Lamar Smith

Mr. SMITH of Texas

Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, the American people have lost faith in the liberal national media, and we know why. They tell the American people what to think rather than report the facts in an unbiased manner. A new NBC Marist Poll revealed that two-thirds of Americans trust the media not very much or not at all. A Morning Consult/Politico poll found that 41 percent of registered voters have more trust in their local news outlets than the national media to report the truth, compared to only 27 percent who said the national media. And a Quinnipiac poll showed that an astounding 55 percent of Americans disapprove of the way the news media covers President Trump. The national media's endless drumbeat of negative coverage of the Trump administration has come with a cost: the loss of trust of the American people. If the media want to improve their credibility, they should report the news fairly and without bias.

Mr. SMITH of Texas

Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I thank the chairman of the Appropriations Committee, the gentleman from New Jersey, for yielding me time. Mr. Chairman, I am pleased to support H.R. 3354, the Make America Secure and Prosperous Appropriations Act of 2018, which includes the Commerce-Justice-Science funding bill that provides appropriations for many of the programs within the Science, Space, and Technology Committee's jurisdiction. Chairman Culberson has worked closely with us on the Science, Space, and Technology Committee to include responsible, pro-science funding levels for NASA, the National Science Foundation, NOAA, and the National Institute of Standards and Technology. His consultation and cooperation are much appreciated. I thank Chairman Culberson and his clerk, John Martens, for their leadership in passing this legislation that sets America on a path to remain the world's leader in innovation. The appropriations included in this legislation are consistent with the NASA Transition Authorization Act, the American Innovation and Competitiveness Act, and the Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act, all three of which were enacted into law earlier this year. The CJS bill fully funds the planetary science and exploration programs at NASA, implements a national interest standard for every NSF grant, and increases weather research and commercial data use to improve forecasting to save lives and property, which is especially timely today. Later, I will offer an amendment, with Chairman Culberson's support, to increase basic research in the physical and biological sciences at the National Science Foundation. I strongly encourage my colleagues to support this pro-science, fiscally responsible appropriations bill.

Mr. SMITH of Texas

Mr. SMITH of Texas. Madam Speaker, today President Trump delivered on his promise to the American people. He said he would discontinue the DACA immigration program, which allows hundreds of thousands of illegal immigrants to stay in the country and receive work permits. By ending the unconstitutional DACA program, he has overturned the last of President Obama's amnesty agenda and returned to the rule of law. President Obama, a former constitutional law professor, said many times that DACA was unconstitutional. Congress and the administration should strengthen our laws against illegal immigration and ensure that our immigration policies put unemployed Americans first. The U.S. labor participation rate is at a 40-year low. President Trump is right to discontinue the DACA program and let Congress address immigration policies, including securing the border.

Mr. SMITH of Texas

Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I thank the chairman of the Appropriations Committee for yielding me time. I am very pleased to support H.R. 3219, the Make America Secure Appropriations Act of 2018, especially because it includes H.R. 3266, which provides appropriations for the energy programs within the Science, Space, and Technology Committee's jurisdiction. Chairman Simpson, who is on the floor behind me, has worked closely with us on the Science, Space, and Technology Committee to include responsible, pro-science funding levels for the Department of Energy. Chairman Simpson, your leadership and cooperation have been exceptional and are much appreciated. Thank you for your leadership in passing this legislation that sets America on a path to remain the world's leader in innovation. The appropriations included in this legislation are consistent with the America COMPETES Reauthorization Act, which passed the House last Congress. This bill also funds programs authorized in H.R. 589, the DOE Research and Innovation Act, which passed the House earlier this year and was the product of over 3 years of work by the Science, Space, and Technology Committee to advance basic research and set clear science priorities for the Department of Energy. American industry relies on Federal support for basic research to produce the scientific breakthroughs that fuel technological innovation, new industries, economic growth, and good jobs. Around the country, scientists at our National Labs and universities are conducting groundbreaking, basic science research that provides the foundation for next generation technology in energy, medicine, and manufacturing. This legislation provides strong support for the Department of Energy's Office of Science at $5.4 billion for fiscal year 2018. The Office of Science will get increased funding for research in basic energy sciences, high-performance computing, nuclear physics, high- energy physics, and fusion energy. The strong support for the Office of Science in the appropriations bill will prioritize the basic research programs that are the core mission of the Department and the National Labs and lead to scientific discoveries that can provide benefits across the economy. This legislation also includes responsible funding for DOE's applied programs, prioritizing early-stage research in electricity, energy efficiency, renewables, fossil, and nuclear. An example of such critical early-stage energy research involves nuclear energy where the bill's funding supports the priorities outlined in the Nuclear Energy Innovation Capabilities Act, which passed the House as a part of H.R. 589. That legislation, sponsored by Energy Subcommittee Chairman Randy Weber of Texas, combines the strengths of the National Labs, universities, and the private sector to develop advanced nuclear technology. This technology is our best opportunity to provide reliable, emission-free electricity.

