Congressional Record United States Th of America PROCEEDINGS and DEBATES of the 115 CONGRESS, FIRST SESSION

E PL UR UM IB N U U S Congressional Record United States th of America PROCEEDINGS AND DEBATES OF THE 115 CONGRESS, FIRST SESSION

Vol. 163 WASHINGTON, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2017 No. 203 House of Representatives The House met at 10 a.m. and was until March. People are already losing He submitted his DACA renewal well called to order by the Speaker pro tem- their DACA coverage on a daily basis. before the application deadline that pore (Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky). So when reporters and politicians say was arbitrarily set for last October. that Congress can stall until March to f But he made a mistake. His check was enact the Dream Act, they are flat for $465, not $495, so he will be deport- DESIGNATION OF SPEAKER PRO wrong. We cannot wait until March. able as of December 22. He has lived his TEMPORE The Dream Act and the protections of entire life in the United States, yet, if The SPEAKER pro tempore laid be- the DACA program are not light Republicans and the President have fore the House the following commu- switches we can turn on and off. Every their way, he will be sent back to Hon- nication from the Speaker: day we delay the passage of the Dream duras. His three businesses and those Act, another 122 DACA recipients lose who work there? Who knows what will WASHINGTON, DC, their status. They go from being docu- December 13, 2017. happen to them. I hereby appoint the Honorable HAROLD mented to being undocumented, and Another DACA recipient named Saul ROGERS to act as Speaker pro tempore on their worlds are turned upside down. is from California. Thanks to the secu- this day. It is not just their lives, but also the rity and stability provided by DACA, PAUL D. RYAN, lives of American citizens who love he has pursued a career in education. I Speaker of the House of Representatives. them, who employ them, and who rely was a teacher, and I know that the on them. f monetary rewards are few, but the re- Young DREAMers came forward and MORNING-HOUR DEBATE reported to the Department of Home- wards for your soul are many, and the rewards to our society of having dedi- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- land Security and paid their own money for a criminal background cated teachers are just as priceless. ant to the order of the House of Janu- But without DACA and without the ary 3, 2017, the Chair will now recog- check by the FBI. In fact, many of them have successfully completed their Dream Act, Saul has no future in nize Members from lists submitted by teaching, and we may squander the the majority and minority leaders for paperwork and biometrics three times. They paid all of this processing—the passion he would bring to a classroom. morning-hour debate. His DACA expires on December 29, and The Chair will alternate recognition paperwork, the background checks, and the fingerprints—with their own this is anything but a Merry Christmas between the parties. All time shall be for him as we drag our feet here in the equally allocated between the parties, money. By definition, they arrived in the Congress of the United States. and in no event shall debate continue United States as children, and, by defi- Finally, there is Brittany in New beyond 11:50 a.m. Each Member, other nition, they all arrived at least 10 York. She is a childcare provider who than the majority and minority leaders years ago—a year and a half before works with infant twins—one of whom and the minority whip, shall be limited Obama even got sworn in as President. has a severe health condition. Her em- to 5 minutes. There are 800,000 of them—800,000 ployers are now scrambling because f young Americans who have been play- Brittany’s DACA expired last Thurs- day, and she has no clear legal path DACA ing by the rules, doing everything their government has asked them to do, and forward. The family said: We are dev- The SPEAKER pro tempore. The who have been living productive lives astated at the thought that she may Chair recognizes the gentleman from in communities in every State of the not be able to work in this country and Illinois (Mr. GUTIE´ RREZ) for 5 minutes. Union. As of today, more than 12,000 know we won’t find another caregiver Mr. GUTIE´ RREZ. Mr. Speaker, every have lost their DACA status and pro- who is as reliable, nurturing, and day, 122 people with DACA lose their tection. unshakeable as Brittany. protection from deportation. They lose Let me tell you about a few of them. Most Americans don’t understand their government-issued identification Mayron owns three businesses. He lives why taking away legal status from a that allowed them to stay in this coun- in Washington State and has lived in childcare provider who is employed, try and work legally. the U.S. since he was 11 years old. His cherished, and loved by her employers DACA is the Deferred Action for DACA expires on December 22, the day will somehow create law and order. Childhood Arrivals program that the after the CR is set to expire and the How does creating more undocumented President ended in September and day we are all supposed to go home and immigrants help? It doesn’t make which will completely expire in March. return to our families for the Christ- America great. It doesn’t even But let’s be clear: people don’t have mas holiday and New Year’s. strengthen security or our economy. I

b This symbol represents the time of day during the House proceedings, e.g., b 1407 is 2:07 p.m. Matter set in this typeface indicates words inserted or appended, rather than spoken, by a Member of the House on the floor.

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VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:15 Dec 14, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A13DE7.000 H13DEPT1 H9848 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE December 13, 2017 don’t think it even benefits the Repub- treating physician. Dr. Tully is widely school. At the same time, National lican Party politically to send this respected and has performed more than Guard members are available to pro- young American woman like her away. 3,000 prostatectomies. On Thursday, vide support and protection for their But it is up to Republicans and Martha and I drove to Birmingham to States or to be called for military oper- Democrats to stand up for Brittany, obtain Dr. Tully’s insight about treat- ations for the country. They serve Saul, and Mayron. Democrats must be ment options and risks. He advised a their community and their country. clear that we value the contributions radical prostatectomy. Each U.S. State, the District of Co- of these young people and will not At Dr. Tully’s direction, I undertook lumbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto allow their stories to be ignored. a heart stress test and a nuclear bone Rico, and the territories of Guam and Republicans—even the brave ones scan. Finally, I got some good news. the U.S. Virgin Islands maintain both who have said that they are for solving My CT scan and nuclear bone scan rean Army National Guard and an Air the plight of the DACA kids—must do vealed no cancer beyond the prostate. National Guard. more than write a letter or whisper My heart stress test confirmed that I quietly in the Halls that they hope am strong enough to undergo the 2- to The Massachusetts General Court something happens. 3-hour surgery. issued an order on December 13, 1636, It is up to us right now. I am not Prostate cancer mortality data is requiring all able-bodied men between leaving, and I am not shutting up until compelling. Speed is critical in the the ages of 16 and 60 to create a stand- we do. fight against prostate cancer. In coming Army for protection. With that order, what we now know as America’s f pliance with the 2017 House calendar that set end-of-year votes on December National Guard was born. The idea was GOD WORKS IN MYSTERIOUS 14, and at some risk to myself, Dr. simple: establish an Army of citizen WAYS Tully and I delayed my surgery until soldiers who could be called upon to The SPEAKER pro tempore. The December 15—this Friday—and set a fight when needed. Chair recognizes the gentleman from postsurgery medical procedure for De- In honor of the National Guard’s Alabama (Mr. BROOKS) for 5 minutes. cember 20. My plan was to recuperate birthday, here are some lesser known Mr. BROOKS of Alabama. Mr. Speak- at home during the holidays with my facts about the branch: each member of er, this is a very difficult speech for me family and return to Washington for a the National Guard is sworn to uphold to give. full workload when Congress recon- two constitutions, Federal and State. God works in mysterious ways. venes on January 3. The term ‘‘National Guard’’ didn’t be- When you are an elected official, Unfortunately, last week the House come an official term until 1916. 50,000 missed votes require an explanation. Speaker abruptly changed the House members of the National Guard were That is why I disclose this otherwise voting calendar that I relied on to set called to take on various missions dur- very personal, very private, and very my surgery. As a result, next week I ing the 9/11 attacks in 2001. Only two humbling matter. will miss House floor votes unless I am Presidents have served in the National On Halloween night, after votes, as I unexpectedly medically cleared to Guard in its modern structure: Harry stood on the Capitol steps, my doctor travel. S. Truman and George W. Bush. called and said: Congressman BROOKS, There are three insights from my ex- The National Guard is older than the bad news. You have high-risk prostate perience that I wish to share with the cancer. I felt an adrenaline rush as a Army. Militias were used as early as public. First, don’t ever, ever take your 1636 to protect British colonies. The chill went up and down my spine. health or family for granted. During By way of background, prostate can- U.S. Army wasn’t formed until the be- the holidays, enjoy your family beginning of the Revolutionary War. cer kills almost 27,000 American men cause no one—no one—is promised to- each year and is the third leading morrow. American Samoa is the only terri- cause of cancer deaths behind only Second, I encourage age-appropriate tory of the United States to not have a lung and colorectal cancers. Seventy- men to have regular PSA tests. While National Guard unit. one percent of prostate cancer patients PSA tests do not diagnose cancer, my National Guard units were called die in less than 5 years if the prostate PSA spike persuaded me to have the minutemen during the American Revo- cancer has spread beyond the abdom- prostate biopsy that revealed my high- lution due to their rapid response abil- inal cavity. In stark contrast, almost risk prostate cancer early enough for ity. all prostate cancer patients live longer me to enjoy a very good cure prognosis. The most senior member of each than 5 years if the cancer is discovered Third, I ran for the Senate in 2017. I State National Guard unit is the adju- early and killed before it spreads. finished third out of nine candidates in tant general. Some States elect the ad- For example, my father discovered the Republican primary. Had I won, I jutant general while others have their his prostate cancer early. He lived four would not have had time for my phys- Governor appoint someone to that po- decades after his prostatectomy. My ical and PSA test. I would not have had sition. grandfather discovered his prostate a prostate biopsy. I would not now cancer too late. He died not long there- know about my high-risk prostate can- The National Guard formed one of after. cer that requires immediate surgery. the first all-African-American units in After my doctor’s diagnosis, I called In retrospect, and paradoxically, los- U.S. military history, the 54th Massa- my wife, Martha, who was back home ing the Senate race may have saved my chusetts Volunteers. Their creation in Huntsville welcoming trick-or-treat- life. Yes, God does work in mysterious was met with mixed reactions, but the ers and shared the bad news. That ways. unit serves to this day, and the first night was one of the loneliest nights f African American to receive a Medal of apart in our 41-year marriage. I kept Honor, William Harvey Carney, hailed thinking about my wonderful family: CELEBRATING THE 381ST BIRTH- from it. DAY OF THE NATIONAL GUARD What do I do next? How do I beat this The National Guard is second only to cancer? The SPEAKER pro tempore. The the United States Army in terms of Overnight, I formed a plan and began Chair recognizes the gentleman from number of members. implementing it. Pennsylvania (Mr. THOMPSON) for 5 In an emotional meeting, I informed minutes. Mr. Speaker, I commend all those my Washington staff of my cancer, Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. who join the ranks of the esteemed Na- that I was immediately flying to Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of tional Guard. They answer the call of Huntsville after a CT scan that after- the 381st birthday of the National duty to protect their community and noon, and that, for medical reasons, I Guard. their country. We are grateful for their would be in Alabama the rest of the A component of the United States service and proud of their commit- week. Army, the National Guard is primarily ment. Based on advice from friends and doc- composed of citizen soldiers who hold Happy 381st birthday to the National tors, I chose Dr. Scott Tully as my down full-time civilian jobs or attend Guard.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:15 Dec 14, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K13DE7.002 H13DEPT1 December 13, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H9849 b 1015 any income ‘‘earned’’ abroad will be He served on the Salida Volunteer Fire HONORING SHERIFF’S DEPUTY completely tax free. Department, the Hart-Ransom School DAVID SOLIS It will be the wealthiest 1 percent Board of Trustees, the Central Valley who get more than 50 percent of the Farmland Trust Trustee Council, and The SPEAKER pro tempore. The tax cuts in this plan, while sticking the Stanislaus Land Trust and Agricul- Chair recognizes the gentleman from our children with the bill. tural Pavilion boards, just to name a California (Mr. RUIZ) for 5 minutes. I want to simplify and modernize our few. He has been very active. Mr. RUIZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise to Tax Code to give middle class families Paul’s tenure as president ends this honor the outstanding service and her- the purchasing power they need to im- year, but I am confident he will con- oism of one of California’s finest, Riv- prove their lives and spark the econ- tinue to play a vital role in the advo- erside County Sheriff’s Deputy David omy. This plan, unfortunately, will fur- cacy and evolution of our agriculture Solis, who serves in Coachella, Cali- ther burden the middle class for the industry. fornia. benefit of millionaires. I thank Paul for his hard work and On May 25, 2017, Deputy Solis en- So, let’s start over. Let’s come back continued friendship. I thank his wife, gaged in a chase with a suspect in a ve- to the table to make real, bipartisan Deborah, his three sons, and their hicle, which led to a foot pursuit. The tax reform a reality and to give real grandchildren for graciously sharing suspect unexpectedly drew a firearm tax cuts to all the people we serve. Paul with the farmers, ranchers, and and shot Deputy Solis six times at f our community, who have relied on his close range. Though he was critically leadership. HONORING PAUL WENGER injured, Deputy Solis continued to feed Mr. Speaker, please join me in hon- his team information, ensuring other The SPEAKER pro tempore. The oring and recognizing my good friend officers could secure the area, which Chair recognizes the gentleman from for his unwavering leadership, accom- led to the eventual capture of the sus- California (Mr. DENHAM) for 5 minutes. plishments, and contributions on be- pect. Mr. DENHAM. Mr. Speaker, today, I half of the agriculture industry. Incredibly, Deputy Solis was back to rise to honor a true friend and advo- f work after just 4 months of recovery. cate of agriculture. For the past 8 His bravery, strength, and profes- years, Paul Wenger has led the Cali- HONORING THE LIFE OF LOWELL sionalism exemplify the very best in fornia Farm Bureau with passion and HAWTHORNE law enforcement, which is why his de- dedication, ensuring that one of our The SPEAKER pro tempore. The partment selected him to receive the State’s most vital industries remains Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Public Safety Officer Medal of Valor at the forefront worldwide. As a long- New York (Ms. CLARKE) for 5 minutes. for exhibiting ‘‘extraordinary valor time native of California’s Tenth Dis- Ms. CLARKE of New York. Mr. above and beyond the call of duty.’’ It trict and the city of Modesto, Paul has Speaker, I rise today in tribute to a is the highest decoration for public consistently been engaged in making great man, a loving husband and fa- safety officers. our community a better place. ther, a visionary entrepreneur, a phi- Deputy Solis, you truly embody As a third-generation farmer, Paul lanthropist and humanitarian, my be- these values. Your courage has made grows almonds and walnuts on the fam- loved and dear friend, Mr. Lowell Haw- our entire valley a safer place. You and ily farm, which includes property pur- thorne of the Bronx, New York. all law enforcement officers put your- chased by his grandfather in 1910. His Lowell Hawthorne immigrated to the selves in harm’s way each day to keep farming operation also includes a mar- United States from the beautiful island us safe. keting component for processed al- nation of Jamaica in 1981 and, like On behalf of my wife, Monica, and monds and walnuts through his Wood most immigrants to our country, began the entire 36th Congressional District, Colony Nut Company. his pursuit of the American Dream. I thank you, Martha, and your chil- Paul attended Modesto Junior Col- After working his way up the admin- dren—Caleb, Jonah, Grace, Jeremy, lege, or MJC, before transferring to Cal istrative ranks of the New York City and Penny—for your service and sac- Poly San Luis Obispo, where he earned Police Department as an accountant rifice. a degree in animal science. handling police pensions, he was bitten GOP TAX PLAN From 1990 to 1994, he served as presi- by the entrepreneurial bug and started Mr. RUIZ. Mr. Speaker, the tax plan dent of the Stanislaus County Farm a home-based business doing tax re- being considered in conference right Bureau. Three years later, Paul became turns for coworkers and friends on the now will be devastating for the people a statewide officer, when he was elect- force. I represent, in particular, seniors, ed second vice president. He was then Determined to provide for his family homeowners, students, and taxpaying elected first vice president in 2005. He a life that he never had, in 1989, in- middle class Californians. also served as a member of the Bu- spired by his father and sisters, who According to every nonpartisan esti- reau’s board of directors and chaired were bakers, and with the financial mate out there, this tax plan will blow its water advisory committee and support of his wife and siblings, he a giant hole in our deficit, a $1 trillion water development task force. would go on to open the first Golden hole, in fact. Since 2009, Paul has served as presi- Krust Bakery, on East Gun Hill Road So my first question is: Who is going dent of the statewide California Farm in the Bronx, New York. His specialties to pay for it? Bureau. He has been on the front lines included the Jamaican beef patty, Car- Well, next year it will be our seniors, fighting for water rights and supplies, ibbean baked goods, and other culinary to the tune of $25 billion in cuts to less government overreach, immigra- delights. Medicare. tion reform, and sustainable working From there, his entrepreneurial tal- And 10 years from now? lands that are essential to keeping ents, work ethic, and dogged deter- We will be looking at cuts to pro- farming and ranching alive. mination allowed him to soar, me- grams that invest in our children and In 2014, he received the Stanislaus thodically expanding his empire to in- our future, like Pell grants for our stu- Farm Bureau’s Distinguished Service clude over 120 stores in nine States dents. Award and has been long praised for his across the country. Golden Krust Car- My next question is: Who will actu- effective messaging, engagement, pas- ibbean Bakery & Grill would become ally benefit? sion, and unwavering principles. the first Caribbean-American-owned Well, it won’t be California home- Paul has successfully given Cali- business in the United States to be owners, who, on average, will see their fornia a strong voice at the national granted a franchise license. Producing taxes go up by $800 a year. It won’t be table by serving on the board of direc- more than 50 million beef, chicken, and hardworking families in southern Cali- tors for the American Farm Bureau. vegetable patties a year, Golden Krust fornia, who will be double-taxed on Alongside his work to advocate for is also the largest Caribbean-Amer- their income. our region at the State and national ican-owned business in the Nation. It will be corporations that will get level, Paul has dedicated countless Lowell has been described by his em- free rein to ship jobs overseas, because hours to our local community as well. ployees as a nice boss, a wonderful guy,

VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:15 Dec 14, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K13DE7.005 H13DEPT1 H9850 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE December 13, 2017 a God-fearing man, also, as someone Planned Parenthood throws around in Raise the minimum wage and make it who cared deeply for his staff, his fam- this town. But, Mr. Speaker, in this a living wage. ily, his community, and the beloved country, no one is above the law. If you can get it to those at the top, land of his birth, Jamaica. That is why I was so pleased to re- why not assure those at the bottom He leaves to cherish his legacy his ceive word that the Department of Jus- some degree of benefit from the $1.5 devoted wife of 34 years, Lorna, and his tice, now under the leadership of Attor- trillion? four children, who all worked for the ney General Jeff Sessions, appears to You but only have to decide that you company: Daren, Omar, Monique, and be following up on the evidence and will make a part of this tax bill a raise Haywood. taking our calls for an investigation in the minimum wage. Make it so. You I admire Lowell for bringing our seriously. can do it. And if you should do it, you shared love of Jamaican culture to life In a letter to the Senate Judiciary will find that there will be some people on a larger scale through food and fel- Committee, Assistant Attorney Gen- who will appreciate the fact that you lowship. His success story is an inspira- eral Stephen Boyd, who I am proud to didn’t just look out for those at the tion to all who continue to dream the say was formerly my chief of staff, re- top, that you also decided that you American Dream. I personally was hon- quested unredacted documents from were going to take care of those at the ored to have known him. the committee’s investigation into the bottom. As part of a tight-knit Caribbean di- suspected harvesting and trafficking of Finally this, Mr. Speaker, to those aspora and Jamaican community, he fetal tissue. He said, for now, the docu- who believe that people will pull them- was considered a beloved part of my ex- ments are for investigative use only, selves up by bootstraps that they don’t tended family, so much so that my and a formal resolution may be re- have, please know this: mother adopted him, as mothers often quired for further proceedings, such as Dear brothers and sisters: People who do, and took him under her wing and a grand jury. are poor cannot do more with less. into her heart. Lowell was more than a I appreciate the Department of Jus- There is a belief that if you are rich, friend; he was a brother. tice’s attention to this, and I know I you need more to do more. But if you Today, I honor his life and living leg- am not the only one who will be watch- are poor, you can do more with less. If acy. I will miss my friend and will ing this closely. poor people could do more with less, cherish him always. On behalf of the When the terrible videos first sur- there would be no poor people. people of the Ninth Congressional Dis- faced in 2015, I immediately came to Let’s take care of those at the bot- trict of New York, the Clarke family, the House floor and stood right here in tom. Let the system bubble up, as op- and myself, I wish to express my most the well and spoke out about this out- posed to trickle down. deepest, profound condolences to the rageous activity. Someone later told f family and friends of the honorable me I was the first one to speak on the MODERNIZING SNAP Lowell Hawthorne. floor, and, Mr. Speaker, I will be the f last, if I have to. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The I said then: ‘‘I promise . . . we are Chair recognizes the gentleman from PLANNED PARENTHOOD Texas (Mr. CONAWAY) for 5 minutes. INVESTIGATION not done talking about this.’’ Today, I am glad that has proven to be true. Mr. CONAWAY. Mr. Speaker, I rise The SPEAKER pro tempore. The today to discuss an issue that is receiv- Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from f ing a lot of attention both in the media Alabama (Mrs. ROBY) for 5 minutes. b 1030 and in the House Agriculture Com- Mrs. ROBY. Mr. Speaker, a few days mittee, and that is our Nation’s largest LET’S TAKE CARE OF THOSE AT ago, we learned of the Department of anti-hunger problem, the Supplemental THE BOTTOM Justice’s decision to open an investiga- Nutrition Assistance Program, or tion in the appalling practice of abor- The SPEAKER pro tempore. The SNAP. tion providers harvesting and traf- Chair recognizes the gentleman from As we approach the upcoming farm ficking aborted babies’ body parts for Texas (Mr. AL GREEN) for 5 minutes. bill, I would offer a brief perspective, profit—finally. Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speak- something that I have been keeping in Mr. Speaker, as my colleagues surely er, again, I express my gratitude for the front of my mind throughout all of remember, in July of 2015, senior the opportunity to speak from the well these conversations. Planned Parenthood officials were of the Congress of the United States of Mr. Speaker, SNAP is about families caught on camera discussing how abor- America. that are living paycheck to paycheck tion procedures could systematically Mr. Speaker, I believe that there is here in our Nation. It is about helping be altered in order to preserve certain some misinformation being accorded households across this country, not so organs so that they could be sold to re- the American people. Misinformation much worry about where the next meal searchers. They talked of ‘‘crushing’’ because there seems to be a belief is coming from, but letting them worry here and ‘‘crushing’’ there, being care- among those who are pushing a tax more about their children’s education, ful to preserve little parts of a baby’s plan that will put us an additional $1.5 their own work, and, quite frankly, body because they are valuable on the trillion, more or less, in debt. There their own future. It is about helping research market. They talked of menus seems to be the notion being pushed every citizen realize the American for organs and how lucrative these ar- that somehow by giving major corpora- Dream by modernizing a program that rangements could be. tions major breaks, these major cor- helps lift folks out of poverty, rather It was sick, callous, and completely porations will make a major conces- than trapping them there. inhuman. It also happens to be against sion and they will move major amounts Mr. Speaker, this will not be easy. the law. Soon thereafter, several of my of dollars down to those who work at There will be people who demonize our colleagues and I called for an inves- the very lower levels of their busi- efforts. Some will even criticize the tigation into these disturbing revela- nesses: those who clean the floors. process. We will have those who paint tions. Those who are there, they are called doomsday scenarios about what we are But, Mr. Speaker, our demands fell the night crew, and they make it pos- trying to get done. Some will say it is on deaf ears. Attorney General Loretta sible for those who come in, in the day- too much, too soon, and too fast. Lynch turned a blind eye and didn’t light, to have a clean office and a bet- Mr. Speaker, nothing could be fur- pursue an investigation. Even after ter work environment. ther from the truth. Our committee multiple congressional committees re- There seems to be a notion that has spent 3 years examining every as- ferred their own investigations to the somehow there will be a trickle down pect of this program. We have heard authorities at the Department of Jus- to them. I don’t see the empirical evi- from citizens across this Nation who tice, nothing was done. dence to support this position. I en- have been helped by SNAP, and we At the time, I said it was discourage my friends who believe in identified modest improvements that appointing, but hardly surprising. We trickle down to move to bubble up and we believe will better serve those in all know how much political weight allow the minimum wage to be raised. greatest need.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:15 Dec 14, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K13DE7.006 H13DEPT1 December 13, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H9851 Mr. Speaker, we must get this policy served his country in our Nation’s mili- RECESS right. As I said, we must get this policy tary. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- right. He is one of the biggest contributors ant to clause 12(a) of rule I, the Chair I can tell you, Mr. Speaker, that to the Republican Party in this Nation declares the House in recess until noon these reforms are about maintaining and is personally involved in many today. the American value of generosity, a campaigns. He has been a very good Accordingly (at 10 o’clock and 40 generosity that says no American friend and supporter for both me and minutes a.m.), the House stood in re- should go to bed hungry each night. my late father, and I am very grateful cess. But, Mr. Speaker, it also strengthens to him. that great American tradition of self- Most important of all, Jim Haslam f efficiency that compels us to work to has been a good family man. He and his b 1200 improve our own stations in life. late wife raised three children. Then, By doing this, by modernizing SNAP, many years ago, he married Natalie, a AFTER RECESS by making these changes that longtime friend; and between them, The recess having expired, the House incentivize work, encouraging collabo- they raised six outstanding children. was called to order by the Speaker pro ration, and promote and improve ac- One of his sons, Bill Haslam, is our tempore (Mr. YODER) at noon. cess, we will be ensuring better nutri- great Governor in Tennessee and a f tion for our American families. And, as chairman of the Republican Governors budgets tighten in our country and Association. PRAYER across this government, we will be pre- His other son, Jimmy Haslam, now The Chaplain, the Reverend Patrick serving a program that must be pre- leads the Pilot Flying J Company and J. Conroy, offered the following prayer: served for future generations. owns and operates the Cleveland Almighty God of the universe, we f Browns football team. give You thanks for giving us another HONORING JIM HASLAM Through hard work, honesty, dedica- day. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The tion, and simple human kindness, Jim Lord, You are powerful and strong, Chair recognizes the gentleman from Haslam has lived the American Dream. yet You bend to Your people and show He has touched thousands of lives in Tennessee (Mr. DUNCAN) for 5 minutes. them mercy and sustaining grace. Mr. DUNCAN of Tennessee. Mr. good and positive ways. This Nation is Help the leaders of our Nation make Speaker, one of the finest men I have the greatest country in the history of wise decisions in our day. May they ever known, Jim Haslam, turns 87 this world because of people like Jim look to You for guidance every step of today. Haslam. This Nation is a better place the way until we stand in Your light Mr. Haslam is one of the greatest today because of the life he has led. I forever. Set us all on a path that will leaders Tennessee has ever had, and he salute him on his 87th birthday and lead to peace and security. is certainly our greatest philan- give him best wishes for many, many Bless us this day and every day, and thropist. more. may all that is done within the peo- He came to the University of Ten- ple’s House be for Your greater honor nessee at the age of 17 to play football f and glory. for the legendary football coach, Gen- Amen. eral Robert Neyland. He played on GRANDFATHER RANGER DISTRICT f some of the greatest teams in Ten- The SPEAKER pro tempore. The THE JOURNAL nessee history, teams that won almost Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from every game, losing only four games in North Carolina (Ms. FOXX) for 5 min- The SPEAKER pro tempore. The the 3 years that Jim Haslam played. utes. Chair has examined the Journal of the In 1958, he bought a small gas station Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, I rise today last day’s proceedings and announces in Gate City, Virginia, on the Ten- to congratulate the Grandfather Rang- to the House his approval thereof. nessee line. I believe I read at one point er District of the Pisgah National For- Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Jour- that he paid just $6,000 for that four- est and community partners. nal stands approved. pump station. Through much hard Recently, the Grandfather Ranger work and long hard hours, he slowly f District of the Pisgah National Forest built that one little gas station into received the coveted 2017 Restored and PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE the Pilot Flying J chain. He is still in- Resilient Landscapes Award from the The SPEAKER pro tempore. Will the volved in the business today. gentlewoman from Michigan (Mrs. We frequently tell people in the mili- U.S. Forest Service southern region. LAWRENCE) come forward and lead the tary: Thank you for your service. The Ranger District received this That is a good thing to do. However, award due to efforts to produce a House in the Pledge of Allegiance. we don’t show nearly enough apprecia- healthy and more diverse forest. This Mrs. LAWRENCE led the Pledge of tion for people who start small busi- project, which began in 2012, has ex- Allegiance as follows: nesses, turn them into bigger busi- ceeded its goal of restoring 40,000 acres I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the nesses, and provide good jobs for people of forest for parkgoers to enjoy. United States of America, and to the Repub- Specifically, collaborative partners lic for which it stands, one nation under God, and their families. indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. The Pilot Flying J Company now has have worked together to remove under- over 750 travel centers in 43 States and story fuels to decrease wildfire risk, re- f store shortleaf pines, and increase in Canada, and provides jobs for over ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER wildlife openings, while improving 27,000 people. Very few people in this PRO TEMPORE world can say that they are providing areas for deer and other wildlife to for- jobs for 27,000 people. age. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Jim Haslam has now contributed These combined efforts of the Grand- Chair will entertain up to 15 requests over $100 million to the University of father Ranger District and collabo- for 1-minute speeches on each side of Tennessee. He and his family have con- rative partners have yielded fantastic the aisle. tributed very large sums of money to results for our community and our for- f almost every good cause in east Ten- ests. URGING PRESIDENT TO NOMINATE nessee, in addition to the university. I know that these efforts will benefit He and his wife, Natalie, do not just generations of outdoor enthusiasts and A SOCIAL SECURITY COMMIS- contribute money. They are very ac- conservationists for years to come. I SIONER tive in all sorts of civic and charitable salute the Grandfather Ranger District (Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas asked groups in Knoxville. and the many partners who earn the and was given permission to address He is also a very patriotic man and Restored and Resilient Landscapes the House for 1 minute and to revise has great love for this country. He Award. and extend his remarks.)

VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:15 Dec 14, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K13DE7.007 H13DEPT1 H9852 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE December 13, 2017 Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. called the CHAMPIONING HEALTHY Americans deserve to keep more of Speaker, I rise today to strongly urge KIDS Act, which passed the House last what they earn. I look forward to re- President Trump to nominate a Social month and now awaits further action viewing the conference report and fi- Security Commissioner without fur- in the Senate. nalizing the tax reduction package ther delay. Mr. Speaker, it is my hope that the that will provide relief to all Ameri- The Social Security Administration Senate will act quickly to pass this bill cans. has been without a Senate-confirmed and reauthorize the important CHIP f Commissioner for over 1,700 days. That program to ensure that families and LET’S VOTE NOW is almost 5 years. This is totally unac- children who rely on this program re- ceptable. The American people need a main covered. (Mr. SCHRADER asked and was Commissioner, and they need one now. f given permission to address the House Without a Commissioner, Social Se- for 1 minute.) GOP TAX BILL INCENTIVES: curity is just spinning its wheels. Im- Mr. SCHRADER. Mr. Speaker, I rise AUTOMATION OVER JOB CREATION portant decisions are being put off and today to urge House Republicans to put service has deteriorated. (Mrs. LAWRENCE asked and was aside partisan politics and pass the I ask the President to act now to given permission to address the House Dream Act. nominate a Commissioner so that So- for 1 minute.) This fall, I have shared story after cial Security can provide the service Mrs. LAWRENCE. Mr. Speaker, I rise story from the House floor of young Or- Americans want, need, and deserve. today to address my concerns with the egonians who have benefited from f GOP tax bill. DACA. Sitting at this desk behind me Calling this bill the Tax Cuts and is a discharge petition which will bring COMMEMORATING FORMER Jobs Act is simply wrong. a vote on the Dream Act now. PERRIS MAYOR DARYL BUSCH Adding $1.5 trillion to our deficit and Unfortunately, this will require 24 of (Mr. TAKANO asked and was given assuming—and basically hoping—cor- my Republican colleagues to join us in permission to address the House for 1 porations will create jobs is irrespon- support. As of today, we only have two. minute and to revise and extend his re- sible. There is no guarantee jobs will be This is despite the fact, if leadership marks.) created and no incentive for job train- put that bill on the floor, it would have Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise ing. This is wrong. overwhelming bipartisan support. We today to honor the life of Daryl Busch, In America, we have a skilled trade must act on this. the former mayor of Perris, California, crisis. We cannot continue to operate It is clear that the administration is, who passed away earlier this month. our economy and jobs without skilled at best, problematic. When asked about As a U.S. Navy veteran, a small-busi- trades. We must give incentives to in- the status of DACA, this President ness owner, and a pillar of the Perris vest in new technology and equipment said: They shouldn’t be very worried; I community, Mayor Busch’s commit- for our corporations, but we must do have got a big heart. But it was only a ment to public service was never in that while demanding that they also few short months later that he an- doubt. His professionalism, class, and invest in skilled trade training and in- nounced an end to the DACA program. compassion are just a few of the many vestment. The Dream Act must be passed by reasons he was elected mayor of Perris Tax reform was a real chance to close Christmas. We should do it today. Con- for six consecutive terms. the skills gap, reinvest in our workers, tinuing to delay a vote on the Dream During his tenure, the city emerged and create a 21st century job training Act basically puts 800,000 recipients at from serious financial challenges to be- program. risk, is irresponsible, and puts those come a stable and growing community, f lives in limbo. and his leadership was critical to com- These young folks are doctors and IMPORTANCE OF TAX REFORM pleting the Metrolink extension, which teachers. The path forward is foggy, at now connects Perris to neighboring (Mr. MITCHELL asked and was given best, right now. They deserve a better communities. The foundation he built permission to address the House for 1 future. Let’s vote now. during his 17 years of public service minute and to revise and extend his re- f will benefit the city and its residents marks.) RECOGNIZING 2017 CONGRESSIONAL for years to come. Mr. MITCHELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise APP CHALLENGE WINNERS My thoughts are with Kay, his wife of today to emphasize the importance of 57 years, their son, Barry, and the rest the reductions and reforms reflected in (Mr. NEWHOUSE asked and was of the Busch family. H.R. 1, which the conference com- given permission to address the House f mittee will work on today. for 1 minute and to revise and extend People in my district and across his remarks.) KEEPING OUR CHILDREN INSURED America await meaningful tax reform. Mr. NEWHOUSE. Mr. Speaker, I rise (Mr. YODER asked and was given Most Americans paid too much in today to recognize three high school permission to address the House for 1 taxes. In fact, the Bureau of Labor Sta- students from Kennewick, Washington, minute and to revise and extend his re- tistics reported last year that Ameri- as the winners of Washington’s Fourth marks.) cans paid more money in taxes than District 2017 Congressional App Chal- Mr. YODER. Mr. Speaker, I rise they spent on food and clothing. It is lenge. today to discuss the importance of no wonder that nearly 60 percent of Seth Florman, Damon Fuller, and helping children who, through no fault Americans believe our current Tax Kyler Zimmerman spent many hours of their own, have no health insurance. Code is unfair—it is. creating and refining an app they These are children who are ineligible America’s Tax Code is currently named Powerhouse, which enables the for Medicaid, and their family cannot chock full of special interest deals, user to take on the role of afford private insurance. CHIP, or Chil- while families living paycheck to pay- businessowner of an energy company. dren’s Health Insurance Program, helps check and job creators need lower and These students designed the app to il- these children receive coverage. simpler taxes now. lustrate an energy company’s respon- In Kansas, more than 79,000 vulner- Throughout this process, my ap- sibilities to the community and to able children are enrolled in CHIP. proach has been to evaluate this tax draw attention to the challenges en- That is why I have worked to preserve legislation from one question: Will this ergy providers face. and strengthen it during my time in improve the lives of the vast majority Thank you to our panel of judges and Congress. of the people in my district? to the engineers at Pacific Northwest Last month, I voted for reauthorizing That answer is, absolutely, yes. National Laboratory who will be pro- CHIP for 5 more years, through 2022. The Tax Foundation projects that viding the winners with a tour of their This invaluable benefit to kids in Kan- the House plan will save the average great facility. sas and across the country was in- family in Michigan about $2,200 a year. The Congressional App Challenge cluded as part of a bipartisan bill That is real money. highlights the value of computer

VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:15 Dec 14, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00006 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K13DE7.010 H13DEPT1 December 13, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H9853 science and coding, and I am proud to For decades, Nicklaus Children’s Hos- ticing for the Congressional Baseball represent central Washington, where pital has inspired hope and promoted Game. schools and teachers are dedicated to lifelong health in south Florida by pro- We were fortunate to have the skills encouraging students to excel in STEM viding the best care to kids in our com- of former Army medic, my colleague, education. munity. It prides itself in bettering Congressman BRAD WENSTRUP, who was This year, the Fourth Congressional south Florida one patient at a time. able to apply a tourniquet to Majority District’s App Challenge had the high- So I invite everyone to come out and Whip STEVE SCALISE and help save est number of entries since my office meet the staff of the new Nicklaus STEVE’s life. began participating in the contest, Sports Health and Urgent Care Center Each year, more than 180,000 people which is a testament to the creativity this Friday, December 15, at the die from injuries sustained from car of our young people. Suniland Shopping Center in Pinecrest crashes, falls, industrial and farm acci- I ask my colleagues to join me in from 9 to 11 a.m. dents, shootings, and natural disasters. congratulating Seth, Damon, and Kyler f Every American could potentially save on their wining app, Powerhouse, and I a life by learning these very simple look forward to their continued edu- HONORING MAYOR VI LYLES skills. cational and professional success. (Ms. ADAMS asked and was given I commend this campaign and I hope f permission to address the House for 1 by raising awareness we will equip RECOGNIZING ORANGE COUNTY minute.) more Americans to do just that. CIF CHAMPIONS Ms. ADAMS. Mr. Speaker, I rise f (Mr. CORREA asked and was given today to honor Mayor Vi Lyles, who re- GUN VIOLENCE cently made history as the first Afri- permission to address the House for 1 (Mr. EVANS asked and was given minute and to revise and extend his re- can-American woman elected mayor of Charlotte, North Carolina. permission to address the House for 1 marks.) minute.) Mr. CORREA. Mr. Speaker, I rise A selfless and devoted public servant, Lyles’ journey began in a deeply seg- Mr. EVANS. Mr. Speaker, I rise to today to recognize not one, not two, speak about something truly heart- but three championship high school regated South, requiring her to over- come numerous obstacles. After more breaking. Three years ago, 20 children football teams in my district. and 6 adults were ruthlessly gunned Anaheim’s own Katella High School than three decades in public service, down at Sandy Hook Elementary varsity football team won their first she retired from the city of Charlotte School in Newtown, Connecticut. ever CIF Division 11 championship vic- and was then elected to serve two con- Since then, no meaningful gun legis- tory. On December 1, the Katella secutive terms as a member of the lation has been passed in this Congress, Knights varsity football team brought Charlotte City Council, rising to mayor in spite of widespread public support a championship title to their school for pro tem. Her leadership helped mold for commonsense gun reform. the first time in the school’s history. our city into one of the fastest growing And guess what. We had another fatal On December 2, Orange High School, cities in America and a beacon of the shooting in Las Vegas, where almost 60 another public school in my district, South. people were gunned down. And there brought home the Division 13 CIF title. Mayor Lyles, mother and grand- Also on December 2, Mater Dei High mother, is one of my sheroes and a role was another one in Texas, where School’s varsity football team won model to many. Like strong African- churchgoers were shot down while their first CIF Southern Section Divi- American leaders who came before her, praying. sion 1 title since 1999. like Shirley Chisholm and Fannie Lou In the last 4 years, two Members Mr. Speaker, please join me in con- Hamer, Lyles’ election shattered yet have been shot. Talk about hitting gratulating these fine athletes, their another glass ceiling. close to home. coaches, and their outstanding football As the 59th mayor of Charlotte, the According to the CDC, on average, 93 programs. story of Vi Lyles will be an inspiration Americans are killed with guns every I must say congratulations to the to young girls and boys and women day in our country. This is simply un- Knights, Panthers, and Monarchs. All throughout North Carolina and the Na- acceptable. Our Nation also has the three teams will be playing for their tion for generations to come. highest homicide by firearm rate State titles in their respective divi- Join me in welcoming and congratu- among the world’s most developed na- sions this Saturday. lating our new mayor, Mayor Vi Lyles. tions. f I look forward to our continued part- In October 2017, there were over 232 nership to move Charlotte forward. homicides in Philadelphia, meaning RECOGNIZING NICKLAUS CHIL- that the homicide rate was 8 percent DREN’S NEW OUTPATIENT CEN- f higher than during the same time last TER IN PINECREST b 1215 year. The city of Philadelphia knows (Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN asked and was all too well the lives lost at the hands STOP THE BLEED given permission to address the House of gun violence. for 1 minute and to revise and extend (Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois Promoting public safety and making her remarks.) asked and was given permission to ad- our neighborhoods stronger and safer Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I dress the House for 1 minute and to re- block by block is something I will con- rise today to recognize Nicklaus Chil- vise and extend his remarks.) tinue to fight for. dren’s Hospital in Miami on the open- Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Mr. Speaker, the American people ing of its new Sports Health and Ur- Speaker, I rise today to help raise are tired of excuses and inactions. This gent Care Center. awareness for the Stop the Bleed train- is truly a matter of life and death. We With this new center, Nicklaus con- ing course. need to look out for our Nation’s fu- tinues its proud tradition as one of the Recently, I had the opportunity to ture and we need to stop this block by leading pediatric institutions in the take this course, offered by the Amer- block. Nation. Located in my congressional ican College of Surgeons. This simple f district, just down the street from my training teaches you how to treat home in Pinecrest, this center will pro- bleeding injuries and help save a life. QUESTIONS SURROUNDING vide injury prevention and performance The most common preventable cause of OCTOBER AMBUSH IN NIGER training programs, as well as rapid death after an accident is losing too (Ms. WILSON of Florida asked and care, to our young athletes through the much blood after trained responders ar- was given permission to address the cutting-edge therapy services found at rive. House for 1 minute.) Nicklaus Children’s Hospital. It will This past June, I saw the difference Ms. WILSON of Florida. Mr. Speaker, also serve as a resource to families to having these lifesaving skills can make I rise today to remind Congress and the take their young children, sadly, in when several of my colleagues and Nation that there are still many ques- times of medical emergencies. friends were shot while we were prac- tions surrounding the October ambush

VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:15 Dec 14, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00007 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K13DE7.011 H13DEPT1 H9854 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE December 13, 2017 in Niger during which my constituent, DECEMBER 13, 2017. not be subject to a demand for division of the Sergeant La David Johnson and three Hon. PAUL D. RYAN, question in the House or in the Committee of members of his unit were killed by Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Whole. All points of order against such amendments are waived. At the conclusion Islamist militants. Washington, DC. DEAR MR. SPEAKER: Pursuant to the order of consideration of the bill for amendment This week, two news organizations of December 13, 2017, and clause (5)(a)(4)(A) of the Committee shall rise and report the bill reported disturbing details that raise Rule X of the Rules of the House of Rep- to the House with such amendments as may questions about the true nature of the resentatives, I designate the following Mem- have been adopted. Any Member may de- unit’s mission in Niger. There also is a bers to be available to serve as members of mand a separate vote in the House on any question of who exactly was making an Investigative Subcommittee established amendment adopted in the Committee of the the decisions on that fateful night: Was by the Committee on Ethics during the 115th Whole to the bill or to the amendment in the Congress: nature of a substitute made in order as origi- it the soldiers or their commanders nal text. The previous question shall be con- back at base? Representative Joaquin Castro of Texas Representative Pramila Jayapal of Wash- sidered as ordered on the bill and amend- According to one report, after being ington ments thereto to final passage without inter- separated from the unit for 48 hours, Representative A. Donald McEachin of Vir- vening motion except one motion to recom- Africa Command believed that Ser- ginia mit with or without instructions. EC. 2. Upon adoption of this resolution it geant Johnson was still alive and may Representative Norma J. Torres of Cali- S shall be in order to consider in the House the fornia have been captured, tortured, and exe- bill (H.R. 4324) to require the Secretary of Representative Niki Tsongas of Massachu- cuted. the Treasury to make certifications with re- setts The true story of what happened to spect to United States and foreign financial Best Regards, Sergeant Johnson may be, in the end, a institutions’ aircraft-related transactions in- NANCY PELOSI, volving Iran, and for other purposes. All source of embarrassment for the Pen- Democratic Leader. tagon and this Nation, but the agency points of order against consideration of the f bill are waived. In lieu of the amendment owes his family and the American peo- PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION recommended by the Committee on Finan- ple the truth, however ugly it may be. cial Services now printed in the bill, an Mr. Speaker, I am committed to OF H.R. 2396, PRIVACY NOTIFICA- amendment in the nature of a substitute keeping this issue on the front burner TION TECHNICAL CLARIFICATION consisting of the text of Rules Committee and in everyone’s mind until we know ACT, AND PROVIDING FOR CON- Print 115-48 shall be considered as adopted. what happened to Sergeant La David SIDERATION OF H.R. 4015, COR- The bill, as amended, shall be considered as Johnson. PORATE GOVERNANCE REFORM read. All points of order against provisions AND TRANSPARENCY ACT OF in the bill, as amended, are waived. The pre- f 2017 vious question shall be considered as ordered on the bill, as amended, and on any further RELATING TO SELECTION OF Mr. BUCK. Mr. Speaker, by direction amendment thereto, to final passage without MEMBERS TO SERVE ON INVES- of the Committee on Rules, I call up intervening motion except: (1) one hour of TIGATIVE SUBCOMMITTEES OF House Resolution 658 and ask for its debate equally divided and controlled by the THE COMMITTEE ON ETHICS immediate consideration. chair and ranking minority member of the The Clerk read the resolution, as fol- Committee on Financial Services; (2) the fur- The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. ther amendment printed in part B of the re- lows: YODER). Without objection, the Speak- port of the Committee on Rules accom- er or a designee and the minority lead- H. RES. 658 panying this resolution, if offered by the er or a designee shall each name a total Resolved, That at any time after adoption Member designated in the report, which shall of this resolution the Speaker may, pursuant be in order without intervention of any point of 15 Members, Delegates, or the Resi- of order, shall be considered as read, shall be dent Commissioner from the respective to clause 2(b) of rule XVIII, declare the House resolved into the Committee of the separately debatable for the time specified in party of such individual who are not Whole House on the state of the Union for the report equally divided and controlled by members of the Committee on Ethics consideration of the bill (H.R. 1638) to re- the proponent and an opponent, and shall not to be available to serve on investiga- quire the Secretary of the Treasury to sub- be subject to a demand for a division of the tive subcommittees of that committee mit a report to the appropriate congressional question; and (3) one motion to recommit during the 115th Congress, pursuant to committees on the estimated total assets with or without instructions. clause 5(a)(4) of rule X. under direct or indirect control by certain The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gen- There was no objection. senior Iranian leaders and other figures, and tleman from Colorado is recognized for for other purposes. The first reading of the 1 hour. f bill shall be dispensed with. All points of Mr. BUCK. Mr. Speaker, for the pur- order against consideration of the bill are pose of debate only, I yield the cus- APPOINTMENT OF MEMBERS TO waived. General debate shall be confined to tomary 30 minutes to the gentleman BE AVAILABLE TO SERVE ON IN- the bill and shall not exceed one hour equally divided and controlled by the chair and from Florida (Mr. HASTINGS), pending VESTIGATIVE SUBCOMMITTEES which I yield myself such time as I OF THE COMMITTEE ON ETHICS ranking minority member of the Committee on Financial Services. After general debate may consume. During consideration of The SPEAKER pro tempore. The the bill shall be considered for amendment this resolution, all time yielded is for Chair announces the Speaker’s ap- under the five-minute rule. In lieu of the the purpose of debate only. pointment, pursuant to clause amendment in the nature of a substitute rec- GENERAL LEAVE 5(a)(4)(A) of rule X, and the order of the ommended by the Committee on Financial Mr. BUCK. Mr. Speaker, I ask unani- House of today, of the following Mem- Services now printed in the bill, it shall be in mous consent that all Members have 5 bers of the House to be available to order to consider as an original bill for the legislative days to revise and extend purpose of amendment under the five-minute serve on investigative subcommittees rule an amendment in the nature of a sub- their remarks. of the Committee on Ethics for the stitute consisting of the text of Rules Com- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there 115th Congress: mittee Print 115-47. That amendment in the objection to the request of the gen- Mrs. WAGNER, Missouri nature of a substitute shall be considered as tleman from Colorado? Mrs. WALORSKI, Indiana read. All points of order against that amend- There was no objection. Mrs. HANDEL, Georgia ment in the nature of a substitute are Mr. BUCK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today Mrs. MIMI WALTERS, California waived. No amendment to that amendment in support of the rule and the under- Mr. PAULSEN, Minnesota in the nature of a substitute shall be in order lying legislation. except those printed in part A of the report This rule provides for consideration f of the Committee on Rules accompanying of two bills dealing with Iran and its this resolution. Each such amendment may continued support of international ter- COMMUNICATION FROM THE be offered only in the order printed in the re- rorism. In addition, the rule makes in DEMOCRATIC LEADER port, may be offered only by a Member designated in the report, shall be considered as order all submitted amendments. The SPEAKER pro tempore laid be- read, shall be debatable for the time speci- These bills were the subject of hear- fore the House the following commu- fied in the report equally divided and con- ings in the Financial Services Com- nication from the Honorable NANCY trolled by the proponent and an opponent, mittee and were marked up and re- PELOSI, Democratic Leader: shall not be subject to amendment, and shall ported favorably to the House. Both

VerDate Sep 11 2014 01:24 Dec 14, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00008 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K13DE7.013 H13DEPT1 December 13, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H9855 bills received bipartisan support in the Iranian military vessel? Or the thinly Mr. Speaker, many of us in Congress committee, and I would expect that we veiled attacks on U.S. troops in Iraq know how bad the Iran deal was for our will see significant bipartisan support using proxy militant groups? Or the security and our allies’ security. That on the House floor. numerous incidents in the Persian Gulf is why there was bipartisan opposition Mr. Speaker, it is no secret that involving harassment of the U.S. Navy? to the deal last Congress. While in the Iran’s leaders have a threat to our way Yet, against this backdrop, the end we were unsuccessful in prevailing of life. We don’t have to look any fur- United States entered into an agree- upon the administration to abandon its ther than Iranian support for lethal at- ment with Iran. The agreement, com- bad idea, we should continue to stand tacks on U.S. troops in Iraq and Af- monly referred to as the ‘‘Iran deal,’’ in the gap against Iran’s ongoing ef- ghanistan, particularly through IEDs, was opposed by a bipartisan majority forts to undermine peace in the Middle to witness Iran’s hostility toward us. in the House. It relaxed sanctions on East and destroy our friends and, ulti- Going back several decades, Iran has Iran, opened channels for business in- mately, the United States. routinely terrorized the Middle East vestment, and allowed Iran a pathway Today, we have two bills that will and has sought to export terror world- forward on a nuclear bomb. help our ongoing efforts to thwart wide. Further, while having the impact of a Iran’s terrorist ambitions. I urge my Iran’s numerous threats to annihi- treaty between two nations, the Obama colleagues to support this rule and late our friend and ally, Israel, are a administration chose to call the agree- these bills. steady drumbeat that should continu- ment by another name and, in so doing, Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of ously remind us of Iran’s threat. bypassed the United States Senate. my time. In 2001, the Ayatollah Khamenei is This political commitment by Presi- Mr. HASTINGS. Mr. Speaker, I thank quoted as saying: ‘‘It is the mission of dent Obama to Iran is the reason for my friend, the gentleman from Colo- the Islamic Republic of Iran to erase these two bills today. rado (Mr. BUCK), for yielding me the Israel from the map of the region.’’ The first bill, H.R. 1638, the Iranian customary 30 minutes of debate. I yield In 2002, a leader of Hezbollah, which Leadership Asset Transparency Act, myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, when the Joint Com- is a known extension of the Iranian re- targets the finances of Iran’s ruling class. Its goal is threefold: One, aid prehensive Plan of Action came before gime, said: ‘‘If Jews all gather in U.S. authorities in their efforts to Congress, I made my objections very Israel, it will save us the trouble of eliminate money laundering by the Ira- clear. I believed then, as I do now, that going after them worldwide.’’ nian regime; two, expose the sectors of the Iran deal too quickly removed the But lest we think these are the views the Iranian economy that are con- sanctions that brought Iran to the ne- of the past, the Ayatollah was quoted trolled by Iran’s rulers; and three, show gotiating table in the first place, al- in 2014 saying that ‘‘this . . . regime of the Iranian people how their corrupt lowing Iran to remain a nuclear thresh- Israel . . . has no cure but to be annihi- government accumulates wealth for old state. lated.’’ itself at the expense of the people. However, like it or not, the JCPOA is And we could go on. The evidence of The Iran deal removes sanctions on now law, and it will be wrong to under- Iran’s intent on the destruction of many of the known corrupt govern- mine it for purely political reasons. Israel is nearly endless. Just yesterday, ment entities. This bill will provide the Unfortunately, that is, in my opinion, the commander of Iran’s revolutionary transparency necessary to reveal the what my Republican colleagues are guards offered to support Palestinians level of corruption within Iran and to doing here today. This is not the way if they choose to stage an armed upris- inform Congress and others about how to handle our country’s foreign policy. ing to take by force Israel’s newly rec- to combat the flow of money to terror- Mr. Speaker, the most important ognized capital: Jerusalem. ists. It further exposes the ruling class question that you need to ask yourself Any country whose leaders actively by publishing this information in the at this time does not have to do with support terrorism against Israel and most common languages spoken within the substance of the legislation this whose leaders take an official position Iran. rule provides for, but, rather, why on that the nation of Israel should be The second bill that will be consid- Earth this body is wasting what pre- eliminated from the Earth are, and al- ered under this rule is H.R. 4324, the cious legislative time remains to bring ways must be, a sworn enemy of the Strengthening Oversight of Iran’s Ac- these bills to the floor today. United States. cess to Finance Act. This bill will in- The checklist of important items But it is not just Israel. Other Middle struct the Treasury Department to re- that need to be addressed is long and Eastern allies in the United States port on transactions of financial insti- time is short. Thanks to the inability have been the target of Iran’s hostility tutions related to the export of aircraft of my Republican colleagues to govern, as well. Namely, Saudi Arabia has been to Iran. even within their own conference, we increasingly threatened by the Iranian Under the Iran deal, President face the specter of yet another govern- regime. Obama removed restrictions on the ment shutdown next week. The Band- In 2011, our FBI and DEA agents suc- sale of American aircraft to Iran. In Aid that Republicans came up with last cessfully disrupted a plot by Iran to as- 2016, the Treasury Department author- week to provide funding for the Chil- sassinate the Saudi Arabian Ambas- ized the export of more than 200 air- dren’s Health Insurance Program, sador to the U.S. here in Washington, craft to Iran Air, Iran’s state-owned air which insures some 9 million children, D.C. The uncovered plot included carrier. Yet we know that Iran Air has expires at the end of the year. Utah, bombing a restaurant in D.C. at which been the transporter of choice for Colorado, Arizona, California, Ohio, the Saudi Arabian Ambassador was Iran’s revolutionary guards as they Minnesota, the District of Columbia, planning to eat. The bombing would al- have ferried weapons systems around and Oregon are just some of the States most certainly have killed innocent the Middle East. that have had to inform families that Americans as well. The absurdity of this deal to increase CHIP funding is nearing its end. The list could go on. the revolutionary guards’ capacity to Why is this? Historically, the Chil- Iran has fomented unrest in Iraq, has move weapons is self-evident. The bill dren’s Health Insurance Program fund- sought to subject Sunni Muslims to before us today will require certifi- ing has been a largely bipartisan effort. Shiite militias, has supplied the Syrian cation by financiers of the aircraft ex- And why shouldn’t it be? We are simply regime in its years-long civil war, has portation deals that none of the air- talking about helping to cover roughly supported Hezbollah and Hamas, has craft exported will be used for ter- 9 million low-income children and flagrantly disregarded international rorism or Iran’s weapons of mass de- pregnant women. law by building a nuclear program, and struction program. It has been over 2 months since has taunted the United States. Due to Iran Air’s continued role in CHIP’s authorization lapsed, and it is transporting materials used for ter- far past time for a sensible solution to b 1230 rorism, this is one step that we should this problem. Does today’s legislation Who can forget the image of U.S. take to help hold lending institutions solve this issue? No, it does not. Navy sailors, hands behind their heads, accountable for their support of air- We also have 800,000-plus DREAMers forced to kneel under gunpoint on an craft exports to Iran. waiting for word from this Republican-

VerDate Sep 11 2014 01:24 Dec 14, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00009 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K13DE7.016 H13DEPT1 H9856 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE December 13, 2017 controlled Congress. Will my friends won’t be just the Republican majority Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the across the aisle allow these fine young that pays the price. It will be the distinguished gentlewoman from Cali- people to remain in the only country American people. fornia (Mrs. TORRES), my good friend, they have ever known as home? Will Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of as I previously noted, to discuss the you let those DREAMers who have my time. proposal that I spoke of with reference served this country bravely stay in this Mr. BUCK. Mr. Speaker, we have two to the DREAMers. country so that they may start their witnesses on their way. We started a Mrs. TORRES. Mr. Speaker, it has own families here in the United States, little bit early. I reserve the balance of been 2 weeks since I last stood here to start their own businesses, and go to time. ask the House to bring the Dream Act college? Mr. HASTINGS. Mr. Speaker, I yield to a vote. Thirty-four of my colleagues, The idea that my friends would drag myself such time as I may consume. my Republican colleagues, have sent a Mr. Speaker, I am expecting another their feet on such an issue, let alone letter to Republican Speaker RYAN actually allow DREAMers to be de- speaker. If we defeat the previous ques- asking for action to protect DREAMers tion, I am going to offer an amendment ported, is anathema to what this coun- before the holidays because they under- to the rule to bring up the bipartisan try stands for, and it will darken the stand the urgency. bicameral bill H.R. 3440, the Dream beacon this country has been for mil- What are we waiting for? Republicans Act. lions of people since our founding: a continue to state that we have until Just last week, a group of 34 of my place where those of differing back- March to resolve this issue, but that is Republican colleagues sent a letter to grounds but dedicated to freedom and simply not true. 122 DREAMers lose Speaker RYAN urging a vote before the the rule of law come and make a life protection every single day. year’s end on legislation that would for themselves. b 1245 Mr. Speaker, Republicans control the protect the DACA recipients. This House; they control the Senate; they means, if we defeat the previous ques- That means that 122 intelligent, control the White House; and what has tion and bring up the Dream Act, the hardworking Americans, by every right that control translated into for the bill would garner enough bipartisan except birth, are losing their ability to American people? Absolutely nothing support to pass the House today. continue their education, to work and Mr. Speaker, I ask how much longer at this point. In fact, it is looking in- contribute to our economy. will this body be complicit in the creasingly more like the first year of a Are we willing to stop the deporta- Trump administration’s assault on unified Republican government in over tions of hundreds of thousands of DREAMers? It is time we listen to the a decade will end with nothing getting young DREAMers or not? vast majority of Americans and this done. This is not a partisan question. This body and act to protect these coura- In an attempt to distract from their is the question of who we are as Ameri- geous young people. failures, Republicans have taken to cans. Let’s put an end to the fear and Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous con- blaming, and I quote them, ‘‘obstruc- uncertainty that DREAMers have been sent to insert the text of my amend- tionist Democrats.’’ They point to this living with these past few months. ment in the RECORD, along with extra- side of the aisle as the cause of their We have been clear. This Congress neous material, immediately prior to governing woes. That is a neat trick, must not finish this year without pro- the vote on the previous question. viding a permanent fix for DREAMers, but the American people are not going The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there their families, and the communities to fall for it, and I think you saw that objection to the request of the gen- that depend on them. It is unconscion- last night in Alabama where new stars tleman from Florida? fell on Alabama. There was no objection. able. This is not who we are. It wasn’t the Democrats who tried to Mr. HASTINGS. Mr. Speaker, when Mr. Speaker, many of my Republican take healthcare away from 32 million my speaker arrives, I will allow Mrs. colleagues support action on the people. It was Republicans. Thank TORRES to discuss this matter further. Dream Act before the holidays. Many goodness they failed. It is not the Mr. Speaker, at this time, I reserve the have said so publicly. The majority of Democrats who are trying to give the balance of my time. Americans want us to act now. wealthy and rich corporations a tax Mr. BUCK. Mr. Speaker, at this Mr. Speaker, 1,708 DACA recipients break on the backs of hardworking point, I reserve the balance of my time. have lost their status since I last stood Americans. It is the Republicans. I Mr. HASTINGS. Mr. Speaker, I yield here 2 weeks ago. This isn’t hard. The hope this equally misguided effort like- myself such time as I may consume. fix is right in front of us. It has been wise fails. Mr. Speaker, continuing, we are here all along. I have some advice for my Repub- faced, as I said earlier, with another We all know that the votes are here lican friends. If, like this side of the government shutdown. The National today, if this body only had the cour- aisle, you spent more time working on Flood Insurance Program, which is par- age to act. And I know that the Dream policies that help the American people ticularly critical to those of us in Act would pass today if we only al- instead of the wealthy and rich cor- coastal States, is set to expire. The Re- lowed it. porations that are doing just fine, you publican Band-Aid to keep the Chil- I ask my colleagues to vote against would likely see more legislative suc- dren’s Health Insurance Program fund- the previous question so that we can cess. ed will run out, leaving millions of immediately begin to bring the Dream Democrats remain ready to work in a children without the healthcare they Act and act on the floor today. bipartisan way to accomplish all that need. Mr. BUCK. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 remains left to do this year. We are The authorization of an important minutes to the gentlewoman from ready to fund the government and pro- intelligence tool to keep this country Florida (Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN), the former vide for smart investments for the fu- safe is set to expire, and millions of chair of the Foreign Affairs Com- ture of our country. We are ready to Americans in California, Texas, Flor- mittee. pull the hundreds of thousands of ida, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Is- Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I DREAMers out of unnecessary limbo lands desperately wait to find out if thank my good friend from Colorado and provide them with the status they they will receive the resources they (Mr. BUCK) for the time. deserve. We are ready to provide the need to recover from the devastating I want to thank Chairman HEN- funding and authorization needed to hurricanes and the wildfires that we SARLING because these bills that we are give millions of low-income children have seen this year and that are con- combining today came out of his com- the health insurance they need. tinuing in California. mittee. I want to thank him for his The list goes on and on. But, Mr. I have said repeatedly that FEMA is leadership in bringing these important Speaker, if Republicans continue to not only dealing with hurricanes and bills before us today. not even allow Democrats in the room floods, they are dealing with tornadoes I rise in support of H.R. 1638, the Ira- to address these issues and if they con- and with all sorts of matters, and the nian Leadership Asset Transparency tinue to burn legislative time on the wildfires manifestly have kept them Act. I want to thank my good friend bills we have before us today, then it occupied over the course of time. from Maine, BRUCE POLIQUIN, for his

VerDate Sep 11 2014 01:24 Dec 14, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00010 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K13DE7.017 H13DEPT1 December 13, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H9857 work in authoring this bill. It is a crit- This bill will help shine a necessary The SPEAKER pro tempore. The ical step, a necessary step in holding light on these nefarious actions of Iran time of the gentleman has expired. the Iranian regime accountable for its both inside and outside of the country, Mr. BUCK. Mr. Speaker, I yield an money laundering, for its terror financ- and I urge its swift passage. additional 1 minute to the gentleman ing, and other wide-ranging criminal Mr. HASTINGS. Mr. Speaker, I would from Maine. activities. advise my good friend that I have no Mr. POLIQUIN. Mr. Speaker, the citi- The Islamic Revolutionary Guard further speakers and I will be prepared zens of Iran and the people of the world Corps, known by its initials, its acro- to close when he is prepared. should know how much wealth has nym, IRGC, has long been at the heart Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of been accumulated by these chief spon- of the Iranian criminal enterprise, con- my time. sors of terrorism and what the money trolling the better part of Iran’s econ- Mr. BUCK. Mr. Speaker, I have two is being used for. omy in key sectors like oil, gas, tele- more speakers. I yield 5 minutes to the Companies across the globe looking communications, and transportation. gentleman from Maine (Mr. POLIQUIN), to possibly do business with Iran The IRGC’s business empire and mo- a member of the Subcommittee on Ter- should also understand what they are nopoly of these economic sectors pro- rorism and Illicit Finance. dealing with before they invest. vides the regime with billions of dol- Mr. POLIQUIN. Mr. Speaker, I speak That is why my Iranian Leadership lars that it uses to do what? To feed today and rise in support of the rule for Asset Transparency Act is a straight- the people, to clothe the people, to edu- H.R. 1638, the Iranian Leadership Asset forward, main, commonsense bill. It cate the children? Transparency Act. simply requires the U.S. Treasury De- No. To repress the Iranian people and Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Chair- partment to collect, to maintain, and to export the terror that it has done so man HENSARLING also for moving this to post online the list of these 70 or 80 much damage in throughout the world, very important bipartisan piece of leg- senior political and military leaders in and its hateful ideology abroad. islation through the House Financial Iran, their personal assets, and how Two years ago, I held a hearing of Services Committee. that money was acquired and what it is our Subcommittee on the Middle East Additionally, I want to thank my being used for. and North Africa, where we explored colleagues on the other side of the aisle My bill requires the Treasury Depart- the role of the IRGC and, again, that is who supported my bill last year. Unfor- ment to post this information on their the Islamic Revolutionary Guard tunately, it got stuck in the Senate, so website in English as well as the three Corps. We looked at the role of the we are doing it over again this year in major languages that are used and spo- IRGC in Iran’s economy and we raised the House. ken, rather, in Iran: Farsi, Arabic, and these very concerns, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the primary responsi- Azeri. The information should be avail- So I want to thank Chairman HEN- bility of every Member of Congress is able, easily downloaded, and shared by SARLING for his leadership on this issue to help keep our families safe. Embed- everyone who wants to see this. and his consistent efforts to hold Iran ded with that promise is to support and Mr. Speaker, I might also add that accountable, because that is what we defend our Constitution. this information comes from publicly are trying to do, hold these terrorists Mr. Speaker, moms and dads in available sources. It is not classified accountable. Maine and across America are increas- information. This is one of the many issues where Now, I have heard folks say: Well, ingly alarmed by the frequency of ter- the Financial Services and the Foreign this is not a good idea to expose the rorist attacks here at home, with an- Affairs Committees have done a great Iranian Government’s corruption in other attempted attack 2 days ago in job of working together to implement their funding of terrorism, because, if New York City. targeted sanctions against the Iranian you do, we might not be able to work regime for its illicit activity. Mr. Speaker, today, there are 1,000 ongoing investigations of terrorist ac- with these people. For years, our Treasury Department Are you kidding me? has been working to identify and to tivity by the FBI in all 50 States. These are the radicals who regularly sanction IRGC leaders. They have shell Mr. Speaker, that is why H.R. 1638 is chant ‘‘Death to America.’’ It doesn’t companies. We have been looking at so important. It is a commonsense bill make sense to hope that they will what these shell companies are. Let’s that will help keep our families safe abandon their support for terrorism by identify and let’s sanction them. Their and free. In doing so, we should never not shedding light on their corruption. proxies. Let’s designate and warn for- make this a political issue. Mr. Speaker, hope is not a national se- Mr. Speaker, the Iranian Government eign companies about the risk of doing curity strategy. business with the IRGC’s connected en- is one of the chief sponsors of terrorism My bill helps make sure Congress tities. As fast as the IRGC can create and instability throughout the world. gets its priorities straight when it new ones, we shut them down, new ones Their senior political and military comes to this issue. Protecting Amer- pop up. leaders and the Islamic Revolutionary ican families here at home and helping Unfortunately, the misguided JCPOA Guard Corps train, arm, and fund ter- to safeguard our troops overseas, where has made the Treasury’s job even hard- rorist organizations around the world. they are fighting for our freedom, is er, with the IRGC collecting billions They have become experts at using the the right thing to do. from their financial windfall created internet and social media to radicalize, Mr. Speaker, so let’s use one click of by new outside investments in the very to recruit, and to direct terrorist at- a computer from any corner of the sectors previously targeted by our tacks around the globe, including here globe to help expose the illicit activi- sanctions. in the United States of America. ties of the chief sponsor of terrorism in So it is important now more than Mr. Speaker, the Iranian Government this world. Secrecy and corruption ever that the Treasury publicizes the has American blood on its hands. breed more terrorism by governments assets controlled by the Islamic Revo- Now, there are approximately 70 to 80 like those in Iran. lutionary Guard Corps and the rest of top political and military leaders in Let us stand up, Mr. Speaker, for Iran’s corrupt leadership for two rea- Iran that control about one-third of its every peace-loving nation around this sons, Mr. Speaker. entire economy. They use their power world, and let’s stand up to protect our First, so that the long-suffering peo- to corrupt the telecommunications, the families here at home. ple of Iran, with whom we have no construction, and other important in- Mr. Speaker, I greatly appreciate the problem—we want to help the people of dustries in that country. time and the consideration. Please vote Iran so that these people have a win- A recent investigation by Reuters ‘‘yes’’ for H.R. 1638, the Iranian Leader- dow into the regime’s pervasive theft found that the Supreme Leader in Iran ship Asset Transparency Act. and corruption that deprives them of alone has accumulated tremendous per- Mr. BUCK. Mr. Speaker, I would just the most basic of commodities. sonal wealth through a foundation ask, how much time is remaining? Second, so that businesses stop fun- claiming to help the poor. So while the The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gen- neling cash into these criminal enter- corruption has grown, the average Ira- tleman from Colorado has 131⁄2 minutes prises that are financing terror nian citizen earns the equivalent of remaining. The gentleman from Flor- throughout the world. $15,000 per year. ida has 171⁄2 minutes remaining.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 01:24 Dec 14, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00011 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K13DE7.019 H13DEPT1 H9858 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE December 13, 2017 Mr. HASTINGS. Mr. Speaker, I re- that we be occupying this kind of legis- Mr. BUCK. Mr. Speaker, I yield my- serve the balance of my time. lative time. The simple fact of the self the balance of my time. Mr. BUCK. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 matter is we could have put this on the Mr. Speaker, as my family and I sit minutes to the gentleman from Texas suspension calendar and not been exer- around the dinner table, my wife, (Mr. WILLIAMS), the vice chairman of cising ourselves in the Rules Com- Perry, and my two children, we talk the Subcommittee on Monetary Policy mittee, occupying legislative time that politics, not surprisingly, and there are and Trade. could be addressing the Flood Insur- times where we distinguish good from Mr. WILLIAMS. Mr. Speaker, I am ance Program, the Children’s Health bad, and we know that Iran is an happy to come to the floor this after- Insurance Program, and intelligence enemy of the good in this world. It ter- noon to support House Resolution 658, tools that keep this country safe that rorizes the Middle East. It seeks to the combined rule providing for consid- are about to expire. eliminate Israel. It pursues the de- eration of H.R. 1638 and H.R. 4324. We could have been addressing the struction of the United States. And H.R. 1638, the Iranian Leadership hurricane relief for Puerto Rico, the yet, for some reason, the prior adminis- Asset Transparency Act, sponsored by Virgin Islands, and southwest Lou- tration struck a deal with the Iranian the gentleman from Maine (Mr. isiana. regime, the same regime that has POLIQUIN), is commonsense legislation. We could have been addressing the American blood on its hands. The two The bill would publicize assets associ- fires in California, Oregon, Montana, bills before us today begin the difficult ated with Iran’s Government and mili- and other areas of the country. work of once again ensuring Iran is tary leadership. It would require a re- We could have been addressing the stopped in its pursuit of weapons of port to Congress on the assets that flood in Texas that devastated portions mass destruction and in its support of these leaders control, how they were of that area, as well as, during that terrorism. acquired, and how each and every one same period of time, we had tornadoes of these Iranian leaders uses them. and other issues indicating how critical I thank Chairman HENSARLING for The American people, the American it is that we support these matters. bringing these bills forward and for my businesses, and the international com- We could have been dealing with a colleagues from the Financial Services munity deserve to know who controls real infrastructure measure. Everybody Committee who have joined me on the money and assets in Iran. in this country knows that our roads floor today to make the case for this I am also proud to be the sponsor of and bridges are in despicable shape at effort. I thank Chairman SESSIONS for H.R. 4324, the Strengthening Oversight this point, and it is not as if we do not his leadership on the Rules Committee of Iran’s Access to Finance Act. My have the ability to do something about and for providing the debate on this legislation would improve congres- it. We don’t have the political will. issue today. sional oversight of any financing that So we are wasting legislative time Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to the Treasury authorizes for aircraft here today with these daunting tasks join me in supporting the rule, sup- sales to Iran. before us, and this is what the Repub- porting the underlying bills, and put- Every 6 months, the Treasury would lican majority chooses to focus on: try- ting pressure on Iran to abandon terror need to certify to us that finance au- ing to pass a tax bill, for example, that and embrace peace. thorizations would not benefit an Ira- gives most of the benefits to the The material previously referred to nian person who is transporting items wealthy and rich corporations while by Mr. HASTINGS is as follows: for the proliferation of weapons of adding over more than $1 trillion to the mass destruction, nor providing trans- deficit. AN AMENDMENT TO H. RES. 658 OFFERED BY MR. HASTINGS portation for sanctioned entities. I have said before: Look out. When b 1300 we finish whatever this tax bill is—and At the end of the resolution, add the following new sections: Treasury would also have to certify now it is being called what it is, a tax SEC. 3. Immediately upon adoption of this to us that these authorizations don’t cut and not tax reform that is needed in this country. When we finish with resolution the Speaker shall, pursuant to pose a significant money laundering or clause 2(b) of rule XVIII, declare the House terrorism finance risk to the U.S. fi- that, the next words out of many of my colleagues’ mouths next year are going resolved into the Committee of the Whole nancial system. House on the state of the Union for consider- If the Treasury Department cannot to be, ‘‘We need to address the entitle- ation of the bill (H.R. 3440) to authorize the make this certification, the Depart- ments,’’ meaning Medicare, Social Se- cancellation of removal and adjustment of ment must tell us why, and it must ex- curity, and Medicaid. I can assure you status of certain individuals who are long- plain to Congress the course of action that that is what we will hear from my term United States residents and who en- it intends to take. former deficit hawk friends who are tered the United States as children and for now in charge of this country. other purposes. The first reading of the bill I urge all of my colleagues to support shall be dispensed with. All points of order this rule, and I urge them to support Mr. Speaker, I urge my Republican friends, for the sake of the American against consideration of the bill are waived. H.R. 1638 and H.R. 4324. General debate shall be confined to the bill Mr. HASTINGS. Mr. Speaker, I yield people, to abandon this reckless tact and shall not exceed one hour equally di- myself the balance of my time. and return to regular order. That is vided and controlled by the chair and rank- Mr. Speaker, as we approach the end something that we are not doing and ing minority member of the Committee on of 2017, and with just a few legislative have not done. We have had more the Judiciary. After general debate the bill days left, the Republican majority is closed rules in this session of Congress shall be considered for amendment under the focusing on the wrong things. Plain than in the history of the United five-minute rule. All points of order against and simple, the bills before us today States Congress. provisions in the bill are waived. At the con- They need to work with Democrats clusion of consideration of the bill for are more evidence of that. amendment the Committee shall rise and re- Over the next couple of weeks, we in a bipartisan way. I think Alabama port the bill to the House with such amend- face a terrifyingly long to-do list, the told us that last night, and I hope that ments as may have been adopted. The pre- outcome of which will affect every sin- that message is pervasive and allows vious question shall be considered as ordered gle American. for us in this body, as well as in the on the bill and amendments thereto to final Let me be very clear. My friend from other body, to understand the impor- passage without intervening motion except Maine and my friend from Texas, my tance of everybody, all of these bril- one motion to recommit with or without in- friend from Maine, especially, passion- liant people that Americans sent here structions. If the Committee of the Whole ately put forward significant matters to work, to work together to solve rises and reports that it has come to no resolution on the bill, then on the next legisla- having to do with Iran. My recollection many of the issues of this country and tive day the House shall, immediately after is that I, for one, as did many members address its needs in a meaningful way, the third daily order of business under clause of the Democratic Party, voted for the not the needs of the wealthy few. Given 1 of rule XIV, resolve into the Committee of transparency that he calls for and are everything there is to do, anything less the Whole for further consideration of the likely to do so again. is abdication of our duty as legislators. bill. While this is an important matter, it Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance SEC. 4. Clause 1(c) of rule XIX shall not is not nearly as critical at this time of my time. apply to the consideration of H.R. 3440.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 01:24 Dec 14, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00012 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K13DE7.020 H13DEPT1 December 13, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H9859 THE VOTE ON THE PREVIOUS QUESTION: WHAT The question was taken; and the The vote was taken by electronic de- IT REALLY MEANS Speaker pro tempore announced that vice, and there were—yeas 229, nays This vote, the vote on whether to order the the ayes appeared to have it. 189, not voting 13, as follows: previous question on a special rule, is not Mr. HASTINGS. Mr. Speaker, on that [Roll No. 676] merely a procedural vote. A vote against or- I demand the yeas and nays. dering the previous question is a vote YEAS—229 against the Republican majority agenda and The yeas and nays were ordered. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- Abraham Goodlatte Nunes a vote to allow the Democratic minority to Aderholt Gosar Olson offer an alternative plan. It is a vote about ant to clause 8 of rule XX, further pro- Allen Gowdy Palazzo what the House should be debating. ceedings on this question will be post- Amash Granger Palmer Mr. Clarence Cannon’s Precedents of the poned. Amodei Graves (GA) Paulsen House of Representatives (VI, 308–311), de- Arrington Graves (LA) Pearce scribes the vote on the previous question on f Babin Graves (MO) Perry the rule as ‘‘a motion to direct or control the RECESS Bacon Griffith Pittenger consideration of the subject before the House Banks (IN) Grothman Poe (TX) The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- Barletta Guthrie Poliquin being made by the Member in charge.’’ To Barr Handel Posey defeat the previous question is to give the ant to clause 12(a) of rule I, the Chair Barton Harper Ratcliffe opposition a chance to decide the subject be- declares the House in recess for a pe- Bergman Hartzler Reed fore the House. Cannon cites the Speaker’s riod of less than 15 minutes. Biggs Hensarling Reichert ruling of January 13, 1920, to the effect that Accordingly (at 1 o’clock and 6 min- Bilirakis Herrera Beutler Renacci Bishop (MI) Hice, Jody B. Rice (SC) ‘‘the refusal of the House to sustain the de- utes p.m.), the House stood in recess. mand for the previous question passes the Bishop (UT) Higgins (LA) Roby control of the resolution to the opposition’’ f Blackburn Hill Roe (TN) in order to offer an amendment. On March Blum Holding Rogers (AL) b 1320 Bost Hollingsworth Rogers (KY) 15, 1909, a member of the majority party of- Brat Hudson Rohrabacher fered a rule resolution. The House defeated AFTER RECESS Brooks (AL) Huizenga Rokita the previous question and a member of the The recess having expired, the House Brooks (IN) Hultgren Rooney, Francis opposition rose to a parliamentary inquiry, Buchanan Hunter Rooney, Thomas asking who was entitled to recognition. was called to order by the Speaker pro Buck Hurd J. Speaker Joseph G. Cannon (R–Illinois) said: tempore (Mr. HOLDING) at 1 o’clock and Bucshon Issa Ros-Lehtinen ‘‘The previous question having been refused, 20 minutes p.m. Budd Jenkins (KS) Roskam the gentleman from New York, Mr. Fitz- Burgess Jenkins (WV) Ross f Byrne Johnson (LA) Rothfus gerald, who had asked the gentleman to ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER Calvert Johnson, Sam Rouzer yield to him for an amendment, is entitled to Carter (GA) Jones Royce (CA) the first recognition.’’ PRO TEMPORE Carter (TX) Jordan Russell The Republican majority may say ‘‘the The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- Chabot Joyce (OH) Rutherford vote on the previous question is simply a Cheney Katko Sanford vote on whether to proceed to an immediate ant to clause 8 of rule XX, proceedings Coffman Kelly (MS) Scalise vote on adopting the resolution . . . [and] will resume on questions previously Cole Kelly (PA) Schweikert has no substantive legislative or policy im- postponed. Collins (GA) King (IA) Scott, Austin plications whatsoever.’’ But that is not what Collins (NY) King (NY) Sessions Votes will be taken in the following Comer Kinzinger Shimkus they have always said. Listen to the Repub- order: Comstock Knight Shuster lican Leadership Manual on the Legislative Ordering the previous question on Conaway Kustoff (TN) Simpson Process in the United States House of Rep- House Resolution 658; and Cook Labrador Smith (MO) resentatives, (6th edition, page 135). Here’s Costello (PA) LaHood Smith (NE) how the Republicans describe the previous Adopting House Resolution 658, if or- Cramer LaMalfa Smith (NJ) question vote in their own manual: ‘‘Al- dered. Crawford Lamborn Smith (TX) though it is generally not possible to amend The first electronic vote will be con- Culberson Lance Smucker the rule because the majority Member conducted as a 15-minute vote. The second Curbelo (FL) Latta Stewart Curtis Lewis (MN) Stivers trolling the time will not yield for the pur- electronic vote will be conducted as a Davidson LoBiondo Taylor pose of offering an amendment, the same re- 5-minute vote. Davis, Rodney Long Tenney sult may be achieved by voting down the pre- Denham Loudermilk Thompson (PA) vious question on the rule.... When the f Dent Love Thornberry motion for the previous question is defeated, PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION DeSantis Lucas Tiberi control of the time passes to the Member OF H.R. 1638, IRANIAN LEADER- DesJarlais Luetkemeyer Tipton who led the opposition to ordering the pre- Diaz-Balart MacArthur Trott SHIP ASSET TRANSPARENCY Donovan Marchant Turner vious question. That Member, because he Duffy Marino Upton then controls the time, may offer an amend- ACT, AND PROVIDING FOR CON- SIDERATION OF H.R. 4324, Duncan (SC) Marshall Valadao ment to the rule, or yield for the purpose of Duncan (TN) Massie Wagner amendment.’’ STRENGTHENING OVERSIGHT OF Dunn Mast Walberg In Deschler’s Procedure in the U.S. House IRAN’S ACCESS TO FINANCE ACT Emmer McCarthy Walden of Representatives, the subchapter titled Estes (KS) McCaul Walker ‘‘Amending Special Rules’’ states: ‘‘a refusal The SPEAKER pro tempore. The un- Farenthold McClintock Walorski to order the previous question on such a rule finished business is the vote on order- Faso McHenry Walters, Mimi [a special rule reported from the Committee ing the previous question on the reso- Ferguson McKinley Weber (TX) Fitzpatrick McMorris Webster (FL) on Rules] opens the resolution to amend- lution (H. Res. 658) providing for con- Fleischmann Rodgers Wenstrup ment and further debate.’’ (Chapter 21, sec- sideration of the bill (H.R. 1638) to re- Flores McSally Westerman tion 21.2) Section 21.3 continues: ‘‘Upon require the Secretary of the Treasury to Fortenberry Meadows Williams jection of the motion for the previous ques- submit a report to the appropriate con- Foxx Meehan Wilson (SC) tion on a resolution reported from the Com- Frelinghuysen Messer Wittman mittee on Rules, control shifts to the Mem- gressional committees on the esti- Gaetz Mitchell Womack ber leading the opposition to the previous mated total assets under direct or indi- Gallagher Moolenaar Woodall question, who may offer a proper amendment rect control by certain senior Iranian Garrett Mooney (WV) Yoder Gianforte Mullin Yoho or motion and who controls the time for de- leaders and other figures, and for other Gibbs Newhouse Young (IA) bate thereon.’’ purposes, and providing for consider- Gohmert Norman Zeldin Clearly, the vote on the previous question ation of the bill (H.R. 4324) to require on a rule does have substantive policy impli- the Secretary of the Treasury to make NAYS—189 cations. It is one of the only available tools certifications with respect to United Adams Brady (PA) Cicilline for those who oppose the Republican major- Aguilar Brown (MD) Clark (MA) ity’s agenda and allows those with alter- States and foreign financial institu- Barraga´ n Brownley (CA) Clarke (NY) native views the opportunity to offer an al- tions’ aircraft-related transactions in- Bass Bustos Clay ternative plan. volving Iran, and for other purposes, on Beatty Butterfield Cleaver Bera Capuano Clyburn Mr. BUCK. Mr. Speaker, I yield back which the yeas and nays were ordered. Beyer Carbajal Cohen the balance of my time, and I move the The Clerk read the title of the resolu- Bishop (GA) Ca´ rdenas Connolly previous question on the resolution. tion. Blumenauer Carson (IN) Cooper The SPEAKER pro tempore. The The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Blunt Rochester Cartwright Correa Bonamici Castor (FL) Costa question is on ordering the previous question is on ordering the previous Boyle, Brendan Castro (TX) Courtney question. question. F. Chu, Judy Crist

VerDate Sep 11 2014 01:24 Dec 14, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00013 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A13DE7.006 H13DEPT1 H9860 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE December 13, 2017 Crowley Kihuen Pingree The SPEAKER pro tempore. This is a Carson (IN) Himes Pascrell Cuellar Kildee Polis 5-minute vote. Cartwright Hoyer Payne Cummings Kilmer Price (NC) Castor (FL) Huffman Pelosi Davis (CA) Kind Quigley The vote was taken by electronic de- Castro (TX) Jackson Lee Perlmutter Davis, Danny Krishnamoorthi Raskin vice, and there were—ayes 238, noes 182, Chu, Judy Jayapal Peters DeFazio Kuster (NH) Rice (NY) not voting 11, as follows: Cicilline Jeffries Peterson DeGette Langevin Richmond Clark (MA) Johnson (GA) Pingree Delaney Larsen (WA) Rosen [Roll No. 677] Clarke (NY) Johnson, E. B. Polis DeLauro Larson (CT) Roybal-Allard Clay Kaptur Price (NC) AYES—238 DelBene Lawrence Ruiz Cleaver Keating Quigley Demings Lawson (FL) Clyburn Kelly (IL) Ruppersberger Abraham Gottheimer Olson Raskin DeSaulnier Lee Cohen Khanna Rush Aderholt Gowdy Palazzo Rice (NY) Deutch Levin Connolly Kihuen Ryan (OH) Allen Granger Palmer Richmond Dingell Lewis (GA) Cooper Kildee Sa´ nchez Amash Graves (GA) Paulsen Rosen Doggett Lieu, Ted Sarbanes Amodei Graves (LA) Pearce Correa Kilmer Doyle, Michael Lipinski Costa Kind Roybal-Allard Schakowsky Arrington Graves (MO) Perry F. Loebsack Courtney Krishnamoorthi Ruiz Schiff Babin Griffith Pittenger Ellison Lofgren Crist Kuster (NH) Ruppersberger Schneider Bacon Grothman Poe (TX) Engel Lowenthal Crowley Langevin Rush Schrader Banks (IN) Guthrie Poliquin Ryan (OH) Eshoo Lowey Barletta Handel Posey Cuellar Larsen (WA) Scott (VA) Sa´ nchez Espaillat Lujan Grisham, Barr Harper Ratcliffe Cummings Larson (CT) Scott, David Sarbanes Esty (CT) M. Barton Hartzler Reed Davis (CA) Lawrence Evans Luja´ n, Ben Ray Serrano Davis, Danny Lawson (FL) Schakowsky Sewell (AL) Bergman Hensarling Reichert Foster Lynch Biggs Herrera Beutler Renacci DeFazio Lee Schiff Frankel (FL) Maloney, Shea-Porter DeGette Levin Schrader Sherman Bilirakis Hice, Jody B. Roby Fudge Carolyn B. Bishop (MI) Higgins (LA) Roe (TN) Delaney Lewis (GA) Scott (VA) Gabbard Maloney, Sean Sinema DeLauro Lieu, Ted Scott, David Sires Bishop (UT) Hill Rogers (AL) Gallego Matsui DelBene Lipinski Serrano Slaughter Black Holding Rogers (KY) Garamendi McCollum Demings Loebsack Sewell (AL) Smith (WA) Blackburn Hollingsworth Rohrabacher Gomez McEachin DeSaulnier Lofgren Shea-Porter Soto Blum Hudson Rokita Gonzalez (TX) McGovern Deutch Lowenthal Sherman Speier Bost Huizenga Rooney, Francis Gottheimer McNerney Brady (TX) Hultgren Rooney, Thomas Dingell Lowey Sires Green, Al Meeks Suozzi Doggett Lujan Grisham, Swalwell (CA) Brat Hunter J. Slaughter Green, Gene Meng Brooks (AL) Hurd Ros-Lehtinen Doyle, Michael M. Smith (WA) Takano ´ Grijalva Moore Brooks (IN) Issa Roskam F. Lujan, Ben Ray Soto ´ Thompson (CA) Gutierrez Moulton Buchanan Jenkins (KS) Ross Ellison Lynch Thompson (MS) Speier Hanabusa Murphy (FL) Buck Jenkins (WV) Rothfus Engel Maloney, Titus Swalwell (CA) Hastings Nadler Bucshon Johnson (LA) Rouzer Eshoo Carolyn B. Tonko Takano Heck Napolitano Budd Johnson, Sam Royce (CA) Espaillat Maloney, Sean Torres Thompson (CA) Higgins (NY) Neal Burgess Jones Russell Esty (CT) Matsui Tsongas Thompson (MS) Himes Nolan Byrne Jordan Rutherford Evans McCollum Vargas Titus Hoyer Norcross Calvert Joyce (OH) Sanford Foster McEachin Veasey Tonko Huffman O’Halleran Carter (GA) Katko Scalise Frankel (FL) McGovern Vela Torres Jackson Lee O’Rourke Carter (TX) Kelly (MS) Schneider Fudge McNerney Vela´ zquez Tsongas Jayapal Pallone Chabot Kelly (PA) Schweikert Gabbard Meeks Wasserman Vargas Jeffries Panetta Cheney King (IA) Scott, Austin Gallego Meng Schultz Veasey Johnson (GA) Pascrell Coffman King (NY) Sessions Garamendi Moore Vela Johnson, E. B. Payne Waters, Maxine Cole Kinzinger Shimkus Gomez Moulton Vela´ zquez Kaptur Pelosi Watson Coleman Collins (GA) Knight Shuster Gonzalez (TX) Nadler Wasserman Keating Perlmutter Welch Collins (NY) Kustoff (TN) Simpson Green, Al Napolitano Schultz Kelly (IL) Peters Wilson (FL) Comer Labrador Sinema Green, Gene Neal Waters, Maxine Khanna Peterson Yarmuth Comstock LaHood Smith (MO) Grijalva Nolan Gutie´rrez Norcross Watson Coleman NOT VOTING—13 Conaway LaMalfa Smith (NE) Cook Lamborn Smith (NJ) Hanabusa O’Rourke Welch Black Kennedy Visclosky Costello (PA) Lance Smith (TX) Heck Pallone Wilson (FL) Brady (TX) Noem Walz Cramer Latta Smucker Higgins (NY) Panetta Yarmuth Bridenstine Pocan Young (AK) Crawford Lewis (MN) Stefanik NOT VOTING—11 Harris Sensenbrenner Culberson LoBiondo Stewart Johnson (OH) Stefanik Curbelo (FL) Long Stivers Bridenstine Johnson (OH) Sensenbrenner Farenthold Kennedy Visclosky 1349 Curtis Loudermilk Suozzi b Davidson Love Taylor Harris Pocan Walz Ms. MCCOLLUM, Mrs. NAPOLI- Davis, Rodney Lucas Tenney Hastings Rice (SC) TANO, Mr. COHEN, and Ms. Denham Luetkemeyer Thompson (PA) Dent MacArthur Thornberry b 1357 MICHELLE LUJAN GRISHAM of New DeSantis Marchant Tiberi Mexico changed their vote from ‘‘yea’’ DesJarlais Marino Tipton So the resolution was agreed to. to ‘‘nay.’’ Diaz-Balart Marshall Trott The result of the vote was announced Messrs. PAULSEN and MOONEY of Donovan Massie Turner as above recorded. Duffy Mast Upton A motion to reconsider was laid on West Virginia changed their vote from Duncan (SC) McCarthy Valadao ‘‘nay’’ to ‘‘yea.’’ Duncan (TN) McCaul Wagner the table. So the previous question was ordered. Dunn McClintock Walberg Emmer McHenry Walden f The result of the vote was announced Estes (KS) McKinley Walker as above recorded. Faso McMorris Walorski PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION Stated for: Ferguson Rodgers Walters, Mimi OF H.R. 2396, PRIVACY NOTIFICA- Ms. STEFANIK. Mr. Speaker, I was speak- Fitzpatrick McSally Weber (TX) TION TECHNICAL CLARIFICATION Fleischmann Meadows Webster (FL) ing with constituents and unintentionally Flores Meehan Wenstrup ACT, AND PROVIDING FOR CON- missed the vote on rollcall 676, the Previous Fortenberry Messer Westerman SIDERATION OF H.R. 4015, COR- Question on H. Res. 658. Had I been present, Foxx Mitchell Williams PORATE GOVERNANCE REFORM Frelinghuysen Moolenaar Wilson (SC) AND TRANSPARENCY ACT OF I would have voted ‘‘Yea’’ on rollcall No. 676. Gaetz Mooney (WV) Wittman Mr. BRADY of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I was Gallagher Mullin Womack 2017 unavoidably detained to cast my vote in time. Garrett Murphy (FL) Woodall Mr. WOODALL. Mr. Speaker, by di- Had I been present, I would have voted ‘‘Yea’’ Gianforte Newhouse Yoder Gibbs Noem Yoho rection of the Committee on Rules, I on rollcall No. 676. Gohmert Norman Young (AK) call up House Resolution 657 and ask The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Goodlatte Nunes Young (IA) for its immediate consideration. question is on the resolution. Gosar O’Halleran Zeldin The Clerk read the resolution, as fol- The question was taken; and the NOES—182 lows: Speaker pro tempore announced that Adams Bishop (GA) Brown (MD) H. RES. 657 the ayes appeared to have it. Aguilar Blumenauer Brownley (CA) Resolved, That upon adoption of this reso- RECORDED VOTE Barraga´ n Blunt Rochester Bustos lution it shall be in order to consider in the Mr. HASTINGS. Mr. Speaker, I de- Bass Bonamici Butterfield Beatty Boyle, Brendan Capuano House the bill (H.R. 2396) to amend the mand a recorded vote. Bera F. Carbajal Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act to update the ex- A recorded vote was ordered. Beyer Brady (PA) Ca´ rdenas ception for certain annual notices provided

