Brian Babin

Mr. BABIN

Mr. BABIN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 2600, the ASCEND Act, sponsored by Representatives Hurd and Bonamici. Commercial remote sensing is an increasingly important part of the growing space economy. In recent years, technological advancements and lower launch costs have enabled American companies to expand their remote sensing capabilities and to deliver innovative, high-quality satellite data at competitive prices. Recognizing this potential, NASA established a pilot program in 2017 to assess how the agency could leverage commercial satellite data to support mission objectives. Through this effort, NASA gained valuable experience working directly with the commercial sector. The agency evaluated available satellite data, explored how it could advance scientific research and applications, and developed acquisition approaches that allowed for appropriate government use and dissemination. The pilot program demonstrated that commercially provided datasets can effectively complement NASA's existing capabilities. The ASCEND Act builds on that success by authorizing the Commercial Satellite Data Acquisition program within NASA's Science Mission Directorate. This legislation ensures that NASA can continue to evaluate, access, and utilize cost-effective, cutting-edge commercial data to advance its scientific research and applications. At the same time, it supports the growth of the space economy and strengthens the United States leadership in space. I thank Representatives Hurd and Bonamici for their bipartisan work to bring this bill to the House floor. Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to support the ASCEND Act, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Mr. BABIN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time to close. Mr. Speaker, over the past two decades, the United States commercial space sector has experienced significant growth and maturity. The Commercial Satellite Data Acquisition pilot program that NASA launched in 2017 is one example of how the agency has embraced this evolution. By enabling the continued acquisition of commercial satellite data, the ASCEND Act will complement NASA's scientific efforts and ensure that the agency has access to the innovative capabilities being developed by America's commercial space sector. The ability to procure this data will strengthen U.S. leadership in the global space industry. Again, I thank Representatives Hurd, Kean, and Bonamici for their work on this important legislation. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. BABIN

Mr. BABIN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3679) to require the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology to develop resources for small businesses in utilizing artificial intelligence, and for other purposes, as amended.

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. 3679, the bill that is now under consideration.

Mr. BABIN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to be here to support H.R. 3679, the Small Business Artificial Intelligence Advancement Act, sponsored by my colleagues, Representatives Mike Collins and Haley Stevens. American small businesses are the backbone of our economy, and it is essential that they leverage cutting-edge innovations to keep the United States at the forefront of the global economy. As chairman of the Science, Space, and Technology Committee, I have closely followed the accelerating growth of artificial intelligence, or AI, technologies and their wide-ranging applications across industries nationwide. Major U.S. companies are rapidly developing their own AI technologies and investing in the resources needed to integrate AI into their operations. AI holds tremendous promise. Incorporating it into a business model is complex and requires significant expertise and capital. As a result, many small businesses have not yet been able to fully unlock AI's potential. It is time to ensure small businesses can harness these capabilities as well, strengthening American entrepreneurship and competing with the Chinese Communist Party across every dimension of the AI race, including business innovation. This legislation directs the National Institute of Standards and Technology, or NIST, to develop and share practical resources to help small businesses better understand and adopt artificial intelligence technologies. This bill is a bipartisan effort to ensure American businesses remain competitive in the AI race and to reinforce our economic leadership globally. Mr. Speaker, I thank Representatives Collins and Stevens for their work on this very important legislation. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 3679, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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

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

Mr. BABIN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Mr. Speaker, the time to use artificial intelligence in business is now, and we must do everything we can to support small business efforts to harness the power of this technology. The National Institute of Standards and Technology can greatly help American small businesses understand and adopt AI to strengthen American businesses and our economy. H.R. 3679 will eliminate roadblocks to and increase implementation of AI. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bipartisan legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. BABIN

