforce, our access to domestic critical minerals and, yes, let's actually identify innovative ways that we can combat global climate change. Not once has the Department of Energy or the National Science Foundation come to us to say that our stance against forced labor or child labor is hindering their ability to research, develop, and demonstrate clean energy technologies. This is a made-up problem, which this report is trying to solve with a pre-determined solution. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support your constituents by putting the United States first and opposing this amendment. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. BICE of Oklahoma. Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mrs. BICE of Oklahoma. Madam Speaker, I claim time in opposition.

Mrs. BICE of Oklahoma. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, this amendment further expands the existing 80-year- old apprenticeships system to now include apprenticeships in ``media and entertainment.'' Instead of expanding this program that is already bloated with bureaucracy, time-consuming paperwork, and overly burdensome requirements, this bill should be focusing on programs that push employer-developed apprenticeships that will help our workforce expand and thrive. I cannot help but ask: What do apprenticeships in media and entertainment have to do with competing with the Chinese Communist Party? The CCP has dramatically increased its STEM workforce. One report predicts a 300 percent increase in the number of overall STEM graduates in China versus a 30 percent increase in the United States. Instead of focusing on training the next Meryl Streep, we should be focused on developing America's STEM workforce, especially at the skilled technical workforce level. If we can't expand the STEM workforce through initiatives like innovative apprenticeship models that give employees the skills they need, we won't be able to maintain the talent base that supports key sectors of the economy, including agriculture, energy, healthcare, and defense. Madam Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to oppose this amendment and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. BICE of Oklahoma. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I would reply to my colleague that in Oklahoma we have done an incredible job of expanding the media and entertainment industry within our State without this type of program. We need to be focusing on STEM innovation and STEM workforce. In Oklahoma, we could graduate every engineering student from our colleges and universities and still be 3,000 engineers short, particularly as we look at our military bases in Oklahoma. Focusing on core industries like energy and defense are what we should be doing. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. BICE of Oklahoma. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. BICE of Oklahoma. Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mrs. BICE of Oklahoma. Madam Speaker, this amendment would insert the text of H.R. 4996, the Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 2021, into the America COMPETES Act. The bill passed the House under suspension of the rules with 364 bipartisan votes in December, and I was proud to support the legislation. The amendment provides expanded authorities to the Federal Maritime Commission, which regulates ocean shipping to protect and ensure fairness for U.S. shippers who import and export items to and from the U.S. The amendment helps American shippers operate on a level playing field by increasing protections for U.S. shippers from retaliation by foreign shippers who file a complaint with the FMC. It also prohibits foreign ocean carriers from unreasonably denying the carriage of U.S. export cargo on foreign ocean carriers' vessels if such cargo is available, can be loaded safely, and is going to a destination on the ship's schedule. This provision is important for agricultural producers in Oklahoma and across the country who will benefit from increased capacity to ship production across the globe. Madam Speaker, I want to thank Congressmen Garamendi and Johnson for their support of the underlying bill and this amendment, and I urge its passage. Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from the Mount Rushmore State of South Dakota (Mr. Johnson).

Mrs. BICE of Oklahoma. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. BICE of Oklahoma. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to this amendment. The amendment is the latest attempt by Progressives to undermine efforts to keep money out of the hands of a terrorist organization. Following the Biden administration's disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan and the Taliban's takeover of the country, the U.S. did freeze nearly $9.5 billion in assets of the Afghan central bank to prevent the terrorist organization from accessing the funds. Other international organizations have taken similar actions. This amendment attacks such protections made by the U.S. and our international partners. The package already jeopardizes our national security by signaling to the Communist leadership in China that we are not taking our economic competitiveness and technological leadership seriously. Now, some of our colleagues on the other side of the aisle are taking it a step further by attempting to include language that encourages handing over billions of dollars to a terrorist organization. I am disappointed an amendment that helps enrich the Taliban is being considered for inclusion in a so-called international competitiveness package. I encourage my colleagues to oppose the amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. BICE of Oklahoma. Madam Speaker, why this particular amendment is being put into an America COMPETES Act is beyond me. It is emboldening and empowering our adversaries across the world and, certainly, with this particular move, you are allowing for terrorist organizations to access $9.5 billion. While I recognize the humanitarian crisis, this administration is responsible for that, candidly. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.