Brad Schneider

Mr. SCHNEIDER

Mr. SCHNEIDER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Northbrook UPS for its outstanding commitment to community service, to recognize the incredible safety records of 20 Circle of Honor drivers and to congratulate UPS on 106 years of business excellence. What started as a small-time messenger service has grown into one of the world's most recognizable companies. Over the years, UPS has revolutionized the way we all do business and connected every corner of the world in ways we never thought possible. After 106 years of excellence, I look forward to what will come next. At the local level, UPS has demonstrated a strong commitment to improving the community. In Illinois, UPS employees have logged more than 26,000 volunteer hours, and 1,800 of those were performed by employees from my district, Mr. Speaker. Beyond this dedication to community service, UPS employees are also committed to keeping our community safe. With drivers on the road and pilots in the air every day, UPS has made safety paramount. In Northbrook, 20 drivers have qualified for the Circle of Honor, meaning 25 accident-free years on the road. This is an exemplary record, and I would like to honor the following drivers for achieving this mark: John Hayes; Donald Babo; Brian Behm; Douglas Caldwell; Phillip Guido; Henry Sielck; Randall Kaufman; Steve Makowski; Will Woodfork JR.; Joseph Nowik; Steven Kass SR.; Douglas Soriano; Stephen Mann; James Twarowski; John Hill; Timothy Schwellenbach; John Truska; Richard Forney; Neil McGreevy; Robert Janiak. Mr. Speaker, I want to congratulate these drivers and thank UPS for its outstanding community service and leadership.

Mr. SCHNEIDER

Mr. SCHNEIDER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Chicago Botanic Garden on setting a new monthly attendance record. In July, the Garden attracted 159,361 people, shattering the previous record by nearly 10,000 visitors. This marks the third consecutive month with more than 100,000 visitors--a streak equaled only twice before. Since opening its gates 41 years ago, the Botanic Garden has brought joy to hundreds of thousands of people each year. With its fabulously varied grounds, the Chicago Botanic Garden is a natural refuge from the urban environment just outside its walls. The record-breaking attendance figures are a testament to the Botanic Garden's sustained excellence and prominent position in the community as one of the region's most popular tourist and cultural destinations. I have visited the Botanic Garden many times with my own family, as have countless other families in our community. Visitors appreciate its beauty, are enriched by its research, and create treasured memories year round. In its mission to further our understanding of nature and our environment, the Chicago Botanic Garden educates its visitors and the community on the critical importance of conservation efforts. The Botanic Garden has grown our understanding of and appreciation for nature's simple beauty. Spread across 385 acres, the Botanic Garden features thousands of plant species and hosts more than 100,000 volumes in its library. The Garden offers an abundance of activities for the entire community. This achievement demonstrates that people with access to inspired institutions like the Chicago Botanic Garden live happier, healthier lives. I congratulate the Garden, and all those who make it a distinctive paragon of the Tenth District. I am grateful it is part of the Tenth District.

Mr. SCHNEIDER

Mr. SCHNEIDER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the efforts of Jewish B2B Networking (B2B) and its founder, Shalom Klein, for his tireless work to connect people and promote the benefits of professional networking in the Jewish community. Still early in his career, Mr. Klein has developed a reputation for bringing people together and forging relationships. B2B began in in 2010 and has achieved great success. Mr. Klein understood that in times of economic contraction, building relationships is just as important as having the rights skills. By setting out to build powerful professional networks, Mr. Klein has offered help to thousands searching for jobs, employees or new resources. At any one of the many B2B-sponsored networking events, you may find hundreds of professionals--young and experienced--looking to make meaningful contacts. I am pleased that many of these events take place throughout my district. Even with B2B's incredible success already, Mr. Klein has not slowed his initiative. He is constantly looking for new ways to expand and new tools and resources to share. Mr. Klein has worked so hard to ensure that the success of B2B is enjoyed by the entire community. After all, fostering these connections not only helps the jobseekers and businesses, but strengthens the whole community by bringing all of its members together. I congratulate Shalom Klein and B2B on its success and look forward to following its future.

