Derek Kilmer

Mr. KILMER

Mr. KILMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to say good-bye to a dedicated public servant and a key part of my team. Judith Morris has served the Olympic Peninsula for a decade, first for my predecessor Norm Dicks, and for the past 4 years in my office. Judith's knowledge of the peninsula and her dedication is unmatched. There are few that combine her compassion and guidance to any constituent who had a question or who needed help with a Federal agency. Whether at the office or at the grocery store or at an event, Judith was available. Mr. Speaker, Judith has served our Nation with distinction, first in the Peace Corps, and now in the United States House of Representatives, making equity and conservation and human rights a tenet of her time in service. Judith's wit, thoughtfulness, and easygoing manner will be missed. Our entire community thanks her and her husband, David, an outstanding public servant in his own right, who worked for the National Park Service, for leaving a legacy of integrity, excellence, and service. I am humbled and honored to offer my sincere thanks to Judith Morris for her dedication to the Sixth Congressional District, and I wish her the best as she continues to explore her passion for travel and service all around this world.

Mr. KILMER

Mr. KILMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to defend jobs. In my region, Federal workers at Olympic National Park, which brings millions of visitors to our area, help that park run smoothly. They provide needed health services and care for our veterans at local VA facilities. Federal workers serve our Nation and help our sailors and submariners be safe through their work at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, which has been operating for 125 years. We should have admiration and respect for the work they do. I don't think that this Chamber did right by them this week. That is because the House approved a rule that would allow any Member to add an amendment to spending bills to cut Federal jobs and lower the pay of workers. These workers shouldn't be unfairly singled out on the House floor. This is not the way to do business. Having worked in the private sector, you would never see a successful employer treat their employees with the disrespect that Congress treats the Federal workforce. It is time to tell everyone at that shipyard, at the park, at the VA, and all Federal workers in my region and throughout this country that Congress respects and honors the work that they do. It is time to do away with this rule.

Mr. KILMER

Mr. KILMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the life and service of Officer Reginald ``Jake'' Gutierrez of the Tacoma Police Department, who was killed in the line of duty on Wednesday, November 30, 2016. My heart goes out to Jake's fiancee, children, and grandchild, who lost him in service to his community and his country. This is a tragedy. Officer Gutierrez lost his life in a senseless act of violence. Those who witnessed the shooting of Officer Gutierrez stated that his sacrifice saved the lives of those around him. His last action was to shout a warning to those in and around the house--his partner, the suspect's family, and their landlord--to leave the house to safety. His final moments are a testament to his selflessness, his bravery, and his commitment to helping others. Mr. Speaker, Jake was a well-respected member of the Tacoma Police Department. A resident of Kitsap County, he had served on the Tacoma force for 17 years. Officer Gutierrez was a 45-year-old father of three, a grandfather of one, and was engaged to be married. These dreams have been cut short by his death, and remind us that life is precious and uncertain. Fellow officers and residents of Tacoma remember him for his quick wit and his easy-going manner. They point to the fact that he always had a smile on his face, and cared about the community he served. Leaders in the neighborhood in which he was killed have remarked on the stand-up character of Officer Gutierrez. He was truly a hero. Mr. Speaker, Officer Jake Gutierrez was a person who, like so many in the law enforcement community, put service above self. I join with those who gather in remembrance of this fine man. Jake gave the ultimate sacrifice as a public servant and protector of our community's safety. I am honored and humbled to recognize him today in the United States Congress.

Mr. KILMER

Mr. KILMER. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to talk about jobs and economic opportunity for the region I represent. In my hometown of Port Angeles, Washington, we recently opened up a new innovative center focused on composite manufacturing. This composite recycling center, one of the first in the Nation, is already showing that the peninsula can be a hub for groundbreaking innovation. Just yesterday, they won a national investment, a grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce, that will give entrepreneurs the tools that they need to take yesterday's recycled parts and turn them into advanced products. It will also encourage the growth of quality jobs in my region, investing in local citizens so that they can build careers working with composites. This is a terrific example, to use a Wayne Gretzky quote, of local economic developers skating to where the puck is going to be; and I want to congratulate the folks back home. I look forward to continuing to be a partner in the effort to bring good jobs to our neck of the woods.

