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

Vol. 164 WASHINGTON, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2018 No. 188 House of Representatives The House met at 10 a.m. and was customs and culture of our society, and Chicago to have a voice in Congress, I called to order by the Speaker pro tem- upheld by the State and Federal Gov- was the first to win that seat. While pore (Mr. POLIQUIN). ernment. the majority of my constituents then f So as I prepare to leave office after 26 in 1992 were 65 percent Latino, on elec- years representing the people of the tion day, the majority of voters were DESIGNATION OF SPEAKER PRO Fourth District of Illinois, I think it is White. TEMPORE important to reflect on how far we In 26 years and 13 elections, that has The SPEAKER pro tempore laid be- have come and how far we still have to changed. Today, voters on election day fore the House the following commu- go before this country lives up to its in the majority Latino Fourth District, nication from the Speaker: lofty ideals enshrined in our most sa- which I represent, are, in fact, Latino. WASHINGTON, DC, cred documents and origin mythology. Early on, I realized the constituent November 29, 2018. That a Puerto Rican born in Chicago services in my district were not re- I hereby appoint the Honorable BRUCE in 1953, 65 years ago, the son of Span- stricted to veterans’ benefits and So- POLIQUIN to act as Speaker pro tempore on ish-speaking immigrants with little cial Security, although we work hard this day. education who were driven by poverty on those issues. In my district, helping PAUL D. RYAN, from the mountains of Puerto Rico, people navigate the complex and ex- Speaker of the House of Representatives. would be able to speak into this micro- pensive process of citizenship was a top f phone at all is perhaps a ringing en- need and became a top priority for my MORNING-HOUR DEBATE dorsement for what this Nation stands office. for. We helped more than 55,000 people— The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- But let us be clear: People sacrificed let me underscore that, 55,000 immi- ant to the order of the House of Janu- and died so that I could speak here grants—become citizens, sponsoring ary 8, 2018, the Chair will now recog- today. People I never met, like Medgar workshops, helping people resolve nize Members from lists submitted by Evers, Emmett Till, and countless oth- issues, and setting a standard that I the majority and minority leaders for ers, died in the struggle against dis- feel is unmatched by any congressional morning-hour debate. crimination and American apartheid, office. The Chair will alternate recognition and opened the path for me to be here Just last month, I spoke with a between the parties. All time shall be today. woman who told me a remarkable equally allocated between the parties, The Voting Rights Act and other story. Her daughter had assembled all and in no event shall debate continue civil rights legislation passed in my of her documents and was prepared to beyond 11:50 a.m. Each Member, other lifetime on this floor were soaked in apply for citizenship, and then she left than the majority and minority leaders the blood of martyrs, old and young, the file on a Chicago subway system and the minority whip, shall be limited who kept moving forward until every- train. A few days later, this woman to 5 minutes. one had the right to vote and every told me, a knock came at her door. f vote was counted. Someone had found her daughter’s fold- Even as the President and his party er, and they didn’t give it to the CTA’s MY WORK FOR AMERICA IS NOT challenge the principles of the Voting lost and found, but, rather, they made DONE Rights Act today, I have always tried sure it got to my office on Fullerton The SPEAKER pro tempore. The to honor those who have given their Avenue in Chicago. Chair recognizes the gentleman from lives to make America freer and My office and staff were so associated Illinois (Mr. GUTIE´ RREZ) for 5 minutes. stronger. with citizenship and helping the immi- Mr. GUTIE´ RREZ. Mr. Speaker, when To be blunt, were it not for the sac- grant communities that this Good Sa- I was born, separate but equal was the rifice of Black Americans, Black people maritan felt there was only one logical law of the land. Even in a northern city in this country and their allies, who place to return the documents. Indeed, like Chicago, a young Puerto Rican kid literally had their homes and churches we worked with her daughter to make knew where he could and could not go, bombed fighting to make this country sure all of her documents and fees were which beaches and pools were open to live up to its own creed, I would not be filed. Today, she is a citizen of the him, and which were off-limits. here speaking to you today. That has United States of America. Segregation and discrimination by always and will always guide me. When I walk through my district and race, gender, religion, and sexual ori- When the Fourth District was cre- talk with moms and dads, they tell me entation were deeply embedded in the ated to give Latinos an opportunity in how my office touched their lives.

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

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VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:10 Nov 30, 2018 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A29NO7.000 H29NOPT1 lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with HOUSE H9694 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE November 29, 2018 Whether it was for citizenship or fight- and, ultimately, will prevent the U.S. We have seen evidence of it in elec- ing someone’s wrongful deportation, from ceding any ground to our political tions, a Senator who says: I’d go to a my office has done more than just help adversaries. public hanging. constituents. We have literally helped I appreciate the hard work done by We have seen evidence of it in our them preserve their families. the folks at the Coast Guard, not only places of worship, people killed in a It is the legacy of helping families in the polar regions, but across the synagogue. and individuals, and making this coun- world. Their efforts play a role in en- We have seen evidence of it in the try a more welcoming place for people, suring our national security, and it is streets with words and behavior that people a lot like my parents from rural vital that we continue to provide the are unacceptable. ‘‘Jews will not re- Puerto Rico, that is what I carry with Coast Guard with the funding they place us,’’ they said in Charlottesville. me as I leave. need in order to do their jobs. We have to do something about big- My work for America, her immi- This investment will arm the Coast otry and hate, and it has to be more grants, and the character of our great Guard with the tools, equipment, and than simply talk. Talking points are Nation is not done. It is simply switch- personnel it needs to complete its mis- good; action items are better. It is time ing to private life. We who believe in sions on the polar front. for the Congress of the United States of freedom cannot rest. But to all of my Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues in America to stand up for the many peo- colleagues, past and present, thank you Congress to join me in supporting the ple who suffer from bigotry and hate in for walking with me on this journey requested $750 million in funding. this country. f these many years. f f ELIMINATE BIGOTRY AND HATE THE SPEECH POLICE The SPEAKER pro tempore. The INCREASING COAST GUARD The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from ASSETS IN THE POLAR REGIONS Chair recognizes the gentleman from The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Texas (Mr. AL GREEN) for 5 minutes. Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speak- Texas (Mr. POE) for 5 minutes. Chair recognizes the gentleman from er, once again, I rise, proud to be an Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, the Louisiana (Mr. ABRAHAM) for 5 min- American, proud to have the oppor- First Amendment is first for a reason. utes. tunity to speak for people who cannot It is the most important right we have Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. Speaker, I rise speak for themselves in this place. as Americans and at the very core of today to recognize the urgent need for Mr. Speaker, I rise today to mention who we are. increased U.S. Coast Guard assets in the midterm elections of 2018, said by Without the First Amendment, free- the polar regions of the globe. many who count and who are supposed dom of religion, free speech, freedom of America has been a world leader and to know to be one of the highest turn- the press, freedom in assembly, the a dominant force in the Arctic and outs ever, exceeding 100 million voters, rest of the Amendments are meaning- Antarctic regions for over a century. said to be approximately 48 to 50 per- less. While both of these areas are currently cent of those who are eligible to vote, The purpose of the First Amendment models of internationally shared terri- depending on how you count and who is is to permit free and open discussion tory, the geopolitical relevance of the counting. about the important issues of the day. polar regions is rising, and with it In Texas, it is said that, on November It protects the right to speak freely comes a larger and stronger presence of 1, the number of Texans voting early about the two most controversial sub- countries such as Russia and China. exceeded the entire turnout for 2014. jects of the day: religion and politics. Russia and China have both declared The numbers indicate that 3.3 million This is exactly what was forbidden plans to grow and strengthen their or more 18-to-29-year-olds voted early, under King George, and it is exactly presence in the polar region. China re- a 188 percent increase over 2014. It was why our Founding Fathers chose to cently announced its status as a near- a record turnout. make it first among the original 10 in Arctic nation and continues to rapidly Why was there a record turnout? is the Bill of Rights. grow its ice-breaking fleet. Over the the question that we have to grapple b 1015 last 3 years, Russia has constructed six with. Yes, people turned out because new bases in Russian Arctic territory. they wanted better healthcare. They But, somehow, the speech police have These are concerning and clear signs turned out because they want better decided to replace free speech with that Russia and China have intentions jobs. They turned out because they their self-determined fair speech. If it to change the nature of their presence want better schools, better education. is not fair to them, then it must be in the polar regions. They want better housing. banned. In order to compete with these coun- But they also turned out because What does fair mean? tries, we must protect our sovereignty they were opposed to bigotry and hate. Fair means different things to dif- in the Arctic and our national interests Nobody can give you the empirical evi- ferent folks. In some places in our in the Antarctic. It is time for Con- dence to support entirely the number country like Texas, fair is where you gress to reinvest in Coast Guard assets that turned out because they were take the chickens or prized pig to sell in this area. antithetical to bigotry and hate. But it or eat anything you want to on a The Coast Guard’s sole heavy ice- we know by anecdotal evidence that stick when it is deep fried. breaker, the Coast Guard cutter Polar many people turned out, in addition to Fair means different things to dif- Star, is 40 years old, and the task of ac- the other things, because they want to ferent folks. But the word ‘‘fair’’ is not cessing the polar region becomes more see bigotry and hate not managed, but in the Constitution. The Constitution difficult for this ship every ice season. they want to see it eliminated in the protects free speech, not fair speech. It Immediate investments in new heavy greatest and richest country in the says Congress shall make no law . . . icebreaker ships, the Polar Security world. abridging the freedom of speech, and Cutter fleet, is critical to ensuring a Many people turned out with the ex- the Constitution applies to the elitist long-term presence for the U.S. in pectation that we would do something speech control police whether they these polar areas. about all of the things that I have think that is fair or not and whether The U.S. Coast Guard has created a named, including bigotry and hate. they like it or not. 6–3-1 approach to rebuilding its polar Many people turned out because they Our Founding Fathers established in- region fleets. With this 6–3-1 position, want bigotry and hate to become more dividual rights to protect our liberties, the Coast Guard will build a fleet of six than talking points. They want bigotry not our feelings. We have become so polar icebreakers, including three and hate in this country to become ac- caught up in the politically correct re- Polar Security cutters similar to the tion items. striction that everyone has the right Polar Star, and the U.S. Coast Guard’s They want to see us visibly do some- not to be offended that we are, in fact, first Polar Security cutter. thing about the bigotry and hate that losing the right of free speech. These new heavy icebreakers provide has found a means by which it can mul- Where does the Constitution say you continued access to the polar region tiply, it can grow, in this country. have the right not to be offended?

VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:10 Nov 30, 2018 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K29NO7.002 H29NOPT1 lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with HOUSE November 29, 2018 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H9695 The right of free speech belongs to that ought not to be. We should all gest economic engine is a payday lend- the speaker and cannot be regulated by speak out against the controlling er, where lead poisons their children’s the listener because it may be offensive speech police. water, and where injustice and insuffi- and certainly cannot be regulated by And that is just the way it is. ciency fester for generations before a government because it is not fair—fair f government thinks to step in. in the eyes of government. TOXIC CAPITALISM This is the challenge of our time. It But our most important freedom is is the injustice that we have to solve being replaced by fear: the fear to The SPEAKER pro tempore. The not just because of our politics, but be- speak openly. Some wish to prohibit Chair recognizes the gentleman from cause our system will not survive if we the voice and speech of others they dis- Massachusetts (Mr. KENNEDY) for 5 don’t. agree with or if the opposing view may minutes. I believe in that system. be offensive. So the controlists want Mr. KENNEDY. Mr. Speaker, on American capitalism has done great speech regulated or, to put it bluntly, Monday, GM went to bed with a record good for a great number of people. It it must be politically correct. $3.2 billion in profits last quarter has given the average American a bet- It is interesting that the one place alone. Its shareholders went to bed ter standard of living than anywhere where diversity of thought, ideas, and with a 5 percent surge in stock prices, else in the world, lifted millions out of plus the $10.6 billion the company has speech should be promoted is at our poverty, and powered our globe. But its spent on buybacks since 2015. Mean- universities. But universities are pro- current iteration is badly broken, and while, 14,000 GM workers spent a sleep- hibiting free speech in the name of pro- the sooner we admit it, the sooner we less night wondering if their jobs and tecting the students, while at the same can strip it to the studs and build livelihoods would still be there for time professors say anything they something better. want to say about all issues—the doc- them the next morning. There is no better snapshot of our A moral capitalism is judged not just trine of free speech for me but not for by how much it produces, but by how thee. country’s current, toxic brand of cap- italism, where we are operating in a widely it shares, how much good it To make matters worse, the does for how many, and how well it controlists want government to regu- system that demands that workers labor harder and harder to meet basic takes care of each and every single one late speech. That is a Stalinist con- of us. cept. Stalin used government to silence human needs but refuses to share even all opposing views, views that offended a slice of the success that they helped f the government and the elitists. It is create. ENTREPRENEURIAL CAPITALISM For those of us in this Chamber this not just those in the public eye. Every- The SPEAKER pro tempore. The one feels they must weigh every morning, it is about more than one company or one balance sheet. It is Chair recognizes the gentleman from thought and decision against who and Texas (Mr. HENSARLING) for 5 minutes. how it could possibly be offensive to about 50 years of giving the private sector explicit permission to cast Mr. HENSARLING. I came here this someone, somewhere, somehow. It is ri- morning, Mr. Speaker, and I picked up diculous, and it is a threat to our free- workers aside. It is about an economy that has become the antithesis of what a copy of this morning’s edition of The dom and our prosperity. Wall Street Journal. Many Americans We cannot live in fear of speech. We our country stands for: equity, de- would consider it to be the most influ- cannot live in fear to speak. cency, justice, and hard work. ential newspaper in America, but cer- The Founding Fathers intended free President Trump has made his re- speech to include criticism of the gov- sponse to these economic inequities tainly, at least on economic matters, I ernment and to advocate unpopular very clear. His is a country of bitter ri- think most would agree. ideas, including controversial ideas. valry between fellow citizens forced to I just happened to read the lead edi- Freedom of speech allows individuals endlessly spar over the scraps of that torial today, Mr. Speaker, and it says to express themselves without inter- system: ‘‘My wages can’t go up unless the House, this body, has ‘‘done yeo- ference of the government and truly your food stamps are taken away.’’ man’s work shepherding a compendium debate all issues. But we must not ‘‘Your medical bills can’t fall unless of bipartisan bills to expand access to allow that to be lost to this out-of-con- my insurance goes.’’ So Americans capital.’’ trol, politically correct crowd that spend their days fighting each other This is in the most influential news- only wants to allow speech that agrees over economic crumbs while our sys- paper in America. with their agenda and, literally, de- tem quietly delivers the entire pot to There is a lot in between, but let me stroys anyone who disagrees. those at the top. go to the last sentence, where it says: Law professor Alan Dershowitz said: That is the reality that our new ‘‘Senate Republicans shouldn’t scuttle ‘‘Freedom of speech means freedom for Democratic majority must address for what could be one of this Congress’s those who you despise, and freedom to the coal miner in Kentucky, the better achievements.’’ express the most despicable views. It daycare worker in New York, the fifth- That is in today’s Wall Street Jour- also means that the government can- generation farming family in Ohio, the nal, Mr. Speaker. not pick and choose which expressions first-generation immigrant family in The Journal is talking about JOBS to authorize and which to prevent.’’ Massachusetts, the mostly White 3.0. It is a bill that came out of this Voltaire, who lived at the time of our towns in West Virginia devastated by body, 406–4. Its purpose, Mr. Speaker, is Revolution, said: ‘‘I disapprove of what an opioid epidemic, and the commu- to promote small business, to promote you say, but I will defend to the death nities of color across our country ter- entrepreneurial capitalism, and to pro- your right to say it.’’ rorized by the war on drugs. mote venture capital. Lively disagreements are the founda- Forget where they are from or what Again, Mr. Speaker, it came out of tion of a free republic. they look like or how they vote. All of this body, 406–4—we couldn’t get a 406– George Washington said it very well these Americans face an economy that 4 vote on a Mother’s Day resolution— when he said: ‘‘If freedom of speech is does not operate for them. They live in and yet it languishes on that side of taken away, then dumb and silent we cities and towns that are likely to be the Capitol. may be led, like sheep to the slaugh- medically underserved, educationally So I have been in this body for 16 ter.’’ ostracized from today’s job market, years, Mr. Speaker, and I have learned America must always remain a free plagued by inadequate infrastructure, a few things. One of the things I have and open space where the marketplace and burdened by crumbling homes or learned is never underestimate the of ideas—even those we detest or dis- houses that no one can afford. Senate’s capacity to do nothing. Unfor- agree with—are freely expressed. It They disproportionately shoulder the tunately, so far, the United States Sen- seems our very founding document is hard words that can make life hurt: ate has done nothing on a bill that at risk of fading into the abyss of his- ‘‘eviction,’’ ‘‘addiction,’’ ‘‘bank- passed, 406–4. tory. ruptcy,’’ and ‘‘violence.’’ Now, Mr. Speaker, thanks to the The irony of it all is that free speech They hail from the places where poll- leadership of President Donald Trump, is becoming anything but free, and ing locations disappear, where the big- thanks to the leadership of Speaker

VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:10 Nov 30, 2018 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K29NO7.013 H29NOPT1 lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with HOUSE H9696 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE November 29, 2018 PAUL RYAN, and thanks to the leader- that we have coddled democracy, free- better in feeding them and providing ship of Chairman KEVIN BRADY, we dom, and justice. We have maintained cover as they are processed. Our law have what, for most Americans—not a constitutional government and have has not changed. You can seek a legal all, but for most Americans—is simply been respected worldwide. This has asylum request to enter the legal ports the greatest economy they have had in been through wars, times of peace, of entry—even those who are not. The their entire lifetimes: times of depression, and times of devas- White House knows that. Let us not be Unemployment is at a 50-year low, tation in our own Nation. Yet, we re- known for the brutality against women cutting across all socioeconomic main a Nation that has a moral guide- and children as we have been known to groups; post. separate women and children. Small business optimism and con- I rise today to announce to this Finally, again, as a member of the sumer optimism is off the charts; House that America can do two things Homeland Security Committee, we We are seeing more people come back at once. It can condemn the terroristic, need to rush disaster housing assist- into the labor force. violent act of killing a Saudi reporter ance to California. None of us have This is all great news, but we cannot who worked at the Washington Post, seen the magnitude of the Camp fire be blinded by the fact that, as good as and, at the same time, maintain its fires. FEMA has not provided disaster the economy is today, we still have to status and prominence to engage in the housing assistance. The President must concentrate on the economy of tomor- affairs of the Middle East, as well. issue that order. We must rush to pro- row. We need to know: Mr. Speaker, I rise today to encour- vide for those people who are homeless. Can we ensure that the seed capital age the legislation that is now moving We know that it is more efficient to is there? through procedurally in the United provide funding for housing as opposed Can we make sure that our public States Senate to remove our support to hotels. They are begging for it. I be- policy nourishes the drivers of tomor- for the Yemen war that the Saudis lieve that we should convene a Home- row’s economy? have enacted upon against the people land Security hearing to be able to as- The next Amazons, the next Googles, of Yemen and stand against the violent sist these individuals as quickly as pos- and the next Ubers, where are they acts against children—the killing of sible. going to come from? children on school buses, which has Where is the humanitarian moral So, unfortunately, Mr. Speaker, what happened over and over again—and the compass of this Nation to stop killing we have seen is that, as recently as bloodshed and starvation that is going children in Yemen; to understand that 2016, startups in America have been cut on in Yemen with our affirmation. we must help those suffering refugees in half. It is time now to end that bloody war at the border; and finally, Mr. Speaker, And, oh, incidentally, the regulatory with our handprints on it. I hope the to help our neighbors in California get burden—more securities regulatory other body will engage in debate and be housing after everything is gone? burden—has increased by over 50 per- fully informed by this thoughtful, bi- f cent in the last 10 years, and by over 80 partisan legislation. I believe that it percent. It now costs, Mr. Speaker, should come to the House and that we WAR IN YEMEN twice as much to go public today as it should act on it with all expeditious- The SPEAKER pro tempore. The did 10 years ago. ness. Chair recognizes the gentleman from What do we see? We see half the num- Now just imagine that a tape exists, Utah (Mr. CURTIS) for 5 minutes. ber of companies going public. which I believe Members of Congress Mr. CURTIS. Mr. Speaker, as a mem- They don’t seem to have that prob- should have the right to listen to, but ber of the House Foreign Affairs Com- lem in China, Mr. Speaker, because I understand we are brilliant people mittee, I have closely followed the re- China has over one-third of the world’s and our imaginations are vivid. Imag- cent developments in the war between IPOs, or initial public offerings; yet, in ine that you went into a consular’s of- Saudi Arabia and the Houthi rebels in the United States, our IPOs have been fice with the hopes and dreams of a Yemen. cut in half. new marriage. You are following the This is one of the world’s deadliest That is why it is so important that codes and laws of your native land to wars. Air strikes and other acts of war every Congress go back and we ensure get permission to marry again, to have have killed tens of thousands of civil- that our securities laws are written in joy again, to be able to be with some- ians. Yemen has become a wasteland, such a way that we make sure that en- one you love. with widespread disease and famine. An trepreneurial capitalism can’t just sur- Rather than having the process on estimated 85,000 children have been vive in America but absolutely thrive. paper, your blood was splattered on the killed or died from malnutrition. The So I come to this floor again to ask floor. You are greeted with a brutal United Nation estimates that Yemen is that our colleagues on the other side of force that demanded whatever—loyalty now facing the specter of a famine the Capitol—and I have many friends to the crown prince—and you were threatening 14 million people: half of in that body, but I am often confused bludgeoned and killed by allegedly the their population. Three-quarters of why they cannot act on something that biggest untruth: it was an accident. Yemen’s population now requires ur- has received incredible support in the Then, tragically, to your family comes gent humanitarian assistance. House. the evidence or the word that you were The time has come for us to recon- Mr. Speaker, November is National mutilated or dismembered. sider our support for this disastrous Entrepreneurship Month. There are Our imagination, tragically, can war and to consider the moral impera- only 2 days left in the month. I hope allow us to see that picture, ordered by tives that form the foundation of our that my voice can be heard on the the crown prince. We must cease and values, as well as our strategic inter- other side of the Capitol, and I would desist any relationship in this war and, ests. In this instance, I believe both ask the United States Senate to imme- at the same time, maintain diplomacy. our moral values and strategic interest diately take up the JOBS 3.0 Act and Mr. Speaker, we also need to be more require that we reassess our involve- make sure that the economy of tomor- merciful to those who are at the bor- ment in this tragic human catastrophe. row for our children and grandchildren der. As a senior member of the Home- We must reject war and pursue peace. is as healthy and thriving as the econ- land Security Committee, we have cre- The day I was sworn in as a Member omy of today. ated this crisis here in the government, of Congress, I joined the House in pass- f the White House, and the administra- ing a resolution calling on all parties b 1030 tion. We must be humanitarians. Tear involved in the conflict to increase ef- gas can be used to protect our men and forts to prevent civilian casualties and HUMANITARIAN MORAL COMPASS women at the border, but it must be to increase humanitarian access. In ad- The SPEAKER pro tempore. The used sparingly and not against mothers dition, the resolution denounced the Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from and children. conduct of the war in Yemen that is, Texas (Ms. JACKSON LEE) for 5 minutes. I hope to be able to discuss this issue. directly or indirectly, inconsistent Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, the I hope to be down at the border to see with the laws of armed conflict, includ- uniqueness of this Nation is the idea this disgraceful behavior. We can do ing the deliberate targeting of civilians

VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:10 Nov 30, 2018 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K29NO7.004 H29NOPT1 lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with HOUSE November 29, 2018 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H9697 and the use of civilians as human negotiations as, as called for by the ad- ple who have lost their sight, and for shields. ministration. future generations who will one day It is my fear that our continued sup- American foreign policy requires a benefit from the research they have port of this war will only increase re- balance between our national security contributed to by donating their cor- sentment of the United States and the and moral values. In the case of the neas. region. It will diminish U.S. security war in Yemen, these competing im- I encourage my colleagues to join me and undermine America’s moral au- peratives are not in conflict. Ending in urging all Americans to give the thority and reputation as a champion U.S. support for the war in Yemen sup- selfless gift of vision and life by reg- of our foundational values such as ports both American strategic inter- istering to become eye, organ, and tis- human rights and civil liberties. ests and humanitarian values. sue donors. In addition to the horrendous human- f f itarian costs in Yemen itself, it makes the entire region less secure and makes EYE DONATION MONTH RECOGNIZING LOIS WHEELER humanitarian disasters in the wider re- The SPEAKER pro tempore. The The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gion more likely. But more impor- Chair recognizes the gentleman from Chair recognizes the gentleman from tantly, what is happening in Yemen is California (Mr. RUIZ) for 5 minutes. Pennsylvania (Mr. FITZPATRICK) for 5 just simply wrong. It is out of harmony Mr. RUIZ. Mr. Speaker, it is my minutes. with America’s values. Ironically, the privilege to acknowledge November as Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, we very reason we want to support a Eye Donation Month, dedicated to in- recently returned to Congress after strong ally in Saudi Arabia is to pre- creasing awareness of the need to reg- celebrating Thanksgiving, a time when vent this type of situation, not foster ister as an eye, organ, and tissue donor. we pause and reflect on the many bless- it. Since 1983, the Eye Bank Association ings that our community bestows upon These conditions provide a breeding of America, EBAA, and each of its 75- each one of us. ground for violent extremism and for member eye banks across the U.S. have Today, I am proud to recognize an terrorist groups to expand. Prolonging dedicated this month to honoring the outstanding citizen from Bucks Coun- the war in Yemen only strengthens the Nation’s eye donors and their families, ty, Pennsylvania, who worked tire- Islamic state in Yemen and al-Qaida in and to celebrate the transformative lessly for over three decades to ensure the Arabian Peninsula. Additionally, impact of corneal transplants on the residents were able to enjoy the holi- the conflict undertaken by the Saudi- lives of their recipients. day surrounded by friends and good led coalition under the objective of With a 97 percent success rate, cor- food. ‘‘eliminating Iranian influence’’ has neal transplants are the Nation’s most Lois Wheeler of Lower Makefield achieved just the opposite. successful organ transplant procedures. began serving Thanksgiving meals to Iran has been able to use the conflict Since the Association’s founding in the underprivileged in our community as an opportunity to establish a foot- 1961, nearly 2 million corneal tissue re- in 1980. Known as ‘‘Bountiful Harvest hold across the Middle East. They send cipients have regained their sight. Feasts,’’ Lois hosted between 125 and soldiers to prop up a dictator, Bashar In 2017, EBAA member eye banks re- 200 people yearly at the Masonic Lodge al-Assad, in Syria. Additionally, Iran- covered 135,203 corneas from 68,565 do- in Fairless Hills. supported Hezbollah is now the domi- nors across the United States. This Lois’ dedication to serving the hun- nant political force in Lebanon, and made it possible to provide the gift of gry began in high school. While attend- able to threaten neighboring Israel, our sight to approximately 51,000 men, ing Neshaminy High School in closest ally in the region, with its women, and children in the U.S., and Langhorne, Lois saw a classmate who growing missile and rocket arsenal. over 26,000 recipients internationally. was not able to afford lunch. Wheeler This threat to Israel is in addition to These eye banks also provided more was so moved, she would bring him the ongoing barrage of missiles fired than 24,000 corneas for research and sandwiches to eat. When they were not into Israel by Iran-supported Hamas in educational purposes. available, she would give away her own Gaza. My home State of California is served lunch. I welcomed Secretary of Defense by eight eye banks that recovered Lois is truly beloved in our commu- Mattis’ comments in October, when he nearly 8,000 corneas last year, making nity. Her continued generosity has said, ‘‘It’s time to stop this.’’ He urged it the largest source of corneal tissue earned her the nickname ‘‘Sister all parties to sit down and pursue for transplant and research in the Wheeler,’’ and she has also been called peace. Secretary of Defense Mattis’ country. These donations allowed thou- the ‘‘Mother Teresa of Bucks County.’’ comments were followed by Secretary sands of Californians to regain their vi- While Lois’ health prevented her of State Pompeo’s statement in which sion and resume the lives they had from participating this year, her leg- he said, ‘‘The time is now for the ces- planned on living before disease or in- acy of service to Bucks County cannot sation of hostilities.’’ jury deprived them of their sight. be erased. We applaud Lois for her I echo Secretary of Mattis’ further In addition to improving their recipi- charity and generosity, and wish her comments when he said, ‘‘We have got ents’ quality of life and giving comfort and her husband, George, all the best. to move toward a peace effort here, and to donor families, corneal transplants b 1045 we can’t say we are going to do it also have a considerable economic im- RECOGNIZING THE LINGOHOCKEN VOLUNTEER sometime in the future.’’ We should pact on America’s healthcare system. FIRE COMPANY AND THE COUNCIL ROCK support the U.N.-led efforts to bring A recent EBAA analysis found that the SCHOOL DISTRICT’S ACHIEVE PROGRAM peace to this devastated country and net lifetime economic benefits of cor- Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, I urge the Saudi-led coalition and nea transplants performed in 2017 will rise today to recognize students and Houthis to start peace negotiations im- exceed $6 billion, due to the elimi- public servants in Bucks County, Penn- mediately. nation of medical expenses related to sylvania, who recently teamed up to Ending our support for the Saudi-led vision care and the increased produc- spread awareness of fire safety and vo- coalition highlights the gross inhu- tivity of both the cornea recipients and cational training. manity of the war and that we do not their caregivers. Last month, the Lingohocken Volun- support the way the conflict in Yemen I thank the Eye Bank Association of teer Fire Company met with students is being conducted. It underlines our America for its decades-long dedication in the Council Rock School District’s growing concerns about the behavior of to the restoration of sight. I thank all ACHIEVE program, which is geared to- Saudi Arabia as it affects larger Amer- of those who list themselves as an wards providing students with special ican strategic interests in the region organ donor on their driver’s license. I needs the tools and skills needed for and our interest in preserving global thank all of those who are willing to self-sufficiency. humanitarian norms. Ending our sup- give of themselves for others. I want to The Lingohocken Volunteer Fire port for the war will force the Saudi- reassure and thank their loved ones, Company’s presentation, which took led coalition to reconsider its policies because those who have passed have place in a fire safety trailer to simu- and will signal our support for peace done a great good for society, for peo- late real-life emergencies, was aimed

VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:10 Nov 30, 2018 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K29NO7.007 H29NOPT1 lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with HOUSE H9698 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE November 29, 2018 at preparing students to respond to a mittee and he outlines his 27 griev- States currently participating in this fire hazard. ances against the King. He has worked project. I would like to thank Council Rock on it for days. Benjamin Franklin and The Patriot Project is a program ACHIEVE staff John Engelhardt, Dan John Adams review that work, and that connects military veteran begin- Bartleson, Steve Ruane, and David they make 80 changes—80 changes. ning farmers and ranchers who are Marcinkowski for their work in pre- It just shows that, no matter how starting their careers with experienced paring Bucks County students for the good the author is, once it is turned Farm Bureau farmers, who act as men- future. over to a committee, there will be tors. I would also like to thank change. The Arkansas Farm Bureau works to Lingohocken Chief David James, along Of those 80 changes, about 25 percent identify military veterans and Farm with firefighters Gary Davis, Charlie of the Declaration of Independence Bureau mentors and facilitate long- Vaughn, Ted Middleman, and Glenn that we know today, one of those term educational and professional Forsyth of Newtown Township Emer- changes speaks to the heart of the mentorship relationships. The military gency Services for their dedication to friendship, the underlying friendship, veterans should be actively farming our community. between the British and American peo- and using their own resources while At a time when our fellow citizens in ple, for one of their changes was Jeffer- their mentor guides them towards suc- California are experiencing devastating son’s poignant lament, which reads as cess. wildfires, firefighters’ skills and exper- this: ‘‘We might have been a free and I thank Randy Veach, president of tise are appreciated and so sorely need- great people together.’’ the Arkansas Farm Bureau, for his ed. We need them now more than ever. So that was taken out of the docu- leadership in bringing this program to RECOGNIZING LINDSEY SPRITZLER ment, even though Jefferson outlined Arkansas, and I extend a warm hand of Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, I the 27 grievances why America should gratitude to the Arkansas Farm Bu- rise today to recognize a student from separate itself from Great Britain. reau for its worthwhile commitment to Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, for I like to reflect on that when we fast- our veterans. her outstanding achievements. forward to Winston Churchill coming f to America in 1946 and speaking at Lindsey Spritzler, a senior at North LGBT EQUALITY Penn High School in Lansdale, was re- Westminster College in Missouri, when The SPEAKER pro tempore. The cently selected as a member of the 2018 he toasted what he called the fraternal Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from All-National Honor Mixed Choir and is association of the English-speaking Florida (Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN) for 5 min- performing at their annual conference peoples. utes. this week in Orlando, Florida. He said in that talk: ‘‘But we must Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, Lindsey was one of only 240 individ- never cease to proclaim in fearless throughout my tenure in Congress, I uals across our country to be selected tones the great principles of freedom have been so proud to work and pro- to join the vocalist team. This is cer- and the rights of man which are the mote LGBT equality here at home and tainly no small feat. In order to even joint inheritance of the English-speak- ing world and which through Magna around the globe. qualify, Lindsey had to be selected for When I was first elected as a Member the Pennsylvania All-State Chorus and Carta, the Bill of Rights, the habeas corpus, trial by jury, and the English of this distinguished body in 1989, our place near the top of her section. country was in a very different place I applaud Lindsey for her hard work common law find their most famous ex- pression in the American Declaration than it is today in how we understood and exceptional talent. people who are LGBT and the rights We are also proud to recognize Music of Independence.’’ and the respect due them. Department Chair Matthew Klenk for So, on this 144th anniversary of the birth of Winston Churchill, someone Although much progress still needs his commitment and dedication to our to be made, it is true that we are mov- community and for his service to the who was of both, American and British, I salute his birth. I salute that special ing in the right direction. Let me give North Penn School District as well. you some examples, Mr. Speaker: On behalf of our entire community, relationship between the United King- dom and this great country. By voting to end the misguided Don’t we all look forward to seeing what Ask, Don’t Tell policy; Lindsey will accomplish in the future. RECOGNIZING ALICE ANDREWS By funding much-needed human We know they will be great things. Mr. HILL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today rights programs abroad, implemented f to recognize the achievements of Alice by a wonderful agency, USAID, such as Andrews, a good friend who was re- its LGBT Global Development Partner- RIGHT HONORABLE WINSTON cently awarded the 2018 Neil Compton CHURCHILL’S 144TH BIRTHDAY ship; Award for her tireless work in con- By endorsing the principle of equal- The SPEAKER pro tempore. The servation in Arkansas. ity as it applies to marriage rights and Chair recognizes the gentleman from Born and raised in El Dorado, Alice responsibilities; Arkansas (Mr. HILL) for 5 minutes. received her undergraduate degree in By including LGBT individuals with- Mr. HILL. Mr. Speaker, this week fine arts from Henderson State Univer- in nondiscrimination provisions and by Speaker RYAN and Leader PELOSI wel- sity, where she fell in love with arts ensuring that these and other services comed members of the Churchill family and the environment. funded by this body are made available and the distinguished Ambassador from She is more than a 40-year member of without regard to sexual orientation or the United Kingdom to the United the Ozark Society and has served ex- gender identity. States Capitol in honor of the 144th an- tended terms as Ozark Society presi- As a founding member of the Con- niversary of the birthday of the Right dent and conservation chair. gressional LGBT Equality Caucus, I Honorable Winston Churchill. It is al- Alice has worked for decades to pre- have continued to build on these suc- ways a touching and fitting ceremony serve water, air quality, and wilderness cesses by supporting education legisla- here in the people’s Capitol. areas throughout Arkansas. Her life- tion, including: I recall well one of the most fateful time of service to the State of Arkan- The Student Non-Discrimination bill assignments of our predecessor body, sas and environmental conservation to end bullying and harassment contin- the Continental Congress, when a spe- will not be forgotten. ually faced by LGBT students through- cial committee was formed, something I join all Arkansans in congratu- out our Nation; Congress is great at. That special com- lating Alice on this achievement and Adoption bills, such as Every Child mittee included John Adams, Benjamin wish her much continued success. Deserves a Family Act; Franklin, and Thomas Jefferson, and FARM BUREAU PATRIOT PROJECT Legislation to modernize laws and Jefferson was assigned this great task Mr. HILL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today eliminate discrimination with respect of drafting the Declaration of Inde- to recognize the Arkansas Farm Bu- to people living with HIV/AIDS; and pendence. reau for participating in the American The Equality Act, which gives con- Well, Mr. Speaker, he completes his Farm Bureau Federation’s Patriot sistent protection for LGBT individ- work, and he comes back to the com- Project. Arkansas is one of only four uals across existing civil rights laws.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:10 Nov 30, 2018 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00006 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K29NO7.009 H29NOPT1 lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with HOUSE November 29, 2018 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H9699 Each one of these efforts seeks to put denied employment, employment that er in the name of Jesus Christ our an end to the discrimination and to the they need in order to feed their fami- Lord. violence against individuals as a result lies. And those who seek to flee their Amen. of their sexual orientation or their gen- countries to escape a fate that you and f der identity, and I believe each one of I cannot even imagine are often denied THE JOURNAL them is so strong and deserves to con- the expedited refugee protection that tinue to be an American value because they need. The SPEAKER. The Chair has exam- discrimination of any kind runs So, Mr. Speaker, as my time serving ined the Journal of the last day’s pro- counter to who we are as Americans. in this body comes to a close, my fight ceedings and announces to the House As a refugee from the brutal com- for what is right will not end. I say to his approval thereof. munist, the dictatorship in Cuba, I my colleagues: We may be from dif- Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Jour- have always viewed my adopted home- ferent parties, we may have different nal stands approved. land, the United States, as a symbol of points of view and different philoso- Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, pur- freedom, of equality, of opportunity; phies, and we might serve on different suant to clause 1, rule I, I demand a and these are fundamental values that committees, but I ask us all to com- vote on agreeing to the Speaker’s ap- must be applied to everyone in our mit, beginning today, to working proval of the Journal. The SPEAKER. The question is on country, regardless of who they are or across the aisle with a view to becom- the Speaker’s approval of the Journal. whom they love. ing more consistent, more fair, more The question was taken; and the The United States has a unique and respectful, and more principled on this Speaker announced that the ayes ap- important role in the world. Many peo- issue. We as a country need to take ac- peared to have it. ple look to us for leadership. They as- tion to set the right example. Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I ob- pire to be like us. They emulate our There are many issues upon which we ject to the vote on the ground that a values. So, as a country, we have the as a body may never agree, but LGBT quorum is not present and make the opportunity and the awesome responsi- equality should not be one of them. point of order that a quorum is not bility to promote the best of our Amer- f present. ican values. RECESS The SPEAKER. Pursuant to clause 8, One way to do this is to take a stand rule XX, further proceedings on this against the violence, against the har- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- question will be postponed. assment, against the discrimination ant to clause 12(a) of rule I, the Chair The point of no quorum is considered that LGBT community members face declares the House in recess until noon withdrawn. around the world. Mr. Speaker, I will today. f give some examples. Accordingly (at 10 o’clock and 59 Our American values dictate that we minutes a.m.), the House stood in re- PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE should respect and embolden individual cess. The SPEAKER. Will the gentle- freedoms for all. That is our guiding f woman from Michigan (Mrs. LAW- principle. But in 70 countries through- RENCE) come forward and lead the out the world, being gay or transgender b 1200 House in the Pledge of Allegiance. is cause enough to be locked away, im- AFTER RECESS Mrs. LAWRENCE led the Pledge of prisoned. In seven of these countries, Allegiance as follows: The recess having expired, the House the penalty is death. I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the Our State Department Human Rights was called to order by the Speaker at United States of America, and to the Repub- Report, a report that Congress has re- noon. lic for which it stands, one nation under God, quested or mandated be filled out every f indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. year, is reported to us. It is filled with PRAYER f examples of abuses, of discrimination, Pastor William Hild, Jr., COMMUNICATION FROM THE of violence carried out against LGBT CLERK OF THE HOUSE individuals everywhere. FirstSarasota, the Downtown Baptist In Russia, basic political freedoms of Church, Sarasota, Florida, offered the The SPEAKER laid before the House speech, of assembly, and of expression following prayer: the following communication from the are denied to those who are LGBT. In Our Father and our God, we beseech Clerk of the House of Representatives: the Russian republic of Chechnya, You this morning to grant unto this OFFICE OF THE CLERK, Chechen government officials are di- House abundant wisdom, such as we HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, rectly responsible for rounding up and read of in the epistle of James, a wis- Washington, DC, November 28, 2018. Hon. PAUL D. RYAN, executing LGBT individuals. We in dom that ‘‘is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy The Speaker, House of Representatives, Congress condemn these actions by Washington, DC. Chechen authorities through a resolu- and good fruits, without uncertainty or DEAR MR. SPEAKER: I have the honor to tion that I authored and we passed. insincerity.’’ May such wisdom be the transmit herewith a copy of the Certificate In Egypt, LGBT individuals have foundation upon which debate and deci- of Election received from the Honorable been subjected to forced exams in order sion is made. Ruth Johnson, the Michigan Secretary of to prove if someone is gay, whatever We pray for the health, wholeness, State, indicating that, at the Special Elec- that means; and, later, they are incar- and peace to be upon each and every es- tion held on November 6, 2018, the Honorable teemed Member, their spouses, their Brenda Jones was duly elected Representa- cerated. tive in Congress for the 13th Congressional In Indonesia and Nigeria, gay men families, and the dedicated staffs who District, State of Michigan. have been stoned. undergird them. May the great chal- With best wishes, I am, In Jamaica, lesbians have been sub- lenges that confront our land, debated Sincerely, jected to rape, purportedly to correct in this Chamber, become opportunities KAREN L. HAAS, their sexual orientation. for even greater blessing as, together, Clerk. In Brazil and in many Central Amer- we seek Your will for this, our beloved STATE OF MICHIGAN ican countries, transgender individuals Nation. DEPARTMENT OF STATE have been subjected to abuse and mur- May we be reminded today that Your I, Ruth Johnson, Secretary of State and der. Word teaches us: ‘‘Blessed is the Na- Custodian of the Great Seal of the State of This is unimaginable in our country, tion whose God is the Lord.’’ We thank Michigan, certify that the following persons but those are but a few examples of the You for Your incredible goodness, re- were duly elected in Michigan at the Novem- range of injustices and disrespect that membering all Your many blessings, ber 6, 2018 General Election to the Office of U.S. Representative in Congress for a term LGBT individuals face around the both individually and as a Nation. commencing immediately and ending on world. We earnestly pray for a deeper desire January 3, 2019, as shown by the official re- Those who remain in their countries to make You the foundation and center turns certified for the election and placed on face these humiliations. They are even of our life as we offer this humble pray- file in this office.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:39 Nov 30, 2018 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00007 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K29NO7.010 H29NOPT1 lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with HOUSE H9700 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE November 29, 2018 District 13, Brenda Jones. troit City Council. My brother was There was no objection. In witness whereof, I have hereto attached once president of that city council. Mr. BUCHANAN. Mr. Speaker, it is my signature and the Great Seal of the State She has subsequently been reelected an honor for me to welcome to the of Michigan, at Lansing, on November 26, three times and rose to become presi- United States Capitol my pastor, Wil- 2018. RUTH JOHNSON, dent of the council in 2014 and again in liam Hild, who led us in the opening Secretary of State. 2018. prayer today. f BRENDA is a former small-business Pastor Hild is not only a tremendous owner, a past president of the Commu- community leader in my hometown of DIRECTING THE SPEAKER TO AD- nication Workers of America Local Sarasota, Florida, but he has been a MINISTER THE OATH OF OFFICE 4004, and a proud alumnus of Wayne great friend to Sandy and me, and a re- TO THE REPRESENTATIVE-ELECT State University. source to me and my family, for nearly FROM THE 13TH CONGRESSIONAL We all welcome you here to Congress, 18 years. DISTRICT OF MICHIGAN especially fellow colleagues from the Since 1997, Pastor Hild has served as Mr. LEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I offer a Michigan delegation. the pastor of FirstSarasota, the Down- privileged resolution (H. Res. 1161) and But if I may add, the former Speaker town Baptist Church. Under his leader- ask for its immediate consideration in is here, NANCY PELOSI. It is so char- ship, the church has grown. It is very the House. acteristic of her to join all of us. dynamic. It makes a big difference in The Clerk read the resolution, as fol- In addition to the Michigan delega- my community. Also under his leader- lows: tion, I see others who are here who ei- ship, we have seen the incredible out- H. RES. 1161 ther know BRENDA JONES or will come reach that he has done in terms of Resolved, That the Speaker is hereby au- to know her in a short period while she strengthening and encouraging people thorized and directed to administer the oath is here in the U.S. Congress. on our beautiful Gulf Coast. of office to Ms. Brenda Jones, a representa- Mr. Speaker, with those words, I ap- My wife Sandy and I want to person- tive-elect from the 13th Congressional Dis- preciate the chance to address the ally thank Pastor Hild for what he has trict of Michigan. House, and I yield to the gentlewoman done for us in our life and what he con- The resolution was agreed to. from Michigan (Ms. JONES). I proudly tinues to do in our community to make A motion to reconsider was laid on leave this place to the Member, now, of it a better community. It is a privilege the table. the House of Representatives, BRENDA to have Pastor Hild and his family here f JONES. today. Ms. JONES of Michigan. Mr. Speak- SWEARING IN OF THE HONORABLE f er, let me start out by saying: To God BRENDA JONES, OF MICHIGAN, be the glory. I want to first thank God ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER AS A MEMBER OF THE HOUSE for giving me this great opportunity. I PRO TEMPORE The SPEAKER. Will the Representa- want to thank my family; Pastor John The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. tive-elect and the members of the Pitts; a special thank you to my col- ROGERS of Kentucky). The Chair will Michigan delegation present them- leagues BRENDA LAWRENCE, Congress- entertain up to 15 further requests for selves in the well. man BRAD SHERMAN, SHEILA JACKSON 1-minute speeches on each side of the All Members will rise and the Rep- LEE, Chairman CEDRIC RICHMOND; all of aisle. resentative-elect will please raise her the Congressional Black Caucus; and f right hand. all of the Michigan delegation. To the Ms. JONES of Michigan appeared at CONGRATULATING IRA A. leader and to all of my supporters, vol- LEESFIELD the bar of the House and took the oath unteers, my church family, the 13th of office, as follows: Congressional District, and the State (Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN asked and was Do you solemnly swear that you will sup- of Michigan, I say thank you. given permission to address the House port and defend the Constitution of the This truly is a humble feeling to for 1 minute and to revise and extend United States against all enemies, foreign stand here and be sworn in amongst the her remarks.) and domestic; that you will bear true faith men and women who do the work every Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I and allegiance to the same; that you take am so proud to rise today to recognize this obligation freely, without any mental day for the United States of America. reservation or purpose of evasion; and that The voices of constituents of the 13th Ira Leesfield and congratulate him on you will well and faithfully discharge the du- Congressional District have been receiving the 2018 Lawyers for Children ties of the office on which you are about to heard, and I am now seated as their America’s Janet Reno Outstanding enter, so help you God. Representative of the United States of Community Partner Award. The SPEAKER. Congratulations, you America. It is time to get to work. I As a University of Florida Law are now a Member of the 115th Con- am ready to roll up my sleeves during School graduate, Ira proved himself to gress. this lame-duck session, do what is ex- be an intelligent and driven individual from the very beginning of his legal ca- f pected of me, and join my colleagues in getting the job done for the 13th Con- reer. Upon graduation, Ira entered the WELCOMING THE HONORABLE gressional District and for the United honors program at the U.S. Depart- BRENDA JONES OF MICHIGAN TO States of America. ment of Justice and served as a trial THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTA- God bless the 13th Congressional Dis- attorney in the U.S. Army and in the TIVES trict. God bless the United States of Judge Advocate General’s Corps before The SPEAKER. Without objection, America. opening his own practice in 1976. Since then, Ira has become well the gentleman from Michigan is recog- f nized for 1 minute. known for his work throughout our There was no objection. ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER State and the U.S., where he has con- Mr. LEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I proudly The SPEAKER. Under clause 5(d) of sistently made it his mission to be a present BRENDA JONES as a new Mem- rule XX, the Chair announces to the voice for the less fortunate and those ber of Congress for Michigan’s 13th House that, in light of the administra- in need. Congressional District for the remain- tion of the oath to the gentlewoman In the early 1990s, Ira established the der of this Congress. from Michigan, the whole number of Leesfield Family Foundation, which BRENDA JONES was elected in a spe- the House is 433. supports both local and national non- cial election earlier this month. She f profits, and emphasizes protecting the very much wanted to essentially be elderly and underprivileged women and faithful to the votes of her constitu- WELCOMING PASTOR WILLIAM children in our south Florida commu- ents, so all of us are here proudly to be HILD, JR. nity. with her. The SPEAKER. Without objection, Today, I ask my colleagues to join Her career in public service started the gentleman from Florida (Mr. me in congratulating Ira on this well- in 2005 when she was elected to the De- BUCHANAN) is recognized for 1 minute. deserved recognition. I thank him for

