H. Griffith

Mr. GRIFFITH

Mr. GRIFFITH. That is if the resolution passes. I am trying to establish whether or not this is even properly before the body.

Mr. GRIFFITH. Mr. Speaker, point of parliamentary inquiry.

Mr. GRIFFITH. Mr. Speaker, is the Chair confirming that there was, in fact, a single purpose declaration made at the time of the filing of the bill, because otherwise it is not properly before the House at all.

Mr. GRIFFITH. Mr. Speaker, point of parliamentary inquiry.

Mr. GRIFFITH. Mr. Speaker, is the Chair indicating that the mere motion to suspend the rules, therefore, suspends the rules until such time as that motion is defeated?

Mr. GRIFFITH. Mr. Speaker, point of parliamentary inquiry.

Mr. GRIFFITH

Mr. GRIFFITH. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. GRIFFITH. Mr. Chair, I rise to speak to amendment No. 1, in favor thereof. Mr. Chair, this is an amendment that will take the Wild Horse and Burro Program back to the 2019 levels, or about $80.5 million. In just 4 years, this program has gone up 46 percent. Now, I have always had some questions about this program anyway because what we do, Mr. Chairman, is we rent land or lease Federal land that the Bureau of Land Management has to farmers who bring their cattle in. That is perfectly fine. I am fully supportive of that, but because the wild horses reproduce at such a fast rate, the horses were eating up the grass before the cattle could get to it. Because of that, we came up with this program back in the 1970s. The original idea was that the program would have these wild horses captured and adopted, and there are some adopted. In fact, we do some birth control measures. Historically, less than 1 percent has been used for birth control, but this year, we are hoping it goes up a little bit higher. That being said, a 46 percent rise in the cost of this program seems to be awfully high. Further, what do we do with all those horses that don't get adopted or that don't get the proper birth control shot, usually from a helicopter? We take them and ship them to farms and house them for the rest of their lives. Basically, what we have set up is a very expensive retirement home for wild horses and wild burros, and we are on the hook. I know people love the wild stallions, and it makes people reminiscent of the old West, but I remind them that the horses that exist today are non-native to North America. They were introduced as the Spanish first came in and other European settlers arrived on the two continents, North America and South America. I have to question, with the debt that this country has and the severe needs we have in other parts of this Nation, on the border, and around the world, why are we increasing spending on retirement homes for wild burros and horses about 46 percent over 4 years? It just takes the program back. It does not eliminate it. It takes it back to the 2019 levels and starts to put an end to it. Mr. Chair, I know you are already aware of this, but at $2 a horse in long-term care, $2 a horse per night, there are a lot of other things we could do with that money. Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. GRIFFITH. Mr. Chair, I understand the idea is to control the population, but what we are doing is not controlling the population. What we are doing is putting them into retirement homes that the American taxpayer is paying for. I am glad to be able to present this amendment today, and I appreciate the opportunity to do that. I thank the Rules Committee for the opportunity to do it because the American people have to take a good hard look at this. Is this what we ought to be doing? Should we be creating retirement homes for 60,000 wild horses when we are having a hard enough time having folks in retirement homes who are human beings? In the State of Virginia, we had a recent survey that showed that 41 percent of our facilities are not taking in new people because they don't have the staffing levels. Maybe we should be spending this money on taking care of human beings instead of taking care of wild horses. We have to figure out another way to control the population. If putting them in retirement homes is appropriate, then I would be surprised if most Americans knew how much money we were spending. We spent $154 million this year on these retirement homes for wild horses and burros. I don't think the American people understand or realize this. I get that they want the horses taken care of, but it costs an awful lot of money. Mr. Chairman, I think we need to do something, and I think the Bureau of Land Management needs to come up with another idea. If all we do is continue to increase their funding 46 percent over 4 years, they have no incentive to come up with another idea. Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. GRIFFITH. Mr. Chair, it is prohibited by law. Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. GRIFFITH

