David McKinley

Mr. McKINLEY

Mr. McKINLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to mark the 40th anniversary of the Willow Island disaster, when 51 construction workers perished in the deadliest construction accident in United States history. These men were building cooling tower No. 2 at the Pleasants Power Station in West Virginia. Just after 10 o'clock on that tragic day, as the third lift of concrete was being lifted, the cable housing on the crane went slack and the crane collapsed in on the tower. The concrete that had been poured the previous day then started to unwrap the tower, taking out the scaffolding. All the men who were on the scaffolding at that time were killed, and many workers on the ground were buried under the falling debris. This horrible accident spurred a national conversation about more construction safety and led to improved standards. And for those of us who have worked in the construction industry, it underscored just how fragile life is and that paying attention to every detail can make a difference whether we go home or not. This is a tragedy that is still felt throughout the Pleasants County community. Angie Colvin, who was just in the fifth grade at the time of the disaster, lost 12 family members that day, including her father. The Willow Island community will gather this evening at the memorial erected in honor of those 51 workers. Our prayers are with the entire community on this day of remembrance.

Mr. McKINLEY

Mr. McKINLEY. Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Burgess for organizing this Special Order event. Mr. Speaker, the United States represents only 5 percent of the global population, yet we consume over 80 percent of the opioids produced around the world. Shouldn't that have raised a red flag? Since 2011, our office has conducted over 50 roundtable meetings with doctors, pharmacists, nurses, and law enforcement, listening and learning from professionals how we could best address this problem. Congress has acted. As you heard a minute ago, the 21st Century Cures Act and CARA were good first steps, but it is evident that more work needs to be done. Last month, under President Trump and the Republican Congress leadership, we secured an additional $4 billion in funding, the largest investment ever in this crisis. We have made progress in other areas. In the book, ``American Pain'' by John Temple, he cites an ever- increasing production quota as a contributing factor to this drug opioid abuse. Even as it became clear that the opioid abuse was a growing problem, our producers in pharmaceuticals were producing more and more pain medicine. Fortunately, yesterday, the DEA, under the leadership of President Trump, announced that they would finally begin limiting the number of pills being produced. I also had the honor of working with the White House on the Opioid Task Force; and thanks to Chairman Walden, the Energy and Commerce Committee has made fighting the opioid crisis a top priority. You heard his comments when he said that. Our committee has been crafting another comprehensive opioid package aimed at treatment, prevention, education, and enforcement. Over the past few weeks, the committee has reviewed numerous bills, and I am proud to say--and I thank Chairman Burgess--that two of those bills are pieces that our office has crafted. Now, as for the role of pharmacies. Currently, each State maintains its own database on prescriptions, but that information isn't always typically shared with neighboring States. So the committee is taking under consideration a nationwide prescription drug monitoring program, which would prevent people from abusing the system by filling their prescription in multiple States. Congress needs to shut down these illicit, illegal pharmaceutical drug sales on social media, just as the Commissioner of the FDA made a strong recommendation just 2 weeks ago. And, lastly, it is time to tighten our border security to stop the flow of drugs into our country. Hancock County, West Virginia Sheriff Ralph Fletcher has made it clear that the spike in heroin overdoses is directly attributable to this poison pouring across our southern border from Mexico. And as Mike Burgess just noted a minute ago, the postal service system needs to be enhancing their monitoring program to halt this importation of fentanyl from China. But through all this, shouldn't we be exploring the root cause of why people are turning to dangerous drugs? West Virginia, unfortunately, leads the Nation in virtually every statistic when it comes to opioids. Some have attributed it to our State's high unemployment, low household income, and low education levels. But who is second? Until last year, New Hampshire was second. They have the highest level of employment. They have one of the highest levels of household income and one of the highest levels of degree of household education. So, clearly, it is simply not a socioeconomic issue. Something else is driving this epidemic, and we need to get to the root cause of it. There is plenty of blame to go around, and we need to hold people accountable. Our committee has been accomplishing this through an investigation of the pill dumping that has occurred in West Virginia. On May 8, as you heard a minute ago, we are going to be holding another hearing with our CEOs from the Nation's largest drug distributors who have been shipping tens of millions of pills into small communities across West Virginia. What we hope to learn is why. Why would you dump millions of pills into small rural communities? Have you no shame? Look, this is a multifaceted problem. While there is still a lot more work to be done, Congress has been taking a number of steps to eradicate this scourge of the opioid epidemic.

