Darin LaHood

Mr. LaHOOD

Mr. LaHOOD. Mr. Chair, tax reform is about getting our economy back to working for the middle class, and for our small businesses, growing it from the inside out. This budget is the necessary first step in that process, and I am proud to support it. It will help bring relief to those who need it most.

Mr. LaHOOD

Mr. LaHOOD. Mr. Speaker, at 20 weeks into a pregnancy, babies can hear music, respond to human voices, and, most importantly, they can feel pain. These are our children at their most vulnerable, yet current law continues to allow for abortions to take place even after this point in a pregnancy. That is why I have been a strong supporter of Micah's Law, which is legislation that would prohibit abortion after 20 weeks. This bill is not a partisan issue but, instead, a moral issue. By passing this law, every year we would be saving over 12,000 babies who can feel pain and hear our voices. It should be noted that this proposal has seen bipartisan support across the country. In fact, 60 percent of Americans support prohibiting abortions after 20 weeks, including 63 percent of those who consider themselves pro-choice. This legislation is about nothing less than protecting those who cannot protect themselves. We remain one of only seven countries in the entire world that continues to allow abortions after 20 weeks. We must act to change this. I urge my colleagues to join me today in supporting the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act, or Micah's Law.

Mr. LaHOOD

Mr. LaHOOD. Mr. Speaker, today, I would like to recognize Pawnee United Methodist Church as they celebrate their 165th anniversary serving Pawnee, Illinois through ministry and service. In 1852, Pastor Rev. A. Bradshaw established the first Methodist class in Pawnee, IL, where they met in a home of a member of the congregation. Five years later, the first Methodist church was built in what is now the heart of downtown Pawnee. By 1966, an additional space was needed to accommodate the growing congregation, thus a new sanctuary was built. Pawnee United Methodist Church continues to serve the area with God's enduring blessings and faithful watch. The congregation's commitment to faith, service, and community embodies the virtues of true servants of God. I extend my sincere congratulations and gratitude to Pawnee United Methodist Church for all they have done and continue to do. May they continue to make disciples of Jesus Christ in the world.

Mr. LaHOOD

Mr. LaHOOD. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Chairman Thompson and the ranking member for helping to bring this bill, in a bipartisan way, to the floor. I appreciate your support on H.R. 2937. This legislation will help address the complex legal and funding- related challenges for abandoned mine lands across the Nation. The Community Reclamation Partnerships Act amends the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 to enable States to partner with nongovernmental entities to reclaim abandoned mine sites and facilitate acid mine drainage cleanup across the country. Nongovernmental entities, like Trout Unlimited, have recognized the need for reclamation in coal communities and are willing to contribute their resources and expertise to address the problem. Unfortunately, liability and regulatory concerns have discouraged them from participating and partnering with the States on reclamation projects. This legislation enables nongovernmental entities' participation in State reclamation programs by minimizing undeserved liability and codifying proven practices established by the State reclamation agencies. This legislation also addresses a frequent problem that States experience in addressing water pollution at abandoned mine land sites. States must choose between risking noncompliance under the Clean Water Act or foregoing acid mine drainage abatement projects altogether. Some States, like Pennsylvania, have successfully addressed this problem by establishing their own guidelines for the treatment of water pollution at abandoned mine land sites. These State-specific strategies have resulted in successful water treatment projects and a significant reduction in acid mine drainage in several States. We want to replicate that across the country with this legislation. Currently, State reclamation activities have been funded solely by fees levied on the coal industry over the past four decades. These fees have resulted in reclamation of approximately $4 billion of abandoned mine land liabilities. However, according to the Department of the Interior, the estimated remediation costs exceeds $10 billion across the country. The outstanding abandoned mine land liabilities in Illinois, my home State, is $156 million; and in my district, the 18th Congressional District, it is $17 million. The cost of reclaiming these sites will continue to strain State resources in the coming decades, and the conditions of these sites will only worsen over time. In short, this bill empowers State and local community leaders who want to assist in abandoned mine cleanup efforts so that future development can occur in these areas. No group should be punished for wanting to help out their local community in a responsible way. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 2937 brings more resources to bear on this considerable challenge, and I urge adoption of this bipartisan measure.

