Scott Peters

Mr. PETERS

Mr. PETERS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today along with my colleagues, Representative Vargas, Representative Levin, and Representative Jacobs, to recognize Shawn VanDiver, an exemplary San Diegan for his unwavering service on behalf of Afghan allies who stood with our servicemembers through two decades of war. Shawn VanDiver is the founder and president of AfghanEvac. Shawn built this grassroots organization into a nationwide coalition dedicated to ensuring that our Nation keeps its promises. Since the Taliban took over Afghanistan in 2021, Shawn has brought together veterans, advocates, nonprofits, and government representatives to help our Afghan partners reach safety. His work has helped reunite families who are now rebuilding their lives in the United States. Shawn is a Navy veteran. This service gave him the clear view that our military is more capable because of its alliances, and when he re- joined civilian life, he brought this insight to San Diego's civic consciousness. Shawn's commitment to fairness and trustworthiness exemplifies our Nation's foundational ideals. The inspiration for his non-stop energy and advocacy is his commitment to our allies: when people risk their lives in support of our country and servicemembers, our commitment to them does not end when that war does. As we continue to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001, attacks, which kicked off our involvement in Afghanistan, and the fifth anniversary of our withdrawal, every single one of us in this chamber should remember the countless Afghans who risked their lives to support our servicemembers. Our commitment to their safety is not only the right thing to do, but also the story we tell the world about ourselves. America, at its core, is a Nation of decent people that looks out for its allies. I thank my friend Shawn for always reminding us of this basic fact and I thank him for refusing to give up.

Mr. PETERS

Mr. PETERS. Mr. Speaker, my intention was to vote YEA on Roll Call No. 137, on the HEATS Act to streamline geothermal energy production.

Mr. PETERS

Mr. PETERS. Mr. Chairman, for nearly 20 years, electricity demand in the U.S. has barely moved, but that era is over. Today, we are facing a potential for electricity demand to grow up to fivefold. Meeting this energy demand will be a challenge. The environmental laws of the 1970s were built for defense, but the environmental imperative of today is to build, and that is why we need permitting reform. However, that doesn't just mean building pipelines and gas plants but also wind, utility-scale solar, and interregional high voltage electric transmission, all of the above. Like President Obama used to say, all of the above and like my Republican colleagues used to openly say at least before November of last year. I was glad to see Chair Westerman introduce and advance the SPEED Act. Reforming NEPA, the most litigated environmental law on the books, is necessary if we are going to make America competitive and if we are going to protect our environment. There are many important reforms in this bill, and I want to note that. That is why earlier this month I led a letter with 30 of my Democratic colleagues, outnumbering the members of the Freedom Caucus we saw on the floor this week, but explaining our support for reform and exactly what we needed to get more Democrats to ``yes'' on SPEED. At the top of that list is permitting certainty, which the ranking member has already mentioned. Mr. Chair, if you apply for a permit for a project that complies with the law, then you should be able to get that permit, and you should be able to rely on it. Thoughtful permitting reforms, many of which are in the SPEED Act, are meaningless if the executive branch is allowed to revoke issued permits for no good reason, or if the permitting process can be subjected to political gamesmanship. The language added to the SPEED Act at markup would have restricted some of the political interference with issued permits, and that was a great start to solving the problem. It wasn't everything we needed, but it was a lot. I was confident that a bipartisan bill was well within reach. I was really disappointed this week that some of my colleagues on the other side of the aisle, after seeing that good bipartisan progress, decided to force this bill in the other direction this week to satisfy grievances and score political points instead of doing what is best for the country. An all-of-the-above energy strategy is what we were after. That took a big hit this week. Giving Donald Trump, or any President, the ability to decide what gets permitting reform, which would be the effect of the partisan amendment added to the SPEED Act behind closed doors, significantly reduces certainty for investment in America. That provision codifies a broken permitting status quo, instead of setting a level playing for everyone. Energy producers, investors, and communities want to know that investment in America, regardless of the electrons powering that investment, is safe from the swing of the political pendulum, and, unfortunately, that goal has not yet been achieved. We need to get permitting reform done in this Congress. I look forward to working with my colleagues across the aisle in the Senate to craft a bipartisan product that could become law. This is not the final draft. I think there is more we can do.

Mr. PETERS

Mr. PETERS. Mr. Speaker, due to a flight travel delay, I could not be present for votes on December 15, 2025. My flight was originally scheduled to arrive at 3:32 pm ET, but it was delayed. My flight arrived at 5:45 pm ET and I could not make it to the Capitol in time for votes. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 335, and YEA on Roll Call No. 336.

