Robert Wittman

Mr. WITTMAN

Mr. WITTMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 2294, to reauthorize the Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation System Act of 2009, sponsored by Representative Ezell from Mississippi. The Integrated Ocean Observing System, or IOOS, is a public-private partnership of coastal observation systems that provide local decisionmakers with the latest science to prepare for and protect coastal communities from disasters, while also supporting numerous industries that operate in our marine waters. The legislation before us would authorize the program through fiscal year 2030, ensuring continued support for fisheries, maritime industries, and coastal communities. Mr. Speaker, I commend Representative Ezell for his leadership, and I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 2294. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. WITTMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Mississippi (Mr. Ezell), the lead sponsor of this bill.

Mr. WITTMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Fong).

Mr. WITTMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. This bill provides communities with real-time data and information about the ocean and coastal areas and the Great Lakes. This helps them remain strong and resilient even in the face of natural disasters. Once again, I thank Mr. Ezell for his diligent work and attention to this issue. It is incredibly important to coastal communities and incredibly important to those who rely on the data and scientific information that comes from our great waterways. Mr. Speaker. I urge the passage of H.R. 2294, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. WITTMAN

Mr. WITTMAN. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3073) to confer jurisdiction on the State of Utah with respect to civil causes of action arising on or within the Indian lands of the Shivwits Band of Paiutes, and for other purposes.

Mr. WITTMAN. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on H.R. 3073, the bill now under consideration.

Mr. WITTMAN. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, in 2022, a 10th Circuit Court of Appeals case studied the Shivwits Band of Paiutes accordingly due to the opportunity for economic development when the court ruled that Utah State courts lacked the jurisdiction to hear cases involving on-reservation conduct. If an issue were to arise between the Tribe and an outside investor, there would be no guarantee that a State court could intervene. As a result, outside groups have grown hesitant to work with the Shivwits Band. H.R. 3073, the Shivwits Band of Paiutes Jurisdictional Clarity Act introduced by Ms. Maloy of Utah would clarify in statute that the Utah State courts hold jurisdiction over civil cases involving members of the Shivwits Band on their Tribal land. In addition, this legislation would follow congressional precedent by amending the Long-Term Leasing Act to allow the Shivwits Band to lease land held in trust for up to 99 years. I commend Ms. Maloy for her work on behalf of her constituency. I support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. WITTMAN. Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from Utah (Ms. Maloy), the lead sponsor of this bill.

Mr. WITTMAN. Madam Speaker, I have no further requests for time. I am prepared to close, and I continue to reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. WITTMAN. Madam Speaker, H.R. 3073 ensures that the Shivwits Band of Paiutes' sovereignty remains intact, while offering legal certainty in economic development with outside investors. Additionally, the Tribe would be able to lease its land for up to 99 years, as Congress has previously done for many other Tribes, creating new economic opportunities for the Tribe, which are well-deserved. Madam Speaker, I thank Ms. Maloy for her work. I urge the passage of H.R. 3073, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. WITTMAN

Mr. WITTMAN. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4294) to direct the Secretary of Commerce to establish a pilot program with respect to the sale of blue catfish caught within the Chesapeake Bay Watershed, as amended.

Mr. WITTMAN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 4294, the bill now under consideration.

Mr. WITTMAN. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 4294, the Mitigation Action and Watermen Support Act, also known as the MAWS Act of 2026, the legislation I was proud to cosponsor with Congresswoman Elfreth. Having grown up on the Chesapeake Bay, I understand firsthand how important it is to protect our marine wildlife and restore the bay's ecosystem. In fact, I worked in the commercial fishing realm and recreational fishing realm for a number of years there, and my son today is also a commercial fisherman, knows the bay well, and knows how problematic the blue catfish is to the Chesapeake Bay. Unfortunately, the blue catfish has become an invasive species that poses a growing threat to the biodiversity of the Chesapeake Bay's waters and the seafood industries that depend on a healthy bay. These fish are aggressive predators that consume many of the species that define the Chesapeake Bay, things like blue crabs, striped bass, and other native fish that are vital to the Chesapeake Bay's ecological balance and to the watermen whose lives depend on them. I hear daily from watermen across the spectrum saying how harmful the blue catfish are to the Chesapeake Bay. When I have had a chance to go out there and see the number of blue catfish in the bay watershed, it is astounding the biomass that is there. It is a wonder anything in the bay can survive based upon the volume of the blue catfish that are there. This does have an impact on watermen up and down the bay, not just in Virginia, but also there in Maryland. While positive steps we know have been taken to address this issue, more has to be done. The MAWS Act establishes a pilot program within the Chesapeake Bay office aimed at tackling the growing threat that these invasive blue catfish pose to the Chesapeake Bay and the fisheries that sustain our coastal communities. It is key to our economics to make sure we have crabs that people go to restaurants to enjoy and that we have striped bass that people go to restaurants to enjoy. If not, then these blue catfish will be the only thing left in the Chesapeake Bay. By supporting increased harvesting of blue catfish and studying its impact on the bay's biodiversity, this program will help protect valuable native species like blue crabs and striped bass and the watermen who depend on them. The legislation also explores practical uses of these harvested fish, including in the pet and animal food industry. This will help ensure their removal while making sure that we have sustainable commercial fishing industries there in the Chesapeake Bay. We know we want to do all we can to support the hardworking men and women who make their living on the bay. This is a bipartisan, commonsense approach that supports our watermen while helping to restore the balance to one of America's most important ecosystems. The Chesapeake Bay, by far, is the most diverse and productive water system on the face of the Earth. This imbalance is causing big problems in the bay. This will go a long way to make sure we create those opportunities for our watermen and also open up more economic opportunities for the commercial fishing industry. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this measure, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. WITTMAN. Madam Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Self).

