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, MARCH 29, 2017 No. 55 House of Representatives The House met at 10 a.m. and was He enlisted in the Tennessee Army that Mexicans were criminals and rap- called to order by the Speaker pro tem- National Guard in 1962 as an infantry ists. pore (Mr. FLEISCHMANN). soldier and served in a variety of staff Well, as the sportscasters used to f and leadership positions in his home say, let’s go to the videotape. Almost State, in the Pentagon, and overseas. DESIGNATION OF SPEAKER PRO the first words out of Donald Trump’s During Operation Desert Shield/Desert TEMPORE mouth when he descended the golden Storm, he was chief of operations and escalators to launch his Presidential The SPEAKER pro tempore laid be- exercises at the National Guard Bureau campaign were this: fore the House the following commu- in Arlington, Virginia. When Mexico sends its people, they are not nication from the Speaker: Prior to his retirement from the sending their best. They are bringing drugs. WASHINGTON, DC, military, Hargett served as the Ten- They are bringing crime. They are rapists. March 29, 2017. nessee Adjutant General. Since his ap- And some, I assume, are good people. I hereby appoint the Honorable CHARLES J. pointment to association president in Well, I left out that part about some, FLEISCHMANN to act as Speaker pro tempore 2010, Gus has led the association’s day- on this day. I assume, are good people. to-day operations in Washington, D.C., PAUL D. RYAN, But the chairman of the committee Speaker of the House of Representatives. and has worked tirelessly on behalf of said I was not following House rules be- guardsmen across the globe by advo- f cause I was casting aspersions on the cating for and spearheading MORNING-HOUR DEBATE President because, apparently, I was groundbreaking legislative achieve- saying what the President, himself, The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- ments. had actually said. And if that was of- Among his most memorable and sig- ant to the order of the House of Janu- fensive to the chairman, I agree. It is nificant accomplishments was his work ary 3, 2017, the Chair will now recog- offensive. That was the point of mak- adding the National Guard Bureau nize Members from lists submitted by ing the speech. the majority and minority leaders for Chief to the Joint Chiefs of Staff. So is repeating the words of the morning-hour debate. Throughout his career, he has com- President against House rules? And if The Chair will alternate recognition mitted himself to promoting the Na- so, why? Because they are hateful and between the parties, with each party tional Guard and improving the overall ugly things to say about our fellow limited to 1 hour and each Member quality of life for our Nation’s soldiers human beings? other than the majority and minority in harm’s way. leaders and the minority whip limited I want to take this moment to thank I don’t think we should be barred to 5 minutes, but in no event shall de- Major General Gus Hargett for his from repeating the words of the Presi- bate continue beyond 11:50 a.m. years of service to our country and for dent because they are hateful and ugly things to say about our fellow human f his tireless work on behalf of our Na- tion’s guardsmen and their families. beings, because he said them, and he is HONORING RETIRED MAJOR the President, and I respect the office. f GENERAL GUS HARGETT So maybe it has to be something else. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The REPEATING THE WORDS OF Maybe we cannot say things the Presi- Chair recognizes the gentleman from PRESIDENT TRUMP dent has said because it is not appro- Tennessee (Mr. DESJARLAIS) for 5 min- The SPEAKER pro tempore. The priate to say some of the things he has utes. Chair recognizes the gentleman from said about people, like the dehuman- Mr. DESJARLAIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise Illinois (Mr. GUTIE´ RREZ) for 5 minutes. izing language he uses when describing today to honor retired Major General Mr. GUTIE´ RREZ. Mr. Speaker, yes- which body parts he can grab women Gus Hargett, a staunch advocate for terday in the Subcommittee on Immi- by, for example. the National Guard and one of the gration, the chairman, the gentleman Now, Mr. Speaker, rather than say- most widely respected Tennesseans I from Wisconsin, attempted to rep- ing, as I said earlier, let’s go to the vid- have ever had the pleasure of knowing. rimand me by reminding me that eotape, I think every single American After more than 6 years as president House rules prevent Members from has seen that videotape. When I have of the National Guard Association for ‘‘casting aspersions on the President of discussed the President saying these the United States, Gus will be stepping the United States.’’ And what did I say awful, hurtful things about where he down next month. In all, he has more to get this reprimand? I said that the can grab women, either here on the than 47 years of military service. President of the United States had said floor or on the Judiciary Committee, 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 23:35 Mar 29, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A29MR7.000 H29MRPT1 rfrederick on DSKBCBPHB2PROD with HOUSE H2520 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE March 29, 2017 have actually had to clean up the lan- words that so upset the subcommittee He took up a position behind a log guage so it is safe for daytime C–SPAN chairman, the gentleman from Wis- and engaged the hostile enemy from audiences. consin?’’ and I figured it out. It is up- the flank in an heroic attempt to dis- So what is it about repeating the setting to Republican Members of the tract their attention while his com- words of this particular President in House to hear the words of the Presi- rades obtained their objective at the the U.S. House of Representatives that dent of the United States because they crest of the hill. He was killed by the the gentleman from Wisconsin feels is know they have to defend them as the very heavy concentration of return a violation of the rule? leader of their party, and I can under- fire, but his fearless assault enabled his Maybe it is the lies. I looked through stand why that would make any human company to sweep the hill with min- the House rules, and I didn’t see any being very uncomfortable. imum casualties, killing or capturing section that said, Members, thou shalt The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. every enemy soldier on it. not lie. No, Mr. Speaker, that wasn’t in YODER). The gentleman from Illinois is Private First Class Sayers’ indomi- the House rules. But, clearly, repeating reminded to refrain from engaging in table fighting spirit, aggressiveness, things that this President said means personalities toward the President. and supreme devotion to duty live on that you will be repeating lies, and it f as an example of the highest traditions just goes with the territory. of the military service for which he There was the original lie as Presi- RECOGNIZING MEDAL OF HONOR DAY was awarded the Medal of Honor. dent, barely a few hours in office, say- Another heroic Medal of Honor re- ing that his crowd was the largest The SPEAKER pro tempore. The cipient from Pennsylvania’s Fifth Con- crowd in the history of Presidential in- Chair recognizes the gentleman from gressional District is Private First augurations. Pennsylvania (Mr. THOMPSON) for 5 Class Melvin L. Brown. Private First Then there was the one about the minutes. Class Brown earned the Medal of Honor Muslim ban, which the President said Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. for his bravery in the Korean war. was a Muslim ban; his key adviser, the Mr. Speaker, on Saturday the Nation During an attack on his platoon’s pe- former mayor of New York, said was a celebrated Medal of Honor Day. This rimeter of defense, Private First Class Muslim ban; his other key adviser, Ste- rarely celebrated holiday was des- Brown took his position on a retaining phen Miller, said was a Muslim ban; ignated by Congress in 1990 but only of- wall approximately 50 feet high. The but which the White House tried to say ficially observed once, on March 25, enemy, superior in number, started was not, in fact, a Muslim ban because 1991. I was pleased to see our most climbing the wall just as Brown’s last decorated war heroes honored last Fri- it didn’t ban all Muslims. round of ammunition was expended, Several Federal courts have agreed day during a ceremony at the White and he was wounded by enemy fire. His with the President that what he or- House. citation said: ‘‘Realizing the vital ne- dered was a Muslim ban and disagreed The Medal of Honor is the highest cessity for holding and without con- with the President’s lawyer saying military honor our Nation can bestow. cern for his personal safety, though that it was not a Muslim ban. According to the Congressional Medal But what about when the President of Honor Society, there have been 3,498 wounded and without his rifle, Brown said that he saw American Muslims recipients, and 75 of those individuals continued to throw his few remaining celebrating in New Jersey on 9/11? We are still living today. hand grenades into the enemy, causing know that was a lie. Or that 3 million Just last year, I was able to recog- several casualties with each grenade. illegal votes were cast on election day, nize one of Pennsylvania’s very own When his supply of grenades was de- causing the President to lose the pop- Medal of Honor recipients, late Army pleted, his comrades from nearby fox- ular vote, which he had walked back Specialist Ross McGinnis. I assisted in holes commenced throwing grenades from the claim originally that 3 mil- naming a post office in Knox, Clarion towards his position. On several occa- lion undocumented immigrants had County, for Specialist McGinnis, who sions, the grenades were thrown short voted on election day? In either case, it died in December 2006 in Iraq. Spe- of his position. When this would occur, was a lie. cialist McGinnis was a native son of Brown would leave his position and re- Then there is the illegal wiretapping Knox, Pennsylvania. trieve the grenades, exposing himself ordered by the previous President of While on patrol in eastern Baghdad to enemy rifle and machine-gun fire.’’ the United States, President Obama, on December 4, 2006, an unidentified in- The enemy continued their climb, on President-elect Trump, which cer- surgent positioned on a nearby rooftop and Brown was able to knock 10 to 12 tainly looks like a lie at this point. threw a grenade into a Humvee car- enemy troops from the wall, which So, Mr. Speaker, I am starting to rying McGinnis and other troops. Spe- served as an inspiration to his com- wonder if repeating a lie that the cialist McGinnis threw his body on top rades and delayed the attack and en- President has told the American people of the grenade, absorbing all the frag- abled his platoon to repel the enemy. is against the House rules. Or maybe it ments of the grenade with his own Brown was seriously injured and then is accusing the President of lying that body and saving the lives of his fellow died during that action. is, in the words of the subcommittee soldiers. He was posthumously awarded Heroic acts for Pennsylvanians dur- chairman, casting aspersions. the Medal of Honor by President ing times of war go back to the Civil But let’s take a look. Here is the def- George W. Bush in 2008. War. The Medal of Honor, established inition of the verb ‘‘lie’’ from Webster’s Mr. Speaker, another such hero, Fos- by joint resolution of Congress on the Dictionary: ‘‘to make an untrue state- ter Joseph Sayers, is from my home- 12th of July 1862, is awarded in the ment with the intent to deceive; to cre- town of Howard, Pennsylvania. He re- name of Congress to a person who, ate a false or misleading impression.’’ ceived the Medal of Honor for acts of while a member of the armed services, By those definitions, I would say I bravery near Thionville, France, on distinguishes himself conspicuously by am on pretty solid ground, from a fac- November 12, 1944. gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of tual standpoint, that the President of During an attack on strong hostile his life, above and beyond the call of the United States has told lies. forces entrenched on a hill, he fear- duty. Water is wet, dogs have four legs, and lessly ran up the steep approach to- A large percentage of Medal of Honor President Trump tells lies. There may wards his objective and then set up a recipients during this time were actu- be exceptions, but basically all three machine gun 20 yards from the enemy. ally awarded for action involving flags. are truthful statements. Realizing it would be necessary to at- One such Medal of Honor recipient Unless we are outlawing the truth in tract full attention of the enemy while from my hometown was Civil War Cor- Congress, I think that pointing out lies his company crossed an open area and poral Franklin Hogan, a member of by our President is not only within the flanked the enemy, he picked up the Company A, Pennsylvania 45th Infan- rules, it is our moral obligation and gun, charged through withering ma- try. His citation was awarded on Octo- duty as elected leaders of a free nation chine-gun and rifle fire to the very ber 1, 1864, for the capture of the battle to point them out. edge of the emplacement. He killed 12 flag of the 6th Virginia Infantry. So then I am left to wonder, ‘‘What is German soldiers with devastating Mr. Speaker, there are more Medal of it about repeating the President’s close-range fire. Honor recipients from Pennsylvania’s

VerDate Sep 11 2014 23:35 Mar 29, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K29MR7.002 H29MRPT1 rfrederick on DSKBCBPHB2PROD with HOUSE March 29, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H2521 Fifth Congressional District and bility of health care for millions of Fourth, the Department of Health throughout this proud Nation. Each Americans and to ensuring stability in and Human Services, under Secretary one demonstrated personal bravery or health insurance markets. Price, has a responsibility, a duty, an self-sacrifice that warranted this ex- The uncertainty around cost-sharing obligation to focus at least as much on traordinary merit. On behalf of a grate- subsidies that has been perpetrated by outreach and enrollment, as did his ful Nation, I salute all of our Medal of the administration’s silence on this predecessor, Secretary Burwell, to let Honor recipients. issue, must come to an end. The admin- people know what options they have, f istration has said the system will im- what opportunities they have, what plode. It will only implode if they are protections they have, what securities IMPROVE THE AFFORDABLE forced to do so by the administration they can achieve. HEALTH CARE ACT through executive action. Insurers are Earlier this year, the Trump admin- The SPEAKER pro tempore. The preparing to file rates as soon as next istration, instead, intentionally sabo- Chair recognizes the gentleman from month in some States. Without a clear taged enrollment efforts in the final Maryland (Mr. HOYER) for 5 minutes. and public commitment from the ad- week, pulling media ads to let people Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, last week ministration, we could very well see know what they could sign up for, and was an historic week in many respects. premiums spike and insurers flee. ending other outreach programs. My Republican colleagues have indi- Americans have made their opinion This move resulted in half a million cated, for 6 years, they wanted to re- pretty clear. They said: Do not do that. fewer people obtaining affordable cov- peal the Affordable Care Act. They in- Do not undermine the system. erage through the marketplaces—the troduced a bill which really did not ac- Second, already, President Trump first decline in the history of the law. complish that objective, but it did un- has undermined that requirement Those people will be hurt because some dermine, very severely, the protections through lax enforcement that the indi- of them are going to get sick. Some of and the opportunities that the Afford- vidual responsibility requirement—a them may have a catastrophic acci- able Care Act provided our citizens. Republican suggestion, a Heritage dent, and they will need insurance, and That bill did not come to a vote. Had it Foundation suggestion, a Romney- they will not have it because they did come to a vote, it would have lost very adopted policy in the State of Massa- not get the information that they substantially. chusetts—a premise of personal respon- needed. Mr. Speaker, the proclamations last sibility that is being undermined right Now that the Affordable Care Act week by Republican leaders are that now by the Trump administration. The will continue to be the ‘‘law of the the Affordable Care Act will now re- individual responsibility requirement land,’’ to use words first spoken by main in place. As PAUL RYAN, our is vital to ensuring that those with former Speaker Boehner in 2012, the Speaker, said on Friday: ‘‘ObamaCare preexisting conditions can be guaran- issue in 2012 was the Affordable Care is the law of the land.’’ teed coverage. Act—President Obama’s probably b 1015 To my friends across the aisle who crowning achievement. Republicans talk often about defending our Con- called it ObamaCare, derisively. We The Affordable Care Act is, indeed, stitution, I would remind them that call it the Affordable Care Act, sup- the law of the land. Mr. Speaker, I rise, the President has sworn an oath to ported by President Obama. however, in a deep concern that the faithfully execute the laws of this Na- After the 2012 election, Speaker Trump administration and its allies in tion; not picking and choosing which Boehner said, well, we resolved that Congress will take steps to undermine ones he likes. issue. The American people have voted the law and weaken it, to the det- Third, the administration can—and I to confirm a President whose principal riment of millions who will see their would suggest it should—encourage law that was. But the Republicans kept health care put at risk. In other words, States that have not yet accepted ex- trying to undermine it. They kept try- in my view, they may well try to do in- panded Medicaid to do so. It works. Ac- ing to say they wanted to repeal it. directly what they could not do di- cording to a 2016 report by the Depart- And now they have all of the power. rectly. ment of Health and Human Services, in They haven’t done that. Let it be absolutely clear: Repub- the expanded-Medicaid States, pre- Don’t break it. If you couldn’t do di- licans control the White House, the miums were 7 percent lower on aver- rectly something, don’t do it indi- Senate, and the House of Representa- age. rectly. Don’t undermine the security of tives. As a result, they are the gov- Mr. Speaker, just yesterday, the Re- the American people indirectly; not erning party and will be responsible for publican-controlled Kansas State legis- through law. anything that happens to our lature—Republican Governor, Repub- So when open enrollment comes later healthcare system on their watch. lican House, Republican Senate—sent a this year, Mr. Speaker, it would be a Even without the passage of a repeal bill to the Governor that would expand dereliction of duty—let me repeat that: bill, the Trump administration’s ac- the State’s Medicaid program. Presum- it would be a dereliction of duty—not tions could fundamentally undermine ably, they made a judgment that was to inform Americans to know how they the law and the stability of our in the best interest of their State and can benefit under the law, what options healthcare system. the best interest of their people. they have for finding coverage at more First and foremost, the Trump ad- The Republican sponsor of the bill, affordable rates or through expanded ministration must commit to con- State Senator Vicki Schmidt said: ‘‘I Medicaid. Let there not be a derelic- tinuing payments for cost-sharing sub- don’t believe we can wait for D.C. They tion of duty. sidies. We met with insurance compa- had an opportunity, and they didn’t The larger point here, Mr. Speaker, nies yesterday to see whether or not take it.’’ is, as I have said, that Republicans can- the environment that was being cre- So her response was, and the legisla- not now simply throw up their hands ated by the administration was under- ture’s response has been: adopt Med- and say: We failed to offer a viable al- mining confidence so that it would un- icaid expansion. ternative, and we will now, by action dermine the ability to price the prod- We have heard a lot from Governors and inaction, by negligence and mal- uct that Americans need: healthcare of both parties from States with ex- feasance, conspire to undermine the op- insurance. panded Medicaid, almost universally tions that are available to the Amer- Cost-sharing payments, paid for and extolling the benefits that they pro- ican people. in the bill, are being put at risk by a vided, and urging Congress not to roll More than two-thirds of Americans suit that the Republicans in the House it back. have said that is not a responsible pol- of Representatives have filed. They The Trump administration must rec- icy. The Affordable Care Act has ought to withdraw that suit to give ognize the importance of Medicaid ex- brought protections and benefits to confidence to the system. We all know pansion and support ongoing efforts in millions. Twenty million more people that confidence in markets is critically States like Kansas, Virginia, and are insured in America. But now my important. This is essential to pre- Maine to do what is right for their peo- Republican friends, who have no work- serving the affordability and accessi- ple and their State. able alternative, are in power; and it is

VerDate Sep 11 2014 23:35 Mar 29, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K29MR7.004 H29MRPT1 rfrederick on DSKBCBPHB2PROD with HOUSE H2522 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE March 29, 2017 now their duty to ensure that they two supercomputers which at different wealth care this country can afford. faithfully execute existing laws to ben- times ranked as the most powerful in But we have got to make sure that efit the American people. If they fail to the world; and ORNL’s Manufacturing those who are working at minimum do so, or intentionally sabotage the Demonstration Facility, which is revi- wage, working full-time, living below current healthcare system, they will talizing American manufacturing. the poverty line, make sure that they surely be held accountable by the Thom served our community as get the best health care. American people. chairman of the Oak Ridge Public I am a proud Texan. I love my State, Democrats don’t want to see that Schools Education Foundation, leading but I don’t like what we have done happen. We reject the premise of some the multimillion-dollar expansion of when it comes to health care. Texas kind of death spiral. By the way, the Oak Ridge High School; and as chair- has refused to help those living in the Congressional Budget Office—an inde- man of Innovation Valley, a regional streets of life. We look out for those pendent bipartisan group, but its direc- economic development partnership. living in the sweets of life. We take tor appointed by Republicans—said it Thank you, Dr. Thom Mason, for care of them. But Texas has the oppor- was not only not on a death spiral, but many years of dedicated service to the tunity to receive $100 billion—with a it was stable. great State of Tennessee and our Na- B—to expand Medicaid. The yardstick by which we all ought tion. Medicaid expansion, this is for those persons who are not as fortunate as we to be judged is not whether the law f succeeds just enough, but whether we are here in Congress who will have the can work together—work together, b 1030 best health care in the world, by the way, as we cut health care for those work together—to make the law work HEALTH CARE, NOT WEALTH CARE as best it can, to benefit as many who cannot afford it, as we cut the ex- Americans as it can. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The pansion of the Affordable Care Act for President Trump, speaking at that Chair recognizes the gentleman from those persons who would get Medicaid, rostrum, looked directly into the TV Texas (Mr. AL GREEN) for 5 minutes. as we cut Medicaid. We are going to camera of 100 million-plus Americans Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speak- have good health care. and said: I want every American to er, I will say today what I said when we Texans who happen to be oil barons have health insurance that will be were working to pass the Affordable and rich, are going to have good health cheaper and higher quality than we Care Act, what we said when we were care. We are going to have good health have today. having some 181 witnesses to appear care. But those who need Medicaid, Mr. President, if you send such a bill over a 2-year period having 79 hearings: who could benefit from the $100 billion to this House, I will vote for it. I I said then that I would fight to make that the State of Texas has refused to haven’t seen a bill like that, but if I see sure that health care would not become accept and has never said that it wasn’t needed, are not. There has never it, and if you send it down here, and wealth care in the richest country in been a case made for a lack of need for that is your commitment, I will vote the world. I still stand on that basic the $100 billion to help Medicaid expan- for it. premise. sion for people who are in need of help Mr. Speaker, I hope my friends across We cannot allow health care to be- and need of health care. the aisle will take a lesson from last come wealth care in the richest coun- Mr. Speaker, we cannot allow this in week that, to paraphrase the Presi- try in the world. Wealth care is where the wealthy will receive the very best the richest country in the world—and dent, health insurance is indeed com- we are. Don’t let people try to convince plicated, and that it will truly take care that is available; and the poor will get care, but it won’t be health care. It you that we are broke. We are not both parties working together towards broke. We can afford to take care of consensus to meet the healthcare chal- will be sickness care. It will be sick- ness care because, when they are sick, people who need health care. lenges we face. I will close with this: we ought to Our constituents and our country is they will be able to go to an emergency room and get care. When they are sick, have a sense of responsibility for every counting on us not to fight, not to person in this country who may get they will be able to get emergency throw bricks at one another, but to act sick. There is this notion of, but for care, which will cost all of us more, but in their best interest. And what I urge the grace of God, there go I. If we had they won’t get preventive care. They the Trump administration to do, Mr. been fortunate enough to have good will get stabilized if they have diabe- Speaker: Do no harm until you have a health, remember, you may not al- tes, but they won’t get the continued bill that accomplishes what you said to ways. But for the grace of God, there care that they need to treat that dis- the American people you want to ac- go I. complish. Mr. President, do no harm. ease. We don’t want, in the richest f Ensure that the American people con- country in the world, health care to be- tinue to have access to affordable, come wealth care. ANTI-SEMITISM AT THE UNITED quality health care. Recently, we had a piece of legisla- NATIONS tion that was going to accord the 400 f The SPEAKER pro tempore. The richest families in this country $7 mil- Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from HONORING SERVICE OF DR. THOM lion a year. That was what the bill Florida (Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN) for 5 min- MASON would have done that failed. The 400 utes. The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. JEN- richest families making $3 million a Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, KINS of West Virginia). The Chair rec- year would get $7 million additional last Congress, I joined several of our ognizes the gentleman from Tennessee every year in the final analysis ad infi- colleagues in forming the Bipartisan (Mr. FLEISCHMANN) for 5 minutes. nitum. That is $7 million additionally. Task Force for Combating Anti-Semi- Mr. FLEISCHMANN. Mr. Speaker, I We are the richest country in the tism. rise today to honor the service of Dr. world. We can afford to take care of As a co-chair, a distinction that I am Thom Mason, who has served as the di- those who find themselves living in the proud to share alongside my pals, rector of the Oak Ridge National Lab- streets of life who cannot take care of ELIOT ENGEL, CHRIS SMITH, TED oratory for 10 years. Thom joined themselves. We cannot allow health DEUTCH, KAY GRANGER, NITA LOWEY, ORNL in 1998 as a condensed matter care to become wealth care in the rich- PETER ROSKAM, and MARC VEASEY, it is physicist, and quickly demonstrated est country in the world. How rich are important to call attention to anti- his talents as a visionary scientific we? Well, one year a man made $3 bil- Semitism in all of its forms and to leader. lion. By the way, he is not the only work to root it out whenever we can. I He led the completion of the one-of- person to make this kind of money. I am also extremely honored to have a-kind Spallation Neutron Source, just use this kind of example. been named by Speaker RYAN to the which has provided a decade of excep- A minimum wage worker making U.S. Holocaust Memorial Council ear- tional research. When promoted to lab $7.25 an hour, it will take that worker lier this year. director, Thom led ORNL to many 198,000 years to make $3 billion. That As we know, it was the anti-Semitic other successes: the development of man making $3 billion will get the best attitudes across Europe, in the 1920s

VerDate Sep 11 2014 23:35 Mar 29, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K29MR7.006 H29MRPT1 rfrederick on DSKBCBPHB2PROD with HOUSE March 29, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H2523 and 1930s, that gave rise to Hitler and But if we fail to reverse the system- and you have the right lobbyists, you the Nazis who exploited the deep-seat- atic and endemic anti-Semitism at the get awards like this from the Federal ed hatred of Jews to take power, culmi- U.N., we are going to have a hard time Government without competition. It nating in the systematic and deliberate achieving much success in any of our doesn’t matter if you don’t even make murder of over 6 million Jews during other endeavors. the product, they will give you some humanity’s darkest period, the Holo- That is why I will introduce a bill extra money to design it from scratch caust. soon that addresses these problems at if you know the right people. In these capacities, I intend to con- the U.N., and I urge my colleagues to IOMAX, a small business just like tinue to raise awareness on the rising join me in an effort to defeat the intol- the millions of others in our country, level and this trend of anti-Semitism erance wherever and whenever it ap- doesn’t have those connections. The worldwide and to take actions against pears. giant defense contractor involved in it, as I have done for many years now. Anti-Semitism is one of the world’s this deal does, and so they get the The fight against global anti-Semi- oldest forms of hatred and, for too money. Something is wrong with that tism must start with strong U.S. lead- long, has gone unaddressed. We have a picture. ership. We have the means, we have the responsibility to the Jewish commu- The problem lies with a secretive ac- leverage, but we must be resolute in nities worldwide, and we have a respon- quisition unit within the Air Force our efforts to stem the tide of anti- sibility to ourselves to root out this called Big Safari. Now, I don’t say ‘‘se- Semitism and to reverse it. hatred in all of its forms, once and for cretive’’ lightly. Today, Mr. Speaker, we hear about all. At one point in 2013, Big Safari’s the dangers of anti-Semitism across f commanding officer told a reporter: the world and how, in many places, Don’t be angry or upset when your Jews are being targeted in an alarm- THE POLITICAL CLASS AND THE Freedom of Information Act gets ingly increasing trend. But I want to REST OF THE COUNTRY turned down; that is just they way we highlight an area that needs to be The SPEAKER pro tempore. The do business here at Big Safari. And the brought into greater focus when we dis- Chair recognizes the gentleman from commander’s words were true. cuss combating global anti-Semitism. North Carolina (Mr. BUDD) for 5 min- I asked for information on this, and It is something that an old friend of utes. they turned me down saying that the mine, Natan Sharansky, so succinctly Mr. BUDD. Mr. Speaker, you can di- information was sensitive, but unclas- and astutely described. vide this country into two classes of sified, and for official use only. I asked Natan and I have had the opportuni- people, not Republican and Democrat them 19 questions, and they answered ties to discuss everything from anti- but the political class and the rest of only four of them having to do with the Semitism to oppression in Cuba, my the country. The political class is very basic elements for the deal that native homeland, and in Russia; and doing better than ever. were already public. his insight is extremely valuable. Eleven out of 20 of the richest coun- Under that secrecy, Big Safari doles What Natan Sharansky has helped ties in America are in the D.C. metro out billions in government contracts. I define is the new anti-Semitism and area. For every dollar the average fam- imagine it makes things convenient for what he calls the three Ds: double ily in D.C. earns, the average family in when Big Safari employees go to work standards, demonization, and Davie County, where I live, earns 55 for the same companies to which they delegitimatization. And I think the cents. direct these large defense contracts, clearest example today of Natan’s The political class is alive and doing which we have found that they do with three Ds can be seen unfortunately at well for themselves. On the other hand, some regularity. You don’t even have the United Nations with its anti-Israel, those who are not oriented to govern- to go to a different building, in some anti-Semitic agenda, most notably at ment—doctors, auto mechanics, wait- instances. We have got a confirmed bodies like UNESCO, UNRWA, the U.N. resses, bartenders, factory workers— case of a Big Safari employee awarding Human Rights Council, and other U.N. a contract, quitting, and then going to bodies. are still earning exactly what they did All of these clearly exhibit the dou- 10 years ago. I am not the first person work on the same program with the ble standards: condemning Israel based to point this out, but I want to speak same company he has just given the on faulty or illegitimate claims, while about a textbook example of how this contract to. ignoring the very real problems of dynamic plays out in reality. The forgotten men in this equation other member states. Israel is repeat- I am referring to a recently an- are the employees of IOMAX, mostly edly and singularly isolated, targeted, nounced $418 million arms deal between veterans, mostly blue collar, who have and demonized. And, of course, there is the U.S. and Kenya. It is for 12 air- to compete against a $13 billion defense no other nation that is subjected to ef- planes that are essentially armed crop contractor and a $4 trillion Federal forts to delegitimize it or its existence dusters. There is only one slight prob- Government that appears to have for- like Israel. lem with the deal, the defense con- gotten impartiality. So what do we need to do? Well, we tractor that was chosen to fulfill the We need to shine the light on this have to look around at what agencies sale doesn’t even make these type of deal with congressional oversight, and are doing. The efforts at UNESCO to airplanes. They have never done it be- we need to ask ourselves who exactly erase Jewish historical and cultural fore. In fact, there is an extra $130 mil- the Federal Government is supposed to ties to their ancient homeland, Jeru- lion built into this deal to design a be working for, the country or for the salem, have been appalling. whole new airplane. political class. The move by the Human Rights IOMAX USA, a service-disabled, vet- Mr. Speaker, we need to fix this. It is Council to establish a blacklist to tar- eran-owned small business in my dis- a symptom of a very serious disease get individuals and entities that do trict, makes these airplanes. They have that our democracy cannot long sur- business with Israel, legitimatizing the been doing it for 7 years. They have got vive. Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions 50 of these airplanes in the Middle f movement, BDS, and the efforts to East. These planes have dropped more b 1045 take Israel to the International Crimi- than 4,000 bombs on ISIS. They are the nal Court or to force Israel to agree to only U.S. manufacturer of this type of REMEMBERING THE LIFE OF JOE a one-sided peace plan, these all reach aircraft. ROGERS, SR. the height of delegitimatization. They were not even considered for The SPEAKER pro tempore. The All of this is taking place at the the deal, which was awarded without Chair recognizes the gentleman from United Nations, the body that was competition. Nobody got a chance to Georgia (Mr. CARTER) for 5 minutes. forged in the aftermath of the Holo- bid. Nobody knew about it, except for Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speak- caust and World War II. We need to the company that got it and the bu- er, I rise today to remember the life of fight the scourge of anti-Semitism on reaucrats who were involved. Joe Rogers, Sr., the co-founder of Waf- all fronts, Mr. Speaker, and not just at That is how the D.C. area got so fle House, who passed away on March 3, the U.N. wealthy. If you know the right people 2017, at the age of 97.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 23:35 Mar 29, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K29MR7.007 H29MRPT1 rfrederick on DSKBCBPHB2PROD with HOUSE H2524 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE March 29, 2017 In 1919, Mr. Rogers was born in Jack- the national recognition their hard tion, for his achievements in piloting a son, Tennessee. Before he became a work earned. special veterans court in Dayton, Ohio. waffle cook, Mr. Rogers served as a REMEMBERING THE LIFE OF BURKE DAY With Wright-Patterson Air Force captain in the Army Air Corps during Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speak- Base and the Dayton VA Medical Cen- World War II. er, I rise today to remember the life of ter both located in the Dayton commu- After the war, he took a job as a former Georgia State Representative nity, and with the large number of vet- short-order cook, eventually moving to Burke Day. Mr. Day passed away in his erans residing in my 10th Congres- Atlanta in 1949. It was there that he Tybee Island home on March 5, 2017, at sional District, southwest Ohio is a met his future partner in the Waffle the age of 62. prime region for establishing a court House business, Tom Forkner. In fa- Mr. Day was born in Jacksonville, that concentrates on veterans’ issues. mous words, Mr. Rogers told his friend: North Carolina, to parents, Cecil and Judge Newman’s veterans court ap- ‘‘You build a restaurant and I’ll show Marian, but he grew up in Dunwoody, pears to be the first of its kind in the you how to run it.’’ Georgia. It was there that Mr. Day met State of Ohio, and it aims to address an Their decision was the start of some- his high school sweetheart and future area of need in the Miami Valley, as- thing special. The first Waffle House wife, Sally, at Peachtree High School. sisting military veterans who have opened on Labor Day weekend, 1955, in During this time, he helped lay the been charged with relatively minor of- Avondale Estates, Georgia. It was Mr. fenses get their lives back on track. Rogers’ suggestion to keep their res- foundation of his father’s new business, Days Inn Hotels. Mr. Day worked with In many cases, treatment and strong taurant doors open all day long so peo- guidance is a better course of action to ple would always have a warm place to his father to build the very first loca- tion on Tybee Island. remedy misdemeanor Federal offenses eat. than jail time, which can lead to a cas- Soon enough, more and more towns After studying at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New cade of negative unintended con- needed their own 24-hour diner, and sequences, such as difficulty in obtain- today, more than 2,100 locations are York City and Mercer University in At- lanta, Mr. Day joined the family busi- ing employment. scattered across 25 States. Georgia Thanks to Judge Newman’s efforts to leads the way with more than 400 loca- ness of real estate like his father. In 1991, he made his start in politics cooperate with the United States At- tions covering the State. torney’s Office and the Federal Public What Mr. Rogers valued the most by running for the Tybee Island City Council on a dare, and won. During this Defender’s Office, veterans in the Day- was the people, whether they were ton, Ohio, area can receive treatment dedicated regulars, hungry drop-ins, or time, he grew to love public service. for mental health and substance abuse the employees who made his dream Three years later he ran again, this issues, which so often underpin these possible. His passion for people was a time for the Georgia General Assembly minor offenses, rather than sitting in defining characteristic in his life and is House of Representatives, where he jail. an endearing trait of the Waffle House served for the next 16 years until his Veterans who decide to participate in legacy. retirement in 2010. Judge Newman’s 6-month-long pilot Thank you, Mr. Rogers, for wel- Perhaps his greatest achievement program are required to work closely coming any who entered the Waffle was his work on the Stephens-Day leg- with a Veterans Justice Outreach coor- House doors, regardless of who they islation in 2000, which freezes the value dinator, who acts as a mentor and case- were, what time they came, or how of residential property at the time it worker, providing guidance, facili- they ordered their hash browns. was purchased. This means home- tating treatment, and helping secure BEST OF THE SOUTH owners are not taxed out of their housing and employment. Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speak- homes when property values increase. Besides meeting with their veterans er, I rise today to congratulate South- Stephens-Day saved local residents officer, veterans must also attend med- ern Soul Barbeque for winning the hundreds or even thousands of dollars a ical appointments, receive rec- Southern Living magazine’s first ever year. ommended treatment, and not reoffend Best of the South Award. I am proud to recognize today Mr. in order to graduate. Upon successful In fall of 2016, Southern Living polled Day’s time in public service and his completion, the misdemeanor charges its nationwide audience to discover contributions to the people of Georgia. America’s favorite cities, hotels, shops, are frequently dismissed, allowing GOLD STAR SPOUSES DAY former servicemembers to truly earn museums, and restaurants in the Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speak- South. At the end of the poll, America themselves a second chance at life. er, I rise today to call your attention Of the more than 33 veteran partici- crowned St. Simons Island’s own to the upcoming Gold Star Spouses Southern Soul Barbeque as the best pants thus far, 20 have successfully Day occurring on April 5, 2017, and to completed the program, and several barbecue restaurant in the South. ask my colleagues to join me in recog- The restaurant opened in 2007 when others are continuing to make progress nizing those who have given so much Harrison Sapp and Griffin Bufkin as we speak. for our country. joined forces to create an authentic I commend Judge Newman for insti- barbecue restaurant that embraces its Gold Star Spouses are widows and tuting an innovative Federal veterans Southern roots. Southern Soul widowers who have lost loved ones dur- court program that addresses critical Barbeque was born in a converted gas ing their service to our Nation’s Armed needs within our community and re- station with Southern charm, making Forces. Through this group, members solves programs by rehabilitating rath- it the perfect atmosphere to feast on find comfort, understanding, and an er than simply punishing the brave Mr. Sapp’s and Mr. Bufkin’s barbecue unparalleled support system. men and women who have served our dishes. They cook their delicious pork On April 5, we all have the oppor- country. ribs and brisket on oak-fired pits out- tunity to honor both fallen American I also would like to congratulate side their restaurant, so patrons know heroes and surviving military spouses. Judge Newman for his work in imple- they are enjoying authentic barbecue. f menting a civics program for students Over the years, the restaurant has to learn about the Federal courts. De- RECOGNIZING JUDGE MICHAEL J. enjoyed a loyal local following and was veloping a partnership between the NEWMAN’S ACCOMPLISHMENTS even featured on the Food Network in Federal judiciary and the Federal Bar 2010. These days, business is booming, The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Association, these interactive court and should only grow from here. Chair recognizes the gentleman from camps invite elementary, middle, and In their efforts to feed the folks of Ohio (Mr. TURNER) for 5 minutes. high school students into the Federal St. Simons Island, Mr. Sapp and Mr. Mr. TURNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise courts to learn about the third branch Bufkin created more than a barbecue today to recognize the Honorable Mi- of government. restaurant, they created a barbecue ex- chael J. Newman, Magistrate Judge for During court camp, Federal judges perience. the United States District Court for meet with the groups of students in Congratulations to Mr. Sapp and Mr. the Southern District of Ohio, and who school classrooms, as well as Federal Bufkin on winning this award, and for is president of the Federal Bar Associa- courtrooms, to teach them about the

