Frank Pallone

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Chairman, Republicans have spent the last year and a half attacking all of the Biden administration's efforts to lower energy costs for American consumers. Rebates for energy efficient appliances to lower energy bills; Republicans are furious. Incentives to spur investment in clean energy to drive down bills; Republicans attack that. Efforts to use the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to lower gas prices for Americans; Republicans were incensed. Forgive me, Mr. Chairman, but I just find it all too much, especially because not a single colleague of mine on the other side of the aisle has made as much as a peep since the Federal Trade Commission last week revealed that the CEO of the largest American independent producer of crude oil was colluding with OPEC to keep oil prices high. That is the real scandal, Mr. Chairman: The CEO of an American company working together with representatives of the Saudi Government to raise prices for Americans. Even worse, he tried to persuade his competitors to do the same and drive the price of crude oil up to $200 per barrel in a display of naked greed. If my Republican colleagues were serious about wanting to lower energy costs for Americans, they would hold hearings. They are in charge. They are in the majority. They should hold hearings and put legislation on the floor to deal with this scandal instead of standing here debating the freedom of appliances. Mr. Chairman, Republicans claim they want to lower energy costs, but their actions speak louder than their words. They are beyond furious if you try to use technology to lower the energy consumption of household appliances and save Americans money, but a Big Oil CEO colluding with OPEC nations to pick American pockets, you would be hard pressed to get Republicans to care about that. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Chairman, I am prepared to close and yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Chairman, I just want to call out the problems that I have heard on the floor today from the other side of the aisle. Republicans have claimed that they care about energy costs. They keep saying over and over again that they care about energy costs, but their actions and their vote shows that that is just not true. The Biden administration's efficiency standards are estimated to save consumers $1 trillion over 30 years. That is $1 trillion. Water heater standards will save American households $7.6 billion, refrigerator standards will save Americans $36 billion, and clothes washer and dryer standards will save Americans a combined $39 billion. The bottom line is Republicans don't want Americans to realize those savings. They want Americans to be stuck with older, energy-guzzling appliances that cost more money every time you turn them on. I think it is ridiculous, and so should everyone else in this Chamber. Republicans claim they are concerned about the higher upfront costs of these appliances, but 2 years ago when the Inflation Reduction Act was passed, which contained $9 billion in rebates and other investments in lowering the cost of energy-efficient appliances, well, Republicans all voted ``no,'' every one of them. Let's review. The Republicans don't want to make positive economic investments because they are concerned about the up-front costs, but then they also refuse to take action to lower those up-front costs. If you brought this mentality to the private sector, you would probably be fired in a heartbeat. That is the orthodoxy in today's Republican Party. Lowering energy costs for consumers via efficiency gains used to be a bipartisan issue. These efficiency standards and the process for achieving them have been around for 50 years, and every so often, we have the Department of Energy both under Democrats and Republicans coming forward with efficiency standards. We made real progress on this in 1992 and again in 2005, but somewhere along the way, Republicans decided to become the party of higher energy costs rather than the ones fighting for the American homeowners, and it is a real shame. I urge my colleagues to vote against this bill. This bill is going to raise energy costs. This bill is going to stifle innovation. This bill is going to do nothing, obviously, to address the climate crisis. It is just going nowhere, and we are wasting our time when we could be doing things that are more important than addressing affordability for the American people. Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to vote ``no,'' and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to the amendment.

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Chair, first, as I have already said, the Department of Energy must already ensure that energy conservation standards are economically justified, so this amendment is totally unnecessary. Instead of being helpful, this amendment adds duplicative processes to a bill that already adds burdensome steps to the energy conservation program. It is all just messaging and designed to slow down rulemaking. Also, it is interesting to me that we are even considering this amendment. The gentleman seems very confident that there will be any new or amended energy conservations; however, under this bill, I am not even sure that we will ever see any new standards. Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Chair, I rise in opposition to the amendment.

