Bob Gibbs

Mr. GIBBS

Mr. GIBBS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 3409 represents the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure's commitment to the men and women serving in the Coast Guard and lays the groundwork for maintaining their mission capability in the future. It also represents the bipartisan spirit that so often falls below the radar on Capitol Hill. At a time when the issues dominating the headlines fuel political fighting, it is refreshing to work with colleagues from both sides of the aisle. H.R. 3409 recognizes that port and coastal security, drug interdiction, and maritime safety are commonsense issues, not Republican or Democrat issues. This Coast Guard authorization addresses priorities important to both East and West Coasts, the inland river system, and the Great Lakes. All these regions are well-represented by the chairs and ranking members of the committee and subcommittee. The Coast Guard plays an important and unique role in national security and maritime safety. It is a critical component in carrying out drug interdiction efforts, keeping our ports and coasts safe, and conducting icebreaking operations. H.R. 3409, the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2019, helps the Coast Guard better perform their missions and encourages the use of cutting-edge technology to improve operations. Utilizing drone technology and upgrading computer systems will help the Coast Guard personnel complete their missions. I am also proud of the commitment made to the Great Lakes in this bill. Working with Congressman Mike Gallagher from Wisconsin, we emphasized the economic importance of the Great Lakes and the necessity for new, dedicated icebreakers on the lakes to keep commerce moving. It is unfortunate that the provisions in the bill to ensure the Coastguardsmen were paid during lapses in appropriations were stripped from the bill. Nonetheless, I commend Chairman DeFazio and the 186 cosponsors of the Pay Our Coast Guard Act for pursuing this important initiative. I thank Chairman DeFazio, Ranking Member Graves, and Subcommittee Chairman Maloney for working in a bipartisan fashion to give the Coast Guard the resources it needs to accomplish its missions. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. GIBBS. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Graves), who is the ranking member of the full Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.

Mr. GIBBS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Puerto Rico (Miss Gonzalez-Colon).

Mr. GIBBS. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Graves).

Mr. GIBBS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Mr. Speaker, this is a very strong bipartisan bill. We need to support the efforts of our men and women out there who are doing the daily work to protect this country, the Coast Guard. I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. GIBBS

Mr. GIBBS. Mr. Chairman, since the beginning of this year, so much of our time in this Chamber has been used to move one messaging bill after another. Many of these bills are thinly-veiled attacks on the President, but this amendment goes above and beyond. Under this amendment, the Department of Defense is prohibited from staying at any property owned by President Trump or his family. To be clear, this is not a prohibition on the Department of Defense utilizing facilities owned by any President; this amendment is about Donald Trump, President Donald Trump. It explicitly names the President over 50 times. Fifty times in this amendment the President is named. This amendment says the DOD can't do for President Trump what it does for every President in the past: facilitate Presidential travel. This is a new low. In 2016, the GAO found the Department of Defense spent more than $2.8 million facilitating a 4-day trip for President Obama, which included a Florida vacation. While the bulk of the Department of Defense's spending on Presidential travel is airfare, the Federal employees who are staffing the trip need to eat and sleep. When you travel with President Obama, you can eat and sleep wherever is most convenient and most cost-effective, but when you travel with President Trump, you had better pack a sandwich and a sleeping bag, because you can't buy a hot meal or reserve a hotel room because everything is usually so full. This is an unreasonable restriction on the DOD and on this administration. The focus on who owns the facility instead of which facility meets the needs and mission of the Department is disgraceful. A number of people travel with the President and the Cabinet, and they need the flexibility to choose the best facilities. Placing unnecessary restrictions on these choices for political motivations impedes the Department's mission. As was just stated by my colleague from Colorado, this President donates his presidential salary to charity. And he doesn't have time to worry about what the Department of Defense is doing because he is making America better. We have the lowest unemployment in decades. We have got wages going up. We have got a strong economy. He is working on trade deals. He is fighting for every worker out there, every farmer, every business; and I don't think he really has time; and it is about time that the other side of the aisle moves on and realizes who is the President of the United States, and the great things that are happening in this country, and not doing such juvenile tactics of restricting the Department of Defense to where they can go; because this would also include an employee of the Department of Defense not being able to use the expense account if something comes up. He has got assets all around the world. It might be more applicable to be at a Trump facility. He has got things in Istanbul, the Philippines, all around the world, and you never know. We shouldn't tie the hands of the Department of Defense. It is up to them to make those decisions, and not for us to put ridiculous restrictions on. So I sincerely urge defeat of this amendment for many of the reasons I simply have said. In the standards of this body, this is the lowest standard. We have gone to a new low.

