Fred Upton

Mr. UPTON

Mr. UPTON. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the life of Mr. James ``Jim'' Harold Rabbers of Stevensville, Michigan who passed away on October 11, 2021. Jim was a true Michigander through and through. He was a loving husband, and caring father and friend to all. Born and raised in Southwest Michigan, he attended Lakeshore High School and went on to attend Western Michigan University. After college, Jim went on to sell insurance and build warm relationships throughout the Stevensville community. He was a fan of all sports and had a special place in his heart for the Wolverines. He could talk sports all day long, but his real gift was forming friendships that stood the test of time. Jim participated in sports throughout high school and played and officiated intramural sports in college. He even met the love of his life, Mary, playing softball and volleyball at St. Paul Lutheran Church. Mary had just come into town as a new teacher at a local school. The pair quickly bonded over their love of sports and competitive spirits and married in the summer of 1986. They became parents to four wonderful children: Derek Rabbers (Claire), Chelsea Rabbers, Megan Spaude (Jason), and Travis Rabbers. Jim and Mary have been blessed with three grandchildren: Wesley, Jay and Samuel Rabbers. Jim is survived by his wife, four children, daughter and son-in-law, three grandchildren, his brothers: Thom (Rhonda) Rabbers and Dan (Diana) Rabbers, his sisters: Susan (Robert) Vandervleit and Jodi Rabbers, as well as a number of extended family members.

Mr. UPTON

Mr. UPTON. Madam Speaker, most folks have never heard of PFAS. In Michigan we found out the hard way. Again. Sadly, we know a little bit about water contamination. Think Flint, think lead. PFAS is bad, too. Really bad. The EPA has been slow at the switch. Three years ago, I stepped off the plane coming back from D.C. for the August break, and I got a call. It was bad. It was from one of my State senators. One of my towns had been identified just a few hours earlier with having alarming PFAS parts per trillion numbers. We had to act right away. I drove straight to the sheriff command center, prompted the immediate notification of thousands of residents. It was nearly midnight. Before they could make infant formula or coffee in the morning or even water their vegetable garden, they had to stop. They had to unplug their icemakers in their refrigerators. For months they had to line up at churches and schools to get cases of water for human consumption. We had a bipartisan bill to require the EPA to set a minimum standard for PFOA and PFAS, which House Republicans agreed to, but we were later denied. It would have started the EPA's clock, which is why we need to act now. We know this stuff is bad. We know this causes cancer. This bill is not perfect. It needs to see a number of constructive changes before it reaches the President's desk, but I want to thank Dan Kildee and Brian Fitzpatrick, the two co-chairs of the bipartisan Congressional PFAS Task Force. I want to thank Chairman Pallone. I also want to thank my colleague Debbie Dingell for authoring this bill.

