Pete Stauber

Mr. STAUBER

Mr. STAUBER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the service of my friend, Lieutenant Colonel Lyle Rock. Lyle is a childhood friend of mine, and I have known him for over 50 years. We grew up in the same neighborhood and played hockey together. Service to our Nation is a proud tradition in the Rock family. Lyle's father honorably served at the 148th Fighter Wing in Duluth, Minnesota, and Lyle followed in his footsteps, joining the Minnesota Air National Guard. In 2009, Lyle volunteered to deploy to Iraq, where he served as the chief of logistics and Iraqi adviser at the Multi-National Security Transition Command--Iraq. He happened to serve in Iraq at the same time as my wife, Jodi, and even though they served at different locations, it always gave me comfort to know that he was over there with her. During his career, Lyle has served at both the 148th Fighter Wing and the 133rd Airlift Wing, and he is currently posted at the Joint Force Headquarters, where he works as a director of plans and policy. At this time, Lyle Rock is the longest serving Air National Guard officer, with 38 years and 11 months under his belt. I find it especially impressive that throughout his entire service, he has only missed 2 days of drill. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to call Lieutenant Colonel Lyle Rock my good friend, and the State of Minnesota is proud of his decades of service.

Mr. STAUBER

Mr. STAUBER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of Itsca County Commissioner Michael ``Burl'' Ives who recently passed away after years of dedicated service to his community. Burl was born to Mike and Mary Ives, both influential figures, who built multiple successful businesses in the Grand Rapids, Minnesota, area including the Timberlake Lodge. In the early 1990s, Burl started a business of his own before joining his family in their many hospitality businesses. Eventually, Burl became a beloved Itsca County commissioner, using his compassion and experience to advocate for the betterment of the community that he loved. Burl was running for his third term as county commissioner when he passed away at the age of only 57. As a true testament to the incredible job he did in this role, Burl was still elected to the county commissioner seat, despite his death being well-publicized by our local media. Mr. Speaker, my prayers are with the Ives family as they mourn this huge loss, and my heart especially goes out to Burl's wife, Kristine, and their two children, Samantha and Thomas. May his legacy of hard work and service live on through all those who knew and loved him.

Mr. STAUBER

Mr. STAUBER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with a heavy heart to pay my respects to Red Lake Police Officer Jesse Branch, who was killed in a car crash last week while responding to a call for service. At just 18 years old, Jesse committed himself to a career in law enforcement, starting as a corrections officer with the Red Lake Detention Center and eventually becoming a police officer. During his 17 years in law enforcement, Jesse earned the reputation as a man of integrity who was dedicated to the well-being and safety of his community. Even though Jesse's life was tragically cut short, the positive impact he had on the Red Lake Nation will be remembered for generations to come. Minnesota thanks him for his selfless service and sacrifice. My prayers are with his family, friends, colleagues, and all those who loved him.

Mr. STAUBER

Mr. STAUBER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to speak in favor of H.R. 7198. I will start by thanking my good friend and colleague from Minnesota, Representative Brad Finstad, for his leadership with this legislation. Small businesses are the lifeblood of our economy. They are the innovators, job creators, and backbone of our communities. In my home State of Minnesota, small businesses account for over 99 percent of all businesses and employ more than half of all of our workforce. When small businesses succeed, America succeeds. Unfortunately, we have seen time and time again how the Biden-Harris administration has failed to prioritize these small businesses. Instead, it has burdened them with an avalanche of costly and unnecessary regulations, leaving businessowners to navigate a maze of red tape with little regard for their challenges. These regulations have a real and negative impact on entrepreneurs, making it harder for them to succeed and grow. It is clear: Small businesses need a stronger voice in the regulatory process. We have the tools to stop overregulation, but those tools need to be accessible, especially for the smallest of businesses. We must provide clear and accessible pathways for small businesses to hold Federal agencies accountable for the regulations they impose. That is why I am proud to cosponsor my fellow Minnesotan's bill. This bill gives small businesses the ability to challenge agency regulations and forces agencies to be transparent about how their regulations will affect small business owners. By holding agencies accountable and requiring transparency, we ensure that small businesses aren't left behind when new regulations are created. This is a critical step in ensuring that any regulation created in Washington is shaped with a clear understanding of the real- world impact. By supporting this legislation, we can help small businesses thrive and continue to drive our economic growth. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on H.R. 7198. Let's ensure small businesses are heard and their concerns are addressed.

