Betty McCollum

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, Donald Trump's hateful campaign has divided our Nation. After the election, Mr. Trump promised Americans that he would ``bind the wounds of division.'' His appointment of Stephen Bannon as chief White House strategist is proof of the ugly direction Mr. Trump intends to take this country. Bannon built his media career catering to white supremacists and anti- Semites. The fact that Republicans have been silent on Bannon's appointment is a disturbing sign. It shows that the Republican Party has embraced Trump's campaign agenda of blatant sexism, racial bigotry, and religious intolerance. This is an un-American ideology, and it must be confronted, both here in the House and in our communities. For millions of people, including families in my district, Trump's election means they are now living under a shroud of fear. In this House, and at home in Minnesota, I pledge to keep fighting to defend our fellow Americans from Trump's extreme agenda. If we want a strong America where all families have the opportunity to succeed, then we must stand united and reject those who fan the flames of hate.

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge. Established in 1976, this refuge managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service provides vital habitat for migratory water fowl, fish and other species. The Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge is a wonderful example of Minnesota's commitment to conservation and the environment. The Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge offers a world class opportunity to experience Minnesota's natural landscape and view wildlife, starting from the heart of the Twin Cities metropolitan area in Bloomington stretching more than 70 miles along the Minnesota River to Henderson, Minnesota. More than 5,000 acres of the 14,000 acre refuge are protected as Waterfowl Production Areas. During peak migration periods, visitors are witness to exceptional bird watching as hundreds of thousands of waterfowl, songbirds, and raptors are funneled into the valley along their migratory routes. Another significant focus of the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge is land conservation and management of habitats ranging from wetlands, to floodplain forest, to tall grass prairie. These diverse habitats are actively managed using modern conservation techniques such as biological control, prescribed burning and invasive plant removal to benefit the resident plants and animals. Refuge staff also reaches out to private local land owners on conservation and restoration efforts to enhance wildlife habitat within the region. Minnesotans are steadfast stewards of the beautiful and diverse natural environments that make up our great state. The refuge is a shining example of our partnership with the federal government to preserve these beautiful natural resources in the heart of our Metropolitan Region. Mr. Speaker, please join me in paying tribute to the forty years of dedicated work by the federal employees and volunteers of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service whose efforts will continue in order to protect Minnesota wildlife and habitat at the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge.

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and congratulate Ms. ReBecca Koenig Roloff, who was inaugurated as the 11th President of St. Catherine University in Saint Paul, Minnesota on October 11, 2016. Throughout her career, Ms. Roloff has earned the respect of her peers and colleagues by her extraordinary leadership abilities, quickly rising through the ranks of every organization she has been a part of, and leaving legacies of success along the way. The first time that ReBecca Roloff set foot on the campus of St. Catherine University, she was a teenage prospective student. Growing up in Dickinson, North Dakota, she had never met a female doctor, engineer, or lawyer. However, when she arrived at St. Kate's as it is known, she was astounded to see that the entire institution, from the administration to the professors, was led by highly educated professional women. The impact on Ms. Roloff was both immediate, and long lasting. She went on to graduate cum laude from St. Catherine University in 1976 and later earn a Master's of Business Administration with distinction from Harvard Business School in 1982. Beginning her career as a grain merchant for Cargill, Ms. Roloff moved up to senior management positions at Pillsbury and later became senior vice president of Global Financial Advice and Systems at American Express Financial Advisors in Minneapolis. In this role she oversaw the $90 million core business and transformed the sales systems used by over 10,000 advisors. Ms. Roloff's success in business was coupled with a growing desire to serve in a position with a broader mission to impact the community. She was named Chief Executive Officer of the Minneapolis YWCA, a role where she would directly work to empower women and girls and achieve success by breaking down barriers of class and race. Ms. Roloff's sharp business acumen, passion for social justice, and impressive credentials were qualities that put her at the top of a national search by the University of St. Catherine Board of Trustees when they were seeking the candidate to be named the 11th president. As an alumna of St. Kate's, Ms. Roloff deeply understands and embodies the institution's foundational principles of advancing women's education through the Catholic traditions of intellectual inquiry, social justice, and liberal arts. As a fellow alumna myself, I have no doubt that she will bring her deep passion, intelligence and leadership to this position. The faculty, staff, and especially students of St. Catherine University will benefit from her caring guidance and stewardship of the institution that thrust her on to the path that would eventually lead her back home. Mr. Speaker, please join me in congratulating Ms. ReBecca Koenig Roloff, the 11th President of St. Catherine University in Saint Paul, Minnesota.

