Mark Meadows

Mr. MEADOWS

Mr. MEADOWS. Mr. Chair, I rise today to speak in support of H.R. 1873--the Electricity Reliability and Forest Protection Act. North Carolina is home to four national forests that offer visitors and residents access to incredible scenery, wildlife, and a wide variety of recreational activities. In my district in Western North Carolina, American Forestry management has its roots in the Pisgah National Forest: The Cradle of Forestry, the very first forestry school in the country, is located there. Proper forestry management is a part of North Carolina's history that we hope to pass on to for our future generations to come. I commend my colleagues, Reps. Doug LaMalfa and Kurt Schrader, for identifying a problem and for providing a common-sense solution to make vegetation management in national forests easier. Managing vegetation around power lines is important for ensuring electric grid reliability, and for keeping overgrown and falling trees from interfering with nearby power lines which can cause blackouts, wildfires, and other safety hazards. This bill would ensure utility companies, who are responsible for vegetation management near power lines on federal lands, are no longer delayed by bureaucratic red tape and inconsistent federal standards between agencies. With the passage of this bill, we will be a step closer to providing expedited forestry management plan approval, while also giving utility companies the authority to remove hazardous debris in emergency situations. Mr. Chair, I am pleased we are advancing a bipartisan proposal today--I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

Mr. MEADOWS

Mr. MEADOWS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Major David Anderson of the Caldwell County Sheriff's Office. On behalf of the people of Western North Carolina, I would like to thank Major Anderson for his 30 years of service to Caldwell County. Major Anderson began his law enforcement career in 1986 when he graduated from the U.S. Army Military Police School at Fort McClellan, Alabama. The following year he joined the 21st Airborne Military Police Company at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. He then worked for the Lenoir Police Department as a patrol officer and field training officer from 1990 until 1993. In 1993 Major Anderson joined the Caldwell County Sheriff's Office and was assigned to the Patrol Division as Deputy Sheriff. He was promoted to Sergeant in 1994, to Lieutenant in 1998, and to Captain of the Patrol Division in 2006. Major Anderson was appointed to Major/ Chief Deputy by Sheriff Alan Jones in 2008 and served in this position until his retirement. As Chief Deputy, Major Anderson supervised budgetary and personnel matters and oversaw the daily operations of the Sheriff's office. In addition to these duties, Major Anderson conducted an extensive research project to document the history of the Caldwell County Sheriff's Office. Throughout his career, Major Anderson has received numerous medals, service awards, and commendations including the Advanced Law Enforcement Certificate, Advanced Service Award, Officer of the Year, and the Medal of Valor. Major Anderson is a lifelong resident of Caldwell County, where he lives with his wife and children. Through his dedication to the people and history of Caldwell County, Major Anderson has enriched the community that he so faithfully served. I am honored to recognize Major Anderson on his retirement and convey the sincere congratulations and best wishes of the people of North Carolina.

Mr. MEADOWS

Mr. MEADOWS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize The Whisnants, a musical ensemble from Morganton, North Carolina. On behalf of the people of Western North Carolina, I would like to congratulate The Whisnants for nearly 50 years of the continued growth of their remarkable ministry. This ministry began many years ago in 1970, when John and Betty Whisnant and their family began singing gospel music in Morganton, North Carolina. The group has expanded over the years, with members coming and going, but they have always remained true to their mission. This family has asked God to use their ministry to touch more and more lives, and he has clearly used their music to do so. In the 47 years since they got their start, the Whisnants have performed across the nation and the world. The Whisnants have been recognized as leaders in gospel music, and their songs have frequently been awarded top accolades throughout their career. As the family's ministry continues to grow and as new generations of Whisnants take new roles, they do so with my prayers and continued best wishes. The Whisnants have been extraordinary representatives of our community across our state and nation. On behalf of the people of Western North Carolina, it's my honor to recognize them on this important family milestone.

