Brian Mast

Mr. MAST

Mr. MAST. Mr. Speaker, last month, more than 30,000 scientists, including many from Florida, congregated for Neuroscience 2019, an annual event dedicated to understanding the brain and the nervous system. Now, one of the many brain diseases that was discussed at this annual meeting was glioblastoma, which is, unfortunately, prevalent in the part of Florida that I represent. As a matter of fact, just last week, my friend, Mark Cunningham, who was diagnosed with this aggressive cancer 3 years ago, passed after many years of fighting for his life. I ask that you join me in praying for the Cunningham family and all those still fighting this horrible disease. I also ask that you thank God for the inspiring person that Mark proved to be every day of his life. I would just say that I am thankful for the neuroscientists working tirelessly to learn more about this disease. Last year, our community received more than $48 million in funding from the National Institutes of Health to conduct research aimed at understanding the nervous system. I have seen firsthand the important work being done at research institutes in my community, including the Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience, and I am very confident that we can save lives.

Mr. MAST

Mr. MAST. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding; I thank the gentlewoman for her support; and I thank the committee for their work on this piece of legislation. Now, HABHRCA is what we are talking about here. That is what a lot of people know it as. Since 1998 and the creation of HABHRCA, the Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control Amendments Act, this interagency task force has done incredible work in different areas across the country, and they have done incredible work by working collaboratively across a number of different agencies. Whether you are talking about the Department of Commerce, Interior, HHS, CDC, EPA, and looping in there the Corps of Engineers, the work has been outstanding, and it is what is needed: collaborative efforts to go out there and research and find real results, mitigate the occurrences of these harmful algal blooms and hypoxia, and do this in waterways across our Nation. Now, H.R. 335, the South Florida Clean Coastal Waters Act of 2019, focuses that interagency capability on the Nation's most devastating example of harmful algal blooms and hypoxia to date: those that have occurred in the south Florida area. It truly is an environmental emergency that, unfortunately, many have witnessed on the news and seen in other places, and it has been a result of what has happened for almost a century: The U.S. Government has embarked on a piecemeal compilation of infrastructure projects across Florida that really contorted and misshaped the natural waterways of Florida. Now, decades ago, it was realized that this patchwork of uncoordinated and often very conflicting flows of water design resulted in toxic concentrations of nutrients in one area or the elimination of natural filtration systems that used to purify the waters of Florida. So south Florida, today, is now riddled with environmental catastrophes from north to south, like harmful algal blooms, red tide, and hypoxia, these toxic overgrowths from these ecological disasters. We have seen far too many of the devastating effects: massive fish kills around the Florida peninsula, carcasses of whale sharks, dolphins, manatee, millions of pounds of sea life washing up on our shores, results of deaths of many other animals, and, unfortunately, unknown health effects to humans that come in contact with this. Now, a couple important factors that have played into this: In July, the Corps of Engineers testified that, for decades, it had knowingly discharged enormous quantities of toxic, harmful algal bloom- laden water from the 730-square-mile lake in the middle of south Florida, Lake Okeechobee, and one of those toxins that makes up harmful algal blooms that is so dangerous: cyanobacteria. After many requests, the EPA, this year, made a report that said harmful algal blooms that had cyanobacteria of over 8 parts per billion, humans should not come in contact with. To put that into perspective, we were having discharges of these kinds of algal blooms to the tune of 495 parts per billion last summer, so very, very serious health risks going on there. They crippled the economy. They crippled small businesses. Tourism, fisheries, those things get destroyed. It devastates, obviously, the environment. It creates dying ecosystems. It is in that that I thank the committee for their support on this because it is very serious to our community.

Mr. MAST

Mr. MAST. Mr. Speaker, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. MAST. Mr. Speaker, I have a motion to recommit at the desk.

Mr. MAST. In its current form, absolutely.

