Jeff Duncan

Mr. DUNCAN

Mr. DUNCAN. Madam Chair, I rise today with an amendment to ensure that no funds go to the Obama-era Clean Power Plan. In 2015, Obama's Environmental Protection Agency published a final rule for the Clean Power Plan, with the intent to reduce CO2 emissions from the existing fossil fuel power plants by 32 percent by 2030. It set specific and stringent limits on greenhouse gas emissions for each State based on its electricity mix. While this sounds well intended, it is important that we look at the costly and burdensome reality of the so-called Clean Power Plan. It would cause a slew of economic, environmental, and legal problems. Families and businesses would be hit the hardest with more expensive energy and utility bills. And for what? According to climatologist Paul Knappenberger: ``Even if we implement the CPP to perfection, the amount of climate change averted over the course of this century amounts to about 0.02 centigrade. This is so small as to be scientifically undetectable and environmentally insignificant.'' It is evident that the Clean Power Plan is nothing more than a feel- good environmental regulation promulgated by the radical environmental left and is based on a trajectory that is negligible, all while driving up the cost for average American families. Beyond the negligible effects of the Clean Power Plan, it is legally unfounded and may even be unconstitutional. In the words of Laurence Tribe, who testified before Congress: ``EPA is attempting an unconstitutional trifecta: usurping the prerogatives of the States, Congress, and the Federal courts--all at once. Burning the Constitution should not become part of our national energy policy.'' Because of its legal issues, more than half the States in the country petitioned the Supreme Court to pause the Clean Power Plan implementations. A stay was issued in 2016. I strongly commend the Trump administration for taking action on this issue this week and replacing the Clean Power Plan with the Affordable Clean Energy rule. This move paves the way for affordable and clean energy, and I encourage my colleagues to support my amendment and support continued American energy dominance. Madam Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. DUNCAN. Madam Chair, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Gosar), one of the cosponsors of this amendment.

Mr. DUNCAN. Madam Chair, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentlewoman from Arizona (Mrs. Lesko), one of the other cosponsors of this amendment.

Mr. DUNCAN. Madam Chair, I urge my colleagues to support this amendment. Madam Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. DUNCAN. Madam Chair, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. DUNCAN. Madam Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. DUNCAN. Madam Chair, I rise today with an amendment at the desk to ensure that we develop energy resources located in a small part of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. This development is long overdue, and the decision of Congress to authorize that development through the historic tax reform legislation should not be revisited. We should proceed as planned to further American energy dominance. The opening of a small part of ANWR for oil and gas drilling will increase access to our resources and will help decrease the prices of oil and gas for the American people. Alaska contains 192 million acres of parks, refuges, wilderness areas, and nature preserves, and 19.5 million acres of this is in ANWR. Before tax reform and the opening of ANWR, 92 percent of the 19.5 million couldn't legally be touched by drilling. The law changed to open new opportunities for responsible energy development, and we shouldn't backtrack. This area was set aside to be opened in 1980 by a Democrat-controlled Congress and is limited to 2,000 Federal acres, just 0.0001 percent of the ANWR. We should move forward with the development of this region as it will create jobs, lower prices of oil and gas, and continue to move us forward with American energy dominance. I encourage my colleagues to support this amendment and our continued energy success in the United States, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. DUNCAN. Madam Chairwoman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Alaska (Mr. Young), who is one of the cosponsors of the amendment and the dean of the House.

Mr. DUNCAN. Madam Chair, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Gosar).

Mr. DUNCAN. Madam Chair, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Joyce).

Mr. DUNCAN. Madam Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. DUNCAN. Madam Chair, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. DUNCAN

Mr. DUNCAN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to call up H.R. 3056, an emergency supplemental to provide the critically needed funding for the humanitarian crisis at the border, and I ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. DUNCAN

