Kevin McCarthy

Mr. McCARTHY of California

Mr. McCARTHY of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Con. Res. 388, which would express the sense of Congress that the Department of Defense and the Federal Voting Assistance Program should take additional measures to ensure that members of the Armed Forces and their dependents are provided with reasonable information on voting in the 2008 general elections. This bill will also extend information to civilians living abroad for the same purpose. Mr. Speaker, recent data compiled by the Election Assistance Commission found that less than 17 percent of the 6 million citizens eligible under the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act chose to participate in the 2006 general election. Of the 48,600 Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act ballots that were not counted by States and local jurisdictions in the November 2006 elections, 70 percent were not counted due to incorrect or undeliverable addresses. It is simply unacceptable that thousands of the brave men and women who fight for our freedom each day were denied a voice in the electoral process due to incorrectly filling out a ballot. In September 2007, the EAC also found that ``the third largest reason for rejected ballots was that they were received by election offices after the deadline stipulated by State law.'' I have introduced H.R. 5673, the MVP Act, to ensure that military personnel are not left out of the elections process while serving their country overseas. Although my bill has been endorsed by the Vets for Freedom, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars called it ``an important piece of legislation ensuring that the men and women who wear our Nation's uniform are not left out of the election process while serving in harm's way,'' the MVP Act has not yet been brought before the House for consideration. However, I am hopeful that this resolution will create awareness of this issue and lead to more comprehensive reform that will provide a solution to this problem. In addition to meeting ballot deadlines and correctly completing absentee ballots, there is also an issue with military personnel receiving information from the Federal Voting Assistance Program. A survey conducted recently by the Inspector General for the Department of Defense analyzed the effectiveness of the Federal Voting Assistance Program during the 2006 general election and found that only 40 percent of members of the Armed Forces received voting information from the military and only 33 percent were aware of the Federal Post Card Application. We must ensure that the Federal Voting Assistance Program improves their communication efforts and promotes the Federal Post Card Application and the Federal Write-in Absentee Ballot so that our service men and women are aware of the resources available to them during an election. This year, perhaps more than any other year in recent memory, our Nation's electorate is excited to cast their ballots for the candidates of their choosing. For those serving their country overseas, and for civilians living abroad, we must do everything in our power to ensure that they have the information necessary to do so. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. McCARTHY of California

Mr. McCARTHY of California. Mr. Speaker, like most every Member inside this House, the first day that you are sworn in is a highlight, one of the highlights in your life. As I look across this floor, I see Members from both sides of the aisle that experienced that for the very first time with me this January. I sat on the floor, and I brought my young son and daughter with me. I listened intently as Madam Speaker held the gavel to the words that she said that we're going to define this Congress, define this Nation. And the words that she spoke that rang to me that I applauded, I stood up and said ``yes,'' was this was going to be a Congress of partnership, not partisanship. It's sad to say that today this is not a Congress of partnership. We may be from different sides of the aisle, we may be Republican, we may be Democrat; but first and foremost, we are American. We are Americans with a desire to have an American energy independent policy, and it's sad to say that this bill does not. This bill, created in the middle of the night. And when you think about where you sit and what part you're a part of, that the Chamber, that this dome that we're under today was built during the Civil War confronting the challenges that face America. We can meet that challenge, but we can only meet it with partnership, and we need to come together and vote against this bill today.

