Steven Palazzo

Mr. PALAZZO

Mr. PALAZZO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to once again urge the administration to issue drilling permits in the Gulf of Mexico in a more timely and efficient manner. As demonstrated at today's Natural Resources hearing, there is a critical need to correct the regulatory backlog. The long-term effects of the moratorium and subsequent regulatory slowdown will lead to decreased development levels in the Gulf of Mexico, which will reduce oil and gas production levels and associated employment and economic activity in the gulf South's economy. Recent reports show that up to 20 deepwater drilling rigs could leave the Gulf of Mexico due to the slow, uncertain pace of the permit process. Continued regulatory uncertainty will only exacerbate this trend as operators reallocate resources to other major offshore provinces. President Obama has said over and over that jobs and the economy are the administration's number one priority. Mr. President, the Gulf of Mexico sits ready to work. Let's put her to work for America. Announcement by the Speaker Pro Tempore

Mr. PALAZZO

Mr. PALAZZO. Mr. Speaker, on April 20, 2010, America witnessed the worst man-made disaster in our Nation's history. Mississippi lost four of her native sons to the explosion; and, over the course of 3 months, nearly 5 million barrels of oil gushed into the Gulf of Mexico, causing extreme economic and environmental damage. Yesterday, the bipartisan RESTORE Act was introduced that will put the Gulf States on the right path to long-term recovery. The RESTORE Act will send 80 percent of the fines paid by BP to the areas that were most affected from this tragic event and will allow the Gulf States to invest funds in projects and programs designed to rehabilitate the region economically and environmentally. The act provides States with the flexibility to address their own unique and specific needs with transparency and accountability. Once BP is held accountable for its actions, it's only fair that those hardest hit will receive the relief they desperately need and deserve. I now urge my colleagues from across the country to do the right thing and support the bipartisan RESTORE Act.

Mr. PALAZZO

Mr. PALAZZO. Mr. Speaker, since the first Honor Flight to bring World War II era veterans from the Mississippi gulf coast to Washington, D.C. on May 11, almost 200 veterans have had the opportunity to see the memorial built in their honor. I was privileged to walk and speak with the Greatest Generation this week as they remembered the sacrifices that preserved our freedom and liberated the world from tyranny and oppression. This generation of men and women fought and secured America's future with unwavering courage. Their selfless sacrifices to their country and stories of heroism inspired future generations to join the armed services. In my life, it was a grandfather, a marine Guadalcanal veteran, whose story encouraged me to join and serve in the Marine Corps. As we honor those who fought to protect America's exceptionalism, I also want to recognize those Honor Flight volunteers who worked so tirelessly to preserve the legacy of the Greatest Generation.

Mr. PALAZZO

Mr. PALAZZO. This morning I had the honor and privilege to spend 2 hours with 86 World War II veterans from Mississippi. These exceptional men and women inspired generations of Americans such as me to serve their country. Sadly, though, when I returned to my office after honoring these American heroes, I saw many of my colleagues from the other side of the aisle congratulating themselves on the ill-conceived, lame brain, lame duck session repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell. Despite the questionable reports, surveys, and certifications, which I believe were flawed from the beginning, I have no doubt that we have taken a wrong turn. The 111th Congress obviously failed the American people on so many levels. Repeal of DADT is just another glaring example of their failures. Social experiments like this repeal have no place in our military, and I for one apologize to those who have served and those who are currently serving. God help us all.

Mr. PALAZZO

Mr. PALAZZO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor one of my fellow marines and a truly brave and heroic American, Corporal Dakota Meyer. This week, Corporal Meyer is receiving the highest military honor our Nation has to offer, the Congressional Medal of Honor. As a scout sniper with the Third Battalion, Third Marines, Corporal Meyer ran through enemy fire multiple times in an attempt to save fellow U.S. servicemembers in Kunar province, Afghanistan. Facing enemy fire, Corporal Meyer killed at least eight bad guys, personally evacuated 12 friendlies, and provided cover for another 24 of his fellow marines and soldiers during the 6-hour battle. Corporal Meyer had, no doubt, distinguished himself above and beyond the call of duty, and truly is an American hero. He knowingly risked his own life to save the lives of others. I congratulate him on this honor. Semper Fi, Corporal Meyer.

