Alan Lowenthal

Mr. LOWENTHAL

Mr. LOWENTHAL. Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. LOWENTHAL. I thank the gentleman from Virginia. But the Federal Government does have a commitment in the Department of Interior to finish this in a timely manner. It has just been reported in the past month that they are working at this. They will finish it this year. So notwithstanding the very strong arguments of the gentleman from Virginia, we do not support truncating the environmental review process, and I urge a ``no'' vote. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. LOWENTHAL. I thank the gentleman from Virginia for his arguments. And we have no problem with the underlying process. The question is, why should we truncate this process at this time when important work is now being done by the Department of Interior? We do not object to the Department of Interior going forward. The Department has said in a timely manner they will finish this this year. That is appropriate. It is not necessary at this moment to eliminate the environmental process when in fact we know it's moving forward in a fair and a judicious way. If anything comes up, we need to hear that and understand that for future oil leases. And so I really request that we urge the defeat of this amendment and allow the proper process to go forward because we do not oppose the underlying theme of the bill but we do oppose the truncation of the process. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LOWENTHAL. As part of the Interior Department's 5-year plan, they are preparing to allow companies to reevaluate the potential oil and gas resources in the Mid- and South Atlantic using seismic and other testing. The Interior Department is currently going through the process of preparing a programmatic environmental impact statement for that testing because they have received nine permit requests for seismic airgun surveys. They have determined that because of the scope of interest, a programmatic EIS under the National Environmental Policy Act is needed prior to permitting any new, large-scale seismic surveys. The programmatic EIS would establish a framework for future NEPA evaluations of site-specific actions while identifying and analyzing mitigation measures for future programmatic use. Despite the claims of the majority, Mr. Chair, the Interior Department already intends to finish the programmatic EIS by the end of this year. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management Director Beaudreau testified before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee on May 16 of this year that: In the spring of 2012, BOEM released the draft programmatic environmental impact statement, or PEIS, for proposed geological and geophysical activities in the Mid- and South Atlantic for public comment. The completion of this PEIS is part of a region-specific strategy with respect to oil and gas exploration and development that will focus on the need to update information in order to inform future decisions on whether, and where, leasing would be appropriate. The final PEIS is expected to be published this year. That's just what Interior said just over 1 month ago. Their intention is to finish this work by the end of this year. But if for some reason Interior needs to complete additional surveys, we should not prevent them from doing so. But that's what this amendment would do. It would potentially short-circuit the NEPA process. We should allow the Interior Department to finish its work to ensure that these activities can occur in a way that does not adversely impact the environment and not tie their hands, as the gentleman would do. I urge defeat of this amendment that would potentially truncate a proper environmental review, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LOWENTHAL. I rise in opposition to the gentleman's amendment.

Mr. LOWENTHAL. I claim time in opposition, although I am not opposed to the amendment.

Mr. LOWENTHAL. Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. LOWENTHAL. I thank the distinguished gentleman from Oregon. Mr. Chairman, today we are considering a messy conglomeration of retread ideas that wastes this Chamber's time. The various titles in this bill have been rejected by the Senate, by many of the affected States, and have a zero chance of being signed by the President. Even when some of the ideas in this bill have merit, such as codifying the reorganization of the former Minerals Management Service, or addressing the temporary nature of Interior's authority to collect inspection fees, these ideas are cobbled together with provisions that are a mess of ``drill-baby-drill'' slogan-over-substance dead ends. So I get it; this is a message bill. Well, here's where I think the message is wrong: Americans have a right to weigh in on government actions in their backyard. This bill eliminates that opportunity by mandating lease sales and gagging the National Environmental Policy Act. Americans should all be able to share in the value of their public lands. This bill, however, takes the sale of a public asset and sends much of the revenue to only a few States, instead of either paying down the deficit or spending it on programs of national benefit to all Americans. Again, Americans should be told the truth about the nonexistent effect on gas prices of expanded U.S. drilling. As my colleague from Oregon explained so well, the price of crude is set in a global market, one where the countries with the greatest reserves have formed a cartel, which decreases supply to the world when we increase production in order for them to keep the prices propped up. So, unfortunately, we are actually not keeping gas prices down by increasing U.S. production. I am also very disappointed that an amendment that I filed was not made in order. My amendment would have prevented the Interior Department from doing business with companies that did not have a formal policy preventing discrimination based upon sexual orientation and gender identity. This amendment would have required oil companies that are not in compliance to certify that they would only hire individuals based on merit and not sexual orientation or gender identity, and they would prevent other discriminations and harassments if they want to purchase oil or gas leases. These policies are not unusual that I'm asking: 88 percent of Fortune 500 companies have formal nondiscrimination policies prohibiting harassment and discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. In fact, all of the major integrated oil companies have sexual orientation nondiscrimination policies except one, ExxonMobil. In the past, ExxonMobil has explained that they're not in violation of State and local nondiscrimination laws because of the Federal Defense of Marriage Act, and that trumped local statutes. Well, that argument has been vitiated since the Supreme Court struck down DOMA as unconstitutional. There is also extensive precedent of the Federal Government requiring contractors to have nondiscrimination policies based on race, color, religion, sex, and national origin. Our government dollars and resources should only be used when we are assured that the most qualified individuals are all equally considered. Now is the time for ExxonMobil to respect the Constitution and enact a formal policy preventing discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. We Americans should not accept discrimination in any form.

