Alan Lowenthal

Mr. LOWENTHAL

Mr. LOWENTHAL. As you just heard from the other side of the aisle, Mr. Chair, they agree with me that there needs to be more coordination amongst all the stakeholders to make smart decisions about rig decommissioning in red snapper habitat; but they refuse to move forward with this proposal simply because they oppose the National Ocean Policy which incidentally, as we all know in this room, that its predecessor was the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy, which was first established by President Bush. They oppose the National Ocean Policy on the grounds that it is a program that is authorized by an executive action or an executive order of a President that they don't like. This seems to me to be pretty petty. Why would we create now a new group to bring together the stakeholders to address just this one issue, when we already have a council and a policy that can do exactly what everyone wants to be done? National Ocean Policy is not a failed policy like some suggest, nor is it an instance of executive overreach. It is merely a commonsense way to facilitate multistakeholder collaboration on complex ocean issues. Mr. Chair, my amendment directs agencies and stakeholders to work together to come up with solutions to decommission rigs that work for everyone involved. This is a commonsense solution that promotes red snapper habitat and more recreational fishing opportunities. I urge a ``yes'' vote on the Lowenthal amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. LOWENTHAL

Mr. LOWENTHAL. Mr. Chair, I repeat: duplication is good science. Let me repeat that: duplication is good science. I urge a ``yes'' vote on the Lowenthal amendment to maintain the Department of Energy's ability to select scientific projects based upon scientific merit, that support the mission of the Department of Energy and the broader energy security of our country. I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. LOWENTHAL. Mr. Chair, I yield myself such time as I may consume. My amendment would do two important things. First, it would preserve the Energy Department's ability to select projects based on merit, and, second, it would preserve a very basic scientific tenet, the ability of the Department of Energy to replicate scientific results. Right now, the underlying bill mandates the prioritization of certain scientific fields over others, and it terminates science initiatives that can validate or question the results of previous scientific research. It is additionally unfortunate that in this formerly bipartisan bill, the majority is again attempting to specifically target and terminate the valuable research programs of some of our Nation's brightest scientists if they study climate change. I think this is shortsighted, I think it is irresponsible, and I believe it is wrong. In order to ensure America's energy security, we must understand the multiplying risks to our energy infrastructure due to a changing climate. In order to ensure America's energy security, we must understand the lifecycle impacts of the fuels we use. And in order to ensure America's energy security, we must lead the world in developing clean renewable sources of energy. For this vision to become a reality, the Department of Energy must support sound scientific processes that include selecting the most meritorious methods and questions that they wish to research and verifying those results through replication. H.R. 1806, as it is currently written, specifically targets the climate change research program in the Energy Department and instructs the director to cease ``those climate science-related initiatives that are identified as overlapping or duplicative.'' A basic tenet of science is that you have to reproduce scientific results. You don't run an experiment once and go to the world and say, ``It's true. We've figured it out.'' No--science requires separate and independently verified results in order to draw conclusions. But now Congress is trying to legislate changes to the scientific method, and I think that is a shame. Science works best when multiple groups and agencies collaborate to find answers to important questions. And guess what? Congress has already created a way to coordinate among the 13 Federal agencies to ensure that each agency is researching the causes and effects of global changes most relevant to their missions. And it is called the U.S. Global Change Research Program. The proposed requirements in section 505 of H.R. 1806 are really just an attempt to create more roadblocks to studying climate change. My amendment preserves the scientific integrity of the Office of Science, the U.S. Global Change Research Program and, more importantly, the scientific process. I urge a ``yes'' vote on the Lowenthal amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LOWENTHAL. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. LOWENTHAL. Mr. Chairman, could you tell me how much time I have left.

Mr. LOWENTHAL. I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson).

Mr. LOWENTHAL

Mr. LOWENTHAL. Mr. Speaker, from city halls to the Halls of Congress, there is universal agreement that our national infrastructure, once the envy of the world, is eroding around us. It is eroding from simple political inattention and inaction. We must stop short-term fixes for our long-term infrastructure. We must develop a sustainable funding solution to repair, to restore, and to upgrade our infrastructure. The remaining question is: How do we solve it here and now? Are we going to do a responsible, long-term funding solution or are we just going to kick the can down the road? Are we going to wait for more bridges to collapse, for trains to derail, and more roads to fall into gridlock? Mr. Speaker, we must come together to solve this problem. The safety of every American, the efficiency of every business, and the momentum of our national economy depend on us and are at risk.

