Robert Latta

Mr. LATTA

Mr. LATTA. Mr. Speaker, it is with a great deal of pride that I rise to pay a very special tribute to an outstanding high school cheer team in Ohio's 5th Congressional District. The young student athletes of the Norwalk High School cheer team have represented their school ably on their way to achieving the Ohio High School Cheerleading and Dance Coaches Association Division III Best in the State title. In their effort to surpass all other teams in the division, Norwalk overcame the challenges posed by intense competition. The members of this very special team have shown that their sport requires an individual effort for a team result. Their hard work and dedication, both on and off the floor, in achieving this accomplishment, is truly outstanding. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in paying special tribute to the Norwalk cheer team. On behalf of the people of the 5th District of Ohio, I am proud to recognize this great achievement.

Mr. LATTA

Mr. LATTA. Mr. Speaker, it is with a great deal of pride that I rise to pay a very special tribute to an outstanding high school football team in Ohio's 5th Congressional District. The young men of the Avon High School football team have represented their school ably on their way to achieving the Division II State Football Title. In their effort to surpass all other teams in the Division II State Football Playoffs, the Avon Eagles overcame the challenges posed by intense competition. In pursuing the State Championship, the Avon Eagles defeated the Cincinnati Anderson Raptors to win their second straight state football championship. The members of this very special team have shown that their sport requires an individual effort for a team result. Their hard work and dedication, both on and off the field, in achieving this accomplishment, is truly outstanding. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in paying special tribute to the Avon High School football team. On behalf of the people of the 5th District of Ohio, I am proud to recognize this great achievement.

Mr. LATTA

Mr. LATTA. Madam Speaker, I thank my friend, the chairman of the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for getting this bill here to the floor. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3628, the State Planning for Reliability and Affordability Act, sponsored by my colleague from Colorado's Eighth District. This legislation ensures that States take responsibility for their policy decisions that impact households' access to affordable and reliable supplies of electricity. It is clear that we are in the midst of a reliability and affordability crisis caused by the Biden administration and decisions by States to attack baseload power supplies. Let me be clear: There is nothing more expensive than a blackout, and that was the path created by the Biden administration. In 2008, House Republicans developed an all-of-the-above energy strategy. This meant that the Federal Government didn't pick winners and losers. The data is clear. States with the most aggressive forms of clean energy standards are the same States with the higher electricity bills. Across the country, rate case filings by utilities detail the reasons for rising costs: new infrastructure to meet State climate goals, stranded assets of prematurely retired power plants, and the need for additional backup generation to keep the lights on when the weather doesn't cooperate. Just look at States like New York, whose own grid operator has begun sounding the alarm over how their State laws are driving up baseload generation resources that could threaten the integrity of their system. Comparatively, States that have responsibly maintained reliability of their system have enjoyed affordable electricity rates and an influx of investment into energy-intensive industries, such as domestic manufacturing, that drive economic growth. The central focus on resource planning must be affordability and reliability. While climate and environmental justice goals of States seem laudable, the greatest harm that could come to our communities is a grid without enough electricity. In every facet, our modern life is uniquely dependent on a reliable and affordable electric grid. Madam Speaker, H.R. 3628 brings common sense back to integrated resource planning, and I urge my colleagues to support the legislation.

Mr. LATTA

Mr. LATTA. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of my legislation, H.R. 3638, the Electric Supply Chain Act. My legislation would direct the Department of Energy to conduct ongoing assessments and report to Congress on all matters affecting the supply chain for the power sector. The Electric Supply Chain Act will seek to uncover risks, vulnerabilities, and security considerations in the availability of manufactured grid components that are necessary to maintain and expand our electric infrastructure. As part of the comprehensive evaluation of supply chains, the Secretary would maintain discretion over the appropriate office in DOE with the right expertise necessary to complete the assessment. In addition, the legislation will leverage power sector experts spanning the industry to improve DOE's understanding and strengthen supply chains that are essential to meet the growing needs of our bulk power system. During my tenure in Congress, I have remained focused on the security of the bulk power system and have championed efforts to enhance the resilience of our systems, particularly for small and rural utilities. The Electric Supply Chain Act will boost these efforts by putting DOE in the driver's seat to attentively monitor emerging threats and allow the Department to utilize their existing authorities to address vulnerabilities. In recent years, we have seen how supply chain constraints and bottlenecks for key grid components, such as distribution transformers and natural gas turbines, can stifle infrastructure development. By establishing periodic assessments under this legislation, the Department will remain in a proactive posture to identify and address matters affecting our power sector supply chain as they arise. In fact, in the last 2 months, DOE has taken 52 actions to secure our grid and lower energy prices. It is clear that our Nation is on the precipice of great technological advancements that are straining our electricity supplies, primarily driven by energy-intensive users such as data centers and domestic manufacturing. The timing of projected demands is occurring as historic levels of baseload power are leaving the system due to a confluence of State and Federal actions that have attacked fossil fuels and subsidized preferred sources of intermittent generation. In fact, while 115 gigawatts of baseload power is expected to retire over the next few years, U.S. electricity demand is projected to increase by over 170 gigawatts. These job-creating industries remain vital to economic prosperity and our national security. We cannot sit idly by while our adversaries seek to gain competitive advantage to control the next-generation economy. This legislation takes an important step to prepare our Federal agencies against supply chain constraints that could occur as our Nation seeks to address timely development of electric generation and transmission infrastructure. Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 3638.

