David Joyce

Mr. JOYCE of Ohio

Mr. JOYCE of Ohio. Madam Speaker, I regrettably missed rollcall No. 131. Had I been present, I would have voted ``aye'' on rollcall No. 131. Stated against:

Mr. JOYCE of Ohio

Mr. JOYCE of Ohio. Madam Speaker, I regrettably missed rollcall No. 124. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall No. 124. personal explanation

Mr. JOYCE of Ohio

Mr. JOYCE of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I regrettably missed Roll Call vote No. 117. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 117.

Mr. JOYCE of Ohio

Mr. JOYCE of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I was unreasonably detained during the roll call vote for an amendment offered by Mr. Schneider that would prohibit the leasing plan from including the Great Lakes. This amendment would support preserving the status quo that has been in place in the Great Lakes for two decades. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 64.

Mr. JOYCE of Ohio

Mr. JOYCE of Ohio. Madam Speaker, I include in the Record the following letter to Chairman Takano regarding H.R. 7939, the Veterans Auto and Education Improvement Act of 2022. Congress of the United States, House of Representatives, Washington, DC, December 21, 2022. Chairman Takano, Our nation's servicemembers and veterans epitomize the spirit of service to one's nation that is embedded into the soul of our nation. The men and women who serve in the United States Armed Forces exemplify an unparalleled degree of bravery, selflessness, and patriotism. One of those men is the late Sgt. Wolfgang Kyle Weninger, affectionately known by family and friends as, ``Wolf.'' Sgt. Weninger served our country honorably in the United States Marine Corps and was selected to serve in the elite Marine Forces Special Operations Command. Tragically, Wolf passed away as the result of an accident that occurred during a training exercise. In the words of his father, Wolf ``lived as a Marine and died as one.'' Sgt. Weninger's memory deserves to be honored, which is why I urge passage of the Student Veterans Emergency Relief Act of 2022, which includes the language of my legislation, H.R. 7746, the Sgt. Wolf Kyle Weninger Veterans Education Fairness Act of 2022. As a result of Wolf's death, his brother, who was also serving in the Armed Forces, sought a sole survivorship discharge in order to return home to support his grieving family. The unintended consequence of this discharge being granted was that, despite having served over two years serving in the United States Armed Forces, he did not meet the three-year requirement of continuous service to qualify for assistance under the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act. Veterans like Sgt. Weninger's brother should not be disadvantaged as a result of unforeseen circumstances that compel them to leave the service and support their family amidst a tragedy. Access to educational assistance under the modern G.I. Bill is of paramount importance for veterans seeking to make a successful transition into civilian life and underscores our nation's commitment to support those who have fought for our freedoms. This discrepancy that exists under current law, which prevents veterans from accessing financial assistance through the G.I. Bill solely because they were forced to seek a sole survivorship discharge, is fundamentally unfair. Fortunately, H.R. 7746 fixes this problem. My legislation provides a simple but important correction to existing law, amending Title 38 of the United States Code to provide for the eligibility of educational assistance under the Post-9/11 Educational Assistance Program of certain veterans who received a sole survivorship discharge. The measure will ensure that any servicemember who has completed 30 continuous days of active duty service, and was then forced to leave their position as a result of seeking a sole survivorship discharge, remains eligible for the educational assistance afforded under the G.I. Bill. If passed, it will permanently rectify the existing flaw in federal law that prevents honorable veterans who sought a sole survivorship discharge from receiving educational assistance. I urge you and all of my colleagues to support this commonsense legislation, and to uphold Congress' sworn duty to support the men and women who risk their lives so that every American may remain free. Sincerely, David. P Joyce, Member of Congress.

Mr. JOYCE of Ohio

Mr. JOYCE of Ohio. Madam Speaker, the inflation crisis that is being caused by President Biden's destructive policies has hurt small businesses throughout the United States. According to a recent survey, 37 percent of small business owners were unable to pay their rent just last month alone. These businesses are struggling because of Joe Biden's decision to put socialist priorities ahead of working Americans. Instead of supporting businesses and improving supply chains, he paid workers to stay home. Instead of returning to American energy dominance, he turned to Green New Deal policies. Instead of fighting inflation, Joe Biden proudly wasted trillions of dollars and sent prices skyrocketing. More than 60 million Americans are employed by small businesses, and they are being crushed by these radical policies. It is time to return to fiscal constraint; it is time to stop the reckless spending; and it is time to once again support our great American small businesses.

