E PL UR UM IB N U U S Congressional Record United States th of America PROCEEDINGS AND DEBATES OF THE 116 CONGRESS, SECOND SESSION

Vol. 166 WASHINGTON, SATURDAY, AUGUST 22, 2020 No. 149 Senate The Senate was not in session today. Its next meeting will be held on Tuesday, August 25, 2020, at 2:30 p.m. House of Representatives SATURDAY, AUGUST 22, 2020

The House met at 10 a.m. and was THE JOURNAL What is the primary purpose? called to order by the Speaker pro tem- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- It is to subvert an election. pore (Mrs. LAWRENCE). ant to section 4(a) of House Resolution Today and Monday we will combat 967, the Journal of the last day’s pro- that attack. We will give the funding f ceedings is approved. and the procedures necessary to restore and support the U.S. Post Office. DESIGNATION OF THE SPEAKER f We have also responded to the unani- PRO TEMPORE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE mous request of the Trump-appointed The SPEAKER pro tempore laid be- Postal Board of Governors for $25 bil- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Will the fore the House the following commu- lion in much-needed emergency oper- gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. nication from the Speaker: ational relief. THOMPSON) come forward and lead the For over 200 years, neither snow nor WASHINGTON, DC, House in the Pledge of Allegiance. August 22, 2020. rain nor heat nor gloom of night has Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania led I hereby appoint the Honorable BRENDA L. stayed these couriers from the swift LAWRENCE to act as Speaker pro tempore on the Pledge of Allegiance as follows: completion of their appointed rounds. this day. I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the Let it not be on our watch that this NANCY PELOSI, United States of America, and to the Repub- legacy ends. Speaker of the House of Representatives. lic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. f f f THE BLUFFS RESTAURANT (Ms. FOXX of North Carolina asked PRAYER UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE and was given permission to address The Chaplain, the Reverend Patrick (Ms. PLASKETT asked and was given the House for 1 minute.) J. Conroy, offered the following prayer: permission to address the House for 1 Ms. FOXX of North Carolina. Madam God of us all, we thank You for giv- minute and to revise and extend her re- Speaker, 10 years ago, the Bluffs Res- ing us another day. marks.) taurant, a wonderfully historic estab- Bless the Members of the people’s Ms. PLASKETT. Madam Speaker, lishment on the Blue Ridge Parkway in House gathered here at the Capitol for first, I thank the Postal workers across the Fifth District, closed its doors. an extraordinary session in extraor- this Nation who work so tirelessly to Today it is reopening thanks to over dinary times. ensure we receive our mail in a timely 500 donors who contributed more than Inspire them with wisdom as they fashion and are now doing it under tre- $1 million for repairs. hope to address the needs of our Nation mendous difficulty. Almost every busi- In 1949 the Bluffs was the first res- in such a difficult period of our shared ness, from the largest corporation to taurant to open on the Blue Ridge history. the smallest hometown operation, re- Parkway, and it served customers for Continue to bless those who labor to lies on the Postal Service. more than 61 years. Generations of attend to the sick among our citizens, But for those businesses, those fami- families have passed through its doors, and those also who strive to find effec- lies—medicine, food, and goods are in and they have returned time and again. tive treatments and vaccines. Keep us jeopardy, not from a foreign adversary For them it is not just about the food, all safe, in Your divine mercy. and not from war, but from attack it is also about the countless memories May all that is done this day be for within our borders, from those in that have been made there. Your greater honor and glory. charge, from the Postmaster General. My plan was to attend the reopening Amen. Why? event today. Unfortunately, I could

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

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VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:52 Aug 23, 2020 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 4636 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A22AU7.000 H22AUPT1 SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with HOUSE H4254 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE August 22, 2020 not. But I still want to thank owners SUPPORTING THE UNITED STATES DEGRADING THE UNITED STATES Shana Whitehead and Bill Heath for re- POSTAL SERVICE POSTAL SERVICE opening and wish them the best in this (Mrs. DINGELL asked and was given (Mr. CICILLINE asked and was given endeavor. permission to address the House for 1 permission to address the House for 1 f minute.) minute.) Mrs. DINGELL. Madam Speaker, Mr. CICILLINE. Madam Speaker, I PROTECTING THE UNITED STATES through the Civil War, the Spanish flu, thank the extraordinary men and POSTAL SERVICE the Great Depression, and two world women who serve us in the United (Mr. HIGGINS of New York asked and wars, the United States Postal Service States Postal Service. was given permission to address the has not stopped. No matter the condi- I rise today to highlight President Trump’s shameless attempts to de- House for 1 minute.) tions—snow, rain, heat, or darkness— grade the United States Postal Service, Mr. HIGGINS of New York. Madam the dedicated men and women of the a revered American institution. These Speaker, for 228 years the United Postal Service have carried out their actions not only undermine our elec- States Postal Service has delivered for mission with pride. The Postal Service tions, they are gambling with people’s the American people. It is an institu- is one of the great pillars of our democ- lives. tion built on trust, trust that the racy. It is enshrined in the Constitu- United States military veterans will These past several weeks I have re- tion, and it is an essential service for ceived thousands of emails, calls, and receive their prescriptions each and so many. letters from constituents pleading that every month, trust that Social Secu- The actions by the Postmaster Gen- these changes be reversed. Just this rity recipients will receive their checks eral in recent weeks is a sabotage cam- week I heard from a constituent with each and every month, and trust that paign aimed at manipulating the mail diabetes who feared her family was at small businesses can manage and grow service, but whatever the intent, it is risk of losing their insurance after with the assistance of the United hurting everyday Americans—seniors, learning her payment had arrived 1 States Postal Service. veterans, and working men and women. month late after it was mailed. Her Today, the trust and confidence of In Michigan we have been told that story is, sadly one of many being heard the United States Postal Service is just this month 10 mail sorting ma- across the Nation. under attack by the very administra- chines have been removed and de- COVID–19 has already brought on sig- tion and Postmaster General who stroyed. This American institution is nificant financial trouble for so many should be protecting the time-honored being deliberately dismantled. It is not families. To further hurt working fami- tradition of that institution. only an attack on the Postal Service, lies now facing late fees on rent or car Yesterday we stood outside the mail it is an attack on our Constitution, our payments through no fault of their own processing facility in Buffalo where way of life, and, yes, our democracy. is unconscionable. five sorting machines were removed My message is simple: protect the House Democrats have promised to without explanation. Postal Service and our Republic. get government working for the people, This House will approve today the and today’s bill is another example of Delivering for America Act, an act to f that commitment. protect the United States Postal Serv- Everybody loves the Post Office. It ice from the destructive acts of the has been with us since the founding of President and his postmaster disaster. PRESIDENT TRUMP PROMOTES our country, knitting together commu- UAE-ISRAELI PEACE TREATY f nities, and this attempt to undermine (Mr. WILSON of South Carolina and degrade services is not only under- PAYING TRIBUTE TO GSGT DIEGO asked and was given permission to ad- mining services to our constituents, it PONGO dress the House for 1 minute and to re- is threatening our democracy. (Mr. GARCIA of California asked and vise and extend his remarks.) f Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. was given permission to address the A POLITICAL CONSPIRACY Madam Speaker, this week’s announce- House for 1 minute.) THEORY Mr. GARCIA of California. Madam ment of a U.S.-promoted peace treaty (Mr. PENCE asked and was given per- Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to between the United Arab Emirates and mission to address the House for 1 a fallen warrior and a true American Israel is an achievement of historic minute and to revise and extend his re- hero from the beautiful 25th District of proportions. It is the clear result of marks.) California. Gunnery Sergeant Diego President Donald Trump’s bold foreign Mr. PENCE. Madam Speaker, NANCY Pongo of Simi Valley was killed in ac- policy agenda with Jared Kushner cre- PELOSI is dragging the entire House of tion by enemy fire in the Makhmur ating peace through strength. This is a major step towards a more stable, Representatives back here to Wash- Mountains of Iraq back on March 8 of ington, D.C., on taxpayer dollars for an this year. Diego was a marine and part peaceful, and prosperous Middle East in which all people and religions can co- unnecessary political vote. of the elite MARSOC Raiders unit Speaker PELOSI is choosing to vote exist and prosper. charged with eliminating entrenched on a political conspiracy theory re- bastions of ISIS in Iraq. Credit is due to President Trump, garding the United States Postal Serv- Because of delays as a result of the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin ice. Instead, the House should be work- COVID pandemic, Gunnery Sergeant Netanyahu, and Crown Prince of Abu ing on commonsense COVID–19 legisla- Pongo’s funeral and formal ceremony Dhabi Mohammed bin Zayed Al tion to address liability protections for were held just 2 days ago at the hal- Nahyan for their commitment to peace States, counties, cities, schools, non- lowed ground of Arlington National and prosperity. profits, and businesses that are trying Cemetery. The Washington Examiner editorial to reopen. I had the unfortunate honor to at- titled, ‘‘Team Trump Deserves Con- This bill is nothing more than an at- tend services along with his family. My gratulations on UAE-Israel Peace tempt to utilize the courts to shut thoughts and prayers are with Diego Deal’’ is right. This agreement is a sub- down the 2020 election. and his family, his parents, Kathryn stantive and significant victory for We need to stop wasting time on a and Carlos; his brothers, Andres and Israelis, Emiratis, and the Trump ad- sham political vote like H.R. 8015, be- Jorge; his ex-wife, Randi; and most of ministration. cause, in reality, House Democrats are all his beautiful 8-year-old daughter, UAE is ably represented in Wash- the ones trying to scare the American Avery. ington by Yousef Al Otaiba working people, blame President Trump, and, Madam Speaker, we lost a true with Ambassador David Friedman in yes, undermine the 2020 election re- American patriot and a hero, and we, Jerusalem. sults. as a nation, are eternally indebted to In conclusion, God bless our troops, In these days and weeks before the him and his family. May we never for- and we will never forget September the election, Democrats are clearly des- get. 11th in the global war on terrorism. perate.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 05:25 Nov 18, 2020 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 4636 Sfmt 0634 E:\RECORD20\JULY\H22AU0.REC H22AU0 abonner on DSK9F5VC42PROD with CONG-REC-ONLINE August 22, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H4255 Why can’t we focus on providing Israel they are looking at. Perhaps this Mr. MCGOVERN. Madam Speaker, COVID–19 relief, small business sup- common anticholesterol can also save COVID–19 is having a devastating im- port, infrastructure, and rural a lot of lives as we await the vaccine. pact on global hunger and food secu- broadband? f rity, especially among children. Even before the pandemic, malnutri- f RECOGNIZING PRISCILLA ACERO tion and hunger rates were alarmingly (Mr. CORREA asked and was given HONORING SALVATORE ‘‘SAL’’ high. Globally, 144 million children suf- permission to address the House for 1 ROTELLA fer from stunting; wasting affects 47 minute.) million children; and hunger has risen (Mr. TAKANO asked and was given Mr. CORREA. Madam Speaker, I rise by 60 million people since 2014. The permission to address the House for 1 today to recognize Priscilla Arceo. pandemic could push over 130 million minute and to revise and extend his re- Santa Ana High School’s valedic- marks.) people into hunger by the end of 2020. torian, Priscilla Arceo, made us proud In July, The Lancet estimated that Mr. TAKANO. Madam Speaker, I rise when she appeared and earned the spot today to honor a visionary who be- without timely action, the global prev- of student speaker at the national alence of child wasting could rise by a lieved in education for the masses, Graduate Together: America Honors Salvatore ‘‘Sal’’ Rotella. He dedicated shocking 14 percent, affecting nearly 7 the High School Student Class of 2020. million more children and causing his life to a uniquely American form of I also thank our Santa Ana High education—America’s community col- more than 10,000 additional child School principal, Jeff Bishop, for his deaths every month. leges. support. And, of course, I thank the de- He led the Riverside Community Col- Madam Speaker, with such unprece- bate coach and teacher, Sal Tinajero, dented need, Congress must act. We lege District from 1991 to 2007 while I for bringing the debate program to was a trustee. must help fund the global response to Santa Ana High School. Mr. Tinajero this COVID–19 pandemic. We must di- Sal oversaw the expansion of RCCD continues to make champions out of into a system of three separately ac- vert this potential hunger and mal- these great kids at Santa Ana. nutrition crisis. The children of the credited colleges while facing severe Madam Speaker, today, Priscilla is fiscal constraints. world, just like our own children, need headed to the University of California us. He healed a divided faculty and con- for her college degree, and I extend f tinually challenged the board of trust- congratulations to Priscilla. ees to do the right thing. LACKING PREPAREDNESS FOR f One of Sal’s signature achievements CALIFORNIA WILDFIRES was Passport to College which helped CONGRATULATING GEORGIA (Mr. LAMALFA asked and was given students believe that college was an at- ABBEY permission to address the House for 1 tainable dream for them. (Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania minute and to revise and extend his re- But Sal was more than just a leader. asked and was given permission to ad- marks.) He was an exceptional family man and dress the House for 1 minute and to re- Mr. LAMALFA. Madam Speaker, it is a mentor to me and so many others. He vise and extend his remarks.) that time of year again in California. had a way of getting people to take Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Hundreds of thousands of acres are on their lives seriously, as if they really Madam Speaker, I rise today to recog- fire—in our forests, in our open lands, mattered. nize and congratulate Georgia Abbey even burning into some of our cities Now that he is gone, I take comfort on her recent retirement as executive and our neighborhoods. in knowing that his life’s example will director of Leadership Centre County. So, what is the deal? Once again, we live on through others who have Leadership Centre County was found- are not prepared. Some of our Federal learned from him. ed in 1991 and is dedicated to the devel- agencies were not prepared to have the f opment of qualified leaders within the equipment and the firefighters on hand, contracted, ready to go when we b 1015 Centre County community. Over the years, more than 1,000 members have knew this was coming. VITAMIN D SUPPLEMENTATION graduated from the program who then As well, our people who procure elec- FOR COVID–19 went on to be committee chairs, board tricity and govern that were not ready (Mr. GROTHMAN asked and was members, and volunteers in Centre for the rolling blackouts that would given permission to address the House County organizations. I am proud to be come along from the high heat waves, for 1 minute and to revise and extend one of those Leadership Centre County as well as some of the shutdowns that his remarks.) graduates. would have to occur in burning areas. Mr. GROTHMAN. Madam Speaker, at LCC has eight different values that What is wrong with government this time when the coronavirus is all members strive to illustrate. These agencies that do not plan to serve their going on, I realize a lot of energy is ex- values include gratitude, mutual re- people, to keep them safe from fire, pended as we work toward a possible spect, and inclusion. The organization and to help keep the electricity on? What is wrong that they can’t add up vaccine, but I would like the Centers believes that effective leaders improve how many power plants that we have for Disease Control to bring up two the quality of life for their commu- available online, how much hydropower other topics which may be helpful, nities. we have, how much water behind the though not quite as expensive. For the past 21 years, Georgia Abbey dams, how much we have available dur- One is three universities—Trinity in has played a major role in achieving ing these times of heat waves to help Dublin, Harvard, and Northwestern the goals of Leadership Centre County. Her result-oriented and high-energy keep the lights on? University—have shown that Vitamin What is wrong with Federal agencies management of LCC has contributed D can do a lot toward lessening the that cannot plan to have people, even greatly to the tremendous success of damage of COVID. during COVID, ready to go. Madam Speaker, 40 percent of Ameri- this organization. Madam Speaker, we have to do better cans suffer from a lack of vitamin D, Madam Speaker, I wish Georgia and because we are disserving our people. and you can get enough vitamin D—in her husband, Kevin, all the best in the f addition to going outside, if you are next phase of life following retirement. not staying inside too much—you can f KEEPING U.S. POSTAL SERVICE get it at your local drugstore. RUNNING I wish the Centers for Disease Con- COVID–19 WORSENING CHILD (Ms. GARCIA of Texas asked and was trol would spend more time publicizing HUNGER AND MALNUTRITION given permission to address the House this, as 40 percent of Americans are (Mr. MCGOVERN asked and was for 1 minute and to revise and extend short of vitamin D. given permission to address the House her remarks.) I also wish they would spend more for 1 minute and to revise and extend Ms. GARCIA of Texas. Madam Speak- time dealing with fenofibrate, which in his remarks.) er, I stand here today because the