Mr. MAST. Mr. Speaker, this amendment is very simple. It would prohibit pension plans receiving loans under this bill from engaging in the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions movement against Israel. Understanding this MTR does not take a lot of words. Mr. Speaker, I hear colleagues who must believe that BDS is a 1-day event occurring, so that is why it makes it even more important for us to speak about this MTR. Now, understanding this MTR takes very few words. Let me be very blunt about this. Yesterday, as was aptly pointed out, this Chamber passed a bipartisan resolution--398 in support, 17 opposing--which opposed any efforts to delegitimize the State of Israel, condemning the BDS movement as dangerous and anti-Semitic. Today, let's simply continue that progress, understanding that BDS equals anti-Semitism. While anti-Semitism may be a political investment by some, it has no place in managing retirement pensions, and BDS has no place in this House. Let us say simply, let us agree, let us plant our bipartisan flag that anti-Semitism and BDS will have no home here in Congress and no home in this bill. It is simple. If you are one of the 398 Members who voted last night to condemn the BDS movement, then you should support this MTR, stand with our ally Israel, and continue to combat this anti-Semitic movement. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. MAST

Mr. MAST. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to S.J. Res. 38. And I want to focus my remarks on the rationale behind the President's emergency declaration and ask that we think about the definition of the word ``declaration'', what that means to each of us. My friends on the other side of the aisle would prefer to forget that these arms sales were expedited for a very specific reason. They are omitting this information because it doesn't fit into their narrative that the President is doing a favor to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. I can tell you that defense is no favor. The threat that emanates from Iran that precipitated this emergency declaration is very, very real, and, as a result, so is the need for the weapons sales to our partners. So let's think about it: Are these situations emergencies? Do they pose an immediate risk to life--an immediate threat to life? In May in the days leading right up to this emergency declaration, Iran and its proxies executed several attacks throughout the Middle East over just 2 weeks. Four oil tankers were attacked in the Gulf of Oman. I would say that is an emergency and a threat to life. Armed drones struck Saudi oil fields. I would say that is an emergency and a threat to life. The head of the Quds Force called on terror groups to prepare for a proxy war. I would certainly call that an emergency and a very direct threat to life. A rocket was launched near the U.S. embassy in Baghdad. I would call that an emergency and a threat to life. A bomb-carrying drone was launched by Houthi rebels targeting a Saudi airport on May 21. I would say that is an emergency and a threat to life. Now in the weeks since the emergency declaration, Iran has only ramped up its attacks and it is precipitating the need to have this emergency declaration. Houthi rebels have continued attacks on civilian airports in Saudi Arabia. That is an emergency and a direct threat to life. The IRGC perpetrated another attack on commercial shipping, this time targeting Japanese and Norwegian oil tankers transiting through the Strait of Hormuz. I would say that that is an emergency and a threat to life. A rocket hit an oil drilling site in Iraq's southern Basra Province striking inside a compound that housed contractors and employees of Exxon Mobil. I would say that is an emergency and a threat to life. Iran shot down a U.S. military asset over international waters. I would say that is an emergency. Just last week three Iranian paramilitary vessels tried to impede the passage of a British oil tanker transiting the Strait of Hormuz, and I would say that is an emergency and a threat to life. Now, even as Iran continues to threaten international shipping and civilians in the Middle East, there are Members of this body who want to create doubts about the commitments that we have to our partners on the front lines. Now for Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, this is not an abstract threat. It is their tankers that are being attacked, their airports that are being targeted, and their oil fields. Now, our bilateral relationship with Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates undoubtedly is complicated, and we absolutely have to press for improvements in domestic human rights for both countries. I think we can agree on this wholeheartedly: we have to seek justice and accountability in the murder of Jamal Khashoggi, undoubtedly. In fact, earlier this week this body voted overwhelmingly for Mr. Malinowski's H.R. 2037 which imposes sanctions on those responsible for Mr. Khashoggi's murder. Even as the United Arab Emirates draws down its position in Yemen, we must press Saudi Arabia to minimize civilian casualties in that conflict, but none of these challenges justify whatsoever abandoning our partners as they face down a threat from an Iranian regime that is on the march throughout the Middle East. In fact, we must continue to show our investment in our strategic partnerships in order to incentivize our partners to make the changes that we are asking them to make. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate that my colleagues on the other side of the aisle have had a longstanding concern about these sales. We have a codified congressional review process precisely to address such concerns, however it is my assessment that my Democratic colleagues abused this review process. Prior to the emergency notification, Republican Members had supported these sales, but Democrat Members subjected them to informal holds--in some cases for over a year--without any clear path to resolution. Now, given the wide range of conflicts and threats in the Middle East, I do not understand why my colleagues were surprised when, after months and even over a year of delay, it was assessed that our partners urgently needed these defense articles and services for their national security in these emergency situations. Perhaps if my colleagues had taken a more active approach to resolving their concerns, we would have avoided the situation in which additional capabilities were needed to respond to the elevated threat, this emergency situation that has been posted by Iran. Now, Mr. Speaker, there has long been a consensus in this body that Iran's malign activities in the Middle East are a threat to the United States' national security and to our partners. In the past 3 years alone, we have passed legislation responding to Iran's support for terrorism, growing ballistic missile arsenal, and human rights abuses. The Iranian regime has not backed down from these malign activities, and it is my sincere hope that this body will not back down from its resolve to counter Iran's destabilizing agenda. Unfortunately, this resolution and the other joint resolutions of disapproval for the 22 sales are very much a step in the wrong direction. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from Texas (Mr. Taylor).

