Bill Shuster

Mr. SHUSTER

Mr. SHUSTER. Mr. Chairman, I rise with great respect for the gentlelady from New York and agree with her that our ports, our inland waterway system are in bad shape. But we are in times that are fiscally restrained, and we have got to try to do our best to move these forward under these fiscal restraints, and that is what we think we are doing in this WRRDA bill, moving forward in a way that we can be positive but not break the bank. The freight network is critical to the Nation's economic security and to our Nation's national security. I have several concerns with this amendment. First, the amendment gives very broad authority to the administration when creating this freight network. In H.R. 3080, we intended to continue the role of Congress in authorizing Corps of Engineer activities. Unfortunately, this amendment would undermine one of the key principles of this bill, giving away more of our authority to the administration. Second, I believe the amendment would significantly increase bureaucracy. Finally, this amendment requires the designation of a primary freight network that prioritizes projects near population centers and major trade gateways which, of course, are extremely important to the health of this Nation's economy. To someone from Los Angeles and New York City, that seems like a good idea. Those of us from the interior of the country and rural parts of the country have concerns that this would leave a gaping hole in the freight transportation system. If you are from Coos Bay, Oregon, or Duluth, Minnesota, or Altoona, Pennsylvania, under this amendment you may not be considered part of that primary freight network. But I assure you, those two ports, and hundreds of others, are integral to the regional economies and the Nation's economic well- being. So I urge a ``no'' vote on this, but certainly respect what the gentlelady from New York is trying to do. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SHUSTER. I thank the gentlelady for pointing that out; but I would also point out that it was the chairman of the Senate Committee who I believe put that provision in there. So in that case, once again, she was the goose and I was the gander. I may have not agreed, but we were in a conference committee on that. But again, I am very, very concerned about giving away more and more authority to the executive branch; and again, that is one of the key principles of this bill that I think all 435 Members of this body and all 100 Members of the Senate ought to be in lockstep, making sure we don't continue to give away our constitutional authority to the executive branch. We have done far too much of that already. But, again, I respect the gentlelady from New York and what she is attempting to do. But at this point I urge a ``no'' vote. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. SHUSTER. Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to the gentleman's amendment.

Mr. SHUSTER. Mr. Chairman, I appreciate what both gentlemen from Louisiana are trying to do with this. But the Corps of Engineers projects undergo rigorous economic and environmental reviews. In carrying out the economic analysis for flood damage reduction projects, the Corps of Engineers review many factors to determine whether a project is economically justified. In other words, in order for the Corps of Engineers to carry a flood damage reduction project, the economic benefits have to outweigh the cost of constructing a project. Unfortunately, this amendment would change that. The Corps currently is required to look at the national impact to the economy. So, for instance, the Port of New Orleans, it is extremely important to the Nation; the Port of Newark, New Jersey, extremely important to the Nation. But in this amendment, what it will take is it will reduce it down to the regional impact to the economy and, again, that is what is important, that the Corps continues to look at a national perspective on how those projects impact nationally, not just regionally. So I reluctantly, at this point, urge all Members to oppose this amendment. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SHUSTER. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from West Virginia (Mr. Rahall), the ranking member of the committee.

Mr. SHUSTER. Mr. Chairman, I share the ranking member's reluctance to oppose this because my two friends from Louisiana have been formidable opponents on many occasions that I have come up on the short end. But in this case, I disagree respectfully with my colleagues that the Corps does look at the national implications, and there is no doubt that the gulf coast is the major producing region of energy in this country, so it should be; and it is in the Corps' calculation when they are looking at hurricane damage to the gulf coast, what the impact is to the Nation. So, again, I reluctantly oppose this amendment at this time because I just don't believe this is something that to regionalize it is going to be beneficial to the Nation as whole. So with that, I urge a ``no'' vote, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. SHUSTER. Mr. Chairman, I thank my good friend from Colorado for yielding. I understand your great passion for solving the water problems. We saw what has happened after the massive fires in Colorado and the inability to stop the flooding from occurring because the ground cover was stripped away by those terrible fires, and I understand the need for Colorado, in the future, having that water storage for your economic development to ensure that agriculture remains an important part of the economy in Colorado. So I thank the gentleman for raising the issue. I am committed to continuing to work with you, as we have in the past, to try to address these water issues as we move forward.

Mr. SHUSTER

Mr. SHUSTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the National Day of the Republic of China, commonly known as Taiwan. National Day commemorates the beginning of the Wuchang Uprising in 1911, which led to the establishment of Taiwan. Taiwan has been a friend of the United States and a shining example of democracy in the Asian-Pacific Region. They share our values and respect for human rights, freedom, and a market-based economy. Taiwan is a key trading partner and trusted ally. The relationship between our two countries continues to grow along with the cultural and economic benefits it creates. I am pleased to recognize Taiwan's National Day and voice my support for our nations' continued friendship.

