Rick Crawford

Mr. CRAWFORD

Mr. CRAWFORD. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. CRAWFORD. First, let me thank the committee chairman and the staffs for their hard work in putting this bill together. I know it has taken a lot of time and the work of a lot of people to get it here today. Mr. Chairman, my amendment restores funding for the Mississippi River and Tributaries Project, which is the largest flood control project in the world, to its FY15 enacted levels. The MR&T is critical in preventing widely devastating floods and to ensure this waterway remains open and able to carry the massive stream of trade that is so vital to American commerce. The Mississippi River is a thriving economic thoroughfare in the United States, with billions of tons of cargo being transported up and down the river each year. The MR&T has played an integral role in protecting the lower Mississippi valley from floods and enabling continuous navigation along the Mississippi River and its tributaries. Since its inception in 1928, our Nation has received $45 for every dollar invested while preventing $612 billion in flood damages and protecting 4 million residents of the lower Mississippi River valley. The success of the project was on display in 2011, when the system withheld historic flooding that exceeded the benchmark set by the very 1927 flood which spurred the creation of the MR&T. Not only does the MR&T protect lives and property in the lower Mississippi valley, but it also promotes navigation along the river and its tributaries, and it helps support a vibrant agriculture economy. Over 500 million tons of cargo move on the Mississippi River system each year, saving billions of dollars in domestic transportation costs and giving U.S. businesses a natural advantage. At a time when the fiscal environment forces us to carefully evaluate where every dollar goes, I believe it is prudent to sufficiently fund projects like those covered under MR&T, which give taxpayers a return on their investment. I urge the support of this critical project. I thank the chairman for his consideration, and I look forward to continuing to work with the committee and the chairman through the appropriations process on this critical investment in the Midsouth region. Mr. Chair, at this time, I ask unanimous consent to withdraw my amendment.

Mr. CRAWFORD

Mr. CRAWFORD. I will make it quick, Mr. Chairman. I rise in support of this amendment. Just last year, the House voted unanimously to strip out funding for bonuses to Senior Executive Service employees at the VA because we were appalled by the heinous treatment of our veterans. And even though I opposed the legislation, later, both Chambers voted to reinstate many of these bonuses. Some of these executives are the very people who contributed to the plight of our VA hospitals. We can't allow this negligent behavior to continue to impact the care of those who sacrificed so much on behalf of our Nation's security. In fact, no award should be reinstated until significant improvements are made toward transparency. I want to make this point. In my home State of Arkansas, $8 million of Federal funds were used to build solar panels in a VA parking lot. But those panels have sat unplugged and inoperable for years, and now some of the panels are being torn down in order to make room for a parking garage that they knew in advance was coming, and yet they spent that money recklessly on another project. This is exactly the type of poor planning and behavior that shouldn't be rewarded, even though it has been. This amendment makes sure that no Federal funds in the MILCON-VA Appropriations Act are used to pay performance awards to VA senior officials. I encourage its passage.

Mr. CRAWFORD

Mr. CRAWFORD. Madam Speaker, John Paul Hammerschmidt was truly a visionary champion for Arkansas' conservative values in Congress, but we will all remember him for his humble dedication to our country and to our State. His leadership inspired new generations of Arkansans, including all of us rising today to honor his memory. A supremely successful ambassador for his district and, in fact, the entire State, John Paul helped build the airport and interstates that allowed northwest Arkansas to blossom into the success story it is today. Ten years ago John Paul said: ``We are all put on Earth to serve others, and being a Congressman gives you a lot of leverage to really serve a lot of people.'' Congressman Hammerschmidt truly embodied the spirit of public service, and his legacy is a powerful reminder for all public servants of why we are here and who we represent.

Mr. CRAWFORD

Mr. CRAWFORD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to my friend-- in fact, a friend to all of northeast Arkansas--Ed Way. In February, Ed passed away after a short battle with brain cancer. He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Dianna; his son-in-law, Phillip; daughters, Lindsey and Mary Catherine; and two granddaughters, Bailey and Weslea. Ed is also survived by his legacy, an incredible footprint of good works that won't soon wear away. Ed was a banker by education and practice, but he was also an ambassador for northeast Arkansas. Whether it was the annual D.C. fly- in by the Chamber of Commerce in Jonesboro or road games supporting the Arkansas State Red Wolves, Ed was a willing and eager promoter of all that northeast Arkansas has to offer. Ed's influence extends far beyond my own experiences. Countless others working with Ed recognized his leadership and good humor, but even beyond his job, his service with various Jonesboro civic clubs reflected Ed's desire to give back. He also served as a deacon at his church and was active with the Arkansas State Red Wolves athletic foundation. We often search for the best way to remember and celebrate the lives of our most inspiring leaders and our truest friends. Because Ed's life was a long road of community service, the best way for us to honor his memory is through the continuation of that work. His joyful devotion to our region set the gold standard for others to follow. By consistently striving towards that standard, we not only preserve Ed's legacy, but we honor the community he loved so much.