Mr. PETERS

Mr. PETERS. Mr. Chairman, I appreciate the support of my colleague, the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Rouzer), and the committee. I urge support of the amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. PETERS. Mr. Chairman, my amendment includes the language from my bill, H.R. 1948, allowing the International Boundary and Water Commission, or IBWC, to accept up to $5 million per year from other Federal agencies or outside entities, such as cities, States, and nonprofit organizations, for wastewater treatment and flood-control projects like those that would fight the cross-border sewage crisis in San Diego. The IBWC has jurisdiction over the South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant in San Diego, where longstanding operational and maintenance failures have allowed raw sewage to flow from the Tijuana River into San Diego's beaches. This has created a public health crisis that strains local resources, poses significant environmental risks, and forces our servicemembers to train in polluted sewage water. Under current law, Federal agencies, State governments, and local entities cannot transfer funds to projects under IBWC's jurisdiction. This leaves IBWC reliant on annual appropriations or emergency funding to build and maintain its facilities. My office, along with the rest of the San Diego delegation, has secured $360 million in emergency funding to help address chronic issues at the South Bay treatment plant. I thank all of the people in this Chamber who have supported that, including a number of my colleagues on the other side of the aisle who are veteran Navy SEALs and have been very concerned about this issue. This amendment would provide another tool to ensure San Diego does not need to move from emergency to emergency to secure adequate funding for the plant. If we can get money from other sources, there is no reason not to accept it. For some reason, current law prevents us from accepting even a donation from a nonprofit that would want to help us with the issue. Mr. Chair, I say let's get out of the way. H.R. 1948 passed out of the House on suspension in June of this year, and I hope to see it become law on any topical legislative vehicle before us. In this case, our amendment would authorize additional funding sources to further expedite the completion of clean water projects that fall under IBWC's jurisdiction. I think it makes sense and is good for everyone. Mr. Chair, I appreciate the support of my colleagues, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Mr. PETERS

Mr. PETERS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Dr. Glenn Cockerham, a distinguished physician, veteran, educator, and leader in ophthalmology who has devoted his career to serving our nation's Veterans. Throughout his decades of service, Dr. Cockerham has led national efforts to improve eye care for Veterans, advanced ophthalmic policy across federal health systems, mentored future physician leaders, and exemplified integrity and professionalism in every role. After many years of service to our nation, he retired in June from the Department of Veterans Affairs. After earning his medical degree, Dr. Cockerham completed his ophthalmology residency at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C., followed by a fellowship in Cornea and Refractive Surgery at Harvard Medical School's Mass Eye and Ear Infirmary. He obtained the rank of colonel while serving in the U.S. Air Force (USAF), and his military assignments included Senior Flight Surgeon with the 7th Special Operations Squadron, Chief of Flight Medicine, and Chief Consultant for Surgery at the U.S. Air Force Surgeon General Office. Dr. Cockerham served as the National Program Executive Director for Ophthalmology Selvices and was responsible for the implementation of policies impacting eye care services throughout the Veterans Health Administration. His previous national leadership roles include Acting Deputy Director at the Department of Defense/Veterans Affairs (DoD/VA) Vision Center of Excellence and Acting Chief Consultant for VA Specialty Care Services. He is also a Clinical Associate Professor in both the Departments of Ophthalmology and Pathology at Stanford University School of Medicine. In 2009, Dr. Cockerham was honored with the Olin Teague Award for War-related Research Most Beneficial to Veterans, which he received alongside Dr. Gregory Goodrich. The award recognized their exceptional research on traumatic brain injury (TBI) and its impact on vision in Veterans. Their work focused on identifying and addressing vision problems associated with blast-related TBI, including the development of innovative screening tools and therapies. Dr. Cockerham's contributions led to the identification of critical TBI-related vision disorders and the generation of data that inforned U.S. Department of Defense prevention efforts. Dr. Cockerham is also a widely published academic, with peer-reviewed work appearing in JAMA, Opthalmology, Journal of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, Military Medicine, the New England Journal of Medicine, and others. His research has informed clinical practices and contributed to national conversations on eye health. Dr. Cockerham has played a key role in shaping the future of ophthalmology and advancing care for Veterans. His expertise has influenced health policy, clinical standards, and medical education, and he continues to impact both federal healthcare systems and academic medicine. He was and remains a strong advocate for patient safety, clinical excellence, and the needs of Veterans at the highest levels of government. It is an honor to formally recognize his remarkable service and enduring contributions to our nation and to the field of ophthalmology.