Mr. BABIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a distinguished leader in the maritime industry, retired United States Coast Guard Captain J.J. Plunkett, who is retiring after more than three decades of dedicated service to maritime safety, port operations, and national security. A 1987 graduate of the United States Coast Guard Academy, Captain Plunkett served in the Coast Guard for over twenty-two years, progressing from field inspector to senior executive leadership. His career in the Coast Guard had many stops serving as a Marine Inspector in Portland, Oregon; Chemical Transportation Advisory Committee (CTAC) Executive Assistant and Project Chemical Engineer at Coast Guard Headquarters; Chief of the Operations Department at Marine Safety Office Mobile, Alabama; Deputy Sector Commander of Sector Long Island Sound; and Captain of the Port of Marine Safety Unit Port Arthur, Texas. Following his service in the Coast Guard, Captain Plunkett has served for over fourteen years as the Chief Operating Officer and Port Agent for the Houston Pilot Association. In this role, J.J. provided strategic leadership over pilot operations, enhancing efficiency, safety protocols, and organizational excellence while serving as a trusted industry voice. The Houston Ship Channel is home to the largest petrochemical complex in the United States and the largest container port in the Gulf of Mexico. It contributes nearly one trillion dollars to our Nation's economy annually. Houston ranks first in U.S. exports and first in U.S. foreign tonnage. J.J. Plunkett's leadership and expertise help the Houston Pilots safely guide more than 8,200 vessels through the channel annually. On December 17, 2025, Captain Plunkett will retire after a distinguished maritime career with the United States Coast Guard and the Houston Pilots. Mr. Speaker, I wish my friend Captain J.J. Plunkett, his wife, Lori, their children and grandchildren. Fair Winds and Following Seas in the next chapter of their lives.

Mr. BABIN

Mr. BABIN. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. BABIN. Mr. Chair, pipelines and energy infrastructure are the backbone of American energy dominance, yet section 401 of the Clean Water Act, designed to protect our water quality, has too often become a roadblock for critical projects. Too many States are using this authority to block interstate natural gas pipelines, transmission lines, and other federally approved projects for reasons that have nothing whatsoever to do with water quality. These projects are routinely certified by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission as being in the national interest, yet they are never built because a single State can withhold or delay a 401 certification. We have all seen the consequences: delays that stretch on for years, procedural roadblocks that force applicants to withdraw and to resubmit just to restart the process, and legal hurdles so steep that a single denial can derail an entire multistate project or kill it altogether. Meanwhile, these very same States continue benefiting from the affordable, reliable energy produced in other parts of the country, even as they obstruct the pipelines needed for our Nation's development, economic security, and long-term competitiveness. This amendment tackles that problem head-on. It establishes expedited judicial review for major energy infrastructure projects, ensuring that the courts reach timely decisions. It also limits standing to the applicant or those who face direct or irreparable harm, preventing activist groups from weaponizing the process to stall projects that are essential to our power grid, economy, and, most importantly, national security. Mr. Chair, we cannot meet growing energy demand, power our data centers, or lead the world in AI without the infrastructure to move American energy. It is impossible. This amendment is a targeted, responsible solution, and a crucial step toward restoring America's energy dominance. Mr. Chair, I urge all of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support this amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BABIN. Mr. Chair, I thank the gentlewoman and understand her opposition, but her reasons for opposing this amendment are the very reasons that we need this amendment. We have a situation that has been weaponized, that has held up and killed many good projects that would lead to our energy independence and to those very States that she is talking about. Mr. Chair, I urge support of my amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BABIN. Mr. Chair, may I inquire as to the time remaining.

Mr. BABIN. Mr. Chair, I yield 1\1/4\ minutes to the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Rouzer).

Mr. BABIN. Mr. Chair, I reiterate exactly what we said in my opening statement and what Mr. Rouzer has stated. Many times, the opposition has nothing to do with clean water whatsoever. It has been weaponized. We need to expedite this, as Mr. Rouzer, my friend, said. Mr. Chair, this is extremely good for the environment, and I would still urge all my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support this amendment. Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. BABIN

Mr. BABIN. Mr. Speaker, due to illness, I was not able to vote. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 308, and YEA on Roll Call No. 309.

Mr. BABIN

Mr. BABIN. Mr. Speaker, due to illness, I was not able to vote. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 306, and YEA on Roll Call No. 307.

