Ralph Norman

Mr. NORMAN

Mr. NORMAN. Mr. Chair, my amendment would prohibit funding for policies that advance the Biden administration's radical diversity, equity, and inclusion agenda. Specifically, my amendment would prohibit the use of funds for the Department of the Interior's Office of Diversity, Inclusion and Civil Rights. This office's goal is to promote equity and justice for all Americans. What does that mean? I think what they mean is they want equal outcomes instead of equal opportunity. What this does is further entrenches environmental justice in the bureaucracy in and of itself. From the military to corporations to Federal agencies, we have seen time and time again that the DEI mission fosters tribalism in the workplace, undermines our shared American identity, and distracts from the missions of our Federal agencies. Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. NORMAN. Mr. Chair, I close out by saying the cancer in this country is the $33 trillion in debt. Companies have to expend funds for this, which the interest alone is over $20,000 per second. Woke programs have got to be dealt with. The only way you deal with them is cut their funding. Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. NORMAN. Mr. Chair, my amendment would prohibit funding for the Interagency Working Group on the Social Cost of Greenhouse Gases. This is another bureaucratic nightmare that businesses are having to put up with. This amendment would prohibit funds from being used by the Interagency Working Group on the Social Cost of Greenhouse Gases. This group was originally convened by the Obama administration before being disbanded by the Trump administration and reimposed through Biden's radical climate Executive Order No. 13990. Democrats use the social cost of greenhouse gas metrics to justify sweeping climate policies and strict regulations that are vague and have no ending to the cost. Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. NORMAN. Mr. Chair, I close by saying that by boosting the climate cost of projects, regulators can use the social cost of carbon to derail everything from energy to infrastructure projects. Agencies can also use a higher value to justify new regulations on everything from power plants to appliances in the home. This administration has attacked every appliance known to man, including the gas stove. Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to adopt my amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. NORMAN. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. NORMAN. Mr. Chair, I will add that you are not firing anybody. You are just reducing their salary to what, in the minds of this body, they believe that it is worth. A dollar is plenty of money for what this lady does. By the way, she makes $148,500. In the words of Bob Abbey, who was the first BLM Director under President Obama, he said that Stone-Manning's involvement with tree spiking should disqualify her from leading the agency. Mr. Chairman, I urge support for my amendment.

Mr. NORMAN. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. NORMAN. Mr. Chairman, my amendment will reduce the salary of Michael Regan, Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, to the large sum of $1. Mr. Chair, I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from Illinois (Mrs. Miller), my good farmer friend.

Mr. NORMAN. Mr. Chair, I just take issue, a dollar is--we are providing a person an opportunity to volunteer, which is a tremendous opportunity. Mr. Chairman, if you want to be serious about combating emissions and supporting good environmental policies, why don't we start with getting countries like India and Communist China to reduce their pollution? Nobody says anything about that from the left. This administration is only interested in creating unfair, costly, and burdensome regulations that will kill American jobs. I am a developer. The gentlewoman mentioned solar panels. We priced them. Mr. Chairman, guess where most of the components of solar panels are made? China, which is not exactly a friend. Mr. Regan's salary is a whopping $183,000. Like I said, we are promoting volunteerism and doing good work for mankind. Mr. Chairman, I urge my colleagues to support my amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. NORMAN. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. NORMAN. Mr. Chair, my amendment would prohibit the funding for EPA's Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Workgroup. This group is, in their own words, committed to fostering an inclusive and respectful culture and improving justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion. It commits to training and educating members on the implicit biases and historical environmental injustices. Mr. Chair, you can look on their website to a page of resources with hundreds of woke documents. I will read just a few for my colleagues: The Whiteness of America, ``Remaking Manhood: The Battle Against Dominance-Based Masculine Culture,'' and Greed's Not Good: 10 Movies That Expertly Criticize Capitalism. This is the one thing that has made America the greatest country in the world. Another one is 23 Movies for Those Days When the Patriarchy's Got You Down. Another one is Inclusive Scientific Meetings. I don't know what that is. Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. NORMAN. Mr. Chair, I just urge my colleagues to accept my amendment. If there were a salary I could cut, I would cut every bit of it. Taxpayers don't deserve this type of supposed work encouraging these types of things that are being done in this country. Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to adopt this amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. NORMAN. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. NORMAN. Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. NORMAN. Mr. Chair, my amendment gives another member of the Biden administration's paid employees a chance for volunteerism and doing well for mankind. It reduces the salary of Deb Haaland, who is the Secretary of the Interior, to a dollar. She is currently making $221,400. She holds extreme land and energy views, like support for the Green New Deal and opposition to the Keystone XL pipeline. We are being forced to buy from OPEC countries that hate America that are funding Hamas now, and that is what this lady was for, doing away with the Keystone XL pipeline. She has used the power of the Department of the Interior to implement her radical agenda at the expense of hardworking Americans. Under her leadership she has shut down pipelines, delayed federally mandated onshore and offshore leases, repealed commonsense regulations, shuttered mining projects, and much more with no regard for how these actions have and will continue to raise energy costs, eliminate American jobs, and harm our national security and increase reliance on foreign energy sources. We should not spend another dollar of taxpayer money funding her salary. Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. NORMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Montana (Mr. Rosendale), my good friend.

