Randy Weber

Mr. WEBER of Texas

Mr. WEBER of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 4378 is vital to ensuring America's leadership in nuclear innovation. By harnessing the unique expertise of our Nation's national labs, the private sector can take the lead in developing groundbreaking advanced nuclear technology. I especially want to thank my colleagues on the Science, Space, and Technology Committee who have cosponsored H.R. 4378, including Chairman Lamar Smith, Representative Dan Lipinski, Representative Steve Knight, and Representative Randy Hultgren. I also want to thank the dozens of researchers and stakeholders who have provided feedback as we developed this legislation. Mr. Speaker, I urge adoption of this commonsense, bipartisan legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. WEBER of Texas

Mr. WEBER of Texas. Mr. Speaker, on Friday, December 15, Brazoria County lost one of its great community leaders, Ms. Evelyn Wright Moore. Evelyn dedicated her entire life to early childhood development and education. In 1975, in fact, she started her career as the Brazoria County Head Start coordinator; and, after a very short 8 years with that organization, she was running the show and continued running that show for the rest of her life. Evelyn made sure her students were receiving the support that would allow them to thrive in that community. Brazoria County Head Start now enrolls just over 490 students, thanks to her. That program was championed by Evelyn's passion and her devout dedication to those same students. She and I met many times over the years, both in Brazoria and here in Washington, D.C., and I will greatly miss our conversations. The legacy of Evelyn's servant heart will long be remembered and cherished. Evelyn, my dear friend, you are now safe in the arms of Jesus.

Mr. WEBER of Texas

Mr. WEBER of Texas. Madam Speaker, the science is clear, as dismemberment abortion procedures pull children apart limb from limb, the baby feels pain. The baby recoils as the instruments get closer. The fight or flight instinct is there. If that isn't proof of life, I don't know what is. These late term abortions must end. My position on this matter is well-known. It has long been my mission to protect the unborn. A vast majority of Americans agree, late term abortions are wrong. Period. Full stop. This bill isn't just for the sake of the babies. This bill protects their mothers. At 20 weeks, this horrendous procedure is risky and subjects mothers to serious dangers. Lives are at stake, both for mothers and their babies. I support this bill, and urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle, in both chambers to do the same. Thank you Mr. Franks for introducing this important piece of legislation.

