Niki Tsongas

Ms. TSONGAS

Ms. TSONGAS. Mr. Speaker, the Contra Costa Canal serves as a primary water delivery system for 500,000 people in central and eastern Contra Costa County, California. The canal system is currently too exposed, resulting in safety hazards, degraded water quality and supply, and increased maintenance costs. Tragically, 81 people have drowned in the canal since it became operational. H.R. 6040 will transfer ownership of the Contra Costa Canal from the Department of the Interior to the Contra Costa Water District so the district can upgrade this 81-year-old water infrastructure with a secure, buried pipeline. In addition to the many benefits of this legislation to the people of the county, transferring ownership of the canal will also benefit wildlife. The planned updates to the system will reduce unnecessary water losses from seepage in unlined portions of the canal and prevent further losses from evaporation. Preventing water loss will ensure that additional water is delivered to national wildlife refuges in California. Mr. Speaker, I support passage of this legislation. I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes,'' and I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. TSONGAS. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from California (Mr. McNerney).

Ms. TSONGAS. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from California (Mr. DeSaulnier), the author of this legislation.

Ms. TSONGAS

Ms. TSONGAS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 5317 is simple and straightforward. It repeals an antiquated law that stands in the way of a Tribal economic development project. The law in question dates back to 1834, and it prohibits the operation of a distillery on Indian lands. On their face, these types of outdated laws may seem trivial, but they have real-world consequences. The Chehalis Tribe in Washington began the permitting process for the construction and operation of an economic development project, which includes a craft distillery, when they came up against the 1834 law. The project is a great economic development opportunity, one that will create jobs and revenue not only for the Chehalis Tribe, but for the surrounding communities as well. However, in order for the Tribe to proceed with the project, the prohibition must first be removed. Mr. Speaker, I support the goals of H.R. 5317 and urge my colleagues to vote ``yes,'' and I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. TSONGAS

Ms. TSONGAS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 4689 would authorize landowners served by the Northport Irrigation District to prepay the remaining portion of construction costs allocated to them for the North Platte project. In exchange, the landowners who pay will no longer be subject to Federal acreage limitations and other requirements associated with the Reclamation Reform Act. Mr. Speaker, we do not object to this legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. TSONGAS

Ms. TSONGAS. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. TSONGAS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 660 would improve data collection and reporting on the condition of Bureau of Reclamation infrastructure. Much of the Bureau of Reclamation's aging water infrastructure was constructed more than one-half century ago. It is critically important that Congress and the public have sufficient information on which facilities are most in need of major repairs, if we are going to properly address our Nation's water infrastructure needs. H.R. 660 is bipartisan legislation that will help Congress gather the information we need. I would also like to note for the record that stakeholders have expressed a desire for minor changes to section 6 of this bill, so that there are no unintended consequences for proposed water recycling projects. As this bill advances through the legislative process, it will be important to work with the bill sponsor and our Senate colleagues to refine the bill text. Mr. Speaker, I support passage of this legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. TSONGAS

Ms. TSONGAS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, Federal recognition of Native American Tribes is critical to protecting their Tribal sovereignty and restoring the Tribe's ability to control its land, its water, and its resources, as well as the ability to govern and to protect the health, safety, and welfare of its members. Introduced by Representative Gianforte, H.R. 3764 will extend Federal recognition to the Little Shell Tribe of Chippewa Indians of Montana. The Little Shell Tribe has resided in Montana for well over a century and has long been recognized as a Tribe by the State. The Tribe is a political successor to the signatories of the Pembina Treaty of 1863, under which a large area of land in the State of North Dakota was ceded to the United States. While the Federal Government has federally recognized the two other Tribes that are successors to the signatories of the treaty, the Little Shell have inexplicably been left in limbo. The Tribe has repeatedly petitioned the Federal Government for Federal recognition--first in the 1930s and '40s under the Indian Reorganization Act, and later, starting in 1978, through the Department of Interior's so-called Part 83 process. However, despite their long and well-documented history, each time they were deprived of their rightful Federal recognition. H.R. 3764 finally extends recognition to the Little Shell Tribe, making all Federal laws and regulations of general applicability to Indians and Indian Tribes applicable as well to Little Shell and its members. Federal recognition of the Tribe enjoys broad support in Montana, including support from the Governor's office, the Montana State legislature, the surrounding counties and cities, and from all the other federally recognized Montana tribes. Recognition for the Little Shell is long overdue, and I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this legislation. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. TSONGAS

Ms. TSONGAS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, this bill authorizes a long overdue land exchange between the Forest Service and the Walnut Grove Church in Garland County, Arkansas. The church was built on Forest Service land, and the exchange will simplify ownership claims and facilitate access and improvements to the property. The land exchange authorized by this bill includes commonsense safeguards that ensure fair compensation for the value of public lands, and I am happy to support its adoption and I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes.'' Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. TSONGAS. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. TSONGAS