Mr. GIBBS. Mr. Chair, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. GIBBS

Mr. GIBBS. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to take from the Speaker's table H.R. 3401, with the Senate amendment thereto, and concur in the Senate amendment. This bipartisan bill passed the Senate 84-8 and could be sent to the President's desk for his signature today. Let's vote on it.

Mr. GIBBS

Mr. GIBBS. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise today to support H.R. 1449, sponsored by Representative Kelly. H.R. 1449 names a post office in Olympia Fields, Illinois, in honor of Captain Robert L. Martin. During World War II, Martin joined the Army Air Force and trained at the airfield in Tuskegee, Alabama. As a member of the famous Tuskegee Airmen, Captain Martin flew over 63 missions. He was attached to the 100th Fighter Squadron, providing air support for Allied bombing runs into Central Europe. Captain Martin was decorated with a Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal with oak leaf clusters, and the Purple Heart. In 2007, President Bush awarded Captain Martin the Congressional Medal of Honor for his bravery in World War II. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. GIBBS. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to support this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. GIBBS

Mr. GIBBS. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 828, introduced by the gentleman from New York's First District, Congressman Lee Zeldin. H.R. 828 names a postal facility in Smithtown, New York, in honor of the man who represented the First District of New York four decades ago, former Congressman Bill Carney. Congressman Carney was elected in 1978 to represent Long Island. He served as a Member of this body for four terms, until 1987. Before coming to Congress, Mr. Carney served in the United States Army Medical Corps. From there, he went on to serve his local government as a member of the Suffolk County legislature. Congressman Carney is remembered as a lighthearted man of the people. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. GIBBS. Madam Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Zeldin), my friend.

Mr. GIBBS. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. GIBBS

Mr. GIBBS. Madam Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I rise today to support H.R. 1198, which names a post office in Henderson, Nevada, in honor of the city's veterans. The men and women from Henderson, Nevada--and all veterans--who fought to protect this Nation should be honored. They leave their homes and their families to defend our freedom. Veterans put their lives on the line for the liberties we enjoy. Today, we celebrate and honor the veterans from Henderson, Nevada. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. GIBBS

Mr. GIBBS. Madam Speaker, I was unable to attend votes the week of January 22-24 due to a medical procedure performed in my home State of Ohio. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 044, YEA on Roll Call No. 045, NAY on Roll Call No. 046, NAY on Roll Call No. 047, YEA on Roll Call No. 048, NAY on Roll Call No. 049, YEA on Roll Call No. 050, and NAY on Roll Call No. 051.

Mr. GIBBS

Mr. GIBBS. Madam Speaker, I was unable to attend votes on January 14th due to a doctors appointment in my home state of Ohio. Had I been present, I would have voted Yea on Roll Call No. 30.

Mr. GIBBS

Mr. GIBBS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 7279) to amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to provide for an integrated planning process, to promote green infrastructure, and for other purposes.

Mr. GIBBS. 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. 7279.