Mr. SCHNEIDER

Mr. SCHNEIDER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Small Business Advocacy Council (SBAC) on the occasion of its 4th Annual Golf Outing, hosted in Riverwoods, IL, in my district. The SBAC is a strong and clear voice for small businesses in the Chicagoland area and an important advocate for the interests of those companies and the working families they employ. The SBAC has been speaking up for these businesses for almost four years. In 2010, with the country still mired in an economic downturn, the SBAC was established as a way to buoy many of the smaller businesses that were struggling. By providing advocacy, support services and educational programs, the SBAC has become a critical resource for our small businesses. Our business community in the Tenth District is strong because it is just that: a community. Working together and sharing strategies, being inspired by the innovation of fellow small businesses, companies in the Tenth District have fostered a community of mutual success and prosperity. It is this type of activity that the SBAC promotes and is so important to our economic success in the 21st Century. Through a tightly-knit network of member organizations, the SBAC builds partnerships and facilitates cooperation, making our community stronger. Mr. Speaker, advocacy organizations like SBAC are integral to driving the success of small businesses throughout our nation, which in turn will lift the rest of our economy. I thank the SBAC for its work, and I wish only great success for this year's golf outing and SBAC's future.

Mr. SCHNEIDER

Mr. SCHNEIDER. I want to thank the ranking member. Mr. Speaker, preventing Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon through sanctions and diplomatic pressure is one of the paramount issues of our time, and I am appreciative that today we will continue this important work to contain the threat. The bill before us seeks to expand the instruments available to the administration in implementing targeted sanctions against the Iranian Government, while at the same time providing flexibility to relieve undue burden on the population of Iran. I want to thank the chairman and the ranking member and the committee for working diligently on this bill, and I want to thank the members of the committee for joining me in support of this bill.

Mr. SCHNEIDER

Mr. SCHNEIDER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Sysmex America on the opening of its latest research and development laboratory, and to honor their contributions to global health care. Headquartered in Lincolnshire, IL, Sysmex America distributes diagnostic analyzers, reagents and information systems all across North and South America, helping countless laboratories provide better services and countless patients receive better care. Health care is increasingly dependent on new, innovative technologies, and Sysmex America is on the cutting edge of research and development. The opening of this new facility will only add to their capabilities and long-term success. Illinois's Tenth Congressional District has a rich tradition of innovation in health care and manufacturing, and Sysmex America perfectly embodies the contribution of both industries, building some of the finest medical technology and information systems in the world. With such dedication to core values like innovation, teamwork, unmatched quality and the advancement of health care, Sysmex America demonstrates remarkable responsibility not only to their clients and shareholders, but also to the community as a whole. Mr. Speaker, our Tenth District is home to a number of excellent corporate citizens, and each enriches the community in its own way. I am proud of the companies that make our community strong, and I am honored that Sysmex America calls our district home. I congratulate them once again on the opening of this remarkable new lab, and I look forward to following their future innovations and success.

Mr. SCHNEIDER

Mr. SCHNEIDER. Mr. Chairman, the Republican bill, unfortunately, represents a missed opportunity. Everyone agrees that NCLB has flaws and needs to be updated and improved. It is disheartening that instead of working together on an actual reauthorization, we are once again debating a divisive, partisan bill that only incorporates one ideology. There is nothing more important to our Nation than educating our children. The most crucial element for ensuring our children's success is supporting our children's teachers. Teachers do an incredibly important and remarkably challenging job. The vast majority are excellent and their good work is overlooked far too frequently. Education at the elementary and secondary level is critical to the development of 21st century American jobs and global competitiveness. We need to get to work on a true bipartisan ESEA reauthorization.