Mr. MAST. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. MAST. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. MAST

Mr. MAST. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to take from the Speaker's table H.R. 3401, with the Senate amendment thereto, and concur in the Senate amendment.

Mr. MAST

Mr. MAST. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Palm Beach County schools for promoting music educational excellence in Florida. Palm Beach County received a 2019 Best Communities for Music Education Award from the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM). This award celebrates school districts for their commitment to music education and efforts to promote music for all students as part of a well-rounded education. In achieving this national award, Palm Beach County teachers and faculty have demonstrated an exceptionally high commitment to enriching students' lives through music. Madam Speaker, I hope these music programs will continue to expand and give even more students the opportunity to thrive in our community.

Mr. MAST

Mr. MAST. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate recent high school graduates from Palm Beach County who have made the decision to enlist in our Armed Forces. I would like to thank them for volunteering to serve our country. They include: Scott Carroll, Aspen Draeger, Gopal Harpalani, Tyler Huntoon, Ryan Keip, Michael Mee, Jaslyn Senger, Patrick Tierney, Devinity Salon, Deiontae Shannon, Andrew Hogan, Abigail Dasilva, Jaime Bustillo, John Dowd, Casey George, Peter Kanelidis, Stephen Manley, Andres Moreno, Ashton Skinner, Brandon Suh, and Skylar Thompson.

Mr. MAST

Mr. MAST. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize a great program that is promoting civic engagement in Florida and across the country. The YMCA's Junior Youth In Government Program is a model legislative forum where students learn to write bills, as well as develop critical debate and leadership skills. In Florida, these bills amend existing laws or create new legislation to better serve Floridians. In Martin County, the Junior Youth In Government Program started at Murray Middle School, and now all middle schools in Martin County have successful programs. I want to especially recognize David Yankwitt. In addition to teaching American History and Civics at Murray Middle School, he works as the coordinator for the Junior Youth In Government Program for Martin County. His work is inspiring a new generation of leaders to engage with our state in a civic-minded way. I also want to recognize the 15 students who participated in this program at Murray Middle School and the 35 students who participated county-wide. As students continue in Junior Youth In Government, they can then move into Senior Youth In Government. South Fork, Martin County and Jensen Beach High Schools all have great student-led programs that could result in students receiving college credit and scholarships. Madam Speaker, I hope these programs will continue to expand and give even more students the opportunity to learn more about how citizens can participate in our government.

Mr. MAST

Mr. MAST. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize a great program that is promoting civic engagement in Florida and across the country. The YMCA's Junior Youth In Government Program is a model legislative forum where students learn to write bills, as well as develop critical debate and leadership skills. In Martin County, the Junior Youth In Government Program started at Murray Middle School, and now all middle schools in Martin County have successful programs. I want to especially recognize four students who dedicated their time in this program to addressing the water quality issues plaguing our community. Emma Mauri, Jasper Millette, KJ Thompson and Donovan Soars all recognized the pressing issues caused by polluted water and harmful algal blooms. These students researched the issues thoroughly, proposed policy changes and successfully got their bills passed. They exemplify the kinds of future leaders we need in our government because they understand that protecting our environment is also essential to defending human health and strengthening our economy. Madam Speaker, I want to congratulate Emma, Jasper, KJ and Donovan on their success, and I also hope these programs will continue to expand to give even more students the opportunity to learn more about how citizens can participate in our government.

Mr. MAST

Mr. MAST. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a great group who has been documenting something tragic going on in our community, the Toxic 18 group on the Treasure Coast of Florida. The administrators and the members of Toxic 18 have dedicated countless volunteer hours to taking pictures, videos, and looking at the destruction which has included dead animals, sickness, destroyed environment, and businesses being forced to close across the Treasure Coast, all as a result of the harmful algal blooms going on in our area. Their administrators, people who I have had the chance to get to know, like Cyndi Lenz, Jennie Pawlowsky, Cristina Maldonado, Kim Streiber, and Troy Brown have done an outstanding job, and because of their work, I am very optimistic for a great 2019 and future beyond that because of the work they have already done in 2018 and before.