Mr. PALAZZO

Mr. PALAZZO. Mr. Speaker, I hear across the aisle my colleagues talking about what have the Republicans done to create jobs, and they point out where we've created a job. Well, I don't think it's the government's responsibility to create jobs, but it is our responsibility to foster a healthy business climate in this Nation where our entrepreneurs and small business owners can go out and create jobs, expand, and increase the benefits and the pay of their employees. But you're not going to do that if you increase their taxes. You're not going to do that if you have unelected bureaucrats running around increasing job- stifling regulations and circumventing Congress' efforts to foster an atmosphere in this country to create jobs. You're not going to do that if we continue to have frivolous litigation. All these things taken together develop a certain amount of uncertainty in our Nation, and capital sits on the sidelines or it goes overseas to a more friendly job creation environment. I'm in one of those 22 proud right-to-work States. In Mississippi, we love the high-tech jobs we're getting and the advanced manufacturing jobs and the Department of Defense aerospace industry, shipbuilding. We like jobs in Mississippi. And this Protecting Jobs from Government Interference Act will prohibit the NLRB from telling private sector companies where they can or cannot locate. We must restrain them. We must stop this, because the industries that we have collected over the past several years in the State of Mississippi, I firmly believe these companies would not have located either to the United States or they would have not located to my State if it wasn't for the fact that we have a great workforce and we're a right-to-work State. We would have lost these jobs forever. We would have never seen them. They would have left America or they would have stayed in the foreign country they came from. We like to work in Mississippi. We like jobs. We want more of them, not less.

Mr. PALAZZO

Mr. PALAZZO. Madam Speaker, this morning, NASA announced the design of a new space launch system which will be the basis for future exploration beyond low Earth orbit. It is a critical step, but one among many we need to take. Although I am pleased this decision was made, it is long overdue since it was mandated by the NASA authorization bill passed in the last Congress. This announcement combines existing technologies while enabling new ones, all the while attempting to maintain the most skilled and dedicated workforce in existence in human space flight. NASA's plan still lacks the destination focus I would like to see, and we must be diligent in keeping costs manageable, especially in these difficult economic times. But the investment in our Nation's space program enables men and women like those at the Stennis Space Center to do what they do best--test rocket engines for space flight. America is the leader in human space flight. Today's decision helps continue that leadership role.

Mr. PALAZZO

Mr. PALAZZO. Mr. Speaker, Mississippi is a great place to live, work, and raise a family; and I want to keep it that way. Mississippi is a proud right-to-work State. My State has attracted and continues to attract high-tech economic development projects and advanced manufacturing facilities. At a time when more than 14 million workers are unemployed, we must do everything possible to remove government barriers to job creation and economic growth. As South Carolina knows too well, the National Labor Relations Board is stifling job creation, and their Federal intrusion must be restrained. The Protecting Jobs from Government Interference Act will prohibit the NLRB from dictating where a private sector employer can locate. This is good for job seekers as well as job creators. Without restraint, all States, especially right-to-work States like my Mississippi, will be negatively impacted. We like to work in Mississippi and we like jobs, and we want more of them, not less.

Mr. PALAZZO

Mr. PALAZZO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the 11 victims of the shooting in Carson City, Nevada, including five of my fellow National Guardsmen. As a member of the Mississippi Army National Guard, I have the utmost respect for what these men and women do on a daily basis and the trials and tribulations that go along with being a citizen soldier. They risk danger and loss of life every time they put on the uniform. They should not have to face danger in their own backyards. Unfortunately, the sacrifices that many of these soldiers and their families make for our country go largely unnoticed by many Americans. I hope that my colleagues in the House will join me in commending the work our National Guard does every day both here and overseas. I hope for a quick recovery for all of those injured, and my thoughts and prayers go out to the families of the members that were killed by this senseless act of violence.

