Mike Simpson

Mr. SIMPSON

Mr. SIMPSON. Mr. Chair, first, let me say, it was not a $300-some- odd-million plus-up in the fossil energy research. In fact, I think the fossil energy research account was down from last year. It was more than the President requested, but it is not a plus-up from what it was in 2017. Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to this amendment. The amendment would increase funding for the Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy by $20 million but has to use $40 million from the Fossil Energy Research & Development account as an offset. This bill was the result of some tough choices. I have to admit, they were some tough choices. It is not that I oppose the program that the good lady advocates for, but there were some tough choices. We had to prioritize research and development that will increase our energy independence. Our domestic energy resources are vast, and this bill strikes a balance to lay the foundations for future energy generation technologies, while maintaining full support for the resources we use most today. Increasing funding for EERE by diverting funding from fossil energy strikes the wrong balance when considering the Nation's electricity needs. Fossil fuels produce 65 percent of the electricity we use today and will continue to provide the majority of the Nation's energy needs in the future. This amendment would reduce funding for a program that ensures that we use our Nation's fossil fuel resources as well, and as cleanly as possible. For all of the reasons that team fossil talked about earlier tonight, I must oppose the amendment and urge my Members to do the same. Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SIMPSON

Mr. SIMPSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Dr. Wiley J. Dobbs for 33 years of distinguished service educating Idahoans on the occasion of his retirement from his current position as Superintendent of Twin Falls School District. Dr. Dobbs' career as an educator is marked by a stalwart commitment to students across Idaho, particularly in Twin Falls. After serving as a high school teacher in Montpelier, Idaho, Dr. Dobbs returned to his hometown of Twin Falls to serve as an educator in both junior high schools and high schools, as well as a stint at the University of Idaho as an education instructor. After years in the classroom, Dr. Dobbs transitioned to the Twin Falls School District as Director of Operations in 2000. By 2003, he had accepted the position that would carry him to retirement: Superintendent of Twin Falls School District. Throughout his career, Dr. Dobbs has demonstrated a superior dedication to the lives of the students and families he serves. In fact, Dr. Dobbs spent much of his career creating opportunities for students outside the classroom by volunteering as an advisor to the Congressional Award program. With his help, the city of Twin Falls has garnered national recognition for the quality and quantity of students who earn their Congressional Award for an outstanding commitment to setting and achieving their goals. Mr. Speaker, I sincerely thank Dr. Dobbs for his service and commitment to education in Idaho. On behalf of a grateful state, I wish him well in the next chapter of his life.

Mr. SIMPSON

Mr. SIMPSON. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the following people who have worked with me to achieve the Morley Nelson Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area Boundary Modification Act of 2017 which was legislation I drafted and was included in the Fiscal Year 2017 Consolidated Appropriations Act. They each played a role in their own way and because of their help, the West is building critical energy infrastructure that will improve reliability and efficiency and also increase continuing conservation efforts while saving Idaho ratepayers money. Let me start by thanking Brian O'Donnell and Danielle Murray from the Conservation Lands Foundation. Their solution oriented attitude helped guide the success of this effort. I would also like to thank Rick Johnson, Craig Gehrke, Will Whelan, Kai Anderson, and Amelia Jenkins from the conservation community. I want to thank Jeff Malmen and his terrific team at Idaho Power, including Mark Stokes and Mitch Colburn who were there every step of the way to ensure the project recognizes conservation and saves Idaho ratepayers. Their friends at Rocky Mountain Power, including Pat Reiten, were also great partners. I would also like to thank the hard working men and women at the Bureau of Land Management. Tim Murphy and his team in Idaho include Peter Ditton and Erin Curtis. Their work was instrumental throughout the entire Gateway West project and I thank them for their public service in Idaho. Additionally, I need to thank Governor Otter and his team of John Chatburn and Scott Pugurd for their diligent work. I also want to thank Senator Risch and his staff members John Sandy, Darren Parker, and Melanie Steele. Thanks to Chairman Bishop and the House Natural Resources Committee for their thoughtful consideration of the Gateway West legislation. Erica Rhoad and Aniela Butler were a huge help to guiding this legislation through Chairman Tom McClintock's subcommittee. I want to thank Gregory Kostka, Lisa Daly, and Hank Savage at Legislative Counsel. They drafted and redrafted countless versions of this bill under tight deadlines. I would also like to thank the Senate and House Interior and Environment Appropriations Subcommittee Chairmen Lisa Murkowski and Ken Calvert along with their ranking members Tom Udall and Betty McCollum. Their staff were relentless in guiding this agreement to the finish line and a special thanks is owed to Dave LesStrang, Betsy Bina, and Rita Culp for their efforts in finalizing the agreement in the Fiscal Year 2017 Consolidated Appropriations Act. Finally, I want to thank my staff, Lindsay Slater, Jamie Neill, Nikki Wallace, and Craig Quarterman who helped in many different ways to ensure this was the best possible deal for my constituents in Idaho.

