Niki Tsongas

I think we would all like to someday talk about something other than war in Afghanistan.

On that I demand the yeas and nays. The yeas and nays were ordered. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, this 15- minute vote on passage will be followed by a 5-minute vote on agreeing to the Speaker's approval of the…

I am ready to close and yield myself such time as I may consume. I want to conclude by acknowledging that I sympathize with the property owners along the Red River. Providing them with certainty and assurance that their property rights are…

Private investment cannot take the place of the Federal responsibility.

It is a missed opportunity to not maximize for private investment.

I thank my colleague for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to the misguided resolutions before the House that seek to block the Clean Power Plan and undermine United States global leadership on climate change. Climate…

The parks do not belong to one state or to one section. . . . The Yosemite, the Yellowstone, the Grand Canyon are national properties in which every citizen has a vested interest; they belong as much to the man and woman of Massachusetts…

I remain concerned that whatever our way forward may be, how best we secure those gains, that we don't trade them away in a reconciliation process.

We have less than 5 legislative days here in Washington before the end of this fiscal year, but instead of funding the government, House majority leadership is focused on defunding Planned Parenthood. For nearly a century, Planned…

I would like to thank Ranking Member Grijalva for his leadership and advocacy on behalf of the Land and Water Conservation Fund. We have a generational responsibility to protect our Nation's remaining natural and historic resources for our…

I demand a recorded vote. A recorded vote was ordered. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, this 5- minute vote on passage of the bill will be followed by 5-minute votes on ordering the previous question on House…

I want to close by reiterating that, instead of working together on a bipartisan basis to improve the health of our national forests, this bill irresponsibly chips away at the environmental safeguards of the National Environmental Policy…

May I inquire as to how much time I have left? The Acting CHAIR. The gentlewoman from Massachusetts has 1\1/4\ minutes remaining.

Our national forests are a public good that are tasked to provide multiple benefits to the American people. These include clean water, clean air, wildlife habitat, open space, as well as robust recreation and timber economies that provide…

I thank Mr. Polis. As my colleague stated, title III would require anyone who challenges a project on forest land in the Federal court system to put up a bond covering all litigation expenses of the government. Plaintiffs would only get…

I would like to first comment that Massachusetts, at one time, was home to the Heath Hen, which is the greater sage-grouse's cousin. Because at that time we did not have an Endangered Species Act, that Heath Hen is now, unfortunately…

I demand a recorded vote. The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to clause 6 of rule XVIII, further proceedings on the amendment offered by the gentlewoman from Massachusetts will be postponed. Amendment Offered by Mr. Gosar

My amendment, which I offer with Mr. Beyer of Virginia, would strike three policy riders related to the Endangered Species Act from the underlying bill, those concerning the greater sage-grouse, the northern long-eared bat, and the gray…

I have an amendment at the desk. The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will report the amendment. The Clerk read as follows: At the end of the bill (before the short title), insert the following: limitation on use of funds to implement or enforce…

I demand a recorded vote. The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to clause 6 of rule XVIII, further proceedings on the amendment offered by the gentlewoman from Massachusetts will be postponed. The Clerk will read. The Clerk read as follows: lead test…

I do appreciate that my colleague across the aisle has said that it does make perfect sense to have an ocean policy. The ocean policy is a business plan for the oceans that seeks to maximize the benefits for all of its shareholders, the…

Nearly 3 years ago, Superstorm Sandy caught millions of coastal residents by surprise and cost billions of dollars in economic damage. Unfortunately, the weather is not all that has become more extreme over the past several years. I am…

I have an amendment at the desk. The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will report the amendment. The Clerk read as follows: Beginning at page 124, line 17, strike section 425. The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 333, the gentlewoman from…

I just want to reiterate that the riders in the underlying bill will do nothing to help our native species but, instead, only serve to cause uncertainty and delay, undermining all the concerted effort by many stakeholders, all seeking to…

My amendment is intended to recognize the National Park Service's Centennial Challenge and the importance of funding the program at the level requested by President Obama and the National Park Service. Next year is the 100th anniversary of…