Dan Newhouse

Mr. NEWHOUSE

Mr. NEWHOUSE. Madam Speaker, I appreciate that very much. Continuing a theme of our strong freshman class, I turn to the gentleman from Kansas (Mr. Mann). This is kind of news to me. I didn't realize that Kansas is such a major producer of energy. I think of Kansas as wheat and corn, but energy is an important part of the economy. I don't think a lot of Americans understand truly the impact of these decisions in other States. I thank Congressman Mann for participating tonight. Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Kansas (Mr. Mann).

Mr. NEWHOUSE. Madam Speaker, I appreciate Congressman Mann's involvement in the Western Caucus. The voices we have are strong, and we will continue to speak loudly and clearly about the impact of some of these decisions. Madam Speaker, you probably have guessed that the State of Texas has been impacted tremendously by these decisions. I am very pleased to have a gentleman from the State of Texas. Congressman Chip Roy is someone whom I have come to know and respect for his clearheaded thinking on so many different issues, and I know he can speak firsthand about the oil and gas industry and the impact to our economy. Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Roy).

Mr. NEWHOUSE. Madam Speaker, I appreciate Mr. Roy's strong voice and leadership on the Republican Conference. I appreciate very much his being part of this evening's discussion. Words couldn't be truer. Madam Speaker, I want to thank you for your attention and listening to the message that we have. Let me ask you a question: Could you imagine if former President Trump had signed an executive order during the middle of this pandemic to unilaterally kill thousands of jobs? What would you say would happen? It would be a national outrage. Well, President Biden's reckless executive actions are a national outrage. As you have heard, Americans in rural communities across the country--in fact, in urban areas, too--will suffer because of this ban. The Western Caucus advocates for responsible land and resource management. I can assure you that we will continue to be a strong voice for rural America. We will do everything in our power to fight for their livelihoods in the face of these devastating decisions by President Biden. So we--I, tonight, call on President Biden to please revoke and reverse these actions. I appreciate your attention, Madam Speaker, and the opportunity to express our views on this very important issue, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. NEWHOUSE

Mr. NEWHOUSE. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Ohio for yielding me the time. Madam Speaker, this is a sad day in our Republic, but not as sad or disheartening as the violence we witnessed in the Capitol last Wednesday. We are all responsible. My colleagues are responsible for not condemning rioters this past year, like those who barricaded the doors of the Seattle Police Department and attempted to murder the officers inside. Others, including myself, are responsible for not speaking out sooner, before the President misinformed and inflamed a violent mob who tore down the American flag and brutally beat Capitol Police officers. Madam Speaker, we must all do better. These Articles of Impeachment are flawed, but I will not use process as an excuse. There is no excuse for President Trump's actions. The President took an oath to defend the Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic. Last week, there was a domestic threat at the door of the Capitol, and he did nothing to stop it. That is why, with a heavy heart and clear resolve, I will vote ``yes'' on these Articles of Impeachment.

Mr. NEWHOUSE

Mr. NEWHOUSE. Madam Speaker, the Democrats' proposed changes to the House rules will disenfranchise rural America, plain and simple. In addition to throwing out budget rules to make way for socialist packages like the Green New Deal, Democrats are gutting the motion to recommit, which is an important tool for the minority to make substantive amendments to legislation. Past Republican motions to recommit have included things such as restoring funding for critical rural broadband programs or allowing for effective wildfire mitigation and increased funding for hazardous fuel reduction in our Nation's forests, also, an MTR to protect our farmers and agricultural employers from being sued out of businesses. Eliminating this opportunity to amend legislation further diminishes the voices of rural communities, and, frankly, Madam Speaker, it is a slap in the face to rural Americans. It is clear Speaker Pelosi's Democratic majority, albeit a heck of a lot slimmer than it once was, is threatened by our reinvigorated Republican Conference. Rural Americans deserve better.

Mr. NEWHOUSE

Mr. NEWHOUSE. Madam Speaker, I regrettably missed a roll call vote as indicated below. Had I been present, I would have voted NAY on Roll Call No. 240.

