Ben Luján

Mr. BEN RAY LUJAN of New Mexico

Mr. BEN RAY LUJAN of New Mexico. Mr. Speaker, due to a meeting with constituents from New Mexico, I was not able to be present for a vote on the House floor on December 12, 2013. Had I been present for rollcall vote No. 641, on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 441, providing for concurrence by the House in the Senate amendments to H.R. 3304, with an amendment, I would have voted ``aye.''

Mr. BEN RAY LUJAN of New Mexico

Mr. BEN RAY LUJAN of New Mexico. Mr. Speaker, November is Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month, which is when we bring awareness to a disease that takes the lives of too many men and women. Pancreatic cancer is the 10th most commonly diagnosed cancer in men and the ninth most in women, but it is the fourth leading cause of cancer deaths. Sadly, it is estimated this year that 73 percent of patients with this disease will die within the first year of diagnosis. While these statistics are daunting, I believe that Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month is a time for hope. It is a time when we stand up and call attention to this disease and when we call for more research to find better methods of early detection. It is a time to share the stories of those we have lost in the hope that they will help spur action and move us closer to more effective treatments. Mr. Speaker, pancreatic cancer patients and their families are among the countless Americans who are demanding that we fix sequestration, which has reduced funding for the National Institutes of Health and the National Cancer Institute and which has held back progress toward lifesaving medical research. It is critical that we all work together to fight this terrible disease.

Mr. BEN RAY LUJAN of New Mexico

Mr. BEN RAY LUJAN of New Mexico. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to this piecemeal approach to fund the government that fails to meet our trust responsibility to our Native American brothers and sisters. I wonder if they bothered to consult with tribes before bringing up a bill that cuts tribal programs even more than they have already been cut and locks in sequester cuts that are hurting tribes in my district and across the country. Mr. Speaker, it seems clear to me that Republicans are not listening to anyone these days, because if they were, they would know that tribes do not support this piecemeal course of action. Navajo Nation President Ben Shelly called this approach ``insulting'' and said Tribal Nations want a comprehensive resolution as well as an end to sequestration. By taking a piecemeal approach to fund our government, this bill fails to restore many critical services that are important to tribal communities. In fact, it makes the problems facing Indian Country worse, not better. Rather than vote on this piecemeal bill that is opposed by Native American communities, we should vote on a clean funding bill that opens the entire government, get to work ending sequestration, and fully fund tribal programs to meet our trust responsibilities. Navajo President Shelly Urges Lawmakers to Pass a Clean Spending Bill Shiprock, NM.--Navajo Nation President Ben Shelly strongly urged the U.S. House of Representatives to pass a clean spending measure that would stop the federal government shutdown. The president said it must be done and that a continued piecemeal approach is not right and is hurting the Navajo people. ``The current piecemeal approach House Republicans are using to fragment tribal communities from the rest of the country is insulting. Tribal Nations, like the majority of Americans want a comprehensive resolution,'' said President Shelly. Meanwhile, the Bureau of Indian Affairs is furloughing roughly a third of its workers, most of whom live in tribal regions and serve Native people daily. ``Our funding for basic programs that provide support to working families will soon dry up. And nearly 3,000 employees who work on Indian Affairs for Interior will be furloughed. We strongly urge GOP leaders to work with the true majority in the House: the bipartisan group of lawmakers that stands ready to restart the government. Allowing a vote on a clean funding bill is the right way to help our tribes and our communities move forward,'' President Shelly added.

Mr. BEN RAY LUJAN of New Mexico

Mr. BEN RAY LUJAN of New Mexico. Mr. Speaker, funding for the NNSA is critically important to my State of New Mexico, for we are home to both Los Alamos and Sandia National Labs. However, this bill denies these national security labs the funding they need as it locks in the deep cuts of sequester for 2 more months. There is not a Member of this body--Democrat or Republican--that says they like the sequester, Mr. Speaker, but my Republican colleagues refuse to lift it. They say they want to keep the government open, but they place conditions on it. This piecemeal approach in this bill to the Department of Energy and to the NNSA is picking winners and losers with employees that are going to be furloughed. This is a shame, and it is a sham--this Republican charade that is going to go home to my State of New Mexico and direct the Directors of the labs to tell employees who is going to go home without a paycheck and who will not--because there is still not assurance that the Secretary of Energy, through the Department of Energy, will make these employees whole through allowable costs that will be accepted. Enough is enough. Mr. Speaker, this is a shame. Let's do the right thing and open the government.