Mr. McCARTHY of California

Mr. McCARTHY of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the student athletes and coaches of the Stockdale High School Mustangs varsity baseball team. The Mustangs won the 2008 Central Section Division I Baseball Championship, also known as the Valley Baseball Championship, on May 22, 2008. In addition, the Stockdale Mustangs baseball team was ranked 2nd in the entire state of California (Division I) and 20th in the nation. Its achievements make the Mustangs the highest ranking team in Kern County history. On May 22, 2008, the Stockdale Mustangs defeated Clovis High School 7-6 in its final game of the season to win, for the first time in Mustang history, the Valley Baseball Championship. This was a truly outstanding achievement to cap a remarkable season, a season where the Mustangs finished with a record of 31-1. The game was an amazing come- from-behind victory, where the Mustangs scored three runs to tie the score in the bottom of the sixth, and pulled ahead two innings later with a game-winning single to right field. With the Mustangs' optimism, athleticism, skill and hard work, the Stockdale High School fans, students and community members were treated to an exciting and memorable championship game. I would like to extend my congratulations to the Stockdale High School Mustangs student athletes for their impressive championship win and strong 2008 season. The 2008 roster included Ryan Lay, Jeff Dolinar, Jonathan Broida, Kyle Desimone, Ryan Drown, Greg Osteen, J.D. Reed, Philip Valos, Dominic Chavez, Justin Williamson, Brock Allen, Jared Schweitzer, Travis Boos, Ren Floyd, Ryan Atherly, Travis Maytubby, Imaad Nuriddin, Scott Denesha, Eric Matthews, K.C. Hobson, Tyler Boren, Aaron Hartman, Steven Eyherabide, Ryan Espinoza, and team manager Jack Robson. I also want to congratulate the coaching staff who helped lead the team to its championship season. The Mustangs head coach is Dan Lemon and his coaching staff includes assistant coaches Greg Showers, Travis Debondt, Butch Hobson, and Lance Stevens. Participation in extracurricular activities is a wonderful component of a high school education because it provides opportunities for leadership, teamwork and competition. These essential characteristics for a well-rounded education are especially distinct in the Stockdale High School's exemplary athletic programs. The months of physical and mental training and the dedication to teamwork that was required to win this Valley Championship, as well as all their unprecedented achievements, will benefit these young men in their years to come. On behalf of the residents of the 22nd Congressional District, I once again commend the Stockdale High School Mustangs on winning the 2008 Central Section Division I Baseball Championship, and I know the parents, teachers, neighbors and fans of our community will remember this season for many years to come.

Mr. McCARTHY of California

Mr. McCARTHY of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Elbert Leander ``Burt'' Rutan, a renowned aerospace engineer, who celebrated his 65th birthday on June 17, 2008. Burt was born in Portland, Oregon, on June 17, 1943, though he was raised in Dinuba, California. As a young boy, Burt produced award- winning model airplane designs; a prodigy in the making. When Burt was sixteen, he obtained his pilot's license and went on to receive his aeronautical engineering degree from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. Soon after, the United States Air Force hired Burt as a civilian flight test engineer at Edwards Air Force Base in California. Throughout the years, Burt has established himself as a leader in innovative aircraft design. With the start of his own private company, Rutan Aircraft Factory, based in Mojave, California, Burt began to market sleek, light, and efficient aircraft such as the VariEze, Quickie, and the Long-EZ; it was during this time that the concept for the Voyager was generated. Burt's passion for aeronautical engineering soon found him leading Scaled Composites, the world's most productive aerospace prototype development company. Some of the most innovative and successful aircraft developed by Scaled Composites have been the Triumph jet for Beechcraft, the CM-44 UAV for California Microwave, the Scarab Model 324 drone for Teledyne Ryan Aeronautical, and the McDonnell Douglas DC-X single stage rocket structure. His designs utilized lightweight composite materials, rendering him with copious amounts of success and praise for his entrepreneurial skills and insightful knowledge on the subject to which he has dedicated his life. One of Burt's most famous designs, the Voyager aircraft, piloted by Burt's brother, Dick Rutan, set a record-breaking flight around the world without stopping to refuel in 1981. Model 218 Proteus, a tandem- wing high-endurance aircraft designed by Burt, holds several altitude records. SpaceShipOne gained Burt significant recognition as it was the first privately-built, funded, and flown aircraft to enter space in June of 2004. This feat was acknowledged with the Ansari X Prize, while his team was honored with the 2004 Collier Trophy later that year, awarded to them by the National Aeronautic Association. Today, SpaceShipOne, Burt and his team's spacecraft that launched men successfully into space, is displayed in the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum's ``Milestones of Flight'' gallery in Washington D.C. Other prestigious awards given in recognition of Burt's aerospace expertise include the Chrysler Award for Innovation in Design, the British Gold Medal for Aeronautics, ``Engineer of the Year'' by Design News, the Presidential Citizens Medal presented by President Ronald Reagan, and the Lindbergh Award. As Burt has soared through his creative and competitive career, he has been commended for his innovative efforts. His maverick aerospace expertise continues to be highly sought after. Today, Burt and his company, Scaled Composites, are currently engineering SpaceShipTwo for Virgin Galactic with the prospect of offering suborbital trips into space by 2009. Burt has never given up on his dreams and he continues ``looking up, way up.''