Mr. LATTA

Mr. LATTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the seventy-fifth anniversary of Mercer Health, a dedicated healthcare system in Mercer County, Ohio. For seventy-five years, Mercer Health has been dedicated to providing excellent healthcare to the residents of Mercer County and the surrounding region. The hard work and spirit shown by staff have improved the health and quality of life for countless patients. Founded in 1950, Mercer Health, known then as Our Lady of Mercy Hospital, was established to provide care to the citizens in Coldwater, Ohio and surrounding area. Seeing a need for a hospital, concerned citizens banded together to open the forty-eight-bed hospital. In 1969, the Sisters of Mercy who operated the hospital approached the board and advised them that they could no longer continue its operations. Over the next few years, seven townships in Mercer County stepped forward and took over the hospital. They created a joint township hospital district and renamed the hospital Mercer County Joint Township Community Hospital in 1972. Over the decades, the hospital grew into the healthcare system it is today. It began to open new departments and expanded to open new medical centers across the county. By 2004, the remaining townships in the county joined the original seven to help in the operation of the health district. To reflect the hospital and health district commitment to service all the residents of Mercer County, the board renamed the health district Mercer Health. Since then, Mercer Health has continued to expand and grow, opening new offices and campuses to house their network of medical services. Mr. Speaker, by celebrating the seventy-fifth anniversary of Mercer Health, the county and its residents can recognize the outstanding achievements of the staff and pride that they have in the healthcare system's success. I Congratulate Mercer Health on this momentous milestone. I thank them for all they do to improve our communities' health.

Mr. LATTA

Mr. LATTA. Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend, the chairman of the full committee of the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of my bill, H.R. 3109, the REFINER Act. This legislation will direct the National Petroleum Council to report to Congress and the Department of Energy on petrochemical refiners in the United States. This legislation is essential to ensuring that the U.S. can reliably produce enough refined products domestically. The Energy Information Administration projects global demand for liquid fuels to increase by about 20 million barrels per day by 2050. Alarmingly, over the last several years, North America has lost an estimated 1 million barrels of fuel per day due to low refining capacity. The last report from the National Petroleum Council on refining was completed over 20 years ago. The report must include information concerning the contribution of refineries to U.S. energy security; capacity projections of U.S. petrochemical refineries; opportunities for expanding capacities and risks to those refineries; an assessment of any State or Federal executive actions, regulations, or policies that have caused or contributed to a decline in U.S. petrochemical refinery capacity; and recommendations for how to increase refinery capacity. American refineries have played a crucial role in providing secure, affordable, and high-value petroleum products to global customers. Importantly, this legislation would help identify States that have caused or contributed to a decline in U.S. petrochemical refinery capacity. Hostile regulatory environments, like in California, have led to the shuttering of several refineries. California used to be home to over 40 refineries in the 1980s. This number has now decreased to 14 as of last year, with two additional refineries slated to close in early 2026. These anticipated closures will disrupt fuel supplies and increase energy prices for consumers, businesses, and farmers. An analysis by the University of Southern California anticipates retail gas prices in the State could increase by as much as 75 percent under certain conditions. The bottom line: Fewer refineries result in supply disruptions and higher fuel prices for Americans. The REFINER Act seeks to produce a detailed roadmap to strengthen and expand refinery capacity to increase American energy security and economic growth. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the legislation, and I thank the chairman for yielding.