Mr. KILMER

Mr. KILMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the life and legacy of Richard Geiger, a champion for the environment. Mr. Geiger is widely recognized as one of the most committed advocates for the protection and stewardship of our natural resources in the Puget Sound region. A graduate of Gonzaga University in Spokane, WA, Rich began his career by serving our country in the 82nd Airborne Division as an air defense officer. After serving for 13 years, during which time he was stationed in North Korea and Germany, he continued that commitment to service by dedicating his civilian career to protecting the environment. First working for Mason County Public Works, and then for the last 15 years as a district officer at the Mason Conservation District, Rich helped to develop a wide range of small- and large-scale efforts to protect natural resources. Perhaps his greatest accomplishment during his tenure with the Conservation District was the leadership he provided on the development and implementation of the Skokomish River Basin Ecosystem Restoration Project, a critical and comprehensive effort to restore the river and surrounding waters in Puget Sound that encompassed more than 50 different individual restoration projects. Mr. Speaker, Richard was not only an environmental advocate and steward, he was also a leader in the community. He excelled at fostering collaboration and consensus among diverse community stakeholders, including private landowners, businesses, Native American Tribes, and local, state, and federal agencies, to achieve common goals. Richard's lifetime of service, stewardship, care, and leadership all contributed to a stronger, healthier, and more vibrant community in Puget Sound. The contributions of Mr. Geiger embody the values that make our community and our country a great place to live. Mr. Speaker, I stand on the House floor today to honor the life of Mr. Geiger and to extend my condolences to those who he is survived by. Our lives are enhanced by having known him, and he will truly be missed.

Mr. KILMER

Mr. KILMER. Mr. Chairman, I thank my good friends, Representative Newhouse and Representative Heck, for taking the lead on this effort. I rise today in support of this amendment because the Ancient One has been separated from his family for far too long. It is time he return home. For 20 years, as you heard my colleague point out, the Ancient One has been stuck in limbo while the scientists and lawyers have debated what the Native American community knew to be true: that he is their ancestor. Now that three independent DNA analyses have confirmed his ancestry to the native people of the Columbia Plateau, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers must expedite his repatriation so that his descendants may honor his life. This legislation will help speed up the process and ensure that the Ancient One's descendants have the opportunity to lay his remains to rest in their ancestral burial grounds. Only then will the Ancient One's story finally be complete and will his spirit be able to rest. That is why I support the amendment, and I urge my colleagues to do the same.

Mr. KILMER

Mr. KILMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to discuss H.R. 2315. I'm glad to see that the House of Representatives is taking up legislation to address a confusing state income tax issue that is leading to some unfair results. But I am concerned that another issue important to my state is being ignored. Many states currently face legal limitations on their ability to collect sales tax from out-of-state sellers. With the boom of the internet, economic transactions are increasingly moving online. For states that rely on sales tax revenues to fund state agencies and programs, they've seen a real hit to their balance sheets. What's worse, we're seeing brick and mortar retail outlets all across the state and country--businesses that have made real investments in their communities--face a competitive disadvantage against online retailers. That means more empty storefronts on Main Street and fewer jobs in local communities. That's why I've supported efforts to help level the playing field and ensure that Washington retail stores have the ability to compete. The Remote Transactions Parity Act would authorize states to collect sales on products sold to Washingtonians that cross state lines. This bill now has nearly seventy bipartisan cosponsors. Mr. Speaker, there are very few legislative days left before the end of this Congress. I'd encourage my friends in the majority to make a real effort to address this important issue before we adjourn.

Mr. KILMER

Mr. KILMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to mark the 125th anniversary of the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard. If you come into Bremerton, Washington, by ferry, you see a big yellow and blue slogan painted on the side of the shipyard's Building 460, and it says: ``Puget Sound Naval Shipyard: Building on a Proud Tradition.'' That proud tradition is based on the hard work of men and women who, for 125 years, have invested in their trades, shown up each day and gotten the job done for this country, and the uniformed personnel who have carried out the mission there. Our shipyard workers serve our Nation and help keep our sailors and submariners safe. And through its long history, the shipyard has been central in building up our fleet during World War I, and repairing damaged ships during World War II, and throughout other wartime efforts. Today, they get our ships ready so the Navy can continue to provide strategic deterrence and peacekeeping all across the globe. We live in a dangerous world where threats exist, and I have such admiration and respect for the role the shipyard and its workers play in protecting our servicemembers and protecting our Nation. The future looks bright for this institution under the leadership of Captain Howard Markle. Recently I had the honor of speaking at the shipyard's apprenticeship graduation, and I can tell you that these folks are ready to carry on that proud tradition at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard.

