Sam Graves

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Westerman).

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Kansas (Mr. Mann).

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Van Drew).

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, may I inquire as to how much time is remaining.

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that both sides get an additional 2 minutes.

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I have no more speakers, and I am prepared to close. I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. In closing, this bill before us is a strong bipartisan and forward- looking piece of legislation that will undoubtedly advance American aviation, innovation, and safety. I am not going to go into the many great things that are in this bill, but I have served in this House for more than 23 years, and I have been looking forward to passing an FAA bill as chairman of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee for a long time. This is the kind of bill that a chairman only gets to do once in their career, and I could not be more proud of the final product that we put together. I thank my partner, Ranking Member Larsen. I am grateful for that partnership that he and his team have shown throughout this entire process, throughout this Congress, and everything that the committee does. No piece of legislation, especially not one as comprehensive as this bill, is complete without a tremendous amount of behind-the-scenes work. I thank the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee staff on both sides, led by staff directors: Jack Ruddy and Kathy Dedrick and the Aviation Subcommittee staff directors Hunter Presti and Brian Bell. I thank Abby Wenk, Corey Cooke, Meghan Holland, Leslie Parker, Chris Devine, Tyler Micheletti, Rachel Sakrisson, Justin Harclerode, Kerry Goldberg, Jake Murphy, Brianna Garcia, Wills MacKay, and Payton Palazzolo and the Republican Aviation Subcommittee folks: Laney Copeland, Andrew Giacini, Julie Devine, Will Moore, Corey Sites, Chris Senn, and Maggie Ayrea. The last thing I will say is I want to recognize my general counsel, Corey Cooke. This has less to do with the FAA and more to do with the fact that after 5\1/2\ years of serving on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, she is departing for the Senate. After watching and waiting on the Senate to finish the FAA bill, I can't say that her decision to leave the House is necessarily guided in the right direction, and I can't say I fully endorse it. Nonetheless, Corey has been a critical part of everything we have done in the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee during my time, both as chairman and ranking member. She worked for me on my previous committee chairmanship on small business, and she is tenacious, hardworking, and a very loyal staffer who will always be considered a part of Team Graves. Mr. Speaker, I urge every Member of the House to support final passage of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024, 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. 7659) to authorize and amend authorities, programs, and statutes administered by the Coast Guard, 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 insert extraneous material on H.R. 7659.

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 7659, the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2024. This bipartisan measure authorizes funding for the Coast Guard, one of six armed services, for the next 2 fiscal years. The men and women of the Coast Guard deserve the support of this Congress in their efforts to meet the challenges of their ever-growing mission. Those missions are wide-ranging and include ensuring the safety of maritime trade, including our vital supply chain; enforcing United States laws at sea; protecting our Nation's borders; helping counter undue Chinese influence in the Pacific; helping to develop the United States' redefined role in the rapidly changing Arctic; and countering human trafficking and the influx of illicit drugs into this country. This bill provides the Coast Guard with the authorities and resources it needs to carry out its mission. Mr. Speaker, I commend Ranking Member Larsen and Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee Chair Webster and Ranking Member Carbajal for working to reach a bipartisan agreement on this bill. Mr. Speaker, I urge support of this legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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

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

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Van Drew).

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Graves).

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Webster), who is also the chairman of the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee.

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. As Ranking Member Larsen knows well, this important piece of bipartisan legislation would not be possible without the hard work of our staff. I want to thank the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation team led by Mrs. Gonzalez-Colon. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 7659, the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2024. In Puerto Rico, we are the proud home to Sector San Juan and Air Station Borinquen. We know firsthand the important role our men and women in the Coast Guard play each day to save lives, protect our maritime borders, and facilitate commerce. That is why I was proud to cosponsor this important piece of legislation, which will provide needed authorities and resources to support our Coasties and strengthen the Service's critical missions. I am especially pleased the bill includes two provisions I authored-- Sections 205 and 206--to help improve the Coast Guard's drug and migrant interdiction activities. Section 205 would direct the Coast Guard to submit a report to Congress providing an overview of the maritime domain awareness in Sector San Juan, which is responsible for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands and oversees an area of responsibility spanning 1.3 million square nautical miles in the Eastern Caribbean. Over the last few years, we have seen an increase in smuggling events in the region. In Fiscal Year 2021, the Coast Guard interdicted 758 migrants in the Mona Passage and waters near Puerto Rico. These numbers increased substantially in Fiscal Years 2022 and 2023, when the Coast Guard interdicted 2,395 and 2,228 migrants, respectively, in the Sector San Juan area of responsibility. Through April 30, 2024, the Coast Guard had already interdicted 1,199 migrants in waters near Puerto Rico, with five months still remaining to conclude Fiscal Year 2024. Similarly, according to data shared by the Coast Guard with my office, from Fiscal Years 2019 to 2022, the known maritime cocaine flow to Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands--either coming directly from South America or via the Dominican Republic--increased by over 115 percent, from 51 metric tons to 110 metric tons. During the past five years, Coast Guard narcotics seizures in the Sector San Juan area of responsibility increased by over 74 percent, from 6.6 metric tons in Fiscal Year 2019 to 11.5 metric tons in Fiscal Year 2023. There has also been a rise in violence associated with these events. In November 2022, a U.S. Customs and Border Protection marine interdiction agent was shot and killed, and his two partners gravely injured, when drug smugglers opened fire during an interdiction off the coast of Cabo Rojo, in southwestern Puerto Rico. Two months later, another gunfight during a vessel interdiction off the coast of Fajardo in northeastern Puerto Rico resulted in the death of two drug smugglers. The Coast Guard plays a leading role combatting these and other threats we face from transnational criminal organizations and smugglers operating in the Caribbean. It is therefore essential we ensure they have the necessary resources to effectively tackle the rise in illicit maritime activity around Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Section 205 would help achieve this by directing the Coast Guard to report on maritime domain awareness gaps in the region and identify technologies, assets, and capabilities that would help address such gaps. The second provision I authored, Section 206, seeks to improve transparency by requiring the Coast Guard to publish on its website the number of drug and migrant interdictions carried out by the Service each month. In the Don Young Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2022, Congress included a provision requiring the publication of monthly migrant interdiction statistics. Section 206 would build on this and expand the requirement to also include data on drug seizures. It would also require additional information such as the number of migrants interdicted, the amount and type of drugs that are seized, and the geographic location of such interdictions. I want to conclude by thanking and commending House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Sam Graves and Ranking Member Rick Larsen, as well as Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee Chairman Daniel Webster and Ranking Member Salud Carbajal, for their leadership on H.R. 7659. I urge my colleagues to support this important bill and ensure we provide the men and women of the Coast Guard the support they deserve. subcommittee staff director John Rayfield. I also thank Reed Linsk, Cameron Humphrey, Nicole Bredariol, Ian Orr and all of the Transportation and Infrastructure full committee staff who have worked on getting us here today, including staff director Jack Ruddy. I also want to thank the Transportation and Infrastructure minority full committee staff led by Kathy Dedrick and subcommittee staff led by Matt Dwyer. This legislation provides the support that the men and women of the United States Coast Guard need to do their jobs. It improves maritime safety, will help our Nation confront drug and human traffickers off our coast, and counter undue Chinese influence in the Pacific. Mr. Speaker, 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. 8289) to extend authorizations for the airport improvement program, to extend the funding and expenditure authority of the Airport and Airway Trust Fund, and for other purposes.