Mr. NORMAN. Mr. Chair, may I inquire how much time I have remaining.

Mr. NORMAN. Mr. Chair, I yield to the gentleman from Montana (Mr. Rosendale), my good friend.

Mr. NORMAN

Mr. NORMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a dedicated public servant, Teri E. George, whose remarkable career with the United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) exemplifies unwavering commitment and tireless dedication to the protection and security of the Carolinas and our great Nation. Ms. Teri E. George's career began in 1993 with U.S. Customs. Her decades-long career has been marked by steadfast loyalty to her responsibilities. a deep sense of duty, and an unwavering commitment to the core principles of public service. Her retirement on December 31, 2023, is a milestone that marks thirty years and eleven months of exceptional service to our country. In 2003, with the formation of the Department of Homeland Security, Ms. George seamlessly transitioned to the Customs and Border Protection agency . Her adaptability and ability to excel in a dynamic and ever- changing environment are a testament to her competence and leadership within the organization. Ms. George's contributions to CBP have been significant, with the majority of her careel spent as the Supervisory Mission Suppo it Specialist for the Area Port of Charlotte. In this vital role, she oversaw crucial functions, including budget management, personnel actions, logistics, and facilities for ports of entry in North Carolina. Ms. George's work as the Supervisory Mission Support Specialist ensured that the necessary resources and infrastructure were available to facilitate the essential operations of Customs and Border Protection across the Carolinas. Her tireless efforts helped to maintain the efficiency and effectiveness of CBP operations, safeguarding our nation's borders and enhancing our homeland security. The dedication, expertise, and commitment that Ms. Teri George displayed throughout her career are commendable and deserving of the highest recognition. Her contributions have left an indelible mark on the Deparlment of Homeland Security and the United States Customs and Border Protection, further enhancing our nation's security and prosperity. As Ms. George embarks on a well-earned retirement, I extend my heartfelt gratitude and best wishes for the next chapter in her life. I want to express deep appreciation on behalf of the whole community for her unwavering commitment to public service and her outstanding contributions to the security of our Nation. Her legacy will continue to inspire those who follow in her footsteps, and her dedication to public service will remain a shining example to all.