VerDate Sep 11 2014 23:35 Mar 29, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00006 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K29MR7.010 H29MRPT1 rfrederick on DSKBCBPHB2PROD with HOUSE March 29, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H2525 selection process for Federal judges, havoc on our own military through tant our relationship with Israel is, explain how decisions are made in both mindless defense sequester. By the and how our ally in the Middle East is criminal and civil cases, and offer an way, our veterans still aren’t getting a huge asset to our Nation and the insider’s view on how the Federal court the care that they deserve. This is un- world. system works. acceptable. Israel is a beacon of democracy in a Under Judge Newman’s leadership, Despite the fact that Congress, by sea of turbulence. It is a success story the Federal Bar Association’s partner- any metric we might devise, is not of enterprising spirit and indomitable ship with the United States Courts will doing its basic job, in 10 days the Mem- will. I was fortunate enough to visit give thousands of young people across bers of this body will adjourn on a 2- Israel in 2011 and saw firsthand the the country the opportunity to meet week vacation. And in 10 legislative high level of strategic cooperation be- with Federal judges and explore the ju- days, if we don’t make some hard tween the United States and Israel dicial branch of government. choices, the government may shut militarily, businesswise, In Dayton, Ohio, alone, where Judge down, cutting off our constituents from technologywise, and socially. Newman sits, over 1,000 students will access to programs they depend upon Almost 32 years ago, the U.S. signed participate in the civics program, for their livelihood. its first-ever free trade agreement with learning more about the Constitution So my message is simple. My plea to Israel, leading to almost $40 billion in and Bill of Rights, the separation of this body is simple. Let’s end the vaca- trade annually. Israel makes up more powers, the role of the Federal judge, tion. than 40 percent of all investment in the the structure of the Federal court sys- In what other job would you grant United States from the Middle East tem, and how to become a judge or law- yourself a 2-week vacation if you failed and north Africa, and has companies yer themselves. to do that fundamental job? listed on the NASDAQ Stock Ex- The Federal Bar Association has also I know we need to go back home. I change, more than any other country added a civics page to its website to know people want to hear from their other than the United States and Can- make educational materials available constituents. But more than anything ada. for lawyers and judges who choose to else, our constituents sent us here to The ‘‘Start-up Nation’’ has given the serve as mentors in the program. do our job, to work together to fix world the USB flash drive, the first PC In an effort to encourage direct in- problems rather than punting them CPU, voice over IP phone system, and volvement by American government down the road to the next generation. just recently, Intel acquired Israeli teachers and students alike, the Fed- So, please, let’s stay here, let’s do our driver-assistance company, Mobileye, eral Bar Association, again under job. That is the very least we owe the to help develop better autonomous ve- Judge Newman’s leadership, is holding American people. hicles. a national essay contest for middle and f Israel’s drip irrigation technology high school students on the subject has helped millions around the world THANKING TEXAS WORLD WAR I ‘‘What Does an Impartial Judicial Sys- grow crops on land that otherwise VETERANS FOR PROTECTING tem Mean to Me?’’ would be barren, and Israeli doctors OUR COUNTY In addition to honoring the student have made medical discoveries improv- essay winners, the Federal Bar Asso- The SPEAKER pro tempore. The ing the lives of millions of Americans ciation and United States Courts will Chair recognizes the gentleman from and hundreds of millions of folks also recognize a select group of top- Texas (Mr. FARENTHOLD) for 5 minutes. worldwide. notch civics teachers from across the Mr. FARENTHOLD. Mr. Speaker, sol- The U.S. and Israeli militaries also United States. diers from south Texas were instru- maintain a high level of cooperation As president of the Federal Bar Asso- mental in the United States victory and support. Our two nations regularly ciation and a United States mag- during World War I. With the 100th an- hold joint exercises and work side by istrate, Judge Newman has spear- niversary of World War I quickly ap- side in developing new technologies, in- headed this effort, publicly urging the proaching, I would like to take a cluding missile defense systems, weap- association’s 19,000 members to join minute to thank our veterans, espe- ons technologies, and more. him in engaging the next generation of cially Texas veterans, for protecting Situated in an extremely hostile attorneys, judges, and legislators. our country. neighborhood, Israelis share a unique I commend Judge Newman on his In 1916, thousands of National understanding of the threats posed by tireless work to connect our young Guardsmen were stationed along the Islamic terror groups. Through co- people to the best and brightest in the Mexican border. When tensions began operation, we are constantly moni- field of law, and for reemphasizing the to calm, 3,500 soldiers were moved to toring and defeating new threats to critical importance of civics in Amer- Corpus Christi, where the city prepared both nations. ican society. a 200-acre site that later became Camp I have been heartened to see the re- f Scurry. newal in U.S.-Israeli relations since By 1917, the camp was closed after President Trump took office and hope DISTRUST IN GOVERNMENT IS AT the border remained quiet for nearly a to see them continue to flourish. I en- AN ALL-TIME HIGH year. Once the United States entered courage my colleagues to join me in The SPEAKER pro tempore. The World War I, the camp was reactivated cosponsoring H.R. 1697, the Israel Anti- Chair recognizes the gentleman from and became a training base for the 4th Boycott Act; H.R. 1698, the Iran Bal- Wisconsin (Mr. GALLAGHER) for 5 min- Field Artillery Regiment and the 5th listic Missiles and International Sanc- utes. Engineer Battalion. tions Enforcement Act; and H. Res. 218, Mr. GALLAGHER. Mr. Speaker, dis- Through the draft, nearly 200,000 Tex- Recognizing the importance of the trust in government is at an all-time ans served in the military during the United States-Israel economic rela- high, and it is easy to see why. Our war, and 450 Texas women worked as tionship and encouraging new areas of Federal debt is approaching $20 tril- nurses. Today, now, we must remember cooperation. lion. A child born today in this country the 5,000 Texans who died during the While many around the world are will inherit a crushing burden of debt, war, including seven Gold Star women eager to point fingers and attempt to part of an intergenerational crime nurses. delegitimize or destroy the State of without consequence. Also, a special thank you to the Israel, it is important—now more than Meanwhile, the middle class is being Nueces County Historical Society for ever—that we stand strong with our al- hollowed out, if not disappearing en- hosting the World War I Centennial lies and the only democracy in the tirely. We have a 7-million-man strong Commemoration on April 6. Their work Middle East. army that simply opted out of the helps preserve our south Texas history. f labor force entirely. THE IMPORTANT RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE Finally, our foreign policy is in cri- UNITED STATES AND ISRAEL RECESS sis. Threats continue to rise abroad as, Mr. FARENTHOLD. Mr. Speaker, I The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- here at home, we continue to wreak would also like to highlight how impor- ant to clause 12(a) of rule I, the Chair

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He serves as aster last week. a hospice chaplain with the Hospital Instead of fighting over how many b 1200 Sisters Health Systems through St. people should lose health coverage, AFTER RECESS Anthony’s Memorial Hospital in they decided that it is easier to unite Effingham, Illinois, where he serves pa- around the shared cause of climate de- The recess having expired, the House tients from over 20 counties in the cen- nial. This week President Trump an- was called to order by the Speaker at tral part of my congressional district. nounced plans to gut President noon. In addition to his service as chaplain, Obama’s landmark Clean Power Plan, f Reverend Dillingham is also on the and the House will vote on legislation to block the EPA from reviewing peer PRAYER board of the Farina food pantry and is a clergy care guide, where he is a pas- reviewed scientific research when Reverend Robert Dillingham, Farina toral presence in the lives of over 70 forming regulations. United Methodist Church, Farina, Illi- pastors. So think about that for a second—the nois, offered the following prayer: It is my honor to welcome Reverend majority couldn’t agree on how many Creator of yesterday, today, and to- Dillingham and his wife, Ashley, who is people should lose healthcare coverage; morrow, we come to You as broken ves- in the gallery today, and personally so they are united around the shared sels, called to Your holy task of gov- thank him for offering this morning’s cause of climate denial. The President ernance. Be with the families of these prayer. likes to claim that climate change is a gathered, build up, equip, protect, and hoax created by the Chinese. empower all to the task before them f Well, I know that the President and this day. ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER his party have developed a disdain for Bring together through Your spirit PRO TEMPORE fact-checkers, but silencing the sci- those who are divided, and those who entific community takes things to a divide. Bring healing, bring unity, as The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. whole new level. You continually offer healing and hope JODY B. HICE of Georgia). The Chair Mr. Speaker, I have to ask: Can my to all of creation. will entertain up to 15 further requests colleagues handle the truth? for 1-minute speeches on each side of Omnipresent Creator, You have guid- f the aisle. ed creation through the most difficult LIFT THE RELOCATION BURDEN times. You have called us to this time f FROM MILITARY SPOUSES ACT and to this place, to this activity, to CONGRATULATIONS TO DR. (Ms. STEFANIK asked and was given this body. We have followed that call- STEPHEN NIMER ing. permission to address the House for 1 Now guide us, empower us, embolden (Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN asked and was minute and to revise and extend her re- us to this holy work of service and rep- given permission to address the House marks.) Ms. STEFANIK. Mr. Speaker, I rise resentation of Your creation. Guide us, for 1 minute and to revise and extend today in support of our resilient mili- O great Jehovah. her remarks.) tary families. These families endure Amen. Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Dr. Stephen countless relocations and deployments f Nimer on his successful 5 years as the every couple of years, transitioning to THE JOURNAL director of the Sylvester Comprehen- new schools, new jobs, and fitting into sive Cancer Center at my alma mater, new communities. The SPEAKER. The Chair has exam- Military spouses wear their own ined the Journal of the last day’s pro- the University of Miami. Go Canes. Throughout his distinguished career patches of service and share a true ceedings and announces to the House sense of duty to our country. They sac- his approval thereof. as a noted leukemia and stem cell transplant researcher and clinician, Dr. rifice a great deal of themselves amid Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Jour- strain and the unknown, while pro- nal stands approved. Nimer has dedicated himself to caring for cancer patients in their greatest viding unyielding support to their f hour of need. Dr. Nimer has propelled spouse in uniform. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Military spouses are often employed Center into prominence by bringing to- in professions which require new li- The SPEAKER. Will the gentle- censing that vary from State to State, woman from New York (Ms. STEFANIK) gether a superb team of leading med- ical experts who have transformed the with fees and wait times. To alleviate come forward and lead the House in the this burden and provide predictability Pledge of Allegiance. center into one of the worldwide lead- ers in cancer treatment and innova- in the lives of military spouses and Ms. STEFANIK led the Pledge of Al- their families, I have reintroduced the legiance as follows: tion. Because of Dr. Nimer’s efforts, people Lift the Relocation Burden from Mili- I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the from South Florida, and indeed from tary Spouses Act. United States of America, and to the Repub- Military spouses serve, too, and my all over the world, have come to view lic for which it stands, one nation under God, bill will help alleviate unnecessary Sylvester as the ultimate destination indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. stress and expenses, help make job for cutting-edge cancer programs, as f changes easier, and will give these well as a refuge and helping hand as spouses and their families some de- WELCOMING REVEREND ROBERT they deal with this difficult disease. served predictability as they serve DILLINGHAM Congratulations to Dr. Nimer on a their Nation. The SPEAKER. Without objection, successful 5-year tenure at the Syl- Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. SHIM- vester Comprehensive Cancer Center. support this important bill. Our South Florida community is in- KUS) is recognized for 1 minute. f There was no objection. deed blessed to have you at the helm. Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, I rise f LET’S WORK TOGETHER TO IM- today to honor Reverend Robert PROVE THE AFFORDABLE CARE Dillingham who led us in the opening DON’T SILENCE THE SCIENTIFIC ACT prayer. He is a pastor in the Illinois COMMUNITY (Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas asked Great Rivers Conference of the United (Mrs. DAVIS of California asked and and was given permission to address Methodist Church where he serves Fa- was given permission to address the the House for 1 minute and to revise rina, Illinois. House for 1 minute.) and extend his remarks.)

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Mr. They all played a crucial role in mak- Lastly, they sent me here to make Speaker, I want to thank my constitu- ing this victory possible. sure that we secure our borders and en- ents and the millions of Americans who Mr. Speaker, agriculture and forestry force our border laws because border contacted their Representatives last are the main economic engines in Ar- security is national security. week and voiced their opposition to the kansas, and there is little doubt, in my Mr. Speaker, these are the issues this Republican bill to repeal the Afford- mind, that one day soon, talented and House should be tackling. passionate young people, such as these, able Care Act. f Although TrumpCare failed, the de- will be called upon to lead our State bate on health care is far from over. I into the future. NOTHING TO HIDE? hope that Speaker RYAN will reach Once again, I offer them my most (Mr. CICILLINE asked and was given across the aisle so we can improve a sincere congratulations and wish them permission to address the House for 1 law that works and is more popular the best as they continue to pursue minute.) than ever. their passion for forestry. Mr. CICILLINE. Mr. Speaker, yester- Thanks to the ACA, over 20 million f day we learned that the Trump admin- more Americans are insured. People DON’T SHELVE FUEL EFFICIENCY istration tried to limit former Deputy with preexisting conditions can no RULES Attorney General Sally Yates’ testi- longer be denied. Consumers are pro- mony on Russian interference in the tected from the worst abuses of the in- (Mr. HIGGINS of New York asked and was given permission to address the 2016 election. surance industry. There are parts of House for 1 minute.) As reported in The Washington Post, the law that can be improved, and that Mr. HIGGINS of New York. Mr. Sally Yates and former CIA Director is what we should be working on. Speaker, in 2009, when gas prices were John Brennan had made clear that The Republican bill never tried; not very high and our dependence on for- their testimony would contradict one public hearing was held on that eign oil was at its peak, the Environ- statements that have been made by of- bill. Their complete lack of trans- mental Protection Agency set stand- ficials at the White House. parency in the Republican leadership ards to increase fuel efficiency of The hearing at which they were to tried to ram it through without public trucks and cars. This helped achieve testify has now been canceled, and all comment. We worked on the ACA for three main goals: It lessened the bur- of us have a responsibility to ask why. more than a year before there was a den on consumers faced with high gas If there is nothing to hide about his final vote. prices, addressed the urgent national ties to Putin’s Russia, then why TrumpCare was voted on in only 18 security priority relating to our addic- doesn’t President Trump want Sally days after it was introduced—18 days— tion to Middle East oil, and sought to Yates to testify? a bill that would cut 24 million Ameri- limit the admittance of harmful fumes If there is nothing to hide, then why cans from health care. As ranking into our atmosphere. does President Trump continue to member of the Energy and Commerce At the same time, we made unprece- withhold his tax returns? Health Subcommittee, I hope to work dented commitment to our auto indus- If there is nothing to hide, then why with my colleagues on a bipartisan so- try, and in their most uncertain and won’t President Trump make public lution to improve the ACA. darkest moment, facing collapse and the visitor logs at Mar-a-Lago? f bankruptcy, America bailed them out. We are now in day 68 of the Trump CONGRATULATING HERMITAGE We did this, and it came with political administration. Each day, more and FFA FORESTRY TEAM consequences, but we believe in their more information emerges about ties centrality to the future of the Amer- between Vladimir Putin’s regime and (Mr. WESTERMAN asked and was ican economy, and we still do. Trump’s inner circle, and the Trump given permission to address the House That is why it is so disappointing to campaign officials. Each day, the for 1 minute and to revise and extend see the eagerness the auto industry has White House scrambles to contain the his remarks.) with this administration’s choice to damage. It is time for the President to Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I cave—and cowardly—on fuel efficiency come clean with the American people. rise today to recognize and congratu- standards. Gas prices may be low now, Mr. President, let Sally Yates tes- late the outstanding achievements of but they won’t be forever. It would be tify. Mr. President, release your taxes. four young men in my district. The a misguided decision to shelve these Mr. President, let’s see the guest logs Hermitage, Arkansas, FFA Forestry fuel-efficiency rules now. at Mar-a-Lago. And Mr. President, sup- team not only placed first in Arkansas f port an independent, bipartisan com- but also won the 37th annual National mission to get to the bottom of this. 4–H Forestry Invitational and the Na- WHAT MY CONSTITUENTS WANT The American people deserve answers. tional FFA Forestry Career Develop- (Mr. MARCHANT asked and was The SPEAKER pro tempore. The ment Event. given permission to address the House Chair reminds Members to address The Hermitage FFA Forestry team for 1 minute.) their remarks to the Chair. was comprised of: Ethan Boykin, Hun- Mr. MARCHANT. Mr. Speaker, I f ter Saunders, Cade Wilkerson, and Con- made a promise to my constituents nor Wilkerson, all of Hermitage, Ar- when they sent me back to office this b 1215 kansas. During the Forestry Invita- year. They entrusted me to represent TAX REFORM tional, teams competed for overall them on the issues that affect them the team and individual awards in events most. (Mr. WILLIAMS asked and was given such as tree identification, insect and They sent me here to repeal permission to address the House for 1 disease identification, forest evalua- ObamaCare, our health system. Our minute.) tion, and a written forestry exam. The health insurance system is crushing Mr. WILLIAMS. Mr. Speaker, I rise National FFA Forestry CDE tests stu- those that it is supposed to help. today to speak on tax reform. Many of dents’ skills and knowledge in forest They sent me here to remove Wash- my colleagues know this is a matter management. ington bureaucrats from the healthcare that I am the most passionate about. As a forester serving in the House of business and to restore the doctor-pa- Mr. Speaker, I am a second-genera- Representatives, I recognize the many tient relationship that has broken tion small-business owner, and my hours that these young men dedicated down. If ObamaCare has shown us any- daughters are third-generation. I un- to competing on a national level, and I thing, it is that coverage and afford- derstand firsthand the impact that un- admire them for their hard work. able care are two very different things. fair, job-killing taxes and regulations Additionally, special recognition is They sent me here for sweeping tax have on Main Street. due to Mr. Taylor Gwin, who coached reform that benefits every American, I know what it is like to nearly lose the Arkansas Forestry team, the par- to create a tax structure that rewards a family business that was built from ents of the team members, and the American workers and American busi- the ground up just because the Federal Bradley County Extension Services. nesses. Government believes in a death tax.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 01:00 Mar 30, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00009 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K29MR7.016 H29MRPT1 rfrederick on DSKBCBPHB2PROD with HOUSE H2528 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE March 29, 2017 This, my friends, is a tax that strips tion and commission, he followed in his Army, working his way up to sergeant. families of the American Dream they father’s footsteps and pursued a life- From there, Angel traded his Army worked so hard to achieve. time career in the Navy, ultimately re- uniform for a police uniform and The inheritance tax takes money tiring at the rank of captain. served with the D.C. Metro Police. from folks who know how to use it to Captain Kearney dedicated his life to Starting in 1996, Angel joined the create jobs and donate to charities and his distinguished military career and Capitol Police force, where he has pro- puts it in the hands of those respon- received numerous honors and medals tected thousands of visitors, staff, and sible for a $20 trillion national debt. for his service, which included work Members of Congress who come Mr. Speaker, I came up here to speak here in Washington and on the 7th through our Nation’s Capitol every sin- on behalf of the job creators that em- Fleet staff in Japan. gle day. ploy more than half of America’s work- John leaves behind a legacy of Since 1998, Angel has been assigned force. These are the men and women warmth and passion, and his example is to the United States Capitol Police who suffer directly from politicians’ one all Americans and Arkansans can Dignitary Protection Division, working knee-jerk reactions, politicians who admire. I extend my respect, affection, with many House leaders, including have never met a payroll and have and prayers to his fine family and Dick Armey, ROY BLUNT, Eric Cantor, never worked in the private sector. loved ones. and, for the last 3 years, as the leader Congress has talked about tax reform f of my detail team. for decades, but we haven’t seen major I would like to thank Angel’s wife, RECOGNIZING THERESA LOPEZ reforms in 30 years. Again, I am asking Susan, and his two kids, Tatiana and this Congress and this President to act (Mr. COSTA asked and was given per- Mike, for selflessly allowing Angel to now. mission to address the House for 1 serve our Nation in these roles. In God we trust. minute and to revise and extend his re- Angel, on behalf of my family and f marks.) the entire Capitol family, thanks for Mr. COSTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today your service. We will miss you, young WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH AND to recognize Theresa Lopez from man. THE WOMEN OF DETROIT Madera, California. Theresa was chosen f (Mrs. LAWRENCE asked and was by my office to be March’s Heroine of given permission to address the House the Month for the 17th Congressional TRUMP ADMINISTRATION TIES TO for 1 minute.) District. RUSSIA Mrs. LAWRENCE. Mr. Speaker, I rise For nearly 10 years, Theresa has (Mrs. BUSTOS asked and was given today in honor of Women’s History served as a veterans service representa- permission to address the House for 1 Month and to show some R-E-S-P-E-C- tive at the Madera Veterans Service minute.) T to a real Detroiter and Michigan leg- Office. Theresa understands that our Mrs. BUSTOS. Mr. Speaker, the end, my dear friend and Queen of Soul, valley veterans and their families de- American people are demanding a real Aretha Franklin. serve the best care and service that investigation into President Trump’s Aretha has taught us to be a proud they can have because the men and ties to Russia and Vladimir Putin. ‘‘Natural Woman.’’ She has forced us, women who have served our Nation’s I was a journalist for nearly two dec- not just to ‘‘Think’’ about it, but also military, members of your family and ades, and for part of that time, I was an to act. Once called the voice of Black members of my family, have made sac- investigative reporter. I could tell you America, Ms. Franklin has been a rifices that we should never, ever for- that, where there is smoke, there is champion in the African-American get. usually fire. Right now, smoke is bil- community for decades and in her Theresa knows. She’s been working lowing out of the White House. hometown of Detroit. with my office since 2008, and I know No matter how many times President With a Hollywood star, 20 R&B num- that she works hard every day to en- Trump tries to distract us with a ber one hits, 18 Grammys, and a Medal sure that local veterans are receiving tweet, no matter how many times of Freedom from President George the VA benefits they have earned. President Trump advisers have held se- Bush, she represents the best of Detroit Theresa also does outreach to the cret meetings with the Russians, no and of our country. Chowchilla State men’s prison and the matter how many times the Repub- This month and every month, we VA community-based clinic in lican chairman of the House Perma- must stand up to lift women up across Oakhurst, and she is a member of the nent Select Committee on Intelligence this country, ensuring that our laws county veterans court. She has also changes his story to protect President and policies empower and protect all served as secretary of the California Trump, sooner or later, the truth will women. Association of County Veterans Serv- come out. I am proud to call Aretha Franklin ice Officers since 2012. Vladimir Putin has a driving mission my friend and to wish her a happy I ask my colleagues to join me in rec- and that is to weaken America from birthday, which was March 25, and to ognizing the service of Theresa Lopez within. stand alongside this great champion and her strong commitment to serving So to my colleagues on the other side for women everywhere this month, valley veterans, for we can never, ever of the aisle, I ask one simple question: Women’s History Month, and every say thank you enough not only for our What would President Ronald Reagan day. veterans, but for the good work that do? f Theresa has done. Well, I can tell you. He would put our God bless her, and God bless the national security ahead of partisan pol- IN MEMORY OF CAPTAIN JOHN United States of America. itics. He would follow the facts, and he JOSEPH KEARNEY, USN f would leave no stone unturned. (Mr. HILL asked and was given per- Our democracy demands a complete, HONORING CAPITOL POLICE mission to address the House for 1 thorough, and independent investiga- SPECIAL AGENT ANGEL MORALES minute and to revise and extend his re- tion into President Trump’s ties with marks.) (Mr. SCALISE asked and was given the Putin regime. Mr. HILL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today permission to address the House for 1 f to honor the life of Captain John Jo- minute.) seph Kearney, who passed away on Mr. SCALISE. Mr. Speaker, I rise RUSSIA’S THREAT TO OUR Pearl Harbor Day last year at the too- today to honor an incredible man, Cap- DEMOCRACY young age of 62. itol Police Special Agent Angel Mo- (Mr. MCEACHIN asked and was given After graduating just 2 years before rales, who is retiring after 21 years on permission to address the House for 1 me at Catholic High School for Boys in the force. Angel has dedicated his en- minute.) Little Rock, John received a Presi- tire life to serving our country. Mr. MCEACHIN. Mr. Speaker, before dential appointment to the United From 1986 to 1991, he put on the uni- my time in Congress, I was a trial law- States Naval Academy. Upon gradua- form of our country serving in the U.S. yer. As a trial lawyer, I learned that,

VerDate Sep 11 2014 01:00 Mar 30, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00010 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K29MR7.018 H29MRPT1 rfrederick on DSKBCBPHB2PROD with HOUSE March 29, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H2529 where there is smoke, there is fire. Mr. OFFICE OF THE CLERK, The SAB, the Science Advisory Speaker, I am here to tell you that HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Board, was first established by Con- there is a fire threatening our Repub- Washington, DC, March 29, 2017. gress in 1978 and plays a vital role in lic. Hon. PAUL D. RYAN, reviewing the scientific foundation of The Speaker, House of Representatives, Mr. Speaker, make no mistake about Washington, DC. EPA’s regulatory decisions, while also it: Russia attacked our country when it DEAR MR. SPEAKER: Pursuant to the per- providing critical advice to us here in tried to meddle in our elections. But mission granted in Clause 2(h) of Rule II of Congress as well as the Agency. The in- we have a Commander in Chief who the Rules of the U.S. House of Representa- formation it reviews is used to justify will barely acknowledge this act, much tives, the Clerk received the following mes- important policy decisions at the EPA less condemn it. sage from the Secretary of the Senate on and should be held to the highest Mr. Speaker, we hear tough talk March 29, 2017, at 9:28 a.m.: standards because it is imperative that Appointments: from the President when it comes to Advisory Committee on the Records of the regulated community and the pub- Iran, North Korea, and China; but when Congress. lic can have confidence that EPA deci- Russia moves missiles in violation of With best wishes, I am, sions are grounded, that science should treaty obligations, when a Russian spy Sincerely, be both reproducible and transparent. ship patrols just outside our coastal KAREN L. HAAS. However, shortcomings with the cur- waters, we hear crickets. As evidence f rent process have arisen in recent years, including limited public partici- mounts that Russia is interfering with PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION pation, EPA interference with expert the democracies of Europe, we hear OF H.R. 1431, EPA SCIENCE ADVI- crickets. Indeed, Mr. Speaker, this advice, potential conflicts of interest, SORY BOARD REFORM ACT OF and serious deficiencies with the proc- President sees no moral difference be- 2017 tween our democracy and the Putin re- ess to select the board members. Far Mr. NEWHOUSE. Mr. Speaker, by di- gime. too often, the SAB’s authority has been rection of the Committee on Rules, I Mr. Speaker, there is smoke; there is used by the EPA to silence dissenting call up House Resolution 233 and ask fire. Our Republic is being threatened. scientific views and opinions, rather for its immediate consideration. We are the first responders, and we can than promoting the impartiality and The Clerk read the resolution, as fol- only put this fire out with the truth. fairness that is the cornerstone of un- lows: We need to establish an independent biased scientific advice. H. RES. 233 commission to investigate the Trump- b 1230 Russian ties and find our way to the Resolved, That upon adoption of this reso- lution it shall be in order to consider in the At its inception, the SAB was in- truth. House the bill (H.R. 1431) to amend the Envi- tended to function independently in ronmental Research, Development, and Dem- order to provide candid advice and f onstration Authorization Act of 1978 to pro- guidance to the EPA. Yet, if the Agen- COMMEMORATING 20 YEARS OF vide for Scientific Advisory Board member cy undermines this autonomy, then the qualifications, public participation, and for SAB’s value to both the EPA and Con- THE GLUCK FELLOWS PRO- other purposes. All points of order against GRAMS OF THE ARTS gress, I believe, is severely diminished. consideration of the bill are waived. The bill Mr. Speaker, to address these issues, (Mr. TAKANO asked and was given shall be considered as read. All points of order against provisions in the bill are H.R. 1431 would reform the SAB and re- permission to address the House for 1 affirm its independence so the public minute and to revise and extend his re- waived. The previous question shall be con- sidered as ordered on the bill and on any and regulated entities can have that marks.) amendment thereto to final passage without confidence that sound science is driv- Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise intervening motion except: (1) one hour of ing policy decisions at the EPA. today to commemorate 20 years of the debate equally divided and controlled by the The bill makes several important re- Gluck Fellows Program of the Arts at chair and ranking minority member of the forms to the SAB, such as requiring the University of California, Riverside. Committee on Science, Space, and Tech- board members to be qualified experts; Since 1996, the Max H. Gluck Founda- nology; and (2) one motion to recommit. disclosing conflicts of interest and tion has supported undergraduate and The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gen- sources of bias; and ensuring that the graduate students as they bring inno- tleman from Washington is recognized views of members, including the dis- vative arts programming to schools, li- for 1 hour. senting members, are available to the braries, and community centers in my Mr. NEWHOUSE. Mr. Speaker, for public. It provides the public with the district. the purpose of debate only, I yield the opportunity to participate in the advi- The Gluck Fellows Program of the customary 30 minutes to the gen- sory activities of the board and gives Arts has provided students, families, tleman from Massachusetts (Mr. people the ability to view the agency’s and other community members with MCGOVERN), pending which I yield my- responses to issues raised by the SAB. the opportunity to experience art, self such time as I may consume. Dur- Additionally, the bill requires that at music, dance, theater, and art history ing consideration of this resolution, all least 10 percent of the board is com- through workshops and performances. time yielded is for the purpose of de- prised of State, local, and tribal ex- Over the past 20 years, more than bate only. perts; that board members do not par- 300,000 Inland Empire residents have GENERAL LEAVE ticipate in advisory activities that in- benefited from this program. Mr. NEWHOUSE. Mr. Speaker, I ask volve reviews or evaluations of their I congratulate UCR’s Chancellor Kim unanimous consent that all Members own work; and that EPA publicly dis- Wilcox; Dean of Humanities, Arts and have 5 legislative days to revise and ex- close all board member recusals; and Social Sciences Milagros Pena; Gluck tend their remarks. that comments are published in the Fellows Director Erika Suderburg; and The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there Federal Register. especially the Max H. Gluck Founda- objection to the request of the gen- So these reforms will improve the ex- tion and its chair, Dr. Jon Kaswick. tleman from Washington? isting regulatory process, while also re- I wish continued success to the Gluck There was no objection. invigorating the scientific judgements Fellows Program of the Arts at the Mr. NEWHOUSE. Mr. Speaker, on that are often directly linked to regu- University of California, Riverside. Tuesday, the House Rules Committee latory decisions. met and reported a rule, House Resolu- The EPA relies on SAB reviews and f tion 233, providing for consideration of studies to support new regulations, H.R. 1431, the EPA Science Advisory new standards, assessments, and other COMMUNICATION FROM THE Board Reform Act of 2017. This legisla- Agency actions. A transparent and ac- CLERK OF THE HOUSE tion will reform the Environmental countable Science Advisory Board is The SPEAKER pro tempore laid be- Protection Agency, or the EPA, critically important and can assure the fore the House the following commu- Science Advisory Board to ensure that public that the data that Federal agen- nication from the Clerk of the House of it is unbiased and transparent in per- cies rely on is scientifically sound and Representatives: forming its duties. unbiased.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 01:00 Mar 30, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00011 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K29MR7.019 H29MRPT1 rfrederick on DSKBCBPHB2PROD with HOUSE H2530 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE March 29, 2017 This legislation would reinforce that not an emergency. Timmy fell down a don’t matter. Our environment and the the SAB process is a tool to help pol- well, that is an emergency. Timmy health of our families are too impor- icymakers with complex issues, while might stub his toe, not an emergency. tant. also preventing the EPA from taking On April 28, the government will run This law is going to have real-life actions that impede the free flow of out of money. That is an emergency, consequences. It undermines science, impartial scientific advice. even if it is self-inflicted by the Repub- hurts the environment, and it helps Mr. Speaker, this rule provides for licans. And we have no shortage of polluters. We need to allow the EPA to consideration of an important measure other actual emergencies that we make decisions based on fact. We need that will improve the peer review proc- should be dealing with: a devastating to ensure that EPA is always free from ess and ensure sound science is used in opioid epidemic, crumbling roads and financial conflicts, not making deci- the Federal rulemaking process. It is a bridges, mounting evidence of Russian sions based on panels filled with indus- simple, relatively straightforward bill meddling in our election, and people try insiders like the ones that this bill that will make the SAB more con- being killed every day due to gun vio- would create. sistent, transparent, and accountable lence, not to mention Flint, Michigan, Mr. Speaker, this bill defies logic. It to our bosses, the American people. is still dealing with the residual health defies reason. It defies sanity. It will Transparency in regulations based on effects of toxically polluted water. hurt the people who sent us here, and it the highest quality science should not These are just a few examples of ac- will help polluters. Republicans are be a partisan issue. In the 114th Con- tual emergencies that Congress is putting corporate greed ahead of public gress, a nearly identical version of this doing nothing to address. Instead, the health, and the American people will bill was passed by the House, I am glad underlying bill, the EPA Science Advi- be the ones who will suffer. Americans to say, with bipartisan support. I hope sory Board Reform Act, is brought to deserve better. We should be fighting we can join together again to pass this the Rules Committee and to the House on behalf of the American people. important bill with support from Mem- floor as an emergency piece of legisla- Mr. Speaker, let me tell my Repub- bers of both sides of the aisle, from tion. lican friends what I tell first graders both parties. As we learned last week, the Amer- that I talk to back in my district in I urge my colleagues to support this ican people are paying attention to Massachusetts when I go to visit their rule as well as the underlying legisla- what we do here. They are smart schools. I usually begin by telling them tion. enough to know what an emergency is. that science is important. It is a big Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of And this bill isn’t addressing an emer- deal, and it is such a big deal that all my time. gency, Mr. Speaker; it is creating one. our schools teach it. And if you do your Mr. MCGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, I yield The Science Advisory Board at the homework and if you study hard and myself such time as I may consume. EPA provides a way for the Agency to you pay attention, you might grow up (Mr. MCGOVERN asked and was use sound, independent, and objective someday to become a scientist, and sci- given permission to revise and extend scientific data to help make their deci- entists are people who dedicate their his remarks.) sions. Science, Mr. Speaker—you may lives to protecting the health and well- Mr. MCGOVERN. I thank the gen- have heard of it—is kind of a big deal. being of people all over the world, and tleman from Washington (Mr. But this bill won’t help the EPA to they dedicate their lives to protecting NEWHOUSE), my good friend, for yield- include more scientists in the deci- our planet. ing me the customary 30 minutes. sions. It will force them to include peo- Scientists tell us things that are Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong opposi- ple with potential financial conflicts of really important. They tell us things tion to this rule and the underlying interest on the Science Advisory Board like climate change is caused by green- legislation. This is the 23rd closed rule so long as they disclose them. I mean, house gasses, something my Repub- of this short, new Congress. Both do we really want people on our advi- lican friends continually deny. They Democrats and Republicans have been sory boards if they could profit from a tell us that polluted air can give chil- denied the opportunity to amend near- decision that they are about to make? dren asthma. They tell us that lead in ly 60 percent of the legislation that has There is nothing scientific about cor- children’s drinking water causes learn- been brought to the floor through the ruption, and this is exactly what this ing problems. They tell us pesticide ex- House Rules Committee. bill will open the door to. posure can cause cancer. These are im- This effort by Speaker RYAN and the This bill also limits the participation portant things. Republican leadership to halt a fair of scientific experts at the EPA, lead- We all learned in school, thanks to and open debate in the people’s House ing to a disproportionate representa- science, that the Earth orbits around is outrageous. We are supposed to be a tion of big business and corporate spe- the Sun, that gravity causes this pen deliberative body where both parties cial interests. Are these really the peo- to fall when I drop it, that plants turn get to deliberate. These Putinesque ple we want making decisions about sunshine into energy, that dinosaurs rules that shut down all debate need to the health of our kids and the policies roamed the Earth millions of years stop. This isn’t the Kremlin. that should be protecting our environ- ago. You know, I think Representative ment? Is that what we want? Mr. Speaker, the first graders I talk ROONEY, a Republican, said it best last So what is this bill really about? to, they get it. They understand the week: ‘‘I’ve been in this job for 8 years, Well, it is about allowing the Repub- importance of science. Unfortunately, and I’m wracking my brain to think of licans’ big corporate cronies a direct many of my colleagues in this Chamber one thing our party has done that’s route to the decisionmakers at the do not. And I would bet that those first been something positive, that’s been EPA. It is about disrupting the EPA’s graders understand the importance of something other than stopping some- ability to fairly enforce the rules, hold making sure that it is scientists who thing else from happening.’’ corporate polluters accountable, and sit on scientific advisory boards and Well, Mr. Speaker, today we are con- protect our health. It is about under- not corporate cronies. sidering a piece of legislation that mining scientific fact with political Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of seeks to prevent the EPA from pro- cronyism. my time. tecting public health and the environ- Now, maybe things have changed Mr. NEWHOUSE. Mr. Speaker, I yield ment—not exactly positive. lately. It has been a while since my myself such time as I may consume. This bill was brought to the Rules last science class. But I am pretty sure I appreciate the gentleman’s com- Committee in an emergency meeting there is no step in the scientific meth- ments. In fact, some of those com- last night. And let me emphasize that, od that says consult corporate cronies. ments he was making I thought he was an emergency meeting. The truth is that this Republican ma- quoting me, or at least quoting parts of Mr. Speaker, I think the American jority wants the EPA to base their de- my own speech. people have a pretty good idea of what cisions on fiction, not fact. Certainly, I agree that the decisions is and what isn’t an emergency. A tree Americans can’t afford to have the made by the Environmental Protection falls on your house, that is an emer- EPA run by people who live in a Agency should be based on fact, not by gency. Your rose bush needs pruning, fantasyland where facts and science industry insiders, and that is exactly