Mr. STAUBER

Mr. STAUBER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the 50th birthday of Captain Erik E. Anderson. Captain Anderson was born on December 1, 1974. Raised in Lafayette, Louisiana, Captain Anderson graduated from the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute through the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps in 1997 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering. He first served aboard USS Hopper (DDG 70) from 1998 to 1999, completing the ship's maiden deployment, a dry-docking availability, and surface warfare officer qualification. After serving on the USS Hopper, he completed the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program's nuclear pipeline training and reported to his second division officer tour on USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) from 2001 to 2003. He completed the ship's ``Iron Man'' Cruise in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and became a Nuclear Engineer Officer. Captain Anderson was selected for shore duty at Naval Reactors' Headquarters in Washington, DC, where he worked from 2003 to 2006 on advanced technology Insertion projects for CVN 68 Class ships' propulsion plant, preliminary designs for USS Gerald R Ford (CVN 78), and test programs for west coast CVNs and ex-Enterprise (CVN 65). During this time, he attended graduate school at The Catholic University of America, earning a Master of Engineering Degree in Engineering Management. From late 2006 to 2011, Captain Anderson served as the Assistant Program Manager for ex-Enterprise in the Naval Reactors' Program Office for Surface Ships. During this time, he led the planning and execution of the ship's last major dry-docking availability, allowing the ship to complete two more deployments prior to her removal service. He also led early planning and budgeting efforts for the one-of-a-kind defueling and inactivation of ex-Enterprise. Captain Anderson then transferred to the Nuclear Technology Division as the Director of Radiological Controls from 2011 to 2014. He was responsible for the radiation protection of all sailors, workers, the public, and the environment from the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program's radioactivity on all ships, prototypes, shipyards, bases, DOE laboratories, and the Naval Reactors Facility. He also assisted with the Naval Reactors' support of the U.S. Navy's Operation Tomodachi in response to the nuclear accidents at Fukushima. From late 2014 to mid-2023, Captain Anderson assumed duties as the Program Manager for the Naval Reactors Facility in Idaho, where he led the Naval Reactors' efforts to publish the draft and final Environmental Impact Statements for the recapitalization of spent fuel handling in Idaho, a three billion dollar major construction project. He has also led the Naval Reactors Facility fleet support mission in Idaho to process, examine, and package naval spent nuclear fuel in accordance with stringent Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program requirements, fleet schedules, and commitments to the State of Idaho. In July 2023, Captain Anderson transferred to the Acting Deputy Director for Governmental Affairs. In February 2024, he was selected as the Director for Governmental Affairs, where he oversees multiple aspects of the Naval Reactors' Congressional Affairs efforts. Captain Anderson's decorations include two Meritorious Service Medals and other individual and unit awards. His wife, Ania, and son, Aksel, consider him the head and the heart of their family. On December 1, 2024, Captain Anderson celebrated his 50th birthday. I thank Captain Anderson for his service and congratulate him for reaching this important milestone. I hope this next chapter is filled with as much adventure as the last.

Mr. STAUBER

Mr. STAUBER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and service of my predecessor, Congressman Rick Nolan. Congressman Nolan has a long and distinguished history in this Chamber. He first served as the Representative of Minnesota's Sixth Congressional District from 1975 through 1981, and then returned to Congress to serve as the Representative of Minnesota's Eighth Congressional District from 2013 to 2019. Many who served with Rick remember him as a fighter for northern Minnesota and an avid lover of the great outdoors, and an advocate for those diagnosed with cancer. I will always remember Rick as an exceptionally kind man. My favorite memory of Rick is the time I ran into him on a flight to Minnesota from Washington, D.C. He was a departing Member of Congress, and I was preparing to begin my first term. Even though we disagreed on many issues, he made sure to come over and give me a hug and wish me well. I appreciated his kindness that day, and I know all of Minnesota appreciates his service. My thoughts and prayers go out to his wife, Mary, and all of his loved ones as they grieve his loss.