Mr. PETERS

Mr. PETERS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today because we face a critical moment for American leadership. Amid mounting pressure to compete with China in energy, biotechnology, and AI dominance, any smart country would invest in itself and invest in the future. Unfortunately, this administration seems committed to doing the exact opposite. Funding cuts to the National Institutes of Health and the National Science Foundation have kneecapped the world-class research ecosystem that has made America great in the 20th century. The politicization of science hurts the health and well-being of hardworking American citizens, and it compromises our ability as a nation to compete with other nations. During August, I held a townhall with hundreds of my constituents who are researchers and graduate students in science, technology, engineering, and math. During the townhall, I discussed the dangers of this administration's agenda for public health, national security, and global competitiveness, and they asked that I tell you some of their stories. One researcher studies ocean and Earth sciences at San Diego's prestigious Scripps Institution of Oceanography. Her research focuses on addressing the threats that toxic algal blooms pose to public health, fisheries, and coastal recreation. With cuts to NASA, NOAA, and the National Science Foundation, she has seen labs at Scripps shut down and watched her coworkers lose their jobs. Another scientist whose research focuses on ensuring energy security has felt the consequences of this administration's policy. She has had her research censored by an administration that is indifferent to and may be hostile to scientific research. She has watched critical datasets and research tools disappear from government websites overnight. As she so aptly put it: ``I have sacrificed so much of my livelihood for the betterment of our planet, only to see it all burn down in less than half a year.'' Myiesha, a researcher at UCSD, overcame her own traumatic brain injuries and chronic illnesses so she could study the effects of infectious diseases on vulnerable patients. Now, Myiesha faces a new challenge: overcoming an administration that has cut her authorized research, cut her working hours almost in half, and cut her income significantly. Mari is a Ph.D. candidate studying biomedical sciences at UCSD. She researches the neuroscience behind drug addiction so we can fight the opioid crisis. Just as her field gained momentum--overdose deaths declined in 2024 for the first time in over two decades--her lab was threatened with funding cuts. Mari has watched her lifesaving research be halted and had two of her own fellowship applications withdrawn because of the administration's actions. Eugene is a Ph.D. candidate at Scripps. He is researching how to repurpose bacteria to stop certain cancer-causing proteins. The lab next door to Eugene's was doing a $129 million trial on monkeys, working to develop an HIV vaccine. After the Trump administration canceled the lab's grant, the monkeys were killed needlessly, funding already spent was wasted, and patients will now have to wait even longer before we find an HIV vaccine. Maya, a UCSD grad, cofounded BrainStorm Therapeutics, a biotech startup researching treatments for brain diseases like Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and epilepsy. Maya has seen the grants that support startups like hers cut. This threatens the transformational science that she and her colleagues are working on. The final story I will tell, and maybe the most emblematic of the issue, is that of Dr. Ardem Patapoutian. He is a world-renowned researcher who won the Nobel Prize for his work on researching the sense of touch. Mr. Speaker, I think we can all agree that is the kind of talent we strive to encourage in this country. When his research funding was delayed by the Trump administration, Dr. Patapoutian received a call from China within 2 days. They offered him his pick of whatever research institution he wanted in China, guaranteeing his funding for the next 20 years. Although his funding is still delayed, Dr. Patapoutian chose to stay here because of the world-class research ecosystem in the United States that is currently being eroded and under attack. These stories show the risks we take when we cut funding that supports critical scientific advancement. China is far outpacing us in the research and development space. If we are going to keep up, we have to put up. If those of us in this body are truly serious about putting America first, this is simply not the way. It is encouraging that, despite the administration's attempt to politicize science, a bipartisan bloc of the Senate Appropriations Committee has chosen to modestly increase scientific research funding rather than cut it. I am very thankful for that. I hope we will do the same here in the House. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the commitment to investing in America's future. We in the House should do the same. We need to invest in science and not undercut it.