Mr. KILMER

Mr. KILMER. Mr. Speaker, recently, the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe watched in anger as an oil pipeline project near their homes moved forward. Sadly, the tribe's concerns about the impact on their drinking water and on sacred lands was not properly taken into account, so the tribal members raised their voices, and they weren't alone. In an unprecedented demonstration of support, thousands of Americans, tribal members from all over, including many from my region, journeyed to North Dakota to stand in solidarity and peaceful protest with the Standing Rock Sioux. The call to respect their rights was heard. Thanks to the Obama administration, construction in the disputed area has been halted so that there can be further review, and that is a victory. But there is more work to do. I joined many of my colleagues to call on the Government Accountability Office to thoroughly inspect Federal policies that protect the health and environmental security of American Indian and Alaska Native communities. We have a sacred trust and treaty obligations to our tribal neighbors that cannot be broken. Their sovereignty must be respected, not just on this project, but whenever the Federal Government is acting in a way that impacts them.

Mr. KILMER

Mr. KILMER. Mr. Speaker, when most people hear ``Dwayne Johnson'' they think of ``The Rock,'' but I want you to stop and smell what I'm cooking. I rise today to recognize Dwayne Johnson of Port Angeles, WA, an educator and a proud member of the Makah and Lummi tribes, and to congratulate him on receiving the Trustee of the Year Award from the Rural Community College Alliance, a national organization representing over 600 rural community and tribal colleges. Mr. Johnson has been a member of the Peninsula College board of trustees since 2006 and has twice served as chairman. Between 2008 and 2012, when the college faced the challenge of an unprecedented increase in enrollment amid cuts to funding and increased tuition rates, Mr. Johnson and his fellow board members provided critical support to the staff and administration of Peninsula College. When Peninsula College had to navigate difficult budget decisions, Mr. Johnson was key in engaging the local community to explain the need for some of these changes. In his other capacity, Mr. Johnson serves as athletic director for the Port Angeles School District. The Washington Interscholastic Activities Association recognized Mr. Johnson's accomplishments in youth sports by naming him 2016's League Athletic Director of the Year for the Olympic League. The Washington Secondary School Athletic Administrators Association also recently recognized his work with their Outstanding Service Award. As a graduate of Port Angeles High School, I've personally seen the investment he makes in young people. It's a difference-maker. As athletic director, Mr. Johnson encourages his students to strive for excellence in both sports and education, urging them to ultimately reach for the next bar in their educational journey. Many of these students pursue higher education at Peninsula College. Furthermore, as a member of the Makah and Lummi tribes, Mr. Johnson has devoted his energies to projects--including the building of the House of Learning Longhouse--that have encouraged more members of local tribes to participate in the life of Peninsula College. As a result of his efforts, enrollment rates of Native American students at Peninsula College have never been higher. Mr. Speaker, it is an honor to represent a dedicated community leader and friend who is truly a rock for so many young people in our region. I am grateful for his efforts and dedication and am proud to recognize Mr. Johnson's achievements today in the United States Congress.

Mr. KILMER

Mr. KILMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with a warning, a warning that the voices of the American people are at risk of not being heard. Outside groups funded by the deepest of pockets have taken center stage in this year's election. The Center for Responsive Politics reported this week that outside spending has already reached two-thirds of a billion dollars in 2016. That is more than twice what these groups spent at this point just 4 years ago. Wave after wave of these ads dominate our screens and turn political debate into a pro wrestling match. But there is more to the problem. This system gives a small group of the wealthiest Americans a disproportionately loud voice. It affirms the fear that so many Americans have that special interests and deep pockets have undue say. That is not good for the future of our country or of our democracy. It is time we stood up and said, ``Enough.'' It is time we stood up and said that corporations are not people. It is time we pass campaign finance reform, and it is time we revitalize our democracy and bring people power back.

Mr. KILMER

Mr. KILMER. Mr. Speaker, I have a motion to recommit at the desk.