Mr. McCARTHY of California

Mr. McCARTHY of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Richard Glenn ``Dick'' Rutan, an aerospace pioneer, as he celebrated his 70th birthday on July 1, 2008. Dick was born in Loma Linda, California, on July 1, 1938. At a young age, Dick developed an avid interest in piloting. By the time he turned 16, Dick was earning both his driver's license and pilot certificate. Dick has always had a passionate thirst for learning, thereby leading him to join the Air Force Aviation Cadet Program at the age of 19 and later receiving a commission as a Lieutenant. Dick went on to obtain a Bachelor of Science Degree at the American Technological University through the Air Force Professional Education ``Boot Strap'' Program. When the Vietnam War broke out, Dick established himself as a brave, highly competent, and rigorous leader. As a Tactical Air Command fighter pilot, Dick flew 324 combat missions, 105 of which were as a high-risk classified operation known as the MISTY's. The many achievements Dick accomplished while serving in the Air Force merited him the Silver Star, five Distinguished Flying Crosses, 16 Air Medals, and the Purple Heart. After Dick's retirement, he joined forces with his brother, Burt Rutan, as the Production Manager and Chief Test Pilot for Rutan Aircraft Factory. He is widely recognized for his successes involving the world speed and distance records set in the Long-EZ, an airplane designed by Burt. To honor Dick's many achievements in record-setting flights, he was awarded the prestigious Louis Bleriot Medal by the Federation Aeronautique Internationale. In 1981, Dick expanded his wings even further to found Voyager Aircraft, Incorporated and settle in the history books by completing the first-ever around-the-world, non-stop, non-refueled flight. Nine days, three minutes and forty-four seconds after Dick and his copilot Jeana Yeager took off, he landed at Edwards Air Force Base in California. The plane he piloted in this successful quest is now suspended in the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum's ``Milestones of Flight'' gallery in Washington, D.C. President Ronald Reagan awarded Dick and his team with the Presidential Citizens Medal, four days after the team's outstanding feat. Time and time again, Dick has delved into projects that allow him to expound upon his knowledge and share his expertise and adventures with others. These have included a sightseeing airplane trek to the North Pole, the World Quest Project, and the Spirit of EAA Friendship World Tour. He established the Dick Rutan Scholarship Fund to assist youth in furthering their education and is actively involved in the Experimental Aircraft Association's Science, Math and Technology (S-M-T) program. Today, Dick continues his quest of traveling the world by educating others through the accounts of his many adventures. He exudes dedicated passion, courage of conviction, and wisdom and he exemplifies the true marks of leadership. His distinguished achievements have gained him renowned recognition and respect, and I am pleased to wish him a happy birthday!

Mr. McCARTHY of California

Mr. McCARTHY of California. I rise today to enter into a colloquy with my colleagues, the chairman of the Military Construction Subcommittee, Mr. Edwards, and Ranking Member Wamp, about an issue of significant importance to my constituents in Ridgecrest, California. China Lake, the large naval installation in Ridgecrest, was slated to become the Navy's Center of Excellence for weapons development as part of the 2005 round of Base Realignment and Closure. This news confirmed what those of us familiar with China Lake have always known; China Lake's location, access to airspace, 350 days of flying a year and exceptional personnel make it an excellent place for the military to develop the tools for the men and women serving on the front line. Unfortunately, since the recommendation was made, I have had concerns that it is not being implemented as consistently with the original recommendation as it should be. I am concerned that the number of jobs slated to move and overall construction plan has decreased more than would be expected. For these reasons, I come to the floor today to ask the chairman that he work with me to ensure that Congress continues its oversight of the BRAC implementation process. I would yield to the subcommittee chairman.

Mr. McCARTHY of California. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word.