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Chair, the amendment amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act with vague language that would likely be impossible to implement. Additionally, this amendment is clearly designed to target environmental and clean energy groups. If this amendment is adopted, and if H.R. 6192 becomes law, it would slow down the Department of Energy rulemaking process and create additional hurdles to adopting energy conservation standards. It would overburden the Department of Energy staff, who would be tasked with identifying covered parties to ensure compliance. It creates loads of needless paperwork and is an unfunded mandate. Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to recognize that this amendment is pure Republican messaging and would hinder climate action. Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to vote against this amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Chair, I claim the time in opposition to the amendment.

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Chair, apparently, Republicans don't realize that sometimes things can be a win-win. Back in April, the Department of Energy finalized efficiency standards for distribution transformers, critical components for the electric grid. Because they are so ubiquitous, any improvements in efficiency from these transformers can translate to massive energy and cost savings. Before the Department of Energy finalized the standard, it spent 15 months listening to everyone from steel and transformer manufacturers to utilities to homebuilders to everyday Americans and everyone in between. The Department of Energy took that feedback very seriously and produced a standard that met the criteria under the Energy Policy and Conservation Act: technologically feasible and economically justified. The final product they put out worked for everyone. Don't take my word for it. Take the word of UAW Local 3303, which says that this final rule ``ensures a viable pathway for UAW-made steel to supply the transformer market long into the future.'' Talk to the United Auto Workers Region 9 director, who thanked the Department of Energy ``for listening to the voices of our members in Butler, Pennsylvania, and having a willingness to learn from our subject matter experts who actually make these products.'' You don't have to just listen to labor leaders on this, either. Listen to Cleveland-Cliffs, the manufacturer of the electrical steel that goes into transformers. They praised the rule and said they expect it to actually increase demand for their product, opening the possibility of future investments and plant expansion. Listen to the president of the National Electrical Manufacturers Association, who thanked the Department of Energy for the flexibility that the final rule provided. Listen to the utilities that say this final rule provides stability and certainty while moving us toward vital efficiency goals. The sponsors of this amendment should just turn around and listen to the Republican chair of the Committee on Energy and Commerce, my esteemed colleague from Washington State, who called the final rule encouraging. Mr. Chair, you can go to one of the sponsors, the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Kelly), who just two weeks ago appeared at an event with the Secretary of Energy at Cleveland-Cliffs--again, a manufacturer of grain-oriented electrical steel--and celebrated the final rule and the jobs at Cleveland-Cliffs that the final rule will save. The press release from my colleague's office called the final rule on distribution transformers efficiency ``the right thing.'' I couldn't agree more, Mr. Chair. I am just not sure what made my colleagues change their minds in the last 2 weeks. My point is, there is broad support behind this rule from all corners. If Republicans really cared about the transformer shortages utilities across the Nation are still suffering from, they would work with us to provide the necessary funding for the President's invocation of the Defense Production Act for transformers because that is something, unlike this amendment, that would really make a positive difference. I really don't understand why this amendment is being offered. It makes no sense. Mr. Chair, I urge opposition to the amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. PALLONE. Let me say, Mr. Chair, again, the standards that have been established by the Department of Energy have broad support. The rule has broad support from all corners. I just don't understand how my Republican colleagues can say all of a sudden now that they are opposed to it. Mr. Chair, I ask my colleagues to oppose this amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Chair, I demand a recorded vote.