Mr. GIBBS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I am here today to express strong support for my bill, H.R. 7279, the Water Infrastructure Improvement Act, and ask my colleagues to join the bipartisan coalition that worked on this legislation to pass it. I introduced this bill to help codify into law a useful tool our communities should have at their disposal called integrated planning. Integrated planning provides flexibility for communities when they are confronted with the realities of managing wastewater and stormwater systems. Cities and other municipalities are charged with delivering those water utility services to their residents. Those same municipalities face the challenges of regulatory mandates from the Environmental Protection Agency for wastewater and stormwater systems. They also face the rising costs of these mandates, which can become severe financial burdens in repairing or replacing aging water infrastructure. These financial burdens ultimately fall on the ratepayers: the residents of those municipalities, many of whom cannot afford dramatic and immediate increases in their monthly bill. Without flexibility and the ability to prioritize projects so public health and environmental benefits can be maximized, local governments may be forced into costly consent decrees. Integrated planning helps communities sequence their water projects to meet regulatory or safety obligations more affordably. Cities can use integrated planning to focus on projects that will actually deliver safe and affordable water utility services rather than simply focusing on regulations and red tape. The Water Infrastructure Improvement Act also creates an important position inside the EPA, the Office of Municipal Ombudsman, to assist municipalities in implementing Agency policy and ensuring local governments are adhering to their responsibilities under the Clean Water Act while utilizing integrated planning. This bill enjoys bipartisan support in Congress and support from the National Association of Clean Water Agencies, the U.S. Conference of Mayors, the National League of Cities, the American Public Works Association, the National Association of Counties, and the National Association of Regional Councils. The Water Infrastructure Improvement Act offers a way forward for our communities to take a comprehensive approach to repairing or replacing outdated water systems, to delivering clean and sustainable water services, and to keeping it affordable for the ratepayers and taxpayers. We all tend to get wrapped up in the headlines of the day. The nonstop calls for outrage dominate cable news, and partisan differences grab everyone's attention. Because of that, the American people very rarely hear or see the real bipartisan work on issues important to their everyday lives like easy access to safe, affordable, and efficient water utilities. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleague from California (Mrs. Napolitano) for her work on this issue. This is an example of the many issues in Congress that affect the lives of all Americans and that find bipartisan support, yet fly under the radar. I strongly urge my colleagues to join me, Mrs. Napolitano, Mr. Latta, Ms. Fudge, Mr. Chabot, and Mrs. Bustos in passing the Water Infrastructure Improvement Act so America's municipalities and their residents can maintain access to safe water. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. GIBBS. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Latta).

Mr. GIBBS. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Chabot).

Mr. GIBBS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I want to, again, thank my colleague from California, Mrs. Napolitano, for all her help on the other side of the aisle to make this a very bipartisan bill. It is a very commonsense bill. The key to this that I think needs to be mentioned and emphasized is it gives our local communities flexibility and also encourages all levels of government to work together--the Federal EPA, the State EPA, and the local municipalities--to solve the problems they have at the ground level. Also in this bill, there is a provision that requires that the new position, the EPA ombudsman, in at least 2 years report back to Congress, the T&I Committee, about what happened with the integrated planning, the specific projects, and review that and see if it needs to be tweaked or not. We will see how it works. It is very important, working together. You see communities that have been under court orders, court decrees, and they can't get to where they need to get to, and this bill gives them that flexibility and that common sense. Everybody wants to do the right thing, and this will help them do that and to be working with the EPA in a partnership. Mr. Speaker, in closing, I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on H.R. 7279, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. GIBBS

Mr. GIBBS. Mr. Speaker, I thank Leader McCarthy for introducing this resolution. It is important to underscore how seriously we must take the right for American citizens to vote. Several cities have granted the right to vote in local elections to those who are not citizens of the United States. San Francisco is allowing illegal aliens and other noncitizens to vote in certain local elections. It is still illegal for noncitizens to vote in Federal elections, and rightly so. Twelve States plus the District of Columbia allow illegal aliens to obtain driver's licenses, eight of them offering voter registration at the time of getting that license, popularly called the ``motor voter laws.'' It is easy to see how illegal voting can occur. Illegal voting does not have to be widespread or number in the millions for it to make a real impact on our elections. In Ohio alone, there were 199 races or issues that were tied or decided by just 1 vote in the last 5 years. Recent incidents of illegals attempting to vote in Federal elections have been in the news. Just last month, 19 foreign nationals were indicted in North Carolina for illegally voting in the 2016 election. In Ohio, seven were indicted for illegal voting in our elections. Voter fraud is a serious crime. We have to take the integrity of our elections seriously. It is not just a matter of simple mistakes or a handful of improper votes. These elections determine the direction and policies of our cities, States, and the Nation. We must recognize the effect that allowing illegal immigrants to vote has on our right as Americans to self-determination. Recently, I introduced the Ensuring American Voters Act, which would shore up potential gaps in our voter registration system like States that have the motor voter laws and give illegal aliens driver licenses. Typically, when you register to vote, you have to show proof of residency. More importantly, in my legislation you would have to show proof of citizenship. Some say this isn't a problem, but when you don't really require proof of citizenship, how do we know the extent of the problem? As the gentleman from California, Leader McCarthy, rightly says, it devalues the franchise and diminishes the voting power of American citizens. This is a commonsense resolution that emphasizes current Federal law, barring noncitizens from voting in Federal elections. A recent poll by Rasmussen shows nearly 70 percent of American people agree. I want to thank Leader McCarthy for introducing this legislation, and I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.