Mr. MEADOWS

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

Mr. MEADOWS. Mr. Chairman, I appreciate the leadership of the chairman of the full committee on matters of transparency and accountability. I can tell you that there is no one who has a greater definitive desire to make sure that we hold our government accountable and certainly accountable to the American people. So, it is with that goal in mind that I rise to ask my colleagues to support an amendment that we are offering that would actually just keep a log of any of the pre-review consultations with agencies that OIRA actually has and conducts, and to publish that list upon completion of review. Dating back to some 2003, the Government Accountability Office had made the recommendation about increasing this transparency at the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs. GAO actually made one recommendation targeted at what they call informal review, Mr. Chairman, that OIRA conducts before an agency actually formally submits a rule for review. Indeed, the GAO recommended that the Director of the Office of Management and Budget should define a transparency requirement that would be applicable to agencies and OIRA, in Section 6 of Executive Order 12866, in such a way that would not include not only the formal review, but it would also include the informal review period when OIRA says that it has sometimes, considering some of the most important facts as it relates to new rules. This recommendation remains unimplemented today, and I can tell you, Mr. Chairman, we have had a number of hearings where we have had this particular group in. I know my colleagues, the gentleman opposite from Virginia, and I believe that OIRA plays a critical role. And yet, at the same time, some of these meetings were going on without the knowledge, and even after the fact, when they went into effect, and we had really no understanding of some of the deliberation that went on. So this is just a great transparency, commonsense amendment, and I would urge my colleagues to support it. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. MEADOWS. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I thank the gentlewoman from the Virgin Islands, and, as a gifted orator, and certainly a gifted attorney, I appreciate her compliments. And although not all might agree with her assessment of the reasonable fashion of which I craft particular amendments, I do appreciate the fact that she recognizes it in this case. She also knows that, in doing this, working in a bipartisan way, is something that, on this particular committee, Oversight and Government Reform, Mr. Chairman, we have had just a wonderful history of being able to work in a real way. And so she certainly has my commitment to continue to try to perfect the language in making sure that transparency is held paramount. That being said, I don't intend to withdraw the amendment because there are two ways things get done here in Washington, D.C., slow and never. And if we just remember that, this particular day, hopefully we will put this in place. But the esteemed gentlewoman from the Virgin Islands has my commitment to work with her in a bipartisan way to perfect any language in legislation that may come up after this particular bill. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. MEADOWS. Mr. Chairman, I thank the two colleagues opposite for their gracious remarks and understand their reluctance to support it based on their concerns with the underlying bill. I, again, reaffirm my commitment to work in a bipartisan way to make sure that transparency is the key for the day. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. MEADOWS

Mr. MEADOWS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend the Republic of Kazakhstan and its President on taking significant steps towards a more open and democratized form of governance. Recently, President Nursultan Nazarbayev announced constitutional reforms aimed at improving the accountability of government and the transfer of many powers to the Parliament and ministry level. Last December, Kazakhstan celebrated twenty-five years of independence from the former Soviet Union. In those twenty-five years, Kazakhstan has become a modernized republic, moved towards a market- based economy, and stewarded growth and prosperity for its citizens. Kazakhstan's President Nazarbayev is now taking the welcomed steps towards implementing the political and constitutional reforms that a modern republic, governed by the people and for the people, requires for continued long-term stability and prosperity. I am proud of the United States' partnership with Kazakhstan as it continues to make clear its commitment to the rights of its citizens, and we encourage its progress in protecting religious minorities and freedom of the press. These commendable steps towards the democratization of government serve as an example for other countries in the region. In the coming months, I look forward to welcoming and working with the new Ambassador to the United States, H.E. Erzhan Kazykhanov, and commend the Kazakh government for the willingness to continuously improve the country's governmental system.

Mr. MEADOWS

Mr. MEADOWS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the service of a great public servant on his retirement--Captain William B.J. Fore. B.J., as I call him, a great friend from Caldwell County, North Carolina, has served in the Caldwell County Sheriff's Office for a number of years. Today, Mr. Speaker, I could rise and go through a litany of different positions on how he has served that great county, but it would miss the point, it would miss the point of who B.J. Fore really is. He is a gentleman that not only do I call a friend, but he is someone who has served Caldwell County over and over again, consistently answering the call with the word ``yes.'' B.J. Fore has not only served the Caldwell County area in public service as a law enforcement officer, but he has consistently been someone who is always there to serve those that are in need. I remember specifically just a few years back where he and I were working together on trying to serve some of those that were in most need during an event at Halloween time. Some would come in, and there he was making sure that not only children and families were recognized for what they had or didn't have, but some of them, perhaps even that day, showed up to get the meal that only they could have provided at that particular event. It is a heart of a big man, a big man of courage, that I recognize today on his retirement. I wish him the very heartfelt congratulations on a life that has served Caldwell County so well, and I wish him the very best in his future endeavors.