Mr. LOWENTHAL

Mr. LOWENTHAL. Mr. Speaker, I'm here today, and I stand in support of the Smith amendment to close the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay. Guantanamo Bay has become a symbol around the world for an America that has lost sight of its own cherished principles: due process, habeas corpus, and the rule of law. I recently visited the Guantanamo Bay detention camp. Seeing this camp made it clear to me that we cannot keep these detainees forever without charging them with crimes and giving them their day in court. It is not humane. It is not just. It is not American. Some prisoners must go home; some must face trial; some prisoners will spend the rest of their lives in jail. In the end, though, we must close this chapter and ensure that justice is done. Guantanamo must close. Keeping the Guantanamo camp open is a complete waste of taxpayers' money. The solution is to support Congressman Smith's amendment to close the Guantanamo detention center.

Mr. LOWENTHAL

Mr. LOWENTHAL. Mr. Speaker, I submit the following. Whereas, Marvin Nachlis, beloved husband, father, brother and friend, passed away peacefully in his home from Amyotropic lateral sclerosis (ALS), surrounded by family and friends; and Whereas, Marvin Nachlis was born in Wilkes-Barre, PA to Dorothy and Arnold Nachlis; and Whereas, Marvin Nachlis graduated from Wyoming Valley West High School, served in the United States Navy, and earned a combination Bachelor's degree and Law Degree from Western State University; and Whereas, Marvin Nachlis, after 25 years of practicing law, challenged himself to start a new career as a teacher; and Whereas, Marvin Nachlis taught math and coached girls' basketball for 12 years at David Starr Jordan High School in Long Beach, with patience and encouragement, always taking an interest in the students' well being and potential; and Whereas, Marvin Nachlis was devoted to his wife of 35 years, Gayle, and took great pride in their two children, Alex and Sara; and Whereas, Marvin Nachlis was an avid golfer, devotee of all sports, adventurous and curious, always seeking knowledge; and Whereas, Marvin Nachlis loved sharing his life with friends and family members and was well known for his ever present smile; and Therefore, be it remembered that Marvin Nachlis touched the lives of many people and will be greatly missed.

