Katie Porter

Ms. PORTER

Ms. PORTER. Mr. Chairman, the National Environmental Policy Act, or NEPA, and litigation are not the reason that we have catastrophic wildfires. In fact, a 2020 study showed that only one out of every 450 NEPA reviews are ever challenged in court. Plus, the Forest Service already conducts over 85 percent of its work through existing categorical exclusions, which allows proceeding without a NEPA environmental assessment or an environmental impact statement. The reality is that the Forest Service has a wide range of tools and policies designed to expedite the forest management projects. Here is the actual problem: The Forest Service is chronically underfunded. Gaps in funding are directly tied to project delays and management challenges across the agency. A review conducted by the ``Columbia Journal of Environmental Law'' found that many sources of delay attributed to NEPA are caused by external factors, and they point to inadequate staffing, insufficient funding, and delays of obtaining information from permittees. The Forest Service doesn't need us to roll back our environmental laws. It needs sustainable funding and additional staff capacity. However, the Republicans who keep voting against that funding would rather scapegoat our environmental laws and the public's right to access the courthouse. Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. PORTER. Mr. Chair, I yield an additional 1 minute to the gentlewoman from California.

Ms. PORTER. Mr. Chair, I want to briefly address a claim that we heard earlier that this bill was written by The Nature Conservancy or written with them. I am sure that that would come as a surprise to the bill's author, Chairman Westerman, but moreover, we have checked with the group, and not only did they not write it, The Nature Conservancy says they have not even endorsed this bill. I just want to clear that up for everyone. Mr. Chair, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Kamlager-Dove).

Ms. PORTER. Mr. Chair, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Peters).

Ms. PORTER. Mr. Chair, I yield an additional 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Nevada.

Ms. PORTER. Mr. Chair, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Chair, bad process leads to bad policy. Unfortunately, the process for this bill has been a chaotic mess from the start. We never had a hearing on an introduced bill, just the discussion draft, and that is despite, or maybe because of, the longstanding administration policy of not spending limited time and resources testifying on draft bills. We raced to markup without testimony from the Department of the Interior. The administration nevertheless went above and beyond and provided extensive technical assistance and edits from both the Department of the Interior and the Forest Service. I am not talking about policy differences here. I am talking about serious concerns with the bill not making sense. Unfortunately, the sponsor ignored those red flags. Let me give you an example. The bill sets a timeline based on when a categorical exclusion is published in the Federal Register. I would like to make a point that was brought to our attention by the Forest Service itself: Categorical exclusions are not published in the Federal Register. That is how sloppy the drafting is in this bill, and the process defects have continued. This bill has numerous violations of the Freedom Caucus' floor protocols requiring offsets for authorized spending. I guess the CutGo protocols are out the window now. It is convenient that, as of this morning, we still don't have a score from the CBO, the Congressional Budget Office, on the bill. Maybe the Freedom Caucus just isn't aware of the problem. The cherry on top? Republicans accidentally made in order an amendment drafted so badly that it would strike out the bill entirely and replace it with a noncontroversial bill that Democrats support. Republicans had to come to Democrats this morning to ask for our help in fixing that mistake. I will end where it started: Bad process leads to bad policy. Mr. Chair, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from Nevada (Ms. Lee).

