Kevin McCarthy

Mr. McCARTHY of California

Mr. McCARTHY of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the Kern County Farm Bureau's 100th anniversary, and to commend this organization which has done so much for Kern's hardworking farming families. The foundation of Kern County's rich history rests with our agricultural heritage. When the first Californians settled in Kern, they brought their seeds with them, planting carrots, cotton, potatoes, citrus groves and vineyards, which they passed down through the generations. The most recent fruits of their labor--the 2013 harvest-- tallied more than six billion dollars. Whenever our farmers sow, our whole valley and nation prospers. A hundred years ago, the creation of Kern County Farm Bureau forged a coalition of 200 farms and 200 families, uniting to lend a neighborly hand through drought, earthquake and fire. These were the farmers who founded Kern's first reservoir system with water brought down from the mountains, who built 800 square miles of canals to make the valley bloom. By their labor, Bakersfield, Kern County and our region flourished; our population boomed. By a succession of horticultural breakthroughs--irrigation drip lines, and precision sprinklers to name a few--Kern County's farmers have learned to do more with less water, leading our state and nation with some of the most innovative and effective conservation practices. In the last fifty years, Kern's farmers have doubled our valley's crop yield without adding a single drop of water to their allotment. Our farmers have humbly overseen nothing short of a production revolution and yet Americans have become so accustomed to the stability of our food supply--itself a testament to the quality of our agriculture--that scarcely anyone notices the triumphs managed on their behalf. Today, the Kern County Farm Bureau serves 1,400 farmers, large and small, educating and inspiring the community, closely monitoring the agricultural legislation and regulation proliferating from Sacramento and Washington, and effectively advocating on behalf of its members across all levels of government. Kern County farms run the gamut, from the very small to the very large, and Kern County Farm Bureau works with all of them to educate policymakers on agricultural practices and traditions, and, most importantly, make Kern agriculture's voice heard. Challenges and opportunities for Kern County agriculture still lay ahead. We cannot ask the sky for rain or the winter not to frost, but we can choose the friends we depend upon when crisis comes. The Kern County Farm Bureau has been a friend and a partner in our community over the past 100 years, and on behalf of our communities and neighbors, I congratulate the Farm Bureau's century of richness and relationships, and wish them another 100 years of success in the future.

Mr. McCARTHY of California

Mr. McCARTHY of California. Mr. Speaker, yesterday our friend and colleague from Nevada, Congressman Joe Heck, was promoted to the rank of brigadier general in the U.S. Army Reserve. As you all know, while the gentleman from Nevada has been serving in Congress, he has also been working as a physician and member of the U.S. Army Reserve. Since 1991, he has been called to duty three times, most recently in Iraq in 2008. His accomplishments and service to our country in a variety of fields are truly remarkable. On behalf of this House, I would like to offer Doctor, Congressman, General Heck our warmest and most sincere congratulations.

Mr. McCARTHY of California

Mr. McCARTHY of California. Madam Speaker, we face an enemy who poses a grave and growing threat to the United States and our allies, a threat that has been ignored for too long and must no longer be tolerated. I know that many of us in this Chamber from both sides of the aisle believe that the President's strategy should do more to eradicate those extremists from the Earth, but despite those reservations--reservations that I share--we must support this amendment and take this first step towards a comprehensive strategy to combat these brutal terrorists. Voting against this request would send a terrible message that America is unwilling to stand with those who are already fighting a common enemy and confirm the views of many in the region that America is but a paper tiger. I am not convinced this train-and-equip effort will change the balance of power on the ground anytime soon, and I believe this approach comes with great risks. I am also concerned that airstrikes alone will be insufficient to meet the international threat posed by these terrorists. Congress must maintain a central role. We must conduct oversight to ensure this program is managed effectively. Under the leadership of Chairman McKeon, we have taken the President's original request and have added substantial oversight provisions to ensure this program is properly and carefully managed. Congress must also push the President to craft a comprehensive strategy that recognizes the inescapable reality that ISIL is but a symptom of a broader terrorist threat. Preventing the next 9/11 requires us to confront the reality that al Qaeda, ISIL, and similar radical terrorist groups are spreading, operating out of sanctuaries across the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia. These groups pose a grave and growing threat to the United States. Our strategy cannot ignore these growing dangers. A President who has made ending the war on terrorism the central focus of his foreign policy must now change. He must now make winning the war a priority. The Congress will need to push the President and his administration to do this right; to confront America's enemies; and to restore America's alliances, strength, and credibility. This institution will be in no position to do that if we block his simple request today. Congress must now vote to support the first steps of what will be a long march toward that victory.

