Bill Shuster

Mr. SHUSTER

Mr. SHUSTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the life of Reverend Father Christian R. Oravec and to remember this dedicated man of faith who did so much for the people of Pennsylvania. Father Oravec made it his life's work to give back to the community through service. He was a respected leader, serving as President of St. Francis University for 27 years. During that time he was instrumental in driving the school's continued growth, as well as offering guidance to generations of students as they passed through the university's doors each year. His leadership allowed St. Francis to thrive, and his frequent sightings across campus were a cherished part of the college experience for countless students. He was someone that students could look to for guidance, and was a person that they knew they could trust. Father Oravec's leadership extended far beyond campus. He maintained a deep commitment to the community, serving as a leader and role model with involvement in over 16 different civic organizations. He was a devout man who dedicated his life to humbly serve a higher calling, and ministered at parishes both in the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown and overseas in Europe. With Father Oravec's passing, Pennsylvania has lost one of its most beloved sons, but the memory of his work will remain with all those whose lives he touched. I invite my colleagues to join me in commemorating the life of Father Oravec and remembering the lasting difference that he made for so many.

Mr. SHUSTER

Mr. SHUSTER. We have no more speakers on our side. Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SHUSTER. Mr. Speaker, how much time is left?

Mr. SHUSTER. Mr. Speaker, I reserve a point of order against the motion to recommit.

Mr. SHUSTER. I object.

Mr. SHUSTER. Mr. Speaker, it is now my pleasure to yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Mica), the distinguished former chairman of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.

Mr. SHUSTER. Mr. Speaker, I withdraw my point of order and seek the time in opposition to the motion.

Mr. SHUSTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. First, I want to start off by expressing my condolences to a former chairman of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. I guess, back then, it was Public Works and Transportation. Chairman Bob Roe, who chaired the committee in the eighties, passed away this morning, at 9:30, at the age of 90. I just want to say that my thoughts and prayers are with his family at this time. I want to start in closing by thanking Chairman Camp and Ranking Member Levin and the entire Ways and Means Committee for passing out, on a voice vote, H.R. 5021. I would like to reiterate that H.R. 5021 is a clean extension of the surface transportation programs that continues the MAP-21 reforms. This extension is necessary to provide much-needed certainty and stability for States while we continue to work on addressing a long-term funding solution and a long-term reauthorization bill. I am committed to that. I know that the Transportation Committee is going to work diligently with the Ways and Means Committee on funding a long-term solution to the funding and also to passing a strong long- term reauthorization bill. Mr. Speaker, I encourage all Members to support this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. SHUSTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Petri), chairman of the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.

Mr. SHUSTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Crawford), from a State in which a referendum arose that increased the user fee to fund the highway system.

Mr. SHUSTER. Mr. Speaker, I do agree with the distinguished minority whip that we need a long-term solution to the trust fund and a long- term bill to provide certainty to this Nation when it comes to our transportation system. With that, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Rodney Davis), one of the newest members of the committee but one of the hardest-working members of the committee.

Mr. SHUSTER. Mr. Speaker, it is now my pleasure to yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Barletta), one of the committee's true experts on infrastructure, a mayor of a small city, and a construction business owner.

Mr. SHUSTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. H.R. 5021, the Highway and Transportation Funding Act of 2014, extends Federal surface transportation programs and ensures the solvency of the highway trust fund through May 2015. H.R. 5021 is a clean extension of the surface transportation programs and continues the MAP-21 reforms. We have an immediate, critical need to address the solvency of the trust fund and extend the current surface transportation law. This bill does that in a responsible way, with policies that have all previously received strong bipartisan and bicameral support. If Congress fails to act, thousands of transportation projects and hundreds of thousands of jobs across the country will be at risk. This legislation provides much-needed certainty and stability for the States. This bill in no way precludes Congress from continuing to work on addressing a long-term funding solution and a long-term reauthorization bill, which remains a top priority for the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. However, this legislation is the responsible solution at this time, ensures that we don't play politics with these programs, and enables us to continue making improvements to our surface transportation system. With that, Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time. Committee on Education and the Workforce, House of Representatives, Washington, DC, July 14, 2014. Hon. Bill Shuster, Chairman, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Washington, DC. Dear Mr. Chairman: I am writing to confirm our mutual understanding with respect to H.R. 5021, the Highway and Transportation Funding Act of 2014. Thank you for consulting with the Committee on Education and the Workforce with regard to H.R. 5021 on those matters within the committee's jurisdiction. In the interest of expediting the House's consideration of H.R. 5021, the Committee on Education and the Workforce will forgo further consideration of this bill. However, I do so only with the understanding this procedural route will not be construed to prejudice my committee's jurisdictional interest and prerogatives on this bill, or any other similar legislation, and will not be considered as precedent for consideration of matters of jurisdictional interest to my committee in the future. I respectfully request your support for the appointment of outside conferees from the Committee on Education and the Workforce should this bill or a similar bill be considered in a conference with the Senate. I also request you include our exchange of letters on this matter in the Congressional Record during consideration of this bill on the House floor. Thank you for your attention to these matters. Sincerely, John Kline, Chairman.