Mr. MEADOWS

Mr. MEADOWS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Captain Ricky Crisp of the McDowell County Sheriff's Department. On behalf of the people of Western North Carolina, I would like to thank Captain Crisp for his 24 years of service in McDowell County. Captain Crisp began work with the McDowell County Sheriff's Department in 1992 and soon became a full-time Deputy. He went on to serve as Patrol Deputy, Patrol Sergeant, and Detective. He was part of the McDowell County Sheriff's Office Honor Guard, a member of the Multi-Jurisdictional Highway Interdiction Team, and has also given his time as the Treasurer for Region C Criminal Justice Committee. By 2007, he had risen to the rank of Patrol Lieutenant and subsequently left to work as an investigator for the McDowell County District Attorney. In 2008, Captain Crisp returned to the McDowell County Sheriff's Department and served as Patrol Captain until his retirement. For his decades of service, Captain Crisp was awarded numerous citations of appreciation and was nominated as the Law Enforcement Executive of the Year. Captain Crisp and his wife Tracy have been married for 30 years and have one daughter. In retirement, Captain Crisp leaves behind a long legacy of dedicated service to his Department and community. Captain Crisp is highly regarded and appreciated by the citizens of McDowell County, and by the broader Western North Carolina community. He has truly embodied the Sheriff's Department's spirit of integrity and service. I am honored to express the sincere congratulations and best wishes of the people of North Carolina on his retirement.

Mr. MEADOWS

Mr. MEADOWS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. Mickey Marvin of Henderson County, North Carolina. On behalf of the people of Western North Carolina, I would like to thank Mr. Marvin for his continued service to the Henderson County community. A Henderson County native, Marvin played football at West Henderson High School, Brevard High School, and the University of Tennessee before being drafted to play for the Oakland Raiders in 1977. In his 10 years with the Raiders, he would go on to play 120 games and win two Super Bowl Championships as starting right guard for the team. After an outstanding career playing college and professional football, he returned home to Hendersonville. While his time playing on the field may have ended, Marvin remains engaged in his community and with the Raiders as a regional talent scout. He is a frequent speaker at local churches and youth conferences, and has held Football Camps for youth in Western North Carolina. As a faith and community leader, Marvin has given Sunday morning devotionals on local radio, has been a national speaker for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, has supported the deputies of the Henderson County Sheriff's Department, and is an active member of the First Nazarene Church of Hendersonville. Recently, by creating the Mickey Marvin Scholarship Fund, he has ensured that his legacy will benefit student athletes across Henderson County for generations to come. Mickey Marvin is held in high esteem by citizens in Henderson County and across Western North Carolina. Even in the midst of his struggle with ALS, Marvin continues to be a man of exemplary character, faith, and kindness. For his continuing service to his community, I am honored to express the sincere thanks and best wishes of the people of North Carolina.

Mr. MEADOWS

Mr. MEADOWS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mrs. Brenda Vaughn of McDowell County, North Carolina. On behalf of the people of Western North Carolina, I would like to thank Mrs. Vaughn for over 35 years of service to our communities and congratulate her on her retirement this year. Brenda Vaughn began her service with the McDowell County Sheriff's Department in 1980 as a dispatcher. She then served as cook at the Sheriff Jail Kitchen until she became a Jailer in October of 1998. After two years in that role, she became an Administrative Assistant then moved up within the Department to Shift Sergeant and later Assistant Jail Administrator. In 2013, Mrs. Vaughn was promoted to Jail Administrator. Mrs. Vaughn has dutifully served the community in this capacity for the last three years. Outside of work, Mrs. Vaughn continues to be an active member of many community organizations. She is a member of Nealsville Church of God in Glenwood, where she is part of the Ladies Auxiliary. She is also a leader outside of her church, serving as treasurer for the Charles W. Queen Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 84 in McDowell County; as President of the McDowell County Republican Women's Club; and as the Secretary of the McDowell County Republican Party. She and her husband Bobby have two sons and three grandchildren. Mrs. Vaughn has earned the respect and friendship of the people of McDowell County through her hard work and wide-ranging involvement in her community. For her service to Western North Carolina, I am honored to express to Mrs. Vaughn the gratitude and best wishes of the people of North Carolina on her retirement.

