Paul Gosar

Mr. GOSAR

Mr. GOSAR. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. GOSAR

Mr. GOSAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong opposition to H.R. 51 and its affront to the Constitution. The Founding Fathers did not intend for Washington, D.C., to be a State. Article I, Section 8, Clause 17 of the United States Constitution provides Congress with exclusive jurisdiction over the District of Columbia. The enclave clause was included for specific reasons, notably the fact that the operation of the seat of the Federal Government of the United States, whose laws now affect approximately 330 million Americans, should not be impeded by local ordinances, actions, or taxation. The Framers of the Constitution had good reason for this concern, having witnessed the reluctance of local authorities to police disorderly conduct by protesters in June of 1783, conduct that forced the adjournment of Congress and the flight of its Members to neighboring States. We see similar situations playing out in the streets today, right here in Washington, D.C. Passage of this vote today violates the Constitution in two different ways: first, withdrawing specifically enumerated powers granting Congress control of the Federal district; and, two, ignoring the constitutional amendment process the Framers outlined to make changes to our founding charter. Yesterday, I testified on my amendment to the Rules Committee, which reaffirmed and enhanced congressional leadership over the District provided in the District of Columbia Home Rule Act. Unfortunately, my colleagues did not accept this amendment, which was crafted in the spirit of the Constitution, pushing this legislation and the legal thought behind it even further away from our founding tradition. The last few months have been very difficult times in this country, with unrest spanning throughout our Nation, including right here inside Washington, D.C., itself. In the face of willful disregard for the rule of law, it is irresponsible for this body to follow in these footsteps by blatantly taking action against our Constitution. The democratic and legal wisdom of our Founders is unprecedented, and their calls for a legal charter, which granted and preserved individual liberties and good governance, stand true today. Going against their intentions now is neither prudent nor in the best interest of the country. I urge my colleagues to vote against H.R. 51.

Mr. GOSAR

Mr. GOSAR. Madam Speaker, I am here today to point out how some people rise to the occasion during times of crisis, and by simply doing their jobs, they rise above the confusion and exceed the performance and expectations of those around them. Specifically, I am talking about the coronavirus pandemic, and not just its national impact, but its impact in our capital of Washington, D.C. The capital became a ghost town in March and April, and even in May, as restaurants everywhere were closed and everyone sheltered in place. There were very few options and very few restaurants that had the team spirit and determination to stay open. But there was one restaurant, a McDonald's in Southwest, D.C., at 400 C St. S.W., that persevered. They rallied and stayed open the entire pandemic with a crew of dedicated staff that wore protective equipment, rearranged the restaurant for takeout only, and otherwise got to work. One manager named Aaron, worked long shifts with a great attitude. This store's dedication provided some of the only food available in the area, including to members of Congress like me. I very much appreciated their work, their commitment and their resolve. Congratulations to the team there, the management and to the entire crew who really proved how tough they were.

Mr. GOSAR

Mr. GOSAR. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 102nd anniversary of Azerbaijan's Republic Day. On this day in 1918, Azerbaijan emerged from autocracy to establish a Parliamentarian Republic. Today, it shines as an example of freedom in a region of the world historically plagued in the darkness of repression and inequality. Republic Day honors the declaration of independence from the Russian Empire. While the rise of the Soviet Union would undermine its sovereignty once again within two years, the achievements in state building Azerbaijan made in those two years are a testament to the abilities of a free Azeri people. In 1991, Azerbaijan emerged once again, seizing the opportunity presented to them, declaring its right to govern itself and live free. This symbolic emergence ensured the world that this was a continuation on the freedom and progress assembled between 1918 and 1920. Since then, our nations have worked strongly together to promote energy security, increase bilateral trade and investment, and counter terrorism and transnational threats. It has been my great honor to aid in the maintenance of strong ties between our nations, and I look forward to furthering our cooperation to continue to bring peace, security, and stability to the region. Madam Speaker, I congratulate the Republic of Azerbaijan and its people for its proud history in the pursuit of freedom and its commitment to developing solutions to modern problems. I urge my colleagues to join me in honoring this day and wish another century of strength and prosperity on Azerbaijan.