Mr. GRIFFITH. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. GRIFFITH. Mr. Chair, my amendment is just plain common sense. It addresses the importance of all types of research and development funding at the Department of Energy, specifically the energy research conducted at the Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management at the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. I believe we need a plan that is closer to parity between renewable energy and fossil fuels and research on ways to reduce the environmental and climate impact of the use of fossil fuels. In the underlying bill, $2.994 billion is appropriated for energy efficiency and renewable energy, while only $857.9 million is appropriated for fossil energy and carbon mitigation. I am advocating with this amendment that we should be closer to parity between the amount of money appropriated for fossil energy and carbon mitigation research and DOE's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. My amendment increases the fossil energy and carbon mitigation account by $600 million, along with a reduction of $1.1 billion from the renewables account. This year alone, we have seen that these concepts that we are going to get rid of fossil fuels are just not realistic, Mr. Chairman. We saw a plant open up, or at least the plans for it, a Panasonic plant in Kansas, that was going to do electric vehicle batteries. The problem was, in order to get the plant, they needed more electricity. The electric utility in Kansas, Evergy, decided that one of the coal-fired power plants that they thought they were going to do away with, close down, they needed to keep it open because they couldn't build electric vehicle batteries without the fossil fuel, coal-powered plant. This is not the only place that we see that. In India, there are about 300 million people who don't have electricity, a little bit less than the population of the United States. They don't have a steady source of electricity. If you are a leader in India, Mr. Chairman, I would submit, and you have coal, which they do, you are probably going to build some coal-fired power plants because their people deserve and want the same kind of electricity that we have in our country, at least for now, so they are going to build coal-fired power plants. China has been building coal-fired power plants left and right. Some of the numbers indicate that the energy production of those plants is equal to about two new plants every week last year. They are also funding more coal-fired power plants in sub-Saharan Africa. Here is what we have. While we want to clean up the environment, the world is going to continue to use fossil fuels, particularly coal, not just in the United States. People say we can be completely pure, but that is myopic. We can't be because when we look at the air supply in the world, according to a NASA study a few years back, it takes about 10 days for air to travel from the middle of the Gobi Desert in China to the eastern shore of Virginia. When all of these other places are using fossil fuels, isn't it smart on our part, if we want a clean environment, Mr. Chairman, that we find better ways to use that coal-fired power, that we find better ways to use gas power? We are going to continue to use it whether we think we are or not, and the rest of the world is going to continue to use it. With the money we spend here, we can export that research and get some of the money back maybe, but more importantly, we can clean up the air for the entire world instead of thinking that we are living in some kind of bubble in the United States and that if we get rid of coal- fired power plants and fossil fuel plants, everything is going to be hunky-dory. Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. GRIFFITH. Mr. Chairman, I say to my distinguished colleague and my friend that we disagree, and here is why. We have to get to a point where we are at parity. Every time we look at it, the money for renewables is huge, and the money for fossil fuel research, where we can make things better for the whole world, is minuscule in comparison. I am trying to level it out, and I would hope that that would be the long-term goal of our appropriators, to level it out. That is why I brought this amendment. I, too, am for all of the above. That is why I didn't zero out the account. However, I think we have to pay attention to what is happening in the world and not be myopic when it comes to recognizing that if we are going to continue to use fossil fuels, we ought to do it cleaner and do it better. We ought to put more money into U.S. research on fossil fuels, everything from using fossil fuels to come up with rare earth to making it cleaner when we burn it for electricity to build electric vehicle battery plants. Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. GRIFFITH

Mr. GRIFFITH. Mr. Speaker Pro Tempore, I rise today to honor the life of James Dale `Jim' Politis, who passed away on October 10th, at the age of 76.

Mr. GRIFFITH

Mr. GRIFFITH. Mr. Speaker Pro Tempore, I rise to honor the life of David Nixon, who passed away on October 1, 2023, at the age of 64 after a courageous seven year battle with cancer. Growing up in Roanoke, David and I first crossed paths in high school when we were on opposite sides of a political battle. He went to Glenvar High School, and I went to Andrew Lewis High School. Throughout the political debate to name the new high school in Salem, David always presented his views in a calm, honest manner. I knew from that experience that I had met a man of honor. I often think of the Abraham Lincoln quote when thinking of David, ``the best way to destroy an enemy is to make him a friend.'' Instead of vilifying each other, we got to know each other and came to have deep respect for one another. It is remarkable to me how much our lives mirrored one another. After attending Roanoke College and Wake Forest University law school, he returned home to practice law, as I did to Salem after attending law school. He served as Chairman of the Roanoke City Republican Committee while I was Chairman of the Salem Republican Committee. I am thankful that he was a strong supporter of my many political campaigns over the years. During his life he was appointed Escheator by Governor Allen for Roanoke City, 1994, for 23rd Judicial District, 2001. He also served as Vice President of Legal Affairs, Blue Ridge Housing Development Corporation; Chairman, Roanoke City Fair Housing Board; and Member, Roanoke City Parks and Recreation Citizen Advisory Board. A devout member of New Century Church in Roanoke, Virginia, David served many years as a volunteer greeter. After being diagnosed with stage four cancer in 2016, David used his remaining years to grow closer to Christ, finding peace and joy in his diagnosis. David is survived by his son Kirk Nixon (Darlene Smith) and granddaughter Ella Nixon; daughter Jessica (Nick Blandy), grandchildren Finn and Declan Blandy; siblings, Carolyn ``Kack'' Lynch, John, and Debbie Nixon; twin sister, Denise ``Cee'' and Alan Campbell; as well as many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews; and, his many friends, some of whom David considered like family. I pray for all of his loved ones during this difficult time. David was a good Republican and a good Christian. He loved his family and friends deeply and lived his last days to the fullest, despite his diagnosis. I, and many others, will greatly miss him.