VerDate Sep 11 2014 05:05 Dec 14, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00014 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A13DE7.007 H13DEPT1 December 13, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H9861 by financial institutions. All points of order Mr. Speaker, the rule today brings crafted behind closed doors, and no against consideration of the bill are waived. two bills to the floor: H.R. 2396, which Member was able to offer their ideas on The amendment in the nature of a substitute is the Privacy Notification Technical the House floor. I offered several bipar- recommended by the Committee on Finan- cial Services now printed in the bill shall be Clarification Act, it brings that under tisan amendments in the Rules Com- considered as adopted. The bill, as amended, a structured rule, making in order the mittee, but they were locked out, as shall be considered as read. All points of only amendment that was offered, a bi- were amendments from every other order against provisions in the bill, as partisan amendment, offered by Mr. Democrat and Republican that chose to amended, are waived. The previous question CLAY and Mr. TROTT; and it also brings offer amendments. shall be considered as ordered on the bill, as H.R. 4015 to the floor, Mr. Speaker, The tax legislation would explode our amended, and on any further amendment which is the Corporate Governance Re- debt. It is a giveaway to wealthy cor- thereto, to final passage without intervening form and Transparency Act of 2017. We porations and does nothing to help the motion except: (1) one hour of debate equally divided and controlled by the chair and rank- did not have any germane amendments middle class. ing minority member of the Committee on offered to that measure in the Rules Now, the benefit of having an open Financial Services; (2) the further amend- Committee last night, so we bring that process is creating better ideas: having ment printed in the report of the Committee under a closed rule today. Democrats and Republicans bring for- on Rules accompanying this resolution, if of- Mr. Speaker, I remind my col- ward those ideas, see who can muster a fered by the Member designated in the re- leagues—as is the way of my chairman majority of votes here on the floor of port, which shall be in order without inter- on the Rules Committee—notice was the House, and include that in a tax vention of any point of order, shall be con- bill. We are a legislature. That is how sidered as read, shall be separately debatable sent out to all Members, and will con- for the time specified in the report equally tinue to be sent out to all Members, for we are supposed to work. divided and controlled by the proponent and each set of bills that we consider in the Instead, a bill was crafted behind an opponent, and shall not be subject to a de- Rules Committee soliciting any closed doors to raise taxes on 78 mil- mand for division of the question; and (3) one amendments or ideas that folks may lion Americans and add $1.7 trillion to motion to recommit with or without instruc- have. We sent out that notification, the debt. When you add to the debt, tions. but, for these two bills, we received that is a tax on future Americans. In- SEC. 2. Upon adoption of this resolution it stead of taxing them today, you are shall be in order to consider in the House the only one germane amendment. bill (H.R. 4015) to improve the quality of Mr. Speaker, I won’t go into great de- taxing them tomorrow. The tax-and- proxy advisory firms for the protection of in- tail about these individual bills be- spend Republican Party continues to vestors and the U.S. economy, and in the cause we are fortunate to have the add to the deficit and add to the debt public interest, by fostering accountability, sponsors here on the floor for the rule day after day after day. transparency, responsiveness, and competi- today. But what I do want to say is Mr. Speaker, we only have a few leg- tion in the proxy advisory firm industry. All that this is another series in a line of islative days left before the end of the points of order against consideration of the year, and we have very important work bill are waived. An amendment in the nature commonsense, authorizing pieces of of a substitute consisting of the text of Rules legislation, things that move through to do, like reauthorizing the Children’s Committee Print 115-46 shall be considered committee in a bipartisan way, that Health Insurance Program and funding as adopted. The bill, as amended, shall be are going to make life just a little bit the government for the remainder of considered as read. All points of order easier for the American people. the fiscal year. against provisions in the bill, as amended, We have a chance today, if we sup- There are millions of Americans who are waived. The previous question shall be port this noncontroversial rule, to have been negatively affected by dev- considered as ordered on the bill, as amend- bring these two noncontroversial bills astating hurricanes and wildfires in ed, and on any further amendment thereto, to the floor and make that difference Puerto Rico, Texas, Florida, and the to final passage without intervening motion Virgin Islands, and Congress has not except: (1) one hour of debate equally divided together, a difference we all came to and controlled by the chair and ranking mi- Washington to make. stepped up to the plate. nority member of the Committee on Finan- Mr. Speaker, I ask all of my col- There are also over 800,000 aspiring cial Services; and (2) one motion to recom- leagues to consider supporting this rule Americans who are at risk of being de- mit with or without instructions. as well as supporting the two under- ported from the only country they The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gen- lying pieces of legislation. have ever known as home because of tleman from Georgia is recognized for 1 Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of the reckless actions of President hour. my time. Trump. Congress needs to act to find a Mr. WOODALL. Mr. Speaker, for the Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield my- real solution so DREAMers can con- purpose of debate only, I yield the cus- self such time as I may consume. tinue to work legally in the commu- tomary 30 minutes to the gentleman Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman nities that they live in, and they con- from Colorado (Mr. POLIS), pending for yielding me the customary 30 min- tinue to thrive and give back to make which I yield myself such time as I utes. our country even greater. may consume. During consideration of Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to We have a lot of critical tasks ahead, this resolution, all time yielded is for this rule. This rule that we are looking which is why I am really surprised, the purpose of debate only. at today has two bills under it, and this with all of this work to do, and only 7 GENERAL LEAVE is the 56th closed rule allowing no or 8 days to do it, that here we are con- Mr. WOODALL. Mr. Speaker, I ask amendments that we are bringing to sidering two bills where we will have unanimous consent that all Members the floor this year. Over the past year, our debate, but they are not bills of may have 5 legislative days to revise we have not considered any legislation great importance. We are using our and extend their remarks. under an open rule that would allow floor time—very limited, 7 days before The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there Republicans or Democrats to bring for- the end of the year—when we could be objection to the request of the gen- ward amendments here on the floor. debating tax reform and offering tleman from Georgia? When the 115th Congress opened, amendments, when we could be ad- There was no objection. Speaker RYAN promised regular order dressing the needs of the DREAMers, Mr. WOODALL. Mr. Speaker, I have bills would make their way to the floor where we could actually be doing some- had the opportunity, over the last cou- after hearings and markups. Instead, thing about the deficit, reining in out- ple of weeks, to bring a number of bills we have seen bill after bill rushed to of-control wasteful government spend- from the Financial Services Committee the floor. Many bills haven’t even gone ing. We are not doing any of that. to the floor. We talk so much about through committee or skipped hear- We are doing two minor bills that are regular order and having a process ings. That is true for the failed favors for public companies, or whoever where the committees are doing their healthcare bill, and it is also true for they are. I am happy to talk about work, where the authorizers are deep the tax bill currently in conference, them. I am going to do my role in de- into the details, and then we are bring- the major bill this Congress. bating them. One I am even fairly sup- ing those bills to the floor for the en- This tax bill, that somehow we un- portive of. But they are completely tire House to vote on. We have that op- derstand there is a ‘‘deal’’ on before the separated from the actual concerns of portunity again today. conference committee even met, was the American people.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 01:43 Dec 14, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00015 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A13DE7.009 H13DEPT1 H9862 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE December 13, 2017 No wonder the approval rating of this The other bill, H.R. 4015, the Cor- dump schemes that they try to make institution is under 15 percent, because porate Governance Reform and Trans- money off of, and I totally get that. we continue to debate these minor bills parency Act, makes a change to how But in general, it is the owners of a under a closed process, when, this very proxy advisory firms provide informa- company to whom the fiduciary re- week, we could have had an open proc- tion to shareholders. It would require sponsibility of the directors and the ess for tax reform. We could be voting that they make their recommendations CEO lie; and we should empower them, on 10 or 20 amendments a day, passing available to companies. for better or for worse, to make the some and rejecting some. I have no This bill is problematic from a num- changes to increase the overall produc- problem if I bring forward some Demo- ber of perspectives. Here is what it tivity of the company. cratic amendment and it fails. That is does. Proxy advisory firms provide We should not burden investors with the process. That is fair. independent advisory services for in- additional red tape, as Republicans are But we have bipartisan, common- vestors and have fiduciary responsi- doing, by creating more bureaucracy sense amendments that should be part bility to their investors. and paperwork and compliance costs of tax reform. Representative Under this legislation, they would ac- with this bill. SCHWEIKERT and I have a bill to provide tually have to open themselves up to Frankly, I was surprised to see this a de minimis exemption on taxation lobbying for companies and add addi- bill come out of Financial Services for use of cryptocurrencies, to allow tional paperwork. They would have to Committee because Republicans have them to be used for amounts under $600 register with the SEC, whereas they been fairly consistent in trying to rein everyday purchases and to remove now don’t, before trying to issue vote move regulations from Dodd-Frank. the specter of IRS enforcement. recommendations or trying to change That has generally been the approach. Let’s put it in. Let’s have a vote on the corporate board. I supported the removal of some of it. Let’s see if a majority of Congress Here is who the players are in this those unnecessary regulations. Others agrees with me. I hope they do. If not, fight: On the one hand, you have public are important regulations, like this I am a big boy. It is my job. I can go companies; on the other, you have in- privacy disclosure that I don’t think is home. But to not even be able to fight vestors, which means your pension a good idea. for the issues that my constituents fund, and mine, Mr. Speaker. It means But here, they are actually adding have hired me to fight for is not only university endowments. I know you all reporting requirements above and be- the frustration I have, and not only the don’t like those, and you are going to yond Dodd-Frank. They are out ‘‘Dodd- frustration many Republicans have, tax them soon. It means, perhaps, Franking’’ Dodd-Frank. Republicans but it is the frustration the American using an individual investor, through a are saying there is not enough report- people have with this institution. mutual fund or other vehicle. So inves- ing; there is not enough paperwork; Now, let’s get to these bills. Typi- tors on one side, public corporations on there is not enough money going to cally, the Financial Services Com- the other. lawyers and accountants. In Dodd- mittee did not hold a hearing on either But the problem is: it is not the Frank, we are going to require that of these rules. It is a closed rule. shareholders of the public companies, they file even more paperwork with the The first one, H.R. 2396, the Privacy it is the insular governance and man- SEC. Notification Technical Clarification agement structure of those organiza- I think that is the wrong way to go, Act, would remove privacy notice re- tions. Many of them do need to be Mr. Speaker, and I urge my colleagues quirements for financial institutions to shaken up in the name of efficiency. on both sides of the aisle to resist this consumers that share or sell a cus- There are many examples of investor effort to burden shareholders who actu- tomer’s personal information with pressure that has been applied to good ally own companies with additional third parties. effect: to meaningful reforms and cor- costs and paperwork and prevent them We are all for reducing unnecessary porate governance; preventing conflict from making necessary management regulations. When I get to the next of interest, making sure that the board improvements to the companies that, bill, the Republicans are actually try- oversees the CEO are not just his golf- at the end of the day, are run for them, ing to add paperwork and regulations. ing buddies, and he is on the board, or not for the benefit of management. This one does, but it picks a very poor she is on the board, of their companies, That is why I oppose this bill. Share- one to get rid of. It gets rid of privacy too. holders should have a right to impar- notices for financial institutions that I have generally been on the side of tial information about the company in tell consumers that they can share or investor empowerment in that: not to which they have invested. We should sell their personal information. Of all the extreme, not to make it impossible minimize paperwork where possible. I of the places to cut paperwork, why to be a CEO on a publicly traded com- have been proud to support a number of would you want to cut the one piece pany, to run a publicly traded com- bipartisan proposals to do that. This that consumers and retail investors ac- pany. But, if anything, we should make bill goes the opposite way. tually care about? sure that the actual owners of the com- Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of Back in September, 143 million panies are empowered to make the my time. Americans had their personal and sen- changes they need to increase effi- Mr. WOODALL. Mr. Speaker, I yield sitive information shared widely, as a ciency. myself such time as I may consume to result of a data breach at Equifax. Con- say sometimes there is a lot of pressure gress should be looking at ways to bet- b 1415 on the Rules Committee. You come ter secure our sensitive information—a This bill goes the wrong way. It adds down here and you have got some of cybersecurity bill, better information red tape and paperwork. It adds regula- the most knowledgeable folks on both sharing—instead of actually making it tions to investors and prevents them sides of the issue, on both sides of the easier for our personal information to from being able to exert influence in Chamber, and you have got to be pre- be shared more widely and giving you, the same way they do today, adding pared to refute detail after detail after as the consumer, less ability to find one degree of additional regulation and detail that might confuse folks back out where it is being shared. paperwork to allow them to do the home. A hearing would be helpful to under- kinds of good governance activities in It gives me great pleasure today to stand the full effects of this legislation terms of running competitive fights for not have to spend any time refuting to see what the unintended con- boards of directors. anything that my friend just said be- sequences are. We do know that it Now, I get that there is another side. cause the important thing about devel- would eliminate clear disclosure to There can be a steamy underbelly to oping a reputation is that it is just consumers about their privacy rights— investor engagement as well. There are laughable to suggest that Republicans never a good thing, especially in these some investors who only care about are coming to the floor today to under- times—including a consumer’s ability short-term gains, who try to institute mine privacy. It is laughable to suggest to opt out from having their informa- practices or bully management around that Republicans are coming to the tion sold to certain third parties. We in a way that is not conducive to long- floor today to increase paperwork and can do better. term value but, rather, just pump-and- red tape. And it is not only laughable,

VerDate Sep 11 2014 01:43 Dec 14, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00016 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K13DE7.030 H13DEPT1 December 13, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H9863 but it is inaccurate to suggest that it tive and unnecessary privacy notices proxy advisor firms may feel pressured by is Republicans coming to do this, Mr. year after year. their largest clients—many of whom are ac- Speaker. These are bipartisan bills The bill achieved its goal. Millions of tivist investors—to issue vote recommenda- coming to the floor today. dollars that would have been spent on tions that reflect those clients’ specific agendas. In addition, proxy advisory firms Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the paper and postage were instead put often provide voting recommendations to in- gentleman from Michigan (Mr. TROTT). back into our local communities. My vestment advisers on matters for which they His bill passed out of committee 40–20; bill builds on this success and extends also provide consulting services to public a huge bipartisan vote coming out of the provision to companies lending companies. committee. It went through a hearing; money to people buying vehicles. Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, the reason I it went through a markup; it was ev- This means that those who extend do this is, my colleague from Georgia erything that makes this institution credit to consumers who buy vehicles somehow said that it was laughable, work properly. I appreciate him for from Ford, GM, Harley-Davidson, and this characterization that it is adding bringing the issue forward to talk other iconic American companies paperwork. about the tremendous bipartisan effort would receive the same benefit as That is exactly what this bill does. In that he has put together. banks, and, more importantly, con- fact, in this exhibit, this is a Repub- Mr. TROTT. Mr. Speaker, I thank my sumers would no longer be bombarded lican summary of their own bill. It friend from Georgia for yielding and for with a never-ending stream of little says: ‘‘The information contained in his hard work on this rule. print privacy notices and policies that the statement must be filed with the Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the haven’t changed. SEC. . . .’’ rule today, which allows for consider- This is a bipartisan, commonsense The whole bill is about adding paper- ation of H.R. 2396, the Privacy Notifi- measure. I encourage my colleagues to work. That is what the bill does. You cation Technical Clarification Act. support the rule and allow debate to can argue it is paperwork all you want I would like to begin by thanking begin on this legislation. because corporate CEOs want it and Chairman HENSARLING for guiding this Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield my- many existing board members want it. bill through committee, and Chairman self such time as I may consume. Investors don’t want it. But we are SESSIONS for his work on bringing this I include in the RECORD the Repub- talking about additional paperwork, rule to the floor. I also want to thank lican bill summary from the majority and there is nothing in that statement Mr. CLAY for his very helpful amend- on the Rules Committee for H.R. 4015. that you can refute because the Repub- ment. COMMITTEE ON RULES lican bill summary explains that that One of the reasons I came to Con- Pete Sessions, Chairman—December 11, 2017 is what they are doing. I mean, there is gress was to reduce the regulatory bur- H.R. 4015—CORPORATE GOVERNANCE REFORM no disagreement. den in our country so that businesses AND TRANSPARENCY ACT OF 2017 And he is correct. I am sure there are could have the freedom to grow, thrive, Purpose: To improve the quality of proxy some Democrats who support these and create jobs for hardworking Ameri- advisory firms for the protection of investors bills, some Republicans who support cans. This bill is about modernizing and the U.S. economy, and in the public in- them, some Republicans and Demo- one of those outdated regulations that terest, by fostering accountability, trans- crats who might oppose these bills, but has been a burden to businesses and parency, responsiveness, and competition in that is what the bill does, it adds pa- consumers alike, the privacy notifica- the proxy advisory firm industry. perwork. That is why I mentioned I tion rules. Background and Legislative History: Each year, public companies hold shareholder was surprised to see it come out of the Now, a couple of minutes ago, my Financial Services Committee that, in friend from Colorado gave a very nice meetings at which the company’s shareholders vote for the company’s directors and general, had been more interested in speech about DACA, about tax reform, on other significant corporate actions that reducing paperwork. Here, they are in- about the public opinion of this insti- require shareholder approval. As part of this terested in adding compliance cost and tution; but the speech had nothing to annual process, the Securities and Exchange paperwork to investors. do with consideration of this rule Commission (SEC) requires public companies Mr. Speaker, I have to say that if we today. When he finally got around to to provide their shareholders with a proxy defeat the previous question, I will talking about the rule, he said we statement before shareholder meetings. A offer an amendment to the rule to proxy statement includes all important facts should not allow the rule to move for- bring up SEAN PATRICK MALONEY’s bill, ward because the underlying bill, H.R. about the matters to be voted on at a shareholder meeting, including, for example, in- H.R. 4585, which would block the FCC’s 2396, in light of the Equifax scandal, we formation on board of director candidates, rule rolling back net neutrality from should not be eliminating privacy no- director compensation, executive compensa- taking effect to ensure the internet re- tices and allow banks to circumvent tion, related party transactions, securities mains open to all Americans. those rules because it is going to hurt ownership by certain beneficial owners and Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous con- consumers. management, and eligible shareholder pro- sent to insert the text of my amend- posals. The information contained in the None of this is correct. This bill is a ment in the RECORD, along with extra- very simple bill. It deals with auto fi- statement must be filed with the SEC before soliciting a shareholder vote on the election neous material, immediately prior to nance companies and it relieves them the vote on the previous question. from the burden of having to send out of directors and the approval of other corporate actions. Solicitations, whether by The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. privacy notices to consumers year management or shareholders, must disclose MITCHELL). Is there objection to the re- after year when the policy hasn’t all important facts about the issues on which quest of the gentleman from Colorado? changed. If the auto finance companies shareholders are asked to vote. There was no objection. change the policy, they have to send In general, state corporate law governs Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 out new privacy notices. If a consumer shareholder voting rights, including the minutes to the distinguished gen- types of corporate actions that require calls up and says, ‘‘I know the policy tleman from New York (Mr. SEAN PAT- hasn’t change, but I would like to see shareholder approval. However, Section 14 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Ex- RICK MALONEY) to discuss the proposal. the rule,’’ they can go on the website change Act) authorizes the SEC to promul- Mr. SEAN PATRICK MALONEY of or they can ask that the policy be gate rules governing the solicitation of prox- New York. Mr. Speaker, I thank the mailed to them. This bill in no way ies for most public companies. SEC Regula- gentleman from Colorado for yielding. harms consumers. tion 14A governs proxy solicitations and sets Mr. Speaker, I rise today to urge my Now, just last year, we passed the bi- forth the categories of information that colleagues to defeat the previous ques- partisan bill that allowed banks to stop must be disclosed in proxy solicitations. tion so we can turn our attention to sending privacy notices to consumers if Largely as a result of the SEC’s regula- the issue that is so critical for this nothing in the policy had changed. tions, proxy advisory firms now wield out- body to address right now. I speak of This noncontroversial measure passed sized influence in the U.S. proxy system. In particular, regulators, market participants, the Federal Communications Commis- by voice vote, with Members on both and academic observers have highlighted po- sion’s decision and its assault on net sides of aisle realizing that companies tential conflicts of interest inherent in the neutrality. were wasting enormous amounts of business models and activities of proxy advi- The FCC is expected to vote tomor- paper and money sending out duplica- sory firms. For example, as indicated above, row to eliminate the rules that protect

VerDate Sep 11 2014 05:05 Dec 14, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00017 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K13DE7.031 H13DEPT1 H9864 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE December 13, 2017 our internet. They are about to fix block this proposal and protect the In regard to the tax bill, that is being something that is not broken. internet. H.R. 4585, the Save Net Neu- debated. I think we are looking at Now, maybe the words ‘‘net neutrality Act, would simply prevent the some unique arguments that are being trality’’ make your eyes glaze over, but FCC from relying on this process they made. The Democrats are over there this issue is critical to anyone who have used to roll these rules back. It is and they are fighting for the poor mid- uses the internet, which is really all of really that simple. And we know the dle class American, and all Repub- us, and it is not that complicated. FCC’s rulemaking process was so licans are fighting for the rich. It is a We call the rules that protect the messed up, so corrupted, so screwed up great line. I love the line. But let’s current internet ‘‘net neutrality’’ be- that it is being investigated right now look to the wealthiest communities in cause they, more or less, keep the by the New York attorney general. America. internet neutral for everyone. A neu- So I urge all of my colleagues on tral internet means we all have access both sides of the aisle to defeat the pre- b 1430 to the same legal content and services vious question so we can move to de- Go look right outside of D.C. Look in no matter where or how we get our bate my bill, the Save Net Neutrality Northern Virginia. Are those wealthy internet. Act, and address this critical issue. communities, those counties in Vir- These rules aren’t new, and they are This is our chance to protect the inter- ginia, are they Republican or Demo- working. In fact, when you think about net, as it has always existed, an inter- crat? They are Democrat. L.A., San it, one of the last places where quality net that is working fine as it is. Francisco, Chicago, Boston, New York really reigns in our society is on the To the FCC, we say: If it ain’t broke, are all really rich communities that internet. We don’t discriminate against don’t fix it. elect Democrats. the content or the intellectual cre- Mr. WOODALL. Mr. Speaker, I yield The wealthiest and biggest corpora- ations of one young entrepreneur myself such time as I may consume to tions, think of the tech industry in versus a big business or an established say that I agree with my friend. I, too, California or the biggest in America. entity. It is one of the few places left in said to the FCC in 2015: If it ain’t What are they? They are Democrats. America where we are all on equal broke, don’t fix it. And that is why. When the tax debate footing. I thought the first 20-plus years of comes up, you see Democrats fighting That is the current net neutrality the internet were marked by innova- for loopholes and preferences for their system that we must protect. The folks tion and freedom, and I wanted to keep big, wealthy friends. who want to end net neutrality say that innovation and freedom flowing. And that is why, when Republicans they need to rewrite these rules to spur The Obama administration wanted to here in this House said maybe to write innovation. insert itself into the internet infra- off the mortgage interest on a $1 mil- Really, Mr. Speaker? structure in ways that it had never in- lion home, that might be a little too It is hard to look at the internet as it serted government in infrastructure much, maybe we should lower it to has blossomed in America and say we before. And from the numbers that I $500,000 of mortgage interest deduc- lack innovation. Innovation is every- have seen—my friend may have dif- tions, my Democratic friends freaked where. Look at all the new apps, ferent numbers—suggests that infra- out. websites, devices, and services that we structure investment has declined over Oh, no, the poor, middle class people all rely on every day. those 2 years, first time in the history in my community who have a $1 mil- This innovation exists not in spite of of internet infrastructure investment. lion mortgage, they are just having a net neutrality. This innovation exists, Mr. Speaker, reasonable men and tough time getting by—that was the in large part, because of net neutrality. women can disagree, but, understand, argument that was made, fighting for Net neutrality is not a bug, Mr. Speak- internet freedom and innovation is ex- the loopholes and preferences for the er. Net neutrality is a feature, and that actly what we all want to protect. Un- wealthiest Americans, while we are is why we must protect it. fortunately, it is not what this rule is fighting for the middle class. Of course, the real reason that people focused on today. This rule today is fo- You talk about investment in my want to end net neutrality is money cused on simplification and expansion bill? You want to talk about pension and profitability. Getting rid of net coming out of the Financial Services funds? What has happened to pension neutrality would expose consumers to Committee. funds in America? What has happened all sorts of practices that, right now, Mr. Speaker, one of the gentlemen I to American 401(k)’s? They have gone are banned; practices like throttling, had the pleasure of being elected with through the roof because we are low- which means the internet company in 2011 is the gentleman from Wis- ering rules and regulations in a smart doesn’t have to provide the same access consin (Mr. DUFFY). He is one of the way, and we are going to reform our to all companies. So they don’t like sponsors of one of these bills we have Tax Code to let families and businesses one company, they can slow down your before us today. He has been a leader in keep more of their income because access to that site. They could block the financial services field in his 7 they can spend it better than anyone in the site entirely. years here. They could tell a streaming service, Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the this town. They do it well. So if you want to tank the markets, like Netflix, that they have to pay gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. DUFFY) more or make their site work dif- to talk about the impact that his legis- do what you have been doing and tank ferently. These extra costs for Netflix lation will have on the process today. tax reform. are going to get passed on to all of us, Mr. DUFFY. Mr. Speaker, I appre- I want to get to my bill. This is on the consumers. ciate the gentleman yielding me this proxy advisory firms. I have taken While some of us have a few choices time. awhile to get here, but the role of when it comes to internet service pro- Before I get to my bill, if I could just proxy advisory firms in the U.S. econ- viders, most of us don’t. address a few points that have been omy and shaping corporate governance How many have more than one op- brought up in this debate, which I am is profound. These firms, they counsel tion when it comes to internet in your surprised at the fact that the Rules pension funds and mutual funds and in- home or office? Committee doesn’t actually talk about stitutional investors on how to vote These companies have a functional the rule. We talk about a whole bunch the shares of the corporations that monopoly, so many of them can do ba- of different issues, but maybe I am new they own. sically whatever they want and not to this game. You think, well, that is pretty be- lose customers. That is why we need I have to say that the gentleman nign. That is not a big issue. some commonsense rules in place to from Georgia is correct. Infrastructure Well, the shares of institutional in- protect consumers. These rules are investment in the internet has gone vestors’ ownership in 1987 was 46 per- called net neutrality. down over the last 2 years. cent. Today, institutional investors So what can we do to stop the FCC I would agree: If it is not broken, why own 75 percent of American corpora- from harming this free internet? did President Obama try to fix it? tions, billions of shares institutional Well, I have introduced legislation in It was working really well for 20 investors control and look to proxy ad- just the last couple of days that would years, and we had great innovation. visers for advice.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 01:43 Dec 14, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00018 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K13DE7.033 H13DEPT1 December 13, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H9865 There are just two firms that control Maintain a code of ethics. That is not The big problem in public corporate 97 percent of the market. So two com- shocking. I think most people would governance is not too much share- panies, basically, are having a huge in- agree to that point. holder engagement; it is not enough. fluence on American corporate govern- And make publicly available the When you have a diffuse shareholder ance, and they are involved in the writ- methodologies for formulating proxy base, when you don’t have institutional ing and analysis and reports and voting recommendations and analysis. investors, when you have, proverbially, recommendations that affect funda- Again, this is transparency. This is a 200 people who each own half a percent mental corporate transactions like commonsense bill that both Repub- of the company or even more and they mergers and acquisitions, approval of licans and Democrats have voted for never talk and don’t know each other, corporate directors and shareholder because we have recognized—and again, the ability of management to run proposals—a huge impact on corporate I am not a big regulation guy, as the amok in their own interests, to the governance. gentleman from Colorado had pointed detriment of the shareholders, plagues And they are not immune from con- out. But when you consolidate a great our public marketplaces. flicts of interest. For example, in addi- deal of power in two companies that So to have sophisticated, active in- tion to providing recommendations to have a huge impact on American cor- vestors who own enough and can work institutional investors about how to porate governance, that makes a lot of together, sometimes through these vote, proxy advisory firms may also ad- people uncomfortable; and to have a proxy fights when it comes to it, to be vise companies about corporate govern- little more oversight, to have a little able to maximize long-term value is a ance issues, rate companies on cor- more transparency, to have a little good thing. It is a good thing. porate governance, help companies ap- more accountability is a really, really Of course, everybody can point to prove those ratings, and advise pro- good thing. times that it has been good for compa- ponents about how to frame proposals Some of the smallest companies have nies and times it has been bad. Gen- to get the most votes. been the biggest complainers about erally speaking, this bill is adding pa- I am going to come back to that in a how these proxy advisory firms have perwork to move the bar the wrong second, but there was a Stanford Uni- held them hostage. So let’s support the way, to move it towards management, versity study that said institutional small innovators, the big job creators away from shareholders. investors with assets under manage- in America that are complaining about I agree you need a balance. I ment of $100 billion or more, they only the big proxy advisory firms. Let’s wouldn’t support a bill that moved it make 10 percent of the voting deci- stand with them and the families that all the way to shareholders either. You sions, which means they offload 90 per- they employ, and the future families, if are just encouraging agitators to get in cent to proxy advisory firms. they are successful, that they will em- on a short-term basis and speculative So I don’t know if you are familiar ploy, and let’s give a little more con- basis. with the Mafia, but you have got the trol to proxy adviser firms. But I think we are close to the right I ask all to support this great bill. old storekeeper on the block, and he is place; and if you ask me where I would Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield my- robbed one night—right?—gets beaten move it, I would move it a little the self such time as I may consume. other way to empower shareholders. In up and robbed, and the next day, the I can see my good friend, Mr. DUFFY, fact, I have a bill that does that. It is thugs come in and go: Hey, hey, I hear is very excited about this, very en- you were robbed last night. You pay a gaged. It is a hard issue. I don’t think part of a bigger bill, but it is a bill that little fee, we’ll take care of you and many Democrats are that excited ei- gives shareholders more of a direct say make sure you are not robbed any- ther way. They are all going to decide over the pay of top executives because, more. where they stand because it is just a again, there is a problem with insular That is exactly what proxy advisory fight between corporate CEOs and big corporate boards. Part of the answer is firms are doing. They are like: Oh, you institutional investors. They are both empowering institutional investors and got a bad recommendation. Let me tell fine. I mean, you have got to pick one empowering individual investors. you what. You buy our services, and we or the other in voting ‘‘yes’’ or ‘‘no’’ on So, look, Democrats will hold their can help you in the future. Just pay this bill. nose and vote for either corporate the ransom, and we will help take care I think, as Democrats, we are more CEOs or for big investors, and that is of you in future recommendations. interested in how the people are doing fine. I firmly think that the best inter- This is not the way corporate govern- who are working for those companies. ests of our economy and the people and ance should work. So my bill brings How are we doing about sustainable sustainability lie in moving it toward transparency and accountability to practices over time? the investors. proxy advisory firms. Yes, every Democrat and Republican This bill moves it the wrong way and The SPEAKER pro tempore. The will cast their vote here either for in- adds paperwork and costs to the inves- time of the gentleman has expired. stitutional investors or for corporate tors. So I really think it moves the Mr. WOODALL. Mr. Speaker, I yield CEOs and insular boards. Fine. wrong way, which is why I oppose this an additional 2 minutes to the gen- It does add paperwork. We talked bill, and I urge my colleagues to vote tleman from Wisconsin, the sponsor of about that. Mr. DUFFY said: Oh, it adds ‘‘no.’’ this legislation. paperwork. Democrats should like it. There was also a discussion, Mr. Mr. DUFFY. I thought that is what Yes, maybe there are some. I think DUFFY mentioned why aren’t we just Democrats want: making them more some Democrats voted for it in com- talking about the rule. It is because, responsive; bringing more competition mittee. There are Democrats that want Mr. Speaker, like 56 other rules, it is a into the industry; making it better for to increase paperwork. I am not one of closed rule. investors; specifically, again, a bipar- them. I want to decrease paperwork What else can we say about closed tisan bill. Republicans and Democrats and streamline it. rules? We have said everything. There voted for this legislation. But, no, I am sure there will be some are no amendments. I could spend an But we will ensure that proxy advi- Democrats who support it. There are hour complaining about how they are sory firms are registered with the SEC. probably Democrats who, themselves, not allowing amendments in and it is Oh, how bad is that, registering with agree with the corporate CEOs over the closed and so are 56 other rules, but it the SEC, a little oversight? institutional investors. is more productive to get to the under- We are going to disclose potential I have taken a company public. I lying issues because we have had the conflicts of interest. How radical is have run private companies. I have debate on closed rules 56 times just in that idea? seen this world. I think it is a good the last 10 months. Shouldn’t we tell people that we have thing that the share of institutional in- That is a record, Mr. Speaker. You a conflict of interest, and shouldn’t all vestment has increased. I don’t have should be proud of presiding over a parties be aware of it? the statistics in front of me. The gen- record number of closed rules for a I don’t know why my friends across tleman from Wisconsin said something United States Congress. But it is not the aisle, or the gentleman from Colo- along the lines of 46 to 75 percent of the very interesting to talk about for an- rado would be opposed to that. capital is institutional. other hour.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 01:43 Dec 14, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00019 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K13DE7.035 H13DEPT1 H9866 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE December 13, 2017 So they will talk about an inter- We had a digital roundtable last Mr. Speaker, enough with these esting bill, a minor bill. I think I dis- night, Mr. Speaker. I think thousands closed rules, and I reserve the balance cussed that. I mean, we have a govern- of people from my district watched as I of my time. ment shutdown; we have an issue with had several experts, including several Mr. WOODALL. Mr. Speaker, I am tax reform; we have DREAMers; we small businesses from Colorado, talk prepared to close, and I reserve the bal- have a million things we could be about the importance of net neutrality ance of my time. doing. This is a minor bill. to them in creating jobs and being able Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield my- Okay. Let’s talk about the merits of to have a predictable and sustainable self the balance of my time. giving the current corporate boards business model, and then being able to Mr. Speaker, we have a couple prob- that might be too insular and the cur- compete with large, entrenched compa- lems with this rule. First of all, the rent CEOs and management a little nies and be disruptive with new innova- rule brings to the floor the wrong bills. more power, like this bill does, by in- tion. These are minor bills. I will give a creasing red tape and paperwork on in- So I hope that we can defeat the pre- recap in a moment, but oh, my good- vestors versus the merits of empow- vious question and get on to that. If we ness. Two sentences of a disclosure and ering investors. Fine, we will have that don’t, I am going to ask my colleagues a little more filing costs for pensions discussion. We will cast our ballots. We to vote ‘‘no’’ on the bill that adds pa- and investors. Okay. We will get past will see what happens. perwork and costs, requiring SEC fil- that. They probably won’t become law Another issue that is very important ings for the investors who are fighting anyway. You can blame it on the Sen- and timely that this Congress should bills, who are fighting proxy fights, and ate, you can blame it on the House, but get to is the one my good friend Mr. then I urge my colleagues to look most of these things we do don’t be- SEAN PATRICK MALONEY raised. When closely at the privacy bill. come law. we defeat the previous question, we can That one, again, I would not charac- I understand that many of my col- bring up an issue that, again, is not a terize as a major bill. I will be voting leagues are frustrated with the Senate, partisan issue. ‘‘no.’’ I understand there might be but whatever the case, we just do these As the cofounder of Apple, Steve some Republicans and Democrats vot- things. Wozniak, said, the end of net neu- ing ‘‘yes’’ on that one as well. But, you But there is stuff that might become trality would end the internet as we know, whether they delete that clause law, that could become law, like tax re- know it. It is an issue every American or not is hardly the game changer for form; like the fact that the govern- citizen is looking to us to take leader- the economy that tax reform will be. ment is shutting down next week if we ship on. don’t continue the funding. We have a In my time in office, I have had to I have ideas, bipartisan ideas, bills that I have sponsored with my Repub- clock ticking on our debt ceiling. We make a number of controversial votes, have 800,000 aspiring Americans who whether it is for the Affordable Care lican colleagues that should be part of don’t even know if they can go to work Act or repeal of this or that, and often- tax reform, that would help the econ- legally, like they can today, in another times I hear from constituents on both omy go, that would create far more few months because of President sides. I remember we got thousands of jobs than a two-sentence disclosure, Trump’s decision to end their provi- letters for the Affordable Care Act, whether it is there or not, and, frankly, sional status. thousands of letters against it—very more important, also, than this, whether the proxy fight people have to These are real issues—the cost of typical. healthcare going up for my constitu- Net neutrality has been a unique and file with the SEC. I mean, I am sure ents and yours. But we are not doing singular experience in my 9 years in they will be able to do it. I mean, yes, that. We are bringing up two bills. I Congress. We received 1,500 calls and you Republicans want to give them will give you the summary of them. over 5,000 emails about the issue, and I more paperwork and create more bu- asked my staff to double-check this be- reaucracy, but I am sure they will sur- Even these two bills, closed process, no cause I didn’t believe this, and they vive. amendments. If I was able to offer floor amendments, as I said, I could offer an did. One hundred percent of the emails b 1445 and calls were for net neutrality. That amendment that would actually move But let’s do something important is right. Not a single constituent of the balance the other way toward in- like open process tax reform. We could mine contacted me on the other side. vestors and empowering investor activ- In a district that has a plurality of be debating amendments right now and ism, perhaps even look at giving them unaffiliated voters and a similar num- voting on them like our job—you a safer pay, if you will, over executive ber of Republicans and Democrats, know, like 100 amendments from Re- pay, and reining in some of the prob- they are never shy to contact me. So it publicans and Democrats. I would even lems of this bill. But we are not al- is not partisan. It certainly united Re- be open to let’s just consider bipartisan lowed. We are not allowed to offer any publicans, unaffiliated voters, and amendments, throw out amendments amendments here on the floor. Democrats in my district to be unani- that only Republicans support or only Again, again, again, again, again, mously for net neutrality, which sur- Democrats support. again, again, again, again, again, prised me. But it also means that Con- To be fair, you are in the majority, again, again, again, again, again, gress should not be tone deaf to that, Mr. Speaker, how about just amend- again, again, again, again, again, and that is why it is important to de- ments that Republicans alone support again, again, again, again, again, feat the previous question. or are bipartisan? You don’t have to do again, again, again, again, again, Republican Senators like Senator any Democratic amendments only be- again, again, again, again, again, THUNE have come together to call on cause let’s just have an open process. again, again, again, again, again, colleagues to come together and pro- Let’s allow some amendments. again, again, again, again, again, tect net neutrality. My good friend and Every amendment was locked out of again, again, again, again, again, colleague from Colorado MIKE COFFMAN tax reform. I offered like, what, 16 my- again, again, again, again, again, announced that we should—the FCC self? I remember my colleague Mr. again. That is 56, by my count. should delay their vote and that we WOODALL was there. They were com- That is 56 times Republicans have should protect net neutrality. monsense ideas. There was a little fix I brought bills to the floor and haven’t It is common sense, Mr. Speaker, and did with Mr. TIPTON from Colorado for allowed Democrats or Republicans to by defeating the previous question, we Kombucha, that is fermented tea, and offer amendments. can get on to an issue that the Amer- it had to do with the tax treatment, de Look, my colleagues can say: Oh, ican people care about rather than a minimis. Senator CORY GARDNER sup- Democrats weren’t great on this, and fight between CEOs and investors and ports it in the Senate, our Republican they had too many when they con- which side you take. It is about pro- Senator. Noncontroversial, next-to-no trolled it. You know what? First of all, tecting your internet in your home so fiscal impact, and the Rules Com- Republicans set a record. This is the you can access the content of your mittee still didn’t even allow me to de- most number of closed rules ever. choice—a consumer issue and an issue bate the amendment on the floor for 10 Secondly, I am not here to defend the for small businesses. minutes, for 5 minutes, for 1 minute. Democrats. If the Democrats were in

VerDate Sep 11 2014 01:43 Dec 14, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00020 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K13DE7.036 H13DEPT1 December 13, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H9867 charge, they should offer more open the floor and talk about differences by the chair and ranking minority member amendments. There is no question. But that we can make together. Differences of the Committee on Energy and Commerce. Republicans, whatever they com- that are not just bipartisan, but dif- After general debate the bill shall be consid- plained about the Democrats, they out- ferences that are nonpartisan; good ered for amendment under the five-minute rule. All points of order against provisions in did them by a big factor. Ten months, ideas that can make a difference one the bill are waived. At the conclusion of con- 56 bills that no single Member of the life, one bill at a time. sideration of the bill for amendment the House is allowed to offer an amend- Mr. Speaker, these bills are coming Committee shall rise and report the bill to ment on just to have a fair up-or-down today under a closed rule for one, the House with such amendments as may vote. It is wrong. It is wrong. under a structured rule for the other. have been adopted. The previous question That is why I hope my colleagues can That is true. For the uninitiated, Mr. shall be considered as ordered on the bill and defeat this rule to say: Enough is Speaker, that means that amendments amendments thereto to final passage with- enough. aren’t going to be offered. It doesn’t out intervening motion except one motion to Mr. Speaker, we have to defeat this recommit with or without instructions. If mean that amendments weren’t al- the Committee of the Whole rises and re- rule and move on to the issues impor- lowed, Mr. Speaker. ports that it has come to no resolution on tant to the American people, and I We sent out the call to the entire the bill, then on the next legislative day the yield back the balance of my time. House of Representatives, 435 Members. House shall, immediately after the third Mr. WOODALL. Mr. Speaker, I yield We said we have two bills coming be- daily order of business under clause 1 of rule myself such time as I may consume. fore the Rules Committee; we want you XIV, resolve into the Committee of the Mr. Speaker, my friend from Colo- to send us all of your ideas, all of the Whole for further consideration of the bill. rado is right. Time management is an different ways that you think these SEC. 4. Cause 1(c) of rule XIX shall not important issue here on the floor, and two bills can be improved. apply to the consideration of H.R. 4585. we have got to manage it, whether it is We got back one idea. One. And we THE VOTE ON THE PREVIOUS QUESTION: WHAT closing statements or whether it is made it in order for a vote on the floor IT REALLY MEANS of the House. Dadgummit, Mr. Speaker, floor time throughout the day. This vote, the vote on whether to order the Every bill we bring to the floor is not I think it is going to make the bill bet- previous question on a special rule, is not going to be the most important bill ter. I intend to support that amend- merely a procedural vote. A vote against or- that we bring to the floor, Mr. Speaker, ment that we made in order. It is a dering the previous question is a vote by definition. Democrat amendment. It came from against the Republican majority agenda and I hope that my colleagues were lis- my friend Mr. CLAY on the other side of a vote to allow the Democratic minority to tening intently to my friend from Colo- the aisle. I intend to support it because offer an alternative plan. It is a vote about rado, not necessarily during his open- I think it is going to make the bill bet- what the House should be debating. ing statement, and certainly not dur- ter. Mr. Clarence Cannon’s Precedents of the House of Representatives (VI, 308–311), de- ing his closing statement, but during Are there issues that are complex, scribes the vote on the previous question on the middle statement where he was that are partisan, that are structured the rule as ‘‘a motion to direct or control the talking about his vast knowledge of in such a way that having an open rule consideration of the subject before the House corporate boards and corporate struc- isn’t the choice that gets made? Of being made by the Member in charge.’’ To tures. course there are. Of course there are. defeat the previous question is to give the I have the pleasure of serving on the I think my friend is right to criticize opposition a chance to decide the subject be- Rules Committee with Mr. POLIS, Mr. the majority when the process gets fore the House. Cannon cites the Speaker’s Speaker, and there are not going to be closed down in this way. But today, Mr. ruling of January 13, 1920, to the effect that many Members of this institution who Speaker, I think my friend is wrong to ‘‘the refusal of the House to sustain the demand for the previous question passes the have either been more successful in suggest that the process is being closed control of the resolution to the opposition’’ their private life, not just talking down. The process was opened up to the in order to offer an amendment. On March about it, but doing it, when it comes to entire institution. One amendment was 15, 1909, a member of the majority party of- leading institutions, and Members who received, one amendment was made in fered a rule resolution. The House defeated work harder to try to find some com- order. I hope, Mr. Speaker, that will be the previous question and a member of the mon ground to move things forward. a practice that we continue going for- opposition rose to a parliamentary inquiry, I was just telling Ms. Rossi on my ward. Two good bills today, Mr. Speak- asking who was entitled to recognition. staff, Mr. Speaker, that it troubles me er, if my colleagues support this rule: Speaker Joseph G. Cannon (R–Illinois) said: ‘‘The previous question having been refused, more when Mr. POLIS is on the floor one from my friend Mr. TROTT, one the gentleman from New York, Mr. Fitz- and we can’t find agreement, because I from my friend Mr. DUFFY, and the bi- gerald, who had asked the gentleman to believe very often he tries harder than partisan amendment offered by my yield to him for an amendment, is entitled to most to find that agreement here. Mr. friend Mr. CLAY. the first recognition.’’ Speaker, you see it on the front page of Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my col- The Republican majority may say ‘‘the the newspaper day after day after day, leagues to support this rule, and then I vote on the previous question is simply a folks talk about this institution as if hope they will come back to the floor vote on whether to proceed to an immediate we will never find agreement with each and support the underlying bills as vote on adopting the resolution.... [and] has no substantive legislative or policy im- other. well. plications whatsoever.’’ But that is not what There are some issues of principle The material previously referred to they have always said. Listen to the Repub- where finding agreement is hard, where by Mr. POLIS is as follows: lican Leadership Manual on the Legislative we just fundamentally disagree with AN AMENDMENT TO H. RES. 657 OFFERED BY Process in the United States House of Rep- one another. MR. POLIS resentatives, (6th edition, page 135). Here’s It is not the case today, though, Mr. At the end of the resolution, add the fol- how the Republicans describe the previous Speaker. Today, the case is that we lowing new sections: question vote in their own manual: ‘‘Al- have two bills that moved through reg- SEC. 3. Immediately upon adoption of this though it is generally not possible to amend ular order in the Financial Services resolution the Speaker shall, pursuant to the rule because the majority Member con- clause 2(b) of rule XVIII, declare the House trolling the time will not yield for the pur- Committee. That means, Mr. Speaker, resolved into the Committee of the Whole pose of offering an amendment, the same re- that the committee took up the legis- House on the state of the Union for consider- sult may be achieved by voting down the pre- lation first, that the committee sorted ation of the bill (H.R. 4585) to prohibit the vious question on the rule.... When the out the legislation first, and, Mr. Federal Communications Commission from motion for the previous question is defeated, Speaker, these bills, both of them, relying on the Notice of Proposed Rule- control of the time passes to the Member passed the Financial Services Com- making in the matter of restoring internet who led the opposition to ordering the pre- mittee with big bipartisan votes. freedom to adopt, amend, revoke, or other- vious question. That Member, because he There are many opportunities for us wise modify any rule of the Commission. The then controls the time, may offer an amend- first reading of the bill shall be dispensed ment to the rule, or yield for the purpose of to come to the floor and talk about with. All points of order against consider- amendment.’’ things that divide us that we will never ation of the bill are waived. General debate In Deschler’s Procedure in the U.S. House find agreement on. That is not today. shall be confined to the bill and shall not ex- of Representatives, the subchapter titled Today, we have a chance to come to ceed one hour equally divided and controlled ‘‘Amending Special Rules’’ states: ‘‘a refusal

VerDate Sep 11 2014 01:43 Dec 14, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00021 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K13DE7.038 H13DEPT1 H9868 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE December 13, 2017 to order the previous question on such a rule California (Ms. MAXINE WATERS) each continually identified Iran as the [a special rule reported from the Committee will control 30 minutes. world’s foremost state sponsor of ter- on Rules] opens the resolution to amend- The Chair recognizes the gentleman rorism. Iran is, the State Department ment and further debate.’’ (Chapter 21, sec- from Texas. tells us, a country that has ‘‘repeatedly tion 21.2) Section 21.3 continues: ‘‘Upon re- jection of the motion for the previous ques- Mr. HENSARLING. Mr. Chair, I yield provided support for acts of inter- tion on a resolution reported from the Com- myself such time as I may consume. national terrorism,’’ and ‘‘continues to mittee on Rules, control shifts to the Mem- Mr. Chair, I rise in strong support of sponsor terrorist groups around the ber leading the opposition to the previous H.R. 1638, the Iranian Leadership Asset world, principally through its Islamic question, who may offer a proper amendment Transparency Act, introduced by my Revolutionary Guard Corps.’’ or motion and who controls the time for de- colleague and dear friend from Maine The bill before us today, the Iranian bate thereon.’’ (Mr. POLIQUIN). Leadership Asset Transparency Act, re- Clearly, the vote on the previous question This legislation requires the Treas- quires the Treasury Department again on a rule does have substantive policy implications. It is one of the only available tools ury Secretary to report to Congress on to list the known assets of senior Ira- for those who oppose the Republican major- the assets held by the Islamic Republic nian officials in a form that is easily ity’s agenda and allows those with alter- of Iran’s most senior political and mili- understandable and accessible to indi- native views the opportunity to offer an al- tary leaders, and on the probable vidual Iranians, as well as to those in ternative plan. sources and uses of those assets. the financial or business sector who Mr. WOODALL. Mr. Speaker, I yield A classified version, if necessary, might be concerned—hopefully con- back the balance of my time, and I would be available, as appropriate, to cerned—about inadvertently doing move the previous question on the res- Congress, and a public version of the business with a corrupt Iranian entity. olution. report would be posted on the Treasury The bill also requires the Treasury to The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Department’s website in English and in evaluate the effectiveness of existing question is on ordering the previous the major languages used within Iran sanctions against Iran and make any question. that could easily be downloaded. appropriate recommendations for im- The question was taken; and the The genius of this latter point is that proving the effectiveness of sanctions. Speaker pro tempore announced that it will allow the average Iranian to un- The bill passed the Financial Serv- the ayes appeared to have it. derstand and circulate information of ices Committee last month with a bi- Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, on that I how their leaders are, in a phrase, rob- partisan support vote of 43–16. The demand the yeas and nays. bing them blind, as well as aiding and House approved a nearly identical bill The yeas and nays were ordered. abetting terrorists. just 18 months ago by a very strong The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- Iran’s top political, military, and vote of 282–143. ant to clause 8 of rule XX, further pro- business leaders, if there is much of a As passed by the committee, this ceedings on this question will be post- distinction between those roles in Iran, year’s version has an important addi- poned. fund terrorist-related activity, we tion, a sense of the Congress section, that urges the Treasury Secretary, in f know this, and through intricate financial arrangements that give them great addition to other sources, to seek in- IRANIAN LEADERSHIP ASSET flexibility in moving their money. formation for the report from private TRANSPARENCY ACT According to the nongovernmental sector sources that search, analyze, GENERAL LEAVE organization Transparency Inter- and, if necessary, translate publicly Mr. HENSARLING. Mr. Speaker, I national, Iran’s economy is character- available, high veracity, official ask unanimous consent that all Mem- ized by high levels of official and insti- records overseas, and provide methods bers may have 5 legislative days within tutional corruption, and there is sub- of searching and analyzing such data in which to revise and extend their re- stantial involvement by Iran’s security ways useful to law enforcement. marks and include extraneous material forces, particularly involving the Is- These source of services provide in- on the bill under consideration. lamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. formation that could augment informa- The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. DA- Unsurprisingly, then, members of tion that is gathered, often by classi- VIDSON). Is there objection to the re- Iran’s senior political and military fied means, and provide a final public quest of the gentleman from Texas? leadership have acquired significant report that helps give the world a bet- There was no objection. personal and institutional wealth by ter picture of the true nature of Iran’s The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- using their positions to secure control economy. ant to House Resolution 658 and rule of major portions of the Iranian na- Mr. Chairman, I urge immediate pas- XVIII, the Chair declares the House in tional economy. sage of Mr. POLIQUIN’s thoughtful and the Committee of the Whole House on Some estimates put their iron grip at bipartisan bill. I appreciate his leader- the state of the Union for the consider- a third or more of the country’s econ- ship to bring us here today, and I re- ation of the bill, H.R. 1638. omy, and some individual holdings in serve the balance of my time. The Chair appoints the gentleman the billions of dollars; all at a time HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, from Michigan (Mr. MITCHELL) to pre- when the average Iranian citizen earns COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS, Washington, DC, December 6, 2017. side over the Committee of the Whole. the equivalent of about $15,000 a year. Hon. JEB HENSARLING, b 1456 The unwise sanctions relief provided Chairman, Committee on Financial Services, through the Obama administration’s Washington, DC. IN THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE nuclear deal with Iran resulted in the DEAR CHAIRMAN HENSARLING: Thank you Accordingly, the House resolved unwarranted removal of many Iranian for consulting with the Committee on For- itself into the Committee of the Whole entities that are tied to government eign Affairs on H.R. 1638, the Iranian Leader- House on the state of the Union for the corruption from the list of entities ship Asset Transparency Act. I agree that the Foreign Affairs Committee consideration of the bill (H.R. 1638), to sanctioned by the United States. require the Secretary of the Treasury may be discharged from further action on b 1500 this bill so that it may proceed expeditiously to submit a report to the appropriate to the Floor, subject to the understanding congressional committees on the esti- Thankfully, however, the Trump ad- that this waiver does not in any way dimin- mated total assets under direct or indi- ministration has, in recent months, ish or alter the jurisdiction of the Foreign rect control by certain senior Iranian levied a number of needed new sanc- Affairs Committee, or prejudice its jurisdic- leaders and other figures, and for other tions on Iranian individuals and enti- tional prerogatives on this bill or similar purposes, with Mr. MITCHELL in the ties. Still, the Transparency Inter- legislation in the future. The Committee chair. national index of perceived public cor- also reserves the right to seek an appro- The Clerk read the title of the bill. ruption in Iran is higher than ever. priate number of conferees to any House- As well, the Treasury Department Senate conference involving this bill, and The CHAIR. Pursuant to the rule, the would appreciate your support for any such bill is considered read the first time. has identified Iran as a country of ‘‘pri- request. The gentleman from Texas (Mr. HEN- mary concern for money laundering.’’ I ask that you place our exchange of let- SARLING) and the gentlewoman from Separately, the State Department has ters into the Congressional Record during

VerDate Sep 11 2014 01:43 Dec 14, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00022 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A13DE7.011 H13DEPT1 December 13, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H9869 floor consideration of the bill. I appreciate cutting the legislation’s own stated ob- are more important to global peace and your cooperation regarding this legislation jective to help make financial institu- security than preventing Iran from ac- and look forward to continuing to work with tions’ required compliance with requiring nuclear weapons. This bill you as this measure moves through the legis- maining sanctions more easily under- would do nothing to advance that goal. lative process. Sincerely, stood. In fact, if enacted, it could do grave EDWARD R. ROYCE, In fact, the creation of such a list, damage to the important progress that Chairman. which would not be tied to any prohibi- has been made. tion or legal action, would more than Mr. Chairman, I would urge my col- HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, likely create confusion among the Of- leagues to join me in opposing this COMMITTEE ON FINANCIAL SERVICES, fice of Foreign Assets Control’s regu- measure, and I reserve the balance of Washington, DC, December 7, 2017. lated public and also mislead compa- my time. Hon. ED ROYCE, nies to believe that the Treasury list Mr. HENSARLING. Mr. Chairman, I Chairman, Committee on Foreign Affairs, Washington, DC. replaces the due diligence efforts that yield myself 10 seconds simply to re- DEAR CHAIRMAN ROYCE: Thank you for they should otherwise be doing prior to mind the ranking member that in the your December 6th letter regarding H.R. engaging in business in Iran. State Department’s latest Country Re- 1638, the ‘‘Iranian Leadership Asset Trans- Moreover, because the report would ports on Terrorism, Iran is labeled the parency Act’’, as amended. be largely classified, the bill would do ‘‘world’s foremost state sponsor of ter- I am most appreciative of your decision to little to draw the Iranian public’s at- rorism.’’ forego action on H.R. 1638 so that it may tention to the corruption and unjust Why we would want less information move expeditiously to the House floor. I ac- enrichment of their leaders, which is as opposed to more information on that knowledge that although you are waiving action on the bill, the Committee on Foreign another stated purpose of the bill. In rogue state is beyond me. Affairs is in no way waiving its jurisdic- fact, any classified portion would in- Mr. Chairman, I yield 5 minutes to tional interest in this or similar legislation. evitably be rejected by both the Iran the gentleman from Maine (Mr. In addition, if a conference is necessary on regime and its people as U.S. propa- POLIQUIN), the sponsor of the legisla- this legislation, I will support any request ganda, and a predictable attack on the tion and a distinguished member of the that your committee be represented therein. country’s government by the United Financial Services Committee. Finally, I shall be pleased to include your States. Mr. POLIQUIN. Mr. Chairman, I ap- letter and this letter in our committee’s re- The true purpose of this legislation is preciate the opportunity to speak on port on H.R. 1638 and in the Congressional Record during floor consideration of the to create reputational risk for compa- behalf of my bill, and I am grateful to same. nies that might seek to do legitimate you for moving this very important bi- Sincerely, business with Iran. For this reason, the partisan bill through the House Finan- JEB HENSARLING, bill would be a strategic mistake, as its cial Services Committee. Chairman. report would undoubtedly be seized I also want to thank my colleagues Ms. MAXINE WATERS of California. upon by Iran as an intentional effort to on the other side of the aisle who sup- Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time discourage international investment in ported this bill last year. Unfortu- as I may consume. Iran, which would be viewed by Iran nately, it got stuck in the Senate, so Mr. Chairman, the legislation before and likely by the major world powers we have got to do it again this year, us now, H.R. 1638, the Iranian Leader- who joined us in the JCPOA as well as but I am thrilled to be here. ship Asset Transparency Act, rep- a violation of the expressed U.S. com- Mr. Chairman, the primary responsi- resents what the Republican majority mitment under the nuclear deal not to bility of every Member of Congress, has become very good at doing, advanc- interfere with the full realization of whether you are on the left side or the ing bad public policy while claiming to the relief provided to Iran under the right side of the aisle, no matter what advance the public interest. accord. State you are from, what part of the H.R. 1638, the Iranian Leadership When a nearly identical version of country you are from, the major re- Asset Transparency Act, would require this bill was considered last Congress, sponsibility, the primary responsibility the Secretary of the Treasury to report the Obama White House threatened to is to support and defend our Constitu- to Congress on the estimated total as- veto the bill, stating that it would, tion. To me, that means protecting our sets under direct or indirect control of ‘‘endanger our ability to ensure Iran’s families and those American citizens certain senior Iranian leaders and nuclear program is and remains exclu- abroad. other figures, along with a description sively peaceful.’’ Now, our moms and dads in Maine, of how these assets were acquired and Moreover, the Obama administration Mr. Chairman, and across this country, are employed, regardless of whether cautioned that the report called for in are increasingly alarmed by the fre- such individuals are subject to U.S. the bill would also compromise critical quency of terrorist attacks here at sanctions. intelligence sources and methods. On home; another attempted 2 days ago in Although increasing transparency that score, I would also note that the New York City. Today, Mr. Chairman, into corrupt regimes is a laudable goal, reporting requirement in the legisla- there are 1,000 investigations dealing H.R. 1638 works counter not only to its tion calls for information about how with terrorist activities across this own stated objectives, but also U.S. na- sanctions evasion and illicit conduct is land in all 50 States. That is why H.R. tional security interests. practiced, and potential counter- 1638 is so important. This bill will help First, the level of scrutiny that measures. keep our families safe and keep them would be needed to produce a credible It seems far from prudent to give tips free. report would place a very real strain on to our adversaries about how we learn In doing so, we must make sure this the Treasury Department, diverting about their misconduct and how we issue is not a political issue. National significant resources away from Treas- plan to respond. This legislation would security never should be a political ury investigators who are tasked with have very limited practical utility, de- issue. Mr. Chairman, the Iranian Gov- targeting conduct that is actually spite the huge diversion of resources it ernment, as Mr. HENSARLING just men- sanctionable; implementing existing would take to produce. It also fails to tioned, is the chief state sponsor of ter- U.S. sanction programs; and uncover- meet its own stated objectives, includ- rorism and instability in this world. ing illicit conduct across the globe, in- ing serving any usefulness as a compli- These senior political leaders and cluding, importantly, efforts to iden- ance tool. their military leaders, including the Is- tify the web of business interests that Finally, the measure would also like- lamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, they continue to enable North Korea to ly have a negative impact on the con- train, they arm, and they fund ter- evade U.S. and international sanctions. tinued viability of the nuclear deal, rorist organizations around the world. In addition to diverting scarce and which is clearly a central objective. I They have become experts at using the critical resources, the bill’s required am hard-pressed to think of a single internet and social media to radicalize, report will have little use as a compli- piece of legislation that works so recruit, and direct terrorists around ance tool, given that the most impor- strongly against every single policy the globe, including here in the United tant parts would be classified, under- goal it claims to advance. Few issues States of America.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 01:43 Dec 14, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00023 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A13DE7.012 H13DEPT1 H9870 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE December 13, 2017 Mr. Chairman, the Iranian Govern- rorism by not shedding light on their So until we solve these tight budget ment has American blood on its hands. corruption doesn’t make any sense. constraints, I think we need to make Now, Mr. Chairman, there are approxi- Hope, Mr. Chairman, is not a national the hard choice about what our prior- mately 70 to 80 top political and mili- security strategy. ities are and how to prioritize retary leaders in Iran that control about My bill makes sure that Congress sources for stopping, again, money one-third of their domestic economy. gets its priorities straight. Protecting laundering and terrorism financing. They use their power to corrupt the American families here at home and Leave this effort for a world where the telecommunications industry, the con- safeguarding our troops around the sequester has been lifted. struction industry, and other impor- world who are fighting for our freedom The second reason why I oppose this tant ones in that land. is what we should be doing every way legislation, I can’t help wondering: Reuters has conducted an investiga- we can, and that is what this bill does. Shouldn’t we apply this principle more tion through publicly available infor- Mr. Chairman, I would like to say broadly? mation that found the Supreme Leader that using one click of a computer The idea here is that we should inves- of Iran alone has accumulated tremen- from any corner of the globe to help ex- tigate and publicize it when a coun- dous personal wealth through a founda- pose illicit activities by the chief state try’s leadership has undisclosed assets, tion claiming to help the poor. Now, sponsor of terrorism is a very, very especially if those are overseas. That is while the corruption has grown in Iran, good idea. the point of this legislation. We should the average citizen there earns the Let’s stand up for all the peace-lov- investigate and publicize it when a equivalent of $15,000 per year. ing nations in the world. Let’s stand up country’s leadership is using govern- Mr. Chairman, the citizens of Iran to help our families protect their kids. ment resources to enrich itself. But and the people of this world should Let’s stand up to protect our home- why—why—just apply that principle to know how much wealth has been accu- land. I ask everyone, Republicans and Iran? mulated by those that sponsor ter- Democrats, please vote ‘‘yes’’ for H.R. I am informed in my point of view rorism and what that money is being 1638, the Iranian Leadership Asset here by wisdom I found in this black, used for. Transparency Act. leather-bound book that I gratefully Companies across the globe that are Ms. MAXINE WATERS of California. received when I was sworn into office 5 looking to do business with Iran should Mr. Chairman, I yield 5 minutes to the years ago. In fact, the passage that I understand what they might be getting gentleman from Washington (Mr. will cite you actually occurs in two into. So I disagree with my colleague HECK), who is a member of the Finan- places. Let me share it with you now: from California, the ranking member, cial Services Committee and who is my ‘‘How can you say to your brother, who says that this is going to possibly friend. ‘Brother, let me take the speck out of create confusion; that it will possibly Mr. HECK. I thank the ranking mem- your eye,’ when you, yourself, fail to cause businesses around the world to ber, Mr. Chairman, for yielding. see the plank in your own eye? You hesitate from investing in Iran. Mr. Chairman, this bill targets the hypocrite, first take the plank out of Well, guess what, Mr. Chairman. leadership of Iran, and, frankly, that is your own eye, and then you will see That is a good idea. probably a worthy goal in some re- clearly to remove the speck from your My Iranian Leadership Asset Trans- gards. I think it eventually envisions brother’s eye.’’ parency Act is a straightforward, main, publicizing negative information about So I wonder: When is this Congress commonsense bill. It simply requires them, and that might be an effective going to turn its attention to the plank the Department of Treasury to collect, tool as well. We all know that. We have in our eye? to maintain, and to post online the list been through campaigns. We know neg- Mr. HENSARLING. Mr. Chairman, I of these 70 to 80 senior political and ative advertising works. yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from military leaders and the assets, their That said, I oppose this legislation, California (Mr. ROYCE), who is the personal assets, how this money was and I do so for two reasons. The first is chairman of the Foreign Affairs Com- acquired, and what it is being used for. resources are finite. They are not un- mittee and a senior member of the Fi- As Mr. HENSARLING mentioned, it limited; they are finite. Tracking down nancial Services Committee. will require the Treasury Department all the assets of these named Iranian Mr. ROYCE of California. Mr. Chair- to post this on their website in English leaders takes significant time, effort, man, with all due respect to the argu- as well as in Farsi, Arabic, and Azeri, and personnel. ments on moral equivalency with re- the three languages that are mostly Where are those resources supposed spect to Iran, the reality is that this is used in that country. to come from? a government that starts its morning I might also add that my colleague All around this city, everybody is prayers with: ‘‘Death to America. on the other side of the aisle might be agitating for deeper cuts to nondefense Death to Israel.’’ The Ayatollah makes a little bit confused about this issue, discretionary accounts. If we are going it clear he means it. but the information posted on this to make cuts, we are going to have to So, yes, we should try to remove the website will be that that is publicly make some tough choices. plank from our eye, but we should not available. There will be no information The personnel responsible for imple- remove our eyes from the fact that that should not be posted there that menting this bill would be diverted what we have in terms of policy being only Congress should have access to. from terrorist financing and money directed from the Ayatollah and the Is- I have heard, Mr. Chairman, critics of laundering. Let me say that again. The lamic Revolutionary Guard Corps is a this bill saying: Well, you know, it is people, the personnel responsible for policy that calls for the destruction of not a good idea to expose the Iranian implementing this bill would be di- the United States of America. Government’s corruption in funding of verted from terrorist financing and Now, Mr. Chairman, this bill has a terrorism because, if you do so, well, money laundering. powerful goal, and it is to expose the the Iranian political and military lead- Propaganda about corruption of Ira- corrupt nature of the Iranian regime. ers might not want to work with us. nian leadership—which I stipulate to But when we talk about why, the an- Are you kidding? here up front—could be valuable, but it swer is because the personnel respon- These are the radicals who regularly can’t be more valuable than stopping sible for carrying out these assassina- chant ‘‘Death to America.’’ actual terrorist financing. Terrorist fi- tions, that have us concerned about The CHAIR. The time of the gen- nancing should be our target. Money carrying out terror are, in fact, the tleman has expired. laundering should be our target, not leadership in Iran of these organiza- Mr. HENSARLING. Mr. Chairman, I garden-variety corruption. tions that we attempt to identify here. yield an additional 1 minute to the We had a lengthy discussion in com- That is the job of doing terror research gentleman from Maine. mittee just yesterday about using and cutting off terror finance. That is money laundering authorities to fight what we are supposed to be doing. b 1515 human trafficking. For God’s sake, This regime claims to be more than a Mr. POLIQUIN. Hoping that these that has to seem more valuable than government. It claims to be a revolu- folks also abandon their support of ter- propaganda. It has to. tion. They call themselves the Islamic

VerDate Sep 11 2014 05:05 Dec 14, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00024 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K13DE7.044 H13DEPT1 December 13, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H9871 Revolution. But when you look at it toric agreement, which, as I pointed go ahead. But having these actions, I closely, as this bill requires the Treas- out, was agreed to even by officials in think, sends the wrong signal. It is the ury Department to do, the regime in the Trump administration that Iran wrong resource. Tehran resembles something else, a has abided by. Mr. Chairman, I think it is important criminal enterprise, because, from the Are they a nation of bad actors? Ab- to reject this legislation. Supreme Leader to the Revolutionary solutely. There are forces within the Mr. HENSARLING. Mr. Chairman, I Guard, these so-called servants of the government that are very destructive. yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Revolution control one-third of the Ira- But the point is we focused on some- Minnesota (Mr. EMMER), who is a hard- nian economy because they seized it. thing that all of us agree is absolutely working member of the Financial Serv- They seized everybody’s private prop- critical, and that is not having Iran ices Committee. erty in terms of these companies. The rushing forward to become another nu- Mr. EMMER. Mr. Chairman, since Supreme Leader’s empire alone is clear state. We have seen that the our founding, and as Ronald Reagan worth $95 billion. breakout time under this agreement emphasized regularly, America has This is called the Execution of Imam has lengthened. It is acting as we in- stood as a shining city upon a hill Khomeini’s Order, or Setad. It holds tended. whose beacon light guides freedom-lov- stakes in just about every sector of the It was also one of those rare areas ing people everywhere. Today we have Iranian industry, including finance, oil, where we actually had Germany, Great an opportunity to shine a little bright- and telecommunications. Britain, France, Russia, and China er. These funds are not simply used to working with us to negotiate an agree- As we continue our battle to defeat enrich Iranian officials. That is not our ment. terrorism, the Islamic Republic of Iran problem here. It is not that they are Now, this is going to be perceived as remains dangerously corrupt. While propping up the regime. It is thanks to an effort by the United States to un- the average Iranian earns a mere Iran’s lack of money laundering con- dermine the agreement. Should we give $15,000 a year, corrupt, top political trol they are easily used to destabilize them and the hardliners in Iran an ex- and military leaders control an esti- the entire region. That is what they cuse to walk away because we violated mated one-third of the nation’s total are doing now by funding terrorism it? What is going to be the assessment economy. These same leaders are, more abroad and fueling Iran’s ballistic mis- of our allies who are deeply committed often than not, the same ones who re- sile program at home. to this and have resisted efforts to un- peatedly provide support for acts of These ICBMs, by the way, they an- ravel it? terrorism in the Middle East and con- nounce, are intended for us. We need all the help we can get in tinue to sponsor terrorist groups So that is why, as this bill says, the the international arena. We have around the world. Treasury Department—and the bill watched this administration system- Unfortunately, the Iranian Govern- notes this—has identified Iran as a ju- atically isolate us, this last week with ment continues to tolerate this corrup- risdiction of primary money laundering the reckless decision to go ahead and tion, which is why the State Depart- concern. This means that any trans- relocate the Embassy—or at least ment has named Iran as a country of action with Iran risks supporting the claim we are going to relocate the Em- primary concern for money laundering regime’s ongoing illicit activities, bassy—condemned by virtually every- and it continues to be listed as a state their terrorists activities. body else in the world. We are standing sponsor of terrorism. Mr. Chairman, I thank my colleague, alone with an action to destabilize a These officials who perpetuate such Mr. POLIQUIN, for introducing this bill very volatile situation. destructive and destabilizing behavior and Chairman HENSARLING for working This comes forward at a time when should and need to be exposed. with us to get it to the floor. Iran is abiding by it, to go ahead and Today, I encourage my colleagues to Ms. MAXINE WATERS of California. crank up the report on the assets of a support H.R. 1638, the Iranian Leader- Mr. Chairman, I yield 5 minutes to the variety of Iran’s senior political, reli- ship Asset Transparency Act. This bill gentleman from Oregon (Mr. BLU- gious, and military leaders, including will require a list of the known assets MENAUER), who is a longtime supporter people who aren’t subject to the sanc- of senior Iranian officials to be made of diplomacy with Iran and a strong tions. publicly available in all three of Iran’s supporter of the nuclear deal. It is placing, it has been mentioned, major languages. Specifically, the U.S. Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Chairman, I strain on the Department that has fi- Treasury Secretary will submit a re- appreciate the gentlewoman’s cour- nite resources—it needs to focus on port to Congress on the assets held by tesy, and I appreciate her advocacy on things—taking away resources from ef- Iran’s most senior political, military, this. forts to target on actual and business leaders and on the prob- This is serious business. There are sanctionability. It seems to be decid- able sources and uses of the assets. people—no secret—in the administra- edly wrongheaded. tion and there are people in Congress It is interesting that Congress had b 1530 who would like to undermine this until this week to reimpose the sanc- This report will serve as yet another agreement. The mixed signals that tion lifted under the agreement per tool in the toolbox of businesses and fi- have been sent by the administration Trump’s decertification in October. nancial institutions, both foreign and are truly disturbing. Congress chose not to. I think that was domestic, to better comply with exist- One has to wonder what North Korea a wise decision. To me, it indicates, at ing sanction regimes and international is thinking about, that there are people least, that the agreement has been financial restrictions. who suggest that we ought to go ahead largely successful. It will provide clarity and certainty and blow it up when, in fact, they are But, if we are going to jeopardize the for companies when determining the abiding by the terms of the agreement, framework, giving the hardline ele- legitimacy of their business partners if and officials in the administration ments an opportunity to claim that we they decide that doing business with agree with this. What sort of deterrent are repudiating, while giving a green Iran is in their interest. is that to North Korea in terms of its light to some of the folks there who Moreover, with this information, reckless action with nuclear weapons? have no intention of being able to work with better knowledge of where their It seems to reinforce that behavior. on a cooperative basis, we ought not to money is going, Iranians who wish to But there are also elements in Iran, fan the flames. We ought to be trying invest not in terrorism or in corrup- hardliners who didn’t agree with this to nurture opportunities for cooperation, but in freedom, can. agreement, who felt that it was too tion. Today, we can help the freedom-lov- evenhanded, who felt that the leader- We should focus on areas where they ing people of Iran. We can help shine a ship gave up too much, and who don’t are doing things we don’t agree with. If light on Iran’s corruption, and America want closer relationships with the you want to target some specific sanc- can continue to be a shining city on a United States or the other Western tions that we somehow haven’t im- hill. powers that worked with us—including posed that are within the purview of I appreciate the work of my col- China and Russia—to enact this his- the framework and wouldn’t violate it, league from Maine (Mr. POLIQUIN),

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:47 Dec 14, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00025 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K13DE7.045 H13DEPT1 H9872 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE December 13, 2017 whom I am proud to serve with on the our country’s uniform, and see the Well, with all due respect, the CBO Terrorism and Illicit Finance Sub- fruit of generations of work. I also saw estimates it will cost $500,000 to do this committee. I thank Chairman HEN- the concern that Germans had that for 2 years. The United States Treasury SARLING and Monetary Policy and Ronald Reagan was going to cause Department has a budget of $14 billion Trade Subcommittee Chairman BARR World War III and that actual leader- per year. That is number one. for moving such an important bill ship was somehow a problem. Ms. MAXINE WATERS of California. through the committee and to the floor Instead what we saw was that Mr. Reclaiming my time, I thank you for today. I urge all of my colleagues to Gorbachev didn’t tear down the wall. wanting to talk about something else, vote in support of H.R. 1638. The United States of America didn’t but I yielded to you to see if you could Ms. MAXINE WATERS of California. tear down the wall. The East German help me with information about what Mr. Chair, I yield myself such time as people tore down their own wall. was stated that the gentleman who I may consume. And why did they do that? spoke before you said that this bill had Mr. Chair, I would like the author of They did that because they knew the nothing to do with the agreement. this bill, Mr. POLIQUIN, and perhaps the truth of what was on the other side. Mr. POLIQUIN. Will the gentle- chairman of our committee, Mr. HEN- Mr. POLIQUIN’s bill is a major effort woman yield? SARLING, to answer the question that I to try to help the people of Iran get Ms. MAXINE WATERS of California. am about to propose, and that is this: their country back. They are under a Is the gentleman prepared to respond We have allies with us in this agree- strong authoritarian leadership system to the question that I have raised? ment. This is an agreement that was that has oppressed their people and If you are going to talk about what worked on for a long time. We have caused harm throughout the region this bill has to do with the agreement, Russia, China, Germany, England, and and, in fact, throughout the planet. when the gentleman said it has nothing France. What are our allies saying Meanwhile, I am so thankful that to do with the agreement, then I yield about our attempt to interfere with the this is a bipartisan bill. The Members to the gentleman from Maine. agreement? opposed to this would have asked more Mr. POLIQUIN. Mr. Chairman, the What are they saying about whether public disclosure of public company dangerous Iran nuclear deal that was or not we can be trusted to live up to CEOs than they would of enemies of put together a year and a half or 2 the commitments that we have made? our country, and that is hard to under- years ago has absolutely nothing to do What are they saying about our at- stand. with exposing the wealth that has cu- tempts to add to, lengthen, and create Mr. Chair, I was sent here to rep- mulated through corruption by the top new, really, what have become obsta- resent the people of the Eighth District 70 to 80 Iranian political and military cles to peace? of Ohio and to support and defend the leaders and posting that for the world I would ask my friends on the oppo- United States of America. I don’t think to see. I am sure the ranking member site side of the aisle, as they talk about there is anyone who has sworn an oath knows this has zero to do with the Iran targeting certain leaders—I don’t know to support and defend 80 leaders in nuclear deal. Ms. MAXINE WATERS of California. what leaders they are talking about— Iran. Reclaiming my time, we know that and wanting to know about their assets This bill does not violate the JCPOA. there are individuals who are and where their assets came from and It doesn’t touch it. It simply says we how they are being used, I ask my sanctionable in the deal. are going to gather this information. What I thought you were attempting friends on the opposite side of the aisle: As far as diverting resources, this is to do is to expand that and to identify Are you willing to do that for certain the leading state sponsor of terror. It is more leaders and try and understand leaders in our own country? precisely focused on the problem, and where the assets come from, what they I just heard from one of the speakers, it gives the people of Iran a chance for use them for, whether or not they are I believe it was Mr. ROYCE from Cali- freedom that so many people of the involved in money laundering. But the fornia, who identified the worth of one world enjoy. gentleman said it had nothing to do of the supposed leaders. It seems to me I am thankful that we have the op- with the deal. that it did not nearly match the worth portunity to try to make this dif- Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of many of those who are in our Cabi- ference. I encourage every Member of of my time. net and who are in higher places in our the House to vote for it, and those who The Acting CHAIR (Mr. JODY B. HICE government. And I wonder what we are thought they were opposed, to recon- of Georgia). The Chair would remind trying to do. sider a rational, measured action to try all Members to direct their remarks to First, answer the question, if you to change the world for good. the Chair, please. will, about what our allies are saying. Ms. MAXINE WATERS of California. Mr. HENSARLING. Mr. Chairman, I And secondly, answer the question Mr. Chair, the gentleman from Maine yield myself 30 seconds just to say in about disclosure as it relates to those (Mr. POLIQUIN) will give some informa- the time the ranking member was at the highest office in our country and tion that I think is very important to speaking, I went back, yet again, to those who are serving in the Cabinet. understand how this bill would work. read the nine-page bill. Nowhere is the Also, when you talk about money The gentleman who just spoke said JCPOA mentioned in the bill. laundering, answer the question about that this has nothing to do with the Iran was the leading state sponsor of the relationship between the leader of agreement. Then what is it you are terrorism before the JCPOA. They re- this country and Deutsche Bank, that adding to? What is it you are trying to main the world’s foremost state spon- is known as a money laundering bank, change or make better? If it has noth- sor of terrorism after the JCPOA. We that is involved with the President of ing to do with the agreement, then why ought to know something about the the United States. are we doing it? leadership of this terrorist nation, and Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of Mr. POLIQUIN. Will the gentle- I think the next speaker will tell us my time. woman yield? even more. Mr. HENSARLING. Mr. Chairman, I Ms. MAXINE WATERS of California. Mr. Chairman, I yield 3 minutes to yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from I yield to the gentleman from Maine to the gentleman from North Carolina Ohio (Mr. DAVIDSON), who is never an respond to that description of what (Mr. BUDD), another outstanding mem- apologist for the leading state sponsor this bill is all about. ber of the Financial Services Com- of terrorism in the world. He is a proud Mr. POLIQUIN. Mr. Chairman, to the mittee. member of the Financial Services Com- gentlewoman from California and to Mr. BUDD. Mr. Chairman, I rise mittee. the other side of the aisle, I do want to today in support of Mr. POLIQUIN’s bill, Mr. DAVIDSON. Mr. Chairman, I just make sure I make a few things clear. the Iranian Leadership Asset Trans- have to say, I am in shock. I am listen- First of all, I am not sure if it was parency Act, and I thank him for his ing to the kind of thinking that, if it the gentlewoman or someone else say- leadership on this issue. had caught on in the eighties, may ing: Why in the dickens would we di- It is not uncommon these days to see have allowed the Cold War to continue. vert resources away from fighting ter- Iranian fingerprints all over the insta- When I enlisted in the Army, I was rorism to post this information on the bility and unrest that plague the Mid- privileged to serve in Germany, wear Treasury website? It costs too much. dle East. That is why our own State

