Bradley Byrne

Mr. BYRNE

Mr. BYRNE. Mr. Speaker, House Resolution 635 provides for consideration of H.R. 4557, the Blocking Regulatory Interference from Closing Kilns Act of 2016. The resolution provides for a closed rule. No amendments are made in order, as none were filed with the Rules Committee. Additionally, the rule also provides for standard adjournment authority. H.R. 4557 is an important piece of legislation. It is a bipartisan bill that addresses an unfortunate recurring theme: overreach by the EPA that takes jobs away from hardworking Americans. Last September the EPA finalized the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants for Brick and Structural Clay Products and Clay Ceramics, commonly known as Brick MACT. Only in the Federal Government would we string that many words together and think it makes sense. In that rule, the EPA set stringent standards for brick industry emissions of mercury and nonmercury pollutants as well as health-based standards for acid gases. EPA previously promulgated Brick MACT standards in 2003. That rule was vacated by a Federal court in 2007, but, by that time, many brick manufacturers had already spent millions of dollars in irreversible compliance costs. Now, let's be clear. Those aren't just costs that are borne by those businesses. Those get passed along to the American consumers, raising the price of brick to each and every one of us. The brick industry faces again the uncertainty of having to spend millions of dollars to comply with revised Brick MACT while the fate of the rule makes its way through the court system. Mr. Speaker, the brick industry employs thousands of Americans at more than 70 brick plant and supporting facilities nationwide. These facilities are located in 38 States. Alabama, my home State, is one of the top five States for brick manufacturing capacity and faces some of the largest job losses. Unlike other industries targeted by EPA's overreach, the brick industry is dominated by small, family-owned businesses that have been struggling in our current economy. EPA estimates industry-wide annual compliance in Brick MACT will cost $25 million annually. The industry estimates that the costs may be as much as $100 million per year. For a facility with two kilns, which is the industry average, costs are estimated to be $4.4 million. Remember, those costs get passed along to us consumers in the cost of bricks. These costs will likely cause many of these small facilities to shut their doors and are, of course, over and above the millions of dollars already spent by the industry to comply with the earlier rule that was vacated by the D.C. Circuit. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 4557 ensures that the brick industry will not again have to make millions of dollars in expenditures before Brick MACT works its way through the courts. H.R. 4557 would implement a legislative stay to Brick MACT and block the rule until all related court challenges have been resolved by the Federal courts. Opponents of this bill argue that a legislative stay is unnecessary because the brick industry can request a judicial stay in Federal court; however, as an attorney, I can tell you that the standard to receive such a stay is incredibly high and such stays are rarely granted. The recent case of Michigan v. EPA provides a great example of why this legislation is necessary. In that case, the Supreme Court found the EPA's Utility MACT rule to be legally flawed and remanded the case; however, by that time, utility companies had already been forced to spend billions of dollars to comply with Utility MACT. Remember, that gets passed along to the consumers in our utility bills. EPA Acting Administrator Janet McCabe stated that, although EPA lost, the Supreme Court's decision was of limited practical effect because the majority of power plants were already in compliance or well on their way to compliance. Thus, the EPA was, in practicality, able to evade any meaningful judicial review, which makes a mockery of this process. The EPA should not get to do the same again to the brick industry while Brick MACT makes its way through the court system. Thousands of American jobs should not be put at risk due to a rule which has already been vacated once. Again, the consumers of America should not be penalized for the same reason. I urge my colleagues to support House Resolution 635 and the underlying bill. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BYRNE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Westerman).

Mr. BYRNE. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time, and I move the previous question on the resolution.

