Greg Walden

Mr. WALDEN

Mr. WALDEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 2610, the Stop Seniors Scam Act. I too want to thank the main sponsors, Representatives Walberg and Blunt Rochester. I know we are all keeping Representative Walberg in our thoughts and prayers as he copes with COVID right now, or he would be here on the floor. I also want to acknowledge Representatives Hudson, Lujan, O'Halleran, Kelly, and Gianforte. I guess to follow up on our chairman's comment, this was the bill to cosponsor if you want to move into higher office apparently. Both a future Governor and Senator are cosponsors here, and who knows where the rest of the gang goes. The Stop Senior Scams Act would establish a Senior Scams Prevention Advisory Council which would create model educational materials to educate employees of retail companies, financial institutions, and wire transfer companies on how to identify and prevent scams. Importantly, this effort prioritizes scams targeting our senior citizens and Native nations, populations that have unfortunately and tragically been targeted at a much higher rate during the COVID-19 pandemic by scammers offering false medications---- Can you imagine that, Mr. Speaker? Or faster ways to claim stimulus checks or Social Security checks. All of them are fraud. The bill would also help enhance collaborative efforts between the Federal Trade Commission and State attorneys general to prevent, publicize, and penalize frauds and scams targeting U.S. citizens. It is critical for Congress to do our duty to help end these scams. Mr. Speaker, I urge passage of this legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. WALDEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I want to thank the gentlewoman from Delaware, my friend, for her work on this and so many other pieces of legislation and our work together. We have had a good run. There is still more work to be done in the next 40-some days, but I thank her for her kind comments and her good work. Again, Mr. Speaker, I urge passage, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. WALDEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I have said before and I will say it again: I don't think there is a more fierce advocate for consumers than the gentlewoman who chairs the subcommittee. She has, once again, brought solid legislation to the floor. We appreciate her and her team working with us to make this bipartisan. Mr. Speaker, I urge passage, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. WALDEN. Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend and colleague from Illinois for her support of this legislation and her work on it. Once again, I urge passage of the legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. WALDEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I thank my good friend from New Mexico. I think it is worth pointing out that this probably won't make a lot of coverage in national media, but he chaired the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee when I chaired the National Republican Congressional Committee. We are of different parties and sort of different regions, in a way; we are both westerners. But once again, we are working together for the American people, and we do a lot of that around here. Especially on the Committee on Energy and Commerce, we have a fine record of working things out. We have 16 of these bipartisan things on the floor today, and I just wish our constituents saw more of this. Mr. Speaker, I wish the gentleman from New Mexico well in his endeavors across the Capitol. He will bring a breath of fresh air over there, and I know his commitment to his State and all who reside in it. I hope our paths do continue to cross in some manner. I have enjoyed serving with the gentleman from New Mexico. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. WALDEN

Mr. WALDEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 6435, the Combating Pandemic Scams Act of 2020. I thank Representative Buddy Carter from Georgia, along with Representatives Kuster, Blunt Rochester, and Hudson, for their work and their leadership on, again, another bipartisan piece of legislation. As we all know, we are in the midst of this horrible pandemic. COVID- 19 has forced millions of Americans to isolate and rely on the internet to work, learn, receive healthcare, stay connected to loved ones, and so much more. Unfortunately, bad actors come out of the gutters wherever they live to seek to exploit times of crisis and target our most vulnerable. During this pandemic, we have seen scammers attempt to exploit consumer fear and confusion by falsely promising additional stimulus checks, illegitimate lifesaving medications, and fake avenues to save businesses or pay employees--all scams. H.R. 6435 aims to protect Americans, especially senior citizens and people with disabilities, from malicious and deceptive scams. The bill directs the Federal Trade Commission to prioritize informing the most vulnerable among us about mail, telemarketing, and internet scams, all related to COVID-19. Importantly, the bill would provide Americans with the tools they need to educate and protect themselves against these very scams. This legislation will be even more important as we work together to ensure that the COVID vaccine is delivered in a safe and timely fashion. Mr. Speaker, I am glad to see H.R. 6435 under consideration today. I urge all of my colleagues to support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. WALDEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Carter), the coauthor of the bill who has been very active on many of these pieces of legislation.