Mr. NEWHOUSE

Mr. NEWHOUSE. Madam Speaker, on behalf of the ranking member, I would just like to say that we support this legislation. We certainly appreciate our friend, Mr. Lujan, for bringing it forward. Just a few comments I would like to make, rising in support of H.R. 3682. This bill seeks to ensure better consultation and collaboration between our Federal land management agencies and local stakeholders over management of New Mexico's land grants and acequias. H.R. 3682 requires coordination between the Department of Agriculture, the Department of the Interior, and land grant-mercedes. These are the governing bodies of certain community land grants made by Spain or Mexico in the 17th to the mid-19th centuries to individuals, groups, and communities to promote the settlement of the southwestern United States. Specifically, this bill directs Federal land management agencies to make these bodies aware of changes to management plans and other Federal actions affecting their land grants. H.R. 3682 also requires the Federal Government to issue guidance on permitting and permissible uses. Finally, this bill creates a process for New Mexico's land grant- mercedes to establish their historical boundaries and provides a pathway for acquiring Federal land that falls within those boundaries when the Federal Government disposes of it. We should always strive to make sure that the Federal Government is a good neighbor to the communities most impacted by its land management decisions, and this good bill does exactly that. It empowers rural communities in New Mexico with a greater say over land management decisions impacting their historically important common lands which will, in turn, ensure continued community care and use for generations to come. So I support this legislation. I thank the gentleman very much for bringing it forward, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. NEWHOUSE

Mr. NEWHOUSE. Madam Speaker, today, I rise to celebrate and honor the distinguished service of my constituent, Joe Franco. Throughout his years, Joe has diligently worked to improve and protect American communities, including ours in Central Washington. A native of Carlsbad, New Mexico, Joe first served our nation in the United States Navy before his distinguished career in nuclear waste cleanup. He began working at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant at the Department of Energy's field office in 1989. Over the years, he became an experienced operative in federal nuclear energy projects, and in 2006, he brought his talents to Central Washington's Richland Operations Office at the Hanford Site, where he was ultimately named Deputy Manager. During his service as a federal employee, Joe's work was crucial to our nation's ongoing nuclear cleanup efforts. He is an example of the country's best and brightest minds hard at work advancing the Department of Energy's mission to protect our environment and strengthen our national security. On behalf of Central Washington, I salute Joe for his significant contributions to the greater Tri-Cities community and to the United States.

Mr. NEWHOUSE

Mr. NEWHOUSE. Today, I rise to celebrate and honor the exceptional contributions of Margarita ``Maggie'' and Eugene Dawson III. This year, I was honored to nominate Maggie and Eugene for the 2020 Angels in Adoption award, which recognizes the efforts of Americans who advocate for children in need of a family. Maggie and Eugene experienced an unimaginable family tragedy. They welcomed their eight nieces and nephews to live in their home just two days after the children's mother lost her life at the hands of their father. The couple knew their nieces and nephews would need a home surrounded by family to heal from this trauma. Together with their two biological children, Maggie and Eugene have created a safe place and secure family unit, ensuring the children have a chance to grow up with their siblings and cousins. In 2017, Maggie and Eugene were given permanent custody of the seven minors. Now, as a family of 12, the Dawsons serve as an inspirational example of how families can thrive, even in the darkest of times. They represent the very best of Central Washington. I am proud to represent them in Congress, and I encourage all Americans to look to the Dawsons as an example of what makes our community strong.

Mr. NEWHOUSE

Mr. NEWHOUSE. Mr. Speaker, I am not recorded due to a family member's memorial service. Had I been present, I would have voted ``nay'' on rollcall No. 217 and ``yea'' on rollcall No. 218.

Mr. NEWHOUSE

Mr. NEWHOUSE. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month. In my home district of central Washington, the history and the culture of Hispanic Americans is woven into the fabric of our communities. From small businesses in manufacturing to agriculture and artistry, the success of our communities is dependent on the success of our diverse and vibrant Hispanic populations. Earlier this year, the House passed legislation to finally establish the National Museum of the American Latino in our Nation's Capital. It is my hope that this museum will empower all of us to learn about and engage with the history of Hispanic Americans and their contributions to our history and our culture. In central Washington and across the country, we are proud of our Hispanic friends and neighbors who prove that the American Dream is alive and well. Because of them, we are a stronger, more diverse, more prosperous society, and I urge my colleagues to join me in celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month.

Mr. NEWHOUSE

Mr. NEWHOUSE. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to call up H.R. 8265 to extend the Paycheck Protection Program to keep millions of employees on payrolls of America's small businesses.

