Rick Berg

Mr. BERG

Mr. BERG. Mr. Speaker, today I want to congratulate the North Dakota State Bison on an incredible football season that led to winning the 2011 FCS championship. More than 10,000 Bison fans cheered on NDSU in Frisco, Texas, where the Bison capped off a 14-1 season and defeated the Sam Houston Bearkats in the championship game 17-6 on January 7, 2012. The Bison, Coach Craig Bohl and his staff worked hard this season, and their determination resulted in NDSU's 9th football championship, and the first at the Division I level. These student athletes represent NDSU's commitment to both academic and athletic excellence. Their character and perseverance truly exemplify the North Dakota spirit, and they have made our state proud. These young men will be remembered for a lifetime. Their efforts brought our state closer together, and we celebrate their athletic and academic successes. Congratulations to the Bison players, coaches, NDSU staff, and Bison fans everywhere on an excellent season. You've made North Dakota proud! Thank you, and Go Bison!

Mr. BERG

Mr. BERG. Mr. Speaker, today I want to congratulate the North Dakota State Bison on an incredible football season that led to winning the 2011 FCS championship. More than 10,000 Bison fans cheered on NDSU in Frisco, Texas, where the Bison defeated Sam Houston by a score of 17-6. The Bison and Coach Craig Bohl worked hard this season, and their determination resulted in NDSU's ninth football championship and the first championship in Division I. These student athletes represent NDSU's commitment to both academic and athletic excellence. Their character and perseverance truly exemplify the North Dakota spirit, and they have made our State proud. Congratulations, Coach Bohl, the Bison players, and NDSU fans everywhere on an excellent season. Thank you, and go Bisons.

Mr. BERG

Mr. BERG. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Nebraska for yielding. Once again, President Obama has chosen to put politics over the American people by punting on the Keystone Pipeline decision until after his 2012 campaign. The construction of the pipeline will create thousands of good-paying jobs, spur economic growth, and help break our national dependence on foreign oil. This pipeline has received bipartisan support. It will increase America's access to safe and secure energy supplies and would bring more than 1.2 million barrels of oil into U.S. markets each day. Its construction could create tens of thousands of new jobs, many of which could be seen in North Dakota. In fact, Bakken Field crude oil is expected to account for 25 percent of the pipeline's expanded capacity. North Dakota is a national example of why we need a common sense, long-term energy plan. Our energy sector has created thousands of good, high-paying jobs. In fact, our state has the lowest unemployment in the nation. But this wasn't an accident. It was the result of common sense policy--a long-term energy plan called EMPOWER North Dakota that encouraged energy development, rather than putting up new regulatory barriers. But instead of looking to North Dakota for solutions that could help our economy, create good jobs, and help American become energy independent, the Obama administration continues to create new roadblocks to expanding domestic energy production. I strongly urge President Obama to look ahead for the next generation, not the next election, and expedite the approval of the Keystone expansion.