Mr. STAUBER

Mr. STAUBER. Mr. Speaker, hailing from the great State of Minnesota, Minnesota has the most mineral wealth of any State in our Nation with the exception of Alaska. I have heard my colleagues on the other side of the aisle talk about how they support mining. I disagree that they support mining. Do you know why, Mr. Speaker? It is because this administration, Mr. Speaker, hasn't opened up one mine and, again, not one mine in the United States of America under the Biden administration. They say they support mining so long as it never happens. Furthermore, Mr. Speaker, any mining done in the United States of America must follow our environmental standards and our labor standards. It was mentioned moments ago about the Chinese Communist Party. I want to bring one more mineral. It is antimony. One month ago, the Communist country of China stopped exporting antimony to the United States, antimony that is made for semiconductors, antimony that is used in our explosive devices for our military, antimony that is used for our medical instrument devices manufactured here in the United States. We have antimony mines in the United States potentially if we are allowed to mine them. Furthermore, in the Inflation Reduction Act, the $7.4 billion, Mr. Speaker, that was put toward electric charging stations, we have got 11 of them. The government has actually installed 11 charging stations for EV vehicles across this Nation. They were $7.4 billion. Furthermore, the Democrats and this administration have removed the Buy American requirements for those charging stations. Do you know why, Mr. Speaker? It is because they won't let us mine here, and the percentage of minerals needed to meet the IRA demands can't be met unless we mine here in the United States of America. Mining is our past, our present, and our future. Mr. Speaker, not only has this administration stopped mining in Minnesota, but they have stopped it in North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, Wyoming, Nevada, Washington, Oregon, New Mexico, California, and Pennsylvania. The list goes on and on. This is the most antimining administration in the history of this country, and we are going to suffer for it. Right now, we need antimony to replenish our ammunition. We are struggling right now. That is why the Biden administration's USGS supports this H.R. 8446, the Critical Mineral Consistency Act introduced by my good friend, Mr. Ciscomani from Arizona. He understands. We have to have the political will in this country, Mr. Speaker, to be able to mine here safely under our regulations. We need permitting reform, which is going to allow us to mine here, process here, and manufacture here, right here in America using our jobs, our economy, and our workers, which is going to benefit our economy, our communities, and our strategic national security. Why would anybody not want to mine in this country using the best environmental standards and the best labor standards in the world? They are caving to the radical left, the antimining stance of their party. On January 20, the Americans are going to see a different attitude toward extracting these minerals that we are blessed with in this great country. We are blessed with these minerals. No other country is like us, no other country. If we have the political will to meet these needs, then we can do it. Mr. Speaker, I stand strongly in support of H.R. 8446. I stand strongly in support of domestic mining. Again, Mr. Speaker, I want to remind you and others this is the most antimining administration in the history of this country, and it is going to end. We have to hold our strategic national security in the palm of our own hands. I will be doggone if I am going to allow China to control our destiny or other foreign nations.

Mr. STAUBER

Mr. STAUBER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 7409, the HEATS Act, introduced by my good friend from California, Mrs. Kim. This is an important piece of legislation that will increase our energy security and reliability and help lower energy costs for Americans across this great Nation. As is the case with much of our domestic energy production, geothermal energy is often developed on checkerboard parcels of land. Such a project often has a footprint encompassing Federal, State, and private lands. When that is the case, it is a headache for our energy producers as it often means more red tape and more regulatory hoops for energy developers to jump through. These duplicative regulatory requirements increase the time it takes to get projects online, along with price tags for these projects to get moving. Ultimately, that means higher energy costs for the American people. Mr. Speaker, the bill before us today will help fix this project for geothermal projects by cutting down on the number of duplicative regulatory reviews a project developer needs to go through. This bill would prevent the BLM from having to permit geothermal wells on State and private lands where the Federal Government holds an ownership interest of less than 50 percent of the geothermal estate. These projects, which have already gone through a rigorous State permitting process, would not be bogged down by the duplicative and burdensome Federal process. Contrary to what some may argue, this bill doesn't waive the permitting process; it simply reduces the redundancy. It is a commonsense fix. It will bring much-needed geothermal energy production online, providing much-needed energy to the American people at a much lower cost. Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to join me in supporting this legislation.