Mr. McCARTHY of California. I want to thank Chairman Edwards and Ranking Member Wamp for their leadership on this issue, and I yield back the balance of my time. Amendment No. 24 Offered by Mr. Bishop of Utah

Mr. McCARTHY of California

Mr. McCARTHY of California. The gentleman makes a very good point because in 1970 when this was created, back then when Jimmy Carter became President of the United States, he had full intention of drilling in ANWR because that's where the oil is. That's why you put the windmills where the wind blows and the solar panels where the sun shines. You discover where it's at. And what the Member did talk about was if you look here, this is where we currently are, and ANWR is just to the side. And you're wondering just how large is it. It's 19 million acres. We're looking at only talking about 2,000 acres. To put it in perspective, as you go out when school starts back up, you go to your high school football games, I want you to look across that football field when no one's there. I want you to just look out at it, and I want you to take one little postage stamp and set it on the field. That's the equivalency. That's how much we want to be able to talk about being able to get 1 million barrels of oil a day out of ANWR, a postage stamp on a football field. The gentleman from Ohio brought up a very good point that we have this infrastructure, this pipeline. It produces 700,000 barrels a day. Once it goes to 300,000, it will no longer produce then. You have to have more than that. Now I would like to yield to my good friend, a new member from the freshman class from the First District of Louisiana, Steve Scalise.

Mr. McCARTHY of California. Madam Speaker, tonight we come with a quarterly report from the freshmen Republicans. This is something that we promised to do when we were first elected, and we continue to do it each and every quarter because we want to come back to the American people and tell them what their House is doing. Tonight, for many of you and many of your houses it might be summer school, and last week I just got my daughter and my sons' report cards. They did very well, if you were concerned about that, Mr. Heller. But what the report will be from this Congress on this night is not good. In less than 2 days, this House is scheduled to adjourn; adjourn without solving the energy crisis, or even allowing a vote on this floor. So tonight as the freshmen Republicans come to you to talk about this quarterly report, something has happened in the last 2 weeks. You know, in the minority party here, Madam Speaker, one thing that these freshmen Republicans will do is they don't sit back. Even if the majority party, the Democratic controlled House here, will not allow a vote on the floor, we believe the American people are hurting; we understand the American people are hurting when it comes to the energy crisis with the price of gas over $4 a gallon, the heating fuel costs which continues to not only hurt the individuals, but it hurts the nonprofits, it hurts the school districts. As we continue to move forward, some districts in my area are talking about even maybe going to 4 days a week, some are talking about charging if the kids want to even ride the bus to school. So we talked about, how can we go about helping America? How can we help solve this problem? So collectively as freshmen and as Republicans, we got together along with our leader, Mr. John Boehner from Ohio, and we decided, let's go on the all-American energy tour and let's actually sit down and talk to some experts. So not last weekend, but the weekend before, we went together to Golden, Colorado. In Golden, Colorado they have the National Renewable Energy Laboratory from the Department of Energy. Here, they study from wind, from solar, to hybrids, to hydrogen cars. We drove them. We looked at them. We went through with the biomass, different ways about where the future will go in energy and how we can actually become independent and have an American energy program that creates American jobs. Because, as many of you know, in America today we use 20 million barrels of oil a day but we only produce 7. So to solve this problem, we really need all of the above. We need more wind, we need more solar, we need to actually be able to conserve more, but we also have to be able to explore more. So just as we went out and looked at the renewable energy and we looked to where you build the windmills; you build them where the wind blows. Where do you put out the solar panels? You put them out where the sun shines. Where do you explore for oil? Where it is, underground. From there we traveled up to Alaska. We landed in Fairbanks and we went up to ANWR. We went out and looked exactly where we are already drilling today. We went out to the first place where the Alaskan pipeline starts. The Alaskan pipeline, when it starts right there, it sends 700,000 barrels of oil a day. It takes 9 days to get from the beginning to the end. But in 1989, that used to produce 2.2 million barrels a day. Every year that we do nothing, it loses 15 percent. That is 15 percent less barrels of oil coming down. America is still using 20 million barrels, but only producing 7. And as we looked around, we looked for environmentally friendly ways to do it. We found that in the past you would take 64 acres, today you would only take maybe 16, maybe 6. You could actually drill down and drill out 8 miles because of technology advancements, and that we could do it in an environmentally sound way. And as we went to ANWR, just a few miles over, we found that there is another 10 billion barrels. We found out that if ANWR was allowed to be drilled, where this body will not even let it come up for a vote, it would add 1 million barrels a day. And 1 million barrels a day added inside that pipeline, what would it mean to you back home? What would it mean to the average citizen? It would mean 50 cents less in the gasoline per gallon that you buy. Our Federal Reserve Chairman was before our committee just 2 weeks ago, and he said 1 percent added in production would decrease the cost by 10 percent. That is just a 1 percent addition. One million barrels of oil would lower the barrel $20 a barrel from what you see out on the market. We have a plan. We have an idea. But tonight, and unfortunately when we come to you, the power of the idea will not win on this floor. Not because the desire is not there, but because the majority party will not allow it. Today we had a very big vote, like many of our votes here. But do you know what the vote was today? By one simple vote. If you wonder if that one votes ever makes a difference, that one vote made a difference today, because on this floor by one vote the Democrat-controlled Congress voted to adjourn, voted to adjourn while the gas prices were over $4 a gallon; saying to the American people that, as I listened to the Speaker the other day, she is trying to save the planet. She is looking at the longevity of the world. I am looking back for the constituents back home that can't afford to continue to live the way this economy is going. Tonight, we are going to listen to a lot of the different freshmen that actually went on the tour, been a part of it, seeing what is going on in America today. And first we are going to start off with my good friend from the State of Michigan, District 7, back in Battle Creek, Tim Walberg.