Mr. SIMPSON

Mr. SIMPSON. Mr. Speaker, Mark Twain once said, ``Few things are harder to put up with than a good example.'' I can tell you there is no finer example of a greater man than my dear friend, Bruce Newcomb. I have had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to be part of Bruce's life for over 30 years and in that time I have known him in several capacities, an Idaho rancher, a state legislator, a majority leader, and the Speaker of the Idaho House. I have seen him as a husband; father, grandfather, uncle and brother. But, the role I know him best as, is friend, and not just to me, but to all he meets. My friend is retiring for the second time. He retired from the Idaho State Legislature in 2006 where he served for 20 years, the last eight serving as Speaker of the Idaho House--making him the longest-serving speaker in state history. Bruce is the type of leader that defines America, a leader who has strong values and convictions, but is willing to listen and show compassion to all. A leader who isn't afraid to stand up for what is right or take the road that is more difficult, knowing in the end it will lead to a successful outcome. When Bruce retired from the Idaho Legislature he could have sought any job he wanted in public office or in the private sector. His commitment to students led him to Boise State University where he pursued expanding higher education opportunities in Idaho. Bruce also established a scholarship program for Burley High School students to attend college. Friday, June 30, 2017, my friend Bruce will retire from BSU where he served as the university's director of government relations. The University recognized Bruce earlier this year and presented him with the `Commitment to Idaho' Award. There is no one more deserving of this award than Bruce Newcomb. If you ask Bruce why he entered public service, he will tell you President John F. Kennedy inspired him with his famous quote, ``Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.'' But I know that Bruce always wanted to help others; it is simply part of his soul. Bruce is loyal. That's a simple statement, but a trait that's not easy to achieve. He puts God and family first, and friends are so close to that line it is hard to decipher. I am beyond fortunate to be inside his circle and am forever grateful. I congratulate Bruce, and look forward to seeing him more.

Mr. SIMPSON

Mr. SIMPSON. Mr. Speaker, I first want to thank the ranking member and the chairman of the full committee for their hard work on this bill. Most people don't realize how hard the work is. I thank the ranking member, Ms. Kaptur, for her hard work and committed efforts throughout these many months spent on drafting this bill, and also our Senate partners, Lamar Alexander and Dianne Feinstein. I want to thank the majority and minority staff for the incredible work and long hours that they spent in preparing this bill. The Energy and Water section of this bill strengthens our Nation's defense, makes important investments in our Nation's water infrastructure, and advances an all-of-the-above energy strategy to ensure America's energy independence. Weapons Activities, which provides funding to maintain the safety, security, and readiness of the Nation's nuclear weapons stockpile, is $471 million more than last year. Within that, funding for nuclear weapons infrastructure is $2.8 billion, an increase of 23 percent, and will address a backlog of deferred maintenance and high-risk, deteriorating infrastructure. The Naval Reactors program, which supports the Navy's nuclear propulsion program, is increased by $45 million over last year. This fully funds the replacement of the Ohio class ballistic missile submarine. The Army Corps of Engineers, which manages critical infrastructure projects supporting the health of our Nation's water resources, is increased by $49 million over the fiscal year 2016 levels. The bill makes full use of estimated annual revenues in the Inland Waterways Trust Fund and includes $1.3 billion for harbor maintenance trust fund activities, hitting the WRDA 2016 adjusted annual target. Flood and storm damage reduction activities are provided with $29 million more than last year to mitigate damage from flooding events. The bill capitalizes on America's abundant natural resources to ensure a balanced, all-of-the-above energy policy. These investments will improve our energy independence and keep our consumer prices affordable for constituents. The bill protects these investments by including $24 million more than last year to improve the resiliency and reliability of the Nation's electric grid against cyber attacks and extreme weather events. The bill also helps peel back regulatory red tape, prohibiting changes to the definition of ``fill material'' and ``discharge of fill material,'' and also prohibits the regulation of certain agricultural activities. These are commonsense provisions that were included in this bill. In addition to the Energy and Water section, I also would like to acknowledge some of the important provisions in the Interior section of this bill.

