E PL UR UM IB N U U S Congressional Record United States th of America PROCEEDINGS AND DEBATES OF THE 117 CONGRESS, FIRST SESSION

Vol. 167 WASHINGTON, THURSDAY, JANUARY 21, 2021 No. 12 House of Representatives The House met at 2 p.m. and was Members and staff throughout the Cap- OFFICE OF THE CLERK, called to order by the Speaker. itol, to rise for a moment of silence in HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Washington, DC, January 19, 2021. f remembrance of more than 400,000 Americans who have passed away from Hon. NANCY PELOSI, PRAYER Speaker, House of Representatives, the COVID–19 virus. The Chaplain, Reverend Margaret Washington, DC. DEAR MADAM SPEAKER: Pursuant to the Grun Kibben, offered the following f permission granted in Clause 2(h) of Rule II prayer: of the Rules of the U.S. House of Representa- Almighty God, on this first full day MAKING IN ORDER AT ANY TIME tives, the Clerk received the following mes- of a new administration, we offer our CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 335, sage from the Secretary of the Senate on heartfelt prayers for the leaders of this PROVIDING FOR EXCEPTION TO January 19, 2021, at 1:10 p.m.: country and for the future of our Na- That the Senate is ready to receive Man- LIMITATION AGAINST APPOINT- agers appointed by the House. tion. May they and we humble our- MENT OF PERSONS AS SEC- selves before You and call upon Your With best wishes, I am, RETARY OF DEFENSE WITHIN Sincerely, name. May they and each of us seek SEVEN YEARS OF RELIEF FROM ROBERT F. REEVES, Your face in our midst as we lift up our ACTIVE DUTY Deputy Clerk. hearts to You. As a people, we confess f the malice of our ways. Mr. MCGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, I ask Hear us in Your Heaven, forgive our unanimous consent that it be in order RECESS sin, and heal our land. Consecrate this at any time to consider H.R. 335 in the House if called up by the chair of the The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- House that Your name may abide with ant to clause 12(a) of rule I, the Chair us forever. Open Your eyes to us, and Committee on Armed Services or his designee; that all points of order declares the House in recess for a pe- may Your ears be attentive to our riod of less than 15 minutes. prayer, for we pray in the strength of against consideration of the bill be waived; that the bill be considered as Accordingly (at 2 o’clock and 5 min- Your holy name. utes p.m.), the House stood in recess. Amen. read; that all points of order against f f provisions in the bill be waived; and that the previous question be consid- b 1412 THE JOURNAL ered as ordered on the bill and on any The SPEAKER. Pursuant to section amendment thereto to final passage AFTER RECESS 5(a)(1)(A) of House Resolution 8, the without intervening motion except: (1) The recess having expired, the House Journal of the last day’s proceedings is 1 hour of debate equally divided and was called to order by the Speaker pro approved. controlled by the chair and ranking tempore (Mr. CUELLAR) at 2 o’clock and f minority member of the Committee on 12 minutes p.m. Armed Services or their respective des- PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE ignees; and (2) one motion to recom- f The SPEAKER. Will the gentleman mit. PROVIDING FOR EXCEPTION TO from Massachusetts (Mr. MCGOVERN) The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. LIMITATION AGAINST APPOINT- come forward and lead the House in the CUELLAR). Is there objection to the re- MENT OF PERSONS AS SEC- Pledge of Allegiance. quest of the gentleman from Massachu- RETARY OF DEFENSE WITHIN Mr. MCGOVERN led the Pledge of Al- setts? SEVEN YEARS OF RELIEF FROM legiance as follows: There was no objection. ACTIVE DUTY I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the Mr. SMITH of Washington. Mr. United States of America, and to the Repub- f lic for which it stands, one nation under God, Speaker, pursuant to the order of the indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. House of January 21, 2021, I call up the COMMUNICATION FROM THE f bill (H.R. 335) to provide for an excep- CLERK OF THE HOUSE tion to a limitation against appoint- MOMENT OF SILENCE IN REMEM- The SPEAKER pro tempore laid be- ment of persons as Secretary of De- BRANCE OF VICTIMS OF COVID–19 fore the House the following commu- fense within seven years of relief from The SPEAKER. The Chair asks all nication from the Clerk of the House of active duty as a regular commissioned Members in the Chamber, as well as Representatives: officer of the Armed Forces, and ask

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 02:01 Jan 22, 2021 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A21JA7.000 H21JAPT1 ctelli on DSK11ZRN23PROD with HOUSE H210 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE January 21, 2021 for its immediate consideration in the on this portion of the waiver—that he The military has a problem with di- House. understands and is committed to civil- versity. They have an insufficient num- The Clerk read the title of the bill. ian control of the military? ber of people of color who have been ad- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- b 1415 vanced to high positions, to general ant to the order of the House of today, and general flag officers. It is enor- the bill is considered read. Second, is there something about mously important that they address The text of the bill is as follows: this particular nominee that makes it that. important to grant this exclusion, to H.R. 335 In addition, in this country, we have grant this waiver? an enormous problem right now with Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- And, third, is the individual qualified resentatives of the United States of America in White supremacy. We also have a prob- Congress assembled, for the job? Because I do believe that lem within our military ranks. SECTION 1. EXCEPTION TO LIMITATION AGAINST that is important, and the details of Now, let me be perfectly clear: I have APPOINTMENT OF PERSONS AS SEC- their history is important in deciding 100 percent confidence in our military. RETARY OF DEFENSE WITHIN SEVEN that. But this is an issue that they do need YEARS OF RELIEF FROM ACTIVE And I have, after a lot of thought and DUTY AS REGULAR COMMISSIONED to address, the rise of White supremacy OFFICERS OF THE ARMED FORCES. a lot of conversations with Mr. Austin and White nationalism within their (a) IN GENERAL.—Notwithstanding the sec- and others, concluded that all three of ranks. Having a highly qualified Afri- ond sentence of section 113(a) of title 10, those criteria are met in this instance. can American be Secretary of Defense United States Code, the first person ap- Taking the last one first, Lloyd Aus- will be an enormous step toward ad- pointed, by and with the advice and consent tin is unquestionably highly qualified dressing that problem. of the Senate, as Secretary of Defense in an to be the Secretary of Defense. He had So I believe 100 percent Mr. Austin appointment made on or after January 20, a distinguished career in the military, has met the criteria to be granted this 2021, may be a person who is, on the date of serving in multiple different command appointment, within seven years after relief, exclusion. but not within four years after relief, from posts, including the commanding gen- Lastly, I want to say, this law still active duty as a commissioned officer of a eral in Iraq, the head of CENTCOM, matters because without this law we regular component of the Armed Forces. and the Vice Chief of Staff of the wouldn’t have this process. We would (b) LIMITED EXCEPTION.—This section ap- Army. It is beyond question that Lloyd not have the opportunity to question plies only to the first person nominated after Austin is qualified for this job. Mr. Austin in advance of his confirma- 12 p.m. (Eastern Standard Time) on January He just finished a 2-hour presentation tion in the Senate. So the law has 20, 2021, and appointed as Secretary of De- before the Armed Services Committee, upheld its meaning and its role, to fense as described in subsection (a), and to taking our questions, in which he made no other person. maintain civilian control of the mili- it absolutely clear that he has a keen tary, by forcing this conversation. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The bill understanding of the issues that are Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to shall be debatable for 1 hour, equally going to face the Secretary of Defense vote in favor of the waiver for Lloyd divided and controlled by the chair and and the experience and the intelligence Austin, and I reserve the balance of my the ranking minority member of the necessary to deal with them. He is time. Committee on Armed Services. highly qualified. Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speak- The gentleman from Washington (Mr. On the first question of civilian con- er, I yield myself such time as I may SMITH) and the gentleman from Ala- trol of the military, he has assured us consume. bama (Mr. ROGERS) each will control 30 over and over again of how important Mr. Speaker, before I begin, I want to minutes. that is, and, more importantly, his ac- take a minute to thank the men and The Chair recognizes the gentleman tions reflect that. women of the National Guard for the from Washington. He has come before the House, which service they have provided in pro- GENERAL LEAVE you do not typically have to do in tecting this Capitol over the last 2 Mr. SMITH of Washington. Mr. order to be confirmed to a Secretary- weeks. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that level position, but he has called us and I especially want to thank the 750 all Members may have 5 legislative he has reached out to us in a way that, men and women from the State of Ala- days in which to revise and extend frankly, 4 years ago, the Trump admin- bama who came here to the call of their remarks and include extraneous istration did not permit then-Sec- duty. material on H.R. 335. retary-nominee Jim Mattis to do. Once again, these citizen soldiers left The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there He has called countless members of their homes and their jobs to respond objection to the request of the gen- the committee; he has met with us. He to this call, and, although it is unfortu- tleman from Washington? has showed us that he respects what is nate they were needed, it is certainly There was no objection. really one of the cornerstones of civil- appreciated by all of us that they were Mr. SMITH of Washington. Mr. ian control of the military, and that is here. Speaker, I yield myself 3 minutes. the House and the Senate. We are the Mr. Speaker, I firmly believe that Mr. Speaker, this is the bill that will ones who have oversight over the Pen- each President deserves the oppor- grant a waiver, an exemption, to Lloyd tagon. He has shown that he respects tunity to fill their Cabinet as they see Austin to be nominated and confirmed that. fit. And I agree that it is important to as the Secretary of Defense. This is re- So I can tell you and all Members confirm President Biden’s national se- quired because there is a law on the voting, without a shadow of a doubt, I curity team as soon as possible, espe- books that says that you must be 7 have no concern whatsoever about cially given the grave threats that we years separated from military service Lloyd Austin upholding civilian con- face. in order to serve as Secretary of De- trol of the military. Four years ago, this House provided a fense. And then there is the second issue: process to consider a waiver for Gen- Mr. Austin has been out for almost 5 Why this person, in this instance? Mr. eral Mattis. We were all disappointed years, but does not meet the 7-year re- Austin will be the first African Amer- when General Mattis did not appear be- quirement. So we need to pass this law ican nominated. fore the Armed Services Committee. to give him that exemption. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Yet the Armed Services Committee Now, this is not an easy question. Ci- time of the gentleman from Wash- still convened and held a public mark- vilian control of the military is enor- ington has expired. up of the waiver, which passed without mously important. That is why this Mr. SMITH of Washington. Mr. a single vote from any Democrat. Then law was put in place. But in looking at Speaker, I yield myself an additional 1 the full House debated and voted on the this, I feel there are three basic ques- minute. waiver. tions: Mr. Austin will be the first African This time around, the Armed Serv- Number one, does the nominee in American nominated to be Secretary of ices Committee was excluded from the question understand and reassure us in Defense, which is enormously impor- process by the Democrat leadership of the House—for the purposes of our vote tant in and of itself. this House. This was not a decision