Mr. LOWENTHAL

Mr. LOWENTHAL. Mr. Speaker, a new global record was set last week, but this is not a good record. The atmospheric concentration of carbon dioxide surpassed 400 parts per million for an entire month. This is the first time we have reached these levels in over 800,000 years. This is a serious and a potent reminder that we have not yet acted on climate change. The last time CO2 concentrations were this high, the world was a hotter place. There were forests in the Arctic, and sea levels were meters higher than they are today. Our planet is telling us that climate change is happening. We owe it to our constituents to put aside partisan differences and to begin to work on solutions to this global problem.

Mr. LOWENTHAL

Mr. LOWENTHAL. Mr. Speaker, I wish I could say that the budget resolution being moved through Congress right now will help America's middle class. I wish I could say that this budget will help provide opportunities for struggling Americans and security for our seniors. I wish I could say that this budget will help raise stagnant wages, help our kids attend college, and help our businesses create jobs. I wish I could say all of that, but I can't. What I can say is that the budget being pushed through the House today would make hard-working Americans work even harder and take home even less, while benefiting special interests and the ultrawealthy. I ask my Republican colleagues to partner with us in a bipartisan fashion to create a budget that will benefit all Americans.

Mr. LOWENTHAL

Mr. LOWENTHAL. Mr. Chair, I thank the ranking member and also the chairman for providing me this time to speak on the floor. I am going to go back. My congressional district is home to the Long Beach Veterans Affairs hospital; the American Gold Star Manor, which is a manor that provides affordable housing for mothers who have lost their sons to war and for veterans; and my district is also the home of Los Alamitos Joint Forces Training Base. Providing outstanding service to our veterans has been a top priority throughout my career. That is why I am cosponsoring this amendment to address the disability claims and appeals backlogs and hopefully provide funding for more full-time employees to address these issues. I want to share with you just quickly my concerns. There are long delays in Aid and Attendance claims, particularly with regard to elderly, frail veterans with rapidly declining health issues. And approval is slow and sometimes comes, actually, too late, allowing the veterans to suffer for no reason. This year, I had a 100 percent service-connected Purple Heart veteran with Parkinson's disease who filed for Aid and Attendance in July 2013. At that time, he needed caretaking assistance at his home but was initially denied. In March of 2014, I received a call from his son who informed me that his father had fallen and broken his shoulder. During this time, my constituent had to produce multiple pieces of paper and doctor's confirmation of disability, even though he is an amputee. His son called my office and informed my caseworker in the district that he needed immediate assistance for his father. My caseworker called my staffer in D.C., who ran to the VA Congressional Liaison's office here at the Capitol to see what could be done during this emergency. I spoke to the VA about the situation, and my constituent received immediate assistance because I called. My constituent was finally awarded Aid and Attendance in May of 2014. Mr. Chair, our veterans should not have to wait for medical care and suffer while they are waiting for months and years. Our veterans deserve better service than we are giving them. It is unnecessary for these types of emergencies to occur. Last year, I encouraged the Department to use its funding to hire additional staff and stated that I do not believe that providing overtime pay for workers who are already stretched thin was enough. I am pleased to see there is funding to hire more full-time employees, but we still need more workers in order for the VA to respond faster. I am still concerned that the Veterans Benefits Administration is not requesting adequate resources to expeditiously handle the current backlog or new claims, which are expected to increase. The VA is still contracting out claims to other regional offices rather than the home office. It is making progress. However, claims are still taking as long as 2 years for resolution. The VA is encouraging veterans to use electronic benefits, eBenefits, though many Vietnam-era veterans need assistance with this technology. Mr. Chair, in closing, when we ask America's veterans to serve their country and sacrifice their lives on our behalf, our Nation needs to make a promise to take care of them throughout their lives. Ensuring that our veterans receive the best care after their years of service to our Nation is a moral responsibility which must happen. I pledge my continued support to work with Secretary McDonald and the Department of Veterans Affairs, my colleagues, stakeholder groups, and my constituents to address these issues. Mr. Chair, I ask that you support this amendment.