Mr. SMITH of Texas. I thank the chairman of the committee for yielding me an additional minute. This appropriations bill also includes funding to begin design and construction for the research reactor authorized in H.R. 589, which will provide access to the fast neutrons necessary to enable the next generation of nuclear energy technology. As we shape the future of the Department of Energy, our priority must be basic and early-stage research that only the Federal Government has the incentives and resources to support and pursue. This will empower private sector innovators to develop and demonstrate resulting new capabilities that will attract the capital investments needed to take energy technology to the marketplace, creating jobs and expanding our economy. Mr. Chairman, I strongly encourage my colleagues to support this pro- science bill, pro-energy appropriations bill.

Mr. SMITH of Texas

Mr. SMITH of Texas. Madam Speaker, those who are fair-minded and want to understand President Trump better should read his best-selling book from 30 years ago, which is as timely today as it was then. It is called ``The Art of the Deal'' and reveals these characteristics. Donald Trump usually makes decisions quickly based on knowledge, experience, and intuition, rather than waiting for consultants' studies. He is a tough but practical negotiator willing to compromise to achieve a goal. He gets a deal done sooner or later, even if it sometimes takes years. He is a counterpuncher who doesn't like to start a fight but will give more than he receives. He is loyal to friends who are loyal to him. Most of the President's actions should be of no surprise to anyone who has read his book. In fact, those who are objective are likely to appreciate him more.

Mr. SMITH of Texas

Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, today we congratulate the 2017 Service Academy appointees from the 21st Congressional District of Texas. The following individuals accepted Academy appointments: Mia Elizabeth Bean, Canyon Lake High School, United States Military Academy; Kerrilee A. Berger, Smithson Valley High School, United States Air Force Academy; Hannah Kay Boubel, Fredericksburg High School, United States Military Academy; Madison K. Dean-Von Stultz, Smithson Valley High School, United States Merchant Marine Academy; Jack Daniel Dunworth, Westlake High School, United States Naval Academy; JC Matthew Engel, Westlake High School, Greystone Preparatory School at Schreiner University, United States Merchant Marine Academy; Matthew Joseph Friedel, Central Catholic High School, United States Naval Academy; Alexander Russell Heldstab, Katherine Anne Porter School, Greystone Preparatory School at Schreiner University, United States Military Academy; James Bailey Marshall, Saint Mary's Hall, United States Military Academy; Julie Ann Padilla, Cole High School, United States Air Force Academy; Benjamin Lewis Parrish, Saint Mary's Hall, United States Military Academy; Shamus Kennedy Phelan, SHAPE American High School (Belgium), United States Air Force Academy; Jazmin Alexis Robinson, Claudia Taylor Johnson High School, United States Air Force Academy; and Jesse Alan Zimmel, Bandera High School, United States Merchant Marine Academy. These outstanding students have much to give to their Academy and to our country. We appreciate their talents and their patriotism

Mr. SMITH of Texas

Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, a recent Washington Post-ABC News poll states that only 36 percent of Americans approve the job President Trump is doing. But the results of this poll are flawed because it did not use a representative sample of Republican and Democratic participants. This Washington Post-ABC NEWS poll used a population sample that was 35 percent Democratic and only 23 percent Republican, underrepresenting Republican voters by about 10 percent. As noted by strategist Jim McLaughlin, ``If the poll reflected the actual electorate, Trump would be in mid-40s, which is what his favorability rating was on election day when he won an overwhelming electoral college victory.'' The same Washington Post pollsters gave Hillary Clinton a four-point advantage over Donald Trump on the eve of the election. They consistently predicted a significant Clinton victory, only to be proved wrong. Their credibility is questionable.

