Thomas Kean

Mr. KEAN of New Jersey

Mr. KEAN of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Duncan) to speak on the bill.

Mr. KEAN of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Allen) to speak on the bill.

Mr. KEAN of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. KEAN of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I again thank my House and Senate colleagues and Chairman Peters for co-leading this important reauthorization. As I previously mentioned, this legislation is a strong commitment to the safety and well-being of our first responders, empowering them to overcome challenges and fulfill their mission of safeguarding our communities. That will help make all Americans safer. The ADVANCE Act, as we have heard in this Chamber, is also critically important to pass today. Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this bipartisan and bicameral legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. KEAN of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. KEAN of New Jersey

Mr. KEAN of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. This is a commonsense, practical policy that supports science and innovation to improve people's lives. I encourage my colleagues to support this bipartisan legislation to ensure that NIST can utilize its unique expertise to conduct these technical investigations on major failures to our infrastructure. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. KEAN of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4143) to amend the National Construction Safety Team Act to enable the National Institute of Standards and Technology to investigate structures other than buildings to inform the development of engineering standards, best practices, and building codes related to such structures, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. KEAN of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on H.R. 4143, the bill now under consideration.

Mr. KEAN of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 4143, the National Construction Safety Team Enhancement Act of 2024, offered by the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Lofgren). The National Construction Safety Team, or NCST, is a program run by the National Institute of Standards and Technology to investigate major building disasters and failures so that we can develop better construction standards in the future. Following NIST's investigation of the Twin Towers collapse after 9/ 11, they issued recommendations that have significantly impacted how we design and construct buildings, making them safer and more durable. Currently, NIST is investigating the 2021 collapse of the Surfside condominiums in south Florida, which killed nearly 100 people. While NIST does exceptional work in these investigations, their scope is limited to building failures. This bill will expand that authority to general infrastructure failures, which currently are not investigated in this way. This is a smart bill that will ensure that we can utilize NIST's unique expertise to better understand any failures in roads, bridges, dams, and other infrastructure and, most importantly, develop best practices and guidances so that we can avert future tragedies. This legislation builds off the authorities NIST received after 9/11 to conduct technical investigations of building failures and ensures these efforts do not impede on criminal or other law enforcement investigations. I thank Ranking Member Lofgren for introducing this bill along with Chairman Lucas. Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to support this legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. KEAN of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. KEAN of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. KEAN of New Jersey

Mr. KEAN of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to extend my warmest congratulations to Bernardsville on its 100th anniversary. I am truly grateful to be celebrating this monumental milestone with them all. Over the past 100 years, Bernardsville has blossomed into a vibrant town with exquisite natural scenery, rich culture, and a bustling town center. Bernardsville is also home to my congressional district office, so I can personally attest to its unique charm and history. I am proud to have such a remarkable town within the 7th district, and I look forward to watching it continue to flourish in the coming decades. I wish Bernardsville a wonderful centennial anniversary. May their next century be filled with as much success as this one.

Mr. KEAN of New Jersey

Mr. KEAN of New Jersey. Madam Speaker, I thank Mrs. Fischbach from the Rules Committee for yielding me time. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of the rule and in support of H.R. 6090, the Antisemitism Awareness Act, introduced by Mr. Lawler from New York. On October 7, 2023, Hamas launched a brutal surprise attack on the State of Israel in which 1,200 Israeli citizens lost their lives. This represented the most significant attack on Israel since the Yom Kippur War. After those attacks, there was a massive increase and an outpouring of hatred toward the State of Israel and an increase in anti-Semitism. Let's look at the facts. According to data from the Anti-Defamation League, from October 7, 2023, until the end of last year, there were more than 5,204 anti-Semitic incidents tracked by the ADL--more than the whole of 2022 in more than 2 months. Unfortunately, there has been no greater breeding ground for anti- Semitism than on the campuses of our Nation's colleges and universities. Jewish parents across my district and across this country are concerned for their children away at college. Jewish students should feel safe on college campuses. The anti- Semitic actions on college campuses across this country and a muted response from university administrators is absolutely unacceptable. While I respect the right to free speech as guaranteed by the First Amendment, the situation on campuses across the country has simply gotten out of control. Unfortunately, the Biden administration has not taken the steps needed to adequately protect Jewish students, and I am glad that we, as Congress, are taking this important step. If colleges and universities are not willing to take the steps necessary to combat anti-Semitism and to protect their own students, we must ensure that there are consequences. Madam Speaker, I urge adoption of the rule and passage of this bill.

