Dan Newhouse

Mr. NEWHOUSE

Mr. NEWHOUSE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Laser Interferometer Gravitational Observatory, or what is known as LIGO, for its achievements in the field of gravitational discovery. The American Physical Society recently named LIGO, which is located in my district in Richland, Washington, as a historic site for its groundbreaking detection of gravitational waves. These waves passed through the Earth on September 14, 2015, nearly 100 years after Albert Einstein predicted their existence. This discovery has opened up new opportunities for learning about the universe. I am amazed by the work being done in central Washington. In addition to this recognition, three LIGO scientists, Rainer Weiss, Barry Barish, and Kip Thorne, also received the 2017 Nobel Prize for Physics. A plaque that will be placed at the site reads: ``The precision required to detect these tiny disturbances in space-time, caused by emerging black holes, was made possible by the coordinated labor of over 1,000 scientific and technical workers.'' I want to thank the American Physical Society and the Nobel Committee for recognizing the hard work and dedication of these men and women, and I urge my colleagues to join me in congratulating LIGO's scientists and employees.

Mr. NEWHOUSE

Mr. NEWHOUSE. Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.

Mr. NEWHOUSE. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to clause 1, rule I, I demand a vote on agreeing to the Speaker's approval of the Journal.

Mr. NEWHOUSE

Mr. NEWHOUSE. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Colorado for yielding me some time this afternoon. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 3281, the Reclamation Title Transfer and Non-Federal Infrastructure Incentivization Act, which is offered by my friend from Colorado, Chairman Lamborn. This legislation brings commonsense streamlining efforts to the Bureau or Reclamation to transfer Federal water projects to local water entities like irrigation districts and local water user associations. Reclamation, or BOR, is the Nation's largest wholesale water supplier, providing one out of five Western farmers with irrigation water for over 10 million farmland acres that produce 60 percent of the Nation's vegetables and a quarter of its fresh fruit crops. These projects in water districts are vital to my district in central Washington, where we grow over 300 different crops, including the iconic Washington apple--hopefully, you have enjoyed some of those--or Washington cherries, potatoes, and three-quarters of the Nation's hops production. Reclamation's assets in Washington include 16 dams, three hydropower stations, four major water projects, and miles and miles of canals, which deliver water to the end users. There are currently two water districts in central Washington seeking title to sections of Federal water projects--the Kennewick Irrigation District, the KID, and the Greater Wenatchee Irrigation District--both of which, for many years, have managed and maintained these important water delivery systems. Now, this legislation would provide a streamlined process to transfer reclamation facilities to those local entities, which includes a number of benefits for the water users, but also a number of benefits to the Federal Government. This streamlined process can reduce regulatory burden at the local and the State and Federal levels by cutting unnecessary paperwork and reducing staff time at all levels of government. Additionally, through this process, local districts can take full control of these projects, which they already maintain and manage. By authorizing this streamlining process, local districts can leverage private financing through their ownership, which further reduces the Federal Government's spending and backlog of repairing and upgrading these projects. Mr. Speaker, this legislation provides a win-win solution for the Federal Government and for the water users. These projects have been in place for many years, but Reclamation has been inundated and overwhelmed by some of the needs for a growing population and for water users. Local communities need this support. Mr. Speaker, I was speaking with some of my colleagues on the other side of the aisle just yesterday about this legislation, and they shared with me that they were worried that this was simply the privatization of Federal water projects and properties within Reclamation, but this is just not the case. This legislation simply allows the Department of the Interior to convey certain projects or facilities to these local entities, like irrigation districts, Indian Tribes, or State and local municipalities. This has nothing to do with selling off water assets to corporations. Additionally, the entity receiving the assets must use them for the same purposes as intended by Reclamation. The transfer cannot have a significant effect on the environment, and the receiving entity must agree to provide the Federal Government with the equivalent present value of any repayment obligations. Mr. Speaker, this legislation streamlines water uses for local communities while reducing government waste and burdensome regulations. It is simply a win-win for the American people. I look forward to voting in support of this legislation, and I encourage all of my colleagues to do the same.