Mr. McCARTHY of California

Mr. McCARTHY of California. I thank the gentleman for yielding. We have had many discussions. As the gentleman knows, in the last reauthorization, it was a shorter time period, with many reforms in there. Many feel that those reforms have been ignored. Many feel that the bank provides certain things the private sector is doing. Knowing that we are in a short-term period, also knowing the threat before America today and the time, we want to make sure that we can have this debate. As for the expiration date, we felt that it was best to extend that out to June in the CR and have that debate later, moving forward, so you are not disrupting any time debating the threat from the terrorists and also doing the work that needs to be done. I do understand the gentleman has talked to me many times about that.

Mr. McCARTHY of California. I thank the gentleman for yielding. Yes, as of this time. We have posted it this week. December 11 is the duration that the continuing resolution would go through.

Mr. McCARTHY of California. I thank the gentleman for yielding. Currently, we are scheduled to be here that last week. There has been no change to that schedule. As I noted just a little earlier, the only change we made is coming back this Monday. I want to make sure all the Members have enough time to digest and get their questions answered, but currently that schedule continues to hold.

Mr. McCARTHY of California. I thank the gentleman for yielding. There has been no decisions yet. As you know, the President requested this week, that is why we postponed, and we are continuing to work through. I will notify the gentleman as early as we get a decision.

Mr. McCARTHY of California. I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, on Monday, the House will meet at noon for morning hour and 2 p.m. for legislative business. Votes will be postponed until 6:30 p.m. On Tuesday and Wednesday, the House will meet at 10 a.m. for morning hour and noon for legislative business. On Thursday, the House will convene at 9 a.m. and will welcome the President of Ukraine for a joint meeting at 10 a.m. There will be no morning hour and the House will meet at noon for legislative business. On Friday, the House will meet at 9 a.m. for legislative business. Last votes of the week are expected no later than 3 p.m. Mr. Speaker, the House will consider a few suspensions next week, a complete list of which will be announced by close of business tomorrow. In addition, as I previously announced, the House may consider the President's request and act on the continuing resolution as early as Tuesday. The House will also consider a package of 14 bills designed to encourage an American energy revolution. This commonsense energy plan will be comprised of previously House-passed bills that received bipartisan support and focus on production, infrastructure, reliability, and efficiency. Finally, Mr. Speaker, Members are advised that the House will also consider a package of jobs bills that will include 15 House-passed bills. This bipartisan jobs plan fosters an economic recovery and gets Americans back to work in good-paying jobs.

Mr. McCARTHY of California

Mr. McCARTHY of California. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that when the House adjourns today, it adjourn to meet on Monday, September 15, 2014, when it shall convene at noon for morning-hour debate and 2 p.m. for legislative business.

Mr. McCARTHY of California

Mr. McCARTHY of California. Mr. Speaker, yesterday, I announced that we were delaying consideration of the continuing resolution so all Members could be briefed on the President's request for additional authorities related to ISIL as part of the continuing resolution. Members received a bipartisan classified briefing this morning. I know many are still digesting that information and getting their questions answered regarding this threat and our response. In order to properly consider the President's request and act on the continuing resolution, Members are advised that the House will now meet on Monday at 2 p.m. for legislative business with votes at 6:30 p.m. on suspensions. Members are advised that the House may consider legislation related to the President's request and the continuing resolution as early as Tuesday. These are changes from the previously announced House schedule.