Mr. WEBER of Texas

Mr. WEBER of Texas. I thank the gentleman for that. You know, we were moving throughout our district, as I was describing. Folks, the sound of a helicopter will never be the same for us. We saw Coast Guard helicopters. We saw Army, Marine helicopters. The Marines arrived in Friendswood. The sun made a brief appearance on Tuesday evening. I found myself on I-45 in Dickinson passing out water on the overpass there, where the water was about 4 feet deep in the intersection. Things kept turning from bad to worse. I was honored to meet with EOC leaders from Brazoria, Dickinson, Galveston, and Beaumont. On Tuesday, August 29, in Friendswood, Texas, the Marines arrived. Thank God for our great Marines. On Friday, August 31, Beaumont lost water. My bride and I drove almost 7 hours, having to take back road after back road to deliver three pallets of bottled water. My good friend Dwight Sullivan and his wife, Misty, accompanied us with another pallet of water. We got to Beaumont. I want to gave Mayor Becky Ames of Beaumont a shout-out. She never wavered. She was a stalwart. Will Crenshaw from Beaumont, Dragon Products, they got in gear and they put a workaround on the water system, laid temporary pipes, got them power, got pumps and got Beaumont some water. That is just the short version of the first week of Harvey. The sun finally started to shine again, but the water did not recede overnight. We took many flyovers to assess the damage. President Trump came in. Senator Cornyn, Senator Cruz, Speaker Ryan, and leader Kevin McCarthy were among the many who visited. Help came from far and wide: New York, Massachusetts, Minnesota. I could go down the list of State after State after State, all Americans, all wanting to help. And, of course, Louisiana and the Cajun Navy we talked about. Between the Cajun Navy, our Texans, our fellow Americans, there were many countless heroes who haven't been named and many haven't even been thanked at all. So to all of them, I want to say thank you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for the lives you have saved. I witnessed some of the evacuations. Thank you for your heroism. I just can't tell you enough, thank you on behalf of us. We saws doctors send supplies. We saw hospitals pay for things that normally they would charge for. We saw cattle and horses wading through water. We saw businesses open up their doors and help people. We saw a mother and daughter who took hundreds of evacuees into a Texas City hotel for a home-cooked meal of spaghetti, salad, fresh fruit, and dessert. You were heroes, Lakewood Church, who did open their doors and provided transportation for the congregants of Beth Yeshurun synagogue. You heroes were the citizens who saw the incredible effort of your local officials, and you raised money for them to begin recovering for their own homes and their belongings. The heroes were the young men, hoping to attend the Naval Academy one day, who jumped in that jon boat and went door to door to help. You were the people who were scared to death in the face of disaster, and yet you put on a brave face and you waded in, unabashed. You were the people who lost everything, and your first thought was: I need to get back to help my community. You heroes were the first responders who worked around the clock. Beaumont, alone, received 12,022 911 calls. Let that sink in. That's one city, 12,000 911 calls. Well, we are going to have more meetings. We are going to be meeting with city officials, State officials. We will be meeting with Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner, who, by the way, tomorrow is his birthday. We want to thank Mayor Sylvester Turner, County Judge Ed Emmett, County Judge Matt Sebesta, County Judge Mark Henry, all great heroes. God bless our heroes. God bless Texas, our great Nation, and all of those who went beyond and above. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. WEBER of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I thank Congressman Farenthold for his comments. The 27th District of Texas is blessed to have him. A little background: On Friday, August 25, some of the outer bands of Harvey were beginning to brush the Gulf Coast. Texans do what we always do to prepare for a storm. We bought the essentials. We prepped the house. We tightened things up. We watched the news. We were as ready for the rain, we thought, as we would ever be. But what happened, in my 64 years on God's green Earth, is unlike anything I have ever seen before like this. And I am no stranger to the area. I have lived in a 20-mile radius almost my entire life. I hope I have got a lot more to go yet. We didn't see the sun for 4 days. Over 50 inches of rain, as reported by the weather forecasters on TV news, fell from the sky. Actually, it was about 60 inches in District 4--7, rather, in Jefferson County. Evacuation orders, mandatory and voluntary, were posted. City after city started posting the notices. Roads were flooded. Some of them had hip-deep water, some of them more. Now, I am a Texan, kind of like Judge Poe said. Two things apply to me, especially apply to me as a Texan: number one, I am stubborn, and, number two, I have one of those pickup trucks he talked about; although, I don't have a half-ton truck. I have got a Ford F-350 4- wheel drive truck, and I can go through almost waist-deep water. Starting Saturday, my bride and I began traveling Texas 14, checking on people. We went first to Brazoria County and met with their EOC, emergency operations center. We went to the Hitchcock shelter. We met with volunteers in those shelters. We met with people from the La Marque Police Department, all over, our first responders. Our first responders worked endless hours and hours. I tell you what, it was heartwarming; and I tell you what, Mr. Speaker, you have never seen anything like that. From Bay Area Church to the families from League City and Dickinson that sought shelter, we were there with them. At Victory Lakes, we saw much of the same thing in the school there at Victory Lakes and League City. At Friendswood High School, I met with evacuees, responders, doctors who had come in from other States to be there to help. These are just a handful of the shelters that popped up. These shelters and the volunteers provided a dry place with warm food and warm, friendly smiles, understanding smiles, to hundreds of families in need. That is no exaggeration. Homes that never came close to flooding were taking on water. Roads turned into rivers. Evacuations and rescues were happening everywhere you looked around. Mr. Speaker, may I inquire how much time I have left?

Mr. WEBER of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Farenthold).

Mr. WEBER of Texas. At this time, I recognize my good friend, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Babin).

Mr. WEBER of Texas. I thank you, Dr. Babin. The enormity of this storm and the debt of gratitude that we owe our first responders cannot be overstated. My good friend, Judge Ted Poe, saw plenty of it up in his district, but he took it in stride, as he always does with any challenge because he is a Texan and he is a fighter. And, Judge, that is just the way it is. I yield to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Poe).