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:47 Dec 14, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00026 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K13DE7.048 H13DEPT1 December 13, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H9873 Department classifies Iran as a country unraveling of the international sanc- I urge a ‘‘yes’’ vote on Mr. POLIQUIN’s of primary concern for money laun- tions regime against Iran, and deal a legislation. dering and international terror financ- devastating blow to the credibility of Ms. MAXINE WATERS of California. ing. America’s leadership and our commit- Mr. Chairman, I continue to reserve Just this weekend, Mr. Chair, we saw ments to our closest allies. the balance of my time. their handiwork yet again. This time, I think that is a very powerful state- Mr. HENSARLING. Mr. Chairman, it was Lebanon, where the now largely ment. I do know that Iran is in compli- may I inquire how much time I have Iranian-backed Hezbollah influenced ance. We have a very strict and strong remaining on my side? government called for economic sanc- monitoring program, and they are in The Acting CHAIR. The gentleman tions on the United States. Why? compliance. from Texas has 53⁄4 minutes. Simply for recognizing Jerusalem as Mr. HENSARLING. Mr. Chairman, I b 1545 1 the capital of Israel. yield 2 ⁄2 minutes again to the gen- Just a few at the top in this corrupt So the questions become: If indeed tleman from Maine (Mr. POLIQUIN), the Iranian regime are flush with cash, but they are in compliance, why would we sponsor of the legislation. interfere with the plan? Why would we they support illicit causes and terror in Mr. POLIQUIN. Mr. Chairman, I did jeopardize this plan that has been the Middle East, all the while the aver- want to respond to the gentlewoman worked on with our strong allies in an age Iranian gets by on an average sal- from California and to other folks who attempt to try and find another way to are on the other side of this bill. ary of $15,000 a year. say that Iran must be scrutinized? First of all, I think it is very clear to Accountability for those profiting at Everything in this plan has to do the world that the Iranian Government the top, at the expense of those suf- with discontinuing the development of has been cheating on the nuclear deal fering at the bottom, is long overdue. nuclear capability. I think we should almost since day one. I think it was Luckily, Mr. POLIQUIN’s bill helps us to respect the work that we have done within months, Mr. Chairman, that achieve this goal by requiring that the with our allies and discontinue all of they test-fired both medium-range and Treasury Department provide a report these attempts to undermine the deal long-range ballistic missiles, in viola- to Congress on the financial assets of that we have entered in with and tion of an 8-year ban on developing these senior Iranian officials involved caused our allies to distrust us. those conventional weapons. in corruption and illicit finance. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance So I think it is kind of silly for us to Also, if enacted, this bill will shed of my time. be debating here about a government light on Iranian terror activities and Mr. HENSARLING. Mr. Chairman, I that sponsors terrorism and vows to let the Iranian people know how their yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from wipe Israel off the face of the Earth leaders actually operate. This is a key New Jersey (Mr. LANCE), a member of and kill as many Americans as they aspect of the bill, since most news is the House Energy and Commerce Com- can, as a leadership regime that is disseminated through government-con- mittee. going to abide by this agreement when trolled outlets. True information is Mr. LANCE. Mr. Chairman, I rise in they have proven they are not. hard to come by. strong support of the Iranian Leader- Second of all, as I have mentioned The bottom line is this: This is an ship Asset Transparency Act, and I several times, my bill has nothing to important piece of legislation that I thank Chairman HENSARLING and Rep- do with this agreement. But, then believe will help disrupt the Iranian resentative POLIQUIN for their leader- again, someone on the other side of the terror network. I urge all my Democrat ship on this issue. aisle, Mr. Chairman, also said: Well, we colleagues to support this measure. We must be scrutinizing the financial think American officials, American Let’s send a message to this regime dealings of senior Iranian political and leaders, should be responsible for dis- that this body, the people’s House, is military leaders. It is in the national closing that. united on this front, and let’s send a security interest of the United States Well, here is the difference: America message to the Iranian people that we to understand the international web of does not sponsor terrorism. The Ira- are with them as well. finances that supports terror oper- nian Government does. I again thank my friend, Mr. ations and other nefarious causes. That is exactly what we are trying to POLIQUIN from Maine, for his leadership I am pleased that this bill includes get at, Mr. Chairman. I am trying to on this issue, and I urge adoption of his an amendment I proposed to target the understand what folks who will not legislation. head of the Atomic Energy Organiza- support this bill are going to say when Ms. MAXINE WATERS of California. tion of Iran, a position currently held they go back home at Christmastime, May I inquire as to how much time I by Ali Akbar Salehi, to the list of Ira- when they had an opportunity to shed have remaining. nian leaders named in this legislation. sunlight on the top political and mili- The Acting CHAIR. The gentlewoman Given Iran’s violations of inter- tary leaders in Iran who are ripping off from California has 101⁄2 minutes re- national law and its clear ties to inter- the Iranian people and who are spon- maining. national terrorism—it is, after all, the soring terrorism, why it is a bad idea Ms. MAXINE WATERS of California. leading state sponsor of terrorism to make sure this information is public Mr. Chairman, I have here a Statement across the globe—we should be moni- to the world as well as to the Iranian of Administrative Policy from the pre- toring the finances of the head of its people. I would like to understand what vious President, where he advised us nuclear program to ensure compliance they are going to say when they go when this bill came before the House with sanctions and other laws. back home and talk to their constitu- before that it would be vetoed by the For years, the Iranian regime has ents. administration. been mired in institutionalized corrup- Mr. Chairman, I am grateful for this I will read to you from one of the tion, to the detriment of the people of opportunity. This is a terrific bill. It paragraphs in the veto message. He that great country. In the nexus of nu- does something very common sense: said, in addition: ‘‘This bill’s required clear weapons, state-sponsored ter- put pressure through sunlight, through public postings also may be perceived rorism, money laundering, secret fi- transparency, on the chief sponsor of by Iran, and likely our Joint Com- nancial agreements, and mass pilfering terrorism in the world—the Iranian re- prehensive Plan of Action, JCPOA, from the Iranian people is cause for gime. partners as an attempt to undermine great alarm. This legislation is a re- Ms. MAXINE WATERS of California. the fulfillment of our commitments, in sponse to all of that. It is completely Mr. Chairman, I appreciate the infor- turn, impacting the continued viability bipartisan in nature. It is the way we mation that is being shared by my col- of this diplomatic arrangement that should act in the House of Representa- league, Mr. POLIQUIN. I am going to peacefully and verifiably prevents Iran tives in a bipartisan capacity. The na- yield more time to him to explain to from acquiring a nuclear weapon.’’ tional security interests of the United me: The missiles that he is describing If the JCPOA were to fail on that States know no partisan bounds. in Iran, that are not a part of the deal, basis, it would remove the unprece- Mr. Chairman, we need all of the of the plan, are they similar to the dented constraints on and monitoring tools at our disposal to investigate the missiles that are being fired with nu- of Iran’s nuclear program, lead to the finances of this terrorist regime. clear warheads from North Korea.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:47 Dec 14, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00027 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K13DE7.049 H13DEPT1 H9874 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE December 13, 2017 Mr. POLIQUIN. Will the gentle- Act’’ (H.R. 1638). As we noted in our state- rial transfers. This process is labor-intensive woman yield? ment opposing the bill when it was intro- and requires the judicious use of our na- Ms. MAXINE WATERS of California. duced last year, it risks harming the U.S. tional intelligence assets. Redirecting these I yield to the gentleman from Maine. Government’s ability to ensure Iranian and assets to preparing this onerous public re- third party compliance with the agreement port would be counterproductive and will not Mr. POLIQUIN. Mr. Chairman, can and to counter Iran’s dangerous non-nuclear reduce institutional corruption or promote the gentlewoman repeat the question behavior by redirecting and tying up the transparency within Iran’s system. again? I didn’t understand it. very USG personnel and resources charged In addition, this bill’s required public post- Ms. MAXINE WATERS of California. with those tasks. ings also may be perceived by Iran and likely Mr. Chairman, I said: The missiles that J Street also urges Members to oppose the our Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action he is referring to, that he is concerned so-called ‘‘Strengthening Oversight of Iran’s (JCPOA) partners as an attempt to under- about with Iran, that are not a part of Access to Finance Act’’ (H.R. 4324), which is mine the fulfilment of our commitments, in clearly intended to lead to a U.S. violation of the plan, are they similar to the bal- turn impacting the continued viability of the JCPOA. this diplomatic arrangement that peacefully listic missiles that are being fired from This bill would impose additional certifi- and verifiably prevents Iran from acquiring a North Korea with nuclear warheads cation requirements on the administration nuclear weapon. If the JCPOA were to fail on possibly on them? in order to carry out current U.S. obliga- that basis, it would remove the unprece- Mr. POLIQUIN. Mr. Chairman, the tions related to commercial aircraft sales dented constraints on and monitoring of missiles that I was referring to are under the JCPOA. These new obligations re- Iran’s nuclear program, lead to the unravel- very clear to the gentlewoman from quire the administration to certify that Iran ing of the international sanctions regime California. They deal specifically with is not engaged in certain non-nuclear activ- against Iran, and deal a devastating blow to ity, or issue a national security waiver say- the Iran nuclear deal, which is a dan- the credibility of America’s leadership and ing they’ll allow the planes to be sold any- our commitments to our closest allies. gerous deal for this world and for this way. In other words, it imposes new, unilat- As we address our concerns with Iran’s nu- country. It has nothing to do with any eral terms for continuation of the JCPOA clear program through implementation of issue dealing with North Korea. that are unrelated to Iran’s nuclear conduct. the JCPOA, the Administration remains Ms. MAXINE WATERS of California. It has been widely reported in connection clear-eyed regarding Iran’s support for ter- Are they more dangerous than the mis- with the president’s recent refusal to make rorism, its ballistic missile program, human siles from North Korea? the necessary certification to Congress under rights abuses, and destabilizing activity in Mr. POLIQUIN. What difference does the Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act that the region. The United States should retain the president resents having to undertake of- that have to do with the—— all of the tools needed to counter this activ- ficial actions to keep the United States in ity, ranging from powerful sanctions to our Ms. MAXINE WATERS of California. Mr. compliance with the JCPOA. Proponents of efforts to disrupt and interdict illicit ship- Chairman, reclaiming my time, I will tell this legislation clearly hope to make use of ments of weapons and proliferation-sensitive Mr. POLIQUIN what difference it makes. the president’s apparent resistance to taking technologies. This bill would adversely affect Here we are with threats from North such steps by adding a new certification re- the U.S. Government’s ability to wield these Korea and the President of the United quirement that they hope he will also fail to tools, would undermine the very goals it pur- States unwilling to be involved with di- meet—thereby blocking the sale of commer- ports to achieve, and could even endanger plomacy, who, rather, would like to ba- cial aircraft and forcing a U.S. violation of our ability to ensure that Iran’s nuclear pro- sically mimic and mock the leader of the agreement. gram is and remains exclusively peaceful. North Korea by calling him ‘‘Little Anyone doubting that this is the point of If the President were presented with H.R. the bill need look no further than the first Rocket Man,’’ and by telling the Sec- 5461, his senior advisors would recommend finding, which makes clear that this bill is a that he veto this bill. retary of State: Don’t talk to him. It is gratuitously anti-Obama, anti-JCPOA vehi- no use to talk with him. cle, and not a serious. Ms. MAXINE WATERS of California. Mr. Chairman, we are opposed to this So here we have North Korea, who Ms. MAXINE WATERS of California. bill not because we are not concerned has already indicated that they have Mr. Chairman, I also include in the about the security of our country and missiles that will reach us right here in RECORD a Statement of Administration security of our allies in the Middle the United States, anywhere in the Policy from the previous Obama ad- East. The Members on the opposite side United States, and Mr. POLIQUIN is tell- ministration, which I read a paragraph of the aisle don’t care any more than ing me about his concern about mis- from. siles in Iran that are not a part of the we care, but we respect when our lead- STATEMENT OF ADMINISTRATION POLICY nuclear deal. ership and our country gets involved H.R. 5461—IRANIAN LEADERSHIP ASSET Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance and negotiates with another country, TRANSPARENCY ACT of my time. such as they have done with Iran, and The Administration shares the Congress’ they come to some agreements. We Mr. HENSARLING. Mr. Chairman, I goals of increasing transparency and bring- have no other speakers, and I believe I ing Iran into compliance with international would like our country to live up to have the right to close. standards in the global fight against terror the agreement. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance finance and money laundering. However, this When we have included in that agree- of my time. bill would be counterproductive toward those ment a description of the monitoring Ms. MAXINE WATERS of California. shared goals. that will be done, and when that moni- Mr. Chairman, may I inquire as to how The bill requires the U.S. Government to toring is being carried out, and when it publicly report all assets held by some of is represented to us by those that we much time I have remaining? Iran’s highest leaders and to describe how The Acting CHAIR. The gentlewoman these assets are acquired and used. Rather have in charge of that monitoring that from California has 6 minutes remain- than preventing terrorist financing and that country, Iran, is in compliance, ing. money laundering, this bill would we believe them. And when we trust Ms. MAXINE WATERS of California. incentivize those involved to make their fi- our negotiators, when we trust our Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time nancial dealings less transparent and create country, when we trust our leadership, as I may consume. a disincentive for Iran’s banking sector to and Iran is in compliance, there is no Mr. Chairman, I include in the demonstrate transparency. These onerous re- reason to try and undo the deal. There porting requirements also would take crit- is no reason to come behind the agree- RECORD a statement from J Street that ical resources away from the U.S. Depart- is in opposition to this legislation. ment of the Treasury’s important work to ment and what has been negotiated and J STREET, identify Iranian entities engaged in begin to think of ways that they be- December 12, 2017. sanctionable conduct. Producing this infor- lieve we ought to expand that agree- MEMBERS OF THE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTA- mation could also compromise intelligence ment. We could, in the Congress of the TIVES, sources and methods. United States, come up with a new idea Washington, DC. One of our best tools for impeding desta- every day. With all of the Members of DEAR MEMBERS OF CONGRESS: J Street bilizing Iranian activities has been to iden- this House, with all of the different urges Members to oppose H.R. 1638 and H.R. tify Iranian companies that are controlled thoughts and, possibly, ideas, and ev- 4324, which would undermine or violate the by the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (IRGC) or other Iranians on the list of Spe- erybody thinking they are smarter (JCPOA) on Iran’s nuclear activities. cially Designated Nationals and Blocked than everybody else, we could come up J Street again urges Members to oppose Persons (SDN List) to non-U.S. businesses, with all kinds of plans to interfere with the ‘‘Iranian Leadership Asset Transparency so that they can block assets or stop mate- that agreement.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 05:20 Dec 14, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00028 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K13DE7.051 H13DEPT1 December 13, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H9875 But I would advise the Members of even though it is being questioned range of other support for Iranian- this House and the Members on the op- more and more. aligned groups in Iraq, Syria, and posite side of the aisle that they do not Mr. Chairman, I ask Members to vote Yemen. Yet we continue to hear from need to do this. This is a bad idea. I ‘‘no’’ on this bill, and I yield back the the ranking member that we shouldn’t would advise them to put faith in the balance of my time. learn anything about their leadership. negotiations that have gone on and to The Acting CHAIR (Mr. RODNEY Again, we might step on their toes accept the representations about com- DAVIS of Illinois). The Chair reminds after the JCPOA, and we wouldn’t want pliance that we are being given. We are all Members to address their remarks to do that. We wouldn’t want to be in- being assured that not only is the mon- to the Chair. sensitive to international terrorists. itoring taking place, but Iran is in Mr. HENSARLING. Mr. Chairman, In 2016, Hezbollah’s leader, Hassan compliance. may I inquire how much time I have Nasrallah, boasted: ‘‘We are open about So, again, I am so worried about our remaining? the fact that Hezbollah’s budget, its in- role in this country today and the fact The Acting CHAIR. The gentleman come, its expenses, everything it eats that our leadership is being diminished from Texas has 33⁄4 minutes remaining. and drinks, its weapons and rockets are day by day because of the way that our b 1600 from the Islamic Republican of Iran.’’ President and the White House is han- I mean, how much more do we need dling our relationships with other Mr. HENSARLING. Mr. Chair, I yield to know? Why do we continue to have countries. As a matter of fact, we see a myself such time as I may consume. Members of the United States Congress President that is endangering us and Mr. Chairman, I find it fascinating come to the floor of this institution destroying relationships constantly. how often the ranking member criti- and somehow want to seemingly pro- I mention that we have in this deal cized our own President and didn’t tect the leaders of this rogue regime? Russia, China, Germany, England, and have one critical comment for the We want to know more information. France. I asked the question: What are President of Iran, the nation which our We want to disseminate this informa- our allies in this agreement saying State Department, including the tion. We want the whole world to know about our attempts to interfere with Obama State Department, has labeled about the leadership of the world’s the agreement? Do they agree with as the world’s foremost state sponsor foremost state sponsor of terrorism. It them? Are they consulted? Are they of terrorism. But yet, in the last al- is exactly what the gentleman from unhappy about what is being done? most hour we have not heard one single Maine is trying to. I salute him for his I suppose they could do the same in critical word. leadership. their countries every day. They could We hear much about the JCPOA, the I encourage all Members to vote come up with new ways to interfere Iran nuclear deal, perhaps one of the ‘‘aye’’ for his bill. with the agreement. They could begin worst arrangements, international Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of to ask questions about us and why we agreements that has ever been entered my time. are doing what we are doing. They into by our country, but look as I may, The Acting CHAIR. All time for gen- could even ask questions about why are in the legislation—and it is 9 pages eral debate has expired. we concerned about the assets of those long, not 900—you will not see the Pursuant to the rule, the bill shall be who are not sanctionable when we are JCPOA in it. considered for amendment under the 5- not concerned about the assets of our Mr. POLIQUIN’s bill, the Iranian Lead- minute rule. own President. ership Asset Transparency Act, is just In lieu of the amendment in the na- Mr. Chairman, this is Mr. POLIQUIN’s that. It is seeking to have greater ture of a substitute recommended by bill. He wants to know about the assets international transparency for the the Committee on Financial Services, of leaders in Iran. leaders of this rogue nation, regardless printed in the bill, it shall be in order Has he seen his President’s tax re- of the JCPOA. to consider as an original bill for the turns? Does he know about his assets? Let’s remember what the gentleman purpose of amendment under the 5- Does he know about where they have from Ohio reminded us, that it was be- minute rule an amendment in the na- come from? Does he know about how cause of information, including radio- ture of a substitute consisting of the they are utilized? free Europe, that went across the Iron text of Rules Committee Print 115–47. I don’t think so. Curtain that ultimately brought that That amendment in the nature of a So I think it is very, very important curtain down and freed millions. We substitute shall be considered as read. for us to do everything that we can to want to make sure the Iranian people The text of the amendment in the na- have our allies trust us, to live up to know about their own leadership. ture of a substitute is as follows: Our own State Department has said the deals that we make, not to ask H.R. 1638 more of others than we are willing to the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ Quds Force along with Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- do ourselves, no. resentatives of the United States of America in We are not sponsors of terrorism. We Iranian partners, allies, and proxies Congress assembled, are a people who have always tried to continue to play a destabilizing role in SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. avoid war. Unfortunately, we have en- military conflicts in Iraq, Syria, and This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Iranian Leader- gaged in it, and we know that it is not Yemen, but the ranking member says: ship Asset Transparency Act’’. the best answer to trying to deal with Oh, let’s not say anything about their SEC. 2. FINDINGS. the problems that we encounter around leadership because we might hurt their The Congress finds the following: the world. I do believe that we honestly feelings. (1) Iran is characterized by high levels of offi- try to avoid war and that we work for The State Department goes on to cial and institutional corruption, and substan- peace. say: Iran continued to recruit fighters tial involvement by Iran’s security forces, par- This is working for peace, and peace from across the region to join Iranian- ticularly the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in the Middle East is one of the most affiliated Shia militia forces engaged (IRGC), in the economy. in conflicts in Syria and Iraq and has (2) Many members of Iran’s senior political important goals that we should have. I and military leadership have acquired signifi- see the opportunities for that eroding even offered a path to citizenship for cant personal and institutional wealth by using every day. those who heed this call. And yet the their positions to secure control of significant So I would ask Mr. POLIQUIN to think ranking member says let’s not report portions of Iran’s national economy. about what he is doing. I believe that on the leadership of this rogue regime (3) Sanctions relief provided through the Joint his intentions are good, but I think it because they are very sensitive people. Comprehensive Plan of Action has resulted in is a bad bill. The State Department goes on to the removal of many Iranian entities that are Mr. Chairman, I ask for a ‘‘no’’ vote say: Hezbollah continued to work tied to governmental corruption from the list of on this bill. It is not needed. I think it closely with Iran in these conflict entities sanctioned by the United States. (4) The Department of Treasury in 2011 des- creates problems with our allies, and zones, playing a major role in sup- ignated the Islamic Republic of Iran’s financial they begin to wonder whether or not porting the Syrian Government’s ef- sector as a jurisdiction of primary money laun- they can trust us. We are an honorable forts to maintain control in the terri- dering concern under section 311 of the USA people and we are leaders in the world, tory and providing training and a PATRIOT Act, stating ‘‘Treasury has for the

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first time identified the entire Iranian financial (4) a description of any new methods or tech- (2) FUNDS.—The term ‘‘funds’’ means— sector; including Iran’s Central Bank, private niques used to evade anti-money laundering (A) cash; Iranian banks, and branches, and subsidiaries and related laws, including recommendations to (B) equity; of Iranian banks operating outside of Iran as improve techniques to combat illicit uses of the (C) any other intangible asset whose value is posing illicit finance risks for the global finan- U.S. financial system by each natural person derived from a contractual claim, including cial system.’’. described in subsection (b); bank deposits, bonds, stocks, a security as de- (5) Iran continues to be listed by the Finan- (5) recommendations for how U.S. economic fined in section 2(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 cial Action Task Force (FATF) among the sanctions against Iran may be revised to prevent (15 U.S.C. 77b(a)), or a security or an equity se- ‘‘Non-Cooperative Countries or Territories’’— the funds or assets described under this sub- curity as defined in section 3(a) of the Securities countries which it perceived to be non-coopera- section from being used by the natural persons Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78c(a)); and tive in the global fight against terror finance described in subsection (b) to contribute to the (D) anything else that the Secretary deter- and money laundering. continued development, testing, and procure- mines appropriate. (6) Iran and North Korea are the only coun- ment of ballistic missile technology by Iran; SEC. 4. SENSE OF CONGRESS. tries listed by the FATF as ‘‘Non-Cooperative (6) a description of how the Department of the It is the sense of Congress that in preparing Countries or Territories’’ against which FATF Treasury assesses the impact and effectiveness the reports required under section 3, the Sec- countries should take measures. of U.S. economic sanctions programs against retary of the Treasury should consider acquir- (7) The Transparency International index of Iran; and ing information from sources that— perceived public corruption ranks Iran 130th out (7) recommendations for improving the ability (1) collect and, if necessary, translate high-ve- of 168 countries surveyed. of the Department of the Treasury to rapidly racity, official records; or (8) The State Department identified Iran as a and effectively develop, implement, and enforce (2) provide search and analysis tools that en- ‘‘major money-laundering country’’ in its Inter- additional economic sanctions against Iran if so able law enforcement to have new insights into national Narcotics Control Strategy Report ordered by the President under the Inter- commercial and financial relationships. (INCSR) for 2016. national Emergency Economic Powers Act or (9) The State Department currently identifies other corresponding legislation. The Acting CHAIR. No amendment Iran, along with Sudan and Syria, as a state (b) PERSONS DESCRIBED.—The natural persons to that amendment in the nature of a sponsor of terrorism, ‘‘having repeatedly pro- described in this subsection are the following: substitute shall be in order except vided support for acts of international ter- (1) The Supreme Leader of Iran. those printed in part A of House Report rorism’’. (2) The President of Iran. 115–463. Each such amendment may be (3) Members of the Council of Guardians. (10) The State Department’s ‘‘Country Reports offered only in the order printed in the on Terrorism’’, published last in July 2017, noted (4) Members of the Expediency Council. that ‘‘Iran continued to sponsor terrorist groups (5) The Minister of Intelligence and Security. report, by a Member designated in the around the world, principally through its Is- (6) The Commander and the Deputy Com- report, shall be considered as read, lamic Revolutionary Guard Corps–Qods Force mander of the IRGC. shall be debatable for the time speci- (IRGC–QF). These groups included Lebanese (7) The Commander and the Deputy Com- fied in the report equally divided and Hizballah, several Iraqi Shia militant groups, mander of the IRGC Ground Forces. controlled by the proponent and an op- (8) The Commander and the Deputy Com- Hamas, and Palestine Islamic Jihad. Iran, ponent, shall not be subject to amend- Hizballah, and other Shia militia continued to mander of the IRGC Aerospace Force. (9) The Commander and the Deputy Com- ment, and shall not be subject to a de- provide support to the Asad regime, dramati- mander of the IRGC Navy. mand for division of the question. cally bolstering its capabilities, prolonging the (10) The Commander of the Basij-e- civil war in Syria, and worsening the human AMENDMENT NO. 1 OFFERED BY MR. SCHNEIDER Mostaz’afin. rights and refugee crisis there.’’. The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order (11) The Commander of the Qods Force. (11) The Iranian Government’s tolerance of (12) The Commander in Chief of the Police to consider amendment No. 1 printed in corruption and nepotism in business limits op- Force. part A of House Report 115–463. portunities for foreign and domestic investment, (13) The head of the IRGC Joint Staff. Mr. SCHNEIDER. Mr. Chair, I have particularly given the significant involvement of (14) The Commander of the IRGC Intelligence. an amendment at the desk. the IRGC in many sectors of Iran’s economy. (15) The head of the IRGC Imam Hussein Uni- (12) The IRGC and the leadership-controlled The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will versity. designate the amendment. bonyads (foundations) control an estimated one- (16) The Supreme Leader’s Representative at third of Iran’s total economy, including large the IRGC. The text of the amendment is as fol- portions of Iran’s telecommunications, construc- (17) The Chief Executive Officer and the lows: tion, and airport and port operations. These op- Chairman of the IRGC Cooperative Foundation. Page 5, line 23, strike ‘‘to contribute to’’ erations give the IRGC and bonyads vast funds (18) The Commander of the Khatam-al-Anbia and all that follows through ‘‘by Iran;’’ on to support terrorist organizations such as Construction Head Quarter. page 5, line 25 and insert the following: ‘‘to Hezbollah and Hamas. (19) The Chief Executive Officer of the Basij contribute—’’ (13) By gaining control of major economic sec- Cooperative Foundation. (A) to the continued development, testing, tors, the IRGC and bonyads have also served to (20) The head of the Political Bureau of the and procurement of ballistic missile tech- further disadvantage the average Iranian. IRGC. nology by Iran; and SEC. 3. REPORT REQUIREMENT RELATING TO AS- (21) The head of the Atomic Energy Organiza- (B) to human rights abuses. SETS OF IRANIAN LEADERS AND tion of Iran. The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to CERTAIN SENIOR POLITICAL FIG- (c) FORM OF REPORT; PUBLIC AVAILABILITY.— URES. (1) FORM.—The report required under sub- House Resolution 658, the gentleman (a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 270 days section (a) shall be submitted in unclassified from Illinois (Mr. SCHNEIDER) and a after the date of enactment of this Act, and an- form but may contain a classified annex. Member opposed each will control 5 nually thereafter (or more frequently if the Sec- (2) PUBLIC AVAILABILITY.—The unclassified minutes. retary of the Treasury determines it appropriate portion of such report shall be made available to The Chair recognizes the gentleman based on new information received by the Sec- the public and posted on the website of the De- from Illinois. retary) for the following 2 years, the Secretary partment of the Treasury— of the Treasury shall, in furtherance of the Sec- (A) in English, Farsi, Arabic, and Azeri; and Mr. SCHNEIDER. Mr. Chair, I rise in retary’s efforts to prevent the financing of ter- (B) in precompressed, easily downloadable support of this bipartisan amendment rorism, money laundering, or related illicit fi- versions that are made available in all appro- to H.R. 1638, the Iranian Leadership nance and to make financial institutions’ re- priate formats. Asset Transparency Act. quired compliance with remaining sanctions (d) SOURCES OF INFORMATION.—In preparing a I would like to thank my colleague more easily understood, submit a report to the report described under subsection (a), the Sec- from Texas, Judge POE, for joining me appropriate congressional committees con- retary of the Treasury may use any credible in this effort. taining— publication, database, web-based resource, pub- Iran is a bad and dangerous actor in (1) the estimated total funds or assets held in lic information compiled by any government accounts at U.S. and foreign financial institu- agency, and any information collected or com- a volatile region of the world, which is tions that are under direct or indirect control by piled by a nongovernmental organization or why Congress has enacted sanctions in each natural person described in subsection (b) other entity provided to or made available to the response to Tehran’s dangerous bal- and a description of such assets; Secretary, that the Secretary finds credible. listic missile program and support for (2) an identification of any equity stake such (e) DEFINITIONS.—For purposes of this section: terrorist proxy groups, including natural person has in an entity on the Depart- (1) APPROPRIATE CONGRESSIONAL COMMIT- Hezbollah. We must hold senior Iranian ment of the Treasury’s list of Specially Des- TEES.—The term ‘‘appropriate congressional leadership accountable for desta- ignated Nationals or in any other sanctioned committees’’ means the Committees on Financial entity; Services and Foreign Affairs of the House of bilizing actions in the region and (3) a description of how such funds or assets Representatives and the Committees on Bank- around the world. or equity interests were acquired, and how they ing, Housing, and Urban Affairs and Foreign The legislation on the floor today is have been used or employed; Relations of the Senate. an effort to shine a light and focus our

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:47 Dec 14, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00030 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A13DE7.016 H13DEPT1 December 13, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H9877 efforts on assets held by top Iranian of- the Iranian Government. This amend- will require the Treasury Department ficials, including the Supreme Leader, ment helps ensure that funds held by to issue recommendations as to how we members of the Council of Guardians, senior Iranian leaders do not con- can better prevent the mullahs from members of the Expediency Council, tribute to these human rights abuses continuing the violent assault on and high-ranking military leaders. and that U.S. sanctions are best posi- human rights of the Iranian people. Specifically, the bill requires the tioned to improve Iran’s human rights The United States must be at the fore- Secretary of the Treasury to report to situation. front of this battle for human rights Congress information on the assets I hope that my colleagues will join and decency for the Iranian people. held by senior Iranian leaders. Included me in supporting this important We must call out the Ayatollah and in this report are recommendations on amendment. the mullahs for what they are doing. how to improve the effectiveness of Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of They are persecuting, violating human U.S. sanctions to prevent these assets my time. rights of the Iranian people. The Ira- and funding from being used by Iranian Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Chair, I claim nian regime is the number one state officials to further develop Iran’s bal- time in opposition to the amendment, sponsor of world terror, and it also listic missile program. although I am not opposed. rains down terror on its own people. We My amendment simply, but impor- The Acting CHAIR. Without objec- need to put the squeeze on them even if tantly, expands this requirement to in- tion, the gentleman from Texas is rec- it hurts their little feelings. clude Iran’s human rights abuses. We ognized for 5 minutes. I urge support of this amendment, should be using every tool in our tool- There was no objection. Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I and I reserve the balance of my time. box to make clear to Iran that its Mr. SCHNEIDER. Mr. Chair, I thank thank Mr. SCHNEIDER for bringing this human rights abuses are unacceptable. my colleague, Judge POE, and I yield amendment. I am glad to be a cospon- The human rights situation in Iran is back the balance of my time. appalling, and abuses permeate many sor of the amendment. Mr. Chair, the Iranians are a serious Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Chair, I thank aspects of Iranian society. In Iran, re- the gentleman once again for bringing pression and persecution of members of threat to the world, to international security. Iran’s foreign policy is very this amendment to the floor. I gladly different religious faiths, including support it. Sunni Muslims, Christians, and Baha’is clear. The Ayatollah has said it numerous times and continues to say that the And that is just the way it is. is pervasive. The State Department’s Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of foreign policy of Iran is: First, destroy International Religious Freedom Re- my time. Israel; second, destroy the United port of 2016 cites at least 103 members The Acting CHAIR. The question is States. They have never wavered on of minority religious groups impris- on the amendment offered by the gen- this goal, and they are doing every- oned for their religious activities. tleman from Illinois (Mr. SCHNEIDER). thing they can militarily to eventually Since 1979, Iran has executed more The amendment was agreed to. than 200 Baha’i leaders and, over the try to reach those two goals. But the greatest victims of the AMENDMENT NO. 2 OFFERED BY MS. MENG past 10 years, has conducted more than The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order 850 arbitrary arrests of Baha’i individ- mullah’s regime in Tehran are the people of Iran. They have been held hos- to consider amendment No. 2 printed in uals. part A of House Report 115–463. Sexual orientation and gender iden- tage by the Supreme Leader who obviously cares more about ballistic mis- Ms. MENG. Mr. Chair, I have an tity are not protected categories from amendment at the desk. discrimination under Iranian law, and siles and international terrorism than taking care of the livelihood of the The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will same-sex acts are punishable by flog- designate the amendment. ging and possibly even death. people who live under this regime. The regime has become a notorious The text of the amendment is as fol- Arbitrary and unlawful killings are lows: numerous. The State Department’s an- international leader in suppression, Page 6, line 3, strike ‘‘and’’ at the end. nual Human Rights Report says the execution, torture, and inhumanity. The world knows about what is taking Page 6, after line 3, insert the following Iranian Government announced 114 new paragraph (and redesignate the subse- executions by August of 2016 and that place in Iran, and the good people of quent paragraph accordingly): unofficial reports suggest a total of 469 Iran have no political space for expres- (7) an assessment of the impact and effec- executions by the end of that year. The sion or dissent. If they decide to dis- tiveness of U.S. economic sanctions pro- U.N. puts this number even higher at sent from the actions of the Ayatollah, grams against Iran; and 530 executions in 2016. well, it is off to jail or they are hung in The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to Freedom of speech is limited, media the public square. We saw what the re- House Resolution 658, the gentlewoman is censored, and publications have been gime did to the protesters of the Green from New York (Ms. MENG) and a Mem- banned and closed by the government. Movement in 2009. ber opposed each will control 5 min- Harassment and detainment of journal- Despite what some people still try to utes. ists continue, and Iran’s citizens are say, the current government is not The Chair recognizes the gentle- not allowed to criticize the govern- seeking any sort of moderation. Over woman from New York. ment, Supreme Leader, or official reli- 3,000 executions have taken place under Ms. MENG. Mr. Chair, I rise today to gion. the regime’s so-called President offer an amendment that I think every The electoral system in Iran is nei- Rouhani. Scores of human rights de- Member of this body can support, no ther free nor fair. In 2016, 79 percent of fenders and political activists are still matter how they intend to vote on the candidates running for the Assem- in prison or under House arrest, and final passage of H.R. 1638. bly of Experts and 58 percent running they haven’t been charged with any- This amendment simply seeks to infor the Islamic Consultative Assembly thing and, of course, they haven’t been sert a single new requirement into the were disqualified by the Guardian tried. report required by H.R. 1638, and that Council. The United States needs to prioritize new requirement is as follows: ‘‘an as- And we cannot forget about the elevating the voices of the Iranian peo- sessment of the impact and effective- Americans and other foreigners who ple who are persecuted under oppres- ness of U.S. economic sanctions pro- Iran has unjustly detained and con- sion by this regime. These Iranians grams against Iran.’’ tinues to hold on fabricated charges, really represent the best of the Iranian including the following individuals civilization, and they are going to be b 1615 whose family members testified before the future of Iran. Whether you voted for the Iran deal the House Foreign Affairs Committee We should take note of what is hap- or against it, or whether you think earlier this year: Baquer and Siamak pening to them. It should be the U.S. economic sanctions are an effective Namazi, Nizar Zakka, and, of course, foreign policy to focus significant at- diplomatic tool or something that Robert Levinson, who has been held for tention on the serious human rights sounds better than it is, I hope Mem- more than 10 years. violations taking place in Iran. bers will support this amendment. These are just a handful of examples I am happy to support and join Mr. We should make evidence-based pol- of egregious human rights abuses by SCHNEIDER in this amendment which icy decisions in this body, whenever

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Treasury to submit a report to the ap- TION TECHNICAL CLARIFICATION If we are going to require a new re- propriate congressional committees on ACT, AND PROVIDING FOR CON- port from the Treasury in this bill, and the estimated total assets under direct SIDERATION OF H.R. 4015, COR- that report must include ‘‘a description or indirect control by certain senior PORATE GOVERNANCE REFORM of how Treasury assesses the impact Iranian leaders and other figures, and AND TRANSPARENCY ACT OF and effectiveness of U.S. economic for other purposes, and, pursuant to 2017 sanctions programs against Iran,’’ I House Resolution 658, he reported the The SPEAKER pro tempore. The un- think it is only appropriate to ask for bill back to the House with an amend- finished business is the vote on order- the assessment itself; and that is what ment adopted in the Committee of the ing the previous question on the reso- this amendment does. Whole. lution (H. Res. 657) providing for con- Let me put it another way. Under- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under sideration of the bill (H.R. 2396) to standing how we count votes in Amer- the rule, the previous question is or- amend the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act to ica is important, but at the end of an dered. update the exception for certain annual election, I want to know the final Is a separate vote demanded on any notices provided by financial institu- tally. Who won? Who lost? What did we amendment to the amendment re- tions, and providing for consideration learn? ported from the Committee of the of the bill (H.R. 4015) to improve the Similarly, I think it is important Whole? quality of proxy advisory firms for the that if the Treasury is going to have to If not, the question is on the amend- protection of investors and the U.S. produce a new report on sanctions ment in the nature of a substitute, as economy, and in the public interest, by against Iran pursuant to H.R. 1638, that amended. fostering accountability, transparency, we understand exactly how the Treas- The amendment was agreed to. responsiveness, and competition in the ury intends to assess the impact and The SPEAKER pro tempore. The proxy advisory firm industry, on which effectiveness of those sanctions. question is on the engrossment and the yeas and nays were ordered. Even more importantly, though, I third reading of the bill. The Clerk read the title of the resolu- think this report should include the re- The bill was ordered to be engrossed tion. sults of that assessment, particularly and read a third time, and was read the when it comes to sanctions we have au- third time. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The thorized. That is all this amendment The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on ordering the previous seeks to require, and I hope everyone question is on the passage of the bill. question. in this body will support it. The question was taken; and the The vote was taken by electronic de- Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance Speaker pro tempore announced that vice, and there were—yeas 236, nays of my time. the ayes appeared to have it. 187, not voting 8, as follows: Mr. HENSARLING. Mr. Chairman, I Mr. HENSARLING. Mr. Speaker, on [Roll No. 678] claim the time in opposition to the that I demand the yeas and nays. YEAS—236 amendment, although I am not opposed The yeas and nays were ordered. Abraham Dent Jenkins (KS) to it. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- Aderholt DeSantis Jenkins (WV) The Acting CHAIR. Without objec- ant to clause 8 of rule XX, further pro- Allen DesJarlais Johnson (LA) tion, the gentleman from Texas is rec- Amash Diaz-Balart Johnson (OH) ceedings on this question will be post- Amodei Donovan Johnson, Sam ognized for 5 minutes. poned. Arrington Duffy Jones There was no objection. Babin Duncan (SC) Jordan f Mr. HENSARLING. Mr. Chairman, I Bacon Duncan (TN) Joyce (OH) want to thank the gentlewoman from RECESS Banks (IN) Dunn Katko Barletta Emmer Kelly (MS) New York for her amendment. I note The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- Barr Estes (KS) Kelly (PA) that she was a supporter of H.R. 5461, a ant to clause 12(a) of rule I, the Chair Barton Farenthold King (IA) nearly identical bill that passed the Bergman Faso King (NY) declares the House in recess subject to Biggs Ferguson Kinzinger House in the last Congress. I think that the call of the Chair. Bilirakis Fitzpatrick Knight her amendment is a valuable addition Accordingly (at 4 o’clock and 20 min- Bishop (MI) Fleischmann Kustoff (TN) to H.R. 1638. Indeed, we should always utes p.m.), the House stood in recess. Bishop (UT) Flores Labrador know the effectiveness of the programs Black Fortenberry LaHood f Blackburn Foxx LaMalfa that we promote. In this case, we do Blum Frelinghuysen Lamborn need to understand how effective eco- b 1647 Bost Gaetz Lance nomic sanctions may be. So I appre- Brady (TX) Gallagher Latta AFTER RECESS Brat Garrett Lewis (MN) ciate her leadership. Brooks (AL) Gianforte LoBiondo Mr. Chairman, I would urge all Mem- The recess having expired, the House Brooks (IN) Gibbs Long bers to vote ‘‘aye’’ on the amendment, was called to order by the Speaker pro Buchanan Gohmert Loudermilk and I yield back the balance of my tempore (Mr. WESTERMAN) at 4 o’clock Buck Goodlatte Love and 47 minutes p.m. Bucshon Gosar Lucas time. Budd Gowdy Luetkemeyer Ms. MENG. Mr. Chairman, I yield f Burgess Granger MacArthur back the balance of my time. Byrne Graves (GA) Marchant The Acting CHAIR. The question is ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER Calvert Graves (LA) Marino PRO TEMPORE Carter (GA) Graves (MO) Marshall on the amendment offered by the gen- Carter (TX) Griffith Massie tlewoman from New York (Ms. MENG). The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- Chabot Grothman Mast The amendment was agreed to. ant to clause 8 of rule XX, proceedings Cheney Guthrie McCarthy Coffman Handel McCaul The Acting CHAIR. The question is will resume on questions previously Cole Harper McClintock on the amendment in the nature of a postponed. Collins (GA) Harris McHenry substitute, as amended. Votes will be taken in the following Collins (NY) Hartzler McKinley The amendment was agreed to. order: Comer Hensarling McMorris Comstock Herrera Beutler Rodgers The Acting CHAIR. Under the rule, Ordering the previous question on Conaway Hice, Jody B. McSally the Committee rises. House Resolution 657; Cook Higgins (LA) Meadows Accordingly, the Committee rose; Adoption of House Resolution 657, if Costello (PA) Hill Meehan Cramer Holding Messer and the Speaker pro tempore (Mr. POE ordered; and Crawford Hollingsworth Mitchell of Texas) having assumed the chair, Passage of H.R. 1638. Culberson Hudson Moolenaar Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois, Acting The first electronic vote will be con- Curbelo (FL) Huizenga Mooney (WV) Chair of the Committee of the Whole ducted as a 15-minute vote. Remaining Curtis Hultgren Mullin Davidson Hunter Newhouse House on the state of the Union, re- electronic votes will be conducted as 5- Davis, Rodney Hurd Noem ported that that Committee, having minute votes. Denham Issa Norman

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:47 Dec 14, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00032 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K13DE7.062 H13DEPT1 December 13, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H9879 Nunes Ross Tipton b 1711 Stivers Valadao Williams Olson Rothfus Trott Suozzi Wagner Wilson (SC) Palazzo Rouzer Turner Mr. LYNCH changed his vote from Taylor Walberg Wittman Palmer Royce (CA) Upton ‘‘yea’’ to ‘‘nay.’’ Tenney Walden Womack Paulsen Russell Valadao So the previous question was ordered. Thompson (PA) Walker Woodall Pearce Rutherford Thornberry Walorski Wagner The result of the vote was announced Yoder Perry Sanford Walberg Tiberi Walters, Mimi Yoho Pittenger Scalise Walden as above recorded. Tipton Weber (TX) Young (AK) Trott Webster (FL) Poe (TX) Schweikert Walker The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Young (IA) Turner Wenstrup Poliquin Scott, Austin Walorski Zeldin question is on the resolution. Upton Westerman Posey Sessions Walters, Mimi Shimkus The question was taken; and the Ratcliffe Weber (TX) NOES—184 Reed Shuster Webster (FL) Speaker pro tempore announced that Reichert Simpson Adams Fudge Nadler Wenstrup the ayes appeared to have it. Renacci Smith (MO) Aguilar Gabbard Napolitano Westerman Rice (SC) Smith (NE) RECORDED VOTE Barraga´ n Gallego Neal Roby Smith (NJ) Williams Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, I demand a Bass Garamendi Nolan Wilson (SC) Roe (TN) Smith (TX) recorded vote. Beatty Gomez Norcross Rogers (AL) Smucker Wittman Bera Gonzalez (TX) O’Halleran Rogers (KY) Stefanik Womack A recorded vote was ordered. Beyer Gottheimer O’Rourke Rohrabacher Stewart Woodall The SPEAKER pro tempore. This is a Bishop (GA) Green, Al Pallone Rokita Stivers Yoder 5-minute vote. Blumenauer Green, Gene Panetta Blunt Rochester Grijalva Pascrell Rooney, Francis Taylor Yoho The vote was taken by electronic de- Rooney, Thomas Tenney Young (AK) Bonamici Gutie´rrez Payne J. Thompson (PA) Young (IA) vice, and there were—ayes 240, noes 184, Boyle, Brendan Hanabusa Pelosi Ros-Lehtinen Thornberry Zeldin not voting 7, as follows: F. Hastings Perlmutter Roskam Tiberi Brady (PA) Heck Peters [Roll No. 679] Brown (MD) Higgins (NY) Peterson NAYS—187 AYES—240 Brownley (CA) Himes Pingree Bustos Hoyer Polis Adams Fudge Napolitano Abraham Flores Massie Butterfield Huffman Price (NC) Aguilar Gabbard Neal Aderholt Fortenberry Mast Capuano Jackson Lee Quigley Barraga´ n Gallego Norcross Allen Foxx McCarthy Carbajal Jayapal Raskin Bass Garamendi O’Halleran Amash Frelinghuysen McCaul Ca´ rdenas Jeffries Rice (NY) Beatty Gomez O’Rourke Amodei Gaetz McClintock Carson (IN) Johnson (GA) Richmond Bera Gonzalez (TX) Pallone Arrington Gallagher McHenry Cartwright Johnson, E. B. Rosen Beyer Gottheimer Panetta Babin Garrett McKinley Castor (FL) Keating Roybal-Allard Bishop (GA) Green, Al Pascrell Bacon Gianforte McMorris Castro (TX) Kelly (IL) Ruiz Blumenauer Green, Gene Payne Banks (IN) Gibbs Rodgers Chu, Judy Khanna Ruppersberger Blunt Rochester Grijalva Pelosi Barletta Gohmert McSally Cicilline Kihuen Rush Bonamici Gutie´rrez Perlmutter Barr Goodlatte Meadows Clark (MA) Kildee Ryan (OH) Boyle, Brendan Hanabusa Peters Barton Gosar Meehan Clarke (NY) Kilmer Sa´ nchez F. Hastings Peterson Bergman Gowdy Messer Cleaver Kind Sarbanes Brady (PA) Heck Pingree Biggs Granger Mitchell Clyburn Krishnamoorthi Schakowsky Brown (MD) Higgins (NY) Polis Bilirakis Graves (GA) Moolenaar Cohen Kuster (NH) Schiff Brownley (CA) Himes Price (NC) Bishop (MI) Graves (LA) Mooney (WV) Connolly Langevin Schrader Bustos Hoyer Quigley Bishop (UT) Graves (MO) Mullin Cooper Larsen (WA) Scott (VA) Butterfield Huffman Raskin Black Griffith Newhouse Correa Larson (CT) Scott, David Capuano Jackson Lee Rice (NY) Blackburn Grothman Noem Costa Lawrence Serrano Carbajal Jayapal Richmond Blum Guthrie Norman Courtney Lawson (FL) Sewell (AL) Ca´ rdenas Jeffries Rosen Bost Handel Nunes Crist Lee Shea-Porter Carson (IN) Johnson (GA) Roybal-Allard Brady (TX) Harper Olson Crowley Levin Sherman Cartwright Johnson, E. B. Ruiz Brat Harris Palazzo Cuellar Lewis (GA) Sires Castor (FL) Kaptur Ruppersberger Brooks (AL) Hartzler Palmer Cummings Lieu, Ted Slaughter Castro (TX) Keating Rush Brooks (IN) Hensarling Paulsen Davis (CA) Lipinski Smith (WA) Chu, Judy Kelly (IL) Ryan (OH) Buchanan Herrera Beutler Pearce Davis, Danny Loebsack Soto Cicilline Khanna Sa´ nchez Buck Hice, Jody B. Perry DeFazio Lofgren Speier Clark (MA) Kihuen Sarbanes Bucshon Higgins (LA) Pittenger DeGette Lowenthal Swalwell (CA) Clarke (NY) Kildee Schakowsky Budd Hill Poe (TX) Delaney Lowey Takano Clay Kilmer Schiff Burgess Holding Poliquin DeLauro Lujan Grisham, Thompson (CA) Cleaver Kind Schneider Byrne Hollingsworth Posey DelBene M. Thompson (MS) Clyburn Krishnamoorthi Schrader Calvert Hudson Ratcliffe Demings Luja´ n, Ben Ray Titus Cohen Kuster (NH) Scott (VA) Carter (GA) Huizenga Reed DeSaulnier Lynch Tonko Connolly Langevin Scott, David Carter (TX) Hultgren Reichert Deutch Maloney, Torres Cooper Larsen (WA) Serrano Chabot Hunter Renacci Dingell Carolyn B. Tsongas Correa Larson (CT) Sewell (AL) Cheney Hurd Rice (SC) Doggett Maloney, Sean Vargas Costa Lawrence Shea-Porter Clay Issa Roby Doyle, Michael Matsui Veasey Courtney Lawson (FL) Sherman Coffman Jenkins (KS) Roe (TN) F. McCollum Vela Crist Lee Sinema Cole Jenkins (WV) Rogers (AL) Ellison McEachin Vela´ zquez Crowley Levin Sires Collins (GA) Johnson (LA) Rogers (KY) Engel McGovern Wasserman Cuellar Lewis (GA) Slaughter Collins (NY) Johnson (OH) Rohrabacher Eshoo McNerney Schultz Cummings Lieu, Ted Smith (WA) Comer Johnson, Sam Rokita Espaillat Meeks Waters, Maxine Davis (CA) Lipinski Soto Comstock Jones Rooney, Francis Esty (CT) Meng Watson Coleman Davis, Danny Loebsack Speier Conaway Jordan Rooney, Thomas Evans Moore Welch DeFazio Lofgren Suozzi Cook Joyce (OH) J. Foster Moulton Wilson (FL) DeGette Lowenthal Swalwell (CA) Costello (PA) Katko Ros-Lehtinen Frankel (FL) Murphy (FL) Yarmuth Delaney Lowey Takano Cramer Kelly (MS) Roskam DeLauro Lujan Grisham, Thompson (CA) Crawford Kelly (PA) Ross NOT VOTING—7 Culberson King (IA) Rothfus DelBene M. Thompson (MS) Bridenstine Pocan Walz Curbelo (FL) King (NY) Rouzer Demings Luja´ n, Ben Ray Titus Kaptur Sensenbrenner Curtis Kinzinger Royce (CA) DeSaulnier Lynch Tonko Kennedy Visclosky Deutch Maloney, Torres Davidson Knight Russell Dingell Carolyn B. Tsongas Davis, Rodney Kustoff (TN) Rutherford b 1719 Doggett Maloney, Sean Vargas Denham Labrador Sanford Doyle, Michael Matsui Veasey Dent LaHood Scalise So the resolution was agreed to. F. McEachin Vela DeSantis LaMalfa Schneider The result of the vote was announced Ellison McGovern Vela´ zquez DesJarlais Lamborn Schweikert as above recorded. Engel McNerney Wasserman Diaz-Balart Lance Scott, Austin A motion to reconsider was laid on Eshoo Meeks Schultz Donovan Latta Sessions Espaillat Meng Waters, Maxine Duffy Lewis (MN) Shimkus the table. Esty (CT) Moore Watson Coleman Duncan (SC) LoBiondo Shuster f Evans Moulton Welch Duncan (TN) Long Simpson Foster Murphy (FL) Wilson (FL) Dunn Loudermilk Sinema IRANIAN LEADERSHIP ASSET Frankel (FL) Nadler Yarmuth Emmer Love Smith (MO) TRANSPARENCY ACT Estes (KS) Lucas Smith (NE) NOT VOTING—8 Farenthold Luetkemeyer Smith (NJ) The SPEAKER pro tempore. The un- Faso MacArthur Smith (TX) finished business is the vote on passage Bridenstine Nolan Visclosky Ferguson Marchant Smucker Kennedy Pocan Walz Fitzpatrick Marino Stefanik of the bill (H.R. 1638) to require the McCollum Sensenbrenner Fleischmann Marshall Stewart Secretary of the Treasury to submit a

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:47 Dec 14, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00033 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A13DE7.018 H13DEPT1 H9880 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE December 13, 2017 report to the appropriate congressional Sanford Stefanik Walker retary of the Treasury to make certifi- committees on the estimated total as- Scalise Stewart Walorski cations with respect to United States Schneider Stivers Walters, Mimi sets under direct or indirect control by Schrader Suozzi Wasserman and foreign financial institutions’ air- certain senior Iranian leaders and Schweikert Taylor Schultz craft-related transactions involving other figures, and for other purposes, Scott, Austin Tenney Weber (TX) Iran, and for other purposes, and ask Scott, David Thompson (PA) on which the yeas and nays were or- Webster (FL) for its immediate consideration in the Sessions Thornberry Wenstrup Sherman Tiberi dered. Westerman House. Shimkus Tipton The Clerk read the title of the bill. Williams The Clerk read the title of the bill. Shuster Titus Wilson (SC) The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Simpson Trott question is on the passage of the bill. Sinema Turner Wittman ant to House Resolution 658, in lieu of Womack This is a 5-minute vote. Sires Upton the amendment in the nature of a sub- Smith (MO) Valadao Woodall stitute recommended by the Com- The vote was taken by electronic de- Smith (NE) Vargas Yoder vice, and there were—yeas 289, nays Smith (NJ) Vela Yoho mittee on Financial Services printed in 135, not voting 7, as follows: Smith (TX) Wagner Young (AK) the bill, an amendment in the nature of Smucker Walberg Young (IA) a substitute consisting of the text of [Roll No. 680] Soto Walden Zeldin Rules Committee Print 115–48 is adopt- YEAS—289 NAYS—135 ed and the bill, as amended, is consid- Abraham Espaillat LoBiondo Adams Foster McGovern ered read. Aderholt Estes (KS) Long Bass Fudge McNerney Aguilar Farenthold Loudermilk The text of the bill, as amended, is as Beatty Gabbard Meeks follows: Allen Faso Love Beyer Gallego Moore Amash Ferguson Lowey Bishop (GA) Garamendi Moulton H.R. 4324 Amodei Fitzpatrick Lucas Blumenauer Gonzalez (TX) Nadler Arrington Fleischmann Luetkemeyer Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- Blunt Rochester Green, Al Napolitano resentatives of the United States of America in Babin Flores Lynch Bonamici Grijalva Neal Bacon Fortenberry MacArthur Brady (PA) Gutie´rrez Nolan Congress assembled, Banks (IN) Foxx Maloney, Sean Bustos Hanabusa O’Rourke SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. Barletta Frankel (FL) Marchant Butterfield Heck Pascrell This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Strengthening Barr Frelinghuysen Marino Capuano Higgins (NY) Payne ´ Oversight of Iran’s Access to Finance Act’’. Barragan Gaetz Marshall Carson (IN) Himes Pelosi Barton Gallagher Mast Cartwright Huffman Perlmutter SEC. 2. FINDINGS. Bera Garrett McCarthy Castor (FL) Jackson Lee Pingree The Congress finds the following: Bergman Gianforte McCaul Castro (TX) Jayapal Polis (1) Under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Biggs Gibbs McClintock Chu, Judy Jeffries Price (NC) Action (JCPOA), informally known as the Iran Bilirakis Gohmert McHenry Cicilline Johnson (GA) Raskin nuclear deal, the Obama administration agreed Bishop (MI) Gomez McKinley Clark (MA) Johnson, E. B. Richmond Bishop (UT) Goodlatte McMorris to license the sale of commercial passenger air- Clarke (NY) Jones Roybal-Allard craft to Iran, the world’s foremost state sponsor Black Gosar Rodgers Clay Kaptur Rush Blackburn Gottheimer McSally Cleaver Keating Ryan (OH) of terrorism and a jurisdiction of primary money Blum Gowdy Meadows Clyburn Kelly (IL) Sa´ nchez laundering concern. Bost Granger Meehan Cohen Khanna Sarbanes (2) In April 2015, prior to the adoption of the Boyle, Brendan Graves (GA) Meng Connolly Kildee Schakowsky JCPOA, Secretary of the Treasury Jacob Lew, in F. Graves (LA) Messer Cooper Kilmer Schiff publicly advocating for its provisions, stated: Brady (TX) Graves (MO) Mitchell Courtney Krishnamoorthi Scott (VA) Brat Green, Gene Moolenaar ‘‘Make no mistake: deal or no deal, we will con- Crowley Kuster (NH) Serrano tinue to use all our available tools, including Brooks (AL) Griffith Mooney (WV) Cummings Langevin Sewell (AL) Brooks (IN) Grothman Mullin Davis (CA) Larsen (WA) Shea-Porter sanctions, to counter Iran’s menacing behavior. Brown (MD) Guthrie Murphy (FL) Davis, Danny Lawrence Slaughter Iran knows that our host of sanctions focused Brownley (CA) Handel Newhouse DeFazio Lee Smith (WA) on its support for terrorism and its violations of Buchanan Harper Noem DeGette Levin Speier human rights are not, and have never been, up Buck Harris Norcross DeLauro Lewis (GA) Swalwell (CA) for discussion.’’. Bucshon Hartzler Norman DelBene Loebsack Takano Budd Hastings Nunes (3) In March 2016 remarks to the Carnegie En- Demings Lofgren Thompson (CA) dowment for International Peace, Secretary Burgess Hensarling O’Halleran DeSaulnier Lowenthal Thompson (MS) Byrne Herrera Beutler Olson Dingell Lujan Grisham, Tonko Lew, in reference to U.S. commitments under the Calvert Hice, Jody B. Palazzo Doggett M. Tsongas JCPOA, stated: ‘‘While we have lifted the nu- Carbajal Higgins (LA) Pallone Doyle, Michael Luja´ n, Ben Ray Veasey clear sanctions, we continue to enforce sanc- ´ Cardenas Hill Palmer F. Maloney, Vela´ zquez tions directed at support for terrorism and re- Carter (GA) Holding Panetta Duncan (TN) Carolyn B. Waters, Maxine gional destabilization, and missile and human Carter (TX) Hollingsworth Paulsen Ellison Massie Watson Coleman Chabot Hoyer Pearce rights violations.’’. Eshoo Matsui Welch (4) In an April 2016 forum at the Council on Cheney Hudson Perry Esty (CT) McCollum Wilson (FL) Coffman Huizenga Peters Evans McEachin Yarmuth Foreign Relations, Secretary Lew stated that, Cole Hultgren Peterson under the JCPOA, the U.S. committed to lifting Collins (GA) Hunter Pittenger NOT VOTING—7 its nuclear sanctions, ‘‘but the U.S. financial Collins (NY) Hurd Poe (TX) Bridenstine Sensenbrenner Walz system is not open to Iran, and that is not some- Comer Issa Poliquin Kennedy Torres Comstock Jenkins (KS) Posey thing that is going to change’’. Pocan Visclosky Conaway Jenkins (WV) Quigley (5) In September 2016, the Department of the Cook Johnson (LA) Ratcliffe b 1726 Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control Correa Johnson (OH) Reed (OFAC) issued licenses permitting the export of Costa Johnson, Sam Reichert So the bill was passed. up to 97 aircraft for use by Iran Air, the Islamic Costello (PA) Jordan Renacci The result of the vote was announced Republic of Iran’s flagship state-owned carrier. Cramer Joyce (OH) Rice (NY) as above recorded. These licenses included authorization for U.S. Crawford Katko Rice (SC) Crist Kelly (MS) Roby A motion to reconsider was laid on financial institutions ‘‘to engage in all trans- Cuellar Kelly (PA) Roe (TN) the table. actions necessary to provide financing or other financial services’’ in order to effectuate the Culberson Kihuen Rogers (AL) PERSONAL EXPLANATION Curbelo (FL) Kind Rogers (KY) sales. In November 2016, OFAC licensed an addi- Curtis King (IA) Rohrabacher Mr. SENSENBRENNER. Mr. Speaker, due tional 106 aircraft for purchase by Iran Air, Davidson King (NY) Rokita to severe illness, I missed today’s vote series. which are also eligible for financing authorized Davis, Rodney Kinzinger Rooney, Francis Had I been present, I would have voted ‘‘yea’’ by OFAC. Delaney Knight Rooney, Thomas Denham Kustoff (TN) J. on rollcall No. 676, ‘‘yea’’ on rollcall No. 677, (6) The Department of the Treasury had sanc- Dent Labrador Ros-Lehtinen ‘‘yea’’ on rollcall No. 678, ‘‘yea’’ on rollcall No. tioned Iran Air in 2011 for its use of commercial DeSantis LaHood Rosen 679, and ‘‘yea’’ on rollcall No. 680. passenger aircraft to transport rockets, missiles, DesJarlais LaMalfa Roskam and other military cargo on behalf of the Is- Deutch Lamborn Ross f lamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and Diaz-Balart Lance Rothfus STRENGTHENING OVERSIGHT OF Iran’s Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Donovan Larson (CT) Rouzer Logistics, both of which had been designated Duffy Latta Royce (CA) IRAN’S ACCESS TO FINANCE ACT under Executive Order 13382 for weapons pro- Duncan (SC) Lawson (FL) Ruiz Mr. HENSARLING. Mr. Speaker, pur- Dunn Lewis (MN) Ruppersberger liferation-related activities. In October 2017, the Emmer Lieu, Ted Russell suant to House Resolution 658, I call up IRGC went on to be designated under Executive Engel Lipinski Rutherford the bill (H.R. 4324) to require the Sec- Order 13224 for its support of the IRGC-Qods

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:47 Dec 14, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00034 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 6333 E:\CR\FM\K13DE7.068 H13DEPT1 December 13, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H9881 Force, which has provided support to terrorist authorization was made, or, if the authorization institution’’ under section 561.309 of title 31, groups such as Hizballah, Hamas, and the is no longer in effect, had for the duration of Code of Federal Regulations. Taliban. such authorization, appropriate policies, proce- The SPEAKER pro tempore. The bill, (7) Among Iran Air’s sanctionable activities, dures, and processes in place to avoid engaging as amended, shall be debatable for 1 the airline delivered missile or rocket compo- in sanctionable activities that may result from nents to the Assad government in Syria, which the financial institutions’ exposure to Iran; or hour equally divided and controlled by like Iran is classified as a state sponsor of ter- (B) a statement that the Secretary is unable to the chair and ranking minority mem- rorism. make the certification described under subpara- ber of the Committee on Financial (8) The Assad regime is responsible for a civil graph (A) and a notice that the Secretary will, Services. conflict that has claimed an estimated 400,000 not later than 60 days after the date the deter- After 1 hour of debate, it shall be in lives, including through the government’s de- mination is submitted to the appropriate con- order to consider the further amend- ployment of chemical weapons and barrel bombs gressional committees, issue a report on non-cer- ment printed in part B of House Report against unarmed civilians and children. tification described under subsection (c) to the 115–463, if offered by the Member des- (9) Despite being delisted in 2016, Iran Air has appropriate congressional committees. continued to fly known weapons resupply (c) REPORT ON NON-CERTIFICATION.—With re- ignated in the report, which shall be routes to government-controlled areas of Syria. spect to a financial institution and a trans- considered read, shall be separately de- According to research by the Foundation for action described under subsection (a), a report batable for the time specified in the re- Defense of Democracies, between Implementa- on non-certification is described under this sub- port equally divided and controlled by tion Day of the JCPOA on January 16, 2016, and section if it contains— the proponent and an opponent, and May 4, 2017, Iran Air operated at least 134 (1) a detailed explanation for why the Sec- shall not be subject to a demand for a flights to Syria, which included stops in Aba- retary is unable to make the certification de- division of the question. dan, Iran, a suspected IRGC logistical hub for scribed under subsection (b)(2); airlifts to the Assad regime. (2) a notification of whether the Secretary The gentleman from Texas (Mr. HEN- (10) In November 2016 correspondence to the will— SARLING) and the gentlewoman from Chairman of the House Committee on Financial (A) not amend the authorization of the trans- California (Ms. MAXINE WATERS) each Services, the Department of the Treasury noted action with respect to a financial institution, will control 30 minutes. that the commitment to delist Iran Air under the notwithstanding such non-certification; The Chair recognizes the gentleman JCPOA ‘‘does not affect our ability to designate, (B) suspend the authorization until the Sec- from Texas. or re-designate, any Iranian airline that en- retary is able to make such certification; gages in sanctionable activity. The United (C) revoke the authorization; or b 1730 States retains the ability to designate any indi- (D) otherwise amend the authorization; and GENERAL LEAVE (3) an explanation of the reasons for any ac- vidual or entity that engages in sanctionable ac- Mr. HENSARLING. Mr. Speaker, I tivities under our authorities targeting conduct tion to be taken described under paragraph (2). outside the scope of the JCPOA, including (d) WAIVER.—The President may waive, on a ask unanimous consent that all Mem- Iran’s support for terrorism, human rights case-by-case basis, the provisions of this Act for bers may have 5 legislative days in abuses, ballistic missile program, and other de- up to one year at a time upon certifying to the which to revise and extend their re- stabilizing activities in the region.’’. appropriate congressional committees that— marks and submit extraneous material (11) In April 2017, Iran announced a deal for (1) the Government of Iran has— on the bill under consideration. Aseman Airlines to purchase up to 60 commer- (A) made substantial progress towards com- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there cial aircraft, a transaction that would require bating money laundering and terrorism financ- objection to the request of the gen- ing risk emanating from Iran; or authorization by OFAC. Aseman Airlines’ chief tleman from Texas? executive officer, Hossein Alaei, has for decades (B) has significantly reduced Iran’s— served as a senior member of the IRGC. (i) destabilizing activities in the region; or There was no objection. Mr. HENSARLING. Mr. Speaker, I SEC. 3. CERTIFICATIONS FOR AIRCRAFT-RELATED (ii) material support for terrorist groups; or TRANSACTIONS BY UNITED STATES (2) such waiver is important to the national yield myself such time as I may con- AND FOREIGN FINANCIAL INSTITU- security interests of the United States, with an sume. TIONS. explanation of the reasons therefor. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to support (a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 30 days after (e) TERMINATION.—This section shall cease to H.R. 4324, which is a commonsense be effective on the date that is 30 days after the authorizing a transaction by a United States or piece of legislation sponsored by my foreign financial institution in connection with date on which the President certifies to the ap- the export or re-export of a commercial pas- propriate congressional committees that— good friend and fellow Texan, Mr. WIL- senger aircraft to Iran (or, for an authorization (1)(A) the Secretary does not find, under sec- LIAMS. His work as a member of the Fi- made after January 16, 2016, but before the date tion 5318A of title 31, United States Code, that nancial Services Committee and as of the enactment of this Act, not later than 60 reasonable grounds exist for concluding that vice chairman of the Monetary Policy days after such date of enactment), and every Iran is a jurisdiction of primary money laun- and Trade Subcommittee has been in- 180 days thereafter for the duration of the au- dering concern; and valuable. thorization, the Secretary of the Treasury shall (B) Iran has ceased providing support for acts Mr. Speaker, as our colleagues know, of international terrorism; or submit the report described under subsection (b) under the Iran nuclear bill, also known to the appropriate congressional committees. (2) terminating the provisions of this section is (b) REPORT WITH RESPECT TO FINANCIAL IN- vital to the national security interests of the as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Ac- STITUTIONS’ IRAN-RELATED TRANSACTIONS AND United States, with an explanation of the rea- tion, or JCPOA, the Obama administra- DUE DILIGENCE.—With respect to a financial in- sons therefor. tion committed the U.S. to license the stitution and a transaction described under sub- (f) DEFINITIONS.—For purposes of this section: sale of aircraft to Iran. section (a), a report is described under this sub- (1) APPROPRIATE CONGRESSIONAL COMMIT- In addition to authorizing the sales, section if it contains— TEES.—The term ‘‘appropriate congressional these licenses have authorized banks to (1) a list of financial institutions that, since committees’’ means the committees on Financial engage in financing, even though Iran Services and Foreign Affairs of the House of January 16, 2016, have conducted transactions remains classified by the Treasury De- authorized by the Secretary in connection with Representatives and the committees on Banking, the export or re-export of commercial passenger Housing, and Urban Affairs and Foreign Rela- partment as a jurisdiction of primary aircraft to Iran; tions of the Senate. money laundering concern. On top of (2) either— (2) FINANCIAL INSTITUTION.—The term ‘‘finan- that, the State Department continues (A) a certification that— cial institution’’ means a United States finan- to label Iran as the world’s foremost (i) the transaction does not pose a significant cial institution or a foreign financial institu- state sponsor of terrorism. money laundering or terrorism financing risk to tion. The recipient of these aircraft would (3) FOREIGN FINANCIAL INSTITUTION.—The the United States financial system; be Iran Air, the state-owned airline (ii) the transaction will not benefit an Iranian term ‘‘foreign financial institution’’ has the person that, since the date that is one year pre- meaning given that term under section 561.308 of that was sanctioned as recently as 2011 ceding the date of the certification— title 31, Code of Federal Regulations. for supporting the Islamic Revolu- (I) has knowingly transported items used for (4) KNOWINGLY.—The term ‘‘knowingly’’, with tionary Guard Corps, which itself has the proliferation of weapons of mass destruc- respect to conduct, a circumstance, or a result, been designated by the Trump adminis- tion, including systems designed in whole or in means that a person has actual knowledge, or tration as a terrorist organization. So, part for the delivery of such weapons; or should have known, of the conduct, the cir- Mr. Speaker, so far, so bad. (II) has knowingly provided transportation cumstance, or the result. And yet, while I and many of my col- services or material support for, or on behalf of, (5) SECRETARY.—The term ‘‘Secretary’’ means any person designated under Executive Orders the Secretary of the Treasury. leagues from both sides of the aisle find 13224, 13382, or 13572; and (6) UNITED STATES FINANCIAL INSTITUTION.— these aircraft sales and their financing (iii) any financial institution described under The term ‘‘United States financial institution’’ deeply disturbing, Mr. WILLIAMS’ bill is subsection (b)(1) has had since the date such has the meaning given the term ‘‘U.S. financial about something far, far simpler. All

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:47 Dec 14, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00035 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A13DE7.022 H13DEPT1 H9882 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE December 13, 2017 his bill would do is bring about the im- codifies in law a set of conditions that the aircraft to Iran. While not classified, this in- plications of the aircraft finance for U.S. Treasury must use to evaluate licenses formation is not currently part of the public Iran out into the sunlight. In other for the sale of commercial aircraft to Iran. record. Objections to the publication of a list The bill requires the secretary of the words, Mr. Speaker, it is a reporting of companies and banks involved in aircraft Treasury to report within 30 days whether sales revolve around exposing businesses to requirement—nothing more, nothing transactions related to the export and re-ex- reputational risks for transacting with Iran. less. port of aircraft to Iran pose a ‘‘significant Yet it is unavoidable for there to be It would simply require Treasury to money laundering or terrorism financing reputational risk for doing business—even help Congress understand who is in- risk to the United States financial system.’’ legal business—with the world’s leading volved in these transactions. If it is an The secretary must also determine whether state sponsor of terrorism. airline, has that airline stopped sup- the transactions benefit any Iranian person Mr. HENSARLING. In closing, Mr. porting terrorists or other sanctioned that has knowingly transported or otherwise supported the proliferation of weapons of Speaker, the gentleman, my fellow persons. If it is a bank, does that bank mass destruction or provided material sup- Texan, has given all Members an oppor- have the due diligence in place to port to persons included on Treasury’s sanc- tunity, no matter what their views on guard against the immense illicit fi- tions lists. If the secretary cannot certify the JCPOA, the Iran nuclear deal, to nance risk endemic to Iran. that the transaction meets these conditions, simply support transparency and Con- All this legislation does is have he must explain whether the licenses author- gress’ right to basic information. I Treasury certify this information for izing the transaction will be revoked, modi- hope that my colleagues will seize that Congress. And, if Treasury can’t make fied, or remain valid despite the potential for opportunity. those certifications, it simply has to illicit transactions or benefits going to sanctioned persons. And, again, I thank Mr. WILLIAMS notify us what plans it has in response, Under the July 2015 nuclear agreement from Texas for his leadership and his even if it has no plans in response. known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of excellent work. So, when we hear today from the Action, or JCPOA, the United States com- Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of other side of the aisle how this bill mitted to allowing the sale of commercial my time. may impose new conditions on Iran or aircraft to Iran provided the planes are used Ms. MAXINE WATERS of California. somehow stand in the way of commit- ‘‘exclusively for commercial passenger avia- Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the ments under the JCPOA, I suggest, tion.’’ The JCPOA specifically states that if gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. again, everyone read the bill. It is sim- aircraft are either used for a prohibited purpose or transferred or re-sold to individuals HIMES), a senior member of the Finan- ple. It is common sense. In fact, we or entities on Washington’s sanctions lists, cial Services Committee and the Intel- should be considering this under the the U.S. would view this as grounds to cease ligence Committee. expedited process of the suspension cal- its approval of aircraft sales—but, by impli- Mr. HIMES. Mr. Speaker, I thank the endar. cation, not abrogate the nuclear deal in full. ranking member for yielding me time. This legislation provides, again, for a Upon the implementation of the JCPOA in Mr. Speaker, I respectfully disagree simple reporting requirement, Mr. January 2016, Treasury issued a Statement of with the chairman of the Financial Speaker; that is it, a reporting require- Licensing Policy (SLP) and additional guid- Services Committee. This is not simply ment. ance reiterating and expanding on the rel- evant language from the nuclear deal. The the gathering of information. This is If my friends who oppose this bill SLP and related guidance indicate that not simply oversight. don’t care enough to even request the Treasury would view license applications fa- Under H.R. 4324, a condition would be information from the executive branch, vorably but would review applications on a imposed on the sale of commercial air- especially information that may reveal case-by-case basis and ‘‘include appropriate craft to Iran. The Iran nuclear deal was the use of their constituents’ bank de- conditions to ensure’’ that no sanctioned very clear. It is broadly committed to posits for the benefit of enablers of ter- persons were involved in the transaction. ‘‘allow for the sale of commercial pas- rorism, well, Mr. Speaker, that is a The SLP and related guidance are clearly senger aircraft and related parts and consistent with the JCPOA, which does not sad, sad day for congressional over- require the United States to issue licenses services to Iran.’’ The only condition sight and a sad day for the United for aircraft sales without conditions. Accord- on the U.S. commitment is that ‘‘li- States Congress. ingly, the SLP does not guarantee that all censed items and services be used ex- But there are people who have read applications will be approved. If Washington clusively for commercial passenger the bill, if everybody in this institution determines that certain criteria are nec- aviation.’’ hasn’t, people, for example, associated essary in order to ensure that commercial H.R. 4324 would impose a new condi- with the Foundation for Defense of De- aircraft are used appropriately, it is per- tion, a new condition which would re- mocracies, who wrote recently in a No- mitted to reject an application that does not quire certification by the Secretary of meet those criteria. vember 22 policy brief for the Founda- The proposed bill supports Treasury’s ro- State and all of the process that would tion’s Center on Sanctions and Illicit bust licensing approval process by codifying ensue. Finance: ‘‘The proposed bill supports steps that are likely already central to the It is not a stretch—in fact, it is fairly Treasury’s robust licensing approval department’s evaluation process. First, for clear—that if H.R. 4324 were to pass, process by codifying steps that are more than two decades, Treasury has been at the Iranians and others could credibly likely already central to the Depart- the forefront of efforts to implement global claim that we have violated our obliga- ment’s evaluation process.’’ anti-money laundering and counter-ter- tions under the JCPOA. Now, nobody They go on to write, Mr. Speaker: rorism financing standards. The bill empha- should be surprised by that. sizes that these standards should be a crit- ‘‘While not imposing any new stand- ical component in the evaluation of licenses Despite the advice of his National Se- ards for the approval of sales to Iran, vis-a` -vis Iranian aircraft transactions. Sec- curity Advisor, despite the advice of codifying the existing standards in law ond, the bill’s requirement that no persons the Secretary of Defense, despite the through this bill makes the licensing knowingly supporting proliferation benefit advice of pretty much everyone around process more transparent and gives the from the deal mirrors Treasury’s statement him, President Trump chose not to re- American people—through their elect- that no persons on sanctions lists be in- certify Iranian compliance with the ed representatives—a clear picture of a volved in the transactions. Iran nuclear deal. While not imposing any new standards for We have seen bill after bill, including significant component of the sanctions the approval of sales to Iran, codifying the relief provided to Iran under the nu- existing standards in law through this bill the bill just voted on, attempting to re- clear agreement.’’ makes the licensing process more trans- verse the Iran nuclear deal, and we Mr. Speaker, I include this report in parent and gives the American people— have heard this since this deal first the RECORD. through their elected representatives—a came to the floor. [From the Foundation for Defense of clearer picture of a significant component of Let’s reflect for one second on what Democracies, Nov. 22, 2017] the sanctions relief provided to Iran under the implications are: the nuclear agreement. CONGRESS SUPPORTS FINANCIAL This bill puts the Iran nuclear deal at The most novel component of the bill is risk. It arguably takes American air- TRANSPARENCY FOR IRANIAN TRANSACTIONS that it requires the secretary of the Treas- (By Annie Fixler, Tyler Stapleton) ury to issue a report listing all U.S. or for- craft manufacturers out of competition The House Financial Services Committee eign financial institutions that have con- for lucrative contracts. My colleague approved last week the Strengthening Over- ducted authorized transactions in connection from Washington will address this sight of Iran’s Access to Finance Act, which with the export or re-export of commercial shortly.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 05:05 Dec 14, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00036 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K13DE7.072 H13DEPT1 December 13, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H9883 I don’t understand how putting Ms. MAXINE WATERS of California. the implications of these deals so that American jobs at risk and taking Mr. Speaker, I yield an additional 1 we can better understand their impact American manufacturers out of conten- minute to the gentleman from Con- on the integrity of our financial sys- tion in favor of companies like Airbus necticut. tem. is about keeping America great again. Mr. HIMES. Mr. Speaker, this deal is I would like to take a step back and I don’t understand why, when we focus not a perfect deal. I don’t know that discuss how we got to this point and on jobs, this should be an action we there are perfect deals in this realm. why this legislation is necessary. As should take. But I do know that, for the next 7, 8, or most of you know, under the JCPOA, However, I will say something, and I 9 years, we are not going to have the the Obama administration committed speak as a member of the Permanent worry that so many of us had before the United States to license the sale of Select Committee on Intelligence. the Iran deal. commercial aircraft to Iran. In addi- Prior to the passage of the Iran nuclear Let’s engage on that. Let’s figure out tion to providing licenses for aircraft deal, it is not an exaggeration to say I what comes behind the Iran deal. Let’s sales, the licenses also allowed for didn’t worry every night in a way that figure out other ways to address the banks to engage in the financing of we worry today about North Korea. I behavior of Iran with respect to ter- these aircraft. went to bed every night thinking about rorism and the money laundering. All of this was permitted, despite the Iranian centrifuges spinning, about Let’s remember that this deal was fact that Iran remained classified as a military technology being created that about removing the existential threat, jurisdiction to primary money laun- could ultimately deliver a nuclear not making Iran a perfect regime, but dering concern by the Treasury Depart- weapon to Israel or to Europe or to the removing the existential threat to the ment and as the world’s foremost state United States, and our intelligence United States of America, and let’s not sponsor of terror by the State Depart- community believed that we were 2 to put that deal at risk. ment. 3 months away from an Iranian nuclear Mr. Speaker, I thank the ranking Let us be abundantly clear on the weapon, kind of where we are today on member, and I urge a strong ‘‘no’’ vote facts. It was the Obama Treasury De- North Korea. against this legislation. partment that highlighted the role I suspect everybody in this Chamber Mr. HENSARLING. Mr. Speaker, I that Iran and Iranian aircraft played in doesn’t want to be where we are on yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from the destabilizing activity across the North Korea with another state, with Texas (Mr. WILLIAMS), my friend, the Middle East and in supporting the Iran. sponsor of this legislation, and a great atrocities committed by the rogue I understand the skepticism on Iran, member of the Financial Services Com- Assad regime in Syria. and I agree with everything that the mittee. On September 9, 2012, David S. Cohen, chairman said with respect to Iran Mr. WILLIAMS. Mr. Speaker, it is the Treasury Undersecretary for Ter- being a state sponsor of terrorism, with truly a privilege to speak in support of rorism and Financial Intelligence Iran being a location of money laun- my bill, H.R. 4324, the Strengthening under President Obama, released the dering, and I could go on, with Iran Oversight of Iran’s Access to Finance following statement: being an absolutely appalling regime. Act. ‘‘The identification of Iranian air- But I speak as a member of the Intel- Mr. Speaker, H.R. 4324 will improve craft also further highlights Iran’s on- ligence Committee for a lot of people congressional oversight of any financ- going effort to support the Assad rein this room when I say that, for the ing that Treasury authorizes for air- gime’s weapons of mass destruction first time in a long time subsequent to craft sales to Iran. programs and crackdown against the the passage of the Iran deal, whatever Every 6 months, Treasury would need Syrian people.’’ you think of Iran—and not many of us to certify to us that finance authoriza- This quote followed the Treasury De- think much of Iran—we don’t go to bed tions would not benefit an Iranian per- partment’s announcement to impose every single night worrying about the son who is transporting items for the sanctions against entities that support possibility of waking up to a nuclear- proliferation of weapons of mass de- the Assad regime in Syria. weaponized Iran. struction nor providing transportation So quoting from the same September Why would we put that at risk? for sanctioned entities. Treasury would 9, 2012, Treasury statement: ‘‘As a re- I agree with the chairman that trans- also have to certify to us that those sult of the Iran Threat Reduction and parency is important, and I agree with authorizations don’t pose a significant Syria Human Rights Act, foreign finan- everybody that Iran needs to be money laundering or terrorism finance cial institutions that knowingly en- watched very, very skeptically. But risk to the U.S. financial system, and gage in significant transactions with why would we want to be with Iran ex- that any banks engaging in this busi- . . . Iran Air, Mahan Air, or Yas Air, actly where we are today with North ness have appropriate due diligence including any of 117 aircraft operated Korea? procedures in place. If the Treasury De- by these airlines, risk losing access to Is this effort, which, in my opinion, partment cannot make this certifi- the U.S. banking system.’’ is simply a continuation of the efforts cation, the Department must tell us Mr. Speaker, this week I received a memo from the National Iranian Amer- to end the Iran deal, to reverse Presi- why, and it must explain to Congress ican Council urging members to oppose dent Obama’s legacy, is it worth going the course of action it intends to take. to bed at night not just worried about I note that my bill was reported out my bill. This is the same council that North Korea, but worried about Iran? I of the Financial Services Committee opposes President Trump’s travel ban, would suggest that it is not. last month by a vote of 38–21, with five which was recently upheld by a Su- I don’t want to go back to the pre- of my Democratic colleagues voting in preme Court decision of 7–2, and the Iran deal era when I became an expert its favor. same organization that took concern on centrifuges, on Uranium-235, on with new sanctions imposed on Iran’s hardened bunkers and the weaponry b 1745 support for Hezbollah. that we produced to penetrate hard- Many of my colleagues on the other This memo and the pro-Iran prin- ened bunkers and to the realization side of the aisle will label this bill as a ciples that it represents could not be a that, if we had to go to war against simple attempt to dismantle the better endorsement for the Strength- Iran to prevent a nuclear Iran, the con- Obama administration’s Iran nuclear ening Oversight of Iran’s Access to Fi- sequences would be as awful as if we deal. We have already heard it. nance Act. went to war with North Korea to pre- Mr. Speaker, this debate is not about I would ask this to my colleagues on vent a North Korea nuclear-weaponized U.S. commitments under the Joint both sides: At what point did we rel- state. Comprehensive Plan of Action, or egate ourselves to negotiating with Why would we do this? Why would we JCPOA. It is not about reimposing nu- those who wish us harm? At what point put at risk a deal that has given com- clear sanctions. It is not about prohib- did we prioritize the interest of a rogue fort to a lot of us for some period of iting these aircraft sales or the financ- government that paints their bombs time? ing of these sales. with sayings like ‘‘Death to Israel’’ and The SPEAKER pro tempore. The What this legislation is about is pro- ‘‘Death to America’’? When did that time of the gentleman has expired. viding Congress with information on happen?

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:47 Dec 14, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00037 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K13DE7.073 H13DEPT1 H9884 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE December 13, 2017 There are simply two sides to this unrelated to Iran’s nuclear conduct but helping the Assad regime in Syria and issue. You can either protect the inter- also unrelated to the use of the aircraft for transporting military cargo to the ests of the United States, her citizens, itself. If the Treasury Secretary is un- Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. and the U.S. financial institutions, or able to make such a difficult certifi- This is in addition to what the world you can make important the wishes of cation, the Secretary must then report already well knows, that the Iranian the Ayatollah and his revolutionary to Congress as to whether the Sec- regime has covered up and lied about guard. retary intends to suspend, revoke, its nuclear program for decades, de- Which side do you choose to be on? amend, or approve, notwithstanding ceiving international inspectors, agree- That is the question. such noncertification, any license fa- ing to intrusive inspections, and then I represent the red, white, and blue. cilitating the sale of commercial air- allowing those inspections to be imple- The SPEAKER pro tempore. The craft to Iran. mented only provisionally and selec- time of the gentleman has expired. Supporters of the bill will likely note tively. Mr. HENSARLING. Mr. Speaker, I that the bill will not require the Sec- Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah yield an additional 30 seconds to the retary of the Treasury to suspend or Khamenei, regularly chants ‘‘Death to gentleman from Texas. revoke an authorization in the event America’’ and ultimately calls for the Mr. WILLIAMS. My commitment to that the Secretary is unable to make annihilation of the Jewish people. the safety and well-being of these the necessary certification, but the ob- In 2015, the Obama administration United States is unwavering. vious political conclusion is that the made a historic mistake by agreeing to I urge my colleagues to do the same: Secretary will be forced to revoke such the ill-conceived Joint Comprehensive support the red, white, and blue, and license if the Secretary is unwilling to Plan of Action, or as it is also called, support H.R. 4324. make the certification. the Iran nuclear agreement or JCPOA. Ms. MAXINE WATERS of California. As we have now seen, the President The agreement removed financial sanc- Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time detests the fact that his administra- tions on Iran, enabling greater finan- as I may consume. tion has to take affirmative steps to cial resources for Iranian-funded ter- Mr. Speaker, H.R. 4324, the Strength- keep the deal in place, and he refused rorism. ening Oversight of Iran’s Access to Fi- to do so. In the case of the last recur- Adding insult to injury, later, in 2016, nance Act, would impose a new and ring 90-day congressional certification due to the agreement, the Obama unilateral certification requirement on requirement, proponents of this bill un- Treasury Department authorized the the administration in order to meet doubtedly hope Trump will react the sale of more than 200 planes to Iran, current U.S. obligations under the Iran same way to these additional certifi- the same Iranian airline that was sanc- nuclear deal known as the Joint Com- cations and block the sale of commer- tioned in 2011, and the Department also prehensive Plan of Action, or JCPOA, cial aircraft, which is a key element of authorized U.S. banks to finance these with respect to the sale and financing the deal. transactions. But there is evidence of commercial passenger aircraft to In a break from reason and logic, this that the carrier has continued its il- Iran. legislation plays directly into the licit behavior. This certification requirement would hands of the President, who is des- According to an April 2017 hearing in call for the Treasury Secretary to con- perate to find any pretext to say that our subcommittee, Dr. Emanuele sider factors that fall well outside the Iran is in violation of the deal or to Ottolenghi, a senior fellow at the scope of the nuclear deal and beyond force Iran to walk away, and thereby, Foundation for the Defense of Democ- the specific conditions that the U.S. is avoid having to take the blame for racies, testified that Iran Air operated allowed to place on the license of com- pulling the plug on the deal. at least 114 flights to Syria between mercial aircraft to Iran under the nu- But let me be clear. By seeking to January 16, 2016, which was Implemen- clear accord. render impermissible that which is ex- tation Day of the JCPOA, and March By moving the goal posts on our pressly permitted by the JCPOA, the 30, 2017. These flights are known as commitments under the deal, H.R. 4324 legislation is clearly intended to un- weapons resupply routes and stopovers clearly aims to force the United States dermine the nuclear agreement. in Iran with a suspected IRGC into a violation of the agreement. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of logistical hub that supports airlifts to Under the Iran nuclear deal, the United my time. the Assad regime. States is broadly committed to allow Mr. HENSARLING. Mr. Speaker, I In communications with the com- for the sale of commercial passenger yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from mittee, Dr. Ottolenghi later confirmed aircraft and related parts and services Kentucky (Mr. BARR), the chairman of that Iran Air had run at least 134 such to Iran. This involves licensing the sale the Financial Services Subcommittee flights between Implementation Day of aircraft and related parts and serv- on Monetary Policy and Trade. and May 4, 2017, which means the Iran ices to Iran, including the financing for Mr. BARR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today nuclear agreement facilitated Iran such sales. in support of the Strengthening Over- helping the brutal murderous regime of Under the JCPOA Annex II, the only sight of Iran’s Access to Finance Act Assad. condition on the U.S. commitment is introduced by my good friend, the gen- In exchange, what did the United that licensed items and services must tleman from Texas (Mr. WILLIAMS). States get out of this? be used exclusively for commercial pas- Since the seizure of the U.S. Embassy Only managed access to suspect nu- senger aviation. Moreover, the only al- and the taking of 66 American hostages clear sites in which international in- lowable conditions the U.S. can place during the 1979 revolution, Iran has spectors must appeal to Iran, Russia, on authorizations for the sale of com- taken a long view on its global ambi- and China in a bureaucratic process mercial passenger aircraft to Iran tion, supporting terrorist proxies like that takes at least 24 days, during apply to the licensed aircraft them- Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis in which Iran can remove anything covert selves and the use of such licensed air- Yemen. and in violation of the agreement. craft, not on activities or services pro- From 1983, when Iran-supported International inspectors have also vided that have no relationship to the Hezbollah bombed a U.S. Marines bar- been denied access to military sites, licensed aircraft or related goods or racks in Lebanon, killing 243 service- the most likely places in Iran where il- services. members, to the killing of over 500 sol- licit nuclear activity is occurring. But Yet, H.R. 4324 would impose new con- diers in Iraq by the elite Quds Force even if the JCPOA was delivering on its ditions on the licensed sale of aircraft leader, Qasem Soleimani, Iran has core promise of a denuclearized Iran, to Iran, including, notably, the condi- earned its reputation as the world’s the agreement was sold with specific tion that the recipient airline has not leading state sponsor of terrorism. assurance that the JCPOA would not used nonlicensed aircraft for purposes Most recently, Iran Air, an Iranian limit the United States’ ability to stop other than commercial passenger avia- state-owned airline, was sanctioned by Iran’s nonnuclear activities and their tion. That is, under this bill, the ad- the Treasury Department in 2011 for support of terror activities. ministration would have to certify that using its commercial passenger air- Then Secretary of State John Kerry, Iran is not engaged in certain activity craft to transport weapons to terrorists in defense of the agreement, selling the

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:47 Dec 14, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00038 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K13DE7.075 H13DEPT1 December 13, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H9885 agreement to Democrats and Repub- If you oppose the sale of aircraft, op- the track of Iran developing nuclear licans in the Congress, testified that: pose it. Have the courage of your con- weapons as North Korea has. Fewer ‘‘If we catch them funding terrorism, victions. Don’t just engage in this jobs and less safe; not sure what it is they are going to have a problem with fearmongering. No matter how many about that proposition that would be the U.S. Congress.’’ times you say that people in Iran chant appealing to anyone. Mr. Speaker, apparently not, because ‘‘Death to Israel, Death to America,’’ So, my friends, I urge you, in the Members of Congress don’t have a prob- and whatever other form of strongest terms possible, be for Amer- lem with this evidence that Iran is fearmongering you engage in, at least ican jobs. Be for America being safer. funding terrorist proxies and the Assad have the courage of your own convic- Be for us living up to our commit- regime. tions. You did last year. ments, and vote ‘‘no’’ on this legisla- For these reasons, it is imperative Stand up for what you believe in. If tion. that Congress pass the Strengthening you want Iran to buy Airbus aircraft Mr. HENSARLING. Mr. Speaker, I Oversight of Iran’s Access to Finance instead of Boeing aircraft, then say yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Act, which would require the Treasury that. Stand up for yourself. Stand up New York (Mr. ZELDIN), a member of to provide a report to Congress describ- for what you believe. the Financial Services Committee. ing these connections. This is a report- But let’s be clear. That is what this Mr. ZELDIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in ing bill. Even if you support the bill will do. Don’t dance around. support of H.R. 4324, which I cosponsor, JCPOA, you should support congres- For my part, I think blocking the the Strengthening Oversight of Iran’s sional oversight. sale of American planes is a big mis- Access to Finance Act, introduced by Ms. MAXINE WATERS of California. take on so many levels. Let’s be clear. Congressman ROGER WILLIAMS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the It doesn’t deny Iran the use of aircraft; I stand with the courage of my con- gentleman from Washington (Mr. it just will deny them American-made victions while I listen to others stand HECK), a member of the Financial Serv- aircraft. It will deny American ma- with the courage, apparently, of a con- ices Committee, so he can clear up chinists jobs to work on them. viction to coddle the world’s largest some of the information that we just And need I remind anybody here state sponsor of terrorism. heard. what it means to be an engineer or a I have a problem, and I am not going Mr. HECK. Mr. Speaker, I thank the machinist at an aircraft company in to apologize for it, and my colleagues ranking member for yielding. this country? It means the kind of jobs aren’t going to apologize for it; when Mr. Speaker, I want to start with a that we all aspire to for our constitu- we have an adversary of our Nation question. ents. You know the kind; the kind that overthrowing foreign governments, fi- Why is this bill so long? pay enough that you can buy a home, nancing terror, developing interconti- Last year, we had a bill, H.R. 5729, to have decent healthcare, save enough nental ballistic missiles in violation of block the sale of Boeing aircraft to money to send your kid to college if U.N. Security Council resolutions, call- Iran. It was short and clear. It was only you want to, have regular vacations, ing Israel the Little Satan and Amer- 2 pages long. I didn’t like it and I and have a secure retirement. Those ica the Great Satan, pledging to wipe didn’t support it; but the truth is, I al- are the kinds of jobs we are taking Israel off the map, chanting ‘‘Death to ways respect people putting forth their away if we pass this bill. America.’’ honest beliefs. It doesn’t just prevent Iran from mis- Just a few weeks ago, the CIA H.R. 5729, last year, blocked the li- using aircraft, as has been suggested. It dropped 470,000 documents collected in censes to sell U.S. planes—straight- just prevents Americans from having May of 2011, in the raid of Osama bin forward. Torpedoing the plane sales en- maintenance and service agreements Laden’s compound. In those docu- dangered the JCPOA because, as we that keep eyes on the aircraft because, ments, it shows a strong relationship have indicated, it is an affirmative re- you see, if Airbus sells them these between Iran and al-Qaida, and Iran of- quirement and an obligation on the planes, we have no idea. If they are fering finance and arms for carrying U.S. to approve plane sales if a sales American-made planes, they come with out attacks against America. agreement is reached. That was part of after-sale maintenance and service I signed up to run for the United the deal: You won’t build or continue agreements. We will have eyes on the States Congress and take an oath to to develop nuclear weapons, we will do planes. protect this country, and, right now, certain things, including sell you It doesn’t force Iran back to the bar- while we are here this holiday season— planes. gaining table. It just jeopardizes and tonight is the second night of Hanuk- Everyone knew what the bill would cuts the legs out from under the gains kah. We are about to have Christmas, do and they could decide if they we have made in the JCPOA that I New Year’s—we have people who are thought that was a good idea or a bad thought my colleague and friend from overseas, sometimes on their 8th, 9th, idea. It was very straightforward. It Connecticut spoke about so eloquently. 10th deployment, willing to risk every- was effectively a proxy on the JCPOA. We don’t go to sleep at night worried thing in defense of our freedoms and This year, we have another bill to that Iran is getting closer to a bomb, liberties, putting themselves in harm’s block the sale of aircraft to Iran. It is as we would have, as North Korea has. way. neither short nor clear. In fact, it is six So my friends, in summary, passage So when 10 Navy sailors end up get- times as long as last year’s bill. of this legislation will do three things: ting held hostage and embarrassed Number one, it will cost America with photography and videography, b 1800 jobs, and good-paying jobs; being shamed by the Iranians, and then It subjects the licenses to an ongoing Number two, it will make us less safe we say, as a matter of response, thank and complex certification requirement. because it will undermine the JCPOA you? That was our response when they It literally names and shames U.S. and, in so doing, not allow us to ensure released our 10 detained Navy sailors. banks providing financing. And, again, that these planes are not being used for And you want to question the convic- it does this purposefully so that it a nefarious purpose; tion of Congressman WILLIAMS intro- might deter the sale of airplanes so And number three, it will actually ducing legislation that is incredibly that it might undermine the JCPOA. make us less safe as well, in the sense important for protecting the United Frankly, what I interpret, what I that if it does, in fact, defeat the pur- States and our servicemembers and our have heard this evening, is tantamount pose of JCPOA— The SPEAKER pro allies; and you want to mock us for to that. This is, yet again, a proxy on tempore (Mr. WALBERG). The time of having a problem with them chanting the JCPOA. If you are against the the gentleman has expired. ‘‘Death to America?’’ Whose side are JCPOA, vote ‘‘yes.’’ If you are for it, Ms. MAXINE WATERS of California. you on? vote ‘‘no.’’ I yield an additional 1 minute to the For anyone who has the courage of This bill, however, obscures its end gentleman from Washington. conviction to coddle the world’s largest purpose, that objective of undermining Mr. HECK. If it does cut the legs out state sponsor of terror. the JCPOA behind process and ambi- from JCPOA, as is its purpose, as is Since the U.S. entered the JCPOA, guity. Why? clear, then, of course, we are back on Iran’s state-owned airline, Iran Air,