Mr. NEWHOUSE

Mr. NEWHOUSE. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Westerman), my good friend, for yielding. As we all know, the West has been on fire. In my home State of Washington, over 700,000 acres have burned, causing thousands of families to evacuate, leaving their homes, their businesses, and their farms behind. Whole towns have essentially been wiped off the map. Smoke blanketed central Washington, with fires raging up and down the West Coast. The air quality of our cities and our rural areas ranked the worst in the world. As the people of central Washington and many of my colleagues in Congress understand, healthy, resilient forests are the key to wildfire prevention. We have made significant progress, but there is still much work to be done. Without our leadership in Congress, families will continue to lose their homes and their businesses, and jobs will continue to be lost, and our public health will continue to be threatened. While a loss of homes and livelihoods is heartbreaking, there is nothing more tragic than the loss of life. Today, I join the people of central Washington in mourning the loss of 1-year-old Baby Hyland, whose life was tragically cut short as his parents fled to escape the Cold Springs fire that was raging across Okanogan County. The Hyland family has suffered immeasurable loss with the deaths of both their toddler as well as the death of their unborn child. My heart aches and my prayers go out for the Hylands as they recover from their own wounds in this unimaginable heartbreak. These tragic circumstances fall on us, Mr. Speaker. We are responsible, as the Federal Government, for failing to deliver a management strategy that enables us to prevent these catastrophic events. We cannot continue to sit idly by. We have to responsibly log our forests and graze our lands, or we will watch them burn. These wildfires and this year have truly tested our resilience, but of this I am certain: in the face of catastrophe, central Washington will recover. Now it is the Federal Government's responsibility to do everything in its power to prevent another disaster like this again. For years, extreme environmentalist groups have insisted that we leave our forests and natural lands alone, leaving them in their quote ``natural state.'' But as we witness, year-after-year, that strategy simply does not work. Many point to climate change as a contributing factor; I am not here to refute that. At the end of the day though, the facts remain: our land management--or lack thereof--is a serious problem. Decades of mismanagement, misguided environmental policies, and lackluster forestry and grazing practices have led to forests and grasslands that act as tinder for wildfires, just waiting to be set ablaze each summer. We cannot continue to sit idly by. We have to responsibly log our forests and graze our lands, or we will watch them burn. As I have stated all along throughout the many challenges this year has presented: Central Washington's communities are resilient. Wildfire recovery is no easy feat, but I have seen firsthand how citizens, volunteers, local organizations, and government entities work together to revive our communities, rebuild our fallen structures, and actively work to prevent future devastation. I have heard stories of students and volunteers jumping into action, working to clear burnt areas, making way for new structures. Fairgrounds and community groups opened to help house and treat evacuated or injured livestock and animals. Donations continue to pour in from across the state, region, and country to families and firefighters in need. I am working closely with FEMA and USDA to ensure our communities receive the federal assistance they need, and I stand ready to help the people of our district in any way I can. These wildfires--and this year--have tested our resilience, but of this I am certain: In the face of catastrophe, Central Washington will recover. Now it is the federal government's responsibility to do everything in its power to prevent another disaster like this again.

Mr. NEWHOUSE

Mr. NEWHOUSE. Mr. Speaker, some may say that I am biased, but I firmly believe that Washington State is home to the best farmers in the world. Today I rise to congratulate one of those incredible farmers, my fellow Washingtonian, Nicole Berg, for her appointment to the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation board of directors. Nicole's experience as a fourth-generation farmer in central Washington has provided her with a strong, yet personal, understanding of the needs of family-run farms in the United States. For many years, I have seen Nicole's passion for putting food on America's table. Her work with the National Association of Wheat Growers has been of immense benefit to the region and to the world. And there is no doubt in my mind that she will be a great asset to the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation. I wish Nicole the very best as she enters this new chapter. Her appointment to the FCIC board of directors is well deserved, and I congratulate her on this fantastic achievement.

Mr. NEWHOUSE

Mr. NEWHOUSE. Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend from North Dakota (Mr. Armstrong) for yielding to me on this important issue. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to urge my colleagues to support a bipartisan piece of legislation that will finally foster progress toward addressing the crisis that we know is plaguing our Native communities across the country. Despite unparalleled rates of violence, there is still no reliable way of knowing how many indigenous women go missing each year nor whose fate hangs in the balance of an unsolved murder case. My congressional district in central Washington has been particularly affected by this crisis. Since the year 2013, there have been 13 cases of missing or murdered indigenous women on or around the Yakama Reservation alone. This number accounts only for the land surrounding one of the 29 federally recognized Tribes in Washington State, let alone the hundreds of others across the country. This information is available only due to the efforts and activism of local communities. Tribal and community leaders have held multiple marches, vigils, and community forums to raise awareness and demand action. The diligent reporting of the Yakima Herald-Republic, our local newspaper, has highlighted the response and activism on the ground by creating an online hub to list open cases involving missing and murdered women and providing resources for the community to report such disappearances. Recently passed State laws in Olympia have enhanced data collection and improved communication between Tribal leaders, law enforcement, and various State agencies. These local leaders have given a voice to the crisis, and I am heartened to see that the Federal Government is finally taking action. For too long, indigenous women and Native communities have faced this crisis all alone and suffered in silence. The Trump administration has worked to bring this crisis to light, creating an interagency task force between the Departments of Justice and the Interior called Operation Lady Justice. I was proud to welcome Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs Tara Sweeney to central Washington last December, where she highlighted the administration's effort to deliver justice to Native American communities. But Secretary Sweeney echoed the concerns of local leaders and myself by pointing out the need for congressional action. By sending this bill to President Trump's desk, we are signaling that we have heard them and that they are no longer invisible. As Congress takes long-overdue action to address the crisis of missing and murdered indigenous women, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting the Not Invisible Act.