Mr. SIMPSON. The inclusion of language routing the Gateway West Transmission Line through the Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area, critical funding provided for wildfire programs in the Department of the Interior and the Forest Service, and the full support of the PILT program greatly strengthens this bill. I thank Chairman Calvert, Ranking Member McCollum, and the staff on the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Subcommittee for the work they do. No westerner can hold their head up if they vote against this bill and the provisions in this bill for the Western States. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

Mr. SIMPSON

Mr. SIMPSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to call your attention to an extraordinary facility located on the Department of Energy's 890- square-mile site in Idaho, and the many people who have been employed there over the last 50 years. Idaho National Laboratory is this nation's lead nuclear research, development and deployment laboratory. It also has emerged as a world leader in cybersecurity, keeping our critical infrastructure safe from those who would do us harm, and broader clean energy research and development. One of INL's crown jewels is the Advanced Test Reactor. This summer, we are celebrating the 50th anniversary of ATR, and recognizing that experiments conducted there have helped ensure our national security and advance knowledge about clean nuclear energy. Just as importantly, we also recognize that, with regular maintenance and upgrades, ATR will continue to be this nation's test reactor of choice at least through 2050. What makes ATR so unique--and valuable--is its ingenious cloverleaf design, envisioned by an engineer named Deslonde deBoisblanc on a lonely stretch of Highway 20 in the Idaho desert more than a half century ago. deBoisblanc's design resulted in a one-of-a-kind reactor that can house simultaneous experiments under distinct temperatures, pressures and irradiation conditions. That means, at the ATR complex, we can test materials for academia, industry and the U.S. Navy--all at the same time. The knowledge that our talented scientists, engineers and technicians pull out of this reactor is incredibly valuable. For example, when the Navy began sending fuel samples from its nuclear submarines to the INL site, that science was in its infancy. Eventually, nuclear fuel became more complex. The Navy needed to test larger fuel elements, not just samples, and with the Cold War accelerating, it needed those test results more quickly. So, ATR was built, started up in 1967, and two years later brought to full power of 250 Megawatts. The impact on America's Nuclear Navy has been remarkable Early submarines had to be pulled out of duty every two years or so for expensive and time-consuming refueling. Because of what we have learned from experiments at ATR, the reactor cores for the Navy's newest submarines last for their entire lifetimes, more than 30 years. Idaho National Laboratory's Advanced Test Reactor has saved taxpayers millions of dollars and made our country safer and more secure. That's a testament not only to the facility--and deBoisblanc's unique design-- but also to generations of world-class scientists, engineers, technicians and mechanics who have kept the reactor functioning at the highest possible level these five decades. ATR has also played a central role in helping sustain this nation's current light-water nuclear reactor fleet, which produces 19 percent of America's electricity and 63 percent of its carbon-free electricity. In 2007, ATR became a National Scientific User Facility. That allows our colleges and universities to run experiments at ATR, with the Department of Energy footing the bill. As a result, we have expanded knowledge about clean nuclear energy throughout the nation and built a foundation for the next generation of reactors, including small modular reactors, such as one that could begin producing power in the Idaho desert as soon as 2024. It is a great honor to congratulate INL on ATR's 50th anniversary, acknowledge its dedicated, talented and determined workforce, from past and present, and look ahead to many more years of valuable service to our nation.