Ms. PORTER. Mr. Chair, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Today, I rise in opposition to this bill, the so-called Fix Our Forests Act. This bill is anything but a fix for our forests, and it threatens to intensify not just the wildfire crisis but also the biodiversity and climate crises. We appreciate the focus and leadership that Chair Westerman has shown on these issues, and it is clear to me and so many others that our forests are a genuine passion of his. Unfortunately, this bill completely misses the mark and has the potential to do serious damage. Last Congress, Democrats delivered. We secured more than $15 billion in historic investments through the infrastructure law and the Inflation Reduction Act to help keep communities safe, restore healthy ecosystems, and promote healthy and sustainable forest management techniques. We provided resources for the Forest Service so they could treat a record-breaking number of acres without gutting environmental protections. We provided planning resources for at-risk communities. We provided more than $1 billion for staffing and resources in our permitting offices, funds that have already shortened project timelines by an average of 6 months. In addition, we supported better pay and benefits for wildland firefighters, an issue that I personally and consistently championed. It is critical that our Federal land management agencies and their partners have the resources and staff capacity that is required to promote resilient forests and safe communities. It is shocking that most House Republicans voted against those two successful, popular laws: the Inflation Reduction Act and the bipartisan infrastructure law. It is also shocking that right at the moment when a lot of those investments are close to needing reauthorization, the majority is turning its back once again, and it is in stark contrast with the bill today. That is not for lack of trying on our side, but unfortunately, our Republican counterparts in the House Committee on Natural Resources have refused to work with committee Democrats on changes to the most egregious sections of this bill. I was optimistic at seeing several amendments filed by Democrats that highlight the missing pieces of this legislation. These included an effort to consider climate change in the bill, add authorizations for much-needed funding throughout an otherwise unfunded bill, and to rid this bill of the unprecedented and dangerous sections that strip Americans of access to the courts under the guise of litigation reform. Of course, these amendments were not ruled in order, supposedly due to Republican floor rules and procedure, rules and procedures that apparently apply only selectively because this bill has a slew of violations throughout, including numerous violations of the CutGo rules that are allegedly so important to the far-right Freedom Caucus. I hope those Freedom Caucus members know what they are being asked to vote for. What is in this bill that is so important that CutGo no longer applies? Well, the heart and soul of this bill is a longstanding Republican wish list of priorities that undermine science-based management decisions, bedrock environmental protections, and opportunities for community input. The so-called Fix Our Forests Act inappropriately stretches the credulity of NEPA's emergency authorities. It undercuts the popular and bipartisan Endangered Species Act and even makes it more difficult for communities to challenge proposed projects in their own backyards. The climate crisis, the biodiversity crisis, and the safety of our communities all converge in our Nation's forests. Unfettered backcountry logging is not the answer. We need to support communities, not silence them. Do you know what else is not in this bill? Unlike the fire response laws that Democrats passed last Congress, there is nothing here about firefighter pay. What kind of fire response bill doesn't include pay for our firefighters in it? Are you kidding me? H.R. 8790 sets a dangerous precedent. The climate crisis is now. The wildfire crisis is now. We shouldn't be wasting our time on rushed bills with no real solutions. Many of the Republican initiatives here have already stalled in the 2025 farm bill process. A better strategy to address the wildfire crisis would be to work across jurisdictional boundaries and with our Senate colleagues to find true consensus. We should be passing regular appropriation bills this week so that agencies like FEMA and the Forest Service have the resources they need and are not scrambling at the end of the fiscal year to find ways to fulfill their existing mandates, let alone the new and unfunded ones in this bill. This is a live issue, by the way. The chief of the Forest Service has warned us explicitly that they are facing budget shortfalls due to Republican-led appropriations bills. In fact, just on Friday, the Forest Service announced that it had to halt 2025 seasonal hires amid the budget crunch. We also need to work on providing relief and support for the communities that have been devastated by wildfire instead of trying to have Federal agencies undertake extensive management projects in their backyard without any true consent. We should be passing legislation that pays our Federal wildland firefighters and gives them the benefits that they deserve, another major priority that this bill fails to advance. The Forest Service is already stretched dangerously thin, and Federal firefighters are chronically underpaid. If we genuinely want to protect our communities and environment from devastating wildfires, we must prioritize people, ecosystems, and the economy. This bill fails to do each of those things. Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. PORTER

Ms. PORTER. Mr. Speaker, I was unable to be present to cast my vote on Roll Call Nos. 440, 441, and 442. Had I been present, I would have voted NAY on Roll Call No. 440, YEA on Roll Call No. 441, and YEA on Roll Call No. 442.

Ms. PORTER

Ms. PORTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to celebrate the amazing casework team in my Orange County office, which recently closed over 8,000 constituent cases. Their hard work and dedication have given Orange County residents a voice with Federal agencies and gotten them the answers that they deserve. Our casework team has facilitated efficient immigration proceedings, secured last-minute passports, and directly returned over $24 million to the people of Orange County in Social Security benefits, IRS tax returns, veteran benefits, and more. Navigating our Federal processes and programs should not be complicated, and my office has helped make that a reality for the people I represent. I am incredibly proud of how this team has cut through red tape, promoted transparency, and delivered for Orange County families. It is my honor to help constituents with Federal agency issues, and I am grateful for the trust they have placed in my office.

