Evan Jenkins

Mr. JENKINS of West Virginia

Mr. JENKINS of West Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mayor Serafino Nolletti and to celebrate his ten years of public service to the city of Logan, West Virginia. I am proud to present him with the key to the city of Logan to thank him for his hard work and dedication to the city and residents of Logan, West Virginia. For the last decade, Mayor Nolletti has dedicated his career to improving his community and showcasing all the city has to offer through events such as the annual Freedom Festival. He has also improved the lives of the people of Logan through his support of vital infrastructure and economic development projects that have help transform Logan's economy. Because of his work, the people of Logan have a town and a mayor they can be proud of and count on to be on their side. I congratulate Mayor Nolletti for receiving this prestigious award and for his continued service to the people of Logan and West Virginia. He is a great Mountaineer that represents the best of West Virginia.

Mr. JENKINS of West Virginia

Mr. JENKINS of West Virginia. Mr. Speaker, West Virginia is literally ground zero in the opioid epidemic. Our overdose rate is not just a little bit higher than the national average of the No. 2 State. It is actually 33 percent higher than the No. 2 State. So when we passed the 21st Century Cures legislation, dedicating $1 billion to fight this horrific epidemic, it gave us hope; it gave me hope. And that hope was particularly strong in rural States like West Virginia, that finally we might see real resources where it really counts, in rural communities. But unfortunately, many of the worst-hit States like mine ended up receiving only a minimal amount of funding. Let me give you an example. A more populous State received five times more funding than my State, but my State's overdose rate was five times higher than the more populous State. This bill, like every bill, has parts I like and parts I don't like. One of the issues I have fought for is making sure the now $6 billion we are putting towards fighting the opioid crisis will actually get to the places where it matters most. We must use a formula based on per capita statistics to ensure funds go to the hardest hit States and smaller States where the crisis and the need is the greatest. As a member of the Appropriations Committee, and having a direct hand on how the $6 billion will be targeted, I have been reassured that rural States like mine will not be shortchanged and--we will work to make sure the language in our funding bill makes it abundantly clear to the Federal agencies that actually set the allocation formulas--we want resources flowing to where they count most. I want to thank Chairman Frelinghuysen and his predecessor Chairman Rogers for their commitment and leadership to helping.

Mr. JENKINS of West Virginia

Mr. JENKINS of West Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I missed votes due to travel conditions leaving West Virginia. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 51.

Mr. JENKINS of West Virginia

Mr. JENKINS of West Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Dr. Carter G. Woodson and to celebrate his legacy with my friends at Marshall University. Dr. Woodson is a former resident of Huntington, West Virginia, and is known as the ``Father of African-American History.'' He believed in the importance of education, served as a principal of his alma mater Douglas High School, and later earned a doctorate in history from Harvard University. Dr. Woodson pioneered the observation of Black History Month and devoted his life to documenting the important contributions African Americans have made to our nation's history. The Carter G. Woodson Lyceum at Marshall University has the great honor to welcome Librarian of Congress Dr. Carla Hayden who will speak directly to the community and students of Marshall University. I extended my wishes for a successful event celebrating the life of Dr. Woodson and all that he has achieved. I want to thank Professor Morris for his continued dedication to honoring the work of Dr. Woodson every year. He continues to ensure future generations and students at Marshall have the opportunity to learn about the legacy of this remarkable historical icon. Dr. Woodson's legacy and his work to ensure that African-American history is preserved and recognized in our community will continue to inspire the students of Marshall University for many years to come.

Mr. JENKINS of West Virginia

Mr. JENKINS of West Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize my constituent, Lessie Moses. Lessie, who just turned 98 years old this past November, served as a Rosie the Riveter during World War II, working on airplanes in Ohio. Lessie was born and raised in her beloved hometown of Milton and is the oldest of nine children. Lessie was part of the workforce that carried the nation while the men were at war, providing the warfighter the equipment they needed to get the job done. Lessie answered the call when their nation asked and served in 1943 and 1944 on the home front to make sure our troops were well equipped. Lessie is a local pioneer of the Rosie movement in my district, and I am honored to recognize her achievements and help keep this history alive. We owe a debt of gratitude to all of the heroes of World War II. May God bless Lessie, and I thank her for all she has done for the people of the great state of West Virginia and her community of Milton, and for her service to our nation.