Mr. GOSAR

Mr. GOSAR. Madam Speaker, the Yuma County Farm Bureau is celebrating its centennial this year. An article in the Yuma Morning Sun dated January 8, 1920 notified farmers of the upper valley of a meeting at the courthouse to form and organize a farm bureau. The article goes on to say, ``It seems that at last the farmers have come to the conclusion that united they stand and divided they fall.'' A century later, Yuma County Farm Bureau members remain united in their efforts to protect and promote farming and agriculture locally and beyond. From its beginnings, the Farm Bureau has existed to give members the tools needed for success. That can mean financial expertise, communication skills, advocacy opportunities, training and opportunities to network with and learn from fellow farmers. It all comes together to help farmers stay strong and prosperous. Yuma County Farm Bureau leaders work with elected officials and government agencies at the county, state, and national level to advocate on behalf of its members to address issues ranging from food safety, air quality, and water. These efforts help ensure agriculture remains a strong and viable industry. In Yuma County, agriculture is the single largest private sector contributor to Yuma County's gross domestic product. Yuma County Farm Bureau members are also members of the Arizona Farm Bureau and the American Farm Bureau Federation. This means that the Farm Bureau today is county, state, and national in its scope and influence and provides members with a voice at all levels. I look forward to Yuma County Farm Bureau's continued work and success as a voice for farmers ensuring a prosperous future for farming.

Mr. GOSAR

Mr. GOSAR. Madam Speaker, today I rise to recognize the Assistance League of Southern Utah for its outstanding work in assisting students in my district. You may ask, why is a Congressman from Arizona recognizing a group from Utah? Well, it just speaks to its generosity and the great impact this organization is having in my district. This great organization is providing art supplies for 85 sixth-grade students in the communities of Beaver Dam and Colorado City, Arizona. These communities are located in the geographically isolated Arizona Strip, which is north of the Grand Canyon, near the Utah border. For context, to travel to almost any other part of Arizona takes hours because you cannot drive over the Grand Canyon, Madam Speaker. The intent of this program is to stimulate creativity in these young people and give them activities to keep their minds active once the school day is over. Each student is provided with items such as coloring books, markers, and colored pencils and are given creative license to create whatever they like. In addition to the art program, the Assistance League also organizes an annual campaign called Operation School Bell. This program provides clothing to disadvantaged students and this year will include a literacy program to greater enrich the minds of these students. I would sincerely like to thank the Assistance League's President Gail Neumann and Vice President Kay Minor for being willing to serve their neighboring state and their immeasurable impact on the Beaver Dam and Colorado City communities.

Mr. GOSAR

Mr. GOSAR. Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor of National Children's Dental Health Month. Each February, the American Dental Association unifies members of our healthcare community to recognize the importance of good oral health for our children and many others. As a former dentist, I know that quality dental healthcare impacts your overall well-being. Proper oral health starts with the very first tooth, as baby teeth are the building blocks to a healthy smile. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 20 percent of children ages 5 to 11 suffer from tooth decay. When a child suffers from dental pain, the impact is far-reaching and can affect critical developmental stages, including speaking, eating, and learning. Although tooth decay is widespread, it is preventable. Tooth decay is the number one chronic infectious disease among children in the U.S., and programs like Give Kids a Smile Day enable thousands of dentist volunteers to give their time and efforts to make a difference in the health of children. Since this program has started, volunteers have treated over 6 million children across the country, in all 50 States and the District of Columbia. They have truly made a huge impact in their communities and improved the oral health of so many children.