Mr. CRAWFORD

Mr. CRAWFORD. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to clause 1, rule I, I demand a vote on agreeing to the Speaker's approval of the Journal.

Mr. CRAWFORD. Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.

Mr. CRAWFORD

Mr. CRAWFORD. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize my friend, Pastor Tim Crumpton of Heber Springs, Arkansas, for his service today as guest chaplain of the House of Representatives. I have personally had the pleasure of knowing Pastor Crumpton for the past several years, and I am humbled by the leadership that he has shown his community through his dedication to God and Scripture. Ever since he was a young man, Pastor Crumpton has been involved in various ministries, and he holds a bachelor's degree and master's degree in Christian education. In 1995, he began traveling with his family, preaching in children's ministries, Christian youth camps, and singing in churches throughout the States and several countries abroad. Today, he serves as the pastor of the Cleburne County Baptist Church in Heber Springs, Arkansas. Tim and his wife, Shannon, met at a youth camp and will be celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary next month. They have five children, one daughter-in-law, and one grandson. Please join me in thanking Pastor Crumpton for leading us in prayer as today's guest chaplain of the House of Representatives.

Mr. CRAWFORD

Mr. CRAWFORD. Mr. Cramer, I appreciate the opportunity. It is an honor to be able to stand up and advocate on behalf of our broadcasters, who are not only my constituents and your constituents, but my colleagues, because I am, as you mentioned, a former broadcaster, and I know firsthand the importance of broadcasting, as you indicated, to local and national communities. You talked about a weather occurrence. Last week, my district and most of Arkansas was blanketed with ice. I can tell you with certainty that a good number of my constituents were tuned in to their local radio station, their local television station, to hear about school closures and to hear about road conditions and to hear about other community closures and shelters that might be available and any number of things that are necessary in times of weather that could put them in a position of distress, so it is very, very important. I have got some statistics here that really speak to the value proposition that they bring to our economy. In my district alone, there are 20 local television stations and 233 local radio stations in the State of Arkansas. That is statewide, not districtwide. These broadcasters contribute $9.83 billion to our State's GDP, and they have provided roughly 22,000 jobs in the State of Arkansas. Beyond Arkansas, in the entire country, local broadcasters account for 2.65 million jobs, and they provide--get this--$1.24 trillion to our GDP. As we talked about, they provide a variety of services to communities that they support. One of the things that I didn't mention, as a broadcaster, I was a farm broadcaster, so you can appreciate this, being from North Dakota. Most farmers rely on those market reports, weather reports, bug reports, disease reports, any number of things, information that is relevant to production agriculture that they rely on, so that was one of the things that helped launch my career. I was able to start a farm news network, operated it, started with four stations, and it is now up to 53 in a five-state area. All of that is very specific to the local community and what is grown and raised in those communities, and so farmers have come to rely on that, and I am sure it is the same in your home State of North Dakota. But I think the point that we are trying to make here is that every community is unique. Every community has their own needs, and no one knows those needs better than the broadcasters who serve those communities. I just want to say, as a Congress, I think it is our duty to support broadcasters who do so much for the region and their communities, and I appreciate you taking the time to make this hour happen.

Mr. CRAWFORD. Well, you touched on it right there. It is free, over the air, they can access it. They don't have to have any special tool other than a radio. Everybody's got a radio in their car or in their tractor, in their truck, in the office, whatever; and when everything else fails, you can't get a cell signal, you can't get your Internet, whatever, the radio is reliable. From the farmers' perspectives, which obviously I have an interest in, they rely heavily on that, and there is an element of trust. Their local broadcaster is usually a trusted source of information, so that is why it is so important and why they rely so heavily on their local broadcaster, whether that be their 6 p.m. news. I have been a news anchor on our local television station, and folks do become accustomed to hearing from you, and they trust that. Here is the other thing that is interesting about broadcasters: they are integrating new media in conjunction with their broadcasting, so it sort of supplements what their core mission is, to provide that service to the community over the airwaves. The great thing about broadcasters is they are very innovative. They are not a static business model. They are developing new technology, they are integrating new technology, and it all works together, with the core mission being to serve their communities. You see fundraising efforts for the Make-A-Wish Foundation on the local radio station. That is important. Radio stations and television stations are innovative in community support activities. AMBER Alerts, not only are they broadcasting those AMBER Alerts, but they are using texts and social media to supplement that and really help enhance their broadcasting efforts, too. There is a lot of these things that you can't get along without, I think, without our public broadcasters, our local community broadcasters--television and radio--who operate on the airwaves.

