Lamar Smith

Mr. SMITH of Texas

Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague from Texas, the author of this bill, for yielding. I also want to say that Congressman Brian Babin is an excellent chairman of the Space Subcommittee of the full Science, Space, and Technology Committee. Mr. Speaker, since NASA selected the first group of astronauts in 1959, more than 300 brave American astronauts have ventured into the cosmos as explorers. In an age when spaceflight has come to seem almost routine, it is easy to overlook how dangerous it is and how little we know about its long-term health effects. H.R. 6076, the TREAT Astronauts Act, ensures that our courageous men and women who venture into space receive support for medical issues associated with their service. The TREAT Astronauts Act also will help us better understand the medical science of human spaceflight, enabling next generation of explorers to literally go where no man has gone before. I should say where no man or woman has gone before. The TREAT Astronauts Act builds upon NASA's existing Lifetime Surveillance of Astronaut Health program and will operate within existing NASA resources. It provides for enhanced monitoring, diagnosis, and treatment of conditions associated with spaceflight service. I thank Space Subcommittee Chairman Brian Babin again for introducing this legislation and for his persistence in getting us to the point of passage. We wouldn't be here today without him. I urge my colleagues to support the TREAT Astronauts Act. Before I conclude, Mr. Speaker, I would just like to take a moment to thank the gentlewoman from Maryland (Ms. Edwards), who is a friend and has been the ranking member of the Space Subcommittee for the last 2 years, for her outstanding service to Congress and for being a wonderful contributor to the Science Committee as a whole, and in particular the Space Subcommittee. To almost any subject, she always brings enthusiasm, knowledge, and in this case, an almost unequal dedication to space exploration, which we will continue to appreciate both now and in the future. I just thank her again for, as I said, her many contributions to the committee and the subcommittee and say that I hope she stays in touch with us. She will always be a friend of the committee and many members of this side of the aisle.

Mr. SMITH of Texas

Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous materials on the subject of this Special Order.

Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield to my colleague, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Babin), the chairman of the Space Subcommittee of the Science, Space, and Technology Committee.

Mr. SMITH of Texas. I thank the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Babin) for his comments. I now yield to another colleague from Texas, Roger Williams.

Mr. SMITH of Texas. I appreciate the gentleman's comments. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the chairman of the Agriculture Committee, another good Texan, .

Mr. SMITH of Texas. I thank the gentleman for those nice comments. Mr. Speaker, I now yield to another Texas colleague, a member of the Energy and Commerce Committee, Pete Olson.

Mr. SMITH of Texas. I thank the gentleman for his comments. Mr. Speaker, it is an honor to host today's Special Order in honor of my friend and colleague from Texas, Representative Randy Neugebauer. Representative Neugebauer is a consistent Conservative. In fact, the National Journal named him the ``most conservative Member of Congress'' in 2011. He has also been a valuable member of the Science, Space, and Technology Committee, which I chair. He has been a member of that committee for over a decade. I am grateful for his work on the committee to ensure taxpayer dollars are spent wisely and efficiently. Representative Neugebauer has actively pushed back against burdensome EPA regulations that limit affordable, reliable energy. He has also championed research and development efforts that benefit all forms of energy. This isn't surprising since Representative Neugebauer's district has oil and gas development and produces the most wind energy of any district in the country. In this Congress, Representative Neugebauer's National Windstorm Impact Reduction Act authorized coordinated research to minimize the effects of windstorms on local communities. It will help save lives and property damage. This legislation was inspired by Representative Neugebauer's personal experience with a tornado that devastated his hometown of Lubbock, Texas, some years ago. His bill was signed into law last year, and now Federal agencies and universities can work to better predict, prepare, and recover from dangerous storms. We thank Representative Neugebauer for his service to the people of west Texas and for his many initiatives on the Science, Space, and Technology Committee. His retirement is well-deserved, and we know he is going to enjoy more time with his family in west Texas. Mr. Speaker, one of the best summaries of Mr. Neugebauer's contributions as a person, as a family member, and as a great Member of Congress is the following, and I want to make sure that everybody is aware of these contributions and his personal attributes as well. Randy Neugebauer proudly represents the 19th Congressional District, which stretches across 29 counties in west Texas and the Big Country, and he has represented that great district for 14 years. Raised in Lubbock, Randy learned the west Texas values of family, faith, hard work, and public service. These are the values he has carried with him throughout his life as an accounting student at Texas Tech University, as a banker, as a homebuilder, and now as a Member of Congress. He serves on the Financial Services Committee, where he is chairman of the Financial Institutions and Consumer Credit Subcommittee. In this role, he has oversight responsibility for U.S. banks and the banking industry, credit unions, depository institutions and Federal deposit insurance, consumer credit, and financial regulators, including the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and the Federal Reserve. Representative Neugebauer is also the vice chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, where he played a leading role in developing the 2014 farm bill. He also serves on the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, which, I mentioned a while ago, I chair. His legislative initiatives include eliminating wasteful Federal spending; improving crop insurance; and fighting Federal overreach on energy, the environment, the economy, and personal liberties. Randy Neugebauer's bill to lessen government interference and encourage more private sector participation in the terrorism risk insurance market became the first law of the 114th Congress. The President also signed his bill to promote research and minimize the devastating effects caused by windstorms. Last year, as I alluded to a minute ago, the President signed into law his initiative that gives Texas Tech the opportunity to build a VA clinic on the campus to better serve west Texas' veterans. Congressman Neugebauer and his wife, Dana, who is with us this evening in the gallery back to my left, are both graduates of Texas Tech University. They have been married for 46 years and are the proud parents of two sons, two daughters-in-law, three grandsons, and one granddaughter. Mr. Speaker, you can see that Representative Neugebauer has led a very rich life, a very satisfactory life, and a life dedicated to his country and to his family. There can be no question about that. Mr. Speaker, at this point, I yield to another Texas colleague, the chairman of the Rules Committee, Pete Sessions.