Mr. LOWENTHAL

Mr. LOWENTHAL. Mr. Speaker, 40 years ago, the fall of Saigon ended the war in Vietnam and began the journey for hundreds of thousands of Vietnamese who were forced to flee their land for foreign shores like America. This April, we remember those Vietnamese, Americans, and their allies who lost their lives in Vietnam and for the many thousands of boat people who perished while fleeing Vietnam on the ``journey to freedom.'' Today, in communities throughout our Nation, Vietnamese Americans contribute daily to the tapestry that we call American life. On this 40th anniversary of Black April, we also cannot forget the continuing struggle in Vietnam for democracy, freedom, and basic human rights. Today, I am introducing a resolution commemorating this historic event, remembering those who gave their lives, and honoring the Vietnamese community in the United States.

Mr. LOWENTHAL

Mr. LOWENTHAL. Mr. Speaker, for sixty-two years the United States and Taiwan have built and maintained a close relationship that has been of mutual political, economic, cultural and strategic benefit. April 10th of this year marked the 36th anniversary of the Taiwan Relations Act (TRA) which ensured that the United States would have continued commercial and cultural relations with Taiwan. Even though the Taiwan Relations Act is only 36 years old, Taiwan has been a friend and ally to the United States for much longer. Since the signing of the TRA in 1979, Taiwan has become a beacon of democracy in a part of the world where free elections are uncommon and many people are denied their basic freedoms. Taiwan has also developed into an economic powerhouse over the last three decades. Their economy is robust and Taiwan has become one of the largest and most invaluable trading partners for the United States. I want to thank the Taiwanese people for their continued friendship and support. 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, as the sign points out, today marks 17 days until the Department of Homeland Security shuts down, leaving our Nation's national security at risk. Why is DHS closing down? It is closing down for the reason that it is being held hostage because it is riddled with immigration policy riders which, as we all know, have a zero chance of being signed by the President. If funding lapses, our Nation's ports of entry will be severely impacted. For example, I represent the Port of Long Beach. They will not be able to upgrade their communications and their surveillance systems unless DHS continues and is able to put out grant funding. That is unacceptable and also very unwise. The Senate has made clear that it will not accept the current bill and will not pass that bill in its Chamber. It is now time for the Republican leadership in this House to end their political grandstanding and bring up a clean DHS bill immediately.

Mr. LOWENTHAL

Mr. LOWENTHAL. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to insert my statement in the Record that the House should vote for bigger paychecks and better infrastructure instead of attacking women's access to health care.

Mr. LOWENTHAL. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 43, had I been present, I would have voted ``nay.''

Mr. LOWENTHAL

Mr. LOWENTHAL. Article VII: ``The ratification of the conventions of nine States, shall be sufficient for the establishment of this Constitution between the States so ratifying the same.''

Mr. LOWENTHAL

Mr. LOWENTHAL. Madam Speaker, I learned just a few minutes ago that my wonderful Senator from the State of California, Senator Barbara Boxer, will not be seeking reelection in 2016, and although we do have this wonderful Senator for 2 more years, I just wanted to say a few words about my great admiration for Senator Boxer. I have been a great admirer of her since the 1980s when she was in the House. I helped to work when she ran for the United States Senate in 1992. She has been a great leader. She has been a champion voice for the environment. She spoke out about climate change before anyone else spoke out about it. She was one of the first to really speak out for all progressive causes. She has fought for workers. I want her to know that California will miss her. We will count on her leadership for the next 2 years here in Congress, and then after that, I just want to say it will be a great loss. I will miss her greatly.

Mr. LOWENTHAL

Mr. LOWENTHAL. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of my newly-introduced resolution which recognizes today as the 66th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the celebration of Human Rights Day. Sixty-six years ago today, the world spoke for the first time with one voice to proclaim the fundamental rights and freedoms of all people. Today, it is our duty to continue to speak out for human rights for all people. Imprisoned bloggers in Vietnam, LGBT activists in Russia, and murdered students in Mexico all have shown us that there is still a great amount of work left to do. Mr. Speaker, I urge the House to take up my resolution and encourage my colleagues to set aside today to recognize Human Rights Day in honor of all those who are struggling to reclaim their fundamental rights.