Mr. LOWENTHAL

Mr. LOWENTHAL. Mr. Speaker, I submit the following proclamation. Whereas, the American Cancer Fund for Children and Kids Cancer Connection report cancer is the leading cause of death by disease among children in the United States. This tragic disease is detected in nearly 15,000 of our nation's young people each and every year; and Whereas, founded nearly twenty years ago by Steven Firestein, a member of the philanthropic Max Factor family, the American Cancer Fund for Children, Inc. and sister organization, Kids Cancer Connection, Inc. are dedicated to helping these children and their families; and Whereas, the American Cancer Fund for Children and Kids Cancer Connection provide a variety of vital patient psychosocial services to children undergoing cancer treatment at the Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center, Mattel Children's Hospital at Ronald Reagan-UCLA Medical Center, Miller Children's Hospital-Long Beach, as well as participating hospitals throughout the country, thereby enhancing the quality of life for these children and their families; and Whereas, through its uniquely sensitive and comforting Magical Caps for Kids program, the American Cancer Fund for Children and Kids Cancer Connection distributes thousands of beautifully hand made caps and decorated baseball caps to children who want to protect their heads following the trauma of chemotherapy, surgery and/or radiation treatments; and Whereas, the American Cancer Fund for Children and Kids Cancer Connection also sponsor nationwide Courageous Kid recognition award ceremonies and hospital celebrations in honor of a child's determination and bravery to fight the battle against childhood cancer. Now therefore, U.S. Representative Alan Lowenthal declares the week of February 17-23, 2013 as Childhood Cancer Awareness Week.

Mr. LOWENTHAL

Mr. LOWENTHAL. Mr. Speaker, for sixty years the United States and Taiwan have fostered a close relationship that has been of mutual political, economic, cultural and strategic benefit. When the United States shifted diplomatic relations from the Republic of China (Taiwan) to the People's Republic of China in January 1979, Congress moved quickly to pass the Taiwan Relations Act (TRA) to ensure that the United States would have continued commercial and cultural relations with Taiwan. This year marks the 34th anniversary of the TRA. This important piece of legislation codified the basis for relations between the U.S. and Taiwan and has been instrumental in maintaining peace, security and stability across the Taiwan Strait. Today, Taiwan is one of the leading U.S trading partners and, in my district, accounts for the second-largest percentage of cargo activity at the Port of Long Beach. It is my hope that the United States and Taiwan will continue to work together to promote enduring peace, stability, and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region.

Mr. LOWENTHAL

Mr. LOWENTHAL. Mr. Speaker, today is Equal Pay Day, a day to remind all Americans and all my colleagues here in Congress that discrimination and paycheck inequality still exists in the general workplace. Nationally, women earn only 77 cents for every dollar a man earns. That income disparity must end now. And while women in my home State of California are paid 85 cents for every dollar paid to men, we must do more. To live in a country where women do not earn equal pay for equal work is sad and embarrassing. What does equality look like, Mr. Speaker? Equality looks like the Civil Rights Act of 1964; equality looks like the Voting Rights Act of 1965; and equality needs to look like the Paycheck Fairness Act, which has yet to be passed. I urge the Speaker to bring this much needed bill to the House floor as soon as possible. To my constituents, please join me on Facebook tomorrow for a town hall meeting where I will be answering your questions about equality and what steps we should be taking to achieve equality for all. Please visit Facebook.com/RepLowenthal to join the conversation.

Mr. LOWENTHAL

Mr. LOWENTHAL. Mr. Speaker, I have known Judy Seal for many years and have respected, appreciated and admired her leadership on education issues in my district. It was with great sadness that I learned of the passing of her father William ``Bill'' Blois Seal--a native Long Beach son who bravely served his country in war and later served his community as an educator for more than four decades. Bill was born at Seaside Hospital in 1924, attended schools in Long Beach and graduated from Wilson High School. Enlisting in the Army in 1942, Bill's youthful hobby of pigeon ing led him to service as a Pigeoneer in the U.S. Army. Homing pigeons and their handlers served in all fronts of the war, often times providing communications when other means were not available or too unsecure. Bill was in the fourth wave to land at Omaha Beach during the Normandy Invasion and wound up spending his 20th birthday just days later in a foxhole on the Allied beachhead. He later served through the push across France and fought in the Battle of the Bulge, the last major German offensive of the war. Selected for officer training, Bill's tour in Europe was cut short as he was sent back to the States. The war ended before Bill could be redeployed and he returned to Long Beach to continue his interrupted education. He entered Long Beach City College, and then moved on to the University of Southern California where he earned both undergraduate and Master's degrees in education. During this time, Bill married his high school sweetheart, Betty. They would remain married until her passing in 2011. They would go on to have three children: son Christopher and daughters Judy and Nancy. As a young educator, Bill joined the Long Beach Unified School District, becoming part of the original faculty at both Stanford Junior High and Millikan High schools. His career eventually took him to back to Long Beach City College, where he had begun his higher education and where his own father had worked as a Dean. At the end of his 43-year career in education, Bill had become a beloved figure in Long Beach, both for his educational work and for his work on behalf of Vietnam War veterans and the Cambodian community. Bill passed away on March 15, 2013 at Long Beach Community Hospital in the arms of his beloved daughter, Judy.