Mr. JOYCE of Ohio

Mr. JOYCE of Ohio. Mr. Chair, I rise today in opposition to H.R. 8294. Before I get into the details of the Interior-Environment section of the bill, I thank Chairwoman DeLauro and Ranking Member Granger for their leadership on the Appropriations Committee. I also extend my sincere thanks to Chellie Pingree, the chair of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Subcommittee. Chair Pingree has been a fair leader, and I appreciate the work she has done on the many bipartisan priorities in the Interior bill, and to her staff for their tireless efforts. The Interior bill provides funding for many important and critical programs that help conserve and protect our Nation's most critical natural, cultural, and environmental resources. More than that, it makes investments that matter to communities, businesses, and industries across the country. The bill provides strong support for our National Parks, helps fight catastrophic wildfires, addresses our aging infrastructure, and fully funds the Payment in Lieu of Taxes, or PILT program. I am grateful for my home district in Ohio that the bill provides increased funding for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. The GLRI funding is critical in our work to restore and protect the lakes for future generations. Finally, I am pleased the bill advances longstanding efforts to increase the Federal commitment to honor our treaties and trust responsibilities with the American Indians and Alaskan Natives by providing a $12.6 billion investment in Indian Country; and a new provision that will help ensure sovereignty of Tribal laws. Unfortunately, while I am supportive of many of the bipartisan components of the bill, I am unable to support it today given serious spending and policy concerns. First and foremost, the bill fails to recognize the situation the country is now in and reverse this administration's assault on conventional energy production. It eliminates longstanding, bipartisan provisions and adds new, controversial policy riders that would weaken U.S. energy and mineral security by limiting domestic development of these and other natural resources. Given the rising energy costs and unprecedented prices we are seeing at the gas pump, it is now more important than ever that we continue to support our all-of-the-above energy strategy. New provisions would prevent and disincentivize domestic production, only making us more dependent on our adversaries. Simply put, these provisions undermine the American energy sector and fail to put American industries and the American people first. Similar riders were dropped from the final conference agreement last year, and the same must be done again before this bill can be signed into law. We must also address the spending in this bill before we can reach a final agreement. With a top-line increase of nearly $7 billion in double-digit increases across many of the agencies, the spending is simply irresponsible in the absence of a broader, fiscally responsible Federal budget. With record-high inflation under this administration, now is the time to limit spending. The Federal Government must make the tough choices to live within its means and work to rein in Federal spending to protect families from inflationary pressures and future generations from crippling debt. It is the combination of these funding and policy reasons that I cannot support the bill at this time. I look forward to supporting amendments to improve H.R. 8294, including one to remove a harmful rider on trophy permits, and my amendment to add limits on the burdensome SEC climate rule. The SEC, which has no mandate to regulate carbon emissions, wants public companies to disclose new climate-related information, including greenhouse gas emissions. These requirements have already lessened investor enthusiasm for domestic drilling and oil protection. At the same time, my friends on the other side of the aisle ask our energy producers to expand capacity--which, of course, requires investment. Make no mistake, this rule will impact businesses of all kinds--small and large, public and private, energy and non-energy. Under this rule, many public companies will be required to disclose not only their greenhouse gas emissions, but also the emissions of businesses upstream and downstream in their value chain. Congress created the SEC to protect investors, maintain fair, orderly, and efficient markets, and facilitate capital formation--not to set climate policy. Unfortunately, the agency has lost its focus. I look forward to the debate on these key issues across all our appropriations bills and am committed to working with Chair Pingree and our colleagues as the fiscal year 2023 process moves forward to craft legislation that can receive bipartisan support. Until then, I strongly urge my colleagues to vote ``no'' on this package.

Mr. JOYCE of Ohio

Mr. JOYCE of Ohio. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of my amendment to H.R. 7666 which would add the text of the Military Suicide Prevention in the 21st Century Act to the underlying bill.

Mr. JOYCE of Ohio

Mr. JOYCE of Ohio. Madam Speaker, with over 108,000 Americans dying from a drug overdose last year, all of us are uniquely aware of the opioid crisis ravaging our country. Similarly, Americans have watched as the crisis at our southern border has turned into an outright catastrophe. There is a threat that both these crises pose, and it has gone unaddressed for far too long: secondary exposure to fentanyl. Secondary exposure occurs when an individual is unintentionally exposed to fentanyl and the drug enters the bloodstream through accidental absorption. This happened in my home State of Ohio. A police officer overdosed after brushing fentanyl off his uniform following the arrest of a drug dealer. The threat of secondary exposure is consistently faced by one group in particular: Customs and Border Protection agents. CBP officers have seized over 340,000 pounds of drugs this fiscal year, including 5,300 pounds of fentanyl. That is enough to kill 2.4 billion people. Madam Speaker, today, I am calling on my colleagues to pass my bill to better protect those working to secure our borders: H.R. 5274, the Prevent Exposure to Narcotics and Toxics Act. Known as the PREVENT Act, my bill would require CBP to issue containment devices to all frontline border security personnel and provide training on their proper use. Congress already requires CBP to provide Narcan to all officers at risk of secondary exposure, making this legislation a simple but necessary extension of the tools we provide those who defend our borders. Containment devices are a critical safety technology that allows first responders to safely store fentanyl and other dangerous substances in a secure device. They not only protect agents from secondary exposure, but also better preserve narcotics for forensic analysis, improving the integrity of investigations and the chances of further legal action against traffickers. The crisis at our southern border has exploded to unprecedented levels, and with it, we have seen a shocking rise in the amount of fentanyl flowing into the United States. While those of us in Congress may differ on how we believe this crisis should be solved, we can agree that the men and women working to stop deadly drugs from reaching our communities deserve to be protected on this job. The PREVENT Act provides them with that protection. Madam Speaker, I am proud to have introduced this bill and will always have the backs of the CBP agents working to keep our country safe. These men and women put their lives on the line every day. The least Congress can do is ensure they have what they need to do their jobs as safely as possible.