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

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to join its officers and members in celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Ocean Chapter of The National Drifters, Inc. Founded by Marilyn Joyce, the Ocean Chapter of the National Drifters, Inc. was sponsored by the Montclair Chapter and chartered in 1974. As one of 37 chapters of The National Drifters, Inc., Ocean Drifters is committed to fulfilling The National Drifters mission of fostering female fellowship and leadership and supporting local communities. Through outreach efforts such as voter education and registration, donations of culturally diverse books to school libraries, and scholarships for high school seniors, Ocean Drifters continues to contribute to communities across Monmouth and Ocean Counties. Additionally, many of its members have served in leadership positions on the national level, incIuding President, Vice President, Public Relations Chairperson, and Convention Chair. Ocean Drifters members Sylvia Thomas, Helen Scott, Shirley Williams, and Yvonne Russell-Mann have been honored with the Now Black Woman Award, the highest honor bestowed by the organization. It its 50th year, the Ocean Chapter of the National Drifters, Inc. consists of 17 members: Marjorie Clark, Mary Inge, Channie Hewitt Johnson, Beverly Cotton, Aleathea ``Pepper'' Riley, Victoria Anderson, Cassandra Keyes, Evelene Anderson, Tanya Russell-Brown, Maris Henson, Courteney Wilds, Nicole Dookie, Yvonne Hunley Jones, Lisa Barksdale, Simone Edmond, Monique Gamboa, and Felicia Bourke. Mr. Speaker, for 50 years, the Ocean Chapter of The National Drifters, Inc. has upheld its endeavor to provide opportunities for women to engage in community service and improve the lives of others. It is my privilege to congratulate the club on this milestone and wish them another 50 years of success.

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to congratulate French & Parrello Associates on its 50th anniversary this year. A multi- discipline engineering firm, French & Parrello Associates has provided valuable contributions to the infrastructure of New Jersey since 1974. Founded by Laurence E. French, Argo T. Parrello, James B. Heller, and Joseph M. Edwards, French & Parrello Associates has transformed from a branch office of Raamot Associates PC into the independent full-service engineering and consulting firm it is today. In its 50th year, French & Parrello Associates (FPA) is headquartered in Wall, New Jersey and has three additional offices in New Jersey as well as offices in Pennsylvania, Atlanta, and New York. It is led by President and CEO Steven Tardy, PE and employs a staff of over 200. FPA has contributed to both private and public projects, offering a multitude of services encompassing construction, structural, geotechnical, telecommunications, and environmental engineering, bridge and highway design, surveying, and landscape architecture, among others. They have provided services for several projects across the Sixth Congressional District of New Jersey, including the South Amboy Ferry Terminal, the Senator Joseph M. Kyrillos Bridge, and the Beachfront North Condominiums in Long Branch. Mr. Speaker, please join me in celebrating the 50th anniversary of French & Parrello Associates. The company continues to deliver outstanding service to its clients and its innovation and commitment to excellence are truly deserving of this body's recognition.

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to have an opportunity to highlight the legacy of our colleague and my friend, Donald Payne, Jr. Last week, New Jersey lost a great public servant far too soon. Many knew Don for his trademark bow tie, big smile, and friendly demeanor. Let me tell a bit more about his life and journey. Don's mother died when he was just 5 years old, and after his mother's passing, Don and his siblings were raised by his father. I think many know his father, Donald Sr., also my colleague, was the first Black Member of Congress from New Jersey. He was also a Congressional Black Caucus chairman. However, Don Jr. tended to the trail blazed by his father by fighting for healthcare for all, delivering Federal funding to the largest and most important transportation project in American history, and replacing lead drinking water pipes that made kids in his district sick. In honor of his father, he led bipartisan efforts to research, prevent, and treat colorectal cancer. Don was a powerful politician in New Jersey, as both a county commissioner and Newark City councilman. New Jersey allowed you to hold both offices at the same time. Many felt it was a step down for him to come to Congress, but he felt it was an obligation and duty to follow his father's footsteps, and he was determined to make the best of it. Now, Don was always struggling with health issues from the very first day that he came here, but it didn't stop him from his work, from voting, from doing more special orders than any other Member, as was mentioned by my colleagues tonight. In a town known for sharp elbows, Don always showed kindness. He always took the time to ask how you were doing. He made sure you knew that you had a friend who had your back no matter what. Don Payne can serve as an example for all of us. He didn't care if you were Black or White, Christian or Jewish, rich or poor. We were all in this effort together to get things done that would make a difference in our quality of life. Don didn't worry about himself. He was funny and self-deprecating. If there was anything he didn't like, it was conceit or thinking that you were better than other people. Don's goal was always to help others, and that is what he would ask of us: Work every day to make a better life for your community, your State, and your country. This week, the American flag flies at half-mast at the Capitol in his honor. We join his wife, Beatrice, and his children, the triplets, Donald III, Jack, and Yvonne, in mourning his passing. Donald Payne, Jr., made his family and constituents proud. His work is done, but it won't be forgotten.