Mr. McCARTHY of California. I thank the gentleman for working together on this. The one thing we know, this is a threat, and this House will act as one as Americans, and I look forward to continuing to work on it.

Mr. McCARTHY of California

Mr. McCARTHY of California. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that it may be in order at any time on Thursday, September 18, 2014, for the Speaker to declare a recess, subject to the call of the Chair, for the purpose of receiving in Joint Meeting His Excellency Petro Poroshenko, President of Ukraine.

Mr. McCARTHY of California

Mr. McCARTHY of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise for the purpose of an announcement. Mr. Speaker, just a short time ago, I, along with other leaders, committee chairs, and ranking members, received a classified briefing from the administration regarding a significant piece of the President's strategy to confront the international terrorist organization known as ISIL. This piece involves a request for additional authority to be included in the continuing resolution. Tonight the country will hear from the President of the United States as he addresses the Nation on this situation. Additionally, all Members of the House will receive a classified briefing from the administration tomorrow morning on both the threat and the strategy to confront it. I think I speak for my colleagues on both sides of the aisle when I say that we stand ready to listen and work with the President to confront this growing threat. Now, given the severity of the situation and the need for all Members to properly evaluate the President's request, the House will postpone consideration of the continuing resolution which was originally scheduled for tomorrow. However, votes on other measures will still take place tomorrow after the classified briefing, and all Members are encouraged to be in attendance.

Mr. McCARTHY of California

Mr. McCARTHY of California. I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Chairman, I rise today against an unlawful expansion of Federal power. The EPA's attempt at an unprecedented power grab will ultimately saddle hardworking Americans, small businesses, and farmers with new, onerous regulatory burdens. Under this proposed new rule, the EPA will be able to claim jurisdiction over almost all bodies of water in the U.S. So, along with the bays and rivers, EPA's hand will extend over streams, ponds, ditches, and even storm water runoff. Beyond sounding ridiculous, this rule will impact farmers, energy producers, and any private citizens that use their land for economic or recreational purposes. It is harmful and unnecessary. I live in the West. The West is burdened right now with the drought. Some of that drought is based upon excess regulations that choose fish over people, and that water will run out to the ocean because of a regulation and a lawsuit. I have seen where regulatory effects and burdens have gone before. I have a town in my community called Taft. It is a hardworking town like many of you have. The EPA has been a part of it before. It is a town that could be anywhere in America. Taft had a waterway, the EPA said, called Sandy Creek. The only challenge, though, in Sandy Creek is it was a dry ditch. It had been dry for 30 years. So when they came to me and they wanted to be able to move forward, they found that the Federal Government was trying to impose a permitting regulation of excess regulation on this private land. I had to personally call them, and they said: No, you cannot do it because of the creek. I had to drive an individual all the way out to the dry dirt and sit them in the dry creekbed until finally they said ``yes.'' Under the new bill, Sandy Creek will not be dry anymore because that burdensome regulation can possibly be back on them. It could be redesignated, and we will not be able to grow again. Mr. Chairman, we are struggling with job creation in America. We are struggling with small businesses trying to make ends meet. Milk prices are at an alltime high. Why would we burden America with more regulation? Why would we not unshackle what holds us back and let us be able to grow and let people keep their private land and protect our water, but do it in a sense that has common sense?

Mr. McCARTHY of California

Mr. McCARTHY of California. And I can assure you that I will work with Chairman Goodlatte in an effort to remedy that problem.

Mr. McCARTHY of California

Mr. McCARTHY of California. Knowing that some Members, with this vote just now closed, and earlier they announced that we would not walk off the floor until 3:45, I think it is possible to advise all Members that it is possible to have votes later today. I am hopeful that by late this afternoon we will be able to notify the time of it.

Mr. McCARTHY of California. I yield to the gentleman from Maryland.

Mr. McCARTHY of California. Madam Speaker, I want to advise all Members that additional votes are possible today. We will send out information as soon as it is possible.

