Lamar Smith

Mr. SMITH of Texas

Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

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 to include extraneous materials on S. 1254, the bill now under consideration.

Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, S. 1254, the Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control Amendments Act of 2014, reauthorizes oceanic and freshwater research activities. It also improves and streamlines existing activities at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and other Federal agencies. I want to thank Senator Bill Nelson of Florida and Senator Rob Portman of Ohio for their work on this legislation. Harmful algal blooms are a significant problem that affects rivers, lakes, and tidal areas around the country. Known most often as ``red tide,'' harmful algae hurts local economies that are dependent on fishing, recreation, and tourism. Sometimes referred to as ``dead zones,'' hypoxia harms ecosystems in fish populations by decreasing oxygen levels in the water. Our current understanding and response to these problems is inadequate. In my home State of Texas, red and brown tides often affect our bays and coastlines. This damages tourism, harms our fishing industry, and impacts public health. This bill strengthens scientific research about these phenomena, fosters collaboration between Federal agencies, States, and localities, and advances technological solutions to better understand and respond to outbreaks when they occur. This bipartisan legislation passed the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology by a unanimous voice vote last month. I would also like to thank the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Posey) and our Environmental Subcommittee ranking member, Ms. Bonamici from Oregon, for the bipartisan amendment they offered in committee to improve this legislation. I want to thank Chairman Hastings and Chairman Shuster for working with me to bring this legislation to the floor. I will insert our letters of exchange in the Congressional Record. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time. House of Representatives, Committee on Natural Resources, Washington, DC, May 22, 2014. Hon. Lamar Smith, Chairman, Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, Washington, DC. Dear Mr. Chairman: Thank you for the opportunity to review the relevant provisions of the text of S. 1254, the Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control Amendments Act of 2013. As you are aware, the bill was primarily referred to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, while the Committee on Natural Resources received an additional referral. I recognize and appreciate your desire to bring this legislation before the House in an expeditious manner, and, accordingly, I agree to discharge S. 1254 from further consideration by the Committee on Natural Resources. I do so with the understanding that by discharging the bill, the Committee on Natural Resources does not waive any future jurisdictional claim on this or similar matters. Further, the Committee on Natural Resources reserves the right to seek the appointment of conferees, if it should become necessary. I ask that you insert a copy of our exchange of letters into the bill report filed by the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, as well as in the Congressional Record during consideration of this measure on the House floor. Thank you for your courtesy in this matter and I look forward to continued cooperation between our respective committees. Sincerely, Doc Hastings, Chairman.

Mr. SMITH of Texas

Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, NASA has accomplished some of the most awe-inspiring and technologically advanced space initiatives in the history of mankind. This bill, H.R. 4412, the NASA Authorization Act of 2014, helps ensure that the United States will continue its proud tradition of being a world leader in space exploration. The U.S. was the first nation to put a human on the Moon; and NASA's Voyager 1, an American space mission, was the first human-made object to enter interstellar space. Our astronauts are national heroes. Alan Shepherd, John Glenn, Neil Armstrong, and Buzz Aldrin are household names. Today's astronauts, like Rick Mastracchio, Mike Hopkins, and Chris Cassidy, inspire American students to study science, technology, engineering, and math. Space exploration is an investment in our Nation's future--often the distant future. This bill expressed bipartisan support for investment in the future of America's space endeavors. The bill provides the resources and guidance to NASA to push humanity further into the cosmos. It contains provisions for the development of American rockets that will take cargo and people to low-Earth orbit and beyond. It supports the James Webb Space Telescope, which will identify and characterize new planets in our galaxy and help researchers look back in time to see how the universe began. It directs NASA to continue to focus resources on the detection of near-Earth asteroids that may threaten the Earth and its inhabitants. It instructs NASA to design and send a robotic mission to Jupiter's moon, Europa, to see if any life exists in the waters under its icy surface. It directs NASA to work with the National Academies to put together a strategy for finding more exoplanets. The bill also requires NASA to develop a human exploration roadmap similar to the recommendation made in last week's National Academy of Sciences report. This roadmap will provide a long-term plan for future human space exploration. This bill also reflects the skepticism that members of the Science Committee and the scientific community have about the Obama administration's proposed asteroid retrieval mission. The bill requires the administration to provide Congress with a detailed budget profile, a detailed technical plan, a description of the technologies and capabilities expected to be gained in the area of planetary defense, and a review by the Small Bodies Assessment Group and the NASA Advisory Council. Congress will be better equipped to consider the administration's proposed missions once we have all of the proper information. This bill is an example of how well Congress can work together to accomplish an objective that will benefit the entire Nation. It was voted out of committee with unanimous bipartisan support. Mr. Speaker, I also want to thank the ranking member, Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson; Mr. Palazzo, chairman of the Space Subcommittee; and Ms. Edwards, ranking member of the Space Subcommittee, for their leadership in working together to find common ground on this bill. I urge my colleagues to support this bill to ensure that the United States maintains its leadership in space and continues to inspire young people to shoot for the stars. I reserve the balance of my time.