Mr. GOSAR

Mr. GOSAR. Madam Speaker, today I rise to bring our attention to the 28th Anniversary of what is known as the Khojaly Tragedy. Years ago, as the Soviet Union fell under the weight of socialism, and the despair and malaise created by socialism finally became too much to bear, many of the former Soviet satellite regions went through regrowth and re- birth. Azerbaijan was one such country. Azerbaijan, located in the Caucus region, is an area of unlimited potential. The Azerbaijanis have carved out a remarkable society, a rich culture, and today have a stable government that has led the Azeri people into relative prosperity. Its petroleum resources are world renown, as is its hard-working citizens. The re-birth of this nation was not without its struggle. As the existing Soviet political regime broke down in 1991, ethnic and historical rivalries surfaced. Problems with neighboring Armenia resulted in conflict and death, and the Nagomo-Karabakh conflict erupted. Out of that conflict, one notable tragic incident occurred 26 years ago, where the Azeris were subjected to reported indiscriminate shelling and targeting of the people of Khojaly at the hands of Karabakh Armenian and Armenian forces. It has been reported that up to 613 civilians died on February 26, 1992 as a result of the attack. We cannot change what happened, but we can remember the victims and remind the world that the targeting of civilians is never acceptable. The United States is proud to serve as a co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group and we will continue to push for a peaceful resolution to this conflict, one that will honor the memory of the Khojaly people so that their families and countrymen may never suffer the same fate, nor anyone else in the world. We in the United States cherish our strong bilateral relationship with Azerbaijan. I am very optimistic about what our countries can achieve not just for the Azeris and my fellow countrymen, but for the development of the Caucuses as a whole, allowing the world to understand its potential alongside its rich culture and history. I am honored to recognize the Khojaly victims, and we will continue to keep them in our hearts and minds as we foster a strong working relationship between our two countries and promote a peaceful and fair resolution to this conflict. For Azerbaijan, and for Armenia, peaceful and neighborly relations will result in better prosperity for all of us.

Mr. GOSAR

Mr. GOSAR. Mr. Chairman, I would like to thank my friend from Idaho for yielding. The legislation before us today represents the same failed policies that have caused recent fire seasons to be some of the worst on record. Over 1.5 million acres of new wilderness is created by this bill. Mr. Chairman, a wilderness designation is the most restrictive land classification that can be levied by the Federal Government. Wilderness designations such as these greatly hinder Federal and local agencies' ability to actively manage our forests, which greatly enhances the risk of catastrophic wildfires. Just yesterday, I hosted a roundtable with stakeholders from across the West representing local governments, State governments, animal conservation groups, and private companies that are developing groundbreaking technologies to help us fight the threat of catastrophic fire. Every participant in the panel spoke to the importance of actively managing our forests. Wildfire prevention saves money, human lives, and protects vital wildlife habitats. Passage of this bill puts all of that at risk. This legislation also represents another attempt by the majority to legislate in other Members' districts without their support. I especially want to highlight the provisions in this bill dealing particularly with Colorado. The vast majority of the 700,000 acres of new wilderness created by this bill in Colorado is located in Mr. Tipton's district and Mr. Lamborn's district. Neither of these Members support this legislation. This is a continuation of legislation previously taken up by this House restricting mining in my district that I did not support and attempts by the other side to restrict mining in northern Minnesota and oil and gas development in ANWR completely against the wishes of local Members of Congress as well as people back home. Legislation like this before us today flies in the face of what public lands legislation should be. It should be locally driven and benefit those who live closest to those lands. This legislation does none of that. Instead, it applies a top-down approach to land management, with decrees being levied from Washington, D.C., without the input of local stakeholders. Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to oppose this disastrous legislation.