Mr. PETERS

Mr. PETERS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize General Atomics, a world-leading technology company headquartered in the district I represent, and their historic achievement of completing the ITER Central Solenoid. This giant custom-designed magnet, 60 feet tall, 14 feet wide, and weighing over 1,000 tons, is the largest pulsed superconducting electromagnet ever built, and it is a major step in the long journey toward commercial fusion energy. General Atomics was one of the early trailblazers of both nuclear fission and fusion. Under the leadership of their chairman and CEO, Neal Blue, General Atomics has pioneered many new innovations, from groundbreaking advances in nuclear technology to remotely operated aircraft, and electromagnetic systems. Fusion energy will provide a source of virtually limitless baseload power and a clean and safe pathway for true energy security. It is no wonder countries across the globe are racing to achieve fusion first, and San Diego is leading the way with the leadership of companies like General Atomics and others. I look forward to celebrating many more accomplishments with my friends at General Atomics.

Mr. PETERS

Mr. PETERS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, my bill, H.R. 1948, allows the International Boundary and Water Commission, or IBWC, to accept up to $5 million per year from other Federal agencies or outside entities like cities, States, and nonprofit organizations for wastewater treatment and flood control projects like those that would fight the cross-border sewage crisis in and around San Diego and Coronado. The IBWC has jurisdiction over the South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant in San Diego, where longstanding operational and maintenance failures have allowed raw sewage to flow from the Tijuana River onto San Diego's beaches. This has created a public health crisis that strains local resources, poses significant environmental risks, and forces servicemembers to train in polluted sewage water. Under current law, Federal agencies, State governments, and local entities cannot transfer funds to projects under IBWC's jurisdiction. This leaves IBWC solely reliant on annual appropriations or emergency funding to build and maintain its facilities. My office, along with the rest of the San Diego delegation and our California senators, have worked hard to secure $360 million in emergency funding to help address chronic issues at the South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant. This bill would provide another tool to ensure that San Diego and Coronado do not need to move from emergency to emergency to secure adequate funding for this plant. I thank my colleagues on both sides of the aisle who have helped move the ball forward on this issue, including the San Diego delegation, our California senators, and my colleagues who are former Navy SEALs, who understand the harm of training in these polluted waters. I also thank the cities of San Diego, Coronado, Imperial Beach, the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce, San Diego Coastkeeper, WILDCOAST, and other San Diegans who have made stopping this catastrophe a top priority.

Mr. PETERS

Mr. PETERS. Mr. Speaker, due to a flight travel delay, I could not be present for votes. My flight was originally scheduled to arrive at 4:15 p.m., ET, but due to the delay, arrived at 5:36 p.m., ET. Therefore, I could not make it to the Capitol in time for votes. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 146, and YEA on Roll Call No. 147.

Mr. PETERS

Mr. PETERS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of my bill, H.R. 1578, the Veterans Claims Education Act. I wrote this bill after a veteran in my district alerted my office about a challenge he faced accessing his hard-earned VA benefits. This veteran contracted with a for-profit company that promised to increase the veteran's disability benefits in exchange for a cut of the veteran's disability payment from the VA. It is unconscionable that for-profit entities, known as claim sharks, prey on the trust and good will of our veterans to line their own pockets. My bill takes a big step to correct this and will protect veterans in San Diego and throughout the country from similar scams in the future. The Veterans Claims Education Act provides educational resources to steer veterans toward veterans service organizations, qualified lawyers, and accredited entities who can provide not-for-profit assistance to veterans. My bill also provides vets filing a disability claim with an online search tool to help veterans find accredited entities that can assist with claims. It creates an online portal to report claim sharks targeting veterans, which charge a fee for their services. Republicans and Democrats may have sincere policy disagreements about how to provide world-class care to our Nation's veterans and their families, but I know we all agree that no one should be able to profit from the service and sacrifice of our veterans. I thank the chairman and the ranking member and the entire House Veterans' Affairs Committee for advancing this legislation out of the House. I thank the numerous veterans organizations for their advocacy, including the American Legion, the Paralyzed Veterans of America, the VFW, and other great organizations. I look forward to working with these groups to make this law the law of the land, and I urge my colleagues to support the bill and our veterans.

Mr. PETERS

Mr. PETERS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the remarkable Shane Crotty, a San Diegan and world-renowned immunologist whose work has transformed our understanding of the human immune system. Dr. Crotty's groundbreaking research into the body's response to virus was not only vital to the global fight against COVID-19 but also to the advancement of vaccines and treatments for a wide range of infectious diseases. In recognition of Dr. Crotty's enduring contributions to research on the immune system, he was recently elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. This honor is a testimony to the value of his scientific contributions and to the curiosity, integrity, and commitment to public service that define his work. At a time when public trust in science is more important than ever, Dr. Crotty stands as a beacon of integrity, innovation, and hope. His tireless pursuit of knowledge continues to save lives and will inspire future generations of researchers. I am grateful for his leadership and proud to honor his legacy, and I thank Dr. Crotty.