Mr. SMITH of Texas

Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, a new survey by the Pew Research Center found that an astounding two-thirds of Americans say the news media has a negative impact on our Nation. What a comment on the media. The survey asked participants whether a variety of institutions are having a positive or negative effect on the way things are going in this country today. The rating the media received was the lowest of all institutions. Another public opinion poll by Gallup showed the media's credibility has reached a record low. This is not much of a surprise, given the media's constant barrage of personal attacks and negative news coverage. The American people deserve better than a biased media. For the sake of our country, our democracy, and the credibility of the media itself, let's hope they report the news more fairly and objectively in the future.

Mr. SMITH of Texas

Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Shimkus) for yielding me time, and I thank the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Olson) for sponsoring H.R. 806, the Ozone Standards Implementation Act of 2017. I appreciate the efforts of Chairman Walden, subcommittee Chairman Shimkus, and members of the Energy and Commerce Committee to reduce the regulatory burden on the American people and the economy. As chairman of the Science, Space, and Technology Committee, I have worked to ensure that EPA regulations are based on sound science. Specifically, the committee found that the 2015 ozone standards implemented by the previous administration were based on questionable science and would cost billions of dollars to implement. H.R. 806 is commonsense legislation that appropriately delays the implementation of these new standards, allowing States more time to work through compliance. This legislation also resets the time period for the next review of Clean Air Act regulations. This is necessary to provide the Agency with ample time to analyze the science and economic impact of new rules. Mr. Chairman, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation and reduce the regulatory burden on the American people and return the Agency to sound scientific rulemaking. Again, I appreciate Chairman Olson taking the initiative on this subject.

Mr. SMITH of Texas

Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, if Donald Trump, Jr., were a Democrat, the media would be defending him for doing what every campaign does: conducting opposition research. The media would be praising him for ending a meeting when it became obvious there was no evidence to back up an informant's allegations. The media would be pointing out that many countries' leaders openly supported Barack Obama for President, including those from the United Kingdom, France, Sweden, and Nicaragua. Maybe the real crime is the media's double standard. In their irrational obsession with destroying the Trump Presidency, the liberal media have forgotten journalism's profound responsibility: to be fair and objective.

Mr. SMITH of Texas

Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, today we congratulate the 2017 Service Academy appointees from the 21st Congressional District of Texas. The following individuals accepted their Academy appointments: Mia Elizabeth Bean, Canyon Lake High School, United States Military Academy; Kerrilee A. Berger, Smithson Valley High School, United States Air Force Academy; Hannah Kay Boubel, Fredericksburg High School, United States Military Academy; Madison K. Dean-Von Stultz, Smithson Valley High School, United States. Merchant Marine Academy; Jack Daniel Dunworth, Westlake High School, United States Naval Academy; JC Matthew Engel, Westlake High School, Greystone Preparatory School at Schreiner University, United States Merchant Marine Academy; Matthew Joseph Friedel, Central Catholic High School, United States Naval Academy; Alexander Russell Helstab, Katherine Anne Porter School, Greystone Preparatory School at Schreiner University, United States Military Academy; James Bailey Marshall, Saint Mary's Hall, United States Military Academy; Julie Ann Padilla, Cole High School, United States Air Force Academy; Benjamin Lewis Parrish, Saint Mary's Hall, United States Military Academy; Shamus Kennedy Phelan, SHAPE American High School (Belgium), United States Air Force Academy; Jazmin Alexis Robinson, Claudia Taylor Johnson High School, United States Air Force Academy; and Jesse Alan Zimmel, Bandera High School, United States Merchant Marine Academy. These outstanding students have much to give to their Academy and to our country. We appreciate their talents and their patriotism.

Mr. SMITH of Texas

Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, a recent Politico/Morning Consult poll shows that 60 percent of registered voters support ``new guidelines which say visa applicants from six predominantly Muslim countries must prove a close family relationship with a U.S. resident in order to enter the country.'' Only 28 percent oppose. Also, respondents trust Republicans in Congress more than Democrats to handle the issue of immigration. The new, nationwide poll demonstrates strong approval by the electorate for the President's effort to keep America safe, despite a question slanted to make respondents think his action is based on religion. Had the question noted that the six nations that require additional visa scrutiny were also selected by the Obama administration as national security threats, the poll likely would have revealed even more support for the new guidelines. When it comes to immigration policy, the American people support the President.