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:29 Aug 23, 2020 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 4636 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K22AU7.004 H22AUPT1 SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with HOUSE H4256 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE August 22, 2020 United States Postal Service is under COVID–19. I applaud those who have RECOGNIZING JOSEPH FABRIZIO attack by the current administration. taken a moment out of their lives to AND HOLLAND MIDDLE This is an assault on our democracy march for those who have passed and SCHOOL’S EIGHTH GRADE STU- and our economy, and it is hurting mourn for those families. DENTS Americans across the country. It is This is not America. And I acknowl- (Mr. FITZPATRICK asked and was hurting the veteran in my district from edge something else that comes to my given permission to address the House Pasadena, Texas, who receives his attention that hurts my heart as a for 1 minute and to revise and extend medications from the VA through the mother, and that is the Trump admin- his remarks.) mail and who is now worried about istration’s policy to separate children. Mr. FITZPATRICK. Madam Speaker, what will happen to him if his medica- That the United Nations has con- I rise today to recognize the hard work tions get delayed. demned it as torture and abuse of chil- and dedication of Mr. Joe Fabrizio and It is hurting my neighbor from dren—some upwards of 5,000 children. his eighth grade students at Holland Lindale Park who cares for her elderly Their own White House immigration Middle School in Bucks County, Penn- mother and didn’t receive her Social specialists, if you will, want it to be sylvania. Security check in the mail on time, 25,000 children. This is not America. Each year, Mr. Fabrizio and his stu- further stressing her financial situa- Today, we fight for those who have dents write letters to our office on a tion and leaving her unable to pay her come to our doors in rain, snow, or variety of topics, and each year, read- mother’s utilities. shine. We must also fight for the chil- ing these letters is something that our And it is hurting the small busi- dren and never again in America see entire staff looks very much forward nesses in my neighborhood in the Hous- any policy that snatches children away to. ton region, already crippled by this from their families. Immigrant or non- Madam Speaker, one of the most im- pandemic, that depend on the Postal immigrant, we are Americans who have portant things that one can do as a cit- Service to mail out payments and prod- values that stand for something— izen is to communicate with your ucts. equality and justice. elected officials by writing a letter, Madam Speaker, we cannot stand by sending an email, making a call, or as people are hurting. The Postal Serv- f paying a visit. These students are play- ice delivers money, medicines, mer- ing their part in the political process, chandise, and, yes, mail-in ballots. and these students at Holland Middle Madam Speaker, we must keep the CONTROLLING INVASIVE ASIAN CARP School know that the decisions that Postal Service running. People are our government makes today will im- hurting. (Mr. BURCHETT asked and was given pact them, and eventually, it will be f permission to address the House for 1 their turn to make decisions in their minute and to revise and extend his re- HONORING WORK OF OFFICER government. marks.) BROOKS YANDLE I think my colleagues in the House Mr. BURCHETT. Madam Speaker, would very much benefit from being (Mr. BISHOP of North Carolina asked the United States Congress needs to able to review these letters, and so I and was given permission to address get back to work. We need to start will include the letters in the CONGRES- the House for 1 minute and to revise working on the issues that deal with SIONAL RECORD. and extend his remarks.) our constituents. Madam Speaker, by taking the time Mr. BISHOP of North Carolina. One of those that is of great concern to write our elected officials regarding Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor in Tennessee is invasive Asian carp. issues important to them, it shows that the life-saving work of Officer Brooks They are a nuisance in too many of our these students truly care about our dis- Yandle of the White Lake Police De- Nation’s waterways, preventing folks trict and our Nation, and it should give partment. from fully enjoying our Nation’s lakes, all of us faith in the future of our Na- Over the weekend of July 4, Officer rivers, and streams, and destroying our tion. Yandle responded to a call about a 43- ecosystem. year-old woman unresponsive to CPR. f Many in my district, including the Upon arriving, Officer Yandle deter- REPORT ON RESOLUTION PRO- residents of Tellico Village, have ex- mined that the victim had overdosed VIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF pressed legitimate concerns to folks at on heroin, took quick action to resusci- H.R. 8015, DELIVERING FOR TVA and others over Asian carp and tate her, and saved her life. AMERICA ACT their potential spread into our local This is not the first time Officer waters, and I have been proud to work Mr. MCGOVERN, from the Com- Yandle has acted to save lives. In 2016, with them to tackle this issue. mittee on Rules, submitted a privi- he saved a grandmother and her four Madam Speaker, to control the leged report (Rept. No. 116–480) on the grandchildren found unconscious and resolution (H. Res. 1092) providing for suffering from carbon monoxide poi- spread of these pests, I have worked to secure $25 million in funding in fiscal consideration of the bill (H.R. 8015) to soning. maintain prompt and reliable postal Officer Yandle’s courage and deci- year 2021. If approved by the Senate, these resources, combined with lan- services during the COVID–19 health siveness has saved multiple lives, and emergency, and for other purposes, he is a credit to the noble profession of guage in the Water Resources Develop- ment Act, would allow researchers to which was referred to the House Cal- law enforcement. I am proud to pay endar and ordered to be printed. tribute today to him and to the entire study the reproductive habits of Asian White Lake Police Department. carp in the Tennessee and Cumberland f River basins so we are better equipped DELIVERING FOR AMERICA ACT f to battle these invaders. Mr. MCGOVERN. Madam Speaker, by CALLING FOR EQUALITY AND I thank both the Committees on Ap- direction of the Committee on Rules, I JUSTICE FOR ALL propriations and Transportation and call up House Resolution 1092 and ask Infrastructure for working with my of- (Ms. JACKSON LEE asked and was for its immediate consideration. fice on these requests. Problematic given permission to address the House The Clerk read the resolution, as fol- Asian carp harass boaters, fishermen, for 1 minute and to revise and extend lows: her remarks.) and swimmers across this country of Ms. JACKSON LEE. Madam Speaker, ours. My constituents are passionate H. RES. 1092 this morning, today, we have arrived in about getting the Asian carp popu- Resolved, That upon adoption of this reso- Washington to fight for postal workers, lation under control and keeping them lution it shall be in order to consider in the out of our waters. House without intervention of any question the United States Postal Service, in of consideration the bill (H.R. 8015) to main- H.R. 8015. But I take this moment to Madam Speaker, I look forward to tain prompt and reliable postal services dur- acknowledge close to almost 175,000 working with them further on this im- ing the COVID–19 health emergency, and for dead Americans who have died from portant local issue. other purposes. All points of order against

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:52 Aug 23, 2020 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 4636 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K22AU7.007 H22AUPT1 SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with HOUSE August 22, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H4257 consideration of the bill are waived. An the images of mailboxes uprooted. Oth- tration or its allies want to admit it or amendment in the nature of a substitute ers have been chained shut. Sorting not. consisting of the text of Rules Committee machines have disappeared. Mail serv- Before my friends on the other side Print 116-61, modified by the amendment ice has slowed to a crawl for some try to paint this issue as some kind of printed in the report of the Committee on liberal conspiracy, let me remind Rules accompanying this resolution, shall be Americans, threatening the delivery of considered as adopted. The bill, as amended, everything from medications to Social them: There is no money for hungry shall be considered as read. All points of Security checks. families here, although they badly need order against provisions in the bill, as Did you know, Madam Speaker, that it; there is no funding for State and amended, are waived. The previous question 80 percent of our veterans’ prescription local governments here, though they shall be considered as ordered on the bill, as medications are delivered by mail? are pleading with all of us for relief. We amended, and on any further amendment Why would anyone want to place their have already acted on all that. It is thereto, to final passage without intervening health in harm’s way? MITCH MCCONNELL over in the Senate motion except: (1) two hours of debate equal- Why, Madam Speaker? Because this who is determined to do absolutely ly divided and controlled by the chair and administration knows that more Amer- nothing. ranking minority member of the Committee All this bill does is get the Postal on Oversight and Reform; and (2) one motion icans than ever are likely to vote by to recommit with or without instructions. mail in November. The U.S. Postal Service back to where it was at the Service expects 10 times the normal start of the year and provide them with b 1030 amount of election mail because of the the resources they need, not just to The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gen- coronavirus pandemic. This President process an influx of ballots, but to con- tleman from Massachusetts is recog- fears that if more people vote, the less tinue delivering mail, including Ameri- nized for 1 hour. likely he is to win a second term. cans’ Social Security checks and medi- Mr. MCGOVERN. Madam Speaker, for Now, we all recently mourned the cations. It ensures that they are able the purpose of debate only, I yield the passing of our dear friend, the great to continue delivering to places in customary 30 minutes to the gen- John Lewis. Not too long ago, he stood rural America that their competitors tleman from Georgia (Mr. WOODALL), right here on this floor and he said: just don’t go, and it supports the Post- pending which I yield myself such time ‘‘When you see something that is not al Service’s more than 630,000 hard- as I may consume. During consider- right, not fair, not just, you have to working employees. And we all owe ation of this resolution, all time yield- speak up; you have to say something; them a debt of gratitude for their serv- ed is for the purpose of debate only. you have to do something.’’ ice, especially during this pandemic. GENERAL LEAVE Madam Speaker, what we are seeing Madam Speaker, if we don’t under- Mr. MCGOVERN. Madam Speaker, I today cannot be dismissed as Donald mine and tear apart the Postal Service, ask unanimous consent that all Mem- being Donald or the President just con- then they can handle the increase in bers be given 5 legislative days to re- tinuing to be provocative. This is scary mail-in ballots. They handled two to vise and extend their remarks. stuff. It is frightening, and we have to three times the volume of mail and The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there do something. packages at Christmastime, and they objection to the request of the gen- In the face of extraordinary public are determined to handle the volume of tleman from Massachusetts? pressure and action by this majority, election-related mail. But they need There was no objection. the Postmaster General promised to their equipment; they need to pay their Mr. MCGOVERN. Madam Speaker, on halt further changes until after elec- workers; they need confidence that Friday, the Rules Committee met and tion day. But I have to tell you, I management won’t try to undercut reported a rule, House Resolution 1092, wouldn’t trust this administration to them on the job; and they need support providing for consideration of H.R. tell me the correct time. Not only was from this Congress, Democrats and Re- 8015, the Delivering for America Act, there nothing in his statement about publicans. under a closed rule. reversing the damage that has been al- That is it. This is all pretty bare The rule itself executes a manager’s ready done, there was nothing about bones, Madam Speaker. I don’t see why in the world that Republicans won’t amendment from Chairwoman MALO- reinstalling boxes or sorting machines join us on this. It shouldn’t be a radical NEY, provides 2 hours of general debate and nothing about treating election on the bill, equally divided and con- material as first-class mail. concept to suggest that, in the United trolled by the chair and ranking minor- But the Postmaster General made States of America, every vote should ity member of the Committee on Over- clear, since, that he has no intention of count, whether it is for Donald Trump, sight and Reform, and provides one mo- undoing what he has done. He doesn’t Joe Biden, or someone else. It shouldn’t be a tough call to sup- tion to recommit, with or without in- plan on lifting a finger. He said as port the United States Postal Service. structions. much in the Senate hearing yesterday. More than 90 percent of Americans Madam Speaker, we are here today He made clear that he didn’t even view this agency favorably because it because our democracy is being eroded study the impact of these changes on is their lifeline in so many ways. by this administration. It is under our seniors before they were imple- Madam Speaker, this is a five-alarm siege on all fronts. mented. He didn’t study the impact on fire on our democracy. I think our I read the report released this week our veterans first. Apparently, he just country is worth fighting for. I hope all by the Senate Intelligence Committee, made them, Madam Speaker, strug- my colleagues join together to help us a Republican-led committee. It was gling Americans be damned. save it. truly shocking. It found that some in This administration isn’t going to do Madam Speaker, I reserve the bal- the President’s campaign created ‘‘no- a single thing about it, and this is why ance of my time. table counterintelligence vulnerabili- Congress must act. Mr. WOODALL. Madam Speaker, I ties.’’ Now, my friends on the other side yield myself such time as I may con- Make no mistake, they welcomed have tried to claim there is no problem sume. help from Russia, and they knowingly here. They have waved around charts Madam Speaker, I thank my friend used intelligence from Putin’s regime. that are weeks and weeks old to try to from Massachusetts for yielding, but While this report was released, the pretend that everything is just fine, that is probably where our agreement President continued to attack his po- that everything is just beautiful. is going to end today. litical enemies. He continued all of the Well, I don’t need some outdated sta- We are not here because democracy is lies. This week, he even floated the tistics to tell me what is going on under siege. We are here because the idea that America should hold a do- today, Madam Speaker. I don’t need Democratic House leadership is under- over of the upcoming election in No- empty rhetoric from the occupant of performing. We haven’t gotten appro- vember if he doesn’t like the outcome. the White House or Mr. DeJoy. My con- priations bills negotiated to the White Are you kidding me? stituents are my evidence. They have House. We haven’t gotten transpor- On top of this, this administration flooded my office with calls. They have tation bills negotiated to the White has moved to dismantle the United stopped me on the street. Something is House. We haven’t gotten water infra- States Postal Service. We have all seen happening here, whether this adminis- structure bills negotiated to the White

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:52 Aug 23, 2020 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 4636 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A22AU7.006 H22AUPT1 SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with HOUSE H4258 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE August 22, 2020 House. I can go on and on and on. And Massachusetts is absolutely right— back on overtime. Ninety Democrats, we are here today with yet another bill there are real crises that need to be ad- led by Congresswoman KATHERINE that there is absolutely no effort to ne- dressed. CLARK and me, already demanded his gotiate and send to the White House. I had hoped when we were called back immediate removal. Madam Speaker, you are going to on a Saturday, Madam Speaker, it Because, on top of this blatant voter hear more about Donald Trump today would have been to address one of suppression, Trump and DeJoy are than you are going to hear about the those crises. But the truth is, it is just hurting millions who depend on the Postal Service today, and that is be- the punctuation mark at the end of the Postal Service every day: seniors and cause we are not here about the Postal Democratic National Convention week. veterans waiting for lifesaving medica- Service. We are here for another round And to the leadership’s credit, they tions, families waiting for paychecks, of attacks on President Trump. scheduled it so that it wouldn’t inter- small businesses with delayed packages I get it. Folks don’t like President fere with the Republican National Con- whose very survival is already threat- Trump on this side of the aisle. I get it. vention next week. ened by COVID–19. Folks have concerns about President How convenient that our scheduling On Thursday, the Progressive Caucus Trump’s rhetoric on all sides of the was dictated by two political conven- held a hearing and heard from David aisle. tions, because that is the only reason Williams, the former vice president of But the Postal Service has $10 bil- that we are here today, Madam Speak- the Postal Service Board of Directors, lion. I asked the question yesterday, er: politics. who resigned in protest to Trump’s ac- Madam Speaker: For the $25 billion Madam Speaker, I reserve the bal- tions. What he told us, unfortunately, bailout package we are here about ance of my time. shocked no one: that the Postal Serv- today, how much of that money are we Mr. MCGOVERN. Madam Speaker, I ice was fully prepared for mail voting going to spend this year? How much do yield myself such time as I may con- until this administration manufac- we need to protect the election infra- sume. tured an intentional crisis; that DeJoy structure my friend from Massachu- I am just getting a little sick and wasn’t selected by the firm that was setts just described? I couldn’t get an tired of all of the excuses as to why my hired to find a new Postmaster Gen- answer. Folks didn’t know an answer. Republican friends don’t want to join eral, but he was the only candidate Conveniently, we are going to have us in helping the American people. interviewed and was unqualified to lead the Postmaster General called before My friend mentioned the appropria- the Postal Service; and that Steve the House for a hearing for these an- tions bills. Well, with all due respect, Mnuchin sought intrusive control over swers in about 48 hours. About 2 days we passed almost all of them here in core Postal Service operations and after we have passed this bill, we are the House. My friend, the Republican wanted to impose a pricing practice going to get all the answers about why leader in the Senate, hasn’t done a that would ruin the Postal Service. this bill may or may not be necessary. damn thing, hasn’t passed one. This chaos is not the result of a pan- What my friend from Massachusetts We passed the HEROES Act, which demic. This chaos was manufactured said—I have gotten pessimistic, in would have helped the Postal Service, by the administration and is inten- light of our 6-hour Rules Committee which would have provided relief to tional. hearing yesterday. I actually agree cities and towns, which would have That is why Congress is acting today. with my friend from Massachusetts on provided assistance to those in this We are reversing Louis DeJoy’s disas- much more. He is right that we owe a country who are going hungry. The trous actions and providing the Postal thank-you to our men and women of Senate majority leader hasn’t done a Service with the funding it so des- the Postal Service for the work that damn thing, not anything, hasn’t lifted perately needs. We won’t let anyone they are doing. a finger for anybody. And we have even dismantle our Postal Service. The The previous Postmaster General agreed to meet him halfway. He still Postal Service belongs to the people. came to Congress in the spring, worried won’t negotiate. 1045 that mail volume was going to collapse On an infrastructure bill, we passed b and the Postal Service was going to an infrastructure bill here. Negotiate Mr. WOODALL. Madam Speaker, I enter a period of financial instability. with the Senate? They haven’t passed a yield myself 1 minute. The truth, Madam Speaker, is just the damn thing. It is malpractice. If politi- Ordinarily, I am concerned that I opposite. Postal office deliveries have cians could be sued for malpractice, only have 30 minutes for Rule Com- exploded. Folks are doing e-commerce then the Senate majority leader would mittee debate, but the lunacy that we like never before. Our men and women be sued. This is ridiculous. are hearing down here today makes me of the Postal Service are working hard- And here we are with a crisis in the glad that we are going to be done with er than ever before, delivering more Postal Service. Mail has slowed down this in 30 minutes. packages today than they were 6 all across the country. Members are Madam Speaker, you know when Eli- months ago. And we owe them a big, getting calls, including Republican jah Cummings chaired the committee big thank-you for their work during Members. And what is the response? and MARK MEADOWS was the ranking these times. My friend from Massachu- Oh, well, we will just let it go. You member, now President Trump’s chief setts is right: It is a lifeline for so know, we will say we need to do better. of staff, we came together to do Postal many families. We will deal with this another day. Service reforms because we all know Madam Speaker, it is an election This is ridiculous, it is unconscion- the Postal Service needs to be re- year. Who believes that serving their able, and I am tired of the excuses. formed. We all know this. We could do constituents comes from denying vet- Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to it today, if it was about Postal Service erans access to prescription drugs? No- the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. reform, if it was about Postal Service body. If that is what this was about, we POCAN). improvement, but it is not. would have gotten together, Repub- Mr. POCAN. Madam Speaker, this What is the solution today? Throw licans and Democrats, House and Sen- President is on a warpath to destroy more money at a problem. We don’t ate, Congress and the White House, and the Postal Service and, through that, trust the Postmaster General, the we would be moving legislation in a co- our elections. other side says. We don’t trust the operative way. After months of hearing this Presi- President, the other side says. So what We heard from the ranking Repub- dent, and now Republican Members of is the solution to the manufactured lican yesterday on the committee. He Congress, spread conspiracy theories crisis? Give $25 billion to the Post- wasn’t consulted in these conversa- and misinformation about voting by master General and the President of tions. He wasn’t brought in to these mail, he has made GOP megadonor the United States. conversations. There are no Republican Louis DeJoy his new chief of chaos in In response to my assertion that this amendments here. There is no con- voter suppression. House is a do-nothing Congress because versation going on with the Senate. In an attack on the Postal Service, it fails to negotiate with the Senate This is another wasteful partisan exer- DeJoy has removed mail processing and the White House, my friend from cise in a time when—my friend from equipment, collection boxes, and cut Massachusetts lists half a dozen bills

