It is long past time to seriously reform hardrock mining laws in this country.

It is time to move on.

It is simply long past time for the American people to get their fair share for the sale of minerals that actually belong to them.

It is long overdue.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the all-girls robotics team from Afghanistan for taking home the silver medal at this weekend's FIRST Global Challenge. I speak on behalf of my colleagues who travel on our annual bipartisan trip…

I want to kind of explore this idea about how long it takes to get a mining permit, not so much to put people on the spot, but to get a better understanding of what is really going on, and what some of the issues are.

I think you are all experts, there is a lack of information out there.

Mr. Speaker, I was absent during roll call votes No. 395, No. 396, No. 397, No. 398, No. 399, No. 400, No. 401, and No. 402 due to my spouse's health situation in California. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on the Engel…

I appreciate Dr. Roe's leadership on this issue. It has been an honor to work with him on this important legislation, which will help protect seniors' access to Medicare.

We need to rein in our out-of-control healthcare cost, no doubt about it. This is the primary reason why premiums, health insurances are going up.

H.R. 849, the Protecting Seniors' Access to Medicare Act, which repeals the Independent Payment Advisory Board, or IPAB, is a terrific example of both sides working together to make commonsense changes to help patients and to help seniors.

I urge the chairman and the Democratic leadership to expedite this process so that we can have a markup hearing as soon as possible.

First and foremost, cuts to Medicare should not be made by unelected appointees who are not accountable to the American people.

Again, this bill today is a good bipartisan effort to put seniors above partisanship and solutions above ideology.

Am I concerned? No. I'm not concerned because if they don't, they'll be subpoenaed.

Thank you very much. Thanks, Mr. Chairman.

Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong opposition to H.R. 806, better known as the ``Smoggy Skies Act.'' Because of the Clean Air Act, families have safer air to breathe, fewer emergency room visits, and healthier futures. The bill before us today…

As the son of immigrants, immigration is an issue close to my heart.