Mr. PETERS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a constituent of mine, Dr. Alessandro Sette, for being awarded the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic and being granted the status of knight, or Cavaliere dell'Ordine della Stella d'Italia, for his exceptional work in immunology. He was previously elected fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and the American Academy of Microbiology. Dr. Sette is a professor at the La Jolla Institute for Immunology in the centers for autoimmunity and inflammation, infectious disease, and vaccine research. He has dedicated his career to understanding our body's immune system and developing interventions against cancer, autoimmunity, allergies, and infectious diseases. His laboratory works to understand scientific structures called epitopes that the immune system recognizes in diseases, and he uses this knowledge to improve our immune responses. Dr. Sette's research led to the creation of the Immune Epitope Database, which is a vital source of experimental data on antibody and T cell responses. Dr. Sette's research revealed how T cells can fight pathogens like tuberculosis, dengue, SARS-CoV-2, pertussis, and the virus that causes Mpox. Dr. Sette and the La Jolla Institute team were the first in the world to publish a detailed analysis of our immune system's response to the coronavirus. Their research exemplifies San Diego's role in developing the cures and treatments of tomorrow. I congratulate Dr. Alessandro Sette on his achievements and on this most recent distinct honor of being knighted by the Italian Republic. Recognizing Dr. Shane Crotty

Mr. PETERS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Dr. Margaret Leinen, who is stepping down as director of Scripps Institution of Oceanography and vice chancellor for marine science at the University of California San Diego. The Scripps Institution of Oceanography works to study and find solutions to our most pressing environmental challenges, such as the relationship among our oceans, climate change, and human health. Under Dr. Leinen's leadership, Scripps grew its degree programs and student enrollment, doubled its sponsored research and philanthropic funding, and furthered UC San Diego's reputation as one of the prestigious research institutions on the world stage. Dr. Leinen has shaped our ocean and climate research. She oversaw the commissioning of state-of-the-art research vessels, the opening of multiple new facilities, and fostered Scripps' relationship with San Diego's developing blue economy industry. Dr. Leinen has also served as the U.S. Department of State's science envoy for the oceans to Latin America and the Pacific and as assistant director for geosciences at the National Science Foundation. I have enjoyed working with her and learning from her at the U.N. climate change conferences, or COP. Dr. Leinen's work has left an extraordinary mark on oceanography. I thank Dr. Margaret Leinen for her service. Along with all of San Diego, I wish her the best in her retirement. Recognizing Dr. Alessandro Sette

Mr. PETERS

Mr. PETERS. Mr. Speaker, had I been present, I would have voted NAY on Roll Call No. 112.

Mr. PETERS

Mr. PETERS. Mr. Speaker, there are a lot of difficult things about this, but one thing I want to say is that the Republicans are actually trying to change the rules of the game to say that this tax cut doesn't cost any money. The Senate is ignoring the rules we have observed for decades, ruling out the Parliamentarian, just declaring that extending these tax cuts doesn't cost any money, and that is a falsehood. We are just changing our accounting rules to do this. The other fault with this is the chairman, Mr. Arrington, rightly pointed out we are borrowing $2 trillion every year, but this does nothing about that. All this does is take money from important programs to fund the extension of tax cuts, many of which are for the wealthy. Some may be for the nonwealthy, but much of it is for the wealthy. It is the wrong thing to do. Every independent analysis says this will not lower the budget deficit but will increase it. Mr. Speaker, if you don't believe me, look at when we vote for the debt ceiling increase; $5 trillion to $18 trillion. What are we going to vote for? This is the wrong direction.