Mr. McKINLEY

Mr. McKINLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor our Nation's dedicated teachers during this year's Public School Week. When I think back to my teachers in public school, one in particular stands out: Ms. Eleanor Ball, my eighth grade English teacher. In addition to instilling in me a love and respect for the English language, she was a teacher who went above and beyond the call of duty and gave each of us youngsters a sense of confidence to face the challenges that would lie ahead in our society. But who are the Ms. Balls of today? Perhaps they are like Cristina Stout, a 4th grade teacher at Leading Creek Elementary School in Gilmer County, West Virginia. Ms. Stout is known for her compassion for her students. She often buys school supplies and winter coats for kids whose families can't afford them. One year she gave up every lunch break, every day, so that just one of her students who suffers with a sensory issue could eat in her classroom with her and avoid the overstimulating cafeteria. Most days, she stays late to tutor students who need the extra care, help, and assistance to ensure that they don't fall behind. These are just two of countless examples of our Nation's teachers going above and beyond the call of duty every day across America. To Ms. Ball, Ms. Stout, and teachers everywhere, we thank you, from the bottom of our hearts.

Mr. McKINLEY

Mr. McKINLEY. Mr. Speaker, as Co-Chair of the Congressional Hearing Healthcare Caucus, I rise today to recognize World Hearing Day, which is held on March 3rd of each year to provide awareness focused on the importance of hearing preservation, hearing loss identification, and treatment. This day, founded by the World Health Organization, moves the needle as it relates to hearing healthcare in the United States. Hearing plays a critical role in one's quality of life and personal safety. We rely on hearing to feel connected to the world around us. Over 37 million adults in America suffer from hearing loss, and we're . seeing a growing number of children as well. Hearing loss has been tied to depression, economic hardship, and underlying medical conditions. Hearing aids are a proven method of rehabilitation for the majority of those who have lost their ability to hear. Yet just 30 percent of those who could be helped by hearing aids use them. That's why I joined my colleague from California, Mr. Thompson, in introducing H. Res. 740, which expresses support for the designation of March 3rd as World Hearing Day, and recognizes the importance of hearing loss prevention and hearing healthcare access. I encourage my colleagues in the House to co-sponsor this resolution, and encourage all Americans to take appropriate steps to protect their hearing.

Mr. McKINLEY

Mr. McKINLEY. Mr. Speaker, gradually, many of America's largest multiemployer pension funds are slipping into insolvency, threatening the retirement income of millions of Americans. Funds such as the United Mine Workers of America, the Central States Pension Fund, the Boilermakers, the IBEW, and over 50 others are in critical condition. Failure of these funds would leave retirees who have paid their dues throughout their entire career without the income that they were expecting and promised. This pending economic crisis for families could mean a loss of hundreds of billions of dollars in funds and must be avoided. I have worked with representatives of the coal miners and the construction building trades preparing a resolution. If we fail to act soon, our options become increasingly limited and extremely expensive. For example, the UMWA pension fund has been predicted to collapse by 2022, or sooner. But the real culprit to their pension crisis comes not from Wall Street, the management of the operations, but from right here in Washington. Environmental regulations aimed at putting coal out of business have resulted in the loss of over 470 coal mines, 350 coal- fired generating plants, and 86,000 coal jobs as a result of the bankruptcy of mining companies. Some have suggested that the funds could fall into the Pension Benefits Guaranty Corporation, but the Pension Benefits Guaranty Corporation says it, too, is underfunded. Assuming the liability of one or more of these troubled funds will lead to their own insolvency. H.R. 3913, the American Miners Pension Act, would allow their funds to recover by borrowing funds that will be paid back. It is important to emphasize this point. The loans are designed to be paid back. It is not a bailout. A bipartisanship Pension Protection Caucus that I co-chair with Representatives Richard Nolan and Debbie Dingell shares this common goal of raising attention to this crisis before it is too late. Congress must come together and find a bipartisanship solution that works for all of these critical funds and takes care of the families that need peace of mind. So on behalf of the American coal miners, the Teamsters, the builders, bakers, boilermakers, and many others, we must act now.