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Saint Paul, Minnesota's Central High School on its 150th anniversary. Dedicated faculty and staff of Central have been educating and inspiring generations of Minnesota's future leaders since it was founded in 1866 as the first public high school in our state. As the largest public high school in Minnesota, Central is well-known not only for its rich history and traditions, but also for its commitment to academic excellence, diversity and inclusion. Saint Paul Central High School was established in response to student-driven demand for a high school in Minnesota, to allow students to continue their education beyond elementary school. Since then, this commitment to students has remained a core part of Central's mission and identity. The first graduating class of Saint Paul Central High School consisted of two students who each received a hand-printed sheepskin diploma in 1870. As the years went on, the school began to grow, moving to a new space in 1872 and again in 1883. In 1912, it moved to a new location, where it stands today, and adopted the Minuteman as its mascot in recognition of its address on Lexington Avenue. Throughout the years, many students who walked the halls of Central High School would go on to inspire, connect, and change our community and world. It has been the alma mater to the likes of Amelia Earhart, the first women to pilot a trans-Atlantic flight, Charles M. Schulz, the creator of the beloved Peanuts gang, and Jawed Karim, co-creator of YouTube. Today's Central High School students are no less impressive. Recent graduates have gone on to earn Rhodes Scholarships and win Olympic medals. Students come from racially and socioeconomically diverse backgrounds, and are supported by a dedicated community of teachers, parents, and friends. Their hard work, innovative thinking, and close community relationships lead to success, with the vast majority of students going on to attend college. By offering both International Baccalaureate and Advanced Placement courses in addition to a plethora of extracurricular activities, it is little wonder that Central has earned rankings on ``Best High School'' lists and Blue Ribbon awards from the U.S. Department of Education. As a result, it has become widely recognized as a model for quality public education. The story of Central High School is not limited to Saint Paul or to Minnesota. It embodies the spirit of our nation, one rich in historical tradition and a commitment to progress. It is the story of inspiring teachers and passionate students, blazing new trails and breaking down barriers. Mr. Speaker, it is a privilege to rise to honor 150 years of excellence in public education in Minnesota, and to the next 150 years of high quality education at Saint Paul Central High School.

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Junior League of Saint Paul (JLSP) as the organization marks 100 years of dedicated community service to the people of Saint Paul, Minnesota. Since 1917, the Junior League of Saint Paul has been an all-female volunteer organization committed to the work of its founder, Elizabeth Ames Jackson. For the past century, JLSP has forged coalitions and leveraged the talents and passions of volunteers to address our community's greatest challenges. After working on behalf of the Red Cross and supporting the war effort in the 1920's, JLSP found a cause of their own to champion. Realizing that there was a need in the community for women to have a place to recover peacefully from surgery, they created a Convalescent Home for Women and Girls. This allowed women to have a place out of the hospital where they might regain their strength before returning to the stresses of work and family. In 1933, the JLSP was approached by the Children's Hospital to create a needy-bed fund for children whose families could not afford medical care. The JLSP eagerly stepped in and started a city wide push for funds to support the hospital. Their success culminated in the creation of the Children's Hospital Association, which in later years has gone on to fund hospital initiatives and start-up programs. The Children's Hospital Association is still providing for the healthcare needs of children in the Saint Paul area to this day in part because of the work of the JLSP. Understanding that there were other challenges to address in the community, the JLSP shifted their focus to the development of recreational spaces for Saint Paul's youth. They partnered with the Neighborhood House and the Community Chest, which later became the United Way, to start Saint Paul Community Services. With the help of $12,000 of seed money from the JLSP, Saint Paul Community Services, now known as Keystone Community Services, is still in operation today. In the 1980's as Saint Paul welcomed an influx of Hmong refugees, the women of the Saint Paul Junior League saw a way that they may help their new neighbors. The JLSP saw the beauty and opportunity represented in the story cloths made by Hmong women. By helping to market these beautiful cloths for sale in the community, JLSP assisted in empowering their new neighbors to earn money and improve their English. In the 1990's the JLSP pivoted to the issue of domestic violence and started the Minnesota chapter of Silent Witness; an organization that helped to bring awareness and honor the memory of women killed as a result of abuse. In the new century, members of JLSP worked with Women's Advocates in Saint Paul, the nation's first battered women's shelter. They helped to make the shelter more physically comfortable, inviting, and safe for women who were seeking refuge. Over the course of a century, the JLSP has taken on daunting challenges in Saint Paul to create solutions to lift up those disadvantaged and struggling members of our community. Mr. Speaker, please join me in rising to honor the Junior League of Saint Paul on its 100th anniversary--and for the next century of service to the community.