Mr. BYRNE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. The American people are sick and tired of a Federal Government that is out of control. I can't imagine the Founders of this country in that constitutional convention in Philadelphia in 1787 saying: Now, let's think about a government agency established under our Constitution that is going to regulate bricks. No wonder the American people look at the Federal Government and say: Have you lost your mind? What are you doing? These other issues that my colleague talked about are important. But we have to stop here in this Congress to deal with another out-of- control Federal agency--and the EPA is one of the most out-of-control Federal agencies--to protect the American people and, yes, to protect their jobs, to protect the consumers of America from unreasonable increases in the cost of things like bricks because another agency has done something to them. Yes, I think the American people are sick and tired of that, and I do think it is the role of this Congress to do something about it. The EPA would have no power except for the fact that this Congress has delegated its own legislative power to the EPA. Indeed, it is our role to not only provide oversight to that power but, on particular occasions, to take it back. Frankly, in my judgment, we don't take it back enough. If we took it back more, we would be protecting the American people more and their jobs and the cost of things that they buy every day. I understood what my colleague just said. I heard it. But once again I don't think he is thinking about those people who work for these brick companies and I don't think he is thinking about the consumers of America, who are ready for the Congress to do its job to protect them. This is one way that we can do that. Mr. Speaker, I again urge my colleagues to support H. Res. 635 and the underlying bill.

Mr. BYRNE. Mr. Speaker, if I heard the gentleman correctly, he wants an open rule. Let me restate: we had no amendments offered at the committee of jurisdiction and no amendments offered before the Rules Committee, so that would fly in the face of our desire here to have regular order. What he has proposed is not regular order. He is proposing chaos, and I don't think the American people want us to be in chaos around here. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from the great State of Illinois (Mr. Shimkus), a great conservative leader. (Mr. SHIMKUS asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. BYRNE. Mr. Speaker, they brought up the EPA over and over again. I hear about the EPA everywhere I go.

Mr. BYRNE. Mr. Speaker, they are angry about a Federal Government that is overreaching and hurting them. That is what they are angry about.

Mr. BYRNE

Mr. BYRNE. Mr. Speaker, last week the world lost a literary giant and Alabama lost a legend. A native of Alabama's First Congressional District, Nelle Harper Lee was born and died in Monroeville, Alabama, the city that served as an inspiration for the town of Maycomb in her legendary novel ``To Kill a Mockingbird.'' Nelle received many honors throughout her life, including being inducted into the Alabama Academy of Honor, receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and being awarded the National Medal of Arts. She was known as a private woman, but her writings inspired generations, promoted acceptance, and taught us all important life lessons. Sadly, she passed away in Monroeville on February 19 at the age of 89. One of the best lessons Nelle taught us was about tolerance. As she wrote in ``To Kill a Mockingbird,'' ``You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view . . . until you climb into his skin and walk around in it.'' May we all take time to reflect on the life of Nelle Harper Lee, and may we all continue to live out her lesson of tolerance each and every day.

Mr. BYRNE

Mr. BYRNE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my disappointment with the President's budget request. I am especially concerned about the President's proposal to cut the Littoral Combat Ship program. These ships are built, in part, by Austal USA in my home district. I have seen these ships being built, I have talked to the Navy leadership, and I have visited with the sailors who are actually working on these vessels. They all support the LCS and the vital role it plays in the Navy's fleet. In fact, just last year, Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus said: ``We have a need, a demonstrated need, for 52 of these small surface combatants.'' Cutting the LCS program, along with failing to include an additional Expeditionary Fast Transport ship, would be a tremendous mistake as it relates to maintaining the workforce base that we have worked so hard to build up along the Gulf Coast. So I have a message for the 4,000 people who work at the Austal shipyard in Mobile: This proposal from a lameduck Secretary of Defense and a lameduck President will not stand. I will fight every day to make sure that our Navy has the resources they want and need to protect our Nation and keep sea lanes open. The LCS is a critical part of that mission.