Mr. SHUSTER. Mr. Speaker, I do rise in opposition to the motion to recommit, and I just want to say I have high regard and great respect for the gentleman from Oregon and his passion for infrastructure. As long as I have been here, he has certainly been a strong advocate. Leaving the committee to go to Ways and Means, I know his passion is on the Transportation Committee, but now he is on the committee that certainly can help the process and move it forward. But I strongly oppose this motion to recommit. It shortens the length of the time of the extension, and I am afraid that putting all our eggs in a lameduck basket will cause us great problems, and I don't believe it will be successful. And then what do we do then? We are going to be doing another short-term and another short-term extension. So shortening the length is not appropriate, I believe. I think this is the best strategy. It cuts funding. I don't believe that that is in our interest. If we don't get this into next year, we are going to lose that funding because somebody will take it for something else, and if we are not successful in lameduck, then we are going to be going into the next construction season and then we will have trouble working out a solution to that when you cut the funding. It also increases taxes, and that is something right now that I just don't believe this country can accept. We have an immediate, critical need to address the solvency of the trust fund and extend the surface transportation law so that we can get through this construction season and we can continue with the planning season to move us into next year. I am confident that we are going to be able to do something next year because I believe we have to do something, not on just this issue, but on many issues that we have kicked the can down the road. As the distinguished former chairman of the Transportation Committee pointed out, my colleagues, not Mr. Blumenauer, but many of my colleagues on the other side, went and kicked the can down the road and passed a massive stimulus bill that put about 5 or 6 or 7 percent of that into highway funding when we all know that was where the need was. Former Chairman Oberstar wanted to do a bill, but again, his own party left him. His own party was irresponsible on that and, again, passing a stimulus bill which I believe hasn't worked, and if it would have been directed to transportation and to infrastructure, we would see a very, very different economy today. I also add that extending these programs through May in no way precludes Congress from continuing to work on addressing a long-term funding solution--which I believe we have to do. It in no way precludes us from moving on a long-term reauthorization bill, which we continue to work on in the committee, and which is a top priority for the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. However, I believe this legislation is the responsible solution at the time and ensures we don't play politics with these programs, and it enables us to continue to make improvements to our surface transportation system. So, Mr. Speaker, I strongly oppose this motion. I urge my colleagues to vote ``no'', and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. SHUSTER. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous materials on H.R. 5021.

Mr. SHUSTER. Mr. Speaker, it is now my pleasure to yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Bucshon), who is from one of the most innovative States in funding and moving projects forward at a very fast pace.

Mr. SHUSTER. Mr. Speaker, it is now my pleasure to yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from West Virginia (Mrs. Capito), a long-term member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, someone who fights every day for West Virginia.

Mr. SHUSTER. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to House Resolution 669, I call up the bill (H.R. 5021) to provide an extension of Federal-aid highway, highway safety, motor carrier safety, transit, and other programs funded out of the Highway Trust Fund, and for other purposes, and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. SHUSTER

Mr. SHUSTER. Mr. Speaker, I submit the following exchange of letters: House of Representatives, Committee on Energy and Commerce, Washington, DC, June 20, 2014. Hon. Bill Shuster, Chairman, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Washington, DC. Dear Chairman Shuster: I write concerning S. 2086, the ``Reliable Home Heating Act,'' which passed the Senate on May 21, 2014. I wanted to notify you that the Committee on Energy and Commerce will forgo action on the bill so that it may proceed expeditiously to the House floor for consideration. This is being done with the understanding that the Committee on Energy and Commerce is not waiving any of its jurisdiction, and the Committee will not be prejudiced with respect to the appointment of conferees or its jurisdictional prerogatives on this or similar legislation. I would appreciate your response to this letter, confirming this understanding, and ask that a copy of our exchange of letters on this matter be included in the Congressional Record during consideration of S. 2086 on the House floor. Sincerely, Fred Upton, Chairman.