Mr. WEBER of Texas. Mr. Speaker, in all my years, I have seen a lot of storms, a lot of hurricanes, a lot of floods, a lot of tropical depressions, a lot of rains in Texas. We have a whole variety of weather in Texas and a lot of just about every calamity weather-wise you can think of. I have seen nothing come close to Hurricane Harvey. In 24 hours, we went from Tropical Storm Harvey to Category 4 Hurricane Harvey. As with most hurricanes, there was no rhyme or reason for the destruction and the ensuing devastation. Harvey's bands of rains sat on southeast Texas with a vengeance and for days on end, and the situation turned quickly from bad to worse. Mr. Speaker, we got 51 to 53 inches of rain in 3 to 4 days. That part of Texas' annual rainfall is about 53 inches a year. We got a whole year's worth of rainfall in under a week's time. Our great first responders, our volunteers, risked their lives time and time again to save others. When the Nation saw that we needed help, the boats and the people just kept coming. We got the Cajun Navy from Louisiana; 100 guys with their own boats came to help us. They did things we didn't think were possible, so I coined a new phrase, ``Cajuneering.'' They came in and really helped us. We saw neighbors and strangers alike step up to help each other. That is the Texas way. When the Nation saw that we needed help, people came pouring in. More than that, it is not just the Texas way, it is the American way. No matter our creed, our color, our religion or background, we are all united and we work together. Harvey may have brought the downpour, but Texans and Americans brought the outpour. Texas 14 is arguably ground zero for flooding and devastation. My district, from Brazoria County to Jefferson County, the enormity and the severity of Harvey, sadly, is on full display. Entire neighborhoods were underwater. How do you recover from that? Your family and your house is underwater, your cars are underwater, your furniture, and, sadly, even some of your most prized and precious heirlooms, family photos and pictures and albums, how do you overcome that? Well, I will tell you, by working together. Everyone back home in our great State knows someone who needs help, and everyone back home is doing their part to help that person in need. In all the devastation and destruction, the hope and determination shared among Texans was absolutely remarkable. Harvey may have deluged our State with rain and with water, but he certainly did not dampen our spirit. One month ago today, Harvey made landfall between Port Aransas and Port O'Connor, the eye of the hurricane. A few days later, Harvey swung back into the Gulf and made landfall just west of Cameron, Louisiana. We literally had a 3-day weather event. Harvey came on shore there by Rockport-Corpus Christi. We got the bands of rain coming up in the hurricane as he came ashore. He then went up north and stayed around for a day or two dumping rain on all of our rivers and streams upstream from us and our watersheds. Then he came back down to southeast Texas, down on the coast, and he worked right over, as I said, in Louisiana. Then after Harvey came Hurricane Irma; after Irma came Jose; and after Jose came Maria. It has been a historic time. As of Sunday, September 24--let this sink in--817,758 people are registered for disaster assistance. FEMA has distributed $502.6 million in housing assistance and $160.2 million in other assistance. In the one month since Harvey, the first of a series of hurricanes, FEMA has completed 239,612 inspections. Almost 22,000 people are living in hotels because they have no home to return to. That number doesn't even include those who are staying with family and friends. The Small Business Administration has approved $509.4 million. Homeowners have received, to date, $467.3 million in loans. Businesses have received $42 million in loans. Earlier this month, we passed out of this Chamber, with overwhelming bipartisan support, a $15 billion relief bill. Two or three more of those bills, at a minimum, are expected. Folks, the monetary damages are adding up to over $150 billion, with a ``B.'' There are five business recovery centers in Texas. There are 41 disaster recovery centers. Over 30-something Texas counties were named in the disaster declaration. Folks, these are just numbers. They are mind-boggling. You can see the pictures here beside me. Those numbers don't really tell the whole story. Let me tell you: behind those numbers are people; behind those numbers are families; behind those numbers are homes, livelihoods, and businesses. The lives of our great Texans are behind those numbers. Our people are hurting, but they will not let a hurricane keep them down. Wrapped up in all of the devastation is a bunch of heroes and first responders. I have already talked about the Cajun Navy. I can talk about the States that sent firefighters and first responders from all over this great country of ours. So behind the devastation is a bunch of American heroes. Behind that devastation is a bunch of love, people doing things for others that just makes your heart feel good. Behind that devastation is a bunch of hope that we really are one Nation under God, with liberty and justice and help and mercy for all. Behind that devastation is a bunch of Americans. Hurricane Harvey reminded us of our deepest, truest American values. United we can accomplish just about anything. Mr. Speaker, I am going to open up the floor for some of my colleagues. As I said earlier, our great 14th Congressional District is, arguably, ground zero for flooding and devastation, but I have a lot more colleagues here on the floor with us that all have a story to tell. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. McCaul), the distinguished chairman of the House Committee on Homeland Security. Chairman McCaul has worked closely with FEMA and many of our first responders. His district saw quite a bit of water as well, and I appreciate his direct involvement and his willingness to be there.