Mr. BABIN

Mr. BABIN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chair for the time. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 1949, the Unlocking our Domestic LNG Potential Act of 2025. I am proud to be an original cosponsor of this very important legislation. The United States is already the world's leading producer of oil and natural gas and also the top exporter of LNG. A whole lot of that energy comes straight out of my district in the great State of Texas. That is why it is long past time that we repeal the harmful, politically motivated Biden-era restrictions that have shackled and locked down our LNG industry. These restrictions did nothing but threaten American jobs, drive away investment, and undermine the energy security of our own allies and friends. H.R. 1949, led by my friend Representative August Pfluger from Texas, fixes this. It lifts restrictions on the import and export of natural gas and allows American LNG to flourish once again. Mr. Speaker, America should never ever voluntarily surrender its energy advantages, not when our production strengthens families, their paychecks, and communities, and certainly not when Texas and our Gulf Coast stand ready to supply LNG to the world safely, cleanly, and reliably. Energy security is national security. We must never forget this. I am proud to support this bill. It is a wise, good bill that will strengthen America. I urge my colleagues to join me in unlocking America's full LNG potential to achieve world energy dominance.

Mr. BABIN

Mr. BABIN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 782) expressing condolences and support for the victims of the July 4 flooding in Texas, honoring acts of heroism, and committing to stand with those impacted by these floods.

Mr. BABIN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and insert extraneous material into the Record on H. Res. 782.

Mr. BABIN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, this resolution also honors the brave first responders who risked their lives while rescuing over 850 souls. It further pledges our commitment to stand in solidarity with the survivors of this unspeakable tragedy and the families who lost loved ones. My own family has attended summer camps in the Hill Country for many generations, and my grandchildren were there only days before these tragic floods. The July floods stole the lives of over 135 innocent people, including 37 children, some of them my own constituents in District 36. It wreaked havoc on over 2,000 homes and businesses throughout Kerr County and inflicted $1.1 billion worth of damage on the residences across the Hill Country. Just seeing the tremendous damage in person done by this disaster was an unbelievable experience. I am very proud of the President's response. By swiftly issuing a major disaster declaration, FEMA has been able to approve $38 million in individual assistance, as well as $31 million in public assistance. This tragedy prompted the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, under my chairmanship, to pass the Weather Act Authorization. This legislation will improve emergency preparedness for communities nationwide and deliver vital enhancements to our forecasting capabilities, which is why it must be brought to the House floor soon. While the Federal response has been both vigorous and robust, it is the duty of this Congress to offer solace and comfort to the people of Texas. This resolution today will do just that. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman and my good friend from Texas-- this tragedy occurred in his district--Congressman Chip Roy, for his able leadership on this bipartisan resolution. Mr. Speaker, I urge support of this legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BABIN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Roy), the resolution's sponsor.

Mr. BABIN. Mr. Speaker, in closing, this resolution will cement unwavering support of this Congress to the brave folks from the great State of Texas. To honor the lives lost and the perseverance of the survivors, it is our duty to pass this resolution. Mr. Speaker, I urge support of H. Res. 782, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. BABIN

Mr. BABIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of a proud East Texan, beloved doctor, and my friend, Dr. Curtis Marion Garner. Curtis was reunited with his wife, Anne, after sixty-two years when he joined her in heaven on September 15, 2025. He was born to Curtis Mahan Garner and Verna Burkes Garner on December 30, 1934, in Livingston, Texas. His Garner ancestors were Republic of Texas settlers in 1835, in Polk County. Mr. Garner considered himself an East Texan through and through, believed he lived in the best place on earth, and was not wrong. Curtis graduated from Livingston High School as co-valedictorian with Anne Mahan, who later became his wife. He attended Baylor University and later graduated from the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, where he received several honors for medical school graduates. Following his internship, he and Anne settled in Woodville, Texas. Curtis served as a physician in Woodville, for over sixty years, from 1960 until his retirement in 2021. He also worked as a family physician for over thirty years in the Swearingen-Garner Medical Clinic and as an emergency room physician at Tyler County Hospital, where he was beloved by the many nurses, doctors, and other staff he served with throughout the years. Curtis and Anne were members of First Baptist Church of Woodville, where he served as a Sunday school teacher for almost sixty years. He was a man of faith and steadfastness who loved his family. Curtis and Ann had three children: their daughters Melissa Garner and Marian Ballard, and their son Curtis Mahan Garner. Their greatest joy was their grandchildren Evan, Barrett, Will, Elizabeth, Alison, Emily, Curtis, Madison, Zachary, and Mallory, as well as seventeen great- grandchildren. Curtis led a life distinguished by faith, compassion, and devotion as a Christian, father, and grandfather. His legacy of service and love remains an enduring inspiration to his family, community, and all who knew him.