Mr. SIMPSON

Mr. SIMPSON. Mr. Speaker, on Monday, March 27 and Tuesday, March 28, I was absent from votes due to business in my Congressional District. Had I been present, I would have voted as follows: Rollcall No. 195--``Yea.'' Rollcall No. 196--``Yea.'' Rollcall No. 197--``Yea.'' Rollcall No. 198--``Yea.'' Rollcall No. 199--``Yea.'' Rollcall No. 200--``Yea.'' Rollcall No. 201--``Yea.'' Rollcall No. 202--``Yea.'' Personal Explanation

Mr. SIMPSON

Mr. SIMPSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Advanced Mixed Waste Treatment Project's (AMWTP) nearly 15-year effort to retrieve, treat, and remove legacy nuclear waste from the State of Idaho. Since 2003, AMWTP has been the nation's premier transuranic radioactive waste processing facility. Operated by the U.S. Department of Energy, AMWTP was constructed during the Clinton Administration to meet the nation's obligations to treat radioactive transuranic waste left over from the Manhattan Project. During the 1970s and 1980s, truckloads and rail cars of waste were shipped to Idaho primarily from the Energy Department's Rocky Flats Plant near Denver, Colorado. These shipments brought 65,000 cubic meters of clothing, machine parts, and tools contaminated by plutonium and housed in wooden and fiberglass boxes and metal drums to the Idaho desert. Over the years, the condition of these boxes and drums deteriorated significantly, making cleanup a challenging task. As outlined in the 1995 Idaho Settlement Agreement, AMWTP's mission, unique facilities, and skilled workforce were charged with characterizing, treating, processing, and removing from Idaho the single largest concentration of transuranic radioactive waste in the United States. For 14 years, the workforce at AMWTP has prepared and sent more than 5,800 shipments of transuranic waste to the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) in Carlsbad, New Mexico. This represents nearly half of all the waste disposed in that facility. At the same time, the workforce has accomplished this feat in a safe and compliant manner. The staff at AMWTP has also received and processed radioactive waste from 15 other Department of Energy sites, eliminating the need to build expensive, new processing plants. Today, AMWTP and its workforce take another step in completing their mission, with 100 percent of the above-ground waste now retrieved and ready for characterization, treatment, and packaging, in anticipation of being removed from the State of Idaho for permanent, long-term disposal within WIPP. As a regional asset, AMWTP and its exclusive capabilities and experienced workforce remain a viable facility for future waste processing missions. While challenges continue with cleaning up the remaining buried and liquid radioactive wastes in Idaho, the milestones met by the thousands of contract and federal workers in Idaho should not be forgotten. Their long-standing efforts have set the benchmark and proven to critics that promises can be met given enough time and support. Today, I can say with confidence and congratulations that the State of Idaho is better because of the AMWTP and its employees' commitment and service.

Mr. SIMPSON

Mr. SIMPSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to thank John Tensen for his service to the State of Idaho and specifically the City of Boise. The opportunity to work with John has been an absolute pleasure for me personally, and for my staff. John started working for the City of Boise in 1986 and has served in several capacities ranging from Civil Engineer to Interim Public Works Director. For the last 14 years, John served as City Engineer which allowed him to directly oversee projects that we benefit from every day. One initiative I was fortunate enough to work with John on, was the geothermal heat project which expanded to Boise State University in 2012. With John's expertise and the collaboration between Boise State, the Department of Energy, and the Department of Housing and Urban Development, 600,000 square feet of building space on campus is now heated with clean and affordable geothermal energy. It was an honor to work alongside John to make this possible. Another project where John played a central role, was the recently completed Dixie Drain Project. In Idaho, water is life and even the smallest water issue can be fraught with complexities. That is why the Dixie Drain Project is considered a success, not only here in Idaho, but as an example the entire nation can look to when addressing water quality issues. Thanks to John's innovative engineering, the city was able to come up with a sound solution to divert the water from the drains into settling ponds to remove phosphorus which would enter back into the river system. While the project was far more intricate than this simple explanation, the underlying point is the same--John saved the city and ratepayers countless dollars with exceptional results. This is the ultimate example of federal, state, and local partnership and would not be possible without John. There are many more projects that highlight John's incredible work. We all know these sites including the Boise Whitewater Park where technicians shape the perfect wave during the summer and the brand new Esther Simplot Park that is truly a gem for the city. However, what is equally impressive to his legacy here in Boise is what he plans to do after. This fall, John will follow his family to Belize where his son-in- law's foundation, Restoration Smile, will provide dental and oral surgeries to patients that need it most. However, John will make the journey so the local communities can draw on his expertise in the areas of water quality and sewer systems. John certainly has earned a quiet retirement, yet his ambition compels his desire to continue serving and for that, we are all grateful. My staff and I consider it an honor to have worked with John Tensen. His institutional knowledge and creative engineering are a legacy to the City of Boise and we are touched by his work. I wish him and his family the best in retirement and I hope he finds time to watch his beloved Oregon State Beavers alongside his family of Julie, Kristyn, Cole, Brad, Oliver and Max. I am proud to honor John's service and look forward to staying in touch with him and his family.