Mr. WEBER of Texas. Thank you, Congressman O'Rourke. And, by the way, happy birthday.

Mr. WEBER of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman McCaul for his remarks. I certainly appreciate him and his involvement. My next friend, Beto O'Rourke, from across the aisle, has seen plenty of Texas action here. Earlier this year, he had a bipartisan trip with Will Hurd. On Facebook, we got to watch that and participate in that. I thank him for doing that. That was a great event. And even though his district may not have seen any water as a result of Harvey--in fact, we would have loved to send him some to El Paso, quite frankly--he is a Texan, he gets it, and he has been there working with us every step of the way. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. O'Rourke), my good friend.

Mr. WEBER of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I thank Judge Poe. He is exactly correct. Harvey cannot dampen our spirit or those of our neighbors and all of our first responders, those who came and helped. Texas saw the first of four hurricanes this month. Think about that. Puerto Rico has seen the last two hurricanes. Maria did a number on the island. They are in need of so many things, but one thing is certain that they are not in need of: they have a leader here in Washington, D.C. She has got their back, and I am proud to yield to my good friend, Congresswoman Jenniffer Gonzalez-Colon.

Mr. WEBER of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I thank Congresswoman Gonzalez-Colon for her remarks. My good friend from the Southwest, Blake Farenthold, is going to come and address us. Blake represents the area where Harvey actually made landfall and brought Category 4 winds and storm surges. As Congressman Farenthold knows, I understand the devastation that that brings. My heart goes out to them, and, Blake, please come share with us.

Mr. WEBER of Texas

Mr. WEBER of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I represent District 14, which, arguably, is ground zero for flooding. It is the first three coastal counties that start at Louisiana and come down the Texas coast: Jefferson County, Galveston County, and then the southern half of Brazoria County. As I reflected, Mr. Speaker, about Harvey, I thought I would put some thoughts down on paper. It is staggering and incredible, when you think about it, and, unfortunately, our friends in Florida may be facing exactly the same thing. Of course, Hurricane Irma came up through the Caribbean wreaking havoc. Our prayers and thoughts go out to those families. Over 60 deaths here alone. FEMA applications, 650,000-plus already. Shelters, there were 49,000 people staying in shelters in the three counties that I have just discussed. Secretary Price said in a briefing this morning they are down to around, I think it is, 13,000, 14,000, so that number has diminished. Money spent by FEMA so far, last estimate, $200 million. Untold thousands, hundreds of thousands of cases of water have been sent. Hundreds of cities, communities, towns, neighborhoods affected. Mr. Speaker, the annual average rainfall in that area on a yearly basis, of course, is 50 inches. Folks, we got 53 inches in 3 days. Population on the southeast part of Texas, you could say, is about 6 to 7 million people that have been affected by this. In Louisiana, I am not sure: half a million people affected by the rain, over 100,000 houses flooded. Fuel production down from the Gulf Coast energy capital of Texas is down by 20 percent. Jobs that have gone on hold or either just gone. Cars flooded, tens of thousands of cars flooded. People have no transportation. Overall cost, you have seen the projections, over $150 billion--with a B, dollars. Ports are shut down. The port of Houston was closed. Channels are sholed in. Sabine-Neches Waterway, Port of Freeport, all of them affected by this. I am told that when ports are shut down, economic trade stops--to the cost of over $1 billion a day. HHS Secretary Dr. Tom Price said, on the Weather Channel, that four hospitals are closed; it had been 30. Thirteen dialysis centers closed, 26 nursing homes closed. He said that HHS had encountered some 5,000 patients during the storm, not all related to the storm. I want to add that I watched some of our great doctors in Jefferson County--Dr. Garrett Peel, Dr. Ray Callas--go to work, Baptist Hospital, Christus Hospital, get in gear, and 500 tetanus vaccines were delivered because of the threat of disease. Dr. Price went on to say that the CDC was making plans for mosquito control due to the Zika virus. They have extended pharmaceutical waivers for drug prescriptions to be allowed for longer than 30 days. Dr. Price did note this morning that there were some 5,400 patients with electricity requirements for treatment alone, whether it is dialysis or some form, but that 20,000 patients were electrically dependent in some fashion, and HHS had provided that information to the various States. Folks, the need is great. The need is great. To whom much is given, much is required. Never has there been a people in history given so much. This is one of those cases. This is one of those times where much is required. Harvey brought on a downpour, but I will tell you that Texans and Americans and folks brought on an outpour, an outpouring like I had never seen. Our country has stepped up. Our friends from Louisiana, the Cajun Navy, came over with over 100 boats and began to do things that amazed us. We called it ``Cajuneering.'' Unbelievable outpouring. So, yes, I want to echo my colleague to the south, Blake Farenthold's plea: Please vote for this bill. It is time for us to step up. It is time for us to set politics aside. It is time for us to focus on the tragedy that is now called Harvey and may be soon to be called Irma. So I urge my colleagues to vote for this rule.