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:39 Nov 30, 2018 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00008 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A29NO7.003 H29NOPT1 lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with HOUSE November 29, 2018 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H9701 his tremendous efforts throughout the are in this to make a difference for staff. He is my silent partner. Andy years, and I am so honored to call Ira them. and I met in sixth grade basketball Leesfield my amigo. We work every day to keep that obli- camp at St. Paul Lutheran School f gation, especially, actually, when it where he went and where his kids go. comes to constituent service. It is the We have been friends ever since we EMANCIPATION NATIONAL lifeblood of the work we do here as went to high school together. When I HISTORIC TRAIL Representatives. It is something that moved home to run for Congress, he (Ms. JACKSON LEE asked and was goes unreported, but it is extremely was the guy who helped me. He has given permission to address the House important, extremely valuable, and been my partner in this venture all for 1 minute.) very gratifying. along, and I am so grateful for his Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, the Any success that we have had is real- friendship. I am so grateful for his Nation loves its history. We in Texas ly, in my case, due to our humble and partnership. love our history. Today, I rise to en- our hardworking staff. I have had the I also am just grateful for the people courage and to announce the legisla- chance to work for and to work with of Janesville, Racine, Kenosha, Oak tion that reflects history. the very best people. I really have. Creek, Elkhorn, Lake Geneva, H.R. 4745, to designate the Emanci- Before I was a Member, I was part of Walworth County, Racine County, Ke- pation National Historic Trail, is a a legion of Hill staffers. I was a staffer nosha County, Rock County, Waukesha wonderful legislative initiative that re- here before I got elected as a Member. County, and everyone in between. flects history in the State of Texas and I started as an intern in the mailroom, Since becoming Speaker of the throughout the Nation. and I worked my way on up: legislative House—which is not something that we We are all reminded of the Emanci- correspondent, legislative assistant, are used to in Wisconsin; I am the only pation Proclamation that was issued in legislative director, and chief of staff, one who has done that—I appreciate 1863. We know that there were areas of all of those things. the indulgence of the people I work for the South that did not get the word I figured I knew everything about who indulge the fact that I had other that the slaves were free for 2 years. these jobs, all long hours and all sac- responsibilities in addition. When I Earlier this week, I celebrated the rifices, but nothing can truly prepare took on these additional responsibil- commemoration of the birthday of the you for having people willing to help ities, the people of our staff really Honorable Mickey Leland, who died you in such a big undertaking on the stepped up and really helped serve our some years ago alongside an Ethiopian front lines. So I am profoundly grateful constituents so that they continue to mountain while attempting to feed for the dedicated public servants who enjoy those flawless constituent serv- those struggling. But he believed in have helped us serve the people—my ices. stopping food insecurity. employers—of the First Congressional I am just so grateful for these people In honor of him, reflecting on the District. in my life. I am so grateful that they history of our community, I ask my I want to thank the members of our were able to serve the people of south- colleagues to sign on to H.R. 4745 be- team who have stayed with us to the ern Wisconsin so well, and I am abso- cause it recounts the announcement by very end: Rebekah Cullum, Jordan lutely grateful to the people of south- Captain Granger that the slaves were Dunn, Brandon Farnsworth, Megan ern Wisconsin for entrusting me as finally free in Texas and throughout Wagner, and Laura Wiley. their Representative. the Southwest, and creates a wonderful I want to thank Allison Steil, our f deputy chief of staff, who has been with trail that all of us can enjoy that LAFAYETTE, WE ARE HERE: THE chronicles the story from Galveston to us for 10 years. I want to thank Tricia Stoneking, AMERICAN LAFAYETTE ESCA- Houston. DRILLE Mr. Speaker, this is legislation that our director of scheduling and office says that America can accept all of our operations, who has been with us for 15 (Mr. POE of Texas asked and was history, and I ask you to join H.R. 4745. years. given permission to address the House I want to especially thank the mem- for 1 minute and to revise and extend f bers of our team who have been with us his remarks.) b 1215 from the very beginning, from the Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, as we start. We call them the lifers: Danyell remember the 100th anniversary of the THANKING THE PEOPLE OF Tremmel, my chief of staff; Chad Her- great World War I, it is vital to honor WISCONSIN’S FIRST DISTRICT bert, director of military and veterans American pilots who fought for free- (Mr. RYAN of Wisconsin asked and services; and Susie Liston, district di- dom in Europe before the United States was given permission to address the rector. officially entered the war. House for 1 minute and to revise and Chad is a hunter. He is a veteran. Under the French Air Service, the extend his remarks.) Danyell came from my predecessor. Lafayette Escadrille was formed. It Mr. RYAN of Wisconsin. Mr. Speaker, She knows every nook and cranny in was an all-American, all-volunteer I rise today to express profound grati- the Federal Government and how to squadron. tude to the people of the First District help constituents navigate their prob- In 1916, 224 Americans formed the of Wisconsin. lems. Chad has helped countless vet- unit. They wore French uniforms, and Any time I get to swear in a new erans. He knows the veterans system assembled on their biplanes was a cou- Member as we just did, it brings me so well, and he has done so much good rageous Native American chief. back to the time when I was first for the veterans of southern Wisconsin. Being a pilot in World War I was sworn in here in 1998. I remember just Susie Liston, our district director, deadly dangerous. The life expectancy being awestruck the first time I walked has one of the most pleasant and happy of an Allied pilot was 11 days. Daily down that center aisle. That feeling demeanors. You can get a lot of angry combat operations saw casualty rates just never goes away. I still feel it constituents walking into a district of- of 400 percent. Fifty-one Americans when I walk onto the floor each and fice. She handles them better than any- were killed in combat, and the Ameri- every time. one I have ever known. cans downed 199 enemy planes. They I am immensely grateful to the peo- Teresa Mora, director of outreach, flew in all the major battles over the ple of southern Wisconsin for their has run my bilingual services. She has Western Front’s bloody trenches of no trust and their confidence. I have al- helped me with all my bilingual His- man’s land. ways had this thing about calling the panic townhall meetings. She has done In 1918, when the United States en- people I represent not my constituents a spectacular job of doing constituent tered the war, these men of the Lafay- but my employers. It is the way I have outreach throughout my district. ette Escadrille were incorporated into always thought of this, and I think it is Many of you know Joyce Meyer. the United States Air Service. These important that we as Members under- Joyce was my first legislative director. young flyboys of World War I were stand that we work for the people and Andy Speth started off as my district some of America’s best. They went not the other way around, and that we director then my longtime chief of over there and flew the skies fighting

VerDate Sep 11 2014 01:13 Nov 30, 2018 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00009 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K29NO7.017 H29NOPT1 lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with HOUSE H9702 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE November 29, 2018 for freedom, proudly proclaiming, ‘‘La- son, was one of 200 Texan firefighters learn, work, and play. Each year, Marc fayette, we are here.’’ who answered the call for help. He self- helps more than 4,000 people overcome And that is just the way it is. lessly went into harm’s way and put the limitations of their disabilities to f his life on the line to save others. This reach their full potential. man is a true hero, and I am humbled The challenges that the disabled face HONORING THE MEMORIES OF to speak about him today on the House in day-to-day life are often underappre- SERGEANT DAVID floor in front of my colleagues and the ciated, and their achievements in over- KINTERKNECHT AND DEPUTY Nation. coming those challenges are frequently SHERIFF DEREK GEER Even though the fires have finally overlooked. (Mr. TIPTON asked and was given calmed down, the effects will be felt for I am sure the employees of Marc permission to address the House for 1 years to come, and it is important to would say that it is their patients who minute and to revise and extend his re- let our friends in California know that are the real heroes; and while they cou- marks.) we are with them and that we will con- rageously battle severe challenges, Mr. TIPTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise tinue to keep them in our thoughts and today I rise to commend the heroic ef- today in support of two pieces of legis- our prayers. forts of Marc Community Resources— lation. First, H.R. 6216 will designate I am happy to report that Kris made its owners, managers, and employees— the United States Postal Service facil- it back to Cleburne safely last week. in the work they do. I am grateful for ity in Montrose, Colorado, after Ser- Everyone in Texas’ 25th District is their service to Mesa and the entire geant David Kinterknecht, who was proud of our fellow Texan, and I thank east valley. killed in the line of duty on July 25, him for his valor. f 2009. May God bless the Cleburne Fire De- MOURNING THE LOSS OF Sergeant Kinterknecht was born and partment and God bless the people of CHRISTOPHER RISNER raised in Montrose, Colorado, and grad- California. uated from Mesa State College and In God we Trust. (Mr. WALBERG asked and was given Delta Montrose Technical College. His f permission to address the House for 1 career in law enforcement began in the minute.) 1980s, and throughout his career, he CONGRATULATING JUDGE RICK Mr. WALBERG. Mr. Speaker, I rise served in the Telluride Marshal’s Of- DAVIS ON HIS RETIREMENT today to mourn the loss of Christopher fice, San Miguel County Sheriff’s Of- (Mr. WESTERMAN asked and was Risner, a friend and constituent of fice, and the Montrose County Sheriff’s given permission to address the House mine from Jackson, Michigan. He died Office. for 1 minute and to revise and extend last week at the age of 29, truly heart- The second bill, H.R. 6217, will des- his remarks.) breaking and far too soon. ignate the Postal Service facility in Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I I met Chris through a group called Grand Junction, Colorado, in the Third rise today to recognize the service of Andy’s Angels, which fights the opioid Congressional District after Deputy Garland County Judge Rick Davis. epidemic in our communities. Sheriff Derek Geer, who was killed in Judge Davis is currently serving his A star basketball player in high the line of duty in 2016. Deputy Sheriff fourth and final term in my home school, Chris battled his own addiction Geer went to school in Grand Junction county in central Arkansas. as a young adult. He bravely and open- and eventually raised his family there. Since becoming the county executive ly shared his personal struggles in re- He was a U.S. Navy veteran, and after 8 years ago, Judge Davis has worked covery to educate young people and his Navy service, he went into the hard to improve county roads, stabilize their families about drug addiction. By Mesa County Sheriff’s Office for 15 the water supply, and improve the doing so, he touched many lives and in- years. business environment of Garland Coun- spired them to follow the right path. Both Sergeant Kinterknecht and ty. He has excelled in his role, bringing Mr. Speaker, we have lost too many Deputy Sheriff Geer were respected law more than 30 years of private industry lives of sons and daughters to this dev- enforcement officers dedicated to pub- experience to his job. astating epidemic. That is why earlier lic service and family men. Their Before taking the helm of the county this year we enacted a bipartisan law deaths were mourned by people judge’s office, Rick was chief executive to combat the opioid crisis in a com- throughout the Third District and the officer of Daveco Construction and, prehensive way. Yet in memory of State of Colorado. Passage of H.R. 6216 along with his wife, Denise, raised reg- Chris and so many others, we still have and H.R. 6217 will help preserve and istered Angus cattle on his farm. In more work to do. honor the memories of these police of- fact, the Davis family was named Gar- May all of us commit to redoubling ficers in their communities. land County Farm Family of the Year our efforts in this year ahead, and may God provide His peace and comfort to f in 2004. Rick and Denise are important members of our community who have Chris’ parents, Julie and Dan; his sis- WELCOMING CLEBURNE dedicated their lives to service. ter, Angela; and the entire Risner fam- FIREFIGHTER KRIS WATSON HOME I congratulate Rick on a successful ily. (Mr. WILLIAMS asked and was given tenure as county judge and his long-de- f permission to address the House for 1 served retirement. b 1230 minute.) f Mr. WILLIAMS. Mr. Speaker, I would HONORING THE LIFE OF like to take this time to speak about a RECOGNIZING MARC COMMUNITY SERGEANT JOSHUA RODGERS RESOURCES courageous Texan who is a part of the (Mr. LAHOOD asked and was given Cleburne Fire Department in the dis- (Mr. BIGGS asked and was given per- permission to address the House for 1 trict that I represent, Lieutenant Kris mission to address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his re- Watson. minute and to revise and extend his re- marks.) We all have been closely watching marks.) Mr. LAHOOD. Mr. Speaker, on April the recent fires in California that have Mr. BIGGS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today 27, 2017, U.S. Army Sergeant Joshua been catastrophic to families and busi- to recognize the special work of Marc Rodgers gave the ultimate sacrifice for nesses. Thousands of buildings, includ- Community Resources of Mesa, Ari- our country during a raid on an ISIS ing homes, were scorched in the blaze, zona. Marc is a nonprofit organization headquarters in eastern Afghanistan. and at least 85 people lost their lives. I dedicated to providing education, reha- Despite being just 22 years old, Ser- cannot imagine what the California bilitation, and other social services to geant Rodgers, a member of the U.S. community is going through, and my children and adults with physical dis- Army Rangers Special Operations unit, heart breaks for them. abilities and developmental health had quickly become a decorated hero, While these fires were treacherous challenges. earning numerous awards and medals, and unpredictable, our very own Since 1957, Marc has been committed including the Bronze Star with Valor Cleburne firefighter, Lieutenant Wat- to helping those with disabilities live, and Purple Heart.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 01:13 Nov 30, 2018 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00010 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K29NO7.024 H29NOPT1 lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with HOUSE November 29, 2018 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H9703 Today, the House will consider my FacePrint, a facial expression recogni- Accordingly (at 12 o’clock and 36 legislation renaming a post office in tion system that uses a web camera or minutes p.m.), the House stood in re- the name of Sergeant Rodgers. With smartphone to detect facial masking, a cess. this legislation, we worked closely common Parkinson’s symptom caused f with the U.S. Postal Service; local by stiff facial muscles. FacePrint will b 1530 State Representative Dan Brady; and analyze facial movements and compare Joshua’s mother, Vonda Coulter Rod- them to a database of people with and AFTER RECESS gers. This is a way to pay tribute to without Parkinson’s. The recess having expired, the House Sergeant Rodgers by renaming the post Erin’s app will help lead to early de- was called to order by the Speaker pro office in his hometown of Bloomington- tection of Parkinson’s. Early diagnosis tempore (Mr. VALADAO) at 3 o’clock Normal, Illinois. means early treatment, and appro- and 30 minutes p.m. This legislation has the backing and priately targeted therapies can be ini- f bipartisan support of the entire Illinois tiated before further tissue damage is delegation. We hope that the renaming done. COMMUNICATION FROM THE of this post office will forever remind This creation earned Erin a spot on CLERK OF THE HOUSE the Bloomington-Normal community the Forbes 30 Under 30 list, making her The SPEAKER pro tempore laid be- of their hometown hero and Joshua’s the youngest person to make this list fore the House the following commu- commitment to serving our country. in a decade. nication from the Clerk of the House of While we can never fully repay Ser- We are extremely proud to have Erin Representatives: geant Rodgers and his family for the in the Third District of Kansas. She is OFFICE OF THE CLERK, sacrifices he made, renaming the post a testament to our local schools and a HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, office in his honor is a small way to shining example of the hardworking Washington, DC, November 29, 2018. thank him for his service and dedica- and innovative Kansas spirit. I wish Hon. PAUL D. RYAN, tion to protecting America, the great- the best for Erin as she continues this The Speaker, House of Representatives, est country in the world. Washington, DC. important work to combat Parkinson’s DEAR MR. SPEAKER: Pursuant to the per- f disease. mission granted in Clause 2(h) of Rule II of INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR THE f the Rules of the U.S. House of Representa- tives, the Clerk received the following mes- ELIMINATION OF VIOLENCE RECOGNIZING MAYOR HARVEY AGAINST WOMEN sage from the Secretary of the Senate on No- SKOOG vember 29, 2018, at 3:06 p.m.: (Mrs. WALORSKI asked and was (Mr. GOSAR asked and was given That the Senate passed without an amend- given permission to address the House permission to address the House for 1 ment H.R. 6651. for 1 minute and to revise and extend Appointments: minute.) Federal Law Enforcement Congressional her remarks.) Mr. GOSAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise Mrs. WALORSKI. Mr. Speaker, I rise Badge of Bravery Board. today to recognize Mayor Harvey With best wishes, I am today to recognize the International Skoog of Prescott Valley, Arizona, who Sincerely, Day for the Elimination of Violence will be retiring next month after a long KAREN L. HAAS. Against Women, which was November career of public service. Mayor Skoog f 25. According to the World Health Orga- has served the community of Prescott PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION nization, one in three women around Valley for almost three decades on the OF SENATE AMENDMENT TO H.R. the world experience violence in their city council, 19 years of which he 88, SHILOH NATIONAL MILITARY lifetimes, across all class, race, coun- served as mayor. PARK BOUNDARY ADJUSTMENT try, and age groups, but less than 10 Along with his many years of public AND PARKER’S CROSSROADS percent of abused women seek judicial service, Skoog is known for his pride BATTLEFIELD DESIGNATION ACT and appreciation for his family. He or legal help. Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, by di- moved with his family from the Valley That is why I recently cosigned a bi- rection of the Committee on Rules, I of the Sun to Prescott Valley in 1982. partisan letter to Secretary of State call up House Resolution 1160 and ask He and Edna, his wife of 60 years, have Pompeo and USAID Administrator for its immediate consideration. Green, urging their continued support 9 children, 61 grandchildren, and 43 The Clerk read the resolution, as fol- for the citizen security program in great grandchildren. lows: During his time as mayor, he has re- Guatemala, which addresses crime and H. RES. 1160 ceived many honors, including serving violence at the community level while Resolved, That upon adoption of this reso- working with Guatemala’s Attorney on the League of Arizona Cities and lution it shall be in order to take from the General and judiciary to bring crimi- Towns executive board and as the Speaker’s table the bill (H.R. 88) to modify nals to justice. The letter also called chairman of the Greater Arizona May- the boundary of the Shiloh National Military for the creation of similar programs in ors Association. He was also appointed Park located in Tennessee and Mississippi, countries that have high levels of cor- by Governor Jan Brewer to the Home- to establish Parker’s Crossroads Battlefield land Security Senior Advisory Com- as an affiliated area of the National Park ruption and violence against girls and System, and for other purposes, with the women. mittee for the State of Arizona. Outside of public service, Mayor Senate amendment thereto, and to consider It is crucial that nations work to- in the House, without intervention of any gether to strengthen the rule of law Skoog has been a successful small-busi- point of order, a motion offered by the chair and support institutional structures ness owner, developing three account- of the Committee on Ways and Means or his that protect women and girls from ing practices in the Prescott Valley designee that the House concur in the Senate abuse and violence. area. amendment with an amendment consisting Mayor Skoog has been a shining ex- of the text of Rules Committee Print 115-85 f ample of a true public servant and an modified by the amendment printed in the RECOGNIZING ERIN SMITH outstanding friend to me and my staff report of the Committee on Rules accom- (Mr. YODER asked and was given over my years in Congress. I wish him panying this resolution. The Senate amend- ment and the motion shall be considered as permission to address the House for 1 well in his retirement and thank him read. The motion shall be debatable for one minute and to revise and extend his re- for his service to the Prescott Valley hour equally divided and controlled by the marks.) and the entire State of Arizona. chair and ranking minority member of the Mr. YODER. Mr. Speaker, I rise f Committee on Ways and Means. The previous today to congratulate a young woman question shall be considered as ordered on in my district for creating a remark- RECESS the motion to its adoption without inter- able application to help detect Parkin- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- vening motion. son’s disease. ant to clause 12(a) of rule I, the Chair The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gen- Erin Smith, a Shawnee Mission West declares the House in recess until ap- tleman from Texas is recognized for 1 High School graduate, created proximately 3:30 p.m. today. hour.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:39 Nov 30, 2018 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00011 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K29NO7.022 H29NOPT1 lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with HOUSE H9704 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE November 29, 2018 Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, for the So growth and competition have al- year. We are trying to make sure that purpose of debate only, I yield the cus- ways been keys to an expanding econ- we continue making sure that the tomary 30 minutes to the gentleman omy, more jobs, increased wages. And American family has a chance with an from Massachusetts (Mr. MCGOVERN), in my home city of Dallas, Texas, and opportunity, not just to save, but to be the ranking member, pending which I across the country, it is seen by people able to use the Tax Code to their ad- yield myself such time as I may con- every single day. vantage. sume. During consideration of this res- Now, does that create new respon- Mr. Speaker, what this is about is olution, all time yielded is for the pur- sibilities and new issues? Yes, it does. continuing economic success, economic pose of debate only. And I will tell you that we must be pre- development, the ability that we have GENERAL LEAVE pared as a Nation to tackle those to continue giving the American work- Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I ask issues also. er, the American who is out of perhaps unanimous consent that all Members But today, this legislation is about work, the newest student, or someone have 5 legislative days to revise and ex- the person that goes to work. This bill who was deeply impacted by a natural tend their remarks. today is about the entrepreneur, the disaster, or a person who serves in the The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there family, the small business owner, the United States military, or for a person objection to the request of the gen- American people. who sees a tax fraud or tax cheat to tleman from Texas? And also, as we will soon learn as we have a fair and equal footing to con- There was no objection. work through this debate, people who tinue to call out those that take ad- Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I rise were impacted by disaster, whether it vantage of our system rather than today in support of this rule and the be floods, typhoons, tornados, fires, or using it properly. underlying legislation. The rule pro- other things that have occurred in this That is what this small bill is about. vides for consideration of the Senate great Nation, we are turning the atten- It is about trying to end the year to amendment to H.R. 88, showing the tion to ask for people back home to give the American people the advan- text of the Retirement Savings and help and to help more, and we are tage that they need. Other Tax Relief Act of 2018 and the going to do that through encouraging Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of Taxpayer First Act of 2018. them as a part of the Tax Code. my time. This past December, Congress passed We are going to do much more. We Mr. MCGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, I yield the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act in the inter- are going to help the soldier and the myself such time as I may consume, ests of the American people. It was soldier’s family. We are going to help and I thank the gentleman from Texas done around December 18, this last the people who are those that see tax (Mr. SESSIONS) for yielding me the cus- year. cheats and tax fraud, and protect the tomary 30 minutes. The legislation was a bold, pro- whistleblower. (Mr. MCGOVERN asked and was growth bill that helped overhaul our We are going to take what is 300 given permission to revise and extend Tax Code, and I believe it has un- pages of a small bill that can easily be his remarks.) leashed the free enterprise system all read in a short period of time and un- Mr. MCGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, let me across this great Nation. Mr. Speaker, this was done because 8 derstood, this is all about, not helping first of all say to the gentleman from years of anemic economic growth is any one person or persons, it is helping Texas, the distinguished chairman of what America had been working millions across the country for an ex- the Rules Committee, that I like him a through. We had been working through tension of their taxes and tax relief for lot, he is a great friend, and I respect high taxes, high rules, high regulations yet one more year. him a lot, but I don’t like this bill and that were taking American jobs away This is simply a jump-start to make I don’t respect this process. from Americans and moving them else- sure that the economy looks forward, Mr. Speaker, we are here today with where. It was limiting the future of not not backwards, does not look to one the majority’s last ditch effort to ram only America, but also Americans: the year, but looks to two in the relief that through another partisan tax bill be- newest Americans in the job market, we are going to have. fore the end of this Congress. whether they be high school graduates, Mr. Speaker, the question is, how is And like so many of the Republican whether they be college graduates, or it going in America today? tax bills that came before it, this legis- whether they be those that entered and Well, the answer is we have the low- lation hasn’t been considered by the finished professional school. est number of people who are searching relevant committee. There was no The bottom line, Mr. Speaker, is that for jobs and entering the jobless mar- hearing. There was no markup. Regular for too long, for some 8 years, we had ket to about the same number since order was thrown to the wind. And Re- had a circumstance where the Amer- 1996. publicans didn’t even consult with us, ican Dream for so many fathers and The annual skyrocketing amount us Democrats, on this legislation. mothers became to get their child out that we have of business investment, of This 300-page bill was drafted in the of the house after college, and that be- people who are taking jobs, people who dark of night behind closed doors in came an American Dream if a job was are reinvesting in America is at a high some back room somewhere. Appar- possible. level. ently the majority has completely No longer, as a result of this tax act, This package today will build upon abandoned any semblance of respon- do we find America in that sort of cir- that, it will build upon the successes sible governing. cumstance. that we are presently having and will My friends on the other side of the Today we find not only are there jobs make sure that we are doing the right aisle are rushing to discuss how this is aplenty, but the market is rising, thing. a commonsense plan and the result of wages are being increased, and the op- We know that America is still hurt- some kind of negotiation. portunity for all Americans is bright ing. We know that not all of America Mr. Speaker, are they discussing the again. That is because Republicans and has recovered. As a matter of fact, we same bill? Because this one was intro- President Trump worked together to know that about 40 percent of Ameri- duced late Monday night. Democrats pass not only a jobs and tax bill, but we cans would not be able to cover an learned about it after it was released to had a bill that would increase the emergency expense of $400 or more the press. To claim otherwise is revi- amount of revenue that is flowing into without having to take out a loan. We sionist history. the United States coffers and Treasury know that half of American working This legislation goes beyond a tradi- right now. age adults say they do not still have tional tax extenders deal. It is a vehi- Despite what is being told by many enough savings to be prepared for their cle for the majority to rush in fixes to in the marketplace, that we are simply retirement. their disastrous tax scam, which added running at a huge deficit, more money That is why Republicans are here, $2.3 trillion to the debt to give the is coming into the Treasury supporting once again at the end of the year, to wealthy more tax cuts, fixes that are not only America, but the American say we need to look at the aggregate, necessary because they rushed the bill Dream, and more people have money in the whole country, and to make sure through the House and the Senate in their pockets. that we are looking at the effects of a just 51 days. That is not a deliberative

VerDate Sep 11 2014 01:13 Nov 30, 2018 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00012 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K29NO7.027 H29NOPT1 lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with HOUSE November 29, 2018 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H9705 process, Mr. Speaker. That is a disas- to listen to them. Yet today we are The deferral of people who are in the trous process. once again considering a tax bill to try military, for reservists of the armed This majority just had its worst elec- and fix the Republicans’ unfixable tax services. For the American people, Mr. tion since Watergate. Democrats scam. This is the same agenda the Speaker, and you, page 131 of the bill, earned 9 million more votes, and count- American people rejected from coast to this is what we are attempting to get ing. But apparently Republicans still coast. across, that this is for the American haven’t gotten the message, because The majority may be content con- people. they are continuing to fight for cor- tinuing to turn a deaf ear to the public, Mr. Speaker, page 203, the IRS Free porations instead of truly working but we will not. File Program, this is something that with us to advance changes to our Tax Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of came from lots of work with one of my Code that actually improve the lives of my time. colleagues, LYNN JENKINS. Ms. JENKINS hardworking Americans. Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I yield from Kansas, as a member of the Ways Let me say it as clearly as I can: this myself such time as I may consume. and Means Committee, worked care- is no real fix for the tax scam mon- Yesterday, we had an opportunity in fully for a long period of time with a strosity. So why are we wasting legis- the Rules Committee to hear many of large group of people who were in- lative time? the same words, words certainly of volved in this program. We have real work to do, by the way. very kind and sincere remarks. I appre- We were able to upgrade not just tax There are seven appropriation bills ciate the distinguished gentleman. He law, but also to look at retaliation that still need to be signed into law and I personally get along very well when people see tax cheats, tax frauds. and have enjoyed my time during the over the next 5 legislative days, other- They were given on page 238, Mr. some, I guess, 18 years or so that we wise, our Nation faces yet another Re- Speaker, antiretaliation whistleblower have worked together in the Rules publican shutdown. I read an interview protection for employees who see this. Committee. with President Trump yesterday. He Mr. Speaker, I could keep going and But, Mr. Speaker, I also would say to said he would ‘‘totally be willing’’ to might in a few minutes. That is what shut down the government if taxpayers you that there is kind of a different story to be told, and the different story this bill is about. aren’t forced to pay for his offensive This bill is not as you have heard, is the actual bill. That is what we are border wall with Mexico. This is the but, as advertised, it is a year-end ex- same wall the President promised Mex- going to focus on today. I had a chance to read the bill—I ac- tension to make sure that the things ico would pay for. during the year that needed to be ad- Apparently the majority is willing to tually read it—and there was a con- versation yesterday about that. I actu- dressed are getting addressed. have the American taxpayer get stuck I read for comprehension to find a with the bill, because instead of ful- ally read it for comprehension to un- derstand what is in it rather than to good deal, and, Mr. Speaker, I found filling our most basic responsibility of one. keeping the lights on, we are here read it with the viewpoint of opposing it—actually, read it to learn more The Ways and Means Committee, our today with another Band-Aid for their young chairman, KEVIN BRADY, his tax scam. about it, to learn the business behind a lot of work that had been taking place membership, these hardworking peo- They are also ignoring the need to re- ple, this is done for the American peo- authorize the farm bill, which expired by the Ways and Means Committee, a lot of work that had been public debate ple. This is not done, as we have heard, on October 1. for special interests, rich people, or Oh, and the Violence Against Women and public discussion for a long time. For instance, if we were to talk millionaires. It is done for the right Act will expire on December 7. It de- reason. serves a full reauthorization after a about those seniors who are required to begin taking part of their IRA at 701⁄2 Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of comprehensive floor debate so it could my time. be updated to reflect the changing and start spending down that money that they have saved hard for over the Mr. MCGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, I yield times. myself such time as I may consume. We still have no long-term plan to re- years, government coming and telling them how they are going to become Mr. Speaker, let me just make a cou- authorize the National Flood Insurance ple of points before I yield time to the Program. This majority continues to less able to support themselves by di- gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. KIND). kick the can down the road little by minishing, taxing, using their IRA when they may not want to, that is a First of all, Mr. Speaker, the distin- little, leaving millions of Americans guished chairman of the Rules Com- that rely on this important program in policy discussion. That is not related to millionaires and our GOP friends. mittee mentioned the great people on limbo. the Ways and Means Committee. I just But the only thing the majority ap- That is related to some common sense want to say that there are great people parently wants to debate over and over and some policy. on the Ways and Means Committee, and over again are partisan tax bills. Perhaps, page 73, as an example, Mr. both Democrats and Republicans. Un- And by the way, for all their talk Speaker, disaster-related tax relief, fortunately, they didn’t get to do their about the importance of providing dis- providing for people who were in hurri- job. aster relief, the Republicans are refus- canes, tornadoes, typhoons, and When I think of committees doing ing to support nationwide relief. They wildfires, it says here the Camp and their work, I think of them holding a are picking and choosing which dis- Woolsey wildfire disaster area. These hearing. I think of them doing a mark- aster victims deserve aid. were declared disasters that had be- Mr. Speaker, where is the coverage come national priorities, not only peo- up, or amendments are offered and for the devastating flooding in Wis- ple from my home State of Texas, my things are adjusted and changed where consin or Montana or Kansas or many home city of Dallas going to help our everybody has an input. This bypassed other States that aren’t included here? neighbors to the west, but actually get- the committee. Apparently to this majority, getting ting this in legislation quickly to We can say all the nice things we disaster relief depends on your ZIP make sure that people who live there want about the members of the Ways Code. are able to give more charitable deduc- and Means Committee, but they had So I hope everyone watching here tions and get credit not just for that, nothing to do with this. Leadership today isn’t fooled when the majority but doing the right thing. kind of drafted this in the back room presents its bill as just some mundane Mr. Speaker, it goes on and on, treat- and put it forward. tax extenders bill, because this is real- ment of payments to Guam and the The gentleman talks about disasters. ly another partisan attempt to fix Commonwealth of the Northern Mar- We need to help the areas of this coun- their tax scam before a Democratic iana Islands. try that have been subjects of natural majority takes over in January. It is undeniable, as you read the bill, disasters. The problem is—and I have a that you do this with an idea of under- list that I am happy to share with the b 1545 standing, comprehension. This isn’t gentleman—there are, like, 38 areas of The American people made abun- about special interests. This is about this country that have experienced dis- dantly clear that they want Congress everybody who lived in these areas. asters that get nothing in this bill—not

VerDate Sep 11 2014 01:13 Nov 30, 2018 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00013 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K29NO7.028 H29NOPT1 lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with HOUSE H9706 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE November 29, 2018 a thing. Maybe if you had a hearing, with no clue of what it does or what fice—the chairman, in this case—in the you might have figured that out. the mistakes and the unintended con- dead of night on Monday night and Finally, there are a couple of good sequences are. That alone is reason to rushing this to the House floor later on things in this bill we all can agree on, reject this process and say ‘‘no’’ on the expecting the rest of the body to make but let’s not kid ourselves. This bill bill. an informed and reasoned judgment on really is a way to fix the disastrous tax But the other reason why this proc- it. scam monstrosity which was about ess is so bad is because of what we dis- This whole process is embarrassing. giveaways to corporations and wealthy covered the last time they jammed a We can do better in January. individuals that they rushed through major tax bill through: the mistakes I encourage my colleagues to vote so quickly that it is filled with errors. that were made in it. ‘‘no’’ on this rule and oppose this legis- That is what this is about. They are attempting to try to clean lation tomorrow morning. I stand by what I said when I said this up again without any hearing or Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I yield that this is not a good bill and this is without any scrutiny of what policy myself such time as I may consume. a lousy process. We need to do better. needs to be corrected, and that, too, is I appreciate the feedback from the I hope in the future, when we talk wrong. gentleman from Wisconsin, a very dear about tax legislation, we come to the Let me just give you one example, as and very good friend of mine, and I ap- floor where the committee of jurisdic- my friend from Massachusetts pointed preciate the differences between our tion takes the time to deliberate on it, out. There is also tax relief for nation- parties. to do hearings, to do markups, and to ally declared Federal disaster areas in The differences between the philoso- hear from both sides. this country. Unfortunately, 44 disaster phies of the parties and the differences Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the areas were declared in the last year. of the direction are apparent. But what gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. KIND), Only nine of them are qualifying for is also apparent, Mr. Speaker, is that a distinguished member of the Com- tax relief assistance under this bill, what these dadgum Republicans did is mittee on Ways and Means. and they are on the coast: the East working: more money is coming into Mr. KIND. Mr. Speaker, I thank my Coast, the West Coast, down South. It the Treasury; millions more people friend from Massachusetts for yielding is the wildfires. It is the hurricanes. have a job. me this time. There were other regions of the coun- The opportunity that happened—a re- Mr. Speaker, I am a member of that try, including my home State of Wis- sult of the Tax Code changes—have committee of jurisdiction. I also re- consin that was hit with devastating brought, at minimum, $50 billion back member growing up as a kid in Wis- flooding this summer. For whatever into America in less than about 9 consin, and many of us looked forward reason, the chairman of the committee months, money flowing back in, which to this radio program that Paul Harvey decided to exclude those areas. The is the reverse of what was described in would deliver giving the news of the pain that those communities are fac- the nineties with that sucking sound of day. ing—the homeowners and the small jobs leaving America. It is now the There was also a special segment of businesses—are just as real in the rush of the beautiful breeze of jobs that program called ‘‘The Rest of the upper Midwest due to the devastating coming back in, manufacturers not Story,’’ where he would fill in the flooding as what has been taking place just in Wisconsin, but all through the blanks of what actually is taking place on the coast, yet there is no logical ex- Midwest, down even as far as Dallas, here. That is what I am here today to planation why there has been this Texas. explain, the rest of the story of what is wholesale exclusion of other areas Mr. Speaker, there was one point happening with this legislation and around the country that don’t qualify where I held a meeting and a press con- why I rise in opposition to the rule and for these tax provisions. That is some- ference at a manufacturer, and that opposition to the underlying bill. thing I would have anticipated we manufacturer said that this is the most A little over a year ago, this Cham- could have brought up in committee robust period of time he had had in the ber passed comprehensive tax reform and tried to correct through the nor- history of the company and actually for the first time in over 30 years. I mal regular process but was deferred. challenged the TV stations to say he thought the process then was deplor- Finally, let me add this thought. The was looking for 12 more workers. He able with no hearing, with no vetting, last tax bill that they passed is going found two the next day, people who with no stakeholders, with no feedback to increase our national debt over the called who were looking for jobs. from people back home, or with no op- next 10 years by $2.3 trillion. This bill 1600 portunity for there to be any construc- is another $53 billion downpayment on b tive review of what was attempting to the fiscal irresponsibility that has been Mr. Speaker, we are talking about be passed. In a little over 50 days, a coming out of this Congress for too things that work, not axioms of these major overhaul of the Tax Code. long. feel-good things: Oh, we can do better. And yet, today, we have a process This last session of Congress under Well, for 8 years, they didn’t do bet- with this tax bill before us that is even Republican majority leadership is ter. For 8 years, the philosophy was worse. Not only was there no hearing going to go down in history as one of tax, spend, regulate, overregulate, held on it or vetting or feedback from the most fiscally irresponsible Con- move jobs overseas, blame somebody any experts or feedback from people gresses that has dug such a deep fiscal else for their problem. back home about the impact this is hole for the future of our children and That is not a winning hand. A win- going to have, we didn’t even have a grandchildren. It is going to be incum- ning hand is more people having jobs. markup in committee for us Members bent upon us as the new majority in Today, the highest numbers of people to be involved and try to find where January to start cleaning up the mess. ever are working in America. The facts mistakes were being made, and now Let me tell you how things will be of the case are: more African Ameri- with the rush to judgment with this done differently: cans today work than ever, more His- bill that was finally offered late Mon- We will immediately start having panics, more women, more oppor- day night. hearings on that massive tax bill in tunity, better chances for you to get a I have been poring over this docu- order to correct the problems and the higher paying job, better opportunities. ment over the last 2 years. I will guar- mistakes and the unintended con- Mr. Speaker, I wouldn’t have to say antee the American people that the av- sequences by calling people with too much, but these same policies that erage Member of Congress had no way knowledge before us to get feedback. they talk about here today are the of reviewing this or even understanding We will go through the regular proc- same policies that you would get out of what was in this bill, especially given ess of having hearings, of having mark- the State of California that has 125,000 all of the legalese that is involved with ups, of doing proper vetting, and giving homeless people, 55,000 homeless people it. Members who aren’t even on the com- in Los Angeles. How can that be? They will be forced to come to the mittee an opportunity to weigh in on Well, it is easy to understand. The floor tomorrow morning expecting to significant pieces of legislation rather same policies that they want for us in vote on a major piece of legislation than it coming out of one person’s of- Washington are the same policies they