Mr. CRAWFORD

Mr. CRAWFORD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of my friend Eric Grant, an extension agent for the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture who will retire this week after 28 years of service to agriculture in my home county, Craighead County. For nearly three decades, Mr. Grant has faithfully dedicated himself to all aspects of agriculture, including row crops, livestock, horticulture, family and consumer sciences, and 4-H. While Mr. Grant has rightfully earned a reputation throughout northeast Arkansas for knowing his trade, he has done so while cultivating meaningful and lasting relationships as well. Our region's agricultural producers and families have not only contacted him seeking information from a trusted adviser, they have also reached out to him as friends. I can speak from experience about how Mr. Grant has helped me throughout the years, whether it involved my service as a TV news reporter, a farm broadcaster on the radio, or a legislator in the U.S. House of Representatives. As Mr. Grant prepares to retire on Thursday, I wish him many days that reflect his outstanding service to Craighead County agriculture. Mr. Speaker, please join me and all of northeast Arkansas in honoring the service of Eric Grant and wishing him a happy retirement.

Mr. CRAWFORD

Mr. CRAWFORD. I thank my colleague from Pennsylvania (Mr. Fitzpatrick) for his leadership on this. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 37 and would particularly like to comment on title V. In order to provide market transparency, the Dodd-Frank law requires post-trade reporting to Swap Data Repositories, or SDRs, as they are called, so that regulators and market participants have access to realtime market data that help identify systemic risk in the financial system. So far, we have made great strides in reaching this goal, but unfortunately, a provision in the law threatens to undermine our progress unless we fix it. Currently, Dodd-Frank includes a provision requiring a foreign regulator to indemnify a U.S.-based SDR for any expenses arising from litigation relating to a request for market data. Unlike the rest of the world, though, the concept of indemnification is only established within U.S. tort law. As a result, foreign regulators have been reluctant to comply with this provision, and international regulatory coordination is being thwarted. While the intent of the provision was to protect market confidentiality, in practice, it threatens to fragment global data on swap markets. Without effective coordination between international regulators and SDRs, monitoring and mitigating global systemic risk is severely limited. H.R. 37 fixes this problem by removing the indemnification provisions in Dodd-Frank. This has broad bipartisan support, and a separate bill to do this was unanimously approved last year by the House Ag Committee and the House Financial Services Committee. Additionally, last year, the SEC testified to the Financial Services Committee that a legislative solution was needed, saying: ``In removing the indemnification requirement, Congress would assist the SEC, as well as other regulators, in securing the access it needs to data held in global trade repositories.'' If left unresolved, the indemnification provision in Dodd-Frank has the potential to effectively reduce transparency and undo the great progress already being made through the cooperative efforts of more than 50 regulators worldwide. In passing this legislation, we will ensure that regulators will have access to a global set of swap market data, which is essential to maintaining the highest degree of market transparency and risk mitigation. I strongly urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this bill.

Mr. CRAWFORD

Mr. CRAWFORD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to highlight one of my favorite months of the year, initiated in 1991 by Congress. September is known as National Rice Month. With its healthy attributes, it should be no surprise that the typical American will consume, on average, 25 pounds of rice this year. Mr. Speaker, I represent the largest rice-producing district in all of America, and I also am cochairman of the Congressional Rice Caucus. I have seen firsthand for several years the hard work that producers in the First District of Arkansas put into making a crop year after year that feeds not only us here at home, but also feeds countless others across the world. So, as we stop and consider all the products here at home we have come to enjoy that include rice, let us also remember that our rice producers will export over 2 million metric tons of rice to markets all over the world this year. Our rice producers are feeding us here at home, Mr. Speaker, and they are also feeding the world.

Mr. CRAWFORD

Mr. CRAWFORD. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3044) to approve the transfer of Yellow Creek Port properties in Iuka, Mississippi.

