Ken Calvert

Mr. CALVERT

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

Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, I point out to my friend from the State of Washington that the earthquake warning system that we both worked on is below the House number by $9.4 million. So that is unfortunate. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Westerman).

Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Mr. Speaker, I have served on the Appropriations Committee for a long time, and I am proud of the work that we have been able to accomplish in a bipartisan and bicameral manner, which is the history of the Appropriations Committee. Unfortunately, the Senate bill before us today forces us to choose between abdicating our constitutional obligations and underfunding important programs in a way that is unacceptable to me and my constituents. I am afraid this is a bad precedent, and I hope that this does not happen in the future: we just accept whatever the Senate determines is the proper path forward. I am disheartened by the Democrats' closed process that throws our bipartisan House priorities and will neither secure our borders nor reopen the government. Rather than passing bills to score political points, I urge my friends on the other side of the aisle to work with us to find a solution that reflects the will of the House, will pass in the Senate, and will be signed by the President. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. CALVERT. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I rise in opposition to H.R. 266, the Democratic proposal for funding the Department of the Interior, the Environmental Protection Agency, and related agencies for the remainder of fiscal year 2019. This bill is almost entirely a Senate product. As such, it ignores the bipartisan priorities of the House and, perhaps even worse, it abdicates congressional responsibility under the Constitution to keep the executive branch in check. Before I get into the details of the bill, however, I want to take a moment to congratulate my friend and colleague, Betty McCollum, for her appointment as the new chair of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies. She has been a tireless advocate for programs under the jurisdiction of this subcommittee, a firm but fair overseer of agency operations, a tough negotiator and, above all, a good friend. She will be an outstanding chair. I wish her well, and I look forward to working with her in both of our new capacities. Madam Speaker, over the past year, Ms. McCollum and I worked in collaboration to write a bill representing the needs and priorities of the House. We held nine budget oversight hearings, including four hearings with nearly 80 Tribal leaders regarding programs that honor treaty rights promised to our Native American brothers and sisters. We wrote a bill that accommodated, in some shape or form, roughly 93 percent of all House Member requests, regardless of party. On top of that, when the bill came to the House floor, 70 amendments were debated and 50 were adopted. And when told to begin negotiating the House-passed bill last year, we defended it against competing priorities in the Senate. We came together on numerous topics to write report language directives that maintain a check on the executive branch. I am extremely proud of our work. We are so close to a final product. We shouldn't be throwing it all away with the bill before us today, a bill that the Senate has already said it will not consider and the President will not sign. Let me highlight just a few of the House priorities missing in this product which concern me the most, and which are likely to concern our colleagues on both sides of the aisle. First and foremost, the bill leaves behind all congressional report language directives. These directives are critical for keeping the executive branch in check. These directives are also the conduit through which the concerns of our constituents back home are heard directly by agency officials at the highest levels. All of our colleagues in the House who have worked with their constituents and worked with the Appropriations Committee over the past year to craft these directives understand the effort that went into them and the impact they have on people's lives back home. The bill before us today throws that away, all that important work. We included language to protect the California WaterFix from frivolous lawsuits in order to move forward a water supply project that is critically important to my constituents. By taking up this Senate bill, I am prevented from even fighting for my constituents. But this isn't about my priorities; this is about all of the bipartisan priorities of the House of Representatives that are flushed away by rubber-stamping the Senate bill. The bill provides $12 million less than last year's House-passed bill for the U.S. Geological Survey's natural hazards research and early warning system, the earthquake system, and $21 million less for the Forest Service and Department of the Interior to clear dead and dying trees from our forests in order to prevent more catastrophic wildfires like the kind we experienced in my own State of California. These ounce-of-prevention programs save lives and save money. With so many fires, earthquakes, volcanoes, and other natural disasters in recent years, these programs should be a higher funding priority than they are in this bill. Additionally, this bill provides $77 million less than the House Republican bill for EPA's WIFIA, brownfields, and Superfund remedial programs. These programs provide regulatory relief, leverage Federal dollars, improve water infrastructure, and spur economic development. Instead, this bill increases funding for EPA regulatory programs. In many parts of the country, particularly agricultural States, EPA regulations and additional red tape are a bipartisan concern. Even popular EPA grant programs, like the diesel emission reduction grants, DERA, and targeted airshed grants, were significantly reduced in this bill. The DERA and targeted airshed grants are essential to my home State of California, where air quality remains one of our biggest concerns. My State and constituents rely on these grant programs to help improve air quality and public health by accelerating the replacement of older engines with new, cleaner engines. For our National Park System, the bill before us today falls $27 million short of the House-passed level for park operations and reducing the maintenance backlog. With park visitation on the rise, this is no time to cut corners on the budget. This bill also lacks important reforms for implementation of the Endangered Species Act, and it lacks the funding needed to prevent the sage grouse from being listed. Failure to prevent a listing will hurt local economies in 11 Western States and undermine our Nation's energy security. This bill is almost $10 million below last year's House-passed bill in funding for historic preservation grants, including civil rights grants and grants to underserved communities. The House felt so strongly about these programs that it added $5 million in multiple amendments on the House floor last year. Why would we give up all that funding by acceding to the Senate? Last, but certainly not least, this bill falls $160 million short of last year's House-passed bill in funding treaty obligations to American Indians and Alaska Natives through the Department of the Interior and the Indian Health Service. Earlier this week, USA Today was the latest news agency to run a front page article on the sad state of healthcare in Indian Country, which is funded mostly through the Indian Health Service in this bill. Funding for the Indian Health Service in this bill is $135 million below last year's House-passed level. For an Indian health system that already is rationing the kind of healthcare that most of us take for granted, every dollar makes a difference in the quality of life of one of our fellow Americans whose ancestors paid in advance with their lives and their land to guarantee that the Federal Government would care for the health of their descendants. Properly funding this obligation is not optional. The House heard from nearly 80 tribal leaders in hearings last year about the importance of funding these programs. Let's not turn our backs on them now, acceding to the Senate position. Madam Speaker, for these reasons and others, I am strongly opposed to this bill, H.R. 266, and I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to stand up for their constituents' priorities and oppose the bill as well. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. CALVERT. Madam Speaker, I yield as much time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Granger), the ranking member of the Appropriations Committee.

