Bruce Westerman

Mr. WESTERMAN

Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise to support Representative Tokuda's bill, the Lahaina National Heritage Area Study Act. The town of Lahaina, located on the Hawaiian island of Maui, has an incredibly rich history. As the capital of the Hawaiian Kingdom from 1820 to 1845, it remains a center of commerce, tourism, and local pride. Until recently, Lahaina's historic district featured many impressive cultural sites, including a historic hotel, church, and courthouse. Tragically, on August 8, 2023, a wildfire caused catastrophic destruction in Lahaina, becoming the deadliest wildfire in over a century. The fire destroyed over 2,200 structures and caused approximately $5.5 billion in damages. Many lost structures dated back centuries and held immeasurable value to Lahaina's people and culture. Just one week after this devastating fire, a bipartisan congressional delegation I was leading joined the members of the Hawaii congressional delegation, including Representative Tokuda, to see the damage for ourselves firsthand. We were all stunned by the utter devastation that we witnessed there. As Lahaina continues to recover from the trauma of that brutal natural disaster, local leaders have been exploring options that would allow the community to honor its past while promoting the natural and cultural resources it still retains. H.R. 8219 takes a strong step in the right direction. This bill would require the Secretary of the Interior, in consultation with State and local partners, to study the suitability and feasibility of designating the town of Lahaina as a national heritage area. A feasibility study is generally the first step in considering a national heritage area designation because it helps ensure that the studied area meets all appropriate criteria. I commend Representative Tokuda for leading this effort that will empower local decisionmaking with respect to resource conservation and economic development. In the aftermath of a tragic event like the Lahaina wildfire, this emphasis on local concerns strikes me now as more critical than ever. Mr. Speaker, I support this bill and reserve the balance of my time.

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

Mr. WESTERMAN

Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on S. 3791, the bill now under consideration.

Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of S. 3791, the America's Conservation Enhancement Reauthorization Act, or the ACE Act. This bill seeks to improve and codify a series of collaborative conservation efforts between the Federal Government, States, and wildlife and sportsmen organizations that have resulted in positive results for numerous species. S. 3791 would first reauthorize a series of successful conservation programs, such as the North American Wetlands Conservation Act, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, and the Chesapeake Bay Program. The North American Wetlands Conservation Act, or NAWCA, is particularly important to my home State of Arkansas. As the only Federal grant program solely dedicated to wetlands conservation, NAWCA has conserved over 31 million acres of wetland habitat for waterfowl. This is critical for my State, as over 100,000 people each year visit Arkansas for the best waterfowl hunting in the country and to hunt in the pristine flooded timber and rice fields of the Natural State. Title II of the bill makes important technical changes to the National Fish Habitat Partnership program. These changes include ensuring that Tribes, regional fishery management councils, and marine fisheries commissions are represented on the National Fish Habitat Board and can contribute to reviewing project proposals and allocating grant dollars. I also commend the work of the sponsor of the House companion of this bill, Congressman Rob Wittman of Virginia, who is a true champion of our country's wildlife and sportsmen. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Wittman).

Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield an additional 1 minute to the gentleman from Virginia.

Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (S. 3791) to reauthorize the America's Conservation Enhancement Act, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. WESTERMAN

Mr. WESTERMAN. In closing, Mr. Speaker, many times in recent years this body has taken steps to help communities recover in the wake of natural disasters. Programs designed to help communities recover from these disasters must work effectively and help communities to recover in a timely manner. Too often government bureaucracy can act as an impediment to recovery efforts. We can improve this process by ensuring the Office of Management and Budget does not unnecessarily delay it. Once again, I thank Congressman Byron Donalds for his work on this issue and the many Members and stakeholders who have supported this effort. Mr. Speaker, I urge adoption of this legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 5103, the Fishery Improvement to Streamline untimely regulatory Hurdles post Emergency Situation, or the FISHES, Act. This legislation, sponsored by the gentleman from Florida, Congressman Byron Donalds, will protect States and fishing communities from unnecessary delays in the disaster recovery process. Under the Magnuson-Stevens Act, States and communities affected by fishery disasters can petition for funding to assist in response and recovery efforts. However, affected States and communities have experienced delays in obtaining the approvals needed to access these funds. H.R. 5103 requires the Secretary of Commerce to review disaster spending plans submitted by requesters within 10 days. Additionally, while the legislation allows the Office of Management and Budget to review spending plans, it makes it clear that they may not, and I repeat may not, delay the statutory timelines. This will ensure accountability and consistency in the fishery disaster response process, providing certainty to States and fishing communities in times of recovery. Mr. Speaker, I urge adoption of the legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 5103) to require the Director of the Office of Management and Budget to approve or deny spend plans within a certain amount of time, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. 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. 5103, the bill now under consideration.