Mr. KILMER. I am opposed.

Mr. KILMER. Mr. Speaker, this is the final amendment to the bill, which will not kill the bill or send it back to committee. If adopted, the bill will immediately proceed to final passage as amended. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to encourage my colleagues to support the motion to recommit, which is about protecting the personal information of the American people. It would require that those who are soliciting investments directly from individuals to develop a plan to ensure their personal financial data is protected against cyberattacks. Before coming to Congress, I spent a decade working in economic development professionally, and before that, I was a business consultant advising some of the Nation's leading technology companies. I actually agree with my Republican colleagues that we need to help small, innovative companies raise additional capital so that they can grow, bring their ideas to market, and create jobs. However, we need to make sure that these new companies are taking seriously the risk of cybersecurity to ensure that those who are putting up capital to fund these companies aren't subject to identity theft or other cybercrimes. Last month, I met with a group of cyber professionals from my State who told me that the threat of cybercrime is growing exponentially. According to these experts, every single business that has access to confidential personal data should have a plan in place to protect that data and to quickly respond in the event of a cyber attack. This isn't just anecdotal. We can look at the statistics. In 2005, cybercrime cost the average business just $24,000. By 2015, that number had jumped to over $1.5 million for the average American business. We all want small and emerging companies to succeed. We also need to be sure that they are prepared to deal with the growing threat of cybercrime so that the personal information of their investors is protected. We also know that the financial services industry is a particularly ripe target for cybercriminals. The Securities and Exchange Commission is already taking action on a case that resulted in the private records of more than 100,000 individuals being compromised. Commission Chair Mary Jo White has called cybersecurity the biggest risk to the financial system. We also know the impacts of cybercrime can be real. For an individual, a stolen identity can be devastating. It can lead to financial losses, lost time at work or with family dedicated to the stressful and extensive effort of clearing up financial records. These impacts are even greater when the victim is a senior citizen, who are often targets of cybercrimes. We need action for the future growth of our economy and to give investors confidence that their personal information will remain secure. The motion to recommit would do that. It would require companies taking advantage of rules that allow them to solicit investments directly from wealthy individuals to disclose their cybersecurity risks to the Securities and Exchange Commission. This will provide the SEC with a better approach to helping smaller companies deal with the threat of cybercrime. The MTR is sensitive to the needs of smaller companies by allowing them to develop a plan that can be tailored to the size and risk profile of the company. Mr. Speaker, this is a sensible approach to addressing a real and growing threat. It allows small companies to continue to take advantage of expedited procedures while protecting investors from identity theft and other crimes. I encourage my colleagues to adopt the motion to recommit. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. KILMER. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. KILMER

Mr. KILMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Martha & Mary, a not- for-profit organization that has provided quality and compassionate care for children, seniors, and families in the western Puget Sound region of Washington state since 1891. From its inception, Martha & Mary has been a champion for our region's most vulnerable. What started as a small home for orphaned youth has blossomed into a regional organization that provides services for more than 1,000 children at ten different sites throughout the Kitsap peninsula. Martha & Mary's nationally recognized programs emphasize a commitment to ``bridging generations and emiching lives'' by encouraging children to spend time with senior care residents through singing songs, sharing meals, and completing projects. As a testament to the success of this innovative approach, in 2015, Martha & Mary received the prestigious Quality of Excellence rating from Washington state's premier child care rating system. Martha & Mary continues to serve our region by growing to meet the evolving needs of our community. Each year, Martha & Mary provides nearly $2.1 million in underfunded care and has expanded services to include long term care, rehabilitation facilities, assisted living, home care, and geriatric care management. Martha & Mary is an example of an organization that, from its core, strives to create meaningful experiences for children, adults, and the elderly to grow in understanding and appreciation of the gifts that both young and old have to offer. For 125 years, their quality and compassionate care has provided a critical safety net and has helped to strengthen the fabric of our community. Mr. Speaker, I applaud Martha & Mary's commitment to proving safe places to grow and learn and the opportunities they provide to live with dignity and honor. Our community is stronger thanks to Martha & Mary's leadership and I am honored to recognize them today in the United States Congress.

