Hank Johnson

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I submit the following Proclamation. Whereas, Dr. E. Dewey Smith, Jr., is celebrating ten years (10) in pastoral leadership this year and has provided stellar leadership to his church on an international level; and Whereas, Dr. Smith, under the guidance of God has pioneered and sustained Greater Travelers Rest Missionary Baptist Church, as an instrument in our community that uplifts the spiritual, physical and mental welfare of our citizens; and Whereas, this remarkable and tenacious man of God has given hope to the hopeless, fed the hungry and is a beacon of light to those in need; and Whereas, Dr. Smith is a spiritual warrior, a man of compassion, a fearless leader and a servant to all, but most of all a visionary who has shared not only with his Church, but with our District and the world his passion to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ; and Whereas, the U.S. Representative of the Fourth District of Georgia has set aside this day to honor and recognize Dr. E. Dewey Smith, Jr., as he celebrates ten years in pastoral leadership at Greater Travelers Rest Missionary Baptist Church; now therefore, I, Henry C. ``Hank'' Johnson, Jr. do hereby proclaim March 23, 2014 as Dr. E. Dewey Smith, Jr. Day in the 4th Congressional District. Proclaimed, this 23rd day of March, 2014.

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I submit the following Proclamation. Whereas, On April 18, 1974, Mr. Jim Hamilton founded ProCoaters, Inc., (PCI) specializing in contract painting services for the OEM industry; and Whereas, by 1978 PCI expanded services to include sheet metal fabrication and made it their mission to produce competitively priced sheet metal products, while providing timely delivery and exceptional customer service; and Whereas, in 1992 PCI moved into their current 65,000 sq. ft. home on Minola Drive in Lithonia, Georgia and have subsequently expanded their capabilities through the use of laser technology fulfilling their mission of providing excellent service to their many metro Atlanta customers and beyond; and Whereas, after the passing of Mr. Hamilton, his wife and sons continue to operate PCI, keeping this jewel of a company in Lithonia, with a stellar team of managers and employees; and Whereas, PCI is a great example of the American Dream writ large, a family owned operation providing excellent service, employment opportunities and a product that ``keeps America moving'' and thus contributing to the local and national economies; and Whereas, the U.S. Representative of the Fourth District of Georgia is today, officially honoring, recognizing and congratulating ProCoaters, Inc., on their forty (40th) year anniversary as a business anchor in our District; now therefore, I, Henry C. ``Hank'' Johnson, Jr. do hereby proclaim April 18, 2014 as ProCoaters, Inc. Day in the 4th Congressional District of Georgia. Proclaimed, this 18th day of April, 2014.

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I submit the following proclamation. Whereas, in the Fourth Congressional District of Georgia, there are many individuals who are called to contribute to the needs of our community through leadership and service; and Whereas, Mrs. Tracie A. McCalep has answered that call by giving of herself as a paraprofessional at Dunaire Elementary School, and as a beloved wife, daughter and friend; and Whereas, Mrs. McCalep has been chosen as the 2014 Educational Support Professional of the Year, representing Dunaire Elementary School; and Whereas, this phenomenal woman has shared her time and talents for the betterment of our community and our nation through her tireless works, unyielding support and words of encouragement, and Whereas, Mrs. McCalep is a virtuous woman, a courageous woman and a fearless leader who has shared her vision, talents and passion to help ensure that our children receive the support and education that is relevant not only for today, but well into the future, as she truly understands that our children are the future; and Whereas, the U.S. Representative of the Fourth District of Georgia has set aside this day to honor and recognize Mrs. Tracie A. McCalep for her leadership and service for our District and in recognition of this singular honor as 2014 Educational Support Professional of the Year at Dunaire Elementary School; Now therefore, I, Henry C. ``Hank'' Johnson, Jr., do hereby proclaim April 2, 2014 as Mrs. Tracie A. McCalep Day in the 4th Congressional District. Proclaimed, this 2nd day of April, 2014.