Mr. BERG

Mr. BERG. Mr. Speaker, as I talk with North Dakotans, it's clear we're all frustrated with Washington. ObamaCare is a disastrous law that 70 percent of North Dakotans do not want. Unemployment remains unacceptably high, making it clear that President Obama's government stimulus did not work. Washington bailed out Wall Street while Main Street continues to suffer. And Washington persistently fails to uphold its responsibility to balance the budget. Meanwhile, the Obama administration continues to pursue overreaching regulations that create more redtape and uncertainty for North Dakota's families, farms, and small businesses. These burdensome regulations threaten job creation, and they are the biggest challenge facing our economy. We need to take serious steps today to halt the Obama administration's regulatory overreach. That's why I announced my REGS Agenda: Reduce the redtape; Empower the States; Grow the economy, and Stop President Obama's overreach. This agenda is the result of talking with North Dakotans and learning about the impact of senseless regulations on North Dakota's farmers, ranchers, and small businessmen. During my recent regulations tour, I spoke with energy providers who are concerned about the EPA's regional haze requirements that could cost North Dakota over $700 million just to comply. Farmers told me about the forever-changing fuel storage mandates that added new costs. And I heard how the new EPA regulations on gas generators could cost a North Dakota school district a quarter of a million dollars. This cost is not because they are using generators more than allowed; the cost is because the EPA simply doesn't like which hours they're using it. The REGS Agenda is also the product of feedback I've received from North Dakotans at 10 public town hall hearings I've held this year and through the countless emails, letters, and phone calls. The message was clear: Washington is not the solution, it's the problem. To get our economy moving again and our country back on track, President Obama and congressional leaders could learn a lot about how we do things in North Dakota. The REGS Agenda is also the product of legislation I've been working on. Last month, I introduced a bill that would rein in the Obama administration's Federal takeover of the State regional haze management, which threatens to create more business uncertainty and stifle job creation. It will also increase the energy costs for American families and small business. And today, I will proudly vote in support of the REINS Act, which is a much-needed measure to rein in this regulatory overreach. But this agenda is not simply the sum of this past year; it's also a path moving forward to rein in the overreaching, out-of-touch government regulations that burden small business, farms, and ranches each and every day. I will continue to add to this agenda to fight against the job-killing regulations that threaten small businesses' ability to create jobs and grow our economy. The number one thing we can do to get our economy back on track, to give small business certainty, to grow and create jobs, is to rein in President Obama's overbearing regulations. They're burdening job creation, and it adds more cost and more redtape. Through the REGS Agenda, I'll continue fighting to bring regulatory relief to the American people.

Mr. BERG

Mr. BERG. Mr. Chair, on rollcall No. 884, had I been present, I would have voted ``no.'' Amendment No. 6 Offered by Mr. Nadler

Mr. BERG

Mr. BERG. I thank the chairman for yielding. One year ago, as House freshmen, we came out here. We were elected to change how Washington works. When we arrived in Washington, there was one thing we agreed on, and that was that our country was on an unsustainable path. As I'm here tonight, listening to some of this debate, I'm stunned that the way you get 260 votes is with pork. This is what's wrong with Washington. This is why it has to change. We know the crisis we're in. We've heard that the $15 trillion of debt matches our whole country's economy. Fifteen years ago, had we passed a balanced budget amendment, America would be the financial powerhouse of the globe. We would not be comparing ourselves to Greece and comparing ourselves to Europe. I strongly believe that the one fundamental thing we can do to change the way Washington does business is to have a balanced budget amendment. We wouldn't need this amendment if we actually balanced the budget. We are at a critical stage in our Nation's history, and tomorrow, we have the opportunity to make the future look better--by passing this balanced budget amendment. This is Congress' opportunity to get it right. We can pass a balanced budget amendment, and we can change the course of our country's future. It's time. Now is the time for a balanced budget amendment.

Mr. BERG

Mr. BERG. Madam Speaker, 15 years ago a balanced budget amendment failed by a single vote in the Senate. Since then, our debt has tripled, largely due to President Obama's increased spending. In fact, it took our Nation over 200 years to accumulate the same amount of debt as we've accumulated in the last 2\1/2\ years. In North Dakota we know that you can't do the same thing over and over again and expect different results. This week, Congress has the opportunity to get it right. In North Dakota we balance our budget. We work to leave that next generation better off. Washington could learn a lot from North Dakota, and that's why I will proudly vote for a balanced budget amendment this week.

Mr. BERG

Mr. BERG. Madam Speaker, with each new overreaching one-size-fits-all mandate, the Obama administration continues to burden the States with unnecessary costs and regulations that are hindering job creation. That's why today I introduced the Regional Haze Federalism Act. This will rein in the Obama administration and prevent a Federal takeover of State haze management. States like North Dakota continue to act responsibly to create well- researched plans and to implement EPA-mandated policies; yet it's clear that these efforts to play by the rules aren't enough for the Obama administration. The administration's overreach would cost North Dakota over $700 million. Those costs will directly increase rates to our consumers across the State. If we are truly committed to creating jobs and lowering energy costs, we need to empower the States and rein in President Obama's overreaching EPA.