Mr. SMITH of Texas. I thank the chairman for his nice remarks this evening. I yield to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Gohmert). And let me say to my friend Representative Gohmert that, we only have a total of 6 minutes left, and I do want to allow Mr. Neugebauer time to speak as well.

Mr. SMITH of Texas. I thank the gentleman from Texas, particularly for bringing out an aspect of Randy Neugebauer's character that has not yet been mentioned tonight. And I might also add, and you know only too well, that he has been an active member of a prayer group here in the House of Representatives as well. So that spiritual aspect, that spiritual character is rightfully shown tonight. I yield to the gentleman from Lubbock, Texas (Mr. Neugebauer), our colleague and Texas friend, whom we honor tonight.

Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I again want to thank Representative Neugebauer for his service to Texas and to our country. We wish him the best in his well-deserved retirement. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. SMITH of Texas

Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, Americans are frustrated because they know that many of the news stories they read are actually opinion pieces. If the facts do not fit the liberal world view, dissent is silenced, and the result is one-sided and often misleading. The Pew Research Center found that a majority of Americans--59 percent--reject the idea that reporters should add their own opinions to their news stories. Americans believe that the media's responsibility is to present the facts, not ignore them. The media has work to do to repair the self-inflicted damage to its credibility over the last few months. Distrust of the national media will continue until the media provides the American people with the facts instead of telling them what to think.

Mr. SMITH of Texas

Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, media bias is a direct threat to our democracy. When the media doesn't report the facts or reports them in a biased manner, Americans can't make good decisions. If Americans can't make good decisions, our democracy is at risk. Americans understand this. A recent USA Today/Suffolk University poll found that a majority of Americans believe the media poses a threat to our democracy. Due to its bias, particularly over the last few months, the national media has lost much of its credibility. In fact, the same poll found that less than 8 percent of voters trust the Big Three networks to provide fair and balanced coverage of the news. Americans agree, the liberal national media is neither objective nor trustworthy.

Mr. SMITH of Texas

Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, a new report by the Wilson Center has found that illegal immigration across the southern border is on pace to break the previous record set in 2014. This record should not come as a surprise. The administration's policies encourage illegal immigration. The number of apprehensions at the southern border in August reached its highest point for that month in the last 5 years. This record- setting pace of illegal immigration was largely ignored by the media. Neither the Big Three networks nor the national daily newspapers covered the report. The administration's failure to enforce immigration laws has caused the new record surge. Americans are understandably concerned about illegal immigration. It is unfortunate that the media does not consider it newsworthy.