VerDate Sep 11 2014 01:13 Nov 30, 2018 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00014 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K29NO7.029 H29NOPT1 lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with HOUSE November 29, 2018 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H9707 have in Los Angeles and in California. seen bills come to the Rules Com- Where are all of these new invest- That is called overregulate, overtax, mittee time and time again that have ments? They weren’t realized, and they and run them the heck out of town. bypassed committees of jurisdiction, weren’t realized because the corpora- That is why there are so many unem- have had no hearings, have had no tions said at the time that they don’t ployed people. That is why there are markups, no nothing. need these crazy tax cuts. Republicans 55,000 homeless people in Los Angeles. If I were a Republican on the Ways insisted on it. Part of the reason they Friends of mine who visit the beau- and Means Committee, I would be insisted on it was because it is part of tiful, coveted city of San Francisco upset that a major piece of legislation their three-step plan, which we talked come back and tell the story of heart- would come to the Rules Committee about in 2017 during the debate on the breaking demise of people living on the without having gone through the com- tax cuts. We had charts. Here is what streets of San Francisco, a drug-ridden, mittee that I am on. That is not the they are going to do: cut taxes; then crime-ridden, despicable opportunity way this place is supposed to work. We complain about the additional debt; for people to see a great city in despair, need to do better. and then ask for cuts in Medicare, Med- in ruin. I would say that if this were sub- icaid, and Social Security in order to That is what you get when you raise jected to a normal process where com- pay for those new debts. taxes, when you don’t give oppor- mittees could work their will, maybe That is exactly what we have seen tunity, and when America fails to be we would be here having a different dis- this year. The majority leader of the able to look forward for the best oppor- cussion. Maybe there would be more bi- Senate from my State complained the tunity. partisanship here, not just on a couple other day: Oh, these deficits are get- Mr. Speaker, I get what they want. of items that are tucked into this bill, ting really high. The debt is getting They don’t want this bill that gives op- but on the whole package. I don’t really high. We need to look at these portunity. They don’t want the oppor- know. But I would like to see us go mandatory spending programs. tunity for people to have a fighting back to having committees matter That is the playbook we have seen chance, and then they will blame it on again. time after time after time. Let’s stop somebody else. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the pretending that my colleagues across Mr. Speaker, we are going to stand gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. YAR- the aisle are there for the American behind this bill, and we are going to MUTH), the distinguished ranking mem- people. They aren’t the party of fiscal pass it. I think there will be some ber of the Budget Committee. responsibility or economic growth. Democrats who will vote for it. We are Mr. YARMUTH. Mr. Speaker, I thank They are the party of one thing and going to be proud to have them. the gentleman for yielding. one thing only, and that is tax cuts for Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of Mr. Speaker, for years now, certainly their wealthy corporate donors. This is my time. over the last few months, we have been a reflection of that truth. Mr. MCGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, I yield hearing concerns from our Republican The American people don’t want myself such time as I may consume. colleagues about the exploding na- these tax cuts, and our country can’t Mr. Speaker, the gentleman from tional debt. Yet, here they are today afford them. I, therefore, urge my col- Texas, the distinguished chairman of asking us to vote for another unpaid- leagues to oppose this rule and the un- the Rules Committee, is right. There for, multibillion-dollar, partisan tax derlying bill. are differences between Democrats and cut. With the clock ticking on this Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I yield Republicans on how we should ap- lame-duck Congress and the Repub- myself such time as I may consume. proach some of these issues, including licans’ unchecked control here in Con- Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the distin- tax issues. We believe that the focus gress, they are rushing through an- guished gentleman who will, presump- ought to be on the middle class and other round of costly, reckless cuts. tively, be the new chairman of the those struggling to get in the middle Now, as my colleague from Massa- Budget Committee. class. chusetts (Mr. MCGOVERN), the soon-to- I think what is interesting is, he said My friends on the other side are more be chairman of the Rules Committee, that Republicans promised more in- interested in helping those who are said, Democrats were locked out of the vestment. Yes, that happened. Repub- well-off and well connected. We are process for this 300-page bill. There licans promised more jobs. He said horrified by the fact that my Repub- were no hearings, no debate, no mark- thousands. It is millions, Mr. Speaker, lican friends seem to have no regard for up. It went straight to the floor with not thousands. We promised millions adding to the debt the way they have. the hope that the American people more jobs. He then said we promised We think that there has to be some re- aren’t looking. thousands. sponsibility. The thing is that the American peo- Mr. Speaker, then he went to a very But we can have those fights. I think ple have made it very clear, both in interesting perspective, and that was: whether you are a Democrat or a Re- polling and at the polls, that they did all companies really use this money publican, whether you are a liberal or a not support the Republicans’ trillion- just to buy back their own stock. Mr. conservative, the one thing that we dollar tax cuts for wealthy corpora- Speaker, investment in a company is should all agree on is that the process tions last time, and they certainly great, and while that might not be nec- should have some integrity. won’t support even more tax cuts this essarily one of the greatest ways to do When you bring bills to the floor like time. it, it buoyed the stock market up 40 major tax bills, it ought to have been The distinguished chairman of the percent. the result of the committee process. committee, a very thoughtful and sin- It buoyed the stock market up to There should have been hearings where cere individual, talked about all of the where every senior, every person that you have people who are pro and con successes of the prior tax cut. But re- would have a stock market account, a come forward and testify and give their member what they promised when they savings account, a saving for their fu- advice, or you have a markup where rammed this thing through in 2017: ture, saving for their children, it Democrats and Republicans can offer that the corporate tax cut from 35 to 21 buoyed that opportunity with value. amendments to try to make the bill percent was going to unleash incredible That is what we promised, and it better. investment in the country, creating worked, and they don’t like that. They I still don’t understand why so many thousands of jobs and new facilities don’t like the success of the stock mar- areas of the country that have been and new investments in plants and ket. They don’t like the success, and so victims of disasters are not even men- equipment. they act like it didn’t even happen. tioned in this so-called wonderful bill What has happened? This year alone, Mr. Speaker, the difference between that the gentleman from Texas talks there was $800 billion in stock thousands and millions is literally a about. buybacks—let me repeat, $800 billion in thousand times difference. I spoke Process has to matter. The commit- stock buybacks—increased dividends about this earlier when we were talk- tees of jurisdiction—in this case, it is that mostly go to wealthy investors, ing about this bill right here. the Ways and Means Committee—mat- about a third of which actually go to Oh, it is full of giveaways, they say, ter. But this is not unique. We have foreign investors. to millionaires and GOP fat cats.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 01:13 Nov 30, 2018 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00015 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K29NO7.032 H29NOPT1 lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with HOUSE H9708 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE November 29, 2018 It is extenders. It is continuing the few weeks, but the gains for the entire people from Mrs. Pelosi want to vote success. It is doing the right thing. It year disappeared in a couple of weeks. against—disaster tax relief for people is about people who had fire ravaging The uncertainty troubles people who all across California, all across the their homes and their areas, not just care about the future of this country. Mariana Islands, and all across the the Republican houses. It was about As the 115th Congress staggers to its country—except just to say that I do helping members of the military. It conclusion, this rule enshrines the fail- know that people in their party oppose was about good policy from the Ways ure of the Republicans to deal mean- the tax bill. I get that. and Means Committee that was equally ingfully with America’s scandalous Tax But there is more money coming in known as bipartisan with the work Code, although promising to reform the today than there was yesterday. There that was done there to make sure that Tax Code. are millions of more people who have a we acknowledged tax cheats and let the b 1615 job today than yesterday. I do know employees who saw that get a better the numbers that were expressed are footing. I was one of the people on the Ways numbers that they want to tout, but There were lots of hearings, lots of and Means Committee who worked the that is not the way it worked. That information. But if you simply read to 8 years they were in charge to try and was what the CBO said. But the reality have a jaundiced view of the world and find areas of bipartisan cooperation, of the circumstance is some 4 million to oppose it, as opposed to reading for but they have repeatedly failed at re- people today have a job who did not substance, I see how you could get it form. Instead, every year, they made have one and had been looking. wrong, Mr. Speaker. I see clearly how the Tax Code more complicated and Mr. Speaker, just a few years ago, you could get it wrong if you don’t less fair. That came to a glorious con- the major newspapers and major maga- read for comprehension. clusion with their tax scam which zines across America said: Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of made a hash out of the Tax Code. It We are going to just have to get used to my time. means that millions of people actually this is the way the world is now—high unem- Mr. MCGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, I yield will pay more. Irony of irony, Ameri- ployment, higher taxation. myself such time as I may consume. cans trying to deal with a more com- Newsweek magazine had on its cover: Mr. Speaker, the chairman of the plicated Tax Code won’t even be able to ‘‘Is America Really Turning Social- Rules Committee keeps on talking deduct the accounting expenses to deal ist?’’ about success and how the Republicans with this monstrosity. The answer came back that the delivered and how great everything is. The centerpiece of the 8 years in American people disagree with unem- If that were the case, I think the elec- charge was the tax scam costing tax- ployment. The American people dis- tion results in November would have payers $2.3 trillion of additional debt. agree with high taxes. The American been much different. Now, you would think if we were going people see what is happening in Cali- The bottom line is that—this is ac- to borrow $2.3 trillion and lavish tax cording to exit polls that were con- fornia, 55,000 homeless people in Los breaks, admittedly on people who need Angeles. That is not an accident. That ducted by major news outlets—28 per- them the least, that you would think cent of the people surveyed said that is policy in action; 125,000 homeless that would at least be popular. My the Republican tax bill has helped people in California, that is not an ac- friend from Massachusetts cited some them—only 28 percent. That is it. cident, that is policy directly from the of the perceptions of the American pub- Sixty-eight percent say it has had ab- Democratic Party that ran jobs out of lic. But what I think is most telling is solutely no impact or has hurt them. the State so that the average family that their tax cut that costs the Amer- That is what the American people there didn’t have a job. ican taxpayer $2.3 trillion in additional think. That is what they are pushing right So my friends can pontificate all debt was less popular than Bill Clin- here. We are not going to do that. We they want and talk about how wonder- ton’s tax increase. are going to stand up and say: We read ful everything is, and it may be good What was supposed to be the center- the bill. We read the bill. That is what therapy. But at the end of the day, the piece of a ride to victory in November it is here for. That is why we can stand American people have a very different ended up being the largest net increase up and tout this. opinion of the performance. for Democrats since Watergate, and at By the way, Mr. Speaker, when you When the gentleman talks about in- the end they weren’t touting it. They are from Texas, if there is one riot, all vesting in our country, where is the in- weren’t campaigning on it. it takes is one Ranger. frastructure bill? Where is the infra- The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of structure bill that the President prom- BARTON). The time of the gentleman my time. ised, that the Republicans said they has expired. Mr. MCGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, may I were going to work on to rebuild our Mr. MCGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, I yield inquire from the gentleman from Texas country, to put millions of people to the gentleman from Oregon an addi- how many more speakers he has? work in good-paying jobs? It is no- tional 1 minute. Mr. SESSIONS. Just one Ranger, Mr. where to be found. Mr. BLUMENAUER. In fact, if that Speaker. So the bottom line is, the American was such a great idea, don’t you think Mr. MCGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, I yield people issued their verdict on the Re- they would have had a hearing on this myself the balance of my time. publican performance, and, quite bill? Mr. Speaker, people are beginning to frankly, it wasn’t a positive one. Don’t you think they would get their read the bill. Members should have just Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the Members involved? received a letter from 27 national gentleman from Oregon (Mr. BLU- Where are the dozens of Republicans groups, including labor unions, good MENAUER), a distinguished member of coming to the floor to celebrate the government groups, and anti-poverty the Committee on Ways and Means. rule for this flawed piece of legislation? groups, who just sent us a letter Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, I It is complex, and it is unfair. It is strongly urging us to oppose this par- appreciate the gentleman’s courtesy in raising taxes on millions, destabilizing tisan tax bill. These groups represent allowing me to speak on this bill. our economic future, and making it millions and millions of people in this Mr. Speaker, I hear my friend from harder for us to compete in the future. country. They don’t represent the big Texas talking about the booming stock Mr. Speaker, reject the rule, and re- corporations or the people who are market and the increase in employ- ject the bill. well-connected and well-off. They rep- ment. Actually, the statistics will bear Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I yield resent working-class people and mid- out that the increase in employment myself such time as I may consume. dle-class people, those who are strug- has been a steady line through the Once again, I will reiterate that this gling in poverty. But they are asking Obama administration. It hasn’t bill is about doing great things for us to oppose this, and I urge my col- spiked. It is just kind of continuing the events that have happened in this leagues to take note of their appeal. slow recovery. country. I really can’t imagine that Mr. Speaker, this very week, General About that stock market, now maybe Members would want to simply take Motors announced that they are laying my friend was distracted for the last the things that the leadership class of off nearly 50 percent of their workers

VerDate Sep 11 2014 01:13 Nov 30, 2018 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00016 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K29NO7.033 H29NOPT1 lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with HOUSE November 29, 2018 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H9709 in North America and shuttering five ervations with how we are proceeding Mr. Speaker, the opportunity for us plants. That is thousands of workers— here today, to recognize the chairman to close today is a chance to reflect thousands of families—who are going of the Rules Committee, Congressman upon not just the ideas that we rep- to spend their holiday season applying SESSIONS, for his service. He and I, ob- resent, but really our commitment to for unemployment and worrying about viously, don’t agree on every policy or the American people. The American what is next. They don’t have the lux- every piece of legislation, but despite people do deserve a right to see a bet- ury of waiting until the Democratic our disagreements, he has always had ter process, and that I acknowledge. majority takes over in January. They my respect, and I have always appre- They have a right to know that the are hurting right now. Many of them ciated his professionalism and the forthrightness of a committee, whether believed President Trump when he vis- courtesy that he has shown those of us they are up at 2 in the morning or 8 in ited Ohio last year. He told them: on both sides of the aisle who have tes- the morning because we had not com- Don’t move. Don’t sell your house. The tified before the committee over the pleted necessarily our work the night jobs are all coming back. They are all com- years. before, the Rules Committee did its ing back. The Rules Committee has a reputa- service. It did its service to this body So what are House Republicans doing tion for long hearings, and that is be- on a bipartisan basis. It did it from to help? Are they making good on their cause the chairman insists that every- professional content of a professional promise to help support working fami- body has an opportunity to say what is staff, not only from the minority that lies? on their mind, and sometimes people was led at the very top with Don The answer is absolutely not. can’t say it in 5 minutes. Sometimes Sisson, who did an awesome job, but They are spending their last month they say it in 5 hours. Nonetheless, he also Steve Cote, the staff director. It in power doubling down on their tax has presided over a committee that has was a relationship that has been suc- scam to help the corporate elite. I have always been receptive to people’s cessful for this body. to ask my friends on the other side of views. Mr. Speaker, I do want to say this, the aisle: Are you kidding me? It is important as we discuss policy that just as the distinguished gen- All the while, the President’s disas- here that we don’t lose sight of the tleman from Massachusetts, the soon- trous trade war has been making people we serve with, and I know he to-be chairman—I assume chairman of things even worse. According to Gen- will lead a professional transition as the Rules Committee—as he has asked eral Motors, his tariffs have cost the we prepare for the next Congress. But I his side to look at and how they would company an extra $1 billion—that is wanted to say, for the RECORD, that de- vote, I would also ask you, Mr. Speak- billion with a B. spite our sharp disagreements on issues er, and the team, which today is in the Tell me, is this what winning is sup- like today, and even on process, that I majority, to make sure they read this posed to look like? Because it feels an have high regard for him, and I thank bill with content orientation to the awful lot like losing. him for his service. needs of the American people, to look This bill is what happens when Re- Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to at the real successes as we walk out- publicans rush bills through so fast vote ‘‘no’’ on the rule and vote ‘‘no’’ on side today to see that the booming that there is no time to understand its the underlying bill, and I yield back economy that is taking place in Amer- impact. the balance of my time. ica where people who did not have jobs Let me tell you: things have to Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, may I do; for those who have been on our TV change around here. They really do. I inquire as to how much time is remain- sets and in our prayers where some say this over and over and over again, ing on my side? natural disaster has claimed them, but I believe it. This should not be a The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gen- whether it be through a mistake or partisan matter for debate, and that is 1 tleman from Texas has 5 ⁄2 minutes re- through necessarily Mother Nature, that committees of jurisdiction in this maining. that we as America are better when we House ought to do their job. They Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I yield work to solve problems together. ought to do their work. On major myself the balance of my time. issues like this, there ought to be hear- I, of course, want to acknowledge and b 1630 ings. There ought to be markups. Peo- thank the distinguished gentleman We are better in America when we ple ought to be able to express them- from Massachusetts. His time in the believe there is no problem bigger than selves. committee has been forthright, honest, a solution, where we in America want People fight to get on the Ways and and straightforward. The opportunity to put our best foot forward and can Means Committee because they want that he has to serve in the minority work together. to have their fingerprints on tax legis- will be reflected with an opportunity Mr. Speaker, we are all better, all of lation. They don’t fight to get on com- for him to serve in the majority. us, than any one of us. My party is bet- mittees like Ways and Means so that I think the Rules Committee is also ter with the Democratic Party than somebody in the leadership just by- headed for a bright future with an op- without the Democratic Party. My passes the committee totally, we go portunity to fully vet ideas, the oppor- ideas are better to be vetted and even right to the Rules Committee with a tunity to talk, and to hear dialogue. I challenged. That way, the American closed rule. must say I have been through a number people have a chance to see not only So much of what has happened in of chairmen, several at least, and I at- the possibility and probability, but this last session has happened with tempted to craft my own way for the also to vet the ideas that have made total disregard to regular order. I committee. this Nation a great nation for so many think, quite frankly, it has negatively I appreciate and respect the gen- years. impacted the products that have come tleman. I think it is also important to While it is true my service to this out of this Congress. But I also think it state that it extended to his young wife body will be coming to a close after 22 has been insulting to, not just Demo- and his daughter who visited the com- years, I would say to you, Mr. Speaker, cratic Members, but to Republican mittee several times. His wife, who, in that your service, too, to this great Na- Members as well. a most genuine, professional and tion has made our country better. So we really need to step back and to straightforward spousal context, to my For those who are on the floor today, figure out how we can run this place wife, Karen, enjoyed a relationship and I would thank the distinguished gen- better, and I hope that a Democratic they found common interests, not only tleman from Texas. I would thank the majority will do that. in working with cancer, but JIM’S wife distinguished gentleman from Massa- We are days away from a possible sent me a gracious letter acknowl- chusetts. I would thank the distin- government shutdown. We have seven edging the work that I personally have guished gentleman from Florida, one of appropriation bills left to sign into done in cancer and in the areas of the my fraternity brothers, who has law, and we are helping corporations FDA and dealing with cancer research brought forth ideas on this for other instead. What an embarrassment and and trials. That professionalism ex- colleagues of Texas, like Mr. GREEN, what a shame. tended not just from JIM but to his who might be in attendance today. Lastly, Mr. Speaker, I do want to young bride who was most genuine in I would say that we have tried to take a moment, despite my strong res- her remarks. make this work as evidence that the

VerDate Sep 11 2014 01:13 Nov 30, 2018 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00017 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K29NO7.034 H29NOPT1 lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with HOUSE H9710 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE November 29, 2018 American people can see, and I think There was no objection. Federal program, is the only program they can see it today. Mr. Speaker, I Mr. HENSARLING. Mr. Speaker, I in town. We are saying: Let it open. end my statement with a focus on this yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Let the private sector come in. innovation and entrepreneurship. Wisconsin (Mr. DUFFY), the chairman That is the one thing it would have Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of the Housing and Insurance Sub- taken for a long-term extension, and of my time, and I move the previous committee. He is also the author of the the answer to that from the conserv- question on the resolution. 21st Century Flood Reform Act, which atives and some of the liberals was no. The previous question was ordered. was passed by this body over a year I think that is a sad shame. I think The SPEAKER pro tempore. The ago, and we still await the Senate to we owe better to our constituents, and question is on the resolution. take up this version. we owe better to the Federal debt and The question was taken; and the Mr. DUFFY. Mr. Speaker, I thank deficit on a program that doesn’t work. Speaker pro tempore announced that the chairman for yielding and for his Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the chair- the ayes appeared to have it. great work as the chairman of the Fi- man’s leadership. Mr. MCGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, on nancial Services Committee and on Ms. MAXINE WATERS of California. that I demand the yeas and nays. flood insurance reform. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time The yeas and nays were ordered. There are a lot of things we could as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- talk about today in regard to flood in- some of my time to tell Mr. DUFFY: ant to clause 8 of rule XX, further pro- surance: Just calm down. This is easy. We are ceedings on this question will be post- We could talk about the fact that re- all together on this. I want to make poned. petitive loss properties make up 2 per- sure he doesn’t damage himself in all of f cent of all the policies but account for the display that he is doing today. ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER 25 percent of all of the claims. It is disappointing that we find our- PRO TEMPORE We could talk about the fact that the selves on the House floor yet again to NFIP is $30 billion in debt, and that is The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- temporarily extend the National Flood after last year when we forgave $16 bil- ant to clause 8 of rule XX, the Chair Insurance Program’s authorization. lion in debt. Again, we forgave $16 bil- will postpone further proceedings The NFIP provides flood insurance lion. We are still $25 billion in debt and today on motions to suspend the rules coverage to more than 5 million fami- actually racked up $10 billion of new on which a recorded vote or the yeas lies across the country. Communities debt in this program over the last year. and nays are ordered, or votes objected rely on NFIP for flood maps and miti- I have got to tell you I am frustrated. to under clause 6 of rule XX. gation assistance, and small businesses We passed a bipartisan bill in this The House will resume proceedings rely on the NFIP to pick up the pieces Chamber. We actively and aggressively on postponed questions at a later time. when the inevitable storm hits. Yet the negotiated it. This is a big issue for f long-term stability of this critical pro- families back home, for constituents of gram continues to fall victim to our in- NATIONAL FLOOD INSURANCE our Members. We have listened to ability to agree on a number of items. PROGRAM FURTHER EXTENSION them. We heard them. We modified, we Mr. Speaker, Americans across the ACT OF 2018 tweaked a bill, and we passed it—and country are experiencing natural disas- Mr. HENSARLING. Mr. Speaker, I the Senate won’t take it up. ters of an absolutely catastrophic mag- move to suspend the rules and pass the Mr. HENSARLING and I have worked nitude. Just this month, the Camp fire bill (H.R. 7187) to extend the National across the aisle with Members not just devastated California, amounting to Flood Insurance Program until Decem- in the Democratic Party, but also in the deadliest and most destructive ber 7, 2018. the Senate. I have come to the opinion wildfire in California history. Current The Clerk read the title of the bill. that there are very powerful players in estimates are that 88 individuals have The text of the bill is as follows: this Chamber and in the Chamber next lost their lives and tens of thousands of H.R. 7187 door that don’t want anything done structures, including over 13,000 single- Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- with flood insurance. family homes, have been destroyed. resentatives of the United States of America in It is a sick and broken program that 2017 was an absolutely catastrophic Congress assembled, goes deeper and deeper in debt, that year in terms of hurricanes. In 2017, for SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. incentivizes people to build in dan- the first time on record, three Cat- This Act may be cited as the ‘‘National gerous places. And they say: No, no, no. egory 4 hurricanes made landfall in the Flood Insurance Program Further Extension We don’t want any reform. Let’s march United States. Hurricane Maria deci- Act of 2018’’. on with a program that doesn’t work. mated Puerto Rico. SEC. 2. PROGRAM EXTENSION. I listened to all the conservatives in Meanwhile, the administration’s Na- (a) FINANCING.—Section 1309(a) of the Na- this Chamber. They throw out: Who is tional Climate Assessment, which is a tional Flood Insurance Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. more conservative? Who is less? 4016(a)) is amended by striking ‘‘November report prepared by 13 Federal agencies 30, 2018’’ and inserting ‘‘December 7, 2018’’. You have some really great conserv- and more than 3,000 scientists, recently (b) PROGRAM EXPIRATION.—Section 1319 of atives who absolutely refuse to deal documented the numerous impacts of the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 (42 with a program that is burning billions our warming climate. According to the U.S.C. 4026) is amended by striking ‘‘Novem- of dollars in our Federal budget. report, climate change is costing bil- ber 30, 2018’’ and inserting ‘‘December 7, My question is: Why don’t we start lions of dollars in property damage 2018’’. looking out not just for the Federal from sea level rise. High tide flooding The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- budget, but also have a program that has increased by factors as high as 10 ant to the rule, the gentleman from will work for our people? in some communities, and fire season Texas (Mr. HENSARLING) and the gen- We were willing to make one offer of is now over 80 days longer than a cou- tlewoman from California (Ms. MAXINE reform for a long-term extension. We ple of decades ago. WATERS) each will control 20 minutes. said: Let’s let the private market Faced with these realities, we stand The Chair recognizes the gentleman work. Let’s let the private sector come here today still lacking a credible plan from Texas. in and take up some of the policies to end the partisan problems that we GENERAL LEAVE that are paying more than what the have that has brought the NFIP to the Mr. HENSARLING. Mr. Speaker, I market would bear, let people get a brink of a lapse several times already ask unanimous consent that all Mem- lower rate and reduce the risk to the in this Congress. bers may have 5 legislative days in Federal taxpayer. I, too, and others, are disappointed which to revise and extend their re- And guess what. No one said yes. We that we have missed opportunities to marks and include extraneous material couldn’t get a ‘‘yes’’ from the opposi- responsibly help homeowners, busi- on this bill. tion to flood insurance reform. nesses, and renters who all need access The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there I guess I thought conservatives want- to affordable flood insurance by taking objection to the request of the gen- ed a free market. They like markets to sensible steps to stabilize flood insur- tleman from Texas? work. In flood insurance, the NFIP, the ance premiums, deal with the NFIP’s

VerDate Sep 11 2014 05:25 Nov 30, 2018 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00018 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K29NO7.036 H29NOPT1 lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with HOUSE November 29, 2018 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H9711 debt, and invest in up-to-date and accu- b 1645 reforms. Four months have passed rate flood maps. Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speak- since the last vote. We still have noth- Thankfully, the American people er, I thank the ranking member for al- ing to show for it. have demanded a change in Wash- lowing the time and commend her for No one has been a greater advocate ington; and I am sure that, if we con- her many years of service and her ef- for reform than our colleague, Mr. BLU- tinue to concentrate on this issue, we forts, in a bipartisan way, to establish MENAUER of Oregon. Together, he and I can find bipartisanship and get some- the NFIP program such that it would have authored a number of bills that thing done. be responsible, such that it would take would better prepare Americans for ris- Given the critical importance of the care of the needs of the many people ing floodwaters, as had Mr. DUFFY, re- NFIP to our housing market, I am across the length and breadth of our forms that would address the fact that pleased that we are taking this small country. fewer than 2 percent of 5 million poli- step today of reauthorizing the pro- I also thank the chairperson of the cies have absorbed more than $80 bil- gram through December 7 to at least committee for his years of service. I lion in payments. avoid its doors from shuttering. But know this is not the last time that he So, are we here today to talk about our work is far from done. and I will be on the floor together, but reforms? No. We are here to support a I have led the effort for years to pro- I do want to thank him now for his program that tells Americans that, if vide long-term reauthorizations of the years of service. you buy flood insurance from Uncle NFIP so that we could ensure the af- Mr. Speaker, the NFIP is important Sam, no matter how many times your fordability and availability of flood in- to families because if the family can- house floods, we will give you money to surance. I will continue to do so in the not get the flood insurance, they can- rebuild it without requiring mitiga- Financial Services Committee next not purchase the home. It is important tion; a program that currently makes Congress. to Realtors because if the home can’t it more difficult for people to move Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of be purchased, the Realtors, obviously, than to rebuild, that fails to encourage my time. cannot sell the home. It is important communities to mitigate flood risk, Mr. HENSARLING. Mr. Speaker, I to the builders because the builders are that promotes continued construction yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman the people who rely on home sales to in the highest risk areas. from Missouri (Mrs. WAGNER), the make determinations as to what the Mr. Speaker, I oppose this 1-week ex- chairwoman of the Oversight and In- market will bear and whether they tension absent reforms, and I encour- vestigations Subcommittee of the Fi- should construct homes in a given age my colleagues to do the same. nancial Services Committee. area. Ms. MAXINE WATERS of California. Mrs. WAGNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise So this really is about people in Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the because today we are voting on a 1- terms of their families, but it is also gentleman from Florida (Mr. CRIST), a week extension of the National Flood about people and the economy. It is member of the Financial Services Com- Insurance Program. This will be the about whether this economy will con- mittee and long-time supporter of af- eighth short-term extension since fis- tinue to grow. It is about whether or fordable flood insurance coverage. cal year 2017, and it is unacceptable. not we will provide a program that will Mr. CRIST. Mr. Speaker, I want to My district floods every year, and it give builders some sense of stability thank Ranking Member WATERS for is imminently clear that we must re- such that they can move forward with her tireless leadership for a strong, af- form our flood insurance program, not their construction projects. fordable National Flood Insurance Pro- just repeatedly extend it. Requiring My hope is that this 1-week exten- gram. taxpayers to fund construction projects sion will be granted. I pray that my Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong in severe flood zones over and over colleagues join us and vote for the ex- support of this bill. More than 5 mil- again is extremely expensive, and it tension. But my hope also is that we lion middle class and working Ameri- isn’t a sustainable solution. The num- will have a long-term program devel- cans rely on the National Flood Insur- bers prove it: NFIP is currently oper- oped, because the Realtors are depend- ance Program for economic security ating on a $1.4 billion annual deficit, ing on us; the contractors are depend- and peace of mind. with no end in sight. ing on us; the families are depending Congress cannot allow this program As Chairman HENSARLING knows all on us; and the country is depending on to expire. A lapse would leave count- too well, I have personally spent the us. less families unable to renew their better part of a year, along with the The National Association of Realtors policies, putting them in financial peril ranking member, Mr. AL GREEN, work- estimated that, if the program lapses if disaster were to strike. It would also ing with my colleagues on both sides of for 1 month, about 40,000 home sales upend the housing market, with clos- the aisle to root out waste, fraud, and might not close nationwide. This is a ings coming to a full stop due to the in- abuse in other disaster recovery pro- significant number of homes in a mar- ability to secure required coverage. grams. We must ensure that funds go ket that currently needs an additional While I wish this bill included a to the people who truly need them, like shot in the arm. much longer term extension, providing the disaster recovery program. The Mr. Speaker, we are here for the fam- American families with another week current flood insurance is broken, and ilies, the builders, the Realtors, and of coverage is far preferable to a dam- we must fix it once and for all. the economy. aging lapse. Mr. Speaker, it has been 1 year since Mr. HENSARLING. Mr. Speaker, I But, my colleagues, we must do bet- the House passed a reform package yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from ter than 1 week. The people have en- that would have vastly improved the California (Mr. ROYCE), chairman of dured seven stopgap extensions, includ- National Flood Insurance Program. It the House Foreign Affairs Committee. ing two brief lapses, since September has been 1 year since the Senate has re- Mr. ROYCE of California. Mr. Speak- 2017—7 extensions, 14 months. The bill fused to act. I urge my colleagues to er, the headlines are pretty clear: before us is number eight. support the serious structural reforms ‘‘Hurricanes Bigger and Costlier than While almost everyone can agree that the Committee on Financial Serv- Ever Before’’; that flood insurance is long overdue for ices passed last November. ‘‘2.3 Billion People Affected by Flood- reform, particularly to address the af- Ms. MAXINE WATERS of California. ing Disasters in 20 Years’’; fordability challenges that plague pol- Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the ‘‘Rising Sea Levels Could Cost the icyholders, we should not allow that gentleman from Texas (Mr. AL GREEN), U.S. Trillions.’’ goal to threaten the program’s very ex- the ranking member of the Sub- Yet, somehow, Congress fails to act. istence. committee on Oversight and Investiga- I share with you that Mr. DUFFY has I urge my colleagues to not only sup- tions of the Financial Services Com- articulated this problem very well. We port today’s bill but to work together mittee and someone who has been ex- are here again for the 40th time. Forty in the coming days to reach agreement tremely active in monitoring the after- times since 1998 we have passed an ex- on a longer term extension. math of the devastation from Hurri- tension of the National Flood Insur- Mr. HENSARLING. Mr. Speaker, I cane Harvey. ance Program, but without the needed yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:47 Nov 30, 2018 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00019 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K29NO7.039 H29NOPT1 lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with HOUSE H9712 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE November 29, 2018 Florida (Mr. ROSS), the vice chairman Mr. Speaker, we have heard a lot of from Texas (Mr. WILLIAMS), the vice of the Housing and Insurance Sub- talk about this program. We have chairman on the Monetary Policy and committee of the Financial Services heard a lot about affordability, folks Trade Subcommittee of the Financial Committee and the true author of com- talking about being fiscally conserv- Services Committee. petitive flood insurance. ative and making sure that this pro- Mr. WILLIAMS. Mr. Speaker, I rise Mr. ROSS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gram is financially solvent, hearing today in strong opposition to the reau- chairman and the subcommittee chair- numbers like $20 billion in debt. thorization of the National Flood In- man, Mr. DUFFY, for his efforts, too, in Mr. Speaker, let me give you another surance Program. trying to provide significant reforms. I number: $1.5 trillion. $1.5 trillion, that Mr. Speaker, for 20 years, Congress support their efforts in opposing this is the amount of money we have spent has been putting off making meaning- additional reauthorization of the Na- on just 120 disasters since 1980, billion- ful reforms to this problematic pro- tional Flood Insurance Program. dollar-plus disasters. gram. Taxpayers continue to pay the We have done this eight times in just If we are fiscally conservative, then price for our failure to act. With every over the year, and what have we gotten we need to address the $1.5 trillion, not year that passes, the NFIP goes further in return? Some would say nothing. I focus on this small component of disas- and further into debt. would say, no, it has been worse than ters. The unsustainability of this program nothing. You see, we forgave $16 billion How do you do that? You do that by has even caused Congress to cancel $16 in debt and got no reforms in response making your communities more resil- billion in NFIP debt last year. to that. ient. Without meaningful reform like what Now the NFIP is $20 billion in debt The Congressional Budget Office, this body approved when we passed the again, yet we look at: Oh, but it is just FEMA, Corps of Engineers, and many 21st Century Flood Reform Act, what $20 billion. other organizations have come out and protections do taxpayers have? In over 13 years, the interest on that said that the way that you do this is by Mr. Speaker, the reauthorization be- is $5 billion. When are we going to stop being proactive and making invest- fore us today is not reform. By simply this insanity? ments in community resiliency, in eco- changing the date of the NFIP expira- More disturbing, however, Mr. Speak- tion, this body is tacitly stating that er, is this House’s failure to stand up to system resiliency. That is what you do. If we are fiscal conservatives, if we reform can’t be done. even the most modest technical re- Enough is enough. We can’t continue are concerned about solvency and the forms that would benefit the program. to pass our problems along to those in debt, why are we just focused on this During my time in this body, I have the future. The time to fix this prob- been proud to champion one such bill, one small program? Mr. Speaker, here is the reality: lem is now. I will oppose extensions of the Private Flood Insurance Market the NFIP as long as this body con- Development Act. Under the proposals that have been put forth, it charges people for things they tinues to ignore meaningful reforms. To me, it defies logic that this co- Mr. Speaker, I invite all my col- have no responsibility over. That is equal Chamber would pass a bill unani- leagues to join me in voting ‘‘no’’ on called a tax. That is a tax. mously through the authorizing com- this legislation. mittee this Congress and then unani- The people in my home State of Lou- Ms. MAXINE WATERS of California. mously through the whole House in the isiana are at the bottom of one of the Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the last Congress and, yet, abandon its op- largest watersheds in the world. More gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. JACKSON portunities every time thereafter. water is being sent to us because of de- LEE), who serves on the Judiciary Com- My legislation is simple. It is a tech- velopment in the Upper Mississippi mittee, the Homeland Security Com- nical correction that will facilitate the River Basin. Because of the Federal mittee, and the Committee on the growth of a private market alternative Government’s actions on our coast, we to the drowning national program that Budget. have lost 2,000 square miles of our Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I we have today. It is bipartisan. It is coast. thank the gentlewoman from Cali- desperately needed. You are going to charge these people Yet, here we are again with a clean fornia for her unceasing—unceasing— higher premiums because of what peo- commitment to the National Flood In- reauthorization that makes no ple above us are doing in other States progress and no promises that tomor- surance Program. I can’t thank her and because of what our own Federal enough. row will be any different. That, Mr. Government did to us with the river? Speaker, is a shame. It is a shame that I know that my colleagues and I are That is not a premium. That is a tax. from different States, but how many we have once again folded in the face of You are charging people for things unjustified inaction. have walked through gutted homes and they have no control over. seen families full of sorrow and tears? When does it end? When do we say We have structures and homes that enough is enough? Hurricane Harvey was the singular have been in these places for 300 years, Mr. Speaker, I do not want to shut largest flood next to, of course, Hurri- down the NFIP. We don’t need to. All and you are suddenly going to charge cane Michael. Mr. Speaker, 51 trillion we need to do is for the Senate to ac- them unaffordable rates? gallons of water in 2017. How many cept just one of the many eminently This program does need reforms. It have walked in Puerto Rico to see the reasonable pieces of legislation that absolutely needs reforms. Those re- devastation, as I have, or walked in the the House has passed, to be included forms should include, as the chairman U.S. Virgin Islands and seen homes and alongside the short-term extension. has stated, buyouts for repetitive- hotels and places for home and for Even the simplest reform would indi- flood-loss properties—absolutely—be- business devastated? cate that the Senate is serious about cause that is the fiscally appropriate, The National Flood Insurance Pro- coming to the table to negotiate a fiscally conservative thing to do. Not gram is a necessity. I wish this was a long-term reauthorization. to mention, no one wants their house longer extension. But I have seen the Anything would be better than the to be flooded over and over again. desperation of those who have suffered. hollow promises this clean extension We have to make reforms, but this is They need flood insurance. And those puts before us today. not the right approach. of us who have felt the pain of the fires Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to Let me be clear: I don’t like a 7-day in California driven by the Camp fire vote ‘‘no’’ on this legislation. extension either. I don’t. We need to do know that they need aid as well. Ms. MAXINE WATERS of California. a year extension where we can sit down Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the and talk about the right reforms to put b 1700 gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. us on the right trajectory to If you want to know a number, what GRAVES), a friend from the opposite sustainably manage this program and, about $1 trillion plus in the tax scam side of the aisle who is a true expert on importantly, in the face of changing bill that was passed where my con- flood insurance issues. disasters and rising seas, so that we stituents say they have not seen one Mr. GRAVES of Louisiana. Mr. can prepare our Nation for the future. dime from the tax bill, and here we are Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for Mr. HENSARLING. Mr. Speaker, I going to be on the floor tomorrow with yielding. yield 2 minutes to another gentleman a tax extender.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:47 Nov 30, 2018 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00020 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K29NO7.040 H29NOPT1 lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with HOUSE November 29, 2018 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H9713 So I ask the question: Can we help Ms. MAXINE WATERS of California. ting them in buses, and traveling down desperate families by ensuring that Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve the through the various cities, was heart- this program goes for a week and that balance of my time breaking. I want you to know that I we can do better? Yes, we can do bet- Mr. HENSARLING. Mr. Speaker, I went up to Baton Rouge and I was in ter. But let’s stop the pain now with yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Mississippi, and I understand the pain homes that are about to close. With North Carolina (Mr. BUDD), a hard- and the destruction that is caused by real estate, builders, and others, the working member of the Financial Serv- these storms. economic engine has been, in many in- ices Committee. And I am absolutely committed, stances, the buying and selling of Mr. BUDD. Mr. Speaker, I thank the make no mistake, I remain committed homes. gentleman from Texas for yielding. to putting partisanship aside and work- This is an important extension, but Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to ing with my colleagues on the opposite let’s be truthful. You can’t match up yet another short-term extension of side of the aisle to come together on billions to a trillion, and you can’t the National Flood Insurance Program, commonsense reforms that protect the match up the pain of families looking or the NFIP. This is our eighth one— continued affordability and avail- at gutted homes versus fat cats filling our eighth one since fiscal year 2017 ability of coverage, a long-term reau- their pockets with a tax scam. I ask for began. thorization of the NFIP that ensures the support of this bill. I think we owe it to the taxpayers that affordable flood insurance con- Mr. HENSARLING. Mr. Speaker, I and I owe it to the residents of North tinues to be available to communities yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Carolina’s 13th District to fight for re- across our country. It must be Con- Arkansas (Mr. HILL), the Financial form. We cannot support another gress’ priority when we start the 116th Services Committee majority whip. short-term renewal, especially consid- Congress. And let me just say, Mr. Speaker, Mr. HILL. Mr. Speaker, I thank the ering the program is $20 billion—and I that despite the fact that my colleague chairman, and I thank the ranking have even heard that it is even upwards and chairman of the committee and I member of the committee as well for of that—$20 billion in the hole. It is worked very hard to try and deal with her work on this issue over the years. hemorrhaging money, Mr. Speaker. And it is concerning that folks cannot some of our concerns and even dif- I appreciate Mr. DUFFY’s leadership, even agree to or even support modest ferences, we not only both have dem- and I appreciate Mr. MACARTHUR, Mr. reforms to one of the most flawed gov- onstrated our commitment to long- GRAVES, and their work on this issue ernment programs we have ever seen. term NFIP, and while we did not get because the House has done its job, Mr. exactly where we wanted to go, we Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I urge opposition of this extension and believe this continuous were able to provide protection for We painfully passed this bill over a kicking of the can down the road can- those families who were in desperate year ago. We have done our work. We not go on forever. There is still time to need of insurance and to continue, even have a bill that represents a com- adopt even modest reforms, and I sure though we have had to do it on a short- promise of coastal States and not hope that we do so. term basis. coastal States. We have taken into ac- I think Senator MIKE LEE of Utah So I would like to take this moment count all these issues about climate said it best when he gave his descrip- to just thank him for the opportunity change and floods and hurricanes. We tion of a ‘‘yes’’ vote to extend the that I have had to work with him. Now, have taken all that into account, but NFIP yet again with no reforms back everybody knows we didn’t always we have had no action from the Senate. in the summer. He said: ‘‘This is ter- agree, but they didn’t know what we What we are here for today is because ribly discouraging. It’s not just this were laughing about as we sat next to the Senate has not taken one step to program; it’s all that it represents. If each other exchanging a few jokes constructive reform of the National we aren’t willing to adopt even modest every now and then. So I am going to Flood Insurance Program. That is why reforms to a minor program like NFIP, miss him as our chairman. I don’t we are here. how will we ever address any of the far know if this is his last time on the So I think we should be working to- more vexing problems facing our gov- floor and whether or not we are going gether. We need the ranking member ernment?’’ to be able to put flood insurance reau- and the chairman down the hall in the This Senator from Utah gets it, and, thorization into the continuing resolu- Senate asking them, why can’t they Mr. Speaker, I wish others would as tion. get their act together? Where is Sen- well. If we are not, perhaps I will see him ator CRAPO, where is Senator KENNEDY Ms. MAXINE WATERS of California. again, but I don’t know. I just wanted to read this bill and take into account Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance him to know that his presence here in the incredible work that we have done of my time. the Congress of the United States has on a bipartisan basis here? Mr. Speaker, while I would prefer a been noted in the history of the Con- So it is very hard for me, Mr. Speak- longer term reauthorization of the Na- gress of the United States, and whether er, to support a 7-day reauthorization tional Flood Insurance Program, I or not he was agreeing or disagreeing, status quo for the eighth time. It is strongly support today’s extension to he had a powerful voice on a powerful just very hard to do that because it is provide homeowners, businesses, rent- committee, and I am going to miss the not right. We need the reforms that are ers, and communities with the cer- times that I have spent with him, good times and bad times, and I just wish in this bill. We need the pressure on tainty they deserve. Let me just say him well on his future. Thank you very the Senate to come up with their own that I think we are all aware that for reforms if they don’t like our reforms. much. those people who are trying to obtain Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance I happen to like our reforms. I like homeownership that live in flood zones, of my time. the fact that I see more of what is hap- they won’t be able to do it if they can- Mr. HENSARLING. Mr. Speaker, pening in Arkansas where we have two not get the insurance that is provided may I ask how much time I have left? private insurers now, Mr. Speaker, for by the National Flood Insurance Pro- The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. floods. They cover $2 million instead of gram. And just think what that is BACON). The gentleman from Texas has $250,000. They cover replacement cost going to do to the real estate market. 7 minutes remaining. instead of actual cost. That is the kind So we have to do this in order to deal Mr. HENSARLING. Mr. Speaker, I of reforms and progress we can make if with the fact that this program lit- yield myself the balance of my time. we take account of the hard work of erally shuts down at the end of Novem- Mr. Speaker, first, I return the kind this House and get the Senate to join ber. words of the ranking member. One, she us in significant flood reform. And let me just say that I have been very much negotiated in good faith on So, it is with a lot of regret, Mr. in cities and towns that have been dev- the flood program, something she has a Speaker, I cannot support the reau- astated by floods and by storms, and I lot of passion and expertise on. We thorization of this program for 7 days. want you to know the time that I spent didn’t get quite there as we did on a We need the Senate to wake up and after Katrina, helping to get people few other items, but, again, she nego- take action. who were abandoned on highways, put- tiated in good faith. She has a lot of