Mr. NEWHOUSE

Mr. NEWHOUSE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today, proud to share a snapshot of rising wages, more jobs, and increasing opportunity in the Fourth Congressional District of Washington, which I have the distinct pleasure of representing. In the city of Yakima, unemployment is at 5.5 percent, as reported in April by the Washington Employment Security Department. That number is reportedly the lowest it has been for that month since electronic reporting began in 1990. Yakima County is the most populous county in central Washington and had a May unemployment rate at 6.0 percent, which is the lowest rate in decades. In another major population center in Washington, the Tri-Cities, unemployment was at 5.2 percent in May. Wages in the Tri-Cities area are up 3.8 percent over 2017 and are among the fastest growing in the State. The latest jobs report showed decreasing unemployment rates across my district in every single county, with Okanogan at 6.3 percent; Grant, 6.1; Franklin, 5.5; Douglas at 5.2; Benton at 5.1; Adams at 4.8; and Walla Walla at 4.3. New jobs in construction, food manufacturing, and professional business services are largely driving the regional growth in the labor force. These numbers are more than just statistics, Mr. Speaker. Increasing employment opportunities mean families can provide a more secure future for their children. Graduating students are able to choose from more options after graduation. My constituents deserve a Federal Government whose policies foster this kind of growth through lower taxes and smarter regulation. We should encourage entrepreneurs by helping, not hurting, growth. Since tax reform was made law, local businesses in my district, such as Irwin Research & Development and Abbott's Printing in Yakima, have expressed optimism at the prospect of increasing investment and giving earnings to workers rather than the Federal Government. The ability of businesses to write off the full value of equipment and other assets will help Buhrmaster Baking Company in Yakima plan for equipment upgrades. Chukar Cherries in Prosser has announced a $1.8 million, 12,000-square-foot expansion, in large part due to tax reform. Cacchiotti Orthodontics announced hourly raises for their Moses Lake employees thanks to tax reform. Pacific Power, which serves Yakima County, announced that it will pass tax reform savings on to its ratepayers. Washington Federal, with branches in Moses Lake and Quincy, announced 5 percent merit-based increases in wages for all employees earning less than $100,000, as well as an investment in employee training programs. Pacific Northwest companies such as Alaska Airlines, Costco, Boeing, Premera Blue Cross, and Starbucks have announced millions in increased benefits, raises, employee education, and nonprofit donations. To sum it all up, central Washington's economy is experiencing growth, and that is good news for workers and for their families. I will continue to work on behalf of my constituents to promote economic opportunity, and I am proud that this tax reform is working as it was promised to work.

Mr. NEWHOUSE

Mr. NEWHOUSE. Mr. Chair, I am proud to be able to rise and speak on this bill. I am a proud cosponsor of H.R. 2083, the Endangered Salmon and Fisheries Predation Prevention Act, and I encourage all of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support this legislation. This bill was introduced on a bipartisan basis by members of the Pacific Northwest delegation to address the matter of predatory sea lions that are consuming alarming numbers of endangered salmon, steelhead, and other fish species in the Columbia River and its tributaries. Over the past few decades, sea lion populations have increased tenfold, causing sea lions to expand their search for food. There is just too many of them for their traditional food sources. Well, Mr. Chairman, they have found that source. Sea lions swimming up to the Bonneville Dam are gorging themselves on endangered salmon not only for food, but, Mr. Chairman, there are so many of them, they are also doing it for sport. I have seen this myself while visiting a dam, where I saw what scientists and river managers regularly see: fish passing by--through those windows that you can watch the migrating salmon--with massive bite marks through their bodies. Most of the time, that leads to fatality for these fish. A recent NOAA study found that sea lions consumed up to 45 percent of several stocks of returning adult salmon last year. The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife found that winter steelhead will go extinct if sea lion populations are not managed, placing the likelihood of extinction at 90 percent. This bill would stop this severe problem by amending the Marine Mammal Protection Act to allow NOAA to issue permits allowing State agencies and regional Tribes to use lethal take of sea lions in certain portions of the Columbia River and its tributaries. This legislation will help protect fish from sea lion predation and is desperately needed in order to save an endangered fish species. Unfortunately, Ranking Member Grijalva and the minority of the House Natural Resources Committee have once again reverted to fear-mongering, just as they have done on other issues facing the Pacific Northwest. I have heard this legislation called the ``Slaughter Seals and Sea Lions Act,'' and it claimed the legislation will authorize a ``massive increase in annual permits to kill sea lions and seals.'' Nothing could be further from the truth. This legislation demonstrates a targeted approach and a bipartisan, concerted effort over many years to come to a consensus on this serious issue. In fact, the bill places strict limits on sea lion removal that are one-tenth the amount NOAA states would have no impact on sea lion population. I am disappointed in these outlandish and false claims that the minority has propagated. The Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation state: ``We are saddened to see such an inaccurate, emotional, and nonscientific attack on legislation our region is desperate to see enacted.'' And, Mr. Chairman, I could not agree more. Fortunately, the wide-ranging coalition and bipartisan support behind this legislation speaks for itself: from the three respective Governors of the three States of Washington, Oregon, and Idaho; to the Yakama, Nez Perce, Warm Springs, and Umatilla Tribes; to groups like the Pacific Power Council, Northwest River Partners, Trout Unlimited, and Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen's Associations, this legislation is supported by environmental organizations, the fishing industry, power and utility interests, State and Tribal governments, and both Democrats and Republicans alike right here in the House and in the Senate. The ranking member earlier stated that this bill is not a silver bullet, and, Mr. Chairman, I don't disagree. I certainly acknowledge that this is just one tool to continue the tremendous efforts and significant resources our region has devoted to fish protection and mitigation, but it is an important one. I continue to advocate for sound science approaches to managing our Columbia River system, including speaking out against the recklessly mandated spill order currently placed upon the Federal river system. That is why I supported H.R. 3144 earlier this year to stop this spill and to provide the experts who manage our river system with the ability to do so in a manner that is best for our fish species. For the record, the minority of the House Natural Resources Committee called the bill the ``Salmon Extinction Act''--more disappointing hyperbole. I would encourage the ranking member and his staff to focus more on the science and less on the radical rhetoric. Mr. Chairman, just as my bipartisan colleagues support this legislation we consider today, I continue to plead for my colleagues on the other side of the aisle and in the Senate to recognize the science showing how dangerous spilling to the gas caps is. Mr. Chairman, I urge all of my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on H.R. 2083.

