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

Vol. 163 WASHINGTON, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2017 No. 198 House of Representatives The House met at 10 a.m. and was Pennsylvania (Mr. THOMPSON) for 5 search will help farmers in the Com- called to order by the Speaker pro tem- minutes. monwealth of Pennsylvania better pro- pore (Mr. JODY B. HICE of Georgia). Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. tect their crops from bear-related dam- f Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowl- age. Pennsylvania has one of the larg- edge the work of a student at Penn est populations of black bears in North DESIGNATION OF SPEAKER PRO State DuBois. America, and thanks to studies like TEMPORE Alec Baker, a native of Clarion, Alec’s, the Commonwealth will be bet- The SPEAKER pro tempore laid be- Pennsylvania, is a student in the wild- ter able to understand how bears influ- fore the House the following commu- life technology degree program at Penn ence agriculture and how farmers can nication from the Speaker: State DuBois. He was recently awarded implement better management tactics WASHINGTON, DC, an Erickson Discovery Grant from to protect their crops. December 5, 2017. Penn State’s Office of Undergraduate I congratulate Alec for his achieve- I hereby appoint the Honorable JODY B. Education for an independent research ment and all those who received the HICE to act as Speaker pro tempore on this project. Erickson Discovery Award, and I look day. Alec’s area of study focused on black forward to the results. PAUL D. RYAN, bears and the impact the bears have on f Speaker of the House of Representatives. agriculture and farmers in Pennsyl- f vania, particularly, the Common- RETREATING AMERICA MESSAGE FROM THE SENATE wealth’s corn crop. Alec conducted the The SPEAKER pro tempore. The project this summer for the Pennsyl- Chair recognizes the gentleman from A message from the Senate by Ms. vania Game Commission and gathered Oregon (Mr. BLUMENAUER) for 5 min- Lasky, one of its clerks, announced information in the field through Octo- utes. that the Senate agreed to the amend- ber. He is processing his findings this Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, it ment of the House of Representatives fall. is sad to watch the Trump administra- to the bill (S. 371) ‘‘An Act to make Alec has conducted his research pri- tion leading America in retreat, with- technical changes and other improve- marily using Clarion County as his drawing positions of international ments to the Department of State Au- study area. He has obtained nuisance leadership, hollowing out the State De- thorities Act, Fiscal Year 2017.’’. bear reports for crop damage from the partment, crippling us for years to f area dating back to the year 2000. He come. plans to chart trends in the data Last night, there was an example of MORNING-HOUR DEBATE through these years and monitor sites that retreat right here on the floor of The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- for continued activity using cameras. the House as our Republican friends ant to the order of the House of Janu- In total, 219 students applied to re- were unable to address their plan for ary 3, 2017, the Chair will now recog- ceive an Erickson Discovery Grant this raising taxes for Americans in every nize Members from lists submitted by year, and Alec was one of 83 students State by restricting their ability to de- the majority and minority leaders for from all Penn State locations and cam- duct State and local taxes. Why force morning-hour debate. puses who received a grant. The millions of Americans to pay taxes on The Chair will alternate recognition Erickson Discovery Grant allows stu- taxes? between the parties. All time shall be dents to immerse themselves in origi- Why, Mr. Speaker, is there a proposal equally allocated between the parties, nal research under the direct super- to destabilize insurance rates across and in no event shall debate continue vision of a faculty member in order to America, leading to 10 percent pre- beyond 11:50 a.m. Each Member, other obtain hands-on experience in their mium increases year after year, and to than the majority and minority leaders chosen field. have up to 13 million additional unin- and the minority whip, shall be limited Alec has just completed his sopho- sured Americans over the course of the to 5 minutes. more year in the wildlife technology next 10 years? f associate degree program and will go They have no answer as to why to on to earn a bachelor’s degree in wild- mortgage our children’s future for CONGRATULATING ALEC BAKER life and fishery science. greater benefits for the richest and ON BEAR RESEARCH PROJECT Mr. Speaker, I applaud Alec Baker most privileged Americans. When cor- The SPEAKER pro tempore. The for undertaking this important area of porations are recording record-high Chair recognizes the gentleman from study. I have no doubt that his re- profits and have trillions of dollars of

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

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VerDate Sep 11 2014 23:44 Dec 05, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A05DE7.000 H05DEPT1 SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with HOUSE H9624 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE December 5, 2017 profits overseas, why are we borrowing outside of Federal law—but not all in electrical engineering from New to provide more benefits to the largest Federal law, just this particular Fed- York University. After graduating, Bill corporations and wealthiest people eral law. returned to North Carolina, where he while we are ignoring the people who That defies common sense. It defies worked as a senior engineer at IBM visit our offices every day seeking not reason because we are a nation of laws, Corporation in Durham. a sympathetic ear, but action, for ex- a nation that abides by the rule of law, Bill Bell has been a community de- ample, action on the opioid crisis and a nation of law and order—not of anar- velopment trailblazer not only as the epidemic of opioid deaths claiming chy. mayor, but as vice president and chief 64,000 Americans last year? Sanctuary city policies are making operating officer of United Durham In- Our former colleague, Patrick Ken- America less safe. On this, there should corporated since 1996, where he used nedy, whose advocacy is informed by be no doubt. We have to think: What the acronym UDI. his own struggle to overcome opioid does this example set for our country? Even during his days as a young engi- addiction, will testify today in the What does it say to people who abide neer, Bill Bell had a unique vision for other body that we could easily produc- by the law, who feel that their lives are his beloved community. This vision led tively spend up to $200 billion more endangered, that their security is en- to Bill’s election to the Durham Coun- dealing with the crisis, helping people dangered? What kind of message do ty Board of Commissioners in 1972. At with recovery. The Senate is proposing sanctuary policies send to the thin blue the time, Bill was one of two African- to increase one ten-thousandth of that line, people who stand to protect us American commissioners on the five- amount—not $200 billion, but $20 mil- every single day? member board. Bill Bell served on the lion—to deal with this crisis because I would suggest that sanctuary city board of county commissioners until we don’t have the money, yet we are policies are cracking the foundation of 1994, and again from 1996 to the year borrowing $1.5 trillion to give addi- our democracy. It is why it is impor- 2000, even serving as its chairman from tional tax benefits to those who need tant that this body take action. I 1982 to 1994. would suggest it is why it is important them the least. b 1015 We are not being able to adequately that we pass the CLEAR Act, legisla- help our veterans, whose needs are tion I have authored that would strip In 2001, Mr. Speaker, Bill Bell was clear to anybody who visits the Vet- sanctuary cities of funding, that would elected mayor of the city of Durham. erans Administration hospital in their require that criminal illegal aliens be He was then reelected seven—yes, that State, or provide investments in roads deported from this country. is seven—times, serving as Durham’s longest serving mayor for 16 years. and bridges and transit or in water and f sewer that would strengthen every Mayor Bill Bell will be remembered HONORING MAYOR WILLIAM V. community, make it safer and business for leading the city of Durham toward BELL more competitive. great progress. His legacy includes Good policy and effective investment The SPEAKER pro tempore. The heading up the transformation of is possible if we are not mortgaging our Chair recognizes the gentleman from downtown Durham from boarded-up children’s future, borrowing vast sums North Carolina (Mr. BUTTERFIELD) for 5 windows to a city which is a top des- of money to lavish more tax reductions minutes. tination and is now home to a variety on people who don’t need it, while ig- Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Speaker, I of thriving businesses and technology noring the needs of people who do, who rise this morning to honor and recog- startups as well as major projects, such visit offices every day here on Capitol nize a great American, a visionary, a as the Durham Performing Arts Center Hill. statesman, and a friend, Mayor Wil- and the American Tobacco Campus. America does not have to be in re- liam V. Bell, better known as Mayor It is a thriving city, Mr. Speaker, and treat, claiming poverty, that we are Bill Bell. Yesterday, Mr. Speaker, my I encourage anyone to take a look at helpless to meet the needs of the Amer- friend Bill Bell ended 16 years of distin- Durham and see how impressive this ican people, if Congress finds the cour- guished service as mayor of the city of city is. From leading the trans- age and the will to do its job. Durham, North Carolina, located in my formation of downtown Durham to f congressional district. placing a renewed emphasis on even ad- Mr. Speaker, Durham has always dressing gun violence in the commu- SANCTUARY CITIES been a progressive city, a city where I nity, Mayor Bell has always fought to The SPEAKER pro tempore. The attended undergraduate school and law improve the lives of his constituents. Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from school at North Carolina Central Uni- It has been a pleasure to work with Tennessee (Mrs. BLACKBURN) for 5 min- versity. Durham has always been a pro- Mayor Bell on behalf of the citizens of utes. gressive city, above the average, but Durham in the first district. The Dur- Mrs. BLACKBURN. Mr. Speaker, I under Bill Bell’s leadership, the city ham community is stronger thanks to am rising today to talk about an issue has become a thriving Southern city ri- Bill Bell’s leadership. He is, without a that women are talking about every valing Charlotte and even Atlanta, doubt, a visionary trailblazer who will single day, and as I am home and out Georgia. go down in history having left a posi- and about in my district, I hear this re- Bill Bell’s work as mayor is but part tive mark on his city. peatedly. They will come up to me and of a long tenure of service to Durham Yesterday, Mr. Speaker, Mayor Bill they will say: MARSHA, I am becoming that spans more than four decades. Bell turned over the office now to a security mom. I fear for the security This week, I join the entire Durham Mayor Steve Schewel. Mayor Schewel of my children. I am concerned about community in thanking Mayor Bill served on the Durham City Council what is happening on our streets and in Bell for his many, many years of public since 2011, and I know he will continue our communities. service. With Mayor Bell’s retirement to build on this legacy. Mr. Speaker, I will tell you, last last evening, December 4, 2017, he Finally, Mr. Speaker, I am told that week, after the verdict came down in leaves his office having literally trans- Mayor Bell’s daughters, Tiffany Bell, the Kate Steinle trial, the fact that a formed the Durham community. Anjanee Nicole Bell, and Kristen criminal illegal alien was not found The city’s leadership has now been Vaughan Bell-Hughes, are all excited guilty, I received so many comments passed to a new mayor, Steve Schewel, about their dad’s decision to enjoy a and calls from people saying something who is also a friend and a visionary life of retirement. I don’t believe Bill needs to be done about this because leader. The city of Durham, North Bell is going to actually retire. I am justice was not delivered for the life of Carolina, is in good hands. sure he is going to spend less time in Kate Steinle. Born William V. Bell in 1941, Bill public service, but I am sure he will That brings us to the issue of sanc- grew up in Winston-Salem, North Caro- continue his advocacy in some signifi- tuary cities and those policies, the lina. He received a degree in electrical cant way. very idea that some elected officials or engineering from Howard University While Bill Bell is deserving of far some cities could choose to say: We here in Washington, D.C., and then greater accolades than I have just re- will become a haven for those who are went on to receive his master’s degree cited over the last few minutes, I ask

VerDate Sep 11 2014 23:44 Dec 05, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K05DE7.002 H05DEPT1 SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with HOUSE December 5, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H9625 my colleagues today to join me in rec- actly what happened and who her as- Pennsylvania (Mr. FITZPATRICK) for 5 ognizing this great American, Bill Bell. sailant was, the police and the hospital minutes. On behalf of the United States House of staff again refused to conduct a rape Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, Representatives, the residents of Dur- kit. today I recognize Conwell-Egan Catho- ham, North Carolina, and the people of Mr. Speaker, the purpose of a rape lic High School and the $5 million con- the First Congressional District, I ex- kit is to find out who the assailant tribution they received to help educate press my sincere appreciation for was. the next generation of students in Mayor Bill Bell’s elective service, his Desperate and denied any assistance Bucks County. This gift, in recognition dedicated service, and I wish him noth- from her own university, Hannah still of the school’s continued success, was ing but my best wishes in the months reached out for help. She went to donated by a 1972 graduate who wanted and years to come. George Washington University Hos- to thank his teachers for all they did I thank Bill Bell for his leadership. pital, but they told her that, since she to help shape his life. The benefactor, Mr. Tom Lynch, said f was denied a rape kit at Howard Uni- versity, she was not allowed to get one he gave the gift because ‘‘anything is SEXUAL ASSAULT ON UNIVERSITY at this hospital. Hannah sought help possible when you get a good edu- CAMPUS and was rejected at every turn. cation.’’ This quote rings true in the The SPEAKER pro tempore. The This is tragic, Mr. Speaker. ears of every American. The oppor- Chair recognizes the gentleman from Most of us have kids. A lot of them tunity to learn from a young age is a Texas (Mr. POE) for 5 minutes. go to universities—all four of mine did; critical experience. Continued support Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, when three of them are girls—and we expect for our teachers and our schools is of teenagers select universities to attend, universities to do something to protect the utmost importance. they assume that their school will pro- those students when a crime is com- With this donation, Conwell-Egan tect and take care of them if some- mitted against them. The doctors and plans to set a significant amount aside thing horrible occurs. Hannah was no medical staff at both university hos- for scholarships and tuition assistance different when she decided to attend pitals were apparently not trained to for families in need in our area. Gen- Howard University in 2006. But on a deal with traumatized rape victims, erous contributions like these allow Friday night of her sophomore year, and they were clearly ignorant of how our educational institutions to grow she realized how deeply misplaced her important forensic evidence is after an and to offer greater support to our trust in the school was. assault. communities. I congratulate Conwell-Egan, and we On that night, Hannah and her So to ensure this doesn’t happen to all thank Mr. Lynch for supporting friends went to a fellow student’s house more victims, I have introduced legis- such a great institution. party. It was a typical college evening lation that would require a university filled with dancing and laughter, but it to provide access to a nurse or a doctor RECOGNIZING PALISADES HIGH SCHOOL wasn’t until the party began to wind FOOTBALL TEAM who is properly trained to provide med- Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, I down that Hannah’s friends noticed she ical care for trauma rape victims or rise today to recognize the players, was missing. Hannah was always very have a plan in place to quickly get a coaches, and staff of the Palisades High safety conscious and never wandered victim to a nearby hospital. Univer- School football team and to congratu- off alone, so her friends were imme- sities must have a plan in place or have late them on an incredible season. With diately worried and began frantically access to a staffer. their consistent displays of grit and te- looking for her in the house. They This bill is named the Megan Rondini nacity, the Palisades Pirates should be called her name and searched the en- Act in honor of another college rape proud of what they accomplished: a 13– tire first floor. Hannah was nowhere to victim from Texas, who was at the Uni- 1 season and the best record in Pali- be found. versity of Alabama. She was denied sades football history. They tried to go upstairs to search proper post-rape treatment at a hos- Although their season ended with a the second floor, but a man grabbed pital. Eventually, she took her own life tough loss in the playoffs, the Pali- them and forced them down the stairs. because of the fact that no one paid at- sades Pirates football team should hold He said that nobody was allowed to go tention to her. their heads high. They have worked upstairs. Hannah’s friends argued with This bill will ensure victims can ac- hard, and they have made their com- him. They screamed her name and cess the care they need. Having a munity proud. threatened to call the police. SAFE, sexual assault forensic exam- To the fans, friends, and families who Just as the situation was escalating, iner, or a SANE, sexual assault nurse have supported Palisades, we offer our Hannah appeared at the top of the examiner, for rape victims at univer- congratulations. To all those who work stairs. She was a mess. She was con- sities ensures that rape kits are prop- with and support organized youth fused, and she was barely able to walk erly examined and collected. sports in our district, we offer our or to speak. The girls took Hannah by Universities not only need to have thanks. To the young student athletes the arms and immediately left the access to a SAFE, but they need to on the Palisades football team, I say: house. Something really awful had hap- have a victim advocate trained in sex- Well done. I hope that you take the les- pened to her, so they rushed her to the ual assault on campus, and all rape sons of cooperation and determination Howard University emergency room. kits from students and nonstudents that you have learned on the field with Mr. Speaker, here is where the uni- must be quickly analyzed so that the you when you step off the field. Our versity system completely failed her. offender can be determined. community is very proud of you. When the doctor finally came to see Mr. Speaker, there are thousands of f Hannah, he told her she was too drunk rape kits all over the country sitting and she should go home and just sleep on police shelves that just haven’t been INNOVATION IN MINNESOTA’S it all off. The friends begged the doctor examined. This is awful. SIXTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT to give her a rape kit, but he just re- Hannah was denied justice because of The SPEAKER pro tempore. The fused and sent them away. incompetence. Victims are people, too, Chair recognizes the gentleman from This is malpractice, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, and schools, especially, Minnesota (Mr. EMMER) for 5 minutes. Rape kits can provide critically impor- should be prepared to deal with sexual Mr. EMMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise tant evidence in sexual assault cases, assault victims; otherwise, there will today to congratulate the 2017 recipi- especially cases where the victim has be more victims like Hannah. ents of the Greater St. Cloud Develop- been drugged. And that is just the way it is. ment Corporation Innovation Award. When Hannah woke up the next f These four recipients received their morning, she was in so much pain she awards for their ability to incorporate could barely walk, so she called the po- RECOGNIZING CONWELL-EGAN new and inventive ideas into their lice and returned to the university CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL field. emergency room for a rape kit. But be- The SPEAKER pro tempore. The I want to first congratulate Mighty cause Hannah couldn’t remember ex- Chair recognizes the gentleman from Axe Hops in Foley for receiving the

VerDate Sep 11 2014 23:44 Dec 05, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K05DE7.005 H05DEPT1 SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with HOUSE H9626 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE December 5, 2017 For-Profit Emerging Company Award, In 2010, Mike began snowboarding as express my deep appreciation to the which highlights their contributions to research for his company, BioDapt, hundreds of thousands of men and the hop industry and their efforts to which develops prosthetic equipment women who work in our Nation’s quar- develop an experimental hop yard. for athletes. This led him to compete ries, dredge operations, and other mine Cybermation of Waite Park received as a member of the U.S. Snowboarding facilities to help build and power our the For-Profit Established Company team. He is now in his fourth season. Nation. Award for decades of work in digital As if all of his other accomplish- These workers do a great deal to ex- healthcare technology for seniors. ments are not enough, Mike is now a tract the materials found in every Cybermation has been innovating since Kellogg’s cereal celebrity. Over the home, building, road, bridge, and public 1996. years, immensely talented athletes works project. I also want to recognize the Talahi have graced boxes of Frosted Flakes, U.S. domestic production and use of Community School for receiving the and we are proud that this year Mike stone, sand, and gravel, or aggregates, Nonprofit Organization Award for the joins the ranks. amounted to 2.5 million tons of crushed school’s commitment to building Min- I am honored to congratulate Mike stone, valued at $25 billion. The U.S. nesota’s premier adaptive playground on all of his incredible accomplish- Mine Safety and Health Administra- in St. Cloud. ments and his recognition by Kellogg’s. tion has reported that, throughout its Finally, I want to recognize Jugaad Mike is proof of what a person can ac- 40 facilities, almost 3,000 people in my for also receiving a Nonprofit Organiza- complish when he confronts life’s chal- home State of Alabama owe their jobs tion Award for their Jugaad Leadership lenges head-on. Mike is a winner and to aggregates mining. Program in St. Cloud that trains mem- an example to us all. We are proud and While performing this critical func- bers of underrepresented communities honored that he is a member of our tion, workers in the aggregates sector with the knowledge and skills to community. have helped make workplaces the produce grassroots change. f safest they have ever been. In fact, 2016 Again, congratulations to all of this marked the 16th consecutive year in year’s award winners. I thank them for IMPEACHMENT DISCUSSIONS which the industry reduced its injury their innovation and contribution to The SPEAKER pro tempore. The rate from the year-earlier level. The our communities. Chair recognizes the gentleman from rate stood at the record low level of CAPITAL ONE’S GENEROSITY Texas (Mr. AL GREEN) for 5 minutes. just 1.95 injuries per 200,000 hours Mr. EMMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speak- worked. today to recognize Capital One and its er, I am always grateful to have this I applaud the safe practices of the ag- executive team and employees for their preeminent privilege of standing in the gregates industry and the hardworking generosity and their commitment to well of the Congress of the United men and women who are helping to the local communities they serve. States of America. continue this positive trend. Capital One has generously contrib- As chairman of the House Workforce uted to the Boys and Girls Club of Cen- Mr. Speaker, I rise today to an- nounce that three prominent Demo- Protections Subcommittee, I look for- tral Minnesota to support the organiza- ward to continuing to work with the tion’s mission to enable young people crats have asked to meet with me to discuss impeachment. Labor Department’s Mine Safety and to reach their full potential. Health Administration to advance Capital One’s $15,000 grant to fund b 1030 smart regulation and preventive en- Project Learn helps advance a focus on Mr. Speaker, I will meet with them forcement that can help keep the work- equipping kids with coding skills to in my office, and here is what I will place safe. meet the needs of the future. STEM say: and tech-related skills are important HONORING THE LIFE OF DR. LAUREL BLACKWELL I will tell them that impeachment is to the future of our Nation, and Capital Mr. BYRNE. Mr. Speaker, I rise not about Democrats. It is not about One is making a significant investment today to remember the life of Dr. Lau- Republicans. I will tell them it is about in our future leaders. rel Blackwell. Laurel recently passed Since 2012, Capital One has donated democracy. It is about government of away after fighting cancer and other over $80,000 to the Boys and Girls Club the people, by the people, for the peo- medical issues. of Central Minnesota. ple. I will tell them that it is about the Laurel was raised at her childhood Again, I want to thank Capital One Republic and that it is about what farm home in Monticello, Iowa. She ob- for their commitment to the young Franklin said: We have a Republic, if tained an associate’s degree from people of central Minnesota. We are we can keep it. Cottey College in Missouri and a bach- blessed to have them and their team in I will tell them that I refuse to sit on elor’s degree from the University of our community and in the great State the sidelines while the world is consid- Northern Iowa. She later earned her of Minnesota. ering one of the greatest issues of our doctorate in administration of higher NEVER GIVE UP time. I will tell them that I will con- education from the University of Ala- Mr. EMMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise tinue to be a part of this great debate. bama. today to congratulate an amazing con- I will tell them these words I have After an early career in K–12 edu- stituent of mine for his talent and per- heard, but I do not know the origin of. cation, she started working in Ala- severance. From 2003 to 2008, Mick I will tell them that if a man does not bama’s community college system. She Schultz from Kimball, Minnesota, was keep pace with his companions, per- rose from serving as a tutor to becom- a professional snowmobile racer. haps he hears a different drummer. Let ing the director of adult education at In 2008, while competing at a na- him step to the music he hears, how- Wallace Community College in Dothan, tional snocross race, Mike was in a ever measured, however far away. Alabama, and the director of workforce snowmobile accident that resulted in Mr. Speaker, I will tell them that to- development at Southern Union Com- the loss of his left leg. After such a morrow we will bring Articles of Im- munity College in Opelika, Alabama. devastating experience, no one would peachment to the floor of the Congress Ultimately, she would become the have thought less of Mike if he stopped of the United States of America for a president of Chattahoochee Valley competing, but Mike Schultz did not vote. Community College in Phenix City, give up. Instead, he was racing again at f Alabama. the national level in less than 8 During my time as chancellor of Ala- NATIONAL MINERS DAY months. Over the past 10 years, Mike bama’s community college system, I has earned eight gold medals at the X The SPEAKER pro tempore. The grew to know Laurel as a very profes- Games in adaptive motocross. Chair recognizes the gentleman from sional and dependable colleague. I ap- Mike would not allow his accident to Alabama (Mr. BYRNE) for 5 minutes. preciated her honest and direct ap- keep him from sharing his talent and Mr. BYRNE. Mr. Speaker, I rise to proach to the issues we faced together. spirit with the world. Mike’s talent, commemorate National Miners Day. During her career, she held numerous however, is not limited to racing snow- National Miners Day is recognized on roles in professional and civic organi- mobiles. December 6 each year, and I want to zations. She was recognized with a Girl

VerDate Sep 11 2014 23:44 Dec 05, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K05DE7.006 H05DEPT1 SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with HOUSE December 5, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H9627 Scout Woman of Achievement award The strength to rebuild . . . Bulls eye hitting the mark and as the city of Dothan’s first ever Who against all odds our wounded warriors As soon he was up and out the door Community Leader of the Year. into that dark night move onward still Leaving behind a town called pity for sure Even though she retired from edu- ... When, to new heights his heart so soared cation, she never stopped working to Mr. Speaker, it is people like Major To Teach Us Burkett, whom we celebrate. It is the To Reach Us make the world a better place. She To Beseech Us All The More launched Communities of Trans- people who put themselves in danger and harm’s way in order to protect the Creating his own Hunger Games, formation, a program through the with his great appetite for recovery he hun- United Methodist Church focused on rest of us. I am so proud and humble gered for bringing together people from every today to be able to submit this poem in And the last time I saw Major Burkett, segment of society to elevate families. honor of Major Burkett. I had to look up Suffice it to say, Laurel had a posi- OSPREY DE CORPS Because, with his fine heart way above me he tive impact on so many lives through- (By Albert Carey Caswell) so soars His wife Melissa he married up for sure out her time on this Earth. Whether it Osprey was helping a student at her commu- With four beautiful children he’s thinks he is Osprey De Corps the luckiest guy and can’t ask for nity college reach their full potential What a magnificent presence oh for sure more or giving hope to a struggling family, And oh what a Osprey De Force Because, the families are the unsung heroes so many people owe their success to As straight as an arrow heading for whenever Johnny goes off to war Truer than true into that face of war Laurel Blackwell. Who are the ones who must wait and worry To serve and protect So, on behalf of Alabama’s First Con- all the more His Country Tis of Thee he’ll not neglect And when they come home give them such gressional District, I want to share my To reek havoc upon the enemy a shear train comfort for their recovery to insure deepest condolences to Laurel’s hus- wreck And where would all these heroes be if it band, Fred, and their four children. I All in those magnificent shades of green were not but for all of these? hope they can all take comfort in Such Strength In Honor seen The families are our unsung heroes each day Soaring to new his courage convenes knowing that Laurel will live on in the our Lord so sees With such impact this United States Marine. lives of the countless individuals she Leading the way to recovery touched. She will be sorely missed. Oh to be a United States Marine Who in Strength In Honor are seen Major Burkett all in those shades of green f Soaring to new heights to intervene Is one magnificent Osprey De Force seen To fight the fight The pride of Pennsylvania for what he’s done TRIBUTE TO MARINE MAJOR ERIC and where he’s been BURKETT What a Osprey De Force awesome sight Who for all us out on his course took flight Its courageous men like him off to war our The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Marines with wings, Nation sends Chair recognizes the gentleman from one of the most impressive of all things Who help win all those wars upon whom we depend Pennsylvania (Mr. KELLY) for 5 min- A sheer work of art this human being For all that we hold sacred and so love and utes. Swooping down upon the enemy for the Na- tion he so loves adore Mr. KELLY of Pennsylvania. Mr. A one fine Osprey De Corps Speaker, I rise today in honor of one of A bulls eye, hitting his mark all in his battle cry Ooo Rah! my constituents, United States Marine To vanquish an enemy straight into the f Major Eric Burkett, from New Castle, heart of he flies Pennsylvania. Going from vertical to horizontal as he STRENGTHENING AMERICA’S Major Burkett was deployed as a will not be denied AGRICULTURE COMMUNITIES member of the 24th Expeditionary In and out of places others dare not to try The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Force in Morocco as an Osprey pilot. Making those boots on the ground realize Chair recognizes the gentleman from On April 11, 2012, he was nearly killed That he’s got their backs up on high Texas (Mr. ARRINGTON) for 5 minutes. in a plane crash, which took the lives Who bleeds Marine green all the time Mr. ARRINGTON. Mr. Speaker, I am of two of his brothers-in-arms. And loves Marines so much he married a Ma- proud to represent a rural district in rine this guy After coming home to Walter Reed, One of the baddest of the bad upon which west Texas that is home to 14 million he lost one of his legs and continues to this Nation relies acres of farmland and thousands of recover from his numerous injuries to Who leads with his heart as he sets hardworking farmers and ranchers. this day. His wife, Melissa, who also is his sights on high These men and women are feeding and a former marine, has been by his side Finding his mark clothing the American people. They are from day 1, along with their loving six An Osprey De Corps all in his part bolstering our economy and they are children. Oh what a force strengthening our national security. Major Burkett may never fly again, All out on his most heroic course As a member of the House Agri- but already with his recovery he soars A United States Marine burning bright, culture Committee, I am committed to this force delivering results that are in the best high above most of us. It was his spirit When, out on a mission crashed as death was of service and patriotism that led him at his side interest not only of west Texans, but to start a program at Fort Belvoir for As his two brothers, all Americans. I am doing that with adaptive archery for his fellow wound- angels now up to Heaven would rise my neighbor and strong leader of the ed warriors. Coming back home with only his family Ag Committee, MIKE CONAWAY. Mr. Speaker, I include in the RECORD upon which to rely As we craft the next farm bill, there a poem penned by Albert Carey Caswell So all by his side are a few priorities that, if achieved, in his honor and in celebration of his His fine wife Melissa and children giving him will put our United States farmers and new adaptive home, built thanks to the the strength to try ranchers, and our country as a whole, As he knew it was time Gary Sinise Foundation. Time to rebuild his life in the strongest competitive position. At this time, I will read an excerpt Armed with his heart of the strength and The first is that we must maintain from this poem: iron will America’s food and fiber independence As his two brothers, angels now up to Heaven Giving him the power and courage to nourish from other countries, which, like en- would rise . . . him to instill ergy independence, is a national secu- Coming back home with only his family The strength to rebuild rity imperative. upon which to rely . . . Who against all odds our wounded warriors To achieve this objective, we must So all by his side . . . into that dark night move onward maintain a viable and responsible safe- His fine wife, Melissa, and children giving still ty net for all commodities, which him the strength to try . . . As he won the battle but lose his leg means the committee must work in a As he knew it was time . . . Realizing he’d never fly again on that day Time to rebuild his life . . . When, he looked at his target and then his bipartisan way to get cotton back in Armed with his heart of the strength and options weighted under title I of the farm bill. iron will . . . So setting his sights high out on his way We can never again let the World Giving him the power and courage to nourish A Osprey De Corps on his way to recovery Trade Organization dictate agriculture him to instill . . . with tear in eye seemed as he prayed policy to the United States.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 23:44 Dec 05, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K05DE7.008 H05DEPT1 SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with HOUSE H9628 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE December 5, 2017 Addressing the gaping hole in the next farm bill, we should continue to A letter signed by 137 economists last current agriculture safety net for cot- monitor the effectiveness of all pro- week, sent to all Members of the House ton and fixing other shortfalls and risk grams, especially SNAP, which ac- and Senate, made the case that ‘‘a management for both crops and live- counts for 80 percent of all spending in competitive corporate rate is the key stock will ensure a strong, viable agri- the farm bill. to an economic engine driven by great- culture sector for the United States While the intent is well-meaning, the er investment, capital stock, business and rural America. unintended consequence is an increase formation, and productivity—all of Ultimately, we must maintain appro- of recipients who are work-capable which will yield more jobs and higher priate programs to mitigate against adults without dependents, accounting wages.’’ unforeseen global market changes and for nearly 30 percent of all recipients. That is why these economists are commodity prices, ensure against ad- It is imperative to require that able- urging us to make the Tax Cuts and verse weather events, and maintain ac- bodied adults work in order to receive Jobs Act law. They note that our cur- cess to credit so farmers across the government assistance not just in rent corporate tax rate of 35 percent, country can continue to supply Amer- SNAP, but all government programs. which is the highest in the industri- ica with abundant and affordable Mr. Speaker, in closing, our farmers alized world, has made America non- sources of food. and ranchers are central to the vitality competitive, resulting in the loss of Additionally, as Texas is the top cat- and security of this great Nation. This 4,700 companies to overseas competi- legislation is extremely critical to the tle-producing State in the Nation and tors since 2004, lost jobs, and lost success of our farmers. By including represents $80 billion in annual cash re- wages. the priorities I have outlined today in ceipts nationwide, maintaining key This analysis is confirmed by the Tax the next farm bill, we can ensure a livestock disaster programs are equally Foundation, which concludes that ap- safer, stronger, freer America for our important to a responsible and effec- proximately 74 percent of corporate children. tive safety net for our ag producers. taxes are paid by workers in the form Second, our rural communities need f of lower wages. Let’s give American greater access to broadband commu- TAX REFORM workers a pay raise. nications to be viable in the modern The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Reducing the corporate tax rate will era. Increasing access to broadband is Chair recognizes the gentleman from ignite economic growth, allow jobs to fundamental to the survival of rural Kentucky (Mr. BARR) for 5 minutes. return from overseas, increase new pri- America. It is necessary to support Mr. BARR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today vate sector jobs through greater in- critical infrastructure, such as in strong support of efforts to simplify vestment, and increase paychecks. A healthcare and education, and for over- our outdated and overly complex Tax win-win-win-win for middle class work- all economic sustainability so that we Code in order to make our economy ers and those looking to get ahead. can finally close the digital divide be- more competitive and to provide big Now, the ultimate irony is that if tween rural and urban America. tax cuts to hardworking American you actually wanted to help the Let me put it to you this way: no families. wealthy and the well-connected, then rural America; no food, fuel, and fiber Last night, the House voted to go to you would vote against tax reform and for the American people. conference with the Senate to work out you would keep the current Tax Code Third, we need another generation of differences between our two versions of in place. It is a complicated mess of farmers and ranchers. The American the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. I am con- multiple brackets, high rates, and spe- agriculturist is facing tough times. The fident the conference committee will cial interest loopholes. The Code is a average age of a farmer is nearly 60 and report a reconciled bill capable of pass- haven for special interests, tax manip- the number of people involved in ag ing both Chambers, because the Amer- ulators, and the well-connected. It is production in their thirties and forties ican people need and deserve tax relief. an impossible frustration for ordinary continues to decrease dramatically, Make no mistake: no matter what middle class Americans who need to with less than 1 percent of the Amer- the tired talking points are on the comply with the Code to hire tax law- ican population involved in ag produc- other side of the aisle, this legislation yers and accountants. So if you want tion. The math doesn’t look promising. will be a tremendous benefit to middle- to help the middle class, get rid of this Operating expenses continue to rise and lower-income Americans who have complicated mess. and farmers, particularly the young been hit hardest by the policies of the Finally, Mr. Speaker, I would like to ones, have less equity to finance their previous administration. This is a mas- take a moment to respond to my operations. Farmers of all ages need a sive victory for low- and middle-in- friends on the other side of the aisle dependable and flexible operating loan come Americans. who after more than doubling the na- structure with loan amounts that are But don’t just take it from me. Let’s tional debt during the Obama adminis- useful. We must work to ensure that review the facts. tration and who continue to push mas- the USDA has the flexibility it needs The House bill takes the lowest 10 sive unpaid increases in spending, such to extend credit in the most meaning- percent tax bracket to zero, and it dou- as single-payer healthcare—govern- ful way. bles the standard deduction, meaning ment-run healthcare—have suddenly Fourth, innovation makes it possible hardworking Americans can imme- become gravely concerned about our for the farmer and rancher to continue diately take home more of their pay- national deficit and debt. to operate. Ensuring adequate and eq- checks. Specifically, the first $24,000 of Now, let me be clear: I welcome this uitable research funding for agri- family income will be completely tax epiphany. I welcome their change of free under this plan. culture colleges across the country is heart. I hope we can work together to We are nearly doubling the child tax key. actually address the true cost drivers credit. The changes to all tax brackets Let’s not just pour all of our money of our deficit and debt. But last year, means we are lowering taxes for low- into land-grant institutions just be- the Federal Government took in $3.3 and middle-income taxpayers even as cause they are land-grant institutions. trillion in revenue. Our deficits are not we simplify the Tax Code and broaden Let’s fund the best ideas. It is call the result of too little revenue. They the base. meritocracy. That is what our country are the result of Members of Congress was founded on. b 1045 who are unwilling to force the govern- As former vice chancellor of research A study by the nonpartisan Tax ment to live within its means. We will at Texas Tech University, I saw some Foundation found that, in Kentucky, never balance the budget or even think of the best and most innovative ideas this legislation will create 11,782 new about paying down our debt without spawned from research go to market full-time jobs and will increase take- robust economic growth. and make a difference for our economy home pay by $1,724 by Kentucky house- Those on the other side assume that and the quality of our lives. holds making the median income. a $1.5 trillion tax cut will increase the Lastly, the Supplemental Nutrition Not only will middle-income families debt by $1.5 trillion. But that is based Assistance Program needs a more fo- be able to keep more of their pay- on the absurd assumption that nobody cused accountability. As we craft the checks, their paychecks will grow. changes behavior when you get a tax

VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:10 Dec 06, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00006 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K05DE7.010 H05DEPT1 SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with HOUSE December 5, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H9629 cut. It is based on the assumption that ship in the York Baptist Association in Mr. Speaker, the Castro regime the economy is fixed. They are wrong 2017. wants to paint a picture that people on because they don’t account for the Let me tell you about Pastor Hogg. the island are free, that human rights extra revenue that tax reform will gen- Pastor Hogg was born on January 14, abuses do not exist in Cuba, but we erate by creating more taxpayers and 1958. He was born in Roxana, Kentucky. know better. That is why there con- higher paychecks. He was baptized and ordained in the tinues to be, every day, arbitrary ar- As was noted by an analysis by the First Baptist Church of Whitesburg, rests and beatings to stop dissidents American Enterprise Institute and U.S. Kentucky. He has been pastor of the and activists from speaking out—that Policy Metrics: ‘‘If the economy grows Bethel Baptist Church. He has been is the menu every day—reminding the an average of 2.6 percent, the Repub- pastor of the Colson Baptist Mission. world that what these activists want is lican tax reform bill would not raise He has been the summer missionary at freedom. That is really what transpires the deficit. If the economy grows faster the First Baptist Church. And he has in Castro’s Cuba for dissidents. than 2.6 percent, the deficit would ac- been the bus minister at the First Bap- Our message to those brave fighters tually fall.’’ tist Church in Kentucky. for freedom in Cuba must be that we It should be noted that in the last Some of the honors and offices that are listening to their plight, that we two consecutive quarters, the U.S. he has devoted his time and talent to will stand with them in opposing Cas- economy has grown at an annual rate have been the South Carolina Baptist tro’s evil rule, and that we have not of 3 percent or more. That is, in part, Convention, where he was president forgotten about them or their contin- due to the increased confidence by from 1993 to 1994. He was president of ued fight for freedom and democracy. businesses, consumers, investors, and the Pastor’s Conference. He was chair- So I urge this administration to con- entrepreneurs that we will indeed man of the United Christian Bacca- tinue to undo the damage done by the make good on our promise to complete laureate Planning Committee. He was previous administration and their tax reform this year. on the Billy Graham Carolinas Crusade failed policy toward Cuba. I urge the Mr. Speaker, I encourage all of my Executive Committee. He was a charter administration to offer unequivocal colleagues concerned about the deficit member of the city of Rock Hill No support for the brave Cuban people, and the debt to join me in supporting Room for Racism Committee. like Antunez. They deserve our unwav- the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act when this Some of the new things he has start- ering support, and they deserve our sol- bill returns to the House floor so that ed while at First Baptist Church in idarity so that the people of Cuba we can ignite economic growth, create Rock Hill were the contemporary wor- achieve what they have been seeking new jobs, and give American workers ship service, deaf ministry, women and for decades, and it is simple, Mr. the pay increase that they deserve. men’s ministries, television broadcasts Speaker: freedom, democracy, respect Mr. Speaker, it is their money. Let’s of morning worship services, live for human rights, respect for the rule give it back to them. streaming of worship services, Sun- of law, free and open markets, and lib- beams Day School, and conducted eight erty from communism. f Mr. Speaker, in Cuba, Venezuela, and capital fund campaigns. Nicaragua, leftist dictators refuse to RECOGNIZING STEVE HOGG Mr. Speaker, I could go on and on, follow the rule of law, circumventing The SPEAKER pro tempore (Ms. ROS- but these 30 years are something to re- or ignoring completely their constitu- LEHTINEN). The Chair recognizes the member. It is something that ought to tions in order to maintain their hold in gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. be a milestone for the church—and it power. This practice has now spread to NORMAN) for 5 minutes. is. If anybody has stood the test of Bolivia, where strongman Evo Morales Mr. NORMAN. Mr. Speaker, Decem- time, it has been Steve Hogg and the ber is a special month. We celebrate is taking a page from this playbook. First Baptist Church, and I commend Less than 2 years ago, in 2016, Mo- the birth of Christ, but we are also the congregation. It is a great day for rales imposed a constitutional ref- celebrating a church in Rock Hill, our State and it is a great day for erendum to eliminate term limits for South Carolina, that has done amazing America. God bless America. Presidents so that he could run for a things. It is a 30-year celebration for f third term. the First Baptist Church in Rock Hill, CUBA AND BOLIVIA But what happened in Bolivia? South Carolina. It is also celebrating a The majority of the people said no. pastor that has stood the test of time. The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. They went to the ballot box and they He has done amazing things at this BARR). The Chair recognizes the gentle- rejected this by a vote through a ref- church. woman from Florida (Ms. ROS- erendum. Let me tell you what has occurred LEHTINEN) for 5 minutes. What did Morales do? over the past 30 years. Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, 2 He went to the court system that he The church relocated in April 2004 to weeks ago, a human rights activist in has already rigged in his favor to seek an 84,000-square-foot facility. It was 52 my native homeland of Cuba, Jorge the outcome that he desired. And, sure acres of land. Mr. Speaker, I can tell Luis Garcia Perez, better known as enough, his spineless cronies granted you, when the First Baptist Church Antunez, was detained in Cuba on his him his wish and approved his illegit- made that move, the land out there way to the airport. Antunez was going imate run for a fourth term, agreeing was a forest. You didn’t see the shop- to speak at an event hosted by Free- that it was his human right—the only ping centers, you didn’t see the fast dom House and Justice Cuba, right right, apparently, that is respected in food, you didn’t see the service stations here in D.C., to educate the public on Bolivia—to run for another term, ig- and the clothing stores that are there the brutal realities of what continues noring completely the human rights of now. They took a chance on faith. to occur every day in Cuba. millions who voted to uphold their I remember when the board took that But, instead, Rau´ l Castro sent his laws under their constitution. vote, it wasn’t a simple majority. They thugs to detain Antunez and prevent The court’s decision last week to lift had to have an 80 percent-plus in agree- him from boarding the plane. The re- constitutional limits on reelection ment of the board to locate there. If gime promised Antunez that he could should be disturbing to all of us and that is not democracy, I don’t know travel if he only ‘‘tempered his activ- should serve as a wake-up call through- what is. ism.’’ out the hemisphere. If we don’t pay at- The budget was $490,000. It increased Mr. Speaker, anyone who knows tention to Bolivia, it will soon become $2,637,800. Antunez, who spent many a year in another Cuba or another Venezuela— They have had over 1,500 baptisms. Castro’s jails, knows that he will not failed states. They sponsored the first African- abandon his principles, nor should he The decision to allow Morales to run American congregation for member- ever be forced to do so. for yet another term further erodes the ship in the York Baptist Association in As Antunez always says, ‘‘Ni me democratic institutions in that coun- 1994. callo, ni me voy,’’ which means, ‘‘I try. They sponsored a second African- won’t stay silent and I won’t leave.’’ He Sadly, this was not the first time American congregation for member- is talking about his activism in Cuba. that Morales or his thugs have chipped

VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:10 Dec 06, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00007 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K05DE7.012 H05DEPT1 SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with HOUSE H9630 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE December 5, 2017 away at Bolivia’s democratic founda- tinue to, in his life, as he has indicated, believe offers hope to this generation of lead- tions in order to remain in power. In stand for what is right. ership, and who is committed to being an ad- 2013, the constitutional court allowed It is now my privilege to read this vocate of fairness and justice for all; and to Carl Edward, who never leaves my side. him to run for a third term, stating statement from Mr. JOHN CONYERS. I I cannot allow the great work of this body that his first term didn’t count—do- reiterate that he says that he notified to be distracted from the important work, or over, mulligan—because it occurred be- Speaker RYAN, Leader PELOSI, and the goals of the Democratic Party to be dis- fore the 2009 constitution took effect. Governor Snyder of his retirement tracted. It has been an honor and a privilege What a farce. from the United States House of Rep- of my life to represent the people of Michi- This was obviously a cynical, polit- resentatives. gan in the House of Representatives, but ical ploy, and should have served as the It was his honor—these are his that responsibility will now fall to my col- harbinger of worse things to come for words—and his privilege to serve the leagues and my successor. They have my deepest support and prayers. Jobs, justice, Bolivia, and indeed it was, not to men- constituents of Detroit, Michigan, as and peace. tion the ruling falls outside of the their United States Congressman in court’s mandate to interpret and evalu- the 13th and 14th Congressional Dis- f ate compliance with the constitution. trict for 53 years. RECESS Responsible nations in our hemi- This is his statement again: The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- sphere, Mr. Speaker, must not remain I came to Congress in 1964. Since then, I ant to clause 12(a) of rule I, the Chair silent, nor should this esteemed body. have devoted my entire career to improving declares the House in recess until noon We must speak out in the support of the lives of my constituents in Detroit and today. the people of Bolivia to democratically on the behalf of justice everywhere. These Accordingly (at 11 o’clock and 4 min- elect their next leader. years witnessed a profound evolution in civil utes a.m.), the House stood in recess. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to rights, led by millions in the streets who marched for justice and people of conscience f join me in support of the Bolivian peo- in the Congress—both Democrats and Repub- b 1200 ple before there is another crisis of de- licans—who heard them and enacted the mocracy right in our hemisphere. Civil Rights Act, the Voting Rights Act, and AFTER RECESS f other landmark reforms. I have been in the The recess having expired, the House forefront of the civil rights movement. I RETIREMENT OF DEAN OF THE was called to order by the Speaker at have been a champion of justice for the op- noon. UNITED STATES CONGRESS pressed and the disenfranchised. I never The SPEAKER pro tempore. The wavered in my commitment to justice and f Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from democracy. PRAYER I am proud to have been part of that rich Texas (Ms. JACKSON LEE) for 5 minutes. history. I have been privileged to be a found- The Chaplain, the Reverend Patrick Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, a er of the Congressional Black Caucus and to J. Conroy, offered the following prayer: few minutes ago, in Detroit, the dean represent the United States Congress by Eternal God, we give You thanks for of the United States Congress offered being dean. giving us another day. his retirement immediately. He has I passed, as indicated, the law dealing with Once again we come to ask wisdom, asked me, a member of the Judiciary the Martin Luther King, Jr., Holiday Act, patience, peace, and understanding for Committee, to offer his words to his the Violence Against Women Act, the Hate the Members of this people’s House. colleagues and to put his statement in Crimes Act, the USA Freedom Act, and the Give them the generosity of heart extension of the Voting Rights Act. I have and the courage of true leadership to the RECORD that indicates that he has led the fight against mandatory minimum notified Speaker RYAN, Leader PELOSI, sentences, hoping to reverse the devastating work toward a common solution to the and Governor Snyder of his retirement incarceration rates for African Americans many issues facing our Nation. from the United States House of Rep- and poor people. I have tried to pass a uni- As true statesmen and women, may resentatives. versal healthcare law, H.R. 676. Every Con- they find the fortitude to make judg- It is important to note, as I begin, gress since 1989, I have introduced H.R. 40 to ments that benefit all Americans in that there is no difference or no under- study reparations for slavery, and I deeply their time of need. mining of the rights of women and the appreciate those handful of courageous col- May all that is done this day be for leagues who have joined me. abhorrence of sexual harassment and Your greater honor and glory. For Detroiters, I am proud of what we have Amen. sexual assault. But this is a statement been able to accomplish to bring hundreds of that I believe should be read on behalf millions of dollars in critical grants and Fed- f of the dean of the United States Con- eral funding for southeast Michigan to revi- THE JOURNAL gress, Mr. JOHN CONYERS. talize our great city, attract rich talent, and return to us prosperity. The SPEAKER. The Chair has exam- b 1100 I recognize that in this present environ- ined the Journal of the last day’s pro- As a Member of Congress, I have ment, due process will not be afforded to me. ceedings and announces to the House known Mr. CONYERS to not shy away I was taught by a great woman, my mother, his approval thereof. from a legislative challenge. In addi- to honor women. The first employee I ever Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Jour- tion to being the first Member to intro- hired was Mrs. Rosa Parks, who worked in nal stands approved. my office for 22 years. It has been my great Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. duce the Martin Luther King holiday honor to work alongside some of the most bill, he was the first to hold hearings Mr. Speaker, pursuant to clause 1, rule talented and honorable staff on Capitol Hill I, I demand a vote on agreeing to the on police misconduct, the first to ex- and in Detroit. Speaker’s approval of the Journal. amine the problem of solitary confine- I have stated my position on these allega- The SPEAKER. The question is on ment, the first to offer racial profiling tions. I have worked with both women and the Speaker’s approval of the Journal. legislation, the first to introduce legis- men. Given the totality of the circumstance of The question was taken; and the lation protecting against disenfran- Speaker announced that the ayes ap- chisement of ex-felons, and the first to not being afforded the right of due process in conjunction with my current health condi- peared to have it. pursue legislation protecting Black tion, and to preserve my legacy and good Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. farmers from discrimination, among name, I am retiring. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas many other civil rights measures. I hope that my retirement will be viewed and nays. In 2007, Representative CONYERS in the larger perspective of my record of The yeas and nays were ordered. stood up for the prerogatives of the service, and as I enter a new chapter, I The SPEAKER. Pursuant to clause 8, House of Representatives and success- pledge to continue my commitment to a pro- rule XX, further proceedings on this gressive vision and a better future for this fully brought a suit against the former question will be postponed. President Bush White House for failing country that I love. I owe that to the legacy of my father, John Conyers, Sr., who inte- f to comply with subpoenas relating to a grated labor unions in this country; to my PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE U.S. attorney’s investigation. brother Nathan, who integrated business, He has been the chairman of the Ju- and he is my ‘‘main man;’’ and to my loving The SPEAKER. Will the gentleman diciary Committee; and he will con- wife, Monica; and to my son, John III, who I from Texas (Mr. HURD) come forward

VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:10 Dec 06, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00008 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K05DE7.014 H05DEPT1 SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with HOUSE December 5, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H9631 and lead the House in the Pledge of Al- Although the signup period was cut their own bodies, plan their own fami- legiance. in half by the Trump administration, lies, and chart their own futures. Mr. HURD led the Pledge of Alle- nearly 2.8 million people have already Obstetricians and gynecologists from giance as follows: enrolled so far this year compared to Chicago submitted a comment, saying: I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the 2.1 million this time last year. That is ‘‘Women who are able to control when United States of America, and to the Repub- an increase of 33 percent, and this and how they become pregnant are able lic for which it stands, one nation under God, doesn’t include numbers from States to finish school, pursue graduate de- indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. that have their own exchange. grees, and further the greater social f Mr. Speaker, the Affordable Care Act and economic good of our Nation.’’ is still the law of the land, and I urge Mr. Speaker, for 99 percent of women ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER my Republican colleagues not to harm of reproductive age, birth control is an The SPEAKER. The Chair will enter- the ACA by including provisions in the essential part of their lives. This is a tain up to 15 requests for 1-minute tax bill and, instead, work with Demo- direct attack on women, and we will speeches on each side of the aisle. crats to improve the law. not stand for it. Women in America are f Millions of Americans depend on us watching. to do the right thing, Mr. Speaker. f HONORING THE LATE CHIEF JUSTICE EARNEST A. FINNEY, JR. f TEXAS OFFICER DOWN: SAN MARCOS POLICE OFFICER KEN- (Mr. WILSON of South Carolina WORLD SOIL DAY NETH COPELAND asked and was given permission to ad- (Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania dress the House for 1 minute and to re- asked and was given permission to ad- (Mr. POE of Texas asked and was vise and extend his remarks.) dress the House for 1 minute and to re- given permission to address the House Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. vise and extend his remarks.) for 1 minute.) Speaker, sadly, South Carolina lost a Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, yes- terday afternoon, 58-year-old San trailblazer with the death, Sunday, of Mr. Speaker, I rise today on World Soil Marcos, Texas, Police Officer Kenneth Chief Justice Ernest A. Finney, Jr. Day to highlight the importance of soil Copeland was shot in an ambush-style Justice Finney started his storied ca- quality for our food security, healthy attack while he was serving an arrest reer in public service as an educator ecosystems, and overall well-being. As vice chair of the House Agri- warrant for a violent crime. and then went on to become a re- The 19-year veteran of the force was nowned civil rights attorney and was culture Committee and chairman of the Nutrition Subcommittee, I know working on his day off doing what he South Carolina’s first African-Amer- loved: protecting and serving the com- firsthand the importance of good man- ican chief justice since Reconstruction. munity. This wasn’t unusual for Officer agement practices to keep this essen- My first judicial commitment as a Copeland. A father of four, he worked State senator was for Justice Finney, tial resource healthy. This year’s theme is ‘‘caring for the just about every day simply to provide after meeting him with former Con- for his family and help the shorthanded planet starts from the ground.’’ Glob- gressman John Napier, who had been department out. my classmate in law school. ally, 815 million people are food inse- As guns blazed around them, fellow A graduate of Claflin University and cure and 2 billion people are nutrition- officers sprang into action loading South Carolina State University ally insecure, but we can mitigate this Copeland into a patrol car and rushed School of Law, the justice was elected through soil health. him to the hospital with their sirens to the South Carolina House of Rep- Mr. Speaker, 95 percent of our food blazing. But it was too late. Another resentatives in 1972. As a member of comes from soil. Soil is a finite re- member of the thin blue line murdered the house, he made history as a found- source, and on a human scale, it is non- simply because he wore the badge. er of the Legislative Black Caucus. He renewable. However, despite the essen- Mr. Speaker, this is the sixth peace served as the first caucus chairman. tial role that soil plays in human live- officer in Texas murdered this year, In 1976, the justice was elected the lihood, there is a worldwide increase in the first in San Marcos history. We first African-American circuit court the degradation of soil resources due to must do everything in our power to judge. In 1985, he became the State’s inappropriate management practices, stand by our men and women in uni- first African-American supreme court population pressure driving form who wear the badge. Peace offi- justice since Reconstruction. Justice unsustainable intensification, and in- cers like Copeland are the last strand Finney became chief justice in 1994. adequate governance over this essen- of wire in the fence between the law South Carolina is grateful for the life tial resource. and the outlaws. World Soil Day 2017 aims to raise and service of Justice Finney. We lift We mourn his sacrifice, but we thank awareness of the importance of sus- up his family and friends in our the good Lord that such a man as Offi- taining healthy ecosystems and human thoughts and prayers during this dif- cer Copeland ever lived. well-being by addressing the increasing And that is just the way it is. ficult time. challenges in soil management. Today In conclusion, God bless our troops, f we encourage people around the world and we will never forget September the WELCOMING USS ‘‘LITTLE ROCK’’ to engage in proactively improving soil 11th in the global war on terrorism. TO BUFFALO, NEW YORK health. f Happy World Soil Day. (Mr. HIGGINS of New York asked and OPEN ENROLLMENT f was given permission to address the House for 1 minute.) (Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas asked BIRTH CONTROL RULE Mr. HIGGINS of New York. Mr. and was given permission to address (Ms. SCHAKOWSKY asked and was Speaker, today I rise to recognize and the House for 1 minute.) given permission to address the House welcome the newly constructed naval Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas. Mr. for 1 minute.) ship, the USS Little Rock, to my home Speaker, I rise to remind every Amer- Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, I city of Buffalo, New York, where it will ican that the window to purchase rise today against the Trump adminis- be docked until its formal commis- health insurance on healthcare.gov will tration rule allowing corporations to sioning on December 16. close in 10 days. I encourage anyone decide whether their employees can ac- For the first time in the history of who doesn’t get insurance through a cess birth control. This morning, the United States Navy, the commis- job or government program to apply 500,000 comments were delivered in op- sioning of the new USS Little Rock will before December 15. position to this rule. take place alongside the original USS Financial assistance is available, and It is astonishing to me that we are Little Rock, which served during the the Department of Health and Human having this debate in 2017: women’s ac- Second World War and for the last 40 Services has said before that 8 out of 10 cess to birth control. years has stood tall as an honored ex- consumers qualify for a plan that costs Birth control is not healthcare alone. hibit at the Buffalo and Erie County less than $75 a month. It is the right of women to control Naval & Military Park.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:42 Dec 06, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00009 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K05DE7.016 H05DEPT1 SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with HOUSE H9632 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE December 5, 2017 Mr. Speaker, I would like to take dangerous people to carry concealed Party can choose to support massive this moment to thank the brave men guns throughout the country. It is in- new debts and politicians who abuse and women of the United States Navy conceivable to me that this bill is what kids, but it cannot lecture the rest of and crew of the USS Little Rock, past comes to the floor from the debate us about it. The rest of us have listened and present, for their service. about gun safety. to our last lecture from Republicans On behalf of Buffalo and western New Concealed carry reciprocity allows about family values or fiscal discipline. York, it is an honor and a privilege to people from States with the loosest From now on, that party has no credi- serve as the site from which the USS safety standards or no safety standards bility on either issue. Little Rock will embark on its next mis- at all to carry a firearm across the So I will tell you what. When it sion. country irrespective of local laws. comes to family values or fiscal re- This new vessel will make a formi- I will give one example. In my State sponsibility, please keep it to your- dable addition to the United States of Illinois, people who have two DUIs selves. We have heard enough of it. Navy fleet, and its dedicated crew, within 5 years cannot get a concealed f tasked with protecting our Nation’s carry permit. But this bill would over- SUE STIVERS DAY coasts and waterways, will ensure the ride our State law, rendering our and ship lives up to its motto: ‘‘Back with every other State legislature virtually (Mr. COMER asked and was given a Vengeance.’’ helpless to protect their own citizens. permission to address the House for 1 f I rise today in strong opposition to minute.) ROHINGYA CRISIS the reckless and dangerous concealed Mr. COMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise carry reciprocity bill, and I urge my today in recognition of Ms. Sue Stivers (Mr. HURD asked and was given per- colleagues to do the same. of Columbia in the First District of mission to address the House for 1 Kentucky. f minute and to revise and extend his re- Heralded as the ‘‘matriarch of Adair marks.) SUPPORTING CONCEALED CARRY County,’’ Sue has been an outstanding Mr. HURD. Mr. Speaker, many dec- RECIPROCITY ACT contributor to the livability and pros- ades ago, we swore it wouldn’t happen perity of her hometown. Her extensive again, yet it happened in Rwanda in (Mr. MARCHANT asked and was given permission to address the House involvement in working to better her 1990, in Bosnia in 1995, Darfur in 2003, fellow citizens’ lives through her dec- and it is happening right now in for 1 minute.) Mr. MARCHANT. Mr. Speaker, today ades of experience with the Coopera- Burma. The word is ‘‘genocide.’’ tive Extension Service is a testament It is unclear how many Rohingya I rise in support of the Concealed Carry to her steadfast dedication to a life of men, women, and children have been Reciprocity Act. serving others. lost to violent beatings, arson, and in- The constitutional rights of law-abid- She has not only helped local busi- discriminate firings because the gov- ing gun owners in my north Texas dis- nesses to thrive during her tenure as ernment is refusing access to human trict do not end when they cross State executive director of the Columbia- rights investigators. What we do know lines. The Second Amendment protects Adair County Chamber of Commerce, is that, since August, over 600,000 the right of my constituents—and of but has also been extensively involved Rohingya civilians have fled to neigh- all Texans and people throughout our in one of the main components of life boring Bangladesh to escape system- country—to keep and bear arms. in Columbia, Kentucky: Lindsey Wil- atic persecution, mass rape, killings, This week the House will vote on leg- son College. and disappearances committed by the islation allowing gun owners with a State-issued concealed carry license to An honorary alumnus and a long- Burmese military. These are crimes time member of the board of trustees, against humanity and the very defini- freely travel between State lines. Many States already acknowledge Sue has continually pursued means of tion of ethnic cleansing. giving back to her community and, as There is no place for genocide in 2017. the concealed carry permit of another a result of her positions, has had an in- The international community needs to State. The Concealed Carry Reci- fluence on individuals from across the increase the humanitarian access to procity Act simply ensures the rights Commonwealth, country, and globe. Rohingya. of private citizens be upheld regardless In addition, we must consider the cri- of the State that they are in. I am honored to recognize Sue for her sis from a national security perspec- I cosponsored this legislation, and I tireless service as she has continually tive. Not only are the squalid refugee will continue to stand up for it. I urge made Columbia and Adair County ‘‘a camps teeming with contamination the passage of this bill that will pro- great place to call home.’’ and disease, but the mass exodus and tect our constitutional rights. f horrible conditions are a breeding f RIGHT TO KEEP AND BEAR ARMS ground for terrorist recruitment. (Mr. ARRINGTON asked and was Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to b 1215 given permission to address the House support the resolution. NEW RULE for 1 minute.) f (Mr. SEAN PATRICK MALONEY of Mr. ARRINGTON. Mr. Speaker, the CONCEALED CARRY RECIPROCITY New York asked and was given permis- chief reason the ‘‘American experi- (Mr. SCHNEIDER asked and was sion to address the House for 1 minute ment’’ in liberty and democracy has given permission to address the House and to revise and extend his remarks.) been so successful is our belief in God- for 1 minute and to revise and extend Mr. SEAN PATRICK MALONEY of given, inalienable rights. One of these his remarks.) New York. Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to fundamental freedoms is an individ- Mr. SCHNEIDER. Mr. Speaker, this suggest a new rule. ual’s right to ‘‘keep and bear arms.’’ year we are again experiencing terrible All my life, I have heard the Repub- While the original intent of the Sec- gun violence that destroys lives, tears lican Party preach family values and ond Amendment to the Constitution apart families, devastates commu- fiscal discipline, but in the course of a was the defense against an abusive, ty- nities, and is leaving a stain on our Na- single week, Mr. Speaker, we have seen rannical government, the central prin- tion. the Republican Party in this House ciple is to empower Americans to pro- Sadly, after thousands of senseless vote to add more than $1 trillion of new tect themselves, their families, and, as deaths, after Sandy Hook, after the debt because tax cuts for rich people we witnessed in the Sutherland Springs Pulse nightclub, after Las Vegas, and matter more. We have seen the Repub- shooting, their communities. after so many more, this body has lican President and the Republican Statistics show annual reductions in taken no action, just the now trag- Party in the Senate choose to support murder rates as concealed carry laws ically routine moments of silence and a credibly accused pedophile because have gone into effect and that violent then back to business as usual. power matters more. crime has decreased as gun ownership But this week Congress will, in fact, So, I will tell you what, Mr. Speaker, has increased. In fact, according to take action, action making it easier for new rule: After today, the Republican Gun Owners of America, citizens defend

VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:10 Dec 06, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00010 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K05DE7.018 H05DEPT1 SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with HOUSE December 5, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H9633 themselves with lethal force against The Clerk read the title of the bill. plementing the recommendations of the criminals twice as often as police do The text of the bill is as follows: United States Secret Service Protective Mis- every year. H.R. 3731 sion Panel, including in particular those items pertaining to training and personnel The Concealed Carry Reciprocity Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- enumerated in the Executive Summary to resentatives of the United States of America in Act, which I cosponsored, simply al- Report from the United States Secret Serv- Congress assembled, lows law-abiding citizens who are li- ice Protective Mission Panel to the Sec- censed to carry a firearm the freedom SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. retary of Homeland Security dated Decem- to travel between States, closes gaps This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Secret Serv- ber 15, 2014. ice Recruitment and Retention Act of 2017’’. and strengthens due process regarding SEC. 4. RESCISSIONS. SEC. 2. EXTENSION OF OVERTIME PAY EXCEP- our national criminal background TION THROUGH 2018 FOR PROTEC- (a) RESCISSION OF UNOBLIGATED BALANCES check system, and maintains the rea- TIVE SERVICES. IN THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE ASSETS FOR- sonable prohibitions that are in place (a) IN GENERAL.—The Overtime Pay for FEITURE FUND.—Of the unobligated balances today, like keeping guns out of the Protective Services Act of 2016 (5 U.S.C. 5547 available under the Department of Justice hands of convicted felons. note) is amended— Assets Forfeiture Fund, $10,000,000 is hereby permanently rescinded. I urge my colleagues to support it. (1) in the section heading for section 2, by striking ‘‘2016’’ and inserting ‘‘2016 THROUGH (b) AUTHORIZATION TO RESCIND FUTURE UN- f 2018’’; and OBLIGATED BALANCES IN THE DEPARTMENT OF (2) by striking ‘‘during 2016’’ each place it JUSTICE ASSETS FORFEITURE FUND.—There is CHANGE PALESTINIAN PAY-TO- appears and inserting ‘‘during 2016 through authorized to be rescinded from the unobli- SLAY POLICY 2018’’. gated balances available under the Depart- ment of Justice Assets Forfeiture Fund (Mr. LAMALFA asked and was given (b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments permission to address the House for 1 made by subsection (a) shall take effect as if $7,000,000 in fiscal year 2018 and $3,000,000 in enacted on December 31, 2016. fiscal year 2019. minute and to revise and extend his re- (c) REPORT ON EXTENSIONS.—Not later than marks.) The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- January 30, 2018, and January 30, 2019, the Di- ant to the rule, the gentleman from Mr. LAMALFA. Mr. Speaker, I rise rector of the Secret Service shall submit to today in support of the Taylor Force the Committee on Homeland Security and Florida (Mr. RUTHERFORD) and the gen- Act, offered by my colleague from Col- the Committee on Oversight and Govern- tlewoman from Texas (Ms. JACKSON orado (Mr. LAMBORN). This bill is ment Reform of the House of Representa- LEE) each will control 20 minutes. named after Taylor Force, who was tives and the Committee on Homeland Secu- The Chair recognizes the gentleman rity and Governmental Affairs of the Senate from Florida. killed in Tel Aviv last year by a Pales- a report on the effects of the amendment tinian terrorist wielding a knife. made by subsection (a)(2). The report shall As part of the Palestinian include, with respect to the previous cal- b 1230 Authority’s ‘‘pay-to-slay’’ policy in endar year— GENERAL LEAVE which families of terrorists are re- (1) the total number of United States Se- Mr. RUTHERFORD. Mr. Speaker, I warded for murdering Americans and cret Service personnel receiving premium pay above the premium pay limitation in ask unanimous consent that all Mem- Israelis, relatives of Force’s killer now bers may have 5 legislative days in receive a $400 monthly stipend. The av- subsection (a) of section 5547 of title 5, United States Code; which to revise and extend their re- erage monthly income for Palestinians (2) the total amount of premium pay for marks and include extraneous material in the West Bank is only $150. This pol- that calendar year paid to United States Se- on H.R. 3731, currently under consider- icy doubles, or even triples, a family’s cret Service personnel above the premium ation. earnings overnight. pay limitation in such subsection; The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there This policy directly encourages ter- (3) the mean and median amount of pre- objection to the request of the gen- rorism and incentivizes the murder of mium pay paid to United States Secret Serv- ice personnel above the premium pay limita- tleman from Florida? Americans and our allies. Payments to There was no objection. families of terrorists have reached $355 tion in such subsection; (4) the greatest amount paid to United Mr. RUTHERFORD. Mr. Speaker, I million in 2017. The Taylor Force Act States Secret Service personnel above the yield myself such time as I may con- ceases any continued U.S. aid to Pales- premium pay limitation in such subsection sume. tinian interests until these so-called and the number of employees who received Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support martyr payments are permanently that amount; of H.R. 3731, the Secret Service Re- ceased. (5) notwithstanding the amendments made cruitment and Retention Act of 2017. The U.S. currently sends $300 million by subsection (a), the total number of United States Secret Service personnel who were This bipartisan legislation was intro- in aid to Palestinian interests. We duced by my distinguished colleague, shouldn’t send a penny more until this not fully compensated for service because of the premium pay earnings limitation in sec- Mr. KATKO, and negotiated between the heinous policy is abolished for good. tion 118 of the Treasury and General Govern- House Judiciary Committee and the f ment Appropriations Act, 2001 (5 U.S.C. 5547 House Oversight and Government Re- note); form Committee. It would make small, ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER (6) the total amount of premium pay but significant, changes to the Federal PRO TEMPORE United States Secret Service personnel law to ensure that the men and women The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. would have been paid but for the premium pay earnings limitation in such section; and of the United States Secret Service are MITCHELL). Pursuant to clause 8 of rule (7) a list of United States Secret Service fairly compensated for performing XX, the Chair will postpone further personnel who, within the calendar year, re- their duties. proceedings today on motions to sus- ceived premium pay above the premium pay This bill is necessary because, under pend the rules on which a recorded vote limitation in subsection (a) of section 5547 of current law, many Secret Service or the yeas and nays are ordered, or title 5, United States Code, and separated agents have hit the lawful cap that re- votes objected to under clause 6 of rule from the agency, including the type of sepa- stricts overtime pay in some cir- XX. ration in each case. cumstances. This means that the brave The House will resume proceedings SEC. 3. REPORT OF THE COMPTROLLER GEN- men and women standing post, for ex- on postponed questions at a later time. ERAL OF THE UNITED STATES. Not later than 1 year after the effective ample, at 2 a.m. in the morning are f date of this section, the Comptroller General doing so for free. This is, without ques- of the United States shall complete a study tion, an untenable situation. SECRET SERVICE RECRUITMENT and submit to the Committee on the Judici- H.R. 3731 makes two important AND RETENTION ACT OF 2017 ary of the House of Representatives, the changes to the law to address this Mr. RUTHERFORD. Mr. Speaker, I Committee on the Judiciary of the Senate, problem. move to suspend the rules and pass the the Committee on Oversight and Govern- First, it raises the overtime cap to ment Reform of the House of Representa- bill (H.R. 3731) to provide overtime pay tives, and the Committee on Homeland Secu- ensure that these agents are paid. for employees of the United States Se- rity and Governmental Affairs of the Senate Second, it includes a reporting re- cret Service, and for other purposes, as a report on the extent of the progress made quirement, directing the Government amended. by the United States Secret Service in im- Accountability Office to study the

VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:10 Dec 06, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00011 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K05DE7.020 H05DEPT1 SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with HOUSE H9634 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE December 5, 2017 Service’s implementation of the rec- them for their service and for their same costs are projected for 2018, if the ommendations of the Protective Mis- professional service, dedicated service, protective tempo remains unchanged. sion Panel, or PMP. This change is in- and longstanding service and commit- I, therefore, support this bill, and I tended to help address the recruitment ment to sacrificing their life for their urge my colleagues to do the same. and retention issues at the Secret protectee. Any way that we can help protect the Service. I would say that this problem often protectees, and keep these well-experi- Mr. Speaker, this legislation will en- requires individuals to work over the enced, committed, dedicated agents, sure that the Secret Service is able to amount of premium pay, for which willing to sacrifice their lives, from recruit and retain an elite group of they are able to be legally paid, due to leaving, so that we can also recruit, is dedicated law enforcement officers. the annual cap. We have seen the ex- a vital step forward. I hope not only is This is an issue that rises above party tent to which Secret Service members this bill passed by the House, but I also affiliation, or ideology. The protection are stretched in this administration hope passed quickly by the Senate to of the President, the First Family, and alone. Providing protection for the be able to be signed by the President of others is something that, obviously, we President, his family members, and the United States. all should want as American citizens. other high officials requires depth Ensuring that our men and women, who put Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to within the agency to ensure protectees their lives on the line daily, are protected is an support this important legislation, and are covered as well as their respective important initiative. I am proud to be an origi- I reserve the balance of my time. posts when pulled away. As I made the nal co-sponsor along with my colleague Mr. Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I point, these various family members KATKO from New York. ‘‘The Secret Service Recruitment and Re- yield myself such time as I may con- and President go in many ways off of tention Act of 2017’’ is intended to provide sume. the path of their government service Mr. Speaker, let me, first of all, overtime pay for employees of the United related to the people of the United States Secret Service. thank my good friend, Mr. KATKO, who States. Currently, the premium pay for protective is the original sponsor; and I am proud It is my hope that we are able to services under the ‘‘Overtime Pay for Protec- to be an original cosponsor of this leg- eventually work collaboratively on a tive Services Act of 2016’’ has severe earning islation. We serve on the Homeland Se- more permanent fix to this problem limitations, or otherwise caps, which many of curity Committee and have oversight since the Secret Service cannot admin- these men and women have reached. over the Secret Service, as does the as- istratively control protective over- Due to earnings limitations put in place pects of this legislation, as relates to time, which is dependent on the sched- through 5 U.S.C. 5547, many Secret Service Judiciary has oversight as well. So en- ules of the protectees. Raising the pay employees are not receiving timely or full pay- suring that our men and women, who cap will aid the Secret Service in re- ment for the hours they work. put their lives on the line daily, are ducing attrition rates and retaining The requirements of protective operations protected is an important initiative. As personnel, which is what this bill pur- directly contrast with the intent of an annual I said earlier, I am proud to be an origi- ports to do. I truly want to make sure pay cap, as the protective mission requires nal cosponsor, along with my colleague that happens. continued, uninterrupted coverage for our from New York (Mr. KATKO). Exit interview data indicates the pay protectees, beyond the control of the United The Secret Service Recruitment and cap issue is the number one concern States Secret Service. Retention Act of 2017 is intended to among employees leaving the Secret This often requires individuals to work over provide overtime pay for employees of Service. We must ensure that we are the amount of premium pay for which they are the United States Secret Service. Cur- employing the best available can- able to be legally paid due to the annual cap. rently, the premium pay for protective didates when dealing with the protec- We have seen the extent to which the Se- services, under the Overtime Pay for tion of America’s highest diplomats. cret Service members are stretched in this ad- Protective Services Act of 2016, has se- Therefore, pay should not be a deter- ministration alone. Providing protection for the vere earning limitations, or otherwise rence in the recruitment and/or reten- President, his family members and other high caps, which many of these men and tion of Secret Service agents, and it is officials require depth within the agency to en- women have reached. crucial that we retain them. sure protectees are covered as well as their Due to earnings limitations put in Departing employees said raising the respective posts when pulled away. place through 5 U.S.C. 5547, many Se- pay cap would have had an effect on It is my hope that we are able to eventually cret Service employees are not receiv- their decision to leave, and they would work collaboratively on a more permanent fix ing timely or full payment for the have stayed. They are leaving the Se- to this problem since the Secret Service can- not administratively control protective over- hours they work. The requirements of cret Service for other positions in the time, which is dependent on the schedules of protective operations directly contrast Federal Government with equal pay with the intent of an annual pay cap, the protectees. and less travel. Raising the pay cap will aid the Secret Serv- as the protective mission requires con- The U.S. Secret Service is currently ice in reducing attrition rates and retaining per- tinued, uninterrupted coverage for our protecting a historic number of sonnel, which is what this bill purports to do. protectees, beyond the control of the protectees—about 25 percent more Exit interview data indicates the pay cap Secret Service. I think that is an im- protectees—than during the Obama ad- issue is the number #1 concern among em- portant point. ministration. In comparison to the pre- ployees leaving the Secret Service. We must And I want my colleagues to know vious five Presidential administra- ensure that we are employing the best avail- that I wholly support that our tions—Bush 41 to Obama—for the first able candidates when dealing with the protec- protectees are protected wherever they 6 months in office, Trump administra- tion of America’s highest diplomats. Therefore, go. But I would be remiss if I did not tion Secret Service protectees had pay should not be deterrence in the recruit- express my concern on the number of more travel stops and travel days than ment and/or retention of Secret Service trips that the Secret Service today has any other President. agents. had to make on outings for entertain- As such, the operational tempo for Departing employees said raising the pay ment, Mar-a-Lago, which I think is protective activities have remained cap would have had an effect on their decision over 100 times, and the enormous higher than normal. Protective over- to leave the agency. (They are leaving the Se- amount of money and burden that is time hours for special agents are about cret Service for other positions in the federal being placed on the Federal Govern- 15 to 20 percent higher when compared government with equal pay and less travel.) ment. to CY 2015, the last non-Presidential The USSS is currently protecting a historical This does not mean that I do not campaign year. high number of protectees—about 25 percent want these individuals to be com- For CY 2017, as of 9–30–17, the Secret more protectees than during the Obama Ad- pensated. And might I stop for a mo- Service anticipates approximately 1,200 ministration. ment to thank the Secret Service, who personnel will exceed the statutory pay In comparison to the previous five presi- I have known and have seen working cap. dential administrations (Bush 41 to Obama), over the years that I have served in the The costs related to protective over- for the first six months in office, Trump Admin- United States Congress in many dif- time in excess of the pay cap for CY istration Secret Service protectees had more ferent ways. Let me personally thank 2017 is estimated at $10.5 million. The travel stops and travel days than any other.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:48 Dec 06, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00012 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\K05DE7.023 H05DEPT1 SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with HOUSE December 5, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H9635 As such, the operational tempo for protec- common, nowadays, in the Secret Serv- nitaries. Their duties, however, also in- tive activities has remained higher than nor- ice for agents, starting as early as volve rotations into units that inves- mal. Protective overtime hours for special June, to be working multiple hours a tigate threats against our financial agents are about 15 to 20 percent higher week of overtime, and sometimes as system, certain types of identity theft, when compared to CY 2015—the last non- many as over 100 hours a month for and related cybercrimes. presidential campaign year. free because they have reached the cap. This bill before us today is before us For CY 2017, as of 9/30/17, the Secret This, in turn, leads to challenges in because the demands on these agents Services anticipates approximately 1,200 per- retention and recruitment, further ex- have increased significantly under the sonnel will exceed the statutory pay cap. acerbating staffing shortages. In 2017, Trump administration. President The costs related to protective overtime in the agency estimates that 1,200 em- Trump seems to travel to properties in excess of the pay cap for CY 2017 is esti- ployees at Secret Service will exceed Florida, New Jersey, and Virginia al- mated at $10.5 million. The same costs are the statutory pay cap, losing approxi- most every weekend, and the number projected for CY 2018, if the protective tempo mately $10 million in overtime pay, un- of individuals in the Trump adminis- remains unchanged. less we, in Congress, step up. tration under Secret Service protection I therefore, support this bill and urge my col- I wish to thank each of the bipar- has exceeded 40, in comparison to just leagues to do the same. tisan cosponsors for their support of over 30 under the Obama administra- Mr. Speaker, we must do everything we can this bill, which took the cooperation of tion. Protective overtime hours for to protect our United States Secret Service multiple committees to bring to the special agents are 15 to 20 percent high- personnel and ensure an effective process for floor. And I want to thank my col- er than those during the last non-Pres- recruitment and retention of these agents. league, Ms. JACKSON LEE, for her con- idential campaign year. These agents play a vital role in our demo- tinued support on bipartisan measures. cratic system both here at home and abroad. It is a sign that when you join hands Because of the increased workload, Their keen attention to details and adequate across the aisle, good things can hap- many Secret Service personnel will hit response to dangerous situations around the pen. the statutory pay cap this year, and world cannot be measured in dollar signs. In particular, I thank Chairman next. This bill would raise the cap Beyond protecting the President, Vice-Presi- GOODLATTE of the Judiciary Committee through calendar year 2018. This dent, their families and other identified individ- for bringing this legislation up today, change is necessary to allow Secret uals, the Secret Service plays a vital role in as well as Chairman GOWDY and Rank- Service agents to be compensated for representing the United States interest around ing Member CUMMINGS of the Oversight the extraordinary rigors and time de- the world through criminal investigation activi- and Government Reform Committee mands placed upon them as they work ties that span the gamut from anti-counter- for their support. I also thank my col- diligently to fulfill their critical mis- feiting operations to now encompassing finan- league, Mr. RUTHERFORD, for managing sion. The adjustment is necessary for cial crimes, identity theft, counterfeiting, com- this bill on the floor today. And I the retention of well-trained agents puter fraud, and computer-based attacks on thank Chairman MCCAUL, Ranking and the recruitment of new ones. the nation’s financial, banking, and tele- Member THOMPSON, and Ranking Mem- I also note that the bill would require communications infrastructure, among other ber WATSON COLEMAN of the Homeland GAO to conduct a study of the Secret areas. Security Committee for their recogni- Service’s implementation of rec- For all these reasons, I therefore, support tion of this legislation’s importance to ommendations concerning training and this bill. the Secret Service and for their sup- personnel made 3 years ago by the Se- Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of port. cret Service Mission Panel. Congress my time. Further, I would like to explicitly will benefit from receiving a progress Mr. RUTHERFORD. Mr. Speaker, I thank two staffers who were truly in- report on this effort. yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from strumental in coordinating the move- The various provisions of this bill New York (Mr. KATKO), my good friend, ment of this bill: Kevin Ortiz of the will help make the Secret Service a and sponsor of the bill. Oversight and Government Reform more effective agency in pursuing its Mr. KATKO. Mr. Speaker, I rise Committee, and Robert Parmiter of the dual mission. today in strong support of H.R. 3731, Judiciary Committee. Mr. Speaker, I, therefore, support the Secret Service Recruitment and Mr. Speaker, this bill provides over- H.R. 3731 and ask that my colleagues Retention Act of 2017, because I believe due relief to an agency whose dedica- do the same. in the need to pay the hardworking tion knows no bounds. As we enjoy this men and women of the United States holiday season, I can think of no better Mr. RUTHERFORD. Mr. Speaker, I Secret Service for the critical work Christmas gift to the hardworking men yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from that they perform in dedication to the and women at the Secret Service than Georgia (Mr. JODY B. HICE), who is a security of America’s leaders. the fair compensation that is owed to member of the Committee on Oversight While most Americans know the Se- them for their hard work in securing and Government Reform. cret Service for its role in protecting our Nation. Mr. JODY B. HICE of Georgia. Mr. the President and First Family, many Mr. Speaker, for this reason, I Speaker, I appreciate the gentleman are unaware of the additional substan- strongly urge all of my colleagues to for yielding. tial roles and countless hours worked support this bill, and I urge the Senate Mr. Speaker, we all know that the by special agents, uniformed division to quickly take up and pass this bill. United States Secret Service is one of officers, technical personnel, and intel- Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I the Federal Government’s premier law ligence professionals. These jobs re- yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from enforcement agencies. quire extensive travel, often on short New York (Mr. NADLER), the ranking notice, as well as sometimes working member of the House Judiciary Com- The agency’s critical mission is to multiple weeks in a row without a day mittee. protect the President, his family, and off, because the security of our Na- Mr. NADLER. Mr. Speaker, I thank other senior government officials. tion’s leaders depend on our constant the gentlewoman for yielding. Agency personnel may also provide vigilance. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. protection at high-profile events. It has This legislation demonstrates an im- 3731. This bill would raise the cap on a zero-fail mission; therefore, it is vital portant recognition of the men and overtime pay for Secret Service agents that the Secret Service is fully staffed women who wake up every day to dedi- through next year. with nothing but the best. cate their lives to the protection of These agents pursue the unique dual Unfortunately, the agency has faced America’s leadership and financial sys- role of the Secret Service, which con- tremendous staffing problems. The tems. This agency has struggled to im- sists of protective and investigative Committee on Oversight and Govern- prove employee morale in recent years, functions. Secret Service agents are ment Reform released a bipartisan re- due, in large part, to strict overtime most commonly known for their role in port in 2015, finding the Secret Service pay caps that prevent adequate com- protecting the President, Vice Presi- has faced challenges related to hiring pensation for their work. It is very dent, their families, and other dig- and retaining personnel.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:48 Dec 06, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00013 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A05DE7.006 H05DEPT1 SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with HOUSE H9636 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE December 5, 2017 b 1245 Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the extra Let me acknowledge Mr. CUMMINGS The report states that the staffing time and I urge all Members to support for his leadership on this legislation. I crisis threatens to jeopardize its crit- this bill. believe the combination of Members ical mission. Staffing issues have per- Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I who are sponsoring this legislation and sisted, although the agency has imple- yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from the work of the Oversight and Govern- mented a series of reforms to help get Maryland (Mr. CUMMINGS), the chair- ment Reform, Homeland Security, and its hiring and attrition problems under man and ranking member of the Over- Judiciary Committees clearly speak to control. sight and Government Reform Com- almost the crisis of the issue and what The consequence of these hiring and mittee. we are dealing with. Mr. CUMMINGS. Mr. Speaker, I attrition problems is that the agency As we come to a close, Mr. Speaker, thank the gentlewoman for yielding, does not have enough personnel to ful- I am hoping that my colleagues will and I rise to support H.R. 3731, the Se- fill its zero fail protective mission. vote for this legislation in resounding cret Service Recruitment and Reten- This means existing personnel are numbers and I hope that the Senate tion Act of 2017, which Congressman working excessive overtime. will hotline this legislation so that it KATKO and I cosponsored. With all the overtime, many Secret can immediately get to the desk of the The bill would authorize an increase Service personnel have reached the cap President. in the annual salary and the overtime I would also ask that we recognize on premium pay set in law. As a result, limit for the men and women of the Se- that we must do everything we can to agents are not paid for overtime hours cret Service so they can be paid for the protect our United States Secret Serv- if doing so would result in compensa- significant overtime they have already ice personnel and ensure an effective tion above the cap during any biweekly worked in 2017 and will be working in process for recruitment and retention pay period. These max-outs, as they 2018. of these agents. are known, contribute to the agency’s Last year, the Committee on Over- I am glad there is an element in this low morale and unsurprisingly cause sight and Government Reform unani- legislation that will allow for a review the rate of attrition to spike. mously passed the Overtime Pay for of all of these issues and that the Con- Congress first lifted the pay cap for Protective Services Act of 2016. The gress will have a role in assessing how the Secret Service in 2016 to help the bill authorized overtime pay for more we can work with the Secret Service agency handle the demands of staffing than 1,400 Secret Service agents and agency to improve its performance, its the Presidential campaign. However, the thousands of hours they worked in retention, and certainly to say to those nearly 1,300 employees are at risk of the 2016 Presidential campaign year. hardworking agents that we appreciate exceeding the pay cap in 2017. Although non-campaign years are them, by way of compensation. Due to the extraordinary staffing usually significantly less demanding, These agents play a vital role in our problems facing the agency, this bill the size of President Trump’s family, democratic system both here at home extends the pay cap waiver provided their frequent travel, and the need to and abroad. Their keen attention to de- last year until the end of 2018. Employ- secure their multiple residences have tails and adequate response to dan- ees will receive compensation up to the caused more than 1,000 Secret Service gerous situations around the world basic pay currently given to members agents to reach the annual pay cap in cannot be measured in dollar signs. of the Executive Schedule, Level II. 2017. These demands on the Secret Beyond protecting the President, Every Secret Service employee who Service will remain extremely high and Vice President, their families, and has exceeded the cap or who is at risk require substantial resources. other identified individuals, the Secret of doing so because of excessive over- In December 2015, the Oversight Com- Service plays a vital role in rep- time will receive additional compensa- mittee unanimously adopted a report resenting the United States’ interests tion under this bill. concluding that the Secret around the world through criminal in- I want to be clear. This bill is nar- Service‘‘. . . is experiencing a staffing vestigation activities that span the rowly targeted to fix a problem cur- crisis that threatens to jeopardize its gamut from anticounterfeiting oper- rently facing the agency and does so in critical mission.’’ ations to now encompassing financial a timely manner. Our report found that this was due in crimes; identity theft, which has expo- The Secret Service cannot continue large part to ‘‘. . . significant cuts im- nentially grown in the United States; to rely on expensive overtime, and Con- posed by the Budget Control Act of counterfeiting; computer fraud; and gress fully expects the agency to get 2011.’’ computer-based attacks on the Na- its hiring attrition problems under The report recommended that Con- tion’s financial, banking, and tele- control. To this end, the bill also re- gress ensure that the Secret Service communications infrastructure, among quires a report by the Government Ac- has sufficient funds to restore staffing other areas. countability Office focused on the Se- to the required levels. Congress is standing up to make its cret Service’s implementation of rec- Providing this much-needed overtime voice known and to make appropriate ommendations found in the 2014 Pro- pay relief is an essential step towards changes. tective Mission Panel report. fulfilling the committee’s rec- I think it is appropriate for the ad- The SPEAKER pro tempore. The ommendation. The hardworking men ministration in this instance, the Com- time of the gentleman has expired. and women of the Secret Service put mander in Chief, to stand up as well Mr. RUTHERFORD. Mr. Speaker, I their lives on the line every day and and review the extensive travel and the yield an additional 1 minute to the make tremendous personal sacrifices burdens that are being placed on the gentleman from Georgia. for our country. Secret Service agents and their fami- Mr. JODY B. HICE of Georgia. Mr. We cannot expect the Secret Service lies. They are not complaining, but I Speaker, the recommendations, which to recruit and retain the best of the think it behooves any good leader to include reforming the recruiting and best and be the elite of the elite if they look at what can be improved and what hiring process, hiring additional per- are not even being compensated for the can be corrected in order to ensure the sonnel, and implementing a zero toler- hours that are demanded of them. astuteness, the excellence, and the ance disciplinary system, are instruc- Congress has a responsibility to pro- safety and security of the protectees tive and will help the Secret Service vide the resources they need. I am and those agents who are out there on develop a world class human resource proud to join my colleagues in this bi- the line sacrificing or willing to sac- system. partisan effort to do just that, and I rifice their life. Mr. Speaker, in closing, I would like urge my colleagues to support this bill. For all of these reasons, I therefore to thank the House Judiciary Com- Mr. RUTHERFORD. Mr. Speaker, I support this bill. Mr. Speaker, I ask my mittee, the Homeland Security Com- have no other Members to speak on colleagues to vote for this legislation, mittee, along with the Oversight and this bill. H.R. 3731, and I yield back the balance Government Reform Committee on I reserve the balance of my time. of my time. putting forth this important legisla- Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I Mr. RUTHERFORD. Mr. Speaker, I tion and bringing it to the floor in a yield myself such time as I may con- yield myself such time as I may con- timely manner. sume. sume.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:48 Dec 06, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00014 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K05DE7.027 H05DEPT1 SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with HOUSE December 5, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H9637 Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. of girls who have undergone FGM has gentlewoman from Texas for helping to This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Stopping tripled over the past 2 decades. bring this bill to the floor today. I con- Abusive Female Exploitation Act of 2017’’ or In 2017, after 20 years on the books, gratulate my good friend from New the ‘‘SAFE Act of 2017’’. the first charges were filed under the SEC. 2. INCREASED PENALTY FOR FEMALE GEN- York, Mr. KATKO, on this legislation. It ITAL MUTILATION. FGM statute against a doctor in Michi- is going to be very important to our Section 116 of title 18, United States Code, gan who performed this disfiguring as- men and women of the Secret Service is amended by striking ‘‘5 years’’ each place sault on two 7-year-olds. who put their lives on the line every it appears and inserting ‘‘15 years’’. By increasing the criminal exposure day in dedication to their service. SEC. 3. SENSE OF CONGRESS. for this crime, we send a message that Mr. Speaker, I want to encourage all It is the sense of Congress that States our country will not tolerate the muti- of my colleagues to support H.R. 3731, should have in place laws that require health lation of our young girls and women and I yield back the balance of my care professionals, teachers, and other school and we will do what we can to prevent time. employees to report to local law enforce- that. ment agencies any instance of suspected fe- Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank Mr. GOODLATTE. Mr. Speaker, I support male genital mutilation. the passage of H.R. 3731 today to strengthen Mr. TROTT from the great State of the resolve of our men and women in the Se- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- Michigan for introducing this legisla- cret Service to continue performing their es- ant to the rule, the gentleman from tion, and I urge my colleagues to sup- sential duties in protecting the President while Florida (Mr. RUTHERFORD) and the gen- port it. receiving the appropriate compensation for tlewoman from Texas (Ms. JACKSON Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of their efforts which go beyond normal working LEE) each will control 20 minutes. my time. hours. This legislation ensures that a pay cap The Chair recognizes the gentleman Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I is no longer a barrier to paying Secret Service from Florida. yield myself such time as I may con- agents who stand watch at all hours of the GENERAL LEAVE sume. night, often racking up significant overtime. Mr. RUTHERFORD. Mr. Speaker, I Mr. Speaker, let me thank the gen- The current pay cap restricts the Secret Serv- ask unanimous consent that all Mem- tleman from Florida for managing this ice from paying their employees what is due to bers may have 5 legislative days within bill along with the previous initiative, them. which to revise and extend their re- and let me thank Mrs. MALONEY and Director Alles believes this legislation to be marks and include extraneous material Mr. TROTT for their leadership on this such an important initiative to pass that he on H.R. 3317, currently under consider- very important legislation. personally came to discuss it with me as ation. Protecting girls and young women Chairman of the Judiciary Committee with The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there from abuse and exploitation is vital to oversight of the Secret Service. I am glad that objection to the request of the gen- the health of our communities. The we are, in a bipartisan way, enabling the men tleman from Florida? Stopping Abusive Female Exploitation and women of the Secret Service to now re- There was no objection. Act is intended to amend 18 U.S.C. Sec- ceive the necessary compensation for the sig- Mr. RUTHERFORD. Mr. Speaker, I tion 116 by raising the penalty such nificant overtime work they perform. yield myself as much time as I may that the maximum penalty for the The GAO reporting requirement in the legis- consume. crime of genital mutilation is 15 years. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in strong lation will also provide to Congress important b 1300 analysis of how well the Secret Service has support of H.R. 3317, the Stopping Abu- implemented the recommendations of the Pro- sive Female Exploitation Act, or the Given the abhorrent nature of this tective Mission Panel. Knowing these results SAFE Act. practice, States should have in place will help in conducting crucial oversight of the This legislation increases the crimi- laws that require healthcare profes- agency. nal penalty for female genitalia muti- sionals, school employees, and other I urge my colleagues to support this impor- lation of a minor from a maximum of 5 professionals who work with children tant legislation. years to a maximum of 15 years. It also to report any suspected practice of fe- The SPEAKER pro tempore. The encourages States to adopt laws to re- male genital mutilation to the appro- question is on the motion offered by quire certain professionals who work priate law enforcement entity. the gentleman from Florida (Mr. RUTH- with children to report suspected muti- This legislation is important as a ERFORD) that the House suspend the lation cases. means for Congress to appropriately rules and pass the bill, H.R. 3731, as Female genitalia mutilation, or punish those who commit this crime. amended. FGM, is internationally recognized as a Female genital manipulation, cutting, The question was taken. human rights violation for girls and is internationally recognized as a vio- The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the women. It is an extreme form of abuse lation of human rights of girls and opinion of the Chair, two-thirds being against women and girls, often causing women. It is currently a crime in 26 in the affirmative, the ayes have it. serious and permanent health com- States, including Michigan and Texas. Mr. RUTHERFORD. Mr. Speaker, on plications, including shock and death. It is also a Federal crime. that I demand the yeas and nays. Across at least 30 countries, more Around the world, at least five girls The yeas and nays were ordered. than 200 million girls and women alive are mutilated, cut, every hour. An esti- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- today have been subjected to FGM and mated 100 million girls and 140 million ant to clause 8 of rule XX, further pro- more than 3 million girls are estimated women worldwide are living with the ceedings on this motion will be post- to be at risk every year of being sub- consequences of FGM. Despite the fact poned. jected to this procedure even though it that FGM has been banned in the f is outlawed in 42 countries. United States since 1996, people con- Congress first passed legislation tinue to engage in this abusive prac- STOPPING ABUSIVE FEMALE making this horrific practice illegal in tice. EXPLOITATION ACT OF 2017 1996. The Federal Prohibition of Fe- Recently, Michigan was faced with Mr. RUTHERFORD. Mr. Speaker, I male Genitalia Mutilation Act made it the first Federal prosecution under this move to suspend the rules and pass the illegal to perform FGM on girls young- statute, whereby a Michigan doctor bill (H.R. 3317) to amend title 18, er than 18 years of age in the United was charged with performing female United States Code, to increase the States. genital mutilation on two girls that penalty for female genital mutilation, In 2013, Congress passed another law, crossed State lines. Because this intol- and for other purposes, as amended. the Transport for Female Genital Mu- erable practice has no medical benefits, The Clerk read the title of the bill. tilation Act, which amended the 1996 it has no place in our society, and The text of the bill is as follows: legislation and made it a crime to those who commit these horrendous H.R. 3317 knowingly transport a girl out of the crimes should be held accountable for Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- United States for the purpose of FGM, their actions. I, therefore, ask support resentatives of the United States of America in yet the practice still continues. Ac- for this bill and urge my colleagues to Congress assembled, cording to some estimates, the number do the same.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:48 Dec 06, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00015 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K05DE7.028 H05DEPT1 SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with HOUSE H9638 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE December 5, 2017 Protecting girls and young women from has no place in southeast Michigan or issue, but to have a like-minded man abuse and exploitation is vital to the health of the United States. This person who join you and lead you is a very, very our communities. claims to be a physician is a monster special expression of leadership, and I ‘‘The Stopping Abusive Female Exploitation and has reportedly committed this hei- am deeply grateful for the gentleman’s Act of 2017’’ is intended to amend 18 U.S.C. nous act hundreds of times. leadership on behalf of the girls and § 116 by increasing the maximum penalty for This despicable practice has no place women that this bill will help. the crime of female genital mutilation (FGM) in our society, and we must ensure our Female genital mutilation is a ter- from five years to fifteen. Federal laws reflect this principle. We rible, abusive practice that causes im- Given the abhorrent nature of this practice, must make it clear to Americans and mense physical and emotional pain and States should have in place laws that require the rest of the world that this practice damage to young girls that can last a health care professionals, school employees will not be tolerated. lifetime. It is a Federal crime. Twenty- and other professionals that work with chil- The Centers for Disease Control and two States have laws against it, yet it dren, to report any suspected practice of fe- Prevention estimate that over 500,000 is still being practiced in our great male genital mutilation, to the appropriate law girls in the United States have under- country. enforcement entity. gone or are at risk of FGM. That is It is illegal in the United States, and I support this legislation as a means for 500,000 girls too many. We must set a while we condemn this practice around Congress to appropriately punish those that zero tolerance against this practice. the world, we really need to do more to commit this crime. This is gender violence and oppression, stop it right here at home. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C) and it is time for the government to is internationally recognized as a violation of time of the gentlewoman has expired. punish such egregious behavior accord- Ms. JACKSON LEE. I yield the gen- the human rights of girls and women. It is cur- ingly. rently a crime in 26 states, including Michigan tlewoman an additional 1 minute. My bipartisan SAFE Act will in- Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New and Texas. It is also a federal crime. crease the Federal penalty from 5 to 15 York. The CDC estimates that in 2012, Around the world, at least five girls are muti- years, putting it more in line with 500,000 females in the United States lated/cut every hour. An estimated 100 million other developed countries. We need to have been subjected to or are at risk of girls and 140 million women worldwide are liv- protect our girls right here at home, female genital mutilation, and that ing with the consequences of FGM. and increasing the penalty will go a number is rising. It is up to us to bring Despite the fact that FGM has been banned long way toward accomplishing this that number to zero. in the United States since 1996, people con- goal. This bill creates a harsher and more tinue to engage in this abusive practice. I want to thank the coauthor of this appropriate penalty, increasing the Recently, Michigan was faced with the first bill, the gentlewoman from New York current sentence of 5 years to 15 years federal prosecution under this statute, where- (Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY), my friend imprisonment. Stricter penalties for by, a Michigan doctor was charged with per- and colleague, for her work. I also want performing the procedure are critical forming female genital mutilation on two girls to thank Chairman GOODLATTE for his to eradicating this horrific abuse. that crossed state-lines. effort and leadership in moving this I not only thank my colleague, but Because this intolerable practice has no bill through the committee process. also Chairman GOODLATTE and Ranking medical benefits, it has no place in our society Mr. Speaker, today we can step to- Member NADLER and our sponsors in and those who commit these horrendous ward eradicating this barbaric prac- the Senate, Senators FEINSTEIN and crimes should be held accountable for their tice, and I urge my colleagues to sup- GRASSLEY. actions. port passage of H.R. 3317. This is an important bill. I hope this I therefore, support this bill and urge my col- Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, it entire body supports it. It will literally leagues to do the same. is certainly a pleasure to yield 2 min- save the lives of many young girls in Mr. Speaker, we must do everything we can utes to the distinguished gentlewoman our country. to protect victims, particularly, the most vulner- from New York (Mrs. CAROLYN B. Mr. RUTHERFORD. Mr. Speaker, I able people in our society, our children. have no more speakers on this bill. This bill will certainly do that. Beyond serv- MALONEY), a good friend and a cham- pion of these issues dealing with vul- I reserve the balance of my time. ing as a deterrence for many in our society Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I nerable women, the original sponsor of that continue to engage in the practice of fe- am delighted to yield 3 minutes to the male genital mutilation, this legislation will also this legislation along with Mr. TROTT. Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New gentleman from New York (Mr. NAD- provide a more appropriate punishment for LER), the ranking member of the House York. Mr. Speaker, I thank my good violation of the FGM statute, under 18 U.S.C. Judiciary Committee. friend, SHEILA JACKSON LEE, for her ex- § 116. Mr. NADLER. Mr. Speaker, I rise in For all these reasons, I therefore, support traordinary leadership on this issue strong support of H.R. 3317. this bill. and so many others, and I thank her Unfortunately, this bill is needed to Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of for yielding to me. help protect young women and girls my time. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support from the horrible practice of female Mr. RUTHERFORD. Mr. Speaker, I of H.R. 3317, the Stopping Abusive Fe- genital mutilation. H.R. 3317 would in- yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from male Exploitation, or SAFE, Act. It is crease the maximum penalty from 5 Michigan (Mr. TROTT), my good friend. a bipartisan, noncontroversial issue; years to 15 years for female genital mu- Mr. TROTT. Mr. Speaker, I want to and I hope this body unanimously sup- tilation to appropriately punish those thank my friend from Florida for man- ports it, as it will save the health and who commit this horrible crime. aging this bill. protection and stop the abuse of girls FGM, female genital mutilation, is Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support in our country. internationally recognized as a viola- of H.R. 3317, the SAFE Act, legislation I am the Democratic lead on this bill tion of the human rights of girls and that will increase the Federal penalty and, first, want to thank my friend and young women. It is currently a crime for female genital mutilation from 5 colleague from Michigan (Mr. TROTT) in 26 States, including New York, in years to 15 years. for his devotion, extraordinary leader- addition to the prohibition in the Fed- This past April, just north of Detroit, ship, and commitment to bringing this eral criminal code. reports of this appalling and brutal bill to the floor. Around the world, at least five girls practice surfaced in my district. As a Female genital mutilation is an issue are mutilated in this way every single lifelong resident of southeast Michi- that affects women and girls in the hour. An estimated 100 million girls gan, I was horrified to learn that three United States and around the world. and 140 million women worldwide are local residents, including two physi- I want to express my regret that he living with the consequences of genital cians, professionals we trust with our has decided to retire from this body. mutilation. children, were charged for allegedly We will miss his leadership in Con- Despite the fact that female genital performing and participating in this gress. His district, I am sure, and State mutilation has been banned in the barbaric practice. will miss it, and, I must say, I believe United States since 1996, people con- The subsequent Federal prosecution our country will miss it. It is one thing tinue to engage in this abusive prac- has shed light on an evil practice that when a woman champions a woman’s tice. Recently, the first prosecution

VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:48 Dec 06, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00016 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A05DE7.011 H05DEPT1 SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with HOUSE December 5, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H9639 was initiated under the Federal stat- human rights violation of female genital mutila- the gentleman from Florida (Mr. RUTH- ute. A doctor in Michigan was charged tion (FGM). The Center for Disease Control ERFORD) that the House suspend the with performing female genital mutila- estimates that approximately 500,000 women rules and pass the bill, as amended. tion on two girls who had been brought and girls in the US have undergone the proce- The vote was taken by electronic de- across State lines for this purpose. dure or are at risk of having it inflicted upon vice, and there were—yeas 407, nays 4, Those who commit these horrendous them, and it has only grown in prevalence not voting 22, as follows: crimes should be held accountable for over the last two decades. FGM provides no [Roll No. 655] their actions. I support increasing the health benefits for women and girls, and has maximum penalty under Federal law long-lasting and harmful physical and psycho- YEAS—407 from 5 to 15 years in order to reflect logical consequences. Abraham Davis, Danny Hunter the severity of these injuries and their While FGM is rightly a federal crime under Adams Davis, Rodney Hurd Aderholt DeFazio Issa long-lasting consequences and, per- current law, the current penalty is insufficient. Aguilar DeGette Jackson Lee haps, to better deter these crimes. It does not reflect the barbaric and medieval Allen Delaney Jayapal Therefore, I support this bill, and I nature of the crime; nor does it reflect the Amodei DeLauro Jeffries urge my colleagues to do the same. Arrington DelBene Jenkins (KS) harm caused to these young girls. That is why Babin Demings Jenkins (WV) Mr. RUTHERFORD. Mr. Speaker, I we are considering the SAFE Act today. Bacon Denham Johnson (GA) reserve the balance of my time. As a father and grandfather, I can think of Banks (IN) DeSantis Johnson (LA) Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I no more important work than protecting our Barletta DeSaulnier Johnson (OH) Barr DesJarlais Johnson, E. B. yield myself such time as I may con- children from those who seek to do them Barraga´ n Deutch Johnson, Sam sume. harm. Barton Diaz-Balart Jones Again, let me thank the gentleman I commend Representative DAVE TROTT, an Bass Dingell Jordan from Florida for managing and joining Beatty Doggett Joyce (OH) alumnus of this Committee, and Representa- Bera Donovan Kaptur me in the managing of this legislation, tive CAROLYN MALONEY, for introducing the Bergman Doyle, Michael Katko and, again, I thank the cosponsors. SAFE Act and for their tireless efforts on be- Beyer F. Keating Let me also express my appreciation half of FGM victims. I urge my colleagues to Biggs Duffy Kelly (IL) to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Bilirakis Duncan (SC) Kelly (MS) support this important legislation. Bishop (GA) Duncan (TN) Kelly (PA) TROTT) for his service to this Congress The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Bishop (MI) Dunn Khanna and, as well, for his excellent bill that question is on the motion offered by Bishop (UT) Ellison Kildee Black Emmer Kilmer is on the floor. the gentleman from Florida (Mr. RUTH- Blackburn Engel Kind I thank the gentlewoman from New ERFORD) that the House suspend the Blum Eshoo King (IA) York (Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY), as rules and pass the bill, H.R. 3317, as Blumenauer Espaillat King (NY) well, for her leadership on this legisla- amended. Blunt Rochester Estes (KS) Kinzinger tion. Bonamici Esty (CT) Knight The question was taken. Bost Evans Krishnamoorthi I think it is important to note that The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the Boyle, Brendan Farenthold Kuster (NH) these are dastardly acts against women opinion of the Chair, two-thirds being F. Faso Kustoff (TN) and girls; and as I indicated, across the in the affirmative, the ayes have it. Brady (PA) Ferguson Labrador Brady (TX) Fitzpatrick LaHood world, we are talking about 140 million Mr. RUTHERFORD. Mr. Speaker, on Brat Fleischmann LaMalfa women and 100 million girls who have that I demand the yeas and nays. Brooks (AL) Flores Lamborn been subjected to living with the con- The yeas and nays were ordered. Brooks (IN) Fortenberry Lance sequences of the FGM. It was banned in Brown (MD) Foster Langevin The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- Buchanan Foxx Larsen (WA) the United States since 1996, but we ant to clause 8 of rule XX, further pro- Buck Frankel (FL) Larson (CT) know this act still goes on. So we must ceedings on this motion will be post- Bucshon Franks (AZ) Latta do everything we can to protect vic- poned. Budd Frelinghuysen Lawrence Burgess Fudge Lawson (FL) tims, particularly the most vulnerable f Bustos Gabbard Lee people in our society: our children. Butterfield Gaetz Levin This is not a mandatory minimum. ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER Byrne Gallagher Lewis (GA) This is upwards of 15 years. This is a PRO TEMPORE Calvert Gallego Lewis (MN) Capuano Garamendi Lieu, Ted deserving penalty for a horrific crime. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- Carbajal Garrett Lipinski This bill will certainly do that to try ant to clause 8 of rule XX, proceedings Ca´ rdenas Gianforte LoBiondo to protect these children here in the will resume on questions previously Carson (IN) Gibbs Loebsack United States. Carter (GA) Gohmert Lofgren postponed. Carter (TX) Gomez Long Beyond serving as a deterrent for Votes will be taken in the following Cartwright Gonzalez (TX) Loudermilk many in our society who continue to order: Castor (FL) Goodlatte Love engage in the practice of female gen- Suspending the rules and passing Castro (TX) Gosar Lowenthal Chabot Gottheimer Lowey ital mutilation, this legislation will H.R. 3731; Cheney Gowdy Lucas also provide appropriate punishment Suspending the rules and passing Chu, Judy Granger Luetkemeyer for violation of the FGM statute under H.R. 3317; and Cicilline Graves (GA) Lujan Grisham, 18 U.S.C. 116. Agreeing to the Speaker’s approval of Clarke (NY) Graves (LA) M. Clay Graves (MO) Luja´ n, Ben Ray For all these reasons, I ask my col- the Journal. Clyburn Green, Al Lynch leagues to support this bill. The first electronic vote will be con- Coffman Green, Gene MacArthur I yield back the balance of my time. ducted as a 15-minute vote. Remaining Cohen Grijalva Maloney, Cole Guthrie Carolyn B. Mr. RUTHERFORD. Mr. Speaker, I electronic votes will be conducted as 5- Collins (GA) Hanabusa Maloney, Sean yield myself such time as I may con- minute votes. Collins (NY) Handel Marchant sume. f Comer Harper Marino I would first like to thank the gentle- Comstock Harris Marshall woman from Texas for helping to man- SECRET SERVICE RECRUITMENT Conaway Hartzler Massie AND RETENTION ACT OF 2017 Connolly Hastings Mast age these two very important bills on Cook Heck Matsui the floor today. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The un- Cooper Hensarling McCarthy I, too, want to congratulate Mrs. finished business is the vote on the mo- Correa Herrera Beutler McCaul Costa Hice, Jody B. McClintock MALONEY and Mr. TROTT on H.R. 3317, tion to suspend the rules and pass the Costello (PA) Higgins (LA) McCollum to ban this horrible procedure of FGM bill (H.R. 3731) to provide overtime pay Courtney Higgins (NY) McEachin and really help to protect the women for employees of the United States Se- Cramer Hill McGovern Crawford Himes McHenry and girls of the United States. cret Service, and for other purposes, as Crist Holding McKinley Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance amended, on which the yeas and nays Crowley Hollingsworth McMorris of my time. were ordered. Cuellar Hoyer Rodgers Mr. GOODLATTE. Mr. Speaker, the Stop- The Clerk read the title of the bill. Culberson Hudson McNerney Cummings Huffman McSally ping Abusive Female Exploitation, or ‘‘SAFE,’’ The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Curtis Huizenga Meadows Act addresses the internationally-recognized question is on the motion offered by Davis (CA) Hultgren Meehan

VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:48 Dec 06, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00017 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K05DE7.033 H05DEPT1 SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with HOUSE H9640 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE December 5, 2017 Meng Rohrabacher Stivers the gentleman from Florida (Mr. RUTH- McMorris Roby Speier Messer Rokita Suozzi Rodgers Roe (TN) Stefanik Mitchell Rooney, Francis Swalwell (CA) ERFORD) that the House suspend the McNerney Rogers (AL) Stewart Moolenaar Rooney, Thomas Takano rules and pass the bill, as amended. McSally Rogers (KY) Stivers Mooney (WV) J. Taylor This will be a 5-minute vote. Meadows Rohrabacher Suozzi Moore Ros-Lehtinen Tenney Meehan Rokita Swalwell (CA) Moulton Rosen Thompson (CA) The vote was taken by electronic de- Meng Rooney, Francis Takano Mullin Roskam Thompson (MS) vice, and there were—yeas 409, nays 0, Messer Rooney, Thomas Taylor Murphy (FL) Ross Thompson (PA) not voting 24, as follows: Mitchell J. Tenney Nadler Rothfus Thornberry Moolenaar Ros-Lehtinen Thompson (CA) Napolitano Rouzer Tiberi [Roll No. 656] Mooney (WV) Rosen Thompson (MS) Newhouse Roybal-Allard Tipton YEAS—409 Moore Roskam Thompson (PA) Noem Royce (CA) Titus Moulton Ross Thornberry Nolan Ruiz Tonko Abraham Davis (CA) Huffman Mullin Rothfus Tiberi Norcross Ruppersberger Torres Adams Davis, Danny Huizenga Murphy (FL) Rouzer Tipton Norman Rush Trott Aderholt Davis, Rodney Hultgren Nadler Roybal-Allard Titus Nunes Russell Tsongas Aguilar DeFazio Hunter Napolitano Royce (CA) Tonko O’Halleran Rutherford Turner Allen DeGette Hurd Newhouse Ruiz Torres O’Rourke Ryan (OH) Upton Amash Delaney Issa Noem Ruppersberger Trott Olson Sa´ nchez Valadao Arrington DeLauro Jackson Lee Nolan Rush Tsongas Palazzo Sarbanes Vargas Babin DelBene Jayapal Norcross Russell Turner Pallone Scalise Veasey Bacon Demings Jeffries Norman Rutherford Upton Palmer Schakowsky Vela´ zquez Banks (IN) Denham Jenkins (KS) Nunes Ryan (OH) Valadao Panetta Schiff Visclosky Barletta DeSantis Jenkins (WV) O’Halleran Sa´ nchez Vargas Pascrell Schneider Wagner Barr DeSaulnier Johnson (GA) O’Rourke Sanford Veasey Paulsen Schrader Walberg Barraga´ n DesJarlais Johnson (LA) Olson Sarbanes Vela Pearce Schweikert Walden Barton Deutch Johnson (OH) Palazzo Scalise Vela´ zquez Perlmutter Scott (VA) Walker Bass Diaz-Balart Johnson, E. B. Pallone Schakowsky Visclosky Perry Scott, David Walorski Beatty Dingell Johnson, Sam Palmer Schiff Walberg Peters Sensenbrenner Walters, Mimi Bera Doggett Jones Panetta Schneider Walden Peterson Serrano Wasserman Bergman Donovan Jordan Pascrell Schrader Walker Pingree Sessions Schultz Beyer Doyle, Michael Joyce (OH) Paulsen Schweikert Walorski Pittenger Sewell (AL) Watson Coleman Biggs F. Kaptur Pearce Scott (VA) Walters, Mimi Poe (TX) Shea-Porter Weber (TX) Bilirakis Duffy Katko Perlmutter Scott, David Wasserman Poliquin Sherman Webster (FL) Bishop (GA) Duncan (SC) Keating Perry Sensenbrenner Schultz Polis Shimkus Welch Bishop (MI) Duncan (TN) Kelly (IL) Peters Serrano Waters, Maxine Posey Shuster Wenstrup Bishop (UT) Dunn Kelly (MS) Peterson Sessions Watson Coleman Price (NC) Sinema Westerman Black Ellison Kelly (PA) Pingree Sewell (AL) Weber (TX) Raskin Sires Williams Blackburn Emmer Khanna Pittenger Shea-Porter Welch Ratcliffe Slaughter Wilson (FL) Blum Engel Kihuen Poe (TX) Sherman Wenstrup Reed Smith (MO) Wilson (SC) Blumenauer Eshoo Kildee Poliquin Shimkus Westerman Reichert Smith (NE) Wittman Blunt Rochester Espaillat Kilmer Polis Shuster Williams Renacci Smith (NJ) Womack Bonamici Estes (KS) Kind Posey Sinema Wilson (FL) Bost Esty (CT) Rice (NY) Smith (TX) Woodall King (IA) Price (NC) Sires Wilson (SC) Boyle, Brendan Evans Rice (SC) Smith (WA) Yarmuth King (NY) Raskin Slaughter Wittman F. Farenthold Richmond Smucker Yoder Kinzinger Ratcliffe Smith (MO) Womack Brady (PA) Faso Roby Soto Yoho Knight Reed Smith (NE) Yarmuth Brady (TX) Ferguson Roe (TN) Speier Young (AK) Krishnamoorthi Reichert Smith (NJ) Yoder Brat Fitzpatrick Rogers (AL) Stefanik Young (IA) Kuster (NH) Renacci Smith (TX) Yoho Brooks (AL) Fleischmann Rogers (KY) Stewart Zeldin Kustoff (TN) Rice (NY) Smith (WA) Young (AK) Brooks (IN) Flores Labrador Rice (SC) Smucker Young (IA) NAYS—4 Brown (MD) Fortenberry LaHood Richmond Soto Zeldin Buck Foster Amash Grothman LaMalfa Davidson Sanford Bucshon Foxx NOT VOTING—24 Budd Frankel (FL) Lamborn NOT VOTING—22 Lance Amodei Dent Pocan Burgess Franks (AZ) Bridenstine Griffith Quigley Bustos Frelinghuysen Langevin Bridenstine Gutie´rrez Quigley Larsen (WA) Brownley (CA) Gutie´rrez Scott, Austin Brownley (CA) Kennedy Scott, Austin Butterfield Fudge Buchanan Kennedy Simpson Byrne Gabbard Larson (CT) Clark (MA) Kihuen Simpson Ca´ rdenas Meeks Wagner Calvert Gaetz Latta Cleaver Meeks Vela Clark (MA) Neal Walz Capuano Gallagher Lawrence Conyers Neal Walz Conyers Payne Webster (FL) Carbajal Gallego Lawson (FL) Curbelo (FL) Payne Waters, Maxine Lee Curbelo (FL) Pelosi Woodall Dent Pelosi Carson (IN) Garamendi Carter (GA) Garrett Levin ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE Griffith Pocan Lewis (GA) Carter (TX) Gianforte The SPEAKER pro tempore (during b 1337 Cartwright Gibbs Lewis (MN) Castor (FL) Gohmert Lieu, Ted the vote). There are 2 minutes remain- Messrs. AMASH and GROTHMAN Castro (TX) Gomez Lipinski ing. changed their vote from ‘‘yea’’ to Chabot Gonzalez (TX) LoBiondo ‘‘nay.’’ Cheney Goodlatte Loebsack b 1345 Ms. BONAMICI changed her vote Chu, Judy Gosar Lofgren So (two-thirds being in the affirma- Cicilline Gottheimer Long from ‘‘nay’’ to ‘‘yea.’’ Clarke (NY) Gowdy Loudermilk tive) the rules were suspended and the So (two-thirds being in the affirma- Clay Granger Love bill, as amended, was passed. tive) the rules were suspended and the Cleaver Graves (GA) Lowenthal The result of the vote was announced bill, as amended, was passed. Clyburn Graves (LA) Lowey Coffman Graves (MO) Lucas as above recorded. The result of the vote was announced Cohen Green, Al Luetkemeyer A motion to reconsider was laid on as above recorded. Cole Green, Gene Lujan Grisham, the table. A motion to reconsider was laid on Collins (GA) Grijalva M. Stated for: the table. Collins (NY) Grothman Luja´ n, Ben Ray Comer Guthrie Lynch Mrs. WAGNER. Mr. Speaker, I was un- f Comstock Hanabusa MacArthur avoidably detained. Had I been present, I Conaway Handel Maloney, would have voted ‘‘yea’’ on rollcall No. 656. STOPPING ABUSIVE FEMALE Connolly Harper Carolyn B. PERSONAL EXPLANATION EXPLOITATION ACT OF 2017 Cook Harris Maloney, Sean The SPEAKER pro tempore. The un- Cooper Hartzler Marchant Mr. WALZ. Mr. Speaker, I was absent for Correa Hastings Marino rollcall Nos. 655 (on the passage of H.R. finished business is the vote on the mo- Costa Heck Marshall tion to suspend the rules and pass the Costello (PA) Hensarling Massie 3731), and 656 (on the passage of H.R. bill (H.R. 3317) to amend title 18, Courtney Herrera Beutler Mast 3317). Had I been present, I would have voted United States Code, to increase the Cramer Hice, Jody B. Matsui ‘‘yes’’ on both these votes. Crawford Higgins (LA) McCarthy PERSONAL EXPLANATION penalty for female genital mutilation, Crist Higgins (NY) McCaul and for other purposes, as amended, on Crowley Hill McClintock Mr. GRIFFITH. Mr. Speaker, I was absent which the yeas and nays were ordered. Cuellar Himes McCollum for today’s vote series due to family consider- Culberson Holding McEachin ations. Had I been present, I would have The Clerk read the title of the bill. Cummings Hollingsworth McGovern The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Curtis Hoyer McHenry voted ‘‘yea’’ on rollcall No. 655 and ‘‘yea’’ on question is on the motion offered by Davidson Hudson McKinley rollcall No. 656.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:48 Dec 06, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00018 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A05DE7.009 H05DEPT1 SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with HOUSE December 5, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H9641 THE JOURNAL NAYS—183 and 656, and I would have voted ‘‘nay’’ on Aguilar Graves (MO) Pallone rollcall vote 657. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The un- Amash Green, Al Palmer PERSONAL EXPLANATION finished business is the question on Babin Green, Gene Panetta agreeing to the Speaker’s approval of Barr Hastings Paulsen Mr. SIMPSON. Mr. Speaker, on Tuesday, Barraga´ n the Journal, on which the yeas and Herrera Beutler Pearce December 5, for personal reasons, I was ab- Bass Hice, Jody B. Perry sent and missed votes. Had I been present, I nays were ordered. Bera Hill Peters would have voted as follows: Bergman Holding Peterson The question is on the Speaker’s ap- Beyer Hoyer Rollcall No. 655—‘‘Yea.’’ proval of the Journal. Pittenger Biggs Hudson Poe (TX) Rollcall No. 656—‘‘Yea.’’ Bishop (GA) Huizenga Poliquin This is a 5-minute vote. Blum Hunter Rollcall No. 657—‘‘Yea.’’ Price (NC) Bost Hurd f The vote was taken by electronic de- Raskin Boyle, Brendan Issa Reed vice, and there were—yeas 224, nays F. Jackson Lee MODIFICATION IN APPOINTMENT 183, answered ‘‘present’’ 1, not voting Brady (PA) Jayapal Reichert OF CONFEREES ON H.R. 1, TAX Renacci 25, as follows: Buck Jenkins (KS) CUTS AND JOBS ACT Budd Jenkins (WV) Rice (NY) [Roll No. 657] Burgess Johnson (OH) Richmond The SPEAKER pro tempore. Without Capuano Jones Rogers (AL) objection and pursuant to clause 11 of YEAS—224 Rokita Carbajal Jordan rule I, the Chair removes the gen- Abraham Franks (AZ) Napolitano Ca´ rdenas Joyce (OH) Ros-Lehtinen Adams Frelinghuysen Newhouse Carter (GA) Katko Roskam tleman from Oregon (Mr. WALDEN) as a Aderholt Gabbard Noem Castor (FL) Keating Rouzer conferee on H.R. 1 and appoints the Allen Gianforte Norman Castro (TX) Kelly (IL) Roybal-Allard gentleman from Michigan (Mr. UPTON) Clarke (NY) Khanna Ruiz Arrington Gibbs Nunes to fill the vacancy. Bacon Gonzalez (TX) O’Rourke Cleaver Kihuen Rutherford Banks (IN) Goodlatte Olson Clyburn Kilmer Ryan (OH) There was no objection. Barletta Gottheimer Pascrell Coffman Kind Sa´ nchez The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Barton Gowdy Perlmutter Cohen Kinzinger Sanford Clerk will notify the Senate of the Beatty Granger Pingree Collins (GA) Knight Sarbanes Bilirakis Grothman Polis Conaway LaHood Schakowsky change in conferees. Bishop (MI) Guthrie Posey Connolly Lance Schrader f Bishop (UT) Hanabusa Ratcliffe Correa Langevin Serrano Black Handel Rice (SC) Costa Larson (CT) Sewell (AL) ENHANCING VETERAN CARE ACT Blackburn Costello (PA) Lawrence Harper Roby Sinema Mr. ROE of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, I Blumenauer Harris Roe (TN) Crist Lawson (FL) Sires Blunt Rochester Hartzler Rogers (KY) Crowley Lee Slaughter move to suspend the rules and pass the Bonamici Heck Rohrabacher Cuellar Levin Smith (MO) bill (S. 1266) to authorize the Secretary Brady (TX) Hensarling Rooney, Thomas Davis, Rodney Lewis (GA) Smucker DeFazio Lieu, Ted of Veterans Affairs to enter into con- Brat Higgins (LA) J. Soto Delaney LoBiondo tracts with nonprofit organizations to Brooks (AL) Higgins (NY) Rosen Swalwell (CA) Denham Loebsack Brooks (IN) Himes Ross Tenney investigate medical centers of the De- DeSantis Lofgren Brown (MD) Hollingsworth Rothfus Thompson (CA) partment of Veterans Affairs. Duffy Lowenthal Buchanan Huffman Royce (CA) Thompson (MS) Emmer Lynch The Clerk read the title of the bill. Bucshon Hultgren Ruppersberger Espaillat MacArthur Thompson (PA) Bustos Jeffries Rush The text of the bill is as follows: Esty (CT) Maloney, Sean Tipton Butterfield Johnson (GA) Russell S. 1266 Evans Marchant Valadao Byrne Johnson (LA) Scalise Farenthold Marshall Vargas Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- Calvert Johnson, E. B. Schiff Faso Mast Veasey resentatives of the United States of America in Carson (IN) Johnson, Sam Schneider Fitzpatrick Matsui Vela´ zquez Carter (TX) Kaptur Schweikert Congress assembled, Cartwright Kelly (MS) Flores McGovern Visclosky Scott (VA) SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. Chabot Kelly (PA) Foxx McKinley Walberg Scott, David Cheney Kildee Fudge McSally Watson Coleman This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Enhancing Sensenbrenner Chu, Judy King (IA) Gallagher Meehan Weber (TX) Veteran Care Act’’. Sessions Cicilline King (NY) Gallego Messer Westerman SEC. 2. INVESTIGATION OF MEDICAL CENTERS Shea-Porter Clay Krishnamoorthi Garamendi Moore Woodall OF THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS Sherman Cole Kuster (NH) Garrett Nolan Yoder AFFAIRS. Shimkus Collins (NY) Kustoff (TN) Gomez Norcross Yoho Shuster (a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Vet- Comer Labrador Gosar O’Halleran Young (AK) Smith (NE) erans Affairs may contract with a nonprofit Comstock LaMalfa Graves (GA) Palazzo Zeldin Smith (NJ) Cook Lamborn organization that accredits health care orga- Smith (TX) ANSWERED ‘‘PRESENT’’—1 Cooper Larsen (WA) nizations and programs in the United States Courtney Latta Smith (WA) Tonko to investigate a medical center of the De- Cramer Lewis (MN) Speier partment of Veterans Affairs to assess and Stefanik NOT VOTING—25 Crawford Lipinski report deficiencies of the facilities at such Culberson Long Stivers Amodei Graves (LA) Pocan Suozzi medical center. Cummings Loudermilk Bridenstine Griffith Quigley Takano (b) AUTHORITY OF DIRECTORS.— Curtis Love Brownley (CA) Grijalva Rooney, Francis Taylor (1) IN GENERAL.—Subject to coordination Davidson Lowey Clark (MA) Gutie´rrez Scott, Austin Thornberry under paragraph (2), the Secretary shall dele- Davis (CA) Lucas Conyers Kennedy Simpson Davis, Danny Luetkemeyer Tiberi Curbelo (FL) Meeks gate the authority under subsection (a) to Titus Stewart DeGette Lujan Grisham, Dent Neal Walz contract for an investigation at a medical DeLauro M. Torres Gaetz Payne center of the Department to the Director of DelBene Luja´ n, Ben Ray Trott Gohmert Pelosi the Veterans Integrated Service Network in Tsongas Demings Maloney, which the medical center is located or the DeSaulnier Carolyn B. Turner ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE director of such medical center. DesJarlais Marino Upton The SPEAKER pro tempore (during (2) COORDINATION.—Before entering into a Deutch Massie Vela the vote). There are 2 minutes remain- Diaz-Balart McCarthy Wagner contract under paragraph (1), the Director of Dingell McCaul Walden ing. a Veterans Integrated Service Network or Doggett McClintock Walker b 1351 the director of a medical center, as the case Donovan McCollum Walorski may be, shall notify the Secretary of Vet- Walters, Mimi Doyle, Michael McEachin Mr. KIND changed his vote from erans Affairs, the Inspector General of the F. McHenry Wasserman ‘‘yea’’ to ‘‘nay.’’ Duncan (SC) McMorris Schultz Department of Veterans Affairs, and the Duncan (TN) Rodgers Waters, Maxine So the Journal was approved. Comptroller General of the United States for Dunn McNerney Webster (FL) The result of the vote was announced purposes of coordinating any investigation Ellison Meadows Welch as above recorded. conducted pursuant to such contract with Engel Meng Wenstrup PERSONAL EXPLANATION any other investigations that may be ongo- Eshoo Mitchell Williams ing. Estes (KS) Moolenaar Wilson (FL) Mr. GUTIE´ RREZ. Mr. Speaker, I was un- (c) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in Ferguson Mooney (WV) Wilson (SC) avoidably absent in the House Chamber for this section may be construed— Fleischmann Moulton Wittman rollcall votes 655, 656, and 657 on Tuesday, Fortenberry Mullin Womack (1) to prevent the Office of the Inspector Foster Murphy (FL) Yarmuth December 5, 2017. Had I been present, I General of the Department of Veterans Af- Frankel (FL) Nadler Young (IA) would have voted ‘‘yea’’ on rollcall votes 655 fairs from conducting any review, audit,

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:42 Dec 06, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00019 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K05DE7.039 H05DEPT1 SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with HOUSE H9642 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE December 5, 2017 evaluation, or inspection regarding a topic wait times or failed to consistently Veterans should have full confidence for which an investigation is conducted provide high-quality healthcare to vet- that they will receive high-quality under this section; or erans. healthcare at VA facilities. Rigorous (2) to modify the requirement that employ- Many of these failures were first and transparent investigations and au- ees of the Department assist with any re- view, audit, evaluation, or inspection con- brought to light by whistleblower alle- dits will help guarantee these high ducted by the Office of the Inspector General gations and were later substantiated standards are met. of the Department. by Government Accountability Office Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- studies and VA inspector general inves- my time. ant to the rule, the gentleman from tigations. Solutions to these failures Mr. ROE of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. ROE) and the gentleman were only uncovered through multiple Oklahoma (Mr. MULLIN), my good from California (Mr. TAKANO) each will inspections of medical centers’ facili- control 20 minutes. ties, their policies, and their employ- friend and sponsor of the House com- The Chair recognizes the gentleman ees. panion bill, H.R. 42. from Tennessee. Congress relies on the hard work of Mr. MULLIN. Mr. Speaker, I thank medical inspectors and investigators at Chairman ROE for allowing this to GENERAL LEAVE the VA, the OIG, and the GAO to re- come to the floor and Leader MCCAR- Mr. ROE of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, I view allegations and issue rec- THY for his leadership in bringing this ask unanimous consent that all Mem- ommendations regarding how VA and bill to the floor. I also want to thank bers have 5 legislative days in which to Congress should work to correct defi- my fellow Senators from Oklahoma, revise and extend their remarks and in- ciencies at medical centers and hold Mr. INHOFE and Mr. LANKFORD, for clude extraneous material. VA officials accountable. With limited their great work in getting this passed The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there resources, the inspector general and in the Senate. objection to the request of the gen- the GAO have completed a staggering As the sponsor of H.R. 42, the House tleman from Tennessee? number of investigations and reviews companion bill to S. 1266, I urge my There was no objection. that have led to significant reforms of colleagues to support and vote in favor Mr. ROE of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, I the VA system. They should be com- of today’s bill. yield myself such time as I may con- mended for their excellent work. Nearly a year ago, we debated this sume. bill on the floor and saw it passed by b 1400 Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support voice vote. I look forward to another of S. 1266, the Enhancing Veteran Care The Enhancing Veteran Care Act strong response from the House in Act. S. 1266 would authorize the De- gives the Secretary another tool for de- sending this bill to the President’s partment of Veterans Affairs to con- veloping solutions to problems at VA desk and it becoming law. tract with a nonprofit entity special- medical facilities. The VA Secretary This bill simply authorizes the De- izing in civilian accreditation or should be able to contract with non- partment of Veterans Affairs to con- healthcare evaluation to investigate profit-nongovernmental medical in- tract with nonprofit organizations that and assess deficiencies at VA medical spectors or auditors when deemed ap- accredit healthcare organizations in centers and to coordinate any such in- propriate. order to investigate VA medical cen- vestigations with the VA inspector However, I strongly believe that ters. general and the Government Account- granting the VA Secretary the author- This bill would allow the VA to get a ability Office. ity to contract with nongovernmental second opinion from outside of the This bill is sponsored by Senator inspectors and auditors should not re- agency in order to get the best infor- JAMES INHOFE from Oklahoma and is sult in cuts to the IG’s or VA’s budgets. mation and provide the best care for companion legislation to H.R. 42, which We need to ensure VA inspectors and our veterans. Just like how patients is sponsored by my good friend, Rep- the VA OIG have the resources to con- sometimes need to get a second opinion resentative MARKWAYNE MULLIN from tinue their thorough and timely inves- on their diagnosis, the VA should not Oklahoma’s Second District. I am tigations. be above bringing in a second opinion. grateful to both Senator INHOFE and I am also concerned about these non- Our veterans deserve care equal to Congressman MULLIN for their work on governmental organizations not being the finest civilian hospitals, so let’s this legislation. required to follow Federal laws that re- bring more transparency to the VA by We are all familiar with the various quire transparency. I believe these non- allowing them to invite the people who challenges and scandals that have governmental bodies should be held to evaluate those private hospitals to plagued VA medical centers across the the very same level of transparency as take a look at the VA and make rec- country since the 2014 systemwide VA the IG, GAO, and VA investigators, in- ommendations when problems arise. access and accountability crisis. cluding requirements to publish their This is a commonsense bill that will I, along with Ranking Member WALZ methods for conducting audits and re- help improve the care for our veterans, and other committee members, our views alongside their findings and rec- and I hope all will support it. Senate colleagues, Secretary Shulkin, ommendations. Without transparency, Mr. Speaker, I urge passage of this veterans service organizations, and Congress and the public will not have bill. others, have been working tirelessly to the same level of confidence in their Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 transform the VA healthcare system findings. minutes to the gentlewoman from New into the modern, high-performing If we had the opportunity to consider Hampshire (Ms. KUSTER), my good healthcare organization that our vet- this legislation in committee, we could friend and ranking member of the Sub- erans deserve. have received testimony from VA, the committee on Oversight and Investiga- S. 1266 is in line with those efforts in IG, and GAO on this legislation and tions. that it would provide VA an additional done more to address concerns around Ms. KUSTER of New Hampshire. Mr. avenue to identify and resolve prob- transparency, while also ensuring that Speaker, I rise today in support of S. lems impacting the care our veterans investigative efforts are not dupli- 1266, Enhancing Veteran Care Act. receive in VA medical facilities. cated. I encourage the chairman to Currently, the Department of Vet- Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my col- continue his inclusive approach by erans Affairs can contract with quali- leagues to join me in supporting this seeking to bring all veterans related fied and accredited third-party non- bill, and I reserve the balance of my bills through committee for due con- profits to investigate a VA medical time. sideration. center for deficiencies in its facility. Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I yield However, these concerns will not pre- Only the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, myself such time as I may consume. vent me from supporting the Enhanc- however, is directly capable of author- Mr. Speaker, since 2014, the Veterans’ ing Veteran Care Act. I trust the Sec- izing these third-party investigations. Affairs Committee has held countless retary will execute this authority in a Unfortunately, this process is need- hearings focused on VA medical cen- manner that supports and supplements lessly cumbersome and delays the im- ters that were found to have covered up government-led investigations. provement of medical centers. This bill

VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:48 Dec 06, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00020 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A05DE7.027 H05DEPT1 SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with HOUSE December 5, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H9643 is an important reform because it em- The question was taken. Whereas the Advisory Commission on powers Veteran Integrated Service Net- The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the Rakhine State (‘‘Rakhine Commission’’) ex- work directors and VA medical center opinion of the Chair, two-thirds being amined, beginning in 2016, the underlying directors to initiate these third-party in the affirmative, the ayes have it. tensions in Rakhine State and made a series of recommendations including a wide range reviews. Mr. ROE of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays. of suggestions and policy changes dealing The Manchester VA Medical Center with humanitarian aid, citizenship, rec- in my home State of New Hampshire The yeas and nays were ordered. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- onciliation, and peace; currently faces a number of questions Whereas the Rakhine Commission stated, regarding the services it provides and ant to clause 8 of rule XX, further pro- ‘‘While Myanmar has every right to defend the facilities it manages. While Sec- ceedings on this motion will be post- its own territory, a highly militarized re- poned. retary Shulkin has initiated reviews of sponse is unlikely to bring peace to the area. the facility, it took a number of whis- f What is needed is a calibrated approach – one that combines political, developmental, se- tleblowers to put their reputation and CONDEMNING ETHNIC CLEANSING curity and human rights responses to ensure jobs on the line to force action. OF ROHINGYA AND CALLING FOR that violence does not escalate and inter- Legislation like the Enhancing Vet- AN END TO ATTACKS IN AND AN communal tensions are kept under control.’’; eran Care Act could have streamlined IMMEDIATE RESTORATION OF Whereas the United Nations estimates that this process and made both the facility HUMANITARIAN ACCESS TO $434,000,000 in humanitarian assistance will and the VISN more accountable to the RAKHINE, BURMA be needed to provide life-sustaining support needs of veterans in New Hampshire. to 1,200,000 people, both refugees and host Mr. ROYCE of California. Mr. Speak- communities, in the first few months of this VA must be better at assessing its own er, I move to suspend the rules and shortcomings. crisis; and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Whereas the United States is providing an Ultimately, veterans in the Granite Con. Res. 90) condemning ethnic initial $32,000,000 in humanitarian assistance State and across the country deserve cleansing of the Rohingya and calling to address the urgent needs of Rohingya flee- the highest standard of care. for an end to the attacks in and an im- ing violence from Rakhine State into Ban- I thank Senators INHOFE and mediate restoration of humanitarian gladesh, as well as the needs of internally LANKFORD for introducing this impor- access to the state of Rakhine in displaced persons in Rakhine State and host communities in Bangladesh: Now, therefore, tant legislation. I thank Senator SHA- Burma, as amended. HEEN, one of the lead Democratic co- be it The Clerk read the title of the con- Resolved by the House of Representatives (the sponsors of the bill, for helping ad- current resolution. Senate concurring), That Congress— vance this bill through the U.S. Senate The text of the concurrent resolution (1) condemns the attacks against civilians and being attentive to the needs of our is as follows: by Burma’s military and security forces and Granite State veterans. H. CON. RES. 90 calls on Burma’s Commander-in-Chief, Min I proudly support this legislation and Whereas on August 25, 2017, the Arakan Aung Hlaing, to immediately end all attacks urge all of my colleagues to support Rohingya Salvation Army carried out at- against civilians in the state of Rakhine in this bill and immediately send it to the tacks on Government positions in the state Burma; President’s desk. of Rakhine in Burma (‘‘Rakhine State’’); (2) expresses deepest appreciation to the Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I urge Whereas in recent decades the Rohingya Government of Bangladesh for providing ref- uge to those fleeing violence and attacks; my colleagues to vote in support of S. people have lost, through systematic dis- crimination by Burmese national, state and (3) condemns the attacks by the Arakan 1266, the Enhancing Veteran Care Act, Rohingya Salvation Army and the violence and I yield back the balance of my local authorities, a range of civil and polit- ical rights, including citizenship, and face in Rakhine and Rohingya communities, but time. barriers today such that they are mostly warns that these attacks do not justify the Mr. ROE of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, I stateless peoples; unrestrained response by Burmese military yield myself the balance of my time. Whereas since the August 25 attacks, Bur- and security forces that has resulted in se- Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleagues ma’s military and security forces, as well as vere human rights violations, murderous on the other side of the aisle. This has private mobs, have carried out attacks re- ethnic cleansing, and atrocities against ci- been a team effort on the Veterans’ Af- sulting in over 600,000 Rohingya fleeing to vilians; (4) calls on Burma’s Government, led by fairs Committee to work to try to im- Bangladesh; Whereas Amnesty International described Aung San Suu Kyi, and the Burmese mili- prove the care that our veterans and tary and security forces to work construc- Nation’s heroes get throughout this the attacks by stating that ‘‘Myanmar secu- rity forces are setting northern Rakhine tively to implement the recommendations of country. The involvement on both State ablaze in a targeted campaign to push the Advisory Commission on Rakhine State, sides of the aisle on our committee is the Rohingya people out of Myanmar.’’; including those relating to justice, reconcili- unprecedented, I think, for a com- Whereas the United Nations Security ation, humanitarian aid, and citizenship; mittee working toward a single goal Council has called for an end to the violence (5) calls on Burma’s Government and its and purpose. and attacks; military and security services to allow unimpeded humanitarian access to refugees Many times, we have differences of Whereas the United Nations High Commis- sioner on Human Rights has said that the re- and internally displaced persons; opinion, but this bill is just another (6) urges support and access for the United tool that the VA will be able to use to sponse by the military is ‘‘grossly dispropor- tionate’’ and a ‘‘textbook example of ethnic Nations Fact Finding Mission to Burma; improve the care that veterans get. cleansing’’; (7) calls on Burma’s military and Govern- I received a letter today from a gen- Whereas Secretary of State Rex Tillerson ment to allow refugees to voluntarily return tleman in New Mexico who had a very has said, ‘‘This violence must stop, this per- to Burma in a manner consistent with inter- different experience 6 or 7 years ago secution must stop’’; nationally recognized principles of human with the VA. He was even hesitant to Whereas under Burma’s military-drafted rights and refugee protection and to change laws and policies that have contributed to go back. He went back to this VA hos- constitution, the country’s military and se- curity services are not subject to civilian insecurity in the state of Rakhine; and pital and had a very pleasant experi- (8) calls on the President of the United ence. So I think things are changing rule and only Burma’s Commander-in-Chief, Min Aung Hlaing, can command troops to States to impose sanctions on members of for the better, I think due to the hard cease attacks impacting civilians in Rakhine the Burmese military and security forces work of the leadership at the VA, the State; who are responsible for human rights abuses. people who work there every day, and Whereas Burma’s civilian Government, led The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- this committee. by Aung San Suu Kyi, has not yet taken nec- ant to the rule, the gentleman from Mr. Speaker, I encourage all Mem- essary steps to address the violence and California (Mr. ROYCE) and the gen- bers to support this legislation, and I should take further measures, including to tleman from New York (Mr. ENGEL) yield back the balance of my time. address the pervasive problem of hate each will control 20 minutes. The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. speech; The Chair recognizes the gentleman Whereas the United States acknowledges MCCLINTOCK). The question is on the from California. the democratic transition underway in motion offered by the gentleman from Burma, maintains hope for further genuine GENERAL LEAVE Tennessee (Mr. ROE) that the House democratic reforms, and expects Burma’s Mr. ROYCE of California. Mr. Speak- suspend the rules and pass the bill, S. elected officials to take action to prevent vi- er, I ask unanimous consent that all 1266. olence and secure rights; Members may have 5 legislative days

VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:48 Dec 06, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00021 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K05DE7.043 H05DEPT1 SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with HOUSE H9644 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE December 5, 2017 to revise and extend their remarks and turn to their homes, the Burmese Gov- can afford passage and on makeshift include any extraneous material in the ernment and military must honor their rafts for those who cannot. RECORD. responsibility to ensure the protection People are leaving Burma out of fear; The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there of all of the people of Burma, regard- they are leaving because they are hun- objection to the request of the gen- less of their ethnic background, regard- gry; and they are leaving because they tleman from California? less of their religious beliefs. know, if they stay, they will die. The There was no objection. The violence against the Rohingya Burmese Government has not yet set Mr. ROYCE of California. Mr. Speak- must stop, and those responsible for appropriate conditions for the vol- er, I yield myself such time as I may those atrocities must face justice. untary, dignified, and safe return, in- consume. The protection of human rights has cluding allowing an independent Mr. Speaker, for decades, the Bur- long been our Nation’s top priority in United Nations fact-finding mission mese Government and its military has Burma, including freeing Aung San and addressing citizenship issues. systematically oppressed the people Suu Kyi. Today, that must include the The United States Congress has long known as the Rohingya, a Muslim mi- Rohingya. This is a moral issue and a defended the rights and freedoms of the nority living in the Rakhine State of national security issue. No one is se- Burmese people, championing Burma’s Burma. cure when extremism and instability is new leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, during A 1982 citizenship law denies the growing in this part of the world. her many years under house arrest, Rohingya citizenship, even though Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of supporting Burma’s historic 2015 deci- most of them have lived in the country my time. sion, and remaining a committed part- for generations. They have been denied Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield my- ner in Burma’s ongoing democratic freedom of movement, access to self such time as I may consume. transition. With the measure before us healthcare, and education. The Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support today, this body will continue to speak Rohingya have been marginalized at of this measure. Let me, first of all, out on this issue. We support freedom every level of the Burmese Govern- ment, from the top to the bottom. thank my good friend and fellow New and respect for human rights in Burma. Making matters worse, Burma’s mili- Yorker, Mr. CROWLEY; and our former This measure condemns the horrific tary is engaged in a new brutal crack- chair of the Asia and the Pacific Sub- actions of the military and security down on the Rohingya that the U.S. committee, Mr. CHABOT, for authoring forces, calls for an immediate cessation has rightly deemed ‘‘ethnic cleansing.’’ this important resolution. I also want of its violence, and urges the restora- More than 600,000 Rohingya people to thank ED ROYCE, chairman of the tion of humanitarian access. It also have been driven from their homes in Foreign Affairs Committee, for his sus- calls for Aung San Suu Kyi to exercise recent months, forced to cross the bor- tained focus on this tragedy and his moral leadership, something that is der into Bangladesh. leadership in quickly bringing this needed now more than ever. Hundreds have been killed, though measure to the floor. We reject the army’s claims that with journalists denied access to large Mr. Speaker, we continue to see re- what is taking place in Burma is a so- areas of Rakhine State, that number is ports of Rohingya refugees fleeing to called counterterrorism measure. That clearly very much higher than those Bangladesh and widespread hunger and is nonsense. It is textbook ethnic reported. At least 200 villages have malnutrition for those left behind. cleansing; that is what it is. been burned to the ground. Land mines The Burmese military and security We should also encourage other gov- have been placed inside Burma’s border forces are waging a brutal campaign of ernments to stay engaged and continue with Bangladesh, maiming refugees violence against unarmed civilians, in- to address the pressing needs of these seeking safe haven. There are reports cluding women and children, killing, refugees, needs that will only grow as of rapes and all types of violence com- raping, and destroying lives and liveli- long as this situation remains unre- mitted against the Rohingya by the hoods. solved. Burmese security forces. The Rohingya people have been Lastly, we must also urge our own Importantly, this resolution not only marginalized for decades, but the un- administration to hold members of the condemns the attack against civilians thinkable violence and human suf- Burmese military and security forces by Burma’s security services led by fering since August is ethnic cleansing, accountable for these atrocities, and I General Min Aung Hlaing, it also reaf- pure and simple—a description the have introduced sanctions legislation firms the crimes committed against Trump administration now agrees to do just that. the Rohingya as ethnic cleansing. Re- with, although they were far too slow Mr. Speaker, I support this measure, cently, Secretary of State Tillerson to say so—and possibly even genocide. and I urge my colleagues to do the same. made this strong but warranted deter- b 1415 mination, a decision that deserves our Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of praise here. Over the past 4 months, more than my time. Bangladesh also deserves credit for 600,000 men, women, and children have Mr. ROYCE of California. Mr. Speak- opening its borders in order to handle fled to neighboring Bangladesh to find er, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman the human refugees that are streaming refuge in a country with tremendous from California (Mr. ROHRABACHER), out of Burma, but its government has needs of its own. This is more than 10 chairman of the Foreign Affairs Sub- to honor its promise to build shelter times the number of refugees the ad- committee on Europe, Eurasia, and for new arrivals and provide medical ministration will allow into the United Emerging Threats. services. States this year, the same administra- Mr. ROHRABACHER. Mr. Speaker, I In response to this crisis, Secretary tion that ended America’s participa- rise in support of this resolution, and I Tillerson recently announced an addi- tion in the U.N. effort to develop a compliment both our chairman and our tional $47 million in humanitarian as- global compact on migration, all this ranking member for how they have en- sistance for Burma and Bangladesh, right in the middle of the world’s most sured that our committee remains a bringing the total U.S. assistance to serious refugee crisis in history. I say bulwark of support for human rights more than $150 million this year. It is shame on us. We should be doing more. throughout the world. very much needed. Bangladesh deserves our deep grati- It has been 16 years since 3,000 Amer- State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi, a tude for opening its doors to the icans were slaughtered before our eyes Nobel Peace Prize winner and the de Rohingya at a time when our govern- by a global terrorist movement, using facto leader of Burma, must make it a ment slams the door shut. The Govern- Islam as an excuse for the cowardly top priority to provide for the safety of ments of Burma and Bangladesh have murder of innocent people, people of those in Burma, including the struck a deal to begin repatriating every faith who were butchered in Rohingya. The safe and voluntary re- Rohingya next month, but it is not order to terrorize the rest of us in the turn of the victims displaced in Ban- clear that anyone is interested in re- world into submission to their fanati- gladesh must also be a top priority. turning right now. In fact, there are re- cism. But to get to the point where the ports of more arrivals in Bangladesh Crucial to our ability to defeat this Rohingya will feel safe enough to re- each day on fishing boats for those who evil force has been our commitment to

VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:48 Dec 06, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00022 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K05DE7.046 H05DEPT1 SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with HOUSE December 5, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H9645 ensure that the battle did not evolve In late August, after attacks on out- I want to thank Pope Francis for his into a war between Islam itself and the posts, Burma’s military and security courage in speaking out and using the rest of us, which would then, of course, forces launched a brutal campaign of term ‘‘Rohingya.’’ pit Muslims against all Christians as ethnic cleansing against the Rohingya I urge all of my colleagues to support well as people of other faiths. in Burma. The response has been gross- this measure. George W. Bush, President of the ly disproportionate. The attacks by the I thank my colleagues on the Foreign United States, reached out at that mo- military against the Rohingya civil- Affairs Committee for giving this issue ment after 9/11 to ensure that the plot ians have been systematic, organized, the attention that it needs and de- by these radical terrorists did not suc- and ruthless. serves. ceed in polarizing the world as such. Amnesty International says: Mr. ROYCE of California. Mr. Speak- Our greatest success has been pre- The Myanmar military has killed hundreds er, I yield myself such time as I may venting that polarization that would of Rohingya women, men, and children, in- consume. have put all the people of the world cluding babies; raped women and girls; and Mr. Speaker, in the spirit of what our against Islam and all Muslims against carried out targeted burning of entire vil- colleague JOE CROWLEY brought up all the rest of the people of the world. lages. today, there is new urgency in this ar- That battle to make sure that does And that is just what we know of. gument and new urgency to us getting not happen must continue. It is essen- The authorities have terrorized the the point across to the Government of tial to keep open the ties with those Rohingya people so cruelly that more Burma. Let me speak for a minute as people in the Muslim world who are ap- than 600,000 Rohingya people have fled to that issue. Many people at this moment are in palled by the terror and brutality of Burma to neighboring Bangladesh. grave danger. Many people who are in these fanatics who commit such mon- Even before the attacks, the Rohingya certain areas in Rakhine State are in strous crimes. were often effectively denied access to danger at this moment. They are at It is vital for our own security that proper healthcare and education, as the chairman has indicated, many just risk of mass killings. we aggressively condemn terrorism and State security forces as well as barely getting by. human rights abuses when it is against armed civilian perpetrators stand But the most disturbing thing of all, Muslim people. The Muslim people are poised. So the situation right now, it is at least so far, there is no light at the the victims, and they need to know possible that we have not seen the end of this tunnel. Still today, Burma’s that we are on their side, just as we ex- worst of this in terms of mass killings. pect good Muslim people to be on our authorities are blocking adequate hu- As we speak, the Government of side when we confront this terrorism in manitarian aid to many who need it, Myanmar confines 120,000 Rohingya the world. We did that, of course, when denying critical food aid to many men, men, women, and children to more the Serbian Christians were killing, women, and children. than 45 internment camps in these ethnically cleansing, Muslim people in As a result, those Rohingya who do eight townships in Rakhine State, Kosovo. remain in Burma are getting hungrier, which we are most concerned about at Today we reaffirm to the Muslim they are getting weaker, and they are this moment. They have been confined people of the world and to ourselves becoming even more vulnerable. But for the last 5 years, as we know. They that we loudly proclaim that we are instead of trying to resolve the issue, have been denied aid, and they have condemning the slaughter of the many authorities are denying that this been, obviously, deprived of their dig- Rohingya people who reside in the has happened at all. nity. southern states of Burma. If these at- So, Mr. Speaker, I have had enough. Since August 25, the Government of tacks by the Burmese military con- I think we have all had enough. The Myanmar has obstructed, as shared tinue, we must follow this strong con- United States certainly cannot solve with this body today by JOE CROWLEY, demnation today with sanctions. every problem in the world, but there has blocked food aid, humanitarian aid In the meantime, not one bullet or are some things that we can and that to some of these internment camps, weapon should ever be made available we must do. Imposing sanctions systematically weakening that popu- to the Burmese military. And, in the against the perpetrators of atrocities lation. They are at grave risk. meantime, the Burmese military offi- in Burma is one of the things that we This is notice to the Government of cers and the government officials who must do. Burma. The authorities there continue are engaged in this particular policy of Doing so will send an important sig- to block the delivery of this humani- genocide against the Rohingya people nal that we are watching and we are tarian aid, this food aid to these must know they will be held account- not standing by idly. It will signal that women and children. If this does not able for their crimes against the we want to see the recommendations of end now, it will constitute acts of Rohingyas, because it is not a crime former Secretary General Kofi Annan genocide. It must end now. just against Rohingyas, it is a crime carried out. It will signal that there is And also, of course, the authorities against humanity. a cost to pay for carrying out atroc- there continue to enforce severe re- So, again, I commend the leadership ities. It will signal that the world strictions on freedom of movement and of our committee, both the ranking won’t simply turn away. severe restrictions on the livelihoods of member and the chairman, for making The SPEAKER pro tempore. The these people. this an important issue for this Con- time of the gentleman has expired. It is more than worrisome, the extent gress. Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield an to which the Burmese Government and Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 additional 1 minute to the gentleman security forces have continued to minutes to the gentleman from New from New York. thwart international observers from York (Mr. CROWLEY), the author of this Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, the moving into these camps and have resolution, a longtime advocate for the United States Holocaust Memorial Mu- thwarted international organizations. people of Bangladesh and Burma, the seum recently released an important The world should demand access now Democratic Caucus chair, and my fel- report on the Rohingya, called, ‘‘They for impartial fact finders. Any contin- low New Yorker. Tried to Kill Us All.’’ The title should ued resistance can only reinforce our Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I thank say it all, ‘‘They Tried to Kill Us All.’’ suspicions that Burma has something my friend and colleague from New What clearer message do we need be- to hide and that the evidence will show York for yielding me this time. I thank fore we act? The time for action is now. will constitute acts of genocide if this the chair, as well, for his work on this I also want to thank the Government continues. It must end now. effort. I thank my friend and colleague of Bangladesh for the humanitarian re- Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the from Ohio (Mr. CHABOT) for his work on lief to the Rohingya people that they gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. ROS- putting this resolution together. I have offered. LEHTINEN), who chairs the Foreign Af- know Mr. LEVIN, Ms. MCCOLLUM, and I want to call on our friend, Aung fairs Subcommittee on the Middle East others, have also expressed a tremen- San Suu Kyi, to do everything that she and North Africa. dous interest in this issue, and I am can to protect the Rohingya from fur- Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I very pleased and happy about that. ther ethnic cleansing and genocide. thank Chairman ROYCE and Ranking

VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:48 Dec 06, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00023 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K05DE7.047 H05DEPT1 SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with HOUSE H9646 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE December 5, 2017 Member ENGEL for their leadership in Some have urged that Aung San Suu York for working together in a bipar- bringing this important resolution to Kyi does not control the military and tisan manner on this legislation and the floor. there is a danger that the military also with Chairman ROYCE and Rank- Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. would use the present crisis as a way to ing Member ENGEL and so many others. Con. Res. 90, condemning the ethnic dismantle the civilian government. It As someone who has chaired the For- cleansing of the Rohingya and calling has also been said that the civilian eign Affairs Committee on Asia and the for an end to the attacks in Burma and government is working within a deep Pacific and who has been to Burma and the immediate restoration of access to traditional bias against the Rohingyas, met with Aung San Suu Kyi and fol- humanitarian aid. I am proud to be a and some see them as illegal immi- lowed Burma very closely, what has cosponsor of this resolution. grants from Bangladesh. happened there is truly shocking and I thank our previous speaker, my col- Others point out the pressure on the disheartening, and really a blot on the league, JOE CROWLEY, as well as our civilian government could lead to world in how this has been handled up Republican colleague, STEVE CHABOT, Burma moving closer to the Chinese. to this point in many ways. sitting in front of us, for authoring this Still others point out that talks about The Rohingya have long been at the measure. Rohingyas returning to Burma must be fringes of Burmese society and it is no We are seeing condemnations of the afforded time to work out, and the secret that the Burmese military re- atrocities occurring in Burma from process has only begun. gards them as outsiders who don’t even across the world, Mr. Speaker, as well None of these factors must under- belong in Burma at all. That is why the as calls for the nation’s de facto leader, mine the realities of the persecution of military used some attacks back in Au- Aung San Suu Kyi, to make greater ef- the Rohingyas. As a U.N. official has gust by a rogue group of Rohingya as a forts to stop the violence there. stated, it is ‘‘a textbook example of pretext to terrorize the entire Rohingya population. b 1430 ethnic cleansing.’’ The Pope was under great pressure to This campaign of terror and violence Last month, our U.S. administration not mention the Rohingyas by name. has demonically worked. Over 600,000 issued an official determination that He expressed his deep concern while Rohingya have fled Burma for Ban- the Burmese military’s actions con- visiting the country. Later in Ban- gladesh, and at least 250,000 of those stitute ethnic cleansing, and rightly gladesh, the Pope, being specific, said: people are children. so. The atrocities being committed Further, credible human rights orga- ‘‘None of us can fail to be aware of the against this ethnic minority have been nizations and the media have docu- gravity of the situation.’’ He called for well documented and they deserve the mented numerous horrors and abuses, ‘‘. . . decisive measures to address this utmost condemnation. including rape, murder, and torture. grave crisis.’’ The reality on the ground is shock- The most unspeakable things have hap- A few years ago, I was part of the ing, Mr. Speaker. Over 600,000 were pened there. forced to flee to neighboring Ban- codel organized by Leader PELOSI to Together, these atrocities amount to gladesh; the systematic massacre, the Myanmar. One of the highlights of the what has been called ‘‘a textbook ex- rape, the pillaging, all in an effort to trip was meeting with Aung San Suu ample of ethnic cleansing.’’ eliminate any trace of these Muslim Kyi, who had been freed after almost 2 Unfortunately, Burma’s constitution minorities in Burma. decades of house arrest. We discussed ensures that the Burmese military con- No one is safe, no Rohingya is safe, her unique role in moving Myanmar to- trols much of the government in yet the world continues to sit back and ward a nation of freedom, human Burma, while Burma’s civilian govern- watch as these individuals are targeted rights, and peace. ment has proved incapable of taking for extinction and eradication from the The resolution earlier introduced by appropriate action to address this vio- history books. Senators MCCAIN and DURBIN expressed lence. Since the Burmese military We as a United States Congress can the overriding need for the world to began its ethnic cleansing campaign, it do more, we must do more, and we ex- step up to the plight of the Rohingyas. has gone on and on. pect responsible nations and respon- I introduced the same resolution in the Mr. Speaker, I would urge my col- sible actors to do more to end this per- House. These resolutions reflect what leagues to support this legislation and secution. many esteemed historical figures have to do everything we can to stop these Last week, Pope Francis met with said. horrors. Aung San Suu Kyi and Burma’s top Theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer, exe- Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 military commander, delivering the cuted by the Nazis, said: ‘‘Silence in minutes to the gentlewoman from Illi- message that these atrocities must be the face of evil is itself evil.’’ nois (Ms. SCHAKOWSKY), my good friend stopped. The Dalai Lama has spoken Desmond Tutu has said: ‘‘If you are and the chief deputy whip of our House out against this systematic campaign. neutral in situations of injustice, you Democratic leadership. Now it is time for us in the U.S. Con- have chosen the side of the oppressor.’’ Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, I gress to add our voice and send a Elie Wiesel said: ‘‘We must take rise today in strong support of H. Con. strong message of our own, and this sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, Res. 90. resolution does just that. never the victim. Silence encourages I am very grateful for this debate Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman the tormentor, never the tormented.’’ today because we need to raise this for yielding. I quote the statement of Martin Lu- issue so the world knows that right be- Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 ther King, who said: ‘‘ . . . an indi- fore our eyes right now ethnic cleans- minutes to the gentleman from Michi- vidual who accepts evil without pro- ing is happening halfway around the gan (Mr. LEVIN), my good friend, the testing against it is really cooperating world in Myanmar. senior member of the Ways and Means with it.’’ I was privileged to go 2 weeks ago to Committee and a senior member of Mr. ROYCE of California. Mr. Speak- both Bangladesh and Myanmar to be an Congress. er, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman on-the-ground witness to what is going Mr. LEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I thank Mr. from Ohio (Mr. CHABOT), the chairman on. In my district, I have probably ENGEL for yielding. of the Committee on Small Business most of the 1,000 or so Rohingya in the Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support and a senior member of the Committee Chicago area and even have in my dis- of this resolution. At the same time, I on Foreign Affairs. trict the Rohingya Cultural Center, want to express concerns about the full Mr. CHABOT. Mr. Speaker, I appre- which I visited this weekend with Sen- thrust of the resolution. ciate the chairman yielding to me. ator DICK DURBIN, who was also on this It makes it clear that the military in Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support congressional delegation. Burma is the main perpetrator of the of H. Con. Res. 90. This is a bipartisan We listened to people in Bangladesh crimes committed against the bill condemning the Burmese mili- and we heard about unspeakable atroc- Rohingya people. In November, Sec- tary’s systemic attacks on the ities that, in fact, were spoken, and I retary Tillerson called the violence Rohingya in Rakhine State. recorded some of them. against the Rohingya ‘‘ethnic cleans- Mr. Speaker, I want to thank espe- We talked to a 20-year-old woman ing,’’ holding the military responsible. cially Congressman CROWLEY from New who was holding her hijab on her face

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:42 Dec 06, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00024 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K05DE7.049 H05DEPT1 SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with HOUSE December 5, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H9647 as she cried and told about, in front of as well, but it is all about the group— tion of the Rohingya people in Burma’s her eyes, how her husband’s throat was in whole or in part, and even the Rakhine State is a severe humani- slit and he was killed, his brother was thought, the contemplation of doing so tarian crisis and demands robust Amer- killed, and then they grabbed the baby can rise to genocide. ican leadership. This resolution is an out of her arms and, in front of her, Here it is actually happening, and it important first step in demonstrating killed that child. It was just one of the is happening because of who they are that Congress will not tolerate human stories. as a group. rights abuses against the Rohingyas. We talked to a grandmother and her I think there needs to be a further re- Our delegation saw, however, there is granddaughter next to her covered finement of that determination to the a path forward. The Burmese Govern- with burns that are now scars from a point of being genocide. ment and the military must fully im- few months ago. She is so scarred that The responsibility for this humani- plement the recommendations of the she cannot speak, and her grandmother tarian crisis falls squarely on the Bur- former U.N. Secretary General Kofi wishes only that she would be able to mese military and, to some extent, on Annan’s advisory commission. Burma talk. the endemic and widespread intoler- must work with Bangladesh, and the We met with the Prime Minister of ance expressed in Burmese society for U.N. must fully work to return volun- Bangladesh, Prime Minister Hasina, a the Rohingya. tarily the Rohingya refugees with woman, who we thanked for allowing After the State Department’s deter- guarantee of a safe return and a fair 620,000 Rohingya to cross into Ban- mination of ethnic cleansing, it should process to allow the Rohingyas to gladesh, but they want them to go not hesitate to impose sanctions apply for and secure citizenship. That home. The Bangladeshis want them to against the Burmese military leaders must be established. go home. Right now that is impossible and all others who are responsible for Finally, there must be an inde- because villages have been burned and this bloodbath. pendent investigation to ensure ac- because the almost complete prejudice Like many of my colleagues on both countability for the atrocities and the against the Rohingya people. They sides of the aisle, I am deeply con- abuses that have taken place. Mr. Speaker, I saw people suffering in won’t even use the name Rohingya in cerned that this crisis may destabilize both Burma and in Bangladesh, and the Myanmar, in Burma, to refer to these the National League for Democracy’s suffering must come to an end. They individuals. ruling coalition and set back Burma’s are crying out for action, and the Thousands upon thousands of stories democratic transition. United States and the international like that are coming out of Rakhine I am concerned about China’s inter- community must help them secure jus- State, where the Rohingya made their ests in Burma, because a robust democ- tice. This resolution, this vote today, home. racy on China’s border does not fit the is just the beginning. I encourage peo- We thought we were going to be, but goals of the Chinese leadership, includ- we were not permitted to go to the dis- ple to support this. ing Xi Jinping. Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I am pre- placed persons camps, which are really I am concerned that outside jihadi pared to close. I yield myself such time prisons, concentration camps in north- groups will exploit this situation to as I may consume. ern Rakhine, where people have been open yet another front. Mr. Speaker, the plight of the thrown out of their homes, and their I am concerned, like my colleagues, Rohingya is not and will not be forgot- homes and jobs destroyed. about the stability of Bangladesh, ten. I think we heard it from both sides We went to Sittwe, the capital of the whose fragile economy must now host of the aisle with the impassioned Rakhine State. We went to what is es- well over 500,000 new refugees. speeches today. Nor will we dismiss the sentially a ghetto surrounded by Of course, we are all most concerned suffering of Burma’s many other ethnic barbed wires, blocked by police, where about the Rohingya women, children, groups who have been abused by the people cannot get healthcare, they and men who suffer horribly during Burmese Armed Forces throughout can’t go to the stores that they used to this crisis. decades of conflict. have in the village, they can’t get edu- The roots of this humanitarian crisis Since August, we have seen over cation. They are running out of rice are long. A durable solution for the 600,000 Rohingya in Burma flee to Ban- right now. Rohingya in Burma will be a difficult gladesh seeking refuge from Burma’s This is happening now in the world. task, but we must make the effort. As murderous security forces. This ethnic We need to do something about it. I am we all know, there are other ethnic mi- cleansing, and perhaps even genocide, proud of this Congress for standing up nority groups in Burma, including the is a direct result of the failure of Bur- today and saying no more ethnic Karen, the Karenni, and others, who ma’s Government to protect the rights cleansing. have also faced atrocities over the of all people within their borders. Mr. ROYCE of California. Mr. Speak- years at the hands of the Burmese mili- This resolution calls for the reim- er, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman tary. position of targeted sanctions against from New Jersey (Mr. SMITH), the A democratic and multiethnic future those responsible for this violence. It is chairman of the Foreign Affairs Sub- should be Burma’s best hope for pros- the least we can do. History is watch- committee on Africa, Global Health, perity and stability. The Burmese mili- ing, so I again urge my colleagues to Global Human Rights, and Inter- tary remains the obstacle to that fu- support this legislation. national Organizations. ture. Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. b 1445 ROYCE for, once again, working with Speaker, I thank the gentleman for him in a bipartisan fashion. yielding. Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, it is now Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance Mr. Speaker, I rise in very strong my great pleasure to yield 2 minutes to of my time. support of H. Con. Res. 90. The dis- the gentlewoman from Minnesota (Ms. Mr. ROYCE of California. Mr. Speak- crimination and violence imposed on MCCOLLUM), a champion for human er, I yield myself such time as I may the Rohingya ethnic minority in rights, especially for the rights of consume. Burma is brutal, horrific, and prevent- women and girls. I just wanted to, again, thank JOE able. Ms. MCCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I CROWLEY, our colleague, and Mr. STEVE I do welcome, like the rest of my col- thank the ranking member, and I CHABOT for their work on this measure, leagues, the administration’s deter- thank the chairman, as well as the au- and Mr. ELIOT ENGEL as well, our rank- mination that the attacks against thors of this piece of legislation, Mr. ing member of the committee. They Rohingya are ethnic cleansing, because CHABOT and Mr. CROWLEY, for their have all along been leaders on this it certainly is, but I would respectfully work on this important issue. issue, and I thank them for authoring submit it certainly rises to the level of Last month, I visited Burma and the measure. genocide. Bangladesh on a congressional fact- I think all of us know that even be- The Genocide Convention couldn’t be finding mission. Our visits to refugee fore this latest resurgence, this mas- clearer: If you look to destroy an eth- camps, our conversations with sur- sive displacement, this ethnic cleans- nic group—there are other categories vivors, made it clear that the persecu- ing, many considered the Rohingya to

VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:48 Dec 06, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00025 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K05DE7.051 H05DEPT1 SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with HOUSE H9648 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE December 5, 2017 be one of the most persecuted minori- Michigan (Mr. CONYERS), the whole for acts of terrorism and to urge other Mem- ties, one of the most persecuted popu- number of the House is 433. ber States to apply pressure upon the Pales- lations on the planet. I think this par- tinian Authority to immediately cease such f payments; and ticular resolution rightly shines a light (5) urges the Department of State to use on the abuses committed against them, TAYLOR FORCE ACT its bilateral and multilateral engagements calling for an end to all violence. Mr. ROYCE of California. Mr. Speak- with all governments and organizations com- I urge all Members here, but also I er, I move to suspend the rules and mitted to the cause of peace between Israel urge the Government of Burma, to con- pass the bill (H.R. 1164) to condition as- and the Palestinians to highlight the issue of sider that we are at a point of crisis. If sistance to the West Bank and Gaza on Palestinian Authority payments for acts of terrorism and to urge such governments and the government there does not reverse steps by the Palestinian Authority to course immediately, it will do irrep- organizations to join the United States in end violence and terrorism against calling on the Palestinian Authority to im- arable damage to its standing in the Israeli citizens, as amended. mediately cease such payments. world and earn it a place among the The Clerk read the title of the bill. SEC. 4. LIMITATION ON ASSISTANCE TO THE most egregious human rights abusers The text of the bill is as follows: WEST BANK AND GAZA. (a) LIMITATION.— in modern history. So what we ask is a H.R. 1164 reversal of these policies. (1) IN GENERAL.—For fiscal year 2018 and Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- I urge all colleagues to vote in favor, each of the five subsequent fiscal years, resentatives of the United States of America in funds authorized to be appropriated or other- send a clear signal that the U.S. will Congress assembled, wise made available for assistance under not turn a blind eye toward these SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. chapter 4 of part II of the Foreign Assistance atrocities. This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Taylor Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2346 et seq.; relating to Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance Force Act’’. Economic Support Fund) and available for of my time. SEC. 2. FINDINGS. assistance for the West Bank and Gaza that The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Congress makes the following findings: directly benefits the Palestinian Authority question is on the motion offered by (1) The Palestinian Authority’s practice of may only be made available for such purpose the gentleman from California (Mr. paying salaries to terrorists serving in if, except as provided in subsection (d), not later than 30 days after the date of the enact- ROYCE) that the House suspend the Israeli prisons, as well as to the families of deceased terrorists, is an incentive to com- ment of this Act, and every 180 days there- rules and agree to the concurrent reso- after, the Secretary of State certifies in lution, H. Con. Res. 90. mit acts of terror. (2) The United States does not provide di- writing to the appropriate congressional committees that the Palestinian Authority, The question was taken. rect budgetary support to the Palestinian the Palestine Liberation Organization, and The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the Authority. The United States does pay cer- any successor or affiliated organizations— opinion of the Chair, two-thirds being tain debts held by the Palestinian Authority (A) are taking credible steps to end acts of in the affirmative, the ayes have it. and funds programs for which the Pales- violence against Israeli citizens and United tinian Authority would otherwise be respon- Mr. ROYCE of California. Mr. Speak- States citizens that are perpetrated or mate- sible. er, on that I demand the yeas and nays. rially assisted by individuals under their ju- (3) The United States Government supports The yeas and nays were ordered. risdictional control, such as the March 2016 community-based programs in the West The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- attack that killed former United States Bank and Gaza that provide for basic human ant to clause 8 of rule XX, further pro- Army officer Taylor Force, a veteran of the needs, such as food, water, health, shelter, wars in Iraq and Afghanistan; ceedings on this motion will be post- protection, education, and livelihoods, and poned. (B) have terminated payments for acts of that promote peace and development. terrorism against Israeli citizens and United f (4) Since fiscal year 2015, annual appropria- States citizens to any individual, after being tions legislation has mandated the reduction RESIGNATION FROM THE HOUSE fairly tried, who has been imprisoned for of Economic Support Fund aid for the Pales- such acts of terrorism and to any individual OF REPRESENTATIVES tinian Authority as a result of their pay- who died committing such acts of terrorism, The SPEAKER pro tempore laid be- ments for acts of terrorism including, in fis- including to a family member of such indi- cal year 2017, a reduction ‘‘by an amount the viduals; fore the House the following resigna- Secretary determines is equivalent to the tion from the House of Representa- (C) have revoked any law, decree, regula- amount expended by the Palestinian Author- tion, or document authorizing or imple- tives: ity, the Palestine Liberation Organization, menting a system of compensation for im- HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, and any successor or affiliated organizations prisoned individuals that uses the sentence Washington, DC, December 5, 2017. with such entities as payments for acts of or period of incarceration of an individual Hon. PAUL RYAN, terrorism by individuals who are imprisoned imprisoned for an act of terrorism to deter- Speaker, House of Representatives, after being fairly tried and convicted for acts mine the level of compensation paid, or have Washington, DC. of terrorism and by individuals who died taken comparable action that has the effect DEAR MR. SPEAKER: I have made the deci- committing acts of terrorism during the pre- of invalidating any such law, decree, regula- sion to retire from my position as the Mem- vious calendar year’’. tion, or document; and ber of the United States House of Represent- SEC. 3. SENSE OF CONGRESS. (D) are publicly condemning such acts of atives from Michigan’s Thirteenth Congres- Congress— violence and are taking steps to investigate sional District effective today. (1) calls on the Palestinian Authority, the or are cooperating in investigations of such Sincerely, Palestine Liberation Organization, and any acts to bring the perpetrators to justice. JOHN CONYERS, Jr. successor or affiliated organizations to stop (2) ADDITIONAL CERTIFICATION REQUIRE- payments for acts of terrorism by individ- MENT.—The Secretary of State shall include HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, uals who are imprisoned after being fairly in the certification required under paragraph Washington, DC, December 5, 2017. tried and convicted for acts of terrorism and (1) the definition of ‘‘acts of terrorism’’ that Hon. RICK SNYDER, by individuals who died committing acts of the Secretary used for purposes of making Governor of Michigan, terrorism and to repeal the laws authorizing the determination in subparagraph (B) of Lansing, MI. such payments; such paragraph. DEAR GOVERNOR SNYDER: I have made the (2) calls on all donor countries providing (b) EXCEPTION.— decision to retire from my position as the budgetary assistance to the Palestinian Au- (1) IN GENERAL.—Subject to paragraph (2), Member of the United States House of Rep- thority to cease direct budgetary support the limitation on assistance under sub- resentatives from Michigan’s Thirteenth until the Palestinian Authority stops all section (a) shall not apply to— Congressional District effective today. payments incentivizing terror; (A) payments made to the East Jerusalem Sincerely, (3) urges the Palestinian Authority to de- Hospital Network; JOHN CONYERS, Jr. velop programs to provide essential public (B) assistance for wastewater projects; and f services and support to any individual in (C) assistance for any other program, need within its jurisdictional control, rather project, or activity that provides vaccina- ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER than to provide payments contingent on per- tions to children. PRO TEMPORE petrating acts of violence; (2) NOTIFICATION.—The Secretary of State (4) urges the United States Permanent shall notify in writing the appropriate con- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under Representative to the United Nations to use gressional committees not later than 15 days clause 5(d) of rule XX, the Chair an- the voice, vote, and influence of the United prior to making funds available for assist- nounces to the House that, in light of States at the United Nations to highlight ance under subparagraph (A), (B), or (C) of the resignation of the gentleman from the issue of Palestinian Authority payments paragraph (1).

VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:48 Dec 06, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00026 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K05DE7.053 H05DEPT1 SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with HOUSE December 5, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H9649 (c) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—Funds with- appropriate congressional committees a re- Mr. ROYCE of California. Mr. Speak- held pursuant to this section— port describing those programs, projects, and er, I yield myself such time as I may (1) shall be deemed to satisfy any similar activities funded by the United States Gov- consume. withholding or reduction required under any ernment that have been or will be suspended Mr. Speaker, today we consider the other provision of law relating to the Pales- by reason of withholding of funds under sec- tinian Authority’s payments for acts of ter- tion 4. Taylor Force Act. This is bipartisan rorism; and (b) FORM.—The report required by sub- legislation that honors a courageous (2) shall be in an amount that is not less section (a) shall be submitted in unclassified and patriotic young American, Taylor than the total amount required by such form but may include a classified annex. Force. other provision of law. SEC. 6. ANNUAL REPORT. Taylor was an Eagle Scout. He was a (d) INITIAL USE AND DISPOSITION OF WITH- (a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days West Point graduate who served his HELD FUNDS.— after the date of the enactment of this Act, country with distinction in Afghani- (1) PERIOD OF AVAILABILITY.—Funds with- and annually thereafter for 6 years, the Sec- stan and Iraq before he enrolled in held pursuant to this section are authorized retary of State shall submit to the appro- Vanderbilt’s MBA program. He was a to remain available for an additional 2 years priate congressional committees a report in- from the date on which the availability of young man with big dreams and loads cluding at a minimum the following ele- of potential. Then Taylor’s life was such funds would otherwise have expired. ments: (2) USE OF FUNDS.—Funds withheld pursu- (1) An estimate of the amount expended by tragically cut short at the age of 28 ant to this section may be made available for the Palestinian Authority, the Palestine when he was murdered by a Palestinian assistance for the West Bank and Gaza that Liberation Organization, and any successor terrorist while on a business school directly benefits the Palestinian Authority or affiliated organizations during the pre- trip to Israel. upon a certification by the Secretary of vious calendar year as payments for acts of I had the honor of meeting again State that the Palestinian Authority, the terrorism by individuals who are imprisoned with Taylor’s parents, Stuart and Palestine Liberation Organization, and any for such acts. Robbi, who were on Capitol Hill today. successor or affiliated organizations have (2) An estimate of the amount expended by met the conditions set forth in subsection They have worked so hard to make this the Palestinian Authority, the Palestine bill a legacy for their son, to ensure (a). Except as provided in paragraph (3), such Liberation Organization, and any successor funds may not be made available for any pur- or affiliated organizations during the pre- that no other family has to experience pose other than for assistance for the West vious calendar year as payments to the fami- what they have experienced. They have Bank and Gaza that directly benefits the lies of deceased individuals who committed been so generous with their time, their Palestinian Authority. an act of terrorism. spirit, their story. We are grateful for (3) DISPOSITION OF UNUSED FUNDS.—Begin- (3) An overview of Palestinian laws, de- all of their efforts, and we wish them ning on the date that is 180 days after the crees, regulations, or documents in effect the comfort as they continue to mourn the last day on which the initial availability of previous calendar year that authorize or im- funds withheld pursuant to this section heartbreaking loss of their son. plement any payments reported under para- We need to be clear about responsi- would otherwise have expired, such funds are graphs (1) and (2). authorized to be made available to the De- (4) A description of United States Govern- bility for this vicious attack. The Pal- partment of State for assistance under chap- ment policy, efforts, and engagement with estinian Authority gives salaries to ter 4 of part II of the Foreign Assistance Act the Palestinian Authority in order to con- Palestinians who attack innocent peo- of 1961 (22 U.S.C.2346 et seq.; relating to Eco- firm the revocation of any law, decree, regu- ple like Taylor. If the attacker dies, nomic Support Fund) for purposes other than lation, or document in effect the previous then the attacker’s family is com- assistance for the West Bank and Gaza. calendar year that authorizes or implements pensated under their law. I know it is (e) REPORT.— any payments reported under paragraphs (1) (1) IN GENERAL.—If the Secretary of State hard for us to adjust to this, but it is and (2). Palestinian law to reward Palestinian is unable to certify in writing to the appro- (5) A description of United States Govern- priate congressional committees that the ment policy, efforts, and engagement with prisoners in Israeli jails with a month- Palestinian Authority, the Palestine Libera- other governments, and at the United Na- ly paycheck. The Palestinian leader- tion Organization, and any successor or af- tions, to highlight the issue of Palestinian ship also pays the families of Pales- filiated organizations have met the condi- payments for acts of terrorism and to urge tinian suicide bombers. tions described in subsection (a), the Sec- other nations to join the United States in It goes without saying that these retary shall, not later than 15 days after the calling on the Palestinian Authority to im- policies clearly incentivize terrorism. date on which the Secretary is unable to mediately cease such payments. In fact, this perverse pay-to-slay sys- make such certification, submit to the ap- (b) FORM OF REPORT.—The report required propriate congressional committees a report tem uses a sliding scale: the longer the by subsection (a) shall be submitted in un- jail sentence, in other words, the great- that contains the following: classified form but may include a classified (A) The reasons why the Secretary was un- annex. er the mayhem created there, the able to certify in writing that such organiza- SEC. 7. APPROPRIATE CONGRESSIONAL COMMIT- greater the reward. The highest pay- tions have met such requirements. TEES DEFINED. ment goes to those serving life sen- (B) The definition of ‘‘acts of terrorism’’ In this Act, the term ‘‘appropriate congres- tences, to those who prove, obviously, that the Secretary used for purposes of mak- sional committees’’ means— most brutal. ing the determination in subparagraph (B) of (1) the Committee on Appropriations and This system is a disgrace. It is also subsection (a)(1). the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the (C) The total amount of funds to be with- the result of an abiding climate of ha- House of Representatives; and held. tred that Palestinian leaders continue (2) the Committee on Appropriations and (2) FORM.—The report required by this sub- to foster toward Jews, toward Israelis. the Committee on Foreign Relations of the section shall be submitted in unclassified As one witness told our committee: Senate. form but may include a classified annex. ‘‘ ‘Incitement’ is the term we usually (f) LIST OF CRITERIA.— The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- use, but hatred is what we mean . . . (1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 15 days ant to the rule, the gentleman from teaching generations of Palestinians to after the date of the enactment of this Act, California (Mr. ROYCE) and the gen- hate Jews by demonizing and dehuman- the Secretary of State shall submit to the tleman from New York (Mr. ENGEL) appropriate congressional committees a list izing them.’’ That is what democratic each will control 20 minutes. Israel faces, and it is not getting any of the criteria that the Secretary uses to de- The Chair recognizes the gentleman termine whether assistance for the West better. Bank and Gaza is assistance that directly from California. Yet, for a generation, we have given benefits the Palestinian Authority for pur- GENERAL LEAVE economic aid to the Palestinians, in poses of carrying out this section. Mr. ROYCE of California. Mr. Speak- large part, to try to stabilize their so- (2) UPDATE.—The Secretary of State shall er, I ask unanimous consent that all ciety to promote peaceful coexistence submit to the appropriate congressional Members may have 5 legislative days between the Palestinians and Israelis. committees an updated list under paragraph to revise and extend their remarks and (1) not later than 15 days after the date on This goal is undermined every day that which the Secretary makes any modification to include any extraneous material in the PA makes payments for acts of ter- to the list. the RECORD. rorism. This must stop. SEC. 5. INITIAL REPORT. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there This bipartisan bill cuts off assist- (a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 60 days objection to the request of the gen- ance that directly benefits the Pales- after the date of the enactment of this Act, tleman from California? tinian Authority unless the PA takes the Secretary of State shall submit to the There was no objection. credible steps to end acts of violence,

VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:48 Dec 06, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00027 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A05DE7.029 H05DEPT1 SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with HOUSE H9650 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE December 5, 2017 stops payments for acts of terrorism, b 1500 resents everything any parent could revokes the laws requiring these pay- We stopped giving the Palestinian want their son or daughter to be. ments, or takes actions comparable to Authority direct assistance, but the As we know, Mr. and Mrs. Force lost revoking the laws, and publicly con- Palestinian Authority hasn’t budged. their treasured son in this terror at- demns these acts of violence. We are now considering this legisla- tack. They were left with only photo- Our bill also requires consistent re- tion, which cuts all funds that directly graphs and memories. porting to Congress that clearly ex- benefit the Palestinian Authority if The terrorist who murdered Taylor plains how the administration makes the Palestinian Authority continues to was killed shortly after by the police, its determinations. If our assistance is make these payments. This will make but the killer’s family was left with being withheld, the administration it crystal clear to the Palestinian Au- something else: a lucrative financial must report which of the PA’s dan- thority that so-called martyr pay- reward. gerous actions are continuing so that ments are unacceptable, period. The Palestinian Authority, led by Congress can determine how to apply At the same time, the bill allows the President Mahmoud Abbas, gives finan- pressure going forward. United States to continue humani- cial rewards for terrorist attacks. The Too many grieving families go to tarian and democracy assistance, more people killed in an attack, the sleep every night knowing that money which is in our interest and the inter- higher the financial reward. Families is changing hands as a reward for vio- est of our ally Israel. It also includes a of terrorists receive a pension for life, lence that killed one of their loved thoughtful exemption proposed by the which is triple the average salary in ones. gentleman from Virginia (Mr. CON- the West Bank, as well as a receiving free tuition and health insurance, a With this bill, we are using the NOLLY) which exempts childhood vac- clothing allowance, and a monthly sti- weight of U.S. law to help see that no cinations from the cuts required under pend. more families—American, Israeli, or this bill. Overall, I believe that this version of More money goes to these kinds of anyone—join their tragic ranks. We do payments than go to the entire civil this in the name of one brave Amer- the Taylor Force Act strikes the right balance. Chairman ROYCE and I worked service of the Palestinian Authority. ican, Taylor Force, to honor the memo- This must be stopped. ries of all victims and, importantly, very hard to come up with a piece of legislation that both sides would sup- Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to help prevent future victims. We also do support this legislation and send as it in the hopes of peace. port. The Foreign Affairs Committee unanimously passed this legislation. strong and clear a message as possible Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of The message should be clear: this is that the United States will not allow my time. not a partisan issue. our taxpayer dollars to be used to Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield my- We must send a message to the Pales- incentivize terrorist attacks. self such time as I may consume. tinian Authority that these so-called Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this martyr payments, which are ‘‘killing’’ minutes to the gentleman from Florida bill, in strong support of this bill. payments, must stop. (Mr. DEUTCH), the ranking member of Mr. Speaker, I would first like to Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to the Middle East and North Africa Sub- thank ED ROYCE, the chairman of the support this legislation that ensures no committee, and a valued member of Foreign Affairs Committee. I agree unintended consequences, and I reserve the Foreign Affairs Committee. with everything he said in his remarks. the balance of my time. Mr. DEUTCH. Mr. Speaker, I thank I want to thank him for his hard work Mr. ROYCE of California. Mr. Speak- the gentleman from New York, my on this legislation. We worked closely er, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman friend, the ranking member, for yield- together to make this bipartisan bill as from Colorado (Mr. LAMBORN). He is ing. strong as possible, while also taking the author of this important legisla- I rise in support of H.R. 1164, the Tay- care to limit any unintended con- tion. lor Force Act. sequences. That is what we have been Mr. LAMBORN. Mr. Speaker, this Mr. Speaker, the pursuit of a nego- doing on the Foreign Affairs Com- legislation is named after Taylor tiated two-state solution to end the mittee, and that is why we have been Force, and I wanted to say what a spe- Israeli-Palestinian conflict requires a so successful in passing legislation. We cial honor it is that his parents are commitment to peace, but it is impos- do it in a bipartisan way. with us here today. sible for the Palestinian Authority to Let me begin by saying that the Pal- I would like to especially thank the demonstrate that commitment to estinian system of so-called martyr Speaker and majority leader for bring- peace while paying terrorists for at- payments is downright disgusting. We ing this legislation to the floor for a tacks on innocent civilians. But that is are talking about a system that in- vote. I also want to thank Chairman the reality today, and that is what this volves paying people on a sliding scale ROYCE and Ranking Member ENGEL for bill seeks to end. Under current Palestinian law, the based on the death and destruction their leadership and strong bipartisan PA pays salaries to terrorists and their that they cause. It is simply sickening. support. I introduced this bill last Congress families more money for worse crimes, These payments clearly incentivize and reintroduced it this Congress with typically well exceeding the mean sal- terrorist attacks, and they further Representative LEE ZELDIN because we ary for Palestinian workers. If a ter- threaten prospects for peace, pushing absolutely must ensure that American rorist is sentenced to life in prison for the chance for a Palestinian state fur- taxpayer dollars don’t incentivize ter- a horrific attack that kills Israeli citi- ther and further out of reach. rorist attacks on our own citizens as zens, he will get a four-times higher This legislation was named for Tay- well as Israelis. This commonsense monthly salary than if he had been lor Force, an American victim of Pal- measure now has 170 cosponsors. sentenced to only a couple of years in estinian terrorism. He was a West I think most of the American people prison for a lesser attack. This is bla- Point graduate and a veteran of the are aware of Taylor’s story by now, but tant incentive to terrorism; the same wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. He was it bears repeating again as we prepare type of terrorism that we have seen stabbed to death in Jaffa in 2016. to vote on this legislation in the peo- tear through buses, shopping malls, The question we face is: How do we ple’s House. nightclubs, and places of worship compel the PA, the Palestinian Au- Last year, a 28-year-old American around the world. thority, to end the martyr payment student named Taylor Force was vis- In March of last year, during a surge system? iting Israel on a school trip. While of deadly stabbings, shootings, and car In 2015, appropriations bills began to walking near the beach in Tel Aviv, a rammings in Israel, we saw the con- include language cutting off funds for 22-year-old Palestinian stabbed him to sequences of this incitement and incen- the Palestinian Authority by the death in a terrorist attack. tive to terror. amount that they spent on so-called Taylor Force was an Eagle Scout, Taylor Force, a 28-year-old American martyr payments, but that didn’t curb West Point graduate, and a veteran of tourist, a West Point graduate and the practice. both Iraq and Afghanistan. He rep- then-Vanderbilt graduate student, who

VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:48 Dec 06, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00028 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K05DE7.056 H05DEPT1 SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with HOUSE December 5, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H9651 had fought in the wars in Iraq and Af- Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I Mr. Speaker, I think that points have ghanistan, was stabbed to death on a thank the chairman and my good been made on both sides of the aisle promenade in Jaffa by a young Pales- friend, Ranking Member ELIOT ENGEL, with which we all agree. If the Pales- tinian terrorist. for his hard work. I especially want to tinian Authority is serious about peace Taylor, by all accounts, was loved thank the gentleman from Colorado and is serious about a two-state solu- and humble. He enjoyed playing the (Mr. LAMBORN) for offering this impor- tion and is serious about living in guitar. He was an Eagle Scout and an tant bill. peace with Israel, then I think they Army veteran. His father described him Sadly, as we have heard, Mr. Speak- have to be serious about not paying as an all-American kid who made sure er, Taylor Force is the name and the people who murder, not paying people that everyone around him felt good. A face of the disgusting and reprehensible who are terrorists, not paying people friend of his in Nashville said simply: practice in place by the Palestinians who randomly go over and stab some- He made people better. that we know as pay to slay. body. But rather than unambiguously con- Taylor Force, as we have heard, was Taylor Force happened to be in the demn this attack against innocent ci- an Eagle Scout, a West Point graduate, wrong place at the wrong time. No vilians, as any responsible government a veteran of two wars, who served our other reason. That should not be left to would do, the PA instead has rewarded Nation bravely and with distinction. It stand. I think our colleagues have all these types of attacks by paying more was a life cut tragically short at 28 talked about what a wonderful young than $1 billion to convicted terrorists years old, when he was murdered by a man he was, an exemplary American, over the past decade. Palestinian terrorist while in Israel. someone who played by the rules, kept It is the job of the Palestinian Au- While the world condemned this at- his country safe, did the right things, thority, like any responsible govern- tack and while Taylor Force’s friends respected his own faith. We should re- ment, to deliver services to its people, and family mourn his loss, the Pales- spect him and all the other people as including welfare to those who need it tinian leaders fail to take responsi- well. most, like a grieving widow who sud- bility. No, instead, Abu Mazen and the Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the denly has to take care of her family Palestinian leadership continue to in- gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. without the breadwinner. But this is cite violence, continue to support ter- GOTTHEIMER), my friend on the Finan- not welfare. ror. Because, make no mistake, Mr. cial Services Committee, a rising star The current law essentially tells Pal- Speaker, as long as the Palestinian Au- in Congress. estinians: If you tragically die in a car thority or the PLO—whatever name Mr. GOTTHEIMER. Mr. Speaker, I accident, your family gets nothing; but they want to use—make payments to rise today in strong support of H.R. if you die driving your car into a group terrorists, they are supporting terror. 1164, the bipartisan Taylor Force Act. I of Israeli civilians, your family will be How can you conclude otherwise? want to thank Chairman ROYCE and taken care of for life. It is irresponsible and it is shameful LIOT NGEL That is not welfare. That is incentive Ranking Member E E , who is to think that the American taxpayer to terror. It is pay for slay, and it must my friend and colleague and a real end. and the U.S. Government are in any leader for our party and for this issue, I am proud of the bipartisan manner way, shape, or form helping to support for all of their hard work and leader- in which today’s bill was crafted, and it this pay-to-slay program. This is why ship to bring this legislation to the is carefully written in a way that tar- this act will ensure that, until pay to floor. All of us in Congress could learn gets only those funds that directly ben- slay is ended, we will not be a willing from and emulate their friendship and efit the Palestinian Authority, thereby contributor to the Palestinian scheme. bipartisan working relationship, espe- creating real incentives for the PA to This is just another tool that Congress cially when it comes to our foreign pol- end this practice without damaging the has given the administration to use in icy and support for our vital ally vital U.S. investments in humanitarian order to hold the Palestinian leaders Israel, and in our fight against terror assistance and grassroots people-to- accountable. around the world. people programs that are essential to However, I do believe that we should I commend the gentleman from Colo- achieving our overall objective of not allow for exceptions, not allow for rado (Mr. LAMBORN) for introducing peace. carve-outs in this important bill, be- this important legislation, and I am Taylor Force served our country to cause that flexibility, sadly, is some- proud that Ranking Member ENGEL and advance and protect peace. His life was times used to circumvent the spirit of I were the very first Democrats in the taken by terrorists seeking to under- the law and the congressional intent. House to cosponsor this measure. mine peace. I would like to remind our body that Mr. Speaker, I serve on the House Fi- The SPEAKER pro tempore. The the administration already has the nancial Services Committee’s Sub- time of the gentleman has expired. tools it needs to withhold assistance to committee on Terrorism and Illicit Fi- Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield an the Palestinian Authority and the nance, where, day in and day out, my additional 30 seconds to the gentleman West Bank and Gaza, so we must exer- colleagues and I track the flow of from Florida. cise existing authorities and send a money to terrorist groups like Hamas, Mr. DEUTCH. It is our duty to call message to the Palestinians once and Hezbollah, and ISIS through illicit fi- on the PA to end this indefensible prac- for all. nancial networks. tice of rewarding terror and to dem- Mr. Speaker, I urge the administra- For years, the Palestinian Authority onstrate a real commitment to peace, a tion to use all of the tools at its dis- has shamelessly engaged in an equally peace where Israel can live safely and posal, to not waive provisions of U.S. heinous practice out in the open: the securely as a Jewish and democratic law, to not selectively enforce some awarding of official payments to ter- state next to a Palestinian state that laws and apply others. That means end- rorists it inspires to go out and kill in- does not seek its destruction. ing all assistance to the Palestinian nocent civilians, including American Mr. Speaker, this legislation honors Authority—all. It means closing the citizens like U.S. Army veteran Taylor Taylor Force’s name and memory by PLO office in D.C. until pay to slay has Force. stopping an abhorrent practice. In his ended and until the Palestinians stop Israeli citizens live under the con- name, and in the name of peace, the PA their incitement and stop their support stant threats of stabbings, suicide must end these payments to terrorists, for terror. bombings, and vicious terrorist at- and I urge my colleagues to support Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to tacks. Palestinian leaders, including this effort to make them stop. support this important and tragic President Abbas, have not just refused Mr. ROYCE of California. Mr. Speak- measure, and I urge the administration to call for an end to these attacks or to er, I yield 3 minutes to the gentle- to use these tools that we continue to speak out against those who promote woman from Florida (Ms. ROS- provide to it. I thank the chairman and hate and violence, rather, they cele- LEHTINEN), who chairs the Foreign Af- the ranking member for rapidly bring- brate, defend, and promote terrorism fairs Subcommittee on the Middle East ing this important bill to the floor. through an elaborate system whereby and North Africa. She is also our chair- Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield my- the Palestinian Authority literally man emeritus. self such time as I may consume. ‘‘pays to slay.’’

VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:48 Dec 06, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00029 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K05DE7.057 H05DEPT1 SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with HOUSE H9652 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE December 5, 2017 b 1515 condemn these horrific acts of vio- estinian public policy stops inculcating That is because for decades the PLO lence. But that is simply not enough. a culture of death in the minds of the and the PA have provided payments in The United States must use every people. some form or another to terrorists and tool at our disposal to counter violence Years of diplomacy, Mr. Speaker, and their families, as well as various other and terrorism. The PLO and the PA public pressure aimed at stemming awards and titles and honorifics, but may well continue down the path of Palestinian incitement have not suc- the practice is especially heinous be- more hatred, violence, and terror with- ceeded. Congress must act now with cause today it is enshrined into Pales- out regard for the damage inflicted or the power of the purse. tinian law. The deadlier attacks of ter- for their role in diminishing the pros- Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, it is now rorism will be rewarded with even more pects for peace. But so long as they pay my pleasure to yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. money. citizens to murder civilians, then they I know because I have read the laws will do so without benefiting from the FRANKEL), my good friend and valued and seen the accompanying payment support of the United States taxpayer. member of the Foreign Affairs Com- charts. There is literally a payment There is no question that should be mittee. Ms. FRANKEL of Florida. Mr. Speak- schedule based on the severity of the asked about that. er, I rise in support of the bipartisan terrorist attack, which encourages Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to Taylor Force Act, which eliminates more severe and gratuitous violence join me in standing in solidarity with United States aid to the Palestinians and terrorist activity. the families of the victims of terror to For instance, a terrorist who slayed bring an end to this appalling system unless they end payments to terrorists. three people in 2015, including an 18- of paid violence, and I urge support for I thank my colleagues, the chair, and year-old American citizen, Ezra this bill. the ranking member for their leader- Schwartz, who was spending his gap Mr. ROYCE of California. Mr. Speak- ship. Today we are condemning an evil year in Israel and planned to attend er, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman system that rewards terrorists based business school at Rutgers University from New Jersey (Mr. SMITH), chair- on how many innocent civilians they in New Jersey, would be rewarded by man of the Foreign Affairs Sub- maim or kill. In recent decades, 1,600 the PA with a monthly salary—the ter- committee on Africa, Global Health, people have been killed by Palestinian rorist—of more than $3,000. Global Human Rights, and Inter- terror attacks, like 17-year-old Liana In sum, these payments total hun- national Organizations. Sakiyan, a high-spirited girl, a friend dreds of millions of dollars that the PA Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. to many. On a break from exams, she redirects from its own budget to pay Speaker, I want to thank Chairman and her friends were in line for a night off the murderers of Jews, Israelis, and ROYCE and Ranking Member ELIOT of celebration at a discotheque in Tel foreigners. The Taylor Force Act will ENGEL for, again, working so well to- Aviv when a bomb went off, instantly eliminate U.S. foreign aid to the West gether to bring this legislation to the snuffing out her life and 20 other inno- Bank and Gaza that directly benefits floor; and LEE ZELDIN, one of the prin- cent young Israelis. cipal cosponsors of the bill; and DOUG the Palestinian Authority until the As a reward for this heinous attack, LAMBORN, of course, the prime author Secretary of State can guarantee that the suicide bomber’s family received of this legislation. they have ended these payments. This thousands of dollars from the Pales- I, too, am proud to be a cosponsor. legislation is carefully targeted to tinian Authority—this authority which This is a very important bill that will achieve maximum leverage over the continues to give hundreds of millions serve as a measure of justice for the PA to end the funding of terror. of dollars to terrorists and their fami- memory of U.S. Army Officer Taylor Mr. Speaker, this legislation stands lies, a part of the so-called martyrs’ Force and many others who have been in stark contrast to a partisan, one- fund. This legislation, which correctly victimized over the years by Pales- sided, offensive, and harmful bill re- exempts humanitarian and democracy- tinian terrorism subsidized by the Pal- cently introduced in Congress under promoting programs, tells the Pales- estinian Authority. It is well past time the guise of promoting human rights tinian Authority: No more pay to slay. that would cut aid to Israel for crack- for us to apply real pressure to the Pal- Mr. Speaker, I urge adoption of this ing down on terrorism. Israel has the estinian Authority for continuing in- bill. right and obligation to defend itself citement for anti-Israel, anti-Semitic, Mr. ROYCE of California. Mr. Speak- and its civilians who have been the tar- and anti-American violence. This bill er, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman geted victims of brutal attacks and takes aim at the PA’s ongoing finan- from New York (Mr. ZELDIN), a member murders while going about their daily cial incentivizing of murder. of the Committee on Foreign Affairs. lives. The United States ought to stand Mr. Speaker, when you pay someone He is the coauthor of this measure. with them by condemning Palestinian to kill somebody else and pay their Mr. ZELDIN. Mr. Speaker, it is a incitement. family to kill somebody else, that is a privilege to serve on the House Foreign Members of both parties have been crime. So this just ought to be seen as Affairs Committee under the leader- working together to do just that. Since a step in trying to say we mean busi- ship of Chairman ROYCE and Ranking fiscal year 2015, Congress has reduced, ness. Those who authorize those pay- Member ELIOT ENGEL. I am very grate- dollar for dollar, the amount of money ments ought to be held liable for these ful that they brought this legislation that the PA and PLO pay to terrorists crimes. to the House floor for consideration and their families from the Economic Although 2 years ago Congress de- today. Support Fund aid that the U.S. pro- ducted the PA’s compensatory pay- As a co-chair of the House Repub- vides. While this has resulted in the re- ments to terrorists and their families lican Israel Caucus, the original co- duction of our foreign aid, it has not from U.S. assistance, there has been no sponsor on this piece of legislation, I yet brought an end to this practice. change in the PA’s twisted and per- would strongly encourage all of my col- In May, I joined Representatives verted policy. By conditioning most leagues to support this important bill. CLAUDIA TENNEY and TOM SUOZZI and 33 U.S. assistance to the PA on its com- I am thinking of values, what drove of our colleagues who demanded that mitment to cease payments to terror- Taylor Force to sign up for the United Secretary of State Rex Tillerson ad- ists, the Taylor Force Act takes the States Military Academy at West dress these terror payments directly necessary next and important step to Point, to deploy into combat, to pro- with Palestinian President Abbas dur- guarantee that American taxpayer dol- tect and defend our freedoms and lib- ing his visit to Washington, D.C. lars are not being used to reward ter- erties; willing to lay it all on the line; It has been suggested that the PA rorism. willing to risk everything for our flag, may be more receptive to international Mr. Speaker, the PA cannot be a for our Constitution, not just for fam- pressure. I am glad that this bill urges partner for peace until it stops sub- ily back home. the Secretary of State and the U.S. sidizing terrorism. Amidst increasing He is joined here—he is certainly Permanent Representative to the talk of a new peace initiative in the re- with us in spirit—with his parents, United Nations to highlight this issue gion, we must be absolutely clear that Stuart and Robbi, who are in the gal- with the international community to there could be no true peace until Pal- lery, and they know that the legacy of

VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:48 Dec 06, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00030 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K05DE7.060 H05DEPT1 SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with HOUSE December 5, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H9653 Taylor Force’s service and sacrifice is thing to do. I hope that the Palestinian that does not include paying people to one that already is showing a change in Authority will use this opportunity to commit crimes of terrorism. The Pales- policy in the interactions between our stop these martyr payments, move tinian Authority is flatout under- Nation and those in that region. Be- away from incitement, and move to- mining U.S. interests by compensating cause as we think of values, the values ward a two-state solution. Again, this and incentivizing violence, as articu- of the Palestinian Authority is one bipartisan legislation seeks to compel lated by my friend, Mr. ENGEL. that incites violence, that financially the Palestinian Authority to stop acts I urge my colleagues to vote in favor rewards terrorism, that treats terror- of terrorism, to stop aiding and abet- of this bill, which ensures that there ists like they are heads of state at ting acts of terrorism against innocent are consequences for this disgraceful their funerals and calls them martyrs. victims, including American Taylor policy and ensures that the U.S. plays I stand with Taylor Force. The House Force. no part, even indirectly, in partici- Foreign Affairs Committee stands with The gentleman from Florida (Mr. pating in this behavior. The PA giving Taylor Force. This entire body, hope- DEUTCH) said that if someone drives compensation for violence is beyond fully, when this comes to a vote, stands their car and hits somebody, nothing the pale. It is long past time that we with the parents of Taylor Force, and happens. But if someone drives their treat it that way. our effective and better leveraging of car and kills somebody, they get a Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance our money because we should not pro- martyr payment. There is something of my time. vide $1 of United States taxpayer funds perverse about that. There is some- The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. if that money is going to go towards thing just wrong about that. And it is ROTHFUS). The question is on the mo- not only inciting violence, but also fi- something that the United States tion offered by the gentleman from nancially rewarding terrorism. needs to put its foot down and say, California (Mr. ROYCE) that the House The United States taxpayers not only once and for all: We will not tolerate suspend the rules and pass the bill, want to make sure that their money violence. H.R. 1164, as amended. isn’t going to financially reward Pales- Finally, let me say that this bill, The question was taken; and (two- tinian terrorists when they murder in- aptly named as a tribute to Taylor thirds being in the affirmative) the nocent Israelis, but this is also about Force, to his parents whom I had the rules were suspended and the bill, as Americans—U.S. tax dollars going to pleasure of meeting, and to all of the amended, was passed. an entity that financially rewards ter- people who knew him—he really was A motion to reconsider was laid on ror. the driving force behind this legisla- the table. I was moved greatly as I was listen- tion. Because when we heard what had f ing to Chairman Emeritus ILEANA ROS- happened, it was so abhorrent, it was VENEZUELA HUMANITARIAN AS- LEHTINEN’s remarks and the need to so disgusting, that we felt we needed to SISTANCE AND DEFENSE OF use all resources that are available to get together and do something. DEMOCRATIC GOVERNANCE ACT stand shoulder to shoulder with our So I want to thank the Force family. OF 2017 Nation’s greatest ally and change be- I want to thank my colleagues on the havior of those bad actors. Those are other side of the aisle, especially Mr. ROYCE of California. Mr. Speak- the values, and we stand with Taylor Chairman ROYCE. This is something er, I move to suspend the rules and Force. that every Member of Congress and pass the bill (H.R. 2658) to provide hu- Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, if there are both sides of the aisle should vote for. manitarian assistance for the Ven- no other speakers on this side, I am Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance ezuelan people, to defend democratic prepared to close. I yield myself such of my time. governance and combat widespread time as I may consume. public corruption in Venezuela, and for b 1530 Mr. Speaker, let me close by saying other purposes, as amended. that this bipartisan legislation seeks Mr. ROYCE of California. Mr. Speak- The Clerk read the title of the bill. to compel the Palestinian Authority to er, I yield myself such time as I may The text of the bill is as follows: stop incentivizing acts of terrorism consume. H.R. 2658 against innocent victims, including In closing, Mr. Speaker, let me thank Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- American Taylor Force. my friend and colleague, ELIOT ENGEL, resentatives of the United States of America in Now, the encouragement of hooligans for his eloquence in explaining the Congress assembled, and thugs to just randomly try to kill enormity of the tragedy here and the SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS. people for no other reason than just to meaning of this terrorism. I think Mr. (a) SHORT TITLE.—This Act may be cited as try to perpetrate violence needs to be ENGEL has been such a diligent partner the ‘‘Venezuela Humanitarian Assistance stopped. While the Palestinian Author- in not only helping us move this bill and Defense of Democratic Governance Act ity seems to be encouraging knife at- through, but helping us run the com- of 2017’’. tacks and terror attacks against Jew- mittee in a bipartisan way. I want to (b) TABLE OF CONTENTS.—The table of con- tents for this Act is as follows: ish Israelis, it is important to say that thank him at this moment as we pass being in the wrong place at the wrong this act for all of his work on this issue Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents. through the legislation and through Sec. 2. Findings. time leaves everybody vulnerable. That Sec. 3. Sense of Congress. is what happened to Taylor Force. He the hearings. I think it has had an im- Sec. 4. Requirement for strategy to provide wasn’t Jewish. He happened to be pact in the understanding of the Mem- humanitarian assistance to the American, and he happened to be a sol- bers here. people of Venezuela. dier in a war area and a very good, I also want to recognize and thank Sec. 5. Requirement for strategy to coordi- nice, decent human being. He didn’t de- our former colleague, Senator LINDSEY nate international humani- serve it. GRAHAM. I have talked with him about tarian assistance. Nobody deserves to be a victim of this issue. He originated this bill in the Sec. 6. Support for efforts at the United Na- Senate. I know also how passionately tions on the humanitarian and terror. But certainly, the victims of political crisis in Venezuela. terror, if we are going to cry out to he feels about this, as do ELIOT and Sec. 7. Support for Organization of Amer- help them, we have got to put a stop to myself. I look forward to working with ican States Inter-American this disgusting practice of calling these our Senate colleagues to ensure that Democratic Charter. murderers martyrs. They are not mar- the bill that we pass here in the House Sec. 8. Concerns and report on the involve- tyrs. They are murderers. They have or the Senate bill, either one, the bot- ment of Venezuelan officials in no regard for human beings. They have tom line is that the Taylor Force Act corruption and illicit narcotics no regard for anything. It is time for us must become law quickly. That is our trafficking. objective. Sec. 9. Sanctions on persons responsible for to say: Enough is enough. public corruption and under- In this current bill, it allows the The purpose of our aid, as we under- mining democratic governance United States to avoid any unintended stand it, is to advance U.S. interests in Venezuela. consequences such as the cessation of around the world. That is why we give Sec. 10. Concerns over PDVSA transactions humanitarian assistance, the right aid. I think all of us can agree that with Rosneft.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:48 Dec 06, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00031 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0655 E:\CR\FM\K05DE7.061 H05DEPT1 SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with HOUSE H9654 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE December 5, 2017 Sec. 11. Report on activities of certain gov- SEC. 3. SENSE OF CONGRESS. SEC. 5. REQUIREMENT FOR STRATEGY TO CO- ernments in Venezuela. ORDINATE INTERNATIONAL HUMAN- It is the sense of Congress that— ITARIAN ASSISTANCE. SEC. 2. FINDINGS. ´ (1) Nicolas Maduro should permit the deliv- (a) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Congress makes the following findings: ery of international humanitarian assistance (1) The deterioration of democratic govern- Congress that the appropriate United Na- to address the widespread and deeply con- tions humanitarian agencies should conduct ance and the economic crisis in Venezuela cerning shortages of essential medicines and have led to an unprecedented humanitarian and publish an independent assessment on— basic food products faced by the people of (1) the extent and impact of the shortages situation in which people are suffering from Venezuela; severe shortages of essential medicines and of food and medicine in Venezuela; and (2) it is in the best interest of the Ven- (2) the efforts needed to resolve such short- basic food products. ezuelan people for the Government of Ven- (2) According to the World Health Organi- ages. ezuela to engage with multilateral institu- zation, Venezuela had a shortage of nec- (b) STRATEGY.—Not later than 90 days after tions to ameliorate the effects of the coun- essary medications and medical supplies of— the date of the enactment of this Act, the try’s ongoing economic, social, and humani- (A) 55 percent in 2014; Secretary of State, in consultation with the tarian crisis; (B) 67 percent in 2015; and Administrator of the United States Agency (3) Nicola´ s Maduro should immediately re- (C) 75 percent in 2016. for International Development, shall submit lease all political prisoners and respect (3) According to a Human Rights Watch a multi-year strategy to the Committee on internationally recognized human rights in 2016 report, it is increasingly difficult for Foreign Relations of the Senate and the order to facilitate the conditions for polit- many Venezuelans, particularly those in Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House ical negotiations and dialogue in Venezuela; lower- or middle-income families, to obtain of Representatives that— (4) Nicola´ s Maduro and the Supreme Tri- adequate nutrition and there are reports of (1) describes how the United States will se- symptoms of malnutrition, particularly in bunal of Justice of Venezuela should take cure support from international donors, in- children. steps to reinstate the full powers and au- cluding regional partners in Latin America (4) Maternal deaths in Venezuela increased thorities of the National Assembly of Ven- and the Caribbean, for the provision of hu- by 66 percent from 2015 to 2016 while infant ezuela in accordance with the Constitution manitarian assistance to the people of Ven- deaths increased by 30 percent. of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela; ezuela; and (5) There were 240,000 confirmed malaria (5) Venezuela’s National Electoral Council (2) identifies governments that are willing cases in Venezuela in 2016—a 76 percent in- should establish a specific timeline to hold to provide financial and technical assistance crease over 2015. national, regional, and municipal elections for the provision of such humanitarian as- (6) A survey—conducted jointly by the Cen- in accordance with the Constitution of the sistance to the people of Venezuela and a de- tral University of Venezuela, the Andre´s Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela and allow scription of such assistance. Bello Catholic University, and the Simo´ n Bo- supervision of credible international elec- SEC. 6. SUPPORT FOR EFFORTS AT THE UNITED livar University—found that almost 75 per- toral observers; and NATIONS ON THE HUMANITARIAN cent of Venezuelans lost an average of at (6) the United States should support mean- AND POLITICAL CRISIS IN VEN- least 19 pounds in 2016 as a result of a lack ingful efforts towards a substantive dialogue EZUELA. of proper nutrition amidst the country’s eco- through which all parties uphold their com- (a) INITIAL EFFORTS.—The President shall nomic crisis. mitments and agree to specific deadlines to instruct the Permanent Representative of (7) Despite massive shortages of basic food- restore respect for Venezuela’s constitu- the United States to the United Nations to stuffs and essential medicines, Nicola´ s tional mechanisms and resolve the country’s use the voice and vote of the United States Maduro has rejected repeated requests from political, economic, and humanitarian crisis. to secure the necessary votes— the Venezuelan National Assembly and civil (1) to place the humanitarian and political SEC. 4. REQUIREMENT FOR STRATEGY TO PRO- crisis in Venezuela on the agenda at the society organizations to bring humanitarian VIDE HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE aid into the country. TO THE PEOPLE OF VENEZUELA. United Nations; and (8) The International Monetary Fund has (2) to secure a Presidential Statement estimated that in Venezuela in 2016 the coun- (a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 90 days from the United Nations urging the Govern- try’s gross domestic product contracted by after the date of the enactment of this Act, ment of Venezuela to allow the delivery of 12 percent and inflation rate reached 720 per- the Secretary of State, in coordination with humanitarian relief and to lift bureaucratic cent, and has stated that Venezuela had the the Administrator of the United States impediments or any other obstacles so that worst growth and inflation performance in Agency for International Development, shall independent nongovernmental organizations the world. submit to the Committee on Foreign Affairs can provide the proper assistance to the peo- (9) The International Monetary Fund has of the House of Representatives, the Com- ple of Venezuela without any interference by not convened an Article IV Executive Board mittee on Foreign Relations of the Senate, such government. consultation for Venezuela since September the Committee on Appropriations of the (b) ADDITIONAL EFFORTS.— 13, 2004, which greatly limits the extent of House of Representatives and the Committee (1) IN GENERAL.—If the Government of Ven- information available to the international on Appropriations of the Senate a strategy ezuela refuses to allow the delivery of hu- community about the severity of the Ven- to provide humanitarian assistance to the manitarian relief and lift bureaucratic im- ezuelan economic crisis. people of Venezuela through credible and pediments and any other obstacles described (10) Venezuela’s political, economic, and independent nongovernmental organizations in subsection (a)(2), then beginning not later humanitarian crisis is fueling social tensions operating in Venezuela or in neighboring than 30 days after the conclusion of the ef- that are resulting in growing incidents of countries to alleviate the suffering of the forts of the United Nations described in such public unrest, looting, violence among citi- subsection, the President shall instruct the Venezuelan people. zens, and an exodus of Venezuelans abroad. Permanent Representative of the United (11) These social distortions are taking (b) MATTERS TO BE INCLUDED.—The strat- States to the United Nations to use the voice place amidst an alarming climate of crimi- egy required under subsection (a) shall in- and vote of the United States to secure the nal violence. According to the United Na- clude the following: adoption of a resolution described in para- tions Office on Drug and Crime, Caracas, (1) A description of how and to what extent graph (2). Venezuela had the highest per capita homi- the following assistance will be provided: (2) RESOLUTION DESCRIBED.—The resolution cide rate of any capital city in the world in (A) Public health commodities for Ven- of the United Nations described in paragraph 2015 at 120 murders per 100,000 citizens. ezuelan health facilities and services, includ- (1) is a resolution— (12) In 2016, 18,155 Venezuelans submitted ing medicines on the World Health Organiza- (A) directing the Government of Venezuela asylum requests in the United States, which tion’s List of Essential Medicines and basic to promptly allow safe and unhindered ac- was the greatest number of requests by any medical supplies and equipment. cess for humanitarian agencies and their im- nationality, according to U.S. Citizenship (B) Basic food commodities and nutritional plementing partners, including possible sup- and Immigration Services. supplements needed to address growing mal- port from neighboring countries; and (13) International and domestic human nutrition and improve food security for the (B) calling on the Government of Ven- rights groups, such as Foro Penal people of Venezuela, with a specific emphasis ezuela to— Venezolano, recognize more than 600 polit- on the most vulnerable populations. (i) allow the delivery of food and medicine; ical prisoners in Venezuela, including opposi- (C) Technical assistance to ensure health (ii) end human rights violations; tion leader and former Chacao mayor and food commodities are appropriately se- (iii) agree to free, fair and transparent Leopoldo Lo´ pez, Judge Marı´a Lourdes lected, procured, and distributed, predomi- elections with credible international observ- Afiuni, Caracas Mayor Antonio Jose´ nantly through local nongovernmental orga- ers; Ledezma Dı´az, National Assembly Deputy nizations. (iv) cease violence; and Gilber Caro, and former San Cristobal mayor (2) An identification of United States (v) release all political prisoners. Daniel Ceballos. Agency for International Development best SEC. 7. SUPPORT FOR ORGANIZATION OF AMER- (14) According to media accounts, over 125 practices in delivering humanitarian assist- ICAN STATES INTER-AMERICAN people lost their lives as the result of public ance and how such best practices are being DEMOCRATIC CHARTER. demonstrations and protests in Venezuela utilized in providing humanitarian assist- (a) FINDINGS.—Congress makes the fol- since April 2017. ance to Venezuela. lowing findings:

VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:48 Dec 06, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00032 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A05DE7.030 H05DEPT1 SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with HOUSE December 5, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H9655 (1) Article 1 of the Inter-American Demo- mander, was indicted in a United States dis- (B) identify individuals that frustrate the cratic Charter, adopted by the Organization trict court for participating in an inter- ability of the United States to combat illicit of American States in Lima on September 11, national cocaine trafficking conspiracy. narcotics trafficking; and 2001, affirms, ‘‘The peoples of the Americas (4) On November 18, 2016, Franqui Fran- (C) include input from the Drug Enforce- have a right to democracy and their govern- cisco Flores de Freitas and Efrain Antonio ment Administration, the Office of Foreign ments have an obligation to promote and de- Campo Flores, nephews of Nicola´ s Maduro Assets Control, and the Financial Crimes En- fend it.’’. and Venezuelan First Lady Cilia Flores, were forcement Network. (2) Article 19 of the Inter-American Demo- convicted in a United States district court (3) FORM.—The report under paragraph (1) cratic Charter states ‘‘an unconstitutional on charges of conspiring to import cocaine shall be submitted in unclassified form, but interruption of the democratic order or an into the United States. may include a classified annex. The unclassi- unconstitutional alteration of the constitu- (5) On February 13, 2017, the Department of fied portion of the report shall be made tional regime that seriously impairs the the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Con- available to the public. democratic order in a member state, con- trol designated Tareck Zaidan El Aissami SEC. 9. SANCTIONS ON PERSONS RESPONSIBLE stitutes, while it persists, an insurmountable Maddah for his involvement in illicit nar- FOR PUBLIC CORRUPTION AND UN- obstacle to its government’s participation in cotics trafficking, pursuant to the Foreign DERMINING DEMOCRATIC GOVERN- ANCE IN VENEZUELA. sessions of the General Assembly . . . and Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act (21 U.S.C. (a) FINDING.—Executive Order 13692 (50 other bodies of the Organization.’’. 1901 et seq.; title VIII of Public Law 106–120). U.S.C. 1701 note), which was signed on March (3) Article 20 of the Inter-American Demo- (6) The Department of the Treasury’s Of- cratic Charter provides— 8, 2015, established sanctions against individ- fice of Foreign Assets Control has designated (A) ‘‘In the event of an unconstitutional al- uals responsible for undermining democratic additional individuals and senior Venezuelan teration of the constitutional regime that processes and institutions and involved in officials for their involvement in illicit nar- seriously impairs the democratic order in a acts of public corruption that were not in- cotics trafficking, pursuant to such Act, in- member state, any member state or the Sec- cluded in the Venezuela Defense of Human cluding— retary General may request the immediate Rights and Civil Society Act of 2014 (Public (A) Venezuelan national Samark Jose convocation of the Permanent Council to un- Law 113–278). dertake a collective assessment of the situa- Lopez Bello, who is the primary front man (b) SANCTIONS.—Section 5 of the Venezuela tion and to take such decisions as it deems and money launderer for Tareck Zaidan El Defense of Human Rights and Civil Society appropriate.’’; and Aissami Maddah; Act of 2014 (Public Law 113–278) is amended— (B) ‘‘The Permanent Council, depending on (B) Hugo Armando Carvajal Barrios, who is (1) in subsection (a)— the situation, may undertake the necessary the current National Assembly Deputy and (A) in paragraph (2), by striking ‘‘or’’ at diplomatic initiatives, including good of- the former Director of Venezuela’s Military the end; fices, to foster the restoration of democ- Intelligence Directorate; (B) by redesignating paragraph (3) as para- racy.’’. (C) Henry de Jesus Rangel Silva, who is the graph (5); (b) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of current Governor of Trujillo State and the (C) by inserting after paragraph (2) the fol- Congress that— former Director of Venezuela’s Directorate lowing: (1) Nicola´ s Maduro, the National Electoral of Intelligence and Prevention Services; ‘‘(3) is responsible for, or complicit in, or- Council of Venezuela, and the Supreme Tri- (D) Ramon Emilio Rodriguez Chacin, who dering, controlling, or otherwise directing, bunal of Justice of Venezuela have carried previously served as the Minister of Interior; significant actions or policies that under- out systematic efforts to undermine, block, and mine democratic processes or institutions; and circumvent the authorities and respon- (E) Freddy Alirio Bernal Rosales, who pre- ‘‘(4) is a government official, or a senior as- sibilities of the Venezuelan National Assem- viously served as the Mayor of the sociate of such an official, that is responsible bly as mandated in the Constitution of the Libertador municipality of Caracas. for, or complicit in, ordering, controlling, or Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela; (7) On September 12, 2017, Ambassador Wil- otherwise directing, acts of significant cor- (2) such efforts by Nicola´ s Maduro and the liam Brownfield testified before the Senate ruption, including the expropriation of pri- Supreme Tribunal of Justice of Venezuela Caucus on International Narcotics Control vate or public assets for personal gain, cor- amount to an unconstitutional alternation that drug trafficking organizations in Ven- ruption related to government contracts or of the constitutional regime that seriously ezuela have ‘‘completely penetrated vir- the extraction of natural resources, bribery, impairs the democratic order in Venezuela; tually every security, law enforcement, and or the facilitation or transfer of the proceeds and justice-related institution’’ and that ‘‘there of corruption to foreign jurisdictions; or’’; (3) the Secretary of State, working will be no long-term, democratic, prosperous and through the United States Permanent Mis- and secure solution in Venezuela until there (D) in paragraph (5) (as redesignated), by sion to the Organization of American States, is a solution to the drug trafficking organi- striking ‘‘paragraph (1) or (2)’’ and inserting should take additional steps to support ongo- zation presence’’. ‘‘paragraph (1), (2), (3), or (4)’’; and (2) in subsection (e), by striking ‘‘Decem- ing efforts by the Secretary General of the (b) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: ber 31, 2019’’ and inserting ‘‘December 31, Organization of American States— (1) CORRUPTION.—The term ‘‘corruption’’ (A) to invoke the Inter-American Demo- means the extent to which public power is 2022’’. (c) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of cratic Charter; exercised for private gain, including by brib- Congress that the President and Secretary of (B) to advance a collective assessment of ery, nepotism, fraud, or embezzlement. State should seek to encourage partner the situation in Venezuela; and (2) GRAND CORRUPTION.—The term ‘‘grand countries of the Organization of American (C) to promote diplomatic initiatives to corruption’’ means corruption committed at States, the European Union, and the United foster the restoration of Venezuelan democ- a high level of government that— Nations to impose sanctions with respect to racy. (A) distorts policies or the central func- Venezuelan individuals that are similar to SEC. 8. CONCERNS AND REPORT ON THE IN- tioning of the country; and sanctions imposed by the United States with VOLVEMENT OF VENEZUELAN OFFI- (B) enables leaders to benefit at the ex- respect to such Venezuelan individuals. CIALS IN CORRUPTION AND ILLICIT pense of the public good. NARCOTICS TRAFFICKING. SEC. 10. CONCERNS OVER PDVSA TRANSACTIONS (a) FINDINGS.—Congress makes the fol- (c) REPORTING REQUIREMENT.— WITH ROSNEFT. lowing findings: (1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days (a) FINDINGS.—Congress makes the fol- (1) The deterioration of governance in Ven- after the date of the enactment of this Act, lowing findings: ezuela has been exacerbated by the involve- the Secretary of State, acting through the (1) In late 2016, Venezuelan state-owned oil ment of senior officials of the Government of Bureau of Intelligence and Research, and in company Petro´ leos de Venezuela, S.A. (re- Venezuela, including members of the Na- consultation with the intelligence commu- ferred to in this section as ‘‘PDVSA’’), tional Electoral Council, the judicial system, nity (as defined in section 3(4) of the Na- through a no-compete transaction, secured a and the Venezuelan security forces, in acts tional Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. loan from Russian government-controlled oil of corruption and illicit narcotics trafficking 3003(4))), shall submit a report to Congress company Rosneft, using 49.9 percent of and related money laundering. that describes the involvement of senior offi- PDVSA’s American subsidiary, CITGO Pe- (2) In March 2015, the Department of the cials of the Government of Venezuela, in- troleum Corporation, including its assets in Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement cluding members of the National Electoral the United States, as collateral. As a result Network determined that approximately Council, the judicial system, and the Ven- of this transaction, 100 percent of CITGO is $2,000,000,000 had been siphoned from Ven- ezuelan security forces, in acts of corruption held as collateral by PDVSA’s creditors. ezuela’s public oil company, Petro´ leos de in Venezuela, with a specific emphasis on (2) CITGO, a wholly owned subsidiary of Venezuela S.A., in conjunction with its des- acts of grand corruption. PDVSA, is engaged in interstate commerce ignation of the Banca Privada d’Andorra as a (2) ADDITIONAL ELEMENTS.—The report sub- and owns and controls critical energy infra- Foreign Financial Institution of Primary mitted under paragraph (1) shall— structure in 19 States in the United States, Money Laundering Concern. (A) describe how the acts of corruption de- including an extensive network of pipelines, (3) On August 1, 2016, General Nestor scribed in the report pose direct challenges 48 terminals, and 3 refineries, with a com- Reverol, Venezuela’s current Minister of In- for United States national security and bined oil refining capacity of 749,000 barrels terior and former National Guard com- international security; per day. CITGO’s refinery in Lake Charles,

VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:48 Dec 06, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00033 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A05DE7.030 H05DEPT1 SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with HOUSE H9656 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE December 5, 2017 Louisiana is the sixth largest refinery in the to revise and extend their remarks and priately consulted and involved as this bill United States. to include any extraneous material. or similar legislation moves forward so that (3) The Department of the Treasury im- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there we may address any remaining issues in our posed sanctions on Rosneft, which is con- objection to the request of the gen- jurisdiction. Our committee also reserves trolled by the Russian Government, and its the right to seek appointment of an appro- Executive Chairman, Igor Sechin, following tleman from California? priate number of conferees to any House- Russia’s military invasion of Ukraine and its There was no objection. Senate conference involving this or similar illegal annexation of Crimea in 2014. Mr. ROYCE of California. Mr. Speak- legislation and asks that you support any (4) The Department of Homeland Security er, I yield myself such time as I may such request. has designated the energy sector as critical consume. I would appreciate a response to this letter to United States infrastructure. Mr. Speaker, this bill represents confirming this understanding with respect (5) The growing economic crisis in Ven- broad bipartisan concern here in the to H.R. 2658 and would ask that a copy of our ezuela raises the probability that the Gov- House for the worsening humanitarian exchange of letters on this matter be in- cluded in the Congressional Record during ernment of Venezuela and PDVSA will de- crisis in Venezuela. It calls on the Sec- fault on their international debt obligations, floor consideration of the bill. resulting in a scenario in which Rosneft retary of State and the USAID Admin- Sincerely, could come into control of CITGO’s United istrator to develop a humanitarian as- BOB GOODLATTE, States energy infrastructure holdings. sistance strategy to help the people of Chairman. (b) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Venezuela. Congress that— As the authoritarian Venezuelan HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, (1) control of critical United States energy Government digs in its heels and con- COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS, infrastructure by Rosneft, a Russian govern- solidates its power, the people of that Washington, DC, December 4, 2017. Hon. BOB GOODLATTE, ment-controlled entity currently under once wealthy nation, last year, experi- United States sanctions, would pose a sig- Chairman, Committee on the Judiciary, nificant risk to United States national secu- enced a 65 percent increase in maternal Washington, DC. rity and energy security; mortality, a 30 percent increase in in- DEAR CHAIRMAN GOODLATTE: Thank you for (2) the President should take all necessary fant mortality, and a 76 percent in- consulting with the Foreign Affairs Com- steps to prevent Rosneft from gaining con- crease in malaria cases. mittee and agreeing to be discharged from trol of critical United States interstate en- Severe shortages of basic medicine further consideration of H.R. 2658, the Ven- ergy infrastructure; persists. They have right now about 5 ezuela Humanitarian Assistance and Defense (3) a default by PDVSA on its loan from of Democratic Governance Act of 2017, so percent of the basic medicines that that the bill may proceed expeditiously to Rosneft, resulting in Rosneft coming into they used to have. A 2016 report shows possession of PDVSA’s United States CITGO the House floor. assets, would warrant careful consideration that three out of every four Ven- I agree that your forgoing further action by the Committee on Foreign Investment in ezuelans had lost an average of 19 on this measure does not in any way dimin- the United States; pounds due to lack of proper nutrition ish or alter the jurisdiction of your com- (4) if PDVSA defaults on its debt obliga- and due to lack of food. mittee, or prejudice its jurisdictional prerog- tions, the Department of the Treasury’s Of- Despite all of this, President Maduro atives on this bill or similar legislation in fice of Foreign Asset Control should review continues to deny the existence of a the future. I would support your effort to CITGO’s transactions with United States seek appointment of an appropriate number full-fledged humanitarian crisis while of conferees from your committee to any persons to assess and ensure compliance with blaming any hardships on his opposi- United States sanctions policies and regula- House-Senate conference on this legislation. tions; and tion or the international community I will seek to place our letters on H.R. 2658 (5) the Department of Homeland Security that seeks only to support the people into the Congressional Record during floor should conduct an assessment of the security of Venezuela in their pursuit of democ- consideration of the bill. I appreciate your risks posed by foreign control of CITGO’s racy and basic human rights. cooperation regarding this legislation and United States energy infrastructure holdings I applaud the administration for look forward to continuing to work together as this measure moves through the legisla- and keep the relevant committees of Con- sanctioning those in the Maduro re- gress fully informed of its findings and any tive process. gime complicit—complicit—in the Sincerely, subsequent strategy to address rampant corruption and anti-demo- vulnerabilities to United States energy secu- EDWARD R. ROYCE, rity as a result. cratic measures that have stifled the Chairman. SEC. 11. REPORT ON ACTIVITIES OF CERTAIN will of the people there. But we must Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield my- GOVERNMENTS IN VENEZUELA. address the specter of the complete col- self such time as I may consume, and I (a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days lapse of the Venezuelan economy and rise in support of this measure. after the date of the enactment of this Act, the resulting humanitarian crisis. Mr. Speaker, I authored this bill, the the Secretary of State, acting through the I encourage my colleagues to support Venezuela Humanitarian Assistance Bureau of Intelligence and Research of the this measure by Mr. DESANTIS, which and Defense of Democratic Governance Department of State and in consultation will require a strategy to address the with the intelligence community, shall sub- Act, in the House with our chair emer- mit to Congress a report that describes the crisis while signaling bipartisan sup- itus of the Foreign Affairs Committee, full extent of cooperation by the Govern- port for the democratic and human ILEANA ROS-LEHTINEN. I want to say ments of the Russian Federation, the Peo- rights aspirations of the people of Ven- that there is no Member of this body ple’s Republic of China, Cuba, and Iran with ezuela. who has done more to champion de- the Government of Venezuela and the Ven- Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of mocracy and human rights in Ven- ezuelan armed forces. my time. ezuela than the gentlewoman from (b) FORM.—The report under subsection (a) CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES, Florida (Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN). shall be submitted in unclassified form, but Washington, DC, December 5, 2017. may include a classified annex. The unclassi- I also want to thank her longtime Hon. EDWARD R. ROYCE, fied portion of the report shall be made staff director, Eddy Acevedo, who is in Chairman, Committee on Foreign Affairs, available to the public. his last week on Capitol Hill. Eddy has Washington, DC. (c) DEFINITION.—In this section, the term been such a positive force on Venezuela ‘‘intelligence community’’ has the meaning DEAR CHAIRMAN ROYCE: I write with re- spect to H.R. 2658, the ‘‘Venezuela Humani- and the entire Latin American region given such term in section 3(4) of the Na- in support of ILEANA’s work. He has tional Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 3003(4)). tarian Assistance and Democratic Govern- ance.’’ As a result of your having consulted been a consistent collaborator with my The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- with us on provisions within H.R. 2658 that staff, and his work here will be sorely ant to the rule, the gentleman from fall within the Rule X jurisdiction of the missed. California (Mr. ROYCE) and the gen- Committee on the Judiciary, I forego any I also want to say that I appreciate tleman from New York (Mr. ENGEL) further consideration of this bill so that it Chairman ROYCE’s steadfast commit- each will control 20 minutes. may proceed expeditiously to the House floor ment to the Venezuelan people and his The Chair recognizes the gentleman for consideration. support for this legislation. The Judiciary Committee takes this action from California. I also want to thank Senator CARDIN with our mutual understanding that by fore- GENERAL LEAVE going consideration of H.R. 2658 at this time, for authorizing this measure in the Mr. ROYCE of California. Mr. Speak- we do not waive any jurisdiction over subject other body. I hope we will be able to er, I ask unanimous consent that all matter contained in this or similar legisla- work with the Senate, the other body, Members may have 5 legislative days tion and that our committee will be appro- to get this bill on the President’s desk.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:48 Dec 06, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00034 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A05DE7.030 H05DEPT1 SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with HOUSE December 5, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H9657 Mr. Speaker, with its massive energy ILEANA ROS-LEHTINEN. I also thank cause he is eating very well. The other resources, Venezuela should be one of ALBIO SIRES and RON DESANTIS, the co- day he was making a televised public the wealthiest countries in the world. sponsors of this measure. declaration. He opens up the drawer, Unfortunately, irresponsible policies Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the takes an empanada, and he is stuffing put in place by President Maduro and gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. ROS- his face. But the people are starving. his predecessor, Hugo Chavez, brought LEHTINEN), who is the chairman emer- But recognizing it would mean that the country to near economic collapse itus of the Committee on Foreign Af- Chavismo has utterly failed, so they and created a dangerous humanitarian fairs, the primary Republican cospon- refuse to recognize this. crisis. sor of this bill. So what happens? The statistics tell a tragic story. Ma- Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I The Venezuelan people suffer from ternal deaths in the country increased thank the chairman for the time, and I severe malnutrition. They are subject by 66 percent from 2015 to 2016, while thank the ranking member for those to price controls. It is unbelievable the infant deaths increased by 30 percent. very sweet words. prices of items there. If they can ever There were 240,000 confirmed malaria Mr. Speaker, I echo what Ranking get the food, if they can ever get the cases in Venezuela in 2016, which is a 76 Member ENGEL said about my trusted services they need, then the people percent increase over 2015. staff director, Eddy Acevedo. This is can’t afford them. They are subject to A survey carried out by three rep- his last week with us. He starts Mon- substandard and unhygienic condi- utable Venezuelan universities found day with the USAID. He has got the tions. This has led to a sharp rise in in- that nearly three-quarters of Ven- whole weekend to party on. He has fant mortality, and really mortality ezuelans lost an average of at least 19 been my partner in all of these battles rates across the board in Venezuela pounds in 2016 as a result of lack of in favor of freedom and democracy and have gone up. proper nutrition. against autocratic regimes, which In short, the majority of the people Despite massive shortages of food brings us to this bill before us, Mr. in Venezuela are living in misery. What and medicine, President Maduro con- Speaker. was once the breadbasket of the whole tinues to reject efforts to bring human- I rise in strong support of this bill, hemisphere, now the people don’t have itarian assistance into the country. H.R. 2658, the Venezuela Humanitarian food. They are living in misery. The Last summer, Mr. Maduro handed con- Assistance and Defense of Democratic Maduro regime is not only to blame, trol of the country’s food supply over Governance Act of 2017. I am proud to but it is ensuring that the humani- to the Venezuelan military, and while be, as the chairman said, the Repub- tarian situation gets even worse. It was many Venezuelans starve, some of the lican lead on this important legisla- Maduro who ordered the supreme court military brass are making money hand tion. to block a law from the opposition that over fist by selling the country’s scarce I have been proud to work side by would have helped facilitate humani- food supplies on the black market. side with the author of the bill, our tarian aid from NGOs and other inter- That is like letting the fox into the ranking member on the Foreign Affairs national entities. As a result, it is ever chicken coop. Committee, Mr. ELIOT ENGEL, in put- so difficult to get the supplies needed In short, President Maduro is run- ting this bill together. ELIOT has been to respond to this crisis into Venezuela ning Venezuela into the ground. It is a leading voice in this legislative body to the people who so desperately need horrific for that country’s people, and in support of freedom and democracy it. That is why, Mr. Speaker, this bill it is a concern for our own security as across the globe, as has our esteemed is so important. this country in our neighborhood be- chairman. But ELIOT has really focused b 1545 comes less and less stable. So I support in on this hemisphere, especially on targeted sanctions that hold corrupt Venezuela. I want to thank him for his It directs USAID, the institution and abusive Venezuelan officials ac- leadership on this issue. Eddy will be a partner of in just a few countable. I also want to thank his trusted ad- days, and our great Department of But that must be only a part of our viser sitting two seats away from him State to develop a plan in order to de- policy. We also must be focused on get- on all Western Hemisphere-related termine if and how the U.S. can pos- ting food and medicine to those in items. Eric Jacobstein is my buddy sibly help with some of the humani- most need in the country. This bill from Haiti. We have enjoyed as much tarian assistance through credible and calls on the USAID and the State De- as one can enjoy going to an island na- independent NGOs, or nongovern- partment to develop a strategy to pro- tion that needs so much help. The peo- mental organizations, that are oper- vide humanitarian assistance to Ven- ple of Haiti are beautiful, and it has ating in Venezuela or neighboring ezuela while at the same time instruct- been a joy to travel with Eric and with countries to ensure that this assistance ing our Ambassador of the United Na- Eddy. Throughout the years, Eric has does get to the people who desperately tions to work with partners at the U.N. worked closely with us and with our of- need it. Security Council and throughout the fice. We work in a bipartisan manner. The bill also directs our Ambassador U.N. system to multilaterally address That is the tone that our esteemed to the United Nations to use our full the country’s crisis. chairman has set for the committee. voice, full vote, and full influence of This is urgent business, Mr. Speaker. Eric and ELIOT work that way as well. the United States to place the humani- We need to put U.S. aid, the USAID, Their knowledge and expertise on this tarian and political crises in Venezuela and the United Nations on a path to- topic has been instrumental to our on the agenda at the U.N. ward providing much-needed humani- committee. Mr. Speaker, this body, alongside our tarian assistance to the Venezuelan The bill before us, Mr. Speaker, H.R. friends in New York at the U.N., has people. We want to choke off the gov- 2658, is simple, it is straightforward, worked to hold rogue regimes account- ernment. The government is a cancer and it is important. Maduro, like Cha- able for failing to allow humanitarian on the Venezuelan people, but we don’t vez before him—two thugs—has turned assistance in their countries. Whether want to hurt the Venezuelan people. Venezuela from a once vibrant and it is Syria or Yemen, this body has spo- That is what the legislation is all thriving nation into a country on the ken in a unified manner that humani- about. That is why I wrote it, that is brink of utter collapse. The results tarian assistance should not be pre- why I authored it, and that is why we have been disastrous for the people of vented from reaching the people. agree on a bipartisan basis. Venezuela. There is food shortage, The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to there is water shortage, and there is a KUSTOFF of Tennessee). The time of the join Congresswoman ROS-LEHTINEN and severe lack of medicine and medical gentlewoman has expired. myself. It is important legislation. supplies. There is a lack of goods and Mr. ROYCE of California. Mr. Speak- Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of services everywhere you turn. er, I yield the gentlewoman from Flor- my time. The people need to get proper nutri- ida an additional 1 minute. Mr. ROYCE of California. Mr. Speak- tion. They need proper care, but they Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. But on Ven- er, I want to thank Mr. ELIOT ENGEL can’t find it. It is a crisis that Maduro ezuela, Mr. Speaker, it seems as if we for authoring this bill along with and his thugs have denied exists be- hold a different standard, and that is

VerDate Sep 11 2014 01:16 Dec 06, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00035 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K05DE7.065 H05DEPT1 SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with HOUSE H9658 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE December 5, 2017 unacceptable. For too long, Venezuela for their actions with narcotrafficking, Venezuela has led to mass immigra- has been shielded from criticism and money laundering, and other illicit ac- tion. Last year, the U.S. received 18,000 action at the U.N. by its cronies, like tivities. requests from Venezuelans seeking to the equally corrupt and morally rep- There is consensus among the major- escape the brutal regime. Waves of rehensible Castro regime in Cuba. ity of the hemisphere—multilateral in- Venezuelan refugees have also fled to This is precisely the kind of situation stitutions such as the OAS, the United Chile, Argentina, Colombia, and Brazil, for which the U.N. was created to re- Nations, and the European Union—that threatening to create a regionwide mi- spond; yet, to date, the response has Maduro is destroying democracy and gration crisis. been woefully inadequate and shame- violating human rights. The regime refuses to accept humani- fully void of substance. These sanctions are not against the tarian aid from the international com- We have got to lead on this effort, Venezuelan people but are carefully munity, preferring instead to use its and this bill is what we need. There are crafted and targeted toward the indi- citizens as political pawns at the ex- millions of people suffering in Ven- viduals who are committed to destroy- pense of their health and safety. ezuela. We are in a situation to help. ing the lives of millions of innocent ci- I commend the efforts of the Trump I would point out to our chairman vilians in exchange for money and administration to take a principled and the ranking member that we had power. stand to support the Venezuelan people some excellent news in the minutes That is why I am supporting this im- and sanction the most dangerous ac- that we have been speaking. The Sen- portant and timely legislation that tors in the Venezuelan Government. ate Foreign Relations Committee ap- helps to address the humanitarian cri- Just yesterday, the regime threatened proved the nomination of our former sis unfolding in Venezuela and codifies that elections in Venezuela would only committee chief of staff, Yleem President Obama’s sanctions related to take place if these sanctions were lift- Poblete, for Assistant Secretary of corrupt officials in the country. The ed. I wholeheartedly reject this threat State for Verification and Compliance. United States needs to stand shoulder and remain committed to the sanctions It now goes to the full Senate. I know to shoulder with the Venezuelan people and to continuing to put pressure on that she will be with us on these meas- and be ready to assist them, while the Maduro regime. ures that attack atrocious regimes and holding the corrupt regime officials ac- I express my strong support for these will help alleviate the humanitarian countable. two bills. The U.S. supports a free, Once again, I thank my colleagues crisis. democratic, and independent Venezuela for all their hard work on this issue, Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 that is accountable to the people. We and I urge my colleagues to support minutes to the gentleman from New stand ready to assist the Venezuelan H.R. 2658. IRES), my good friend and Jersey (Mr. S Before I yield back, I wish Eddy good people and provide humanitarian as- a valued member of the Foreign Affairs luck. I thank him for all his hard work. sistance, and we urge more action from Committee and the ranking member of He will be missed. I hate to see that dy- our partners in the region and the the Western Hemisphere Sub- namic duo split, but I am sure it will international community to resolve committee. continue to work. the crisis in Venezuela. Mr. SIRES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today Mr. ROYCE of California. Mr. Speak- Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 in support of H.R. 2658, the Venezuela er, Mr. SIRES is not alone. minutes to the gentlewoman from Humanitarian Assistance and Defense Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the Florida (Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ), my of Democratic Governance Act. gentleman from California (Mr. COOK), good friend and a member of the Appro- I thank Ranking Member ELIOT chairman of the Foreign Affairs Sub- priations Committee. ENGEL and Chairman ROYCE for all committee on the Western Hemisphere Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Mr. their hard work and always being there and a cosponsor of this bill. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for for the people of Venezuela. Mr. COOK. Mr. Speaker, today, I rise yielding. Of course, I want to thank the dy- in strong support of Mr. DESANTIS’ res- Mr. Speaker, I, too, rise to commend namic duo of Eddy Acevedo and ILEANA olution, H. Res. 259, and Mr. ENGEL’s my sister in so many fights, Ms. ROS- ROS-LEHTINEN. Even though we are bill, H.R. 2658, which both speak to the LEHTINEN, whom we will miss. But we going miss Eddy, I am sure he will con- ongoing political economic, social, and are not letting her get away that tinue to fight in the defense of human humanitarian crisis in Venezuela under quickly, because we have about a year rights wherever he is. the dictatorship of Nicolas Maduro. together with many fights and fun to The situation in Venezuela continues Once the richest country in South engage in. to deteriorate. A country with the America, Venezuela now has a total I am here this afternoon to talk world’s largest known oil reserves is unpaid bond debt of over $1 billion and about something not very pleasant, spiraling into a collapsed state. We is in default on multiple loans. and that is the absolute necessity to have people struggling just to survive. The Maduro regime is responsible for adopt H.R. 2658, the Venezuela Humani- Journalists and citizens risk their lives widespread human rights abuses, in- tarian Assistance and Defense of Demo- every day to report what is happening cluding extrajudicial killings, mass ar- cratic Governance Act of 2017. inside Caracas and around the country. bitrary detentions, and torture of the Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN, Mr. ENGEL, and We see that tensions are growing and political opposition. They have de- Mr. SIRES have introduced this legisla- government security forces shoot first tained five Citgo executives who are tion, rightfully, because the Maduro re- and ask questions later. It is clear that dual U.S.-Venezuelan citizens, as well gime has repeatedly demonstrated that the failed Chavismo policies and the as U.S. citizen and religious missionary they have no respect for political free- authoritarian actions of Nicolas Joshua Holt, who remains unjustly im- dom, human rights, or even the basic Maduro have brought all of this pain prisoned. needs of their own citizens. The con- and suffering upon the Venezuelan peo- American adversaries are among the sequences for the Venezuelan people ple. main supporters of Venezuela. More are becoming more and more dev- Maduro and his cronies continue to than a dozen high-ranking Cuban offi- astating every day. get rich as they traffic money and cers as well as thousands of Cuban in- It is absolutely unconscionable that drugs while doing nothing to help the telligence agents are reportedly in the Maduro regime is refusing to allow millions of suffering people. Multiple Venezuela. food, medicine, and other essential sup- news reports confirm a growing health Venezuela continues to receive finan- plies to reach Venezuelans in need. crisis as people lack access to basic cial support from Russia and China. This bill would be a valuable step to medicines, and reports of infant mor- Venezuela also possesses 5,000 Russian- ensure that the Venezuelan people are tality rates and preventable diseases made, man-portable surface-to-air mis- helped, even if their government would such as malaria are on the rise. siles and is the largest operator of Rus- prefer that people die rather than re- To hold the Maduro regime account- sian arms and military hardware in ceive aid from the international com- able, both the Obama and Trump ad- Latin America. munity. ministrations have sanctioned senior The humanitarian crisis is not lim- The sanctions that have been im- officials in the Venezuelan Government ited to Venezuela alone. The crisis in posed thus far against the perpetrators

VerDate Sep 11 2014 01:16 Dec 06, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00036 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K05DE7.067 H05DEPT1 SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with HOUSE December 5, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H9659 in the Maduro regime have been steps who has done so much work with me The Clerk read the title of the resolu- in the right direction, but we must do through the years, and our chairman, tion. more. The Venezuelan Government has ED ROYCE, whom it has been a real The text of the resolution is as demonstrated time and time again that pleasure to work with. follows: they won’t do the right thing on their This is another example of important H. RES. 259 own, so we must continue to apply bipartisan legislation that comes out Whereas in Venezuela, President Nicolas stronger and stronger pressure. This of the Foreign Affairs Committee. I Maduro controls the Presidency, a majority legislation would strengthen the Presi- think that we set a dialogue and a of the municipalities, the Supreme Court, dent’s ability to tighten the screws on blueprint for people coming together the military leadership, and the leadership Maduro and his cronies. and working together. I think that is of Petro´ leos de Venezuela (PDVSA), and has In order for Venezuela to return to what the American people want to see. gutted the National Assembly of the power it peace and prosperity, its democracy Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to constitutionally holds; must be restored and strengthened. support this legislation, and I yield Whereas in late October 2016, Venezuela’s Elections under the Maduro regime back the balance of my time. state courts and National Electoral Council, have been manipulated and under- which are comprised of political allies of mined, and it is absolutely essential b 1600 President Maduro, halted efforts to hold a Mr. ROYCE of California. Mr. Speak- referendum pursuant to provisions of the that next year’s Presidential election Venezuelan constitution to recall President proceeds freely and fairly. er, I yield myself such time as I may Maduro, thereby denying the Venezuelan That is why it is so urgent that we consume. people the ability to pursue a democratic so- pass this bill into law to empower the Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleagues— lution to Venezuela’s crisis; State Department to work with our al- Mr. ENGEL, the author, and Congress- Whereas Venezuela’s National Electoral lies and partners and the Venezuelan woman ROS-LEHTINEN, the cosponsor of Council postponed elections for governors people to help them take their country this measure—for their leadership and and mayors scheduled for December 2016 and back. for bringing the bill here to the floor. has not set a date to reschedule these elec- The SPEAKER pro tempore. The The world has watched with great tions; Whereas there have been several attempts time of the gentlewoman has expired. sadness as President Maduro continues Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield the at dialogue between President Maduro and to run his country into the ground, de- the opposition over the past year, which gentlewoman from Florida an addi- nying his citizens access to basic food have all failed to yield tangible results; tional 1 minute. and denying them access to medicine. Whereas the Government of Venezuela con- Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Many His obsession with consolidating power tinues to silence its citizens through polit- Venezuelans have fled the chaos in has resulted in Venezuela’s economic ical arrests, with more than 444 political their country to freedom and safety in collapse, and it is a collapse created by prisoners currently in jail; my congressional district. The signifi- his wrongheaded populist and socialist Whereas Joshua Holt, a United States cit- cant infusion of our Venezuelan friends izen, remains imprisoned in Venezuela with mismanagement that has left his coun- no due process, and four postponed hearings and neighbors has affectionately try in dire economic straits. dubbed my hometown of Weston, Flor- to date; Even more disturbing to me is that Whereas in its 2016 report, Venezuela’s Vio- ida, as Westonzuela. Maduro’s lieutenants continue lining lence Observatory assessed a widespread use We have welcomed them to our com- their pockets while Venezuelan citi- of firearms by criminals and increased use of munity, but we are committed to join- zens go without food and medicine. violence by police and military officials, con- ing them in the fight for their country This bill reiterates this body’s support tributing to a homicide rate of 91.8 per and for their friends and family mem- for the people of Venezuela by instruct- 100,000 residents, making Venezuela one of bers who remain there in the fight. the most violent countries in the world; ing relevant U.S. agencies to develop a This legislation is an important step in Whereas police and military raids have led strategy to address their immediate that battle, and I urge all of my col- to widespread allegations of human rights humanitarian needs, while supporting leagues to join me in supporting this abuses, including extrajudicial killings, mass democracy and human rights. arbitrary detentions, torture, forced evic- important legislation. tions, and arbitrary deportations; Mr. ROYCE of California. Mr. Speak- Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time. Whereas Venezuela is immersed in a deep er, I reserve the balance of my time. economic crisis, with shortages of basic food Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield my- The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by supplies and medicines, and inflation esti- self the balance of my time. mated to top roughly 1,600 percent in 2017, In closing, I emphasize again that the gentleman from California (Mr. according to the International Monetary Venezuela is in crisis and we cannot ROYCE) that the House suspend the Fund; wait any longer to take action. By rules and pass the bill, H.R. 2658, as Whereas the Venezuelan military controls passing the Venezuela Humanitarian amended. the production and distribution of basic food Assistance and Defense of Democratic The question was taken. supplies, which has enabled corruption, Governance Act, we can begin to pro- The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the fraud, and food trafficking, and exacerbated shortages throughout the country; vide the Venezuelan people with the re- opinion of the Chair, two-thirds being in the affirmative, the ayes have it. Whereas deteriorating conditions in health sources they so desperately need. care persist, with the World Health Organi- But the United States, obviously, Mr. ROYCE. Mr. Speaker, on that I zation estimating that there are shortages of cannot do this alone. Sustained leader- demand the yeas and nays. 75 percent of necessary medications and ship is needed to address the humani- The yeas and nays were ordered. medical supplies, up from 55 percent in 2014 tarian crisis in Venezuela from the The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- and 67 percent in 2015; U.N. Secretary General, members of ant to clause 8 of rule XX, further pro- Whereas a recent survey – conducted joint- the Security Council, and other inter- ceedings on this motion will be post- ly by the Central University of Venezuela, poned. the Andre´s Bello Catholic University and the national partners. Simo´ n Bolivar University – found that al- It is easy to talk about another coun- f most 75 percent of Venezuelans lost an aver- try in the abstract, but these are EXPRESSING CONCERN AND CON- age of at least 19 pounds in 2016 as a result human beings who are dying and sick. DEMNATION OVER THE POLIT- of a lack of proper nutrition amidst the They are human beings just like us, ICAL, ECONOMIC, SOCIAL, AND country’s economic crisis; and it behooves us to make sure that, Whereas the country is facing increasing HUMANITARIAN CRISIS IN VEN- while we condemn the brutality of the outbreaks of previously eradicated diseases, EZUELA regime that has a stranglehold on that such as malaria and diphtheria; country, we feel only sympathy for the Mr. ROYCE of California. Mr. Speak- Whereas the Health Ministry in Venezuela published an epidemiological bulletin in May people. That is what this bill tries to er, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 259) ex- 2017 (the first since 2015), showing a 30 per- address. cent increase in infant mortality, a 66 per- So I again urge my colleagues to sup- pressing concern and condemnation cent rise in maternal mortality, and a 76 per- port this legislation. over the political, economic, social, cent increase in malaria cases; I want to again commend my partner and humanitarian crisis in Venezuela, Whereas the deteriorating conditions in from Florida, ILEANA ROS-LEHTINEN, as amended. Venezuela have prompted tens of thousands

VerDate Sep 11 2014 01:16 Dec 06, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00037 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K05DE7.068 H05DEPT1 SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with HOUSE H9660 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE December 5, 2017 of Venezuelans to flee to countries through- Whereas peaceful protests by Venezuelan ezuela’s intent to withdraw from the OAS, out the Western Hemisphere, including citizens since March of 2017 have been met and continue calls for the Government of Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Panama, with violence from Venezuelan authorities Venezuela to hold free and fair elections and Peru´ , and the United States, which threatens that has caused 100 deaths; release all political prisoners in a timely a wider refugee crisis in the region; Whereas, on May 17, 2017, the United Na- manner; Whereas there were 18,000 asylum requests tions Security Council met to discuss the hu- (3) recognizes the strong leadership of OAS from Venezuelans seeking to enter the manitarian crisis in Venezuela; Secretary General Luis Almagro in building United States in 2016, which according to Whereas, on May 18, 2017, the Department a coalition of OAS Member States in support United States Citizenship and Immigration of the Treasury announced United States of democracy and human rights for the Ven- Services was the highest number of requests sanctions against eight Venezuelan Govern- ezuelan people; and made by any nationality last year; ment officials, all members of Venezuela’s (4) encourages the President of the United Whereas the Government of Venezuela has Supreme Court, pursuant to Executive Order States to prioritize a resolution to the polit- regulated and reduced the number of local 13692, for their responsibility in issuing a ical, economic, social, and humanitarian cri- and international media outlets with oppos- number of rulings that ‘‘interfere with or sis in Venezuela and an effective response to ing views, including CNN en Espan˜ ol fol- limit the National Assembly’s authority’’ the growing regional refugee crisis that is lowing its broadcast of a report alleging that and that ‘‘limit the ability of the National emanating from Venezuela, through multi- Vice President Tareck El Aissami was di- Assembly to conduct its constitutional du- lateral cooperation with partners at the OAS rectly linked to a ring of fraudulent Ven- ties’’; and United Nations, and through targeted ezuelan passports provided to foreigners in- Whereas, on May 23, 2017, President sanctions against individuals responsible for cluding known members of the terrorist or- Maduro signed a document formally estab- the deterioration of democratic institutions ganization Hezbollah; lishing the terms for electing members of a and the rule of law in Venezuela. Whereas, on February 13, 2017, the Depart- Constituent Assembly, presenting the pro- ment of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign As- posed body as a way to rewrite the Constitu- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- sets Control designated Venezuela’s Vice tion; ant to the rule, the gentleman from President Tareck Zaidan El Aissami Maddah Whereas, on June 2, 2017, President Maduro California (Mr. ROYCE) and the gen- as a Specially Designated Narcotics Traf- pledged to hold a referendum on the proposed tleman from New York (Mr. ENGEL) ficker pursuant to the Foreign Narcotics new constitution; each will control 20 minutes. Kingpin Designation Act for playing a sig- Whereas, on June 20, 2017, the OAS General The Chair recognizes the gentleman nificant role in international narcotics traf- Assembly meeting was held in Cancu´ n, Mex- from California. ficking, and imposed sanctions on Mr. El ico, where a resolution regarding the precar- GENERAL LEAVE Aissami and froze his assets in the United ious situation in Venezuela failed to gain the States; votes needed for passage; Mr. ROYCE of California. Mr. Speak- Whereas, on March 23, 2017, fourteen Mem- Whereas Venezuela’s Attorney General er, I ask unanimous consent all Mem- ber States of the Organization of American Luisa Ortega Diaz is being legally pursued bers may have 5 legislative days to re- States (OAS) published a joint statement for defying President Maduro, with the Su- vise and extend their remarks and in- calling for the Government of Venezuela to preme Court banning her from leaving the clude extraneous material on this hold elections, restore the constitutional country and freezing her assets; measure. powers of the National Assembly, and release Whereas, on July 8, 2017, opposition leader The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there political prisoners; Leopoldo Lo´ pez was released from prison but objection to the request of the gen- Whereas, on March 28, 2017, the OAS Per- remains under house arrest; tleman from California? manent Council agreed by a vote of 20 in Whereas, on July 16, 2017, more than seven There was no objection. C favor, 11 against, 2 abstentions, and 1 absent/ million people cast votes in a popular con- nonvoting Member States to move forward sultation to reject the Constituent Assem- Mr. ROYCE of California. Mr. Speak- in discussing the situation in Venezuela; bly; er, I yield myself such time as I may Whereas, on March 28, 2017, the Supreme Whereas, on July 19, 2017, Secretary Gen- consume. Court of Venezuela stripped opposition lead- eral of the OAS, Luis Almagro, issued a third Mr. Speaker, I want to recognize ers of the National Assembly of their par- report on the crisis in Venezuela which docu- Congressman DESANTIS for his work on liamentary immunity and began to take mented the violations of the constitution this resolution. steps to consider prosecuting them for trea- and systemic violations of human rights by The world has watched as Ven- son; the Government of Venezuela and calling for ezuela’s economy has nearly collapsed, Whereas, on March 29, 2017, the Venezuelan the immediate suspension of the Constituent bringing about a humanitarian crisis Supreme Court seized power from the demo- Assembly, the cessation of violent repres- on top of the existing political crisis cratically elected National Assembly and sion, the opening of a channel for humani- nullified the legislative branch’s ability to tarian assistance, and the release of political that we see there. Maduro’s decision to function; prisoners; sideline the democratically elected Na- Whereas, on March 31, 2017, in the first Whereas, on July 20, 2017, the government- tional Assembly by forming a so-called major break of a sitting Venezuelan public controlled Venezuelan Supreme Court an- constituent assembly made up of his official, Venezuelan Attorney General Luisa nulled the process of the appointment of lieutenants has cemented Venezuela as Ortega Dı´az affirmed the Supreme Court’s judges by the opposition-controlled National a full-fledged dictatorship. actions ‘‘had broken constitutional order’’; Assembly; The administration made clear Whereas, on March 31, 2017, Venezuelan Whereas, on July 30, 2017, the Government through a combination of sanctions citizens took to the streets protesting the of Venezuela convened the Constitutent As- and regional engagement that Supreme Court’s breach of power; sembly, which, on August 18, 2017, assumed Maduro’s violation of Venezuela’s con- Whereas, on April 1, 2017, the Supreme lawmaking powers to supersede Venezuela’s Court reversed its earlier decisions taking legitimate National Assembly; and stitution continues to destabilize not over the National Assembly’s legislative Whereas the Constituent Assembly voted just Venezuela, but it is destabilizing powers and stripping the legislators of their to remove Luisa Ortega Diaz from her posi- this entire region. And the sanctions parliamentary immunity; tion of Attorney General on August 5, 2017, also made clear that the Maduro re- Whereas, on April 26, 2017, the Government and to replace her with Tarek William Saab, gime’s corruption and involvement in of Venezuela announced its intent to with- who was sanctioned by the United States De- drug trafficking is known and will not draw from the OAS; partment of the Treasury on July 26, 2017, be tolerated. Whereas on May 1, 2017, President Maduro along with 12 other current and former sen- Venezuela’s once prosperous economy announced a national vote to create a Con- ior officials of the Government of Venezuela: is isolated and is suffering record-high stituent Assembly to rewrite the Venezuelan Now, therefore, be it Constitution of 1999, which OAS Secretary Resolved, That the House of Representa- inflation rates. The humanitarian cri- General Luis Almagro stated (in testimony tives— sis, fueled by shortages of food and before the Committee on Foreign Relations (1) urges the Government of Venezuela to shortages of medicine, has resulted in of the Senate on July 19, 2017) was ‘‘imposed heed the calls of the international commu- the resurgence of diseases and a big in- by decree without the people and against the nity without delay to hold free, fair, and crease in infant mortality. All of this people, setting the will of the dictatorship open elections, release all political prisoners, has led to even more unrest, fueling above the popular will expressed through including United States citizens, respect the the potential of another major migra- universal and direct vote’’; constitutional rights of the National Assem- tion crisis right here in the Western Whereas, on May 2, 2017, the Department of bly, and open a channel for international hu- State stated, ‘‘We have deep concerns about manitarian assistance and medicines; Hemisphere. the motivation for this constituent assem- (2) urges Organization of American States The destabilizing effect of the bly, which overrides the will of the Ven- (OAS) Member States to continue all efforts Maduro regime must end. The resump- ezuelan people and further erodes Ven- to support the principles of the Inter-Amer- tion of talks this week between the op- ezuelan democracy’’; ican Democratic Charter, regardless of Ven- position and the Maduro regime cannot

VerDate Sep 11 2014 01:16 Dec 06, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00038 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A05DE7.034 H05DEPT1 SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with HOUSE December 5, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H9661 be just another way for the regime to 124 Venezuelans were killed and 2,000 record again underscoring our commit- buy time. The international commu- injured this year while taking part in ment to the people of Venezuela and nity, regional leaders, and this body antigovernment protests. condemning the destructive policies of must be united in our insistence that The Human Rights Watch report the Maduro regime. With this measure, Maduro take seriously the need for res- states: we are saying enough is enough. olution of this serious political and hu- In 53 cases involving at least 232 people, de- Mr. Speaker, I again thank Mr. manitarian crisis. tainees were subjected to physical and psy- DESANTIS for authoring this resolution, Passage of this measure will send a chological abuse, with the apparent purpose and I reserve the balance of my time. strong, bipartisan message that Con- of either punishing them or forcing them to Mr. ROYCE of California. Mr. Speak- incriminate themselves or others. In some of er, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman gress stands with the Venezuelan peo- these cases, the abuses suffered by the de- ple and that Congress stands in favor of tainees clearly constituted torture. These in- from Florida (Mr. DESANTIS), a mem- democracy and transparency and clude electric shocks, severe beatings, being ber of the Foreign Affairs Committee against corruption and against human hung in stress positions, sleep deprivation, and author of this measure. rights violations. asphyxiation, and sexual abuse, including, in Mr. DESANTIS. Mr. Speaker, I thank This resolution calls on regional some cases, rape. Chairman ROYCE for moving this leaders and the Organization of Amer- In an August report, the Office of the through our committee, and I am glad ican States to continue to pressure United Nations High Commissioner for that we are getting a lot of support for Maduro to release political prisoners, Human Rights expressed a similar sen- this resolution on the House floor to dissolve the unconstitutional con- timent pointing to ‘‘the existence of a today. stituent assembly, and, most impor- policy to repress political dissent and President Trump, when he spoke at tantly, to schedule fair and trans- instill fear in the population to curb the U.N. in September, said that ‘‘the parent elections now. demonstrations.’’ problem with Venezuela is not that so- Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to I think it is important to point out cialism has been poorly implemented, join me in support of this measure, and that, year after year, Democrats and but that it has been faithfully imple- I reserve the balance of my time. Republicans have come to the House mented.’’ I think the results speak for Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield my- floor to call attention to the erosion of themselves. You have a country that is self such time as I may consume. democracy in Venezuela. As my col- in chaos, that is a basket case, and you Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this leagues have said, Venezuela should be have an autocrat doing whatever he measure. the leader in South America, the most can to cling to power. Let me start by thanking the chair- prosperous country in South America, Think about what is going on in Ven- man of the Foreign Affairs Committee, with huge oil reserves. Instead, it is a ezuela: You have the country with perhaps ED ROYCE of California, for his leader- basket case because of Maduro and be- ship and for moving a second measure cause of Chavez. the largest oil reserves in the world, forward today on the crisis in Ven- For many years, it seemed that the and yet they have massive fuel short- ezuela. United States was an outlier in raising ages; You have hyperinflation that is over I also thank Mr. DESANTIS for au- our voices, while many in the hemi- thorizing this resolution, which ex- sphere remained silent. Fortunately, 2,000 percent; Diseases that we thought had been presses deep concern about the polit- that has changed. Leaders throughout eradicated, like malaria, are now com- ical, economic, social, and humani- the Americas have been increasingly ing back; tarian crisis in Venezuela. willing to stand with the people of Ven- ezuela. There are massive food shortages I again thank ILEANA ROS-LEHTINEN, such that wide swaths of the popu- the gentlewoman from Florida, who is It is hard to find a silver lining for Venezuela in such a dark time, but I do lation are losing 10 or 15 pounds a year; really our leader when it comes to And, of course, the Government of things in the Western Hemisphere. hope, from the strong resolve of our friends in Latin America and around Venezuela is very likely to have to de- Let me just say that, when the Ven- fault on their debt. ezuelan President, Nicolas Maduro, the world in rejecting Venezuela’s sham constituent assembly and calling Maduro and his socialist junta are chose to move forward with a sham dominating the country. They are op- constituent assembly election in July, out human rights abuses in the coun- try, they will realize that we care pressing a great many, many people. as far as I am concerned, he took the And, of course, he is aided in this effort final step in making his country a full- about them, that we know what is going on, and that we are not going to by his patron and adviser, Raul Castro, blown dictatorship. The majority of let their repressive government sweep and the Cuban dictatorship. We cannot Venezuelans stayed clear of polling sta- things under the rug. forget their role in this because they tions and chose not to participate in In November, the European Union are really central to a lot of what is what was yet another effort from that put in place a wide range of sanctions going on there. government to distract from the coun- on Venezuela, including an arms em- We have been speaking about some of try’s real problem, which, as we have bargo, visa bans, and asset freezes. Our the things Cuba did to our diplomats. been saying, is a humanitarian crisis friends in Canada imposed sanctions on That has not been fully resolved to my created by President Maduro and his human rights violators in the Maduro satisfaction. predecessor, Hugo Chavez, an increas- government, and, on October 26, Cana- So Cuba’s role in this is really nefar- ingly dangerous human rights climate. dian Foreign Minister Freeland hosted ious. You really have the worst ele- Just last week, the Venezuelan the Lima Group of Foreign Ministers in ments of Latin America on display in human rights group, Foro Penal, joined Toronto to seek a hemispheric solution Venezuela. Human Rights Watch in releasing a re- to the crisis in Venezuela. I think what this resolution does is it port documenting abuses in the coun- The OAS, the Organization of Amer- says that this Congress stands four- try that have taken place over the past ican States, has also played a critical square behind the people of Venezuela year. I would like to mention a few sta- role in increasing pressure on the and their rights and their desires to tistics from this report that shows you Maduro regime, particularly under the live in a successful, free, and demo- just how repressive the Venezuelan leadership of OAS Secretary General cratic country; and we do call on the Government has become. Luis Almagro. President to continue some of the ac- Fifty-four hundred people have been But we cannot rely on the OAS alone. tions he has taken, some aggressive ac- detained in relation to antigovernment The United Nations, both with the Se- tions in sanctioning key individuals. protests in early April; 3,900 of them curity Council and through the Office We want the Trump administration to are still subject to arbitrary criminal of the Secretary-General, must do clearly be on the side of the people of prosecutions and measures that limit much more to bring attention to Ven- Venezuela and to make clear that their freedoms. And 757 civilians were ezuela on the world stage and hold its Maduro’s failed socialist regime simply prosecuted by military courts in viola- leaders accountable. cannot continue in this way. tion of both Venezuelan and inter- And today, the House of Representa- So, please, pass the resolution. What national law. Even more alarmingly, tives, here in Washington, goes on we have done today is just one step,

VerDate Sep 11 2014 01:16 Dec 06, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00039 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K05DE7.072 H05DEPT1 SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with HOUSE H9662 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE December 5, 2017 but I hope the U.S. can do more to aid granted that we live in this great coun- There are many more people, thugs the people of Venezuela. They are try where we can express our thoughts and cronies of Maduro, who are enrich- fighting against some tall odds and a in this wonderful republic, but in so ing themselves with the suffering of lot of power coming down on them, but many places in our very own hemi- the Venezuelan people. They want to we have got to do something. sphere, Mr. Speaker, they don’t have come to the U.S. We should not extend Mr. Speaker, I urge everyone to sup- that luxury. that courtesy to them. There are con- port this resolution. Venezuelans have been deprived of sequences to these acts. We will con- Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield my- these key values of justice, freedom, tinue to pressure the Maduro regime self such time as I may consume. and democracy for far too long, first at until democratic order is restored in Mr. Speaker, in closing, let me say the grip of Hugo Chavez, a failed social- Venezuela and this grave humanitarian that we have spent a lot of time talk- ist leader, and now with his handpicked crisis is resolved once and for all. ing about Venezuela on the House floor successor, another failure of a man and Mr. Speaker, I thank Mr. ROYCE for today. I think that is a good thing. I a leader, Nicolas Maduro. the time. I thank Mr. ENGEL; my think it is good that people know what The Maduro regime has hijacked all friend, Mr. Acevedo; and Eric is happening in Venezuela, and I think democratic institutions in Venezuela. Jacobstein on the Democratic side for it is good to know that the tyrants in It has run the economy so far into the their help with this resolution. I most Venezuela know that we know what is ground that there is hardly any food or especially thank the author of this res- happening in Venezuela. medicine or even basic necessities. In- olution, our great Congressman, RON b 1615 flation is at an all-time high and peo- DESANTIS. ple cannot afford their daily life. Mr. ROYCE of California. Mr. Speak- The eyes of the world are watching The economic situation is in turmoil. er, I yield myself such time as I may Venezuela and its government. Presi- It is heading towards an even deeper consume. dent Maduro must make a real com- downward spiral because this regime of Mr. Speaker, let me again thank Con- mitment to free and fair elections and Nicolas Maduro is corrupt and is in- gressman DESANTIS, Mr. ENGEL, and release all political prisoners. competent and they only care about Congresswoman ROS-LEHTINEN for their In particular, I would like to note the filling their own coffers and staying in work on this resolution. detention of American citizen Joshua power, no matter what. All the while, I think it is a heartbreaking situa- Holt and to urge his immediate release the people of Venezuela continue to tion what is going on in Venezuela on humanitarian grounds. suffer. today. It is rather astounding that I think it is important for us to raise But this does not seem to trouble Venezuela sits on the world’s largest these issues on the House floor, so I Maduro. It does not seem to trouble his proven oil reserves, yet here we have a urge my colleagues to support House cronies. They are enriching themselves situation where its citizens lack medi- Resolution 259. on the suffering of the people of Ven- cine and food at this time. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance ezuela. From this illicit activity, like I think the recent report that 20 per- of my time. drug trafficking and corruption, they cent of the country’s medical profes- Mr. ROYCE of California. Mr. Speak- are filling their coffers. sionals have fled Venezuela amid the er, I yield 4 minutes to the gentle- The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Maduro regime’s self-inflicted polit- woman from Florida (Ms. ROS- LEWIS of Minnesota). The time of the ical, economic, and humanitarian cri- LEHTINEN), the chairman emeritus of gentlewoman has expired. sis is indicative of the problem. Infla- the Committee on Foreign Affairs and Mr. ROYCE of California. Mr. Speak- tion right now is reaching 720 percent. one of this body’s preeminent experts er, I yield an additional 2 minutes to Support of this resolution will send a on the Western Hemisphere. the gentlewoman from Florida. strong unified message that Congress Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I stands with the Venezuelan people, thank our wonderful chairman for thank the gentleman for yielding. that we call on regional leaders and the yielding me time. I also thank our Mr. Speaker, they are even using this entire international community to ranking member, ELIOT ENGEL for his humanitarian crisis that they have cre- hold Maduro accountable for this crisis hard work. This committee is a model ated to defraud organizations that are and to release political prisoners and, for other committees in the U.S. House looking to bring much-needed food into importantly, to hold elections imme- of Representatives. We truly work in a the country. diately. bipartisan manner and it is because of This resolution in front of us, Mr. Mr. Speaker, I therefore urge my col- the leadership of Mr. ROYCE and Mr. Speaker, is bipartisan and strong. It leagues to join me in support, and I ENGEL. They set the pace. calls on the administration to support yield back the balance of my time. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this the people of Venezuela, to continue to Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, we bill before us, H. Res. 259, by my Flor- impose targeted sanctions on those re- have before us two pieces of legislation re- ida colleague, Congressman RON sponsible for the destruction of demo- garding the ongoing humanitarian and political DESANTIS, who has been very active in cratic institutions in Venezuela. crisis that is occurring in the country of Ven- the issue of human rights in our West- This resolution also urges important ezuela, which has been reduced to poverty ern Hemisphere. His bill expresses con- bodies, like the Organization of Amer- and near starvation due to the repressive re- cern and condemnation over the dire ican States—and we will have soon a gime of Nicolas Maduro and that of his dic- political, economic, social, and human- new U.S. Ambassador to that esteemed tatorial predecessor Hugo Chavez. itarian crisis that is taking place in institution—to support the principles I would like to thank my colleague, Mr. Venezuela today. I am proud to be a co- of the Inter-American Democratic DESANTIS, for introducing H. Res. 259, of sponsor of this important resolution. I Charter. It demands a noncorrupt elec- which I am an original cosponsor, and to ap- thank him for his leadership on this toral council, as well as calling for the plaud Mr. ENGEL for highlighting the public cor- issue, on the issue of the lack of free- release of all political prisoners. ruption and threat to democracy in Venezuela dom and democracy in my native Mr. Speaker, I thank Mr. DESANTIS via his H.R. 2658, the Venezuela Humani- homeland of Cuba, and what he is help- for authoring this resolution. I urge tarian Assistance and Defense of Democratic ing the people of Nicaragua achieve in my colleagues to offer their strong sup- Governance Act. having separation of powers. port and to join us in sending a unified I also would like to single out the lead Re- Mr. Speaker, there has been a real message to Maduro that his actions publican cosponsor of that legislation, the gen- problem throughout the hemisphere, will not be allowed to continue without tlewoman from Florida and my friend and col- and by approving this important meas- a strong U.S. response. league, ILEANA ROS-LEHTINEN, for her work ure, which is bipartisan, today, this What is that response, Mr. Speaker? over the years in calling attention to the de- body will once again demonstrate that I call on the administration to use plorable human rights situation not only in we stand in solidarity with the people more targeted sanctions. We have sent Venezuela, but also in Cuba, Nicaragua, of Venezuela and their fight for justice, to the administration a very long list China and so many countries the world over. freedom, and democracy. of names. So have Senators RUBIO and As ILEANA understands so well, it is the ide- These are values that we hold so MENENDEZ. Mr. SIRES, Mr. ROYCE, and ology of the Left—be it hard core Com- dearly in our country. We take it for Mr. ENGEL have joined me. munism, or the Socialism of Hugo Chavez and

VerDate Sep 11 2014 01:16 Dec 06, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00040 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\K05DE7.073 H05DEPT1 SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with HOUSE December 5, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H9663 now that of his understudy in oppression, ADJOURNMENT Human Services, transmitting a notification Nicolas Maduro—which has brought suffering Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Mr. Speak- of a discontinuation of service in acting role to so many people. and a notification of designation of acting er, I move that the House do now ad- officer, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 3349(a); Public The people of Venezuela deserve far better. journ. Law 105-277, 151(b); (112 Stat. 2681-614); to the The SPEAKER pro tempore. The The motion was agreed to; accord- Committee on Oversight and Government question is on the motion offered by ingly (at 4 o’clock and 24 minutes Reform. the gentleman from California (Mr. p.m.), under its previous order, the 3297. A letter from the Senior Counsel for ROYCE) that the House suspend the House adjourned until tomorrow, Regulatory Affairs, Department of the rules and agree to the resolution, H. Wednesday, December 6, 2017, at 10 a.m. Treasury, transmitting the Department’s in- Res. 259, as amended. for morning-hour debate. terim rule — Department of the Treasury Acquisition Regulations; Tax Check Require- The question was taken. f The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the ments received November 28, 2017, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, opinion of the Chair, two-thirds being EXECUTIVE COMMUNICATIONS, ETC. Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on in the affirmative, the ayes have it. Ways and Means. Mr. ROYCE of California. Mr. Speak- Under clause 2 of rule XIV, executive 3298. A letter from the Chief, Publications er, on that I demand the yeas and nays. communications were taken from the and Regulations Branch, Internal Revenue The yeas and nays were ordered. Speaker’s table and referred as follows: Service, transmitting the Service’s IRB only The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- 3291. A letter from the Acting Assistant rule — Safe Harbor for Deteriorating Con- ant to clause 8 of rule XX, further pro- Secretary, Employee Benefits Security Ad- crete Foundations Caused by the Mineral ceedings on this motion will be post- ministration, Department of Labor, trans- Pyrrhotite (Rev. Proc. 2017-60) received De- mitting the Department’s final rule — cember 1, 2017, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. poned. Claims Procedure for Plans Providing Dis- 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 f ability Benefits; 90-Day Delay of Applica- Stat. 868); to the Committee on Ways and bility Date (RIN: 1210-AB39) received Novem- Means. REPORT ON RESOLUTION PRO- ber 29, 2017, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); 3299. A letter from the Chief, Publications VIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to and Regulations Branch, Internal Revenue H.R. 38, CONCEALED CARRY RECI- the Committee on Education and the Work- Service, transmitting the Service’s IRB only PROCITY ACT OF 2017 force. rule — 2018 Cost-of-Living Adjustments to 3292. A letter from the Acting Assistant the Internal Revenue Code Tax Tables and Mr. COLLINS of Georgia, from the Secretary, Employee Benefits Security Ad- Other Items (Rev. Proc. 2017-58) received De- Committee on Rules, submitted a priv- ministration, Department of Labor, trans- cember 1, 2017, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. ileged report (Rept. No. 115–440) on the mitting the Department’s Major final rule — 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 resolution (H. Res. 645) providing for 18-Month Extension of Transition Period and Stat. 868); to the Committee on Ways and consideration of the bill (H.R. 38) to Delay of Applicability Dates; Best Interest Means. Contract Exemption (PTE 2016-01); Class Ex- 3300. A letter from the Chief, Trade and amend title 18, United States Code, to emption for Principal Transactions in Cer- provide a means by which nonresidents Commercial Regulations Branch, U.S. Cus- tain Assets Between Investment Advice Fi- toms and Border Protection, Department of of a State whose residents may carry duciaries and Employee Benefit Plans and Homeland Security, transmitting the De- concealed firearms may also do so in IRAs (PTE 2016-02); Prohibited Transaction partment’s final rule — Emergency Import the State, which was referred to the Exemption 84-24 for Certain Transactions In- Restrictions Imposed on Archaeological and House Calendar and ordered to be volving Insurance Agents and Brokers, Pen- Ethnological Materials from Libya [CBP printed. sion Consultants, Insurance Companies, and Dec. 17-19] (RIN: 1515-AE34) received Decem- Investment Company Principal Underwriters ber 1, 2017, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); f (PTE 84-24) [Application Number: D-11712; D- Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to 11713; D-11850] (ZRIN: 1210-ZA27) received No- the Committee on Ways and Means. LEAVE OF ABSENCE vember 29, 2017, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. By unanimous consent, leave of ab- 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 f sence was granted to: Stat. 868); to the Committee on Education REPORTS OF COMMITTEES ON and the Workforce. Mr. GRIFFITH (at the request of Mr. 3293. A letter from the Deputy Assistant PUBLIC BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS MCCARTHY) for today on account of Secretary for Employment and Training, Under clause 2 of rule XIII, reports of family considerations. Employment and Training Administration, committees were delivered to the Clerk f Department of Labor, transmitting the De- for printing and reference to the proper partment’s interim final rule — Senior Com- calendar, as follows: SENATE ENROLLED BILL SIGNED munity Service Employment Program; Per- formance Accountability [Docket No.: ETA- Mr. BISHOP of Utah: Committee on Nat- The Speaker announced his signature 2017-0005] (RIN: 1205-AB79) received December ural Resources. H.R. 2897. A bill to authorize to an enrolled bill of the Senate of the 1, 2017, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Pub- the Mayor of the District of Columbia and following title: lic Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the the Director of the National Park Service to S. 371. An act to make technical changes Committee on Education and the Workforce. enter into cooperative management agree- and other improvements to the Department 3294. A letter from the Acting Assistant ments for the operation, maintenance, and of State Authorities Act, Fiscal Year 2017. Administrator, Diversion Control Division, management of units of the National Park DEA, Department of Justice, transmitting System in the District of Columbia, and for f the Department’s final rule — Schedules of other purposes (Rept. 115–436, Pt. 2). Referred to the Committee of the Whole House on the BILLS PRESENTED TO THE Controlled Substances: Placement of FDA- Approved Products of Oral Solutions Con- state of the Union. PRESIDENT taining Dronabinol [(—)-delta-9-trans- Mr. GOODLATTE: Committee on the Judi- Karen L. Haas, Clerk of the House, tetrahydrocannabinol (delta-9-THC)] in ciary. H.R. 4477. A bill to enforce current law reported that on November 30, 2017, she Schedule II [Docket No.: DEA-344] received regarding the National Instant Criminal presented to the President of the December 1, 2017, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. Background Check System; with an amend- ment (Rept. 115–437). Referred to the Com- United States, for his approval, the fol- 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on Energy and mittee of the Whole House on the state of lowing bills: Commerce. the Union. H.R. 2810. To authorize appropriations for 3295. A letter from the Chief, International Mr. BISHOP of Utah: Committee on Nat- fiscal year 2018 for military activities of the Bureau, Federal Communications Commis- ural Resources. H.R. 3979. A bill to amend Department of Defense, for military con- sion, transmitting the Commission’s final the Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956 to reauthor- struction, and for defense activities of the rule — Section 43.62 Reporting Requirements ize the volunteer services, community part- Department of Energy, to prescribe military for U.S. Providers of International Services nership, and refuge education programs of personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and [IB Docket No.: 17-55] 2016 Biennial Review of the National Wildlife Refuge System, and for for other purposes. Telecommunications Regulations [IB Docket other purposes; with an amendment (Rept. H.R. 4374. To amend the Federal Food, No.: 16-131] received November 29, 2017, pur- 115–438). Referred to the Committee of the Drug, and Cosmetic Act to authorize addi- suant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104- Whole House on the state of the Union. tional emergency uses for medical products 121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee Mr. GOWDY: Committee on Oversight and to reduce deaths and severity of injuries on Energy and Commerce. Government Reform. H.R. 1132. A bill to caused by agents of war, and for other pur- 3296. A letter from the Executive Analyst amend title 5, United States Code, to provide poses. (Political), Department of Health and for a 2-year prohibition on employment in a

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:11 Dec 06, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00041 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A05DE7.033 H05DEPT1 SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with HOUSE H9664 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE December 5, 2017 career civil service position for any former By Mr. CASTRO of Texas (for himself program, and for other purposes; to the Com- political appointee, and for other purposes; and Mr. CARSON of Indiana): mittee on Financial Services. with an amendment (Rept. 115–439). Referred H.R. 4551. A bill to amend the Foreign f to the Committee of the Whole House on the Agents Registration Act of 1938 to prohibit state of the Union. any individual who served as the head of any CONSTITUTIONAL AUTHORITY Mr. COLLINS of Georgia: Committee on element of the intelligence community from STATEMENT acting as the agent of a foreign principal, Rules. House Resolution 645. Resolution pro- Pursuant to clause 7 of rule XII of viding for consideration of the bill (H.R. 38) and for other purposes; to the Committee on to amend title 18, United States Code, to pro- the Judiciary, and in addition to the Com- the Rules of the House of Representa- vide a means by which nonresidents of a mittee on Intelligence (Permanent Select), tives, the following statements are sub- State whose residents may carry concealed for a period to be subsequently determined mitted regarding the specific powers firearms may also do so in the State (Rept. by the Speaker, in each case for consider- granted to Congress in the Constitu- 115–440). Referred to the House Calendar. ation of such provisions as fall within the ju- tion to enact the accompanying bill or risdiction of the committee concerned. joint resolution. f By Mr. GALLAGHER (for himself, Mr. By Mr. ROYCE of California: KIND, Mr. DUFFY, Mr. POCAN, Mr. PUBLIC BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS H.R. 4546. SENSENBRENNER, Mr. GROTHMAN, Ms. Congress has the power to enact this legis- Under clause 2 of rule XII, public MOORE, Mr. THOMAS J. ROONEY of lation pursuant to the following: bills and resolutions of the following Florida, and Mr. ROSS): titles were introduced and severally re- H.R. 4552. A bill to amend title XVIII of the This bill is enacted pursuant to the power granted to Congress under Article I, Section ferred, as follows: Social Security Act to establish rules for payment for graduate medical education 8, Clause 3 of the United States Constitution. By Mr. ROYCE of California (for him- (GME) costs for hospitals that establish a By Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas: self and Mr. HULTGREN): new medical residency training program H.R. 4547. H.R. 4546. A bill to amend the Securities after hosting resident rotators for short du- Congress has the power to enact this legis- Act of 1933 to specify when a nationally trad- rations; to the Committee on Ways and lation pursuant to the following: ed security is exempt from State regulation Means, and in addition to the Committee on Clause 1 of section 8 of article I of the Con- of security offerings; to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be stitution, to ‘‘provide for the common de- Financial Services. subsequently determined by the Speaker, in fense and general welfare of the United By Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas (for each case for consideration of such provi- States.’’ himself and Mr. LARSON of Con- sions as fall within the jurisdiction of the By Mr. SCOTT of Virginia: necticut): committee concerned. H.R. 4548. H.R. 4547. A bill to amend titles II, VIII, By Mr. GARRETT (for himself, Mr. Congress has the power to enact this legis- and XVI of the Social Security Act to im- lation pursuant to the following: MCCAUL, Mr. KATKO, Mr. RUTHER- prove and strengthen the representative pay- Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution of FORD, Mr. GALLAGHER, Mr. ment program; to the Committee on Ways the United States. FITZPATRICK, and Mr. HIGGINS of Lou- and Means. isiana): By Mr. POE of Texas: By Mr. SCOTT of Virginia (for himself, H.R. 4553. A bill to require a review of the H.R. 4549. Mr. SABLAN, Mr. TAKANO, Mr. authorization, funding, management, and op- Congress has the power to enact this legis- DESAULNIER, Mr. NORCROSS, Ms. eration of the National Targeting Center and lation pursuant to the following: DELAURO, Ms. KAPTUR, Ms. SCHA- the Terrorist Screening Center, and for other Article 1, Section 8, Clause 18. KOWSKY, Mr. BRENDAN F. BOYLE of purposes; to the Committee on the Judici- By Mr. GONZALEZ of Texas: Pennsylvania, Mr. NADLER, Mrs. ary, and in addition to the Committees on H.R. 4550. NAPOLITANO, Mr. POCAN, Ms. CLARK of Ways and Means, and Homeland Security, for Congress has the power to enact this legis- Massachusetts, Mr. RYAN of Ohio, Mr. a period to be subsequently determined by lation pursuant to the following: ESPAILLAT, Mr. CUMMINGS, Ms. the Speaker, in each case for consideration Article I, Section 8 of the United States BONAMICI, Mr. DEFAZIO, Mr. BRADY of of such provisions as fall within the jurisdic- Constitution, which gives Congress the Pennsylvania, Mr. PALLONE, Mr. LAN- tion of the committee concerned. power to regulate commerce among the sev- GEVIN, Mr. SERRANO, Ms. WILSON of eral states and to make all laws which shall By Mr. ROSKAM (for himself, Mr. BLU- Florida, Ms. SA´ NCHEZ, Ms. ADAMS, be necessary and proper for carrying into MENAUER, Mr. SHIMKUS, Mrs. DIN- Mr. HUFFMAN, Mr. RASKIN, Ms. execution this power. GELL, Mr. MEEHAN, Mr. BRENDAN F. HANABUSA, Mr. ELLISON, Mr. By Mr. CASTRO of Texas: BOYLE of Pennsylvania, Mr. COS- GUTIE´ RREZ, Ms. NORTON, Mr. KHANNA, H.R. 4551. TELLO of Pennsylvania, Mr. CON- and Ms. SHEA-PORTER): Congress has the power to enact this legis- NOLLY, Mr. BUCHANAN, and Mr. DANNY H.R. 4548. A bill to amend the National lation pursuant to the following: K. DAVIS of Illinois): Labor Relations Act to strengthen protec- H.R. 4554. A bill to establish a smart card Constitutional Authority—Necessary and tions for employees to exercise their rights pilot program to combat fraud, waste, and Proper Clause (Art. I, Sec. 8, Clause 18) to organize and collectively bargain for im- abuse and to protect beneficiary identity THE U.S. CONSTITUTION proved wages, hours, or other terms and con- under the Medicare program; to the Com- ARTICLE I, SECTION 8: POWERS OF ditions of employment, to sanction viola- mittee on Ways and Means, and in addition CONGRESS tions of such rights and assure meaningful to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, CLAUSE 18 remedies, to establish a process by which for a period to be subsequently determined The Congress shall have power . . . To employers and employees conclude initial by the Speaker, in each case for consider- make all laws which shall be necessary and collective bargaining agreements, and for ation of such provisions as fall within the ju- proper for carrying into execution the fore- other purposes; to the Committee on Edu- risdiction of the committee concerned. going powers, and all other powers vested by cation and the Workforce. By Mr. RUTHERFORD (for himself, this Constitution in the government of the By Mr. POE of Texas (for himself and Mr. HIGGINS of Louisiana, Mr. GALLA- United States, or in any department or offi- Mr. KEATING): GHER, Mr. FITZPATRICK, Mr. GARRETT, cer thereof. H.R. 4549. A bill to require annual reports Mr. MCCAUL, and Mr. KATKO): By Mr. GALLAGHER: on religious intolerance in Saudi Arabian H.R. 4555. A bill to authorize the participa- H.R. 4552. educational materials, and for other pur- tion in overseas interagency counterter- Congress has the power to enact this legis- poses; to the Committee on Foreign Affairs. rorism task forces of personnel of the De- lation pursuant to the following: By Mr. GONZALEZ of Texas (for him- partment of Homeland Security, and for Article I of the Constitution grants Con- self and Mr. MOONEY of West Vir- other purposes; to the Committee on Home- gress the authority to regulate interstate ginia): land Security. commerce. H.R. 4550. A bill to amend the Fair Debt By Ms. SHEA-PORTER: By Mr. GARRETT: Collection Practices Act to exclude law H.R. 4556. A bill to amend title 38, United H.R. 4553. firms and licensed attorneys who are en- States Code, to require the Secretary of Vet- Congress has the power to enact this legis- gaged in activities related to legal pro- erans Affairs to furnish dental care in the lation pursuant to the following: ceedings from the definition of a debt col- same manner as any other medical service, Article 1, Section 8 of the United States lector, to amend the Consumer Financial and for other purposes; to the Committee on Constitution. Protection Act of 2010 to prevent the Bureau Veterans’ Affairs. By Mr. ROSKAM: of Consumer Financial Protection from exer- By Mrs. WAGNER: H.R. 4554. cising supervisory or enforcement authority H.R. 4557. A bill to authorize the Secretary Congress has the power to enact this legis- with respect to attorneys when undertaking of Housing and Urban Development to pro- lation pursuant to the following: certain actions related to legal proceedings, vide disaster assistance to States and units (a) Article I, Section 1, to exercise the leg- and for other purposes; to the Committee on of general government under a community islative powers vested in Congress as granted Financial Services. development block grant disaster recovery in the Constitution; and

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(a) Article I, Section 8, Clause 18, which H.R. 1691: Mr. CALVERT. H.R. 4256: Mr. MICHAEL F. DOYLE of Penn- gives Congress the authority ‘‘To make all H.R. 1825: Ms. ESTY of Connecticut. sylvania, Mr. HIGGINS of New York, Ms. LOF- Laws which shall be necessary and proper for H.R. 1953: Mr. LONG. GREN, Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois, Mr. HAR- carrying into Execution the foregoing Pow- H.R. 1957: Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. PER, Mr. KATKO, Mr. ENGEL, and Mr. LONG. ers, and all other Powers vested by this Con- H.R. 1972: Mr. LOBIONDO, Mr. DENHAM, Mr. H.R. 4265: Mr. VISCLOSKY. stitution in the Government of the United GIBBS, Mr. DONOVAN, Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana, H.R. 4274: Mr. ROKITA and Mr. WITTMAN. States, or in any Department or Officer Mr. VALADAO, and Mr. WALDEN. H.R. 4300: Mrs. TORRES, Ms. TITUS, Ms. thereof’’. H.R. 1987: Mr. HOYER and Mr. POCAN. SINEMA, Mr. LAMBORN, Mr. KHANNA, Mr. [Page H5524] H.R. 2023: Mr. WESTERMAN. JOHNSON of Georgia, Mr. LIPINSKI, Mr. BRADY By Mr. RUTHERFORD: H.R. 2077: Mr. FOSTER and Mr. LAHOOD. of Pennsylvania, Mr. GONZALEZ of Texas, Mr. H.R. 4555. H.R. 2106: Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia, Mr. PERLMUTTER, Ms. MCSALLY, Mr. WALBERG, Congress has the power to enact this legis- MEEHAN, Ms. HANABUSA, Mr. DELANEY, and Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas, and Mr. SERRANO. lation pursuant to the following: Mr. YODER. H.R. 4306: Ms. DELAURO. H.R. 2221: Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois. Article 1, Section 8 of the United States H.R. 4328: Ms. JENKINS of Kansas and Mr. H.R. 2285: Mr. BUCSHON. Constitution. SERRANO. H.R. 2308: Mr. WALZ. By Ms. SHEA-PORTER: H.R. 4392: Mr. WELCH, Mr. GALLEGO, Mr. H.R. 4556. H.R. 2315: Mr. MOULTON. CICILLINE, Mr. SHERMAN, Mr. POCAN, Ms. Congress has the power to enact this legis- H.R. 2319: Mr. LONG and Mr. PERRY. DEGETTE, Mr. DEFAZIO, Mrs. TORRES, Ms. lation pursuant to the following: H.R. 2345: Mr. ALLEN, Mr. MOULTON, and HANABUSA, Ms. SHEA-PORTER, Mr. HIGGINS of Article 1, Section 8. Mr. BABIN. Louisiana, Mr. YOUNG of Iowa, Ms. KUSTER of By Mrs. WAGNER: H.R. 2417: Ms. SHEA-PORTER. New Hampshire, Miss RICE of New York, Mr. H.R. 4557. H.R. 2431: Mr. MOONEY of West Virginia. CARSON of Indiana, Mr. YARMUTH, Mr. Congress has the power to enact this legis- H.R. 2472: Ms. MATSUI, Mr. CONNOLLY, and MCEACHIN, Mr. PEARCE, Ms. MENG, and Mr. lation pursuant to the following: Mr. TIPTON. SEAN PATRICK MALONEY of New York. Article I, Section 8, Clause 1 H.R. 2616: Mr. BLUMENAUER, Mr. SMITH of H.R. 4396: Mr. COHEN. Washington, Mrs. DINGELL, Mr. HECK, and f C LINTOCK Mr. KIND. H.R. 4419: Mr. M C . ADDITIONAL SPONSORS H.R. 2644: Mr. BACON and Mr. DEFAZIO. H.R. 4429: Mr. HUIZENGA and Mr. BISHOP of Michigan. Under clause 7 of rule XII, sponsors H.R. 2747: Mr. SERRANO. H.R. 2790: Mr. COURTNEY, Mr. VARGAS, and H.R. 4444: Mr. SMITH of Washington, Mr. were added to public bills and resolu- Mr. DOGGETT. DOGGETT, Mr. BLUMENAUER, Mr. PASCRELL, tions, as follows: H.R. 2796: Mr. WEBER of Texas. Ms. SA´ NCHEZ, Ms. SEWELL of Alabama, Ms. H.R. 212: Mr. MAST. H.R. 2896: Ms. LOFGREN and Ms. NORTON. JUDY CHU of California, Ms. MENG, and Mr. H.R. 233: Ms. BARRAGA´ N. H.R. 2899: Mr. CLAY, Mr. CARSON of Indiana, GONZALEZ of Texas. H.R. 466: Mr. SERRANO. Mr. HIGGINS of New York, and Ms. KAPTUR. H.R. 4445: Ms. NORTON. H.R. 502: Ms. CLARKE of New York. H.R. 2902: Mr. RUSH and Mr. DEUTCH. H.R. 4458: Mrs. HANDEL. H.R. 592: Mr. PASCRELL. H.R. 2953: Mr. HECK. H.R. 4460: Miss GONZA´ LEZ-COLO´ N of Puerto H.R. 632: Ms. ESTY of Connecticut, Mr. FOS- H.R. 3034: Mr. CRAMER and Mr. POLIQUIN. Rico. TER, Mr. BERA, Mr. KHANNA, Mr. DANNY K. H.R. 3132: Ms. JACKSON LEE. H.R. 4494: Mr. GUTHRIE, Mr. LABRADOR, Mr. DAVIS of Illinois, Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN, and Mr. H.R. 3222: Mr. LEVIN. SMITH of Missouri, Mr. JOHNSON of Ohio, Mrs. FASO. H.R. 3330: Mr. COFFMAN. MURPHY of Florida, Mr. KILMER, Mr. MEAD- H.R. 635: Mr. PASCRELL. H.R. 3350: Mr. COLLINS of New York. OWS, Mr. NEWHOUSE, Mr. BUDD, and Mr. WAL- H.R. 644: Mr. KING of Iowa. H.R. 3545: Mr. KELLY of Pennsylvania. DEN. H.R. 747: Mr. RUIZ. H.R. 3547: Mr. FARENTHOLD and Mr. FRANKS H.R. 4501: Mr. MOULTON. H.R. 754: Mr. ROTHFUS, Mr. CORREA, and of Arizona. H.R. 4505: Mr. CICILLINE and Mr. EVANS. Mr. LAMBORN. H.R. 3605: Mr. COFFMAN. H.R. 4513: Mr. EVANS and Ms. MICHELLE H.R. 807: Mr. LAHOOD. H.R. 3641: Mr. RUTHERFORD. LUJAN GRISHAM of New Mexico. ICE H.R. 848: Mr. ADERHOLT. H.R. 3671: Miss R of New York. H.R. 4521: Mr. RASKIN. H.R. 930: Mr. BUCSHON. H.R. 3730: Mrs. BLACK and Mrs. BLACKBURN. H.R. 4541: Mr. BEN RAY LUJA´ N of New Mex- H.R. 1148: Mr. GONZALEZ of Texas, Mr. H.R. 3767: Ms. CLARK of Massachusetts. ico, Ms. SCHAKOWSKY, Ms. NORTON, Ms. WALBERG, Mr. SMITH of Missouri, and Mr. H.R. 3768: Mr. YARMUTH. MICHELLE LUJAN GRISHAM of New Mexico, BYRNE. H.R. 3780: Mr. PAULSEN. Mr. VELA, Mrs. DINGELL, Ms. MATSUI, Mr. H.R. 1212: Mr. O’ROURKE. H.R. 3798: Mr. COFFMAN. ENGEL, Mr. COURTNEY, Mr. SOTO, Mr. COOPER, H.R. 1243: Mrs. TORRES. H.R. 3806: Mr. EVANS. Ms. VELA´ ZQUEZ, and Mr. BUTTERFIELD. H.R. 1251: Mr. RASKIN and Mr. WELCH. H.R. 3842: Ms. CLARK of Massachusetts, Mr. H. Con. Res. 90: Ms. BONAMICI. H.R. 1298: Ms. KUSTER of New Hampshire. ELLISON, and Ms. KELLY of Illinois. H. Con. Res. 95: Mr. COLE. H.R. 1300: Ms. JAYAPAL and Mr. POCAN. H.R. 3867: Mr. BUCSHON. H.R. 1406: Mr. POSEY, Mr. SCHRADER, Mr. H.R. 3913: Mr. SHUSTER, Mr. BUCSHON, and H. Res. 31: Mr. FARENTHOLD. ABRAHAM, and Mr. RENACCI. Mr. JOYCE of Ohio. H. Res. 87: Ms. LEE. H.R. 1456: Ms. MOORE, Mr. LAHOOD, Mr. H.R. 4207: Mr. UPTON. H. Res. 189: Mr. SHERMAN. BRAT, and Mr. PAYNE. H.R. 4222: Mr. MOULTON. H. Res. 261: Mr. BOST. H.R. 1472: Ms. FRANKEL of Florida. H.R. 4223: Mr. COHEN. H. Res. 310: Mr. RUIZ. H.R. 1478: Mr. HECK. H.R. 4238: Mr. SESSIONS. H. Res. 349: Ms. SHEA-PORTER. H.R. 1494: Mr. ABRAHAM and Mr. DOGGETT. H.R. 4239: Mr. BRAT. H. Res. 576: Mr. CUELLAR.

