David Taylor

Mr. TAYLOR

Mr. TAYLOR. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and insert extraneous material into the Record on H.R. 7388, as amended.

Mr. TAYLOR. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 7388, the Smart Space Act of 2026, directs the Administrator of General Services to consult with real estate experts on how alternative financing and public-private partnerships can be used for public building projects to reduce costs to the taxpayer. Last year, the Thomas R. Carper Water Resources Development Act of 2024 was signed into law. That legislation included significant public buildings reforms that have the potential to save billions of dollars for taxpayers. As the GSA and other executive agencies have implemented these reforms to reduce costly space, a key challenge agencies have faced is funding activities that may be needed before buildings can be sold and agencies relocated to less expensive space. In addition, recent hearings held by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, as well as reports by the Government Accountability Office and the Public Buildings Reform Board, have revealed billions of dollars in liabilities associated with our owned real estate assets due to deferred maintenance accumulated over the years. We need to identify new funding solutions to these problems that don't rely on increasing taxpayer dollars for the space consolidation efforts. The Smart Space Act of 2026 directs the GSA, in consultation with real estate experts, to recommend alternative financing solutions and provide a list of projects for which those solutions would make sense. This will provide the President and Congress with information on viable options to address the challenge of acquiring the capital needed to prepare buildings for sale and reduce the liability to the taxpayer. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Burlison) for his leadership on this important issue. I urge support of this legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. TAYLOR. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Burlison), the author of this legislation.

Mr. TAYLOR. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Mr. Speaker, in closing, this legislation will help identify alternative financing solutions for real estate projects, thereby reducing costs and liabilities to taxpayers. H.R. 7388 is a commonsense solution that ensures agencies can continue to responsibly reduce the Federal real estate portfolio. Mr. Speaker, I urge support of H.R. 7388, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. TAYLOR

Mr. TAYLOR. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 73) authorizing the use of the Capitol Grounds for the National Peace Officers' Memorial Service and the National Honor Guard and Pipe Band Exhibition.

Mr. TAYLOR. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material into the Record on H. Con. Res. 73.

Mr. TAYLOR. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, H. Con. Res. 73 authorizes the use of the Capitol grounds for the 45th Annual National Peace Officers' Memorial event. I am proud to continue the long tradition of supporting the Fraternal Order of Police in honoring the law enforcement officers who died in the line of duty in 2025. Law enforcement officers across the country put their lives on the line every day to help keep us safe. There were 17 officers killed in Ohio in 2025. Last year, I paid my respects to Deputy Larry Ray Henderson from Union Township, Ohio, who tragically lost his life in the line of duty. Larry joined the ranks of those who courageously made the ultimate sacrifice while protecting our communities. I also recognize Officer Larry Cox from Chillicothe and Officer Dave Poling who did the same. I am humbled to honor their legacies today. We all owe a debt of gratitude to the police officers who continue to serve despite the risk they face every day. Mr. Speaker, I urge support of this resolution, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. TAYLOR. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Perry), the Chairman of the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.

Mr. TAYLOR. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, in closing, I thank Subcommittee Chairman Perry for his continued leadership on this important piece of legislation. The memorial service authorized in H. Con. Res. 73 is one we here in Congress can ensure the men and women who put their lives on the line every day are honored and that those who have made the ultimate sacrifice receive the recognition they so justly deserve. Mr. Speaker, I urge support of H. Con. Res. 73, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. TAYLOR

Mr. TAYLOR. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 7342) to amend the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 to provide for certain grant eligibility relating to projects that facilitate the relocation, to the United States, of a source of employment located outside the United States, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. TAYLOR. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and insert extraneous material into the Record on H.R. 7342, as amended.

Mr. TAYLOR. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 7342, the Made in America Jobs Act of 2026, promotes the reshoring of jobs and industry back to the United States. The Economic Development Administration is the only Federal agency whose sole priority is to support economic development and growth in stressed communities nationwide. The EDA's various funding opportunities, like the Public Works and Economic Adjustment Assistance program, invest in the development of local infrastructure to attract businesses and jobs into distressed and rural communities. Prioritizing the return of jobs in manufacturing to distressed communities will not only improve the national economy as a whole, but it will also help rebuild the job markets in the small towns and communities that are the backbone of the American economy. H.R. 7342 advances the President's economic agenda by strengthening American manufacturing, leveraging existing EDA programs to incentivize companies to bring production and manufacturing jobs back to the United States. Earlier this year, the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure heard testimony from the EDA about how legislation just like this one, H.R. 7342, will help improve the lives of Americans across the country. I thank the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Hurd) for his leadership on this legislation. Mr. Speaker, I urge support of this legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time. House of Representatives, Committee on Financial Services, Washington, DC, February 27, 2026. Hon. Sam Graves, Chairman, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Washington, DC. Dear Chairman Graves: I am writing to you concerning H.R. 7342, the Made in America Jobs Act of 2026. There are certain provisions in the legislation that fall within the Rule X jurisdiction of the Committee on Financial Services. In the interest of permitting your committee to proceed expeditiously to floor consideration of this important bill, I am willing to waive this committee's consideration of the bill. I do so with the understanding that by waiving consideration of the bill, the Committee on Financial Services does not waive any future jurisdictional claim over the subject matters contained in the bill. I also request that you urge the Speaker to name members of this committee to any conference committee that may be established to consider such provisions. Please place this letter in the committee report on H.R. 7342 and into the Congressional Record during consideration of this legislation on the House floor. Thank you for the cooperative spirit in which you have worked regarding this matter and others between our respective committees. Sincerely, French Hill, Chairman.