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:01 Jan 22, 2021 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K21JA7.003 H21JAPT1 ctelli on DSK11ZRN23PROD with HOUSE January 21, 2021 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H211 made by Chairman SMITH, who wanted I hope the rest of the Biden adminis- These are real challenges that erode a public hearing as much as I did. tration shares his commitment for pro- the effectiveness of our military. That There has been no public hearing, no viding for our men and women in uni- is why we need a leader like Lloyd Aus- markup of a waiver, no opportunity for form the resources they need to suc- tin. He understands the complexities of amendments. cessfully defend our Nation. the military and the challenges our Just 4 years ago, Democrat leader- Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of country faces. His lived experience and ship told us how important it was to my time. his professional record cry out for a follow regular order and allow the Mr. SMITH of Washington. Mr. waiver to lead the Department of De- Armed Services Committee to consider Speaker, I yield myself 30 seconds. fense. the Mattis waiver. Mr. Speaker, we are going to have President Biden is committed to ci- Speaker PELOSI said, ‘‘The American process arguments all year long in this vilian control of the military, pro- people are entitled to regular order and House, but what was just said is really tecting our men and women in uni- thoughtful scrutiny of nominees and disingenuous. The only reason that we form, and restoring American leader- any potential waivers.’’ didn’t go through regular order, the ship. President Biden has confidence in Majority Leader HOYER said, ‘‘The only reason we didn’t have a public Lloyd Austin, and so should we. He is committee has a right and a responsi- hearing, and the only reason we didn’t the right man for this moment for our bility to inquire of General Mattis why have a vote in our committee is be- military. he thinks he ought to be given a waiv- cause the Republicans, as we stand Mr. Speaker, I strongly urge my col- er.’’ here right now, have not appointed leagues to support the waiver of soon- I guess this time around they don’t their members to the Armed Services to-be Secretary Lloyd Austin at the feel the same way. Committee. So, therefore, we don’t Department of Defense. Mr. Speaker, civilian control of the Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speak- have a committee. military is a fundamental tenet of our er, I yield myself such time as I may It is the day after Mr. Biden has be- Republic. It is rooted in our Constitu- consume. come President. He needs his Secretary tion. The law prohibiting recently re- Mr. Speaker, I want to address my of Defense. I have begged the Repub- tired military from serving as Sec- friend, the chairman’s remarks about licans for the better part of a month to retary of Defense was enacted shortly the establishment of the Armed Serv- appoint their members so we could do after World War II to uphold this prin- ices Committee. our job. ciple. We did not establish our members In nearly 75 years, the law has only So for them to choose not to appoint from our steering committee because been waived twice, for General Mar- their members and then come to the we didn’t get our ratio from the Demo- shall and General Mattis. This will be floor crying about process, that is not crat leadership until last week. It was the third time. really fair. We tried to do the process physically not possible. But Biden didn’t have to do it this right. They stopped us from doing the Had we gotten our ratio a month ago way. There was a strong pool of diverse process right. I want the record to re- or even 2 weeks ago, we would have sat civilians and former military leaders flect that. our members, and we would have had a with qualifications and experience to Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the sitting committee. serve as Secretary. President Biden gentleman from Maryland (Mr. The reason we didn’t have a public could have selected from this talent BROWN), a soon-to-be member of the hearing today, the chairman is right, pool, but he chose not to. Armed Services Committee. we didn’t have a sitting committee. I voted for the waiver for General Mr. BROWN. Mr. Speaker, Lloyd That is the fault of the Democrat lead- Mattis, and I will vote for the waiver Austin, as we have heard, would be our ership, not the minority. for General Austin. For me, it is just country’s first African-American Sec- Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the fair—a waiver for a Republican Presi- retary of Defense. His confirmation is gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. GALLA- dent and a waiver for a Democrat more than a symbolic milestone to- GHER), my friend and colleague. Mr. GALLAGHER. Mr. Speaker, I President. wards genuine integration of the De- thank my colleague from Alabama for But I stand here frustrated by this partment of Defense; it is a substantive his strong leadership as our new rank- dysfunctional process. President answer to many of the challenges that ing member, and I look forward to Trump and President Biden forced this the military faces. working with him and the chairman on Congress into situations made worse, What are those challenges, Mr. what is truly still, I think, the most bi- this time around, by the Speaker’s de- Speaker? White supremacy and extre- mism. There is a dramatic rise in partisan committee in Congress. cision to ignore regular order. I want to make clear that I have White supremacists and racist hate Congress should not have to enter- enormous respect for General Austin’s groups within our military. They ac- tain these waivers. Presidents need to service. I don’t think anyone can look tively recruit from our uniformed follow the law as written. They need to at his record and not come away very ranks. A Military Times survey found stop asking Congress to waive a stat- impressed. ute. And we certainly shouldn’t be an alarming rise in White supremacist But I also strongly oppose this bill. forced to do so outside of regular order. and racist ideology in the military. There is no waiver; we are actually If Presidents don’t think the law mat- What are those challenges, Mr. changing the underlying law. This was ters, then they need to address this Speaker? The lack of diversity inclu- one of the biggest talking points 4 waiver issue in this year’s NDAA. sion at our highest ranks and in our years ago. And we should not do so Mr. Speaker, America faces extraor- coveted career fields. Racial and ethnic lightly. dinary threats from strategic competi- groups make up more than 40 percent Much has been made about the his- tors like China and Russia, rogue na- of the Nation’s military, but there is a toric nature of Mr. Austin’s nomina- tions like Iran and North Korea, as significant lack of diversity in civilian tion, which is true but in more ways well as terrorists and other and military leadership at the most than one. If we change the law today, transnational enemies. It is more crit- senior levels, due in large part to sys- we will now have done so twice within ical now than ever to strengthen our temic racial bias in promotion and as- 4 years, effectively destroying the his- military, address mounting readiness signment boards. This hurts the mili- torical precedent against such exemp- problems, and modernize our conven- tary, our readiness and our effective- tions. tional and nuclear forces to defeat ness. We will also invert the congressional these threats. Who are those challenges, Mr. Speak- intent in the underlying National Se- I believe General Austin understands er? The military isn’t immune from the curity Act by setting the precedent the threats that we face. I believe he racial injustice that we see in the that the presumption is for approval, respects the principle of civilian con- broader criminal justice system. Under not the disapproval, of recently retired trol. I believe he will stand up to the the Uniform Code of Military Justice officers. efforts of many of the Democrat major- today, a Black servicemember is two So the law and the norm of civil- ity who seek to slash defense spending times more likely to be court- military relations that it is meant to and rewrite our defense strategy. martialed or punished. buttress is on life support right now.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:01 Jan 22, 2021 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K21JA7.005 H21JAPT1 ctelli on DSK11ZRN23PROD with HOUSE H212 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE January 21, 2021 And, as in 2017, we will be granting Though I will oppose changing the and met our request to come to speak this exemption without a public hear- law again for the second time in 4 to Armed Services Committee mem- ing of the Armed Services Committee, years, I very much look forward to bers. That did not happen under Gen- which is the bare minimum of our con- working with my colleagues, both Re- eral Mattis. I am a big fan of General stitutional obligations. We will be get- publican and Democratic. I genuinely Mattis, but President Trump said he ting rolled over, to borrow a phrase appreciate the honest exchange of could not come speak to the Congress, that was used 4 years ago. views we had 4 years ago and 4 years and that is a big difference. That is a And I don’t know, I am not in the later. I can only say that 4 years from big difference. room where these ratios are discussed, now, I hope we are not having the same Again, with gratitude to President and this and that, but it seems to me debate because it will prove we have Biden in recognizing the important that it is worth waiting a few days in learned nothing from this. role that the House of Representatives order to have such a public hearing, Mr. SMITH of Washington. Mr. plays in this, I had the privilege, as but it is my understanding that our en- Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentle- have other Members, of hearing from tire workweek next week has been can- woman from California (Ms. PELOSI), General Austin as well as the com- celed. the distinguished Speaker of the mittee today. So I don’t think it withstands basic House. By the way, in case you didn’t notice, scrutiny to suggest that we couldn’t Ms. PELOSI. Mr. Speaker, I thank when we are talking about timetables have had a public hearing to discuss the gentleman for yielding and for his relating to committee ratios, 2 weeks this very, very important issue. extraordinary leadership as chair of ago, there was an insurrection in this Now, 4 years ago, I voted in favor of the Armed Services Committee. Chamber. It was disruptive of the nor- the exemption for Secretary Mattis. I He brings us to the floor today for a mal pattern unfolding. We all had to think it was my first vote. It was cer- very special privilege. We in the House adjust our schedules and address the tainly my first speech on the House really most of the time do not have too needs of our caucuses and this Congress floor. So it is fair to ask what has much say as to who will be a member accordingly, in case you didn’t notice. changed. Well, a lot has changed. of the Cabinet. That is, advise and con- Again, my conversations with the First and perhaps most importantly, sent responsibility lies with the Sen- Secretary-designate have assured me the threat from China is far greater, ate. But today, because of the special that he understands, respects, and will and we need a Secretary with nature of the appointee, we are here to uphold the critical priority of civilian INDOPACOM experience. The nominee talk about a waiver. control of the military. He has spoken has admitted that he is not uniquely As a Member of Congress, again, several times to the chairman of the qualified in that regard, and I don’t there is no more serious responsibility. House Armed Services Committee and think there is a more important aspect It is the oath we take to protect and members of the committee and has of his experience that we could analyze defend. Our responsibility is to protect given similar assurances. in considering whether to change the the American people. That responsi- The Secretary-designate has further underlying law. Second, budgetary pressures on the bility is why we must waste no time demonstrated his commitment to Department are much bigger. Particu- ensuring that President Joe Biden’s na- transparency with the Congress, re- larly in the post-pandemic world, it is tional defense and national security specting the weight of the decision going to be far more difficult to build team is confirmed, ready and able to that we now make by, as I mentioned, off of the success that we have had in keep our country and our people safe. meeting with members of the Armed President Biden