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Vol. 163 WASHINGTON, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2017 No. 198 Senate The Senate met at 10 a.m. and was was a deadline created by President lurching from one cloture vote to an- called to order by the President pro Trump on September 5. That was the other cloture vote, to a motion to pro- tempore (Mr. HATCH). day he announced, through the Attor- ceed to this nomination and that nomi- f ney General, that he was ending the nation. The exceptions, of course, were DACA Program. on healthcare and the Trump tax re- PRAYER The DACA Program was created by form bill, and those were done by rec- The Chaplain, Dr. Barry C. Black, of- President Obama to give young people onciliation; in other words, strictly fered the following prayer: who were brought to this country as in- partisan efforts. Let us pray. fants and toddlers and young children So we have not done much this year. Eternal God, we praise You for Your and who grew up in America and are We certainly haven’t done much since goodness; Your faithful love endures currently undocumented a chance to September 5 of this year, and now what forever. You are the protector of Your earn their way to legalization and citi- we hear from the other side of the people. zenship. That was the original Dream aisle, from the senior Senator from Today, recapture the minds of our Act. When President Obama passed his Texas is, What is the hurry? We have lawmakers and galvanize their wills. Executive order, he protected them plenty of time here. We will take care May they live blameless lives, doing from deportation until Congress re- of these young people perhaps in Janu- what is right and speaking the truth ary, perhaps in February. The deadline from sincere hearts. Lord, infuse them sponded with a law. I asked for that designation and was thankful Presi- is March 5. with the spirit of humility so that they It is pretty easy for any Member of will seek to be guided by Your wisdom. dent Obama did it. As a result of his Executive order, the U.S. Senate to say: What is the May they keep their priorities hurry, let’s go slow, until they sit down straight, remembering that You are 780,000 young people came forward, paid a filing fee of over $500, went through and talk to the young people who are the only constituent they absolutely affected. I have done that many times, must please. Help them to make it an extensive criminal background check, and were cleared to be given and I did it over this weekend. their primary goal to please You in I went to Benito Juarez High School temporary protection from deportation what they think, say, and accomplish. in the city of Chicago. A group of about and temporary opportunities to work We praise You and pray in Your Holy 20 young people came forward, all of Name. Amen. in America, renewable every 2 years. them protected by DACA. These young President Trump came into office f people started telling their stories of and ended it. He challenged Congress PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE being brought to the United States at and said: Now pass a law to take care the age of 1 or 2, watching as some of The President pro tempore led the of this issue. It is a legitimate chal- their relatives have been deported, try- Pledge of Allegiance, as follows: lenge for the President to issue. I wish ing to grow up in America, uncertain of I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the he had done it differently, but it is cer- their future—really uncertain today as United States of America, and to the Repub- tainly worthy of him to call on us to do to what they are going to be doing— lic for which it stands, one nation under God, our job. indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. and many of them are extraordinarily Well, here we are 3 months after that talented young people. It is not uncom- f challenge from President Trump and mon for them to break down in tears as RESERVATION OF LEADER TIME what has the Republican majority done they tell their story. in the Senate or the House to respond The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. One was a 24-year-old graduate of col- to that challenge? Absolutely noth- SASSE). Under the previous order, the lege who received no Federal assist- ing—nothing, not one thing—to provide leadership time is reserved. ance because she is one of the Dream- The assistant Democratic leader. these 780,000, as well as others who are ers and undocumented. She finished Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, I ask eligible for this protection, an oppor- college. She is now teaching in the Chi- unanimous consent to speak in morn- tunity under law, not one thing. cago Public School System. If she loses ing business. Is it because we have been over- DACA protection, she loses her job as a The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without whelmed with business? Well, I defy teacher. There are tens of thousands objection, it is so ordered. those who have followed the business of just like her across America. f the U.S. Senate over the course of the The senior Senator from Texas asks: last year to say that. It is seldom that What is the hurry? Why do we need to DACA we have ever come to the floor and de- address this issue? Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, we are bated anything of substance. Most of I wish that Senator could have been facing a deadline of March 5, 2018. It the time we are an empty Chamber there and watched her and spoken to

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

S7825

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VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:39 Dec 06, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A05DE6.000 S05DEPT1 lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with SENATE S7826 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE December 5, 2017 her, as I did, and realized she is living ator Bill Bradley of New Jersey. He designations of President Obama. Al- in fear, in terror; that her life as she was retiring. I was asked to consider though Bears Ears and Grand Staircase knows it could end tomorrow—and it sponsoring this wilderness proposal in are the first two targets to be hit by could—because of the decision by the State of Utah. Of course, I said, I President Trump, this attack on what President Trump to end this protec- am from Illinois, not Utah, and I have is known as the Antiquities Act and tion. never seen this. Well, they asked me to our national monuments goes far be- All we have asked for—and many of come out and take a look, and I did. yond these two sites. us on a bipartisan basis—is to call up My wife and I went out to take a As part of the review, the President the Dream Act for a vote in the U.S. look at what was known as the Red and Secretary of the Interior Zinke Senate, to give these young people a Rocks Wilderness Area. It is in the considered changing every national chance of the protection of law so they southeastern corner of Utah. I had monument that had been created since can continue in this country. never been there, nor had I ever heard 1996, which is more than 50 nationwide. Some Republicans have said we need of it before I visited. What an eye-open- These are areas that have been pro- to sit down and talk about border secu- er, to go there and see this magnificent tected by Presidents of both political rity. I said I would be happy to do that. vista, this incredible landscape that parties. It goes back, in fact, to a Re- When I was part of the Gang of 8, we was being proposed for wilderness pro- publican President, Teddy Roosevelt, came up with comprehensive immigra- tection and status. who realized it was worth fighting off tion reform, and we had an extensive So over the years, I have reintro- some of the parochial and economic in- border security plan. Some of the Re- duced the bill, the conversation contin- terests to preserve pieces of America publican Senators who offered it told ued, and it wasn’t until President for future generations. me later: We went overboard and you Obama took a major share of this area, The list that was subject to the accepted it. We did. We are serious which is in San Juan County in the Trump order spans the country. It in- about border security. That is not an southeastern corner of Utah, and des- cludes the Cascade-Siskiyou in Oregon, issue, but for the senior Senator from ignated it in the name of the Bears Gold Butte in Nevada, Katahdin Woods Texas, that is not good enough. Ears Monument that we finally and Waters in Maine, Organ Moun- I handed him a sheet of paper last achieved protection for this beautiful tains-Desert Peaks and Rio Grande in week, and I have a copy of it right piece of real estate. New Mexico, and several marine monu- here, showing him the proposals we are I have been there. It is breathtaking. ments. making on border security. I pointed There are incredible cultural sites The administration’s decisions to out to him that 12 of the proposals I there by Native Americans, and it is a shrink Bears Ears and Grand Staircase- handed to him were proposals from his great place to visit, to hike, and to Escalante goes against continued sup- own bill for border security. We are se- enjoy a special piece of America. It is port for these sites. The Bears Ears rious about this. This is a genuine ef- filled with magnificent red rock forma- Monument was the first monument to fort to give border security provisions tions, deep, carved canyons, long be proposed and advocated by the five the enactment of law along with the mesas, and rock arches. Some of the sovereign Tribal nations: The Hopi, Dream Act. photos just don’t do it justice. We can Navajo Nation, Ute Mountain Ute, So what we hear is that the senior take a look at some of these, and we Pueblo of Zuni, and Ute Indians. Senator from Texas came to the floor can get an idea of the vastness of the The Tribes sought protection because and said: Well, they are just not nego- area that is affected here. of the important place Bears Ears has tiating in good faith. Well, I have hand- Then you might take a look at some in their cultures. The artifacts within ed him this provision, this proposal. It of the others and realize it includes a Bears Ears range from 700 to 12,000 was a good-faith gesture and a good- lot of cultural and prehistoric settings years old, providing Tribes with an in- faith effort to move us forward, and the that were utilized by the Native Amer- credible insight into the sacred history only response we had yesterday from ican people when they called these of their ancestral homeland and bol- the senior Senator from Texas is: What caves their homes. It has special mean- stering their deep spiritual connection is the hurry? Why should we get it done ing to the Native American Tribes that to the landscape itself. In total, 30 Na- this year? Why don’t we wait until next are there. Many of them trace their tive-American Tribes with ancestral, year? origins to the very people who dwelled historical, and contemporary ties to Well, next year, as we know, means in these caves and the structures they the Bears Ears region supported the waiting 2 months when it comes to this built with the loose rocks that we can designation—30. issue, and that, to me, is the real fear still see today. I might recall, for those who are not I have—that we will put this off. The We look at it and think, Well, if you students of history—and I am learn- uncertainty, the worry, the stress for didn’t use this, if you didn’t preserve ing—treatment of Native Americans in these young people will continue while it, if you didn’t protect it, what would this region has again raised some seri- we do nothing—nothing. you do with it? ous questions about America’s past. It We don’t enact laws here. We do I have spoken with some of the Sen- wasn’t until 1920 that Native Ameri- nothing. We give speeches to an empty ators from Utah, and they have readily cans were recognized as citizens of the Chamber and say: Gosh, I wish we had conceded there is no oil or gas there to United States in many of these areas. a little more time here to really do be drilled. There may be some uranium It wasn’t until 1957 that Native Ameri- some substantive work. We have all the processing but very little. I asked cans were given the right to vote in the time we need. them: Why wouldn’t you want this area State of Utah even though Native I would commend to my colleagues protected? It doesn’t have economic Americans had served our country in on both sides of the aisle, for goodness’ value other than the fact that people World War II, such as the Code Talkers, sake, when 76 percent of the American will come, tourists will come to Utah who were honored by President Trump people agree with the Dream Act, when to see this beautiful place. last week. It wasn’t until the 1970s that 61 percent of Trump voters agree with I was troubled when President Trump the State of Utah built its first public the Dream Act, there is no excuse. We announced he was going to follow Sec- school on a Tribal area reservation— need to make it the law of the land. retary Zinke’s recommendation and and only did that after being ordered f shrink the proposed Bears Ears Monu- by the Federal court. The history of ment as well as another nearby called our relationship with these Native- NATIONAL MONUMENTS the Grand Staircase-Escalante. They American Tribes is one that raises DESIGNATION would reduce the size of the Bears Ears questions about our respect for what Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, it was 20 Monument by 85 percent and Grand they meant to the earliest founding of years ago when I was first elected to Staircase-Escalante by 50 percent. America and what they mean to us the Senate. I was asked to consider a In April, President Trump issued an today. bill called the Red Rocks Wilderness Executive order requiring the Depart- Mr. President, I see the majority Act. I didn’t know anything about it. It ment of the Interior to preview and re- leader has taken the floor. I know that was a bill that had been offered by Sen- view the previous national monument under the rules he has priority when it

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Without term funding bill and maintain the The administration ignored that objection, it is so ordered. critical functions of the Federal Gov- more than 2.8 million Americans Mr. MCCONNELL. I thank my friend ernment. weighed in when there was an open from Illinois. public comment period at the Depart- f ment of the Interior. Ninety-eight per- f TAX REFORM BILL cent of them asked the President to protect the monuments and to main- RECOGNITION OF THE MAJORITY Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, one tain their borders—98 percent. So to LEADER final matter. Last night, our colleagues say that shrinking these monuments in the House voted to send the tax re- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The ma- dramatically is not controversial is to jority leader is recognized. form legislation to a conference com- ignore 2.8 million Americans and the f mittee. There, Members from both Tribes with whom the President never Chambers will work to resolve the dif- took the time to meet. NOMINATION OF KIRSTJEN ferences in our bills and eventually en- With these reductions, it is clear that NIELSEN able us to send a final product to the Secretary Zinke and President Trump Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, yes- President for his signature. are choosing politics over science and terday, the Senate voted to advance The House’s action last night is more choosing economic and political local the nomination of Kirstjen Nielsen to progress in our years-long effort to de- concerns over the reality of what this be Secretary of Homeland Security. liver real relief to the men and women particular monument means to the fu- Now it is time for us to vote to confirm we represent. I am grateful to our ture of America. They are ignoring her so she can get to work for the friends in the House for their willing- Utah’s State Historic Preservation Of- American people. By confirming Ms. ness to continue working with us to fice and the Interior Department’s own Nielsen’s nomination to lead the DHS, help shift our economy into high gear. staff, both confirming that there are this Senate will take a serious step to- I look forward to the Senate voting to artifacts throughout Bears Ears that ward strengthening our Nation’s secu- join the conference later this week. will now lose their protection because rity. In the end, both Chambers will have of the decision by President Trump Ms. Nielsen will be charged with an opportunity to pass the final legis- yesterday. The administration’s pro- leading the Department at a critical lation to help families keep more of posed cuts closely follow the desires of time. With her understanding of the their hard-earned money, to create Utah politicians to shrink the monu- challenges facing our Nation and her good jobs, and to jump-start economic ment. experience in prevention and prepared- growth. I look forward to working with I had the opportunity to meet with ness, I believe she will excel as the next all of our colleagues to get this done. Secretary Zinke and some of my col- Secretary of Homeland Security. Her The PRESIDING OFFICER. The as- leagues a few weeks ago to discuss this leadership will also help in providing sistant Democratic leader. reduction in the size of the monu- continued assistance to the men and f ments. In that meeting, he assured me women still suffering from the effects that any potential cuts to Bears Ears of the recent natural disasters in our NATIONAL MONUMENTS would continue to protect the actual country. Our Nation faces a myriad of DESIGNATION site’s antiquities, including archeo- threats, and I look forward to working Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, resum- logical sites, but according to the in- with Ms. Nielsen to address each of ing my earlier remarks, the Native- ternal documents from the Department them. American Tribes almost unanimously of the Interior, there are more than 8,400 archeological sites in the monu- f opposed the action that was announced yesterday by President Trump and Sec- ment, 70 percent of which are pre- FUNDING THE GOVERNMENT retary Zinke to shrink the Bears Ears historic. Even more interesting, ac- cording to the Department of the Inte- Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, as Monument. They have passed resolu- rior staff, less than 10 percent of the we all know, we must pass legislation tions in support of that monument. monument has truly been surveyed. to fund the government before the end Navajo Nation’s president said that the President’s efforts to shrink the That means we have only scratched the of the week. By approving a short-term surface of the antiquities that could be bill, we can continue the crucial func- monument ‘‘demonstrates their failure to listen to the concerns of our people present there. tions of the Federal Government while What value is it to the people of who have lobbied and fought for over 80 we work with our colleagues in the Utah, what value is it to San Juan years for this designation.’’ Even House and the Trump administration County, UT, what value is it to the worse, the Navajo Nation made several to finalize a long-term plan. United States to allow spectators and requests to meet with President Trump The temporary funding measure will tourists to roam over these areas with- on the issue, to no avail. Those re- come before the House soon, and I ex- out acknowledging their sacred status quests fell on deaf ears, and the admin- pect the Senate to consider it shortly and historic importance? We only get istration never met with the leadership thereafter. It is a clean bill, free from one chance to preserve our history, and of the Navajo Nation or any of the any sort of objectionable policy riders. now the President is walking away In addition, it includes a provision to other Tribes who worked to protect from that chance for the largest part of assure States of the future of the Chil- this area. the Bears Ears Monument. Taking dren’s Health Insurance Program while The administration took these ac- away protections from these precious a bipartisan reauthorization agreement tions under the guise of protecting this places is something that could lead to is completed. All Members should be area for future generations. During permanent damage. able to support this noncontroversial, President Trump’s speech in Utah, he During the time that I visited Bears short-term legislation. said: Ears, I stopped near Fry Canyon for a We will continue working to pass a I don’t think it is controversial, actually. little lunch. I hiked around and saw funding agreement that advances a I think it’s so sensible. some amazing artifacts, which I number of American priorities—some- From the folks he was speaking to, it showed in the earlier photograph. thing we will be discussing with the must have seemed that his comment These amazing artifacts are outside the President on Thursday, along with was correct, but the group the Presi- new boundaries President Trump de- Democratic leaders of the House and dent was speaking to was a closed-door cided to draw yesterday. These impres- Senate. group of selected supporters of his ad- sive artifacts are worth preserving, but

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:39 Dec 06, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G05DE6.003 S05DEPT1 lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with SENATE S7828 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE December 5, 2017 President Trump and Secretary Zinke away the protection of an area that at- and Grand Staircase-Escalante will not don’t agree. They have left Fry Canyon tracts so many people and creates so make America great again. It will give unprotected. many businesses and jobs in their own up America’s greatness for selfish in- I went to some of the areas where, State? With public lands providing terest. centuries ago, Native Americans drew such a boon for tourism and economic I urge President Trump and Sec- artwork on the sides of these canyons, growth, it is hard to believe that the retary Zinke to reconsider their deci- in the walls. It is still very visible, and Utah congressional delegation has ig- sion that rescinds our national monu- it should be protected. Some of it has nored this and pushed so hard to de- ment protection. It will be challenged been desecrated and obliterated by stroy these monuments. in court, and it may take a long time graffiti. How can we possibly justify The dispute has roots in debate over to resolve, but I hope ultimately the that? How can we say to future genera- federally controlled land and Utah’s courts of this land stand up for the tions: We just didn’t care enough to Enabling Act, which was signed more right of a President of either political keep this intact so that you and your than 100 years ago. When it became a party to make these designations, as children and grandchildren could ap- State, Utahns passed a bill to ‘‘agree they have so many times before. We preciate it. and declare that they forever dis- owe it to America, but we owe it espe- I know there are many more areas claimed all right and title to the unap- cially to the Native American Tribes like Fry Canyon throughout the origi- propriated public lands . . . and to all and people who have forever called this nal Bears Ears Monument that are no lands lying within said limits owned or land home to preserve the sites that longer protected because President held by any Indian or Indian tribes.’’ are so sacred to them, and we owe it to Trump and Secretary Zinke decided to This provision gave all lands not spe- those in the scientific community and draw new boundary lines. cifically claimed by the State of Utah to future generations. While I was visiting in Moab, UT, in to the Federal Government. Utah I am hopeful that future generations one of the tourist shops there, I heard signed up for that. That is how they be- will be able to visit Bears Ears—as my a group of about 12 speaking on the came a State. wife and I have—and learn about the other side of the shop, and I drew a lit- As a result, Utah now has the second people and culture that made America tle closer just to hear what they might most Federal land of any State, with long before we arrived. It is worth the be saying. They were speaking in Federal lands making up about 65 per- respect of this generation and future French. They had traveled all the way cent of their State, including five na- generations, and it is certainly worth from Europe to see this unique area, so tional parks and eight national monu- it for us to step forward and to say critically important to them, so unim- ments. These lands are a source of with vision and with courage that we portant to this administration. These pride and economic opportunity for so stand behind preserving these sites. tourists’ willingness to travel halfway many people. Yet the politicians of I yield the floor. around the world tells us that we have Utah don’t appreciate that. I suggest the absence of a quorum. something special here. I really wish Last year, 15 million people visited The PRESIDING OFFICER. The the President could have met with national parks and monuments in clerk will call the roll. them and so many others who create a Utah, hiking, camping, and learning The senior assistant legislative clerk bustling tourist economy in this area, the traditions and history of the Na- proceeded to call the roll. people who come halfway around the tive people in that State. Let me say Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, I ask world to see it. They believe it is some- that again. Fifteen million people from unanimous consent that the order for thing worth seeing. We should believe around the world visited public lands it is something worth preserving. the quorum call be rescinded. in Utah in 2016—an 82 percent increase The residents of Moab, just outside The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without in visitors over the past decade. This is the monument, must recognize this. objection, it is so ordered. Once a mining town with a dubious fu- not only the right thing to do; it is the f ture, Moab saw its economy decline as economically sensible thing to do to protect these monuments and these RECOGNITION OF THE MINORITY the industry left during the 1980s. But LEADER the town has experienced a new re- areas. Despite this growth, there is a The PRESIDING OFFICER. The birth, an economic growth of tourism push by some of Utah’s politicians to that now provides up to 40 percent of force the Federal Government to give Democratic leader is recognized. the jobs in the area. up these lands and remove the protec- f tions for the cultural and archeological Last year, National Geographic REPUBLICAN TAX BILL named Moab, UT, one of the best out- resources they contain. Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, even door towns in the world. Ely, MN, is When I met with Secretary Zinke to as my Republican friends move to rec- the other U.S. town to receive that discuss his recommendations, he con- honor. The people of Moab will tell you firmed to me that this decision was not oncile their two tax bills in a con- that the protection of public lands has based on protecting some of the most ference committee, their problems are been good for their economy, creating extraordinary natural resources in our far from over. good-paying jobs, new hotels, and new Nation but, rather, on protecting polit- At the heart of their bill is a opportunities, and that they support ical alliances. toxically unpopular idea—giant tax the Bears Ears Monument. But Presi- Every monument designation has had breaks on big corporations and the dent Trump didn’t pay attention to some opposition. Even Roosevelt faced very wealthy, paid for by cutting care them, and neither did Secretary Zinke. opposition when he worked to protect and raising taxes on millions of mid- According to the Department of the many of America’s iconic places, but dle-class families. The new Republican Interior, the number of visitors to despite the opposition, President Theo- Party is the party of tax hikes on the Utah increased 20 percent between 2011 dore Roosevelt, a Republican, pro- middle class to subsidize corporate wel- and 2015 and is projected to continue tected the Grand Canyon—a controver- fare. That menacing idea at the core of increasing. But that didn’t impress the sial decision in his time—and other its bill is a problem that, like Hydra, Secretary of the Interior when it came special places. Thank goodness he did. spouts many heads. to literally obliterating 80 percent of Thank goodness he had the vision to Slashing the State and local deduc- the original Bears Ears Monument that look forward to future generations in- tion remains a massive problem for President Obama designated. stead of looking backward to political House Republicans from suburban dis- It was the University of Utah that promises and political buddies. tricts like Virginia, New York, Illinois, found that tourists spent more than $8 Teddy Roosevelt is remembered for Washington, and, of course, California. billion in their State in 2015, resulting his conservation record, preserving Multiple analyses have shown that, de- in more than $1 billion in State and many of the places that make America spite the so-called compromise that al- local tax revenue and more than 142,000 a great nation, but what this adminis- lows families to deduct up to $10,000 in jobs. tration is doing is just the opposite of property taxes, the pain inflicted on When the State is benefiting so much Teddy Roosevelt’s courage and vision. suburban families will not be much from tourism, why would they give Repealing protections for Bears Ears mitigated. States like California and

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:39 Dec 06, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G05DE6.004 S05DEPT1 lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with SENATE December 5, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S7829 New York will still experience an exo- front the awful truth that their bill working in the steel mills, working dus of taxpayers, which will drain local will not pay for itself as it, instead, driving a truck, working building resources and impact services. For costs about $1 trillion even with dy- buildings. They religiously put money those House Republicans, voting for namic growth estimates, the Repub- away every month so they would have the conference report is a poisonous lican leadership asked its Members to something when they retire, and if it is vote, substantively and politically, not shoot the messenger. The JCT, which is not there—they are important too. to mention that home values will fall widely respected and always accepted General Mattis came to see me and in those districts of those House Re- by both parties, is, all of a sudden, a told me how badly our Defense Depart- publicans. If they are voting to de- pariah in Republican circles because it ment needs help. I agree, but I told him crease home values by 10 or 8 percent told the truth—that this bill would not to go back to the White House and tell for every homeowner in their districts, cause the growth they projected, that the White House the domestic side of that is political suicide. Why would this bill will increase the deficit far the ledger needs help as well. Spending they do it? That is what will happen, more than the Republicans had hoped. on the domestic side of the ledger is and the homeowners will start seeing The Republican leadership tried to lower than it was in 2010, despite in- that right away. discredit the nonpartisan umpire it had creased costs. Another problem: The last-minute in- long praised and had appointed. What a We also need to provide funding for clusion of a corporate AMT has Repub- disgrace. It brings up that what has Community Health Centers, the Chil- licans and corporate leaders scram- happened in the last week or two here dren’s Health Insurance Program, re- bling to figure out if it will have the has been one of the most disgraceful lief for millions of Americans still re- unintended consequence of function- episodes in the history of the Senate— covering from national disasters, and ally eliminating the value of the R&D a major bill done behind closed doors, we must come together on a bipartisan tax credit. Remember, the corporate rushed through. Then, adding insult to bill to support the Dream Act along AMT was added at the last minute be- injury, the truthtellers—the inde- with tougher border security measures. cause Republicans needed more rev- pendent, appointed-by-Republican So it is a lengthy to-do list. It will re- enue to offset a generous rate on monitors—were discredited because our quire hard work, steady cooperation, passthroughs. Republican colleagues didn’t like hear- and compromise on both sides. That is what Republicans were work- ing the answer. Last night, however, there was a con- ing on in the waning hours of last There is still time to avert this awful cerning spectacle on the House floor. week, not trying to figure out how we bill. If my Republican friends vote no The freedom caucus held up an unre- could help middle-class families with on the conference bill, we can do a bi- lated vote on the tax bill—who could kids in college, with kids who have se- partisan tax reform bill. We can pursue figure—because they were unsatisfied rious medical expenses, and not reduc- a much better process and get a much with the Republican leadership’s plan ing the impact that it would have on better product and go so far as to heal to keep the government open. If we are our deficit. Oh, no. They were busy fig- a Senate that has been wounded by going to solve all the problems that uring out how to make tax cuts for the partisanship and strife, greatly aggra- confront us before the end of the year, wealthy even more generous as 70 per- vated by the majority’s actions on this House leaders cannot let the Freedom cent of our passthrough income already tax bill. Caucus—a small band of hard-right re- flows to the top 1 percent, not the top f actionary conservatives—run the show. 20 percent, not the top 10 percent—the ISSUES BEFORE THE SENATE If they cooperate with Democrats, they top 1 percent. There is 70 percent of can accomplish something. To just let passthrough income that goes to the Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, in- the Freedom Caucus dictate is a recipe top 1 percent of earners. The Repub- stead of rushing a bad tax bill through for chaos. lican tax bill already slashed the rate the conference, the Senate should focus Once again, negotiations broke off on passthroughs, but several Repub- on the bevy of year-end issues con- because we were at an impasse on the lican Senators withheld their votes fronting us. First and foremost, we 50–50 parity for defense and nondefense. until that loophole was widened fur- must reach a spending bill that would That has been very important to ther. have us meet our commitments to sup- Democrats for years. We have settled I understand that they wanted to port the military and also urgent prior- our budget agreements, our spending help smaller businesses, but take the ities here at home, such as combating policy, omnibus agreements always time and figure out how to help the the opioid crisis, shoring up pension with 50–50, and we believe it is still im- small businesses without helping the plans, supporting veterans’ healthcare, portant today—parity, parity, parity. hedge funds, corporate law firms, the relieving student loan debt, and build- As we continue to negotiate with our big lobbying firms, and other wealthy ing rural infrastructure. Republican counterparts, we hope the individuals. Take the time to figure it In previous budget agreements, Republican leadership can avert more out—but no. In the rush to get a crumb Democrats have always strived to of this unnecessary hostage-taking like for small business owners, they are giv- achieve parity between our invest- we saw on the House floor last night ing a whole, big, nice chocolate layer ments in defense and jobs and eco- that can only impede a serious, ongo- cake to the wealthy. It is wrong, very nomic development here at home. It ing bipartisan negotiation. wrong. has continually been a sticking point I yield the floor. The inclusion of the corporate AMT with Republicans as we go through is another reminder that Republicans these negotiations. They want to in- f cannot have it both ways. You cannot crease the spending for defense, the CONCLUSION OF MORNING cut every conceivable tax on big cor- military, but shortchange important BUSINESS porations and the wealthy without domestic programs such as infrastruc- The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. blowing up the deficit. If Republicans ture, education, scientific research— STRANGE). Morning business is closed. are forced to go back and look at the measures that create jobs and help the f corporate AMT, they will have to find middle class. We Democrats support an revenue elsewhere. Will they slightly increase for our military, but we want EXECUTIVE SESSION lessen another corporate tax break or to make sure other crucial programs will they ask working Americans to don’t get left behind. So we will fight pay more, which they have done in pre- just as hard in this budget agreement EXECUTIVE CALENDAR vious iterations on this bill? to ensure that for each dollar we add The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under Yesterday, we learned the Republican for defense, a dollar is added for domes- the previous order, the Senate will pro- leadership circulated talking points tic economic development, 50–50. ceed to executive session and resume that questioned the legitimacy of the We care about our soldiers. They are consideration of the Nielsen nomina- Joint Committee on Taxation—the the greatest. They are risking their tion, which the clerk will report. nonpartisan, independent scorekeepers lives for us, but we also care about a The senior assistant legislative clerk of tax legislation. Rather than con- pensioner who spent his whole life read the nomination of Kirstjen

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This is pretty interesting listen- know last Friday night, into the wee Senate Democrats voted for Senator ing to our colleagues across the aisle. hours of Saturday morning, this body DURBIN’s amendment, which included They make the audacious claim that did something remarkable, something these handwritten changes in the text. tax cuts generate no economic people said would never happen. We ac- Don’t forget the tax bill was passed growth—none. So when the original tually got some very important work last week through regular order. ‘‘Reg- Budget Committee budget came out, done and passed a very important piece ular order’’ is part of the jargon we use giving the tax writers $1.5 trillion of of legislation—the first overhaul of our around here, but it means the normal deficit spending on a static basis, they Nation’s Tax Code in over 30 years. legislative process. Unlike the Afford- claimed that would result in a $1.5 tril- People said it couldn’t be done. It is able Care Act that was written in Ma- lion deficit. Well, the Joint Committee too hard. With Democrats opposing us jority Leader Harry Reid’s office and on Taxation concluded that was not at every step on the committee and on brought to the Senate floor without true. In fact, tax cuts can have a stim- the floor, people said there were just going through the Senate Finance ulative effect on the economy. Incen- too many obstacles in our way, and it Committee. Unlike that process, this tives can change human behavior, but was impossible to accomplish. People tax bill originated in the Senate Fi- it is notoriously difficult to estimate said there were too many special inter- nance Committee, was the product of with any precision. ests down on K Street that would make multiyear studies, working groups, In any giant complex system like the it impossible for us to figure out this white papers, a lot of proposals like the American economy, the effect of Rubik’s Cube of a tax code, there were Camp draft, for example, that helped changes is not easy to predict, but even too many moving pieces in this giant inform our debate. small changes can produce large, far- tome of our tax law. People warned us, From the bill that had been intro- reaching benefits. In our case, that if we did this, we would take political duced by the ranking member, Senator means changes in our Tax Code can flak from all sides. WYDEN, along with Senator Coats, we fuel major economic growth, which Well, to the cynics and skeptics and were able to glean some of the best ele- ought to be our collective goal. doubters, I will say: You were wrong. ments of all of those prior efforts. Why should we have to settle for ane- We did get it done. Families and job Using regular order, giving Democrats mic economic growth? Why should we creators woke up the next day after the and Republicans a chance to contribute have to settle for flat wages? Why final vote feeling a little bit more con- to the legislation in the Finance Com- should we have to settle for jobs being fident about our Nation’s fiscal future. mittee and on the Senate floor, we created overseas because our Tax Code Now that the bill has passed the Sen- gave Democrats and Republicans a incentivizes that rather than ate, they will be less weighed down by chance to offer amendments and to get incentivizing investment and job cre- the yoke of government. They can votes on those amendments. That is ation in the United States? breathe a little sigh of relief knowing what we mean by regular order, and Well, the fact is, we don’t have to we are doing our job. We are doing that is what our friend from Arizona, settle for that, and we haven’t. This what we said we would do when they the senior Senator from Arizona, Mr. tax bill represents our best effort to gave us control of the government. MCCAIN, rightly called for earlier this try to make sure our economy does Of course, it took no time for our fall. grow, that wages do go up, and that major victory to be mocked, deni- There were hearings after hearings. jobs do come home to the United grated, or simply misrepresented. Democrats went to them. Democrats States because businesses are Sometimes the false rumor spreading had their opportunities to offer amend- incentivized to bring that money back was done deliberately by our friends on ments during the committee markup home and invest it in jobs and wages the other side of the aisle, which is and to offer amendments on the floor. back here. ironic because Democrats used to sup- So one simply cannot say, honestly or I am optimistic that with the re- port many aspects of this plan, such as truthfully, as many Democrats have, forms we have enacted, the economy lowering taxes for the middle class and that the bill was negotiated in dark- could grow by as much as 3 percent, as eliminating incentives for corporations ness, behind their backs, without their the Heritage Foundation and the Tax to ship jobs overseas. I guess we must participation. It simply is a false Foundation have said. The President’s conclude that they were happy with claim, it is not true, and the facts show Council of Economic Advisers and in- the status quo, a slow-growing econ- that. fluential economists agree. I am aware omy, stagnant wages, jobs being It is not just our Democratic col- of the old saying that if we were to shipped overseas because of our self-de- leagues who have fueled stretch all the economists in the world structive Tax Code. I guess we would misperceptions about the tax bill we end to end, we would never reach a con- have to conclude they thought that passed late last Friday night, early clusion. They call it the dismal science was a good thing. Well, they know it Saturday morning. There was a big stir for a reason. It is not rocket science; it was not a good thing, but they just raised with the scoring done by the is modeling that tries to predict the fu- couldn’t stand the possibility that we Joint Committee on Taxation. Some of ture, which is notoriously difficult to were going to be able to make this the critics of the tax bill have latched do. In fact, you can’t do it, but we try major accomplishment on behalf of the onto the Joint Taxation report, finding to come up with the best guesstimate American people. Because they were so that the bill would increase the econ- we can. mired down in the politics of the day, omy by 0.8 percent over 10 years, not I think it is wrong to just look at the they lost sight of the forest for the enough for the cuts to pay for them- Tax Code when you are looking at our trees. selves, thus adding to the national def- economic future. Coupled with the reg- We all know it is easier to criticize icit. That was the claim. ulatory relief we have seen under the than to contribute, such as when many I take concerns about fiscal responsi- new administration, along with the on the other side feigned outrage about bility very seriously, but we have to Congressional Review Act where we re- small tweaks that needed to be made acknowledge that economic modeling pealed back some of the onerous regu- to the bill. It is interesting. Back in is notoriously difficult and can be done lations on the economy, and with con- 2010, there was an amendment called in a number of different ways. Each of sumer confidence at a 16-year high, I the Durbin amendment No. 3989 where, these models has its strengths and think we all have the sense that Amer- during the course of the debate, it was weaknesses, each provides a range of ica is coming back as a leading eco- necessary to make some changes in the estimates, and none is perfect. We have nomic engine in the world, and we need bill by handwriting those changes in not yet been given the gift of perfect to do that because we need to lead the the bill text. No one thought that was knowledge of the future. In the case of way for the world economy. We need to an outrage. Everyone understood this the Joint Committee on Taxation, the make sure that the standard of living

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The sees a reduction in their tax rate. The finally take a long-delayed family va- former Director of National Intel- standard deduction for families is dou- cation. ligence, James Clapper, said that in his bled. So if you are a married couple fil- Now, the last heedless claim I have 50 years in the intelligence community, ing a joint return, for the first $24,000 heard about our tax bill is that it he had never seen a more diverse array you earn, there is zero tax—zero. Then mainly benefits corporations at the ex- of threats than he did today. We can’t we double the child tax credit. I think pense of normal, hard-working men and ignore that, which means that we have that is something we should do because women. Once again, this is a false to use some of that prosperity for our we need to help those families that claim. Some portion of our high cor- common defense. That is another im- have children to make sure that their porate tax rates are always borne by portant thing we are going to have to families prosper, and the child tax labor—by American workers, in other do before the end of this year; that is, credit is one way we can do that. words. Our friends across the aisle and to agree on a top-line spending number The ObamaCare mandate to buy gov- the critics sometimes claim that if you for national defense spending, because ernment-approved insurance, which is do something for a business, whether it we have been trying to cash the peace just a tax on low- and middle-income is a passthrough business or a corpora- dividend, again, when there is no peace Americans, is repealed, and I think tion, it has no effect on the people who or at least peace is threatened in places that is another form of tax relief. work for it. Well, that is just demon- around the world, whether it is in the There are 6.7 million Americans who strably wrong, because the better off South China Sea, Syria, North Korea, had to pay a penalty to their own gov- those businesses are, the more people or in Europe, with Russia on the march ernment because they couldn’t afford they can hire, the better the wages are threatening NATO and our European to buy the government-mandated in- that they can pay, and those help hard- allies. We need a strong economy so surance because of the way that pro- working American families. the standard of living can go up, wages gram was structured. Well, we elimi- So higher business taxes mean fewer can increase, and so we can do the nate that entirely. So, hopefully, those jobs and smaller paychecks, and it things that we know we need to do as families can then use their own re- means that we are less competitive in a country. sources to buy insurance policies that a global economy. That is why busi- nesses are moving their headquarters Now, I realize that these positive meet their needs rather than what the overseas to low-tax countries like Ire- analyses by groups like the Heritage government mandates. Foundation, the Tax Foundation, and We also soften the blow of the death land or the United Kingdom. This situ- the President’s Council of Economic tax, something I will continue to work ation will change under our new bill. In a recent survey of corporate chief Advisers don’t entirely pacify some of to completely eliminate because I executive officers, 82 percent said they the deficit hawks. I count myself think it is simply a moral issue. Why would increase capital spending if our among them. We worry about whether should we tax income when earned and, bill passed and 76 percent said they tax reform will add to our debt through then, when families want to pass it on would increase hiring. So, yes, it is cuts in decreased revenue. But even to their children—whether it is the true that business will benefit, but we based on conservative estimates, this family farm, ranch, or a small busi- want them to because the end result tax reform could result in $130 billion ness—we tax them again and make will be less tax dodging and more jobs in new revenue—revenue we would not that sometimes impossible to do? Usu- coming back home and, as I mentioned otherwise have. ally, if you want to reduce something, earlier, apart from businesses, families Here is the problem. Here is the ele- you tax it and that doesn’t apply to the and individuals benefit too. phant in the room that people simply death tax because death will come no What is so bizarre about the debate is choose to ignore or have given up on: matter what. But it is immoral, I be- that this is a concept that former Revenue isn’t our biggest problem. It is lieve—double taxation. That is no rea- President Obama championed; that the our spending addiction. It is the 70 per- son for Washington to prevent families Democratic leader, Senator SCHUMER, cent of Federal spending that is on from passing on the fruit of their labor has championed; and that the ranking autopilot, going up on average about to their loved ones. member of the Senate Finance Com- 5.5 percent per year. Now, we have The likely result of all of these mittee, Senator WYDEN, has cham- tried to do what we could through the changes will be that wages will in- pioned—lower corporate taxes—because Budget Control Act in 2011 and put a crease by as much as $4,000 for the av- they realize this is a self-inflicted cap on discretionary spending, includ- erage family. That is the estimate of wound because it forces businesses ing defense spending. That has been the Council of Economic Advisers. overseas and prevents them from bring- relatively flat since 2011, but all the Think about that—if we can get the ing their income back and investing it while, entitlement spending has gone economy growing faster than the 1.9 in the United States in jobs and wages. up because we don’t have the political percent anemic growth of the Obama My question to them is this: Have you courage to deal with it. The deficit years. Just think about that. The econ- forgotten? Well, I don’t think they can’t be eliminated with tax increases. omy has grown on average at 3.2 per- have forgotten. We can’t tax America’s producers cent since World War II. Yet we are Throughout the tax reform process, enough to fill the hole. We have to ad- being asked to settle for the new nor- Members of this Republican Conference dress mandatory spending, which keeps mal of the Obama years when the econ- on this side of the aisle worked to- growing year after year after year. It omy grew at 2 percent or less. So if we gether, and I am grateful for the con- nearly doubled during the Obama ad- can get the economy growing faster, we tribution that each and every one of ministration, during which time our will see wages improve and we will see them made. With the strong headwinds friends across the aisle never really family income improve. If we can cut from our opponents on the other side of said much about deficits and debt. But their tax burden and relieve them of the aisle who wanted failure, presum- it is real. We ought to go to the root onerous things like the poverty tax, ably because they liked the status quo cause of it and not claim that it is known as the Obama individual man- rather than success, we knew this was making tax cuts to help make our date tax, families will be better off. going to be difficult, and it was. We got economy more vibrant and improve the A median family of four will see their it done, but we are not finished yet. quality of life for more Americans. tax burden cut by $2,200. Now, I know As we head into a conference with Putting aside the macroeconomic that in Washington, DC, when we talk the House of Representatives, the focus concerns over the tax bill for a mo- about millions and billions and tril- has to be on how we can maintain sup- ment, it is easy to see how, on a more lions of dollars, $2,200 doesn’t seem like port here in the Senate. I hope our

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:39 Dec 06, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00007 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G05DE6.010 S05DEPT1 lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with SENATE S7832 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE December 5, 2017 friends across the Capitol understand not just Americans in their own eyes; Small businesses employ nearly half that the Senate bill was a very fragile they are Americans in the eyes of their of American workers and create a ma- compromise and that one or two—well, friends, their classmates, their teach- jority of the new jobs in this country. two or more—Senators who would not ers, and their coworkers. But right now, small businesses face support that bill could jeopardize the We all recognize that these kids were high tax rates that can make it dif- House-Senate conference. So we have brought here, as I mentioned, through ficult for these businesses to even sur- to be very careful. We have to continue no fault of their own. No one wants to vive, much less thrive and expand their to communicate and work together see them deported. As leaders of a na- operations. Our bill will fix this. with each other, and we can’t under- tion of immigrants, we need to work To start with, our bill implements a mine our own victory. It is not just our together and deliver a chance for them new deduction for passthrough busi- victory. It is a victory for American to have a bright future. We need work- nesses like partnerships, LLCs, and S families and for our country and for able legislation that can realistically corporations. This deduction will allow our standing in the world. So when we be passed and signed into law. We don’t them to keep more of their money, begin our conversations with the need to make a statement; we need to which will allow them to reinvest in House, let’s take care to work closely make a law. their operations, increase wages, and together and continue to communicate. There are many challenges facing us hire new workers. Let’s prove that passing tax reform with regard to immigration, but pro- Our bill also reforms current provi- wasn’t just a dream or an aberration. It tecting these young people should not sions in the Tax Code that frequently was real. Now with the ball on the 5- be one of those challenges. This should leave small businesses with very little yard line, we just have to punch this be the easy lift. cash on hand. Under our legislation, I hope we can all work together in a into the end zone. small businesses will be able to recover I yield the floor. bipartisan way to find a solution for the capital they have invested in I suggest the absence of a quorum. these kids who deserve a solution. things like inventory and machinery The PRESIDING OFFICER. The With that, I yield the floor. much more quickly and, in certain The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- clerk will call the roll. cases, immediately. This, in turn, will ator from South Dakota. The legislative clerk proceeded to free up capital that small businesses TAX CUTS AND JOBS BILL call the roll. can use to expand and to create jobs. Mr. FLAKE. Mr. President, I ask Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, relief for Our legislation also includes provi- unanimous consent that the order for American families is on the way. sions that I helped develop that will Last week, the Senate passed our the quorum call be rescinded. simplify accounting rules for small version of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, a The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without businesses, which will also help reduce tax reform bill that will provide imme- objection, it is so ordered. their tax burden, leaving more of their diate, direct relief to hard-working DACA earnings to reinvest in their businesses Americans. Mr. FLAKE. Mr. President, I rise Our legislation doubles the standard and their workers. In addition to providing relief to today with increasing concern about deduction, it doubles the child tax the uncertain future facing DACA re- credit, and it lowers rates. Under our small businesses, another thing our bill cipients. There are nearly 800,000 DACA bill, a family of four making $73,000 a will do to boost Americans’ wages is recipients. They are children who were year will see a $2,200 tax cut, or a re- lower our massive corporate tax rate. brought across the border, through no duction in taxes of about 60 percent Our Nation’s corporate tax rate today fault of their own, years and years ago. over what they are paying under cur- is the highest in the industrialized There are nearly 800,000 across the rent law. A single parent with one world, which puts the United States at country and nearly 50,000 just in Ari- child making $41,000 will see his or her a major disadvantage next to our inter- zona alone. They have protections now taxes drop from around $1,865 today to national competitors. Reducing the from deportation, but those protec- just $488 under our bill, a reduction of corporate tax rate will enable Amer- tions will run out around the first of nearly 75 percent over what they are ican businesses to compete on a more March. paying today. level playing field, which will, in turn, Despite the sense of urgency to solve That is just the beginning. The tax free up money that U.S. businesses can the problem by the end of the year, bill before us today is going to provide use to create jobs and increase wages. there is very little legislative progress immediate relief to hard-working fami- The White House Council of Eco- to show for it. The time has come for lies. It is going to immediately lower nomic Advisers estimates that reduc- us to work together to deliver a real their tax bills. It is going to imme- ing the corporate tax rate to 20 per- solution. We don’t need partisan bills diately mean more money in their cent, as our bill does, will increase that send a message; we need bipar- pockets. wages for U.S. households by $4,000 an- tisan solutions that can pass the Sen- But this bill is about much more nually. That is money that families ate. than that. This bill isn’t just about can use to save for retirement, help We have spent so much time oper- helping Americans today—although it pay for a child’s education, replace an ating under reconciliation that it is is most certainly going to do that—the aging vehicle, or invest in a new home. worth reminding people that this meas- bill is about helping Americans for the Our bill will also boost wages and in- ure will need 60 votes in order to suc- long term. It is about giving Americans crease opportunities for Americans by ceed. So much of the legislation we access to the kinds of wages, jobs, and ending the outdated tax framework have been considering has been under opportunities that will set them up for that is driving American companies to reconciliation, with just a 51-vote mar- a secure and prosperous future. keep jobs and profits overseas. Our Na- gin being sufficient. That will not be The way we do that is by improving tion currently operates under a so- the case with a fix for DACA. We need the playing field for American busi- called worldwide tax system. That to get 60 votes. That means if we hope nesses. In order for individual Ameri- means that American companies pay to protect DACA recipients, both sides cans to thrive economically, we need U.S. taxes on the profits they make will need to compromise. American businesses to thrive. Thriv- here at home, as well as on part of the These individuals whom we seek to ing businesses create jobs, they provide profits they make abroad once they help are students, employees, col- opportunities, and they increase wages bring that money back to the United leagues, and friends. They don’t know and invest in their workers. States. The problem with this is that any other home but the United States. But our current Tax Code hasn’t been American companies are already pay- They have embraced the values of hard helping businesses thrive. For years ing taxes to foreign governments on work and perseverance, and, in turn, now, our tax laws have left businesses the money they make abroad. Then, their communities have embraced of all sizes struggling under the burden when they bring that money home, them as their own. Some of the most of high tax rates and an outdated tax they could end up having to pay taxes compelling pleas on behalf of these system that has left American busi- again on part of those profits and at young people have come from those nesses at a disadvantage in the global the highest tax rate in the industri- who know them best. These kids are economy. alized world. It is no surprise that this

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:39 Dec 06, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00008 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G05DE6.011 S05DEPT1 lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with SENATE December 5, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S7833 discourages businesses from bringing percent of the benefits will go to the about deficits and the debt and move their profits back to the United States top 1 percent—while increasing taxes directly within the next few months to to invest in their domestic operations on 83 million middle-class households begin the process of cutting programs and new jobs and increased wages. by the end of the decade. Why? The desperately needed by the working Our bill replaces our outdated world- reason is that the tax cuts for middle- families of this country—the elderly, wide tax system with a territorial tax class families expire by the end of 2025, the children, the sick, and the poor. system. Under our legislation, Amer- while the tax breaks for large corpora- This is not just BERNIE SANDERS ican companies will no longer face the tions are made permanent. speculating. This is what the New York double taxation that has encouraged We are living in a moment in Amer- Times said in a front-page article a few them to send their investments and ican history where we have an unprece- days ago: their operations overseas. Instead, U.S. dented level of income and wealth in- As the tax cut legislation passed by the companies will have a strong incentive equality, where the top one-tenth of 1 Senate early Saturday hurtles toward final to invest their profits at home in percent now owns almost as much approval, Republicans are preparing to use American jobs and in American work- wealth as the bottom 90 percent, where the swelling deficits made worse by the ers. the top 1 percent owns almost twice as package as a rationale to pursue their long- All in all, the Tax Foundation esti- much wealth as the bottom 90 percent, held vision: undoing the entitlements of the New Deal and Great Society, leaving govern- mates that in addition to increasing and, if you can believe it, where three ment leaner and the safety net skimpier for wages, our bill will create nearly 1 mil- of the wealthiest people in this coun- millions of Americans. lion new jobs for American workers try—Mr. Gates, Mr. Bezos, and Mr. Speaker Paul D. Ryan and other Repub- and boost the size of the economy by Buffett—three people own more wealth licans are beginning to express their big 3.7 percent. than the bottom half of the American dreams publicly, vowing that next year they I don’t need to tell anybody that population. That is where we are right will move on to changes in Medicare and So- American families have had a tough now. cial Security. President Trump told a Mis- time in recent years or that our econ- Yet, in the midst of this incredible souri rally last week, ‘We’re going to go into welfare reform.’ omy as a whole has stagnated, with level of income and wealth inequality, weak economic growth, almost non- my Republican colleagues believe that Let me take this opportunity to existent wage growth, and a lack of op- this is a moment when 62 percent of translate into English what phrases portunity that has become the norm the benefits of so-called tax reform like ‘‘entitlement reform’’ or ‘‘welfare for way too many families. But this tax should go to the top 1 percent and 42 reform’’ really mean. What they mean bill marks the beginning of the end of percent of the benefits should go to the in reality are massive cuts to Social the Obama-era economy. top one-tenth of 1 percent, while at the Security, Medicare, Medicaid, edu- The tax bill we just passed will usher same time tens of millions of middle- cation, nutrition programs, affordable in a new era of dynamism in this coun- class families will end up paying more housing, and other programs des- try. It will let Americans keep more of in taxes. How crazy is that? So we have perately needed by a declining middle their earnings right now, and it will a situation in which the wealthy, who class. It means that after they pass improve Americans’ economic situa- need tax breaks the least, will benefit this so-called tax reform bill, which tion for the long term. It will send a the most, and the working class and would provide a $200,000 tax break to message to the world that America is middle class of this country, who need CEOs who make over $16 million a serious about competing and suc- the most help, will benefit the least. year, they will come back to the floor ceeding and winning in the 21st cen- The President of the United States of the Senate and fight for cuts to So- tury economy. and my Republican colleagues tell the cial Security for senior citizens trying Under this bill, American companies American people that trickle-down ec- to survive on $12,000 or $13,000 a year. will compete and win globally, and onomics—giving huge tax breaks to the So there are massive cuts for million- American businesses, large and small, wealthy and large corporations—will aires and billionaires in their taxes at and the American people will thrive as expand the economy. We just heard the same time as they want to cut So- a result. Senator THUNE talking about that. cial Security, Medicare, and Medicaid I look forward to going to conference They will create new jobs and will for struggling seniors. with the House of Representatives and bring in so much revenue that it will ‘‘Entitlement reform’’ means that at getting a final, comprehensive tax re- pay for the deficit it creates. a time when millions of seniors are form bill to the President. We have a Every independent expert who has splitting their pills in half because once-in-a-generation opportunity—lit- taken a look at this tax bill has said it they cannot afford the outrageously erally, a once-in-a-lifetime chance—to will substantially increase the deficit, high cost of prescription drugs, Repub- make a real difference in the lives of even after accounting for the possi- licans want massive cuts to Medicare. literally millions of Americans. It is bility of increased economic growth. It means that when two out of every time to get this bill across the finish The Joint Committee on Taxation has three nursing home residents in this line. It can’t happen soon enough for told us that this bill will increase the country rely on Medicaid to pay for the American people. deficit by $1.4 trillion over the next their long-term care, the Republicans I yield the floor. decade. Why is that important? want to make massive cuts to Med- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- First of all, it shows, if I may say, icaid. ator from Vermont. the hypocrisy of my Republican col- We do not know exactly what form Mr. SANDERS. Mr. President, Presi- leagues who, year after year after year these cuts will take. I think that is not dent Trump and the Republican leader- on this floor, lectured us about the yet clear. There has been discussion ship, as we just heard, are talking dangers of a $20 trillion national debt among Republicans about raising the every day on television, at news con- and growing deficits. We heard this retirement age for Social Security to ferences, telling the American people time and time again. But somehow, 70 years of age, forcing older workers how this tax bill that was passed here when it comes to the need to provide to work years more before they can get at 2 o’clock in the morning on Satur- tax breaks to billionaires, that concern their earned retirement benefits. day—without any hearings, with no se- about the deficit seems to have dis- Maybe they will cut back on cost-of- rious debate—how this tax bill is de- appeared. living increases through a so-called signed to help the middle class and how Secondly and more immediately, Chained CPI—a new formulation that it was written for the middle class. there is no doubt in my mind that if means lower benefits not only for sen- Unfortunately, I suspect that I will the Republicans are able to pass this iors but for millions of disabled vet- not shock too many Americans by sug- bill, which will soon go to a conference erans. They apparently believe, for gesting that what President Trump has committee—this bill that gives huge those of you on Social Security now, been saying is not truthful. This legis- tax breaks to the top 1 percent and that the COLAs you have been getting lation, according to numerous inde- raises the deficit by $1.4 trillion—there in recent years are just too high. That pendent studies, will provide 62 percent is no doubt in my mind that they will zero percent increase you got a couple of the benefits to the top 1 percent—62 suddenly rediscover their great concern years ago? It is much too high; we have

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:39 Dec 06, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00009 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G05DE6.013 S05DEPT1 lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with SENATE S7834 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE December 5, 2017 to change the formula and lower ben- Another quote from Donald Trump as Mr. SCOTT. Mr. President, I suggest efit increases. a candidate: the absence of a quorum. Maybe they will go back to their Social Security faces a problem: 77 million The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. long-term dream of privatizing Medi- baby boomers set to retire. Now, I know PORTMAN). The clerk will call the roll. care and converting it into a voucher there are some Republicans who would be The legislative clerk proceeded to program, which will say to the elderly just fine with allowing these programs to call the roll. in this country: Here is a check for wither and die on the vine. The way they see Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, I ask $8,000. You go out and find private in- it, Social Security and Medicare are wasteful unanimous consent that the order for ‘entitlement programs.’ But people who surance on your own. I would say good the quorum call be rescinded. think this way need to rethink their posi- The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. luck to any elderly person in this coun- tion. It’s not unreasonable for people who HOEVEN). Without objection, it is so or- try who is struggling with heart dis- paid into a system for decades to expect to ease or cancer. You see what kind of get their money’s worth—that’s not an ‘enti- dered. insurance program you are going to get tlement,’ that’s honoring a deal. SECURE ACT with a check for $8,000. Well, there it is. Candidate Donald Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, I I would remind my colleagues that Trump said over and over again that he want to make a few brief remarks re- many of these proposals were included would not cut Social Security, that he garding the introduction of the Secu- in the budget resolution the Repub- would not cut Medicare, that he would rity, Enforcement, and Compassion licans voted for right here on the floor not cut Medicaid. In fact, quite cor- United in Reform Efforts, and we have of the Senate. This is not speculation; rectly, he predicted that the Repub- selected the acronym SECURE for this these are issues and items that Repub- licans would try to do exactly that. piece of legislation we are introducing licans already voted for. They already Now I would like to talk directly, if today. This bill promotes and protects voted for a $1 trillion cut to Medicaid, I might, to the President of the United the interests of the American people in which would throw some 15 million States. a lawful immigration system and pro- Americans off of health insurance. Mr. President, on the campaign trail, vides a fair and equitable solution on They have already voted in the budget over and over again, you said that you Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, to cut Medicare by $473 billion. In my would not cut Social Security, Medi- and everyone in the Senate knows that view, the last thing we should be doing care, or Medicaid. Today, I am asking by the acronym DACA. It is the prod- is giving tax breaks to billionaires you nothing more than to keep your uct of several months of hard work be- while cutting programs for the most word. Don’t lie to the American people. tween this Senator and Senators COR- vulnerable people in our country. Millions of people voted for you be- NYN, GRAHAM, TILLIS, LANKFORD, During the campaign, Donald Trump, cause you said you would not cut So- PERDUE, and COTTON. I think, before as a candidate, promised he would not cial Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. the day is out and the Senate closes cut Social Security, Medicare, and Keep your word. Tell Senate Leader down, you will hear from almost all of Medicaid. He made that promise over MCCONNELL and tell House Speaker those folks on their approach to this and over again. I have some charts. Let PAUL RYAN that you will veto any leg- legislation and their support for it. me quote some of the tweets and some islation that cuts these programs. Before I discuss what the bill does, I of the things Donald Trump said on the With that, I yield the floor. want to explain the process we used to campaign trail. Mr. President, I suggest the absence reach this point. On September 5, 2017, This is what he said: ‘‘I was the first of a quorum. Attorney General Sessions announced & only potential GOP candidate to The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. that President Trump had decided to rescind former President Obama’s un- state there will be no cuts to Social Se- CRUZ). The clerk will call the roll. curity, Medicare & Medicaid.’’ The bill clerk proceeded to call the lawful Executive amnesty program. Be- On another occasion, he said: roll. cause almost 700,000 young people re- I’m not a cutter. I’ll probably be the only Ms. COLLINS. Mr. President, I ask lied on President Obama’s false prom- Republican that doesn’t want to cut Social unanimous consent that the order for ise, the Trump administration called Security. the quorum call be rescinded. upon Congress to do what the Presi- That was January 24, 2015. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without dent doesn’t have the legal authority It’s my absolute intention to leave Social objection, it is so ordered. to do and to find the only real type of Security the way it is. Not increase the age Ms. COLLINS. Mr. President, I ask long-term solution to this issue. Obvi- and to leave it as is. unanimous consent that notwith- ously, we are here because that is a That was Donald Trump on March 10, standing rule XXII, the postcloture legislative solution and not something 2016. time on Executive Calendar No. 495 ex- the executive branch thinks up and Here is another quote: pire at 4 p.m. today, December 5; and tries to put in place. Starting in September, I have held You know, Paul [Ryan] wants to knock out that if confirmed, the motion to recon- multiple meetings with Senators COR- Social Security, knock it down, way down. sider be considered made and laid upon NYN, GRAHAM, TILLIS, LANKFORD, He wants to knock Medicare way down. And, the table and the President be imme- frankly—well, two things. Number one, PERDUE, and COTTON to determine how diately notified of the Senate’s action. you’re going to lose the election if you’re best to fix DACA. Our aim was to find The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without going to do that. . . . Now, I want to get rid a solution that not only is fair for objection, it is so ordered. of waste, fraud, and abuse. I want to do a lot DACA recipients but also promotes the of things to it that are going to make it f interests of the American people. The much better, actually. But I’m not going to cut it, and I’m not going to raise ages, and RECESS SUBJECT TO THE CALL OF immigration policies of the previous I’m not going to do all of the things that THE CHAIR administration carried consequences they want to do. But they want to really cut that weren’t always in our best inter- it, and they want to cut it very substan- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under est. For example, President Obama al- tially, the Republicans, and I’m not going to the previous order, the Senate stands lowed thousands of people to illegally do that. in recess subject to the call of the cross our borders and to stay in our Before I go on to the next quote, I Chair. country, including dangerous gang want to tell Donald Trump that, as a Thereupon, the Senate, at 12:40 p.m., members, sex offenders, and violent candidate, man, he was exactly right. recessed subject to the call of the Chair criminals. So robust border security is This is what he said on March 29, 2016. and reassembled at 2:36 p.m. when crucial to bring integrity back to our He said that the Republicans wanted to called to order by the Presiding Officer Nation’s immigration enforcement. cut Social Security and Medicare and (Mr. ENZI). The enforcement policies of the pre- Medicaid. f vious administration enabled dan- Well, Candidate Trump, you were ex- gerous, unauthorized criminals, indi- actly right, because that is now what EXECUTIVE CALENDAR—Continued viduals like Kate Steinle’s killer, to we will see in a few weeks or a few The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- have free rein in our country, risking months. ator from South Carolina. the safety of innocent Americans. The

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:39 Dec 06, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00010 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G05DE6.015 S05DEPT1 lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with SENATE December 5, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S7835 flagrant disregard of so-called sanc- We do this by permanently authorizing I see that two of my colleagues, Sen- tuary jurisdictions unfairly takes tax the E-Verify Program and providing ator LANKFORD and Senator TILLIS, are dollars from hard-working Americans, immunity and other incentives to en- here. I am giving up the floor, if you only to ignore the rule of law and their courage small businesses to participate would like to speak. own people’s public safety. in that E-Verify Program. We also take I yield the floor. In crafting our bill, we also consid- meaningful steps to reduce immigra- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- ered the inherent unfairness in our Na- tion court and asylum adjudication ator from North Carolina. tion’s immigration court and asylum backlogs by hiring more judges and Mr. TILLIS. Mr. President, I want to adjudication systems and how hun- personnel, limiting the number of con- thank Chairman GRASSLEY for his lead- dreds of thousands of aliens wait in tinuances an immigrant can receive, ership on this issue and for his willing- backlogs for years at a time. That is and imposing new safeguards to com- ness to sit down and talk to a diverse wrong. It hurts the people who are bat well-documented fraud and abuse. group of people who think we have a stuck in the backlog, and it is unfair to Again, thanks to the leadership and problem that we should solve and that ask the American people and legal im- advocacy of Senators GRAHAM, PERDUE, we must solve. migrants to bear the burden of sup- and COTTON, our bill eliminates the Senator GRASSLEY just did such a porting these people while they wait. phenomenon known as chain migra- good job of describing some of the tech- Finally, thanks to the leadership of tion. From the day this bill becomes nical aspects of the SECURE Act and Senators GRAHAM, PERDUE, and COT- law, immigrants will be able to bring the BRIDGE Act and other legislation TON, we discussed in our small group of only their spouses and minor children that actually came together to create Senators the need for a merit-based into the country. This bipartisan, pro- the SECURE Act. immigration system, one where we American worker reform, which the I want to back up and talk a little bit bring people to this country based on President strongly supports, is an im- about what we are actually trying to what they can contribute and not sim- portant first step toward creating the do here. There are two key components ply because they have some attenuated merit-based, economically productive to this bill and to efforts that have family relationship to a legal immi- immigration system that both Demo- gone before the point at which we have grant who is already here. crats and Republicans want. introduced this bill that I think are So after having these discussions and Finally and most importantly, we very important. after meeting with the President to get provide a bipartisan solution to protect The first one is the DACA Program. his input and his support, we have undocumented young people brought to That is Deferred Action for Childhood come up with a plan. This plan is fair the United States as children by adopt- Arrivals. The DACA Program is some- to all parties. It is pro-American, and ing a bill that goes by the acronym thing that was implemented in 2012 by it is a solution to DACA. BRIDGE, Bar Removal of Individuals President Obama. What President Our plan, as I said, which goes by an who Dream and Grow our Economy. Obama sought to do was to provide acronym, the SECURE Act of 2017, pro- Senator DURBIN called the BRIDGE Act some certainty for young adults and vides a solution to all of the issues we ‘‘an opportunity for supporters and children who were brought across the discussed. First, building off of the critics of DACA to come together and border—not through their own deci- hard work and leadership of Senator address a compelling humanitarian sions but through the decisions of their CORNYN, we are putting days of porous, issue on a bipartisan basis.’’ parents or a guardian to cross the bor- uncontrolled borders behind us. We are We agree with Senator DURBIN. The der illegally—and find themselves ille- doing this by mandating the construc- BRIDGE Act is supported by Senators gally present in the United States. tion of tactical and technological in- GRAHAM, DURBIN, GILLIBRAND, HELLER, Today, they are still protected because frastructure at the border. We are also MURKOWSKI, FEINSTEIN, NELSON, FLAKE, they are still protected under DACA, beefing up our law enforcement and ju- SCHUMER, and HARRIS. It would provide but the President announced on Sep- dicial resources, and we are putting relief from deportation and work au- tember 5 that on March 5 that program more boots on the ground in the border thorization to DACA recipients, allow- would end. States so that we can better apprehend ing them to continue to fulfill their Now, you can imagine that there are and prosecute those who enter our dreams, and they will continue to con- hundreds of thousands of young men country illegally. tribute to our economy. and women who are uncertain about Our plan takes meaningful steps to As you can see, Mr. President, our their future status in this country. It is end the lawlessness and tragedies at plan has fair, bipartisan, and serious a problem we need to solve. The other the hands of dangerous criminal aliens provisions. By listening to colleagues side of the equation is something that throughout our country. We do this by and adopting solutions that both sides is also equally important to me and to cracking down on sanctuary cities, can agree on, we are providing a real a number of people in this body. It has ending the misguided catch-and-release solution to the immigration issues our to do with our border security and in- policies of the previous administration, country is facing. Our plan protects the terior enforcement. and finally taking real steps to address DACA kids, it cracks down on criminal Back in late winter, I spent a week intentional visa overstays. illegal aliens, and it provides real long- down on the southern border. I went to In recognition of the many Ameri- term reforms to our Nation’s immigra- the Rio Grande Sector and the West cans who have lost their lives to crimi- tion system that benefit the American Texas Sector. I spoke with a lot of peo- nal aliens, we included Kate’s law, people. It does so through the proper ple at the land ports that hundreds of named after the person murdered by a legislative process, in other words, by a thousands of people cross every day. criminal felon who came back into our constitutional way—unlike a previous We listened to their concerns about country five times—Kate Steinle. So it President tried to do this—providing things we need to do to better secure is Kate’s law. This legislation enhances greater certainty for Americans and the border. penalties for repeat illegal border immigrants alike. There are two debates in Congress crossers and expands the inacces- Importantly, it is also supported by right now. I don’t actually embrace ei- sibility and expedited removal of ter- the President. That is all the more rea- ther of the two extremes. There is the rorists, gang members, aggravated fel- son to pass this bill and fulfill our one extreme that says build a big, ons, and drunk drivers. We also provide promises to the American people and beautiful wall that is 2,000 miles long. a fix to the disastrous Zadvydas deci- the DACA recipients. It is impractical and not necessary. sion so that the government doesn’t Again, I want to thank the hard work There is the other extreme that says keep releasing dangerous criminals of Senators CORNYN, GRAHAM, TILLIS, we don’t need borders; we need bridges. onto our streets just because of the re- LANKFORD, PERDUE, and COTTON, and That is impractical and unsafe. fusal of their home countries to take their staffs, especially, in developing What we need is a solution to border responsibility. the solution. I am looking forward to security so that we know who is in this Our bill takes steps to eliminate considering this measure in the new country and so that we have an orderly many of the ‘‘pull’’ factors that en- year and seeing President Trump sign way to move between countries for courage people to immigrate illegally. it into law, as he asked us to do. someone who is in our country who

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There is I want to thank Senator LANKFORD. starts screaming ‘‘jack-hooded thugs’’ one of the numbers that stuck with me. Senator LANKFORD and I filed another trying to take grandmothers out of There were so many that we covered bill. We are full of acronyms here. I their homes, and the whole conversa- when we were down with border secu- don’t know, but sometimes they say we tion diminishes, and we lose the policy rity, but this stuck with me—actually, are full of other things, but we are full issues that are in place. two numbers. This one is most heart- of acronyms. The SUCCEED Act is an- There are obvious problems with im- breaking: Over a 20-year period, 10,000 other bill, and I think that many of its migration. We have not taken those ob- people have died crossing the border provisions will be considered as we go vious issues on in decades. They need unsuccessfully. Ten thousand bodies through the negotiation process to get to be resolved, and every year they are have been recovered as a result of a bill to the President’s desk. The bill not resolved, this issue gets harder and crossing the border and not finding that we sponsored is the called SUC- it gets more complicated. We should their way to a safe place. About 1,000 of CEED Act. It is the Solution for Un- address the issue of immigration. For them were children. Unless we have the documented Children through Careers, years, the conversation has been out people, technology, and infrastructure Employment, Education, and Defend- there, and for years, it has remained on the border to know who is trying to ing our Nation Act. It is a lot like the unresolved. I would challenge this body cross, we can’t protect them. Even if it BRIDGE Act, in that we go to the in the next 3 months: Let’s resolve means we are going to take them into DACA population, and we know some- some of the big issues in immigration. custody and potentially deport them, thing about the DACA population that Almost 4 years ago, I was in Central at least they will be alive. I think is oftentimes overlooked. It is a America with a group of other Sen- Another statistic was very important ators and House Members. We were to me, too. It was in a discussion I had great group of people. There are a little meeting with Central American lead- with border security agents down in bit less than 2 million. Many of them ers, and we were meeting with them to Laredo, one of the big land ports where are working hard, going to school, and talk about immigration and about people cross every day. I am not going serving in our military. They deserve some of those individuals leaving those to get into a lot of the details, except an opportunity and to be provided a countries who were coming to the to say that they confiscate about way to be able to recognize they are le- United States illegally. But also, we 400,000 doses of methamphetamine gally present in this country. met with them in Central America to about every 48 hours in this one land That is what I think we are going to determine what they should do for im- port. That is where they confiscate it. accomplish with this SECURE Act. By most estimates, it is only a minor This is what I hope my Democrat col- migration. Multiple countries that percentage of all of the illegal drugs leagues will do, those who actually en- were there in the conversation were crossing the border. So we obviously dorse the BRIDGE Act. There are many talking about how they were increas- need more people, technology, and in- of them. Senator GRASSLEY ran ing their border requirements at their frastructure to be able to capture peo- through the list. I will not do it again. borders, how they were managing their ple who are crossing the border in var- Let’s sit down and solve this problem. workforce within their country, and ious trucks and cars. They are finding Let’s accept that there are people at how individuals from other Central ways to hide these drugs that are poi- the far left who are going to stand on American countries were traveling to soning our Nation’s youth and, really, one issue at the expense of letting their countries and changing the job people of all ages. March 5 pass and have the DACA popu- structure and changing the pay struc- So there is a reason for border secu- lation at risk. Let’s also tell the people ture. rity. There is a reason to invest in peo- at the far right who want nothing less We somehow get this belief that the ple, technology, and infrastructure. than full deportation, that that is not immigration issue is only an American There is a reason for us to have a pro- going to happen. issue. Every country in the world deals ductive discussion about how we can Let the people in the center who with immigration because every coun- provide a compassionate, sustainable want to come up with a sustainable, re- try in the world has the right and the solution to the children and young spectful, compassionate solution that responsibility to know who is in their adults who came to this country is paired up with solid border security country. Are they citizens? Are they through not their decision but the deci- measures and interior enforcement, noncitizens? I should have the ability, sions of their adult guardians. provide a solution for this population. I in my country, to be able to know who That is what this bill, the SECURE think my colleagues who have worked is coming in as a guest and to be able Act, is setting forth. We are trying to together in the working group that to say yes or no. That is a basic right. get a productive discussion going with Chairman GRASSLEY has led are com- For some reason, that becomes lost in Democrats and Republicans who will mitted to working with Democrats to all of this conversation. come together and recognize that a come up with a reasonable solution. I When we fly anywhere else in the balanced bill provides for border secu- know that I am. I know my colleague, world, we have a visa or we have a rity, provides a sustainable solution for Senator LANKFORD, is. passport because when we enter that the DACA population, and get it done I hope that everybody will sit down country, that country requires it. That before March 5. and recognize that, at the end of the country, when we land, wants to know There are some people that want to, day, this is for our Nation’s security who is in their country and where they I think, play a little bit of brinkman- and the security and the certainty of are. That seems normal to us when we ship. They have already set in their the DACA population. If we set out talk about travel, but for some reason, mind how they want this bill to look. about accomplishing those two goals, it gets lost in this issue of immigra- What worries me about a bill where then I think we will be very successful. tion. This should be a normal conversa- you use timing, maybe a year-end Then we can start building on that dia- tion—that our country would know budget agreement, or some other de- logue for so many other things we need who is in the country, that we would vice to get the bill done, is that that to talk about when it comes to interior know where they are, if they are a doesn’t necessarily produce a bipar- enforcement and immigration reform. guest, and that we would know when tisan outcome that you can be sure of I yield the floor. they are leaving. is always going to be on the books. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- After the 9/11 Commission finished, Those types of bills—those types of ator from Oklahoma. they challenged our Nation to resolve quick ‘‘gotcha’’ sort of actions—are of- Mr. LANKFORD. Mr. President, I am one of the issues of immigration that tentimes the bills somebody will try to honored to be here with several other sat out there that is still unresolved to come back to and repeal or revise. Members to talk about the issue of im- this day. It is entry-exit visas. Why can