Mr. McCARTHY

Mr. McCARTHY. Mr. Speaker, I am both honored and humbled to welcome my good friend, Pastor Roger Spradlin, as our guest chaplain this morning. Holding a doctorate in ministry and serving as a major leader within the Southern Baptist community, Roger has served the Valley Baptist Church in Bakersfield, California, since 1983. In that time, he has led a congregation that has grown into a family of over 8,000 followers, a family that my wife, Judy, my son, Connor, and Megan belong to. I have watched Pastor Roger do many things for our community. I have watched him use his grace, his humility, his ability to bring people together. But the part that inspires me the most is I have watched him in time of need, in time of tragic situations in our community, to help us heal. I have watched him officiate and bring joy to a husband and wife being married. I have watched him lift up those in harm's way. But most importantly, I have watched him always bring the grace and inspire others. So it is with a great deal of joy on a special day today that I am able to have my friend, an individual that helped change my life, be a part of all of our lives.

Mr. McCARTHY of California

Mr. McCARTHY of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a teacher, soldier, public servant, and community leader who for 90 years has lived and breathed the city of Taft, California. Born and raised in Taft, Pete Gianopulos has become well-known throughout the city as a passionate American and an active member of his community. When the foundation of American resolve was tested by the Second World War, Pete answered the call of duty and served honorably with occupational forces near Hiro, Kure, and Hiroshima, Japan as part of the 41st Infantry Division in the Intelligence and Reconnaissance Platoon. When he returned from the war, Pete completed undergraduate and graduate studies at Taft College and Fresno State College before continuing his graduate work at UCLA, UC Santa Barbara, Cal State Bakersfield, and Fresno State. Upon returning to Taft, Pete began teaching at Lincoln Junior High School, and continued his educational career for 35 years as an Industrial Arts teacher, a counselor, and the Director of Guidance for the Taft Union High School District. Though he retired from teaching in 1986 after 36 years, his service to the education community only represents a portion of his public service. Pete has served in multiple positions at local levels of government, including the Oildorado Committee, the Kern County Water District, the Kern View Community Mental Health Center Committee, the State of California Resource Agency, and the Department of Water Resources. Notably, he served on the Taft City Council in 1961, where only one year later, Pete Gianopulos became Taft's mayor, and served as such through 1966. Today, Pete continues to serve as an active member of the community. As the founder, host and producer of ``Taft Heritage,'' a local television program supported by the West Kern Oil Museum and Taft High School, and an active writer for his column in the local paper titled ``Remember When,'' Pete champions the message that there is always something to learn from the rich history of the city of Taft. Pete's dedication and service to Taft has not gone unnoticed and next month, the Taft City Council will proclaim August 23, 2014 as ``Pete Gianopulos Day.'' On that day, it is my hope that all the residents of Taft look to this man's history as a source of inspiration for what it means to be a citizen of the people. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in wishing Pete Gianopulos a very happy 90th birthday, and thank him for his many years of dedicated service to the city of Taft.

Mr. McCARTHY of California

Mr. McCARTHY of California. I thank the gentleman for yielding. The gentleman initiated this with inquiring about the schedule for next week. As I stated earlier, in the schedule for next week we do not have anything considered in the regular appropriations process, but we could possibly have a supplemental appropriation next week.

Mr. McCARTHY of California. I thank the gentleman for yielding. As I said earlier, you should be prepared for a possible consideration. Once the timing is finalized, the Rules Committee will announce a hearing to announce the process.

Mr. McCARTHY of California. I thank the gentleman for yielding. As I mentioned in the schedule announcement for next week, Members should be prepared for possible consideration of legislation to address the ongoing border crisis. Once the timing is finalized, the Rules Committee will announce a hearing on the measure to determine the process by which the bill will be brought before the House.

Mr. McCARTHY

Mr. McCARTHY. I thank my gentleman for yielding. Currently, there have been no changes to the schedule.

Mr. McCARTHY of California

Mr. McCARTHY of California. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that when the House adjourns today, it adjourn to meet on Monday, July 28, 2014, when it shall convene at noon for morning-hour debate and 2 p.m. for legislative business.