Mr. NORMAN

Mr. NORMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor an outstanding citizen, Mr. Barry Chastain, a remarkable individual who has devoted over 38 years to federal service. Currently serving as the Area Port Director for Customs and Border Protection (CBP) in North Carolina, Mr. Chastain's contributions to the Carolinas and our Nation are immeasurable. In his capacity as the Area Port Director, Mr. Chastain shoulders the responsibility of overseeing six international ports of entry in North Carolina, where he manages a workforce of more than 150 dedicated employees. These ports collectively process over 3.5 million passengers and handle over 4 billion dollars in imported goods annually. Under his vigilant leadership, the seamless flow of legitimate trade coexists with stringent security measures to safeguard our national interests. Mr. Chastain serves as the senior CBP representative to all federal, state, and local law enforcement partners in North Carolina. His ability to foster cooperation and collaboration among these agencies is integral to the safety and well- being of our citizens. Mr. Chastain's illustrious career extends beyond his current role. His previous leadership assignments within the United States Department of Agriculture's Plant Protection and Quarantine Division in North Carolina exemplify his unwavering dedication to protecting our agricultural and biological resources. He also served as the Officer in Charge in South Carolina and Eastern Georgia, where he provided leadership and innovation to shield our natural resources from invasive plant pests and foreign animal diseases. Mr. Chastain's career within Customs and Border Protection includes various leadership roles, such as serving as the Assistant Area Port Director for Trade Operations and the Assistant Area Port Director for Passenger and Tactical Operations. In these roles, he managed international passenger clearance programs, trade processing, maritime and military clearance operations, and led all CBP enforcement programs for the Area Port of Charlotte. Mr. Chastain's commitment to national and regional security extends to his involvement in high-profile national projects, including the Democratic National Convention, the G-8 Summit, and numerous FEMA Region IV hurricane response events. His capacity to manage complex and critical tasks on a large scale is a valuable asset to our nation. Moreover, Mr. Chastain has excelled in establishing stakeholder partnerships and currently serves as an Executive Steering Committee Member of the North Carolina Joint Terrorist Task Force (JTTF). His contributions to this task force are crucial to our state's security efforts. Mr. Chastain's outstanding career in federal service, his commitment to national security, and his exemplary leadership in Customs and Border Protection are truly commendable. The Carolinas and our Nation are fortunate to have such a dedicated public servant. We extend our heartfelt appreciation for his remarkable service.

Mr. NORMAN

Mr. NORMAN. Madam Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. NORMAN. Madam Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. NORMAN. Madam Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. NORMAN. Madam Chair, my amendment would prohibit funding for the Biden administration's rule titled, ``Energy Conservation Program: Energy Conservation Standards for Manufactured Housing.'' It would prohibit the Department of Energy from carrying out regulations that increase the regulatory burdens. This is a topic that I am very familiar with. I met with the manufacturers of some manufactured housing. For those who don't know, manufactured housing is built in an enclosed environment. What they have done with the passage of the regulations would put the most affordable housing out of business, like changing the rafter sizes from 2 by 2s, 2 by 4s to 2 by 10s or 2 by 8s, 2 by 6s. It is just not practically feasible to do this. Who would be against the title of an energy conservation program? What this does is much deeper than what this title says. In May 2022, the DOE developed the energy standards for manufactured homes that would raise the price of new manufactured homes by, in total, thousands of dollars, which would be passed onto the homeowners from cost increases that is far in excess of any return that they would get from the energy savings. Since then, the costs of these DOE standards have become even higher as mortgage rates have increased dramatically. The standards would limit consumer choices and severely threaten the affordability of new manufactured homes, and this is the most affordable home that the country is now putting on the market. Stick- built homes or building custom homes, as we did in the old days, are just not feasible now. Manufactured housing represents one of the best opportunities for helping families realize the American Dream, and it counts for roughly 6 percent of the housing stock, this being the largest source of unsubsidized affordable housing in the country. In South Carolina, one in five South Carolina families lives in a manufactured home. The average price of a new manufactured home is $75,000. The median income of a manufactured home buyer in South Carolina is about 30,000. The availability of affordable manufactured homeownership is in jeopardy if this new regulation is put into effect. We shouldn't trade off housing affordability for the sake of energy efficiency, which will limit the dream of homeownership. Madam Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. NORMAN. Madam Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.