Mr. LATTA

Mr. LATTA. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Kentucky, the chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee, for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1949, the Unlocking our Domestic LNG Potential Act, introduced by my friend and colleague from the 11th District of Texas. This legislation will streamline regulatory approvals of LNG export facilities to meet the movement of global energy demands. This legislation removes unnecessary and burdensome reviews at the Department of Energy for exporting U.S. LNG while maintaining the required site and environmental reviews at FERC. Increasing opportunities for exports increases overall U.S. production, putting downward pressures on prices for everyone. The U.S. LNG industry contributed $44 billion to the economy and supported 220,000 good-paying jobs while providing $11 billion in taxes and royalty payments. In response to Russia's unprovoked invasion of Ukraine in 2022, American energy producers immediately supplied Europe and our allies with LNG. The U.S. was the number one supplier of LNG to Europe in 2023. Unfortunately, in 2024, the Biden administration took politically motivated actions to place an indefinite ban on LNG export permits to appease the climate lobby. This legislation ensures that future administrations cannot unilaterally prohibit exports of LNG for political purposes. Nothing in this legislation limits the authority of the President to impose sanctions on foreign governments and does not affect the existing FERC authorities for reviewing facilities for environmental or safety purposes. H.R. 1949 brings commonsense reforms to treat LNG just like other commodities such as crude oil. In the 114th Congress, I was proud to support legislation from the Energy and Commerce Committee that lifted the crude oil export ban which elevated the United States as the premier global oil producing nation. This bill will similarly allow our vast natural resources to advance our national security interests. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation, and I thank my friend, the chairman of the committee, for bringing forth this bill.

Mr. LATTA

Mr. LATTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the Semicentennial of the Wood County Committee on Aging. For five decades, the Committee has been dedicated to service, community, and care for all seniors in Wood County. The hard work and spirit shown by staff at the Committee have made it possible for countless older adults to remain independent and improve their quality of life. Founded in 1975, the Wood County Committee on Aging was established to provide comprehensive services to the county's seniors. These services have grown over the decades to include programs for home- delivered meals, medical transportation, health and wellness initiatives, caregiver support, and much more. With senior centers across the county, the Committee has been able to help elderly adults and their families navigate the challenges that can arise while aging. Mr. Speaker, by celebrating the Fiftieth Anniversary of the Wood County Committee on Aging, the county can recognize the outstanding achievements of the staff and pride the patrons have for their senior centers. I congratulate the Committee on Aging on this momentous milestone. I thank them for all they do for our county's seniors.

Mr. LATTA

Mr. LATTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the Village of Tontogany's Sesquicentennial. The perseverance of pioneers and settlers to overcome come the challenges faced during the early years of the village's history has persisted throughout the past 150 years. The hard work and spirit shown by generations of village residents have made Tontogany an outstanding example of American ingenuity. Tontogany's long history dates back to the first settlers to settle in the area, Samuel and Eliza Hamilton. The village's name comes from the Ottawa Native American Chief Tondoganie. When it was officially incorporated in 1895, the town was an agricultural village, populated by farmers. Keeping with the village's small town charm, the original village hall built in 1898 is still used today. In 1900, The Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton Railway depot was constructed, allowing the village to continue its agricultural commerce. In 1958, Tontogany became the home of the newly formed Otsego Local School District which was formed when the state pushed for smaller districts to merge. Mr. Speaker, by celebrating the 150th Anniversary of the Village of Tontogany, community members recognize the outstanding achievements, maintain the pioneer attitude, and strive to better their village through the principles on which it was founded. I thank and congratulate Tontogany on this significant milestone.

Mr. LATTA

Mr. LATTA. Mr. Speaker, it is with a great deal of pride that I rise to pay a very special tribute to an outstanding high school track and field relay team in Ohio's Fifth Congressional District. The young women of the Oberlin High School's Girls 4x200 Meter Relay team have represented their school ably on their way to achieving the Division III State Track and Field Title. The team overcame the challenges posed by intense competition in their effort to surpass all other relay teams in their event. In pursuing the State Championship, Alyssa Webb, Aubrey Abeyta, Jasmine McDearmon, and Olivia Hudson defeated their outstanding competitors to win with an impressive time of 1:24.25. The members of this very special team have shown that their sport requires an individual effort for a team result. Their hard work and dedication, both on and off the track, in achieving this accomplishment should be commended. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the Oberlin High School Girls 4x200 Meter Relay team. On behalf of the people of the Fifth District of Ohio, I am proud to recognize this great achievement.

Mr. LATTA

Mr. LATTA. Mr. Speaker, it is with a great deal of pride that I rise to pay a very special tribute to an outstanding high school track and field relay team in Ohio's Fifth Congressional District. The young women of the Oberlin High School's 4x100 Meter Relay team have represented their school ably on their way to achieving the Division III State Track and Field Title. The team overcame the challenges posed by intense competition in their effort to surpass all other relay teams in their event. In pursuing the State Championship, Alyssa Webb, Jasmine McDearmon, Aubrey Abeyta, and Cayman Noble defeated their outstanding competitors to win with an impressive time of 49.24 seconds. The members of this very special team have shown that their sport requires an individual effort for a team result. Their hard work and dedication, both on and off the track, in achieving this accomplishment should be commended. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the Oberlin High School Girls 4x100 Meter Relay team. On behalf of the people of the Fifth District of Ohio, I am proud to recognize this great achievement.