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:59 Aug 23, 2020 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00006 Fmt 4636 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K22AU7.011 H22AUPT1 SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with HOUSE August 22, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H4259 that this House passed unilaterally But the context is that overall mail volume According to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, with no effort to negotiate with the has fallen 33% since 2006. ‘‘They’ve been tak- DeJoy is a ‘‘complicit crony’’ aiding Trump’s Senate or negotiate with the White ing machines out of service for years now, effort to sabotage American democracy. She and I’ve been encouraging them to do it believes the two have hatched a plot to delay House. more aggressively,’’ says Hamilton Davison, mail-in voting and disenfranchise countless Madam Speaker, if what we want to the president of the American Catalog Mail- Americans prior to the election. do is come and talk, we have a wonder- ers Association. ‘‘I think that’s a good thing Protesters over the weekend showed up at ful Chamber in which to do it. If what for America, because we don’t want to pay DeJoy’s Washington apartment and North we want to do is come in and get some- for stuff that we don’t need.’’ Carolina home. Two Democratic congress- thing done, it can only get done to- Mr. Kearney, who now runs the Alliance of men have called for a criminal inquiry into gether. This is yet another example of Nonprofit Mailers, concurs. ‘‘It’s obvious, to his changes at the postal service, and he will be efficient and not waste money, you need testify at a House hearing next week. the House leadership’s failure to oper- to take out some of that capacity,’’ he says. In tried and true fashion, President Trump ate in a partnership fashion. His group has similarly been urging produc- has stoked suspicions by saying that he op- Madam Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to tivity improvements, ‘‘because if they don’t poses a $25 billion postal-service bailout in the gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. do that, our postage rates are going to go the latest Democratic COVID-relief bill. Ac- COLE), one of the greatest negotiators way up.’’ A leaked USPS document floating cording to Trump, blocking this measure— in the House, a gentleman who has a in the online ether is titled ‘‘Equipment Re- and $3 billion in election aid to the states— long history of bipartisanship, and duction.’’ But it’s dated May 15, and Mr. will prevent universal mail-in voting. DeJoy took over June 15. But the bailout doesn’t have anything to thus, legislative success, the ranking Another claim is that the USPS is pulling do with mail-in voting, and given the billions member of the Rules Committee. blue collection bins off the street en masse. of pieces of mail handled by the post office Mr. COLE. Madam Speaker, I want to ‘‘They’re going around literally with tractor every week, it surely can handle the in- thank my good friend for yielding and trailers picking up mailboxes,’’ Joe Biden creased volume from mail-in voting. very much appreciate his leadership on said last week. ‘‘I mean, it’s bizarre!’’ The It is true that Postmaster General DeJoy USPS says it has nearly 142,000 boxes across is a major Trump donor. He made his fortune our committee. in shipping and logistics, though, and he was Madam Speaker, I want to rise to op- the country, which are adjusted as volume and costs dictate. In August 2016, the USPS’s selected by the postal service’s board of gov- pose both the rule and the underlying Inspector General said that ‘‘the number of ernors. legislation. collection boxes declined by more than 12,000 Little did he know when he took over the Before I do, though, I include in the in the past 5 years.’’ Voter suppression by agency in June that he’d soon have a star- RECORD four newspaper articles dis- the Obama Administration? ring role in the country’s latest psycho- cussing the majority’s concern about Alarmed Twitter users last week posted a drama. Every change at the postal service is photo of mailboxes on a flatbed truck in New now seen through the prism of a belief that the Postal Service. The first is a Wall the agency is a tool of creeping Street Journal editorial; a column by Jersey. Oops: ‘‘Morristown Mayor Tim Dougherty said the mailboxes were being re- authoritarianism. Rich Lowry appearing in the New York placed with new anti-fishing boxes,’’ the Letter collection boxes are being re- Post; a column by Byron York, appear- local newspaper explained. On Monday the moved—never mind that this has been an on- ing in the Washington Examiner; and a USPS said it would postpone this security going process for years. Underused boxes are column by Ruth Goldway, a former upgrade for 90 days ‘‘while we evaluate our decommissioned or moved to higher-traffic commissioner of the Postal Service, customers’ concerns’’—in other words, to areas. In 2009, The Washington Post reported keep jittery partisans on the internet from that 200,000 boxes had been shelved over the appearing in the New York Times. prior two decades. In 2016, the inspector gen- All four articles make it clear that losing their minds before Nov. 3. Mr. DeJoy is being knocked for trying to eral noted that another 12,000 collection the majority’s reasons for bringing this cut overtime costs. But is it any wonder? boxes had been cut over the previous five legislation, frankly, are ludicrous, and The day he was sworn in, the Inspector Gen- years. that what they are proposing actually eral reported that in 2019 the post office Letter collection boxes all of the sudden will make it more difficult to reform. ‘‘spent $1.1 billion in mail processing over- have big red locks on them—well, yeah, as an off-hours device to prevent the theft of mail, [From the Wall Street Journal, Aug. 17, 2020] time and penalty overtime, $280 million in late and extra transportation, and $2.9 bil- something the service has also done for NANCY PELOSI GOES POLITICALLY POSTAL lion in delivery overtime and penalty over- years. (By the Editorial Board) time costs.’’ For context, the USPS’s overall The postal service is deactivating mail- Speaker Nancy Pelosi is calling the House loss that year was $8.8 billion. sorting machines—right, and there was a back into session this week to address fears Mrs. Pelosi is trying to put on a political plan for this prior to DeJoy becoming post- that the U.S. Postal Service is being infil- show, starring Democrats as the saviors of master general, and it has been long dis- trated by alien lizard people posing as letter the post office. She says she wants to pass a cussed in response to the declining volume of carriers. OK, it isn’t quite that bad. The ac- bill that ‘‘prohibits the Postal Service from mail. DeJoy is cutting back on overtime—indeed tual conspiracy theory holds that President implementing any changes to operations or he is, because artificially swollen overtime is Trump is strangling the USPS to hack the level of service it had in place on January 1.’’ an enormous expense that he hopes to elimi- November election. Also in the mix may be a $25 billion cash in- fusion. Then Chuck Schumer will demand nate with a more rational delivery system. But talk about ‘‘unsubstantiated,’’ as the Democrats and much of the media make it that the Senate come back to town for the press likes to call Donald Trump’s Twitter sound as though the post office was an effi- same vote. By the way the letter-carriers emissions. Democrats should be deeply em- cient, smooth-running agency before DeJoy union endorsed Joe Biden on the weekend. barrassed that their leadership has embraced took charge and then, at Trump’s behest, such claims. Two Congressmen, including This is a made-for-TV phony political cri- sis. The USPS has long-term challenges, but transformed it into place struggling to keep Democratic Caucus Chairman Hakeem up with broadbased changes in how we com- Jeffries, wrote to the FBI on Monday to enough money to last into 2021. Mr. DeJoy says there’s ‘‘ample capacity to deliver all municate. urge, if you can believe it, a criminal inves- In reality, the post office has lost nearly election mail.’’ Some states have startlingly tigation of Postmaster General Louis DeJoy. $80 billion since 2007, and it lost more than $2 lax ballot deadlines, but nobody can pretend ‘‘This conspiracy theory is the most far- billion last quarter. Unless the service finds with a straight face that it’s the post office’s flung thing I think I’ve ever heard,’’ says a way to innovate, it is headed for bank- fault. Democrats have also scheduled a hear- Stephen Kearney, who worked at the USPS ruptcy. for 33 years, including as treasurer and a sen- ing for next Monday so they can yell at Mr. This is the impetus for DeJoy’s reforms, ior vice president. ‘‘DeJoy was not appointed DeJoy in person. How long before Rep. Adam which should be welcomed by all the people by President Trump,’’ but by the USPS’s bi- Schiff says it’s another Russia-Donald now caterwauling about how essential the partisan governors. (Who, as it happens, se- Trump conspiracy to steal the election? post office is to the American way of life. lected him unanimously.) DeJoy has been adamant that the postal [Aug. 17, 2020] ‘‘You can find valid operational reasons for service will do its job regarding mail-in bal- the actions taken by the Postal Service so THE LEFT’S LUNATIC ‘POSTAL’ CONSPIRACY lots. The post office’s recent warnings to far,’’ says Mike Plunkett, another longtime THEORY states that they should be mindful of how USPS executive who now leads the Associa- (By Rich Lowry) quickly ballots can be delivered were played tion for Postal Commerce. ‘‘In no way do I At this rate, Postmaster General Louis up as yet another assault on mail-in bal- detect any criminality behind them, and I’m DeJoy will be lucky if he isn’t arrested and loting. To the contrary, they were intended at a loss as to how one would reach that con- tried for treason before a people’s tribunal. to avoid unrealistically late deadlines for clusion.’’ DeJoy has quickly replaced Vladimir Putin mail-in voting that could create a train- The Democratic letter to the FBI cites as the man that progressive opinion will hold wreck in November. news reports that the USPS is decommis- responsible if Trump wins a second term in But in their inflamed state, Democrats sioning hundreds of mail-sorting machines. November. want a villain—if not a foreign potentate,