Mr. BYRNE

Mr. BYRNE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the 200th birthday of Jackson, Alabama, which is located in Alabama's First Congressional District. Over the past 200 years, the City of Jackson has had a rich and storied history that is reflected in all of the hardworking residents of Jackson today. Situated on a rise overlooking the east bank of the Tombigbee River is where you will find Jackson's historic downtown. In 1815, a stock company, the Pine Level Land Company, was formed by a group of investors who believed they could promote the site to attract settlers. Formerly known as ``Pine Level,'' and ``Republicville,'' it was finally decided that the little village would be named Jackson, in honor of General Andrew Jackson, hero of the War of 1812 as well as the Creek Indian War of 1813-14, who would later become our seventh president. Jackson was incorporated by an act of the Mississippi Territorial Legislature on November 27, 1816, which also created the town's first governing body. Like many of our country's communities, Jackson has experienced both ups and downs throughout its history. In 1816, the prosperous Jackson had a population of 1,500, which was quite large for a rural frontier town. The town experienced growth and success through the Civil War, but then declined. By 1875, the town was home to only 15 families. With the arrival of the railroad in 1886 and the hard work and dedication of the people of Jackson, the town once again boomed. The railroad brought with it the timber industry, which was instrumental in reviving the tiny town. Throughout the early 20th century, Jackson experienced economic growth and expansion. The town experienced another setback during the Great Depression, but was sparked yet again by economic growth in the 1930s. This year is not only Jackson's 200th birthday; it is also a year that will bring even more success to Jackson with the opening of the new iSpice food manufacturing and distributing plant. The Post Civil War Era and the Depression could have easily led to a different fate for Jackson, but the people of this quaint timber town refused to give up on their home. The hardworking men and women of Jackson are not only pillars of their community, but they also represent the true backbone of the United States. Their hard work and perseverance through troubling times serves as an example that should be followed by all Americans. Success is not given, it is earned, and Jackson has earned it throughout its 200-year existence. Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to congratulate Jackson on its bicentennial.

Mr. BYRNE

Mr. BYRNE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to remember two remarkable individuals who tragically died Monday evening in a plane crash in Mobile County, Alabama. Major David Mauritson of Fairhope and Lieutenant Phil Dryden of Gulf Shores were members of the Civil Air Patrol, and they were returning from a compassion flight to Baton Rouge where they helped transport a fellow citizen for medical care when their plane went down. David Mauritson had been a member of the Civil Air Patrol since 1991 and worked for years as a cardiologist and a lawyer. He had been flying all his life and was committed to helping others through charity medical flights. Phil Dryden served our country in Vietnam as a combat medic. He had just joined the Civil Air Patrol last year and served as the Mobile squadron's assistant operations officer. Mr. Speaker, one day our time on this Earth will draw to a close. When that day comes, we will be remembered not for what we had, we will be remembered for what we did. David Mauritson and Phil Dryden left this world helping others. The legacy of service and sacrifice is how they will always be remembered. On behalf of Alabama's First Congressional District, I offer my deepest condolences to their families. These great Americans will be sorely missed.

