Gene Green

Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas

Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 647, the Access to Life-Saving Trauma Care for All Americans Act. My colleague and fellow Texan, Dr. Mike Burgess, and I have introduced this legislation. I thank him for his leadership and partnership on this issue. The bill would reauthorize vital programs to prevent more trauma center closures and improve access to trauma care. The trauma center care grants were created to prevent trauma center closures by supporting their core missions, covering a portion of the losses from uncompensated care, and providing emergency awards to centers at risk of closing. The trauma service availability grants are awarded through the States to address shortfalls in trauma services and improve access and availability of trauma care in underserved areas. Despite our best prevention efforts, trauma injury will continue to occur. Unfortunately, access to trauma care is threatened by losses associated with the high cost of treating severely injured patients, including those unable to pay for their care, and a growing shortage of trauma-related physicians. The public expects that appropriate trauma care will always be available to them wherever they reside or travel, yet this is not a reality. Profound challenges face our Nation's trauma centers, trauma systems, and the physicians who treat the most vulnerable patients. Thus, I urge swift passage of this important legislation. Again, I want to thank Representative Burgess for championing this effort with me, and his staff, J.P. Paluskiewicz, for their hard work. I also want to acknowledge the leadership of Chairman Upton, Chairman Pitts, Ranking Member Pallone and the work of the committee's staff in advancing this bill through the Energy and Commerce Committee. I support this bipartisan bill. I urge my colleagues to do the same. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas

Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 639, the Improving Regulatory Transparency for New Medical Therapies Act. This legislation was introduced by the chair of our Health Subcommittee, Joe Pitts of Pennsylvania; the ranking member of the full committee, Frank Pallone of New Jersey; and myself to provide a solution to delays experienced by patients in need. Currently, new drugs and substances that previously have not been marketed in the United States and that have abuse potential must be scheduled by the Drug Enforcement Administration prior to being marketed. The amount of time the DEA has taken before acting on FDA recommendations has significantly lengthened in recent years, which delays the availability of new therapies. This legislation will improve patient access by bringing clarity and transparency to the process of scheduling a new FDA-approved therapy. I was pleased to join the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Pitts) and the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Pallone) in supporting this legislation to continue the great work they started last Congress. I thank them and their staff for working on this important access issue. I want to acknowledge the leadership of Chairman Upton and the work of the committee's minority and majority staff in advancing this bill through the Energy and Commerce Committee. I support this bipartisan bill and urge my colleagues to do the same. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas

Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas

Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the significant benefits and services that our local radio stations provide to our communities. I cannot say enough about the benefits local radio provides constituents in our district in Houston and Harris County, Texas. Local radio provides AMBER Alerts, local news, weather, and critical emergency alerts, which we all know too well along the gulf coast we need. In addition to the public service, radio provides entertainment and music free to the public. For nearly 90 years, Congress has recognized this fact and has not imposed performance fees on local radio stations. That is why I am pleased to reintroduce, along with my fellow Texan, Congressman Mike Conaway, the Local Radio Freedom Act, H. Con. Res. 17. Our simple resolution simply states that Congress should not impose any performance taxes or fees for playing over-the-air music and keep local radio free. Last week's introduction with 93 cosponsors, over 20 percent of the full House, shows the strong commitment Congress has to protect local radio and all the benefits it provides our communities. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank all the original cosponsors of this resolution and thank local radio for serving our communities.

Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas

Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to have it noted in the Congressional Record that I was unable to vote on the Homeland Security Department Continuing Resolution last Friday night due to previously scheduled events held in my district in Houston. One of my biggest priorities as a Member of this Chamber is being present for every vote. I hope that the majority will make sure that future votes are held during scheduled times. If I had been available Friday evening, I would have voted ``yea.''

Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas

Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas. Madam Speaker, on rollcall No. 102, had I been present, I would have voted ``no.''

Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas

Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I rise today to express my opposition to H.R. 5, the Student Success Act. This bill undermines the fundamental purpose of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), which was created to ensure that disadvantaged children are provided a high-quality education that allows them to compete on a level playing field with their more-advantaged peers. Among its many problematic provisions, this bill cuts crucial education funding, fails to hold states and districts accountable for supporting and improving the achievement of all students, eliminates and weakens protections for disadvantaged students, and lacks critical support systems for our nation's educators. I believe No Child Left Behind (NCLB) is flawed and must be reformed, and reauthorization presents a tremendous opportunity to make much- needed improvements and bring our education system into the 21st century. However, instead of fixing the problems of NCLB, the Student Success Act does not reflect best practices and fails to strike the appropriate balance between flexibility and accountability. Reauthorization should support college and career-ready standards, address the overuse of testing in teacher and school evaluations that currently forces educators to substitute test preparation for instruction, and feature an accountability system that includes meaningful targets for improving student attainment that gives schools and districts flexibility in how they achieve those goals. I urge my colleagues to vote against H.R. 5 and instead support reauthorization that restores our nation's commitment to providing equal opportunity for all students regardless of their background and protect our country's students including the most vulnerable, which was the intention of this landmark civil rights law.

Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas

Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the House bring up H.R. 861, the clean Department of Homeland Security funding bill, that would keep the Department open so it can carry out its mission of keeping the American people safe.

Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas

Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas. I want to thank our ranking member for allowing me to have 2 minutes to talk about how I support the Keystone pipeline. We have a little diversity on our side. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of S. 1, the Keystone XL Pipeline Approval Act. I represent a refinery and chemical plant community in Houston, east Harris County, Texas. We have five refineries in my area alone, which would use that Keystone crude oil. In fact, Congressman Weber has the eastern leg of it, and I have the western leg that actually stops in our district. We have two, big, old, huge tanks in Channelview, Texas, which are ready to get that oil and distribute it to our refineries. We have refineries, literally, from Corpus Christi over to Pascagoula in the Gulf of Mexico, on the gulf coast, that could use that crude oil. They are already using heavier crude from other parts of the world. It has taken 6 years to get this permit for the pipeline's development. This is the longest study of any cross-border pipeline that I have ever seen. Unfortunately, because of the backlog, we have 11 other cross-border projects that have not moved through the process. Some of these are just a simple name change, and that is the problem. The Presidential permitting process has broken down. That is why Congress needs to act. The State Department has studied the project four different times. Each time, they have come back and have said that the environmental and climate impacts would be negligible. Let me talk about the jobs issue. We will have a year of high-paid pipefitters, teamsters, laborers, electrical workers--you name it. Those are great jobs, and they are high paying for a year. Construction jobs are temporary. Then they will go on to another job, and, frankly, in Texas, we have no shortage of need for pipelines even though I have never not lived on a pipeline easement in Houston, Texas. The bill is not as perfect as I would like, but we need to send this bill to the President--it got out of the Senate--and give the President a chance to do it. We need cross-border pipelines whether it is Canada to the United States, Texas to Mexico, or the United States to Mexico, or back. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of S.1, the Keystone XL Pipeline Approval Act. I represent a refinery/chemical plants. The refineries on the Gulf Coast will use the crude oil. I rise in support of this bill because I support North American energy development. The pipeline has been in development and waiting for approval for six years. This is the longest study of any cross-border pipeline that I have ever seen. Unfortunately, because of this backlog, there are now 11 other cross- border projects that have not moved through the process. Some of these projects are as simple as a name change. The Presidential Permitting Process has become nothing more than a political game. Opponents of domestic infrastructure projects use the process to delay projects endlessly in an attempt to raise money under the guise of environmental protection. The State Department has studied this project four different times. Each time, the Department reported back that the environmental and climate impacts would be negligible. However, opponents of the project do not like that answer so they continue their attack until the project is deferred. Opponents of the project now decry that because oil prices are low, more studies should be conducted. Opponents cite low oil prices as a reason the federal government shouldn't approve the project. Last time I checked, the federal government wasn't involved in private business decisions. If oil prices remain low, the market will dictate which projects remain viable and which do not. The federal government has one job to do and should complete its work in a timely fashion. Further, opponents claim that Keystone XL will only result in 35 permanent jobs. What they fail to address is that Keystone XL, along with the majority of other cross-border facilities, will create thousands of construction jobs. Those who oppose the project say, those are only temporary jobs. Well, to my friends who oppose the project, construction jobs by their very nature are temporary jobs. But I can tell you this, the pipefitters, operating engineers, electrical and Teamster laborers that work on their segment of the pipeline are darn happy to have that job. That is a large paycheck to help support his or her family. I continue to urge support for the Keystone XL pipeline.

Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas

Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, Members, last Friday and Saturday I visited and walked with United Steelworkers union members who are on strike for health and safety issues in our east Houston congressional district. Their jobs are very dangerous. They produce refined products and chemicals that our Nation needs. We have, sadly, lost lives recently in the industry, and to have men and women working 10-plus straight days for shifts of 10 hours is not reasonable. These men and women work hard in a dangerous occupation, and they should not have to go on strike for safety. Safety is important to employees and companies. Let's settle the strike with new safety standards so that no family has to worry that their loved one will not come home from work.

Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas

Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to state that I was unable to be in Washington on February 2nd for votes due to inclement weather that impacted travel throughout the Midwest and Northeast. If I had been able to vote yesterday, I would have voted as follows: On passage of H.R. 361, the Medical Preparedness Allowable Use Act, I would have voted ``yea.'' On passage of H.R. 615, the Department of Homeland Security Interoperable Communications Act, I would have voted ``yea.'' On passage of H.R. 623, the Social Media Working Group Act of 2015, I would have voted ``yea.''

Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas

Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my staunch opposition to H.R. 596, legislation to repeal the Affordable Care Act. Yesterday was Groundhog Day, yet it is today's vote that really feels familiar. The House has now attempted to repeal or undermine the Affordable Care Act for 56 times. It is disappointing that the Republican leadership continues its partisan campaign to undermine the ACA and create barriers for millions of uninsured Americans having access to health insurance. Based on the latest estimate from the Congressional Budget Office, 19 million Americans--and 20,000 in our Houston area district--would lose their health insurance this year if the ACA is repealed. These are people who would be without coverage today if it were not for the ACA. H.R. 596 would take away critical benefits and health care coverage for hardworking families. Not only that, this bill would increase the deficit, repeal reforms that help slow the growth in health care costs, and undo basic protections that provide security for the middle class. It is long past time to stop playing political games on health reform. We need to work to enact reforms that improve and build on the ACA for the good of the American people.

Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas

Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas. I thank the ranking member. I appreciate it. If the project sends the LNG to a country without a free trade agreement, then the DOE must issue a permit based on the public interest. These are very important determinations. However, LNG will not leave the United States with DOE approval only. For a project to actually export LNG, in either case, the applicant must receive a FERC permit. FERC reviews the environmental impacts of the actual LNG facility. FERC conducts and reviews all environmental impacts to satisfy the requirements of NEPA. No company will export a single cubic foot of LNG without FERC approval. FERC's process takes 12 to 18 months and costs approximately $100 million. We have worked extremely hard to protect the environment. It is the DOE non-FTA process that is the problem. The DOE currently has approximately 30 non-FTA permits awaiting decision. The DOE has held most of these permits almost 4 years. Even the DOE recognized this huge problem and tried to address the backlog last summer by changing the approval process. Unfortunately, the changes failed to expedite approval or provide any certainty to companies who are investing $100 million, and these are U.S. companies. H.R. 351 resolved this issue only after it receives all environmental permits. H.R. 351 would place a 30-day timeline for the DOE to issue a decision after the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission completes its environmental reviews. Once again, we have protected the environmental review process. We have protected the public interest. And DOE, which held some of these applications 4 years--we cannot allow DOE to sit on these permits any longer. They must do their job and do it in a timely fashion. Opponents of H.R. 351 say if all permits are approved, we will export more than 35 trillion cubic feet. Opponents say exports will double or triple domestic natural gas prices. Opponents say exports of that size will endanger our domestic industry, raise electricity prices, and have ruinous effects on our economy. Mr. Speaker, I urge passage of the bill. Mr. Speaker, I represent enormous petrochemical facilities, power generators, and workers. I remember when domestic natural gas prices caused companies in my district to move jobs overseas. If what opponents of H.R. 351 say were even remotely possible, I would be the first one to oppose this bill. My constituents work at those facilities. Those facilities pay taxes and fund the hospitals and schools in my district. There are dozens of applications pending at DOE. No more than a handful of projects will be constructed and ultimately export LNG. But each project deserves a fair opportunity at review. Each company deserves the opportunity to pursue financing in the capital markets. The government should not make those decisions. Each LNG facility costs billions, not to mention the jobs associated with pipeline construction, electric transmission, local services, etc. I ask my colleagues to support H.R. 351 and support this bipartisan effort.

Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, let me explain the problem we have and the need for this bill today. The bill is the exact same language that passed this House last Congress, and it came through our committee, the Energy and Commerce Committee. Now, what this bill does is give the Department of Energy some deadlines to make a decision on our national interests--that is what it does--so we can do it. They have held those permits sometimes up to 2 years to make that determination. If you have a free trade agreement with the United States, we can export natural gas to you. But they need to decide the national interests. I want the DOE to do that, but I also want to make a decision in very quick time. We know who our friends are, we know who our adversaries are. We don't really want to send it to our adversaries, we want to send it to our friends. So that is DOE's job. The reason we need this bill is that right now today, or yesterday, gas is $2.88 per million cubic feet. It was up about $4, which is still not great for a producer. But what we have been doing in south Texas is flaring natural gas. It is bad for the environment. It is bad for the people who produce it because they don't have a customer. And what we need to do is be able to export what we can't use. In Texas we are very proud of Blue Bell ice cream. In fact, their advertising slogan is: ``We eat all we can and we sell the rest.'' I have a chemical industry, I have a utility industry that uses natural gas. They are using it. But we still have a lot of production. So why would we not use all we can in our country and sell the rest and make somebody else pay for those jobs that we have in our community? And that is the problem. We know the price of oil is going down. But oil and natural gas sometimes come out of the same well. So that is why we need to make sure that we have the right, on a reasonable timeframe, to export natural gas to countries that we want to be friendly with. I would love to have a natural gas export right now to Ukraine. The infrastructure over there is not there. It could get there with some reversing pipelines. H.R. 351 represents a bipartisan effort to legislate and warrant its approval. We worked together on this bill, and it represents that hard work. The bill is good for the economy, the climate, and the U.S. security interests. The United States has natural resources to become the largest exporter of LNG in the world. Our natural gas reserves can meet all our domestic natural gas needs and still have an excess capacity of 3 trillion cubic feet. Before we discuss H.R. 351 it is important we clarify the LNG permitting process, just so there is no confusion. A project applicant must submit two separate applications: the first to the Department of Energy and the second to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, FERC. In the Department of Energy, there are two complete separate processes. First, the project must submit an application to export. If the project sends LNG to a country with which the U.S. has a free trade agreement, the application is automatically approved.

Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas

Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas. Madam Speaker, on rollcall No. 45, had I been present, I would have voted ``no.''

Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas. Madam Speaker, on rollcall No. 44, had I been present, I would have voted ``yes.''

Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise today to express my opposition to H.R. 7, the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act. Longstanding federal policy explicitly prohibits the use of federal funds for abortions, except for certain narrow circumstances of rape, incest, or severe health complications that threaten the life of the mother. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) maintains this ban and a federal appeals court confirmed that no federal dollars may be used to pay for abortion services under the law. Far more sweeping in scope than the title implies, the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act goes well beyond codifying the Hyde Amendment and protecting public funds. This bill intrudes on women's reproductive autonomy and access to health care, manipulates the tax code to put additional financial burdens on many women and small businesses, and unnecessarily restricts the private insurance choices available to consumers today. The House of Representatives should be spending our time working to improve access to health care for all Americans, instead of deceptive legislation that interferes with a woman's ability to make personal, private medical decisions.

Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas

Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to H.R. 161, a bill that claims to expedite applications for construction of natural gas pipelines in the United States. First, let me say as a native Houstonian and as a Democrat, I support American energy development. The energy revolution that has taken place over the last decade is unlike anything I've seen in my lifetime. The natural gas plays currently developed in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Texas are solely responsible for the recovery the U.S. has seen. Low natural gas prices have given our industries an advantage over international competitors. Low natural gas prices have given our homeowners cheaper electric bills. Low natural gas prices have resulted in lower emissions and smaller contributions to climate change. To reap those benefits, however, we need pipelines to move that product from the field to market. I can confidently say, I am a big supporter of pipelines. The stacks of raw materials and finished pipe in my district are probably unlike any other district in the country. Pipelines are the most economically efficient and environmentally sound method of moving oil and natural. I am an advocate of building more pipelines. I have co-sponsored legislation to build domestic and international pipelines to facilitate energy development. I have advocated for expediting the application process, so that our federal agencies provide private investors certainty. Unfortunately, I cannot support H.R. 161. While I am an advocate of all things natural gas, I am not in favor of completely circumventing the permitting process. About a decade ago, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), which has jurisdiction over pipeline approvals, had some issues. We worked closely with the industry and the agency to improve the processes and timelines so that we could get pipe built in this country quickly. FERC has done an admirable job working with industry and other key stakeholders to improve the process. Currently, FERC approves the majority of permits in less than 18-to- 24 months. Where there are problems and delays with other permits, namely at the local and state level and FERC is working to resolve those issues. Unfortunately, this bill does nothing to address those issues. This bill sets a timeline for FERC and if that timeline expires, then any permit is approved. Our federal agencies have an oversight role to play and allowing permit applications to essentially ``run out the clock'' when issues arise is a way to circumvent our federal process. In Energy and Commerce, we put a lot of work into this bill and I want to thank my colleagues for working closely with our side. But, I cannot support H.R. 161 and I urge my colleagues to oppose the bill as well.

Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas

Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise in remembrance of the over 130 innocent men, women, and children who were killed by the Red Army in the days following its invasion of Azerbaijan 23 years ago. On January 20, 1990, the Soviet Union, in a brutal attempt to end the growing independence movement in Azerbaijan, sent in 26,000 troops under the pretext of restoring public order, while actually aiming to forcefully end peaceful demonstrations for independence. The invasion and subsequent massacre, which resulted in over 130 killed, 611 injured, and 841 arrests, is remembered as ``Black January'' in the Republic of Azerbaijan today and has left an indelible mark on that nation's memory. It was the overt oppression of innocent people by the Soviet government that further inspired the Azerbaijani people to regain its independence after 70 years of foreign rule. Less than two years later, on October 18, 1991, Azerbaijan gained its independence from the Soviet Union and was soon recognized by the international community. Today, the United States and Azerbaijan enjoy a close and important relationship, built on trust, understanding, and mutual support. It is important on this day that America remembers the trials and tribulations our friends in Azerbaijan have had to endure for the cause of freedom and continue to support their vital role as a beacon of democracy and prosperity in the Caspian Region. Mr. Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to please join me in remembering the tragic events of Black January and honor those who gave their lives in order to give birth to their country.

Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas

Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas. Madam Chair, I rise in support of a clean Homeland Security Appropriations bill that has bipartisan support and oppose the Republican amendments. Madam Chair, I rise in support of passage of a clean Homeland Security Appropriations bill that has bipartisan support and will ensure the security of the American people and in opposition to the Republican Amendments to this legislation, most notably the Aderholt and Blackburn Amendments. The Aderholt Amendment would bar the use of any funds to expand the DACA program, which has helped thousands of young people in my district in North and East Houston and Harris County come out of the shadows and be able to go to college and get a job without fear of deportation, as well as the Administration's recently announced DAPA initiative, which would similarly help up to 5 million immigrants who are parents and spouses of U.S. Citizens, who will be required to get right with the law and pay back taxes before receiving relief. The Blackburn Amendment would end the DACA program, deporting hundreds of thousands of DREAMer young people who were brought to this country as children and know no other home. These amendments serve as nothing more than poison pills that will ruin months of bipartisan work by the Appropriations Committee and endanger funding for the very agencies that protect our country from terrorists, drug cartels, and organized crime and harm millions of immigrants who simply want to get right with the law and a fair, transparent path to legalization and earned citizenship. The whole world saw the horrific acts of terrorism in Paris and France last week which resulted in the deaths of 17 innocent people, including 3 police officers, by 4 suspects who are believed to have connections with al Qaeda. In this time of heightened security concerns, the last thing this chamber should contemplate is another fabricated funding crisis. The Obama Administration has already announced its support of the bill, as introduced, and will sign this must-pass legislation into law immediately. I call on my colleagues to support the clean passage of the underlining legislation, oppose these cynical amendments, and to join me in calling for this Congress to take on comprehensive immigration reform and fix our broken immigration system once and for all.

Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas

Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas. ``The privilege of the writ of habeas corpus shall not be suspended, unless when in cases of rebellion or invasion the public safety may require it. ``No bill of attainder or ex post facto law shall be passed. ``No capitation, or other direct, tax shall be laid, unless in proportion to the census or enumeration herein before directed to be taken. ``No tax or duty shall be laid on articles exported from any State.''

Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas

Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 3, a bill to approve the application for the construction of Keystone XL pipeline. I rise in support of this bill because I support North American energy development. Today, the Nebraska Supreme Court affirmed that Keystone XL should be built. Keystone XL pipeline not the first cross-border pipeline project built in North America. But if some opponents had their way, Keystone XL pipeline would be the last pipeline we built in North America. Energy prices are at their lowest point in the last decade. Energy imports from partners like Canada and Mexico, and domestic production, have put more than $900 a year in the pockets of the American people. Keystone XL will continue this success in a time of struggle. The United States still imports approximately 40 percent of the oil we use domestically. The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) has decided to directly challenge the new North American energy market by maintaining, and in some cases, increasing production. This is a direct affront to North American producers and an all-out price war. This, however, is a struggle we can win, with the help of our North American partners. Breakeven prices for North American crude, including Canadian oil sands and United States shale oil, are as low as $40 per barrel. Our producers can support our domestic demand while further driving out more expensive competitors. Unfortunately, our domestic producers cannot win without cost- effective and environmentally sound transportation. Keystone XL offers that advantage and I support it, although I do not believe H.R. 3 is the perfect legislation. I believe that oil sands should be subject to the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund. Almost every other source of crude oil that transits the United States is subject to the Trust Fund tax and oil sands should be as well. It makes fiscal sense, it makes environmental sense and it makes competitive sense. Oil sands should not be favored over any other sources in our country. The Keystone XL pipeline is the most scrutinized project in as long as I can remember. As we face the 114th Congress, we have real problems that require answers. Keystone XL pipeline is good for the United States, it's good for North America and we should support this bill.

Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas

Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas. It will make shifts toward part-time employment more likely rather than less. Starting the 114th Congress with the 54th attempt to undermine or repeal the Affordable Care Act is disappointing, and the American people deserve better.

Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise today to express my opposition both to the rule and also to the underlying legislation, Save American Workers Act of 2015. To paraphrase President Reagan: There you go again. This bill is another effort to undermine the Affordable Care Act, and, even worse, this significantly makes the problem worse. Raising the threshold for full-time employees from 30 hours a week to 40 hours a week would result in lost work hours for 6.5 million people. This essentially guts the employer responsibility requirement at the direct expense of the hardworking employees and of the taxpayers who end up subsidizing these employees' health care coverage. According to the Congressional Budget Office and the Joint Committee on Taxation, the misnamed Save American Workers Act will cause 1 million people to lose their employer-based health insurance coverage, increase the number of uninsured Americans by 500,000, and add $74 billion to the deficit over the next 10 years.

Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas

Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, Houstonians and baseball fans all across the country today are celebrating. The Houston Astros have their first person into the Hall of Fame, Craig Biggio. He is called the greatest Astro because, for his 20-year career, he spent his total time with the Houston Astros. We have a number of other players in the Hall of Fame, but they didn't spend their entire career with the Astros. The Houston Astro franchise started in 1962, 52 years ago, as the Colt .45s. In 1965, they changed the name to the Houston Astros and played in the Astrodome for many years. Now they play at Minute Maid Park. The famed Astrodome is still there, although we need to refurbish it. But it is historic. The Astros organization and Houstonians today are celebrating Craig Biggio, who was a great mentor to a lot of baseball players. Mr. Hustle, as he was known in the Houston area, is now a member of the Hall of Frame.