Mr. GOSAR

Mr. GOSAR. Mr. Chair, today I will be opposing H.R. 2474, the PRO Act. Unfortunately, my Democrat colleagues are bringing legislation to the floor that will continue finding ways to pick winners and losers between special interests and businesses in America. Additionally, the legislation puts the heavy hand of government in between the contracts between workers, unions and their employers. There are ways that we can build up working families in America, protect workers in their workplaces, and advance the growing gig economy in America, but this bill does none of that. Therefore, I cannot support this legislation. But I want to be clear, I support America's workers. Yesterday, as Chairman of the Western Caucus I hosted a job forum focusing on the creation of hundreds of union jobs in Northern Minnesota. Union jobs that are strongly opposed by Democrat members from St. Paul. If you want to fight for more union jobs then join us in supporting the development of the Twin Metals mine and the hundreds of Project Labor Agreement Jobs that will be filled as a result of what could be the largest project in the history of Minnesota. I support the development of the Atlantic Coast Pipeline which will bring 2,000 to 4,000 union construction jobs to West Virginia, Virginia and North Carolina but is strongly opposed by Democrat representatives and governors up and down the path. I support the construction of the Appalachia Petrochemical Complex; a $6 billion ethylene cracking plant being built in Pennsylvania with union workers. A project made possible only by the development and advancements of hydraulic fracturing technology and the natural gas boom made possible by that technology. A technology that Sen. Bernie Sanders, Sen. Elizabeth Warren and a parade of other Democrat presidential candidates want to ban the minute they gain power. I support the modernization of the ESA and NEPA because we need to get America back to building large projects in a timely fashion. Right now, in America, billions of dollars of investment is held up in long permitting times from Offshore wind in the Atlantic, to mines in Arizona, to pipelines in New York, Nebraska and Pennsylvania. If we want to support American workers, we need to free our people to invest in American jobs and infrastructure. For too long my colleagues have attempted to promote heavy handed government intervention, like this legislation, rather than freeing Americans to build pipelines, mines, create jobs and build economic opportunity. Rather than siding with radical environmentalists for who no mine anywhere is acceptable or climate change activists who insist that not a single mile of new pipe be built. I am choosing to side with America's workers, union and private.

Mr. GOSAR

Mr. GOSAR. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 752, which reinforces our nation's support for the rights of the Iranian people to have free speech, free association and fair elections. For over 40 years the Iranian regime has engaged in terrorism and has been a declared enemy of freedom, human rights, and freedom of religion. The Iranian regime, a designated state sponsor of terrorism, states its antipathy for the United States on a daily basis. The regime has engaged in atrocities in Iran and throughout the world. Recently President Trump authorized the removal of Iranian terrorist Qassem Soleimani. The president had the legal authority to do so under the Congressionally enacted AUMF pertaining to Iraq. In the United States, expatriates from Iran applauded this as long overdue justice for a leading proponent of terror, death and destruction. This action should have been taken years ago by the Obama Administration. Instead of addressing Iran's terrorist actions, the prior administration gave aid and support to the terrorist regime. No doubt some of that aid, including billions of dollars, was used to kill innocent people. It took the courage of a real leader to be bold and do what needed to be done. Our country supports the Iranian opposition via the Organization of Iranian American Communities. Their fight is our fight. With patience, a new day will dawn in Iran and its people will be free again.