Ms. TSONGAS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Expanding broadband access in rural America and communities adjacent to public lands is a bipartisan priority on the Natural Resources Committee. I want to thank Representative Curtis for working with committee Democrats to improve this bill since it was introduced. H.R. 4824 gives States the primary responsibility for issuing environmental review permits for broadband projects in those areas that already have rights-of-way for existing infrastructure, such as roads, bridges, and trails. At markup, Representative Curtis amended the bill to address several concerns brought forward by Native American stakeholders and committee Democrats. This includes guarantees that Tribal governments are consulted and can participate in the development of memoranda of understanding for projects that cross their land. This is a critical improvement. The bill we are considering today also removes language that would have broadly exempted certain projects from any environmental reviews and eliminated public comment periods. However, there are still a number of outstanding issues that I hope can be addressed as this bill makes its way through the legislative process in the Senate. For example, I believe that we should continue to perfect language that allows for public comment periods and strengthens the ability of our Federal land management agencies to enforce any MOU that is signed with a State government. We would also like to continue discussions in order to ensure that everyday citizens receive protection under the Equal Access to Justice Act, a law that ensures all citizens have the ability to participate in government decisionmaking. I believe these are commonsense changes that won't hamper rural broadband development. I do not oppose passage of the legislation through the House at this time, but I look forward to continued bipartisan and bicameral work on the remaining issues. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. TSONGAS. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. TSONGAS

Ms. TSONGAS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, this bill provides States with increased flexibility to utilize money provided by the Pittman-Robertson fund for expanding outreach in hunter education initiatives. The Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act of 1937, commonly known as the Pittman-Robertson Act, authorizes an excise tax on hunting equipment. The proceeds are used to support wildlife conservation and restoration efforts. Allowing some of the money for education and outreach initiatives has the potential to increase participation in hunting and other recreational activities that will expand the tax base and the total pool of available money. This program is our Nation's oldest and most successful wildlife conservation initiative. In its over-80-year history, it has restored habitat relied on by numerous species and even helped to bring some populations back from the brink of extinction. This is an impressive track record that the update included in this legislation is meant to support. The bill includes a 25 percent cap for education and recruitment activities, a safeguard meant to ensure there is still plenty of money available for wildlife conservation and restoration. I look forward to working with our colleagues in the Senate to ensure that 25 percent is an appropriate safeguard that doesn't steer too much money away from the traditional purpose of the fund. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. TSONGAS. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. TSONGAS

Ms. TSONGAS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I might consume. Mr. Speaker, like other Native American tribes, the land base of the Five Civilized Tribes of Oklahoma was devastated during the allotment and assimilation period of the late 1800s. During this period, tribal governments were dissolved and community-held lands were distributed as 160-acre parcels to individual tribal members. The remaining lands were made available for non-Indian settlement. Congress eventually reversed its policy and, in 1936, enacted the Oklahoma Indian Welfare Act in order to rebuild Indian tribal societies and rightfully return land back to the tribes. Under that act, any previously allotted Indian land remained with its current owner in restricted fee status. This status has significant benefits, as restricted fee lands are under tribal jurisdiction and are exempt from certain Federal and State taxes. However, in 1947, additional and arbitrary constraints were placed upon the lands of the Five Civilized Tribes. The enactment of this 1947 law, known as the Stigler Act, set a minimum blood quantum level that must be met by an Indian landowner in order for the lands to remain in restricted fee status. That is to say, if the total percentage of Indian blood of a landowner falls below a certain minimum threshold, the land loses its tax-exempt status. Over the years, with subsequent generations and intermarriage, landowners often no longer meet the minimum blood quantum level. The lands then lose their restricted fee status and often are sold off. This has resulted in a drastic reduction of all the lands owned by members of the Five Civilized Tribes. No other Native American Tribe is required to meet this blood quantum minimum in order to preserve their land fee status, and it seems that this was the main intent of the Stigler Act in 1947, to further reduce Indian land holdings in Oklahoma. Under the changes proposed in H.R. 2606, we can right this wrong. Enactment of this legislation will ensure that restricted fee land owned by citizens of the Five Civilized Tribes will remain in that status regardless of blood quantum levels. This will bring parity to the Five Civilized Tribes and allow their citizens to own restricted fee land just like the citizens of other tribes. Mr. Speaker, I support H.R. 2606 and urge my colleagues to vote in favor of this bill. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. TSONGAS. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. TSONGAS

Ms. TSONGAS. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Nadler).

Ms. TSONGAS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Payne), my colleague.

Ms. TSONGAS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Suozzi), my colleague.