Mr. McKINLEY

Mr. McKINLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Gunnery Sergeant Dale Sigler from Moundsville, West Virginia. Dale's life has been one of leadership and service to his community and country. At the age of 17, during the height of World War II, he got his parents' permission and enlisted in the United States Navy, even before he had finished high school. He served in the Navy until 1946 before returning home to finish his education. Upon graduation, he then joined the Marines and led an exemplary military career as a gunnery sergeant. Dale retired after 20 years of military service, but his desire to serve the community didn't stop there. He went on to serve as a chaplain for the local chapters of The American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and Marine Corps League. He was recently awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award for his dedicated service. Gunnery Sergeant Sigler, we salute you and offer you our deepest gratitude. You, sir, are truly a great American.

Mr. McKINLEY

Mr. McKINLEY. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to introduce today's guest chaplain from Vienna, West Virginia, Pastor Jon Lands. Since taking over as senior pastor of Fellowship Baptist Church in 1996, he has led the church through a period of tremendous growth. Attendance numbers have risen from 65 to approximately 740 with a membership of over 1,200. This is a testament to his dedication to faithfully serving our community. He took his ministry to new heights when he started PraiseFM radio, FaithTalk 1450, and the Word for Life, a daily and weekly radio program now heard on 150 radio stations across the United States and two international stations. His service to the community doesn't stop at the church's door. He is a member of the executive board of directors for the Wood County Christian School, a member of the board for the Family Policy Council, and serves on the board of the Women's Care Center of Mid-Ohio Valley, a crisis pregnancy center dedicated to offering alternatives to abortion and adoption services. A husband and father of four, he is also a noted author, having written ``Be Still: God's Strategy for Serenity,'' and ``Life on the Level: The Balanced Christian Life.'' I am honored to welcome Pastor Lands to the House of Representatives. He is a dedicated leader in the Parkersburg community, and his service to others is inspirational. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues today to welcome Pastor Lands. May God bless him, our Nation, and the church family at Fellowship Baptist Church.

Mr. McKINLEY

Mr. McKINLEY. Mr. Speaker, I, too, rise today in strong support of H.R. 3017, the Brownfields Enhancement, Economic Redevelopment, and Reauthorization Act, and I am pleased to be a sponsor of this bipartisan effort along with my colleagues, Chairman Walden, especially Chairman Shimkus, and Ranking Members Pallone and Tonko for their work. I also want to thank the work of my colleagues on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee who also were cosponsors of this legislation, Mr. Katko and Ms. Esty. The bill represents a broad, bipartisan compromise that will reauthorize the brownfields program for the first time since 2006. In addition to the reauthorization, the bill makes several key improvements that you have heard about here today that will result in more brownfield sites being cleaned up and returned to productive use. A little history can explain why this bill was so important to pass. When America's industrial manufacturing facilities and factories were being constructed, they typically were located on prime property along rivers, railroads, and roads. But, over the years, technologically there were changes that took place that transformed how our economy operates. It also had to deal with unfair imports coming into America. As a result, many companies failed and the sites became abandoned. Rusting hulks of former factories and weed-infested sites have become an eyesore and deter investment in downtown and urban areas. Today, these locations could still prove to be valuable in creating jobs, and that is what our prime responsibility is here. We need to improve this negative stigma that these sites pose to communities and restore these brownfields into productive resources. America has, indeed, been identified as having 450,000 brownfield sites across the country, but only 27,000 have been cleaned up. This reauthorization is long overdue. One great success story is Pietro Fiorentini, a supplier to the natural gas industry who recently broke ground at a new manufacturing facility in Weirton, West Virginia, that was cleaned up through the brownfields program. Pietro Fiorentini spent 5 years preparing this site because of the level of contamination. I especially want to give a shout-out to Pat Ford, the executive director of the Business Development Corporation in the northern panhandle. His efforts have been tireless, working to do great things like creating jobs in the First District of West Virginia. His corporation, the Business Development Corporation, has already received $2.5 million over the years in brownfields grants and has leveraged those projects into $75 million in private sector money. It has resulted in over 1,250 new jobs, and another 128 have been preserved. You heard earlier from Chairman Shimkus, talking about the 16-to-1 ratio. Pat Ford's group has a 35-to-1 ratio. For every dollar that we put in for the Federal Government, Pat Ford's group has created $35 of investment. In the future, as businesses develop the Appalachian ethane storage hub that is under way now in the Appalachian area, these newly reclaimed properties will allow for even more industries and create more jobs throughout this area. This bipartisan bill makes very important classifications to CERCLA liability and petroleum sites. It expands eligibility for nonprofit organizations. It, indeed, increases the limit for remediation grants from $200,000 to $500,000. It creates the multipurpose grants. But, more importantly, it makes it easier for small, rural, or disadvantaged communities to participate in this program. Mr. Speaker, I encourage all of my colleagues on the Appropriations Committee, however, to fully fund this vitally important brownfields program. Although $250 million is authorized, the appropriators have only allocated $153 million to this program. Consequently, revitalization of these former abandoned sites is delayed, and they remain a stigma, deterring development in our downtown communities. Overall, this bipartisan bill--and I thank my friends on the other side of the aisle for how we are all working together on this--will make great strides toward achieving the goals of getting more contaminated sites cleaned up, promoting infrastructure, and, importantly, creating jobs. Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to vote ``yes.''