Mr. McCARTHY of California. Reclaiming my time, because as we begin to end here, one, I want to thank all my colleagues for coming down, for talking to the American people about the quarterly report, telling them what actually goes on in this building. When we think for one moment that, as this House adjourns--not because anybody on this floor right now voted to adjourn. We said let's stay here and let's create a plan that creates an energy program that has all the above, from wind, to solar, to hydrogen, to nuclear, to exploration, takes us into the new frontier. Because when you think of the floor that we're on, they built this Dome in the Civil War. You think of the challenges that this country has faced. And time and time again, we have met that challenge. But how did we meet that challenge? By not being afraid of debate, by not being afraid of the idea coming forward, not being afraid of one side of the aisle or the other, not saying the country's red or blue. This country is red, white and blue. And that's the American energy plan we have. It makes us American independent of foreign countries. It stops sending the greatest amount of wealth out of this country to somebody else by creating American jobs right here. But the only way we're ever going to be able to do it is that this Democratic-controlled Congress has got to change. It's got to allow the idea to come forth and not be afraid of the vote. So, today, when you go home and when you see your Member out maybe in a parade, maybe on a street corner, maybe they're having a town hall meeting, ask that Member if they voted to adjourn. Did they vote to stay? Did they vote to make America energy independent? Or did they vote no, let's go home, let's let that price go up higher? Well, I want to thank the Members for being a part of this tonight, and thank you for coming down and telling the American people where the report stands, where we're going forward and being willing to lead, going to Golden, Colorado, to see the renewable energy, and going to ANWR.

Mr. McCARTHY of California. You're all raising very good points, but you're showing what is happening on this floor by not allowing the vote. But there is another way. There is all-of-the-above. If we were able to drill in ANWR, the Federal Reserve Chair said, if you increase production by 1 percent, it goes down 10 percent. ANWR will produce 1 million barrels a day. That automatically would lower the price per gallon by 50 cents. But think about what's happening today. It's the largest transfer of wealth from our country, America, to countries that disagree with us. If we had an American energy plan that made us independent, what else does it do? It creates American jobs. The $700 billion stays in America.

Mr. McCARTHY of California. So what the gentleman is saying is the Democratic controlled Congress, the majority who controls what comes to the floor, will not even allow a vote? Not even allow a vote on a plan that says all-of-the-above, that says ``yes'' to solar, ``yes'' to wind, ``yes'' to more drilling, ``yes'' to the new technologies for geothermal and others, but you can't even have a vote on this floor?

Mr. McCARTHY of California. Would the gentleman yield for one moment?