Mr. BEN RAY LUJAN of New Mexico

Mr. BEN RAY LUJAN of New Mexico. Mr. Speaker, words do have meaning. Instead of working together to do our jobs and resolve these critical issues, Republicans have taken a decidedly different approach, one they seem to have been looking forward to for some time, to make another desperate attempt to stop the Affordable Care Act. The government shutdown could be the most damaging thing to hit our economy since the budget sequestration they imposed on Americans. I would say to my colleague that I just heard from, the prayer this morning is so appropriate, a prayer of St. Francis: make me a keeper of your peace. There are people who are hurting and in trouble. Let us look inside to the moral obligations that we have and see what we can do to come together. Please, let us vote on the continuing resolution passed by the Senate. These are the Republican budget numbers the Democrats have agreed to compromise with. Please, listen to St. Francis. Look inside and see what we can do together.

Mr. BEN RAY LUJAN of New Mexico

Mr. BEN RAY LUJAN of New Mexico. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this bill which is important to all the Federal employees in New Mexico. This bill ensures that furloughed employees will be made whole. It is also important for contract employees who work at our national labs. It is clear that Congress intends to insulate those workers who provide vital services to our Nation from the effects of the shutdown. In the past, DOE has sought to treat lab employees the same as Federal employees. This legislation sets the precedent for how those employees will be treated. We are sending the message that DOE should certify backpay for lab employees as an allowable cost so they will be made whole if they are furloughed. I submit into the Record my letter to Secretary Moniz expressing congressional intent to insulate those workers who provide vital services to our Nation from the effects of a shutdown, which includes contract employees at our national labs. Congress of the United States, House of Representatives, Washington, DC, October 5, 2013. Dr. Ernest Moniz, Secretary of Energy, Washington, DC. Secretary Moniz: I write today to call your attention to the many New Mexicans who work at Los Alamos and Sandia National Laboratories who have been adversely affected by the continuing budget impasse in Congress and the resulting shutdown. As you know, these labs are essential to our nation's national security as well as its scientific and research capabilities. Their workforce is comprised of many of the smartest scientists, engineers, and researchers in our country, all of whom have devoted their careers to serving and protecting our nation. This government shutdown risks betraying these men and women who have made personal sacrifices for our collective security and technological advancement. While lab employees work for the contractors who manage the labs, they are subject to much of the same uncertainty as their colleagues in the federal workforce. While neither of the New Mexico NNSA laboratories have yet announced a need to furlough their workforce, a number of my constituents have written to my office or contacted me directly to share the stress of potentially being furloughed from the labs and missing out on a needed paycheck. Today, the House of Representatives will pass H.R. 3223, the Federal Employee Retroactive Pay Fairness Act, which would compensate all federal employees who would not otherwise receive their full salaries due to the shutdown. President Obama has declared that he supports the legislation and his office writes, ``Federal workers keep the Nation safe and secure and provide vital services that support the economic security of American families. The Administration appreciates that the Congress is acting promptly to move this bipartisan legislation and looks forward to the bill's swift passage.'' The overwhelming bipartisan support for this legislation demonstrates the clear Congressional desire that the federal workforce should not be adversely impacted by the shutdown nor should they shoulder the burden of its resulting uncertainty. While the employees of New Mexico's national laboratories are not included within the bill's specific terms, Congress clearly intends that those workers who provide such vital services for our nation should be insulated from the effects of a protracted shutdown. It is my understanding that the Department of Energy can certify to the labs that it is an ``allowable cost'' for them to use their appropriated dollars to compensate their employees for back pay due to any furloughs caused by.a shutdown. Due to the tremendous economic uncertainty currently faced by the laboratories' workforce, I urge you to certify as soon as possible that back pay will be allowable upon the restoration of government functions. The employees of our nation's national laboratories deserve to know that they will be fully compensated for their service to our nation. Sincerely, Ben Ray Lujan, Member of Congress.

Mr. BEN RAY LUJAN of New Mexico

Mr. BEN RAY LUJAN of New Mexico. Mr. Speaker, the House Republicans are not fooling anyone. Right now is hunting season in New Mexico. The Republican bill does nothing to keep open access to hunting on Federal lands, on the BLM or Forest Service. The Republicans are keeping hunters stranded and turning a blind eye to the small business owners and guides that depend on hunting season. Hunters across America, call the House Republicans and tell them to let us vote on the clean Senate CR.