Mr. BYRNE

Mr. BYRNE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to remember the life of Coach C.D. ``Lefty'' Anderson, a beloved long-time football coach, administrator and family man in Mobile County, Alabama. Coach Anderson was born on July 17, 1929 in Coffeeville, Alabama. He attended and played football at Jackson High School and Livingston State, where his love of football began. After college, he served a two-year stint in the Army and then later went on to become head football coach at Frisco City in Monroe County, Alabama. After being named the head coach, Coach Anderson immediately began to instill the belief in his players that they were winners. During his time at Frisco City, Coach Anderson accumulated a total of 53 wins, beating teams much larger than his. In 1963, he became the head coach at Murphy High School, which was one of the state's largest schools. At Murphy, he did what he was accustomed to . . . he won football games. In his first year, he led his Panther team to an 8-1 season, a major improvement from the five combined wins the school had in the three years prior. He would go on to win 32 games during his six-year tenure as head coach, before making the move to an administrative role at the school. Coach Anderson would go on to serve a year as the school's assistant principal and 10 more years as principal. I've heard that Coach Anderson took the same hard-nosed approach he had as a coach and applied it to his role as principal. He ensured that his students followed the rules and behaved properly, but just like his players, there was never any doubt how much he cared for them. After his time as an administrator, Coach Anderson served as the Mobile County athletic director for eight years until his retirement in the early 1990s. He also served 13 years on the Alabama High School Athletic Association's (AHSAA) Central Board of Control, including two years as president. Outside of the classroom, Coach Anderson played a vital role in the development of high school football throughout the state. Anderson was instrumental in the creation of the Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Football game in 1998. Due to his contribution and dedication to the game, the MVP award was named after him. He later achieved the honor of becoming part of the first class inducted into the AHSAA High School Hall of Fame in 1991. Although retired, Coach Anderson's love and knowledge of the game continued to shine. He was always willing to help mentor anyone who sought his knowledge about the game. During the last 5 years of his life Coach Anderson fought valiantly against Alzheimer's, never letting it inhibit his view on life. Sadly, on January 21, Coach Anderson passed away after a battle with pneumonia. Coach Eddie Robinson put it best when he said that ``coaching is a profession of love. You can't coach people unless you love them.'' I believe this was always the mindset of Coach Anderson. He always cared deeply for his players and students. Coach Anderson leaves behind a legacy of love and humility and his spirit will live on in the countless individuals he impacted over the course of his career. The city of Mobile, Mobile County, and the entire State of Alabama will be forever grateful for the life and service of Coach ``Lefty'' Anderson. On behalf of Alabama's entire First Congressional District, we extend our greatest of condolences to his son Chuck, his two grandchildren, Laura and Sam, as well as his two great-grandchildren, Ayden and Caroline. Coach Anderson will be deeply missed.

Mr. BYRNE

Mr. BYRNE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the University of Alabama football team on winning the College Football Playoff National Championship. This marks Alabama's NCAA-record 16th national championship. As a diehard Alabama football fan, I loved watching this team because they played with such a strong competitive spirit and refused to be denied. The team was incredibly well-rounded and balanced in all three phases of the game. Each week, it seemed like a different player would step up and make a big play. That is an important trademark of a true team. I am especially proud of the players from Southwest Alabama who contributed to the team's success. Quarterback Jake Coker is a Mobile native who played high school football at St. Paul's Episcopal School. In the championship game, Coker threw for over 300 yards and two touchdowns. It was a very gritty and impressive effort, just like Coker's entire college career. Helping to lead the way for Coker and Alabama's Heisman-winning running back was former Davidson High School standout Alphonse Taylor. As the starting right guard on the offensive line, Taylor and his teammates on the offensive line were rewarded for their outstanding play by winning the inaugural Joe Moore Award. This award goes to the nation's top offensive line each season. It was a well-deserved honor. Alabama's run to the national championship was marked by outstanding play from the defense. That defense included former Daphne High School star Ryan Anderson. Anderson was a dominating force who racked up six sacks on the year. He played some of his best football down the stretch in the SEC Championship Game and again in the College Football Playoff games. I know opposing quarterbacks will be fearing him next season as well. Mr. Speaker, this Alabama squad played as a team and in a way that should make every Alabamian proud. To the players, coaches, support staff, and the University of Alabama administration, I want to say congratulations and Roll Tide.