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:59 Aug 23, 2020 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00007 Fmt 4636 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K22AU7.013 H22AUPT1 SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with HOUSE H4260 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE August 22, 2020 then the guy in charge of delivering the for the blind and overseas balloting in elec- deal with some of the Postal Service’s sys- mail. tions. temic problems with a pilot program to The Postal Service has lost money for a make deliveries more efficient while reduc- [From the Washington Examiner] very long time. In fiscal year 2019, it had op- ing the Postal Service’s crippling overtime A REALITY-BASED LOOK AT TRUMP AND THE erating revenues of $71.1 billion and oper- costs, which added up to more than $1 billion POST OFFICE ating expenses of $79.9 billion, leaving it with in fiscal year 2018. (By Byron York) a deficit of $8.8 billion. At the moment, Post- In the past, postal delivery worked this al Service officials have told Congress, it has way: A worker would arrive in the morning The news is filled with reports of President about $14 billion in cash on hand, putting it and work on various things in the office— Trump’s ‘‘assault’’ on the U.S. Postal Serv- on the road to fiscal insolvency (without fur- sorting mail, handling holds on mail, waiting ice. The president, Democrats and some in ther aid) in late 2021. for incoming mail to arrive to prepare for de- the media say, is deliberately slowing mail In the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Eco- livery. That often involved waiting around delivery and crippling the Postal Service so nomic Security Act, or CARES Act, the $2 for hours and then starting an actual deliv- that it cannot handle an anticipated flood of trillion relief measure passed in March, Con- ery route later in the day. Once started, a voting by mail in the presidential election. gress gave the Postal Service a $10 billion route has to be finished, and that involved Former President Barack Obama said Trump borrowing authority. After the bill became workers going into overtime as they deliv- is trying to ‘‘actively kneecap’’ the Postal law, there were negotiations between the ered through their route as evening ap- Service to suppress the vote. Speaker Nancy Postal Service and the Treasury Department proached. Pelosi has called the House back into session on the terms of the borrowing; a deal was an- DeJoy’s plan, now being implemented in a this week and has set an ‘‘urgent hearing’’ nounced in July. The ability to borrow $10 pilot program in about 200 cities, is called for Aug. 24, demanding Postmaster General billion, the postmaster general said, would Expedited to Street/Afternoon Sortation, or Louis DeJoy and the head of the Postal Serv- ‘‘delay the approaching liquidity crisis.’’ ESAS. Under it, a worker would arrive in the ice Board of Governors testify ‘‘to address That was all the aid for the Postal Service morning, collect all the mail that was ready the sabotage of the Postal Service.’’ in the CARES Act. Completely separately, to go out, and head out for delivery—‘‘re- Some of the accusations have grown so the bill also gave $400 million to something trieve, load, and go.’’ Then, after finishing frantic that they resemble the frenzy of a called the Election Assistance Commission the delivery route, the carrier would return couple of years ago over the allegation, from for distribution to states to ‘‘prevent, pre- to the office and do in the afternoon the of- many of the same people, that Trump had pare for, and respond to coronavirus, domes- fice work that used to be done in the morn- conspired with Russia to fix the 2016 elec- tically or internationally, for the 2020 federal ing. That way, when the end of his or her tion. Now, it’s the Postal Service. But what election cycle.’’ shift arrived, that would be the end of the actually is going on? Here is a brief look at The next mega-relief package, a $3 trillion workday, with no overtime incurred. Mail some of the issues involved. bill known as the Health and Economic Re- that arrived to the office in the afternoon, 142.5 BILLION PIECES OF MAIL cover Omnibus Emergency Solutions Act, or while the carrier was doing office work, The idea that the Postal Service will not HEROES Act, was passed by the House in would be delivered in the next morning’s be able to handle the volume of mail in the May by a vote of 208 to 199. The winning route. It would be ready and waiting when election, or not be able to handle it within total of 208 votes was comprised of 207 Demo- the carrier arrived for ‘‘retrieve, load, and normal Postal Service time guidelines, does crats and one Republican. Fourteen Demo- go.’’ not make much sense. According to its most crats and one independent voted against the The effect to customers would be that mail recent annual report, last year, in fiscal year measure. The bill has so far gone nowhere in that was delivered to the office in the after- 2019, the Postal Service handled 142.5 billion the Republican-controlled Senate. noon would be delivered the next morning, pieces of mail. ‘‘On a typical day, our 633,000 The House HEROES Act would give $25 bil- instead of that evening. The effect to the employees physically process and deliver 471 lion to the Postal Service in what is essen- Postal Service would be to save an enormous million mailpieces to nearly 160 million de- tially a bailout. The bill mentions nothing amount of money in overtime. livery points,’’ the report says. This year, about helping the Postal Service handle the In addition, there have been reports of the that number is higher, given the Postal upcoming election or any other election. In- Postal Service removing collection boxes Service’s delivery of census forms and stim- deed, the only stipulation at all placed on and sorting machines. While some Demo- ulus checks. Those alone added about 450 the $25 billion is that the Postal Service, crats and journalists have portrayed that as million additional pieces of mail. ‘‘during the coronavirus emergency, shall another effort toward voter suppression, the In 2016, about 136 million Americans voted prioritize the purchase of, and make avail- fact is the number of letters the Postal Serv- in the presidential election. The number will able to all Postal Service employees and fa- ice handles each year has declined for 20 probably be a bit higher this year. If officials cilities, personal protective equipment, in- years since the arrival of email. In those last sent ballots to every single American reg- cluding gloves, masks, and sanitizers, and two decades, the Postal Service has istered to vote, about 158 million people, and shall conduct additional cleaning and sani- downsized its capabilities as the number of then 140 million people returned ballots, the tizing of Postal Service facilities and deliv- letters handled has decreased. Here is how roughly 298 million pieces of mail handled ery vehicles.’’ If the House Democrats who the Washington Post described the situation, over the course of several weeks would be wrote and passed the bill intended the money specifically concerning sorting machines: well within the Postal Service’s ability to to be spent specifically for elections, they ‘‘Purchased when letters not packages made handle. Of course, officials will not send a did not say so in the text of the legislation. up a greater share of postal work, the bulky ballot to every American registered to vote, Separate from the Postal Service provi- and aging machines can be expensive to and not every voter will vote by mail. What- sions, the bill would give $3.6 billion to the maintain and take up floor space postal lead- ever the final number is, the ballots that are Election Assistance Commission for distribu- ers say would be better devoted to boxes. Re- cast by mail will not cripple a system that tion to states ‘‘for contingency planning, moving underused machines would make the delivers 471 million pieces of mail every day. preparation, and resilience of elections for overall system more efficient, postal leaders There are, of course, compelling examples federal office.’’ There has been some confu- say. The Postal Service has cut back on of election dysfunction, most notably the sion about that; some discussion of the cur- mail-sorting equipment for years since mail mess New York made of some of its congres- rent controversy has left the impression that volume began to decline in the 2000s.’’ sional primaries this summer. But rather Democrats want $3.6 billion for the Postal Some Democrats have characterized the than representing a Postal Service problem, Service for the election. In fact, the $3.6 bil- current reform efforts, much needed in an that was because some states are unprepared lion would be for the states’ election use. In agency losing so much money, as part of the for a dramatic increase of voting by mail. neither the CARES Act, which is now law, president’s master plan to steal the election. The states have to prepare the ballots, ad- nor the HEROES Act, which has been passed But together, the Expedited to Street/After- dress them, and process and count them by the House but not the Senate, is there noon Sortation program and the cutback in when the Postal Service delivers them. That any money given to the Postal Service spe- sorting capacity would seem to be reasonable is the focus of the entirely legitimate fears cifically for the election. In any event, the measures of the type the Postal Service of a possible vote-counting disaster this Postal Service has the capacity to handle needs to implement, and indeed has been im- year. But it’s not the Postal Service. the election and does not need any addi- plementing over the years. Yet this is what $25 BILLION FOR WHAT? tional money specifically to do the job. Democrats, and some of their allies in the press, have labeled as an ‘‘assault’’ on the Some news reports have left the impres- THE LATEST REFORM PROPOSAL Postal Service. sion that the Postal Service will not be able Whatever its other concerns at the mo- to handle mail-in ballots without an imme- ment, the Postal Service does have chronic NIGHTMARE SCENARIOS diate infusion of money from Congress. That financial problems. This year, Trump chose Many news accounts have included stories is not the case. DeJoy, who made a fortune in shipping and of Americans suffering from interruptions in The Postal Service is not funded by a reg- logistics and whose former company was a Postal Service deliveries. For example, a ular appropriation. It is, instead, an ‘‘inde- contractor of the Postal Service for many story in the New York Times headlined pendent agency’’ and is expected to support years, as the new postmaster general. (DeJoy ‘‘Postal Crisis Ripples Across Nation As itself, beyond a yearly appropriation of is also a major donor to Republicans and the Election Looms’’ included the story of Vic- about $55 million to cover the costs of mail Trump campaign.) DeJoy has attempted to toria Brownworth, a freelance journalist in