Mr. JENKINS of West Virginia

Mr. JENKINS of West Virginia. Mr. Speaker, the American people are demanding of us to do what is right. That is why I proudly voted ``yes'' to keep the government open, to pay our troops, to provide funding for our Nation's military, and to reauthorize CHIP, healthcare for children in need, for 6 years. Instead, Democrats in the Senate voted ``no.'' They said no to all of these critical priorities--national security, healthcare for our children, keeping the government open--all while they pushed their own political agenda. The only thing they said yes to was the Schumer shutdown. Enough is enough, Mr. Speaker. Nothing in this bill is controversial. We did our job. We have passed reauthorization for CHIP, the Children's Health Insurance Program, not once but twice, and it has stalled in the Senate. Democrats own the Schumer shutdown. They have said no to policies the American people want and the American people need. Washington is broken. We need to get back on track. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to work together, to work in the interest of all West Virginians and all Americans, working for working families, military families, and retirees. They are all depending on us.

Mr. JENKINS of West Virginia

Mr. JENKINS of West Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I thank Congressman Kelly. What inspiring words. I thank Congressman Smith for his incredible leadership. I am so proud to stand with my colleagues today to support the right to life. I commend all of those who will be coming to our Nation's Capital this week, including from my home State of West Virginia, to let their leaders--us--know that we are a country that values life and human decency. Each and every life is a precious gift from God. It is our responsibility to stand up for the unborn who were made in God's own image. They have no voice. We must be their voice. I am proud to join my colleagues in using our voices to protect life and to stand up for the unborn. I am proudly pro-life. As we near the anniversary of Roe v. Wade, we grieve for the lost lives. We pledge to protect the babies yet to be born. No taxpayer should be forced to pay for abortions. That is why I have consistently supported legislation to repeal ObamaCare and to defund Planned Parenthood. I was also proud to be a cosponsor of the recently passed Pain- Capable Unborn Child Protection Act, which would stop late-term abortions and the torturous pain that comes as the result of this despicable practice. I am also a proud cosponsor of the bill that will be taken up later this week, the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act. This legislation ensures that babies born after a failed abortion attempt are given the appropriate medical care to live and are treated as human beings. Mr. Speaker, every life--born and unborn--is precious, and I am proud to stand here with my colleagues to reaffirm our values--that life is a gift from God, and every baby deserves life.

Mr. JENKINS of West Virginia

Mr. JENKINS of West Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I missed votes due to difficult traveling conditions caused by inclement weather. Had I been present, I would have voted yea on Roll Call No. 18 and yea on Roll Call No. 19.

Mr. JENKINS of West Virginia

Mr. JENKINS of West Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I missed votes due to a previously scheduled event in West Virginia. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 11 and YEA on Roll Call No. 12.

Mr. JENKINS of West Virginia

Mr. JENKINS of West Virginia. Mr. Chairman, I thank the minority very much for their support on this and, again, to the chair, for his leadership on this effort. Mr. Chairman, let me close by thanking specifically a couple of individuals: Jim Price, who has been integrally related and involved with this project from its inception, and I appreciate his leadership so much. Enel Green Power North America, the operator and developer on this project. I thank them for their efforts. Also, the mayor of the city of Summersville, Robert Shafer. I thank Bob Shafer for his incredible support and leadership in the city of Summersville. Mr. Chairman, I encourage support for this amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. JENKINS of West Virginia. I yield to the gentleman from Illinois.

Mr. JENKINS of West Virginia. Mr. Chairman, my amendment is very straightforward. It supports the mission of the underlying bill to responsibly increase opportunities for hydropower across the Nation. My amendment authorizes agencies with an existing memorandum of understanding with FERC to study the expansion of hydropower. The need for this arises from a project in my district in Summersville, West Virginia. There is what is called a run-of-the-river hydroelectric project in Summersville. There is an MOU between the town--the city of Summersville--FERC, and the Army Corps of Engineers. The Summersville hydro project was actually licensed by FERC in 1992 and constructed in 2001, with the cooperation of the Army Corps of Engineers. It provides enough renewable energy to power 22,000 homes. It might be possible to increase hydropower by adjusting the seasonable pool levels and managing the releases. Even if this is only for just a few days, it could result in a 15 percent increase in power generation for the surrounding community. Unfortunately, I have heard that even to conduct a study requires explicit authorization from Congress. So that is what we are doing here today with this amendment. This amendment would provide that authority, and only in limited cases where there is an existing MOU on the books between the agencies and FERC. Mr. Chairman, I yield 30 seconds to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Upton).