VerDate Sep 11 2014 01:00 Mar 30, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00012 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K29MR7.023 H29MRPT1 rfrederick on DSKBCBPHB2PROD with HOUSE March 29, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H2531 what this legislation would do. I can’t Mr. Speaker, EPA’s regulatory agen- under this leadership. This is not only think of any instance where asking for da should not require secret science, something that I know Democrats have more full public participation as well much less 30-year-old data, in order to a problem with; I know a lot of Repub- as transparency is not a positive step, sell it to the American people. The licans do, too, because what this closed and that is exactly what we are trying other side likes to claim that there are process means is that anybody with a to do here. a lot of scientists behind this climate good idea can’t bring it to the floor and In reference to the number of closed change theory, but they won’t release can’t have an opportunity to debate rules that we have had this year, let that data. the issue. me just remind the good gentleman So what are they hiding behind? It was funny last night in the Rules that 15 out of the 23 closed rules were By the way, I remember Mark Twain Committee, my colleague from Texas actually the Congressional Review Act, said that sometimes the majority sim- (Mr. BURGESS) was kind of crowing the CRAs that we have been working ply means that all the fools are on one about the fact that no amendments on. They are prescribed to be a closed side. were brought before the Rules Com- rule. That is the nature of a CRA. Mr. Speaker, it is long past time for mittee. I reminded him the reason why So I would think that, in the good Congress to increase the transparency no amendments were brought before gentleman’s estimation of this bill and of the EPA. This HONEST Act will do all the negative things that could po- exactly that by prohibiting the EPA the Rules Committee is because this tentially come of it, that we should be from proposing or finalizing regula- bill was noticed as an emergency and able to come to some bipartisan agree- tions based upon data that is either there was no call for amendments. ment on this, especially considering outdated, it is not transparent, nor is Members weren’t asked to bring their the political climate that we are in it publicly available for review. ideas or their amendments to the Rules today, the occupant of the White House Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Committee. This would be laughable if today, certainly in Republican hands, SMITH for bringing this important leg- it weren’t so tragic. I would say to my and I would think our friends on the islation to the floor today, and I thank colleagues that it is this same closed Democratic side of the aisle would be the fine gentleman from Washington process that brought us this disastrous very interested in ensuring an unbiased State (Mr. NEWHOUSE). health repeal bill that my friends had source of information that comes from Mr. MCGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, I yield to pull last week that is on display the SAB to give to the EPA in making myself such time as I may consume. today. When you have a lousy process, their important decisions. This, I Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman you end up with lousy legislation. would think, would be a good idea for from Texas for his speech, but it was This is the people’s House. We are both sides of the aisle, no matter who on a different bill than the one we are supposed to deliberate, and here is a is in the White House, and I would talking about right now. That was a radical idea: let us deliberate a little agree that it is. rule we debated yesterday. The rule bit. Open it up. Open it up a little bit. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the passed, but we are going to be talking Let there be some amendments on both gentleman from Texas (Mr. WEBER), about it today. So I was a little con- sides of the aisle. my good friend. fused trying to follow the gentleman. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to Mr. WEBER of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I I also want to remind the gentleman vote ‘‘no’’ on the previous question. If do rise today in support of H.R. 1430, that he mentioned Donald Trump’s we defeat the previous question, I will and I appreciate the primer that we election. I will remind him that less bring to the floor an amendment, were just given from the other side on than half of the people of the United which I am going to talk about right what an emergency is. States actually voted for him. Hillary I would remind my good friend on the won the popular vote by close to 3 mil- now because, Mr. Speaker, we are deep- other side that, on November 8, 2016, lion. The gentleman keeps on talking ly concerned by reports from our intel- the Americans stood up and said: We about a better way, a better way, a bet- ligence community regarding Russian have an emergency. We need to change ter way. interference in last year’s election and directions. And they elected Donald Was that what was on display last even more troubled by FBI Director Trump to be President to do just that. week when we spent 15 hours in the Comey’s sworn testimony that the FBI So that is a good reminder. Rules Committee debating a repeal- is now investigating the possibility of Mr. Speaker, our constituents have a and-replace bill on health care that collusion between members of Presi- right to know whether or not EPA reg- only 16 percent of the American people dent Trump’s campaign team and Rus- ulations are based on sound science and thought was worth it and that had to sia. if they benefit the American people. be pulled because it was such a lousy Mr. Speaker, the legitimacy of our Keeping in the vein with what I just process? electoral system is at stake, and it is said, we have a better way. Speaker If that is the better way, I don’t time that this Republican-controlled PAUL RYAN has put out his plan for A think people want anything to do with Congress does its job and gets to the Better Way. Donald Trump has been it. bottom of this. Unfortunately, recent elected for that better way. The Amer- I would say to the gentleman, my actions by the House Intelligence Com- ican people deserve a better way. colleague, Mr. NEWHOUSE, who is talk- mittee chairman have left many Mem- This is called the HONEST Act, ing about trying to justify the closed bers from both sides of the aisle con- which I am proud to be a cosponsor of. process and saying that some of these vinced that the committee will not be It is a better way. It is simple and bills were CRAs, just repealing regula- able to conduct an impartial investiga- tions, well, my friends chose to bring straightforward. It is a message to gov- tion of this crucial matter of national up these repeal regulation bills under a ernment bureaucrats they cannot pro- security. pose costly new regulations without very closed process. Interestingly Mr. Speaker, if we defeat the pre- providing sufficient transparency. As enough, these rules were made under a vious question, I will offer an amend- my good friend from Washington said: very open process where agencies solic- Why would anybody be opposed to ited input from stakeholders and from ment to the rule to bring up Represent- transparency and a right for the Amer- the public, and it was all out in the ative SWALWELL’s and Representative ican public to know? open. But the Republicans chose to CUMMINGS’ bill, which would create a Opponents of this bill apparently bring measures to the floor to repeal bipartisan commission to investigate think Americans do not deserve to regulations in such a way that that Russian interference in our 2016 elec- know the truth, not to mention the agency can’t even go back and revisit tion. For the life of me I don’t know ‘‘science’’ behind EPA burdensome reg- the same subject of that particular reg- why this is controversial. My col- ulations. ulation. leagues on the Republican side should I think people need to understand be just as interested in getting to the b 1245 this. I don’t think I can ever recall a truth and getting to the truth in a way Trust me when I say Americans de- more closed, authoritarian process that has credibility with the American serve the truth from the very start. than the one that we have experienced people as we on the Democratic side do.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 01:18 Mar 30, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00013 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K29MR7.024 H29MRPT1 rfrederick on DSKBCBPHB2PROD with HOUSE H2532 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE March 29, 2017 Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous con- resentatives who are guilty of pol- Mr. Speaker, I include in the RECORD sent to insert the text of my amend- luting in the first place. Of course, a news release from the American ment in the RECORD, along with extra- they won’t welcome regulation of their Chemistry Council. neous material, immediately prior to own respective industries, and the Re- [From the American Chemistry Council, the vote on the previous question. publicans are their enablers. That is March 9, 2017] The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. what is going to happen if this bill ACC SUPPORTS LEGISLATIVE EFFORTS TO FARENTHOLD). Is there objection to the passes. IMPROVE EPA SCIENCE request of the gentleman from Massa- With respect to Russia, each day WASHINGTON.—The American Chemistry chusetts? there are more troubling revelations Council (ACC) issued the following state- There was no objection. that make clear that senior-level ment in support of the H.R. 1430, the ‘‘Honest Mr. MCGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, I yield Trump officials had undisclosed con- and Open New EPA Science Treatment Act 4 minutes to the distinguished gen- tact with Russian officials about the of 2017’’ (or The HONEST Act) introduced by Chairman Lamar Smith (R–TX) and H.R. 1431 tleman from Virginia (Mr. CONNOLLY) campaign, perhaps, the transition, and about sanctions. National Security Ad- ‘‘EPA Science Advisory Board Reform Act of to discuss our proposal. 2017,’’ introduced by Congressman Frank Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I viser Michael Flynn was fired after Lucus (R–OK). thank my distinguished friend from only 3 weeks on the job for lying about ‘‘Consistency and transparency are key to Massachusetts, and I also thank his this very thing to the Vice President of the regulatory certainty our industry needs able staff for the incredible work they the United States. Attorney General to grow and create jobs. In some instances, are doing. Jeff Sessions had to recuse himself EPA has fallen short of employing the high- Mr. Speaker, I want to talk about the from any Russian probe because of est-quality, best-available science in their regulatory decision making. bill before us, the EPA Science Advi- compromised testimony at his nomina- ‘‘It is critical that the regulated commu- sory Board, but also I want to talk tion hearing. FBI Director James nity and the public have confidence that de- about Mr. MCGOVERN’s amendment on Comey confirmed an investigation into cisions reached by EPA are grounded in Russia. the Trump campaign’s possible collu- transparent and reproducible science. By en- They actually are linked because the sion with Russian officials. suring that the EPA utilizes high quality last time a great power decided to deny What has been the most visible reac- science and shares underlying data used to science-based policy and to actually tion from my friends on the other side reach decisions, the HONEST Act can help dictate politically what was science of the aisle in this Congress? foster a regulatory environment that will The frenetic behavior of the Intel- allow the U.S. business of chemistry to con- and what wasn’t was Stalin’s Soviet tinue to develop safe, innovative products Russia. A famous scientist named ligence Committee chairman that has seemingly compromised the commit- that Americans depend on in their everyday Lysenko turned out to be a fraud and a lives. con artist. But for 30 years, his think- tee’s ability to investigate. ‘‘The Science Advisory Board Reform Act ing dominated Soviet science to the This ought not to be about partisan would improve the peer review process—a detriment of the Soviet people. It actu- politics. It ought to be about restoring critical component of the scientific process ally led to a famine in Ukraine, killing congressional independence and integ- used by EPA in their regulatory decisions about potential risks to human health or the millions of people because he insisted rity, one of our most cherished demo- cratic institutions; in fact, the most environment. The Act would make peer re- on his political brand of agricultural cherished, a free election without for- viewers accountable for responding to public science, which wasn’t science at all. eign interference. comment, strengthen policies to address con- My friend from Massachusetts I flicts of interest, ensure engagement of a So I support Mr. MCGOVERN’s poten- think is wrong when he asks: What is wide range of perspectives of qualified sci- tial amendment. I will also oppose the the emergency? I don’t think he under- entific experts in EPA’s scientific peer re- previous question. view panels and increase transparency in stands that, from the Republican point Mr. NEWHOUSE. Mr. Speaker, I yield of view, science mixed with public pol- peer review reports. myself such time as I may consume. ‘‘We commend Chairman Smith and Con- icy is an emergency. We have to do As we get back to the bill at hand, I gressman Lucas for their leadership and something about it. think it is important that there are a commitment to advance these important The world was created 4,273 years ago lot of important topics out there that issues.’’ and carbon dating is a fraud. As your people want to touch on, and that is all Mr. NEWHOUSE. Mr. Speaker, I coastal areas are under water, think well and good. Just like my friend from would like to read an excerpt from the about the comfort of Republican phi- Texas, a fine member of the Science, American Chemistry Council letter: losophy: it is just a theory, and disput- Space, and Technology Committee, ‘‘The Science Advisory Board Reform able at that. By the way, let’s defund brought up other bills that are impor- Act would improve the peer review any research on it. Let’s back out of tant and that relate to what we are process—a critical component of the our commitments. Let’s be the only talking about here today, and I think scientific process used by EPA in their major nation in the world that denies that is important as well. regulatory decisions about potential that climate change is real and is going But I think I see an underlying risks to human health or the environ- to affect us in almost every aspect of theme here. We all agree on one thing: ment. The Act would make peer re- our lives moving forward, including our we want the EPA to use science. We viewers accountable for responding to children and their children. want public participation. We want and public comment, strengthen policies to We owe them better. That is the we need transparency. address conflicts of interest, ensure en- emergency. God forbid the Environ- This is certainly a positive step in a gagement of a wide range of perspec- mental Protection Agency have poli- bill, Mr. Speaker, that went through tives of qualified scientific experts in cies and regulations that are science- regular order, that was introduced with EPA’s scientific peer review panels and based. God forbid we look at empirical bipartisan support, that went through increase transparency in peer review research to guide us in making the markup process, and that was re- reports.’’ thoughtful policies to protect the pub- ported out without amendments, some- That is a strong statement. lic. God forbid we look at the science of thing that this body in the last Con- I also include in the RECORD a letter lead and other toxins in water supplies, gress passed, I believe, in a bipartisan from the American Farm Bureau Fed- let’s save $7 million in Flint, Michigan. fashion. eration. Just today they announced a $100 mil- Just to underscore the importance of AMERICAN FARM lion settlement. That anti-scientific taking this important step—and let me BUREAU FEDERATION, decision, that political decision, put underscore again—no matter which Washington, DC, March 8, 2017. the people of Flint, Michigan, at risk, side of the aisle you are on, it is impor- Hon. LAMAR SMITH, and it is now going to cost $100 million tant that we do this because of who Chair, House Committee on Science, Space and to fix. you may think is the right person or Technology, Washington, DC. That is the consequences of an anti- the wrong person occupying the White Hon. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON, Ranking Member, House Committee on Science, empirical philosophy, and that will be House, it is important that the EPA Space and Technology, Washington, DC. the consequence of polluting this board has an unbiased source of information DEAR CHAIRMAN SMITH AND RANKING MEM- with corporations and corporate rep- in order for it to make its decisions. BER JOHNSON: Later this week, the House

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:48 Mar 30, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00014 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K29MR7.026 H29MRPT1 rfrederick on DSKBCBPHB2PROD with HOUSE March 29, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H2533 Science, Space and Technology Committee b 1300 with industry representatives, and it will consider legislation to provide for Sci- This is a big deal. The American peo- weakens scientific review. It is that entific Advisory Board (SAB) member quali- simple. I don’t care what your political fications and public participation. The ple deserve the truth. My Republican American Farm Bureau strongly supports colleagues ought to get out of the way ideology is, I don’t think you want this legislation and pledges our commitment and allow this commission to be cre- that. to work with the committee in pressing for ated so that the American people can Let me just mention some of the its swift consideration. actually have some trust in a process groups that are opposed to this: This legislation is a priority because it re- that determines the extent to which The Alliance of Nurses for Healthy forms the SAB process by strengthening pub- the Russians interfered in our election. Environments, American Geophysical lic participation, improving the process of Union, and the American Lung Asso- selecting expert advisors, and expanding the Again, I would urge a ‘‘no’’ vote on overall transparency of the SAB. While the the previous question. ciation strongly oppose this bill. The SAB should be a critical part of the sci- With regard to the rule that we are American Public Health Association, entific foundation of the U.S. Environmental debating today, I would again remind the American Thoracic Society, and Protection Agency’s (EPA) regulatory proc- everybody that this is a closed rule. the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of ess, EPA has systematically used its author- There are some Members of this House America oppose this bill. Clean Water ity to silence dissenting scientific experts. who have never seen an open rule, ever. Action opposes this bill. Earthjustice, Rather than promote fairness, transparency I hope that changes because I do think the Environmental Defense Action and independence to ensure unbiased sci- entific advice, EPA routinely has ignored its that, again, there ought to be more de- Fund, Health Care Without Harm, own Peer Review Handbook and silenced dis- liberation here, there ought to be more League of Conservation Voters, and the senting voices on expert panels. back and forth. Even ideas that I National Medical Association oppose This legislation seeks to reinforce the SAB strongly disagree with on the Repub- this bill. The Natural Resources De- process as a tool that can help policymakers lican side, they ought to have the op- fense Council, Physicians for Social with complex issues while preventing EPA portunity to come here and be able to Responsibility, and Union of Concerned from muzzling impartial scientific advice. present them and we can vote up or This legislation deserves strong, bipartisan Scientists all oppose this bill. The support. We applaud your leadership in this down on them. Food Policy Action opposes this bill. effort and will work with you to ensure pas- I think we need to break this pattern I can go on and on. Every organiza- sage. of shutting the process down. It is what tion that is an advocate for the health Sincerely, resulted in the debacle last week with and well-being of the American people ZIPPY DUVALL, your horrible healthcare bill, the one oppose this bill. We are bringing it up President. that only 16 percent of the American for an up-or-down vote, no amend- Mr. NEWHOUSE. Mr. Speaker, the people supported. It is pretty hard to ments, a closed rule, and here we are. American Farm Bureau Federation get that low, but my friends managed I would just say, Mr. Speaker, again, states: to be able to set a new record on un- this is a bad idea. I guess if you are an ‘‘This legislation seeks to reinforce popular legislation—so bad that it had ally of big corporations or of corpora- the SAB process as a tool that can help to be withdrawn from the floor for con- tions that engage in pollution, this is a policymakers with complex issues sideration. good idea. But if you are interested in while preventing EPA from muzzling I would argue it is the closed, author- protecting the health and well-being of impartial scientific advice. This legis- itarian-like process that produced a the American people, and the globe, for lation deserves strong, bipartisan sup- lousy bill. If my friends continue to ad- that matter, this is a bad idea. port. We applaud your leadership in here to this closed process, they are As I began, I mentioned that when I this effort and will work with you to going to get more lousy pieces of legis- speak to first-graders, they understand ensure passage.’’ lation that are going to do great harm the importance of science. They get it. These are two bipartisan groups to the American people brought to this They want us to be good stewards of looking out for the best interests of the floor. the environment. They want us to pro- This bill that is before us today, citizens of our great country, so I tect this planet. They understand the again, has been brought to the floor think they make strong statements in importance of science. under this expedited procedure called support of this legislation. But I am always amazed how many Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of an emergency provision. It is just being people in this Chamber just don’t get my time. rushed to the floor as an emergency. it. I find that really sad. I want to give Mr. MCGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, may I This is not an emergency. The opioid inquire from the gentleman how many crisis is an emergency; the crisis in my kids, and someday my grandkids more speakers he has? Flint, Michigan, is an emergency; our and great grandkids, a future where we Mr. NEWHOUSE. I think we have run crumbling infrastructure is an emer- respect the environment. When we pass to the end of our speakers. gency. There are deficient bridges and bills like this, it makes that less cer- Mr. MCGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, I yield roads in every one of our congressional tain. myself the balance of my time. districts. That is an emergency. We Mr. Speaker, I would urge my col- Mr. Speaker, let me first remind need to address that. leagues again to vote ‘‘no’’ on the pre- Members that we are asking for a ‘‘no’’ Keeping the government open is an vious question and, please, in a bipar- vote on the previous question. If the emergency. But to say this is an emer- tisan way, reject this lousy piece of previous question is defeated, we will gency is kind of ridiculous. It is not an legislation. bring up an amendment that will allow emergency. It is kind of like our house Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance the bill that Representative SWALWELL is on fire and you are saying: I will get of my time. and Representative CUMMINGS have in- out the hose later, but I need to wash Mr. NEWHOUSE. Mr. Speaker, I yield troduced, which would create a bipar- the dishes first. myself the balance of my time. tisan commission to investigate Rus- That is how this kind of fits into This bill is a good idea, and I think sian interference in our 2016 election. what we are doing here today. This the debate that we have had here today This is the appropriate place to do it doesn’t qualify for that. underscores the importance of this as because we are blocked in every other On the substance of the bill, we have we consider this under the rule. way in terms of trying to bring this to this radical idea that scientists ought H.R. 1431 addresses problems that the floor, and the Rules Committee is a to sit on scientific advisory commit- have arisen over the years with the committee that prioritizes legislation tees, not corporate cronies, not people Science Advisory Board, and actually that helps set the agenda, so this ought who are interested in covering up for would return the Board to its intended to be part of it. This anti-science bill polluters or doing their bidding. We purpose—something maybe the gen- can still be debated and voted on. It think experts and scientists ought to tleman does not agree with—to provide won’t derail that, but it will allow the sit on scientific advisory boards. That independent expert advice on scientific House to be able to deliberate on this is the radical idea that we have. This and technical information. bill that would create a bipartisan bill, unfortunately, undermines that. By modernizing the policies and the commission to investigate Russian in- What this bill does is threaten public procedures of the governing of the terference in the 2016 election. health by stacking advisory boards SAB, Congress, with this bill, can take

VerDate Sep 11 2014 01:18 Mar 30, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00015 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A29MR7.008 H29MRPT1 rfrederick on DSKBCBPHB2PROD with HOUSE H2534 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE March 29, 2017 critical steps to make sure that the to the Science Advisory Board. It is the rule as ‘‘a motion to direct or control the SAB is best equipped to provide that time to strengthen scientific integrity. consideration of the subject before the House independent, transparent, balanced re- Science is an invaluable tool that helps being made by the Member in charge.’’ To view and the analyses of the science defeat the previous question is to give the policymakers navigate complex issues, opposition a chance to decide the subject be- used that guides the EPA’s regulatory yet this resource has been severely di- fore the House. Cannon cites the Speaker’s decisions. minished if the EPA interferes with ex- ruling of January 13, 1920, to the effect that One key issue that this measure pert advice, limits public participation, ‘‘the refusal of the House to sustain the de- would address is the importance of hav- and fails to disclose potential conflicts mand for the previous question passes the ing regulations that are supported by of interest. control of the resolution to the opposition’’ science and that are reproducible and As President Reagan said in guidance in order to offer an amendment. On March accessible for peer review, not 15, 1909, a member of the majority party of- to the EPA: ‘‘The purpose of the fered a rule resolution. The House defeated antiscience, like some people have Science Advisory Board is to apply the the previous question and a member of the said. Quite the opposite. We want universally accepted principles of sci- opposition rose to a parliamentary inquiry, science. We want good science. entific peer review to the research con- asking who was entitled to recognition. The scientific method demands that clusions that will form the basis for Speaker Joseph G. Cannon (R-Illinois) said: the result of scientific studies be capa- EPA regulations, a function that must ‘‘The previous question having been refused, the gentleman from New York, Mr. Fitz- ble of replication. This is all the more remain above interest group politics.’’ critical when the information is used gerald, who had asked the gentleman to Mr. Speaker, I believe H.R. 1431 gets yield to him for an amendment, is entitled to to develop and set public policy, which to the heart of President Reagan’s the first recognition.’’ is why the methods and the data used point. Greater debate, unbiased sci- The Republican majority may say ‘‘the by the EPA and the SAB must be pub- entific advice and independent peer-re- vote on the previous question is simply a licly available for purposes of replica- views, and public participation will vote on whether to proceed to an immediate tion and verification. If you don’t want only result in better decisionmaking at vote on adopting the resolution . . . [and] public transparency, I guess you should has no substantive legislative or policy im- the Federal level. I believe that this is plications whatsoever.’’ But that is not what vote ‘‘no’’ on this bill. the goal we all share, and I urge all of Mr. Speaker, opponents of the legis- they have always said. Listen to the Repub- my colleagues to support this rule, as lican Leadership Manual on the Legislative lation have argued that it makes un- well as the underlying bill. Process in the United States House of Rep- necessary and unproductive changes to The material previously referred to resentatives, (6th edition, page 135). Here’s the SAB, that it would restrict the how the Republicans describe the previous by Mr. MCGOVERN is as follows: ability of scientists to engage on the question vote in their own manual: ‘‘Al- issues they specialize in, creates new AN AMENDMENT TO H. RES. 233 OFFERED BY though it is generally not possible to amend MR. MCGOVERN burdens through the public comment the rule because the majority Member con- and transparency provisions, and weak- At the end of the resolution, add the fol- trolling the time will not yield for the pur- lowing new sections: pose of offering an amendment, the same re- ens the ability of the EPA to use the SEC. 2. Immediately upon adoption of this sult may be achieved by voting down the pre- best available science and data to sup- resolution the Speaker shall, pursuant to vious question on the rule. . . . When the port its rules and regulations. clause 2(b) of rule XVIII, declare the House motion for the previous question is defeated, I believe that these arguments fail to resolved into the Committee of the Whole control of the time passes to the Member recognize what this bill actually does House on the state of the Union for consider- who led the opposition to ordering the pre- accomplish. They seem to ignore the ation of the bill (H.R. 356) to establish the vious question. That Member, because he importance of reforming the Federal National Commission on Foreign Inter- then controls the time, may offer an amend- rulemaking process in a way that en- ference in the 2016 Election. The first reading ment to the rule, or yield for the purpose of of the bill shall be dispensed with. All points amendment.’’ sures sound science is the bedrock on In Deschler’s Procedure in the U.S. House which Federal rules and regulations of order against consideration of the bill are waived. General debate shall be confined to of Representatives, the subchapter titled are built—sound science; is that a rad- the bill and shall not exceed one hour equal- ‘‘Amending Special Rules’’ states: ‘‘a refusal ical idea—and that these are not pre- ly divided and controlled by the chair and to order the previous question on such a rule determined political agendas. ranking minority member of the Committee [a special rule reported from the Committee Unfortunately, the EPA has diluted on Foreign Affairs. After general debate the on Rules] opens the resolution to amend- the Board’s credibility by systemati- bill shall be considered for amendment under ment and further debate.’’ (Chapter 21, sec- cally silencing dissenting opinions, ig- the five-minute rule. All points of order tion 21.2) Section 21.3 continues: ‘‘Upon re- noring calls for balanced participation, against provisions in the bill are waived. At jection of the motion for the previous ques- the conclusion of consideration of the bill for tion on a resolution reported from the Com- and preventing the Board from re- mittee on Rules, control shifts to the Mem- sponding to congressional reports. amendment the Committee shall rise and re- port the bill to the House with such amend- ber leading the opposition to the previous Fully 10 percent of the seats on the ments as may have been adopted. The pre- question, who may offer a proper amendment Board will be filled by State, local, and vious question shall be considered as ordered or motion and who controls the time for de- tribal representatives, improving the on the bill and amendments thereto to final bate thereon.’’ balance of that participation. passage without intervening motion except Clearly, the vote on the previous question on a rule does have substantive policy impli- H.R. 1431 simply encourages greater one motion to recommit with or without in- cations. It is one of the only available tools transparency, debate, and public par- structions. If the Committee of the Whole for those who oppose the Republican major- rises and reports that it has come to no reso- ticipation in the Board, which will re- ity’s agenda and allows those with alter- lution on the bill, then on the next legisla- sult in better decisionmaking at the native views the opportunity to offer an al- tive day the House shall, immediately after EPA. I think that is something every- ternative plan. one should be able to agree on. I don’t the third daily order of business under clause 1 of rule XIV, resolve into the Committee of Mr. NEWHOUSE. Mr. Speaker, I yield think public participation is a burden, the Whole for further consideration of the back the balance of my time, and I but, rather, a benefit that improves the bill. move the previous question on the res- relationship and the interaction be- SEC. 3. Clause 1(c) of rule XIX shall not olution. tween Federal regulators and the pub- apply to the consideration of H.R. 356. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The lic. question is on ordering the previous By strengthening public participa- THE VOTE ON THE PREVIOUS QUESTION: WHAT question. tion, improving the process for select- IT REALLY MEANS The question was taken; and the ing expert advisers, and expanding This vote, the vote on whether to order the Speaker pro tempore announced that transparency requirements, this legis- previous question on a special rule, is not the ayes appeared to have it. lation takes critical steps that will im- merely a procedural vote. A vote against or- Mr. MCGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, on prove our regulatory system, while dering the previous question is a vote that I demand the yeas and nays. also ensuring that the most qualified against the Republican majority agenda and The yeas and nays were ordered. a vote to allow the Democratic minority to The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- and the most capable scientists are free offer an alternative plan. It is a vote about to undertake a balanced and open re- what the House should be debating. ant to clause 9 of rule XX, the Chair view of regulatory science. Mr. Clarence Cannon’s Precedents of the will reduce to 5 minutes the minimum Mr. Speaker, it is time to update the House of Representatives (VI, 308–311), de- time for any electronic vote on the law. It is time to restore independence scribes the vote on the previous question on question of adoption of the resolution.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:48 Mar 30, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00016 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K29MR7.030 H29MRPT1 rfrederick on DSKBCBPHB2PROD with HOUSE March 29, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H2535 The vote was taken by electronic de- Cooper Keating Peterson Carter (GA) Hultgren Reed vice, and there were—yeas 232, nays Correa Kelly (IL) Pingree Carter (TX) Hunter Reichert Costa Kennedy Pocan Chabot Hurd Renacci 191, not voting 6, as follows: Courtney Khanna Polis Chaffetz Issa Rice (SC) [Roll No. 203] Crist Kihuen Price (NC) Cheney Jenkins (KS) Roby Crowley Kildee Quigley Coffman Jenkins (WV) Roe (TN) YEAS—232 Cuellar Kilmer Raskin Cole Johnson (LA) Rogers (AL) Cummings Kind Abraham Goodlatte Olson Rice (NY) Collins (GA) Johnson (OH) Rogers (KY) Davis (CA) Krishnamoorthi Aderholt Gosar Palazzo Richmond Collins (NY) Johnson, Sam Rohrabacher Davis, Danny Kuster (NH) Allen Gowdy Palmer Rosen Comer Jones Rokita DeFazio Langevin Amash Granger Paulsen Roybal-Allard Comstock Jordan Rooney, Francis DeGette Larsen (WA) Amodei Graves (GA) Pearce Ruiz Conaway Joyce (OH) Rooney, Thomas Delaney Larson (CT) Arrington Graves (LA) Perry Ruppersberger Cook Katko J. DeLauro Lawrence Babin Graves (MO) Pittenger Ryan (OH) Costello (PA) Kelly (MS) Ros-Lehtinen DelBene Lawson (FL) Bacon Griffith Poe (TX) Sa´ nchez Cramer Kelly (PA) Roskam Demings Lee Banks (IN) Grothman Poliquin Sarbanes Crawford King (IA) Ross DeSaulnier Levin Barletta Guthrie Posey Schakowsky Culberson King (NY) Rothfus Deutch Lewis (GA) Davidson Kinzinger Barr Harper Ratcliffe Schiff Rouzer Dingell Lieu, Ted Davis, Rodney Knight Royce (CA) Barton Harris Reed Schneider Doggett Lipinski Denham Kustoff (TN) Russell Bergman Hartzler Reichert Schrader Doyle, Michael Loebsack Dent Labrador Rutherford Biggs Hensarling Renacci Scott (VA) F. Lofgren Bilirakis Herrera Beutler Rice (SC) DeSantis LaHood Sanford Ellison Lowenthal Scott, David Bishop (MI) Hice, Jody B. Roby DesJarlais Lamborn Scalise Engel Lowey Serrano Bishop (UT) Higgins (LA) Roe (TN) Diaz-Balart Lance Schweikert Eshoo Lujan Grisham, Sewell (AL) Black Hill Rogers (AL) Donovan Latta Scott, Austin Espaillat M. Shea-Porter Blackburn Holding Rogers (KY) Duncan (SC) Lewis (MN) Sensenbrenner Esty Luja´ n, Ben Ray Sherman Blum Hollingsworth Rohrabacher Duncan (TN) LoBiondo Sessions Evans Lynch Sinema Bost Hudson Rokita Dunn Long Shimkus Foster Maloney, Sires Brady (TX) Huizenga Rooney, Francis Ellison Loudermilk Shuster Frankel (FL) Carolyn B. Smith (WA) Brat Hultgren Rooney, Thomas Emmer Love Simpson Fudge Maloney, Sean Soto Bridenstine Hunter J. Farenthold Lucas Smith (MO) Gabbard Matsui Speier Brooks (AL) Hurd Ros-Lehtinen Faso Luetkemeyer Smith (NE) Gallego McCollum Suozzi Brooks (IN) Issa Roskam Ferguson MacArthur Smith (NJ) Garamendi McEachin Swalwell (CA) Buchanan Jenkins (KS) Ross Fitzpatrick Marchant Smith (TX) Gonzalez (TX) McGovern Takano Buck Jenkins (WV) Rothfus Fleischmann Marshall Smucker Gottheimer McNerney Thompson (CA) Bucshon Johnson (LA) Rouzer Flores Massie Stefanik Green, Al Meng Thompson (MS) Budd Johnson (OH) Royce (CA) Fortenberry Mast Stewart Green, Gene Moore Titus Burgess Johnson, Sam Russell Foxx McCarthy Stivers Grijalva Moulton Tonko Byrne Jordan Rutherford Franks (AZ) McCaul Taylor Gutie´rrez Murphy (FL) Torres Calvert Joyce (OH) Sanford Frelinghuysen McClintock Tenney Hanabusa Nadler Tsongas Carter (GA) Katko Scalise Gaetz McHenry Thompson (PA) Hastings Napolitano Vargas Carter (TX) Kelly (MS) Schweikert Gallagher McKinley Thornberry Heck Neal Veasey Chabot Kelly (PA) Scott, Austin Garrett McMorris Tiberi Higgins (NY) Nolan Vela Chaffetz King (IA) Sensenbrenner Gibbs Rodgers Tipton Himes Norcross Vela´ zquez Cheney King (NY) Sessions Gohmert McSally Trott Hoyer O’Halleran Visclosky Coffman Kinzinger Shimkus Goodlatte Meadows Turner Huffman O’Rourke Walz Cole Knight Shuster Gosar Meehan Upton Jackson Lee Pallone Wasserman Collins (GA) Kustoff (TN) Simpson Gowdy Messer Valadao Jayapal Panetta Schultz Collins (NY) Labrador Smith (MO) Granger Mitchell Wagner Jeffries Pascrell Waters, Maxine Comer LaHood Smith (NE) Graves (GA) Moolenaar Walberg Johnson (GA) Payne Watson Coleman Comstock LaMalfa Smith (NJ) Graves (LA) Mooney (WV) Walden Johnson, E. B. Pelosi Welch Conaway Lamborn Smith (TX) Graves (MO) Mullin Walker Jones Perlmutter Wilson (FL) Cook Lance Smucker Griffith Murphy (PA) Walorski Kaptur Peters Yarmuth Costello (PA) Latta Stefanik Grothman Newhouse Walters, Mimi Guthrie Noem Weber (TX) Cramer Lewis (MN) Stewart NOT VOTING—6 Crawford LoBiondo Stivers Harper Nunes Webster (FL) Culberson Long Taylor Duffy Meeks Slaughter Harris Olson Wenstrup Curbelo (FL) Loudermilk Tenney Marino Rush Young (AK) Hartzler Palazzo Westerman Davidson Love Thompson (PA) Hensarling Palmer Williams Davis, Rodney Lucas Thornberry b 1336 Herrera Beutler Paulsen Wilson (SC) Denham Luetkemeyer Tiberi Hice, Jody B. Pearce Wittman Dent MacArthur Tipton Mr. O’HALLERAN changed his vote Higgins (LA) Perry Womack DeSantis Marchant Trott from ‘‘yea’’ to ‘‘nay.’’ Hill Pittenger Woodall DesJarlais Marshall Turner So the previous question was ordered. Holding Poe (TX) Yoder Hollingsworth Poliquin Yoho Diaz-Balart Massie Upton The result of the vote was announced Donovan Mast Valadao Hudson Posey Young (IA) Duncan (SC) McCarthy Wagner as above recorded. Huizenga Ratcliffe Zeldin Duncan (TN) McCaul Walberg The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Dunn McClintock Walden question is on the resolution. NOES—188 Emmer McHenry Walker The question was taken; and the Adams Cleaver Esty Farenthold McKinley Walorski Aguilar Clyburn Evans Faso McMorris Walters, Mimi Speaker pro tempore announced that Barraga´ n Cohen Foster Ferguson Rodgers Weber (TX) the ayes appeared to have it. Bass Connolly Frankel (FL) Fitzpatrick McSally Webster (FL) RECORDED VOTE Beatty Conyers Fudge Fleischmann Meadows Wenstrup Bera Cooper Gabbard Flores Meehan Westerman Mr. MCGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, I de- Beyer Correa Gallego Fortenberry Messer Williams mand a recorded vote. Bishop (GA) Costa Garamendi Foxx Mitchell Wilson (SC) A recorded vote was ordered. Blumenauer Courtney Gonzalez (TX) Franks (AZ) Moolenaar Wittman Blunt Rochester Crist Gottheimer Frelinghuysen Mooney (WV) Womack The SPEAKER pro tempore. This is a Bonamici Crowley Green, Al Gaetz Mullin Woodall 5-minute vote. Boyle, Brendan Cuellar Green, Gene Gallagher Murphy (PA) Yoder The vote was taken by electronic de- F. Cummings Grijalva Garrett Newhouse Yoho vice, and there were—ayes 232, noes 188, Brady (PA) Davis (CA) Gutie´rrez Gibbs Noem Young (IA) Brown (MD) Davis, Danny Hanabusa Gohmert Nunes Zeldin not voting 9, as follows: Brownley (CA) DeFazio Hastings [Roll No. 204] Bustos DeGette Heck NAYS—191 Butterfield Delaney Higgins (NY) Adams Boyle, Brendan Castor (FL) AYES—232 Capuano DeLauro Himes Aguilar F. Castro (TX) Abraham Barton Brat Carbajal DelBene Hoyer Barraga´ n Brady (PA) Chu, Judy Aderholt Bergman Bridenstine Ca´ rdenas Demings Huffman Bass Brown (MD) Cicilline Allen Biggs Brooks (AL) Carson (IN) DeSaulnier Jackson Lee Beatty Brownley (CA) Clark (MA) Amash Bilirakis Brooks (IN) Cartwright Deutch Jayapal Bera Bustos Clarke (NY) Amodei Bishop (MI) Buchanan Castor (FL) Dingell Jeffries Beyer Butterfield Clay Arrington Bishop (UT) Buck Castro (TX) Doggett Johnson (GA) Bishop (GA) Capuano Cleaver Babin Black Bucshon Chu, Judy Doyle, Michael Johnson, E. B. Carbajal Clyburn Bacon Blackburn Budd Cicilline F. Kaptur Blumenauer Ca´ rdenas Cohen Banks (IN) Blum Burgess Clark (MA) Engel Keating Blunt Rochester Carson (IN) Connolly Barletta Bost Byrne Clarke (NY) Eshoo Kelly (IL) Bonamici Cartwright Conyers Barr Brady (TX) Calvert Clay Espaillat Kennedy