Mr. WESTERMAN

Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise to support Leader Scalise's bill, H.R. 6843, which will modestly expand an existing national heritage area located in his district. Currently encompassing 14 parishes in southern Louisiana's Atchafalaya Basin, this national heritage area promotes the region's unique traditions, language, culture, and landscape. The Atchafalaya is the Nation's largest river swamp, boasting abundant natural resources such as ancient live oaks, towering cypress, sugarcane, and cotton. The region is also home to residents of European, African, Caribbean, and Native-American descent who all contribute to the area's famous Cajun culture. By promoting heritage development and tourism, the Atchafalaya National Heritage Area protects the region's very cultural and physical resources, while contributing to the local economy. H.R. 6843 will build on that success by expanding the boundaries of the national heritage area to include nearby Lafourche Parish. This humble expansion will help create jobs and safeguard the region's natural and cultural resources. I want to commend Leader Scalise for leading this effort to help promote local natural and cultural resources without Federal management or ownership and empower local approaches and do not hinder economic development. Mr. Speaker, I support the bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, this straightforward bill will help strengthen the economic development, resource protection, and cultural heritage of a unique part of the country, while keeping Federal involvement to a minimum. I thank the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Scalise) for leading this important effort and for his tireless work on behalf his constituents. Mr. Speaker, I urge the adoption of this legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. WESTERMAN

Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 390) to amend the Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area Act of 1996 (Public Law 104-333; 54 U.S.C. 320101 note) to include all of Saratoga and Washington Counties in the boundaries of the Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area, as amended.

Mr. WESTERMAN. 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. 390, the bill now under consideration.

Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of Representative Stefanik's bill, the Maurice D. Hinchey Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area Enhancement Act. Established in 1996, the Maurice D. Hinchey Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area was among the earliest national heritage areas designated by Congress. It follows the Hudson River for roughly 150 miles through New York State covering 10 counties, 250 communities, and 107 distinct heritage sites. These sites reflect the Hudson River Valley's natural, historic, and cultural contributions to the Nation. Many of these sites, for example, have important ties to the Revolutionary and Civil Wars, and the Underground Railroad. Recognizing this region's importance to American history, this legislation will direct the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study assessing the suitability and feasibility of expanding the boundaries of the Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area to include all of Saratoga and Washington Counties. This change would bring the Federal boundaries of the national heritage area in line with the State's boundaries. Such an expansion could increase opportunities for Saratoga and Washington Counties to attract more tourism and support local economic development without adding to the Federal estate. I praise Representative Stefanik for her leadership on this issue and for her work this Congress advocating on behalf of her constituents. The Committee on Natural Resources has passed three pieces of her legislation this year by unanimous consent, no small feat, and each of these bills directly benefit her constituents. We will all certainly miss Representative Stefanik next year, but in the meantime, I look forward to working with her to advance this bill in Congress. I support the bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. WESTERMAN

Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 6826) to designate the visitor and education center at Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine as the Paul S. Sarbanes Visitor and Education Center.

Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, this is a straightforward bill that would honor the work and legacy of a devoted public servant. I urge the adoption of this legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. WESTERMAN

Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Without the necessary tools, healthcare professionals cannot administer lifesaving care to their patients. While it may not be immediately obvious, these tools include minerals and materials. From the copper, gold, lithium, titanium, silver, and platinum used in antimicrobial touch surfaces, heart stents, pacemakers, surgical tools, antibiotics, and chemotherapy to the uranium byproducts and liquid helium used in cancer treatments and MRI scans that I mentioned earlier, our healthcare system is only as reliable as our supply chains. The Energy Act of 2020 was crafted explicitly so USGS would consult with multiple agencies, each providing expertise within their prospective jurisdictions. Adding HHS as one of these agencies, as H.R. 6395 aims to do, would ensure the mineral needs of the healthcare sector are fully considered as USGS crafts the critical minerals list going forward. Mr. Speaker, I again urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 6395) to amend the Energy Act of 2020 to require the Secretary of the Interior to include the Secretary of Health and Human Services in consultations regarding designations of critical minerals, elements, substances, and materials.

Mr. WESTERMAN

Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 7332) to require the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture to convey certain Federal land to the State of Utah for inclusion in certain State parks, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. WESTERMAN

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

Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Again, H.R. 7872 builds on important efforts undertaken by all seven States in the Colorado River Basin to ensure that salinity control projects are funded. These projects support farmers and ranchers across the region and lead to better environmental outcomes. The importance of this work cannot be overstated. Lastly, I thank Congressman John Curtis for his work in moving this legislation forward. While we will miss him on our committee next year, I know we will continue to find ways to work with him in his new role at the other end of the Capitol. Mr. Speaker, I encourage adoption of this legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Curtis), the lead sponsor of this bill.