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:59 Aug 23, 2020 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00008 Fmt 4636 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A22AU7.015 H22AUPT1 SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with HOUSE August 22, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H4261 Philadelphia. ‘‘For Ms. Brownworth, who weaponization of the U.S. Postal Service for The bottom line was that Trump made a was paralyzed four years ago, the mail is her the president’s electoral purposes.’’ mess of the issue. He didn’t make a case lifeline,’’ the New York Times said, ‘‘deliv- TRUMP CONFUSES EVERYTHING against universal mail-in voting, which does ering prescriptions and checks and mail-in not exist in the United States. He didn’t Despite the heated rhetoric, many of the ballots to her Philadelphia home. But that make clear why Democrats wanted $25 bil- Postal Service’s problems are relatively lifeline has snapped. She said she had re- lion for the post office. He suggested that clear, if extremely difficult to solve. In the ceived mail just twice in the past three not agreeing to the $25 billion was a way to context of the upcoming election, Trump has weeks, and she dreaded November’s election, stop universal mail-in voting, which it is repeatedly added confusion to the situation, worried that her ballot would suffer the not. He didn’t address the serious problems most recently with extended discussions in a same fate as the oxygen tube that she or- at the Postal Service which need attention television interview on Thursday and a press dered three weeks ago—and that had still and do not have anything to do with voting. conference on Friday. not arrived.’’ In all, he left the issue more confused than it Other news reports have included many In the press conference, Trump was asked, ‘‘If the Democrats were to give you some of had been beforehand—and that was saying other examples. They are largely, if not en- something. tirely, anecdotal. While each is serious for what you want . . . would you be willing to DEMOCRATS SMELL VICTORY the person involved, at the moment, it is im- accept the $25 billion for the Postal Service, possible to tell how much of a national prob- including the three and a half billion dollars On Friday, the Washington Post published lem they represent. People who keep track of to handle mail-in voting?’’ As has happened a story headlined ‘‘Trump’s assault on the the Postal Service suspect that many of the many times in this controversy, the question U.S. Postal Service gives Democrats a new stories are rooted in workforce availability conflated the Democrats’ proposal for $25 bil- campaign message.’’ Put aside the casual use problems related to the coronavirus pan- lion for the Postal Service and the request of the word ‘‘assault.’’ The fact is, Pelosi, demic, plus the changes in operations (for for $3.6 billion for the Election Assistance Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, and example, closing a facility to clean it during Commission. In any event, Trump answered, other top Democrats are jumping on the an outbreak) that have become part of life ‘‘Sure, if they give us what we want.’’ He Postal Service controversy with both feet. during the pandemic. The Postal Service then began to elaborate on other policy pri- ‘‘Democrats are already blanketing the air- would not be the only large organization orities. waves, latching on to the opportunity to that has found it impossible to operate as ‘‘So, if they were to give you that, you highlight support [for the Postal Service],’’ usual during the crisis. would sign off for the money for the Postal the paper reported. Obama has joined in, There is also the fact that the Postal Serv- Service?’’ tweeting that seniors and veterans and small ice does, on occasion, fail to deliver the mail. ‘‘Yeah, but they’re not giving it to me,’’ businesses ‘‘can’t be collateral damage for an In its annual reports, it includes data on Trump said. ‘‘They’re giving it to the Amer- administration more concerned with sup- ‘‘performance outcomes.’’ For example, for ican people.’’ pressing the vote than suppressing a virus.’’ first-class mail, which is the type of mail ‘‘But if they were to agree to that—‘‘ The Democratic commentariat cheered and that would be most employed for election ‘‘Yeah, I would,’’ Trump said. ‘‘I would cer- signaled it is ready to press the issue until purposes, the goal in fiscal year 2019 was to tainly do that. Sure, I would do that. Yeah.’’ election day. ‘‘Trump donor & Postmaster deliver 96% of letters in one to three busi- The next day, Friday, Trump spoke to Fox General Louis DeJoy should be in the cross- ness days. Its actual performance was 92%. News’s Maria Bartiromo. ‘‘They [Democrats] hairs of every relevant congressional com- So 8% of first-class letters were not delivered want $3.5 billion for the mail-in votes, OK, mittee, inspector general, prosecutor, inves- on time. Now, consider that the Postal Serv- universal mail-in ballots, $3.5 billion,’’ tigative journalist, whistleblower, class ac- ice handled 54.9 billion pieces of first-class Trump said. ‘‘They want $25 billion for the tion lawyer, editorial board, etc. etc. etc.,’’ mail in fiscal year 2019. That is more than 4 post office. Now, they need that money in tweeted former U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara. billion pieces of first-class mail that were order to have the post office work so it can No doubt that is precisely what will happen not delivered on time. And that, in a fraught take all of these millions and millions of bal- in the Democratic world and some major political situation, could be the basis for a lots. Now in the meantime, they aren’t get- media outlets between now and Nov. 3. But lot of anecdotes in news articles. ting there. By the way, those are just two shouldn’t someone, sometime take a look at Many of those anecdotes, by the way, ap- items. But if they don’t get those two items, what is actually happening? pear to have made it to the media with the that means you can’t have universal mail-in help of the Postal Service unions. There are voting because they’re not equipped to have [From the New York Times, Aug. 18, 2020] two major unions representing Postal Serv- it.’’ I WAS A POSTAL SERVICE REGULATOR FOR 18 ice workers. On Friday, the largest postal In fact, while the $3.5 billion proposal for YEARS. DON’T PANIC. union, the National Association of Letter the Election Assistance Commission (it is (By Ruth Y. Goldway) Carriers, endorsed Democratic candidate Joe actually $3.6 billion) is specifically for the President Trump has threatened to with- Biden for president. In June, another union, purpose of facilitating mail-in voting, the $25 hold funds from the United States Postal the American Postal Workers Union, en- billion for the Postal Service is basically a Service. The new postmaster general, Louis dorsed Biden as well. In 2016, both unions en- bailout. In April, the previous postmaster DeJoy, has embarked on cost-cutting meas- dorsed Hillary Clinton. In 2008 and 2012, both general, Megan Brennan, citing a ‘‘steep ures to eliminate overtime and remove sort- unions endorsed Barack Obama. In 2004, they drop’’ in mail volume during the coronavirus ing machines. These actions have created endorsed John Kerry. And so on. crisis, had asked for far more—$75 billion. worries that Americans, reluctant to walk One more note about delivery times. A few The Postal Service didn’t get anywhere near into voting booths because of Covid–19, will days ago, the Washington Post published a that much money in the first relief bill, the be unable to vote by mail this year. story headlined ‘‘Postal Service warns 46 CARES Act—just $10 billion in borrowing au- I served as a regulator of the Postal Serv- states their voters could be disenfranchised thority. So when the second relief mega-bill ice for nearly 18 years under three presidents by delayed mail-in ballots.’’ The paper ob- came up, Democrats threw in $25 billion for and I urge everyone to be calm. Don’t fall tained letters from Postal Service leadership the Postal Service. It was not about mail-in prey to the alarmists on both sides of this to various states informing them that some voting. (On Sunday morning, White House debate. The Postal Service is not incapaci- of their election deadlines are ‘‘incongruous chief of staff Mark Meadows, who as a con- tated. It is still fully capable of delivering with the Postal Service’s delivery stand- gressman followed postal issues closely, said the mail. The focus of our collective con- ards.’’ The resulting ‘‘mismatch,’’ the Postal the administration offered House Democrats cerns should be on how the Postal Service Service said, ‘‘creates a risk that ballots re- $10 billion for the Postal Service.) can improve the speed of delivery for elec- quested near the deadline under state law Nevertheless, the president connected the tion mail. will not be returned by mail in time to be two and suggested that the Postal Service First, the president is wrong about the counted under your laws as we understand needed the $25 billion, and the Election As- Postal Service’s finances. While the agency them.’’ In other words, several states are not sistance Commission needed $3.5 billion, to indeed has financial problems, as a result of giving the Postal Service long enough to de- handle ballots in the election, and that he a huge increase in packages being sent liver a ballot to a voter and then deliver the would not give it to them for that very rea- through the system and a credit line through filled-in ballot to the state election board. son. the CARES Act, it has access to about $25 For example, if a state’s law allows a voter ‘‘How would you like to have $3.5 billion, billion in cash. Its own forecasts predict that to request a ballot seven days before the gen- billion, for mail-in voting?’’ Trump asked. it will have enough money to operate into eral election but also requires that votes ‘‘So, if you don’t have it—do you know how 2021. must be received by election day to be count- much money that is? Nobody has any idea The Postal Service’s shaky financial situa- ed—that would be a recipe for a lot of votes . . . Oh, $3.5 billion. They want $25 billion for tion has to do in large part with the drop in not being counted. It was an entirely reason- the Post Office because the Post Office is first-class mail (typically used for letters), able concern on the part of the Postal Serv- going to have to go to town to get these ri- about 30 percent less than a decade ago. But ice, and it is a problem more for the states diculous ballots in . . . Now, if we don’t the service’s expensive, overbuilt infrastruc- than the Postal Service. Yet media discus- make a deal, that means they don’t get the ture can absorb the addition of more mail in sion of the story suggested it was just an- money. That means they can’t have uni- 2020—including election mail that is mailed other chapter in what one source in the versal mail-in voting. They just can’t have to and sent back by every voter in every Washington Post account called ‘‘the it.’’ state.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:59 Aug 23, 2020 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00009 Fmt 4636 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A22AU7.016 H22AUPT1 SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with HOUSE H4262 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE August 22, 2020 The new postmaster general’s management son. It is a silly rule. It actually vio- open right now all across the country. team still includes many knowledgeable and lates the rules that my friends passed My friends passed $100 billion in the seasoned executives. And the Postal Service at the beginning of this Congress. The HEROES Act for it. The President said, has over 500,000 employees who are remark- legislation before us has not gone actually, we think it would take about ably honest, dedicated and used to working through emergencies: hurricanes, snow through any committee, has not been $105 billion. Put that on this and help storms, social unrest and pandemics. marked up, has not been debated, has every school district in America. But While the Postal Service has contemplated not been amended. my friends chose not to do that, but if many different approaches to modernizing My friend said at the beginning of you do, it will pass here, it will pass and improving efficiency, there has not been the Congress they wouldn’t bring legis- the Senate, and the President would a consensus on how much the service should lation like that to the floor, they con- sign it. reduce costs. It is not at all surprising that veniently waived that rule yesterday. Let’s talk about unemployment. The Mr. DeJoy’s choice of particularly visible So here it comes with no committee President said, hey, we think the $600 cuts has raised alarms. The Office of the Inspector General of the procedure or markup. We had a number extra is a little high, but while we are Postal Service has agreed to a review of the of amendments, Madam Speaker, that negotiating, by the way, we will keep changes. And Congress has been called back were presented to the committee, none paying it. My friends on the other side to conduct its own review next week, restore of them were made in order. said, no, they can do without the $600. trust in the institution and ensure that vot- I offered an amendment for what is And then the President said, well, we ing by mail proceeds smoothly. called an open rule, where any Member think $200 is the right number, but we Given that there is enough money and per- could come down here and put forward can go to $400. Put that on here. Every haps more if the president agrees to addi- what they thought would be a better unemployed person in America would tional bailout funds; that there is plenty of capacity in the system; and that voting by idea since we had no opportunity to do get $400 a week. Right now, thanks to mail can alleviate a health threat to the na- that in committee. That too was re- the Speaker and the minority leader in tion, the Postal Service should be made to jected. the United States Senate, they are get- handle all election mail as if it were first- So this rule is a take-it-or-leave-it ting zero. The only help they are get- class mail. This is where the policy discus- ultimatum from the majority, and it ting is from the President who is using sions surrounding the Postal Service should means you can pass it in the House, but Herculean executive orders to try and settle. it is not going anywhere else. get them some additional relief. Most election-related mail is sent at non- Now, let’s turn to the bill itself. My So this is a joke. This is, as my profit rates. The 1993 National Voter Reg- friends say that—we are going to hear istration Act requires the Postal Service to friend the distinguished Member from charge state and local election offices the a lot of bad things about the Post- Georgia said, a theatrical moment same price for postage as nonprofit mailers. master General in the course of the punctuating the two conventions, the The Postal Service has a history of providing morning. I have never met him. I don’t Democratic Convention and leading extra care and attention to election-related know him. The people that do know into ours. No legislation is going to mail, on the level of first-class mail: usually him say that he is a really good guy, happen because my friends aren’t seri- two to four days for delivery. A special logo but I don’t know. We are going to hear ous about legislation. and bar code identifiers were created so that a lot of terrible things about him. But No money is going to get to the post mail sorters were able to pull election mail at the end of the day my friends are out from the routine mail stream to be sure office because it can’t pass the Senate, it was delivered as soon as possible. going to vote to give him $25 billion, and the post office doesn’t need it any- But a recent letter sent by Thomas J. Mar- and they are going to do it in a bill way. So we are going to have an enter- shall, the general counsel for the Postal that has no reforms in it, just says you taining couple of hours. Fortunately, it Service, to election officials around the can’t change anything. Now, how smart is on a Saturday morning, so I don’t country seems to suggest that election mail is that? think very many Americans are going will now be treated like regular nonprofit You can’t change anything in an in- to waste their time listening to this. mail (typically three to 10 days for delivery) stitution that is losing $8 to $9 billion When my friends want to get serious, and may take as long as 15 days. This is not every single year. We don’t trust the acceptable. when they want to negotiate, when The Postal Service has the capacity to en- person who heads this, but we are going they want to move something to the sure that ballots sent to voters arrive on to give him $25 billion. Do we need that floor, we will be ready. time and that ballots dropped into the sys- money? Absolutely not. The post office With that, Madam Speaker, I urge re- tem by voters are postmarked and delivered tells us they have $15 billion on hand, jection to the rule and rejection of the in times that accord with state and local they have access to a $10 billion line of bill. guidelines. In their meeting with Congress credit that will more than take them Mr. MCGOVERN. Madam Speaker, I next week, the leaders of the Postal Service for a year from now. So we don’t need yield myself such time as I may con- should guarantee that election mail will con- to be spending this money right now. It sume. tinue to be treated as first-class mail. The Congress should agree that there will be no is a silly, silly bill. Madam Speaker, I would love to additional financial support for the Postal But I want to give my friends some spend weeks and weeks discussing this Service without this promise. free political advice. They want to pass in committee, but the truth is that is But state and local election officials must this bill. They want to get it through what the Trump administration wants, also recognize the possibilities of delays and the Senate. They want to get it to the to run out the clock before the Novem- plan for earlier mailings so there will be President’s desk. They want to get it ber elections. So trust in our democ- more days for ballots to be returned. Voters signed. I believe that. If that is true, racy is undermined, and they can act must be reminded to send in requests for bal- make it bigger. Do exactly what my like there is some conspiracy if he lots, change of address, voter registration forms and especially filled-out ballots as friend, the distinguished chairman of loses. early as possible. the committee said, let’s put some I have heard my friends on the other The Postal Service does indeed need a bail- stuff in it that we agree on. side of the aisle talk about process, but out from Congress so that it can be counted The President of the United States I really question their judgment here. on to deliver the mail, medicines and other says, I think every family in America They thought that dealing with cheese vital products for years to come. It needs that makes less than $75,000 a year was such a national emergency last funds to rebuild its more than 30,000 post of- needs help right now, they need $1,200 Congress that they used emergency fices and aging vehicle fleet to reduce its re- per adult, $500 per kid, that would be powers to bring a bill on that topic to liance on temporary workers and to broaden $3,400, a one-time payment for a family the range of services it provides. But these the floor during a government shut- problems do not affect this year’s election. of four. Attach that to this, it would down no less. Americans must continue to support the pass the floor unanimously in a bipar- But today, as seniors can’t get life- Postal Service, whose existence is enshrined tisan fashion and be picked up by the saving medications and our veterans in our Constitution, by using its vote-by- Senate. And the President said, can’t get social security checks, they mail services to save lives now and to pro- through his chief of staff, I will sign want to hit pause. Our Postal Service tect our democracy in the future. something like that. is in chaos. Give me a break. Mr. COLE. Madam Speaker, I rise to You could do something a little bit You know, my friends say they don’t oppose the rule for a very simple rea- different. We are all having our schools know who the Postmaster General is.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:59 Aug 23, 2020 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00010 Fmt 4636 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A22AU7.018 H22AUPT1 SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with HOUSE August 22, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H4263 Let me tell you who he is. He is like gent. We need $25 billion, and we need responsible for delivering about 90 percent of the least qualified candidate for the to do it now. I ask my colleagues to all VA mail order prescriptions, has indeed job. He is a big, mega donor to Donald support it, and let it be bipartisan. been delayed in delivering these critical medi- Trump. And my Republican friends are Madam Speaker, I rise to speak on the Rule cations by an average of almost 25 percent believing everything Mr. DeJoy says, for H.R. 8015, the Delivering For America Act. over the past year, with many locations experi- like claiming there is no mail shut- I thank Chairman MCGOVERN for the work of encing much more significant delays. down. the Rules Committee to bring this important Under the urgent need to fix the postal serv- Well, let me remind them what the measure to the Floor of the House for consid- ice, we must not forget that the Postal Service Postmaster General wrote in a recent eration. employees are essential workers in COVID– memo that these changes have had: I also thank Chairwoman MALONEY for her 19, and if they are essential it means that the ‘‘Unintended consequences that have leadership in drafting H.R. 8015, which is work they do is essential. impacted our overall service levels.’’ being debated under the Rule. In addition to delivering prescriptions and Those are his words, Madam Speaker. I offered an Amendment to improve this business mail, they are also delivering democ- He is transforming the Postal Service very good bill, but it was not included in the racy to millions of voters who will need to cast all right. Transforming it from reliable Rule for H.R. 8015. their ballot by mail this election year to reduce to chaotic right before an election. So The Jackson Lee Amendment, if it had been their risk of contracting COVID–19. even if you trust Mr. DeJoy, which I do included would have ensured that ballots post- The U.S. mail service has provided essen- not, even he acknowledges that there is marked on or before Election Day would have tial mail service for absentee voting for well something happening here. ten business days following that date to be de- over 100 years by enabling Union troops to Those on the other side of the aisle livered by the Postal Service to local elections vote during the Civil War, World War I, World cannot have it both ways here. This ad- officials to have it counted for the election. War II, Korean War, Vietnam War, Iraqi Free- ministration apparently won’t lift a I offered this amendment out of consider- dom, and to this day. finger to fix this problem, but this Con- ation for the nearness of the election and the Since that time, absentee or not, in-person gress is acting. And I would respect- likelihood that the U.S. Postmaster will not voting has grown in popularity across the fully urge my colleagues on the other change the policies that have led to the de- United States and is now a welcomed and val- side of the aisle to join us. Help the commissioning of mail sorters and mailboxes, ued component for assuring citizen participa- American people. They should be your which is slowing down the U.S. Mail. tion in public elections. priority, not the guy in the White The job of the United States Postal Service In 2016, 20.9 percent of all votes cast in House. is to receive, process, and deliver the mail that federal election were done so by absen- Madam Speaker, I yield 11⁄2 minutes without favor or special consideration to any- tee ballots and this year that number is ex- to the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. one. pected to be much higher due to COVID–19. JACKSON LEE). I applaud the work done in the underlying The attack on the viability and value of ab- Ms. JACKSON LEE. Madam Speaker, bill to provide relief to the Postal Service, and sentee voting should be viewed as just one I rise with a sense of urgency. I rise be- I appreciate the desire to narrowly focus the component of many assaults on our elections cause the Postal Service is near col- bill only on addressing the issues arising out system that may make this a very difficult lapse. I rise in the name of Army Ser- of intentional efforts to disrupt mail service. election year. geant Retired Boudreau, stage 4 can- I believe that we must be more aggressive This view is shaped by the decades of elec- cer, and Katy, stage 4 breast cancer. in our approach to protect the election and tions filled with disinformation and misinforma- These are the desperate people that are make sure that Election Day does not become tion tactics designed to suppress or repress feeling the brunt of a collapsed Postal a victim of COVID–19. black, LatinX, and young voters from voting or Service. The voices I listen to are the I will work with my colleagues to ensure that having their votes counted. letter carriers who are denied the abil- all available means are provided to ensure For these reasons, I urge my colleagues to ity to deliver mail, or the postal work- that every voter, no matter their party or pref- join me in voting in support of the Rule for ers who have no machines to deliver erence has access to cast a vote that will be H.R. 8015. mail. counted in the November election. Mr. WOODALL. Madam Speaker, I H.R. 8015 is an emergency SOS act, I support the Rule for this bill because it yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from provides much-needed protection to postal Delivering for America. It is crucial Texas (Mr. BURGESS), a member of the that we meet today, not because we are workers and relief for those who are depend- Rules Committee and the Energy and political, because we had to get here as ent on the mail service for sustaining life and Commerce Committee. fast as we could to be able to acknowl- health as well as commercial needs and busi- Mr. BURGESS. Madam Speaker, this edge that the Postal Service is a cru- ness. bill, H.R. 8015, does seem to be rushed. In 2019, the Postal Service: cial lifeline for Americans. And here is the biggest thing, it is not Delivered 142.6 billion pieces of mail to 260 Madam Speaker, I submitted an going to address the core problem that million addresses in America; amendment. I am glad that the Rules exists in the United States Postal Delivered 1.2 billion prescriptions, including Committee moved on a closed rule. Service. most of the medications ordered by the VA; This bill appropriates a $25 billion This is an emergency. Later on today, Employed 633,108 of our friends and neigh- bailout using emergency supplemental I will introduce Protecting Democracy bors, including more than 100,000 veterans; by Securing the Right to Vote, that Served 70 percent of businesses with fewer funding, removing it from the pre- will allow you to request ballots on- than ten employees; viously agreed to bipartisan budget line, by phone, or mail, and most im- Had a 90 percent favorabilty rating, making agreement numbers, and prohibits the portantly, setting a 10-business-day it the most popular federal agency. Postal Service from making any re- mail return time for ballots sent by The Postal Service: forms until next year at the earliest. mail and are postmarked on election Is often the only delivery option for rural So if this bill is intended to improve day. America where service is not profitable; efficiency or effectiveness of the Postal Why? Delivers 48 percent of the world’s mail with Service, I would just simply ask: How Because as we are working today to one of the world’s largest civilian vehicle in the world is it supposed to do that if ensure that mail ballots are safe and fleets; it is prohibited from making any secure under H.R. 8015, we have seniors Is a vital service for the more than 18 million changes? who are listening to the scare tactics seniors who do not use the Internet. The Postal Service is in trouble, that are being said from the highest of- The Postal Service has become a pharmacy every Member of this Chamber, Repub- fice in the land. They are frightened. of choice for millions of Americans who live in lican or Democrat, understands this. Yesterday, I was at the house of a pharmacy deserts—locations where there are We should be deeply concerned about blind senior citizen, she can’t get out no pharmacies to serve communities. the precarious position of the Postal to vote, she will have to do a mail bal- The Postal Service is an essential compo- Service. But despite the narratives, lot. nent to Veterans’ health because they deliver this problem has been decades in the So I rise enthusiastically to support medicines to our veterans. making. the H.R. 8015 rule because we are in a The VA has now confirmed to us that the The Postal Service’s operational collapse of the postal system. It is ur- United States Postal Service (USPS), which is pains have been festering literally for

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:59 Aug 23, 2020 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00011 Fmt 4636 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K22AU7.014 H22AUPT1 SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with HOUSE H4264 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE August 22, 2020 decades. Since 2007 mail volumes have election, I mean, I don’t believe in co- Last week, Treasury released $10 billion al- fallen year after year as American con- incidences. This is deliberate, and it is ready allocated to the USPS, with conditions sumers and businesses have chosen dig- shocking. As I said before, this is a that are at best questionable. It was required ital communication over letters and five-alarm fire on our democracy. to share with Treasury details of contracts it negotiated with Amazon and others. Con- Madam Speaker, I yield 11⁄2 minutes mailed advertising. Over the same pe- gress should allocate without any condi- riod, the number of addresses requiring to the gentlewoman from Pennsylvania tions, just like it has bailed out multi- delivery and retirement obligations for (Ms. SCANLON), a distinguished member national corporations as a result of the pan- retired Postal Service employees have of the Rules Committee. demic. continued to grow. So in very simple Ms. SCANLON. Madam Speaker, I If we believe what we hear from the admin- terms, revenues have fallen, and costs thank the gentleman for yielding. istration and the postmaster general they have risen for over a decade. Madam Speaker, I include in the seem to have two solutions: First, raise the RECORD an article, ‘‘Quit Interfering price of packages, although the rate-making b 1100 and Save the Postal Service,’’ by the process has confirmed the prices set were This novel coronavirus’ impact on former chair of the Board of Governors fair, and within the confines of the law. Sec- the economy is only exacerbating this of the Postal Service, David Fineman. ond, cut the pay of the unionized workforce, situation. The Postal Service lost $2.2 which has already suffered thousands of [Aug. 5, 2020] coronavirus illnesses and, at last count, at billion in the second quarter of this QUIT INTERFERING AND SAVE THE POSTAL least 60 deaths. year. H.R. 8015 kicks the can down the SERVICE If the price of packages is raised, who road and forces the Postal Service to (By S. David Fineman) pays? The consumer and small businesses, continue to sustain financial losses. No The U.S. Postal Service is in trouble and not just on packages sent by USPS, but by reforms to modernize the Postal Serv- needs help just like the airlines, large and every private delivery service. That is the re- ice, so we should expect its fiscal small corporations, and consumers. There ality of how business works, and to deny it is health to worsen. are ways to save it if Congress takes action not dealing with reality. Now, in spite of all the heated rhet- very soon. As USPS raises its prices, you can be as- sured that the private delivery services will oric today, the Postal Service will not Where to start with its problems? The USPS is losing billions because of the pan- raise their prices. Considering the present collapse tonight. The Postal Service demic. Its leadership has said running out of composition of Congress, the provisions of has informed Congress that it has money is a question of when, not if. Its board the law regarding how union contracts are enough cash on hand to remain solvent of governors temporarily lost its quorum negotiated ls not about to change. through August 2021. That is a year this year and is now made up only of Trump With the pandemic, the USPS is needed from now if you are doing the math at administration appointees. The president of more than ever before. Small businesses and home. And Congress has already pro- the United States called the Postal Service a the average American rely on delivery of vided an additional lifeline by raising ‘‘joke.’’ And now state election officials are mail six days a week. They need to get their checks, their letters, and packages, on time. the Postal Service’s loan authority by warning that reduced mail service could interfere with mail-in ballots in November. The USPS needs help! There is a way to fix $10 billion. I served as a governor of the United States it! Instead of voting on this rushed and Postal Service from 1995 through 2005. I was The administration must stop holding the partisan bill, Members of this Chamber nominated by President Bill Clinton, and USPS hostage to its own private agenda. could work together to solve the prob- served as chairman during the administra- Rural America and the inner city population lem. Congress has time to work tion of President George W. Bush. By law, would suffer more than anyone else. The so- through the proper committees, pro- the USPS should have nine members on its lutions are clear. Let us just get it done. vide the proper oversight, provide the board, five of one party and four of another. Ms. SCANLON. Madam Speaker, ‘‘I’m proper reforms, and preserve this es- During my tenure, there was never any in- writing to you today after having terference by the president in the business of skipped a day of my high blood pres- sential service. the USPS, like there is currently. Let’s vote against this bill today, a What is happening now is unprecedented, sure medication for the first time.’’ dictatorial bill brought to us by the and we wonder why. Let us hope it is not to ‘‘I have not seen a Postal Service car- Speaker of the House, H.R. 8015, and disturb the election process and mail-in bal- rier in my neighborhood for a week or work together in finding a meaningful lots. more, not received mail for 10 days. and lasting fix for the United States During my first year on the board, it be- The last couple pieces of mail were 30 Postal Service. came clear the rate-making process, which days late.’’ decides how much one pays to mail a letter Mr. MCGOVERN. Madam Speaker, I ‘‘I am a small business owner. I am in or a package, made no sense. Not until 2004 have heard some of the Republicans a real bind. I usually ship packages to was there movement on any legislation in customers. Switching to UPS or FedEx clamor last night in the Rules Com- Congress. Eventually the chairman of the mittee all about statistics. committee overseeing the Postal Service, would be too expensive. I would likely Well, let’s look at some. This is from Dan Burton (R-Ind.), and the ranking mem- lose customers.’’ the Postal Service’s most recent quar- ber, Henry Waxman (D-Calif.), agreed on the These are just a few of the thousands terly report. It compares on-time deliv- outline of a bill. The blll, with a few changes, of messages that my office has received ery for single-piece first-class mail this passed the House of Representatives, the from constituents who have been fiscal year so far as compared to last Senate, and then was signed into law by caught in the crosshairs of this admin- Bush in 2006. istration’s war on the U.S. Postal Serv- fiscal year. Do you see the red line? It One section of that legislation called for is going in the wrong direction. Mail is the USPS to prefund its pension obligations ice. slowing. People aren’t getting deliv- for 75 years. I remember meeting with the We are here today to deliver a mes- eries that they need on time. This is then-postmaster general, and after a thor- sage to this administration: Don’t mess just through the end of June. We don’t ough briefing, we both concluded the USPS with the USPS. know what truly happened in July or would never have the necessary funds to and This vital public service is essential so far in August. maybe naivety, I believed congress would in our everyday lives. In a pandemic, it Our constituents are not lying to us. amend the law in due time to eliminate that is a lifeline. Their mail is delayed. Their medica- burden. These are the real consequences of So here we are in 2020, in the middle of a this administration’s ill-conceived effi- tions are delayed. pandemic. Congress and the administration Yesterday, we were told: You know, cannot agree on how to fix the USPS. Every- ciency measures, which have disrupted people who are on Social Security one in the so-called postal community, postal service across the country. don’t have to worry because they get ihcluding its unions, agree the prefunding re- Those consequences have made their all their Social Security checks elec- quirement is not needed. Let us get legisla- way to the doorsteps of seniors, vet- tronically. We know that is not true. tion to eliminate the prefundlng require- erans, people with disabilities, and We know that close to 1 million people ment passed. countless families and businesses, large What else can be done? First, let us stop get Social Security and SSI through and small. the parochial mindset of Congress. The As millions of Americans are ex- the mail. USPS has needed to right-size for some time, So, this is real. This is happening. and not just close post offices. Because of pected to vote by mail, many for the And we need to do something about it. population shifts, it can consolidate large first time, we need to give Americans The fact that this is happening in the processing plants, so they can process mail the peace of mind that their mail will middle of a pandemic right before an from various states and municipalities. be processed swiftly. That is why I am

