Sam Graves

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. 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. 7023.

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Chair, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Graves).

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Chairman, I am proud to rise in support of H.R. 7023, the Creating Confidence in Clean Water Permitting Act, which will make permitting processes under the Clean Water Act more efficient, consistent, and transparent while continuing to protect our Nation's water quality. The Clean Water Act became law in 1972 with strong bipartisan support and an understanding that clean water supports healthy communities, as well as every industry across the United States, from farming to fishing to manufacturing. Unfortunately, we have seen this important law become increasingly weaponized over the years to delay permits and prevent critical infrastructure and energy projects from moving forward without providing any additional environmental protection. Ultimately, the weaponization harms the health and well-being of our Nation. This bill will address these problems and greatly benefit manufacturers, farmers, energy producers, road constructors, home builders, water treatment plants, and supply chain managers, among others, by providing clarity under the Clean Water Act. Every person throughout the country relies on these industries and will also benefit from the regulatory flexibility and faster completion of these projects. I emphasize that this bill does not overhaul or weaken the Clean Water Act. Instead, the Creating Confidence in Clean Water Permitting Act codifies longstanding, effective permitting practices and makes targeted, commonsense reforms. Mr. Chairman, I thank all of my colleagues on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee who worked on various aspects of this legislation. Mr. Chairman, I urge support for this commonsense legislation that is going to provide clarity to the Clean Water Act permitting process, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Chairman, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Stauber).

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Chair, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Duarte).

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Chair, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Owens).

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Chair, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Burlison).

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Chair, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Rouzer).

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Chair, I yield an additional 30 seconds to the gentleman from North Carolina.

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. That was my last speaker, Mr. Chair, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Chair, I yield myself the balance of my time. Mr. Chairman, in closing, H.R. 7023 is critical to achieving more efficient project completion by streamlining and improving permitting processes under the Clean Water Act. As has been stated, this bill will support everyday Americans making targeted, commonsense reforms to the Clean Water Act, balancing the need for environmental protections along with energy and infrastructure improvements. This bill is the product of hard work by many members of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. In particular, I thank Subcommittee Chairman David Rouzer for his leadership on this issue, and Representatives Eric Burlison, Burgess Owens, Peter Stauber, John Duarte, and Garret Graves for their work who all contributed legislative language to this bill. Mr. Chairman, I urge support of this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1752) to amend the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 to provide for a high-speed broadband deployment initiative, as amended.

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material in the Record on H.R. 1752.

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I am very proud to sponsor H.R. 1752, the Eliminating Barriers to Rural Internet Development Grant Eligibility Act, or the E-BRIDGE Act. Unfortunately, too many of our communities, particularly in rural Missouri, still lack broadband access. Broadband is critical for conducting business, for attracting jobs, telehealth, education, and emergency preparedness and response--you name it. While Economic Development Administration grants can be used to attract jobs to these economically distressed areas, right now, there are hurdles to using these grants for broadband projects, including difficult last-mile efforts that often delay rural broadband deployment. This bill removes those hurdles to help connect and revitalize our rural communities. Mr. Speaker, I urge support for this legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time. House of Representatives, Committee on the Budget, Washington, DC, September 27, 2023. Hon. Sam Graves, Chairman, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Washington, DC. Dear Chairman Graves: I am writing regarding H.R. 1752, the E-Bridge Act, which was ordered reported by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure on July 27, 2023. The bill contains provisions that fall within the jurisdiction of the Committee on the Budget. In order to expedite House consideration of H.R. 1752, the Committee on the Budget will forgo action on this bill. This is being done with the understanding that it does not waive any jurisdiction over the subject matter contained in H.R. 1752 or similar legislation and that the Committee will be appropriately consulted and involved as this bill or similar legislation moves forward so that the Committee may address any remaining issues that fall within its jurisdiction. The Committee on the Budget also reserves the right to seek appointment of an appropriate number of conferees to any House-Senate conference involving this or similar legislation and requests your support of any such request. I would appreciate a response to this letter confirming this understanding with respect to H.R. 1752 and would ask that a copy of our exchange of letters on this matter be included in your committee report and in the Congressional Record during floor consideration of H.R. 1752. Sincerely, Jodey C. Arrington, Chairman, Committee on the Budget.

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Molinaro).

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 886) to amend the Save Our Seas 2.0 Act to improve the administration of the Marine Debris Foundation, to amend the Marine Debris Act to improve the administration of the Marine Debris Program of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 886 builds upon the work of previous Congresses to protect and preserve the quality of our oceans from marine debris. This measure was reported favorably from both the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure as well as the Committee on Natural Resources. This reconciled version before us today was collaborated on and agreed to by both committees and would enhance the capabilities of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration without imposing any new mandates on industry or local government. It also encourages the Marine Debris Foundation to establish its principal office in a coastal community in the real world outside of Washington, D.C. Mr. Speaker, I urge support for this legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material in the Record on H.R. 886.

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I don't have any further speakers, so I am prepared to close. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, this bill is an important next step to help remove marine debris and protect our oceans without instituting any new burdensome requirements. Therefore, Mr. Speaker, I urge support of this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4693) to provide that the Federal Reports Elimination and Sunset Act of 1995 does not apply to certain reports required to be submitted by the Tennessee Valley Authority, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. 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 in the Record on H.R. 4693.