Mr. PETERS

Mr. PETERS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to strongly oppose efforts to repeal the waste emissions charge, commonly known as the methane fee, which is a commonsense measure that benefits American industry, protects consumers, and provides much-needed regulatory certainty in the energy sector. Addressing methane emissions, especially fugitive emissions from oil and gas, is one of the most effective ways to combat the climate crisis, protect public health, and ensure America's energy sector remains globally competitive. Methane has a global warming potential 80 times higher than carbon dioxide over a 20-year period, meaning that even small leaks can erase the climate benefits of utilizing cleaner energy sources. Unfortunately, methane regulations have been caught in a cycle of constant change. The first Trump administration repealed methane regulations from the previous administration. When President Biden took office, we led efforts to reinstate these crucial protections. Then, in 2022, House Democrats passed the Inflation Reduction Act, which not only reinstated strong methane controls but also implemented a market-driven approach to reducing waste, the methane fee. The methane fee is not a blanket tax on energy production. I think the gentleman from Virginia suggested that this was a tax on small polluters. Actually, it is a tax only on larger emitters because it is only applied for 25,000 metric tons annually, so it is on the larger ones. It is designed to encourage companies to capture more methane rather than venting or leaking it. The methane fee provides proof to consumers and competitors that we are serious about producing the cleanest, most efficient natural gas on the market. Repealing the fee would hurt American industry by eliminating incentives to modernize operations and remain competitive in an international market that increasingly values low-emission energy. Now, I am supposed to get up here and bash Big Oil, but actually, Big Oil is for the methane fee. The largest companies--ExxonMobil, TotalEnergies, and Cheniere Energy--support strong methane rules. They oppose this repeal because they know reducing waste makes business sense. How is that? Because the customers for our gas around the world--Korea, South Korea, Japan, the EU--are demanding cleaner gas. These companies know that the methane fee demonstrates that our gas is cleaner. Also, the consumer demand from those customers has led to the development of technologies to detect methane, its presence, and its concentration in a way that we can make much more efficient ways to regulate it. A repeal would undercut responsible producers who have invested in cutting-edge methane detection and capture technologies that make them globally competitive. Even if this CRA passes today, the problem doesn't simply disappear. My colleagues on the other side never miss a chance to point out that the natural gas revolution has contributed to our historic energy independence and cut our CO2 emissions from energy production. That is true, but even small leaks of methane wipe out that advantage from a climate perspective. World markets and domestic politics are demanding that the industry can prove with real credibility and transparency that we fixed this methane problem. It is increasingly apparent that the viability of exporting U.S. liquefied natural gas depends on American policies to address methane pollution. If we don't do this, we are going to have to pass bipartisan legislation to do the same thing to ensure that the industry standards provide for the cleanest, most efficient natural gas production. Industry and ratepayers have asked us for certainty, consistency, and an assurance that America will remain a global leader in energy production and resilience. The customers want this to happen. The large producers want this to happen. I don't see why Democrats and Republicans can't agree on this. We need long-term solutions, not more political whiplash. I urge my colleagues to stand with responsible energy producers and American consumers to reject efforts that repeal this vital provision.

Mr. PETERS

Mr. PETERS. Mr. Speaker, our national debt is more than $36 trillion. We borrow nearly $2 trillion every year just to pay our expenses. We spend more in interest payments now than we do on Medicaid, schools, childcare, and the national defense. Republicans have raised the alarm about this deficit, but this budget actually makes the debt and deficit much worse. They say we have a spending problem. Then cut annual spending to a level that is covered by our revenues and stop the deficits. That is not what they are doing here. They will make big cuts to healthcare, air traffic controllers, cybersecurity, and the people who fight wildfires. They will not use those savings to cut deficits. They will use those savings to pay for tax cuts for people who don't need them. America doesn't have a spending problem. We have a borrowing problem. This budget would lead to more borrowing we can't afford. It would limit our ability to borrow money when we do need it and when there is a future urgent need. Today, the economy has low unemployment and high interest rates. This is the exact wrong time to blow up the debt. This bill will add between $4 trillion and $11 trillion to the debt, which will increase interest rates, raise prices, and keep inflation high. Our kids are going to pick up the bill. Don't vote for this self-inflicted harm. Mr. Speaker, I work with many of my Republican colleagues as co-chair of the Bipartisan Fiscal Forum on controlling the debt and deficit. I know some are sitting here, quietly agreeing with me. I know personally how hard it is to buck your party. When Democrats held the House, the Senate, and the White House, I voted ``no'' on our reconciliation budget to get a better product. It was very unpopular, but I held my ground. People at home knew I was standing up for them. We got a better product, and they sent me back. We work with Presidents. We don't report to them. We report to our constituents as independently elected Members of Congress who were elected on the exact same day as Donald Trump. Mr. Speaker, our colleagues should do their job. They know better, and I ask them to vote ``no.''