Mr. GOSAR

Mr. GOSAR. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Washington (Mr. Newhouse), my friend, for yielding. I would like to first look at the Special Order and give a big ``thank you'' to Mr. Newhouse for his passion for solving these issues affecting the Western States. Madam Speaker, I have been honored to be the chairman of the Congressional Western Caucus for the past 3 years. In that time, the caucus has been the leading voice in the charge to modernize the decades-old Endangered Species Act. It is clear that the ESA simply isn't working the way it should. Statistics show that only 3 percent of species listed under the act have been delisted. Madam Speaker, if only 3 percent of the patients admitted to a hospital walked out healthy, that hospital would be shut down immediately. This rate of ineptitude is not sustainable. Back in September, I was proud to organize and chair a forum of Members of Congress and more than 30 stakeholders from across the country to hear firsthand testimonials about how the ESA is broken and to hear suggestions for modifications and reform to make it work better. These testimonies hit home, exposing the fact that the Endangered Species Act is in disrepair and in desperate need of reform. There have been several very positive developments in modernizing ESA in the last year alone. The administration, with the full support of the Congressional Western Caucus, proposed three new rules for the ESA. This new rulemaking is the first substantial amending of the act since the 1980s. These new rules make the ESA more transparent and efficient, and they act more in line with Congress' intent. In addition, I am excited about the Congressional Western Caucus' Endangered Species Act reform package for the 116th Congress, which currently comprises 17 separate pieces of legislation. This package includes six bills that were included in a similar package in the 115th Congress and three other bills from Western Caucus members offered in the 115th Congress. It seeks to codify the three regulations recently finalized by the Trump administration. It also includes six new bills. These bills protect private property rights, encourage voluntary conservation, improve forest health in order to preserve and protect species and local communities, increase multiple- use activities, and protect critical infrastructure. The sponsoring Members of these bills come from nearly every geographic corner of the United States. These Members are taking constituent-driven initiatives and working to make them law. The need for a package like this is obvious. For example, forests are burning across the West on a yearly basis, in part because of ludicrous ESA restrictions. Similarly, I am sure everyone in this Chamber is familiar with some of my Democratic colleagues' sentiments that if we do not pass the Green New Deal, the world will end in 12 years. What they do not talk about is that there is no way that their already unrealistic renewable energy goals can be met without large-scale buildup of new power lines and other energy transmission infrastructure. Under current environmental regulations, including the ESA, building pieces of that very infrastructure could take at least 12 years, so I guess we are all doomed anyway. As I mentioned earlier, great steps have been taken by the Trump administration to bring the ESA into the 21st century. My Democratic colleagues, however, Madam Speaker, cannot help themselves and are preparing to fight these commonsense proposals instead of helping and getting onboard. Tomorrow, the Natural Resources Committee will mark the bill that will undo these landmark reforms to the ESA. This is, once again, a purely political act by this House, and it has no chance of going anywhere. Instead, I call on my Democratic colleagues to work with us to build on the new regulations from the Trump administration to get the ESA working again and better protect species. Once again, Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague, Mr. Newhouse, for allowing me to speak during this important Special Order today and for his leadership in highlighting the need to reform the Endangered Species Act.

Mr. GOSAR. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for hosting this Special Order.

Mr. GOSAR

Mr. GOSAR. Madam Speaker, Speaker Pelosi and the House Democrats rushed through the weakest impeachment in American history. Devoid of any evidence of wrongdoing by President Trump, Speaker Pelosi and her Caucus allowed their hatred of President Trump to triumph at all costs. Now House Democrats are demanding the Senate hold a trial dictated by their terms, including witness testimony they failed to obtain themselves. Since House Democrats want more witnesses, I will gladly offer some names for the Senate to consider. How about Joe and Hunter Biden? Together, they peddled the influence of the Vice President's office for Hunter Biden's personal financial gain. It is plainly on video. How about Adam Schiff? He spent 2 years severely misleading the American people about Russian collusion, held secret hearings at the Capitol basement, and was caught redhanded coordinating with the alleged whistleblower. Ah, yes, why don't we hear from the alleged whistleblower? Reports indicate he worked for Joe Biden, coordinated with Adam Schiff, and has deep anti-Trump views. President Trump deserves to face his secret Democratic accuser. How did we end up in this impeachment mess? The simple truth is the abuse of the FISA court to spy on the Trump campaign. Yes, you heard it: the weaponization of the Federal Government against the people. This is the insidious inbreeding of the swamp, corruption, plain and simple. The President and others are victims of a crime. It is said that those who don't learn from history are doomed to repeat it, and look what is happening with the FISA court now. Just this week, the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court appointed David Kris, an Obama-era DOJ lawyer, to review the abuse of the FISA court, a person who is already engaged in FISA denialism. Yes, let me be clear, perfectly clear: A FISA abuse denier is now in charge of tackling the FISA abuse. I guess, America, only in the Washington, D.C., swamp.