Mr. McKINLEY

Mr. McKINLEY. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor Dr. Robert Martino of Clarksburg, West Virginia. In 2013, Dr. Martino began a unique program, generously providing one day of free dental services to local Active-Duty military and their families. He wanted to give back to those who have sacrificed so much, and he has continued to do so each and every year, thereafter, and has spread this idea throughout his professional network. This day of service has now swept across the Nation, with over 500 businesses now offering our soldiers everything from dental services to accounting. It has become known as Freedom Day. But that isn't enough. I want to challenge more businesses to participate. Visit freedomday.usa.org to find out how to get involved. Dr. Martino, thank you for the example you set for America. You are truly a great American.

Mr. McKINLEY

Mr. McKINLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the rule on H.R. 3017, the Brownfields Enhancement, Economic Redevelopment and Reauthorization Act of 2017. I am proud to be the sponsor of this bill, which has broad bipartisan support, as you have been hearing about. It will reauthorize the very successful EPA program, brownfields program, for the first time since it was enacted. Like my colleague Mr. Woodall said last night in the Rules Committee, even though the brownfields site program is something that we all support, and brownfields is something we all have in our districts, working out the details of legislation like this is not easy, but the fact that we are here today with a compromise bipartisan bill and no amendment speaks volumes of how much support there is for H.R. 3017 and the brownfields program. There is no dispute that the EPA brownfields program has been a success. As you just heard from the gentlewoman from Wyoming, the program has resulted in over 27,000 properties being reassessed to start them on this road to being cleaned up, and it has resulted in over 129,000 new jobs. Over the life of the program, the Federal dollars invested have resulted in over $25 billion in leveraged private investment. This is a program we all should support, and we all should encourage our colleagues on the Appropriations Committee to fully fund this program in the future. I have confidence that H.R. 3017 will make the brownfields program even more successful, and I urge my colleagues to be in support of the rule and to vote for the bill on final passage. I want to thank my committee chairman, John Shimkus, for his work and the staff's work in bringing this bill together in a fine, compromised fashion.

Mr. McKINLEY

Mr. McKINLEY. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman and I look forward to working with him as well. We have had a good working relationship over the years. I want to continue this process because I understand this process. I will be voting to continue the process in anticipation that it will be in the final bill.

Mr. McKINLEY. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for this opportunity to discuss the historic preservation tax credits that historically have stimulated nearly $150 billion in private sector investment. As we have discussed over the last month, the tax credit is critically important for economic development and revitalization, especially in small, rural areas of this country. Without the credit, projects that transform communities in all 50 States, from West Virginia to Texas, to Wisconsin, simply will not happen. Mr. Speaker, the chairman's word means something to me, so I am asking for his commitment to continue working with me to ensure that the Federal historic preservation tax credit is preserved in the final tax reform package.

Mr. McKINLEY. I yield to the gentleman from Texas.

Mr. McKINLEY

Mr. McKINLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to call attention to November as being National Hospice and Palliative Care Month and to recognize a passionate steward of a non-profit hospice--West Virginia Caring. Under the leadership of Ms. Malene Davis, West Virginia Caring's hospice and palliative care has helped citizens in 12 counties receive attentive and respectful care. As we consider the importance of compassionate and dignified care during one's end of life, we must protect the fair and adequate compensation for non-profit hospice and palliative care provider organizations. I continue to be vigilant of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services as well as the intermediary contractors who review and recommend reimbursement rates on a case-by-case basis. For our families, friends and the American people, this is an important aspect of our healthcare responsibility. During this month, I call particular attention to the many physicians, nurses, caregivers and volunteers who offer invaluable patient service under the Medicare Hospice Benefit. I thank them for their skills and for their compassionate care.