Mr. PALAZZO

Mr. PALAZZO. Madam Speaker, the American people entrusted each Member of Congress with extraordinary power. That's the power to cast votes as their voice in Congress and provide solutions to America's problems. Most of all, they expect us to lead during times of crisis. House Republicans have led. House Republicans have provided plans and solutions to America's debt crisis. House Republicans have used their voice as Representatives of their district to end the debt limit crisis and begin balancing the budget. We've done our job; it's time the Senate does theirs. Leader Reid and President Obama are all that stand between the American people and a responsible resolution to this debt crisis. I say to our colleagues in the Senate, we were sent here not to punt on difficult decisions. Vote ``no'' on the Reid plan.

Mr. PALAZZO

Mr. PALAZZO. Mr. Speaker, on July 25, an exchange of authority took place at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, signifying the end of mission for the 184th Expeditionary Sustainment Command--the largest Mississippi Army National Guard Unit and the largest one ever led by Mississippians. The guard unit is more than 250 strong; most are Mississippians; and the size of the unit reflects the size of the mission. They served as headquarters for Joint Sustaimnent Command--Afghanistan, affecting more than 100,000 U.S. and coalition soldiers and civilians. Over the past 9 months, the unit delivered nearly 414 million gallons of fuel, 26 million pounds of ammo, 110 million meals, and 43 million pounds of mail. This marks an important moment in history and for military logistics, and the 184th has made Mississippi, the National Guard, and this Nation proud. To them, I am honored to say, ``Welcome Home and thank you.''

Mr. PALAZZO

Mr. PALAZZO. Mr. Speaker, two things come from a town called Kiln, Mississippi: a famous NFL quarterback and Lazy Magnolia Beer. We know Brett's story, but let me tell you about Lazy Magnolia. One Christmas, Leslie Henderson bought her husband, Mark, a home brew kit. The two engineers started brewing beer and eventually turned their hobby into a business. We can fix our faltering economy by giving small business owners more responsibility. H.R. 1236, the Small Brew Act, does that, allowing a much needed tax cut to our small brewers. By lowering the tax on the beer they produce, these companies will have more revenue to invest in maintaining and hiring employees. This legislation therefore promises to create over 4,000 jobs. On that Christmas a few years ago, Lazy Magnolia Beer had no employees. Today it provides jobs to about 20 people in Hancock County. That, my friends, is an American success story.

Mr. PALAZZO

Mr. PALAZZO. Mr. Speaker, 42 years ago today, Neil Armstrong took one small step on the lunar surface. It was the culmination of a national initiative to put men on the Moon. But although our mission was achieved, it didn't end our yearning to explore. In many ways it only deepened, and I believe it still exists today. Tomorrow, STS-135 Atlantis is scheduled to land in Florida; and with the completion of the mission, the shuttle program will have come to an end. We now face the uncertainty of where our next steps in space will be. America's legacy as the unrivaled world leader in space exploration enters into a new and uncertain era. As chairman of the Space and Aeronautics Subcommittee, partnered with Chairman Ralph Hall, I will work within Congress, with NASA, and with private entities to ensure America's space exploration legacy is maintained and that last year's NASA reauthorization bill is implemented. We must continue developing the Space Launch System and Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle in order to achieve assured access for American crews to the international space station. Even in challenging economic times, I urge my colleagues to prioritize human space flight, for it is in times like these that inspiration is needed more than ever.

Mr. PALAZZO

Mr. PALAZZO. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall Nos. 601 and 602, I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yes.''