Mr. McCARTHY of California. I thank the gentleman from Louisiana. He made some very good points. And one thing you think of this House and you think of America. I still believe this is the most beautiful building we have in all of this country. You would think the power of the idea would win at the end of the day. And you would think of the debates you have here. But when did you ever think that the Democratic controlled Congress would be so afraid of having a debate, to actually allow a vote to take place? They have the majority. They can vote the way they want. Today they had the majority to vote to adjourn. Now they're going to have to go home and answer to the American people why they are not back working and finding an American independent energy policy to move forward. Now I would like to yield to my good friend from eastern Tennessee, David Davis.

Mr. McCARTHY of California. Well, I thank the gentleman from Michigan as he tells of the personal stories within his district of the suffering, of the pain. But as I said earlier, what did this Democrat-controlled Congress do? Today it voted to adjourn, adjourn for an entire month, as many across America dreamt about maybe going on a summer vacation, but told their kids, no Disneyland this year; we can't afford even to drive there. But, as the Republicans, we don't sit back and just complain. We believe that we can lead. When you look at Congress, you look at the opinion polls, it is down at 9 percent. Many across America are now beginning to call this Democrat-controlled Congress the ``No Drill Congress.'' And we won't even bring up appropriation bills. One of the major jobs of this Congress is to fund government. 13 appropriation bills they are supposed to bring up each and every year, but the majority won't even bring them up because they are afraid of an amendment coming on the bills. The amendment would say, let's create an energy plan. And what would that energy plan be? It would be all of the above. It would expand solar, it would expand wind, it would explore, it would go beyond for the new technologies at the same time, and it would lower the price of gas and create an American energy independent program that creates American jobs. We have other members from the Freshman Class here with us tonight. Our next speaker, you may have heard him just a little bit ago talking about the National Guard in Nevada, and he continues that leadership now as he begins to talk to us about the energy. Representing Reno, Sparks, Carson City, the majority of Nevada, coming from the Second District, I yield to my good friend, Representative Dean Heller.

Mr. McCARTHY of California. Well, I thank the gentleman from Nevada for the leadership he continues to show in this work that we are trying to do within the energy. Tonight, when we went up to ANWR, one thing that I found most interesting when we talked about is how you can do it environmentally friendly. One thing that they showed when we were up in Alaska, that in the 1970s, it took them 20 acres and they would go down 1 mile. 1980s it took them 16 acres. But you think about technology, and the greatest way for America to understand technology, think of that very first cell phone. It came in a bag. It was about the size of a brick. Today it is a very little phone, and you know within that phone that it has more technology in the cell phone today than we had on the Apollo when it landed on the moon. But you expand with that technology. Today, present, it takes only 6 acres, so your footprint is much smaller. But what they are able to do when they drill down, to go out 8 miles across, what does that mean to the American people? One, that we are able to explore much further, to do it in an environmentally sound way, have a much smaller footprint, and actually have fewer wells to drill. There is a plan to be able to go forward that allows exploration, wind and solar, but the Democratic-controlled Congress will not even allow it to come up on to the floor. This is becoming, Madam Speaker, a ``No Drill Congress.'' But the American people continue to suffer. And tonight we wanted to hear from our good friend from Ohio, Jim Jordan. I yield to my friend from Ohio.

Mr. McCARTHY of California. Well, I thank the gentleman from Ohio. And the one thing that he was talking about was we flew over ANWR. We took a few photos. And what you will see here, here is a photo of ANWR. You wonder, where are the animals? Where are they at? And people wonder about, well, how far away is this from where we are currently drilling? It is within 70 miles. 10 billion barrels of oil sitting right there. It would not take you 10 years to begin.

Mr. McCARTHY of California. Gladly.