Mr. KEAN of New Jersey

Mr. KEAN of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the service and sacrifice of First Lieutenant Dale Haver in the Vietnam War. Lt. Haver grew up in Whitehouse Station, NJ, now part of New Jersey's Seventh District. An accomplished student athlete, he was a leader on many sports teams at Hunterdon Central High School. After leaving New Jersey, Lt. Haver attended the University of Montana and became a firefighter. He joined the U.S. Forest Service in Missoula, Montana, as a smokejumper, parachuting into remote woodlands to fight wildfires. He routinely undertook the most challenging assignments, impressing all with his dedication and talent. In 1968, Lt. Haver was deployed to Vietnam with the U.S. Army as a helicopter pilot, where he flew more than 25 missions over hostile territory in under six months of service. On April 9, 1969, Lt. Haver was piloting a rescue operation when his aircraft experienced a technical malfunction and crash-landed. Lt. Haver stayed with the wreckage, assisting his flight crew in escaping despite having suffered 3rd degree burns. Sadly, he passed away from his injuries two days later. For his remarkable courage and selflessness, Lt. Haver was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star Medal, and the Air Medal, to add to the Air Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, and Vietnam Campaign Ribbon he had earned prior to his death. Furthermore, he was awarded the National Order of Vietnam, Fifth Class by the Republic of Vietnam. Lt. Haver's service for his country both domestically and abroad deserves strong commendation. I am proud to recognize his bravery and patriotism today and am glad that his legacy lives on in the Seventh District of New Jersey.

Mr. KEAN of New Jersey

Mr. KEAN of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to be the co-lead on H.R. 4755, the Privacy Enhancing Technology Research Act of 2023, with my colleague, Congresswoman Stevens. Mr. Speaker, I have had many conversations about data privacy concerns with parents and constituents in the Seventh District in New Jersey. Ensuring their specific needs and concerns are met for safeguarding their privacy rights online is a top priority. I am pleased that the House is considering this critical piece of legislation to improve personal data protections for all Americans and to commit to enhancing individuals' privacy and security online. In an increasingly interconnected world where digital technologies touch every aspect of our lives, safeguarding personal privacy has become a critical concern for all Americans, especially during a time when vast amounts of personal data is collected online. As we navigate through a landscape of evolving cyber threats, data breaches, and the development of artificial intelligence, the need for cutting-edge, privacy enhancing technologies has never been more pressing. Recognizing the significance of these challenges and the threats we face online, this legislation directs the National Science Foundation to support competitive, fundamental research on privacy enhancing technologies. Our goal is to enhance user safety and provide safety measures for how our data is collected and used. This legislation also directs the National Institute of Standards and Technology to facilitate the development of voluntary consensus standards to better integrate privacy enhancing technologies into public and private sectors. This is a key step toward mitigating risks and promoting trustworthiness. The Privacy Enhancing Technology Research Act represents a promising opportunity to prioritize protecting an individual's data privacy in our ever-growing interconnected world. Additionally, the bill will not only facilitate crucial research efforts but also contribute to the development of a skilled workforce and foster effective government coordination to ensure an impactful implementation of these technologies. Advancing our legislation will support the development of robust safeguards for how people interact online and how their data is collected. This legislation seeks to empower individuals with greater control over their personal information, mitigating the risks of unauthorized access and misuse and maintaining trust in our digital ecosystem. Through cutting-edge research and technologies, we will develop innovative solutions to not only shield sensitive data from malicious actors but also establish robust standards for data collection and sharing practices, fostering a more transparent and secure online environment. Mr. Speaker, again, I thank Congresswoman Stevens for her extraordinary leadership in this regard and the chairman and the ranking member for helping advance this legislation. I encourage my colleagues to support this legislation.