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:47 Dec 14, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00039 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K13DE7.076 H13DEPT1 H9886 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE December 13, 2017 has used its access to the U.S. aviation such sales if this certification were to we would monitor the world’s largest industry to purchase planes that aided be contingent on non-nuclear factors, exporter of terror around the world; the Assad regime in carrying out its factors outside the deal. that we would do everything outside war crimes in Syria against its own Richard Nephew, the lead sanctions the agreement to enforce sanctions; citizens, innocent women and children. expert for the U.S. negotiating team, that we would not stop reviewing their Courage of convictions to stand with put it this way. He said: ‘‘My take on behavior. the United States, with our allies, and this bill is that, if implemented the This piece of legislation comes at an on behalf of the women and children way I expect, it probably would violate important time, as the Trump adminis- being targeted by the Assad regime in the JCPOA.’’ tration is taking significant steps to Syria. We have a problem with that, Now, I suppose we have to entertain protect our homeland by reviewing ac- and we want to do something about it. the possibility that that actually is tions around rogue regimes and spon- Don’t try to shame us into being what the authors of this bill have in sors of terror around the world, includ- apologetic and unwilling and afraid to mind. Maybe that is the idea, to give ing Iran. stand up for all of those right prin- the Trump administration and the Ira- Now, my friend from Washington ciples. That is the courage and convic- nian hardliners a way of sabotaging the brought up the subject of the American tion that I stand up with today, with agreement. worker, and, of course, we all are Congressman WILLIAMS, with Chairman Already, President Trump has tried blessed by the brilliance and success of HENSARLING, and all the others who are to undermine the JCPOA by refusing to Boeing. We couldn’t come to our jobs encouraging a strong ‘‘yes’’ vote for certify Iran’s compliance with the deal without them. more accountability, for a stronger na- when, by all accounts, Iran is, in fact, But there are 5,000 airlines in the tional defense, for a better future. complying. world, Mr. Speaker. There are 10,000 Ms. MAXINE WATERS of California. Now, by directly blocking a specific Boeing aircraft in service, and there Mr. Speaker, I would like everybody to provision of the agreement, namely, are 5,700 airplanes on order from the know we are not trying to shame any- the permissible sale of commercial pas- Boeing corporation to help make up body. If we were going to shame some- senger aircraft, this legislation would that $41 billion of annual revenue. one, we would shame them and that send a clear message to Iran that the The question here is not about sell- party about connection to Russia. United States does not negotiate in ing airplanes, the question here is Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the good faith. It would imply that we ex- about protecting the homeland and in- gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. pect to have it both ways, with Iran terests of our country around the PRICE), an ardent supporter of the Iran dismantling its nuclear facilities and world. nuclear agreement. getting nothing in return. Unfortunately, civil aviation is com- Mr. PRICE of North Carolina. Mr. The bill before us today would also mingled with military Quds Force ac- Speaker, I stand in opposition to this break faith with our P5+1 negotiating tion; not just in what has been said to- bill. The Iran nuclear agreement stands partners in a reckless and dangerous night about transporting military ac- as a major diplomatic achievement way. tion to Syria, supporting a war that that has destroyed Iran’s capacity to Because of this agreement, Mr. has killed some 500,000 people, but what develop a nuclear weapon. Speaker, the breakout time for Iran to about Boeing transport from Damascus Detractors point to Iran’s bad behav- develop enough weapons-grade mate- to Caracas? ior in other realms—ballistic missiles, rial for a nuclear weapon went from 2 b 1815 support for Hezbollah, violations of or 3 months to more than a year. human rights. We acknowledge these Because of this agreement, the inter- What about the Boeing aircraft oper- problems. Nobody is talking about cod- national community has 24/7 access to ated by the Iranian regime back and dling Iran or apologizing for Iran. I re- Iran’s nuclear sites, an unprecedented forth between Russia and Iran, back sent that implication by the last degree of access, intrusive inspections. and forth between Tehran and Damas- speaker. And because of this agreement, we cus, between Damascus and Venezuela? The fact is, we take these problems possess an enforcement mechanism to It is not just the civilian aircraft, and these challenges very, very seri- ensure Iran’s compliance. Why on Mr. Speaker, and that is why we want ously; but we also note that there is Earth would we give up these capabili- to be alert, and our American citizens not a one of them that wouldn’t be ties by failing to uphold our end of the need to know if their bank deposits are much more serious if we were dealing bargain? being used to extend credit to a regime with a nuclear-capable state. So we That is the way agreements work. We that seeks pleasure in murdering inno- have got to protect this agreement. We uphold our end of the bargain. We don’t cent people, murdering our men and have got to be wary of any proposals sabotage agreement by deceptive legis- women in uniform and even innocent that would directly or indirectly lation like that bill before us. civilians in their own country. threaten it. So, in light of renewed tensions on We may differ on our views on the And that brings us to the bill before the Korean Peninsula, now is espe- JCPOA, but we can all agree that noth- us, H.R. 4324, the so-called Strength- cially not the time for the United ing in the nuclear deal prevents the ening Oversight of Iran’s Access to Fi- States to go back on its word to our al- sharing of information between an ad- nance Act, which would make it much lies and to the international commu- ministration and this Congress about more difficult for Iran to purchase nity. financing aircraft for the world’s larg- commercial aircraft from firms that do Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to est state supporter of terrorism. That business with the United States. vote ‘‘no’’ on H.R. 4324. is what this piece of legislation is try- Now, as we all know, Iran’s ability to Mr. HENSARLING. Mr. Speaker, I ing to achieve. That is what Mr. WIL- replenish its aging civil aviation fleet, yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from LIAMS’ point is in bringing it to the which was depleted by decades of sanc- Arkansas (Mr. HILL), an outstanding floor, and I appreciate his thoughtful tions, was a key incentive for Tehran member of the Financial Services Com- work to implement this much-needed to sign on to the JCPOA. mittee. policy and to help keep the citizens in Kenneth Katzman of the Congres- Mr. HILL. Mr. Speaker, I thank my my district safe from Iran’s global ter- sional Research Service said: ‘‘Iran friend, Mr. WILLIAMS, for introducing ror advance. would view the bill’s enactment into H.R. 4324, the Strengthening Oversight Ms. MAXINE WATERS of California. law as a breach of the JCPOA. The of Iran’s Access to Finance Act. This Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time agreement contains a clear U.S. com- act is needed. as I may consume. mitment to undertake such sales to Tonight, we are not here to rehash Mr. Speaker, I am going to read a let- Iran.’’ the failings of the JCPOA, but we are ter addressed to the Members of Con- But this bill imposes reporting and really here to honor Secretary Kerry’s gress from a highly respected organiza- certification requirements that could commitment of oversight of Iran out- tion that is pro-Israel and pro-peace well prompt the Treasury Department side that agreement. He made it quite advocacy. I am a member, and I look to to cease issuing licenses allowing for clear to Congress in his briefings that the recommendations, the advice, and

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:47 Dec 14, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00040 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K13DE7.079 H13DEPT1 December 13, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H9887 the assistance of this organization on not with two pieces of legislation, but of its Subcommittee on the Middle all issues related to the Middle East we don’t know how many will continue East and North Africa. and related to Iran and related to if they are successful in passing the Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I Israel. It is known as J Street, and I legislation that they are putting before thank our esteemed leader for this am a proud member and a proud partic- us, if this continues, then I am certain time, and I rise in strong support of ipant. that our allies will not trust us. They H.R. 4324, the Strengthening Oversight J Street urges Members: will not want to negotiate with us on of Iran’s Access to Finance Act, au- Oppose the so-called Strengthening Over- other deals that are important to peace thored by our good friend Mr. WILLIAMS sight of Iran’s Access to Finance Act, that is in this world. I would simply ask the of Texas, who is swinging for the H.R. 4324, which is clearly intended to lead Members on the opposite side of the fences. to a U.S. violation of the JCPOA. aisle to pay attention to highly re- When the Obama administration This bill would impose additional certifi- signed this terrible Iran nuclear deal, cation requirements on the administration spected, credible organizations like J in order to carry out current U.S. obliga- Street and take their advice about how in addition to the lifting of sanctions tions related to commercial aircraft sales to give support to the JCPOA. and sending billions of dollars to this under the JCPOA. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of hideous regime, it also authorized li- These new obligations require the adminis- my time. censes for the export of commercial tration to certify that Iran is not engaged in Mr. HENSARLING. Mr. Speaker, I passenger planes to Iran. certain nonnuclear activity or issue a na- yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from After selling the world a bill of tional security waiver saying they will allow North Carolina (Mr. BUDD), a hard- goods, the administration then turned the planes to be sold anyway. In other words, around and agreed to allow the sale of it imposes new unilateral terms for a con- working member of the Financial Serv- tinuation of the JCPOA that are unrelated ices Committee. planes to the world’s biggest exporter to Iran’s nuclear conduct. Mr. BUDD. Mr. Speaker, I thank the of terror. Not only that, but U.S. finan- It has been widely reported in connection chairman for yielding me time. cial institutions would be needed to fi- with the President’s recent refusal to make Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support nalize these sales, meaning American the necessary certification to Congress under of Mr. WILLIAMS’ legislation, H.R. 4324. taxpayers’ dollars could be used to fi- the Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act that I want to thank him for his leadership nance these sales. the President resents having to undertake on this front. The results were predictable, Mr. official actions to keep the United States in compliance with the JCPOA. Mr. Speaker, it is no secret that Speaker. Iran has been using its com- Proponents of this legislation clearly hope much of the terror funding and the mercial planes to transport fighters, to to make use of the President’s apparent re- civil unrest that we see in the Middle transport weapons, to transport mate- sistance to taking such steps by adding a East can be traced directly back to rial to Hezbollah in Syria, just to men- new certification requirement that they Iran. tion one. The list could go on and on, hope he will also fail to meet, thereby block- Since we have lifted sanctions on many illicit activities. ing the sale of commercial aircraft and forc- that regime—and, in particular, This is not something that Ameri- ing a U.S. violation of the agreement. against state-owned entities like Iran cans would be supporting, let alone un- Anyone doubting that this is the point of the bill need look no further than the first Air—we have opened up ourselves to derwriting. That is why Mr. WILLIAMS’ finding, which makes clear that this bill is a potentially financing Iran’s desta- bill is so important, and I thank Mr. gratuitously anti-Obama, anti-JCPOA vehi- bilizing activity in the region. HENSARLING for bringing it to the floor. cle and not a serious attempt to legislate on Congress has a right to know if banks It protects the U.S. financial system, a bipartisan basis on threats emanating from are linked to financing or doing busi- and it protects the taxpayers by giving Iran. ness with Iran, again, the world’s larg- us in Congress greater oversight. That No one who wants to see the JCPOA con- est state sponsor of terror. is what this bill is about: oversight tinue to be implemented should support this This bill is significant, considering bill. over business that the Treasury au- what we have recently seen with Iran thorizes with Iran. Finally, Mr. Speaker, Dylan Wil- Air. As recently as 2011, Iran Air was As we have heard speaker after liams, the vice president of govern- transporting weapons and missiles on speaker, Iran is the number one leading ment affairs who signed this bill, said: behalf of the Islamic Revolutionary state sponsor of terror. It is responsible Congress just gave the administration pow- Guard Corps; and even this year—not for the deaths of countless brave Amer- erful tools to conquer other countries, support of the Assad regime when it passed new 2011, but this year—we have seen Iran ican men and women fighting overseas. sanctions on Iran, Russia, and North Korea a Air continue to fly well-known weap- It is the destabilizing force in Syria, to few months ago that the President signed ons resupply routes to pro-Assad-con- name just one of the countries. into law. Implementation and assessment of trolled areas of Syria. The Supreme Leader calls for the de- the impact of that law should occur before Iran will always continue to find new struction of our most trusted ally, the consideration of any new sanctions legisla- and creative ways to bypass sanctions democratic Jewish State of Israel; and tion. and to fund their worldwide terror net- the calls for ‘‘death to America,’’ Mr. Again, in addition to the supporters work. We have to be on constant alert. Speaker, they go on and on, and it is of this body who have worked very Mr. WILLIAMS’ legislation gives us the written on walls. hard to try and convince the Members tools to do exactly that. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The of this body to be on the side of peace, His bill gives the people’s House, this time of the gentlewoman has expired. to try and get the Members to under- House, more oversight on business that Mr. HENSARLING. Mr. Speaker, I stand the seriousness of undermining the Treasury Department authorizes yield an additional 1 minute to the the JCPOA, the Members of this body with Iran. This is important because it gentlewoman from Florida. who work very hard for peace and who conveys the importance of staying Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, join with groups like J Street and ad- alert about our financial institutions the JCPOA was flawed. We all know vocate for peace are trying to make when they get involved financially that. It was weak and it was dangerous. sure that the United States stands up with Iran. Let’s ask our constituents, our tax- to its agreements, understanding how Mr. Speaker, once again, I thank my payers, if they want their dollars to this undermines our leadership in the colleague and my friend, Mr. WILLIAMS, fund the purchase of planes for the world. for his leadership on this issue, and I number one state sponsor of terror. I If we sit down and we negotiate with urge adoption of this bill. think that the answer would be ‘‘no.’’ other countries, as we have done on the Ms. MAXINE WATERS of California. We are actually being asked to sup- JCPOA, and they expect us to live up Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of posedly support American jobs by help- to the agreements and then they hear my time. ing Iran, the number one terror state, that we have various Members of Con- Mr. HENSARLING. Mr. Speaker, I to buy planes so this horrid human- gress with ideas of their own putting yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman rights abuser of a country, this killer together legislation that is supported from Florida (Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN), the of Americans can use these very planes by the opposite side of the aisle, com- chairman emeritus of the House For- to continue exporting its terror activi- ing in not with one piece of legislation, eign Affairs Committee and chairman ties throughout the world.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:53 Dec 14, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00041 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K13DE7.081 H13DEPT1 H9888 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE December 13, 2017 This is preposterous. It is a false and unrealistic, given that every other disinfectants,’’ and that is what this choice. signatory of the agreement has ob- legislation seeks to do. It simply adds Mr. Speaker, this bill protects the jected to changing its terms while Iran a crucial layer of reporting require- American consumer; it protects our remains compliant. ments, certifying that the sale of pas- constituents; it protects the taxpayer; If Congress passes this bill, it would senger aircraft does not pose a money and it gives us in Congress the proper give the administration the path it laundering risk or violate U.S. sanc- oversight. Let’s pass what this is: a needs to rip up the nuclear card with- tions. commonsense bill. out the constraints placed on Iran by Iranian continues to threaten the Ms. MAXINE WATERS of California. the deal. The administration’s hostile stability of the Middle East, and it Mr. Speaker, may I inquire as to how attitude towards Iran and stark ab- poses a threat to U.S. national inter- much time I have left. sence of diplomacy will inevitably put ests. Holding Iran accountable and pre- The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gen- the United States on a path of esca- venting them from continuing to desta- tlewoman from California has 4 min- lation with Iraq. There is an obvious bilize Syria should not be controversial utes remaining. The gentleman from link with North Korea here as well. at all. Texas has 51⁄2 minutes remaining. Hopefully, at some point, the President Mr. Speaker, I respectfully urge all of Ms. MAXINE WATERS of California. may determine that diplomacy has a my colleagues to strongly support this Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance role in managing the North Korean nu- legislation. of my time. clear missile challenges. Mr. HENSARLING. Mr. Speaker, On October 13, 2017, the Director Gen- But America’s ability to offer a cred- may I inquire how much time I have eral of the International Atomic En- ible, diplomatic path will be seriously remaining. ergy Agency—that is, the IAEA, the undermined if we cannot be trusted to The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gen- U.N. nuclear watchdog that, since Jan- stand by our agreement dealing with tleman has 4 minutes remaining. uary 2016, has been monitoring and Iran to destabilize regional activities. Mr. HENSARLING. Mr. Speaker, I verifying Iran’s implementation of its Its ambition to remake large swaths of yield myself the balance of my time. nuclear-related commitments—re- the Middle East in its image entails a Mr. Speaker, from time to time in leased a statement noting that, ‘‘At broad range of challenges. Without the my Congressional career I come to the present, Iran is subject to the world’s JCPOA, however, those challenges be- House floor, and I have a surreal mo- most robust nuclear verification re- come even more daunting. ment. Iran is the world’s foremost I urge my colleagues not to give up gime,’’ confirming that Iran remains in state sponsor of terror, and we have on our best chance of containing Iran’s compliance with its JCPOA commit- Members on the other side of the aisle pursuit of nuclear weapons through ments. saying: Well, we shouldn’t learn any- peaceful means and to join me in re- The same day, President Trump an- thing about them. We shouldn’t learn jecting this terrible bill. about who is financing their aircraft. nounced that he had refused to certify Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance the national security value of the Iran We shouldn’t learn whether or not air- of my time. craft will be converted for military nuclear deal, which gave Congress 60 Mr. HENSARLING. Mr. Speaker, I days to fatally undermine the agree- purposes. am pleased to yield 11⁄2 minutes to the Iran is a regime where every day the ment by re-introducing some or all of gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. leadership wakes up shouting: ‘‘Death the suspended sanctions; although, NORMAN), a member of the Small Busi- to Israel, Death to America.’’ Yet I Congress did not do so. ness Committee. Despite the fact that the President Mr. NORMAN. Mr. Speaker, I thank have friends on the other side of the aisle who say: Well, we shouldn’t have did not withdraw from the nuclear ac- Chairman HENSARLING for yielding. cord, his disdain for the agreement has This really isn’t that complicated. The any reporting on Iran because it might always been clear. In a highly JCPOA is a failed policy that was put hurt their feelings. confrontational speech, President up by a President who had no interest This is a surreal moment, Mr. Speak- Trump forcefully denounced the Is- in protecting this country as it should er, an absolute surreal moment. We lamic republic and attacked the deal be. President Trump is finally bringing have been told over and over that for failing to curb Iran’s destabilizing this back to this country. somehow this stops the JCPOA, the nu- regional activities, despite the fact the Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong clear deal with Iran. I wish it did, but accord was never meant to address support of H.R. 4324, the Strengthening it doesn’t. I would suggest to my every aspect of Iran’s maligned activi- Oversight of Iran’s Access to Finance friends on the other side of the aisle, if ties. It was always intended to focus on Act. This important legislation is crit- they actually read the bill, it is 10 Iran’s nuclear program. ical to hold Iran accountable and en- pages long, 6 pages of findings. You can As an arms control agreement, the sure the integrity of U.S. sanctions put the findings aside and read the 4 deal has, so far, been successful. against Iran. pages. It is a reporting bill. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank ROGER It has certifications. And guess what b 1830 WILLIAMS for his great work on this the implications are if the administra- Trump has threatened to upend the legislation. The Iran deal allows the tion can’t give the proper certifi- nuclear deal unless Congress amends it United States to license the sale of pas- cations? Nothing. The deal continues to make its terms more restrictive. senger aircraft to Iran to update their to go on. It is perhaps the single worst The President is looking to find any ra- civilian commercial airliner fleet. De- foreign policy agreement in the history tionale he can to walk away from the spite the deal, Iran’s behavior has not of America that legitimizes Iran’s nu- deal without having to take the blame. changed, and they still remain a prin- clear program and, on its best day, This legislation is precisely what he cipal state sponsor of international ter- slows up their nuclear weapons by has been looking for. rorism, a direct contributor in prop- maybe a few years, at best, on its best But American unilateralism, at this ping up the Syrian regime, and a major day. point, would be a disaster and would facilitator of money laundering. When the JCPOA was sold to us by make forging a common front against However, enabling commercial air- the previous administration, we were Iran nearly impossible in the future. craft sales could only fortify Iran’s told: This would be for civilian aircraft That is one way of ensuring failure at rogue behavior. Many, including the use only. Don’t worry about it. This is the outset of a diplomatic effort to pur- Department of Treasury, are concerned not going to exacerbate terrorism in sue a new multilateral agreement, that commercial aircraft could be used any way. But we know Boeing itself would be to violate an existing one for noncivilian purposes, considering says their aircraft, which are being with the same partners. the state-controlled airline, Iran Air, sold to Iran, can be used for combat The President’s insistence on renego- has facilitated Iran’s destabilization of purposes, and, in fact, have been. Iran tiating the JCPOA to extend the dura- Syria by transporting missile and rock- Air was cited in 2011. It was sanctioned tion of several of its constraints make et components to the Syrian regime. for supporting the Islamic Revolu- inspections more intrusive and expand Justice Louis Brandeis once stated tionary Guard Corps, which has been its coverage to missiles. It is dangerous that, ‘‘Sunlight is said to be the best of designated as a terrorist organization.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:53 Dec 14, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00042 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K13DE7.082 H13DEPT1 December 13, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H9889 This isn’t just theory, Mr. Speaker. tary manpower and materiel around the re- (II) has knowingly transported items used It is a fact. Then we had my colleague, gion. Iran Air was sanctioned by the United to establish in Syria a permanent military the gentleman from Washington, say: States in July 2011 under Executive Order presence of either Iranian military forces or Well, it is important that we sell air- 13382 for ‘‘for providing material support and Iranian backed militia; or craft to Iran so companies can make services to the Islamic Revolutionary Guards The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- profits. Well, using his logic, maybe we Corps and Iran’s Ministry of Defense and ant to House Resolution 658, the gen- ought to sell weapons to North Korea if Armed Forces Logistics.’’ Lest we believe Iran tleman from Florida (Mr. GAETZ) and a some company can make a profit. I Air has straightened up its act since 2011, the Member opposed each will control 5 think not, Mr. Speaker. Washington Free Beacon reported in August minutes. There are some things that are more on images from this summer showing Iranian The Chair recognizes the gentleman important. Our security is even more militiamen flying Iran Air to join the civil war in from Florida. important than the profit of any one Syria. Mr. GAETZ. Mr. Speaker, I would particular company. So, again, this is a Mr. Speaker, it’s also clear that Iran has like to thank the gentleman from simple reporting requirement. never had a greater incentive than it does Texas, Chairman HENSARLING, for his I want to thank the gentleman from today to double down on its hegemonic guidance and leadership in assisting me Texas (Mr. WILLIAMS) for his leadership schemes as it expands its footholds in Iraq, with this amendment. I would also like here. It is incredibly important that we Syria, Lebanon, Yemen, and elsewhere in the to thank the gentleman from Texas understand from those who sold us this region. We have long known of Iran’s geno- (Mr. WILLIAMS) for ensuring this Con- terrible Iranian deal, they need to cidal intentions toward our critical and demo- gress takes the strongest possible posi- make good on their promises. cratic ally, Israel. For years Iran has poured tion as it relates to Iran and ensuring We need to make sure that civilian money and resources into Hizballah and that we use every arrow in the prover- aircraft are being used for civilian pur- Hamas to develop proxies that can threaten bial quiver, financially speaking, so poses. We need to make sure that the Israel on its borders. Today, however, Iran is that U.S. assets and U.S. resources are banks who are financing these deals closer than ever to achieving its own toehold not used to proliferate terror in a way are not financing terrorism. Yet those near the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights from that is consistent with Iran’s paradigm on the other side of the aisle say: No, which to menace Israel and terrorize its peo- and their budding hegemony. let’s put our heads in the sand. Let’s ple. Across the Middle East, we see Iran just trust—let’s trust the world’s fore- Why, in this context, would the United funding terrorist proxies, destabilizing most state sponsor of terrorism. They States knowingly furnish Iran with aircraft it the region, threatening their neigh- will do the right thing. Let’s just ig- needs to move its military assets around the bors, and functioning as an eyesore for nore this terrorism thing. region? Yet, as we speak, a sale of 80 Boeing the world. So I am glad to be here of- No. No, Mr. Speaker. That is why it aircraft to Iran Air, worth as much as $16.6 bil- fering an amendment to ensure that, as is so important that we enact H.R. 4324, lion, is on track to proceed unless the Admin- we use the tools at our disposal to and I urge all my colleagues to vote for istration wisely intervenes or Congress hits the limit Iran’s power to be a destabilizing it. It is important to America. brakes. sponsor of terror, we pay particular Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance Mr. Speaker, H.R. 4324 is crucial to apply- focus to the activities going on cur- of my time. ing necessary and thorough scrutiny to this rently in Syria. Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I deal or others like it. This bill will require the In Syria now, a ceasefire has had an rise today in support of H.R. 4324, the Department of the Treasury to certify that the unintended consequence of giving Iran Strengthening Oversight of Iran’s Access to Fi- beneficiaries of any such deal do not include space to be able to move in and make nance Act, introduced by my friend ROGER Iranians known to be involved in transporting attempts to harden long-term military WILLIAMS. This bill is critical to Congress’ sus- materiel or other resources for designated in- assets, installations, so that troops tained effort to roll back the most egregious dividuals or groups. Given Iran Air’s sinister could be housed and potentially launch concessions from the Obama Administration’s past, it is only logical to demand this sort of other attacks and fund and equip Iran’s disastrous nuclear deal with Iran. certification. terrorist proxies throughout the area. Mr. Speaker, I have spoken many times Furthermore, the bill would require the It is no surprise that the facility that about how the Iran deal endangers our na- Treasury to certify that any such transaction Iran most recently worked on would tional security, namely by acquiescing to Iran’s does not pose a ‘‘significant money laundering have housed upwards of 5,000 soldiers. ambition to become a nuclear threshold in less or terrorism financing risk to the U.S. financial It is believed that, potentially, Israel than a decade. As if this concession—and the system.’’ Again, considering that Iran remains took action to ensure that the con- woefully inadequate inspections regime Presi- the world’s largest financier of terrorism and struction did not continue on that par- dent Obama agreed to—were not troubling on the Financial Action Task Force’s blacklist ticular facility. enough, the deal came with dozens of addi- of countries that pose a high risk of money My amendment, Mr. Speaker, condi- tional sweeteners for Iran that were folded into laundering, it is only responsible to establish tions the provisions of this bill on an the main text of the agreement and an un- this sort of standard for major U.S. trans- attestation that Iran has not set up known number of side-deals. actions with Iranian companies. permanent, present military in south- These inducements were wrong on principle Mr. Speaker, I also rise today to support ern Syria. I think that is critically im- and they are downright dangerous in practice. H.R. 1638, the Iranian Leadership Asset portant. On principle, Iran should not be gently Transparency Act, introduced by my friend In the last conversation I had with incentivized to come clean about its nuclear BRUCE POLIQUIN. This bill requires common Prime Minister Netanyahu, he indi- program—it should be strictly compelled to sense reporting to Congress on the terrorism cated that Israel was most concerned, comply with international norms. In practice, financing and money laundering threat posed in all of the world, about the risks these numerous U.S. concessions to Iran ef- by Iran to help us address it more effectively. posed by Iran setting up a permanent fectively handed the world’s largest sponsor of Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to sup- military presence in southern Syria, port these timely and critical measures. and that that would cause potentially terrorism more resources to advance its cam- The SPEAKER pro tempore. All time kinetic conflict, war, and even more paign for regional hegemony. By providing for debate on the bill has expired. $115 billion in sanctions relief, a $1.7 billion dramatic, catastrophic outcomes. AMENDMENT NO. 1 OFFERED BY MR. GAETZ ransom payment, and an $8.6 million payment Again, I thank Chairman HENSARLING Mr. GAETZ. Mr. Speaker, I have an for excess heavy water that violated the terms and Mr. WILLIAMS for their strong lead- amendment at the desk. ership. I offer this amendment to back of the deal, the Obama Administration’s ca- The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. lamitous deal generated a windfall for the Ira- our ally, Israel, and to ensure that Iran BANKS of Indiana). The Clerk will des- does not have the capability to estab- nian regime. ignate the amendment. Mr. Speaker, one especially troubling con- The text of the amendment is as fol- lish a permanent military presence in cession was the Obama Administration’s lows: southern Syria. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance agreement in the text of the deal to sell com- Page 6, line 18, strike ‘‘or’’. mercial passenger aircraft to Iran while at the Page 6, after line 18 insert the following of my time. same time lifting sanctions on Iran Air, a na- (and redesignate the subsequent subclause The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- tional carrier notorious for ferrying Iran’s mili- accordingly): ant to the rule, the previous question

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:53 Dec 14, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00043 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K13DE7.084 H13DEPT1 H9890 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE December 13, 2017 is ordered on the bill, as amended, and aware of the effects their financial Vote for this motion to recommit, on the amendment offered by the gen- dealings have on supporting those who and, by doing so, Members will show tleman from Florida (Mr. GAETZ). engage in election interference. their concern not only about Iran, but The question is on the amendment We should think carefully about let- also about their chief enabler. Mem- offered by the gentleman from Florida ting financial institutions do business bers will show their concern for our de- (Mr. GAETZ). with countries that choose to conduct mocracy and the interference that The amendment was agreed to. this new cyber warfare. While it may Iran’s best friend, Russia, carried out The SPEAKER pro tempore. The have been unthinkable before 2016 that in our last election. question is on the engrossment and a foreign adversary would interfere in Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to third reading of the bill. one of our elections, we know now that support this amendment, and I yield The bill was ordered to be engrossed the threat is all too real. back the balance of my time. and read a third time, and was read the Our intelligence community con- Mr. HENSARLING. Mr. Speaker, I third time. cluded that Russia interfered in our claim the time in opposition. MOTION TO RECOMMIT 2016 elections; and it also concluded The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gen- Mr. SWALWELL of California. Mr. that this was ordered by President tleman from Texas is recognized for 5 Speaker, I have a motion to recommit Vladimir Putin, with the goal of help- minutes. at the desk. ing its preferred candidate, Donald Mr. HENSARLING. Mr. Speaker, my The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is the Trump. Why this is something that the friends on the other side of the aisle gentleman opposed to the bill? President and some of my colleagues seem to be schizophrenic. They can’t Mr. SWALWELL of California. Mr. across the aisle still question is beyond seem to figure out whether they want Speaker, I am opposed. shocking. It is also a slap in the face of to coddle Iran or to ‘‘stand up to’’ Iran. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The the dedicated men and women who We were also told that H.R. 4324 was Clerk will report the motion to recom- serve and toil for our intelligence com- designed to ‘‘blame and shame’’ finan- mit. munities. cial institutions, and now they offer a The Clerk read as follows: The 2016 election, Mr. Speaker, is be- motion to recommit to blame and hind us. We shouldn’t relitigate it. We Mr. Swalwell of California moves to recom- shame financial institutions. should learn, though, from how a for- mit the bill H.R. 4324 to the Committee on So here is what is going on, Mr. eign adversary, a friend of Iran, sought Financial Services with instructions to re- Speaker: What we have is a regime to influence the American voter. This port the same back to the House forthwith that wakes up every morning shouting is not a Democratic Party or Repub- with the following amendment: ‘‘Death to America; death to Israel,’’ Page 6, line 23, strike ‘‘and’’. lican Party issue. It is about our free- and yet we have a motion to recommit Page 7, line 7, add ‘‘and’’ at the end dom of choice: who gets to choose when trying to relitigate the 2016 Presi- Page 7, after line 7, insert the following: we go to the ballot box. dential election. (iv) no financial institution participating Iran is not our friend. Guess who else in such transaction is engaged in business is not our friend? Iran’s friend Russia. We have a regime which has been cer- with a foreign entity that has been found by tified as the world’s foremost state the Secretary, in consultation with the Di- But if you don’t believe me, if you are cynical enough, as the President is, to sponsor of terrorism whom we are try- rector of National Intelligence, to have ening to hold accountable and from whom gaged in or authorized cyber-attacks tar- dismiss the findings of our intelligence we are trying to get information, and geting any election held in the United community, then believe the Russians. States; Believe their own declarations. our friends on the other side of the In September, a Duma parliament aisle are trying to relitigate the 2016 b 1845 member, Nikonov Vyacheslav, stated Presidential election. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- that the United States intelligence We know that the Iranian Revolu- ant to the rule, the gentleman from community slept while Russia elected tionary Guard Corps supports the California is recognized for 5 minutes a new United States President of the Assad regime in Syria. According to in support of his motion. United States. the U.N., the Assad government, with Mr. SWALWELL of California. Mr. Does anyone in this House want to do the help of Iran, has now carried out 27 Speaker, this is the final amendment something about that? chemical weapon attacks since the to the bill. It will not kill the bill or In this attack, did Russia work with start of the Syrian conflict, including send it back to committee. If adopted, the Trump campaign? an April 2017 sarin gas attack that the bill will immediately proceed to a That is a serious question that re- killed more than 80 people, including final passage vote, as amended. mains outstanding. Every day seems to scores of women and children, and my My amendment would add an addi- bring new revelations about the con- friends on the other side of the aisle tional certification requirement from nections between the Trump campaign want to relitigate the 2016 Presidential the Treasury Secretary for financial and Russia. We must do all we can to election. institutions. allow Bob Mueller and his team to pur- Mr. Speaker, Iran continues to im- Mr. Speaker, I agree with my col- sue that evidence unimpeded by Presi- prison foreign nationals, including leagues across the aisle. Iran is a dential obstruction. Americans—including Americans—in- threat to our national security, and we We also must be able to conduct our cluding 81-year-old Baquer Namazi, should seek to hold them accountable, investigations on the House Intel- who has lost his teeth in prison due to protect Americans, and defend our al- ligence Committee to do all we can to malnutrition. We have had another lies. The first major step in the last get to the bottom, to tell the American American prisoner, a student at decade to do so was with the Iran nu- people how we were so vulnerable, who Princeton, who has suffered health clear agreement taking a nuclear in the United States was responsible, problems, and yet my friends on the power off the table. But we should also whether the U.S. Government response other side of the aisle, with their mo- seek to hold accountable Iran’s chief was adequate, and what we can do to tion to recommit, want to relitigate enabler and best friend in the world, make sure it never happens again. the 2016 Presidential election. Russia, which my amendment will seek I fear, Mr. Speaker, that the Presi- This is a serious moment, Mr. Speak- to do. dent and many of his own enablers in er. H.R. 4324 by the gentleman from My amendment would add a require- Congress are seeking to fire Bob Texas is an important piece of legisla- ment that the Treasury Secretary cer- Mueller, which would set us back and tion to ensure that civilian aircraft tify that an institution financing the greatly affect our ability to prevent sales to Iran remain civilian aircraft export of commercial aircraft to Iran another attack by Russia. But what we and that our financial institutions are did not engage in business with any can do with this amendment today is not unwittingly helping to finance this foreign entity which engaged in or au- not only stand up to Iran, but also rogue terrorist regime, and it is no thorized cyber attacks targeting Amer- stand up to their chief enabler, sometime to relitigate an election that my ican elections. This is a commonsense one who finances them and assists the friends on the other side of the aisle provision to ensure that companies are terror that they enact across the globe. lost.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:53 Dec 14, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00044 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K13DE7.087 H13DEPT1 December 13, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H9891 We need to reject the motion to re- wave, and he rode it as far as it would Mr. Speaker, I commend Supervisor commit, and we need to enact H.R. take him. Glossner for a life of service, and I wish 4324. f him well in his retirement. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance TAX REFORM ON STUDENTS f of my time. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Without (Mrs. WATSON COLEMAN asked and TAX REFORM objection, the previous question is or- was given permission to address the (Mrs. BEATTY asked and was given dered on the motion to recommit. House for 1 minute.) permission to address the House for 1 There was no objection. Mrs. WATSON COLEMAN. Mr. minute.) The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Speaker, education is supposed to be Mrs. BEATTY. Mr. Speaker, what is question is on the motion to recommit. the great equalizer, but instead of in- happening in Washington? With the The question was taken; and the vesting in our students, Republicans, holidays coming up, I would like to Speaker pro tempore announced that through their tax scam, are attempting know why the Republican majority the noes appeared to have it. to widen that equality gap. seems so intent on putting coal in the Mr. SWALWELL of California. Mr. Young people want to pursue higher stockings of everyday Americans. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas education, and Republicans want to Last week, the House passed a con- and nays. punish them with higher taxes so we tinuing resolution that did little but The yeas and nays were ordered. can give away benefits to millionaires move the threat of a government shut- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- and billionaires. down to just a few days before Christ- Students are gaining knowledge that ant to clause 8 of rule XX, further pro- mas. can actually make a difference in this ceedings on this question will be post- The Republican tax bill is a brazen world, but the Republicans’ tax plan poned. attempt to put money in the pockets of will only serve to deter them from that the superwealthy and well-connected f goal. at the expense of seniors, our students, HOUR OF MEETING ON TOMORROW It is right here in black and white. Republicans are trying to eliminate middle class families, and hardworking Mr. HENSARLING. Mr. Speaker, I Americans. ask unanimous consent that when the student loan interest deductions. They want to tax college endowments that The American people don’t deserve House adjourns today, it adjourn to this tax hike. It is a billionaires-first meet at 9 a.m. tomorrow. provide scholarships and student aid. They are taxing graduate tuition bene- Republican tax scam, and they don’t The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there deserve a government that reels from objection to the request of the gen- fits that would make graduate school unattainable for low- and middle-in- shutdown crisis to crisis doing nothing tleman from Texas? but creating uncertainty in our coun- There was no objection. come students. So this Republican attack on college try. f and graduate students says loud and What we should be doing is fixing PAYING TRIBUTE TO SURF clear: Low income? No rich parents? CHIP. The Children’s Health Insurance LEGEND BRUCE BROWN Good luck. Pay up. Program provides real, permanent tax It is an absolute disgrace. relief to those who need it most: our 9 (Mr. ROHRABACHER asked and was million children, 250,000 in my district. f given permission to address the House Mr. Speaker, the American people de- for 1 minute and to revise and extend RECOGNIZING WOODWARD TOWN- serve better. They deserve better jobs, his remarks.) SHIP SUPERVISOR CLYDE better wages, and a better future. Mr. ROHRABACHER. Mr. Speaker, I GLOSSNER FOR 47 YEARS OF f rise today to pay tribute to surf legend SERVICE and filmmaker Bruce Brown, who, at 80 (Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania b 1900 years of age, died this week. asked and was given permission to ad- FIVE-YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF Bruce Brown challenged a generation dress the House for 1 minute and to re- SANDY HOOK SHOOTING of Americans to follow our dream and vise and extend his remarks.) The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under to find our perfect wave. He reached Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. out to introduce us to the magic expe- the Speaker’s announced policy of Jan- Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the uary 3, 2017, the gentlewoman from rience of being propelled by the power career of Clyde Glossner, who has Connecticut (Ms. ESTY) is recognized of nature on an ocean wave. Adventure served the Woodward Township in Clin- and a rush of excitement was only as for 60 minutes as the designee of the ton County as supervisor for nearly 50 minority leader. far away as a local beach. years. Bruce Brown made movies about Supervisor Glossner, who is 84, will GENERAL LEAVE surfing. ‘‘Endless Summer’’ was his retire this year after 47 years of serv- Ms. ESTY of Connecticut. Mr. Speak- best known. But his films were more ice. Next Tuesday, he will oversee his er, I ask unanimous consent that all than entertainment. He spoke to our last board of supervisors meeting. Members may have 5 legislative days soul and our spirit of adventure. He in- Supervisor Glossner has been a resi- to revise and extend their remarks and spired us to go for it, to take on tow- dent of the township his entire life. He to include extraneous material on the ering waves, just as other Americans is a member of the Forty and Eight or- subject of tonight’s Special Order. scaled the tallest mountain peaks and ganization and the Masons in Lock The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there even journeyed to the Moon. Haven. objection to the request of the gentle- Isn’t that what America was all He and his wife of 60 years, Wilma, woman from Connecticut? about? Isn’t that what America is all were married in 1955 in First Evan- There was no objection. about? gelical United Brethren Church in Ms. ESTY of Connecticut. Mr. Speak- My first surfboard was a large, sin- Lock Haven. In September 1955, Clyde er, tomorrow, December 14, marks the gle-fin Velzy. Dale Velzy owned a surf and Wilma purchased their home in 5-year anniversary of the horrific shop in San Clemente and financed Woodward Township. They still live school shooting in the home commu- Bruce Brown’s first film, ‘‘Slippery there today, and they have three grown nity of Sandy Hook Elementary When Wet.’’ sons. School. The surf culture Bruce Brown helped In his earlier years, Supervisor That day shocked the Nation. Twen- get born is still here. Outsiders are in- Glossner worked as a food inspector for ty schoolchildren and six educators—20 trigued by it. You know when you are the Pennsylvania Department of Agri- 6-year-olds and 7-year-olds—were part of it. culture. He has shown his dedication to ripped from the community of New- Bruce Brown showed us the way. A his neighbors through his years of pub- town and from the United States. few days ago, he passed on and is pad- lic service, and the community will I remember that day. I was a newly dling into the distant sunset. He fol- gather next Tuesday, December 19, at elected Member of Congress learning lowed his dream, he found his perfect the Dunnstown Fire Hall to honor him. about what it means to serve in this

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:53 Dec 14, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00045 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K13DE7.089 H13DEPT1 H9892 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE December 13, 2017 august body. I was with about 40 or 50 cates for gun sense and gun safety in than his share of gun violence as a of my colleagues learning about our America. decorated servicemember fighting our duties when I started to get emails and Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentle- Nation’s battles, and he has now led us text messages that something terrible woman from Ohio (Mrs. BEATTY). for the last 5 years in our efforts for a had happened at home. By noon, I Mrs. BEATTY. Mr. Speaker, I thank safer, better society and a better world learned the worst. Dozens of children my friend and colleague, Congress- as the head of our Gun Violence Pre- had been gunned down, in cold blood, woman ESTY, for leading this Special vention Task Force. along with their teachers. Order hour and for yielding to me. Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. I threw my things in the back of the Mr. Speaker, I will never forget the Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for car and I drove from Boston. I called Sandy Hook tragedy that happened 5 yielding and also for her leadership in my mother, I called my minister, and I years ago tomorrow. It was like yester- regard to gun violence prevention and prayed for wisdom and I prayed for day. all the work that she has done and all guidance and the courage to face those I was at Harvard University. I was of the effort she has put forward to try families. seated next to Congresswoman ESTY and bring some common sense to this I arrived in Newtown while families when the news broke about the shoot- issue. were being notified that their children ing in the district she had just been The speaker before me said that she who they had put on the bus that elected to serve. will never forget what happened at morning, thinking about Hanukkah or The more we learned that day, the Sandy Hook and where she was when Christmas or thinking about the snow more devastating and heartbreaking that tragedy took place. I don’t think that was already on the ground, would the news became. Innocent children there are any of us who know what never come home. were taken away from their parents, Sandy Hook was or were in Congress It is sad. It is sad and it is inexcus- from their brothers and sisters, and when Sandy Hook happened or care able that I stand here 5 years later. In from their community. about this issue who will ever forget that time, this Chamber, the people’s I hoped and prayed that day that we where we were. House, has not taken up the people’s would never see a tragedy like Sandy For me, I was in my home State of business. Hook. But, of course, our country con- California, in the Sacramento Valley, As of this fall, in fact, over 90 percent tinues to be unique in the number of in a duck blind. I was duck hunting. of Americans still support having uni- people we have lost to mass shootings Yes, I am a hunter. I am a gun owner. versal background checks on all gun and gun violence. I carried a weapon in Vietnam during sales to keep guns out of the hands of As a Member of Congress, I cannot the Vietnam war. I strongly support dangerous people. Over 90 percent of stand by and allow our communities to the Second Amendment. American households that have guns continue to be upturned by the loss of But I truly and passionately believe also support that commonsense legisla- innocent lives. There are too many that, as a responsible gun owner, I have tion. Yet, in this House, we have not things we can do to address this epi- a responsibility, as does every respon- been given the opportunity to vote on demic. sible gun owner in the United States of that legislation. In those 5 years, We should allow Federal agencies to America, to speak out to make sure 170,000 Americans have lost their lives study gun violence as a public health that everyone who handles and owns a to gun violence. Think about that: crisis, because it is. We should keep firearm does it safely and responsibly 170,000. guns out of the hands of individuals on and that we do everything we can to Newtown, like my hometown of the terrorist watch list and those con- make sure that people who shouldn’t Cheshire, is about 30,000 people. That is victed of hate crimes. We should close get their hands on firearms don’t. multiple Newtowns all day, every sin- the gun show loopholes, Mr. Speaker, I know you can’t stop everybody, but gle one. Every single one of those and reinstate the assault weapons ban. we should be doing everything we can Americans was a son or a daughter of You will note that none of the pro- to minimize the likelihood that some- someone and had friends and neighbors posals I just mentioned would in any one who shouldn’t have a firearm—a and loved ones. Again, in that time, way infringe on the Second Amend- criminal, a domestic abuser, someone this body has not acted. ment or limit the ability of Americans who is dangerously mentally ill— Two weeks ago, I was in church in to protect themselves or their families. doesn’t get their hands on firearms. Danbury, Connecticut. I was at serv- So there should be no reason why our Last week, families who lost loved ices with a congregation I try to get to Republican colleagues can’t join us and ones in the Sandy Hook massacre came every 6 months or so. I saw a couple of pass sensible reforms that will save here to Capitol Hill to share their grief people I didn’t expect to see. I saw the lives, like the lives we could have and to call for action to deal with this mother of one of the little girls who saved at Sandy Hook. terrible, terrible thing we call gun vio- was killed 5 years ago. I saw the daugh- I hope and pray that this Congress lence. This was a day after the House ter of the principal. They were there has the courage to curb this epidemic passed the dangerous Concealed Carry for guidance, for wisdom, for courage of gun violence, because I don’t want to Reciprocity bill that would let crimi- to fight the battle that the American continue to see the Sandy Hooks, the nals convicted of violent crimes carry people are waging for this House to Charleston Nines, the Orlandos, or loaded concealed guns in virtually take action on. what we saw this year in cities like Las every State in the country. The American people know the right Vegas or small towns like Sutherland Instead of honoring the 20 precious thing to do. Our law enforcement know Springs. little children and the 6 brave and dedi- the right thing to do. The vast major- One of the things we can do to honor cated educators who were slaughtered ity of responsible gun owners know the the memory of the victims of those at Sandy Hook, the Republican leader- right thing to do. Yet, somehow, this tragedies and all victims of gun vio- ship put the gun lobby ahead of State body has failed to act. lence is to make sure that no more laws and ahead of gun violence preven- But it is never too late. Now is the families have to experience the same tion. time for us to step up. Now is the time senseless loss. We have had 40 moments of silence for us to shoulder our responsibilities Again, I thank my colleague and since Sandy Hook. Forty moments of so that no other community has to go friend for being courageous and for silence. Meanwhile, there have been through what Newtown has gone standing up and fighting for better gun 1,500 mass shootings since that awful through. Although, in that time, we laws so that we can save lives. I thank day in December, 5 years ago. have now seen Las Vegas, we have seen her for being a champion and leading 64,000 people in the United States of Charleston, we have seen Orlando. tonight’s effort. America have been killed by someone There are killing fields now in Amer- Ms. ESTY of Connecticut. Mr. Speak- using a gun. Last week, the families of ica. That is not right. It doesn’t need er, I yield to the gentleman from Cali- those victims asked us one thing. They to be. fornia (Mr. THOMPSON), my friend and asked us to honor their loved ones with I am joined tonight by several of my the leader in our effort, who is an ex- action, stop the gun lobby’s reckless colleagues who are passionate advo- pert in guns. He has experienced more and profit-driven agenda, and stand up

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:53 Dec 14, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00046 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K13DE7.092 H13DEPT1 December 13, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H9893 for communities all across this coun- day and devastating loss in her district An average of 1,297 children die annu- try. that she would much prefer not to do. ally from gun-related injuries. And our As I have said before, I am a gun As I listened to my colleagues, each colleague and friend, ROBIN KELLY, re- owner. I have owned and used guns all of us giving our own separate story of minds us all the time of the gun vio- of my life. I support the Second where we were the day of Sandy Hook, lence that continues in cities like Chi- Amendment. all I can say, and what I remember, is cago. I am here tonight to call on the Re- that I became breathless; I became un- Guns are linked to roughly 33,000 publican leadership to come to the believing. It was a very painful day. It deaths in the United States per year. table. Let’s move commonsense, bipar- was a sickening day, horrifying, and I About two-thirds of them are suicides. tisan legislation that will keep us safe, was questioning: Is this really hap- According to the Pew Research Cen- keep our communities safe, and still pening, or did this really happen? ter, a majority of Americans across honor the Second Amendment. As a member of the Judiciary Com- partisan lines support gun policy pro- I care about the people in my dis- mittee, and as I have listened over the posals, such as barring people with trict, as I know all of you care about years of some of the more descriptive mental illness from buying guns, pro- the people in your districts. I have a accounts of Sandy Hook, some of the hibiting gun purchases by people on son who is a deputy sheriff. I certainly stories of such bravery of the principal Federal no-fly or watch lists, some- don’t want him to go out on a call and and teachers who lost their lives, or thing we have been trying to pass for- meet up with somebody who shouldn’t those who tried to intervene on this de- ever—a reasonable response to the safe- have a gun. I have got grandchildren in ranged gunman—who, by the way, ty of Americans. my community. I certainly don’t want killed his mother before he came to As a member of the Homeland Secu- them exposed to people who shouldn’t that school—there is nothing more rity Committee, I cannot imagine why have guns. that you can say. Breathless. Similar that would not be a unifying legislative I am here tonight to call on the Re- to the actions of former President initiative—and background checks for publican leadership to do something Barack Obama. private gun sales and sales at gun about this. Let’s move this common- I can distinctly remember him being shows and universal background sense, bipartisan legislation. We can before the national audience, the peo- checks. There is always the rebuttal: ‘‘Guns start by expanding background checks ple of the United States, as I recall, in don’t kill, people do.’’ But people with to make it harder for criminals and the the White House, and wiping a tear, or varying conditions take up guns be- dangerously mentally ill to get their tears, away from his eyes. I think the cause they are allowed to do so with whole Nation, at that time, crumbled. hands on guns. This should be the first unfettered gun purchases. It is well A Commander in Chief, known for his line of defense. Congress should make known—the percentage of membership strong, stoic leadership, could not com- that happen. of the NRA. That is why I was glad to Ninety-two percent of the American prehend what had happened to these listen to Chairman THOMPSON, who is a children at Sandy Hook. people believe we should expand back- gun owner, a gun user, but how fortu- I think all of us believe this would be ground checks. What is the harm in nate we are to have him lead the com- a galvanizing call to action. All of us checking to ensure that someone is not mittee, because he can unabashedly, as took notice. We never expected Las a criminal or to ensure that someone is a war veteran, combat war veteran, say Vegas with 50-plus killed in 2017, never not dangerously mentally ill before we that it doesn’t make sense in America expected Orlando in 2016 with 50 killed, allow them to buy a gun and take it off to be able to have unfettered gun use. into the community where they can or Virginia Tech that happened a few The majority must cut its close ties possibly do some harm? years before. to the powerful gun lobby to facilitate We put these ideas up before this It amazes me that we are here in useful gun control legislation nec- leadership and there has been silence. commemoration and not here in cele- essary immediately. America has six No hearings on the bill, no votes on the bration of what we accomplished for times as many firearm homicides as bill. those who yet live: the little ones who Canada and nearly 16 times as many as Well, if the Republican leadership go every day to school, the college stu- Germany. doesn’t like our ideas about how to dents, the people who go to clubs, the The United Nations data shows that curb gun violence, then how about put- church-going people. What did we ac- America far and away leads other de- ting together a select committee of complish? Why are we being rebuffed? veloped countries when it comes to both Democrats and Republicans? Mr. Speaker, I want to say to the gun-related homicides. America has 4.4 Charge that select committee with Sandy Hook families, of whom I met as percent of the world’s population, but working on the issue of gun violence well, what brave men and women. Here almost half of the civilian-owned guns prevention and to come up with some they are spending their time trying to around the world. ideas that will keep our communities be the soldiers of reason around gun In December 2012, a gunman walked safe. safety. It is horrifying to admit that into Sandy Hook Elementary School in gun violence now seems to be a staple b 1915 Newtown, Connecticut, and killed 20 of American life. children, 6 adults, and himself—some- We owe it to the families of Sandy The United States ranks number one one who had killed his mother before Hook and to all those who have lost in the world in terms of firearms per he came. Since then, there have been someone to gun violence. We dishonor capita, with 88.8 guns per 100, and has at least 1,518 mass shootings, with at their memory when we do nothing, and the highest homicide by firearm rate in least 1,715 people killed, and 6,000 that is what is happening under this the developed world. The problem is so wounded. leadership: we are doing nothing. That endemic that gun violence is now the Who would have ever imagined that a is shameful. We need to make sure that third leading cause of death for chil- man would be at the top of a hotel and we do everything we can to help pre- dren in the United States. massively kill so many. Who would vent gun violence. How many parents crumble them- ever imagine that there is a law on the Ms. ESTY of Connecticut. Mr. Speak- selves or fall over a casket of a dead books that prevent the Centers for Dis- er, I yield to the gentlewoman from child? We know in Chicago that chil- ease Control and the NIH to study the Texas (Ms. JACKSON LEE), ranking dren die by drive-by shootings through impact of gun violence as a health cri- member of the Subcommittee on no fault of their own. Chicago has sis. This Congress has. Republicans Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, tough gun laws, and there is a mockery have. and Investigations of the House Judici- being made by those who oppose gun So, in spite of mass shootings, we ary Committee and vice chair of the safety laws, but you recognize that the have unfortunate opposition and down- Gun Violence Prevention Task Force. surrounding areas that Chicago is in right obstructionism on getting good Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I the midst of—the States—they have no gun safety legislation on the floor of thank the gentlewoman for yielding, constraints of much, so the guns are the House. and I thank her for her leadership. I am transported into States like Illinois I am not a stranger to this. I come sure she is leading on this devastating and cities like Chicago. from Texas. There are a lot of guns in

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:53 Dec 14, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00047 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K13DE7.093 H13DEPT1 H9894 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE December 13, 2017 Texas. And I would like to think that a churches, like that in Texas and that homicide-by-firearm rate in the developed majority of my fellow Texans handle in South Carolina. world. their guns safely and understand the Mr. Speaker, I finish by saying that The problem is so endemic that gun vio- value of gun safety legislation. even the smallest of amendments, lence is now the third leading cause of death But when I introduced the first city when we did the concealed weapons for children in the U.S. ordinance to hold parents responsible carry, the one that would disallow An average of 1,297 children die annually for children that got guns and shot those with convictions of domestic vio- from gun-related injuries. each other, it was an uprising, a revo- lence and stalking, my Republican Guns are linked to roughly 33 thousand lution. It was a packed chamber. Peo- friends voted it down. Or an amend- deaths in the U.S. per year; about two-thirds ple were wearing their colonial cloth- ment that said that if you committed a of them are suicides. ing, playing flutes, singing patriotic hate crime, and convicted of such, my According to Pew Research Center, a ma- songs, and saying that we were step- Republican friends voted it down. jority of Americans (across partisan lines) sup- ping on the Second Amendment. So I am not giving up, and I thank port gun policy proposals such as barring peo- But medical doctors and parents who the gentlewoman for having us come ple with mental illnesses from buying guns; had lost children because those chil- today. My celebration tonight is of the prohibiting gun purchases by people on fed- dren had gotten guns and shot their courage of families who suffered so eral no-fly or watch lists; and background sibling, they understood that it was a much to continue their journey to checks for private gun sales and sales at gun small measure to stop children from stand up and be counted for what is shows. getting their parents’ guns on a sum- right in America, and that is real gun The majority must cut its close ties to the mer day, or after school, and injuring safety legislation. powerful gun lobby to facilitate useful gun con- or killing their little brother or sister. Mr. Speaker, on October 1, 2017 the dead- trol legislation necessary immediately. Is there any common sense? liest mass shooting in the history of the United America has six times as many firearm So today, I join in honoring the States occurred in Las Vegas, Nevada when, homicides as Canada, and nearly 16 times as Sandy Hook families, an honor that I in a heinous act of terror and hatred, 58 per- many as Germany. know they did not wish to have. They sons were killed and 515 others were injured United Nations data shows that America far would rather have their precious little in a shooting at an outdoor concert near the and away leads other developed countries ones. Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las when it comes to gun-related homicides. As I close, I want to make two Vegas. America has 4.4 percent of the world’s pop- points: Until then, June 13, 2016 marked the dead- ulation, but almost half of the civilian-owned There is no doubt that people are liest mass shooting in the history of the United guns around the world. dying because of gun violence, that we States in Orlando, Florida, when, in another In December 2012, a gunman walked into exceed the rational civilized perspec- heinous act of terror and hatred, 49 persons Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, tive of how many guns are in this coun- were killed at Pulse, a popular nightclub, Connecticut, and killed 20 children, six adults, try, and that our children are dying. meeting place, and sanctuary for Central Flor- and himself. Seven children and adolescents lose ida’s vibrant and dynamic LGBTQ community; Since then, there have been at least 1,518 their lives to gun violence each day, 75 sadly, the Las Vegas mass shooting sur- mass shootings, with at least 1,715 people percent of which are under the age of 12 passed that dreadful shooting in numbers of killed and 6,089 wounded. years old. A lot of these are through dead and injured. The fairly broad definition of ‘‘mass shoot- accidental shootings where children The horrifying events in Las Vegas mark the ing’’ includes not only shootings in which four get guns. 273rd mass shooting in the U.S. in the 275 or more people were murdered, but shootings I leave you with this perspective: a days that have passed so far in 2017, accord- in which four or more people were shot at all great nation. Yes, we send young peo- ing to Gun Violence Archive. (excluding the shooter). ple into war. That is one of the argu- Mass shootings are a near daily occurrence Even under this broad definition, mass ments: 18-year-olds have guns, yes, as in America, but what happened in Las Vegas shootings make up a tiny portion of America’s they stand up for their country, in an stands out: It was the deadliest such incident firearm deaths, which totaled more than organized, regularized manner to de- in U.S. history, with more than 58 killed and 33,000 in 2014. fend this Nation, and we thank them 515 injured. On average, there is more than one mass for their young patriotism. Including that massacre, the four deadliest shooting for each day in America. But I venture to say, as I visit far- U.S. mass shootings have occurred over the Whenever a mass shooting occurs, sup- away places—war zones—young sol- past 10 years. porters of gun rights often argue that it is inap- diers understand the difference of an A mass shooting is defined by Gun Violence propriate to bring up political debates about AR–15 or an AK rifle in war, as opposed Archive as any incident in which four or more gun control in the aftermath of a tragedy. to being on the streets. And our offi- are shot and/or killed in a single event, at the For example, former Louisiana Governor cers, who are doing their duty, good of- same general time and location not including Bobby Jindal, a strong supporter of gun rights, ficers, who are in the course of good po- the shooter. criticized former President Barack Obama for lice work, who have to do a stop, and Recent U.S. mass shootings include: ‘‘trying to score cheap political points’’ when they run into someone who now has 1. Las Vegas, 2017: 50+ killed Obama mentioned gun control after a mass been given latitude to the concealed 2. Orlando, 2016: 50 killed shooting in Charleston, South Carolina. carry reciprocity bill, to just carry a 3. Virginia Tech, 2007: 32 killed But if this argument is followed to its logical gun any way you want, and if you come 4. Sandy Hook, 2012: 27 killed end, then it will never be the right time to dis- to a State that has strict and positive 5. San Ysirdo, 1984: 21 killed cuss mass shootings. gun safety laws, that officer has to be 6. San Bernadino, 2015: 14 killed Under the broader definition of mass shoot- able to be judge and jury to determine 7. Edmond, 1986: 14 killed ings, America has nearly one mass shooting a whether your random license from 8. Fort Hood, 2009: 13 killed day. somewhere else is credible. 9. Columbine, 1999: 13 killed So if Congress is forced to wait for a time As my colleague said: That is the There have been more than 11,600 deaths when there is not a mass shooting to talk gun Christmas gift that they are giving to linked to gun violence so far in 2017, which is control, Congress could find itself waiting for a the children of America, rather than roughly equivalent to nearly four 9/11 attacks very long time. the universal background check or the in terms of the total number killed on Sep- States with more guns have more gun forbidding of individuals on a terrorist tember 11, 2001. deaths. list carrying guns. That is not the gift Comparatively, more than 15 thousand were Within the United States, a wide array of that they are willing to give. killed by gun violence in 2016, and there were empirical evidence indicates that more guns in They are giving our children, under 383 mass shootings. a community leads to more homicide. the twinkling of the lights, rather than It is horrifying to admit that gun violence Higher populations, more stress, more immi- the loving arms of safety and secu- now seems to be a staple of American life. grants, and more mental illness does not cor- rity—they are giving them bullets and The United States ranks No. 1 in the world relate with more gun deaths. automatic weapons and the right for in terms of firearms per capita—with 88.8 States with tighter gun control laws have people to go on the streets and kill in guns per 100 people—and it has the highest fewer gun-related deaths.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 05:05 Dec 14, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00048 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\K13DE7.095 H13DEPT1 December 13, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H9895 A 2016 review of 130 studies in 10 coun- That helps explain why Americans’ support the skill and heroism of the law enforcement tries, published in Epidemiologic Reviews, for the right to own guns appears to be rising officers and first responders who came to the found that new legal restrictions on owning over the past 20 years even as more of these aid of others. and purchasing guns tended to be followed by mass shootings make it to the news. We commend the efforts of those who are a drop in gun violence—a strong indicator that Although Americans say they want to pro- working to care for the injured and investigate restricting access to guns can save lives. tect the right to bear arms, they are very much this horrific incident. The good news is that all firearm homicides, supportive of many gun policy proposals—in- We extend our heartfelt condolences and like all homicides and crime, have declined cluding some fairly contentious ideas, such as prayers to the families of the fallen, and to all over the past two decades—although that may more background checks on private and gun those affected in the community of Las Vegas have changed in 2015 and 2016, with a recent show sales and banning semi-automatic and and in the United States. rise in murders nationwide. assault-style weapons. And I pledge to continue to work to reduce There is still active debate among criminal This type of contradiction is not exclusive to gun violence and prevent mass shooting. justice experts about why this crime drop is gun policy issues. Ms. ESTY of Connecticut. Mr. Speak- occurring—but one theory that researchers For example, although most Americans in er, as we have heard so eloquently from have widely debunked is the idea that more the past said they do not support Obamacare, my colleagues, everyone agrees that we guns have deterred crime—in fact, the oppo- but most of them also said they like the spe- should keep guns out of the hands of site may be true, based on research compiled cific policies in the health-care law. dangerous people. But, in fact, this by the Harvard School of Public Health’s Injury On average, 7 children and adolescents House and this administration have Control Center. lose their lives to gun violence each day, 75 been moving in the opposite direction. Although America’s political debate about percent of which are under the age of 12 Just last week, hundreds of Ameri- guns tends to focus on grisly mass shootings years old. cans whose loved ones had been killed and murders, a majority of gun-related deaths So many people die annually from gun vio- by guns in the last few years came to in the U.S. are suicides. lence in the United States that the death toll Washington for a long-planned memo- Research that shows greater access to between 1968 and 2011 eclipses the total rial vigil, a national vigil, to honor guns dramatically increases the risk of suicide. lives lost in all the armed conflicts in the his- those whose lives had been taken from The states with the most guns report the tory of the United States. us from gun violence. On that very day, most suicides. On June 7, 2015, a gunman shot and killed this House decided to call up an offen- Perhaps the reason access to guns so nine people at the Emanuel African Methodist sive dangerous piece of legislation on strongly contributes to suicides is that guns Episcopal Church Charleston, South Carolina, concealed carry permits. are much deadlier than alternatives like cutting one of the oldest and largest black congrega- This bill will make it easier for do- and poison. tions in the South. mestic violence abusers to pursue their Reducing access to guns can be so impor- On November 11, 2009, at Fort Hood, near victims across State lines carrying tant to preventing suicides: stalling an attempt Killeen, Texas, a gunman shot and killed 13 loaded concealed weapons into States or making it less likely to result in death people, and wounded 30 others. that do not allow that, overriding the makes a huge difference—it opens the oppor- On August 5, 2012 in Oak Creek, Wis- choices of States like mine in Con- tunity for someone to help or for the suicidal consin, a gunman shot and killed six people, necticut that have strict laws to pro- person to reach out to someone to help. and injured three others, at the Sikh Temple of That is why limiting access to lethal means tect domestic violence victims, who Oak Creek. is so powerful. are five times more likely to be killed Since police shooting of Michael Brown in On July 7, 2015 in Chattanooga, Tennessee if there is a gun in the household. Ferguson, Missouri, on August 9, 2014, police a gunman shot and killed five people, includ- That is why my State has taken ac- have killed at least 2,902 people as of May ing two U.S. Marines and a Naval Officer, and tion to protect women and children 2017. shot and injured two others at a recruiting cen- from death by gun from domestic abus- Given that states with more guns tend to ter and U.S. Naval Reserve Center. ers. But now my State—if this law gets have more homicides, it is not too surprising On December 2, 2015 in San Bernardino, passed by the Senate and signed by the that, as a study in the American Journal of California, two gunmen killed 14 people and President—my State’s choices will be Public Health found, states with more guns injured 21 others at the Inland Regional Cen- overridden. The law enforcement in my also have more cops die in the line of duty. ter. State will be at greater risk. On December 14, 2012, a gunman mur- Researchers looked at federal data for fire- b 1930 arm ownership and homicides of police offi- dered 26 persons, including 20 children and 6 That is not protecting the American cers across the U.S. over 15 years. school administrators and teachers, at Sandy They found that states with more gun own- Hook Elementary in Newtown, Connecticut. people. That is putting them at risk. ership had more cops killed in homicides: On August 8, 2015, a gunman brutally mur- Recently, the administration decided Every 10 percent increase in firearm owner- dered his ex-girlfriend and her six children and to take the names of all fugitives. One ship correlated with 10 additional officers killed husband in one of the most notorious cases of of the categories of those who are not in homicides over the 15-year study period. domestic violence in the history of Houston, permitted legally to own weapons are The findings could help explain why U.S. Texas. people who are fugitives from justice. police officers appear to kill more people than On April 16, 2007, a gunman killed 32 per- It seems like a fairly sensible rule, just cops in other developed countries. sons and injured 17 others at Virginia Poly- like it is a sensible rule to not have For police officers, the higher rates of guns technic Institute and State University in those who are believed to be terrorists and gun violence in America means they not Blacksburg, Virginia. to legally purchase guns. only will encounter more guns and violence, Mass shootings occur more frequently in Yet, this administration recently but they can expect to encounter more guns states that do not require background checks took tens of thousands of names of peo- and deadly violence, making them more likely for all gun sales. ple who have been on the National In- to anticipate and perceive a threat and use Analyses of mass shootings in the United stant Criminal Background Check Sys- deadly force as a result. States between 2009 and 2015 document that tem as prohibited from purchasing a Over the past 20 years, Americans have the majority of mass shootings occur in gun legally. Because of their criminal clearly shifted from supporting gun control venues where the carrying of firearm is not re- history, the fact that they are fugitives measures to greater support of ‘‘protecting the stricted. from justice, tens of thousands of those right of Americans to own guns.’’ In states that require background checks for names have been taken out of the This shift has happened even as major all handgun sales, including guns offered in records. They have been sent back to mass shootings, such as the attacks on Col- unlicensed sales online and at gun shows, the States, saying they should look at umbine High School and Sandy Hook Elemen- there are 52 percent fewer mass shootings. them again. tary School, have received more press atten- Congress must take action to prevent other In so doing, how long is it going to be tion. incidents such as the recent act of terror and before one of those dangerous people Although mass shootings are often viewed hatred in Las Vegas, Nevada that resulted in buys a gun because the name is no as some of the worst acts of gun violence, the tragic loss of 58 innocent lives. longer in the system? they seem to have little effect on public opin- We extend our deepest sympathies to all And who knows if it is going to be ion about gun rights. those affected by this tragedy and recognize your child or your child or your loved

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:53 Dec 14, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00049 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A13DE7.029 H13DEPT1 H9896 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE December 13, 2017 one or your neighbor. That is not what They heard them all. I thought they GENERAL LEAVE we are sent here to do. were folding chairs falling. We huddled Ms. MAXINE WATERS of California. The families of Newtown have per- into the coats and backpacks. Some of Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous con- severed. Despite all odds, they have them cried. Some of them laughed— sent that all Members have 5 legisla- found the courage to get up every day. how could they know? And if they tive days to revise and extend their re- Some are pursuing brain research to knew, how could they believe? We marks and to include extraneous mate- figure out how to encourage empathy. shared a water bottle, a blue one, pass- rial on the subject of my Special Order. Some have written beautiful music, ing it around. Little arms poking out The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there composed poetry. Some have started to take it. We waited. We had to be- objection to the request of the gentle- programs in schools to teach children lieve the police were who they said woman from California? how to be kind to each other. Some they were. I opened the door. They There was no objection. have stepped forward as extraordinary scattered. A few in my outstretched Ms. MAXINE WATERS of California. citizen activists and come to Wash- arms. We ran. We were lucky. Sur- Madam Speaker, for the past several ington and pound the halls, the mar- viving is a gift and a burden. What do days, there has been an organized at- bled halls of State capitols around the you do with that? tempt to discredit and undermine the country. They are true American he- ‘‘For me, as soon as I could, I started work of Special Counsel Robert roes fighting for what they believe in to fight. I fight to keep guns out of the Mueller. I rise today to speak on behalf and a better society. hands of dangerous people. I fight to of many Members of Congress who be- And some, in some ways I think the keep guns locked up and away from cu- lieve Special Counsel Mueller is doing bravest among them, have chosen to rious toddlers and depressed teens. I a great job. bring new children into this world—the fight against arming teachers, and I At this time, I am circulating a let- sort of optimism and courage that I fight to keep guns out of college dorms ter, and other Members of Congress are can’t fathom if my child at 6 or 7 years and classrooms. Lockdowns, active- joining me. This is a letter of support old had been gunned down in those shooter drills, and backpacks that for Special Counsel Mueller urging classrooms in the Sandy Hook Elemen- morph into shields aren’t the answer. that he not be interfered with and that tary School. But if they can have that ‘‘Parents shouldn’t have to worry he is allowed to continue this very im- resolve and that courage and that faith about whether or not their kids will portant investigation in the interest of in this country, so can we. make it home from school. A year or the security of our country. A good and a great nation takes care two after the tragedy, one mom told I will be circulating this letter for of its citizens. A good and a great name that, every day after school, she another 24 hours. However, at this tion responds to the cries of the people. left a gift for her daughter sitting on time, I would like to read the contents A good and a great nation, above all, her bed—a celebration for making it of the letter into the RECORD. This, protects its children. home.’’ again, is a letter in support of Special Madam Speaker, we have the oppor- Those are the words of Abbey Counsel Mueller. The letter is ad- tunity to do that. Thoughts and pray- Clements, a teacher at Sandy Hook. dressed to the Honorable Rod J. Rosen- It is our job to make sure that those ers and moments of silence are not stein, Deputy Attorney General, U.S. children get home safe from school. We enough. The American people deserve Department of Justice. have the ability to do that in this inaction. When I get on a plane tomorrow The letter reads as follows: stitution. What we need is the will to to fly back to Connecticut to attend Dear Deputy Attorney General, do it. We write to express our support for the memorial services on the 5-year anni- Again, I thank my colleague, Con- versary of those tragic and shocking work of Special Counsel Robert S. Mueller, gresswoman ESTY, for her leadership in III, and to urge you to ensure that he be al- murders of children in Sandy Hook Ele- this effort. lowed to continue his investigation—unfet- mentary School, I would like to be able Ms. ESTY of Connecticut. Madam tered by political influence or threats to his to tell them that we are doing our job Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman authority—to its natural and appropriate and our duty in this House by taking from Connecticut for her stirring conclusion based on the law, the facts, and action and honoring their memories words. Abbey Clements is an extraor- the evidence. with truly taking action to protect dinary woman, and her daughter, The Special Counsel is Conducting a Me- thodical Investigation, Yielding Results. them. Sarah, is now a college student here in I want to thank my colleagues for It is unimaginable that Republicans would Washington and is helping take up that seek to intervene, discredit, obstruct, or ter- joining me here tonight. charge of being one of the citizen activ- minate the special counsel’s investigation. Madam Speaker, I yield to the gen- ists and one of the citizen leaders who Thus far, from every public indication, it ap- tlewoman from the State of Con- understands that democracies empower pears that Mr. Mueller is conducting a thor- necticut (Ms. DELAURO), my colleague. and charge us to correct that which is ough and methodical investigation. He and Ms. DELAURO. Madam Speaker, I wrong. his investigators have not sought, and in- want to thank my colleagues who are What is happening in this country is stead avoided, the public spotlight. His team here this evening. I also want to thank has not leaked or hinted at criminal allega- wrong. These are not tragedies from tions for which they have yet to develop my colleague, Congresswoman ESTY, above. These are not natural disasters. for her indomitable efforts and work in charges. Furthermore, the charges that have These are man-made tragedies and been filed to date have been sufficiently making sure that we focus our time man-made deaths, and it is up to us to strong and well founded as to elicit guilty and our attention to the prevention of do better. pleas from President Donald Trump’s former gun violence. Again, I want to thank my colleagues National Security Advisor, Lieutenant Gen- Madam Speaker, I rise to honor and for joining me here this evening. I will eral Michael Flynn, and a former policy ad- to commemorate the victims of the take their wishes, their words, their viser to Donald Trump’s Presidential cam- Sandy Hook Elementary School shoot- energy, their passion, and their com- paign, George Papadopoulos. ing in Newtown, Connecticut, 5 years The Appointment of a Special Counsel Was mitment to action back with me to Necessary and Proper. ago. We lost 20 beautiful innocent chil- Newtown tomorrow evening. As you know, pursuant to U.S. Department dren and 6 wonderful caring adults. Madam Speaker, I yield back the bal- of Justice Order Number 3915–2017, which you While the grief and pain of the families ance of my time. issued on May 17, 2017, Mr. Mueller was ap- who lost a loved one at Sandy Hook en- f pointed to serve as special counsel and au- dures, we can all find hope and thorized to conduct an investigation into strength in the resilience of Newtown, LETTER SUPPORTING SPECIAL matters, ‘‘including any links and/or coordi- and, together, we must honor their loss COUNSEL ROBERT S. MUELLER nation between the Russian Government and with action. The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mrs. individuals associated with the campaign of President Donald Trump; and any matters Tonight, I want to share an essay HANDEL). Under the Speaker’s an- that arose or may arise directly from the in- from ‘‘Bullets into Bells: Poets and nounced policy of January 3, 2017, the vestigation; and any other matters within Citizens Respond to Gun Violence.’’ Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from the scope of 28 CFR 600.4(a),’’ which includes Abbey Clements, a teacher at Sandy California (Ms. MAXINE WATERS) for 30 ‘‘authority to investigate and prosecute Fed- Hook, wrote the following: ‘‘154 shots. minutes. eral crimes committed in the course of, and

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:53 Dec 14, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00050 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K13DE7.097 H13DEPT1 December 13, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H9897 with intent to interfere with, the special and effective leadership. Mr. Mueller has media: ‘‘You are witnessing the single great- counsel’s investigation, such as perjury, ob- both impressive management and law en- est witch hunt in American political his- struction of justice, destruction of evidence, forcement experience. He is well-schooled in tory—led by some very bad and conflicted and intimidation of witnesses.’’ avoiding the problems and pitfalls inherent people.’’ in criminal investigations and prosecutions. In Congress, four Republican Members, led b 1945 Mr. Mueller is not ‘of’ the FBI, and therefore by Representative MATT GAETZ and includ- Your decision to appoint a special counsel I believe institutional loyalty will not blind ing former Representative Trent Franks, to conduct such an investigation was nec- him to making the hard’’ decision he needs who has now resigned amidst an Ethics Com- essary and proper, given the U.S. intel- to make. mittee investigation into his own conduct, ligence community’s assessment that ‘‘Rus- Senator MCCONNELL also expressed his be- have cosponsored a resolution calling for sian President Vladimir Putin ordered an in- lief that Mr. Mueller’s commitment ‘‘to vig- Mueller to step down. Those Members have fluence campaign in 2016 aimed at the U.S. orously enforcing the law without regard to attempted to advance baseless claims of the Presidential election, the consistent goals of politics or partisanship.’’ existence of a conflict due to Mr. Mueller’s Speaker of the House PAUL RYAN has also which were to undermine public faith in the previous service as FBI Director. Those argu- commented on Mr. Mueller’s lack of partisan U.S. democratic process’’ and that ‘‘Putin ments do not have merit, and appear in- bias. As reported in a July 24, 2017, Wash- and the Russian Government developed a tended, at best, to redirect the public’s focus ington Examiner article, Speaker RYAN said: clear preference for President Trump’’; the toward matters that are wholly unrelated to ‘‘I don’t think many people are saying Rob- obvious potential that individuals, who had the investigation to which Mr. Mueller has ert Mueller is a biased partisan. He’s really, served on President Donald J. Trump’s cam- been tasked. At worst, those arguments are sort of, anything but.’’ paign, as well as individuals currently serv- intended to stop or preemptively tarnish the On October 11, 2017, Kenneth Starr, who ing as political appointees in the Trump ad- perception of the special counsel’s work. The was appointed in 1994 as the independent ministration, could be targets of, or wit- issues referenced in that Republican resolu- counsel who was tasked with investigations nesses in, any such investigation; and Attor- tion pertain to allegations against former involving President Bill Clinton and then ney General Jeff Sessions recused himself President Bill Clinton and former Presi- First Lady Hillary Clinton, commented on from ‘‘any matters related in any way to the dential candidate Hillary Clinton related to Robert Mueller and the manner in which his campaigns for President of the United a 2009–2010 matter, which has nothing to do investigation is proceeding. Mr. Starr stated States.’’ with Mr. Mueller’s directive to investigate that Mr. Mueller is conducting his investiga- The Selection of Robert S. Mueller III to ‘‘links and/or coordination between the Rus- tion ‘‘aggressively and professionally.’’ Mr. Serve As Special Counsel Was Very Much sian Government and individuals associated Starr also stated: ‘‘We’re not seeing ‘leaks’ Appropriate. with the campaign of President Donald out of the investigation as far as we know, Under the circumstances described above, Trump.’’ and what we know of Bob Mueller and his your selection of Robert Mueller to serve as As quoted in a December 12, 2017, Politico background is that he is someone of total, the special counsel to conduct the investiga- article, Representative MATT GAETZ stated rock-ribbed integrity.’’ that he told President Trump that he was tion was an appropriate and commendable Regulations Limiting the Removal of a decision. Mr. Mueller has earned a reputa- ‘‘concerned’’ that Mr. Mueller’s investiga- Special Counsel Must Be Followed. tion ‘‘was infected with bias.’’ Representa- tion as a nonpartisan, professional investi- Mr. Mueller must be allowed to complete gator, making him an ideal choice to lead tive GAETZ said the President responded: his investigation and should not be threat- ‘‘That’s why you guys have got to do your the investigation into the highly important, ened with removal. However, a few Repub- job.’’ Representative GAETZ further stated complex, and sensitive matters to which he licans have indicated their support for Mr. has been charged. Mr. Mueller’s record dem- that he informed the President that you Mueller, for his ouster. Notwithstanding the would be testifying—that is, Mr. Rosen- onstrates that he would not allow bias, influ- overwhelming reasons for Mr. Mueller to be ence, or other extraneous considerations to stein—before the House Judiciary Com- allowed to continue and complete his inves- mittee on December 13, 2017, in response to impact his investigation, and any suggestion tigation, the rule of law demands that the which Representative GAETZ said President otherwise is just not credible. Trump administration follow executive Mr. Mueller is a former Director of the Trump ‘‘encouraged us to exercise our over- branch regulations, which restrict the cir- sight responsibilities.’’ This conversation, as Federal Bureau of Investigation, FBI, who cumstances under which a special counsel described by Representative GAETZ, suggests was originally appointed by a Republican can be removed. Specifically, 28 CFR 600.7(d) President. He was vetted and, twice, unani- that President Trump is encouraging the regarding the removal or discipline of a spe- ring leaders of the recent criticisms against mously confirmed by the Senate. Specifi- cial counsel provides: ‘‘The special counsel cally, when appointed in 2001 by President Mr. Mueller in order to pressure you to af- may be disciplined or removed from office fect the investigation through the congres- George W. Bush, Mueller was confirmed as only by the personal action of the Attorney FBI Director by a vote of 98–0 in the Senate, sional oversight process. That is unaccept- General. The Attorney General may remove able. and when Mueller was nominated for a sec- a special counsel for misconduct, dereliction ond term, in 2011, during President Barack Some have alleged that Mr. Mueller’s re- of duty, incapacity, conflict of interest, or moval of a member of this team, Peter Obama’s administration, he was again unani- for other good cause, including violation of mously confirmed in the Senate by a vote of Strzok, over text messages sent by Mr. departmental policies. The Attorney General Strzok that were critical of President Trump 100–0. shall inform the special counsel in writing of Mr. Mueller has earned bipartisan support. suggests bias or a lack of objectivity on the the specific reason for his or her removal.’’ special counsel’s team. However, upon learn- Republican Members of the Senate attested Since Attorney General Sessions is ing of the text messages, Mr. Mueller imme- to Mr. Mueller’s integrity and profes- recused, you, in your capacity as acting At- diately removed Mr. Strzok from the inves- sionalism during Mr. Mueller’s confirmation torney General—that is, Mr. Rosenstein—re- tigation. In reality, this incident and Mr. hearings, which took place on July 30 and 31, garding Special Counsel Mueller’s investiga- Mueller’s swift response demonstrates Mr. 2001. For example, with regard to Mr. tion, are the only individual empowered to Mueller’s integrity as well as his desire and Mueller’s nomination to serve as FBI Direc- remove Mr. Mueller under regulation. Fur- commitment to conduct an investigation tor, then Senator, now Attorney General, thermore, the regulation clearly states that that is beyond reproach. Jeff Sessions stated: Mr. Mueller may only be removed for good You must not allow the targets of the in- ‘‘It is great to see Mr. Mueller, nominated cause, which has not been demonstrated. The vestigation, or issues being investigated, to to take one of the most important positions administration is required to follow its own escape thorough independent inquiry in our country. It is a position that requires, regulations and not remove Mr. Mueller from through the removal, or hindrance, of the in my view, serious experience, great integ- his investigation. special counsel. We thank you, Mr. Rosen- rity, and a proven record of accomplishment. Politically Motivated Challenges of Spe- stein, for your careful attention to this mat- And you have all of those things, Robert cial Counsel Mueller and His Investigation ter, and we stand ready to support you in up- Mueller. When I was in the Department of Must Not Be Allowed to Threaten the Inves- holding the rule of law. Justice, Robert Mueller’s reputation was tigation. known throughout the Department of Jus- Despite Special Counsel Mueller’s inves- This, ladies and gentlemen, is the let- tice, and he was known not for any political tigation of integrity, as attested to by these ter that I am circulating to Mr. Rosen- reason, but because he was recognized as a Republican leaders, and despite the clear stein. This is the letter that is being professional’s professional, a man whose progress that Mr. Mueller is making in his signed on by other Members of Con- skill at doing the job assigned to him was investigation, the rightwing media, some Re- gress. This is the letter that I will cir- second to none. There is no doubt in my publican Members of Congress, and Donald mind that there is no more professional pros- Trump, himself, have attempted to advance culate for the next 24 hours so that we ecutor, no more professional person in Amer- a false narrative that Special Counsel will give Members the opportunity to ica with experience in the Department of Mueller’s investigation is biased—this is sign on to this letter. Justice, ready to handle the job of FBI Di- what they say—and some have advocated for b 2000 rector than Robert Mueller.’’ Mr. Mueller’s removal. On June 15, 2017, re- Likewise, Senator MITCH MCCONNELL stat- ferring in general terms to the Russia inves- This letter should be on your desk ed: ‘‘I believe Mr. Mueller will provide strong tigation, President Trump stated on social very soon.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:53 Dec 14, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00051 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K13DE7.098 H13DEPT1 H9898 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE December 13, 2017 Madam Speaker, I yield to the gen- can read a list—but I won’t tonight—of this country, who is now, I believe, 73 tlewoman from Ohio, Representative all of the leaders and rising leaders of years old—over 70 years old? MARCY KAPTUR, who signed up to speak countries that wish to be free that Rus- He has proved everything, but he has here this evening. sia has summarily killed, for which proven also that he has been a total pa- Ms. KAPTUR. Madam Speaker, I there is no justice. triot. would like to thank the gentlewoman Madam Speaker, I rise somewhat out I would ask the same of those who so and ranking member of the Financial of outrage tonight listening to some of frivolously waste their words in efforts Services Committee for this very im- our colleagues here who demanded that to try to suppress an investigation that portant Special Order and for her in- we disband Special Counsel Mueller’s we know is essential to the preserva- credible work in assuring justice in our investigation. Counsel Mueller is a Re- tion of our vote and our freedoms. country on so many, many fronts. publican. I should not like him for that Ms. MAXINE WATERS of California. Madam Speaker, I rise tonight be- reason, right, because I am a Demo- Madam Speaker, I yield to Representa- cause of deep concern regarding our crat? But I know there is something tive JACKSON LEE. Republican colleagues on the Judiciary bigger to him, and that is defending Ms. JACKSON LEE. Madam Speaker, Committee who are attempting to kick the American people against all en- I thank the gentlewoman for yielding the legs out from under Special Coun- emies, foreign and domestic. He has to me and for her leadership on this sel Robert Mueller’s investigation into put his life on the line since he was a very important issue. Russia’s meddling in our elections last teenager for this country. She is standing in the gap because all year. Our country was founded on the prin- that we have heard from Republicans Yes, they called Deputy Attorney ciple of equality under the law. Our de- and their media advocates is that their General Rod Rosenstein to testify on mocracy, in the safeguarding of those intention, of course, is to create a 21st whether bias has tainted that inves- principles, depends on genuine free century Saturday night massacre. tigation. elections. Not only must we pass laws In my questioning of the Deputy At- You know what is interesting about here that assure that, but they have to torney General, that is the exact ter- this? be enforced. minology that I utilized, which is: Was All of the intelligence agencies of our We have to unequivocally confirm the Deputy Attorney General and the country agree that there was more the truth behind the extent of Russian Department of Justice prepared to de- than meddling in last year’s elections. meddling in our election. That is what fend Special Counsel Mueller against a I actually pray for Robert Mueller we need. We know they did. Now we potential Saturday night massacre? every night because what the involve- want to know every piece of it. Of course, that is the Watergate mas- ment of Russia in our elections has How did they hack those voting ma- sacre perpetrated by President Nixon meant, you know, that’s not a country chines? How did they use special ads in firing the Attorney General, and that really welcomes debate and open that appeared around the country tar- then requiring and firing the special conversation. They kill their enemies. prosecutor and—getting someone to Robert Mueller is going to get at the geted to special audiences? We have to restore the faith of the fire—literally creating a institutional very core of what Russia is doing not American people in their very vote in crisis. just in our country, but what it will in- order to maintain this democratic re- Madam Speaker, it is clear, as evi- struct us Russia is doing in Europe and public. denced by the words of Sean Hannity many other places around the world. on December 5, FOX News, who led off I listened to some of our colleagues Throughout his career, Special Coun- his broadcast with the outrageous on the Judiciary Committee today, and sel Mueller has proven himself time charge that Mueller is frankly a dis- I just want to put this on the record: and time and time and time again to be grace by the American justice system Robert Mueller has given his life to a man of integrity. I might say, this comes from a and has put the country now on the this country through his entire years woman who tried to become an FBI brink of becoming a banana republic. of service. I have never personally sat to dinner agent when she was in college and was Not surprisingly, disgraced former with this man or I don’t think I have rejected not because she didn’t have House Speaker Newt Gingrich, who en- even shaken his hand, but I admire him the academic abilities, but because in thusiastically praised the appointment for his true patriotism. those days they didn’t admit women to of Robert Mueller as special counsel as I watched some of the individuals on the FBI. Times have changed a lot, but a superb choice to be special counsel the Judiciary Committee today and I know that Robert Mueller is the best because his reputation is impeccable wondered if they knew that he had that America has. for honesty and integrity, has done a been in the Marine Corps during Viet- Due process is one of the most care- complete 180-degree turn and now de- nam. He actually rose to the level of fully guarded of our constitutional pro- claims falsely that the very top at the captain. He was awarded the Bronze tections, and we must see this inves- Justice Department and the FBI have Star Medal with the Combat V for vic- tigation through to its ultimate end. become corrupt. tory. He is the recipient of the Purple There can be no chicken hawks in I was pleased to join this letter and Heart. He was a Navy and Marine Corps this House or those who point fingers to join with Congresswoman WATERS, captain and got the Commendation whose careers do not demonstrate the along with my other colleagues, for a Medal for his valor in combat. kind of patriotism Robert Mueller has very important statement. How many of those individuals ques- demonstrated throughout his career. I also believe that this statement tioning his integrity can even compare Madam Speaker, I was actually must be backed up with legislation, to that with their little fingernail? shocked at how the questioning went such as H.R. 3654, which I have offered, Combat Action Ribbon, Republic of this afternoon without the kind of re- the Special Counsel Independence Pro- Vietnam Gallantry Cross. That was his spect and understanding of what it tection Act. early career. takes to preserve a republic that is free But basically I think we have a situa- As an attorney, he went into service and independent of outside meddling. tion where if we do not make this a to our country as an assistant U.S. dis- I want to thank the gentlewoman for public announcement of indicating trict attorney on one coast, and then allowing me to speak. I am embar- that between the administration, the on the other coast as U.S. district at- rassed at some of the questions that President, and others, along with Re- torney. the Republican majority has been ham- publicans in this House, there is an en- He is very evenhanded, and he mering over in the Judiciary Com- trapment being set up for Special worked his way up then in the Justice mittee and some of the other commit- Counsel Mueller to be considered bi- Department, rising to the level of Dep- tees as the investigation intensifies ased because of the staffing actions of uty Attorney General. He had been an and becomes more complete. The which, by the way, those individuals Assistant Attorney General. His entire American people have a right to know. have been replaced or they have been life has been spent in dangerous jobs. I guess the question every American transferred to other positions. To take on Russia, you put your own has to ask: In whose hands would you There is no doubt that a man who life in someone else’s hands, actually. I place your life? A man who has served served in Vietnam, a man who came