VerDate Sep 11 2014 01:18 Mar 30, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00017 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K29MR7.033 H29MRPT1 rfrederick on DSKBCBPHB2PROD with HOUSE H2536 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE March 29, 2017 Khanna Moulton Scott (VA) ‘‘(A) the best available science; ment to this issue, and for sponsoring Kihuen Murphy (FL) Scott, David ‘‘(B) specifically identified; and the Secret Science Reform Act in the Kildee Nadler Serrano ‘‘(C) publicly available online in a manner Kilmer Napolitano 113th Congress. In the last Congress, a Sewell (AL) that is sufficient for independent analysis Kind Neal similar bill passed the House with bi- Shea-Porter and substantial reproduction of research re- Krishnamoorthi Nolan Sherman partisan support. Our goal is to help Kuster (NH) Norcross sults, except that any personally identifiable Sinema advance not just any science, but the Langevin O’Halleran Sires information, trade secrets, or commercial or Larsen (WA) O’Rourke Smith (WA) financial information obtained from a person best science. Larson (CT) Pallone Soto and privileged or confidential, shall be re- The HONEST Act is a nonpartisan Lawrence Panetta Speier dacted prior to public availability. bill: a change in administration does Lawson (FL) Pascrell ‘‘(2) The redacted information described in Lee Payne Suozzi not affect the public’s right to know Levin Pelosi Swalwell (CA) paragraph (1)(C) shall be disclosed to a per- and see the science behind the EPA’s Takano son only after such person signs a written Lewis (GA) Perlmutter regulations. Lieu, Ted Peters Thompson (CA) confidentiality agreement with the Adminis- Lipinski Peterson Thompson (MS) trator, subject to guidance to be developed This legislation ensures that sound Loebsack Pingree Titus by the Administrator. science is the basis for EPA decisions Lofgren Pocan Tonko ‘‘(3) Nothing in the subsection shall be con- and regulatory actions. The days of Lowenthal Polis Torres strued as— Lowey Price (NC) ‘‘trust-me science’’ are over. In our Tsongas ‘‘(A) requiring the Administrator to dis- Lujan Grisham, Raskin Vargas modern Information Age, Federal regu- seminate scientific and technical informa- M. Rice (NY) Veasey lations should be based only upon data Luja´ n, Ben Ray Richmond Vela tion; Lynch Rosen ‘‘(B) superseding any nondiscretionary that is available for every American to Vela´ zquez see, and that can be subjected to inde- Maloney, Roybal-Allard Visclosky statutory requirement; or Carolyn B. Ruiz Walz ‘‘(C) requiring the Administrator to repeal, pendent review. That is called the sci- Maloney, Sean Ruppersberger Wasserman reissue, or modify a regulation in effect on entific method. Matsui Ryan (OH) Schultz McCollum Sa´ nchez the date of enactment of the Honest and We can all agree that the government McEachin Sarbanes Waters, Maxine Open New EPA Science Treatment Act of should rely on the best available Watson Coleman McGovern Schakowsky 2017. science. Unfortunately, the govern- McNerney Schiff Welch ‘‘(4) In this subsection— Meng Schneider Wilson (FL) ‘‘(A) the term ‘covered action’ means a ment does not always hold to this Moore Schrader Yarmuth risk, exposure, or hazard assessment, criteria standard. Looking at the EPA’s past NOT VOTING—9 document, standard, limitation, regulation, record, it is clear that the Agency has regulatory impact analysis, or guidance; and not followed an open and honest proc- Curbelo (FL) Marino Rush Duffy Meeks Slaughter ‘‘(B) the term ‘scientific and technical in- ess. For example, many major air-qual- LaMalfa Quigley Young (AK) formation’ includes— ity regulations from the previous ad- ‘‘(i) materials, data, and associated proto- b 1343 ministration were justified by data cols necessary to understand, assess, and ex- that the EPA said they had not seen, So the resolution was agreed to. tend conclusions; ‘‘(ii) computer codes and models involved even though they proposed the regula- The result of the vote was announced tion. as above recorded. in the creation and analysis of such informa- tion; This means that the EPA’s claims A motion to reconsider was laid on ‘‘(iii) recorded factual materials; and about the cost and benefits of its regu- the table. ‘‘(iv) detailed descriptions of how to access lations and the real risk they are Stated against: and use such information. meant to address cannot be independ- Mr. ELLISON. Mr. Speaker, during rollcall ‘‘(5) The Administrator shall carry out this ently verified by unbiased experts. If Vote No. 204 on H. Res. 233, the rule for H.R. subsection in a manner that does not exceed the EPA’s mandates really are based $1,000,000 per fiscal year, to be derived from 1431, I mistakenly recorded my vote as ‘‘yea’’ on sound science, then the American when I should have voted ‘‘nay.’’ amounts otherwise authorized to be appro- priated.’’. people should be allowed to see the f The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- data. The EPA’s past refusal to cooper- HONEST AND OPEN NEW EPA ant to House Resolution 229, the gen- ate, leads to the question: What have they been hiding? SCIENCE TREATMENT ACT OF 2017 tleman from Texas (Mr. SMITH) and the Americans have a right to be sus- Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. EDDIE picious. pursuant to House Resolution 229, I BERNICE JOHNSON) each will control 30 call up the bill (H.R. 1430) to prohibit minutes. Mr. Speaker, we all care about the the Environmental Protection Agency The Chair recognizes the gentleman environment, but if policies are not from proposing, finalizing, or dissemi- from Texas. based on legitimate science, regula- tions will result in economic hardship nating regulations or assessments GENERAL LEAVE based upon science that is not trans- Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I with little or no environmental bene- parent or reproducible, and ask for its ask unanimous consent that all Mem- fits. In other words, the regulations immediate consideration. bers may have 5 legislative days within would be all pain and no gain. The Clerk read the title of the bill. which to revise and extend their re- This bill strengthens the previous The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- marks and include extraneous material House-passed legislation of the last ant to House Resolution 229, the bill is on the bill, H.R. 1430. Congress, the Secret Science Reform considered read. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there Act. That bill also required the EPA to The text of the bill is as follows: objection to the request of the gen- base its decisions on information fully H.R. 1430 tleman from Texas? available to scientists and the Amer- ican people. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- There was no objection. resentatives of the United States of America in Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I You may hear from opponents of this Congress assembled, yield myself such time as I may con- legislation that it costs too much SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. sume. money. That is based on a CBO esti- This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Honest and Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1430, the Honest mate from 2 years ago that misinter- Open New EPA Science Treatment Act of and Open New EPA Science Treatment prets the implementation requirements 2017’’ or the ‘‘HONEST Act’’. Act of 2017, or HONEST Act, requires of the bill. CBO has not reissued that SEC. 2. DATA TRANSPARENCY. the Environmental Protection Agency misinterpretation this year after con- Section 6(b) of the Environmental Re- to base its regulations on science that sulting with the EPA. search, Development, and Demonstration is publicly available. All the HONEST Act requires is that Authorization Act of 1978 (42 U.S.C. 4363 Why would anyone want to hide this the EPA use science that is publicly note) is amended to read as follows: information from the American people? available, not make all science public ‘‘(b)(1) The Administrator shall not pro- pose, finalize, or disseminate a covered ac- I thank former Science Committee itself. So the cost is negligible. tion unless all scientific and technical infor- member and former Environment Sub- Some critics may claim that it puts mation relied on to support such covered ac- committee Chairman DAVID personal data at risk. This is false. The tion is— SCHWEIKERT for his longtime commit- HONEST Act specifically requires

VerDate Sep 11 2014 01:18 Mar 30, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00018 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A29MR7.006 H29MRPT1 rfrederick on DSKBCBPHB2PROD with HOUSE March 29, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H2537 redactions of personally identifiable in- upon scientific studies that are inher- and science stakeholder groups have formation and confidential business in- ently not reproducible. expressed their opposition to this legis- formation. For instance, the EPA might study lation. This includes the American As- It is also misleading to assert that natural or manmade environmental sociation for the Advancement of the bill tells scientists how to conduct disasters, such as the Deepwater Hori- Science, the Association of Public and science. The opposite is true. The bill zon oil spill, to better understand the Land-grant Universities, the Associa- reinforces the scientific method and its effects on the environment and to im- tion of American Universities; and the tenets of observing, hypothesizing, prove disaster response. Under this bill, American Chemical Society. testing, gathering and sharing data, the EPA couldn’t use this type of infor- If Republicans don’t want to be la- and analyzing and challenging the re- mation at all. beled as flat-Earth science haters, I sulting theories. It allows independent These problems with the legislation think they would want to listen to researchers to evaluate the studies were apparently not enough for my Re- what scientists say instead of lecturing that the EPA uses to justify its regula- publican colleagues. They have worked them about things they don’t under- tions. hard to make the bill even worse this stand. The HONEST Act promotes sound Congress. The newest addition to the In reality, this bill isn’t about science and restores confidence in the bill would permit the EPA to redact science. It is about undermining public EPA decisionmaking process. from public disclosure confidential in- health and the environment. That is Finally, the HONEST Act ensures formation, such as trade secrets and why a host of public health and envi- that the EPA is not promoting a one- public health information. However, ronmental groups are actively opposing sided ideological agenda. The legisla- the bill then sets up an unrestricted the bill. This includes, among others, tion provides for the type of open and process whereby anyone who signs a the American Lung Association, the accountable government that the confidentiality agreement can access American Thoracic Society, the Amer- American people want and deserve. any restricted information in the ican Public Health Association, the You are either for an open and honest EPA’s possession. Union of Concerned Scientists, and the government, or you are not. If you are, This provision is a Pandora’s box, Environmental Defense Fund. then support this legislation. which could have untold consequences Mr. Speaker, I include in the RECORD Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of for the EPA, industry, and the general some of the letters I received in opposi- my time. public. First, the EPA will find it much tion. Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of more difficult to collect scientific data MARCH 27, 2017. Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such in the first instance if people think it DEAR REPRESENTATIVE: The undersigned time as I may consume. will be disclosed at will. This will crip- health and medical organizations are writing I rise in strong opposition to H.R. ple the EPA’s ability to conduct their to express our opposition to the EPA Science 1430, the so-called HONEST Act. This is own science, which is important since Advisory Board Reform Act of 2017 and the the third time the majority has tried the rest of the HONEST Act essentially Honest and Open New EPA Science Treat- to move this misguided legislation, ment Act of 2017. Our organizations are dedi- places all non-EPA science off limits. cated to saving lives and improving public which was formerly known as the Se- This provision is also in direct con- health. cret Science Reform Act. flict with any number of other Federal Science is the bedrock of sound medical Unfortunately, in this case, the third laws, like the Freedom of Information and public health decision-making. The best time is not the charm. The Secret Act, and HIPAA. The bill provides no science undergirds everything our organiza- Science bills that the Republicans guidance to the Agency on how to navi- tions do to improve health. Under the Clean tried to enact over the previous two gate the minefield it creates, which Air Act, EPA has long implemented a trans- Congresses were insidious bills de- will surely lead to a morass of lawsuits parent and open process for seeking advice signed, from the outset, to prevent the from the medical and scientific community and legal bills for the EPA. on standards and measures to meet those EPA from using the best available Finally, this provision places no re- standards. Both of these bills would restrict science to meet its obligations under strictions on who can access restricted the input of scientific experts in the review the law. Those bills were constructed information. For instance, could a of complex issues and add undue industry in- to hamstring the ability of the EPA to chemical manufacturer obtain access fluence into EPA’s decision-making process. do just about anything to protect the to the trade secrets of a competitor As written, the EPA Science Advisory American public. simply by signing a confidentiality Board Reform Act would make unneeded and As the American Lung Association agreement? Could insurance companies unproductive changes that would: said at the time: ‘‘The legislation will Restrict the ability of scientists to speak seek the health information of poten- on issues that include their own expertise; not improve EPA’s actions; rather, it tial customers? Block scientists who receive any EPA will stifle public health protections.’’ The potential for abuses with this grants from serving on the EPA Scientific The HONEST Act, if anything, is provision are endless. Advisory Board, despite their having the ex- even worse than those two previous In a day and age when the most valu- pertise and conducted relevant research that bills. There are several reasons for this. able commodity on the black market is earned them these highly competitive Like the prior Secret Science bills, the personal information and trade secrets, grants; HONEST Act requires the EPA to re- it is unconscionable that we are pro- Prevent the EPA Scientific Advisory Board from making policy recommendations, even lease the underlying data from any viding an easily accessible source for though EPA administrators have regularly science that is relied upon when taking criminals around the world. sought their advice in the past; action. This would cause a host of cas- Finally, the HONEST Act also foists Add a notice and comment component to cading problems for the Agency, which upon the EPA a massive unfunded all parts of the EPA Scientific Advisory is, of course, the real reason they are mandate. While we have no CBO cost Board actions, a burdensome and unneces- pushing this bill. estimate for this bill, prior versions sary requirement since their reviews of First, the EPA relies upon science were estimated to cost the EPA $250 major issues already include public notice drawn from many sources. Since EPA million per year. However, the bill re- and comment; and Reallocate membership requirements to does not own or control the data for stricts the EPA to spending only $1 increase the influence of industry represent- most of these scientific sources, the million to implement its provisions. In atives on the scientific advisory panels. EPA would have no authority to order essence, this hits the EPA with a $249 In short, EPA Science Advisory Board Re- the public release of such data. This million unfunded mandate every year. form Act would limit the voice of scientists, would preclude the EPA from using the If that were not bad enough, this bill restrict the ability of the Board to respond vast majority of peer-reviewed science comes in the face of massive proposed to important questions, and increase the in- in existence today. budget cuts to the EPA’s science pro- fluence of industry in shaping EPA policy. Second, under the HONEST Act, sci- gram by the Trump administration. This is not in the best interest of the Amer- ican public. entific studies relied upon by the EPA Mr. Speaker, Republicans claim that We also have concerns with the HONEST must be reproducible from the data this bill is just implementing Act. This legislation would limit the kinds of that is publicly released. However, the scientific’s best practices. It is odd, scientific data EPA can use as it develops EPA frequently investigates and relies then, that a host of scientific societies policy to protect the American public from

VerDate Sep 11 2014 01:18 Mar 30, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00019 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K29MR7.038 H29MRPT1 rfrederick on DSKBCBPHB2PROD with HOUSE H2538 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE March 29, 2017 environmental exposures and permit viola- Of course, regulations and agency actions This is what the National Academy tion of patient confidentiality. If enacted, should be informed by the best available of Sciences said: ‘‘Nothing in the past the legislation would: science and a rigorous scientific process. Un- suggests that increasing access to re- Allow the EPA administrator to release dermining the integrity of the scientific search data without damage to privacy confidential patient information to third process, or the ability of federal agencies to parties, including industry; utilize rigorous science in establishing poli- and confidentiality rights is beyond Bolster industry’s flawed arguments to dis- cies, could have long-term negative con- scientific reach.’’ credit research that documents the adverse sequences. It is with this in mind that we So I hope that will alleviate her con- health effects of environmental pollution; urge caution in setting laws that submerge cerns. Really, it comes down to wheth- and science beneath politics. er you are for an open and honest gov- Impose new standards for the publication The research community is concerned that ernment or not. That is what this bill and distribution of scientific research that some key terms in the bill could be inter- is all about. go beyond the robust, existing requirements preted or misinterpreted, especially terms Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the of many scientific journals. such as ‘‘materials,’’ ‘‘data,’’ and ‘‘reproduc- Science, developed by the respected men ible.’’ Legislation removing concepts like re- gentleman from Texas (Mr. BABIN), and women scientists at colleges and univer- producibility and independent analysis from who is the chairman of the Space Sub- sities across the United States, has always the hands of scientists and into the hands of committee of the Science, Space, and been the foundation of the nation’s environ- legislators could undermine the scientific Technology Committee. mental policy. EPA’s science-based decision- process and reduce the benefits that science b 1400 making process has saved lives and led to could bring to society. dramatic improvements in the quality of the With respect to reproducibility of research, Mr. BABIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in air we breathe, the water we drink and the it is often impossible to repeat an experi- strong support of the HONEST Act. As earth we share. All Americans have benefited ment down to the last detail. Some scientific a cosponsor of this legislation and a from the research-based scientific advice research, especially in areas of public health, member of the Science, Space, and that scientists have provided to EPA. involve longitudinal studies that are so large Technology Committee, I am very Congress should adopt policy that fortifies and of great duration that they could not re- our scientists, not bills that undermine the alistically be repeated. Rather, these studies pleased to see this bill come to the scientific integrity of EPA’s decision-mak- are verified utilizing statistical modeling or House floor. ing or give polluters a disproportionate voice independent data analysis. The same may be I represent the congressional district in EPA’s policy-setting process. true for scientific data from a one-time with the highest concentration of pe- We strongly urge you to oppose these bills. event (e.g., Deepwater Horizon Gulf oil spill) trochemical, manufacturing, and refin- Sincerely, where the data are gathered in real time. It ing facilities than any other district in KATIE HUFFLING, RN, CNM, is unclear if data from studies like these the entire Nation. This means that Director, Alliance of would be permitted under this bill. As a re- thousands of my constituents have Nurses for Healthy sult, we could foresee a situation where the Environments. EPA would be prevented from using the best been or are currently employed by HAROLD P. WIMMER, available science and disseminating public these industries. In fact, years ago, I National President information in a timely fashion. spent some time as a worker in one of and CEO, American In addition, H.R. 1430 would give the EPA these very factories. Lung Association. administrator sole authority to disclose pri- With this in mind, you can under- GEORGES C. BENJAMIN, MD, vate information gathered in research stud- stand why pushing for reform, trans- Executive Director, ies, which might include confidential health parency, and accountability within the American Public and proprietary business information, to anyone who signs a confidentiality agree- EPA would be very important to me Health Association. because so many of my constituents’ STEPHEN C. CRANE, Ph.D., ment with the EPA. It is unclear whether MPH, the EPA has this authority, and very clear livelihoods are affected by costly and Executive Director, this would deter individuals and businesses burdensome regulations from the EPA. American Thoracic from participating in studies used by the My constituents want to make sure Society. EPA. This would again constrain the EPA that the EPA’s actions, particularly CARY SENNETT, MD, Ph.D., from making a proposal based on the best those based on secret science, do not FACP, available science. We thank you for your consideration and cost them their jobs or their livelihood. President & CEO, Time and again, the EPA has issued Asthma and Allergy stand ready to work with you to evaluate the unintended consequences of this bill before extensive regulations without ever Foundation of Amer- showing the science to back up their ica. consideration on the House floor. American Association for the Advance- PAUL BOGART, claims to justify these regulations. It ment of Science, American Association of Executive Director, is like they have a little black box over Geographers, American Chemical Society, Health Care Without there. They don’t let anyone else look American Geosciences Institute, American Harm. Geophysical Union, American Institute of into it, and they just say: Trust us, we RICHARD ALLEN WILLIAMS, Biological Sciences, American Meteorolog- have got good science backing up our MD, ical Society, American Society of Agron- claims. 117th President, Na- omy, American Sociological Association, As- I say, if your science is so good, then tional Medical Asso- sociation of American Universities, Associa- don’t hide it in your little black box. ciation. tion of Public and Land-grant Universities. Show us your data. JEFF CARTER, JD, Brown University, Consortium for Ocean Executive Director, The HONEST Act simply requires the Leadership, Crop Science Society of Amer- EPA to open their little black box to Physicians for Social ica, Duke University, Ecological Society of Responsibility. America, Harvard University, The National public scrutiny. After we pass the Postdoctoral Association, Soil Science Soci- HONEST Act, any regulations coming AMERICAN ASSOCIATION FOR THE ety of America, University of California Sys- from the EPA must be based on data ADVANCEMENT OF SCIENCE, tem, University of Maine, University of that is publicly available. What is so Washington, DC, March 28, 2017. Pennsylvania, University of Toledo. offensive about a little transparency? Hon. KEVIN MCCARTHY, Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Most companies and businesses would House Majority Whip, be happy to comply with the EPA when Washington, DC. Texas. Mr. Speaker, for the many rea- DEAR REPRESENTATIVE MCCARTHY: As lead- sons I have spoken about today, I data shows that their regulations are ing U.S. science, engineering, and academic strongly oppose this legislation, and I backed up by clear evidence. But many institutions, we are writing to express our reserve the balance of my time. times, if not most of the time, this is concerns regarding H.R. 1430, the Honest and Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I not the case. Instead the regulations Open New EPA Science Treatment (HON- yield myself 30 seconds. are based on secret science that no one EST) Act of 2017. We encourage you and your Mr. Speaker, I would like to alleviate but the regulators themselves have ac- colleagues to take additional time to evalu- the ranking member’s unfounded con- cess to. ate the unintended consequences of this bill cerns and remind her that the National When the Federal Government issues before considering it on the House floor. This bill is virtually identical to the Secret Academy of Sciences itself has ex- regulations based on secret science, Science Reform Act of the 113th and 114th plained that transparency in science is this is yet another example of a Fed- Congress, on which we expressed similar con- possible without any risk to confiden- eral agency getting away with some- cerns that have remained unchanged. tiality or privacy. thing the rest of America cannot do.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 01:18 Mar 30, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00020 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A29MR7.012 H29MRPT1 rfrederick on DSKBCBPHB2PROD with HOUSE March 29, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H2539 American workers are fed up with over- bring accountability and transparency Critics of the HONEST Act claim zealous regulators pushing our jobs to the EPA. that requiring scientific data to be overseas. Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of public would compromise personal in- The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to formation. This is a false narrative. GRAVES of Louisiana). The time of the the gentlewoman from Minnesota (Ms. This legislation specifically protects gentleman has expired. MCCOLLUM). that information by way of redactions. Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I Ms. MCCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I rise It is not the interest of Congress or the yield an additional 2 minutes to the in opposition to H.R. 1430, which makes EPA to compromise anyone’s personal gentleman from Texas (Mr. BABIN). it harder for the Environmental Pro- data. Mr. BABIN. Mr. Speaker, this bill is tection Agency to do its job. Passage of the HONEST Act comes at about protecting American jobs and This bill would bring the EPA’s work a critical time for the EPA. Executive the American economy. to a halt, undermining protection of orders issued by President Trump re- In math class, we were taught to America’s health and safety. This leg- quire that the agency review and po- show our work; and when we didn’t, we islation interferes with the use of tentially revise a number of regula- got the problem counted wrong. This sound science and creates obstacles tions from the past administration bill is about transparency, account- that stop the EPA from enforcing the that were only partly based on science ability, and holding the government to law. and that were never made public to the the same standard that everyone else This bill is just one part of President American people. We want to avoid is. Trump and congressional Republicans’ similar situations moving forward, re- According to a poll by the Institute attacks on science and our environ- gardless of the administration. for Energy Research, 90 percent of ment. Shortly after the inauguration, I urge my colleagues to vote for this Americans believe that scientific data the Trump administration removed legislation to promote a more honest used to make government decisions taxpayer-funded scientific data from and open EPA. should be available to the public, to public websites. Now, that is not open, Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of the rest of us. That is nearly 100 per- that is not honest, and that is not fair Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes cent. Not many issues in our current to the taxpayers. to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. political environment enjoy that level This month, President Trump pro- BEYER), the vice ranking member of of support. But when it does, Congress posed dramatic budget cuts that would the full committee and ranking mem- should very well listen. make it impossible for the EPA to en- ber of the Science, Space, and Tech- The HONEST Act is a commonsense force clean air and clean water laws. nology’s Subcommittee on Oversight. legislation that I am proud to support. Yesterday, President Trump rescinded Mr. BEYER. Mr. Speaker, I have sev- I include in the RECORD this letter of the Clean Power Plan, paving the way eral objections to the legislation being support from the American Chemistry for more air pollution. considered today. As with the Secret Council. We cannot go backwards. I urge my Science Reform Act, the bill would se- AMERICAN CHEMISTRY COUNCIL, colleagues to reject this bill and other riously undercut the Environmental Washington, DC, March 28, 2017. Republican efforts to weaken the envi- Protection Agency’s ability to use Hon. LAMAR SMITH, ronmental protections. science to inform their work. Chairman, Committee on Science, Space, and We must put public health and sci- The bill would prohibit the EPA from Technology, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. entific integrity before polluters’ prof- using any scientific findings when the DEAR CHAIRMAN SMITH: On behalf of the its. EPA did not have total access to the American Chemistry Council (ACC), we want Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I underlying data. This would eliminate to thank you for introducing H.R. 1430, the yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from some of the best available science from ‘‘Honest and Open New EPA Science Treat- Indiana (Mr. BANKS), who is the vice being considered by the EPA. ment Act of 2017’’ (or the HONEST Act) to chairman of the Science, Space, and Let me be very clear, there is noth- help improve the science employed by the Technology’s Subcommittee on Envi- ing secret nor dishonest about relying U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on voluminous, peer-reviewed studies (EPA) in the Agency’s regulatory decision ronment. making processes. Mr. BANKS of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, published in the most credible sci- The proposed legislation would increase I thank Chairman SMITH for sponsoring entific journals in the world to make the transparency and public confidence in this legislation, the HONEST Act. public health decisions. the EPA’s scientific analyses. I believe that this bill will take a Equally problematic, the bill would Consistency and transparency are key to very important step toward improving force the EPA to grant full access to the regulatory certainty our industry needs the quality of science at the EPA. This any scientific data it does possess, in- to grow and create jobs. In some instances, is incredibly important because this cluding highly sensitive materials like EPA has fallen short of employing the high- est-quality, best-available science in their agency ensures that our air and water trade secrets and personal health his- regulatory decision making. are clean, which is something that all tories. Much has been made about the It is critical that the regulated community Americans want and deserve. ability of the EPA to redact this infor- and the public have confidence that deci- However, in recent years, the EPA mation, but there is a piece of legisla- sions reached by EPA are grounded in trans- has not been as transparent and forth- tion that says: By simply signing a parent and reproducible science, while ensur- coming with the scientific data that nondisclosure agreement at the discre- ing the protection of confidential business the agency has used as the basis for tion of the EPA administrator, you can information and competitive intelligence. By ensuring that the EPA utilizes high quality costly regulations. That is exactly have access to all of the nonredacted science and shares underlying data used to where the HONEST Act comes in. information. reach decisions, the HONEST Act can help By requiring the agency to base its We talk about the accountability of foster a regulatory environment that will regulations on publicly available the EPA. What is the accountability of allow the U.S. business of chemistry to con- science, scientists and the American violating a simple nondisclosure agree- tinue to develop safe, innovative products people will be able to examine the data ment? It becomes so easy for these pri- that Americans depend on in their everyday and pursue their own scientific inquiry vate health information trade secrets lives. if they wish, improving the scientific to be sold for a small fortune on the We commend you for your leadership and commitment to advance and improve EPA integrity of the EPA. black market. It certainly doesn’t science. We look forward to working with Transparency throughout all levels make sense to provide such an easy av- you and other bill sponsors to pass this im- of the Federal Government is an impor- enue to potential bad actors. portant piece of legislation. tant tenet of American democracy. I I would also like to object to the title Sincerely, strongly support all efforts to provide of the legislation and the implication CAL DOOLEY. the American people with more infor- that EPA employees and scientists are Mr. BABIN. Mr. Speaker, I applaud mation on how our government works. somehow not honest. Many of those the tireless work that Chairman This is most important when regula- folks live in Virginia, and, frankly, I LAMAR SMITH has done to bring this tions that impact American jobs and am tired of Members of Congress bad- legislation forward so that we can the economy are involved. mouthing my constituents. These are

VerDate Sep 11 2014 01:18 Mar 30, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00021 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K29MR7.041 H29MRPT1 rfrederick on DSKBCBPHB2PROD with HOUSE H2540 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE March 29, 2017 hardworking public servants who have licly available to the American people Who can blame them? dedicated their lives to clean air, clean and independent scientists. The goal is No one wants their medical records water, and to our good health. And I to promote more accountability for shared with strangers, or worse, made want to reassure the many wonderful Washington, D.C., bureaucracies, such public. employees of the EPA that, in Con- as the EPA. The result is that the EPA will have gress, we do, in fact, appreciate your The bottom line is costly Federal to rely on incomplete science to issue good work on behalf of the American regulations should only be based upon lifesaving regulations. people. data that is comprised of sound science Sadly, Mr. Speaker, this bill is yet Lastly, much like the TrumpCare bill and that can withstand scrutiny and another example of the political cru- we almost considered last week, there review. sade against science that we are seeing is no CBO cost estimate. The chairman Simply put, the HONEST Act is a coming from both Congress and the mentions that he has asked the CBO to step in the right direction to restore new administration. use a different methodology. The last trust in the EPA and in Federal bu- We should be confronting the eco- one they said was going to cost us hun- reaucracies. nomic and environmental realities of dreds of millions of dollars to imple- Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of our changing climate. But just yester- ment. It is hard to imagine anything Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes day, President Trump issued an execu- where the EPA has been required to to the gentlewoman from Connecticut tive order that would have us pretend fund or acquire data that is not going (Ms. ESTY). that climate change does not exist. to be unreasonably expensive relative Ms. ESTY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today Only weeks earlier, the EPA Admin- to anything before. in strong opposition to the so-called istrator himself said, without evidence, I urge my colleagues to vote ‘‘no.’’ HONEST Act. Whether in its incarna- that he disagreed with the scientific Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I tion last Congress as the Secret consensus that human activity is the yield myself 15 seconds. Science Act or in this year’s incarna- primary contributor to global climate Mr. Speaker, I don’t see how we can tion as the HONEST Act, let us be change. make it more clear to anybody who clear, this Orwellian-named bill is In my home State of Connecticut, we brings up the privacy arguments. If clearly designed to suppress certain are downwind from these power plants they go to lines 17 through 21 of page 2 scientific research that has been the that are burning dirty coal. We see ele- of the bill, it states: foundation for essential health and en- vated rates of asthma, higher rates of ‘‘ . . . any personally identifiable in- vironmental regulations. cardiopulmonary issues. If this bill is formation, trade secrets, or commer- In addition to hindering scientific ad- passed, many longitudinal, scientific cial or financial information obtained vancement, this bill risks violating studies like the ones that establish the from a person and privileged or con- people’s privacy by exposing sensitive link between air pollution and asthma, fidential, shall be redacted prior to patient data, and it is harmful to pub- would be excluded from playing a role public availability.’’ lic health. in the EPA’s actions. Any misconstruing of that is unfor- The clear aim of the HONEST Act is Mr. Speaker, let’s allow the EPA to tunate, and it is not an accurate de- to undermine EPA’s efforts to take ac- do its job. I urge my colleagues to op- scription of that provision. tion in a variety of areas, such as cli- pose this misguided bill. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the mate and air pollution. Mr. Speaker, I include in the RECORD gentleman from Illinois (Mr. LAHOOD), Let me also be clear, in my State of two letters in opposition from the who is also the chairman of the Connecticut, we rely on those regula- Union of Concerned Scientists and Science, Space, and Technology’s Sub- tions to deal with the asthma crisis we from the Environmental Defense Fund. committee on Oversight. have based on power plants in other UNION OF CONCERNED SCIENTISTS, Mr. LAHOOD. Mr. Speaker, I thank parts of the country blowing polluted March 9, 2017. Chairman LAMAR SMITH for yielding air into my State. DEAR REPRESENTATIVE: The Union of Con- time and for his leadership on this im- The so-called HONEST Act accom- cerned Scientists, with 500,000 members and portant issue. plishes this objective by excluding le- supporters throughout the country, strongly Mr. Speaker, my district in central gitimate, peer-reviewed research from opposes H.R. 1430, the misleadingly named Honest and Open New EPA Science Treat- and west central Illinois is home to the policy process. If this bill were to some of the most fertile farmland in ment Act (HONEST Act) of 2017. The pro- become law, EPA would have no choice posal shows that supporters of this legisla- the entire world. My district is the but to lean increasingly on industry- tion have a fundamental misunderstanding ninth largest congressional district in funded studies instead. of the process by which science operates and terms of corn and soybean production. At my recent townhall meeting in is ultimately a solution in search of a prob- With that said, farming families across Waterbury, Connecticut, one American lem. the 19 counties I represent are faced after another stood up and expressed This legislation would require that all raw every day with burdensome rules and their fear and outrage at the attempts data, models, code, and other materials from scientific studies be made available to the regulations created by the EPA with made in this House and by the new ad- little or no transparency into the data public before a federal agency could use it. ministration to take science out of But, the Environmental Protection Agency that influenced those regulations in public policy. (EPA) already is exhaustingly transparent the first place. My constituents want genuine sci- and the science it relies on to make decisions These rules and regulations have and entific research guiding our efforts to is made available to the public. continue to cause real-world con- protect our environment and safeguard The true intention of this bill is not to in- sequences to the agriculture commu- public health. They don’t want agenda- crease transparency in agency use of science nity. Moreover, these EPA directives driven studies funded by fossil fuel in policymaking, but rather to handcuff the have far greater reach outside the EPA from ever using critical information companies determining the EPA’s ac- necessary to follow through on statutorily realm of just farmers. tions on climate policy. Manufacturing and trade industries required rulemaking for popular legislation b 1415 like the Clean Air Act and the Clean Water in my district have also seen a direct Act. The additional restrictions imposed by negative impact from these agency ac- While the majority attempted to al- this proposed bill would make it almost im- tions. They have continued to hurt the leviate some of our privacy concerns possible to base public protections on the ability of these industries to create with this bill, the reality is that any best available scientific information. In par- jobs and economic opportunities in person whom EPA Administrator Scott ticular, if enacted, the language appears to central and west central Illinois. Pruitt deems worthy will have access indicate that the EPA would be inhibited by As such, I am here today in support to sensitive patient information. the following challenges: of the HONEST Act, which encourages Why is this a problem? The EPA wouldn’t be able to use most health studies. It should be expected that a more open and transparent Federal Because fewer people will be willing any agency tasked with protecting public Government. It requires data and stud- to participate in the studies that are health should be able to use public health ies used by Federal agencies in the necessary to understand air and water data. The confidentiality of such data is usu- rulemaking process to be made pub- quality issues. ally protected by institutional review boards