Mr. LOWENTHAL

Mr. LOWENTHAL. I thank the gentlewoman from San Jose for yielding to me. Mr. Speaker, I am really humbled to have a chance just to say a few words about George Miller and Henry Waxman. As a new Member, I have had the wonderful experience of spending my first 2 years as both Mr. Waxman and Mr. Miller kind of conclude a great career. A little bit first about George Miller: as we pointed out, he is a progressive, he has fought for the environment, he has protected it, he has been a leader in the Natural Resources Committee, and he has fought to protect public lands such as in the 1994 California Desert Protection Act and created Death Valley National Park and Joshua Tree. He was the chief sponsor of the Central Valley Project Improvement Act of 1992, also to protect the fish and wildlife. I came also to the legislature, to the Congress, after chairing education in California, and George Miller was a champion and a leader here, and we all looked up to him. As was pointed out already, he did great work on helping to draft the No Child Left Behind Act, and he was a great supporter of school modernization and community colleges-- finally, about George, passion, humor, respected by all, and a zest for political combat. On the other hand, let's see what people say about my good friend Henry Waxman. Like myself, Henry's grandparents were Jewish immigrants. We both served in the legislature. The Washington Post said that Henry Waxman is to Congress what Ted Williams was to baseball: a natural. Ralph Nader once said that Henry Waxman is the only argument against term limits. Senator Alan Simpson once said that Henry Waxman is tougher than a boiled owl, and The Los Angeles Times describes Representative Henry Waxman's tenacity as legendary. We all know his work on the environment, I am just going to point that out, is legendary not only in terms of the Clean Air Act amendments, but he is also known for the Safe Drinking Water Act amendments; laws reducing childhood lead exposure; the Formaldehyde Standards for Composite Wood Products Act; reduction of greenhouse gases; and taking on, as we all know, the tobacco industry. In keeping with his role as the defender of the environment, Mr. Waxman has served as the chair of the House Safe Climate Caucus. It was a distinct honor for this new Member to serve with him, Henry Waxman, and a greater honor to be selected as the next chairperson of the Safe Climate Caucus. Mr. Speaker, I only hope that I and every Member of this body can live up to the amazing legacies of public service that George Miller and Henry Waxman have left this Congress.

Mr. LOWENTHAL

Mr. LOWENTHAL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 4924 would approve a water rights settlement agreement in the Bill Williams River Basin and settle a longstanding water rights dispute between the Hualapai Tribe and the Freeport- McMoRan Minerals Company. Under this agreement, the Hualapai Tribe will confirm its water rights claims in the Bill Williams River Basin, receive protections for culturally significant springs, and secure a non-Federal contribution to enable future settlement of its water rights claims in the other river basins. The Freeport Company will also receive greater water certainty at one of its sites. This legislation approves a fair settlement in the Bill Williams River Basin without requiring any new spending authorization. I support adoption of H.R. 4924 and urge my colleagues to support this legislation as well. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LOWENTHAL. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. LOWENTHAL

Mr. LOWENTHAL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 5050 would repeal the Act of May 31, 1918, and give the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes of the Fort Hall Indian Reservation the exclusive right of first refusal to purchase, at fair market value, any land within the Fort Hall town-site which is offered for sale. By repealing the 1918 Act, more land within the reservation's boundaries would be available to the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes and the Secretary would be prevented from possibly selling land within the designated town-site area. This bill would not affect current landowners and provides the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes only with the right of first refusal for any future transactions involving the lands. Mr. Speaker, I support adoption of H.R. 5050 and urge my colleagues to support this legislation. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LOWENTHAL

Mr. LOWENTHAL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, S. 2040 would resolve border changes to the Fort Hall Reservation after the realignment of the Blackfoot River by the Army Corps of Engineers in 1964. This bill settles boundary disputes for the tribes of the Fort Hall Reservation and directs the Secretary of the Interior to transfer the Indian land to the Blackfoot River Flood Control District Number 7 for use or sale and requires that the non- Indian land be held in trust for the tribes. The bill allows the local flood control district to compensate non- Indian landowners at fair market value. The disposition of the remaining lands, after the sale of the lands, is left to the discretion of the Flood Control District Number 7. Mr. Speaker, I support passage of this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.