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 material on H.R. 4412, the bill now under consideration.

Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4412) to authorize the programs of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Mississippi (Mr. Palazzo), who is the chairman of the Space Subcommittee of the Science Committee.

Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I have no other individuals who wish to speak on this bill on this side. If the ranking member is willing to yield back her time, I am as well.

Mr. SMITH of Texas

Mr. SMITH of Texas. Madam Chair, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Chair, first I want to thank the majority leader, Mr. Cantor, for his earlier comments about our National Science Foundation amendment. I appreciate his efforts to hold the NSF accountable for its grant funding decisions. The Smith-Cantor amendment reduces the fiscal year 2015 funding in the bill, the National Science Foundation's Social, Behavioral, and Economic Sciences directorate, or SBE directorate, by more than $15 million. This reduction will freeze SBE at its current funding level rather than increase it to the level requested by the President. The Smith-Cantor amendment maintains the overall level of National Science Foundation research funding in the bill. It redirects the amount of the SBE cut to the physical sciences and engineering, the areas that were prioritized in the NSF authorization act reported out of the Science Committee yesterday. Much of the research funded through the SBE directorate has obvious scientific merit and is in the national interest. But the SBE directorate has also funded dozens, perhaps hundreds, of questionable grants. For example, when the National Science Foundation pays a researcher more than $227,000 to thumb through the pages of old National Geographic magazines to look at animal pictures, taxpayers feel as though the NSF is thumbing its nose at them. The NSF also spent $340,000 for a study of human-set forest fires 2,000 years ago in New Zealand. Americans who have lost their homes and businesses to wildfires could ask how this helps them. Taxpayers can't help but wonder why NSF spent $1.5 million of their money to study rangeland management in Mongolia rather than, say, in Texas. We shouldn't reward frivolous use of taxpayer money with even more money. This is what the President has proposed. The Smith-Cantor amendment zeros out the SBE increase for fiscal year 2015. This should encourage the NSF to apply higher standards when awarding its grants. Yesterday, the House Science Committee marked up the FIRST Act, legislation that reauthorizes NSF programs. My colleagues and I approved an amendment to the bill that cuts the SBE directorate to $150 million, $100 million less than the current fiscal year. That is where we think the discussion ought to start next year. So this amendment is only the first step. I also want to point out the SBE directorate isn't the only source of questionable NSF grants. For instance, NSF that handed out $700,000 for ``The Great Immensity,'' a climate change musical, and $5.6 million for a climate change scavenger hunt and phone game. Such grants make taxpayers even more skeptical about how their hard- earned tax dollars are being spent and diminishes public support for scientific research. Investments in science are essential if our country is to continue to lead the world in nanotechnology, supercomputing, and other fields that yield new jobs, new businesses, and, in fact, entire new industries. The way to restore public support is not to continue funding questionable grants with taxpayer money. The Smith-Cantor amendment is a small but important step in the right direction. It sets the precedent for the Science Committee, the Appropriations Committee, and the House to take additional steps in the future to assure that NSF-funded research is, in fact, in the national interest. Madam Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. SMITH of Texas. Madam Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. SMITH of Texas

Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the 2014 Service Academy appointees from the 21st Congressional District of Texas. The following individuals have accepted academy appointments: Lois May Agabon, MacArthur High School, Northwestern Preparatory School, United States Air Force Academy; Austin Wayne Beals, Fredericksburg High School, United States Air Force Academy; David Phillip Castaneda, San Antonio Christian High School, Naval Academy Preparatory School, United States Naval Academy; Jonathan Castaneda, San Antonio Christian High School, United States Naval Academy; Sterling Michael Clark, Canyon High School, United States Naval Academy; Conner Hugh Drum, Canyon Lake High School, Greystone Preparatory School at Schreiner University, United States Military Academy; Devlin Patrick Gilligan, Claudia Taylor ``Lady Bird'' Johnson High School, United States Air Force Academy; Preston Joseph Horejsi, Medina High School, United States Military Academy; Aldon William Clifford Pagio, AFNorth International High School (the Netherlands), University of Texas at San Antonio, United States Merchant Marine Academy; Jackson Symon Parrish, Saint Mary's Hall, United States Naval Academy; Travis John Phelan, John S. Burke Catholic School (New York), United States Military Academy; James Cooper Rast, Claudia Taylor ``Lady Bird'' Johnson High School, United States Air Force Academy; Jordan Gregory Sekula, New Braunfels Christian Academy, United States Merchant Marine Academy; and Collin Taylor Stone, Alamo Heights High School, United States Military Academy. Again, congratulations to these outstanding students. I know they will serve our country well and I trust success will follow them in all their endeavors.

Mr. SMITH of Texas

Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, America's brave men and women in uniform come home from military service only to find severe wait times to receive the medical care they have earned. Recent reports claim that Veteran Affairs officials in various states, including my home state of Texas, have falsified medical appointment data to conceal these long wait times. This is dishonest, deceptive, and harmful to veterans. But ignored for weeks by the liberal national media is that the Obama Administration has long known about these extensive wait times. According to documents received by the Washington Times, the Bush Administration warned the Obama Administration about the prolonged wait times for our veterans in 2008--six years ago. But you wouldn't know this if you watched NBC or ABC. Or read many media publications. The media owes it to the American people, and to our veterans, to give them all the facts.

Mr. SMITH of Texas

Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, President Obama's lax immigration policies continue to put the lives of Americans at risk. Last year, administration officials released into our neighborhoods more than 36,000 criminal immigrants who had nearly 88,000 convictions. The crimes included hundreds of convictions for murder, rape, and kidnapping, and thousands of drug-related crimes. This would be considered the worst prison break in American history, except it was approved by the President and enabled by immigration officials. The release of criminal and illegal immigrants into our communities already has killed or injured thousands of innocent Americans. The responsibility for this can only be laid at the doorstep of the White House. If the President cannot be trusted to enforce current immigration laws, how can he be trusted to enforce future immigration laws?

Mr. SMITH of Texas

Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I was unable to vote on May 9, 2014, on passage of H.R. 10, the Success and Opportunity through Quality Charter Schools Act, introduced by my colleague John Kline from Minnesota and passage of H.R. 4438, the American Research and Competiveness Act of 2014, introduced by my colleague Kevin Brady from Texas. If had been able to vote, I would have cast a vote of ``yea'' in support of H.R. 10 and a vote of ``yea'' in support of H.R. 4438. personal explanation

Mr. SMITH of Texas

Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, there are lots of reasons why the national media leans liberal. Surely, reporters' political party affiliation explains some of their bias. A new study of the media by two Indiana University professors found that among journalists who choose a side, Democrats outnumber Republicans by four to one. Maybe that explains why the liberal national media have largely ignored the IRS and Benghazi scandals, dismissed climate change skeptics, and sugarcoated ObamaCare. It shouldn't surprise us that journalists have removed from their code of ethics the requirement that their ``news reports should be free of opinion or bias and represent all sides of the issue.'' Isn't it incredible that it has been removed from the journalists' code of ethics? The media should give the American people the facts, not tell them what to think.

Mr. SMITH of Texas

Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, the San Antonio Manufacturers Association (SAMA) is one of the oldest manufacturing associations in the country. And this year, SAMA celebrates its 100th year as the voice of the manufacturing industry in the San Antonio area. ``Made in America'' is a label we want to see on advanced technologies produced by American laboratories and factories. We must ensure that the United States provides an environment where the manufacturing industry can strive and grow. SAMA helps with this initiative. The Association advocates for policies that will boost American manufacturing and help train the next generation of manufacturers. The manufacturing industry stimulates the economy by providing good paying jobs and creating high-quality American products. More than 1,500 manufacturing companies operate in the San Antonio area alone, and in 2011, these companies' combined impact on the local economy reached $22.5 billion. San Antonians greatly benefit from the manufacturing industry. Over 50,000 residents of the Alamo City work in this industry and the average wage is 11 percent higher than the average wage for all San Antonio jobs. So the manufacturing industry is good for all Americans, especially those in Central Texas. Congratulations, San Antonio Manufacturers Association, on reaching the century mark. And thank you for all you do for San Antonio and the great State of Texas.