Mr. MEADOWS

Mr. MEADOWS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to take from the Speaker's table the bill (H.R. 5995) to strike the sunset on certain provisions relating to the authorized protest of a task or delivery order under section 4106 of title 41, United States Code, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. MEADOWS

Mr. MEADOWS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak on behalf of the Town and Town Council of Granite Falls, North Carolina, to express their support of observance of the 15th Anniversary of September 11th. The Town Council of the Town of Granite Falls passed a resolution that affirms that, together as a Nation, ceasing all work or other activity for a moment of remembrance beginning at 1:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time on September 11, 2016, in honor of the 15th anniversary of the terrorist attacks committed against the United States on September 11, 2001. Nearly 3,000 innocent civilians were killed in the heinous attacks of September 11, 2001. Tens of thousands of individuals narrowly escaped the attacks at the Pentagon and World Trade Center and, as witnesses to this tragedy, are forever changed. Countless fire departments, police departments, first responders, governmental officials, workers, emergency medical personnel, and volunteers responded immediately and heroically to those horrific events. Fifteen years later, the people of the United States and people around the world continue to mourn the tremendous loss of innocent life on that fateful day; and, thousands of men and women in the United States Armed Forces remain in harm's way defending the United States against those who seek to threaten the United States. On the 15th anniversary of this tragic day, the thoughts of the people of the United States are with all of the victims of the events of September 11, 2001, and their families. September 11 will never, and should never, be just another day in the hearts and minds of all people of the United States. Therefore, the Town of Granite Falls would like to recognize the observance of this important anniversary and encourages the observance of the moment of remembrance marking the moment in an appropriate manner. I would like to submit a resolution passed by the Town of Granite Falls remembering the Anniversary of September 11th. Resolution recognizing patriot day, the national day of service and remembrance, and the national moment of remembrance of the 15th anniversary of september 11th Whereas, the Town Council of the Town of Granite Falls expresses their support of the citizens of the United States coming together as a Nation and ceasing all work or other activity for a moment of remembrance beginning at 8:46 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time on September 11, 2016, in honor of the 15th anniversary of the terrorist attacks committed against the United States on September 11, 2001; and Whereas, at 8:46 a.m., on September 11, 2001, hijacked American Airlines Flight 11 crashed into the upper portion of the North Tower of the World Trade Center in New York City, New York; and Whereas, 17 minutes later, at 9:03 a.m., hijacked United Airlines Flight 175 crashed into the South Tower of the World Trade Center; and Whereas, at 9:37 a.m., the west wall of the Pentagon was hit by hijacked American Airlines Flight 77, the impact of which caused immediate and catastrophic damage to the headquarters of the Department of Defense; and Whereas, at approximately 10:03 a.m., the passengers and crew of hijacked United Airlines Flight 93 acted heroically to retake control of the airplane and thwart the taking of additional American lives by crashing the airliner in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, and, in doing so, gave their lives to save countless others; and Whereas, nearly 3,000 innocent civilians were killed in the heinous attacks of September 11, 2001; and Whereas, tens of thousands of individuals narrowly escaped the attacks at the Pentagon and World Trade Center and, as witnesses to this tragedy, are forever changed; and Whereas, countless fire departments, police departments, first responders, governmental officials, workers, emergency medical personnel, and volunteers responded immediately and heroically to those horrific events; and Whereas, the Fire Department of New York suffered 343 fatalities on September 11, 2001, the largest loss of life of any emergency response agency in United States history; and Whereas, the Port Authority Police Department suffered 37 fatalities in the attacks, the largest loss of life of any police force in United States history in a single day; and Whereas, the New York Police Department suffered 23 fatalities as a result of the terrorist attacks; and Whereas, the impact of that day on public health continues through 2016, as nearly 90,000 people are at risk of or suffering from negative health effects as a result of the events of September 11, 2001, including 14,000 workers and 2,400 community residents who are sick, and tens of thousands of others whose health is being monitored; and Whereas, 15 years later, the people of the United States and people around the world continue to mourn the tremendous loss of innocent life on that fateful day; and Whereas, 15 years later, thousands of men and women in the United States Armed Forces remain in harm's way defending the United States against those who seek to threaten the United States; and Whereas, on the 15th anniversary of this tragic day, the thoughts of the people of the Town of Granite Falls are with all of the victims of the events of September 11, 2001 and their families; and Whereas, the lives of Americans were changed forever on September 11, 2001, when events threatened the American way of life; and Whereas, September 11 will never, and should never, be just another day in the hearts and minds of all people of the United States: Now, therefore, be it Resolved that the Town Council of the Town of Granite Falls: (1) recognizes September 11, 2016, as a day of solemn commemoration of the events of September 11, 2001, and a day to come together as a Nation; and (2) offers its deepest and most sincere condolences to the families, friends, and loved ones of the innocent victims of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks; and (3) honors the heroic service, actions, and sacrifices of first responders, law enforcement personnel, State and local officials, volunteers, and countless others who aided the innocent victims of those attacks and, in doing so, bravely risked and often gave their own lives; and (4) recognizes the valiant service, actions, and sacrifices of United States personnel, including members of the United States Armed Forces, the United States intelligence agencies, the United States diplomatic service, homeland security and law enforcement personnel, and their families, who have given so much, including their lives and well-being, to support the cause of freedom and defend the security of the United States; and (5) reaffirms that the people of the Town of Granite Falls will never forget the challenges our country endured on and since September 11, 2001, and will work tirelessly to defeat those who attacked the United States; and be it further Resolved that on the 15th anniversary of this tragic day in United States history the Town Council of the Town of Granite Falls requests that citizens observe a moment of remembrance on September 11, 2016, and be it further Resolved that the Town Council of the Town of Granite Falls requests the observance of the moment of remembrance to last for 1 minute beginning at 8:46 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time by, to the maximum extent practicable ceasing all work or other activity; and marking the moment in an appropriate manner, including by ringing bells, blowing whistles, or sounding sirens.