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I present the following U.S. citizen of distinction. Whereas, our lives have been touched by the life of this one woman, Ms. Stella ``Mother'' Sanford, who gave of herself in order for others to stand; and Whereas, her dedicated service is present in DeKalb County, Georgia for all to see, where she was an unwavering advocate for youth, the elderly, the poor and the Civil Rights Community across the Nation; and Whereas, this remarkable, positive woman with the beautiful smile gave of herself, her time and her talent; never asking for fame or fortune but only to uplift those in need; and Whereas, she led by example from behind the scenes, as well as front and center for the state of Georgia, DeKalb County, the U.S. Department of Labor, the Center for Disease Control, the 4th Congressional District of Georgia U.S. Service Academies Board, the DeKalb NAACP, Communities of America, Inc., her beloved Flat Rock community and her beloved Sanford family; and Whereas, this virtuous Proverbs 31 woman was a mother, a grandmother, a great grandmother, a daughter, a friend, a warrior, a matriarch, and a woman of great integrity; and Whereas, the U.S. Representative of the Fourth District of Georgia has set aside this day to bestow a Congressional recognition on Ms. Stella ``Mother'' Sanford for her leadership, friendship and service to all of the citizens in Georgia and throughout the Nation; Now therefore, I, Henry C. ``Hank'' Johnson, Jr., do hereby attest to the 113th Congress that Ms. Stella ``Mother'' Sanford of DeKalb County, Georgia is deemed worthy and deserving of this ``Congressional Honor''--Ms. Stella ``Mother'' Sanford, U.S. Citizen of Distinction in the 4th Congressional District of Georgia. Proclaimed, this 12th day of May, 2014.

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I submit the following proclamation. Whereas, A New Thing Ministries International, Inc., has been and continues to be a beacon of light to our county for the past twenty years; and Whereas, The Reverend Dr. Normal Phillips, Pastor and Organizer and the members of A New Thing Ministries International, Inc., today continues to uplift and inspire those in our community; and Whereas, A New Thing Ministries International, Inc., has been and continues to be a place where citizens are touched spiritually, mentally and physically through outreach ministries and community partnership to aid in building up our District; and Whereas, this remarkable and tenacious Parachurch of God has given hope to the hopeless, fed the needy and empowered our community for the past twenty (20) years by preaching the gospel, teaching the gospel and living the gospel; and Whereas, A New Thing Ministries International, Inc., has produced many spiritual warriors, people of compassion, people of great courage, fearless leaders and servants to all, but most of all visionaries who have shared not only with their members, but with DeKalb County their passion to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ; and Whereas, the U.S. Representative of the Fourth District of Georgia has set aside this day to honor and recognize A New Thing Ministries International, Inc., for their leadership and service to our District on this the 20th anniversary of their founding; Now therefore, I, Henry C. ``Hank'' Johnson, Jr. do hereby proclaim April 13, 2014 as A New Thing Ministries International Day in the 4th Congressional District of Georgia. Proclaimed, this 13th day of April, 2014.

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I submit the following Proclamation. Whereas, Pastor Joseph Williams, Sr., is celebrating today thirty-two (32) years as Pastor of Greater Moses Baptist Church; and Whereas, Pastor Williams, under the guidance of God has pioneered and sustained Greater Moses Baptist Church, as an instrument in our community that uplifts the spiritual, physical and mental welfare of our citizens; and Whereas, this remarkable and tenacious man of God has given hope to the hopeless, fed the hungry and is a beacon of light to those in need; and Whereas, Pastor Williams is a spiritual warrior, a man of compassion, a fearless leader and a servant to all, but most of all a visionary who has shared not only with his Church, but with our District and the world his passion to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ; and Whereas, the U.S. Representative of the Fourth District of Georgia has set aside this day to honor and recognize Pastor Joseph Williams as he celebrates his thirty second Pastoral Anniversary at Greater Moses Baptist Church; Now therefore, I, Henry C. ``Hank'' Johnson, Jr. do hereby proclaim April 13, 2014 as Pastor Joseph Williams, Sr. Day in the 4th Congressional District of Georgia. Proclaimed, this 13th day of April, 2014.

