Robert Latta

Mr. LATTA

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

Mr. LATTA. Mr. Speaker, I also urge support of this legislation because, as I have said, we have been working on many of these areas in the Energy and Commerce Committee. Again, I would ask for a ``yea'' vote on the legislation, and 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. 1765) to direct the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information to take certain actions to enhance the representation of the United States and promote United States leadership in communications standards-setting bodies, 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 include 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 H.R. 1765, the Promoting United States Wireless Leadership Act, sponsored by the gentleman from New Jersey's Seventh District, the gentlewoman from Michigan's Sixth District, and the gentlewoman from New York's Ninth District. For decades, the United States has led the development of next- generation wireless technology. To maintain our technological leadership and defend against our foreign adversaries, we must continue our leadership in standards development, including our participation in global, industry-led standards bodies. Without participation by U.S. agencies and companies, we allow our adversaries to pursue their own economic and national security interests unchecked and the opportunity to lead in the development of standards for the next generation of wireless technology. Already, we are hearing about the Chinese Communist Party's efforts to dominate the upcoming 2027 World Radiocommunication Conference. I again thank the Representatives from New Jersey's Seventh District, Michigan's Sixth District, Michigan's Fifth District, and New York's Ninth District for their leadership on this legislation. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 1765, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LATTA. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Kean), the Representative from the Seventh Congressional District.

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

Mr. LATTA. Mr. Speaker, I also encourage a ``yes'' vote on the bill, 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. 3657) to amend the Federal Power Act to require the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to annually submit to Congress a report on the status of ongoing hydropower relicensing applications, 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 into the Record on the bill.