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I rise to uphold President Obama's veto of the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act (S. 2040). All Americans were deeply affected by the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, none more so than the families who lost loved ones on that terrible day. President Obama has been unyielding in his pursuit of those who perpetrated the attacks. Since day one of his Administration, President Obama has made the destruction of Al-Qaeda a top national security priority. He has delivered on this promise, systematically devastating Al-Qaeda's leadership and killing Osama bin Laden. I am profoundly sympathetic to the families of victims who were lost on September 11, 2001 and while I understand the intent behind S. 2040, I remain concerned that this legislation would be damaging to our national security. Not only would it not prevent future terrorist attacks against the United States, it would expose U.S. personnel serving overseas to lawsuits in the civil and criminal courts of foreign countries. For these reasons, I vote to uphold President Obama's veto of S. 2040. The United States government has an array of legal tools that it uses to deal with nations that sponsor terrorism. This includes listing the offending nation as a state sponsor of terrorism, imposing sanctions, and the forfeiture of that nation's right to sovereign immunity in U.S. courts. However, these measures are intended as an extreme consequence for nations that act outside of international norms. S. 2040 would allow terrorism related lawsuits in U.S. courts against any nation, not only those designated as a sponsor of terrorism by our government, which is alleged to have contributed to an act of terrorism in the United States. This would begin an erosion of the principle of sovereign immunity for every nation, including U.S. allies, and expose their government and personnel to lawsuits in U.S. courts. The reciprocal effect that this erosion of sovereign immunity could have on U.S. personnel overseas, including our men and women in uniform, is deeply concerning. Were S. 2040 to become law, it would set an international precedent for other nations to follow. U.S. personnel serving in foreign countries could be subjected to civil and criminal lawsuits in foreign courts, putting them at risk and potentially exposing sensitive national security information in the process. These are the people we depend upon in our fight against terrorist organizations like ISIL, and we must ensure that proper legal safeguards are in place to protect them. As a Member of Congress, it is my duty to ensure that our service members and diplomatic personnel overseas are afforded the proper legal protections that allow them to do their jobs and protect this nation. S. 2040 unfortunately fails to ensure these protections and subsequently I will vote to sustain President Obama's veto. I am attaching an editorial from the New York Times on this issue. [Sept. 28, 2016] The Risks of Suing the Saudis for 9/11 The Senate and the House are expected to vote this week on whether to override President Obama's veto of a bill that would allow families of the victims of the Sept. 11 attacks to sue Saudi Arabia for any role it had in the terrorist operations. The lawmakers should let the veto stand. The legislation, called the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act, would expand an exception to sovereign immunity, the legal principle that protects foreign countries and their diplomats from lawsuits in the American legal system. While the aim--to give the families their day in court--is compassionate, the bill complicates the United States' relationship with Saudi Arabia and could expose the American government, citizens and corporations to lawsuits abroad. Moreover, legal experts like Stephen Vladeck of the University of Texas School of Law and Jack Goldsmith of Harvard Law School doubt that the legislation would actually achieve its goal. Co-sponsored by Senator Chuck Schumer, Democrat of New York, and Senator John Cornyn, Republican of Texas, the measure is intended to overcome a series of court rulings that have blocked all lawsuits filed by the 9/11 families against the Saudi government. The Senate passed the bill unanimously in May, and the House gave its approval this month. The legislation would, among other things, amend a 1976 law that grants other countries broad immunity from American lawsuits--unless the country is on the State Department's list of state sponsors of terrorism (Iran, Sudan and Syria) or is alleged to have committed a terrorist attack that killed Americans on United States soil. The new bill would clarify that foreign governments can be held liable for aiding terrorist groups, even if that conduct occurred overseas. Advocates say the measure is narrowly drawn, but administration officials argue that it would apply much more broadly and result in retaliatory actions by other nations. The European Union has warned that if the bill becomes law, other countries could adopt similar legislation defining their own exemptions to sovereign immunity. Because no country is more engaged in the world than the United States--with military bases, drone operations, intelligence missions and training programs--the Obama administration fears that Americans could be subject to legal actions abroad. The legislation is motivated by a belief among the 9/11 families that Saudi Arabia played a role in the attacks, because 15 of the 19 hijackers, who were members of Al Qaeda, were Saudis. But the independent American commission that investigated the attacks found no evidence that the Saudi government or senior Saudi officials financed the terrorists. Proponents of the legislation cite two assassination cases in which legal claims were allowed against Chile and Taiwan. Administration officials, however, say that those cases alleged the direct involvement of foreign government agents operating in the United States. The current debate is complicated by the fact that Saudi Arabia is a difficult ally, at odds with the United States over the Iran nuclear deal, a Saudi-led war in Yemen and the war in Syria. It is home of the fundamentalist strand of Islam known as Wahhabism, which has inspired many of the extremists the United States is trying to defeat. But it is also a partner in combating terrorism. The legislation could damage this fraught relationship. Riyadh has already threatened to withdraw billions of dollars in American-based assets to protect them from court action. The desire to assist the Sept. 11 families is understandable, and the bill is expected to become law. The question is, at what cost?