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:39 Dec 06, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00012 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G05DE6.020 S05DEPT1 lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with SENATE December 5, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S7837 we not know if a person comes in under it is to be able to encourage individuals The President said: Let’s add 5,000 a legal visa? We know when they come in their hiring—for more companies to new people. Great. Do you know how in, but we don’t know when they leave. be able to use it, for it to be a faster long it takes to hire one Border Patrol That is still unresolved a decade and a system that is more reliable. At times person? It takes 450 days—450 days to half later. Year after year, when I talk it can take up to 6 months to get a hire one person on the Border Patrol. to Homeland Security, they say: We final answer from E-Verify. Again, that It is a broken system of hiring. We are doing a pilot project. We are close. is absurd. That is a fixable issue that need to fix that. Year after year, that is unresolved. we should be able to do. We need to do more rapid screening. The vast majority of the people who We should be able to resolve the issue We certainly need to take care of the are in our country illegally didn’t cross of chain migration. We somehow be- issue of sanctuary cities. All of the Na- a border illegally. They came with a lieve that chain migration is an issue tion last week did a giant sigh for Kate visa, they overstayed it, and they that has existed forever. It has not. It Steinle’s family. Kate was murdered in never left. We are never asking the has been around only since 1965. Prior San Francisco—a sanctuary city—by questions: Who is here, who is not here, to 1965, our immigration issues were someone who had seven felonies and and where do those connections come tighter than they are now. But now it who had been deported five times. Then from? has formed into this system where you a jury said that because the bullet rico- What I would like to find is a way to can have initially your nuclear family, cheted off the ground, it wasn’t really establish a group of foundational issues and then as you gain citizenship, you murder. He can go free. We have to re- that are commonsense solutions to the can add parents, and you can eventu- solve the issue of sanctuary cities. obvious immigration issues that we ally add siblings, and you can add That is unjust. We are better than that face—and find common ground. We will other individuals, and it continues to as a nation. have disagreement in this body, but we accelerate. We certainly should resolve the issue should be able to find common ground I am always frustrated when I hear of DACA. We have kids who have been on immigration issues that we can all people talk about our legal immigra- in this country and have grown up in look at and say: That is a reasonable tion system in the United States and this country. They get up every day, way to do it. Probably, every Member say that we should be more open. We and they say the Pledge of Allegiance of this body would do it a little bit dif- admit 1 million people a year through to this country. They speak perfect ferent, and we would have a different legal immigration—1 million a year. English. They have great grades and no set of preferences, but we should all We are a very open country to legal im- criminal history. I asked people in my agree it should be done. We have to migration. State: Who would you like to come solve the obvious issues, and there are We need to be more precise. We need into the country and be free to join areas of common ground to be able to to base our immigration not just on this country? If they say the pledge do it. chains of family connections but actu- every day, if they speak perfect Quite frankly, the President of the ally what our Nation needs to grow English, if they are passionate about United States gave us quite a gift economically. I am not anti-family— entrepreneurship and starting compa- about 31⁄2 months ago when he said to far from it—but we should have a rea- nies and getting engaged, if they have the DACA Program: That is an admin- sonable system. Canada doesn’t do it joined the military—that is exactly istrative program. It should be a legis- this way. Australia doesn’t do it this whom the people of my State would lative issue. I am not going to renew way. The UK doesn’t do it this way. We like to see immigrate to this country that any more as an administrative still do. We should be able to resolve to be a part of it. issue. That needs to be done in Con- this. Well, guess what. We have almost a gress. We should deal with the issue of bor- million of them already living here, For the first time in a long time, der security. There has been a lot of but they have no legal status. They Congress has a deadline to be able to conversation about a wall. I don’t were brought here as a child by their deal with immigration. That is actu- think we should have a 2,000-mile-long parents under no decision of their own. ally a very good gift because this Con- wall on our southern border and a We should have a long-term legislative gress has punted the immigration issue multithousand-mile-long wall on our solution. This particular bill that is year after year without a deadline to northern border, but I do think we under discussion now has a short-term get it resolved. Now we do have one. should be able to monitor our border solution to that, something called the That deadline is in early March. I and know who is coming in and out. BRIDGE Act. It is a 3-year legislative would suggest to this body: Let’s get it Not everyone is coming just to work. solution. It cries out for a longer solu- resolved. Let’s find the areas where we There are individuals who are traf- tion, but it at least gives additional can actually find common ground in ficking drugs and people. We do need to certainty more so than what DACA this area. Some should be pretty obvi- be able to monitor them. has. ous. I have heard folks say that we don’t I would challenge this body to look Immigration courts, right now, have need a wall anywhere. I totally dis- at all of these reasonable solutions and over half a million cases backlogged agree. This whole adage of a 20-foot to say: If we can’t decide on these, let’s and pending. Currently, if you are wall just begs for a 21-foot ladder—if start the conversation. What can we going to hire a new judge to be able to you talk to the homeland security decide on? How far can we get? How be in the immigration courts, it will folks and the border security folks, much can we resolve in immigration? take 742 days to hire one immigration they would say: Fine, put a 21-foot lad- Let’s do it, and let’s do it right. Let’s judge. That is not right. That is ridicu- der there because it slows you down in start the conversation, but let’s finish lous. We should be able to get that re- the process. A wall is not designed to it this time. We should negotiate with solved, to be able to add new judges to prevent you entirely; it is designed to the House. They have some great ideas. our immigration courts, and to be able slow you so we can actually interdict We should negotiate here. There are to help deal with the backlog of over you, prevent you from coming in. some tremendous ideas on both sides of half a million people. The E-Verify sys- Yuma, AZ, can tell us the story the aisle. But let’s certainly get it tem has been renewed in a bipartisan about when they put up a wall, how it done. I look forward to that ongoing way year after year. Let’s take it be- dramatically slowed down crime in conversation. Let’s get this resolved in yond the temporary program that it is Yuma, AZ, rather than just having an the days ahead. right now. Some people don’t know it open border. There are areas where we I yield the floor. is a temporary program. Let’s move it desperately need a wall. There are The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- from a temporary program to a perma- other areas where we just need vehic- ator from Texas. nent program. Let’s do a permanent re- ular barriers. There are other areas Mr. CORNYN. Mr. President, I know authorization. And let’s make the where we need drones, and we need the Senator from Arkansas has some tweaks and changes that are needed, greater technology. But we certainly remarks to make, so I will keep mine whether it is to be able to move E- need more personnel in that area. It is brief. I want to speak on the introduc- Verify into the hiring system, whether one of the other challenges we face. tion of the Security, Enforcement, and

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This bill is a product of a The DACA Program was designed to gration, to limit chain migration, to working group formed by Chairman help those who were brought here ille- reform our refugee program, and to GRASSLEY of the Senate Judiciary gally, but it was not created lawfully. eliminate our diversity lottery. This Committee—the committee with juris- President Trump, as I said, did the Congress needs to take up our legisla- diction over immigration matters. I right thing when he kicked it back to tion and pass it. But today I want to have been a part of that, as have Sen- Congress. So we have now introduced a focus on chain migration in particular ators Graham, Tillis, Lankford, bill that will address the very issues because chain migration is one of the Perdue, and Cotton. that our friends across the aisle say biggest categories of immigration that I would say to our friend from Illi- they care about the most: a solution bring unskilled and low-skilled work- nois, we are all united in the desire to for the DACA recipients. This bill pro- ers to this country to compete for jobs actually come up with a solution to vides a framework for a legislative pro- and drive down the wages of working this problem. posal that we can support and that will Americans. Our working group had two assign- regain America’s trust. Did you know that once you have ments. The first was to adopt reforms I have told both Senator SCHUMER, legal status in this country, once you to secure America’s borders and en- the Democratic leader, and my friend have a green card and become a citizen, force our immigration laws. The second Senator DURBIN from Illinois that I you can bring to this country not only was to find a compassionate solution stand ready to work with them on a your spouse and your unmarried minor for those individuals who received de- proposal that includes the four pillars children but your adult children and ferred action under the DACA Program of the GOP framework: border security, their spouses and their children and created by President Obama in 2012. interior enforcement, improvements to your adult brother and your adult sis- When I introduced a border security the E-Verify system, and some limits ter and your parents and their sib- bill—the Building America’s Trust on chain migration. I hope they will lings—and it goes on and on and on. Act—in August, I made clear that the come back to the table and respond to That is why it is called chain migra- main purpose for that was to create so- this proposal. I hope they will also quit tion. lutions that we could put in place to threatening to shut down the govern- Our legislation would put a halt to deal with our porous borders and that ment, which won’t solve the problem chain migration. It is a kind of down- throwing money at the problem is not but, indeed, will make it worse. payment on long-lasting legal immi- the answer, but it was also contem- Mr. President, I yield the floor. gration reform, in addition to things The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- plating that at some point in the not like strengthening E-Verify, improving ator from Arkansas. too distant future, we would need to security at our border, and Kate’s Law, Mr. COTTON. Mr. President, I want named in honor of Kate Steinle, as we combine border security and enforce- to associate myself with much of what heard Chairman GRASSLEY outline ear- ment measures with a solution for the my Republican colleagues have said lier today. recipients of the deferred action under about the immigration bill we are We are also pairing those provisions President Obama, which now President working on—or perhaps I should say, to with a bill that Democrats and Repub- Trump has appropriately sent back to be more accurate, the immigration bill licans should support, the BRIDGE Congress for us to address. we should be working on, because the Coming from the State with the long- Act. The idea of this bill is simple Democrats at this point simply will enough—that everyone who has a est border with a foreign country—the not take yes for an answer. We are of- DACA card gets 3-year provisional sta- State of Texas—I can tell my col- fering a package that they should sup- tus. That gives them certainty without leagues that my understanding and ap- port, and in return, they are threat- giving them permanent residency or preciation for border security are ening to shut down the government. multifaceted. It requires boots on the So let me just dispense off the top citizenship, which I think sounds pret- ground, it requires technology, and it with their argument, such as it is, ty reasonable. I know the Democrats requires improvements in aging infra- about the so-called DACA recipients. agree with me, too, because earlier this structure at our ports of entry. But it No one is eager to deport 690,000 ille- year they were calling for passage of also requires new authorities and en- gal immigrants who are here mostly the BRIDGE Act. The BRIDGE Act is hancements to existing immigration through no fault of their own. They supported by Members of both parties, laws to close loopholes that incentivize were left in legal limbo by President as Chairman GRASSLEY outlined, in- people who repeatedly violate our laws. Obama, and everyone wants to find a cluding many prominent Democratic We can all agree that we need to pro- good, durable, long-term solution. Senators—both Senators from Cali- tect America’s international borders, But if we are going to give legal sta- fornia, the senior Senator from Flor- whether they be to the north or south. tus to these illegal immigrants in their ida, the junior Senator from New York, Each day that we fail to put the needed twenties and their thirties, we have to even the minor leader and the minority resources and laws in place for border recognize that there are going to be whip. In fact, the minority whip called security and interior enforcement, we negative side effects. the BRIDGE Act a bipartisan break- strengthen the resolve of drug cartels, First, we are going to encourage par- through. gangs, and transnational criminal or- ents from around the world who live in If the Democrats were to oppose our ganizations to encroach on our sov- poverty and oppression and war to ille- legislation today, the SECURE Act, ereignty with impunity. gally immigrate to our country with the question would be, Why? Well, I If we are going to act to help folks small children. What could be more think I know what they might say. who were brought here by their par- dangerous and even immoral than They might say: Oh, those terrible Re- ents, for whom we all have compas- that? publicans have added a bunch of ter- sion—and thanks to President Obama’s Second, we are going to create a rible Republican ideas to this bill. Let insistence on going around Congress in whole new category of Americans who me just ask, which of these provisions violation of the law, they now find could get legal status for their ex- are so terrible? That we secure our bor- themselves in limbo—prioritizing the tended family, to include the very par- der? Countries have borders, and those resources needed to secure the border ents who brought them here in viola- borders have to be secure. Is it terrible is the first step. It is not the last step, tion of our laws. We often hear that that we stop unscrupulous employers it is the first step. If we can dem- children ought not pay for the crimes from hiring illegal immigrants by onstrate our ability to deal with a of their parents. That may be so, but strengthening E-Verify? When people compassionate solution for the DACA surely parents can pay for the crimes say that E-Verify doesn’t work, what recipients and combine that with real of the parents. They are the ones who they mean is—E-Verify works. What border security and interior enforce- created the situation in the first place. they mean is that they want employers

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:39 Dec 06, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00014 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G05DE6.024 S05DEPT1 lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with SENATE December 5, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S7839 to be able to hire illegal immigrants, There appears to be a sufficient sec- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without to take jobs away from Americans and ond. objection, it is so ordered. The clerk will call the roll. pay them submarket wages. f What about discouraging illegal and The bill clerk called the roll. highly dangerous border crossings? Mr. CORNYN. The following Senator EXECUTIVE SESSION To get back to chain migration, do is necessarily absent: the Senator from we really want a system in which green Tennessee (Mr. ALEXANDER). cards are given out by random chance? Further, if present and voting, the EXECUTIVE CALENDAR Because that is what we have not just Senator from Tennessee (Mr. ALEX- Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I in the diversity lottery but through ANDER) would have voted ‘‘yea.’’ ask unanimous consent that the Sen- chain migration. Today, you can get a The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. ate proceed to executive session for the green card in this country simply be- STRANGE). Are there any other Sen- consideration of the following nomina- cause someone in your extended family ators in the Chamber desiring to vote? tion: Executive Calendar No. 455. happened to immigrate to this country The yeas and nays resulted—yeas 62, The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without 20 or 30 or 40 years ago, irrespective of nays 37, as follows: objection, it is so ordered. your ability to stand on your own two [Rollcall Vote No. 305 Leg.] The clerk will report the nomination. feet in our economy, to get a job and YEAS—62 The senior assistant legislative clerk pay taxes and not take welfare, to as- Barrasso Gardner Paul read the nomination of Emily Webster similate into our culture. Blunt Graham Perdue Boozman Grassley Murphy, of Missouri, to be Adminis- Shouldn’t we have an immigration Portman Burr Hatch Reed trator of General Services. system that focuses on the needs of Capito Heitkamp Risch Thereupon, the Senate proceeded to America’s workers and the American Carper Heller Roberts consider the nomination. economy, not one that gives out green Cassidy Hoeven Rounds Cochran Inhofe Rubio Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I cards by random chance the way we Collins Isakson Sasse ask unanimous consent that the Sen- have today? Shouldn’t we be focused on Coons Johnson Scott ate vote on the nomination with no in- the jobs and the wages of American Corker Kennedy Cornyn King Shelby tervening action or debate; that if con- citizens? After all, they are who elect- Strange Cotton Lankford firmed, the motion to reconsider be ed us to come here to represent their Sullivan Crapo Lee considered made and laid upon the interests. Cruz Manchin Tester I don’t think this is unreasonable, Daines McCain Thune table; that the President be imme- Tillis and, frankly, I don’t think the Demo- Donnelly McCaskill diately notified of the Senate’s action; Enzi McConnell Toomey that no further motions be in order; crats do either. They have supported Ernst Moran Warner the BRIDGE Act. They have supported Fischer Murkowski Wicker and that any statements relating to reform of other immigration pro- Flake Nelson Young the nomination be printed in the grams—temporary visas—because they NAYS—37 RECORD. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without worry about the impact of immigration Baldwin Gillibrand Peters on lower wage, blue-collar workers. Bennet Harris Sanders objection, it is so ordered. Now, the Republicans have stepped Blumenthal Hassan Schatz The question is, Will the Senate ad- Booker Heinrich Schumer vise and consent to the Murphy nomi- up and done exactly what the Demo- Brown Hirono Shaheen nation? crats have said they wanted: We have Cantwell Kaine Stabenow offered a real, long-term solution for Cardin Klobuchar Udall The nomination was confirmed. Casey Leahy Van Hollen persons who have received a DACA Cortez Masto Markey f Warren work permit. All we are asking for in Duckworth Menendez Whitehouse Durbin Merkley EXECUTIVE CALENDAR exchange are commonsense reforms to Wyden prevent another situation, like the one Feinstein Murphy Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I Franken Murray happening now, in the future. So it is ask unanimous consent that the Sen- time for Democrats and Republicans to NOT VOTING—1 ate proceed to the consideration of the come together and support this bill. Alexander following nomination: Executive Cal- If you are serious about helping these The nomination was confirmed. endar No. 501. DACA permit recipients, you should The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without vote for this bill now. It is good for JOHNSON). Under the previous order, objection, it is so ordered. those DACA recipients, it is good for the motion to reconsider is considered The clerk will report the nomination. American workers, it is good for our made and laid upon the table and the The senior assistant legislative clerk communities, and it will be a good first President will be immediately notified read the nomination of Glen R. Smith, step toward lasting pro-American, pro- of the Senate’s action. of Iowa, to be a Member of the Farm worker immigration reform. The Senator from Alabama. Credit Administration Board, Farm I yield the floor. f Credit Administration, for a term ex- I suggest the absence of a quorum. LEGISLATIVE SESSION piring May 21, 2022. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Thereupon, the Senate proceeded to clerk will call the roll. consider the nomination. The legislative clerk proceeded to MORNING BUSINESS Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I call the roll. ask unanimous consent that the Sen- Mr. ENZI. Mr. President, I ask unani- Mr. STRANGE. Mr. President, I ask ate vote on the nomination with no in- mous consent that the order for the unanimous consent that the Senate tervening action or debate; that if con- quorum call be rescinded. proceed to legislative session for a pe- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without riod of morning business, with Sen- firmed, the motion to reconsider be objection, it is so ordered. ators permitted to speak therein for up considered made and laid upon the Mr. ENZI. Mr. President, I ask unani- to 10 minutes each. table; that the President be imme- mous consent that all time be yielded The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without diately notified of the Senate’s action; back. objection, it is so ordered. that no further motions be in order; The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without Mr. STRANGE. I suggest the absence and that any statements relating to objection, it is so ordered. of a quorum. the nomination be printed in the The question is, Will the Senate ad- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The RECORD. vise and consent to the Nielsen nomi- clerk will call the roll. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without nation? The senior assistant legislative clerk objection, it is so ordered. Mr. ENZI. Mr. President, I ask for proceeded to call the roll. The question is, Will the Senate ad- the yeas and nays. Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I vise and consent to the Smith nomina- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there a ask unanimous consent that the order tion? sufficient second? for the quorum call be rescinded. The nomination was confirmed.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:39 Dec 06, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00015 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G05DE6.025 S05DEPT1 lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with SENATE S7840 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE December 5, 2017 UNANIMOUS CONSENT AGREE- are treated with the same weight and not—provide virtually all the internet con- MENT—EXECUTIVE CALENDAR value as any other. Until the FCC fully nections to American homes and and meaningfully considers the more smartphones. Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I Together these giants have carved the ask unanimous consent that at a time than 21.7 million comments it has re- internet into a historically profitable system to be determined by the majority lead- ceived about this proposed rule, it of fiefs. They have turned a network whose er, in consultation with the Demo- should not proceed with this vote. very promise was endless innovation into cratic leader, the Senate proceed to ex- A recent New York Times article by one stuck in mud, where every start-up is at ecutive session for consideration of Farhad Manjoo, entitled, ‘‘The Internet the tender mercy of some of the largest cor- Is Dying. Repealing Net Neutrality porations on the planet. Calendar No. 321, the nomination of Jo- Many companies feel this shift. In a letter seph Balash to be an Assistant Sec- Hastens That Death,’’ lays out clearly why the FCC’s proposed repeal of net to Ajit Pai, the F.C.C. chairman, who drafted retary of the Interior. I further ask the net neutrality repeal order, more than that there be 1 hour of debate on the neutrality will bring the open internet 200 start-ups argued this week that the order nomination, equally divided in the one giant leap closer to becoming a ‘‘would put small and medium-sized busi- usual form; and that following the use corporate playground. If, as expected, nesses at a disadvantage and prevent innova- or yielding back of time, the Senate Chairman Pai jams through his pro- tive new ones from even getting off the posed rule change next week, it will be ground.’’ This, they said, was ‘‘the opposite vote on confirmation with no inter- of the open market, with a few powerful vening action or debate; and that if clear that he has done so to the benefit of a few deep-pocketed corporations cable and phone companies picking winners confirmed, the motion to reconsider be and losers instead of consumers.’’ considered made and laid upon the and to the detriment of everyone else This was not the way the internet was sup- table and the President be immediately who relies on the internet to support posed to go. At its deepest technical level, notified of the Senate’s action. commerce, communication, and com- the Internet was designed to avoid the cen- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without munity. I ask unanimous consent that tral points of control that now command it. objection, it is so ordered. the article by Mr. Manjoo be printed in The technical scheme arose from an even the RECORD. deeper philosophy. The designers of the f There being no objection, the mate- internet understood that communications rial was ordered to be printed in the networks gain new powers through their end LEGISLATIVE SESSION nodes—that is, through the new devices and RECORD, as follows: services that plug into the network, rather [From the New York Times, Nov. 29, 2017] than the computers that manage traffic on MORNING BUSINESS THE INTERNET IS DYING, REPEALING NET the network. This is known as the ‘‘end-to- end’’ principle of network design, and it basi- Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I NEUTRALITY HASTENS THAT DEATH (By Farhad Manjoo) cally explains why the internet led to so ask unanimous consent that the Sen- many more innovations than the centralized Sure, technically, the internet still works. ate proceed to legislative session for a networks that came before it, such as the old Pull up Facebook on your phone and you will period of morning business, with Sen- telephone network. ators permitted to speak therein for up still see your second cousin’s baby pictures. The internet’s singular power, in its early to 10 minutes each. But that isn’t really the internet. It’s not gold-rush days, was its flexibility. People the open, anyone-can-build-it network of the could imagine a dazzling array of new uses The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without 1990s and early 2000s, the product of tech- objection, it is so ordered. for the network, and as quick as that, they nologies created over decades through gov- could build and deploy them—a site that sold f ernment funding and academic research, the you books, a site that cataloged the world’s network that helped undo Microsoft’s stran- information, an application that let you NET NEUTRALITY glehold on the tech business and gave us up- ‘‘borrow’’ other people’s music, a social net- Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, next starts like Amazon, Google, Facebook and work that could connect you to anyone. Netflix. You didn’t need permission for any of this week, the Federal Communications Nope, that freewheeling internet has been Commission, FCC, will consider a pro- stuff; some of these innovations ruined tradi- dying a slow death—and a vote next month tional industries, some fundamentally al- posed rule, that, if approved, will end by the Federal Communications Commission tered society, and many were legally dubi- net neutrality as we know it and will to undo net neutrality would be the final pil- ous. But the internet meant you could just threaten the foundation of a free and low in its face. put it up, and if it worked, the rest of the open internet. Net neutrality is the Net neutrality is intended to prevent com- world would quickly adopt it. simple proposition that internet serv- panies that provide internet service from of- But if flexibility was the early internet’s ice providers should treat all internet fering preferential treatment to certain con- promise, it was soon imperiled. In 2003, Tim tent over their lines. The rules prevent, for Wu, a law professor now at Columbia Law traffic the same; they should not be instance, AT&T from charging a fee to com- able to exploit their power to charge School (he’s also a contributor to The New panies that want to stream high-definition York Times), saw signs of impending cor- for preferred treatment, allowing big videos to people. porate control over the growing internet. corporations to dominate the internet. Because net neutrality shelters start-ups— Broadband companies that were investing The Chairman of the FCC, Ajit Pai, which can’t easily pay for fast-line access— great sums to roll out faster and faster inter- wants the FCC to undo its protections from internet giants that can pay, the rules net service to Americans were becoming for net neutrality. His proposed ruling are just about the last bulwark against the wary of running an anything-goes network. is perversely styled as ‘‘Restoring complete corporate takeover of much of on- Some of the new uses of the internet line life. When the rules go, the internet will Internet Freedom,’’ when in fact it threatened their bottom line. People were still work, but it will look like and feel like using online services as an alternative to would do the opposite. It would allow something else altogether—a network in paying for cable TV or long-distance phone internet service providers to decide which business development deals, rather service. They were connecting devices like which websites will be privileged and than innovation, determine what you experi- Wi-Fi routers, which allowed them to share which will be throttled or even ence, a network that feels much more like their connections with multiple devices. At blocked. Make no mistake: This will cable TV than the technological Wild West the time, there were persistent reports of mean that the big firms that can afford that gave you Napster and Netflix. broadband companies seeking to block or the ‘‘fast lane’’ will be protected, while If this sounds alarmist, consider that the otherwise frustrate these new services; in a state of digital competition is already pretty harming consumers, startups, and po- few years, some broadband providers would sorry. As I’ve argued regularly, much of the begin blocking new services outright. tentially even freedom of speech on- tech industry is at risk of getting swallowed To Mr. Wu, the broadband monopolies line. by giants. Today’s internet is lousy with looked like a threat to the end-to-end idea Alarmingly, Chairman Pai has de- gatekeepers, tollbooths and monopolists. that had powered the internet. In a legal cided to ignore millions of comments The five most valuable American compa- journal, he outlined an idea for regulation to submitted by individuals across the nies—Amazon, Apple, Facebook, Google and preserve the internet’s equal-opportunity de- country, citing concerns that they are Microsoft—control much of the online infra- sign—and hence was born ‘‘net neutrality.’’ not ‘‘unique.’’ As a Member of Congress structure, from app stores to operating sys- Though it has been through a barrage of tems to cloud storage to nearly all of the on- legal challenges and resurrections, some accountable to my constituents, this is line ad business. A handful of broadband form of net neutrality has been the gov- a particularly offensive posture. companies—AT&T, Charter, Comcast and erning regime on the internet since 2005. The Unique or not, comments and concerns Verizon, many of which are also aiming to new F.C.C. order would undo the idea com- submitted to my office by Vermonters become content companies, because why pletely; companies would be allowed to block

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This indicated the they liked, as long as they disclosed the ar- reportedly urged the Honduran police possibility of an historic upset, and rangements. and military to disobey orders of their while based on past practice the final At the moment, broadband companies are commanders to fire on demonstrators. count was expected the next day, the promising not to act unfairly, and they argue that undoing the rules would give Even before the Honduran people process of tallying the votes dragged them further incentive to invest in their went to the polls, the prospects for a on behind closed doors with no further broadband capacity, ultimately improving free, fair, and peaceful election faced announcements. the internet. many challenges. The most obvious While Nasralla and his supporters Brian Hart. an F.C.C. spokesman, said point of contention is that President celebrated and the third-placed can- broadband companies would still be covered Hernandez is seeking a second term, didate, Luis Zelaya of the Liberal by antitrust laws and other rules meant to since until recently the Honduran Con- party, conceded, President Hernandez prevent anticompetitive behavior. He noted stitution had been interpreted to and his allies in the press insisted that that Mr. Pai’s proposals would simply return the network to an earlier, pre-network-neu- strictly limit Presidents to a single 4- he would come out on top once the trality regulatory era. year term. rural votes were counted. ‘‘The internet flourished under this frame- Ironically, in 2009 former President The TSE also said the rural vote work before, and it will again,’’ he said. Manuel Zelaya was forced from power count was delayed, and on Wednesday, Broadband companies are taking a similar by a coalition of military officers, after a long silence, the TSE indicated line. When I pointed out to a Comcast businessowners, and conservative poli- that Nasralla’s lead had started to spokeswoman that the company’s promises ticians, including Hernandez, after shrink, but the press reported that no were only voluntary—that nothing will pre- they accused Zelaya of using a popular technical reason was apparent to ex- vent Comcast from one day creating special referendum on a proposed constitu- plain the delay as the results from all tiers of internet service with bundled con- tent, much like the way it now sells cable tional convention to extend his own polling stations were reportedly trans- TV she suggested I was jumping the gun. rule. mitted electronically as soon as the After all, people have been predicting the Zelaya’s ouster was initially labeled polls closed. end of the internet for years. In 2003, Michael a coup by the U.S. State Department, As time dragged on, suspicions of Copps, a Democratically appointed commis- but it was not long before the United fraud escalated among Nasralla’s sup- sioner on the F.C.C. who was alarmed by the States accepted the result and resumed porters, and last Wednesday afternoon, central choke points then taking command sending economic and military aid to the TSE said its computer system had of the internet, argued that ‘‘we could be the government of President Porfirio inexplicably ceased functioning for 5 witnessing the beginning of the end of the hours. Then on Wednesday night, the internet as we know it.’’ Lobo. During the next 3 years, the in- It’s been a recurrent theme among wor- flux of illicit drugs and the incidence of TSE reported that President Hernandez riers ever since. In 2014, the last time it violence, including assassinations of was ahead by several thousand votes, looked like net neutrality would get gutted, journalists and other civil society lead- which triggered protests by Nasralla’s Nilay Patel, editor of the Verge, declared the ers, increased dramatically, and Hon- supporters, some of them reportedly internet dead (he used another word for duras became among the most violent throwing rocks and lighting fires in the ‘‘dead’’). And he did it again this year, an- countries in the world. streets, who were met by troops firing ticipating Mr. Pai’s proposal. After Hernandez became president of tear gas and live bullets. But look, you might say: Despite the hand- the National Congress, he and his Na- According to press reports, the oppo- wringing, the internet has kept on trucking. Start-ups are still getting funded and going tional Party replaced the Supreme sition is questioning ballots from 5,300 public. Crazy new things still sometimes get Court with justices intended to support polling places and has called for a re- invented and defy all expectations; Bitcoin, their political agenda. In 2013, Her- count of ballots from three rural de- which is as Wild West as they come, just hit nandez was declared President of Hon- partments. Yesterday morning, after $10,000 on some exchanges. duras after an election fraught with re- only a partial recount, the TSE an- Well, O.K. But a vibrant network doesn’t ports of vote buying and threats and nounced its final tally in favor of die all at once. It takes time and neglect; it assassinations of political opponents. President Hernandez by just 1.49 per- grows weaker by the day, but imperceptibly, Two years later, the same Supreme cent, a gap of 52,333 votes. so that one day we are living in a digital The process has been so lacking in world controlled by giants and we come to Court ruled that he could run for a sec- regard the whole thing as normal. ond term, paving the way for last transparency, so fraught with irreg- It’s not normal. It wasn’t always this way. week’s election. Just 8 years after ularities and inexplicable delays, and The internet doesn’t have to be a corporate former President Zelaya was pushed coupled with reports of excessive force playground. That’s just the path we’ve cho- out for allegedly proposing that the by the Honduran police and military sen. Honduran people vote on the question against peaceful protesters, it is in- f of a second term, President Hernandez creasingly obvious that the TSE’s an- had consolidated his control by replac- nouncement made a bad situation HONDURAS ing the justices of the Supreme Court, worse. There is too much suspicion of Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, I want to appointing the TSE, maintaining a ma- fraud and too much distrust. alert all Senators to the situation in jority in the Congress, and using the On Saturday, I asked the U.S. Em- Honduras. Those of us who care about state media to drown out his critics. It bassy in Tegucigalpa three simple but Central America have watched the was widely predicted that he would important questions about the delays, election for Honduras’s next President coast to victory. the TSE’s tally of the votes, and the with increasing alarm. It has been President Hernandez’s government, reports of shootings of protesters. It is more than a week since November 26, in addition to becoming increasingly late Tuesday afternoon, and I have yet when the people of Honduras cast their autocratic, has been dogged by accusa- to receive answers. This lack of respon- votes. Since then, repeated delays and tions of pervasive corruption. siveness in such a time of crisis is trou- suspicious behavior, which suggests ei- For these reasons and because of the bling, and I hope it is not a new stand- ther incompetence or fraud, by the Su- opaque and bizarre conduct of the TSE ard. preme Electoral Tribunal, TSE, that during the vote tallying process, it is Yesterday evening, the OAS issued a has been tallying the ballots, have in- perhaps not surprising that the situa- statement that ‘‘the tight margin of cited large public demonstrations. tion has deteriorated to the point of the results, and the irregularities, er- Late last week, the government of becoming a national crisis of con- rors and systemic problems that have President Juan Orlando Hernandez sus- fidence in the integrity of Honduras’s surrounded this election do not allow pended constitutional rights and im- democracy. the Mission to hold certainty about the posed a 10-day, 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew. Contrary to past practice, the TSE results.’’ There were also reports that Several protesters, including a 19-year- did not issue early results until the day large numbers of Honduran police offi- old girl, have reportedly been shot and after the polls closed. At that time, it cers, many of whom have longstanding killed by Honduran troops, and hun- announced that, with 57 percent of the grievances, are refusing orders to use dreds more have been arrested. Sal- vote counted, Mr. Nasralla, a former force against the protesters. Earlier vador Nasralla, the main opposition TV sports journalist, was leading by 5 today, I was informed that there may

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:39 Dec 06, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00017 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A05DE6.022 S05DEPT1 lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with SENATE S7842 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE December 5, 2017 be at least 15 fatalities and many peo- ate Armed Services Committee from ners and forged strong ties on a myriad ple injured from gunshot wounds. 2005 until the time he was sworn in as of programs, including the Joint Strike There are reports that the police and Assistant Secretary of the Navy. Be- Fighter and Columbia class submarine. military fired many shots, sometimes fore that, Sean graduated from the Secretary Stackley was a staunch ad- in the air and other times at the Naval Academy in 1979 and served on vocate for the acquisition workforce. crowds. Active Duty in the Navy until 2005, He successfully argued for tools and The importance of this election, when he retired after having been pro- funding that would provide necessary which will determine who leads Hon- gram manager for the LPD–17 Pro- training and certification for the work- duras for the next 4 years, cannot be gram. force. In addition, he was passionate overstated. This is especially so be- It would be hard to find a more dedi- about promoting diversity. His dedica- cause of the way it came about in the cated public servant who brought so tion to the workforce was most evident first place. There was already resent- much to the table and continued to during the Washington Navy Yard ment toward President Hernandez for give his best even after he could justifi- shooting and the days and weeks that the double standard of participating in ably have moved on to an easier job. followed where he was most concerned the coup against Zelaya and then or- There was hardly any area of building with the well-being of the individuals chestrating his own path to reelection. the Navy of the future where Secretary impacted. As one Honduran was quoted saying, Stackley’s good judgment and broad I am very sorry to see Secretary they ‘‘are reliving the entire crisis experience has not improved the out- Stackley leave government service, but from the coup of 2009, and the majority come. During his tenure, he was re- he has more than earned time to pur- of people don’t really like that because sponsible for placing 90 ships, nearly sue other goals. However, I am con- it brings back some ugly memories.’’ 1,700 aircraft, and over 20,000 weapons fident that his legacy will continue President Hernandez and Mr. under contract. He was a staunch advo- with the strong team that he built and Nasralla offer significantly different cate for making every dollar count and nurtured. approaches to tackling the country’s worked to employ competitive tech- With that, I want to wish Sean and problems. Given the debacle of the past niques on every contract where pos- his wife, Terri, ‘‘fair winds and fol- week and the growing popular outcry, sible. He championed multiyear con- lowing seas.’’ it is apparent that establishing the tracts on mature programs, including f credibility of the electoral process and the Arleigh Burke class destroyer, Vir- the integrity of Honduras’s democracy ginia class attack submarine, MV–22 TRIBUTE TO BONNIE KIND requires either recounting the con- tiltrotor, and the F/A–18 Super Hornet Mr. COCHRAN. Mr. President, I am tested ballots from each of the 5,300 Programs which collectively saved the pleased to commend Bonnie Kind, who polling places in the presence of rep- taxpayer over $6 billion. He drove di- has dedicated her professional career to resentatives of the political parties, rect competition on many programs, serving the American people since representatives of civil society, and including the Presidential helicopter, starting her career with the Social Se- international observers or holding a air and missile defense radar, ship-to- curity Administration, SSA, as a stu- new election. shore connector, and amphibious com- dent trainee more than 40 years ago. In the meantime, it is the responsi- bat vehicle. He also introduced many Bonnie currently serves as the Asso- bility of the Honduran Government, creative forms of competition, includ- ciate Commissioner for Budget and particularly the police and the mili- ing combining two different ship class- principal adviser to the SSA Chief Fi- tary, to respect and defend the right of es in one solicitation and introducing nancial Officer. In her current role, she the Honduran people to freely and competition on the Aegis weapon sys- has provided vigilance and stewardship peacefully express their opinions. tem for the first time in 40 years. of the agency’s approximately $1 tril- Honduras faces a defining moment in Secretary Stackley’s creativity in lion program budget and nearly $12 bil- its modern history. How the govern- acquisition contributed to ensuring a lion administrative budget. ment resolves this crisis will determine strong industrial base. He promoted Bonnie has earned the respect and the path of the country for the foresee- open architecture standards for all gratitude of many on Capitol Hill for able future. It will also determine the Navy programs to provide competitive her diligence and assistance in making extent of validity and support the next opportunities for large, medium, and sure Members and staff have reliable government receives from the United small businesses. He ensured the De- information on which to make budget States because only a credible election, partment synchronized contract and appropriations decisions. She has accepted widely by the Honduran peo- awards on major weapons programs so excelled at developing relationships ple as free and fair, coupled with a de- that industry could be more efficient over the decades as she educated con- monstrable commitment to trans- by combining commodity and sub- gressional staff about the Social Secu- parency, to freedom of expression and rity budget. Those dealings, combined association, and to the rule of law, will vendor buys. He also challenged the justify that validity and support. Department’s purchases of contractor with her understanding of the Federal services which saved the Department budget process and political knowl- f over $2 billion. He was also an advocate edge, have helped Congress understand TRIBUTE TO SEAN J. STACKLEY for small business and proactively as- the SSA budget and the service the Mr. REED. Mr. President, I would signed every deputy program manager agency provides. like to make a few remarks to honor a to be the small business advocate in As importantly, Bonnie provides ex- great American. every program office. ecutive leadership and direction to Sean J. Stackley served as the As- Secretary Stackley did not shy away SSA in administering a comprehensive sistant Secretary of the Navy for Re- from difficult problems. He commis- program of budget policy, formulation, search, Development and Acquisition sioned an end-to-end review of CVN–78 presentation, and execution. She se- from July 28, 2008, to August 3, 2017. He program to keep the ship under the cures and manages the financial re- also served as the Acting Secretary of congressional cost cap. He was a cham- sources needed by the agency and its the Navy from January 20 to August 3, pion for the Navy’s cybersafe efforts. employees to serve the public and to 2017. By virtue of the length of his He implemented a settlement for the ensure stewardship of Social Security Navy service, Secretary Stackley has A–12 litigation, the longest running programs and resources. become the longest serving Assistant government contract case in history, Prior to her tenure as Associate Secretary of the Navy in history. Until by working diligently with General Dy- Commissioner for Budget, Bonnie Sean’s service, Franklin Delano Roo- namics and Boeing to find a win-win served as the comptroller and chief fi- sevelt held the record for the longest solution for the government and the nancial officer for the National Secu- serving Assistant Secretary of the contractors. He was always mindful of rity Agency where she oversaw finan- Navy, but Sean has eclipsed that the warfighter ensuring the Urgent cial management, accounting, and record by almost 2 years. Needs Process was agile and respon- budgeting activities. Before that, she I first came to know Secretary sive. He recognized the strength of served as the deputy associate commis- Stackley as a staff member of the Sen- working with our international part- sioner of the SAA Office of Financial

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:39 Dec 06, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00018 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G05DE6.035 S05DEPT1 lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with SENATE December 5, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S7843 Policy and Operations. Bonnie earned a lice Department, as well as the first methods for continuous improvement bachelor’s degree in accounting from Black female drill sergeant and com- based on student data and progress. To the University of Maryland and a mas- mand sergeant major in that organiza- support its students, the school uses a ters of business administration from tion. multitiered approach called response- Loyola University of Maryland. She Continuing to shatter barriers, Major to-intervention, RtI, that offers timely also holds a number of professional cer- Rush-Kittle transferred to the Con- support to students’ academic and be- tifications, including certified public necticut State Police, where she was havioral needs. The RtI team consists accountant, certified government fi- the first African-American woman to of classroom teachers, special edu- nancial manager, certified defense fi- become a State police sergeant, then a cation teachers, speech and occupa- nancial manager, and certified acquisi- State police lieutenant, and then a tional therapy staff, and other key tion professional. major in the history of this proud and staff. Kindred’s innovative approach Congress depends on the extensive storied department. She also was the and commitment to developing student expertise of dedicated public servants first to command a police barracks. potential has resulted in high student like Bonnie Kind. I extend my appre- Her devotion to serving the Con- outcomes that we can all be proud of. ciation and congratulations to her for necticut State Police led her to enroll School leadership states the ‘‘school 40 years of dedicated service to the in the 244th Session of the the FBI Na- district thrives because of the strong American people. I wish her the best in tional Academy in Quantico, VA. She relationship between students, their her retirement. also headed the Connecticut State Po- families, community members, and the school district staff.’’ To further the f lice Academy. Her studies, experiences, and devotion to law enforcement have communal relationship, the school of- ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS made her a role model for her peers. fers enrichment opportunities through Now retired from military service lyceums, field trips, and guest pre- and law enforcement, Major Rush- senters and performers. It is through TRIBUTE TO MAJOR REGINA this dedication that the school pro- RUSH-KITTLE Kittle is a credit to the State of Con- necticut and the country thanks to her vides a tailored education that allows ∑ Mr. BLUMENTHAL. Mr. President, unfailing sense of duty and readiness to student, staff, and faculty to succeed. today I wish to recognize Maj. Regina break barriers. I am pleased that she is The Kindred Public School District’s Rush-Kittle, a dedicated veteran and an integral part of a team of military mission statement reads, ‘‘Improving law enforcement officer whose strength and veteran volunteers who assist me tomorrow, by learning today.’’ This mission embodies all that Kindred Ele- and commitment to her community, in reviewing candidates to our military mentary is working to accomplish by her State, and her Nation merited her academies. induction into the Connecticut Wom- I applaud her many accomplishments looking at the needs of each individual en’s Hall of Fame this November. and hope my colleagues will join me in student, as well as providing a safe and respectful learning environment that Her life and career have been a series congratulating Major Rush-Kittle for breeds success. I wish the very best to of firsts. She is an amazing, tenacious, her well-earned induction into the Con- the community of Kindred and con- goal-oriented person who sets high necticut Women’s Hall of Fame.∑ standards for herself and for others. gratulations to all engaged at Kindred f She is well-regarded by her peers and Elementary for achieving this high recognized for her willingness to al- RECOGNIZING KINDRED honor. Thank you for your commit- ways give more than 100 percent. ELEMENTARY SCHOOL ment to our children and leaders of to- ∑ Major Rush-Kittle moved with her ∑ Ms. HEITKAMP. Mr. President, I morrow. family to Middletown, CT, as a young want to congratulate the students, fac- f girl. She attended Middletown High ulty, and parents of Kindred Elemen- RECOGNIZING LEGACY School, after which she pursued a polit- tary School, located in Kindred, ND, on ELEMENTARY SCHOOL ical science degree at the University of being awarded the 2017 National Blue ∑ Ms. HEITKAMP. Mr. President, I Connecticut. She subsequently ob- Ribbon School Award. want to congratulate the students, fac- tained a master’s in criminal justice at Founded in 1982, the National Blue ulty, and parents of Legacy Elemen- Western New England College. Ribbon Schools Program recognizes tary School, located in West Fargo, While at college, Major Rush-Kittle public and private elementary, middle, ND, on being awarded the 2017 National joined the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves, and high schools where students per- Blue Ribbon School Award. where she served for 3 years. She then form at very high levels or where sig- Founded in 1982, the National Blue transferred to the Army Reserves, nificant improvements are being made Ribbon Schools Program recognizes where she continued to serve her coun- in students’ academic achievement. A public and private elementary, middle, try for more than two decades. During National Blue Ribbon Schools flag and high schools where students per- that time, she was mobilized during overhead has become a mark of excel- form at very high levels or where sig- Operation Iraqi Freedom. Impressively, lence in education recognized by every- nificant improvements are being made Major Rush-Kittle earned the Bronze one from parents to policymakers in in students’ academic achievement. A Star Medal during her tour of duty for thousands of communities. Since the National Blue Ribbon Schools flag Operation Enduring Freedom in Af- program’s founding, the U.S. Depart- overhead has become a mark of excel- ghanistan, where she served as the ment of Education has bestowed this lence in education recognized by every- command sergeant major of the 321st coveted award to more than 8,500 of one from parents to policymakers in Military Intelligence Battalion of America’s best schools. thousands of communities. Since the Texas. She retired from the Reserves Kindred Elementary School serves program’s founding, the U.S. Depart- after 30 years of dedicated service. nearly 460 students and was one of ment of Education has bestowed this As amazing and stellar as her career three schools in North Dakota to be coveted award to more than 8,500 of serving our country, it is her law en- designated as an Exemplary High Per- America’s best schools. forcement career where Major Rush- forming School under this award. Re- Legacy Elementary School serves Kittle truly made her mark. ceiving recognition as a National Blue nearly 540 students and was one of Her interest in law enforcement Ribbon School signifies the hard work three schools in North Dakota to be arose when she began working as a cor- and dedication of the educators, stu- designated as an Exemplary High Per- rections officer at the the York Correc- dents, and parents involved, and I have forming School under this award. Re- tional Institution, a high-security no doubt the students at Kindred Ele- ceiving recognition as a National Blue women prison in Niantic, CT. Her pas- mentary are on a path to success. Kin- Ribbon School signifies the hard work sion for public safety and determina- dred Elementary hires and retains and dedication of the educators, stu- tion to knock down barriers to female highly effective teachers that operate dents, and parents involved, and I have advancement would lead Major Rush- using professional learning commu- no doubt the students at Legacy are on Kittle to become the first Black female nities. This allows school staff to col- a path to success. The school has re- patrol officer for the Middletown Po- laborate on a daily basis and develop ceived the Let’s Move Active Schools

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:39 Dec 06, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00019 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A05DE6.025 S05DEPT1 lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with SENATE S7844 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE December 5, 2017 National Award and the Star Award Ribbon School signifies the hard work He led efforts to attract new business from their local Dakota Medical Foun- and dedication of the educators, stu- investments in the city, including a dation. These awards show Legacy’s dents, and parents involved, and I have $182 million repurposing of a former dedication towards promoting health no doubt students at Longfellow are on electric powerplant into the head- and wellness among students and staff. a path to success. At Longfellow Ele- quarters of a major national insurance Such health strategies include building mentary, every educator serves mul- company. He worked to foster regional wide flexible seating and personalized tiple roles in their students’ day-to-day cooperation and economic development learning spaces, movement built into activities. To best support its students, efforts and led the creation of the Lan- their curriculum, along with multiple families are heavily involved in the sing Economic Area Partnership, the health snack and food options and ini- school and its functions. Unlike many Lansing area’s first regional economic tiatives, which work to build both schools in the Nation, Longfellow Ele- development public-private partner- short- and long-term healthy habits for mentary enjoys strong engagement and ship. students. support from their students’ parents, During the automotive crisis, Virg As school leadership states, ‘‘At Leg- making them a shining example of how organized Michigan mayors and led a acy, our school Mission is: Educate. our public schools can thrive through passionate and aggressive defense of Our school Vision is: Everyone robust community support. the American auto industry, which is Learns.’’ It is through this dedication Longfellow is one of two elementary one of Lansing and mid-Michigan’s that Legacy helps students excel aca- schools in the Fargo Public School Dis- backbone industries. He founded and demically, physically, emotionally, so- trict that provides an educational set- led the Manufacturing Alliance of cially, and culturally. The school does ting for students with a wide range of Communities, a national coalition of so by often writing their own curricula impairments that require extra atten- mayors that worked to secure Federal to ensure they teach what fits stu- tion. The multiple impairments mag- support for our automobile industry. dents’ needs and implementing pro- net program provides speech, occupa- Since that time, General Motors has grams that grow skills such as critical tional, and physical therapy services to invested more than $1 billion in their thinking, perseverance, problem solv- students. Cass County Public Health Lansing facilities and recently moved ing, and sportsmanship. The innova- supports the program with regular vis- production of the Chevrolet Camaro tion shown by the faculty at Legacy its by a nurse, and a music therapist from Canada to the Lansing Grand serves as a model that all schools can visits with the class two times a week. River assembly plant. look towards when finding new ways to It is through the Longfellow commu- I am grateful for Virg’s friendship promote student growth and develop- nity that the school has been able tai- and congratulate him on his years of ment. lor the teaching to their students’ extraordinary service. I wish him and The West Fargo Public Schools’ mis- his family all the best as he begins this needs. ∑ sion statement reads, ‘‘Educating to- The Longfellow’s vision includes, new chapter in his life. day’s learners for tomorrow’s world.’’ ‘‘Equitable opportunities will ensure a f This mission embodies all that Legacy quality educational experience to stim- MESSAGES FROM THE HOUSE Elementary is working to accomplish ulate and support all students in their At 10:02 a.m., a message from the by looking at the needs of each indi- intellectual, social, and personal House of Representatives, delivered by vidual student, as well as providing a growth.’’ This vision statement em- Mrs. Cole, one of its reading clerks, an- healthy and respectful learning envi- bodies all that Longfellow Elementary nounced that the House disagreed to ronment that breeds success. I wish the is working to accomplish by including the amendment of the Senate to the very best to the community of West parents and family in their discussions. bill (H.R. 1) to provide for reconcili- Fargo and congratulations to all en- I wish the very best to the community ation pursuant to titles II and V of the gaged at Legacy Elementary for of Fargo and congratulations to all en- concurrent resolution on the budget for achieving this high honor. Thank you gaged at Longfellow Elementary for fiscal year 2018, and asks a conference for your commitment to our children achieving this high honor. Thank you with the Senate on the disagreeing and leaders of tomorrow.∑ for your commitment to our children votes of the two Houses thereon, and f and leaders of tomorrow.∑ that the following Members be the RECOGNIZING LONGFELLOW f managers of the conference on the part ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TRIBUTE TO VIRGIL BERNERO of the House: From the Committee on Ways and ∑ ∑ Ms. HEITKAMP. Mr. President, I Ms. STABENOW. Mr. President, Means, for consideration of the House want to congratulate the students, fac- today I wish to pay special tribute to bill and the Senate amendment, and ulty, and parents of Longfellow Ele- my friend, Virgil Bernero, who will be modifications committed to con- mentary School, located in Fargo, ND, ending his service as mayor of Lansing, ference: Mr. BRADY of Texas, Mr. on being awarded the 2017 National MI, at the end of this year. NUNES, Mr. ROSKAM, Mrs. BLACK, Mrs. Blue Ribbon School Award. This is a special opportunity for me NOEM, Mr. NEAL, Mr. LEVIN, and Mr. Founded in 1982, the National Blue to recognize Virg’s outstanding service DOGGETT. Ribbon Schools Program recognizes to the people of Lansing. I have rep- From the Committee on Energy and public and private elementary, middle, resented Lansing throughout my years Commerce, for consideration of section and high schools where students per- in public service, so I have had the op- 20003 of the Senate amendment, and form at very high levels or where sig- portunity to work closely with Virg. modifications committed to con- nificant improvements are being made Virg and I share something in com- ference: Mr. WALDEN, Mr. SHIMKUS, and in students’ academic achievement. A mon: We both began our public service Ms. CASTOR of Florida. National Blue Ribbon Schools flag careers as an Ingham County commis- From the Committee on Natural Re- overhead has become a mark of excel- sioner, State representative, and State sources, for consideration of sections lence in education recognized by every- senator. He was first elected mayor of 20001 and 20002 of the Senate amend- one from parents to policymakers in Lansing in 2005. He has served with a ment and modifications committed to thousands of communities. Since the unique passion and energy for public conference: Mr. BISHOP of Utah, Mr. program’s founding, the U.S. Depart- service. He is devoted to his family and YOUNG of Alaska, and Mr. GRIJALVA. ment of Education has bestowed this has worked on behalf of families he has ENROLLED BILL SIGNED coveted award to more than 8,500 of represented with the same devotion At 2:40 p.m., a message from the America’s best schools. and commitment. House of Representatives, delivered by Longfellow Elementary School serves While mayor, Virg led Lansing Mr. Novotny, one of its reading clerks, nearly 370 students and was one of through the recession and, despite fac- announced that the Speaker has signed three schools in North Dakota to be ing major budget shortfalls, was able the following enrolled bill: designated as an Exemplary High Per- to maintain 12 consecutive balanced S. 371. An act to make technical changes forming School under this award. Re- budgets and produce a budget surplus and other improvements to the Department ceiving recognition as a National Blue during each of the last 3 years. of State Authorities Act, Fiscal Year 2017.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:39 Dec 06, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00020 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G05DE6.032 S05DEPT1 lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with SENATE December 5, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S7845 The enrolled bill was subsequently pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ment of Health and Human Services, trans- signed by the President pro tempore ‘‘Regulatory Capital Rules: Retention of Cer- mitting, pursuant to law, a report entitled (Mr. HATCH). tain Existing Transition Provisions for ‘‘The Money Follows the Person (MFP) Re- Banking Organizations That Are Not Subject balancing Demonstration’’; to the Com- f to the Advanced Approaches Capital Rules’’ mittee on Finance. MEASURES READ THE FIRST TIME (RIN1557–AE23) received in the Office of the EC–3608. A communication from the Chief President of the Senate on November 30, of the Publications and Regulations Branch, The following bill was read the first 2017; to the Committee on Banking, Housing, Internal Revenue Service, Department of the time: and Urban Affairs. Treasury, transmitting, pursuant to law, the S. 2192. A bill to strengthen border secu- EC–3600. A communication from the Pro- report of a rule entitled ‘‘2018 Cost-of-Living rity, increase resources for enforcement of gram Specialist (Paperwork Reduction Act), Adjustments to the Internal Revenue Code immigration laws, and for other purposes. Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, Tax Tables and Other Items’’ (Rev. Proc. Department of the Treasury, transmitting, 2017–58) received in the Office of the Presi- f pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled dent of the Senate on December 1, 2017; to EXECUTIVE AND OTHER ‘‘Community Reinvestment Act Regula- the Committee on Finance. COMMUNICATIONS tions’’ (RIN3064–AE58) received in the Office EC–3609. A communication from the Chair- of the President of the Senate on November man of the Council of the District of Colum- The following communications were 30, 2017; to the Committee on Banking, Hous- bia, transmitting, pursuant to law, a report laid before the Senate, together with ing, and Urban Affairs. on D.C. Act 22–184, ‘‘Dining with Dogs Tem- accompanying papers, reports, and doc- EC–3601. A communication from the Pro- porary Act of 2017’’; to the Committee on uments, and were referred as indicated: gram Specialist (Paperwork Reduction Act), Homeland Security and Governmental Af- Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, fairs. EC–3593. A communication from the Direc- Department of the Treasury, transmitting, EC–3610. A communication from the Chair- tor of the Regulatory Management Division, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled man of the Council of the District of Colum- Environmental Protection Agency, transmit- ‘‘Mandatory Contractual Stay Requirements bia, transmitting, pursuant to law, a report ting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule en- for Qualified Financial Contracts’’ (RIN1557– on D.C. Act 22–185, ‘‘Credit Protection Fee titled ‘‘Bacillus thuringiensis Cry14Ab-1 Pro- AE05) received in the Office of the President Waiver Temporary Amendment Act of 2017’’; tein in or on Soybean; Temporary Exemption of the Senate on November 30, 2017; to the to the Committee on Homeland Security and from the Requirement of a Tolerance’’ (FRL Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Governmental Affairs. No. 9970–43) received in the Office of the EC–3611. A communication from the Chair- Affairs. President of the Senate on December 1, 2017; EC–3602. A communication from the Dep- man of the Council of the District of Colum- to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, uty General Counsel for Operations, Depart- bia, transmitting, pursuant to law, a report and Forestry. on D.C. Act 22–186, ‘‘Ethic Board Quorum ment of Housing and Urban Development, EC–3594. A communication from the Direc- Temporary Amendment Act of 2017’’; to the transmitting, pursuant to law, a report rel- tor of the Regulatory Management Division, Committee on Homeland Security and Gov- ative to a vacancy in the position of Inspec- Environmental Protection Agency, transmit- ernmental Affairs. tor General, Department of Housing and ting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule en- EC–3612. A communication from the Chief Urban Development, received in the Office of titled ‘‘Prometryn; Pesticide Tolerances’’ of the Publications and Regulations Branch, the President of the Senate on December 4, (FRL No. 9970–01) received in the Office of Internal Revenue Service, Department of the 2017; to the Committee on Banking, Housing, the President of the Senate on December 1, Treasury, transmitting, pursuant to law, the and Urban Affairs. report of a rule entitled ‘‘Safe Harbor for De- 2017; to the Committee on Agriculture, Nu- EC–3603. A communication from the Direc- teriorating Concrete Foundations Caused by trition, and Forestry. tor of the Regulatory Management Division, the Mineral Pyrrhotite’’ (Rev. Proc. 2017–60) EC–3595. A communication from the Direc- Environmental Protection Agency, transmit- tor of the Regulatory Management Division, received in the Office of the President of the ting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule en- Senate on December 1, 2017; to the Com- Environmental Protection Agency, transmit- titled ‘‘Protection of Stratospheric Ozone: ting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule en- mittee on Finance. Revision to References for Refrigeration and EC–3613. A communication from the Chair- titled ‘‘pseudomonas fluorescens 4- Air Conditioning Sector to Incorporate Lat- hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase (HPPD– man of the Council of the District of Colum- est Edition of Certain Industry, Consensus- bia, transmitting, pursuant to law, a report 4); Exemption from the Requirement of a Based Standards’’ ((FRL No. 9968–24–OAR) Tolerance’’ (FRL No. 9969–94) received in the on D.C. Act 22–187, ‘‘Southwest Waterfront (RIN2060–AT53)) received in the Office of the Parking Enforcement Temporary Amend- Office of the President of the Senate on De- President of the Senate on December 1, 2017; cember 1, 2017; to the Committee on Agri- ment Act of 2017’’; to the Committee on to the Committee on Environment and Pub- Homeland Security and Governmental Af- culture, Nutrition, and Forestry. lic Works. EC–3596. A communication from the Direc- fairs. EC–3604. A communication from the Direc- EC–3614. A communication from the Chair- tor of the Regulatory Management Division, tor of the Regulatory Management Division, man of the Council of the District of Colum- Environmental Protection Agency, transmit- Environmental Protection Agency, transmit- bia, transmitting, pursuant to law, a report ting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule en- ting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule en- on D.C. Act 22–188, ‘‘Campaign Finance Re- titled ‘‘Quinclorac; Pesticide Tolerances’’ titled ‘‘Approval of Air Quality Implementa- form and Transparency Temporary Amend- (FRL No. 9970–05) received in the Office of tion Plans; New York; Cross-State Air Pollu- ment Act of 2017’’; to the Committee on the President of the Senate on December 1, tion Rule; NOx Annual and SO2 Group 1 Homeland Security and Governmental Af- 2017; to the Committee on Agriculture, Nu- Trading Programs’’ (FRL No. 9971–25–Region fairs. trition, and Forestry. 2) received in the Office of the President of EC–3615. A communication from the Chair- EC–3597. A communication from the Chief the Senate on December 1, 2017; to the Com- man of the Council of the District of Colum- of the Planning and Regulatory Affairs mittee on Environment and Public Works. bia, transmitting, pursuant to law, a report Branch, Food and Nutrition Service, Depart- EC–3605. A communication from the Direc- on D.C. Act 22–189, ‘‘Washington Metrorail ment of Agriculture, transmitting, pursuant tor of the Regulatory Management Division, Safety Commission Board of Directors Ap- to law, the report of a rule entitled ‘‘Child Environmental Protection Agency, transmit- pointment Temporary Amendment Act of Nutrition Programs: Flexibilities for Milk, ting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule en- 2017’’; to the Committee on Homeland Secu- Whole Grains, and Sodium Requirements’’ titled ‘‘Approval and Promulgation of Air rity and Governmental Affairs. (RIN0584–AW53) received in the Office of the Quality Implementation Plans; West Vir- EC–3616. A communication from the Acting President of the Senate on December 1, 2017; ginia; 2015 Ozone National Ambient Air Qual- Chief Executive Officer, Corporation for Na- to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, ity Standards; Withdrawal of Direct Final tional and Community Service, transmit- and Forestry. Rule’’ (FRL No. 9971–40–Region 3) received in ting, pursuant to law, the Semiannual Re- EC–3598. A communication from the Con- the Office of the President of the Senate on port of the Inspector General and the Cor- gressional Review Coordinator, Animal and December 1, 2017; to the Committee on Envi- poration for National and Community Serv- Plant Health Inspection Service, Department ronment and Public Works. ice’s Response and Report on Final Action of Agriculture, transmitting, pursuant to EC–3606. A communication from the Direc- for the period from April 1, 2017 through Sep- law, the report of a rule entitled ‘‘Importa- tor of the Regulatory Management Division, tember 30, 2017; to the Committee on Home- tion of Fresh Mango Fruit From Vietnam Environmental Protection Agency, transmit- land Security and Governmental Affairs. Into the Continental United States’’ ting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule en- EC–3617. A communication from the Sec- (RIN0579–AE25) received in the Office of the titled ‘‘Air Plan Approval; AK; Updates to retary of the Treasury, transmitting, pursu- President of the Senate on November 29, Materials Incorporated by Reference’’ (FRL ant to law, the Semi-Annual Report of the 2017; to the Committee on Agriculture, Nu- No. 9970–27–Region 10) received in the Office Inspector General for the period from April trition, and Forestry. of the President of the Senate on December 1, 2017 through September 30, 2017 and the EC–3599. A communication from the Pro- 1, 2017; to the Committee on Environment Semi-Annual Report of the Treasury Inspec- gram Specialist (Paperwork Reduction Act), and Public Works. tor General for Tax Administration (TIGTA); Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, EC–3607. A communication from the Acting to the Committee on Homeland Security and Department of the Treasury, transmitting, Assistant Secretary for Legislation, Depart- Governmental Affairs.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:55 Dec 06, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00021 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A05DE6.003 S05DEPT1 lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with SENATE S7846 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE December 5, 2017 EC–3618. A communication from the Sec- Department of Justice, transmitting, pursu- titled ‘‘Senior Community Service Employ- retary of Education, transmitting, pursuant ant to law, the report of a rule entitled ment Program; Performance Account- to law, the Department’s Semiannual Report ‘‘Schedules of Controlled Substances: Place- ability’’ (RIN1205–AB79) received in the Of- of the Office of the Inspector General for the ment of FDA–Approved Products of Oral So- fice of the President of the Senate on Decem- period from April 1, 2017 through September lutions Containing Dronabinol [(-)-delta-9- ber 1, 2017; to the Committee on Health, Edu- 30, 2017; to the Committee on Homeland Se- trans-tetrahydrocannabinol (delta-9-THC)] in cation, Labor, and Pensions. curity and Governmental Affairs. Schedule II’’ (Docket No. DEA–344) received EC–3638. A communication from the Acting EC–3619. A communication from the Vice in the Office of the President of the Senate Secretary of Health and Human Services, Chairman, Merit Systems Protection Board, on December 1, 2017; to the Committee on transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of transmitting, pursuant to law, the Board’s the Judiciary. a petition to add workers who were employed Agency Financial Report for fiscal year 2017; EC–3628. A communication from the Solic- at the Carborundum Company site in Niag- to the Committee on Homeland Security and itor General, Department of Justice, trans- ara Falls, New York, to the Special Exposure Governmental Affairs. mitting, pursuant to law, an opinion of the Cohort; to the Committee on Health, Edu- EC–3620. A communication from the Board United States District Court for the Middle cation, Labor, and Pensions. Members of the Railroad Retirement Board, District of Pennsylvania (Keyes v. Sessions); EC–3639. A communication from the Acting transmitting, pursuant to law, the Semi- to the Committee on the Judiciary. Secretary of Health and Human Services, annual Report of the Inspector General for EC–3629. A communication from the Chief transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of the period from April 1, 2017 through Sep- Human Capital Officer, Small Business Ad- a petition to add workers who were employed tember 30, 2017; to the Committee on Home- ministration, transmitting, pursuant to law, at the Rocky Flats Plant in Golden, Colo- land Security and Governmental Affairs. a report relative to a vacancy in the position rado, to the Special Exposure Cohort; to the EC–3621. A communication from the Acting of Chief Counsel, Office of Advocacy, Small Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Assistant Secretary, Employee Benefits Se- Business Administration, received in the Of- Pensions. curity Administration, Department of Labor, fice of the President of the Senate on No- EC–3640. A communication from the Direc- transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of vember 30, 2017; to the Committee on Small tor, Office of Administration, Executive Of- a rule entitled ‘‘Claims Procedure for Plans Business and Entrepreneurship. fice of the President, transmitting, pursuant Providing Disability Benefits; 90-Day Delay EC–3630. A communication from the Chief to law, a report relative to transactions from of Applicability Date’’ (RIN1210–AB39) re- Human Capital Officer, Small Business Ad- the Unanticipated Needs Account for fiscal ceived in the Office of the President of the ministration, transmitting, pursuant to law, year 2017; to the Committee on Homeland Se- Senate on November 29, 2017; to the Com- a report relative to a vacancy in the position curity and Governmental Affairs. mittee on Health, Education, Labor, and of Deputy Administrator, Small Business EC–3641. A communication from the Assist- Pensions. Administration, received in the Office of the ant Attorney General, Office of Legislative EC–3622. A communication from the Sec- President of the Senate on November 30, Affairs, Department of Justice, transmit- retary of Veterans Affairs, transmitting, 2017; to the Committee on Small Business ting, pursuant to law, an annual report rel- pursuant to law, the Department of Veterans and Entrepreneurship. ative to the activities and operations of the Affairs’ Semiannual Report of the Inspector EC–3631. A communication from the Direc- Public Integrity Section, Criminal Division, General for the period from April 1, 2017 tor, Office of Management and Budget, Exec- for 2016, and the nationwide federal law en- through September 30, 2017; to the Com- utive Office of the President, transmitting a forcement effort against public corruption; mittee on Homeland Security and Govern- report relative to additional fiscal year 2018 to the Committee on the Judiciary. mental Affairs. funding for disaster relief; to the Committee EC–3642. A communication from the Senior EC–3623. A communication from the Acting on the Budget. Official performing the duties of the Under Chairman of the Federal Trade Commission, EC–3632. A communication from the Sec- Secretary of Defense (Personnel and Readi- transmitting, pursuant to law, the Semi- retary of the Federal Trade Commission, ness), transmitting, pursuant to law, a re- annual Report of the Inspector General for transmitting, pursuant to law, the Commis- port entitled ‘‘Annual Report to Congress on the period from April 1, 2017 through Sep- sion’s thirteenth annual report on ethanol the Post-9/11 Educational Assistance Pro- tember 30, 2017 and the Uniform Resource market concentration; to the Committee on gram’’; to the Committee on Veterans’ Af- Locator (URL) for the report; to the Com- Commerce, Science, and Transportation. fairs. mittee on Homeland Security and Govern- EC–3633. A communication from the Sec- mental Affairs. retary of Energy, transmitting, pursuant to f EC–3624. A communication from the Acting law, a report entitled ‘‘Fiscal Year 2016 PETITIONS AND MEMORIALS Commissioner of the Social Security Admin- Methane Hydrate Program’’; to the Com- istration, transmitting, pursuant to law, the mittee on Energy and Natural Resources. The following petition or memorial Semiannual Report of the Inspector General EC–3634. A communication from the Chief was laid before the Senate and was re- for the period from April 1, 2016 through Sep- of the Border Security Regulations Branch, ferred or ordered to lie on the table as tember 30, 2017 and the Uniform Resource Customs and Border Protection, Department indicated: Locator (URL) for the report; to the Com- of Homeland Security, transmitting, pursu- POM–142. A petition from a citizen of the mittee on Homeland Security and Govern- ant to law, the report of a rule entitled State of Texas relative to proposed legisla- mental Affairs. ‘‘Technical Amendment to List of User Fee tion; to the Committee on Homeland Secu- EC–3625. A communication from the Dep- Airports: International Airport, Rome, NY; rity and Governmental Affairs. uty Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Legisla- Van Nuys Airport, Van Nuys, CA; Cobb tive Affairs, Department of State, transmit- County Airport-McCollum Field, Kennesaw, f ting, pursuant to law, the Uniform Resource GA; and Charlotte-Monroe Executive Air- REPORTS OF COMMITTEES Locator (URL) for the Department’s Agency port, Monroe, NC’’ (CBP Dec. 17–18) received Financial Report for fiscal year 2017; to the in the Office of the President of the Senate The following reports of committees Committee on Homeland Security and Gov- on November 27, 2017; to the Committee on were submitted: ernmental Affairs. Finance. By Mr. HOEVEN, from the Committee on EC–3626. A communication from the Dep- EC–3635. A communication from the Dep- Indian Affairs, with an amendment: uty Assistant Secretary, Employee Benefits uty Assistant Secretary, Legislative Affairs, S. 1223. A bill to repeal the Klamath Tribe Security Administration, Department of Department of State, transmitting, pursuant Judgment Fund Act (Rept . No. 115–190). Labor, transmitting, pursuant to law, the re- to law, a report relative to the establishment By Mr. CORKER, from the Committee on port of a rule entitled ‘‘18-Month Extension of the danger pay allowance for Guayaquil, Foreign Relations, with an amendment in of Transition Period and Delay of Applica- Ecuador; Quito, Ecuador; Asuncion, Para- the nature of a substitute: bility Dates; Best Interest Contract Exemp- guay; N’djamena, Chad; and Abuja, Nigeria; S. 447. A bill to require reporting on acts of tion (PTE 2016–01); Class Exemption for Prin- to the Committee on Foreign Relations. certain foreign countries on Holocaust era cipal Transactions in Certain Assets Be- EC–3636. A communication from the Acting assets and related issues. tween Investment Advice Fiduciaries and Assistant General Counsel for Regulatory By Mr. ISAKSON, from the Committee on Employee Benefit Plans and IRAs (PTE 2016– Affairs, Pension Benefit Guaranty Corpora- Veterans’ Affairs, without amendment: 02); Prohibited Transaction Exemption 84–24 tion, transmitting, pursuant to law, the re- S. 2193. An original bill to amend title 38, for Certain Transactions Involving Insurance port of a rule entitled ‘‘Benefits Payable in United States Code, to improve health care Agents and Brokers, Pension Consultants, Terminated Single-Employer Plans; Interest for veterans, and for other purposes. Insurance Companies, and Investment Com- Assumptions for Paying Benefits’’ (29 CFR f pany Principal Underwriters (PTE 84–24)’’ Part 4022) received in the Office of the Presi- (ZRIN1210–ZA27) received in the Office of the dent of the Senate on November 29, 2017; to EXECUTIVE REPORTS OF President of the Senate on November 29, the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, COMMITTEES 2017; to the Committee on Health, Education, and Pensions. Labor, and Pensions. EC–3637. A communication from the Dep- The following executive reports of EC–3627. A communication from the Acting uty Assistant Secretary for Employment and nominations were submitted: Assistant Administrator of the Diversion Training, Department of Labor, transmit- By Mr. CRAPO for the Committee on Control Division, Drug Enforcement Agency, ting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule en- Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:55 Dec 06, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00022 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A05DE6.007 S05DEPT1 lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with SENATE December 5, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S7847 *Jerome H. Powell, of Maryland, to be Randy Evans, Georgia Republican Party, transaction period=2012&data Chairman of the Board of Governors of the 2016, $1,000. type=processed&contributor name=Kenneth+ Federal Reserve System for a term of four Braithwaite&min years. *Kenneth J. Braithwaite, of Pennsylvania, date=01%2F01%2F2011&max By Mr. CORKER for the Committee on to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Pleni- date=12%2F31%2F2012). Foreign Relations. potentiary of the Untied States of America 3. August 5, 2010—$113.63—to the HAPAC *James Randolph Evans, of Georgia, to be to the Kingdom of Norway. https.//www.fec.gov/data/receipts/?two year Ambassador Extraordinary and Pleni- Nominee: Rear Admiral Kenneth J. transaction period=2010&data potentiary of the United States of America Braithwaite, USN(ret). type=processed&contributor name=Kenneth+ to Luxembourg. Post: Ambassador to the Kingdom of Nor- Braithwaite&min Nominee: James Randolph Evans. way. date=01%2F01%2F2009&max Post: Ambassador Extraordinary and Plen- (The following is a list of all members of date=12%2F31%2F2010). ipotentiary of the United States of America my immediate family and their spouses. I 4. March 2, 2010—$750—to the HAPAC to Luxembourg. have asked each of these persons to inform https.fiwww.fec.gov/data/receipts/?two year Nominated: 9/28/17. me of the pertinent contributions made by transaction period=2010&data (The following is a list of all members of them. To the best of my knowledge, the in- type=processed&contributor name=Kenneth+ my immediate family and their spouses. I formation contained in this report is com- Braithwaite&min have asked each of these persons to inform plete and accurate.) date=01%2F01%2F2009&max me of the pertinent contributions made by Contributions, donee, date, and amount: date=12%2F31%2F2010). them. To the best of my knowledge, the in- 1. Self: Santorum, Richard J via Santorum 5. October 12, 2009—$250—to the HAPAC formation contained in this report is com- 2000, 08/25/2000, $500.00; Specter, Arlen via https://www.fec.gov/data/receipts/?two year plete and accurate.) Citizens for Arlen Specter, 03/15/2002, $500.00; transaction period.2010&data Contributions, donee, date, and amount: Specter, Arlen via Citizens for Arlen Specter, type=processed&contributor name=Kenneth+ Self, Spouse, Children and Spouses, Par- 11/18/2002, $500.00; Specter, Arlen via Citizens Braithwaite&min ents, Grandparents, Brothers and Spouses, for Arlen Specter, 05/13/2003, $500.00; Specter, date=01%2F01%2F2009&max Sisters and Spouses: See Attachment A. Arlen via Citizens for Arlen Specter, 05/25/ date=12%2F31%2F2010). ATTACHMENT A 2003, $500.00; Specter, Arlen via Citizens for 6. February 19, 2009—$500—to the HAPAC https://www.fec.gov/data/receipts/?two year Linda Evans, John McCallum for Congress, Arlen Specter, 11/01/2004, $500.00; Bush, transaction period=2010&data 2013, $1,000. George W via Bush-Cheney ’04 (Primary) Inc, type=processed&contributor name=Kenneth+ Linda Evans, Pridemore for Congress, 2013, 03/24/2004, $250.00; Pitts, Joseph R. via Friends Braithwaite&min $1,000. of Joe Pitts, 06/28/2006, $250.00; The Hospital date=01%2F01%2F2009&max Linda Evans, The Guardian Fund, 2013, and Healthsystem Association of Pennsyl- date=12%2F31%2F2010). $1,000. vania—Federal Political Action Committee, 7. July 16, 2008—$75—to the HAPAC Linda Evans, Westmoreland, Lynn A., 2013, 03/20/2007, $250.00; The Hospital and https:fiwww.fec.gov/data/receipts/?two year $1,000. Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania— transaction period=2008&data Linda Evans, Shannon for Senate, 2014, Federal Political Action Committee, 02/27/ type=processed&contributor name=Kenneth+ $1,000. 2008, $500.00; Meehan, Patrick L. Mr. via Pat Braithwaite&min Linda Evans, Nathan Deal for Governor, Meehan for Congress, 09/13/2010, $500.00; date=01%2F01%2F2007&max Inc., 2014, $6,300. Vizient, Inc., Political Action Committee, 06/ J. Randolph Evans, Republican National date=12%2F31%2F2008). 06/2012, $1000.00; Vizient, Inc., Political Ac- 8. August 17, 2007—$87.50—to the HAPAC Committee, 2012, $2,500. tion Committee, 12/28/2013, $500.00; Vizient, httpsliwww,fec.gov/data/receipts/?two year J. Randolph Evans, Republican National Inc., Political Action Committee, 05/07/2014, transaction period=2008&data Committee, 2013, $32,400.00. $500.00; Trump Make America Great Again tvpe=processed&contributor name=Kenneth+ J. Randolph Evans, Republican National Committee, 11/08/2016, $500.00; Trump, Donald Committee, 2014, $32,400.00. Braithwaite&min J via Donald J. Trump for President, Inc., 11/ date=01%2F01%2F2007&max J. Randolph Evans, Republican National 08/2016, $400.00. Committee, 2015, $25,000.00. date=1.2%2F31%2F2008). 2. Spouse: Melissa Losito Braithwaite: 9. April 26,2001—$500—to the Johnson for J. Randolph Evans, Georgia Republican Trump Make America Great Again Com- Congress Committee https://www.fec.gov/ Party, Inc., 2016, $270. mittee, 10/15/2016, $100.00. data/receipts/?two year transaction J. Randolph Evans, Georgia Republican 3. Children and Spouses: Grace Anne Party, Inc., 2016, $750. period=2002&data Braithwaite (age 15): None; Harrison An- type=processed&contributor name=Kenneth+ J. Randolph Evans, Georgia Republican thony Braithwaite (age 10): None. Party, Inc., 2016, $1,000. Braithwaite&min 4. Parents: Kenneth J. Braithwaite (De- date=01%2F01%2F2001&max J. Randolph Evans, Republican Party, Inc., ceased); Sylvia J. (Bell) Braithwaite: None. 2017, $225. date=12%2F31%2F2002). 5. Grandparents: Rose Bell (Deceased); Thank you and the Committee for consid- James Evans, Georgia Republican Party, Gene Bell (Deceased); Franklin Braithwaite eration of my nomination. Inc., 2012, $800.00 (Deceased); Anna Braithwaite (Deceased). Sincerely, James Evans, Georgia Republican Party, 6. Brothers and Spouses: Murray P. Inc., 2012, $1,000.00. KENNETH J. BRAITHWAITE, Braithwaite: None. Rear Admiral, USN(ret). James Randolph Evans, Republican Na- 7. Sisters and Spouses: tional Committee, 2016, $350. *M. Lee McClenny, of Washington, a Career Randy Evans, Romney for President, Inc., November 27, 2017. Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class 2012, $2,500. Hon. BOB CORKER, of Minister-Counselor to be Ambassador Ex- Randy Evans, Republican National Com- Chairman, Committee on Foreign Relations, traordinary and Plenipotentiary of the mittee, 2013, $350. U.S. Senate, Washington, DC. United States of America to the Republic of Randy Evans, Georgia Republican Party, Hon. BEN CARDIN, Ranking Member, Committee on Foreign Rela- Paraguay Inc., 2013, $125. Nominee: M. Lee McClenny. Randy Evans, Nathan Deal for Governor, tions, U.S. Senate, Washington. DC. Post: Ambassador to the Republic of Para- Inc., Primary 2014, $6,300. guay. DEAR MR. CHAIRMAN AND RANKING MEMBER Randy Evans, Nathan Deal for Governor, (The following is a list of all members of CARDIN: When completing my Committee Inc., General 2014, $6,300. my immediate family and their spouses. I Questionnaire and Federal Campaign Con- Randy Evans, Senate District 12, 2015, $500. have asked each of these persons to inform tribution Report, some contributions were Randy Evans, Republican National Com- me of the pertinent contributions made by inadvertently left off the list. Part B. Ques- mittee, 2016, $300. them. To the best of my knowledge, the in- tion 6 regarding Political Contributions and Randy Evans, Republican National Com- formation contained in this report is com- the Federal Campaign Contribution Report mittee, 2016, $300. plete and accurate.) should have included the following: Randy Evans, Republican National Com- Contributions, amount, date, donee: mittee, 2016, $19,600. 1. April 14, 2011—$187.50—to the HAPAC, 1. Self: None, N/A, N/A. Randy Evans, Georgia Republican Party, the Hospital and Healthsystem Association 2. Spouse: Katherine Latimer: None, N/A, 2016, $130. of Pennsylvania) https://www.fec.gov/data/re- N/A. Randy Evans, Donald J. Trump for Presi- ceipts/?two year transaction 3. Children and Spouses: Blake Andrew dent, Inc., 2016, $2,700. period=2012&data McClenny: None, N/A, N/A; Katherine Marie Randy Evans, Trump for President, 2016, type=processed&contributor name=Kenneth+ McClenny: None, N/A, N/A. $25,000. Braithwaite&min 4. Parents: Myron Lee McClenny—de- Randy Evans, Georgia Republican Party, date=01%2F01%2F2011&max ceased; Harlean Kay McClenny: None, N/A, 2016, $270. date=12%2F31%2F2012). N/A. Randy Evans, Georgia Republican Party, 2. February 24, 2011—$900—to the HAPAC 5. Grandparents: Dean Preston McClenny— 2016, $750. https://www.fec.gov/data/receipts/?two year deceased; Myra Rindom McClenny-deceased;

