Blake Farenthold

Mr. FARENTHOLD

Mr. FARENTHOLD. I rise in opposition to this amendment which would provide an exception for regulations that attempt to manipulate the price of oil, gas, and other fuels. As I was listening to my colleague from across the aisle, I was struck by the fact that he didn't actually mention any possible regulations that could do that. I also would like to point out that our hands, as Congress, are not tied. This bill ties the hands of regulators. If he is able to come up with a good idea to lower fuel prices, he can bring it to Congress, we can pass it, the Senate can pass it, and the President can sign it, just the way the Founding Fathers intended. Just to be clear, I also want to point out that nothing in H.R. 4078 prevents the administration from taking any number of actions that would increase the supply of domestic oil and gas and lower the price of gasoline at the pump. The passage of this amendment, however, would do nothing to lower the price at the pump. Now, I realize this amendment seems to preserve the option to impose price controls. That's the only thing I could think of that it could do. We learned back in the 1970s that price control does nothing but lead to shortage and lines at the gasoline pump. There's absolutely no reason we need to return to the failed policies of the Carter administration. Now, if the current administration were truly interested in providing relief at the pump, there are any number of actions they could do to increase the supply of oil and gasoline and lower the price at the pump. But the Obama administration's done little to tap into vast domestic resources that would increase the supply of American oil. Rather, under President Obama, permitting and leasing on Federal land is actually down. Alas, the President has also vetoed or is opposed to the Keystone pipeline, which would have connected not only Canadian oil to refineries in the South but would have also have connected the new finds in North Dakota in the Bakken shale sands. Canadian sands production is expected to double to 3 million barrels a day between 2010 and 2020, and domestic oil production will increase by as much as 20 percent. The lack of a Keystone XL-like pipeline means slower, less reliable, and less safe forms of transportation that will continue to necessitate transporting domestic oil from North Dakota by much more expensive and much less safe means of truck and rail, rather than pipelines. Lowering the cost of that transportation would lower the cost of that crude oil and would lower the cost of gasoline at the pump. As a matter of fact, a barrel of North Dakota Sweet sells for $62. That's lower than the international price of oil, predominantly because of the additional transportation costs necessary to bring it down to be refined in the refineries that are currently set up in this country. If this Bakken oil were made available to the rest of the country we would see an economic boom. We would see lower prices for gasoline at the pump. We would see more jobs in America. The east coast, in particular, needs this oil and this gas made available to bring costs down. Bakken may lead to some price relief there. But it will also open Canadian oil. We talk about energy independence, but realistically, North America is the energy unit that we should be looking at for providing our source. As we tap resources throughout the United States, Canada, and Mexico, we are going to be able to become energy independent much more rapidly than anyone ever thought as these new technologies develop to let us reach oil and gas deposits that we never, even 10 years ago, thought was possible. I was talking to a geologist just recently when I attended a field hearing in North Dakota, and he told me, when he was in school, they always considered shale to be the source and would never be able to tap it. But technology has proved that wrong. And, in fact, even with our current technology, we're only getting a small percentage of the actual oil trapped in that shale. I'm confident that, as our technology develops, that is going to become more and more available, and this is going to take care of it. But what we know is what's running up the price of oil and gas is excessive government regulation. And if we can put a hold on government regulation, so our businesses can know what they have to do to comply with those regulations, and not have the goalposts moved in the middle of the game, we'll have new refining infrastructure built, we'll have new factories built, we'll have new jobs created, and we will get to an unemployment rate of 6 percent a whole lot faster, I think, than anybody is predicting. This bill is a rational step to put the brakes on an oppressive government that is stifling job creation. And carving holes in it and creating loopholes, like this amendment would do, only weakens that and will slow our path to recovery. So I urge my colleagues to defeat this amendment. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. FARENTHOLD. I claim time in opposition.