Mr. BYRNE

Mr. BYRNE. Mr. Speaker, I thank my Committee on Rules colleague for yielding, and I rise today in support of this rule and the underlying legislation. This is a monumental vote. For the first time since Republicans took control of this House in 2011, we are in a position to send a bill to the President's desk that would dismantle ObamaCare and eliminate Federal funding for Planned Parenthood, who we know sold body parts from aborted babies. This piece of legislation is about listening to the American people and working to advance their concerns right here in the people's House. ObamaCare is fundamentally broken. It is not making health care more affordable. In fact, it is doing just the opposite. As The New York Times pointed out just the other day, many Americans find it cheaper to pay the tax penalty and remain uninsured instead of signing up for a healthcare plan they simply cannot afford. That is exactly the opposite of how this law was supposed to work. My colleagues on the other side say that Republicans want to take away people's health care. Let me tell you what took away people's health care: this law did. I hear stories every time I go to the grocery store or hold a townhall meeting from people who had a healthcare plan that they liked, a plan they could afford, a plan that worked for them. Now, the President said over and over again, ``If you like your healthcare plan, you can keep it.'' That was not true. The people of the United States suffer today because they lost their healthcare plans or they simply can't afford the cost and the new healthcare plan that has been forced on them. If you want to talk about taking away people's health care from someone, that is what this law did. That is what the President of the United States did and what he continues to do with this law. We need to move past this government-mandated healthcare plan and instead empower the American people and their doctors. The people don't want the Federal Government to tell them what type of health insurance they need or what doctors they should see. That is simply not the role of the Federal Government. We should get rid of this awful law and, instead, move forward with healthcare reform that puts the interests of the patient first, not the interests of the Federal Government. Let's pass this bill and send it to the President's desk, and then he gets to make a choice. He can stand with the American people or he can stand against the American people. If he chooses to veto this bill, then the American people will have seen a clear choice between two different Americas: an America where the government knows best or an America where the people, the hardworking people who have made our country great, where the people are empowered. Let's make the President decide. Let's hold him accountable. Let's do the work of our constituents, and let's pass this bill on behalf of every American who lost their healthcare plan or saw their healthcare costs increase. Let's do this for them.

Mr. BYRNE

Mr. BYRNE. I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, as a former member of the Alabama State school board, former chancellor of postsecondary education for the State of Alabama, and as a member of the Committee on Education and the Workforce, I am proud to support this rule and the underlying legislation. For too long, our Nation's education system has failed under a heavy, top-down system of mandates and requirements set by Washington bureaucrats and special interest groups. The Every Student Succeeds Act changes that by getting Washington out of the way and empowering our local teachers, principals, and administrators. This legislation achieves these goals by reducing the Federal Government's role in K-12 education and restoring control over education back to the States and local school districts, where it belongs. The Wall Street Journal editorial board calls this legislation the largest devolution of Federal control to the States in a quarter- century. National Journal notes that the bill marks a rollback of Federal power, while Politico points out that the bill cuts down on the number of education programs. I hear concerns often from my constituents in southwest Alabama about the Common Core standards. Well, this bill expressly prohibits the Secretary of Education from influencing or coercing States into adopting Common Core. This bill makes clear that it is solely a State's responsibility to set academic standards and pick assessments. These restrictions on the Federal Secretary of Education are unprecedented and will end the Secretary's ability to influence education policy through executive fiat and conditional waivers. Some may wonder what the alternative is to this legislation, so let me tell you. Without this bill, we will continue to allow the Obama administration and the Federal Government to dictate education policy to the States. Without this bill, the Secretary of Education will continue to use Federal grants and money to coerce States into adopting certain academic standards, like Common Core. Without this bill, the Federal Department of Education will continue to operate more than 80 programs which are ineffective, duplicative, and unnecessary. Without this bill, teachers will continue to have their hands tied by policies and assessments put forward by bureaucrats in Washington, D.C. Washington has no business telling our States and local school districts how to best run their schools. So let's pass the Every Student Succeeds Act. Let's get Washington out of the way, and let's empower our local teachers, parents, and students. I urge my colleagues to support this rule and to support the Every Student Succeeds Act.