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, yesterday I was still at a Democratic Steering and Policy Meeting and missed a vote on H. Res. 847. Had I been present, I would have voted in support of H. Res. 847, Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives about a national strategy for the Internet of Things to promote economic growth and consumer empowerment.

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize Burnham John ``Bud'' Philbrook as he celebrates his 70th birthday. As Bud commemorates this milestone with his wife Michele and their family, I would like to call to attention some of the remarkable work that Bud has done in his 70 years. As newlyweds, Bud and Michele embarked on a honeymoon they would later describe as a ``blending of Disney World and the real world''. From Florida, Bud and Michele traveled to Guatemala to volunteer in the rural village of Conacaste. This experience stayed with Bud and Michele and changed the course of their lives, This tireless couple went on to found Saint Paul-based Global Volunteers. This non-profit sends as many as 2,500 volunteers each year to 100 communities in 20 countries around the world. Bud and Michele understood that for programs like theirs to work, change had to come from within the developing communities. By building local partnerships, Global Volunteers has made strides in agriculture, education, and public health care, impacting thousands of lives. Before Bud co-founded Global Volunteers, he was already acting as a community leader in Minnesota. Bud worked on the campaigns of Senators Eugene McCarthy and George McGovern. After law school, Bud represented the people of Minnesota in the State Legislature, where he served on the education, agriculture, and financial institutions committees. Later, he became the Assistant Commissioner for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. In 2009, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack appointed Bud as the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Deputy Under Secretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services (FFAS). In this role, Bud coordinated the international elements of the FFAS mission. Keeping with his past international development work, at the USDA Bud was also able to provide food aid as well as technical assistance to foreign countries in times of need. In his 70 years, Bud has come to exemplify the term ``global citizen''. From his leadership at home in Minnesota to the countless lives Bud and Michele have improved around the world, Bud represents the positive change a person can make in the world. Here is to a happy birthday for Bud, and for many more years of family, health, and happiness.

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, on October 22, 1989 a heinous, evil crime was committed against a young boy. For nearly twenty-seven years that unsolved crime devastated a family, terrorized a community, and has haunted the people of Minnesota. The young boy was eleven-year-old Jacob Wetterling of St. Joseph, MN and this week we finally learned the truth. Jacob was abducted and murdered by a sexual predator who is presently facing federal child pornography charges. For twenty-seven years the disappearance and uncertainty of Jacob's whereabouts unleashed a mix of emotions--grief, anger, sadness, but always there was hope. Jacob's mother and father--Patty and Jerry Wetterling--never gave up hope. They inspired hope and compassion from the unimaginable pain of losing their son. Patty's advocacy on behalf of missing and exploited children has made her a national expert and a leading national voice for laws and policies that keep children safe. Not only has she dedicated her life to bringing Jacob home, but she has made protecting families and children her mission. Patty is a woman with incredible courage, strength, and determination whom I admire and respect. In 1989, Jacob's disappearance transfixed Minnesota. My own household was no different. My son was Jacob's age and my daughter a few years younger. We all wanted to see Jacob come home. I feared for my children's safety. Parents were afraid and so were children all across Minnesota. It is with much sadness and grief that we now know that Jacob was murdered soon after he was abducted. His remains have been found. The truth has been revealed. And, the Wetterling family can bring their son home and mourn for him with all the love, dignity and respect that Jacob deserves. May Jacob now rest in peace and may the prayers of all Minnesotans give the Wetterling family comfort during this difficult and sad time. And, this October 22nd, as I have every year since his disappearance, I leave a light on to remember Jacob and all the children who are still missing.