Mr. LOWENTHAL

Mr. LOWENTHAL. Mr. Speaker, I come to the floor today to recognize the contributions that women have made to our society throughout history. As this month marks both Women's History Month and the American Red Cross Month, I want to take this opportunity to celebrate the lasting contribution of one woman, the founder of the American Red Cross, Clara Barton. Clara Barton was a true leader, a woman of poise and purpose. During the Civil War, Ms. Barton found common ground by helping everybody in the wake of disaster. She provided medical supplies to the injured, food assistance to the hungry, compassion for all. Since its founding in 1881, the Red Cross has been a reliable lifeline for Americans and the citizens of our world. Clara Barton passed away in 1912 at the age of 90, but her legacy lives on. It should serve as a reminder to women and to men that the business of helping others is a business worthwhile. To the women in my district and throughout the country, thank you for your confidence, thank you for your leadership, thank you for your compassion that has helped us move forward.

Mr. LOWENTHAL

Mr. LOWENTHAL. Mr. Speaker, Congressman Ryan's current budget proposal is a harsh austerity program that seeks to reduce the deficit on the backs of our Nation's most vulnerable while only benefiting the special interests and the Nation's ultrawealthy. Under this plan, more than 30 million Americans now covered by the Affordable Care Act, including more than 70,000 residents of my district, would be at risk of losing their coverage. Medicare as we know would cease to exist for more than 5 million future seniors, and over 3.5 million seniors today would lose Medicare preventative care coverage. This plan also jeopardizes our Nation's economic recovery. The Economic Policy Institute estimates the plan will cost more than 2 million jobs in the next year, reduce the GDP by 1.7 percent, and literally stall the economy through 2017. This is neither the balanced nor rational approach that we need. I want to work with my colleagues here in the Congress to pass a budget that creates jobs, grows the economy, strengthens the middle class, and responsibly reduces the deficit. Sadly, this is not that plan.

Mr. LOWENTHAL

Mr. LOWENTHAL. Madam Speaker, I stand here today to urge my colleagues to bring the Senate-version of the Violence Against Women Act--a bill that would provide critical services to all victims of domestic abuse--to the House floor. We are faced with two versions of this bill--a GOP House bill that waters down protections and a Senate bill that provides equal protections. As for the altered House version, which clearly rejects the equal protections outlined in the Senate version . . . it is unfair, unjust, and unacceptable. The House substitute removes all references to ``gender identity'' and ``sexual orientation,'' despite clear evidence revealing that domestic and sexual violence affects LGBT victims at equal or greater levels than the rest of the population. Rather than give tribes the authority they need to protect Indian women, the House substitute limits tribes to charging an abuser with misdemeanors punishable by no more than one year in prison, even if the abuser has committed rape, a vicious assault, or another serious violent crime. Unlike the Senate bill, the House bill jeopardizes domestic abuse survivors by including a provision that would allow immigration judges to use unreliable evidence to deport persons who have been convicted of domestic violence charges. I urge the rejection of the GOP House bill and the reauthorization of the Senate version of VAWA. The Senate version will make sure our LGBT brothers and sisters receive appropriate care when they are victimized; it will assure that immigrants, striving proudly toward citizenship, will not have to hide behind their abusers in fear of deportation; and, we can make sure that the three out of five American Indian women who will experience domestic violence in their lifetime can have the peace of mind to know that their abusers will not be given a way out of prosecution. Equal protection should never be open to political gamesmanship. Equal protection is simply the right thing to do.