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, Mr. Smith really laid out all the great accomplishments of Don Payne in terms of what he accomplished here, which was so much as a Member of Congress, but I just want to talk a little bit about the man. I think that many of us know Don for his trademark bow tie, his big smile, and his friendly demeanor. More than a Member of New Jersey's congressional delegation, he was part of our family, and he affectionately called me ``Uncle Frank.'' He used his time here to improve the lives and health of New Jerseyans and Americans with so many things that Chris Smith mentioned, but Don was always struggling with health issues from the day that he came here. I am not sure that many of you knew that, but it never stopped him from his work, from voting. So many times in the past year we had very close votes and he would always show up if there was any way possible. I remember him doing Special Orders. He had the record for the most Special Orders for several years. If you look over there in seat number one where Democrats would sit if they wanted to line up for Special Orders, you see the flowers and the mourning cloak. He was always the first one to come down. I think a lot of you maybe didn't realize how uncomfortable he was when he was sick, but he always took the time to ask how you were doing. If I would go up to him and say, Donald, how are you feeling today? He would say, fine and just move on. Then he would say, how are you doing, Frank? How do you feel? How is the family? He just made you feel like he was your friend, and it didn't matter whether you were Democrat or Republican or where you were from. I will join Mr. Smith in mentioning his wife, Beatrice, and his children. He had triplets. I think many of you know Donald III, Jack, and Yvonne. We want to honor his legacy and his service to our State and our country. I will say in closing to Don, Uncle Frank says good- bye, but he certainly will not be forgotten by any of us.

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Madam Chair, I rise in strong support of H.R. 8038. National security experts are sounding the alarm, warning that our foreign adversaries are using every tool at their disposal, including apps like TikTok, to amass troves of sensitive data on all Americans. This bill takes decisive action to mitigate our foreign adversaries' ability to collect Americans' data and use it against us. First, it creates a framework intended to force divestment of TikTok from its Chinese Communist Party-controlled parent company, ByteDance. Second, this bill includes my bipartisan Protecting Americans' Data from Foreign Adversaries Act. This bill prohibits data brokers from selling Americans' sensitive personal information to China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran, as well as to entities controlled by those countries. I thank my partner in this effort, Chair Rodgers, for her tireless work to advance these important provisions, and I strongly urge my colleagues to support this legislation.

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Rabbi Bennett Miller as he celebrates his 50th year in the Rabbinate. It is my honor to join with the members of Anshe Emeth Memorial Temple and the greater community in celebrating this milestone. Upon becoming a rabbi in 1974, Rabbi Miller served under Rabbi Harvey Fields at Anshe Emeth Memorial Temple. In 1977 he became Senior Rabbi at Anshe Emeth, where he continued to serve until his retirement in 2018. Following his retirement, Rabbi Miller became Rabbi Emeritus of Anshe Emeth Memorial Temple; he also served for one year as the Interim Senior Rabbi at Temple Emanu-El in Westfield. He also served as National Chair of the Association of Reform Zionists of America (ARZA) and currently serves as Chair of the URJ/ARZA Herzl Society. As Rabbi Emeritus, Rabbi Miller provides pastoral guidance and leadership to the congregation and continues to support Anshe Emeth Memorial Temple's mission of religious education, spiritual growth, and social action. Rabbi Miller attended Hebrew Union College--Jewish Institute of Religion in Cincinnati and earned his Doctor of Ministry degree from Princeton Theological Seminary. In 2024, he received the Builders of Zion Award and in 2023 he was the recipient of Matan's Trail Blazer's Award. Despite his retirement, Rabbi Bennett Miller has continued to provide outstanding rabbinical leadership and contributions to the community. I sincerely hope my colleagues will join me in congratulating Rabbi Miller on his 50th year in the Rabbinate and thanking him for his ongoing service.