VerDate Sep 11 2014 04:42 Dec 06, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00023 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A05DE6.011 S05DEPT1 lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with SENATE S7848 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE December 5, 2017 Wayne Melville Wilsey—deceased; Ora Tyson S. 422 (Mr. TESTER) and the Senator from Or- Wilsey—deceased. At the request of Mrs. GILLIBRAND, egon (Mr. MERKLEY) were added as co- 6. Brothers and Spouses: None. the name of the Senator from Vermont sponsors of S. 1539, a bill to protect vic- 7. Sisters and Spouses: Kristin Kay (Mr. SANDERS) was added as a cospon- tims of stalking from gun violence. (McClenny) Kuppe: None, N/A, N/A; James Brugge Kuppe: None, N/A, N/A. sor of S. 422, a bill to amend title 38, S. 1693 United States Code, to clarify presump- At the request of Mr. PORTMAN, the *Eric M. Ueland, of Oregon, to be an Under tions relating to the exposure of cer- name of the Senator from Iowa (Mrs. Secretary of State (Management). tain veterans who served in the vicin- ERNST) was added as a cosponsor of S. *Brock D. Bierman, of Virginia, to be an ity of the Republic of Vietnam, and for 1693, a bill to amend the Communica- Assistant Administrator of the United other purposes. tions Act of 1934 to clarify that section States Agency for International Develop- S. 447 230 of that Act does not prohibit the ment. *Yleem D. S. Poblete, of Virginia, to be an At the request of Ms. BALDWIN, the enforcement against providers and Assistant Secretary of State (Verification name of the Senator from Maryland users of interactive computer services and Compliance). (Mr. CARDIN) was added as a cosponsor of Federal and State criminal and civil *Christopher Ashley Ford, of Maryland, to of S. 447, a bill to require reporting on law relating to sex trafficking. be an Assistant Secretary of State (Inter- acts of certain foreign countries on S. 1738 national Security and Non-Proliferation). Holocaust era assets and related issues. At the request of Mr. WARNER, the *Nomination was reported with rec- S. 497 name of the Senator from Maryland ommendation that it be confirmed sub- At the request of Ms. CANTWELL, the (Mr. VAN HOLLEN) was added as a co- ject to the nominee’s commitment to name of the Senator from New Jersey sponsor of S. 1738, a bill to amend title respond to requests to appear and tes- (Mr. BOOKER) was added as a cosponsor XVIII of the Social Security Act to tify before any duly constituted com- of S. 497, a bill to amend title XVIII of provide for a home infusion therapy mittee of the Senate. the Social Security Act to provide for services temporary transitional pay- f Medicare coverage of certain ment under the Medicare program. INTRODUCTION OF BILLS AND lymphedema compression treatment S. 1795 JOINT RESOLUTIONS items as items of durable medical At the request of Mrs. MURRAY, the equipment. name of the Senator from California The following bills and joint resolu- S. 498 (Mrs. FEINSTEIN) was added as a co- tions were introduced, read the first At the request of Mr. WYDEN, the sponsor of S. 1795, a bill to amend the and second times by unanimous con- names of the Senator from Nevada (Mr. Higher Education Act of 1965 to im- sent, and referred as indicated: HELLER) and the Senator from Mary- prove the financial aid process for By Mr. GRASSLEY (for himself, Mr. land (Mr. VAN HOLLEN) were added as homeless children and youths and fos- CORNYN, Mr. TILLIS, Mr. LANKFORD, cosponsors of S. 498, a bill to amend ter care children and youth. Mr. COTTON, and Mr. PERDUE): S. 2192. A bill to strengthen border secu- title 10, United States Code, to require S. 1816 rity, increase resources for enforcement of the Secretary of Defense to use only At the request of Ms. CANTWELL, her immigration laws, and for other purposes; human-based methods for training name was added as a cosponsor of S. read the first time. members of the Armed Forces in the 1816, a bill to amend the Fair Credit By Mr. ISAKSON: treatment of severe combat injuries, Reporting Act to enhance fraud alert S. 2193. An original bill to amend title 38, and for other purposes. procedures and provide free access to United States Code, to improve health care S. 954 for veterans, and for other purposes; from credit freezes, and for other purposes. the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs; placed At the request of Mrs. MURRAY, the S. 1845 on the calendar. name of the Senator from Maryland At the request of Mr. DURBIN, the By Ms. CANTWELL (for herself and (Mr. CARDIN) was added as a cosponsor name of the Senator from Ohio (Mr. Mr. NELSON): of S. 954, a bill to prevent harassment PORTMAN) was added as a cosponsor of S. 2194. A bill to remove a limitation on a at institutions of higher education, and S. 1845, a bill to amend the Lead-Based prohibition relating to permits for dis- for other purposes. charges incidental to normal operation of Paint Poisoning Prevention Act to pro- vessels; to the Committee on Environment S. 974 vide for additional procedures for fami- and Public Works. At the request of Mr. LEAHY, the lies with children under the age of 6, f name of the Senator from Texas (Mr. and for other purposes. CRUZ) was added as a cosponsor of S. S. 2005 ADDITIONAL COSPONSORS 974, a bill to promote competition in At the request of Mr. COONS, the S. 260 the market for drugs and biological names of the Senator from Idaho (Mr. At the request of Mr. CORNYN, the products by facilitating the timely CRAPO) and the Senator from North Da- name of the Senator from Tennessee entry of lower-cost generic and bio- kota (Ms. HEITKAMP) were added as co- (Mr. ALEXANDER) was added as a co- similar versions of those drugs and bio- sponsors of S. 2005, a bill to amend the sponsor of S. 260, a bill to repeal the logical products. Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to extend provisions of the Patient Protection S. 1050 the publicly traded partnership owner- and Affordable Care Act providing for At the request of Ms. DUCKWORTH, ship structure to energy power genera- the Independent Payment Advisory the name of the Senator from New tion projects and transportation fuels, Board. Hampshire (Ms. HASSAN) was added as and for other purposes. S. 298 a cosponsor of S. 1050, a bill to award a S. 2006 At the request of Mr. COCHRAN, the Congressional Gold Medal, collectively, At the request of Mrs. FEINSTEIN, the name of the Senator from Georgia (Mr. to the Chinese-American Veterans of name of the Senator from West Vir- ISAKSON) was added as a cosponsor of S. World War II, in recognition of their ginia (Mrs. CAPITO) was added as a co- 298, a bill to require Senate candidates dedicated service during World War II. sponsor of S. 2006, a bill to require to file designations, statements, and S. 1498 breast density reporting to physicians reports in electronic form. At the request of Ms. COLLINS, the and patients by facilities that perform S. 373 name of the Senator from Michigan mammograms, and for other purposes. At the request of Mr. HATCH, the (Ms. STABENOW) was added as a cospon- S. 2101 name of the Senator from Minnesota sor of S. 1498, a bill to establish in the At the request of Mr. DONNELLY, the (Ms. KLOBUCHAR) was added as a co- Smithsonian Institution a comprehen- names of the Senator from Connecticut sponsor of S. 373, a bill to require the sive American women’s history mu- (Mr. MURPHY) and the Senator from Secretary of Defense to submit to Con- seum, and for other purposes. Wisconsin (Ms. BALDWIN) were added as gress a report on hearing loss, tinnitus, S. 1539 cosponsors of S. 2101, a bill to award a and noise pollution due to small arms At the request of Ms. KLOBUCHAR, the Congressional Gold Medal, collectively, fire. names of the Senator from Montana to the crew of the USS Indianapolis, in

VerDate Sep 11 2014 04:52 Dec 06, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00024 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A05DE6.014 S05DEPT1 lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with SENATE December 5, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S7849 recognition of their perseverance, brav- state-sponsored persecution of its ized to meet during the session of the ery, and service to the United States. Baha’i minority and its continued vio- Senate on Tuesday, December 5, 2017, S. 2109 lation of the International Covenants at 10 a.m. in room SD–430 to conduct a At the request of Mr. CARPER, the on Human Rights. hearing entitled ‘‘The Cost of Prescrip- name of the Senator from North Da- S. RES. 150 tion Drugs: An examination of the Na- kota (Ms. HEITKAMP) was added as a co- At the request of Mr. CASEY, the tional Academies of Sciences, Engi- sponsor of S. 2109, a bill to count reve- name of the Senator from Delaware neering, and Medicine Report ‘Making nues from military and veteran edu- (Mr. COONS) was added as a cosponsor Medicines Affordable: A National Im- cation programs toward the limit on of S. Res. 150, a resolution recognizing perative’ ’’. Federal revenues that certain propri- threats to freedom of the press and ex- COMMITTEE ON HEALTH, EDUCATION, LABOR, etary institutions of higher education pression around the world and re- AND PENSIONS are allowed to receive for purposes of affirming freedom of the press as a pri- The Committee on Health, Edu- section 487 of the Higher Education Act ority in efforts of the United States cation, Labor, and Pensions is author- of 1965, and for other purposes. Government to promote democracy and ized to meet during the session of the S. 2127 good governance. Senate on Tuesday, December 5, 2017, At the request of Ms. MURKOWSKI, the f at 10 a.m. in room SD–430 to conduct a name of the Senator from Massachu- AUTHORITY FOR COMMITTEES TO hearing on the following nominations: setts (Ms. WARREN) was added as a co- MEET Kenneth L. Marcus, of Virginia, to be sponsor of S. 2127, a bill to award a Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Mr. FLAKE. Mr. President, I have 8 and Johnny Collett, of Kentucky, to be Congressional Gold Medal, collectively, requests for committees to meet during to the United States merchant mari- Assistant Secretary for Special Edu- today’s session of the Senate. They cation and Rehabilitative Services, ners of World War II, in recognition of have the approval of the Majority and their dedicated and vital service during both of the Department of Education, Minority leaders. and Scott A. Mugno, of Pennsylvania, World War II. Pursuant to rule XXVI, paragraph to be an Assistant Secretary, and Wil- S. 2135 5(a), of the Standing Rules of the Sen- liam Beach, of Kansas, to be Commis- At the request of Mr. CORNYN, the ate, the following committees are au- sioner of Labor Statistics, both of the names of the Senator from Tennessee thorized to meet during today’s session Department of Labor. (Mr. CORKER) and the Senator from of the Senate: SELECT COMMITTEE ON INTELLIGENCE Minnesota (Ms. KLOBUCHAR) were added COMMITTEE ON BANKING, HOUSING, AND URBAN as cosponsors of S. 2135, a bill to en- AFFAIRS The Select Committee on Intel- force current law regarding the Na- The Committee on Banking, Housing, ligence is authorized to meet during tional Instant Criminal Background and Urban Affairs is authorized to the session of the Senate on Tuesday, Check System. meet during the session of the Senate December 5, 2017, at 3 p.m., in room S. 2141 on Tuesday, December 5, 2017, at 10 SH–219 to hold a closed hearing. At the request of Mrs. GILLIBRAND, a.m. to conduct a hearing on S.2155 SUBCOMMITTEE ON ENERGY the name of the Senator from Indiana ‘‘The Economic Growth, Regulatory The Subcommittee on Energy of the (Mr. DONNELLY) was added as a cospon- Relief and Consumer Act’’ and the Committee on Energy and Natural Re- sor of S. 2141, a bill to amend title 10, nomination of Jerome H. Powell, of sources is authorized to meet during United States Code, to reform proce- Maryland, to be Chairman of the Board the session of the Senate on Tuesday, dures for determinations on disposition of Governors of the Federal Reserve December 5, 2017, at 10 a.m. to conduct of charges and the convening of courts- System. a hearing. martial for certain offenses under the COMMITTEE ON ENERGY AND NATURAL Uniform Code of Military Justice, and RESOURCES f The Committee on Energy and Nat- for other purposes. PRIVILEGES OF THE FLOOR S. 2152 ural Resources is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Mr. MERKLEY. Mr. President, I ask At the request of Mr. HATCH, the unanimous consent that my intern, names of the Senator from Arkansas Tuesday, December 5, 2017, at 10 a.m. in room SD–366 to conduct a hearing on Scott La Rochelle, be granted privi- (Mr. BOOZMAN) and the Senator from the following nominations: Timothy R. leges of the floor for the remainder of New York (Mrs. GILLIBRAND) were the day. added as cosponsors of S. 2152, a bill to Petty, of Indiana, to be an Assistant The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without amend title 18, United States Code, to Secretary of the Interior, and Linda objection, it is so ordered. provide for assistance for victims of Capuano, of Texas, to be Administrator of the Energy Information Administra- child pornography, and for other pur- f poses. tion, Department of Energy. COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN RELATIONS S. 2163 MEASURE READ THE FIRST The Committee on Foreign Relations TIME—S. 2192 At the request of Mr. CRUZ, the name is authorized to meet during the ses- of the Senator from Oklahoma (Mr. sion of the Senate on Tuesday, Decem- Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I LANKFORD) was added as a cosponsor of ber 5, 2017, at 2:30 p.m. to conduct a understand that there is a bill at the S. 2163, a bill to expand school choice business meeting and hearing on the desk, and I ask for its first reading. in the District of Columbia. following nominations: nominations of The PRESIDING OFFICER. The S. 2164 Eric M. Ueland, of Oregon, to be an clerk will read the bill by title for the At the request of Mr. KING, the Under Secretary (Management), and first time. names of the Senator from Minnesota James Randolph Evans, of Georgia, to The senior assistant legislative clerk (Ms. KLOBUCHAR) and the Senator from be Ambassador to Luxembourg, both of read as follows: New Hampshire (Mrs. SHAHEEN) were the Department of State. A bill (S. 2192) to strengthen border secu- added as cosponsors of S. 2164, a bill to COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN RELATIONS rity, increase resources for enforcement of amend the Congressional Budget Act of The Committee on Foreign Relations immigration laws, and for other purposes. 1974 respecting the scoring of preven- is authorized to meet during the ses- Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I tive health savings. sion of the Senate on Tuesday, Decem- now ask for a second reading and, in S. RES. 139 ber 5, 2017, at 2:30 p.m. to conduct a order to place the bill on the calendar At the request of Mr. WYDEN, the hearing entitled ‘‘The President, Con- under provisions of rule XIV, I object names of the Senator from Hawaii (Ms. gress, and Shared Authority’’. to my own request. HIRONO) and the Senator from North COMMITTEE ON HEALTH, EDUCATION, LABOR, The PRESIDING OFFICER. Objec- Dakota (Ms. HEITKAMP) were added as AND PENSIONS tion is heard. cosponsors of S. Res. 139, a resolution The Committee on Health, Edu- The bill will be read for the second condemning the Government of Iran’s cation, Labor, and Pensions is author- time on the next legislative day.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:55 Dec 06, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00025 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A05DE6.018 S05DEPT1 lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with SENATE S7850 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE December 5, 2017 ORDERS FOR WEDNESDAY, Secretary of the Department of Home- When I spoke with Kirstjen yester- DECEMBER 6, 2017 land Security since the very beginning day, we talked about her core values Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I of time, when I served as Governor and and what guides her in making deci- ask unanimous consent that when the when I served in the Congress. I served sions. I think some of it is faith-based, Senate completes its business today, it with the first Secretary we had and which I find encouraging; the idea of adjourn until 10 a.m., Wednesday, De- others who have succeeded him—most treating other people the way we want cember 6; further, that following the recently, John Kelly, retired Marine to be treated; the willingness to wel- prayer and pledge, the morning hour be four-star general who came from his come people to our home, our country, deemed expired, the Journal of pro- command in SOUTHCOM to become who are strangers. ceedings be approved to date, and the Secretary of Homeland Security. He is So we will see how it plays out. I time for the two leaders be reserved for now at the White House serving as the think it is critically important that— their use later in the day; finally, that Chief of Staff to the President. We are just as I try to surround myself with following leader remarks, the Senate grateful to him for his service. people who have strength and fill in for be in a period of morning business, Since he has moved on to that post, my weaknesses, my hope is that is ex- with Senators permitted to speak it has left a vacancy to lead the De- actly what will happen when she as- therein for up to 10 minutes each. partment of Homeland Security. I sumes the responsibility to lead the The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without think Elaine Duke is filling in quite Department of Homeland Security. objection, it is so ordered. nicely as the Acting Secretary. She So I would say to Kirstjen Nielsen: was previously Deputy Secretary of f Congratulations on your confirmation, Homeland Security. Now that Kirstjen and we look forward to working with ORDER FOR ADJOURNMENT Nielsen has been confirmed, we will see you, hopefully agreeing a lot more Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, if whether Elaine Duke will step back often than we disagree. Good luck and there is no further business to come be- and be the Deputy. I think a number of God bless. fore the Senate, I ask unanimous con- us hope that she will, but that is not f sent that it stand adjourned under the our decision to make. previous order, following the remarks The vote today in favor of Kirstjen REPUBLICAN TAX BILL of our Democratic colleagues. Nielsen’s confirmation was, I believe, The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without 62 ayes and 37 nays. Every now and Mr. CARPER. Next, Mr. President, I objection, it is so ordered. then, we have the opportunity to vote have a couple of charts here. I don’t The Senator from Delaware. and it is a close call. Not all of our know whether the Presiding Officer can see them from where he is sitting. I can f votes are easy; some are more difficult than others. But for a number of us, barely see them from right here. CONFIRMATION OF KIRSTJEN this was a close call. The first chart we are going to take NIELSEN I think Kirstjen Nielsen is arguably a look at deals with the—on this side Mr. CARPER. Mr. President, we just bright. She is well-spoken. She has ap- over here, we have median household concluded a few minutes ago the con- peared before our committee and taken income for Americans since 1987. Over firmation of the President’s nominee any number of questions. She was on this side, we have corporate profits for the next Secretary of the Depart- asked and has answered hundreds of in the billions of dollars. ment of Homeland Security. questions from committee members When we come back here to 1987, we As it turns out, the Presiding Officer and questions for the record. She has look at the orange line here, and that is the chairman of the Committee on been good enough to meet with me not is median household income in 2016 dol- Homeland Security, which has jurisdic- once but twice. I said to her yesterday lars. The median household income in tion over the Department of Homeland when we met that I think she is a per- 1987 was just a shade over $50,000. All of Security. I have the privilege of being son with a good heart and good val- these years later, in 2017, it is just a the immediate past chairman of the ues—again, well-spoken and bright. little bit higher. It has gone up a little committee. The Presiding Officer and I She is especially strong with respect to bit but not a whole lot—maybe close to have worked together on a wide range cyber security. $60,000, but I don’t know that it is any of issues that actually pertain to the The real question mark for me—one higher than that. It has gone up a little jurisdiction of the Department of of the question marks for me, among bit, really, over the last few years. Homeland Security. others—was, for someone who has at The green line here on our chart is I don’t want to speak out of turn, but best only led organizations with maybe corporate profits. When we go back to I believe both the Presiding Officer, a couple dozen people to now be thrust 1987, corporate profits were equal to who is as well the chairman of the into—or selected to serve in this posi- about—it looks like $30,000 billion, and Committee on Homeland Security and tion, where she will be leading 240,000 if I am not mistaken, that would be Governmental Affairs, and I believe people at the Department of Homeland maybe $30 trillion. I hope I have that that one of the most important ingre- Security, spread out all over the world, right. That was 1987. If you look at dients of success of any organization— is a daunting challenge. As someone what has happened, it has gone up and I don’t care whether it is a football who has been privileged to spend 23 down. This is during the great reces- team, a body such as the U.S. Senate, years of my life in the Navy as a naval sion when we fell off the cliff and al- a hospital, a school, a State, a coun- flight officer, then as a treasurer, a most fell off the world. In 2007, 2008, we try—the key is always leadership. The Congressman, a Governor, a Senator, started to climb back out of it. Today, key is leaders who are always inter- and I led the National Governors Asso- the corporate profits have roughly dou- ested in figuring out what is the right ciation—for me, leading an organiza- bled in this country since 1987—roughly thing to do; people who believe in the tion of that size would be daunting. I doubled—while median household in- Golden Rule, treating other people the would expect that the same is true for come is growing a tiny bit but actually way they want to be treated; and lead- Kirstjen Nielsen. not that much. ers who focus on excellence in every- John Kelly, who for 6 months was our Let’s look at the next chart, and then thing they do. They surround them- Secretary, has a lot of confidence in I will not speak from the charts. I selves with the best people they can her, and I have a lot of confidence in guess the lesson here again is that cor- find. They embrace the idea that if a John Kelly. JOHN MCCAIN and I intro- porate profits have gone up rather program or whatever is not perfect, duced him as the ranking member and nicely. There were some ups and downs let’s make it better. The best leaders the chairman when General Kelly was because of the great recession, but they with whom I have been privileged to nominated to be Secretary. JOHN are on an uptick now. serve are those who just don’t give up. MCCAIN sat on one side of the nominee, This is a look at the national deficit When they are sure they are right, they and I sat on the other. I think we have and debt. I know the Presiding Officer just don’t give up. taken his recommendation to heart, has a great concern about this. We have had a series of leaders, and and that was maybe the tie-breaker for I came to the House I guess in 1983. I I have been privileged to know every some of us. had been State treasurer for a State

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:55 Dec 06, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00026 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G05DE6.037 S05DEPT1 lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with SENATE December 5, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S7851 that had the worst deficit in the coun- time around the middle of the evening simplify the Tax Code or make it more try. The State of Delaware tied with last Friday night, a 400-page amend- complex? The new provision that was Puerto Rico. We were a mess. ment, over 400 pages that we had never adopted is going to increase by this Finally, Pete du Pont, a Republican, read, never seen, with scribbling on the much the thickness of the Tax Code, or did a wonderful job for 8 years as Gov- side of the pages. The idea was that by about another 15 or 20 percent—not ernor. I had the opportunity to serve somehow we were supposed to read making it simpler or easier to under- with him in the State treasury and that and understand it and then vote it stand, but actually more difficult. later on to become the Governor of the up or down in an amendment in like 4 The last piece I consider is this: What State of Delaware, when we went to a or 5 hours. Good luck. That just doesn’t is the effect on the deficit? Pumping up triple A credit rating for the first time happen. That would be the triumph of the deficit by another $1.5 trillion is in State history. man’s hope over experience. making the situation even worse. I came here in 1983 as a Congressman I always ask these four questions We are going to go to conference who was concerned about debts and when people ask about what we should now, the House and Senate. My hope is deficits. My sense is that here in the do in tax reform. I say, No. 1, it ought that it will be more bipartisan than Senate and the House, we don’t have a to be fair. What we have actually what we saw here in the Senate. It lot of deficit hawks these days. If we passed is something where most of the needs to be. I quoted last week and I do, their voices are not heard very benefits, the lion’s share, go to people quoted again today an old African- loudly. We are on a course that is who are, frankly, very wealthy. Folks American proverb: If you want to go unsustainable in terms of our accumu- who are lower and lower middle income fast, travel alone. If you want to go far, lation of more debt. may realize some benefits in the first travel together. Our Republican This is an interesting chart because few years following the implementa- friends, at least on this side of the Con- it goes back to really the beginning of tion of the new tax cut, but over time— gress, for the most part have chosen to World War II, the war my dad was in say, by 2025—families with incomes up go fast and to go alone. That is unfor- and my uncle served in. There is a lot to $75,000 per family are going to be re- tunate. The last time we did tax re- of red ink here, and it shows the deficit alizing not a net gain from the tax cut form, we did it together. It took 3 as a percentage of gross domestic prod- but actually a net loss, which is not years, but it was a more lasting and, I uct, and it reached about 30 percent good. think, a better outcome. I always ask: Is it fair? I think it is right in the middle of World War II. f After the war, we have the green down not fair when you look at the numbers here where we actually had some sur- and see how middle-income folks fare DACA pluses in the late 1940s and the early and those who happen to be wealthier Mr. CARPER. I want to pivot for just 1950s. We actually had a surplus in 1968. fare. a moment, Mr. President, and talk Then we went from 1968 to about 1998 The second question I always ask is about workforce. Most people, when and never balanced the budget, all of this: Will it foster economic growth or they think of Dreamers and DACA, those years at one time. The last 4 diminish it? I focus a lot of my time think of young people who were born in years of the Clinton administration, we and energy on economic growth, job other countries and maybe at a very balanced our budget four times. It was creation, and job preservation. Sen- early age were brought here by their ators, Presidents, and Governors don’t a bipartisan deal. parents and maybe have no recollec- The chairman of the House Budget create jobs. We create a nurturing en- tion of the countries they grew up in. Committee, if I am not mistaken, was vironment for job creation, job preser- But they have been here now. They a Republican from Ohio, John Kasich, vation, and workforce, transportation came here, were raised here, and were who is now the Governor of Ohio. John infrastructure, protection of intellec- educated here, many of them in our and I came to the House together in tual property rights, public safety, ac- public schools. A number of them had 1983. He came as a deficit hawk as well. cess to water and wastewater. There the opportunity to go to college. are a lot of things that contribute to He and the Clinton administration ob- Delaware State University is a his- economic growth and so forth. Tax pol- viously did a nice job to help to bal- torically Black university in Dover and icy is important. Commonsense regula- ance four budgets. We haven’t done so is the home of the Hornets. It is a won- tion is important as well. derful land grant school that I have well since then. Since then, we have But my second question is this: Does been heavily invested in as Governor shown, right from here up to the the tax reform bill that we passed fos- and even now to make sure they rise present, which would be right around ter economic growth? Not really. To a and continue to improve. I am very there, one deficit after the other—defi- modest extent, some, but not really. cits that peaked out over the last year One of the things it does is it suggests proud of all of the progress that has of George W. Bush’s administration, uncertainty and the lack of predict- been made there. I was invited by their when we were again falling into the ability going forth, which I don’t think president, Harry Williams, to come to great recession, and we have spent a businesses really care for. their campus a couple of months ago. lot of money in stimulus to try to get One area where we, frankly, decided We met with Dreamers, ‘‘DACAs,’’ stu- us out of recession. not to spend any money this time is dents born in other countries who were The debt dropped from about $1.4 tril- the area where we could actually get brought here by their parents years lion per year down to about one-third the biggest bang for our buck in terms ago. that much, and now it is starting to go of growing GDP. We have a transpor- I have met a lot of college students up again. The debt last year—the year tation infrastructure that is woefully in my day. I have been joined on the that ended on September 30—the def- inadequate these days, in terrible floor here by Senator DURBIN from Illi- icit had bounced back up to $666 billion shape—roads, highways, bridges, rail, nois. He has probably met at least as again in 1 year—a lot of money. The ports, and airports. We have many many as I have—probably more, be- prospect going forward is not encour- broad areas in the country that don’t cause he is from a bigger State. aging; it is actually discouraging. have access to the internet. I don’t think I have ever been more The tax cut bill that was passed in We just passed a tax bill that is going impressed by a group of college stu- this Chamber just a few days ago—last to increase the deficit by $1.5 trillion. dents in my life than the young men Saturday morning, in the middle of the Unfortunately, none of that goes to pay and women I met that day. We literally night—called for tax breaks, some for for or to make investments in things happened to be there at 11 in the morn- individuals for a while, some for cor- that would grow GDP by a lot and ing that day, when the President’s ad- porations that tend to be more perma- would provide employment opportuni- ministration announced that the time nent in nature. But for me, maybe the ties—not just for a couple hundred for the Dreamers was going to expire in most troubling aspect of the tax bill thousand people but for millions of 6 months, unless Congress was some- that was enacted last Saturday morn- people, over the next decade or so. how able to put together an agreement ing, aside from the way it was pushed None of that is there. and pass legislation—which is hard to through, is the idea that we got, right The third question I always look at do without the support of the adminis- here on the Senate floor, I think some- in terms of tax reform is this: Does it tration.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:55 Dec 06, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00027 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G05DE6.039 S05DEPT1 lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with SENATE S7852 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE December 5, 2017 I was there with young people that compete with us, to start businesses of I thought for sure DACA would begin to day. I will never forget what a young their own, instead of doing that here? allow me the chance to finally not only build man said. I think he was born in Cen- I suggest that we listen to the em- up others, but myself as well. But with Mr. Trump as President and his tral America—either Honduras, Guate- ployers of this country. We don’t al- ending of the DACA Program and whispers of mala, or El Salvador. This was right on ways agree with everything that the immigration raids, I fight to hold on to my the heels of the problem of recognizing U.S. Chambers of Commerce or State dreams. My DACA status ends in March and these young people and celebrating Chambers of Commerce say, but in this with it all I have worked so hard to build their promise and potential. Right in case they are absolutely right. over the last 4 years. the middle, we got an announcement, I have a 3-minute statement that I I wrote this long email to simply ask that you fight for people like me. We didn’t learning that the administration had would like to read, if I could, from one choose to be here but we are grateful to be just announced about sending these of our Dreamers. Could I do that, I ask here. folks home in 6 months—not really the Senator, our Whip, from Illinois? It is here where we’ve grown, cried, home, because their home is here, but This is about a woman living in Wil- dreamed and worked hard for our American back to the places where they were mington, DE, which is where my wife Dream. Here is where those we hold dear re- born. and I live. Her name is Kay-Dean Hay- side. It is my prayer that you will fight for me There were about five or six students, den. This is a portion of a short email and others like me. It is my prayer that you all undergrads—freshmen, sophomores. she recently sent to me: will be our voice in congress. It is my prayer One young man had come here maybe My name Kay-Dean, a community builder that you will humanize us to politicians who from Guatemala, and he stood up and who happens to be a DACA recipient. I was have marginalized and demonized us. It is said: As a young person, I honestly born in Jamaica but I have lived in the U.S. my prayer that you would fight for us as if don’t remember ever living in my na- since I was 7 or 8 years old. I grew up in we were yours because truth be told, WE tive country. The only country I re- Delaware and moved to New York in 2012 and ARE. 1 member is this country. moved back [to Delaware] recently after 5 ⁄2 Your prayer has been heard. I grew up in public schools. Every years [in New York]. I just want to say to my colleague I am approaching 30 years old on March day, we would start our school day in Senator DURBIN of Illinois, thank you 1st, so I’ve been here [in the United States] for years of leadership on this issue to class, in home room, by standing, put- for almost 22–23 years. ting our hands over our hearts, and My grandmother raised myself and two of do the right thing, to treat other peo- pledging allegiance to the United my cousins. I grew up not really under- ple as we would want to be treated if in States of America. standing my immigration status or the im- their shoes and, frankly, to do the He said: This is my home. This is my plications it would have on my reality and right things in terms of strengthening country. This is the only home I have dreams. I missed out on opportunities, but I this economy. ever really known. assumed it was due to our financial lack. My The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- He then went on to tell about his as- grandmother worked hard but she couldn’t ator from Illinois. read or write so this limited her. Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, I thank pirations. After unjustly gaining a juvenile record be- Those kids are smart and have par- my colleague from Delaware. He and I cause of poor representation and ignorance came to the House of Representatives ents who are engaged in their edu- of my rights, I decided I would become a law- cation and have high expectations for yer, not fully understanding that my immi- together a few years back, and we have their children. A number of the stu- gration status would potentially bar me had the pleasure and honor of serving dents are working not one but two jobs from obtaining that dream. together in the Senate. When he is on to help support themselves through After that summer, I gained a better un- my team, I feel much stronger because school. As a Navy ROTC midshipman derstanding of my status and why I couldn’t I know TOM CARPER is a person of val- really get a summer job or travel. In order to at Ohio State, I worked two jobs to ues, principles, and hard work, and he truly cope, I determined that if I worked really takes this job seriously. His help pay the bills. These students are hard enough, surely I could attain all my too. They are taking courses that in- State is lucky to have him, and I am hopes and dreams. lucky to count him as a friend. I thank clude math, science, and physics. They I told my guidance counselor what I under- want to do the kind of work that, stood about my immigration status and him for joining me on this important issue. frankly, a lot of people in this coun- heard nothing but disappointment, I was dis- Sixteen years ago, I introduced a bill try—some want to serve in the mili- couraged but I remained determined. I be- addressing young people brought to tary, some want to be in public safety, lieved God would reward my hard-work and faithfulness. So I saw [a] different guidance America by their parents who, frankly, some want to be educators, some want counselor my 12th grade year, in tears, were young, didn’t really know much to be scientists. They want to do all pleading for help. She looked at my records about the immigration experience, kinds of things. This is a time when we (grades, SAT score and activities) and by the grew up in the United States thinking have across the country some 4 million grace of God she connected me with a family they were just like all the other kids in member who worked with international stu- to 5 million jobs that are literally the classroom, and then realized one going unfilled today, and people who dents at the local community college. With God’s grace I had the privilege of attending day they weren’t. maybe would like to do those jobs You see, they are not legal. Their don’t have the requisite skills to do Delaware Technical and Community College on a full scholarship. parents didn’t do it properly, didn’t file them, maybe they don’t have the inter- In 2009, I graduated with my Associates in the right papers. I am not holding it est in doing the jobs, or maybe they Business Administration [with Concentra- against their parents. Let me add that can’t pass a drug test. But at a time tions in] Marketing Management. Upon grad- quickly. Their parents were doing the when we have 3 million or 4 million uating, God opened the door and I was ac- very best for the family they could. jobs that are vacant, unfilled, and em- cepted to Goldey-Beacom College with schol- They were taking risks that many of ployers are pleading for qualified appli- arship assistance . . . I completed my de- us would take any day for a son or grees in 2011, and graduated in 2012 with my cants, that somehow we are going to daughter to have a chance to live a send 700,000 or 800,000 Dreamers back to Bachelors in Business Administration [with Concentrations in] Financial Management. good life. wherever they were born makes no Here were these young people in the sense. After graduating from school and liv- United States undocumented. What One of the loudest voices we have ing and working in New York, Kay- were they to do? They didn’t know that heard in this debate is that it is not Dean moved back to Delaware. She old country where their parents came just a fairness argument for the wrote: from. They may not even be able to Dreamers, in terms of turning our I currently work with a program that pro- speak the language of that country, backs on their aspirations and hopes, vides mentorship opportunity for minorities and here they were in the United but that it is in our self-interest as a and under-served youth who are interested in States. They thought things would working in the medical field. I have been ab- nation, in terms of a stronger econ- solutely blessed to walk through the doors I work out, some way or another. Time omy, to keep them here. have though they were not the ones I origi- passed, and it didn’t. Why would we educate them here and nally pictured. I have had the pleasure of We have a broken immigration sys- they learn values here, and then we helping and building up others, especially tem. We have a lot of gaps in the sys- ship them off to another country to young people. tem, and they were caught up in one of

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:55 Dec 06, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00028 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G05DE6.040 S05DEPT1 lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with SENATE December 5, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S7853 them. Sixteen years ago, I introduced a Congress to pass legislation to protect community health center, and volun- bill, and here is what it said. If you Dreamers this year—34 Republicans. teering as a translator at clinics for came to the United States as a child, if They said: ‘‘It is imperative that Re- Spanish-speaking patients. you grew up in this country, you didn’t publicans and Democrats come to- Close to 70 Dreamers are enrolled in have any serious problems with the gether to solve this problem now and medical schools around the country law, and you graduated from school, we not wait until next year’’—34 Repub- just like she is. Without DACA, these were going to give you a chance, a licans in the House. How many bipar- Dreamers will never become doctors. chance to earn your way into legal sta- tisan things go on around here any- Why? They are going to be deported tus. You could do it by furthering your more? Not many. Here is one. I salute back to their countries if they are not education, volunteering for the mili- these Members of the House. I salute lucky. If they happen to be able to tary. There were a lot of ways to do it. the four Republican Senators who stay, they cannot legally work in We said to these young people: This joined me in cosponsoring the Dream America without DACA status. You will be your chance. Act. They, I think, have stuck their cannot finish medical school and go on That bill was introduced a long time necks out, and I respect them so much to a residency without a work permit, ago, and it has never become the law. for it. I will stand up for them because without being able to legally work in At one point when President Obama of it. I thank them for that. I know America. They cannot legally work was in the Office of the Presidency, I why they are doing it. They are not without DACA protection, and Presi- wrote him a letter with 20 of my col- doing it for me. They shouldn’t, and I dent Trump has ended it. leagues in the Senate and asked him to am sure they are not. They are doing it Are we going to be a stronger nation find a way, if he could, to protect these for these young people. I will tell you if we deport her, tell her to leave, go young people from being deported out without fail, when you meet them, back to Mexico, which she left when of America, and he did. They called it they convert you in a minute. she was 5 years of age, give up on all DACA. The DACA Program said, if you For the last several years, I have the education she has put on the are one of the people who, by definition come to the floor to tell their stories. board—at the community college under the DREAM Act, would be eligi- I am told the one I am going to tell where she was leading her class, on to ble, you can stay in the United States right now is the 99th time I have told get her degrees, on to be accepted to if you step up and pay about $500 in a a story like this. Each time I tell one Harvard Medical School. The answer is filing fee, go through a serious crimi- of these stories, it makes the case for clear. America would be less if she left. nal background check, and then we will why we need to do something to help The Association of American Medical give you a temporary 2-year protection these young people and do it quickly. Colleges reports the Nation faces a doc- from deportation—2 years that you can Let me show you this wonderful tor shortage, which is only going to get work legally in the United States and young lady here. Her name is Blanca worse. Both the AMA and the Associa- come back and see us if you want to Morales. Blanca Morales was brought tion of American Medical Colleges have renew it. to the United States by her parents warned that ending DACA will make At the end of the day, about 800,000 from Mexico when she was 5 years old. this problem worse. They have urged young people in America did that. She grew up in Santa Ana, CA. Grow- Congress to do something. They paid their fee. They went through ing up, she took care of her two young- Blanca wrote me a letter, and here is the background check, they submitted er siblings while her parents worked in what she said. all their information to our govern- factories and in the agriculture fields It took me eight years from graduating ment, and they were protected. of California. from the university to enter medical school. Just 3 months ago, President Donald She was quite a student. In high Without DACA or better yet, a formal way to become a full member of society, I am left to Trump abolished DACA and said, as of school, she was named one of the top live in the shadows. I don’t know if I will be March 5 next year, it is gone. What 100 students in the county. She was ac- able to finish my medical training without a does that mean for these young people? tive in community service, mentoring permanent solution to my immigration sta- It means that as of March 5 of next students who couldn’t complete high tus. Please help me keep my dream of be- year, many of them will be subject to school without help. She attended a coming a physician alive. deportation and subject to losing the community college, Santa Ana College. When my colleagues come to the jobs they have or being unable to finish I might add, because she is undocu- floor and say we are just too busy here school because they can’t work. mented, she didn’t qualify for any Fed- to take up this issue, I wish they would I have met a lot of those young peo- eral Government assistance. Going to have a chance to meet this spectacular ple. I am sure Senator HASSAN has met college in that circumstance means young woman. I wish they would con- some. I know Senator CARPER has. He working, scraping by, putting things sider what she is asking us to do. She just read one of their stories. They are off, sacrificing to get through. She did is asking us to do our job. We are sup- heartbroken, and they are scared. They it. She majored in chemistry and biol- posed to solve problems. worry about what is going to happen to ogy. She was part of Phi Beta Kappa, When you read the numbers, 70, 80 them and their families when March 5 an international honors society. She percent of Americans approve of the rolls around. won first academic team in the All- Dream Act, even an overwhelming ma- For weeks, months since President USA Academic Competition. She was jority of those who voted for President Trump’s announcement, I have come to her class’s valedictorian, with a perfect Trump believe these young people de- the floor and asked: For goodness’ 4.0 GPA. serve a chance to be legal in America. sake, can’t we agree—Democrats and Blanca, after graduation, attended Why can’t we get our job done? We Republicans—to fix this problem? the University of California, Irvine. need to do it and do it now. We have 3 President Trump challenged us: Do She majored in neurobiology. At UC weeks before we are likely to end the your job, Congress. Pass a law. Irvine, she graduated with honors session this year. I want to see us get That is what we are supposed to do. magna cum laude. After obtaining this this finished this year. I want to see a Here we are, 3 months later, and it premed degree, she couldn’t land a job bipartisan agreement. hasn’t been done. What I hear from the in the medical field because she is un- I came to the floor earlier and lis- other side of the aisle is, give us a lit- documented in America. tened to the speeches of many of my tle more time; we will try to get to it Then, in 2012, everything changed. colleagues—one from North Carolina next year. President Obama established the DACA and another from Oklahoma, one from March 5, 2018, DACA is over and fin- Program I mentioned earlier, which al- the State of Texas and another from ished. Waiting several weeks is bad lowed Blanca, for the first time in her the State of Arkansas—and each one of enough. Waiting several months is un- life, to get a permit to legally work in them said there are lots of things we acceptable. I will tell you why it is. We America. Last year, Blanca Morales need to do to fix our immigration sys- know this needs to be done now. Today, was accepted to the Harvard School of tem. I couldn’t agree more. 34 Republicans in the House of Rep- Medicine. She has remained involved in I was on the task force—the Gang of resentatives sent a letter to the Speak- community service, mentoring stu- 8 they called it—that came up with a er of the House, PAUL RYAN, calling for dents, teaching health classes at a comprehensive immigration reform. It

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:55 Dec 06, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00029 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G05DE6.042 S05DEPT1 lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with SENATE S7854 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE December 5, 2017 took us months to do it, but we did it. other colleagues, that any bill that It is a fact that there are 700,000 We did everything we could think of funds the government must also in- DACA recipients, 200,000 of whom are within the four corners of immigration clude a fix for DACA. in California alone. reform. We passed it on the floor of the I want to talk with you about why I It is a fact that the Dreamers have Senate with a strong bipartisan roll- believe it is important that we resolve been extensively vetted before they call, and the House of Representatives this issue. I do believe there is a lot of have qualified for DACA. They have refused to even consider it. That misinformation out there. I think it is gone through a process. They have doesn’t mean the problems have gone important that we as policymakers, as turned over copious amounts of paper- away. They are still here. What I am leaders in our country, craft and create work with incredible detail. They have saying to my colleagues is, don’t try to public policy based on facts, not on gone through background checks. They fix every immigration problem you can misinformation and certainly not fear. have given personal information about think of on the backs of these Dream- Let’s begin by being very clear. The the circumstances of their arrivals. ers like Blanca Morales. I am willing decision to rescind DACA is part of a They have answered questions that to talk to you honestly, forthrightly much broader and troubling attempt to seek to figure out whether they have about border security. Count me in. I remake the demographics of the coun- committed crimes. If they applied and voted for it as part of comprehensive try by cracking down on immigrants. they received DACA status, we deter- immigration reform, but every notion, We have an administration that has ig- mined that they were not threats in every idea, every theory you have nited anti-immigrant sentiment, char- that regard to our public safety. We about immigration shouldn’t be placed acterizing immigrants as rapists and asked questions that sought to figure on the shoulders and backs of these murderers and people who are going to out if they have graduated high school. young people. steal your jobs. We have an administra- Are they living lawful and productive Let’s fix this, and then let’s go on to tion that has implemented an aggres- lives? It is only when they cleared that the next phase of dealing with immi- sive anti-immigrant agenda. This ad- extensive vetting that they qualified gration reform in its totality. That ministration has called for a border for DACA status and received DACA makes sense to me. I am ready to bar- wall that could cost up to $70 billion. status. gain, work, compromise in good faith They have implemented Muslim bans Let’s be clear. These Dreamers who with any Member on the Republican which severely restrict immigration receive DACA status study in our col- side and the Democratic side who from six Muslim-majority countries. leges, serve in our military, and work wants to make sure a young woman They have requested 10,000 new ICE in Fortune 100 companies. They are like this deserves a fighting chance in agents and 5,000 new Border Patrol contributing to our economy in a way America. I believe that. I think most agents when they have not given the that we all are benefiting. If DACA re- Americans believe it too. Now let’s roll resources to be able to fill all the va- cipients were to be deported, it is esti- up our sleeves and go to work. There cant positions they now have. They mated that California would lose $11 are plenty of things we can do the re- have ended the protected immigration billion a year. The U.S. economy as a mainder of this year that will make a status, known as TPS, for Haitians and whole would lose an estimated $460 bil- big difference in her life and in the fu- Nicaraguans who fled disasters and lion over a decade. It is also a fact that these young peo- ture of America. may crack down on the protective sta- ple have stood in classrooms and stood I yield the floor. tus on Salvadorans as well. They are in line in many places and have placed The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. seeking to lower the refugee cap from their hands over their hearts, pledging RUBIO). The Senator from California. 110,000 to 45,000 at a time when we have Ms. HARRIS. Mr. President, I would allegiance to the flag of the United seen an increase in the worldwide num- like to thank the senior Senator from States—a flag that many of us wear on ber of refugees who are in crisis. This is Illinois. Senator DURBIN has been a our lapels, a flag that represents the the lowest number ever in the history longstanding leader in this Chamber best of what we are in terms of the of this country—actually, since 1980. and in our country on this issue, and I ideals upon which we were founded. We Gen. John Kelly, the President’s Chief can’t thank him enough for all he does must be true to those ideals and con- of Staff and former Homeland Security so tirelessly. I see his work behind sistent in the way that we approach so Secretary, said that he wishes the closed doors, and I know his passion many issues as applied to this issue number of refugees we would admit and personal commitment to this issue. about what we do with these DACA into our country were between zero and I thank the Senator from Illinois. kids. We must keep our word and our one. Mr. President, on February 16 of this promise to them and guarantee what I want to be clear. I have an incred- year, which was 292 days ago, I offered we promised, which is that we would ible amount of respect for the men and my maiden speech as a new Member of not share their personal information women of the Department of Homeland the U.S. Senate. The subject of the with ICE and that they would not be Security, who each day leave their speech was immigration—in particular, deported if they continued to follow homes, committed to doing the work of an emphasis on DACA and the Dream- the rules. ers. Here we are 292 days later, and we keeping our homeland secure. It is In my experience, it is also true that have failed to move forward in any sub- noble and important work, and their many who have opinions or who have stantial or substantive way in bringing mission is critical. I believe the vast expressed opinions or who have the op- relief to these Dreamers who have majority of those frontline agents are portunity to make decisions about this qualified for DACA status. So we stand doing their jobs honorably and effec- issue have never met a Dreamer. We here, these 292 days later, talking tively, but it is troubling when the cannot fault them, but what we can about an issue that we must ulti- White House has encouraged frontline ask is that those who have the power mately, and before the end of this year, agents to ‘‘take the shackles off.’’ In to make a decision on this issue make resolve. fact, the Acting ICE Director has said: it their business and make an effort to Let’s also be clear that 3 months ago If you’re an immigrant in this country ille- really understand who we are talking today, on September 5 of this year, the gally . . . you should be uncomfortable. You about. Senator DURBIN talked about it, should look over your shoulder. administration arbitrarily, recklessly, and Senator CARPER talked about it. and cruelly ended DACA—the Deferred When you look at these independent My colleagues will be talking about Action for Childhood Arrivals Pro- acts, there is a clear constellation that who these Dreamers are, who these gram. DACA allowed young immi- has formed. This enforcement surge is young people are. grants who were brought here by their a barely disguised purge. This is not I have to say that I have been a bit parents to live and work in this coun- leadership. Leaders should not be in troubled when I have had this con- try without fear that they would be de- the business of inciting fear and sowing versation. I remember when I had a ported. Later this week, on Friday, De- hate and division. Instead, leaders conversation many months ago with cember 8, funding for the government should be about creating smart public the then-nominee to head up the De- runs out. I have been clear, along with policy based on facts. So here are some partment of Homeland Security, Gen. my friend from Illinois and several of the facts. John Kelly. I asked him if he had ever

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:55 Dec 06, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00030 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G05DE6.043 S05DEPT1 lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with SENATE December 5, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S7855 met a Dreamer, and he said that he had cumstances that brought them to this who know no other home than the not. When I asked him if I could ar- country, and the lives they are living United States of America. range a meeting, he then went on to every day now. For 5 years, the Deferred Action for say: How about if I could take a meet- These are incredible young people Childhood Arrivals—or DACA—Pro- ing, instead, with their representa- who are doing everything that we hope gram, has created security and oppor- tives? That is disheartening. and pray will epitomize the American tunity for young immigrants around Before our colleagues make a deci- dream—work hard, be respectful, play the country, but now the futures of sion about where they stand on this by the rules, contribute to your com- some 800,000 young people—7,900 of policy, I believe that it is only fair—it munity, have dreams and aspirations them in Massachusetts—are needlessly is only the right thing to do—that they about how you can be productive. That in jeopardy because President Trump make an effort to sit down and talk is who these young people are. has coldheartedly repealed DACA. with Dreamers and get to understand Let’s reject the fearmongering. Let’s DACA has been a hugely successful who they are, the circumstances of also understand that this is an immi- program. It has provided so many their arrivals, and how they are con- nent issue and that this is something young immigrants safety, security, tributing to our country. we must address immediately. Let’s dignity, respect, and opportunity. There are going to be hundreds of agree that each day in the lives of These are young people who study, who Dreamers here tomorrow on Capitol these young people is a very long time. work, who live next-door to us every Hill. I want to thank them for their Each day that they go to sleep at night single day. They are our friends, our leadership and their tireless advocacy and are worried about a knock on the neighbors, and our loved ones. because their stories will change hearts door at midnight that might tear them I would like to speak for a few min- and minds. Let me just speak of a few. away from their families is a very long utes about one of these DACA bene- My colleagues have shared some; I will time. Let’s not wait. Let’s not wait to ficiaries. She is 28-year-old Paola San- share some others. help them. chez, who came to the United States I met Yuriana Aguilar, whom I took Let’s reject those folks who say that from Bolivia when she was 14 years old. to the President’s joint session address there is no crisis, the folks who say Paola’s father passed away when she this February. Her parents brought her that this is not an emergency. Let’s was just 8 years old. Her mother was in here from Mexico when she was just 5 understand that for these 700,000 a wheelchair and was unable to work. years old. She grew up in Fresno, CA. Dreamers who cannot concentrate at With her family facing hardship, Paola She attended public schools, and she school or at work and who are terrified came to America to live with an aunt attended UC Merced. She was the first of that midnight knock, this is an and uncle in New York. There, Paola DACA recipient to earn a Ph.D. and emergency. Let’s think about the worked in the manufacturing industry now is a biomedical researcher in Chi- classmates and the coworkers and our while she attended high school full cago who is focused on the human neighbors and family members who time. She often got home late at night heart. She is doing everything that she have these children who are terrified and grabbed a few hours of sleep before can to improve the condition and the that this protected status will be getting up to head to school to do it all lives of the people in our country be- stripped and taken away. For them, over again. cause of the work she has done and the this is an emergency. In 2007, Paola graduated from high research she has done. Let’s think about the 122 Dreamers school and moved to my State of Mas- I met Eric Yang, who came from who are losing their DACA status every sachusetts, where she has lived ever South Korea. He grew up in Irvine, CA, single day, 851 of them every week, since. She now works 30 hours a week and is now studying business econom- over 11,000 of them since September. as a case manager while attending Bay ics at UC Irvine, where he works to Let’s agree that this is a crisis, that State Community College full time. help other students. this is an emergency. It has been 91 She has been a model student, earning My husband and I recently attended days since this administration ended a 3.9 grade point average, and she hopes a play in Los Angeles. It is a great pro- DACA, and we cannot wait a single day to enter nursing school in January. gram at which there is free entertain- longer. Paola has been a DACA recipient ment in the community park, and fam- Let’s reject the fearmongering. Let’s since 2013, but her current status ex- ilies show up and have a wonderful find a bipartisan consensus to act in pires next year. This means that unless evening outdoors with each other in the way that we know we should and Congress acts and saves the program, fellowship. I met a young woman who can. Let’s put the Dream Act to a vote Paola and thousands like her will have came up to me. She was with a group of today. I believe it could pass and would to leave the United States for coun- friends. pass if everyone looked in their hearts tries they do not really know and no Her friends said: Tell her. Tell her. and looked at the facts. longer consider to be home. I looked at this young woman. She Today, 35 House Republicans signed a Paola’s case, like many others, is looked as if she was about maybe 19 letter, writing that they want a DACA even more difficult because she has a 4- years old. fix before the end of the year. It in- year-old son—a child who is an Amer- I said: Tell me what? Tell me what is cluded Members from California and ican citizen by birth and has never going on. Texas and Florida and Utah and Penn- known any other home than the United She looked at me, and she spoke so sylvania and New York. Earlier today, States. quietly that I didn’t hear what she had my colleague, the junior Senator from All Paola wants is to stay here with said, so I asked her to repeat herself. Arizona, said: her son, get her nursing degree, get a She looked at me, and she started cry- We don’t need to make a statement. We good job, and give back to the country ing. need to make a law. so much more than she has been given. She said: I am DACA. I could not agree more. Let’s give Instead, Paola and countless other She was trembling as she cried, abso- these Dreamers a future. young people and families across the lutely in fear of what her future may I yield the floor. United States face uncertain futures. hold. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- Instead of going to sleep tonight know- I suggest that before we take a posi- ator from Massachusetts. ing they will be able to live their lives tion on this issue, we take a moment, Mr. MARKEY. Mr. President, I thank in peace and plan for the future, they each one of us as colleagues and each the Presiding Officer for presiding are left with uncertainty, vulnerable to one of us as individuals, to see these today. deportation, and unable to work le- young people, to truly see them—to see I thank the Senator from Illinois, gally. This is a human tragedy in the them not through a lens that is about DICK DURBIN, for organizing all of us making. It is heartbreaking, it is un- partisanship or politics, not through a this afternoon to speak on behalf of just, and it is just plain wrong. We lens that is ideological, but based on these Dreamers. His leadership has should not punish these young people who they really are and the practical been critical in this fight for the dig- who have no other home than the realities of the lives they lived that nity and recognition of hundreds of United States of America. We should brought them to this country, the cir- thousands of wonderful young people not go back on the word we gave when

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:55 Dec 06, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00031 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G05DE6.045 S05DEPT1 lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with SENATE S7856 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE December 5, 2017 we told these young people to come out his driver’s license. But he said his life Reina could pay instate tuition and be- of the shadows. was changed after President Obama un- come the first person in her family to These Dreamers are engineers, police veiled the DACA Program. This young complete college, opening up even officers, teachers, future nurses, and man was able to get a job, attend com- more doors of opportunity. students, many in our great Massachu- munity college, and eventually enroll Right now we are in the middle of a setts colleges and universities. They at the University of New Hampshire, long overdue discussion about sexual serve bravely in our military. They are where he is working toward his degree. harassment and sexual assault. Women our best and brightest and are making His story makes clear why there is so are bravely coming forward to tell the most of the opportunities that the much at stake and why it is critical their stories about powerful men who United States has always provided to that our colleagues work together in have abused their power to hurt others. immigrant communities. order to support these young people. Sexual assault isn’t just happening in The ball is in the court of the Repub- Granite Staters, like all Americans, Silicon Valley or in Hollywood or in lican leadership in the House and Sen- recognize the value of hard work, the legislative chambers. It happens all ate. Speaker PAUL RYAN and Leader importance of unleashing the talent across America at hotels, fast food res- MITCH MCCONNELL can listen to a grow- and energy of each and every indi- taurants, and convenience stores. If ing chorus of their own colleagues and vidual, and they demand and expect you are a woman without official sta- to business CEOs, including those at that their elected leaders act with fair- tus, you have yet another barrier to Apple, Amazon, Microsoft, Facebook, ness and with common sense, which is speaking out. General Motors, and to academic lead- all that the Dream Act represents. When the DACA Program started, we ers, countless college and university We must pass the bipartisan Dream made a promise to young people like presidents, all of whom support Act now and protect those who have so Reina. We promised them that if they DACA—or they can side with the forces much to offer to the future of our great came out of the shadows, they would of intolerance and injustice. country. have an opportunity to live and to Congress should pass the Dream Act Thank you. work and to go to school without the so that people, like Paola, who were I yield the floor. fear of deportation. We promised to brought here at a young age and who The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- protect them. Donald Trump broke have served in the military or pursued ator from Massachusetts. that promise when he ended DACA. higher education can earn citizenship. Ms. WARREN. Thank you, Mr. Presi- But there is something that Congress I urge everyone to listen to DICK dent. can do to help Reina and people like her, young kids who have spent their DURBIN, to listen to this chorus of I have been sitting on the floor for a voices from around our country. Pro- while, listening to other Senators tell lives reaching for their dreams. We can tect these 800,000 young people. Protect amazing stories about young people pass a clean Dream Act, a bipartisan them because they deserve it, and who came to this country as children bill that would give young people like America will be the beneficiary of and how they have thrived, how they Reina status and a path to citizenship, these great Americans who are serving have become woven into a part of the a bill that protects those young people our country right now. American fabric. These are stories of without subjecting their parents or I thank the Presiding Officer. courage, stories of hope, and it is in- their siblings to deportation. We could I yield back the remainder of my spiring to listen to these stories. do that, but time is running out. time. Tonight I want to add another piece Soon DACA recipients will begin los- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- to this story, and that is about why ing their status and will be subjected ator from New Hampshire. law matters—why it matters that we to deportation. We can stop that from Ms. HASSAN. Thank you very much, have a Dream Act. This photo portrays happening, but we have to act soon. I Mr. President, and I thank my col- Reina Guevara. She is a Massachusetts am ready to vote and many of my col- league from Massachusetts for his elo- resident. She is a student now at leagues on both sides of the aisle are quent words just now. I also thank Sen- UMass Boston. When Reina was 11 ready to vote. So I have one question ator DURBIN for his leadership on this years old, she fled from El Salvador for MITCH MCCONNELL: What is stop- critically important issue. and settled with her mother in Everett, ping you? As many of my colleagues have stat- MA. We are ready to pass this bill. Just ed, we must protect Dreamers and Reina is a model student. After com- get it done. Thank you. allow them to continue to be vital pleting high school and graduating I yield the floor. members of communities in New with high honors from Bunker Hill Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, I sug- Hampshire and across the Nation. The Community College, she won a scholar- gest the absence of a quorum. energy, hard work, and innovation of ship and transferred to UMass Boston, The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Dreamers are critical components of where she currently has a double major clerk will call the roll. our economic future. These are hard- in philosophy and in public policy. The bill clerk proceeded to call the working young people who have so Until DACA came along, Reina had roll. much to offer and who deserve our sup- to live in the shadows, and living in the Mr. MERKLEY. Mr. President, I ask port and our urgent action. shadows wasn’t easy. She worked long unanimous consent that the order for They are people like a young man hours in a restaurant where she was the quorum call be rescinded. from the Seacoast area of New Hamp- subjected to sexual harassment. Know- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without shire, who recently met with my staff. ing that she didn’t have legal status, objection, it is so ordered. This young person was brought to the Reina’s boss frequently propositioned Mr. MERKLEY. Mr. President, I am United States when he was in elemen- her to have a sexual relationship with rising to engage in the conversation tary school. His parents emigrated him and threatened to report her to about getting the Dream Act passed. I from Indonesia, joining members of the immigration authorities if she didn’t thank my good friend and colleague New Hampshire community who had go along with what he wanted. So in- from Illinois, Senator DURBIN, for his left their country because they were stead of giving in to her boss’s ad- passion and for his unrelenting com- fleeing religious persecution. For vances, Reina quit her job, even though mitment to protecting our American years, members of this community her boss refused to pay her for the Dreamers. He has been on this floor have worked, paid taxes, and raised work that she had already completed. day after day, month after month, ad- their families on the Seacoast. Now the DACA changed the world for Reina. vocating that we have to address this Trump administration is engaging in It meant protection. It meant that she situation in which individuals came to misguided efforts to prioritize their de- could go to work without the fear of the United States as small children; portation—efforts that I urge this ad- being sent back to a country that she they have grown up here, they speak ministration to stop immediately. barely knew. It meant that she had ac- English, and they have been totally im- The Dreamer I am talking about this cess to more jobs, where she wouldn’t mersed in making our community afternoon had never known that he was have to face exploitation, humiliation, stronger, our States stronger, our Na- undocumented until he wanted to get and sexual harassment. It meant that tion stronger. We need to make sure

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:55 Dec 06, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00032 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G05DE6.046 S05DEPT1 lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with SENATE December 5, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S7857 that we treat them fairly, with respect, is. I know nothing outside the United States. While we delay, these 800,000 young and that we ensure that we are able to Whatever punishment I must pay I am will- members of our communities are in benefit from their presence here, just ing to do. All I ask is for a chance. Better yet limbo. They are waiting for us to act. I beg for a chance to prove that I am not a as they benefit from being here in the criminal, that I have much to offer this They know they took a gamble by join- United States. There are 800,000 Dream- beautiful place. ing the DACA Program, and they now ers across our country. I know they all That is, in her words, her vision, her know the Federal Government has all very much appreciate his leadership. desire to be able to fully participate in of their information to track them The young men and women who came our society. down and deport them. Wouldn’t that out of the shadows to be part of the Just recently, over Thanksgiving, I violate completely the spirit under DACA Program—Deferred Action for led a delegation to Burma. Burma has which we established the DACA Pro- Childhood Arrivals—were made a prom- had horrific circumstances occur be- gram to begin with? Let’s get this ise that they would be all right if they cause they have a population of Mus- DREAM Act done. did so; that their information would lims called the Rohingya, and the Earlier today, I was here on the floor, not be used then to deport them. So Rohingya have been in Burma for gen- listening to a conversation from some they took a gamble that the United erations. Many of them came 200 years of my colleagues, and they were say- States would stand by the commitment ago, and they came because they were ing: Well, let’s get it done by March. I it was making to them, and now they imported for labor. They have farmed would say to my colleagues across the are wondering what happened because the rice paddies, they have fished in aisle: Let’s not wait until March. Let’s their futures are dangling by a thread. their boats off the coast, but they have not wait until February. Let’s not wait The program has been abandoned by never really been accepted by Burma. until January. Let’s engage in this the President, and if it is not replaced Burma recognized in their 1982 law 135 conversation now. Let’s get it done by by legislation done right here in this minorities, but they didn’t recognize the end of the year. These young folks room, they basically will be subject to the Rohingya because the adjacent have waited a long time. They have being deported to places where they Rakhine minority is in kind of a hos- waited too long. So let’s address it, and don’t speak the language, they don’t tile relationship with them. They have let’s maintain in our hearts the spirit understand the culture—they are unfa- always been treated as second-class that has animated our Nation. miliar with it—and they don’t have citizens, so much so that in the middle All of us, unless we are 100 percent any network. They are really kind of of Rakhine State, there are about Native Americans, either came from stateless individuals who are in a very 120,000 people living in camps. They are foreign lands or our parents or our par- tough condition. not allowed to leave the camps. They ents’ parents, our forefathers and One person like this from Salem, OR, are not allowed to fully participate in foremothers came from other lands. We is Diana Banda Palacios. In 1993, society. They are not given citizenship know what that is like. It was difficult Diana, who is shown here in this pic- rights. In northern Rakhine State, in many times, but our families found ture I have in the Chamber, came to that area, the military went in and their place. Let’s enable these young this country from Mexico as a 3-year- burned some 300 villages, engaged in folks, these Dreamers to find their old toddler. She has lived her entire systematic rape, proceeded to shoot place. It will be far better for them and life since then, here in America. people as they fled their villages, and far, far better for us. Growing up in America, Diana now 600,000 people have gone into Ban- Thank you. dreamed of becoming a first responder, gladesh. so much so that during her high school The reason I raise this is not a par- f years, she volunteered for Red Cross allel situation, but there is, at its core, a similar issue, and that issue is and for her community emergency re- ADJOURNMENT UNTIL 10 A.M. whether a nation thrives by enter- sponse team, but that dream was TOMORROW taining the situation of having a state- thrown into doubt during her senior less population. Burma had a stateless The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- year when she was diagnosed with thy- population that it did not recognize, ate stands adjourned until 10 a.m. to- roid cancer. She has fought that can- did not allow to be fully engaged. They morrow. cer, and she has beat that cancer. She weren’t even second-class citizens be- Thereupon, the Senate, at 6:26 p.m., graduated from high school more deter- cause they weren’t allowed citizenship. adjourned until Wednesday, December mined than ever to pursue her vision of Well, we have now a tremendous pop- 6, 2017, at 10 a.m. how she could contribute to the com- ulation of young folks who have grown munity, and she has contributed. She up in America. They are culturally f enrolled and put herself through the American. Many of them had no idea firefighting and paramedic program at they were born abroad, and they are CONFIRMATIONS her local community college, and now ready to be full participants if we will she has made a career for herself as an Executive nominations confirmed by let them. Won’t we be so much better the Senate December 5, 2017: emergency medical technician, an off to enable them to rise to their full EMT. Every day, she is working lit- potential, to make their full contribu- GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION erally to save lives, and we are threat- tion, to have a full measure of partici- EMILY WEBSTER MURPHY, OF MISSOURI, TO BE ADMIN- ISTRATOR OF GENERAL SERVICES. ening to kick her out of the country— pation in our society? the only country she has ever known. We have Diana’s story, but multiply DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY Diana said a few years back when the that times 800,000 people. What a fan- KIRSTJEN NIELSEN, OF VIRGINIA, TO BE SECRETARY OF HOMELAND SECURITY . DACA Program was first being dis- tastic reservoir of talent, ability, en- FARM CREDIT ADMINISTRATION cussed: ergy, and passion waiting to be fully GLEN R. SMITH, OF IOWA, TO BE A MEMBER OF THE America is my home. This is the place I contributed to being part of the United FARM CREDIT ADMINISTRATION BOARD, FARM CREDIT love, where everyone and everything I know States of America. ADMINISTRATION, FOR A TERM EXPIRING MAY 21, 2022.