Mr. SMITH of Texas

Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, unfortunately, these last few months have demonstrated how far the national media will go to promote a liberal agenda. Polls continue to show Americans' trust in the media is at an all-time low. Instead of providing objective and fair coverage of the news, the media provided one-sided stories that further damaged their credibility. A recent Suffolk University/USA Today poll found that, by a nearly 10-to-1 ratio, Americans believe that the major newspapers and TV stations favored the Democratic candidate for President over the Republican candidate. Americans of all political affiliations know that the national media strongly leans to the left. Unfortunately, it has leaned too far for too long and has fallen off the credibility cliff. We need to remind the media of their profound obligation to provide the American people with the facts, not tell them what to think.

Mr. SMITH of Texas

Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, the liberal media tried to destroy Donald Trump. Instead, they destroyed their own credibility. Their extreme bias is provable. The network media's coverage of Mr. Trump was 91 percent negative, and 96 percent of campaign contributions from journalists went to Hillary Clinton. By a 10 to 1 ratio, the American people felt the media were trying to elect Mrs. Clinton. A Gallup Poll found that the people's trust in the media has hit a record low. Has the media learned any lessons? Will they show any humility? Will they now try to be objective? Not likely, given the last few days' headlines and commentaries. Until news reporters give the American people the facts rather than expressing their own opinions, there is no reason to believe what they say or write.

Mr. SMITH of Texas

Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, Americans' trust in the media has hit a historic low, according to a recent Gallup poll. Gallup found that only 32 percent of Americans have a great deal or even fair amount of confidence in the media to present the news fully, accurately, and fairly. This represents an 8 point drop from just a year ago. It also is the lowest level of trust in the media that Gallup has ever recorded since it first asked the question 46 years ago. Republicans' trust in media has dropped from 32 percent a year ago to 14 percent today. This is ``easily the lowest confidence among Republicans in 20 years,'' says Gallup. Trust in the media among Democrats and Independents fell as well. The historic distrust of the media will continue until the media stops telling Americans what to think.

Mr. SMITH of Texas

Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, the media's credibility is at a new low, and it is self-inflicted. That is because they have set out on a maniacal mission to destroy anyone who doesn't bow to their political views. Why? Clearly, one person poses a threat to the media's liberal views. He wants to secure the borders; they want mass amnesty for illegal immigrants. He wants to reduce government regulations; they favor more government control. He opposes political correctness; they support speech police. The liberal media think they know better than the American people what is good for them. Let's hope the voters won't let the liberal media tell them what to think or how to vote. The future of our democracy depends on a fair, balanced, and unbiased media.

Mr. SMITH of Texas

Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, first of all, let me thank my friend and colleague from Texas, Chairman Burgess, for yielding me time. H.R. 4979, the Advanced Nuclear Technology Development Act of 2016, gives direction to cooperative civilian nuclear energy R&D and provides regulatory changes to advance commercial innovation in the American nuclear power industry. I thank the chairman of the committee on Energy and Commerce, my good friend, Fred Upton, for his leadership and for working with me on this shared legislation. I am encouraged by the strong bipartisan support that has emerged for nuclear energy innovation, beginning with the Science, Space, and Technology Committee's House-passed Nuclear Energy Innovation Capabilities Act, H.R. 4084. That bill is part of both the energy policy and NDAA conferences going on right now. H.R. 4084, sponsored by the Science, Space, and Technology Subcommittee on Energy Chairman Randy Weber and the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology Ranking Member Eddie Bernice Johnson, already has passed the House this Congress with strong bipartisan support. The reinforcing legislation we consider today continues this bipartisan work. I thank the sponsors of today's bill, Representatives Bob Latta and Jerry McNerney, for their initiative on this issue. Advanced nuclear energy technology provides an opportunity to make reliable, emission-free electricity available throughout the modern and developing world. The Science, Space, and Technology Committee has held many hearings and worked steadily on nuclear innovation since December 2014. I thank Chairman Upton, in particular, for being willing to incorporate important provisions in today's bill that were developed by the Science, Space, and Technology Committee through our continued work on nuclear R&D in our jurisdiction. I also appreciate Chairman Upton's acceptance of language to ensure that the Department of Energy focuses on research and development that enables private sector commercialization efforts. Nuclear power has been a proven source of safe and emission-free electricity for over half a century. America's strategic investments in advanced nuclear reactor technology can help create economic growth here and an improved quality of life around the globe. Unfortunately, government red tape has stalled the ability to move innovative technology to the market. This legislation requires the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to provide a plan for developing a more efficient way to regulate new nuclear technology. In July 2015, the chairman of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission testified before the Science, Space, and Technology Committee on this very issue. Congress must take action to ensure that the NRC reviews, assists, and approves advanced reactor technologies. If not, the United States will be forced to import nuclear technologies from overseas. America must lead the world in nuclear technology for our energy security and national security. I thank the sponsors for their work on this bill, and I encourage my colleagues to support it.

