Because many tribal communities are economically reliant on development of energy resources on their lands, but face barriers to using those resources, I am glad we are devoting a hearing that will address continuing concerns, and air…

So your funding was decreased.

I have no further speakers. I urge passage of H.R. 5238, and I yield back the balance of my time.

As part of the Immigration Act of 1990, the diversity visa lottery was established as a way to diversify the United States. Over the past 28 years, the visa lottery has helped to fortify the image of our country and enlarge the greatness…

Sure, because we are still a democracy, are we not?

But listening to my colleagues, it would seem that if anyone has a personal opinion about someone, that it should automatically exclude them from working in the FBI or working any place else and that justice should not be blind anymore.

Last year's natural disasters in the U.S. Virgin Islands have left thousands of properties damaged and destroyed. The vast majority of those homes, businesses, and critical infrastructure have yet to be repaired. It is imperative that any…

I reserve the balance of my time to close as the member of the committee.

May I ask how much time do I have remaining. The Acting CHAIR. The gentlewoman from the Virgin Islands has 2\1/2\ minutes remaining.

I would hope that in the future, Congressman Roskam, the gentleman from Illinois, as well as Mr. Blumenauer would consider that no law should be different for the States and the territories, to allow the territories' people to be treated…

Once again, you have heard the opposition to this at this time. The characterization that it is closing a loophole, as I said, is misleading. I think it is important to understand what is going to happen if this is, in fact, made law, that…

I demand a recorded vote. The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to clause 6 of rule XVIII, further proceedings on the amendment offered by the gentleman from Illinois will be postponed. Amendment No. 29 Offered by Mr. Johnson of Louisiana The Acting…

I am thankful for the opportunity to express my strong opposition to the amendment. It is deeply unfair to the United States Territories and contrary to the original intent of the Federal law in question: the Animal Welfare Act amendment…

I thank the gentleman for yielding me this time. I would posit to my colleague across the aisle who said that we are trying to pit farm producers against food recipients, I believe that it is this bill that has done that. We have worked in…

On National Teacher Appreciation Day, I rise to acknowledge the outstanding achievements of Virgin Island teachers and bring attention to the educational crisis occurring in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Ms. Michaelrose Ravalier, a teacher at…

I think that the island of St. John, where we are actually about to rebuild our school, would be a great place for you to try another pilot out for these young people.

The rebuilding efforts of the U.S. Virgin Islands will require an extraordinary level of coordination and cooperation between the local government and the Federal Government. We have, in this moment, both the opportunity and the…

My great concern is that this commit does what it needs to do to hold the Federal Government accountable.

In October, bipartisan members of this committee sent a letter to DHS and have been requesting from FEMA response for that letter related to these hurricanes.

I think it is really important for us to do these assessments now as we are coming up to the hurricane season.

Are we prepared for a hurricane in the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico, or one or two?

You arrived, you said, about a week after Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico.

Part of the oversight and government reform purpose is to oversee and ensure that operations of the government are working smoothly and efficiently.

I want to extend my thanks to you for the work that you do, not just in this last horrendous wildfire.

the insular areas have long had underfunding and under inclusion across a litany of programs.