Mr. JOYCE of Ohio

Mr. JOYCE of Ohio. Madam Speaker, I rise today to highlight a significant milestone for a group of men and women in my district who work on some of the most complex components of our nation's nuclear reactors. With their unmatched skills and diligence, the men and women at the BWXT facility in Euclid, Ohio have surpassed five million work hours without a single accident. While they belong to a workforce that is so accustomed to safety, those who work at the Euclid plant have jobs that demand exacting requirements and have unforgiving tolerances. They are producing the control rods used in the Navy's reactors that power our submarines and aircraft carriers. These hardworking Buckeyes follow in a long line of great Americans fabricating our Navy's powerplants as far back as the Great White Fleet. Their commitment to delivering flawless equipment to our Navy is among the many reasons the United States remains unmatched on, and underneath, the seas. To surpass the equivalent of 570 years without a single accident at a facility such as BWXT's in Euclid speaks to the highly skilled and trained workforce employed there. Madam Speaker, please join me in congratulating these workers on such an impressive milestone and thanking them for their contributions to our nation's technical and advanced manufacturing operations.

Mr. JOYCE of Ohio

Mr. JOYCE of Ohio. Madam Speaker, it is with a heavy heart that I honor the life and memory of Rhonda Ferguson, and express my deepest condolences to her family, friends and colleagues. A Northeast Ohio native, Rhonda was an incredibly accomplished woman. She was the first in her family to graduate college, graduating from Northwestern University with a degree in Industrial Engineering. She then earned her Juris Doctorate from Case Western Reserve University. It came as no surprise to those who knew her that Rhonda went on to have an extremely successful, storied career. In 2019, Black Enterprise magazine named Rhonda one of the most powerful Black women in corporate America. The following year, she was hired as the Executive Vice President, Chief Legal Officer, General Counsel and Secretary of the Allstate Corporation. Her colleagues warmly refer to her as a visionary force and a passionate friend, coach and mentor whose leadership helped ignite Allstate's transformation and create societal impact. However, Rhonda's legacy as a well-respected mentor and trailblazer in the workplace would be incomplete without her unwavering commitment to her family. Rhonda cared deeply for her husband, Clayton, and their two children, Kristen and Clayton. I have no doubt that her memory will live on through all of them. Kelly and I offer our prayers and condolences to Rhonda's husband, their children, and her parents, as well as her extended family and friends as they navigate their tragic loss during this difficult time. Madam Speaker, please join me in honoring the life and memory of Rhonda Ferguson.

Mr. JOYCE of Ohio

Mr. JOYCE of Ohio. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of my bill, the Drug-Free Communities Pandemic Relief Act. The unfortunate reality is that while the COVID-19 pandemic ravaged our Nation last year, so did the opioid crisis. More than 93,000 overdose deaths were reported in 2020. Meanwhile, enough fentanyl has been seized at our southern border this year to kill the entire U.S. population seven times over. And just the other week, the DEA warned that counterfeit pills laced with this deadly synthetic opioid are spreading across all 50 States. These statistics are harrowing, and the stories of loss they cause are heartbreaking. All of us have loved ones, friends, or neighbors in our communities that have been impacted. As a former Geauga County prosecutor, I saw firsthand how addiction has devastated communities in northeast Ohio and know how important it is to support local efforts that reduce and prevent youth drug use. That is why I introduced the Drug-Free Communities Pandemic Relief Act with my friend and colleague on the other side of the aisle, Congressman Kilmer. Recognizing that local problems need local solutions, the Drug-Free Communities Program provides funding to local coalitions that engage multiple sectors of their communities in order to reduce and prevent substance abuse disorder among younger Americans. No other drug prevention program has consistently achieved the same reduction in youth drug use than the Drug-Free Communities Program has. However, hundreds of coalitions have been unable to meet the program's local matching requirements due to financial difficulties caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. My bipartisan legislation will address that challenge and ensure these coalitions have the resources and flexibility they need during these difficult times to combat the crisis of addiction gripping our country. With more Americans dying from drug overdoses than ever before, it is critical that we do everything we can to support and empower those working on the front lines in our communities to reduce and prevent addiction among our children. I strongly urge all my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this bill today.