Ms. PORTER

Ms. PORTER. Mr. Speaker, earlier this year, State and local Newport Beach officials held a ribbon cutting for their new junior lifeguard headquarters. Today, I rise to celebrate this improvement for our community's youth and safety, made possible by millions of Federal dollars that I, along with congressional Democrats, voted for that amounted to two-thirds of the total project funding. For 40 years, Newport Beach's junior lifeguards operated out of makeshift trailers without basic amenities. Now, with the help of our Federal investment, they have a state-of- the-art facility complete with locker rooms, restrooms, and administrative space, a remarkable improvement for these thousands of young participants each year. The new junior lifeguard headquarters is a testament to what happens when different levels of government work cooperatively. As I continue to bring Federal support back to Orange County, I look forward to touring this Newport Beach junior lifeguard facility and for a chance to celebrate the success with Orange County families.

Ms. PORTER

Ms. PORTER. Mr. Speaker, ahoy gentlefolk of the high seas of legislation. We gather `round to speak of a matter that plagues our shores and threatens our treasures: the dreaded scourge of porch pirates. Aye, these scallywags who plunder packages from doorsteps are a blight upon our communities, a menace to honest folks awaiting their rightful booty. But fear not, for Congress spots justice on the horizon: the Porch Pirates Act. This mighty bill preserves our treasure and brings justice to those who dare to steal what is not rightfully theirs. No longer shall we be at the mercy of porch pirates. Under this noble act, thieves will face fines or even a stretch in the brig. Muster up, fellow congressional sailors. Let's pass the Porch Pirates Act so honest folk can rest assured that their treasures are safe from those who would plunder 'em.

Ms. PORTER

Ms. PORTER. Mr. Speaker, I was unable to be present to cast my vote today. Had I been present, I would have voted NAY on Roll Call No. 400.

Ms. PORTER

Ms. PORTER. Mr. Speaker, I was unable to be present to cast my vote on Roll Call Nos. 391, 392, 393, 394, 395, 396, 397, 398, and 399. Had I been present, I would have voted NAY on Roll Call No. 391, NAY on Roll Call No. 392, YEA on Roll Call No. 393, NAY on Roll Call No. 394, NAY on Roll Call No. 395, NAY on Roll Call No. 396, NAY on Roll Call No. 397, NAY on Roll Call No. 398, and NAY on Roll Call No. 399.

Ms. PORTER

Ms. PORTER. Mr. Chair, I was unable to be present to cast my vote on Roll Call Nos. 387, 388, 389, and 390. Had I been present, I would have voted NO on Roll Call Nos. 387, 388, 389, and 390.

Ms. PORTER

Ms. PORTER. Mr. Speaker, 7 years ago, the trump tax scam let the largest corporations off the hook from paying their fair share of taxes. The Trump administration bogusly claimed that slashing the corporate tax rate would raise the average household's annual income by at least $4,000. Unsurprisingly, economists from the Joint Committee on Taxation and the Federal Reserve found that never happened. Seven years later, the bottom 90 percent of workers still haven't received higher earnings from the tax cut. Where did the extra money from Trump's tax changes go? Straight to the very tippy-top highest paid earners. They used them to line the pockets of their already wealthy executives and shareholders with $4.4 trillion in stock buybacks and dividends. Congress must end this rip- off.

Ms. PORTER

Ms. PORTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to commemorate the 16th annual Orange County Fire Authority Best and Bravest Awards. This program celebrates OCFA's firefighters and professional staff, highlighting the brave service that keeps our communities safe. For California, fire season is no longer just a season; it is year- round. Climate change has intensified the frequency and severity of wildfires. In this tough environment, OCFA personnel have consistently risen to the occasion, preventing tragedy, protecting lives, and safeguarding homes and possessions. In Congress, I have proudly championed legislation to help firefighters. My bills would boost firefighter pay and benefits and standardize national disaster research to better support their work. Showing gratitude to first responders means supporting them both on and off the job. Congratulations to the Best and Bravest Award winners, and I thank everyone at OCFA for their outstanding courage, dedication, and resilience.

Ms. PORTER

Ms. PORTER. I wish everyone would listen to their spouse about how to load the dishwasher correctly. Those are the most important things that make your dishes get clean. This bill is ridiculous. It is Congress at its worst, a bunch of people who haven't unloaded a dishwasher ever telling the American people with legislation what kind of dishwashers they should or should not be able to buy.