Mr. MEADOWS

Mr. MEADOWS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize John M. Queen III of Haywood County, North Carolina. On behalf of the people of Western North Carolina, I would like to thank Mr. Queen for his service to farmers in Haywood County and congratulate him on his induction into the Western North Carolina Agriculture Hall of Fame. A fourth-generation cattle producer from Haywood County and owner of John Queen Farms, Mr. Queen's background includes experience in nearly every aspect of beef cattle management. He has been a strong promoter of his industry and has been president of both the North Carolina and National Cattlemen's Associations. As national president, he traveled throughout the country working with cattlemen to improve farm practices and worked in Washington, D.C. to advocate for the industry in Congress and at the White House. Always a leader in the cattle market, Mr. Queen established the Southeast Livestock Exchange (SELEX), which holds auctions for producers across Georgia and the Carolinas and has become a major asset to the regional cattle industry. More recently, Mr. Queen has been instrumental in the success of the weekly market at the Western North Carolina Regional Livestock Center in Canton, N.C. Under his management, from its opening in 2011 through 2015, the market has sold over 82,000 head of livestock for more than $72 million and has had an economic impact of $110 million on the region. Mr. Queen has served as a Haywood County Commissioner and director of the Haywood County Cattlemen's Association, and has been involved in the N.C. Farm Bureau, Southern Appalachian Highland Conservancy, and N.C. Beef Board. He has been recognized as a River Friendly Farmer and for his outstanding leadership in business in Haywood County. Mr. Queen remains an avid supporter of the regional FFA and 4-H programs, starting an FFA Heifer Chain and supporting the Junior Dairy Show. John M. Queen III has had a substantial influence on the livestock industry not only in Western North Carolina but throughout our state and nation. He deserves our highest recognition and I am honored to express the sincere congratulations and best wishes of the people of North Carolina on his induction into the Western North Carolina Agriculture Hall of Fame.