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:53 Dec 14, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00052 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K13DE7.101 H13DEPT1 December 13, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H9899 back to the Justice Department as an We are on the verge of a constitutional cri- Requirements under CERCLA Section 108(b) entry-level employee to be able to sis as Trump operatives try to dismantle, de- for Classes of Facilities in the Hardrock Min- serve his country, there is no question stroy, and undermine Special Counsel ing Industry [EPA-HQ-SFUND-2015-0781; FRL-9971-50-OLEM] (RIN: 2050-AG61) received that there is no evidence of any corrup- Mueller’s investigation. December 6, 2017, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. tion. This cannot be allowed to happen. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Madam Speaker, I would conclude The state of our democracy hinges upon our Stat. 868); to the Committee on Energy and my remarks by saying the importance ability to ensure the integrity of our elections Commerce. of this legislation and this letter is be- and the rule of law. 3378. A letter from the Director, Regu- cause Director Mueller is working his And the necessary and ongoing work of the latory Management Division, Environmental way into the White House, and the Special Counsel must be insulated against Protection Agency, transmitting the Agen- issues of Russian collusion and the cy’s final rule — Bacillus Subtilis strain outside influence and interference. BU1814; Exemption from the Requirement of issues dealing with criminality are ap- Ms. MAXINE WATERS of California. a Tolerance [EPA-HQ-OPP-2016-0687; FRL- proaching the front door. We must pro- Madam Speaker, I thank both of the 9969-96] received December 6, 2017, pursuant tect this investigation. Members of Congress who came down to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Madam Speaker, in recent days, the shrill here this evening and shared in the in- Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on but politically-charged attacks on Special formation that we are going to forward Energy and Commerce. Counsel Robert Mueller have reached a deaf- to Rod Rosenstein because it is so im- 3379. A letter from the Director, Regu- ening roar. portant that we let him know that our latory Management Division, Environmental For example, on December 5, Fox News Protection Agency, transmitting the Agen- special counsel has support. We appre- cy’s final rule — Approval and Promulgation host Sean Hannity led off his broadcast with ciate what he is doing and we are going of Implementation Plans; Texas; Revisions the outrageous charge that ‘Mueller is frankly to stand with him. to Emissions Banking and Trading Programs a disgrace to the American justice system and Madam Speaker, I yield back the bal- for Area and Mobile Sources [EPA-R06-OAR- has put the country now on the brink of be- ance of my time. 2017-0192; FRL-9971-04-Region 6] received De- cember 6, 2017, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. coming a banana republic. f Not surprisingly, disgraced former House 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Speaker Newt Gingrich, who enthusiastically LEAVE OF ABSENCE Stat. 868); to the Committee on Energy and Commerce. praised the appointment of Robert Mueller as By unanimous consent, leave of ab- 3380. A letter from the Director, Regu- Special Counsel as a ‘superb choice to be sence was granted to: latory Management Division, Environmental special counsel’ because ‘his reputation is im- Mr. SENSENBRENNER (at the request Protection Agency, transmitting the Agen- peccable for honesty and integrity’ has done a of Mr. MCCARTHY) for today on account cy’s final rule — Approval and Promulgation complete 180-degree turn and now declaims of illness. of Implementation Plans; New York; Reason- ably Available Control Technology for the falsely that at ‘‘the very top, the Justice De- f partment and the FBI became corrupted.’’ 2008 8-Hour Ozone National Ambient Air These despicable accusations by Trump ADJOURNMENT Quality Standards [EPA-R02-OAR-2017-0459; acolytes and ultraconservative zealots against FRL-9971-83-Region 2] received December 6, Ms. JACKSON LEE. Madam Speaker, 2017, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public a distinguished public servant and veteran I move that the House do now adjourn. Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the who has served his country with honor and The motion was agreed to; accord- Committee on Energy and Commerce. unimpeachable integrity for more than a half- ingly (at 8 o’clock and 11 minutes 3381. A letter from the Director, Regu- century are outrageous. p.m.), under its previous order, the latory Management Division, Environmental But the public sees them for what they are: House adjourned until tomorrow, Protection Agency, transmitting the Agen- cy’s final rule — Approval and Promulgation a thinly disguised attempt by a panicked White Thursday, December 14, 2017, at 9 a.m. House and its right-wing media allies to in- of Air Quality Implementation Plans; Dela- f ware; Reasonably Available Control Tech- flame and persuade base Trump supporters to nology (RACT) State Implementation Plan question the impartiality of the Special Coun- EXECUTIVE COMMUNICATIONS, (SIP) Under the 2008 Ozone National Ambient sel’s investigation that daily uncovers more ETC. Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) [EPA-R03- evidence of wrongdoing and collusion by Under clause 2 of rule XIV, executive OAR-2015-0656; FRL-9971-58-Region 3], pursu- operatives of the Trump campaign, transition, communications were taken from the ant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104- and White House. Speaker’s table and referred as follows: 121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on Energy and Commerce. In light of the barrage of baseless attacks 3374. A letter from the Director, Regu- against Special Counsel Mueller by Trump 3382. A letter from the Director, Regu- latory Management Division, Environmental latory Management Division, Environmental apologists and right-wing media, it is urgent Protection Agency, transmitting the Agen- Protection Agency, transmitting the Agen- that Congress act immediately to protect the cy’s final rule — Sedaxane; Pesticide Toler- cy’s withdrawal of direct final rule — Air independence and integrity of Special Counsel ances [EPA-HQ-OPP-2016-0537; FRL-9970-04] Plan Approval; Ohio; Redesignation of the Mueller’s investigation into Russian inter- received December 6, 2017, pursuant to 5 Fulton County Area to Attainment of the ference in the 2016 Presidential election, in- U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. 2008 Lead Standard [EPA-R05-OAR-2017-0256; cluding questions surrounding collusion be- 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on En- FRL-9971-74-Region 5] received December 6, ergy and Commerce. 2017, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public tween Russian operatives and Trump cam- 3375. A letter from the Director, Regu- paign officials. Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the latory Management Division, Environmental Committee on Energy and Commerce. That is why I am calling upon the House Protection Agency, transmitting the Agen- 3383. A letter from the Director, Regu- leadership to bring H.R. 3654, the ‘Special cy’s final rule — Indoxacarb; Pesticide Toler- latory Management Division, Environmental Counsel Independence Protection Act,’ to the ances [EPA-HQ-OPP-2017-0095; FRL-9970-39] Protection Agency, transmitting the Agen- floor for debate and a vote by the full House received December 6, 2017, pursuant to 5 cy’s final rule — Air Plan Approval; Min- at the earliest time possible. U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. nesota; 2008 Ozone Transport [EPA-R05-OAR- This legislation, which I introduced on Au- 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on En- 2016-0327; FRL-9971-61-Region 5] received De- gust 15, 2017, insulates the Special Counsel ergy and Commerce. cember 6, 2017, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 3376. A letter from the Director, Regu- from the whims of this President by permitting 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 latory Management Division, Environmental Stat. 868); to the Committee on Energy and the removal of the Special Counsel only Protection Agency, transmitting the Agen- Commerce. where: cy’s final rule — Findings of Failure to Sub- 3384. A letter from the Director, Regu- The attorney general files an action in fed- mit State Implementation Plan Submittals latory Management Division, Environmental eral district court in Washington, D.C., and for the 2008 Ozone National Ambient Air Protection Agency, transmitting the Agen- files a contemporaneous action with the Quality Standards (NAAQS) [EPA-HQ-OAR- cy’s withdrawal of direct final rule — Air House Judiciary Committee and the Senate 2017-0667; FRL-9971-66-OAR] received Decem- Plan Approval; Illinois; Redesignation of the Judiciary Committee; and ber 6, 2017, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Chicago and Granite City Areas to Attain- Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to ment of the 2008 Lead Standard [EPA-R05- A panel of three federal judges sitting in the Committee on Energy and Commerce. OAR-2016-0593; FRL-9971-77-Region 5] re- Washington, D.C., finds removal appropriate 3377. A letter from the Director, Regu- ceived December 6, 2017, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. based on a finding of misconduct, dereliction latory Management Division, Environmental 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 of duty, incapacity, conflict of interest or other Protection Agency, transmitting the Agen- Stat. 868); to the Committee on Energy and good cause. cy’s final rule — Financial Responsibility Commerce.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:53 Dec 14, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00053 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K13DE7.102 H13DEPT1 H9900 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE December 13, 2017 3385. A letter from the Chairman, Council H.R. 4637. A bill to amend the Internal Rev- PRIVATE BILLS AND of the District of Columbia, transmitting enue Code of 1986 to encourage retirement RESOLUTIONS D.C. ACT 22-201, ‘‘Business Improvement Dis- savings by modifying requirements with re- tricts Tax Exemption Temporary Amend- spect to employer-established IRAs, and for Under clause 3 of rule XII, ment Act of 2017’’, pursuant to Public Law other purposes; to the Committee on Ways Ms. BROWNLEY of California introduced a 93-198, Sec. 602(c)(1); (87 Stat. 814); to the and Means, and in addition to the Committee bill (H.R. 4641) to authorize the President to Committee on Oversight and Government on Education and the Workforce, for a period award the Medal of Honor to John L. Canley Reform. to be subsequently determined by the Speak- for acts of valor during the Vietnam War 3386. A letter from the Chairman, Council er, in each case for consideration of such pro- while a member of the Marine Corps; which of the District of Columbia, transmitting visions as fall within the jurisdiction of the was referred to the Committee on Armed D.C. ACT 22-203, ‘‘Southwest Waterfront committee concerned. Services. Park Bus Prohibition Temporary Act of By Mr. KING of New York (for himself, f 2017’’, pursuant to Public Law 93-198, Sec. Ms. JAYAPAL, Ms. NORTON, Mrs. COM- 602(c)(1); (87 Stat. 814); to the Committee on STOCK, Mrs. WAGNER, Mr. LIPINSKI, CONSTITUTIONAL AUTHORITY Oversight and Government Reform. Mr. SCHIFF, Mr. DELANEY, Ms. PIN- STATEMENT 3387. A letter from the Chairman, Council GREE, Mr. MCGOVERN, and Ms. Pursuant to clause 7 of rule XII of of the District of Columbia, transmitting KUSTER of New Hampshire): the Rules of the House of Representa- D.C. ACT 22-200, ‘‘Government Employer-As- H.R. 4638. A bill to establish a National tives, the following statements are sub- sisted Housing Temporary Amendment Act Commission on Fibrotic Diseases; to the mitted regarding the specific powers of 2017’’, pursuant to Public Law 93-198, Sec. Committee on Energy and Commerce. 602(c)(1); (87 Stat. 814); to the Committee on By Ms. ROSEN (for herself and Ms. granted to Congress in the Constitu- Oversight and Government Reform. JENKINS of Kansas): tion to enact the accompanying bill or 3388. A letter from the Chairman, Council H.R. 4639. A bill to amend title 10 United joint resolution. of the District of Columbia, transmitting States Code, to establish a punitive article By Mr. COFFMAN: D.C. ACT 22-199, ‘‘Medical Respite Services in the Uniform Code of Military Justice on H.R. 4635. Exemption Temporary Amendment Act of domestic violence, and for other purposes; to Congress has the power to enact this legis- 2017’’, pursuant to Public Law 93-198, Sec. the Committee on Armed Services, and in lation pursuant to the following: 602(c)(1); (87 Stat. 814); to the Committee on addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution. Oversight and Government Reform. for a period to be subsequently determined By Ms. SCHAKOWSKY: 3389. A letter from the Chairman, Council by the Speaker, in each case for consider- H.R. 4636. of the District of Columbia, transmitting ation of such provisions as fall within the ju- Congress has the power to enact this legis- D.C. ACT 22-198, ‘‘Public Employee Relations risdiction of the committee concerned. lation pursuant to the following: Board Term Limit Temporary Amendment By Mr. TAYLOR (for himself, Mr. Article I, Section 7 By Mr. KIND: Act of 2017’’, pursuant to Public Law 93-198, WITTMAN, and Mr. SCOTT of Virginia): H.R. 4637. Sec. 602(c)(1); (87 Stat. 814); to the Committee H.R. 4640. A bill to designate public col- Congress has the power to enact this legis- on Oversight and Government Reform. leges and universities that provide research, lation pursuant to the following: f data, and recommendations on physical Article I, Section 7, Clause 1 science, social science, economic analysis, ‘‘All Bills for raising Revenue shall REPORTS OF COMMITTEES ON policy analysis, risk analysis, monitoring, orginate in the House of Representatives’’ PUBLIC BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS predicting, and planning for coastal flooding By Mr. KING of New York: Under clause 2 of rule XIII, reports of as National Centers of Excellence in Coastal H.R. 4638. Flood Research and Education; to the Com- Congress has the power to enact this legis- committees were delivered to the Clerk mittee on Science, Space, and Technology, lation pursuant to the following: for printing and reference to the proper and in addition to the Committee on Trans- Article I, Section 8 calendar, as follows: portation and Infrastructure, for a period to By Ms. ROSEN: Mr. HENSARLING: Committee on Finan- be subsequently determined by the Speaker, H.R. 4639. cial Services. H.R. 4258. A bill to promote the in each case for consideration of such provi- Congress has the power to enact this legis- development of local strategies to coordinate sions as fall within the jurisdiction of the lation pursuant to the following: use of assistance under sections 8 and 9 of committee concerned. Article I, Section 8, Clauses 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, the United States Housing Act of 1937 with By Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN: 18 of the U.S. Constitution: To raise and sup- public and private resources, to enable eligi- H.J. Res. 124. A joint resolution making port Armies, but no Appropriation of Money ble families to achieve economic independ- further additional continuing appropriations to that Use shall be for a longer Term than ence and self-sufficiency, and for other pur- for fiscal year 2018, and for other purposes; to two Years; To provide and maintain a Navy; poses (Rept. 115–464. Referred to the Com- the Committee on Appropriations, and in ad- To make Rules for the Government and Reg- mittee of the Whole House on the state of dition to the Committees on the Budget, and ulation of the land and naval Forces; To pro- the Union. Ways and Means, for a period to be subse- vide for calling forth the Militia to execute the Laws of the Union, suppress Insurrec- f quently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as tions and repel Invasions; To provide for or- PUBLIC BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS fall within the jurisdiction of the committee ganizing, arming, and disciplining, the Mili- tia, and for governing such Part of them as Under clause 2 of rule XII, public concerned. By Mr. WILSON of South Carolina: may be employed in the Service of the bills and resolutions of the following H. Res. 662. A resolution emphasizing dis- United States, reserving to the States re- titles were introduced and severally re- approval of six anti-Israel United Nations spectively, the Appointment of the Officers, ferred, as follows: resolutions and reaffirming United States and the Authority of training the Militia according to the discipline prescribed by Con- By Mr. COFFMAN (for himself and Ms. support for the State of Israel and its people; gress; To make all Laws which shall be nec- ESTY of Connecticut): to the Committee on Foreign Affairs. essary and proper for carrying into Execu- H.R. 4635. A bill to direct the Secretary of By Mr. JONES (for himself, Mr. LYNCH, tion the foregoing Powers, and all other Veterans Affairs to increase the number of and Mr. MASSIE): Powers vested by this Constitution in the peer-to-peer counselors providing counseling H. Res. 663. A resolution urging the release Government of the United States, or in any for women veterans, and for other purposes; of information regarding the September 11, Department or Officer thereof. to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs. 2001, terrorist attacks upon the United By Mr. TAYLOR: By Ms. SCHAKOWSKY (for herself, Ms. States; to the Committee on Oversight and H.R. 4640. NORTON, Mr. QUIGLEY, Mr. CART- Government Reform. Congress has the power to enact this legis- WRIGHT, Ms. LEE, Ms. MCCOLLUM, Mr. By Mr. KING of New York (for himself, lation pursuant to the following: NADLER, Mr. POCAN, Ms. SPEIER, Mr. Mr. LANCE, Mr. PASCRELL, Mr. LOBI- Article 1, Section 8 LOEBSACK, Mr. GUTIE´ RREZ, Mr. GRI- ONDO, Mr. DESANTIS, Mr. SIRES, Ms. The Congress shall have Power To lay and JALVA, Mr. HUFFMAN, Ms. LOFGREN, ROS-LEHTINEN, Mr. DIAZ-BALART, and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises, Mr. TAKANO, Mr. KHANNA, Mr. POLIS, Mr. CURBELO of Florida): to pay the Debts and provide for the common Mr. KENNEDY, Ms. VELA´ ZQUEZ, and H. Res. 664. A resolution calling for the im- Defence and general Welfare of the United Mr. MCNERNEY): mediate extradition or rendering to the States; but all Duties, Imposts and Excises H.R. 4636. A bill to amend the Internal Rev- United States of convicted felons William shall be uniform throughout the United enue Code of 1986 to extend certain provi- Morales, Joanne Chesimard, and all other fu- States; sions of the renewable energy credit, and for gitives from justice who are receiving safe To borrow money on the credit of the other purposes; to the Committee on Ways harbor in Cuba in order to escape prosecu- United States; and Means. tion or confinement for criminal offenses To regulate Commerce with foreign Na- By Mr. KIND (for himself and Mr. committed in the United States; to the Com- tions, and among the several States, and REICHERT): mittee on Foreign Affairs. with the Indian Tribes;

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:53 Dec 14, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00054 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\L13DE7.000 H13DEPT1 December 13, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H9901 To establish an uniform Rule of Natu- ADDITIONAL SPONSORS H.R. 3923: Mr. LEVIN. ralization, and uniform Laws on the subject Under clause 7 of rule XII, sponsors H.R. 4007: Mr. COSTA, Mr. LARSEN of Wash- of Bankruptcies throughout the United ington, Mr. LYNCH, Mr. MOULTON, Mr. RUSH, States; were added to public bills and resolu- and Mr. MACARTHUR. To coin Money, regulate the Value thereof, tions, as follows: H.R. 4061: Mr. AGUILAR, Mr. HULTGREN, Mr. and of foreign Coin, and fix the Standard of H.R. 140: Mr. SANFORD. CONNOLLY, Mr. HOLLINGSWORTH, Mr. BUDD, Weights and Measures; H.R. 173: Mr. JOHNSON of Ohio, Ms. Mr. LOUDERMILK, and Ms. BLUNT ROCHESTER. To provide for the Punishment of counter- MCSALLY, and Mr. WESTERMAN. H.R. 4077: Ms. SINEMA and Mr. JONES. feiting the Securities and current Coin of the H.R. 495: Mr. CARTER of Georgia. H.R. 4078: Ms. JACKSON LEE, Mr. CUELLAR, United States; H.R. 545: Mr. NEWHOUSE. and Mr. PALAZZO. To establish Post Offices and Post Roads; H.R. 632: Ms. DEGETTE, Ms. DELBENE, Mr. H.R. 4133: Mr. CRAMER. To promote the Progress of Science and LIPINSKI, Mr. PASCRELL, Mr. RUSH, Mr. H.R. 4143: Mr. THOMPSON of California, Mr. useful Arts, by securing for limited Times to ZELDIN, Mr. CARSON of Indiana, Mr. GENE LOBIONDO, Mr. CORREA, and Mr. PETERS. Authors and Inventors the exclusive Right to GREEN of Texas, Mr. SHERMAN, Mr. BRENDAN H.R. 4144: Mr. FITZPATRICK. their respective Writings and Discoveries; F. BOYLE of Pennsylvania, Mr. DELANEY, Ms. H.R. 4152: Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania. To constitute Tribunals inferior to the su- FUDGE, and Ms. BASS. preme Court; H.R. 667: Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas and Mr. H.R. 4163: Mr. LIPINSKI. and Offenses against the Law of Nations; KIND. H.R. 4219: Mr. MITCHELL and Mr. BYRNE. To declare War, grant Letters of Marque H.R. 747: Ms. ADAMS. H.R. 4223: Mr. LANCE. and Reprisal, and make Rules concerning H.R. 785: Mr. THORNBERRY. H.R. 4240: Mr. LEVIN. Captures on Land and Water; H.R. 858: Mr. ELLISON, Ms. CLARK of Massa- H.R. 4265: Mr. CARTWRIGHT. To raise and support Armies, but no Appro- chusetts, and Mr. PANETTA. H.R. 4274: Mrs. LOVE. priation of Money to that Use shall be for a H.R. 909: Mr. ROUZER. H.R. 4306: Mr. KIND. longer Term than two Years; H.R. 912: Mr. SEAN PATRICK MALONEY of H.R. 4340: Mr. ROKITA. To provide and maintain a Navy; New York and Mr. POLIS. H.R. 4360: Mr. LIPINSKI. H.R. 913: Mr. ELLISON. To make Rules for the Government and H.R. 4369: Ms. BORDALLO. H.R. 947: Mr. CARTWRIGHT. Regulation of the land and naval Forces; H.R. 4372: Mr. STIVERS. H.R. 1134: Mr. BERA. To provide for calling forth the Militia to H.R. 4391: Mr. RUSH. execute the Laws of the Union, suppress In- H.R. 1155: Ms. ESTY of Connecticut. H.R. 4396: Mr. LARSEN of Washington, Mr. surrections and repel Invasions; H.R. 1272: Mr. CLAY. DOGGETT, Ms. KELLY of Illinois, Ms. MAXINE To provide for organizing, arming, and dis- H.R. 1314: Ms. MCSALLY. WATERS of California, Miss RICE of New ciplining, the Militia, and for governing such H.R. 1456: Mr. STIVERS and Mr. LARSEN of York, Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD, Ms. DELAURO, Part of them as may be employed in the Washington. Mrs. LOWEY, and Ms. KAPTUR. Service of the United States, reserving to H.R. 1457: Mr. MESSER. H.R. 4413: Mr. CALVERT and Mr. CONAWAY. the States respectively, the Appointment of H.R. 1555: Mr. ROHRABACHER. H.R. 4443: Ms. BONAMICI. the Officers, and the Authority of training H.R. 1569: Mr. PERLMUTTER. H.R. 1615: Ms. CLARKE of New York, Mr. H.R. 4444: Ms. KELLY of Illinois, Mr. the Militia according to the discipline pre- KHANNA, and Mr. NORCROSS. MCGOVERN, Ms. ESTY of Connecticut, and Ms. scribed by Congress; H.R. 1720: Mr. FASO. LEE. To exercise exclusive Legislation in all H.R. 1818: Ms. HANABUSA, Mr. WOMACK, Mr. Cases whatsoever, over such District (not ex- H.R. 4459: Mr. BLUMENAUER. GOMEZ, Mr. MARINO, Mr. GARRETT, Mr. ´ ´ ceeding ten Miles square) as may, by Cession H.R. 4494: Miss GONZALEZ-COLON of Puerto KNIGHT, Mr. AMODEI, Mr. QUIGLEY, and Ms. of particular States, and the acceptance of Rico, Mr. KNIGHT, Mr. BOST, Mr. GROTHMAN, ROS-LEHTINEN. Congress, become the Seat of the Govern- Mr. BROOKS of Alabama, Ms. JENKINS of Kan- H.R. 1889: Ms. SA´ NCHEZ. ment of the United States, and to exercise sas, Mr. CONAWAY, and Mr. ISSA. H.R. 1970: Ms. MENG. like Authority over all Places purchased by H.R. 4505: Mr. LOWENTHAL. H.R. 1987: Ms. CLARK of Massachusetts. the Consent of the Legislature of the State H.R. 4510: Mr. O’HALLERAN. H.R. 1997: Mr. SIRES and Ms. FRANKEL of H.R. 4541: Mr. RASKIN, Mr. PAYNE, Ms. in which the Same shall be, for the Erection Florida. of Forts, Magazines, Arsenals, dock-Yards, MCCOLLUM, Mr. MCEACHIN, Mr. LAWSON of H.R. 2166: Mr. BILIRAKIS. Florida, Ms. JUDY CHU of California, Ms. and other needful Buildings; And H.R. 2234: Mr. FITZPATRICK and Mr. SA´ NCHEZ, Mr. TONKO, Mr. KHANNA, Ms. To make all Laws which shall be necessary DENHAM. BORDALLO, and Mr. CARTWRIGHT. and proper for carrying into Execution the H.R. 2293: Mr. SESSIONS. MITH foregoing Powers, and all other Powers vest- H.R. 2317: Mr. RUIZ. H.R. 4547: Mr. S of Nebraska, Mr. ed by this Constitution in the Government of H.R. 2436: Ms. SLAUGHTER. BUCHANAN, and Mr. KELLY of Pennsylvania. ´ the United States, or in any Department or H.R. 2472: Mr. COFFMAN. H.R. 4548: Mr. BEN RAY LUJAN of New Mex- Officer thereof. H.R. 2616: Ms. BONAMICI. ico, Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ, Mr. THOMPSON By Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN: H.R. 2657: Mr. PETERSON. of Mississippi, Mr. AL GREEN of Texas, Mr. H.J. Res. 124. H.R. 2687: Mrs. BEATTY, Mr. SCHIFF, Mr. SIRES, Miss RICE of New York, Ms. PINGREE, Congress has the power to enact this legis- DANNY K. DAVIS of Illinois, Ms. PINGREE, Ms. Mr. LOWENTHAL, and Mr. LIPINSKI. lation pursuant to the following: SEWELL of Alabama, and Mr. CUMMINGS. H.R. 4572: Ms. JACKSON LEE, Ms. PLASKETT, The principal constitutional authority for H.R. 2913: Mr. PANETTA. Ms. NORTON, and Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. this legislation is clause 7 of section 9 of ar- H.R. 2946: Mr. GIBBS. H.R. 4582: Mrs. BUSTOS. ticle I of the Constitution of the United H.R. 3409: Mr. FLORES. H.R. 4585: Mr. CAPUANO, Ms. ROSEN, Ms. States (the appropriation power), which H.R. 3444: Mr. SWALWELL of California and SLAUGHTER, Mr. HIGGINS of New York, Ms. states: ‘‘No Money shall be drawn from the Ms. MCCOLLUM. MICHELLE LUJAN GRISHAM of New Mexico, Treasury, but in Consequence of Appropria- H.R. 3495: Mr. LYNCH, Mr. SARBANES, Mr. Mr. MCGOVERN, Mr. DELANEY, and Mr. tions made by Law . . . .’’ In addition, clause GENE GREEN of Texas, Mr. RUSH, and Mr. DEUTCH. 1 of section 8 of article I of the Constitution PASCRELL. H.R. 4589: Mr. GOMEZ. (the spending power) provides: ‘‘The Con- H.R. 3596: Mr. DANNY K. DAVIS of Illinois, H.R. 4608: Ms. MOORE. gress shall have the Power . . . to pay the Ms. GABBARD, Mrs. COMSTOCK, Mr. SIMPSON, H.R. 4614: Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois. Debts and provide for the common Defence and Mr. MAST. H.R. 4617: Mr. MESSER, Mr. BANKS of Indi- and general Welfare of the United States H.R. 3600: Mr. HARRIS. ana, and Mr. KATKO. . . . .’’ Together, these specific constitu- H.R. 3637: Mr. BLUMENAUER and Ms. SHEA- H. Con. Res. 28: Mr. ISSA, Mr. VALADAO, and tional provisions establish the congressional PORTER. Mr. LANCE. power of the purse, granting Congress the H.R. 3730: Mr. ELLISON, Mr. NEWHOUSE, and H. Con. Res. 81: Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHN- authority to appropriate funds, to determine Ms. MENG. SON of Texas. their purpose, amount, and period of avail- H.R. 3738: Mr. RUSH, Mr. DANNY K. DAVIS of H. Res. 69: Ms. ROSEN. ability, and to set forth terms and conditions Illinois, Ms. BARRAGA´ N, and Ms. HANABUSA. OVE governing their use. H.R. 3767: Mr. BARR. H. Res. 443: Mrs. L . By Ms. BROWNLEY of California: H.R. 3776: Mr. MEADOWS. H. Res. 464: Mr. YOUNG of Iowa. H.R. 4641 H.R. 3848: Mr. BLUMENAUER. H. Res. 466: Mr. MCCAUL. Congress has the power to enact this legis- H.R. 3851: Mr. POE of Texas and Mr. SIRES. H. Res. 477: Mr. CARTER of Georgia. lation pursuant to the following: H.R. 3881: Mrs. BUSTOS, Mr. RODNEY DAVIS H. Res. 570: Mr. DESANTIS. Article I, Section 8 of Illinois, Mr. KILMER, and Mr. SHERMAN. H. Res. 603: Mr. DONOVAN.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 05:05 Dec 14, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00055 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A13DE7.027 H13DEPT1 E PL UR UM IB N U U S Congressional Record United States th of America PROCEEDINGS AND DEBATES OF THE 115 CONGRESS, FIRST SESSION

Vol. 163 WASHINGTON, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2017 No. 203 Senate The Senate met at 12 noon and was be a circuit court judge, and soon we ence necessary to excel on the Fifth called to order by the President pro will confirm another. Next, we will ad- Circuit. He also earned the praise of tempore (Mr. HATCH). vance the nomination of James Ho to prominent Democrats who believe he f be a judge of the Fifth Circuit Court of will make an excellent addition to the Appeals. Mr. Ho is another well-quali- Federal court. PRAYER fied individual, and, like all of Presi- Ron Kirk, the Obama administra- The Chaplain, Dr. Barry C. Black, of- dent Trump’s judicial nominees, he is tion’s Trade Representative and the fered the following prayer: dedicated to upholding the rule of law former mayor of Dallas, supported Mr. Let us pray. and serving as an impartial arbiter on Ho’s nomination to the Judiciary Com- Our Father in Heaven, thank You the bench. mittee. He wrote: that our life’s pilgrimage is a process Similar to Justice Willett, whom I Jim possesses the temperament, integrity, and discovery. Open our eyes today discussed yesterday, Mr. Ho has an in- and intellect that anyone, Republican or that we may see wonderful things in spirational story. Immigrating to the Democrat, should insist on in a federal Your precepts, gaining wisdom from United States from Taiwan at the age judge. He is wickedly smart, and is among of 1, he learned English by watching the most brilliant appellate lawyers in the Your world. Help our lawmakers to United States. If there is one thing that my strive to ensure that their thoughts, ‘‘Sesame Street.’’ He went on to grad- liberal and conservative colleagues agree on, words, and deeds will please You. uate from the University of Chicago it is that Jim just has it in his DNA to be a Today, we surrender to Your provi- Law School with high honors and great judge. dence, trusting You to order our steps. earned a clerkship with Judge Jerry E. A Commissioner on the U.S. Commis- Lord, teach us to illuminate our world Smith of the Fifth Circuit. In 2001, Mr. sion on Civil Rights appointed by with the wisdom of Your Divine in- Ho joined the Department of Justice as President Obama also recommended sights, so that Your will may be done the Special Assistant to the Assistant Mr. Ho in a letter to the Judiciary on Earth. Transform life’s deserts so Attorney General for Civil Rights and Committee. She knows him from his that they will blossom like roses. Bring later worked in the Office of Legal volunteer work with the National flowing springs to the parched grounds Counsel. In addition to his service in Asian Pacific American Bar Associa- of our lives, so that we may live abun- the executive branch, he worked here tion. She wrote that he ‘‘has a strong dantly. in the Senate as chief counsel for the reputation as an intelligent, reason- We pray in Your loving Name. Amen. Judiciary Committee’s Subcommittee able, fair and principled lawyer.’’ f on the Constitution. Afterward, he I would like to commend President went across the street to clerk for As- Trump for another very strong nomina- PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE sociate Justice Clarence Thomas. tion. I would also like to express my The President pro tempore led the After his distinguished and successful gratitude to Chairman GRASSLEY and Pledge of Allegiance, as follows: legal career in Washington, Mr. Ho re- the members of the Judiciary Com- I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the turned to Texas, joining a top law firm mittee for their work to process the United States of America, and to the Repub- and specializing in appellate litigation. President’s judicial nominees. lic for which it stands, one nation under God, He then served as the solicitor general I look forward to advancing Mr. Ho’s indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. of Texas, succeeding our colleague Sen- nomination soon. f ator TED CRUZ. It was while he was f serving in that role that he won the RECOGNITION OF THE MAJORITY Supreme Court Best Brief Award from THE INTERNET LEADER the National Association of Attorneys Mr. MCCONNELL. Madam President, The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mrs. General. He went on to earn the award one of the great advances of our time ERNST). The majority leader is recog- two more times. After his time in has been the development and expan- nized. State government, Mr. Ho returned to sion of the internet and wireless tech- f his private practice firm and currently nologies. The internet connects people serves as the cochair of its appellate across the globe in an unprecedented NOMINATION OF JAMES HO and constitutional law group. He has way. It brings together producers and Mr. MCCONNELL. Madam President, presented oral arguments in State and consumers, students and educators, this week, the Senate is continuing to Federal courts around the country, in- and even Members of the Senate with consider President Trump’s out- cluding the Supreme Court. our constituents. standing judicial nominees. Yesterday, It is clear that Mr. Ho possesses im- It is difficult to exaggerate the im- we confirmed a talented individual to pressive credentials, with the experi- pact the internet has on our society

∑ This ‘‘bullet’’ symbol identifies statements or insertions which are not spoken by a Member of the Senate on the floor.

S7979

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:32 Dec 14, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A13DE6.000 S13DEPT1 S7980 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE December 13, 2017 and our economy each and every day. Chairman Pai’s proposal will also re- many other critical functions of the Even a few decades ago, the tech- quire internet service providers to Federal Government—will suffer intol- nologies many of us take for granted clearly disclose how they treat their erable budget cuts next year. today would have been totally customers’ data so that consumers can I hope that my colleagues on the unfathomable. choose the services that are right for other side of the aisle will work with But the success of the Internet them. us in a serious manner to make sure wasn’t an accident. Today’s internet— I look forward to their vote in sup- that we are able to responsibly fund and all the incredible innovations that port of the open internet and to the government so that our military utilize it—aren’t the product of unnec- Congress’s actions in the future to has the tools it needs to keep us safe. essary and burdensome government keep the internet open for consumers f regulations that hindered growth. In- in a lasting way. stead, they were the direct result of a Before I continue onto another mat- TAX CUTS AND JOBS BILL bipartisan desire to create an environ- ter, I feel that it is necessary to take a Mr. MCCONNELL. Now, on one final ment of advancement—one that uti- moment to discuss the vitriolic and di- matter, Madam President, later today, lized a light regulatory touch. visive debate over this topic. the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act conference Innovators were free to create and de- As my colleagues know, I am a committee will host an open meeting velop what they wanted to, without strong defender of political speech, and to discuss its progress in resolving the having to think about complying with I have fought for decades to protect the differences between the House and Sen- overbearing Washington regulation. rights of all Americans to question ate versions of the bill. As the internet grows, so does the government policies. However, the dis- The conferees have been working United States. Our Nation has led the cussion on this issue took on a new diligently to produce a report that world in internet technology, and citi- tone. While the First Amendment pro- both Chambers can vote on soon. Once zens throughout the country and the tects political speech, it is no excuse they complete their work, Congress world have enjoyed the benefits. for bad conduct. will be able to fulfill our commitment However, the previous administra- Instead of debating the effects of a to the American people and deliver real tion seemed bent on subjecting the proposal, some of the far left engaged tax reform. internet to a whole host of new regula- in personal attacks, even going as low For too long, the hardworking men tions—rules designed in the age of the as to promulgate attacks citing Chair- and women of Kentucky and our Na- rotary phone and rooted in the railroad man Pai’s children. This type of behav- tion have endured a struggling econ- era of the 1800s. Through unprece- ior does nothing to elevate our Na- omy and a broken tax code. Rates are dented government overreach, the tion’s discourse or forward a particular too high. The structure is too com- Obama administration argued that this policy. I hope that we can all agree plicated to understand, and it is too change would fix a problem. But there that this type of harassment deserves easy for the wealthy and the well-con- wasn’t a problem that needed fixing. nected to exploit. Incentives are so Therefore at the behest of President universal condemnation. f nonsensical that some actually encour- Obama in 2015, the partisan majority at age corporations to ship American jobs the Federal Communications Commis- FUNDING OUR MILITARY overseas. sion rejected our decades-old approach Mr. MCCONNELL. Now, on another It is time for a change. Passing pro- and reclassified broadband internet ac- matter, Madam President, over the last family and pro-growth tax reform is cess. This overreach subjected it to eight years, our foreign policy was the single most important action we new burdens and regulations and guided by a Commander in Chief who can take right now to grow our econ- threatened the marketplace freedom wished to draw down conventional omy and help the middle class get and innovation that brought us the military power from across the globe. ahead. internet we have come to know today. Families deserve a tax system that It shouldn’t shock any of my col- Iran, China, and Russia have sought to leagues to hear that an increase in bur- fill this vacuum and exploit the percep- works for them; and along with Presi- densome regulations created uncer- tion that America was withdrawing. dent Trump and his team, this Repub- tainty for businesses of all sizes and This Republican Congress has made a lican-led Congress is working to de- negatively impacted investment. In the commitment to work with President liver. This is our chance to set a new last 2 years, broadband investment has Trump to rebuild our military and give course—to undo the damage that our suffered a serious decline, even though our men and women in uniform the re- outdated Tax Code has inflicted on the many Americans, including large num- sources they need to face the chal- economy over the last decade. bers in rural States like Kentucky, lenges of a dangerous world. For the Americans who were left be- lack access to crucial internet services We know there is more work to do in hind by the Obama economy, this is at home. restoring our military’s combat readi- our opportunity to provide relief. We Earlier this year, President Trump ness and meeting the full needs of the want to make your taxes lower, sim- changed direction from the previous force. Earlier this year, we passed a pler, and fairer. We want to bring in- administration. He elevated Ajit Pai to funding measure that was an impor- vestment and jobs back home and keep serve as the Chairman of the FCC, and tant departure from the Obama years. them here. The bottom line is this: We tomorrow, the Commission will vote to The President has renewed our com- want to take more money out of Wash- repeal the misguided 2015 rule. mitment to Afghanistan, and is trying ington’s pocket and put more money Chairman Pai submitted a proposal to train and equip a force that can into the pockets of the middle class. I to restore freedom to the internet and meet the daunting challenge posed by am confident the conference com- to classify broadband internet access North Korea. mittee will finalize a bill that does just once again as an information service, To begin rebuilding our military, we that. just like it was until 2015. ignored the Obama-era demand that It will also repeal ObamaCare’s indi- When the FCC votes tomorrow, they any increase in defense funding must vidual mandate tax, delivering relief to will be voting to return the internet to be equally matched to nondefense in- low- and middle-income Americans a consumer-driven marketplace free of creases. We did that earlier this year, who have struggled under an unpopular innovation-stifling regulations. and we must do it once again. and unworkable law. Opponents of Chairman Pai’s plan As we continue to discuss a plan to In addition to this once-in-a-genera- have expressed their concerns about fund the government, we must tion tax relief, our legislation will also unfair or disruptive business practices prioritize efforts to provide for our provide for our Nation’s energy future. that may hurt consumers’ access to the warfighters. The Defense Department By further developing Alaska’s oil and internet. However, his proposal will ac- suffered a disproportionate reduction gas potential, this bill will help create tually restore the Federal Trade Com- under the Budget Control Act—one jobs, support energy independence, and mission’s authority to protect con- that has real consequences for readi- promote our national security. sumers and police companies that en- ness. If we are not able to come to a The forthcoming conference report gage in unfair practices. funding agreement, our military—and represents our chance to provide a real

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:32 Dec 14, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G13DE6.001 S13DEPT1 December 13, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S7981 benefit to families and small busi- Two additional points in regard to As too often has happened, Senator nesses across the Nation. I am grateful the election, which has a link to the MCCONNELL does one thing when Re- to the members of the conference com- Chamber here: publicans are in charge and a different mittee for their hard work to resolve First, the election of a Democrat in thing when Democrats are in charge. the differences between the two bills. I such a conservative State, which Here is another example. MCCONNELL look forward to voting for the final hadn’t had a Democratic Senator since says: New Senator—in that case, Scott product soon. 1996—they elected one in 1990, I guess— Brown—slow down work on major leg- f is a clarion call for bipartisanship. The islation, and Reid acceded. American people are clamoring for us We are calling on Senator MCCON- RESERVATION OF LEADER TIME to work together, to eschew the poli- NELL to do the same thing today. Let’s The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under tics of divisiveness and once again con- see if he does. We are calling on Sen- the previous order, the leadership time duct our politics with civility, decency, ator MCCONNELL to do just as Senator is reserved. and an eye toward compromise. That is Reid did—to honor the wishes of the f what Doug Jones represented as a can- people of a State that has newly elect- didate, it is what he campaigned on, ed a Senator and to wait to move for- CONCLUSION OF MORNING and his election should signal to all of ward on the tax bill until Senator BUSINESS my Republican colleagues that the Jones arrives. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Morning American people, from the deepest red If Republicans insist on barreling business is closed. States to the deepest blue States, ahead—and I understand the pressure is on them from their hard-right multi- f yearn for our politics to function again in a bipartisan way. billionaire paymasters—they will be EXECUTIVE SESSION The election of a Democrat in such a pouring gasoline on the fire. Their tax conservative State is a clarion call for bill—written in back rooms, rushed bipartisanship. The people of Alabama through this Chamber with such reck- EXECUTIVE CALENDAR have spoken, and they have sent a mes- lessness—which gives enormous breaks The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under sage asking both Democrats and Re- to the wealthy and corporations while the previous order, the Senate will pro- publicans to work together to solve our it raises taxes on millions, many of ceed to executive session and resume greatest challenges. That is how Doug them in the middle class, is being consideration of the following nomina- Jones campaigned. Roy Moore did not roundly rejected by the American peo- tion, which the clerk will report. try to pursue any scintilla of biparti- ple. Poll after poll shows by ratios The senior assistant legislative clerk sanship, and it might have been one of equal to, a little less than, or a little read the nomination of Don R. Willett, the reasons he lost, particularly in the more than two to one that the Amer- of Texas, to be a Circuit Judge, United suburbs of Birmingham and other cit- ican people reject this bill. They know States Court of Appeals for the Fifth ies. I hope we in this body will take what is in it. They don’t know all of Circuit. this election in earnest and pursue a the details, but they know it favors the RECOGNITION OF THE MINORITY LEADER course of bipartisanship. wealthy and powerful over them, over The PRESIDING OFFICER. The REPUBLICAN TAX BILL the middle class. They know that, even Democratic leader is recognized. The election of Doug Jones should if they are getting a small tax break, have another effect on this Chamber as the vast majority of the tax breaks go ELECTION OF DOUG JONES well. It would be unseemly and impru- to the wealthiest and the most power- Mr. SCHUMER. Madam President, as dent to rush a massive piece of par- ful, and they don’t like it. Above all, we know, last night a Democrat won in tisan legislation through this Chamber they know this tax bill will clobber the the State of Alabama for the first time before Doug Jones is seated. To rush suburbs, drastically cutting back on in a quarter century. such a huge piece of legislation when the State and local deductions and Last night’s election of Doug Jones the people of Alabama have just sent other deductions they cut back on, was not only the repudiation of a can- us a new Senator and try to jam it which will be a gut punch to millions didate unfit to serve in this body; it through before he gets here would be so of middle-class and upper middle-class was an affirmation of a candidate who wrong. Doug Jones will be the duly Americans who live in the suburbs. represents the very best of public serv- elected Senator from the State of Ala- They are the very same people who are ice. bama in a few short weeks. The Gov- turning away from President Trump, I read Doug Jones’ bio. One story ernor didn’t appoint him. The people who helped to propel Doug Jones to stands out in my mind. As a second- chose him. It would be wrong for Sen- victory last night, and who helped to year law student, Doug Jones skipped ate Republicans to jam through this propel Mr. Northam to be Governor of class to attend the trial of the Klans- tax bill without giving the newly elect- Virginia when his opponent Gillespie man ringleader of the 1963 bombing of ed Senator from Alabama the oppor- was calling for a $10,000 tax break for the 16th Street Baptist Church—an tunity to cast his vote. The people of the middle class. event, as we all remember, that shook Alabama deserve to have their rep- The longer this bill sits behind closed the conscience of our country and resentative in the Senate to debate the doors, the worse it is getting. Rather helped launch a mighty movement for biggest issues of the day, and the tax than improving it for the middle class, civil rights. Although a young Doug bill certainly falls under that category. they are cutting the rate further on the Jones was moved by the disposition of Today, we Senate Democrats are wealthiest of Americans, according to justice in that trial, he was left with calling on Leader MCCONNELL to hit all reports—to reduce the top rate an- the impression that other members of pause on his tax bill and not hold a other 2.5 percent, only going to people the conspiracy had escaped the reach of final vote on it until Doug Jones is who make over $300,000 a year, while the law. So 24 years later, when Doug sworn into the Senate. That is exactly raising taxes on the middle class. What Jones became the U.S. attorney in Ala- what Republicans argued when Scott is going on in the heads of our Repub- bama, he pursued charges against two Brown was elected in 2010. Referring to lican colleagues? Why would they do more Klan members involved in the healthcare, Leader MCCONNELL said it something that seems so wrong for bombing, winning their conviction, and would be ‘‘gamesmanship’’ to pursue America and so against what the delivered a long-delayed but mighty big-ticket legislation before Scott American people want? We know why. righteous justice. Brown was seated. He asked us to The Koch brothers and the Club for Doug Jones deserved to win the race ‘‘honor the wishes of the people of Mas- Growth, funded largely by billionaires last night. He is a fine man, was an ex- sachusetts.’’ Leader Reid, in fact, ac- and millionaires, and all these other cellent candidate, and is going to make ceded to that wish and waited until groups are fanatic: Just cut taxes on an outstanding Senator for the people Scott Brown was a Senator before the rich. of Alabama. I congratulate Senator- there were any further votes on I don’t even hear them arguing for Elect Jones and look forward to wel- healthcare. ‘‘We’re going to wait until helping the middle class, except in TV coming him to this Chamber and our the new senator arrives until we do ads that are deceptive, in my judg- caucus. anything more on healthcare,’’ he said. ment. But they are doing it for that

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:32 Dec 14, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A13DE6.004 S13DEPT1 S7982 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE December 13, 2017 reason. Our Republican colleagues, by of their education. Families who access Chairman Pai and the FCC from having trying to appease these very wealthy educational tools for their children the resources to implement this rule. It people—a small number of greedy peo- could also see charges, and the open is so important now that we continue ple—are writing their political doom, highway that has been so important in to fight for small businesses, for Main in my opinion. making sure that new internet busi- Street entrepreneurs, and for the inno- The longer this bill sits behind closed nesses are started could be impacted. vation economy. doors, the worse it is getting. It is not The No. 1 reason we have to fight this We deserve to have an open internet. improving things for the middle class. decision—making sure that we do ev- As the small businesses and innovators It is making them worse. Instead of erything we can to stop the FCC from just said to me this past weekend in learning from their mistakes, instead implementing this rule and giving con- Seattle, this is really like siding with of heeding one of the lessons of the sumers the protection of net neu- the big companies and saying that they election last night, Republicans are trality—is that it will harm our inter- are going to make all of the decisions, doubling down on helping the wealthy net economy. Last summer we had a that they are the ones that are going and powerful and doing nothing for, if townhall meeting about this, where I to be in control. They are not going to not harming, the middle class. heard from many of my constituents. I be for competition, and they are not In 2010 on the floor of the Senate, then sent in many business cases to going to be for this level of innovation. Leader MCCONNELL said: Chairman Pai so that he would under- They are going to slow down what is We need to move in a new direction—a dra- stand why this impacts us so much. one of the best parts of our economy. matically new direction. That is the message Let’s make sure that we understand I hope that our colleagues will join of Virginia. That is the message of New Jer- what is happening. The FCC had rules the fight and stop the FCC, in any sey. That is the message of Massachusetts. that had prevented companies from manner possible, from implementing You could replace Massachusetts throttling, or blocking, and it had what is, literally, a very, very anti- with Alabama and say the exact same paved the way for many great suc- competitive strategy and one that is thing today. In sum, on process, on pol- cesses. In the United States, we have very, very focused on big corporations, icy, and on politics, pausing this tax Fortune 500 companies and a tech in- instead of the innovation economy of bill and going back to the drawing dustry that is responsible for 7 percent the future. board is the right thing for Repub- of our Nation’s GDP and 6.9 million I yield the floor. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- licans to do. I hope, for the sake of this jobs in the United States of America. country, they will do just that. Why would you change the rules ator from Massachusetts. Mr. MARKEY. Madam President, I I yield the floor. now? Why would you leave after having thank all of my colleagues, led by Sen- I suggest the absence of a quorum. made sure critical protections were in ator CANTWELL, for joining me on the The PRESIDING OFFICER. The place and, instead, replace them with clerk will call the roll. floor this afternoon. the ability for certain companies— We are speaking on behalf of millions The senior assistant legislative clerk cable, specifically—to wreak havoc on of our constituents and of the tens of proceeded to call the roll. this economy? millions of Americans who support a Ms. CANTWELL. Madam President, I Thirteen percent of Washington free and open internet. I am proud to ask unanimous consent that the order State’s economy depends on a healthy come to the floor to discuss an issue of for the quorum call be rescinded. internet sector. The internet economy national importance to both our econ- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without for our State supports 250,000 jobs, and omy and our democracy—net neu- objection, it is so ordered. at a time when the Nation has not had trality. NET NEUTRALITY enough wage growth, these tech jobs Now, a lot of people have recently Ms. CANTWELL. Madam President, have been a bedrock for the middle stopped and asked me: What exactly is today we are closing in on a critical de- class. net neutrality? cision that will have a lasting impact Chairman Pai is clearly not focused The technical answer is that network on the innovation-driven economy of on the 250,000 jobs and the 13 percent of neutrality, or net neutrality, is the the United States. The Chairman of the our State’s economy. Just this past principle that internet service pro- FCC has decided to repeal a critical weekend, I and my colleague, Congress- viders—you know their names: consumer protection known as net neu- woman DELBENE, met with many of Verizon, AT&T, Charter, Comcast— trality. This is a wrongheaded move. It these small businesses. Their message cannot discriminate against content is misguided. It is being driven by big was loud and clear: Please stop Chair- providers, against websites. They are cable interests that want to continue man Pai from ruining the internet by the people to whom you pay by check to gouge consumers and charge them taking away key protections that each month and who make sure that more, making sure that consumers ei- make sure our businesses run success- you have broadband service. You know ther pay or have their internet lines fully. who they are. The simpler explanation slowed down. Chairman Pai is abdicating his role. is this: No one owns the internet. Ev- This decision turns the success of He is abandoning the consumers whom eryone can use the internet. Anyone what has been an essential 21st-century he has sworn an oath to serve, and he can improve the internet. innovation over to those in big cor- is turning his back on innovators. He Yet that will not be the case if the porations, instead of making sure that has really changed the direction for us Trump administration and Ajit Pai, Main Street innovators continue to do and our innovation economy. I know the Chairman, and Republicans have what they do best. I don’t think the that he thinks this is a light touch, but their way. They want to get rid of the American people want cable companies I guarantee you that it is a ‘‘no touch’’ Federal Communications Commission’s to be the gatekeeper on the internet. regulation. What we need is to make net neutrality rules so that the ISPs, They want to have the FCC continue to sure that these companies do not arti- the internet service providers, can in- play a role in making sure that an open ficially charge consumers, small busi- discriminately charge more for inter- internet is there for all, so that small nesses, and Main Street more for what net fast lanes, slow down websites, businesses, entrepreneurs, and they already are doing now and doing block websites, make it harder—and, innovators can continue to build on the successfully. Obviously, an open inter- maybe, even impossible—for inventors, success of communicating with their net rule and the rules that we are liv- entrepreneurs, and small businesses— consumers and their business partners ing under now have fueled an innova- the lifeblood of the American econ- without having artificially slowed- tion economy. Every business plan of omy—to connect to the internet. down lines. every startup relies on the company’s That is why we are here this after- Who would this impact if the FCC ability to be able to contact its con- noon on the floor, and it is why sup- moves forward? sumers. porters of a free and open internet are You could say that seniors would be With this much of our economy at vigorously opposed to this politically impacted with regard to receiving their stake, let’s not continue to make mis- craven attempt to weaken the principle telehealth medicine and that students takes. Let’s continue to fight here in of net neutrality that has allowed the would be impacted in the slowing down the Senate and make sure that we stop internet to flourish.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:32 Dec 14, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G13DE6.003 S13DEPT1 December 13, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S7983 Tomorrow the Federal Communica- so. That is because the Federal Trade have been improving the services they tions Commission is voting on a pro- Commission can only step in if a offer to their consumers. Consider this: posal that will cut at the very heart of broadband provider violates its own net In 2016 almost half of the venture cap- a free and open internet. They are vot- neutrality policies—that is, the policy ital funds invested in this country ing to roll back net neutrality protec- created by the broadband company went toward internet-specific and soft- tions and send a love letter to the big itself. Yet, if an internet service pro- ware companies. That is $25 billion broadband companies that stand to vider has a written policy that charges worth of investments. make huge profits without these rules. websites for internet fast lanes, there We have hit the sweet spot. Invest- So what are Chairman Pai and his is nothing the Federal Trade Commis- ment in broadband and wireless tech- broadband buddies really trying to do? sion can do about it. nologies is high, job creation is high, The first thing they will do is to gut That is ridiculous, and it is wrong. and venture capital investment in on- the rule against blocking. What does Allowing the broadband industry to set line startups is high. Chairman Pai that mean? It means that an internet its own net neutrality protections is threatens to disrupt this appropriate service provider could block any like letting the fox guard the hen- balance and squash innovation online. website it wants. That includes a house. It is clear that Americans do not want website of a competing service or a OK, so the Federal Trade Commission what the FCC is proposing. It seems as website with a contrary political oversight will not work. Chairman Pai though the only supporter of this plan view—whatever they want. claims that he has another solution. It is the broadband industry. Second, Chairman Pai would gut the is called transparency. He argues that, If Chairman Pai and his Republican rule against throttling. What does that if ISPs are transparent about their net colleagues turn a deaf ear to millions mean? It means that the internet serv- neutrality practices, consumers and of Americans standing up to net neu- ice provider could slow down any businesses can simply choose to use a trality and approve their plan tomor- website it wants. broadband provider with the net neu- row, we will continue this fight else- Third, Chairman Pai would gut the trality practices that best suit them. where. When the Obama-era rules were rule that bans paid prioritization. But what good is transparency when challenged by the internet service pro- What does that mean? It means that most Americans have little or no viders in 2015, I led a congressional the internet service provider could choice for high-speed broadband ac- amicus brief with Congresswoman charge websites for an internet fast cess? ESHOO in support of the rules. Con- lane, meaning that those websites Consider this that 62 percent of gresswoman ESHOO and I plan to do it could load more quickly, while the Americans have only one choice for again this time and lead an amicus websites that could not afford the high-speed, fixed broadband. That is brief in defense of net neutrality. I also internet’s ‘‘E-ZPass’’ would be stuck right. Nearly two-thirds of the country intend to file a Congressional Review on a gravel path and take more time to have only one choice from whom they Act, or CRA, resolution of disapproval load, frustrating consumers with long can purchase broadband. That means, with a number of my colleagues so that buffering times. if a household’s only choice for high- the U.S. Senate can vote to undo Fourth, Chairman Pai would gut the speed broadband is not transparent Chairman Pai’s proposal and restore forward-looking general conduct rule. about its plans to set up internet fast the 2015 open internet order. What does that mean? The general con- and slow lanes, the consumer has two The Trump administration is waging duct rule protects consumers from choices—one, to accept the internet an all-out assault on our core protec- harms such as data caps and other dis- service provider’s terms or, two, to live tions: DACA, the Affordable Care Act, criminatory behavior that ISPs will without the internet. That is a false the Paris climate accord, and the Clean think of in the coming months or years choice. People do not want to live Power Plan. Now Trump’s Federal ahead. without the internet in the 21st cen- Communications Commission has put Fifth, Chairman Pai would create an tury. net neutrality in its sights. unregulated interconnection market. Chairman Pai claims that internet For all of those who rely upon the What does that mean? It means that service providers actually support net free and open internet, whether it is for the Federal Communications Commis- neutrality but just not the open inter- commerce, education, healthcare or en- sion would lose authority to oversee net order under which we are living tertainment, I urge you to join me in places at which ISPs connect to the today. That is like saying that you this fight to create a firestorm of oppo- internet and extract fees. support democracy but not the Con- sition to this assault on net neutrality. Finally, Chairman Pai wants to pre- stitution. It is like saying that you This is a fundamental attack on the vent States and localities from adopt- like math but you hate numbers. It openness of the internet that must be ing their own net neutrality protec- makes no sense. beaten, and we must now form an army tions. The broadband barons have been of ordinary Americans as the voices What will be the replacement for fighting for years, both at the Federal that will fight the special interests and these enforceable net neutrality rules Communications Commission and in lobbyists in this city who want to shut today? What will replace them? Abso- the courts, to block net neutrality down net neutrality forever. lutely nothing. Chairman Pai will rules. It is crystal clear, and it has Thank you. leave it to the internet service pro- been for years. The broadband compa- I yield the floor. viders to, simply, regulate themselves nies are deeply opposed to net neu- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- in this unpoliced internet ‘‘Wild West.’’ trality because they want to drive up ator from Michigan. Chairman Pai claims that the Fed- their profits by setting up internet fast Mr. PETERS. Madam President, eral Trade Commission—not the Fed- and slow lanes and charge consumers there are a handful of innovations over eral Communications Commission, more for less. It is a simple formula. the years that have redefined the which is the Commission of expertise Chairman Pai also claims that United States and the entire world. over telecommunications—somehow broadband investment has been dis- The cotton gin, railroads, electricity, provides a sufficient backstop to bad couraged by the open internet order. and the automobile are just a few ex- behavior by the ISPs, but that is sim- That is false. Investment in our amples. However, without question, ply not true. broadband infrastructure is stronger broadband internet is one of the defin- Under the Federal Trade Commis- than ever, and with the deployment of ing innovations of our time. Broadband sion, the big broadband barons would 5G technologies on the horizon, we can internet connects both rural and urban establish their own net neutrality poli- expect this strong investment to con- communities to vital services such as cies. That is like letting the bullies de- tinue. Broadband investment in the ag- telemedicine, educational resources, velop their own playground rules. If gregate has increased in the 2 years and international commerce. In fact, the ISP wants to block websites, slow since the FCC passed the open internet broadband internet is absolutely essen- down competitors’ websites, and charge order. Beyond just measuring dollars tial for communications in the modern innovators and entrepreneurs to reach spent, broadband speeds also increased era. It lets us keep in touch with our their customers, they will be free to do after the 2015 order, meaning the ISPs loved ones no matter where they live,

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:32 Dec 14, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G13DE6.005 S13DEPT1 S7984 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE December 13, 2017 and it has boosted productivity across to broadband internet with strong net This is not a partisan issue. In 1997, every single industry. Perhaps most neutrality protections a national pri- President Bill Clinton worked with a importantly, broadband internet revo- ority today. Republican majority both in the Sen- lutionized our economy and has led to By preserving net neutrality, we put ate and in the House of Representa- millions of new jobs. students, artists, advocates, entre- tives to successfully pass the Chil- The ability to instantly reach con- preneurs, and other visionaries, who dren’s Health Insurance Program into sumers wherever they live has allowed could be inventing the future and cre- law. That legislation passed with 85 American small businesses and ating the next big thing, ahead of a votes in the Senate because providing startups to compete with large global handful of multinational corporations. needed health services to children corporations in a way that would have The FCC should call off this dan- should never be a partisan issue. been simply unimaginable just a couple gerous vote and, instead, work to en- The CHIP program has been reau- of decades ago. sure that the internet remains a hub of thorized on a bipartisan basis since its Michigan is home to over 850,000 entrepreneurship, creativity, and com- inception because it is effective. CHIP small businesses and a growing number petition. is working for our Nation’s children, of startups. The new ideas and creative CHILDREN’S HEALTH INSURANCE PROGRAM and we should be too. solutions they generate put America Madam President, over 2 months ago I urge my colleagues across the aisle on the cutting edge of a global and I stood here in this Chamber, urging to call for a vote on this legislation to interconnected economy. Michigan my colleagues to pass legislation that extend CHIP and pass it without delay. small businesses are able to compete will prevent kids enrolled in the Chil- Let’s do what is right for our country’s and innovate because of the free and dren’s Health Insurance Program from children and families and pass this bi- open structure of the internet, but, un- losing their healthcare. The Children’s partisan legislation now. fortunately, these opportunities are at Health Insurance Program, or CHIP, Thank you. risk. provides healthcare coverage to over I yield the floor. Tomorrow the FCC will vote to elimi- 100,000 children in my home State of The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- nate current net neutrality protections Michigan and more than 9 million chil- ator from Vermont. dren nationwide. that stop large corporations from sti- NET NEUTRALITY I recall welcoming the news that fling small businesses and harming the Mr. LEAHY. Madam President, this Senate Finance Committee Chairman American people. I think the facts are week, the Federal Communications HATCH and Ranking Member WYDEN very straightforward, and the FCC is Commission—FCC—is preparing to give had reached a bipartisan agreement to wrong. They should stop what they are a giant, early Christmas present to a extend the healthcare benefits for doing and keep the current protections few, deep-pocketed telecom companies, these children. They worked together in place. as it prepares to repeal critical net and went through regular order. The The current rules that I have consist- neutrality protections. Net neutrality Finance Committee held a hearing and ently supported prevent internet serv- a markup on the bill in October. is the simple principle that the inter- ice providers from blocking, slowing, We all know that regular order has net should be kept free and open by or prioritizing web traffic for their own become a very rare event in the Senate preventing the corporations who con- financial gain at the expense of small today, and I appreciate the bipartisan trol the connections to selectively businesses and every day internet effort to have a Senate vote on a bill throttle or block certain content, espe- users. The FCC’s actions to roll back that is absolutely critical to our Na- cially that of competitors. these protections could usher in a new tion’s children. I certainly expected Repealing net neutrality rules will era of a two-tiered internet—one for that this bipartisan bill would come to benefit just a few powerful corpora- the large corporations that can pay for the floor and pass with broad bipar- tions—and it will do so at the expense the fast lane and a slow lane for the tisan support, thus bringing relief to of small businesses, consumers, and rest of us. This will allow internet families across the Nation who are hard-working Americans, whose per- service providers and multinational worried about whether their children sistent and passionate voices on this corporations to compete unfairly will continue to have healthcare in issue have been completely ignored by against startups, slowing down their 2018. Unfortunately, in the months the FCC’s Republican majority. traffic and playing gatekeeper to po- since those good-faith efforts, we still Despite calling for public hearings tential customers. have not seen a vote on this important when the current net neutrality pro- Let me be clear. Repealing net neu- legislation. This is inexcusable. We tections were developed, Chairman Pai trality is anti-innovation, repealing must take action now. has failed to heed his own advice now net neutrality is anti-competition, and States are already beginning to no- that he is in charge of the FCC. repealing net neutrality is anti-con- tify families that their children’s It seems the only people he listens to sumer. healthcare plans may be canceled if are those with deep enough pockets to The FCC should not consider this Congress does not act. States such as afford high-powered lobbyists. If you proposal tomorrow to degrade internet Louisiana, Texas, Virginia, and others are a concerned citizen or small busi- service, especially during a time when have announced that they may run out ness owner, your voice doesn’t matter over 20 million households in rural of funds within weeks. In my home to this FCC. As someone who held pub- America, including far too many in my State of Michigan, I have heard from lic hearings on this issue in 2014, I can home State of Michigan, still lack ac- parents who are worried about whether tell you that there is widespread and cess to high-speed broadband internet. their children will still be able to see overwhelming support for net neu- The FCC has a lot of work to do to their pediatrician next year. I have trality just about everywhere except at close the digital divide, and repealing also heard from pediatricians who take the FCC itself. net neutrality is taking our country care of these children how children will If the Chairman took the time to lis- backward, not forward. If the internet be hurt if their healthcare is taken ten, as I did, he would hear from small doesn’t work for growing small busi- away. business owners like Cabot Orton at nesses and startups, our economy will It would be unconscionable to rip the Vermont Country Store, who told be hurt for generations to come. High- healthcare services away from children me, ‘‘We’re not asking for special speed broadband and net neutrality in during the most formative years of treatment, incentives, or subsidies. All the 21st century is every bit as vital as their lives. It would be unconscionable the small business community asks is electricity was in the 20th century. All to put new roadblocks up for families simply to preserve and protect Internet Americans deserve access, regardless of whose children need physicals and vac- commerce as it exists today, which has their income or their ZIP Code. cines before they can go to school. It served all businesses remarkably well.’’ We accomplished the goal of bringing would be unconscionable to increase Just today, we received a letter from electricity to every household in this healthcare costs for working families businesses in Northern New England, country in the last century, even in the who are just trying to keep their chil- including Vermont’s own Ben & Jer- most rural areas, by making it a na- dren healthy and give them the oppor- ry’s, Cabot Creamery Cooperative, and tional priority. We need to make access tunity to prosper. King Arthur Flour, discussing the

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:32 Dec 14, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00006 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G13DE6.006 S13DEPT1 December 13, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S7985 ‘‘crippling effect’’ a repeal of net neu- by these businesses, adding cost and creating Tomorrow, as he noted, the FCC will trality rules would have on rural busi- a competitive disadvantage to running a suc- hold a vote on Chairman Pai’s plan to nesses. cessful business in rural America. eliminate net neutrality. These rules Uninhibited access to the internet is al- I ask unanimous consent that a copy ready a fundamental necessity for operating have kept the internet free and open, of this letter be printed in the RECORD a successful business in rural areas. Looking and in a day where a lot of things at the conclusion of my remarks. to the future, this is only going to become aren’t working, this was something Chairman Pai would hear from li- more important. In our work with farmers in that was actually working. People were braries, which for some rural commu- this region, we see how this particular group able to access the internet, people in nities are the only way to access the of businesses is increasingly reliant on the my State who maybe didn’t have a lot internet. internet for access to technical information of resources. Kids were able to access As Vermont’s State librarian, Mar- and support, and for access to information about markets. the internet to do their homework. It tha Reid, told me: ‘‘All Americans—in- The changes proposed by the FCC would re- was working. If the FCC votes to aban- cluding the most disenfranchised citi- move the only existing legal foundation don net neutrality, it will put internet zens, those who would have no way to strong enough to ensure net neutrality pro- service providers, not consumers, in access the Internet without the li- tections are enforceable: Title II of the Com- charge of determining the future of the brary—need to be able to use Internet munications Act, as implemented in the internet. resources on an equal footing.’’ agency’s 2015 Open Internet Order. Net neutrality holds internet service Under this change, internet providers Chairman Pai would also hear from would gain new powers to steer businesses providers—big mega-internet service independent content creators whose and customers one way or another. For ex- providers—accountable for providing voices are too often not heard on tradi- ample, Internet access providers could the internet access consumers expect tional media. As actress, writer, and charge new fees for prioritized access to cus- while protecting innovation and com- producer Ruth Livier told me: ‘‘In the tomers. While big companies and farms petition. It is the bedrock of a fast, unprecedented world of an open, non- might be able to afford a pay-to-play free, and open internet. discriminatory Internet, no longer did prioritized ‘fast lane’ to users, small and me- Net neutrality has allowed the inter- low-budgets and no connections mean dium sized businesses cannot; at the very net to become one of the great Amer- least, such new fees would put them at a dis- there was no way in. Never again could tinct disadvantage with larger competitors. ican success stories, transforming not we be disregarded by anyone who es- Internet access providers could also charge only how we communicate with our sentially asks, ‘Who are you to have rural businesses new fees for access to friends and our family but the way we your story be told?’ ’’ websites and services. They could favor cer- do business, how consumers buy goods, These are the voices being ignored. tain businesses by slowing down traffic or and how we educate our kids. These They are the people, the Americans, exempting competitors’ traffic from users’ protections have worked. We have who stand to lose the most in the data caps. They could also block websites rural kids who couldn’t access classes Chairman Pai’s misguided plan. and apps outright. This would create im- before who are able to get these classes This is not about partisanship. Re- mense uncertainty for companies in every sector of the economy who rely on open, on the internet. We have small busi- publicans and Democrats alike, in my unencumbered connectivity as a key enabler nesses that are able to advertise their State and every other State, benefit for their business and productivity. It could services in a way that no one would from the power of an open Internet, also greatly limit or bias farmers’ access to have known that they existed. One of and equally stand to be harmed if the products, services, and information they my favorite ones is a company called rules of the road ensuring its openness need to run their business. Weave Got Maille, and they are doing go away. Ultimately, repealing net neutrality will chain jewelry. It is just a group of I know there are some people with a have a crippling effect on rural economies, about 10, 15 employees up there who further restricting access to the internet for lot of money who want to do away with rural businesses at a point in time where we started with nothing but one chain. net neutrality. They are even filing need to expand and speed this access instead. Then they were able to come up with a fake comments with the FCC saying We urge you to maintain strong net neu- cool nickname, and then they were they want to repeal these protections. trality rules and focus on advancing policies able to advertise on the internet di- One of those comments came to my at- that foster fair competition. rectly to consumers. Now they are one tention. It had my name and my home Sincerely, of the biggest employers in the town address on it. Most people, when they STONYFIELD, right on the Canadian border. saw it, just laughed, because they knew Londonderry, New These internet protections that have Hampshire. it was fake. allowed small businesses to blossom KING ARTHUR FLOUR, None of us should support a process Norwich, Vermont. have allowed consumers to access the that willfully dismisses the voices of FOODSTATE, internet like everyone else. They have our constituents. I hope that all Sen- Londonderry, New worked, but with the FCC’s vote to- ators will join me in calling on the FCC Hampshire. morrow, the internet may soon be to abandon this reckless vote to repeal BOLOCO,HANOVER, NEW changing. net neutrality. HAMPSHIRE. Earlier this year, when Chairman Pai There being no objection, the mate- GRANDY OATS, announced his proposal to eliminate rial was ordered to be printed in the Hiram, Maine. net neutrality protections, Americans CABOT CREAMERY took the opportunity to make their RECORD, as follows: COOPERATIVE, DECEMBER 13, 2017. Waitsfield, Vermont. voices heard during the public com- The Hon. AJIT PAI, BEN AND JERRY’S, ment hearing, and the proposal re- Chairman, Federal Communications Commis- South Burlington, ceived a record 23 million comments. sion, Washington, DC. Vermont. While many of these comments are DEAR FCC CHAIRMAN AJIT PAI: We are a MAINE GRAINS, written by consumers worried about group of businesses from Northern New Eng- Skowhegan, Maine. the future of the internet, there is rea- land with strong ties to the rural and agri- cc: Sen. Susan Collins, Sen. Angus King, cultural business community. We are writing Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, Sen. Margaret Hassan, son to be concerned about that process. today out of deep concern about the FCC’s Sen. Patrick Leahy, Sen. Bernie Sanders, Approximately 1 million fraudulent proposal to roll back the current net neu- Rep. Chellie Pingree, Rep. Bruce Poliquin, comments were filed with the FCC, and trality rules based on Title II of the Commu- Rep. Ann McLane Kuster, Rep. Carol Shea- an additional half a million comments nications Act. We urge you to maintain the Porter, Rep. Peter Welch. were filed with Russian email address- existing rules instead. Mr. LEAHY. I yield the floor. es. Sound familiar? I think so. As members of the business community in The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- I think everyone in this Chamber this region, we regularly witness how small ator from Minnesota. knows Russia has been trying to influ- rural businesses, including the farms and co- Ms. KLOBUCHAR. Madam President, ence our democracy in every way they operatives that many of us source from, already struggle with limited access to I rise to join with the Senator from can—from hacking to putting out prop- broadband and limited options for Internet Vermont in opposition to the FCC’s aganda, to now trying to insert itself service providers. The repeal of net neu- planned vote to end net neutrality pro- into a comment process for our free trality would compound the challenges faced tections. and open internet, something that has

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:32 Dec 14, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00007 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G13DE6.007 S13DEPT1 S7986 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE December 13, 2017 been the hallmark of American soci- Unfortunately, for small businesses We actually know something about ety, something they don’t have in Rus- and startups across the country, the that kind of choice in my home State sia. Just think, an additional half a net neutrality repeal will mean new of Massachusetts. On January 19, 2010, million comments were filed from Rus- barriers when competing online. With- Massachusetts elected a new Senator sian email addresses. This is troubling out unrestricted access to the internet, to represent them here in Washington. because, in America, the public com- entrepreneurs may be forced to pay for The result was just as shocking to ment process matters. It is one of the equal footing to compete online rather Democrats as last night’s result was to few opportunities Americans have to than focus on expanding their business. Republicans. It also came when we weigh in directly with the FCC. That is Small businesses unable to pay for ac- were in the middle of another histori- why I joined several of my colleagues cess to faster internet service may cally important policy debate here in in calling on Chairman Pai to delay the soon find themselves struggling to Washington—healthcare. A lot of peo- vote until the FCC fully investigated compete from the slow lane, not the ple thought Democrats should ram these fake and foreign comments. De- fast lane. This proposal will hurt the through the final version of their bill spite our calls, the FCC is still moving very people creating jobs and keeping in Congress before Brown could be seat- ahead with its vote. Despite 23 million our economy competitive. ed. comments, they are still moving ahead As a strong supporter of a free and Now, I could stand here and read you with their vote. open internet, it is clear that repealing quote after quote after quote from Re- Under Chairman Pai’s plan, the FCC net neutrality is a step in the wrong di- publicans, who now control the Senate, gives internet service providers the rection. We are facing an increasingly talking about how unfair that would ability to significantly change con- global and interconnected economy, be, how corrupt that would be, and how sumers’ experience online. Internet and it is critical that the internet re- anti-democratic that would be. I could service providers may soon be able to main a hub of entrepreneurship, cre- go on and on about how today’s Senate block, slow, and prioritize web traffic ativity, and fair competition. majority leader, MITCH MCCONNELL, for their own financial gain, not for the The fight to protect net neutrality is said this would be gamesmanship, but I average citizens’ gain but for their far from over, and we need to keep the am going to talk about what Demo- gain. This means, internet service pro- pressure on. We have seen merger after crats actually did. viders could begin sorting online traf- merger after merger. We have seen con- Democrats rejected the idea of ram- fic into fast or slow lanes and charging solidated businesses, bigger and bigger ming through the bill before Brown consumers extra for high-speed and bigger. So now what is the next could take his seat in the Senate. Al- broadband. They would also be able to step here? To limit net neutrality to most immediately, Jim Webb, a Demo- slow consumers’ connections once they make it harder for the small guys, for cratic Senator from Virginia, called for have hit a certain data limit or if they the ones who are trying to get into the a suspension of any healthcare vote are viewing content from a competitor, market to compete. It is not just an until after Brown arrived. The day and internet service providers may isolated philosophy; it is actually part after the Massachusetts election, the even block content they don’t want of a larger philosophy, which means Senate majority leader, Harry Reid, their subscribers to access. So much that smaller companies, that individ- said publicly: ‘‘We’re going to wait for an open internet. uals are going to have a hard time get- until the new Senator arrives until we The only protections maintained ting into the market and getting free do anything more on health care.’’ under the proposed order are require- access like the big guys. Massachusetts Democratic Senator ments for service providers to disclose That is why we ask Chairman Pai to John Kerry held a joint press con- their internet traffic policies. However, reconsider this vote on Thursday and ference with Republican Scott Brown to come up with a new policy that for consumers with only one choice for that same week, where he said: doesn’t hurt the people of America. internet service, like many in my Seating Scott Brown as expeditiously as It is no surprise today that the poll I possible is important. We want to respect the State and like many in rural areas, saw said the vast majority of Ameri- election results. And nobody wants to delay there is no real opportunity to com- cans don’t favor getting rid of net neu- this process. parison shop or find a new provider if trality, and in fact it showed the vast President Obama, whose entire they are unhappy with their service. majority of Republicans don’t favor healthcare agenda was on the line, said This means that even though con- getting rid of net neutrality. So we ask this: sumers may be aware that their inter- Chairman Pai, who was appointed Here’s one thing I know and I just want to net service provider is blocking or chairman by a Republican President, make sure that this is off the table: The Sen- slowing their connection, they actually to reconsider this decision. ate certainly shouldn’t try to jam anything don’t have a choice so what does that Thank you. through until Scott Brown is seated. People information matter to them anyway? I yield the floor. in Massachusetts spoke. He’s got to be part This proposal will harm consumers, The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. of that process. particularly in rural areas. It will limit TILLIS). The Senator from Massachu- Now, this wasn’t an easy decision. competition, and it will hurt small setts. Waiting for Brown slowed down the business, entrepreneurship, and innova- REPUBLICAN TAX BILL adoption of healthcare for 2 additional tion. Ms. WARREN. Mr. President, we are months. More importantly, it meant What I have seen around this place is in the middle of a historically impor- Democrats lost their filibuster-proof that everyone is talking about rural tant debate here in Washington. Re- majority and, as a consequence, the broadband. They want to expand publicans have hatched a partisan pro- final bill couldn’t achieve nearly as broadband. I want to expand posal behind closed doors that would much as Democrats had hoped for, but broadband. Well, you can expand shovel a trillion dollars in tax give- we did it anyway. broadband all you want, but it is not aways to giant corporations and the We did it because democracy mat- going to matter if people aren’t able to wealthy while undermining the ters, even when it means it might slow afford to access it. healthcare and raising taxes for mil- down a President’s agenda. Democracy A truly open internet encourages lions of middle-class families. If it matters, even when a Senate seat held economic growth and provides opportu- passes, it could affect the lives of every for decades by a liberal lion is taken nities for businesses to reach new mar- single American for an entire genera- over by a conservative. Democracy kets, drive innovation, and create jobs. tion. matters, especially when it is incon- Small businesses remain engines of job Now, last night, the people of Ala- venient. creation, and net neutrality levels the bama elected a new Senator to rep- If we are honest, we know that there playing field, allowing small companies resent them here in Washington. So hasn’t been a lot of democracy around to compete with more established now Republicans who control the Sen- this tax bill. This is a bill that was brands. That is what America is ate face a choice. Will they allow Sen- written and rewritten in the dead of about—allowing more innovation and ator-elect Doug Jones to take his seat night, behind closed doors. It is filled small companies to come up and com- among his colleagues before a final with errors and unintended con- pete. vote on their tax plan? sequences. It is animated by a rotten

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:32 Dec 14, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00008 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G13DE6.009 S13DEPT1 December 13, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S7987 wealth transfer from millions of hard- companies from deciding how or when will pop open those champagne bottles. working Americans to a handful of cor- we use the internet, rules that have the They will have the power to block ac- porations and billionaires. overwhelming support of the vast ma- cess, to filter content, to charge But up until now, we have at least re- jority of Americans, Republican or more—three powerful ways that they spected the principle that each State Democrat. will pick the next round of America’s gets to pick its Senators, and those But big internet companies don’t winners and losers. That is not the way Senators get to vote for or against the want the FCC to work in the public in- it should work in America. The inter- final product. This afternoon, we are terest; they want the internet to work net doesn’t belong to big internet com- being told that Republicans have a for them. Long before the FCC passed panies; it belongs to all of us, and all of final tax deal. Nobody has seen it, but net neutrality rules, those giants were us should be part of this fight. we could be voting on it in the next working to establish control over the Net neutrality matters. For the en- couple of days. There is no reason to open internet. After net neutrality trepreneur working around the clock ram through that kind of massive re- rules were passed, they stepped up on a shoestring budget to build an in- structuring of our economic system be- their attack, deploying armies of lob- vention that can change the world, net fore Alabama gets its new Senator un- byists and lawyers and investing mas- neutrality matters. For the small fam- less Republicans are concerned that sive amounts of money to bury net ily business that depends on online cus- their deal won’t withstand a couple of neutrality rules. tomers to keep its lights on and its more weeks of public scrutiny. Now they have the champagne doors open, net neutrality matters. For The election of Doug Jones will not chilled and ready to pop open. They the blog writer or local journalist who change which party controls the Sen- have a President and a GOP-controlled works each day to bring us important Congress that is more interested in ate. The election of Doug Jones will news about our communities, our gov- stuffing the pockets of the rich and not give him or Democrats the power ernment, and our world, net neutrality powerful than taking care of the work- to block the tax bill or any other piece matters. For every American who uses ers, small businesses and entre- of legislation, but it will respect the the internet for any reason, net neu- preneurs, students, children, the sick, people of Alabama and their choice. It trality matters. the elderly, and just about everybody should happen before any more tax Ingenuity is in America’s DNA. It is else. President Trump’s choice to lead votes take place in the Senate. that spirit of curiosity and adventure the FCC, Ajit Pai, is dedicated to NET NEUTRALITY that has put us at the forefront of the transforming the FCC from an agency Mr. President, almost 60 years ago, search for what is next. Government that works in the public interest into a America entered the space age. We works best when it makes sure every- big business giveaway group. pushed the bounds of human knowledge Pai has been a vocal opponent of net one has equal access to the resources to do, see, and create things that fun- neutrality rules for a very long time. that make that possible. damentally changed the way we live After President Trump won the elec- In Massachusetts, Free Press, the our lives. The government was right tion, Pai gleefully declared that net Massachusetts Chapter of the ACLU, smack at the center of all of it, dedi- neutrality’s days were numbered. Pai Fight for the Future, and countless cating resources and manpower to ex- claims that nondiscrimination rules other groups have led the fight to de- plorations of science, medicine, engi- harm giant internet companies by fend net neutrality and help citizens neering, and technology. The Defense making it more difficult for them to make their voices heard. Advanced Research Projects Agency, or create new and better products. He I urge every American to speak out DARPA, was a product of that commit- thinks that if these giants can dis- about why net neutrality matters. I ment, and it was there at DARPA that criminate against small businesses or urge the FCC to abandon its plan to a bunch of government and govern- individuals, then these giants can pick kill net neutrality rules, and I ask the ment-funded researchers created the who gets the fast lane into your tele- FCC to defend an internet that is fair internet. vision set and who is stuck off on the and open to all. In the intervening decades, what dirt roads. If these giants can dictate Thank you, Mr. President. started in that government Agency which startups get a foothold and I yield the floor. provided the building blocks for what which ones are left on the ground, then The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- we experience as the internet today. the giants will be better off. Of course, ator from Oregon. Creative minds in government, at col- he is right—the giants will be better Mr. WYDEN. Mr. President, I intro- leges and universities, in businesses, off, but everyone else will be a lot duced the Senate’s first strong net neu- and at homes and garages all across worse off. trality bill back in 2006. I rise today to the country toyed and tinkered and Chairman Pai is so committed to give my strongest possible condemna- pushed us into the digital age. these internet giants that he is willing tion of what the Federal Communica- Today, internet use is nearly uni- to rewrite the Federal rules in order to tions Commission’s head, Mr. Pai, is versal. Although internet access re- help them out. He is even willing to re- seeking to do, which is to roll back mains limited in many rural and low- write the rules so State and local gov- protections that ensure a truly free income areas, students of all ages go ernments won’t be allowed to pass any and open internet for our people. online to access educational tools and consumer protection laws to protect This is a handout. It is a holiday gift conduct research for many school as- their own citizens. Chairman Pai’s no- to a collection of giant internet compa- signments. Entrepreneurs and small tion of a fair and open internet is one nies to increase their profits at the ex- businesses sell goods and transact busi- that works for the highest bidder and pense of the consumer. ness online. Families come together to it just leaves everyone else behind. Before I actually begin my remarks, watch their favorite movies or shows. Tomorrow, the FCC will vote on I see Senator FRANKEN is on the floor, The internet and broadband services whether to eliminate the protections as well. I would like the public to know have become an important part of our that ensure that the internet remains how important his leadership has been lives. fair and open to all Americans—protec- on these issues. He and I have Government is just as important now tions that the vast majority of Ameri- partnered on these issues ever since he as it was back when the internet was cans support. Pai has barrelled full came to the Senate. He was on the key created. By enforcing and imple- speed ahead despite disturbing reports committee, the Judiciary Committee. menting America’s communications that potentially hundreds of thousands He has been a go-to figure in a key spot laws and rules, the Federal Commu- of comments submitted during the pub- on this issue. nications Commission, the FCC, plays lic comment period were fake, and he I want to continue this discussion a critical role in making sure that the has ignored the FCC’s responsibility to after Senator WARREN’s terrific presen- internet remains fair and open. turn over documents of consumer com- tation. I know my colleague is going to In 2015, the FCC enshrined that complaints about discriminatory behavior speak on this, as well. mitment in an open internet order, es- by internet providers. I want the public to know that Sen- tablishing net neutrality rules—strong, If the FCC eliminates net neutrality ator FRANKEN has made a big difference public interest rules that prevented big protections, giant internet companies for the consumer on these issues. Those

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:32 Dec 14, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00009 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G13DE6.011 S13DEPT1 S7988 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE December 13, 2017 of us who have been toiling in these some of our discussions, free data is The first key vote is tomorrow, De- precincts are very appreciative of what gone. That is it. Free data goes away, cember 14. What I have been doing is he has done. and the American consumer—which is spending a good chunk of my waking I want people to understand what net my fear when you think about what it hours—obviously, we have the tax neutrality is, because Senator really means to somebody sitting in issue, which is enormously important. FRANKEN and I have talked about this Minnesota at home, and I see my col- This is enormously important, too, to over the years. I think there is a little league Senator MERKLEY from Oregon tell the American people this is a time confusion over what it is. Net neu- as well. The free data goes away under to make their voices heard. My mes- trality means that after you pay your what I described, and the consumer at sage to the American people on net internet access fee, you get to go where home in Minnesota or Oregon is stuck neutrality is to get loud. This debate is you want, when you want, and how you with few choices at higher prices than far from over. want. It is the essence of ensuring that they have today. That is what the loss We know Chairman Pai plays a everybody gets a fair shake, that all of net neutrality means. strong hand tomorrow—there is no bits are created equal. It is the founda- I care deeply, as my colleagues do, question about that—but then it goes tion of what has kept the internet free about innovation and startups and to the courts. Some of our colleagues and open. small businesses. Senator WARREN was are looking at approaches here on the Before I get into my prepared re- eloquent on this point. There are going floor. I want, as much as anything, to marks, I want people to understand to be a lot of people who aren’t a start- make sure the American people know what happens if you don’t have net up. They are going to ask: What does it we understand—Senator FRANKEN and neutrality. If you don’t have net neu- mean to me? What it means—I have Senator MERKLEY—that political trality, in effect, big companies can just walked people through an exam- change doesn’t start in government manipulate who is going to win and ple—is, that typical person is going to buildings in Washington, DC, and who is going to lose in the market- be stuck with fewer choices at higher trickle down is bottoms up. If ever place. They will continue to manipu- prices. there was an issue for bottoms up, it is late who wins and who loses until and Two years ago, Tom Wheeler, then net neutrality. after we get fewer services and the con- the head of the Federal Communica- Not only are the majority of Ameri- sumer gets higher prices. So this is not tions Commission, put in place a cans opposed to Chairman Pai’s pro- some kind of abstract discussion. strong framework, something with posal, many of the comments solicited Let me flesh out some of these re- teeth that was enforceable, called title for input are fake. These fake com- marks for a few minutes because I II of the Communications Act, to make ments have been attributed to bots and know my colleagues have been waiting, sure the government, the FCC, had the false identities or linked to Russian IP as well. tools to protect net neutrality. addresses. Since the origins of the internet, the Chairman Wheeler, like Chairman Any argument that this agency, the defining feature has been that all infor- Pai, worked for industry for much of Federal Communications Commission, mation—all bits, as we know it—gets his career in Washington, but rather has a transparent process with com- the same fair shake. If you are a big than serve his former employers, Tom ments from the American people is not company or a mom-and-pop ice cream Wheeler said: I am going to use my ex- true. This is not government for the shop with a website, your content gets perience working in the private sector, people. This is government for the spe- to everybody’s home at the same speed. my experience in how companies oper- cial interests. That is what net neutrality is all ate, to design and implement construc- Just a couple of other points, and let about. Net neutrality keeps internet tive and effective consumer protec- me wrap this up so my colleagues can service providers from favoring one tions. What a contrast between the two have the floor. type of content over another. Chairs of the Federal Communications Chairman Pai has been out there ar- The market has changed since 2006 Commission. Both of them are from in- guing falsely, in my view, that without because the market for access to the dustry. Both of them did well in indus- title II protections, Big Cable will internet has changed. Where once there try. We consider it a good thing in make more money and use those prof- were legions of dial-up providers and America that we have a prospering pri- its to invest in infrastructure. This is DSL resellers, we were seeing a few vate economy. Tom Wheeler used it what I call the trickle-down theory monopolies and duopolies dominating and that expertise to help the public. about telecommunications. neighborhoods across the country. That is not what we are seeing today. First of all, the existing regime was With their power to dictate where you There isn’t any need to fix what isn’t called title II—tough rules. It has not could go and what you could see on the broken. There are strong net neu- been a roadblock in investment and net, they had and continue to have the trality protections in place right now. broadband. In fact, cable giants have power to suppress those sites and those Since the 2015 rules went into place, continued to invest in broadband infra- services that you would have chosen our economy has grown up around this structure even when strong net neu- yourself in a free marketplace, driving leading principle of equal access to in- trality protections were put in place in them out of business. formation and customers. 2015. Again, to lay out what this means for The day before Thanksgiving, Chair- Publicly available documents show people who are following this, that man Pai released his proposal to strike that investment by internet service means that instead of Netflix, down the 2015 rules that ensure real net providers was 5 percent higher during YouTube, or Amazon, you could be neutrality but also prevent States from the 2 years after strong net neutrality forced to get your video content from introducing their own approach to net rules were adopted than for the 2 years something called go90, whatever the neutrality. prior. Comcast, for example, has in- heck that is. It certainly isn’t a service Rather than listening to the millions creased its investment by 25 percent that has been able to compete in a free of voices who spoke up on behalf of real since 2013. internet market. But all that changes net neutrality and against this pro- Big Cable, in their own statements, when Verizon can charge you more to posal to allow pay-for-play or what I show that none of the major internet get to YouTube or Facebook than it really call—I say to the Senator from service providers told their investors costs to reach their own service. Minnesota—a trickle-down tele- that net neutrality protections nega- Without strong net neutrality pro- communications policy, which is to tively impact their investments. That tections, AT&T might provide—and we just let the big guys make as much is based on publicly verifiable docu- always put it in quotes—‘‘free data’’ money as they want, and maybe some- ments. for customers streaming HBO. That is thing eventually trickles down to rural What we have is Chairman Pai mak- pretty good if you watch HBO, but Minnesota or rural Oregon. ing the argument that net neutrality without net neutrality, it could starve Chairman Pai is going to keep push- provisions with teeth are going to be other creators and subscribers nec- ing pay-for-play and is expected to ig- pretty much the end of investment and essary to survive, until soon enough, as nore the will of the public and demol- sort of Western civilization as we know Senator FRANKEN has pointed out in ish net neutrality rules. it. Public documents show otherwise.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:32 Dec 14, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00010 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G13DE6.012 S13DEPT1 December 13, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S7989 Publicly available documents show As I reflect on my time in the Sen- perhaps more than ever, the need to otherwise. ate, there are, of course, moments that preserve a free and open internet is The FCC Chairman once claimed that stand out as particularly significant. abundantly clear, so we can’t give up a policy of voluntary net neutrality One such moment came in February now. would be another way to go. Any talk 2015, when American consumers and Three years ago, the FCC sustained of a voluntary solution to net neu- businesses celebrated the FCC’s land- strong net neutrality rules, and mil- trality is just nonsense. mark vote to preserve a free and open lions of Americans voiced their support Allowing a net neutrality provider to internet by reclassifying broadband for them. The FCC must maintain and follow net neutrality has about as providers as common carriers under fully enforce the important court-test- much of a chance of working—there is title II of the Communications Act. ed rules that are already in place. Also, about as much of a chance that the big While I had long urged the FCC to perhaps more importantly, the agency cable companies will honor voluntary ground net neutrality rules in the must respect the democratic process net neutrality as there is of getting agency’s authority under title II, it and the voices that made themselves so Ava and William Wyden, my 10-year- wasn’t just the outcome of this vote clear in 2014 and over the course of the old twins, to voluntarily limit the that made such an impression on me last few months. There is just too number of desserts they have at dinner. then, or now, as I am looking back. much at stake. It is not going to happen. It is not The FCC’s 2015 vote came after the Thank you, Mr. President. going to happen, folks. It is not going agency received nearly 4 million public The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- to work for open and fair access to the comments, making it the then most ator from Oregon. Mr. MERKLEY. Mr. President, I internet; it wouldn’t work with Ava commented on FCC issue by a factor of thank my colleague from Minnesota and Will Wyden. three. The vast majority of these com- for being such a champion on this On the same exact date as the Fed- ments urged the agency to enact issue, and many others, where it is a eral Communications Commission pro- strong rules protecting net neutrality, question of whether we have govern- duced its rulemaking rollback to title protecting the equal treatment of all II, Comcast removed the pledge on its ment of and by the powerful or govern- content on the internet, which has ment by and for the people of the website that it does not prioritize been the architecture of the internet internet traffic or create paid fast United States of America. We have since the very beginning. Americans seen issue after issue after issue this lanes—so much for voluntary policy. from across the political spectrum or- In my view, the only way the poten- year on healthcare, on taxes, and now ganized to ensure that their voices tial of the internet can be fully tapped on net neutrality, and I thank the Sen- were heard, and they were. This was is by ensuring that one form of content ator from Minnesota for his advocacy. democracy in action. is not provided a preference over an- Mr. President, last night we had an Now, as Chairman Pai pushes forward other form of content by their internet election. I have heard many of my col- to undo the open internet order, we service provider. leagues on the Republican side say that The Trump Federal Communications have seen another awe-inspiring dem- elections have consequences. Now, Commission is barreling ahead to blow onstration of grassroots advocacy. Mil- however, we see that they are attempt- up this level playing field that is so lions of Americans from every corner ing to deliberately slow down the op- crucial to innovation and free speech. of the Nation and background imag- portunity for the newly elected Sen- I close only by way of saying that inable are joining the movement online ator from Alabama to come here and this is also a lifeline for the startups. and in the streets to ask the chairman serve in the U.S. Senate. They took Those startups are dreaming of being to rethink his dangerous proposal and quite a different view when the ques- the next YouTube, Google, or eBay. to preserve net neutrality. tion was a special election in Massa- This is not about Google or eBay. This When things get tough, as they have, chusetts, when a Republican Senator is about the startups. time and time again in the last year, was elected to take the seat once held I would be staying to hear my col- Americans have resisted in protest. It by Ted Kennedy. The Democrats con- league Senator FRANKEN make his re- is these movements that make the dif- curred and the President of the United marks on net neutrality but for the ference. Just look at the Republicans’ States, President Obama, concurred fact that we are about to start the tax failed attempt to repeal and replace that he should be seated; that nothing conference. I close my remarks where I the Affordable Care Act. should be jammed through in a fashion opened them. Senator FRANKEN has Ironically, the kind of civic partici- that tried to bypass the weight and been our go-to person on these issues pation that has aspired so many of us opinion of the people of the State of since he came to the Senate. We are so in recent months and has affected real Massachusetts in who would represent grateful he looked at this issue change depends, in no small part, on an them. But this Chamber seems ready, through the prism of what it means for open internet. If the Chairman ulti- under this majority leadership, to ab- the person without power and clout. I mately has his way, we will be entering solutely try to trample the people of thank him for his leadership. a world where every voice might not Alabama, who said where they stand The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- matter, a world where a handful of last night. This Chamber wants to deny ator from Minnesota. multibillion-dollar companies have the them that voice here on the floor of the Mr. FRANKEN. Mr. President. I power to bury sites offering alternative Senate. thank the Senator from Oregon, my viewpoints or control how users get Back a few years ago, in June of 2013, friend, for his extraordinarily kind their information, a world where the there was a House election in Missouri, words. He, too, has been a leader intro- deepest pockets can pay for a fast lane and a Republican was elected to that ducing the first net neutrality bill while their competitors stall in a slow empty seat. Jason Kander, the Demo- back in 2006, before I came to the Sen- lane. cratic secretary of state in Missouri, ate. See, it is because of net neutrality said that he should absolutely be seat- I rise to talk about tomorrow’s vote that people from across the Nation can ed in Missouri’s Eighth District. JASON at the FCC on a proposal that would connect with each other, share their SMITH, the candidate chosen by Mis- throw out the strong net neutrality ideas on the internet, and organize a souri, was seated in the House of Rep- rules Americans have fought so hard community effort just like the Project resentatives, I believe within 18 for. They are rules that ensure that all Net Neutrality protests we have seen hours—within 18 hours—so the people content on the internet receives equal at Verizon stores across the country. of Missouri could have fair representa- treatment from broadband providers I have spent nearly the entirety of tion. So Democratic Senators and a regardless of who owns it or how deep my time in the Senate pushing for Democratic President and a Demo- their pockets are. strong net neutrality rules. I have al- cratic secretary of state in a Southern Plain and simple, these rules are ways called it the ‘‘free speech issue of State said to honor the people of the about ensuring that the internet re- our time’’ because it embraces our United States. I call upon the majority mains the platform for innovation, eco- most basic constitutional freedoms. leader to defend the people of Alabama nomic growth, and freedom of expres- Unrestricted public debate is vital to and seat their Senator and do it under sion, as it has always been. the functioning of our democracy. Now, the same 18-hour standard.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:32 Dec 14, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00011 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G13DE6.014 S13DEPT1 S7990 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE December 13, 2017 We are here today to talk about an- movies are playing. We check the site would you have gone to? Of course other example of the powerful versus internet to find out what the sports you would have gone to the site that the people. We have seen time and time scores are and what is the latest news. can update quickly. That is the point. again, over the course of the last few We order our airline tickets. We do so We shouldn’t allow powerful compa- months, the President of the United many things on the internet during the nies to extort Americans over the in- States standing up for the powerful and course of our everyday lives. Yet here formation flowing through the inter- trying to crush the people of the is President Trump saying: We want to net. It is not fair to American citizens. United States, trying to rip healthcare take that level playing field of fairness It is not fair to American entre- from 30 million Americans in order to for consumers across America and let preneurs. It is not fair to the distribu- give special benefits to the richest some powerful companies decide who tion of knowledge. We must defeat it. Americans. We have seen the President gets to provide information, which Thank you, Mr. President. of the United States sign in the Oval websites to allow to have information The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- Office a measure that would enable a and which ones we are going to slow ator from Missouri. powerful company, when in a dispute down, whom we are going to put in the TAX REFORM BILL with a consumer, to choose the judge, fast lane and whom we are going to put Mr. BLUNT. Mr. President, the good to pay the judge, to promise a judge fu- in the slow lane. news about the tax bill that I believe ture business. What kind of fairness is The internet is so critical to the free- we will pass over the next few days is that for an ordinary American up dom of information. This is really an that it will go into effect on the first against a powerful company, where the assault on freedom of information. It day of January and people will quickly powerful company gets to choose a was James Madison who said that ‘‘the see, no matter how loud others are judge? Yet my Republican colleagues advancement and diffusion of knowl- talking, the exact facts. For work done voted overwhelmingly to crush the op- edge is the only guardian of true lib- in January, people who get that check portunity of an ordinary citizen versus erty.’’ Yet my colleagues and President in January or February or whenever a powerful company in a consumer dis- Trump want to give powerful compa- they get paid for their January work— pute. nies the ability to control what infor- there is going to be a substantial tax Then we have the tax bill. The tax mation is shared in America. decrease for working families at all bill says that if you earn less than Think of a highway. We have a high- levels. Our friends want to talk about $30,000, you get a tax increase, and if way and everyone gets to use it, and what happens after 2025 or 2027, but you are in the middle class, 87 million you can be in the slow lane if you surely the Congress can do its job be- of you will get an increase in your choose because you want to save fuel, tween now and then. taxes. And by the way, we are going to or you can get in the fast lane and pass This is a pro-growth policy. There give several trillion dollars to the very somebody who is going more slowly. are two ways to increase people’s take- home pay, and we are going to pursue richest Americans and the most power- We don’t have someone saying: Hey, we both of them. One is to take less out of ful corporations. It is another example are only going to allow the richest your pay right now. That will happen of a bank heist on the National Treas- Americans to drive in the fast lane. We not a year from now and not a year and ury—our Treasury—to deliver benefits are only going to allow the most pow- a half from now; that will happen next to the best off, to the richest in Amer- erful corporations to be in the fast month. So next month, when people ica. lane. For the rest of you, you get to go get their paychecks, it will be clear to Oregon is about 1 percent of the na- to the slow lane. I don’t care if there is them who had the facts and who didn’t tional population. If you take 1 percent a truck going 25 miles per hour, you have the facts on this. The second way of $1 trillion, that is $10 billion. I can are going to be stuck behind it unless it will increase people’s pay is by hav- tell my colleagues what we can do for you pay me a whole lot of money to get ing better jobs to start with. Hundreds families in Oregon with $10 billion. We out of that lane. of economists who have looked at this can invest in needed infrastructure to The internet for the rich and power- bill say that it will make the United have a stronger economy and put a lot ful is wrong, and we have to stop it. If States of America the best place to in- of people to work with living-wage the Federal Communications Commis- vest money and create jobs, and I think jobs. We can add teachers to our public sion doesn’t get the message this we will know sooner rather than later school classrooms so that our class- Thursday, we need to overturn their that that happens. rooms offer better opportunity for our rule here on the floor of the Senate. So good tax policy, commonsense I get a chart each day showing me children to learn and to thrive. We can regulation, and judges—another thing make college more affordable. We can the calls from yesterday. Here I have a we are working on this week—make a improve our community health clinics bar saying how many people called difference in how people look at the to make sure healthcare is available to about net neutrality and which side of economy that they want to invest in all, which is so critical to quality of the issue they weighed in on. So 544 and an economy that they want to life. But no. My Republican colleagues people called in favor of net neutrality, grow. Why would judges make a dif- say: Let’s give this money to the rich- and according to this chart, zero people ference? Judges make a difference be- est Americans. Let’s raid the National called in favor of powerful corporations cause judges create a sense of fairness Treasury and enrich the best off among instead controlling the internet. I have in the court. They create a sense of an us. since been informed we did get 1 call, ability to get your case heard. And That is because we have a funda- so let’s make it 544 to 1 instead of 544 they create a sense that what the law mental cycle of corruption in cam- to zero. Have you ever seen an issue says hopefully is what the judge will paigns that is enabling such a bizarrely where you have that kind of ratio of decide rather than what the judge inappropriate bill to ever get heard on ordinary people weighing in and say- thinks the law should say. the floor of the Senate. I say ‘‘bizarrely ing: Don’t let the powerful take over We are making great progress in all inappropriate’’ because our govern- our internet. People want a level play- of those areas if we add good tax policy ment wasn’t founded to mimic the pow- ing field for consumers, a level playing to what has been happening. erful kingdoms of Europe that govern field for distributing knowledge, a level Right now, Mr. President, we are by and for the richest. We had a vision playing field for entrepreneurs so that talking about judges, and President of government of, by, and for the peo- the new startups can compete with the Trump has a unique opportunity to ple. Googles and the Amazons of our coun- shape the long-term view of the judici- Now we have this issue of net neu- try. ary. This week we are going to confirm trality, and once again President I ask you, if you had a choice be- three circuit judges, and I wish to Trump and the Republicans are weigh- tween two websites last night to follow speak in just a little while about what ing in to crush ordinary people in favor the election in Alabama and one was in that means. of powerful corporations. The internet the fast lane and could replenish its At the start of President Trump’s has become essential to all of us in our numbers instantly and one was going term, 12 percent of all of the Federal daily lives. We consult it to find out so slow that the numbers were going to judiciary seats were vacant. No Presi- where to go to a restaurant or what take 5 minutes to get posted, which dent has had that kind of opportunity