Mr. UPTON

Mr. UPTON. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for doing this, and I am sorry to sort of jump people in line, but we are in a committee markup, so I have to get back. Mr. Speaker, I have to say that my friend, Paul Mitchell, grew up the eldest of seven kids. Literally, a natural born leader of the pack. He was the first of his extended family to graduate from college. He has noted that his mom raised him to believe that those with talents and resources were expected by God to make a difference in the world. And by God, he did. Tenacious and focused like a laser beam, he set and met goals. A scrappy fighter, he has now met his most formidable foe, that is for sure, and he is all in for that fight. And in a text that I got from him a little bit earlier today, he said, ``as you know, I am one tough cuss.'' Yes, Paul, you are. And you know what, everybody knows it--not only your Republican and Democratic colleagues, but certainly the former President, and probably all of your constituents back in Michigan as well. You are a tough cuss. Yesterday, my colleague, Diana DeGette, and I introduced a discussion draft called 21st Century Cures 2.0. Mr. Speaker, 392 of us in this Chamber, including Paul, voted for the 21st Century Cures enacted in 2016, which expedites the approval of new drugs. This bill that we are working on now, 2.0, could well indeed speed the approval of new drugs even faster. So it indeed could be the very lifeline for Paul and so many like him--thousands of Americans and around the world--that somehow are impacted by this terrible disease that we all want to survive. Paul's life is characterized by exceeding expectations, defying the odds. And we know that is what he intends to do now, for sure. And if anybody can, it is Paul. So we are with you, Paul--you may be watching--every step of the way. All of us. Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record Paul's farewell address that he stated back in July of 2019 as part of this tribute. Representative Paul Mitchell's (MI-10) Floor Remarks on Wednesday July 24, 2019 Madam Speaker, America is an amazing place and we too often as Americans take that for granted. Opportunities exist in this country that simply aren't available in much of the world. And my life is an example of the many possibilities in the United States of America. I ask you: Where else can a kid born into poverty, beginning life in a subsidized housing project, become a national legislator? Yet--here I stand as a Member of Congress. In how many countries can the oldest of seven children with parents that were an hourly autoworker and a Salvation Army office manager become the first in their extended family to graduate from college, build a career and become CEO of a major workforce development company and, after retiring, be elected to Congress? America is truly a unique and special place that we must love and respect with all our heart and soul. My mother raised me to believe that those with talents and/ or resources were expected by God to make a difference in the world. I have tried to do that throughout my life. My mission for 35 years was to assist people in identifying and securing career opportunities. My professional career allowed me to support my family while assisting adults of all ages and backgrounds develop skills to support their families and build careers. I assisted individuals ranging from laid off steel workers and autoworkers to long term public assistance recipients develop the skills they needed to secure a job and build a new career. I worked with individuals requiring literacy education or ESL and adults that had worked in the same job for years and suddenly found their jobs and industries had evaporated, and their lives turned upside down. I worked, in some way or another, with tens of thousands of people searching for assistance in securing a job and a career path. I believed then, and I continue to believe, that most Americans find value and opportunity in working--sometimes they just need a hand and assistance to overcome adversity. I brought that passion and commitment to Washington. I was, and remain, committed to making a difference in the world. I literally approached being a Member of Congress like my earlier career--full tilt and leaving no stone unturned to have a meaningful impact, and to make a difference on issues where I could. It is an honor to stand on this floor, debate issues, and represent the people of Michigan's 10th Congressional District. I am proud to be among the 12,500 or so Americans that have had the privilege of serving in Congress. But I have also begun asking myself about making a difference for my family. My children of all ages--but the youngest just nine years old--have accepted their dad traveling this country extensively, working a demanding schedule, and frequently interrupting ``family time'' with calls, emails and text messages. My spouse Sherry has been so supportive and more patient than probably warranted. A career in Washington has never been my objective. My objective has always been simply to work to address significant challenges this nation faces: health care, immigration, and infrastructure for example. However, it appears to me that rhetoric overwhelms policy, and politics consumes much of the oxygen in this city. The time has come to make a difference for my family--to focus my time and energy upon them--their needs and goals. As George Washington is quoted: ``I would rather be on my farm than emperor of the world.'' As a result--I have decided I will not seek to continue to represent Michigan's 10th District next term. After serving out the remainder of the 116th Congress--I will return to my family and our small farm..

Mr. UPTON. Mr. Speaker, I thank Elissa, again, for organizing this time for many of his friends that would like to say a few words tonight and push him forward to get to that finish line and come back. God bless you.

Mr. UPTON

Mr. UPTON. Mr. Speaker, January 6 is going to haunt this institution for a long, long time. No, it was not the joyous day on Capitol Hill with our constituents celebrating the start of a new Congress and a new administration. COVID came first, then this. So nearly 5 months later, we still don't have the answers to the basic questions: Who knew what? When? What did they do about it? Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleagues, Katko and Thompson, for the really good job on working together to establish a bipartisan commission seeking to find the answers to the questions that are still out there. Hundreds of people were arrested. People died. Millions of dollars of damage to this building, feces spread on the walls, and, yes, the very core of democracy, this institution, was threatened. I wasn't in the Chamber that day when the breach was attempted, but I heard the shouts, saw the flash bangs, smelled the gas on that sorry day. And if it had not been for the brave Capitol and Metropolitan policemen and women that day, who knows how many of our heads would have been swinging on those gallows that were constructed on the east front of the Capitol. I talked to the exhausted SWAT team members, the police, and watched some of the body cams. I talked to some of our still-shaken colleagues who endured that day. Mr. Speaker, we need the answers, not political rhetoric. That is what this bipartisan commission can provide for all of us, for our country. Let the truth shine in.

Mr. UPTON

Mr. UPTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from Indiana (Mrs. Brooks), a member of the Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Mr. UPTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Johnson), also a member of the Energy and Commerce Committee.