selected a highly giving the Department the resources it Services Committee to discuss this qualified and widely respected leader in needs, and we will need a Secretary issue earlier today. nominating General Lloyd Austin for with political experience who can fight In the face of the many threats, both Secretary of Defense. General Austin and win interagency battles for a high- foreign and domestic, confronting our has led with honor and served with dig- er top line. Nation, it is essential that Secretary- And, third, we also have more data. nity. With over 40 years of decorated designate Austin be immediately con- Four years ago, we ran this experiment Army service, Secretary-designate firmed. Blocking this waiver would be for the first time in 67 years, and we Austin brings a great understanding of a mistake that, among other dangers, learned that recently retired general the challenges facing our Nation’s de- would delay the urgent work to be done officers face unique challenges when fense and a deep appreciation for the to restore the independence and capa- leading the Department—specifically, sacrifice of our military and their fam- bilities of the Defense Department, the need to publicly advocate for a ilies. which we must do as soon as possible. higher top line, which requires some The historical circumstances of this Mr. Speaker, I urge a strong bipar- political experience. And the nominee nomination, in light of the deadly in- tisan vote to grant this waiver for Sec- has made much of the apolitical nature surrection assault on the Capitol, the retary-designate Lloyd Austin to serve of his prior experience. coronavirus pandemic, the under- as Secretary of Defense. I salute him Now, I know in politics we are not mining of the Pentagon by the previous for his patriotism, thank him for his supposed to change our minds, but if President, and more, necessitate the heroism, and look forward to calling we are unwilling to learn from recent expeditious confirmation of this ex- him Mr. Secretary. experience or change our minds in re- tremely qualified leader. Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speak- sponse to new information, then we are I do want to say as a constitutional er, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman doomed to repeat the exact same mis- officer—the Speaker of the House is a from New York (Mr. JACOBS). takes. constitutional officer, written into the Mr. JACOBS of New York. Mr. Constitution—and as a former leader of Speaker, I rise today in support of the b 1430 the Intelligence Committee, a Demo- waiver allowing General Lloyd Austin This is why I am voting ‘‘no,’’ among cratic leader of the Intelligence Com- to serve as Secretary of Defense. other reasons. mittee, my commitment to a strong ci- Civilian leadership at the top of the But I want to be clear. I want Mr. vilian control of our military, as re- Pentagon is desirable and necessary. I Austin, soon-to-be Secretary Austin, to quired by the Constitution, is strong. believe this should only be reserved for be successful in this job. Nothing would It is not an issue with us, Mr. Speak- unique circumstances. Regularly nomi- make me happier than to look back on er. It is a value, civilian control of the nated candidates who require waivers his time at DOD and be able to say he military. The Congress’ power to grant is not a precedent we should set. was the most successful Secretary of or withhold an exemption for recent However, examining General Austin’s Defense in our Nation’s history because Active Duty military servicemembers credentials and the circumstances fac- that will mean that we as a committee to be the Secretary of Defense must be ing our Nation lead me to believe the were successful in working with him to treated with gravity and extreme dili- approval of this specific waiver is war- do what is right for our men and gence. ranted. women in uniform and do what is right That is why I am so glad that Presi- The COVID–19 pandemic is still ongo- for the rest of the country. dent Biden and General Austin insisted ing. China is growing bolder and more

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:01 Jan 22, 2021 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K21JA7.007 H21JAPT1 ctelli on DSK11ZRN23PROD with HOUSE January 21, 2021 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H213 aggressive, using espionage, cyber war- from Georgia (Mr. CARTER), my friend b 1445 fare, and manipulation to undermine and colleague. General Mattis really didn’t know U.S. and global security. Iran remains Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speak- Mr. Trump; and that relationship did an ever-present threat to the Middle er, I rise today in support of this waiv- not go well, unfortunately. In my view, East and the world. North Korea con- er. General Mattis was a great tower of tinues to pursue an ambitious nuclear General Lloyd Austin grew up in strength and independence in leading weapons development program. south Georgia, where he was raised by the Department of Defense. So I con- These issues and others require the his parents in Thomasville. A graduate gratulate him for his service, although steady hand of an experienced and of West Point, he would go on to a ca- I participated in a meeting in the qualified Secretary of Defense. General reer that spanned numerous units, re- White House in which President Trump Austin meets these requirements and is sponsibilities, and engagements. His was very harsh in his analysis of Gen- more than qualified to oversee our Na- first assignment was to the 3rd Infan- eral Mattis, which I thought was unfor- tion’s military. try Division, now stationed in my dis- tunate. But this difference that I see Mr. Speaker, I urge the support of trict at Fort Stewart. today is a very important one. this waiver. I look forward to working In the early 2000s, he served as assist- What is that difference? with Secretary Austin to confront ant division commander for the 3rd In- The President of the United States— these very real threats to our national fantry Division during the invasion of the Commander in Chief, the civilian security. Iraq. He would later go on to serve as leader—knows General Austin, has Mr. SMITH of Washington. Mr. a division commander and the chief of worked with General Austin, and has Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gen- staff of the United States Central Com- taken the measure of General Austin, tleman from California (Mr. KHANNA). mand, CENTCOM; the commander of and they have a relationship, a positive Mr. KHANNA. Mr. Speaker, I thank the XVIII Airborne Corps; the Army relationship. the chairman for his leadership. vice chief of staff; and, finally, the In addition to that, of course, the son Mr. Speaker, in history, there are commander of CENTCOM. of the President, Beau Biden, serving many generals who are celebrated for He has been described as a private in- in the military, served with General logistical feats to win a war. Rare is a dividual who is committed to carrying Austin and took the measure of the general who is celebrated for logistical out his duties. man and his commitment to civilian feats to end a war. I, like others, have my reservations leadership in the Armed Forces—a General Austin presided over the about continuing down a path of waiv- critically important concept for the most significant withdrawal of troops ers for former military leaders to serve Secretary of Defense. and equipment, over 150,000 troops from in civilian positions. What first started One problem that dictates the speedi- Iraq, successfully. He helped bring that with a waiver for General Marshall in est possible passage of this bill is the conflict to an end. 1950 and then again for General Mattis security situation in which we find General Austin helped us prevent in 2017, we have now seen several re- ourselves. Always in a transition the getting into a catastrophic conflict in quests for what many see as a once-in- enemy can think you are weak and not Syria. a-generation issue. However, General able to respond in an effective way. Now, I don’t think the American peo- Austin’s service and assignments are a That is why, traditionally, Mr. Speak- ple are concerned about process argu- reflection of his success in his military er, the Congresses do, in fact, confirm ments, about whether someone wore a career. the Secretary of Defense and the Sec- uniform or didn’t wear a uniform. What If confirmed, it is my hope that Gen- retary of State. they want to know is the outcome. Is eral Austin will carry out his commit- Ms. Avril Haines was just confirmed the leader going to help start new wars ment to civilian control of the Depart- as the head of the DNI. It is because we or end wars? General Austin, with Sec- ment of Defense and advocate for the do not want a long period of time be- retary Blinken and Jake Sullivan, is priorities central to national security, tween having somebody in charge in going to help end the war in Yemen. such as the modernizing of the triad. the Defense Department and, in this They want to know: Is a leader going In a time when our adversaries seek case, somebody in charge who obvi- to turn a blind eye to White suprem- to capitalize on any weaknesses, we ously knows and agrees with the prin- acy, or are they going to stand up for need strong leadership. General Lloyd ciples of the President of the United equality? General Austin will stand up Austin will provide us with that. States. for equality in our military. Mr. SMITH of Washington. Mr. I am sure he will give good advice Most importantly, they want to Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gen- and sometimes he will disagree, but we know: Is a leader going to circumvent tleman from Maryland (Mr. HOYER). have a confidence relationship. So the President of the United States, as Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, I thank very, very important. certain civilian leaders have, or is the the chairman and Mr. ROGERS from This is not a moment for our country leader going to defer to the duly elect- Alabama, the ranking member, for to be without a Secretary of Defense. ed President of the United States? Gen- bringing this forward as a bipartisan Secretary-designate Austin is a highly eral Austin deferred to President effort. qualified nominee, spoken to by the bi- Obama, and he will absolutely defer to Mr. Speaker, I rise as one of those partisan support that this waiver will President Biden. who opposed the waiver for General garner this day in the Congress of the The last point I hear my colleagues Mattis. People ask me, well, what is United States. Mr. Speaker, he would say is, well, he doesn’t have expertise the difference? Mr. GALLAGHER raised make history, of course, as has been in China or India. Well, first of all, no this. You change your mind. pointed out, and not an insubstantial one has expertise in every region of the Let me tell you what makes the dif- mark on history. world. No one is going to have a Ph.D. ference for me, Mr. Speaker. I think Secretary-designate Austin is the thesis about every country. this law is a very relevant law. It is a first African American who will be Sec- The important thing is that we do very important law. It anticipated, retary of Defense. At this time, our not need another leader who is going to when the Congress passed it, that there country is fighting to overcome the saber rattle and get us into another would be reasons for waiver, or it legacy of slavery, segregation, and cold war with China. We need someone would not have included it. It would prejudice, as has been pointed out by who is going to be tough but who is have made a preclusion. It did not do my friend, Mr. BROWN, who served as a going to have the wisdom and the judg- that. lieutenant colonel in the Armed ment to defer to the national security It said under circumstances that the Forces. team and the President and help create Congress considers, it may be well be Secretary-designate Austin served in a constructive relationship. General in order to have a waiver. This, I think, Iraq. Forty percent minorities. What a Austin will do that. is one of those times. symbol and a bridge between those of Mr. Speaker, I proudly support his Very frankly, one of the reasons I the majority and those of the minority nomination for Secretary of Defense. voted ‘‘no’’ on Mr. Mattis is because in our services, which will coalesce and Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speak- Mr. Trump did not know Mr. Mattis, bind together better the units, which is er, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman his outstanding military service. extraordinarily important.