Mr. McCARTHY of California

Mr. McCARTHY of California. Madam Speaker, pursuant to the Republican Leadership standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following information for publication in the Congressional Record regarding an earmark I received as part of H.R. 6599, the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act, 2009. Requesting Member: Congressman Kevin McCarthy. BM Number: H.R. 6599. Account: Military Construction, Air Force. Project Amount: $6,000,000. Legal Name of Recipient Military Installation: Edwards Air Force Base. Address of Recipient Military Installation: 1 S. Rosamond Blvd., Edwards AFB, CA. Description of Request: This funding would complete construction of the main base runway at Edwards Air Force Base, CA. The funding will be used to complete paved shoulders on the runway and account for extra costs in the overall runway replacement project from items such as the stabilization of over 41,000 cubic yards of both unsuitable and unstable soil. The main base runway, which supports almost every flight operation at Edwards Air Force Base, as well as space shuttle landings when necessary, is over 50 years old and is rapidly degrading as a result of Alkali-Silica Reaction (ASR), a reaction between the cement and the aggregate that creates map cracking, scaling and spalling of the concrete. Emergency Foreign Object Damage (FOD) repairs have forced runway closures affecting 10 to 15 flights for each closure. No other runways at Edwards AFB can safely support the current and projected test operations without significant test mission delays, and temporary relocation of these missions is not feasible; however, many of the current and planned test missions can be supported by a temporary runway. This project was programmed by the Air Force in 2003 for FY06, and was incrementally funded over 3 years (FY06, FY07 and FY08). After the project was programmed, the cost of construction materials escalated dramatically, eliminating all management reserve and resulting in a reduction in the planned scope of the project. Providing the final $6,000,000 in FY09 will complete the project as originally scoped, avoid contractor demobilization and remobilization, and avoid reconstitution of the temporary runway to support this work, saving the government over $4,000,000 in cost avoidance on the temporary runway alone.

Mr. McCARTHY of California

Mr. McCARTHY of California. The gentleman is correct. And what did the chairman of Appropriations say? He said there will be no Appropriations bills this year. And then when we get up right before the weekend, the majority party brings up a bill that doesn't produce any more wind, it does not produce any more solar, and it does not produce any more oil or explore any more oil, on suspension simply for the fact that you can't do an amendment. It is not the masses of the public holding back or the Members having a vote on this, it is the leadership. That's why I go back and I credit, Mr. Speaker, the Republican leadership to be open-minded about all forms of energy and not say no, you are going to pick one winner and one loser, it has to be all of the above. I yield back my time to my good friend from Georgia, and thank him for the work he is doing and letting the American people know the way to go is all of the above.

Mr. McCARTHY of California. Well, I thank the gentleman for yielding. And I appreciate the work you're doing for the American people. Mr. Speaker, this last weekend leaving on Friday was a group of Members, one led by Congressman John Boehner. And I applaud the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Boehner) because his is an open-minded leadership. He believes that the power of the idea should win at the end of the day. So he put together a group of individuals and Members from across the country. There were about ten of us. And we traveled first to Golden, Colorado. And in Golden, Colorado, I don't know, Mr. Speaker, if the American people know, but there is the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. And what this laboratory does, it is under the Department of Energy, it studies solar, wind and many different avenues for renewable energy. When it comes to automobiles, we drove from hydrogen to hybrid to electric cars, as well. This is where the technology, the patents are being created where we can see the future of America, where we can see the future for energy. And that is much what the gentleman from Georgia was talking about, all of the above. From there after we studied where we can go, but as we studied this technology, and as we drive these cars--one car costs $1 million and can only go 60 miles--you see that in the future, with technology, where we can go and bring the price down where the average American could actually afford it. And you do that really by thinking about an individual cell phone. Think about one of those big old bricks you used to have for a cell phone, you would carry them in a suitcase, to where we are today. Many of the Members here actually have Blackberries. Do you know that there is more technology in a Blackberry than the Apollo had when they landed on the moon? After our meetings in the renewable energy, we then boarded the plane the next day. And we went up to Alaska. We went up to Alaska to look at the Alaskan fields. We went into the different ones to actually see firsthand, not to sit back and say, no, we will never allow the ability to drill, we will never allow it, to understand if we can do it in an environmentally friendly way, to see what is happening up there. We went to the bay. We went up to the pumping of the first transmission line through. Do you know what we found when we were there? We saw how even technology has changed from when they started in the 1970s to today. Before they would take 65 acres to drill. Now we flew over the one portion which is out over a little ways. Do you know there are no roads? They just put in a landing strip. They only took 6 acres to produce the oil out of it. And you would find that you could mitigate at the same time while you're producing this. We walked up and saw three caribous coming right up to us. So you can actually have an environmentally sound way and actually produce more oil and actually make America more energy independent. Now, the one thing I found most interesting in this, if you went to the Trans-Alaska Pipeline, you found in this pipeline it would transport oil produced up in northern Alaska all the way down to Valdez, and it would be shipped down into the lower 48. But the one thing I have found is that in 1989, this pipeline produced 2.2 million barrels of oil a day. Think about that for 1 minute, 2.2 million barrels a day. Today it only produces 720,000 barrels a day because in these fields, as you're bringing it up, every year that nothing happens, you lose 15 percent. And what is going to happen is when this pipeline gets down to 300,000 barrels a day, it will shut down. It has too little to go. So, as this Congress continues to debate and as this Congress does nothing by not allowing the bills to come forward, we're about ready to lose a national treasure. And the American people have to understand, Mr. Speaker, that they consume 20 million barrels a day and only produce 7 million barrels a day. And as we sat there and looked at the wind and the solar and you talked to the individuals, where is the best place to put up these windmills? Where the wind blows. Where is the best place to put solar? Where the sun shines. Where is the best place to be able to explore and produce more oil? Where the oil is at. And where the oil happens to be is 75 miles over. Ten billion barrels of oil sitting right there in ANWR. The ability to be able to get it where you have the transmission line to come in. You won't have to wait 10 years as we sat and talked to them. And the environmental footprint would be much smaller than it has ever been in the past. When they were drilling back in the 1970s, they would drill down, and they could not expand very far, so you had to have a numerous amount of wells. Today, the new technology allows one well to go down and go out 8 miles. So you could have fewer wells, fewer roads, mitigate the concerns when it comes to the environment, do it in a friendly, safe manner and at the same time create an energy policy with all the above, to have wind, to have solar, to have hydro, to have nuclear, and also actually produce more. Then what happens? This no longer becomes a red State versus a blue State. This becomes a red, white and blue American energy policy. And when you think for one moment where the economy is at, $700 billion a year being shipped over to other countries, of whom we're funding, instead of creating American jobs, and you sit back and you think of this House, Mr. Speaker, you think of this floor. This floor should be created on the concept that the power of the idea wins at the end of the day. But as my good friend from Georgia pointed out, we can't even bring up a bill. We have no appropriation bills simply for the fact that the majority party does not want to have an individual to bring up an amendment. Why? Because it would pass on this floor.