Mr. BEN RAY LUJAN of New Mexico

Mr. BEN RAY LUJAN of New Mexico. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. BEN RAY LUJAN of New Mexico. Mr. Chairman, I rise today to offer an amendment that would protect Native American sacred and cultural sites associated with the land conveyance outlined in the bill. This bill transfers land out of the public domain and into the hands of a private mining company with no guarantee of protecting sacred sites. Currently, the cultural and sacred sites of Apache Leap and Oak Flat are located on public land and not on an Indian reservation. Although these sites are not on an Indian reservation, they're still sacred to the San Carlos Apache, Yavapai Indian Tribe, and other tribes in Arizona, just as a Catholic church, where I practice my faith, is considered a holy place even though it's not located in Vatican City. Because these sacred and cultural sites are currently on public land, they are protected under certain Federal laws. This bill would transfer the lands that contain these sacred sites to a private company for private ownership, effectively taking away any protections under Federal law. Additionally, it is important to protect the subsurface area of these sacred sites, which this bill does not do. Native American sacred sites, just as a church or temple, have both surface and subsurface religious quantities. Would we allow subsurface mining below the National Cathedral? I would say not. I have heard from my colleagues the mining would take place below the ground and therefore leave the sacred sites undisturbed, but this is a rather absurd argument and, quite honestly, not factual. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BEN RAY LUJAN of New Mexico. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the very distinguished gentlewoman from Minnesota (Ms. McCollum), one of the cochairs of the Native American Caucus.

Mr. BEN RAY LUJAN of New Mexico. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself the balance of my time. I don't know where to begin with the comments suggested by one of my colleagues whom I respect, Mr. Gosar. I don't know how to be more clear. These sacred sites are on public land. I think it would be a new low for this Congress to go and tell tribes across America that sacred sites that are not located on a reservation are no longer sacred. I'm surprised. I'm appalled. I think tribes across the country would be, as well. With regard to sections 4(i) and 4(j), I ask the author of the legislation to come back and read it with me. The way that I read this, there's only one section of law that is referred to that can't be enforced because this is on private lands, not on public lands; and the area that's identified in the law is the National Environmental Policy Act. What happens when this land is given from a public perspective back to a private perspective is we lose the opportunity and ability to enforce the National Historic Preservation Act, the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, the American Indian Religious Freedom Act, and the administration's December 2012 memorandum of understanding to protect sacred sites. Mr. Chairman, I submit into the Record all the organizations across America, including all the tribes from Arizona, that are opposed to this underlying legislation. Mr. Chairman, I have here not a picture of Apache Leap, but a picture of what happens with blockade mining. So even in the poor attempt that talks about trying to address Apache Leap, the author of the legislation failed to include Oak Flat, which is a sacred site that would be covered here. This is what happens with blockade mining. Don't take my word for it, as I will submit into the Record a presentation by Resolution Copper Mining. In this, which I wish I would have blown up, Resolution Copper shows pictures of how this starts to cave in. It will eventually look like this. Mr. Chairman, this is a commonsense piece of legislation. In your words, this will improve the law. This will improve what we're trying to do here. This doesn't give the Secretary blanket authority to do anything. Let's just protect sacred sites and work together. The Congress has always done this. There's a reason why Democrats and Republicans have come together to create a Native American Caucus and to advocate for tribes across America. The Congress has always stood strong. Mr. Chairman, I ask my colleagues to please give due consideration and support this