Mr. STAUBER

Mr. STAUBER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Joe Quattrone, a legend on Capitol Hill who recently passed away at the age of 90. Joe was the barber in the Rayburn barbershop. He served there for 52 years. During the course of his service, he cut the hair of multiple Presidents, including George H.W. Bush, Jimmy Carter, and the late Gerald Ford. Joe was known for his outrageous stories, wonderful sense of humor, and love for life. I first met him in 2019 when I got my start right here in Congress, and I was lucky enough to sit in his chair once a month every month until he retired. I could always count on his positive attitude and his steady hands. Joe immigrated to the United States from Italy when he was 18 years old. He served in the Air Force and was married to the love of his life, Rita, for 65 years until she passed away. He is survived by his two grandchildren, his daughter-in-law, and his son, Frank, who described his father as a ``one-of-a-kind guy.'' To know Joe was to love him. He was kind, openhearted, and possessed a unique ability to brighten anyone's day. We will miss the man who loved his family, worked hard, gave great haircuts, and made everyone laugh. Joe, may you rest in peace.

Mr. STAUBER

Mr. STAUBER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of my bill, H.R. 1657, the Lake Winnibigoshish Land Exchange Act of 2024. Lake Winnibigoshish, or Lake Winnie as it is also known, is located within the boundaries of the Chippewa National Forest and is home to Bowen Lodge, a premier, family-owned fishing lodge. Bowen Lodge has been in operation and welcoming patrons since 1925. For the past four decades, Bill and Gail Heig and their family have operated Bowen Lodge, serving as incredible stewards of Lake Winnie and providing incredible fishing and vacation memories for Minnesotans and other out-of-towners over the years. Currently, Bowen Lodge has a 20-year agreement with the U.S. Forest Service to lease 17\1/2\ acres of shoreline along the lake, where they operate their marina. Under the Heigs' stewardship, Lake Winnie has remained accessible to the citizens of Itasca County and the many people who visit. Notably, the Heigs purchased extra acreage in 2021 after an out-of- State mega-resort developer sought to purchase a parcel of land, which would have changed the face of Lake Winnie forever. Now, Bowen Lodge is seeking to convey this extra acreage to the Chippewa National Forest. It is in the best interest of the public that the Forest Service take stewardship of this land, rather than out-of-State developers that may not prioritize public access for our local community. Additionally, this land will make it easier for the Forest Service to access and responsibly maintain their other acreage in the area. The bill before us today would facilitate the land exchange between Bowen Lodge and the Forest Service: 17 acres of shoreline to Bowen Lodge so they can continue to operate their marina in exchange for 37 acres of nearby land to the Forest Service, which would then be added to the Chippewa National Forest. This exchange would better align proper boundaries, put the right acreage under the right management, and ensure Minnesotans have the ability to boat, fish, and enjoy beautiful Lake Winnie. Thanks to the Heigs' quick thinking and strong advocacy, our way of life will be preserved. I am proud that this land exchange is supported by local communities in Itasca County, including the local county board of supervisors that testified in support of the bill before the Natural Resources Committee last fall as well as the Mississippi Headwaters Board and other local environmental organizations. It is also supported by the U.S. Forest Service and leadership of the Chippewa National Forest. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this legislation.

