Jake LaTurner

Mr. LaTURNER

Mr. LaTURNER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, the Congressional Budget Office, or CBO, is the legislative branch agency responsible for helping Congress accurately analyze the budgetary impact of proposed legislation. The Congressional Budget Act of 1974 authorized CBO to collect information and data directly from agencies. Timely access to agency data is necessary for CBO to produce accurate cost estimates for legislation and prepare other congressional reports. However, agencies often delay or restrict CBO's access to data. One of the most common reasons agencies restrict CBO's access to Federal agency data is because of perceived Privacy Act obstacles. This bill, the Congressional Budget Office Data Access Act, solves this problem by granting CBO the same Privacy Act exemption afforded to the Government Accountability Office and Congress. Under existing law, CBO must meet the confidentiality standards required of the agency that is providing the data, and this bill maintains that standard of confidentiality while expanding CBO's data access authority, such access that GAO and Congress already possess. CBO access to agency data is critical for the legislative branch agency's ability to fulfill its mission. Mr. Speaker, I thank my House Oversight Committee colleagues, Representative Grothman and Representative Mfume, for their work on the House companion of this legislation, H.R. 7184. I also thank House Budget Committee Chairman Arrington and Ranking Member Boyle and their staff for coordinating with the Oversight Committee on this legislation. Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Mr. LaTURNER. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (S. 1549) to provide the Congressional Budget Office with necessary authorities to expedite the sharing of data from executive branch agencies, and for other purposes.

Mr. LaTURNER

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

Mr. LaTURNER. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (S. 3640) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 155 South Main Street in Mount Clemens, Michigan, as the ``Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Jefferson Post Office''.

Mr. LaTURNER

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

Mr. LaTURNER

Mr. LaTURNER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, as the largest single purchaser of goods and services in the world, Federal agencies acquire billions of dollars of personal property, ranging from office supplies to automobiles, each year. Unfortunately, agencies routinely and wastefully dispose of excess personal property that could otherwise be repurposed for continued Federal agency use. Agencies are already required to consider the availability of excess personal property before buying new products. This excess personal property is available to agencies at no cost, apart from any necessary transportation expenses. In a June 2022 report, the Government Accountability Office found that agencies are continuing to acquire new property while not using available excess personal property. GAO's findings indicate that the guidance in the existing Federal Management Regulation, or FMR, alone may not be sufficient. With better direction from Congress, agencies can be more efficient in leveraging excess personal property to meet their needs and ultimately save taxpayer dollars. The Reuse Excess Property Act would hold agencies more accountable toward efficiently using and reusing personal property by introducing transparency and accountability mechanisms. Specifically, this bill would reform existing statutory reporting requirements to the General Services Administration on excess personal property and require GSA to make this information publicly available. This will help decisionmakers and taxpayers better understand the extent to which agencies are working to cut wasteful spending through the use of excess property, informing future policy. Because GAO found that agencies have varied guidance on the use of excess personal property that often neglects essential FMR components, S. 2685 would require agencies to publicly report their guidance. Such guidance must include essential FMR components outlined by GAO. Agencies must also designate an employee as responsible for searching through available excess personal property for items that meet agency needs. In response to GAO's report, in February 2023, GSA convened the first meeting of an interagency working group to assess how agencies acquire personal property, uncover obstacles, and recommend improvements to policies for acquisition professionals. This bill would require GSA to make the findings of that working group, including a general summary, publicly available to provide full transparency into efforts to promote the maximum use of excess personal property. In conclusion, this bill shines a light on agency practices and could incentivize more efficient use of excess personal property, saving untold taxpayer dollars in the future. Mr. Speaker, I thank Representative McClain for her leadership on the House companion of this legislation, H.R. 8276. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this commonsense legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LaTURNER

Mr. LaTURNER. Mr. Speaker, Artificial Intelligence is an incredible tool that is only becoming more accessible, powerful, and impactful. With all the good this emerging technology provides our society, it also has its downfalls. It's easier than before for bad actors to make A.I. generated deepfakes to deceive the public and spread false information about elected officials and political candidates. Anyone with a laptop can create realistic images, videos, and audio clips depicting events that did not occur. This poses a threat to our security and could harm our election systems, and developers should be held liable for the harms they cause. As a Member of the Subcommittee on National Security, the Border, and Foreign Affairs, I will continue to work to ensure AI-generated deepfakes are not undermining our local, state, and federal elections.