Mr. JENKINS of West Virginia. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. JENKINS of West Virginia

Mr. JENKINS of West Virginia. Mr. Speaker, everyone remembers the excitement of receiving that first paycheck and the feeling of accomplishment that hard work brings. We also remember just as vividly the disappointment we experienced when we saw just how much of our hard-earned money went to taxes. It is a rite of passage that we have grown used to, but that doesn't mean it is right. Americans deserve to take home more of their pay. That is exactly why we need tax reform, tax cuts, and tax simplification, and why I am working with President Donald Trump to make our tax system work for West Virginia's families. Our tax framework would cut taxes for West Virginia's middle class families, double the standard deduction for individuals and couples, and create jobs by making small businesses and American companies more competitive. West Virginia's families work hard and have been squeezed by our State's economic downturn. Under our tax framework and with the support of President Trump, help is on the way. We will also make it easier and simpler for Americans--West Virginians--to file their taxes. Most families will be able to file their taxes just on a postcard, saving them both time and money. Our plan for tax reform, our plan for tax cuts, our plan for tax simplification will help us build a better America, a better West Virginia, one where families have more opportunities, more jobs, and more money in their pockets.

Mr. JENKINS of West Virginia

Mr. JENKINS of West Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Arizona and all those who have spoken, obviously, so emotionally and so passionately about protecting the unborn. Mr. Speaker, I am a proud cosponsor of H.R. 36. I am a strong believer in the sanctity of life. I believe each and every person, born and unborn, is a child of God. Our children are our future and a gift to all of us, and respecting the right to life is one of the strongest values we hold as Americans. That is why I come to the floor today to urge my colleagues to support the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act, which would stop late- term abortions. Studies have shown that unborn children can feel pain in the womb 20 weeks after pregnancy, an agonizing fact with disturbing indications that we know that this is a gruesome act against the unborn. As a proud father of three, we know, when those babies come into this world, that their cries are cries of joy; it is a cry of life. That is what we are protecting. No child of God should be subjected to the torturous pain that comes as a result of a late-term abortion. Mr. Speaker, it is clear that my constituents sent me to Washington to promote a culture and respect for life. They know as well as I do that it is vital for us to fight for those who have no voice and cannot be heard. This bill shows the world that America will stand up to protect the most vulnerable amongst us. I strongly urge my colleagues to support the passage of the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act. Let this Congress and the vote of each and every Member be known as the one who stood up for life by speaking out against the horrors of abortion.

Mr. JENKINS of West Virginia

Mr. JENKINS of West Virginia. Mr. Chair, I yield myself as much time as I may consume. Mr. Chairman, let me close by saying a deep, heartfelt thank you to Congressman Barr from Kentucky. He has been a stalwart in fighting this drug epidemic and supporting efforts like HIDTA. Mr. Chair, I thank the subcommittee chairman, Chairman Graves. He has been terrific in Financial Services. When you think about where we started in this process, he has brought us light-years away in funding for HIDTA. Mr. Chair, I thank the chairman of the full committee, Chairman Frelinghuysen. He has been terrific in, again, restoring much-needed funding. This amendment, if adopted, is an important final step needed to address this critical issue. Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. JENKINS of West Virginia. Mr. Chairman, HIDTA, the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area, is a critically important program that brings together Federal, State, and local law enforcement, and it is making a difference in my home State and in many parts of the country. HIDTA is a flexible program that has helped law enforcement afford critical overtime and equipment that they would struggle to afford. This program is tackling our most challenging public health and safety issue of our time: the drug opioid epidemic. HIDTA is needed. The opioid epidemic is getting worse, and this is not a time to hold back on funding programs that work. At Thomas Health System in South Charleston, West Virginia, the number of infants born exposed to opioids and other drugs increased from 95 babies in 2013 to 189 babies in 2016. That is an increase of 99 percent in just 4 years. Overdose death rates continue to climb as well. In my home town in Huntington, overdoses in 2017 have already surpassed the number in 2016. In 2017, there have been 1,250 overdoses, an increase of--get this--450 percent since 2014, a 450 percent increase in 4 years. Just last year, West Virginia added two new HIDTA counties and another county's application is pending review. HIDTA works. It is evident, with counties across this country applying to become HIDTA counties, there is demand. We must increase funding for this critical program. I urge adoption of this amendment. Mr. Chair, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. Barr).

Mr. JENKINS of West Virginia. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. JENKINS of West Virginia

Mr. JENKINS of West Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the hard work of Dr. Pamela Staton of Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia. Dr. Staton has played a major role in the success of Marshall University's Forensic Science Center, which has repeatedly been named the nation's best Forensic Science Program. Dr. Pamela Staton joined the Forensic Science Program in 2002, and leads the Bacterial Source Tracking Research Project at the Robert C. Byrd Biotechnology Center. Her invaluable experience as the Forensic Science Center's program administrator and chief academic advisor for its graduate students has contributed greatly to the program's reputation and plays a central role in its success. Dr. Staton's contributions to the Huntington community and West Virginia are invaluable, and I wish her the best of luck on her retirement. I know she will always be a part of the Marshall University family and look forward to seeing all the great things she achieves in the future.