Mr. PALAZZO

Mr. PALAZZO. Mr. Speaker, with a record debt level of $14.2 trillion, unemployment at 9.2 percent, and our spending habits out of control, Americans are searching for answers. They are searching for a plan that gives them real hope, a lifeline that will pull them out of the water and onto solid ground. The Cut, Cap, and Balance Act is that lifeline. It is a simple plan with guaranteed results. Raising the debt ceiling without serious spending reforms would be nothing more than a green light for more of President Obama's failed spending programs, more job-destroying tax hikes, and more crushing debt. The President's policies have us borrowing 40 cents on every dollar we spend and will make our children foot the bill. This will bankrupt America and jeopardize our children's futures. We must take extraordinary action to solve our debt problems, and I urge my colleagues to support the Cut, Cap, and Balance Act. By making immediate cuts and bringing Federal spending in line with historic averages, we can promote job growth, sustain our Nation's economic viability, and ensure that the future of America is secure. Mr. Speaker, Members of Congress, let's throw Americans a lifeline and vote ``yes'' on the Cut, Cap, and Balance Act.

Mr. PALAZZO

Mr. PALAZZO. Mr. Chair, on rollcall No. 553 I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``no.''

Mr. PALAZZO

Mr. PALAZZO. I would like to thank Chairwoman Biggert for yielding and for her leadership on this issue. I rise today in support of the reauthorization of the National Flood Insurance Reform Act. As a representative of the Katrina-devastated Mississippi gulf coast, I understand both the importance of the National Flood Insurance Program but also the need for its reform. I have introduced two amendments to the bill which will be a part of the en bloc amendment. The first calls for the newly created Technical Mapping Advisory Council to include members from coastal or other high- risk flood areas. This assures that the advisory council has members that are not just technical experts but have experienced firsthand the hardship and heartbreak catastrophic flooding and damage causes families and communities. My other amendment allows any claimant to obtain from the administrator any engineering reports or other documents relied on in determining whether the damage was caused by flood or any other peril. When the FEMA administrator or participating company have the task of determining whether a home's damage was caused by wind or by water, the policyholder would now have the right to request those documents relied upon in making that determination. It is my belief that transparency in government is important, especially for policyholders. For those who may have lost their property, they have the right to know the details in the determination of their claim. I urge your support of both of my amendments as well as the full passage of H.R. 1309.

Mr. PALAZZO

Mr. PALAZZO. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 454 I inadvertently voted ``no'' on an amendment where I meant to vote ``yes'' in support of the Flake amendment.

Mr. PALAZZO

Mr. PALAZZO. Madam Speaker, the citizens of Mississippi's Fourth Congressional District overwhelmingly do not support the President's handling of Libya, and I agree with my constituents. Our country, our military, and their families are fatigued by 10 years of war in Iraq and Afghanistan. The White House has yet to clearly explain to the American people why we should commit more of our precious blood and treasure to a third war. Where is the leadership Americans expect and deserve when it comes to committing our troops to foreign wars? With reservation, I will support House Resolution 292--only because the United States must honor our commitment to our friends and allies engaged in the Libyan conflict. This resolution gives the President 14 days to explain to Congress the scope of our objectives in Libya. If he fails, we should immediately withdraw our support from the conflict, and as much as we care for our friends and allies, we cannot cast aside the laws of our land. Mr. President, the American people and this Congress have questions and deserve answers. We cannot afford a failure in leadership when Americans' lives are on the line. Announcement by the Speaker Pro Tempore

Mr. PALAZZO

Mr. PALAZZO. Madam Chair, I would like to yield the 30 seconds to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Wittman).