Mr. NEWHOUSE

Mr. NEWHOUSE. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time, and I move the previous question on the resolution.

Mr. NEWHOUSE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Mr. Speaker, don't believe me. I would say don't believe Mr. Polis either. Believe the border security guard that I quoted earlier who said that the situation we have at the border happened under the previous administration as well as this one. Mr. Trump, our President, did not manufacture this crisis, but this bill before us will solve that situation, which is why we need to pass this rule. That whole issue takes away from one of the most pressing issues of our time, immigration reform. We will solve that, but we can also address immigration. I am proud of the bill we have before us. I am proud that we have had so many speakers come and speak on its behalf. This is the only bill in front of us that has any potential chance of becoming law. The President will sign this bill because it addresses his four main pillars: it provides for border security, which the American people want. And, certainly, as we have talked a lot today, it provides for those 1.8 million DACA recipients and Dreamers. It is a good bill. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill because it is the right thing to do.

Mr. NEWHOUSE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from California (Mr. Denham).

Mr. NEWHOUSE. Mr. Speaker, we have got so many Members coming wanting to speak. How much time do I have remaining?

Mr. NEWHOUSE. Mr. Speaker, I yield an additional 30 seconds to the gentleman from Texas.

Mr. NEWHOUSE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Sessions), the chairman of the Rules Committee.

Mr. NEWHOUSE. Mr. Speaker, let me just say that I am proud to represent my conference and stand here with this piece of legislation that will provide the certainty and the hope for more than 1.8 million DACA recipients and Dreamers in this country. If you vote ``no'' on this bill, you will be denying those individuals what they for so long have been wanting. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to be here representing my conference to do just that, to give them that hope, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. NEWHOUSE. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. NEWHOUSE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume, and would just like to respond to one thing that was said previously. All of us have been using examples of young people and how they are being treated at the border. I take exception to the implication that we will all be judged accordingly by our Maker for doing so, in a negative way. Let me just repeat what I said in my opening remarks, quoting a Border Patrol agent, Mr. Chris Cabrera. He told us that: ``If you've seen some of the stuff we've seen down here, you would understand just how important it is to have a tough stance to divert people from coming here. When you see a 12-year-old girl with a Plan B pill--her parents put her on birth control because they know getting violated is part of the journey . . . something has to be done.'' That is exactly what we are doing here with this piece of legislation, Mr. Speaker. If we pass this today, that will help solve this problem today. That is what we, as Congress, need to do. We need to be responsive to the plight of people trying to get here, as well as to the citizens of our own country. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. NEWHOUSE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. The previous speaker just made the point I was going to. If you are going to negotiate in good faith and arrive at consensus, you have to accept who the President is and what he requires in order to sign legislation whether you like it or not. And one of the priorities that he has made as clear as day is that there will be border security and a wall. Refusing to accept that fact pretty much closes the door on the opportunity or any possibility of negotiation. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from the great State of Florida (Mr. Curbelo).