Mr. FARENTHOLD

Mr. FARENTHOLD. Thank you, Chairman Issa. Most Congressmen call their district staff workers caseworkers. I call my district workers red tape cutters, because that's what they do. Unfortunately, we have to have a job like that because government red tape is so thick. A lot of what our caseworkers do is for veterans and Social Security recipients, but they also help our small businesses. When I'm back home, I hear time and time again from businesses about how the government is getting in the way of creating jobs, and if we would just tell them what to do and let them do it and quit changing the rules midstream, they would do it. That's what this bill does, it tells the government: Stop. Don't change the rules midstream until our economy is back on track. It's a jobs bill, and it's an opportunity to give our businesses the opportunity to get people hired. This Congress has been tireless in our pursuit of creating jobs by eliminating senseless and expensive government regulation. I'm confident this bill will pass the House, and I hope it has better luck than some of the other bills that we've passed, like the REINS Act, that also deals with regulation, when it gets across the Capitol and to the Senate. We have got to get these bipartisan jobs bills passed and signed into law. Americans know we have to cut the unemployment rate. To do that, we're going to have to cut the red tape.

Mr. FARENTHOLD

Mr. FARENTHOLD. Mr. Speaker, the Constitution grants us the power to coin money and regulate the value thereof, and we've delegated this to the Fed. Unfortunately, we've tied our hands behind our back with respect to seeing what they're doing, and it's our duty to conduct oversight. A moment ago, Mr. Frank said the audit was just fist pounding and chest pounding. I disagree. It's the first step. It is our doing our homework to determine what needs to be done to reform the Fed. Chairman Bernanke said this bill would be a ``nightmare scenario'' of political meddling in monetary affairs. I disagree. I think the current situation is a nightmare scenario in unaccountable government. As Justice Brandeis said, ``Sunshine is always the best disinfectant.'' As a member of the Oversight and Government Reform Committee, we demand transparency from agencies like the GSA, the TSA, and other Fed agencies. I join my friend and neighbor in Congress, Dr. Paul, in demanding for the American people that sunshine be shined into the Fed and this audit be conducted. I urge my colleagues to support this bill because the American people have a right to know.

Mr. FARENTHOLD

Mr. FARENTHOLD. I rise today to express my concern regarding the reduction in funding for Army depots and arsenals contained in the Defense appropriations bill that we're debating today on the House floor. Army studies have shown that these reductions will have a lasting negative impact on the Army's organic industrial base. I have the privilege of representing the Corpus Christie Army depot, known as the ``best kept secret in the Army,'' saving taxpayers millions of dollars. It costs about $6.7 million to repair a crash- battle damaged Blackhawk versus $17 million for a new one. In fiscal year 2011, a record production year, CCAD produced more than $47 million in cost savings for the Army. The depot shares a great relationship with the community, employing over 6,000 civilian, 56 percent of whom are veterans. The Army depot serves as the world's largest facility for the repair and overhaul of Army aviation helicopters. Without CCAD, the Army would be unable to sustain maximum combat power for the warfighter. I look forward to working with the committee and the chairman to address these concerns and ensuring the Corpus Christie Army depot and others depots and arsenals continue to play a vital role in maintaining the readiness of our military.

Mr. FARENTHOLD

Mr. FARENTHOLD. Mr. Speaker, our job as Representatives is twofold: we lead and we listen. If we think back to the last election that swept a Republican majority into the House, a lot of the surveys say that was a result of the public's dissatisfaction with this law. We voted to repeal all or parts of it multiple times and will continue to do so. We just conducted an online poll, a mail survey. Although not scientific, it still showed over 97 percent of the folks back in south Texas were opposed to this law. So I'm looking forward to voting to repeal it again, as I'm sure many of my colleagues are. I do want to take a second to address something that the gentleman on the other side of the aisle mentioned. We don't have a CBO score for this. I would imagine the cost to the Federal Government, a good chunk of it, is foregone revenue in the taxes that this bill imposes. It makes no sense that undoing something actually costs the government money in the way of spending; it only costs the government in the way of foregone revenue, just like this bill has cost this economy in foregone jobs. We have numbers showing that there are thousands of jobs that could be lost as a result of this, and we have small businesses that are telling us they're not growing, they're not expanding because of the uncertainty associated with this law and the costs associated with complying with it.