Mr. GOSAR

Mr. GOSAR. Madam Speaker, I rise today in remembrance of the 30th anniversary of the events in Azerbaijan culminating in what is now known as Black January. In January 1990, the former U.S.S.R. attempted to continue to suppress freedom and impose its political will on the people of Azerbaijan. At that time, however, the people of Azerbaijan decided that they had enough of Soviet control and resisted. At night, the Red Army marched into Baku to stem the movements for equality and freedom. While the Azeris used peaceful protests and calls for freedom, the Soviets responded with guns and tanks. These actions resulted in 147 civilian deaths, with hundreds more wounded and imprisoned. The Azeris had seen what happened to prior independence movements in the Soviet Union, yet they persevered on. This tragedy only emboldened them in their cause, carrying on the mission of their countrymen which culminated in their August 1991 independence. Since this monumental declaration, Azerbaijan has been a beacon of freedom in the region as well as a friend and ally of the United States. At this time, we memorialize those fallen and celebrate the continued strength of the Republic of Azerbaijan. Madam Speaker, I strongly urge my colleagues to recognize Black January and join in the honoring of allies in Azerbaijan and their quest for liberation.

Mr. GOSAR

Mr. GOSAR. Madam Speaker, I rise today to highlight the current situation in Jammu and Kashmir within the greater context of the Indo- Pakistani conflict. Just recently, the Indian Parliament passed legislation that changed the status of Jammu and Kashmir by modifying provisions that impeded economic development and affording the people of Jammu-Kashmir the same rights as the people of India. Article 370, an outdated provision of the law that governed Jammu- Kashmir, is no more. Article 370 and the polarized political environment that it created resulted in the loss of thousands of innocent lives within the region. Pakistani-based terrorist organizations such as Lashkar-e-Taiba have conducted terrorist attacks that have disrupted the society and economy of Jammu-Kashmir. They have attacked innocent women and children, and agricultural workers. Prime Minister Modi has made it clear that this change was necessary to facilitate peace and economic prosperity. I applaud Prime Minister Modi and the Parliament for their leadership on ensuring the stability of Jammu-Kashmir. Madam Speaker, I would also like to commend the Trump Administration's continued work with Prime Minister Modi to ensure peace within the region.

Mr. GOSAR

Mr. GOSAR. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of the USMCA but also to raise a concern about the inclusion of section 230 language of the Communications Decency Act. This act gives broad legal immunity to Big Tech, which, in turn, uses it as a shield from accountability. It is important that this provision is not--I state ``not''--included in future trade agreements. The behavior of Big Tech has been the subject of substantial scrutiny. Much of this scrutiny revolves around the appropriateness of maintaining this immunity clause. On a daily basis, new concerns are raised about section 230, including illegal drug sales, child exploitation, terrorist recruitment, political bias, revenge porn, deepfakes, and many more. Section 230 has played a significant role. When Speaker Pelosi and I agree on an issue, there is some there there. I encourage my colleagues to support the USMCA but again raise the issue about section 230. Its continued merit on how it would apply to both trade agreements and everyday application demand modification due to its lack of accountability.

Mr. GOSAR

Mr. GOSAR. Madam Speaker, it is obvious today that there is an intense hatred by the Democrats for President Donald Trump. Why do they hate the man so much? Maybe it is because of the out-of- control government gone wild: the abuses of FISA, the abuses of the FBI, the abuses in the State Department. Maybe it is just the previous administration they are trying to cover up. It is sad. This is a shameful act in what we are doing today. Shame on the Democrats. Shame on them for pursuing this. I ask every Member to vote ``no'' and to take notice of who votes for these Articles of Impeachment.