Mr. NEWHOUSE

Mr. NEWHOUSE. Mr. Speaker, this is a monumental day. I am proud to rise alongside my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to speak out in support of our legislation, which aims to address a crisis afflicting our Nation: that of missing and murdered indigenous women. I hail from the State of Washington, and I am very familiar with how Native American Tribes are deeply integrated into the culture of the Pacific Northwest, as well as our whole country. I was raised just across the river from the Yakama Nation reservation in central Washington, but I have got to say, I, like many others, was not aware of the disproportionate murder rate indigenous women suffer, 10 times the national average. At the end of 2018, this crisis and the need for a solution was brought to me by the Tribal communities that I represent, and I was made aware of just how devastating the shortfalls of our justice system are for Native American and Alaska Native women and girls. While the statistics we have are absolutely staggering--and you have heard them--the fact of the matter is we don't even know the full extent of the crisis. In my home State of Washington, Native Americans make up about 2 percent of the State's population, but a recent report by the Washington State Patrol shows that indigenous women account for 7 percent of the State's reported missing women. The families of dozens of women still await answers as cases of missing or murdered indigenous women remain open or turn cold. Yet this crisis has gone on for decades, with little to no action by the Federal Government. Complicated law enforcement jurisdictions have caused many problems throughout these investigations, and far too many Tribal law enforcement agencies lack the resources or access to critical databases to help solve these cases, which is why, when Savanna's Act failed to receive a vote on the House floor in the 115th Congress, I was determined to bring forward solutions in order to get this bill signed into law. I was very proud to work with Representatives Torres and Haaland and others, in collaboration with Tribes, the Department of Justice, and many others, to improve upon that legislation. The product is a broadly bipartisan bill that has passed unanimously in both the House Judiciary Committee as well as the United States Senate. We worked to create legislation that will bring focus to this crisis and improve the coordination between Federal, State, local, and Tribal law enforcement agencies. This legislation aims to provide a sense of hope to the loved ones of these women by developing guidelines and best practices for Tribes and law enforcement agencies across the country, by enhancing reporting and recordkeeping of crimes against indigenous women, and by improving communication between law enforcement and the families of these victims. This bill and this effort to bring awareness to the missing and murdered Native women across the country will go a long way to finally delivering justice to our communities. Tribes across the country, including those that I represent, have thrown their support behind this legislation. In fact, last year, I walked alongside the then-chairman of the Yakama Tribe, as well as Councilwoman Lottie Sam, through the Halls of Congress, visiting Chairman Grijalva, Subcommittee Chairman Gallego, as well as Subcommittee Chairwoman Bass. These Yakama Nation officials traveled across the country, Mr. Speaker, more than 2,500 miles, to advocate for the passage of Savanna's Act and other legislation to address this crisis. The bill is named, as you have heard the story, in honor of Savanna LaFontaine-Greywind, who was a 22-year-old member of the Spirit Lake Tribe, pregnant with her first child, who was murdered in August of 2017. Since the introduction of Savanna's Act in the House, the remains of a Yakama Nation woman, Rosenda Strong, were found on the reservation. Her horrific murder, today, remains unsolved. Thankfully, justice was served upon Savanna's murderers. We owe the same justice to Rosenda and all of the missing and murdered indigenous women across this country. The passage of this bill today will demonstrate a long-awaited and necessary change. As I mentioned, this crisis has been going on for decades. Politicians on both sides of the aisle have promised action and failed to deliver. I have been asked: What is different now? Why do you think progress can be made? And I can honestly tell you, the main difference I have seen is that our Native communities are leading the charge. They have had enough, and they no longer will suffer in silence. Throughout central Washington and across the country, the families of loved ones of thousands of missing or murdered indigenous women are awaiting justice. It is because of their voices and their strong advocacy that I am here today, urging my colleagues throughout this legislative body to support passage of Savanna's Act. And, finally, Mr. Speaker, we can send this legislation to President Trump's desk to be signed into law.