Mr. GRIFFITH

Mr. GRIFFITH. Mr. Speaker Pro Tempore, I rise to honor the career of Bluefield University President Dr. David Olive, who is set to retire at the conclusion of the 2023-2024 school year. Dr. Olive has over 25 years of experience in higher education, serving as university president since 2007. During his time as president, Dr. Olive oversaw the introduction of both master's degree programs, online degree programs, and a RN-BSN program. He has also overseen the expansion of residential housing and the Science Center on campus. Prior to serving as university president, Dr. Olive served as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for Adult Programs at Pfeiffer University. He has also held various positions at Carson- Newman University, Tennessee Tech University, and The University of Tennessee. During his career, he has chaired the Council of Independent Colleges of Virginia, the Appalachian College Association, the International Association of Baptist Colleges & Universities. He served on the NAIA Council of Presidents, on the board of directors for the Appalachian Athletic Conference and the Virginia College Fund. He is also an ordained minister in the Southern Baptist faith. While he transitions to full retirement, Dr. Olive has made a commitment that he will find ways to continue to serve others. Congratulations on an incredible career to Dr. Olive. He has left a lasting mark on Bluefield University and the many students he has met, taught, and mentored throughout the years. Besides serving others, I hope that he gets to spend sufficient time in retirement with his wife Kathryn and children, Kayla and Will.

Mr. GRIFFITH

Mr. GRIFFITH. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. GRIFFITH. Mr. Chairman, Section 8131 of this bill states: None of the funds made available by this Act may be used to fund any work to be performed by EcoHealth Alliance, Inc. in China on research supported by the Government of China unless the Secretary of Defense determines that a waiver is in the best interests of the country. My amendment simply strikes out ``in China on research supported by the Government of China.'' EcoHealth Alliance was the agency or the private company that got a grant from the NIH to do research on coronavirus, and they are the ones that gave the money as a subcontractor to the Wuhan Institute of Virology. This was not research being done on behalf of China. It was being done on behalf of us. The problem is, EcoHealth Alliance didn't fulfill their contract. They were supposed to get regular reports from Wuhan. They did not follow up on that. As a result, we are missing nearly a year of data prior to the outbreak of COVID-19 that the American taxpayers paid to have. Instead of just saying EcoHealth can't do things in China that are supported by the Chinese Government, my amendment makes it clear, we are not going to fund EcoHealth Alliance at this point in time. To make matters worse--you think, how can it be worse?--as a part of our oversight, the Energy and Commerce Committee in February asked 41 questions trying to get information from EcoHealth Alliance. As of this date, we have answers to only seven of those questions, and they are the most general answers, like when did you get your contract with the NIH. It is not the tough information that we need to do proper oversight to make sure that we never have a situation again where a virus occurs where we are doing research, and we can't answer the questions of the American taxpayers as to whether or not it came out of a lab that we were funding and that we weren't getting the reports from. That is all it does. It says, no, EcoHealth for right now, at least during this fiscal year, isn't going to receive money through the DOD. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. GRIFFITH. Mr. Chairman, here is the bottom line: We have EcoHealth that breaches their contract. While they may be working on some wildlife things--and having once been a pole holder on a mission with a team of British scientists to study bats in northern Burma, I am all for studying wildlife, but we have to make sure that those people who get American taxpayer dollars are living up to their contract, living up to their obligations to give us the information so that if something happens, we can make appropriate decisions. Whether you believe it was a lab leak or whether you believe it came out of bats, we needed the information that we paid for, to try to make a better decision. They haven't followed through. As of this date, they haven't given us the information that we need for oversight. Hopefully, it will come forward, but until we establish that EcoHealth Alliance understands that if they are going to use taxpayer dollars to do research, we need to get the information we contracted to get, I think that we should not be granting them awards. I did leave the waiver in, that was very important to me because if it is in the national security interest, I wanted to make sure we weren't taking that power away from the Secretary, but I don't think at this moment in history, we should be funding EcoHealth Alliance with any taxpayer dollars. Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. GRIFFITH