Mr. STAUBER

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

Mr. STAUBER

Mr. STAUBER. Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairwoman Rodgers for her support and steadfast leadership on this issue. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak not just as a Member of Congress but as a father to a 22-year-old young man with Down syndrome. My son is a living testament to the fact that his value and his potential extend far beyond any limitations imposed by his disability. Society must never devalue any human life for a perceived flaw or defect. For too long, our society did just that with how it viewed and treated people with Down syndrome, but when we stopped sending people to institutions and started providing proper medical care, such as surgery for those with a congenital heart defect, we saw their life spans increase beyond what doctors told society was possible. The DeOndra Dixon INCLUDE Project Act is a critical step toward advancing our understanding of Down syndrome and improving the quality of life for those living with it. Named in honor of DeOndra Dixon, whose life exemplified resilience and excellence, this bill seeks to advance our collective effort to ensure that every individual, regardless of their circumstance, receives the respect and care they deserve. This legislation will provide crucial statutory authority for an essential research initiative under the National Institutes of Health. The INCLUDE Project dedicated to this cause will benefit from solidified funding and framework. This bill would enable sustained and coordinated efforts to address not only the primary characteristics of Down syndrome but also the occurring conditions that can impact individuals' health and well- being, such as Alzheimer's disease, which was previously mentioned. Individuals with Down syndrome have a completely different disease spectrum than that of the general population, predisposing them to many conditions but protecting them from others. INCLUDE allows for more specialized research, which will lead people with Down syndrome to live even longer, better lives, and it will create breakthroughs in identifying treatments and cures for some of the most devastating diseases that affect people like you and me. Mr. Speaker, I urge my fellow Members to join me in voting ``yes'' on the DeOndra Dixon INCLUDE Project Act. Let us stand together to support this important initiative and ensure that scientific advancements lead to tangible improvements in the lives of individuals with Down syndrome.

Mr. STAUBER

Mr. STAUBER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Minnesota National Guard's 1st Combined Arms Battalion, 194th Armor Regiment, as they were recently awarded the Meritorious Unit Commendation award, the Superior Unit Award, and the Presidential Unit Citation award. These awards are given to units for heroism and outstanding achievement under extraordinary circumstances. We all remember the harrowing images of the evacuation of Afghanistan, which took place just 3 years ago. Thirteen American heroes lost their lives, and countless allies were left behind for the Taliban. If not for the 194th, things could have and would have been much worse. During the evacuation of Kabul, the 1st Combined Arms Battalion rescued over 124,000 American citizens, government employees, and Afghan allies in under 15 days. This Brainerd, Minnesota-based unit made a difference in the world. Because of them, families were reunited and lives were saved. As the husband of the Minnesota Air National Guard 148th Fighter Wing's first female command chief, who deployed when she was called upon, I have long recognized the superiority of the Minnesota National Guard. I could not be more proud to represent these exemplary soldiers. America is blessed to have such courageous patriots in her ranks, and we, in Minnesota, are lucky that they call our State home. Madam Speaker, I thank the men and women of the 194th Armor Regiment for their service during this infamous time. God bless them all for their sacrifices, and God bless America.

Mr. STAUBER

Mr. STAUBER. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. STAUBER. Mr. Chair, I rise today to offer my amendment to H.R. 1516, which would amend the definition of ``Chinese entity of concern'' in section 2 to account for the persecution of Uyghur Muslims in the People's Republic of China. Over the past decade, Communist China has persecuted the Uyghur population for their religious and cultural practices. Xinjiang authorities have detained Uyghurs in internment camps without formal charges, forced them into slave labor, and have committed numerous other human rights abuses against the Uyghur people. It is estimated that over 1 million Uyghurs and other ethnic minorities have been imprisoned in internment camps in China. Academics in China have aided in the persecution of Uyghurs as well. Hu Angang and Hu Lianhe are considered to be advocates for forced assimilation of minorities to create a state race. Hu Angang heads the Institute for Contemporary China Studies at Tsinghua University. Hu Lianhe, another university researcher, is already on the Global Magnitsky human rights sanctions list. Yet, Yale University boasts a ``strong relationship'' with Tsinghua University on their website. Harvard University signed a memorandum of understanding with Tsinghua University in 2021. The University of Pennsylvania has Tsinghua University listed on their website as a partner. There is no reason why our universities should be complicit in religious persecution. We may hear arguments today that the definition is already too broad and that the underlying legislation will inadvertently hinder our research apparatus. However, this amendment and the underlying legislation are necessary to stop the soft power influence China is exerting on our universities. Throughout the past year, we have seen firsthand how Iran's influence on higher education has turned college campuses into breeding grounds for anti-Semitism. We must prevent our most malicious foreign adversaries from continuing to undermine academia. The underlying legislation does well to address Communist China's influence and espionage in our institutions of higher learning, but we can go a step further to address Communist China's crimes against the Uyghur people. We should all agree that higher education's willingness to look the other way is unacceptable. We must act, and I encourage all of my colleagues to vote for my amendment and the underlying legislation. Mr. Chair, I suggest voting for this amendment. It is a good amendment. The Uyghur people should not be held captive whatsoever, and the religious persecution by the people of the Communist country of China must stop. Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. STAUBER