amendment. I hope to work with the majority and Chairman Hastings, whom I respect very much, to try to get this addressed. I yield back the balance of my time. Tribes and Organizations Opposed to H.R. 687, SE AZ Land Exchange Tribal Organizations National Congress of American Indians--the oldest and largest organization representing tribes across the country National Indian Gaming Association--represents 184 tribes across the country Inter-Tribal Council of Arizona--represents 20 tribes in Arizona Inter-Tribal Council of Nevada--represents 27 tribes in Nevada United South and Eastern Tribes--represents 26 tribes in Maine, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, North Carolina, South Carolina, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Florida, and Texas and based in Tennessee California Association of Tribal Governments--represents tribal governments in California Midwest Alliance of Sovereign Tribes--represents 35 tribes in Minnesota, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Iowa Affiliated Tribes of the Northwest Indians--represents 57 tribes located in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Southeast Alaska, Northern California, and Western Montana All Indian Pueblo Council--represents 20 pueblos located in New Mexico and Texas Eight Northern Indian Pueblos of New Mexico Great Plains Tribal Chairman's Association--represents 16 tribes in North Dakota, South Dakota, and Nebraska Coalition of Large Tribes--represents 14 tribes in North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, Idaho, Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, Washington Alaska Inter-Tribal Council Alabama Poarch Band of Creek Indians, Alabama Arizona San Carlos Apache Tribe, Arizona Hopi Tribe, Arizona Ak-Chin Indian Community, Arizona Ft. McDowell Yavapai Nation, Arizona White Mountain Apache Tribe, Arizona Colorado River Indian Tribes, Arizona Cocopah Indian Tribe, Arizona Hualapai Tribe, Arizona Tohono O'odham Nation, Arizona Quechan Indian Tribe, Arizona Tonto Apache Tribe, Arizona Ft. Mojave Indian Tribe, Arizona, California, and Nevada Navajo Nation Council, Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah California Susanville Indian Rancheria, California Coyote Valley Band of Pomo Indians, California Hopland Band of Pomo Indians, California Soboba Band of Luiseno Indians, California California Valley Miwok Tribe, California Santa Rosa Band of Cahuilla Indians, California Connecticut Mohegan Tribe, Connecticut Florida Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida Idaho Shoshone-Bannock Tribes, Idaho Kansas Kickapoo Indian Nation, Kansas Louisiana Jena Band of Choctaw Indians, Louisiana Tunica-Biloxi Tribe, Louisiana Maine Penobscot Indian Nation, Maine Massachusetts Aquinnah Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head, MA Michigan Saginaw Chippewa Tribe, Michigan Sault Ste. Marie Tribe, Michigan Minnesota Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe, Minnesota Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Indian Community, Minnesota Nevada Shoshone-Paiute Tribe, Nevada Walker River Paiute Tribe, Nevada New Mexico Jicarilla Apache Nation, New Mexico Mescalero Apache Tribe, New Mexico Pueblo of Zuni, New Mexico Pueblo of Tesuque, New Mexico Pueblo of Santa Clara, New Mexico Oklahoma Cherokee Nation, Oklahoma Osage Nation, Oklahoma Rhode Island Narragansett Tribe South Carolina Catawba Indian Nation, South Carolina South Dakota Oglala Sioux Tribe, South Dakota Washington Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, Washington Puyallup Tribe of Indians, Washington Quinault Indian Nation, Washington Hoh Indian Nation, Washington Samish Indian Nation, Washington Wisconsin Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians Oneida Nation, Wisconsin Sokaogan Chippewa Community, Wisconsin Stockbridge-Munsee Community, Band of Mohican Indians, Wisconsin Environmental and Religious Groups Opposing H.R. 687/S. 339, SE AZ Land Exchange Town of Superior Queen Valley Golf Association, Queen Valley, Arizona Queen Valley Homeowners Association, Queen Valley, Arizona Arizona Mining Reform Coalition American Lands Access Fund Arizona Mountaineering Club Arizona Native Plant Society Arizona Wildlife Federation The American Alpine Club--Golden, CO Center for Biological Diversity Chiricahua-Dragoon Conservation Alliance Comstock Residents Association--Virginia City, NV Concerned Citizens and Retired Miners Coalition--Superior,