Mr. JOYCE of Ohio

Mr. JOYCE of Ohio. Madam Speaker, I rise today in opposition to H.R. 4502. Before I get into the details of division E, the Interior and Environment section of the bill, I want to thank Chairwoman DeLauro and Ranking Member Granger for their leadership on the Appropriations Committee. I would also like to extend my sincere thanks to Chellie Pingree, the chair of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Subcommittee. Chair Pingree has been an excellent leader, and I am glad I have had the opportunity to serve alongside her as ranking member on the subcommittee. The fiscal year 2022 Interior and Environment bill includes many bipartisan initiatives to conserve and protect our Nation's natural and cultural resources and to increase the Federal commitment to honor our treaties and trust responsibilities with American Indians and Alaska Natives. I am grateful for my home district in Ohio, and the States in the Great Lakes Basin, that the bill provides increased funding for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. This funding is critical to our work to restore and protect the lakes for future generations. Robust funding for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative is essential as we continue our efforts with Federal, State, Tribal, local, and nonprofit partners to delist Areas of Concern, address shoreline erosion, improve water quality, prevent harmful algal blooms, and control invasive species. I am also especially pleased that the bill makes critical investments in Indian Country, a longstanding bipartisan priority of this subcommittee. The $12.1 billion across the bill will help support healthcare, education, law enforcement, and other operational programs throughout Indian Country. Chair Pingree and her staff have worked hard to accommodate requests from Members on both sides of the aisle in this bill that will be appreciated by our constituents, regardless of party. Unfortunately, while I am supportive of the bipartisan components of the bill, I am unable to support the bill in its current form. First and foremost, the bill adds several new controversial policy riders that would curtail U.S. energy independence by limiting conventional energy and natural resource development. Limiting our domestic supplies of much-needed natural resources does not decrease our demand for them; it only makes us more dependent upon foreign nations to obtain them, which is not only a national security concern but also an economic security, environmental, and human rights concern. Our economy continues to depend upon on an all-of-the-above energy strategy, and these added provisions would undermine our ability to meet that demand. Similar riders were dropped from the final conference agreement last year, and the same must be done again before the bill can be signed into law. The Interior bill also eliminates or weakens several longstanding provisions that were once again enacted on a bipartisan basis last year. Adding these provisions back will be essential to reaching a bipartisan agreement. The bill before us today proposes a $7 billion increase in discretionary spending, with many agencies receiving double-digit percent increases. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, Congress has provided trillions of dollars in economic stimulus and relief to help Americans tackle unique challenges. On the heels of this unprecedented spending, as we continue to restore our way of life and reignite our economy, it is imperative that the Federal Government makes the tough choices necessary to live within its means. So it is for a combination of these funding and policy reasons that I cannot support this bill at this time and in its current form. Madam Speaker, I strongly urge my colleagues to vote ``no'' on this package.

Mr. JOYCE of Ohio

Mr. JOYCE of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I rise in favor of H.R. 1996, the SAFE Banking Act of 2021, and I am proud to help lead this commonsense, overdue effort. The vast majority of States, including my own, have enacted laws that, to varying degrees, permit their residents to use cannabis. However, the Federal Government has not only infringed on the inherent right of these States to implement those laws, but also stifled medical research, diverted law enforcement resources needed elsewhere, and hindered legitimate businesses, businesses that provide vital services to cancer patients, veterans, and those seeking opioid alternatives for pain management. Because of the Federal interference in this arena, cannabis companies are not afforded the same access to financial services as every other legal business in our country. With banks refusing to accept their money out of fear of Federal repercussions, these businesses are forced to operate in all cash. They pay their workers in cash, store cash in vaults on-site, and hire armored cars and trucks to transport cash to pay taxes. As a former prosecutor, I can tell my colleagues that this is a serious public safety issue. But it is not just cannabis companies that are paying the price for this antiquated policy. Small businesses that provide services to State-legal cannabis companies can also be targeted by the Federal Government, such as plumbers, electricians, and even soil and fertilizer businesses. Regardless of where you stand on the legality of cannabis, I think we can all agree that it shouldn't be that hard to sell a bag of dirt. At a time when small businesses are just beginning to recover from the economic destruction caused by COVID-19, the Federal Government should be supporting them, not standing in their way. Congress must provide financial certainty to these businesses and safety to their employees. Many of my colleagues have shied away from this issue because they are under the impression that it doesn't impact their constituents. But as I have outlined here today, it most certainly does. The American people across the majority of States, both red and blue, have voted to enact sensible cannabis reforms. I encourage all of my colleagues to respect the will of their constituents and the rights of their States and begin engaging in these reforms. It is past time we address the antiquated cannabis policies and remove unnecessary red tape. I strongly urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to vote in favor of the SAFE Banking Act so we can take a step in that direction. The Federal Government can no longer afford to fail on an issue that our States have taken the lead on.