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to demand the House take action on the Zika crisis. The Zika virus is being transmitted by mosquitoes right inside the United States now. Parts of Miami are under Zika-related travel warnings. The total number of American cases has climbed to almost 17,000, including 1,600 expecting mothers. Six months ago, the public health experts told us what they needed to address Zika. House Republicans have ignored those experts' pleas. Now the Centers for Disease Control and State public health agencies are running out of money for Zika response. The CDC Director tells us that the money to fight this disease will be gone by the end of September. The NIH Director has warned that congressional inaction is cannibalizing resources for other public health needs. Families in States like Florida, Louisiana, and Texas are in danger. They cannot wait any longer for this Congress to act. The House must give our public health experts the resources that they need to help keep the American people safe.

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the FAA Extension, Safety, and Security Act of 2016 (H. Res. 818). I remain frustrated by Congress' inability to pass a long-term extension of FAA authority and I am concerned with some of the language included within this reauthorization. However, these reservations do not justify opposition to the bill and I therefore support its passage. Without this extension, current FAA authority would expire on July 15, causing major side effects that would cripple our economy. I commend Chairman Shuster and Ranking Member DeFazio as well as the entire Transportation and Infrastructure Committee for putting aside differences and negotiating this FAA extension. This legislation addresses some of the many issues that face our airline industry. Specifically, I am pleased by the inclusion of language that streamlines the hiring process of air-traffic controllers. Representatives from the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) have been urging Congress to help solve the 27-year low in the air-traffic controller workforce and I am confident that this provision will help address this massive backlog. The reauthorization also directs the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to expand the PreCheck program as well as optimize the staffing allocation model-- both vital steps in helping reduce wait times while also enhancing security precautions. Furthermore, the extension requires training for flight attendants to help recognize and respond to potential victims of human trafficking, an issue that affects millions of people across the world and cannot be ignored. Although the extension helps address many important issues facing air travel, I am concerned with some of the language included in the reauthorization. Of particular concern is language in Section 3405 which directs the TSA to change regulations pertaining to vetting standards for aviation workers with access to secure and sterile areas of airports. In the wake of the terrorist attacks in Brussels and Istanbul, I understand the concerns that Members may have with tightening security in and around airports; however, this screening expansion will unfairly affect airline workers and Homeland Security experts have yet to provide credible evidence that this will actually help mitigate terrorist activity. The provision not only extends the background check period from ten years to fifteen years, but it also expands the list of ``disqualifying offenses'' for Security Identification Display Area (SIDA) badge holders, potentially causing many longtime, responsible airline workers to lose their job. Although I support the passage of this reauthorization, I must voice my disappointment in the Leadership's inability to advance a long-term solution that the various stakeholders within air travel can depend on. Mr. Speaker, we must take the time between now and September, 2017 when this reauthorization expires to put aside partisan differences and produce a long-term extension that our airline industry so desperately needs. I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, this do-nothing Congress is adjourning for 7 weeks without acting on our urgent public health needs: gun violence, Zika, and the Flint water crisis. Republicans have bent to the will of the gun lobby and refused to consider bipartisan legislation to prevent gun violence. Republicans have refused to sufficiently fund our response to the Zika virus and, instead, used this crisis as a way to advance their anti-choice agenda. And Republicans have failed to address the long-term damage done to the children of Flint by lead-poisoned water. We should be working to fix our water infrastructure in Flint and across America so this tragedy never happens again. And, again this week, Republicans blocked an amendment on the Interior-Environment bill to help the families of Flint. Now Republicans are heading to a 7-week recess without doing their jobs, standing up for the health and safety of the American people.