Mr. MAST

Mr. MAST. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and congratulate Indian River State College on being named a winner of the 2019 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence. IRSC has made it their mission, literally, to provide the best to every student developing academic plans. They have proven their ability to consistently improve student success rates. Their effort to create educational opportunities beyond the 2-year degree have produced amazing results worth recognizing. I have been on the campus many times. I have never spoken to a student there that hasn't said anything but praise for IRSC. So congratulations to Indian River State College, to Dr. Massey on receiving this special recognition to help educate and prepare the next generation of young professionals for success.

Mr. MAST

Mr. MAST. Mr. Speaker, I rise today also in support of H.R. 1331, the Local Water Protection Act. I thank both my colleagues for their support and their comments on this legislation. Let's talk about what this really does, how this bill is so important, and how it makes a difference with nonpoint source pollution. Point source pollution is easy to identify, for most people. They have an image of it in their head. It is that pipe coming out of some sort of seawall, coming out of the ground somewhere, dripping something that doesn't look so fresh into their waterways that they want to look pristine and beautiful. That is easy to identify. The nonpoint stuff is not quite as easy for everybody to go out there and see. What this does is it helps us prevent toxic agricultural runoff that can have an impact from things like fertilizer spraying, those things that go out there and are put onto our crops at different times. It can help implement best management practices. It can install pump stations where they might be needed. It can assist with septic to sewer conversions for those issues that arise in our more suburban and residential areas where we have runoff coming off yards, leaky septic tanks, things that we also don't want in our waterways coming from those areas. It can help address legacy pollutants already in our waterways. It can help prevent other forms of pollutants from coming in. This is why it is so important. For us, Mr. Speaker, in Florida, this is a huge issue because our Florida waterways, we know how irreplaceable a treasure they are. They are ecologically unique. They are central to our economy. They are central to our health because our family members are in and out of the water so often, whether they are fishing, whether they are swimming, whether they are boating, whether they are recreating, whatever it is, whether it is a part of their livelihood, it is what they are in, so it is a big deal for our health. The community that I represent, like many others, is plagued with toxic algal blooms that result from algae-laden discharges, an unnatural infusion of freshwater into our salt water that causes this. It creates a real mess for us. When this nutrient-loaded freshwater hits our saltwater estuaries, it wreaks havoc on our coasts. It kills everything in the sea life in its path. This past summer, we had freshwater that was released into our coastal estuaries that was labeled nearly 50 times too toxic for human contact. Now that water has tested positive for a number of toxins in areas that are very heavily populated. It is a very bad situation for what we experience each and every year. This bill helps to stop this pollution by increasing the EPA's successful section 319 grant program. It addresses nonpoint source pollution through State-run nonpoint source pollution management, not Washington, D.C., one-size-fits-all approaches, but State-run. The bill reauthorizes this program and increases funding levels up to $200 million annually through 2024. This is an amazing bill. I am very proud to work with everybody else on it. In short, Mr. Speaker, this is a bill that can make a real difference for communities across our country, but specifically for communities in and around Florida and our beautiful peninsula, as well. Mr. Speaker, I fully support its passage. I thank Congresswoman Craig for leading this effort with me. By the way, congratulations to Congresswoman Craig on passing her first piece of legislation, as well. Let's get this bill passed.

Mr. MAST

Mr. MAST. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. This bill makes technical corrections to the Frank LoBiondo Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2018, which was signed into law on December 4, 2018. It corrects certain dates and updates membership on a Coast Guard advisory committee. Mr. Speaker, I urge support, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. MAST

Mr. MAST. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. MAST. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, S. 3367 enhances transparency for certain Department of Transportation reports, eliminates or sunsets certain advisory boards, and makes technical amendments to the rail improvement grants. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. MAST. 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 S. 3367.

Mr. MAST. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (S. 3367) to amend certain transportation-related reporting requirements to improve congressional oversight, reduce reporting burdens, and promote transparency, and for other purposes.

Mr. MAST

Mr. MAST. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. MAST. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 7319 amends the Federal Assets Sale and Transfer Act of 2016 to provide leaseback flexibility in certain circumstances to facilitate the sale of property and maximize the return to the taxpayer. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. MAST. 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 H.R. 7319.