Mr. FARENTHOLD

Mr. FARENTHOLD. I thank the chair for yielding. I rise today in support of the motion for civil contempt so we can get an attorney to proceed. Normally under contempt, what happens is, we vote, like we just did, to hold someone in contempt, and it's turned over to the Department of Justice--in fact, the U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia--to pursue in district court. Unfortunately, the U.S. attorney is an employee and reports to the Attorney General, who was just found in contempt. And I am concerned that past history of stonewalling delays that are associated with getting us information and cooperating with us on Fast and Furious will continue and, in fact, there will be no prosecution of the contempt resolution we just voted out. So it is absolutely critical that the committee be given the authority to pursue this on their own if the Justice Department is not responsive. I, therefore, urge all of my colleagues to join me in support of this civil contempt resolution.

Mr. FARENTHOLD

Mr. FARENTHOLD. Madam Speaker, I join with my colleagues in urging support of this bipartisan economic growth and jobs bill. It will create a vital new area in what is developing as a vibrant part of the District of Columbia. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 2297, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. FARENTHOLD. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I will keep my comments brief. Back in December, the House unanimously approved the base text of the legislation before us today, H.R. 2297. H.R. 2297 was approved in order to update zoning laws to allow the District of Columbia the flexibility to sell or lease real property in the Southwest waterfront to a private sector developer. There is currently a $2 billion redevelopment plan pending to renovate this area, which is only a stone's throw from the U.S. Capitol building. On March 29, the Senate unanimously approved this legislation with an amendment, which is what brings us here today. The Senate amendment also concerns the development of the Southwest waterfront. It deauthorizes a portion of a 77-year-old navigation project in the waterway, essentially transferring jurisdiction from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to the District of Columbia in order for the redevelopment project to move forward to help spur economic development in the Southwest waterfront area here in Washington, DC. The Army Corps of Engineers has reported no concerns with this transfer. In addition, Madam Speaker, the Senate's language is identical to that of a bill the House unanimously approved last Congress. The last point I will make is, according to the CBO, there is no budgetary cost associated with the bill now before us. I'd like to thank the ranking member, Ms. Norton, for working with us on this legislation and the Senate for including this important amendment. I urge my colleagues to support this measure, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. FARENTHOLD. Madam 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 the bill under consideration.

Mr. FARENTHOLD. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and concur in the Senate amendment to the bill (H.R. 2297) to promote the development of the Southwest waterfront in the District of Columbia, and for other purposes.

Mr. FARENTHOLD

Mr. FARENTHOLD. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3501) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 125 Kerr Avenue in Rome City, Indiana, as the ``SPC Nicholas Scott Hartge Post Office''.

Mr. FARENTHOLD. Madam Speaker, I urge all Members to support the passage of H.R. 3501, honoring Specialist Nicholas Scott Hartge; and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. FARENTHOLD. Madam Speaker, I would like to yield 5 minutes to my distinguished colleague and friend from the State of Indiana.