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I submit the following Proclamation. Whereas, in the Fourth Congressional District of Georgia, there are many individuals who are called to contribute to the needs of our community through leadership and service; and Whereas, Mrs. Karen D. Anderson has answered that call by giving of herself as an educator at Edward L. Bouie, Sr., Elementary Traditional Theme School, and as a beloved wife, mother and friend; and Whereas, Mrs. Anderson has been chosen as the 2014 Teacher of the Year, representing Edward L. Bouie, Sr., Elementary Traditional Theme School; and Whereas, this phenomenal woman has shared her time and talents for the betterment of our community and our nation through her tireless works, motivational speeches and words of wisdom; and Whereas, Mrs. Anderson is a virtuous woman, a courageous woman and a fearless leader who has shared her vision, talents and passion to help ensure that our children, receive an education that is relevant not only for today, but well into the future, as she truly understands that our children are the future; and Whereas, the U.S. Representative of the Fourth District of Georgia has set aside this day to honor and recognize Mrs. Karen D. Anderson for her leadership and service to our District and in recognition of this singular honor as 2014 Teacher of the Year at Edward L. Bouie, Sr., Traditional Theme Elementary School; now therefore, I, Henry C. ``Hank'' Johnson, Jr. do hereby proclaim March 28, 2014 as Mrs. Karen D. Anderson Day in the 4th Congressional District. Proclaimed, this 28th day of March, 2014.

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I submit the following Proclamation. Whereas, Springfield Baptist Church has been and continues to be a beacon of light to our district for the past one hundred thirty-five years; and Whereas, Pastor Eric Lee and the members of the Springfield Baptist Church family today continues to uplift and inspire those in our district; and Whereas, the Springfield Baptist Church family has been and continues to be a place-where citizens are touched spiritually, mentally and physically through outreach ministries and community partnership to aid in building up our district; and Whereas, this remarkable and tenacious Church of God has given hope to the hopeless, fed the needy and empowered our community for the past one hundred thirty-five (135) years, being organized in 1879 founded during the turbulent post-Civil War period by former slaves in order for them to continue to worship together as a congregation under the leadership of Rev. Joe Sims; and Whereas, Springfield Baptist Church has produced many spiritual warriors, people of compassion, people of great courage, fearless leaders and servants to all, but most of all visionaries who have shared not only with their Church, but with Rockdale County their passion to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ; and Whereas, the U.S. Representative of the Fourth District of Georgia has set aside this day to honor and recognize the Springfield Baptist Church family as they dedicate their new Church Campus and for continued leadership and service to our District and the world; now therefore, I, Henry C. ``Hank'' Johnson, Jr. do hereby proclaim May 2, 2014 as Springfield Baptist Church Day in the 4th Congressional District of Georgia. Proclaimed, this 2nd day of May, 2014.

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I submit the following Proclamation. Whereas, our Nation has many citizens that work to make America a worthy instrument for good; and Whereas, Public servants on the federal, state, county and local municipalities level, keeps America moving; each individual being charged to bring community service, honor and excellence in government, education, health, public safety and military service; and Whereas, these Public servants are promoting and providing the concept of One Community-One Goal by working with and for individuals in all walks of life to make our Nation a place where the needs of the people are met; and Whereas, these Public servants give of themselves tirelessly and unconditionally to serve our community and our nation by providing leadership and service; and Whereas, the lives of many in our district are touched by the leadership and service given by these unsung heroes; and Whereas, the U.S. Representative of the Fourth District of Georgia has set aside this day to honor and recognize the millions of public employees for their outstanding service to America; now therefore, I, Henry C. ``Hank'' Johnson, Jr. do hereby proclaim the week of May 4 through May 10, 2014 as Public Service Recognition Week in the 4th Congressional District of Georgia. Proclaimed, this 4th day of May, 2014