Mr. MEADOWS

Mr. MEADOWS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Donald R. Smart of Haywood County, North Carolina. On behalf of the people of Western North Carolina, I would like to thank Mr. Smart for his service to the farmers in Haywood County and congratulate him on his induction into the Western North Carolina Agriculture Hall of Fame. A lifelong resident of Haywood County and fifth-generation farmer, Mr. Smart was an honor student in high school and president of the Tuscola FFA chapter. He graduated cum laude from North Carolina State University and participated in the Philip Morris Leadership Program at the University of Kentucky. Starting his farm in 1974 with one acre each of burley tobacco and trellised tomatoes, Mr. Smart and his brother have since expanded the farm to encompass 1,500 acres of corn, soybeans, vegetables, tobacco, hay, and cattle. While building his own successful business, Mr. Smart served as President of the Haywood County Farm Bureau Federation, as a State Executive Board Member of the N.C. Farm Bureau Federation, as Chairman of the N.C. Farm Bureau Burley Tobacco Committee, as Chairman of the Haywood County Farmland Preservation Organization, as a Board Member of the N.C. Tobacco Growers Association, and as an advocate for farmers at our state and national capitals. In the mid-2000s, Mr. Smart's leadership stopped the sale of the Mountain Research Station and secured additional acreage for this hub of agricultural research. He helped Haywood County establish a fairground and served on its board and volunteer advisory council. He has been recognized as a Philip Morris Outstanding Burley Tobacco Grower, a N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Farmer of the Year, a Haywood County Outstanding Farmer, a N.C. Tomato Growers Association Outstanding Producer, and has received an FFA Appreciation Award for working to keep agriculture in high school curricula. Donald R. Smart has been an invaluable proponent of the agriculture industry in Haywood County and across our state. Mr. Smart deserves the highest recognition and I am honored to express the sincere congratulations and best wishes of the people of North Carolina on his induction into the Western North Carolina Agriculture Hall of Fame.

Mr. MEADOWS

Mr. MEADOWS. Mr. Chairman, I would like to thank the gentleman from Florida, the chairman of the committee, for his fine work, for his friendship, and I just want to say: You will be missed. I rise in opposition to the gentlewoman's amendment. This is something that we have debated for many, many hours. She knows full well what is the issue and what is not the issue, Mr. Chairman. I am here tonight to clear the record once again. To suggest that this is all just about local control and local budget autonomy missed the foundational principles of where they have this limited right in D.C. already. It goes back to our Founding Fathers and the principles found in the Constitution. It goes back to when this was debated and actually signed into law where Democrats and Republicans came together to say that we are going to give D.C. the ability to have local control over local issues with one major exception, and that major exception had to do with the appropriation of funds, and truly the power that rests and resides in this esteemed body. So to suggest that anything nefarious is happening would be to ignore not only history, but to ignore debate that has happened in this very Chamber before. The gentlewoman from D.C. has offered a number of times a bill to actually repeal this very right. So to suggest that D.C. automatically has this right to be able to have budget autonomy would go against previous arguments that the gentlewoman has made. So I am here tonight to say that not only am I in strong opposition, but this is something that we must stand up to for the integrity of this body and certainly because of the principles that our Founding Fathers laid at this incredible city that we call our Nation's Capital, Washington, D.C. It was to preserve it in a way that allowed for this body to not only manage and appropriate, but to oversee what is the Nation's city.

Mr. MEADOWS

Mr. MEADOWS. I thank Chairman Hurd for his leadership not only on this, but on so many important topics here in this body. He certainly is looking after transparency and oversight on behalf of the American people. I just would like to applaud his leadership there. I am proud today, Mr. Speaker, to rise in support of S. 2133, the Fraud Reduction and Data Analytics Act of 2015. S. 2133 is a bipartisan bill that will provide agencies a critically important measure for defeating fraud and protecting taxpayer dollars. In fiscal year 2014, the GAO reported that a significant portion of the $124 billion in improper payments were related to fraud. To make matters worse, all the improper payments increased by a total of $19 billion--that is billion with a B--from the previous fiscal year. Given the cost of these improper payments to agencies and, as a result, to the taxpayers, something must be done to block the flow of these fraudulent and improper payments. S. 2133 will provide the necessary framework around which agencies can build a strong antifraud defense system. Currently, agencies have been overreliant on an after-the-fact antifraud detection measure which requires the agency to review payments after they have been made and then make an attempt to recoup them. S. 2113 actually would require these agencies to develop proactive measures to identify risk, to analyze known cases of fraud, and then to develop strategies to prevent future fraud. It will also protect the American taxpayer dollars from fraud by requiring agencies to better share data that can be used to fight fraud. This bill will create a working group of agencies where best practices and fraud detection and prevention strategies can be shared throughout the government. By combating fraud, agencies will not only protect taxpayer dollars, but also increase the trust and confidence in the administration of government programs. I would like to thank Senator Carper and Senator Tillis for introducing this important, good-government legislation, and I urge my colleagues to support this bill and help better protect the American taxpayer dollars by voting in favor of S. 2133.