Mr. SIMPSON

Mr. SIMPSON. I thank the chairman for the time. Mr. Speaker, first, let me thank the chairman for the job he has done over the last 6 years of leading this committee. It is a difficult job. We have to make tough choices, and this committee has been willing to do this. I appreciate the leadership that the chairman and Ranking Member Lowey have provided for this committee and for the direction in which we have been able to go. Let me say also, Mr. Speaker, that I don't really like what we are doing here. I don't think anybody on the Appropriations Committee likes what we are doing here. We all know it is necessary because we don't want the government to shut down, but it is amazing to listen to the number of people who come on the floor. I know all of the Appropriations Committee members want to get back to regular order and do individual bills, conference them, and then do individual conference reports of all of the bills. That is what should be done. That is called regular order. The last time that was done was in 1994; 22 years ago. Under Republican and Democrat leadership, we have not been able to do it in the last 22 years, and it is time we do. It is amazing the number of people who come to the floor and who aren't on the Appropriations Committee who say, Man, we need to get back to regular order. We all agree with that. So how do we do it? I will tell you how we do it. It takes a commitment. It takes a commitment of Republican and Democratic leadership that, if you are going to have open rules, which is when any amendment can be offered--a lot of these appropriations bills come to the floor, and we have 100 or 150 amendments offered--they take a lot of time to pass. That is okay, but we have got to have a commitment that we are going to spend the time on the floor to do these appropriations bills. We are willing to do that, but it takes a commitment from leadership that we are going to have the floor time. We used to have a time when, all during the month of June and the first of July, it was called appropriations season. We were here for 6 weeks in a row, 5 days a week--sometimes until very late at night and early in the morning--doing the appropriations bills. We don't do that anymore. We have a new schedule because the district work period is very important also, and I understand that for a lot of Members. At about every third week, we go home and do work in our districts. That time is important, but we are elected to do a job. We have got to be in Washington, and we have got to be on the floor, and we have got to be debating these bills if we want to get back to regular order. We act as if it comes down from on high that, geez, this just can't happen, like it is not in our control. It is in our control. We on both sides of the aisle need to make a commitment that we will get back to regular order and do individual appropriations bills because that is the way this place is supposed to work. I thank the chairman for all of the job and all of the effort that he and Ranking Member Lowey have done to bring us back to regular order to the extent we can, and, hopefully, we will keep moving forward.

Mr. SIMPSON

Mr. SIMPSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the retirement of Julie Harwood. Julie has dedicated her career to public service, serving constituents in Idaho for 23 years, 3 months and 2 days. Julie began her career with Senator James McClure, a man who served our great state well and one whom I've always admired. She has worked for Senator Dirk Kempthorne, before I was lucky enough to have her join my team on August 1, 2003. There are people who call our office and will only talk to Julie. She treats people with kindness, respect and always helps them find the answer they are seeking--which is often not an easy task. Over the years, Julie has touched so many lives, it is impossible to name them all. However, Kathy, myself, and my entire staff will miss her greatly. Congratulations Julie. I have a feeling you will be busy, but I hope you are not a stranger and please know you will always be part of Team Simpson.