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I submit the following proclamation. Whereas, in the Fourth Congressional District of Georgia, there are many individuals who are called to sacrifice for our country through military service; and Whereas, Command SGT. Major Glenn B. Ashley served in the United States Army, during the Occupation of Germany in World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War, he received numerous Military Citations such as the Purple Heart which was awarded to him in both the Korean and Vietnam Wars; and Whereas, Command SGT. Major Ashley has shared his time and talents as a family man, serviceman and mentor, giving the citizens of the United States a person of great worth, a fearless leader and a servant to all advancing the lives of others, through service to our country in the U.S. Army and being the ideal husband, father, brother and son; and Whereas, Command SGT. Major Ashley is a remarkable and courageous man who gave of himself, in defense of this nation; and Whereas, Command SGT. Major Ashley along with his family and friends are celebrating this day a remarkable milestone, his 85th Birthday, we pause to acknowledge a man who is a cornerstone in our community; and Whereas, the U.S. Representative of the Fourth District of Georgia has set aside this day to honor and recognize Command SGT. Major Ashley on his birthday and to wish him well and recognize him for an exemplary life which is an inspiration to all; now therefore, I, Henry C. ``Hank'' Johnson, Jr. do hereby proclaim May 4, 2014 as Command SGT. Major Glenn B. Ashley Day in Georgia's 4th Congressional District. Proclaimed, this 4th day of May, 2014.

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I submit the following Proclamation. Whereas, in the Fourth Congressional District of Georgia, many individuals and organizations strive to bring awareness, enlightenment and entertainment to our community through culture and dance; and Whereas, The National Dance Week Foundation was formed in 1981 to bring greater recognition to dance; giving us an unique opportunity for our nation to showcase the different musicians, writers, producers, promoters, performers and dancers who have contributed to making Dance a heavy weight in the industry of entertainment around the world; and Whereas, today we celebrate the kickoff of National Dance Week Month at the Redan Recreation Center in Lithonia, by witnessing performers showcase Dance to our District; and Whereas, our beloved District has found a jewel in the art of dancing, it promotes fun fitness and dance touches the minds and souls of untold millions; and Whereas, our community has been strengthened in times of joy and sorrow through dance; putting rhythm in our feet, adrenalin in our blood and pizzazz in our spirits; and Whereas, the U.S. Representative of the Fourth District of Georgia has set aside this day to honor and recognize the gift of Dance as an unique and wonderful cultural contribution to our District, the Nation and the world; now therefore, I, Henry C. ``Hank'' Johnson, Jr. do hereby proclaim April 26, 2014 as National Dance Week Foundation Day in the 4th Congressional District. Proclaimed, this 26th day of April, 2014.

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I submit the following Proclamation. Whereas, in the Fourth Congressional District of Georgia, there are many individuals who are called to contribute to the needs of our community through leadership and service; and Whereas, Ms. Denisha L. Solomon has answered that call by giving of herself as an educator at Dunaire Elementary School, and as a beloved daughter, sister and friend; and Whereas, Ms. Solomon has been chosen as the 2014 Teacher of the Year, representing Dunaire Elementary School; and Whereas, this phenomenal woman has shared her time and talents for the betterment of our community and our nation through her tireless works, motivational speeches and words of wisdom; and Whereas, Ms. Solomon is a virtuous woman, a courageous woman and a fearless leader who has shared her vision, talents and passion to help ensure that our children receive an education that is relevant not only for today, but well into the future, as she truly understands that our children are the future; and Whereas, the U.S. Representative of the Fourth District of Georgia has set aside this day to honor and recognize Ms. Denisha L. Solomon for her leadership and service for our District and in recognition of this singular honor as 2014 Teacher of the Year at Dunaire Elementary School; Now therefore, I, Henry C. ``Hank'' Johnson, Jr., do hereby proclaim April 2, 2014 as Ms. Denisha L. Solomon Day in the 4th Congressional District. Proclaimed, this 2nd day of April, 2014.

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Chairman, this budget is worse than a wolf in sheep's clothing. It is like a Dracula in sheep's clothing coming in to suck the blood out of the middle class. Under the false pretense of deficit reduction and a balanced budget, House Republicans have brought forth another attack on American seniors, students, workers, and middle class families, all the while protecting giveaways for the wealthy and corporations that ship jobs overseas. This budget kills jobs at home by gutting critical investments in education and technological research and throws a wrench in the engine of American innovation. Instead of laying the foundation for innovation to create the new middle-class jobs of tomorrow or spur new technology, economic growth, and the next generation of entrepreneurs, this Republican budget uses fuzzy math and magic asterisks to hide its attack on the middle class. This embarrassing budget is an excuse to assault the social safety net that has saved millions of Americans who fell off the economic ladder of opportunity during the Bush recession. Programs like food stamps, unemployment insurance, Medicaid, and job retraining are helping to get Americans back on their feet--Americans who lost their jobs and homes due to no fault of their own, but instead due to the fault of reckless Wall Street speculators. The victims include defenseless infants and dependent children, as well as the sick and the elderly. The Republican budget uses these programs as punching bags for their reckless agenda today to cut and gut. Republicans' relentless attacks on these programs will only hasten the descent and harden the fall of Americans who are already teetering on the brink. Mr. Chairman, Republicans are playing their favorite game with the budget--hide and cut it. First, they hide behind budget gimmicks and magic asterisks, and then they cut unnamed programs that all magically fall only upon the backs of the poor, working families, seniors, and the middle class.