Mr. McKINLEY

Mr. McKINLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the memory of Gertie Sole Archer, who passed away in August, for her service and contributions to her community. Mrs. Archer was born in Muddy Creek, West Virginia and lived in Middlebourne, WV for most of her life. Mrs. Archer contributed to her community as a County Clerk in Tyler County, as an active member in the Muddy Creek Church of Christ, the Tyler County High School Athletic and Band Boosters, and offered her time to many other community organizations. As a long-standing and active member of the Tyler County Republican Women's Club, she enthusiastically volunteered to support the election of Republican candidates. As the first Republican Congressman from the 1st District in 42 years, I benefited from her work and friendship. She also worked tirelessly to improve the streetscape, parks and recreational facilities in Middlebourne, her hometown for 50 years. Today, we honor Mrs. Archer and her contributions to her community. We join her friends and family in mourning the loss of a stalwart in her community.

Mr. McKINLEY

Mr. McKINLEY. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. McKINLEY. Mr. Chairman, the Environmental Security Computing Center within NOAA--the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration--utilizes high-performance computing technology to quickly process information from weather satellites and to predict the path of a hurricane or the extent of damage a wildfire can create. As recent events have shown, weather events can have a devastating impact on the lives of our fellow Americans. In late July, northern West Virginia experienced unexpected flooding that placed eight counties under a state of emergency. Nearly 1,000 homes and businesses were damaged or destroyed, and, tragically, two individuals lost their lives. This was an unexpected flow of water. Recently, Hurricanes Harvey and Irma have destroyed thousands of homes and communities, which will require a massive influx of Federal resources to rebuild. This Congress has the responsibility to ensure the accuracy and viability of the weather and climate monitoring work performed by the security center. One of the most important systems NOAA uses to process this data is its high-performance computing assets, such as NOAA's Environmental Security Computer Center. My amendment provides funding to complete the build-out for that facility that NOAA has initiated. Completing the build-out will support the supercomputer systems that NOAA uses to process and report this important and critical weather model data. What we are witnessing during this hurricane season, Mr. Chairman, demonstrates just how important passage of this amendment is to our Nation, and we are going to have reliable information provided to us. So I urge my colleagues to support this amendment. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. McKINLEY

Mr. McKINLEY. Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to the amendment.