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:01 Jan 22, 2021 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K21JA7.009 H21JAPT1 ctelli on DSK11ZRN23PROD with HOUSE H214 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE January 21, 2021 Secretary-designate Austin served to have a waiver rather than starting immediately. That is why I rise in our Nation admirably in uniform and all over again in this process. strong support of Lloyd Austin’s nomi- oversaw the safe and successful draw- The other thing is Mr. Austin has nation and waiver, and I will be work- down of our troops in Iraq, as has been been out of the military for almost 5 ing very hard to support him as our pointed out by Representative KHANNA. years. Under the law, there is a 7-year next Secretary of Defense. In doing so, he earned the trust of cooling off period. Five years, in my Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speak- then-Vice President Biden and Beau mind, is almost as good as 7 years. er, I have two more speakers who Biden. I mean, what is magic about 7 years? aren’t here yet. So I reserve the bal- Because of Secretary-designate Aus- Is 6 years and 10 months not good ance of my time. tin’s recent military service, he re- enough, but 7 years and 1 month is Mr. SMITH of Washington. Mr. quires a waiver. But, again, the waiver good enough? Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gen- is included so that the Congress can There is a little arbitrariness in- tlewoman from Ohio (Ms. KAPTUR). make a determination as to whether volved here when choosing 7 years in Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, I rise this is appropriate. I can’t think of a the first place. I believe that 5 years— today in full support of the waiver for more appropriate Secretary of Defense almost 5 years is sufficient for Mr. Aus- General Lloyd Austin, to grant Presi- than somebody who has great knowl- tin to have cooled off. dent Biden his historic nomination for edge and confidence of the Commander We had a roundtable today in com- Secretary of Defense. The concern of civilian control of the in Chief. We ought to take that action mittee. I thank the chairman for hav- military and Department of Defense without delay. ing that roundtable. We heard from Mr. Mr. Speaker, we must always have a Austin. He very eloquently stated, should not be lost in this waiver. There clear delineation between the military yeah, he could stand up to people who are valid concerns in granting second and civilian authorities in this coun- were in the military. He can tell them waivers so soon. The missed oppor- tunity for the House—the Chamber try. I have a picture hanging on my what is good for the civilian control of closest to the American citizens to wall, which is also in the rotunda. I our country. I trust him. He is the hear from General Austin directly—is have it in my office because it is in the right man for the job. disappointing, but these are not nor- Maryland State Senate, the Old Cham- Our security needs are too pressing mal times. The layers of security cur- ber. It is still in existence, still in the to keep dilly-dallying on this. Let’s rently protecting the Capitol is a stark capitol in Annapolis, of George Wash- vote ‘‘yes’’ on this issue and supply the reminder that President Biden, our ington resigning his commission as waiver today. servicemembers, and our Nation need Commander in Chief of the Continental Mr. SMITH of Washington. Mr. top defense leadership in place expedi- Army. And I always point out to people Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the other tiously. gentleman from Colorado (Mr. CROW). who come into my office that the Mem- There is no question General Austin Mr. CROW. Mr. Speaker, this waiver bers of the Continental Congress are is a devoutly patriotic man. He has vote is about our long history of civil- seated notwithstanding their inclina- served our country with utter distinc- ian control of the military, a critical tion in the presence of this great, tion and honor. His qualifications, ex- safeguard of our democracy. iconic figure was to stand and pay rev- perience, and perspective are what our But let’s be really clear what this erence to him. And George Washington Nation needs today. His service to our vote is not about. It is not about the said, ‘‘No, you sit,’’ because the civil- country extends over 4 decades. His tal- rise of China or artificial intelligence ian government is superior to the mili- ent and dedication to America’s secu- or autonomous warfare or any of the tary. What a great lesson George Wash- rity shines in roles few Americans can other issues that I have heard people ington taught us at that time, which, fully comprehend. Yet again and again talk about that are really the purview thank God, has been revered until this he stands before us, hat in hand, will- of the Senate at this point in the proc- time. ing to serve the Stars and Stripes ess and President Biden. It is also not I think this appointment is the right today. appointment. I think it will be good for about changing the law, because the The question is: Can he disconnect a America. I think it will be good for the law remains in effect and the limita- potentially unconscious bias toward a Armed Forces of the United States of tion remains in effect. military mindset? America. I think the President has The question before this body is As he assured the Senate and the chosen well. whether there are specific extenuating American people throughout his con- I urge my colleagues to grant this circumstances in this moment in time firmation hearing, there is no doubt he waiver. This, I would add, is not con- to grant a waiver and whether the will. He has been honed in decision- firmation. Our brothers and sisters in heart and mind of the nominee is con- making in the most difficult situa- the United States Senate will still have sistent with the spirit of the law. tions. In a matter of weeks, both the to judge and give advice and consent to In the aftermath of January 6, we are House Armed Services Committee and this appointment, but this waiver is a reminded how deeply rooted racism ex- our Defense Appropriations Sub- precondition to their considering it on ists in our country. Among those who committee will welcome a newly mint- the merits. I hope that we will give stormed the Capitol were current and ed Secretary of Defense Austin. them that. former military, a fact that highlights Members can hear even more from Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speak- the national and domestic security him directly as to how he will lead as er, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman threat of extremism in our military. a civilian. Over my years as a defense from Colorado (Mr. LAMBORN), who is Secretary-designee Austin is unique- appropriator, I have come to realize the ranking member of Readiness Sub- ly qualified with his experience and his our military personnel are phenomenal committee. background to address this threat. He at filling the roles they are assigned. Mr. LAMBORN. Mr. Speaker, I thank understands in a deeply personal way The SPEAKER pro tempore. The the ranking member for yielding to how to deal with it. He is a man who time of the gentlewoman has expired. me. understands that our military is more Mr. SMITH of Washington. Mr. I have heard from people today who than a formation of tanks, planes, and Speaker, I yield an additional 30 sec- voted ‘‘yes’’ on Mattis and now they troops; that it is actually a standard onds to the gentlewoman from Ohio. are ‘‘no;’’ or they voted ‘‘no’’ on Mattis bearer of our values, and we are strong- Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, I thank and now they are a ‘‘yes.’’ I guess that er when we lead with our values and we the gentleman for yielding. makes me a model of consistency be- channel the full strength of our diver- Mr. Speaker, our military personnel cause I am a ‘‘yes’’ and a ‘‘yes.’’ sity to meet our threats. are continuously placed in nontradi- Mr. Speaker, we should vote ‘‘yes’’ to In addition to that, nobody can stand tional positions and time and again give this waiver because, as Mr. HOYER up here and say, as we are still under perform flawlessly. There is no doubt has just said, the security needs are cyber attack by Russia and meeting so General Austin understands being a pressing upon us. We can’t take weeks many other threats, that the extenu- member of the President’s Cabinet re- and weeks to get this person installed. ating circumstances of the time do not quires a different perspective. He will So we need to act quickly and we need merit getting a nominee into this role fill this role and perform admirably.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:01 Jan 22, 2021 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00006 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K21JA7.010 H21JAPT1 ctelli on DSK11ZRN23PROD with HOUSE January 21, 2021 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H215 For these reasons, I encourage all my ican to lead that critically important who will support this concept, knowing colleagues to support this waiver. combat command. that we believe that civilian control of Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speak- Throughout the congressional inves- the military is a bedrock. er, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman tigations into the progress of U.S. mili- I do think that we cannot call this a from California (Mr. ISSA). tary diplomatic and reconstruction ef- precedent. One and two is not a prece- Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today forts in Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, and dent. I do think we can look at maybe in support of H.R. 335 because there is other regional conflicts, General Aus- some other definitions of what it a consistency 4 years ago when I rose tin has never failed to provide us with means. in support of a previous general. But direct access to the battlefield and the But a man who is able to end a war when I look at General Lloyd Austin, I straight and honest and hard facts as of 150,000 soldiers coming home is a see a qualified individual, in my opin- he saw them on the ground. man who can lead the United States ion, and I see somebody worthy of the His assessment proved to be critical military in a spirit of lifting the mo- Senate considering. But I also see that, to our oversight mission and the devel- rale, providing stability, and calling in fact, we are setting a precedent. opment of legislation concerning U.S. them the brave men and women that Sixty-seven years, we didn’t. Two ad- defense, national security, and coun- they are. ministrations in a row, we have. terterrorism policies. Let’s support the waiver. Vote ‘‘yes’’ I strongly recommend today that the He always demonstrated a maximum on this resolution. Armed Services Committees in both respect for the constitutional oversight Mr. Speaker, as a senior member of the bodies begin the process of looking at role of the United States Congress and Committees on the Judiciary and on Home- what the true length of time should be clearly held the highest regard for the land Security, I rise in support of H.R. 335, and what exceptions and exemptions civilian leadership of the Department which provides an exception to a limitation need to be there. of Defense. against appointment of persons as Secretary Although General Austin is a very Mr. Speaker, General Austin is espe- of Defense within seven years of relief from qualified individual, he still will have cially qualified and deserving of a con- active duty as a regular commissioned officer subordinates whom he helped promote. gressional exemption that will allow of the Armed Forces so that President Biden He still will have people whom he is ex- President Biden his appointment as can nominate retired four-star Gen. Lloyd J. tremely close to. And that creates a Secretary of Defense. I urge my col- Austin III to serve as the next Secretary of De- question of civilian leadership. leagues on both sides of the aisle to fense. So although I am not here today to support H.R. 335. Gen. Austin retired from active duty in 2016, speak in any way against the general Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speak- which under current law (10 U.S.C. § 113(a)), or any way against his predecessor, er, I reserve the balance of my time. makes him ineligible for appointment as Sec- General Mattis, I am saying that it is Mr. SMITH of Washington. Mr. retary of Defense. Civilian control of the military has been a time for this body, after this vote, to Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gen- bedrock principle of our democracy since the move to a deliberative process and reg- tlewoman from Texas (Ms. JACKSON founding of the Republic. ular order and begin asking: Is 10 years LEE). Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I That principle has served the nation well right? Is 7 years right? and we should depart from it only where there If 1 year is right, what will be the re- think I would like to raise the ques- tion, what would Abraham Lincoln do, is compelling reason to do so. quirements for that individual before Indeed, in the history of the Department of a man who faced the turmoil of a di- we again face that with some future Defense, the only Defense Secretary ever vided Nation. I think he would look for highly qualified former military per- given a waiver was then-Secretary of State, an individual like General Mr. Lloyd son? General George Marshall—who was provided Austin, someone who had had the bal- Mr. SMITH of Washington. Mr. an individual waiver in 1950 at the height of ance of seeing life as a civilian but Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gen- the Korean War in a stand-alone bill approved being an impeccable leader of the tleman from Massachusetts (Mr. by the Congress. LYNCH). United States military. That is why I did not support granting waiver Mr. Speaker, before I came to this Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, I thank for General Mattis to be nominated as Sec- floor, I walked down Independence Ave- the gentleman from Washington for retary of Defense in the last administration. nue to greet the young men and women yielding. Even General Mattis is a great general and a in the National Guard who had come Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support great American and served well as Secretary here from Texas. I wanted to let them of H.R. 335, legislation to allow Presi- of Defense. dent Biden to appoint General Lloyd J. know how important it was for them to But the experience of the last four years Austin, III, as our next Secretary of be here to defend the citadel of democ- leads me to a different result today. Defense. Throughout my tenure on the racy and how grateful we were that we For four years, the Department of Defense National Security Subcommittee, I had a peaceful transition of power yes- has had to deal with attempts by the last have had the personal opportunity to terday. President and his staff to undermine the inde- meet with and interact with General What I see in Mr. Austin is a recogni- pendence and capability of the Department of Austin on numerous occasions in the tion that civilian control of the mili- Defense, going so far as to refer to the men field during the course of several of our tary has been a bedrock principle of and women who risk their lives to keep us free oversight investigations. our democracy since the founding of as ‘‘suckers’’ and ‘‘losers’’ and appointing un- our Republic. Yet, at the same time, in b 1500 qualified persons as Acting Secretary of De- the backdrop of the last 4 years, I fense and to other senior positions. Beginning in the early stages of Op- think he is needed for two reasons. The Pentagon needs—the United States eration Enduring Freedom, we met in One, the military has faced an enor- needs—an experienced, Senate-confirmed Kabul, Afghanistan, during his deploy- mous amount of instability. They were Secretary of Defense to restore morale and ment as commander of Combined Joint called ‘‘suckers’’ and ‘‘losers.’’ Gen- regularity as soon as possible. Task Force 180. I dealt with General erals were criticized. So you need I agree with President Biden that Gen. Aus- Austin again in the midst of Operation someone who is a military person’s tin’s many strengths and intimate knowledge Iraqi Freedom as well as during Oper- military person, someone they know is of the Department of Defense and our govern- ation New Dawn. We also met in Bagh- part of the team. ment are uniquely matched to the challenges dad during his multiple deployments as Then you need someone who can and crises we face. commander of the Multinational Corps build that morale. Yes, we had morale The next Secretary of Defense will need to and commander of United States in the previous administration of immediately quarterback an enormous logis- Forces-Iraq. President Barack Obama, having re- tics operation to help distribute COVID–19 And I have personally received mul- spected them. Now, I believe we must vaccines widely and equitably. tiple intelligence briefings from Gen- give President Joe Biden the oppor- General Austin oversaw the largest logistical eral Austin in his capacity as com- tunity for his Secretary of Defense. operation undertaken by the Army in six dec- mander of U.S. Central Command. By Mr. Speaker, I am grateful for my ades—the Iraq drawdown of 150,000 service the way, he was the first African Amer- colleagues on the other side of the aisle personnel.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:42 Jan 22, 2021 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00007 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\K21JA7.011 H21JAPT1 ctelli on DSK11ZRN23PROD with HOUSE H216 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE January 21, 2021 The next Secretary of Defense will need to The appointment of the first African Amer- deeply experienced and highly decorated ensure the well-being and resilience of our ican to lead the Department of Defense in the commander who has served with distinction servicemembers and their families, strained by nation’s history will send a powerful signal that in several of the Pentagon’s most crucial roles. He is a son of the South born in Mo- almost two decades of war. racism, anti-Semitism, misogyny, homophobia, bile, Ala., and grew up in Thomasville, Ga. General Austin knows the incredible cost of and other divisive, anti-social, and anti-Amer- He graduated from West Point United States war and the hardships experienced by the ican attitudes and actions have no place in the Military Academy and later earned degrees families that pay it. Armed Forces and will not be tolerated. from Auburn University, Webster University, The next Secretary of Defense will have to For all of these reasons, I urge all Members the Army Command and General Staff Col- make sure that our armed forces reflect and to join me in voting for H.R. 335, granting the lege and the Army War College. promote the full diversity of our nation. waiver needed to pave the way for Secretary- Mr. Lloyd Austin was promoted to Lieu- General Austin is uniquely qualified to lead designate Lloyd J. Austin III to serve as Sec- tenant General in 2006 and assumed com- and oversee this effort to ensure that every retary of Defense. mand of the XVIII Airborne Corps at Fort member of the armed forces is treated with Bragg. And in 2009 he handed over his com- [From the Hill, Jan. 19, 2021] mand to become the Director of the Joint dignity and respect, including Black, Latino, LLOYD AUSTIN IS THE RIGHT NOMINEE FOR DE- Staff. He retired from the U.S. Army in 2016 Asian American, Native American, women, FENSE SECRETARY AND THE RIGHT LEADER as the first African American to serve as and LGBTQ+ service members. FOR THIS MOMENT Commander of CENTCOM, the U.S. Central General Austin, who was born in Mobile, (By Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D–TX), Opinion Command, where he oversaw America’s mili- Alabama and raised in Thomasville, Georgia, Contributor) tary strategy and joint operations through- graduated from the United States Military As a senior member of Congress and a sen- out the Middle East and in Afghanistan. Academy with a Bachelor of Science degree ior member of the House Homeland Security He was the chief architect of the military in 1975 and rose through the Army’s ranks Committee, I know the importance of domes- campaign to defeat the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria and became the second highest during his distinguished and trailblazing ca- tic security and the defense of our nation. Retired General Austin, I believe, can bring ranking commander in Iraq, taking com- reer, becoming only the sixth African American mand of the Multi-National Corps—Iraq. to attain the rank of an Army four-star general, that balance and that is why he deserves a congressional waiver to become President- Mr. Lloyd Austin is highly decorated with and over his nearly four-decade military ca- elect Biden’s secretary of Defense. I am many awards and decorations including med- reer, challenged his beloved institution to grow going to support President-elect Joe Biden’s als for Defense Distinguished Service Med- more inclusive and more diverse at every nomination of retired General Lloyd Austin als, Army Distinguished Service Medals, a step. as the 28th U.S. secretary of Defense. Silver Star, Defense Superior Service Med- General Austin was the first African Amer- First, let me acknowledge that I did not als, and a Legion of Merit medal. ican general officer to lead an Army corps in support giving a waiver to General James If confirmed, Lloyd Austin will become the Mattis to become the secretary of Defense first African American secretary of Defense combat and the first African American to com- which culminates a barrier-breaking career mand an entire theater of war, and if con- nominated by President Donald J. Trump in 2017. My opposition was not because I did not as the first African American general officer firmed, will be the first African American to have respect for General Mattis who might to command an Army Division in combat, to helm the Defense Department, which will sig- have warranted such a waiver, but it was lead a Corps in combat, to command an en- nal to every American and every member of rather because of the view that I had of the tire theater of war, and to serve as Com- the Armed Forces that the country they pledge United States military at that time. Presi- mander of U.S. Central Command. the last full measure of devotion is one of end- dent Barack Obama handed off to the Trump Secretary-designate Austin has proven and less possibilities. administration a military that was strong in demonstrated extraordinary leadership morale and a stable organization. After all, across a lifetime of distinguished service and Any lingering concerns I may have about in- is well prepared to lead our nation’s military juring the sacred principle of civilian control the military under his command was able to capture our greatest enemy—Osama bin as a strong and dedicated civilian leader. over the military have been laid to rest by the Laden. His capture was an enormous boost to The nation needs a leader over the Pen- Armed Services Committee Chairman SMITH’s the Pentagon and to the overall military tagon that respects civilian control, to build representations that General Austin has as- rank and file. Military personnel and fami- up morale of our armed forces, and bring sured him that he understands this crucial lies were treated with dignity and their consistency, stability, and leadership at the principle and that he is completely committed needs were responded to expeditiously. Cer- highest level to the Department of Defense. to upholding it. tainly, improvement could have been made, That is Lloyd Austin, retired General. Fur- ther, as an African American woman, I be- In addition, Chairman SMITH represents that but generally the United States military was lieve this historic moment will further heal General Austin has agreed to appear before in very good shape. On the other hand, in 2020, my concern is that throughout the last and unify the nation. the members of the House Armed Services four years the military has been under at- Secretary-designate Lloyd Austin has pre- Committee to address the issue, and he has tack by negative comments on generals and viously been confirmed by the Senate be- already spoken to numerous House members by a succession of secretaries of Defense. cause of his impeccable commitment to duty and made it clear that he will ensure that civil- There is a great need to bring in a person and his reputation. As a proud American who ian control of the military is maintained. who can first of all boost the morale of our loves his country just as much out of uni- Finally, President Biden has also already men and women in uniform who sacrifice form as in uniform, he deserves a waiver by expressed his intent to nominate civilians with their lives on behalf of the people of this na- the Congress and deserves to be confirmed for this critical role of overseeing our mili- strong backgrounds and expertise to fill the tion, and their families every day. Second- arily, now we need stability and a firm hand tary forces and protecting our great nation. roles of Deputy Secretary of Defense, Under that shows the balance between the needs of Retired General Lloyd Austin is an example Secretary of Defense for Policy, and Chief of the military and guidance as a civilian lead- of why America is still that ‘‘shining city on Staff to the Secretary of Defense. er. I believe after listening to Mr. Austin in the hill’’ and why he should be confirmed by Mr. Speaker, we also cannot overlook the our conversation, it is clear that his view of the United States Senate for secretary of De- impact of January 6, 2021 on the decision we the role of the secretary of Defense is solidly fense. Retired General Lloyd Austin is the are called upon to make. based on the fact that the Commander in right person for this right and momentous On that day, the U.S. Capitol, was attacked Chief is his boss and will be the guiding force time in our nation’s history. and breached by angry mob of insurrection- on the policies and on the vision for action. Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speak- ists, comprised of an inordinate number of This is a time for impeccable leadership to er, I continue to reserve the balance of bring about a morality boost and stability to my time. white supremacists and white nationalists, in- our men and women in uniform. And for that tent on preventing the Congress from carrying reason, I truly believe this is a distinct and Mr. SMITH of Washington. Mr. out its constitutionally imposed responsibility of different time, and that General Austin who Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gen- counting electoral votes and announcing the has been a civilian for a good period of time tleman from Nevada (Mr. HORSFORD). election of the President and Vice-President. knows the role of a civilian leader and will Mr. HORSFORD. Mr. Speaker, I This represent a dangerous escalation in act accordingly. I believe more that this is thank the chairman for yielding me the activities of what FBI Director Wray testi- the right decision at the right time. the time. fied to Congress is the greatest domestic ter- Lloyd Austin, a retired General, is an ac- Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak in complished and respected trailblazer in the favor of granting a waiver for retired ror threat facing the nation. United States Army. He is a trusted and cri- Equally disturbing is that troubling evidence sis-tested leader who has broken barriers in Army General Lloyd Austin and this continues to emerge that the military itself has his historic ascent to the highest ranks of historic nomination to serve as the servicemembers sympathetic to extreme views the military. With more than 40 years of 28th Secretary of Defense, the first Af- and white supremacist causes. service, Retired General Lloyd Austin is a rican American in U.S. history.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 04:14 Jan 22, 2021 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00008 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A21JA7.005 H21JAPT1 ctelli on DSK11ZRN23PROD with HOUSE January 21, 2021 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H217 For four decades, Secretary-des- he came to the House, reaching out to about it, not because of Secretary Aus- ignate Austin served our Nation val- this body in a way that shows rev- tin—I know him, I have worked with iantly in the United States Army. Be- erence for the continued promotion and him, and I think he will do an out- fore retiring, he led one of the most im- defense of civilian control of the mili- standing job—but because I realized portant commands in the military, tary. the responsibility that it put on this CENTCOM, or Central Command, Lastly, having an African-American House. where he oversaw America’s military Secretary of Defense is highly impor- By and large—not ‘‘by and large’’— strategy and joint operations through- tant at this time, as the military must entirely, nominees are the business of out the Middle East. address the growing evidence of sym- the Senate. They confirm; the Presi- During his service in the Middle pathy towards dangerous conspiracies dent picks. But because he picked East, he oversaw the safe return of and White supremacist causes amongst someone who would require a waiver, 150,000 brave American troops, working servicemembers—evidence made expo- we had to engage. closely with our allies as a statesman nentially troubling due to the fact that And I understood the urgency of get- and a diplomat. a large percentage of servicemembers ting that done, even while the Com- As our Commander in Chief, I sup- are people of color. mittee on Armed Services was still in port President Biden in his selection of General Lloyd Austin is the right the midst of dealing with the Presi- Lloyd Austin to protect our national person for the job at the time at hand, dent’s veto of the defense bill and try- security, strengthen our global alli- and Congress must allow him to get ing to get the override done. But I ances, depoliticize the Defense Depart- through and get the job done. knew the urgency. We had to find a ment, and be a leader and role model Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to way to get it done. for our brave servicemembers. vote for the waiver for General Austin. And, Mr. Speaker, I want to make I had the opportunity to speak di- Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speak- perfectly clear that Mr. ROGERS has rectly with Secretary-designate Austin er, at this time, I am prepared to close, been an outstanding partner in work- about the needs of servicemembers and and I yield myself such time as I may ing towards the urgency of moving this their families in Nevada’s Fourth Dis- consume. forward. The process arguments get trict. He committed to work with me First, I want to thank my friend and lost in the weeds. There were a whole on issues important to those service- colleague Chairman SMITH, and I look bunch of things we had to do to be or- members and their families stationed forward to working with him over this ganized as a committee, to be ready to at Nellis and Creech Air Force Bases 2-year cycle. meet the requirements that we had, and the Nevada Test Site, including The debate we have had today is a se- and we tried our best to do it. Now, it is my humble opinion that we issues dealing with housing, mental rious one. The executive branch is ask- met those requirements even if we health, childcare, and education. ing the legislative branch to waive a His leadership, his experience, and law for its benefit. President Biden didn’t have a public hearing. As has been stated by many Members, right his commitment to civil control of the knew this law when he selected Gen- before this vote we had 2 hours with military will ensure our country meets eral Austin. He could have made an- Mr. Austin over in committee, in which its national security needs. other selection. members, Republican and Democratic As our Secretary of Defense, he will But, as I said earlier, President members alike, were able to ask him also send a powerful message of belong- Trump got a waiver with General questions and get his answers. Mattis, and I believe it is only right ing to all servicemembers but particu- And I will tell you, I feel even strong- that I supported one waiver for General larly to members of color, who rep- er about the need to confirm him after resent more than 40 percent of our Austin. that conversation. Not only was he in- Mr. Speaker, it is critical that the armed services today. telligent, not only was he on point, not President has his national security Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to only did he understand the issues, but support this historic nomination, ap- team in place as soon as possible. I he had something, frankly, not every- prove the waiver required today, and look forward to working with General body in the Pentagon has: He seemed confirm Secretary-designate Austin’s Austin if he is confirmed, and I urge a to genuinely respect us. He seemed to nomination. favorable vote. genuinely want to answer our ques- Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speak- Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance tions, want to deal with us as a coequal er, I continue to reserve the balance of of my time. branch of government. That is enor- my time. Mr. SMITH of Washington. Mr. mously important. Mr. SMITH of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of But the urgency is why we are here Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gen- my time. today and why we didn’t wait the extra tlewoman from the U.S. Virgin Islands Mr. Speaker, from this debate, it is week or 10 days. Joe Biden is Presi- (Ms. PLASKETT). clear that Mr. Austin is highly quali- dent. He doesn’t have a Secretary of Ms. PLASKETT. Mr. Speaker, today, fied to be Secretary of Defense. It is Defense. Every day that goes past that I rise in support of the requested waiv- also clear that he has a full apprecia- he doesn’t have a Secretary of Defense er of the Secretary of Defense nominee, tion of the importance of civilian con- is a huge problem for a variety of rea- retired four-star General Lloyd S. Aus- trol of the military. sons. tin, III. And, finally, it is clear that he is Let’s start with the fact that much President Biden recognizes the need unique to this moment. His experiences has been made that this waiver is prob- to have the most qualified individuals as an African-American man coming up lematic because we did it 4 years ago in his Cabinet to right the ship from through the military puts him in a and now we are doing it again; the ex- day one. The issues of instability of our unique position to address the prob- ception has become the rule. Department of Defense, morale, and a lems of White supremacy and a lack of Well, if it makes anybody feel better, desire to engage more vigorously with diversity across the military in addi- there have actually been four separate the world require that a nominee be tion to all of the other challenges that Secretaries, people in the Secretary of one who has the type of career that we have heard from speakers today. Defense position, in between Mattis General Austin does. There is no question that he is quali- and Austin. So it is really just, sort of, General Austin’s distinguished career fied for this job and that he should be two out of six. and experience as a commander of the given the waiver so that he can serve That many people have churned U.S. Central Command and Vice Chief in this position. through the leadership role in the Pen- of Staff of the U.S. Army have prepared Mr. Speaker, I want to close by tagon. And while the people at the Pen- him to be ideal for the task at hand. speaking to the urgency of why we tagon have done an amazing job fight- We agree that the separation of Ac- need to do this today and how we got ing through that, it is still problematic tive Duty military and civilian is im- to this point. to have to have that much turnover. portant. Moreover, I have full con- When I first heard that Secretary The disruption that President Trump fidence, however, that the Secretary- Austin was going to be the selection, I brought to the Pentagon cannot be un- designate shares these values, in that will confess that I was not thrilled derestimated.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:42 Jan 22, 2021 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00009 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K21JA7.014 H21JAPT1 ctelli on DSK11ZRN23PROD with HOUSE H218 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE January 21, 2021 I will never forget being in the meet- The first is the need for clear and effective being said, our country is facing the simulta- ing in the White House when we were leadership at the Pentagon. The previous ad- neous threats of a global pandemic, unprece- talking about the pullout from Syria ministration drastically politicized the Depart- dented cyberattacks on our government, and when someone dared to bring up Sec- ment of Defense and hollowed out existing the recent departure of a president who at- retary Mattis’s opinion—recently de- leadership to put in place less experienced po- tempted to enlist military personnel to disrupt parted Secretary Mattis from the De- litical allies to do former President Trump’s civilian protest. Considering these extraor- partment of Defense—and President bidding. This has left our nation even more dinary circumstances, we need a qualified Trump just lit in to Secretary Mattis, vulnerable during a number of national and Secretary of Defense in place immediately. called him weak, called him a terrible international crises, including the ongoing Under normal circumstances, a public hear- human being. COVID–19 pandemic, the recent cyber attack ing before the House Armed Services Com- Meanwhile, sitting right next to him on our government systems by Russia, and mittee would be an important part of the waiv- was the incoming Chairman of the rising tensions with Iran and throughout the er process. Unfortunately, because the House Joint Chiefs of Staff, Mark Milley, who Middle East. General Austin brings a distin- Armed Services Committee is not fully set up, had worked with Jim Mattis. And this guished career in military leadership, an un- the committee cannot hold public hearings on is his new boss. wavering commitment to our nation’s security, the waiver yet. However, unlike the Trump Ad- Mr. Speaker, the disruption at the and the respect of our men and women in uni- ministration, the Biden Administration has Pentagon has been enormous. They form and will provide a needed steady hand at made General Austin readily available to Con- need a fully confirmed Secretary of De- the Department of Defense. gress, and he has demonstrated that he un- fense immediately to begin to thor- Second, Lloyd Austin possess the skills and derstands the importance of civilian leadership oughly clean up that mess and get the temperament to address the challenges our of the Pentagon. Pentagon back to being as effective as country faces. President Biden noted when With these assurances, I express my sup- it needs to be. discussing his selection of General Austin that port for General Austin’s waiver to move for- b 1515 he played a vital role in bringing American ward in this confirmation process. However, I forces home from Iraq using diplomatic skill reiterate to my colleagues that this vote can- Also, and I will not belabor this point and an ability to work cooperatively with his not be seen to support a precedent to grant at all, we have a complex threat envi- Iraqi counterparts, further noting that Austin future waivers of the cooling-off period for ronment, right? Let’s just say that. We had met every challenge in his career with non-civilian Secretaries of Defense. heard about it on the committee today, ‘‘extraordinary skill and profound personal de- Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. about China, Russia, Iran, the Middle cency.’’ These qualities will be necessary as Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of East, North Korea, not to mention the America works to regain its leadership on the H.R. 335, a bill to provide Ret. General Lloyd domestic insurrection that we all wit- world stage, rebuild alliances, and address the Austin an exception to a limitation against ap- nessed here just a couple of weeks ago. many challenges our country faces. pointments of persons as United States Sec- There is an urgency to this. Third, General Austin understands the im- retary of Defense within seven years of relief If there wasn’t an urgency to this, I portance of civilian control of the military to from active duty as a regular commissioned would have waited a week and said, our democracy and has expressed his com- officer of the Armed Forces. okay, let’s take however much time. mitment to this principle. Unlike the last time It is incumbent upon Congress to consider a People can figure out their ratios, and a waiver was sought when Secretary Mattis waiver for such persons who are deemed not pick their members, and whatever. was prevented from testifying before Congress far enough removed from active duty to head There is an urgency. So instead of by President Trump and was unable to reas- the Department of Defense. Previous exemp- having the public hearing, we had a sure American people about the importance of tions through a waiver have only been granted very, very successful briefing. maintaining civilian control of the Department twice in our nation’s history, most recently in The House this time has done its job of Defense, General Austin did testify. During 2017. However, my colleagues and I in the in a way that it didn’t 4 years ago when his confirmation hearing, General Austin ex- Congressional Black Caucus find it altogether we simply took Mattis, didn’t hear pressed full understanding of the concerns fitting and proper that Ret. General Lloyd Aus- from him, and voted on it. over his appointment given he has been re- tin is the recipient of the third. There is a minor point of whether or tired from active service for only four years. Ret. General Austin is an experienced lead- not we mark this up in committee. He highlighted his experience implementing ci- er, a brilliant strategist, and a decorated hero. This is not a complicated bill. Either vilian directives, and his understanding of the He has seen war from the frontlines as a sol- Austin gets the waiver and he serves, need for a different perspective as a civilian dier, and from afar as a commander. He is not or he doesn’t. leader. I am confident that under the leader- one that seeks the spotlight or controversy, There is really nothing to mark up. ship of Lloyd Austin and President Biden, that but one who quietly, but confidently gets the It is a question for the House. That is principle will be preserved and protected. job done—earning him the nickname of ‘‘invis- why we came to the full House. Finally, General Austin’s confirmation as ible general.’’ This House, with the cooperation, I Secretary of Defense would be a watershed Mr. Speaker, as the first African American to may say, of Mr. ROGERS and all the moment as the first African American to hold hold the title of Secretary of Defense, I am Members has done its due diligence, that office in our nation’s history. In a period confident that Ret. General Austin would carry above and beyond. We have concluded, where racial tensions have led to resentment out the mission of the Department of Defense without question, that the waiver is among Americans, a rise in white nationalist with the utmost sense of professionalism and appropriate. Lloyd Austin will be an extremism, and peaceful demonstrations in civility. That is why I am proud to support his outstanding Secretary of Defense. He U.S. cities often turning violent, General Aus- waiver today and look forward to his swift con- deserves this waiver, and our country tin’s appointment would demonstrate that firmation in the Senate. deserves a fully confirmed Secretary of America embraces the diversity of our country, Ms. BONAMICI. Mr. Speaker, I rise to ex- Defense as soon as we can possibly get and that representation in all facets of our press my support for President Biden’s nomi- that done, which, for the purposes of government and national security structures nation of the uniquely qualified General Lloyd the House, is now. matters. J. Austin III (U.S. Army, Ret.) to serve as Sec- Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance Mr. FOSTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in retary of Defense. Today, we are debating of my time. support of the waiver for General Lloyd J. whether in the case of Gen. Austin’s confirma- Mr. CICILLINE. Mr. Speaker, I rise to ex- Austin, III to become our next Secretary of De- tion there should be a waiver of the require- press my support for H.R. 335, which would fense. However, I want to be clear that this ment that former military officers be separated provide a waiver to allow for full Senate con- vote should not be seen as supporting a from active service for seven years before sideration of General Lloyd Austin’s nomina- precedent for routine granting of waivers for serving as Defense Secretary. Civilian control tion as Secretary of Defense. While I have future noncivilian nominees to lead the Depart- of the military is foundational to our demo- great concerns over use of this process to ap- ment of Defense. We must keep the waiver cratic republic, and any action that could be point former military leaders to senior civilian requirement in place, and waivers should be perceived as affecting that principle must be positions at the Department of Defense, and I reserved for the most extreme circumstances. carefully considered. believe that civilian control of the military is I strongly support civilian leadership of the I do have reservations. If such an exception critical to our democracy, I support this waiver military, and the waiver requirement was cre- becomes a pattern, it may become a routine for General Austin for several reasons. ated to protect this important principle. That practice. Yet we find ourselves in times that

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:42 Jan 22, 2021 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00010 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\K21JA7.015 H21JAPT1 ctelli on DSK11ZRN23PROD with HOUSE January 21, 2021 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H219 are anything but routine, and I am convinced Frankel, Lois Lieu Sa´ nchez Murphy (NC) Rose Stewart that current circumstances warrant this waiver. Fudge Lofgren Sarbanes Newhouse Rosendale Tlaib Fulcher Long Scalise Ocasio-Cortez Rouzer Walorski On January 6, 2021, violent insurrectionists Gaetz Lowenthal Scanlon Omar Smith (MO) Waltz stormed and attacked the U.S. Capitol at- Gallego Lucas Schakowsky Perry Spartz Weber (TX) tempting to overturn the will of the voters and Garamendi Luetkemeyer Schiff Porter Stauber Wenstrup Garbarino Luria Schneider Pressley Steil impede the peaceful transfer of power to a Garcia (CA) Lynch Schrader Reschenthaler Steube new, democratically-elected administration. Garcı´a (IL) Mace Schrier NOT VOTING—27 The current state of heightened security risks, Garcia (TX) Malliotakis Schweikert the lack of cooperation by former President Gimenez Maloney, Scott (VA) Armstrong Graves (LA) Norman Gomez Carolyn B. Scott, Austin Arrington Graves (MO) Nunes Trump for a successful transition, the Gonzales, Tony Maloney, Sean Scott, David Barr Hagedorn Pence emboldening of white supremacists and seri- Gonzalez, Manning Sessions Brady Hartzler Posey ous threat of domestic terrorism, and numer- Vicente Mast Sewell Calvert Hern Roy Gottheimer Matsui ous other unprecedented challenges make it Sherman Davis, Rodney Higgins (LA) Rutherford Green (TN) McBath Sherrill Duncan LaMalfa Simpson Green, Al (TX) McCarthy imperative that President Biden’s national se- Sires Gibbs Lesko Webster (FL) Griffith McCaul curity team be in place as expeditiously as Slotkin Granger Loudermilk Wright Grijalva McClain Smith (NE) possible. This certainly includes a Secretary of Grothman McCollum Smith (NJ) Defense, a role that is also critical to vaccine Guest McEachin Smith (WA) b 1607 Guthrie McGovern distribution and other elements of our re- Smucker sponse to the coronavirus pandemic. Haaland McHenry Ms. SHERRILL changed her vote Harder (CA) McKinley Soto from ‘‘nay’’ to ‘‘yea.’’ President Biden has been elected by the Spanberger Hastings McNerney So the bill was passed. people to serve as our Commander in Chief, Herrera Beutler Meeks Speier Stanton and I respect his decision to nominate General Higgins (NY) Meng The result of the vote was announced Himes Meuser Steel as above recorded. Austin, a well-respected, experienced, and Hinson Mfume Stefanik barrier-breaking nominee, to meet the many Horsford Miller (WV) Stevens A motion to reconsider was laid on challenges our nation faces. Houlahan Miller-Meeks Stivers the table. The SPEAKER pro tempore. All time Hoyer Moolenaar Strickland Stated for: Hudson Mooney Suozzi for debate has expired. Huffman Moore (AL) Swalwell Mrs. LESKO. Mr. Speaker, had I been Pursuant to the order of the House of Huizenga Moore (UT) Takano present, I would have voted ‘‘yea’’ on rollcall today, the previous question is ordered Issa Morelle Taylor No. 18. Jackson Mrvan Thompson (CA) on the bill. Jackson Lee Murphy (FL) Thompson (MS) Ms. GRANGER. Mr. Speaker, I missed The question is on the engrossment Jacobs (CA) Nadler Thompson (PA) votes due to circumstances beyond my con- and third reading of the bill. Jacobs (NY) Napolitano Tiffany trol. Had I been present, I would have voted The bill was ordered to be engrossed Jeffries Neal Timmons ‘‘yea’’ on rollcall No. 18. Johnson (GA) Neguse Titus and read a third time, and was read the Johnson (OH) Nehls Tonko Stated against: third time. Johnson (TX) Newman Torres (CA) Mr. HAGEDORN. Mr. Speaker, had I been The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Jones Norcross Torres (NY) Jordan O’Halleran present for the vote on final passage of H.R. question is on the passage of the bill. Trahan Joyce (OH) Obernolte Trone 335, I would have voted ‘‘nay.’’ The question was taken; and the Kahele Owens Turner Mr. ROY. Mr. Speaker, out of an abundance Speaker pro tempore announced that Kaptur Palazzo Underwood of caution, I decided to remain home due to Katko Pallone the ayes appeared to have it. Upton several days of persistent symtoms. I could Keating Palmer Valadao Mr. SMITH of Washington. Mr. Kelly (IL) Panetta Van Drew not get on a plane to vote on H.R. 335. Had Kelly (MS) Pappas Speaker, on that I demand the yeas Van Duyne I been present, I would have voted ‘‘nay’’ on Kelly (PA) Pascrell Vargas and nays. Khanna Payne rollcall No. 18. Veasey The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- Kildee Perlmutter Vela MEMBERS RECORDED PURSUANT TO HOUSE Kilmer Peters ant to section 3(s) of House Resolution Vela´ zquez RESOLUTION 8, 117TH CONGRESS 8, the yeas and nays are ordered. Kim (CA) Pfluger Kim (NJ) Phillips Wagner Amodei (Kelly Higgins (NY) Payne ´ The vote was taken by electronic de- Kinzinger Pingree Walberg (PA)) (Sanchez) (Wasserman vice, and there were—yeas 326, nays 78, Kirkpatrick Pocan Wasserman Baird (Bucshon) Jackson Lee Schultz) Schultz not voting 27, as follows: Krishnamoorthi Price (NC) Blumenauer (Butterfield) Perlmutter Kuster Quigley Waters (Beyer) Johnson (TX) (Neguse) [Roll No. 18] Kustoff Raskin Watson Coleman Bowman (Clark (Jeffries) Pingree (Kuster) (MA)) Kind (Beyer) YEAS—326 LaHood Reed Welch Pocan (Raskin) Lamb Rice (NY) Westerman Buchanan Kinzinger Porter (Wexton) Adams Bustos Davids (KS) Langevin Rice (SC) Wexton (Cammack) (Herrera Pressley (Garcı´a ´ Aderholt Butterfield Davis, Danny K. Larsen (WA) Rodgers (WA) Wild Cardenas Beutler) (IL)) Aguilar Carbajal Dean Larson (CT) Rogers (AL) Williams (GA) (Gallego) Kirkpatrick Price (NC) ´ Allen Cardenas DeFazio Latta Rogers (KY) Williams (TX) Carter (TX) (Gallego) (Butterfield) Allred Carl DeGette Lawrence Ross Wilson (FL) (Nehls) Krishnamoorthi Rogers (KY) Amodei Carson DeLauro Lawson (FL) Roybal-Allard Wilson (SC) Cooper (Himes) (Brown) (Fleischmann) Auchincloss Carter (GA) DelBene Lee (CA) Ruiz Wittman Correa (Carbajal) Kustoff Roybal-Allard Axne Carter (TX) Delgado Lee (NV) Ruppersberger Womack Davis, Danny K. (Fleischmann) (Cuellar) Bacon Cartwright Demings Leger Fernandez Rush Yarmuth (Underwood) Larson (CT) Ruiz (Aguilar) Barraga´ n Case DeSaulnier DeFazio (Davids (Courtney) Levin (CA) Ryan Young Rush Bass Castor (FL) DesJarlais (KS)) Lawson (FL) Levin (MI) Salazar Zeldin (Underwood) Beatty Castro (TX) Deutch DeSaulnier (Evans) Schneider Bentz Chabot Diaz-Balart (Matsui) Leger Fernandez NAYS—78 (Sherrill) Bera Chu Dingell DesJarlais (Jacobs (CA)) Schrier Beyer Cicilline Doggett Babin Davidson Hill (Fleischmann) Lieu (Beyer) (Spanberger) Bice (OK) Clark (MA) Donalds Baird Emmer Hollingsworth Doyle, Michael Lofgren (Jeffries) Steel (Kim (CA)) Bilirakis Clarke (NY) Doyle, Michael Balderson Estes Jayapal F. (Cartwright) Lowenthal Bishop (GA) Cleaver F. Banks Fischbach Johnson (LA) Dunn (Bilirakis) (Beyer) Stefanik (Katko) Bishop (NC) Clyburn Dunn Bergman Franklin, C. Johnson (SD) Espaillat Luetkemeyer Thompson (MS) Blumenauer Cohen Escobar Biggs Scott Joyce (PA) (Jeffries) (Kelly (PA)) (Butterfield) Blunt Rochester Cole Eshoo Boebert Gallagher Keller Fortenberry McHenry (Banks) Timmons Bonamici Comer Espaillat Bowman Gohmert Kind (Bilirakis) Meng (Clark (Katko) Bost Connolly Evans Budd Golden Lamborn Frankel, Lois (MA)) Tlaib (Kildee) Bourdeaux Cooper Fallon Burchett Gonzalez (OH) LaTurner (Clark (MA)) Moore (WI) Tonko (Pallone) Boyle, Brendan Correa Feenstra Bush Good (VA) Malinowski Gaetz (Beyer) Vela (Gomez) F. Costa Ferguson Cammack Gooden (TX) Mann (Cammack) Nadler (Jeffries) Wagner Brooks Courtney Fitzgerald Casten Gosar Massie Gosar Napolitano (Walberg) Brown Craig Fitzpatrick Cawthorn Greene (GA) McClintock (Schweikert) (Torres (CA)) Walorski (Banks) Brownley Crenshaw Fleischmann Cheney Harris Meijer Gottheimer Neal (Lynch) Waltz (Donalds) Buchanan Crist Fletcher Cline Harshbarger Miller (IL) (Panetta) Ocasio-Cortez Watson Coleman Buck Crow Fortenberry Cloud Hayes Moore (WI) Hastings (Garcı´a (IL)) (Pallone) Bucshon Cuellar Foster Clyde Herrell Moulton (Wasserman Pascrell Wilson (FL) Burgess Curtis Foxx Crawford Hice (GA) Mullin Schultz) (Pallone) (Hayes)

VerDate Sep 11 2014 05:14 Jan 22, 2021 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00011 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A21JA7.009 H21JAPT1 ctelli on DSK11ZRN23PROD with HOUSE H220 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE January 21, 2021 ADJOURNMENT Federal property or while traveling in inter- bikeshare projects, and for other purposes; to state commerce, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Transportation and Infra- The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. the Committee on Energy and Commerce. structure. BUTTERFIELD). Pursuant to section By Mrs. BOEBERT (for herself, Mr. By Mr. BLUMENAUER (for himself and 5(a)(1)(B) of House Resolution 8, the BIGGS, Mr. BROOKS, Mr. GOOD of Vir- Mr. LOWENTHAL): House stands adjourned until 1:30 p.m. ginia, Mr. BUDD, Mr. MOONEY, Ms. H.R. 383. A bill to include certain eligi- on Monday, January 25, 2021. HERRELL, Mrs. MILLER of Illinois, Mr. bility requirements in the surface transpor- Thereupon (at 4 o’clock and 10 min- PFLUGER, Mr. CLINE, Mr. WEBER of tation system funding alternatives program, utes p.m.), under its previous order, the Texas, and Mr. LAMALFA): and for other purposes; to the Committee on H.R. 376. A bill to require the advice and Transportation and Infrastructure. House adjourned until Monday, Janu- consent to ratification of the Paris Agree- By Mr. BLUMENAUER (for himself, ary 25, 2021, at 1:30 p.m. ment by the United States Senate before any Mr. BUCHANAN, and Ms. PRESSLEY): f action may be taken to carry out the goals H.R. 384. A bill to amend the Internal Rev- of the Paris Agreement, and for other pur- enue Code of 1986 to modify employer-pro- EXECUTIVE COMMUNICATIONS, poses; to the Committee on Foreign Affairs. vided fringe benefits for bicycle commuting; ETC. By Mr. ARRINGTON (for himself, Mr. to the Committee on Ways and Means. BABIN, Mr. ESTES, and Mr. BANKS): By Mr. BLUMENAUER (for himself and Under clause 2 of rule XIV, executive H.R. 377. A bill to amend title 18, United Ms. BONAMICI): communications were taken from the States Code, to increase certain penalties for H.R. 385. A bill to direct the Secretary of Speaker’s table and referred as follows: assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain of- Transportation to make grants for the oper- ficers or employees, and for other purposes; EC-6. A letter from the President, trans- ation of a clearinghouse to collect, conduct, to the Committee on the Judiciary. mitting a notification that the National and fund research on the influences of highly By Mr. ARRINGTON (for himself, Mr. Emergency concerning the southern border automated vehicles on land use, urban de- BABIN, Mr. ESTES, and Mr. BANKS): sign, transportation, real estate, and munic- of the United States, originally declared on H.R. 378. A bill to amend title 18, United February 15, 2019, by Proclamation 9844, is to ipal budgets, and for other purposes; to the States Code, to increase the maximum term Committee on Science, Space, and Tech- continue in effect beyond February 15, 2021, of imprisonment for rioting, and for other nology, and in addition to the Committee on pursuant to 50 U.S.C. 1622(d); Public Law 94- purposes; to the Committee on the Judici- Transportation and Infrastructure, for a pe- 412, Sec. 202(d); (90 Stat. 1257) (H. Doc. No. ary. riod to be subsequently determined by the 117—10); to the Committee on Armed Serv- By Ms. BARRAGA´ N (for herself, Mr. Speaker, in each case for consideration of ices and ordered to be printed. BUTTERFIELD, Mr. CA´ RDENAS, Ms. such provisions as fall within the jurisdic- EC-7. A letter from the Assistant Sec- CLARKE of New York, Ms. BLUNT tion of the committee concerned. retary of Defense, Homeland Defense and ROCHESTER, Mr. RUSH, Ms. KELLY of By Mr. BROWN (for himself, Mr. Americas’ Security Affairs, Department of Illinois, Mr. WELCH, Mr. KHANNA, Mr. HUFFMAN, Ms. TITUS, Ms. BROWNLEY, Defense, transmitting the Department’s con- DEUTCH, Ms. UNDERWOOD, Mr. HIGGINS Mr. ESPAILLAT, Mr. CARSON, and Mr. solidated budget justification display of the of New York, Mr. GRIJALVA, Ms. ROY- COHEN): combating terrorism program, pursuant to 10 BAL-ALLARD, Mr. COHEN, Ms. MOORE H.R. 386. A bill to amend title 23, United U.S.C. 229(a); Added by Public Law 106-65, of Wisconsin, Ms. LEE of California, States Code, with respect to funding for cer- div. A, title IX, Sec. 932(b)(1), Oct. 5, 1999; (133 Mr. HASTINGS, Mr. CARSON, Ms. NOR- tain safety projects, and for other purposes; Stat. 727); to the Committee on Armed Serv- TON, Mr. RASKIN, Ms. SPANBERGER, to the Committee on Transportation and In- ices. Ms. JACKSON LEE, Mr. MORELLE, Mr. frastructure. EC-8. A letter from the President, trans- SABLAN, Ms. SA´ NCHEZ, Mr. GARCI´A of By Mr. BUDD (for himself and Mr. GAR- mitting the Economic Report of the Presi- Illinois, Mr. KILDEE, Mr. LEVIN of CIA of California): dent together with the Annual Report of the California, Ms. PORTER, and Ms. GAR- Council of Economic Advisers, pursuant to 15 H.R. 387. A bill to prevent doses of vaccines CIA of Texas): for COVID-19 from being wasted, and for U.S.C. 1022(a); February 20, 1946, ch. 33, Sec. H.R. 379. A bill to authorize the Director of other purposes; to the Committee on Energy 3(a) (as amended by Public Law 101-508; the Centers for Disease Control and Preven- 13112(e)); (104 Stat. 1388-609) (H. Doc. No. 117— tion to carry out a Social Determinants of and Commerce. 2); to the Committee on Energy and Com- Health Program, and for other purposes; to By Mr. CASE (for himself and Mr. merce and ordered to be printed. the Committee on Energy and Commerce. KAHELE): H.R. 388. A bill to amend the Farm Secu- EC-9. A letter from the President, trans- By Mr. BIGGS (for himself, Mr. DUN- rity and Rural Investment Act of 2002 by re- mitting additional steps to address the na- CAN, Mr. NORMAN, Mr. GAETZ, Mr. quiring preclearance quarantine inspections tional emergency with respect to significant MOONEY, Mr. BUDD, Mr. KELLY of for all movement to or from the State of Ha- malicious cyber-enabled activities as de- Pennsylvania, Mr. GIBBS, Mr. waii by either domestic or international clared in Executive Order 13694 of April 1, ROUZER, Mr. ALLEN, Mr. ROY, Mr. travel, and for other purposes; to the Com- 2015, pursuant to 50 U.S.C. 1703(b); Public GOODEN of Texas, Mr. GOOD of Vir- mittee on Agriculture. Law 95-223, Sec. 204(b); (91 Stat. 1627) and 50 ginia, Mr. BABIN, Mr. CAWTHORN, Mr. By Mr. CASE (for himself, Mr. SIRES, U.S.C. 1641(b); Public Law 94-412, Sec. 401(b); LAMBORN, Mr. MOORE of Alabama, Mr. NEGUSE, Mr. SHERMAN, Mr. NAD- (90 Stat. 1257) (H. Doc. No. 117—11); to the Mr. MULLIN, Mr. JOHNSON of Ohio, LER, and Ms. NORTON): OSENDALE, Mr. BANKS, Mr. KEL- Committee on Foreign Affairs and ordered to Mr. R H.R. 389. A bill to impose safety require- LER, Mr. STEUBE, and Mr. JACKSON): be printed. ments on commercial air tour flights, and H.R. 380. A bill to amend the Internal Rev- f enue Code of 1986 to provide that amounts for other purposes; to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. PUBLIC BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS paid for an abortion are not taken into ac- count for purposes of the deduction for med- By Mr. COHEN (for himself, Mr. COO- Under clause 2 of rule XII, public ical expenses; to the Committee on Ways and PER, Mr. BURCHETT, Mr. bills and resolutions of the following Means. FLEISCHMANN, Mr. KUSTOFF, Mr. ROSE, Mr. GREEN of Tennessee, Mrs. titles were introduced and severally re- By Mr. BIGGS (for himself, Mr. DUN- CAN, Mr. NORMAN, Mr. GAETZ, Mr. HARSHBARGER, and Mr. DESJARLAIS): ferred, as follows: H.R. 390. A bill to redesignate the Federal MOONEY, Mr. BUDD, Mr. GIBBS, Mr. By Mr. CURTIS (for himself, Mr. BERA, building located at 167 North Main Street in ROUZER, Mr. GOODEN of Texas, Mrs. and Mr. VAN DREW): Memphis, Tennessee as the ‘‘Odell Horton HINSON, Mr. GOOD of Virginia, Mr. H.R. 373. A bill to treat certain face cov- Federal Building’’; to the Committee on CAWTHORN, Mr. MOORE of Alabama, erings and disinfectants as medical expenses Transportation and Infrastructure. Mr. MULLIN, Mr. JOHNSON of Ohio, for purposes of certain Federal tax benefits; By Mr. CONNOLLY (for himself, Mr. Mr. ALLEN, Mr. KELLER, and Mr. to the Committee on Ways and Means. CHABOT, Mrs. WAGNER, Mr. BERA, Mr. STEUBE): By Mrs. BOEBERT (for herself, Mr. H.R. 381. A bill to amend title 18, United FITZPATRICK, Mr. LARSEN of Wash- HICE of Georgia, Mr. BUDD, Mr. NOR- States Code, to prohibit certain abortion ington, Ms. BASS, Mrs. BEATTY, Mr. MAN, Mr. CAWTHORN, Mr. BIGGS, Mr. procedures, and for other purposes; to the BEYER, Ms. BLUNT ROCHESTER, Ms. GAETZ, and Mr. ROUZER): Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition BROWNLEY, Mr. CARTWRIGHT, Mr. H.R. 374. A bill to prohibit the availability to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, CASE, Mr. CASTEN, Mr. CICILLINE, Mr. of United States contributions to the World for a period to be subsequently determined CLEAVER, Mr. COLE, Mr. COOPER, Mr. Health Organization until Congress receives by the Speaker, in each case for consider- COSTA, Ms. DEAN, Mr. DEFAZIO, Mr. a full report on China and the COVID-19 pan- ation of such provisions as fall within the ju- DEUTCH, Mr. ESPAILLAT, Ms. LOIS demic, and for other purposes; to the Com- risdiction of the committee concerned. FRANKEL of Florida, Mr. VICENTE mittee on Foreign Affairs. By Mr. BLUMENAUER (for himself, GONZALEZ of Texas, Mr. HASTINGS, By Mrs. BOEBERT: Mr. BUCHANAN, and Ms. PRESSLEY): Mrs. HAYES, Ms. HOULAHAN, Ms. H.R. 375. A bill to provide that no person H.R. 382. A bill to amend titles 23 and 49, JACKSON LEE, Mr. KEATING, Mr. may be required to wear a face covering on United States Code, with respect to KHANNA, Mr. KILMER, Mr. LANGEVIN,

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