Mr. WALDEN. Mr. Speaker, I thank our colleagues on both sides of the aisle for their work on this legislation. I urge its passage, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. WALDEN

Mr. WALDEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 8121, the Pandemic Effects on Home Safety and Tourism Act. I thank Representatives Cardenas and Davis for their leadership and effort on this bill to protect consumers. I also thank Ranking Member Upton and Chairman Castor, as their legislation to promote and assist the recovery of our tourism industry was adopted as part of this bill; as well as Ranking Member McMorris Rodgers and Chair Schakowsky along with, obviously, Chairman Pallone. The Pandemic Effects on Home Safety and Tourism Act would direct the Consumer Product Safety Commission to report and make available to the public information about injuries and deaths from consumer products during the COVID-19 pandemic. This would provide Americans with updates on trends of potentially hazardous products that have entered the marketplace during this critical time. In addition to studying the trends of injuries, the bill would support further research on how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the U.S. travel and tourism industries. Many communities, particularly rural communities like those in my district, rely on tourism. We must have the information necessary to promote and assist the travel and tourism industry as we emerge from this devastating pandemic. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. WALDEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Rodney Davis), who has put so much work into this piece of legislation and so many others.

Mr. WALDEN. Mr. Speaker, I thank my friends on both sides of the aisle and our terrific staffs for their great work on these 16 pieces of legislation that we brought forward to the House floor from the Energy and Commerce Committee. I urge passage of this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. WALDEN

Mr. WALDEN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the life of Retired Brigadier General Frank Toney, Jr., United States Army Special Forces, who passed away on August 6, 2020, at the age of 70. Frank Toney was born in Tampa, Florida, on March 1, 1950, where he was raised until he graduated from Henry B. Plant High School in 1968. He attended Arkansas State University on an athletic scholarship and was a part of Arkansas State's championship football team that went undefeated in 1970. He graduated in 1972 as a Distinguished Military Graduate with the Red Wolf Battalion ROTC program and received an active duty commission as an infantry officer with the United States Army. As a Lieutenant, Toney served with the 7th Psychological Operations Group, 1st Special Forces Group, and the 51st Infantry Regiment. After graduating the Advanced Infantry Officer Course, Captain Toney assumed his first company command with the highly esteemed 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment at Fort Lewis, Washington. Following this command, Toney became a Special Forces officer after earning his green beret. Toney was then promoted to Major in 1981 and served four years with the 5th Special Forces Group at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. He graduated from the Command and General Staff College in 1986 and was assigned to the John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School where his incredible leadership shaped the intensive Special Forces Assessment and Selection Course responsible for evaluating and selecting the best candidates to attend the Special Forces Qualification Course. Toney was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel in 1989, and his leadership would shape special operations in the Middle East and Africa throughout the 1990s. He led 1st Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group in combat during Operation Desert Storm. He was promoted to Colonel after attending the National War College and commanded the 10th Special Forces Group between 1992 and 1994. Toney then served as Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations and then as Deputy Commander of Anny Special Operations Command before he was promoted to Brigadier General and commanded all Special Operations Forces under Special Operations Command Central during Operation Desert Fox. Toney is best known as the Commander of the United States Special Forces Command during the initial push into Afghanistan where he radically shifted the Special Forces mission towards unconventional warfare to effectively fight the Taliban. Under his command, Special Forces were able to rally together and lead the Northern Alliance of tribes to liberate Afghanistan from the Taliban. Toney retired from the United States Army in January 2002, but even in retirement he continued to serve as an advisor upholding United States interests throughout Africa and the Middle East. In fact, in February 2012, the United States Army Special Forces Regiment recognized Toney as a Distinguished Member in the Regimental Honors, Awards, and Affiliation Program. This was an honor that had been given to less than 80 men before him. Even after he retired to Medford, Oregon, he continued to serve his country and the military he loved. Over the last decade, Toney assisted me in the assessment and recommendations of the best potential candidates for our nation's military service academies. His pointed and expert guidance in his role as Chairman for my annual Service Academy Nomination Boards was invaluable. He will be missed. Toney is survived by his wife Sally and his son, Frank Toney, also a United States Army Veteran. Toney's decorations and awards include the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, the Distinguished Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star, the Master and Military Free Fall Parachute Badges, among other distinguished awards. Overall, Toney dedicated more than 40 years of service to our country. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me and Toney's family in honoring the life and service of Brigadier General Frank Toney, Jr. For a man of his caliber, who demonstrated superb leadership, dedication, and sacrifice throughout his service to our great nation, it seems no amount of recognition is sufficient to say thank you but he will always be remembered as a highly respected leader and warrior.