Mr. NEWHOUSE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Diaz-Balart).

Mr. NEWHOUSE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Rodney Davis).

Mr. NEWHOUSE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I might consume. Mr. Speaker, I would like to remind the gentleman that the Dream Act that he says is supported by many people in this Chamber would do nothing to address the issue that is happening at the border right now. The only piece of legislation before us today is the bill that we have in front of us, H.R. 6136, that if we pass that would solve that situation now. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from Utah (Mrs. Love).

Mr. NEWHOUSE. Mr. Speaker, on Wednesday, the House Rules Committee met and reported a rule, House Resolution 953, providing for consideration of H.R. 6136, the Border Security and Immigration Reform Act. This legislation demonstrates a pivotal moment in our Nation's history, one in which we can choose to, for the first time in decades, make significant improvements to our Nation's broken immigration system. Mr. Speaker, I have been in this body for just about 3\1/2\ years, and throughout that period of time, and even before as I was working to become a Congressman, I have always been clear with the people of the Fourth Congressional District of the State of Washington that fixing our broken immigration system is a top priority and one that I believe my district, my State, and the entire Nation desperately needs. With the rule that we bring forward today, I can look my constituents in the eye, and, with certainty, I can tell them that I believe that this legislation, the underlying bill, this consensus legislation that we have before us, is the best opportunity this body has had in many, many years--in fact, decades--to get something signed into law to make a true, lasting, substantive difference to improve our broken immigration system. While it may not be perfect--few bills are--H.R. 6136, the Border Security and Immigration Reform Act, includes several main tenets to addressing our immigration crisis, and, I should add, it is the only bill that we are considering that includes all four pillars that the President, on numerous occasions, has stated must be a part of any legislation that he will sign into law. First, this legislation includes desperately needed appropriations for border security. The bill appropriates funding for further construction of the border wall, as well as technology, personnel, and modernization of our ports of entry. Our border security system is broken and must be fixed, so I would look to my fellow conservatives and say: This is our one shot to get this done. This is our one opportunity to live up to the commitment we gave to our constituents when we said we would secure our border. Mr. Speaker, I truly believe that this is our only chance, and we can't waste it. We can't squander it. Let's get our border secured once and for all, and keep our commitment to our people. It also includes a desperately needed solution for the DACA population. I have shared with many of my colleagues time and time again that I have the second highest number of DACA recipients in my district in the State of Washington out of the entire Republican Conference. A full third of Washington State's DACA population lives in my district of central Washington. I can tell you that I have met with literally hundreds of them, including just this week. Monday afternoon, I met with about half a dozen of these young people. They are smart, hardworking, respectful, caring members of our community, people that you would be proud to call your own constituents. I am proud that this legislation provides them with the certainty that they need so that they can continue moving forward with their educational and professional endeavors, and continue to be productive, upstanding members of society. Do you know what they told me that they wanted and that they need? They would like hope. We can give it to them with this bill. Mr. Speaker, this bill also, importantly, addresses the terrible situation that we have all been witnessing regarding family separation at the border. Children should not be taken away from their parents. We can enforce our laws and enforce our border while also keeping families together. This situation has shown one more broken piece of an immigration system that is not working for anyone, and another example that shows why reform is so desperately needed. It makes clear that minors at the border must remain with their parent or legal guardian. Mr. Speaker, I want to share an excerpt that comes from an interview that I just watched with one of our Border Patrol agents, a Mr. Chris Cabrera, and if I may quote him, Mr. Speaker. ``We've had this situation going on for 4 years now, and for some reason, we haven't fixed it. I don't think you can necessarily blame it on one administration or the other. It started under one and is continuing under another. It hasn't been fixed, and it needs to be fixed. ``Right now, we have this beacon of, `We'll leave the light on for you and let you come illegally into the country.' If you've seen some of the stuff we've seen down here, you would understand just how important it is to have a tough stance to divert people from coming here. When you see a 12-year-old girl with a Plan B pill--her parents put her on birth control because they know getting violated is part of the journey--that's a terrible way to live. When you see a 4-year-old girl traveling completely alone with just her parents' phone number written across her shirt, something needs to be done. ``We had a 9-year-old boy last year have a heat stroke and die in front of us with no family around. That's because we're allowing people to take advantage of this system. ``Let's be honest here, if we want this law changed, then that's on Congress. That's on nobody else but Congress. They need to get to work and change this law.'' So I would respectfully challenge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle, but on the other side of the aisle especially, do not join Senator Schumer, who says there is no need for a legislative solution. There is a need. I urge you to reject much of the rhetoric that I have heard on the floor just today rejecting funding for border security. It can be easy to make this political and refuse to move a solution forward that actually has a chance of being signed into law in an effort to score political points. That is really easy. But this is just too important. Congress can legislate on this. Congress must legislate on this. And with this bill before us, we can fix this. Now, to me, something important this legislation does not address is the desperate need for a reliable, efficient, and fair program for American farmers to access a legal, stable supply of workers. Our broken H-2A and guest worker program has hobbled much of the agricultural industry from attaining a reliable workforce. Chairman Goodlatte of the House Judiciary Committee has been a steadfast advocate for reforming this system, and I thank him for his dedication to this matter over the years. I am heartened by the commitment the Speaker, as well as the majority leader, have given to me and others for a stand-alone vote on agricultural workforce legislation before the August recess. And I pledge to Chairman Goodlatte to work with him and all of my colleagues on that legislation. So while this bill does not fix every broken aspect of our immigration system, it does take a major consensus-based step toward addressing several main components, including providing certainty for DACA recipients and finally securing our border once and for all. Honestly, Mr. Speaker, many of my constituents are asking me a pretty hard question: Why isn't this bill bipartisan? Why aren't any Democrats supporting it? I don't know the answer to that, but it may be just as simple as this: Because it is actually something that the President will sign into law. Even though it provides certainty for the DACA population, which we all want, even though it addresses the terrible situation of family separation at the border, which I hear is something everybody wants to fix, anything that actually fulfills the President's goal of securing the border my Democratic colleagues seemingly refuse to vote for. Now, I don't engage in hyperbole, but I do not think it is hyperbolic to say that my Democratic colleagues may not want to secure our border or enforce our immigration laws. That is what I see. It is clear to me their desire to not give the President a ``win'' is more important than their desire to actually fix and find a solution to these issues. Mr. Speaker, compromise is hard. It is tough stuff. Consensus is always difficult. Both of these things seem to have become four letter words. The same goes for cooperation and negotiation. But these are values that I, and many of us, have tried to espouse as we have worked together with colleagues from both sides of the aisle for these many months to find a solution to DACA while also securing our border. But at the end of the day, we should all be operating under one reality--one thing that maybe some people do not want to accept or admit--whether you like it or not, the President has made it clear what must be included in any bill in order to be signed into law, he has told us what he needs. Now, I have acknowledged this, and I admit, it may be easier for some of us to admit than others, but that is the reality. If my colleagues refuse to accept that the President's top priority is securing the border, then consensus, Mr. Speaker, is just not possible. I believe our President has shown good-faith willingness to compromise on the issue of DACA. He has come a long way. Unfortunately, we have not seen that same good-faith effort coming from all of our colleagues. It is disappointing, my friends on the other side of the aisle refuse to work with us to try to find a solution here. Mr. Speaker, history will be our greatest judge. It is always easy to be a no, but I will always strive to get to yes for the betterment of our Nation's future. There is simply too much riding on this legislation for us to not work as hard as we can to get to yes. The people of this country deserve nothing less. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this rule and support the underlying legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. NEWHOUSE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks.