Mr. LOWENTHAL

Mr. LOWENTHAL. Mr. Speaker, unless we do something, Friday will be a day that none of us want to see but that very few of us seem to have the courage or conviction to prevent. Today, we stand here with two options: devastating, meat-cleaver cuts or political courage. Last week in my district I met with the leadership of the Los Alamitos Joint Forces Training Base. California military cuts of almost $70 million would put this base at risk. Who are we talking about? These are our first responders, our firefighters, our citizen soldiers. These are the people that will be affected by sequestration. If we must choose between cuts or political courage, I choose political courage. We must come together to do what is right. I ask for a balanced approach to deficit reduction that eliminates sequestration. I support Congressman Van Hollen's bill, H.R. 699, and I ask unanimous consent to bring this bill to the floor.

Mr. LOWENTHAL

Mr. LOWENTHAL. Mr. Speaker, I stand here today to urge my colleagues to bring the Senate version of the Violence Against Women Act, or VAWA, a bill that would provide critical services to all victims of domestic abuse, to the House floor. My friends, my colleagues, my constituents, it is time to reauthorize. I want to applaud all the Senate Democrats, all the female Senators, and the vast majority of Republican Senate Members who believe that VAWA is good for the safety of all women, regardless of their sexual orientation, their ethnicity, or tribal heritage. As for the altered House version, which clearly rejects the equal protections outlined in the Senate version, it is unfair, unjust, and unacceptable. I have a few questions for my colleagues in the House who altered this bipartisan Senate VAWA bill: Why do our LGBT, Native American, and immigrant brothers and sisters not deserve the same protections? Why are they exceptions in your eyes? And why must they continually be denied the same freedoms and liberties that we all enjoy under our Constitution? By reauthorizing the Senate version of VAWA: We can make sure our LGBT brothers and sisters receive appropriate care when they are victimized; We can make sure that immigrants, who so desperately want to be a part of this great Nation, will not have to hide behind their abusers in fear of deportation; And, we can make sure that the three out of five American Indian women who will experience domestic violence in their lifetime can have the peace of mind to know that their abusers will not be given a way out of prosecution. My colleagues, this is not politics and this certainly is not a game. This is simply the right thing to do.