Mr. SMITH of Texas

Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, a recent NPR/PBS NewsHour/Marist poll found that a combined 68 percent of Americans said that they do not trust the media very much or not at all. The same poll also found that Americans trust President Trump more than the media. It is no surprise that Americans do not trust the media. The media have stopped reporting and have started attacking. As The Federalist's David Harsanyi noted in a recent article, ``News organizations have become obsessed with fighting the President rather than covering him.'' A Harvard study recently found that 80 percent of the news coverage of President Trump in his first 100 days in office was negative, a new unfortunate record. The media is so fixated on attacking the President that they rush to print unfounded stories using a single anonymous source. Last month, three CNN employees resigned for their role in a botched Trump-Russia story. This debacle revealed the media's insatiable appetite to print any story--no matter how groundless--that is critical of the President. The liberal media should stop fighting the President and start covering his Presidency in a fair and unbiased manner. Then they will regain the trust of the American people.

Mr. SMITH of Texas

Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, first of all, let me thank the gentleman from Georgia, a member of the Rules Committee, for yielding me time. Mr. Speaker, I strongly support the underlying bill, H.R. 3003, No Sanctuary for Criminals Act; and I thank the chairman, Bob Goodlatte, and Representatives Steve King and Andy Biggs for introducing it. This legislation keeps dangerous criminal immigrants off our streets and out of our neighborhoods, and it holds sanctuary cities accountable for breaking Federal immigration laws. I have a special interest in this legislation because it enforces a bill I sponsored in 1969, which was enacted into law and made sanctuary cities illegal. The American people sent a clear message to Congress last November when they elected a President who promised to enforce our immigration laws. A recent poll shows that 80 percent--80 percent--of voters want cities that arrest illegal immigrants for crimes to be required to turn them over to immigration authorities. Eighty percent. That is a Harvard-Harris poll. The No Sanctuary for Criminals Act is a down payment on our pledge to protect innocent Americans from criminal immigrants who deserve to be jailed or sent back to their home countries. We need to enact this legislation. There is simply no excuse for local governments to ignore immigration laws at the expense of American's safety and well-being.

Mr. SMITH of Texas

Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, why run for Congress when a single Federal judge can write a new law without having to get any votes for it? Another Federal court recently decided that President Trump cannot set immigration policy, despite his having the clear authority to do so. It is hard to believe this is happening in the United States of America where judges are supposed to interpret the law, not engage in partisan politics. Our last hope now is with the Supreme Court. Surely they will remind other courts that their ruling should rest on the plain meaning of statutes, not on their personal views of the President. That some judges ignore precedent and the Constitution is a clear and present danger to our democracy. If the Supreme Court does not strongly affirm that President Trump has the same rights as other Presidents, we will be witnessing the slow unraveling of our democratic form of government. Based on their preliminary actions today, though, let us have confidence that the Supreme Court has the collective wisdom to guard and guide our great Nation.

Mr. SMITH of Texas

Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, we must speak truth to the powerful liberal media. The invective, spite, and venom they hurl daily at the President contributes to an environment of hatred and violence. The media's constant barrage of personal attacks can incite someone to take irrational actions. The shooter at the Virginia ballpark yesterday wounded five people. His Facebook page once read: ``It is time to destroy Trump and company.'' That is not much different from the tone of many media articles. A study last month found that the President had received a higher percentage of negative coverage than any recent President, and a public opinion poll showed the media's credibility at a record low. The American people deserve better than a biased media. For the sake of our country, let's hope they will drop their abusive language.

Mr. SMITH of Texas

Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, from a recent Investor's Business Daily editorial, a Harvard University study found that ``During the first 100 days of Trump's Presidency, TV networks CNN, NBC, and CBS provided negative coverage 93 percent, 93 percent, and 91 percent of the time.'' Meanwhile, ``The New York Times delivered 87 percent negative coverage, while The Washington Post 83 percent and The Wall Street Journal 70 percent were only a bit less negative.'' ``Trump's overall score of 80 percent negative coverage during the start of his Presidency compares with Obama's 41 percent, Bush's 57 percent, and Bill Clinton's 60 percent.'' ``Both the Post and the Times, for instance, have used unnamed sources and even the supposed content of documents that they have never viewed as the basis for major revelations about Trump in recent days. They have let their raw hatred get the better of them. ``Such a media environment is dangerous for American democracy.'' Expecting basic professionalism from the media, sadly, seems to be too much.