Mr. NEWHOUSE. Mr. Speaker, for the purpose of debate only, I yield the customary 30 minutes to the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Polis), pending which I yield myself such time as I may consume. During consideration of this resolution, all time yielded is for the purpose of debate only. General Leave

Mr. NEWHOUSE. Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 953 and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. NEWHOUSE

Mr. NEWHOUSE. Mr. Speaker, I move that the House do now adjourn.

Mr. NEWHOUSE

Mr. NEWHOUSE. Mr. Speaker, in America, 91 people die every day from an opioid overdose. According to the Washington State Department of Health, from 2012 to 2016, almost 300 people in my Fourth Congressional District died from an opioid-related death. These alarming statistics demonstrate the desperate need for the 35 bills we passed this week in regard to this crisis. I recently hosted an opioid summit in my district where I heard from constituents, Federal officials, law enforcement, and health professionals about the impacts this epidemic has in central Washington. One constituent bravely shared the story of her son, Eli. Eli was exposed to opioids in high school. He struggled with recovery, and despite support from his family, it was difficult to find help. His addiction did not let him live out his full potential, and he ultimately passed away in 2014 at the age of 22 years old. Unfortunately, there are many more stories like Eli's. We must put an end to this epidemic which is why I am proud to support the important legislation Congress is working on. By improving access to treatment, prevention practices, and law enforcement, we are saving lives.