Mr. PETERS

Mr. PETERS. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Chairman, the wildfire crisis is not just a product of inaction, but decades of wrongheaded land management that let our forests, wildlands, and hills turn into tinderboxes. We have suppressed all natural fire, all the time, and let invasive, fire-prone vegetation grow unabated. The work of clearing dead trees and dry vegetation that fuel fires requires long environmental reviews often followed by years of litigation. While we wait for analysis, forests burn down, habitats are lost, air pollution worsens, and our communities are threatened by catastrophic fire. The wildfire crisis is also climate change. California wildfires in 2020 contributed more greenhouse gases than the State's entire power sector. It was said before that the fires in that 1 year undid the State's entire progress on emissions reduction from 2003 to 2019. The Fix Our Forests Act will simplify and expedite the most critical forest management projects while maintaining strong environmental standards. It will reduce the threat of litigation and add new ways for communities to provide input early, something that does not exist today and is one of the reasons why the National Congress of American Indians supports this bill. The Tribes support this bill. This bill will also protect communities on the front lines of wildfire crises like Los Angeles and my hometown of San Diego. It helps localities craft modern, fire-resistant building codes. It also promotes public-private partnerships to clear flammable materials where nature meets our homes. We crafted this bill with input from groups like The Nature Conservancy and the Environmental Defense Fund and others who have their priorities reflected in the text. While we don't have the firefighting pay increase, which we need and we must get, the grassland firefighters and Western fire chiefs support this bill as is because they know it will help relieve the strain on their already stretched thin resources. There is more we need to do, and along with Chairman Westerman, we support providing aid for all those hurting in Los Angeles without conditions. No legislation is perfect, but this is a good bill that takes on a problem that is serious throughout the West and the entire country. For once we are not just making speeches. We are passing a bill that can become law and solve problems, and we don't have more time. I implore my colleagues to join me and vote for this bill and bring some relief to constituents scared that their towns will be next.

Mr. PETERS

Mr. PETERS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mayor Richard Bailey of Coronado, who will conclude his service as mayor this December. Since first being elected to the Coronado City Council in 2012 and later as mayor in 2016, Mayor Bailey has demonstrated a steadfast commitment to working with Congress to achieve clean beaches for Coronado. Known for his dedication to local issues and his role in representing Coronado on the SANDAG board, Mayor Bailey has tirelessly advocated for his constituents. I very much appreciate the help he has provided me by reaching out to his contacts in Congress on the other side of the aisle to help us get funds approved to fix and expand the South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant, which cleans sewage that crosses our border. We had several meetings here at the Capitol and at home, and he has been a critical partner in our work to stop this terrible environmental and public health crisis. It is an enormous challenge, but Mayor Bailey is known for taking challenges. He is also known for becoming the first American mayor to reach Everest Base Camp shortly after finishing the Boston Marathon. His leadership has strengthened the city of Coronado and has set a standard for service. As Mayor Bailey moves toward his next chapter, we thank him for his years of public service and for the positive legacy he leaves behind. I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Mayor Richard Bailey's contributions and wishing him all the best in the future.

Mr. PETERS

Mr. PETERS. Mr. Chairman, we cannot prevent the spread of megafires without prioritizing the needs of wildland firefighters and their families. Wildland firefighters play a critical role managing our forests and protecting communities from the threats posed by wildfires. We are so grateful to have their support for the underlying bill. This is dangerous work, and Congress can and must do more to protect these public servants. One component of this is providing respectful notification and helping families navigate their options when tragedy occurs. Congress can take a big step toward that end right now by establishing a Casualty Assistance Program at the Department of the Interior to provide support for all the critically ill, injured, or deceased wildland firefighters and their loved ones. While this program already exists for some Federal firefighters, almost 5,000 Department of the Interior firefighters and their families lack access to this aid, leaving them unsupported during some of the hardest, most painful times in their lives. Creating a Casualty Assistance Program through the Department of the Interior will ensure support for all our Federal wildland firefighters and their families. We have to provide for those who risk life and limb to protect our communities from devastating wildfires. This program is one small way that we show gratitude for our firefighters and their loved ones, by making sure that they have what they need when the unimaginable happens. I strongly support the inclusion of Mr. Harder's amendment and the inclusion of this necessary program in the Fix Our Forests Act. This is only one step toward ensuring our firefighters receive every bit of support that they deserve.