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to recognize Ross K. Baker on his retirement from Rutgers University. Professor Baker dedicated over 50 years to Rutgers University and his many achievements and contributions should be celebrated. A Distinguished Professor of Political Science at Rutgers University School of Arts and Sciences, Professor Baker was honored in 2021 with the Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Teaching, which recognizes faculty members whose contributions have been significantly impactful. I had the distinct pleasure of speaking with Professor Baker's classes numerous times and it was evident that his students valued and internalized his teachings. Specializing in American Government and U.S. Legislative Politics, Professor Baker brought a wealth of knowledge and experience to the classroom. Throughout his tenure, he also served as a Visiting Professor at Haverford College and the University of Leipzig (Germany), as well as a Fulbright Lecturer at the Swedish Institute of International Relations in Stockholm. In addition to his academic background, Professor Baker worked for the offices of Senator Walter Mondale, Birch Bayh, Franch Church, Chuck Hagel, Patrick Leahy, and Harry Reid. He also served as a consultant to the Democratic Caucus of the U.S. House of Representatives. Likewise, he has published many books and articles and has contributed to USA Today and several NPR programs. Immediately prior to joining Rutgers in 1968, Professor Baker was a research associate at the Brookings Institute. He had also worked at the Special Operations Research Office and was a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, where he earned his B.A., M.A. and Ph.D. Mr. Speaker, please join me in congratulating Professor Ross K. Baker on his retirement. It is my privilege to recognize his commitment to education and government and offer my best wishes as he enters this new stage in life.

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to commemorate the life of my dear friend, Michael J. Cioffi, who passed away on March 23, 2024 after a courageous battle with cancer and other 9/11-related illnesses. A resident of Ocean Township, Michael was born and raised in Long Branch and served his hometown's fire department for 14 years before serving with the New York City Fire Department (FDNY). Although off- duty on September 11, 2001, the day of the attack, Michael didn't hesitate to rush into New York City to assist his fellow firefighters and emergency personnel and spent the next several months meticulously working through rubble at the site. Despite the illnesses he endured as a result of his work at the World Trade Center site, Michael continued to serve with the FDNY until 2020. Michael was tough and determined, and his duty to serve was profound. Michael demonstrated character and leadership throughout his life and was deeply committed to each endeavor he undertook. Michael is survived by his loving family, including his wife Sylvia and six children, Michael Luciano, Sofia, Maryella, Christopher, Jack, and Emma. His dedication to his family was evident and I am blessed to have had such a wonderful friend in Michael. Michael should be remembered for his decades of service to Long Branch and New York City as a firefighter, most notably his selfless actions following the September 11th attacks on the World Trade Center, which contributed to his health battles. I know I join with his family, friends, and fellow firefighters in paying tribute to his memory and the ultimate sacrifice he paid in service to our community.