Mr. BERG

Mr. BERG. Mr. Speaker, North Dakota has experienced devastating and unprecedented flooding this year. To provide additional flood control storage, our State requested that the Corps lower the water levels in Lake Sakakawea. This could help prevent a repeat of this year's flooding. Last night, the Corps denied our State's request. I strongly disagree with this decision. The people of North Dakota are more than just frustrated. They have lost so much to flooding, and they deserve more say in the Corps management of the water levels. I have called on the Corps to testify before Congress on what went wrong this last spring, and I will continue to press for an honest conversation about the Missouri River Basin's flood protection. The Corps should do everything within its power to prevent another devastating flood next spring. Unfortunately, this recent decision suggests that the Corps is continuing forward with the same management plan that failed so badly this spring. Things need to change now before the people of North Dakota and other Missouri River States are faced with another devastating loss.

Mr. BERG

Mr. BERG. Mr. Speaker, we've been waiting for these trade agreements for a long time. Every day that goes by without them has been a missed opportunity. At a time when our economy is struggling, these trade agreements mean more opportunities for Americans. They mean more American exports. And, most importantly, they mean more American jobs. We've already seen the benefits of trade in North Dakota. Our exports have more than doubled over the last 5 years because of our renewed commitment to free trade. These trade agreements before us today could increase exports by $23 million in North Dakota alone and $13 billion nationwide. If we're serious about creating jobs, if we're serious about getting our economy back on track and allowing the U.S. to stay competitive in a fast-moving global market, passing these trade agreements is a critical first step. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting them.

Mr. BERG

Mr. BERG. Mr. Speaker, on July 25th, 2011, I was unable to be in attendance for rollcall votes #630-636 due to the funeral of my long- time friend, North Dakota Senate Majority Leader Bob Stenehjem. Had I been present, I would have voted as follows. RCV #630--Yes RCV #631--Yes RCV #632--No RCV #633--Yes RCV #634--No RCV #635--No RCV #636--No

Mr. BERG

Mr. BERG. Mr. Speaker, on July 21, 2011, I was unavoidably detained for rollcall vote No. 612. Had I been present I would have voted in favor of the question of consideration of H.R. 1315, the Consumer Financial Protection Safety and Soundness Improvement Act of 2011.

Mr. BERG

Mr. BERG. Mr. Speaker, we've been down this road before. Our country faces unprecedented debt. The House has worked to cut spending and reduce the deficit. But the Senate Democrat leadership and the Obama administration would rather raise taxes and mislead Americans with scare tactics rather than support these commonsense solutions, solutions that would help get our country back on track. We cannot do the same thing over and over again and expect a different result. Americans have tightened their belts, and they've made the tough choices. It's time for Washington to do the same. Our financial situation is a mess. It's going to be a long road to get our country back on track, but it's clear we can begin right here. We need to cut the spending, we need to cap the growth in government, and we need to balance the budget.

Mr. BERG

Mr. BERG. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to honor a statesman and my good friend, Senator Bob Stenehjem, who passed away yesterday in a tragic car accident. Bob served as the Senate majority leader in North Dakota for 10 years, and he worked incredibly hard for the State that he loved, and he worked through a system that he believed in called the legislative process. He was respected and admired by those of us who served alongside him in the State legislature. And his tireless legislative work is one of the reasons North Dakota is doing so well today. As Bob would say: We are the envy of the Nation. It hurts knowing my friend is gone, and I ask that we all keep his wife, Kathy, and the Stenehjem family in our thoughts and prayers. North Dakota has lost a wonderful public servant. But I know that Bob's character and beliefs will continue through his policy and prosperity for years to come. I will miss Bob very much.