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:47 Nov 30, 2018 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00021 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K29NO7.045 H29NOPT1 lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with HOUSE H9714 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE November 29, 2018 expertise on the matter. If we don’t get making taxpayers subsidize it and still stories. I saw the tragedy of the lost it in this Congress, I have no doubt have unaffordability? Only government homes. And yet here we are, voting on that she will play a key leadership role can bring about that insane result. status quo to put them right back in the next in order to effectuate long- What else is the status quo? The sta- where they were again. term flood reform. tus quo is $35 billion of debt—$35 bil- This is a sad and embarrassing day And I appreciate the kind words. Al- lion of debt with $11⁄2 billion actual ac- for the House. We need to vote ‘‘no.’’ though, I must admit, I have learned tuarial annual deficit a year. Totally Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance many things in the 16 years I have unsustainable. Totally unsustainable of my time. served in Congress, and one is, the best The status quo is that taxpayers, The SPEAKER pro tempore. The way to get people to say kind words hardworking factory workers in Mes- question is on the motion offered by about you is to announce your retire- quite, Texas, are having to subsidize the gentleman from Texas (Mr. HEN- ment. I have never had kinder words millionaires’ beach condos. That is the SARLING) that the House suspend the spoken, but I know they were sincere, status quo. That is the bill that is on rules and pass the bill, H.R. 7187. of the ranking member. the floor right now. The question was taken. Mr. Speaker, November 14, 2017, was The last several tragic hurricanes we The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the a proud day for the United States have seen, 80 to 90 percent of the af- opinion of the Chair, two-thirds being House of Representatives, because that fected flooded homes didn’t even have in the affirmative, the ayes have it. is the day, on a bipartisan basis, we flood insurance. Why? Because it is not Mr. HENSARLING. Mr. Speaker, on passed the 21st Century Flood Reform part of the homeowner’s insurance pol- that I demand the yeas and nays. Act, and I negotiated with the House icy due to the government monopoly. The yeas and nays were ordered. majority whip, Mr. SCALISE, this bill, That is the status quo. And we are pay- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- among others. ing on the back end because we are not ant to clause 8 of rule XX, further pro- And here we are, over a year later, allowing market competition on the ceedings on this motion will be post- and no action from the Senate. And, front end. That is the status quo. poned. today, November 29, 2018, is a sad and The status quo is, we are taking envi- f embarrassing day for the United States ronmentally sensitive areas, and they FEDERAL AGENCY CUSTOMER House of Representatives. And I must are getting paved. They are getting EXPERIENCE ACT OF 2018 say, as a Republican, it is a sad and paved in flood-prone areas. embarrassing day for something we Mr. COMER. Mr. Speaker, I move to b 1715 call regular order, something that my suspend the rules and pass the bill party ran on. That is the status quo, and so that is (H.R. 2846) to require the collection of And now we have a bill coming to the really the debate that is before us voluntary feedback on services pro- floor, within the jurisdiction of the today. vided by agencies, and for other pur- House Financial Services Committee; We know what the classic definition poses, as amended. regular order says the committee of ju- of insanity is: doing the same thing The Clerk read the title of the bill. risdiction first works their will before over and over and over and expecting a The text of the bill is as follows: the House works their will. The com- different result. Eight times—this will H.R. 2846 mittee didn’t work its will on this bill. be the eighth time since the House Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- And, in fact, I have yet to find anybody passed the 21st Century Flood Reform resentatives of the United States of America in in the Republican leadership who will Act on a bipartisan basis that there Congress assembled, own up to how this came to the floor in will be yet another vote for status quo. SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. the first place. Here is a radical idea. Why don’t we This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Federal Agency So, unfortunately, because my party do something different? Why don’t we Customer Experience Act of 2018’’. lost at the ballot box, we are going to tell the Senate it is time, after a year, SEC. 2. FINDINGS; SENSE OF CONGRESS. soon be out of the regular order busi- that they do their business? (a) FINDINGS.—Congress finds that— ness and apparently we have forgotten I have got to tell you, once again, (1) the Federal Government serves the people how to do it. So it is a sad day in that Mr. Speaker, I have learned a number of the United States and should seek to contin- regard. It is also a sad day because of things in my 16 years of service in ually improve public services provided by the this body. One is never underestimate Federal Government based on customer feed- what we see here with this bill is a per- back; petuation of the status quo. the Senate’s capacity to do nothing. (2) the people of the United States deserve a Now, let me tell you what the status Why do we allow them to do nothing? Federal Government that provides efficient, ef- quo is, Mr. Speaker. The status quo is Let them bring a bill. fective, and high-quality services across multiple 100 different people are dying in Amer- I don’t believe we are through negoti- channels; ica every year from floods. At least a ating, Mr. Speaker, but the House (3) many agencies, offices, programs, and Fed- part of that tragedy—a part of that shouldn’t negotiate with itself after we eral employees provide excellent service to indi- tragedy is a failure to reform the Na- have made a House position on a bipar- viduals, however many parts of the Federal tional Flood Insurance Program. tisan basis known. There is no reason Government still fall short on delivering the cus- to do this. tomer service experience that individuals have Status quo is that we continue to pay come to expect from the private sector; people to build the same homes in the There can be a better day. There is (4) according to the 2016 American Customer same fashion in the same places that hope. I imagine a day when we have a Satisfaction Index, the Federal Government flood over and over and over and some- flood insurance program with afford- ranks among the bottom of all industries in the how expect a different result. We are able premiums that is brought about United States in customer satisfaction; not helping them. We are not helping by competition, that is brought about (5) providing quality services to individuals them at all. We are helping put them in by innovation. I can imagine a day improves the confidence of the people of the harm’s way. That is what the status where every American remotely placed United States in their government and helps in a flood-prone area has flood as part agencies achieve greater impact and fulfill their quo is, and if you vote for this exten- missions; and sion, you are voting for the status quo. of their homeowners insurance so that (6) improving service to individuals requires Status quo is a government monop- when one of these great tragedies oc- agencies to work across organizational bound- oly—a government monopoly with no curs, at least they had insurance on the aries, leverage technology, collect and share competition, no innovation, and, by front end. So I dream about and I imag- standardized data, and develop customer-cen- the way, it is subsidized, and it is still ine greater take-up rates. tered mindsets and service strategies. not affordable. We are seeing average I also imagine a day where, for the (b) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of premium increases of 7 percent a year. people in flood-prone areas, we either Congress that all agencies should strive to pro- You know, on the Republican side of help move them up or we help move vide high-quality, courteous, effective, and effi- cient services to the people of the United States the aisle, why don’t we give free enter- them out so that they don’t continue and seek to measure, collect, report, and utilize prise a chance? Why don’t we allow to be in harm’s way. metrics relating to the experience of individuals competition to bring in innovation, to I went to Hurricane Harvey. I met interacting with agencies to continually improve bring down rates as opposed to, again, with the survivors. I heard the tragic services to the people of the United States.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:47 Nov 30, 2018 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00022 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 6333 E:\CR\FM\K29NO7.046 H29NOPT1 lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with HOUSE November 29, 2018 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H9715 SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS. the Administrator, in accordance with the guid- SEC. 7. CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE SCORECARD RE- In this Act: ance issued by the Director under section 5. PORT. (1) ADMINISTRATOR.—The term ‘‘Adminis- (b) CONTENT OF QUESTIONS.— (a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 15 months trator’’ means the Administrator of General (1) STANDARDIZED QUESTIONS.—The Director, after the date on which all covered agencies Services. in consultation with the Administrator, shall have submitted the first annual reports to the (2) AGENCY.—The term ‘‘agency’’ has the develop a set of standardized questions for use Director required under section 6(d)(1), and meaning given the term in section 3502 of title by each covered agency in collecting voluntary every 2 years thereafter until the date that is 10 44, United States Code. customer service feedback under this section years after such date, the Comptroller General (3) COVERED AGENCY.—The term ‘‘covered that address— of the United States shall make publicly avail- agency’’ means an agency or component of an (A) overall satisfaction of individuals or enti- able and submit to the Committee on Homeland agency that is designated as a ‘‘covered agen- ties with the specific interaction or service re- Security and Governmental Affairs of the Sen- cy’’ pursuant to section 5(a). ceived; ate and the Committee on Oversight and Gov- (4) DIRECTOR.—The term ‘‘Director’’ means (B) the extent to which individuals or entities ernment Reform of the House of Representatives the Director of the Office of Management and were able to accomplish their intended task or a scorecard report assessing the data collected Budget. purpose; and reported by the covered agencies and each (5) VOLUNTARY CUSTOMER SERVICE FEED- (C) whether the individual or entity was instrument used to collect voluntary customer BACK.—The term ‘‘voluntary customer service treated with respect and professionalism; service feedback. feedback’’ means a response to a collection of (D) whether the individual or entity believes (b) CONTENTS.—The report required under information conducted by a covered agency in they were served in a timely manner; and subsection (a) shall include— accordance with this Act. (E) any additional metrics as determined by (1) a summary of the information required to SEC. 4. APPLICATION OF CERTAIN PROVISIONS the Director, in consultation with the Adminis- be published by covered agencies under section OF THE PAPERWORK REDUCTION trator. 6(d); ACT TO COLLECTION OF VOLUNTARY (2) ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS.—In addition to (2) a description of how each covered agency CUSTOMER SERVICE FEEDBACK. the questions developed pursuant to paragraph plans to use and has used the voluntary cus- Sections 3506(c) and 3507 of title 44, United (1), the Director shall consult with the Perform- tomer service feedback received by the covered States Code (provisions of what is commonly ance Improvement Council to develop additional agency; and known as the ‘‘Paperwork Reduction Act’’) questions relevant to the operations or programs (3) an evaluation of each covered agency’s shall not apply to a collection of voluntary cus- of covered agencies. compliance with this Act. (c) ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS.—To the ex- tomer service feedback. SEC. 8. SENSE OF CONGRESS. SEC. 5. GUIDELINES FOR VOLUNTARY CUSTOMER tent practicable— (1) each covered agency shall collect vol- It is the sense of Congress that adequate Fed- SERVICE FEEDBACK. eral funding is needed to ensure agency staffing (a) EVALUATION AND DESIGNATION.—The Di- untary customer service feedback across all plat- forms or channels through which the covered levels that can provide the public with appro- rector shall assess agencies, agency components, priate customer service levels. and agency programs to identify which have the agency interacts with individuals or other enti- highest impact on or number of interactions ties to deliver information or services; and The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- with individuals or entities. Based on the as- (2) voluntary customer service feedback col- ant to the rule, the gentleman from sessment, the Director shall designate agencies, lected under this section shall be tied to specific Kentucky (Mr. COMER) and the gentle- agency components, or programs as covered transactions or interactions with customers of woman from New York (Mrs. CAROLYN the covered agency. agencies for purposes of this Act. B. MALONEY) each will control 20 min- (b) GUIDANCE.—The Director shall issue guid- (d) REPORTS.— (1) ANNUAL REPORT TO THE DIRECTOR.— utes. ance that requires each covered agency that so- The Chair recognizes the gentleman licits voluntary customer service feedback to en- (A) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after sure that— the date of the enactment of this Act, and not from Kentucky. (1) any response to the solicitation of vol- less frequently than annually thereafter, each GENERAL LEAVE untary customer service feedback remains anon- covered agency shall publish on the website of Mr. COMER. Mr. Speaker, I ask the covered agency and submit to the Director, ymous, the collection method does not include a unanimous consent that all Members request for or opportunity for the respondent to in a manner determined by the Director— (i) a report that includes— may have 5 legislative days in which to provide information that could identify such re- (I) the voluntary customer service feedback for revise and extend their remarks and in- spondent, and any response is not traced to a the previous year; and clude extraneous material on the bill specific individual or entity; (II) descriptions of how the covered agency (2) any individual or entity who declines to under consideration. has used and plans to use such feedback; and The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there participate in the solicitation of voluntary cus- (ii) a machine readable dataset that in- tomer service feedback shall not be treated dif- cludes— objection to the request of the gen- ferently by the agency for purposes of providing (I) the the standardized questions or addi- tleman from Kentucky? services or information; tional questions described in subsection (b) and There was no objection. (3) the solicitation does not include more than the response choices for such questions; and Mr. COMER. Mr. Speaker, I yield my- 10 questions; (II) the response rate for each collection of (4) the voluntary nature of the solicitation is self such time as I may consume. voluntary customer service feedback for the pre- I rise today in support of H.R. 2846, clear; vious year. sponsored by Congressman FITZPATRICK (5) the collection of voluntary customer service (B) CENTRALIZED WEBSITE.—The Director feedback is only used to improve customer serv- shall— of Pennsylvania. ice and will not be used for any other purpose; (i) include and maintain on a publicly avail- The Federal Government is in the (6) any solicitation of voluntary customer able website links to the information provided service industry. Members of this service feedback is limited to 1 solicitation per on the websites of covered agencies under sub- Chamber and our staffs work every interaction with an individual or entity; paragraph (A); and day, both here and in our respective (7) to the extent practicable, the solicitation of (ii) for purposes of clause (i), establish a voluntary customer service feedback is made at districts, to serve our constituents, the website or make use of an existing website, such American people. The same can be said the point of service with an individual or entity; as the website required under section 1122 of (8) any instrument for collecting voluntary title 31, United States Code. of the executive branch. customer service feedback is accessible to indi- (2) AGGREGATED REPORT.—Each covered agen- For instance, the Department of Vet- viduals with disabilities in accordance with sec- cy shall publish in an electronic format and up- erans Affairs serves this Nation’s mili- tion 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 date on a regular basis an aggregated report on tary men and women by providing U.S.C. 794d); and the solicitation and use of voluntary customer healthcare services, funding education (9) internal agency data governance policies service feedback, which shall include— remain in effect with respect to the collection of under the GI Bill, and helping veterans (A) the intended purpose of each solicitation and their families afford homes. voluntary customer service feedback from any of voluntary customer service feedback con- individual or entity. ducted by the covered agency; However, the 2017 American Cus- SEC. 6. CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE DATA COLLEC- (B) the appropriate point of contact within tomer Satisfaction Index found that TION. each covered agency for each solicitation of vol- the Federal Government ranks near (a) COLLECTION OF RESPONSES.—The head of untary customer service feedback conducted; the bottom of all industries in the each covered agency (or a designee), assisted by (C) the questions or survey instrument sub- United States when it comes to cus- and in consultation with the Performance Im- mitted to members of the public as part of the tomer service. The Federal Govern- provement Officer or other senior accountable solicitation of voluntary customer service feed- ment can and must do better for the official for customer service of the covered agen- back; and cy, shall collect voluntary customer service feed- (D) a description of how the covered agency very people who pay its bills. back with respect to any service of or trans- uses the voluntary customer service feedback re- In the private sector, companies un- action with the covered agency that has been ceived by the covered agency to improve the cus- derstand the importance of customer identified by the Director, in consultation with tomer service of the covered agency. service. As Americans, we can barely

VerDate Sep 11 2014 05:25 Nov 30, 2018 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00023 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A29NO7.011 H29NOPT1 lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with HOUSE H9716 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE November 29, 2018 go one day without being asked by a customer satisfaction. Agencies will The SPEAKER pro tempore. The company to provide feedback, whether inevitably receive low satisfaction question is on the motion offered by it is when we make a purchase online, scores from the public if they are woe- the gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. when we call our banks or credit card fully underfunded and are not able to COMER) that the House suspend the companies, or when we go out to eat at hire and adequately train employees, rules and pass the bill, H.R. 2846, as a restaurant. But Federal agencies as this has, unfortunately, been the amended. often don’t prioritize customer feed- case at some agencies over the past few The question was taken; and (two- back because they don’t have to com- years. thirds being in the affirmative) the pete for customers. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of rules were suspended and the bill, as The Federal Agency Customer Expe- my time. amended, was passed. rience Act will change that by requir- Mr. COMER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 The title of the bill was amended so ing certain high-impact agencies to minutes to the gentleman from Penn- as to read: ‘‘A bill to require the collec- collect voluntary feedback on the serv- sylvania (Mr. FITZPATRICK), the spon- tion of voluntary customer service ices they provide, while also making it sor of this bill. feedback on services provided by agen- easier for other agencies to do the Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, cies, and for other purposes.’’. same if they choose to. every day throughout the private sec- A motion to reconsider was laid on Using feedback provided by the pub- tor, businesses obtain feedback from the table. their customers to improve their prod- lic, agencies will know more about f which aspects of their services are ucts and improve their services. How- ALL-AMERICAN FLAG ACT working and which need to be im- ever, this is much less common—if not proved. The voluntary questionnaires nonexistent—within the Federal Gov- Mr. COMER. Mr. Speaker, I move to created under this bill will address the ernment, where agencies could be doing suspend the rules and pass the bill individual’s satisfaction with a specific far more to improve the customer serv- (H.R. 3121) to require the purchase of agency interaction and ensure they ice experience of every citizen in this domestically made flags of the United were treated with professionalism and country. The latest American Cus- States of America for use by the Fed- respect. tomer Satisfaction Index found the eral Government, as amended. Finally, the Government Account- Federal Government is near the bot- The Clerk read the title of the bill. ability Office will create government- tom of the list when it comes to cus- The text of the bill is as follows: tomer satisfaction. wide customer experience scorecards to H.R. 3121 H.R. 2846 requires certain Federal show everyone which agencies excel agencies to collect voluntary feedback Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- and which agencies need to improve. resentatives of the United States of America in from individuals about their inter- I thank the bipartisan group of my Congress assembled, actions with the government. People colleagues who supported H.R. 2846 dur- SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. who interact with government agencies ing committee consideration of the This Act may be cited as the ‘‘All-Amer- will have the opportunity to give feed- bill, and I urge all Members to support ican Flag Act’’. back on their experience. Using feed- SEC. 2. REQUIREMENT FOR AGENCIES TO BUY this legislation. back provided by the public, agencies Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of DOMESTICALLY MADE UNITED will figure out just how effectively STATES FLAGS. my time. they are at serving the American peo- (a) REQUIREMENT FOR AGENCIES TO BUY DO- Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New ple. MESTICALLY MADE UNITED STATES FLAGS.— York. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such The result, Mr. Speaker, will be a (1) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 63 of title 41, time as I may consume. win-win. The American public receives United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new section: Mr. Speaker, improving government better services and customer care, interactions with the public must be a while agencies achieve greater impact ‘‘§ 6310. Requirement for agencies to buy do- constant goal of Federal agencies and and ability to fulfill their missions. mestically made United States flags Members of Congress. I support this H.R. 2846 also sets guidelines for ‘‘(a) REQUIREMENT.—Except as provided in bill because it moves us toward that agencies’ solicitation of voluntary subsections (b) through (d), funds appro- objective. priated or otherwise available to an agency feedback from the public. The ques- may not be used for the procurement of any The House bill before us is the com- tionnaire will be no longer than 10 panion measure to a bill introduced by flag of the United States, unless such flag questions, and the response must be has been 100 percent manufactured in the Senator CLAIRE MCCASKILL which anonymous. Agencies are required to United States from articles, materials, or passed the Senate unanimously last work with the General Services Admin- supplies that have been grown or 100 percent year. istration and the Office of Management produced or manufactured in the United H.R. 2846 would require Federal agen- and Budget to formulate their surveys States. cies to collect voluntary feedback from to ensure feedback is both reliable and ‘‘(b) AVAILABILITY EXCEPTION.—Subsection the public, a common practice in the (a) does not apply to the extent that the useful. head of the agency concerned determines private sector. Agencies would have to However, customer feedback on its report the results of this feedback to that satisfactory quality and sufficient own will not improve the relationship quantity of a flag described in such sub- the Office of Management and Budget between the American people and the section cannot be procured as and when and post it on agency websites. Federal Government. H.R. 2846 requires needed at United States market prices. Importantly, agencies would be re- agencies to report publicly on the vol- ‘‘(c) EXCEPTION FOR CERTAIN PROCURE- quired to ensure that this information untary feedback that they collect. MENTS.—Subsection (a) does not apply to the is anonymous and protect their pri- This report will include information following: vacy. about the feedback received and a de- ‘‘(1) Procurements by vessels in foreign However, using customer satisfaction scription of how the agency will go waters. sources to demonize certain agencies or ‘‘(2) Procurements for resale purposes in about improving customer service. The any military commissary, military ex- agency personnel is not an appropriate Government Accountability Office will change, or nonappropriated fund instrumen- use of this information. This feedback also create customer experience score- tality operated by an agency. should be used for constructive pur- cards for the agencies to foster ac- ‘‘(3) Procurements for amounts less than poses. countability. the simplified acquisition threshold. Measuring the public’s satisfaction I urge my friends on both sides of the ‘‘(d) PRESIDENTIAL WAIVER.— with the service agencies provide is a aisle to support H.R. 2846. ‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The President may waive good step toward improving services Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New the requirement in subsection (a) if the overall and will hopefully provide in- York. Mr. Speaker, I have no further President determines a waiver is necessary sight into how agencies can improve to comply with any trade agreement to speakers on this bill on this side, and I which the United States is a party. their operations. The aim is to create a yield back the balance of my time. ‘‘(2) NOTICE OF WAIVER.—Not later than 30 virtuous cycle, not a vicious one. Mr. COMER. Mr. Speaker, I urge days after granting a waiver under para- Congress must also recognize its role adoption of the bill, and I yield back graph (1), the President shall publish a no- in improving agency performance and the balance of my time. tice of the waiver in the Federal Register.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:56 Nov 30, 2018 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00024 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K29NO7.049 H29NOPT1 lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with HOUSE November 29, 2018 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H9717 ‘‘(e) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: b 1730 American soldiers or displayed right ‘‘(1) AGENCY.—The term ‘agency’ has the here, like right behind me, in our Na- meaning given the term ‘executive agency’ H.R. 3121 contains limited exceptions that recognize practical realities, such tion’s Capitol should be manufactured in section 102 of title 40. anywhere but in the United States of ‘‘(2) SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION THRESHOLD.— as domestic nonavailability, in keeping The term ‘simplified acquisition threshold’ with current law governing DOD pur- America. has the meaning given that term in section chases in textiles, including U.S. flags. By purchasing flags made on Amer- 134.’’. Mr. Speaker, I thank Representative ican soil, we can ensure that the sym- (2) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of BUSTOS and the many cosponsors who bol of our Nation is preserved, while sections at the beginning of such chapter is are leading this effort to honor Amer- supporting American jobs and manu- amended by adding at the end the following ica’s greatest symbol of freedom, and I facturing. new item: urge my colleagues to support the bill. Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New ‘‘6310. Requirement for agencies to buy do- Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of York. Mr. Speaker, I want to congratu- mestically made United States late my friend and colleague on this ex- flags.’’. my time. Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New cellent, patriotic bill, of which I am a (b) APPLICABILITY.—Section 6310 of title 41, York. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as cosponsor. United States Code, as added by subsection I have no further speakers on this (a)(1), shall apply with respect to any con- much time as I may consume. tract entered into on or after the date that Mr. Speaker, the All-American Flag side of the aisle, so I yield back the is 180 days after the date of the enactment of Act is a commonsense bill that all balance of my time. this Act. Members should support. It would sim- Mr. COMER. Mr. Speaker, I urge The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- ply require all Federal agencies to pur- adoption of the bill, and I yield back ant to the rule, the gentleman from chase American flags that are manu- the balance of my time. Kentucky (Mr. COMER) and the gentle- factured in the United States, using The SPEAKER pro tempore. The woman from New York (Mrs. CAROLYN materials grown or produced in the question is on the motion offered by B. MALONEY) each will control 20 min- United States. the gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. utes. Under current law, this requirement COMER) that the House suspend the The Chair recognizes the gentleman applies only to the Departments of De- rules and pass the bill, H.R. 3121, as from Kentucky. fense and Veterans Affairs. It should be amended. extended to all Federal agencies. The question was taken; and (two- GENERAL LEAVE As under current law, the bill would thirds being in the affirmative) the Mr. COMER. Mr. Speaker, I ask provide certain limited exceptions and rules were suspended and the bill, as unanimous consent that all Members allow agencies to purchase American amended, was passed. may have 5 legislative days in which to flags made elsewhere if they are not A motion to reconsider was laid on revise and extend their remarks and in- available in sufficient quantity or the table. clude extraneous material on the bill quality from American manufacturers. f under consideration. Mr. Speaker, I intend to reserve my The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there time eventually, but first, I yield 3 INSPECTOR GENERAL ACCESS ACT objection to the request of the gen- minutes to the gentlewoman from Illi- OF 2017 tleman from Kentucky? nois (Mrs. BUSTOS), my distinguished Mr. COMER. Mr. Speaker, I move to There was no objection. colleague. suspend the rules and pass the bill Mr. COMER. Mr. Speaker, I yield my- Mrs. BUSTOS. Mr. Speaker, I thank (H.R. 3154) to amend the Inspector Gen- self such time as I may consume. the gentlewoman from New York for eral Act of 1978 relative to the powers I rise today in support of H.R. 3121, yielding me time. I appreciate it. of the Department of Justice Inspector introduced by Congresswoman BUSTOS Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support General. of Illinois. H.R. 3121 is a bipartisan bill of my bipartisan bill, the All-American The Clerk read the title of the bill. to ensure government agencies only Flag Act. This commonsense legisla- The text of the bill is as follows: buy United States flags made from 100 tion will require all American flags H.R. 3154 percent American-made material. purchased by the Federal Government Most Americans may think American Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- to be made entirely in the United resentatives of the United States of America in flags purchased with taxpayer money States from materials grown or manu- Congress assembled, for the government are made here at factured in the United States. SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. home by Americans using only U.S. The idea for this bill came to me This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Inspector materials. Surprisingly, this is not a when I was sitting down and talking General Access Act of 2017’’. uniform requirement in current Fed- with a Vietnam vet. We were at a VFW SEC. 2. INVESTIGATIONS OF DEPARTMENT OF eral acquisition laws and regulations. hall, and he pointed to the corner, saw JUSTICE PERSONNEL. When it comes to the content of Amer- an American flag there, and said: Do Section 8E of the Inspector General Act of ican flags purchased by executive agen- you know that the American flag can 1978 (5 U.S.C. App.) is amended— cies, the requirements under the cur- be made in China? (1) in subsection (b)— rent law are inconsistent. I was very surprised that that could (A) in paragraph (2), by striking ‘‘and para- The Department of Defense and the graph (3)’’; even happen. I will never forget when (B) by striking paragraph (3); military departments generally are re- he looked at me and said: ‘‘I didn’t (C) by redesignating paragraphs (4) and (5) quired to buy American flags made en- fight for China. I fought for the USA.’’ as paragraphs (3) and (4), respectively; and tirely of U.S. materials, but civilian I later learned that, in 2015 alone, (D) in paragraph (4), as redesignated, by agencies are currently permitted to taxpayers footed the bill to import striking ‘‘paragraph (4)’’ and inserting buy flags that are manufactured in the American flags to the tune of $4.4 mil- ‘‘paragraph (3)’’; and U.S. consisting of only 51 percent lion, $4 million of which went straight (2) in subsection (d), by striking ‘‘, except American-made materials, or some- to China. with respect to allegations described in sub- section (b)(3),’’. times even less than that. Since that conversation, I have This bill brings all executive agen- worked with my colleagues on both The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- cies under a single rule when it comes sides of the aisle to require the Depart- ant to the rule, the gentleman from to the content of American flags ment of Defense to purchase 100 per- Kentucky (Mr. COMER) and the gentle- bought by agencies across the govern- cent American-made flags. With the woman from New York (Mrs. CAROLYN ment. support of my colleagues today, we can B. MALONEY) each will control 20 min- Rather than impose new rules and ex- ensure that all American flags pur- utes. ceptions for DOD and civilian agency chased with taxpayer money are 100 The Chair recognizes the gentleman flag purchases, the All-American Flag percent American made. from Kentucky. Act recognizes and essentially adopts There is no reason that the symbol of GENERAL LEAVE current DOD requirements and excep- our Nation, our freedoms, and our val- Mr. COMER. Mr. Speaker, I ask tions. ues, proudly worn on the sleeves of our unanimous consent that all Members

VerDate Sep 11 2014 05:25 Nov 30, 2018 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00025 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A29NO7.012 H29NOPT1 lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with HOUSE H9718 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE November 29, 2018 may have 5 legislative days in which to the Department’s leadership and can be U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, revise and extend their remarks and in- overruled by the Department’s leader- OFFICE OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL, clude extraneous material on the bill ship without any transparency. November 29, 2018. under consideration. It is important to note that this divi- Hon. TREY GOWDY, Chairman, Committee on Oversight and Govern- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there sion of authority is a unique situation ment Reform, House of Representatives, objection to the request of the gen- in the Federal IG community. For in- Washington, DC. tleman from Kentucky? stance, the Securities and Exchange Hon. ELIJAH E. CUMMINGS, There was no objection. Commission Office of Inspector General Ranking Member, Committee on Oversight and Mr. COMER. Mr. Speaker, I yield my- is responsible for handling misconduct Government Reform, House of Representa- self such time as I may consume. allegations against SEC lawyers, in- tives, Washington, DC. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support cluding those with prosecuting author- DEAR MR. CHAIRMAN AND RANKING MEMBER of H.R. 3154 introduced by Congressman CUMMINGS: I write to express my strong sup- ity. port for H.R. 3154, the ‘‘Inspector General Ac- RICHMOND of Louisiana. The need for this legislation has also cess Act of 2017’’ (Access Act), which your Inspectors general perform a critical been discussed in multiple hearings be- Committee approved unanimously on Sep- oversight function with regard to mis- fore our committee and in reports by tember 27, 2018. The Access Act would amend conduct at their respective agencies. watchdog groups. The DOJ IG, Michael the Inspector General Act (IG Act) to pro- The Oversight and Government Reform Horowitz, testified before this com- vide the Department of Justice (DOJ) Office Committee has long pushed for IGs to mittee most recently on November 15, of the Inspector General (OIG) with author- have timely and complete access to all ity to investigate allegations of misconduct 2017, about the importance of elimi- against DOJ attorneys for their actions as the information they need to fulfill nating this discrepancy. lawyers, just as the OIG has authority under their oversight and investigative func- Congress’ own watchdog, the Govern- the IG Act to investigate allegations of mis- tions. ment Accountability Office, has issued conduct made against any non-lawyer in the In continuance of that mission, H.R. reports with recommendations to em- Department, including law enforcement 3154 removes an outdated statute that power the DOJ IG. agents at the Federal Bureau of Investiga- prevents the inspector general from in- Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to tion (FBI), the Drug Enforcement Adminis- tration (DEA), the Bureau of Alcohol, To- vestigating certain misconduct at the support this bill, and I reserve the bal- bacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and Justice Department. ance of my time. the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS). Cur- Under current statute, the DOJ IG Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New rently, under Section 8E of the Inspector must refer allegations of misconduct York. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as General Act, the OIG does not have the au- by Department attorneys to the Office much time as I may consume. thority to investigate allegations of mis- of Professional Responsibility, or OPR, Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support conduct made against DOJ attorneys acting rather than initiate an investigation of H.R. 3154, the Inspector General Ac- in their capacity as lawyers; this role is re- served exclusively for the Department’s Of- himself. cess Act. fice of Professional Responsibility (OPR). The OPR existed prior to the cre- Mr. Speaker, I thank Representatives The Access Act has received broad, bipar- ation of the DOJ IG in 1988, and OPR RICHMOND, HICE, and LYNCH for the bi- tisan support over successive Congresses be- retained this specific authority when partisan manner in which they worked cause it promotes independent oversight, the DOJ IG was created. on this very important bill. transparency, and accountability within H.R. 3154 seeks to harmonize the DOJ The Inspector General Access Act DOJ and for all of its employees. For these would allow the IG of the Department same reasons, in 1994, the then-General Ac- inspector general’s investigative au- counting Office, now the Government Ac- thority with that of the rest of the of Justice to investigate allegations of countability Office (GAO), issued a report Federal inspectors general, who are not misconduct by Department attorneys. that found that preventing the OIG from in- similarly restricted. The bill repeals The IG is statutorily independent and vestigating attorney misconduct was incon- the provision requiring the IG to refer currently has the authority to inves- sistent with the independence and account- allegations of attorney misconduct to tigate other DOJ personnel, but is ability that Congress envisioned under the barred from pursuing appropriate in- IG Act. OPR. The OIG has long questioned this carve-out Congress and, in particular, the Over- vestigations into the attorneys at the because OPR lacks statutory independence sight and Government Reform Com- Department. and does not regularly release its reports and mittee have consistently supported the Under current law, the authority to conclusions to the public. Moreover, to our need for independent and transparent investigate attorneys is restricted to knowledge, the DOJ Inspector General is the oversight of Federal agencies and pro- the Office of Professional Responsi- only Inspector General in the entire federal grams. bility within DOJ. OPR is not statu- government that does not have the authority torily independent; its head is not Sen- to investigate alleged professional mis- The current division of investigative conduct by attorneys who work in the agen- authority at DOJ is inconsistent with ate confirmed like the IG; and treating cy it oversees. Providing the OIG with au- the committee’s history of supporting attorneys differently from other per- thority to exercise jurisdiction in attorney the notion of an unburdened IG. sonnel is unfair. professional misconduct cases would enhance The IG is confirmed by the Senate, is One year ago, Michael Horowitz, the the public’s confidence in the outcomes of accountable to the public, and only can inspector general at the Department of these investigations and provide the OIG be removed by the President after noti- Justice, testified before the Committee with the same authority as every other In- spector General. fication to Congress. Further, the IG on Oversight and Government Reform: ‘‘This bifurcated jurisdiction creates a Alleged professional misconduct by DOJ has statutory reporting obligations to prosecutors, like any alleged misconduct both agency leadership and Congress. system where misconduct by FBI by DOJ agents, should be subject to In contrast, the Director of OPR is agents and other DOJ law enforcement statutorily independent oversight. selected and appointed by the Attorney officers is conducted by a statutorily Over fifteen years ago, the Department and General, answers to the Attorney Gen- independent IG appointed by the Presi- Congress recognized the importance of statu- eral, and can be removed or disciplined dent and confirmed by the Senate, torily independent OIG oversight over all by the Attorney General. while misconduct by DOJ prosecutors DOJ law enforcement components (FBI, The IG’s independence is critical to is investigated by a component head DEA, USMS, and ATF) when Attorney Gen- the value of their work. who is appointed by the Department’s eral Ashcroft authorized the OIG to conduct additional law enforcement oversight in 2001 The IG maintains transparency by leadership and who lacks statutory and Congress legislated it in 2002. Yet, alle- publishing its reports on a public independence. There is no principled gations against Department prosecutors for website. The website contains informa- reason for treating misconduct by Fed- professional misconduct continue to be han- tion about the reports, operations, and eral prosecutors differently than mis- dled exclusively by OPR. As a result, pres- functions of the IG, including a full ar- conduct by DOJ law enforcement ently, if an allegation of misconduct is made chive of its completed reports and its agents.’’ against the FBI Director, it is reviewed by the OIG; by contrast, if an allegation of pro- ongoing work. This standard of trans- Mr. Speaker, I include in the RECORD fessional misconduct is made against the At- parency does not apply to OPR. the letter from Mr. Horowitz express- torney General, it is handled by OPR, a De- Adverse findings by OPR against a ing his strong support for this bill be- partmental component that the Attorney DOJ lawyer are subject to review by fore us today. General supervises.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:56 Nov 30, 2018 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00026 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K29NO7.055 H29NOPT1 lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with HOUSE November 29, 2018 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H9719 The rationale supporting independent over- which the OIG posted on our website con- ings by the OIG, and resulted in changes to sight for alleged misconduct by law enforce- sistent with the IG Act and our practice. The Department operations that enhanced their ment applies with equal force to alleged fifth report was completed by OPR in 2013 effectiveness and thereby increased the wrongdoing by federal prosecutors, regard- and only released in 2015 in response to a public’s confidence in those programs. More- less of the nature of the alleged misconduct. Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request. over, OIGs throughout the government, in- There is no principled reason to have two Moreover, although the OLA letter states cluding at the Department of Homeland Se- standards of oversight at DOJ—one for fed- that ‘‘OPR discloses a substantial amount of curity and the Securities and Exchange Com- eral agents, who are subject to statutorily information about its work and findings in mission, have authority to investigate mis- independent and transparent oversight by its annual report,’’ this information is not conduct allegations made against attorneys the OIG, and one for federal prosecutors, who reported in a timely or comprehensive man- at those agencies and they have dem- are not for allegations of professional mis- ner. Congress and the public only find out onstrated that they are fully capable of deal- conduct. This is particularly true given the about some, but not necessarily all, of OPR’s ing with such matters covering a wide range extraordinary power that Department law- work when it issues an annual report. of complex legal issues. The DOJ OIG is the yers have to charge individuals with crimes, An example of this dichotomy can be found only OIG, to our knowledge, that is barred to seek incarceration, and to pursue the sei- in a case involving an Oregon lawyer who by the IG Act from reviewing misconduct by zure of assets and property. was arrested by the FBI and wrongly impris- lawyers within the agency it oversees. The OIG’s independence, established by oned after mismatched fingerprints linked The Access Act would provide the OIG with statutory authorities and protections, facili- him to the 2004 bombing at a Madrid train oversight over Department lawyers in a tates objective and credible investigations of station. The OIG investigated the allegations manner that is entirely consistent with misconduct allegations, as well as unbiased of FBI agent misconduct, while the Depart- its oversight authority over Department reports that identify and make useful rec- ment’s OPR investigated the allegations of non-attorneys. attorney misconduct. This bifurcation led to ommendations for improving the Depart- The present oversight system that applies inconsistent treatment. The OIG report on ment. The OIG is headed by a Senate-con- to allegations made against any DOJ non- the actions of the FBI agents was published firmed Inspector General who can only be re- lawyer, as provided for in the IG Act and De- on the OIG’s website, but OPR did not pub- moved by the President, with prior notice to partment regulations, is precisely the over- lish the report on the conduct of the DOJ at- Congress. The OIG’s statutory independence sight mechanism that the Access Act seeks is bolstered by the OIG’s dual obligation to torneys who were involved in the same case. Transparency ensures greater account- to apply to Department lawyers. Specifi- report findings and concerns both to the At- ability, and sends an important deterrent cally, under the current system for DOJ non- torney General and to Congress. The inde- message to other Department employees. lawyers, all non-frivolous misconduct allega- pendent OIG is able to make critical inves- The credibility of the Department’s discipli- tions must be provided to the OIG for the tigative and audit findings without fear of nary process is inevitably reduced when the OIG’s review and determination as to wheth- reprisal. responsible component operates under the di- er it is of the type and nature that warrants Conversely, OPR has no statutory inde- rection of the Department’s senior leader- and necessitates independent OIG investiga- pendence or protections. The OPR Counsel is ship and is not subject to public scrutiny be- tion. Given the OIG’s limited resources, the appointed by and answers to the Attorney cause of limited transparency. OIG handles only those allegations that war- General, and can be removed or disciplined rant an independent OIG investigation, and by the Attorney General. Although a Novem- The OIG has demonstrated its excellence in therefore the OIG returns routine and less ber 27, 2018 letter from DOJ’s Office of Legis- reviewing complex legal and factual serious misconduct allegations to Depart- lative Affairs (OLA) on H.R. 3154 states that issues, including employee ethics and ment components, such as the FBI’s Inspec- ‘‘OPR has always acted independently,’’ it misconduct matters. tions Division and the DEA’s OPR, for their does not point to any protections, statutory Over the past 30 years, the OIG has shown handling and investigation. For those mat- or otherwise, that exist to ensure OPR’s that it is capable of fair and independent ters that the OIG retains, when the OIG com- independence from the Attorney General, oversight of the DOJ. The jurisdictional lim- pletes its investigation, it sends its report to nor has DOJ proposed strengthening OPR’s itation of Section 8E(b)(3) is an unnecessary the component so that it can adjudicate the independence by adding such protections. In- historical vestige of the fact that OPR was OIG’s findings and take disciplinary action, deed, the letter fails to explain or even ad- in existence prior to the statutory creation as appropriate. The Access Act creates a dress why DOJ believes it is better to have a of the OIG in 1988. Those who unsuccessfully similar practice, by maintaining the Depart- non-statutorily independent entity handle tried in 2002 to forestall Congress from pro- ment’s OPR to handle misconduct allega- attorney professional misconduct cases rath- viding the OIG with oversight of alleged mis- tions that do not require independent out- er than a statutorily independent organiza- conduct by FBI and DEA agents contended side review as determined by the OIG, much tion, as is the case for law enforcement pro- that those cases required specialized exper- as the internal affairs offices at the FBI, fessional misconduct allegations. tise—just like the Department argues cur- DEA, ATF, and USMS remain in place today. rently that prosecutorial oversight requires We are unaware of any claims by Depart- The OIG’s independent and transparent over- specialized expertise—and that argument ment leaders that this approach has resulted sight enhances the public’s confidence in was roundly rejected and has proven to be in ‘‘different investigative standards,’’ the DOJ’s programs and improves its op- entirely without merit. The decision by Con- ‘‘decrease[d] efficiency,’’ or ‘‘inconsistent ap- erations. gress to extend OIG jurisdiction in 2002 to plication’’ of legal standards. There is no evi- In addition to independence, the OIG con- encompass misconduct by FBI and DEA dence that it has impacted the components siders transparency a crucial component of agents has allowed for significant and impor- ‘‘ability to successfully defend any signifi- its oversight mission. With limited excep- tant oversight of DOJ’s law enforcement op- cant discipline decision before the Merit Sys- tions, the OIG ensures that the public is erations, and has had significant positive im- tems Protection Board.’’ Yet this parade of aware of the results of our work. The major- pact on the integrity of those agencies’ oper- horribles is precisely what the OLA letter ity of our reports are posted on our public ations. claims will occur if attorneys are treated in website at the time of release to ensure that The OIG has consistently demonstrated the same manner as Special Agents and non- Congress and the public are informed of our our ability to handle complex legal and fac- attorneys at the Department, rather than findings, in a comprehensive and timely tual issues related to our misconduct re- continuing to receive the special oversight manner. The OIG, consistent with the IG views, including those involving FBI and treatment granted to them under the cur- Act, publishes on our website summaries of DEA agents as well as, on occasion, ethics rent carve-out provision under the IG Act. investigations resulting in findings of ad- issues involving DOJ lawyers. In addition to This argument it meritless. Indeed, the dis- ministrative misconduct by senior govern- our recent investigation of the FBI’s actions ciplinary processes at the FBI and the DEA ment employees and in matters of public in- prior to the 2016 presidential election, which have substantially improved since the OIG terest even when the subject is not pros- involved evaluating the professional conduct obtained statutory oversight authority over ecuted. We post such summaries without by FBI agents, FBI lawyers, and FBI senior those components in 2002, in significant part identifying the investigative subject con- officials, we have investigated the FBI’s ac- due to the greater transparency and account- sistent with the legal requirements under tions involving its former agent Robert ability that has resulted from the OIG’s the Privacy Act. Because of this commit- Hanssen, the FBI’s activities related to oversight. ment to transparency, there are currently James ‘‘Whitey’’ Bulger, the DEA’s oversight I very much appreciate your strong sup- hundreds of OIG reports, audits, and reviews of its confidential informant program, the port for my Office and for Inspectors General posted on our web site. There are also sum- DEA and other components’ handling of sex- throughout the federal government. maries of dozens of OIG investigative reports ual misconduct and harassment cases, the Sincerely, posted, including recent reports involving operation of the FBI laboratory, ATF’s ac- MICHAEL E. HOROWITZ, significant misconduct by senior DOJ offi- tions involving Operation Fast and Furious, Inspector General. cials. and the FBI’s use of its national security au- Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New In contrast, there are currently only a thorities (National Security Letters, Patriot York. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 3154 would not total of five reports (other than annual re- Act Section 215, FISA Amendment Act Sec- ports) posted on OPR’s website. Four of tion 702). prohibit OPR from investigating attor- those five reports are from 2008 and were the Each of those and many other reviews re- neys. It would simply add the ability to result of OPR’s joint work with the OIG, and sulted in independent and transparent find- investigate attorneys when appropriate