Mr. STAUBER. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. STAUBER. Mr. Chair, amendment No. 88 to H.R. 8998 will ensure States and other cooperating entities that provide search-and-rescue services on Federal lands can receive reimbursement. In northern Minnesota, the St. Louis County Rescue Squad assists people lost or injured in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area, which is Federal land in my district. According to a Duluth News Tribune article, the squad's reported budget is about $450,000 per year. However, with the roughly 30,000 hours volunteer members dedicate to the cause each year, it is estimated that the squad provides about $3.5 million in free labor annually. Recently, tragedy struck the BWCA. Two canoeists, Jesse Haugen of Cambridge and Reis Grams of Lino Lakes, fell over Curtain Falls. The St. Louis County Rescue Squad spent over 2 weeks on a search-and-rescue mission looking for these two individuals before they located their bodies. May these two souls rest in peace. Of the 95 members of the St. Louis County Rescue Squad, 61 took part in the Curtain Falls mission. Combined, they worked almost 6,000 hours. During a recent meeting I had with Squad Captain Rick Slatten, he estimated that the cost of the mission was around $150,000, over a quarter of their annual budget on one call. As a former law enforcement officer, I know that rescue squads are critical to ensuring the safety of the constituencies and the many tourists that visit each year. During a search-and-rescue mission, every second counts, and we need these crews to have the resources necessary to stay on top of their game or at a minimum know that they have the backing of the Federal Government to do what they can to save lives. As the bill currently reads: The wildland fire management account can be used to reimburse States and other cooperating agencies for services provided in response to wildfire and other emergencies or disasters. This amendment simply clarifies that search and rescue is a part of that reimbursement category. This will ensure that our search-and- rescue squads can continue to conduct these vital services in our communities. Search-and-rescue volunteer rescue squads from small townships and small cities across America enter our Federal lands to rescue people that are in our Federal lands for enjoyment. It costs a lot of money to keep up equipment. It costs a lot of time and training, and these dollars will recognize them by saying that their rescue efforts are important to all of us. Mr. Chair, I ask that this amendment be made in order, and I ask Members to be in support on the floor. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. STAUBER. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. STAUBER. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. STAUBER. Mr. Chair, I rise to offer my amendment that prohibits any funds from being used to designate the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness located within the Superior National Forest in northern Minnesota as a national monument under the Antiquities Act. The Superior National Forest is a working industrial forest, and it should always remain one. Responsible mining and responsible timber harvesting are desired traits of the forest. Mining and timber harvesting are part of our way of life in northern Minnesota, and they exist hand in hand with recreation and conservation. This amendment protects our way of life and protects against an activist administration here in Washington taking steps to change it. In December 2016, while they were on their way out of office, the Obama-Biden administration made a last-minute Antiquities Act designation for Bears Ears in southeastern Utah. The amendment before you today is an insurance policy to ensure that the Biden-Harris administration doesn't make a last-ditch effort to do the same and designate a new monument in northern Minnesota which would jeopardize desired responsible use of the Superior National Forest, again, a working industrial forest. Contrary to what my colleagues on the other side of the aisle will likely argue, this amendment will not jeopardize any existing protections that the wilderness area already enjoys. This amendment does not expand mining or timber harvesting into the Boundary Waters. This amendment ensures we can continue to mine and harvest timber outside of the Boundary Waters. Let me be clear. Mining will never take place in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. That has been settled since 1978 when Congress passed the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness Act. Back in 1978, my predecessor, then-Representative of the Eighth Congressional District, Democrat Jim Oberstar, stood here on the House floor and argued that our ability to responsibly mine and harvest timber in the Superior National Forest