Mr. McKINLEY. Mr. Chairman, let's step back a minute on this issue. As you can see from this chart, coal, natural gas, and oil--fossil fuels--make up 81 percent of this country's energy consumption--81 percent. But the proportion of R&D funding, you can see, is only 18 percent, which is far below what is currently being spent on renewables and nuclear. The reality is that America and the entire world are going to be dependent on fossil fuels for years to come. The Energy Information Administration estimates that by the year 2040, fossil energy will still make up 78 percent of the energy used around the globe. Are my friends on the other side serious about addressing these emissions? Shouldn't America's goal be to develop the technologies so that we can utilize coal and natural gas around the world in the cleanest, most efficient way possible? Shouldn't America be that global leader on energy technology? You can't do that without research. Mr. Chairman, we can't be cutting research on fossil fuels and technology. We should actually be increasing it. Fossil fuels will be around for the foreseeable future. I think we have a responsibility for our children and our grandchildren to make sure that it is burned and used in the most efficient, clean manner that we can, and this requires research. Mr. Chairman, the House has soundly defeated similar amendments to this in the past, year after year, and I hope they will defeat this one, too. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. McKINLEY. Mr. Chairman, I appreciate Ms. Castor's remarks, and I enjoy working with her in committee. But the realization is fossil fuels are consumed in all 50 States. It is not West Virginia we are dealing with. I think Ms. Castor is concerned about her State, the water quality in her State, and that is what this research is going to take care of. We have got to maximize the amount of money that has been put into it. In the past, we had far more amount of money in this. We need to preserve what we have, and, actually, I am hoping we can plus it up a little bit. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. McKINLEY. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. McKINLEY. Mr. Chairman, this amendment is simple. We are merely restoring the Fossil Energy Research & Development program back to the levels of 2017--merely back to the levels of 2017. We must put it in perspective. It is still $300 million less than it was under President Bush. Let's also put it in perspective. As I showed earlier on the chart, the consumption of fossil fuels make up 81 percent of all the country's energy consumption; 81 percent fossil fuels of coal, natural gas, and oil. But the level of research is only at 18 percent of the money that we have currently. Now, I just heard a minute ago someone say this is pretty balanced. Look, I may be just an engineer, but I don't think 18 percent is the equivalent of 81 percent. There is something wrong with that. I am not here to argue that America shouldn't be investing in renewables and nuclear. That wouldn't be appropriate. But the reality is that America and the entire world will be relying on fossil energy for years to come. The Energy Information Administration estimated that by 2040, fossil energy is still going to make up 78 percent of the world's consumption. So shouldn't it be America's goal to lead the world, to have that mantle of leadership, to develop the technologies that we can export to other countries around the world that are going to continue to use coal and gas and oil in the cleanest and most efficient way? Shouldn't we, again, be that global leader on this? But we can't do this without leadership. Mr. Chairman, let's consider the history of this, the fossil research from the Federal Government. Just remember the threat years ago, back in the eighties, we had of acid rain. It was the research in our Federal labs all across America that reduced the emissions of SOx and NOX gases and addressing cleaned up acid rain and reduced it. The reduction in CO2 emissions around the globe and around America have come as a result of fossil fuel research. On a per capita basis today, we are now emitting--on a per capita basis, this is the lowest level of CO2 emissions we have had in over 50 years, thanks to fossil fuel research. And the shale gas revolution that made America the biggest producer of gas in the world, it originated in our Federal laboratories in research. That is just part of where we have been. Now go into the future. Someone said this is a fuel of the past. How can it be when the R&D money--look what they are working on in our labs all across America, virtually in every one of our districts across this country. We are doing a carbon capture, utilization, and storage. We are doing chemical looping. They are studying and understanding methane hydrates. You talked earlier about rare earth elements are being detected now in coal seams all across America. What about oxy-combustion? All of that is coming out of current research, fresh research that we will be able to export around the world so that other countries will be able to burn their coal more cleanly. So, look, Congress should not be in the way, picking winners or losers, and it shouldn't jeopardize the work of our laboratories. If we are serious about reducing emissions, Congress should be putting more money into this program, not reducing it. In an ideal world, the funding level for R&D should be much higher. As I said, under President Bush it was $300 million more than it is today. But I understand the fiscal constraints we have. So let's utilize our domestic energy source, energy supply in the most efficient and clean way possible. We do that through our research from our Federal laboratories. Mr. Chairman, I urge the House to support this amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. McKINLEY. Mr. Chairman, let me just close quickly by saying we are not talking about West Virginia. We are talking about all across the country. These laboratories are located in colleges and universities all across America. Coal is something that is expanding. Our exports are up 58 percent. People around the world are going to use coal. I think it is the responsibility for us to show them how to burn it cleanly. China is going to increase their use by 43 percent. India is going to double its consumption in that same timeframe. When you compare the amount of research, only 18 percent currently of all the Federal dollars for research is in fossil fuel, but 56 percent is in renewable. That is not balanced. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. McKINLEY

Mr. McKINLEY. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to recognize a little known role model, Eli Borochov, a 22-year-old young man from Cedarhurst, New York. While on a trip to Israel with his family in 2015, Eli was praying during a Shabbat service at the Cave of the Patriarchs in Hebron. While praying, Eli was targeted by a pair of Arab snipers and was shot twice in the leg. Thankfully, after emergency surgery and a lengthy rehabilitation, Eli has recovered. After the terrorists were apprehended and put on trial, Eli was called upon to speak in court, which meant he had to face his shooters in person. While addressing the court, Eli displayed conviction and character well beyond his years. As Eli mentioned in his statement, the only reason he was targeted was the fact that he was practicing his Jewish faith. I commend Eli for standing tall in the face of violence and showing great courage. He is a role model.

Mr. McKINLEY

Mr. McKINLEY. Mr. Chairman, today the House will vote on a bill addressing the ozone standards issued by the Obama administration. Look, with the comments you have heard today, we all want clean air. But America has made great strides already. Ozone is down by one-third since 1980. But the regulations imposed by President Obama in 2015 would cost the economy billions of dollars each year and hamper job growth. In many parts of the country, it is literally impossible to meet the new standards due to the background levels of ozone. Much of the country, as you just heard the chairman talk about, was still trying to comply with the previous standard when, suddenly, a new level was imposed. This has resulted in confusion and duplication. The bill that is before us this afternoon provides a commonsense approach. It delays the implementation, but, more importantly, it gives the States flexibility to deal with this issue. It revises the timeframe for changing standards from 5 years to 10 years. That is all. It requires the EPA to consider--very important--the economic and technical feasibility of the new standards. So, Mr. Chairman, passing this bill today will remove a barrier to economic growth while, at the same time, still protecting our environment.