Mr. LATTA

Mr. LATTA. Mr. Speaker, it is with a great deal of pride that I rise to pay a very special tribute to an outstanding high school track and field relay team in Ohio's Fifth Congressional District. The young women of the Coldwater High School's Girls 4x400 Meter Relay team have represented their school ably on their way to achieving the Division III State Track and Field Title. The team overcame the challenges posed by intense competition in their effort to surpass all other relay teams in their event. In pursuing the State Championship, Audrey Alig, Lana Kaiser, Kiersten Keller, and Isabella Zahn defeated their outstanding competitors to win with an impressive time of 3:53.94. The members of this very special team have shown that their sport requires an individual effort for a team result. Their hard work and dedication, both on and off the track, in achieving this accomplishment should be commended. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the Coldwater High School Girls 4x400 Meter Relay team. On behalf of the people of the Fifth District of Ohio, I am proud to recognize this great achievement.

Mr. LATTA

Mr. LATTA. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1709) to direct the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information to submit to Congress a report examining the cybersecurity of mobile service networks, and for other purposes.

Mr. LATTA. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and insert extraneous material into the Record on the bill.

Mr. LATTA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1709, the Understanding Cybersecurity of Mobile Networks Act, led by the gentlewoman from Florida's Third District and the gentleman from Ohio's First District. In recent years, we have seen a rise in large-scale cybersecurity attacks that put Americans at risk. Attacks like the Salt Typhoon have directly impacted the communications of public officials, including President Trump and Vice President Vance. While mobile service providers take numerous steps to address vulnerabilities in the networks, threats to our mobile networks continue to exist. To sufficiently address threats across networks, Congress needs a sophisticated and comprehensive assessment of what vulnerabilities persist, what issues have been resolved, and where mobile cybersecurity policymaking should be focused. The Understanding Cybersecurity of Mobile Networks Act requires the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, NTIA, to submit to Congress a comprehensive report examining the cybersecurity at existing wireless networks and vulnerabilities to cyberattacks and surveillance by adversaries. This bipartisan bill will ensure communications networks are safe and protect the privacy and security of the American people. This bipartisan legislation passed by a vote of 393-22 in the last Congress. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 1709, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LATTA. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LATTA. Mr. Speaker, I am prepared to close, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LATTA. Mr. Speaker, cybersecurity is something we have talked about not only in the Energy and Commerce Committee for many years, but it is also absolutely essential that our wireless networks are not vulnerable to attacks, especially by our adversaries across the globe. Mr. Speaker, I urge support and ask for passage of the legislation. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. LATTA

Mr. LATTA. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1618) to require the Federal Communications Commission to review certain rules of the Commission and develop recommendations for rule changes to promote precision agriculture, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. LATTA. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and insert extraneous material in the Record on the bill.

Mr. LATTA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of my legislation, H.R. 1618, the Precision Agriculture Satellite Connectivity Act, that I was pleased to introduce with the gentlewoman from Illinois' Second Congressional District (Ms. Kelly). For years, large parts of my district and rural areas across America have lacked access to fast broadband connections. Reliable internet access is more than just being able to stream your favorite TV shows and movies. It is the critical connecting link for all of us. Whether it is helping our seniors access telehealth services or allowing students to complete homework assignments or enabling small businesses to reach global markets, our people, country, and economy run on a reliable internet connection. Farmers in rural Ohio also know that reliable broadband connections are essential to their operations. After all, it helps deploy technologies that increase productivity, produce higher yields, and minimize operating costs. Today's smart agriculture technology, from autonomous tractors to distributed soil sensors, rely on internet connections to share data. In fact, farmers use information in real time to make smarter decisions on how to optimize inputs and whether and when to plant or harvest. When terrestrial or cellular networks are not available, satellite broadband steps in to make these technologies work. However, it is not just advanced satellite broadband capabilities that improve precision agriculture. Earth-imaging satellites also provide important information which helps farmers and ranchers identify visual trends that may require immediate attention. In order to ensure our regulations maximize these opportunities, our bill would require the FCC to look at its current satellite rules to determine if rural changes can be made to promote precision agriculture. I am committed to ensuring our farmers have the tools at their disposal to help increase productivity while minimizing costs. This legislation is a good step forward in that mission. I thank the chairman of the full committee for bringing this legislation to the floor and working with us. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to support this legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LATTA. Mr. Speaker, I urge support of this legislation, because I know across my district--I have one of the largest farm income- producing districts in the State of Ohio--our farmers rely on this technology. It is very important that the FCC looks at what they can do to help promote agriculture across this country. Mr. Speaker, I urge support of the legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. LATTA

Mr. LATTA. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1770) to direct the Consumer Product Safety Commission to establish a pilot program to explore the use of artificial intelligence in support of the mission of the Commission and to direct the Secretary of Commerce and the Federal Trade Commission to study and report on the use of blockchain technology and tokens, respectively.

Mr. LATTA. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and insert extraneous material in the Record on the bill.