Those in favor say aye. Those opposed, no. In the opinion of the chair, 2 3 being in the affirmative, the rules are suspended, the bill is passed, and without objection the motion to reconsider is laid upon the table. For what purpose does the gentleman from oregon seek recognition . Mr. Key fazio i move the house suspend the rules and pass the bill h. R. 3245, the restore the harmony way bridge act. The speaker pro tempore the clerk will report the title of the bill. The clerk h. R. 3245 a bill to transfer a bridge over the roy bash river to the neujahr money river Bridge Authority antineujahr money and roy bash River Authority and for other purposes. The speaker pro tempore pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from oregon, mr. Defazio, and the gentleman from illinois, mr. Davis, will each control 20 minutes. The chair now recognizes the gentleman from oregon. Mr. Defazio sbreek, i ask unanimous consent that all members may have five legislative days to revise and extend their remarks mr. Speaker, i ask unanimous consent that all members may have five legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and extraneous material. The speaker pro tempore without objection, so ordered. Mr. Defazio mr. Speaker, i yield myself such time as i may consume. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman virginia tech. Mr. Defazio mr. Speaker, i rise in support of h. R. 3245 introduced by the gentleman from indiana, mr. Bucshon. The legislation is very similar to a bill, h. R. 6793, which passed the house by unanimous consent during the 115th congress, but failed to achieve the consideration of the United States senate. H. R. 3245 conveys the harmony way bridge to the neujahr money river Bridge Authority in illinois and the neujahr money and wabash River Authority in indiana. The bridge currently remains owned by the federal government under the white county Bridge Commission, but the commission is no longer active. The bridge, which was constructed in 1930, secretaries white county, illinois, with posey county, indiana, across the wabash river. It was place on the National Historic places since 2007. Closed since 2012 when an engineers inspection discovered structural issues making it unsafe for vehicle traffic. This allows the states of indiana, illinois to jointly Work Together to resort bridge, determine the future of this historic landmark. I urge my colleagues to join me in passing this legislation. I reserve the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from oregon reserves. The gentleman from illinois is recognized. Mr. Davis thank you, mr. Speaker. I want to thank chairman defazio for helping make this bill a bipartisan success. I rise in support first off i yield myself such time as i may consume. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Davis thank you, mr. Speaker. I rise in support of h. R. 3245. I really want to thank my colleague, the Ranking Member, the committee, mr. Graves, and also other colleague, my former boss, congressman john shimkus, who allowed me to work on this project as one of his Staff Members back in the early 2000s. To be able to stand on the house floor and see this solution be put forth by my other colleague, mr. Bucshon from indiana, with the support of mr. Shimkus and mr. Graves, the illinois delegation, indiana delegation in a very bipartisan way. Its a privilege for me to be able to manage this bill today. Who would have thought that two kids from christian county, illinois would one day stand here on the floor of the u. S. House of representatives and have a bipartisan bill thats going to help the constituents of both indiana and illinois. But thats exactly where we are today with my good friend, mr. By shop, who grew up about eight miles from where i grew up. This bill is a long time coming. Its going to convey the harmony way bridge from the federal government to the designated entities within the states of illinois and indiana. This is what the states of illinois and indiana have asked us for. The bridge is currently managed by the white county Bridge Commission, which was created by federal legislation in 1941. And in 2012, this bridge was closed because of the inability f that commission to support its Safety Measures and to support the improvements necessary. By conveying this bridge and repealing the 1941 legislation, the two states are going to Work Together for a new vision, which serves as a very important link between illinois and indiana. And it crosses the wabash river. A companion bill has already been introduced by the four senators from illinois and indiana. And last week, that bill, senate bill 1833, was approved by unanimous consent. Additionally, the house passed a similar bill last congress by unanimous consent. I urge my colleagues to support h. R. 3245, and i reserve the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from illinois reserves. The gentleman from oregon. Mr. Defazio reserve. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman reserves. Mr. Davis thank you, madam speaker. Id like to yield one minute to my good friend, the Ranking Member from the state of missouri, mr. Graves. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from missouri is recognized. Mr. Graves thank you, mr. Davis. I rise in support of h. R. 3245, and i want to thank representative bucshon for his hard work on this important issue. 3245 is going to enable entities within the states of illinois and indiana to chart a whole new course for the harmony way bridge which is closed currently. The bridge is not only a Critical Link between these states but also representative of that strong bond between the people of illinois and indiana. That connection is further demonstrated by the fact that all members of the indiana and illinois delegations that cosponsored this bill. I urge my colleagues to support h. R. 3245. With that i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields. The gentleman from oregon. Mr. Defazio reserve. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman reserves. The gentleman from illinois. Mr. Davis thank you, madam speaker. Again, this bill is a bipartisan Success Story and a by state success bistate Success Story. Id like to yield three minutes to my colleague from the great state of indiana, mr. Pens. Mr. Pence. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from indiana is recognized. Mr. Pence thank you. I rise today in support of h. R. 3245, legislation sponsored by my colleague, friend, and fellow hoosier, dr. Larry bucshon. The harmony way bridge connects indiana to illinois over the wabash river. The bridge is currently managed by the white county Bridge Commission which was created by federal legislation in 1941. The bridge closed in 2012 due to structural deficiencies and current federal law blocks local officials from taking action to repair the bridge. I am proud to join my colleague in both indiana and illinois delegations as a cosponsor on this critical legislation. H. R. 3245 would allow the two states to determine the future of the bridge. Madam speaker, supporting this bill is common sense. A companion bill, s. 1833, was introduced by the four senators from indiana and illinois and passed by unanimous consent. Last year the house passed a similar bill overwhelmingly. In addition, both indiana and illinois created state commissions to manage a bridge the speaker pro tempore the gentlemans time has expired. The gentleman is recognized for 30 seconds. Mr. Pence thank you, i yield back. Mr. Davis i reserve. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from illinois reserves. The gentleman from oregon. R. Defazio i reserve. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from illinois. Mr. Davis thank you, madam speaker. Again im proud to stand here next to my good friend, dr. Bucshon, who was born in my hometown of taylorville, illinois, raised in kinkade, illinois. Went on to become a heart surgeon. I dont know if id trust him operating on me. I know a lot of patients in indiana did. You know what, this is a guy who promised to get things done. This project, can i tell you firsthand, was not moving anywhere until i can tell you firsthand was not moving anywhere until mr. Bucshon took the lead. I recognize him for four minutes. Thank you for your support of this bill. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from indiana for four minutes. Mr. Bucshon thank you for the kind words. Madam speaker, its an honor to rise today in support of h. R. 3245, the restore the harmony way bridge act. The harmony way bridge is a local landmark. And was an engineering marvel when it opened in 1930. Throughout the 20th century, the bridge connected posey county, anyone, and white county, illinois creating an access point for commerce and recreation for hoosiers from the neujahr money and surrounding communities, as well as those from white county, illinois. Unfortunately, in 2012, the bridge was permanently closed due to safety concerns related to structural issues and while the community has pushed to refurbish and reopen the bridge, until now federal law has stood in the way. That is why the restore the harmony way bridge act is important. It will convey the bridge to the indiana and illinois bridge authorities and remove the federal conditions set out on the bridge. Im glad to see this bill on the floor today. I want to give thanks to all those who have helped in the effort. First, i want to thank susi davis from my stave for her work on this bill. I want to thank laura from the neujahr money Indiana Community whose hard work has been invaluable in promoting the bridge restoration. I also want to thank indiana state senator toms and state representative Wendy Mcnamara for their efforts at the state level. I want to thank my colleagues, congressman shimkus, indiana senators braun and young. And all of the members of the indiana and Illinois House delegations who are all cosponsors of this bill. For helping me lead this effort and congress in finally solving this problem. The restore the harmony way bridge act will breathe life once more into the harmony way bridge. I ask that you join me in this momentous occasion and support this bill. Monumental occasion, excuse me, madam speaker, and support the legislation. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from illinois reserves. The gentleman from oregon. Mr. Defazio i have no further speakers. I reserve. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman reserves. The gentleman from illinois. Mr. Davis madam speaker, im prepared to close. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized for close. Mr. Davis thank you very, very much, madam speaker. Again, this is a bipartisan Success Story. This is an issue so many of us have worked hard on together to see it pass today with the support of republicans and democrats. Its something that i can tell you a few years ago i didnt think would happen. This is an opportunity, too, for me again to thank the hardworking people in congressman shimkus office, too. I remember learning about this project from my fellow staffer who lived right near the neujahr money way bridge. Her name was holly. Who gave me the low down on why it was important to pass this slaveplgts that was in 2003. Im proud to say to holly today, thank you for your dedication and hard work that you have done on behalf of the congressman shimkus over the years. Todays the day we finally get to make this happen and that bridge can be repaired and can be reopened. With that i yield back the balance of my time. After urging a yes vote