Mr. CALVERT. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Alabama (Mr. Aderholt).

Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume to point out that leaders in the Border Patrol want a barrier as a part of securing the border. Most people the majority leader mentioned are also in favor of a barrier as part of securing the border, as that is something that acts like, using a football metaphor, an offensive line. It slows people down in order for technology and people at that point to pick up people who are coming into this country illegally with drugs or otherwise illegal activity. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Joyce).

Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from the great State of Utah (Mr. Stewart).

Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, the bill under consideration has $21 million less for a major House priority than what was included in the fiscal year 2019 Interior and Environment bill passed in the last Congress. I am talking about doing more to prevent and stop catastrophic wildfires. For the past 4 fiscal years, the House has prioritized funding to improve our national forests and other Federal forestland through the Department of the Interior's and the Forest Service's hazardous fuels reduction programs. These programs use methods such as thinning, prescribed burns, and removing underbrush to help unhealthy forests return to a healthy condition. In fiscal year 2018, Congress provided $614 million for these programs. Last year, the House-passed bill increased that amount by $30 million for fiscal year 2019. The bill before us today, H.R. 266, only provides a $9 million increase. My motion to recommit will fix this major problem and save lives. The increase is offset by a reduction in the Bureau of Land Management's deferred maintenance account and the Forest Service's capital improvement and maintenance account. These infrastructure programs received significant increases in fiscal year 2018, and they have a large carryover balance. Mr. Speaker, my bottom line is that I cannot support a bill that does less to prevent catastrophic wildfires. My home State of California experienced deadly and record-setting wildfires last year. I was with the President; former Governor Brown and current Governor Newsom; our minority leader; and our colleague, Congressman LaMalfa, in Paradise late last year. In 2017, I also visited Santa Rosa with my colleague from the northern part of the State, Congressman Mike Thompson. The devastation I saw was indescribable and heartbreaking. While we can and should continue to debate what more needs to be done to improve the health of our Nation's forests, I am proud that the Interior and Environment Subcommittee, on a bipartisan and bicameral basis, has led the way. The subcommittee successfully negotiated a forest management reform package and fire-borrowing fix as part of the fiscal year 2018 omnibus appropriations bill. It allowed for more on-the-ground forest management activities. These are the activities that prevent the natural cycle of fires from exploding into terrible conditions. It provided smarter budgeting for wildfire suppression costs. The budgeting reforms go into effect in fiscal year 2020. I am certain that the new chair on the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Subcommittee, my distinguished colleague and friend from Minnesota, looks forward to that. It has been a pleasure to work with her as partners on the forest management and wildland fire budgeting issues. Yet, there is more that we need to do. Today we can start by supporting this motion. It will send a strong message to the Senate that they should focus on this issue. More importantly, it will show Californians and other Americans affected by wildfire that the House is doing something about this problem. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the motion, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from Idaho (Mr. Simpson), the former chairman of the committee.

Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. Cole), my friend.