VerDate Sep 11 2014 05:25 Nov 30, 2018 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00027 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A29NO7.014 H29NOPT1 lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with HOUSE H9720 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE November 29, 2018 in the IG’s authority, an additional (6) is designed around user needs with data- Act, the head of each executive agency shall en- layer of accountability. driven analysis influencing management and sure that any paper based form that is related Empowering IGs has been, and should development decisions, using qualitative and to serving the public is made available in a dig- continue to be, a nonpartisan issue. quantitative data to determine user goals, needs, ital format that meets the requirements de- and behaviors, and continually test the website, scribed in section 3(a). The Committee on Oversight and web-based form, web-based application, or dig- (d) NON-DIGITIZABLE PROCESSES.—If the head Government Reform relies on the work ital service to ensure that user needs are ad- of an executive agency cannot make available in of IGs, and we strongly support ensur- dressed; a digital format under this section an in-person ing they can do their jobs effectively. (7) provides users of the new or redesigned Government service, form, or paper-based proc- This bill was ordered reported by the website, web-based form, web-based application, ess, the head of the executive agency shall docu- Oversight Committee unanimously. I or digital service with the option for a more cus- ment— urge my colleagues to continue their tomized digital experience that allows users to (1) the title of the in-person Government serv- support for IGs by supporting the In- complete digital transactions in an efficient and ice, form, or paper-based process; accurate manner; and (2) a description of the in-person Government spector General Access Act. (8) is fully functional and usable on common service, form, or paper-based process; Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance mobile devices. (3) each unit responsible for the in-person of my time. (b) REQUIREMENTS FOR EXISTING EXECUTIVE Government service, form, or paper-based proc- Mr. COMER. Mr. Speaker, I urge AGENCY WEBSITES AND DIGITAL SERVICES.—Not ess and the location of each unit in the organi- adoption of the bill, and I yield back later than 1 year after the date of enactment of zational hierarchy of the executive agency; the balance of my time. this Act, the head of each executive agency that (4) any reasons why the in-person Govern- The SPEAKER pro tempore. The maintains a website or digital service that is ment service, form, or paper-based process can- not be made available under this section; and question is on the motion offered by made available to the public shall— (1) review each website or digital service; and (5) any potential solutions that could allow the gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. (2) submit to Congress a report that includes— the in-person Government service, form, or COMER) that the House suspend the (A) a list of the websites and digital services paper-based process to be made available under rules and pass the bill, H.R. 3154. maintained by the executive agency that are this section, including the implementation of ex- The question was taken; and (two- most viewed or utilized by the public or are oth- isting technologies, procedural changes, regu- thirds being in the affirmative) the erwise important for public engagement; latory changes, and legislative changes. rules were suspended and the bill was (B) from among the websites and digital serv- (e) PHYSICAL AVAILABILITY.—Each executive agency shall maintain an accessible method of passed. ices listed under subparagraph (A), a prioritization of websites and digital services completing digital services through in-person, A motion to reconsider was laid on that require modernization to meet the require- paper-based, or other means, such that individ- the table. ments under subsection (a); and uals without the ability to use digital services f (C) an estimation of the cost and schedule of are not deprived of or impeded in access to those modernizing the websites and digital services digital services. 21ST CENTURY INTEGRATED prioritized under subparagraph (B). SEC. 5. ELECTRONIC SIGNATURES. DIGITAL EXPERIENCE ACT (c) INTERNAL DIGITAL SERVICES.—The head of Not later than 180 days after the date of the Mr. COMER. Mr. Speaker, I move to each executive agency shall ensure, to the great- enactment of this Act, the head of each execu- suspend the rules and pass the bill est extent practicable, that any Intranet estab- tive agency shall submit to the Director and the (H.R. 5759) to improve executive agency lished after the date of enactment of this Act appropriate congressional committees a plan to conforms to the requirements described in sub- accelerate the use of electronic signatures stand- digital services, and for other purposes, section (a). ards established under the Electronic Signatures as amended. (d) PUBLIC REPORTING.—Not later than 1 year in Global and National Commerce Act (15 U.S.C. The Clerk read the title of the bill. after the date of enactment of this Act and 7001 et seq.). The text of the bill is as follows: every year thereafter for 4 years, the head of SEC. 6. CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE AND DIGITAL H.R. 5759 each executive agency shall— SERVICE DELIVERY. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- (1) report annually to the Director on the The Chief Information Officer of each execu- resentatives of the United States of America in progress of the executive agency in imple- tive agency, or a designee, shall— Congress assembled, menting the requirements described in this sec- (1) coordinate and ensure alignment of the in- tion for the previous year; and ternal and external customer experience pro- SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. (2) include the information described in para- grams and strategy of the executive agency; This Act may be cited as the ‘‘21st Century In- graph (1) in a publicly available report that is (2) coordinate with the management leaders of tegrated Digital Experience Act’’ or the ‘‘21st required under another provision of law. the executive agency, including the head of the Century IDEA’’. (e) COMPLIANCE WITH UNITED STATES executive agency, the Chief Financial Officer, SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS. WEBSITE STANDARDS.—Any website of an execu- and any program manager, to ensure proper In this Act: tive agency that is made available to the public funding to support the implementation of this (1) DIRECTOR.—The term ‘‘Director’’ means after the date of enactment of this Act shall be Act; the Director of the Office of Management and in compliance with the website standards of the (3) continually examine the digital service de- Budget. Technology Transformation Services of the Gen- livery strategy of the executive agency to the (2) EXECUTIVE AGENCY.—The term ‘‘executive eral Services Administration. public and submit recommendations to the head agency’’ has the meaning given the term ‘‘Exec- SEC. 4. DIGITIZATION OF GOVERNMENT SERV- of the executive agency providing guidance and utive agency’’ in section 105 of title 5, United ICES AND FORMS. best practices suitable to the mission of the exec- States Code. (a) NON-DIGITAL SERVICES.—Not later than 180 utive agency; SEC. 3. WEBSITE MODERNIZATION. days after the date of enactment of this Act, the (4) using qualitative and quantitative data ob- (a) REQUIREMENTS FOR NEW WEBSITES AND Director shall issue guidance to the head of tained from across the executive agency relating DIGITAL SERVICES.—Not later than 180 days each executive agency that establishes a process to the experience and satisfaction of customers, after the date of enactment of this Act, an exec- for the executive agency to— identify areas of concern that need improvement utive agency that creates a website or digital (1) identify public non-digital, paper-based, or and improve the delivery of customer service; service that is intended for use by the public, or in-person Government services; and (5) coordinate and ensure, with the approval conducts a redesign of an existing legacy (2) include in the budget request of the execu- of the head of the executive agency, compliance website or digital service that is intended for use tive agency— by the executive agency with section 3559 of title by the public, shall ensure to the greatest extent (A) a list of non-digital services with the 44, United States Code; and practicable that any new or redesigned website, greatest impact that could be made available to (6) to the extent practicable, coordinate with web-based form, web-based application, or dig- the public through an online, mobile-friendly, other agencies and seek to maintain as much ital service— digital service option in a manner that decreases standardization and commonality with other (1) is accessible to individuals with disabilities cost, increases digital conversion rates, and im- agencies as practicable in implementing the re- in accordance with section 508 of the Rehabili- proves customer experience; and quirements of this Act, to best enable future tation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 794d); (B) an estimation of the cost and schedule as- transitions to centralized shared services. (2) has a consistent appearance; sociated with carrying out the modernization SEC. 7. STANDARDIZATION. (3) does not overlap with or duplicate any leg- described in subparagraph (A). (a) DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION.—Each exec- acy websites and, if applicable, ensure that leg- (b) SERVICES REQUIRED TO BE DIGITAL.—The utive agency shall, to the extent practicable, acy websites are regularly reviewed, eliminated, head of each executive agency shall regularly seek to maintain as much standardization and and consolidated; review public-facing applications and services to commonality with other executive agencies as (4) contains a search function that allows ensure that those applications and services are, practicable in implementing the requirements of users to easily search content intended for pub- to the greatest extent practicable, made avail- this Act to best enable future transitions to cen- lic use; able to the public in a digital format. tralized shared services. (5) is provided through an industry standard (c) FORMS REQUIRED TO BE DIGITAL.—Not (b) COORDINATION.—The Chief Information secure connection; later than 2 years after the enactment of this Officer of each executive agency, or a designee,

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:56 Nov 30, 2018 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00028 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 6333 E:\CR\FM\K29NO7.056 H29NOPT1 lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with HOUSE November 29, 2018 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H9721 shall coordinate the implementation of the re- legislation, and to all of the cosponsors his extraordinary work; Senator ROB quirements of this Act, including the develop- on the committee. PORTMAN, who has moved this in the ment of standards and commonalities. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to Senate; and Matt Lira at the White (c) FEDERAL SUPPLY SCHEDULE.— support this bill, and I reserve the bal- House Office of American Innovation, (1) IN GENERAL.—The General Services Admin- istration shall make available under a Federal ance of my time. who has been instrumental in this. It Supply Schedule the systems and services nec- Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New shows that the Congress can work to essary to fulfill the requirements of this Act. York. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such bring modern technology into govern- (2) REQUIREMENTS.—The Federal Supply time as I may consume. ment. Schedule described in paragraph (1) shall, to the Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New extent practicable, ensure interoperability be- of the 21st Century Integrated Digital York. Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my col- tween executive agencies, compliance with in- Experience Act, and I thank my friend leagues and Members to support this dustry standards, and adherence to best prac- and colleague, Representative RO bill. tices for design, accessibility, and information KHANNA, for his bipartisan work on this security. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speak- important bill. ers, and I yield back the balance of my The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- This bill will require agencies to time. ant to the rule, the gentleman from modernize their public-facing websites Mr. COMER. Mr. Speaker, I urge Kentucky (Mr. COMER) and the gentle- and increase the types of services and adoption of the bill, and I yield back woman from New York (Mrs. CAROLYN forms available to the public in a dig- the balance of my time. B. MALONEY) each will control 20 min- ital format. Mr. RATCLIFFE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today utes. Improving the capabilities of agency in support of H.R. 5759: the 21st Century Inte- The Chair recognizes the gentleman websites available to the public is es- grated Digital Experience Act—also known as from Kentucky. sential to ensuring that the Federal the ‘‘21st Century IDEA.’’ GENERAL LEAVE Government continues to meet the de- Mr. Speaker, I first want to thank my col- Mr. COMER. Mr. Speaker, I ask mands of today’s citizens. This bill league, Representative RO KHANNA, for his unanimous consent that all Members would help to achieve that goal by re- leadership on this important legislation may have 5 legislative days in which to quiring agencies to make long overdue This bill is bipartisan. Because if there’s one revise and extend their remarks and in- improvements to the websites and dig- thing we can and should agree on—it’s the clude extraneous material on the bill ital services they provide for the federal government’s duty and obligation to under consideration. public’s benefit. serving the American people as best we can. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there For example, the bill would require It’s been a privilege to co-lead on this effort objection to the request of the gen- that any new or redesigned website be to help make sure we do a better job. tleman from Kentucky? accessible to people with disabilities, We all know that there’s a lot of room for There was no objection. offer search functions to allow users to improvement when it comes to meeting the Mr. COMER. Mr. Speaker, I yield my- more easily find specific content, and needs of the constituents we were sent here self such time as I may consume. use data-driven analysis to ensure that to serve. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support users’ needs are being adequately ad- But the 21st Century IDEA homes in on a of H.R. 5759 introduced by Congressman dressed. particular area where our federal government KHANNA of California. This bill also would mandate that lags staggeringly behind: digital modernization The U.S. Federal Customer Experi- within 2 years of enactment, agencies and technology. ence Index measures citizen inter- provide the public with the option of Why’s this such a big issue? Because it’s actions with the Federal Government. completing any transactions by means hurting our ability to ensure folks get timely The 2018 index gave Federal agencies of an online, mobile-friendly, digital and efficient help from agencies like the IRS failing scores. Citizens deserve and ex- format. In other words, on their or VA. pect better from their government. phones. And even though the technology we need to H.R. 5759, the 21st Century Integrated Finally, the bill would require agen- mitigate this problem is already available–we Digital Experience Act, or 21st Century cies to submit to both the Director of aren’t using it. But as times change, and as IDEA, requires agencies to modernize the Office of Management and Budget citizens’ needs transform, it’s our job to ensure their websites and digital services. 21st and the Committee on Oversight and we evolve the services we provide. Century IDEA takes a systematic ap- Government Reform a report on the In today’s world, this means ensuring that proach to modernizing websites, serv- progress being made in implementing when citizens engage with the government, ices, and forms, so as not to unduly the bill’s requirements. that interaction mirrors other modern, cost-ef- burden agencies. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the fective experiences in their everyday lives. New and redesigned agency websites gentleman from the great State of With everything from hailing a cab, buying will have to meet modernization re- California (Mr. KHANNA). groceries, or ordering a pizza, we’ve shifted quirements, such as being searchable, Mr. KHANNA. Mr. Speaker, I rise in away from phone calls, walk-ins, or pickups, customizable, and secure. support of the IDEA Act that Rep- toward online orders and mobile apps that resentative JOHN RATCLIFFE and I in- save us time and, often, money. 1745 b troduced. The same is true when it comes to federal Meanwhile, each agency will survey The idea behind this act is very sim- agencies: Digitization increases the quality of and create a plan for updating its exist- ple. I represent Silicon Valley. Compa- service, promotes efficiency, and improves ing websites and digital services, nies in the private sector in Silicon cost-effectiveness. In fact, recent data from prioritizing those that are used most Valley have very sophisticated the IRS shows that it costs an agency about by the public. Agencies will also websites that make it really easy for $42 to help a customer on the telephone, and digitize forms so that electronic signa- consumers to use those websites. There about $54 to respond to letters sent through tures may be used. All these mod- is no reason that the United States the mail. ernization efforts will improve our con- Government shouldn’t have websites The same assistance costs only 22 cents stituents’ experiences when interacting that are as user friendly and easy to when conducted online. with Federal agencies. use. This bill will require our agencies The 21st Century IDEA takes steps to cata- The bill is supported by the Informa- to be as user friendly to citizens as the pult our federal government into the 21st Cen- tion Technology Industry Council; The private sector is for consumers. tury by requiring specific efficiency-boosting Software Alliance; Adobe; Information This bill would never have taken and cost-saving improvements to government Technology and Innovation Founda- place if it wasn’t for bipartisan leader- websites and digital services. tion; Software & Information Industry ship. I want to particularly recognize These improvements include, for example, Association; ServiceNow; CompTIA; Chairman WILL HURD, who not only ensuring that consumers can connect to gov- and Microsoft. helped with this, but gave me advice on ernment sites through a secure connection, Mr. Speaker, I thank Congressman how to draft the bill, and, of course, that sites offer search functions, that sites pro- KHANNA and Congressman RATCLIFFE Ranking Member ROBIN KELLY. I also vide consumers a personalization option, and for introducing this important piece of want to recognize JOHN RATCLIFFE for that sites consolidate redundant material

VerDate Sep 11 2014 04:44 Nov 30, 2018 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00029 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A29NO7.018 H29NOPT1 lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with HOUSE H9722 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE November 29, 2018 These changes will be overseen by a respon- end, H.R. 5759 is needed to modernize fed- ‘‘(II) the date on which the parties entered sible agency official to ensure compliance. eral agency websites, support the increased into the settlement agreement; On top of this, agencies will be required to use of mobile devices, transition away from ‘‘(III) a list of specific violations that make paper-based forms available digitally paper-based forms and in-person transactions specify the basis for the action taken, with a within one year, to provide a digital option as and bring the U.S. government into the 21st description of the claims each party settled under the settlement agreement; an alternative to in-person government serv- Century. ‘‘(IV) the amount of attorneys’ fees and ices within two years, to submit a plan to in- The SPEAKER pro tempore. The other litigation costs awarded, if any, in- crease the use of electronic signatures on question is on the motion offered by cluding a description of the statutory basis contracts and related documents within 180 the gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. for such an award; days, and to modernize their public-facing COMER) that the House suspend the ‘‘(V) the amount each party settling a websites within one year. rules and pass the bill, H.R. 5759, as claim under the settlement agreement is ob- Consumers will no longer be required to amended. ligated to pay under the settlement agree- print and fill out forms that must then be either The question was taken; and (two- ment; faxed or mailed in. thirds being in the affirmative) the ‘‘(VI) the total amount the settling parties These digital improvements will drastically rules were suspended and the bill, as are obligated to pay under the settlement agreement; improve the way our federal agencies provide amended, was passed. critical services to folks all across the country, ‘‘(VII) the amount, if any, the settling A motion to reconsider was laid on party is obligated to pay that is expressly including people with disabilities or those who the table. specified under the settlement agreement as live in rural areas with limited access to tradi- f a civil or criminal penalty or fine; tional, in-person assistance services all while SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT INFOR- ‘‘(VIII) any payment made under the set- saving countless taxpayer dollars. tlement agreement, including a description I cannot stress it enough that the federal MATION DATABASE ACT OF 2018 of any payment made to the Federal Govern- government is supposed to work for the Amer- Mr. COMER. Mr. Speaker, I move to ment; ican people. And we owe it to them to do a suspend the rules and pass the bill ‘‘(IX) the projected duration of the settle- better job. (H.R. 6777) to amend chapter 3 of title ment agreement, if available; The tools we need to restore the United 5, United States Code, to require the ‘‘(X) a list of State or local governments States’ global leadership in technology and publication of settlement agreements, that may be directly affected by the terms of digital government are already at our finger- and for other purposes. the settlement agreement; tips. Now it’s time to act. The Clerk read the title of the bill. ‘‘(XI) a brief description of any economic data and methodology used to justify the The text of the bill is as follows: I urge my colleagues to vote yes on H.R. terms of the settlement agreement; 5759: the 21st Century Integrated Digital Ex- H.R. 6777 ‘‘(XII) any modifications to the settlement perience Act. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- agreement, when applicable; Ms. KELLY of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I am resentatives of the United States of America in ‘‘(XIII) notice and comments, when appli- proud to support H.R. 5759, the 21st Century Congress assembled, cable; and Integrated Digital Experience Act of 2018. This SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. ‘‘(XIV) whether the settlement agreement bipartisan legislation, which was reported out This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Settlement is still under judicial enforcement and any of the House Oversight and Government Re- Agreement Information Database Act of period of time by which the parties agreed to form Committee by voice vote, seeks to mod- 2018’’. have certain conditions met. SEC. 2. INFORMATION REGARDING SETTLEMENT ‘‘(ii) A copy of each— ernize and improve the delivery of citizen fac- AGREEMENTS ENTERED INTO BY ing and internal digital services by government ‘‘(I) settlement agreement entered into by FEDERAL AGENCIES. the Executive agency; and agencies. (a) REQUIREMENTS FOR SETTLEMENT AGREE- ‘‘(II) statement issued under paragraph (4). MENTS.—Chapter 3 of title 5, United States This legislation builds on the Connected ‘‘(B) NONDISCLOSURE.—The requirement to Government Act that I authored and which Code, is amended by adding at the end the submit information or a copy of a settlement was signed into law last year. Like the Con- following new section: agreement under subparagraph (A) shall not nected Government Act, the 21st Century ‘‘§ 307. Information regarding settlement apply to the extent the information or copy IDEA requires federal agency websites to be agreements (or portion thereof)— mobile friendly and secure by providing citi- ‘‘(a) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: ‘‘(i) is subject to a confidentiality provi- zens with an improved customer experience. ‘‘(1) LOCAL GOVERNMENT.—The term ‘local sion that prohibits disclosure of the informa- The bill requires agencies to upgrade their on- government’ has the meaning given that tion or copy (or portion thereof); and term in section 6501 of title 31. line experiences, provide a digital, mobile ‘‘(ii) would not be disclosed under section ‘‘(2) ORDER TYPE.—The term ‘order type’ friendly option for any paper-based form, re- 552, if the Executive agency provides a cita- means the type of action or instrument used tion to the applicable exemption. quires a plan for the expanded use of elec- to settle a civil or criminal judicial action. ‘‘(C) CLARIFICATION OF RESPONSIBLE AGEN- tronic signatures, and establishes federal ‘‘(3) SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT.—The term CY.—In a case in which an Executive agency agency chief information officers as the re- ‘settlement agreement’ means a settlement is acting at the request or on behalf of an- sponsible officials inside the federal govern- agreement (including a consent decree) other Executive agency (referred to as the ment for carrying out these requirements. All that— originating agency), the originating agency critical factors in improving customer experi- ‘‘(A) is entered into by an Executive agen- is responsible for submitting information cy; and under subparagraph (A). ence. ‘‘(B) relates to an alleged violation of Fed- ‘‘(2) GUIDANCE.—The Director of the Office American citizens deserve and expect a eral civil or criminal law. of Management and Budget shall issue guid- modern, cost effective digital experience when ‘‘(4) STATE.—The term ‘State’ means each ance for Executive agencies to implement interacting with the federal government. Re- of the several States, the District of Colum- paragraph (1). Such guidance shall include cent data from the IRS shows that in-person bia, each territory or possession of the the following: United States, and each federally recognized or live assistance calls to the agency cost tax- ‘‘(A) Specific dates by which submissions Indian Tribe. payers between $40 and $60 on average, must be made, not less than twice a year. while digital transactions cost only $0.22 on ‘‘(b) SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT INFORMATION DATABASE.— ‘‘(B) Data standards, including common average. A recent 2017 Forrester Research ‘‘(1) EXECUTIVE AGENCY REQUIREMENT.— data elements and a common, nonpropri- study on Federal Customer Experience Index ‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—Subject to subparagraph etary, searchable, machine-readable, plat- also found that, ‘‘federal websites and mobile (B), the head of each Executive agency shall, form independent format. apps still offer experiences that are worse in accordance with guidance issued pursuant ‘‘(C) A requirement that the information than those provided by nondigital channels to paragraph (2), submit the following infor- and documents required under paragraph (1) like physical locations and call centers.’’ The mation to the database established under are publicly available for a period starting need for enhanced citizen-facing digital serv- paragraph (3): on the date of the settlement through not less than 5 years after the termination of the ice delivery is clear and will dramatically drive ‘‘(i) A list of each settlement agreement, in a categorized and searchable format, entered settlement agreement. down the cost of government operations and into by the Executive agency, as a party to ‘‘(3) ESTABLISHMENT OF DATABASE.—The Di- improve customer experience. a lawsuit, which shall include, for each set- rector of the Office of Management and Restoring the United States Government’s tlement agreement— Budget, or the head of an Executive agency global leadership in technology and digital ‘‘(I) the order type of the settlement agree- designated by the Director, shall establish government requires a new approach. To that ment; and maintain a public, searchable,

VerDate Sep 11 2014 04:44 Nov 30, 2018 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00030 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A29NO7.019 H29NOPT1 lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with HOUSE November 29, 2018 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H9723 downloadable database for Executive agen- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of cies to directly upload and submit the infor- ant to the rule, the gentleman from my time. mation and documents required under para- Kentucky (Mr. COMER) and the gentle- Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New graph (1) for immediate publication online. woman from New York (Mrs. CAROLYN York. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such ‘‘(4) STATEMENT OF CONFIDENTIALITY.—If the head of an Executive agency determines B. MALONEY) each will control 20 min- time as I may consume. that a confidentiality provision in a settle- utes. Mr. Speaker, I support this common- ment agreement, or the sealing of a settle- The Chair recognizes the gentleman sense bill. The Settlement Agreement ment agreement, is required to protect the from Kentucky. Information Database Act would create public interest of the United States, the head GENERAL LEAVE a database of settlement agreements of the Executive agency may except the set- Mr. COMER. Mr. Speaker, I ask entered into by Federal agencies that tlement agreement from the requirement in unanimous consent that all Members relate to alleged violations of Federal, paragraph (1) and shall issue a written public may have 5 legislative days in which to civil, or criminal law. statement stating why such action is re- The Office of Management and Budg- quired to protect the public interest of the revise and extend their remarks and in- United States, which shall explain— clude extraneous material on the bill et would manage this database and set ‘‘(A) what interests confidentiality pro- under consideration. deadlines for submission. The heads of tects; and The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there executive agencies would be required ‘‘(B) why the interests protected by con- objection to the request of the gen- to submit details about the types of fidentiality outweigh the public’s interest in tleman from Kentucky? settlement agreements, parties in- knowing about the conduct of the Federal There was no objection. volved in the settlements, specific vio- Government and the expenditure of Federal Mr. COMER. Mr. Speaker, I yield my- lations, and the dates on which the set- resources.’’. self such time as I may consume. tlement agreements were entered into. (b) TECHNICAL AND CONFORMING AMEND- MENT.—The table of sections for chapter 3 of Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support The information about the settle- title 5, United States Code, is amended by of H.R. 6777, introduced by Congress- ment agreements would remain public adding at the end the following new item: man PALMER of Alabama. until 5 years after the termination of ‘‘307. Information regarding settlement Transparency and public participa- the agreements. The information with- agreements.’’. tion are critical to maintaining the in the agreements would remain sub- (c) DEADLINE TO ESTABLISH DATABASE.— public’s trust in its government. Since ject to FOIA regulations. But if the Not later than 1 year after the date of the the 1970s, however, Federal agencies head of the agencies decided to keep an enactment of this Act, the Director of the have increasingly resolved litigation entire agreement confidential, he or Office of Management and Budget shall issue by entering into consent decrees and she would be required to submit an ex- guidance required by section 307(b)(2) of title other legally binding settlement agree- planation of that action to the data- 5, United States Code, as added by subsection ments rather than through a public (a), and establish the settlement agreement base. information database required by section trial. This bill would improve the trans- 307(b)(3) of title 5, United States Code, as These agreements were often nego- parency surrounding settlement agree- added by subsection (a). tiated behind closed doors. Secret ne- ments, which in the past have been dif- (d) DEADLINE FOR FIRST SUBMISSION.—Not gotiations prevent the public from ficult for the public to access. later than 90 days after the Director issues holding the Federal Government ac- Mr. Speaker, I do not have any fur- guidance under section 307(b)(2) of title 5, countable for decisions made without ther speakers, and I yield back the bal- United States Code, as added by subsection their input. ance of my time. (a), the head of each Executive agency (as States, local governments, industry defined in section 105 of title 5, United States Mr. COMER. Mr. Speaker, I urge Code) shall begin submitting information to stakeholders, and taxpayers are often adoption of the bill, and I yield back the database established under such section directly affected by the agreements, the balance of my time. 307. but are shut out of the negotiations. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The SEC. 3. AMENDMENTS TO THE FREEDOM OF IN- For example, a consent decree entered question is on the motion offered by FORMATION ACT. into by the Environmental Protection the gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. Section 552(a)(2) of title 5, United States Agency required the city of Fort COMER) that the House suspend the Code, is amended— Smith, Arkansas to reform its sewer rules and pass the bill, H.R. 6777. (1) by redesignating subparagraphs (B) through (E) as subparagraphs (C) through systems in 12 years. Sewer utility bills The question was taken; and (two- (F), respectively; and increased by 167 percent in 3 years to thirds being in the affirmative) the (2) by inserting after subparagraph (A) the fund the obligations of the agreement, rules were suspended and the bill was following new subparagraph: while residents’ incomes simulta- passed. ‘‘(B) each settlement agreement (as defined neously decreased by 11 percent. A motion to reconsider was laid on in section 307) entered into by an Executive Due to poor recordkeeping, it is im- the table. agency, with redactions for information that possible for Congress and the public to f the agency may withhold under paragraph determine the full cost of Federal set- (8) and subsections (b) and (c) of this sec- FEDERAL CIO AUTHORIZATION tlement agreements. Most of the tion;’’. ACT OF 2018 public’s access to Federal settlement SEC. 4. RULE OF CONSTRUCTION. Mr. COMER. Mr. Speaker, I move to Nothing in this Act, or the amendments agreement information is currently de- made by this Act, shall be construed to re- termined by individual agency discre- suspend the rules and pass the bill quire the disclosure of information or tion, usually issued in the form of a (H.R. 6901) to amend chapter 36 of title records that any agency may properly with- press release. 44, United States Code, to make certain hold from public disclosure under section 552 Further, heads of agencies can de- changes relating to electronic Govern- of title 5, United States Code (commonly clare a settlement confidential and ment services, and for other purposes, known as the ‘‘Freedom of Information seal the contents of the agreement as amended. Act’’). without providing any explanation. The Clerk read the title of the bill. SEC. 5. EFFECTIVE DATE; APPLICABILITY. The text of the bill is as follows: This Act shall be effective 180 days after The Settlement Agreement Informa- the date of the enactment of this Act and tion Database Act seeks to correct this H.R. 6901 shall apply— problem by shining light on the details Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- (1) with respect to any settlement agree- of Federal settlement agreements. The resentatives of the United States of America in ment (as such term is defined in section 307 bill requires the establishment of an Congress assembled, of title 5, United States Code, as added by electronic and publicly-available data- SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. section 2), entered into on or after the date base of agencies’ settlement agree- This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Federal CIO of the enactment of this Act; and ments. It requires Federal agencies to Authorization Act of 2018’’. (2) to the extent practicable, any such set- enter basic information about settle- SEC. 2. CHANGES RELATING TO ELECTRONIC tlement agreement (as such term is defined GOVERNMENT SERVICES. in section 307 of title 5, United States Code, ment agreements into the database. (a) CHANGE OF CERTAIN NAMES IN CHAPTER as added by section 2) that remains in effect Mr. Speaker, this is a commonsense 36 OF TITLE 44.— on or after the date of the enactment of this transparency bill, and I urge my col- (1) DEFINITIONS.—Section 3601 of title 44, Act. leagues to support it. United States Code, is amended—

VerDate Sep 11 2014 04:40 Nov 30, 2018 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00031 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A29NO7.020 H29NOPT1 lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with HOUSE H9724 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE November 29, 2018 (A) by striking paragraph (1); (D) in subsection (c), by striking ‘‘the Ad- Electronic Government’’ and inserting ‘‘Fed- (B) by redesignating paragraphs (2) ministrator’’ and inserting ‘‘the Federal eral Chief Information Officer’’. through (8) as paragraphs (1) through (7), re- Chief Information Officer’’. (D) TABLE OF SECTIONS FOR CHAPTER 5 OF spectively; and (5) PROGRAM TO ENCOURAGE INNOVATIVE SO- TITLE 31.—The table of sections for chapter 5 (C) in paragraph (4), as so redesignated, by LUTIONS TO ENHANCE ELECTRONIC GOVERNMENT of subtitle I of title 31, United States Code, striking ‘‘E–Government Fund’’ and insert- SERVICES AND PROCESSES.—Section 3605 of is amended by striking the item relating to ing ‘‘Federal IT Fund’’. title 44, United States Code, is amended— section 507 and inserting the following new (2) OFFICE OF ELECTRONIC GOVERNMENT.— (A) in subsection (a), by striking ‘‘The Ad- item: Section 3602 of title 44, United States Code, ministrator’’ and inserting ‘‘The Federal ‘‘507. Office of the Federal Chief Information is amended— Chief Information Officer’’; Officer.’’. (B) in subsection (b), by striking ‘‘, the Ad- (A) in the heading, by striking ‘‘OFFICE OF (E) OFFICE OF ELECTRONIC GOVERNMENT.— ministrator,’’ and inserting ‘‘, the Federal ELECTRONIC GOVERNMENT’’ and inserting ‘‘OF- Section 507 of title 31, United States Code, is Chief Information Officer,’’; and FICE OF THE FEDERAL CHIEF INFORMATION OFFI- amended— (C) in subsection (c)— CER’’; (i) in the heading, by striking ‘‘OFFICE OF (i) in paragraph (1)— (B) in subsection (a), by striking ‘‘Office of ELECTRONIC GOVERNMENT’’ and inserting ‘‘OF- (I) by striking ‘‘The Administrator’’ and Electronic Government’’ and inserting ‘‘Of- FICE OF THE FEDERAL CHIEF INFORMATION OFFI- inserting ‘‘The Federal Chief Information Of- fice of the Federal Chief Information Offi- CER’’; and cer’’; ficer’’; and (ii) by striking ‘‘The Office of Electronic (II) by striking ‘‘proposals submitted to (C) in subsection (b)— Government’’ and inserting ‘‘The Office of the Administrator’’ and inserting ‘‘proposals (i) by striking ‘‘an Administrator’’ and in- the Federal Chief Information Officer’’. submitted to the Federal Chief Information serting ‘‘a Federal Chief Information Offi- (F) PROGRAM MANAGEMENT IMPROVEMENT Officer’’; cer’’; and OFFICERS AND PROGRAM MANAGEMENT POLICY (ii) in paragraph (2)(B), by striking ‘‘the (ii) by inserting before the period at the COUNCIL.—Section 1126(b)(3)(A)(i)(II) of title Administrator’’ and inserting ‘‘the Federal end the following: ‘‘and who shall report di- 31, United States Code, is amended by strik- Chief Information Officer’’; and rectly to the Director’’; ing ‘‘The Administrator of the Office of Elec- (iii) in paragraph (4)— (D) in subsection (c), by striking ‘‘The Ad- tronic Government’’ and inserting ‘‘The Fed- (I) by striking ‘‘the Administrator’’ and in- eral Chief Information Officer’’. ministrator’’ and inserting ‘‘The Federal serting ‘‘the Federal Chief Information Offi- (G) ELECTRONIC GOVERNMENT AND INFORMA- Chief Information Officer’’; cer’’; and TION TECHNOLOGIES.—Section 305 of title 40, (E) in subsection (d), by striking ‘‘The Ad- (II) by striking ‘‘E–Government Fund’’ and ministrator’’ and inserting ‘‘The Federal United States Code, is amended by striking inserting ‘‘Federal IT Fund’’. ‘‘the Administrator of the Office of Elec- Chief Information Officer’’; (6) E–GOVERNMENT REPORT.—Section 3606 of (F) in subsection (e), by striking ‘‘The Ad- tronic Government’’ and inserting ‘‘the Fed- title 44, United States Code, is amended— eral Chief Information Officer’’. ministrator’’ and inserting ‘‘The Federal (A) in the heading, by striking ‘‘E–Govern- (H) CAPITAL PLANNING AND INVESTMENT Chief Information Officer’’; ment’’ and inserting ‘‘Annual’’ ; and CONTROL.—Section 11302(c)(4) of title 40, (G) in subsection (f)— (B) in subsection (a), by striking ‘‘an E– United States Code, is amended by striking (i) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), Government status report to the Committee ‘‘the Administrator of the Office of Elec- by striking ‘‘the Administrator’’ and insert- on Governmental Affairs of the Senate and tronic Government’’ each place it appears ing ‘‘the Federal Chief Information Officer’’; the Committee on Government Reform of and inserting ‘‘the Federal Chief Information (ii) in paragraph (5), by striking ‘‘E–Gov- the House of Representatives’’ and inserting Officer’’. ernment Fund’’ and inserting ‘‘Federal IT ‘‘a report to the Committee on Homeland Se- (I) RESOURCES, PLANNING, AND PORTFOLIO Fund’’; curity and Governmental Affairs of the Sen- MANAGEMENT.—Section 11319(d) of title 40, (iii) in paragraph (16), by striking ‘‘the Of- ate and the Committee on Oversight and United States Code, is amended by striking fice of Electronic Government’’ and insert- Government Reform of the House of Rep- ing ‘‘the Office of the Federal Chief Informa- resentatives’’. ‘‘Administrator of the Office of Electronic Government’’ each place it appears and in- tion Officer’’; and (7) TREATMENT OF INCUMBENT.—The indi- (iv) by adding at the end the following new vidual serving as the Administrator of the serting ‘‘Federal Chief Information Officer’’. paragraph: Office of Electronic Government under sec- (J) E–GOVERNMENT ACT OF 2002.—Section ‘‘(18) Oversee the Federal Chief Informa- tion 3602 of title 44, United States Code, as of 207(f)(3)(C) of the E–Government Act of 2002 tion Security Officer.’’; and the date of the enactment of this Act, may (Public Law 107–347; 44 U.S.C. 3501 note) is (H) in subsection (g), by striking ‘‘the Of- continue to serve as the Federal Chief Infor- amended by striking ‘‘the Administrator of fice of Electronic Government’’ and insert- mation Officer commencing as of that date, the Office of Electronic Government’’ and in- ing ‘‘the Office of the Federal Chief Informa- without further appointment under such sec- serting ‘‘the Federal Chief Information Offi- tion Officer’’. tion. cer’’. (b) ESTABLISHMENT OF CHIEF INFORMATION (3) CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICERS COUNCIL.— (8) REFERENCES.—Any reference to the Ad- SECURITY OFFICER AND REPORT ON IT EX- Section 3603 of title 44, United States Code, ministrator of the Office of Electronic Gov- PENDITURES.— is amended— ernment in any law, regulation, document, (1) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 36 of title 44, (A) in subsection (b)(2), by striking ‘‘The record, or other paper of the United States Administrator of the Office of Electronic United States Code, is further amended by shall be deemed to be a reference to the Fed- adding at the end the following new sections: Government’’ and inserting ‘‘The Federal eral Chief Information Officer. ‘‘§ 3607. Federal Chief Information Security Chief Information Officer’’; (9) TECHNICAL AND CONFORMING AMEND- Officer (B) in subsection (c)(1), by striking ‘‘The MENTS.— Administrator of the Office of Electronic (A) TABLE OF SECTIONS FOR CHAPTER 36 OF ‘‘(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is established Government’’ and inserting ‘‘The Federal TITLE 44.—The table of sections for chapter in the Office of Management and Budget a Chief Information Officer’’; and 36 of title 44, United States Code, is amend- Federal Chief Information Security Officer, (C) in subsection (f)— ed— who shall— (i) in paragraph (3), by striking ‘‘the Ad- (i) by striking the item relating to section ‘‘(1) be appointed by the President; ministrator’’ and inserting ‘‘the Federal 3602 and inserting the following new item: ‘‘(2) be within the Office of the Federal Chief Information Officer; and Chief Information Officer’’; and ‘‘3602. Office of the Federal Chief Informa- ‘‘(3) report directly to the Federal Chief In- (ii) in paragraph (5), by striking ‘‘the Ad- tion Officer.’’; ministrator’’ and inserting ‘‘the Federal formation Officer. Chief Information Officer’’. (ii) by striking the item relating to section ‘‘(b) DUTIES.—The Federal Chief Informa- 3604 and inserting the following new item: (4) E–GOVERNMENT FUND.—Section 3604 of tion Security Officer shall— title 44, United States Code, is amended— ‘‘3604. Federal IT Fund.’’; ‘‘(1) direct the cybersecurity efforts of the (A) in the heading, by striking ‘‘E–GOVERN- and Office of Management and Budget; MENT FUND’’ and inserting ‘‘FEDERAL IT (iii) in the item relating to section 3606, by ‘‘(2) carry out the duties of the Director re- FUND’’; striking ‘‘E–Government’’ and inserting lated to the security of information and in- (B) in subsection (a)— ‘‘Annual’’. formation systems for agencies, including (i) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘E–Govern- (B) PRESIDENTIAL INNOVATION FELLOWS PRO- the duties and responsibilities assigned to ment Fund’’ and inserting ‘‘Federal IT GRAM ADVISORY BOARD.—Section 3172(b)(3) of the Director under subchapter II of chapter Fund’’; and title 5, United States Code, is amended by 35; and (ii) in paragraph (2), by striking ‘‘the Ad- striking ‘‘the Administrator of the Office of ‘‘(3) carry out such other duties and powers ministrator of the Office of Electronic Gov- Electronic Government of the Office of Man- assigned by the President, the Director, or ernment’’ and inserting ‘‘the Federal Chief agement and Budget’’ and inserting ‘‘the the Federal Chief Information Officer. Information Officer’’; Federal Chief Information Officer’’. ‘‘§ 3608. Technology investment planning and (C) in subsection (b), by striking ‘‘Adminis- (C) POSITIONS AT LEVEL III.—Section 5314 of oversight process trator’’ each place it appears and inserting title 5, United States Code, is amended by ‘‘(a) REPORT ON INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY ‘‘Federal Chief Information Officer’’; and striking ‘‘Administrator of the Office of EXPENDITURES.—The head of each agency

VerDate Sep 11 2014 04:40 Nov 30, 2018 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00032 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A29NO7.037 H29NOPT1 lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with HOUSE November 29, 2018 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H9725 shall submit to the Federal Chief Informa- Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support Mobile apps were non-existent in tion Officer a report on any expenditure on of H.R. 6901, introduced by Congress- 2002. Today, over 2.2 million apps are information technology by that agency. man WILL HURD of Texas. available to consumers. ‘‘(b) IMPLEMENTATION.—The Director shall The Federal CIO Authorization Act is This bill recognizes how far tech- establish a process to implement subsection (a), and may update such process, as nec- a bipartisan measure to modernize leg- nology has come. It codifies the posi- essary, that shall— acy Federal technology policy. tion of the Federal CIO and elevates ‘‘(1) use a widely accepted industry stand- The Office of Electronic Government the office to report directly to the head ard taxonomy with common data elements was established by the E-Government of the Office of Management and Budg- and definitions; and Act of 2002. The head of this office is et. ‘‘(2) display, on a website accessible to the commonly referred to as the Federal This bill establishes the role of the public, timely, searchable, computer-read- Chief Information Officer, or Federal Federal CISO, the Chief Information able data on the information technology ex- CIO. Security Officer, who reports to the penditures, projects, and programs of agen- This bill authorizes and renames the cies, if such information would otherwise be CIO and leads OMB’s cybersecurity ef- subject to public disclosure under section 552 Office of Electronic Government as the forts. of title 5, commonly known as the Freedom Office of the Federal CIO. Codifying the Empowering CIOs at the Federal of Information Act.’’. position of the Federal CIO emphasizes agencies is consistent with the prin- (2) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of the importance of the role to the for- ciples of the Federal IT Acquisition Re- sections for chapter 36 of title 44, United mation of government-wide technology form Act and the Federal CIO should States Code, is further amended by adding at policy. not be treated differently. the end the following new item: Under this bill, the Federal CIO will b 1800 ‘‘3607. Federal Chief Information Security Of- report to the Director of the Office of ficer. Management and Budget. $90 billion is spent on purchasing IT ‘‘3608. Technology investment planning and The bill also codifies the position of goods and services. Eighty percent of oversight process.’’. Federal Chief Information Security Of- that is on old, outdated technology. We (3) DEADLINE.—Not later than 180 days ficer, under the direction of the Fed- need a strong Federal CIO to make sure after the date of the enactment of this Act, eral CIO. American taxpayer dollars are being the Director shall establish the process de- The bill promotes cost-efficient and spent wisely. scribed in section 3608(b) of title 44, United Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my States Code, as added by paragraph (1). secure technology use throughout the (4) REPORT TO CONGRESS.—Not later than Federal Government. friends, my colleagues—MARK MEAD- 120 days after the date of the enactment of Mr. Speaker, I strongly urge my col- OWS from North Carolina; GERRY CON- this Act, the Federal Chief Information Offi- leagues to support the bill, and I re- NOLLY from Virginia; my partner in cer shall submit to the Committee on Over- serve the balance of my time. crime on the Information Technology sight and Government Reform of the House Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New Subcommittee, my good friend, ROBIN of Representatives and the Committee on York. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such KELLY from Illinois; and also BRENDA Homeland Security and Governmental Af- time as I may consume. LAWRENCE from Michigan—for showing fairs of the Senate a report on the status of the American people that bipartisan- establishing the process described in section Mr. Speaker, the Federal CIO Au- 3608(b) of title 44, United States Code, as thorization Act would make several ship actually happens up here in Wash- added by paragraph (1). commonsense changes to existing law. ington, D.C., in order to make sure we SEC. 3. PROPOSAL RELATED TO SHARED SERV- First, it would update the name of are keeping Americans safe. ICES. the Administrator for E-Government Mr. Speaker, I strongly urge my col- Not later than 180 days after the date of to the Federal Chief Information Offi- leagues to support this bill. the enactment of this Act, the Federal Chief cer and require that individual to re- Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New Information Officer shall submit to Congress port directly to the Director of the Of- York. Mr. Speaker, I have no further a proposal for consolidating information fice of Management and Budget. speakers, and I yield back the balance technology across the Federal Government, Second, it would establish the posi- of my time. especially among Federal agencies not re- ferred to under section 901(b) of title 31, tion of Federal Chief Information Secu- Mr. COMER. Mr. Speaker, I urge United States Code, and increasing the use of rity Officer, who would report to the adoption of the bill, and I yield back shared services, including any recommenda- Federal CIO and assist OMB in its cy- the balance of my time. tions for legislative changes that may be bersecurity efforts. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The necessary to effect the proposal. Finally, the bill would require the question is on the motion offered by SEC. 4. NO ADDITIONAL FUNDS AUTHORIZED. Federal CIO to submit a proposal on the gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. No additional funds are authorized to be consolidating IT across Federal agen- COMER) that the House suspend the appropriated to carry out this Act and the cies, especially smaller agencies, rules and pass the bill, H.R. 6901, as amendments made by this Act. This Act and through the use of shared services. amended. the amendments made by this Act shall be Mr. Speaker, I urge every Member in The question was taken. carried out using amounts otherwise author- this Congress to support this bill, and I The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the ized. reserve the balance of my time. opinion of the Chair, two-thirds being The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- Mr. COMER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 in the affirmative, the ayes have it. ant to the rule, the gentleman from minutes to the gentleman from Texas Mr. COMER. Mr. Speaker, I object to Kentucky (Mr. COMER) and the gentle- (Mr. HURD), the sponsor of this bill. the vote on the ground that a quorum woman from New York (Mrs. CAROLYN Mr. HURD. Mr. Speaker, it should is not present and make the point of B. MALONEY) each will control 20 min- come as no surprise to anyone in this order that a quorum is not present. utes. Chamber that technology is integrated The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- The Chair recognizes the gentleman into every facet of our daily lives. We ant to clause 8 of rule XX, further pro- from Kentucky. have come a long way since the bill ceedings on this question will be post- GENERAL LEAVE that established the role of the Federal poned. Mr. COMER. Mr. Speaker, I ask Chief Information Officer, the E-Gov- The point of no quorum is considered unanimous consent that all Members ernment Act, when it was originally withdrawn. may have 5 legislative days in which to passed. f revise and extend their remarks and in- Less than 50 percent of the U.S. popu- clude extraneous material on the bill lation had access to the internet in TILDEN VETERANS POST OFFICE under consideration. 2001. Nearly every American now has Mr. COMER. Mr. Speaker, I ask The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there access to the internet. unanimous consent to take from the objection to the request of the gen- Just 62 percent of Americans had cell Speaker’s table the bill (H.R. 1207) to tleman from Kentucky? phones when the original bill passed. designate the facility of the United There was no objection. Now 95 percent of Americans own cell States Postal Service located at 306 Mr. COMER. Mr. Speaker, I yield my- phones and 77 percent own River Street in Tilden, Texas, as the self such time as I may consume. smartphones. ‘‘Tilden Veterans Post Office’’, with

