Brian Babin

Mr. BABIN

Mr. BABIN. Mr. Speaker, this bill passed the House with unanimous support last Congress. That is because smart, bipartisan legislation rarely faces opposition. I thank former Science, Space, and Technology Committee chairman, Mr. Lucas, and Ranking Member Lofgren for once again leading this effort. I urge all of my colleagues to support this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. BABIN. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. BABIN

Mr. BABIN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1350) to provide for Department of Energy and National Science Foundation research and development coordination, and for other purposes.

Mr. BABIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1350, the DOE and NSF Interagency Research Act, which passed the House in the 118th Congress. This bill supports the longstanding partnership between the Department of Energy and the National Science Foundation, allowing these agencies to work on cutting-edge research and technological challenges. As this body is aware, our adversaries, like the Chinese Communist Party, are quickly closing the gap on innovative technologies like artificial intelligence, quantum information science, and advanced manufacturing. The CCP's efforts to outspend, out-educate, and outpace the the United States in these critical areas are increasingly concerning and something that we cannot ignore. This legislation will bolster U.S. leadership on the global stage in emerging technologies, ensuring that our competitors do not eclipse us. Additionally, by authorizing this interagency collaboration, we maximize our investments to maintain our competitive edge. DOE is our Nation's largest supporter of basic research in physical sciences, while NSF is the backbone of the collaborative research environment between government and academia. Together, these agencies can fuel innovation across multiple disciplines, including physics, quantum information sciences, artificial intelligence, and materials science. This bill enhances the capabilities of DOE and NSF, leveraging their research and development investments to maximize the impact of taxpayer dollars. By authorizing collaboration between DOE and NSF, we maximize our return on investment and ensure that we remain at the forefront of technological progress. Mr. Speaker, I thank Representatives Stevens and Baird and the members of the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology for reintroducing this important legislation. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BABIN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1350, the DOE and NSF Interagency Research Act, will support U.S. competitiveness in emerging technologies and key economic sectors while leveraging taxpayer dollars, enabling more to be accomplished with fewer resources. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the good work of my colleagues, Representatives Stevens and Baird. I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. BABIN

Mr. BABIN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1368, the DOE and NASA Interagency Research Coordination Act. The Department of Energy and NASA have an extensive history of collaboration, which has enhanced both our understanding of the universe and our ability to explore well beyond our planet. The Voyager spacecrafts, which were launched more than 40 years ago and are now flying far beyond our own solar system in interstellar space, continue to operate with DOE's groundbreaking propulsion systems. This DOE-NASA partnership has driven and will continue to drive advancements in high-performance computing, keeping us at the forefront of research and development. Additionally, their collaborative work on nuclear energy is vital to establishing a long-term human presence on the Moon and next-generation in-space propulsion. However, these joint technological breakthroughs not only aid our space endeavors, but they also can be utilized here on Earth to increase global energy production from reliable energy resources. Furthermore, this partnership will help to propel satellite development, space situational awareness, and even planetary defense from near-Earth objects. In short, this bill enables two of our chief scientific agencies to do better work by tackling some of our most challenging scientific problems together. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague, Representative Begich, for introducing this legislation. I also thank Representative Whitesides for cosponsoring it. This bipartisan bill earned unanimous support in the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology and passed in the House last Congress. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to once again support it on the floor today, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BABIN. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Alaska (Mr. Begich).

Mr. BABIN

Mr. BABIN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1534) to strengthen and enhance the competitiveness of American industry through the research and development of advanced technologies to improve the efficiency of cement, concrete, and asphalt production, and for other purposes.

Mr. BABIN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 1534, the bill now under consideration.