Mr. WEBER of Texas

Mr. WEBER of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of the Make America Secure Appropriations Act of 2018. I am particularly pleased to support language from H.R. 3266, which provides appropriations for energy programs within the Science, Space, and Technology Committee's jurisdiction. For years, the Energy Subcommittee, which I chair, has listened to experts and gathered data to determine appropriate priorities for the DOE. The bill brought before the House floor reflects the findings of the committee. It funds basic and early-stage research, and it does so all the while reducing spending. Importantly, this bill includes specific appropriations for programs authorized in my bill, the Nuclear Energy Innovation Capabilities Act, which establishes a clear timeline and parameters for DOE to complete a research reactor. This type of research requires access to fast neutrons currently only available in Russia. The completion of our own research reactor is crucial, Mr. Chairman, in ensuring materials and nuclear fuels R&D takes place in these United States of America. The versatile neutron source, or fast test reactor, authorized in my legislation will provide the United States with this vital capability. I want to thank Chairman Frelinghuysen for specifically including $35 million in funding, and Chairman Simpson, to begin the design and construction of vital research infrastructure in this appropriations bill. America must maintain our nuclear capabilities and continue to develop cutting-edge technology here at home. This bill provides direction and robust funding for early-stage nuclear energy research. Without it, we will fall behind. It is vital that we ensure this important research and development is fully funded. We cannot afford to miss the economic opportunities provided by next generation nuclear technology. I encourage my colleagues to support this pro-science, fiscally responsible legislation.

Mr. WEBER of Texas

Mr. WEBER of Texas. Mr. Speaker, earlier this year, the Brazoswood High School band was awarded one of the highest honors: the Sudler Flag of Honor by the John Philip Sousa Foundation. The Sudler Flag of Honor is given to distinguished high school bands that have demonstrated particularly high standards of excellence in concert activities over a period of several years. There is a 7-year minimum process, with countless documents, recordings, letters of recommendation, and performances at not only the State but the local level as well. Of the nearly 50 Sudler Flags that have been awarded since 1983, almost 30 of them have gone to Texas high school bands. The Brazoswood Buccaneer Band is the most recent addition to this prestigious group, and they are the only band to have been awarded the Sudler Flag in 2017. My sincere congratulations to the students; the alumni; the band; Mr. Brian Casey, the band director; and the principal, Rita Pintavalle, on this outstanding achievement.

Mr. WEBER of Texas

Mr. WEBER of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I do rise today in support of H.R. 1430, and I appreciate the primer that we were just given from the other side on what an emergency is. I would remind my good friend on the other side that, on November 8, 2016, the Americans stood up and said: We have an emergency. We need to change directions. And they elected Donald Trump to be President to do just that. So that is a good reminder. Mr. Speaker, our constituents have a right to know whether or not EPA regulations are based on sound science and if they benefit the American people. Keeping in the vein with what I just said, we have a better way. Speaker Paul Ryan has put out his plan for A Better Way. Donald Trump has been elected for that better way. The American people deserve a better way. This is called the HONEST Act, which I am proud to be a cosponsor of. It is a better way. It is simple and straightforward. It is a message to government bureaucrats they cannot propose costly new regulations without providing sufficient transparency. As my good friend from Washington said: Why would anybody be opposed to transparency and a right for the American public to know? Opponents of this bill apparently think Americans do not deserve to know the truth, not to mention the ``science'' behind EPA burdensome regulations. Trust me when I say Americans deserve the truth from the very start. Mr. Speaker, EPA's regulatory agenda should not require secret science, much less 30-year-old data, in order to sell it to the American people. The other side likes to claim that there are a lot of scientists behind this climate change theory, but they won't release that data. So what are they hiding behind? By the way, I remember Mark Twain said that sometimes the majority simply means that all the fools are on one side. Mr. Speaker, it is long past time for Congress to increase the transparency of the EPA. This HONEST Act will do exactly that by prohibiting the EPA from proposing or finalizing regulations based upon data that is either outdated, it is not transparent, nor is it publicly available for review. Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Smith for bringing this important legislation to the floor today, and I thank the fine gentleman from Washington State (Mr. Newhouse).