Mr. SIMPSON

Mr. SIMPSON. Mr. Speaker, Ramona (Johnnie) North Neill of Blackfoot, Idaho passed away at the age of 88 on December 4, 2016 at the Gables of Blackfoot Assisted Living and Memory Center. Mona was born September 6, 1928 and raised in Kirksville, Missouri to Oscar and Zelma Jewell North. She lived there until the age of six when the family moved to Blackfoot, and attended grade school, junior high, followed by graduating from high school in 1946. In December 1949 she met the love of her life: James (Jimmy) K. Neill who was an Employee of Idaho Power Company and was part of the Mobile Line Crew that was upgrading the Electrical Power Grid in Blackfoot. Their relationship quickly blossomed and they were married on May 26, 1950 in Winnemucca, Nevada. From there, Jim and Mona lived primarily in Boise, Idaho until they moved permanently to Blackfoot, Idaho in the summer of 1956 where she lived at the family home on Riverton Road up to the time that her health forced her to move last year. Mona enjoyed outdoors trips with her husband and children, attending every scout, school, sports activity of her sons and the grandchildren residing in Blackfoot as well as visiting or following the adventures of her two grandchildren in Washington state. Mona is survived by her sons: David K. Neill (Marie Carter, deceased), Blackfoot, Kim O. Neill (Christi Ann), Bainbridge Island, Washington, and James Todd Neill (Melody Renee), Scottsdale, Arizona, her four grandchildren: Cassandra Lynnette Neill, San Diego, California, Thomas K. Neill (Laura), Boise, Idaho, James K. Neill (Emily), Washington, D.C. and Andrew Albert Neill, Washington, D.C. She will be laid to rest at Dry Creek Cemetery in Boise, Idaho where she will be next to her late husband James K. Neill.

Mr. SIMPSON

Mr. SIMPSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Rear Admiral Arthur Clark, an extraordinary leader with 45 years of experience in management of large operations, in the U.S. Navy and at the Department of Energy's Idaho National Laboratory. Born and raised in Ohio, Rear Admiral Clark served two tours in Vietnam as an in-country advisor, and was one of the last U.S. military personnel to leave in 1973. From there, he went on to hold leadership roles that transformed the U.S. Navy at the end of the 20th century. He was project coordinator for the construction of California- and Virginia-class guided missile cruisers, which integrated nuclear reactors and advanced combat systems into the world's most advanced surface ships. As Commander of the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, he led the first program for reactor compartment disposal of the first 28 nuclear reactors to long-term, environmentally safe storage. He also developed recycle disposal of nuclear submarine and ship hulls. As Director of Fleet Maintenance of the U.S. Atlantic Fleet during Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm he developed innovative maintenance processes that contributed to success in Bosnia and the Second Gulf War. After retirement from the Navy, Admiral Clark served two years as president of B&W Hanford Co., where he was responsible for the decommission and inactivation of numerous World War II legacy nuclear material production facilities. These included the PUREX and B Plant. He also started the thermal stabilization of 43 metric tons of excess weapons grade plutonium stored in the Plutonium Finishing Plant at Hanford, Washington. Art then accepted an assignment as Vice President and Director of Site Operations at the Idaho National Environmental and Engineering Laboratory. His work there led to the inactivation and cleanup of legacy nuclear facilities including several nuclear research reactors and spent fuel pools. He oversaw processing of the debris from the Three Mile Island reactor accident for interim safe storage, and also delivered the first 3,100 cubic meters of trans-uranic material left over from the Rocky Flats weapons production facility to underground storage in New Mexico. Art was responsible for design, construction, and start-up of the Advanced Retrieval Project, which is being used for cleanup of the laboratory's TRU buried waste disposal site. Art served six years as Deputy Laboratory Director for Operations at the Idaho National Laboratory, the nation's lead nuclear laboratory, where he had responsibility for overseeing the safe operation of the laboratory's nuclear facilities, including the Advanced Test Reactor (ATR), the nation's most versatile irradiation test facility. He helped direct the development of the Next Generation Nuclear Plant, a high- temperature gas reactor designed for process heat applications. He currently serves as Senior Technical Advisor to the Laboratory Director, with a focus on important cross-cutting and strategic initiatives. He holds a master's degree in Industrial Management from George Washington University and a bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering/Marine Engineering/Naval Architecture from Virginia Tech. He is also a graduate of the University of Virginia Executive Program. It is a great honor to congratulate Admiral Clark on his remarkable career of achievement. Art represents the best of the many talented people in the Navy and the National Laboratory complex whose knowledge and skill have been essential to keeping our nation strong and secure. Thank you, Admiral Clark for your service to our nation, and congratulations on your many accomplishments.