Mr. SCHNEIDER

Mr. SCHNEIDER. Madam Speaker, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. SCHNEIDER. Madam Speaker, this is the final amendment to the bill, which will not kill the bill or send it back to committee. If adopted, the bill will immediately proceed to final passage, as amended. I rise to offer this motion to recommit to ensure, first, that the Great Lakes and the Mississippi River are protected from the continued threat of invasive species, including and particularly taking practical steps to address the threat of Asian carp to our fishing, tourism, and navigation on our Nation's inland waterways. Second, that we provide the resources necessary to combat invasive aquatic plant growths that threaten our national fisheries, wildlife, and communities. Third, that we continue to fund efforts for our coastal communities to help them fully recover from natural disasters, while at the same time proactively prioritizing efforts being made to mitigate future threats to human life and property. Madam Speaker, the underlying bill represents a historic divestment in American infrastructure, jobs, and energy research. Instead of prioritizing investments that will safeguard our communities and improve our Nation's navigable waterways, this bill overemphasizes several outdated defense budget expenditures at the expense of making meaningful, forward-looking investments to grow our economy and contribute positively to our environment. We must not use the guise of fiscal prudence as an excuse to block important investments in alternative energy and basic physical energy research which benefits all sectors of our economy or to block important investments in infrastructure projects to improve our inland waterways and mitigate the potentially devastating consequences of natural disasters or to block investment in weatherization assistance to help our most vulnerable populations. This bill constitutes a generational abandonment of our communities and children who will have to face the stark reality of the decisions made here today, including a significant rollback of the Clean Water Act. The proposed amendment does not address all of the concerns I have with the underlying bill, but it will at least help to improve the bill moving forward. Specifically, Asian carp continue to deplete fish stocks and degrade local ecological balance, and must be addressed by a holistic government approach that partners with States to utilize best practices. This amendment would encourage these partnerships with the States while providing funding that can meaningfully address and prevent the outbreak of this invasive species. Similarly, the influx of pollution and runoff to our waterways has contributed to an overabundance of aquatic plant life, such as algae blooms in Lake Erie, that choke vital nutrients from our natural ecosystems. This amendment takes a more practical approach to limiting the causes of this overgrowth, improving our water quality. The underlying bill also fails to adequately address the continuing needs of coastal communities adversely affected by flooding and other natural disasters. This amendment would aid in addressing critical vulnerabilities of communities facing severe economic impact from flooding, while prioritizing projects that will help safeguard human life. Lastly, but very significantly, this amendment would strengthen the current cooperative energy research being performed between the United States and the State of Israel. For almost two decades, we have partnered with Israel in developing scientific, business, and research relationships that contribute positively to the energy sectors of both the U.S. and Israel. This amendment continues that long partnership and capitalizes on our joint research capacities to identify emerging technologies and best practices for manufacturing while efficiently utilizing taxpayer money to continue to strategically benefit both of our nations. Madam Speaker, the essential provisions of this amendment will only improve the underlying bill, contributing significantly to American job growth, the safety of our communities, and protecting our vital natural resources. I strongly urge my colleagues to support these commonsense changes. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. SCHNEIDER. I am opposed.

Mr. SCHNEIDER. Madam Speaker, I have a motion to recommit at the desk.