Mr. CRAWFORD. 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 materials on H.R. 3044.

Mr. CRAWFORD. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, the Tennessee Valley Authority was created by Congress in 1933 to provide wholesale electric power and create economic development opportunities for those States in the Tennessee Valley region. The State of Mississippi initiated development of Yellow Creek Port in 1971 on 116 acres purchased from the TVA. Industrial growth, high- paying jobs, associated spinoff companies, and increased traffic on the Nation's inland waterway system have occurred because of the development of Yellow Creek Port. I would like to thank Congressman Alan Nunnelee for introducing H.R. 3044, legislation that will convey land from TVA to the State of Mississippi to provide economic development opportunities in the region. Nunnelee has been a leader on these types of activities since he was elected to Congress in 2010. The land being conveyed through this legislation will be used solely for industrial purposes and allow the State of Mississippi to expand the Yellow Creek Port to meet increasing demand. H.R. 3044 will execute the conveyance of the remaining 173 acres of property from TVA to the State of Mississippi to complete the development of Yellow Creek Port and fulfill one of TVA's missions of ensuring economic development opportunities in the TVA service area. Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to support H.R. 3044, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. CRAWFORD. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from Maryland for her support. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this important legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. CRAWFORD

Mr. CRAWFORD. I thank the chairman of the Agriculture Committee, and I certainly appreciate the chairman of the Subcommittee on Waterways for his leadership. I rise today in support of H.R. 935. Mr. Speaker, the last thing we need in agriculture right now is more regulation. Pesticides are and have been an integral part of insuring that our Nation continues to produce the world's most abundant, safe, and affordable food supply. As it stands today, pesticides already go through a minimum of 125 safety tests before being registered for use. On top of that, they are subject to strict labeling and usage requirements, as the Agriculture Committee chairman alluded to in his remarks. Passage of H.R. 935 will clarify congressional intent that Clean Water Act permits are not required for lawful pesticide applications and protect pesticide users from abusive lawsuits.

Mr. CRAWFORD

Mr. CRAWFORD. I thank the chairman. I am glad to be here today in support of H.R. 4315 and to emphasize the point that this is not just a Western thing. We certainly hear a lot about Oregon's northern spotted owl, about California's delta smelt, and we have heard about--the lesser prairie chicken has been cited, but I doubt many of you have heard about the rabbitsfoot mussel. I have a map here that indicates the range of the rabbitsfoot mussel, and I can assure you the folks in Arkansas, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Louisiana, and Missouri have become very well familiar with the rabbitsfoot mussel. What the critical habitat designation proposal could do, and certainly in States like Arkansas where 70 percent of Arkansas' rivers and streams would be impacted, it would have a direct and costly impact on farmers and ranchers and municipalities who rely on those waterways for drinking water, private landowners and local governments who are trying to build and improve roads and bridges, and small and large businesses across the State of Arkansas that use water in manufacturing the products that help keep Americans employed. The 21st Century Endangered Species Transparency Act will go a long way to bringing some common sense and sanity back to the protection of vulnerable species, and that is what we should be about.

Mr. CRAWFORD

Mr. CRAWFORD. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for his work on H.R. 5021, which I rise in support of this afternoon, which provides greater certainty and sufficient funding for infrastructure projects across the Nation. Without an immediate solution for the highway trust fund, our State highway departments are left wondering if there will be adequate funding to continue any infrastructure improvement. In March of this year, the Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department warned that, without congressional action to remedy the highway trust fund shortfall, continuing with highway and infrastructure contracts that were scheduled for April letting would have threatened the ability to pay contractors. As a result, 10 vital projects totaling over $60 million were either put on hold or forced to find alternative methods of temporary financing. My colleagues have described similar scenarios in their own States, meaning that across the Nation new infrastructure projects have already ground to a halt, threatening general contractors, their employees, suppliers, and putting at risk the jobs that are both directly and indirectly supported by these projects. I think most lawmakers can agree that ensuring that we have a reliable and modern infrastructure on land, water, rail, and air is critical. With the Senate announcing last week an agreement with Chairman Camp and House leaders to enact a short-term funding solution, we can now turn our attention back to a multiyear transportation bill that will provide long-term assurance to States for financing infrastructure improvements. In moving forward with a long-term bill, we can spend time with stakeholders and constituents--the ultimate users of the infrastructure--and allow them to weigh in on what is being considered. As we return our focus to long-term legislation, we must also examine how to reform the highway trust fund so that taxpayers will know how their dollars are being spent. With costs increasing and funds at a premium, we owe our constituents a more transparent system that demonstrates effective use of their money on infrastructure improvement. I hope my colleagues will join me in supporting H.R. 5021, and I look forward to working on a long-term, comprehensive transportation bill to ensure our Nation's future growth. We can't continue to beat the drum to attract businesses, add jobs, and improve the economy if we are not willing to use our authority to invest in our Nation's infrastructure.