Mr. BYRNE

Mr. BYRNE. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to Colonel George DeFilippi, USAF (Ret) as he prepares to fully retire after 46 years of faithful government service and extraordinary dedication to duty and to the United States of America. George DeFilippi has had a fine career, including in his most recent role as Head, Congressional Support Branch in the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Financial Management and Comptroller). I would like to share with you some highlights. George DeFilippi graduated from the United States Air Force Academy in 1969. Following graduation, he honorably served his nation on active duty for the next 30 years spanning many key leadership positions. From 1986 to 1991, George was the Commanding Officer of the 23rd Tactical Air Support Unit out of Davis Monthan AFB, where he was responsible for consolidating the forward air control training for all Air Force and Marine Corps operational units. His next assignment was to serve as the Commander/Air Liaison Officer with the U.S. Army (XVII Airborne Corps) and Republic of Korea's Third Army, leading a 250-person unit integrating aviation assets into army operations. From 1993 to 1999 George reported to the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense (Acquisition & Technology) and was responsible for the oversight of a $4 billion tactical fighter and Unmanned Aerial Vehicle programs. He later went on to serve as the Chief of Staff within OUSD (AT&L) continuing to provide oversight for major defense acquisition programs. Upon completing 30 years of active duty service within the United States Air Force, George retired from active duty but continued to serve his country through the civilian sector. From 1999-2010, he worked within the Cobham Life Support Division as well as Government Relations promoting life support products to the U.S. Armed Forces. In 2010, George DeFilippi reported to his current assignment as Head, Congressional Support Branch, Navy Appropriations Matters Office where he helped the Department of the Navy achieve their financial and legislative goals. For five years, George DeFilippi has demonstrated exceptional leadership and foresight, engaging Members of the Appropriations Committee and its staff to provide information essential to resourcing the Navy for its role as the world's dominant sea power. In an increasingly difficult budget environment, George DeFilippi provided essential support in shepherding Navy budgets through the appropriations process. George served our nation with integrity, insight and dedication. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of a grateful nation, I join my colleagues today in saying thank you to George DeFilippi for his extraordinary dedication to duty and steadfast service to this country throughout his distinguished career in the United States Air Force as well as his public service and we wish him and his wife Patricia the very best in his well-deserved retirement.

Mr. BYRNE

Mr. BYRNE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to remember the life of Lieutenant Colonel Timothy Reddy, a resident of Baldwin County, Alabama. Colonel Reddy graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1976 and was Active-Duty military for 23 years, including a combat tour with the 82nd Airborne Division in Grenada. Following his military service, Colonel Reddy began a 15-year career teaching math and coaching soccer and swim team at Fairhope High School in my district. He was known for pushing his students to the next level and making them better people. I can personally attest to Colonel Reddy's teaching ability because my children were his students and they considered him one of their all-time favorite teachers. And he was tough. So on behalf of Alabama's First Congressional District, I want to share our deepest condolences with Colonel Reddy's loved ones. He was a great American and an extraordinary educator. Colonel Reddy made a positive impact in the lives of so many, and his legacy will live on in his students, his family, and his friends.