Mr. BERG

Mr. BERG. This has been a very tough spring for North Dakota as well as for many other districts along these overflowing rivers. Unprecedented flooding has devastated many communities, leaving property destroyed, thousands without homes and hundreds of thousands of acres of farmland flooded. Roads and bridges are severely damaged as well. This year's flooding is unusual both in the scope of its damage as well as in how long the flooding has lasted. Many North Dakotans purchased flood insurance to be prepared for the floods and to protect themselves and their families from the losses that these floods cause. Unfortunately, FEMA's current policy fails to account for a long- lasting flood event like the one that we've seen along the Missouri River. I support the 30-day waiting period. If individuals purchase insurance 30 days before their properties are damaged, they should be protected regardless of when FEMA declares a ``flood in progress.'' That declaration could be counties or even States away or unexpectedly worsened by the Corps' decision to increase the outflows from dams along the flooded rivers upstream and to do this with very little warning. The Terry-Berg amendment would protect these individuals who have played by the rules. We need responsible policies that help plan for the uncertainty of natural disasters. We also need to protect and help the people who have suffered when these disasters hit home. This amendment will do both. So I urge my colleagues to support these victims by voting in favor of this amendment.

Mr. BERG

Mr. BERG. I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, we know the tremendous potential of energy production here in America. Recent studies show just how much energy we have available. In fact, by 2020, in the West we could produce as much oil and gas as the U.S. is currently importing from Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Kuwait, Venezuela, Colombia, Algeria, Nigeria, and Russia combined. The West alone has the potential to produce more than 1.3 million barrels of oil every single day. That's more than our current imports from Russia, Iraq, and Kuwait combined. If we're serious about creating American jobs, serious about lowering energy prices, and breaking our dependence on foreign oil, we must invest in energy resources and reserves within our borders. In North Dakota, we know the potential of oil and natural gas. The last U.S. Geological Survey estimated that the Bakken field held nearly 4 million barrels of recoverable oil; but the new estimates, as the gentleman from South Carolina said, suggest that the Bakken formation offers at least 12 billion barrels of recoverable oil. We produce more than 355,000 barrels of oil each day. We are home to the largest deposit of lignite coal in the world. Our State holds tremendous wind potential as well, and we've attracted thousands of jobs to North Dakota. It is projected by 2020 that jobs in the oil industry will increase by over 16,000. That is a direct result of developing these energy resources in North Dakota. That's a 35 percent increase over 2010 levels. North Dakota's unemployment is less than 3.5 percent. It's 3.2 percent. In western North Dakota, where Bakken development is taking place, we can't find enough people to work. In that county, unemployment is below 1 percent. Starting wages for people are over $80,000. We need people to help increase this supply of oil. I just think every day when I'm out here and coming back from North Dakota, imagine what we could do if our whole country had the same approach as we do in North Dakota, the jobs that we could create across this country and the security that we could protect within our country by reducing our dependence on foreign oil. We could reduce our 9.2 percent unemployment rate if we move forward with energy development. We have to get rid of the burdensome regulations which are preventing businesses from creating American jobs. This is not the time to restrict energy production and prevent jobs from being created. Yet that is exactly what the President's policies have done. In fact, I've kind of joked, if you want to see exactly what not to do to increase the supply and lower the price and reduce the cost of energy for individuals and businesses, small businesses across America, look at what's happening out here in our Nation's Capital. The President's official moratorium on drilling cost 12,000 jobs. Declining energy production in the Gulf of Mexico is costing the U.S. over $4.7 million a day in lost revenue. Overreaching government regulations continue to hinder energy production in the United States. With thousands of Americans still out of work and prices at the pump remaining high, now is not the time to slow down our energy growth. Now is the time to invest in our own energy resources. We need a long-term, commonsense energy plan like EmPower in North Dakota. We need a plan that will lower energy costs, that will create jobs and break our dependence on foreign oil. We did it in North Dakota. We can do it across America. We can create good-paying American jobs, we can lower energy prices, and we can break our dependence on foreign oil. It's time to work together to end the overregulation, to encourage energy development, and to work to strengthen America's energy potential. Thank you.