Mr. JOYCE of Ohio

Mr. JOYCE of Ohio. Madam Speaker, I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall No. 84.

Mr. JOYCE of Ohio

Mr. JOYCE of Ohio. Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the 50th anniversary of the Emergency Nurses Association. Comprised of 51,000 members worldwide, the Emergency Nurses Association, or ENA, is the only professional organization dedicated to advancing excellence in emergency nursing. Founded in 1970, ENA has become the world's premier organization for emergency nurses. It was originally established to set standards for best practices in emergency nursing care and has since worked to provide both continuing education programs and a representative voice for emergency nurses. ENA has successfully raised awareness and improved outcomes for our nation's trauma patients. Sadly, traumatic injuries such as head injuries, bums, and those resulting from car crashes, falls, and firearms are currently the leading cause of death for Americans aged 44 years or younger. ENA offers courses for emergency nurses that provide them with the knowledge, skills, and hands-on training needed to deliver high-quality trauma care. Since its inception in 1986, ENA's critical trauma nursing core course has been taken by more than one million emergency nurses and is now considered the gold standard for the education of nurses in lifesaving trauma care techniques. ENA's advocacy for the recently enacted Military Injury Surgical Systems Integrated Operationally Nationwide to Achieve ZERO Preventable Deaths Act, known as the MISSION ZERO Act, has led to the creation of an innovative program allowing military trauma teams and professionals to work in civilian trauma centers to ensure the highest quality trauma care in both peace and war. Last but certainly not least, ENA also effectively raises awareness about workplace violence directed towards emergency nurses and other emergency department personnel. It has advocated at both the State and Federal level to enact laws that hold those who assault healthcare workers in hospitals accountable for their actions. As Co-Chair of the Congressional Nursing Caucus, I ask our colleagues to join me in congratulating the Emergency Nurses Association on its 50th anniversary and extending our gratitude to its members for their commitment to improving the quality of emergency care which has helped save the lives of millions of Americans.

Mr. JOYCE of Ohio

Mr. JOYCE of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the Great Lakes Environmental Sensitivity Index Act of 2020. I was proud to join Representative Kildee in introducing this bill to direct the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to update the environmental sensitivity index maps for the Great Lakes for the first time in many years. ESI maps document the potential impacts from coastal resiliency threats such as oil spills, coastal flooding, and storm damage from high lake levels, which have recently plagued many communities in my district. Having grown up and lived my entire life along the shores of Lake Erie, I know that the Great Lakes are a national treasure, an economic powerhouse, and one of the United States' greatest natural resources. As the largest system of surface fresh water on Earth, the Great Lakes provide drinking water for an estimated 48 million people, support more than 1.5 million jobs, and generate $60 billion in wages annually. That is why it is important that we work together to protect and preserve the lakes and the communities they sustain. This legislation will help us do that. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this bill today.

Mr. JOYCE of Ohio

Mr. JOYCE of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with a heavy heart to honor the life and service of U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Kyle McKee. Staff Sergeant McKee was killed on November 12 in a Black Hawk helicopter crash during a routine peacekeeping mission in Egypt. He was one of five American soldiers who lost their lives in that crash, all members of the Multinational Force and Observers, which oversees the peace agreement reached between Egypt and Israel as part of the Camp David Accords of 1978. This tragic loss of life came less than 24 hours after our Nation observed Veterans Day, and it is a somber reminder that the security and the freedoms we enjoy each and every day are not free. They are paid for by the service and sacrifice of brave men and women in uniform like Staff Sergeant McKee. Originally from Leroy Township, Staff Sergeant McKee graduated from Riverside High School in 2003 and followed in both his father's and brother's footsteps when he enlisted in the Army that same year. In the 17 years that have passed since, he served as a crew chief in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Korea, receiving numerous awards and decorations, including the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal, and both the Army Commendation and Achievement Medals. I could go on. The list of Staff Sergeant McKee's military accolades is not a short one. But he wasn't just a patriot who stepped up to serve his country. He was also a dedicated husband to his wife, Nikki, and a father to not only two sons but his daughter, who is expected to be born any day now. As a father of three myself, I can't begin to imagine the pain his family is feeling right now. I invite the entire northeast Ohio community to join Kelly and me in keeping them in our prayers and giving them strength and support during this difficult time. I know this entire Chamber is forever grateful to Staff Sergeant McKee for his service, so I would like to conclude by requesting a moment of silence to honor his life and pray for his loved ones.