Mr. DUNCAN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to oppose the rule and the underlying legislation that is both ill-advised and misguided. The environment in the United States isn't getting dramatically worse as those on the other side claim. We are using more while actually reducing air pollutants. The total emissions of the six major air pollutants has dropped by 68 percent since 1970. This is a feat no other country has accomplished. How did we do this? These milestones have been reached due to free- market innovation and technological advances only possible in a capitalistic society. This is how to solve problems, not through disastrous plans like the Paris climate accord that imposes burdensome and costly regulations not approved by Congress. Remember that: not approved by Congress. The accord, which was negotiated unilaterally by the Obama administration with little congressional oversight, was flawed in both process and substance. The Obama administration skipped the ratification process in the Senate and tied the American people's hands through executive power. In fact, I offered an amendment in committee to delay this legislation until the Senate performed their constitutional duty, but the other side would rather send billions of taxpayer dollars to other countries without congressional approval. If the American people are forced to put aside their personal needs in order to help the global good, the Constitution should be followed, and the Senate should perform their proper role. The substance of the Paris climate accord was equally flawed and would have significantly damaged the American economy. It is estimated that the Paris climate accord would result in a loss of 400,000 jobs, a total income loss of $20,000 or more per family of four, and an aggregate gross domestic product loss of over $2.5 trillion. While causing harm to the U.S. economy, the accord does nothing to hold the biggest offenders of the emissions accountable, nations like Russia and China. Again, an amendment was offered in committee to hold these nations--Russia and China--to the same standards the United States would be held to and it was shot down by the other side. We can't have effective climate policy that puts the United States at a disadvantage to its main security and economic competitors in the world. This is not an America First agenda. This legislation is more of a redistribution of wealth scheme than actual sound environmental policy.

Mr. DUNCAN. I think it is telling when former U.N. climate official Ottmar Edenhofer said regarding international climate policy, ``We redistribute de facto the world's wealth by climate policy.'' Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to defeat this rule and defeat the underlying legislation.

Mr. DUNCAN

Mr. DUNCAN. Mr. Speaker, tonight, I rise to remember and pay tribute to the late Senator Fritz Hollings, who was a true statesman through and through. As Governor Henry McMaster said on Saturday, learning of Senator Hollings' passing: ``One of South Carolina's greatest lions roars no more.'' Those are powerful words to describe Senator Hollings. His life was dedicated to the service of South Carolina and the United States, and the positive impact he made on our communities will be felt for years to come. I heard fine words from Mr. Clyburn earlier; he talked about his career. But Senator Hollings' career spanned for many decades, beginning with his graduation from The Citadel to his service as an artillery officer fighting for freedom during World War II. Like many in the Greatest Generation, he put his life on the line for our country at a very young age. He then moved into service on behalf of the constituents of South Carolina in a variety of roles, including Lieutenant Governor, Governor, and, most notably, here in the Halls of Congress, where he spent decades--36 years, I think--serving as a United States Senator. He became well known as a national figure, a trailblazer, a respected fighter and champion for the American people in so many areas, including commerce and defense. I met him in 1987 when I was working for Senator Strom Thurmond. He will go down as one of the most effective Senators on record, and it is safe to say, there will be no one else like Senator Hollings. Beyond his work ethic and advocacy for South Carolina, he was known as a genuine person, respected by folks from all walks of life, from every political party and from all 50 States. His decades of work left South Carolina and our Nation better off; for that, there is no doubt. He was the true embodiment of selflessness and public service. His legacy will be felt for generations to come. My prayers and condolences are with his loved ones, as well as appreciation for all he did for the lives of all of us. God bless his family as they mourn the loss of a true giant, selfless public servant, and, definitely, a dedicated leader.

Mr. DUNCAN

Mr. DUNCAN. Mr. Chairman, I rise to strongly oppose H.R. 1. This is an egregious assault on the fundamental rights and freedoms of Americans. H.R. 1, really, is a fight over liberty. This is a fight over the constitutional duties and roles of the States, one of which being the role in conducting elections. Article I, section 4 says clearly, ``The times, places, and manner of holding elections for Senators and Representatives, shall be prescribed in each State by the legislature thereof.'' Having individual States conduct elections has been vital to preserving the integrity and security of elections across the country. But this debate really is about the Democrats' desire to centralize power here in one place, Washington, D.C. Instead of actively giving more power to Washington bureaucrats, we should be divesting power away from the expansive Federal Government, and reserving that power for the States, because that is the way the Founding Fathers designed our Republic. But, sadly, this bill is nothing but a top-down power grab by the Democrats using the Federal Government to micromanage the electoral process, impose limits on free speech, and further impose unconstitutional mandates. Mr. Chair, this is not the liberty our Founders intended. In fact, this is a dangerous proposal that centralizes power, enhances Big Government in Washington, and takes decisionmaking power out of the hands of the States and the people. Let's ask ourselves: Is this the proper and constitutional role of the Federal Government? And the answer to that question is, no. H.R. 1 encroaches on the liberties and powers of the Constitution reserved for the States and the people, and I oppose this type of power grab. I think that is what so infuriates so many Americans. We take an oath here to uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States. We shouldn't be passing bills like H.R. 1. We should be passing bills that preserve the liberty and freedom enshrined in the Constitution. I encourage all Members to adamantly oppose this legislation, because if you take your oath seriously--because we aren't voting for a fancy title of a bill, when you actually read the language of this legislation, you see that it undermines the Constitution and the rights of every single American across the country, under the guise of making elections safer.