Mr. KEAN of New Jersey

Mr. KEAN of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 6093, the Weather Act Reauthorization Act, introduced by Chairman Lucas and Ranking Member Lofgren. I thank the chairman and ranking member for including my bill, H.R. 4069, the Protecting Coasts and Cities from Severe Weather Act, in the overall package. With the Weather Act Reauthorization Act and my legislation, we are modernizing critical research programs to address weather observation gaps in highly vulnerable areas, which will improve our ability to protect lives and property from disasters and allow NOAA to continue developing cutting-edge research and development. As we have seen from the first comprehensive Weather Act, investing in advanced weather research and forecasting technologies is crucial for mitigating the risks posed by extreme weather events. By expanding NOAA's authority to acquire commercial weather data, we are not only improving the efficiency of weather data acquisition but also fostering innovation in the private sector. These measures underscore our commitment to protecting the safety and well-being of the people of New Jersey, ensuring that they have the information and resources needed to withstand and recover from weather- related disasters. This bill establishes new programs to improve forecasting models for weather phenomena like atmospheric rivers and coastal flooding, directly benefiting the residents of New Jersey's coastal areas. This will lead to more reliable forecasts and better emergency preparedness measures for the people back home in New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, the Weather Act Reauthorization Act is about empowering individuals and communities with the tools they need to mitigate the risks of severe weather events. I encourage my colleagues to support this impactful legislation.

Mr. KEAN of New Jersey

Mr. KEAN of New Jersey. Madam Chair, I thank my good friend, the chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, for yielding me time and for his steadfast leadership. Madam Chair, I rise today in support of H.R. 8038, the 21st Century Peace through Strength Act. As someone who grew up during the Cold War, I recall when President Reagan quoted and displayed the philosophy of ``peace through strength.'' Europe is facing the largest war on the Continent since World War II. The Middle East is volatile, and every day, the CCP prepares itself for its ultimate goal of invading Taiwan. In the fields of Ukraine, every day in which aid is delayed means more territory for Putin, and it further emboldens Xi and the Ayatollah in Iran. This is not the time for the United States to back down. In order to preserve peace in the world, we must seize the moment and project strength. Madam Chair, I urge passage of this bill and the entire foreign aid package.

Mr. KEAN of New Jersey

Mr. KEAN of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 8034, the Israel Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2024. This bill will ensure that Israel has the means to defeat its enemies and defend its people. This legislation also sends a signal to Iran and its proxies that the United States stands with its allies and partners in the Middle East and will remain a strong presence in the region. I also urge support for the Ukraine Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2024. Ukraine is fighting for its life every day against Vladimir Putin. Make no mistake, Mr. Speaker, Putin is seeking to extend his control over Central and Eastern Europe, including nations that are now NATO allies. He does not recognize national sovereignty or borders. Putin is deepening his ties with Iran. These bills are not only for the security and preservation of Israel, Ukraine, and Taiwan but also for continued American leadership on the world stage. We must stand together with our allies and partners and against authoritarianism.

Mr. KEAN of New Jersey

Mr. KEAN of New Jersey. Madam Speaker, I again urge my colleagues to join me in sending a strong, bipartisan message, an overwhelming support for the State of Israel by agreeing to this resolution. Our allies and our partners are closely watching this body's actions, and we must send a clear message that we stand by our allies and our partners and are resolved against our adversaries and those who wish to do all of us harm. I urge the adoption of this resolution. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Scalise), the majority leader. He is a strong supporter of the State of Israel. Time and again, he has led this floor in the support of one of our strongest allies in the world.

Mr. KEAN of New Jersey. Madam Speaker, pursuant to House Resolution 1149, I call up the resolution (H. Res. 1143) condemning Iran's unprecedented drone and missile attack on Israel, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. KEAN of New Jersey. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on this measure.