Mr. LATTA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 3657, the Hydropower Licensing Transparency Act, led by the gentleman from Idaho's First District and the gentlewoman from Washington's Eighth District. Hydropower is critical to our Nation's energy mix, supplying power to approximately 30 million homes and businesses and accounting for 40 percent of the Nation's black start capacity. However, the average age of a hydropower facility in the United States is 60 years. Therefore, hundreds of projects will be up for relicensing between now and 2035. Hydropower developers must go through an extensive permitting process in order to license and relicense projects. While important, this process can significantly increase the cost and timeline of relicensing these important energy sources. In fact, the average permitting length of an original license process spans from 5 to 7 years, and the average relicensing process takes between 7 and 10 years. To increase transparency surrounding the status of hydropower licensing and relicensing applications, H.R. 3657 would require an annual report from FERC to Congress detailing the status of projects that have filed a notice of intent for original or new licenses. This will better inform Congress on the status of applications and highlight obstacles to the efficient permitting and deployment of hydropower projects. It is imperative that projects are relicensed in a timely manner to ensure clean and reliable hydropower dams remain online for years to come. I thank the gentlewoman from Washington's Eighth District and the gentleman from Idaho's First Congressional District for their leadership on this very important legislation. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 3657, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LATTA. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers on the bill. I am prepared to close if the gentleman is, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LATTA. Mr. Speaker, all the reports that we have across this country state that we have been producing more power, not less, and hydropower plays an important role in our structure of energy in this country. Mr. Speaker, I encourage a ``yes'' vote on this legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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 athlete from Ohio's Fifth Congressional District. Hunter Spangler, a junior at Liberty Center High School, has represented his school ably on his way to achieving the Division III State Title for Shot Put at the State Track and Field Meet. Hunter overcame the challenges posed by intense competition in his effort to win the title. In pursuing the State Championship, Hunter defeated his opponents with an impressive personal record throw of 63 feet 1.25 inches. His hard work and dedication, both on and off the field, in achieving this accomplishment is truly outstanding. He has achieved an impressive season, bringing pride to his school and community. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in paying special tribute to Hunter Spangler of Liberty Center High School. 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 men of the Seneca East High School Boys 4 x 800 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, Evan Schiefer, Bradley Smith, Ayden Perkins, and Owen Gahring defeated their outstanding competitors to win with an impressive time of 7:57.32, a new school record. 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 Seneca East High Boys 4 x 800 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 men of the Marion Local High School Boys 4 x 400 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, Oliver Huelsman, Justin Knouff, Andrew Pohlman, and Victor Hoelscher defeated their outstanding competitors to win with an impressive time of 3:21.06. 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 Marion Local High Boys 4 x 400 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 athlete from Ohio's Fifth Congressional District. Isabella Zahn, a senior at Coldwater High School, has represented her school ably on her way to achieving three Division III State Titles for the 200 Meter Dash, 400 Meter Dash, and Girls Long Jump at the State Track and Field Meet. Anna overcame the challenges posed by intense competition in her effort to win the title. In pursuing the State Championship, Anna defeated her opponents with an impressive time of 23.04 seconds in the 200 Meter Dash, 54.56 seconds in the 400 Meter Dash, and a jump of 18-08.50 in the Girls Long Jump. Her hard work and dedication, both on and off the track, in achieving this accomplishment is truly outstanding. She has achieved an impressive season, bringing pride to her school and community. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in paying special tribute to Isabella Zahn of Coldwater High School. 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 athlete from Ohio's Fifth Congressional District. Anna Roessner, a senior at Fort Recovery High School, has represented her school ably on her way to achieving the Division III State Title for the 100 Meter Dash at the State Track and Field Meet. Anna overcame the challenges posed by intense competition in her effort to win the title. In pursuing the State Championship, Anna defeated her opponents with an impressive time of 11.75 seconds. Her hard work and dedication, both on and off the track, in achieving this accomplishment is truly outstanding. She has achieved an impressive season, bringing pride to her school and community. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in paying special tribute to Anna Roessner of Fort Recovery High School. 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 team in Ohio's Fifth Congressional District. The young women of the Coldwater High School Girls Track and Field 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 teams at the 2025 OHSAA Division III State Track and Field Championships. In pursuing the State Championship, the Cavaliers defeated their outstanding competitors to win with an impressive 65.5 points. 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 Track and Field 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 athlete from Ohio's Fifth Congressional District. Nathan Bright, a senior at North Ridgeville High School, has represented his school ably on his way to achieving the Division I State Title for High Jump at the State Track and Field Meet. Nathan overcame the challenges posed by intense competition in his effort to win the title. In pursuing the State Championship, Nathan defeated his opponents with an impressive jump of 6 feet 9 inches. His hard work and dedication, both on and off the field, in achieving this accomplishment is truly outstanding. He has achieved an impressive season, bringing pride to his school and community. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in paying special tribute to Nathan Bright of North Ridgeville High School. 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 athlete from Ohio's Fifth Congressional District. Rania Brown, a senior at Avon High School, has represented her school ably on her way to achieving the Division I State Title for the Discus Throw at the State Track and Field Meet. Rania overcame the challenges posed by intense competition in her effort to win the title. In pursuing the State Championship, Rania defeated her opponents with an impressive throw of 153 feet 4 inches. Her hard work and dedication, both on and off the field, in achieving this accomplishment is truly outstanding. She has achieved an impressive season, bringing pride to her school and community. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in paying special tribute to Rania Brown of Avon High School. 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 athlete from Ohio's Fifth Congressional District. Owen Scott, a senior at Van Wert High School, has represented his school ably on his way to achieving the Division II State Title for the 1600 Meter Run at the State Track and Field Meet. Owen overcame the challenges posed by intense competition in his effort to win the title. In pursuing the State Championship, Owen defeated his opponents with an impressive time of 4:10.19. His hard work and dedication, both on and off the track, in achieving this accomplishment is truly outstanding. He has achieved an impressive season, bringing pride to his school and community. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in paying special tribute to Owen Scott of Van Wert High School. 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 athlete from Ohio's Fifth Congressional District. Ariannah Floyd, a senior at Firelands High School, has represented her school ably on her way to achieving the Division II State Title for the 300 Meter Hurdles at the State Track and Field Meet. Ariannah overcame the challenges posed by intense competition in her effort to win the title. In pursuing the State Championship, Ariannah defeated her opponents with an impressive time of 42.76 seconds. Her hard work and dedication, both on and off the track, in achieving this accomplishment is truly outstanding. She has achieved an impressive season, bringing pride to her school and community. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in paying special tribute to Ariannah Floyd of Firelands High School. 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 thank my good friend for yielding me time. Mr. Speaker, for 4 years I have worked tirelessly with my colleague from Virginia's Ninth District to pass the HALT Fentanyl Act. In 2023, we saw over 107,000 overdose deaths, 75,000 of those attributed to synthetic opioids, especially fentanyl-related substances. Currently, fentanyl and fentanyl analogues temporarily fall under schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act, the CSA, due to a temporary scheduling order that runs through September 30 of this year. This bill would permanently place fentanyl analogues into schedule I of the CSA. A schedule I controlled substance is a drug, substance, or chemical that has a high potential for abuse, has no currently accepted medical value, and is subject to regulatory controls and administrative civil and criminal penalties. Today, this Chamber is permanently scheduling fentanyl-related substances as schedule I. We owe it to our communities, our constituents, the families, and to the victims. Cartels are quite literally killing Americans for ten cents. Among teens, fentanyl poisoning accounted for an average of 22 deaths per week in 2022. Fentanyl is the number one cause of death among adults 18 to 49, more than cancer, heart disease, and car accidents. This isn't about criminal justice reform. This is about victims getting justice. Currently, to trigger a 10-year mandatory minimum, an offense must involve 100 or more grams of a mixture containing a fentanyl analogue. Two milligrams of fentanyl will kill. This means 100 grams of fentanyl analogue can kill roughly 50,000 people. Mr. Speaker, I thank our Senate colleagues for passing this critical legislation, and I encourage all of my House colleagues to support the HALT Fentanyl Act so we can get this to the President's desk and stop the greatest poisoning in American history.