Mr. TAYLOR. Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Hurd).

Mr. TAYLOR. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 7342 is a vital piece of legislation that will help to grow the American economy, bring jobs back from overseas, and strengthen our local communities. This legislation ensures that we are focusing on supporting the local economies that employ our neighbors and allow for increased job opportunities. Mr. Speaker, I urge support of H.R. 7342, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. TAYLOR

Mr. TAYLOR. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 6618) to require the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration to conduct a study on drone incursions on wildfire suppression, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. TAYLOR. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material in the Record on H.R. 6618.

Mr. TAYLOR. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to support this bipartisan, commonsense legislation that requires the Federal Aviation Administration, in coordination with its Federal partners, to conduct a study and produce a report on the effects of unmanned aircraft system incursions on wildfire suppression efforts. Federal, State, and local responses to wildfires are incredibly dynamic and require sanitized airspace to ensure rapid response and, ultimately, the effectiveness of an operation. The study and report required in the legislation will produce valuable recommendations that ensure that lawmakers have the necessary information and facts to craft informed policy. Furthermore, the study will assess the delays of wildfire suppression efforts associated with unlawful UAS incursions and identify the taxpayer resources expended as a result of the incursions. We witnessed the negative effects that UAS incursions can have on wildfire aerial responses last January during the Pacific Palisades fires when an unauthorized UAS, flying within a temporary flight restriction, struck the wing of a fixed-wing Super Scooper aircraft, endangering the life of the pilot and causing more than $65,000 in damage. Mr. Speaker, I urge support of this legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. TAYLOR. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers. I am prepared to close, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. TAYLOR. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Mr. Speaker, in the unfortunate event of a wildfire, once that spark is ignited, the only thing that matters is extinguishing the flames as quickly as possible to protect our neighbors, forests, and properties. We owe all aerial firefighters a great debt of gratitude. In the event of a wildfire, personally, I like for them to be focused on the task at hand rather than worrying about and avoiding unauthorized UAS flying within a Temporary Flight Restriction. To reiterate, this commonsense study will produce valuable recommendations and ensure lawmakers have the information and facts to craft informed policy. Mr. Speaker, I urge support of this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. TAYLOR

Mr. TAYLOR. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 6267) to direct the Comptroller General of the United States to conduct a study on the impediments to digital documentation and verification in the aviation supply chain, and for other purposes.

Mr. TAYLOR. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and insert extraneous material into the record on H.R. on 6267.

Mr. TAYLOR. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, the safety of our airspace is and has always been the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure's top priority. That commitment to aviation safety extends down to the raw materials and components used to manufacture and maintain aircraft that are operational in the National Airspace System. Recent reports of bad actors falsifying paperwork, leading to unapproved parts entering the supply chain, are not only highly concerning but also underscores the need to authenticate documents and intercept counterfeit parts. Unapproved parts and falsified documentation threaten the safety of our aviation system and the integrity of our supply chain, which we have worked so diligently to strengthen. Mr. Speaker, American manufacturers, repair stations, air carriers, aircraft lessors, aircraft brokers, and parts brokers deserve and need the tools to easily identify falsified documentation and ensure they are not buying, selling, or installing counterfeit parts. H.R. 6267 will identify barriers to tools that can help identify counterfeit parts, ensuring everyone in the aviation supply chain has the ability to verify the authenticity of the materials and parts they purchase. Mr. Speaker, I urge support of this legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. TAYLOR. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Knott).

Mr. TAYLOR. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Mr. Speaker, in closing, I thank Representative Knott from North Carolina for his leadership on this important issue. To reiterate, unapproved parts and falsified documentation threaten the safety of our aviation system and the integrity of our supply chain which holds it all together. This legislation will improve aviation safety by identifying barriers to adopting digital tools to identify the authenticity of materials and parts in the aviation supply chain. Furthermore, H.R. 6267, the Aviation Supply Chain Safety and Security Digitization Act of 2025, will support the Federal Aviation Administration as they work to digitize legacy paper systems as required by the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024. Mr. Speaker, as a Representative of Ohio, where the Wright brothers built and designed the very first airplane, I urge support of this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. TAYLOR

Mr. TAYLOR. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 5663) to modify the termination of the Aviation Consumer Protection Advisory Committee, and for other purposes, as amended.