Chuck Fleischmann

Mr. FLEISCHMANN

Mr. FLEISCHMANN. Mr. Chairman, I claim the time in opposition to the gentleman's amendment.

Mr. FLEISCHMANN. Mr. Chair, I demand a recorded vote.

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

Mr. FLEISCHMANN. Mr. Chairman, I claim the time in opposition. Mr. Chairman, this amendment would cut funding for the Appalachian Regional Commission, which supports hundreds of cost-shared projects, partnering with private industry to bring needed jobs to this depressed region. The underlying energy and water bill maintains funding for the ARC at the fiscal year 2024 level of $200 million, which was the same as the fiscal 2023 enacted level. These communities cannot afford to lose the millions of dollars in private investment this commission leverages. I respectfully urge a ``no'' vote on the amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Mr. FLEISCHMANN. Madam Chair, much like the gentleman's last amendment, I respectfully think the result of his amendment would be the opposite of his intent. There is no new loan authority provided in this bill. Existing title 17 loans, however, will be repaid for many years in the future. Eliminating the funding in this bill puts the ability of the government to receive these repayments in jeopardy. In my view, we must ensure proper oversight of this taxpayer funding. For these reasons, I must respectfully oppose the amendment. Madam Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. FLEISCHMANN. Madam Chair, I claim the time in opposition to the amendment.

Mr. FLEISCHMANN. Madam Chair, I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from Ohio (Ms. Kaptur).

Mr. FLEISCHMANN. Madam Chair, I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from Ohio (Ms. Kaptur).

Mr. FLEISCHMANN. Madam Chair, I rise to oppose the gentleman's amendment. In my view, the elimination of this funding would hurt Federal oversight of the billions in loans the Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing Program has already given. These funds are primarily used for portfolio management and financial oversight. No new loan authorities are provided in this bill. ATVM loans will be repaid for many years in the future. Eliminating this funding puts the ability of the government to receive these payments in jeopardy. We must ensure proper oversight of taxpayer funding. For these reasons, I must oppose the gentleman's amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. FLEISCHMANN. Madam Chair, I rise in opposition to the amendment.

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

Mr. FLEISCHMANN. Mr. Chair, while I appreciate my colleague's interest on these issues, my view is steadfast and the same as it was last year when a similar amendment was offered. Threats to the United States have changed and technology has advanced, but our ICBM capability has not kept up. The W87-1 modification program will replace the W78 warhead, which is one of the oldest in the stockpile. This program will improve warhead security, safety, and use control. This amendment puts at risk our ability as a Nation to respond to increasing threats from our adversaries. I strongly oppose the amendment and I strongly urge my colleagues to do the same. Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. FLEISCHMANN. Mr. Chair, I rise in opposition to this amendment.

Mr. FLEISCHMANN. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. FLEISCHMANN. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Duarte).

Mr. FLEISCHMANN. Mr. Chair, pursuant to House Resolution 1370, I offer amendments en bloc.

Mr. FLEISCHMANN. Mr. Chairman, I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. FLEISCHMANN. Mr. Chair, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Mike Garcia), a member of the Energy and Water Subcommittee.

Mr. FLEISCHMANN. Mr. Chair, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. Cole), the distinguished chairman of the full committee.

Mr. FLEISCHMANN. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Chair, I am pleased to bring the Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2025, to the floor today. The bill provides a total of $59.2 billion to advance our commitment to national security, energy security, and economic competitiveness. The bill delivers strong support for our national defense and provides $25.5 billion for the National Nuclear Security Administration. The bill prioritizes nuclear weapons activities, fully funding all major stockpile modernization activities and providing additional funds for plutonium pit production and the nuclear sea- launched cruise missile. At the Department of Energy, the bill supports programs that advance our Nation's energy security and ensure America remains at the forefront of scientific discovery and innovation. This includes strong funding for nuclear energy, including additional funds specifically for nuclear demonstration projects; the Office of Science, including fusion energy sciences; and the full spectrum of mining production technologies to reduce our reliance on foreign sources of critical minerals. The bill also includes a number of provisions to protect American resources and intellectual property from falling into the hands of foreign adversaries. Funding for the Corps of Engineers totals $9.96 billion, including full funding of the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund activities and the highest priority, ongoing Inland Waterways Trust Fund construction projects to ensure the safe and efficient flow of commerce. Funding for the Bureau of Reclamation totals $1.93 billion, prioritized to projects that increase water supply and support drought resilience. This is a strong bill that builds on the work we started in fiscal year 2024. Mr. Chair, I urge Members to support it, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Mr. FLEISCHMANN. 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. 8997, and that I may include tabular material on the same.

Mr. FLEISCHMANN. Mr. Chairman, this bipartisan en bloc amendment was developed in coordination with the minority. It contains noncontroversial amendments addressing important issues at the agencies funded in this bill that have been agreed to by both sides. Mr. Chairman, I support the adoption, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. FLEISCHMANN. Mr. Chairman, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. Rogers) the distinguished chair emeritus of the Appropriations Committee.