Mr. BABIN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1534, the Innovative Mitigation Partnerships for Asphalt and Concrete Technologies Act, or IMPACT Act. Today, much of the world is reliant on cement and concrete produced in China, which is home to the world's largest cement industry. It should go without saying that it is a big problem to be at the whims of the Chinese Communist Party when it comes to materials that are absolutely critical to our national defense, economic security, and our energy independence. Beyond that, this reliance comes with severe negative environmental impacts. China's greenhouse gas emissions exceed all of the developed nations in the world combined. In fact, U.S. industrial manufacturing is nearly 28 percent cleaner than our competitors, including China. If we want a cleaner, healthier environment and global security, U.S. leadership in this sector is an absolute must. The IMPACT Act ensures this by propelling America to the front in the cement, concrete, and asphalt industries. It will increase our Nation's competitiveness against global adversaries while also achieving significant reductions in emissions from manufacturing processes. Specifically, this bill supports the research and development of innovative technologies, primarily at the Department of Energy. It builds off the cross-cutting Industrial Emissions Reduction Technology Development program established by the Energy Act of 2020 and provides specific direction for the advancement of tools, technologies, and methods related to cement, concrete, and asphalt production. Concrete is the second most commonly used material on Earth, surpassed only by water. The demand is unlikely to decrease soon, making it crucial to allocate the Federal Government's top scientific resources to assist manufacturers in meeting our strategic goals, while ensuring the concrete supply that supports our economy continues to grow and thrive. The IMPACT Act positions our country to rise to that challenge and become a resource for the entire world. I thank Science, Space, and Technology Committee members, Mr. Miller and Mrs. Foushee, for cosponsoring this bill and working in a bipartisan fashion. Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my House colleagues to support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BABIN. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Miller).

Mr. BABIN. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I am prepared to close. I continue to reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BABIN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1534 is commonsense legislation that passed unanimously last Congress. It has the support of major industry associations, including the Portland Cement Association, the National Asphalt Pavement Association, and the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association. It also has the endorsement of those groups affected by downstream impacts, like the U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association and Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions. This diverse support is a testament to just how important it is for the United States to retain its global competitive edge when it comes to advanced industrial technologies. I urge my colleagues to join me in backing this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. BABIN

Mr. BABIN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Biggs), my good friend and co-chair. I really appreciate him having tonight's very important Special Order. The truth is simple. The Biden administration threw open the floodgates, allowing murderers, rapists, and chaos to pour into our communities, all in pursuit of political power. They knew exactly what they were doing. Securing the border was never an impossibility, as they let the Nation and us believe. It was always a choice. For the last 4 years, the wrong choice was deliberately made. We were told that enforcement wouldn't work, that the crisis was simply too big to fix, but those were lies meant to cover up the fact that an open border was exactly what they wanted to do. They dismantled every tool that worked, inviting criminals to walk right in. We saw the consequences play out in the most destructive ways imaginable. Mr. Speaker, 15 million illegals entered under the Biden administration's watch. Tonight, you will hear about the evils that were unleashed on our neighborhoods by the Biden administration, resulting in death and destruction of innocent American lives. How many more lives must be lost? How many more families must grieve before they admit their open-border agenda is destroying this country? There are 100,000 Americans dying per year from deadly Mexican cartel and Chinese drugs that have come in over our open border. There have been hundreds of thousands of lost children from the child sex trade and human trafficking. There have been murders, rapes, and pillaging from illegal alien gangs and swamped public schools, hospitals, and public services. Here is the good news, though. The days of lawlessness are over because, on day one of the Donald Trump administration, we finally have a strong leader in the White House. Just like that, the border was shut down. All it took was that leadership and the will to enforce the law. The message was sent loud and clear: America is not open for lawbreakers anymore. Illegal crossings have plummeted. Deportations are back in full force. As co-chair of the Border Security Caucus, I am committed to keeping these dangerous criminals off of our streets. Working hand in hand with President Trump, Vice President Vance, and leaders like Tom Homan, we are making sure that child traffickers, drug smugglers, and gang members are rounded up and sent packing back to where they belong. We are kicking them out by the thousands, just like we should have been doing all along these last 4 years. This is how you put America first: You don't make excuses; you act. You don't let criminals run free; you lock them up or send them home. You don't leave the border wide open; you shut it down and take control. The American people deserve safety, not suffering. They deserve law and order, not chaos. They deserve leadership that protects them, not one that absolutely betrays them. That is what Donald Trump and Tom Homan are delivering to us right now, and they are just getting started.