on this bill. The eaker pro tempore gentleman yields. The gentleman from mr. Defazio i yield myself such time as i may consume. I urge that the house do support, pass this legislation. With that i yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields. The question is, will the house suspend the rules and pass the bill h. R. 3245. So many as are in favor say aye. Those opposed, no. In the opinion of the chair, 2 3 of those voting having responded in the affirmative, the rules are suspended, the bill is passed, and without objection the motion to reconsider is laid pon the table. For what purpose does the gentleman from oregon seek recognition . Mr. Defazio madam speaker, i move the house suspend the rules and pass the bill h. R. 1307, the post Disaster Assistance online accountability act. The speaker pro tempore the clerk will report the title of the bill. The clerk h. R. 1307, a bill to provide for an online preposs torrey for certain reporting requirements for recipients of federal Disaster Assistance, and for other purposes. E speaker pro tempore pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from oregon, mr. Defazio, and the gentleman from missouri, mr. Graves, each will control 20 minutes. The chair recognizes the gentleman from oregon. Mr. Defazio madam speaker, i ask unanimous consent that all members may have five legislative days to revise and and include remarks extraneous material on h. R. 1307. The speaker pro tempore without objection, so ordered. Mr. Defazio madam speaker, i yield myself such time as i may consume. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Defazio madam speaker, i rise in support of h. R. 1307, the post Disaster Assistance online accountability act introduced by the gentleman from North Carolina, mr. Meadows. When a major disaster strikes, the American People should know how and where their disaster funds are spent without wading through reams of inscrutable government paperwork. H. R. 1307 would simplify the Data Collection process for federal Disaster Recovery projects and activities by establishing an Online Repository to which agencies could submit information on projects and spending in order to increase transparency to the public, the bill would also reate a page on usas pending. Gov for the public to track agency Disaster Recovery activities in the amount of assistance expended on a quarterly basis. Federal agencies need to be accountable to the victims disasters so that they can have peace of mind when this are at their most vulnerable. I strongly support the bill and urge my colleagues to join me. With that i i reserve the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman reserves the balance of his time reserves. The gentleman from missouri. Mr. Graves thank you, madam speaker. I yield myself such time as i may consume. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Graves thank you, madam speaker. H. R. 1307, the postDisaster Assistance online accountability act will improve our oversight of federal Disaster Assistance and projects by increasing the accountability and transparency in federal spending following disasters. This bill will help ensure that funds are invested more wisely and better able to help americans who are trying to recover and rebuild their lives. H. R. 1307 is going to require various agencies that offer Disaster Assistance to publicly reported sdast data on disaster spending and the obligations, and its critical as we work to reform and improve our Disaster Response and recovery programs that we have the most accurate Data Available. This is important for our oversight as well as the taxpayers in Holding Agencies accountable. I want to thank the Economic Development public buildings and Emergency Management subcommittee Ranking Member, mr. Meadows, and mr. Peters for their work on this legislation. Id encourage my colleagues to support it, and with that id reserve the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman reserves. The gentleman from oregon. Mr. Defazio reserve. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman reserves. The gentleman from missouri is recognized. Mr. Graves madam speaker, at this time i would recognize the gentleman from North Carolina, mr. Rouzer, and yield him as much time as he may consume. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Rouzer thank you, madam speaker. I thank the chairman and the Ranking Member for their support and work on this bill as well. I certainly rise today in support of this measure sponsored and introdoused by my friend and colleague, mr. Meadows, also from North Carolina. We know firsthand just how badly this legislation is needed. In my district alone, which has been a victim of two major hurricanes in the last three years, matthew in 2016, and florence just this past fall. After both hurricanes, congress appropriated disaster aid, funding for rebuilding and recovery efforts. To date, very little of that money, quite honestly, has been channeled to the state. Taxpayers in North Carolina and across the rest of the country deserve to know how the federal government is spending these recovery funds or whether they are being spent at all. More transparency means more accountability, and making this disaster funding Data Available online to the public will help ensure that these dollars that congress has appropriated are being spent in a timely and effective manner. As we continue to recover from hurricanes matthew and florence and prepare for yet another Hurricane Season this year, its more important than ever that we make sure were getting the most out of every single dollar that congress appropriates. This bill will go a long way to helping to ensure just that. Madam speaker, i yield back. Mr. Graves id reserve the balance. The speaker pro tempore the gent