Mr. SCHNEIDER

Mr. SCHNEIDER. Mr. Speaker, this is the final amendment to the bill, which will not kill the bill or send it back to committee. If adopted, the bill will immediately proceed to final passage, as amended. I rise to offer this motion to recommit to ensure, first, that one of our Nation's most important natural resources, our Great Lakes basin, is protected from untenable energy exploitation risk; and, second, that as we explore additional ways to boost domestic energy production, we do so with an appropriate emphasis on creating jobs here in America. Our Great Lakes are truly unique. Within these lakes sit 95 percent of the United States' surface water and 20 percent of the world's surface water. Straddling the United States and Canada, the Great Lakes--Superior, Michigan, Huron, Ontario and Erie--have more than 10,000 miles of coastline, touching eight States: Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and New York. Not only a critical source of drinking water, the lakes are integral to the country for transportation, power generation, and recreational opportunity. Over 30 million Americans in cities, towns, and rural communities depend on the Great Lakes for their lives and livelihoods. In fact, according to the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Action Plan, taken as a whole, the Great Lakes region economy would be the second largest economy in the world, second only to that of the United States. The Great Lakes support an incredible biodiversity, including almost 200 species of native fish and scores of species found nowhere else in the world. In short, as one of our Nation's greatest treasures, we cannot put the Great Lakes at risk from oil and gas drilling of any kind. My amendment is quite simple and straightforward. With it, I only seek to ensure that the Great Lakes will remain protected and off- limits from unjustifiable environmental risk. It safeguards Lake Michigan, Lake Huron, Lake Superior, Lake Erie, and Lake Ontario from potentially detrimental and irreversible harm and provides necessary protections against potentially irresponsible exploitation of our natural resources. In my own State, the Great Lakes annually contribute over $200 billion in economic activity for Illinois. Lake Michigan alone provides drinking water for 7 million Illinois residents. It brings 20 million visitors annually to Illinois, supports 33,000 jobs, and generates $3.2 billion in economic activity. As we explore ways for the United States to become more energy independent, we cannot lose sight of the importance of protecting our environment and establishing commonsense rules of where and how we can effectively, safely utilize our natural resources. Preserving the prohibition on drilling the Great Lakes provides economic security to thousands of businesses, large and small, that depend on the lakes every day for trade, recreation, and tourism. It also protects the health of our communities and the health of our wildlife. Let me be clear: the underlying legislation, while focusing on drilling in the Outer Continental Shelf, has other provisions that relate to domestic energy production and may, when implemented, have implications for the Great Lakes. The bill specifically restricts oil and gas leasing in the eastern Gulf of Mexico and should also include a restriction on new oil and gas leasing in the Great Lakes basin. This clarifying amendment is, therefore, necessary to ensure that our energy policy does not compromise our Great Lakes ecosystem, does not threaten our single greatest fresh water supply, and does not unduly put our Great Lakes basin economy at unwarranted risk. In addition to protecting the Great Lakes, the amendment I am proposing today would also encourage companies seeking leases to drill for oil and gas found in America to use materials and products made in America. This additional provision will ensure that U.S. oil and gas resources will benefit American workers, as well as provide new business opportunities for American manufacturers. As we pursue a diversified energy portfolio, we must continue to ensure that America's natural resources benefit the American people and are not unfairly diverted to the benefit of foreign suppliers and foreign workers. Mr. Speaker, the essential provisions of this amendment will only improve the underlying bill, while protecting Americans' jobs and our environment. I strongly urge my colleagues to support these commonsense changes. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. SCHNEIDER. Mr. Speaker, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. SCHNEIDER. Mr. Speaker, I have a motion to recommit at the desk.

Mr. SCHNEIDER. I am opposed.

Mr. SCHNEIDER

Mr. SCHNEIDER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Deerfield Public Library, my hometown library, on the occasion of its grand reopening, and for its outstanding service to the community. Over its almost 80 years, the Deerfield Library has grown from a few-hundred-book operation to a thriving, diversified community institution. With thousands of books, movies, e-books, magazines and games, the library has enriched the lives of so many in the area, including my family. I treasure the memories of bringing my sons to the Deerfield Library and sharing my personal love of reading, and I am overjoyed that the next generation will also be able to cultivate that passion in this engaging new space. In today's hyper-connected world, libraries have become far more than places to simply check out books. The Deerfield Library has, with this renovation, embraced that new paradigm and raised the bar for excellence in service to its patrons. The reinvented library now offers a place to meet, a place to learn and a place to relax. Myriad programs, from early literacy to e-book assistance and recreational programs for the entire family exemplify the commitment that Deerfield Library has made to offering the finest services possible. The dedicated men and women who make the library so special are a remarkable group who routinely amaze. Kids excite their wonder and adults explore at ease at the library, and this is a credit to the fantastic staff. Mr. Speaker, as libraries' roles in our communities continue to evolve, Deerfield Public Library is at the cutting edge and has taken bold strides to maintain its leadership in the field.

Mr. SCHNEIDER

Mr. SCHNEIDER. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong opposition to the rule and the underlying bill, H.R. 1797. When debating the issue before us, it is important to understand that this is not strictly a matter of conscience but an issue with very real and potentially life- altering implications for women and families across the Nation. It is my fundamental belief that the right to choose is and must remain a personal health decision that a woman makes in consultation with her doctor, without government intervention. Additionally, we should also be promoting policies that strive to reduce the number of unwanted pregnancies through improved access to family planning and contraception, as well as effective sex education. Sadly, rather than coming together to address our fiscal challenges and help stimulate job creation, the majority continues to doggedly pursue a radical ideological agenda. This legislation, like other attempts to restrict women's access to comprehensive health care, is unacceptable and could seriously endanger the health and safety of women across the country. As such, I firmly oppose the underlying bill and urge all of my colleagues to do the same.