Mr. BABIN

Mr. BABIN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Kansas (Mr. Mann), my good friend, for holding this session for such a great and worthy cause. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in solemn remembrance of the lives lost in the tragic crashes of American Eagle Flight 5342 and PAT 25. To the families, friends, and loved ones of the 67 victims, we offer our very deepest condolences. No words can ever ease the pain of such a devastating loss, but we stand with them. We stand with every one of these folks in mourning and in the pursuit of answers in this tragic accident. This tragedy demands a full and thorough investigation to ensure that no family endures this kind of heartbreak again. The safety of our skies and the trust of the American people depend on accountability, transparency, and action. Mr. Speaker, let us honor the memory of those we lost by ensuring that such a catastrophe never happens again. I urge my colleagues to support H. Res. 153.

Mr. BABIN

Mr. BABIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to my good friend, Timothy ``Tim'' Cliff Bauer of Winnie, Texas, who passed away at his home on December 19, 2024, after a hard-fought battle with cancer, surrounded by his loving family. Tim was born to Patricia and Leroy Bauer on September 13, 1951, in Beaumont, Texas. He grew up in the Winnie-Stowell community and was a devoted member of Grace Methodist Church. While attending East Chambers High School, he met the love of his life, Vicki Cuniff. After graduation, Tim attended Texas A&M University, earning his Bachelor of Science in Agronomy in 1973. He married Vicki during his senior year, and they returned to Winnie, where Tim farmed rice and raised Red Angus cattle. In 1998, Tim and Vicki moved to the original Bauer Ranch Homestead, lovingly restoring it and going to great lengths to preserve its history and significance to the local agricultural community. Tim founded Texas Financial in 2002 and revived the Bauer Ranch's cattle operation in 2011, creating the Fl Braford herd. He retired from his financial advisement business in 2015 but continued to ranch for another seven years. In 2023, Tim and Vicki moved to Kerrville, where he enjoyed the golden years of his life. Tim was a man of conviction, stewardship, and passion. He held leadership roles in many organizations and was well known for his love of hunting, fishing, and Western art. Tim will be remembered for his sincere adoration for his family, unwavering faith, and steadfast presence. He was a true cowboy, a man's man, and tough as a boot--I am incredibly proud to have called him a friend. May the Lord bless his memory and his wonderful family. We will miss him.

Mr. BABIN

Mr. BABIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to my good friend, Timothy ``Tim'' Cliff Bauer, of Winnie, Texas, who passed away at his home on December 19, 2024, after a hard-fought battle with cancer, surrounded by his loving family. Tim was born to Patricia and Leroy Bauer on September 13, 1951, in Beaumont, Texas. He grew up in the Winnie-Stowell community and was a devoted member of Grace Methodist Church. While attending East Chambers High School, he met the love of his life, Vicki Cuniff. After graduation, Tim attended Texas A & M University, earning his bachelor of science in agronomy in 1973. He married Vicki during his senior year, and they returned to Winnie, where Tim farmed rice and raised Red Angus cattle. In 1998, Tim and Vicki moved to the original Bauer Ranch homestead and lovingly restored it, going to great lengths to preserve its wonderful history and significance to the local agricultural community. Tim founded Texas Financial in 2002 and revived the Bauer Ranch's cattle operation in 2011. He created the F1 Braford herd. He retired from his financial advisement business in 2015 but continued to ranch for another 7 years. In 2023, Tim and Vicki moved to Kerrville, Texas, where he enjoyed the golden years of his life. Tim was a man of conviction, stewardship, and passion. He held leadership roles in many organizations and was very well known for his love of hunting, fishing, and Western art. Tim will be remembered for his sincere adoration for his family, unwavering faith, and steadfast presence. He was a true cowboy, a man's man, and tough as a boot. I am incredibly proud to have called him my friend. May the Lord bless his memory and his wonderful family. We will all miss him. Farewell, Tim.

Mr. BABIN

Mr. BABIN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that when the House adjourns today, it adjourn to meet at 10 a.m. on Monday next.