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Madam Speaker, last week, the American Association for the Advancement of Sciences released a new report titled ``What We Know.'' The report states unequivocally that climate change is a scientific fact, that human activity is linked to climate change, and that, if we do not act soon, the problem will get far worse and more expensive for us to deal with. This is not a super-PAC or a political association tied to a candidate or to a group of scientists. This is a group of scientists representing the leading experts in their fields, and they are speaking to us in one unified voice. In Georgia, agriculture is our State's number one industry; and yet, as damaging and unpredictable as the weather patterns are making life difficult for our farmers, Republicans in our State suggest that the science is not well settled. Madam Speaker, I hope that they get a chance to read this latest evidence. The science is settled. The only debate that remains is whether or not we will take action before it is too late.

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with a heavy heart. I ran for Congress to help people. It is past time to extend emergency unemployment insurance, and I am ready to vote to do so today. Unfortunately, this Republican Congress is denying more than 2 million people across the country the opportunity to support their families and get back on their feet. Extending emergency unemployment insurance is simply the right thing to do. Have Republicans lost their compassion or have they simply lost touch with reality? Every week, another 72,000 Americans run out of unemployment insurance. In Georgia, 75,000 people have already been cut off. This is supposed to be a lifeline for people who are involuntarily unemployed. No one wants to be unemployed. It is essential we show the compassion our forefathers displayed when America was rebuilding itself after the Great Depression. We must come to compromise when it comes to helping those looking for work.

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to H.R. 4138, the ENFORCE Act. The ENFORCE Act seeks to diminish the power of the executive branch by giving Congress the ability to act as an enforcement agency. As the most do-nothingness House of Representatives in American history, this body doesn't need any extra responsibilities, especially that which would be unconstitutional. The seminal case of Marbury v. Madison not only establishes judicial power to review the constitutionality of laws and actions, but it affirms the fact that we have three separate, coequal branches of government. If there is an issue with the President's failing to execute the laws, the Supreme Court has the authority by way of writ of mandamus to compel the President to act. Have my righteously indignant friends on the other side of the aisle sought to use that process to check the alleged abuse of authority by the President? No, they have not. Why haven't they sued to force this President to enforce laws that they contend he has refused to implement? They haven't sued because they know that they would not present a truthful case. They know that they would lose the case. They know that this President has not exceeded his constitutional authority. This legislation is simply a showcase for the false narrative that the Republicans continue to perpetuate upon the American people. That false narrative is that this President is not an American, that he is not one of us, and that the President is a Communist-Socialist, who is doing everything he can to turn this Nation into a Third World country. That is a false narrative. Our Forefathers, by way of the United States Constitution, have already put safeguards in place to ensure that the Executive faithfully executes the laws passed by the legislative branch.

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Chairman, I offered an amendment to this patently absurd piece of legislation when it was considered by the Judiciary Committee. My amendment stressed the importance of protecting the delicate balance of power that the Constitution affords the legislative and executive branches. The President has the right to choose how to set enforcement priorities with respect to immigration policy as well as the power to exercise discretion in the implementation of the Affordable Care Act.

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Will the gentleman yield?