Ms. PORTER. Mr. Speaker, do you know what the most important technique is to load a dishwasher correctly? It is loading it correctly. Mr. Speaker, I have heard a lot about the Biden so-called border crisis. What I haven't heard about is anything about dishwashers. As somebody who saved and scrimped and was so proud to get a new dishwasher and can tell you a lot about them, what they cost, what kinds of features they have, how to load it properly, which I wish every person, every man and child in America, would listen to their wife--

Ms. PORTER. I think it is important before we legislate on something to know something about it. I know a lot about dishwashers because I am a single mom, and I load, unload, load, unload, rinse, and buy detergent. So I wonder if the gentleman who is supporting this legislation about dishwashers and proposing to be an expert in what the American people want in their dishwashers would be willing to engage in a little colloquy with me about dishwashers. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from South Carolina. Are you willing to engage in this? Representative Duncan, I would like to know if you know what the average utility cost is per month to run a dishwasher? No. He doesn't know. It is $2 to $4 a month. In other words, about one-third of a frappuccino: $2 to $4 a month. Mr. Duncan, do you know about how much a dishwasher costs, Representative Duncan, like a mid-range dishwasher? Nope, he doesn't know. About $800, $900. If you want to get fancier, like a thousand. Representative Duncan, do you know the best ways and the most important things you can do to make your dishwasher get the dishes clean? Nope. The gentleman is not a dishwasher expert. Loading it correctly.

Ms. PORTER

Ms. PORTER. Mr. Speaker, our healthcare system and social service programs were not designed with all people in mind. For decades, people with disabilities have been overlooked and ignored. They have faced barriers to receiving healthcare such as discrimination and inaccessible medical equipment that have led to poorer health outcomes. Negative bias and discrimination against people with disabilities has no place in our healthcare system. After 50 years of tireless advocacy by the disability community, the Department of Health and Human Services has finally strengthened civil rights protections for people with disabilities. The Biden administration's new rule brings us closer to fully realizing protections under current law by prohibiting discrimination on the basis of disability and getting all Americans healthcare that meets their individual needs. I am proud to celebrate this achievement and the remarkable advocacy of the disability community that made it possible.

Ms. PORTER

Ms. PORTER. Mr. Speaker, I was unable to be present to cast my vote on Roll Call Nos. 327, 328, 329, 330, 331, 332, 333, 334, and 335. Had I been present, I would have voted NAY on No. 327, NAY on No. 328, YEA on No. 329, YEA on No. 330, NAY on No. 331, YEA on No. 332, NAY on No. 333, YEA on No. 334, and NAY on No. 335.

Ms. PORTER

Ms. PORTER. Mr. Speaker, I was unable to be present to cast my vote on Roll Call Nos. 327, 328, 329, 330, 331, 332, 333, 334, and 335. Had I been present, I would have voted NO on 327, NO on 328, AYE on 329, YEA on 330, NAY on 331, YEA on 332, NAY on 333, YEA on 334, and NAY on 335.

Ms. PORTER

Ms. PORTER. Mr. Chair, I was unable to be present to cast my vote on Roll Call Nos. 318, 319, 320, 321, 322, 323, 324, 325, and 326. Had I been present, I would have voted NO on Roll Call Nos. 318, 319, 320, 321, 322, 323, and 324; AYE on Roll Call No. 325, and NO on Roll Call No. 326.

Ms. PORTER

Ms. PORTER. Mr. Speaker, I would have voted NAY, but the vote was closed as I was approaching the entry to the House floor. Had I been present, I would have voted NAY on Roll Call No. 283.

Ms. PORTER

Ms. PORTER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate President Biden's historic gun safety accomplishments. The Biden administration recently closed a loophole that let unlicensed dealers sell guns without a background check. This action clarifies who qualifies as a gun dealer, and it gives the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives the ability to hold gun sellers accountable to the American people. This is just one example of President Biden's commitment to tackling gun violence. The White House also created the first Office of Gun Violence Prevention to investigate how to reduce gun violence and create safer communities. Each death from gun violence is one too many. Congress needs to step up and do its part to stop preventable gun violence.