Mr. McCARTHY of California

Mr. McCARTHY of California. Mr. Speaker, if I may inquire about how many more speakers are on the other side.

Mr. McCARTHY of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I reluctantly rise in opposition to H.R. 5803, which unfortunately creates a system of IOUs for States with no guarantee of being paid back with Federal money. Notwithstanding my concerns about even the necessity of this bill and the majority's desire to federalize traditionally local responsibility of administering elections, as outlined in the Constitution, it's difficult to understand how we are going to pay States back this year for promises we are making in this bill when Democrat congressional leaders have indicated that they will not complete work on appropriation bills this year. A leader on the House Appropriations Committee was quoted as describing the appropriations process as ``dead'' and later clarified the chances of appropriations this year are ``slight.'' Additionally, the majority leader in the other body was recently described in an article called ``No Lame Duck Session'' as wanting ``to punt most of the 12 annual appropriation bills to the 111th Congress.'' He said, ``I would hope that before we would leave here this year, we would do a continuing resolution . . . '' So the question I have is where are we going to get this money to pay back the States for a grant program in this bill? Are we just demonstrating once again that Washington is broken by wasting more time when we could focus on finding solutions to our Nation's pressing problems, like the energy crisis? Prioritizing concerns continues to be a problem that plagues Congress. Today we are debating a bill asking State and local election jurisdictions to do something that many already do and to pay for something that many already pay for. According to a recent survey of elected officials, if we are trying to improve election administration for the November, 2008, election, why not focus on a problem that strikes at the heart of our democracy, making sure that the votes of our brave men and women protecting our country abroad are counted? I encourage my colleagues to focus on efforts that will provide the greatest impact, including the Military Voting Protection Act, also called the MVP Act, which has 42 cosponsors. The MVP Act helps ensure that military personnel are not left out of the election process while serving our country overseas by improving delivery methods so the votes are counted. I look forward to working with my colleagues in the House Administration Committee towards addressing these and other issues internal to the strength of our Nation's elections. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. McCARTHY of California. Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve my time.