Mr. UPTON. So, Mr. Speaker, this is a farewell for Greg Walden. He started off in public service serving as the youngest State house majority leader in Oregon's history before he was elected to the U.S. House for Oregon's Second District. He came to the Energy and Commerce Committee in 2001, and, of course, I referenced the Energy and Commerce Committee a little bit earlier as the greatest committee, and that is because I simply took the words of John Dingell, our former chairman, who agrees with me, I know, but as he would say, our committee's jurisdiction is really just two words: the world. We have jurisdiction over energy, the environment, healthcare, telecommunications, trade, manufacturing, and then some, and, of course, that very important issue called oversight and investigations. Greg chaired the Telecommunications Subcommittee from 2010 until 2016. He jumped up over others in seniority because of his knowledge on that issue and his passion, whether it be broadband or digital broadcasting, anything involving the telecommunication industry. He became chairman of the full committee in 2017, and, obviously, the top Republican now, as Republicans no longer serve in the majority. As you look back at his career, Mr. Speaker, and you look at some of these landmark issues--Cathy McMorris Rodgers indicated a couple--but CHIP, children's healthcare, so important for all of our States. He was a leader on that. For the first time ever, we actually passed something with a 10-year authorization bill called the community health centers authorization. Opioids were a big issue 3, 4 years ago. It still is today, but literally every member of our committee had a piece of that bill. I want to say maybe more than 100 different separate bills were fashioned together as one. President Trump signed it into law, and it made a meaningful difference for so many people as they struggle with this addiction across the country. I couldn't forget this one bill, and I had to write the title down, the Repack Airwaves Yielding Better Access for Users of Modern Servers. I think I got that right. If you take the first letter of every word, that spells RAY BAUM. Ray Baum was our staff director of the committee for a couple years until a terrible brain cancer took his life. This bill was named in honor of Ray. I will tell you, 911 calls wouldn't work today without this, because this provided the location, when that call is made, to make sure that the first responder, in fact, is going to get to that delivery site. So it is very important legislation, and Ray was just an awesome leader on our committee. But I see other Members have joined us now. May I ask, Mr. Speaker, how much time I have remaining.

Mr. UPTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from California (Mr. McNerney), who is a member of the Energy and Commerce Committee.

Mr. UPTON. Mr. Speaker, this 30 minutes is a tribute to our leader who is leaving us, Greg Walden, the top Republican on the Energy and Commerce Committee and the former chairman, and, obviously, a good friend to everyone on both sides of the aisle. Knowing that many Members have plenty of meetings that are starting, I am going to yield to the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Hudson).

Mr. UPTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. Blumenauer), a colleague.

Mr. UPTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Fitzpatrick).

Mr. UPTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from the State of Washington (Mrs. Rodgers), the Greg Walden successor as the top Republican on the powerful Energy and Commerce Committee and, as we like to say, chairman-in-waiting in the next aisle.

Mr. UPTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from the great State of Michigan (Mr. Walberg), who is another member of the Energy and Commerce Committee.

Mr. UPTON. Mr. Speaker, I know other Members may be on the way over. General Leave

Mr. UPTON. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks as part of this Special Order for Mr. Walden.

Mr. UPTON. Mr. Speaker, I want to report some breaking news. Roll Call has just put something out online, it will be published tomorrow. And the headline is: ``Adulting might be alive and well in Congress. The retiring Lamar Alexander and Greg Walden show it's possible to do your job in public life while acting like a grown-up.'' That is Greg. He got things done. He was an Eagle Scout when he was a youngster, still is a mighty big Ducks fan. You can't walk into his office without seeing the Ducks. He is in a lot better mood on Monday when you see him if the Ducks win. They didn't win the other day. But he has been a really special individual with real care and handling of all the different issues that our committee deals with. A partner in leadership on both sides of the aisle, his word is his bond. His staff has been terrific, all of them: All the subcommittee staff, his personal staff, and obviously, his greatest staff person, Mylene. Mylene and his son, Anthony, we have watched him grow up from when Anthony was a youngster, but Mylene has been a special friend, really, to all of us. She puts up with Greg. Usually, she is on the West Coast while he is over here. Mr. Speaker, he has been a special talent that has been lent to our committee to make this country a better place. Mr. Speaker, may I inquire how much time is remaining?

Mr. UPTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. Walden).

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

Mr. UPTON

Mr. UPTON. Madam Speaker, may I ask how much time each side has remaining?

Mr. UPTON. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Allen).

Mr. UPTON. Madam Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Shimkus), the top Republican on the Environment Subcommittee.