Mr. SHUSTER

Mr. SHUSTER. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 241, I was unable to vote. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''

Mr. SHUSTER

Mr. SHUSTER. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 242, I was unable to vote. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''

Mr. SHUSTER

Mr. SHUSTER. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 269, I was unable to vote. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''

Mr. SHUSTER

Mr. SHUSTER. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 271, I was unable to vote. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''

Mr. SHUSTER

Mr. SHUSTER. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the Republic of Azerbaijan in celebration of the 96th anniversary of Republic Day on May 28th. Azerbaijan and the United States have developed a robust and growing relationship over the last two decades. Today we remain indispensable friends, which is an asset as we face many common challenges. Although located in a geopolitically tough location between Russia and Iran, Azerbaijan has consistently looked to the United States as an ally despite these difficult neighbors. A secular country with a predominantly Muslim population, Azerbaijan has also been home to vibrant Christian and Jewish communities representing a role model for peaceful coexistence and harmony of different religions and ethnic groups. It is remarkable that Azerbaijan provides roughly 40 percent of Israel's oil consumption. Azerbaijan's relations with Israel can serve as a model for many countries. Azerbaijan was also the first country to open Caspian energy resources to development by U.S. and European companies and has emerged as a key player for global energy security. The Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline project, supported by successive U.S. Administrations, is the most successful project contributing to the development of the South Caucuses region. Currently Azerbaijan plays a leading role in opening up the Southern Gas Corridor, which will provide additional natural gas to Europe. On a security front, Azerbaijan has been a key ally in a post 9/11 era, emerging as one of the first countries to offer strong support and assistance to the United States. Actively participating in joint operations in both Iraq and Afghanistan, Azerbaijan has also extended important overflight clearances for U.S. and NATO flights and provided key supply routes to Afghanistan by making available its ground and Caspian naval transportation facilities. The transit route through Azerbaijan accounts for some 40 percent of the Coalition supplies bound for Afghanistan. As the Co-Chairman of the Congressional Azerbaijan Caucus, it is my distinct pleasure to honor the Republic of Azerbaijan in celebration of the 96th anniversary of Republic Day and to recognize the valuable bilateral relationship between the United States and Azerbaijan. I also encourage my colleagues who are interested in supporting Azerbaijan to join me as a member of the Congressional Azerbaijan Caucus, a bipartisan group of more than 60 Members of Congress working to help foster the growing partnership between the United States and Azerbaijan and to advance U.S. interests in this pivotal region.

Mr. SHUSTER

Mr. SHUSTER. Mr. Speaker, I submit a list of supporters for H.R. 3080: the Water Resources Reform and Development Act. America's Cement Manufacturers, American Gas Association, American Association of Port Authorities, American Council of Engineering Companies, American Concrete Pavement Association, American Concrete Pipe Association, American Concrete Pumping Association, American Concrete Pressure Pipe Association, American Farm Bureau Federation, American Iron and Steel Institute, American Public Power Association, American Public Works Association, American Road and Transportation Builders Association, American Society of Civil Engineers, American Soybean Association, American Waterways Operators, Arkansas Waterways Commission, Associated Equipment Distributors, Associated General Contractors of America, Association of California Water Agencies, Association of Equipment Manufacturers, Association of State Dam Safety Officials, Big River Coalition, California State Assembly, CH2M HILL, City and Port of Los Angeles, City of Sacramento, Edison Electric Institute, Everglades Foundation, Everglades Trust, Friends of the North Natomas Library, Great Lakes Maritime Task Force, Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund Fairness Coalition, Heritage Park Owners Association, Hilton Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort, International Union of Operating Engineers, International Union of Painters and Allied Trades, Lake Carriers Association, LiUNA, National Asphalt Pavement Association, National Association of Clean Water Agencies, National Association of Flood & Stormwater Management Agencies, National Association of Home Builders, National Association of Manufacturers, National Committee on Levee Safety, National Governor's Association, National League of Cities, National Precast Concrete Association, National Ready Mixed Concrete Association, National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, National Rural Water Association, National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association, National Utilities Contractor Association, National Waterways Conference, Natomas Chamber of Commerce, Natomas Charter School, Natomas Community Association, Natomas Unified School District, Nature Conservancy, North Natomas Little League, Sabine Neches Navigation District, Sacramento Area Flood Control Agency, Santa Clara Valley Water District, Sutter Butte Flood Control Agency, Texas Department of Transportation, Tennessee River Valley Association, Transportation Construction Coalition, Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO, Portland Cement Association, United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters, United States Society on Dams, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Valley View Acres Community Association, Vinyl Institute, Water Infrastructure Network, Water Resource Coalition, Waterways Council, Inc., Westlake Master Association, Witter Ranch Community Alliance.