Mr. WITTMAN. Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time to close. Madam Speaker, as we have heard, this bill does quite a bit to open up free markets for fishermen who want to be able to use this very abundant resource. Blue catfish are incredibly abundant--in fact, to the detriment of other species that everybody loves. Opening up free markets and opening up opportunities for those fishermen is incredibly important. What this also does is to take down bureaucratic impediments. We know, right now, because of the structure that USDA has to inspect these plants that process catfish, it creates an inordinate stress on that industry. For many of them, because they don't predominate in processing blue catfish, they can't afford to have a full-time USDA inspector in their plant. What this will do is to say: Let's look at other ways to be able to utilize it. This is a great source of protein. As the world today looks for protein--remember, there is a protein deficit around the world, and we have an overabundance of protein here in the Chesapeake Bay with these blue catfish--we ought to be looking at other ways to do that, not just for human consumption. As Ms. Elfreth talked about, there is a place for human consumption of these fish, but there is also a place outside of that that commercial fishermen could fill if we allow them to be used for other purposes, especially for pet food. If you look at one of the industries today that is the fastest growing industry in the United States, it is the pet industry. Why wouldn't we look at these opportunities that will help our watermen, help the environment, and help other populations like crabs and striped bass? We want to do that. We want to make sure we are doing those things that will help our economy and that will alleviate some of the bureaucratic impediments for these individuals to work hard and make a living on the water. As I said, my son is a waterman. He goes out every day with no assurance about what he will catch. He is one of the true last independent businesspeople left in the United States. When you go out today, you are not sure if you are going to catch anything. If you have something that creates undue pressure on what you are relying on to make a living, then you want to try to alleviate that and create that balance there. This does that. This takes some of the pressure off the blue crab population that, for the last decade, has been under tremendous pressure in the Chesapeake Bay. It takes pressure off the striped bass populations that right now are in decline. Watermen in Virginia and Maryland rely on the striped bass. It is a heavily managed fishery, but when you have these other pressures on there, we want to make sure that we have the right balance. What this does is to open up the door to make sure that those things happen, that we look to enhance coastal economies that right now are under significant duress. Watermen struggle and have to fish multiple species in order to make a living. This would be a great enhancement for them. If we can do this, it helps the area economically. It also takes away some of the burdens on seafood processors that have those burdens. Sometimes, they can't get into this industry because of the regulatory burdens. This is a great way for us to do that. The economic impact is going to be significant, I would argue, not just for the Chesapeake Bay but also for the surrounding areas that rely upon the bounty that comes out of the Chesapeake Bay. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 4294, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. WITTMAN

Mr. WITTMAN. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 5254) to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to enter into an agreement with the Gateway Arch Park Foundation to host private events in Gateway Arch National Park buildings, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. WITTMAN. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 5254, the bill now under consideration.