Mr. GRIFFITH. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the life of Delegate Daniel ``Dan'' Carr Johnston Bowling II, of North Tazewell, Virginia, who passed away at home on July 19, 2023. Delegate Bowling was a longtime public servant of Tazewell County and the state of Virginia. He was a former member of the Virginia General Assembly in the Virginia House of Delegates, and previously served on the Tazewell County Board of Supervisors, the Public Service Authority Board of Tazewell County, and the Tazewell County Soil and Water Conservation Board of Directors. Recently, he was elevated to Director Emeritus Honorarium status by the Tazewell Soil & Water Conservation District Board. Delegate Bowling was a lifelong resident of Tazewell County. He was a member and former pastor of Bradshaw Memorial Church in Cedar Bluff, VA. He was a graduate of Virginia Tech and was a professor at Southwest Virginia Community College for 36 years. After a gratifying career, Delegate Bowling retired in 2010 to the family farm, raising registered Angus cattle. Delegate Bowling was an active community member. He was a member of the Tazewell Lions Club for 5 years, and a member of the North Tazewell Lions Club for 30 years, serving in all offices and as District Governor from 1997 to 1998. He was a former president of both the Lions of Virginia Foundation and the Lions of Virginia Hearing Foundation. Delegate Bowling was also a member of the Gideons of Virginia. Delegate Bowling is survived by his wife of 30 years, Janice ``Jan'' Bowling, as well as his children, Daniel Bowling III and wife Beth of Beaver, WV, William Chris Matney of Cedar Bluff, VA, Louetta Esponisa of Richlands, VA, and Danita Bowling of Tazewell, VA; his brother, Othel Donald Bowling of Onley, VA; and 4 grandchildren and 4 great- grandchildren, along with many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Delegate Bowling was involved and important in the Tazewell community, offering public service in so many areas. He touched the lives of many, including fellow members of his community, worshippers of his church, and students he taught. I have no doubt that he will be greatly missed.

Mr. GRIFFITH

Mr. GRIFFITH. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the life of Charles L. ``Chuck'' Hayes, of Radford, Virginia, who passed away at home on July 6, 2023. Mr. Hayes was described by his loved ones as a ``beloved husband, father, teacher, and friend.'' Mr. Hayes earned his undergraduate degree from Troy State College and his master's degree from Indiana University. He went on to teach acting, directing, theatre history, and literature and cinema at Radford University for 40 years. He also directed for theatre, opera, film, radio, and television, directing over 40 productions at Radford. The University's Department of Theatre and Cinema, its alumni, friends, and family recently honored Mr. Hayes' career by naming the Pridemore Playhouse stage for him, in recognition of his many contributions to Radford University, the theatre program, and its students. Additionally, he worked with the Virginia Governor's School for the Arts for four years and served as its director in 1987 and 1988. Mr. Hayes met his beloved wife, Betsy L. Robinson while doing summer theatre in her hometown of Danville, Kentucky, and married in 1962 and had three children together. Mr. Hayes is survived by his wife, daughter Dr. Paige Horst (Randall), son Hunt Hayes, son Anthony Hayes (Korena) Hayes, grandson Tallis Horst (Kimberly) and their four children, granddaughter Carlie- Rose Zepp (Ben), and grandson Jed Horst. I wish them condolences on the loss of their loved one. Mr. Hayes was hugely influential in the Radford community, touching the lives of countless students during his 40 years at the school, nurturing life-long friendships. I know he will be greatly missed.