Mr. JOYCE of Ohio

Mr. JOYCE of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I rise humbled by the opportunity before this House today to help preserve the legacy of a true American patriot and local hero in northeast Ohio, the late Lance Corporal Andrew Nowacki. Lance Corporal Nowacki was tragically killed in action on February 26, 2005, while protecting his fellow marines during his second tour of duty in Iraq. He was just 24 years old. However, his dedication to protecting his community and serving his country made him a hero long before he gave the ultimate sacrifice in the name of freedom. Andrew, known as Andy or Ace to those closest to him, graduated from Brush High School in 1998 and signed up for the Marine Corps Reserves shortly thereafter. He later attended the Cleveland Heights Police Academy and joined the Grand River Police Department in 2001. Always looking to protect and serve others, Andy was a dedicated member of the ready response team, the honor guard, and the bike patrol. Andy's commitment to community, dedication to service, and desire to help others is something we should forever honor, and his sacrifice is something we should never forget. My bill, H.R. 3275, would rename the United States Post Office in Grand River, Ohio, the Lance Corporal Andy `Ace' Nowacki Post Office, ensuring he will forever be remembered by the community he cared so deeply for and contributed so much to. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to help preserve Andy's legacy and vote ``yes'' on H.R. 3275. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. JOYCE of Ohio

Mr. JOYCE of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, it is an honor to appear before you today. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to bring awareness to the public health crisis that continues to devastate communities in Ohio and across the country while we grapple with the unprecedented challenges caused by the coronavirus pandemic--the opioid crisis. I have been proud of Congress' bipartisan work over the past several years to not only advance recovery and treatment efforts, but also to prevent the trafficking of lethal, illicit opioids, like fentanyl. I was even prouder when, in 2018, those efforts resulted in our Nation's first decline in drug overdose deaths in nearly 30 years. Tragically, our progress is slipping away. The CDC's preliminary 2019 overdose death data shows that fatal overdoses hit a record high last year, accounting for the deaths of 70,980 Americans. More than half of those deaths, 36,500 to be exact, involved synthetic opioids, such as fentanyl. In total, 37 States saw their number of fatal overdoses increase or remain stable from 2018. That deadly trend is ongoing this year as the coronavirus pandemic continues to impact the mental health and economic security of Americans across the country. An analysis released by the White House last month found that overdose deaths were up 11.4 percent from January to April this year when compared with the same period in 2019. Mr. Speaker, these are more than just statistics. These are real people--mothers and fathers, sons and daughters--and their deaths are causing real pain in communities across our Nation. Back home, a young man who had been sober for nearly 2 years--2 years--relapsed after the pandemic began and the place where he worked had to close its doors. Michael died at the end of March at just 31 years old, with both fentanyl and carfentanil in his system. I saw Michael's mom, Cathy, on the local news the other night speaking out about her son's death, trying to bring awareness to not only the lack of attention focused on the opioid crisis right now, but the limited resources available to combat addiction during this pandemic and the continued rise of synthetic opioids, like those found in Michael's system when he died. We have to act now to stop this crisis in its tracks. We have to redouble our efforts now if we want to prevent other families from enduring the same kind of loss that Michael's family is currently suffering. Having met with those on the front lines of the opioid crisis in my district, ranging from drug court judges to directors of rehab facilities to law enforcement officers on local drug task forces, I know that battling this epidemic requires an all-of-the-above approach that includes prevention and education efforts, promotes treatment, cracks down on illegal distribution, and enhances resources for first responders and law enforcement. That is why I introduced the Comprehensive Opioid Program Extension Act. My bill, better known as the COPE Act, would help us implement an all-of-the-above approach by increasing the authorized resources available for the Department of Justice's comprehensive opioid abuse program. These grants will help local communities battle the opioid epidemic by: Providing training and resources for first responders on opioid overdose reversal drugs and devices, like Narcan; Improving collaboration between State criminal justice agencies and substance abuse agencies; Enhancing law enforcement efforts to combat the illegal distribution of opioids; And developing or expanding programs to prevent youth opioid abuse, drug take-back initiatives, or for treatment alternatives to incarceration. The harsh reality is that everyone in this Chamber knows someone who has been impacted by this opioid crisis. {time} 945 With the coronavirus pandemic already causing an increase in fatal overdoses from last year's record high, action is long overdue. We must advance legislative solutions that allow Democrats and Republicans to join together in a bipartisan effort to defeat this opioid crisis. I stand ready to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to find a bipartisan solution like the COPE Act that will help us stop the opioid crisis from causing more death, wreaking more havoc, and resulting in more tragedy. This crisis has been breaking apart families and threatening the safety of our communities for far too long, and the American people are ready for us to help them stop it.