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:59 Aug 23, 2020 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00012 Fmt 4636 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K22AU7.016 H22AUPT1 SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with HOUSE August 22, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H4265 proud to support the Delivering for Mr. MCGOVERN. Madam Speaker, let When I was a kid, I couldn’t wait for America Act. me just say again for the RECORD be- Saturday morning. Saturday morning Mr. WOODALL. Madam Speaker, I cause we hear this on the other side: in our house, my brothers and sisters, say to my friend from Pennsylvania, I Wouldn’t it be nice if we were here ne- we would get up, and we couldn’t wait want to solve every single one of those gotiating a larger package on a whole to watch our favorite cartoons. problems that she just laid out. Those range of things. Well, we actually Now, decades later, here I am again, are absolutely bipartisan concerns. passed something in the House called on the floor of the House of Represent- This bill solves none of them. the HEROES Act. The Senate has atives, watching a cartoon about the Madam Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to passed nothing. The reason why is be- only outcome this debate is going to the gentlewoman from Arizona (Mrs. cause Republicans are fighting with have today: one of entertainment LESKO), another member of the Rules Republicans. They can’t agree on what value, nothing substantive. Committee. to do, so they have done nothing. So, The chairman of the Rules Com- Mrs. LESKO. Madam Speaker, I we are negotiating with an empty mittee called this a five-alarm fire. thank the gentleman for yielding. chair. Now that the Democratic Convention ‘‘Nancy Pelosi Goes Politically Post- If my friends really want to help, has concluded and the Republican Con- al.’’ That’s the catchy title of a recent they ought to pick up the phone, and vention is about to begin, we have a ca- op-ed written by The Wall Street Jour- they ought to call MITCH MCCONNELL tastrophe. nal editorial board, and that is the rea- and tell him to do something, to actu- It is not going to build infrastruc- son we are here today, for phony polit- ally do something. ture. It is not going to give aid to peo- ical theater to once again bash Presi- Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to ple suffering from the pandemic. It is dent Trump just in time for the Sun- the gentlewoman from Connecticut not going to fund the government by day talk shows and the Republican Na- (Ms. DELAURO). October 1. It is not going to become tional Convention. And just like all the Ms. DELAURO. Madam Speaker, mail law. other times, the media will lap it right is an essential government service and Just like the previous attempts, my up. a critical lifeline for many, especially friends on the other side of the aisle Wouldn’t it be nice if we were here during this pandemic. have had to derail a duly-elected Presi- What have operational changes made today on a Saturday voting on a nego- dent. This, too, will fail. I urge a ‘‘no’’ to the postal system accomplished? tiated COVID relief package to help vote. Parts of the country are having their the American people that could actu- Mr. MCGOVERN. Madam Speaker, I mail delayed by up to a week or more. ally be signed into law? But sadly, in- am sad that the gentleman thinks this stead, we are here talking about a post- This is harming veterans, seniors, and our rural communities. is entertaining. We have veterans who al bill, one The Wall Street Journal What has the Postmaster General al- are calling our offices whose medica- editorial board called a ‘‘made-for-TV ready done? Curtailed overtime; re- tions have been delayed getting to phony political crisis.’’ Boy, did they stricted deliveries; eliminated sorting them. We have some people on Social get that right. machines; in Hartford, Connecticut, in Security and on SSI who are worried Let’s review the facts. the parking lot there is a dismantled that their checks are not going to get A task force recommends that the machine; removed mailboxes; prohib- to them. We have small businesses that U.S. Postal Service overhaul their iting employees from making late mail are calling to complain. business model in order to return it to deliveries, directing them to leave mail This is a crisis that this administra- sustainability because expenses have undelivered at distribution centers tion produced all on its own. And outpaced revenue for 13 straight years, overnight; warned 46 States and the whether it is designed, as some of us and they lost $8.8 billion in 2019 alone. District of Columbia that it could not fear, to try to create more chaos The new Postmaster General is guarantee all ballots cast by mail for around the election—and by the way, unanimously selected by a bipartisan the November election will arrive in this is what Donald Trump said about Board of Governors, not President time to be counted. the money that we have in this bill: Trump. The Postmaster General starts Yes, this is about our democracy, as ‘‘They need that money in order to making some changes in an attempt to well. This administration is under- have the post office work so it can take make the post office more sustainable, mining a pillar of our democracy, vot- all of these millions and millions of as recommended by the task force—you ing for a partisan purpose. Obstructing ballots.’’ know, similar to the types of changes the Postal Service for political pur- Did anybody ever think that they that were made under the Obama ad- poses is illegal. It is illegal to interfere would see a President of the United ministration in the past. with the mail. States who would publicly say that he The Postmaster General worries that During this unprecedented time, we doesn’t want every vote to count? This some States allow voters to request must be streamlining, not sabotaging, is outrageous, and I cannot believe mail-in ballots too close to the election voting by mail. that my friends on the other side of the day and is afraid that there is not The administration wants to destroy aisle, who I know are getting the same enough turnaround time for those bal- the public’s faith and trust in the pub- calls we are, are totally fine with doing lots to get back in time, so he sends a lic service. No, the American people nothing. courtesy letter to those States, recom- are not going to let you do it. I might b 1115 mending they tell voters to mail in add, the Postal Service has a 90 percent their ballots early so they can get favorability rating. It is the most pop- Well, maybe if some of my Repub- them in time. ular Federal agency. Would that we lican friends would join with us, it Guess what? Democrats freak out, had a 90 percent favorability rating. might send a message to the White blame Trump, say he is trying to influ- We must fight for this essential com- House that they have to respond, they ence the election, even though Trump ponent of our democracy and of peo- have to do the right thing. doesn’t have control over the Post- ple’s lives. We will, through rain, shine, It is the complicity; it is the indiffer- master General, and run to the ever-so- or sleet, or President Donald Trump. ence that I just can’t understand given willing media to spread a new Trump Mr. WOODALL. Madam Speaker I what is going on in this country right conspiracy theory. yield 1 minute to the gentleman from now. Seems insane but all too typical for Arkansas (Mr. WOMACK), the ranking So we have been complaining about the Trump-hating Democrats to me. member of one of the committees that this for weeks—this didn’t just happen But don’t take my word for it, let’s is near and dear to my heart, the rank- this week, but for weeks—but it is now see what Stephen Kearney, a 33-year ing member of the Budget Committee, out of control, and we have to do some- veteran employee, former Treasurer, a good friend, and a member of the thing. and Senior Vice President of the U.S. freshman class of 2010. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to Postal Service said: ‘‘This conspiracy Mr. WOMACK. Madam Speaker, I the gentlewoman from California (Ms. theory is the most far-flung thing I thank my friend ROB WOODALL for MATSUI), a distinguished member of the think I have ever heard.’’ yielding. Rules Committee.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 04:55 Aug 23, 2020 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00013 Fmt 4636 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K22AU7.018 H22AUPT1 SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with HOUSE H4266 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE August 22, 2020 Ms. MATSUI. Madam Speaker, over Texas (Mr. BURGESS) to speak on one of Madam Speaker, I urge Members to the past few weeks, we have seen the those provisions. vote against the previous question. reports of decommissioned sorting ma- Mr. BURGESS. Madam Speaker, I Allow us to debate and pass this meas- chines, removal of postboxes, and the thank the gentleman for yielding. ure. It is of critical urgency. Indeed, a cutting back of hours for the U.S. Post- There is a sudden sense of urgency to miracle could be coming. al Service employees. address the financial stability of the Mr. MCGOVERN. Madam Speaker, I In my district of Sacramento, I have Postal Service, but I would simply ask insert in the RECORD a CNBC article, never seen such an outcry, an outrage the body: Where was the sense of ur- entitled, ‘‘Patients Say Post Office amongst my neighbors and constitu- gency from our House Democratic lead- Slowdown Is Delaying Delivery of Life- ents. ership at the start of the pandemic? saving Medications.’’ This is serious business. We are feel- Look, I recognized in January this PATIENTS SAY POST OFFICE SLOWDOWN IS DE- ing the effects of delayed mail delivery deal over in China was a bad deal, a LAYING DELIVERY OF LIFE-SAVING MEDICA- and seeing the real-life consequences of novel virus, biological behavior not TIONS these operational changes: Financial known, not worked out. (By Christina Farr) documents are late; prescriptions are The Postal Service’s problems did The U.S. Postal Service has become a po- stuck in transit; and we worry about not surface this week. They have been litical battleground, and has experienced our future ballots being counted. going on for years. But the Postal delays after Postmaster General Louis That is why this administration’s at- Service will not go bankrupt tomor- DeJoy slashed overtime. tacks have alarmed so many Ameri- row, and yet we have been called back Many patients are experiencing delays re- ceiving life-saving medications and are shar- cans. We recognize it is about more here to vote on an issue that, quite ing their experiences online via hashtags than just getting letters from A to B. frankly, is not going to get solved from like #USPSMeds. It is about the fabric of our democracy. today’s activities. Experts say the situation could escalate, The Postmaster General has made But I called on the Committee on En- despite Postmaster General Louis DeJoy’s his political preferences and business ergy and Commerce last February to promise to suspend changes to the Postal interests no secret. The U.S. Postal do hearings on this novel coronavirus. Service. Service should not be manipulated as a My requests were ignored and then sub- Nathan Geissel, who lives in rural Oregon, sequently dismissed because we had has been waiting more than nine days for a political or business tool. lifesaving medication to arrive in the mail. Hundreds of millions of Americans other important work to do: horse rac- As far as he knows, it’s stuck in a fulfillment across this country rely on the Postal ing, flavored tobacco, ticket stubs— center. Service for lifesaving medications, So- any number of things—other than work Geissel’s doctor prescribed the medicine cial Security benefits, paychecks, and on the novel coronavirus. two years ago to prevent blood clots. He’s mail-in ballots. The Delivering for But we could have provided support never experienced delays before. America Act will help ensure that in the form of funding for vaccines and The U.S. Postal Service has become a po- those services continue as needed. testing and more. We have done some litical battleground after President Trump of that in the short-term sense, but we said he opposes additional funding because This bill takes critical steps to halt he doesn’t support universal mail-in voting. the damage being done, while providing could continue to support our Nation’s Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, a Trump $25 billion to put the Postal Service pandemic response in additional ways, supporter, reportedly ordered recent cost- back on track. which is why I have introduced legisla- cutting measures, slashing overtime and While the Postmaster has recently tion that aligns with the legislation al- curbing late delivery. It has created signifi- claimed that he will halt operational ready existing in the Senate, where we cant delays in mail deliveries, according to changes until after the election, he has could come together and provide our mail worker advocates and others. also stated he has no intention of re- country with some of the critical re- Americans are sharing stories about medi- cation delays with the hashtag #USPSMeds. commissioning sorting machines and sources necessary to fight this novel Many are veterans who have reported weeks- postboxes that have already been shut- coronavirus. long delays. Some are seniors who instead tered. The damage has already been Unfortunately, the House Democratic have to visit a pharmacy, putting them at done, and it is unacceptable. leadership does not acknowledge or higher risk of exposure to Covid–19. We must pass the Delivering for seem even to be curious as to whether Geissel chose mail-order for the conven- America Act to provide emergency or not they are up to the task. ience—the nearest pharmacy is 20 minutes funding and put protections in place to So this legislation provides $29 bil- away—and the affordability. His insurance support reliable mail delivery for all lion for the Public Health and Social company covers more of the cost of the Services Emergency Fund to develop medication when it’s delivered by the U.S. Americans. postal service. Geissel has to pay a $135 As I said, this is serious business. The additional medical countermeasures copay for a months supply if he instead picks post office is important for the fabric and vaccines. A safe and effective vac- it up at a retail pharmacy. of America. cine is the strongest arrow in our quiv- ‘‘Thankfully, a local pharmacist approved Mr. WOODALL. Madam Speaker, er to help society return to normal. two more weeks of medication with my though this bill is going nowhere, if we Importantly, the bill would provide health plan that I could pick up as an emer- defeat the previous question this morn- $2 billion for the Strategic National gency,’’ said Geissel. ‘‘I work in health care, ing, I will offer an amendment to take Stockpile and $2 billion for the Bio- so I know the system, but I can’t imagine medical Advanced Research and Devel- what it must be like for an elderly patient up three bills that are partnership bills who doesn’t have that same access.’’ that can go through the Senate to the opment Authority for use in developing ‘‘I’m worried,’’ said Liz Austin by phone. President’s desk and make a real dif- medical countermeasures. Her mother, Barbara, is sick with cystic fi- ference for the American people, deal- But you have to ask yourself: The brosis, a progressive disease that causes lung ing with important issues like business plan as promulgated by the infections and limits her ability to breathe. healthcare, like relief for folks suf- Speaker of this body, why is it anti- ‘‘Covid–19 is primarily a respiratory disease, fering from the COVID economic crisis, thetical to that development? Could it so my mother relies on the mail to get her and our law enforcement reform activi- be because the nominee of their party prescriptions as safely as possible.’’ Her medicine was so late that her husband ties. this week in a very important speech had to risk visiting a pharmacy. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous promised the American people ‘‘no mir- After lawsuits from more than 20 state at- consent to insert the text of my acle is coming’’? Is that because you torneys general and a call to testify before amendment in the RECORD imme- are going to cut off the funding for Congress, DeJoy on Tuesday said he’s sus- diately prior to the vote on the pre- BARDA? for the Strategic National pending operational changes until after the vious question. Stockpile? for research on vaccines? November election. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there Look, there are commonsense, bipar- Some experts are concerned that the tisan ways to help our Nation and help delays will snowball. objection to the request of the gen- ‘‘There’s an exponential factor to this,’’ tleman from Georgia? our Nation respond to the coronavirus, said John McHugh, a former congressman There was no objection. but House Democratic leadership has who heads up the Package Coalition, an alli- Mr. WOODALL. Madam Speaker, I turned their backs on the needs of ance that aims to preserve affordable postal yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from America. package delivery services. Members of the