shall never be infringed. This amendment is quite simple. It simply reaffirms Congress' intent when the 1978 wilderness act was passed. It simply protects against overreach from the executive branch, and, most importantly, it protects our way of life in northern Minnesota. Mr. Chair, I urge all my colleagues to support this amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. STAUBER. Mr. Chairman, I appreciate my good friend and colleague from Minnesota's comments. I will tell you that in 2016 on their way out the Obama-Biden administration, for purely political reasons, pulled mining leases for a company that wanted to mine critical minerals in northeastern Minnesota. The Biden- Harris administration went against the Supreme Court when the Supreme Court ruled that it is unconstitutional to pay off student loans, and they still did it. What this says, Mr. Chair, is as the Biden-Harris administration is in their waning days here, they can't diminish our opportunities in northeastern Minnesota, period. Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. STAUBER. Mr. Chairman, again, I do not trust the Biden-Harris administration on their way out. I do not trust them on their way out. This will ensure that the Superior National Forest and the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness remains as it is and there are no antiquities put forth. I do not trust the Biden-Harris administration when it comes to mining. They are the most anti-mining administration in the history of the United States of America. They haven't opened one mine. Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. STAUBER. Mr. Chairman, I rise to offer my amendment that prohibits any funds from being used to expand the Boundary Waters Canoe Wilderness Area within the Superior National Forest in northern Minnesota. Mining and timber harvesting have played a significant role in the culture and the economy of northern Minnesota for well over a century. Mining and timber harvesting are our past, our present, and our future in northern Minnesota. We have proven we can mine and harvest timber responsibly all while still protecting and enjoying the beautiful area that we call home. Antimining and antiforestry activists in this administration have taken step after step to attack our way of life in Minnesota. As my colleagues in this Chamber have heard me discuss time and time again, the Biden-Harris administration have used every tool to ban mining in northern Minnesota. They pulled the long-held leases for the Twin Metals project where copper was to be mined responsibly. Then they went even further and put into place a 20-year mineral withdrawal banning mining on 225,504 acres in the working industrial Superior National Forest. What is next, Mr. Chairman? What will they do next to attack our way of life and further stop mining in northern Minnesota? My amendment will prevent the Biden-Harris administration from expanding the wilderness area while they are on their way out of the door later this year. Just like my last amendment, this amendment does nothing to jeopardize existing protections for the Boundary Waters. This amendment does not expand mining or timber harvesting into the Boundary Waters. It simply ensures our ability to responsibly mine and harvest timber outside of the Boundary Waters. This amendment simply ensures this administration or any future administration cannot further attack our way of life in northeastern Minnesota. Mr. Chair, I urge all my colleagues to support my amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. STAUBER. Mr. Chair, we have to remember that as we speak, the U.S. Forest Service is looking to purchase 70,000 acres of the wilderness from the school trust fund. They are looking to expand the wilderness as we speak. Again, what this does is it ensures that the Biden-Harris administration on their way out doesn't do anything to expand the wilderness area. My good friend and colleague from Minnesota says that the executive branch can't. They will try, and what this does, Mr. Chairman, is it ensures them not even considering it because it is part of legislation now. Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. STAUBER. Mr. Chairman, in closing, I offered three amendments. In the last two, I think I have said maybe three or four times now that as the Biden-Harris administration exits at the end of this year, I don't trust what they are going to do to our wilderness area, our mining, and our timber harvesting. They have proven it. The Obama-Biden administration took a run at northeastern Minnesota when they pulled the leases on their way out. What this does, Mr. Chair, is ensures that this blocks them from the attempt. This blocks them from the attempt to devastate northeastern Minnesota more so than they have already done. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.