Mr. BERG

Mr. BERG. Mr. Speaker, due to emergency flooding in my home state of North Dakota, I will be unavoidably detained for the remainder of the week (Beginning at 4 p.m. on Thursday, June 23). I ask that everyone please join me in keeping these residents who are fighting for their homes and their communities in your thoughts and prayers, and to stand with Minot and other communities up and down the Souris River to ensure a strong recovery.

Mr. BERG

Mr. BERG. Mr. Speaker, today the residents of Minot, North Dakota, and the surrounding communities are preparing for a devastating flood that is going to impact their cities. The water levels in the Souris River have never reached the levels that they will reach in the next 24 to 48 hours. Many parts of the city and the surrounding rural areas will be inundated with water as water levels rise above the current levies. More than 10,000 residents have already been evacuated. In North Dakota, we pull together in challenging times and we support our friends and our communities. The city and people around Minot need to know that, when the water recedes, we will be there to help. We will be there to clean up, and we will be there to rebuild. I ask everyone to please join me in keeping these residents who are fighting for their homes and their communities in your thoughts and prayers and to stand with Minot and other communities up and down the Souris River to ensure a strong recovery.

Mr. BERG

Mr. BERG. Mr. Speaker, I was unavoidably detained on Tuesday, June 14th at 2:33 p.m., and missed rollcall vote No. 419. Had I been present, I would have voted in favor of H. Res. 300.

Mr. BERG

Mr. BERG. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to congratulate Dr. Dori Carlson, who will soon be sworn in as the 90th President of the American Optometric Association, the first woman to ever serve in this prestigious position, at their 114th annual meeting in Salt Lake City, Utah, on June 18, 2011. The American Optometric Association represents approximately 36,000 doctors of optometry, optometry students and optometric professionals and is centered on improving the quality and availability of eye and vision care. Doctors of optometry provide two-thirds of all primary eye care in the United States; optometrists serve patients in nearly 6,500 communities across the country and in 3,500 of those communities are the only eye doctors. Dr. Carlson is a 1989 graduate of the Pacific University College of Optometry. Following graduation from optometry school, she completed a residency in hospital-based rehabilitative optometry at the American Lake and Seattle Veterans Affairs Medical Centers in Tacoma and Seattle, Washington. In 1994, she was honored as the North Dakota Young Optometrist of the Year and as the Optometrist of the Year in 2003. She is a founding member of InfantSEE, a no-cost public health program developed to provide professional eye care for infants nationwide. Through this program, great strides are being made to ensure that potential eye and vision problems are detected early. Infant eye assessments have been available in North Dakota since the InfantSEE program launched in 2005, and Dr. Carlson has made it her mission to see as many infants as she can. Dr. Carlson is in private practice in Park River and Grafton, North Dakota, where she provides primary care to rural North Dakotans of all ages. Her advocacy on behalf of optometrists and their patients has earned her the respect of her colleagues, and it is a high honor to be recognized by her peers to lead the profession of optometry in the coming year. Today I join her family, friends and colleagues in congratulating her on this achievement and wishing her the best of luck in this endeavor.

Mr. BERG

Mr. BERG. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend the countless volunteers who have given time and resources in the wake of unprecedented flooding. As thousands of North Dakotans fight to protect their homes and communities, North Dakotans have come together to fill sandbags, to help those in need, providing food for volunteers and shelter for those who have been displaced by flooding. This has truly been a team effort, working together with Senator Conrad and Senator Hoeven, Governor Dalrymple, mayors and Federal officials to ensure that North Dakota receives the vital support to fight this flood and rebuild as soon as the flood is over. I commend State and local officials and the North Dakota National Guard for the tremendous work that they have done, working tirelessly to prepare for this flood and quickly responding to those who need help, and most importantly, to the tens of thousands of volunteers who embody North Dakota's spirit and show that in times of hardship that they will pull together and get the job done. Again, I thank all the volunteers, and our hearts go out to those who are fighting the flood.