Mr. BYRNE

Mr. BYRNE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to share my appreciation to Matt Weinstein for his nine years of service to Alabama's First Congressional District. Matt's last day serving the people of Southwest Alabama will be Friday, October 30. Matt started his service to Alabama's First Congressional District in 2010 as a legislative assistant to Congressman Jo Bonner (R-AL). Prior to working for the First District, Matt worked in the office of Alabama Congressman Mike Rogers (R-AL) starting in January 2007. Upon my election to Congress in December 2013, I was proud to name Matt Weinstein my legislative director. In my office, Matt has been a dedicated advisor on all policy matters and served as a liaison with small businesses and elected officials in Southwest Alabama. Matt has been instrumental in my office's efforts to push forward with construction of a new I-10 bridge over the Mobile River. Matt has done an impressive job of working with the Alabama Department of Transportation and the federal Department of Transportation to remove bureaucratic hurdles. With Matt's help, we have been able to make real, tangible process over the last two years. When the BP/Deepwater Horizon oil spill hit Alabama's Gulf Coast, Matt helped Congressman Bonner advocate for our coastal communities. Matt played an important role in crafting the RESTORE Act, which was intended to keep oil spill settlement money under control of the coastal counties. I am especially grateful for Matt's service to our nation's service members and veterans. Matt did tremendous work supporting our nation's Navy and the thousands of Alabamians who work at the Austal USA shipyard in Mobile, Alabama. Matt has also assisted countless veterans with various issues related to the Department of Veterans Affairs and has supported my efforts to give veterans greater access to private care. Mr. Speaker, I asked former Congressman Jo Bonner to share his gratitude with Matt as well. Congressman Bonner said, ``Matt is one of the most talented and dedicated young men I know. He thinks strategically, always looking for ways to build consensus and get the job done. He was invaluable to the people of South Alabama during the aerial refueling tanker war, but he was equally helpful in getting those early contracts for Austal and during those difficult months following the BP/Deepwater Horizon explosion. I can't say enough good things about Matt Weinstein; he is truly one in a million.'' A native of Mobile, Alabama, Matt has served his hometown with dedication, passion, and steady leadership. I wish him and his wife, Paige, all the best in their future endeavors. Alabama's First Congressional District will be forever grateful for his service.

Mr. BYRNE

Mr. BYRNE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from North Dakota (Mr. Cramer).

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

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

Mr. BYRNE. Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 466 and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. BYRNE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. American technology is a marvel in the world. We Americans figure out how to solve problems by using technology. Just a few years ago we were struggling with how we were going to get enough energy into this country from other places, and now, because of the changes to the American people, we figured out the technologies it takes to be able to exploit energy resources right here. It is almost like a miracle. We get to become energy independent where we won't have to get energy from other places. In fact, we found so much energy that we are in a position where we can export it and benefit our economy and people in America with more jobs. Now, I have got to tell you something: I am proud to be American for a lot of reasons, but there is a great reason right there. Our ingenuity solved this problem and created opportunities that we couldn't have dreamt of, but the Federal Government is standing in the way. We can't fully do what we need to do here. There are many things in the way, but we are trying to deal with just two of them today. One of them is the limitations we put on the sovereign tribal nations that my friend from Florida so eloquently spoke about. We put limitations on them and their ability to develop energy resources on their land. It is their land. Let them develop it. There are a couple good things from that. One of them is all of us in America get the benefit from that. As we develop any part of our energy sector, it benefits all of us. Secondly, it benefits those people in those tribal nations. They are not asking for the Federal Government to give them something. They are asking for the Federal Government to get out of the way so they can do something for themselves. I think we ought to celebrate that in America and give them that opportunity. The second bill removes a decades-old ban on oil exports. I am old enough to remember the 1970s. I remember waiting in a gas line and not being able to get gas, but that was then with the technology we had then, not now with the technology and the proven reserves we have now. I don't want to shoulder my children with limitations based upon technology or technological understanding we had when I was their age. As they tell me all the time: Daddy, we have moved on. We have moved on in a very positive way in this particular aspect. So it is time to get the dead hand of the past off of our energy industry so it can start doing the things it has so miraculously proven that it can do. I urge everybody in this House to support this rule. I urge everybody in this House to support both of these underlying bills.

Mr. BYRNE. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time, and I move the previous question on the resolution.

Mr. BYRNE. Mr. Speaker, I was listening to the gentleman talk, and he was talking about how this might have a negative impact on American consumers with regard to gas prices. I would remind the House that even President Obama's own Department of Energy found that increased oil exports would help lower gas prices. The gentleman also mentioned what this might do to the security of the United States. A member of President Clinton's Cabinet has said this will enhance the security of the United States by strengthening our hand in Central and Eastern Europe. I have listened to the gentleman. I respect his views, but I must say that I think the evidence that comes to us from Democratic administrations proves that what he said is really not accurate. Mr. Speaker, we have no additional speakers. So if the gentleman is prepared to close, he may do so. I reserve the balance of my time.