Ms. TSONGAS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Each year, we take time on this somber anniversary to mourn and remember those lost, and to honor and pay tribute to the extraordinary heroism displayed by firefighters, first responders, and ordinary citizens whose service and sacrifice prevented the loss of life from being even greater, and who continued to serve and protect our communities every day. We express our sincere gratitude to those serving overseas on our behalf. The 9/11 Memorial & Museum at the World Trade Center provides our Nation a place of reflection and remembrance, not only for the September 11, 2001, attacks, but for an earlier attack at the World Trade Center in 1993 as well. I want to thank and commend the 9/11 Memorial Foundation for the work it has done since 2003 to bring the memorial and museum to fruition. This is an impressive and moving site in downtown Manhattan that will educate millions of visitors from all over the world for years to come. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Representative MacArthur and Representative Nadler for bringing forward the legislation before us today, which would designate the memorial and museum as a national memorial and provide a grant to the Department of the Interior for some of the resources needed to interpret the stories of that fateful day. Mr. Speaker, I support passage of this legislation. I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes,'' and I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. TSONGAS

Ms. TSONGAS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 3186, the Every Kid Outdoors Act, which I was proud to introduce with my colleague Representative Tipton, and Representatives Stefanik and DeGette. The idea that there should be national public lands that belong to and are managed on behalf of the American people is a value that dates back to the founding of our country and is embedded in our Constitution. Our Nation's public lands protect, celebrate, and give access to the many places that have shaped and defined who we are as Americans. Places like the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Ellis Island, and, in my own district, Minute Man National Historical Park, which commemorates the shot heard 'round the world, and Lowell National Historical Park, the first urban national park of its kind, which commemorates and protects the role that the city played in spawning our country's industrial revolution. H.R. 3186 provides America's fourth graders and their families free entrance to all of our treasured national parks, historic sites, wildlife refuges, and other federally managed lands and waters, more than 2,000 sites in all. This will encourage a new and more diverse generation to learn about our country's national and historic treasures and fall in love with our public lands and great outdoors. As documented by the Congressional Budget Office, the legislation codifies an existing program and will, therefore, result in no additional cost to the Federal Government. In addition to providing free entrance to our public lands, the Every Kid Outdoors Act will also strengthen partnerships between our Federal land management agencies, schools, nonprofits, and private-sector businesses to support outdoor education programming and recreation opportunities for our country's young people. I have seen the value of these partnerships firsthand and the impact they can have on our young people. In 2015, I had the opportunity, at Minute Man National Historical Park, to present fourth grade students from one of the larger cities in my district with their very own park pass. I will never forget their excitement at this opportunity. For many of them, it was the first time they had ever visited a national park, but I am confident it won't be their last. I thank Mr. Tipton for his work with me on this bipartisan legislation and Chairman Bishop for his support in committee and bringing it to the floor. The Every Kid Outdoors Act will encourage a new and more diverse generation to learn about our country's natural and historic treasures and fall in love with our public lands and great outdoors. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes,'' and I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. TSONGAS

Ms. TSONGAS. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Clyburn), my esteemed colleague.

Ms. TSONGAS. Mr. Speaker, as we know, H.R. 5532 establishes the Reconstruction Era National Historical Park in and around Beaufort, South Carolina, to honor, protect, and preserve the historic structures and other resources from that chapter in American history. We know how effective that kind of protection can be. Recognizing the importance of highlighting the resources in Beaufort, President Obama used the Antiquities Act to designate the site as a national monument. This bill is an important follow-up to that original designation. It will ensure permanent protection and provide steady guidelines for future management. I want to thank Mr. Clyburn for his hard work throughout the initial designation process and the development of this bill. Without his leadership, this project would not have come this far, and he deserves our recognition. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. TSONGAS

Ms. TSONGAS. Mr. Speaker, I thank Ranking Member Smith for his always knowledgeable and articulate leadership. I have appreciated it very much as I have served on this committee. Mr. Speaker, it has been my privilege to serve as the ranking member of the Tactical Air and Land Forces Subcommittee, alongside my colleague and friend, Chairman Mike Turner of Ohio. I, once again, thank Mr. Turner for the spirit of bipartisanship and collegiality he has shown over the years on this subcommittee and on the many other issues on which we have worked closely, including addressing the scourge of sexual assault in the military. Among many important provisions, this year's bill includes measures aimed at providing increased oversight over key naval aircraft and makes crucial investments in research and development aimed at better protecting the men and women we send into harm's way. This is the last NDAA that I will have the privilege of helping craft. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to serve on the House Armed Services Committee for the last 11 years, a committee that has such a proud tradition of bipartisan cooperation and, as such, is a model for the country during these challenging times. I commend the committee, under the leadership of Chairman Thornberry and Ranking Member Smith, and the many members of the professional staff for their work in managing such an important and complex piece of legislation in such a timely manner. Mr. Speaker, I urge support for the conference report, so aptly named for the heroic Senator John McCain.

Ms. TSONGAS

Ms. TSONGAS. Mr. Speaker, I want to enter into the Record two haunting stories from migrant mothers reported this month. The first, ``Don't take my child away,'' said a mother, and her child started screaming and vomiting and crying hysterically. And she asked the officers, ``Can I at least have 5 minutes to console her?'' They declined. And next, another mother set her 2-year-old daughter down and an agent began to run gloved hands across her body. Immediately, the girl began to scream. It all happened so quickly, and the girl's despair was so complete in those few seconds. She would be taken from her mother when the van reached its destination. There are more than 2,300 similarly heartbreaking and unimaginable stories. The Trump administration cannot undo the trauma and terror they have caused, but they must immediately outline their plan to reunite these loved ones.