VerDate Sep 11 2014 01:18 Mar 30, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00022 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K29MR7.042 H29MRPT1 rfrederick on DSKBCBPHB2PROD with HOUSE March 29, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H2541 (IRB) to insure the privacy of the partici- using science to enact safeguards, this legis- produced (e.g., a study that examines the im- pants; thus, the data could not be made pub- lation could cripple the agency. pacts on intelligence at childhood from envi- licly available as demanded. Since many I strongly urge you to oppose H R. 1430, the ronmental exposures that occurred in utero). EPA rules are health-based standards, this so-called HONEST Act. The only honest Furthermore, even if, say, a longitudinal rule would severely restrict the ability of the thing about this legislation is that it truly study that follows a cohort of individuals agency to base rules on science. opens the window into the real intentions of over 20 years could in principle be repro- The EPA wouldn’t be able to draw from in- the supporters of the bill, and that is to stop duced, there are practical and ethical rea- dustry data sources. The agency would be the EPA from fulfilling its science-based sons why it couldn’t or shouldn’t be. The prevented from using data provided by indus- mission to protect public health and the en- same goes for a long-term environmental try to the agency. Since information from vironment. H.R. 1430 is a wolf in sheep’s monitoring study, or data collected from a industry sources is often not publicly avail- clothing, purporting to increase public ac- one-time event like the Deepwater Horizon able, to protect proprietary data from their cessibility to data used in rulemaking, while Spill. competitors, a law requiring as such would actually crippling the EPA’s ability to use The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) has prevent the agency from utilizing industry the best available scientific and technical in- found that previous iterations of this legisla- data, a source of information that often pro- formation to protect public health and the tion would impede the number of studies the vides otherwise unknown data to inform environment. EPA can rely on—by their estimate, reduc- EPA rulemaking. Agencies protecting our public health ing the number of studies by half. Restrict- The EPA wouldn’t be able to use new and should be able to use public health data and ing EPA to just some of the existing sci- innovative science. New scientific methods attempts to undermine agencies shouldn’t be entific literature will prevent the agency and data may be restricted by intellectual cloaked in false transparency. This Trojan- from using the latest and most accurate property protections or industry trade secret horse transparency bill would inhibit the science when developing regulations. More- exemptions. This bill doesn’t include protec- EPA’s ability to carry out its science-based over, the tremendous resource burden of tions for intellectual property, and it makes mission to protect human health and the en- making data publicly available (CBO’s cen- industry trade secrets available upon request vironment. It does not deserve your support. tral estimate was $250 million a year) would to anyone who signs an agreement. If re- Sincerely, create a strong incentive to reduce the searchers and industry knew that sharing ANDREW A. ROSENBERG, amount of scientific data and analysis con- their science with the EPA meant that their PH.D., sidered as part of decision-making. The net intellectual property would be exposed to the Director, Center for effect would be to undermine EPA’s ability world, they might opt out. This would limit Science and Democ- to rely on the best available science and un- EPA’s ability to rely on the best available racy, Union of Con- necessarily put the public at greater envi- science including novel approaches that may cerned Scientists. ronmental and health risk. not yet be publicly available. Similarly, the EPA Science Advisory Board Reform Act of 2017 undermines sci- Long-term and meta-analyses would be un- EDF ACTION, available. Many of the public health and March 8, 2017. entific integrity of the EPA. Contrary to longstanding practice, the bill allows indi- safety issues facing the nation cannot be Hon. LAMAR SMITH, measured within a small timeframe. The Chairman, Committee on Science, Space, and viduals with financial conflicts of interest to EPA needs long-term exposure studies that Technology, Washington, DC. serve on the EPA Science Advisory Board (SAB) so long as those conflicts are dis- assess the link between chronic diseases/ Hon. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON, mortality and pollutants; or on meta-anal- Ranking Member, Committee on Science, Space, closed. This would permit an infusion of spe- yses that include many different studies and and Technology, Washington, DC. cial corporate interest into what should re- locations to provide a more robust look at DEAR CHAIRMAN SMITH AND RANKING MEM- main an objective scientific review of EPA the science. In H.R. 1430, the provision that BER JOHNSON: The Environmental Defense work products. Incredibly, at the same time, the bill studies be conducted ‘‘in a manner that is Action Fund strongly opposes the ‘‘Honest makes it more difficult for academic experts sufficient for independent analysis and sub- and Open New EPA Science Treatment to participate on the SAB. The bill considers stantial reproduction of research’’ may pre- (HONEST) Act of 2017’’ and the ‘‘EPA an expert’s research on a topic covered by vent use of these vital studies by the EPA, as Science Advisory Board Reform Act of 2017’’. it is unclear whether such spatially and tem- Despite their benign-sounding titles, these the Board to be a conflict of interest, when porally comprehensive studies would be con- bills would have devastating effects on pub- in fact the academic’s expertise would make sidered ‘‘sufficient for substantial reproduc- lic health and the Environmental Protection them more, not less, valuable. In addition, tion.’’ Agency’s (EPA) ability to consider and use receipt of EPA research grants and con- The CBO estimates exorbitant costs. The sound science. tracts, standard for universities, would be attempt to implement this law would also The HONEST Act, a rebranded version of construed to constitute a conflict of interest make the EPA process much more costly. the ‘‘Secret Science Reform Act’’ from prior for a scientist or expert. And a SAB member For past iterations of this legislation, the sessions of Congress, is framed as a measure would be precluded from accepting any such CBO has estimated it may take up to $250 to increase transparency by requiring that grant or contract for three years after serv- million annually for the EPA simply to com- EPA only use studies that are publicly avail- ing on the board which may deter qualified ply, and that doesn’t even account for the able online and replicable. Yet, as testimony experts from serving on the SAB. lost benefits from delaying the protections before your Committee has made clear, these The ‘‘Honest and Open New EPA Science themselves. Compounded with the cuts to requirements would in many cases prevent Treatment (HONEST) Act of 2017’’ and the EPA’s budget that are being proposed, this the EPA from using the best available ‘‘EPA Science Advisory Board Reform Act of would just further prevent the agency from science for public health decision-making. 2017’’ would block the use of sound science by being able to do its job. Many epidemiological studies—for example EPA in developing public safeguards. For H.R. 1430 makes a token attempt to ad- a study on the causes of breast cancer—rely these reasons, EDF Action strongly opposes dress some of the criticisms about privacy on health data that are legally confidential. these bills. concerns for personal medical information This legislation suggests that EPA will be Sincerely, and trade secrets. But in practice, the chal- given the authority to disclose confidential ELIZABETH B. THOMPSON, lenge of identifying and redacting all pro- medical information on breast cancer pa- President, Environmental Defense tected and privileged information sets up a tients to anyone willing to sign a confiden- Action Fund. series of hurdles and complications that will tiality agreement. EPA would also be re- Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I deter agencies from using the best scientific sponsible for identifying and redacting any yield myself 30 seconds. analysis to inform their work. information that should not be made broadly Mr. Speaker, it is hard to keep up Small, cosmetic tweaks do not change the publicly available in the first place. Not only with all the misstatements about this fact that this bill is based on a flawed is this not an appropriate role for EPA, it bill, but I am going to try. The imme- premise and that the authors of the legisla- could severely restrict both the number of diate past speaker on the other side tion do not understand the scientific process. studies EPA can use and the willingness of Furthermore, the burden imposed on the participants to be part of vital health stud- talked about the cost of the bill; and I EPA to redact documents would ultimately ies. am sure he didn’t do it intentionally, place limits on the amount of actual sci- In addition, the Act’s requirements for but he was using a 2-year-out-of-date entific work the EPA can do. The EPA does replicability mean that critical longitudinal cost. not exist in a world of infinite resources. studies that follow health outcomes of indi- We have an email from the CBO as of When this bill was introduced in the 114th viduals or groups over years, even decades, this past Monday that says the CBO es- Congress as the ‘‘Secret Science Reform could not be used because— timates this legislation would not af- Act,’’ it received a veto threat from the (1) they are inherently not replicable (e.g., fect direct spending or revenues, so Obama administration, which noted that it a study that follows health outcomes of first would ‘‘interfere’’ with the EPA’s ability to responders following a single event such as there is no cost, despite what Members protect public health, safety, and the envi- the tragic 9/11 attack); or might hear otherwise. ronment. The worry is that now, with an ad- (2) where they are replicable, it would take Also, it is just hard for me to under- ministration that has shown zero interest in years to show that the results could be re- stand how any Member of Congress

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:48 Mar 30, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00023 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A29MR7.015 H29MRPT1 rfrederick on DSKBCBPHB2PROD with HOUSE H2542 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE March 29, 2017 could oppose open and honest govern- Two others that I include in the process that often requires the work of an ment. All this bill does is to say that RECORD, the copies that I hold in my entire office. The EPA’s limited resources, the data has to be transparent, the hand, in opposition, have been received rather than being spent fulfilling its mission from the Consortium for Ocean Leader- ‘‘to protect human health and the environ- data has to be publicly available. ment’’ would instead be spent redacting, po- If they want more government con- ship, and the other from the Environ- tentially hundreds of thousands of docu- trol, more environmental regulations mental Data and Governance Initia- ments. Conversely, the bill does not define that can’t be justified, that is one tive. who would make this information publicly thing; but don’t oppose the bill for the CONSORTIUM FOR available online (and make appropriate wrong reasons. The bill does nothing OCEAN LEADERSHIP, redactions) if the EPA were relying on a pub- more than require open, transparent, Washington, DC, March 27, 2017. lished, peer-reviewed study performed by an- and honest government. Hon. PAUL RYAN, other entity, such as an academic research institution. This would potentially impose Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the Speaker of the House, Washington, DC. unexpected costs on the institution. gentleman from Arizona (Mr. GOSAR), DEAR SPEAKER RYAN: On behalf of the Con- Rather than improving the quality of who is a member of the Natural Re- sortium for Ocean Leadership, which rep- science used by the agency, this bill would sources Committee. resents our nation’s leading ocean research instead limit the amount of ‘‘best available Mr. GOSAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise and technology institutions (from academia, science’’ available for decision-making and today in support of H.R. 1430, the HON- industry, and aquaria), I am writing to ex- would require significant time and man- EST Act, sponsored by the chairman of press concern regarding the Honest and Open power. Such an impact would threaten the health, not only of our nation, but of our the Science, Space, and Technology New EPA Science Treatment (HONEST) Act of 2017 (H.R. 1430). Sound science must under- country’s citizens who rely on the EPA to Committee, Chairman LAMAR SMITH. pin the rulemaking process at all our na- protect their well-being. The unintended Let’s all go back to the fifth grade, tion’s federal agencies, the Environmental consequences from this bill are myriad, and where we learned about the steps of the Protection Agency included. I am concerned the ocean science and technology commu- scientific method and do a quick re- about the practical implications of this bill nity stands ready to help you evaluate them view. and what it means, not only for the rule- before considering this legislation on the After we formulated our question and making process, but for the health, security, House floor. came up with our hypothesis, what did and prosperity of our nation and its citizens. Respectfully, While I ardently support efforts to ensure JONATHAN W. WHITE, we do? RADM (Ret.), USN, We tested that hypothesis by per- the continued use of sound science, I urge you and your colleagues to consider unin- President and CEO, forming an experiment and collecting tended consequences of this bill before bring- Consortium for the data in a reproducible manner. ing it to the House floor. Ocean Leadership. Data isn’t reproducible if it isn’t While reproducibility is a fundamental as- even made available. Now, Mr. Speak- sumption of science, that should not be ENVIRONMENTAL DATA er, transparency and reproducibility conflated with the idea that all non-repro- & GOVERNANCE INITIATIVE, are basic tenets of science that every ducible science is incorrect. There are many March 27, 2017. cases where reproducibility is simply not DEAR REPRESENTATIVE: The Environmental elementary school student learns and possible, but that does not negate the impor- Data & Governance Initiative (EDGI) has values. Yet our very own Environ- tance of the conclusions that have been analyzed the potential effects of the Honest mental Protection Agency has issued reached. In 1994, the comet Shoemaker-Levy and Open New EPA Science Treatment Act regulation after regulation using stud- collided with our celestial neighbor Jupiter, of 2017 (H.R. 1430) and determined that the ies and data that are not available for providing a first-hand look at cosmic colli- bill would obstruct the EPA’s use of sci- public review, despite the very serious sions and insight on both the comet and the entific studies in essential agency work. ramifications of that very data. planet. The devastating Deepwater Horizon EDGI is an organization comprised of non- In 2012, President Obama’s own chair disaster in the Gulf of Mexico has provided profit employees and academics that pro- untold insights into everything ranging from motes open and accessible government data of the Science Advisory Board testified ecosystem responses to oil to impacts on and information along with evidence-based ‘‘that literature and data used by the communities’ physical and mental health. policy making. As researchers invested in ro- EPA be peer-reviewed and made avail- Because studies stemming from these one- bust environmental data governance, EDGI able to the public.’’ time incidents are not reproducible, it does members are concerned that this legislation This is common sense, Mr. Speaker: not mean that their methodology and results would force the EPA to make determinations let’s make public policy using public are flawed. Additionally, longitudinal stud- without certain categories of crucial evi- data and use public data for public pol- ies, especially in the public health arena, are dence-based research it needs to make the icy. often too large and take so much time (e.g., best decisions for the health and welfare of a study following a cohort for multiple dec- the public and the environment. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman ades) that they could not realistically be re- H.R. 1430 is just the latest iteration of the for leading this initiative. produced but are instead replicated through proposed Secret Science Reform Acts of 2014 Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of statistical modeling. Under the current lan- and 2015. These bills would have prevented Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes guage of the HONEST Act, similar studies the EPA from relying on a large number of to the gentleman from New York (Mr. within EPA’s purview would be excluded validated and pivotal scientific studies in its TONKO). from the agency’s use, potentially keeping decision-making processes. Similarly, in its Mr. TONKO. Mr. Speaker, I rise the agency from making a proposal or dis- words, H.R. 1430 would ‘‘prohibit the Envi- today in opposition to H.R. 1430, the seminating information and limiting the ronmental Protection Agency from pro- posing, finalizing, or disseminating regula- Honest and Open New EPA Science amount of good science from which the EPA can makes decisions. tions or assessments based upon science that Treatment Act. The bill also requires scientific and tech- is not transparent or reproducible.’’ Pro- I have serious concerns with this bill nical information used to make federal regu- ponents claim that H.R. 1430 would improve that the majority has offered. This bill lations be posted online. While the language transparency in scientific decision-making pretends to improve scientific integ- specifies that personally identifiable infor- and public data accessibility, efforts that rity and transparency while, in reality, mation used in these studies be redacted (un- EDGI supports. However, as EDGI’s analysis they would stop the EPA from doing like in the bill’s predecessor, the Secret shows, H.R. 1430 instead places important its critical job, its critical mission of Science Reform Act), the HONEST Act goes validated science off limits to the EPA. on to state that personal information could The data access requirements in H.R. 1430 protecting the American people. be disclosed to anyone who signs a confiden- would obstruct public protections critical to Many credible organizations have op- tiality agreement with the administrator. If human safety and health. Any studies that posed the HONEST Act, including the federal regulations are made that impact a utilize confidential medical records—includ- American Association for the Advance- specific industry, the same industry could ing many human health studies—would be ment of Science, Union of Concerned access the personal records of those who par- nearly impossible for the EPA to use because Scientists, American Institute of Bio- ticipated in the study. Knowing that their personally identifiable medical data cannot logical Sciences, American Lung Asso- personal information could be made acces- be released to the general public. For in- ciation, American Public Health Asso- sible to anyone would likely reduce the num- stance, the EPA would not be able to use epi- demiological studies that are critical for ciation, the League of Conservation ber of willing participants in such a study, again limiting the best science available to linking exposure to toxics with certain types Voters, Natural Resources Defense the agency. of diseases in the creation of standards that Council, and the Environmental De- Additionally, redacting information from ensure our safe drinking water and healthy fense Action Fund. documents is a costly and time-consuming air.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 01:57 Mar 30, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00024 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K29MR7.045 H29MRPT1 rfrederick on DSKBCBPHB2PROD with HOUSE March 29, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H2543 Additionally, the proposed legislation ment. The EPA cannot issue confidentiality protect the scientific process from po- would bar studies that cannot be reproduced agreements on behalf of third party re- litical interference, which is why I re- from use by the EPA. Blocking the EPA searchers, so H.R. 1430 would inhibit the cently introduced the Scientific Integ- from using studies that are hard to repro- EPA’s ability to use many important sci- rity Act, which will require our United duce impedes the EPA’s ability to protect entific studies despite this confidentiality the public from future health hazards. Some agreement provision. States Federal agencies to adopt or of the nation’s best evidence of public health Further, H.R. 1430 limits the EPA to spend- strengthen policies to insulate govern- risks comes from long-term analyses, assess- ing only $1 million a year to comply with ment-directed research from the influ- ments of chronic effects of exposure to toxic these new requirements, yet the CBO esti- ence of political pressure and special substances, studies based on natural and mated that past versions of this legislation interests. human-caused catastrophes, and other stud- would have cost the EPA up to $250 million Under the Scientific Integrity Act, ies that we cannot reproduce. annually to implement the data access pro- Federal agencies that conduct or fund Specific examples of current protections visions required in the bill. The added obli- and programs that would have been difficult, gations specified in this legislation, coupled scientific research would be required to if not impossible, for the EPA to issue had with a lack of adequate funding to imple- develop clear, written scientific integ- H.R. 1430 been in place include: ment the law, would prevent the EPA from rity policies that can guarantee re- Standards that protect children from lead- fulfilling its hazard prevention and environ- search is being done and published based paint hazards in their homes and mental safety protection responsibilities. without undue influence, censorship, or schools. The EPA creates standards that pro- Agencies tasked with protecting human distortion. tect children from the adverse neurological health must be able to rely on all available Scientific and technological informa- effects of exposure to lead in paint, dust, and scientific data. Currently, the EPA goes to tion would be able to flow more easily soil. The agency bases these lead protections great lengths to ensure that all of the data it on long-term studies of children who have relies on is thoroughly reviewed and acces- while protecting privacy, confiden- suffered lead exposure in the past. Because sible. The EPA uses several processes to en- tiality, and our national security. EPA regulations have effectively reduced sure quality and relevance of data, such as Twenty-four separate Federal agencies lead exposure in children, reproducing these internal and external peer review and review have developed scientific integrity long-term epidemiological studies would be by scientific advisory boards. policies to date. This legislation would nearly impossible, as the cohort of study When the EPA is prohibited from utilizing also codify and strengthen these poli- subjects no longer exists. Prohibiting the the most optimal data, it puts the health cies within a common framework. EPA from using historical reports like these and safety of citizens at risk. Protecting safe Every Democrat on the Science, would make continuing regulation of lead drinking water and healthy air depends on much harder. the EPA’s ability to incorporate the best Space, and Technology Committee has Safeguards that protect people from expo- available evidence from all scientific fields supported the Scientific Integrity Act, sure to radioactive contaminants in drinking of study into its risk assessments and regu- and I invite all of my colleagues across water. The EPA’s standards for the permis- lation drafting processes. EDGI’s analysis the aisle to join us in working to truly sible quantity of certain radionuclides, such and research shows that the passage of H.R. protect scientific integrity. as uranium, found in drinking water are 1430 would block the EPA from using the I urge a ‘‘no’’ vote on the so-called based on data from radiation exposure stud- data it needs to fulfill its mission of pro- HONEST Act. ies that use confidential patient information tecting public health and the environment. Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I from a cohort of Hiroshima and Nagasaki Sincerely, yield myself 1 minute. atomic bomb survivors, which could not be SARAH LAMDAN, used under this bill. Long-term epidemiolog- Director of Legal Re- Mr. Speaker, we have heard a couple ical studies conducted on this cohort are also search, Environ- of times today that the bill prevents unreproducible, rendering these studies, and mental Data Govern- the EPA from using the best available others like them, nearly impossible for the ance Initiative; As- science. EPA to use under H.R. 1430’s provisions. sociate Law Library I hope that Members who are listen- Measures that improve safety at industrial Professor, CUNY ing to this debate, and others, will take facilities and protect and assist first re- School of Law. sponders and emergency authorities during the time to actually look at the lan- ON BEHALF OF THE EDGI STEERING COMMITTEE: accidents. The EPA improved its risk man- guage of the bill. Here is the exact lan- Andrew Bergman, Ph.D. Candidate, Ap- agement regulations following several cata- guage, page 2, line 13. The first require- plied Physics, Harvard University; Phil strophic events involving chemical plants, ment of the bill is that the EPA ‘‘use Brown, Ph.D., Sociology, University Distin- including an explosion at the West Fertilizer guished Professor of Sociology and Health the best available science.’’ I don’t Company facility in Texas that killed 14 peo- Sciences, Northeastern University; Lindsey know what more we can do and how ple, ten of them first responders. The studies Dillon, Ph.D., Geography, Assistant Pro- better we can spell it out. that result from chemical explosions like fessor of Sociology, University of California, The bill is only a little over three these cannot be reproduced and would not be Santa Cruz; Gretchen Gehrke, Ph.D., Geo- available for the EPA’s use under H.R. 1430, pages long. I really do recommend that chemistry, Data and Advocacy Steward, preventing the agency from properly pro- the folks who oppose it read the bill Public Lab; Rebecca Lave, Ph.D., Geography, tecting first responders and the public from itself and actually look at the language Associate Professor of Geography, Indiana future chemical disasters. and the usual understanding and defi- Plans that ensure best practices in clean- University. Michelle Murphy, Ph.D., History of nition of the words, and I hope they ing up major oil spills and other hazardous Science, Professor of History, Director of the will be satisfied. waste spills that affect wildlife health and Technoscience Research Unit, University of We have also heard that the sci- habitats. After the Exxon Valdez oil tanker Toronto; Nicholas Shapiro, Ph.D., Medical entific community opposes the bill, but ran aground in Alaska’s Prince William Anthropology, Matter and Materials Fellow, Sound on March 24, 1989, the EPA developed let me quote from a couple of Obama Chemical Heritage Foundation, Open Air a restoration program to clean up the 11 mil- administration officials. Dr. John Fellow, Public Lab; Christopher Sellers, lion gallons of oil that had spilled into the Holdren, the President’s science ad- Ph.D., History; M.D., Professor of History, Sound and affected over 1,000 miles of shore- viser, said that: ‘‘Absolutely, the data Stony Brook University; Sara Wylie, Ph.D., line. This cleanup program would have been History, Anthropology, and Science Tech- on which regulatory decisions are impossible without field studies of Prince nology and Society Program, Assistant Pro- based should be made available to the William Sound and other historical oil spills. fessor of Health Science and Sociology, committee and should be made public.’’ Given the large scale of these catastrophic Northeastern University. The same was said by the chair of the spills, these studies cannot be reproduced and thus would be barred from use by the Mr. TONKO. The Union of Concerned EPA’s Science Advisory Board. This is EPA by H.R. 1430. Scientists has recently said that ‘‘the the EPA’s Science Advisory Board. The EPA would be hampered from imple- bill effectively prevents the EPA from They testified before the committee menting these vital protections and pro- using the weight of scientific evidence that literature and data used by the grams under H.R. 1430. While the bill con- to protect public health and the envi- EPA be made available to the public. tains a provision that pretends to skirt some Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the of these legal obstacles by only divulging ronment.’’ gentleman from Kansas (Mr. MAR- protected materials to people who sign con- They go on to say ‘‘this doesn’t make SHALL), who is the vice chairman of the fidentiality agreements, this provision is il- sense.’’ lusory because medical data, trade secrets, I agree. This doesn’t make any sense. Oversight Subcommittee. and other privacy-protected data cannot be Instead, I hope that, as a Congress, Mr. MARSHALL. Mr. Speaker, I rise released to the general public, regardless of we can turn our attention to truly pro- today as a member of the Committee whether they sign a confidentiality agree- tecting scientific integrity. We must on Science, Space, and Technology, to

VerDate Sep 11 2014 01:57 Mar 30, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00025 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A29MR7.019 H29MRPT1 rfrederick on DSKBCBPHB2PROD with HOUSE H2544 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE March 29, 2017 voice my support of the HONEST Act. way. The fact is, investing in clean en- imperative that the SAB comprise the most This legislation gives independent sci- ergy and reducing emissions is good for expert, independent scientists and technical entists a fair chance to validate the our national security, good for our en- advisors to best fulfill that mission. AGU looks forward to working with you on studies EPA uses to make regulations. vironment, and good for jobs. these critical issues in the future. As someone who has made a career in I believe we can do both—improve With best wishes, science, I know that determining any- our energy independence and create LEXI SHULTZ, thing less is unwise and unscientific. good-paying jobs—at the same time. Director of Public Affairs, Whether you are studying a new on- Colorado has been a leader in reducing American Geophysical Union. cology drug or EPA regulations, trans- harmful emissions, improving energy Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I parency and the ability to reproduce efficiency, and investing in clean en- yield myself 30 seconds. and share these findings are some of ergy, and we have realized substantial Mr. Speaker, I know the gentleman the basic tenets of science. Costly regu- economic benefits for Colorado through from Colorado attended the hearing we lations that impact American citizens innovation, research and development, had this morning on the scientific and Kansas farmers should be based and the creation of good-paying jobs. method and climate change, but I am upon data that is available to inde- Mr. Speaker, we need to do better. not sure he was listening, because not pendent scientists and the public. This House and the Science, Space, and a single witness on either side denied Let’s continue to be a voice for the Technology Committee need to take the facts around climate change. people with sound, transparent, sci- their heads out of the sand and stop ig- I also want to reassure him—he is entific regulatory policy. noring what is going on across the worried about Colorado, and I under- Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of country and across the world. stand that—that the Intergovern- Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes I urge all my colleagues to oppose mental Panel on Climate Change found to the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. this bill. that there was low confidence in any PERLMUTTER). Mr. Speaker, I include in the RECORD connection between climate change Mr. PERLMUTTER. Mr. Speaker, I a letter dated March 8, 2017, from the and extreme weather events. So I hope thank the ranking member and my American Geophysical Union. there will not be any unusual extreme friend, the chairman of the committee. AMERICAN GEOPHYSICAL UNION, weather events in Colorado. We often agree on things in the March 8, 2017. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the Science, Space, and Technology Com- Hon. LAMAR SMITH, gentleman from California (Mr. mittee, but there are times when our Washington, DC. LAMALFA), a member of the Natural disagreements are huge, and this is one Hon. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON, Resources Committee and the Agri- of those times. Washington, DC. DEAR CHAIRMAN SMITH AND RANKING MEM- culture Committee. So, Mr. Speaker, I rise today to op- Mr. LAMALFA. Mr. Speaker, I thank pose H.R. 1430. We have seen this bill in BER JOHNSON: On behalf of the American Geophysical Union (AGU) and its more than Chairman SMITH for yielding time here the last Congress, when it was called 60,000 members, I am writing to express con- today, as these issues affect my con- the Secret Science Reform Act. It was cerns about the Honest and Open New EPA stituents in northern California as a lousy bill then, and it is still a lousy Science Treatment Act of 2017 (HONEST well. So being here to support H.R. bill today. Act) and the EPA Science Advisory Board 1430, the HONEST Act, really pleases Let’s start with the name of this bill, Reform Act of 2017. We encourage you and me because we haven’t had a lot of Mr. Speaker, the HONEST Act, but it your colleagues to take additional time to evaluate the unintended consequences of honesty the way the EPA has applied really should be called the dishonest new interpretations of new rules to act. That is because this bill improp- these bills before the bills move forward. Although we appreciate the HONEST Act’s some of the folks in my district here, erly describes what is going on at the protections for confidential information, we that farm and ranch and other activi- EPA, which is looking to protect our remain concerned about several provisions in ties that use their resources and their environment from extreme weather the bill. For example, requirements in the land in the way they see fit. events that we have in Colorado, bill for the use of ‘‘best available science,’’ We need to ensure that the EPA rules throughout the country, and around ‘‘data,’’ and ‘‘reproducible’’ do not have uni- and regulations are made using the world. form applications across all disciplines. With respect to reproducibility of research, verifiable, publicly available data and The EPA is working to protect our science. clean air and our clean water, and has some scientific research involves longitu- dinal studies that are so large and of great b 1430 demonstrably improved our commu- duration that they could not realistically be nities and the health of America since reproduced. The same may be true for sci- A fundamental tenet of our Nation is 1970. entific data from a one-time event (e.g., that citizens have the right to know I wish I could say these attacks Deepwater Horizon Gulf oil spill) where the how and why the government makes today and tomorrow on the EPA and data is gathered in real time. We’re con- decisions and, just as importantly, scientific research are isolated, but un- cerned that in these situations the EPA have the ability to challenge those de- fortunately they are not. Earlier could be constrained from using important cisions. However, we have seen an in- today, the Science, Space, and Tech- or relevant research in making decisions. creasing tendency of Federal agencies nology Committee held a hearing on The legislation could also impose costs on recipients of federal research grants where to refuse to disclose the data they have climate science. I was astonished at the research results are expected to be ‘‘re- based decisions on, claiming it is too what I heard from the majority Repub- lied on to support a covered action.’’ The bill sensitive to share. Really, now. lican Party calling into question is not clear on whether it is the EPA’s or the For example, the Obama administra- whether climate change is happening, research institution’s responsibility to cover tion’s waters of the U.S. rule, which and whether it is caused by humans. the costs associated with sharing and would have inserted the Federal Gov- All this serves is to attack scientific archiving this information. ernment into local land use decisions research and jeopardize the progress we We are also troubled by the implications of across the Nation, directly conflicts the EPA Science Advisory Board Reform have made to combat climate change Act. As an organization that represents sci- with publicly available data prepared and protect our communities. entists from broad backgrounds and exper- by the Army Corps of Engineers, yet Just yesterday, President Trump tise, we appreciate the attempt to ensure a the EPA refused to release data it issued an executive order to further diverse panel of scientific knowledge and claimed supported its conclusion. roll back progress that we have made perspectives, and support the bill’s goal of Farmers, in some cases, cannot even over the last 8 years. The executive increasing accountability and transparency use their land under the threat of liti- order tries to dismantle the Clean for scientific advisors. However, because the gation, fines, or even arrest. Even the Power Plan and many other important bill would exclude some scientists with sub- Army Corps of Engineers disputes the protections from the Obama adminis- stantial expertise in their fields from the EPA’s refusal, noting, in 2015, that Science Advisory Board (SAB), the SAB tration which were worked on based on would suffer from the exclusion of valuable EPA provided no scientific basis for its the best available science and through insight. The purpose of the SAB is to review jurisdictional power grab. an open and deliberate process, gath- the quality and robustness of scientific data Under waters of the United States, ering millions of comments along the that informs EPA’s regulatory process. It is we have heard interpretations that

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:48 Mar 30, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00026 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K29MR7.046 H29MRPT1 rfrederick on DSKBCBPHB2PROD with HOUSE March 29, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H2545 people plowing their fields could be in- Mesa. So it is imperative that the citi- that science to understand the basis. terpreted now as a regulatable land be- zens of this country be able to see the Because, Mr. Speaker, if you begin hid- cause that could be seen as a watershed data that underpin these rules. What is ing the basis for decisions, then you because you now have furrows that are even more important is that the sci- have government, in many cases, act- new watersheds. entific community be able to scrutinize ing without providing for trans- This is the kind of thing that needs EPA data to ensure that the Agency is parency, without being able to be held to be heard publicly in review of Con- using the best available science, re- accountable. That is dangerous to have gress and the people, not made in a gardless of the administration. people making decisions based upon se- back room of the EPA somewhere. Critics of the HONEST Act claim cret information. That is not an honest way of doing that scientific data underpinning That is dangerous for our economy, business. That is why H.R. 1430 is an EPA’s regulations are already subject and it is going to further challenge the honest way to bring them back to the to the standards of peer review. While ability of Americans to keep their accountability we need to have so peo- this may be true, peer review of sci- budgets balanced. It is already $15,000 ple can have their day and have a right entific studies is not adequate because per household. How many thousands to dispute nonscience-led decisions this process seldom involves a close does it have to be before we need to made by the EPA. scrutiny of the data used in these stud- say: Stop. This is unreasonable? The Obama Administration did not ies. Peer review rarely double-checks Mr. Speaker, you look right now at even rely on peer-reviewed science or the analysis, and very rarely does it at- the trade deficit of this country; you on publicly available Scientific Advi- tempt to actually replicate the results look at the cost of goods and products sory Board determinations despite EPA of a study. Right now, we can only in other nations. In many cases, we are claims that its effort was backed by hope that the individuals conducting losing the trade war because our regu- science. the science can be trusted with their latory environment here, our tax envi- The tendency for Federal agencies to results. ronment here, is simply not competi- develop regulations based on secret The EPA should promote the use of tive. data is even more insidious when we rigorous science, not questionable What happens in a scenario where note that these are not even elected of- science. Those who say that peer re- you release the science you provide for ficials. They don’t have to stand for view is adequate are misguided. The transparency, you allow for better so- lutions. You allow for more efficient election. These are career bureaucrats American people deserve better than regulations, for better ways to achieve who cannot be removed or even some- that, and the HONEST Act ensures those objectives to improve our envi- times met up with by the voters, by that their expectations are met. ronment and protect our environment, their constituents. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to improve and protect the safety and Mr. Speaker, when Americans face who are interested in an open and hon- health of workers and American citi- regulations imposed by unelected bu- est EPA to pass this legislation. zens. reaucrats and based on secret science Again, I thank Chairman SMITH for This bill is in America’s interest. It that cannot be verified or even viewed, bringing this legislation forward and is in the public interest. To listen to how can they employ their First giving me the opportunity to speak. people stand here and talk about hid- Amendment right to petition their gov- Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, ing and shielding science and making ernment? The answer, colleagues, is how much time remains on each side? up red herrings about privacy and simple. They can’t. And I would like to know if the other other things, that is absolutely con- Mr. Speaker, I urge support for this side, the minority, has any more trary to this country’s interests. It is bill to protect every American’s right speakers. contrary to the public’s interest. to know how and why their govern- The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. This bill should be passed. I am ment makes decisions, to protect their LAMALFA). The gentleman from Texas shocked that there is opposition to it, 3 First Amendment rights, to protect has 8 ⁄4 minutes remaining, and the and we should pass this with unani- 1 their property, and their ability to gentlewoman from Texas has 10 ⁄2 min- mous support. thrive. utes remaining. Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the bal- for the time, and I thank you for bring- Texas. Mr. Speaker, I have no further ance of my time. ing this effort and for your battle. requests for time, and I reserve the bal- Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of ance of my time. yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Texas. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the bal- Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I Arizona (Mr. SCHWEIKERT), a former ance of my time. yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from member of the Science Committee, Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I Louisiana (Mr. GRAVES). who is still missed, a former chairman yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Mr. GRAVES of Louisiana. Mr. of the Environment Subcommittee, and Arizona (Mr. BIGGS), who is the chair- Speaker, I have been standing here lis- the author of a very similar bill to this man of the Environment Sub- tening to this debate. Let’s go back in a previous Congress. committee. and think about this for just a minute. Mr. SCHWEIKERT. Mr. Speaker, Mr. BIGGS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the Right now, in the United States, the look, I miss the Science Committee, gentleman from Texas, the chairman of cost of regulation in our Nation is ap- and I know I have been banned, and I the Science, Space, and Technology proximately $2 trillion; $2 trillion is have had a lot of coffee today. I was Committee, and especially for spon- the cost that our Nation spends every going to come up to the microphone soring this legislation, the HONEST year just complying with regulations. and sort of do the blast away, but let Act. In fact, that distills down to the aver- me back away. As the chairman of the Environment age household spending around $15,000 A number of things I have heard in Subcommittee on the Science Com- just to comply with regulations. this debate from the left and even a mittee, I fully support this bill that Now, let me be clear. Regulations are couple of the things from my side, will require EPA regulations be based important. We have got to have regula- okay, you are conflating all sorts of on science that is publicly available. tions to make sure we protect our envi- things that this bill doesn’t do. This The HONEST Act pushes forward the ronment, we protect the health and bill is three pages. basic principles of the scientific meth- safety of our citizens. That is critical. So can I ask a question? If I came to od, which is critically important in in- What this bill does is it simply pro- you right now and said, ‘‘Tell me that stances in which science and Federal vides for transparency so we can under- the EPA actually has the right rule Government policy intersect. stand the basis of regulations. That is sets for hydrocarbons, if it has the Regulations put forward by the EPA all this does: make sure that we can right rule set for PM10, it has the right impact all Americans, including my understand the science that regula- rule sets for ozone,’’ you would say, constituents in the East Valley of the tions were based upon. ‘‘Well, I have a peer-reviewed study Greater Phoenix area, the four cities of During a public comment process, we that says this.’’ I want to make the ar- Chandler, Gilbert, Queen Creek, and should have the ability to scrutinize gument, in today’s technology, why