Mr. WEBER of Texas

Mr. WEBER of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise with my Republican colleagues in support of H.J. Res. 43. Under the Obama administration's last-minute rule change to title X funding, States like Texas are prevented from establishing criteria that would eliminate abortion providers from receiving title X grant money. States have the right and responsibility to choose the health providers that best provide and serve the needs of their moms and their babies. During my time in the Texas Legislature, we used the Alternatives to Abortion program. This program provides low-income pregnant women and their babies care items during pregnancy, and it also provides preventing information. It also funds the counseling referral and pregnancy information hotline and the Texas Pregnancy Care Network. Additionally, this program supports groups in maternity homes, provides referrals to community and social service programs like child care, and offers classes on life skills, budgeting, parenting--yes, parenting--stress management, and GED preparation. Nationally, 13,000 federally qualified health centers and rural health centers provide comprehensive healthcare services to low-income moms and their babies. In my district, the 14th Congressional District, over 30 clinics are committed to our community, including moms and their babies. These organizations do a terrific job of supporting women, and yes, their babies, too. We are not cutting funding. We are not cutting care. We are ensuring that Federal health centers have the funds and the support they need to give the women and the babies the care that they deserve. I want to thank the gentlewoman from Tennessee for her efforts to stand up for women and their babies.

Mr. WEBER of Texas

Mr. WEBER of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 589, the Department of Energy Research and Innovation Act. H.R. 589 provides policy direction to the Department of Energy on basic science research, nuclear energy R&D, research coordination and priorities, as well as important additional reforms to streamline national labs management. I want to particularly highlight title IV, which is the Nuclear Energy Innovation Capabilities Act. I introduced the same legislation in the 114th and 115th Congress, and it does a lot of good things. It lays out a clear timeline and parameters for DOE to complete a research reactor, which is a crucial part for us. Right now, we are behind, Mr. Speaker. The Russians are outpacing us on the next design of nuclear reactors. That is simply unacceptable. We need a versatile neutron source, and title IV of this will produce a situation where we will have the ability for the national labs to partner with private industry and be able to do that so that they don't get built overseas, which is totally unacceptable. Mr. Speaker, the Science, Space, and Technology Committee has spent a long time developing this. There is lots of bipartisan buy-in, I might add, and I appreciate that. So it is time, Mr. Speaker, in my opinion, for us to get this bill passed and make sure that we remain on the cutting edge. It helps us with economics, and it helps us actually with nuclear proliferation as far as that goes. So I encourage all of my colleagues to join in supporting H.R. 589.

Mr. WEBER of Texas

Mr. WEBER of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I rise to offer a very important amendment to the State of Texas. This amendment is noncontroversial and mirrors language by Senator Cornyn in the Senate's version of WRDA. Thanks to Chairman Shuster for making our ports and waterways a critical national priority and for bringing this important legislation to the floor today. Mr. Chairman, this amendment would simply require the Army Corps of Engineers to take into account the existing data, studies, and information developed by the Gulf Coast Community Protection and Recovery District when conducting the Coastal Texas Protection and Restoration Study authorized in the Water Resources Development Act of 2007. The Gulf Coast Community Protection and Restoration District, or GCCPRD, was formed in the aftermath of Hurricane Ike by six Texas counties encompassing Houston and Southeast Texas. The counties were Harris, Galveston, Brazoria, Chambers, Jefferson, and Orange. Hurricane Ike struck this region in 2008, caused $37.5 billion in damage nationwide, making it the third costliest hurricane in United States history. The storm caused over 100 fatalities, washed away homes, flooded communities, and shut down much of the Nation's and region's energy production. The effects of another major hurricane on the Houston region and our Nation would be devastating. Over 6 million people call this area home, and many work in critical economic sectors like health care and energy refining. The impact would be felt in every congressional district across the country. For example, according to reports published immediately after Hurricane Ike made landfall, gas prices spiked between 30 and 60 cents per gallon across many States due to the disruption in energy production in the Houston region. In 2013, the Texas General Land Office entered into an agreement with GCCPRD to conduct a three-phase Storm Surge Suppression Study. The phase three report was released this past June. In addition to this study, the GLO and the Army Corps of Engineers are moving forward in partnership on the Coastal Texas Protection and Restoration Study. Once completed, this study will make the case for coastal infrastructure projects that would qualify for Federal dollars and would protect our vulnerable coastal communities in a major part of this Nation's energy production. The study received funding in the President's fiscal year 2017 budget, but the current timeline for completion of this study is over 5 years. Mr. Chairman, it has been 8 years since Hurricane Ike, and this time line is unacceptable. So, Mr. Chairman, protecting the Texas coast from dangerous storms is a critical Federal interest and a national priority. This amendment would simply require the Army Corps to tap into an existing pool of data and information developed by Texans in an effort to shorten the completion timeline of the Coastal Protection and Restoration Study. I urge adoption of this amendment. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. WEBER of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. WEBER of Texas