Mr. LaTURNER

Mr. LaTURNER. Mr. Speaker, artificial intelligence is an incredible tool that is only becoming more accessible, powerful, and impactful. With all the good this emerging technology provides our society, AI also has its downfalls. It is easier than ever before for bad actors to make AI-generated deepfakes to deceive the public and spread false information about elected officials and political candidates. Anyone with a laptop can create realistic images, videos, and audio clips depicting events that did not occur. This poses a serious threat to our national security and could harm the integrity of our election systems. As a member of the Subcommittee on National Security, the Border, and Foreign Affairs, I will continue to work to ensure AI-generated deepfakes are not undermining our local, State, and Federal elections.

Mr. LaTURNER

Mr. LaTURNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in appreciation for a member of my staff for her dedicated service to the people of Kansas. Jackie Hunley began in my office in October of 2021 and since then has dedicated her time, energy, and expertise to improving the lives of the people of the Second Congressional District. From serving as a legislative correspondent and ensuring we provide thoughtful replies to each constituent letter to shaping our office's appropriations process as my legislative director, Jackie has made our office better with her quick wit, work ethic, and desire to serve others. Jackie has become an adopted Kansan during her time with our team, not least because she met her husband, Chance--a fellow Southeast Kansan, while serving on our staff. While we will miss her as she has moved on to serve her own home state of Iowa, I extend my deepest gratitude for her time of service to myself and my constituents and look forward to seeing her excel in her new role.

Mr. LaTURNER

Mr. LaTURNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in appreciation for a member of my staff, Mike Howard, who has recently embarked on a new job off the Hill after nearly three years of service as my communications director. Mike began in my office in August of 2021, and has served since then as a trusted advisor who has constantly sharpened our team and ensured that we are able to get out the message of our work here in Congress to my constituents from Galena to Atchison. Mike has spent countless early mornings and late nights preparing with me for interviews, town halls, committee hearings, and making sure that we are able to clearly explain the work that we do here. Mike will be sorely missed as he moves on to this new role, but I would like to thank him once again for his dedication and commitment to the people of the Second Congressional District of Kansas.

Mr. LaTURNER

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

Mr. LaTURNER

Mr. LaTURNER. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bipartisan bill to emphasize that special districts are eligible for Federal financial assistance. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance my time.

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

Mr. LaTURNER

Mr. LaTURNER. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 272) to amend title 31, United States Code, to authorize transportation for Government astronauts returning from space between their residence and various locations, and for other purposes.

Mr. LaTURNER

Mr. LaTURNER. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 7423) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 103 Benedette Street in Rayville, Louisiana, as the ``Luke Letlow Post Office Building''.

Mr. LaTURNER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Scalise), our majority leader.

Mr. LaTURNER. Mr. Speaker, it is my great honor and privilege to yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Johnson), the Speaker of the House.

Mr. LaTURNER. Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to support this bill, which rightly honors the life and legacy of a great man, Congressman-elect Luke Letlow. I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. LaTURNER

Mr. LaTURNER. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that notwithstanding rule XVII, during consideration of H.R. 3354, Representative Wexton of Virginia be permitted to use a medical assistive communication device while under recognition.

Mr. LaTURNER

Mr. LaTURNER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Van Orden), my friend.

Mr. LaTURNER. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 6972) to amend title 5, United States Code, to require an Executive agency whose head is a member of the National Security Council to notify the Executive Office of the President, the Comptroller General of the United States, and congressional leadership of such head becoming medically incapacitated within 24 hours, and for other purposes, as amended.

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

Mr. LaTURNER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, like many of you, I was shocked this past February when Congress learned that Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin was medically incapacitated for days before the President or congressional leaders were made aware. The lack of transparency set off alarm bells on both sides of the aisle and across the national security community. We are experiencing crises across the world, crises that require our defense leadership to be alert and ready. Unfortunately, our defense leadership was not ready earlier this year. Secretary Austin was incapacitated, and no one knew. In these times, we cannot afford to be caught so unprepared. That is why this bill is an important measure to ensure military readiness. The Securing the Chain of Command Continuity Act requires congressional and Presidential notification when someone who is a member of the National Security Council and is the head of an executive agency becomes medically incapacitated. Under the bill, the person filling in for the incapacitated official must send the proper notifications within 24 hours of the official's medical incapacitation. If the proper notifications are not provided, a report detailing why the notification rules were not followed must be sent to Congress, the President, and the Comptroller General within 72 hours. This is a measured and balanced solution to this national security issue. I thank my colleagues, Representative Kiggans of Virginia and Representative Davis of North Carolina, for their bipartisan work on this important and timely legislation. I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.