Mr. LOWENTHAL

Mr. LOWENTHAL. I want to thank the gentlelady from California for calling us and bringing us together to discuss this very important issue. I stand here and join my colleagues as we put forth responsible solutions to reduce gun violence in our communities and throughout our country. It was my honor to introduce from my district Peggy McCrum, the chapter leader of the Long Beach Area Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, at yesterday's conference hosted by the Brady Campaign and Mayors Against Illegal Guns. Three decades ago, her brother, Robert Kelly, was shot and killed by a complete stranger as he walked to his car, unaware that any peril awaited him. Peggy's brother, Robert; the victims of tragedies that occurred in Newtown and Aurora's mass shooting; and the thousands of Americans whose lives are ended each year by gun violence should serve as a reminder to all of us about the fragility of human life and our ability as Members of Congress to enact commonsense legislation necessary to prevent such horrific tragedies from continuing to devastate innocent Americans. I stand here today in total support of a ban on military-style assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, similar to the gun laws that we have in California. These instruments of mass destruction have no place in our society outside of the military. And I thank my colleagues on the Gun Violence Prevention Task Force, especially Congressman Thompson and Congresswoman Pelosi, for leading the charge on this effort. The tragedy of gun violence will not be solved just by banning assault weapons and ammunition alone. We must strengthen our current background check system as well as the National Instant Criminal Background Check System. We must increase access to mental health services, we must increase the student-to-counselor ratio in our schools, and we must lift the research ban on the Centers for Disease Control and the National Institutes of Health. All of these commonsense proposals are crucial to achieving the meaningful reforms that will save countless lives. As a community psychologist, I understand that early identification and treatment of mental illness is the key to preventing potentially harmful acts. That being said, I am proud to cosponsor Congresswoman Barbara Lee's Student Support Act, as well as Congresswoman Grace Napolitano's Mental Health in Schools Act. Both of these bills will address the growing mental health needs of our Nation's 95,000 students. I do not believe in taking away any American's Second Amendment rights. Just as you cannot yell ``fire'' in a movie theater, I believe you cannot own and use weapons that are capable of killing 20 school children in a matter of seconds. To conclude, I think we all must continue to listen to those who have been injured by gun violence, to survivors, to law enforcement, and even to those who speak out against gun law reforms. We will not be able to reach common ground on this issue unless we keep an open mind to all of the voices in America. Madam Speaker, I want to thank the gentlelady from California for calling us together to discuss this important issue. I stand here today to join my colleagues as we put forth responsible solutions to reduce gun violence in our communities and throughout our country. It was my honor to introduce from my district Peggy McCrum, the Chapter Leader of Long Beach Area Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence at yesterday's press conference hosted by the Brady Campaign and Mayors Against Illegal Guns. Three decades ago, her brother Robert Kelly was shot and killed by a complete stranger as he was walking to his parked car--unaware of the perils that awaited him. It can be all too easy to see Robert as a statistic on a crime map, but he--like all victims of senseless violence--was much, much more. He was a son . . . a brother . . . and a loved one. He was 28 years old; a graduate of Cal State Long Beach who was excited about starting his career at an accounting software firm. That future . . . his future . . . ended all too soon at the hands of a criminal with a gun. To date, the killer has not been found. None of us are statistics. We are all living, breathing caring people with real lives and hopes and dreams, and we all deserve the freedom to feel safe from gun violence, be it in our schools, our movie theaters, or our streets. Peggy's brother Robert, the victims of tragedies like the Newtown and Aurora mass shootings, and the thousands of Americans whose lives are ended each year by gun violence, will never be forgotten; they should serve as a reminder to us of the fragility of human life and our ability as members of Congress to enact commonsense legislation necessary to prevent such horrific tragedies from continuing to devastate innocent Americans. These children, their parents, and all of the families who have been affected by the senseless acts of violence that left our country shocked and in disbelief are counting on us to do something--anything to ensure that they have the freedom to feel safe in their schools and communities. I stand here today in open support of a ban on military-style assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, similar to the gun laws we have in California. These instruments of mass destruction have no place in our society outside of the military, and I thank all of my colleagues on the Gun Violence Prevention Task Force, especially Congressman Thompson and Congresswoman Pelosi, for leading the charge on this effort. The tragedy of gun violence will not be solved by banning assault weapons and ammunition alone. We must strengthen our current background check system, as well as the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) system; we must increase access to mental health services; we must increase the student-to-counselor ratio in our children's schools; and we must lift the research ban on the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH). All of these commonsense proposals are crucial to achieving meaningful reforms that will save countless lives. As a Community Psychologist, I understand that the early identification and treatment of mental illnesses is the key to preventing potentially harmful acts. That being said, I am proud to cosponsor Congresswoman Barbara Lee's Student Support Act and Congresswoman Grace Napolitano's Mental Health in Schools Act. Both of these bills would address the growing mental health needs in our nation's 95,000 public schools. The American people want action, and they are demanding a plan. My colleagues, I stand here wanting and demanding a plan. As the President said in his State of the Union address, these victims deserve a vote. However, I do not, I repeat, I do not believe in taking away any American's Second Amendment right. Just as you cannot yell ``fire'' in a movie theatre, I believe you cannot own weapons capable of killing 20 school children in a matter of seconds. The United States Supreme Court ruling on Heller v. DC clearly stated that there are, indeed, limitations to the Second Amendment, and I stand with that ruling. Heller v. DC was not meant to strip gun owners of the rights, it was meant to instill a greater sense of responsibility that comes with owning a gun. I am in favor of protecting an individual's right to own a gun; I also want to help create a more accountable gun culture--one that upholds Americans' constitutional right to bear arms, and keeps us safe from harm. The constitutional right to own a gun and the God-given human right to feel safe from gun violence is not mutually exclusive. I want to conclude by saying that we must all continue to listen to the victims, the survivors, and even those who speak out against gun law reforms; we will not be able to reach common ground on this issue unless we keep an open mind to all of the voices of the American people. Thank you.

Mr. LOWENTHAL

Mr. LOWENTHAL. Article I, section 4: ``The times, places and manner of holding elections for Senators and Representatives, shall be prescribed in each State by the legislature thereof; but the Congress may at any time by law make or alter such regulations, except as to the place of choosing Senators.''