Mr. LaHOOD

Mr. LaHOOD. Mr. Speaker, over the past three decades, our Federal Tax Code has ballooned to 74,000 pages filled with loopholes for special interests. Moreover, the Federal tax system has become too complicated for hardworking taxpayers to navigate alone. Since joining Congress, I have traveled all across my district meeting with people and businesses who have all made it clear that our current tax system needs change. Small businesses like Vaughan & Bushnell Manufacturing in Bushnell, Illinois, want a simpler Tax Code that lowers rates and closes loopholes so they can invest in innovation, higher wages, and more jobs. Middle class families across Illinois have told me how a simpler Tax Code would mean more money in their pockets to save and spend. Earlier this year, it was estimated that our House blueprint for tax reform would save the median Illinois family over $5,000 in taxes every year. We can all agree that our system needs work, and this week we will take the necessary first steps towards fixing it. Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to join in this effort to make our system work for everyday Americans, not special interests.

Mr. LaHOOD

Mr. LaHOOD. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize the White Oaks Mall on celebrating their 40th Anniversary. For forty years, White Oaks Mall has provided Springfield area shoppers with a wide range of options. In 1977, when White Oaks Mall first opened their doors, it was the largest retail shopping space outside of Chicago, covering nearly one million square feet. Currently, the mall features a wide variety of stores for consumers to choose ranging from fashion, sporting goods, electronics, home decor, dining and more. The mall also features entertainment for parents and children as they can enjoy a round of glow-in-the-dark miniature golf. The White Oaks Mall has been and continues to be an institution for the greater Springfield area. Congratulations on a prosperous forty years, and I wish them many more years of success.

Mr. LaHOOD

Mr. LaHOOD. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize Peoria Heights Fire Department of Peoria, Illinois, for celebrating their 100th Anniversary. In 1917, Peoria Heights Fire Department was chartered to provide protection for the village and its inhabitants. Since then, the department has grown immensely; it now provides fire suppression, fire prevention, technical rescue response, and emergency medical services. Over the past 100 years, these men and women have shown their dedication and service to the greater Peoria area by working countless hours to keep our neighbors, friends, and families safe. Peoria Heights Fire Department protects a total of 6,800 inhabitants and is known throughout Central Illinois for their hard work, dedication, and sacrifice. Today, we thank and celebrate them for their dedication to serving the greater Peoria area. I extend my sincere congratulations to Peoria Heights Fire Department for a successful 100 years, and I wish them another 100 years of success and good fortune.

Mr. LaHOOD

Mr. LaHOOD. Mr. Speaker, I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted: YEA on Rollcall No. 349.

Mr. LaHOOD

Mr. LaHOOD. Mr. Speaker, in 2015, President Obama's EPA implemented the waters of the U.S., or the WOTUS rule, which arbitrarily and unilaterally expanded which kinds of waterways could be regulated under the Clean Water Act. This rule turned every irrigation ditch, pond, and puddle on a farm into a new target for Washington regulators. In addition, this rule circumvented the Congress and the investigative process. As a Representative for one of the largest agricultural districts in the country, I have heard time and again from farmers about the costs of these renewed regulations, not to mention the headaches caused by trying to comply. By the EPA's own estimates, the rule would cost farmers and small businesses up to $460 million a year. It is not only bad policy, but also a bad idea to arbitrarily make it more difficult for farmers to do their jobs and provide our food and fuel for our economy. That is why I was relieved to see that President Trump rescinded this rule last month. By rescinding this rule, the President sent a strong message that Washington must put farmers ahead of bureaucrats.

Mr. LaHOOD

Mr. LaHOOD. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1541) to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to acquire certain property related to the Fort Scott National Historic Site in Fort Scott, Kansas, and for other purposes.

Mr. LaHOOD

Mr. LaHOOD. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.

Mr. LaHOOD

Mr. LaHOOD. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1913) to establish the Clear Creek National Recreation Area in San Benito and Fresno Counties, California, to designate the Joaquin Rocks Wilderness in such counties, and for other purposes.

Mr. LaHOOD. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.

Mr. LaHOOD

Mr. LaHOOD. Mr. Speaker, I would like to honor Paul Larkin as he celebrates his 90th birthday on July 4, 1927. A native of Bloomington, Illinois, Paul enlisted in the Illinois National Guard following his graduation from Normal Community High School. He was then transferred to the U.S. Army, where he served as a Staff Sergeant in the U.S. Army Signal Corp. during the Korean War. Staff Sergeant Larkin, a bronze star recipient, separated from the service after the signing of the armistice in 1953. Upon his return home, Paul raised his four children alongside his wife, Helen, and managed the family's 160 acre farm. Following his decorated military career, Paul continues to serve others by volunteering in the Normal, Illinois community. As a man of faith, he served on the Epiphany Catholic Church's first school board. He also is an active member of The Knights of Columbus. At age 90, Paul still resides on the family farm and enjoys spending time with his twelve grandchildren and twenty-two grandchildren. Paul Larkin has dutifully served his nation and continues to proudly serve his family and community. I thank Paul for his service, and I hope he has a happy birthday.

