Mr. Chairman, this amendment is duplicative. It ignores the existing contractor award system that is already in place. Contracting officers must already consult the system for award management to ensure a contractor can be awarded a…

Mr. Chairman, we have a process in place. I certainly won't support subjective Federal decision-makers deciding who is a good employer and who is a bad employer. As a former employer myself, I know that most employers in this country are…

Mr. Chairman, in 2008, the Office of Surface Mining finalized revisions to the stream zone buffer rule in an open and transparent manner. After taking office, the Obama administration put on hold that rule and proposed a different rule…

Mr. Chairman, may I inquire of the Chair how much time is remaining. The Acting CHAIR. The gentleman from California has 4 minutes remaining.

Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from West Virginia (Mr. Jenkins).

Mr. Chairman, I urge a ``no'' vote on this amendment. I yield back the balance of my time. The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Beyer). The question was taken; and the Acting Chair…

Again, I appreciate what the gentleman is up to. I wouldn't expect you not to have a vote if you choose to have a vote. Just know that we are working on this, and we will continue to work on this. We will continue to work with your office…

Madam Chair, I believe that the Forest Service needs to be more proactive in managing our national forests. The latest estimates show that there are nearly 66 million dead and dying trees in California right now. This sets the stage for…

I just want to make a point. I appreciate the gentleman's interest in forestry issues and his support for changing the way we budget for catastrophic wildland fires. An increase in the Forest Service's research capability will help address…

Madam Chair, because the gentleman's amendment restates current law and nothing more, I am more than willing to accept the amendment.

Madam Chair, I certainly understand the value of EPA's brownfields program. It is highly leveraged and promotes economic development in communities by cleaning up lightly contaminated properties and returning them to beneficial use. These…

Madam Chair, I urge opposition to the amendment. I yield back the balance of my time. The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the gentlewoman from Connecticut (Ms. Esty). The amendment was rejected. Amendment No. 20…

Madam Chair, Ronald Reagan was mentioned in discussing the gentleman's amendment. Ronald Reagan signed into law CalEPA in the State of California. He also signed into law the first air quality district to regulate air in the United States…

Madam Chair, I want to point out that DERA is not a regulatory program. The power plant rule that was mentioned earlier is a regulatory program. What DERA does is replace old technology with the new technology that is up to 90 percent…

Madam Chair, I might point out that the FBI is not authorized at the present time. We continue to fund it. I urge a ``no'' vote on this amendment. Madam Chair, I yield back the balance of my time. The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the…

Madam Chair, I certainly appreciate the gentleman's remarks. It is important that EPA right the wrong that caused the Gold King Mine spill, and ensure that the affected States and Tribes have the resources they need following the spill…

Madam Chair, I just want to make a point. At this time there are about 66 million dead and dying trees in my State. It is estimated that over the next few years, we could lose up to 120 million trees. That is 20 percent of the entire State…

Madam Chairwoman, I move to strike the last word. The Acting CHAIR. The gentleman from California is recognized for 5 minutes.