Mr. NEWHOUSE

Mr. NEWHOUSE. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the career of Anita Monoian, the president and CEO of Yakima Neighborhood Health Services, who announced her retirement after 41 years of tireless service and advocacy. At a time when community health is of the utmost importance, it is a privilege to honor an individual who has spent her life's work advocating for the care and well-being of the people of Yakima Valley. Anita describes her career's work as a labor of love. With that labor, Anita expanded the scope of Yakima Neighborhood Health Services from a single clinic to 10 clinics across the Yakima Valley, reaching 92,000 patients, annually. Anita's voice has influenced State and Federal healthcare policy through her work on the board of the National Association of Community Health Centers and the Washington Association of Community and Migrant Health Centers. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to recognize Anita's legacy of improving healthcare in central Washington, and I urge my colleagues to join in me in congratulating her on an impactful career of service. Recognizing Dr. James Irwin

Mr. NEWHOUSE. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the life of one of central Washington's American heroes, James Irwin. Dr. James Irwin served as chief of surgery at the U.S. Navy Hospital in Oak Harbor, Washington. Following his service, Dr. Irwin treated patients in north central Washington for 13 years before opening a medical practice in Moses Lake. He was named chief medical officer of Samaritan Healthcare and was an original member of the Moses Lake Medical Team. He and his wife, Frances, were active members in their church and spent many years on medical missions across Africa, where he provided surgical services and shared his knowledge with local doctors. At age 62, Dr. Irwin, once again, answered his country's call. He deployed to Iraq as a naval surgeon before retiring as a captain in 2004 with over 40 years of military service. In central Washington, Dr. Irwin was known for his kind attitude toward the patients he cared for. To his fellow brothers in arms, he was known as a hero. He passed away on June 30, but he has left a lasting legacy of providing care wherever it was needed. Mr. Speaker, my prayers go out to his family and loved ones, and I urge my colleagues to join me in honoring Dr. Irwin's life and service to our country. Remembering Brad Fisher of Kennewick, Washington

Mr. NEWHOUSE. Mr. Speaker, Brad Fisher of Kennewick was a friend, a businessman, and a passionate advocate for the Tri-Cities community. A devoted husband, father, grandfather, and dedicated community leader, Brad found endless ways to serve others. Over the years, he served as a Rotarian, a city council member, the mayor of Kennewick, and a member of numerous community service boards. One of Brad's many contributions to his community was his role as a fierce champion of local governance. He helped spearhead the reconveyance effort in the Tri-Cities to return thousands of acres of river shore land from the Federal Government and placed it back into the hands of the local community. His work is not yet complete, but I look forward to continuing his advocacy in accomplishing this effort to improve our community. Mr. Speaker, Brad Fisher is an example of the engaged and selfless citizenship that we should all strive to emulate. May his family and our community continue to be blessed by his memory, and may he rest in peace.

Mr. NEWHOUSE

Mr. NEWHOUSE. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from California for yielding. Mr. Speaker, one in five households with a disabled family member falls below the Federal poverty line. These families rely on home healthcare providers who are often family members of the disabled to care for them and to improve their quality of life. These providers receive modest compensation for their efforts provided by dedicated State Medicaid dollars. For decades, Federal law has required that Medicaid providers be paid directly and in full for the services they provide. However, some States, including my own home State of Washington, have been withholding union dues via payroll deductions from payments to Medicaid-subsidized home caregivers. In many cases, this is done without the knowledge or the consent of the caregiver, and it is in clear violation of the law. Now, this is no small problem. In 2017 alone, $150 million was diverted to unions from Medicaid payments to 350,000 caregivers. Fortunately, last year, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services finalized a rule to stop this predatory practice that takes money out of the pockets of in-home providers. However, language in the bill would defund implementation of this rule and allow States to continue to circumvent Federal law. My amendment strikes section 245 of the bill to ensure that CMS can enforce the law and protect home healthcare providers from having their Medicaid payments diverted to third parties. Mr. Speaker, let me be clear: Ending this illegal deduction does not prevent caregivers from joining unions if they wish; rather, it empowers them by giving them the choice to do so. My amendment gives them that choice. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the amendment.