Mr. CRAWFORD

Mr. CRAWFORD. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. CRAWFORD. Mr. Chairman, first, I want to thank the chairman and the committee for their hard work putting this bill together. I know it has taken a lot of time and effort to get here, and I appreciate that. My amendment addresses a very real threat to the lives and livelihoods of Arkansans and Americans across the country and the citizens and businesses in areas of the depletion of aquifers and lack of water for agriculture during times of drought. The Bayou Meto and Grand Prairie projects in my district, which are well on the way to completion, will provide an economical and environmentally sensible alternative for protecting aquifers from catastrophic depletion and provide both a renewable agriculture water supply, as well as a valuable role in water quality and quantity control efforts for one of our Nation's most critical waterways, the Mississippi River. In most of the Mississippi Delta, aquifers provide significant portions of water used for ag irrigation. With the increasing water demands of agriculture, businesses, and municipalities, aquifers across the country, especially the alluvial and Sparta-Memphis aquifers which supply much of the Mississippi Delta, face the increasing threat of depletion. This takes the immediate form of drastically lowering well yields and the requirement to drill more often and deeper to access sufficient quantities of water. Bayou Meto and Grand Prairie were designed to address the threat of aquifer depletion, both to ease demands on aquifers and to ensure a steady and renewable water supply for agriculture in Arkansas' Mississippi Delta region. First authorized in 1996, these projects are a framework of canals, pumps, and pipes that pull excess water from the delta's rivers in times of abundance and store it for future use. During periods of drought, farmers are able to take from those canals and reservoirs, instead of further depleting the aquifers or taking from the rivers and streams that feed the Mississippi, helping ensure a continued and reliable water supply, both for agriculture and municipalities. In addition to the ag benefits, Bayou Meto and Grand Prairie will work to ease demands on the water table, help mitigate the flood damage done to homes and businesses, ensure a safe and steady food and water supply for American citizens, and provide a habitat for various amphibians and waterfowl across the South. Most importantly, Bayou Meto and Grand Prairie will support jobs for a region of our country persistently above the national unemployment rate. Without these two important projects, Mississippi Delta farmers will be forced to continue depleting aquifers, the same aquifers municipalities and businesses depend on, risking losing their livelihood. Mr. Chairman, with that, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. CRAWFORD. Will the gentleman yield?

Mr. CRAWFORD. I thank the chairman for his commitment. Mr. Chairman, I ask unanimous consent to withdraw my amendment.

Mr. CRAWFORD

Mr. CRAWFORD. Mr. Chairman, I rise to engage in an important colloquy with Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman Aderholt of Alabama and the ranking member of the Livestock Subcommittee on the House Ag Committee, Mr. Costa of California, regarding the issue of mandatory country of origin labeling, or COOL, for beef, pork, and poultry. Mr. Chairman, as you know, I strongly support discontinuing the overreaching country of origin labeling regulations that not only burden our Nation's livestock industry, but threaten massive retaliatory tariffs from Canada and Mexico on a vast range of U.S. industry and products. I appreciate your work in the Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee to include a directive in the bill's report language requiring USDA to discontinue enforcement of COOL, should the WTO compliance panel rule against the United States when they make their decision in a few weeks. However, I believe the final appropriations bill should include the strongest language possible to prevent any further harm to the livestock industry and all industries threatened on the retaliatory trade list. COOL represents yet another failed policy of the Federal Government, imposing costly and burdensome mandates on private sector industry. While the primary goal of COOL is to give American-grown meat a competitive advantage, the result has been exactly the opposite. As a direct result of this policy, we are not only seeing sharp increases in the cost of marketing and selling beef and pork, but trade retaliation from our closest trading partners will cost us billions of dollars in trade, which will kill U.S. jobs, harm our competitiveness, and have a long-term negative impact on American industry. As you prepare for conference, I hope we can work together to make sure the final bill provides the most appropriate response to this problem. With that, I yield to the gentleman from California (Mr. Costa).