VerDate Sep 11 2014 04:40 Nov 30, 2018 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00033 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A29NO7.037 H29NOPT1 lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with HOUSE H9726 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE November 29, 2018 the Senate amendment thereto, and There was no objection. There was no objection. concur in the Senate amendment. The text of the bill is as follows: The text of the bill is as follows: The Clerk read the title of the bill. H.R. 1211 H.R. 4326 The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- Clerk will report the Senate amend- resentatives of the United States of America in resentatives of the United States of America in ment. Congress assembled, Congress assembled, The Clerk read as follows: SECTION 1. ENCINAL VETERANS POST OFFICE. SECTION 1. SGT. JOSH RODGERS POST OFFICE. (a) DESIGNATION.—The facility of the Senate amendment: (a) DESIGNATION.—The facility of the On page 2, line 1, strike øSPECIALIST¿. United States Postal Service located at 400 United States Postal Service located at 1211 Mr. COMER (during the reading). Mr. N. Main Street, Encinal, Texas, shall be Towanda Avenue in Bloomington, Illinois, Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to known and designated as the ‘‘Encinal Vet- shall be known and designated as the ‘‘Sgt. erans Post Office’’. Josh Rodgers Post Office’’. dispense with the reading. (b) REFERENCES.—Any reference in a law, (b) REFERENCES.—Any reference in a law, The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there map, regulation, document, paper, or other map, regulation, document, paper, or other objection to the request of the gen- record of the United States to the facility re- record of the United States to the facility re- tleman from Kentucky? ferred to in subsection (a) shall be deemed to ferred to in subsection (a) shall be deemed to There was no objection. be a reference to the ‘‘Encinal Veterans Post be a reference to the ‘‘Sgt. Josh Rodgers The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there Office’’. Post Office’’. objection to the original request of the The bill was ordered to be engrossed AMENDMENT OFFERED BY MR. COMER gentleman from Kentucky? and read a third time, was read the There was no objection. third time, and passed, and a motion to Mr. COMER. Mr. Speaker, I have an A motion to reconsider was laid on reconsider was laid on the table. amendment at the desk. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The the table. f Clerk will report the amendment. f CAPTAIN HUMAYUN KHAN POST The Clerk read as follows: PLEASANTON VETERANS POST OFFICE Page 1, beginning on line 5, strike ‘‘1211 OFFICE Mr. COMER. Mr. Speaker, I ask Towanda Avenue in Bloomington, Illinois’’ Mr. COMER. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Com- and insert ‘‘200 West North Street in Normal, Illinois’’. unanimous consent that the Com- mittee on Oversight and Government Mr. COMER (during the reading). Mr. mittee on Oversight and Government Reform be discharged from further con- Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to Reform be discharged from further con- sideration of the bill (H.R. 3184) to des- dispense with the reading. sideration of the bill (H.R. 1210) to des- ignate the facility of the United States The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there ignate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 180 McCor- objection to the request of the gen- Postal Service located at 122 W. Good- mick Road in Charlottesville, Virginia, tleman from Kentucky? win Street, Pleasanton, Texas, as the as the ‘‘Captain Humayun Khan Post There was no objection. ‘‘Pleasanton Veterans Post Office’’, Office’’, and ask for its immediate con- The amendment was agreed to. and ask for its immediate consider- sideration in the House. The bill was ordered to be engrossed The Clerk read the title of the bill. ation in the House. and read a third time, was read the The Clerk read the title of the bill. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gen- third time, and passed. objection to the request of the gen- tleman from Kentucky? The title of the bill was amended so tleman from Kentucky? There was no objection. as to read: ‘‘A bill to designate the fa- There was no objection. The text of the bill is as follows: cility of the United States Postal Serv- The text of the bill is as follows: H.R. 3184 ice located at 200 West North Street in H.R. 1210 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- Normal, Illinois, as the ‘‘Sgt. Josh Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- resentatives of the United States of America in Rodgers Post Office’’.’’. resentatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, A motion to reconsider was laid on Congress assembled, SECTION 1. CAPTAIN HUMAYUN KHAN POST OF- the table. SECTION 1. PLEASANTON VETERANS POST OF- FICE. f FICE. (a) DESIGNATION.—The facility of the (a) DESIGNATION.—The facility of the United States Postal Service located at 180 STAFF SERGEANT ALEXANDRIA United States Postal Service located at 122 McCormick Road in Charlottesville, Vir- GLEASON-MORROW POST OFFICE W. Goodwin Street, Pleasanton, Texas, shall ginia, shall be known and designated as the BUILDING ‘‘Captain Humayun Khan Post Office’’. be known and designated as the ‘‘Pleasanton Mr. COMER. Mr. Speaker, I ask Veterans Post Office’’. (b) REFERENCES.—Any reference in a law, (b) REFERENCES.—Any reference in a law, map, regulation, document, paper, or other unanimous consent that the Com- map, regulation, document, paper, or other record of the United States to the facility re- mittee on Oversight and Government record of the United States to the facility re- ferred to in subsection (a) shall be deemed to Reform be discharged from further con- ferred to in subsection (a) shall be deemed to be a reference to the ‘‘Captain Humayun sideration of the bill (H.R. 5395) to des- be a reference to the ‘‘Pleasanton Veterans Khan Post Office’’. ignate the facility of the United States Post Office’’. The bill was ordered to be engrossed Postal Service located at 116 Main The bill was ordered to be engrossed and read a third time, was read the Street in Dansville, New York, as the and read a third time, was read the third time, and passed, and a motion to ‘‘Staff Sergeant Alexandria Gleason- third time, and passed, and a motion to reconsider was laid on the table. Morrow Post Office Building’’, and ask reconsider was laid on the table. f for its immediate consideration in the f SGT. JOSH RODGERS POST OFFICE House. ENCINAL VETERANS POST OFFICE Mr. COMER. Mr. Speaker, I ask The Clerk read the title of the bill. Mr. COMER. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Com- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there unanimous consent that the Com- mittee on Oversight and Government objection to the request of the gen- mittee on Oversight and Government Reform be discharged from further con- tleman from Kentucky? Reform be discharged from further con- sideration of the bill (H.R. 4326) to des- There was no objection. The text of the bill is as follows: sideration of the bill (H.R. 1211) to des- ignate the facility of the United States ignate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1211 Towanda H.R. 5395 Postal Service located at 400 N. Main Avenue in Bloomington, Illinois, as the Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- Street, Encinal, Texas, as the ‘‘Encinal ‘‘Sgt. Josh Rodgers Post Office’’, and resentatives of the United States of America in Veterans Post Office’’, and ask for its ask for its immediate consideration in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. STAFF SERGEANT ALEXANDRIA immediate consideration in the House. the House. GLEASON-MORROW POST OFFICE The Clerk read the title of the bill. The Clerk read the title of the bill. BUILDING. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there (a) DESIGNATION.—The facility of the objection to the request of the gen- objection to the request of the gen- United States Postal Service located at 116 tleman from Kentucky? tleman from Kentucky? Main Street in Dansville, New York, shall be

VerDate Sep 11 2014 04:50 Nov 30, 2018 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00034 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K29NO7.065 H29NOPT1 lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with HOUSE November 29, 2018 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H9727 known and designated as the ‘‘Staff Sergeant SECTION 1. SERGEANT DAVID KINTERKNECHT There was no objection. Alexandria Gleason-Morrow Post Office POST OFFICE. The text of the bill is as follows: Building’’. (a) DESIGNATION.—The facility of the H.R. 6405 (b) REFERENCES.—Any reference in a law, United States Postal Service located at 3025 map, regulation, document, paper, or other Woodgate Road in Montrose, Colorado, shall Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- record of the United States to the facility re- be known and designated as the ‘‘Sergeant resentatives of the United States of America in ferred to in subsection (a) shall be deemed to David Kinterknecht Post Office’’. Congress assembled, be a reference to the ‘‘Staff Sergeant Alexan- (b) REFERENCES.—Any reference in a law, SECTION 1. LANCE CORPORAL JUANA NAVARRO dria Gleason-Morrow Post Office Building’’. map, regulation, document, paper, or other ARELLANO POST OFFICE BUILDING. The bill was ordered to be engrossed record of the United States to the facility re- (a) DESIGNATION.—The facility of the and read a third time, was read the ferred to in subsection (a) shall be deemed to United States Postal Service located at 2801 third time, and passed, and a motion to be a reference to the ‘‘Sergeant David Mitchell Road in Ceres, California, shall be Kinterknecht Post Office’’. known and designated as the ‘‘Lance Cor- reconsider was laid on the table. The bill was ordered to be engrossed poral Juana Navarro Arellano Post Office f and read a third time, was read the Building’’. (b) REFERENCES.—Any reference in a law, ARMY SPECIALIST JOSE L. RUIZ third time, and passed, and a motion to reconsider was laid on the table. map, regulation, document, paper, or other POST OFFICE BUILDING record of the United States to the facility re- Mr. COMER. Mr. Speaker, I ask f ferred to in subsection (a) shall be deemed to unanimous consent that the Com- be a reference to the ‘‘Lance Corporal Juana DEPUTY SHERIFF DEREK GEER Navarro Arellano Post Office Building’’. mittee on Oversight and Government POST OFFICE BUILDING Reform be discharged from further con- The bill was ordered to be engrossed sideration of the bill (H.R. 5412) to des- Mr. COMER. Mr. Speaker, I ask and read a third time, was read the ignate the facility of the United States unanimous consent that the Com- third time, and passed, and a motion to Postal Service located at 25 2nd Avenue mittee on Oversight and Government reconsider was laid on the table. in Brentwood, New York, as the ‘‘Army Reform be discharged from further con- f sideration of the bill (H.R. 6217) to des- Specialist Jose L. Ruiz Post Office FRANK LEONE POST OFFICE ACT Building’’, and ask for its immediate ignate the facility of the United States consideration in the House. Postal Service located at 241 N 4th Mr. COMER. Mr. Speaker, I ask The Clerk read the title of the bill. Street in Grand Junction, Colorado, as unanimous consent that the Com- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there the ‘‘Deputy Sheriff Derek Geer Post mittee on Oversight and Government objection to the request of the gen- Office Building’’, and ask for its imme- Reform be discharged from further con- tleman from Kentucky? diate consideration in the House. sideration of the bill (H.R. 6428) to des- There was no objection. The Clerk read the title of the bill. ignate the facility of the United States The text of the bill is as follows: The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there Postal Service located at 332 Ramapo objection to the request of the gen- H.R. 5412 Valley Road in Oakland, New Jersey, tleman from Kentucky? as the ‘‘Frank Leone Post Office’’, and Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- There was no objection. resentatives of the United States of America in ask for its immediate consideration in Congress assembled, The text of the bill is as follows: the House. SECTION 1. ARMY SPECIALIST JOSE L. RUIZ POST H.R. 6217 The Clerk read the title of the bill. OFFICE BUILDING. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there (a) DESIGNATION.—The facility of the resentatives of the United States of America in objection to the request of the gen- United States Postal Service located at 25 Congress assembled, tleman from Kentucky? 2nd Avenue in Brentwood, New York, shall SECTION 1. DEPUTY SHERIFF DEREK GEER POST There was no objection. be known and designated as the ‘‘Army Spe- OFFICE BUILDING. The text of the bill is as follows: cialist Jose L. Ruiz Post Office Building’’. (a) DESIGNATION.—The facility of the H.R. 6428 (b) REFERENCES.—Any reference in a law, United States Postal Service located at 241 N map, regulation, document, paper, or other 4th Street in Grand Junction, Colorado, shall Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- record of the United States to the facility re- be known and designated as the ‘‘Deputy resentatives of the United States of America in ferred to in subsection (a) shall be deemed to Sheriff Derek Geer Post Office Building.’’ Congress assembled, be a reference to the ‘‘Army Specialist Jose (b) REFERENCES.—Any reference in a law, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. L. Ruiz Post Office Building’’. map, regulation, document, paper, or other This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Frank Leone The bill was ordered to be engrossed record of the United States to the facility re- Post Office Act’’. and read a third time, was read the ferred to in subsection (a) shall be deemed to SEC. 2. FRANK LEONE POST OFFICE. third time, and passed, and a motion to be a reference to the ‘‘Deputy Sheriff Derek (a) DESIGNATION.—The facility of the reconsider was laid on the table. Geer Post Office Building’’. United States Postal Service located at 332 Ramapo Valley Road in Oakland, New Jer- f The bill was ordered to be engrossed and read a third time, was read the sey, shall be known and designated as the SERGEANT DAVID KINTERKNECHT third time, and passed, and a motion to ‘‘Frank Leone Post Office’’. POST OFFICE reconsider was laid on the table. (b) REFERENCES.—Any reference in a law, map, regulation, document, paper, or other Mr. COMER. Mr. Speaker, I ask f record of the United States to the facility re- unanimous consent that the Com- ferred to in subsection (a) shall be deemed to mittee on Oversight and Government LANCE CORPORAL JUANA be a reference to the ‘‘Frank Leone Post Of- Reform be discharged from further con- NAVARRO ARELLANO POST OF- fice’’. sideration of the bill (H.R. 6216) to des- FICE BUILDING The bill was ordered to be engrossed ignate the facility of the United States Mr. COMER. Mr. Speaker, I ask and read a third time, was read the Postal Service located at 3025 unanimous consent that the Com- third time, and passed, and a motion to Woodgate Road in Montrose, Colorado, mittee on Oversight and Government reconsider was laid on the table. as the ‘‘Sergeant David Kinterknecht Reform be discharged from further con- f Post Office’’, and ask for its immediate sideration of the bill (H.R. 6405) to des- consideration in the House. ignate the facility of the United States JUDGE JAMES E. HORTON, JR. The Clerk read the title of the bill. Postal Service located at 2801 Mitchell POST OFFICE BUILDING The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there Road in Ceres, California, as the Mr. COMER. Mr. Speaker, I ask objection to the request of the gen- ‘‘Lance Corporal Juana Navarro unanimous consent that the Com- tleman from Kentucky? Arellano Post Office Building’’, and ask mittee on Oversight and Government There was no objection. for its immediate consideration in the Reform be discharged from further con- The text of the bill is as follows: House. sideration of the bill (H.R. 6513) to des- H.R. 6216 The Clerk read the title of the bill. ignate the facility of the United States Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there Postal Service located at 1110 West resentatives of the United States of America in objection to the request of the gen- Market Street in Athens, Alabama, as Congress assembled, tleman from Kentucky? the ‘‘Judge James E. Horton, Jr. Post

VerDate Sep 11 2014 04:50 Nov 30, 2018 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00035 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A29NO7.030 H29NOPT1 lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with HOUSE H9728 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE November 29, 2018 Office Building’’, and ask for its imme- ignate the facility of the United States mittee on Oversight and Government diate consideration in the House. Postal Service located at 4301 North- Reform be discharged from further con- The Clerk read the title of the bill. east 4th Street in Renton, Washington, sideration of the bill (H.R. 6831) to des- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there as the ‘‘James Marshall ‘Jimi’ Hendrix ignate the facility of the United States objection to the request of the gen- Post Office Building’’, and ask for its Postal Service located at 35 West Main tleman from Kentucky? immediate consideration in the House. Street in Frisco, Colorado, as the ‘‘Pat- There was no objection. The Clerk read the title of the bill. rick E. Mahany, Jr., Post Office Build- The text of the bill is as follows: The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there ing’’, and ask for its immediate consid- H.R. 6513 objection to the request of the gen- eration in the House. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- tleman from Kentucky? The Clerk read the title of the bill. resentatives of the United States of America in There was no objection. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there Congress assembled, The text of the bill is as follows: objection to the request of the gen- SECTION 1. JUDGE JAMES E. HORTON, JR. POST H.R. 6628 tleman from Kentucky? OFFICE BUILDING. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- There was no objection. (a) DESIGNATION.—The facility of the resentatives of the United States of America in The text of the bill is as follows: United States Postal Service located at 1110 Congress assembled, H.R. 6831 West Market Street in Athens, Alabama, SECTION 1. JAMES MARSHALL ‘‘JIMI’’ HENDRIX shall be known and designated as the ‘‘Judge POST OFFICE BUILDING. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- James E. Horton, Jr. Post Office Building’’. (a) DESIGNATION.—The facility of the resentatives of the United States of America in (b) REFERENCES.—Any reference in a law, United States Postal Service located at 4301 Congress assembled, map, regulation, document, paper, or other Northeast 4th Street in Renton, Washington, SECTION 1. PATRICK E. MAHANY, JR., POST OF- record of the United States to the facility re- shall be known and designated as the ‘‘James FICE BUILDING. ferred to in subsection (a) shall be deemed to Marshall ‘Jimi’ Hendrix Post Office Build- (a) DESIGNATION.—The facility of the be a reference to the ‘‘Judge James E. Hor- ing’’. United States Postal Service located at 35 ton, Jr. Post Office Building’’. (b) REFERENCES.—Any reference in a law, West Main Street in Frisco, Colorado, shall The bill was ordered to be engrossed map, regulation, document, paper, or other be known and designated as the ‘‘Patrick E. record of the United States to the facility re- Mahany, Jr., Post Office Building’’. and read a third time, was read the ferred to in subsection (a) shall be deemed to third time, and passed, and a motion to (b) REFERENCES.—Any reference in a law, be a reference to the ‘‘James Marshall ‘Jimi’ map, regulation, document, paper, or other reconsider was laid on the table. Hendrix Post Office Building’’. record of the United States to the facility re- f The bill was ordered to be engrossed ferred to in subsection (a) shall be deemed to MAJOR HOMER L. PEASE POST and read a third time, was read the be a reference to the ‘‘Patrick E. Mahany, Jr., Post Office Building’’. OFFICE third time, and passed, and a motion to reconsider was laid on the table. The bill was ordered to be engrossed Mr. COMER. Mr. Speaker, I ask f and read a third time, was read the unanimous consent that the Com- third time, and passed, and a motion to mittee on Oversight and Government JANET LUCILLE OILAR POST reconsider is laid on the table. Reform be discharged from further con- OFFICE sideration of the bill (H.R. 6621) to des- Mr. COMER. Mr. Speaker, I ask f ignate the facility of the United States unanimous consent that the Com- Postal Service located at 530 East Main mittee on Oversight and Government Street in Johnson City, Tennessee, as OLLIE M. JAMES POST OFFICE Reform be discharged from further con- BUILDING the ‘‘Major Homer L. Pease Post Of- sideration of the bill (H.R. 6655) to des- fice’’, and ask for its immediate consid- ignate the facility of the United States Mr. COMER. Mr. Speaker, I ask eration in the House. Postal Service located at 44160 State unanimous consent that the Com- The Clerk read the title of the bill. Highway 299 East Suite 1 in McArthur, mittee on Oversight and Government The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there California, as the ‘‘Janet Lucille Oilar Reform be discharged from further con- objection to the request of the gen- Post Office’’, and ask for its immediate sideration of the bill (H.R. 6838) to des- tleman from Kentucky? consideration in the House. ignate the facility of the United States There was no objection. The Clerk read the title of the bill. Postal Service located at 128 East Car- The text of the bill is as follows: The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there lisle Street in Marion, Kentucky, as H.R. 6621 objection to the request of the gen- the ‘‘Ollie M. James Post Office Build- Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- tleman from Kentucky? ing’’, and ask for its immediate consid- resentatives of the United States of America in There was no objection. eration in the House. Congress assembled, The text of the bill is as follows: The Clerk read the title of the bill. SECTION 1. MAJOR HOMER L. PEASE POST OF- H.R. 6655 The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there FICE. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- objection to the request of the gen- (a) DESIGNATION.—The facility of the resentatives of the United States of America in tleman from Kentucky? United States Postal Service located at 530 Congress assembled, There was no objection. East Main Street in Johnson City, Ten- SECTION 1. JANET LUCILLE OILAR POST OFFICE. nessee, shall be known and designated as the The text of the bill is as follows: (a) DESIGNATION.—The facility of the ‘‘Major Homer L. Pease Post Office’’. H.R. 6838 United States Postal Service located at 44160 (b) REFERENCES.—Any reference in a law, Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- State Highway 299 East Suite 1 in McArthur, map, regulation, document, paper, or other resentatives of the United States of America in California, shall be known and designated as record of the United States to the facility re- Congress assembled, the ‘‘Janet Lucille Oilar Post Office’’. ferred to in subsection (a) shall be deemed to (b) REFERENCES.—Any reference in law, SECTION 1. OLLIE M. JAMES POST OFFICE BUILD- be a reference to the ‘‘Major Homer L. Pease map, regulation, document, paper, or other ING. Post Office’’. record of the United States to the facility re- (a) DESIGNATION.—The facility of the The bill was ordered to be engrossed ferred to in subsection (a) shall be deemed to United States Postal Service located at 128 and read a third time, was read the be a reference to the ‘‘Janet Lucille Oilar East Carlisle Street in Marion, Kentucky, third time, and passed, and a motion to Post Office’’. shall be known and designated as the ‘‘Ollie M. James Post Office Building’’. reconsider was laid on the table. The bill was ordered to be engrossed (b) REFERENCES.—Any reference in a law, f and read a third time, was read the map, regulation, document, paper, or other third time, and passed, and a motion to JAMES MARSHALL ‘‘JIMI’’ record of the United States to the facility re- reconsider is laid on the table. HENDRIX POST OFFICE BUILDING ferred to in subsection (a) shall be deemed to f be a reference to the ‘‘Ollie M. James Post Mr. COMER. Mr. Speaker, I ask Office Building’’. unanimous consent that the Com- PATRICK E. MAHANY, JR., POST The bill was ordered to be engrossed mittee on Oversight and Government OFFICE BUILDING and read a third time, was read the Reform be discharged from further con- Mr. COMER. Mr. Speaker, I ask third time, and passed, and a motion to sideration of the bill (H.R. 6628) to des- unanimous consent that the Com- reconsider is laid on the table.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 04:50 Nov 30, 2018 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00036 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K29NO7.077 H29NOPT1 lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with HOUSE November 29, 2018 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H9729 b 1815 ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER Latta Perry Smith (MO) PRO TEMPORE Lesko Pittenger Smith (NE) CAPTAIN MATTHEW J. AUGUST Lewis (MN) Poe (TX) Smith (NJ) POST OFFICE The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- LoBiondo Poliquin Smucker ant to clause 8 of rule XX, proceedings Long Posey Stefanik Mr. COMER. Mr. Speaker, I ask Loudermilk Ratcliffe Stewart unanimous consent that the Com- will resume on questions previously Love Reed Stivers mittee on Oversight and Government postponed. Lucas Reichert Tenney Luetkemeyer Renacci Reform be discharged from further con- Votes will be taken in following Thompson (PA) order: MacArthur Rice (SC) Thornberry sideration of the bill (S. 3414) to des- Marchant Roby Tipton ignate the facility of the United States Adoption of House Resolution 1160; Marino Roe (TN) Trott The motion to suspend the rules and Marshall Rogers (AL) Turner Postal Service located at 20 Ferry Road Massie Rogers (KY) pass H.R. 7187; and Upton in Saunderstown, Rhode Island, as the Mast Rohrabacher Valadao Agreeing to the Speaker’s approval of McCarthy Rokita ‘‘Captain Matthew J. August Post Of- Wagner McCaul Rooney, Francis fice’’, and ask for its immediate consid- the Journal, if ordered. Walberg McClintock Rooney, Thomas The first electronic vote will be con- Walden eration in the House. McHenry J. The Clerk read the title of the bill. ducted as a 15-minute vote. Remaining McKinley Ros-Lehtinen Walker Walorski The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there electronic votes will be conducted as 5- McMorris Roskam minute votes. Rodgers Ross Weber (TX) objection to the request of the gen- McSally Rothfus Webster (FL) tleman from Kentucky? f Meadows Rouzer Wenstrup There was no objection. Mitchell Royce (CA) Westerman The text of the bill is as follows: PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION Moolenaar Russell Williams OF SENATE AMENDMENT TO H.R. Mooney (WV) Rutherford Wilson (SC) S. 3414 Mullin Sanford Wittman Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- 88, SHILOH NATIONAL MILITARY Norman Scalise Womack resentatives of the United States of America in PARK BOUNDARY ADJUSTMENT Nunes Schweikert Woodall Congress assembled, AND PARKER’S CROSSROADS Olson Scott, Austin Yoder BATTLEFIELD DESIGNATION ACT Palazzo Sensenbrenner Yoho SECTION 1. CAPTAIN MATTHEW J. AUGUST POST Palmer Sessions Young (AK) OFFICE. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The un- Paulsen Shimkus Young (IA) (a) DESIGNATION.—The facility of the finished business is the vote on adop- Pearce Shuster Zeldin United States Postal Service located at 20 Ferry Road in Saunderstown, Rhode Island, tion of the resolution (H. Res. 1160) pro- NAYS—181 viding for consideration of the Senate shall be known and designated as the ‘‘Cap- Adams Fudge Napolitano tain Matthew J. August Post Office’’. amendment to the bill (H.R. 88) to Aguilar Gabbard Neal (b) REFERENCES.—Any reference in a law, modify the boundary of the Shiloh Na- Amash Gallego Norcross map, regulation, document, paper, or other tional Military Park located in Ten- Barraga´ n Garamendi O’Halleran record of the United States to the facility re- Bass Gomez O’Rourke nessee and Mississippi, to establish Beatty Gonzalez (TX) Pallone ferred to in subsection (a) shall be deemed to Parker’s Crossroads Battlefield as an be a reference to the ‘‘Captain Matthew J. Bera Gottheimer Panetta Bishop (GA) Green, Al Pascrell August Post Office’’. affiliated area of the National Park System, and for other purposes, on Blumenauer Green, Gene Payne The bill was ordered to be read a Blunt Rochester Heck Pelosi third time, was read the third time, which the yeas and nays were ordered. Bonamici Higgins (NY) Perlmutter and passed, and a motion to reconsider The Clerk read the title of the resolu- Boyle, Brendan Himes Peters F. Hoyer Peterson was laid on the table. tion. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Brady (PA) Huffman Pingree f Brown (MD) Jackson Lee Pocan question is on the resolution. Brownley (CA) Jayapal Price (NC) ARLA W. HARRELL POST OFFICE The vote was taken by electronic de- Bustos Jeffries Quigley vice, and there were—yeas 219, nays Butterfield Johnson (GA) Raskin Mr. COMER. Mr. Speaker, I ask Capuano Johnson, E. B. Richmond unanimous consent that the Com- 181, not voting 32, as follows: Carbajal Jones (MI) Rosen mittee on Oversight and Government [Roll No. 423] Ca´ rdenas Kaptur Roybal-Allard Carson (IN) Kelly (IL) Ruiz Reform be discharged from further con- YEAS—219 Cartwright Kennedy Rush sideration of the bill (S. 3442) to des- Abraham Conaway Graves (MO) Castor (FL) Khanna Ryan (OH) ignate the facility of the United States Aderholt Cook Griffith Castro (TX) Kihuen Sa´ nchez Postal Service located at 105 Duff Allen Costello (PA) Grothman Chu, Judy Kildee Sarbanes Amodei Cramer Guthrie Cicilline Kilmer Scanlon Street in Macon, Missouri, as the ‘‘Arla Arrington Crawford Handel Clark (MA) Kind Schakowsky W. Harrell Post Office’’, and ask for its Babin Culberson Harper Clarke (NY) Krishnamoorthi Schiff immediate consideration in the House. Bacon Curbelo (FL) Harris Clay Kuster (NH) Schneider Balderson Curtis Hartzler Cleaver Lamb Schrader The Clerk read the title of the bill. Banks (IN) Davidson Hensarling Clyburn Langevin Scott (VA) The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there Barr Davis, Rodney Hern Cohen Larsen (WA) Scott, David objection to the request of the gen- Barton Denham Herrera Beutler Connolly Larson (CT) Serrano tleman from Kentucky? Bergman Diaz-Balart Hice, Jody B. Cooper Lawrence Sewell (AL) Biggs Donovan Higgins (LA) Correa Lawson (FL) Shea-Porter There was no objection. Bilirakis Duffy Hill Costa Lee Sherman The text of the bill is as follows: Bishop (MI) Duncan (SC) Holding Courtney Levin Sinema S. 3442 Bishop (UT) Duncan (TN) Hollingsworth Crist Lewis (GA) Sires Blum Dunn Hudson Crowley Lieu, Ted Smith (WA) Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- Bost Emmer Huizenga Cuellar Loebsack Soto resentatives of the United States of America in Brady (TX) Estes (KS) Hultgren Cummings Lofgren Speier Congress assembled, Brat Faso Hunter Davis (CA) Lowenthal Suozzi SECTION 1. ARLA W. HARRELL POST OFFICE. Brooks (AL) Ferguson Hurd DeFazio Lowey Swalwell (CA) Brooks (IN) Fitzpatrick Issa DeGette Lujan Grisham, Takano (a) DESIGNATION.—The facility of the Buck Fleischmann Jenkins (KS) Delaney M. Thompson (CA) United States Postal Service located at 105 Bucshon Flores Johnson (LA) DeLauro Luja´ n, Ben Ray Thompson (MS) Duff Street in Macon, Missouri, shall be Budd Fortenberry Johnson (OH) DelBene Lynch Titus known and designated as the ‘‘Arla W. Har- Burgess Foxx Johnson, Sam Demings Maloney, Tonko rell Post Office’’. Byrne Frelinghuysen Jordan DeSaulnier Carolyn B. Torres (b) REFERENCES.—Any reference in a law, Calvert Gaetz Joyce (OH) Deutch Matsui Vargas map, regulation, document, paper, or other Carter (GA) Gallagher Katko Dingell McCollum Veasey record of the United States to the facility re- Carter (TX) Garrett Kelly (MS) Doggett McEachin Vela Chabot Gianforte Kelly (PA) Doyle, Michael McGovern Vela´ zquez ferred to in subsection (a) shall be deemed to Cheney Gibbs King (IA) F. McNerney Visclosky be a reference to the ‘‘Arla W. Harrell Post Cloud Gohmert King (NY) Engel Meeks Wasserman Office’’. Coffman Goodlatte Kinzinger Eshoo Meng Schultz The bill was ordered to be read a Cole Gosar Kustoff (TN) Espaillat Moore Waters, Maxine third time, was read the third time, Collins (GA) Gowdy LaHood Esty (CT) Morelle Watson Coleman Collins (NY) Granger LaMalfa Evans Moulton Welch and passed, and a motion to reconsider Comer Graves (GA) Lamborn Foster Murphy (FL) Wild was laid on the table. Comstock Graves (LA) Lance Frankel (FL) Nadler Yarmuth

VerDate Sep 11 2014 05:21 Nov 30, 2018 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00037 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K29NO7.084 H29NOPT1 lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with HOUSE H9730 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE November 29, 2018 NOT VOTING—32 Esty (CT) Lee Rohrabacher Sanford Tenney Williams Evans Levin Rooney, Francis Sensenbrenner Thornberry Yoho Barletta Hastings Polis Faso Lewis (GA) Rooney, Thomas Smith (MO) Walker Beyer Jones (NC) Rice (NY) Ferguson Lewis (MN) J. Stewart Wenstrup Black Keating Ruppersberger Fitzpatrick Lieu, Ted Ros-Lehtinen Blackburn Knight Simpson Fleischmann LoBiondo Rosen NOT VOTING—36 Buchanan Labrador Smith (TX) Fortenberry Loebsack Roskam Barletta Hanabusa Noem Davis, Danny Lipinski Taylor Foster Lofgren Rothfus Beyer Hastings Nolan DesJarlais Maloney, Sean Tsongas Frankel (FL) Long Rouzer Black Issa Polis Ellison Messer Walters, Mimi Frelinghuysen Loudermilk Roybal-Allard Blackburn Jones (NC) Rice (NY) Grijalva Newhouse Walz Fudge Love Ruiz Blumenauer Keating Ruppersberger Gutie´rrez Noem Wilson (FL) Gabbard Lowenthal Rush Buchanan Kennedy Simpson Hanabusa Nolan Gaetz Lowey Russell Davis, Danny Knight Smith (TX) Gallego Lucas Rutherford DesJarlais Labrador Taylor b 1854 Garamendi Luetkemeyer Ryan (OH) Ellison Lipinski Tsongas Mr. MORELLE, Ms. SCHAKOWSKY, Gianforte Lujan Grisham, Sa´ nchez Gowdy Maloney, Sean Walters, Mimi Gibbs M. Sarbanes Grijalva Messer Walz Messrs. GONZALEZ of Texas, Gomez Luja´ n, Ben Ray Scalise Gutie´rrez Newhouse Wilson (FL) DELANEY, Mrs. NAPOLITANO, and Gonzalez (TX) Lynch Scanlon Ms. MCCOLLUM changed their vote Goodlatte MacArthur Schakowsky b 1904 Gottheimer Maloney, Schiff from ‘‘yea’’ to ‘‘nay.’’ Granger Carolyn B. Schneider Ms. FOXX changed her vote from Messrs. DENHAM and BARTON Graves (GA) Marchant Schrader ‘‘yea’’ to ‘‘nay.’’ changed their vote from ‘‘nay’’ to Graves (LA) Marino Schweikert Mr. VARGAS changed his vote from ‘‘yea.’’ Graves (MO) Marshall Scott (VA) Green, Al Mast Scott, Austin ‘‘nay’’ to ‘‘yea.’’ So the resolution was agreed to. Green, Gene Matsui Scott, David So (two-thirds being in the affirma- The result of the vote was announced Griffith McCarthy Serrano tive) the rules were suspended and the as above recorded. Grothman McCaul Sessions bill was passed. Guthrie McCollum Sewell (AL) A motion to reconsider was laid on Handel McEachin Shea-Porter The result of the vote was announced the table. Harper McGovern Sherman as above recorded. Harris McHenry Shimkus A motion to reconsider was laid on f Hartzler McKinley Shuster Heck McMorris Sinema the table. NATIONAL FLOOD INSURANCE Hern Rodgers Sires f PROGRAM FURTHER EXTENSION Herrera Beutler McNerney Smith (NE) Higgins (LA) McSally Smith (NJ) THE JOURNAL ACT OF 2018 Higgins (NY) Meadows Smith (WA) The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Himes Meeks Smucker The SPEAKER pro tempore. The un- Holding Meng Soto finished business is the question on RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois). The unfin- Hollingsworth Mitchell Speier agreeing to the Speaker’s approval of ished business is the vote on the mo- Hoyer Moolenaar Stefanik tion to suspend the rules and pass the Huffman Moore Stivers the Journal, which the Chair will put bill (H.R. 7187) to extend the National Huizenga Morelle Suozzi de novo. Hultgren Moulton Swalwell (CA) The question is on the Speaker’s ap- Flood Insurance Program until Decem- Hunter Mullin Takano ber 7, 2018, on which the yeas and nays Hurd Murphy (FL) Thompson (CA) proval of the Journal. were ordered. Jackson Lee Nadler Thompson (MS) Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Jour- Jayapal Napolitano Thompson (PA) nal stands approved. The Clerk read the title of the bill. Jeffries Neal Tipton The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Jenkins (KS) Norcross Titus f question is on the motion offered by Johnson (GA) Nunes Tonko Johnson (LA) O’Halleran Torres THANKING 16TH AND 17TH DIS- the gentleman from Texas (Mr. HEN- Johnson (OH) O’Rourke Trott TRICTS OF FLORIDA, STAFF, SARLING) that the House suspend the Johnson, E. B. Olson Turner FAMILY rules and pass the bill. Jones (MI) Palazzo Upton This is a 5-minute vote. Joyce (OH) Pallone Valadao (Mr. THOMAS J. ROONEY of Florida Kaptur Panetta Vargas The vote was taken by electronic de- Katko Pascrell Veasey asked and was given permission to ad- vice, and there were—yeas 350, nays 46, Kelly (IL) Paulsen Vela dress the House for 1 minute.) not voting 36, as follows: Kelly (MS) Payne Vela´ zquez Mr. THOMAS J. ROONEY of Florida. Kelly (PA) Pelosi Visclosky Mr. Speaker, this is the last time I will [Roll No. 424] Khanna Perlmutter Wagner have the privilege to address this body. YEAS—350 Kihuen Perry Walberg Kildee Peters Walden It has been an honor to serve the peo- Abraham Butterfield Costello (PA) Kilmer Peterson Walorski ple of Florida’s 16th and 17th Districts Adams Byrne Courtney Kind Pingree Wasserman Aderholt Calvert Cramer King (IA) Pittenger Schultz over the last 10 years. I am eternally Aguilar Capuano Crawford King (NY) Pocan Waters, Maxine grateful for the trust that the people of Allen Carbajal Crist Kinzinger Poe (TX) Watson Coleman Florida’s heartland bestowed upon me Amodei Ca´ rdenas Crowley Krishnamoorthi Poliquin Weber (TX) to be their voice in the United States Arrington Carson (IN) Cuellar Kuster (NH) Posey Webster (FL) Babin Carter (GA) Culberson Kustoff (TN) Price (NC) Welch Congress for the last five terms. Bacon Carter (TX) Cummings LaHood Quigley Westerman I would not have been able to do this Balderson Cartwright Curbelo (FL) LaMalfa Raskin Wild job without the great work of my staff Barr Castor (FL) Curtis Lamb Reed Wilson (SC) ´ Barragan Castro (TX) Davis (CA) Lamborn Reichert Wittman both here in Washington, D.C., and Bass Chabot Davis, Rodney Lance Renacci Womack back in Florida. Thank you, Team Roo- Beatty Cheney DeFazio Langevin Rice (SC) Woodall ney. Bera Chu, Judy DeGette Larsen (WA) Richmond Yarmuth Thanks always to the love and sup- Bergman Cicilline Delaney Larson (CT) Roby Yoder Bilirakis Clark (MA) DeLauro Latta Roe (TN) Young (AK) port of my family: my mom and dad; Bishop (GA) Clarke (NY) DelBene Lawrence Rogers (AL) Young (IA) my brothers and sisters, Pat, Joe, Su- Bishop (MI) Clay Demings Lawson (FL) Rogers (KY) Zeldin Bishop (UT) Cleaver Denham zanne, Terry, Chris, Molly, and Brian; and, most importantly, to my wife, Blum Cloud DeSaulnier NAYS—46 Blunt Rochester Clyburn Deutch Tara; and my sons, Tommy, Jr., Sean Bonamici Coffman Diaz-Balart Amash Duncan (TN) Jordan Patrick, and Seamus. I will be home Bost Cohen Dingell Banks (IN) Flores Lesko Boyle, Brendan Cole Doggett Barton Foxx Massie soon. I love you guys. F. Collins (GA) Donovan Biggs Gallagher McClintock f Brady (PA) Collins (NY) Doyle, Michael Brat Garrett Mooney (WV) Brady (TX) Comer F. Brooks (AL) Gohmert Norman HONORING RAED FARES Brooks (IN) Comstock Dunn Buck Gosar Palmer Brown (MD) Connolly Emmer Budd Hensarling Pearce (Mr. BRENDAN F. BOYLE of Penn- Brownley (CA) Cook Engel Conaway Hice, Jody B. Ratcliffe sylvania asked and was given permis- Bucshon Cooper Eshoo Davidson Hill Rokita Burgess Correa Espaillat Duffy Hudson Ross sion to address the House for 1 minute Bustos Costa Estes (KS) Duncan (SC) Johnson, Sam Royce (CA) and to revise and extend his remarks.)

VerDate Sep 11 2014 05:21 Nov 30, 2018 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00038 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A29NO7.043 H29NOPT1 lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with HOUSE November 29, 2018 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H9731 Mr. BRENDAN F. BOYLE of Pennsyl- Crimea and its surrounding waters Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, tomor- vania. Mr. Speaker, I am here this belong to the people of Ukraine. No row President Trump will claim vic- evening to honor Raed Fares, a hero amount of propaganda can cover Rus- tory as the United States, Canadian, who I had the opportunity to meet sia’s egregious human rights record in and Mexican officials gather to sign a right here in the Capitol some months Crimea, including the illegitimate de- replacement for the North American ago. He was shot and killed in Idlib, tainment of Oleg Sentsov. Free Trade Agreement. But let us Syria, last week by two gunmen, likely We stand shoulder to shoulder with make no mistake, this is far from a fin- al-Qaida affiliates. the international community and our ished deal. Raed founded ‘‘Radio Fresh’’ to give NATO allies in our unshakeable com- Congress has the final say on trade. Syrians a source for unbiased reporting mitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty and From where we stand today, what has other than that of the extremists and freedom. We stand in steadfast soli- been called NAFTA 2.0 still requires the Assad regime. He trained journal- darity with the Ukrainian people. Rus- work to reach standards acceptable to ists and organized community services sia must understand that its actions the American people and American and events with the goal of empow- have consequences. workers and companies. ering civil society. His work made him We must not hesitate to work with How can any President claim this the target of the Assad regime, al- our European allies to increase sanc- victory the same week General Motors Nusrah, and ISIS many times, but he tions on Putin’s cronies to punish this announces the idling of five North refused to back down. continued, flagrant aggression. We de- American facilities, and as it cuts Raed was killed because of his brav- mand that Russia withdraw from Cri- 15,000 living-wage jobs, including one in ery. His work mattered. His life mea and Eastern Ukraine. Lordstown, Ohio, not even counting mattered. Raed’s death must remind f the thousands and thousands more jobs each of us that the Syrian people are that will be lost in the automotive RECOGNIZING JOHN SCARANO fighting for their lives. In the words of parts sector in our country. What an Raed: ‘‘Freedom is an idea, and an idea (Ms. TENNEY asked and was given affront to every promise President cannot die.’’ permission to address the House for 1 Trump has made American manufac- f minute and to revise and extend her re- turing towns. marks.) Ohio’s trade message to our Nation is HONORING NEEDVILLE HIGH Ms. TENNEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to SCHOOL BLUE JAYS as loud and clear as it always has been. recognize my dear friend, John The job outsourcing destruction due to (Mr. OLSON asked and was given per- Scarano, who recently retired as the the original NAFTA deal, which passed mission to address the House for 1 executive director of the Herkimer a quarter century ago, over my great minute and to revise and extend his re- County Chamber of Commerce after 12 objection on this floor, continues to re- marks.) years at the helm. verberate across our State and Nation. Mr. OLSON. Mr. Speaker, 2017 was an John, a native of Little Falls and Now, we just saw at Lordstown, an- amazing year for the Needville High also a twin, returned to Herkimer other, at that plant, 1,600 General Mo- School Blue Jays. The Lady Jays won County after serving in the U.S. Army tors jobs, and upwards of 5,000 total job the Texas State 4A championship. for 6 years. Upon his return, John spent losses when the auto suppliers are They lost over one-half of their team 23 years at Mohawk Data Sciences Cor- counted at just that one facility. in 2018. The naysayers said there was poration in East Herkimer before his Following the original NAFTA’s im- no way the Needville Blue Jays will appointment to the chamber in 2006. plementation, town after town lost play for the State title in 2018. During his tenure, John has played a The naysayers never talked to good jobs with good wages and benefits. pivotal role in revitalization projects, How many times must America’s Rockie, Evan, Meghan, Treasure, which have made significant contribu- towns and workers bear witness to Samantha, Anna, Baley, Madison, tions to Herkimer’s budding economy, NAFTA’s vast U.S. job outsourcing and Samia, Maddy, Kaitlyn, Tori, or Coach including the Frankfort 5S South Busi- wage drag? How many more? Amy Schultz. ness Park, a new Tractor Supply Dis- The Lady Jays knew they would play Millions have suffered firsthand as tribution Center in Frankfurt, the new dire predictions actualized and the the State finals in 2018, and they did Heidelberg Bakery facility, and the just that. Last week, their season false promises of NAFTA job creation emergence and support of countless failed to materialize. Instead, they per- ended with a record of 41–9 and the new small businesses. Texas 4A State runner-up. sonally experienced the great sucking Along with his work at the chamber, sound of job outsourcing, just what we The Lady Jays were a true team. John has served on the boards of the They put their heart and soul on the said here on this floor back in the early Herkimer County Industrial Develop- 1990s. line for their hometown of Needville. It ment Agency, the Herkimer County is a town we all love. Needville is proud Whether GM’s decision was at all in- Historical Society, and the Herkimer fluenced by NAFTA 2.0 is irrelevant. of our girls. County HealthNet. We will see the naysayers next year American trade deals have far too long John is a generous, deeply caring, at the 2019 State championships. allowed corporate America to run and honorable person, and I know he rampant over America’s workers as f will continue to do the best for our they seek out the penny-wage laborers CONDEMN RUSSIAN NAVAL community in retirement. John is also who can’t afford to buy what they AGGRESSION one of the most relentlessly fun, enthu- make. (Ms. KAPTUR asked and was given siastic, and patriotic people I have ever I have a couple of charts here that I permission to address the House for 1 known. want to bring to the floor to describe minute and to revise and extend her re- To my dear friend John Scarano, what has been happening across this marks.) thank you for your many years of dedi- continent now for a quarter century, Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, as co- cated service to our community and and what is upsetting the American chair of the Ukrainian Caucus, I rise to our Nation. We are grateful to you, and people. strongly condemn Russia’s dangerous we wish you the best in retirement. Millions of U.S. jobs have been oblit- assault on Ukrainian ships in the f erated year after year, as replacement Kerch Strait. Russia’s blockade of b 1915 workers toil and work in unsafe sweat- Ukrainian ports should alarm the shops and maquiladoras south of the world. NAFTA 2.0 border exposed to unimaginable toxins. As Russian dictator Vladimir Putin The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. The original NAFTA was supposed to attempts to tighten his bloody, illegit- BUDD). Under the Speaker’s announced create trade surpluses for the United imate grip on the Crimean peninsula policy of January 3, 2017, the gentle- States. It was supposed to create job and his ill will on the people of woman from Ohio (Ms. KAPTUR) is rec- growth in the United States. And you Ukraine, the free world cannot sit back ognized for 60 minutes as the designee know what has happened? Exactly the and watch. of the minority leader. reverse.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 05:21 Nov 30, 2018 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00039 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K29NO7.090 H29NOPT1 lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with HOUSE H9732 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE November 29, 2018 These are the numbers just for the back to America. He actually promised There is a new administration taking year of 2016. You can see how big the that in all the towns that have just power in Mexico itself. We need to lis- trade deficit is with Mexico, nearly $70 gotten these pink slips. He said it in ten and work with them. billion and with Canada, $8 billion. Youngstown. He told the people in Any new North American trade Now, that is up fourfold since back in Warren, Michigan, that they never had agreement must raise wages and create the early nineties, before NAFTA was to worry if they voted for him; that a level playing field across the board. passed, when we already had a small they would never have a plant close The American people are not interested trade deficit with those countries, but down. in staged production signing cere- it has just exploded. Well, guess what? General Motors is monies. They want a NAFTA deal that The original NAFTA fueled massive closing down the transmission facility is fixed and that will create good-pay- migration on the Mexican side from in Warren, Michigan. ing jobs in America with benefits you their countryside to our Nation as mil- Thus far, both the trade deficit and can depend upon and heal the economic lions upon millions of small farmers’ the job outsourcing continue to, as the injustices suffered for the past 3 dec- livelihoods were extinguished in Mex- expression goes, go south. These num- ades as people are exploited by institu- ico. Mexico’s white corn industry was bers are going to get much worse for tions more powerful than themselves. decimated. the workers and communities in our And if America is going to be the Why do you think people fled to the country. leader of the free world, she has to be United States? If you were hungry, and And the workers in Mexico, since the leader in free trade agreements you had nothing, and you lived in des- NAFTA’s passage, guess what? Their that are fair and offer the opportunity peration, well, you might do the same. wages are going down. What kind of a of rising living standards for all people, What a humanitarian tragedy has been system is this? not harming people, but helping people. occurring for over a quarter century. Anything short of specifics in this Trade is not just about goods, it is And yet, policymakers in the United redone agreement that will clearly im- about people. We have to put people States and Mexico close their eyes to prove job prospects for Americans will first. We have to put people at the top the human tragedy. fall short of Trump’s promises. of the agenda. We have to put workers Trade with our closest neighbors is Mr. Speaker, this is too important a at the top of the agenda and treat them never simply a zero-sum game. There moment to hang America’s economy on for their true worth, and not any have been lots of losers. In fact, our faulty assumptions. We, in Congress, longer allow trade deals like NAFTA to country’s been a loser. not I, but some in Congress, fell for hollow them out, to hollow their com- Yeah, there are some pockets of NAFTA in 1994. We can’t let it happen munities out, and to hollow America transportation jobs down at the border. again. out. Anybody would expect that. But over- The signing of text tomorrow leaves Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance all, a net loser. with us a lot of work yet to complete. of my time. And guess what? Under the Trump Let Congress do its job. f administration, the red ink is growing. Has this administration answered the question of whether the job outsourc- BIPARTISAN WORK OF THE In the nearly 3 decades since FINANCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE NAFTA’s original passage, we have not ing bonanza that has taken hold since The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under even had 1 year of balanced trade ac- NAFTA’s passage in 1994 has truly been the Speaker’s announced policy of Jan- counts, which is the true measure of addressed? It is hard to believe that will be the uary 3, 2017, the gentleman from Texas whether a trade agreement is success- case, given the current news about (Mr. HENSARLING) is recognized for 60 ful or not. So we look at the Trump trade fig- General Motors; and that is not the minutes as the designee of the major- ures here, going across the months, and only company moving jobs out of this ity leader. Mr. HENSARLING. Mr. Speaker, I you look at the red line. Every month country. Have strong labor standards been in- rise tonight on behalf of the Financial the trade deficit grows, including with cluded in NAFTA 2.0 subject to swift Services Committee. Mexico and Canada; not even 1 year of and certain enforcement? No. Mr. Speaker, it has been my great balanced trade accounts, and the num- Will corporate interests retain the privilege to have the responsibility to bers are getting worse. means to outsource American jobs, to chair this committee for the last 6 NAFTA provided vivid evidence of a take advantage of rock-bottom Mexi- years. I take no pride on behalf of my- severely-flawed trade agreement that can wages? Yeah, they will. self, but I take a lot of pride in the failed America’s workers and commu- Will we protect the rights of Ameri- work that has been done on this com- nities as plant after plant shuts down. cans to know what is in the food they mittee. And you know, the sad tragedy is, at are feeding their families, or will trade A lot of that work, Mr. Speaker, has Lordstown, the third shift was gone a facilitation hold priority over food been bipartisan. And I believe, indeed, couple of years ago. But as the second safety? that the Financial Services Committee shift left this week, they were told by Congress has to ask, will Americans is the hardest-working, most produc- the GM officials in the plant, these jobs have access to affordable prescription tive committee in the United States are going to Mexico. drugs made in Mexico, or will the new House. We have produced more bills; we Beyond just the NAFTA deficit, all NAFTA further rig the system to delay have had more bills passed on the floor; our global trade deficits have ballooned access to more affordable and safe ge- we have had more bills signed into law under this administration’s erratic neric drugs and biosimilars? than any other committee. trade and tariff agenda. It makes no Globally, will we work to open closed I am especially proud of the work sense. and controlled markets? that we have done to create more pro- General Motors says that one of the Will we equalize the negative impact growth economic policy throughout reasons they are moving the jobs to of the value-added tax in our trade banking and finance, and the passage Mexico is because of the cost of the agreement? There is nothing in this on of S. 2155, the Economic Growth, Regu- Trump tariffs, and that they have had that. latory Relief and Consumer Protection to pay several billion dollars more for Will tax policy stop favoring out- Act, has meant so much to helping cre- steel that goes into making these vehi- sourcing? No, actually the Trump tax ate more capital to help save our credit cles. bill favored more outsourcing. unions and community banks, and to Well, you know, in this wake, a mod- Democrats look forward to holding really play a part in the unparalleled ern NAFTA agreement to correct all of hearings and oversight of how these economic growth that we see in our the injustices associated with conti- questions will truly impact all of Nation today. I take great pride in that nental trade is long overdue. I have ea- America and America’s workers and work on behalf of all our members. gerly anticipated the release of specific communities. We have called on this text in this NAFTA 2.0 and strategic administration to work with us to b 1930 agenda from the administration on how reach necessary and substantive I also take great pride on behalf of President Trump plans to bring jobs achievements. our Members for a piece of legislation