Mr. UPTON. Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time to close. Madam Speaker, Republicans do support clean energy, but we oppose wasteful government spending and top-down policies that make energy more expensive, reduce consumer choice, and threaten our energy security. Madam Speaker, I include in the Record a Statement of Administration Policy from the Office of the President of the United States recommending a veto. The letter states: ``H.R. 4447 would lead to higher energy costs and discourage innovation and entrepreneurship'' and ``fails on several other measures.'' Statement of Administration Policy H.R. 4447--Clean Economy Jobs and Innovation Act--Rep. O'Halleran, D- AZ, and 9 cosponsors The Administration opposes passage of H.R. 4447. The Administration supports clean energy, job development, and the innovation economy and adheres to a bottom-up energy philosophy that promotes free-markets, funds scientific research, and honors the choices of producers and consumers. This bill, however, would implement a top-down approach that would undermine the Administration's deregulatory agenda and empower the government to select favored solutions while reinstating big-government policies and programs. H.R. 4447 would lead to higher energy costs and discourage innovation and entrepreneurship. This legislation would bypass well-established processes and procedures and would impose substantial, unwarranted costs on Federal, State, and local agencies and other key stakeholders in both public and private sectors. It would do so by setting rigid energy savings and water consumption reduction targets for Federal agencies, requiring State and local governments to establish strict building codes that are not grounded in available technologies, and mandating a rigorous transition from hydrofluorocarbon use in the private heating and cooling sector. H.R. 4447 also fails on several other measures. Its proposed creation of new workforce development, training, and other related programs is unnecessary and would lead to greater fragmentation of the workforce system and duplication of efforts between Federal agencies. To support the substantial costs of these programs, the bill would authorize billions in new annual spending. It would also create a ``green bank'' that would subsidize projects similar to well- known failures like Solyndra. It ignores the importance of permitting reform while endorsing more government control and mandates on goods and products without consideration of the cost to consumers. It would also set up new mandates and regulations that would undo the Administration's significant progress in lowering emissions and cleaning our air and water. Finally, H.R. 4447 would interfere with how we have been designing our own energy and environment destiny free from the reins of the Paris Climate Accord and international agreements or organizations that ignore the clear lessons that have led to American energy independence. Since January 2017, the United States has experienced a remarkable turnaround in its energy fortunes. In a few short years, our Nation has achieved energy independence and become a net energy exporter and a world energy powerhouse. We have increased exports of United States Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) by nearly five-fold and issued 20 long-term authorizations for LNG exports to non-free trade agreement countries. The United States is the number one producer of oil in the world and has maintained its status as the top producer of nuclear power and the top producer of natural gas, as well as the world's second-leading generator of wind and solar power. Crucially, while dominating in energy production, the United States continues to lead the world in reducing energy-related carbon dioxide emissions. Americans now have greater access to energy that is abundant, affordable, clean, and reliable, and the Administration looks forward to continuing our successful approach to build on these achievements. If H.R. 4447 were presented to the President, his advisors would recommend that he veto the bill.

Mr. UPTON. Madam Speaker, I include in the Record a letter from the National Association of Home Builders in opposition to the bill due to the expansion of Federal building codes without meaningful provisions to safeguard housing affordability. National Association of Home Builders, Washington, DC, September 21, 2020. Hon. Nancy Pelosi, Speaker, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Hon. Kevin McCarthy, Minority Leader, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Dear Speaker Pelosi and Leader McCarthy: On behalf of the more than 140,000 members of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), I am writing to express strong opposition to H.R. 4447, the Clean Economy Jobs and Innovation Act. Any expansion of the federal government's authority in the code development process without meaningful provisions to safeguard housing affordability is invasive, unnecessary, and unwise. NAHB has designated opposition to H.R. 4447, the Clean Economy Jobs and Innovation Act. as a key vote. H.R. 4447 undermines the independence of the consensus- based code development process by expanding the federal government's role and authority. This legislation mandates that the Department of Energy (DOE) establish national energy savings targets for residential construction. After the consensus codes-writing bodies approve a new model code, DOE is mandated to submit proposals directly to the code developer, absent of stakeholder input, if DOE deems the federal target has not been met by the model code. H.R. 4447's Washington-knows-best regime fails to meaningfully factor in housing affordability, and it avoids the critical checks and balances that are conducted by the code development stakeholders. This top-down approach denies the consensus bodies the freedom of decision-making, rendering the code development process irrelevant and superfluous. Further, H.R. 4447 mandates a new regulatory and reporting regime for states to justify their decision to modify their building codes. The bill creates additional burdens by demanding that states that seek access to parts of a $200 million grant program must provide notice of whether they have met the bill's compliance mandates or justify why they cannot comply--a requirement that must be met every two years. This burdensome process significantly limits the ability of states and local governments to focus on adopting newer codes if they are constantly required to demonstrate compliance with this legislation. NAHB has long supported the development and implementation of reasonable, practical, and cost-effective building codes and standards. NAHB works as a partner with all levels of government to encourage energy efficiency; however, we strongly oppose federal mandates that are not cost-effective and jeopardize housing affordability. Failure to consider the true economic costs of required energy-use reductions in model energy codes and establish reasonable payback periods for these investments will result in fewer families being able to achieve the American dream of homeownership. For these reasons, NAHB is designating a key vote in opposition to H.R. 4447, the Clean Economy Jobs and Innovation Act. Sincerely, James W. Tobin III.

Mr. UPTON. Madam Speaker, I yield myself another 10 seconds. Madam Speaker, I am also alarmed by the provisions that will encourage frivolous lawsuits, lead to permitting delays and even more Federal mandates and regulations. So as we rebuild after the COVID pandemic, we should stay focused on reducing barriers to growth rather than creating more hurdles as this bill does. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.