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MICHEL DOHERTY CONGRATULATING THE MARIST College of Philadelphia, he transferred to HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS Temple University, where he earned his bach- HON. FRANCIS ROONEY VOLLEYBALL TEAM ON THEIR elor’s degree in Strategic Communications and STATE CHAMPIONSHIP Public Advocacy and graduated magna cum OF FLORIDA laude in 2017. In addition to his many IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES HON. DANIEL LIPINSKI achievements he has written on the prison Tuesday, December 5, 2017 OF ILLINOIS abolition movement, gun-violence, and hip-hop music and is a substitute teacher in the Mr. FRANCIS ROONEY of Florida. Mr. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES School District of Philadelphia. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Michel Tuesday, December 5, 2017 Prestigiously, Hardeman is the first Commu- Doherty as she nears her 93rd Birthday. Mr. LIPINSKI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to nity College of Philadelphia and Temple Uni- Michel has lived in Cape Coral for more congratulate the Marist High School versity graduate to become a Rhodes Scholar. than three decades and has been a role RedHawks girls volleyball team for winning the The Rhodes scholarship is one of the oldest model for many. From her philanthropic en- 2017 Illinois girls high school volleyball cham- and most distinguished international scholar- deavors to her volunteerism, she has influ- pionship. Marist is an exceptional Catholic ships in the world. Hardeman was chosen not enced the minds of those destined to make a prep school on the South Side of Chicago. only for his outstanding scholarly achieve- difference, while making an everlasting impact Marist’s state championship win at Redbird ments, but for his character, commitment to on her own. Arena in Normal, Illinois is the crowning others and to the common good. Next fall, Michel was previously named Lee County achievement after an incredible 41–1 season. Hardeman will enroll at Oxford University in Citizen of the Year and received The News- The Marist girls volleyball team proved their England. While there, he will pursue his mas- Press 2014 People of the Year Luminary ability to perform at the highest level in the ter’s degree in sociology or political theory. Award. Beyond her honors and achievements, Class 4A division, beating out Minooka High Hardeman has faithfully devoted his aca- Michel has a heart of gold. I thank Michel for School to win the state championship. This demic career and life toward advocating and her years of service. win marks the first time that Marist has won supporting his community. The 2nd Congres- the girls state volleyball championship since sional District of Pennsylvania is so proud of f the team was established in 2002. his wonderful accomplishments and extends COMMEMORATING THE 10TH ANNI- The championship match was a thriller. gratitude to Hazim Hardeman for his dedicated VERSARY OF CAIR–MINNESOTA Marist was tied with Minooka at one set support to the Commonwealth of Pennsyl- apiece going into the third and final set. Marist vania. quickly went down 8–4 but mounted a strong f HON. KEITH ELLISON comeback. An 18–4 rally gave Marist a 25–15 OF MINNESOTA victory in the final set to close out the match. 13TH ANNUAL NORTHWEST INDI- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES I commend the work of head coach Jordan ANA INNOVATION INDUCTION CEREMONY Tuesday, December 5, 2017 Vidovic who led his team on a long winning streak after their only loss in September. Mr. ELLISON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to Since that loss the team members have HON. PETER J. VISCLOSKY acknowledge a decade of groundbreaking worked hard to perform as a cohesive unit and OF INDIANA work by the Council on American-Islamic Re- push each other to greatness. The leadership IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES lations—Minnesota Chapter (CAIR–MN). Ten of the team’s nine seniors played no small role Tuesday, December 5, 2017 years ago, CAIR–MN was founded to protect in bringing the season to a fantastic end. The the civil liberties of all Americans, regardless members of this team are well positioned for Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, it is with of religious background. Their tireless work further success in their athletic careers and great respect and admiration that I congratu- represents our core American values: free- some will surely have outstanding playing ca- late Ivy Tech Community College and its re- dom, justice, and equality for all. reers in college. gional partners who recently celebrated their During this challenging year of record in- I ask my colleagues to join me in congratu- 13th Annual Northwest Indiana Innovation In- creases in hate crimes and attacks against lating the girls volleyball team at Marist High duction Ceremony. At the ceremony, which re- Muslims, CAIR–MN has led the fight to School and I extend my wishes for their con- flects the ‘‘Spirit of Innovation’’ in Indiana, strengthen our community. CAIR–MN spear- tinued success. nineteen individuals and twenty-one teams headed protests against the Muslim Ban and f were inducted as members of the 2017–2018 provided community information to those af- Class of the Society of Innovators of North- fected by discriminatory policies. It has also HONORING HAZIM HARDEMAN west Indiana. Of these individuals, several successfully defended the rights of refugees members were inducted as Society Fellows for and newcomers in the Twin Cities and be- HON. DWIGHT EVANS their exceptional efforts in innovation. These yond. CAIR–MN has educated more than OF PENNSYLVANIA individuals are Dr. Teresa A. Eineman, Nor- 100,000 Minnesotans and has been instru- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES man-David P. Fischer, Chris Mahlmann, and mental in engaging our community in dialogue. Michael E. Schrage. Also honored were the They’ve also worked tirelessly to legally rep- Tuesday, December 5, 2017 recipients of the Leonardo da Vinci Accel- resent over 2,500 Minnesotans facing discrimi- Mr. EVANS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to erating Greatness Award for Team Innovation, nation. From working with local journalists to honor an inspirational man from North Phila- which include the Plate Accelerating Cooling ensure accurate representation of Muslims, to delphia, Hazim Hardeman, a winner of the Technology Team, a project of ArcelorMittal supporting interfaith relationships in our com- prestigious Rhodes scholarship. Global R&D, East Chicago, and its partners in munity, CAIR–MN has been at the frontline of Hardeman, 23, was born in North Philadel- France, along with Burns Harbor Plate, and our fight to achieve our common goal of inclu- phia, Pennsylvania and grew up blocks away the Arconic Power and Propulsion La Porte sion. from Temple University. In 2015, Hardeman Engineering Team. The Hammond Group In- It is an honor to represent community mem- graduated with High Honors from the Commu- corporated was honored with the Chanute bers like those who are a part of CAIR–MN nity College of Philadelphia with a degree in Prize for Team Innovation. In addition, Chenn and benefit from their advocacy. Please join Communications. During his time at the Com- Q. Zhou, Ph.D. was named the 2017–2018 me in recognizing a decade of their efforts to munity College of Philadelphia, he served as Gerald I. Lamkin Fellow for Innovation and create a Minnesota where all are welcome a vice president of the Student Government Service. For their truly remarkable contribu- and justice is upheld. Association. After his time at the Community tions to the community of Northwest Indiana

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

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:27 Dec 06, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\K05DE8.001 E05DEPT1 dlhill on DSK3GLQ082PROD with REMARKS E1652 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks December 5, 2017 and their unwavering commitment to cultivate focusing on new and innovative technologies, Illinois, on the opening of their newly ren- a culture of innovation, these honorees were including simulation and visualization. ovated Depot building this morning. inducted at Horseshoe Casino, Hammond, on Mr. Speaker, I ask you and my other distin- In the 1850’s, Abraham Lincoln helped citi- October 26, 2017. guished colleagues to join me in commending zens and railroads establish a needed rail line The Society of Innovators of Northwest Indi- these noteworthy, inspiring innovators. The through Logan County. Soon after, this town ana was created by Ivy Tech with the goal of contributions each has made to society here in was christened, by its founders, in Lincoln’s highlighting and encouraging innovative indi- Northwest Indiana and worldwide are immeas- name, beautifully described by the Looking for viduals and groups within the not-for-profit, urable and lifelong. For their truly brilliant inno- Lincoln marker just outside the Depot. Con- public, and private sectors, as well as building vative ideas, projects, and leadership, these structed in 1911, the Lincoln Depot enhanced a culture of innovation in Northwest Indiana. recipients are worthy of the highest com- this critical railway stop, essential for com- The Lake County Campus is led by Chancellor mendation. merce and the pioneers of the last century R. Louie Gonzalez, Ivy Tech Community Col- f and a half who were looking to explore and lege. The importance of innovation in North- develop to the west. With an estimated west Indiana, as well as globally, is crucial in PROCLAMATION FOR THE LYNCH- 450,000 people now traveling through Lincoln today’s ever-changing economy. GAITER FAMILY REUNION and central Illinois annually, the depot will con- The fellows selected by the Society of tinue to be a vital part of the Midwest travel Innovators were chosen for their innovative HON. HENRY C. ‘‘HANK’’ JOHNSON, JR. experience. leadership throughout Northwest Indiana and OF GEORGIA Today, the depot is again restored as a beyond. Dr. Teresa A. Eineman, Super- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES beautiful landmark in downtown Lincoln that is intendent, Crown Point Community School Tuesday, December 5, 2017 crucial to the economy of this community, the Corporation, implemented a continuous im- students of both Lincoln College and Lincoln Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I provement model that applies proven business Christian University, and the residents of include in the RECORD the following proclama- practices to education and has led to the over- Logan County. Lincoln, and Central Illinois, whelming success of the high performing tion for the Lynch-Gaiter family reunion: Whereas, in the mid 1800’s in Sylacauga, rely on these very rail lines to connect them to school district. Norman-David P. Fischer, Chief Alabama, the legacy of the Lynch-Gaiter fami- communities and commercial markets through- Engineer, The Fischer Group, invented an en- lies began with the story of a Cherokee Indian out the Midwest and across America. The new ergy efficient compressed air desiccant dryer, slave girl who began this family and today her Lincoln Depot modernizes the previous facility, a unique design that creates energy savings descendants have blessed and shaped our ensuring improved safety and an enhanced without using plant air for the drying process. nation; and travel experience, including improved on-time The invention has been used at ArcelorMittal, Whereas, the Lynch-Gaiter families have performance for Amtrak. providing over seven million kilowatts of en- produced many well respected citizens, patri- I extend my sincere congratulations to the ergy savings annually. Chris Mahlmann is the archs and matriarchs who have made con- Lincoln community on the newly renovated founder of Ideas in Motion Media, which is an tributions to our nation. Some of the noted Lincoln Station Depot. This renovation will en- on line ‘‘good news’’ company that covers members of the Lynch-Gaiter families are, sure the legacy of the depot and the railway, Lake, Porter and LaPorte counties. Today, the Cleveland Gaiter (Tuskegee Airman/Decorated envisioned by Abraham Lincoln as a catalyst company produces four editions and serves War Hero), Felix Gaiter, Sr. (Community lead- for the future growth of central Illinois, will approximately 65,000 readers. Michael er in Knoxville, TN), Henry Garner (Union carry on for generations to come. Schrage, Chairman, President, and CEO of President/LGFR in Pittsburgh, PA), Bobby f Centier Bank in Merrillville, transformed a Clayton, Sr. (Short Film Producer), Margaret small family bank into the largest bank of de- CONGRATULATIONS TO DR. Gaiter (Community Activist/College Community posit in Northwest Indiana; as well as Indi- MURPHY Board President) and J.W. Garner (Commu- ana’s largest private bank. The Leonardo da Vinci Accelerating Great- nity Activist); and Whereas, in our beloved Fourth Congres- HON. GARRET GRAVES ness Award for Team Innovation was pre- sional District of Georgia, we are honored to OF LOUISIANA sented to the ArcelorMittal Global R&D Cen- have members of the Lynch-Gaiter families, IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ter, East Chicago, and its partners in France, especially Ms. Meredith Lilly, one of our most Tuesday, December 5, 2017 along with Burns Harbor Plate, for creating a beloved citizens who resides in DeKalb Coun- unique accelerating cooling technology called Mr. GRAVES of Louisiana. Mr. Speaker, I ty, Georgia; and ACCtec, which greatly improves steel plate rise today to extend a heartfelt thank you to Whereas, family is one of the most honored production and will make ArcelorMittal more Dr. Bruce Murphy for his service as president and cherished institutions in the world, and as competitive globally. The award was also pre- of Nicholls State University in Thibodaux, Lou- you celebrate your lineage, we take pride in sented to the Arconic Power and Propulsion isiana. Dr. Murphy has spent his career invest- knowing that families such as the Lynch-Gaiter La Porte Engineering Team. This group pio- ing in higher education and has tirelessly families have set aside this time to fellowship neered the manufacturing process for a newly served as Nicholl’s fifth president over the last with each other, to honor their heritage and to invented single-piece casting for Pratt & Whit- four years. Throughout his tenure, many uni- pass along history to each other by gathering ney’s next generation Pure Power® Geared versities across the country struggled to attract from far and wide at this year’s family reunion TurbofanTM jet engine. The casting is nick- and retain students, but Nicholl’s actually in- in Atlanta, Georgia; and creased enrollment four consecutive semes- named the ‘‘cornerstone’’ because its imple- Whereas, the U.S. Representative of the mentation laid the foundation for a $100 mil- ters. I am most impressed by his efforts to Fourth District of Georgia has set aside this prepare students at Nicholls University for suc- lion plant expansion. The expansion has cap- day to honor and recognize the Lynch-Gaiter tured growing demand for advanced jet engine cessful integration into the real world that families in our District; now therefore, I, HENRY components and created more than 300 ad- awaits upon graduation. The school’s partner- C. ‘‘HANK’’ JOHNSON, Jr. do hereby proclaim ship with Fletcher Community College, for ex- vanced manufacturing jobs since 2015. July 29, 2017 as Lynch-Gaiter Family Reunion The Chanute Prize for Team Innovation was ample, has resulted in significant progress in Day in the 4th Congressional District. workforce development. Aside from his service presented to The Hammond Group, Incor- Proclaimed, this 29th day of July, 2017. porated (HGI). In 2015, HGI completed its cut- as president of Nicholls State University, both ting-edge Lead Acid Battery Laboratory, which f President Murphy and his wife, Jeanne Mur- was created to improve battery performance in RECOGNIZING THE LINCOLN STA- phy, are retired from the U.S. Army, having order to successfully meet the demands from TION ON THE OPENING OF THEIR earned the rank of lieutenant colonel and colo- automobile manufacturers and renewable en- RENOVATED DEPOT nel, respectively. Dr. and Mrs. Murphy gener- ergy markets. ously served on our military academy review Chenn Q. Zhou, Ph.D. is the recipient of the HON. DARIN LaHOOD board. I am proud that they devoted time in 2017 Gerald I. Lamkin Fellow for Innovation OF ILLINOIS their busy lives to play an active role in the re- and Service Award. Dr. Zhou is the founding cruitment of young Louisiana leaders to our IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES director of the Steel Manufacturing Simulation nation’s military service academies. I thank Dr. and Visualization Consortium established at Tuesday, December 5, 2017 Murphy for his commitment to excellence at Purdue University Northwest. She has helped Mr. LAHOOD. Mr. Speaker, today, I would Nicholls, his service to the state of Louisiana, to successfully advance the steel industry by like to recognize the Lincoln Depot, in Lincoln, and his service to our nation. My sincerest

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f HON. JOHN KATKO HON. HENRY C. ‘‘HANK’’ JOHNSON, JR. OF NEW YORK OF GEORGIA 10TH ANNUAL LAKESHORE CLAS- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES SIC BASKETBALL INVITATIONAL Tuesday, December 5, 2017 Tuesday, December 5, 2017 Mr. KATKO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I HON. PETER J. VISCLOSKY recognize the victory of the Skaneateles High include in the RECORD the following proclama- School Boys Football team in the New York tion for Pastor Inella R. Mattox: OF INDIANA State Championship game on Friday, Novem- Whereas, our lives have been touched by IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ber 24th. The Skaneateles Lakers defeated the life of this one woman who has given of Holy Trinity Pride by a score of 28–25 for its herself to her family, church, community, and Tuesday, December 5, 2017 first football state championship in the school’s nation; and history. Whereas, Pastor Inella R. Mattox good Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, it is with works are present throughout the state of great honor and respect that I recognize the After ending the first half only up two points, the Lakers fought hard and worked as a team Georgia as an exemplary mother, mother-in- Gary Chamber of Commerce as the organiza- to score two more touchdowns in the second law, grandmother, great grandmother, aunt, tion celebrates the 10th Annual Lakeshore half of the game. Junior Patrick Hackler, who neighbor, community worker, minister and Classic basketball invitational. In observance led his team to victory as captain and as the friend; and of this special event, the Gary Chamber of quarterback, received the championship Whereas, this giant of a woman, who was Commerce hosted a celebratory corporate game’s Most Valuable Player Award. reared up in Senoia, Georgia, moved to At- luncheon in Gary, Indiana, at the Diamond The Lakers finished their season with a 12– lanta, Georgia, when she was 17, was born on Center on Tuesday, November 21, 2017, fol- 1 record due to the hard work of seniors June 7, 1937, to the late Robert Lewis Rush lowed by the basketball invitational at West Jacob Nesbitt, John Ryan, Tyler Schneider, and Bethenia Rush; and Side Leadership Academy on Friday, Novem- Hunter Woodruff, James Leubner, Hunter Whereas, Pastor Inella Mattox was a vir- ber 24, 2017, and Saturday, November 25, Dart, Jon Ricklefs, Jared Calapari, Haas tuous woman, a woman of great integrity who 2017. Tehan, TJ Greenfield, Scott Ochsner, Cross remained true to the uplifting of her community Bianchi, and Tom Scherrer; juniors Craig and family which in turn uplifted others; and The theme for this year’s Lakeshore Classic Whereas, she was an exemplary matriarch, Scherrer, Areh Boni, Patrick Hackler, Luke is ‘‘Region Proud.’’ This theme acknowledges serving as compass and wise counselor and Viggiano, William McGlynn, John Danforth, the important contributions of our local youth bringing great joy to her church New Creation, Carter Blake, Will Frank, Jimmy Liberatore, in illuminating the strength and virtues of our district, her family and friends; and Oliver Weir, Solomon Landsberg, Nathan Northwest Indiana. Northwest Indiana is a re- Whereas, Pastor Mattox loved her family; Squires, Nathan Wellington, and Jack Carlile; gion that strives for excellence and overcomes encouraging all of those around her to make sophomores Caden Custer, Nick Wamp, Avery obstacles. To enhance the ‘‘Region Proud’’ a difference, be it her children, her friends, her Rodgers, and Billy Richards; and freshmen neighbors and her church members at the theme, the Gary Chamber of Commerce has Alex Goethe, Jack Comer, Ken Byrne, Na- New Creation Church in Decatur, Georgia chosen Mike Huff, former Chicago White Sox thaniel Congel, Colin Cox, Ben Euto, James where she served as founder and pastor; and player and team representative, as a guest Falso, Jack Mannigan, Mason Michel, Chris- speaker for the corporate luncheon. Mr. Huff Whereas, this remarkable woman gave of tian Miles-Pizzoleo, Hunter Simmons, and herself, never asking for fame or fortune as played for several teams and overcame var- Calen Van Holtz. The team was coached by ious challenges throughout his outstanding she became a quiet storm, a spark that starts Joe Sindoni, an exceptional leader with an ac- a flame; and professional baseball career. Today, Mike is complished football re´sume´. Whereas, the U.S. Representative of the Vice President—Baseball/Fastpitch, Outfield, Lakers played with dedication and respect Fourth District of Georgia bas set aside this Bunting and Baserunning Instructor at the throughout the entire season. This hard- day to bestow a Congressional Recognition on Bulls/Sox Youth Academy, located in the earned championship is something these Pastor Inella R. Mattox for her leadership, Chicagoland area. The Bulls/Sox Youth Acad- teammates will cherish for the rest of their friendship and service to all of the citizens of emy is a facility that provides instruction to lives. I commend the hard work, commitment, Georgia and the nation; now therefore, I, youth athletes in the sports of basketball, and teamwork displayed by these young men. HENRY C. ‘‘HANK’’ JOHNSON, Jr., do hereby at- baseball, and fastpitch softball. Mike is dedi- Excellence on the field translates to excel- test to the 115th Congress that Pastor Inella cated to improving their skills and building the lence off the field and the practice of sacri- R. Mattox of Decatur, DeKalb County, Georgia self-esteem of each young athlete that comes ficing for the common goal builds character in is deemed worthy and deserving of this ‘‘Con- through the door. For his truly genuine and our children. I could not be more proud to con- gressional Recognition’’ Pastor Inella R. outstanding support of these young athletes, gratulate these young men on their tremen- Mattox, U.S. Citizen of Distinction. Mr. Huff is worthy of our gratitude and respect. dous season. Proclaimed, this 1st day of June, 2017. f At this time, I would like to recognize the f schools participating in the Lakeshore Classic PERSONAL EXPLANATION RECOGNIZING CHIEF RANDY basketball tournament. These schools are DEANDA dedicated to positively impacting Northwest In- HON. JAIME HERRERA BEUTLER diana through academic excellence and OF WASHINGTON HON. NORMA J. TORRES sportsmanship. The participating schools in- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF CALIFORNIA clude West Side Leadership Academy, East Tuesday, December 5, 2017 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Chicago Central High School, Thea Bowman Tuesday, December 5, 2017 Academy, Chicago Farragut Career Academy, Ms. HERRERA BEUTLER. Mr. Speaker, on Gary Theodore Roosevelt College and Career November 28th and 29th, I am not recorded Mrs. TORRES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to Academy, and Michigan City Marquette Catho- on four votes because I was absent due to ill- honor Chief Randy DeAnda of the City of Ri- lic High School. ness. alto in my district on the occasion of his retire- Had I been present, I would have voted: ment from a lifetime of exemplary public serv- Mr. Speaker, I ask you and my other distin- Yes on Roll Call 638, the Fowler and Boskoff ice to the communities of the Inland Empire. guished colleagues to join me in recognizing Peaks Designation Act; Yes on Roll Call 639, Chief DeAnda has been a police officer for the Gary Chamber of Commerce and the or- the Superior National Forest Land Exchange 31 years, 25 of which have been with the City ganizers and sponsors of the 10th Annual Act of 2017; Yes on Roll Call 640, ordering of Rialto. My district has benefitted greatly Lakeshore Classic. Their influence, passion, the Previous Question on H. Res. 631; and over the years from his qualified background and dedication to our youth and to the com- Yes on Roll Call 641, the combined rule pro- in community safety. He received his Bach- munity in Northwest Indiana are truly com- viding for consideration of the bill H.R. 3017 elor’s degree in Workforce Education and De- mendable. and H.R. 3905. velopment, he is a graduate of both the Peace

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:27 Dec 06, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A05DE8.003 E05DEPT1 dlhill on DSK3GLQ082PROD with REMARKS E1654 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks December 5, 2017 Officer Standards and Training Executive Suiter criminally pursued in the past, ap- marine and the outstanding sailors who have Leadership Command College and the Police proached Suiter to say that he was now em- served as her crew since her commissioning Executive Research Forum Senior Manage- ployed, and thanked Suiter for always treating on July 18, 1981. On December 5th, 2017, ment Institute, and is a member of the Cali- him with respect. Detective Suiter’s neighbors this storied submarine will be decommissioned fornia Police Chief’s Association and the San in Conewago Township, York County, recall, and leave the active United States Navy fleet. Bernardino County Police Chief’s Association. ‘‘. . . a nice man who always stopped in to Chief DeAnda’s 31 years of service led him say hello.’’ The USS Dallas is the first vessel to be from the rank of corporal to Police Captain to Detective Suiter’s tireless dedication, profes- named after the City of Dallas, Texas. Her ex- now the current head of the Rialto Police De- sionalism and sacrifice touched the lives of ceptional crew have served tirelessly to en- partment. His career and expertise have al- countless people. His legacy of service to our sure that America remains the preeminent lowed him to serve in various capacities in- Nation and communities will endure, and his naval power on the globe. Before retirement, cluding as a Field Training Officer, Gang De- loss will be felt in significant and myriad ways. the USS Dallas was the second oldest active On behalf of Pennsylvania’s Fourth Con- tective, Narcotics Investigator, Street Crime Los Angeles-class submarine, and over the gressional District, I offer my heartfelt condo- Attack Team Officer, Department SWAT team course of her 36 years of service, the USS member, and Department Press Information lences to Detective Suiter’s family, friends and colleagues on this tragic loss. I thank him and Dallas has been manned by over 250 officers Officer. Throughout his tenure, he was in- and over 1,500 enlisted personnel. volved in several undercover narcotic sting op- Godspeed, brother. He will remain in my heart erations and gang sweeps—all of which has and prayers. The USS Dallas’ keel was laid down on Oc- helped our communities become a little safer. f tober 9th 1976, and finally launched in April of As a member of both the California Gang In- PROCLAMATION FOR MS. EMILY 1979. The USS Dallas was commissioned by vestigators’ Association and the California JONES the Navy in July of 1981, and in 1984 she Narcotics Officers’ Association, he is consid- took on a role in OPERATION ATTAIN DOC- ered an expert in gangs and narcotics where HON. HENRY C. ‘‘HANK’’ JOHNSON, JR. UMENT Ill, a naval freedom of navigation op- he has worked and testified on a number of OF GEORGIA eration. After being upgraded during the high profile cases involving career criminals. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Navy’s first Depot Modernization Period, the In service to the Inland Empire, Chief Tuesday, December 5, 2017 USS Dallas operated in support of Operation DeAnda has provided leadership and super- Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm vision over the Area Command Program and include in the RECORD the following proclama- from August 1990 through January of 1991. In its projects. To name a few, these projects in- tion for Ms. Emily Jones: January of 1992, the USS Dallas and her crew clude the City of Rialto’s first gang injunction, Whereas, in the Fourth Congressional Dis- received the ‘‘Golden Anchor’’ award of 1991 the beautification of Citrus Grove housing trict of Georgia, there are many individuals for excelling in all aspects of retention cat- complex and other multi-housing develop- who are called to contribute to the needs of egories. ments as well as community based organiza- our community through leadership and serv- tions like the Neighborhood Watch and Na- ice; and By the end of her first 10 years in service, tional Night Out. Whereas, Ms. Emily Jones has answered the USS Dallas had completed one deploy- For his extraordinary accomplishments, it is that call by giving of herself as an educator at ment to the Indian Ocean, two Mediterranean my honor to recognize Chief Randy DeAnda Dunaire Elementary, and as a beloved daugh- deployments, and one deployment to the on the House floor today. His 25 years of ter, sister, mother and friend; and North Atlantic. During this time she had re- commitment and contributions to the City of Whereas, Ms. Jones has been chosen as ceived two Meritorious Unit Commendations, the 2017 Teacher of the Year, representing Rialto and the greater community of the Inland two Navy Unit Commendations, and was Dunaire Elementary school; and Empire are worthy of commending and admi- awarded the Battle Efficiency ‘‘E’’ for excel- ration. Whereas, this phenomenal woman has lence in overall readiness of the command to f shared her time and talents for the betterment of our community and our nation through her carry out its wartime tasks. Shortly after com- POSTHUMOUSLY HONORING DE- tireless works, motivational speeches and pleting a deployment in 2014, the USS Dallas TECTIVE SEAN SUITER OF PENN- words of wisdom; and earned its seventh Battle ‘‘E’’ award, with pre- SYLVANIA ON HIS SERVICE TO Whereas, Ms. Jones is a virtuous woman, a vious honors in 1986, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1999, THE UNITED STATES OF AMER- courageous woman and a fearless leader who and 2000. ICA AND HIS CAREER IN LAW has shared her vision, talents and passion to ENFORCEMENT help ensure that our children receive an edu- In February of 1998, the USS Dallas be- cation that is relevant for today and necessary came the first Los Angeles-class submarine to HON. SCOTT PERRY for a productive future, because she truly un- be fitted for a dry-deck shelter, allowing her to OF PENNSYLVANIA derstands that our children are the future; and insert or extract special operations forces and IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Whereas, the U.S. Representative of the their equipment. In 2000, the USS Dallas com- Tuesday, December 5, 2017 Fourth District of Georgia has set aside this pleted a Mediterranean deployment and sup- day to honor and recognize Ms. Emily Jones ported the NATO submarine escape and res- Mr. PERRY. Mr. Speaker, today I extend my for her leadership and service to our District sincere condolences to the family, peers and cue exercise program. During her last few de- and in recognition of this singular honor as ployments, the USS Dallas served in the Cen- loved ones of my constituent, Detective Sean 2017 Teacher of the Year at Dunaire Elemen- Suiter of the Baltimore City Police Department, tral Command area, which includes the Red tary School; now therefore, I, HENRY C. Sea, the Gulf of Oman, the Persian Gulf, and who was killed in the Line of Duty on Novem- ‘‘HANK’’ JOHNSON, Jr. do hereby proclaim May the Arabian Sea, and she sailed over 30,000 ber 16, 2017. We are grateful for his many, 22, 2017 as Ms. Emily Jones Day in the 4th dedicated years of service as a law enforce- Congressional District. nautical miles during numerous months at sea. ment officer and grieve his passing. Proclaimed, this 22nd day of May, 2017. The boat and her crew, through their years I’ve long appreciated the commitment of f of dedicated service, have lived up to the USS people who devote themselves selflessly to IN HONOR OF THE USS ‘‘DALLAS’’ Dallas’ motto, ‘‘First in Harm’s Way,’’ and I serving our Nation and communities. Detective know that the crew of the USS Dallas will con- Suiter served in the United States Army from DECOMMISSIONING ON DECEM- tinue the hunt for excellence throughout their 1992 to 1998, after which he began his 18- BER 5TH, 2017 lives. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to recognize year service with the Baltimore City Police— where he ultimately earned promotion to the HON. KENNY MARCHANT the USS Dallas and the incredible men and rank of Detective. OF TEXAS women who served as her crew. It is a privi- Detective Suiter’s peers describe a con- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES lege to commend them upon the conclusion of scientious and dedicated officer who ‘‘oper- Tuesday, December 5, 2017 the USS Dallas’ service. I ask all of my distin- ated beyond his years.’’ One colleague re- Mr. MARCHANT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today guished colleagues to join me in honoring the called a recent incident when a man who to recognize the USS Dallas (SSN–700) sub- USS Dallas upon her decommissioning.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:27 Dec 06, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A05DE8.005 E05DEPT1 dlhill on DSK3GLQ082PROD with REMARKS December 5, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E1655 THE LEGACY OF CONGRESSMAN Conyers, Sr., who integrated labor unions in sion of her retirement from a lifetime of civic JOHN CONYERS, JR.—DEAN OF this country; to my brother Nathan, who inte- service to the Latino community of the City of THE HOUSE grated business and is my ‘‘main man’’ and to Los Angeles. my loving wife Monica, my sons John III, Ms. Zarate-Roberts began her journey in HON. JOHN CONYERS, JR. whom I believe offers hope to this generation Los Angeles at the University of Southern OF MICHIGAN of leadership, and who is committed to being California, where she graduated with a Mas- ter’s Degree in Public Administration in 1984. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES an advocate of fairness and justice for all, and Carl Edward who never leaves my side. Her career in the City of Los Angeles started Tuesday, December 5, 2017 I cannot allow the great work of this body or as a Junior Administrative Assistant in the Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, today I noti- the important work or the goals of the Demo- Personnel Department’s Examining Division. fied Speaker RYAN, Leader PELOSI and Gov- cratic Party to be distracted. It has been the This was just the beginning, as she quickly ernor Snyder of my retirement from the United greatest honor and privilege of my life to rep- rose through the ranks, eventually ending in States House of Representatives. resent the people of Michigan in the House of the Selection Division. At one point, she was It has been a privilege and an honor to Representatives, but that responsibility will the Assistant Director of the Fire Commis- serve the citizens of Detroit, Michigan as their now fall to my colleagues and my successor. sion’s Equal Employment Opportunity Office, United States Congressman in the 13th and They have my deepest support and prayers. serving as a Sexual Harassment Counselor for 14th Congressional District for more than 50 Jobs, Justice, Peace. employees of the LA Fire Department. years. f Concurrently, Ms. Zarate-Roberts actively I came to Congress in 1965. Since then, I engaged in efforts to assist the Latino commu- have devoted my entire career to improving PROCLAMATION FOR MS. ETHEL nity through her membership in the Los Ange- the lives of my constituents in Detroit and CRAIG les City Employees Chicano Association fighting for justice everywhere. These years (LACECA), where her track record here is just witnessed a profound evolution in civil rights, HON. HENRY C. ‘‘HANK’’ JOHNSON, JR. as impressive. In her first year, she was quick- led by millions in the streets who marched for OF GEORGIA ly appointed to the Executive Board as Re- justice, and people of conscience in the Con- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES cording Secretary and over the years she has served as Executive Secretary, Treasurer, 1st gress—both Democrats and Republicans— Tuesday, December 5, 2017 who heard them and enacted the Civil Rights and 2nd Vice President, and President several Act, the Voting Rights Act and other landmark Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I times—the first Latina to ever hold this posi- reforms. include in the RECORD the following proclama- tion, I may add. I have been at the forefront of the civil rights tion for Ms. Ethel Craig: Her passion is portrayed through her active movement, I have been a champion of justice Whereas, A virtuous woman of God accept- participation in voter registration drives, redis- for the oppressed and the disenfranchised. I ed her calling to serve in the Educational Sys- tricting committees in support of Latino issues, have never wavered in my commitment to jus- tem on September 17, 1973; and scholarship fundraisers, among others. As a Whereas, Ms. Ethel Craig began her edu- tice and democracy. I am proud to have been former 911 dispatcher, I saw firsthand the cational career in teaching with the Atlanta part of that rich history. power of her commitment to the LACECA. I have been privileged to be a founder of Public School System as a Math Teacher, she She was instrumental in the return of bi-lingual the Congressional Black Caucus and to rep- also taught as a teacher for the intellectually pay to the City’s 911 Operators along with im- resent the United States Congress as Dean. I gifted students and currently she serves as a proving training, working conditions, and in- spearheaded and passed the Martin Luther School Psychologist. She has provided guid- creasing the number of bi-lingual operator po- King, Jr. Holiday Act, the Violence Against ance to school personnel, parents and stu- sitions serving the city. Much of this was ac- Women Act, the Hate Crimes Act, the USA dents in regards to counseling, assessments, complished by serving on Mayor Bradley’s and Freedom Act, and the extensions of the Voting instructional support, interventions and preven- Reardon’s ‘‘Presidents Roundtable on Affirma- Rights Act into law. I have led the fight against tion services; and tive Action’’, where she met monthly to advo- Whereas, this phenomenal woman has mandatory minimum sentences, hoping to re- cate for the underrepresentation of minorities shared her time and talents as a Teacher, verse the devastating incarceration rates for and women in the work force. Mother, Grandmother, Educator and Motivator, African Americans and poor people, I have For all of the aforementioned Mr. Speaker, giving the citizens of Georgia a person of tried to pass a universal healthcare law (H.R. it is my distinct honor to recognize a true com- great worth, a fearless leader, a devoted 676) every Congress since 1989. I have intro- munity icon on the House floor today: Ms. scholar and a servant to all who want to ad- duced H.R. 40 to study reparations for slavery, Jackie Zarate-Roberts. Her unmatched com- vance the lives of our youth; and and I deeply appreciate those handful of cou- mitment to the City of Los Angeles since 1984 Whereas, Ms. Craig is formally retiring from rageous colleagues who have joined me. and the innumerable contributions she has her educational career today after forty-three For Detroiters, I am proud of what we have made to the greater Latino community will re- and a half years of service, she will continue been able to accomplish by bringing hundreds verberate for generations to come and our to promote education because she is a corner- of millions of dollars in critical grants and fed- community is better of because of it. stone in our community that has enhanced the eral funding to Southeast Michigan to revi- f lives of thousands for the betterment of our talize our great city, attract rich talent, and re- District and Nation; and RECOGNIZING BYRD LOCHTIE AS turn us to prosperity. Whereas, the U.S. Representative of the 2017 NONPROFIT LEADER I vehemently deny any and all allegations of Fourth District of Georgia has set aside this harassment or dishonor, but I recognize that in day to honor and recognize Ms. Ethel Craig this present environment, due process will not HON. JARED HUFFMAN on her retirement from the Atlanta Public OF CALIFORNIA be afforded to me. I was taught by a great Schools System and to wish her well in her IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES woman, my mother, to honor women. The first new endeavors; now therefore, I, HENRY C. employee I ever hired was Mrs. Rosa Parks, Tuesday, December 5, 2017 ‘‘HANK’’ JOHNSON, Jr. do hereby proclaim May who worked in my office for 22 years. It has Mr. HUFFMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to 30, 2017 as Ms. Ethel Craig Day in the 4th been a great honor to work alongside some of congratulate Byrd Lochtie of Humboldt County, Congressional District of Georgia. the most talented and honorable staff on Cap- Proclaimed, this 22nd day of May, 2017. who is honored by the Northern California As- itol Hill and in Detroit, both women and men. sociation of Nonprofits with the 2017 Nonprofit Given the totality of the circumstance of not f Leader Achievement Award, a recognition she being afforded the right to due process, in RECOGNIZING MS. JACKIE richly deserves. conjunction with my current health condition, ZARATE-ROBERTS Byrd Lochtie has served as a nonprofit con- and to preserve my legacy and good name, I sultant, trainer, coach and mentor in Humboldt am retiring. HON. NORMA J. TORRES County since 1984. Shortly after earning her I hope that my retirement will be viewed in OF CALIFORNIA Bachelor of Arts degree in Chemistry from the larger perspective of my record of service, Cornell University in 1960, Byrd became in- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES and as I enter a new chapter, I pledge to con- volved with the Sierra Cascade Girl Scout tinue my commitment to a progressive vision Tuesday, December 5, 2017 Council where she served as a volunteer, vol- and a better future for this country that I love. Mrs. TORRES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to unteer leader, and trainer of leaders. She con- I owe that to the legacy of my father, John honor Ms. Jackie Zarate-Roberts on the occa- tinues to volunteer with the Girl Scout Council

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:27 Dec 06, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A05DE8.009 E05DEPT1 dlhill on DSK3GLQ082PROD with REMARKS E1656 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks December 5, 2017 to this day. These decades of nonprofit vol- Wassel, and Logan Hickey created an app and led our nation in many different roles. As unteerism provided Byrd with valuable experi- that teaches students that coding languages a founding member of the African American ence in youth leadership, team building, and are easy to understand and very fun with Teachers Association in the late sixties, he developing effective educational and training some time and practice. The team from proved to be a key actor in the nascent com- programs. She has also furthered her non- Shadyside Academy consisting of Nick Zana, munity control movement in Ocean Hill- profit education through various training and Fuad Youssef, Peter Wang, and Henry Fried- Brownsville, Brooklyn, New York. As a stead- courses over the years, and she earned a life- lander created an app that executes all of the fast pillar of our community, pioneered the time credential from California Community Col- main functions of a planner, student ID, and teaching methods of 14 different languages in leges. document database. I am very proud of them high schools and colleges. He was a commu- As an independent nonprofit consultant, all. nity leader involved in the civic and edu- Byrd Lochtie specializes in helping community The winner of year’s 14th Congressional cational direction of thousands in our nation. leaders understand and be more effective in District App Challenge was the team from Along with his wife, Mrs. Mary A. Twining their roles, including working together to de- Shadyside Academy. Their app will be dis- Baird, they educated us through the literary velop strategies to advance their missions. played in the U.S. Capitol and shown on the master piece ‘‘Sea Island Roots: The African She has been a key partner and trainer for the U.S. House of Representatives web site. They Presence in the Carolinas and Georgia’’; and Northern California Association of Nonprofits will also be invited to the House of Represent- Whereas, Dr. Baird was lauded as a ‘‘schol- fostering learning, mentoring, relationship atives’ Code Demo Day reception in Wash- ar’s scholar and an educator’s educator’’. He building, and excellence in leadership through ington in the coming months. In addition, Car- was a community builder who served my dis- monthly board leadership roundtables and in- negie Mellon University has offered to give the trict without bounds. His influence, inspiration troduction to board service workshops for 14th District App Challenge winners a tour of and motivation of many have helped to mold many years. its facilities. This is a great opportunity for our district in becoming more inclusive. He Byrd remains highly engaged with a variety these students to explore the campus and to has opened the minds and hearts of thou- of local organizations, including the League of learn just how far their interest in coding can sands; and Women Voters of Humboldt County, Children’s take them. Whereas, he never asked for fame or for- Authors Festival, the Humboldt County Human I would like to acknowledge and thank the tune, nor found a job too small or too big; he Rights Commission, United Way, Girl Scouts, judges for this competition: Josh Lucas, co- gave of himself, his time, his talent and his life Eureka City Schools Board of Trustees, the founder of Work Hard Pittsburgh, Dr. to uplift those in need by demonstrating un- Eureka and Arcata Community Recycling Cen- Alexandros Labrinidis, professor at the Univer- wavering commitment to educate, serve and ters, and more. sity of Pittsburgh’s School of Computing and goodwill; and Mr. Speaker, Byrd Lochtie’s commitment to Information, and Dr. Illah Nourbakhsh, pro- Whereas, he was a husband, a father, a bettering her community through civic engage- fessor at the Carnegie Mellon University’s Ro- brother and a friend; he was a man of great ment and empowering leadership in others is botics Institute and director of the CREATE integrity who remained true to the uplifting of commendable and worthy of recognition. I Lab. humanity on an international scale; and urge my colleagues to join me in extending I would also like to thank the University of Whereas, the U.S. Representative of the our congratulations to her. Pittsburgh for hosting tonight’s event—and Fourth District of Georgia recognizes Dr. Keith f Carnegie Mellon University for hosting the win- E. Baird as a citizen of great worth and so ners for a tour of its facilities. These univer- noted distinction; now therefore, I, HENRY C. CONGRESSIONAL APP CHALLENGE sities’ support for the App Challenge speaks ‘‘HANK’’ JOHNSON, Jr. do hereby attest to the volumes about their commitment to education 115th Congress that Dr. Keith E. Baird is HON. MICHAEL F. DOYLE and the local community. deemed worthy and deserving of this ‘‘Con- OF PENNSYLVANIA Finally, I want to commend all of the partici- gressional Honor’’ by declaring Dr. Keith E. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES pants in this year’s App Challenge. I hope that Baird, U.S. Citizen of Distinction in the 4th the recognition will, in some small way, dem- Tuesday, December 5, 2017 Congressional District of Georgia. onstrate to these young coders how much we Proclaimed, this 12th day of August, 2017. Mr. MICHAEL F. DOYLE of Pennsylvania. value their efforts and skill. It is my hope that f Mr. Speaker, yesterday evening, I spoke via the students who participated in this year’s Skype with a number of young people in Pitts- competition will carry their interest in coding PERSONAL EXPLANATION burgh who participated in the Congressional with them throughout their lives. I also hope App Challenge in Pennsylvania’s 14th Con- that this competition and others like it across HON. JOE COURTNEY the country will continue to grow and attract gressional District, which I have the honor to OF CONNECTICUT represent. I had the opportunity to commend many other local promising coders. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES all of them for participating in this year’s App f Challenge, and I announced the winning App Tuesday, December 5, 2017 PROCLAMATION FOR DR. KEITH E. in the 14th District competition. BAIRD Mr. COURTNEY. Mr. Speaker, I unfortu- The Congressional App Challenge is a com- nately missed one vote during a vote series petition held each year in many congressional on November 30, 2017. Had I been present, districts throughout the country. The Congres- HON. HENRY C. ‘‘HANK’’ JOHNSON, JR. I would have voted: No on Roll Call No. 645, sional App Challenge provides an opportunity OF GEORGIA on the question of agreeing to the resolution IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES for students who create their own apps for (H. Res. 635), providing for consideration of mobile, tablet, or computer devices to com- Tuesday, December 5, 2017 H.R. 4182, the Ensuring a Qualified Civil Serv- pete with other students and receive feedback Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I ice Act of 2017; and H.R. 1699, the Pre- from leading experts in the field. It’s a great include in the RECORD the following proclama- serving Access to Manufactured Housing Act way for Congress to get kids interested in tion for Dr. Keith E. Baird: of 2017. computer programming and technology-related Whereas, our lives have been touched by f careers. That’s good for them, and it’s good the leadership and service of Dr. Keith E. for our economy, which will depend more and Baird; and PERSONAL EXPLANATION more on such skills in the coming years. Whereas, Dr. Keith E. Baird was born on This is the first year I have had the pleasure January 20, 1923 in Barbados, West Indies, HON. LUIS V. GUTIE´RREZ of being involved with the Congressional App he came to the United States in 1947 and OF ILLINOIS Challenge, and I hope there will be many began his college studies at Columbia Univer- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES more years to come. Events like this one sity studying Spanish, Romance Philology and Tuesday, December 5, 2017 serve to raise public awareness of the impor- Linguistics, where he earned his under- tance and value of quality STEM education graduate and graduate degrees. He earned Mr. GUTIE´ RREZ. Mr. Speaker, I was un- programs. his doctoral degree in Sociolinguistics from the avoidably absent in the House Chamber for I would like to recognize the 14th District’s Union Graduate Institute in Cincinnati, Ohio; Roll Call votes 653 and 654 on Monday, De- outstanding student coders for 2017. The and cember 4, 2017. Had I been present, I would team from Montour High School consisting of Whereas, Dr. Baird was an educator, au- have voted Nay on Roll Call vote 653 and Yea Macen Perkins, Shane O’Malley, Derek thor, advocate and administrator, he served on Roll Call vote 654.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:27 Dec 06, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00006 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A05DE8.012 E05DEPT1 dlhill on DSK3GLQ082PROD with REMARKS December 5, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E1657 I believe that both the House and Senate communities. Local elected officials have a di- but we expect and hope that we have not GOP tax bills are an attack on the middle rect impact on our residents by setting policy, heard nor seen the last of him. We need more class and only serve to benefit the wealthiest enacting ordinances, adopting budgets and people like Randy Johnson who find that cre- in our nation. The GOP tax plan would raise levying taxes. They’re some of the hardest ating sound public policy is a calling and who taxes on millions of families and students, working and most dedicated public officials possess his attention to detail and determina- send jobs overseas, devastate our health care you’ll find. Mr. Trump’s commitment and hard tion to seek solutions. We hope he is not con- system, and overwhelm future generations work touched the lives of countless people. tent to let his light fade under a bushel and we with crushing debt. I stand with my Democratic His legacy of service to our community is wish him all the best in his future endeavors. colleagues in opposing this plan and urge the commendable. f enactment of tax reform that puts working On behalf of Pennsylvania’s Fourth Con- Americans first. gressional District, I thank and congratulate PROCLAMATION FOR GUS AND WILLIE MAE DIXON DAY f Dean Trump on his service and wish him great happiness and success in his future ad- PROCLAMATION FOR THE GRACE ventures. HON. HENRY C. ‘‘HANK’’ JOHNSON, JR. UNITED METHODIST CHURCH f OF GEORGIA TRIBUTE TO RANDY JOHNSON IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES HON. HENRY C. ‘‘HANK’’ JOHNSON, JR. Tuesday, December 5, 2017 OF GEORGIA HON. VIRGINIA FOXX IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I OF NORTH CAROLINA include in the RECORD the following Proclama- Tuesday, December 5, 2017 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES tion for Gus and Willie Mae Dixon: Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I Tuesday, December 5, 2017 Whereas, Gus and Willie Mae Dixon have include in the RECORD the following proclama- Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute maintained their vows to God and to each tion for the Grace United Methodist Church: to Randy Johnson, a former committee staff other for the past 50 years, during which time Whereas, Grace United Methodist Church, member and long-time friend of the Education they have been blessed and fruitful with child founded on the 24 articles of religion or the and the Workforce Committee who is stepping and grandchildren, who are gathered with us basic statements of belief, continues to be a down as the Senior Vice President for Labor, as we celebrate their golden wedding anniver- beacon of light to our district under the leader- Immigration, and Employee Benefits at the sary; and ship and tutelage of Pastor George Lanier and U.S. Chamber of Commerce after 20 years of Whereas, since July 1, 1967 Gus and Willie the service of its members; and service for that respected organization. As his Mae Dixon and family have contributed to our Whereas, Grace United Methodist Church is title suggests, Randy’s role at the Chamber community as humble servants, uplifting the celebrating Men’s Day and the church’s 150 has required him to be engaged in a number physical, mental, and most importantly the year anniversary today, under the general of key public policy issues involving the com- spiritual welfare of all whom they have en- rules of the Methodist Church, ‘‘Do no harm, mittee. Although the Chamber is losing a very countered; and Do good, Practice the ordinances of God’’; effective advocate, the policies and laws im- Whereas, in our beloved Fourth Congres- and pacting the American workforce are stronger sional District of Georgia, we are honored that Whereas, this remarkable and tenacious because of his commitment and engagement. the fruit of this wonderful marriage has pro- Church of God has empowered our commu- Before going to the Chamber in 1997, duced one daughter and son-in-law Shannon nity, spiritually fed its congregants through its Randy was the Labor Counsel and Workforce and Terry Clark, and seven grandchildren; and ministries and outreach since 1867; and Policy Coordinator for the Committee for nine Whereas, Gus Dixon is a remarkable and Whereas, Grace United Methodist Church is years. During this period, Randy was involved tenacious man of God and Willie Mae Dixon is celebrating Men’s Day to make its ministry in crafting a number of federal statutes includ- a phenomenal and virtuous Proverbs 31 spiritually viable year round through constant ing the Family and Medical Leave Act on woman, both being members of Welcome and fervent prayer, sound thinking, spiritual in- which Randy authored a superb minority re- Friend Baptist Church in DeKalb County, sight and creative ideas to transform our com- port predicting many of the challenges that Georgia where, under the leadership of Pastor munity inside and outside these walls; and employers have faced in their efforts to com- John Smith, Gus serves as Director of Chris- Whereas, the U.S. Representative of the ply with that law. He brought that same caliber tian Education and Willie Mae serves as Di- Fourth District of Georgia has set aside this of foresight and diligence to the legislative rector of the Mission ministry; and day to honor and recognize Grace United process leading up to the passage of the Whereas, Gus and Willie Mae Dixon are Methodist Church for their leadership and Americans with Disabilities Act. Randy also distinguished citizens of Georgia’s Fourth Con- service to our District on this the 150th Anni- helped immensely during the transition to a gressional district, being spiritual warriors who versary of their founding; now therefore, I, Republican majority of the House after the possess great compassion for all of God’s HENRY C. ‘‘HANK’’ JOHNSON, Jr. do hereby pro- 1994 elections and was instrumental in ensur- children, and who are fearless servants and claim June 11, 2017 as Grace United Meth- ing that the Committee hit the ground running leaders with a vision and passion to improve odist Church Day in the 4th Congressional during that historic period. the lives of others; and District of Georgia. During his time at the U.S. Chamber of Whereas, the U.S. Representative of the Proclaimed, this 11th day of June, 2017. Commerce, Randy and his staff earned the re- Fourth District of Georgia has set aside this f spect of policymakers because they drilled day to honor and recognize Gus and Willie down into the details of legislation and issues, Mae Dixon as they celebrate their golden an- HONORING DEAN TRUMP OF PENN- an attribute which made them effective advo- niversary, and 50 years of marital bliss; now SYLVANIA ON HIS RETIREMENT cates and credible stakeholders on Capitol therefore, I, HENRY C. ’’HANK’’ JOHNSON, Jr. do AFTER MORE THAN 17 YEARS OF Hill. Randy could also be counted on to ex- hereby proclaim July 1, 2017 as Gus and SERVICE TO THE WARRINGTON press with clarity what happens when the rub- Willie Mae Dixon Day in the 4th Congressional TOWNSHIP SUPERVISORS ber meets the road. District. The Chamber has always been a prominent Proclaimed, this 1st day of July, 2017. HON. SCOTT PERRY voice for employers’ interests in labor and f OF PENNSYLVANIA workplace issues, but this does not mean the IN RECOGNITION OF DAVID LIM IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Chamber’s positions are always strictly par- tisan. The Chamber’s pragmatic positions on Tuesday, December 5, 2017 labor and employment issues reflected HON. JACKIE SPEIER Mr. PERRY. Mr. Speaker, today I extend my Randy’s influence. Under Randy’s leadership, OF CALIFORNIA sincere congratulations to my constituent, there was always room for discussion wher- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Dean Trump, on his retirement after more than ever it was possible to reach a legislative solu- Tuesday, December 5, 2017 17 years of service on the Board of Super- tion in which all sides could come away with visors for Warrington Township, York County, something. His relentless pursuit of results Ms. SPEIER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Pennsylvania. should be commended. David Lim for his eight years of outstanding I’ve long appreciated the commitment of Mr. Speaker, we have not yet learned of service on the San Mateo City Council and as people who devote themselves to serving our Randy’s plans after he departs the Chamber mayor in 2013 and 2017. David’s dedication to

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In even small ways, David is Whereas, this year, Mr. Gregory and Mrs. pressing challenges in our region, the housing always focused on making life better for his Betty Levett are being honored as the 2017 crisis. David is a true champion of his middle constituents. Community Connections Award recipients. Mr. class constituents and has showed great cour- Mr. Speaker, I admire David Lim greatly and and Mrs. Levett have unselfishly brought com- age in forthrightly addressing the thorny issues ask the members of the House of Representa- munity service, honor and excellence to the of affordable rental housing. tives to rise with me to recognize a remark- citizens of DeKalb County and beyond; and David was first elected to the council in able public servant, devoted husband and fa- Whereas, Mr. and Mrs. Levett give of them- 2009, at the height of the Great Recession. ther, and tireless advocate for others. While selves unconditionally to build a legacy of He instantly became a very active member of he is leaving the council, I have no doubt that service and commitment as entrepreneurs and the council, helping guide the city of San he will continue to contribute to his beloved owners of Gregory B. Levett & Sons Funeral Mateo through a difficult and long recovery community for many years to come. Homes & Crematory, and by demonstrating process. He always encouraged input from f their unwavering pledge as philanthropists, residents and was driven by a dedication to contributing more than 1 million dollars to var- being fair and to making the best decision. HONORING MARIA WOLFE OF ious charities and organizations throughout Serving in a booming economy also proved PENNSYLVANIA ON HER RETIRE- their 35 years of service; and challenging. As wave after wave of new high- MENT AFTER MORE THAN 38 Whereas, the lives of many in our district earning tech and biotech workers arrived, es- YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE FED- are especially touched by Mr. and Mrs. calating rents and skyrocketing housing prices ERAL GOVERNMENT Levett’s support of the local Senior connec- undermined the stability of long-time low- and tions, their active leadership as board mem- middle-income residents. Justice-minded and HON. SCOTT PERRY bers at DeKalb Medical and their advocacy of seeking to maintain the socio-economic and OF PENNSYLVANIA other critical senior services throughout Geor- racial diversity of the region, David rep- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES gia; and resented all residents. He pulled landlords, Tuesday, December 5, 2017 Whereas, the U.S. Representative of the tenants and regional anti-displacement experts Fourth District of Georgia have set aside this into conversations to develop solutions to the Mr. PERRY. Mr. Speaker, today I extend my day to honor and recognize Mr. Gregory affordability crisis. David pushed the city to do sincere congratulations to my constituent, Levett and Mrs. Betty Levett for their out- more to support low-income workers and ad- Maria Wolfe, on her retirement after more than standing service to our senior community and vocated for increasing the minimum wage. 38 years of service to the federal government. our District; now therefore, I, HENRY C. ‘‘HANK’’ As a young parent himself, David is an edu- Maria began her federal career with the JOHNSON, Jr. do hereby proclaim June 17, cator at heart. Coaching high school mock trial Federal Communications Commission in 1979 2017 as Gregory and Betty Levett Day in the teams and advocating for local students and and transferred to the Navy Ships Parts Con- 4th Congressional District of Georgia. schools, David wants all children to attend trol Center in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania in Proclaimed, this 17th day of June, 2017. safe schools and to receive a good education. 1981. Over the decades, Maria’s hard work When he learned that immigrant families and commitment to excellence led to several f needed translation services in order to under- promotions, culminating with her current ef- HONORING THE YEARS OF SERV- stand the enrollment process he pushed local forts to support the Littoral Combat Ship, Out- ICE OF MARIA TERESA school districts to take action. David never fitting Branch, and the U.S. Coast Guard Sup- SANTILLAN-BEAS TO THE CITY stops turning problems into creative solutions. ply Support and Logistic programs. He also worked to improve San Mateo’s en- Her peers describe a true professional who OF LYNWOOD vironmental stewardship. David has suc- has provided great support to our Nation’s ceeded in his goal to leave the city better than Sailors and the United States Navy. Maria’s HON. NANETTE DIAZ BARRAGA´ N he found it. While on the council he helped dedication has touched the lives of countless OF CALIFORNIA launch the Sustainability Commission which people, and her legacy of service to our Na- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES has reduced the use of plastic bags and tion is commendable. Tuesday, December 5, 2017 Styrofoam containers. On behalf of Pennsylvania’s Fourth Con- David was raised in Southern California gressional District, I thank and congratulate Ms. BARRAGA´ N. Mr. Speaker, I rise today where he attended local public schools. He Maria Wolfe on her service and wish her great to commend Honorable Maria Teresa earned his Bachelor’s degree in Political happiness and success in her future adven- Santillan-Beas for her fourteen years of serv- Science and his Master’s degree in Education tures. ice to the City of Lynwood; Tuesday, Decem- from UCLA. For two years, he taught history f ber 5th, she will be ending her term as Mayor. at a middle school in LA but then moved to Whereas Maria Teresa Santillan-Beas was Washington, D.C. to work for Congressman PROCLAMATION FOR GREGORY first elected to the Lynwood City Council in Bob Matsui of Sacramento. In 1999, he re- AND BETTY LEVETT 2003, and made history as the first woman turned to the Bay Area and pursued his law elected in a decade, and first Latina to ever be degree from the University of California, Has- HON. HENRY C. ‘‘HANK’’ JOHNSON, JR. elected; and tings College of the Law. As a young Bay OF GEORGIA Whereas during her time in office, she has Area district attorney, married with young twin IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES worked tirelessly to provide affordable housing daughters, he searched for a community to opportunities for low-income families, to im- Tuesday, December 5, 2017 call home. In 2001, he moved to San Mateo, prove the quality of life for senior citizens, and the town where his grandfather, whose father Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I to increase public safety programs in the City had emigrated from China to San Francisco’s include in the RECORD the following proclama- of Lynwood; and Chinatown, had once been a household serv- tion for Gregory and Betty Levett: Whereas she has remained an active partic- ant. Whereas, the 4th Congressional District of ipant in the community and service organiza- David and his wife Terri continue to live in Georgia recognizes two citizens who exempli- tions and is a member of the Lynwood Lions San Mateo with their three children, Caroline, fies those who are catalyst servants through- Club, and serves as a Big Sister for the Big Katherine and Harrison. out the community; and Brothers Big Sisters Club; and Today, San Mateo is one of the most di- Whereas, the 2017 Community Connections Whereas she has also held other leadership verse communities in the country. David was Award recipients are promoting the concept of roles in community-based organizations, such the first Asian American to be elected to the ‘‘One Community-One Goal’’ and celebrating as the Lynwood Neighborhood Block Watch, city council and his cultural sensitivity has age by providing the seniors they serve with the St. Emydius School Parent Teacher Orga- been an invaluable asset to the city. He be- dignity, care, choice and the ability to ‘‘age in nization, and others: now therefore I commend lieves some of the best ideas and fresh per- place’’; and Honorable Maria Teresa Santillan-Beas for spectives come from young people. At public Whereas, Senior Connections annually rec- fourteen years of outstanding service to the meetings that can last late into the evening, ognize outstanding individuals promoting a City of Lynwood and neighboring communities.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:27 Dec 06, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00008 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A05DE8.021 E05DEPT1 dlhill on DSK3GLQ082PROD with REMARKS December 5, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E1659 HONORING DR. HUMPHREY LEE ages, bringing blessings and strengthening staff, and all those who’ve been impacted by UPON HIS RETIREMENT FROM communities, by providing excellence in care her commitment to excellence, in wishing her NORTHWEST SHOALS COMMU- and services while assisting development and nothing but the best in the next chapter of her NITY COLLEGE enhancement of the quality of life for adults life. and children with psychological, social and f HON. ROBERT B. ADERHOLT physical challenges; and Whereas, KES, Inc., annually hosts a Day HONORING CYNTHIA BUSHMAN OF OF ALABAMA PENNSYLVANIA ON HER RETIRE- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES of Inclusion to bring our community together in a day of fellowship, to educate and acknowl- MENT AFTER MORE THAN 37 Tuesday, December 5, 2017 edge the different disabilities and abilities that YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE FED- Mr. ADERHOLT. Mr. Speaker, I would like its members have; and ERAL GOVERNMENT to recognize the great leadership and char- Whereas, KES, Inc., and all the members of acter of Dr. Humphrey Lee on his retirement its staff are ambassadors of goodwill that HON. SCOTT PERRY from Northwest Shoals Community College in make the 4th Congressional District of Geor- OF PENNSYLVANIA Muscle Shoals, Alabama. gia a jewel in the nation; and IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Dr. Lee was born and raised in Birmingham, Whereas, our community has been strength- Tuesday, December 5, 2017 ened in our awareness, our lives have been Alabama. After graduating high school, he en- Mr. PERRY. Mr. Speaker, today I extend my touched and our spirits uplifted through the tered the University of Alabama where he sincere congratulations to my constituent, service of this beloved organization; and earned his bachelor, masters and doctoral de- Cynthia Bushman, on her retirement after Whereas, the U.S. Representative of the grees. more than 37 years of service to the federal Fourth District of Georgia has set aside this After leaving the University of Alabama, Dr. government. Lee dedicated the next 42 years of his life to day to honor and recognize all of the individ- Ms. Bushman has served with the Naval the two-year college system in the state of uals that give of themselves for the betterment Supply Systems Command, the Naval Sea Alabama. His four decades with Alabama’s of others and to recognize the leadership and Systems Command, and currently as Outfitting two-year college system carried him to Brewer service of KES, Inc., as it celebrates another Team Lead for the Outfitting Support Branch State Junior College and Shelton State Com- year of hosting its Day of Inclusion; now there- at the Naval Sea Logistics Center. Her peers munity College. Finally, Dr. Lee became Presi- fore, I, HENRY C. ‘‘HANK’’ JOHNSON, Jr. do describe a true professional whose attention to dent of Northwest Shoals Community College hereby proclaim July 15, 2017 as KES, Inc. detail and professional excellence have pro- in 2004. Day in the 4th Congressional District. vided great support to our Nation’s Sailors and During his 14 years serving as President at Proclaimed, this 22nd day of May, 2017. the United States Navy. Northwest Shoals Community College, Dr. Lee f Ms. Bushman’s tireless dedication has made workforce development the keystone of HONORING YOVANNA BROWNE touched the lives of countless people and his administration. To achieve this goal, Dr. challenged all with whom she served to be the Lee oversaw tremendous growth and improve- best. Her legacy of service to our Nation is ment in the programs offered by the school in HON. JOHN R. CARTER commendable. areas such as Automotive Service Tech- OF TEXAS On behalf of Pennsylvania’s Fourth Con- nology, Heating, Ventilation and Air Condi- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES gressional District, I thank and congratulate tioning and Cyber Security, just to name a Tuesday, December 5, 2017 Cynthia Bushman on her service and wish her few. great happiness and success in her future ad- While Dr. Lee is retiring from Alabama’s Mr. CARTER of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to salute the amazing work of Yovanna ventures. two-year college system, I know that he will f remain, as he always has been, very active in Browne who is retiring at the end of this year. the local community, as he serves on numer- Yovanna, who worked in my Temple, TX Dis- HONORING THE LIFE OF DONALD ous boards and is the current Chairman of the trict Office, is as dedicated a public servant as C. POGUE Shoals Chamber of Commerce. any Member of Congress could hope for. Dr. Lee has two sons; Preston who is mar- Lauded throughout her career for her tenacity HON. JOE COURTNEY and attention to detail, she’s been a mission- ried to Kristina; and Spencer who is married to OF CONNECTICUT critical member of every place she’s worked. Marie, with two grandsons, Brayden and IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Yovanna’s resume is a testament to a life Landon. Tuesday, December 5, 2017 Once again, I congratulate Dr. Lee on his devoted to public service. Two decades were many years of service to education in the spent working for a variety of offices in both Mr. COURTNEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today state of Alabama, as well as on his well-de- the Army and Navy, where she received nu- to recognize my dear friend and colleague, the served retirement. I wish him the best in the merous commendations from both branches. late honorable Donald C. Pogue. Judge Pogue coming years and on future endeavors. Another decade was dedicated to Central passed away peacefully last October and his Texas College, her alma mater, and working f absence is felt by all who knew him. to ensure soldiers could navigate the complex Born in Macomb, Illinois in 1947, Don grad- PROCLAMATION FOR KES, INC. Tricare program. Luckily for Central Texas, uated magna cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa from Yovanna spent the last twelve years as a Dartmouth College in 1969 and earned his HON. HENRY C. ‘‘HANK’’ JOHNSON, JR. Lead Case Worker in my Temple Office. juris doctorate and masters of art in philos- OF GEORGIA District office staff have as challenging a job ophy from Yale in 1973. Following graduation, IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES there is in public service. They often deal with he began his legal career representing labor constituents who are at their wits’ end and unions at his firm, Kester, Pogue & Gould, in Tuesday, December 5, 2017 have lost faith in the government that is sup- Hartford. During his fifteen years of practice, Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I posed to serve them. Yovanna’s combination Judge Pogue lectured on labor law at the Uni- include in the RECORD a proclamation for KES, of empathy and expertise have helped count- versity of Connecticut School of Law, assisted Inc. less Central Texans navigate the often-chal- in teaching Harvard Law School’s program on Whereas, in the Fourth Congressional Dis- lenging world of government agencies and negotiation and dispute resolution for lawyers, trict of Georgia, citizens of different cultures services. She treats all with kindness and re- and chaired the Connecticut Bar Association’s strive to bring awareness and enlightenment spect, lending a thoughtful ear to their con- Labor and Employment Law Section. to our community; and cerns while staying focused on how to best be In 1989, Don was appointed Commissioner Whereas, KES, Inc., since 1996, under the of assistance. Her extraordinary efforts, com- of Connecticut Hospitals and Healthcare by leadership of Mr. Kenneth and Mrs. Sandra mitment to excellence, and skillful work has Governor O’Neill, and then Chairman by Gov- Browner and their family, has been a blessing enabled my Temple office to serve my con- ernor Weicker. In 1994, Don became a judge to my district by making the needs of citizens stituents at the high level they deserve. in Connecticut’s Superior Court and was ap- that require special attention a priority and While my office is losing Yovanna to a rich- pointed to the U.S. Court of International therefore enhancing their quality of life; and ly-deserved retirement, she’ll always be a Trade by President Clinton just one year later. Whereas, KES, Inc., has sustained the lin- member of the Carter family and a shining ex- There he led the Court’s Long Range Planning eage of many generations, breaking bond- ample of the best in public service. I join my and Budget committees. In 2010 he became

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HIGHLIGHTS Senate confirmed the nomination of Kirstjen Nielsen, of Virginia, to be Secretary of Homeland Security. Senate Chamber Action Measures Read the First Time: Page S7845 Executive Communications: Pages S7845–46 Routine Proceedings, pages S7825–S7857 Petitions and Memorials: Page S7846 Measures Introduced: Three bills were introduced, as follows: S. 2192–2194. Page S7848 Executive Reports of Committees: Pages S7846–48 Measures Reported: Additional Cosponsors: Pages S7848–49 S. 1223, to repeal the Klamath Tribe Judgment Statements on Introduced Bills/Resolutions: Fund Act, with an amendment. (S. Rept. No. Page S7848 115–190) Additional Statements: Pages S7843–44 S. 447, to require reporting on acts of certain for- Authorities for Committees to Meet: Page S7849 eign countries on Holocaust era assets and related issues, with an amendment in the nature of a sub- Privileges of the Floor: Page S7849 stitute. Record Votes: One record vote was taken today. S. 2193, to amend title 38, United States Code, (Total—305) Page S7839 to improve health care for veterans. Page S7846 Adjournment: Senate convened at 10 a.m. and ad- Balash Nomination—Agreement: A unanimous- journed at 6:26 p.m., until 10 a.m. on Wednesday, consent-time agreement was reached providing that December 6, 2017. (For Senate’s program, see the re- at a time to be determined by the Majority Leader, marks of the Majority Leader in today’s Record on in consultation with the Democratic Leader, Senate page S7857.) begin consideration of the nomination of Joseph Balash, of Alaska, to be an Assistant Secretary of the Committee Meetings Interior; that there be one hour of debate on the nomination equally divided in the usual form, and (Committees not listed did not meet) that following the use or yielding back of time, Sen- ate vote on confirmation of the nomination, with no OPIOID CRISIS IN AMERICA intervening action or debate. Page S7840 Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Depart- Nominations Confirmed: Senate confirmed the fol- ments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and lowing nominations: Education, and Related Agencies addressing the By 62 yeas to 37 nays (Vote No. EX. 305), opioid crisis in America, focusing on prevention, Kirstjen Nielsen, of Virginia, to be Secretary of treatment, and recovery, after receiving testimony from former Representative Patrick J. Kennedy, Homeland Security. Pages S7829–34, S7834–39 President’s Commission on Combatting Drug Addic- Emily Webster Murphy, of Missouri, to be Ad- tion and the Opioid Crisis; and Elinore McCance- ministrator of General Services. Page S7839, S7857 Katz, Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Sub- Glen R. Smith, of Iowa, to be a Member of the stance Use, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Farm Credit Administration Board, Farm Credit Ad- Services Administration, Francis S. Collins, Director, ministration, for a term expiring May 21, 2022. National Institutes of Health, and Debra Houry, Di- Page S7839, S7857 rector, National Center for Injury Prevention and Messages from the House: Pages S7844–45 Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, D1282

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all of the Department of Health and Human Serv- assistance and grant program, S. 1876, to direct the ices. Secretary of Energy to establish a program to ad- BUSINESS MEETING vance energy storage deployment by reducing the cost of energy storage through research, develop- Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs: ment, and demonstration, S. 1981, to amend the Committee ordered favorably reported the following Natural Gas Act to expedite approval of exports of business items: small volumes of natural gas, and S. 2030, to deem S. 2155, to promote economic growth, provide the compliance date for amended energy conservation tailored regulatory relief, and enhance consumer pro- standards for ceiling light kits to be January 21, tections, with an amendment in the nature of a sub- 2020, after receiving testimony from Senator Tillis; stitute; and and Mark Menezes, Under Secretary of Energy. The nomination of Jerome H. Powell, of Mary- land, to be Chairman of the Board of Governors of AUTHORITY OVER INTERNATIONAL the Federal Reserve System. ACCORDS NOMINATIONS Committee on Foreign Relations: Committee concluded Committee on Energy and Natural Resources: Committee a hearing to examine the President, Congress, and concluded a hearing to examine the nominations of shared authority over the international accords, after Timothy R. Petty, of Indiana, to be an Assistant receiving testimony from Curtis A. Bradley, Duke Secretary of the Interior, who was introduced by Sen- Law School, Durham, North Carolina; and Avril ator Risch, and Linda Capuano, of Texas, to be Ad- Haines, Columbia University, New York, New ministrator of the Energy Information Administra- York. tion, Department of Energy, after the nominees tes- NOMINATIONS tified and answered questions in their own behalf. Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions: ENERGY LEGISLATION Committee concluded a hearing to examine the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources: Sub- nominations of Kenneth L. Marcus, of Virginia, to committee on Energy concluded a hearing to exam- be Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, and Johnny ine S. 1336, to amend the Energy Policy Act of Collett, of Kentucky, to be Assistant Secretary for 2005 to reauthorize hydroelectric production incen- Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, both tives and hydroelectric efficiency improvement incen- of the Department of Education, and Scott A. tives, S. 1455, to amend the United States Energy Mugno, of Pennsylvania, to be an Assistant Sec- Storage Competitiveness Act of 2007 to direct the retary, and William Beach, of Kansas, to be Com- Secretary of Energy to establish new goals for the missioner of Labor Statistics, both of the Department Department of Energy relating to energy storage and of Labor, after the nominees, who were introduced to carry out certain demonstration projects relating by Senator Alexander, testified and answered ques- to energy storage, S. 1563, to authorize the Office tions in their own behalf. of Fossil Energy to develop advanced separation tech- nologies for the extraction and recovery of rare earth INTELLIGENCE elements and minerals from coal and coal byprod- Select Committee on Intelligence: Committee met in ucts, S. 1851, to require the Secretary of Energy to closed session to receive a briefing on certain intel- establish an energy storage research program, dem- ligence matters from officials of the intelligence onstration and deployment program, and technical community. h House of Representatives Reports Filed: Reports were filed today as follows: Chamber Action H.R. 2897, to authorize the Mayor of the District Public Bills and Resolutions Introduced: 12 pub- of Columbia and the Director of the National Park lic bills, H.R. 4546–4557 were introduced. Service to enter into cooperative management agree- Page H9664 ments for the operation, maintenance, and manage- Additional Cosponsors: Page H9665 ment of units of the National Park System in the

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District of Columbia, and for other purposes (H. by the Palestinian Authority to end violence and ter- Rept. 115–436, Part 2); rorism against Israeli citizens. Pages H9648–53 H.R. 4477, to enforce current law regarding the Member Resignation: Read a letter from Rep- National Instant Criminal Background Check Sys- resentative Conyers, wherein he resigned as Rep- tem, with an amendment (H. Rept. 115–437); resentative for the Thirteenth Congressional District H.R. 3979, to amend the Fish and Wildlife Act of Michigan, effective Tuesday, December 5, 2017. of 1956 to reauthorize the volunteer services, com- Page H9648 munity partnership, and refuge education programs Whole Number of the House: The Chair an- of the National Wildlife Refuge System, and for nounced to the House that, in light of the resigna- other purposes, with an amendment (H. Rept. tion of the gentleman from Michigan, Mr. Conyers, 115–438); the whole number of the House is 433. Page H9648 H.R. 1132, to amend title 5, United States Code, to provide for a 2-year prohibition on employment Suspensions—Proceedings Postponed: The House in a career civil service position for any former polit- debated the following measure under suspension of ical appointee, and for other purposes, with an the rules. Further proceedings were postponed. amendment (H. Rept. 115–439); and Enhancing Veteran Care Act: S. 1266, to author- H. Res. 645, providing for consideration of the ize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to enter into bill (H.R. 38) to amend title 18, United States contracts with nonprofit organizations to investigate Code, to provide a means by which nonresidents of medical centers of the Department of Veterans Af- a State whose residents may carry concealed firearms fairs; Pages H9641–43 may also do so in the State (H. Rept. 115–440). Condemning ethnic cleansing of the Rohingya Pages H9663–64 and calling for an end to the attacks in and an Speaker: Read a letter from the Speaker wherein he immediate restoration of humanitarian access to appointed Representative Hice (GA) to act as Speak- the state of Rakhine in Burma: H. Con. Res. 90, amended, condemning ethnic cleansing of the er pro tempore for today. Page H9623 Rohingya and calling for an end to the attacks in Recess: The House recessed at 11:04 a.m. and re- and an immediate restoration of humanitarian access convened at 12 noon. Page H9630 to the state of Rakhine in Burma; Pages H9643–48 Journal: The House agreed to the Speaker’s approval Venezuela Humanitarian Assistance and De- of the Journal by a yea-and-nay vote of 224 yeas to fense of Democratic Governance Act of 2017: H.R. 183 nays with one answering ‘‘present’’, Roll No. 2658, amended, to provide humanitarian assistance 657. Pages H9630, H9641 for the Venezuelan people, to defend democratic gov- Change of Conferee: The Chair announced the re- ernance and combat widespread public corruption in moval of Representative Walden as a conferee on Venezuela; and Pages H9653–59 H.R. 1, to provide for reconciliation pursuant to ti- Expressing concern and condemnation over the tles II and V of the concurrent resolution on the political, economic, social, and humanitarian crisis budget for fiscal year 2018, and appointed Rep- in Venezuela: H. Res. 259, amended, expressing resentative Upton to fill the vacancy. Page H9641 concern and condemnation over the political, eco- Suspensions: The House agreed to suspend the rules nomic, social, and humanitarian crisis in Venezuela. and pass the following measures: Pages H9659–63 Secret Service Recruitment and Retention Act of Quorum Calls—Votes: Three yea-and-nay votes de- 2017: H.R. 3731, amended, to provide overtime pay veloped during the proceedings of today and appear on pages H9639–41. There were no quorum calls. for employees of the United States Secret Service, by a 2/3 yea-and-nay vote of 407 yeas to 4 nays, Roll Adjournment: The House met at 10 a.m. and ad- No. 655; Pages H9633–37, H9639–40 journed at 4:24 p.m. Stopping Abusive Female Exploitation Act: H.R. 3317, amended, to amend title 18, United States Committee Meetings Code, to increase the penalty for female genital mu- CONCEALED CARRY RECIPROCITY ACT OF tilation, by a 2/3 yea-and-nay vote of 409 yeas with 2017 none voting ‘‘nay’’, Roll No. 656; and Committee on Rules: Full Committee held a hearing on Pages H9637–39, H9640 H.R. 38, the ‘‘Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of Taylor Force Act: H.R. 1164, amended, to condi- 2017’’. The Committee granted, by record vote of tion assistance to the West Bank and Gaza on steps 8–3, a closed rule for H.R. 38. The rule provides

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The on Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions, hearing en- rule waives all points of order against provisions in titled ‘‘Workplace Leave Policies: Opportunities and the bill, as amended. The rule provides one motion Challenges for Employers and Working Families’’, 10 to recommit with or without instructions. Testimony a.m., 2175 Rayburn. was heard from Chairman Goodlatte, and Represent- Committee on Energy and Commerce, Full Committee, atives Nadler, Jackson Lee, Schneider, and Titus. business meeting on subcommittee membership; and markup on H.R. 453, the ‘‘Relief from New Source Per- formance Standards Act of 2017’’; H.R. 350, the ‘‘Recog- Joint Meetings nizing the Protection of Motorsports Act of 2017’’; H.R. No joint committee meetings were held. 1119, the ‘‘SENSE Act’’; H.R. 1733, to direct the Sec- retary of Energy to review and update a report on the en- f ergy and environmental benefits of the re-refining of used COMMITTEE MEETINGS FOR WEDNESDAY, lubricating oil; H.R. 1917, the ‘‘Blocking Regulatory In- DECEMBER 6, 2017 terference from Closing Kilns Act of 2017’’; H.R. 2872, the ‘‘Promoting Hydropower Development at Existing (Committee meetings are open unless otherwise indicated) Nonpowered Dams Act’’; and H.R. 2880, the ‘‘Pro- moting Closed-Loop Pumped Storage Hydropower Act’’, Senate 10 a.m., 2123 Rayburn. Committee on Environment and Public Works: to hold hear- Committee on Financial Services, Subcommittee on Hous- ings to examine the nomination of R. D. James, of Mis- ing and Insurance, hearing entitled ‘‘Sustainable Housing souri, to be an Assistant Secretary of the Army, Depart- Finance: Private Sector Perspectives on Housing Finance ment of Defense, 10 a.m., SD–406. Reform, Part IV’’, 10 a.m., 2128 Rayburn. Subcommittee on Superfund, Waste Management, and Committee on Foreign Affairs, Subcommittee on Africa, Regulatory Oversight, to hold hearings to examine chal- Global Health, Global Human Rights, and International lenges facing Superfund and waste cleanup efforts fol- Organizations, hearing entitled ‘‘Advancing Human lowing natural disasters, 2:30 p.m., SD–406. Rights to Combat Extremism’’, 10 a.m., 2172 Rayburn. Committee on Foreign Relations: Subcommittee on Near Subcommittee on Europe, Eurasia, and Emerging East, South Asia, Central Asia, and Counterterrorism, to Threats, hearing entitled ‘‘Brexit: A Negotiation Up- hold hearings to examine beyond ISIS, focusing on coun- date’’, 2 p.m., 2200 Rayburn. tering terrorism, radicalization, and promoting stability Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific, hearing entitled in North Africa, 2:30 p.m., SD–419. ‘‘U.S. Policy Towards Tibet: Access, Religious Freedom, Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: and Human Rights’’, 2 p.m., 2172 Rayburn. to hold hearings to examine adapting to defend the Committee on Natural Resources, Subcommittee on Water, Homeland against the evolving international terrorist Power and Oceans, hearing on H.R. 4465, the ‘‘Endan- threat, 10 a.m., SD–342. gered Fish Recovery Programs Extension Act of 2017’’, Committee on Indian Affairs: business meeting to con- 10 a.m., 1324 Longworth. sider S. 1870, to amend the Victims of Crime Act of Committee on Rules, Full Committee, hearing on H.R. 1984 to secure urgent resources vital to Indian victims of 477, the ‘‘Small Business Mergers, Acquisitions, Sales, crime; to be immediately followed by a hearing to exam- and Brokerage Simplification Act of 2017’’; H.R. 3971, ine S. 664, to approve the settlement of the water rights the ‘‘Community Institution Mortgage Relief Act of claims of the Navajo in Utah, to authorize construction 2017’’; and H.J. Res. 123, the ‘‘Further Continuing Ap- of projects in connection therewith, and S. 1770, to ap- propriations Act, 2018’’, 3 p.m., H–313 Capitol. prove the settlement of water rights claims of the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, Subcommittee Hualapai Tribe and certain allottees in the State of Ari- on Research and Technology, hearing entitled ‘‘From Lab zona, to authorize construction of a water project relating to Market: A Review of NSF Innovation Corps’’, 10 a.m., to those water rights claims, 2:30 p.m., SD–628. 2318 Rayburn. Committee on the Judiciary: to hold hearings to examine Subcommittee on Space, hearing entitled ‘‘NASA’s firearm accessory regulation and enforcing Federal and Next Four Large Telescopes’’, 2 p.m., 2318 Rayburn.

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Next Meeting of the SENATE Next Meeting of the HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 10 a.m., Wednesday, December 6 10 a.m., Wednesday, December 6

Senate Chamber House Chamber Program for Wednesday: Senate will be in a period of Program for Wednesday: Consideration of H.R. 38— morning business. Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2017 (Subject to a Rule).

Extensions of Remarks, as inserted in this issue

HOUSE Ellison, Keith, Minn., E1651 LaHood, Darin, Ill., E1652 Evans, Dwigt, Pa., E1651 Lipinski, Daniel, Ill., E1651 Aderholt, Robert B., Ala., E1659 Foxx, Virginia, N.C., E1657 Marchant, Kenny, Tex., E1654 ´ Barragan, Nanette Diaz, Calif., E1658 Graves, Garret, La., E1652 Perry, Scott, Pa., E1654, E1657, E1658, E1659 Beutler, Jaime Herrera, Wash., E1653 Gutie´rrez, Luis V., Ill., E1656 Rooney, Francis, Fla., E1651 Carter, John R., Tex., E1659 Huffman, Jared, Calif., E1655 Conyers, John, Jr., Mich., E1655 Johnson, Henry C. ‘‘Hank’’, Jr., Ga., E1652, E1653, Speier, Jackie, Calif., E1657 Courtney, Joe, Conn., E1656, E1659 E1654, E1655, E1656, E1657, E1657, E1658, E1659, E1660 Torres, Norma J., Calif., E1653, E1655 Doyle, Michael F., Pa., E1656 Katko, John, N.Y., E1653 Visclosky, Peter J., Ind., E1651, E1653

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