VerDate Sep 11 2014 05:21 Nov 30, 2018 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00040 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K29NO7.092 H29NOPT1 lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with HOUSE November 29, 2018 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H9733 that modernized the foreign invest- Mr. Speaker, Chairman HENSARLING’s So this bill and our interests are even ment in the U.S. The bill is technically leadership and the quality of person he more secure as a result of the jobs bill known by its acronym, FIRRMA, and it is, he got out in front. He enabled us to that the chairman has advanced for us modernizes a regime that had not been become leaders, he enabled us to learn, today. It does continue to ensure the modernized in quite some time. to give focus, direction on important security against predatory Chinese in- Mr. Speaker, so many of us know we issues relative to the security of this vestments by modernizing our securi- have challenges in America today with country, relative to the economic free- ties laws to reclaim the U.S. IPO mar- foreign interests that come in and es- doms of this country, and for that, I ket, all of this as China lays out its sentially take our intellectual prop- have the deepest sense of gratitude and blueprint for dominance in the tech in- erty, that take our technology, and re- respect that he empowered us as he led dustry. grettably China is one of the prime per- us. This package would also cut down on petrators of this. I have had the occa- That is a great testament and a leg- the regulations that burden our small sion to go to China and meet with their acy I think that he will carry through- business community. This is key to leadership. And I want China to rise, I out this United States Congress, and continuing the innovation and eco- want them to have economic growth, the model that he has been for each of nomic growth we are seeking today. but not at the expense of the United us as we have watched, not just his This tax relief and jobs package States of America and not by violating work ethic, but his character and who would continue the innovation and eco- either the letter or the spirit of the he is and how that translated into the nomic growth and would allow inves- WTO, of the World Trade Organization, public policy for the good of the Amer- tors to have legal certainty by allow- which we helped them enter a couple of ican people. ing them to interact with entre- decades ago. So, Mr. Speaker, let me say in my preneurs without fear of securities vio- Mr. Speaker, I am proud of the work, deepest heart my appreciation and my lation. especially, done by the gentleman from love for him and his sweet wife and his Furthermore, the cost of initial com- North Carolina, who is the vice chair- wonderful kids. What a tribute it was pliance for an IPO filing now exceeds man of our Terrorism and Illicit Fi- to be there with him yesterday when over $2 million. This hinders small nance Subcommittee. He was the they unveiled the painting that will go businesses that are ready to go public House leader on this legislation and in the Financial Services room, to the but can’t afford these regulatory costs. worked with the senior senator from accolades of the Vice President and So, Mr. Speaker, I commend this bill. Texas, JOHN CORNYN, my friend, to Senator Phil Gramm and so many oth- JOBS 3.0 would lengthen ‘‘on-ramp’’ bring this onto the President’s desk ers who were there to pay tribute to a exceptions for IPO compliance, helping that ultimately got signed into law. great leader for our country. So I small business owners navigate one of This was really a revolutionary law thank the chairman. the most expensive aspects of securi- dealing with both export controls, for- And as Chairman HENSARLING spoke ties law. eign investment in the U.S., and the to the issues relative to FIRRMA, yes, It also allows companies to test the gentleman from North Carolina, Mr. we have great challenges from nation waters before going public to help give PITTENGER, was an early leader. He saw states who seek to exploit our laws, them time for their IPO to have a bet- the threat before others saw it. who have sought to secure proprietary ter chance of success. I have had a number of great privi- technology for their own interests and These provisions are vital to encour- leges serving as chairman, but one of objectives, and particularly, as Chair- age business growth and to reassure the greatest privileges is serving with man HENSARLING mentioned, China. the small business community. I men and women who have vision, who China, since 2015, has acquired 50 strongly encourage the Senate, there- have commitment, who have principle, technology companies, semiconductor fore, to pass this bill. and that certainly describes the gen- companies, many of them a part of our So, yes, Mr. Speaker, what Chairman tleman from North Carolina. Department of Defense. These are crit- HENSARLING has done through this leg- Regrettably, he and I are both de- ical companies for our own national se- islation has helped give greater finan- parting after this Congress, and that is curity. They have been able to cir- cial empowerment and liberty and free- a bittersweet feeling. I think we both cumvent our laws through joint ven- dom to the American people, that is look forward to the next opportunity tures, through minority partnerships what it is all about today, is freedom. that we have. to be able to obtain this technology. So my gratitude to him for the leader- Mr. Speaker, I want to yield him In fact, on one occasion, Chairman ship that he has given us. some time, because it is important for HENSARLING and I were coming back Mr. Speaker, I also want to say a us to hear from him about the signifi- from Asia, and we stopped in Anchor- word of thanks to some other folks who cance of this legislation and how im- age and we visited our base there, and I have probably this last moment to portant it is. I was happy to be in the they showed us the Stealth F–22. And address in this Chamber. As Jesse White House not too long ago to have as the general was showing the incred- Helms used to say, a wonderful man the President extoll the virtues of this ible aspects of this remarkable plane, from North Carolina: That turtle didn’t law as well. the greatest aircraft we have, he said: get up on the fence post by himself. Mr. Speaker, I will miss his company, By the way, the technology of this And that is true, I think, for each of us I will miss his leadership, and there is plane, the engine was sold to China by in this Chamber, but I know it is true no one that I know of who is a greater GE. for this Member of Congress. authority on terrorist finance who is Companies have been forced, extorted What I have been able to do, by the serving in the U.S. Congress today than in a sense, to gain access to Chinese grace of God and through the ROBERT PITTENGER of North Carolina. markets. This is wrong. It is morally enablement and empowerment of my Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman wrong. It is ethically wrong. It is chairman and others, will hopefully from North Carolina (Mr. PITTENGER), wrong for our national security. last, but it happened because of people my friend. The FIRRMA bill, which Chairman along the way who stood with me, who Mr. PITTENGER. Mr. Speaker, I HENSARLING recognized and helped supported my efforts. thank the chairman for his kind re- pass, it wouldn’t have happened with- Of course, I start with my family. I marks. I remember the first time we out his total commitment and leader- have the most wonderful family in the met. It was across the street, and I ap- ship. So this country is more secure world. I have ten grandkids I get to go proached him about wanting to serve today because of what passed regarding home to, 10 years and younger. I am on his committee. Little did I know the FIRRMA bill. Pitto to them, and that is all the world that I was headed back to graduate The rules will be written over the to me, and we have a fun time chasing school. He gave me a binder about 6 next year or so. We trust that all that around. inches thick and said: Go study it. I was done will come out and close off But my team, my staff, enabled me had to look up all the acronyms, about these loopholes that have allowed for- to serve the Ninth Congressional Dis- 100 of them, and memorize those to get eign entities to exploit our Nation’s trict of North Carolina, those people started. national security. that I love, those eight counties out

VerDate Sep 11 2014 05:21 Nov 30, 2018 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00041 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K29NO7.094 H29NOPT1 lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with HOUSE H9734 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE November 29, 2018 there that I am endeared to, but the And, indeed, don’t just take my word been such a workhorse in helping some people who really helped them were the for it, but the President of the United of our economic growth measures that folks back home in my district, in my States thinks this is one of the most have helped save community banking office. I speak specifically of Linda significant pieces of legislation when it and credit unions. Ferster, Chris Sullivan, Jamie Bowers, comes to dealing with the threats of Mr. Speaker, I am happy to yield to Graham Long, Robert Becker. They those who would take our intellectual the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. DAVID- were with me from day one. They stood property, who would take our tech- SON). with me the whole 6 years. Nobody nology by hook or crook, or however Mr. DAVIDSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise flinched, nobody went anywhere. That they might do it. to applaud the hard work and great team was so incredible. So, Mr. Speaker, I want to commend success of the House Financial Services Robert Becker is one of the greatest Mr. PITTENGER for his leadership. Committee these the past 2 years in leaders we have in North Carolina for I must admit, this was kind of faint the 115th Congress. our veterans. He gets calls from all on my radar screen, this issue, but Under the leadership of Chairman over the State and he says: What do I among Mr. PITTENGER’s other endear- JEB HENSARLING, the Financial Serv- do to help this veteran? ing qualities, he is persistent. He is a ices Committee became the most pro- Linda Ferster has been working these very persistent individual. And I am ductive committee in Congress. Over 44 issues in the bureaucracy for 18 years. glad he was persistent, because it be- bills signed into law originated from These are great, faithful people who came a major piece of legislation. our committee, including S. 2155. It have stood up for my constituents in Part of my job as chairman and one began as the Financial CHOICE Act, my district, and all the good that hap- of my great privileges is I get to take Creating Hope and Opportunity for In- pened in that district was because of credit for a lot of other people’s good vestors, Consumers, and Entre- them. And I just gave them a door to work. I shouldn’t, I shouldn’t be ac- preneurs. say: Go through it and you go serve. corded this. And so I get many thanks, Unfortunately, the whole bill hasn’t And they served like they were mis- but this was a team effort and it was made it into law, but the core of that sionaries. They love those people. led by Mr. PITTENGER. bill was dealing with the unintended Every day they wake up thinking, who consequences and, frankly, whether b 1945 can I help today? You know, whose life they were intended or not, the harmful can I change in a positive way today? Other countries are now put on no- consequences of Dodd-Frank. And that is the nature of the service tice. We are watching. These rules, as Under Dodd-Frank, we found that the that my team provided, the same type Mr. PITTENGER, the gentleman from biggest banks got bigger and the small- of leadership that I had up here in North Carolina, has said, will be un- est banks became fewer. We found that Washington. veiled in the weeks and months to banks were not too-big-to-fail, but My role in FIRRMA just didn’t hap- come. But a new day has dawned for some of them became too-small-to-suc- pen by myself. There are many people those who think that they are going to ceed under the burden of Dodd-Frank’s on my team up here that supported take, by hook or crook, our tech- regulatory framework. So much so that effort. Clark Fonda was a great nology. that even Barney Frank, whose name leader for me in that. There are other We want our global neighbors to suc- is part of the Dodd-Frank Act, came to people outside Congress. Heath ceed, but, again, not to succeed at our support the reforms for community Tarbert, the Assistant Secretary of the expense. Those applications of tech- banking. Treasury, a remarkable individual who nology and intellectual property that I am very proud to have participated served this country so well over such a have any type of national defense im- in regulatory relief that helped thou- key part of what we did in this na- plications, that is going to stop, and it sands of community financial institu- tional security bill on FIRRMA. is going to stop because of the leader- So my heart is just filled with grati- tions help lend to their communities. ship of ROBERT PITTENGER, the gen- tude for the privilege of serving the It is making a difference today as we tleman from North Carolina. good folks in the Ninth District of watch the impact in our economy. In- It has been a great, great source of North Carolina; my gratitude for the deed, it is, in some measure, fitting pride and joy to be associated with body in this Chamber; my gratitude for that the title began with ‘‘Creating him. I will count him as a friend for being able to serve on the Financial Hope and Opportunity for Investors, life. I appreciate the fact that he would Services Committee under the leader- Consumers, and Entrepreneurs,’’ be- come and spend time here. ship of Chairman HENSARLING. It cause that is what is happening in this I have no doubt, Mr. Speaker, that couldn’t be greater. I couldn’t be more amazing economy. his leadership is not done. His leader- fulfilled in the 6 years that I had here. There is more good news that is hap- I will always treasure and remember ship may be done in this body, but his pening in our economy than is prob- this time. leadership in fighting global terrorism ably going to get covered anywhere. So, Mr. Speaker, I thank you, I from illicit finance and global terrorist Some of it is out there for the C–SPAN thank Chairman HENSARLING. He is an finance, that leadership is not done. In viewer to find. absolute important friend for me, and I many respects, it is just starting. I You might not see in the news that hope we can continue to work together look forward to continuing to follow we have the strongest sanctions that for many years to come. God bless you. his career and his leadership. have been imposed on Russia since it Mr. HENSARLING. Mr. Speaker, I Mr. Speaker, we are also joined to- has been Russia. Post-Soviet Union, we certainly thank the gentleman for his night by another real authority on have never had a stronger posture to- comments tonight. global terrorist finance, a gentleman ward Russia than we do today. I hope that there are a fair amount of who has been incredibly active on the The Financial Services Committee Americans who are watching this this Terrorism and Illicit Finance Sub- helps implement those because the De- evening, because they need to know committee of the Financial Services partment of the Treasury has an Office that they owe this gentleman, Mr. Committee. I have come to really ap- of Foreign Asset Control. As part of PITTENGER of North Carolina, a great preciate his intellect, his knowledge, the Monetary Policy and Trade Sub- debt of gratitude. And indeed America and his work ethic. He is clearly one of committee and as part of the Ter- is going to be a safer, more secure Na- the hardest working members of the rorism and Illicit Finance Sub- tion because of his leadership. Financial Services Committee. committee, we look at how to choke off In his three terms, Mr. Speaker, Mr. As, regrettably, the gentleman from these sources of funds, whether it is PITTENGER achieved more in three North Carolina departs, and I am sad- Russian oligarchs, Iranian bad actors, terms than many Members achieve in dened by that, we are both heartened North Koreans, or others. ten terms. to know that the gentleman from Ohio Frankly, I believe we only have Many people, unfortunately, come to (Mr. DAVIDSON) will remain, and he will tapped the surface on the potential the People’s House to be somebody. Mr. be one of the key leaders in the entire that sanctions have. Indeed, we may be PITTENGER of North Carolina came to United States House of Representatives able to apply sanctions to our trade do something. in combating terrorist finance. He has policy and, very targeted, deal with

VerDate Sep 11 2014 05:21 Nov 30, 2018 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00042 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K29NO7.095 H29NOPT1 lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with HOUSE November 29, 2018 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H9735 bad actors, like those who are dumping mittee for a year and a half. It has cause you cannot have a free Nation steel, rather than just putting a uni- been over a year since it passed the that is not a virtuous Nation and a form tariff out there. We can be pre- House with very modest reforms. godly Nation. cise. Instead of maximizing collateral One of the sticking points seems to I know that there is a new generation damage, we can minimize it. be that the Senate can’t live with re- of conservative leaders who are coming But that shows that there is plenty building someone’s home three times up who know how important our fami- of work left to do. What we are here to after it has flooding. We will rebuild it lies are, our families who care for our say is that there are plenty of great not once, not twice, but a third time, elderly and nurture our youth and per- things that did, in fact, happen. and then after that, we are saying, you petuate our values. They know how im- With respect to trade, one of the know, maybe you should move. portant free enterprise is, not just be- things the Financial Services Com- But that is too much to ask, appar- cause it allows people to sleep at night mittee got to do was take a bipartisan ently, for the Senate. We can’t even get knowing the bills are paid, but how em- delegation trip to China. We talked a vote on it. It is time for the Senate powering it is to finally leave the as- with folks in Japan, in Hong Kong, in to act. sembly line and to start your own busi- China, and in South Korea about the Another is JOBS 3.0. This is a bill ness; how empowering it is to send that importance of trade, not just in a way that provides new 21st century frame- first kid to college; but, ultimately, that draws in our Foreign Investment work for capital formation. You think how important it is to pursue happi- Risk Review Modernization Act, but capital formation, that sounds like ness, to use your God-given talents in with all of our trade policy. Wall Street, that sounds like a big, Re- any way that can help you and your The reality is that we were able to publican, stereotypical talking point family prosper. send a message to the people in China, bill. It passed with more than 400 votes I know I take great solace to know to the leadership of China—their Vice in this body, incredibly bipartisan, there is a new generation of conserv- President down to their leadership in very modest reforms, commonsense, for ative leaders who know that, ulti- the trade negotiations—that with re- early stage capital formation, and it mately, liberty is an inalienable right spect to China, there is no separation hasn’t yet been voted on in the Senate. given to us by our creator, the Al- between Congress and President There is still time in this Congress, and mighty, and how precious it is and how Trump, and with respect to China, I sure hope they can deliver on it. few people on the face of the planet there is no separation between Repub- There are a lot of things that we really enjoy the full fruits of liberty. licans and Democrats on trade. haven’t been able to get to. In spite of I count Mr. DAVIDSON among those Our hope is that we can continue to being the most productive committee people, and I will always count him as trade, and we can continue to prosper in Congress, there are still things that my friend. But it makes it much easier, together. As a former Army Ranger, I have been left undone. My hope is that after 16 years, to leave this body know- never thought I would go to China we can continue to collaborate in a ing that there is a WARREN DAVIDSON in under friendly terms and conditions. I very bipartisan way as we experience a Congress and knowing that there is a am quite thankful that we were able to transition. TED BUDD from North Carolina who do that. I hope that we can continue As sad as I am to be headed to the will remain in Congress as well. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman that peace and prosperity together. minority as a member of the majority from North Carolina (Mr. BUDD). He But the days of the American people party today, I am very sad that Chair- also has become a fast friend of mine. being taken advantage of, whether it is man HENSARLING is leaving Congress. More importantly, I count his wife as a by China or any other Nation, I hope This week, we were able to see his re- friend of my wife, and me as well. Not has long passed. Clearly, today, that is tirement ceremony where a portrait unlike Mr. DAVIDSON, he is one of the the trend. Not only has the Foreign In- was unveiled. But the most important hardest working members of our com- vestment Risk Review Modernization thing that happened there is, frankly, I mittee, and he never, never gives up. Act, FIRRMA, passed, and that gives think everyone in that room was in- Again, a significant portion of the us this review, but we have an adminis- spired. economic growth packages that we tration that is aggressively imple- I think one of the most unfortunate have passed out of the House Financial menting a policy that puts that into ef- things about Congress is the way it is Services Committee, two or three of perceived by the American people. fect. them I know contain Mr. BUDD’s name. There are plenty of things that did There are more truly good men and That is unusual for somebody who has pass our House that haven’t yet made women who serve in this body, in both been a freshman member of our com- it into law. A staggering number is 115. parties, than I would have ever be- mittee, to have so many bills passed. It While 44 bills were signed into law, 115 lieved before I got here, and one of the is a testament to the great citizens of passed our committee and haven’t yet very best is JEB HENSARLING. I am his congressional district that they been taken up across the building in thankful to count him as my chairman, would return him to office. I hope, next the Senate. Unfortunately, and often as a mentor, and as a friend. I look for- time, maybe a few more will join in despite overwhelmingly bipartisan sup- ward to seeing how God continues to and make it a little less interesting. port in the House, many of these bills bless this great man and how God con- But I am also proud to call him col- have yet to receive the same attention tinues to bless this body and our great league; I am proud to call him friend; in the Senate. Nation. It is now time for deeds, not and I, again, take great solace to know One example of this is a bill I intro- words. that this body will see his conservative duced, the Market Data Protection Mr. HENSARLING. Mr. Speaker, leadership for quite some time. Act. This passed the House of Rep- well, after hearing those kind com- resentatives unanimously, and it is yet ments, I would be happy to yield the b 2000 to receive a vote in the Senate. This gentleman even more time. I say that Mr. BUDD. Mr. Speaker, I thank deals with the protection of govern- tongue-in-cheek. Chairman HENSARLING, and after those ment-controlled data by the Securities Mr. Speaker, I have learned that if kind words, maybe we all should just and Exchange Commission. In fact, our you want kind things said about you, yield back. But I am going to hang on EDGAR database was hacked. We are announce your retirement. So, I must for a few minutes and talk about some simply asking that the SEC do the admit, I am humbled by this experi- of the great things that we have done same thing and certify to Congress in ence, and I thank the kind words of the on Chairman HENSARLING’s committee the same way they would expect a pub- gentleman. that I have been honored to be a part of licly traded company to certify to I must admit that it is a real mixed for these last 2 years and look forward them, that they have dealt with the blessing that I get ready to leave Con- to continuing on. One of the things to risk and they now have a secure net- gress, but I take a lot of solace know- mention in the 115th Congress is to work. ing that there is a new generation of highlight the need to bring JOBS 3.0 Just earlier tonight, we passed yet conservative leaders who are coming to across the finish line. another extension of the Flood Act. this body, who know how important But before I do that, I have to say, This bill has been passed by our com- faith is in the life of a great Nation, be- Mr. Speaker, that I don’t think there

VerDate Sep 11 2014 05:21 Nov 30, 2018 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00043 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K29NO7.096 H29NOPT1 lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with HOUSE H9736 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE November 29, 2018 has been a harder working committee which directs the Secretary of the Mr. Speaker, in closing, like my col- in Washington, D.C., over the past 2 Treasury to encourage the use of tech- leagues have said before, I want to years, from our leadership all the way nological innovations that improve fi- thank our chairman, JEB HENSARLING, down to the committee’s staff level, nancial institutions’ anti-money laun- for his principled leadership of this and it shows in our accomplishments. I dering programs. committee and for seeing us through am proud to have played a small role in Financial institutions currently have some great wins in the 115th Congress. some of these victories. little incentive to invest in innovative He has been a friend, a mentor, and One simply cannot start a speech like technology solutions to BSA compli- somebody I respect in the way he leads, this without talking about the tremen- ance because of the regulatory inflexi- and leads his family greatly, and I dous work that went into the Financial bility. The Bank Secrecy Innovation know that he will be missed. CHOICE Act, which ultimately became Act will provide financial institutions Mr. HENSARLING. Mr. Speaker, I known as S. 2155. with greater incentive and certainty thank the gentleman for his kind As we all know, Dodd-Frank was en- when experimenting with technology words, and far more importantly, I acted in 2010 in an effort to end the so- to aid in BSA compliance by providing thank him for his leadership. He is called too-big-to-fail financial institu- a safe harbor against having the use of truly one of the workhorses for eco- tions. However, Dodd-Frank and Con- such technology be the basis for regu- nomic growth in the United States gress inadvertently created too-small- latory penalty. Congress. to-succeed financial institutions, The application of innovative tech- Again, I take great solace, as I will which punished our regional and com- nology by financial institutions in soon leave this august body, in know- munity banks and credit unions. It was their BSA compliance programs will ing that somebody like Mr. BUDD will unfortunate, but in the end, commu- likely improve the detection of illicit be here. He has such principle, char- nity financial institutions were shut activity, leading to more efficient and acter, is a hard worker, and has success down, while the consumer and small higher quality reporting of suspicious in actually getting bills done that business owner were starved of the ac- activity by financial institutions. Bet- make a difference in the lives of work- cess to credit at a time when they ter, more targeted reports likely will ing people. Mr. Speaker, it is such a needed it the most. aid law enforcement in focusing their pleasure to serve with the gentleman However, with the passage and ulti- limited resources on real criminal ac- from North Carolina (Mr. BUDD). Mr. Speaker, several of our Members mate enactment of S. 2155, the status tivities, while also reducing the time have spoken tonight about what we quo that I just highlighted has that law enforcement must spend weed- call the JOBS 3.0 Act, Jumpstart Our changed, instead, for good. Dodd-Frank ing out reports that are just irrelevant. reform was a win for North Carolina’s As I said earlier, Mr. Speaker, there Business Startups. Thanks to the lead- ership of President Trump, thanks to community financial institutions, is still one more package of bills that the leadership of Speaker RYAN, and small businesses, innovators, and the passed out of our committee and this thanks to the leadership of Chairman economy as a whole. Under this bill, body with strong bipartisan backing KEVIN BRADY, we have a great econ- the consumer and small business will that still needs to be pushed across the omy. We have, perhaps, the greatest get access to the credit they need, finish line. I am talking, of course, economy in most Americans’ lifetimes. whether it be used to buy a home or fi- about JOBS 3.0 and the capital forma- Unemployment is at about a 50-year nally start and expand their busi- tion package that would further im- low. For the first time in a decade, we nesses. prove our economy and make it easier are seeing paychecks rise. We are see- I think this bill, Mr. Speaker, is, ar- for companies to go public. ing that take-home pay increase. guably, the most important legislative This package included bills like Small business optimism, consumer win this Congress has seen in a long mine, H.R. 3903, the Encouraging Pub- optimism, is off the charts. It is amaz- time. It will benefit all sectors of the lic Offerings Act, that I introduced ing what can happen with some tax re- economy, and I am so excited that we with my friend on the other side of the form and regulatory reform. And, yes, I got this done. aisle from New York, GREGORY MEEKS. take pride—not on my behalf, but on On a more personal note, outside of It passed the House, if you can imag- behalf of the Financial Services Com- Dodd-Frank reform, I have really en- ine, 417–0. mittee—in what we have done to help joyed the work that has gone on at the It allows issuers to submit to the take some of the shackles off of our Terrorism and Illicit Finance Sub- SEC for confidential review, before community banks and our credit committee. Under the leadership of our publicly filing, draft registrations for unions. But there is so much more chairman, STEVE PEARCE, my bipar- IPOs. H.R. 3903 will reduce the risk to work to be done. tisan bill, H.R. 3321, the National companies that are just thinking about Mr. Speaker, as you probably know, Strategy for Combating Terrorist, Un- going public, in order to make listing the whole idea of capital formation for derground, and Other Illicit Financing on exchanges even more attractive, our entrepreneurs, for our small busi- Act, is just one example of this work. I which, in the end, will only strengthen nesses, traditionally, that has been a was able to get this bipartisan bill our financial markets. bipartisan effort. And, in fact, the very signed by the President and passed into Mr. Speaker, the legislation found first, what we call JOBS 1.0, was signed law as part of the Countering Amer- under JOBS will make it easier for into law by President Barack Obama. I ica’s Adversaries Through Sanctions startups and small businesses in North don’t quite have the quote at my fin- Act. Carolina to attract the investments gertips, but at the time, he said some- My bill directs the Department of the they need to go public, grow, and cre- thing along the lines that we have to, Treasury to develop a national strat- ate more jobs. from time to time, remove the regu- egy to combat the financing of ter- I also want to highlight, briefly, title latory burdens to capital formation rorism and related forms of illicit fi- 14 of JOBS, which protects the Amer- that are preventing our entrepreneurs nance involving all levels of govern- ican insurance standards. This strong, from accessing capital. ment. H.R. 3321 will get us closer to a bipartisan language found under title So the first point I would like to coordinated strategy on disrupting 14 will give U.S. negotiators the strong make, Mr. Speaker, is the economy of these illicit financial networks in the legislative backing they need when today is in great shape. But can we hopes that we are able to starve ter- they negotiate with international bod- count on it for the economy of tomor- rorist groups like ISIS of the resources ies like the IAIS. row? Particularly, Mr. Speaker, when I they need to carry out their radical Now, as we try to bring JOBS over look at public companies, what I see is agendas. the finish line, I am hopeful that we that our public companies are fewer, I also want to highlight and think can keep this strong, bipartisan lan- they are older, and they are bigger. that we should be proud of the balance guage in the bill. We must keep it in Today, in America, we still have far we have been trying to strike with re- whatever version of JOBS that we pass. too many old cars and not enough gard to fintech. I have my own legisla- The American insurance consumer startups in our garages. tion on this front, for example, H.R. needs it and also deserves it. So let’s I sometimes think—and I am the fa- 6849, the Bank Secrecy Innovation Act, get JOBS done. ther of a 16-year-old daughter, a 15-

VerDate Sep 11 2014 05:21 Nov 30, 2018 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00044 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K29NO7.098 H29NOPT1 lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with HOUSE November 29, 2018 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H9737 year-old son—the companies that will have to modernize these securities the House 406–4, a piece of legislation drive the economy when they are in laws. And, again, traditionally, this strongly supported by the administra- their peak earning years, they prob- has been a bipartisan effort. tion, and a piece of legislation, again, ably haven’t even been founded yet. b 2015 that is going to help our small busi- Where are the next Amazons coming nesses and entrepreneurs. Why haven’t from? Where are the next Googles com- The United States House of Rep- they taken it up? ing from? Where are the next Apples resentatives has passed JOBS 3.0 by a Perhaps the single most influential coming from? vote of 406–4. Months later, the United newspaper in America is The Wall But what we see as recently as 2016, States Senate has done nothing on this Street Journal. It is certainly the most just a couple of years ago, is that new piece of legislation. This cannot hold. influential economic publication in startups’ entrepreneurial capitalism This cannot be. There is no excuse for America, and probably the world. For- was at a 40-year low. Now, fortunately, the United States Senate back there tunately, their lead editorial today was under this administration, it is taking behind my shoulder to do nothing to encourage the Senate to take up a turn upwards, but we have got a lot while, for example, we see more compa- JOBS 3.0. In fact—I am kind of para- of ground to make up. nies go public in China. phrasing here because I don’t have the Our public companies have been cut We had a discussion a little earlier, newspaper at my fingertips—they said in half, a 20-year low, as recently as Mr. Speaker, how China, unfortu- that Congress has done yeoman’s work 2016. Half of the number of companies nately, too often has taken our tech- shepherding a compendium of bipar- are going public. And so not only is nology—our intellectual property—by tisan bills to access capital. They were that bad for America’s economy, but it hook and crook. But a lot of it is com- referring to JOBS 3.0. is bad for the family economy because panies are choosing to confine their Again, go online. It is their lead edi- they lose out on investment opportuni- capital in China because they find it torial. ties. easier, and now we are looking at over They said that the Senate shouldn’t Had you invested early in Apple, you one-third of public companies are going scuttle what could be one of Congress’ would have made a gazillion percent- public in China, and we are down to 11 better achievements. I agree. This will age rate of return. It would have been percent. They have an ascending curve; be one of Congress’ better achieve- an incredible investment opportunity. we have a descending curve. ments to be able to capitalize our small At the time, the Commonwealth of In order to successfully compete with businesses to make sure, again, they Massachusetts wouldn’t even allow China in a global economy, we have to can access capital, they can go public, Apple to sell their securities because make it easier throughout the eco- and that they are not treated like a they were fearful it was too specula- system of our small entrepreneurial Fortune 500 company on day one. tive. ventures to make it easier, and so that Mr. Speaker, many of our biotech We want to make sure that every is what the whole thrust of the JOBS companies that provide lifesaving American family has the opportunity 3.0 Act is all about. pharmaceuticals, some of them don’t to invest in the next Apple. But, unfor- Again, it is a very, very strong bipar- even cash flow positive for a decade. tunately, what we see is a regulatory tisan measure. So often the lead Demo- They can’t be treated with the same burden that is absolutely strangling a crat in this institution, known as rank- regulatory burden on their capital as a lot of these startup companies. ing member, the gentlewoman from Fortune 500 company. If you do, again, Over the past 21⁄2 decades, Mr. Speak- California (Ms. MAXINE WATERS) and I er, the U.S. share of global venture in- they are going to go to China. They are don’t see eye to eye on much. We see vestment has steadily declined. And not going to stay in the USA. They are eye to eye on very little. But we are when we see it decline, what we also going to go to China. As we continue to joined at the hip in wanting to see the see is that regulatory restrictions on compete with them, we cannot allow JOBS 3.0 Act. She has been stalwart, securities and investment have in- this to happen. and she has been a good negotiating creased 54 percent in 10 years—in just So we have had such great support. I partner to get this done. 10 years, a 54 percent increase in regu- alluded to the ranking member, the So you have one of the most liberal latory restrictions on securities, and gentlewoman from California (Ms. Members of Congress and one of the an 80 percent increase over 20 years. MAXINE WATERS). She said that this We are wondering why there is so lit- most conservative Members of Con- bill is ‘‘a carefully crafted bipartisan tle entrepreneurial activity, and we are gress come together to advocate for compromise.’’ Those are her words. She wondering why so few companies have our small businesses, for our entre- said that it is ‘‘an example of Members gone public. preneurs, to help us compete with on both sides of the aisle working to- Part of what we have to do is simply China in the JOBS 3.0 Act, but some- gether to support our Nation’s small modernize antiquated statutes. And so how they are still not hearing this in businesses and investors.’’ with the exceptions of Sarbanes-Oxley, the United States Senate. Again, she is one of the most liberal and with the exception of, frankly, the Please, the gentlewoman from Cali- Members of the United States House of first version of the JOBS Act and the fornia (Ms. MAXINE WATERS), gives Representatives and most likely the second version of the JOBS Act, almost every liberal permission to vote for the next chairman of the House Financial all of our other significant Federal se- JOBS 3.0 Act. As chairman of the Services Committee. She said that this curities laws date back to the 1930s. House Financial Services Committee bill will help entrepreneurs, small busi- Mr. Speaker, a couple of these, the and one who used to chair the conserv- nesses, investors, and our economy to Securities and Exchange Act, the Secu- ative caucus in the House, I give every thrive. rities Act, they are foundational. But conservative permission in the United In the 6 years I have been chairman, so many of these other laws that we States Senate to vote for JOBS 3.0. it has kind of been rare for us to agree still labor under, I mean, there was a Please, we need a message for all on the time of day, but we definitely time that the telephone was the cut- Americans who care about small busi- agree that the JOBS 3.0 Act is impor- ting-edge technology. That is when the nesses. We want to make it easier. We tant. It is important to America’s SEC was created, in 1934, and the tele- want to make it easier for these busi- economy not only today, but more im- phone was the cutting-edge technology nesses to get funding. portantly, it is important for the econ- of the time. The bottom line is, Mr. Speaker, you omy of tomorrow. So many of the security laws we have cannot have capitalism without cap- If there is one aspect of America’s date back to that particular era. At ital, and we want to make it easier to economy that is somewhat unique in that time, stock offerings were part of access this capital. the world, it is how we have ensured the daily newspaper. Well, we don’t see So I was very heartened by the fact that entrepreneurial capitalism can’t that anymore. Pneumatic tubes and that, although maybe our Senators— just survive in America, but thrive. So ticker tape transmitted the news of a and I have many friends who are those seeds have to be planted today. stock sale. United States Senators. I still cannot There is so much competition world- If we are going to be able to fuel the understand why they haven’t taken up wide, and that is why it is important economy of tomorrow, we are going to a piece of legislation that came out of that we get this done.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 05:21 Nov 30, 2018 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00045 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K29NO7.099 H29NOPT1 lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with HOUSE H9738 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE November 29, 2018 The U.S. Chamber of Commerce MESSAGE FROM THE SENATE wanted to do. But if you look at the weighed in, and they said that the A message from the Senate by Ms. original draft of the Declaration of House amendment to S. 488—I am talk- Lasky, one of its clerks, announced Independence, the original draft that ing about the JOBS 3.0 bill—would re- that the Senate has passed without an Jefferson did, probably the biggest move barriers for raising capital for amendment a bill of the House of the paragraph that listed one of the many America’s businesses. Approximately following title: grievances that in Jefferson’s mind jus- three-fourths of financing for busi- H.R. 7187. An act to extend the National tified a war for independence and a nesses in the United States comes from Flood Insurance Program until December 7, Declaration of Independence was that capital markets, but regulations have 2018. King George III allowed slavery to ever failed to keep up with the demands of f get started in America. the 21st century. That came from Jefferson’s heart. He The Angel Capital Association has GOVERNMENT REFORM saw the problems that were creating written: ‘‘Thank you again for your The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. the inequities, and he blamed King leadership in promoting American BERGMAN). Under the Speaker’s an- George for ever allowing it to get start- startups, capital formation, and job nounced policy of January 3, 2017, the ed. That ended up being struck from creation. The JOBS and Investor Con- Chair recognizes the gentleman from the final draft, but that was part of fidence Act will help foster innovation Texas (Mr. GOHMERT) for 30 minutes. Jefferson’s original heart. and job growth.’’ Mr. GOHMERT. Mr. Speaker, I do ap- The job of government does not in- The Biotechnology Industry Organi- preciate the efforts of my friend from clude spying on its law-abiding people zation, known as BIO, said: ‘‘The JOBS the district that adjoins mine in Texas. who have committed no crimes. It is and Investor Confidence Act of 2018, or He has done a yeoman’s work, much of not supposed to include telling its peo- JOBS Act 3.0, will significantly im- which he hasn’t gotten adequate credit ple where they have to live and what prove the ability of emerging biotech for. Hopefully not only the Senate, but they have to do for a living or not do. companies to access capital and invest the House will respect the work that It is supposed to be about freedom. in their potentially lifesaving research has been done—including on flood in- In fact, Dennis Miller made an amus- rather than unnecessary compliance surance—and stop putting off what Fi- ing comment that, if the Founders costs that do not add value to inves- nancial Services has done to reform were willing to go to war and risk or tors.’’ flood insurance. sacrifice their lives in a war over a lit- There is widespread support. I am al- We have extension after extension tle tax on their breakfast drink, then most baffled, Mr. Speaker, why the when the people whose homes are pro- think how upset they would be today. United States Senate won’t take this tected are begging for reforms so they Yet we see the problems and we dis- up. Again, this is a strongly bipartisan can take their insurance money and cuss the problems here, but when the package. It doesn’t get much stronger build somewhere else instead of being going gets tough, apparently the tough than 406–4. forced to build where their house was get going by heading home. Again, our business startups have destroyed. b 2030 neared a 40-year low in 2016. Our IPOs, Or how about people who have $50,000 our initial public offerings that allow homes having to pay enough in insur- We have until January 3, apparently, our working families to invest in the ance so they insure the multimillion- when the new Congress is sworn in, to American economy, are half of what dollar castles that have been built? get things done with a Republican ma- they were 20 years ago. They want to make the poor folks pay jority in the House and a Republican Why? The average regulatory compli- for the rich folks, and it seems like majority in the Senate. We passed a ance for initial public offerings has today most rich folks are Democrats tax bill. There have been other good now doubled. It has doubled in the last when you look at contributions in re- bills passed, as Chairman HENSARLING 25 years. It costs $2.5 million to go pub- cent years. Regardless of what party was talking about. But when it comes lic, with average compliance costs they are a part of, it is not fair. There to bills that have to do with whether or clocking in at $1.5 million. are just so many reforms. not this little experiment in self-gov- Sometimes, Mr. Speaker, we have to Or how about if the Federal Govern- ernment continues, we ought to be tak- take a look at regulations that date ment insurance program pays for the ing those up. back to the 1930s and start to ask the same house three times after it is de- It has been interesting. There have question: How is that going to impact stroyed, then they get their own insur- been many times since I have been here the economy of the 2030s? The answer ance, not government? when we saw Republicans and some is not too well, particularly in a global There are so many brilliant, yet seem Democrats who were defeated in a No- economy competing with China. pretty basic, reforms that Chairman vember election and some of them So I just want to conclude by saying HENSARLING and his committee have threw up their hands and said: Why that I have so many friends in the pushed forward. None of them was my should I even come back? I am going to United States Senate. I respect the idea, but you can read them and go: have to have a new job, come January. United States Senate. I used to be a Oh, that is a really good idea. It is a I have sacrificed so much time being staffer of the United States Senate. basic idea. away from my family. What is the use But there is no excuse why they can’t For some reason, we don’t have the of my coming back in November and do what the House did and follow our gumption to just go ahead and do the December? leadership and work on a strong, bipar- necessary reforms that saved a country But I was greatly gratified at our tisan basis to make sure that America whose spending is in trouble. Spending Conference yesterday to hear people, just doesn’t have the strongest econ- is putting the Nation at risk. some who are coming back because omy of today but has the strongest There is a very important purpose for they were reelected and some, surpris- economy of tomorrow. government in the United States. It is ingly, based on past history, who have It started with men and women, not supposed to be a government that been defeated and have said, as DANA Democrats and Republicans on the subdues its people or has the Orwellian ROHRABACHER said: Look, I am not House Financial Services Committee, job of monitoring them, as we hear going to be back in January, but I to ensure that the economy of tomor- China expects to have total monitoring would like to have Christmas Day with row, once again, will be strong for all of its citizens by 2020. That is not the my family. But other than Christmas Americans. job of the government in a free coun- Day, I am willing to come back every Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues try. day if we can help America protect and my friends in the United States The Revolution was about freedom. their future. Senate to follow our lead, to listen to And I know Jefferson has taken a lot of There are some very noble people the administration, and to pass the flack for having slaves. He and Wash- here who understand that the burden of JOBS 3.0 Act immediately. ington had hoped to free their slaves, Congress, the House and Senate, is not Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance but as I understand it, there were pro- to impose our will on the American of my time. visions that didn’t allow what they people. It is to protect them. We are