Mr. WEBER of Texas. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to introduce a resolution encouraging United States' support for strengthening democratic institutions and anticorruption efforts in the Republic of Moldova. America and its allies are under renewed attack by an aggressive Russia that continues to employ Soviet-style political and economic warfare. Mr. Speaker, they are sewing discord and dissent whenever and wherever the opportunity presents itself. Without a doubt, Russia has set its sights on the front-line states of Eastern Europe. One such particularly vulnerable state is the Republic of Moldova. Moldova's strategic location between Russia and Ukraine makes its loyalty to the West increasingly significant. Also extremely problematic is the fact that Russia continues to violate borders and meddle in others' internal affairs. In 2014, nearly $1 billion, with a B, or 12 percent of Moldova's GDP was stolen from three major Moldovan Government banks. This banking scandal required the active involvement of a number of oligarchs and elected officials. Current members of the Moldovan Government recently exposed just how susceptible Moldova is to the Russian evil empire influence, as I call it. This ``crime of the century'' not only touches financial institutions, Mr. Speaker, that are the world over, but it also exemplifies a systematic pattern of the Russian bear's efforts to undermine the rule of law and empower local agents willing to do its bidding. There is no question that Eastern Europe is at the center of a geopolitical struggle that has consequences for Atlantic security for many generations to come. As the U.S. considers policies to counter the Russian bear's growing sphere of influence in Eastern and Southern Europe, as well as beyond the continent, we must not overlook the importance of a series of small countries that hang in the balance for our near- and long-term geopolitical goals. American support for the rule of law, economic freedoms, transparency, and anticorruption initiatives in Moldova, and its neighborhood, at this pivotal time in history will unquestionably pay dividends for years to come. We must also be considerate, Mr. Speaker, of just exactly what precedents we set today. Russian hegemony will not succeed if we help our allies in the East and their efforts to conduct free and fair elections. Therefore, Mr. Speaker, I urge all my colleagues in the House to join me in supporting Moldova's efforts to rid themselves of Russia's corrupt and antidemocratic antics and influence. Please join me in efforts to add transparency and fortification to democratic and civil institutions within our ally and friend, the Republic of Moldova. Mr. Speaker, you know I am right.

Mr. WEBER of Texas

Mr. WEBER of Texas. Mr. Speaker, today marks 8 years since Hurricane Ike made landfall over Galveston, Texas. This Category 4 storm ripped through communities in the city of Galveston and Galveston County, making its way inland through the Houston region. The storm caused over 100 fatalities, washed away homes, flooded communities, and shut down much of the region's energy production. In total, this hurricane cost $37.5 billion nationwide, making it the third costliest hurricane in United States history. Even though Hurricane Ike caused extensive damage, we know it could have been much worse. The effects of another major hurricane on the Houston region and our Nation would absolutely be devastating. Over 6 million people call this area home, and many of them work in critical economic sectors like health care and energy refining. The impact would be felt in every congressional district across the country. For example, according to reports published immediately after Hurricane Ike made landfall, gas prices spiked between 30 and 60 cents per gallon across many States due to the disruption in energy production in the Houston region. We do not know, Mr. Speaker, when the next big storm will hit our shores, which is why it is of paramount importance for Congress, the Federal Government, and our State to prioritize funding for coastal protection along the Texas coast. Progress on a comprehensive Federal evaluation of our coastal vulnerabilities is long overdue. I am grateful, Mr. Speaker, that the Texas General Land Office and the Army Corps of Engineers are moving forward in partnership on the Coastal Texas Protection and Restoration Study. Once completed, this study will make the case for coastal infrastructure projects that would qualify for Federal dollars and would protect our vulnerable coastal communities, our energy infrastructure, maritime industries, and, most importantly, major population centers. I am doing everything I can, Mr. Speaker, to make sure a Federal study of our coast is completed expeditiously. Along with Senator Cornyn, I have introduced the COAST Act, which is actually the Corps' Obligation to Assist in Safeguarding Texas Act. If enacted, this legislation would require the Army Corps to take into consideration existing studies and data already available to help expedite the Federal Government's work. This legislation would also immediately authorize any projects should they be justified. Mr. Speaker, I will continue to work with all relevant Federal, State, and local leaders to expedite Federal work to protect the Texas Gulf Coast from dangerous storms. This is a critical Federal interest and should be a national priority. Mr. Speaker, you know that is right.