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:32 Dec 14, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00012 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G13DE6.015 S13DEPT1 December 13, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S7991 since President Clinton had that oppor- system is straining the capacity of the or yielding back of that time, the Sen- tunity now almost 25 years ago when federal courts to [do their job].’’ ate vote on the confirmation of the he started his first year. And the Presi- In cooperation with the President, we Willett nomination; and that, if con- dent will have the opportunity—and is have a job to do here. The capacity to firmed, the motion to reconsider be making the most of it—to fill those va- hear these cases is important. Justice considered made and laid upon the cancies. delayed is justice denied. table and the President be immediately I believe President Trump made the Filling these vacancies is also crit- notified of the Senate’s action. right choice when he selected Justice ical to ensuring that the balance of the The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there Gorsuch to serve on the Supreme Constitution is in place. This was a objection? Court. There was a record as a circuit brandnew idea when James Madison Without objection, it is so ordered. judge; you can look at what he had de- and others thought of putting a ma- I yield the floor. cided. The Presiding Officer and I and chine together. They sometimes re- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- other Members of the Senate can look ferred to the Constitution as the in- ator from Texas. at what he has decided and anticipate, strument that would be the guideline Mr. CRUZ. Mr. President, this week after 10 years of that record, what his for a machine—a machine that was so is a great week for the State of Texas record would look like. It makes a dif- finely balanced that it would govern and for the Federal judiciary because ference. I have no doubt that President itself. this week we will be confirming two ex- Trump will continue to nominate The courts—the judiciary—the legis- emplary judges from the State of Texas judges who will rule as did Justice lative branch, and the executive branch to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Scalia, whose unfortunate death cre- all have unique powers, and those Fifth Circuit: Texas Supreme Court ated the most recent vacancy. unique powers were designed to keep Justice Don Willett and former Texas Justice Scalia, by the way, served on the government in check. This concept, Solicitor General Jim Ho. These will be the Supreme Court for 26 years after new in 1787, has worked well for us, but the 11th and 12th court of appeals the person who nominated him left the it doesn’t work if one of the groups is nominees who we will have confirmed White House and 13 years after Presi- allowed to become out of balance. So this year—a modern-day record. dent Reagan died. So the legacy of filling these vacancies matters. Indeed, I looked up just the other day what happens here is important. The leadership of the majority leader the number of assigned slots on the Justice Scalia was profound in his and the leadership of Chairman GRASS- Federal courts of appeals. It is 179. This sense that the work of the Court was LEY in his committee make a dif- means the 12 that have been nominated not to decide what the legislature ference. As we move forward with the and confirmed this year represent should have done; the work of the confirmation process for three more roughly 7 percent of the appellate Court was to decide what the law and nominees this week, we are advancing bench. That is a powerful accomplish- the Constitution said. There are ways our goal of restoring the courts to ment for the first year of this Presi- to change the law, and there are ways judges who will determine what the dency, a powerful accomplishment for to amend the Constitution, but a per- law says, not what they think it should this Republican majority in the Sen- son on the Court needs to look at what say. ate, and a powerful legacy that will ex- the Constitution and the laws say. I urge my colleagues to support these tend decades into the future, pro- While Supreme Court vacancies tend well-qualified nominees. But I also tecting our constitutional rights, pro- to get a lot of attention, it is just as urge my colleagues on the other side to tecting the Bill of Rights, protecting important that the Senate nominate stop using the process to frustrate the the First Amendment, free speech, reli- and confirm the jobs the President and other work of the government. There is gious liberty, protecting the Second the Senate share. It is our responsi- a right to 30 hours of debate, which is Amendment, and protecting all the bility too. what we are in right now; we are in 30 fundamental liberties we enjoy as The Constitution could have said: hours of debate on a circuit judge, but Americans. Will report to the Senate, and, unless nobody is talking about that circuit With respect to Don Willett and Jim there is some big objection, that person judge. Other bills could have been Ho, I have known both of them for dec- becomes a judge. That is not what it brought to the floor, and other issues ades. Both are close friends. Both are says. It says: The Senate will confirm. that could have been dealt with aren’t brilliant lawyers. Both have spent dec- As of this morning, there are slightly being dealt with because the minority ades earning a reputation as principled more than 140 lifetime vacancies on the has decided to abuse their power—to constitutionalists who will remain courts to be filled. So far this year, we say that we are going to have 30 hours faithful to the law and will not impose have confirmed 10 circuit court judges. of debate about this judicial nominee, their own policy preferences from the By the time we leave this week, I think and then have no debate about the ju- bench. we will have confirmed 12 circuit dicial nominee. Beyond that, both Don and Jim are judges this year. That will be close to It doesn’t mean we don’t need to con- testaments to the American dream. a post-World War II record. It has been firm the judges, but it does mean, if we They have both taken different paths a long time since World War II, and it did so in a way that made sense for the to the Fifth Circuit, but both of their has been a long time since a President people we work for, we would be doing stories encapsulate what is so incred- has had the opportunity to do that. other business now, and these three ible about this great Nation. Why do we need to do that? First of judges would have already been con- Justice Willett was born Donny Ray all, the people of this country have a firmed. They will be confirmed this Willett—his birth certificate doesn’t right to seek justice and to believe week. say Donald; it says Donny Ray—in that the rule of law will prevail. The My belief is that if the rules designed July of 1966, to an unwed teenage Supreme Court hears about 100 to to protect the minority in the Senate mother. He was a sickly and frail new- maybe 150 cases in a year, but the 12 are abused, they will not last forever. born who was not even expected to sur- circuit courts—where you appeal a Eventually, you have to say: OK, facts vive until Christmas. But he was lower Federal court ruling to—hear are facts. This rule isn’t being used nursed back to health and then adopted many cases, and about 7,000 of those this way, and the Senate has to do the by an incredible couple who were un- cases are appealed to the Supreme people’s work. If rules have to be able to have their own children. Court; the Supreme Court deals with changed to do that, I am for changing Justice Willett grew up in a double- 100 to 150 of them. So the judges in the those rules. wide trailer in a small town of just 32 12 circuits often write what, in our Mr. President, I ask unanimous con- people, surrounded by cotton and cat- structure, is essentially final law; the sent that notwithstanding rule XXII, tle. His town had a cotton gin and a final rule of any court is at the circuit at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, December 13, Catholic church. That is about it. level. there be 30 minutes of postcloture time Justice Willett suffered heartbreak The Federal Bar Association says remaining on the Willett nomination, early in life. His father passed away at that the ‘‘number of federal judicial equally divided between the leaders or age 40, just 2 weeks after Justice vacancies throughout the federal court their designees; that following the use Willett turned 6 years old. He was

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:32 Dec 14, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00013 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G13DE6.017 S13DEPT1 S7992 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE December 13, 2017 raised by his widowed mother, who Acosta. Later that year, he joined the Sadly, Senate Democrats insisted on waited tables at the local truck stop. Department’s Office of Legal Counsel. and provided a party-line vote in the She would leave the trailer for her 6 After 2 years at OLC, he came here to Judiciary Committee. It is my hope a.m. shift before Justice Willett even the Senate, where he served as the first that this full body will demonstrate woke up in the morning. He would chief counsel of my colleague, the sen- more wisdom and less partisan animos- wake himself up, get fed, dressed, and ior Senator from Texas, JOHN CORNYN. ity than the Judiciary Committee then catch the bus to a neighboring After 2 years as Senator CORNYN’s chief Democrats demonstrated. town to go to school. counsel, Jim went to clerk at the Su- Both Jim and Don, I am convinced, Justice Willett was the first person preme Court for Justice Clarence will make excellent judges on the Fifth in his family to even finish high school, Thomas. Circuit. They are brilliant. They are let alone go to college and then to law At the end of the clerkship, Jim and principled. They are humble men of school. He has four degrees. He got his Allyson finally fulfilled their dream of deep character. They love their fami- bachelor’s from Baylor with a triple going back to Texas, where Jim relies. They are wonderful fathers. I am major in economics, finance, and pub- joined the law firm of Gibson Dunn & confident that not only will they faith- lic administration. He then received a Crutcher in Dallas. fully follow the law in the court of ap- master’s degree in political science, a Then, in 2008, my tenure as solicitor peals, but I predict Jim Ho and Don law degree, and an LLM degree from general of Texas was coming to a close. Willett will become judicial superstars. Duke. Attorney General Abbott had told me They will become jurists to which After law school, he clerked on the that if I were going to leave, I would other Federal judges across the coun- Fifth Circuit—the court on which he have to find my successor. I picked up try look. Their opinions will be cited will soon be serving—for Judge Jerre the phone and called my longtime heavily. They will be followed in other 1 friend, Jim Ho. I talked to Jim about Williams. Then, after 2 ⁄2 years at a courts of appeals. Their careful and large law firm, he decided to dedicate coming to succeed me as solicitor gen- meticulous analysis and their fidelity his career to public service. He worked eral. Jim agreed to take on the job and to the law will be held up as exemplars for Gov. George W. Bush in Texas and did a remarkable job as the chief appel- for judges across the country to follow. then for President Bush in DC. He and late lawyer for the State of Texas, rep- That is a great accomplishment for the I worked closely together in that re- resenting Texas before the U.S. Su- Federal judiciary, a great accomplish- gard. After his time in DC, he happily preme Court and all the State and Fed- ment for the Senate, and a great week returned to the great State of Texas to eral appellate courts. for the State of Texas. serve as the deputy attorney general Jim served as solicitor general from I yield the floor. April 2008 until December 2010, when he for legal counsel. Don served alongside The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. COT- returned to Dallas and once again re- me, working under Greg Abbott, then TON). The Senator from Wyoming. joined Gibson Dunn as a partner. A few the attorney general. We had offices TAX REFORM BILL years later, he became cochair of the just down the hall from each other. Mr. BARRASSO. Mr. President, I firm’s appellate and constitutional law In 2005, he was appointed by Gov. come to the floor today to talk about practice group. Jim has done many ex- Rick Perry to serve as an associate jus- the tax relief and tax reduction legisla- traordinary things, but nothing more tice on the Texas Supreme Court, and tion that the conference committee is so than marrying his wife Allyson, who he was reelected by the people of Texas currently working on. To me and to all is, like Jim, a Supreme Court advocate to that court in 2006 and again in 2012. Americans, this is a very important and one of the most talented constitu- I can’t tell you how proud I am to see piece of legislation. I think it is going tional lawyers in the country. Justice Willett confirmed as a judge on Allyson is my former law partner. to get even better as the House and the the Fifth Circuit and to see his lifetime When I left the job of solicitor general Senate work to hammer out the dif- of service continue in this new arena. and went to the Morgan Lewis law ferences to help lower the tax rates for Jim Ho took a different path to the firm, I promptly recruited Allyson to American families. Fifth Circuit, but his story is just as come lead the Supreme Court practice When you look at this legislation, powerful as an example of the Amer- with me. I am proud to say that over there are so many policies that will ican dream. the past 5 years, Jim’s wife Allyson has help to make America’s economy grow. Jim was born in Taipei, Taiwan. He argued more business cases before the Families across the country will get a immigrated to the United States with U.S. Supreme Court than any lawyer in tax break. It is what they need. It is his family when he was just 1 year old. Texas. what they have been looking for, for a For the first few years of his life, his Jim has become a pillar of the legal long time. Main Street businesses will family lived with relatives in Queens, community in Texas, and the out- also get a tax break. When people get a NY. Jim learned English watching Ses- pouring of support he has received raise like that, they invest in their ame Street. His family then moved to demonstrates that. To take just one families, and they invest in their com- Southern California, where he attended example, I have a letter from Ron Kirk, munities. They create jobs. Wages go high school and then went on to college the former mayor of Dallas and a up. The economy grows, and our Nation at Stanford University. former member of President Obama’s gets stronger. In 1996, Jim enrolled at the Univer- Cabinet and, incidentally, the Demo- You don’t have to take my word for sity of Chicago Law School, where he cratic nominee for the U.S. Senate who it. Respected mainstream economists graduated with high honors in 1999. He are saying exactly the same thing. Senator CORNYN defeated in 2002. By then moved to Texas for the first time any measure, he is a strong and promi- They agree that our economy needs to in his life, accepting a clerkship in nent Democrat in the State of Texas. grow. They agree that the legislation Houston with Judge Jerry Smith on Mr. Kirk writes: we are working on—which passed the the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth The last time Texans got to fill a seat on Senate, passed the House, and is being Circuit—again, the same court on the Fifth Circuit, it was Judge Gregg Costa, joined together—will deliver the which he is preparing to serve. It was who this body confirmed by a well-deserved growth that our Nation needs. during the end of his clerkship in Hous- unanimous vote. As a lifelong Democrat and In October the Council of Economic ton that he started dating his law devoted member of the Obama cabinet, I ask Advisers put out a report looking at school classmate, now his wife Allyson, you to give Jim Ho the same unanimous con- some of the ideas for tax relief. This is a Houston native and another dear sent. a group that advises the President on friend of mine. I agree, and I hope our Democratic economic issues. Their report found In 2000, Jim moved to Washington, friends in this body will set aside the that the tax plan, like the one Repub- DC, to join the law firm of Gibson partisan rancor that has so character- licans wrote, will grow the economy Dunn & Crutcher. In 2001, he joined the ized this year and will listen to the between 3 percent and 5 percent. That U.S. Department of Justice as a Spe- words of one of their own, a member of is real growth. It is strong growth, and cial Assistant to the Assistant Attor- Obama’s Cabinet, and a prominent it is good news for America. ney General for Civil Rights, working Democrat from Texas, urging that Jim There was another study that came under now-U.S. Labor Secretary Alex Ho be confirmed unanimously. out in October. That was by a group of

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:32 Dec 14, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00014 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G13DE6.019 S13DEPT1 December 13, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S7993 economists at the Massachusetts Insti- percent. The one outlier is much more economic plans, and that the burden- tute of Technology and Boston Univer- pessimistic, much more cautious. some regulations and the redtape has sity. They did their own calculations Another thing to remember is that been cut. They are not taking into ac- and used their own numbers, and they even this very cautious estimate says count that President Trump is in the found the exact same good news for the that the economy will get bigger be- White House. American economy. Just like the other cause of the Republican plan than if we Those things make a very big dif- report, this one said that the Repub- did nothing at all. Even the pessimistic ference when it comes to sustaining lican tax plan would grow the economy group is saying: Oh, yes, the economy this progress that we have seen over by between 3 percent and 5 percent. will grow under the Republican plan. the past year. Four out of five studies A third study was released in Novem- They say it will reduce deficits by an agree that the Republican tax plan will ber. It was by the Tax Foundation. additional $400 billion over the next 10 deliver the kind of economic growth Again, it is a respected group of econo- years. that the American people want and the mists who study this kind of issue for I think we are going to do a whole lot American economy needs—a strong, a living. They looked specifically at better than that because our economy healthy, and growing economy. the legislation as it was introduced in is going to grow much faster. Under I yield the floor. the Senate Finance Committee and, President Obama and Washington I suggest the absence of a quorum. then, passing the Senate. This group Democrats, we had 8 years of policies The PRESIDING OFFICER. The found that the plan would increase the that held back our economy and caused clerk will call the roll. The senior assistant legislative clerk size of the economy by 3.7 percent. it to grow at a very tepid, slow pace. proceeded to call the roll. Economists looked at these policies, That is the same range, between 3 and Mr. BLUMENTHAL. Mr. President, I and they said that if things continue 5 percent, but more specifically, 3.7 ask unanimous consent that the order percent. on that path, we can expect the econ- for the quorum call be rescinded. Then, there was a fourth analysis by omy to grow by about the 1.8 percent The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without one more group of nine respected inde- we have been seeing through the objection, it is so ordered. pendent economists. This group wrote Obama administration. NET NEUTRALITY With Republicans setting the agenda, about their conclusions in a letter to Mr. BLUMENTHAL. Mr. President, I those policies are history and so is this the Treasury Secretary on November am willing to wager that the term ‘‘net 26. They wrote that they expect this slow economic growth that had been neutrality’’ has no meaning to many tax relief plan to boost the economy by created during the Obama years. Look Americans. It is a term that refers to a 3 percent over the next 10 years. what just happened in the last two eco- practice and a set of rules that are We have four different entities, four nomic quarters of this year. Over these likely a total mystery to the vast ma- different estimates, four different 6 months, our economy grew at a pace jority of the people who are affected by groups of prominent economists. They of more than 3 percent. The economy them. As often happens in Washington, looked at the tax relief plan. They has created more than 2 million jobs DC, the terms of art are highly tech- looked at it in different ways and used since President Trump was elected a nical and obtuse and obscure, but the different analyses, and they all found little over a year ago. The economy is effects of these rules matter to almost that it would grow the American econ- responding—responding to policies that every American, openly, and they will omy by very similar amounts, all by at Republicans have been talking about be of increasing importance to Ameri- least 3 percent. and to what we have been doing in cans if the current net neutrality rules There was one other study that some terms of eliminating so many pun- are reversed tomorrow. people have been talking about. This ishing, burdensome, expensive regula- That is why I am here. The Federal was an estimate by a group called the tions that have caused such a drag on Communications Commission, under Joint Committee on Taxation. This our economy. the leadership of its new Chairman, group predicts that growth under the When we pass legislation like this Ajit Pai, has a reckless and needless Republican plan will increase, but by tax relief act, it will give businesses plan to repeal those rules that are vital just 0.8 percent over those next 10 confidence that we are keeping our to a level playing field and fair access years. That works out, roughly, to promises. It gives them confidence that to consumers of the internet content eight one-hundredths of 1 percent a they can keep hiring, keep investing, that they value and need. To put it year. All of these other groups say at and keep creating more jobs. very simply, Chairman Pai’s plan least 3 percent, maybe 5 percent, and Take a look at the fact that there are would disastrously disadvantage small this other group says less than 1 per- 2 million more new jobs since election businesses. It would harm our econ- cent over a decade. It is hard to be- day of last year. Someone said: Oh, no, omy. It would threaten the internet’s lieve. you have to wait until Inauguration incredible success, including innova- Why is this one group, which is being Day to start counting. I disagree. I will tion. It would harm consumers by giv- quoted often by the Democrats, so far tell you that in my home State of Wyo- ing them higher prices and possibly out of line, out of the mainstream, ming, on election night, when the re- lower speeds in accessing what they with what other economists are say- sults were in and it was known that want from the internet. ing? The reason they reached such a Donald Trump had been elected Presi- The background here is pretty sim- different conclusion is that they did dent of the United States, there was ple. In 2015, the FCC adopted its open their analysis very differently from all immediate optimism, immediate con- internet order to preserve the open na- the other groups. This committee com- fidence, and an immediate positive ture of the internet. The internet has bines a few different economic models spring in people’s steps. The decision at thrived on its openness. That is, in a into their estimate. That is reasonable. that point by the American electorate sense, its spirit and its great advan- When we look closely at the models said: Yes, it is time for this economy to tage. It is uniquely American in that they combined, we found that they take off. And it has. way—open and accessible. counted the most pessimistic models When someone comes out with an es- The order created three very bright much more heavily than they did the timate about economic growth and line rules: no blocking, no throttling, more realistic models. So, of course, they don’t take into account all of no paid prioritization. Nobody could they are going to come up with an these different things, I think, maybe, stop access or block it. Nobody could overly pessimistic conclusion. they are living in the past, when they diminish the availability—no throt- I think it can be useful to take these were looking at an economic growth tling and no paid authorization. That more negative views into account. No- model of 1.8 percent. I think, maybe, is to say that nobody is to get a benefit body thinks we should just pick from they got so used to the anemic growth from faster speeds simply because he is the rosiest scenario or base our policies we had in the Obama years that they paying more. Those rules really put the on one prediction. That is not what is are still expecting that to continue internet at stake—the vitality and in- happening here. We have four different into the future. They are not taking novative energy is at stake here. groups of economists that predict into account that things are different Blocked sites, slower speeds, fast strong economic growth of at least 3 now, that Republicans are passing our lanes and slow lanes, and more fees will

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:32 Dec 14, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00015 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G13DE6.021 S13DEPT1 S7994 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE December 13, 2017 be our future on the internet if these panies—that stand to benefit because much when I grew up there. We had rules are revoked, as Chairman Pai they will raise prices and favor their about 1,500 people, some dairy farms says they will be tomorrow. Some of own content. and mushroom farms. Over the last 40 today’s internet service providers will No matter what he decides, the fight years, it has gradually developed. benefit. They already have clear con- is only really beginning. We will no A not much widely noted big day flicts of interest. They own content doubt bring legislation to the U.S. Sen- happened back in 1994 in Hockessin, companies. They want their customers ate—not an easy task to pass it. Any DE, when one of America’s greatest to spend more time on their content. final action in the FCC unquestionably, jazz performers, Cab Calloway, passed Comcast, for example, owns the media undoubtedly, will be challenged in the away in the little town of Hockessin, giant NBCUniversal. Verizon owns courts. I am actually hopeful that we DE. Cab Calloway gave his name to a Yahoo and AOL. can avoid litigation. Litigation is al- remarkable performing arts school. We are having a hearing this after- ways a last resort. But there will be This is a school that 25 years ago was noon that involves Comcast and litigation because the 2015 open inter- created dedicated to the idea that if NBCUniversal, and I am deeply trou- net order was actually based on 10 you want to elevate learning, if you bled by the expiration of the conditions years of evidence in a fact-based dock- want to strengthen education, you that have been put on the merger. et. Again, it was not pulled out of the should make sure you have a robust Those conditions help to protect com- air; it was based on factfinding and range of opportunities to engage with petition and consumers. They have a thought and redrafting that then, in the arts. questionable effect in that purpose, but fact, resulted in litigation that was I thought I would use that as an ex- even the modest comfort or protection upheld in the courts. In fact, in the ample today to talk for a few minutes about why what we do here can be im- they provide will completely evaporate court of appeals, it was judged to be portant across our whole country and as the conditions expire. So I will ask legal and rationally rooted in real fact. why a connection between the arts and today that there be an investigation by That is the internet order that should education can make a lasting dif- the Department of Justice to sustain be sustained. ference for families all across our coun- and continue those conditions and ask I hope that Chairman Pai will post- try. that the court that approved them ac- pone this misguided plan. I hope that Back in 1965, when I was just 2 years tually extend them to meet the needs he will abandon it. There is no need to old, a group of Senators, Republican of competition and consumers. recklessly repeal the net neutrality and Democratic, came together to cre- Our current net neutrality rules pre- rules without demonstrating a signifi- ate two things—the National Endow- vent companies from becoming gate- cant and substantial change in factual ment for the Humanities and the Na- keepers, toll takers, in a way that fa- circumstances. That is what is required tional Endowment for the Arts. These vors their own content. If they are the statutorily—a significant and substan- two federally funded national programs gatekeepers and the toll takers, they tial change in factual circumstances to are absolutely critical educational, are the ones who block, and they are justify revoking and repealing a rule economic, and cultural drivers that the ones who collect the fees. If they that was based on circumstance and have impacted thousands of commu- have the ability to pick and choose be- fact. nities across the United States. tween the content providers that be- In the meantime, millions of Ameri- Why is this a subject of any conten- long to their competitors or the con- cans have already given their opinions. tion or discussion here? Well, because tent providers that are independent, They have weighed in. They have said unfortunately our President’s budget they are going to choose their own con- to the FCC: Stop playing with the this year proposed to eliminate funding tent providers. They are going to favor internet in a way that favors the big for both of these organizations—both their own over the others. Gutting the guys—the cable companies—the ones the National Endowment for the Arts net neutrality rules, in effect, gives who will block or throttle and raise and the National Endowment for the them free rein to favor their own con- prices. Humanities—proposed to be removed, tent and their own political views. We should not allow Chairman Pai to zeroed out, cancelled, despite their al- If the internet service providers are silence their comments, to ignore most more than 50-year record of suc- able to block content or charge higher them, or disregard them. cessful impact and service across the fees for access, eventually the ones who The FCC has a responsibility here. It country. will suffer will be the consumers. They is a public trust. It matters to the mil- In my little State of Delaware, the will pay higher prices, or the content lions of Americans who have never National Endowment for the Arts and will be slowed in reaching them. Make heard and will probably never hear the National Endowment for the Hu- no mistake. Companies that are willing that term ‘‘net neutrality’’ and who manities funded all sorts of valuable to pay the toll for fast lanes will trans- will never understand what its con- programs with significant impacts. fer those costs to consumers. They are sequences are until they see them per- Last year, I invited the head of the Na- not going to just absorb the additional sonally, up close, firsthand—higher tional Endowment for the Arts to come expense. The folks who have no idea prices, blocking, throttling. That is the and visit us in Delaware and to pull to- what the term ‘‘net neutrality’’ evil we can and must avoid. gether the whole range of folks who re- means—who may have never heard it— Thank you. ceived some grants from them—$681,000 are the ones who are going to pay the I yield the floor. last year. It is about 17 percent of all freight. They are going to be the ones I suggest the absence of a quorum. the funding for arts in my State. It who suffer the consequences. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The helped support 100 grants to nonprofits These rules are for a reason. They clerk will call the roll. all up and down our State. were not simply picked out of the air. The senior assistant legislative clerk I will give a few examples. The Grand They are not some product of some proceeded to call the roll. Opera House has a summer in the park overactive regulatory imagination. Mr. COONS. Mr. President, I ask series because of the National Endow- They have meaning and consequence unanimous consent that the order for ment for the Arts. The University of for ordinary people who use the inter- the quorum call be rescinded. Delaware Community Music School net, which is one of the economic gi- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without holds a musical theater camp every ants of our generation. We are, in ef- objection, it is so ordered. summer, serving dozens of kids—about fect, throttling, blocking, and raising NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE ART AND NA- 80 kids. The Christiana Cultural Arts prices for the people who depend on in- TIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE HUMANITIES Center in downtown Wilmington brings novation and access and openness. FUNDING vibrant, cutting-edge arts program- The right thing for Chairman Pai to Mr. COONS. Mr. President, I come to ming to a neighborhood that might not do is to cancel tomorrow’s party-line the floor today to talk about the vital otherwise enjoy it. The Creative Vision vote and abandon this misguided plan importance of the connection between Factory provides individuals with be- to destroy the free and open internet. the arts, education, and progress. havioral health disorders an oppor- He is acting, in essence, at the behest I am from a little town in Delaware tunity for self-expression, empower- of the economic giants—the cable com- named Hockessin. Hockessin was not ment, and recovery through the arts. I

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:32 Dec 14, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00016 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G13DE6.023 S13DEPT1 December 13, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S7995 can give many more examples, but their spirit with art, give their spirit Robert Bellarmine Catholic Church in these are four of the hundreds. room to soar, give them an opportunity Omaha. The National Endowment for the Hu- to paint on the canvas of their lives, At Creighton Prep High School, Chris manities gives a comparable number of and give them the gift of artistic train- was a member of the Creighton Prep grants and supports programs up and ing and skills, and there is no limit to National Honor Society, National down our State. I will mention one— where they can go. That has been our Spanish Honor Society, and the school art conservation at Winterthur. experience in Delaware. That has been science club. He was very dedicated to Winterthur, which is a magnificent our experience across the country. academics, and he graduated with the museum and collection of the Amer- It is my hope that we will find a way highest academic honors in 1991. Dur- ican arts, has a partnership with muse- on a bipartisan basis to continue to ing Chris’s senior year at Creighton ums in places around the world—from sustain investment in the humanities Prep, he became very interested in Haiti, to Iraq, to Syria—where, because and the arts. fixed-wing aircraft and flying. of conflict, critical pieces of cultural In 1960, President Kennedy said: After high school graduation, Chris history have been at risk of being lost. There is a connection, hard to explain logi- continued his studies at another Jesuit Because of these NEH grants to cally but easy to feel, between achievement institution, St. Louis University, Winterthur, those partnerships have in public life and progress in the arts. where he continued his interest in air- been strengthened. Citing three important periods in his- We have been blessed to have in my craft by studying aeronautical admin- tory, he said: istration. friend Governor Jack Markell and his The age of Pericles was also the age of wife Carla, over the last 8 years, Phidias. The age of Lorenzo de Medici was Shortly after receiving his bachelor’s strong, longstanding support for the also the age of Leonardo da Vinci. The age of degree, Chris enlisted in the U.S. arts in our State. We have lots of lead- Elizabeth was also the age of Shakespeare, Army. This surprised his family and ing individuals in our State. Tatiana and the new frontier for which I campaign in friends. His father attributes Chris’s Copeland, for example, helped build the public life can also be a new frontier for decision to his son’s sense of duty and Queen Theater and helped support the American art. interest in aeronautics. Chris grad- Delaware Symphony Orchestra. They It is important that we remember uated from basic combat training at work in partnership with the Delaware here that the modest amounts of Fed- Fort Jackson before attending his ad- Division of the Arts. A gentleman eral money we invest in the arts bear vanced individual training in aviation named Paul Weagraff is now the execu- enormous positive, multiplied benefits mechanics. The idea of Chris working tive director of the Delaware Division to the people of our country and to our in aviation mechanics always struck of the Arts under the new administra- place in the world. his father Bob as somewhat funny. tion of Governor Carney. I am grateful for all who work in arts Growing up, Chris didn’t like getting I am hopeful that we here in the Sen- education, and I am grateful for the op- his hands dirty or helping to change ate can sustain bipartisan support for portunity to work on a bipartisan basis the oil in the family vehicles. arts and humanities funding and that to sustain our Federal investment in Due to his strong academic record the young people of Delaware, our com- the arts and humanities. and interest in aeronautics, Chris was munities, and our families will con- I thank the Presiding Officer. persuaded to apply to Warrant Officer tinue to enjoy the blessings that these With that, I yield the floor. Candidate School. Chris liked the idea investments in creativity bring. How I suggest the absence of a quorum. of becoming a warrant officer so he much are we talking about? It is about The PRESIDING OFFICER. The could specialize and become an expert $150 million—$149.8 million, to be spe- clerk will call the roll. in aviation. He graduated at the top of cific—this fiscal year for each of these The senior assistant legislative clerk his class from Warrant Officer Can- two endowments. That is a tiny per- proceeded to call the roll. didate School and became a helicopter centage of the total Federal budget. Mrs. FISCHER. Mr. President, I ask pilot. unanimous consent that the order for Now, $150 million may sound like a lot, While performing his duties in the the quorum call be rescinded. and $680,000 of grants for my whole Army, Chris also took classes at The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without State of Delaware may sound like a Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. objection, it is so ordered. lot, but across these two endowments He graduated with a master’s degree in for the arts and humanities, $300 mil- HONORING NEBRASKA’S SOLDIERS WHO LOST aeronautical science in 2001—the same THEIR LIVES IN COMBAT lion in Federal money has a dramatic year the September 11 terrorist attacks Mrs. FISCHER. Mr. President, I rise impact. It leverages private funding 9 shook the lives of all Americans. to 1. In recent studies looking at the today to continue my tribute to Ne- braska’s heroes, the current generation Chief Warrant Officer Allgaier de- impact of the National Endowment for ployed to South Korea for over a year the Arts, they concluded that they of men and women who lost their lives defending our freedom in Iraq and Af- before going to Afghanistan in 2003 and were particularly focused and particu- Iraq in 2005. While deployments are larly effective and that where there is ghanistan. Each of these Nebraskans has a special story to tell. usually tough for any family, 2005 was a leadership grant given by the NEA, it especially difficult for the Allgaiers be- leverages $9 more for every Federal CHIEF WARRANT OFFICER CHRISTOPHER ALLGAIER cause Chris’s mother Sally passed dollar used. away. I think Federal funding for the arts Today, Mr. President, I recall the life and humanities has to remain a pri- and service of CWO Christopher In 2006, Chris was assigned to the 3rd ority. I think it is important that we Allgaier, a native of Omaha, NE. General Support Aviation Battalion, embrace the model that the Cab Growing up, Chris lived a pretty typ- 82nd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Air- Calloway School has championed in ical life as a Nebraska boy. During high borne Division out of Fort Bragg, NC. Delaware and across the country where school, he played video games and went The unit deployed to Afghanistan in educational excellence is shown by to movies with his friends. With his 2007. He flew CH–47 Chinook helicopters working together with the expressive family, he was a frequent visitor to Big in transport missions. During this and creative arts. Fred’s Pizza in Omaha; the regular time, Chris flew a lot of night oper- It was William Butler Yeats—a fa- cheese pizza was his go-to. On Friday ations. His father said that Chris would mous Irish poet—who once said that nights, he was known to go watch fel- call him every couple of weeks between education is not the mere filling up of low classmates at high school football missions just to catch up. Those were a pail, it is the lighting of a fire. If you games, and on Saturdays in the fall, he phone calls that Bob always looked for- want to ignite the aspirations, hopes, did what a lot of Nebraskans do—he ward to receiving. and dreams of young people, don’t just would attend or watch Husker football The Upper Sangin Valley in Helmand engage them in trigonometry, biology, games. Province was the center of fighting in chemistry, and physics—although Along with his sister Sharon and Afghanistan in 2007. A British news- those subjects can be interesting, en- brother Rob, Chris grew up in a Catho- paper called it ‘‘the deadliest area in gaging, or challenging—light the fire of lic household. His family attended St. Afghanistan.’’

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:32 Dec 14, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00017 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G13DE6.024 S13DEPT1 S7996 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE December 13, 2017 On the night of May 30, 2007, Chris It was December 1950 in Korea. Just Lieutenant Fox was fighting in the last flew another night operation trans- days before, the Chinese People’s Lib- major Marine offensive of the war—Op- porting approximately 30 servicemem- eration Army had crossed the Yalu eration Dewey Canyon. His unit was bers from the 82nd Airborne Division in River and thrown back U.S. forces on Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 9th Ma- the Upper Sangin Valley. Shortly after the cusp of victory. Then-Lieutenant rines. It earned the nickname ‘‘The dropping the soldiers off for their im- Hudner was a naval aviator flying one Walking Dead’’ for suffering so many portant mission, insurgents shot down of six Navy Corsairs near the Chosin casualties during the war. They came his CH–47 Chinook. The crash killed Reservoir, 5 miles behind enemy lines, under heavy fire from a larger force. Chris and four other servicemembers. when he saw his squadron mate, ENS Yet the fearless Lieutenant Fox led a Chief Warrant Officer Allgaier’s me- Jesse L. Brown, get hit by enemy fire charge against the enemy. He was morial service was held on June 6 at a and crash-land on a snowy mountain- wounded but refused medical attention, Catholic church in Omaha. Hundreds of side. instead concentrating on leading the people, including over 100 Patriot Rid- What Lieutenant Hudner probably attack, coordinating air support, and ers, turned out to pay their final re- should have done is stick to the plan. supervising the evacuation of the dead spects. What he did instead was an act of pure and injured. Chris was laid to rest on June 18, bravery. He intentionally crash-landed It was a stunning show of valor, and 2007, in Arlington National Cemetery. his plane not far from Ensign Brown’s, for it, he, too, would earn the Medal of Fellow CWO Paul Wetzel said that tried to rescue him from the burning Honor. His citation read, in part: ‘‘losing Chris will definitely leave a wreckage—all in subzero tempera- His indomitable courage, inspiring initia- void in the aviation community that tures—but Ensign Brown was trapped. tive and unwavering devotion to duty in the can’t be filled by anybody else. There His knee was crushed between the fuse- face of grave personal danger inspired his will be other pilots in the future, but lage and the control panel. When help Marines to such aggressive action that they none will ever equal Chris Allgaier.’’ arrived, their hatchet couldn’t hack overcame all enemy resistance and destroyed Chris is survived by his wife Jennie through the plane’s metal, and no one a large bunker complex. Captain Fox’s he- roic actions reflect great credit upon himself and three daughters—Natalie, Gina, could get close enough to amputate his and the Marine Corps, and uphold the high- and Joanna. leg. They had to leave him behind. En- est traditions of the U.S. Naval Service. In 2010, Chris was honored by the un- sign Brown’s last words were: ‘‘Tell As I said, these were two different veiling of Christopher Allgaier Street Daisy I love her.’’ men and two different stories but the in the neighborhood in which he grew It might be appropriate to note here same courage and service to the same up. Rob discussed how his brother was that Ensign Brown was Black and great country. They showed the same his hero during the ceremony. He said: Lieutenant Hudner was White, but I selflessness—one risking his life for his [Chris] didn’t see himself that way. He mention it almost as an afterthought friend and the other risking his life for didn’t see himself as a martyr or as a hero. because to the two of them, that is just his marines. So I think it is fitting He was an American who was doing his duty. what it was—a postscript, an adden- They’re not doing it for an ulterior motive. that we celebrate their lives together dum, a mere detail. They were com- because they both showed us the utter They’re doing it because they believe in it rades in arms, wearing the red, white, and it is the right thing to do. selflessness of courage. They didn’t and blue, not seeing the color of each CWO Chris Allgaier was awarded the fight and display such bravery because other’s skin. The only color that they hated our enemies but because Bronze Star and the Purple Heart post- mattered to them, and that they humously. they loved our country, and they loved shared in common, besides the color of their comrades in arms. It is a good I join Nebraskans and Americans our flag, was the navy blue of their across this country in saluting his will- lesson, I would say, for this time of uniform. Just 2 years after Harry Tru- year. ingness and his family’s sacrifice to man had integrated the Armed Forces, keep us free. I am honored to tell his So I want to honor the memory of Lieutenant Hudner and Ensign Brown’s CAPT Thomas J. Hudner and Col. Wes- story. friendship was a symbol of America’s Thank you. ley L. Fox. They were true American promise. He went on to have a success- patriots, and may they rest in peace. I yield the floor. ful career, but for giving us a moral ex- I suggest the absence of a quorum. ample from that day, we should all be REMEMBERING THOMAS GALYON The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. thankful. Mr. President, last year, I stood on YOUNG). The clerk will call the roll. Colonel Fox, meanwhile, was a legend this floor and said a few words about a The legislative clerk proceeded to in the Marine Corps. He served for 43 fellow Arkansan: Thomas Galyon of call the roll. years, leaving only when forced to by Rogers. We had just met to discuss his Mr. COTTON. Mr. President, I ask mandatory retirement at the age of 62. work with the Arkansas chapter of the unanimous consent that the order for In that time, he held every enlisted National ALS Association. He had been the quorum call be rescinded. rank except sergeant major and every diagnosed with ALS in 2014, and never The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without officer rank except for general. He once one to let the grass grow under his objection, it is so ordered. admitted: feet, he had been a tireless advocate for REMEMBERING CAPTAIN THOMAS J. HUDNER AND ALS research ever since then. My first four years as a Marine I didn’t COLONEL WESLEY L. FOX own one stitch of civilian clothes—every- Well, I am sorry to report that Tom Mr. COTTON. Mr. President, a month thing I did was in a Marine uniform. I’d go died last month on November 22. He ago, we lost another Medal of Honor re- home on leave, working in the hay fields or lived 3 years after his diagnosis, which cipient, CAPT Thomas J. Hudner, who whatever, I wore my Marine utilities. Go in is about average these days for people died at the ripe old age of 93. Not long town to see the movies, I wore my Marine with ALS. With his death, the National after, we lost a second one, Col. Wesley dress. ALS Association lost one of its great L. Fox, who died at the distinguished That is just how proud Wesley Fox champions. age of 86. These are two different men was to be a marine, and it was that Tom was always bursting with en- who led two different lives, each equal- deeply felt love for his fellow marines ergy. He was born in 1946 in Abingdon, ly deserving of praise and honor. Still, that drove him in his service. Like VA, and he graduated from Emory & I can’t help but wonder if there is a Lieutenant Hudner, he fought in Korea. Henry College. He spent 33 years in the reason their deaths came so suddenly In fact, he was wounded, and after he tourism industry, and after a rather and close together. It is almost as if recovered, he was so eager to get back brief and, I must say, failed stint in re- our Lord took them in one fell swoop to the fight that he wrote to the com- tirement, he went back to work as the so the greater loss would inspire great- mandant asking to be deployed once property manager for the Center for er gratitude for their sacrifice. again. Nonprofits at St. Mary’s in Northwest What Captain Hudner of the U.S. The battle that earned him his place Arkansas. As luck would have it, the Navy did to earn his medal is remark- in history was in the jungles of Viet- ALS Association was headquartered in able for the simple fact that he could nam. It was February 1969, deep in the that very building, so he could give have been court-martialed for doing it. A Shau Valley in Vietnam. Then-First both organizations his all.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:32 Dec 14, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00018 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G13DE6.025 S13DEPT1 December 13, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S7997 When we met last year, Tom asked main vacant. Career officials are being nities for family members to join their me to help fix a problem that people cut out of important policy decisions spouses who are serving abroad never with ALS have when applying for dis- or overruled by leadership, including, made sense in the first place. ability insurance. There is a 5-month sometimes, even on legal issues. The I am, therefore, still left wondering waiting period to receive benefits, you Foreign Service is being hollowed out, why the hiring freeze has been in place see. Though that might be a prudent with a significantly lower number in at all, when nearly every other Federal anti-fraud measure in many cases, for the incoming classes, putting at risk agency lifted it earlier this year. I can- people with ALS, it consumes a lot of the next generation of leaders. Oppor- not understand how it has benefited their remaining time in this world. So tunities for midlevel employees are ex- our foreign and civil service. So again I joined with Senator WHITEHOUSE to tremely limited, with a freeze on most I am left asking: Why? Why should we sponsor the ALS Disability Insurance transfers and promotions. Our most ex- tolerate a massive exodus of diplo- Access Act, which would waive the perienced officials—the Department’s matic and development expertise at waiting period for people with ALS. equivalent of 2-, 3-, and 4-star gen- the State Department and USAID? Our Tom’s death should be a reminder of erals—have been departing or, effec- President said recently that we do not the urgent need to defeat this disease tively, forced out and not replaced at need to worry about the fact that many and to finally pass this bill into law. It the same rate. of the senior-level positions at the is the least we can do to commemorate I honor the experienced career offi- State Department remain unfilled be- a man who gave this effort so much be- cials who are stepping in to fill vacan- cause when it comes to foreign policy, cause, even in death, Tom’s commit- cies and are carrying out the Depart- his opinion is the only one that mat- ment was complete. By his request, his ment’s important work, but there are ters. Why on Earth would he say that? brain and spinal cord were donated to limits to what officials can accomplish For the thousands of Foreign Service the Brain Bank of Miami, FL, to con- in an acting role. It is now December. officers around the world working to tinue the search for a cure for ALS. It We cannot afford to have a Department advance the ideals of the United is not hard to understand why. that remains hamstrung because of States, this was a horrible and offen- He himself used to stress the positive rudderless stagnation at the top. sive message. in every situation. His motto was Let’s be clear. This is not just about I am concerned that this administra- ‘‘Blue skies always,’’ and he certainly numbers or unfilled positions. The tion does not understand how critical a did all he could to bring blue skies into numbers do not tell the full story. role the State Department and USAID his life and the lives of those around While the employees at the State De- play in our national security policy. him. partment and USAID can and have They are every bit as vital and critical So now that he has joined our Heav- been carrying on, it is not an easy task an element of our national security as enly Father in the blue skies, I want to when employees feel that the message the Department of Defense, the intel- recognize him and the family he leaves they receive from the top is that they ligence community, our law enforce- behind: His wife of 44 years, Sally Arm- and their work are not valued. Under- ment, or the countless others in the strong, their two children, and their standably, this has an impact on mo- Federal Government who work tire- two grandchildren. rale, which is now devastatingly low. lessly every day to protect our secu- Our State is better off for Tom hav- In embarking on what has been rity, extend our prosperity, and pro- ing lived in it, and all of us are better dubbed a ‘‘redesign’’ of the Depart- mote our values. off for having known him. May he rest ment, the leadership at State has re- We put our country in danger when in peace. grettably left the men and women who we do not give adequate voice and re- I yield the floor. so capably and loyally serve it behind. sources to all of our country’s national I suggest the absence of a quorum. I have heard from many employees who security tools. Former Secretary of The PRESIDING OFFICER. The are not just concerned about their own State Madeleine Albright said: ‘‘In a clerk will call the roll. future or careers but who are con- turbulent and perilous world, the men The legislative clerk proceeded to cerned about the direction of the De- and women of the Foreign Service are call the roll. partment itself and the viability of its on the front lines every day, on every Mr. CARDIN. Mr. President, I ask legacy. The State Department’s leader- continent for us.’’ unanimous consent that the order for ship has had more than enough time to Diplomacy is an investment we make the quorum call be rescinded. assess what can be improved. It is be- so that we don’t have to go to war. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without yond time to show the men and women Nickel-and-diming it is not in our na- objection, it is so ordered. serving at State and USAID that they tional security interest. The Senator from Maryland. are not only a valued but a vital part I made no secret about my deep con- AMERICA’S GLOBAL DIPLOMACY AND THE STATE of our national diplomacy and national cerns regarding the current manage- DEPARTMENT security strategy. ment practices of the Department’s Mr. CARDIN. Mr. President, I come For weeks, Secretary Tillerson has leadership, the reorganization and to the floor today to share my deep promised to announce significant budget debacles, the current senior- concern over the current state of progress on his plan to move the De- level vacancies, and the deep costs that America’s global diplomacy. A mul- partment forward. Tuesday, in a speech our Foreign Service and development titude of decisions made by this admin- to the State Department and USAID professionals are paying. The United istration in the last year have caused personnel, the message was once again States’ foreign policy leadership me to pause and repeatedly ask why, underwhelming. Secretary Tillerson around the world is also paying the but in no area have I been more per- continues to tinker around the edges price, and we will continue to pay the plexed than the actions that have while the Department’s core functions price if things aren’t turned around taken place at the State Department. are deliberately hollowed out. quickly. Ever since the Secretary of State While I am encouraged to see him an- Even with the few changes Secretary took the helm, there has been a slow, nounce a few small but important steps Tillerson announced this week, I be- unexplained erosion of the Department in the right direction, I am worried lieve there are still multiple issues and, along with it, the values that it that he still has not gotten the overall that need to be addressed. I raised promotes and the vital role it plays message. Despite calls from me and many of them recently in a letter to around the world. By now, many are fa- others on the Foreign Relations Com- the Secretary with my fellow Demo- miliar with the list of concerns that mittee and pleas from current and cratic colleagues on the Senate For- seasoned diplomats, national security former employees, diplomats, and mili- eign Relations Committee. If the Sec- officials, and Members of this body tary leaders, Secretary Tillerson has retary truly wishes for the State De- have been raising with increasing yet to lift the hiring freeze that re- partment and our country to succeed, alarm over the last weeks and months. mains in place. He announced it would he will seriously consider the following More than 30 key ambassadorships be lifted for the family members of em- concerns: remain without named nominees. Doz- ployees—a welcome step but not First, improve transparency. All Sen- ens of important senior-level posts re- enough. Freezing or limiting opportu- ators on the Senate Foreign Relations

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:32 Dec 14, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00019 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G13DE6.027 S13DEPT1 S7998 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE December 13, 2017 Committee should receive regular diplomatic capabilities. However, if the Additionally, dismantling net neu- briefings that thoroughly address pro- Department continues down its current trality rules will hurt small businesses posed reorganization plans and deci- path, I can assure you that my col- and will stifle innovation. Under these sions. leagues and I will use every legislative rules, internet service providers would Second, we need to know the details option we have to address these con- be allowed to force businesses to pay to and timeline for reorganization. The cerns. play online. While larger, well-estab- Department must provide a clear My goal is to ensure that the employ- lished companies would likely be able timeline—something it has failed to do ees in the State Department have all to compete, startups and entrepreneurs to date—and provide details about the resources and support they require across the Nation might not be able to what it is planning. to complete their tasks and ensure afford such fees, causing instability While there are some parts of the re- that the United States remains a glob- and limiting the reach of their new organization that we find to be posi- al diplomatic leader. I will do every- businesses. tive, such as improving information thing in my power to guarantee that In New Hampshire, innovative small technology, I remain concerned that this goal is accomplished. businesses are the backbone of our the reorganization may be I suggest the absence of a quorum. economy, creating good jobs and stim- marginalizing or eliminating critical The PRESIDING OFFICER. The ulating economic growth. But undoing bureaus and offices that help to inform clerk will call the roll. net neutrality could limit the ability U.S. foreign policy. I understand that The assistant bill clerk proceeded to of that next great business to get off many of these ideals may not come to call the roll. the ground. fruition, but it is essential for us to re- Ms. HASSAN. Mr. President, I ask A Manchester small business owner ceive details in a timely way so that unanimous consent that the order for recently wrote to my staff to say: ‘‘I the Senate Foreign Relations Com- the quorum call be rescinded. believe that Net Neutrality should stay mittee can carry out its critical over- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without in effect as it allows every business to sight function. Again, we are now in objection, it is so ordered. be on the same footing.’’ The business the eleventh month of this administra- Ms. HASSAN. Thank you, Mr. Presi- owner also said that under this pro- tion, and we don’t yet know when they dent. posal, ‘‘If you are leveraging the inter- are going to be submitting their plans NET NEUTRALITY net to boost your business, it will af- for reorganization, and we have not I rise today to join my colleagues to fect it dramatically.’’ been kept adequately informed. oppose the Federal Communications That business owner is not alone. Third, I would mention filling senior Commission’s planned vote tomorrow Just today, several members of the vacancies. The Department must to dismantle net neutrality rules. As rural and agricultural business commu- prioritize key senior vacancies and this proposal has been considered, I nity in New England, including work with the White House to swiftly have been troubled by the impact this Stoneyfield from Londonderry, NH, move forward qualified nominees. The decision will have on consumers and wrote to Chairman Pai to say: ‘‘Repeal- significant vacancies for senior-level small businesses, as well as by the ing net neutrality would have a crip- management and policy positions in process itself, which has been seriously pling effect on rural economies, further such critical bureaus as Counterterror- flawed with regard to gaining public restricting access to the internet for ism and Political-Military Affairs are input on this critical issue. rural business at a point in time where deeply troubling. Approximately 30 Access to a free and open internet is we need to expand and speed this ac- countries still do not have named Am- at the forefront of the lives of nearly cess instead.’’ bassador nominees, including South every American. Consumers, entre- Hundreds of people have called my Korea, Jordan, Egypt, and Saudi Ara- preneurs, innovative small businesses, office to voice their support for net bia. Despite claims that the Senate’s and, in turn, our Nation’s economy, neutrality. People across the Nation slow pace is to blame for the lack of have all benefited from equal access to recognize that the plan proposed by the confirmed nominees, the fact is that content on the internet, no matter the Republican-led FCC will truly impact the Foreign Relations Committee has internet service provider. An open their way of life. promptly processed the vast majority internet has been essential to civic en- In response to Chairman Pai’s proof nominees, and only a handful are gagement, social and economic mobil- posals, millions have also written to currently awaiting a Senate vote. We ity, and the fight to make progress for the FCC to state their position on this cannot confirm nominees who have not our underrepresented populations, just issue, but it seems that this process been nominated. as we saw with the national Women’s has been corrupted, with internet bots Finally, let me talk about the need March at the beginning of this year, placing hundreds of thousands of com- to uphold the mission of the Depart- which was largely organized through ments in favor of repealing net neu- ment. The Department’s mission state- online activism. An open internet is trality. Roughly 400,000 of those comment must continue to reflect the val- critical to our economy and our democ- ments may have, it seems, originated ues we hold as Americans. Proposed racy, and net neutrality has guaran- from Russia email addresses. Addition- changes send a troubling signal about teed this equal access. But tomorrow’s ally, 50,000 consumer service com- the administration’s vision for the De- vote by the FCC would change all of plaints have been excluded from public partment and its role in foreign policy. that. record, according to a Freedom of In- The promotion of democracy and re- Under the plan from FCC Chairman formation Act request filed by the Na- spect for human rights around the Ajit Pai, the control of the internet ex- tional Hispanic Media Coalition. world must remain a central part of perience will be taken from the con- On any FCC decision, public input is the State Department’s overall mis- sumer in Keene or the small business vital, and on this decision, which im- sion. in Nashua and handed over to their pacts every single American, it is unac- I agree that improving the efficiency internet service providers. Undoing net ceptable that the public’s opinion may and effectiveness of the Department is neutrality would give broadband pro- have been distorted by fraudulent com- critical to our national security given viders the power to discriminate ments and additional anomalies. the countless challenges we face as a against certain web pages, applica- Last week, I—along with 27 of my nation. Reforms to information tech- tions, and streaming and video services colleagues—wrote to Chairman Pai nology, human resources, and procure- by slowing them down, blocking them, calling for a delay in this vote until we ment systems are long overdue, and I or favoring certain services while have a clear understanding of what support the efforts of the Department charging more to access others. This is happened during the policymaking to streamline special envoys and spe- particularly disturbing at a time when process. Unfortunately, Chairman Pai cial representative positions. many consumers have, at most, one or has continued rushing toward this I hope, moving forward, the Depart- two options for broadband providers, vote, and, as has been all too common ment will consider Congress as a part- leaving those who don’t like the steps with the Trump administration, the ner in these endeavors, as well as a provider is taking without a choice Republican-led FCC is favoring the pri- broader efforts to strengthen America’s to change. orities and voices of corporate special

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:32 Dec 14, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00020 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G13DE6.028 S13DEPT1 December 13, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S7999 interests rather than listening to hard- These are just some of the statistics In addition, if you are an individual working Americans who want to keep from the tax relief package that we put and you have dependents, either chil- net neutrality. together. These are provided by the dren or maybe taking care of a parent The Commission has failed to address nonpartisan Tax Foundation as well as or something like that, you get $18,000 the concerns that these comments are the White House Council of Economic in that standard deduction. Why is that artificially generated, has not held one Advisers. The objective is to grow important? Because by doubling that public hearing on net neutrality, and is wages by $4,000 over the 10-year scoring standard deduction, we go from 7 out of moving forward at an alarming pace, period, making sure our workers are 10 filers not itemizing to something without regard for what eliminating seeing real wages. The estimate right like 9 out of 10 tax filers not itemizing. these rules would mean for our econ- now is that this tax bill is pro-growth This means real simplification. It omy and our consumers. and will generate, on average, $4,000 in means doing your tax return on maybe Undoing net neutrality will fun- higher wages, combined with an aver- just a one-page form. This means you damentally change the concept of a age tax cut of about $2,200. That is an are not only reducing rates but also free and open internet that so many average family—a family of four with greatly simplifying the Tax Code. Granite Staters and Americans have median income. We keep other provisions that are come to know and have benefited from. It will generate almost 1 million new very important for American families Approving this plan would be a reck- jobs, and that is what, of course, and, in fact, enhance them. For exam- less decision. pushes wages higher. When you create ple, the child tax credit is doubled. So I am going to continue fighting for more jobs, it is that demand for labor not only do we double the standard de- priorities that put consumers first, that pushes wages higher. That is how duction, but we also double the child that help small businesses innovate it works. We are talking about almost tax credit. We go from $1,000 to $2,000 and thrive, and that advance an open 1 million new jobs over the 10-year pe- per child. This is going to make a huge and free internet. riod and a 3.7-percent larger economy. difference for families. Thank you. So growing the economy, creating Also, for family businesses, family I yield the floor. more jobs, and it is that demand for farms, and small business we double I suggest the absence of a quorum. labor on the part of business that the estate tax, the death tax unified The PRESIDING OFFICER. The pushes wages and income higher. credit, and include the step-up in basis. clerk will call the roll. When we look at the next chart I It is hugely important to make sure The legislative clerk proceeded to have, we see that we provide tax relief you can transition a small business, call the roll. across all incomes. So it is really fo- farm, or ranch from one generation to Mr. HOEVEN. Mr. President, I ask cused on lower income, middle class, the next. unanimous consent that the order for making sure that, like I said, wage To save for college, we enable the 521 the quorum call be rescinded. earners are saving more of their hard- savings accounts to continue for par- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without earned dollars, but the effort is to cut ents. Another very important one is we objection, it is so ordered. taxes across all income groups, and encourage businesses to provide paid TAX REFORM BILL that is what we do. It starts by taking family and medical leave by giving Mr. HOEVEN. Mr. President, I come the seven brackets we have and reduc- them a tax credit to partially offset an to the Senate floor to once again talk ing them. It is just kind of simple employee’s pay while caring for a child or family member. about the need to pass tax reform for math. Other things we keep, in terms of de- hard-working Americans. The House The House plan reduces the number ductions that are very important, has passed a bill, the Senate has passed of brackets to only three. We keep the again, to hard-working families are as a bill, and now, of course, we are work- seven different brackets. The reason ing through the conference committee follows: for that is because the objective is to The mortgage interest deduction. We to get the very best product we can for lower everyone’s tax rate, and we are make sure they can continue to deduct the American people. better able to do that by keeping the This tax relief is not just about re- the interest on their home mortgage. seven tax rates. The deduction of charitable contribu- ducing the tax burden on hard-working Some might say: You want to do sim- tions. It is obviously very important Americans and making sure they can plification. We do want to do sim- for the greater good of our society that keep more of their hard-earned dollars plification, and we do tax simplifica- people can continue to contribute to after tax, but it is also very much tion. There is no question that we do charities they believe in and support about economic growth. The tax relief tax simplification because the com- and that they can deduct those chari- package we are putting together that plexity in calculating your taxes is cal- table contributions. is coming together through the con- culating your taxable income, your ad- The child and dependent care tax ference efforts, working to improve on justed gross income subject to taxes. credits, the adoption tax credit, and both the House version and the Senate That is the complicated part. Whether the earned-income tax credit. We make version, is designed to grow our econ- we have three different rates to apply sure people can continue to contribute omy. That is incredibly important be- to it or seven different rates to apply, to their 401(k) accounts on a basis that cause over the last decade, what we depending on which bracket you fall is tax-advantaged. have seen are stagnant wages and in- into, that really doesn’t add com- Then, medical expense deductions. come. So workers are working as hard plexity. Obviously, for our seniors, this is very as ever—harder than ever—but they So we keep the simplification intact important. For somebody who has a are not seeing that growth in their while we make sure that we provide medical condition or an illness, being paycheck. That is why we have to tax relief across all of the different tax able to deduct those medical expenses make this tax relief package pro- brackets or tax rates. That is what we is extremely important. growth, so at the end of the day, that see in this second chart. This is about making sure hard- worker has a lower tax burden, but In addition, we keep or expand many working Americans can have not only they also have a rising wage and more of the tax deductions or tax provisions tax relief but also the pro-growth as- income. It is the combination of those that are important to families, and pect they see in the rising wages of in- two things that really—it is the rising that starts with the child tax. Well, I comes. tide that lifts all boats, if you will. should say it actually starts with the That is what I want to talk about in That is how we generate that higher standard deduction. We double, in es- this third chart, which goes to sup- standard of living for workers and tax- sence, the standard deduction. For an porting our businesses across this great payers across this great Nation. individual, right now it is a little over country. Small business is the back- So that is what we are working to do: $6,000 a person. We double that stand- bone of our economy. Small businesses, tax relief, grow the economy, create ard deduction to $12,000. For a married farms, and ranches are the absolute more jobs—and create them here at couple, you are talking over $24,000 backbone of our economy. Small busi- home versus overseas—and higher that is covered under the standard de- nesses typically are passthrough busi- wages and income. duction, no tax. nesses, which means the income flows

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:32 Dec 14, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00021 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G13DE6.031 S13DEPT1 S8000 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE December 13, 2017 through the business and is then taxed held overseas by these companies and tisan work here in the Senate, and in at the individual level. So part of the is not brought back to the United Congress, generally, to come up with a tax relief we are providing to small States and invested here because we bill that would have done all of those businesses comes from the reduction in have one of the highest tax rates in the things, but, unfortunately, the legisla- the individual rates, as I have already world. Our corporate tax rate is one of tion in front of us does none. gone through, because that income has the highest in the world. The result is a partisan tax bill, writ- flowed through. So when we talk about the current ten in secret and without public hear- Passthroughs can be a partnership, a 35-percent tax rate, companies look at ings, adds to the national debt, pun- sub-S corporation, a limited liability that and say: Why would we bring back ishes the middle class and small busi- partnership, a limited liability cor- earnings from another country, say, nesses, and gives massive tax cuts to poration. These are all passthroughs. Ireland—pick a country anywhere in corporations and the wealthy. So when the income flows through that the world. Why would we bring those Last week, I came to the floor to small business to the individual, be- earnings back and pay a really high share the concerns of Granite Staters cause we have lowered the rates, that tax, versus reinvesting overseas or about this legislation. They were am- already provides a lower net tax on somewhere else where the tax is much plified at a forum I had on Monday at those small businesses and the people lower, and we can be more competi- Southern New Hampshire University, who own and work and invest in those tive? where I heard from students, graduate small businesses. This is what we are having to deal students, and higher education leaders The other thing we do is provide a 20- with, and that is why we lower the cor- in the State about the damage this bill percent distribution deduction—a re- porate rate—because that then creates would do to our State and to our na- duction in the taxable amount as far as the incentive to come back, invest dol- tional economy. income distributed by those businesses. lars in the United States, and create I have heard some reports today that We have gone through various more jobs here in America, and, in so there will be changes that come out of iterations. We started at about 17 per- doing, as they bring that revenue back, the conference committee that may ad- cent. We had hoped to move it higher. which is called repatriation, they gen- dress some of the concerns about the I think we will end up around 20 per- erate tax revenues which help us pro- bill’s impact on education. I hope that cent. What this means is, when income vide more tax relief for hard-working is true. Unfortunately, I haven’t heard flows through that passthrough busi- Americans. what those changes are. I don’t know if ness, 20 percent is deducted before you So that is what I mean. That is the any Democrats here have heard what calculate the income. For example, if two-fer aspect of this tax relief plan. It those changes are. Unfortunately, you flow through $1,000, you would be is making sure individuals have real these negotiations, like the bill, are taxed on the $800. Now, apply those tax relief so they keep more of what being done in secret, and the future of lower tax rates I talked about, and you they earned, but it is also about mak- students and so many people in New can see clearly that you significantly ing sure they earn more, that their Hampshire and the country hang in the reduce that tax rate on these small wages and income grow, and that there balance. businesses. are more jobs and opportunities here in In particular, what I heard at the Why is that so important? It enables America. That is absolutely the focus forum with the students and educators small businesses to keep more of their of this tax relief plan and what we are was that the bill as it passed the House hard-earned dollars, to invest in equip- working to achieve. would raise taxes on New Hampshire ment, to expand and grow their busi- Both the House and Senate have students and would make it financially ness. It enables them to hire more peo- passed versions of this tax bill. We are impossible for many of them to con- ple, like perhaps these great young now working to get the very best prod- tinue their educations. people we have here working as pages. uct we can through the conference As passed, the House tax bill would It enables them to raise wages and in- committee. We are making real eliminate the ability of individuals to come and to grow their business, or, for progress, and we need to continue to deduct the interest they pay on their an entrepreneur, to maybe start up a work together and get this tax relief student loan debt. Nationwide, student business. done. We have been working on it for a loan debt has roughly tripled since 2004 So it is those dollars that instead of long time. A lot of effort has gone into and now totals a staggering $1.3 tril- going to taxes, stay with the business. it. It is time now to finish it up this lion—more than the total credit card They are invested in the businesses, week, to vote on it, and to get this tax debt in the country. It is particularly create more jobs, more opportunity, relief passed before the end of the year burdensome for those of us in New and higher wages. That is the pro- so, as Americans go into 2018, they Hampshire because New Hampshire’s growth aspect of this tax relief I men- know they are able to keep more of 2016 graduating class had the highest tioned at the outset. their hard-earned tax dollars and we per capita student loan debt in the The other way this tax is really pro- also have a vibrant economy, where country—an average of $36,367. growth is also for larger C-corps bring- there is going to be more jobs and op- The Republican leader’s tax bill ing down that rate. Of course, smaller portunity and higher income and would make this crisis far worse not businesses use the C-corp as well, but wages. only for current students but for those by bringing down that rate, we make I yield the floor. who graduated many years ago but are companies in America more competi- The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. still burdened by student loan debt. It tive in the global economy. Companies GARDNER). For the information of the would prevent nearly 80,000 Granite that do business not only here in Senate, under the previous order, 30 Staters from deducting interest on America but in other countries around minutes of postcloture time remained their student loans. the world have to decide where they on the Willett nomination as of 4 p.m. The House legislation would also are going to invest. Are they going to The Senator from New Hampshire. make it far more expensive to get an invest and grow their plant and oper- Mrs. SHAHEEN. Mr. President, I was advanced degree because it eliminates ations here in America or are they interested to hear my colleague and tax-free waivers for tuition assistance. going to grow their plant and oper- friend from North Dakota talking I am hearing recent reports that this ations somewhere else? Of course, if about this tax bill because, sadly, there provision may be taken out of the final they grow here, they are hiring people has not been a lot of bipartisan work bill. I certainly hope that is the case here. They are paying wages and sala- on the bill. because as currently written, it would ries here in America rather than in I really agree there is a consensus put graduate school financially out of some other country. We want compa- that tax reform is it long overdue, but reach for many students. nies that do business internationally or we need tax reform that simplifies the A Dartmouth College student pur- globally growing their operations here, Tax Code, bolsters the middle class, suing a Ph.D. in biomedical sciences not overseas. and helps small businesses create jobs. wrote that counting tuition waivers as Right now, economists estimate that, I think those principles could have earned income would raise his yearly currently, in excess of $2.5 trillion is been the basis for really good bipar- taxes by more than $10,000. He said he

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:32 Dec 14, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00022 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G13DE6.033 S13DEPT1 December 13, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S8001 would no longer be able to afford rent students at UNH would be lost and erty guidelines and doing everything and groceries and would have to con- noted that Canada has recently seen they can to put bread on the table and sider dropping out of school. more than a 40-percent increase in take care of their families, and their Ken Ferreira, the associate vice international students. They are very children have no access to healthcare president for student financial services pleased to be benefiting from the brain without CHIP. at Franklin Pierce University, told me, drain from the United States because On September 30, Congress not only in no uncertain terms, that tuition of the financial barriers that we are failed to reauthorize a bipartisan, non- waivers are not income, and it is wrong putting up for graduate students. controversial program for children, we to tax them. I could not agree more. The other damaging aspect of this failed the 9 million children in this Tyler Kane is pursuing a master’s de- legislation, which I think many people country who rely on the program to gree in environmental engineering at are not aware of, is that the tuition as- stay healthy. There are 9 million chil- the University of New Hampshire. He sistance that many companies provide dren who are depending on CHIP, the told me he already owes close to $40,000 to their employees would count as tax- funding of CHIP, and the basic prior- in student loans and works nearly 60 able income. Forty years ago, Congress ities we should have for our most vul- hours a week. After paying rent and provided employers with the flexibility nerable, and we have done nothing. Our other expenses, his stipend leaves him to offer up to $5,250 in annual tax-free No. 1 job as Senators, as parents, and with less than $200 a month. If his tui- educational benefits to employees. as human beings is to care for and pro- tion waiver becomes taxable, that This was designed to advance competi- tect our children, but this body cannot would be a tax increase of $2,500, and it tiveness and fill the need for more even find the humanity to do that. would wreck his budget, leaving him in skilled workers. If we eliminate those In West Virginia alone, almost 50,000 a $33-a-month hole. Along with many benefits, how many of those employees children use CHIP over the course of of his graduate student colleagues, he who are looking to advance themselves the year, and more than 20,000 children would have to consider dropping out of through education will not be able to who are currently on the program are school. do that? going to lose it in February when the It makes no sense to increase the In so many ways, this tax overhaul money runs out. Through CHIP, these burden of student debt and to impose legislation would take America back- children have access to basic medical new taxes on graduate students strug- ward, not forward. Tax reform should care, which includes prescriptions, im- gling to get by so we can give the big- be about helping Americans prepare for munizations, dental coverage, vision, gest corporations in this country and the jobs of the 21st century; it and mental health coverage. For more the wealthiest a tax cut. shouldn’t make it harder to afford col- than 2 months, their healthcare has It is estimated that by 2020, two- lege or graduate school. Tax reform been hanging in the balance because of thirds of all jobs in the United States should be about strengthening the mid- the negligence of the body, our dys- will require some form of higher edu- dle class, not burdening it with higher function, playing Democrat and Repub- cation. Yet today less than 45 percent taxes. Tax reform should be about lican at a higher level of our party of Americans have at least a 2-year de- growing the economy, not growing the than our purpose of being here, which gree. As I talk with small business deficits and the debt. is to do our job. owners across New Hampshire, one of Like my colleagues on this side of Millions of families are in a state of their biggest challenges is finding the aisle, I am eager to work to genu- uncertainty, worrying about how to skilled workers. The last thing we need inely reform the Tax Code. Reform is pay for their child’s basic healthcare to do is make education more expen- long overdue, but the bill we have be- needs or, for many families, lifesaving sive and unaffordable for millions of fore us is not reform. We need a bipar- services. I believe it is our duty to en- young Americans. As one New Hamp- tisan bill that puts the middle class sure that our children are taken care shire businessman told me, it is like first, puts small businesses first, and of, for they are truly our country’s fu- eating our own seed corn. For the doesn’t leave a massive debt for our ture and legacy. I believe that no mat- United States to stay competitive in children and grandchildren. ter how much your family makes or the global economy, we can’t afford to Mr. President, I yield the floor. where you come from, the most impor- discourage talented young people from The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- tant thing you have is healthcare for going to college or pursuing a graduate ator from West Virginia. your children so that they have a degree. CHILDREN’S HEALTH INSURANCE PROGRAM healthy start. I also had the opportunity to talk Mr. MANCHIN. Mr. President, all the There are five promises every adult with Nate Stafford. He is pursuing a nearly 50,000 children who are on West should make to a child. This was start- Ph.D. at the University of Hampshire. Virginia CHIP want this Christmas is ed under Colin Powell, the five prom- Because he serves as a teaching assist- to have their healthcare. That is not a ises. ant, the university provides a tuition lot to ask for from a child. The first one is, every child needs to waiver of nearly $27,000, which would As a legislative body, we were elected have a loving, caring adult in their life; be taxed under the provision of the to serve the needs of all of our con- someone who they know uncondition- House bill. If his tuition waiver were stituents, and that includes protecting ally loves them, right, wrong, or indif- taxed, that would force him to consider our most vulnerable—our children. ferent. It is not always the biological opting out of graduate school entirely. How many times do you hear us give parents or biological family. It could I also heard from university adminis- speeches, whether it is in this body or be a neighbor. It could be someone trators, who shared their concerns. whether it is back home—it is all about reaching out. It could be a church or Sister Paula Marie Buley, president our children. The future of our country service. It could be an afterschool proof Rivier University, pointed out that is about our children. The future of our gram. the proposed new taxes on students is State is about our children. Our future Second, every child must have a safe ‘‘a tax on our future.’’ generation—whatever we do, the prom- place. A safe place might not always be Jan Nesbit, the senior vice provost ise of the world—is about our children. the home where they live. for research at the University of New And all they are asking for is to have Third, every child must have a Hampshire, warned that taxing grad- their healthcare. healthy start. We talked about nutri- uate students’ tuition waivers would It seems as though we are so con- tion. We talked about healthcare. That have a cascading impact that would sumed with partisan gridlock and pos- is part of it. If we can’t teach a child raise undergraduate tuition across the turing that we would allow the expira- how to keep themselves healthy, how board because losing graduate students tion of health insurance for children. It to take care of themselves nutrition- would affect both teaching assistants is almost unconscionable for us to be in ally in all different ways, they are not and research and drive up costs. this situation, and the children have no going to grow up to be a productive I heard from Cari Moorhead, the in- control of their own healthcare cov- adult. They will have health concerns. terim dean of the graduate school at erage, and their parents can’t really af- They will have health challenges. It is the University of New Hampshire. She ford basic healthcare. They are the up to us to make sure they have that pointed out that many international working people who are above the pov- healthy start.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:32 Dec 14, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00023 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G13DE6.034 S13DEPT1 S8002 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE December 13, 2017 Fourth, every child should have a liv- for CHIP. His neurosurgeon nor his [Rollcall Vote No. 315 Ex.] able skill. That means education. In endocrinologist ever had any issues accept- YEAS—50 ing CHIP; they didn’t have any issues with this country, we make sure every child Alexander Flake Perdue authorizations for MRIs or bone scans, which has free education, K–12, and we make Barrasso Gardner Portman he had every few months. sure there is assistance so they can go Blunt Graham Risch I am very thankful to have had insurance Boozman Grassley through a college program. If we can Roberts like CHIP, and I feel there are so many chil- Burr Hatch Rounds work with them and help them with fi- dren like my precious son that will suffer if Capito Heller Rubio nancial literacy, they wouldn’t be the program ends. I feel some could be detri- Cassidy Hoeven Sasse mental to not only the children but also the Collins Inhofe Scott bound with so much debt. I think we Corker Isakson Shelby can help in a lot of different ways. parents who are not eligible for Medicaid Cornyn Johnson Strange services. We live in a state where jobs are Cotton Kennedy The fifth promise is the hardest one Sullivan to teach. It is the hardest one because not so plentiful and the ones we have pay Crapo Lankford much less than other States. Cruz Lee Thune this promise is that every child should Tillis I hope WVCHIP is saved. Daines McConnell grow up to be a loving, caring adult Enzi Moran Toomey and give something back. If these chil- This is a mother reaching out, saying Ernst Murkowski Wicker Young dren see that we don’t care and that that her son was saved because of Fischer Paul our priority is not healthcare and that CHIP. She couldn’t afford it. She was NAYS—47 having a healthy start in life is not one above the poverty guidelines. She was Baldwin Gillibrand Nelson of our priorities, what are they going working and trying to make it, and Bennet Harris Peters to do when it is their turn, when they someone told her it might be more ad- Blumenthal Hassan Reed vantageous to go on welfare. There is Booker Heinrich Sanders become the responsible adults? What Brown Heitkamp Schatz are they going to do? Are they going still an awful lot of pride and dignity Cantwell Hirono Schumer say: Well, you know, I don’t know, we in people’s lives. They will fight for Cardin Kaine Shaheen that dignity, and we ought to fight to Carper King Stabenow didn’t have too good of an example be- Casey Klobuchar Tester cause we saw all the bickering and give them assistance during the tough- Coons Leahy Udall est times. Cortez Masto Manchin fighting back and forth, politics trump- Van Hollen I am calling on my colleagues to Donnelly Markey ing everything, so I guess maybe that Duckworth McCaskill Warner is not a big priority for us. right this wrong and to reauthorize Durbin Menendez Warren I hope they have more discipline than CHIP before we leave for Christmas. Feinstein Merkley Whitehouse we have had here. I hope they have There are so many deadlines we are Franken Murphy Wyden more compassion, more empathy than trying to make. I know the speed the NOT VOTING—3 we have shown. That is what I hope. I tax bill is moving through is because it Cochran McCain Murray hope that we change our ways now and is a priority to get done before Christ- The nomination was confirmed. make sure our failure to come together mas. Even though we don’t have a cri- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under stops and stops now and that we come sis, even though the stock market is the previous order, the motion to re- together for the CHIP program and the doing greater than ever, even though consider is considered made and laid healthcare for every child who depends unemployment is lower than ever, upon the table and the President will on this for a healthy start in life. there is a timetable at warp speed that be immediately notified of the Senate’s That is why I stand before you this is moving through. Yet we have action. today—to encourage my colleagues to not addressed what we need most, come together and find a solution and which is healthcare for our children. I f protect healthcare for over 9 million don’t know where the urgency is for CLOTURE MOTION children across this country. I have tax reform that would trump the ur- talked to families and children all gency and the need for healthcare for The PRESIDING OFFICER. Pursuant across West Virginia who are at risk of children. to rule XXII, the Chair lays before the losing their healthcare coverage. With that, I urge all of my colleagues Senate the pending cloture motion, For many families, CHIP is a tem- to please take a look at this, and let’s which the clerk will state. porary helping hand while they are correct this wrong and not go home for The legislative clerk read as follows: down and out. It is a perfect example of Christmas until all these children have CLOTURE MOTION how, in West Virginia and in America, healthcare. We, the undersigned Senators, in accord- we put out a hand to help those people Mr. President, I yield the floor. ance with the provisions of rule XXII of the in need. There is a difference between a Mr. BARRASSO. Mr. President, I Standing Rules of the Senate, do hereby move to bring to a close debate on the nomi- handout and a hand-up. These people yield back all time. nation of James C. Ho, of Texas, to be United need a hand-up when they hit hard The PRESIDING OFFICER. The States Circuit Judge for the Fifth Circuit. times. question is, Will the Senate advise and Mitch McConnell, Richard Burr, John I have a letter from a mother in West consent to the Willett nomination? Cornyn, Michael B. Enzi, Johnny Isak- Virginia. Mr. BARRASSO. Mr. President, I ask son, Chuck Grassley, Mike Crapo, Ron I have encouraged the people of West for the yeas and nays. Johnson, Roger F. Wicker, Marco Virginia to put a real family, a real Rubio, Mike Rounds, Steve Daines, The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there a Lindsey Graham, Shelley Moore Cap- face behind the challenges they have so sufficient second? that it is not just something we are ito, Cory Gardner, James E. Risch, Jeff There appears to be a sufficient sec- Flake. speaking about in a political arena—it ond. is basically something that happens in The PRESIDING OFFICER. By unan- The clerk will call the roll. imous consent, the mandatory quorum real life, and it is affecting people. The senior assistant legislative clerk This letter comes from Annetta: call has been waived. called the roll. The question is, Is it the sense of the My name is Annetta, and I am the mother Mr. CORNYN. The following Senators of a now 18-year-old son named Dalton. Senate that debate on the nomination WVCHIP is important to me because when are necessarily absent: the Senator of James C. Ho, of Texas, to be United Dalton was 15, it was discovered he had a pi- from Mississippi (Mr. COCHRAN) and the States Circuit Judge for the Fifth Cir- tuitary brain tumor as well as a condition Senator from Arizona (Mr. MCCAIN). cuit, shall be brought to a close? known has Chiari malformation. If you are Mr. DURBIN. I announce that the The yeas and nays are mandatory not familiar, Chiari is a condition where the Senator from Washington (Mrs. under the rule. brain protrudes out the back of the head, MURRAY) is necessarily absent. The clerk will call the roll. similar to a herniated disc in the spine. Most The PRESIDING OFFICER. Are there The legislative clerk called the roll. times, Chiari requires surgery to relieve pressure out of the head. any other Senators in the Chamber de- Mr. CORNYN. The following Senators I had lost my health insurance at work and siring to vote? are necessarily absent: the Senator could not afford to get a private insurance The result was announced—yeas 50, from Mississippi (Mr. COCHRAN) and the during this time. Thankfully I was approved nays 47, as follows: Senator from Arizona (Mr. MCCAIN).