Mr. WALDEN

Mr. WALDEN. Mr. Speaker, it does not give me pleasure to be here today to say what I am about to say. I am really frustrated. The Energy and Commerce Committee, which I am the ranking member and former chairman of, we worked most of this year on legislation to ban the manufacture, processing, and distribution of asbestos. We found common ground. We worked together. We voted it out of committee by a 47-1 vote. We fully anticipated the work product of the Republicans and Democrats in that committee to be brought to the floor under suspension, as approved by the committee. Sadly, Democrats on Friday night listed the bill, but they had rewritten parts of it without ever consulting with Republicans and tried to cram it through the process. Now, after many days of trying to work this out between us, and we have offered many alternatives to try and accommodate our majority colleagues, they are trying to blame Republicans for this bill not coming to the floor. Well, I will tell you what, bring the bill we passed out of committee to the floor and we will vote for it, and it will pass overwhelmingly. You are the majority party. You just brought a $2.2 trillion bill to the floor; you can bring this one under a rule. Do that. Keep your word. Let's work together and ban asbestos.

Mr. WALDEN

Mr. WALDEN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to introduce a bill to grant an honorary promotion to World War II veteran, Private First Class Delbert Littrell of the United States Marine Corps from Private First Class to Corporal. PFC Delbert Littrell is an extraordinary World War II veteran. PFC Littrell served in five major campaigns as a member of the 14th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division. He not only survived the combat rigors and horrors of Iwo Jima, but also assaults on the Marshall Islands, Saipan, Tinian, and Okinawa. All of these battles were some of the heaviest battles fought in the Pacific theater during World War II. The Secretary of the Navy when recommending this honorary promotion said, ``Littrell's extraordinary service to the Marine Corps is noteworthy and rises to the service that warrants favorable consideration for this unique honor. The recommendation to concur with the request is a testament to his enduring selflessness and sacrifice.'' In addition to his service during the war, PFC Littrell has long served his community. The Marine Corps League Coquille River Detachment recognized PFC Littrell as their 2016 Marine of the Year. In 2019, he was awarded with a Marine Corps League Distinguished Service Award and was also recognized as the Marine Corps League Marine of the Year for the Department of Oregon. PFC Littrell reliably and honorably performed his duties in the Marine Corps throughout his period of active service. PFC Littrell is worthy of an honorary promotion to Corporal. By passing this legislation, we have the opportunity to honor the notable service of this outstanding veteran. This honorary promotion is championed by the Navy and Marine Corp and I strongly urge my colleagues to support this bill's swift passage.

Mr. WALDEN

Mr. WALDEN. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleagues for bringing this legislation forward, and especially Chairman Grijalva and Ranking Member Bishop. I also thank Oregon senators, Merkley and Wyden, for their efforts on this, too. Irrigators in the Klamath Basin, which I represent, face another drought-stricken year. There have been a lot of things we have done to help them over time. I have been involved in these issues for more than 20 years now, and it is one of the most vexing water systems in the country when you try and parse it all together and make it all work, and couple that with Federal requirements and Tribal rights, and then get a drought year, we get in really bad shape. This year, I welcomed Secretary of Interior David Bernhardt and Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner Brenda Burman to the Klamath Basin. They got a firsthand look at what our farmers were facing there. Secretary Bernhardt was the first Secretary of the Interior to visit the Klamath Basin in about 20 years, so we are really appreciative that he took time personally to come out there. We are thankful to the Trump administration for listening to us. They have committed to provide funding to ensure we have the best science available to make better decisions by the Federal Government when it comes to the allocation of water. Today, in this legislation, we are providing yet another tool to help farmers. This legislation will give the Bureau of Reclamation the authority to spend $10 million each year over the next 4 years to implement measures including groundwater pumping and water movement through the Bureau of Reclamation facilities. This is simply essential for the survival of irrigated agriculture in the Basin. Mr. Speaker, I look forward to continuing to work with Congress, the administration, and local officials to find durable, lasting solutions for the farmers, ranchers, fish, and Tribes in the Klamath Basin. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleagues for bringing this bill forward, and urge its passage.