Mr. DUNCAN

Mr. DUNCAN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for yielding me time. Mr. Speaker, as the former chairman of the Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus and an avid outdoorsman, I rise today in support of S. 47, the Natural Resources Management Act. But let's be clear. Where does most of the funding come from to fund the Land and Water Conservation Fund? The Land and Water Conservation Fund is overwhelmingly funded by royalties from offshore oil and gas leasing on the Outer Continental Shelf. It is funded mostly from money energy companies that produce fossil fuels pay the Federal Government. Even though we are going to overwhelmingly, even with bipartisan support, permanently reauthorize a program that has enjoyed success since 1964, it will remain in jeopardy. Why? Because many of the Democrats supporting this have also supported this asinine, illogical, and scientifically unfounded proposal called the Green New Deal. A shift under the Green New Deal away from oil and gas to complete dependence on renewables, and you can kiss this fund good-bye. How will they propose to pay for the Land and Water Conversation Fund? I can assure you it won't be from royalties generated by renewable energy. It will be from higher taxes. I support energy exploration. I support conservation and this bill with as little cost to the American taxpayer. That is why I rise in support, but I implore everyone to think about how counterproductive the Green New Deal really is in actually conserving our precious environment. It is time we hold the Green New Deal's supporters accountable to the lack of logic and science behind their proposals that have been estimated to cost up to $93 trillion.

Mr. DUNCAN

Mr. DUNCAN. Madam Speaker, on the evening of January 14, 2019, I missed Roll Call vote No. 30, as I was at a meeting between President Donald Trump and my constituents--the National Champion Clemson Tiger football team. Had I been present, I would have voted YES on H.R. 116, the Investing in Main Street Act.

Mr. DUNCAN

Mr. DUNCAN. Mr. Speaker, first off, let me thank the gentlewoman for having this Special Order on a very, very important issue. South Carolina is as far away from the Texas border, the southern border, as almost any State. We do have an international border with the port of Charleston. We have airports there. But on Tuesday, the President carefully explained the reality on our southern border. Plain and simple, we have a real and tangible national security crisis on our hands with illegal immigration, drug smuggling, human smuggling, sex trafficking, and terrorist threats, terrorists attempting to infiltrate our country through our poorest and unsafe southern border. These are people who aren't from Central or South America. There have been people of all nationalities apprehended on our southern border. The President should be applauded for looking at every angle and every out-of-the-box idea to answer his constitutional duty to the American people to secure our Nation. This is about national security. It is not just about illegal immigrants wanting to come into our country to work and provide for their family; this is about national security. We all know we have an epidemic drug problem in this country, and the majority of the drugs are coming across our southern border. Sex trafficking and human trafficking, in general, are immense in our southern border region. And we do know that the Quds Force, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Special Elite Forces, the Quds Force, have tried to come across our southern border, apprehended and thwarted by an undercover DEA agent on the Mexican side of the border that stopped that. That Quds Force operative wanted to come to this city, wanted to come to Washington, D.C., to assassinate the Ambassador from Saudi Arabia at a restaurant where a Member of this body could have been eating. The threat of terrorism is real. The illegality and illegal activities happening on our southern border are real. It is what the people want. It is what they expect from the Commander-in-Chief, to make sure that our Nation is safe. They want a true leader, a problem- solver. President Trump has proven that he is a problem-solver in private business, and he is applying that as Commander-in-Chief. Congressional Democrats have been unwilling to secure the border, even though a lot of them voted for the 2006 Secure Fence Act, but they failed to fund it. So the show vote, if you look at their rhetoric, they believed in securing the border. Now it is time to put the money there to truly do it. Seventy-nine Senators voted for that as well, the 2006 Secure Fence Act. And because of Democrats' unwillingness to fulfill their constitutional Article I duties, the government remains partially shut down. This isn't politics. This is national security. It is time to build the wall, secure our border, stop the illegal activities, a national security issue to protect us and our fellow citizens. We owe it to the American citizens to step up and secure this Nation. I applaud the President and I applaud Mrs. Hartzler for having this Special Order and giving us Members a chance to voice our support for what is going on with the administration trying to secure this country.