VerDate Sep 11 2014 01:57 Mar 30, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00027 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K29MR7.049 H29MRPT1 rfrederick on DSKBCBPHB2PROD with HOUSE H2546 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE March 29, 2017 shouldn’t your university, why need or justification for it. This is the base public protections on the best shouldn’t the really smart person who same bill, virtually, introduced in the available scientific information, much has the computer system in their base- last administration, and that is evi- of which is private or proprietary and ment, why shouldn’t the new statis- denced by my introduction of this cannot always be published. tical packages that are on these things good-government legislation with my In its current form, Mr. Speaker, this be allowed to take the data the tax- Democratic colleague HENRY CUELLAR. bill, the so-called Honest and Open New payers have paid for and work it and That shows it is a good, bipartisan bill. EPA Science Treatment Act, seriously model it and bounce it off other types Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to impedes the EPA’s ability to protect of datasets and ask is the way we support this legislation and promote a the American public from pollutants, model and regulate rational? more open and honest Federal Govern- toxins, and other dangerous threats to This bill doesn’t reduce regulations. ment. We should not be afraid of let- their well-being. In many ways, it allows us all to par- ting the American people see the data The true intention of this bill is not ticipate in the citizen science to under- that the EPA or other agencies say jus- to increase transparency in policy- stand whether we are doing it the right tifies their regulations. making but, rather, to bar scientists way. So let’s vote for an open and honest and civil servants from enforcing the Why is the left so scared of citizen government and support this legisla- intent of bedrock protections in the scientists, of university scientists, of tion. Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, people who are just darned interested Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance and other important laws. in the matching of different types of of my time. If this ‘‘secret science’’ bill passes in datasets? The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. its current form, the EPA’s work will grind to a halt and countless Ameri- You and I might find out we are GRAVES of Louisiana). All time for de- doing things the wrong way. You and I bate has expired. cans will suffer or even die as a result. might find out we are not doing Pursuant to House Resolution 229, Hardworking miners, whose work and contributions have been overly politi- enough. You and I may find out we are the previous question is ordered on the cized in the debate to keep access to doing far too much. But stop being bill. science, are the greatest at risk. Gen- afraid of people having access to the The question is on the engrossment erations of miners toil dutifully to sup- information. If society is going to live and third reading of the bill. port their families, all the while expos- under a regulatory environment, then The bill was ordered to be engrossed ing themselves to toxicity and pollu- society deserves access to the informa- and read a third time, and was read the tion that can leave them with lifelong tion that creates those regulations. third time. Public information for public policy, debilitating diseases, such as black b 1445 why is that so feared? Why is there so lung and asthma. Families who will struggle from the much trust in the bureaucracy instead MOTION TO RECOMMIT costs to treat these expensive diseases of science and information? Mr. MCEACHIN. Mr. Speaker, I have and from loss of income due to days I want to argue with you that, in to- a motion to recommit at the desk. missed from work do not need more ob- day’s world, when we are on the cusp, The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is the struction or political football. They where sensors are going to be attached gentleman opposed to the bill? need access to the best care available, to this, taking thousands of readings in Mr. MCEACHIN. I am opposed. which relies upon evidence-based our communities, that that informa- The SPEAKER pro tempore. The science. They deserve far better than tion is just as noble as something that Clerk will report the motion to recom- what the majority is offering. is locked up in the cabinet where none mit. Mr. Speaker, I came to Congress with of us can actually see the base The Clerk read as follows: a mission to uphold the values and datasets. Mr. McEachin moves to recommit the bill principles of the great constituents liv- Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of H.R. 1430 to the Committee on Science, ing in Virginia’s Fourth Congressional Texas. Mr. Speaker, since the time Space, and Technology with instructions to District. I believe that includes advo- that President Nixon signed into law report the same back to the House forthwith, with the following amendment: cating for the health of all Americans. authorizing the EPA, it appears to me That means advocating for sound that there has been no evidence that At the end of the bill, add the following: SEC. 3. EXCEPTION. science and reasonable policies. It they have done anything other than at- means rejecting dangerous, short- tempt to protect the lives of the Amer- Notwithstanding the amendment made by section 2, the Administrator of the Environ- sighted, and an astonishingly hard- ican people. I don’t believe that this mental Protection Agency shall, in carrying hearted piece of legislation that is cur- legislation is going to do anything to out the activities described in that amend- rently before you. further that. ment, make use of the best available science, Mr. Speaker, science is the bedrock It will give them a lot of unfunded whether or not it is publicly available in any of sound medical and public health de- mandates, far more than what they form, when responding to threats to public cisionmaking. EPA’s science-based de- would ever be funded to carry out. I health, including black lung disease and cisionmaking process has saved lives would ask everyone to respect the asthma, caused by or exacerbated by expo- sure to pollution or toxic chemicals. and led to the dramatic improvements Agency and vote ‘‘no’’ on the bill. in the quality of the air we breathe, Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- the water we drink, and the Earth we of my time. ant to the rule, the gentleman from share. Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I Virginia is recognized for 5 minutes in All Americans have benefited from yield myself the balance of my time. support of his motion. the research-based scientific advice Mr. Speaker, costly environmental Mr. MCEACHIN. Mr. Speaker, this is that scientists have provided the EPA, regulations should only be based upon the final amendment to the bill, which and that is why I urge my colleagues to data that is available to independent will not kill the bill or send it back to support my motion to recommit. scientists and the public and that can committee. If adopted, the bill will im- Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance be verified. mediately proceed to final passage, as of my time. H.R. 1430, the HONEST Act, gives amended. Mr. SCHWEIKERT. Mr. Speaker, I independent scientists an opportunity Mr. Speaker, my amendment is sim- rise in opposition to the motion. to validate the studies the EPA uses to ple. It ensures that the EPA continues The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gen- make new regulations. What this bill to use the best available science to re- tleman from Arizona is recognized for 5 does not do is roll back the laws that spond to threats to public health, in- minutes. protect the air we breathe and the cluding black lung and asthma, caused Mr. SCHWEIKERT. Mr. Speaker, I water we drink. It simply requires the by or exacerbated by exposure to pollu- don’t really know the gentleman from EPA to base regulations on science tion or toxic chemicals. Virginia, but you can hear in the tone that is publicly available. This motion to recommit reverses of his voice he is truly well-meaning This is a nonpartisan bill. A change harmful restrictions imposed by this and cares about his State and his popu- in administration does not change the bill that make it almost impossible to lation.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:48 Mar 30, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00028 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K29MR7.050 H29MRPT1 rfrederick on DSKBCBPHB2PROD with HOUSE March 29, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H2547 If you actually read this motion to RECESS Gottheimer Lowey Ruppersberger recommit, things in here, such as best Green, Al Lujan Grisham, Ryan (OH) The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- Green, Gene M. Sa´ nchez available science, are obvious. If you ant to clause 12(a) of rule I, the Chair Grijalva Luja´ n, Ben Ray Sarbanes actually read the three pages of the declares the House in recess subject to Gutie´rrez Lynch Schakowsky Hanabusa Maloney, Schiff legislation, that is the obvious part. the call of the Chair. For many of us—and being sort of the Hastings Carolyn B. Schneider Accordingly (at 2 o’clock and 52 min- Heck Maloney, Sean Schrader original previous generation author of utes p.m.), the House stood in recess. Higgins (NY) Matsui Scott (VA) the bill—that was our goal. Himes McCollum Scott, David But does anyone see sort of the intel- f Hoyer McEachin Serrano Huffman McGovern lectual duplicity when, on one hand, Sewell (AL) b 1620 Jackson Lee McNerney Shea-Porter you say proprietary science, and then— Jayapal Meeks Sherman the best available science, but other AFTER RECESS Jeffries Meng Sinema science can’t test, stress, analyze, Johnson (GA) Moulton Sires The recess having expired, the House Johnson, E. B. Murphy (FL) Smith (WA) bounce, conflate, model the propri- Jones Nadler was called to order by the Speaker pro Soto Kaptur Napolitano etary science, because it is proprietary, Speier tempore (Mr. DUNCAN of Tennessee) at Keating Neal with the best available and other Suozzi 4 o’clock and 20 minutes p.m. Kelly (IL) Nolan Swalwell (CA) datasets? Kennedy Norcross Takano You can’t have both. If you are going f Khanna O’Halleran Thompson (CA) to try to make public policy in a world Kihuen O’Rourke ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER Thompson (MS) with functionally secret, proprietary Kildee Pallone PRO TEMPORE Kilmer Panetta Titus science data that is sold—actually, Kind Pascrell Tonko let’s be brutally honest here for a mo- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- Krishnamoorthi Pelosi Torres ant to clause 8 of rule XX, proceedings Kuster (NH) Perlmutter Tsongas ment. This stuff is sold to the EPA. Vargas will resume on questions previously Langevin Peters One of the reasons some of the groups Larsen (WA) Peterson Veasey that have been listed off oppose this postponed. Larson (CT) Pingree Vela legislation is they make money selling Votes will be taken in the following Lawrence Pocan Vela´ zquez the data, and then they make it so you order: Lawson (FL) Polis Visclosky Lee Price (NC) Walz can’t actually look at the datasets un- Adoption of the motion to recommit Levin Quigley Wasserman derneath and test it. on H.R. 1430; and Lewis (GA) Raskin Schultz How does that lead us to knowing Passage of H.R. 1430, if ordered. Lieu, Ted Rice (NY) Waters, Maxine The first electronic vote will be con- Lipinski Richmond Watson Coleman that we are taking care of our brothers Loebsack Rosen Welch and sisters out there? How does that ducted as a 15-minute vote. The re- Lofgren Roybal-Allard Wilson (FL) lead us to actually knowing we are maining electronic vote will be con- Lowenthal Ruiz Yarmuth doing it the best possible, most ration- ducted as a 5-minute vote. NAYS—232 al way and that our rules, our mechan- f ics are correct? Abraham DeSantis Joyce (OH) Aderholt DesJarlais Katko On your motion to recommit, I am a HONEST AND OPEN NEW EPA Allen Diaz-Balart Kelly (MS) severe asthmatic. I have had it since I SCIENCE TREATMENT ACT OF 2017 Amash Donovan Kelly (PA) was an infant. I am one of those people The SPEAKER pro tempore. The un- Amodei Duncan (SC) King (IA) who wakes up every day and takes a Arrington Duncan (TN) King (NY) finished business is the vote on the mo- Babin Dunn Kinzinger hit of my inhaler to make sure my tion to recommit on the bill (H.R. 1430) Bacon Emmer Knight lungs are okay. In the back room, I to prohibit the Environmental Protec- Banks (IN) Farenthold Kustoff (TN) have an emergency inhaler. I know Barletta Faso Labrador tion Agency from proposing, finalizing, Barr Ferguson LaHood what it is like to live with asthma. or disseminating regulations or assess- Barton Fitzpatrick LaMalfa I care tremendously about the ments based upon science that is not Bergman Fleischmann Lamborn science, but I also want there to be vig- transparent or reproducible, offered by Biggs Flores Lance orous debate. I want there to be all Bilirakis Fortenberry Latta the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Bishop (MI) Foxx Lewis (MN) sorts of research. I want there to be MCEACHIN), on which the yeas and nays Bishop (UT) Franks (AZ) LoBiondo this sort of crowd-sourced world where were ordered. Black Frelinghuysen Long science and data are competing with Blackburn Gaetz Loudermilk The Clerk will redesignate the mo- Blum Gallagher Love each other and being modeled together; tion. Bost Garrett Lucas and living in a world where we trust The Clerk redesignated the motion. Brady (TX) Gibbs Luetkemeyer the bureaucracy, where we trust pro- The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Brat Gohmert MacArthur prietary, secret information to make Bridenstine Goodlatte Marchant question is on the motion to recommit. Brooks (AL) Gosar Marshall our rule sets. The vote was taken by electronic de- Brooks (IN) Gowdy Massie I don’t know how anyone, intellectu- vice, and there were—yeas 189, nays Buchanan Granger Mast Buck Graves (GA) McCarthy ally, can get to the point of thinking 232, not voting 8, as follows: that is making our society healthier Bucshon Graves (LA) McCaul [Roll No. 205] Budd Graves (MO) McClintock and that we are actually doing it in the Burgess Griffith McHenry YEAS—189 most efficient manner possible. Byrne Grothman McKinley Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance Adams Castro (TX) Delaney Calvert Guthrie McMorris Aguilar Chu, Judy DeLauro Carter (GA) Harper Rodgers of my time. Barraga´ n Cicilline DelBene Carter (TX) Harris McSally The SPEAKER pro tempore. Without Bass Clark (MA) Demings Chabot Hartzler Meadows objection, the previous question is or- Beatty Clarke (NY) DeSaulnier Chaffetz Hensarling Meehan dered on the motion to recommit. Bera Clay Deutch Cheney Herrera Beutler Messer Beyer Cleaver Dingell Coffman Hice, Jody B. Mitchell There was no objection. Bishop (GA) Clyburn Doggett Cole Higgins (LA) Moolenaar The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Blumenauer Cohen Doyle, Michael Collins (GA) Hill Mooney (WV) question is on the motion to recommit. Blunt Rochester Connolly F. Collins (NY) Holding Mullin The question was taken; and the Bonamici Conyers Ellison Comer Hollingsworth Murphy (PA) Boyle, Brendan Cooper Engel Comstock Hudson Newhouse Speaker pro tempore announced that F. Correa Eshoo Conaway Huizenga Noem the noes appeared to have it. Brady (PA) Costa Espaillat Cook Hultgren Nunes Mr. MCEACHIN. Mr. Speaker, on that Brown (MD) Courtney Esty Costello (PA) Hunter Olson Brownley (CA) Crist Evans Cramer Hurd Palazzo I demand the yeas and nays. Bustos Crowley Foster Crawford Issa Palmer The yeas and nays were ordered. Butterfield Cuellar Frankel (FL) Culberson Jenkins (KS) Paulsen The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- Capuano Cummings Fudge Curbelo (FL) Jenkins (WV) Pearce ant to clause 8 of rule XX, further pro- Carbajal Davis (CA) Gabbard Davidson Johnson (LA) Perry Ca´ rdenas Davis, Danny Gallego Davis, Rodney Johnson (OH) Pittenger ceedings on this question will be post- Cartwright DeFazio Garamendi Denham Johnson, Sam Poe (TX) poned. Castor (FL) DeGette Gonzalez (TX) Dent Jordan Poliquin

VerDate Sep 11 2014 01:57 Mar 30, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00029 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K29MR7.053 H29MRPT1 rfrederick on DSKBCBPHB2PROD with HOUSE H2548 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE March 29, 2017 Posey Sanford Trott Duncan (TN) Kustoff (TN) Rohrabacher Maloney, Sean Price (NC) Soto Ratcliffe Scalise Turner Dunn Labrador Rokita Matsui Quigley Speier Reed Schweikert Upton Emmer LaHood Rooney, Francis McCollum Raskin Stefanik Reichert Scott, Austin Valadao Farenthold LaMalfa Rooney, Thomas McEachin Rice (NY) Suozzi Renacci Sensenbrenner Wagner Ferguson Lamborn J. McGovern Richmond Swalwell (CA) Rice (SC) Sessions Walberg Fleischmann Lance Roskam McNerney Ros-Lehtinen Takano Roby Shimkus Walden Flores Latta Ross Meeks Rosen Thompson (CA) Roe (TN) Shuster Walker Fortenberry Lewis (MN) Rothfus Meng Roybal-Allard Thompson (MS) Rogers (AL) Simpson Walorski Moore Ruiz Foxx LoBiondo Rouzer Titus Rogers (KY) Smith (MO) Walters, Mimi Franks (AZ) Long Moulton Ruppersberger Royce (CA) Tonko Rohrabacher Smith (NE) Weber (TX) Frelinghuysen Loudermilk Murphy (FL) Ryan (OH) Russell Torres Rokita Smith (NJ) Webster (FL) Gaetz Love Nadler Sa´ nchez Rutherford Tsongas Rooney, Francis Smith (TX) Wenstrup Gallagher Lucas Scalise Napolitano Sanford Rooney, Thomas Smucker Westerman Garrett Luetkemeyer Neal Sarbanes Vargas Schweikert Veasey J. Stefanik Williams Gibbs MacArthur Scott, Austin Nolan Schakowsky Vela Ros-Lehtinen Stewart Wilson (SC) Gohmert Marshall Sensenbrenner Norcross Schiff Roskam Stivers Wittman O’Halleran Vela´ zquez Goodlatte Massie Sessions Schneider Ross Taylor Womack O’Rourke Schrader Visclosky Gosar Mast Shimkus Rothfus Tenney Woodall Gowdy McCarthy Pallone Scott (VA) Walz Shuster Rouzer Thompson (PA) Yoder Granger McCaul Panetta Scott, David Wasserman Simpson Royce (CA) Thornberry Yoho Graves (GA) McClintock Pascrell Serrano Schultz Smith (MO) Russell Tiberi Young (IA) Graves (LA) McHenry Pelosi Sewell (AL) Waters, Maxine Smith (NE) Rutherford Tipton Zeldin Graves (MO) McKinley Perlmutter Shea-Porter Smith (NJ) Watson Coleman Griffith McMorris Peters Sherman Smith (TX) Welch NOT VOTING—8 Grothman Rodgers Pingree Sinema Smucker Wilson (FL) Carson (IN) Moore Slaughter Guthrie McSally Pocan Sires Stewart Yarmuth Duffy Payne Young (AK) Harper Meadows Polis Smith (WA) Stivers Marino Rush Harris Meehan Hartzler Messer Taylor NOT VOTING—7 Tenney Hensarling Mitchell Duffy Payne Young (AK) Thompson (PA) b 1645 Herrera Beutler Moolenaar Marchant Rush Thornberry Messrs. BISHOP of Michigan, Hice, Jody B. Mooney (WV) Marino Slaughter Higgins (LA) Mullin Tiberi GRAVES of Georgia, MITCHELL, Hill Murphy (PA) Tipton b 1654 LOUDERMILK, BUDD, HUNTER, Holding Newhouse Trott BROOKS of Alabama, ROHRABACHER, Hollingsworth Noem Turner So the bill was passed. Upton WITTMAN, PALAZZO, WALDEN, and Hudson Nunes The result of the vote was announced Huizenga Olson Valadao as above recorded. THOMAS J. ROONEY of Florida Hultgren Palazzo Wagner changed their vote from ‘‘yea’’ to Hunter Palmer Walberg A motion to reconsider was laid on Hurd Paulsen Walden the table. ‘‘nay.’’ Walker Issa Pearce PERSONAL EXPLANATION Ms. MCCOLLUM, Messrs. CORREA, Jenkins (KS) Perry Walorski NORCROSS, AL GREEN of Texas, and Jenkins (WV) Peterson Walters, Mimi Mr. DUFFY. Madam Speaker, on March 29, DOGGETT changed their vote from Johnson (LA) Pittenger Weber (TX) 2017, on rollcall No. 203 on ordering the pre- ‘‘nay’’ to ‘‘yea.’’ Johnson (OH) Poe (TX) Webster (FL) vious question, I am not recorded. Had I been Johnson, Sam Poliquin Wenstrup So the motion to recommit was re- Jones Posey Westerman present, I would have voted ‘‘aye.’’ jected. Jordan Ratcliffe Williams On rollcall No. 204 on agreeing to the reso- The result of the vote was announced Joyce (OH) Reed Wilson (SC) lution, H. Res. 233, providing for consideration Katko Reichert Wittman as above recorded. Kelly (MS) Renacci Womack of H.R. 1431, I am not recorded. Had I been Stated for: Kelly (PA) Rice (SC) Woodall present, I would have voted ‘‘aye.’’ Ms. MOORE. Mr. Speaker, I was unavoid- King (IA) Roby Yoder On rollcall No. 205 on motion to recommit King (NY) Roe (TN) Yoho with instructions, I am not recorded. Had I ably detained. Had I been present, I would Kinzinger Rogers (AL) Young (IA) have voted ‘‘yea’’ on rollcall No. 205. Knight Rogers (KY) Zeldin been present, I would have voted ‘‘nay.’’ The SPEAKER pro tempore. The On rollcall No. 206 on final passage of H.R. question is on the passage of the bill. NOES—194 1431, I am not recorded. Had I been present, The question was taken; and the Adams Crowley Higgins (NY) I would have voted ‘‘aye’’ on final passage of Speaker pro tempore announced that Aguilar Cummings Himes H.R. 1431. Barraga´ n Curbelo (FL) Hoyer the ayes appeared to have it. Bass Davis (CA) Huffman f RECORDED VOTE Beatty Davis, Danny Jackson Lee HOUR OF MEETING ON TOMORROW Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Bera DeFazio Jayapal Beyer DeGette Jeffries Mr. SMITH of Texas. Madam Speak- Texas. Mr. Speaker, I demand a re- Bishop (GA) Delaney Johnson (GA) corded vote. Blumenauer DeLauro Johnson, E. B. er, I ask unanimous consent that when A recorded vote was ordered. Blunt Rochester DelBene Kaptur the House adjourns today, it adjourn to Bonamici Demings Keating meet at 9 a.m. tomorrow. The SPEAKER pro tempore. This Boyle, Brendan DeSaulnier Kelly (IL) will be a 5-minute vote. F. Deutch Kennedy The SPEAKER pro tempore (Ms. The vote was taken by electronic de- Brady (PA) Dingell Khanna TENNEY). Is there objection to the re- vice, and there were—ayes 228, noes 194, Brown (MD) Doggett Kihuen quest of the gentleman from Texas? Brownley (CA) Doyle, Michael Kildee There was no objection. not voting 7, as follows: Bustos F. Kilmer [Roll No. 206] Butterfield Ellison Kind f Capuano Engel Krishnamoorthi AYES—228 Carbajal Eshoo Kuster (NH) PERSONAL EXPLANATION Abraham Bost Collins (GA) Ca´ rdenas Espaillat Langevin Aderholt Brady (TX) Collins (NY) Carson (IN) Esty Larsen (WA) Mr. TONKO. Madam Speaker, during Allen Brat Comer Cartwright Evans Larson (CT) yesterday evening’s vote series, I was Amash Bridenstine Comstock Castor (FL) Faso Lawrence present on the House floor. However, Amodei Brooks (AL) Conaway Castro (TX) Fitzpatrick Lawson (FL) Arrington Brooks (IN) Cook Chu, Judy Foster Lee my vote was not recorded on rollcall Babin Buchanan Costa Cicilline Frankel (FL) Levin No. 202, due to a technical malfunction. Bacon Buck Cramer Clark (MA) Fudge Lewis (GA) Had I been recorded, I would have Banks (IN) Bucshon Crawford Clarke (NY) Gabbard Lieu, Ted voted ‘‘no’’ on S.J. Res. 34. Barletta Budd Cuellar Clay Gallego Lipinski Barr Burgess Culberson Cleaver Garamendi Loebsack f Barton Byrne Davidson Clyburn Gonzalez (TX) Lofgren Bergman Calvert Davis, Rodney Cohen Gottheimer Lowenthal NATIONAL VIETNAM WAR Biggs Carter (GA) Denham Connolly Green, Al Lowey VETERANS DAY Bilirakis Carter (TX) Dent Conyers Green, Gene Lujan Grisham, Bishop (MI) Chabot DeSantis Cooper Grijalva M. (Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania Bishop (UT) Chaffetz DesJarlais Correa Gutie´rrez Luja´ n, Ben Ray asked and was given permission to ad- Black Cheney Diaz-Balart Costello (PA) Hanabusa Lynch Blackburn Coffman Donovan Courtney Hastings Maloney, dress the House for 1 minute and to re- Blum Cole Duncan (SC) Crist Heck Carolyn B. vise and extend his remarks.)

VerDate Sep 11 2014 01:57 Mar 30, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00030 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A29MR7.022 H29MRPT1 rfrederick on DSKBCBPHB2PROD with HOUSE March 29, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H2549 Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. MORE RESOURCES ARE NEEDED not easy, but it is essential, it is life- Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor TO SECURE OUR BORDER saving. I want to be on the side of sav- the first official National Vietnam War (Mr. POE of Texas asked and was ing lives of all Americans. It is not Veterans Day. Just yesterday, Presi- given permission to address the House easy and it is not something to fool dent Trump signed a bill into law per- for 1 minute.) around with. manently designating March 29 as the Mr. POE of Texas. Madam Speaker, f day we honor our Vietnam veterans. foreign national Tommy Alvarado-Ven- Madam Speaker, in many instances, HONORING LIEUTENANT tura has a string of arrests to his FREDERICK DELLECKER our Vietnam veterans often did not re- name, including assault, imperson- ceive a warm welcome home when they ation, drunk driving, and contempt of (Mr. YOHO asked and was given per- returned from war. This is a small step court. Not to mention that he has been mission to address the House for 1 toward giving these brave men and deported four times. And, oh, yes, minute and to revise and extend his re- women the recognition they deserve. Madam Speaker, he is an MS–13 gang marks.) It was on this day in 1973 that the member. Mr. YOHO. Madam Speaker, I rise last combat troops were ordered out of Despite being deported four times, he today to honor the loss of a Floridian, Vietnam. Forty-four years later, the made his way back to America. This a patriot, and one of the Air Force’s House and Senate unanimously ap- time, he stabbed a woman in a parking finest. proved this Federal statute recognizing lot. Then he went to a house only to Two weeks ago, three servicemem- and honoring our Vietnam veterans sexually assault a 2-year-old. When his bers were lost in a crash of a reconnais- who answered the Nation’s call and girlfriend saw the bruises on the child, sance and surveillance plane in New served with honor and distinction. he stabbed her as well. Eventually, Mexico. These young men were not just This effort began in Pennsylvania as servicemembers serving in our United the brainchild of Sergeant Harold Red- NYPD arrested him. Madam Speaker, our porous border is States Air Force; they were sons, ding, a Vietnam veteran from York, brothers, husbands, and fathers. Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania’s own Sen- not secure. Foreign criminals who vio- lently assault and rape women and In particular, Florida’s own Lieuten- ator PAT TOOMEY led the charge to children in the United States keep ant Frederick Dellecker, a dedicated make this day a reality. first lieutenant, had a long and prom- Madam Speaker, we all know some- coming back to America. Border offi- cials are doing the best they can do ising career ahead of him. Lieutenant one who served in Vietnam. Those vet- Dellecker was 26 and known amongst erans are our friends, our family, our with what they have. But the message is clear: they need his friends for his legendary humor. neighbors. Thank you to all of our As a veterinarian, I was particularly Vietnam veterans. May God bless you more to secure our border. Washington must send more resources, boots on the touched by Lieutenant Dellecker’s love on this National Vietnam War Vet- of animals. His friends and family re- erans Day. ground, aerostats, and military equip- ment, if necessary, to establish a vir- cently revealed that, while in pilot f tual border wall against outlaws like training, Lieutenant Dellecker once HONORING MAUREEN ‘‘MO’’ Alvarado-Ventura. shared a hotdog with a flea-bitten GILMAN And that is just the way it is. stray who had just delivered a litter of (Mr. HOYER asked and was given f puppies and was starving. He ended up permission to address the House for 1 taking her in and giving her a second HEALTH CARE IS NOT EASY, BUT chance at a new life. minute and to revise and extend his re- IT IS ESSENTIAL marks.) I would like to take a moment on be- Mr. HOYER. Madam Speaker, I rise (Ms. JACKSON LEE asked and was half of all Americans and all of the to honor a dear friend, Maureen ‘‘Mo’’ given permission to address the House Members here today to thank him and Gilman, who retired on March 17 as the for 1 minute.) his family for their service. legislative director of the National Ms. JACKSON LEE. Madam Speaker, Lieutenant Frederick Dellecker, Treasury Employees Union. $880 billion cut from the insurance of your name will not be forgotten. Mo served NTEU with great ability hardworking, low-income families; $600 f for 31 years after working in this House billion going to the top 1 percent of the CHAIRMAN OF HOUSE INTEL- for former Representatives Sam richest people in America. Those were LIGENCE COMMITTEE SHOULD Gejdenson of Connecticut and Chris the singular features of the TrumpCare DO THE RIGHT THING AND Dodd, also of Connecticut. bill: not caring for any one of you, but RECUSE HIMSELF NTEU represents approximately simply taking away and providing for 150,000 Federal employees working in 31 the rich. (Mr. BRENDAN F. BOYLE of Penn- Federal agencies. Mo has been tireless Health care in my district and in sylvania asked and was given permis- in the effort to ensure that Federal ci- America is very serious. I heard the sion to address the House for 1 minute vilian employees receive the pay, bene- testimony for many years of mothers and to revise and extend his remarks.) fits, and workplace protections they who had autistic children or children Mr. BRENDAN F. BOYLE of Pennsyl- deserve. Mo spent a considerable part with severe disorders, or visited nurs- vania. Madam Speaker, I am someone of her years at NTEU educating Con- ing homes where elderly who had who believes in this institution. So, gress and administrations about the worked were there on Medicaid, or Madam Speaker, this week, to me, has important work Federal servants carry maybe heard the pleas of cancer sur- been an embarrassment. It is an embar- out. vivors who would not have lived but for rassment that we here in the House At a time when some in Congress and the Affordable Care Act and having in- can’t have a real, genuine bipartisan in the current administration are deni- surance. investigation by our Intelligence Com- grating Federal civil servants, threat- This is nothing to play with. Any mittee. ening to reduce their pay and benefits suggestion that health care is easy, Mr. Fortunately, this afternoon, the and deeply cut the budgets of agencies Trump, or that we can get together chairman and ranking member—one for which they work, I am more than a with the moderates is not a direction Democrat and one Republican—of the little sad to see Mo retire. But as she to go. If you are serious, we are seri- Senate Intelligence Committee have does, Madam Speaker, I am certain ous. But we are serious about people signaled in a joint press conference that Mo will keep inspiring us all to whose lives are in jeopardy, and we are that they are interested in having a continue the fight with the same re- serious about providing access and real investigation. solve that she showed every day of her health care to all of America, including Wouldn’t it be nice if the House of career. our rural hospitals and our children’s Representatives would do the same? I hope my colleagues will join me, hospitals, who beg for us not to pass Madam Speaker, it gives me no Madam Speaker, in wishing Mo Gilman TrumpCare. pleasure to say this, but the chairman well and thanking her for her extraor- We are prepared to work on behalf of of our House Intelligence Committee dinary work on behalf of our country. the American people. Health care is has acted in a way that makes a real

VerDate Sep 11 2014 01:57 Mar 30, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00031 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K29MR7.059 H29MRPT1 rfrederick on DSKBCBPHB2PROD with HOUSE H2550 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE March 29, 2017 investigation in our House impossible. minute and to revise and extend his re- BUCKLEY V. VALEO He should do the right thing and recuse marks.) REINTRODUCTION himself, and this House should join the Mr. LAMALFA. Madam Speaker, to- (Ms. KAPTUR asked and was given Senate in having a real investigation. night I rise to commend the House for permission to address the House for 1 f passing H.R. 1430, what is known as the minute.) HONEST Act. This would put more of CONGRATULATING AND HONORING Ms. KAPTUR. Madam Speaker, I rise the onus on to the Environmental Pro- ANGELINA M. PENNISI STEINER today to introduce a resolution: Ex- tection Agency, sometimes known as pressing the sense of Congress that the (Mr. GAETZ asked and was given per- the employment prevention agency, to mission to address the House for 1 Supreme Court misinterpreted the disclose where they get their science or First Amendment to the Constitution minute and to revise and extend his re- where they get their reasoning when marks.) in the case of Buckley v. Valeo. they are going to make a regulation This resolution will restore equal Mr. GAETZ. Madam Speaker, I come upon the people that produce in this from the State of Florida, where we footing to all Americans in our Na- country. have many of our citizens who live in tion’s politics. My own constituents have suffered nursing homes. Despite the views of The landmark Supreme Court case from that in my district in northern some, those residents can live remark- Buckley v. Valeo was decided over 40 California, where arbitrary rules are able, productive, and fulfilling lives. years ago. Then-Justice Byron White One such resident is Angelina put in place without even the oppor- called the decision ‘‘a mortal danger Steiner. Mrs. Steiner lives in the Plant tunity to face their accuser of what against which effective preventive and City Senior Center. She shares her tal- kind of science they are using or what curative steps must be taken.’’ ents in weekly poetry readings. She be- kind of reasoning they are using to put In the wake of the recent Presi- came a member of the Florida Writers a regulation in place that they have to dential election where spending ap- Association. In 2014, she published her fight, and fight sometimes for many proached $5 billion, we clearly see the first book: ‘‘Chasing Dreams.’’ Now, years, in order to have the opportunity influence of big money. That money her second book: ‘‘Beautiful Words just to use their land, just to use their exerts an inordinate amount of influ- Coming My Way’’ is being published land for planting crops or for grazing ence over our politics. True to form, it and archived in the Library of Con- or for other things that would help appears to have endowed donors with gress. them with their livelihood, with their an unusually high number of Cabinet A loving wife and a mother of four economy, like they have been using for positions in the Trump administration. children, Mrs. Steiner is inspired by ev- so many years, even decades, in their Over one-third of President Trump’s eryday events. She has the talent to families. high-level government posts were paint beautiful pictures through her The HONEST Act will put account- awarded to megacampaign donors. poetry, and I am incredibly proud of ability back on the EPA to say you Congress must end the current prac- her. have to come forward with reasoning, tice of allowing elections to be bought f with logic, and with science that is by the highest bidder. If money equals publicly available and not hidden from RECOGNIZING SOCIAL SCIENTISTS free speech, then lack of money equals the public so that we can see what you FROM THE CONSORTIUM OF SO- lack of free speech. are using to regulate the people. CIAL SCIENCE ASSOCIATIONS We must ensure that our campaigns (Mr. LIPINSKI asked and was given f are reflective of the people’s voices. permission to address the House for 1 Buckley v. Valeo took away this invio- minute and to revise and extend his re- TRUMP ADMINISTRATION’S TIES late First Amendment right from the marks.) WITH RUSSIA people, and this resolution is the rem- Mr. LIPINSKI. Madam Speaker, I (Mr. VEASEY asked and was given edy to restore it. want to recognize the 80 social sci- permission to address the House for 1 f entists from the Consortium of Social minute.) Science Associations, who are visiting Mr. VEASEY. Madam Speaker, I rise b 1715 Washington, D.C., today, and to thank today to continue the call for an inde- REMOVAL OF NAME OF MEMBER them for their hard work keeping our pendent commission to investigate the AS COSPONSOR OF H.J. RES. 17 STEM enterprise strong. President’s ties with Russia. Mr. SANFORD. Madam Speaker, I They are here to highlight the value Congress has the responsibility to en- ask unanimous consent that my name of social science research to the Na- sure we investigate these matters ap- be removed as a cosponsor from H.J. tion, and to support funding for the so- propriately. We must provide the Res. 17. cial, behavioral, and economic sciences American people with answers, trans- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there in the National Science Foundation parency, and accountability. We know objection to the request of the gen- budget. that there are issues with the House In- tleman from South Carolina? Social science research has provided telligence Committee on the Repub- us with numerous benefits. Some of There was no objection. lican side, so it is time that we ask for these include: strengthening cybersecu- an independent commission to take the f rity by showing us how changes in be- lead. havior can eliminate cyber vulnerabili- MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT Let’s be honest, at the end of the day, ties; making our soldiers safer by you are the company you keep. So far, A message in writing from the Presi- working with the Army to improve its President Trump’s team has included a dent of the United States was commu- cross-cultural training; and saving national security adviser who was paid nicated to the House by Mr. Brian lives by improving the system of by Russian companies to appear at Pate, one of his secretaries. matching kidney donors with patients. Madam Speaker, we must have Russian events, a former campaign f strong Federal funding for social manager who had a multimillion-dollar QUESTIONING THE RUSSIAN science research. Cuts would make contract to advance Putin’s agenda, CONNECTION and now we have the issues again with America weaker, not greater. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under I urge my colleagues to oppose any the Republican side of the Intelligence the Speaker’s announced policy of Jan- cuts to social science funding in the Committee to cover up tracks left by uary 3, 2017, the gentleman from Mary- NSF budget. the Trump administration. As we further untangle the web cre- land (Mr. RASKIN) is recognized for 60 f ated by Trump and his team, it is clear minutes as the designee of the minor- PUTTING ACCOUNTABILITY BACK that some Republicans are fearful of ity leader. ON THE EPA what potential investigations may re- GENERAL LEAVE (Mr. LAMALFA asked and was given veal. The American people deserve an- Mr. RASKIN. Madam Speaker, I ask permission to address the House for 1 swers. unanimous consent that all Members

VerDate Sep 11 2014 01:57 Mar 30, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00032 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K29MR7.061 H29MRPT1 rfrederick on DSKBCBPHB2PROD with HOUSE March 29, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H2551 have five legislative days to revise and Let’s talk about some of those allies with Russian Ambassador Sergey extend their remarks and include ex- and folks who are aligned with Trump Kislyak on two separate occasions dur- traneous materials on the subject of and with Russia: ing the campaign cycle, information my Special Order. Michael Flynn, who was fired from which he failed to disclose during his The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there the NSC after lying about discussing confirmation hearings. Kislyak is the objection to the request of the gen- sanctions with Russian Ambassador same Ambassador with whom Mike tleman from Maryland? Kislyak. Flynn discussed U.S. sanctions, and, by There was no objection. Paul Manafort, Trump’s former cam- the way, he lied about it. Mr. RASKIN. Madam Speaker, with paign manager, was a paid lobbyist for It has now been revealed that Rus- my colleague PRAMILA JAYAPAL, from Viktor Yanukovych, the pro-Russian sian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak met the State of Washington, on behalf of politician in Ukraine who fled to Rus- with the following Trump associates: the Progressive Caucus, we are taking sia in 2014. AP reports Manafort signed Carter Page, Jeff Sessions, Mike Flynn, this Special Order hour to focus on the a $10 million contract in 2006, with and Jared Kushner, in December 2016, question of the Russian connection. Russian billionaire and Putin ally Oleg in Trump Tower, during the transition. This is a matter of utmost serious- Deripaska, to advance Putin’s interest None of these meetings were made pub- ness and urgency to the American peo- in the United States. The New York lic and were only discovered after the ple because it goes to the question of Times also reports Manafort tried to press released reports. our national security and the political hide $750,000 in payments from a pro- Before the press reporting on the sovereignty of the American people to Russian party in Ukraine. meetings above, the Trump administra- engage in democracy on our own with- Carter Page, a former Trump cam- tion had repeatedly denied its cam- out foreign interference, subversion, paign adviser, is a consultant to and paign had contact and communication and sabotage. investor in the Kremlin state-run gas with Russian officials. The press has Madam Speaker, I yield to the gen- company, Gazprom, and has a direct fi- noted that the meetings are not un- tlewoman from California (Ms. MAXINE nancial interest in ending American usual but that public concern is height- WATERS), the distinguished Congress- sanctions against the company. He re- ened because they have all lied about woman. cently revealed that he met with Rus- or failed to disclose the meetings. Ms. MAXINE WATERS of California. sian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak, dur- Deutsche Bank was ordered to pay Madam Speaker, I would like to thank ing the 2016 RNC. more than $600 million in fines, includ- Congressman RASKIN for organizing And then there is Roger Stone, who ing a $425 million fine to New York’s this time, for helping to keep this Con- has worked in Ukraine. Stone an- Department of Financial Services and gress focused on this extraordinary nounced, in a speech last summer, that a $204 million fine to the U.K.’s Finan- chain of events that is taking place in he had spoken to WikiLeaks founder cial Conduct Authority for failing to our country, and for drawing attention Julian Assange. Stone also disclosed to have adequate money laundering con- to what should be a credible investiga- the press that he had been exchanging trols in place to prevent a group of cor- tion about the ties between this Presi- messages with Guccifer 2.0, the Russian rupt traders from improperly and se- dent and Vladimir Putin and the Krem- hacker that hacked the DNC last sum- cretly transferring more than $10 bil- lin. mer. lion out of Russia. Press reports indi- Why is this President so focused on And then-Secretary of Commerce cate that the Department of Justice is complimenting Putin? Wilbur Ross was a business partner of investigating this matter. Deutsche Why has he wrapped his arms around Viktor Vekselberg, a Russian oligarch Bank is Trump’s largest lender, lending him? and Putin ally, in a major financial his companies an estimated $360 mil- Why has he said he is a great Presi- project involving the Bank of Cyprus. lion. dent? Secretary of State Rex Tillerson As to oil and gas, President Trump Why does he refuse to even talk signed a multibillion-dollar agreement signed last month a bill striking sec- about the fact that Putin has invaded with Russia in 2011, on behalf of Exxon, tion 1504 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Crimea? for an oil drilling project in the Arctic Street Reform Act which required Big Why does he refuse to understand and is focused on lifting the sanctions. Oil companies to disclose the money what is being said when Putin is The New York Times reported that, they pay to foreign governments to charged to be a killer and all of the prior to his resignation, Mike Flynn drill on their lands. Striking section deaths that are taking place from op- was delivered a proposal outlining a 1504 will allow Big Oil companies like ponents of his, from people who criti- way for President Trump to lift the ExxonMobil to conduct secretive deal- cize him? Russian sanctions and broker a deal be- ings with corrupt parties, such as Well, I think the more we learn about tween Russia and Ukraine that also in- Vladimir Putin and Russia. the connections that this President cluded the public smearing of The White House attempted to enlist and his allies have, the more these Ukraine’s current President the FBI, the CIA Director Pompeo, and questions are going to become very se- Poroshenko. The deal is being pushed top Republicans on the House and Sen- rious, and it is going to lead us to have by his opposition in Ukraine. Although ate intel committees to help push back to make some big decisions about Mike Flynn is gone, the proposal re- against The New York Times reporting whether or not this President is fit to mains, along with those pushing it. on Trump’s ties to Russia. lead the United States of America. Then there is Michael Cohen, the There is DEVIN NUNES—I don’t need I have been deeply concerned about President’s personal lawyer, who was to talk about him. He issued a joint these issues for months. President involved in developing the document, statement with ADAM SCHIFF, a joint Trump, throughout his campaign and and who delivered the document. statement in January announcing that since his election, has chosen to sur- Then there is Felix H. Sater, a busi- the scope of their investigation would round himself with people who have ness associate and a former criminal include links between Russia and indi- close ties with Russia. who served time, who reportedly had viduals associated with political cam- When our intelligence agencies an- ties with the Mafia, who helped Mr. paigns. nounced their conclusion that Russia Trump scout deals in Russia. FBI Director James Comey an- interfered in our elections, I called for And then there is Andriy Artemenko, nounced on March 20, during testimony an investigation focusing on the possi- a Ukrainian lawmaker trying to rise in before the House Intelligence Com- bility of collusion between Trump’s a political opposition movement, mittee, that the FBI is investigating ‘‘Kremlin Klan,’’ that I have dubbed shaped in part by Mr. Trump’s former whether members of President Trump’s them, and the Russian Government. I campaign manager, Paul Manafort. campaign colluded with Russia to in- introduced H. Con. Res. 15, urging Con- And of course, there is our Attorney fluence the 2016 election. gress to investigate the possibility of General Jeff Sessions, who was forced DEVIN NUNES announced to the press collusion between Russia and the to recuse himself from investigations that members of Trump’s transition Trump campaign. Investigations related to the 2016 Presidential cam- team were under incidental surveil- should focus on the Kremlin Klan. paign, after it was revealed that he met lance by U.S. intelligence agencies