Mr. WALDEN

Mr. WALDEN. Mr. Speaker, I hope my colleagues will join me and the chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee in supporting passage of this legislation and our efforts to ensure that our electric grid and our power supply sources are safe and secure. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. WALDEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I, too, rise in support of H.R. 362, Energy Emergency Leadership Act. Mr. Speaker, this legislation, sponsored by Representatives Rush and Walberg, strengthens the Department of Energy's important energy emergency mission. It does so by requiring the well-established energy emergency and cybersecurity functions at DOE to be organized under the leadership of an assistant secretary confirmed by the United States Senate. Just over 2\1/2\ years ago, then-Secretary of the Department of Energy Rick Perry recognized the importance of elevating this mission within the Department, and he established an Assistant Secretary-led office, the Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Security, and Emergency Response. This office has proven its worth in various situations over the past 2 years, Mr. Speaker, including assistance relating to hurricanes and wildfires. This bill would amend the Department of Energy Organization Act to establish in law and, therefore, maintain that a Senate-confirmed assistant secretary would lead the Department of Energy's emergency response and cybersecurity functions. This legislation will ensure the Department has the focused and accountable leadership to more fully protect the public from fuel and electricity supply disruptions against all the hazards, natural or man- made, including emerging threats from our foreign adversaries to the Nation's electric grid. The bill has been drafted to ensure the Department carries out its responsibilities in coordination with other agencies by improving coordination across the Department, ensuring more effective interagency collaborations, and increasing accountability to the Congress. A vote for H.R. 362 is a vote for ensuring high-level leadership over energy emergencies at the Department of Energy for the benefit of public safety and welfare, and for stronger cybersecurity protections in the electricity systems. Mr. Speaker, I urge support of the legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. WALDEN

Mr. WALDEN. Madam Speaker, I thank the leaders of the Energy and Commerce Committee on both sides of the aisle for moving forward with H.R. 8134, the Consumer Product Safety Inspection Enhancement Act. I especially want to thank Chairwoman Schakowsky, who has worked so hard on this, and Representative Jeff Duncan, who has also led on this bill. This bill will improve coordination with U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the CBP, to target and prevent consumer products that violate American laws from entering the United States. Importantly, this effort prioritizes shipments from China, where we know the overwhelming majority of counterfeit goods originate. By prioritizing inspection of shipments from China, H.R. 8134 will help the CPSC and the CBP identify trends and better position us to prevent goods that violate our laws and, by the way, hurt our small businesses from entering our country. The COVID-19 pandemic underscored the importance of addressing supply chain threats. This bill is an important step in making that happen. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.

Mr. WALDEN

Mr. WALDEN. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 8128, the Consumer Safety Technology Act. I want to thank Mr. McNerney, Mr. Burgess, Mr. Soto, and Mr. Guthrie for their leadership on this effort. This bipartisan bill directs the Consumer Product Safety Commission to conduct a pilot program to determine how artificial intelligence may be used to advance the agency's mission. Given the agency's broad jurisdiction over so many different consumer products, being able to efficiently and accurately analyze data is critical. This bill also includes an important study on how blockchain technology may be used to address fraud and other unfair and deceptive acts and practices. This is complimentary to the American COMPETE Act that also prioritizes this emerging technology. Blockchain technology would help bolster our supply chains, improve privacy--especially relating to contact tracing during the COVID-19 pandemic, and combat the spread of misinformation and fraud. I am glad to see this provision included in the legislation. Relatedly, H.R. 8128 also focuses on digital tokens and targets ways in which we can protect consumers from fraud in the digital token marketplace. I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

Mr. WALDEN

Mr. WALDEN. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 5572, the Family Support Services for Addiction Act, which was introduced by Representatives Trone and Meuser. This legislation would establish grant programs for family community organizations to provide evidence-informed and family-based approaches to substance use and addiction management. Family-based approaches have demonstrated stronger outcomes in substance use disorder recovery when compared with individual approaches, as they address several psychosocial dimensions of addiction and strengthen support networks for affected individuals. Madam Speaker, the legislation before us today supports family community organizations that are committed to pursuing evidence-based interventions for substance use disorder, reduce the stigma of addiction, and strengthen both families and communities through recovery. Madam Speaker, I thank our two colleagues that sponsored this important bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. WALDEN

Mr. WALDEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. I would just conclude my remarks by, again, speaking in favor of the underlying legislation, but also thanking Mike and his team for doing such a great job throughout this Congress and the preceding one to help all of us come together and solve the Nation's problems to the best of our ability. They really are a talented team, and we have been fortunate to have Mike at the helm. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. WALDEN

Mr. WALDEN. Madam Speaker, I have no other speakers on this measure. I would encourage its passage. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. WALDEN