Mr. SHUSTER

Mr. SHUSTER. Mr. Speaker, President Obama will negotiate with the Russians, talk to the Iranians; but he won't come to Capitol Hill and work with the duly elected representatives of the American people. Harry Reid refuses to work with House Republicans to end the government shutdown and level the playing field for Americans. The House has made numerous attempts to delay ObamaCare for the American people, just like the President has for businesses. We also want fairness for all and have voted to strip out Federal contributions for Members, staff, the President's Cabinet, and political appointees. Unfortunately, the Senate doesn't care about providing fairness for hardworking American families. It's time for the Senate and the President to engage in the process and fight for commonsense solutions for the American people. The government shutdown will only be temporary, but ObamaCare is going to have long-term consequences that will hurt our economy. I urge the Senate and the President to come to the table, work with the House Republicans, end the shutdown, and provide fairness for all Americans.

Mr. SHUSTER

Mr. SHUSTER. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 485, had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''

Mr. SHUSTER

Mr. SHUSTER. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 484, had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''

Mr. SHUSTER

Mr. SHUSTER. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 307, I was inadvertantly detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''

Mr. SHUSTER

Mr. SHUSTER. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 318, I inadvertently missed the vote. Had I been present, I would have voted ``nay.''

Mr. SHUSTER

Mr. SHUSTER. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman for yielding. I just want to echo what the gentleman from Washington said. This is an extremely important program to small business that operates in the defense industrial base. We are making it more and more difficult for them to operate. This fund, the Rapid Innovation Fund, is just the solution to keeping them involved in the innovation and coming out with new products, faster products. So in the long run, this is going to save money. It is going to have new products the warfighters need. This fund has been very important to them. Mr. Larsen and I chaired a panel on this, a panel on business challenges in the defense industry. We traveled the country listening to small businesses. This was what they asked for. It was so important to the development of their products. In fact, when we started this, we had Secretary Rumsfeld come before the committee and say, when I asked him, What would you recommend to businesses doing business with the Department of Defense? And he said, I recommend they don't do business. It's so difficult. In fact, he said, It's like sleeping with a hippopotamus. Eventually, it's going to roll over and crush you, and it will never know that it did it. This is extremely important to the small business community to keep them engaged. The big defense contractors need the small folks there developing and innovating. I urge a ``no'' vote on the Coffman amendment.

Mr. SHUSTER

Mr. SHUSTER. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the Republic of Azerbaijan in celebration of the 95th anniversary of Republic Day on May 28th. Azerbaijan and the United States have developed a robust and growing relationship over the last two decades. I am extremely proud that we have established what Secretary Clinton has called ``deep, important, and durable bonds between the United States and Azerbaijan.'' 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. 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. Realization of the Trans Anatolian Pipeline (TANAP) Project between Azerbaijan and Turkey will immensely contribute to energy security in Europe by exporting Azerbaijani natural gas to the European markets. 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 roughly 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 95th 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 40 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. Chairman, I rise in support of H.R. 3, the Northern Route Approval Act, which allows construction of the Keystone XL pipeline. I'm happy to say it passed out of full committee in Transportation and Infrastructure on May 16 with a bipartisan vote of 33 to 24. My good friend from California is right: When is enough time enough? My good friend from West Virginia asked: What gives us the right? What gives us the right is the Constitution. The House of Representatives, the Senate, the legislative body, to pass laws, to move things forward, 5 years is way too long. We need to develop the energy in America. We need to bring energy from our good friends from Canada. This all adds to the regulatory burden that this administration has put on us. This pipeline is the lifeline that powers nearly all of our daily activities. The hallmark of America's 2.5 million-mile pipeline network continues to be that it delivers extraordinary volumes of product reliably, safely, efficiently, and economically. Pipelines are the safest and most cost-effective means to transport the products that fuel our economy. In fact, pipelines provide more than two-thirds of the energy used in the United States. The Keystone XL project will be a critical addition to this extensive network, increasing our Nation's supply of oil, and thus helping to reduce the cost of fuel used in the transportation sector. H.R. 3 is a commonsense bill that allows construction, maintenance, and operation of the Keystone XL pipeline to move forward. The pipeline has been subject to extensive environmental reviews already conducted. In fact, it is the most studied pipeline in the history of America. The bill would require no Presidential permit process for the approval of the pipeline, and therefore avoids further political delays of this project. Of particular interest to taxpayers, this pipeline doesn't require one Federal dollar. Further, the very nature of infrastructure creates jobs, and the Keystone is no exception. In fact, the U.S. State Department estimates that Keystone XL will produce 42,000 jobs--jobs that will not be created unless this project goes forward.