Mr. SIMPSON

Mr. SIMPSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Idaho Power on its 100 year anniversary. For 100 years, Idaho Power has provided the electricity that fuels the economy, powers lives and makes southern Idaho and eastern Oregon more comfortable places to live. Founded August 1, 1916, when five companies merged, Idaho Power initially served 18,000 customers. Today, the company has approximately 2,000 dedicated employees who serve over 520,000 customers in a 24,000- square-mile area. Idaho Power is one of a few investor-owned electric utilities with a primarily hydroelectric generating base. One hundred years ago, Idaho Power relied solely on power produced by nine hydroelectric plants along the Snake River to meet customers' energy needs. Today, the company's generation resource mix comes from 17 hydroelectric power plants, three natural gas-fired plants and three jointly-owned coal-fired plants. The newest addition, Langley Gulch, is a natural gas-fired plant that began production in July 2012. Idaho Power also purchases renewable energy such as wind, solar and geothermal from independent power producers. From fish conservation efforts to raptor protection to watershed management, Idaho Power has a rich legacy of caring for the land and rivers in its service area. The company also operates and maintains over 50 recreational facilities along the Snake River, providing outdoor activities to visitors from around the world. Idaho Power supports the communities it serves through employee volunteerism, corporate donations and community sponsorships. The company also enables the success of students through scholarships and educational programs. As Idaho Power begins its next 100 years, it will continue balancing the needs of shareholders, customers and its workforce while protecting the natural resources of Idaho and Oregon.

Mr. SIMPSON

Mr. SIMPSON. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding. I understand and share the gentleman's interest in the World War I Centennial Commission. The committee may be willing to consider funds for the Commission to carry out its mission, but we need to make sure that the process is open and transparent. Report language accompanying this bill encourages the Commission to submit a budget request in the future so that we might review it in detail. The Commission will serve as the lead organizer for the Nation's commemorative event so that America can tell the story of the Great War that profoundly shaped our history. I agree with the gentleman from Missouri that the work of the Commission is important and look forward to working with the gentleman on this issue.

Mr. SIMPSON

Mr. SIMPSON. Mr. Chairman, I agree with the comments just made by the gentleman from New York. The LWCF, these local communities know what they are entering into when they enter into it. And if they choose to do that, they have the right to do that and they have to live by the decisions that they have made. We have a lot of LWCF projects in communities that I have lived in in Idaho, and they get the benefit of that LWCF. I will tell you, if there is a local problem that the gentleman would like to deal with, I know that the committee and the chairman of the committee would be more than willing to work with you to try to address that and try to address the concerns that the local community has because there is a way that, yes, with the agreement of the Federal Government, they can get out of the deals that they have made. I know, in my community, we had an indoor swimming pool that was actually built for our community. It was a great thing. It became very expensive when the price of energy went up. They wanted to take the roof off of the indoor swimming pool so it wasn't indoor anymore, and the Federal Government wouldn't let them. Now, we are glad they didn't. So these decisions are made for a very good reason. I would oppose the amendment, and I agree with the gentleman from New York.

Mr. SIMPSON

Mr. SIMPSON. Mr. Chairman, I urge Members to vote ``no'' on this amendment and to let the process go through and the studies and to find out what the studies say. Let's follow the science. I urge my colleagues to follow that and to vote ``no'' on this amendment. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. SIMPSON. Mr. Chairman, I claim the time in opposition.