Mr. BABIN

Mr. BABIN. Thank you, my friend, Randy. I appreciate you having this Special Order for such a very, very close friend. I rise today, Mr. Speaker, to recognize really a close friend, a fellow Texan, Dr. Michael Burgess, for his distinguished career of 22 years, serving here in the U.S. House of Representatives. I thank you, Mike, for being a wonderful mentor over the years, and for showing me and so many others of our colleagues just how to serve the American people with integrity and with honor and the shining example that you have been to all of us here. No matter the topic, your position on the Energy and Commerce Committee, as the chairman of the Rules Committee, or at one of our Doctors Caucus meetings over the years, you have always been an invaluable resource to me and countless others. We will miss your knowledge, your expertise, your brilliant intellect, your wise counsel, and how well you represented our great Lone Star State. Your legacy will carry on for many, many generations to come, and I thank you for being a dedicated public servant, a proud Texan, and a great American, without any question. I also want to extend our deepest sympathies and our prayers at the recent tragic and untimely loss of your daughter, Christine. We want to wish you, Laura, and your entire family all the best. Godspeed, my friend. May God bless you all. We will see you soon, and I want to keep in contact with you for the rest of our days. God bless you. Thank you.

Mr. BABIN

Mr. BABIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of a great American and a Texan, Robert E. Milstead, who passed away on December 6, just 1 week shy of his 97th birthday. Mr. Milstead served his country as a career Air Force officer, with over 5,500 flying hours. He later joined First State Bank in Abilene, Texas, and became active in his community. Mr. Milstead was a proud graduate of the University of Texas, having served as a Silver Spur and a Pi Kappa Alpha president. He is survived by his loving wife of 74 years, Jane, who he met in college. They raised two incredible sons, retired U.S. Marine Corps Lieutenant General Robert ``Boomer'' Milstead, Jr., and retired Austin Police Department Officer Randy Milstead. He is survived by 7 grandchildren, including former communications director, Jimmy Milstead, of my staff; and 20 great grandchildren. Mr. Milstead lived a full life and was greatly beloved. He will be missed, but his legacy will long endure.

Mr. BABIN

Mr. BABIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of a long-time pillar of the Southeast Houston community, Marie Flickinger, who passed away on November 11, 2024. After becoming the first woman elected to the San Jacinto College District Board of Trustees in 1995, Marie served as Chair from 2007 to 2013 and again from 2017 until her retirement on November 4, 2024. She spent these nearly 30 years devoted to ensuring the institution's success, achieving numerous awards along the way. Many have referred to Marie as the honorary ``Mayor of South Belt'' due to her involvement in practically every aspect of the community, an extensive list that included the founding of the South Belt-Ellington Chamber of Commerce, the local newspaper, and St. Luke the Evangelist Catholic Church, as well as the organization of countless community events. As a co-founder and publisher of the South Belt-Ellington Leader, Marie became known for her work shedding light on the impact of the Brio Superfund site in the 1980s, which eventually led to its remediation. Marie also delved into the political arena, serving on two Mayoral Transition Committees for the City of Houston. Mr. Speaker, I have no doubt Marie's legacy will be remembered, and my prayers are with her family, her San Jacinto College family, and the South Belt community during this difficult time.

Mr. BABIN

Mr. BABIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of a longtime pillar of the southeast Houston community, Marie Flickinger, who passed away on November 11, 2024. After becoming the first woman elected to the San Jacinto College District Board of Trustees in 1995, Marie served as chair from 2007 to 2013 and again from 2017 until her retirement on November 4, 2024. She spent these nearly 30 years devoted to ensuring the institution's success, achieving numerous awards along the way. Many have referred to Marie as the honorary mayor of the South Belt, due to her involvement in practically every aspect of the community, an extensive list that includes the founding of the South Belt-Ellington Chamber of Commerce, the local newspaper, and Saint Luke the Evangelist Catholic Church as well as the organization of countless community events. She was a friend, and a friend of mine. As a cofounder and publisher of the South Belt-Ellington Leader, Marie became known for her work shedding light on the impact of the Brio Superfund site in the 1980s, which eventually led to its remediation. Marie also delved into the political arena, serving on two mayoral transition committees for the great city of Houston, Texas. Mr. Speaker, I have no doubt that Marie's legacy will be long remembered and my prayers are with her family, her San Jacinto College family, and the South Belt community during this difficult time.