VerDate Sep 11 2014 01:57 Mar 30, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00033 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K29MR7.064 H29MRPT1 rfrederick on DSKBCBPHB2PROD with HOUSE H2552 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE March 29, 2017 after the election and briefed President We even know who in the Trump have confidence once again in their Trump on March 22. However, he did campaign gave the instruction to make government. not brief ADAM SCHIFF or other House this change. Mr. RASKIN. Mr. Speaker, I yield to Intelligence Committee members, and We know that there is an ongoing my colleague from Washington State he never revealed his source. DEVIN criminal investigation by the FBI of (Ms. JAYAPAL), who is the co-convener NUNES has clearly compromised the in- possible collusion by the Trump cam- of the Progressive Caucus Special vestigation and can no longer be trust- paign in the admitted Russian inter- Order along with me. ed to lead it. vention in the attempt by Russia to Ms. JAYAPAL. Mr. Speaker, I thank In conclusion, Congress must create subvert the 2016 Presidential campaign. my colleague, Mr. RASKIN of Maryland, a comprehensive, independent, bipar- Knowing all this, it is impossible to for his incredible leadership and for the tisan commission to expose the full ignore or to dismiss questions con- opportunity to continue to lead the truth of Trump’s ties to Russia. I be- cerning the credibility of the adminis- Special Order hour for the Progressive lieve that, once we have fully inves- tration, and, certainly, we must ask Caucus here every week. And every tigated Trump’s Kremlin Klan, we will questions regarding its legitimacy as week we do try to pick a different find that there was collusion between well, if there is persuasive evidence topic. President Trump and Russia to violate that crimes were committed in For those of you in the audience, we the integrity of our elections. colluding with Russia to subvert the pick a different topic, and this evening At that point, the Republicans in election. that topic is the ties to Russia of this Congress will have no choice but to put administration. b 1730 country ahead of party. I say impeach Yesterday, Sean Spicer told veteran Donald Trump. We have a duty to resolve this ques- White House correspondent April Ryan I thank you so much, as we witness tion, to get answers, to pursue the that she was ‘‘going to have to take what attempts to be a coverup now truth, and to remove any cancer that ‘no’ for an answer’’ when she asked him about all of this. we may find. about the President’s collusion with Mr. RASKIN. Madam Speaker, I want A few weeks ago, the Judiciary Com- Russia. to thank Ms. WATERS for her zealous mittee considered a resolution of in- Well, Mr. Spicer, we are here to tell work on behalf of her constituents and quiry that I introduced dealing with a you that we will not just take ‘‘no’’ for all Americans. number of issues, including the Presi- an answer. We are not going to sit back Madam Speaker, I yield to the gen- dent’s conflicts of interests, his pos- and believe everything that is coming tleman from New York (Mr. NADLER), sible violations of the Constitution’s out from the White House when there our distinguished colleague, who is a Emoluments Clause, and any informa- leading member of the House Judiciary is mounting evidence that President tion about possible criminal or coun- Trump’s campaign may have colluded Committee. terintelligence investigations related Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, there with Russia to tip the election in his to the President and/or his associates. is an obvious cancer at the heart of the favor. Yet, to date, the Republicans have op- credibility, perhaps even of the legit- And for those of you who saw the Ju- posed our amendments and voted down imacy, of the Trump administration. diciary Committee today, we had a res- our resolutions of inquiry, in effect, ab- That cancer consists of questions per- olution of inquiry from Representative dicating their constitutional obliga- taining to the relationship of this ad- HAKEEM JEFFRIES and TED LIEU about tion to provide oversight and enforce ministration with Russia. this very issue in relation to Attorney We know that the Russians inter- the law. General Jeff Sessions and his ties to vened in the last election with the goal Now we have the spectacle of the Russia. of advantaging Trump’s campaign over chairman of the House Intelligence Let’s not forget that President Hillary Clinton. We know that there Committee conducting an obvious Trump’s former national security ad- were numerous Trump campaign tran- coverup, failing to share important in- viser and campaign adviser only lasted sition team and administration offi- formation with members of the com- a record-setting 24 days in the role be- cials in contact with the Russians— mittee—information, I would add, that cause he blatantly lied about meeting prior to, during, and after the cam- revealed President Trump’s allegations with Russia’s Ambassador, Sergey paign. against former President Obama as Kislyak, during the campaign. We know that there is a pattern of completely false—while inappropri- So what other ties to Russia have these individuals at first denying such ately briefing people at the White been confirmed? contacts but later, after being forced to House on the committee’s investiga- There are so many of these ties that come clean, admitting them. tion, the very same people who are the I thought it might be helpful to have a Examples to date include: former Na- subjects of the investigation. diagram and to really show exactly tional Security Adviser Michael Flynn, This is so absurd, so inappropriate, what the connections have been be- Attorney General Jeff Sessions, and and beyond belief that it is tough to tween top Trump officials during the Roger Stone, who admitted that he was accept the reality of the situation. campaign who are now the same offi- in contact with Guccifer 2.0, the hacker Sadly, this isn’t a television drama we cials that are serving in the White that the CIA says is a Russian front for can turn off or walk away from. The in- House and are the President’s close and military intelligence. tegrity of our democratic system of personal confidants. The fact that a We know that the Attorney General government is at stake. diagram is even necessary tells us gave false testimony, deliberate or oth- What we need is honesty. The Amer- something. erwise, to the Senate regarding meet- ican people must have faith in the in- Let’s start at the top with the Presi- ings with Russian officials. tegrity of our government, and it is our dent himself. We know that President Trump has job to ensure it. It is time for answers. President Trump has a long history financial ties with Russia. Although he If there is no evidence of misconduct, with Russia. His first trip to Moscow denies it, we now know that there are then we should move on. But if the was actually 30 years ago. He went to large Russian investments in The truth reveals a conspiracy, if there is explore potential real estate opportuni- Trump Organization. The President’s proof of criminal conduct, Donald ties. His relationship with the country son, Donald Trump, Jr., said a few Trump must be held accountable, and has clearly grown. years ago that money was ‘‘flowing in’’ the people around him must be held ac- In the late 1990s, Trump started from Russia. That obviously can have a countable, and we must act. banking with Deutsche Bank, which major influence on the President and There is no superior way to get at the has since been investigated for fun- on the decisions of his administration. truth and to fulfill our duty to the peo- neling Russian money offshore. We know that there was a change in ple of this country than to have an Soon after that, he linked up with a the Republican platform dealing with independent investigatory commission Russian company called the Bayrock Ukraine to favor Russia, a change that established beyond any partisan con- Group, which has ties to the Mafia and was engineered by the Trump cam- trol. So I urge that that be done so to criminal interests in Russia. Their paign. that the people of this country can partnership was integral to helping to

VerDate Sep 11 2014 01:57 Mar 30, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00034 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K29MR7.065 H29MRPT1 rfrederick on DSKBCBPHB2PROD with HOUSE March 29, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H2553 expand The Trump Organization to new And now President Trump’s son-in-law, ment, then that is an enormous dis- heights, with properties springing up who has become one of his top advisers, service to our democracy, and, of across the country. is under investigation as well for his course, there are constitutional rami- His ties to Russia only grew deeper. actions during the campaign. fications for all of this. In the late 2000s, several Russian busi- Not only did Jared Kushner meet This administration has tried to tell nessmen bought properties from The with Ambassador Kislyak, he met with us that the conversations between Trump Organization, netting them the Russian bankers as well. And the Trump’s advisers and high-level Rus- hundreds of millions of dollars in prof- White House has claimed that the sian businessmen and officials were it. meetings were ‘‘diplomatic,’’ but it is about diplomacy. Yet this shroud of se- Now, let’s fast-forward to 2016 when deeply troubling that one of the bank- crecy that continues every time we try then-candidate Trump was building his ers that he met with was Sergey to get information, every time we try team. He brought on Carter Page, who Gorkov. to make sure that there is an inde- is now under investigation for commu- I want to be clear about who this per- pendent, bipartisan investigation, the nicating with Russian officials. And, in son is. He is a graduate of the Russian shroud of secrecy continues, and it fact, it was the Trump campaign’s Academy of the Federal Security Serv- begs the question: If this is really former manager, Corey Lewandowski, ice, which is an academy that is tasked about advocating for the interests of who gave Carter Page the green light with training individuals to become the American people and not the Rus- to visit Moscow just last July. A cou- members of Russia’s security and intel- sian Government or the pocketbooks of ple of weeks later, Mr. Page met with ligence forces. He is now the chairman Cabinet members, then why the se- Sergey Kislyak, but he said that he of the Vnesheconombank, and he was crecy? What is there to hide? will not reveal the details of that con- appointed by Putin, himself. This is We don’t understand that. If there is versation to the public. not a mom-and-pop bank. This is a nothing to hide, then let us have the This is a very important, consistent state-owned corporation that has been information. There have been plenty of fact that we see. Our resolution of in- under sanctions by the United States requests to do that in a classified way quiry today that we debated in the Ju- for the past 3 years. And that is a big in case there is some information that diciary Committee was about the re- deal. is classified. lease of information so that we under- Jared Kushner, whose family is But why are the President’s cam- stand what is going on. Without any worth nearly $2 billion, has real estate paign advisers and officials denying accusations, what we are trying to say interests around the world, sat down, under oath that they have commu- is let us investigate what these ties allegedly under the auspices of his role nicated with Russia only then to be are, what the conversations were, and with the President, to chat with this forced to walk back their statements let us determine, in an independent, bi- owner of the bank. A spokesperson for or recuse themselves, as Jeff Sessions partisan way, let us determine that the Kremlin has alleged that this meet- had to do, or to even resign? there has not been collusion, and let us ing was ‘‘absolutely the bank’s prerog- Foreign policy is key to American in- make sure that there is no foreign gov- ative’’ and that the Russian Govern- terests, but these backroom conversa- ernment that is affecting our ment was unaware of the meeting. tions and subsequent lies are doing We need more information to know democracy. nothing to make the American people what happened in that meeting be- So various members of Trump’s team feel confident in an administration cause, otherwise, where there is smoke, met with Russian officials during the that is supposed to represent them. It we think there is fire. So we need to campaign. But Attorney General Jeff is clear that there is a strong tie here have the information so that we can Sessions didn’t just meet with officials, that was only strengthened during the actually determine what is happening he lied about meeting with officials campaign. during his confirmation hearing. with these connections because, if But let’s be very clear about what is And again, the top prosecutor in the somebody from the Trump campaign the connective tissue in all of this, in United States of America lied under and the Trump administration is meet- all of these lines that go back and oath during a confirmation hearing. ing with Russian officials and they forth. What is the connective tissue This cannot be ignored. don’t want to tell us why or what is that connects all of this? It is money. Once again, we are not saying don’t discussed, then we have to start won- have conversations, but don’t lie about dering whether the conversations are How did we get to this point? them. Don’t make us wonder what hap- in the interest of the American people Of course, we remember the hacking pened during those conversations. How or in the interest of the Russian Gov- of the election that occurred last year. do we trust the Attorney General of ernment. It is in the process of being inves- the United States of America to fairly We also have Rex Tillerson, Presi- tigated, even though the chairman of and impartially preside if he has shown dent Trump’s Secretary of State, who the Intelligence Committee feels that that he is willing to make false state- has strong business ties to Russia and his first duty is to the President and ments just to get the job? was awarded the Order of Friendship not to the members of the committee. He is not the only high-level Trump from Vladimir Putin in 2013. This is the But last year, President Trump de- official who has been blatantly dis- highest honor that Russia can bestow fended Vladimir Putin by placing the honest with the American people. Mi- on noncitizens. Just 2 years prior, blame on the Democratic National chael Flynn, the former national secu- Tillerson had struck a massive $500 bil- Committee to distract the American rity adviser, was put in place by Presi- lion oil deal with the Russian Govern- people; and then, in July, he outright dent Trump and resigned due to the ment. urged Russia to hack Hillary Clinton’s shady backdoor dealings that put him Now, we could go on and on with this, emails, saying: ‘‘Russia, if you are lis- in the pocket of Russian officials. He but what is important for the Amer- tening, I hope you are able to find the was paid $45,000 to attend a state-spon- ican people to understand is that we 30,000 emails that are missing.’’ sored gala dinner and sit at the table of have expectations that the President of In December, a CIA assessment con- Vladimir Putin. the United States and that his Cabinet cluded that Russia was trying to help These connections are more than just are working in the interests of the then-candidate Trump win the elec- mere coincidence. American people. tion. Why? Because they know that And in addition to Flynn, Page, and We have expectations that, if a deal they have an ally in President Trump. Sessions, there are several others who is struck, it is not for the benefit of They have someone who is willing to have been implicated: Trump’s former some other country or for the personal do business with them, even if it may campaign manager, Paul Manafort; benefit of any individual in office, but not be in the best interests of the former campaign adviser, Roger Stone; that it is for the public’s benefit. And American people. They know that they his personal lawyer—all of these folks if a deal is struck that takes benefit are well connected at every level of his are up here—his personal lawyer, Mi- away from the public in order to give it administration. chael Cohen, are all under investiga- to a foreign government or to an indi- And let’s be clear about who we are tion for their connections to Russia. vidual personal interest of our govern- talking about with Mr. Putin. This is a

VerDate Sep 11 2014 01:57 Mar 30, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00035 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K29MR7.066 H29MRPT1 rfrederick on DSKBCBPHB2PROD with HOUSE H2554 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE March 29, 2017 dictator, a human rights abuser, some- down on our demands. Representative there, a dictator, a despot, someone body whom Republicans and Demo- NUNES should recuse himself from this who orders out for the assassination of crats, alike, have said we cannot be as- investigation. There is no way we can his political enemies. Many of them sociated with. expect a full and impartial investiga- were arrested. Hundreds of them were b 1745 tion after what has just occurred. arrested in Moscow, and some of them This should not be a partisan issue. are still in jail right now. You have heard of ‘‘The Manchurian Every Member of Congress, Republican Mr. Speaker, we should be on the side Candidate.’’ In the most recent elec- and Democrat, should be demanding to of the protesters in Russia. That is who tion, we may have ended up with the know the facts. We are not making we are as America. We are a nation Kremlin candidate, and the script truly judgments. We want to know the facts. conceived in revolutionary insurgency writes itself. If there are facts that we don’t know against corruption, against monarchy, We were hoping to have a chance to that say, no, there were very legiti- against dictators and autocrats and get to the bottom of this, as I said. We mate conversations, there was no col- theocrats and kleptocrats who steal were hoping to have a chance to get to lusion, then we are done. Why tie up from the people. That is who we are. the bottom of this in a hearing in the the airwaves with this? We should be meeting with them. We House Intelligence Committee, but we So tonight, as we think about where should be meeting with the human never got the chance. we are in this debate and we think rights activists. We should be meeting Last Tuesday, Representative NUNES about the fact that, for 3 months, this with the anticorruption marchers who went to the secret briefing in a Na- administration has been under the are putting themselves on the front tional Security Council facility, and shadow of secrecy, under the shadow of lines of history. We should be meeting what he found apparently wasn’t good mistrust from the American people, with the dissenters and the critics of for the President because he ran over there is a very easy way to clear all of Vladimir Putin and the oligarchs and there to tell the President. Instead of the names of the people who are on this big business kleptocrats who surround doing his duty and reporting the infor- list, including the President of the him. But, instead, our government has mation to the House Intelligence Com- United States, and that is to ensure aligned with Putin himself, with the mittee, he went straight to the White that we have an independent investiga- insiders in Russia. That is totally anti- House with his findings. And he is sup- tion; to ensure that Representative thetical to the design of America, when posed to be chairing an investigation NUNES recuses himself and steps down you think about it. into what happened, not being the run- as the chair of the Intelligence Com- Mr. Speaker, we have the great good ner for information to the President. mittee, given what has happened; and After briefing President Trump, Rep- fortune to go to work every day sur- to ensure that, at the end of the day, rounded by portraits of people who resentative NUNES canceled the hear- we remember that the Government of ing, denying Americans the oppor- built this country, like George Wash- the United States of America, the ington, who is right over there. We tunity to hear from former Acting At- President of the United States of torney General Sally Yates. And Rank- have got portraits of Thomas Jefferson. America, the Congress of the United We have got portraits of Frederick ing Member JIM HIMES was right when States of America, our one duty is to he said that ‘‘the Monday hearing last Douglass. We have got portraits of represent the people of the United Abraham Lincoln, who actually served week was, I’m sure, not to the White States of America. House’s liking.’’ in this body and, when he was here, Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman spent a lot of his time railing about a He went on to say: ‘‘Since Monday, from Maryland (Mr. RASKIN) for his I’m sorry to say, the chairman,’’ Chair- war that was concocted with lies by leadership. President James Polk, the Mexican man NUNES, ‘‘has ceased to be the Mr. RASKIN. Mr. Speaker, I thank War. chairman of an investigative com- Congresswoman JAYAPAL for her fan- mittee and has been running inter- tastic leadership for the people of But Lincoln knew how delicate and ference for the Trump White House.’’ Washington in the city of Washington precious and precarious an enterprise This is absolutely unacceptable. The and her zealous advocacy for all of the democracy is. In the Gettysburg Ad- fact that we are questioning whether American people. dress, he posed the question of how or not several members of the Presi- Mr. Speaker, let me try to recap long government of the people, by the dent’s Cabinet—not just one, not even some of the themes that we have people, and for the people can last. Will just two, but several members of the brought up this evening and talk about it perish from the Earth? And he put President’s Cabinet, including the what is really at stake here. But I want the question to the people because, he President, himself—are guilty of collu- to start with some good news, because said, it is up to us. sion with a foreign government is a there was really some great news out Democracy is a rarity in human his- downright outrage. of Russia on Sunday, where more than tory. Democracy is not the norm. That In my home district, the Seventh 75,000 people across the country braved is why America is a miraculous experi- District of Washington State, I have the tyranny and despotism of their ment on Earth. If you don’t do any- been receiving numerous calls, hun- government to go out into the streets thing, you are going to end up with dic- dreds of calls from constituents since to express their commitment to democ- tators and despots and kleptocrats who day one, saying: How can this be hap- racy, human rights, and against cor- steal from their own people, like Vladi- pening in this democracy? How is this ruption. mir Putin. possible in America? How do we make They were focused very specifically But America started a different way. sure that our government is rep- on some of the oligarchs who surround The first three words of our Constitu- resenting us and not a foreign entity? Vladimir Putin. One of them, Prime tion are ‘‘We, the people.’’ We, the peo- Why is it that somebody would lie Minister Medvedev, it has just been ple; we flipped the whole design. Before about whether or not they had a con- learned, has amassed more than $1 bil- that, the whole theory was that the versation with the Russian Govern- lion, as a public servant, in mansions, king had the power, and the king got ment if there was nothing to hide? in vineyards in Italy, in fancy cars, in power directly from God; and every- People are losing faith in the United jewelry—$1 billion. And the people of body was a subject of the king, and ev- States Government. It is a crisis of de- Russia are up in arms about the cor- erybody served the king. mocracy when people can’t trust that ruption, the kleptocracy, the stealing Our Founders had the vision, in that their government is actually trying to from the Russian people, which is in- outburst of enlightenment and enthu- get to the bottom of what is going on creasingly impoverished by the impe- siasm, to say, no, we are going to try and actually representing the interests rial designs and the corrupt practices something different: of the American people. of Putin and his team. We are going to start a government The White House may have a friend So tens of thousands of people went based on we, the people, and we are in Representative NUNES, but I want into the streets to protest. These are going to separate church and state; and the American people to know that they brave people, because you are talking we are not going to dictate to people have a friend in us. We won’t back about an authoritarian government their religious worship, and we are not

VerDate Sep 11 2014 01:57 Mar 30, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00036 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K29MR7.068 H29MRPT1 rfrederick on DSKBCBPHB2PROD with HOUSE March 29, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H2555 going to dictate to people their polit- Saudi Arabia, fomenting racist, anti- well, there is no evidence that Russia ical beliefs. There is going to be free- Semitic propaganda and sending it out, did this. Well, guess what? The evi- dom of thought and freedom of speech. oppressing people based on religion, dence is replete. It is decisive. It is de- We don’t trust the collapse of all not even allowing women to drive in terminative. powers into one, which Madison said their society. b 1800 was the very definition of tyranny. We Everywhere you turn, tyranny, des- are going to separate powers. The legis- potism on the march. Now we are not hearing from our lature, Congress, will come first, Arti- And Mr. Putin has a plan. How do we friends on the other side: Well, Russia cle I. It will represent the people. But know it? Do we know it from the didn’t do this. then we are going to have someone else Democratic Caucus or the Republican Now they are saying something dif- execute the laws of the people, faith- Conference? No. We know it from our ferent: Well, Russia may have done fully execute the laws of the people. intelligence agencies, from the FBI, that. It may have been this massive, That will be the President. And when the CIA, the National Security Agency, orchestrated campaign to undermine there are disputes, they will be adju- the Defense Intelligence Agency. and subvert our elections, but there is dicated in a third branch of govern- Seventeen of America’s intelligence no proof that that was actual collusion ment, by the Supreme Court, to figure agencies came back with a report, and by the Trump campaign. it out. they said Vladimir Putin has a plan to About that, I want to say two things. But we are going to separate the continue to destabilize and undermine Number one, it shouldn’t make any dif- powers, because when one guy has got liberal democracy all over the world. ference. Let’s say nobody in the Trump all the power, it endangers the free- Brexit was part of it. The interven- campaign knew anybody in Russia and doms and the liberties of everybody tion in our election was part of it. never heard of Vladimir Putin. It else. We even said, even though our They are going after France, where would make no difference because we President is limited by the separation they want the rightwing, ultra nation- should still view this as a radical of powers, we are going to make sure alist, anti-immigrant campaign of Ma- threat to the political sovereignty of that the President and also the Mem- rine Le Pen to triumph in France. the American people. bers of Congress will have an undi- They are trying to do it in Germany, But the second answer is even more vided, zealous loyalty only to the which is now the strongest outpost of important. As all of my colleagues American people. liberal democracy left on Earth, as of were pointing out before, every day we Article I, section 9 says we cannot yet, uncontaminated by the penetra- get more evidence not just of contacts accept presents, emoluments, which tion of Russian intelligence and and connections, but actual collabora- are any kind of payments, offices, or ti- Putin’s agents. tion and cooperation between people in tles from foreign princes, foreign But what did they do to us? What is the Trump campaign, the Trump fam- kings, or foreign states, period. We this all about? ily, and the Trump universe with can’t accept them without the approval Well, we had an election in 2016. The Vladimir Putin and his closest agents of Congress. It doesn’t go. sovereign people of America had an and assets throughout Russia and There were all kinds of powers that election. Now, unfortunately, we are around the world. were sending spies and saboteurs to still using the electoral college, which Let’s just recap a few of those: Washington, when the country first is antiquated and obsolescent. There is former national security adviser Mi- began, to try to pay off elected offi- a movement to change it afoot to the chael Flynn was forced to resign, or I cials, but our Founders had the vision national popular vote. But be that as it guess he was fired by President Trump to say: No, we are not going to accept may, that is our system. We haven’t re- after he failed to disclose the scope of that. We are not going to allow pay- formed it yet. It is our system. It is our his contacts with Russians, including ments and bribes and fancy presents elections here in America. But the Ambassador Kislyak. He was paid more being given to our elected officials. electoral college makes it more vulner- than $33,000 in 2015 by Russian-funded So one government, separated pow- able because you just have to intervene propaganda media, and the full extent ers, based on public integrity, honesty, in a handful of States in order to sway of his relationship to the Russians is and devotion to the people. That is the the vote. still being investigated. model here. What did Putin do? Again, we know Attorney General Jeff Sessions was Now, we should be on the side of this. I am not making this up. We forced to recuse himself from this democratic movements all over the know this from our intelligence agen- whole matter because he met several Earth, like the people who assembled cies. If you don’t believe me, you go to times with Ambassador Kislyak, who in Moscow on Sunday, who assembled your computer and you just look up has been described as Russia’s top spy in Siberia on Sunday. There were the intelligence agency report on Rus- in America during the 2016 election. marchers even there. It was like our sian interference and espionage and Then—I will speak charitably here—he Women’s March. It took place all over sabotage in our 2016 election. misled his own colleagues in the Sen- the country. Those are our people. We And what did they do? ate about it at his Senate confirmation should be on the side of the people who They spied on different Democratic hearing raising the issue and then de- are trying to overthrow the despotism institutions, like the Democratic Na- nying that he had had any contact with in Russia. tional Committee, and they spied on the Russians at all. But look what is happening. Tyranny particular people. Senior adviser and son-in-law Jared and authoritarianism are on the march They engaged in not just cyber espio- Kushner met with the Russian Ambas- all over the world. Russia is the head- nage, but cyber sabotage. sador at Trump Tower a few months quarters of it, but you can find it ev- They orchestrated a series of leaks ago in December of 2016. We have got erywhere you look: which dominated election coverage in former Trump campaign foreign policy Philippines, a madman dictator who the United States for several weeks. adviser Carter Page, who has admitted thinks he has the power to send his They orchestrated a campaign of that he met with the Russian Ambas- agents out to go and shoot people on fake news and propaganda in order to sador and other Russians in Cleveland the street because they look like they undermine Hillary Clinton, who was re- at the Republican National Convention are a drug dealer and brags about it, viled—and is reviled, presumably—by and met with managers from Rosneft, Duterte; Vladimir Putin because she challenged the Russian-owned oil company. He Hungary, another favorite of Vladi- him, and she challenged the human himself owns shares of a Russian en- mir Putin, Mr. Orban, who is cracking rights situation in Russia and the in- ergy company called Gazprom. down on press freedom, on human volvement of Russia with various dic- Roger Stone, Trump’s longtime rights in his country; tators in other parts of the world. So buddy and political adviser, was work- Iran, authoritarian, theocratic state; they interfered in our election. ing with WikiLeaks, which published people being thrown in jail for blas- When I first got to Congress, that documents during the election based on phemy, for heresy, for apostasy, for re- was still being disputed. When we tried information divulged because of Rus- ligious offenses; to talk about this, it was being said, sian interference and espionage that

VerDate Sep 11 2014 01:57 Mar 30, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00037 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K29MR7.070 H29MRPT1 rfrederick on DSKBCBPHB2PROD with HOUSE H2556 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE March 29, 2017 tilted the scales again in favor of jective 9/11-style commission—no Who has got the strongest economy Trump in the campaign, and he hosted Democratic politicians, no Republican on Earth? a series on the Russian propaganda politicians, and no elected officials. We do, the freest, the original democ- network. Let’s agree on gifted statesmen and racy. We have got the strongest econ- Paul Manafort, Trump’s campaign stateswomen who can really get to the omy. manager for 6 months, was an adviser bottom of this if we care about the Who has got the strongest military? to Ukrainian oligarchs who got sweet- truth. Their answer has been: No, we We do. heart business deals from Putin’s asso- have got the Intelligence Committee to Russia can’t come close. But the way ciates. He was also a business partner do it instead. I understand what happened in 2016 was of Russian oligarchs close to Putin. He But now what we have got is the In- that Vladimir Putin—who is not an resigned in August of last year after re- telligence Committee chair traveling honest man, but he is a clever man— ports surfaced that suggested that he back and forth to the White House, decided that this was a moment of op- had received $12.7 million from spilling the beans, which undermines portunity for Russia. He is the former Ukraine’s pro-Russia former president everybody’s confidence in the integrity chief of the KGB. Let’s not forget that. Viktor Yanukovych. He was on the of the investigation that is taking He is the guy who said that the great- payroll for $10 million, it has just come place into the Russian connection and est catastrophe of the 20th century was out, in order to promote the Russian what actually happened in the 2016 the collapse of the Soviet Union. He is perspective and Putin’s propaganda in election. an irredentist imperialist who wants to Washington, D.C., and throughout the Mr. Speaker, in the American system go back and reconstruct the Russian United States in order to change the of government, elected officials have to empire. course of U.S. politics. have undivided loyalty to the Amer- But what he saw was an opportunity, Now, I am sorry to put these out ican people. That is why we have got which is that today the whole world is there as a bunch of clues. I wish we had the Emoluments Clause: no presents, linked, and it is linked by the internet. a coherent story to tell. We don’t, be- no emoluments, no offices, and no ti- He created something that I think of as cause what we need is a comprehensive tles from foreign governments. That is a Manhattan Project for military con- 9/11-style independent investigation to why we swear an oath to the Constitu- quest and defeat of the liberal democ- figure out what precisely happened. In tion of the United States of America. racies in the 21st century. America you are presumed innocent Each one of us who has the great honor He set about to figure out this ques- until proven guilty. Nobody is putting and privilege of coming to Washington, tion: How can we undermine and sub- any of these people in jail, but it has D.C., to represent the people swear an vert the liberal democracies? come out, despite their best efforts in oath to our Constitution and to our These are open societies. America is some cases, that they are up to their people. an open society. We pride ourselves on necks in the Russian connection. We are not a country, like so many, the First Amendment, on freedom of What does that mean for American that are defined by one religion. We are speech, and on free dialogue and discus- democracy? not defined by one race. We are not de- sion. What we know is there was a massive fined by one ethnicity. We are not de- So he said to himself: How can I sub- independent expenditure in 2006. That fined by one political party. We are not vert and undermine that? is what we call it under our FEC law defined by one political ideology. We The answer became very clear: to when you go out and spend money to are defined by one Constitution. That create—really on the cheap, because try to destroy one candidate and help is what unifies us as Americans. We compared to military might, this is another. There was a massive foreign must be constitutional patriots here pennies on the dollar—he was going to independent expenditure orchestrated and insist upon our constitutional val- create an internet army, in effect, to by Vladimir Putin. ues and the rule of law for democracy try to undermine and subvert our de- The question is: Was it, in FEC to be meaningful in the 21st century. mocracy with fake news, with propa- terms, a coordinated expenditure? That There is a new model of tyrannical ganda, and with paid trolls to get infor- is, did the Trump team actively work government traveling all over the mation out to try to destroy the rep- with them? world, and all the bullies and despots utations of opposition politicians and As we are saying, there are lots of have found each other. They are in to try to promote the parties that he clues that suggest it is so. I am not league together. They want govern- viewed as ‘‘within his camp.’’ willing to say that they were definitely ment as a moneymaking operation. Guess what? in cahoots with them. I am not willing They want government as a money- It still is going on today. It is still to say that they were necessarily col- making operation for private elites in happening. We are not talking about laborating the election. But the evi- their country, whether it is in Russia ancient history. We are talking about dence accumulates every single day or the Philippines or Saudi Arabia. Sad an ongoing project. That is why I am that points in that direction. to say, we are starting to see the devel- proud to be a member of the minority Now every day in Washington, D.C., opment of that right here in the United caucus here, the Democratic Party what we are doing is running around States of America. caucus, which is insisting that we cre- because there is a coverup that has So we have the opportunity and we ate an independent, objective, neutral, been unfolding. Today, of course, we have the responsibility to exercise our 9/11-style commission to investigate are dealing with a resolution in the rights as citizens under the First the Russian connection and what hap- House Judiciary Committee to try to Amendment and to exercise our privi- pened with the attack on American de- get to the bottom of what Chairman leges as Members of Congress under the mocracy in 2016. NUNES of the House Intelligence Com- speech or debate clause to speak up We have got to get to the bottom of mittee actually did when he ran over against the march of tyranny all over it. Two-thirds of the American people to the White House with some informa- the Earth. We have got an obligation in public opinion polls say that they tion that he had about Trump appar- to resist the corruption—the same cor- support such a commission. There is ently being picked up incidentally in ruption that the people in Russia were nobody who would oppose it except for conversations that were being tapped marching against on Sunday. We must somebody who has got something to by the American intelligence commu- demand real answers about what took hide. But for the rest of us, we have nity with foreign operatives. Again, it place in our Presidential election in every reason to get to the bottom of is shadowy because we don’t know the 2016. The intelligence agencies warned this plot to destroy our election in whole thing. But what we do know is us that what happened in 2016 was a 2016, and we have every reason to de- that Chairman NUNES went to the dress rehearsal for what is going to fend this great constitutional democ- White House to tell President Trump happen the next time and the time racy with everything we have got. or his deputies before he told anybody after that. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance here in Congress. I want to say something about the of my time. Now, we have been saying from the geopolitics of this. Think about it for a The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. beginning we want an independent, ob- second: ARRINGTON). Members are reminded to