Mr. WITTMAN. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 5254, the Gateway Partnership Act. This is bipartisan legislation sponsored by Representatives Bell and Wagner of Missouri. This bill creates an innovative new model for public-private partnerships at our national parks by authorizing the National Park Service to enter into an agreement with the Gateway Arch Park Foundation to host events and community programming at Gateway Arch National Park. Gateway Arch towers over the city of St. Louis, Missouri, and welcomes millions of visitors each year to the first city built across the Mississippi River. With its silver curve soaring over 600-feet high across the riverbank, Gateway Arch serves as a reminder of the grit and bravery our Nation's early pioneers showed when they left all that they had and all that they knew behind to venture out toward the American West. The arch also links America's original pioneer spirit of the past with the drive to forge new futures today. Recently, the park's main philanthropic partnership, the Gateway Arch Park Foundation, completed a trailblazing, multimillion-dollar public- private partnership that reconnected the city and waterfront area and created a new visitor center and green spaces. It also revitalized historic buildings around Gateway Arch. H.R. 5254 helps ensure that these newly renovated facilities, such as the Old Courthouse and Arch Visitor Center, are used to their full potential by allowing the foundation to host events in these spaces. Allowing the foundation to fully utilize these facilities would not only create new jobs but also generate an estimated $780,000 in additional revenue for the park. H.R. 5254 does this while maintaining strict guardrails around the usage of the park to ensure public access is not impeded and no park resources are damaged during these events. The bill is narrow, limited, and bipartisan. It is a commonsense way to leverage private expertise and local investment to strengthen a signature national park and generate new revenue to support its operation. Madam Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to support H.R. 5254, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. WITTMAN. Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Madam Speaker, by creating a time-limited pilot program allowing private philanthropic partners to host events at park facilities, H.R. 5254 creates an innovative new model for improved public access, better visitor experience, and new revenue streams to support park operations. This bill will create jobs, boost the local economy, and provide new opportunities to celebrate America's 250th birthday at one of the most iconic national park destinations in the Midwest. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 5254, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. WITTMAN

Mr. WITTMAN. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 5729) to authorize direct emergency acquisition flexibilities for the National Park Service for the purpose of retaining, vetting, approving, and expediting contractor approval for the clearing, rebuilding, maintenance, and improvement of the Grand Canyon grounds that have been impacted by the Dragon Bravo Fire, as amended.

Mr. WITTMAN. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 5729, the bill now under consideration.

Mr. WITTMAN. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 5729, the North Rim Restoration Act, introduced by my friend and colleague Representative Crane of Arizona. Madam Speaker, this vital legislation gives the National Park Service the streamlined authorities necessary to rebuild and restore one of the natural wonders of the world and iconic historic structures. Last year, the Dragon Bravo fire tore through the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park, one of the true crown jewels of the National Park System. The fire burned nearly 150,000 acres of land. It left a deep mark on the once-peaceful landscape, severely damaging pristine evergreen forests, decimating wildlife habitat, and destroying more than 100 buildings and structures. Among these structures destroyed was the iconic Grand Canyon Lodge, which millions of visitors had enjoyed visiting for nearly a century. Since the fire was contained, the North Rim has been partially closed to visitors. The year before the fire, over 11 million visitors to Arizona's national parks contributed $42.2 billion to the State's economy. As visitor numbers declined after the fire, the ripple effects have been felt well beyond the North Rim, especially by small businesses and gateway communities in northern Arizona. These communities depend on tourism and recreation. Without quick action, visitor numbers may never rebound, harming small businesses in rural Arizona for years, even for decades. Representative Crane's bill offers a bold and decisive solution to this problem. His legislation provides streamlined, practical recovery tools that will allow the National Park Service to quickly begin infrastructure rebuilding and forestry recovery efforts in the areas affected by the Dragon Bravo fire. This bill will allow the National Park Service to use temporary emergency contracting authorities for up to 7 years to quickly hire highly qualified contractors, allowing them to move at the pace and scale necessary to repair fire damage, rebuild burned structures, and conduct essential forest management activities necessary to restore full access to one of the most visited landscapes in America. The Grand Canyon is not only a national treasure but also an engine for local jobs and the outdoor recreation economy. H.R. 5729 is the right solution at the right time that will ensure the North Rim's much- needed recovery from the Dragon Bravo fire is not slowed down by avoidable red tape. Representative Crane's bill ensures the North Rim can recover to its full glory. It restores access for millions of American families. It will support our local communities that rely on park access and a strong outdoor recreation economy. I thank Representatives Crane and Tiffany as well as Chairman Gosar for their collective work on this important effort. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 5729. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. WITTMAN. Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Crane), the lead sponsor of the bill.

Mr. WITTMAN. Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Mr. Speaker, I thank Mr. Crane for his thoughtful and aggressive efforts to make sure we can restore the Grand Canyon National Park to its former glory and for his work in highlighting the incredible stress that this places on the communities there. I thank him, too, for offering this legislation at a key point to make sure that the right things happen so that people in his district can indeed get back to what they know is highlighting a great, great national treasure. Madam Speaker, H.R. 5729 gives the National Park Service limited accountable authorities to expedite the restoration and rebuilding process following last year's Dragon Bravo fire so that the treasured North Rim of the Grand Canyon can fully reopen and do so safely. I thank Representative Crane once again for his leadership on this effort and for his insightfulness. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this legislation. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. WITTMAN

Mr. WITTMAN. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2196) to provide for an extension of the legislative authority of the National Emergency Medical Services Memorial Foundation to establish a commemorative work in the District of Columbia and its environs, as amended.