Mr. KILMER

Mr. KILMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Phil Membrere, who will ``retire'' this year after 14 years as a dedicated volunteer for the FISH Food Banks of Pierce County in Tacoma, WA. Phil is widely recognized at FISH Food Banks as one of the most committed volunteers that the organization has ever seen. Phil Membrere began serving at FISH Food Banks in 2002 after a serious auto accident forced him to retire from his career as a union truck driver. He used his skills in logistics and transportation to assist FISH with the pick-up and processing of locally donated food and quickly became instrumental to the success of the daily operations. After years of being counted on by FISH Administrative Staff, Phil spent the last few years helping to lead this organization on day-to- day operations and helping to streamline other administrative processes. His service has been especially impactful at the Southeast Tacoma FISH Food Bank, where he has helped facilitate numerous large donations from the Puyallup Tribe of Indians. Mr. Speaker, for the past fourteen years, Phil Membrere has been a loyal, full-time volunteer at FISH Food Banks of Pierce County. He has treated his neighbors in need with the compassion, dignity, and respect that they deserve. Phil has taken pride in this role, reporting to his post five days a week and undoubtedly inspiring others to serve their community. The countless local families that he assisted are all stronger, healthier, and have a brighter future because of his service. The contributions of Phil and his fellow volunteers embody the values that make our community and our country a great place to live. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to join the leadership and staff at FISH Food Banks of Pierce County, Phil's friends and family, and the greater Tacoma-Pierce County Community in expressing my gratitude today in the United States Congress for Phil Membrere's 14 years of volunteer service. As the proud Representative of Washington's 6th Congressional District in the House of Representatives, I offer my best wishes for a happy ``second'' retirement and wish Phil an early happy 70th birthday.

Mr. KILMER

Mr. KILMER. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding. I rise, respectfully, in opposition to this amendment offered by my friend and colleague from Alaska. This amendment would block the implementation of the Comprehensive Conservation Plan for the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, a plan that will already have been in place for nearly 2 years by the time this language will take effect and a plan that received broad support upon its implementation. At more than 19 million acres, the Arctic Refuge is one of the crown jewels of our Nation's public lands, and like Yellowstone and the Grand Canyon before it, this iconic landscape deserves to be protected for generations to come. Included in the CCP is a recommendation for expanded wilderness designations which nearly 1 million people from all 50 States-- including native, faith-based, business, and conservation groups--have submitted comments of support for. The Arctic Refuge's Coastal Plain is the biological heart of the refuge, which the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service calls the ``center for wildlife activity.'' The plan's current wilderness recommendation would ensure that these pristine habitats will remain intact for future generations. This is critical to supporting native wildlife and maintaining traditional and subsistence activities on the refuge. Since President Eisenhower established the Arctic National Wildlife Range, Members of both parties have stood up to protect this truly unique national treasure. Republican Senator William Roth introduced the first bill to designate the refuge's Coastal Plain as wilderness in 1987. A bill to protect this place as wilderness has been introduced every Congress since. And this Congress, 128 Members from both sides of the aisle have pledged their support. I have the utmost respect for my friend and colleague Mr. Young. I urge my colleagues to vote ``no'' on this amendment.

Mr. KILMER. I thank the gentlewoman for yielding. Mr. Chairman, the Antiquities Act has protected some of our most extraordinary landscapes. In my neck of the woods, it was central to the creation of Olympic National Park. It is a big deal for our oceans, too. President George W. Bush and President Obama both used the act to create marine national monuments and to help vulnerable ecosystems in our waters. Like our forests, the ocean is an essential resource that matters to livelihoods and to the health of our planet, and we need to be sure they are around for future generations, including my daughters. But this amendment would deny any President, regardless of party, the ability to use the Antiquities Act to create marine national monuments. The Zeldin amendment would put more than 4.5 million square miles out of reach of protection and would curb our Nation's ability to show the world that we care about our waters. We have seen the benefits of protecting sensitive areas that are at risk. It helps drive tourism while protecting fish populations that are essential to fisheries and coastal communities. The Nation's leading aquariums support protection of unique and vulnerable ocean areas, as do hundreds of thousands of people, hundreds of scientists, educators, businessowners, boaters, surfers, beachgoers, and members of faith-based organizations, together with conservation organizations representing millions of people. The Antiquities Act was created 110 years ago. Rather than engaging in an attack on this law, I urge my colleagues to join me and the American people in celebrating our shared history and its 110th anniversary. Vote ``no'' on this amendment.