Mr. BERG

Mr. BERG. Mr. Speaker, every time I talk to North Dakotans, one message is clear: Washington is on an unsustainable path, and it needs change. Out-of-control spending is unacceptable. A rising debt is unacceptable. And allowing this debt to grow without reform is unacceptable. This country borrows $4 billion a day. Fixing this mess will require real reforms. It requires a serious, honest conversation about where this country stands today and how we want to leave this country for the next generation. It's irresponsible to leave our children with a Nation that has a mountain of debt. It is unacceptable to increase our debt without making any attempt to reduce it. We cannot continue to do the same thing over and over and expect different results. I've heard the North Dakota people, and I will not support any debt limit increase that does not contain significant spending cuts and budgetary reforms. It's time to stop the reckless spending. It's time to reduce the size of government. It's time to enact policies that will put America back on track.

Mr. BERG

Mr. BERG. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to congratulate Brandt Holdings, a Fargo-based company that recently received a Presidential ``E'' Award. The ``E'' Award is the highest award the U.S. Government gives in recognition of an American entity in its relationship to trade. North Dakota is no stranger to the benefits of trade. In the past year, exports have grown over 15 percent in North Dakota, and since the founding of our trade office 6 years ago, exports have nearly tripled. Founded in 1992, Brandt Holdings Company has also been on a steady path of growth. With corporate offices in Fargo, North Dakota, the company has diversified and now operates in four divisions: Agriculture, Construction, Real Estate, and an Entertainment division. I applaud Brandt Holding Company's efforts to increase trade in North Dakota and also for the rest of our country, and I congratulate them on receiving this prestigious award.

Mr. BERG

Mr. BERG. Mr. Chairman, my home State of North Dakota is rich in natural resources, and we have seen tremendous economic opportunity from the Bakken field. Through EMPOWER North Dakota, we were able to adopt a long-term energy plan in our State. It encouraged new energy development; and it created high-paying, high-quality jobs in the energy industry. In fact, today our unemployment rate is the lowest in the Nation. We can have the same success on the national level, but to do so we need a long-term commonsense plan that is a national energy policy that must work to increase America's energy production, lower gas prices, and ultimately break our dependence on foreign oil. America's families and small businesses are hurting. Gas prices are over $4 a gallon. Energy bills are hindering business growth. National unemployment remains a very high 9 percent. There is enormous potential in the gulf for energy development that can help turn our country's problems around. Our addiction to foreign energy is not sustainable. It threatens our national security. It's time to invest our resources that we have here in the United States. We need to lower energy costs and get Americans back to work. As a member of the House Energy Action Team and a proud North Dakotan, I'm committed to working hard towards a national long-term energy policy. Let's pass this bill, get the gulf back to work and break our dependence on foreign oil.

Mr. BERG

Mr. BERG. Mr. Speaker, today, I would like to recognize the 20th anniversary of the God's Child Project, a North Dakota-based program to combat international human trafficking. Human trafficking is among the largest criminal industries in the world, second only to the illegal drug trade. It is also the fastest growing, with an estimated 12 million people enslaved worldwide--including many in the United States. God's Child Project has been providing education, medical care, and other critical aid to children and families around the world since 1991. For the past 10 years, this non-profit has worked with an affiliate in Guatemala to combat international human trafficking and exploitation. This month, as the program celebrates its 20th anniversary, I want to commend the good and selfless work being done through God's Child Project. I am proud that this program has given so much to help the victims of human trafficking, and I'm happy that the program is able to call North Dakota home.