Mr. SCHNEIDER

Mr. SCHNEIDER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Korean American Community Services (KACS) for more than 40 years of commitment to helping Korean Americans in the greater Chicagoland area. On the eve of their 41st Annual Benefit Gala, it is fitting to pay tribute to an organization dedicated to fostering open, vibrant communities. Through a vast array of services, KACS has helped thousands of Korean Americans become active members of their communities. KACS has been able to benefit its more than 7,000 annual clients in many ways, with programs in early education, public health, legal services, computer skills, the arts and much more. As the needs of their clients have evolved over the years, so too have their methods. Information technology and public health programs have grown in demand and therefore grown in scope over recent years. As more and more of our economy depends on technological savvy and broad education, KACS has expanded computer courses and grown their Early Childhood Center into a national leader. The KACS Community Technology Center serves more than 1,000 immigrants and low-income individuals, and the broad reach of these programs is equaled only by their high quality. These services are only a snapshot of the total offered for toddlers through seniors. KACS helps mold strong, active, engaged members of the community, and we are lucky to enjoy their services in the Tenth District.

Mr. SCHNEIDER

Mr. SCHNEIDER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the outstanding work of the Youth Conservation Corps (YCC), and congratulate them on hosting their 29th annual charity golf outing. Originally started in 1974, YCC provides education and job training programs to prepare young adults to join the workforce and be active members of their community. Its founding principles intertwine conservation, environmental consciousness, vocational training and practical development in order to provide students with the best possible experience. YCC serves disadvantaged, unemployed and ex-offender young adults, helping them build a path to a brighter future. In the last decade, throughout Waukegan and the entire Tenth District community, YCC has broadened its reach and expanded its programs. The success of YCC is a testament to the power of public-private partnerships, and demonstrates how much good we can accomplish when working together to empower the next generation. I would also like to honor Walgreens, based in Illinois's Tenth District, for their longtime support of YCC and its mission. A strong YCC partner since 1981, Walgreens, over the past eight years, has helped create the largest-netting non-national charity golf outing in northeastern Illinois to support these incredible programs. Their generosity completely funds YCC's Summer High School Program, in addition to much more. The dedicated men and women who make up YCC, as well as its many supporters, deserve to have their important work honored, and I am proud to recognize them here today. I am also proud of each and every YCC graduate for having the courage to take hold of their future. I wish YCC only the best as they continue giving this chance to more and more kids.

Mr. SCHNEIDER

Mr. SCHNEIDER. Mr. Speaker, this week we took up the National Defense Authorization Act, and I was glad to join with my colleagues in working to improve the bill to meet emerging needs. Specifically, I want to thank the committee for the inclusion of two amendments which I authored in regards to Iran and Syria. The first amendment will clarify what effect international sanctions are having on Iran's military capacity. We know that Iran is currently capable of exporting military technology and resources to its threat network abroad. Our sanctions must continue to press and place pressure on the Iranian regime to limit its global reach. This amendment will provide clarity as to what extent Iran's military capacity is being degraded by U.S. and international sanctions. The second amendment will put a renewed emphasis on how we approach policy options towards the conflict in Syria. The administration revealed yesterday that chemical weapons have been used by the Assad regime on its own people. This amendment would urge the President to limit all arms trafficking into Syria from Iran, Lebanon, and Russia. With the escalation of tensions in Syria, this important amendment will provide a necessary condition for addressing future actions in the region. I again want to thank the committee for adopting these important policy provisions.

Mr. SCHNEIDER

Mr. SCHNEIDER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Aga Khan Foundation (AKF) an outstanding charitable endeavor that helps battle poverty across the globe, and I am proud that AKF will hold its 2013 Chicago Partnership Golf Outing in Illinois's Tenth District. In total, nearly 1.4 billion people live in extreme poverty. As our world continues to evolve, develop and grow more interconnected, this reality becomes ever more evident, increasingly more unacceptable. The AKF, through remarkable global programs and incredible individual generosity, fights to empower people in every corner of the planet. As the global upheaval of the last few years continues, it is imperative that we remain engaged with the world and actively lead in trying to improve it. Times of change offer the chance to alter the course of history, and the AKF is not pulling back from this moment, but rather is embracing it. Every dollar raised for the Chicago Partnership Golf Outing goes directly to AKF charitable projects, with no money toward administrative costs. This steadfast commitment to its founding ideals has led the AKF to the forefront of the fight against poverty. Recently, the AKF launched an initiative to empower the war-torn people of Mali. Its dedication to working in some of the most dangerous, devastated regions of the world is both noble and inspiring. For those who need its services most, the AKF has been willing and able to step up and make a difference. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to honor this special organization, and I wish them great success now and in the future.