Mr. PALAZZO. I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Chair, I rise in opposition to the gentleman from Minnesota's amendment. Put simply, the gentleman's amendment would further delay the funding of a ship that our Navy and Marine Corps wants and needs. LHA 7 is a part of the next generation of large deck amphibious assault ships, just similar to the USS Kearsarge, which just returned after an 8\1/2\-month-long deployment to where they participated in strikes in Libya and humanitarian assistance and other missions. This America class amphibious assault ship will be serving our country and providing a vital mission capability for years to come. The President's very own 2012 budget request included $2 billion for the second year of incremental funding for LHA 7. Previous Congresses have supported this ship and her procurement, and further delays to this funding are opposed by this administration, the Navy, the Marine Corps, and the House Armed Services Committee. My colleague mentioned, by the way, the GAO report. The Navy strongly disagrees with the GAO report that the gentleman has pointed to. The Navy has the shipbuilder's proposal in hand and at this point is working to complete negotiations to get this ship under contract this year, which may happen as soon as August. The Secretary of the Navy, the Chief of Naval Operations, and the Commandant of the Marine Corps have all endorsed a minimum naval fleet of 313 ships, of which 33 of those ships are going to be amphibious in nature. If the gentleman's amendment were to become law, the contract for this amphibious ship could be delayed. The ship's delivery to the fleet would be delayed, and the overall cost of the ship would go up. It seems to me, as a Member of Congress, that we need to support programs and policies that enable our men and women in uniform to get the best possible equipment at the lowest cost to the taxpayer. The gentleman's amendment does just the opposite. This amendment also jeopardizes American jobs. Nearly 3,500 shipbuilders depend on the ship for work. Cuts to this ship's funding, delays in contracting, and political gamesmanship put these jobs at risk. Furthermore, the gentleman's amendment provides absolutely no cost savings. It just forces the Navy to budget more for the ship next year, and overall it increases the cost to the taxpayer. This amendment does not just delay LHA-7; this amendment potentially delays our next aircraft carrier, our next submarine, and our next destroyer. Finally, the gentleman's amendment is not good for the taxpayer, and it is not good for the Navy or the Marine Corps. Previous Congresses have endorsed the procurement of this ship, the administration and the Navy have endorsed the procurement of this ship, and American jobs depend on the procurement of this ship. I urge my colleagues in the House to vote ``no'' on this amendment. Madam Chair, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Akin), the chairman of the Seapower and Expeditionary Forces Subcommittee.

Mr. PALAZZO. Madam Chairman, I rise in opposition to the amendment.

Mr. PALAZZO

Mr. PALAZZO. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 330 I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''

Mr. PALAZZO

Mr. PALAZZO. I rise today, Mr. Speaker, in strong support of H.R. 1230. As the Congressman from Mississippi's gulf coast, I have seen firsthand the damaging effect of the administration's decision to delay lease sales for offshore oil exploration. I also have worked offshore myself as a rigger, a roustabout, and a materials manager. I understand the positive economic impact offshore jobs have on the local and regional economies. By the administration's own admission, we have already seen 12,000 jobs lost with a direct salary impact of $500 million. To prevent these jobs from permanently being sent to other countries, we need firm timelines for considering permits to provide certainty to investors and employers. I not only support the passage of the Restarting American Offshore Leasing Now Act, but I urge the administration to undo their record of blocking and delaying energy production and to proceed with scheduled lease sales promptly. We must not continue to unnecessarily sideline a vibrant industry that is critical to our economic and national security.

Mr. PALAZZO

Mr. PALAZZO. Mr. Speaker, the White House has presented its sequel budget plan for America, but this sequel looks strangely like the prequel--filled with rhetoric, flat on vision for economic growth, and heavy on new taxes for America's small business owners and job creators. As a CPA who operated my own practice, I have filed thousands of tax returns for individuals and small businesses. I have not only met payroll myself, but I have examined the bottom line of businesses that are trying to keep their doors open. The sequel plan offered by the White House will tax those who are trying to expand and invest. It will ultimately cripple job growth and recovery in America. Chairman Paul Ryan has presented a plan with a vision for job growth. It supports many of the concepts that as a CPA I have long advocated for, such as simplifying the Tax Code and reducing tax levels for small businesses and families. As a CPA, I know the Ryan plan presents a path to prosperity for America, and I will support it tomorrow.