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise in strong opposition to H.R. 2641, the so-called Responsibly and Professionally Invigorating Development Act of 2013. Contrary to the bill's short title, H.R. 2641 would result in confusion and delay in the review and permitting process for certain construction projects. Most importantly, it would pose serious threats to public health and safety. By carving out a separate environmental review process for construction projects, which this bill doesn't even define, by the way, this bill would effectively create two different environmental review processes for the same project: one that applies to the construction phase of the project, whatever that means under the bill, and one that applies to every other phase of the project. For instance, the bill's requirements would apply to building a nuclear reactor but not to decommissioning the reactor or transporting or storing the reactor's spent fuel after it has been decommissioned. Worse yet, this measure could jeopardize public health and safety by prioritizing project approval over meaningful analysis. It does this by restricting the opportunity for meaningful public participation, and it imposes deadlines that may be unrealistic under certain circumstances. In doing so, H.R. 2641 forecloses potentially critical input from Federal, State, and local agencies and other interested parties for construction projects that are federally funded or that require Federal approval. This is why I have offered an amendment ensuring that the public's right to participate in the review process is not cut off by this measure, and if an agency fails to meet the unrealistic deadlines mandated by H.R. 2641, the bill would automatically green-light a project regardless of whether the agency has thoroughly reviewed the project's risks. These failings of the bill, along with many others, explain why the President's Council on Environmental Quality and more than 20 respected environmental groups vigorously oppose this bill. It is also the reason, yesterday, the administration issued a Statement of Administration Policy, whereby the recommendation to the President, in noting that these new rules would actually cause more confusion, would be to veto the bill if passed by this House and the Senate and once it arrives at his desk. Last but not least, H.R. 2641 fails to address the real problem with construction projects. The RAPID Act is clearly intended to apply to infrastructure projects. Yet this bill does nothing to address the actual causes of construction delays, which is the lack of funding. Insofar as the Savannah River port dredging is concerned, the Corps of Engineers approved that project back in 2012. Of course, since 2012, in addition to shutting down the government for 16 days, we have been cutting funds for these kinds of projects. So, today, for politicians to clamor for a spotlight and then denounce the lack of funding for these very important and crucial projects for the Nation's economic well-being, it is really ridiculous that we would stand here and act like it is regulations that are holding things back. No. It is the money. For example, there is currently a $60 billion backlog of projects authorized under the Water Resources Act. Although every single one of these projects has been successfully approved using existing review procedures under NEPA, not a single one of these projects has begun construction. Why? Because the most recent appropriations for the Corps' construction budget was only $1.2 billion. That is $60 billion in approved projects that would improve the Nation's infrastructure had they not been delayed. Clearing this backlog would be a force multiplier in creating jobs, spurring innovation, and growing the economy. That is a jobs bill, Mr. Chairman. What is more, the Obama administration is doing everything that it can to improve the performance of Federal permitting and the review of infrastructure projects. In March 2012, the administration issued Executive Order 13604 to modernize the Federal infrastructure permitting process and cut in half the timeline for approving infrastructure projects. This order incentivized better outcomes for communities and the environment while cutting red tape. Since implementing this order, agencies have expedited permits for over 50 major projects. In one instance, agencies shaved up to 3 years off the timeline of the Tappan Zee Bridge replacement project in New York. That is a multibillion-dollar project that is putting Americans back to work. The President then issued another memorandum in June of 2013, further directing Federal agencies to develop an integrated interagency pre-application process for significant offshore electric transmission projects requiring Federal approval. Mr. Chairman, my Republican colleagues often claim to want to get Americans back to work, so I have to ask: Why do we need legislation that does not create a single job--a bill that will pick winners and losers and a bill that makes the process less clear and less protective of public health and safety? Why do we need that legislation? Why must we continue to waste this Chamber's precious time on bills that do nothing? Mr. Chairman, we should work together to address the real causes for delay in the NEPA process instead of debating this dangerous bill. In light of the bill's many serious flaws, I urge my colleagues to oppose the legislation. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I point out to my friend from Alabama that you cannot do construction projects without Federal funding. If there is no funding that has been appropriated, then the projects don't get done. That is what we have had here in this Congress. Currently, we have a $60 billion backlog of projects authorized under the Water Resources Development Act. Each and every one of those projects has great importance. All of the regulatory work has been done. The projects are cleared. We just simply do not fund them here because this Congress does not want it to be said by the American people that the current administration is responsible for an economic turnaround. Despite their best efforts and most insistent efforts, the economy continues to move along favorably, though not at the rate that we need it to. So we really need to have legislation that we are considering and debating on this floor that will create jobs and economic prosperity for Americans, as opposed to these anti-regulatory bills that come forth--it looks like about five or six every week are coming by--plus, we have to pepper in a dose of the repeal of the Affordable Care Act every once in awhile. Fifty times we have done that. Not one job created. That is the problem that we have. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Chairman, my friend and colleague from Pennsylvania pointed out in the Rules Committee last night that it was the approval process that was holding up the dredging project for the Port of Savannah. Just yesterday, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution refuted this claim. In reality, this project--and countless others like it--are held up by a lack of funding. To quote the article: In the old days, a Congress that didn't agree with White House priorities simply loaded its own projects into the budget, in a bit of horse-trading. But Republicans, particularly in the House, have placed such bargaining out of bounds--a self-imposed restriction on their own influence. Because, under the House rules, this is an earmark. The Savannah River Port dredging would be an earmark. And so for us to place something in the budget which is not in the budget already--it's not allowed. That is quoting from my colleague, Representative Kingston. Because it is an earmark, in other words, Congress or its representatives would be barred by our own rules from placing funding in the budget for a project. It is unfortunate that my colleagues from Georgia on the other side of the aisle, aided and abetted by their colleagues on the other side of the aisle from across the country, can't seem to adjust their legislative actions to suit the people that they represent. This Savannah River Port dredging is very important to Georgia's economy. It is the most important economic development project on the table, and it is ready to go, but the bond between these legislators and the big, bad Tea Party has them afraid to do what is in the best interest of their States. That is a shame. I yield 5 minutes to my colleague from Texas (Ms. Jackson Lee).