Mr. SMITH of Texas

Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie in order to make our neighborhoods safer. The City of Bulverde, which is located in the 21st Congressional District in Texas, facilitates National Night Out as a unique opportunity to join with thousands of other communities across the country in promoting cooperative, police-community crime prevention efforts. Congratulations to the City of Bulverde as it marks its 11th consecutive year participating in this important event with the Bulverde Police Department. Each year, community participation has increased. In 2015, Bulverde placed 2nd in Texas in the National Night Out Awards Program and 14th in the U.S. in their population category. Thanks go to the citizens of Bulverde as they join the Bulverde Police Department and the National Association of Town Watch in supporting the Annual National Night Out on October 4, 2016. These efforts keep our communities, and our citizens, more safe and secure.

Mr. SMITH of Texas

Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, last month the Wall Street Journal reported that the Obama administration secretly sent $400 million in cash to Iran on the same day four American hostages detained in Tehran were released. The president should admit that the ransom payment to the world's leading state sponsor of terrorism was bad policy and endangers the lives of Americans at home and abroad. The spokesman for the State Department even admitted that the payment was ``leverage,'' which sounds like he's trying to find a nice word for ``ransom.'' The media also has not been forthcoming. The Media Research Center found that the Big Three networks devoted ten times more coverage to Olympic swimmer Ryan Lochte's alleged robbery in Brazil than to the $400 million cash payment to Iran. It's not a surprise why three-quarters of Americans feel the news media are biased in their reporting.

Mr. SMITH of Texas

Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, a recent poll by Morning Consult found that only 27 percent of Americans believe the media is fair and unbiased. Americans know that the media is not impartial and that objectivity is not a priority when reporting on current events. For example, the media has routinely ignored former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's wrongful use of a private server, her improperly handling classified emails, and her using the Clinton Foundation as a way for donors to receive access to both Clinton and the State Department. The Associated Press recently reported that at least 85 of 154 donors to the Clinton Foundation were granted a meeting with then-Secretary of State Clinton. The New York Times did not find this newsworthy. The national media should give the American people the facts, not slant the news or just give them one side.

Mr. SMITH of Texas

Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, here are just the most recent discoveries in the FBI's notes from interviewing Hillary Clinton: She tried to wipe clean her private email archive only a few weeks after The New York Times disclosed the existence of her private server. Clinton says she did not know the ``C'' mark meant classified information and did not ``pay attention to different classification levels.'' Yet she had signed a binding classified information nondisclosure agreement. There were 17,448 work-related emails that Clinton did not turn over to the State Department inspector general, despite claiming she had done so. She sent an email to all State Department employees warning them against using personal email addresses. She never sought approval to conduct State Department business on her own private mail server. Despite being personally aware of the risk of cybersecurity threats, she continued to use her own unsecure server, endangering national security.

Mr. SMITH of Texas

Mr. SMITH of Texas. Madam Speaker, recently, it was revealed that the tech giant Facebook may have altered its popular trending news section to suppress conservative views. Facebook's CEO promised to make changes. Now it has been reported that Facebook removed a viral video that showed how media company NowThis was editing footage of Donald Trump to make him seem insensitive and racist. And last week, a gun range owner in Houston, Texas, said his Facebook page had been blocked after he advertised free concealed handgun classes. If these allegations are true, Facebook will not be a credible source of information for the American people. Let's hope that Facebook will demonstrate it has no bias against conservatives.

Mr. SMITH of Texas

Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, in a front page New York Times article, it was reported that Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg made derogatory statements about Donald Trump. Justice Ginsburg was being interviewed by the newspaper so she knew that her remarks would be made public. They were particularly personal and demeaning. The Code of Conduct for judges states: ``A judge should not publicly endorse or oppose a candidate for public office.'' It was totally inexcusable and unprofessional for Justice Ginsburg to insult a Presidential candidate. It hurt the credibility of the Supreme Court and showed bad judgment. It will be difficult for the American people to believe Justice Ginsburg can be impartial in any rulings that involve political issues. Her verbal attack on Donald Trump only contributes to the public's feeling that the justice system may be rigged.

Mr. SMITH of Texas

Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 5640, the bill now under consideration.