Mr. SHUSTER. Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to this amendment.

Mr. SHUSTER. This project will have a significant positive economic impact, including an estimated $3.3 billion in direct expenditures for construction and materials and $2.1 billion in earnings. Finally, as noted throughout the process, the Keystone XL will be the safest pipeline ever constructed. Let me repeat that: the safest pipeline ever constructed. It should be approved without further delay. I urge all of my colleagues to vote for this pipeline to help secure America's energy independence.

Mr. SHUSTER. I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Chairman, my good friend from Oregon is right about this committee building infrastructure, but there is nothing more important right now than making sure our pipelines are in place to bring the energy safely to millions of Americans, and efficiently to millions of Americans. This is a core of what this committee does. That's why we have primary jurisdiction. That's why we're here debating this issue today. This bill simply takes back congressional authority--constitutional congressional authority--for us to be able to pass legislation to move things forward, and in this case to move this pipeline forward. This permit as processed will set up an executive order taking away congressional authority. So I am very, very proud and pleased to stand here today and to urge my colleagues to take a vote today to take back part of our constitutional congressional authority, move this pipeline forward, creating jobs, giving us more energy security in the world.

Mr. SHUSTER. I thank the gentleman for yielding. Once again, this amendment does nothing more than to delay or gut the bill. It is correct what the gentlelady from Connecticut says in that this amendment does not impact the construction at all--and it does not. Yet, as the gentleman from California pointed out, the analogy here is, if you build a house, this amendment would say you can't live in the house, that you can't operate in the house. Again, this amendment does nothing more than gut the bill. It's a delay tactic. As I said earlier, this bill allows Congress the ability to regain its constitutional authority. Congress has the express authority under article I, section 8 of the U.S. Constitution ``to regulate commerce with foreign nations and among the several States.'' So this bill does that. I urge all of my colleagues to vote ``no'' on this amendment and ``yes'' on the underlying bill.

Mr. SHUSTER. I do rise in opposition to the amendment. My good friend from Virginia, I understand his need to make sure that our pipelines are safe, but this amendment is redundant of existing Transportation Security Administration guidelines. It's unnecessary and simply attempts to further delay the project. TSA guidelines bring a risk-based approach to the application of the security measures throughout the pipeline industry. As stated in the National Infrastructure Protection Plan, DHS assesses risk as a function of threats, vulnerabilities, and consequences. With this in mind, the most effective security programs employ a risk management process that facilitates protective planning and decisionmaking to mitigate the risk for pipeline assets. The operator's risk assessment methodology is subject to review by the TSA. Therefore, risk and vulnerability to pipelines are already covered under current guidelines. There is no need to specifically single out this pipeline for further study. Clearly, this is intended to delay the Keystone pipeline from being built, so I urge a ``no'' vote and yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. SHUSTER

Mr. SHUSTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. S. 982, the Freedom to Fish Act, would prohibit the Corps of Engineers from restricting public access in the vicinity of the 10 dams on the Cumberland River in Kentucky and Tennessee. This bill, this legislation, was introduced in the Senate by the leader, Senator McConnell, and also by Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky, and our own in- House version authored by our colleague, Ed Whitfield from Kentucky. The bill provides for a 2-year moratorium to give the public, the two States, and the Corps of Engineers more time to carefully review conditions at these facilities, and to deal with the immediate threat to fishing, tourism, and the economy. I applaud our leadership for bringing this legislation to the floor today. This is an excellent example of Congress exercising our constitutional authority to oversee Federal agencies. Far too often, the executive branch and the Federal bureaucracy operate without input and guidance from Congress. My colleagues on the floor of this House every day criticize rules, regulations, and actions by unelected bureaucrats that hurt our districts, our constituents, and our economy. Congress has the right, the constitutional duty, to oversee Federal agencies and provide them with clear guidance and direction. As chairman of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, problems with the Army Corps of Engineers are frequently brought to my attention by my colleagues from both sides of the aisle, Republicans and Democrats. I am pleased to work whenever possible to address these issues with clear guidance from Congress. With that, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SHUSTER. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (S. 982) to prohibit the Corps of Engineers from taking certain actions to establish a restricted area prohibiting public access to waters downstream of a dam, and for other purposes.

Mr. SHUSTER. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend and include extraneous materials on S. 982.

Mr. SHUSTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. Whitfield), the author of the House version of this bill.