Mr. JOYCE of Ohio

Mr. JOYCE of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to H.R. 7608. Before I get into the details of division C, the Interior and Environment section of the bill, I take a moment to thank Chairwoman Lowey and Ranking Member Granger for their steadfast leadership on the Committee on Appropriations. I extend my thanks to my friend and colleague, Betty McCollum, the chair of the Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, Related Agencies. Chair McCollum has been an excellent leader, and I am glad to have the opportunity to serve alongside her as the ranking member on the subcommittee. Mr. Speaker, the fiscal year 2021 Interior, Environment bill includes many bipartisan initiatives to conserve and protect our natural resources and to increase the Federal commitment to honor our treaties and trust responsibilities with American Indians and Alaska Natives. The bill increases investments in wildfire suppression, hazardous fuels activities, provides additional support for the National Park Service, EPA's rural water technical assistance grants, and fully funds the Payments in Lieu of Taxes program. The bill also provides significant funding--more than one-quarter of the bill--to help Tribal communities across Indian Country with healthcare, education, and law enforcement needs. This support is essential given, on a per capita basis, COVID-19 has hit Indian Country harder than any other area in our Nation. As a co-chair of the Bipartisan Task Force to End Sexual Violence, I was pleased to see critical funding included to implement the Violence Against Woman Act in Indian Country and to support Operation Lady Justice, an initiative established by the President to address missing and murdered indigenous people, human trafficking, and other violent crimes. Chair McCollum and her staff have worked hard to accommodate these requests for Members on both sides of the aisle in the bill. They will be appreciated by our constituents, regardless of party. In particular, I am grateful for the continued, robust investment in the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, which is essential to reducing harmful algal blooms, eradicating Asian carp, and addressing coastline erosion. However, despite these investments and bipartisan priorities, there are concerns in this bill that will need to be addressed before we reach bipartisan agreement. First and foremost, the bill adds several new controversial policy riders, administrative provisions, and report language directives. These partisan provisions prevent the administration from reducing regulatory burdens and limit responsible natural resource development. Limiting our domestic supply of much-needed natural resources does not decrease our demand for them, it only makes us more dependent on foreign nations to obtain them, which is not only a national security concern, but is also an economic security concern. We cannot protect American jobs if we cannot supply them with the energy and raw materials. This bill also eliminates several longstanding commonsense provisions that have enjoyed bipartisan support for many years. Adding these provisions back will be essential to reaching a bipartisan agreement. A final area of concern is the funding level proposed in this bill. This bill benefits from off-budget emergency funding provided in other bills, and instead of using the savings from the passage of the Great American Outdoors Act towards paying down our ever-growing national debt, the bill reallocates those funds. The bill also includes a new title, with $15 billion in so-called emergency spending for additional infrastructure. To be clear, there are critical infrastructure programs in this bill that need these funds and more, but that alone does not give the Federal Government license to continue to borrow and spend without any overarching plan for fiscal responsibility. Mr. Speaker, it is for a combination of these funding and policy reasons that I cannot support this bill at this time and in its current form, but I am committed to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle as we move through the fiscal year 2021 process to craft a bill that can receive bipartisan support. Mr. Speaker, until then, I strongly urge my colleagues to vote ``no'' on this package.

Mr. JOYCE of Ohio. Madam Speaker, I rise in opposition to the amendment. This amendment interferes with an already rigorous scientific and public review process before the process has even been completed. The public comment period closed less than a month ago, and the EPA is in the process of considering more than 66,000 public comments received and making corresponding changes to the proposal. The EPA's proposal to maintain the standards set by President Obama comes after careful consideration of the most current available scientific evidence and risk and exposure information and with consultation and confirmation by the agency's independent science advisors. By maintaining the current national particulate matter standard, the EPA continues to protect our environment and the health of the American citizens without placing additional burdens on communities. There already too many States and counties currently struggling to meet the current standards, which are already among the strictest safeguards in the world. For these areas of our Nation, the solution is to help them meet the bar, not raise the bar. The EPA remains publicly committed to helping these areas succeed, and to Chair McCollum's credit, this bill gives the EPA the resources necessary to keep doing so. We are on the right track. The U.S. has made incredible strides in reducing particulate matter concentrations across the Nation. As a result of the Clean Air Act, programs and efforts by State, local, and Tribal Governments, as well as technological improvements, average fine particulate matter concentrations in the U.S. fell by 39 percent between 2000 and 2018, while average coarse particulate matter concentrations fell by 31 percent during the same period. Madam Speaker, the process that Congress created and continues to fund in this bill is working. Now it is our job to get out of the way. Vote ``no'' on the amendment, and let the EPA do its job.