Mr. PETERS. Mr. Chair, this year, wildfires have already burned over 7 million acres of forests and over 1,000 homes and other structures. Hundreds of thousands of people have been forced to evacuate, often with just minutes to pack their most important belongings, not knowing if they will ever return to their homes. Many have done all the right things to protect their property, but because of the magnitude of the wildfire crisis, they cannot get insurance for their homes. Every day of fire season feels like they are gambling with everything they own. After decades of mismanagement and misguided fire suppression tactics, there is now a scientific consensus on the solution: active forest management, State, local, Federal, and Tribal collaboration; and continued research and development on next-generation technologies and solutions. The problem is that forest management projects like clearing dead trees and dry vegetation that fuel fires often require multiyear environmental reviews followed by years of litigation in many cases. While we wait for analysis, forests burn down, air pollution worsens, and the threats posed by climate change to our local communities are exacerbated. Places like Jimtown, Montana, know the consequences of inaction, where the Forest Service proposed treating at-risk land near people's homes. They conducted a comprehensive environmental review, and they gained community support. Then an outside group decided that they knew better than the experts and the Forest Service and the residents, and they sued. They claimed the NEPA analysis did not do enough to study the impact on a particular bird of prey, the goshawk--not that they didn't study it, but they didn't study it enough. Locals pleaded with the group to drop that lawsuit, but the group decided to go through with the appeal anyway. A hearing was set for October of 2003, but unfortunately, in July of 2003, the exact type of fire the Forest Service warned about burned down that forest. The fire caused evacuations, took out power to a nearby community, and cost over $1 million to suppress. When the case was finally heard 2 years later, the Ninth Circuit ruled in the Forest Service's favor and found the reviews were sufficient. That is the problem. The community and its needs were ignored. The community wasn't helped. It was ignored. Lives, homes, and businesses were all needlessly put in harm's way. The goshawks' habitat was destroyed. The Fix Our Forests Act that I cosponsored with Mr. Westerman is a comprehensive bill to simplify and expedite the most critical forest management projects while maintaining strong environmental standards. It will reduce the threat of litigation that delays these projects, and it adds new opportunities for communities to engage early in the process. It also creates new programs to protect homes and communities from fires and makes it easier for them to access Federal assistance. This is a bipartisan bill with cosponsors from both sides of the aisle, and it passed out of the committee by a voice vote. It is endorsed by the wildland firefighters, who we all agree, it seems to me, deserve a raise, and we should make that happen. I worked with groups like The Nature Conservancy and the Environmental Defense Fund, and others to write this bill. The Nature Conservancy has decided to stay neutral on the bill because of one provision they find problematic. To Chair Westerman's credit, he accepted The Nature Conservancy's other edits. The Nature Conservancy has the luxury of staying neutral as an outside group, but we all need in this body to decide where we stand. I have spoken with colleagues on my side of the aisle, Democrats, who tell me that they will oppose the bill, although they agree with 18 out of 22 things in the text. Compromise is about accepting the 4 things you don't like so you can get the 18 things you do like. Mr. Westerman has worked with me and other Democratic offices to adopt Democratic amendments to improve the legislation. We don't have the time to wait for perfect. Every day we wait, more land burns down. Let's get this bill passed and provide some hope for Americans. Mr. Chair, this Fix Our Forests Act establishes a national Fireshed Center as the central information hub of our wildfire strategy. I introduced an amendment with Representative Harder to clarify the center's role, which was not made in order due to a misunderstanding about germaneness. Our amendment would have clarified the purposes of the center, provided it with specific direction for its implementation, and provided safeguards for the protection of sensitive propriety information, while ensuring representation from non-Federal entities. I look forward to working with the gentleman, Mr. Westerman, in conference to get these changes made.

Mr. PETERS

Mr. PETERS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 50th anniversary of San Diego Pride, a two-day celebration of love, acceptance, and diversity. The event is a powerful testament to the resiliency and spirit of the San Diego LGBTQ community. San Diego Pride started in 1974 with an unsanctioned march. Since then, it has grown into one of the city's largest, most cherished events. The centerpiece is a parade through Hillcrest, the vibrant neighborhood that serves as San Diego's LGBTQ hub, which I am proud to represent. Its streets, adorned with Pride flags, reflect the tireless work of people who refuse to be muted and marginalized. I take this opportunity to celebrate the achievements of the community in San Diego and beyond and reaffirm my commitment to ensuring that everyone can live authentically and without fear of discrimination. Together, let's celebrate our diversity and recognize that love knows no boundaries.