Mr. GOSAR

Mr. GOSAR. Madam Chairwoman, I thank the gentleman for the time. Madam Chair, the package before us represents the misguided partisan nature of this majority infecting everything Congress touches. This package highlights the real lost opportunities before us because of the majority's insistence on impeachment all the time. The Democrats have rallied and promised real sweeping policies to create jobs, address our trade challenges, tackle our national energy needs, and fight wildfires. Yet, they have been so consumed with attacking our President and impeachment that they have nothing to show for it. So to save face, Speaker Pelosi loaded up her giant jumbo jet, wasted taxpayer dollars gallivanting around Spain to simply talk about climate change. This coming week, she has scheduled a series of bills on the House floor in the name of ``combating climate change'' that are actually retreads of programs that are already authorized and actions that are already being taken by the Federal Government. H.R. 729 is clear proof that the Democrats have no agenda and have no plan other than to impeach President Trump. Most of the bills included in this package before us today duplicate existing authority that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or NOAA, already has under the Coastal Zone Management Act, CZMA. Also, under Tribal CZMA, living shoreline and climate change, NOAA and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service have for fishery research and management, like the Great Lakes fishery, or NOAA has for Digital Coast data platforms. This package represents deeply misguided priorities based off misguided efforts. Now, let's start with the premise that we need to designate a city, a noncoastal city, as a participating member of the Coastal Zone Management Act. Why would we declare the District of Columbia a ``coastal city'' and give them veto power over Federal actions affecting its coastal zone, once it develops an approved coastal zone management program? Political partisan power. What does this threaten? What happens when the District of Columbia expresses concerns with the impacts of expanded Federal operations at Naval Station Norfolk? What happens when the Federal Government wants to expand the Wilson Bridge and I-495? Does D.C. get veto authority? This bill could grant them that authority. Next, let's be clear, the loan guarantee program under the Working Waterfront program will simply put the American taxpayer on the hook for local defaults with little or no adequate oversight. While the National Sea Grant Program is popular among coastal members, this bill establishes a mandatory fellowship program that provides free graduate students to staff, and, yes, Democratic congressional offices, at taxpayer expense. Finally, according to the Congressional Budget Office, CBO, the cumulative cost of this package to the American taxpayers would be upwards of $1.4 billion over the authorized periods, with the potential for an additional cost of $292 million outside of the authorized windows. Yet, here we are with massive new authorizations in the bill package that are unnecessary, and like all things in this Congress, are much higher than current levels of spending. The agencies responsible for carrying out most of this legislation stated that it can do, and is doing, most of these functions under current law. So why are we here? To create giant authorization slush funds that future Democratic Congresses working with future Democratic Presidents will have available to funnel money to their schemes to combat climate change. We should reject this package before us. We should pass the USMCA. We should focus on infrastructure permitting and reforming the way we approve major projects in this country to create jobs and move America forward.

Mr. GOSAR. Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. GOSAR. Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. GOSAR. Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. GOSAR