Mr. DUNCAN

Mr. DUNCAN. Madam Speaker, I rise today because it is a great day, a great week, and a great year to be a Clemson Tiger. The Third District of South Carolina, which I represent, is home to the Clemson Tigers, who were victorious in their performance against the Alabama Crimson Tide on Monday to claim their third college football national championship, resulting in a perfect season, the first 15-win season in the modern era of Division I football. Coach Dabo Swinney led this historic team to not only victory, but a dominating performance to truly establish Clemson as the best college football team in the entire country. They left no room for doubt. It was an amazing performance for everyone, from quarterback Trevor Lawrence--and my friend from Georgia, Barry Loudermilk, will talk about Trevor shortly, the first true freshman to start and win a national championship in 33 years--to seniors like Christian Wilkins and walk-on wide receiver Hunter Renfrow. The entire team and coaching staff showed poise, control, and leadership on and off the field the entire night. Coach Brent Venables, the defensive coordinator, prepared the Clemson defense well. Alabama was in the red zone three times, on three different occasions, but came away with zero points due to the great Tiger defense standing strong. Great work, Coach Venables, and a great job, Clemson defense. The Tide threw two interceptions in the first half, which Clemson leveraged to turn into points for the Tigers, establishing more dominance in the game. The Clemson offense scored an incredible 44 points over Alabama's 16; 31 of those points were unanswered, to the shock of many in the college football world, but not a shock to the Tiger nation. We know what this Dabo Swinney-coached team was capable of. At the end of the night, Clemson's near-perfect game was too much for Alabama. The performance was truly remarkable to see, as the whole Nation stopped to watch the two top programs in college football duke it out and leave their hearts on the field. The Clemson senior class is one to be remembered; four straight ACC championships, two national championships, and 55 wins over the last 4 years. Madam Speaker, to say I am a proud alumnus and former walk-on Clemson football player would be an understatement. Above all else, one of the things I am most impressed with is Coach Dabo Swinney's leadership and character. He is truly a bright light in the realm of college football. Like Dabo has said many times: ``Let the light that shines in you be brighter than the light that shines on you.'' Of course, Dabo cares about playing amazing football. He has proven this over and over again in a fantastic 10 years as the head coach. He is now one of two active college football coaches with a national championship under the belt, right along with Alabama's Nick Saban. But I know Dabo cares about something more, something bigger and more important than football. He cares about the hearts and souls of his players. He cares about their character, their leadership skills, and their aspirations well after they leave the field. He cares about the types of men these players will become as friends, brothers, sons, future husbands, and fathers. He invests in them to train them as both elite athletes and elite people. There is only one reason for this type of compassion. He strives to mirror Jesus Christ's unconditional love for us every day as a leader, a coach, a husband, a father, and a friend. And as he said after the game: ``Only God can do this.'' How true this is in all areas of our lives. Coach Swinney never misses an opportunity to speak the truth on the platform God has given him to proclaim the amazing, Christlike love that is bestowed upon all of us. You can tell he always wants to be that type of example. I believe this is what makes Clemson so special, a leader who prays with his staff and his players; a leader who shows Christlike love to everyone that he meets; a leader who prioritizes character over everything else; a leader who cares about you as a person, not just a football player. We can learn a lot from Dabo. Thanks, Coach, for being the man that you are. Hats off to Alabama who always has a storied and successful program. The competition on Monday night captured the entire Nation's attention through that battle between two amazing football programs. It was a great game, and Coach Nick Saban and his Alabama team are remarkable. This team was remarkable. But, hey, in a college sporting event, somebody has got to lose, and I am glad my Clemson Tigers were able to win on Monday night. Clemson's success wasn't built overnight. This was built by years of focus, work, and grind, paid for with blood, sweat, and tears on the field, in the weight room, in the film room, and everywhere in between. Nothing great ever comes easy. So, Madam Speaker, as a former player, a proud Clemson graduate, a lifetime Tiger, I am filled with pride to see where this Clemson program is today, how it has elevated the university and the entire State. People in this Chamber and on Capitol Hill, Members of Congress, Capitol Hill police, the staff, they may not know my name, but they know who the Clemson fan is amongst them. Many of my Alabama colleagues, like Mo Brooks, were texting me during the game. I can't reveal what those texts said, but I appreciate the time. Clemson is a special place with proud alumni all over the world. There is something in the hills where the Blue Ridge yawns its greatness, and the football team showed this greatness Monday night. I am immensely proud of Coach Swinney, the players, and the administration, and I will always be all in. Go Tigers, the college football national champions. Congratulations once again.