VerDate Sep 11 2014 05:21 Nov 30, 2018 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00046 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K29NO7.100 H29NOPT1 lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with HOUSE November 29, 2018 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H9739 not supposed to be the referee, the make you look like a much more inno- a racist if you don’t make it a tougher coach, the player. The American people cent guy. Or, we will let you plead to penalty on crack cocaine. They didn’t should really be the participants. The simple possession and we won’t even want to be called racist, so they voted government is supposed to be the ref- bring up all this myriad of other and agreed to make it tougher pen- eree. And, yes, we have got to have charges. We will just let you plead to alties for having crack cocaine. criminal justice so that when the ref- this one and let all these others go. There is a lot of criminal justice that eree makes a call, it can be enforced. Those things go into the consider- needs reform and there really shouldn’t As a former judge who sent no telling ation of the court and of the prosecu- have been a difference between crack how many people to prison over a 10- tors when they make recommenda- cocaine and powder cocaine. These are year period, I agonized over every one tions. They will come back after the things we can debate, we can work out of those cases when I was going to look fact and say: We are going to reform well, and not have a reform shoved somebody in the eye and pronounce criminal justice, but not the way you, through that is going to release people their sentence. Sometimes juries did it, Louie, have been wanting to, you in prematurely that should not be re- but there were far more that didn’t re- the ACLU and The Heritage Founda- leased. There is time to work that out. quest a jury trial. Maybe they pled tion, and others have agreed on in the Some of us were surprised to see the guilty and sought sentencing. Some- past, where we would require a mens ACLU, the Heritage Foundation, BOBBY times there were plea agreements. It rea, an intent, a guilty-mind process SCOTT, and LOUIE GOHMERT working to- was up to the judge whether you go for most crimes. gether to try to work on reform. There along with the plea agreement. Some- Or, perhaps another one that is a pet are things we can work together, even times I didn’t. peeve of mine, supposedly we have, when Republicans lose the majority in One of the bills that is being talked maybe, 5,000 criminal laws in the Fed- January. about, which is criminal justice re- eral system and so many of them say So that is not as critical to get that form, which we badly need, desperately it’s punishable by X number of years in done right now. When we do criminal need, is actually going to be a slap in prison, such and such fine for any vio- justice reform, let’s make sure we get the face of every Federal judge who has lation hereunder or any regulation it right and don’t get people killed be- ever agonized over what is an appro- hereunder, which allows bureaucrats cause we rushed through something priate sentence. who have never been elected; who are that sounded good, but when you got I think it is fine to tell judges what not necessarily carrying out the will of down to the finer points, it created the rules are when they go into a sen- any American public, just their own problems. I was pleased to hear that Jared tencing so they know what kind of sen- personal feelings; that have not been Kushner was interested in talking to tence this is really going to be, in ever voted on, and they pass regula- people and talked to some friends of terms of real years. But to come back tions. after judges have already agonized, You have regulations, like you have mine about problems they had with that bill. Well, we need to work those they have had the hearings, considered the poor guy that checked the box out. We don’t need to spend time here every possible thing, and say: You ground only as the way he was mailing know what? We are going to change the rushing a bill like that through. it, and he didn’t know some bureaucrat But the President won his election in rules. We haven’t read about the cases had passed a regulation, put one 2016, and the most memorable promise you judges agonized over and came to a through that says, you have got to put that he made, he knew he was going to conclusion on, but we are going to a stamp on it that has an airplane with need the help of Congress, and he has change them anyway. a red line through the airplane. So he been begging for the help of Congress, They don’t consider the fact that in was hauled off to another State and and he has been told over and over for so many prosecutions, in the very few had never violated the law at all. the last, nearly, 2 years: Okay. We will Federal cases that are simple posses- There are so many injustices in our get to that. We will get to that. We sion, it normally has to be a pretty big Federal system, so many things that can’t get it in this bill, but we will get deal, and that is based on my own expe- need fixing. Some have pointed out the to that. rience. I have been a prosecutor. I have inequity in years, like, back in the As I have told our Conference more been appointed to defend criminal eighties when laws were passed that ac- than once, the voters are going to come cases in Federal court, State court. I tually made it tougher on sentencing out in 2020, those who voted for Donald actually was appointed to appeal a cap- for having crack cocaine than having Trump, and probably mostly all of ital murder conviction, which was suc- real powder cocaine—I was a member them will vote for him again, because cessfully overturned at the highest on the Judiciary Committee when this he really has been trying to do what he court in Texas. So I have seen it from debate came up—and how it was really said. all angles: prosecutor, judge, and chief a racist law that made it a tougher We said we were going to help, and justice reviewing on appeal. penalty for having crack cocaine, we haven’t helped him. The number You don’t change the rules after they which more African Americans had, one most memorable thing voters re- are made. That is why there is a provi- than the powdered cocaine, which was call is the promise for a wall. As Presi- sion in the Constitution that says Con- worse, which was more often possessed dent Trump has said, we don’t need gress is not supposed to enact any ex by Anglo Americans. 2,000 miles of wall, but there are places post facto laws. And, yes, that is not Dan corrected the record and I went where we desperately need it. We are specifically pertaining to going back back and did some digging and found told: Well, it’s just too hard to get the and changing sentences after the fact, out, wow, he is right. That there were votes in the Senate. You would have to but when I read that, under the bill people, like Charlie Rangel and others, have 60 votes. being considered, sex offenders will be who were members of the Congres- Well, I have had some good ideas over released early—or can be—there are sional Black Caucus who had said any- the years. Sometimes I have asked col- many people that will likely be re- body that didn’t vote for a tougher leagues to be the lead sponsor on legis- leased early, including those—and it is penalty on crack cocaine than on pow- lation I have come up with that was not even considered that some really der cocaine was a racist, because crack part of the committee of jurisdiction bad guys, evil people who cut a deal to cocaine was destroying African Amer- so they have a better chance of getting rat out on people that were even more ican communities and we needed it through. Regardless, I know a good evil, if they got a deal cut under the tougher laws. bill when I see it. And BRAD BYRNE has Federal system, you can’t just agree to But over a 30-year period, or so, peo- a good bill, H.R. 7073—and I love its a term of years and recommend to the ple forgot why the punishment for pow- title—the 50 Votes for the Wall Act. It judge like you can in State courts like der cocaine was not as tough a punish- eliminates the need for the 60 votes in Texas, but they agree on charges. ment as for crack cocaine. It was the Senate. I know we have some Okay. We won’t pursue the fact that passed, as Dan pointed out. People House leadership that think it is just you had a gun at the time and you were didn’t want to be called racists and going to be too hard to get those votes trying to use it. We will waive that if they were told by some in the Congres- in the Senate, so why even waste the you help us with that. And that will sional Black Caucus that you would be House’s time.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 05:21 Nov 30, 2018 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00047 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K29NO7.103 H29NOPT1 lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with HOUSE H9740 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE November 29, 2018 b 2045 been former chair of the Budget Com- are not going to feel any pressure until Well, it is because we have a chance mittee. He knows exactly how to go we do it here. to fix something that is terribly bro- about getting a reconciliation effort There are House Members, Repub- ken that exposes Americans to loss of accomplished. lican House Members, some returning, life, loss of property, all kinds of Under the process known as rec- some not returning next year, and they losses, including the loss of a free onciliation, all that they would need to are willing to do the work to try to United States of America. It is that do is bring up a 2019 budget resolution save American lives in this little ex- desperate of a situation. that would alter reconciliation instruc- periment in self-government. And the Border Patrol, most of the tions. Under BRAD’s bill, it would pro- We have had so many people that ones I know and have talked to, say: If vide $25 billion for a border wall that have been miseducated to think that: you allow some of this big—whether would be placed in mandatory spend- You know, gee, socialism is a good way you call it a caravan or call it what it ing, and that would be as instructed by to go. It would be great for America. really is, an attempted invasion, there the Homeland Security Committee. We are seeing the polls reflect that are going to be bigger and bigger cara- It is a majority vote to make that more and more often. Well, let me vans and invasions. Some of them will budget change. It is a budget resolu- make clear, anybody that will study end up being so big, you will not be tion. That is what it would take. Once history knows socialism, number one, able to stop them, not with troops. It that is done, then the money could be always fails. Number two, you can’t would require all-out war. placed into this trust account that is have socialism or communism or pro- The time to stop it is now. being set up under the Byrne bill. gressivism, whichever one you want to We have seen the photographs of I know, back a year and a half ago, call it, unless you have a very power- some walled fences where people want we heard all kinds of threats: Oh, we ful, totalitarian type government that to thumb their noses at United States can’t really repeal ObamaCare because takes from people who don’t want to sovereignty. We take an oath. We are of the Byrd rule. Can’t do it under rec- give it up and gives it to people who do supposed to protect the Constitution. onciliation. Oh, the Byrd rule. Oh, we want to give it up. Our number one obligation is to pro- can’t. You don’t have a middle class. That tect the American people. Going back We had Republican leaders in the was one thing Karl Marx did not fore- to, metaphorically, the referee-coach- House and Senate telling us: Well, no, see, the strong middle class that would player situation, we are supposed to the Byrd rule won’t let that happen. grow in America that set us apart from make sure that the players have a Sorry. It won’t let it happen. most anywhere else. That is why we venue where they can safely pursue the Nobody bothered to go check with did not become communist back when free enjoyment of their activity. the Parliamentarian. The Parliamen- there were communists trying to push And we know—we have heard it from tarian is not even the last word. Par- us there, because we had a strong mid- the Mexican officials—there are hun- liamentarians—I am very sorry to say dle class. dreds of known criminals. Just in the this, but it is true—sometimes are But in socialism, communism, pro- invasive caravan they have seen so far, wrong. gressivism, you will have a ruling we know there is MS–13. We know I don’t know of a time when our cur- class, and that is why there are so there are people who are going to do rent Parliamentarian was wrong, but I many billionaires now pushing to try terrible damage, cause loss of life, certainly know of a prior occasion to get us to socialism. They know, or limb, and property. when a predecessor, since I have been at least they believe, people are too If we are going to carry out our obli- here, was totally wrong. stupid to know how to live, so us ultra- gation to the American people, we need The Parliamentarian doesn’t make rich billionaires, we will fund socialist- to protect them. We need to make sure decisions. The Parliamentarian gives type candidates, because we know, if people come in orderly. advice. The decision comes from the we get to socialism, you have a ruling People can slam the American people Chair. class and you have a ruled class, and and raise issues about: Oh, gosh, you So, MIKE LEE, Senator LEE, went and there is no middle class. You give up so guys are such xenophobes and, oh, you asked the Parliamentarian: Do you much of your freedom. have so much hate. think this will violate the Byrd rule? It has to stop, and it is going to be No. We have a love for the American Well, I can’t give a preliminary opin- stopped only if we will go ahead and people. ion, but I don’t see anything there that push through a reconciliation bill that If a parent sees somebody trying to would violate the Byrd rule. No, I don’t allows us to give the money to Presi- break into their home who is suffering think it would be a problem. dent Trump so we can get a wall built from an illness that will likely be Wow. where we need it and secure the Amer- caught by others who are lawfully in We had been told for a month that we ican people. the home, that parent would have an couldn’t do that, that we couldn’t re- Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance obligation, morally, legally. You are peal ObamaCare, because the Byrd rule of my time. supposed to protect your children. wouldn’t let it happen under reconcili- f ation. Turned out, nobody checked, and Some go to jail for not protecting their LEAVE OF ABSENCE children. they were wrong. It could have been In that scenario, which we know done. It should have been done. By unanimous consent, leave of ab- there are people with illnesses trying The first bill, thank God we didn’t sence was granted to: to barge into America, and obviously pass that, but we passed the second Mr. DANNY K. DAVIS of Illinois (at the there are people who have come into one. As I was talking with some col- request of Ms. PELOSI) for today and America with illnesses we thought we leagues today, if the Senate had joined the balance of the week on account of had gotten rid of in the United States, us, it would have materially helped the family medical emergency. they are bringing them back in. American people. f That is why there was an Ellis Island. I know there are those who say: ENROLLED BILLS SIGNED That is why democratic presidents and Look, the Senate doesn’t have the Karen L. Haas, Clerk of the House, Congresses had gone to such extremes votes. reported and found truly enrolled bills to make sure people were properly vet- Well, they could get 50 votes, because of the House of the following titles, ted, so that the people to whom they we could pass it with 50 votes. I know which were thereupon signed by the answered could live more safely, freely, MIKE PENCE, our Vice President, would Speaker: without fear of an invasion. help support President Trump and We have that obligation to make sure break a tie. H.R. 1074. An act to repeal the Act entitled the American people are protected. We could get this done. But the Sen- ‘‘An Act to confer jurisdiction on the State of Iowa over offenses committed by or BRAD BYRNE’s bill gets around the 60- ate will have no pressure until this against Indians on the Sac and Fox Indian vote requirement in the Senate. We body passes a budget resolution with Reservation’’. have one of the smartest Speakers we reconciliation instructions. And the H.R. 2422. An act to amend the Public have ever had in PAUL RYAN. He has Senate will need to do that, but they Health Service Act to improve essential oral

VerDate Sep 11 2014 05:21 Nov 30, 2018 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00048 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K29NO7.105 H29NOPT1 lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with HOUSE November 29, 2018 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H9741 health care for low-income and other under- 7009. A letter from the Administrator, Ag- 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Com- served individuals by breaking down barriers ricultural Marketing Service, Specialty mittee on Transportation and Infrastruc- to care, and for other purposes. Crops Program, Department of Agriculture, ture. H.R. 5317. An act to repeal section 2141 of transmitting the Department’s final rule — 7018. A letter from the Honors Attorney, the Revised Statutes to remove the prohibi- Oranges and Grapefruit Grown in Lower Rio Regulatory Affairs, Office of Chief Counsel, tion on certain alcohol manufacturing on In- Grande Valley in Texas; Decreased Assess- Pipeline Hazardous Materials Safety Admin- dian lands. ment Rate [Doc. No.: AMS-SC-17-0044; SC18- istration, Department of Transportation, 906-1 FR] received November 26, 2018, pursu- transmitting the Department’s final rule — f ant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104- Hazardous Materials: Response to Petitions SENATE ENROLLED BILLS SIGNED 121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee From Industry To Modify, Clarify, or Elimi- on Agriculture. nate Regulations [Docket No.: PHMSA-2015- The Speaker announced his signature 7010. A letter from the Under Secretary, 0102 (HM-219A)] (RIN: 2137-AF09) received No- to enrolled bills of the Senate of the Comptroller, Department of Defense, trans- vember 26, 2018, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. following titles: mitting a letter providing a status report on 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 S. 440. An act to establish a procedure for the account balance in the Defense Coopera- Stat. 868); to the Committee on Transpor- the conveyance of certain Federal property tion Account, as of September 30, 2018, pur- tation and Infrastructure. 7019. A letter from the Management and around the Dickinson Reservoir in the State suant to 10 U.S.C. 2608(e); Public Law 101-403, Program Analyst, FAA, Department of of North Dakota. Sec. 202(a)(1) (as amended by Public Law 112- Transportation, transmitting the Depart- S. 1768. An act to reauthorize and amend 81, Sec. 1064(7)); (125 Stat. 1587); to the Com- mittee on Armed Services. ment’s final rule — Amendment of Class D the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction and Class E Airspace, and Revocation of Program, and for other purposes. 7011. A letter from the Chief Counsel, FEMA, Department of Homeland Security, Class E Airspace; Juneau, AK [Docket No.: S. 2074. An act to establish a procedure for FAA-2018-0125; Airspace Docket No.: 18-AAL- the conveyance of certain Federal property transmitting the Department’s final rule — Suspension of Community Eligibility; North 5] (RIN: 2120-AA66) received November 26, around the Jamestown Reservoir in the 2018, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public State of North Dakota, and for other pur- Carolina: Charlotte, City of, Mecklenbury County, et al., [Docket ID: FEMA-2018-0002; Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the poses. Committee on Transportation and Infra- S. 3389. An act to redesignate a facility of Internal Agency Docket No.: FEMA-8555] re- ceived November 26, 2018, pursuant to 5 structure. the National Aeronautics and Space Admin- 7020. A letter from the Management and istration. U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on Fi- Program Analyst, FAA, Department of f nancial Services. Transportation, transmitting the Depart- 7012. A letter from the Deputy Assistant ment’s final rule — Standard Instrument Ap- ADJOURNMENT General Counsel for Regulatory Affairs, Pen- proach Procedures, and Takeoff Minimums Mr. GOHMERT. Mr. Speaker, I move sion Benefit Guaranty Corporation, trans- and Obstacle Departure Procedures; Mis- cellaneous Amendments [Docket No.: 31220; that the House do now adjourn. mitting the Corporation’s final rule — Bene- fits Payable in Terminated Single-Employer Amdt. No.: 3823] received November 26, 2018, The motion was agreed to; accord- pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law ingly (at 8 o’clock and 55 minutes Plans; Interest Assumptions for Paying Ben- efits received November 26, 2018, pursuant to 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Com- p.m.), the House adjourned until to- 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. mittee on Transportation and Infrastruc- ture. morrow, Friday, November 30, 2018, at 9 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on Edu- 7021. A letter from the Management and a.m. cation and the Workforce. Program Analyst, FAA, Department of 7013. A letter from the Director, Regu- f Transportation, transmitting the Depart- latory Management Division, Environmental ment’s final rule — Standard Instrument Ap- Protection Agency, transmitting the Agen- OATH OF OFFICE MEMBERS, RESI- proach Procedures, and Takeoff Minimums cy’s final rule — Tin Oxide; Exemption from DENT COMMISSIONER, AND DEL- and Obstacle Departure Procedures; Mis- the Requirement of a Tolerance [EPA-HQ- EGATES cellaneous Amendments [Docket No.: 31221; OPP-2017-0614; FRL-9982-73] received Novem- Amdt. No.: 3824] received November 26, 2018, The oath of office required by the ber 14, 2018, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law sixth article of the Constitution of the Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Com- United States, and as provided by sec- the Committee on Energy and Commerce. mittee on Transportation and Infrastruc- 7014. A letter from the Director, Regu- tion 2 of the act of May 13, 1884 (23 ture. Stat. 22), to be administered to Mem- latory Management Division, Environmental 7022. A letter from the Management and Protection Agency, transmitting the Agen- bers, Resident Commissioner, and Dele- Program Analyst, FAA, Department of cy’s withdrawal of direct final rule — Sig- Transportation, transmitting the Depart- gates of the House of Representatives, nificant New Use Rules on Certain Chemical the text of which is carried in 5 U.S.C. ment’s final rule — Airspace Designations; Substances [EPA-HQ-OPPT-2018-0567; FRL- Incorporation by Reference Amendments 3331: 9986-15] (RIN: 2070-AB27) received November [Docket No.: FAA-2018-0770; Amendment No.: ‘‘I, AB, do solemnly swear (or af- 14, 2018, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); 71-50] (RIN: 2120-AA66) received November 26, firm) that I will support and defend Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to 2018, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public the Committee on Energy and Commerce. Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the the Constitution of the United 7015. A letter from the Acting Director, Of- States against all enemies, foreign Committee on Transportation and Infra- fice of Personnel Management, transmitting structure. and domestic; that I will bear true the Office’s Major interim final rule — Fed- 7023. A letter from the Management and faith and allegiance to the same; eral Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program Analyst, FAA, Department of that I take this obligation freely, Program: Extension of Eligibility to Certain Transportation, transmitting the Depart- without any mental reservation or TRICARE-Eligible Individuals; Effective ment’s final rule — Airworthiness Direc- purpose of evasion; and that I will Date of Enrollment (RIN: 3206-AN58) received tives; The Boeing Company Airplanes [Dock- well and faithfully discharge the November 26, 2018, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. et No.: FAA-2018-0408; Product Identifier 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 duties of the office on which I am 2017-NM-146-AD; Amendment 39-19495; AD Stat. 868); to the Committee on Oversight 2018-23-09] (RIN: 2120-AA64) received Novem- about to enter. So help me God.’’ and Government Reform. ber 26, 2018, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); has been subscribed to in person and 7016. A letter from the Acting Director, Of- Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to filed in duplicate with the Clerk of the fice of Personnel Management, transmitting the Committee on Transportation and Infra- House of Representatives by the fol- the Office’s correcting amendment — Per- structure. lowing Member of the 115th Congress, sonnel Management in Agencies received No- 7024. A letter from the Management and pursuant to the provisions of 2 U.S.C. vember 26, 2018, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. Program Analyst, FAA, Department of 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 25: Transportation, transmitting the Depart- Stat. 868); to the Committee on Oversight ment’s final rule — Airworthiness Direc- BRENDA JONES, 13th District of and Government Reform. tives; Airbus SAS Airplanes [Docket No.: Michigan. 7017. A letter from the Honors Attorney, FAA-2018-0297; Product Identifier 2017-NM- f Regulatory Affairs, Office of Chief Counsel, 181-AD; Amendment 39-19497; AD 2018-23-11] Pipeline Hazardous Materials Safety Admin- (RIN: 2120-AA64) received November 26, 2018, EXECUTIVE COMMUNICATIONS, istration, Department of Transportation, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law ETC. transmitting the Department’s final rule — 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Com- Pipeline Safety: Plastic Pipe Rule [Docket mittee on Transportation and Infrastruc- Under clause 2 of rule XIV, executive No.: PHMSA-2014-0098; Amdt. No. 192-124] ture. communications were taken from the (RIN: 2137-AE93) received November 26, 2018, 7025. A letter from the Management and Speaker’s table and referred as follows: pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law Program Analyst, FAA, Department of

VerDate Sep 11 2014 05:21 Nov 30, 2018 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00049 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A29NO7.046 H29NOPT1 lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with HOUSE H9742 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE November 29, 2018 Transportation, transmitting the Depart- NM-070-AD; Amendment 39-1948; AD 2018-22- prove executive agency digital services, and ment’s final rule — Airworthiness Direc- 08] (RIN: 2120-AA64) received November 26, for other purposes; with an amendment tives; Airbus SAS Airplanes [Docket No.: 2018, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public (Rept. 115–1055). Referred to the Committee FAA-2018-0637; Product Identifier 2018-NM- Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the of the Whole House on the state of the 091-AD; Amendment 39-19496; AD 2018-23-10] Committee on Transportation and Infra- Union. (RIN: 2120-AA64) received November 26, 2018, structure. Mr. WALDEN. Committee on Energy and pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 7033. A letter from the Management and Commerce. H.R. 6140. A bill to require the 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Com- Program Analyst, FAA, Department of Secretary of Energy to establish and carry mittee on Transportation and Infrastruc- Transportation, transmitting the Depart- out a program to support the availability of ture. ment’s final rule — Airworthiness Direc- HA–LEU for domestic commercial use, and 7026. A letter from the Management and tives; The Boeing Company Airplanes [Dock- for other purposes; with an amendment Program Analyst, FAA, Department of et No.: FAA-2018-0510; Product Identifier (Rept. 115–1056). Referred to the Committee Transportation, transmitting the Depart- 2017-NM-115-AD; Amendment 39-19483; AD of the Whole House on the state of the ment’s final rule — Airworthiness Direc- 2018-22-10] (RIN: 2120-AA64) received Novem- Union. tives; Airbus SAS Airplanes [Docket No.: ber 26, 2018, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); FAA-2018-0758; Product Identifier 2018-NM- Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to f 093-AD; Amendment 39-19493; AD 2018-23-07] the Committee on Transportation and Infra- PUBLIC BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS (RIN: 2120-AA64) received November 26, 2018, structure. pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 7034. A letter from the Management and Under clause 2 of rule XII, public 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Com- Program Analyst, FAA, Department of bills and resolutions of the following mittee on Transportation and Infrastruc- Transportation, transmitting the Depart- titles were introduced and severally re- ture. ment’s final rule — Airworthiness Direc- ferred, as follows: 7027. A letter from the Management and tives; Airbus SAS Airplanes [Docket No.: By Mr. MACARTHUR: Program Analyst, FAA, Department of FAA-2018-0589; Product Identifier 2018-NM- H.R. 7187. A bill to extend the National Transportation, transmitting the Depart- 021-AD; Amendment 39-19489; AD 2018-23-03] Flood Insurance Program until December 7, ment’s final rule — Airworthiness Direc- (RIN: 2120-AA64) received November 26, 2018, 2018; to the Committee on Financial Serv- tives; International Aero Engines (IAE) Tur- pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law ices. considered and passed. considered and bofan Engines [Docket No.: FAA-2018-0404; 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Com- passed. Product Identifier 2018-NE-15-AD; Amend- mittee on Transportation and Infrastruc- By Mr. RATCLIFFE (for himself, Mr. ment 39-19468; AD 2018-21-10] (RIN: 2120-AA64) ture. RICHMOND, Mr. MCCAUL, Mr. THOMP- received November 26, 2018, pursuant to 5 7035. A letter from the Management and SON of Mississippi, Mr. WALDEN, Mr. U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. Program Analyst, FAA, Department of PALLONE, Mr. SHIMKUS, and Mr. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on Transportation, transmitting the Depart- TONKO): Transportation and Infrastructure. ment’s final rule — Airworthiness Direc- 7028. A letter from the Management and tives; Engine Alliance Turbofan Engines H.R. 7188. A bill to extend by two years the Program Analyst, FAA, Department of [Docket No.: FAA-2018-0934; Product Identi- Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards Transportation, transmitting the Depart- fier 2018-NE-35-AD; Amendment 39-19478; AD Program of the Department of Homeland Se- ment’s final rule — Airworthiness Direc- 2018-22-05] (RIN: 2120-AA64) received Novem- curity, and for other purposes; to the Com- tives; Airbus SAS Airplanes [Docket No.: ber 26, 2018, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); mittee on Homeland Security, and in addi- FAA-2018-0908; Product Identifier 2018-NM- Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to tion to the Committee on Energy and Com- 136-AD; Amendment 39-19486; AD 2018-22-13] the Committee on Transportation and Infra- merce, for a period to be subsequently deter- (RIN: 2120-AA64) received November 26, 2018, structure. mined by the Speaker, in each case for con- pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 7036. A letter from the Management and sideration of such provisions as fall within 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Com- Program Analyst, FAA, Department of the jurisdiction of the committee concerned. mittee on Transportation and Infrastruc- Transportation, transmitting the Depart- By Mr. FOSTER (for himself, Mr. ture. ment’s final rule — Airworthiness Direc- LIPINSKI, and Mr. SCHNEIDER): 7029. A letter from the Management and tives; Airbus SAS Airplanes [Docket No.: H.R. 7189. A bill to modernize the National Program Analyst, FAA, Department of FAA-2018-0958; Product Identifier 2018-NM- Air Toxics Assessment, the Integrated Risk Transportation, transmitting the Depart- 139-AD; Amendment 39-19491; AD 2018-23-05] Information System, and the Agency for ment’s final rule — Airworthiness Direc- (RIN: 2120-AA64) received November 26, 2018, Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, and tives; Bombardier, Inc. Airplanes [Docket pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law for other purposes; to the Committee on En- No.: FAA-2018-0551; Product Identifier 2018- 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Com- ergy and Commerce. NM-023-AD; Amendment 39-19485; AD 2018-22- mittee on Transportation and Infrastruc- By Mr. COLLINS of Georgia (for him- 12] (RIN: 2120-AA64) received November 26, ture. self, Mr. CICILLINE, and Mr. MARINO): 2018, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public 7037. A letter from the Management and H.R. 7190. A bill to amend chapter 11 of Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Program Analyst, FAA, Department of title 11, United States Code, to address reor- Committee on Transportation and Infra- Transportation, transmitting the Depart- ganization of small businesses, and for other structure. ment’s final rule — Airworthiness Direc- purposes; to the Committee on the Judici- 7030. A letter from the Management and tives; The Boeing Company Airplanes [Dock- ary. Program Analyst, FAA, Department of et No.: FAA-2018-0027; Product Identifier By Mr. WOMACK (for himself and Mr. Transportation, transmitting the Depart- 2017-NM-118-AD; Amendment 39-19482; AD YARMUTH): ment’s final rule — Airworthiness Direc- 2018-22-09] (RIN: 2120-AA64) received Novem- H.R. 7191. A bill to implement reforms to tives; International Aero Engines Turbofan ber 26, 2018, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); the budget and appropriations process in the Engines [Docket No.: FAA-2018-0431; Product Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to House of Representatives; to the Committee Identifier 2018-NE-16-AD; Amendment 39- the Committee on Transportation and Infra- on the Budget, and in addition to the Com- 19475; AD 2018-22-02] (RIN: 2120-AA64) received structure. mittee on Rules, for a period to be subse- November 26, 2018, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 7038. A letter from the Management and quently determined by the Speaker, in each 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Program Analyst, FAA, Department of case for consideration of such provisions as Stat. 868); to the Committee on Transpor- Transportation, transmitting the Depart- fall within the jurisdiction of the committee tation and Infrastructure. ment’s final rule — Airworthiness Direc- concerned. 7031. A letter from the Management and tives; SOCATA Airplanes [Docket No.: FAA- By Mr. CARTWRIGHT: Program Analyst, FAA, Department of 2018-0326; Product Identifier 2018-CE-006-AD; H.R. 7192. A bill to enhance the early warn- Transportation, transmitting the Depart- Amendment 39-19464; AD 2018-21-06] (RIN: ing reporting requirements for motor vehicle ment’s final rule — Airworthiness Direc- 2120-AA64) received November 26, 2018, pursu- manufacturers, and for other purposes; to tives; Honeywell International Inc. Turbo- ant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104- the Committee on Energy and Commerce. prop Engines [Docket No.: FAA-2018-0216; 121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee By Miss GONZA´ LEZ-COLO´ N of Puerto Product Identifier 1988-ANE-18-AD; Amend- on Transportation and Infrastructure. Rico: ment 39-19474; AD 2018-22-01] (RIN: 2120-AA64) f H.R. 7193. A bill to amend the VA MISSION received November 26, 2018, pursuant to 5 Act of 2018 to expand the veterans healing U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. REPORTS OF COMMITTEES ON veterans medical access and scholarship pro- 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on PUBLIC BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS gram to include more students and schools; Transportation and Infrastructure. Under clause 2 of rule XIII, reports of to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs. 7032. A letter from the Management and By Ms. HERRERA BEUTLER (for her- committees were delivered to the Clerk Program Analyst, FAA, Department of self and Mr. GIBBS): Transportation, transmitting the Depart- for printing and reference to the proper H.R. 7194. A bill to repeal the Waters of the ment’s final rule — Airworthiness Direc- calendar, as follows: United States rule and amend the Federal tives; Bombardier, Inc., Airplanes [Docket Mr. GOWDY: Committee on Oversight and Water Pollution Control Act definition of No.: FAA-2018-0585; Product Identifier 2018- Government Reform. H.R. 5759. A bill to im- navigable waters, and for other purposes; to

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the Committee on Transportation and Infra- By Mr. LYNCH (for himself, Mr. CAPU- which shall be necessary and proper for car- structure. ANO, Ms. CLARK of Massachusetts, rying into Execution the foregoing Powers, By Ms. MOORE (for herself, Ms. SCHA- and Mr. KEATING): and all other Powers vested by this Constitu- KOWSKY, Mr. PAYNE, Mr. HASTINGS, H. Con. Res. 143. Concurrent resolution tion in the Government of the United States, and Ms. WILSON of Florida): honoring the 75th anniversary of the All- or in any Department or Officer thereof;’’ H.R. 7195. A bill to amend title II of the So- American Girls Professional Baseball League and Article III, Section 1, Clause 1, Sentence cial Security Act to make various reforms to (AAGPBL); to the Committee on Oversight 1, and Section 2, Clause 1 of the Constitu- Social Security, and for other purposes; to and Government Reform. tion, in that the legislation defines or affects the Committee on Ways and Means. By Mr. LEVIN: judicial powers and cases that are subject to By Mr. REED (for himself, Mr. H. Res. 1161. A resolution directing the legislation by Congress. LAHOOD, and Mr. PAULSEN): Speaker to administer the oath of office to By Mr. WOMACK: H.R. 7196. A bill to amend the Internal Rev- the representative-elect from the 13th Con- H.R. 7191. enue Code of 1986 to provide investment and gressional District of Michigan; considered Congress has the power to enact this legis- production tax credits for emerging energy and agreed to. considered and agreed to. lation pursuant to the following: technologies, and for other purposes; to the By Mr. ENGEL (for himself and Mr. Article 1, Section 9, Clause 7, which pro- Committee on Ways and Means. ROYCE of California): vides that, ‘‘No money shall be drawn from By Miss RICE of New York: H. Res. 1162. A resolution expressing the the Treasury, but in Consequence of Appro- H.R. 7197. A bill to authorize the Secretary sense of the House of Representatives with priations made by Law; and a regular State- of Energy to make grants to local edu- respect to Ukraine, and for other purposes; ment and Account of the Receipts and Ex- cational agencies for purposes of supporting to the Committee on Foreign Affairs. penditures of all public Money shall be pub- renewable energy-based heating and cooling By Mr. GRIJALVA (for himself, Ms. lish from time to time.’’ systems in schools; to the Committee on NORTON, Ms. MOORE, Ms. BASS, Mr. By Mr. CARTWRIGHT: Education and the Workforce. KHANNA, Mr. PALLONE, Mr. RUIZ, Mr. H.R. 7192. By Miss RICE of New York (for herself, NOLAN, Mr. LARSEN of Washington, Congress has the power to enact this legis- Mr. ZELDIN, Ms. MENG, Mr. MEEKS, Mr. O’HALLERAN, Mr. COHEN, Mr. lation pursuant to the following: Mr. SUOZZI, and Mr. KING of New MULLIN, Ms. JAYAPAL, Mr. POCAN, Article I, Section 8, Clause 3 ´ ´ York): Ms. ROSEN, Mr. GALLEGO, Mr. By Miss GONZALEZ-COLON of Puerto H.R. 7198. A bill to authorize the Secretary TAKANO, Ms. LEE, Mr. BEN RAY LUJA´ N Rico: of the Interior to conduct a study of alter- of New Mexico, and Mr. COLE): H.R. 7193. natives for commemorating Long Island’s H. Res. 1163. A resolution recognizing Na- Congress has the power to enact this legis- aviation history, including a determination tional Native American Heritage Month and lation pursuant to the following: of the suitability and feasibility of desig- celebrating the heritages and cultures of Na- Article I, Section 1 of the U.S. Constitu- nating parts of the study area as a unit of tive Americans and the contributions of Na- tion the National Park System, and for other tive Americans to the United States; to the ‘‘All legislative Powers herein granted purposes; to the Committee on Natural Re- Committee on Oversight and Government shall be vested in a Congress of the United sources. Reform. States, which shall consist of a Senate and House of Representatives.’’ By Mr. SCHNEIDER (for himself and f Article I, Section 8, Clause 18 of the U.S. Mr. KELLY of Mississippi): H.R. 7199. A bill to support entrepreneurs CONSTITUTIONAL AUTHORITY Constitution Congress shall have the power . . . ‘‘To serving in the National Guard and Reserve, STATEMENT make all Laws which shall be necessary and and for other purposes; to the Committee on Pursuant to clause 7 of rule XII of proper for carrying into Execution the fore- Small Business. the Rules of the House of Representa- going Powers, and all other Powers vested by By Mr. AUSTIN SCOTT of Georgia: tives, the following statements are sub- this Constitution in the Government of the H.R. 7200. A bill to extend indemnity for United States, or in any Department or Offi- wildfires and hurricanes, and for other pur- mitted regarding the specific powers cer thereof.’’ poses; to the Committee on Agriculture. granted to Congress in the Constitu- By Ms. HERRERA BEUTLER: By Mr. SMITH of Texas (for himself, tion to enact the accompanying bill or H.R. 7194. Mr. OLSON, Mr. SENSENBRENNER, Mr. joint resolution. Congress has the power to enact this legis- POE of Texas, Mr. RATCLIFFE, Mr. By Mr. MACARTHUR: lation pursuant to the following: GENE GREEN of Texas, and Mr. H.R. 7187. Article I, Section 8, Clause 3 CUELLAR): Congress has the power to enact this legis- By Ms. MOORE: H.R. 7201. A bill to amend title 35, United lation pursuant to the following: H.R. 7195. States Code, to include the exclusive eco- Article I, section 8, clause 1 (relating to Congress has the power to enact this legis- nomic zone as part of the United States for the general welfare of the United States); lation pursuant to the following: patent infringement, and for other purposes; and Article I, section 8, clause 3 (relating to Article 1, Section 8 to the Committee on the Judiciary. the power to regulate interstate commerce) By Mr. REED: By Mr. WELCH (for himself and Mr. By Mr. RATCLIFFE: H.R. 7196. SIMPSON): H.R. 7188. Congress has the power to enact this legis- H.R. 7202. A bill to require a study to deter- Congress has the power to enact this legis- lation pursuant to the following: mine the best available estimate of the total lation pursuant to the following: Article I, Section 8, Clause 18: The Con- amount of nonhighway recreational fuel Article 1, Section 8, Clause 18—To make all gress shall have Power to make all Laws taxes received by the Secretary of the Treas- Laws which shall be necessary and proper for which shall be necessary and proper for car- ury; to the Committee on Transportation carrying into Execution the foregoing Pow- rying into Execution the foregoing Powers, and Infrastructure, and in addition to the ers, and all other Powers vested by this Con- and all other Powers vested by this Constitu- Committee on Ways and Means, for a period stitution in the Government of the United tion in the Government of the United States, to be subsequently determined by the Speak- States, or in any Department or Officer or in any Department or Officer thereof. er, in each case for consideration of such pro- thereof. Article I, Section 8, Clause 1: The Congress visions as fall within the jurisdiction of the By Mr. FOSTER: shall have Power to lay and collect Taxes, committee concerned. H.R. 7189. Duties, Imposts and Excises, to pay the By Mr. AMASH: Congress has the power to enact this legis- Debts and provide for the common Defence H.J. Res. 142. A joint resolution directing lation pursuant to the following: and general Welfare of the United States; but the President to terminate the use of the This bill is enacted pursuant to the power all Duties, Imposts and Excises shall be uni- United States Armed Forces with respect to granted to Congress under Article I, Section form throughout the United States. the military intervention led by Saudi Ara- 8, Clauses 1 and 18 of the United States Con- Article I, Section 8, Clause 3: The Congress bia in the Republic of Yemen; to the Com- stitution. shall have Power to regulate Commerce with mittee on Foreign Affairs. By Mr. COLLINS of Georgia: foreign Nations, and among the several By Mr. KHANNA (for himself, Mr. H.R. 7190. States, and with the Indian Tribes. POCAN, Mr. MASSIE, Mr. JONES of Congress has the power to enact this legis- By Miss RICE of New York: North Carolina, Mr. MCGOVERN, Ms. lation pursuant to the following: H.R. 7197. GABBARD, and Ms. LEE): Article I, Section 8, Clause 4 of the United Congress has the power to enact this legis- H. Con. Res. 142. Concurrent resolution di- States Constitution, in that the legislation lation pursuant to the following: recting the President pursuant to section concerns the establishment of a uniform law Article I, Section 8 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution to remove on bankruptcies throughout the United By Miss RICE of New York: United States Armed Forces from hostilities States; Article I, Section 8, Clause 18 of the H.R. 7198. in the Republic of Yemen that have not been United States Constitution, in that the legis- Congress has the power to enact this legis- authorized by Congress; to the Committee on lation exercises legislative power granted to lation pursuant to the following: Foreign Affairs. Congress by that clause ‘‘to make all Laws Article I, Section 8

VerDate Sep 11 2014 05:21 Nov 30, 2018 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00051 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\L29NO7.100 H29NOPT1 lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with HOUSE H9744 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE November 29, 2018 By Mr. SCHNEIDER: ADDITIONAL SPONSORS Texas, Mr. BURGESS, Mr. BROWN of Maryland, Mr. PAYNE, Mr. CUMMINGS, Mr. MCEACHIN, H.R. 7199. Under clause 7 of rule XII, sponsors Ms. CLARKE of New York, Mrs. BEATTY, Mr. Congress has the power to enact this legis- were added to public bills and resolu- lation pursuant to the following: THOMPSON of Mississippi, Mr. RASKIN, Ms. tions, as follows: Article I WASSERMAN SCHULTZ, Mr. BUTTERFIELD, Ms. By Mr. AUSTIN SCOTT of Georgia: H.R. 92: Ms. SEWELL of Alabama. MOORE, Mr. RICHMOND, and Ms. KAPTUR. H.R. 7200. H.R. 1318: Ms. JAYAPAL. H.R. 4828: Mr. COSTA. H.R. 1759: Mr. EVANS. Congress has the power to enact this legis- H.R. 5248: Ms. NORTON. H.R. 1847: Mr. STIVERS. lation pursuant to the following: H.R. 5678: Mr. CONAWAY. H.R. 1898: Mr. HOLLINGSWORTH. H.R. 5911: Mr. SIRES. Article I, Section 8 of the United States H.R. 2315: Mr. FERGUSON, Mr. SANFORD, Mr. H.R. 6016: Ms. VELA´ ZQUEZ. Constitution. CA´ RDENAS, Mr. ROUZER, Mr. HOLDING, Mr. H.R. 6051: Ms. PINGREE. By Mr. SMITH of Texas: SMITH of Missouri, Mr. CUELLAR, Mr. H.R. 6165: Mr. PERLMUTTER. H.R. 7201. BRENDAN F. BOYLE of Pennsylvania, Mr. H.R. 6225: Mr. KIND. Congress has the power to enact this legis- ESTES of Kansas, Ms. KELLY of Illinois, Mr. H.R. 6269: Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. lation pursuant to the following: BALDERSON, Mr. GRAVES of Georgia, Mr. H.R. 6272: Mrs. DINGELL. Clause 8 of section 8 of Article I of the Con- GRAVES of Louisiana, Mr. RUSSELL, Mr. CUL- stitution. BERSON, Mr. CLOUD, and Mrs. LOVE. H.R. 6274: Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. By Mr. WELCH: H.R. 2417: Mr. CLEAVER and Mr. SHERMAN. H.R. 6543: Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia, Ms. H.R. 7202. H.R. 2542: Ms. LOFGREN. JACKSON LEE, Mr. GOMEZ, and Mr. DEUTCH. H.R. 6816: Mr. MESSER. Congress has the power to enact this legis- H.R. 2856: Mr. MITCHELL. lation pursuant to the following: H.R. 3272: Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. H.R. 6854: Mr. PITTENGER. H.R. 3467: Mr. FOSTER. Article 1, Section 8, Clause 18: The Con- H.R. 6983: Mr. CRAWFORD. H.R. 3598: Ms. PINGREE. gress shall have Power To . . . make all H.R. 6987: Ms. SPEIER. H.R. 4022: Mr. CASTRO of Texas. Laws which shall be necessary and proper for H.R. 6988: Mr. COLE, Ms. STEFANIK, and Mr. H.R. 4107: Mr. HURD, Ms. ESTY of Con- carrying into Execution the foregoing Pow- PRICE of North Carolina. necticut, and Ms. KELLY of Illinois. ers, and all other Powers vested by this Con- H.R. 7028: Mr. VARGAS. H.R. 4256: Mr. AUSTIN SCOTT of Georgia, stitution in the Government of the United H.R. 7035: Ms. NORTON. Mr. BALDERSON, and Mr. CA´ RDENAS. H.R. 7059: Mr. LATTA. States, or in any Department or Officer H.R. 4339: Mr. KIND. H.R. 7061: Mr. DELANEY. thereof. H.R. 4454: Ms. NORTON. H.R. 7082: Mr. LOWENTHAL and Mr. JOHNSON By Mr. AMASH: H.R. 4485: Ms. VELA´ ZQUEZ. of Georgia. H.J. Res. 142. H.R. 4732: Mr. KUSTOFF of Tennessee, Mr. Congress has the power to enact this legis- YARMUTH, Mr. GUTHRIE, Ms. PINGREE, Mr. H.R. 7084: Mr. WESTERMAN. lation pursuant to the following: SABLAN, and Miss RICE of New York. H.R. 7097: Mrs. LESKO. Article I, Section 8, Clause 14 of the Con- H.R. 4745: Mr. TAKANO, Mr. LEWIS of Geor- H.R. 7123: Mr. SIRES. stitution (authorizing Congress to ‘‘make gia, Ms. JONES of Michigan, Ms. BASS, Mr. H.R. 7160: Mr. SHERMAN. Rules for the Government and Regulation of CASTRO of Texas, Mr. CLAY, Mrs. DINGELL, H.R. 7173: Mr. TROTT. the land and naval Forces’’). Article I, Sec- Mr. PALLONE, Ms. LEE, Mrs. WATSON COLE- H. Res. 751: Mr. PERLMUTTER. tion 8, Clause 11 of the Constitution author- MAN, Mr. KENNEDY, Ms. SCHAKOWSKY, Mr. H. Res. 910: Mr. PITTENGER and Ms. LOF- izes Congress to ‘‘declare War.’’ Congress did EVANS, Mr. ESPAILLAT, Mr. POCAN, Mr. KIL- GREN. not declare war or authorize the use of the DEE, Mr. AL GREEN of Texas, Ms. EDDIE BER- H. Res. 1145: Mr. DEFAZIO, Mr. SHERMAN, Armed Forces in the conflict in Yemen, and NICE JOHNSON of Texas, Mr. VELA, Ms. SE- Mr. COHEN, and Mr. KIHUEN. this resolution takes corrective action. WELL of Alabama, Mrs. LOVE, Mr. POE of H. Res. 1150: Mr. CORREA and Mr. PETERS.

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