Mr. BABIN

Mr. BABIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the University of Houston--Clear Lake in celebration of its 50th anniversary. The University of Houston--Clear Lake, also known as UHCL, opened in 1974 to support the aerospace industry near NASA's Johnson Space Center. Five decades later, it has become a vital part of the Southeast Houston community, offering more than ninety undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degree programs in science, business, education, and the arts. UHCL's physical growth during this time has included the addition of a second campus in Pearland in 2010 and its expansion into a four- year university in 2014, a move that significantly increased the student population. The university's founding emphasis on science and technology has also gone beyond its original purpose to embrace other scientific areas, highlighted by a partnership with the Texas Medical Center that began in 2004. Over 80,000 alumni have emerged from UHCL, many of whom are leaders in industries critical to our state and nation, including aerospace, healthcare, and education. However, the national recognition UHCL has received has never eclipsed the university's regional focus or its commitment to public service and empowerment of students to give back to their communities. Throughout its history, UHCL's leadership has worked diligently and harnessed every tool available to support and keep a center for higher education in the Clear Lake area. These leaders have included past presidents Alfred R. Neumann, Tom Stauffer, Glenn Goerke, Bill Staples, and Ira Blake. Since 2021, Dr. Richard Walker has admirably served as the university's sixth president. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to represent this esteemed institution that has contributed much to the Clear Lake area. Congratulations again to the University of Houston--Clear Lake on half a century of success. God Bless and Go Hawks.

Mr. BABIN

Mr. BABIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 75th anniversary of the Pasadena Livestock Show and Rodeo, which is proudly held in Pasadena, Texas. The Pasadena Rodeo began in 1949 to commemorate the city's farming and ranching roots as heavy industry began to replace farmland. Its founders' goal was to unite the growing city, offer opportunities for local youth, and illustrate how the business community, the cowboy, and rural lifestyles could come together in harmony. An important rodeo component was, and still is, promoting the values of being a cowgirl or cowboy: following through on one's commitments, setting goals, and achieving those goals both personally and professionally. For 75 years, attending the Pasadena Livestock Show and Rodeo has been a tradition for many families and businesses across the region. It continues to exhibit and pay tribute to the community's deep ties to its agricultural history and rich cowboy culture. Its livestock show now includes the Deer Park, La Porte, League City, and Pasadena school districts, with 12 high schools participating and hundreds of students packing the Ag Barn and exhibition spaces to showcase animals and projects. It has also grown to include an annual livestock auction, parades, carnivals, fairs, barbeque competitions, and several other events for thousands of visitors to enjoy. Mr. Speaker, I would like to sincerely congratulate everyone involved in the Pasadena Livestock Show and Rodeo, both past and present, for 75 years of success. May God continue to bless the people of Pasadena and the Pasadena Rodeo for many decades to come.

Mr. BABIN

Mr. BABIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 8958, the NASA Reauthorization Act of 2024. I am honored to represent the Johnson Space Center and privileged to chair the Space and Aeronautics Subcommittee. As an original cosponsor of this bill, I can share with you that it is the result of a lot of hard work. We were able to reach a bipartisan consensus that keeps NASA on track to return to the Moon, maintain our leadership role in low-Earth orbit, continue to explore our solar system and universe, and push the boundaries of flight. All too often, changes in administrations lead to upended plans at NASA. While ever-changing goals and priorities challenge all agencies, it is particularly problematic for NASA, which undertakes extremely complex programs that literally take decades to accomplish. The bill before us today provides the necessary guidance and support to ensure NASA's success and meet the rising challenge that the Chinese Communist Party poses to the United States in space. I hope that the other Chamber will seize the opportunity to take up this important piece of legislation before the end of this year so that NASA will have the certainty that it needs to carry out the bold activities that we have tasked it with. I also thank the chairman of the Science Committee, my friend from Oklahoma, Frank Lucas, for his support in drafting this legislation, as well as his leadership on the committee over the past 6 years. I also thank Ranking Members Lofgren and Sorensen for their collegiality through this process and for their important contributions to the bill. Finally, I thank the staff for their tireless work. Charlie Scales, Kelsey McBarron, Vishal Amin, Brent Blevins, and Tom Hammond from the majority staff and Pam Whitney and Ashlee Wilkins from the minority staff all put in a lot of time to get us where we are today. I thank them, as well.