Mr. JOYCE of Ohio

Mr. JOYCE of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and service of U.S. Marine Sergeant Wolfgang K. Weninger. On June 16, just days before he was set to graduate from the U.S. Army Airborne School, Sergeant Weninger was tragically killed in a training accident. He was 28 years old. Sergeant Weninger, who went by Kyle or Wolf back home, was a graduate of Kenston High School and a local sports legend in Geauga County. Known for his selflessness, Kyle joined the Marines in 2015 and immediately excelled. In roughly 4 years, he earned the coveted Marine Special Operator Insignia and rose to the rank of sergeant. Kyle's instructors said that he possessed unsurmountable determination, a deep sense of integrity, and an unconquerable spirit. They called him a natural leader, someone who always looked out for his team. I had the opportunity to speak to my old friend, Kyle's father, Ernie, this past week and express my profound condolences directly to him. As a parent, I can only imagine how difficult this time is for him, Mrs. Henry, and their families. Mr. Speaker, please join me in a moment of silence to honor Sergeant Wolfgang K. Weninger and to pray for his loved ones in the wake of their tragic loss.

Mr. JOYCE of Ohio

Mr. JOYCE of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, as we prepared to appropriate supplemental funding for Indian Country through the Bureau of Indian Affairs budget, my colleagues and I became keenly aware of the need to mitigate the hardships that this pandemic has caused for Tribal governments who have to rely on business revenues--rather than taxes-- to fund essential services for their Tribal members. In addition, Tribal governments are often the largest employers on reservations, where unemployment rates are already significantly higher than the rest of the country. For these reasons, this bill directs that not less than $400 million--nearly 90 percent of the Bureau of Indian Affairs supplemental appropriation--shall be made available to meet the direct needs of Tribes. For these same reasons, this bill directs that not less than $450 million of the Indian Health Service supplemental appropriation be distributed to directly operated programs and to Tribes and Tribal organizations by utilizing existing contracts, compacts, and other agreements to speed up the process. In addition, I was pleased to see and support an additional $8 billion for payments to Tribal governments through the Coronavirus Relief Fund in this bill. Because of the Federal Government's unique government-to-government relationship with Indian Tribes, providing these funds to Tribes directly--rather than through the States--is the right approach. It is critical that the Secretaries of the Treasury and the Interior consult with Tribal leaders immediately to determine the most expeditious, transparent, and fair method of allocating these funds.

Mr. JOYCE of Ohio

Mr. JOYCE of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding. I rise today in support of my bill, the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Act of 2019. First, I thank Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur and the 48 other Members from both sides of the aisle who cosponsored this important legislation. These Members come from each of the eight Great Lakes States, and they have been instrumental in advancing this bill to the House floor. I also thank my colleagues on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee who unanimously supported the GLRI Act of 2019 during its markup back in September. I cherish my memories growing up on the shores of Lake Erie, fishing and swimming with my family and friends. Everyone in this Chamber knows that I am not shy about my commitment to protect and restore the Great Lakes, for both current and future generations of Americans. The Great Lakes are a key economic driver for our Nation. More than 1.5 million jobs are directly connected to the lakes, generating $62 billion in wages annually. That is not to mention the fact that the Great Lakes Basin is home to more than 30 million people and that the lakes hold roughly 21 percent of the entire world's freshwater supply. That is why I was proud to introduce this bill to authorize this critically important Great Lakes Restoration Initiative for an additional 5 years and increase the program's annual authorized funding level, ensuring communities across the Great Lakes region, including those in my own district of northeast Ohio, can continue to address their on-the-ground needs. Through the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, also known as GLRI, EPA coordinates its efforts with other Federal partners like the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, as well as State agencies, local communities, and nonprofit organizations. GLRI projects have led to significant environmental benefits in the Great Lakes region since the program was created, helping restore more than 50,000 acres of coastal wetlands and reduce nutrient runoff that leads to harmful algal blooms like the one that shut down Toledo's water system in 2014, impacting hundreds of thousands of Ohioans. The program also provides for a wide range of economic benefits, like protecting the $7 billion Great Lakes fishery from invasive species like the Asian carp. In fact, a recent study showed that every dollar spent on GLRI projects through 2016 produces more than $3 in additional economic activity in the region. This means jobs and economic development in waterfront communities like Mentor, Ashtabula, and Conneaut, Ohio. Simply put, without the GLRI, critical environmental restoration activities and strong economic growth would never have happened. The bill is a great example of the progress we can make when we work together to address the issues facing our communities. While we have made progress in our efforts to address nearshore health, invasive species, toxic substances, and wildlife habitat, much more work remains to be done to protect the Great Lakes. That is why I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 4031, working across party lines to protect the invaluable natural resource and economic powerhouse that is the Great Lakes system.