Mr. GRIFFITH

Mr. GRIFFITH. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the life of Charles Graham Crockett, of Wytheville, Virginia, who passed on July 12, 2023. A lifelong resident of Wytheville, Mr. Crockett graduated from Wytheville High School, Class of 1949. He served in Korea during the Korean War from November 1952 until February 1954 with the 984th Engineer Field Maintenance Company, 45 Engineer Group, 8th Army. Mr. Crockett was a reliability engineer who worked on the design and development of the B-2 Stealth Bomber. He was also a member of the Wytheville Town Council from 1996 to 2004. He served as an original member of the Board of Directors of the New River Regional Water Authority, the Wytheville Training School and Culture Center, and the Crossroads Institute in Galax, Virginia. The Wytheville-Wythe Bland Chamber of Commerce named him Outstanding Citizen of the Year for 2013. Mr. Crockett was a life member of, American Legion Wythe County Post 9, VFW Post 2179, Korean War Veterans Association, Wythe County Historical Society, Wythe County Genealogical and Historical Association and Past President of the Sons of American Revolution, Lt. David Cox Chapter. Mr. Crockett joins his parents, two daughters, Angela Denise Crockett and Valerie Jeanne Crockett, and wife, Betty Hammack Crockett, in heaven. He is survived by his daughters, Renee Leigh Crockett of Max Meadows, Virginia, Michele Crockett Thompson and her husband, Ethan Tobie Thompson, of Double Oak, Texas; granddaughters, Emily Nicole Waclawczyk and husband, Aaron, of Austin, Texas, and Natalie Elise Thompson of Minneapolis, Minnesota; grandsons, Michael D Bell and his wife, Karyn, of Burbank, California, and Matthew D. Bell of Sulphur Springs, Texas. I wish them condolences on the loss of their loved one. Mr. Crockett lived a long and fruitful life in Southwest Virginia, passing at the age of 92. I know his friends and family members will greatly miss him, but I have no doubt his spirit will remain in their hearts for many years to come.

Mr. GRIFFITH

Mr. GRIFFITH. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the life of Gerald W. Duncan, who passed away on July 10, 2023, after a valiant three-plus year fight against Alzheimer's Disease. After receiving his undergraduate degree from Virginia Tech and a master's in business administration from Radford University, Mr. Duncan began his career in 1967 as a software developer with the Research, Development, & Acquisition Information Systems Agency, Department of the Army, where he was honored with many awards during his 35 years of service. He then pivoted careers, being elected as Treasurer of Giles County in 2000. His success as Treasurer led him to being voted Treasurer of the Year for the State of Virginia. Mr. Duncan loved serving the people of Giles County and had an open-door policy during his time as Treasurer. When not working, Mr. Duncan loved to hunt deer, bears, and turkey throughout the country. He was elected president of the Virginia State Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation for 3 consecutive terms, championing conservation of the wild turkey. But most importantly, Mr. Duncan's proudest achievement was being a husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. Mr. Duncan is survived by his wife, Ruth Duncan of Blacksburg; oldest son, Troy Duncan and wife, Heather, of New Castle; youngest son, Mark Duncan and wife, Eva, of Catawba; daughter, Margee Sisson and husband, Dougie, of Shawsville; grandchildren, Haley Chandler of Clearfield, Utah, Hagan Chandler and wife, Kierston, of Riner, Tanner Duncan of Richmond, Andrew Duncan of New Castle, Elijah Duncan of Catawba, and Summer Norwood of Shawsville; great-grandson, Myles Chandler of Riner; and great-granddaughter, Everly Chandler of Riner. I wish them condolences on the loss of their loved one. Mr. Duncan was known by his friends and family as being extremely kind and having unwavering determination throughout his life, always offering a helping hand to those in need. I know he will be greatly missed.

Mr. GRIFFITH

Mr. GRIFFITH. Mr. Speaker, I rise in recognition of Montgomery County Administrator Craig Meadows. Craig is set to retire in November, having served as County Administrator since August 2009. Before his current position, Craig also served as city manager of Bedford, Virginia from 1998 to 2005 and then of Monroe, North Carolina, from 2005 to 2009. In addition to County Administration, Craig has served in leadership roles with multiple state and national organizations, including the Virginia Association of Counties, the Virginia Local Government Management Association, and the International City/County Management Association. Additionally, he has been involved with several local organizations, including New River Valley Water Authority, the Western Virginia Regional Jail Authority, and the Economic Development Authority. Described as ``accessible and approachable'', and a ``champion for Montgomery County,'' Craig successfully facilitated more than 20 construction and renovation projects during his time as County Administrator, addressing education, public safety, recreation, and key infrastructure needs of the county. Under his leadership, the county experienced positive economic growth and was one of the few localities in Southwest Virginia to gain population since 2020. I congratulate Craig Meadows, on a job well done. I know that his colleagues and the residents of Montgomery County will greatly miss his efforts in his role as County Administrator. He deserves to enjoy retirement with his wife, Rhonda, along with their children and grandchildren.