Mr. WEBER of Texas

Mr. WEBER of Texas. Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague, Mr. King, and I, too, want to echo that, for Congresswoman Michele Bachmann being here, what a treat. What an absolute treat. We miss her, by the way. We do miss her. I want to thank Michele for being here and all that she has done. Madam Speaker, we did not recently lose a true conservative. We didn't recently lose the ``first lady of the conservative movement.'' We didn't just lose someone who was a threat to the liberal agenda and a threat to Communists. No, no, no. Phyllis Schlafly was much more than that. You know, eagles are known, Madam Speaker, for their strength and their ability to soar high above the clouds. Eagles are known to be above the fray. Phyllis was our eagle. However, she was that eagle who, while in the fray, maintained that 30,000-foot view. And she was much more than that. She was a warrior. She was a leader. She embodied American patriotism and liberty. In 1975, Mrs. Schlafly founded the Eagle Forum, which has been a pillar in the pro-family conservative movement for four decades and counting. There is no doubt, Madam Speaker, that the Eagle Forum will live on, and we will see her eagle soar higher and higher with time. Mrs. Schlafly was the heart and soul of the conservative movement in the early days. Many people thought she wouldn't make a difference, but as we look back, Madam Speaker, history is telling us otherwise. You hear it over and over again that one person cannot make a difference. Well, I will tell you that Phyllis Schlafly was living proof that one person can make a difference. Phyllis soared the highest, cared the most, and fought the hardest--more than anyone else--for our conservative values. Madam Speaker, since the day I was sworn in not quite 4 years ago, I have been saying it is time to put America first. Through all of Mrs. Schlafly's work, at the very core of her efforts, she wanted to ensure that our country was first and that Americans were our top priority and that the Federal Government and even State governments knew their place. I find great comfort, Madam Speaker, in knowing that in some small way, Lord willing, I might be allowed to take part in ensuring that the work of Phyllis Schlafly continues. She was a passionate woman who loved this country, loved her family, and was fiercely, fiercely driven to ensure that our liberties were protected and that the unborn--the unborn--would have a fighting chance to the guarantee of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Madam Speaker, those who know Phyllis know she always put family first, politics second. I can't help but believe that she knew that at the core of politics, it really was, really is, God first, family and country second, and political activism stemmed from that. Phyllis knew that. By the way, she cared so much for this country, she came out early on in support of Donald Trump, knowing it would raise eyebrows. But that was Phyllis. You never doubted where she stood. You never doubted her convictions. Madam Speaker, she did all that for her family because she cared about future generations of Americans. Above all, I appreciate her commitment to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. We can take great heart in knowing that Phyllis joins her husband of 44 years, Fred, in the kingdom of Heaven with our Lord and Savior Jesus. Our hearts and prayers go out to her family. Mr. King, you said 6 kids, 16 grandchildren--16 grandchildren. Phyllis was an amazing person who lived an amazing life and did so much good for our country. For that, I will be forever grateful to her and the work she did for the conservative movement. I want to thank you, my colleague, Mr. King, for allowing me this opportunity to memorialize one of the greatest Americans. Madam Speaker, you know I am right.

Mr. WEBER of Texas

Mr. WEBER of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I appreciate the gentlewoman's comments. She actually raised a good argument for the amendment. I mean, we are telling the EPA that they need to do their job. No money can be spent in contravention of section 321(a). They can't go after a company, for example, if they haven't done the job analysis, and that is exactly what this amendment says. So I simply want to reiterate what I said. The law says the administrator shall conduct continuing evaluations of potential loss of shifts employment. I don't understand what the administrator does not understand about ``shall.'' So it is a commonsense amendment. It actually reins in the EPA and keeps them from destroying more jobs as they seem wont--have the habit--to do. Mr. Chairman, I urge all of my colleagues to support this amendment. I yield back the balance of my time.