Mr. DUNCAN of South Carolina

Mr. DUNCAN of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of Leader McCarthy's resolution recognizing that allowing illegal immigrants the right to vote devalues the franchise and diminishes the voting power of United States citizens. I have been deeply concerned, seeing more and more municipalities around the country starting to allow noncitizens and illegal immigrants the right to vote in local elections, the most current example being San Francisco, as they have started allowing both noncitizens and illegal immigrants to register to vote in school board elections. One day it is local elections; the next, it could be statewide elections; and then, finally, the Federal elections. We can't start down this path. But we know this is where the radical left wants to grow their electorate. For generations, brave men and women have fought and died in order to protect the fundamental right of American citizens to participate in free and fair elections. You and I can't go and vote in the elections of other nations, nor should we. The gentleman from New York (Mr. Nadler) can't vote in New Jersey or Pennsylvania because he isn't a citizen of New Jersey or Pennsylvania. He is a citizen of New York. Nor should he vote in those elections. When we start granting others the sacred right reserved for U.S. citizens, it puts our whole democratic process at risk and diminishes the voice of the American people. We simply can't allow noncitizens and illegal immigrants to water down the desires and visions of the American people at the voting booth. This is dangerous, and it disrespects the importance and value of citizenship that has been fought for throughout our Nation's history. Now more than ever, it is critical that we ensure only American citizens are casting ballots to determine our children's future in this country. The left continues to embrace deadly sanctuary cities, more illegal immigrants at the voting booth, and open border policies that simply do not fall in line with American values. These ideas are so far out of mainstream and continue to be rejected time and time again by the American people of this country who want their voice to count. This resolution is a critical step to stand up and protect our democratic process. And while I stand here 100 percent supportive of my good friend's resolution, I believe this is laying the groundwork for what is to come. We have work to do. I believe we must defund these communities that adopt policies like noncitizen and illegal immigrant voting. These voting policies do nothing more than foster more of the dangerous, illegal sanctuary city policies that we have seen around the country. These sanctuary policies promote illegal activity, undermine law enforcement, and suppress concerns of actual U.S. citizen voters. I encourage all Members to support the commonsense resolution to protect the integrity of the American elections and protect the value of U.S. citizen voting power. Let's protect the voting booth. Let's protect the rule of law. Let's protect American values. Let's always put America first.

Mr. DUNCAN of South Carolina

Mr. DUNCAN of South Carolina. Mr. Chairman, I want to thank Chairman Young, the dean of the House, for his efforts on this. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of H.R. 200, the Strengthening Fishing Communities and Increasing Flexibility in Fisheries Management Act. As chairman of the Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus and an avid recreational angler, I am proud to be a cosponsor of this bipartisan effort to provide much-needed reform to our Nation's fisheries management. Mr. Chairman, I would ask the speakers that have gone before me on the other side of the aisle if any of them fish or are they a member of the Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus. Have they taken the opportunity to educate themselves on the fishery issues that we are facing today? Generations of folks have enjoyed one of America's greatest pastimes in our coastal waters. Unfortunately, antiquated Federal policies have unnecessarily limited the public's access to abundant marine fisheries. Commercial and recreational fishing are different activities that require different management strategies. The Magnuson-Stevens Act has lacked the tools necessary to address the needs of recreational fisheries management. H.R. 200 provides an opportunity to recognize the alternative management approach in the Nation's principal fisheries law to the benefit of 11 million saltwater anglers. Despite what some have said, H.R. 200 does not roll back conservation but, instead, provides Federal fishery managers with the tools to effectively manage both recreational and commercial fisheries. It provides for 21st century technologies to guide fishery management decisions that will further ensure that our marine resources are managed for abundance, long-term sustainability, and to the greatest benefit of the Nation. As a recreational angler for my entire life, I understand the critical role that we play in conservation resource management. In 2016, anglers and boaters contributed $628 million in excise taxes for sport fish conservation and management, boating safety, infrastructure, and habitat restoration. In addition to that, anglers contributed $693 million through fish and license fees. This bill will continue to ensure the conservation of our marine fisheries and will restore the public's trust in fisheries management.