Mr. GOSAR. Madam Chair, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise in opposition to H.R. 1373, the so-called Grand Canyon Centennial Protection Act. It is an antimining attack on northern Arizona and my district. This legislation imposes a massive land grab of more than one million acres, permanently banning mining and other multiple-use activities in an area nearly the size of Delaware. The withdrawal is also, I would like to point out, very far outside the Grand Canyon. The actual Grand Canyon, of course, is already subject to a multitude of Federal protections. Around one-third of the proposed withdrawal area in this bill is in my district. The rest is in Representative O'Halleran's district. And none of the lands in this bill are in the sponsor of this bill, Representative Grijalva's, district. This bill would have direct negative impacts on six counties in Arizona and Utah, with an estimated two to 4,000 jobs lost and $29 billion in foregone overall economic activity. The withdrawal area also contains 4,204 acres belonging to the Arizona State Land Department for the benefit of Arizona's school children. This withdrawal will mean hundreds of millions of dollars in lost revenue for local communities and for our schools. I think every single school district is hurting for money in Arizona. Further, the majority of the active and historic mining claims are in my district, and the main point of this bill is to lock up those lands for mineral development. I said that this is an attack on northern Arizona, and that is true, but that is not all. This bill is a specific, targeted attempt to prevent access to the highest grade and largest quantity of uranium reserves in the country. In doing so, this legislation has serious defense and energy security implications for the entire Nation. Uranium is a uniquely valuable element. It is a source of renewable energy and also an irreplaceable application in defense and medicine. And yet, domestic uranium production in 2018 was 33 percent lower than in 2017. This year those numbers are likely to be even worse. Our domestic industry is disappearing. If nothing is done, it will be completely gone in just a few years. Look at what has happened with our timber industry in Arizona. We have completely wiped out the mechanism, and now we are victims of catastrophic wildfires. During consideration of this bill in committee, my colleagues across the aisle claimed that we source most of our uranium from allies like Canada and Australia. But they neglected to mention that a Canadian mine, which provided 15 percent of the global uranium supply, closed just last year. An Australian mine is scheduled to stop operations in 2021 after 40 years of mining. But why is this? Why is our domestic industry struggling to stay in business and the uranium supply from our friends in Canada and Australia shrinking? Well, the largest uranium producer in the world is Kazakhstan, and together with Russia and Uzbekistan, these countries have been deliberately trying to ``corner'' the global market. Yes, I said it. Corner the global market. They are pushing the price of uranium down to artificially low levels and driving competitors in the United States and elsewhere out of business. In fact, China is joining in it too, buying up mines in Namibia. We currently import about 97 percent of our uranium from foreign sources. As of 2018, the majority of our uranium imports now come from hostile nations like Russia. This is not always the case, but the problem has gotten worse and worse over time, especially in recent years. I think all of us here today should consider that very alarming. Now, my colleagues on the other side of the aisle have cited concerns about water quality as a reason to prevent mining in the withdrawal area. But, in fact, successful uranium mining occurred in the 1980s. These mines were reclaimed so well that you can't tell where they have even existed. There was no damage done to the Grand Canyon watershed. In fact, they may have improved the watershed. And due to the small footprint of a typical breccia pipe operation, usually less than 40 acres, even if every mining claim in the area became a mine, only a small fraction of the withdrawal area would be affected. Keep in mind that this is an area where mining and other multiple-use activities can coexist. In fact, a thoroughly-negotiated compromise to do just that was created by the Arizona Wilderness Act of 1984, supported by the entire Arizona and Utah delegations. 387,000 acres of land was added to the National Wilderness Preservation System in exchange for 540 acres to be available for multiple use, including mining. Unfortunately, some of the environmental groups involved in that compromise have forgotten why it was made. Attempts to withdraw this area have returned with very strong opposition from my constituents and residents of northern Arizona. There is no question that H.R. 1373 will hurt local revenues, kill jobs, and undermine American energy security. It is opposed by the people of my district, and I urge my colleagues to join me in opposition. Madam Chairwoman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. GOSAR. Madam Chairwoman, I want to explain. This is a cross- section of geological formations. These yellow areas are called the breccia pipes. What ends up happening is these alluvial fans actually direct water. Uranium is water soluble. This is the Grand Canyon down here. This is where the springs come through. So what ends up happening is it dissolves into water, and it comes into the water. So it seems like to me, what we would want to do is get rid of that so there was not a perpetual leaching into the subsurface water. Geology tells us a lot. Madam Chairwoman, I yield 4\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. McClintock).

Mr. GOSAR. Madam Chair, I yield myself such time as I might consume. Madam Chair, I thank the gentlewoman from Arizona (Mrs. Kirkpatrick) for acknowledging that. We are going to go back to learning about geology. Once again, we have these breccia pipes, and you can see them on this location on the platform here. Now, let's look at something that naturally occurs in the next picture. What do you think this is? This is an exposed breccia pipe next to an alluvial fan. This is exactly what she was talking about. When water and air get to this, it immerses it into the water and carries it down. This is a concentrated supply of uranium. Wouldn't it be better to mine that area? That is what we have to get after. It is safe; it is effective; and it will show some mitigation. Madam Chair, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Westerman).