Mr. WALDEN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Daniel Spatz as he retires after 12 years as the Washington, D.C. Trip Scheduler for The Dalles Community Outreach Team. Daniel's dedication, diligence, and passion to support others has helped make the Community Outreach Team the success it is today. Dan was born in Portland, Oregon and raised outside of White Salmon, Washington, and graduated from Columbia High School. He went on to earn his degree in journalism and business from Eastern Oregon State College after working at The White Salmon Enterprise as a high school student. After college, Dan began his career in the newspaper business working for every other newspaper in the Columbia River Gorge: Hood River News, Goldendale Sentinel, The Dalles Reminder, and lastly, The Dalles Chronicle. During this time, Dan learned all the nuances of newspaper production including running a printing press, running advertisement sales, directing news meetings, writing for publication, and ultimately serving as an editor and general manager. Additionally, he became an award-winning journalist recognized by both the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) and the Oregon Newspaper Publishers Association (ONPA). While working at The Dalles Reminder, Dan met his wife, Michele, when he interviewed her for a news story. Together they built a family and raised two daughters, Melissa and Kathryn, who are now, respectively, a general surgeon and an emergency room physician. In fact, Dan and Michele have always shared a welcoming home, especially since they developed a high school student exchange program between The Dalles and its sister city, Miyoshi City, Japan. For several years the Spatz home has served as a homestay family and hosted numerous Miyoshi City students, visitors, and adult chaperones. After 30 years in regional journalism, Dan left to join Columbia Gorge Community College (CGCC) as their Chief Institutional Advancement Officer where he serves today as the Executive Director of Institutional Advancement. His outstanding accomplishments at CGCC include negotiating intergovernmental agreements securing $14.6 million for capital construction programs to build the Treaty Oaks Skills Center and student housing on The Dalles CGCC campus. Dan also supported CGCC's Hispanic Serving Institution designation by creating and facilitating the college's Latinx Advisory Council, which represents community organizations, school districts, and other groups with a mission to identify barriers to college recruitment, retention, and academic completion of Latinx students. Additionally, as Chief Institutional Advancement Officer, Dan embraced the task of scheduling the Community Outreach Team's complement of Washington, D.C. meetings that occur each March and September. He was also instrumental in helping CGCC receive funding for a new National Guard Readiness Center, a Wind Energy Technician Training program, new 911 dispatch equipment for Wasco County, and construction dollars for The Dalles' East Gateway Project. Dan secured meetings with Oregon and Washington Legislators, the American Wind Energy Association, the Department of Energy, and the Department of Education enabling the Community Outreach Team to advocate for and ultimately receive funding for these important community projects. Dan was also an integral member of the Community Outreach Team itself and made many trips to Washington, D.C. as a representative of CGCC and the City of The Dalles. Finally, over the last two decades, Dan has also served in several other key leadership positions within The Dalles and Wasco County. From 2008 to 2016, he was elected to The Dalles City Council representing the Cities of Wasco County and served on the Mid-Columbia Economic Development District Board, the Mt. Hood Economic Alliance Board, and as Vice-President of the QualityLife Intergovernmental Agency (QLife) Board. Additionally, through a CGCC subcontract with Wasco County, Dan served as the Wasco County Economic Development Coordinator where he crafted Wasco County's comprehensive economic development strategic plan and led the Wasco 2000 initiative to develop wastewater treatment in rural Wamic, Oregon. It's hard to look around The Dalles without spotting something that hasn't been touched by Dan's efforts. The community and region are better off because of the time and energy he has invested in helping spur growth and development in the Gorge. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Dan's service, leadership, and dedication to the communities of Wasco County and The Dalles.

Mr. WALDEN

Mr. WALDEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 360, the Cyber Sense Act, was authored and introduced by my Energy and Commerce Committee colleagues, Mr. Latta and Mr. McNerney. The bill was reported unanimously from the Energy and Commerce Committee to improve the cybersecurity of the supply chains for the components of our Nation's electricity infrastructure. To ensure the security of our Nation's electricity grid means we must ensure bulk-power system components and technologies are not vulnerable to cyber threats and attacks. This is especially important, given the threats our nation-state adversaries pose to the bulk-power and electric systems, as indicated by the President's May 1, 2020, executive order giving the Department of Energy authority to take action to protect the bulk-power system. This bill would help that effort. H.R. 360 would establish a voluntary Department of Energy program that identifies and promotes cyber-secure products intended for use in the bulk-power system, including products related to industrial control systems. The bill would authorize the Department of Energy to provide technical assistance to electric utilities, product manufacturers, and other electricity sector stakeholders to help mitigate identified cybersecurity vulnerabilities. The bill also was amended to make clear these efforts of the Department of Energy would include, as appropriate, other relevant Federal agencies like the Department of Homeland Security. Mr. Speaker, a vote for H.R. 360 is a vote for providing an important new tool to electric utility supply chains from cybersecurity threats. I urge support of the legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. WALDEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Latta), the coauthor of this bill.