Mr. DUNCAN of South Carolina

Mr. DUNCAN of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to welcome our guest chaplain, Reverend Dr. Alexander S. Campbell, ``Alex'' to those who love him. He is of Christ Reformed Church in Anderson, South Carolina. In 2007, Dr. Campbell and his family moved from Columbia, South Carolina, to Anderson to become the senior pastor of Christ Reformed Church and have faithfully served the community of Anderson, South Carolina. Dr. Campbell received his undergraduate degree from Clemson University--Go Tigers--in 1985, his master's of divinity from Columbia International University in 2001, and his doctorate of ministry from Reformed Theological Seminary in Charlotte, North Carolina, in 2015. In addition, Dr. Campbell is a chaplain in the South Carolina State Guard, where he faithfully serves, and he is wearing his uniform today. Dr. Campbell is married to his wonderful wife, Nancy, and has four adult children--Zan, Meg, McBryde, and Ian--some of whom are joining us in the gallery for this special moment. I am proud to join Dr. Campbell on the floor of the people's House and thank him for his service to his God, his country, and his community. May God continue to bless him and his family, the State of South Carolina, and the United States of America.

Mr. DUNCAN of South Carolina

Mr. DUNCAN of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for holding this Special Order and for recognizing South Carolina's role in helping the Republic of Texas. You heard the words from the gentleman from Ohio about the economic impact on his State, and on America, with America's energy independence and the renaissance that we are experiencing. In a tax reform committee hearing today, Chairman Walden talked about the economic benefits of tax reform on the energy sector, but also on America. We are blessed in this country with natural resources. We have an abundance of natural gas. What does an abundance of natural gas mean? That means that, last year, for the first time since 1957, we are an exporter of natural gas. Now what does that mean not only for American producers that are providing the natural gas and the LNG terminals that are being built along the coastal regions in Houston and Louisiana--and, hopefully, one day in South Carolina, we will have an LNG terminal to help us play a part in that--but what does that mean for our allies and friends around the world? Well, just think about it. Mexico is a huge importer of U.S. LNG. Not only are they importing natural gas through a pipeline from the plays down in Eagle Ford and Barnett in Texas, but they are also importing LNG. We all know the situation in Venezuela. Venezuela is imploding. So many countries in South America, Latin America, are relying on Venezuelan energy. The Caribbean nations are relying on Venezuelan energy. South American countries are relying on that. If we can provide, through LNG exports, sustainable, reliable energy sources for the Caribbean nations, that is a game changer for them, the Panama Canal being a distribution hub for U.S. LNG to be distributed all through Latin America. I was in Spain recently and talked with the Spanish folks. They want to be the LNG importer of American LNG so they can distribute across Western Europe so that Western Europe can be less reliant on Russian gas. Europe is reliant on Russian gas, and Russia definitely has used the spigot for energy sources as a political tool against Europe. In fact, the Lithuanian President recently said this: ``U.S. gas imports to Lithuania and other European countries is a game changer in the European gas market. This is an opportunity for Europe to end its addiction to Russian gas and ensure a secure, competitive, and diversified supply.'' American LNG exported to our friends and allies around the world is a game changer for the geopolitics of energy. We can provide abundant natural gas that we have produced in this country to folks around the world and lessen their dependence on less reliable sources. American businesses will benefit from that, and our neighbors and friends will benefit from that. That is why it is so important. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for holding this Special Order tonight and for allowing me to speak about something I am very passionate about and that is using the abundant resources we have in this country to change lives around the globe.