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:59 Aug 23, 2020 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00014 Fmt 4636 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K22AU7.020 H22AUPT1 SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with HOUSE August 22, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H4267 Package Coalition include Amazon, eBay, Madam Speaker, because that is waiting for MITCH MCCONNELL to do and Cigna’s Express Scripts. ‘‘Once you are what the USPS Board of Governors rec- something. behind, what happens next is you get further ommended, and this Board is made up But I love my friends on the other behind and then further behind.’’ side of the aisle who come up with all The pandemic has strained the mail-order of 100 percent of Donald Trump’s ap- medication system as more people are opt to pointees. So, you know, this is not a these ideas right now. Most of them receive prescriptions at home. Those with number that Democrats made up. It is were in the HEROES Act. pre-existing conditions are at greater risk what his Republican Board of the But if these are so important, where for hospitalization if they get Covid–19. USPS came up with. So that is why is MITCH MCCONNELL? Where is the ‘‘Data show an increase in prescription that number is there. United States Senate? They went on drugs dispensed through mail-service phar- Madam Speaker, I reserve the bal- vacation. They are gone. macy during the pandemic,’’ said a spokes- ance of my time. We are here because we have a crisis. person from PCMA, a national association Mr. WOODALL. Madam Speaker, I We have people who can’t get their representing pharmacy benefits managers, which negotiate prescription drug costs on yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from medications, who can’t get their ben- behalf of insurers. Ohio (Mr. CHABOT), the ranking mem- efit checks. We have a crisis where we Online pharmacy Honeybee Health said ber of the Small Business Committee have a President who is trying to un- about 20% of patients who order delivery via that has made such a difference for so dermine our elections. So we are here first-class mail have experienced delays so many Americans, in support of the pre- doing our work. far. vious question and legislation that we Where is MITCH MCCONNELL? Where is ‘‘The situation is fluid but it’s clear from could bring to the floor that would the Senate? How about picking up the our customer service team that an usually high number of patients are receiving their make a difference to the American peo- phone and calling them to come back medication far later than expected—and in ple. and do something for the American some cases, not receiving it at all. These Mr. CHABOT. Madam Speaker, I people? delays are troubling for everyone, but for pa- thank the gentleman for yielding. Madam Speaker, I reserve the bal- tients who rely on medication to live, it’s es- Madam Speaker, there is no doubt ance of my time. pecially dangerous,’’ said Dr. Jessica that the Paycheck Protection Program Mr. WOODALL. Madam Speaker, Nouhavandi, co-founder and lead pharmacist has produced impressive results. All again, if we defeat the previous ques- for Honeybee Health, which delivers generic across America, PPP loans have sup- tion, we will bring much-needed legis- medications via USPS. Umar Afridi, founder of TruePill, a com- ported over 50 million jobs. That is 50 lation to the floor. pany that provides pharmacy services to million people who can continue to Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to telemedicine companies, said he ‘‘estimates support themselves and their loved the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. that about 90 percent’’ of prescription drugs ones. In Ohio’s First Congressional Dis- STAUBER), a rising star here in the Re- his company delivers via mail run through trict, for example, which I have the publican Conference, to talk about the postal service. honor of representing, the program that. ‘‘We tend to use UPS and FedEx more for helped over 200,000 people to stay on Mr. STAUBER. Madam Speaker, it time-sensitive and expensive drugs,’’ he said. has been 22 days since the last time ‘‘USPS is often the lowest cost and they the payroll and support their families. have the biggest reach.’’ Despite this success, there are small this body has met, and in those 22 days Afridi said he hasn’t yet heard about businesses that still need our help. Ac- that the Speaker has refused to work delays but knows there are service-level dis- cording to a July 27 NFIB survey, al- on real relief packages, people have ruptions, including pickups not happening on most half of small business borrowers lost their jobs, small businesses have time. predict that they will need additional closed, and Main Streets have suffered. Pharmacy benefits managers are more op- capital within the next 6 months. The American people were left with the timistic. Express Scripts, a major pharmacy As ranking member of the House question: Where are our leaders? benefit manager, said it was ‘‘not experi- I have begged, the President has encing unusual delays.’’ OptumRX (owned by Small Business Committee, I have UnitedHealth Group) declined to discuss pushed for targeted bipartisan solu- begged, and the Senate has begged: delays. It said it’s working with all major tions to make sure that our Nation’s Please call the House back into session carriers ‘‘to help ensure timely shipments of smallest firms have a chance to sur- to work on a bill to help suffering home delivery prescriptions.’’ vive, and this Congress has acted. Now Americans. Some doctors are concerned for their low- it needs to do so again to help those Now we are back in Washington for income and elderly patients. Dr. Lakshman small businesses and their employees. less than 12 hours. It is embarrassing Swamy, a Boston-based pulmonologist and Unfortunately, the top leadership on that, while we could be working on critical care doctor, says the situation could be disastrous for asthma patients who rely the other side of the aisle apparently vaccine funding, saving small busi- on Medicaid or don’t have insurance. These doesn’t feel the urgency to do so and nesses, and justice reform, the Speaker patients might not be able to negotiate an allow a vote on additional help for will gavel us out and Americans will emergency supply. those small businesses that need it so once again be wondering: Where are Swamy, who also has asthma, said it’s much. our leaders? common for patients with chronic res- Let me be clear: Every day that goes I introduced legislation that will piratory conditions to rely on mail-order by without action jeopardizes Amer- fund better training for police officers, medications. ‘‘You can do rescue therapies ica’s 30 million small businesses and increase the number of body cameras, for a while, but the strong medications will wear off,’’ he said. ‘‘Once you don’t get the their employees. and fund important grants to police de- medications you need, you can quickly fall Madam Speaker, I urge my col- partments that help with community off the wagon and end up hospitalized.’’ leagues to support reopening the Pay- policing, which builds trust and lasting ‘‘Any additional strain will have an impact check Protection Program through De- relationships in the communities they on patients,’’ he said. ‘‘It’s inevitable.’’ cember 31 and allow businesses that serve. Mr. MCGOVERN. Madam Speaker, I have suffered revenue declines to apply It has been 89 days since George yield myself such time as I may con- for a second loan. Floyd’s tragic death, and in those 89 sume. Madam Speaker, we owe it to Amer- days, Senator TIM SCOTT and I have put Madam Speaker, I don’t know for ica’s small businesses to work together forth legislation to fix and improve our certain that the Senate will take this for a solution. We ought to be voting policing. We have begged Democrat bill up, but I fervently hope that they on that today. leadership to come to the table and ad- will, because I sure as hell know that Mr. MCGOVERN. Madam Speaker, I dress this issue that Americans and our we are doing the right thing here in the yield myself such time as I may con- communities have asked for. House. sume. Yet, what do we get? Twelve hours in Madam Speaker, I would also like to Madam Speaker, it is interesting to Washington, D.C., and no action on just point out, because I have heard hear my friend talk about the exten- vaccine funding, no action on small these questions raised about the $25 sion of PPP when he voted against that business relief, and no action on police billion in this bill for the Postal Serv- in the HEROES Act when it came be- reform. ice: Why are we providing that fore the full House. Luckily, it passed Madam Speaker, I urge defeat of the amount? and it is over in the Senate. We are previous question so we can consider

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:59 Aug 23, 2020 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00015 Fmt 4636 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A22AU7.007 H22AUPT1 SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with HOUSE H4268 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE August 22, 2020 this important bill and get Congress we will be there together arm in arm to Office. He is interested in dismantling back to work, because a Congress at make that happen. But today, when it. That is what he has been doing. work is America at work. the Postal Service is sitting on $15 bil- The bill that is before us is about Mr. MCGOVERN. Madam Speaker, I lion in cash and an unused $10 billion more than money, I would say to my yield myself 30 seconds. line of credit, a blank check of another colleague from Georgia. It is about Madam Speaker, the gentleman $25 billion does not solve any of the undoing all the damage that the cur- asked: Where are the leaders? We are challenges that you and I know exist or rent Postmaster has put into place here. We are doing our job. We are re- solve any of the problems that all of that is resulting in all these delays, all sponding to a crisis. our constituents have. this confusion, and all this chaos. Where is MITCH MCCONNELL? On vaca- Madam Speaker, the frustration you Come on. This is serious business. tion. hear from my colleagues on this side of I am going to close with this. History Where is the President? Tweeting the aisle is that we are back in an is not going to look well on those who more insults. emergency session working on lan- just went along to get along with this But we are here doing our job to help guage that is going nowhere, that will President while he has done some deal with this postal crisis, and we also help no one. We can pound on our things that would have been unthink- did our job when we passed the HE- chests all we like about all the wonder- able in any other administration, Dem- ROES Act. ful things that we think—unilaterally ocrat or Republican. The complicity Where is MITCH MCCONNELL? On vaca- by themselves, without any bipartisan and the indifference are shocking to tion. input—Democrats crafted and put in me. I can’t believe it sometimes when I Madam Speaker, I reserve the bal- this bill. But we all know from year hear people defend the indefensible. ance of my time. upon year upon year of painful experi- What the President is doing with the Mr. WOODALL. Madam Speaker, I ence, the only things that get done in Postal Service is indefensible, and ev- would like to share with my friend, the this town get done together. In a di- erybody needs to be counted on this chairman, that I have no further vided government you cannot bully issue. I ask my Democratic colleagues speakers remaining, and I am prepared your way to success, Madam Speaker, and I ask my Republican colleagues to to close when he is. you have to partner your way to suc- support this bill. It is the right thing Mr. MCGOVERN. Madam Speaker, I cess. to do for your constituents. Even if the I know my friend from Massachusetts am prepared to close. man in the White House doesn’t want believes that. That is the kind of lead- it, it is the right thing to do. It is b 1130 ership style he brings to the committee about time people started doing what on which I have the honor of serving. I Mr. WOODALL. Madam Speaker, I is right for the people of this country. understand my friends have a job to do yield myself the balance of my time. Madam Speaker, I urge a ‘‘yes’’ vote today. They need to pass this bill. They Madam Speaker, I don’t know how on the rule and the previous question. are going to do it. It is not going to go many more times I will be on the The material previously referred to House floor between now and the end of anywhere, but they are going to do it. by Mr. WOODALL is as follows: the year. It is a great honor I have to Madam Speaker, defeat the previous serve with the chairman of the Rules question with me today. Let’s move AMENDMENT TO HOUSE RESOLUTION 1092 Committee, Mr. MCGOVERN of Massa- PPP extension, let’s move vaccine At the end of the resolution, add the chusetts. I think all the time about all funding, let’s move law enforcement following: the things we could do together; and, reform, and let’s do the political exer- SEC. 2. Immediately upon adoption of this candidly, we have done a lot of great cise that you brought us here to do. resolution, the House shall resolve into the things together. This body, when it But let’s do these things that matter as Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for consideration of the bill acts together, does amazing things. well. Madam Speaker, I urge defeat of the (H.R. 8086) to provide additional appropria- But an unfortunate thing has hap- tions for the public health and social serv- pened in politics these days, Madam previous question, and if not that, de- ices emergency fund, and for other purposes. Speaker. We talk more about the bills feat of the rule. The first reading of the bill shall be dis- that we pass than the changes that we Madam Speaker, I yield back the bal- pensed with. All points of order against con- make. My friend from Massachusetts ance of my time. sideration of the bill are waived. Clause 2(e) Mr. MCGOVERN. Madam Speaker, I has talked time and time again about a of rule XXI shall not apply during consider- yield myself the balance of my time. unilaterally drafted bill passed by this ation of the bill. General debate shall be con- Madam Speaker, I have great respect fined to the bill and shall not exceed one House in the spring that purports to for my colleagues on the other side of hour equally divided and controlled by the address families in need, but that in- the aisle which makes me especially chair and ranking minority member of the cluded no Republican input, no part- sad to hear some of the comments that Committee on Appropriations. After general nership, had a veto message from the we heard here today. debate the bill shall be considered for President, and had no chance of getting This is a crisis that we are currently amendment under the five-minute rule. All through the Senate. points of order against provisions in the bill facing. We are getting calls from vet- are waived. When the committee rises and We are here on exactly that same ex- erans whose medications are being de- ercise today with this manufactured reports the bill back to the House with a rec- layed in the mail. We are getting calls ommendation that the bill do pass, the pre- Postal Service bill. The Postal Service from others whose essential benefits vious question shall be considered as ordered has the money that it needs. I will just are being delayed in the mail. People on the bill and amendments thereto to final tell my friends that President Trump rely on this stuff. It is important. passage without intervening motion except won the mail-in vote in the great State Madam Speaker, you have heard the one motion to recommit with or without in- of Georgia. That year I won the mail-in testimonies that have been recounted structions. If the Committee of the Whole vote 2–1. There is absolutely no effort rises and reports that it has come to no reso- here on our side of the aisle. lution on the bill, then on the next legisla- at voter suppression here. As my friend This is an emergency, and on top of from Connecticut pointed out earlier, tive day the House shall, immediately after that, we have a President who does not the third daily order of business under clause that is illegal. That is off the table. want every vote counted in the upcom- 1 of rule XIV, resolve into the Committee of We are talking about, Is there ing election because he believes that if the Who further consideration of the bill. enough money to fund the Postal Serv- we do count every vote, he will lose. SEC. 3. Immediately after disposition of ice or not? We are in the middle of a pandemic. H.R. 8086, the House shall resolve into the My friend from Massachusetts ref- More and more people are going to be Committee of the Whole House on the state erences a supervisor’s report from the voting by mail, and this President, of the Union for consideration of the bill spring when they thought mail deliv- rather than trying to make it easier (H.R. 8087) to amend the Small Business Act ery was going to go down in volume. In and the CARES Act to establish a program for people to vote and to have their for second draw loans and make other modi- fact, it has gone up in volume. Reve- voices be counted, is trying to make it fications to the paycheck protection pro- nues are higher than they expected. If more difficult. gram, and for other purposes. The first read- the Postal Service faces a revenue The current Postmaster General is ing of the bill shall be dispensed with. All shortfall, I commit to my colleagues not interested in reforming the Post points of order against consideration of the