Mr. BEN RAY LUJAN of New Mexico. Will the chairman yield?

Mr. BEN RAY LUJAN of New Mexico. I thank the chairman. Mr. Chairman, I don't believe that anyone is suggesting that items are being waived. The fact of the matter is, when land is transferred from a public domain to a private domain, it goes away. And that's the problem here. And I am glad to hear--and I know the profound respect that Chairman Hastings has for tribes across the country and the sacred sites, protections--

Mr. BEN RAY LUJAN of New Mexico. Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. BEN RAY LUJAN of New Mexico

Mr. BEN RAY LUJAN of New Mexico. Mr. Speaker, it's time for Congress to work together on a commonsense solution to address the impacts of climate change. As we begin Hispanic Heritage Month, it's important for us to recognize the impact climate change is disproportionately having upon minority communities across the country. Whether it's farmers and ranchers in my home State of New Mexico struggling through devastating drought conditions or communities that are being impacted by recent flooding as a result of more severe weather, millions of Americans have been impacted by the effects of climate change. Released earlier this year, a survey conducted by Public Policy Polling found 74 percent of Latinos believe climate change is a serious or a very serious problem, a higher level than the 65 percent among all American adults; 68 percent of Latinos support the President using his authority to reduce greenhouse gas pollution, including 60 percent of all American adults; 69 percent of Latinos agree with the President's statement that ``for the sake of our children'' and our future, we must do more to combat climate change, compared to 62 percent of all American adults. Combating climate change and preserving our land, water, and air is a top priority for many Americans, especially those in minority communities. For years, a coalition of stakeholders, including Hispanic farmers and ranchers, tribal communities, conservation groups, hunting and fishing organizations, and local governments came together to lay the foundation that led to President Obama establishing the Rio Grande del Norte National Monument earlier this year. This is an example of the type of leadership and advocacy that can make a real difference in addressing climate change and preserving our precious resources. By establishing the Rio Grande del Norte, we have created economic certainty for farmers and ranchers, increased recreation and tourism opportunities, and, most importantly, protected our land, water, and air for future generations. Mr. Speaker, I have also come to the floor today to express my concern for the House Republicans' plan to slash funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. This program is vital to many in New Mexico, especially our children. Sadly, New Mexico ranks near the bottom when it comes to childhood well-being and ranked worst in childhood hunger. The Republican plan to cut $40 billion from the SNAP program caters to the most extreme views. Earlier this year, they tried to cut $20 billion, only to have the Tea Party revolt. So the new plan goes even further at a time when many communities are still struggling from a slow economy, even including a provision that prevents high unemployment areas from receiving additional assistance. Today we have 47 million Americans living in poverty. And while we should be doing more to address the root causes, we should not turn our backs on those struggling to make ends meet by cutting benefits that help put food on the table for working families. I believe we all share the goal of seeing a stronger economy that creates jobs and reduces the need for this kind of assistance. But until that time, let's not make the most vulnerable among us pay the steepest price.

Mr. BEN RAY LUJAN of New Mexico

Mr. BEN RAY LUJAN of New Mexico. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the heroic efforts of Staff Sergeant Hiroshi H. Miyamura of the United States Army, who called Gallup, New Mexico, home. Sergeant Miyamura was with the 3rd Infantry Division and was awarded the Medal of Honor for extreme bravery in action from April 24-25, 1951, near Taejon-ni, Korea. Staff Sergeant Miyamura's company was holding a defensive position when a strong enemy force launched a surprise attack to overrun them. Understanding the severity of the situation, Staff Sergeant Miyamura hustled to the line and plunged into the oncoming enemy forces with his bayonet, killing 10 of the attackers. During the second assault, he used his machine-gun, taking out the enemy. He insisted that his men pull back while he covered their withdrawal. While unloading on the enemy's advances, Staff Sergeant Miyamura killed at least 50 and provided a safe withdrawal of his unit. It is for his heroism and distinguished service that I am proud to honor and remember the actions of Staff Sergeant Hiroshi H. Miyamura.

Mr. BEN RAY LUJAN of New Mexico

Mr. BEN RAY LUJAN of New Mexico. Mr. Speaker, recently, one of our Republican colleagues made remarks about the Hispanic community and children that have no place in our public discourse. These words offend DREAMers, who have been brought to this country through no fault of their own, and they offend our entire Nation. In talking about DREAMers, Representative Steve King said: For every one who's a valedictorian, there's another 100 out there who weigh 130 pounds, and they've got calves the size of cantaloupes because they are hauling 75 pounds of marijuana across the desert. Mr. Speaker, I don't know what's more disappointing, that the most extreme voices in the Republican Conference continue to make appalling comments about the Hispanic community or that the rest of my Republican colleagues are silent on this kind of offensive and outrageous rhetoric. At a time when we should be working together to address our broken immigration system, these hateful words only seek to divide rather than bring people together to find common ground. It's no wonder that the American people continue to see House Republicans as out of touch when comments like these are made.

Mr. BEN RAY LUJAN of New Mexico

Mr. BEN RAY LUJAN of New Mexico. Mr. Speaker, as fires across the West grow more intense and superstorms in the United States do more damage, it is clear that the cost of inaction on climate change is growing. The economic toll that it is taking on communities across the country is impacting the American people. Hurricane Sandy cost the United States $70 billion in damages, many lives, and lost economic output. In my home State of New Mexico, where wildfires have burned all summer, many communities that rely on tourism and access to our majestic lands have seen their businesses negatively impacted. Farmers and ranchers in New Mexico have had to sell off their herds because of drought conditions that made it too expensive to feed their animals. Opponents of efforts to address climate change and to transition to cleaner fuels and renewable energy often cite the cost of these efforts. What they fail to account for is the increasing cost that global warming is having in the form of more severe droughts, more dangerous wildfire seasons, and increased devastation from superstorms. Mr. Speaker, if we continue down this path and fail to take steps necessary to address climate change, the costs will only continue to grow and the impact on our communities will only increase. Last week, I joined my colleagues in the Safe Climate Caucus in sending a letter to Speaker Boehner asking him to schedule a debate on the House floor to discuss climate change and our Nation's response to this growing threat. The time for action is now. We must not sit idly by and ignore the facts and ignore the science while communities in New Mexico and across the country experience the negative impacts of climate change.