Mr. KEAN of New Jersey. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, over the weekend, the world watched in horror as Iran launched over 350 drones and missiles at our ally and friend, Israel. This attack confirmed our worst fears. The likely attack was openly discussed in the media for days before it occurred. For years, Iran had been threatening Israel and amassing a terrifying arsenal of missiles and drones. No one should have had any doubt that one day Iran would fulfill its longstanding threat of ``death to Israel.'' However, the fact that this unprecedented, escalatory attack was long expected does not make it any less terrifying. Were it not for close coordination between Israel, the United States, and other partners to successfully intercept these weapons, Israel and other countries in the region could have faced significant casualties and major damage. Over the last 7 months, we have seen Iran's poisonous influence rip apart the Middle East. Iran-backed Hamas launched the massive, unprovoked October 7 attack on Israel that killed over 1,200 people. Hezbollah has fired thousands of rockets, mortars, and missiles into Israel. Iran-backed militias have launched over 170 attacks on American troops in the Middle East, and the Iran-backed Houthis have launched over 100 missiles and drone attacks on global shipping. This is not just a threat to Israel. This is a threat to the United States and to all of our partners in the Middle East. That is why this moment is of such tremendous strategic importance. Iran's proxies are testing the resolve of Israel, the United States, and the international community. We absolutely must restore deterrence against Iran to protect our vital national security interests in the Middle East. That means standing shoulder to shoulder with our friend and ally, Israel. We are stronger together. Together, this coalition literally shot missiles and drones out of the sky, protecting cities and citizens alike. Like some of my colleagues over the Easter recess, my wife, Rhonda, and I traveled to Israel and were able to see firsthand the impacts of the conflict on the people there. The resolve of the Israeli people is stronger than ever. H. Res. 1143 makes a simple, clear statement that we stand with Israel and support Israel's right to defend itself and to restore deterrence, including by responding to this attack as appropriate. It also makes clear that our longstanding commitment to Israel's security, including through arms sales and security assistance, is ironclad. Finally, it urges full enforcement of all of our sanctions against Iran and its proxies. Madam Speaker, we must not forget that what Israel experienced over the weekend is, unfortunately, a reality of everyday life in Ukraine. Our adversaries are working closer together than ever before to undermine the American-led international order that has kept peace in the world since the Second World War. Before the United States ultimately joined the war, Winston Churchill showed the world the fortitude to look into the face of authoritarianism. He declared that democracies of the world stand up for their beliefs, and they would endure. We must project that same message today and in the future. Our allies and our partners are watching what actions this body takes. We must project that Churchillian confidence. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. KEAN of New Jersey. Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from California (Mr. Kiley).

Mr. KEAN of New Jersey. Madam Speaker, as people are here witnessing us speaking about how the attacks are all interconnected, Iran, Russia, and China all are seeking to do harm to our Nation and to the Western rules-based order. It is extraordinarily important in these times that we show strength and unity of purpose. I am thankful that the gentleman from New York (Mr. Meeks), the ranking member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, supported this measure both in the Rules Committee as well as on the floor here today. It shows the very strong importance of this resolution and our unparalleled support for the State of Israel and its right to defend itself. We, as the House of Representatives, have the responsibility to pass--and I expect later this week we will--a strong foreign aid package that will support our opposition to Iran, Russia, and China, and make sure that we support the people who are fighting for their freedom in Israel, Ukraine, and Taiwan to make sure that we have strong support of the American people. That is why it is important on a bipartisan basis that we work together to support this measure. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. KEAN of New Jersey. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in sending a strong bipartisan and overwhelming show of support for the State of Israel by agreeing to this resolution. Our allies and partners are closely watching this body's actions. We must send a clear message that we stand by our allies and our partners and are resolved against the adversaries and those who wish us all harm. Madam Speaker, I urge the adoption of this resolution, and I continue to reserve the balance of my time.