Mr. KILMER

Mr. KILMER. Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. KILMER. Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to this amendment.

Mr. KILMER. Mr. Chairman, this new rule updates 50-year-old regulations that govern the exercise of non-Federal oil and gas rights within refuge units. The objectives of this new rule are to improve the effectiveness of the regulations so that they can protect refuge resources and values, and provide clarity for both operators and for the service. Updating this regulation avoids regulatory uncertainty, providing more clarity and guidance to oil and gas operators and refuge staff, instituting a simple process for compliance, and incorporating technological improvements in exploration and drilling technology, ensures that non-Federal oil and gas operations are conducted in a manner that avoids or minimizes impacts to refuge resources. This amendment prohibits the service from making positive advances and allowing non-Federal oil and gas operations to occur on refuge lands, while protecting these natural habitats for the benefit of future generations. I strongly oppose this amendment. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. KILMER. Mr. Chairman, I once again reiterate my opposition to this amendment. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. KILMER. Mr. Chairman, I would just point out that what this rule is about is non-Federal operators operating on refuge lands, and I think part of our job should be to make sure that the Fish and Wildlife Service can do their job. I oppose this amendment. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. KILMER

Mr. KILMER. Mr. Chairman, I would like to thank Chairman Calvert and Ranking Member McCollum for the work that went into this bill. I knew a lot of difficult decisions had to be made, given our current fiscal situation, and this bill manages to do some good. I am pleased with the strong investments made to address the needs across Indian Country, for example. We have taken some real steps to bolster Indian health and education, not to mention providing some assistance to tribes facing the very real threat of rising sea levels. I am also glad that the committee secured strong investments in the USGS budget for the West Coast early earthquake warning system and the volcano hazard program. These systems are critical to monitoring and detecting seismic and volcanic activity and giving Washingtonians and folks on the entire West Coast a few crucial seconds to get out of harm's way. The bill we are debating today makes some real progress in these areas, but unfortunately it doesn't measure up in others, particularly when it comes to investing in the environment. This legislation is supposed to provide critical funding for our most treasured natural resources, and it fails to live up to what the folks we represent demand. For one thing, the funding is inadequate. Among the agencies hardest hit is the Environmental Protection Agency, whose budget was cut by more than $164 million and, judging by the list of amendments we will be considering, I expect it will lose even more. That doesn't leave enough for the agency to do what it does best, like clean up polluted sites, protect our natural treasures, like Puget Sound, and make progress on fighting climate change. Not to mention, we don't provide any new funds to communities like Flint that are struggling to provide clean and safe water for their citizens. Unfortunately, a number of important priorities for States like mine are left on the chopping block in the current bill. In the Pacific Northwest, for example, Puget Sound is a gift, an iconic body of water that benefits our entire Nation. We have a plan in place to meet important restoration goals for it, but funds for the Puget Sound geographic program and the natural estuary program are not where they should be. These funds provide essential resources to empower Federal, State, local, and tribal agencies to mount a coordinated strategy to recover this iconic resource that is an economic driver for our region. This really matters. It matters to tribes that have lived on the Sound since time immemorial. It matters to the overall health and viability of our waterways and the livelihoods that depend on them. We are passionate about the outdoors in Washington State, and that is why I am also disappointed to see this bill made serious cuts in the Land and Water Conservation Fund. In fact, it chops the funding 30 percent from last year. If we approve this approach, many shovel-ready projects will be forever lost. That is a shame because the Land and Water Conservation Fund is a key tool that builds public-private partnerships and ensures real on-the-ground work gets done. It is what we call a win-win. It is a vital tool for communities to invest in assets for local residents and for tourists who can enjoy our natural treasures and then spend some money at our local shops and restaurants. We have seen hundreds of projects in Washington State as a result of this critical program, and that is why local leaders from across my State and others have been advocates for a permanent reauthorization of this important program. They recognize how valuable the Land and Water Conservation Fund is, not only for our environment and to recreation, but also to our ability to attract tourists and bolster our economy. For all these reasons, as well as those highlighted by Ranking Member McCollum and others, I will not be able to support this legislation, but, again, I appreciate the hard work on it.