Mr. SCHNEIDER

Mr. SCHNEIDER. I rise to lend my support to the underlying bill we are debating today. The Homeland Security appropriations measures make key investments in technology for our first responders, disaster relief funding for our communities, and critical grant funding for our local fire departments. It is the centerpiece for how we invest, not only in our national security, but also in the security of our local communities. Earlier this year, the district I represent was severely affected by regional flooding that damaged hundreds of homes and businesses. The impacts on families is a human one. Many lost their homes. Many lost their business and may not be able to reopen. This terrible situation highlights the tremendous need for disaster relief that is comprehensive and far-reaching. FEMA helped many in my district to recover a small piece of their lives after the storms; and, consequently, I am happy to see that the committee included $6.2 billion in disaster relief funding. This funding will be critical as we, in Illinois, continue the effort to rebuild our communities affected by the flooding, as well as for those in Oklahoma, New Jersey, and other areas as they rebuild after natural disasters. I also applaud efforts by the committee to support $1.5 billion allocated for FEMA State and local grant programs. Specifically, I would like to highlight a program that addresses the distinctive security needs of nonprofit groups, helping at the local level to safeguard human life and property against credible threats to the safety of our communities. The Urban Area Security Initiative provides a funding source for targeted nonprofit groups to invest in their own security. These grants, typically utilized by churches, synagogues and community centers, are designed to acquire and install equipment that can help prevent and mitigate terrorist attacks in our communities. Organizers use these grants to make capital improvements, such as installing security cameras, physical barriers, or controlled-entry systems, safeguards that can make a difference in deterring threats. Recent incidents in Boston, New York, Wisconsin, and New Jersey highlight that credible threats to these pillars of our communities exist. The need for these grants is clear, and the impact in our communities can be profound. I would like to thank the committee for its support of these critical programs that can be utilized by States and local groups to address emerging threats and security concerns specific to their circumstance. I appreciate the bipartisan work done on this important bill. I yield back the balance of my time. Amendment Offered by Mr. Garrett

Mr. SCHNEIDER. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word.

Mr. SCHNEIDER

Mr. SCHNEIDER. Mr. Chairman, I rise to lend my support for the underlying bill we are debating today that addresses critical health care, housing, education, and unemployment needs for our soldiers who are deploying and our veterans who are returning from the battlefield. The Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations measure is one of the most important pieces of legislation Congress considers annually. It provides the necessary funding to house, train, and equip our brave men and women in uniform, support our military families, and maintain our military base infrastructure. Put simply, no one should stand ahead of our men and women in uniform or our Nation's veterans when it comes to making Federal funding decisions. Critical to this discussion is the priority placed on investments in medical care for our Active Duty servicemembers and veterans. I appreciate that the committee continues the precedence set in past years of providing advanced appropriations for the VA. Allowing for advanced appropriations provides a platform for long- term planning and investment in critical programs that meet the emerging needs of our servicemembers and military families. I want to personally thank the committee for providing these resources that will allow our VA hospitals, including those in my district, to prepare adequately for the number of veterans returning home from deployment. This approach will provide flexibility to capitalize on emerging technology and treatments that will ensure our warriors here at home are receiving the very best health care possible. As well, I would like to thank the committee for its important work to ensure that we are maintaining investment in our military installations. I applaud the inclusion of $35.8 million for the construction of housing units at Naval Station Great Lakes, located in my district. This funding will allow more servicemembers to receive the training they need, while not overburdening them with complicated, temporary housing conditions. This forward-looking investment is one that illustrates how we can further utilize existing military infrastructure to achieve efficiencies in training and services. I want to again thank the committee for its work on this important bipartisan bill. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. SCHNEIDER. I move to strike the last word. The Acting Chair. The gentleman from Illinois is recognized for 5 minutes.