VerDate Sep 11 2014 01:57 Mar 30, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00038 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K29MR7.072 H29MRPT1 rfrederick on DSKBCBPHB2PROD with HOUSE March 29, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H2557 refrain from engaging in personalities p.m.), under its previous order, the REPORTS OF COMMITTEES ON toward the President. House adjourned until tomorrow, PUBLIC BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS f Thursday, March 30, 2017, at 9 a.m. Under clause 2 of rule XIII, reports of CONTINUATION OF THE NATIONAL f committees were delivered to the Clerk EMERGENCY WITH RESPECT TO EXECUTIVE COMMUNICATIONS, for printing and reference to the proper SIGNIFICANT MALICIOUS CYBER- ETC. calendar, as follows: Mr. ROE of Tennessee: Committee on Vet- ENABLED ACTIVITIES—MESSAGE Under clause 2 of rule XIV, executive FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE erans’ Affairs. H.R. 369. A bill to eliminate communications were taken from the the sunset of the Veterans Choice Program, UNITED STATES (H. DOC. NO. 115– Speaker’s table and referred as follows: and for other purposes, with an amendment 26) 932. A letter from the Secretary, Depart- (Rept. 115–65). Referred to the Committee of The SPEAKER pro tempore laid be- ment of Defense, transmitting a letter on the the Whole House on the state of the Union. fore the House the following message approved retirement of Lieutenant General Mr. CHAFFETZ: Committee on Oversight from the President of the United Wendy M. Masiello, United States Air Force, and Government Reform. H.R. 194. A bill to and her advancement to the grade of lieuten- ensure the effective processing of mail by States; which was read and, together Federal agencies, and for other purposes with the accompanying papers, referred ant general on the retired list, pursuant to 10 U.S.C. 1370(c)(1); Public Law 96-513, Sec. 112 (Rept. 115–66). Referred to the Committee of to the Committee on Foreign Affairs (as amended by Public Law 104-106, Sec. the Whole House on the state of the Union. and ordered to be printed: 502(b)); (110 Stat. 293); to the Committee on Mr. CHAFFETZ: Committee on Oversight Armed Services. and Government Reform. H.R. 657. A bill to To the Congress of the United States: amend title 5, United States Code, to extend Section 202(d) of the National Emer- 933. A letter from the Secretary, Depart- ment of Defense, transmitting a letter on the certain protections against prohibited per- gencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1622(d)) provides approved retirement of Lieutenant General sonnel practices, and for other purposes, for the automatic termination of a na- Christopher C. Bogdan, United States Air with an amendment (Rept. 115–67). Referred tional emergency unless, within 90 Force, and his advancement to the grade of to the Committee of the Whole House on the days prior to the anniversary date of lieutenant general on the retired list, pursu- state of the Union. ant to 10 U.S.C. 1370(c)(1); Public Law 96-513, Mr. CHAFFETZ: Committee on Oversight its declaration, the President publishes and Government Reform. H.R. 679. A bill to in the Federal Register and transmits to Sec. 112 (as amended by Public Law 104-106, Sec. 502(b)); (110 Stat. 293); to the Committee amend title 41, United States Code, to im- the Congress a notice stating that the prove the manner in which Federal contracts emergency is to continue in effect be- on Armed Services. 934. A letter from the Principal Director, for design and construction services are yond the anniversary date. In accord- Force Resiliency, Office of the Assistant Sec- awarded, to prohibit the use of reverse auc- ance with this provision, I have sent to retary for Readiness, Department of Defense, tions for design and construction services the Federal Register for publication the transmitting the National Guard and Re- procurements, and for other purposes; with enclosed notice stating that the na- serve Equipment Report for Fiscal Year 2018, amendments (Rept. 115–68). Referred to the Committee of the Whole House on the state tional emergency declared in Executive pursuant to 10 U.S.C. 10541(a); Public Law 101-510, Sec. 1483(a) (as amended by Public of the Union. Order 13694 of April 1, 2015, is to con- Mr. CHAFFETZ: Committee on Oversight Law 112-81, Sec. 1070); (125 Stat. 1592); to the tinue in effect beyond April 1, 2017. and Government Reform. Authorization and Committee on Armed Services. Significant malicious cyber-enabled Oversight Plans for all House Committees 935. A letter from the Secretary, Depart- (Rept. 115–69). Referred to the Committee of activities originating from, or directed ment of Defense, transmitting a letter on the the Whole House on the state of the Union. by persons located, in whole or in sub- approved retirement of Lieutenant General stantial part, outside the United Mr. HENSARLING: Committee on Finan- Kevin W. Mangum, United States Army, and cial Services. H.R. 1219. A bill to amend the States, continue to pose an unusual his advancement to the grade of lieutenant Investment Company Act of 1940 to expand and extraordinary threat to the na- general on the retired list, pursuant to 10 the investor limitation for qualifying ven- tional security, foreign policy, and U.S.C. 1370(c)(1); Public Law 96-513, Sec. 112 ture capital funds under an exemption from economy of the United States. There- (as amended by Public Law 104-106, Sec. the definition of an investment company fore, I have determined that it is nec- 502(b)); (110 Stat. 293); to the Committee on (Rept. 115–70). Referred to the Committee of Armed Services. the Whole House on the state of the Union. essary to continue the national emer- 936. A letter from the Secretary, Securities gency declared in Executive Order 13694 Mr. HENSARLING: Committee on Finan- and Exchange Commission, transmitting the cial Services. H.R. 1343. A bill to direct the with respect to significant malicious Commission’s Major final rule — Amend- Securities and Exchange Commission to re- cyber-enabled activities. ment to Securities Transaction Settlement vise its rules so as to increase the threshold DONALD J. TRUMP. Cycle [Release No.: 34-80295; File No.: S7-22- amount for requiring issuers to provide cer- THE WHITE HOUSE, March 29, 2017. 16] (RIN: 3235-AL86) received March 28, 2017, tain disclosures relating to compensatory pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law f benefit plans (Rept. 115–71). Referred to the 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Com- Committee of the Whole House on the state JOINT RESOLUTIONS PRESENTED mittee on Financial Services. of the Union. TO THE PRESIDENT 937. A letter from the Chief, Pricing Policy Division, Wireline Competition Bureau, Fed- f Karen L. Haas, Clerk of the House, eral Communications Commission, transmit- PUBLIC BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS reported that on March 27, 2017, she ting the Commission’s final rule — Com- presented to the President of the prehensive Review of the Part 32 Uniform Under clause 2 of rule XII, public United States, for his approval, the fol- System of Accounts [WC Docket No.: 14-130]; bills and resolutions of the following lowing joint resolutions: Jurisdictional Separations and Referral to titles were introduced and severally re- H.J. Res. 83. Disapproving the rule sub- the Federal-State Joint Board [CC Docket ferred, as follows: mitted by the Department of Labor relating No.: 80-286] received March 28, 2017, pursuant By Mr. KILMER (for himself and Mr. to ‘‘Clarification of Employer’s Continuing to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, FARENTHOLD): Obligation to Make and Maintain an Accu- Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on H.R. 1770. A bill to expand the Govern- rate Record of Each Recordable Injury and Energy and Commerce. ment’s use and administration of data to fa- Illness’’. 938. A letter from the Executive Secretary, cilitate transparency, effective governance, H.J. Res. 69. Providing for congressional United States Agency for International De- and innovation, and for other purposes; to disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United velopment, transmitting twenty-one notifi- the Committee on Oversight and Govern- States Code, of the final rule of the Depart- cations of a federal vacancy and designation ment Reform. ment of the Interior relating to ‘‘Non-Sub- of acting officer, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 3349(a); By Mr. BILIRAKIS (for himself, Mrs. sistence Take of Wildlife, and Public Partici- Public Law 105-277, 151(b); (112 Stat. 2681-614); MCMORRIS RODGERS, Mr. JONES, Mr. pation and Closure Procedures, on National to the Committee on Oversight and Govern- DUNCAN of Tennessee, and Mr. Wildlife Refuges in Alaska’’. ment Reform. GAETZ): 939. A letter from the Chief, Publications H.R. 1771. A bill to improve the organiza- f and Regulations Branch, Internal Revenue tion of the Department of Veterans Affairs, ADJOURNMENT Service, transmitting the Service’s IRB only to ensure the accuracy of health care data rule — Employee Consents (Rev. Proc. 2017- used by the Department, and for other pur- Mr. RASKIN. Mr. Speaker, I move 28) received March 27, 2017, pursuant to 5 poses; to the Committee on Veterans’ Af- that the House do now adjourn. U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. fairs, and in addition to the Committee on The motion was agreed to; accord- 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on Appropriations, for a period to be subse- ingly (at 6 o’clock and 15 minutes Ways and Means. quently determined by the Speaker, in each

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:48 Mar 30, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00039 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K29MR7.074 H29MRPT1 rfrederick on DSKBCBPHB2PROD with HOUSE H2558 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE March 29, 2017 case for consideration of such provisions as budget and passed the regular appropriations Members; to the Committee on House Ad- fall within the jurisdiction of the committee bills; to the Committee on House Adminis- ministration, and in addition to the Com- concerned. tration. mittee on Oversight and Government Re- By Mr. ROE of Tennessee (for himself, By Mr. CRIST (for himself, Mr. form, for a period to be subsequently deter- Mr. COURTNEY, Mr. THOMPSON of POLIQUIN, Ms. SINEMA, Mr. DONOVAN, mined by the Speaker, in each case for con- Pennsylvania, Mr. KINZINGER, Mr. Mr. GARAMENDI, Ms. MOORE, Ms. NOR- sideration of such provisions as fall within PRICE of North Carolina, Mr. TON, Ms. MICHELLE LUJAN GRISHAM of the jurisdiction of the committee concerned. ´ KRISHNAMOORTHI, Mr. KILDEE, and New Mexico, Mr. CONYERS, Mr. By Mr. BEN RAY LUJAN of New Mex- Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi): BUTTERFIELD, and Mr. GRIJALVA): ico (for himself and Ms. MICHELLE H.R. 1772. A bill to authorize the creation H.R. 1780. A bill to amend the Internal Rev- LUJAN GRISHAM of New Mexico): of a commission to develop voluntary acces- enue Code of 1986 to provide a tax credit to H.R. 1787. A bill to provide that the pueblo sibility guidelines for electronic instruc- seniors who install modifications on their of Santa Clara may lease for 99 years certain tional materials and related technologies residences that would enable them to age in restricted land, and for other purposes; to used in postsecondary education, and for place, and for other purposes; to the Com- the Committee on Natural Resources. other purposes; to the Committee on Edu- mittee on Ways and Means. By Mr. MEADOWS (for himself and Ms. cation and the Workforce. By Mr. DONOVAN (for himself and Mr. GABBARD): By Mr. CHABOT (for himself and Ms. THOMAS J. ROONEY of Florida): H.R. 1788. A bill to extend the Vietnam VELA´ ZQUEZ): H.R. 1781. A bill to improve the ability of Service Medal to veterans of the Armed H.R. 1773. A bill to amend the Small Busi- the Federal Government to address synthetic Forces who participated in the S.S. Maya- ness Act to improve reporting on small busi- opioids, and for other purposes; to the Com- guez rescue operation; to the Committee on ness goals, achieve uniformity in procure- mittee on Energy and Commerce, and in ad- Armed Services. ment terminology, clarify the role of small dition to the Committees on the Judiciary, By Mr. NOLAN: business advocates, and for other purposes; and Oversight and Government Reform, for a H.R. 1789. A bill to prohibit the pay of Members of Congress during periods in which to the Committee on Small Business. period to be subsequently determined by the a Government shutdown is in effect, and for By Ms. VELA´ ZQUEZ (for herself and Speaker, in each case for consideration of other purposes; to the Committee on House Mr. CHABOT): such provisions as fall within the jurisdic- Administration, and in addition to the Com- H.R. 1774. A bill to amend the Small Busi- tion of the committee concerned. mittee on Oversight and Government Re- ness Act to provide for improvements to By Ms. GABBARD (for herself, Ms. form, for a period to be subsequently deter- small business development centers, the HANABUSA, and Mr. YOUNG of Alaska): mined by the Speaker, in each case for con- women’s business center program, the H.R. 1782. A bill to amend title 49, United sideration of such provisions as fall within SCORE program, and for other purposes; to States Code, to exempt certain flights from the jurisdiction of the committee concerned. the Committee on Small Business. increased aviation security service fees, and By Mr. O’ROURKE (for himself, Mr. By Mr. DEFAZIO (for himself and Mr. for other purposes; to the Committee on JONES, Mr. MOULTON, and Mr. YOUNG CONYERS): Homeland Security. H.R. 1775. A bill to amend part D of title By Mr. GRAVES of Missouri (for him- of Alaska): H.R. 1790. A bill to amend title 38, United XVIII of the Social Security Act to direct self, Ms. SCHAKOWSKY, and Ms. ROY- States Code, and the Internal Revenue Code the President to negotiate prescription drug BAL-ALLARD): of 1986 to establish, in the event of any war, prices and establish a formulary on behalf of H.R. 1783. A bill to revive and expand the a war tax to be collected and deposited in a Medicare beneficiaries, and for other pur- Intermediate Care Technician Pilot Program trust fund for the payment of benefits and poses; to the Committee on Energy and Com- of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and compensation to veterans of that war; to the merce, and in addition to the Committee on for other purposes; to the Committee on Vet- Committee on Ways and Means, and in addi- erans’ Affairs, and in addition to the Com- Ways and Means, for a period to be subse- tion to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, mittee on Armed Services, for a period to be quently determined by the Speaker, in each for a period to be subsequently determined subsequently determined by the Speaker, in case for consideration of such provisions as by the Speaker, in each case for consider- each case for consideration of such provi- fall within the jurisdiction of the committee ation of such provisions as fall within the ju- sions as fall within the jurisdiction of the concerned. risdiction of the committee concerned. committee concerned. By Ms. SCHAKOWSKY (for herself, Mr. By Mr. REICHERT (for himself and Mr. CUMMINGS, Ms. DELAURO, and Mr. By Mr. HUFFMAN (for himself, Ms. ´ SMITH of Washington): WELCH): BARRAGAN, Mr. BEYER, Mr. BLU- H.R. 1791. A bill to establish the Mountains H.R. 1776. A bill to improve access to af- MENAUER, Mr. CARTWRIGHT, Ms. to Sound Greenway National Heritage Area fordable prescription drugs; to the Com- CLARK of Massachusetts, Mr. CON- in the State of Washington, and for other mittee on Energy and Commerce, and in ad- NOLLY, Mr. DESAULNIER, Mr. ELLISON, purposes; to the Committee on Natural Re- dition to the Committees on Ways and Ms. ESHOO, Mr. GRIJALVA, Mr. sources. Means, and the Judiciary, for a period to be KHANNA, Mr. LANGEVIN, Ms. LEE, Mr. By Mr. ROHRABACHER (for himself subsequently determined by the Speaker, in TED LIEU of California, Ms. LOFGREN, and Mr. PETERSON): each case for consideration of such provi- Mr. LOWENTHAL, Ms. MCCOLLUM, Mr. H.R. 1792. A bill to amend the Internal Rev- sions as fall within the jurisdiction of the MCGOVERN, Mr. NADLER, Ms. NORTON, enue Code of 1986 to exclude from gross in- committee concerned. Mr. PALLONE, Mr. PASCRELL, Mr. come compensation received by employees By Mr. ABRAHAM: PETERS, Ms. PINGREE, Mr. POCAN, Mr. consisting of qualified distributions of em- H.R. 1777. A bill to amend titles 10 and 32, POLIS, Mr. QUIGLEY, Ms. SCHA- ployer stock; to the Committee on Ways and United States Code, to improve and enhance KOWSKY, Mr. SCHIFF, Ms. SPEIER, Mr. Means. authorities relating to the employment, use, TONKO, Ms. TSONGAS, Ms. VELA´ ZQUEZ, By Mr. RYAN of Ohio (for himself and status, and benefits of military technicians and Mr. WELCH): Mr. COSTELLO of Pennsylvania): (dual status), and for other purposes; to the H.R. 1784. A bill to prohibit drilling in the H.R. 1793. A bill to amend title 38, United Committee on Armed Services. Arctic Ocean; to the Committee on Natural States Code, to improve the enrollment of By Ms. CHENEY (for herself, Mr. Resources. veterans in certain courses of education, and CRAMER, Mr. CHAFFETZ, Mr. MCKIN- By Mr. KINZINGER (for himself, Ms. for other purposes; to the Committee on Vet- LEY, and Mr. ROTHFUS): SINEMA, Mr. OLSON, Mr. O’HALLERAN, erans’ Affairs, and in addition to the Com- H.R. 1778. A bill to provide that an order by Mr. CUELLAR, Mr. LIPINSKI, Mr. mittee on Armed Services, for a period to be the Secretary of the Interior imposing a GOTTHEIMER, Mr. HUNTER, Mrs. MUR- subsequently determined by the Speaker, in moratorium on Federal coal leasing shall not PHY of Florida, Mrs. WAGNER, Mr. each case for consideration of such provi- take effect unless a joint resolution of ap- CURBELO of Florida, and Mr. JODY B. sions as fall within the jurisdiction of the proval is enacted, and for other purposes; to HICE of Georgia): committee concerned. the Committee on Natural Resources. H.R. 1785. A bill to require a comprehensive By Mr. SCHRADER (for himself, Mr. By Mr. COOPER (for himself, Mrs. regional strategy to destroy the Islamic MOULTON, Ms. DELBENE, Ms. SPEIER, MURPHY of Florida, Mr. LIPINSKI, Mr. State of Iraq and al-Sham and its affiliates, and Mr. COOPER): COSTA, Ms. SINEMA, Mr. BERA, Mr. and for other purposes; to the Committee on H.R. 1794. A bill to reduce the annual rate O’HALLERAN, Mr. PETERS, Mr. HIMES, Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Com- of pay of Members of Congress if a Govern- Ms. BROWNLEY of California, Mr. mittees on Armed Services, and Intelligence ment shutdown occurs during a year, and for DESANTIS, Mr. KIND, Mr. KILMER, Mr. (Permanent Select), for a period to be subse- other purposes; to the Committee on House BUCHANAN, Mr. SCHNEIDER, Mr. quently determined by the Speaker, in each Administration, and in addition to the Com- VALADAO, Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illi- case for consideration of such provisions as mittee on Oversight and Government Re- nois, Mr. SCHRADER, and Mr. fall within the jurisdiction of the committee form, for a period to be subsequently deter- GOTTHEIMER): concerned. mined by the Speaker, in each case for con- H.R. 1779. A bill to provide that Members By Mr. LOEBSACK: sideration of such provisions as fall within of Congress may not receive pay after Octo- H.R. 1786. A bill to reduce the rate of pay the jurisdiction of the committee concerned. ber 1 of any fiscal year in which Congress has for Members of Congress by 10 percent and to By Mr. SENSENBRENNER (for him- not approved a concurrent resolution on the eliminate automatic pay adjustments for self, Mr. CONYERS, Mr. KATKO, Mr.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 01:57 Mar 30, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00040 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\L29MR7.100 H29MRPT1 rfrederick on DSKBCBPHB2PROD with HOUSE March 29, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H2559 JORDAN, Ms. JACKSON LEE, Mr. SCOTT CONSTITUTIONAL AUTHORITY Congress has the power to enact this legis- of Virginia, Ms. NORTON, Mr. COHEN, STATEMENT lation pursuant to the following: Mr. LABRADOR, Ms. LOFGREN, Mr. Article I, Section 6 of the Constitution of JOHNSON of Georgia, Mr. NADLER, Mr. Pursuant to clause 7 of rule XII of the United States. ISSA, and Mr. CHABOT): the Rules of the House of Representa- By Mr. CRIST: H.R. 1795. A bill to amend title 18, United tives, the following statements are sub- H.R. 1780. States Code, to reform certain forfeiture pro- mitted regarding the specific powers Congress has the power to enact this legis- cedures, and for other purposes; to the Com- granted to Congress in the Constitu- lation pursuant to the following: mittee on the Judiciary, and in addition to tion to enact the accompanying bill or The constitutional authority of Congress the Committees on Financial Services, and to enact this legislation is provided by Arti- Energy and Commerce, for a period to be joint resolution. cle I, Section 8 of the United States Con- subsequently determined by the Speaker, in By Mr. KILMER: stitution. each case for consideration of such provi- H.R. 1770. By Mr. DONOVAN: sions as fall within the jurisdiction of the Congress has the power to enact this legis- H.R. 1781. committee concerned. lation pursuant to the following: Congress has the power to enact this legis- By Ms. STEFANIK (for herself, Mr. Article 1, Section 8 of the US Constitution. lation pursuant to the following: JONES, Mr. KING of New York, Mr. By Mr. BILIRAKIS: United States Constitution, Article I, Sec- HECK, Mr. WEBSTER of Florida, Mr. H.R. 1771. tion 8. Congress has the power to enact this legis- DELANEY, Mr. WALZ, Mr. FASO, and By Ms. GABBARD: lation pursuant to the following: Mr. RUSH): H.R. 1782. H.R. 1796. A bill to amend title 37, United This bill is enacted pursuant to Article I, Congress has the power to enact this legis- States Code, to authorize, in connection with Section 8, Clause 1 of the Constitution of the lation pursuant to the following: the permanent change of station of a mem- United States and Article I, Section 8, The U.S. Constitution including Article 1, ber of the Armed Forces requiring relocation Clause 7 of the Constitution of the United Section 8. to another State, the reimbursement of the States. By Mr. GRAVES of Missouri: member for qualified relicensing costs in- Article I, section 8 of the United State H.R. 1783. curred by the spouse of the member to secure Constitution, which grants Congress the Congress has the power to enact this legis- a license or certification required by the power to raise and support an Army; to pro- lation pursuant to the following: State to which the member and spouse relo- vide and maintain a Navy; to make rules for Article 1, Section 8, Clause 1 of the cate, to encourage States to expedite license the government and regulation of the land Constituion, which grants Cognress the portability for military spouses, and for and naval forces; and provide for organizing, power to provide for the common Defense other purposes; to the Committee on Armed arming, and disciplining the militia. and general welfare of the United States Services. By Mr. ROE of Tennessee: [Page H1615] H.R. 1772. By Mr. WITTMAN (for himself and Ms. By Mr. HUFFMAN: Congress has the power to enact this legis- H.R. 1784. SHEA-PORTER): H.R. 1797. A bill to improve the provision lation pursuant to the following: Congress has the power to enact this legis- Article I, Section 8, Clause 1 of health care by the Department of Vet- lation pursuant to the following: By Mr. CHABOT: Article IV, Section 3, Clause 2: The Con- erans Affairs, and for other purposes; to the H.R. 1773. gress shall have Power to dispose of and Committee on Veterans’ Affairs. Congress has the power to enact this legis- make all needful Rules and Regulations re- By Mr. WITTMAN (for himself, Ms. lation pursuant to the following: specting the Territory or other Property be- SHEA-PORTER, and Mr. RYAN of Ohio): Article 1, Section 8, Clause 3 of the United H.R. 1798. A bill to direct the Secretary of longing to the United States; and nothing in States Constitution. Veterans Affairs to carry out a pilot pro- this Constitution shall be so construed as to By Ms. VELA´ ZQUEZ: gram to promote and encourage collabora- Prejudice any Claims of the United States, H.R. 1774. tion between the Department of Veterans Af- or of any particular State. Congress has the power to enact this legis- By Mr. KINZINGER: fairs and nonprofit organizations and insti- lation pursuant to the following: tutions of higher learning that provide ad- H.R. 1785. Article I, Section 8, Clause 3 Congress has the power to enact this legis- ministrative assistance to veterans; to the The Congress shall have Power * * * To lation pursuant to the following: Committee on Veterans’ Affairs. regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, Article 1, Section 8, Clause 1 and Article 1, By Mr. WITTMAN (for himself, Ms. and among the several States, and with the Section 8, Clause 18 SHEA-PORTER, Mr. RYAN of Ohio, and Indian Tribes. By Mr. LOEBSACK: Mr. JONES): By Mr. DEFAZIO: H.R. 1786. H.R. 1799. A bill to amend title 10, United H.R. 1775. Congress has the power to enact this legis- States Code, to include a single comprehen- Congress has the power to enact this legis- lation pursuant to the following: sive disability examination as part of the re- lation pursuant to the following: Clause 1 of Section 6 of Article I of the quired Department of Defense physical ex- Article I, Section 8, Clause 18 (relating to United States Constitution. amination for separating members of the the power to make all laws necessary and By Mr. BEN RAY LUJA´ N of New Mex- Armed Forces, and for other purposes; to the proper for carrying out the powers vested in ico: Committee on Armed Services, and in addi- Congress) H.R. 1787. tion to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, By Ms. SCHAKOWSKY: Congress has the power to enact this legis- for a period to be subsequently determined H.R. 1776. lation pursuant to the following: by the Speaker, in each case for consider- Congress has the power to enact this legis- Article I, Section 8, Clause 3 ation of such provisions as fall within the ju- lation pursuant to the following: By Mr. MEADOWS: risdiction of the committee concerned. The Congress shall have Power To lay and H.R. 1788. By Mr. JONES (for himself and Ms. collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises, Congress has the power to enact this legis- SHEA-PORTER): to pay the Debts and provide for the common lation pursuant to the following: H. Con. Res. 41. Concurrent resolution Defence and general Welfare of the United The constitutional authority of Congress commemorating the 100th anniversary of the States; to enact this legislation is provided by Arti- United States declaration of war against By Mr. ABRAHAM: cle 1, section 8 of the United States Constitu- Germany and entry into World War I and H.R. 1777. tion. recognizing and appreciating the lasting his- Congress has the power to enact this legis- By Mr. NOLAN: torical significance and heroic human en- lation pursuant to the following: H.R. 1789. deavor and sacrifice of the United States Article 1, Section 8, Clauses 12, 13, 14, 16, Congress has the power to enact this legis- Armed Forces in that conflict; to the Com- and 18 of the United States Constitution lation pursuant to the following: mittee on Armed Services. By Ms. CHENEY: Article I, Section 6, Clause 1 By Ms. KAPTUR (for herself, Mr. GENE H.R. 1778. By Mr. O’ROURKE: GREEN of Texas, Ms. NORTON, Mr. Congress has the power to enact this legis- H.R. 1790. SEAN PATRICK MALONEY of New York, lation pursuant to the following: Congress has the power to enact this legis- Mr. CONYERS, Mr. HIGGINS of New Article IV, Section 3, Clause 2: ‘‘The Con- lation pursuant to the following: York, Ms. SCHAKOWSKY, Mr. DEFAZIO, gress shall have power to dispose of and Article 1, Section 8, Clause 18: Mr. SOTO, Mr. BLUMENAUER, Ms. make all needful rules and regulations re- To make all Laws which shall be necessary SLAUGHTER, and Mr. RASKIN): specting the territory or other property be- and proper for carrying into Execution the H. Con. Res. 42. Concurrent resolution ex- longing to the United States; and nothing in foregoing Powers, and all other Powers vest- pressing the sense of Congress that the Su- this Constitution shall be so construed as to ed by this Constitution in the Government of preme Court misinterpreted the First prejudice any claims of the United States, or the United States, or in any Department or Amendment to the Constitution in the case of any particular state.’ Officer thereof. of Buckley v. Valeo; to the Committee on By Mr. COOPER: By Mr. REICHERT: the Judiciary. H.R. 1779. H.R. 1791.

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Congress has the power to enact this legis- Article I, Section 8, Clause 1 and Clause 18 H.R. 904: Mr. BRENDAN F. BOYLE of Penn- lation pursuant to the following: of the United States Constitution sylvania. Pursuant to Clause I of Section 8 of Article By Mr. WITTMAN: H.R. 907: Mr. KNIGHT. I of the United States Constitution and H.R. 1799. H.R. 918: Mr. HIGGINS of Louisiana. Amendment XVI of the United States Con- Congress has the power to enact this legis- H.R. 941: Mr. BRIDENSTINE. stitution, specifically clause 1 (relating to lation pursuant to the following: H.R. 959: Mrs. NAPOLITANO. providing for the general welfare of the By Article 1, Section 8 of the United States H.R. 986: Mr. MITCHELL and Ms. STEFANIK. United States) and clause 18 (relating to the Constitution (clause 14), which grants Con- H.R. 1035: Mr. NOLAN. power to make all laws necessary and proper gress the power to make rules for the gov- H.R. 1057: Ms. HERRERA BEUTLER, Mr. MUR- for canying out the powers vested in Con- ernment and regulation of the land and PHY of Pennsylvania, Mr. SMUCKER, and Mr. gress), and Article IV, section 3, clause 2 (re- naval forces and by Article I, Section 8, WILSON of South Carolina. lating to the power of Congress to dispose of Clause 1 and Clause 18. H.R. 1058: Mr. HECK. and make all needful rules and regulations H.R. 1063: Mr. GOODLATTE. f respecting the territory or other property H.R. 1066: Mr. BACON and Mr. PETERS. belonging to the United States). ADDITIONAL SPONSORS H.R. 1093: Ms. ESTY. By Mr. ROHRABACHER: H.R. 1120: Ms. BLUNT ROCHESTER. H.R. 1792. Under clause 7 of rule XII, sponsors H.R. 1143: Ms. JUDY CHU of California. Congress has the power to enact this legis- were added to public bills and resolu- H.R. 1148: Ms. DELBENE, Mr. WILSON of lation pursuant to the following: tions, as follows: South Carolina, Mrs. BLACKBURN, and Ms. Article I, Section 8, Clause 1 of the United BROWNLEY of California. H.R. 24: Mr. PERRY, Mr. SMITH of Nebraska, States Constitution, which gives Congress H.R. 1156: Mr. BURGESS and Mr. HOLDING. and Mr. BRIDENSTINE. the ‘‘power to lay and collect taxes,’’ as well H.R. 1173: Mr. NOLAN, Ms. SHEA-PORTER, H.R. 38: Mr. MCCLINTOCK. as Amendment XVI of the United States Mr. MURPHY of Pennsylvania, and Mr. KIL- H.R. 40: Ms. WILSON of Florida and Mrs. Constitution, which gives Congress the MER. LAWRENCE. ‘‘power to lay and collect taxes on in- H.R. 1206: Mr. VALADAO. H.R. 60: Mr. HIGGINS of Louisiana. comes . . .’’. H.R. 1222: Mr. NOLAN. H.R. 91: Mr. HIGGINS of Louisiana. By Mr. RYAN of Ohio: H.R. 1225: Mr. PASCRELL. H.R. 95: Mr. HIGGINS of Louisiana and Mr. H.R. 1793. H.R. 1236: Mr. NADLER. O’ROURKE. Congress has the power to enact this legis- H.R. 1242: Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of H.R. 103: Mr. NOLAN. lation pursuant to the following: New York, Mr. LYNCH, and Mr. GRIFFITH. H.R. 112: Mr. FRANKS of Arizona. Article 1, Section 8: To make all Laws H.R. 1267: Mr. ROSS. H.R. 169: Mr. LARSEN of Washington, Mr. which shall be necessary and proper for car- H.R. 1272: Ms. NORTON. CA´ RDENAS, Ms. BARRAGA´ N, and Mr. MCNER- rying into Execution for the foregoing Pow- H.R. 1279: Mr. SOTO. NEY. ers, and all other Powers vested by this Con- H.R. 1299: Mr. O’ROURKE. H.R. 179: Mr. BEN RAY LUJA´ N of New Mex- stitution in the Government of the United H.R. 1305: Mr. ROKITA. ico and Mr. LOWENTHAL. States, or in any Department or Officer H.R. 1318: Mr. NOLAN, Mr. ROE of Ten- H.R. 227: Mr. BLUMENAUER. thereof. nessee, and Mr. RASKIN. H.R. 253: Mr. SOTO. By Mr. SCHRADER: H.R. 1322: Mr. SCHNEIDER. H.R. 299: Ms. CLARKE of New York, Mr. H.R. 1794. H.R. 1334: Mr. FARENTHOLD. SCHRADER, Mr. DESANTIS, Mr. CARTER of Congress has the power to enact this legis- H.R. 1346: Mr. EMMER. Texas, Mr. DESAULNIER, Mr. PETERSON, Mr. lation pursuant to the following: H.R. 1445: Mr. JONES. U.S. Const. Art. 1, Sec. 1; and U.S. Const. PRICE of North Carolina, Mr. SCHNEIDER, and H.R. 1456: Mr. KIND, Mr. HECK, Mr. LYNCH, ´ Art. 1, Sec. 6 Mr. BEN RAY LUJAN of New Mexico. Mr. SEAN PATRICK MALONEY of New York, By Mr. SENSENBRENNER: H.R. 350: Mr. DESJARLAIS and Mrs. LOWEY. H.R. 1795. H.R. 365: Mr. HENSARLING. H.R. 1496: Mr. GRIJALVA. Congress has the power to enact this legis- H.R. 389: Mr. COOK and Mr. MCCLINTOCK. H.R. 1515: Mr. SEAN PATRICK MALONEY of lation pursuant to the following: H.R. 390: Mr. ROYCE of California. New York. Article 1, Section 8, Clause 3 (The Congress H.R. 440: Mrs. WAGNER. H.R. 1544: Mr. SCHNEIDER, Mr. CURBELO of shall have Power ‘‘To regulate Commerce H.R. 442: Mr. ABRAHAM. Florida, Mrs. WAGNER, and Ms. TSONGAS. with foreign nations, and among the several H.R. 448: Mr. PERLMUTTER. H.R. 1565: Mr. FERGUSON, Mr. STIVERS, Mr. States and within the Indian Tribes’’) and H.R. 449: Mr. MCKINLEY. OLSON, and Mr. MCKINLEY. Article 1, Section 8, Clause 18 (The Congress H.R. 453: Mr. HUDSON. H.R. 1582: Mr. OLSON. shall have Power ‘‘to make all laws which H.R. 462: Mr. FERGUSON. H.R. 1595: Mr. TIPTON. shall be necessary and proper for carrying H.R. 469: Mr. KING of Iowa. H.R. 1600: Mr. JONES. into Execution the foregoing Powers, and all H.R. 489: Mr. LEVIN. H.R. 1626: Mr. ADERHOLT, Mr. LAMALFA, other Powers vested by this Constitution in H.R. 490: Mr. FARENTHOLD. Mr. POE of Texas, Mr. HURD, and Mr. KING of the Government of the United States, or in H.R. 564: Mr. WALBERG, Mr. COURTNEY, Mr. Iowa. any Department or Officer thereof’’). COFFMAN, and Mr. KINZINGER. H.R. 1632: Mr. GARRETT, Mr. FLEISCHMANN, Additional authority derives from Article H.R. 592: Mr. RICHMOND, Mr. MARSHALL, and Mr. MESSER. III, Section 1, (‘‘The judicial Power of the and Mr. MCNERNEY. H.R. 1639: Ms. MCCOLLUM. United States, shall be vested in one Su- H.R. 608: Mr. ROHRABACHER. H.R. 1661: Mr. BUDD, Mr. LARSON of Con- preme Court, and in each inferior courts as H.R. 613: Mr. FASO, Mr. RUTHERFORD, and necticut, and Mr. MESSER. the Congress may from time to time ordain Mr. DUNCAN of South Carolina. H.R. 1664: Mr. COHEN, Mr. CARSON of Indi- and establish. The Judges, both of the Su- H.R. 620: Ms. SINEMA and Mr. MITCHELL. ana, and Mr. LOWENTHAL. preme and inferior Courts, shall hold their H.R. 631: Mr. YOUNG of Iowa, Mr. RUSSELL, H.R. 1676: Mr. HARPER and Mr. RUSH. Officers during good Behavior, and shall at Mr. MITCHELL, Mr. SMITH of Texas, Mr. FASO, H.R. 1678: Ms. WILSON of Florida. stated times, receive for their Services, a Mr. SESSIONS, Mr. MAST, Mr. DUNCAN of H.R. 1685: Mr. PETERS. Compensation, which shall not be diminished South Carolina, Mr. FRANKS of Arizona, Mr. H.R. 1697: Mr. SCHWEIKERT, Mr. MCKINLEY, during their Continuance in Office.) ALLEN, Mr. WESTERMAN, Ms. FOXX, Mr. Mr. MARSHALL, Mr. DUFFY, Mr. LAHOOD, Mr. Additional authority also derives from Ar- HULTGREN, Mr. COMER, Mr. PITTENGER, Mr. WEBER of Texas, Mr. BOST, Mr. HARRIS, and ticle III, Section 2, Clause 3 of the Constitu- BANKS of Indiana, Mrs. ROBY, Mr. DUFFY, Mr. Mr. WALKER. tion. LEWIS of Minnesota, and Mr. BARTON. H.R. 1711: Mrs. BUSTOS, Mr. KIND, Ms. By Ms. STEFANIK: H.R. 669: Ms. LOFGREN. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ, Mr. CONYERS, Mr. H.R. 1796. H.R. 672: Mr. TED LIEU of California. WELCH, and Ms. LOFGREN. Congress has the power to enact this legis- H.R. 676: Ms. WILSON of Florida and Ms. H.R. 1731: Mr. MCKINLEY and Mr. STIVERS. lation pursuant to the following: GABBARD. H.R. 1732: Mr. MEEHAN. Clause 18 of section 8 of article 1 of the H.R. 721: Mr. JOHNSON of Louisiana. H. Con. Res. 8: Mr. MEADOWS, Mr. TIPTON, Constitution H.R. 770: Mr. MEEKS, Mrs. BEATTY, and Mr. Mr. ROYCE of California, Mr. MESSER, Mr. By Mr. WITTMAN: VARGAS. LANCE, and Mr. JORDAN. H.R. 1797. H.R. 800: Mr. GRIJALVA. H. Con. Res. 10: Mr. LIPINSKI and Mr. Congress has the power to enact this legis- H.R. 807: Mr. MCKINLEY and Mr. COURTNEY. KELLY of Pennsylvania. lation pursuant to the following: H.R. 818: Mr. MEEHAN. H. Res. 28: Mr. KIND and Mr. LARSON of Article I, Section 8, Clause 1 and Clause 18 H.R. 848: Mr. SESSIONS, Mr. MARSHALL, Mr. Connecticut. of the United States Constitution GALLAGHER, and Mr. WILLIAMS. H. Res 31: Mr. VARGAS. By Mr. WITTMAN: H.R. 849: Ms. SA´ NCHEZ, Mr. MCKINLEY, Mr. H. Res. 54: Mr. VISCLOSKY, Mr. SHERMAN, H.R. 1798. PALAZZO, and Mr. FLORES. Mr. CICILLINE, and Mr. STEWART. Congress has the power to enact this legis- H.R. 873: Mr. VALADAO. H. Res. 65: Mr. MCGOVERN and Mr. NEAL. lation pursuant to the following: H.R. 896: Mr. LEWIS of Minnesota. H. Res. 90: Mr. EVANS.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:59 Mar 30, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00042 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A29MR7.030 H29MRPT1 rfrederick on DSKBCBPHB2PROD with HOUSE March 29, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H2561 H. Res. 135: Mr. KINZINGER. MAXINE WATERS of California, Mrs. BEATTY, DELETIONS OF SPONSORS FROM H. Res. 137: Mr. ROYCE of California. Ms. ADAMS, Mr. LIPINSKI, and Ms. MICHELLE PUBLIC BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS H. Res. 184: Mr. KIND, Ms. ESTY, Mr. AL LUJAN GRISHAM of New Mexico. GREEN of Texas, Mr. RICHMOND, Ms. FUDGE, Under clause 7 of rule XII, sponsors H. Res. 187: Mr. THOMAS J. ROONEY of Flor- Mrs. BUSTOS, Mrs. DAVIS of California, Ms. ida, Mr. ROYCE of California, and Ms. were deleted from public bills and reso- DELAURO, Mr. MICHAEL F. DOYLE of Pennsyl- BONAMICI. lutions, as follows: vania, Mr. BROWN of Maryland, Mr. CROWLEY, Mr. LYNCH, Ms. SEWELL of Alabama, Ms. H. Res. 188: Mr. CLAY and Mr. POE of Texas. H.J. Res. 17: Mr. SANFORD.

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