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Chair, this amendment would block the EPA from finalizing or implementing a proposed rule that establishes accidental release prevention requirements. Earlier this year, the EPA issued a proposed rule to amend its risk management program regulations response to a 2013 executive order on improving chemical safety. The proposed rule seeks to improve chemical process safety, assist local emergency authorities in planning and responding to accidents, and improve public awareness to chemical hazards at regulated sources. This is an important regulation and its need was underscored in the tragedy like the one that occurred in 2013 in west Texas, where a massive explosion in a fertilizer plant killed 15 people and injured more than 160. This amendment would needlessly and recklessly block efforts to further improve chemical safety and security in coordination with owners and operators, and I strongly oppose that. Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Chair, as has been pointed out, this would block the EPA from regulating air pollution under section 115 of the Clean Air Act. Section 115 deals with international pollution and allows the United States to work with other countries in transboundary pollution issues. As we know, pollution doesn't stop at a border. It moves. And it is moving around the planet. This amendment is a transparent attempt to clearly stop the Paris climate change agreement reached in December 2015. The Paris climate agreement is a milestone in the global effort to combat climate change, something which my constituents feel is very clear, very present, and is a huge problem of which the United States should show leadership in. More than 190 nations have made commitments to limit their climate- damaging pollution, including all the largest developed and developing countries. Future U.S. administrations could use section 115 to help ensure that the United States does its part and to provide that other countries do their part too. The Perry amendment would prohibit the EPA and the White House from even developing a well-considered recommendation or whether or not to use this authority. Congress should not take a tool out of the toolbox for a future administration's climate change mitigation toolbox. This is a matter of global leadership. The United States needs to meet its Paris climate commitment and, subsequently, any commitment to act in the future. Congressman Perry's amendment and similar efforts to thwart the progress on climate change could--I would say ``would''--undermine our ability to achieve needed pollution reductions and hit our Paris targets. This amendment is the latest in a long line of Republican attacks on the Clean Air Act and the EPA's authority to respond to the urgent threat of climate change. A vote for this amendment is another vote, in my opinion, for those who deny climate change is real and to block action to curb the carbon pollution that is driving dangerous climate change. Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Chair, I had the opportunity recently to be in China, and because of our administration and as the Chinese people and government saw, our bold leadership in standing up and saying that the United States was going to play its role in reducing the harmful effects of climate change, China came to the table for the first time ever and said: You know, we are going to do something about it too. Now, the gentleman keeps saying that the Senate never voted on it. This has never happened. Well, the Clean Air Act is a law and climate change is real. This is not 1972, 1973, when I graduated from high school back many years ago. The planet, the climate, the oceans, the ice shelves are all changing. The legacy that we leave for our children and for future generations will be: What does the United States, what does our country do? How do we stand up and show leadership? So this amendment clearly is an attempt to stop the Paris climate change agreement reached in 2015, something that I say with great pride my constituents in the State of Minnesota think is a good idea and something that we need to move forward on. Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Chair, I claim the time in opposition.

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Chairman, I was trying to figure out exactly what this amendment does. So, under the Clean Air Act, the EPA is required to evaluate potential loss or shifts of employment as a result of air pollution regulation. No one is disputing that requirement. So this would tell the EPA that they are not allowed to spend any funds in the course of not doing any analysis. It is just illogical to prohibit the agency from spending money not to do something, but it is also pointless. The employment impact analyses are already required under the Clean Air Act. The agency regularly undertakes them as part of rulemaking. Mr. Chairman, why I look baffled is this amendment is impractical, and it is unnecessary. So it appears to me it is just another attempt to come to the floor and undermine the EPA's efforts to make sure that they are able to do their job. I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. McCOLLUM. I am from a water State. I am from Minnesota. And I know that sometimes boating becomes an issue where it hasn't been an issue before because of popularity and the number of people coming to an area. So sometimes our State DNR or sometimes, in our State, it is actually municipalities that oversee some of the waterways, or we have a park board that oversees it. Sometimes we have to go back and we have to reexamine what is going on because of the way that something has just caught on with people coming. And the more people that are in an area in water, whether it is swimming, boating, sailing, fishing, sometimes it becomes that, all of a sudden, this resource where there was plenty of room and opportunity for everybody to do what they wanted to do, now we finding people are on top of each other. And then you add the fact that this is a body of water--and I have pictures up here--where you also have wildlife habitat. So I hear clearly what you are saying, that it doesn't appear that the people in the area who have recreated in this wildlife refuge felt they were given much advanced notice or much input on in this. Here is the concern that I have about us taking a vote here on this. I think you raise legitimate concerns. I think we need to make sure that it is addressed. But I don't want to start having every refuge start being managed by Members of Congress. I think you show that you have a lot of people in support of what you are doing. It is bipartisan in nature. The way that it appears that the Fish and Wildlife Service handled it wasn't in an open process where people either understood what they were doing or could comment on what they are doing. But when we come to the floor here and legislate this, I think it sets kind of a bad precedent. So the question I have to the gentleman: Do you really feel you need to pass an amendment to legislate this? I am willing to work with you on this. Is there a way that we can get the achieved goal and objective that you are seeking and making sure visitors' safety and recreational use is preserved but preserved in a way that is safe and enjoyable for everyone? A part of this is that there is multiple use with more people coming in a confined area. I understand your frustration. That is why you are here on the floor. But I am wondering if there is a better way you can accomplish the goal. I yield to the gentleman.