Mr. FARENTHOLD. H.R. 3501, introduced by the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Stutzman), would designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 125 Kerr Avenue in Rome City, Indiana, as the SPC Nicholas Scott Hartge Post Office. This bill was introduced on November 18, 2011, and was reported favorably from the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform on February 7. Nicholas Hartge grew up in Rome City, Indiana, and during high school decided to serve his country by joining the military. Nicholas served in the Third Platoon in Charlie Company in the First Infantry Division, and his company was deployed to Iraq in August of 2006. Nicholas' commanding officer, Commander Michael Baka, took note of the young man's character and aptitude and helped him begin the process of applying to West Point. While the prospect of becoming an officer thrilled Specialist Hartge, he never deviated from his devotion to his fellow soldiers. On May 14, 2007, Specialist Hartge's unit came under heavy attack. While maneuvering through enemy fire, the Humvee carrying the specialist was struck by a roadside bomb. Nicholas Hartge received a Commendation Medal for outstanding achievement in the capture of Abu Hassan, a known IED facilitator in Baghdad. He was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star for his heroic actions on the day that he was killed. Madam Speaker, Specialist Nicholas Scott Hartge is a very worthy and appropriate designee of this postal facility naming, and I urge all Members to join me in support of this bill. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. FARENTHOLD. Madam Speaker, I also ask unanimous consent that all Members may be given 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and to place extraneous materials on the bill under consideration.

Mr. FARENTHOLD. Madam Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may consume. General Leave

Mr. FARENTHOLD

Mr. FARENTHOLD. Madam Speaker, I was moved by the recollections of the gentlelady from Florida of Reverend Abe Brown, and I am confident that my colleagues will join me in supporting the bill, H.R. 3276, renaming the post office at 2810 East Hillsborough Avenue in Tampa, Florida, as the Reverend Abe Brown Post Office Building, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. FARENTHOLD. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. H.R. 3276, introduced by the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Castor), would designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 2810 East Hillsborough Avenue in Tampa, Florida, as the Reverend Abe Brown Post Office Building. This bill was introduced on October 27, 2011, and reported from the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform with a favorable recommendation on February 7, 2012. Reverend Brown served the Tampa Bay community for years. He was the beloved pastor of the First Baptist Church of College Hill, Hillsborough County public schools educator, football coach, dean of the Chamberlain High School, and founder of Prison Crusade Ministries, later renamed Abe Brown Ministries. He was the dean of students at Chamberlain when Congresswoman Castor attended school there. Sadly, Reverend Brown passed away on Saturday, September 11, 2010, at the age of 83. Reverend Abe Brown is a very worthy designee of this postal facility naming, and I urge my colleagues to support this bill. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. FARENTHOLD. Madam 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 the bill under consideration.

Mr. FARENTHOLD. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3276) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 2810 East Hillsborough Avenue in Tampa, Florida, as the ``Reverend Abe Brown Post Office Building''.

Mr. FARENTHOLD

Mr. FARENTHOLD. I urge my colleagues to support renaming the postal facility at 150 South Union Street in Canton, Mississippi, the First Sergeant Landres Cheeks Post Office Building and support the passage of H.R. 3772. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. FARENTHOLD. H.R. 3772, introduced by the gentleman from Mississippi (Mr. Thompson), would designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 150 South Union Street in Canton, Mississippi, as the First Sergeant Landres Cheeks Post Office Building. This bill was introduced on January 13 and was reported from the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform with a favorable report on February 7. Sergeant Cheeks served in the United States Army Medical Corps for 30 years, serving in World War II in Germany and France and also in the Vietnam war. He is a decorated serviceman, having received numerous distinctions, including the National Defense Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Army Occupational Medal of Germany, the Bronze Star Medal, the World War II Victory Medal, and the American Campaign Medal. Beyond military service, Sergeant Cheeks was a role model in his community in Mississippi, serving with numerous community organizations, including the Madison County Union for Progress as chairman. The Union for Progress is a private organization that helps citizens seek and secure employment. He also served on the board of directors of the Canton Housing Authority. Cheeks was married for 66 years and raised six sons and three daughters. Six of his children followed in his footsteps and served this country in the military. Madam Speaker, First Sergeant Landres Cheeks is a worthy designee of this postal naming. I urge all Members to join me in support of this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. FARENTHOLD. I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.

Mr. FARENTHOLD. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3772) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 150 South Union Street in Canton, Mississippi, as the ``First Sergeant Landres Cheeks Post Office Building''.