Later today, I intend to reintroduce a resolution commemorating the transfer of the U.S. Virgin Islands from Denmark to the United States. In that resolution, it discusses the 1733 slave revolt, the first slave revolt in the Western…

This is a very special day to many of us Caribbean Americans as we pay tribute to the life of Christopher Wallace, otherwise known as Biggie Smalls. Livin' life without fear, Putting five karats in my baby girl's ear, Lunches, brunches…

Appropriation bills are oftentimes a lot of numbers, but behind each of these numbers are individuals and people that we all care deeply about.

Federal transportation funding to the Islands falls behind other jurisdictions even though the traffic strain on our infrastructure is often greater due to the high number of visitors year round.

In the United States territories, despite being home to nearly 4 million Americans, we are too often left out of important programs or underfunded compared to benefits available to Americans living in the mainland United States.

Many of the people living in the Virgin Islands do not have ordinary access to a computer connected to the internet.

I am just so grateful that my colleague is interested in making investments, monetary investments, with taxpayers' dollars. I will be looking to him and his other cosponsors and supporters when we are looking for investing in working class…

I claim the time in opposition to this amendment. The Acting CHAIR. The gentlewoman from the Virgin Islands is recognized for 5 minutes.

We would say that this bill is not necessarily about transparency so much as it is about the executive branch, and specifically the White House, being able to reach into these independent agencies. There are already mechanisms in place for…

We are opposed to the bill because we have received letters and concerns from a cross section of Americans, a cross section of organizations, who recognize that this is not really a codification of an executive order, but this is overreach…

I do not oppose this amendment. However, like the manager's amendment, it does nothing to improve the bill. This amendment, in fact, really does not move the needle at all. Agencies, including the Office of Management and Budget, are…

The fact that the esteemed gentleman of North Carolina is willing to work with me means that it has been a wonderful day for me, and I am just so glad because I understand, although I don't always agree with everything that he says, and I…

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 Iowa will be postponed. Amendment No. 4 Offered by Mr. Meadows The Acting CHAIR. It is now…

I cannot support this amendment because it is duplicative of requirements already in place and will waste limited agency resources through additional burdensome requirements. On January 18, 2011, President Obama issued Executive Order…

I claim the time in opposition to this amendment. The Acting CHAIR. The gentlewoman from the Virgin Islands is recognized for 5 minutes.

This amendment would require agencies to report on their efforts to coordinate with State, local, and tribal governments throughout the regulatory process. I agree that it is important that State, local, and tribal governments are properly…

I claim the time in opposition, but I do not oppose this amendment. The Acting CHAIR. Without objection, the gentlewoman from the Virgin Islands is recognized for 5 minutes. There was no objection.

This manager's amendment does not fix the flaws in the bill we are considering. One of the major flaws in the bill is the authority it gives to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs to hold up rules indefinitely. This amendment…

I agree with that wholeheartedly.

I speak for the Virgin Islands regardless of who's in the White House. The President has to understand that a hiring freeze is going to bring development in the Virgin Islands and the whole southeast region of the United States to a…

We want to look before we leap.

I have an amendment at the desk. The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment. The text of the amendment is as follows: Page 24, strike lines 12 through 22 and insert the following: (k) Prohibition on Funding.--No funds are…

My amendment is simple. It rescinds the authority to spend up to $30 million on a commission to do what Congress and the agencies already do. If you want duplication, look no further than this bill. It seeks to reduce the size of…

That's mind boggling and it's hurtful to the people of the territory.

Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman, and thank you for calling today's hearing concerning barriers to infrastructure development.