Mr. BEN RAY LUJAN of New Mexico

Mr. BEN RAY LUJAN of New Mexico. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. BEN RAY LUJAN of New Mexico. Mr. Chairman, I rise to amend H.R. 2609, the Energy and Water appropriations bill, for the purpose of addressing several issues in New Mexico. More specifically, my amendment would increase the construction account by $15 million to ensure local governments, like the city of Rio Rancho, the county of Benalillo and the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District, get reimbursed for the work that they have done in conjunction with the Army Corps of Engineers. The Army Corps of Engineers works with local governments in New Mexico to construct levees, implement flood control measures, and other important infrastructure for the safety of the public. More specifically, the city of Rio Rancho entered into a reimbursement contract with the Army Corps of Engineers and has not been paid back for several years due to the lack of appropriations. The same goes for the county of Benalillo and the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District, and others across the country. This delay in reimbursement has led to interruptions in financing for other city projects and also has the potential to hurt the credit ratings of these entities if they do not recover these funds via reimbursement, as stated in their contracts. By increasing the dollar amount in this account, which includes a number of programs and accounts that are critical to local governments--like engineering, construction, technical assistance, flood control, and environmental infrastructure--we can get these entities reimbursed and get these liabilities off the books of the Army Corps of Engineers to get the projects going. Mr. Chairman, local governments have been left holding an IOU from the Federal Government for doing work based on good-faith written agreements with the Army Corps of Engineers. Mr. Chairman, I understand that there may be opposition from the Republican majority, but I'm hoping I can persuade the chairman to support me in this effort. Section 593 of the Water Resources Development Act of 1999 is under which the city of Rio Rancho and these other local governments entered into agreements with the Army Corps of Engineers. If the Republican majority disagrees with the authority, they should repeal it; but let's make these local governments whole. When city and local governments enter into reimbursement contracts, they expect to be reimbursed. They have annual budgets with the expectation they will get paid back. Congress should live up to these obligations in the authority given to the agency by Congress. I understand the constraints that the subcommittee dealt with with the allocations given to them, but we need to make sure that we're working to make these local governments whole. Again, going forward, if this is an authority that the Republican majority feels we should do away with, we should do away with it. But let's make these local governments whole. With that, Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. BEN RAY LUJAN of New Mexico. Madam Chair, I move to strike the last word.

Mr. BEN RAY LUJAN of New Mexico. Madam Chair, I rise to engage in a colloquy with the chairman and ranking member on the Laboratory Directed Research and Development program at the National Nuclear Security Administration. The Laboratory Directed Research and Development, LDRD, program at the National Nuclear Security Administration's national laboratories has, over the past two decades, made it possible for these labs to develop capabilities that have been critical to meeting the future mission needs via high-risk, high-payoff R&D. For example, at Los Alamos National Laboratory in my district, LDRD has supported a key technology that is now being applied toward the detection of nuclear and radiological threats and is a winner of this year's R&D 100 awards. LDRD is also very important to recruiting and retaining top scientists and engineers. At Los Alamos, LDRD supports about one-half of the post-docs who have gone on to become the lab's permanent employees and is one of the key and leading sources of new lab employees. The funding for the program is derived through a certain percentage of each lab's operating budget. Currently, that percentage is limited to not more than 8 percent. The bill we are considering today would lower that to be not more than 4.5 percent. I am very concerned that such a low level could harm the national labs' ability to meet future mission needs and ask the chairman and ranking member to work with us in making sure that the levels allowed for LDRD do not adversely impact the national security capabilities of the labs. With that, Madam Chair, I would yield to the gentlelady from New Mexico (Ms. Michelle Lujan Grisham).

Mr. BEN RAY LUJAN of New Mexico. Madam Chair, I yield to the chairman, the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Frelinghuysen).

Mr. BEN RAY LUJAN of New Mexico. Madam Chair, I yield to the gentlelady from Ohio (Ms. Kaptur), the ranking member.

Mr. BEN RAY LUJAN of New Mexico. Madam Chair, I thank the chairman and the ranking member for their service and for agreeing to work with us on this important issue. I yield back the balance of my time. Amendment Offered by Mrs. Noem