Mr. SIMPSON. Mr. Chairman, at various hearings throughout the year, Chairman Calvert expressed concern that the administration was taking a page out of its ``war on coal'' playbook and applying it to oil production. The Department of the Interior has been attempting to make it as costly as possible to operate offshore so that companies will make the decision not to apply for a permit. They took that a step further last week with its Arctic regulations. In this instance, the Department set onerous requirements under the Well Control Rule that mandated that all wells should have the same thickness regardless of where you are drilling. Now, any engineer will tell you that these are site-specific decisions that are based on many factors and that the thickness will vary, depending on where the well is drilled. Instead, the White House wants to lock in that decision from Washington, D.C. and ignore recommendations from technical experts. The result is an Obama administration de facto moratorium on oil production as part of the White House's ``keep it in the ground'' strategy. I urge a ``no'' vote on this amendment. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SIMPSON. Mr. Chairman, I urge a ``no'' vote. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. SIMPSON. Mr. Chairman, the administration has started the process to promulgate new air quality regulations for offshore operations with the intention of finalizing them by year's end; however, key studies are currently underway that will not be finished until sometime next year, in 2017. The administration wants to finalize these rules before these key studies are done. The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management has allocated nearly $4 million for the studies to determine if there are any impacts to a State's air quality from offshore operations. Section 127 of this bill instructs the Department to wait until these studies are finalized and to restart only if the findings indicate there is a need for rulemaking. This is one of those cases in which we say let the science be the science, and let's find out what the studies say before we make final decisions on this. There is a regulatory process which should be followed, and there is a scientific process that should be followed. That is coming from a Republican. The administration cannot circumvent one for the expediency of the other; so I urge a ``no'' vote on this amendment. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SIMPSON. Mr. Chairman, I claim the time in opposition to the amendment.

Mr. SIMPSON

Mr. SIMPSON. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. SIMPSON. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 5055, is a good bill that invests $37.4 billion in priorities we can all support--national security, critical water resources, infrastructure projects for our districts, and energy independence--through an all-of-the-above approach. First and foremost, this legislation is a defense bill. $19.44 billion out of the 37.4 billion, or 51 percent, is dedicated toward our national security. Carrying out our Nation's nuclear deterrence mission is, in part, the responsibility of the Department of Energy; while DOD provides delivery vehicles and operators, DOE provides nuclear warheads themselves. Congress provides funding for this critical defense mission through the Energy and Water Development Appropriations bill. As we drafted this bill, we carefully considered 2,700 Member requests. This legislation addresses 95 percent of those requests in one form or another. This included four requests from Democratic Members to fund nonproliferation programs at the budget request level of $1.8 billion, which this bill does. I agree that nonproliferation is a critical part of our overall nuclear defense strategy. We need to be doing everything we can to keep dangerous nuclear materials away from rogue nations and terrorists. Extra funding for DOE nonproliferation programs, however, is not the only way to do this. We must also provide for a strong defense capability, and this bill accomplishes that. While I appreciate the passion for the nonproliferation and securing these materials abroad, I would also like to see the same passion for securing these materials at home. While the prospect of a terrorist getting hold of nuclear materials in the Middle East, Africa, or East Asia is terrifying, the prospect of them getting ahold of these materials in Tennessee, Texas, or California is even more so. In 2012, three peace activists--a drifter, an 82-year-old nun, and a house painter--penetrated the exterior of the Y-12 National Security Complex in Tennessee, supposedly one of the most secure nuclear facilities in the United States. If they had been terrorists armed with explosives, that scenario would be frightening to imagine. That is why this funding in this bill is so critical. The bill increases funding $30 million above the request to improve security at aging nuclear weapons facilities to make sure our own nuclear materials are secure on our home soil and address a backlog of $2 billion in security upgrades needed at nuclear weapons facilities. In a tight fiscal environment, we need to be making these investments at our own nuclear facilities, not spending American taxpayer dollars to perform work in Russia's nuclear facilities. In addition to these investments, the bill also continues prohibitions on funding for nonproliferation projects in Russia, which is spending billions of dollars on its own nuclear modernization. In all, this is a fiscally responsible, economically smart, and critically important national security bill. It deserves to be passed quickly without further changes or delays. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote against this motion and to support the underlying bill. Lastly, let me say, Mr. Speaker, I appreciate every Member of this body, on both sides of the aisle, for the 2 days of debate we have put in for the amendments that we have debated and the respectful debate that we have had on a lot of important issues. It has been a good debate, and I look forward to seeing my colleagues on the other side of the aisle who had some of their amendments adopted now voting for this bill because of the amendments that were adopted in the Committee of the Whole. So I would urge my colleagues to vote against this motion to recommit and vote for passage of the bill. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.