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. 8289.

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 8289 extends the statutory authorities of the Federal Aviation Administration, FAA, through May 17, 2024. While this extension provides for key extensions of FAA authorities, such as the continued collection of aviation excise taxes that the safe operation of the national airspace is very dependent on, it is largely needed to accommodate the Senate's inability to successfully pass the conferenced FAA bill in time for the House to take a final vote before Friday. The House did its part to provide for a long-term reauthorization of the FAA on time and well ahead of schedule when we passed H.R. 3935 last summer in an overwhelming bipartisan fashion with more than 350 votes. It is unfortunate that the Senate's process for considering its FAA bill continues to be plagued by delays necessitating this extension. I know my colleagues in the House are ready to send the compromise bill to the President once and for all. The good news is that we are so close to doing that. Setting aside the Senate's ability to act in a timely manner, the stark reality is that the FAA is set to expire on May 10, and we must act to pass another extension to maintain safety in the National Airspace System. The Senate and House have worked tirelessly since the Senate Commerce Committee marked up its FAA bill in February. We have worked tirelessly to reconcile differences and produce a comprehensive FAA bill that provides certainty to the agency and the entire aviation community for the next 5 years. The negotiated bill provides the long-term certainty to ensure the safety and prosperity of the American aviation industry for decades to come. Extensions don't provide any certainty, nor do they provide for the robust investments airports across the country need to ensure the continued transportation of goods and services to our communities. For those reasons, both Chambers remain committed to passing a long- term bill. In the meantime, this extension buys the Senate a little bit more time to do their job while keeping the national airspace safe and ensuring that airlines don't get a $50 million-a-day tax break. Mr. Speaker, I encourage all Members to support this extension so that we can consider the conferenced bill next week. Mr. Speaker, I urge support of this legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I am prepared to close, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, again, I urge all Members to support this must-pass bill so we can keep our aviation system operating safely and focus on passing a long-term FAA bill next week. H.R. 8289 provides for a clean extension of FAA authorities. It does not include policy riders. Failure to extend FAA's authorities will cost the Federal Government more than $50 million a day in lost revenues. Enacting a long-term comprehensive FAA bill is the goal of both the House and Senate, and I look forward to presenting that critical piece of legislation to you next week. Mr. Speaker, 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 rise today to commemorate the remarkable journey of B&B Theatres as they mark their centennial milestone. As we celebrate the 100th anniversary of B&B Theatres, we reflect upon a century of enriching experiences, cherished memories, and cultural contributions in my home state of Missouri, as well as communities across the U.S. Beyond its cinematic offerings, B&B Theatres has been a beacon of community engagement, fostering connections and bringing people together. Through partnerships with local organizations, schools, and charities, B&B Theatres has demonstrated a profound dedication to giving back to the communities it serves. Moreover, B&B Theatres has continuously embraced innovation, adapting to the evolving landscape of the entertainment industry while staying true to its core values. From the introduction of state-of-the-art technology to the enhancement of amenities and services, B&B Theatres has consistently elevated the moviegoing experience, ensuring that patrons receive nothing short of excellence. As we honor the legacy of B&B Theatres on this momentous occasion, let us extend our heartfelt congratulations to the founders, employees, and patrons who have contributed to its enduring success. May the next century be filled with continued prosperity, innovation, and memorable experiences for all who walk through the doors of B&B Theatres. In recognition of its 100 years of unparalleled entertainment and community service, I ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating the remarkable legacy of B&B Theatres and the profound impact it has had on our Nation's cultural landscape.

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Nikolas Anthony Manzo. Nikolas 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 1288, and earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout. Nikolas has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. Over the many years Nikolas has been involved with scouting, he has not only earned numerous merit badges, but also the respect of his family, peers, and community. Most notably, Nikolas has contributed to his community through his Eagle Scout project. Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Nikolas Anthony Manzo for his accomplishments with the Boy Scouts of America and for his efforts put forth in achieving the highest distinction of Eagle Scout.