Mr. SMITH of Texas

Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, it is nice to have our friend and former Member of the House down here on the floor with us tonight, Kent Hance. Well, today we honor Texas Tech University Chancellor Kent Hance, who is about to enjoy a well-earned retirement. He has served as chancellor for over 7 years. Texas Tech is the only campus in Texas that is home to a major university, a law school, and a medical school. The university continues to expand to other parts of Texas outside Lubbock. For example, there is a satellite campus in my home district in the town of Fredericksburg. Under Kent Hance's tenure, Texas Tech set new student enrollment records and research expenditures have almost tripled. It so happens that I have more Red Raiders in my D.C. office than graduates of any other college, so I know the quality of students who come from Texas Tech. Fortunately for Tech, Chancellor Hance will not be far away. He will continue to serve as chancellor emeritus of the university and teach a course in political leadership--no surprise there. This should not come as a great surprise since Kent Hance has loved the university ever since he set foot on its campus as a student in 1961. Chancellor Hance likes to say, ``Dream no little dreams.'' His leadership in turning Texas Tech into one of the top higher learning institutions in America reflects that motto. Thank you, Chancellor Hance, for all you have done for Texas Tech University and all you have done for the great State of Texas.

Mr. SMITH of Texas

Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, the administration claims historic record deportation numbers, but a recent report by the Center for Immigration Studies found that immigration agents only attempted to send home about one-fourth of the illegal immigrants they encountered in 2014, and 68,000 of those released back into our communities have criminal records. When the administration puts criminal illegal immigrants back in our neighborhoods, it can have tragic results. Not only do these illegal immigrants take jobs from unemployed Americans, but they also pose a threat to the safety of innocent Americans. These dangerous criminal illegal immigrants are likely to repeat their offenses. In 2012, the Congressional Research Service determined that over 26,000 illegal immigrants were rearrested almost 58,000 times. Suspected crimes included theft, robbery, and murder. The President's immigration policy threatens the safety and lives of thousands of Americans.

Mr. SMITH of Texas

Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2413) to prioritize and redirect NOAA resources to a focused program of investment on near-term, affordable, and attainable advances in observational, computing, and modeling capabilities to deliver substantial improvement in weather forecasting and prediction of high impact weather events, such as tornadoes and hurricanes, and for other purposes, as amended.

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. 2413, the bill now under consideration.

Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Schweikert), who is also chairman of the Environment Subcommittee of the Science Committee.

Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. Bridenstine), who is a member of the Science Committee and is the author of this bill.

Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. Bridenstine), Ms. Bonamici, and David Schweikert for their hard work on this bill. I appreciate all of the effort they have put into it. It is a wonderful product. It is going to save lives. It is going to save property, and it is going to benefit many, many Americans. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 2413, the Weather Forecasting Improvement Act of 2014, will greatly improve our severe weather forecasting capabilities. I thank the gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. Bridenstine) for his work on this bill. Severe weather routinely affects large portions of the United States. This past year has been no different. The United States needs a world- class weather prediction system that helps protect American lives and property. Our leadership has slipped in severe weather forecasting. European weather models routinely predict America's weather better than we can. We need to make up for lost ground. H.R. 2413 improves weather observation systems and advances computing and next generation modeling capabilities. The enhanced prediction of major storms is of great importance to protecting the public from injury and loss of property. This legislation is the result of multiple hearings, a subcommittee markup, and Member negotiations. Again, I thank the gentleman from Oklahoma for taking the lead on this issue. I also want to thank the former chairman of the Environment Subcommittee, the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Stewart), and the Environment Subcommittee ranking member, the gentlewoman from Oregon (Ms. Bonamici), for their contributions to this bipartisan bill. I urge my colleagues to support this bill. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SMITH of Texas

Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, today may be April Fools' Day, but Americans are not fooled about the damaging effects of Obamacare. Millions of Americans continue to receive notice that their health insurance plans are being cancelled, while others see their premiums going up. The Administration has waived or delayed more than 30 provisions of the law. When will they realize the law just will not work? Articles in the Washington Post and the New York Times tried to cover for the Administration. One headline read, ``U.S. to extend sign-up period for insurance.'' The other headline states that the Administration is going to ``allow more time to enroll in health care.'' What these articles fail to mention is that just two weeks earlier, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius testified before Congress that the deadline was not going to be extended. Also, it's been over 130 days since ABC's Nightline focused on Obamacare and the problems with the law. The national media should give the American people the facts, not tell them what to think. Only when they have all the facts can Americans make good decisions.