Mr. SMITH of Texas

Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, in their coverage of the President, the liberal media have given up being objective, and their credibility is now at an all-time low. Are the courts next? When considering the President's written immigration orders, some judges are basing their decisions not on the actual text but on what was said during the heat of the campaign. This is a dangerous development, dangerous to our judicial system and dangerous to our democracy. The judiciary's role is to interpret the law and decide whether it is constitutional. When judges decide to become politicians, injecting their own political bias into a decision, our Constitution and our government are at risk. If the media and the judiciary cease being objective, we should fear for the future of our country.

Mr. SMITH of Texas

Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, May 5th marks the 25th Anniversary of the ratification of the Twenty-Seventh Amendment to the Constitution of the United States. The Twenty-Seventh Amendment guarantees that the Members of Congress may not adjust their current salaries, and that any changes in pay will not take effect until the next session of Congress. James Madison originally proposed this amendment in 1789. However, it would take 202 years for this amendment to be ratified by the states. Gregory Watson, a constituent of the 21st District of Texas, helped restart the push for ratification in 1982. Mr. Watson's involvement helped to ratify the amendment on May 5, 1992. This anniversary marks an important day for the nation and for Mr. Watson. His efforts exemplify superb civic duty and should inspire other to become active in our government. I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing May 5th as the Anniversary of the ratification of the 27th Amendment and Gregory Watson for the important role he played in its ratification.

Mr. SMITH of Texas

Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, are we losing our democracy? CNN has censored and refused to air an ad by Trump for President, claiming that it is inaccurate. Of course, that is their opinion and they are entitled to it. What they are not entitled to do is violate the Constitution's protection of free speech. Where are all the editorial boards of the media who rightly advocate for free speech? Why are most silent? To censor a political ad because CNN disagrees with it is to threaten our democratic form of government.

Mr. SMITH of Texas

Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, the national media's continued crusade against President Trump further demonstrates that they are not mainstream. A Morning Consult poll found that a majority of Americans believe the media is ``out of touch with everyday Americans.'' Most significantly, 37 percent said they trusted President Trump to tell the truth, while only 29 percent said the media is truthful. The media's open hostility to the President continues to erode his credibility. A poll by the University of Virginia Center for Politics found that 88 percent of Trump voters agree with him that the media ``is the enemy of the American people.'' Let's hope the media will put aside their bias and give the President fair and objective coverage. It may be the only way for the media to rebuild their credibility.

Mr. SMITH of Texas

Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, human history is punctuated by explorations of the world around us. We are a nation of explorers. It is part of our national identity, and finding new planets and looking for evidence of life beyond our Earth fascinates most Americans. The discovery of life elsewhere in the universe would alter our priorities for space exploration and affect how we view ourselves. In just the last two decades, we have confirmed the existence of 3,000 exoplanets, planets outside our solar system. Probing the cosmos encourages the next generation of young students to pursue careers in astronomy, astrophysics, and astrobiology. We must continue to look at the Stars. They offer us a glimpse of the past and hope for the future.

Mr. SMITH of Texas

Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, the biased liberal media have forgotten their responsibility to our democracy: give the American people the facts, don't tell them what to think. A new report by the Media Research Center shows that coverage of President Trump by the broadcast networks has been 89 percent negative, higher than any other President. Is it any wonder that half of Americans disapprove of the job President Trump is doing? The real wonder is that it is not greater, given what the public hears and reads every day. According to a recent Gallup Poll, 55 percent of U.S. adults say that news organizations' stories are ``often inaccurate.'' Only 36 percent say the media get the facts straight. Commonsense, reasonable Americans would do well to discount the liberal media since they don't provide fair and objective information.

Mr. SMITH of Texas

Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, climate change alarmists always predict cataclysmic events that will inevitably occur when the world's temperature rises by more than 2 degrees Celsius. But all the howling and gnashing of teeth signifies nothing. It is all posturing for their own purposes, including a desire to control people's lives or get another government grant or an academic promotion. The Paris climate agreement, supported by about 200 countries, would, at best, only prevent an increase in temperature by one-sixth of a degree Celsius. If the Paris Agreement has little impact on global temperatures, then no regulation proposed by the Obama administration nor any single bill introduced in Congress would have any significant impact on climate change--not one regulation, not one piece of legislation. So the next time you hear or read about some imminent calamity due to climate change, remember it is just all words and no action. The real solution isn't more ineffective and costly regulations. It is innovative technology that will make all forms of energy cleaner and less expensive.