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Chairman, I yield the gentlewoman an additional 30 seconds.

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Chairman, I thank the Rules Committee for making my amendment in order and urge my colleagues to support my commonsense amendment to protect the right of the public to comment on Federal projects under the NEPA review process. The purpose of my amendment is simple. It protects the right of the public to comment. This amendment would ensure that H.R. 2641, the so- called RAPID Act of 2013, does not restrict the right of any member of the public to comment on construction projects that may have an environmental impact. Like the administration and more than 20 well-respected environmental groups, I oppose the RAPID Act. This bill threatens public health and safety by putting a thumb on the scales in favor of private sector businesses in the project approval process. It is yet another antiregulatory measure whose sole purpose is to grease the wheels of the approval process for projects that are environmentally sensitive. Aside from creating duplicative and costly regulatory requirements that pertain to only certain types of projects, the RAPID Act would also limit the right of the public to comment on these projects. The bill does that in two ways: First, by reducing opportunities for public input; and, second, by fast-tracking the approval process through arbitrary deadlines. The NEPA approval process has protected the environment for more than 20 years, Mr. Chairman, and it is designed to be smart from the start. Through an open, flexible, and timely process, NEPA empowers the public to weigh in on decisions. That means that the local farmer who owns land that would be affected by a Federal construction project has equal footing as the company that would stand to benefit from that project. My amendment is vital to ensuring that the RAPID Act doesn't shut the public out of this process. I hope that my colleagues on the other side of the aisle will join me in ensuring that the RAPID Act does not foreclose public participation. Accordingly, I urge that this committee make my amendment in order, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Chairman, this amendment would make the so-called RAPID Act, which, by the way, I would rename, as our caucus has done, the Regrettably Another Partisan Ideological Distraction Act. This RAPID Act will apply retroactively to construction projects that are currently under review. As a result, all of the bill's problematic provisions that we have cited, including its arbitrary deadlines for environmental review and restrictions on public comment, would apply to pending construction projects that require Federal approval or Federal permitting. This amendment, like the RAPID Act, ignores the fact that NEPA is not the problem. According to the Congressional Research Service, which is nonpartisan, project approval delays based on environmental requirements are not caused by NEPA. Rather, CRS reports that these delays are caused by State and local factors like project funding levels, local opposition to a project, a project's complexity, or late changes in the project scope. This amendment would do nothing to address the underlying problem, and that underlying problem is the lack of funding. So we need to address, Mr. Chairman, the root causes of the delays in the process, not threaten public health and safety by automatically approving projects when agencies fail to meet arbitrary deadlines. I reserve the balance of my time.