Mr. NEWHOUSE

Mr. NEWHOUSE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to urge my colleagues to support this bloc of bipartisan amendments, which contains two amendments I have offered with my friends across the aisle. Mr. Soto and I introduced an amendment which will support important fertilizer research and development through the fertilizer management initiative, as this body authorized in the 2018 Farm Bill. I also would like to speak on an amendment I offered with Mr. Panetta, which will empower agriculture employees to provide personal protective equipment for our essential agriculture workers. This pandemic has affected every aspect of our lives, but what has not changed is the critical role that our farmers, our ranchers, and our agricultural employees play in putting food on our tables and securing our Nation's food supply. It is my hope that this amendment will lead to a larger conversation about how we ensure the safety of those working hard to feed our country and strengthen our agricultural industry. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support these amendments, and I look forward to continuing our bipartisan work.

Mr. NEWHOUSE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to this group of partisan, antiresource development amendments offered by several House Democrats. These provisions offered on the Interior appropriations bill will hamstring our Nation's efforts to secure our energy independence. Many of these amendments seek to prohibit oil and gas development, and, Mr. Speaker, I have just got to say, it is really quite ironic to see my colleagues who just yesterday voted for sweeping legislation mandating $900 million a year from the oil and gas industry for conservation projects to now, just one day later, not even 24 hours later, offer amendments to restrict the very industry that those projects depend upon. This is hypocrisy, plain and simple. But it is exactly what I shared in a message with my constituents yesterday. Democrats are trying to have their cake and eat it too. From the Green New Deal to Mr. Biden's energy plan to these irresponsible amendments we have here before us, Democrats continue to put forward ideas that are not based in reality and will harm our Nation's energy security. Another partisan amendment seeks to block the recent finalized rule by the Council on Environmental Quality to modernize severely outdated and burdensome National Environmental Policy Act regulations, something that has not been done for 40 years. According to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's Unlock American Investment coalition, we are now seeing infrastructure project delays of up to 20 years across our country. This is unacceptable, and it prevents critical repairs and construction of roads, of bridges, of airports, railways, renewable energy projects, even water infrastructure projects in the West and many more things. At a time when American jobs and the economy are facing significant challenges, these provisions threaten our Nation's resiliency, our energy independence, and our ability to recover from this pandemic. Please, Mr. Speaker, vote ``no'' on these amendments.

Mr. NEWHOUSE

Mr. NEWHOUSE. Madam Speaker, I rise to honor the Grand Columbia Council of the Boy Scouts of America. This organization has enriched the communities of central Washington through its efforts to promote conservation, outdoor recreation, and youth development. Since its founding 95 years ago, volunteers for the Grand Columbia Council have sought to teach the values of the Scout oath and Scout law to over 1,000 boys and girls every year, making an investment in our youth by supporting leadership, character, career development, and healthy habits. Every year these volunteers host the River Run Regatta, a month of scouting activities that culminates in Scout Me In Day, an event that encourages the expansion of the Scouts and seeks to foster the relationships between our lakes, forests, mountains, and the future generations who will harbor them. Madam Speaker, I join my colleagues in supporting the Grand Columbia Council and the efforts of the Boy Scouts of America throughout the Nation.

Mr. NEWHOUSE

Mr. NEWHOUSE. Madam Speaker, due to unforeseen travel delays, I regrettably missed roll call votes as indicated below. Had I been present, I would have voted nay on rollcall No. 139; nay on rollcall No. 140; nay on rollcall No. 141; nay on rollcall No. 142; and nay on rollcall No. 143.

Mr. NEWHOUSE

Mr. NEWHOUSE. Mr. Speaker, today, I rise with a heavy heart to honor the life of the distinguished Congressman from Georgia's Fifth District, John Lewis. Few members of this body have had such a profound impact on the fabric of our Nation as John Lewis. He was a man of honor, a freedom fighter, and one of the truly great leaders of the civil rights movement. From the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama, where he marched with the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., to demand an end to segregation to the Halls of the Congress of the United States of America where he dutifully and faithfully served his constituents, Representative Lewis spent a lifetime showing Americans what it means to stand up for what is right, even at great personal cost. He understood something that is all too often forgotten: that the work of creating a more perfect union and the pursuit of liberty and justice for all is never finished, but it is an ongoing and often frustrating process. Nevertheless, he demonstrated both to the Members of this body and to the American people the value of compassion, dedication, and civility. The world is a better place because of John, and it was an honor to serve alongside him in Congress. May he rest in peace, and may we always honor his example.