Mr. LaHOOD

Mr. LaHOOD. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 954) to remove the use restrictions on certain land transferred to Rockingham County, Virginia, and for other purposes.

Mr. LaHOOD. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.

Mr. LaHOOD. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 954, offered by our colleague, the chairman of the Judiciary Committee, Congressman Bob Goodlatte of Virginia, would remove certain deed restrictions on an approximately 1-acre portion of a property previously transferred in Rockingham County, Virginia, under the terms of the National Park Service's Federal Lands to Parks Program. The transferred land included a garage that had previously been used by the National Park Service. Following the transfer, Rockingham County decided that the nonprofit Plains Area Daycare Center, which provides affordable childcare for nearly 100 children, would benefit from use of the garage. In 1990, Congress passed a law allowing for a portion of the previously transferred land to be used for the childcare center. Although a portion of the transferred property is authorized for use as a daycare center, the center encounters hurdles in securing financing for improvements and repairs due to the terms of the original deed and the subsequent legislation. H.R. 954 would remove certain deed restrictions from an approximately 1-acre portion of the property, while the other 2 acres would continue to be subject to the existing deed restrictions and revisionary clause. Removal of these deed restrictions will ensure that improvements and repairs can take place without further delay in the future. Mr. Speaker, I urge adoption of the measure, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LaHOOD. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Goodlatte), the chairman of the Judiciary Committee.

Mr. LaHOOD. Mr. Speaker, I urge adoption of the legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. LaHOOD

Mr. LaHOOD. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1397) to authorize, direct, facilitate, and expedite the transfer of administrative jurisdiction of certain Federal land, and for other purposes.

Mr. LaHOOD. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.

Mr. LaHOOD. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1397, offered by the gentlewoman from Virginia (Mrs. Comstock), would authorize a small land exchange between the Department of the Interior and the Department of Transportation. Specifically, the bill transfers administrative jurisdiction over approximately a third of an acre of Federal land within the boundary of the George Washington Memorial Parkway of the National Park Service to the Department of Transportation, and transfers from the Department of Transportation approximately a half an acre of Federal land within the boundary of the Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center of the Federal Highway Administration. The transfer centers on Colonial Farm Road, which provides public access to Claude Moore Colonial Farm and also serves as an entrance road to the Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center and as a secondary entrance to the Central Intelligence Agency. The configuration of the property lines between the farm and the research center requires farm staff to travel across research center property to access their facilities. The three Federal agencies have discussed concerns over crossing property lines, the need to have uninterrupted access to the properties, and the need to improve security near perimeter fencing of the research center. The agencies have identified properties suitable for exchange on their boundaries which will provide public access to the farm while providing the means to improve security outside the fencing of the research center and the Central Intelligence Agency. Though the immediate security concerns have previously been addressed through a temporary agreement, legislation is needed to codify the land exchange. I include in the Record an exchange of letters to Chairman Bill Shuster of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and the responses. We thank them for agreeing to help expedite consideration of this bill today. Mr. Speaker, I urge adoption of the measure, and I reserve the balance of my time. House of Representatives, Committee on Natural Resources, Washington, DC, July 5, 2017. Hon. Bill Shuster, Chairman, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Washington, DC. Dear Mr. Chairman: On June 27, 2017, the Committee on Natural Resources ordered favorably reported without amendment H.R. 1397, to authorize, direct, facilitate, and expedite the transfer of administrative jurisdiction of certain Federal land. The bill was referred primarily to the Committee on Natural Resources, with an additional referral to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. I ask that you allow the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure to be discharged from further consideration of the bill so that it may be scheduled by the Majority Leader. This discharge in no way affects your jurisdiction over the subject matter of the bill, and it will not serve as precedent for future referrals. In addition, should a conference on the bill be necessary, I would support your request to have the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure represented on the conference committee. Finally, I would be pleased to include this letter and any response in the bill report filed by the Committee on Natural Resources to memorialize our understanding, as well as in the Congressional Record. Thank you for your consideration of my request and for the extraordinary cooperation shown by you and your staff over matters of shared jurisdiction. I look forward to further opportunities to work with you this Congress. Sincerely, Rob Bishop, Chairman.

Mr. LaHOOD. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from Virginia (Mrs. Comstock).

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

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