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Chairman, I claim the time in opposition to this amendment.

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Chairman, once again, I would just like to point out that the Mexican wolf is the most endangered subspecies of all wolves in the world. The population is now estimated at approximately 97 wolves in the wild. So I believe we should be supporting the Fish and Wildlife Service in its efforts to manage this imperiled species, not blocking the agency from doing its job. I urge my colleagues to oppose this amendment. I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Chairman, this would prohibit the Fish and Wildlife Service from implementing or enforcing the Endangered Species listing of the New Mexico meadow jumping mouse under the Endangered Species Act, and it would restrict the Service from offering any critical protections to preserve the species. I heard clearly what my good friend said, and having a grandfather who is a rancher in Montana, I hear what she is saying. However, once a species is listed under the Endangered Species Act, the role of Fish and Wildlife Service is primarily permissive--it is permissive--in helping parties to comply with the act as they carry out their activities. The majority of the habitat for the New Mexico meadow jumping mouse is on Federal land, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with the Forest Service to develop a conservation measure that will protect the mouse while, clearly, allowing livestock raising on Forest Service lands and ensuring adequate water for the cattle, which they should do. Since the Endangered Species listing, members of the livestock community have voiced concerns about the impacts to people who recreate and make their livelihoods on Forest Service lands which result from addressing the needs of the meadow jumping mouse. The Fish and Wildlife Service listened clearly to these concerns, and they have established three working groups to address these concerns. They have come up with creative solutions, like establishing the cattle lanes, which I am sure the gentlewoman was referring to, to make sure the cattle can maintain access to the water while protecting the vegetation that is necessary for the survival of the meadow jumping mouse. Under this amendment, the Service would not be able to continue to recover the species, though all of the Endangered Species Act prohibitions would still apply. The Service would not be able to work collaboratively with these stakeholders to provide ESA compliance. The Service has a statutory requirement to implement the Endangered Species Act. Defunding the agency's ability to fulfill this legal requirement makes everyone more vulnerable to losses, which is an unnecessary cause for the American taxpayer. Additionally, this amendment limits the Service from undertaking required status reviews of the subspecies or from initiating any rulemaking to down list or to delist a species as is appropriate. I believe that the Fish and Wildlife Service, with the working groups, can come up with a creative solution. We should also allow Fish and Wildlife to be able to down list or to delist the species. If what the gentlewoman is reporting is true, her amendment would not give them the ability to do that. I oppose this amendment, and I urge my colleagues to oppose it as well. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Chairman, I claim time in opposition to the amendment.

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Chairman, last year I rose in opposition to this amendment because it failed to account for the Department's need to utilize unmanned systems in times of emergency. Let me give you a couple of examples. We had a conversation. I was hoping that when I saw the amendment this year, you might have made some accommodations for this. Use of remote sensing via unmanned aircraft makes sense. It allows for rapid collection of data and allows for the Department to get a closer look at natural disasters. The Department and the USGS are using unmanned aircraft to monitor the spread of wildfires, as the chairman pointed out, monitor river bank erosion, detect and locate coal seam fires, conduct waterfowl surveys, and inspect abandoned mines. I think the chairman said it best, we need to have the authorizing committee look at this because, I think the gentleman would agree, there are times when good things can be done; but this amendment, unfortunately, doesn't allow that to happen. I thank Chairman Calvert for yielding me the time.

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.