Mr. CALVERT

Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and pay tribute to James ``Jim'' Robinson, who passed away on Tuesday, December 4, 2018. Jim was an active and influential leader in Riverside County throughout his life and he will be deeply missed. Jim was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where he developed asthma at a young age. To help provide him some relief, Jim's family moved to California for drier air and a warmer climate. He graduated from San Bernardino High School and earned his bachelor's degree from California State Los Angeles. While in college, Jim enlisted in the Army National Guard, earning the Distinguished Cadet Honor and obtained the rank of Staff Sergeant. Jim continued his education throughout his career, obtaining his graduate degree from Southern Methodist University. Jim later completed Stanford University's Financial Management Program in 1983 and the Harvard University Graduate School of Business Executive Program in 1987. Jim launched his career in banking as a messenger for Security First National Bank which later became Security Pacific National Bank. He entered the bank's management training program and upon graduation oversaw the operations of a series of larger bank branches in the Inland Empire. During his career with Security Pacific National Bank, Jim would serve as a Regional Manager and a Division Manager before deciding to retire from the bank in 1992. He was then immediately hired as the President and CEO of Riverside National Bank, at which he served as an executive until again retiring in 2003. In 2005, Jim and a group of regional leaders formed Security Bank of California, a new community bank headquartered in Riverside. Jim served as the Chairman and CEO until the bank was sold in 2016 and he retired for the last time. During his career, Jim felt it was important to give back to the communities he served and sat on numerous boards in the regions he worked, including in Fresno, Los Angeles, Riverside and San Bernardino Counties. Jim was preceded in death by his first wife Shirley Wilkins Robinson and his daughter Kristen Robinson Olsen. He is survived by his wife of 33 years, Barbara Robinson, his son Jamie Robinson, Jr., Jamie's wife Melissa and their two daughters, Grace and Gabrielle, as well as son- in-law Craig Olsen and granddaughter Mallory Olsen. I want to extend my heartfelt condolences to the entire Robinson family, his friends, and everyone who had the pleasure of knowing him. Although Jim may be gone, the many contributions he made in Riverside County will have a lasting impact.

Mr. CALVERT

Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. McHenry). Recognizing Parker Poling

Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from California, Kevin McCarthy, our Republican leader, our majority leader.

Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for those remarks. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from California (Mr. LaMalfa).

Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from California (Mr. McClintock).

Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from California (Mr. Denham).

Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from California (Mr. Valadao).

Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from California (Mr. Rohrabacher), the Dean of the California delegation.

Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the invaluable contributions made by my California Republican delegation colleagues who are departing at the conclusion of this term. I consider these individuals more than colleagues. I consider them my friends, and I am deeply disappointed they will not be joining us in the next session of Congress. Every one of them has served in the House with distinction, making this institution better for having them a part of it. They have represented their constituents and our State well by understanding the unique challenges they faced and effectively fighting for solutions. The booming voice from Jeff Denham is as unmistakable as it is effective advocating for California's Central Valley. He knows it is pretty difficult to farm without a reliable water supply, so he helped lead the charge for many sensible water policies that help our Nation's fruit and vegetable farmers keep American-grown produce on the dining room tables around the country. Darrell Issa made a name for himself in the car alarm industry before he came to Congress, where he sounded the alarm on the executive branch misconduct. As a leader on the Oversight and Government Reform Committee, Darrell held our fellow agencies to account for their actions and was a staunch defender of American taxpayers. Steve Knight comes from a family well known for public service. Steve proudly carried on that tradition by serving in the Army for 8 years, then the Los Angeles Police Department for 18 years. Steve then came to Congress, bringing his tremendous experience to the House Armed Services Committee, where he has made a big impact. The dean of the California Republican delegation, Dana Rohrabacher, always brings a unique perspective to any conversation. Since his days in the Reagan White House, Dana has been a constant voice for the defense of liberty and freedom. He has also been a gnarly champion for California's legendary surfing community. Ed Royce and I were both members of the incoming freshman class of 1993. As a longtime member and now chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Ed has served as an effective advocate for American interests and allies around the globe. I have seen firsthand how especially tireless he is in being a voice for the safety and liberty of people so desperate for someone to come to their aid. And to cap it off, Ed's tribute video featured Bono singing his praises. David Valadao is a Member of the House who truly understands what it means to be a champion for his district. David has never been interested in partisan politics. He just wants to deliver results for the Central Valley of California. Working with David to solve California's water challenges and serving with him on the Appropriations Committee has been an absolute pleasure and honor. Anyone who spends any time with Mimi Walters knows that she is the toughest member of the California Republican delegation. I think you have heard that a number of times. When our delegation needs to get something done, you can always count on Mimi to be front and center in the fight. Her tenacity in advancing worthwhile policies will be sorely missed by our delegation, our conference, and the House. Time and time again, our California Republican delegation has come together to respond to the needs of our State, whether it was a serious drought, a disease threatening to wipe out our citrus farmers, horrific wildfires and the flooding and mudslides that follow them, there is no group of representatives I would rather lock arms with to fight for those solutions that our constituents need. Mr. Speaker, Teddy Roosevelt so brilliantly said, ``It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena.'' The departing members of the California delegation all leave with pride of knowing they served in the arena and spent themselves in a worthy cause. Again, I am grateful for their service and especially for their friendship. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Mimi Walters).

Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, reclaiming my time, I yield to the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. McHenry).

Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. McHenry).

Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Maine (Mr. Poliquin).

Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, I thank the leader. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Hudson).