Sam Graves

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 4693, the Tennessee Valley Authority Salary Transparency Act. This legislation simply reinstates an annual reporting requirement for the Tennessee Valley Authority to disclose to Congress the salaries for upper-level management. I thank Representatives Cohen and Burchett for their bipartisan work on this legislation, which passed out of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure by voice vote this last year. The bill continues years of work to make the TVA more transparent for its customers and the communities that it obviously serves. Mr. Speaker, I urge support of H.R. 4693, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Burchett), one of the cosponsors of this piece of legislation.

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

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 4693, the Tennessee Valley Authority Salary Transparency Act, is a commonsense piece of legislation that is going to help increase transparency at the TVA and ensure that the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee can conduct appropriate oversight over the agency's actions. Mr. Speaker, I urge support of the bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Nicholas Charles Nesslage. Nicholas is a very special young man who has exemplified the finest qualities of citizenship and leadership by taking an active part in the Boy Scouts of America, Troop 495, and earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout. Nicholas has been very active with his troop, participating in many Scout activities. Over the many years Nicholas has been involved with Scouting, he has not only earned numerous merit badges, but also the respect of his family, peers, and community. Nicholas has also contributed to his community through his Eagle Scout project. Nicholas created a gravel water runoff area at his local park in Weatherby Lake to combat flooding. Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Nicholas Charles Nesslage for his accomplishments with the Boy Scouts of America and for his efforts put forth in achieving the highest distinction of Eagle Scout.

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and congratulate Truman State University in my district in Missouri. Since 2015, Truman State and its partners have been working to create the Greenwood Interprofessional Autism Center. The Greenwood Center is now fully operational. But before I talk more about the new Center, let me tell you about Truman State University. Truman State was founded in 1867 in Kirksville, Missouri and is Missouri's only statewide public liberal arts and sciences university. Truman is consistently ranked among the nation's best colleges. For 26 consecutive years, U.S. News and World Report has recognized Truman as the No. 1 public university in the Midwest Regional category. They also gave Truman a No. 1 ranking for ``Best Undergraduate Teaching,'' and Truman has rated No. 1 on the list of ``Best Value Schools'' in the region. Autism is the fastest-growing developmental disorder in the United States. The Center will provide in-depth, interdisciplinary assessment and intervention for those with autism or suspected autism, as well as other neuro-developmental disorders in Northeast Missouri where these services do not exist. The Center will provide applied behavior analysis (ABA) services internally and work with a variety of external partners to meet the needs of the people the Center will serve. All partners will work within the Center's model and guidelines to ensure consistency, quality, and collaboration. The Center also provides high-quality training for students at Truman State University. Licensed professionals will supervise Truman students enrolled in health-related academic programs (Applied Behavior Analysis, communication disorders, counseling, education, exercise science, health science, nursing, and psychology). I congratulate Truman State and its partners for creating this Center that will bring invaluable and much needed resources to the families and children of Northeast Missouri.

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Westerman), the chairman of the Natural Resources Committee,

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 7454) to amend title 49, United States Code, to extend authorizations for the airport improvement program, to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to extend the funding and expenditure authority of the Airport and Airway Trust Fund, and for other purposes.

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. 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 in the Record on H.R. 7454.

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, H.R. 7454 extends the statutory authority of the Federal Aviation Administration through May 10, 2024. The bill provides for key extensions of FAA authorities, such as the continued collection of aviation excise taxes that the safe operation of the National Airspace System is dependent upon. Importantly, this bill also allows adequate time for the House and Senate to reconcile a final FAA bill to ensure the FAA has a long-term reauthorization. Last July, the House did its part to provide for a long-term reauthorization of the FAA on time and ahead of schedule when we passed H.R. 3935 in overwhelming bipartisan fashion with more than 350 votes. I commend my House colleagues for fulfilling the responsibility to ensure the FAA has the tools and resources it needs to maintain operations and safety in our National Airspace System. The good news is that the Senate Commerce Committee has finally marked up its FAA bill, S. 1939. It is clear that enacting a long-term FAA bill remains the goal of both Chambers, and Congress is on track to do that. In the meantime, we must act to pass another extension to keep the lights on at the FAA. As frequent flyers ourselves, I know for a fact that we all share a common goal of upholding safety in our airspace so every person who uses the system can travel and return home safely. I plan to work expeditiously with our Senate counterparts so that this is the last short-term extension before we send a comprehensive, long-term FAA bill to the President's desk. Failure to enact this extension is going to jeopardize aviation safety and will directly and immediately increase our national debt by more than $50 million a day. I encourage all Members to support this bill so that we can maintain safety in the National Airspace System while we continue to work toward enacting a long-term reauthorization. Madam Speaker, I want to take just a moment to recognize one of our Subcommittee on Aviation staffers, Christopher Senn, who will be leaving the committee this week. I thank him for his service to our country, as a veteran of the United States Marine Corps, by the way, and for his work and assistance with the committee, especially when it comes to FAA matters. Madam Speaker, I urge support for this legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Madam Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Graves), who is the chairman of the Subcommittee on Aviation.

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from New York (Mr. D'Esposito).

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Self).

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Madam Speaker, I don't have any more speakers, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Madam Speaker, I urge, as well, all Members to support this bill. This is a must-pass bill so we can keep our aviation system operating safely. H.R. 7454 provides for a clean extension of FAA authorities. It does not include any policy riders. Failure to extend the FAA's authorities is going to cost the Federal Government more than $50 million a day in lost revenues. A lapse in authorities would also prohibit the FAA from making new obligations from the aviation trust fund to fund the FAA's important safety, operational, and research functions. Enacting a long-term and comprehensive FAA bill is the goal of both the House and the Senate. I remain committed to doing just that so Congress can deliver certainty to the aviation industry and the FAA. Madam Speaker, I urge support for this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, today I missed a series of Roll Call votes. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall No. 20 and ``yea'' on rollcall No. 21. personal explanation

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I missed a rollcall vote today. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall No. 11. Stated against:

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to House Resolution 947, I call up the joint resolution (S.J. Res. 38) providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Federal Highway Administration relating to ``Waiver of Buy America Requirements for Electric Vehicle Chargers,'' and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

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 S.J. Res. 38.

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to urge support for S.J. Res. 38, which was introduced by Senator Rubio of Florida under the Congressional Review Act, which would invalidate the Federal Highway Administration's waiver of Buy America requirements for electric vehicle chargers. The joint resolution is intended to ensure our Federal dollars support American-made products rather than products from foreign competitors like China. In November of 2021, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act created the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Formula Program and the Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Grant Program, funding these programs at $5 billion and $2.5 billion, respectively. The Federal Highway Administration was quick to move a waiver of Buy America requirements for EV chargers to help achieve the Biden administration's very progressive policy agenda, citing a public interest need. There is no public interest need here, Mr. Speaker. Rather, there is just a desire for the administration to continue to push its woke agenda without fully considering the far-reaching ramifications. It is not better for the climate as China is the number one emitter of greenhouse gas emissions around the world, and it is certainly not better for American competitiveness or security as China has already demonstrated it will utilize infrastructure footholds as it did with telecommunications and Huawei to undermine America's national security. Simply put, a waiver undercuts domestic investments and risks empowering foreign nations. If the administration is going to continue to push for a massive transition to EVs, it should ensure and comply with the Buy America requirements. This joint resolution received bipartisan support in the Senate, underscoring the support of Congress for ensuring that these dollars aren't funneled to China. Mr. Speaker, I urge support of the joint resolution, I and reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Williams), the chairman of the Small Business Committee.

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

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Wyoming (Ms. Hageman).

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Oklahoma (Mrs. Bice).