Bruce Westerman: “The bill before us today reauthorizes programs that provide data and inform real-time decisionmaking and long-term…”

“The bill before us today reauthorizes programs that provide data and inform real-time decisionmaking and long-term planning. The USGS water data is fundamental to national and local economies, protection of life and property, and effective management of our Nation's water resources. {time} 1630 I know personally in Arkansas if I want to go float on the Nation's first wild and scenic river, the Buffalo National River, the first thing I do is go online and look at the data from the USGS water gauges to determine where the best place is to float. This data is used all across the country in many different ways. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate Congressman Neguse's work on the legislation, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 5770, and I yield back the balance of my time. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Westerman) that the House suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 5770, as amended. The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed. A motion to reconsider was laid on the table. ____________________”