Mr. GIBBS

Mr. GIBBS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to offer legislation to honor a good man, a faithful public servant, a veteran, and a friend to the people of the great state of Ohio by renaming the Post Office in Ashland, Ohio after former Ohio Senate President, Bill Harris. Bill served our nation as a United States Marine for 23 years. He completed tours of duty in the Korean and Vietnam Wars. His actions led to him being awarded the Bronze Star twice and the Vietnam Medal of Honor. He rose to the rank of Major and retired in 1977. Shortly thereafter, Bill found himself moving to Ashland, Ohio and opening a car dealership. It is still run by the Harris family. Bill was an active member of his community, serving as chairman of the Ashland Area Chamber of Commerce and was a member of the Board for the Ashbrook Center at Ashland University. I got to know Bill when we served in the Ohio legislature together. While he was in the Senate, I served in the House. Bill was Ohio Senate President when he led them to enact major reforms to Ohio's tax code. He also had a passion for making Ohio's higher education system better and more affordable. But I also got to know Bill on a personal level. After Bill broke his leg slipping on ice in 2009, he was unable to drive. Since I lived the closest to him, I drove him down to Columbus while he was recovering. We spent many hours talking, sometimes about politics and state government, but mostly about family and life. He told me stories and imparted his wisdom on those drives from Ashland to Columbus and back. Bill Harris dedicated his life to his family and friends, his community and country. I offer this legislation as a way to honor Bill's legacy and recognize his achievements. I ask for my colleagues' support of this bill to rename the Post Office in Bill's hometown of Ashland after him as thanks for his commitment to Ashland, the State of Ohio, and to America.

Mr. GIBBS

Mr. GIBBS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to offer legislation to honor a good man, a faithful public servant, a veteran, and a friend to the people of the great state of Ohio by renaming the Post Office in Ashland, Ohio after former Ohio Senate President, Bill Harris. Bill served our nation as a United States Marine for 23 years. He completed tours of duty in the Korean and Vietnam Wars. His actions led to him being awarded the Bronze Star twice and the Vietnam Medal of Honor. He rose to the rank of Major and retired in 1977. Shortly thereafter, Bill found himself moving to Ashland, Ohio and opening a car dealership. It is still run by the Harris family. Bill was an active member of his community, serving as chairman of the Ashland Area Chamber of Commerce and was a member of the Board for the Ashbrook Center at Ashland University. I got to know Bill when we served in the Ohio legislature together. While he was in the Senate, I served in the House. Bill was Ohio Senate President when he led them to enact major reforms to Ohio's tax code. He also had a passion for making Ohio's higher education system better and more affordable. But I also got to know Bill on a personal level. After Bill broke his leg slipping on ice in 2009, he was unable to drive. Since I lived the closest to him, I drove him down to Columbus while he was recovering. We spent many hours talking, sometimes about politics and state government, but mostly about family and life. He told me stories and imparted his wisdom on those drives from Ashland to Columbus and back. Bill Harris dedicated his life to his family and friends, his community and country. I offer this legislation as a way to honor Bill's legacy and recognize his achievements. I ask for my colleagues' support of this bill to rename the Post Office in Bill's hometown of Ashland after him as thanks for his commitment to Ashland, the State of Ohio, and to America. The bill was ordered to be engrossed and read a third time, was read the third time, and passed, and a motion to reconsider was laid on the table.