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to H.R. 1023, legislation that repeals the Methane Emissions Reduction Program and the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, which are two landmark programs included in the Inflation Reduction Act. Now, these two programs work to slash dangerous climate pollution and invest in communities across the country all while lowering the deficit. This bill is nothing more than another shameless giveaway to Republicans' corporate polluter friends at the American people's expense. What is more, this is the third time Republicans have brought bills to repeal these programs to the House floor. Clearly, my Republican colleagues are struggling to come up with new ideas and are resorting to the same tired old stunts that we have all come to expect. H.R. 1023 is more of the same. It is the latest in a long line of politicized attempts to reverse course on climate action and reject the historic progress Democrats made toward securing a cleaner, stronger future. Moreover, Mr. Speaker, make no mistake, the progress Democrats delivered with the Inflation Reduction Act was historic. It finally put us on track to meet our climate goals, and at the same time it has already created more than 271,000 new, good-paying clean energy jobs right here at home. These are jobs for electricians, construction workers, mechanics, and technicians that can't be shipped overseas. Of course, more than one- half of these jobs and clean energy projects are in districts represented by my Republican colleagues who, right now, are fighting to take them away. It is just unconscionable, and it defies logic. The United States now experiences a $1 billion or more extreme weather event every 3 weeks, and that is unprecedented in our Nation's history. It underscores just how critical it is that we reduce greenhouse gas pollution and invest in the clean energy jobs that will carry our economy into the future. Nonetheless, Republicans flat out refuse to hold polluters accountable for the damage they cause. Instead, they are doubling down on their polluters over people agenda with this bill that repeals the Methane Emissions Reduction Program. This program provides incentives to drive down methane pollution, one of the most dangerous and potent greenhouse gases. Methane pollution is responsible for a whole host of health risks and a full one-third of the warming we are experiencing today. Now, we are likely to hear false claims from Republicans that this is a tax. We have already heard that from my colleague. Nonetheless, it is not a tax. It simply ensures that polluters and not the American people pay for the methane pollution that they cause. It corrects a market failure that currently makes it cheaper for owners and operators to waste methane rather than install or upgrade equipment to prevent leaks and flaring. These are real problems because leaked and intentionally wasted natural gas never makes its way to customers, but they are, nevertheless, stuck with the bill. The Methane Emissions Reduction Program fixes that and ensures that consumers no longer pay for wasted energy or the harm it causes. Additionally, of course, companies can avoid paying the waste emissions charge altogether by not wasting methane. Wasted methane is bad for business, it is bad for Americans, and it is bad for the climate. H.R. 1023 would allow this waste to continue to go unchecked. The Methane Emissions Reduction Program also complements the Biden administration's actions to slash methane pollution from the oil and gas sector, and the international community is following suit. Last year, I was at the COP28, and countries around the world committed to accelerating their efforts to control this dangerous pollution. This is the climate conference held in Dubai. These commitments were possible from other countries because of the United States' leadership in addressing methane here at home. That is why Republican efforts to undermine methane protections is so dangerous, as well. The Republican agenda compromises America's global leadership and threatens our global competitiveness. So the bottom line is that if we move ahead and try to reduce methane and recycle it, if you will, then other countries will follow suit. Also, the Methane Emissions Reduction Program brings in funds that benefit the American people. So how are Republicans paying for the repeal of the methane program? They are repealing another key Inflation Reduction Act program, the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund. They are using that to pay for the loss of funding for the Federal Government from the Methane Emissions Reduction Program. The other fund that they repealed, the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, invests $27 billion to mobilize financing to address the climate crisis, lower Americans' energy bills, promote job creation, and revitalize our community. It is a direct investment in the communities we are here to represent, and this Republican bill takes those investments away. The Biden administration, right now, is hard at work establishing this Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund. Various nonprofits, States, and local governments have submitted applications for funding for grants for their projects. Republican efforts to repeal the fund at this stage of the implementation process is robbing our communities of the money that they need and deserve to grow our middle class, create new jobs, and protect our families from the most catastrophic impacts of the climate crisis. This is sort of like a green bank. In other words, a lot of towns, States, and nonprofits can't get money from regular financing to finance clean energy projects, and so we are helping them with this green bank or Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1023, the bill on the floor, is a failed proposal that will never become law and that helps absolutely no one except the worst corporate polluters. Big Oil and Gas don't need more help. They get plenty of help from tax exemptions, but the American people need some help. They need some help in moving toward clean energy and reducing all these weather catastrophes that we have and creating new jobs. That is what we are doing. Mr. Speaker, don't let that all stop because of the Republicans' ideological effort here today to say that we don't need these things. We do need them, and that is why I encourage all of my colleagues to join me in opposing this bill. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Peters), who is a member of our committee.

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentlewoman from Michigan (Mrs. Dingell), a member of the Energy and Commerce Committee.

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

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Casten).

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