Mr. MEADOWS

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

Mr. MEADOWS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2395) to amend the Inspector General Act of 1978 to strengthen the independence of the Inspectors General, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. MEADOWS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise today in support of H.R. 2395, the Inspector General Empowerment Act. Indeed, the inspectors general play a key role in improving our government's efficiency. They conduct investigations and audits to prevent and detect waste, fraud, and mismanagement in their agencies' programs. The IGs help Congress to shape legislation and to target our oversight and investigative activities. The IGs have proven to be one of Congress' best investments. In the last fiscal year, the IG community used their $2.6 billion budget to identify potential cost savings to the taxpayers, totaling $46.5 billion. That means that for every dollar in the total IG's budget, they identified approximately $18 in savings. In light of this return on investment, we want the IGs to have every access to the records that they need to do their jobs. But that hasn't always been the case, Mr. Speaker. For example, at the Justice Department, the inspector general could not access grand jury documents or national security-related documents without the approval of the Deputy Attorney General or the Federal courts. At the EPA, several offices, including the EPA's Office of Homeland Security, intentionally interfered with the IG's investigations. At the Chemical Safety Board--which the EPA OIG also oversees--the IG was denied access to certain documents based on a phony attorney-client privilege claim. And the Peace Corps refused to provide its inspector general access to information related to sexual assaults on the Peace Corps volunteers absent a memorandum of understanding. In all of these instances, the agencies had clear guidance from section 6(a) of the IG Act to provide the IG with access to all records, but that guidance, indeed, was ignored. The IG Empowerment Act makes clear that section 6(a) means exactly what it says: Every inspector general shall have access to all records, reports, audits, reviews, documents, papers, recommendations, or other materials. When agencies refuse or limit IGs' access to agency records, it undermines the intent of Congress and frustrates our mutual interest in government transparency and efficiency. Furthermore, the negotiations between agencies and their IGs are wasteful. Both sides commit time and resources--which sometimes include hiring outside lawyers--so that those resources could be better used elsewhere. These are some of the problems that we are trying to address with the Inspector General Empowerment Act. The bill we are considering today will make the IGs even more effective by allowing them to follow the facts where they lead. For years, the IGs have asked us to extend to them the authority to issue subpoenas to get answers from government contractors and former Federal employees. Independent sources, including the DOJ's National Procurement Task Force and the Project on Government Oversight, have also urged Congress to expand the testimonial subpoena authority. This bill provides the expanded authority that the IGs have asked for, but with safeguards in place to make sure that they protect against the possibility that an IG's investigation would interfere with an ongoing criminal investigation, or do other harm. This bill represents several years of bipartisan work, and it reflects input from stakeholders. I would urge all of my colleagues to join me in supporting this important bill. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. MEADOWS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I wanted to thank Chairman Chaffetz for his vision and Ranking Member Cummings for working in a bipartisan way to not only empower our IGs, but give them the tools necessary to do what they do best; that is, to work on behalf of the American taxpayer. Mr. Speaker, I also want to let Congresswoman Lawrence know that I have no further speakers at this point and am prepared to close. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. MEADOWS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the gentlewoman from Michigan (Mrs. Lawrence), my good friend. She well notes that not only is this a bipartisan bill, but it is one that is widely supported. I would also like to thank our respective staffs for the hard work that they have put in on crafting this particular piece of legislation. I think it becomes a powerful tool. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. MEADOWS

Mr. MEADOWS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge the service of two men from western North Carolina: John Queen, III, and Don Smart. Recently, they were inducted into the Western North Carolina Agricultural Hall of Fame. As those plaques were put on the wall, it really didn't share the entire story, the entire story of who they are and how they serve their communities so well, not only in Haywood County but throughout all of western North Carolina. These two men, whether it was with the National Cattlemen's Beef Association, both on the local and national level, or whether it was with different associations of growers and farmers and the Farm Bureau, as is the case with Don Smart, served their community and have made their community better. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to not only acknowledge their service but also to acknowledge their friendship because they have helped me understand the agriculture community in a way that profoundly can only be done by those who are in it. So, with this, we honor them today and their induction into the Western North Carolina Agricultural Hall of Fame.

Mr. MEADOWS

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