Mr. JENKINS of West Virginia

Mr. JENKINS of West Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the hard work of Dr. Terry Fenger of Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia. Dr. Fenger has played a key role in developing the university's highly successful Forensic Science Center, which has repeatedly been named the nation's best forensic science program. Dr. Fenger has served as the center's director since 1994, overseeing its Digital Forensics section, Forensics DNA Analysis laboratory, and FEPAC-accredited Forensic Science Graduate Program. His passion for teaching students how to succeed in the forensic science field and caring for his fellow West Virginians is on show for all to see. By overseeing the program's role in West Virginia's sexual assault test kit initiative, Dr. Fenger has proactively taken a leadership role in helping get criminals off our streets. His expertise in his field has helped create a new generation of forensic experts to solve crimes and keep our communities safe, and I join his friends, family and colleagues in wishing him well during his hard-earned retirement. He will always be a part of the Marshall University family. I look forward to seeing the great things he achieves in the future.

Mr. JENKINS of West Virginia

Mr. JENKINS of West Virginia. Mr. Chairman, I will be very brief. By my calculation, this is about the third or fourth amendment from the minority trying to take money out of a very important future- looking initiative, the fossil energy R&D, and redirect it elsewhere. They keep trying to raid this important funding. I am sitting here with my colleague from West Virginia, who NETL is actually physically in his district. There is no stronger champion of NETL than the gentleman from West Virginia. This is hundreds of jobs in our State, in his district, but the impact of their work reaches across the country and literally around the world. I spoke on a previous attack on this funding a moment ago. I defend strongly the work of the fossil energy R&D. And to suggest this is just looking to yesterday is missing the point that I made a moment ago talking about rare earth elements and unlocking the potential that these fossil resources have in so many ways, not just energy production. So I thank the chairman of the subcommittee for recognizing and supporting fossil energy R&D; and my colleague from West Virginia, who is such a staunch supporter of NETL, and my ability to work with him. Please, I encourage people to reject the gentleman's amendment.

Mr. JENKINS of West Virginia. Will the gentleman yield?

Mr. JENKINS of West Virginia. Mr. Chair, I rise in opposition to the gentleman from New Jersey's amendment. Let me simply state, while he politely suggests we have agreement, bottom line, his amendment guts the fossil energy R&D. It takes over $300 million out of the fossil research and development, the kinds of research and development that can generate rare Earth elements and other things that we have talked about, in addition to use for our power generation. Mr. Chair, I simply oppose this amendment and ask for its rejection. Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. JENKINS of West Virginia. Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to the gentleman from New Jersey's amendment. The fossil Energy Research and Development account actually helps the Nation use the full extent of our resources safely, wisely, and efficiently. I always hear Members say--and I have heard it several times tonight already--that they support an ``all-of-the-above'' energy strategy. Unfortunately, this amendment does just the opposite. It picks energy winners and losers. The level of funding for fossil Energy R&D in this year's bill recognizes the important role fossil energy plays in our Nation's future. At a time when fossil power generation is actually expanding around the globe, the activities funded in the bill advance our Nation's position as a leader in fossil energy technologies. I just hosted a conference in my home State of West Virginia on something that is getting a lot of attention lately: rare earth elements. I want everybody just to think about that phone that they hold in their hand or, if they are watching on TV, that TV in their home. Guess what. These phones and those TVs have what is called rare earth elements. And you would think by the term ``rare earth,'' it must mean, gosh, they are rare, hard to find. Guess what. Rare earth elements are found in many places. Amazingly, coal contains an abundant supply of rare earth elements. This is important to our national security because, currently, China has a monopoly on the rare earth element market. Ninety percent of all rare earth elements that are in every phone and every TV are controlled by China. But we know that coal, through research, can unlock an abundant supply of these critical elements that we need for everyday technology. So this just isn't about energy production. This is about everyday items that impact our life. So for our Nation's security and electric grid reliability and use of our domestic fossil fuel resources, investment in fossil R&D is critical. Each of these programs represent a partnership with the private sector that provides an even greater leverage to Federal funds. Therefore, I urge our Members to vote against the gentleman from New Jersey's amendment so we can support fossil energy R&D for our country and for our future. Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. JENKINS of West Virginia. Mr. Chairman, I claim the time in opposition.