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:32 Dec 14, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00024 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G13DE6.036 S13DEPT1 December 13, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S8003 Mr. DURBIN. I announce that the UNANIMOUS CONSENT AGREEMENT—EXECUTIVE ciate’s degree from Ivy Tech. He not Senator from Washington (Mrs. MUR- CALENDAR only served his community as a fire- RAY) is necessarily absent. Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I fighter but also as a paramedic with The yeas and nays resulted—yeas 53, ask unanimous consent that at a time Three Rivers Ambulance Authority, a nays 44, as follows: to be determined by the majority lead- deputy coroner with the Allen County [Rollcall Vote No. 316 Ex.] er, in consultation with the Demo- Coroner’s Office, captain of traffic divi- YEAS—53 cratic leader, the Senate proceed to ex- sion in the Allen County Sheriff Re- ecutive session for consideration of serves, and dean of campers at the Alexander Flake Paul Barrasso Gardner Perdue Calendar No. 241, the nomination of J. Great Lake Burn Camp. Blunt Graham Portman Paul Compton to be General Counsel of Eric was a member of Pathway Chris- Boozman Grassley Risch the Department of Housing and Urban tian Church. He adored his two chil- Burr Hatch Roberts Development. I further ask that there Capito Heitkamp dren and loved spending time with Rounds be 120 minutes of debate on the nomi- Cassidy Heller Rubio them. He was known for his ability to Collins Hoeven Sasse nation, equally divided in the usual make anyone laugh and for his genuine Corker Inhofe Scott form; that following the use or yielding care for everyone he came across. He is Cornyn Isakson Shelby Cotton Johnson back of time, the Senate vote on con- remembered for his service and sac- Strange Crapo Kennedy firmation with no intervening action rifice. Cruz Lankford Sullivan Thune or debate; and that, if confirmed, the He is survived and deeply missed by Daines Lee motion to reconsider be considered Donnelly McCaskill Tillis his wife, Alicia, and their twin chil- Enzi McConnell Toomey made and laid upon the table and the dren, Lucas and Alyssa; father, Gail; Ernst Moran Wicker President be immediately notified of mother, Deborah; brother, Aaron; sis- Fischer Murkowski Young the Senate’s action. ter, Tina; grandparents, in-laws, NAYS—44 The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without nieces, nephews, and cousins; and his Baldwin Gillibrand Peters objection, it is so ordered. fellow firefighters. He loved his job as a Bennet Harris Reed f Fort Wayne firefighter, and no amount Blumenthal Hassan Sanders of gratitude can repay Eric or his loved Booker Heinrich Schatz LEGISLATIVE SESSION Brown Hirono Schumer ones for his sacrifice. Cantwell Kaine Shaheen Through his compassion and his dedi- Cardin King Stabenow MORNING BUSINESS cation to his community, Eric exempli- Carper Klobuchar Tester Casey Leahy fied Hoosier values. His memory will Udall Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I Coons Manchin not soon be forgotten. May God wel- Van Hollen Cortez Masto Markey ask unanimous consent that the Sen- Warner come Eric home and give comfort to Duckworth Menendez ate proceed to legislative session for a Warren his family and friends. Durbin Merkley period of morning business, with Sen- Feinstein Murphy Whitehouse f Franken Nelson Wyden ators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each. ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS NOT VOTING—3 The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without Cochran McCain Murray objection, it is so ordered. TRIBUTE TO MEKENNA CARMAN The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. LEE). f On this vote, the yeas are 53, the nays ∑ Mr. BARRASSO. Mr. President, I REMEMBERING CAPTAIN ERIC are 44. would like to take the opportunity to BALLIET The motion is agreed to. express my appreciation to MeKenna Mr. DONNELLY. Mr. President, Carman for her hard work as an intern f today I wish to recognize and honor the in my Washington, DC, office. I recog- extraordinary service and sacrifice of nize her efforts and contributions to Captain Eric Balliet of the Fort Wayne EXECUTIVE CALENDAR my office, as well as to the State of Fire Department. Service to his com- Wyoming. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The munity and compassion were qualities MeKenna is a native of Arizona. She clerk will report the nomination. that defined Eric’s life. is a student at Arizona State Univer- The assistant bill clerk read the Eric was a 19-year veteran with the sity, where she is studying political nomination of James C. Ho, of Texas, Fort Wayne Fire Department who de- science. She has demonstrated a strong to be United States Circuit Judge for voted his life to the Fort Wayne com- work ethic, which has made her an in- the Fifth Circuit. munity. A compassionate and devout valuable asset to our office. The qual- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The ma- father, husband, friend, and leader, ity of her work is reflected in her great jority leader. Eric was someone whom everyone efforts over the last several months. UNANIMOUS CONSENT AGREEMENT—EXECUTIVE knew and loved in the community. He I want to thank MeKenna for the CALENDAR will be remembered as a hero. dedication she has shown while work- Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I On September 27, 2017, Eric was leading for me and my staff. It was a pleas- ask unanimous consent that at a time ing a training exercise. After per- ure to have her as part of our team. I to be determined by the majority lead- forming the physically demanding know she will have continued success er, in consultation with the Demo- drill, Eric suffered a heart attack and with all of her future endeavors. I wish cratic leader, the Senate proceed to ex- passed away. He led the fire depart- her all my best on her next journey.∑ ecutive session for consideration of ment as a captain, and Fire Chief Eric f Calendar No. 193, the nomination of Lahey called Eric’s passing ‘‘a great Owen West to be an Assistant Sec- loss for the Fort Wayne fire depart- TRIBUTE TO AUTUMN JENSEN retary of Defense. I further ask that ment.’’ Lahey also said, ‘‘He was a ∑ Mr. BARRASSO. Mr. President, I there be 30 minutes of debate on the good firefighter. A good man. We’re would like to take the opportunity to nomination, equally divided in the going to miss him.’’ At the time of his express my appreciation to Autumn usual form; that following the use or passing, Eric was eligible and sched- Jensen for her hard work as an intern yielding back of time, the Senate vote uled for promotion to the rank of bat- in my Cheyenne office. I recognize her on confirmation with no intervening talion chief and was promoted post- efforts and contributions to my office, action or debate; and that, if con- humously to that rank. He put his life as well as to the State of Wyoming. firmed, the motion to reconsider be on the line so that Hoosiers could have Autumn is a native of Lander. She is considered made and laid upon the the chance to live in peace and safety, a sophomore at the University of Wyo- table and the President be immediately and we are eternally grateful. ming, studying political science and notified of the Senate’s action. Eric was born and raised in Fort statistics. She has demonstrated a The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without Wayne. He graduated from Northrop strong work ethic, which has made her objection, it is so ordered. High School in 1994 and earned an asso- an invaluable asset to our office. The

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:57 Dec 14, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00025 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A13DE6.007 S13DEPT1 S8004 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE December 13, 2017 quality of her work is reflected in her energy and environmental benefits of the re- H.R. 3971. An act to amend the Truth in great efforts over the last several refining of used lubricated oil. Lending Act and the Real Estate Settlement months. H.R. 2872. An act to amend the Federal Procedures Act of 1974 to modify the require- I want to thank Autumn for the dedi- Power Act to promote hydropower develop- ments for community financial institutions ment at existing nonpowered dams, and for with respect to certain rules relating to cation she has shown while working for other purposes. mortgage loans, and for other purposes; to me and my staff. It is a pleasure to H.R. 2880. An act to amend the Federal the Committee on Banking, Housing, and have her as part of our team. I know Power Act to promote closed-loop pumped Urban Affairs. she will have continued success with storage hydropower, and for other purposes. H.R. 4171. An act to amend title 5, United all of her future endeavors. I wish her H.R. 3638. An act to designate the facility States Code, to extend the authority to con- all my best on her journey.∑ of the United States Postal Service located duct telework travel expenses test programs, at 1100 Kings Road in Jacksonville, Florida, and for other purposes; to the Committee on f as the ‘‘Rutledge Pearson Post Office Build- Homeland Security and Governmental Af- TRIBUTE TO JAKE KENNEDY ing’’. fairs. H.R. 4285. An act to designate the facility ∑ H.R. 3655. An act to designate the facility Mr. BARRASSO. Mr. President, I of the United States Postal Service located of the United States Postal Service located would like to take the opportunity to at 1300 Main Street in Belmar, New Jersey, at 123 Bridgeton Pike in Mullica Hill, New express my appreciation to Jake Ken- as the ‘‘Dr. Walter S. McAfee Post Office Jersey, as the ‘‘James C. ’Billy’ Johnson nedy for his hard work as an intern in Building’’. Post Office Building’’; to the Committee on my Washington, DC, office. I recognize H.R. 3971. An act to amend the Truth in Homeland Security and Governmental Af- fairs. his efforts and contributions to my of- Lending Act and the Real Estate Settlement fice, as well as to the State of Wyo- Procedures Act of 1974 to modify the require- f ming. ments for community financial institutions EXECUTIVE AND OTHER Jake is a native of California. He is a with respect to certain rules relating to mortgage loans, and for other purposes. COMMUNICATIONS graduate of Bucknell University, where H.R. 4171. An act to amend title 5, United The following communications were he studied political science and govern- States Code, to extend the authority to con- laid before the Senate, together with ment. He has demonstrated a strong duct telework travel expenses test programs, accompanying papers, reports, and doc- work ethic, which has made him an in- and for other purposes. uments, and were referred as indicated: H.R. 4285. An act to designate the facility valuable asset to our office. The qual- EC–3675. A communication from the Sec- ity of his work is reflected in his great of the United States Postal Service located at 123 Bridgeton Pike in Mullica Hill, New retary, Securities and Exchange Commis- efforts over the last several months. sion, transmitting, pursuant to law, the re- Jersey, as the ‘‘James C. ‘Billy’ Johnson I want to thank Jake for the dedica- port of a rule entitled ‘‘Investment Company Post Office Building’’. tion he has shown while working for Reporting Modernization’’ (RIN3235–AL42) me and my staff. It is a pleasure to The message further announced that received in the Office of the President of the have him as part of our team. I know pursuant to section 1238(b)(3) of the Senate on December 12, 2017; to the Com- he will have continued success with all Floyd D. Spence National Defense Au- mittee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Af- fairs. of his future endeavors. I wish him all thorization Act of Fiscal Year 2001 (22 U.S.C. 7002), as amended, the Minority EC–3676. A communication from the Divi- my best on his journey.∑ sion Chief of Regulatory Affairs, Bureau of Leader re-appoints the following indi- f Land Management, Department of the Inte- viduals to the United States-China rior, transmitting, pursuant to law, the re- TRIBUTE TO ALEX LUPSAIU Economic and Security Review Com- port of a rule entitled ‘‘Waste Prevention, ∑ Mr. BARRASSO. Mr. President, I mission, effective January 1, 2018: Ms. Production Subject to Royalties, and Re- would like to take the opportunity to Carolyn Bartholomew of Washington, source Conservation; Delay and Suspension express my appreciation to Alex DC and Mr. Michael Wessel of Falls of Certain Requirements’’ (RIN1004–AE54) re- Church, Virginia. ceived during adjournment of the Senate in Lupsaiu for his hard work as an intern the Office of the President of the Senate on in my Washington, DC, office. I recog- f December 8, 2017; to the Committee on En- nize his efforts and contributions to MEASURES REFERRED ergy and Natural Resources. my office, as well as to the State of EC–3677. A communication from the Direc- Wyoming. The following bills were read the first tor of the Regulatory Management Division, Alex is a native of California. He at- and the second times by unanimous Environmental Protection Agency, transmit- consent, and referred as indicated: ting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule en- tended the University of California, titled ‘‘Voluntary Consensus Standards Up- Los Angeles, and the University of Ox- H.R. 1208. An act to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located date; Formaldehyde Emission Standards for ford, where he studied philosophy. He Composite Wood Products; Withdrawal of Di- at 9155 Schaefer Road, Converse, Texas, as has demonstrated a strong work ethic, rect Final Rule’’ (FRL No. 9971–38) received the ‘‘Converse Veterans Post Office Build- in the Office of the President of the Senate which has made him an invaluable ing’’; to the Committee on Homeland Secu- on December 11, 2017; to the Committee on asset to our office. The quality of his rity and Governmental Affairs. work is reflected in his great efforts Environment and Public Works. H.R. 1733. An act to direct the Secretary of EC–3678. A communication from the Direc- over the last several months. Energy to review and update a report on the tor of the Regulatory Management Division, I want to thank Alex for the dedica- energy and environmental benefits of the re- Environmental Protection Agency, transmit- tion he has shown while working for refining of used lubricating oil; to the Com- ting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule en- me and my staff. It is a pleasure to mittee on Energy and Natural Resources. titled ‘‘Renewable Fuel Standard Program: have him as part of our team. I know H.R. 2872. An act to amend the Federal Standards for 2018 and Biomass-Based Diesel Power Act to promote hydropower develop- he will have continued success with all Volume for 2019’’ (FRL No. 9971–73–OAR) re- ment at existing nonpowered dams, and for ceived in the Office of the President of the of his future endeavors. I wish him all other purposes; to the Committee on Energy my best on his journey.∑ Senate on December 11, 2017; to the Com- and Natural Resources. mittee on Environment and Public Works. f H.R. 2880. An act to amend the Federal EC–3679. A communication from the Direc- Power Act to promote closed-loop pumped MESSAGE FROM THE HOUSE tor of the Regulatory Management Division, storage hydropower, and for other purposes; Environmental Protection Agency, transmit- At 12:04 p.m., a message from the to the Committee on Energy and Natural Re- ting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule en- House of Representatives, delivered by sources. titled ‘‘Finding of Failure to Submit a Sec- Mrs. Cole, one of its reading clerks, an- H.R. 3638. An act to designate the facility tion 110 State Implementation Plan for of the United States Postal Service located Interstate Transport for the 2012 Annual Na- nounced that the House has passed the at 1100 Kings Road in Jacksonville, Florida, following bills, in which it requests the tional Ambient Air Quality Standards for as the ‘‘Rutledge Pearson Post Office Build- Fine Particles’’ (FRL No. 9971–88–Region 10) concurrence of the Senate: ing’’; to the Committee on Homeland Secu- received in the Office of the President of the H.R. 1208. An act to designate the facility rity and Governmental Affairs. Senate on December 11, 2017; to the Com- of the United States Postal Service located H.R. 3655. An act to designate the facility mittee on Environment and Public Works. at 9155 Schaefer Road, Converse, Texas, as of the United States Postal Service located EC–3680. A communication from the Direc- the ‘‘Converse Veterans Post Office Build- at 1300 Main Street in Belmar, New Jersey, tor of the Regulatory Management Division, ing’’. as the ‘‘Dr. Walter S. McAfee Post Office Environmental Protection Agency, transmit- H.R. 1733. An act to direct the Secretary of Building’’; to the Committee on Homeland ting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule en- Energy to review and update a report on the Security and Governmental Affairs. titled ‘‘Contingency Measures for the 1997

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:57 Dec 14, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00026 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G13DE6.042 S13DEPT1 December 13, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S8005 PM2.5 Standards; California; San Joaquin titled ‘‘Approval and Promulgation of Air Administration, Department of Commerce, Valley; Correction of Deficiency’’ (FRL No. Quality Implementation Plans; Pennsyl- transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of 9972–02–Region 9) received in the Office of the vania; Adoption of Control Techniques a rule entitled ‘‘Revolving Loan Fund Pro- President of the Senate on December 11, 2017; Guidelines for Control of Volatile Organic gram Changes and General Updates to to the Committee on Environment and Pub- Compound Emissions from Miscellaneous PWEDA Regulations’’ (RIN0610–AA69) re- lic Works. Metal Parts Surface Coating, Miscellaneous ceived in the Office of the President of the EC–3681. A communication from the Direc- Plastic Parts Surface Coating, and Pleasure Senate on December 8, 2017; to the Com- tor of the Regulatory Management Division, Craft Surface Coatings; Withdrawal of Direct mittee on Environment and Public Works. Environmental Protection Agency, transmit- Final Rule’’ (FRL No. 9971–98–Region 3) re- EC–3696. A communication from the Regu- ting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule en- ceived in the Office of the President of the lations Coordinator, Centers for Medicare titled ‘‘Approval of Missouri Air Quality Im- Senate on December 11, 2017; to the Com- and Medicaid Services, Department of plementation Plans; Infrastructure SIP Re- mittee on Environment and Public Works. Health and Human Services, transmitting, quirements for the 2012 Annual Fine Particu- EC–3688. A communication from the Direc- pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled late Matter (PM2.5) National Ambient Air tor of the Regulatory Management Division, ‘‘Medicare Program; Cancellation of Advanc- Quality Standard; Withdrawal of Direct Environmental Protection Agency, transmit- ing Care Coordination Through Episode Pay- Final Rule’’ (FRL No. 9971–68–Region 7) re- ting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule en- ment and Cardiac Rehabilitation Incentive ceived in the Office of the President of the titled ‘‘Approval and Promulgation of Air Payment Models; Changes to Comprehensive Senate on December 11, 2017; to the Com- Quality Implementation Plans; Minnesota; Care for Joint Replacement Payment Model: mittee on Environment and Public Works. Regional Haze Progress Report; Withdrawal Extreme and Uncontrollable Circumstances EC–3682. A communication from the Direc- of Direct Final Rule’’ (FRL No. 9971–78–Re- Policy for the Comprehensive Care for Joint tor of the Regulatory Management Division, gion 5) received in the Office of the President Replacement Payment Model’’ ((RIN0938– Environmental Protection Agency, transmit- of the Senate on December 11, 2017; to the AT16) (CMS–5524-F and CMS–5524-IFC)) re- ting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule en- Committee on Environment and Public ceived in the Office of the President of the titled ‘‘Approval of Missouri Air Quality Im- Works. Senate on December 11, 2017; to the Com- plementation Plans; Infrastructure SIP Re- EC–3689. A communication from the Direc- mittee on Finance. quirements for the 2010 Nitrogen Dioxide Na- tor of the Regulatory Management Division, EC–3697. A communication from the Assist- tional Ambient Air Quality Standard; With- Environmental Protection Agency, transmit- ant Legal Adviser for Treaty Affairs, Depart- drawal of Direct Final Rule’’ (FRL No. 9971– ting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule en- ment of State, transmitting, pursuant to the 69–Region 7) received in the Office of the titled ‘‘Approval and Promulgation of Air Case-Zablocki Act, 1 U.S.C. 112b, as amended, President of the Senate on December 11, 2017; Quality Implementation Plans; District of the report of the texts and background state- to the Committee on Environment and Pub- Columbia; Interstate Transport Require- ments of international agreements, other lic Works. ments for the 2010 1-Hour Sulfur Dioxide than treaties (List 2017–0206—2017–0213); to EC–3683. A communication from the Direc- Standard; Withdrawal of Direct Final Rule’’ the Committee on Foreign Relations. tor of the Regulatory Management Division, (FRL No. 9971–70–Region 3) received in the EC–3698. A communication from the Acting Environmental Protection Agency, transmit- Office of the President of the Senate on De- Assistant Secretary for Legislation, Depart- ting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule en- cember 11, 2017; to the Committee on Envi- ment of Health and Human Services, trans- titled ‘‘Approval and Promulgation of Imple- ronment and Public Works. mitting, pursuant to law, a report entitled mentation Plans; New Mexico; Albuquerque EC–3690. A communication from the Direc- ‘‘United States Tobacco Product Exports and Bernalillo County; Regional Haze tor of the Regulatory Management Division, That Do Not Conform to Tobacco Product Progress Report State Implementation Environmental Protection Agency, transmit- Standards’’; to the Committee on Health, Plan’’ (FRL No. 9971–43–Region 6) received in ting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule en- Education, Labor, and Pensions. EC–3699. A communication from the Acting the Office of the President of the Senate on titled ‘‘Air Plan Approval; Wisconsin; Re- Secretary of Health and Human Services, December 11, 2017; to the Committee on En- gional Haze Progress Report; Withdrawal of Direct Final Rule’’ (FRL No. 9971–75–Region transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of vironment and Public Works. a petition to add workers who were employed EC–3684. A communication from the Direc- 5) received in the Office of the President of at the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) in tor of the Regulatory Management Division, the Senate on December 11, 2017; to the Com- Scoville, Idaho, to the Special Exposure Co- Environmental Protection Agency, transmit- mittee on Environment and Public Works. EC–3691. A communication from the Direc- hort; to the Committee on Health, Edu- ting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule en- tor of the Regulatory Management Division, cation, Labor, and Pensions. titled ‘‘Approval and Promulgation of Air Environmental Protection Agency, transmit- EC–3700. A communication from the Acting Quality Implementation Plans; West Vir- ting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule en- Secretary of Homeland Security, transmit- ginia; Removal of Clean Air Interstate Rule titled ‘‘Air Plan Approval; Michigan; Re- ting, pursuant to law, the fiscal year 2016 an- Trading Programs Replaced by Cross-State gional Haze Progress Report; Withdrawal of nual report for the Department’s Office for Air Pollution Rule Trading Programs; With- Direct Final Rule’’ (FRL No. 9971–80–Region Civil Rights and Civil Liberties; to the Com- drawal of Direct Final Rule’’ (FRL No. 9971– 5) received in the Office of the President of mittees on Homeland Security and Govern- 56–Region 3) received in the Office of the the Senate on December 11, 2017; to the Com- mental Affairs; the Judiciary; and Select President of the Senate on December 11, 2017; mittee on Environment and Public Works. Committee on Intelligence. to the Committee on Environment and Pub- EC–3692. A communication from the Direc- EC–3701. A communication from the Chair- lic Works. tor of the Regulatory Management Division, man of the Council of the District of Colum- EC–3685. A communication from the Direc- Environmental Protection Agency, transmit- bia, transmitting, pursuant to law, a report tor of the Regulatory Management Division, ting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule en- on D.C. Act 22–190, ‘‘Fiscal Year 2018 Budget Environmental Protection Agency, transmit- titled ‘‘Air Plan Approval; Illinois; Regional Support Clarification Temporary Amend- ting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule en- Haze Progress Report; Withdrawal of Direct ment Act of 2017’’; to the Committee on titled ‘‘Approval and Promulgation of Air Final Rule’’ (FRL No. 9971–79–Region 5) re- Homeland Security and Governmental Af- Quality Implementation Plans; Virginia; ceived in the Office of the President of the fairs. Amendment to Ambient Air Quality Stand- Senate on December 11, 2017; to the Com- EC–3702. A communication from the Chair- ard for Ozone; Withdrawal of Direct Final mittee on Environment and Public Works. man of the Council of the District of Colum- Rule’’ (FRL No. 9971–41–Region 3) received in EC–3693. A communication from the Direc- bia, transmitting, pursuant to law, a report the Office of the President of the Senate on tor of the Regulatory Management Division, on D.C. Act 22–191, ‘‘At-Risk Tenant Protec- December 11, 2017; to the Committee on En- Environmental Protection Agency, transmit- tion Clarifying Temporary Amendment Act vironment and Public Works. ting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule en- of 2017’’; to the Committee on Homeland Se- EC–3686. A communication from the Direc- titled ‘‘Air Plan Approval; Florida; Sta- curity and Governmental Affairs. tor of the Regulatory Management Division, tionary Sources Emissions Monitoring; EC–3703. A communication from the Chair- Environmental Protection Agency, transmit- Withdrawal’’ (FRL No. 9971–72–Region 4) re- man of the Council of the District of Colum- ting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule en- ceived in the Office of the President of the bia, transmitting, pursuant to law, a report titled ‘‘Approval and Promulgation of Air Senate on December 11, 2017; to the Com- on D.C. Act 22–192, ‘‘Operator’s Permit and Quality Implementation Plans; Pennsyl- mittee on Environment and Public Works. Drug Offense Amendment Act of 2017’’; to the vania; Pennsylvania’s Adoption of Control EC–3694. A communication from the Direc- Committee on Homeland Security and Gov- Techniques Guidelines for Automobile and tor of the Regulatory Management Division, ernmental Affairs. Light-Duty Truck Assembly Coatings; With- Environmental Protection Agency, transmit- EC–3704. A communication from the Chair- drawal of Direct Final Rule’’ (FRL No. 9971– ting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule en- man of the Council of the District of Colum- 93–Region 3) received in the Office of the titled ‘‘Air Plan Approval; CT; Decommis- bia, transmitting, pursuant to law, a report President of the Senate on December 11, 2017; sioning of Stage II Vapor Recovery Systems’’ on D.C. Act 22–193, ‘‘Exhaust Emissions In- to the Committee on Environment and Pub- (FRL No. 9966–28–Region 1) received in the spection Amendment Act of 2017’’; to the lic Works. Office of the President of the Senate on De- Committee on Homeland Security and Gov- EC–3687. A communication from the Direc- cember 11, 2017; to the Committee on Envi- ernmental Affairs. tor of the Regulatory Management Division, ronment and Public Works. EC–3705. A communication from the Chair- Environmental Protection Agency, transmit- EC–3695. A communication from the Dep- man of the Council of the District of Colum- ting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule en- uty Chief Counsel, Economic Development bia, transmitting, pursuant to law, a report

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:32 Dec 14, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00027 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A13DE6.011 S13DEPT1 S8006 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE December 13, 2017 on D.C. Act 22–194, ‘‘DMV Services Amend- with Rear Adm. (lh) David G. Throop, which By Ms. BALDWIN (for herself, Mr. ment Act of 2017’’; to the Committee on nominations were received by the Senate and JOHNSON, and Ms. KLOBUCHAR): Homeland Security and Governmental Af- appeared in the Congressional Record on S. 2223. A bill to amend the Agricultural fairs. May 16, 2017. (minus 2 nominees: Rear Adm. Act of 2014 to clarify forest, rangeland, and EC–3706. A communication from the Chair- (lh) Steven J. Andersen; Rear Adm. (lh) watershed restoration services under good man of the Council of the District of Colum- Keith M. Smith) neighbor agreements; to the Committee on bia, transmitting, pursuant to law, a report * Coast Guard nomination of Rear Adm. Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. on D.C. Act 22–197, ‘‘Mobile DMV Act of Andrew S. McKinley, to be Rear Admiral By Mr. DONNELLY (for himself, Mr. 2017’’; to the Committee on Homeland Secu- (Lower Half). JOHNSON, and Ms. KLOBUCHAR): rity and Governmental Affairs. * Coast Guard nomination of Capt. James S. 2224. A bill to establish best practices EC–3707. A communication from the Staff M. Kelly, to be Rear Admiral (Lower Half). for teaching financial literacy, and to estab- Director, U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, * Coast Guard nominations beginning with lish an annual estimate of student borrowing transmitting, pursuant to law, the Commis- Capt. Thomas Allan and ending with Capt. costs; to the Committee on Health, Edu- sion’s Performance and Accountability Re- Matthew W. Sibley, which nominations were cation, Labor, and Pensions. port for fiscal year 2017; to the Committee on received by the Senate and appeared in the By Mr. BURR (for himself and Mr. Homeland Security and Governmental Af- Congressional Record on October 23, 2017. TILLIS): fairs. Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, for the S. 2225. A bill to reauthorize the Blue EC–3708. A communication from the Vice Committee on Commerce, Science, and Ridge National Heritage Area; to the Com- President for Congressional and Public Af- Transportation I report favorably the mittee on Energy and Natural Resources. fairs, Millennium Challenge Corporation, By Mr. RUBIO (for himself, Mr. KEN- following nomination lists which were transmitting, pursuant to law, the Corpora- NEDY, and Mr. NELSON): tion’s Agency Financial Report for fiscal printed in the RECORDs on the dates in- S. 2226. A bill to prohibit recipients of dis- year 2017; to the Committee on Homeland Se- dicated, and ask unanimous consent, to aster recovery relief assistance from the De- curity and Governmental Affairs. save the expense of reprinting on the partment of Housing and Urban Development EC–3709. A communication from the Sec- Executive Calendar that these nomina- from penalizing applicants that declined as- retary of Labor, transmitting, pursuant to tions lie at the Secretary’s desk for the sistance from the Small Business Adminis- law, the Department of Labor’s Semiannual tration; to the Committee on Banking, Hous- Report of the Inspector General for the pe- information of Senators. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without ing, and Urban Affairs. riod from April 1, 2017 through September 30, By Mr. PORTMAN (for himself and Ms. objection, it is so ordered. 2017; to the Committee on Homeland Secu- CANTWELL): rity and Governmental Affairs. * Coast Guard nominations beginning with S. 2227. A bill to reauthorize the Money EC–3710. A communication from the Acting George Bamford and ending with Tabitha A. Follows the Person Demonstration Program; Director, Office of Personnel Management, Schiro, which nominations were received by to the Committee on Finance. the President’s Pay Agent, transmitting, the Senate and appeared in the Congres- By Mr. LEE: pursuant to law, a report relative to the ex- sional Record on November 16, 2017. S. 2228. A bill to amend the Higher Edu- tension of locality based comparability pay- * Coast Guard nominations beginning with cation Act of 1965 to provide for accredita- ments; to the Committee on Homeland Secu- Stephen J. Adler and ending with Torrence tion reform, to require institutions of higher rity and Governmental Affairs. B. Wilson, which nominations were received education to publish information regarding EC–3711. A communication from the Sec- by the Senate and appeared in the Congres- student success, to provide for fiscal ac- retary of Education, transmitting, pursuant sional Record on November 16, 2017. countability, and to provide for school ac- to law, the Department of Education Agency * Coast Guard nominations beginning with countability for student loans; to the Com- Financial Report for fiscal year 2017; to the Lawrence F. Ahlin and ending with Russell mittee on Health, Education, Labor, and Committee on Homeland Security and Gov- R. Zuckerman, which nominations were re- Pensions. ernmental Affairs. ceived by the Senate and appeared in the EC–3712. A communication from the Acting Congressional Record on November 16, 2017. f Assistant Secretary for Congressional and * Coast Guard nomination of Meghan K. SUBMISSION OF CONCURRENT AND Intergovernmental Relations, Department of Steinhaus, to be Commander. SENATE RESOLUTIONS Housing and Urban Development, transmit- By Mr. BARRASSO for the Committee on ting, pursuant to law, the Federal Housing Environment and Public Works. The following concurrent resolutions Administration’s fiscal year 2017 Annual * R. D. James, of Missouri, to be an Assist- and Senate resolutions were read, and Management Report; to the Committee on ant Secretary of the Army. referred (or acted upon), as indicated: Homeland Security and Governmental Af- By Mr. ALEXANDER for the Committee By Mr. DURBIN (for himself, Mr. on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. fairs. MERKLEY, Mrs. FEINSTEIN, Mr. MAR- EC–3713. A communication from the Acting * James Blew, of California, to be Assistant KEY, and Mr. VAN HOLLEN): Assistant Secretary for Congressional and Secretary for Planning, Evaluation, and Pol- S. Res. 359. A resolution commending the Intergovernmental Relations, Department of icy Development, Department of Education. Government of Bangladesh for its compas- Housing and Urban Development, transmit- * Kate S. O’Scannlain, of Maryland, to be sion during the Rohingya humanitarian cri- ting, pursuant to law, the Department’s fis- Solicitor for the Department of Labor. sis and commending Pope Francis for his * Mitchell Zais, of South Carolina, to be cal year 2017 Annual Financial Report; to the message of peace; to the Committee on For- Deputy Secretary of Education. Committee on Homeland Security and Gov- eign Relations. * Preston Rutledge, of the District of Co- ernmental Affairs. By Mr. DURBIN (for himself, Mr. EC–3714. A communication from the lumbia, to be an Assistant Secretary of MERKLEY, Mrs. FEINSTEIN, Mr. MAR- Human Resources Specialist, Office of the Labor. KEY, and Mr. VAN HOLLEN): * William Beach, of Kansas, to be Commis- Attorney General, Department of Justice, S. Res. 360. A resolution calling for inter- sioner of Labor Statistics, Department of transmitting, pursuant to law, (20) reports national accountability for the crimes Labor, for a term of four years. relative to vacancy announcements within against humanity committed by the Bur- * Scott A. Mugno, of Pennsylvania, to be the Department; to the Committee on the mese military against the Rohingya in an Assistant Secretary of Labor. Judiciary. Burma; to the Committee on Foreign Rela- EC–3715. A communication from the Assist- * Johnny Collett, of Kentucky, to be As- tions. ant Attorney General, Office of Legislative sistant Secretary for Special Education and Affairs, Department of Justice, a report rel- Rehabilitative Services, Department of Edu- f ative to H.R. 3354, the Make America Secure cation. ADDITIONAL COSPONSORS and Prosperous Appropriations Act; to the * Nomination was reported with rec- S. 925 Committee on the Judiciary. ommendation that it be confirmed sub- f ject to the nominee’s commitment to At the request of Mrs. ERNST, the name of the Senator from New Hamp- EXECUTIVE REPORTS OF respond to requests to appear and tes- shire (Mrs. SHAHEEN) was added as a co- COMMITTEES tify before any duly constituted committee of the Senate. sponsor of S. 925, a bill to amend title The following executive reports of 38, United States Code, to improve the nominations were submitted: f ability of health care professionals to By Mr. THUNE for the Committee on Com- INTRODUCTION OF BILLS AND treat veterans through the use of tele- merce, Science, and Transportation. JOINT RESOLUTIONS medicine, and for other purposes. * Barry Lee Myers, of Pennsylvania, to be S. 1055 Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and The following bills and joint resolu- Atmosphere. tions were introduced, read the first At the request of Mr. CARDIN, the * Coast Guard nominations beginning with and second times by unanimous con- name of the Senator from Oregon (Mr. Rear Adm. (lh) Pat DeQuattro and ending sent, and referred as indicated: MERKLEY) was added as a cosponsor of

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:57 Dec 14, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00028 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A13DE6.013 S13DEPT1 December 13, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S8007 S. 1055, a bill to restrict the expor- Rights for covered harassment and cov- Whereas, on September 22, 2017, tation of certain defense articles to the ered discrimination complaints, and Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Philippine National Police, to work for other purposes. urged before the United Nations General As- sembly an end to the violence against the with the Philippines to support civil S. 2184 Rohingya and full implementation in Burma society and a public health approach to At the request of Mr. MORAN, the of the recommendations made by Kofi substance abuse, to report on Chinese name of the Senator from North Caro- Annan’s Advisory Commission on the and other sources of narcotics to the lina (Mr. BURR) was added as a cospon- Rakhine State; Republic of the Philippines, and for sor of S. 2184, a bill to amend title 38, Whereas, on November 23, 2017, the Govern- other purposes. United States Code, to improve vet- ment of Bangladesh and the Government of Burma signed a Memorandum of Under- S. 1118 erans’ health care benefits, and for stating on a repatriation agreement; At the request of Mr. CARDIN, the other purposes. Whereas the Memorandum of Under- name of the Senator from Delaware S. 2200 standing on a repatriation agreement is (Mr. COONS) was added as a cosponsor At the request of Mr. THUNE, the modeled after a flawed 1992–1993 repatriation of S. 1118, a bill to reauthorize the name of the Senator from Nebraska pact between Bangladesh and Burma, and North Korea Human Rights Act of 2004, (Mrs. FISCHER) was added as a cospon- does not resolve critical questions on the po- and for other purposes. sor of S. 2200, a bill to reauthorize the tential repatriation process for Rohingya refugees, including verification of residency, S. 1161 National Integrated Drought Informa- where refugees would be permitted to return, At the request of Ms. DUCKWORTH, tion System, and for other purposes. and whether they would enjoy equal access the name of the Senator from New S. 2219 and rights; Hampshire (Ms. HASSAN) was added as At the request of Mrs. GILLIBRAND, Whereas, on November 25, 2017, the a cosponsor of S. 1161, a bill to amend the name of the Senator from New Jer- Bangladeshi Foreign Minister Abdul Hassan Mahmood Ali said that Bangladesh would sey (Mr. BOOKER) was added as a co- title 38, United States Code, to elimi- support the United Nations High Commis- nate copayments by the Department of sponsor of S. 2219, a bill to reduce the sioner for Refugees being involved in any Veterans Affairs for medicines relating number of preventable deaths and inju- process to repatriate Rohingya refugees to to preventative health services, and for ries caused by underride crashes, to im- Burma; other purposes. prove motor carrier and passenger Whereas Pope Francis, who has been recognized for his humility, dedication to the S. 1835 motor vehicle safety, and for other purposes. poor, and commitment to dialogue and rec- At the request of Ms. COLLINS, the onciliation, has previously denounced the S. RES. 139 name of the Senator from Alaska (Ms. ‘‘persecution of our Rohingya brothers’’ who MURKOWSKI) was added as a cosponsor At the request of Mr. WYDEN, the were being ‘‘tortured and killed, simply be- of S. 1835, a bill to provide support to name of the Senator from Georgia (Mr. cause they uphold their Muslim faith’’; States to establish invisible high-risk PERDUE) was added as a cosponsor of S. Whereas Pope Francis traveled to Burma pool or reinsurance programs. Res. 139, a resolution condemning the on November 27, 2017, and urged ‘‘a peace based on respect for the dignity and rights of S. 2038 Government of Iran’s state-sponsored persecution of its Baha’i minority and each member of society, respect for each eth- At the request of Mr. MORAN, the its continued violation of the Inter- nic group and its identity’’; name of the Senator from Massachu- Whereas Pope Francis, in a visit to Ban- national Covenants on Human Rights. setts (Ms. WARREN) was added as a co- gladesh on November 30, 2017, recognized the sponsor of S. 2038, a bill to amend title f generosity of Bangladeshis in caring for 38, United States Code, to provide for a SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS Rohingya refugees and called on the international community to ‘‘take decisive meas- presumption of herbicide exposure for ures to address this grave crisis, not only by certain veterans who served in Korea, working to resolve the political issues that and for other purposes. SENATE RESOLUTION 359—COM- have led to the mass displacement of people, S. 2076 MENDING THE GOVERNMENT OF but also by offering immediate material as- BANGLADESH FOR ITS COMPAS- At the request of Ms. CORTEZ MASTO, sistance to Bangladesh in its effort to re- the name of the Senator from Michigan SION DURING THE ROHINGYA spond effectively to urgent human needs’’; HUMANITARIAN CRISIS AND and (Ms. STABENOW) was added as a cospon- Whereas the United Nations has estimated sor of S. 2076, a bill to amend the Pub- COMMENDING POPE FRANCIS FOR HIS MESSAGE OF PEACE a need of $434,000,000 to respond to the lic Health Service Act to authorize the Rohingya refugee crisis: Now, therefore be it expansion of activities related to Alz- Mr. DURBIN (for himself, Mr. Resolved, That the Senate— heimer’s disease, cognitive decline, and MERKLEY, Mrs. FEINSTEIN, Mr. MARKEY, (1) commends the Government of Ban- brain health under the Alzheimer’s Dis- and Mr. VAN HOLLEN) submitted the gladesh for its admirable compassion and ease and Healthy Aging Program, and following resolution; which was re- tolerance in accepting Rohingya refugees; ferred to the Committee on Foreign (2) commends the United Nations agencies, for other purposes. nongovernmental organization (NGO) part- S. 2152 Relations: ners, and all aid workers providing relief to At the request of Mr. HATCH, the S. RES. 359 Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh, and urges name of the Senator from Massachu- Whereas Bangladesh has taken in the Government of Bangladesh to continue setts (Ms. WARREN) was added as a co- Rohingya refugees fleeing persecution in to help coordinate critical humanitarian sponsor of S. 2152, a bill to amend title Burma since the 1970s; work and ensure ease of access for those car- Whereas at least 300,000 Rohingya refugees rying out such efforts; 18, United States Code, to provide for were still in Bangladesh prior to August 25, (3) urges the Government of Bangladesh assistance for victims of child pornog- 2017; and the Government of Burma to consult and raphy, and for other purposes. Whereas an August 25, 2017, attack on secu- coordinate with the United Nations High S. 2159 rity posts in Burma by the military group Commissioner for Refugees, the Inter- At the request of Mrs. GILLIBRAND, Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army resulted national Organization for Migration, and the names of the Senator from Ohio in a brutal and methodical reprisal by the NGO partners on any and all safe and vol- Burmese military on Rohingya villages; untary repatriation efforts; (Mr. BROWN) and the Senator from Or- Whereas more than 624,000 Rohingya refu- (4) urges the Government of Bangladesh egon (Mr. MERKLEY) were added as co- gees have fled to Bangladesh since August 25, and the Government of Burma to address the sponsors of S. 2159, a bill to require 2017, alone, most located in or near the flaws of the November 23, 2017, Memorandum covered harassment and covered dis- coastal city of Cox’s Bazar; of Understanding on repatriation through crimination awareness and prevention Whereas the Rohingya refugee crisis is the consultation and agreement with the United training for Members, officers, employ- fast-growing refugee crisis in the world; Nations High Commissioner for Refugees; ees, interns, fellows, and detailees of Whereas the Government of Bangladesh (5) urges all parties involved in the repatri- Congress within 30 days of employment has accepted nearly 1,000,000 Rohingya refu- ation process to reject any actions which gees in total despite facing their own domes- could continue or worsen the harsh condi- and annually thereafter, to require a tic challenges; tions faced by Rohingya refugees, including biennial climate survey of Congress, to Whereas the Government of Bangladesh the confinement of the Rohingya in camps, amend the enforcement process under has notably allowed full access for inter- contained ghettos, or villages were move- the Office of Congressional Workplace national relief organizations; ment is restricted in Burma, or on the flood-

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:32 Dec 14, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00029 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A13DE6.016 S13DEPT1 S8008 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE December 13, 2017 prone Bhashan Char island in the Bay of Whereas a Human Rights Watch report en- (1) recognizes the adoption of the resolu- Bengal in Bangladesh, or any other location titled, ‘‘ ‘All of My Body Was Pain’: Sexual tion (A/HRC/RES/S-27/1) on the situation of that would result in further isolation; and Violence Against Rohingya Women and Girls human rights of Rohingya Muslims and (6) commends Pope Francis for his in Burma,’’ documented the Burmese mili- other minorities in Burma by the United na- thoughtful remarks about the future of tary’s widespread acts of sexual violence tions Human Rights Council on December 5, Burma that respects rule of law, the demo- against women and girls since August 25, 2017; cratic order, and the dignity and rights of all 2017; (2) condemns the Burmese military for its of its people. Whereas Article 7 of the Rome Statute of atrocities against the Rohingya, which con- f the International Criminal Court includes stitute ethnic cleansing and crimes against murder, forced deportation, rape, and perse- humanity; SENATE RESOLUTION 360—CALL- cution among its definition of ‘‘crimes (3) reaffirms the longstanding inter- ING FOR INTERNATIONAL AC- against humanity’’; national prohibitions and norms against the COUNTABILITY FOR THE CRIMES Whereas, on September 11, 2017, in his use of ethnic cleansing and crimes against AGAINST HUMANITY COMMITTED opening statement for the United Nations humanity in any circumstance and calls on BY THE BURMESE MILITARY Human Rights Council’s 36th session, United the United Nations to pass resolutions con- AGAINST THE ROHINGYA IN Nations High Commissioner for Human demning the human rights violations by Bur- BURMA Rights Zeid Ra’ad al Hussein reiterated his mese security forces against the Rohingya; concern about the pattern of gross violation (4) urges the Government of Burma to Mr. DURBIN (for himself, Mr. of human rights of the Rohingya in Burma, allow for full, unhindered humanitarian ac- MERKLEY, Mrs. FEINSTEIN, Mr. MARKEY, calling the persecution a ‘‘textbook case of cess to the affected areas, and to allow the and Mr. VAN HOLLEN) submitted the ethnic cleansing’’; United Nations Fact-Finding Mission to following resolution; which was re- Whereas, on October 23, 2017, the Depart- Myanmar to examine the human rights vio- ferred to the Committee on Foreign ment of State suspended travel waivers for lations by military and security forces in Relations: Burmese military leaders, found that all Burma and others abuses, with a particular Burmese military units and officers involved focus on the situation in Rakhine State; S. RES. 360 in operations in northern Rakhine State are (5) urges State Counsellor Aung San Suu Whereas actions by the military of Burma, ineligible for United States assistance pro- Kyi to fully implement the Final Report of known as the Tatmadaw, including con- grams, rescinded invitations for Burmese se- the Advisory Commission on Rakhine State; tinuing assaults on personnel and territory curity leaders to travel to United States- (6) urges the Government of Burma to take controlled by armed ethnic organizations, sponsored programs, and pressed for access immediate steps to close internally displaced military offensives immediately preceding for the United Nations Fact-Finding Mission persons (IDP) camps and the Rohingya ghet- and following national peace conferences, on Myanmar to hold responsible those who to at Aung Mingalar in Sittwe while respect- and human rights abuses against noncombat- have committed violence against the ing the rights and dignity of populations cur- ant civilians in conflict areas, undermine the Rohingya; rently residing in these camps, and to fur- confidence in establishing a credible nation- Whereas, on November 3, 2017, the inter- ther lift restrictions on freedom of move- wide ceasefire agreement to end Burma’s national human rights organization Human ment of Rohingya living in villages through- civil war; Rights Watch called for the United Nations out northern Rakhine State; Whereas Burmese military officials have a Security Council to refer Burma to the (7) calls on the Secretary of State and the long-standing history of targeting ethnic International Criminal Court in light of Bur- Secretary of the Treasury to impose targeted groups and armed ethnic organizations in ma’s failure to investigate mass atrocities sanctions and travel restrictions against sen- Burma, in addition to the Rohingya, and against the Rohingya; ior leaders of the Burmese military impli- whereas there are ongoing conflicts cur- Whereas, on November 6, 2017, the United cated in atrocities, including its multiple rently in the Shan, Kachin, and Rakhine Nations Security Council issued Presidential holding companies and banks; states; Statement SC/13055 calling on Burma to ‘‘end (8) urges the international community to Whereas August 25, 2017, attacks on secu- the excessive military force and intercom- assist with the economic development of the rity posts in Burma by the military group munal violence that had devastated the Rakhine State, one of the poorest states in Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army resulted Rohingya community in Rakhine State’’ in Burma, in which poverty exacerbates ten- in a brutal, systematic, and disproportionate Burma; sions between ethnic groups; reprisal by the Burmese military and security forces on Rohingya villages; Whereas, on November 16, 2017, the United (9) urges the Government of Burma to con- Whereas more than 624,000 Rohingya refu- Nations General Assembly Third Committee duct a comprehensive and transparent inves- gees have fled to Bangladesh since the Bur- approved draft resolution A/C.3/72/L.48 call- tigation—with the support of a credible mese military commenced its scorched-earth ing for an end to the abuse of human rights international third party—to examine abuses campaign, with the burning of villages and against the Rohingya by Burmese authori- against the Rohingya and hold perpetrators local monuments, and reports of widespread ties, accountability for the perpetrators, and accountable; rape, starvation, killing, and forcible depor- unrestricted access for United Nations inves- (10) urges the United Nations to establish tation; tigators in Burma; an independent mechanism to assist indi- Whereas Burmese military officials have Whereas, on November 22, 2017, Secretary vidual criminal investigations of those re- promulgated fabrications about the of State Rex Tillerson declared that the Bur- sponsible for atrocity crimes against the Rohingya to sow negative public perception mese military’s crackdown ‘‘constitutes eth- Rohingya and refer those responsible to the of the minority ethnic group, including that nic cleansing against the Rohingyas’’; International Criminal Court; they are not Burmese, that they are uni- Whereas, on November 28, 2017, the United (11) calls on the United Nations Security formly implicated in terrorist activities and Nations Committee on the Elimination of Council to impose a comprehensive arms em- controlled by international terrorist groups Discrimination against Women called on bargo against Burma; and with the intention of creating an Islamic Burma to report within six months on rapes (12) calls upon the nations of the world to State, that they attacked their own people and sexual violence against Rohingya women revoke travel visas for Burmese Commander- and burned down their own villages in order and girls by its security forces in northern in-Chief Senior General Min Aung Hlaing to gain international sympathy, and that Rakhine State and further to take measures and all other members of the Burmese mili- they are fleeing to Bangladesh for economic to punish soldiers responsible for these acts; tary responsible for the ethnic cleansing reasons or to create the appearance of ethnic Whereas the United Nations Human Rights campaign and crimes against humanity cleansing; Council held a Special Session on December against the Rohingya. Whereas the Government of Burma has 5, 2017, where it adopted a resolution strong- consistently denied access to the United Na- ly condemning the alleged systematic and f tions Fact-Finding Mission on Myanmar es- gross violations of human rights and abuses tablished to investigate human rights viola- committed against the Rohingya in Burma AUTHORITY FOR COMMITTEES TO and requested the High Commissioner for tions around the country; MEET Whereas the Commander in Chief of the Human Rights to continue to track the Burmese military, Senior General Min Aung progress concerning the human rights situa- Mr. BLUNT. Mr. President, I have 12 Hlaing, has made statements communicating tion of Rohingya people; and request for committees to meet during his antipathy for the Rohingya people, in- Whereas the United Nations High Commis- today’s session of the Senate. They cluding on March 27, 2017, where he report- sioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad al Hus- have the approval of the Majority and edly said that ‘‘[t]he Bengalis in Rakhine sein recommended on December 5, 2017, the establishment of ‘‘a new impartial and inde- Minority leaders. state are not Myanmar citizens and they are Pursuant to rule XXVI, paragraph just people who come and stay in the coun- pendent mechanism, complementary to the try,’’ and on September 2, 2017, where he re- work of the Fact-Finding Mission, to assist 5(a), of the Standing Rules of the Sen- portedly said that the ongoing military oper- individual criminal investigations of those ate, the following committees are au- ations against the Rohingya were aimed at responsible’’: Now, therefore, be it thorized to meet during today’s session ‘‘unfinished business’’ from World War II; Resolved, That the Senate— of the Senate:

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:32 Dec 14, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00030 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A13DE6.017 S13DEPT1 December 13, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S8009 COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE, NUTRITION, AND to be Commissioner of Labor Statis- ORDERS FOR THURSDAY, FORESTRY tics, Kate S. O’Scannlain, of Maryland, DECEMBER 14, 2017 The Committee on Agriculture, Nu- to be Solicitor, and Scott A. Mugno, of Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I trition, and Forestry is authorized to Pennsylvania, and Preston Rutledge, of ask unanimous consent that when the meet during the session of the Senate the District of Columbia, both to be an Senate completes its business today, it on Wednesday, December 13, 2017, at Assistant Secretary, all of the Depart- adjourn until 10 a.m., Thursday, De- 9:30 a.m. in room SR–328A to conduct a ment of Labor, and other pending cember 14; further, that following the hearing. nominations. prayer and pledge, the morning hour be COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE, SCIENCE, AND COMMITTEE ON THE JUDICIARY deemed expired, the Journal of pro- TRANSPORTATION The Committee on the Judiciary is ceedings be approved to date, the time The Committee on Commerce, authorized to meet during the session for the two leaders be reserved for their Science, and Transportation is author- of the Senate on Wednesday, December use later in the day, and morning busi- ized to meet during the session of the 13, 2017, at 10 a.m. in room SD–226 to ness be closed; further, that following Senate on Wednesday, December 13, conduct a hearing on the following con- leader remarks, the Senate proceed to 2017, at 10 a.m. in room SH–216 to confirmation: Elizabeth L. Branch, of executive session and resume consider- duct a hearing. Georgia, to be United States Circuit ation of the Ho nomination; finally, COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENT AND PUBLIC Judge for the Eleventh Circuit, R. Stan that all time during recess, adjourn- WORKS Baker, to be United States District ment, morning business, and leader re- The Committee on Environment and Judge for the Southern District of marks count postcloture on the Ho Public Works is authorized to meet Georgia, Charles Barnes Goodwin, to be nomination. during the session of the Senate on United States District Judge for the The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without Wednesday, December 13, 2017, at 9:50 Western District of Oklahoma, Mat- objection, it is so ordered. a.m. in room SD–406 to consider the thew J. Kacsmaryk, to be United f nomination R. D. James, of Missouri, States District Judge for the Northern to be an Assistant Secretary of the District of Texas, Matthew Spencer Pe- ORDER FOR ADJOURNMENT Army for Civil Works, Department of tersen, of Virginia, to be United States Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, if Defense. District Judge for the District of Co- there is no further business to come be- COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENT AND PUBLIC lumbia, and Eli Jeremy Richardson, to fore the Senate, I ask unanimous con- WORKS be United States District Judge for the sent that it stand adjourned under the The Committee on Environment and Middle District of Tennessee. previous order, following the remarks Public Works is authorized to meet SUBCOMMITTEE ON EMERGING THREATS AND of our Democratic colleagues. during the session of the Senate on CAPABILITIES The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without Wednesday, December 13, 2017, at 10 The Subcommittee on Emerging objection, it is so ordered. a.m. in room SD–406 to conduct a hear- Threats and Capabilities of the Com- The Senator from Florida. ing entitled ‘‘Oversight of the Nuclear mittee on Armed Service is authorized f Regulatory Commission’’. to meet during the session of the Sen- COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN RELATIONS ate on Wednesday, December 13, 2017, DACA The Committee on Foreign Relations at 10 a.m. to conduct a closed hearing. Mr. NELSON. Mr. President, Senator is authorized to meet during the ses- SUBCOMMITTEE ON PERSONNEL DURBIN has been leading a group of us sion of the Senate on Wednesday, De- The Subcommittee on Personnel of talking about DACA, or the Dreamers. cember 13, 2017, at 9:30 a.m. to conduct the Committee on Armed Services is I wish to tell the Senate two stories. a hearing entitled ‘‘Using Force: Stra- authorized to meet during the session I wish to tell you about Elisha tegic, Political, and Legal Consider- of the Senate on Wednesday, December Dawkins. He was a baby who was ations’’. 13, 2017, at 10 a.m. in room SR–253 to brought from the Bahamas at age 6 COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN RELATIONS conduct a hearing research, diagnosis, months. He grew up in America. He The Committee on Foreign Relations and treatment for traumatic brain in- grew up in Jacksonville, FL. He never is authorized to meet during the ses- jury/concussion in servicemembers. knew anything about his roots. He only sion of the Senate on Wednesday, De- SUBCOMMITTEE ON ANTITRUST, COMPETITION knew that he was in America. cember 13, 2017, at 2:30 a.m. to conduct POLICY AND CONSUMER RIGHTS He served two tours in Iraq. He came a hearing entitled ‘‘Treaties’’. The Subcommittee on Antitrust, back and joined the Navy Reserve. He COMMITTEE ON HEALTH, EDUCATION, LABOR, Competition Policy and Consumer had a top secret clearance and was sent AND PENSIONS Rights of the Committee on the Judici- to the very sensitive post of Guanta- The Committee on Health, Edu- ary is authorized to meet during the namo, where he was given a job as a cation, Labor, and Pensions is author- session of the Senate on Wednesday, photographer—obviously, a very sen- ized to meet during the session of the December 13, 2017, at 2 p.m. in room sitive position. Senate on Wednesday, December 13, SD–226 to conduct a hearing entitled Through an application for a pass- 2017, at 10 a.m. in room SD–430 to con- ‘‘The Consumer Welfare Standard in port and checking on the background duct a hearing entitled ‘‘Implementa- Antitrust: Outdated or a Harbor in Sea of the passport, it came to be learned tion of the 21st Century Cures Act: Re- of Doubt?’’. that he had come to America as an in- sponding to Mental Health Needs’’. fant, and for what reason—for the life COMMITTEE ON HEALTH, EDUCATION, LABOR, f of me, it has not been explained—he AND PENSIONS was arrested and thrown in jail by a The Committee on Health, Edu- U.S. attorney. Once this case came to cation, Labor, and Pensions is author- PRIVILEGES OF THE FLOOR the light of day and some of us started ized to meet during the session of the Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, I ask speaking out about it, a Federal dis- Senate on Wednesday, December 13, unanimous consent that Nima Binara, trict judge took it in her hands to lec- 2017, in room S–216 to conduct a hear- a detailee on my Judiciary Committee ture the U.S. attorney, and only being on the following nominations: staff, be granted floor privileges for the cause of that, Elisha Dawkins was re- Johnny Collett, of Kentucky, to be As- remainder of the 115th Congress. leased from jail. sistant Secretary for Special Education The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without As a result, we then started getting and Rehabilitative Services, Mitchell objection, it is so ordered. into it, and Elisha Dawkins was finally Zais, of South Carolina, to be Deputy Mr. MERKLEY. Mr. President, I ask given his citizenship, and he is now Secretary, and James Blew, of Cali- unanimous consent that my intern, serving in his native Jacksonville. He fornia, to be Assistant Secretary for Alisha Bi, be granted floor privileges is a nurse. Planning, Evaluation, and Policy De- for the remainder of the day. Here is an individual who had served velopment, all of the Department of The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without two tours in Iraq and was in a top se- Education, William Beach, of Kansas, objection, it is so ordered. cret clearance in the service to the

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:32 Dec 14, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00031 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A13DE6.019 S13DEPT1 S8010 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE December 13, 2017 Navy Reserve in Guantanamo. This families are scared. Everything they We also must do right by the 11 mil- just shouldn’t happen. Individuals in have worked for is at risk. lion immigrants in our Nation who are good faith have gone about carrying Dreamers represent some of our very working, raising families, contributing on—some not even knowing; and Elisha best and brightest. They are going to to our economy, and helping in our certainly didn’t know of his undocu- school, holding down jobs, volunteering communities. Congress must stop kick- mented status—but now we have many in our communities. They want to be ing the can down the road. We must do others. These individuals, in good doctors, lawyers, engineers. They want our job. We must debate and pass com- faith, have divulged personal informa- to start businesses. prehensive immigration reform. Law- tion to the Department of Homeland They came here as children, and they abiding immigrants who are contrib- Security, which could eventually de- are American through and through. uting to our Nation should be given a port them, and that is why it is critical They love our country as much as any pathway to citizenship. that we pass the Dream Act as soon as of us, and they want to stay and con- I yield the floor. possible. tribute. I suggest the absence of a quorum. I have heard from DACA recipients We have almost 7,000 Dreamers in my The PRESIDING OFFICER. The from all around the country, but espe- home State of New Mexico. Carlos is clerk will call the roll. cially I have heard from a lot of the one of them. Carlos was brought to The assistant bill clerk proceeded to call the roll. 30,000 who are in the State of Florida. New Mexico from Mexico when he was Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, I ask I have heard from DACA recipients who less than 1 year old. New Mexico is the unanimous consent that the order for are valedictorians, medical students, only home Carlos has ever known. Because of Carlos’s immigration sta- the quorum call be rescinded. even priests. Many are the primary The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without tus, his opportunities were limited. He breadwinners for their families. objection, it is so ordered. Senator DURBIN has already high- couldn’t play sports in school, and he Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, on Sep- lighted some of my constituents over couldn’t go on field trips, even though tember 5 of this year, Attorney General the years, including Cristina he pledged allegiance to the United Jeff Sessions announced the repeal of Velasquez, a graduate of Miami Dade States, just like his classmates. the Deferred Action for Childhood Ar- community college who will soon grad- Carlos registered with DACA 2 years rivals Program, known as DACA. That uate from Georgetown University and ago, and in his words, he was given same day, President Trump called on fulfill her dream of becoming a teacher ‘‘wings.’’ He is now a full-time student Congress to come up with a solution to for Teach For America. at New Mexico State University, study- legalize DACA. Cristina came to America at age 6 ing to be a mechanical engineer. He He challenged us; he said to the Sen- from Venezuela, a country whose prob- volunteers as a firefighter. He works as ate, and he said to the House: I am lems Senator DURBIN and I, but also a server at a local restaurant, and he going to eliminate this Executive order the Presiding Officer today, have con- began a drive to help Hurricane Harvey of President Obama. Now it is your sistently been concerned about—the victims. turn. Pass a law if you want to protect plight of Venezuela. Carlos says: ‘‘We, as Dreamers, have 780,000 young people who had signed up If we fail to pass the Dream Act, are proven ourselves to be worthy of being under DACA. we saying that we are going to send here in the United States.’’ DACA was the direct result of the Cristina back to the Maduro dictator- Carlos’s story can be told hundreds of DREAM Act, which I introduced 16 ship in Venezuela, a dictatorship that thousands of times over. Congress must years ago, to try to protect young peo- can’t even provide the basic staples for act, and we must act now. We owe it to ple who came to the United States, its citizens? Are we going to allow this these young people. We must give Car- brought here by their parents at an young lady—who grew up thinking she los and all other Dreamers their wings. early age, who grew up here and don’t was an American, now graduating from Passing the Dream Act is the mor- have a future. They don’t have a home. Georgetown—to channel her skills and ally right thing to do, but it is also the They don’t have a legal status. They her passion toward bettering our com- economically smart thing to do. don’t have a country to call their own. munities in need as a teacher? It Dreamers’ contributions to the U.S. It strikes me that these young people doesn’t make any sense to deport these economy are astounding. Their jobs themselves did nothing wrong. I can kids. span the spectrum. They work in even argue that their parents did what The contributions that Dreamers health, education, nonprofits, whole- every parent would do—the best thing have made are countless, and Cristina sale, retail, business, and hold profes- they could for their kids. But in this and Elisha are just two examples. sional jobs. Most of the top 25 Fortune situation, trying to focus on what their These Dreamers will continue to better 500 companies employ Dreamers, and future will be, their future is clearly in our communities if only we will pass that is why more than 400 CEOs of doubt, and right now many of them are the legislation that Senator DURBIN is major U.S. companies have urged Con- worried about what is going to happen sponsoring and many of us are cospon- gress to pass the Dream Act. next. soring. If Congress fails to act, it will cost us You see, without the protection of Rhetorically—this was going to be a 700,000 jobs—as many as 30,000 jobs a DACA, they can be deported. They are time of question and answers, but Sen- month—causing chaos for employers, undocumented. They can’t legally ator DURBIN allowed me to kick off this and we could see a $460 billion decrease work in the United States, and many of session, and I see that we have many in economic output over a decade. So- them have wondered whether they other Senators to speak. cial Security and Medicare contribu- should continue school or what they I yield the floor. tions could drop by $39.3 billion over will do when they can’t go to work. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- the same period. These are real-life challenges, and ator from New Mexico. In my State, New Mexico would lose many times they break down emotion- Mr. UDALL. Thank you, Mr. Presi- nearly 6,000 DACA workers and take a ally as they talk about the uncertainty dent, for the recognition. $385 million hit. We simply cannot af- of their future. Mr. President, the President of the ford it. Just outside this Capitol is a beau- United States terminated the Deferred We have a bipartisan Dream Act be- tiful Mall, and smack dab in the middle Action for Childhood Arrivals Pro- fore us. Senator DURBIN is working of it are two white tents. They are gram, otherwise known as DACA, 3 with our Republican colleagues, Repub- tents that have been built by these months ago. He gave Congress 6 lican friends, to get us over the finish young Dreamers in an effort to process months to act. We are no closer today line. Let’s do the right thing by these hundreds of people, just like them- to helping our Dreamers than the day young people, and let’s do it now so selves, who are coming to Washington the President so callously canceled the Carlos can become an engineer and so to tell their stories to Senators and program. hundreds of thousands of Dreamers can Congressmen in the hopes that we will We have almost 800,000 young people stop living in fear and move forward do something. whose lives, dreams, and futures hang with their lives. It is our moral obliga- There are some in the Senate who in the balance. They are scared. Their tion to do this. don’t want to help them at all. They

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:32 Dec 14, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00032 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G13DE6.047 S13DEPT1 December 13, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S8011 don’t believe they should receive any America. I started coming to the floor er. Her involvement with the College is fan- help in any way whatsoever. There are when they sent me their color photos tastic—she has been an ambassador. others who say: Let’s put it off. Let’s and telling their stories because there In May 2017, Carla graduated from do it sometime, maybe next year. Next is no speech I could give that matches the University of Texas at San Antonio year is coming soon, and under the the stories of their lives. Each time I with a civil engineering degree and two President’s decision, on March 5 of tell a story, I know it makes a dif- job offers. Today she works full-time at 2018—just a few weeks from now—there ference. I know the people who are M&S Engineering as a water/waste- will be no DACA protection whatso- watching this on C–SPAN and those water engineer. ever. who are in the Galleries here in the Her dreams for the future are to go It means that today, 122 a day of Senate pay close attention because we back to school and get a master’s in these DACA-protected young people are talking about real lives and real business and engineering and to give will fall out of protected status. March people. back by creating a scholarship program 5 of next year, the number goes to 1,000 Tonight I want to tell you about to help fund other engineering stu- a day—1,000 a day—who will be subject Carla Martinez. Carla Martinez was dents. to deportation, uncertain about what brought to the United States from Carla wrote me a letter about her their future might be. Mexico at the age of 8. She grew up in worries because of President Trump’s I think it is time for us to do some- the Austin and Pflugerville area of decision to take away her protection thing, and I hope that we can do it on Texas, and she was an excellent stu- from being deported from the United a bipartisan basis and do it in a timely dent. In middle school and high school, States. Here is what she said: ‘‘Every fashion. It is important that we fix our she enrolled in advanced placement day that passes, it’s a day closer to not entire immigration system, but let’s and community college courses, and being able to work, not having a driv- not try to do everything that needs to she was recognized as an AP scholar er’s license, and not being able to fi- be done on immigration when we student. In high school, she partici- nancially provide for my family as the should be taking care of these young pated in the band, and she worked and head of the household.’’ people as our highest and first priority. volunteered in her community. During People like Carla are the reason I am ready to sign up for immigra- her senior year, Carla would go to more than 400 business leaders signed a tion reform. I was there before. It was school from 9 a.m. until 2:30 in the letter to all Members of Congress urg- called the Gang of 8—four Democrats afternoon, then she would work from 3 ing us to do something and pass a bi- and four Republicans. A few years ago, in the afternoon until 11 at night and partisan Dream Act. The letter says: we came up with a comprehensive bill only then start her homework. Dreamers are vital to the future of our to pass the Senate. The Republicans in In August 2012, Carla began her stud- companies and our economy. With them, we the House refused to even call for a ies at the University of Texas, San An- grow and create jobs. They are part of why hearing, let alone a vote on the floor. tonio, obtaining a bachelor’s degree in we continue to have a global competitive ad- We should do our part to pass the civil engineering. A student like Carla, vantage. new DACA, the new Dream Act. Do it who is undocumented, did not qualify That gathering of Dreamers out on before we leave this year. Do it this for Federal Government assistance. It the Mall, just away from the Capitol year so that we can spare these young meant there was no Pell grant to help dome here, are a lot of young people people the anxiety and stress and fear her pay for college or a Federal loan to just like Carla. They are coming here they have because of the current situa- help her pay for college. She had to in the hopes that Members of Congress tion and so that we can meet President work to earn the money to pay her way will slow down in the hallways on the Trump’s challenge. through school. Something which way to their office or to a committee I didn’t like the fact that he elimi- many people would shrink away from, hearing and just hear for a moment nated DACA, but it is fair for him to she accepted the reality of being un- their stories—stories just like Carla’s— say to us: You have 6 months, Con- documented in America. Because she stories that really beg us to do some- gress. Now do something. was ineligible for financial aid, she thing. We know we have to, we know I am not in control here. I am in the worked to support herself, and she we should, and there is absolutely no minority, being a Democrat. It is up to often had to choose between food and reason to delay it. Republican leaders here. buying books. Why would we want this amazing All I hear from Republican leaders is: During college, Carla was also an of- young woman, who has done so many Let’s wait until next year and see if we ficer in a number of organizations, in- extraordinary things in her life, to live have time to get around to this. We cluding the Society of Women Engi- with this uncertainty 1 minute more have the time, all the time we need neers. She was a College of Engineering than she has to? Why wouldn’t we step now, to do this. Ambassador, which means she had to up and do what we are supposed to do? I want to thank a number of people. maintain a very high GPA at the Uni- I am working on this with colleagues. First, I want to thank the 34 Repub- versity of Texas. During her summers, A number of Republican Senators have lican House Members who, last week, Carla interned at Alpha Testing and been sitting down in my office, even sent a letter to the Speaker of the the San Antonio Water System while today, trying to work out the details House, PAUL RYAN, saying that we she also worked as an engineering on a compromise. We are not quite should fix the DACA system before we camp counselor. there, but there was a determination in leave this year. Thank you to those 34 In August of 2016, Carla was the first our meeting today to get there, to put Republicans. DACA recipient to study abroad with something together. In this Chamber, I want to thank 6 or the University of Texas at San Anto- I would like to do this before we 10 Republican Senators who have ei- nio’s Education Abroad Program. She leave for the holidays. I think it is only ther cosponsored the Dream Act or are studied in as part of the first group of right that we try our very best to now actively engaged in helping to re- students to participate in the Urbino, achieve that, and I think we can. I write its replacement in the Senate. I Italy, civil engineering program. think if Members of both sides show am sure this kind of bipartisanship is a Because she couldn’t get financial good faith, we can reach that goal. surprise to those who follow Congress, aid, studying abroad was more difficult I want to especially thank LINDSEY but it is an indication that many peo- for her than the other students who GRAHAM, my cosponsor of the Dream ple share my belief that it is a simple were part of the program. Not only did Act, and JEFF FLAKE of Arizona, an- matter of justice to give these young she need the money to go to college, other cosponsor, who have stepped up people their chance to become part of she needed to raise the money to pay and really just shown extraordinary America’s future. for the study abroad. She never gave commitment to this cause. We also I started a few years ago, when the up. have LISA MURKOWSKI and CORY GARD- Dreamers worked up the courage to de- One of her professors said: NER as well who are cosponsors of the clare publicly that they were undocu- Carla is a very dedicated student. She has same legislation, and there are other mented—frightening their parents but excellent organizational skills and works Senators who are working with us be- giving them some unity and identity in well with her classmates. She is a team play- hind the scenes to get this done. Some

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:32 Dec 14, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00033 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G13DE6.049 S13DEPT1 S8012 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE December 13, 2017 of them I know are taking a political excel in all of her academic subjects. tors, teachers, students, and, yes, even risk to do it, but they believe it is the Then, when she was in the third grade, servicemembers in our military. This right thing to do, and they want to be she was diagnosed with a learning dis- decision will also tear families and on the record to be part of the solution. ability, which might have caused her communities apart. I am looking forward to working with to become frustrated and to see a de- I implore my colleagues in the Sen- them. cline in her grades. However, in her ate to recognize the contributions of In a few weeks—maybe only 10 days own words, she said: our DACA recipients throughout the now—Congress is going to adjourn to I didn’t let that get in the way and I did country. I urge my colleagues to not go home for the holidays, but Dreamers not let bad influences in my neighborhood shortchange the thousands of Dreamers can’t go home for the holidays because get to me. There, in the back of my head, who learn and work alongside our fami- they really don’t have a home. They there was always a little voice saying, ‘‘Edu- lies and friends. We must do everything cation is the way to a better life.’’ are homeless in America because they we can to make sure the Dream Act is are waiting on us to come up with the Christian pushed through and fin- addressed before the holidays. ished middle school and high school as legislation that defines their status I will not turn my back on Dreamers an honor student and, despite her con- and gives them a future. Hundreds of like Christian, and I will fight to pro- stant hard work and proven academic thousands of Dreamers can’t enjoy the tect DACA recipients as we work to record, she faced an unexpected obsta- holidays the way many of us can be- make the Dream Act the law of the cle—adults in her life who doubted her cause of their concern about being de- land. ability to attain a college education. ported from the United States of Amer- Thank you. ica, separated from parents, brothers As she tells it, many adults in her life I yield the floor. and sisters, friends, family, and loved simply assumed that an undocumented ones. student like Christian could not obtain Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, I sug- When we introduced the Dream Act, a college education. While these doubts gest the absence of a quorum. Senator LINDSEY GRAHAM, a Repub- broke her heart, she was not deterred. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The lican from South Carolina, said: ‘‘The Christian’s hard work, grit, and aca- clerk will call the roll. moment of reckoning is coming.’’ Well, demic merit all earned her admission The bill clerk proceeded to call the that moment is here. Congress has the to Northern Illinois University where roll. responsibility to do our job to make she received a private scholarship. She Ms. KLOBUCHAR. Mr. President, I the Dream Act the law of the land be- also worked multiple retail jobs selling ask unanimous consent that the order fore the end of this year or bear the re- flowers, shoes, and clothing to fund her for the quorum call be rescinded. sponsibility for forcing hundreds of education. Although her future was un- The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. thousands of talented young immi- certain, Christian never let up on her TILLIS). Without objection, it is so or- grants out of the workforce and put- academics or her many work respon- dered. sibilities to put herself through school. ting them at risk of immediate depor- Ms. KLOBUCHAR. Mr. President, I Finally, in the last few years of her tation. rise to join my colleagues in expressing college education, she received some The question we face is very basic, my support for taking action on the relief with the implementation of the Will the United States of America be a Dream Act, as well as to express my DACA Program. In 2015, she became better nation if Carla is forced to continued opposition to the adminis- the first person in her family to grad- leave? This woman’s determination, tration’s decision to end the Deferred uate with a bachelor’s degree. her drive, and her talent have brought Action for Childhood Arrivals. her to this glorious moment when she She had a job offer right after grad- I thank my colleague Senator DURBIN finally graduated college. With this de- uation which, as anyone can tell you, for organizing today’s remarks, as well gree and with this education, she can is not an easy feat. Although her DACA as for his years of leadership and tire- offer us so much more and really serve work permit expired that summer, less advocacy on behalf of the Dream- America and its future. when she had intended to start workers, along with Senator GRAHAM, who This is the country she loves. She de- ing full-time, her company was so in- is leading this very important bill with serves the respect of this country, and vested in having her come on board Senator DURBIN. she deserves the determination of the that they worked with Christian to en- Members of the Senate to take this up sure that her DACA work permit was It is critically important that the as a highest priority in the closing renewed. Their investment was worth- Senate pass the Dream Act and not days of this Senate session. while. Within the first 2 years at her wait any longer to take action. There I yield the floor. company, Christian reached No. 1 in are 22,000 eligible DACA recipients who The PRESIDING OFFICER. The jun- sales nationwide. She is now a branch did not meet the administration’s ior Senator from Illinois. manager of her company and consist- deadline to renew their statuses, and as Ms. DUCKWORTH. Mr. President, I ently one of the top performers in a result, about 122 Dreamers are now thank the Senator from Illinois for all sales. losing their DACA statuses every day. the work he does on behalf of Dreamers Christian also opened doors for other That is more than 11,000 who have al- throughout the country. His leadership DACA recipients who have joined her ready lost their statuses as of today, in this effort is absolutely inspiring. at her company and are also excelling and that number will continue to in- I am here to speak out in favor of in their roles. She is just one of thou- crease every single day that we fail to passing a clean Dream Act to create a sands of Dreamers who positively con- act. This is nothing on which we can pathway to citizenship for young immi- tribute to our Nation. wait—wait a week, wait 1 month, wait grants who enrich our country and It is evident that our businesses and 2 months. Every single day, it affects strengthen our economy and national communities benefit and thrive from more people. So, while some have sug- security. The passage of the Dream Act the work ethic and the perseverance gested that we wait until March to fix is critical to the thousands of Dream- Dreamers like Christian possess. There this issue, the reality is that the Sen- ers living in Illinois. are no truer American values than to ate needs to take action now. I want to share one young woman’s work hard, accomplish your goals, and Since it was first established in 2012, story. This is Christian Villalobos. to have the ability to fully contribute DACA has helped nearly 800,000 young Christian traveled from Mexico with to society. people who have lived since childhood her mother and younger sister because Unfortunately, due to the Trump ad- in the United States to better con- her mother was fleeing an abusive mar- ministration’s elimination of DACA, tribute to their families and commu- riage. At only 6 years old, Christian nearly 800,000 of our young people like nities, including more than 6,000 who was brought to the United States not Christian are now vulnerable to depor- are in my State. I recently met with knowing a word of English. She needed tation. Thousands of young people who the archbishop of the Twin Cities, to adapt quickly to her new home. participated in the DACA Program and along with some of these Dreamers, Christian worked hard in school to who are legally in the United States and we talked about how important learn English and made great efforts to may no longer be able to serve as doc- this was to the fabric of life in our

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:32 Dec 14, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00034 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G13DE6.050 S13DEPT1 December 13, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S8013 community, to our economy in Min- then got through to Wisconsin. He met hotel and then came back to Min- nesota—where we have one of the low- my grandma and had my mom and her nesota, and—magic—he was legal. He est unemployment rates in the coun- brother, my Uncle Dick, and, at some served under General MacArthur in the try—to the Dreamers, and to their point, decided that he would try to Pacific. He then came back to the communities, themselves. change his status from ‘‘alien’’ to United States, met his wife, got mar- The Dreamers were brought to our ‘‘legal immigrant.’’ That was when the ried, and had kids. His son served in country as children, and they know Congress had just passed the Alien the Vietnam war. only one home. That is the United Registration Act. Because World War II I had the privilege of hosting him at States of America. The average Dream- was before us, he had to register. That the World War II Memorial, which he er has called this country home since went smoothly, so he decided to apply had never seen before—with his son, he was about 61⁄2 years old. That is the for citizenship. That was when they who is a Vietnam vet—so that he could average. Dreamers serve in our mili- discovered that he had entered the see the memorial for the first and the tary; they pay taxes; and they con- country twice—once when he had said last time. With us were two Dreamers tribute to communities across our that he was going to Canada, on Ellis from high schools in the suburban country. More than 97 percent of Island—but he went to Canada only for Twin Cities area who wanted to serve Dreamers are now in school or in the a week—and the second time when he in the Air Force but couldn’t because workforce—97 percent—and all DACA had gotten through to Wisconsin. we don’t have the same rules we had recipients are required to meet the pro- I don’t know what would have hap- during World War II. It was, basically, gram’s education requirements. In fact, pened to my grandpa now. Back then, because of their statuses that they 72 percent of all DACA recipients who he went through the immigration hear- couldn’t serve. are currently in school are pursuing ing; he got his status. There is a pic- We lost Joseph Medina—the advocate bachelor’s degrees or higher. According ture of him in his bow tie—in an old that he was not only in words but by to the American Association of Med- black and white—and he is smiling. He example—just last month. I think of ical Colleges, more than 100 students was much older than when he had come his service, and when I see him stand- with DACA status applied to medical to our country and become a citizen. I ing in front of that memorial with school last year. This is at a time when don’t know what would have happened, those two Dreamers who weren’t them- we have a shortage of doctors in my because what he had done wasn’t really selves allowed to serve, it really hits State, particularly in the rural areas. legal. home to me and to everyone who has The administration’s decision to end Back then, they said: Do you know heard his story as to what these DACA has created tremendous uncer- what? We want you in our country. Dreamers are all about. tainty and the risk of deportation for You are a worker. You have raised two We all have our stories, and we owe it the Dreamers who work and study in kids. You live in Milwaukee. We want to these Dreamers and we owe it to our the States across our Nation. It, sim- you to be a citizen. They gave him that country and the values of our country ply, doesn’t make economic sense. One citizenship just a few weeks before the to stand up for these Dreamers. I stand recent study estimated that ending United States entered World War II. with my colleagues on both sides of the this policy would cost the country over Otherwise, I guess he would have been aisle who have spoken out in support of $400 billion over the next 10 years. deported to Switzerland right in the the Dream Act and who agree that we I would like to point out to my col- middle of the war. must take action in the Senate to pro- leagues that for immigrants as a That is my story, and everyone has tect these Dreamers in the name of Jo- whole, 25 percent of our U.S. Nobel lau- an immigrant story. seph Medina and in the name of all of reates were born in other countries and The Senate-passed bill, when we did our relatives who have always come that 70 of our Fortune 500 companies comprehensive reform—and I was one from somewhere. Let’s get this done. are headed up by immigrants. Why of the people very involved in that on Thank you. would we cut off this talent flow? Look the Judiciary Committee—included a I yield the floor. at these DACA recipients. Ninety-seven version of the DREAM Act, which I suggest the absence of a quorum. percent of the Dreamers are working or would have created a path to citizen- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The are in school. ship for those eligible for DACA who clerk will call the roll. That is why I strongly disagree with had graduated from high school and The senior assistant legislative clerk the President’s decision to end DACA, gone on to complete higher education proceeded to call the roll. as do many Republicans, Democrats, or to serve in the military. We must Mr. BROWN. Mr. President, I ask business, labor, and religious leaders, end this uncertainty for Dreamers. unanimous consent that the order for and it is why I support the bipartisan That is why I have joined with so many the quorum call be rescinded. Durbin-Graham Dream Act. America is of my colleagues in calling on Leader The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without truly a country built by immigrants, MCCONNELL to hold a vote. objection, it is so ordered. but just as importantly, these immi- Here is a Dreamer whom I will never f grants and their families have helped forget. I was trying to find examples WALL STREET AND WORKERS’ America succeed. They have been part for people in my State so that they WAGES of our Nation’s greatest achievements. may understand what this ‘‘Dreamer’’ I look at my own family. term is all about, and I found one a few Mr. BROWN. Mr. President, this On my dad’s side, my great-grand- years ago—Joseph Medina. At the month, this body has spent much of its parents came from Slovenia. My great- time, he was 99 years old, and he was a time pushing a tax bill that rewards grandfather worked in the mine, and decorated Army veteran. We lost him corporations that ship jobs overseas my grandpa worked in the mine be- only last month at age 103. He told me while doing nothing for hard-working cause they needed people to mine iron his story back when he was 99. families. It has spent time cutting ore in order to make all of the arma- He was brought to our country from taxes on the wealthiest people in the ments and all of the ships that helped Mexico when he was 5 years old. He had country—cutting taxes for corpora- us to win World War II. That happened. no idea that he was not born in our tions that ship jobs overseas and giving They were so proud of what they had country. He grew up in Sleepy Eye, them more incentives to do it by the done to contribute to our country’s ef- MN. Then he signed up to serve in way they have actually constructed forts. World War II. That was when they had the bill and rewarding their largest bil- On my mom’s side, my actual grand- found out that he was, in fact, undocu- lionaire contributors. At the same parents, who were Swiss, came to this mented and had not been born in our time, they have ignored the Children’s country—my grandma as a 3-year-old, country. Back then, as he had de- Health Insurance Program. to Wisconsin, with her parents. scribed it to me, the military had Letters are going out to families. My grandpa, when he was about 18 wanted people to serve, so they had There are 200,000 children in my State years old, came over. He found out that him go to Canada. At the direction of who are enrolled in the Children’s there was a limit on Swiss immigrants. our military, he went to Canada for 1 Health Insurance Program. Parents in He somehow got through Canada and night, stayed—his words—in a nice many States are getting letters from

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:32 Dec 14, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00035 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G13DE6.052 S13DEPT1 S8014 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE December 13, 2017 the government that read: Sorry, your Street doesn’t want you to get a raise. cause the richest 1 percent didn’t real- insurance is going away. Because of the Let me explain. Wall Street tries to ly need it. Now, in this tax bill, 62 per- inaction of this body—of Senators and convince us that when the stock mar- cent of the benefits in this tax bill go House Members who have insurance ket does well, the economy does well to the richest 1 percent—62 percent of provided for by taxpayers—we are not and vice versa. the benefits in this tax bill go to the 1 doing our jobs. We get insurance paid Well, look around. Visit the town percent. Why is that? Well, one reason for by taxpayers while 200,000 children where I grew up, Mansfield. Visit Chil- is that a number of Members of Con- in Ohio and 60,000, 70,000, 80,000, 90,000, licothe, visit Dover, New Philly, visit gress have said this. When they go 100,000 families are going to lose theirs. Lima, Middletown or Hamilton. Visit a across the street to Republican head- That is it. community in my State that was once quarters to make their fundraising We are giving tax cuts to the richest a proud industrial town that has been calls, their contributors say: Don’t call people in the country and tax breaks to hit by globalization. Talk to the work- me back for campaign money until you corporations that ship jobs overseas in- ers. give me and my friends a tax cut. stead of fixing the healthcare law, in- Stock prices are still going up. Yes, Get that. Don’t call me for campaign stead of doing the Children’s Health In- they are, and the President of the money until you go back across the surance Program—instead of doing in- United States likes to take credit for street and give me and my rich friends frastructure, instead of doing the that as if that is the only story. Talk a tax cut. How corrupt is that? How things that we should be doing. Forget to workers who haven’t had a meaning- awful is that? How unfeeling is that? about what we are not doing to serve ful raise in years. Talk to workers who How counterproductive is that for our the public; the priorities reflected in have seen their retirement cut. Talk to economy? this tax bill are completely backward, workers who have watched their The data backs that up. Workers’ which has become pretty standard in healthcare premiums rise. Talk to share of income has fallen over the last this Congress. workers who have seen the cost of four decades. Wage inequality has Time and again, our economy, our childcare and saving for their kids’ col- risen, especially at the largest compa- leaders, our politics reward Wall lege and paying off their student loans nies. Some may argue that workers Street, not just instead of workers; we go up and up and up. That is what hap- who have retirement accounts share in reward Wall Street at the expense of pened. the benefits when the stock market workers. The people of Ohio and people For most Americans, the idea that a does well. Only 50 percent of private around the country are working harder stock market rally means more money sector workers have these types of ac- than ever and working longer than in their pocket is laughable. That is counts at all, and they use them to ever, but they have less and less to why, when the President—even today, make long-term investments for their show for it. when he was talking about this tax cut, retirement. The short-term profits that Imagine this: 44 percent of Americans he was promising that we are doing all drive so much of corporate decision who have an emergency—that would be these tax cuts for middle-class Ameri- making have little effect on accounts four out of nine Americans—cannot af- cans. Well, if you want to give tax cuts workers will not touch for several dec- ford that emergency expense of $400. to middle-class Americans, give tax ades. Just because workers have retire- Four out of every nine Americans can- cuts to middle-class Americans. Don’t ment accounts doesn’t mean they are not come up with $400 to pay for an cut taxes on corporations, cutting able to save. In fact, 70 percent of emergency, but Wall Street is doing them 43 percent—that is what the bill Americans have less than $1,000 in re- just fine. It is getting richer. So what does—if they would let us read it. The tirement savings. do we do? We give more tax cuts and last time I read it, that is what it said. Remember I said four out of nine or more tax breaks to corporations that They cut the corporate tax rate by 43 44 percent of Americans couldn’t come outsource jobs, and we give more help percent. They say that money will up with $400 in emergency spending for in the Banking, Housing, and Urban Af- trickle down, you will get a raise, there a trip to the dentist or $400 to fix a car? fairs Committee for some of the most will be more jobs. It has never really Four out of nine Americans couldn’t profitable banks in America. Yet we worked that way. It didn’t work in come up with that. Well, it is even can’t do anything for workers, and we North Carolina that way. It hasn’t worse because 70 percent of Americans can’t do anything for families. worked in Ohio that way. It simply have less than $1,000 in retirement sav- The wealth held on Wall Street has doesn’t happen. ings. Do you know why they have less gone up. Corporate profits have gone The President stands there and says: than $1,000 in retirement savings? Be- up. CEO salaries have gone up. CEO We are going to give the best tax cuts cause their wages haven’t gone up for a salaries are 271 times greater than for Christmas you ever saw. He brags decade or so. workers’ pay. For a worker who makes about the stock market going up. One The fact is, a paycheck is how most $20,000—I almost can’t even do the of the reasons two-thirds of Americans workers pay their bills every month math—it is 271 times that. Imagine don’t much like this President is be- and put food on the table each night. that. For every $1 a worker makes in cause they heard him brag about the Wall Street has a lot to say about how the country, the average CEO makes stock market and how great that is, much should be in that paycheck. $271. How much do they need? Do you but there is nothing in their own pock- Remember, at the beginning of this know what the answer to that is? Let’s ets when he does that. The money is speech, I stated that Wall Street give tax cuts to the people making $271 not trickling down. Workers aren’t see- doesn’t want you to get a raise. Some and maybe a few crumbs for the working a $4,000 raise. Nobody really be- of my colleagues—particularly those ers making $1. Is that fair? lieves that. who get a lot of money from Wall Over the next few months, I am going The White House made up some Street and think Wall Street should to lay out the case for how Wall Street phony study that said all this money is run the country even more than they undermines American workers and lay going to workers’ pockets. It never do—but when I said Wall Street doesn’t out some of the changes that we need works that way. It didn’t work that want people to have a raise, here is to make in this country to grow our way when President Bush—in 2001, 2003, how that works. middle class and make hard work pay President Bush did a big tax cut bill. Last month, Bank of America down- off. Each installment of this series, Let me give you one statistic about graded Chipotle’s stock because an an- which we are calling Wall Street’s War that tax cut bill in 2001 and 2003, those alyst decided the company employees on Workers, will be posted on my me- two bills. In that tax cut bill, 27 per- were working too many hours and get- dium page. You can follow along at cent of the benefits went to the richest ting paid too much. Wall Street down- www.medium.com/@SenatorBrown. 1 percent—27 percent. graded their stock because the analyst Today, I want to talk about workers’ The pages are pretty good in math said their workers were making too paychecks. It is pretty simple. It is because they are still taking math much. really simple. Wall Street doesn’t want class—27 percent of the benefits of that Do you remember what happened you to get a raise. It doesn’t sound tax bill went to the richest 1 percent. when American Airlines gave their em- plausible. You heard that right. Wall That sounds pretty outrageous, be- ployees a raise? They were punished in

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:32 Dec 14, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00036 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G13DE6.053 S13DEPT1 December 13, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S8015 the stock exchange. They were getting compensation is up, stock prices are I sat across from at a high school re- paid too much. The banks decided that up, and workers are getting paid less. union makes $30,000 a year after 30 Chipotle employees worked too many Then, when they want to pay the flight years of service. I don’t wish him any hours and earned too much money. The attendants and the pilots a little more, ill will, certainly, for the $28 million he stock declined by 3 percent. It didn’t they complain because labor is being makes. The people who work directly matter that they were profitable, em- paid first again. Never mind that the with the public, who have to listen di- ployees were happy. It didn’t matter labor in question simply pushed to get rectly to the complaints, who have to that their employees were productive. paid the same as their counterparts at spend money coming to work and wear- It didn’t matter that they were a good United and Delta. Think about that. ing nice clothes because they are a company. Their stock price went down American Airlines decided they bank teller, making $30,000 a year? because the analyst said they were should pay their workers who do What is fair about that? None of the paying their workers too much. Some roughly the same job the same as banks complained about that being a of you have been to Chipotle. I am United and Delta. They thought that wealth transfer. guessing their workers are not making would be a good thing for competition Remember that line, a wealth trans- $100,000 a year. I guess they are making reasons, for hiring workers, and maybe fer of $1 billion to its labor group? $10, $12 an hour. even for Wall Street. Wall Street said: None of the banks complained about a I went to my high school reunion a No, really, we don’t want that to hap- wealth transfer when Wells Fargo CEO couple of years ago. I sat across from a pen. John Stumpf was allowed to retire woman who worked at a major na- I wonder how much that analyst at with tens of millions of dollars in com- tional bank, a well-known bank. I don’t Citibank is paid. Some of you would pensation after overseeing a massive need to cite the name. When I worked call that class warfare, but I would call scandal that caused the bank’s stock to at my family farm growing up, I used it an interesting fact if I knew what it tank. to put my $120-every-2-week paycheck was, but imagine the nerve of saying Do you know what I hear in the in that bank. It has been sold several that shareholders get the leftovers. Banking Committee from time to times and is now part of a major Wall When is the last time Wall Street got time? These CEOs, if their company Street bank. She has worked there 30 the leftovers? has cheated people, their company has years. She has been a teller in that By ‘‘labor,’’ what we are talking made a huge mistake that caused prob- bank for 30 years. She makes $30,000 a about is people who create wealth for lems for the company, they often come year. She has 30 years of service in this the company. It is the workers who in and say: You know, we are sorry—we bank and makes $30,000 a year. Do you create wealth. Management is impor- are kind of sorry—and we are going to want me to list what the top manage- tant, of course, setting the direction of give up our bonus. They say they are ment of that bank makes? Tens of mil- the company and doing all that man- going to give up their bonus. They are lions of dollars in compensation, stock agement does in most corporations and already making $8 or $10 or $12 or $15 options, and stock buybacks, huge divi- does well, but rank-and-file workers— million. Now they are going to give up dends because they own so much of the whether it is the woman who cleans their bonus. How generous of them. bank. This woman makes $30,000 a the floor or the food service people in If paying employees is a wealth year. What is right about an economy the basement, or whether it is the data transfer, as the JPMorgan analyst said, like that? entry person or whether it is the mid- but CEO bonuses are not a wealth The entry level wage at Chipotle is level management person, whether it is transfer, it raises the question: Who ex- between $9 and $10 an hour. It is typical the sales force, whether it is the CFO, actly does Wall Street think the for fast food. It is clearly not enough to workers create wealth for their compa- wealth belongs to? Who does it think is lift a family of three out of poverty. So nies, and shouldn’t they share in some creating the wealth for these compa- Chipotle wanted to give raises to their of that wealth? Don’t you think pilots nies? Companies can’t be profitable workers, and Wall Street slapped them provide a lot of productivity and without the workers. Wall Street for doing it. Wall Street’s attacks on wealth to that company? seems to think the whole cake belongs workers’ wages have not been limited A JPMorgan analyst described the to the CEOs and stockholders while to Chipotle. raises to the American Airlines pilots a workers only deserve crumbs. I mentioned American Airlines. They different way. He said it is a ‘‘wealth It has not always been like this. announced pay raises for their pilots transfer of nearly $1 billion to its labor In the past, banks actually invested and flight attendants earlier this year. groups.’’ Think about that. in businesses and the workers on Main Wall Street punished the company, One of the things that amuses me— Street, but the corporate business mod- dropping its stock by 5 percent. except it bothers me more—whenever els have changed. According to a recent Citibank, one of the Wall Street we talk about a wage increase, do you analysis, only 15 percent of Wall Street firms we sometimes talk about, is a $2 know what companies always say? funds are invested in businesses, down trillion bank—somewhere close to that. They say: If we raise the minimum from the majority of funds several dec- I may be wrong about that, but there wage for these $7 or $8 or $9 workers, ades ago. Instead of investing in real are six banks in the country whose as- we are going to have to raise prices and businesses, in real towns that create sets are over $1 trillion, as high as—I lay people off, but they never say that real jobs and build real communities, think JPMorgan Chase is higher. when a top management employee gets they spend billions buying back stock Citibank analysts actually wrote this a $1 million raise. You only have to lay and handing out CEO bonuses. This about American Airlines: people off and raise the price of the change has worked out pretty well for This is frustrating. Labor is being paid product if you raise the minimum Wall Street. first again. Shareholders get leftovers. wage, but if you give somebody a six- Even though Wall Street has 4 per- Think of that. So they gave their or seven-figure bonus, you don’t have cent of all U.S. jobs, it accounts for 25 workers, their pilots—I assume the to worry, that is not going to cause percent of all corporate profits. Pretty Senator from North Carolina and Leigh anything. That is how phony these ar- good, huh? It is not for that teller who and all the people at the desk there—I guments are that they make and frank- works at the bank in Mansfield, OH, think that probably you want airline ly how revolting these arguments are. but for the stockholders and the CEO. pilots to be paid pretty well. I think Wall Street didn’t call it a wealth As anyone can tell you, it hasn’t you do. Flight attendants make all the transfer of $1 billion to its labor group. worked out that well for most people. flying we do a little bit easier. This Wall Street didn’t call it a wealth CEOs are evaluated on the quarterly company wanted to pay them more and transfer when the CEO of JPMorgan performance of their company’s stock. Wall Street says: got a 4-percent raise and was paid— They are compensated, in large part, This is frustrating. Labor is being paid anybody want to guess? Do any of the with company shares, but most Ameri- first again. Shareholders get leftovers. pages want to guess? Does any of the cans don’t think in terms of 3-month Really? Think about this. Companies staff want to guess? Their CEO is paid earnings quarters. They think in terms are more profitable, CEOs are getting $28 million a year, but that happens to of school years, they think in terms of paid more and more, and executive be the same company where the woman 30-year mortgages, and they think in

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:32 Dec 14, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00037 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G13DE6.054 S13DEPT1 S8016 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE December 13, 2017 terms of how many years before I re- bonus, you are going to get more Street executives and CEOs will get tire and how much money do I have to money in your stock buybacks, and bigger and bigger bonuses. save to be able to. you are going to get more money in We will continue here to give tax Main Street investors and workers your executive compensation. All of it cuts to the richest people in the coun- only make a profit when a company’s is set up and all of it is aimed at help- try, and our economy and our eco- stock market value continues to rise ing top management and top stock- nomic growth will continue to lag. The over time. Wall Street and Main holders enrich themselves. It is not rich get richer and the middle class Street’s interests no longer match up. giving back to the community, not cre- shrinks. That is the formula. The rich That is the problem with our economy ating workers’ wealth, and not invest- get richer and the middle class shrinks. today. Wall Street’s interest are not ing in the future. It is all about short- Haven’t we had enough of that? Why the same as Main Street’s interests. term profits because that means huge should we still be doing that? Wall Street does well, Wall Street gets compensation for the CEOs of America. I yield the floor. bigger and bigger compensation, and Nothing in their business model forces f workers see their wages stagnate. these executives to view the workers Folks in the corporate boardroom are making burritos at Chipotle as real ADJOURNMENT UNTIL 10 A.M. not forced to consider what is in the people with real families. TOMORROW long-term interest of workers, what is I will go back to that. Chipotle did The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under in the long-term interest of small-time the right thing, and they gave raises to the previous order, the Senate stands investors, what is in the long-term in- their employees. American Airlines did adjourned until 10 a.m. tomorrow. terest of the communities that have the right thing, and they gave raises to Thereupon, the Senate, at 7:02 p.m., helped them grow and made them rich. their employees. But the stock market, adjourned until Thursday, December For them, workers are nothing more Wall Street crushed them for it, and 14, 2017, at 10 a.m. than a line item in a budget that ought that is what has to change. to be minimized. It is why they have no Until the banks and Wall Street re- f problem taking pay out of the pockets spect a hard day’s work and understand CONFIRMATION of workers—pay that would otherwise that work must have a value for the Executive nomination confirmed by drive innovation and productivity—all economy to grow, we will continue to the Senate December 13, 2017: to boost short-term profits for CEOs see the consequences. The gap between and speculators. Wall Street and Main Street will keep THE JUDICIARY When you get short-term profits, you growing. Workers’ wages will decline. DON R. WILLETT, OF TEXAS, TO BE A CIRCUIT JUDGE, UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE FIFTH are going to get more money in your Our middle class will shrink. Wall CIRCUIT.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:32 Dec 14, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00038 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 9801 E:\CR\FM\G13DE6.055 S13DEPT1 December 13, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E1691 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS

HONORING METRA CEO DON (SGT) Adrian Noe Orosco who paid the ulti- Orange has recently passed away at the age ORSENO ON HIS RETIREMENT mate sacrifice while defending our nation on of 88. December 9, 2005, during Operation Iraqi Ms. Coontz was the city’s first female coun- HON. DANIEL LIPINSKI Freedom. SGT Orosco was killed when a ve- cil member and the first woman elected as OF ILLINOIS hicle-borne improvised explosive device deto- mayor. She will always be remembered for her nated near his dismounted position during political pioneering and her tremendous dedi- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES combat operations in Baghdad, Iraq. SGT cation to the community. During her long polit- Wednesday, December 13, 2017 Orosco was assigned to the 1st Squadron, ical career, Ms. Coontz contributed and advo- Mr. LIPINSKI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, Fort Irwin, cated to various causes, some of which in- honor Don Orseno on the occasion of his re- California. clude the expansion of the Orange Public Li- tirement from Metra, Northeast Illinois’s com- Elizabeth Orosco, SGT Orosco’s wife, paid brary and the creation of its history center. muter rail agency. Don’s retirement is well-de- tribute to her husband on a memorial website. Moreover, Ms. Coontz helped establish a Vet- served after 4 years leading the agency and ‘‘He was a wonderful father and a beautiful erans Memorial at Depot Park and Pitcher 44 years in the railroad industry. person,’’ Mrs. Orosco wrote. ‘‘He was the love Park. Don began his railroading career in 1974 of my life and I had ten beautiful years with After her time in politics, she spent the rest when he was hired by the Chicago Rock Is- him. I love him. I miss him and he’s not forgot- of her life helping her community through non- land and Pacific Railroad Company as a com- ten.’’ Sergeant (SGT) Reynaldo Salazar profits such as Friendly Center and the Or- muter train ticket taker, later working his way served with SGT Orosco. He also paid tribute ange Community Historical Foundation, volun- up to become a locomotive engineer. These to SGT Orosco on a memorial website. ‘‘I met teering with the Orange Unified School Dis- experiences gave Don the applied knowledge Adrian at Fort Irwin, California,’’ SGT Salazar trict, and much more. that helped propel him to the top spot at one wrote. ‘‘He was a great soldier and foremost Ms. Coontz has contributed to the City of of the nation’s premier commuter railroads. a father, husband, and friend. I will never for- Orange in numerous ways and will always be After joining Metra in 1984, Don continued his get you, brother, and I will always remember remembered as one of the first trailblazers. upward trajectory by advancing to Deputy Ex- you.’’ Janey Medina, SGT Orosco’s aunt, also The City of Orange will never be quite the ecutive Director before his appointment as wrote a tribute on a memorial website ‘‘I know same without Ms. Coontz. CEO/Executive Director in 2013 and confirma- in my heart Adrian is in heaven today, watch- Mr. Speaker, it is with great privilege that I tion in 2014. ing over all of the rest of the family left be- celebrate the memory of Ms. Joanne Coontz. Don’s leadership at Metra could not have hind,’’ Ms. Medina wrote. ‘‘I truly grieve and A vibrant member of the City of Orange com- come at a more critical point in the agency’s miss him very much. He came to visit me be- munity, taken from us too soon. history, as he faced an uphill battle in tackling fore he left to serve in the war. I felt it was f the many issues with Metra’s operational per- something he truly wanted to do in his life. He formance and overall health. Leading a $1 bil- was proud of his career in the Army. I loved RECOGNIZING THE LIFE OF FALL- lion commuter rail agency that runs 750 trains Adrian. I loved him like a son.’’ EN MISSISSIPPI MARINE MAS- per day across a 3700-square mile, six-county According to the Associated Press, SGT TER SERGEANT (MSGT) BRIAN region is a challenge under normal cir- Orosco, a native of Corcoran, California, PATRICK MCANULTY cumstances, but Don quickly showed he was played football and was a member of the the right fit for the job. Under Don’s tenure, band. He graduated from Corcoran High HON. TRENT KELLY Metra has pursued ambitious modernization School in 1997. SGT Orosco enlisted in the OF MISSISSIPPI efforts while dealing with political uncertainties Army in November 2001. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Noe Orosco, SGT Orosco’s father, had and complex regulatory mandates. Don’s re- Wednesday, December 13, 2017 cent successes at Metra include improving on- many fond memories of his son. ‘‘He was al- time performance, expanding train car rehabili- ways happy, that boy,’’ Mr. Orosco said. ‘‘In Mr. KELLY of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, tation programs, modernizing the ticketing and grade school, he enjoyed assembling model today I rise in memory of fallen Mississippi fare system, and beginning the installation of airplanes and rockets.’’ Alexander Medina, Marine Master Sergeant (MSgt) Brian Patrick wireless internet on Metra trains. SGT Orosco’s uncle, recounted his nephew’s McAnulty who paid the ultimate sacrifice while Don is not just an excellent leader and sea- military service. ‘‘He fully understood the cir- defending our nation on December 11, 2006, soned railroader, but he is also a great person cumstances and consequences of everything during Operation Iraqi Freedom. MSgt and those of us who have worked with him or going on,’’ Mr. Medina said. ‘‘He still believed McAnulty was killed when the CH–53 heli- have come to know him are fortunate for that it was the right thing to do.’’ copter he was riding in crashed just after take- opportunity. Metra is a better place because of SGT Orosco is survived by his father, Noe off in Anbar province, Iraq. MSgt McAnulty Don and he will be missed as he starts a new Orosco; his wife, Elizabeth; his three children, was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 4th Marine chapter to spend more time with his wife, Adrian Orosco, Junior, Andrew Orosco, and Regiment, 1st Marine Division, lst Marine Ex- Charm, two children, and five grandchildren. Isabelle Orosco; his uncle, Alexander Medina; peditionary Force, Twentynine Palms, Cali- I ask my colleagues to join me in thanking and his aunt, Janey Medina. fornia. Don Orseno for his many years of service to SGT Orosco proudly served America. His MSgt McAnulty grew up in Vicksburg, Mis- Chicagoland commuters and wishing him well service and sacrifice will always be remem- sissippi, and graduated from Warren Central in his retirement. bered. High School in 1985. MSgt McAnulty then at- f f tended Hinds Community College in Ray- mond, Mississippi for three semesters before RECOGNIZING THE LIFE OF FALL- CELEBRATING THE MEMORY OF enlisting in the United States Marine Corps in EN SOLDIER ARMY SERGEANT JOANNE COONTZ April 1988. (SGT) ADRIAN NOE OROSCO A Department of Defense (DoD) news re- HON. J. LUIS CORREA lease included details of MSgt McAnulty’s per- HON. TRENT KELLY OF CALIFORNIA sonal life and his many professional accom- OF MISSISSIPPI IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES plishments. His first assignment was to Marine IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Corps Security Force Battalion, Norfolk, VA, Wednesday, December 13, 2017 for service onboard the aircraft carrier USS Wednesday, December 13, 2017 Mr. CORREA. Mr. Speaker, we have lost an John F. Kennedy (CV–67) In 1991, he was as- Mr. KELLY of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, incredible individual to our society. Joanne signed to Fleet Anti-terrorism Security Team today I rise in memory of Army Sergeant Coontz, a trailblazer for women in the City of (FAST) Company, Norfolk, Virginia. In 1992,

∑ This ‘‘bullet’’ symbol identifies statements or insertions which are not spoken by a Member of the Senate on the floor. Matter set in this typeface indicates words inserted or appended, rather than spoken, by a Member of the House on the floor.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 05:27 Dec 14, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\K13DE8.001 E13DEPT1 E1692 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks December 13, 2017 MSgt McAnulty was selected for service with Ribbon, the Kuwait Liberation Medal, the Ma- PERSONAL EXPLANATION Marine Security Guard Battalion. Later he was rine Security Guard Ribbon (3rd Award), the assigned to Marine Security Guard detach- Expert Pistol (6th Award), and the Expert Rifle HON. LUIS V. GUTIE´RREZ ments in Asuncion, Paraguay, Seoul, Korea, (9th Award). OF ILLINOIS and Budapest, Hungary. In 1996, orders MSgt McAnulty is survived by his parents, IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES brought him to 1st Marine Division, Camp Robert and Frances McAnulty; brother and Pendleton, California, for duty with 2nd Bat- sister-in-law, Brett and Stacy McAnulty; and Wednesday, December 13, 2017 talion, 4th Marines. During that same assign- his two nieces, Cora McAnulty and Lily Mr. GUTIE´ RREZ. Mr. Speaker, I was un- ment, he deployed with Battalion Landing McAnulty. avoidably absent in the House chamber for Team 2/4 as part of the 31st Marine Expedi- MSgt McAnulty distinguished himself Roll Call votes 674 and 675 on Tuesday, De- tionary Unit from November 1998 until April throughout his military career. His service and cember 12, 2017. Had I been present, I would 1999. sacrifice will always be remembered. have voted Yea on Roll Call vote 674 and Nay MSgt McAnulty would further distinguish on 675. himself in 2001. When he was reassigned to f Marine Security Guard Battalion and trained to f serve in the coveted position of detachment CONGRATULATING BRIANNA commander. MSgt McAnulty commanded Ma- HALLER OF THE FATIMA COM- RECOGNIZING THE LIFE OF FALL- rine Security Guard detachments at U.S em- ETS CROSS COUNTRY TEAM EN SOLDIER ARMY STAFF SER- bassies in war-torn Bujumbura, Burundi, and GEANT (SSG) MILTON RIVERA- in the dangerous city of Bogota, Colombia. VARGAS After excelling as a detachment commander HON. BLAINE LUETKEMEYER and being named ‘‘Detachment of the Year’’ in OF MISSOURI HON. TRENT KELLY South America, MSgt McAnulty was selected IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF MISSISSIPPI to serve as an instructor/advisor at the Marine Wednesday, December 13, 2017 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Security Guard school in Quantico, Virginia from April 2004 to April 2006. Weeks prior to Mr. LUETKEMEYER. Mr. Speaker, I rise Wednesday, December 13, 2017 this assignment, during civil unrest in Haiti, today to ask my colleagues to join me in con- Mr. KELLY of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, MSgt McAnulty’s expertise in embassy secu- gratulating Brianna Haller of the Fatima Com- today I rise in memory of Army Staff Sergeant rity and low intensity conflict was needed. He ets Cross Country team on winning the Class (SSG) Milton Rivera-Vargas who paid the was sent to the U.S. embassy in Port-au- 2 Girls Individual Cross Country State Cham- ultimate sacrifice on December 8, 2005, during Prince, Haiti, to ensure the readiness of the pionship. Operation Iraqi Freedom. SSG Rivera-Vargas embassy’s Marine detachment and provide Brianna Haller and her coach should be suffered a heart attack and died while on tactical advice to security personnel. commended for all of their hard work through- guard duty in Kalsu, Iraq. SSG Rivera-Vargas When MSgt McAnulty returned to the United out this past year and for bringing home the was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 296th Infan- States, he assumed the duties of instructor at state championship to their school and com- try Regiment, Puerto Rico Army National the Marine Security Guard Battalion head- munity. Guard, Sabana Grande, Puerto Rico. quarters in Quantico, VA, where he revamped I ask you to join me in recognizing Brianna Minerva Rivera, SSG Rivera-Vargas’ niece, the weapons training for the Marine Security Haller on a job well done. paid tribute to her uncle on a memorial Guard Battalion and was directly responsible website. ‘‘My uncle was the best person for improving the overall marksmanship capa- f around,’’ Minerva said. ‘‘He always had a bility of Marine Guards. This proved vital to smile on his face. He always protected us in the battalion’s role in the Global War on Ter- IN RECOGNITION OF BILL every way. It has been three years since he rorism. In conjunction with teaching duties, he NALEVANKO FOR TWENTY- passed away and there is not a day that continued an active security role within the SEVEN YEARS OF FEDERAL passes that I don’t think of him or speak of Marine Security Guard Battalion. In December SERVICE him. I still remember the last day I saw him. 2004, when terrorists attacked the US Con- The last thing he told us was to pray for him sulate in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, MSgt HON. MATT CARTWRIGHT and to not worry about him because he would McAnulty was immediately sent in to provide be home soon. That day never came.’’ OF PENNSYLVANIA extra security and provide tactical and per- SSG Rivera-Vargas was laid to rest at Los sonal guidance to the Marines. In March 2006, IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Robles Memorial park in Cabo Rojo, Cabo MSgt McAnulty was transferred to 3rd Bat- Wednesday, December 13, 2017 Rojo Municipality, Puerto Rico, USA. talion, 4th Marines, 1st Marine Division in SSG Rivera-Vargas proudly served our na- Mr. CARTWRIGHT. Mr. Speaker, I rise Twentynine Palms, California, and served as tion. His service and sacrifice will always be today to honor Bill Nalevanko, who will retire the company Gunnery Sergeant for Weapons remembered. Company and later as the Operations Chief. from the National Park Service on January 3, 2018. Bill spent twenty-seven years in federal He deployed to Iraq with 3rd Battalion, 4th f Marines for combat operations in direct sup- service, twenty of which were with the Na- port of Operation Iraqi Freedom. tional Park Service at the Steamtown, a na- CONGRATULATING THE FATIMA Brian McAnulty, MSgt McAnulty’s brother, tional historic site dedicated to Scranton’s in- COMETS GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY described his brother’s devotion to service in dustrial heritage and steam railroad transpor- TEAM an Associated Press news article. ‘‘He loved tation. what he was doing,’’ Brian said. ‘‘He wouldn’t Bill began his tenure with the National Park HON. BLAINE LUETKEMEYER have rather been anywhere else.’’ Service as Volunteer-in-Park in 1996, shortly OF MISSOURI after Steamtown’s grand opening in 1995. He His many awards include the Navy And Ma- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES rine Corps Commendation Medal (With Gold worked his way up the ranks, becoming a sea- Star), the Navy And Marine Corps Achieve- sonal employee and eventually a Public Infor- Wednesday, December 13, 2017 ment Medal (With 3 Gold Stars), the Navy Unit mation Officer and Webmaster for the historic Mr. LUETKEMEYER. Mr. Speaker, I rise Commendation (With Bronze Star), the Navy site. For two decades, Bill has helped thou- today to ask my colleagues to join me in con- Meritorious Commendation Medal (With 3 sands of park visitors discover the wealth of gratulating the Fatima Comets Girls Cross Bronze Stars), the Marine Corps Good Con- history featured at the Steamtown National Country team on winning the Class 2 Cross duct Medal (With 4 Bronze Stars), the National Historic Site. Country State Championship. Defense Service Medal (With 1 Bronze Star), It is an honor to recognize Bill as he enters This team and their coach should be com- the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the a well-deserved retirement. I am grateful to mended for all of their hard work throughout Southwest Asia Service Medal, the Iraqi Cam- him for his career of service helping to pre- this past year and for bringing home the state paign Medal, Global War On Terrorism Serv- serve the history of America’s railroads. His championship to their school and community. ice Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, the twenty-seven years on the job is a credit to his I ask you to join me in recognizing the Fat- Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (5th Award), community devotion, and I wish him all the ima Comets Girls Cross Country team for a the Navy And Marine Corps Overseas Service best in his retirement. job well done.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 05:27 Dec 14, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A13DE8.003 E13DEPT1 December 13, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E1693 HONORING THE 50TH ANNIVER- CONGRATULATING THE FESTUS Robert Evans and was a regular at both the SARY OF NEW HOPE BAPTIST TIGERS BOYS CROSS COUNTRY Sundance and Cannes film festivals. Print CHURCH TEAM journalism is tough and Graydon Carter will also be remembered for his successful naviga- HON. BLAINE LUETKEMEYER tion through the current age of media disrup- HON. ROBERT C. ‘‘BOBBY’’ SCOTT OF MISSOURI tion. I wish him all the best in retirement. OF VIRGINIA IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES f IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Wednesday, December 13, 2017 RECOGNIZING THE LIFE OF FALL- Mr. LUETKEMEYER. Mr. Speaker, I rise EN MISSISSIPPI SOLDIER ARMY Wednesday, December 13, 2017 today to ask my colleagues to join me in con- SPECIALIST (SPC) TERRY KISHAUN GORDON Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise gratulating the Festus Tigers Boys Cross today to honor the 50th anniversary of New Country team on winning the Class 3 Cross Country State Championship. HON. TRENT KELLY Hope Baptist Church in Hampton, Virginia. This team and their coach should be com- OF MISSISSIPPI New Hope Baptist Church began as New mended for all of their hard work throughout IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Hope Mission in 1967. Former members of this past year and for bringing home the state Wednesday, December 13, 2017 New Emmanuel Baptist Church in Newport championship to their school and community. News, Virginia felt compelled to establish their I ask you to join me in recognizing the Mr. KELLY of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in memory of Army Specialist own place of worship, and they began to meet Festus Tigers Boys Cross Country team for a (SPC) Terry ‘‘Dantez’’ Kishaun Gordon who and cultivate their fellowship. The group origi- job well done. f paid the ultimate sacrifice while defending our nally began meeting in a store on North Ave- nation on December 18, 2013, during Oper- nue and later at Carver High School, both in TRIBUTE TO GRAYDON CARTER ON ation Enduring Freedom. SPC Gordon was Newport News. Reverend C.B. Potts served HIS RETIREMENT FROM VANITY killed when the Black Hawk UH–60 he was as the mission’s spiritual leader during this FAIR riding in crashed in Naw Bahar, Afghanistan. time. The mission officially became New Hope Also killed were Chief Warrant Officer 2 (CW2) Baptist Church in October of 1967. HON. STEVE COHEN Randy L. Billings, Sergeant (SGT) Peter Reverend C.B. Potts oversaw the church’s OF TENNESSEE Bohler, Sergeant First Class (SFC) Omar W. move into their first building on April 10, 1969. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Forde, Chief Warrant Officer 2 (CW2) Joshua B. Silverman, and Staff Sergeant (SSG) Jesse With more space, proper furnishings, and a Wednesday, December 13, 2017 L. Williams. SPC Gordon was assigned to 1st growing community presence, the church soon Mr. COHEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to Squadron, 6th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Combat experienced an increase in membership and pay a special tribute and recognize the career Aviation Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, Fort the creation of their first choir. Pastor G.I. of hall of fame magazine editor Graydon Car- Riley, Kansas. Melton, installed as pastor in 1970, provided ter. Graydon Carter is one of the great journal- Following the crash, a statement was issued guidance and direction throughout this period. ists of our time and retires today after 25 from Fort Riley. ‘‘We offer our heartfelt condo- Under his leadership, the church saw over 100 years as editor of Vanity Fair. He co-founded lences to the families and friends of these ’Big new members and the creation of the Chil- Spy Magazine which he also edited, as well Red One Soldiers,’ ’’ Major General Paul E. dren’s Church Ministry and Transportation as The New York Observer. And at Vanity Funk, II, 1st Infantry Division and Fort Riley Ministry. This growth continued over the years, Fair, he gave writers like Michael Lewis and Commanding General, said. ‘‘We stand ready and under the leadership of Pastor Melton the Dominick Dunne a venue, and Christopher to support them and I urge our community and congregation broke ground on a new sanc- Hitchens, one of the great journalists of our the nation, while remembering their sacrifices tuary in 1980. The construction of New Hope time. Graydon said about Christopher this holiday season, to do the same.’’ Baptist Church’s new sanctuary was com- Hitchens upon his passing that he was ‘‘a wit, According to the Associated Press, SPC a charmer and a troublemaker and to those Gordon, a Quitman, Mississippi native, grad- pleted in August of 1981, two months after the who knew him well, he was a gift from—dare uated from Quitman High School in 2011. death of Pastor Melton. Today, New Hope I say it?—God.’’ I’m sure Hitch would have While in high school, SPC Gordon served as Baptist Church has grown beyond any of its said the same about Graydon. From the be- a member of the high school’s U.S. Army Jun- founders’ expectations. Members of New ginning of Spy Magazine and through the days ior Reserve Officers Training Corps (JROTC) Hope Baptist Church have seen the expansion of The New York Observer and Vanity Fair, he Michael McDonald, Quitman High School prin- of the church through membership and the pointed out the shortcomings of Donald cipal, described SPC Gordon as a great young creation of many ministries such as the Wom- Trump. And he gave him the appellation man. ‘‘His leadership and confidence was en’s Fellowship, Men’s Fellowship, Evangelism ‘‘short-fingered vulgarian.’’ For that and much clearly evident,’’ Mr McDonald said. ‘‘He just Team, Seniors’ Ministry, Tutorial Ministry, and more, Graydon Carter will be remembered—a oozed confidence and he was dependable and many more. In January 1995, Rev. Dr. Chris- great journalist, a great human being, a great well-respected among the students here.’’ A topher C. Carter, Sr. was installed as Pastor. raconteur, and a friend. Graydon Carter will Mankato Times article states that SPC Gordon In 2004, Pastor Carter led the congregation as also be remembered for publishing such great loved helicopters and that he knew early on they broke ground on a 12,000 square foot fa- writers as David Halberstam, Walter Isaacson, that he was meant for the Army because he cility located in Hampton, Virginia, where they David Kamp, Nicholas Lemann, Jeffrey E. could fly on a Black Hawk. worship today. Stern and William Langewiesche, and for Miriam Gordon, SPC Gordon’s aunt, said he printing the brilliant photographic images of was a happy child who loved his family, Over the years, the congregation of New such artists as Annie Leibovitz, Mark Selinger friends, and his country. ‘‘Every time you saw Hope Baptist Church has been dutifully led in and Jonas Freedwall Karlson. With a show- him, he had a smile,’’ Mrs. Gordon said. ‘‘He prayer and service by the following men of man’s charisma, he brought glamor and poli- always did little pranks and jokes. If you were faith—Rev. C.B. Potts, Rev. W.W. Butler, Rev. tics together, throwing some of the best-re- having a bad day and saw him, you had a G.I. Melton, Rev. Dr. Ivan Harris, Rev. Virgil membered parties in New York, Los Angeles great day. He brought the goodness out of Newkirk, and Rev Dr. Christopher C. Carter, and Washington, including hosting the annual people. He was bigger than anything I could Sr. White House Correspondents Association ever imagine as far as being a model child. Vanity Fair after-party, the most sought-after Sometimes they stray, but this child didn’t Mr. Speaker, as New Hope Baptist Church invitation in D.C. A gourmet, his signature res- stray.’’ celebrates its 50th anniversary, the church’s taurants The Waverly Inn in the West Village SPC Gordon and his fallen comrades were congregation can look back on its history with and Monkey Bar on the Upper East Side are honored on January 9, 2013, during a memo- pride. I would like to congratulate Pastor Car- destinations in good taste. Graydon Carter rial service held at Fort Riley, Kansas. Nearly ter and the entire New Hope Baptist Church was also the producer of documentaries in- 500 people attended the service that was held community on this special occasion. I wish the cluding ‘‘Gonzo: The Life and Work of Hunter at the Morris Hill Chapel. Lieutenant Colonel church another 50 years of growth and fellow- S. Thompson’’ and ‘‘The Kid Stays in the Pic- (LTC) Matt Weinshel commanded the crew ship. ture,’’ about legendary Hollywood producer while deployed in Afghanistan. ‘‘Each of these

VerDate Sep 11 2014 05:27 Dec 14, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A13DE8.007 E13DEPT1 E1694 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks December 13, 2017 soldiers knew the risks they assumed,’’ LTC CONGRATULATING THE FESTUS complex, traumatic and rare conditions. Home Weinshel said. ‘‘They loved their mission and TIGERS GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY to the James R. Gage Center for Gait and Mo- each other. They truly loved flying and told me TEAM tion Analysis, the hospital is one of only seven so on several occasions.’’ During the service, such accredited centers in the country that speakers told those in attendance that the sol- HON. BLAINE LUETKEMEYER helps to improve mobility and walking among diers were focused on their work, but also OF MISSOURI children who have walking and movement dis- smiled and offered hugs to break the tension IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES orders. while preparing helicopters for missions during Wednesday, December 13, 2017 Since its founding in 1897, staff devotion to deployment. compassionate and supportive care for chil- Mr. LUETKEMEYER. Mr. Speaker, I rise SPC Gordon is survived by his father, Terry dren undergoing treatment and recovery has today to ask my colleagues to join me in con- W. Gordon; his mother, Sabina R. Edwards; remained steadfast. Today, each child’s emo- gratulating the Festus Tigers Girls Cross his sister, Terruna Gordon; his stepfather, tional well-being remains at the core of Gillette Country team on winning the Class 3 Cross David Edwards; and his two half-brothers, Children’s approach to medical care. Mr. Country State Championship. David Edwards, Jr., and William Edwards. Speaker, please join me in honoring the 120th This team and their coach should be com- anniversary of Gillette Children’s Specialty SPC Gordon proudly serviced America. His mended for all of their hard work throughout Healthcare for all that it does to improve the sacrifice to protect the freedoms we all enjoy this past year and for bringing home the state lives of children in Minnesota and beyond. will not be forgotten. championship to their school and community. I ask you to join me in recognizing the f f Festus Tigers Girls Cross Country team for a job well done. RECOGNIZING THE LIFE OF FALL- RECOGNIZING WAWA’S COMMIT- f EN MISSISSIPPI MARINE COR- MENT TO FIGHTING HUNGER, PORAL (CPL) MICHAEL BRANDON HONORING GRAND OPENING HONORING GILLETTE CHILDREN’S PRESLEY SPECIALTY HEALTHCARE ON ITS 120TH ANNIVERSARY HON. BRENDAN F. BOYLE HON. TRENT KELLY OF MISSISSIPPI OF PENNSYLVANIA HON. BETTY McCOLLUM OF MINNESOTA IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Wednesday, December 13, 2017 Wednesday, December 13, 2017 Wednesday, December 13, 2017 Mr. KELLY of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, Ms. MCCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I rise to rec- Mr. BRENDON F. BOYLE of Pennsylvania. ognize Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare today I rise in memory of Marine Corporal Mr. Speaker, I rise today to call attention to of Saint Paul, Minnesota on its 120th anniver- (Cpl) Michael Brandon Presley who paid the Wawa, Inc., a Pennsylvania based company sary of providing world class, compassionate ultimate sacrifice while defending our nation that will be opening up their very first store in care for children and their families. on December 14, 2005, during Operation Iraqi our nation’s capital tomorrow. The citizens of Before the turn of the 20th Century, two pio- Freedom. Cpl Presley died at Landstuhl Re- Pennsylvania are well acquainted with Wawa neering leaders, Jessie Haskins and Dr. Arthur gional Medical Center in Germany from food stores; it’s where many of them go for Gillette, recognized the acute need to provide wounds he sustained on December 12 from a their morning coffee as well as a common a place where children with disabilities could suicide, vehicle-borne improvised explosive destination for fresh food at lunch or dinner receive state-of-the-art care that was tailor- device, while conducting combat operations time. made to fit their needs. At their urging, in 1897 against enemy forces in Fallujah, Iraq. Cpl Therefore I would like to recognize Wawa the Minnesota legislature created what would Presley was assigned to 2nd Combat Engi- as a Pennsylvania company with a firm com- later be named Gillette Children’s Hospital, the neer Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine mitment to fighting hunger and serving the first such institution in the country to focus ex- Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, North greater good. At Thursday’s grand opening, clusively on treating children with disabilities. Carolina. Wawa will announce its ‘‘Lending a Helping Today, not far from its first location on the According to the Associated Press, Cpl Hoagie Program,’’ which will donate a portion shores of Lake Phalen, Gillette Children’s Presley, a Batesville, Mississippi native, was a of the new location’s first week of hoagie sales Specialty Healthcare is celebrating 120 years standout student at North Delta School. Cpl to the Capital Area Food Bank. Along with that of outstanding service to the public and Presley was a lineman for the school’s 2000 program, Wawa will present the food bank groundbreaking treatment of children in our state football championship team when it won with a grant of $10,000 to help launch its sus- community and from around the globe. the Class 3A title. John Howell, North Delta tainable ‘‘Fresh Community Market’’ initiative. Gillette Children’s serves an incredibly im- School principal, said Cpl Presley kept in portant calling in our state and country. By touch with his teachers while he was stationed Wawa’s efforts in the fight against hunger overseas. ‘‘The neat thing that made him do not end there. Its Share Donation Food staying focused on what a child can do, rather than what they cannot, Gillette Children’s stand out for those of us who taught him was Program is a smart, compassionate program helps to make the difference in how a child the way he made a point to reconnect with us that quickly distributes leftover hot food—that will recover and grow after receiving care. periodically,’’ Mr. Howell said. ‘‘Often when would otherwise go to waste—to the commu- Caring for children and families from all across you teach, you have to guess at the work that nities that need it most. Additionally, until the the United States and around the world, Gil- you’re doing. Brandon let us know that he ap- end of this year, Wawa will continue its lette Children’s has improved the lives of preciated us, and that made him stand out ‘‘Check Out Hunger’’ campaign that allows countless children and their families since day more than other students I have taught.’’ customers to donate to Feeding America Food one. The official website of the U.S. Marine Banks at checkout. It is often said, that Gillette Children’s has Corps included a detailed account of Cpl Pres- I am proud to say that this Pennsylvania in- soul. This is because it not just a hospital, but ley’s service and commitment to the Marine stitution, with the help of its loyal customers a special place that connects entire families. Corps. Cpl Presley joined the Marine Corps on around the country, directly fights hunger in By providing lifelong care to individuals who September 22, 2003. He served with the 1st the communities it serves. Wawa stands as an were first treated there as children and now Marine Aircraft Wing, Okinawa, Japan, and example of a company that recognizes that its are adults, Gillette Children’s creates deep subsequently reported to the 2d Combat Engi- obligations do not end at its bottom line. It and meaningful bonds between the children, neer Battalion for duty as a motor transport demonstrates that corporations do not have to staff and volunteers. This unique practice is operator in March 2005. Cpl Presley was a choose between being prosperous and under- one of many reasons why Gillette Children’s skilled operator remembered for his broad taking initiatives to help communities. I ap- stands out as an extraordinary example of ex- smile, love of live, and his devotion to duty. plaud Wawa for its commitment to fighting cellence in care and community stewardship. His accomplishments and warrior spirit will for- hunger, and hope that other companies will As medical technology has improved, so too ever grace the passage spaces of 2d Marine follow its example and find innovative ways to has Gillette Children’s capacity to treat young Division while attached to 1st Battalion, Sixth make a difference in their community. patients who experience some of the most Marines.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 05:27 Dec 14, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A13DE8.009 E13DEPT1 December 13, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E1695 Details of Cpl Presley’s bravery were in- PROTECTING NORTH KOREAN those who profit from the labor trafficking cluded on a memorial website. The author re- REFUGEES should be held accountable. counted the details of the day Cpl was mor- The Congress has given the Administration tally wounded. ‘‘Corporal Presley was the ve- HON. CHRISTOPHER H. SMITH the sanction tools that if used would send the hicle commander for the second Medium Tac- OF NEW JERSEY right message—whether through the North tical Vehicle Replacement (MTVA) in the con- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Korea Sanctions Enforcement Act, the Global Magnitsky Act, or those sanctions attached to voy,’’ the author wrote. ‘‘As the convoy passed Wednesday, December 13, 2017 a taxi that had pulled off to the right side of China’s Tier 3 designation for trafficking in Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, persons. the route, the taxi pulled out and into the path yesterday I held a hearing on the current situ- All should be used strategically and swiftly of Cpl Presley’s vehicle. When Corporal Pres- ation facing North Korean asylum seekers and to send a clear message. For too long the ley observed this, he immediately started to assessed both China’s obligation to protect world has tolerated China’s failures to protect initiate escalation of force procedures. Due to refugees and the effectiveness of global ef- refugees. Those complicit in the repatriations the fact that the vehicle was non-responsive, forts to stop what the U.N. Commission of In- of refugees and those who profit from the traf- Cpl Presley drew his M16 A4 and was pre- quiry on Human Rights in North Korea called ficking of North Koreans will be held account- paring to engage the lone occupant of the taxi. crimes against humanity experienced by refu- able. As he did this, the SVBIED initiated its device gees. The ending of repatriations should be a bell- early, before it had actually impacted the At a recent House Foreign Affairs Com- wether for judging China’s willingness to cur- MTVA. This action undoubtedly saved the life mittee hearing, North Korean defector Ambas- tail Kim Jong-un’ s nuclear ambitions. of the MTVA driver. Cpl Presley was wounded sador Thae Yong-ho testified about the stra- In addition to the protection of North Korea by shrapnel in the blast and later died from his tegic value of both disseminating information refugees, this hearing also assessed global ef- wounds. Cpl Presley’s quick actions saved not into North Korea and the protection of North forts to surge news and information into North only his driver, but also the cargo that they Korean refugees in China. Korea. were carrying, the Iraq ballots He valiantly put Drawing on an analogy about the fall of the Expansion of existing efforts to disseminate his fellow Marines and mission accomplish- Berlin Wall, Ambassador Thae claimed that information into North Korea is critically impor- ment ahead of his own safety.’’ there may be a similar result if China stopped tant if for nothing else than to tarnish and un- repatriations of refugees and the U.S. and the dermine the Kim family’s cult of personality. A relative of Cpl Presley recounted the day international community expanded ‘‘soft The Kim family cult must be taken seriously of his memorial service. ‘‘There were two huge power’’ news and information flows into North as a national security threat and a barometer fire ladder trucks parked across from the fu- Korea. of Kim Jong-un’s power. This cult of person- neral home. Their ladders were fully ex- As the Congress continues to look at ways ality—sometimes called Juche—has inspired tended,’’ the relative wrote. ‘‘Draped between to best apply maximum diplomatic and finan- devotion from the North Korean people be- them was a huge American flag. As the pro- cial press on the regime of Kim Jong-un, this cause of the cradle to grave propaganda they cession made its way to the church from the hearing explored the strategic relevance of fur- endure. funeral home, there were firefighters, local po- ther pressing the Chinese government to pro- We must undermine the Kim family cult and lice, state police, sheriffs, active and retired tect North Korean refugees and evaluate the the propaganda that grants Kim Jong-un al- military lining the street and all standing at at- impact of surging outside information into most god-like status. This status has allowed tention and saluting as the process passed by. North Korea. three generations of the Kim family to starve It was really amazing to witness.’’ Amid escalating tensions on the Korean Pe- and abuse the North Korean people and divert ninsula, we cannot forget those suffering scarce resources to the military and nuclear Cpl Presley was laid to rest at Magnolia under the North Korean regime and those programs. Cemetery in Batesville, Mississippi. Cpl Pres- North Korean refugees who are in China We must have an information surge into ley is survived by his mother Pam Cousar; his North Korean asylum seekers are at immi- North Korea. Human rights groups are smug- stepfather, John Cousar; his brother, Colin nent risk of repatriation, torture, sexual vio- gling DVDs and USB sticks with video about Hawkins; and his grandparents, Mary Sue lence, forced abortions, hard labor and even the Kim family’s sins into North Korea right Presley, Mary Frances Woods and Mitchell execution. China’s repatriation of North Kore- now. Balloons are launched across the border Woods. ans is a stark violation of both the spirit and with promises of a better life in South Korea. Cpl Presley served our nation with courage the letter of the 1951 Refugee Convention and Radio programs broadcast daily messages and bravery. His service and sacrifice to pro- 1967 Protocol to which China has acceded. and news, urging North Korea’s ‘‘elite’’ to de- tect the freedoms we all enjoy will not be for- The Chinese government has a lot to an- fect and turn against Kim Jong-un. swer for. It is no wonder that the UN Commis- We know some of these efforts are having gotten. sion on Inquiry for North Korea Human Rights effect. We saw several high-level defections of concluded that the Government of the Peo- diplomats, military officers, and the families of f ple’s Republic of China is aiding and abetting North Korea’s elites in the last year. The num- CONGRATULATING THE HELIAS in crimes against humanity by forcibly repa- ber of asylum-seekers, depressed for several CRUSADERS VOLLEYBALL TEAM triating North Korean refugees. years by upgraded security efforts in China, As many as 90 percent of North Korean has again begun to rise. women refugees in China fall prey to traf- Efforts to get information into North Korea HON. BLAINE LUETKEMEYER fickers who sell the refugees into sexual slav- must be expanded dramatically. Washington ery or forced marriages. should be leading this covert effort, working OF MISSOURI Labor trafficking is also pervasive The gov- primarily with North Korea defectors groups in IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ernment of North Korea and the government South Korea and with other human rights or- and businesses in China, Russia, and else- ganizations. Wednesday, December 13, 2017 where in the world, profit from the trafficking of The North Korean defector groups should North Korean laborers. be front and center in this effort—they know Mr. LUETKEMEYER. Mr. Speaker, I rise In recent months, Chinese authorities re- North Korea and they know the minds of its today to ask my colleagues to join me in con- portedly deported hundreds of South Korean people. They know what information is needed gratulating the Helias Crusaders Volleyball missionaries and NGO workers who have pro- to permanently tarnish the Kim family cult and team on winning the Class 3 Volleyball State vided crucial help to the North Korean refu- what will motivate military leaders to defect. Championship. gees in China. Yesterday’s hearing took place amid grow- This team and their coach should be com- The international community—especially the ing tensions on the Korean Peninsula. We mended for all of their hard work throughout United Nations, the Trump Administration and must seek all viable options to deal with and the U.S. Congress—must insist that China resolve the North Korean issue, not only in this past year and for bringing home the state honor its treaty obligations and end its egre- military/diplomatic terms, but also in terms of championship to their school and community. gious practice of systematic repatriation of human rights and freedom of the North Ko- I ask you to join me in recognizing the North Korean refugees. rean people. Helias Crusaders Volleyball team for a job well Chinese officials and businesses, complicit I welcome and thank all of our witnesses. I done. in repatriation of North Korean refugees or valued hearing their observations and insights.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 05:27 Dec 14, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A13DE8.012 E13DEPT1 E1696 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks December 13, 2017 PERSONAL EXPLANATION gratulating the New Haven Shamrocks Boys mother of Razavier, was also a member of the Cross Country team on winning the Class 1 Mississippi Army National Guard. HON. MARK SANFORD Cross Country State Championship. A funeral was held for SPC Davis at West OF SOUTH CAROLINA This team and their coach should be com- Tallahatchie High School in Webb, Mississippi. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES mended for all of their hard work throughout SPC Davis was laid to rest in the family ceme- this past year and for bringing home the state tery located on Sharkey Road in Glendora, Wednesday, December 13, 2017 championship to their school and community. Mississippi. SPC Davis’ sisters and brothers Mr. SANFORD. Mr. Speaker, I was unavoid- I ask you to join me in recognizing the New wrote a special tribute to their brother which ably detained. Had I been present, I would Haven Shamrocks Boys Cross Country team was printed in the program for the funeral. It have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 672 and for a job well done. read, ‘‘Ralph, our beautiful brother, there’s YEA on Roll Call No. 673. f really no need for words. Your life spoke loud f and clear. You were not perfect and that’s RECOGNIZING THE LIFE OF FALL- RECOGNIZING AND CELEBRATING okay. No human being is. You are still our EN MISSISSIPPI SOLDIER ARMY brother and we love you. There’s a lot of THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF SPECIALIST (SPC) RAPHAEL SPACE CENTER HOUSTON press these days about how there are no he- SAPTIAN DAVIS roes or great men for our children to look up to. They were wrong. Ralph, you are a hero HON. BRIAN BABIN HON. TRENT KELLY and we will make sure that all of your nieces OF TEXAS OF MISSISSIPPI and nephews know you were that special IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES hero. We love you.’’ Wednesday, December 13, 2017 Wednesday, December 13, 2017 SPC Davis is survived by his father, Clifton Mr. BABIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to rec- Bailey; his mother, Betty Davis Pimpton; his Mr. KELLY of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, girlfriend, Deetra Tucker; the mother of his two ognize and celebrate the twenty-fifth anniver- today I rise in memory of Army Specialist sary of Space Center Houston, the Official oldest children, Kimberlie Blount; his three (SPC) Raphael Saptian Davis who paid the ul- children, Raphael Davis, Junior, Ravin Davis, Visitor Center of the NASA Johnson Space timate sacrifice while defending our nation on Center. and Razavier Seon Davis; his eleven brothers, December 2, 2003, during Operation Iraqi Cedric Davis, Demarcus Davis, Lamonte Har- Since opening in 1992, Space Center Hous- Freedom. SPC Davis was killed when his ve- ton has welcomed nearly twenty million visi- ris, Clifton Davis, Junior, Zavier Bailey, Ber- hicle was struck by an improvised explosive nard Berryhill, Taierry Brown, Areail Wallace, tors and currently hosts nearly one million visi- device in Tampa, Iraq. SPC Davis was as- tors annually in its 250,000 square-foot edu- Steve Hill, Terrence Steele, and Maurice signed to B Company, 223rd Engineer Bat- Steele; his two sisters, Wynde Bailey, and cational complex. The Manned Space Flight talion, Mississippi Army National Guard, based Foundation, a private entity separate from Premmie Stevenson. in Calhoun City, Mississippi. SPC Davis will always be remembered for NASA, funds Space Center Houston, its edu- According to the Associated Press, SPC cational programs and the preservation of arti- his service and sacrifice to protect America Davis grew up in the Mississippi Delta. He and to preserve the freedoms we all enjoy. facts in its space science museum. Edu- lived with his mother in Tutwiler, Mississippi. f cational emphasis is placed on science, tech- SPC Davis graduated from Tallahatchie High nology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) School in Webb, Mississippi in 1998. SPC GODSPEED MARTIN WHITMER in a fun and engaging way Davis attended Holmes Community College in At Space Center Houston you can see the Goodman, Mississippi where he was pursuing history and future of human spaceflight under HON. JOE WILSON a degree in engineering. He then attended OF SOUTH CAROLINA one roof and it is the only Smithsonian Affiliate Hinds Community College in Jackson, Mis- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES museum in Houston. The Visitor’s Center is sissippi. Davis joined the Mississippi Army Na- home to a one-of-a-kind exhibit displaying the tional Guard in 2001. SPC Davis was de- Wednesday, December 13, 2017 world’s only shuttle replica (Independence) ployed during his second year of college. Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speak- mounted on an original Shuttle Carrier Aircraft Clifton Bailey, SPC Davis’ father, remem- (NASA 905). For the first time, only at Space er, we are thinking of my family friend Martin bers the last time he talked with his son on Whitmer and his wife, the former Julie Thur- Center Houston, you can see the spacecraft the phone. ‘‘He called me on November 16th,’’ from the first and last lunar landings under the mond, as Martin is scheduled for open heart Mr. Bailey said. ‘‘He tracked me down until he surgery this Thursday, December 14. We pray same roof. Currently, Space Center Houston found me at work. I never heard him sound so is partnering with the Smithsonian National Air for his family in this difficult time and have happy. He told me he was coming home. We faith that he will recuperate quickly to become and Space Museum to display both the Apollo all assumed he meant Tutwiler, but he knew 11 and Apollo 17 command modules to com- even stronger than before. he was going to his heavenly home. He was f memorate the fiftieth anniversary of our na- calling to say goodbye.’’ Betty Davis Pimpton, tion’s extraordinary achievement of man’s first SPC Davis’ mother, said she always worried IN HONOR OF LANETT WINNING step on the Moon in 1969. about her son as any mother would. ‘‘You al- AHSAA CLASS 2A HIGH SCHOOL Through Space Center Houston, the founda- ways hope for the best, never thinking about FOOTBALL TITLE tion can teach future generations how far the worst that can happen,’’ Mrs. Pimpton we’ve come with the space program and em- said. ‘‘I was really proud of his service. He en- phasize how far we have to go to touch the HON. MIKE ROGERS joyed it and wanted to make a career out of rest of our universe. OF ALABAMA it. Mr. Speaker, as the Congressman who rep- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Lakeitha Johnson, a classmate of SPC resents Space Center Houston, and as Chair- Davis, paid tribute to him on a memorial Wednesday, December 13, 2017 man of the House Subcommittee on Space, it website. ‘‘There isn’t a day that goes by when Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I is my distinct honor to recognize Space Cen- I don’t think about my classmate and friend, ask for the House’s attention today to recog- ter Houston on this milestone occasion. Raphael,’’ Lakeitha said. ‘‘I think everyone nize Lanett High School for winning the Ala- f here agrees that the last two years without bama High School Athletic Association CONGRATULATING THE NEW him have been tough. Even though his loss (AHSAA) Class 2A football state title for the HAVEN SHAMROCKS BOYS CROSS has left a huge void in our community, I al- first time ever. COUNTRY TEAM ways think of him and smile. I know that you The Panthers sealed their victory by beating are in heaven smiling down on us and we love Leroy High School 33–15 on December 8 at HON. BLAINE LUETKEMEYER you and miss you so much. We’ll see you Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Ala- OF MISSOURI when we reach that other shore, Raph.’’ bama. SPC Davis was the father of three children, Mr. Speaker, please join me in congratu- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Raphael Davis, Junior, Ravin Davis, and lating the students and faculty of Lanett High Wednesday, December 13, 2017 Razavier Seon Davis. His youngest child, School, the coaches, the players and all the Mr. LUETKEMEYER. Mr. Speaker, I rise Razavier Seon Davis, was born four weeks Panthers fans on this exciting achievement. today to ask my colleagues to join me in con- before SPC Davis was killed. Deetra Tucker, Go Panthers.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 05:27 Dec 14, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00006 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A13DE8.014 E13DEPT1 December 13, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E1697 RECOGNIZING THE BAYTOWN SUN Western Electric before obtaining and rising to said her son was liked by everyone. ‘‘He was ON ITS DESIGNATION AS A a senior level position at Quaker Oats where a very sweet person who got along with every- TEXAS STATE HISTORICAL he worked for more than twenty-five years. He body,’’ Mary Love said. ‘‘Everybody loved him MARKER later became a successful entrepreneur and and he loved everybody.’’ Robert Lee Love, owned a dock fish feed franchise and had an Senior, SSG Love’s father, said the loss of HON. BRIAN BABIN interest in a St. Louis based Miller Beer dis- their son was difficult. ‘‘It has been hard, but tributor-ship. Tim was passionate about life, we are holding up,’’ Mr. Love said. OF TEXAS civic engagement and politics. He served as IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Graveside services for SSG Love were held commissioner and President of the Olympia on December 20, 2006 at the Pentecostal Me- Wednesday, December 13, 2017 Fields Park District and Administrator of Rich morial Gardens Cemetery in Russell, Mis- Township. Tim’s greatest legacy will be his sissippi. Elder Keith Tisdale and Bishop Mr. BABIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to rec- service to the community and helping those in Marcell Evins officiated the funeral. SSG Love ognize The Baytown Sun for its designation as need is his passion, his mission. He was a is survived by his wife, Brianna; his two an official Texas State Historical Marker. well-respected pillar of the community who daughters, Brianna, and Tanessa; his father, The Baytown Sun can trace its roots to the made sure that the south suburban community Robert L. Love, Senior; his mother, Mary weekly newspaper The Goose Creek Gasser, of Cook County was never overlooked. established by Frank Boyer in 1919, two To say that he was immersed in politics Love; his two sisters, Rickitta Thomas and months before construction began on the would be an understatement. Tim worked Evelyn Ford; and two brothers, Reginald Love Humble Oil & Refining Company’s Baytown around the clock and became known as the and Jeremy Love. Refinery. The Gasser was created to serve Godfather of south suburban politics. He SSG Love proudly served America and the rapidly growing tri-cities of Goose Creek, served as vice chair for Cook County Demo- gave his life to protect the freedoms we all Pelly, and Baytown, which evolved from oil crats, a Commissioner of the Metropolitan enjoy. boom towns to a permeant community. In Water Reclamation District, RichTownship 1924, new ownership the paper’s name to the Committeeman, Rich Township Administrator, f semi-weekly tribune, and again in 1929 to the Matteson Rotary Club, Olympia Fields Police daily tribune, when it’s circulation was around Board and countless other civic organizations, TRIBUTE TO JOHNNIE MYERS 4,500. boards and commissions. Notwithstanding all The financial strain of the great depression of his external activities and affiliations, Tim led the owners of Goose Creek’s Tribune, The was totally devoted to his wife of 51 years, HON. JOHN J. DUNCAN, JR. Pelly Telegram, and Baytown’s Tri-Cities Mary-Ann and all other members of the Brad- OF TENNESSEE News-Herald to merge into a single paper, the ford clan, his mother, his brothers, his chil- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Tri-Cities Sun, operating out of the Tribune’s dren, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, other building. First published on July 19, 1931, it family members and friends. Timothy (Tim) Wednesday, December 13, 2017 was renamed The Daily Sun two years later. Bradford was an extraordinary man filled with Mr. DUNCAN of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, boundless energy, a great mind and a heart Goose Creek, Pelly and Baytown consoli- In honor of Mrs. Johnnie Elizabeth filled with love for his family and anyone that dated in 1948, and the paper, renamed The Hammontree Myers, I would like to celebrate he might meet. Baytown Sun, became the sole daily news- the amazing life she lived with my colleagues Love is patient, love is kind, love is gen- paper in the old tri-cities area. In 1949, the fa- and others. cility was greatly expanded, including a new erous, love is Commissioner Timothy (Tim) press and, for the first time an air conditioned Bradford. Johnnie was a long time close, personal friend to both me, and my father, Congress- work space. That year, The Sun surpassed a f circulation of 8,000 and employed forty individ- man John J. Duncan, Sr. There couldn’t have uals. In 1965 the sun moved to its current lo- RECOGNIZING THE LIFE OF FALL- been a stronger supporter of the Republican cation. The first papers printed at the new lo- EN MISSISSIPPI SOLDIER ARMY cause. cation went out to more than 12,700 sub- STAFF SERGEANT (SSG) ROBERT Born in 1919, in Greenback, Tennessee, scribers. LEE LOVE, JUNIOR Johnnie was brought up attending Pine Grove Longtime Publishers and editors of the Sun Presbyterian Church where she would become included William Pendergraft, Robert HON. TRENT KELLY an elder, clerk, and life time member. Matherne, Fred Hartman, and Preston OF MISSISSIPPI She volunteered her time in the community Pendergrass. Janie Gray has served as Pub- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES as well. She was a past chair of the Loudon lisher since 2010. Wednesday, December 13, 2017 County March of Dimes, president of the Since 1919, The Baytown Sun and its pred- Loudon County Republican Women, and was ecessors have primarily focused on the area’s Mr. KELLY of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, the first female vice-chairman of the Loudon local news and history, while providing readers today I rise in memory of Army Staff Sergeant County Republican Party. (SSG) Robert Lee Love, Junior who paid the with matters of state, national and international She was a staunch, dedicated Republican, importance. Today, The Baytown Sun covers ultimate sacrifice while defending our nation on December 1, 2006, during Operation Iraqi but more importantly, she was a strong Chris- Southeast Harris County, Chambers County, Freedom. SSG Love died from injuries he sus- tian and truly patriotic American. and Southeast Liberty County. tained when an improvised explosive device When she wasn’t serving her church, or our Mr. Speaker, it is my distinct honor to recog- detanated near his vehicle during combat op- community, she was enjoying life to the fullest. nize The Baytown Sun on its designation as a erations in Ar Ramadi, Iraq. SSG Love was Texas State Historical Marker. She cheered on the University of Ten- assigned to the 16th Engineer Battalion, 1st nessee men’s basketball team as often as she f Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, could with the season tickets she held since TRIBUTE TO COMMISSIONER Glessen, Germany. 1962. TIMOTHY (TIM) BRADFORD According to the Associated Press, SSG She also loved to embark on trips to new Love, a Livingston, Alabama native, graduated places including Hawaii, Alaska, Israel, and from Livingston High School in 1996. Mary Europe. HON. DANNY K. DAVIS Love, SSG Love’s mother, said he enlisted in OF ILLINOIS the Army following graduation and served in Johnnie is an example to us all to live life each day with humility, compassion for others, IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES the military a total of eight years. Prior to deployment, SSG Love lived in Germany with his and grateful hearts. She will be greatly missed Wednesday, December 13, 2017 wife, Army Staff Sergeant (SSG) Brianna K. by me, my family, and our community. Mr. DANNY K. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speak- Love. The couple had a three-year-old daugh- Mr. Speaker, this Nation is a better place er, Tim Bradford graduated from Richard T. ter, Brianna. SSG Robert Love also had an today because of the life that Johnnie Myers Crane High School on the Westside of Chi- 11-year-old daughter, Tanessa. led, and I hope that many people will read this cago where he was an outstanding athlete The Meridian Star newspaper interviewed tribute honoring one really outstanding and well-liked student. He secured a job at members of SSG Love’s family. Mary Love woman.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 05:27 Dec 14, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00007 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K13DE8.008 E13DEPT1 E1698 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks December 13, 2017 HONORING THE CAREER OF DR. RECOGNIZING THE LIFE OF FALL- Captain Evans proudly served our nation. DAVID ZOLDOSKE EN MISSISSIPPI U.S. AIR FORCE He entered into the military ready to fight for CAPTAIN (CAPT) KERMIT O. the freedoms we all enjoy. His sacrifice will EVANS not be forgotten. HON. JIM COSTA f OF CALIFORNIA HON. TRENT KELLY HARK OF MISSISSIPPI IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES HON. PETE SESSIONS Wednesday, December 13, 2017 Wednesday, December 13, 2017 OF TEXAS Mr. KELLY of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Mr. COSTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to today I rise in memory of U.S. Air Force Cap- Wednesday, December 13, 2017 congratulate Dr. David Zoldoske on the occa- tain (Capt) Kermit O. Evans who paid the ulti- sion of his retirement after 35 years of dedi- mate sacrifice while defending our nation on Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I include in cated service to the Jordan College of Agricul- December 3, 2006, during Operation Iraqi the RECORD a poem, on behalf of Albert Carey tural Sciences and Technology at California Freedom. Captain Evans died when the Ma- Caswell, to honor the men and women of The State University, Fresno (Fresno State). He rine Corps CH–46 helicopter he was riding in Armed Forces and the families of the Fallen has been a leader in the effort for sustainable made an emergency water landing in western this Christmas. irrigation techniques across California. Anbar province. Captain Evans was assigned HARK to the 27th Civil Engineer Squadron, Cannon (By: Albert Caswell) David earned his Bachelor’s degree in Agri- Air Force Base, New Mexico. He deployed Hark the herald Angels sing cultural Economics from Fresno State. He with the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing, Balad Glory to the new born king worked as a student research assistant, spe- Air Base, Iraq. He was one of four service As our Lord up to heaven a new one brings, cializing in irrigation, before being hired as a members who died in the accident. Peace on earth and mercy mild full-time research technician in 1983. According to the Associated Press, Captain Across this Nation a mother just lost her child, David has worked at Fresno State for over Evans, a Hollandale, Mississippi native, was an avid sports fan and athlete who was pleas- Who on battlefields of honor stood tall the 30 years. He currently serves as Director for while ant and giving. Margaret Evans, Captain the Center for Irrigation and Technology, the God and sinners reconciled Evans’ mother, said her son liked taking things California Water Institute, and was also named As our Father looks upon his new Angel and apart and putting them back together. ‘‘He the Executive Director of Water Initiatives at smiles, also had an inquisitive personality that prob- Joyful all ye nations rise Fresno State. Through this capacity, he guides ably landed him in his military career as an For our freedom this day a hero died, the university’s water technology, water re- explosives ordnance disposal technician,’’ Mrs. Join the triumph of the skies source management, and policy initiatives. Evans said. ‘‘He liked to see how things A new Angel is on the rise. David has served in a number of leadership work.’’ Hark the herald Angels sing Glory to the new born king positions throughout his career. He served as Captain Evans graduated from Mississippi State University where he earned a degree in As a mother this Christmas stands with tear the President of the Irrigation Association, and in her eyes, the American Society of Agronomy California chemical engineering. Captain Evans enlisted For us all her baby died. in the U.S. Air Force in August 2001. Fol- Chapter. David was also the founding Execu- Hail the everlasting Lord lowing graduation, Captain Evans entered offi- tive Director for the Water Resources and Pol- Heroes like this heaven was made for, cer training school at Maxwell Air Force Base, Light and life to all he brings icy Initiative for the California State University Alabama and received his commission as a As up in heaven his new Angel sings, System, Senior Fellow with the California second lieutenant in November 2001. He was Here with healing in his wings Council on Science and Technology, as well promoted to captain in November 2005. In the As down below in their sleep, as member of the ‘‘SMART’’ Water Application second phase of his Air Force career, Captain To his loved ones in his tears in comfort he Executive Committee. David has also been Evans entered Explosive Ordnance Disposal whispers again we’ll meet, Mild he lay his glory by born that no man named an Honorary Member of the American School at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida. Fol- may die Society of Irrigation Consultants. lowing graduation, he was stationed at Can- As now in men and women of honor we un- David has been a member of the California non Air Force Base, New Mexico. While he derstand why was serving at Cannon Air Force Base, his Department of Food and Agricultural Nitrogen Bringing hope to all the land unit earned the Sergeant Stryzak Award as As did this magnificent hero in his short life Tracking and Reporting Task Force. He was the best EOD flight in Air Combat Command. span. Co-Chair of the Model Water Efficient Land- Captain Evans was the head of the bomb Peace to every child and man scape Ordinance Committee, Vice-Chair of the squad at the 27th Civil Engineer Squadron, As too was his plan. California Department of Water Resources Cannon Air Force Base, New Mexico. In 2011, Hark the herald Angels sing Strategic Planning Caucus for New Water Glory to the new born king Cannon AFB officials honored their fallen com- Come all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant Technology, and served as a member of the rade. They renamed the street in front of the As do those who stand guard so abundant, A–2 Subcommittee to the SBx7–Agriculture 27th CE Squadron building as Kermit Evans Come ye oh come ye to Bethlehem Stakeholders Committee. Avenue. Come and behold him, Lieutenant Colonel (Lt Col) Stephen Wood, Come and behold them, Over the years, David has received numer- 27th Civil Engineer Squadron Commander, Born the King of Angels, ous awards from his colleagues and peers. said Captain Evans considered the Air Force Come let us adore him This includes being named ‘‘Person of the as a career at a young age. He said Captain Come let us adore him Year’’ by both the Irrigation Association in Evans had a solid Air Force career as a civil Oh come let us adore him Oh come let us adore them, 2013 and the California Irrigation Institute in engineer, but wanted to do more, and began 2015. The Fallen. exploring bomb disposal. ‘‘That top level strati- Sing choir of Angels, sing in exultation Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I fication was repeated throughout his career,’’ For those who did not waver, who on this applaud Dr. David Zoldoske for his many Lt Col Wood said. day have met our savior, years of tireless work on behalf of the Central A funeral service was held for Captain Sing all our citizens of heaven above Evans at Nellis Air Force Base in Las Vegas, To all our heroes who gave the greatest love, Valley. His dedication to education is ex- Nevada. A memorial service was held at the Glory to God, glory in the highest tremely commendable. I have personally Simmons High School Gymnatorium in Oh come let us adore him worked with David for years in my capacity as Hollandale, Mississippi. Captain Evans was Oh come let us adore him a Member of Congress and I can proudly call laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery in Oh come let us adore him Oh come let us adore them, him my friend. I ask my colleagues to join me Arlington, Virginia on December 12, 2006. today in recognizing the commitment, dedica- All the men and women who have died in war Captain Evans is survived by his parents, then, tion and success of Dr. David Zoldoske, and Charles and Margaret Evans; his wife, And the families who live in pain the more wish him well as he embarks on new endeav- Perneatha; his son, Kermit Evans, Jr.; and his then. ors. brother, Kervin Evans. Christ the Lord

VerDate Sep 11 2014 05:27 Dec 14, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00008 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A13DE8.022 E13DEPT1 December 13, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E1699 Hark the herald Angels sing, Meetings scheduled for Thursday, De- New York, to be Ambassador to the Re- glory to the newborn King. cember 14, 2017 may be found in the public of Rwanda, and Joel Danies, of f Daily Digest of today’s RECORD. Maryland, to be Ambassador to the Gabonese Republic, and to serve con- SENATE COMMITTEE MEETINGS MEETINGS SCHEDULED currently and without additional com- Title IV of Senate Resolution 4, pensation as Ambassador to the Demo- DECEMBER 19 agreed to by the Senate of February 4, cratic Republic of Sao Tome and Prin- 1977, calls for establishment of a sys- 10 a.m. cipe, both of the Department of State. Committee on Banking, Housing, and tem for a computerized schedule of all SD–419 Urban Affairs 2:30 p.m. meetings and hearings of Senate com- Business meeting to consider the nomi- Committee on Rules and Administration mittees, subcommittees, joint commit- nations of Scott Garrett, of New Jer- To hold hearings to examine S. Res. 355, tees, and committees of conference. sey, to be President, Kimberly A. Reed, improving procedures for the consider- This title requires all such committees of West Virginia, to be First Vice ation of nominations in the Senate; to to notify the Office of the Senate Daily President, Mark L. Greenblatt, of be immediately followed by a business Digest—designated by the Rules Com- Maryland, to be Inspector General, and meeting to consider S. Res. 355, im- Spencer Bachus III, of Alabama, Judith proving procedures for the consider- mittee—of the time, place and purpose Delzoppo Pryor, of Ohio, and Claudia ation of nominations in the Senate. of the meetings, when scheduled and Slacik, of New York, each to be a Mem- SR–301 any cancellations or changes in the ber of the Board of Directors, all of the meetings as they occur. Export-Import Bank. DECEMBER 20 As an additional procedure along SD–538 with the computerization of this infor- Committee on Foreign Relations 10:30 a.m. mation, the Office of the Senate Daily To hold hearings to examine United Committee on Environment and Public Works Digest will prepare this information for States strategy for Syria after ISIS. SD–419 Subcommittee on Transportation and In- printing in the Extensions of Remarks 2 p.m. frastructure section of the CONGRESSIONAL RECORD Committee on Foreign Relations To hold hearings to examine freight on Monday and Wednesday of each To hold hearings to examine the nomina- movement. week. tions of Peter Hendrick Vrooman, of SD–406

VerDate Sep 11 2014 05:27 Dec 14, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00009 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A13DE8.024 E13DEPT1 Wednesday, December 13, 2017 Daily Digest Senate Nomination Confirmed: Senate confirmed the fol- Chamber Action lowing nomination: Routine Proceedings, pages S7979–S8016 By 50 yeas to 47 nays (Vote No. EX. 315), Don Measures Introduced: Six bills and two resolutions R. Willett, of Texas, to be a Circuit Judge, United were introduced, as follows: S. 2223–2228, and S. States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. Res. 359–360. Page S8006 Pages S7981–S8002, S8016 Ho Nomination—Agreement: Senate resumed Messages from the House: Page S8004 consideration of the nomination of James C. Ho, of Measures Referred: Page S8004 Texas, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Fifth Circuit, post-cloture. Page S8003 Executive Communications: Pages S8004–06 During consideration of this nomination today, Executive Reports of Committees: Page S8006 Senate also took the following action: Additional Cosponsors: Pages S8006–07 By 53 yeas to 44 nays (Vote No. 316), Senate agreed to the motion to close further debate on the Statements on Introduced Bills/Resolutions: nomination. Pages S8002–03 Pages S8007–08 A unanimous-consent agreement was reached pro- Additional Statements: Pages S8003–04 viding for further consideration of the nomination, Authorities for Committees to Meet: post-cloture, at approximately 10 a.m., on Thursday, Pages S8008–09 December 14, 2017; and that all time during recess, adjournment, morning business, and Leader remarks Privileges of the Floor: Page S8009 count post-cloture on the nomination. Page S8009 Record Votes: Two record votes were taken today. West Nomination—Agreement: A unanimous- (Total—316) Pages S8002, S8003 consent-time agreement was reached providing that Adjournment: Senate convened at 12 noon and ad- at a time to be determined by the Majority Leader, journed at 7:02 p.m., until 10 a.m. on Thursday, in consultation with the Democratic Leader, Senate December 14, 2017. (For Senate’s program, see the begin consideration of the nomination of Owen remarks of the Majority Leader in today’s Record on West, of Connecticut, to be an Assistant Secretary of page S.) Defense; that there be 30 minutes of debate on the nomination, equally divided in the usual form, and that following the use or yielding back of time, Sen- Committee Meetings ate vote on confirmation of the nomination with no intervening action or debate. Page S8003 (Committees not listed did not meet) Compton Nomination—Agreement: A unanimous-consent-time agreement was reached providing SAFEGUARDING AMERICAN AGRICULTURE that at a time to be determined by the Majority Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry: Com- Leader, in consultation with the Democratic Leader, mittee concluded a hearing to examine safeguarding Senate begin consideration of the nomination of J. American agriculture in a globalized world, after re- Paul Compton, Jr., of Alabama, to be General Coun- ceiving testimony from former Senator Joseph I. Lie- sel of the Department of Housing and Urban Devel- berman, Chair, Blue Ribbon Study Panel on Bio- opment; that there be 120 minutes of debate on the defense; R. D. Meckes, North Carolina Department nomination, equally divided in the usual form, and of Agriculture and Consumer Services State Veteri- that following the use or yielding back of time, Sen- narian, Raleigh; Richard B. Myers, Kansas State ate vote on confirmation of the nomination with no University, Manhattan; and Raymond Hammer- intervening action or debate. Page S8003 schmidt, Michigan State University, East Lansing. D1319

VerDate Sep 11 2014 05:23 Dec 14, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 0627 Sfmt 0627 E:\CR\FM\D13DE7.REC D13DEPT1 D1320 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — DAILY DIGEST December 13, 2017 GLOBAL COUNTERTERRORISM NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION OPERATIONS OVERSIGHT Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Emerg- Committee on Environment and Public Works: Com- ing Threats and Capabilities received a closed brief- mittee concluded an oversight hearing to examine ing on Department of Defense global counterter- the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, after receiving rorism operations from Mark E. Mitchell, Acting As- testimony from Kristine L. Svinicki, Chairman, and sistant Secretary for Special Operations/Low-Intensity Jeff Baran, and Stephen Burns, both a Commissioner, Conflict, Major General Albert M. Elton III, USAF, all of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Deputy Director for Special Operations and Counter- terrorism, Joint Staff, and Gary Reid, Director of In- STRATEGIC, POLITICAL, AND LEGAL telligence and Security, Office of the Undersecretary CONSIDERATIONS OF USING FORCE for Intelligence, all of the Department of Defense. Committee on Foreign Relations: Committee concluded a hearing to examine using force, focusing on stra- TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY/CONCUSSION tegic, political, and legal considerations, after receiv- IN SERVICEMEMBERS ing testimony from Stephen J. Hadley, former Na- Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Per- tional Security Advisor, Christine E. Wormuth, sonnel concluded a hearing to examine an update on former Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, and research, diagnosis, and treatment for traumatic John B. Bellinger III, Council on Foreign Relation, brain injury/concussion in servicemembers, after re- all of Washington, D.C. ceiving testimony from Joel D. Scholten, Associate Chief of Staff for Rehabilitation Services for the Vet- TREATIES erans Affairs Medical Center, and David X. Cifu, Committee on Foreign Relations: Committee concluded Senior TBI Specialist, Principal Investigator, Chronic a hearing to examine the extradition Treaty between Effects of Neurotrauma Consortium, both of the De- the Government of the United States of America and partment of Veteran Affairs; Captain Michael J. the Government of the Republic of Kosovo, signed Colston, USN, Director, Military Health Policy and at Pristina on March 29, 2016 (Treaty Doc. 115–2), Oversight for the Assistant Secretary of Defense for the extradition Treaty between the United States of Health Affairs; David W. Dodick, Mayo Clinic; Ste- America and the Republic of Serbia, signed at Bel- ven D. Devick, King-Devick technologies, inc; and grade on August 15, 2016 (Treaty Doc. 115–1), the Christopher M. Miles, Wake Forest University. Treaty between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the Republic of BUSINESS MEETING Kiribati on the Delimitation of Maritime Bound- Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation: aries, signed at Majuro on September 6, 2013, and Committee ordered favorably reported the following the Treaty between the Government of the United business items: States of America and the Government of the Fed- S. 2202, to amend title 49, United States Code, erated States of Micronesia on the Delimitation of a to authorize appropriations for the National Trans- Maritime Boundary, signed at Koror on August 1, portation Safety Board, with an amendment in the 2014 (Treaty Doc. 114–13), and the United Nations nature of a substitute; Convention on the Assignment of Receivables in S. 2200, to reauthorize the National Integrated International Trade, done at New York on December Drought Information System, with an amendment in 12, 2001, and signed by the United States on De- the nature of a substitute; cember 30, 2003 (Treaty Doc. 114–7), after receiv- S. 1768, to reauthorize and amend the National ing testimony from Richard Visek, Acting Legal Ad- Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program, with an viser, Department of State; and Bruce Swartz, Dep- amendment in the nature of a substitute; and uty Assistant Attorney General, Criminal Division, The nomination of Barry Lee Myers, of Pennsyl- Department of Justice. vania, to be Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere, and a routine list in the 21ST CENTURY CURES ACT Coast Guard. Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions: Committee concluded a hearing to examine imple- BUSINESS MEETING mentation of the 21st Century Cures Act, focusing Committee on Environment and Public Works: Com- on responding to mental health needs, after receiving mittee ordered favorably reported the nomination of testimony from Elinore F. McCance-Katz, Assistant R. D. James, of Missouri, to be an Assistant Sec- Secretary of Health and Human Services for Mental retary of the Army, Department of Defense. Health and Substance Use.

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BUSINESS MEETING trict of Oklahoma, who was introduced by Senator Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions: Lankford, Matthew J. Kacsmaryk, to be United Committee ordered favorably reported the nomina- States District Judge for the Northern District of tions of Johnny Collett, of Kentucky, to be Assistant Texas, Matthew Spencer Petersen, of Virginia, to be Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative United States District Judge for the District of Co- Services, Mitchell Zais, of South Carolina, to be lumbia, and Eli Jeremy Richardson, to be United Deputy Secretary, and James Blew, of California, to States District Judge for the Middle District of Ten- be Assistant Secretary for Planning, Evaluation, and nessee, who was introduced by Senators Alexander Policy Development, all of the Department of Edu- and Corker, after the nominees testified and an- cation, William Beach, of Kansas, to be Commis- swered questions in their own behalf. sioner of Labor Statistics, Kate S. O’Scannlain, of Maryland, to be Solicitor, and Scott A. Mugno, of CONSUMER WELFARE STANDARD IN Pennsylvania, and Preston Rutledge, of the District ANTITRUST of Columbia, both to be an Assistant Secretary, all Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Anti- of the Department of Labor. trust, Competition Policy and Consumer Rights con- NOMINATIONS cluded a hearing to examine the consumer welfare Committee on the Judiciary: Committee concluded a standard in antitrust, after receiving testimony from hearing to examine the nominations of Elizabeth L. Abbott B. Lipsky, Jr., and Joshua D. Wright, both Branch, of Georgia, to be United States Circuit of the George Mason University Antonin Scalia Law Judge for the Eleventh Circuit, and R. Stan Baker, School, Arlington, Virginia; Barry C. Lynn, Open to be United States District Judge for the Southern Markets Institute, and Diana Moss, American Anti- District of Georgia, who were introduced by Senators trust Institute, both of Washington, D.C.; and Carl Isakson and Perdue, Charles Barnes Goodwin, to be Shapiro, University of California Haas School of United States District Judge for the Western Dis- Business, Berkeley. h House of Representatives each name a total of fifteen Members, Delegates, or Chamber Action the Resident Commissioner from the respective party Public Bills and Resolutions Introduced: 6 public of such individual who are not members of the Com- bills, H.R. 4635–4640; 1 private bill, H.R. 4641; mittee on Ethics to be available to serve on inves- and 4 resolutions, H.J. Res. 124; and H. Res. tigative subcommittees of that committee during the 662–664, were introduced. Page H9900 115th Congress pursuant to clause 5(a)(4) of rule 10. Additional Cosponsors: Page H9901 Page H9854 Report Filed: A report was filed today as follows: Investigative Subcommittees of the Committee H.R. 4258, to amend the National Science Foun- on Ethics—Appointment: The Chair announced dation Authorization Act of 2002 to strengthen the the Speaker’s appointment of the following Members aerospace workforce pipeline by the promotion of of the House to be available to serve on investigative Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program and Na- subcommittees of the Committee on Ethics for the tional Aeronautics and Space Administration intern- 115th Congress: Representatives Wagner, Walorski, ship and fellowship opportunities to women, and for Handel, Mimi Walters (CA) and Paulsen. Page H9854 other purposes (H. Rept. 115–464). Page H9900 Investigative Subcommittees of the Committee Speaker: Read a letter from the Speaker wherein he on Ethics—Appointment: Read a letter from Rep- appointed Representative Rogers (KY) to act as resentative Pelosi, Minority Leader, in which she ap- Speaker pro tempore for today. Page H9047 pointed the following Members to be available to Recess: The House recessed at 10:40 a.m. and reserve on an Investigative Subcommittee established convened at 12 noon. Page H9851 by the Committee on Ethics during the 115th Con- Committee on Ethics Investigative Subcommit- gress: Representatives Castro (TX), Jayapal, tees: The Chair announced that the Speaker or a des- McEachin, Torres, and Tsongas. Pages H9854–59 ignee and the Minority Leader or a designee shall

VerDate Sep 11 2014 05:23 Dec 14, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 0627 Sfmt 0627 E:\CR\FM\D13DE7.REC D13DEPT1 D1322 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — DAILY DIGEST December 13, 2017 Recess: The House recessed at 1:06 p.m. and recon- a yea-and-nay vote of 229 yeas to 189 nays, Roll vened at 1:20 p.m. Page H9859 No. 676. Pages H9854–60 Recess: The House recessed at 4:20 p.m. and recon- Strengthening Oversight of Iran’s Access to Fi- vened at 4:47 p.m. Page H9878 nance Act: The House considered H.R. 4324, to re- Privacy Notification Technical Clarification Act quire the Secretary of the Treasury to make certifi- and Corporate Governance Reform and Trans- cations with respect to United States and foreign fi- parency Act of 2017—Rule for Consideration: nancial institutions’ aircraft-related transactions in- The House agreed to H. Res. 657, providing for volving Iran. Consideration is expected to resume to- consideration of the bill (H.R. 2396) to amend the morrow, December 14th. Page H9880 Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act to update the exception for Considered the Swallwell (CA) motion to recom- certain annual notices provided by financial institu- mit the bill to the Committee on Financial Services tions, and providing for consideration of the bill with instructions to report the same back to the (H.R. 4015) to improve the quality of proxy advi- House forthwith with an amendment. Pages H9890–91 sory firms for the protection of investors and the Pursuant to the Rule, an amendment in the na- U.S. economy, and in the public interest, by fos- ture of a substitute consisting of the text of Rules tering accountability, transparency, responsiveness, Committee Print 115–48 shall be considered as and competition in the proxy advisory firm industry, adopted, in lieu of the amendment recommended by by a recorded vote of 240 ayes to 184 noes, Roll No. the Committee on Financial Services now printed in 679, after the previous question was ordered by a the bill. Page H9880 yea-and-nay vote of 236 yeas to 187 nays, Roll No. Agreed to: 678. Pages H9860–68, H9878–79 Gaetz amendment (No. 1 printed in part B of H. Iranian Leadership Asset Transparency Act: The Rept. 115–463) that includes, in the report already House passed H.R. 1638, to require the Secretary of required in the underlying text, certification that the the Treasury to submit a report to the appropriate transaction will not benefit anIranian person that has congressional committees on the estimated total as- knowingly transported items used to establish in sets under direct or indirect control by certain senior Syria a permanent military presence of either Iranian Iranian leaders and other figures, by a yea-and-nay military forces or Iranian backed militia. vote of 289 yeas to 135 nays, Roll No. 680. Pages H9889–90 Pages H9868–78, H9879–80 Res. 658, the rule providing for consideration of Pursuant to the Rule, it shall be in order to con- the bills (H.R. 1638) and (H.R. 4324) was agreed sider as an original bill for the purpose of amend- to by a recorded vote of 238 ayes to 182 noes, Roll ment under the five-minute rule an amendment in No. 677, after the previous question was ordered by the nature of a substitute consisting of the text of a yea-and-nay vote of 229 yeas to 189 nays, Roll Rules Committee Print 115–47, in lieu of the No. 676. Pages H9854–60 amendment in the nature of a substitute rec- Meeting Hour: Agreed by unanimous consent that ommended by the Committee on Financial Services when the House adjourns today, it adjourn to meet now printed in the bill. Page H9875 at 9 a.m. tomorrow, December 14th. Page H9891 Agreed to: Quorum Calls—Votes: Three yea-and-nay votes Schneider amendment (No. 1 printed in part A of and two recorded votes developed during the pro- H. Rept. 115–463) that amends the reporting re- ceedings of today and appear on pages H9859–60, quirement on recommendations for how U.S. eco- H9860, H9878–79, H9879, and H9880. There were nomic sanctions against Iran may be revised to pre- no quorum calls. vent funds or assets from being used to contribute to the continued development of Iran’s ballistic mis- Adjournment: The House met at 10 a.m. and ad- sile program to also include human rights abuses; journed at 8:11 p.m. and Pages H9876–77 Meng amendment (No. 2 printed in part A of H. Rept. 115–463) that requires the report created by Committee Meetings this bill to include ‘‘an assessment of the impact and effectiveness of U.S. economic sanctions programs MISCELLANEOUS MEASURE against Iran’’. Pages H9877–78 Committee on Education and the Workforce: Full Com- H. Res. 658, the rule providing for consideration mittee completed a markup on H.R. 4508, the ‘‘Pro- of the bills (H.R. 1638) and (H.R. 4324) was agreed moting Real Opportunity, Success, and Prosperity to by a recorded vote of 238 ayes to 182 noes, Roll through Education Reform Act’’. H.R. 4508 was or- No. 677, after the previous question was ordered by dered reported, as amended.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 05:23 Dec 14, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 0627 Sfmt 0627 E:\CR\FM\D13DE7.REC D13DEPT1 December 13, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — DAILY DIGEST D1323 EXAMINING THE DRUG SUPPLY CHAIN Evaluation of Capabilities for our Homeland Act’’; Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on H.R. 4564, the ‘‘Post-Caliphate Threat Assessment Health held a hearing entitled ‘‘Examining the Drug Act of 2017’’; H.R. 4567, the ‘‘DHS Overseas Per- Supply Chain’’. Testimony was heard from public sonnel Enhancement Act of 2017’’; H.R. 4569, the witnesses. ‘‘Counterterrorism Information Sharing Improvement Act of 2017’’; H.R. 4577, the ‘‘Domestic Explosives THE IMPACTS AND FUTURE OF NORTH Detection Canine Capacity Building Act of 2017’’; AMERICAN ENERGY TRADE H.R. 4578, the ‘‘Counter Terrorist Network Act’’; Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on and H.R. 4581, the ‘‘Screening and Vetting Pas- Energy held a hearing entitled ‘‘The Impacts and senger Exchange Act of 2017’’. H.R. 4561, H.R. Future of North American Energy Trade’’. Testi- 4559, H.R. 4567, H.R. 1486, H.R. 4577, H.R. mony was heard from public witnesses. 4555, H.R. 4553, and H.R. 4433 were ordered reported, as amended. H.R. 4564, H.R. 4569, H.R. MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES 4578, and H.R. 4581 were ordered reported, with- Committee on Financial Services: Full Committee com- out amendment. pleted a markup on H.R. 435, the ‘‘Credit Access and Inclusion Act of 2017’’; H.R. 1457, the ‘‘Mak- MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES ing Online Banking Initiation Legal and Easy Act of Committee on House Administration: Full Committee 2017’’; H.R. 2219, the ‘‘End Banking for Human held a markup on H.R. 4009, to authorize the Board Traffickers Act of 2017’’; H.R. 2948, to amend the of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution to plan, S.A.F.E. Mortgage Licensing Act of 2008 to provide design, and construct a central parking facility on a temporary license for loan originators transitioning National Zoological Park property in the District of between employers, and for other purposes; H.R. Columbia; and a committee resolution updating the 3179, the ‘‘Transparency and Accountability for advertisement regulations found in the Members’ Business Standards Act’’; H.R. 3864, the ‘‘Native Congressional Handbook. The committee resolution American Housing Assistance and Self-Determina- updating the advertisement regulations found in the tion Reauthorization Act of 2017’’; H.R. 4464, the Members’ Congressional Handbook passed. H.R. ‘‘Common Sense Credit Union Capital Relief Act of 4009 was ordered reported, without amendment. 2017’’; H.R. 4519, to amend the Securities Ex- change Act of 1934 to repeal certain disclosure re- OVERSIGHT HEARING WITH DEPUTY quirements related to resource extraction, and for ATTORNEY GENERAL ROD ROSENSTEIN other purposes; H.R. 4529, the ‘‘Accelerating Access Committee on the Judiciary: Full Committee held a to Capital Act of 2017’’; H.R. 4537, the ‘‘Inter- hearing entitled ‘‘Oversight Hearing with Deputy national Insurance Standards Act of 2017’’; H.R. Attorney General Rod Rosenstein’’. Testimony was 4545, the ‘‘Financial Institutions Examination Fair- heard from Rod Rosenstein, Deputy Attorney Gen- ness and Reform Act’’; H.R. 4546, the ‘‘National Se- eral, Department of Justice. curities Exchange Regulatory Parity Act’’; and H.R. 4560, the ‘‘GSE Jumpstart Reauthorization Act of MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES 2017’’. H.R. 3864, H.R. 4546, H.R. 4519, H.R. Committee on Natural Resources: Full Committee com- 4529, H.R. 4545, H.R. 2948, H.R. 3179, H.R. pleted a markup on H.R. 200, the ‘‘Strengthening 4464, and H.R. 4560 were ordered reported, with- Fishing Communities and Increasing Flexibility in out amendment. H.R. 4537, H.R. 2219, H.R. 435, Fisheries Management Act’’; H.R. 1157, to clarify and H.R. 1457 were ordered reported, as amended. the United States interest in certain submerged lands in the area of the Monomoy National Wildlife Ref- MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES uge, and for other purposes; H.R. 1349, to amend Committee on Homeland Security: Full Committee held the Wilderness Act to ensure that the use of bicy- a markup on H.R. 1486, the ‘‘Securing American cles, wheelchairs, strollers, and game carts is not pro- Non-Profit Organizations Against Terrorism Act of hibited in Wilderness Areas, and for other purposes; 2017’’; H.R. 4433, the ‘‘Securing Department of H.R. 1350, to modify the boundary of Voyageurs Homeland Security Firearms Act of 2017’’; H.R. National Park in the State of Minnesota, and for 4553, the ‘‘Terrorist Screening and Targeting Re- other purposes; H.R. 1675, the ‘‘National Landslide view Act of 2017’’; H.R. 4555, the ‘‘DHS Inter- Preparedness Act’’; H.R. 2888, the ‘‘Ste. Genevieve agency Counterterrorism Task Force Act of 2017’’; National Historical Park Establishment Act’’; H.R. H.R. 4559, the ‘‘Global Aviation System Security 3588, the ‘‘RED SNAPPER Act’’; H.R. 4033, the Reform Act of 2017’’; H.R. 4561, the ‘‘Security As- ‘‘National Geologic Mapping Act Reauthorization sessment Feasibility for Equipment Testing and Act’’; H.R. 4264, the ‘‘Hyde Park Land Conveyance

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:47 Mar 27, 2018 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 0627 Sfmt 0627 E:\RECORD17\DECEMBER\D13DE7.REC D13DE7 D1324 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — DAILY DIGEST December 13, 2017 Act’’; H.R. 4266, the ‘‘Acadia National Park Bound- tary Personnel?’’. Testimony was heard from Terry ary Clarification Act’’; H.R. 4465, the ‘‘Endangered A. Adirim, M.D., Deputy Assistant Secretary of De- Fish Recovery Programs Extension Act of 2017’’; fense for Health Services Policy and Oversight, De- H.R. 4475, the ‘‘National Volcano Early Warning partment of Defense; Willie C. Clark, Sr., Deputy and Monitoring System Act’’; H.R. 4568, the ‘‘En- Under Secretary for Field Operations, Veterans Bene- hancing Geothermal Production on Federal Lands fits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs; Act’’; S. 825, the ‘‘Southeast Alaska Regional Health and public witnesses. Consortium Land Transfer Act of 2017’’; and S. 1285, the ‘‘Oregon Tribal Economic Development IRS REFORM: THE TAXPAYER’S Act’’. H.R. 200, H.R. 1349, H.R. 1675, H.R. EXPERIENCE 4266, H.R. 4475, and H.R. 4568 were ordered re- Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on ported, as amended. H.R. 1157, H.R. 1350, H.R. Oversight held a hearing entitled ‘‘IRS Reform: The 2888, H.R. 3588, H.R. 4033, H.R. 4264, H.R. Taxpayer’s Experience’’. Testimony was heard from 4465, S. 825, and S. 1285 were ordered reported, public witnesses. without amendment. OVERSIGHT OF THE BUREAU OF PRISONS Joint Meetings AND INMATE REENTRY Committee on Oversight and Government Reform: Full TAX CUTS AND JOBS ACT Committee held a hearing entitled, ‘‘Oversight of Conferees met to resolve the differences between the the Bureau of Prisons and Inmate Reentry’’. Testi- Senate and House passed versions of H.R. 1, to pro- mony was heard from Mark S. Inch, Director, Fed- vide for reconciliation pursuant to titles II and V of eral Bureau of Prisons; Michael E. Horowitz, Inspec- the concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal tor General, Department of Justice; Diana Maurer, year 2018, but did not complete action thereon. Director, Homeland Security and Justice, Govern- f ment Accountability Office; and public witnesses. NEW PUBLIC LAWS HEAD HEALTH CHALLENGE: PREVENTING HEAD TRAUMA FROM FOOTBALL FIELD (For last listing of Public Laws, see DAILY DIGEST, p. D1304) TO SHOP FLOOR TO BATTLEFIELD H.R. 2810, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2018 for military activities of the Department Committee on Science, Space, and Technology: Sub- of Defense, for military construction, and for defense committee on Research and Technology held a hear- activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe ing entitled ‘‘Head Health Challenge: Preventing military personnel strengths for such fiscal year. Head Trauma from Football Field to Shop Floor to Signed on December 12, 2017. (Public Law 115–91) Battlefield’’. Testimony was heard from Michael H.R. 4374, to amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Fasolka, Acting Director, Material Measurement Lab, Cosmetic Act to authorize additional emergency uses National Institute of Standards and Technology; and for medical products to reduce deaths and severity of public witnesses. injuries caused by agents of war. Signed on Decem- ADVANCING SOLAR ENERGY ber 12, 2017. (Public Law 115–92) TECHNOLOGY: RESEARCH TRUMPS f DEPLOYMENT COMMITTEE MEETINGS FOR THURSDAY, Committee on Science, Space, and Technology: Sub- DECEMBER 14, 2017 committee on Energy held a hearing entitled ‘‘Ad- vancing Solar Energy Technology: Research Trumps (Committee meetings are open unless otherwise indicated) Deployment’’. Testimony was heard from Daniel Senate Simmons, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Of- fice of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, De- Committee on Armed Services: to hold hearings to examine United States policy and strategy in the Middle East, 10 partment of Energy; and public witnesses. a.m., SD–G50. PRE-DISCHARGE CLAIMS PROGRAMS: ARE Committee on Foreign Relations: to receive a closed brief- VA AND DOD EFFECTIVELY SERVING ing on new counterterrorism guidance, 10 a.m., SEPARATING MILITARY PERSONNEL? SVC–217. Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: Committee on Veterans’ Affairs: Subcommittee on Dis- to hold hearings to examine the nomination of Margaret ability Assistance and Memorial Affairs held a hear- Weichert, of Georgia, to be Deputy Director for Manage- ing entitled ‘‘Pre-Discharge Claims Programs: Are ment, Office of Management and Budget, 10 a.m., VA and DOD Effectively Serving Separating Mili- SD–342.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:47 Mar 27, 2018 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00006 Fmt 0627 Sfmt 0627 E:\RECORD17\DECEMBER\D13DE7.REC D13DE7 December 13, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — DAILY DIGEST D1325 Committee on the Judiciary: business meeting to consider House S. 2152, to amend title 18, United States Code, to provide for assistance for victims of child pornography, and Committee on Financial Services, Subcommittee on Mone- the nominations of Stuart Kyle Duncan, of Louisiana, to tary Policy and Trade, hearing entitled ‘‘Examining the be United States Circuit Judge for the Fifth Circuit, Operations of the Committee on Foreign Investment in David Ryan Stras, of Minnesota, to be United States Cir- the United States (CFIUS)’’, 9 a.m., 2128 Rayburn. cuit Judge for the Eighth Circuit, Fernando Rodriguez, Committee on Foreign Affairs, Full Committee, markup Jr., to be United States District Judge for the Southern on H.R. 2219, the ‘‘End Banking for Human Traffickers District of Texas, Andrei Iancu, of California, to be Act of 2017’’; H.R. 2646, the ‘‘United States-Jordan De- Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property fense Cooperation Extension Act’’; H.R. 1997, the and Director of the United States Patent and Trademark ‘‘Ukraine Cybersecurity Cooperation Act of 2017’’; and Office, and Duane A. Kees, to be United States Attorney H.R. 3851, the ‘‘War Crimes Rewards Expansion Act’’, for the Western District of Arkansas, Stephen R. 10 a.m., 2172 Rayburn. McAllister, to be United States Attorney for the District Committee on Natural Resources, Subcommittee on Federal of Kansas, Ronald A. Parsons, Jr., to be United States Lands, hearing on H.R. 4558, the ‘‘Grand Staircase Attorney for the District of South Dakota, Ryan K. Pat- Escalante Enhancement Act’’, 9:30 a.m., 1334 Long- rick, to be United States Attorney for the Southern Dis- worth. trict of Texas, and Michael B. Stuart, to be United States Attorney for the Southern District of West Virginia, all Joint Meetings of the Department of Justice, 10 a.m., SD–226. Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe: to hold Select Committee on Intelligence: to receive a closed brief- hearings to examine assessing accomplishments and chal- ing on certain intelligence matters, 2 p.m., SH–219. lenges of the Magnitsky Act, 9:30 a.m., SD–562.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 05:23 Dec 14, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00007 Fmt 0627 Sfmt 0627 E:\CR\FM\D13DE7.REC D13DEPT1 D1326 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — DAILY DIGEST December 13, 2017

Next Meeting of the SENATE Next Meeting of the HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 10 a.m., Thursday, December 14 9 a.m., Thursday, December 14

Senate Chamber House Chamber Program for Thursday: Senate will continue consider- Program for Thursday: Consideration of H.R. 2396— ation of the nomination of James C. Ho, of Texas, to be Privacy Notification Technical Clarification Act. Com- United States Circuit Judge for the Fifth Circuit, post- plete consideration of H.R. 4324—Strengthening Over- cloture. sight of Iran’s Access to Finance Act.

Extensions of Remarks, as inserted in this issue

HOUSE Davis, Danny K., Ill., E1697 McCollum, Betty, Minn., E1694 Duncan, John J., Jr., Tenn., E1697 Rogers, Mike, Ala., E1696 Babin, Brian, Tex., E1696, E1697 Gutie´rrez, Luis V., Ill., E1692 Sanford, Mark, S.C., E1696 Boyle, Brendan F., Pa., E1694 Kelly, Trent, Miss., E1691, E1691, E1692, E1693, E1694, Scott, Robert C. ‘‘Bobby’’, Va., E1693 Cartwright, Matt, Pa., E1692 E1696, E1697, E1698 Sessions, Pete, Tex., E1698 Cohen, Steve, Tenn., E1693 Lipinski, Daniel, Ill., E1691 Smith, Christopher H., N.J., E1695 Correa, J. Luis, Calif., E1691 Luetkemeyer, Blaine, Mo., E1692, E1692, E1693, E1694, Costa, Jim, Calif., E1698 E1695, E1696 Wilson, Joe, S.C., E1696

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