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:59 Aug 23, 2020 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00016 Fmt 4636 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K22AU7.023 H22AUPT1 SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with HOUSE August 22, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H4269 bill are waived. General debate shall be con- Carbajal Horsford Perlmutter Huizenga Moolenaar Smith (NJ) fined to the bill and shall not exceed one Ca´ rdenas Houlahan Peters Hurd (TX) Mooney (WV) Smucker hour equally divided and controlled by the Carson (IN) Hoyer Peterson Jacobs Mullin Stauber Johnson (OH) Murphy (NC) Stefanik chair and ranking minority member of the Cartwright Huffman Phillips Case Jackson Lee Pingree Johnson (SD) Newhouse Steil Committee on Small Business. After general Casten (IL) Jayapal Pocan Jordan Norman Stivers debate the bill shall be considered for Castor (FL) Jeffries Porter Joyce (OH) Nunes Taylor amendment under the five-minute rule. All Castro (TX) Johnson (GA) Pressley Joyce (PA) Palazzo Thompson (PA) points of order against provisions in the bill Chu, Judy Johnson (TX) Price (NC) Katko Palmer Tiffany are waived. When the committee rises and Cicilline Kaptur Quigley Keller Pence Tipton reports the bill back to the House with a rec- Cisneros Keating Raskin Kelly (MS) Perry Turner King (NY) Posey Upton ommendation that the bill do pass, the pre- Clark (MA) Kelly (IL) Rice (NY) Clarke (NY) Kennedy Kinzinger Reed Van Drew vious question shall be considered as ordered Richmond Clay Khanna Rose (NY) Kustoff (TN) Reschenthaler Wagner on the bill and amendments thereto to final Cleaver Kildee Rouda LaHood Rice (SC) Walberg passage without intervening motion except Clyburn Kilmer Roybal-Allard LaMalfa Riggleman Walker one motion to recommit with or without in- Cohen Kim Ruiz Lamborn Roby Walorski structions. If the Committee of the Whole Connolly Kind Ruppersberger Latta Rodgers (WA) Waltz rises and reports that it has come to no reso- Cooper Kirkpatrick Rush Lesko Roe, David P. Watkins Long Rogers (AL) Weber (TX) lution on the bill, then on the next legisla- Correa Krishnamoorthi Ryan Costa Kuster (NH) Sa´ nchez Loudermilk Rogers (KY) Webster (FL) tive day the House shall, immediately after Courtney Lamb Lucas Rooney (FL) Wenstrup the third daily order of business under clause Sarbanes Cox (CA) Langevin Scanlon Luetkemeyer Rose, John W. Westerman 1 of rule XIV, resolve into the Committee of Craig Larsen (WA) Schakowsky Marshall Rouzer Williams Massie the Whole for further consideration of the Crist Larson (CT) Schiff Rutherford Wilson (SC) Mast Scalise Wittman bill. Crow Lawrence Schneider Cuellar Lawson (FL) McCarthy Schweikert Womack SEC. 4. Immediately after disposition of Schrader McCaul Scott, Austin Woodall Cunningham Lee (CA) Schrier H.R. 8087, the House shall resolve into the Davids (KS) Lee (NV) McClintock Sensenbrenner Wright Scott (VA) Committee of the Whole House on the state Davis (CA) Levin (CA) McKinley Simpson Yoho Scott, David of the Union for consideration of the bill Davis, Danny K. Levin (MI) Miller Smith (MO) Young Serrano Dean Lieu, Ted Mitchell Smith (NE) Zeldin (H.R. 8088} to provide funding to law enforce- Sewell (AL) DeFazio Lipinski ment agencies, and for other purposes. The Shalala NOT VOTING—29 DeGette Loebsack first reading of the bill shall be dispensed Sherman DeLauro Lofgren Aderholt Granger Olson with. All points of order against consider- Sherrill DelBene Lowenthal Amodei Graves (GA) Roy ation of the bill are waived. General debate Sires Delgado Lowey Banks Higgins (LA) Shimkus Slotkin shall be confined to the bill and shall not ex- Demings Luja´ n Brooks (IN) Holding Smith (WA) Spano ceed one hour equally divided and controlled DeSaulnier Luria Collins (GA) Johnson (LA) Soto Steube by the chair and ranking minority member Deutch Lynch Cook Kelly (PA) Stewart Dingell Malinowski Spanberger DesJarlais King (IA) of the Committee on the Judiciary. After Speier Thornberry general debate the bill shall be considered Doggett Maloney, Diaz-Balart Marchant Timmons Stanton Flores McHenry for amendment under the five-minute rule. Doyle, Michael Carolyn B. Walden F. Maloney, Sean Stevens Gabbard Meuser All points of order against provisions in the Engel Matsui Suozzi bill are waived. When the committee rises Escobar McAdams Swalwell (CA) b 1235 and reports the bill back to the House with Eshoo McBath Takano Thompson (CA) So the previous question was ordered. a recommendation that the bill do pass, the Espaillat McCollum The result of the vote was announced previous question shall be considered as or- Evans McEachin Thompson (MS) Finkenauer McGovern Titus as above recorded. dered on the bill and amendments thereto to Tlaib Fletcher McNerney MEMBERS RECORDED PURSUANT TO HOUSE final passage without intervening motion ex- Tonko Foster Meeks RESOLUTION 965, 116TH CONGRESS cept one motion to recommit with or with- Frankel Meng Torres (CA) out instructions. If the Committee of the Fudge Mfume Torres Small Axne (Raskin) Huffman (Kildee) Peters (Rice Whole rises and reports that it has come to Gallego Moore (NM) Barraga´ n (Beyer) Jayapal (Raskin) (NY)) no resolution on the bill, then on the next Garamendi Morelle Trahan Bera (Aguilar) Johnson (TX) Peterson (Vela) legislative day the House shall, immediately Garcı´a (IL) Moulton Trone Blumenauer (Jeffries) Pingree (Clark (Beyer) after the third daily order of business under Garcia (TX) Mucarsel-Powell Underwood Kennedy (MA)) Vargas Bonamici (Deutch) clause 1 of rule XIV, resolve into the Com- Golden Murphy (FL) Porter (Wexton) Gomez Nadler Veasey (Raskin) Khanna (Gomez) mittee of the Whole for further consideration Price (NC) Gonzalez (TX) Napolitano Vela Brownley (CA) Kind (Beyer) (Butterfield) (Clark (MA)) of the bill. Gottheimer Neal Vela´ zquez Kirkpatrick Rooney (FL) Ca´ rdenas SEC. 5. Clause 1(c) of rule XIX shall not Green, Al (TX) Neguse Visclosky (Gallego) (Beyer) (Gomez) apply to the consideration of H.R. 8086, H.R. Grijalva Norcross Wasserman Kuster (NH) Roybal-Allard Schultz Case 8087, and H.R. 8088. Haaland O’Halleran (Clark (MA)) (McCollum) Waters (Cartwright) Harder (CA) Ocasio-Cortez Lawson (FL) Ruiz (Aguilar) Mr. MCGOVERN. Madam Speaker, I Hastings Omar Watson Coleman Clay (Davids (Evans) Rush yield back the balance of my time, and Hayes Pallone Welch (KS)) Lieu, Ted (Beyer) Costa (Cooper) (Underwood) Heck Panetta Wexton Lipinski (Cooper) I move the previous question on the Davis (CA) (Wild) Sa´ nchez Higgins (NY) Pappas Wild Lofgren (Jeffries) resolution. DeGette (Blunt (Aguilar) Himes Pascrell Wilson (FL) Lowenthal Rochester) Schakowsky The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Horn, Kendra S. Payne Yarmuth (Beyer) DelBene (Heck) (Kelly (IL)) Lowey (Tonko) question is on ordering the previous DeSaulnier Schneider NAYS—171 McNerney question. (Matsui) (Houlahan) (Raskin) The question was taken; and the Abraham Calvert Gaetz Doggett (Raskin) Serrano Allen Carter (GA) Gallagher Engel (Pallone) Meng (Clark Speaker pro tempore announced that (MA)) (Jeffries) Amash Carter (TX) Garcia (CA) Escobar (Garcia Sires (Pallone) Armstrong Chabot Moore (Beyer) the ayes appeared to have it. Gianforte (TX)) Speier (Scanlon) Arrington Cheney Gibbs Foster (Beyer) Mucarsel-Powell Mr. WOODALL. Madam Speaker, on Thompson (CA) Babin Cline Gohmert Frankel (Clark (Wasserman (Kildee) that I demand the yeas and nays. Bacon Cloud Gonzalez (OH) (MA)) Schultz) Titus (Connolly) The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- Baird Cole Gooden Garamendi Nadler (Jeffries) ant to section 3 of House Resolution Balderson Comer Gosar (Sherman) Napolitano Visclosky Barr Conaway Graves (LA) Gonzalez (TX) (Correa) (Raskin) 965, the yeas and nays are ordered. Bergman Crawford Graves (MO) (Gomez) Omar (Pressley) Watson Coleman The vote was taken by electronic de- Biggs Crenshaw Green (TN) Grijalva (Garcı´a Panetta (Kildee) (Pallone) vice, and there were—yeas 230, nays Bilirakis Curtis Griffith (IL)) Pascrell Welch 171, not voting 29, as follows: Bishop (NC) Davidson (OH) Grothman Hastings (Pallone) (McGovern) Bishop (UT) Davis, Rodney Guest (Wasserman Payne Wilson (FL) [Roll No. 179] Bost Duncan Guthrie Schultz) (Wasserman (Hayes) Brady Dunn Hagedorn Horsford (Kildee) Schultz) YEAS—230 Brooks (AL) Emmer Harris Adams Bera Boyle, Brendan Buchanan Estes Hartzler The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Aguilar Beyer F. Buck Ferguson Hern, Kevin CUELLAR). The question is on the reso- Allred Bishop (GA) Brindisi Bucshon Fitzpatrick Herrera Beutler lution. Axne Blumenauer Brown (MD) Budd Fleischmann Hice (GA) The question was taken; and the Barraga´ n Brownley (CA) Burchett Fortenberry Hill (AR) Blunt Rochester Speaker pro tempore announced that Bass Bonamici Bustos Burgess Foxx (NC) Hollingsworth Beatty Butterfield Byrne Fulcher Hudson the ayes appeared to have it.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:59 Aug 23, 2020 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00017 Fmt 4636 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A22AU7.020 H22AUPT1 SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with HOUSE H4270 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE August 22, 2020 MR. WOODALL. Mr. Speaker, on Bost Hagedorn Reed Lowenthal Payne Sa´ nchez that I demand the yeas and nays. Brady Harris Reschenthaler (Beyer) (Wasserman (Aguilar) Brooks (AL) Hartzler Rice (SC) Lowey (Tonko) Schultz) Schakowsky The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- Buchanan Hern, Kevin Riggleman McNerney Peters (Rice (Kelly (IL)) ant to section 3 of House Resolution Buck Herrera Beutler Roby (Raskin) (NY)) Schneider 965, the yeas and nays are ordered. Bucshon Hice (GA) Rodgers (WA) Meng (Clark Peterson (Vela) (Houlahan) Budd Hill (AR) Roe, David P. Serrano The vote was taken by electronic de- (MA)) Pingree (Clark Burchett Hollingsworth Rogers (AL) Moore (Beyer) (MA)) (Jeffries) Burgess Hudson Rogers (KY) Sires (Pallone) vice, and there were—yeas 230, nays Mucarsel-Powell Porter (Wexton) Byrne Huizenga Rooney (FL) Speier (Scanlon) 171, not voting 29, as follows: (Wasserman Price (NC) Calvert Hurd (TX) Rose, John W. Thompson (CA) Schultz) (Butterfield) [Roll No. 180] Carter (GA) Jacobs Rouzer (Kildee) YEAS—230 Carter (TX) Johnson (OH) Rutherford Nadler (Jeffries) Rooney (FL) Titus (Connolly) Chabot Johnson (SD) Scalise Napolitano (Beyer) Visclosky Adams Gomez Omar Cheney Jordan Schweikert (Correa) Roybal-Allard (Raskin) Aguilar Gonzalez (TX) Pallone Cline Joyce (PA) Scott, Austin Omar (Pressley) (McCollum) Watson Coleman Allred Gottheimer Panetta Cloud Katko Sensenbrenner Panetta (Kildee) Ruiz (Aguilar) (Pallone) Axne Green, Al (TX) Pappas Cole Keller Simpson Pascrell Rush Welch Barraga´ n Grijalva Pascrell Comer Kelly (MS) Smith (MO) (Pallone) (Underwood) (McGovern) Bass Haaland Payne Conaway King (NY) Smith (NE) Wilson (FL) Beatty Harder (CA) Perlmutter Crawford Kinzinger Smith (NJ) (Hayes) Bera Hastings Peters Crenshaw Kustoff (TN) Smucker Beyer Hayes f Peterson Curtis LaHood Stauber Bishop (GA) Heck Phillips Davidson (OH) LaMalfa Stefanik Blumenauer Higgins (NY) RECESS Pingree Davis, Rodney Lamborn Steil Blunt Rochester Himes Pocan DesJarlais Latta Stivers The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- Bonamici Horn, Kendra S. Porter Duncan Lesko Taylor Boyle, Brendan Horsford ant to clause 12(a) of rule I, the Chair Pressley Dunn Long Thompson (PA) F. Houlahan declares the House in recess for a pe- Price (NC) Emmer Loudermilk Tiffany Brindisi Hoyer Quigley Estes Lucas Tipton riod of less than 15 minutes. Brown (MD) Huffman Raskin Ferguson Luetkemeyer Turner Accordingly (at 1 o’clock and 19 min- Brownley (CA) Jackson Lee Rice (NY) Fitzpatrick Marshall Upton Bustos Jayapal utes p.m.), the House stood in recess. Richmond Fleischmann Massie Van Drew Butterfield Jeffries Rose (NY) Fortenberry Mast Wagner f Carbajal Johnson (GA) Foxx (NC) McCarthy Walberg Ca´ rdenas Johnson (TX) Rouda b 1334 Fulcher McCaul Walker Carson (IN) Kaptur Roybal-Allard Gaetz McClintock Walorski Cartwright Keating Ruiz AFTER RECESS Gallagher McKinley Waltz Case Kelly (IL) Ruppersberger Garcia (CA) Miller Watkins The recess having expired, the House Casten (IL) Kennedy Rush Gianforte Mitchell Weber (TX) was called to order by the Speaker pro Castor (FL) Khanna Ryan Gibbs Moolenaar Webster (FL) Castro (TX) Kildee Sa´ nchez tempore (Mr. CUELLAR) at 1 o’clock and Gohmert Mooney (WV) Wenstrup Chu, Judy Kilmer Sarbanes Gonzalez (OH) Mullin Westerman 34 minutes p.m. Cicilline Kim Scanlon Gooden Murphy (NC) Williams Cisneros Kind Schakowsky f Gosar Newhouse Wilson (SC) Clark (MA) Kirkpatrick Schiff Graves (LA) Norman Wittman REAPPOINTMENT OF INDIVIDUAL Clarke (NY) Krishnamoorthi Schneider Graves (MO) Nunes Womack Clay Kuster (NH) Schrader TO THE HEALTH INFORMATION Green (TN) Palazzo Woodall Cleaver Lamb Schrier TECHNOLOGY ADVISORY COM- Griffith Palmer Wright Clyburn Langevin Scott (VA) Grothman Pence Yoho MITTEE Cohen Larsen (WA) Scott, David Guest Perry Young Connolly Larson (CT) The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Serrano Guthrie Posey Zeldin Cooper Lawrence Sewell (AL) Chair announces the Speaker’s re- Correa Lawson (FL) Shalala NOT VOTING—29 appointment, pursuant to section Costa Lee (CA) Sherman Aderholt Graves (GA) Olson Courtney Lee (NV) 4003(e) of the 21st Century Cures Act Sherrill Amodei Higgins (LA) Cox (CA) Levin (CA) Roy (Pub. L. 114–255), and the order of the Sires Banks Holding Craig Levin (MI) Shimkus Slotkin Brooks (IN) Johnson (LA) House of January 3, 2019, of the fol- Crist Lieu, Ted Spano Smith (WA) Collins (GA) Joyce (OH) lowing individual on the part of the Crow Lipinski Steube Soto Cook Kelly (PA) Cuellar Loebsack Stewart House to the Health Information Tech- Spanberger Diaz-Balart King (IA) Cunningham Lofgren Thornberry nology Advisory Committee: Speier Flores Marchant Davids (KS) Lowenthal Timmons Stanton Gabbard McHenry Mr. Arien Malec, Oakland, California Davis (CA) Lowey Stevens Walden ´ Granger Meuser f Davis, Danny K. Lujan Suozzi Dean Luria Swalwell (CA) COMMUNICATION FROM THE DeFazio Lynch Takano b 1317 DeGette Malinowski REPUBLICAN LEADER Thompson (CA) DeLauro Maloney, Thompson (MS) Mrs. MILLER and Mr. VAN DREW The SPEAKER pro tempore laid be- DelBene Carolyn B. Titus changed their vote from ‘‘yea’’ to Delgado Maloney, Sean fore the House the following commu- Demings Matsui Tlaib ‘‘nay.’’ nication from the Honorable KEVIN Tonko DeSaulnier McAdams So the resolution was agreed to. MCCARTHY, Republican Leader: Deutch McBath Torres (CA) The result of the vote was announced Dingell McCollum Torres Small CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES, Doggett McEachin (NM) as above recorded. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Doyle, Michael McGovern Trahan A motion to reconsider was laid on Washington, DC, August 21, 2020. Trone F. McNerney the table. Hon. NANCY PELOSI, Engel Meeks Underwood Speaker of the House, Vargas MEMBERS RECORDED PURSUANT TO HOUSE Escobar Meng Washington, DC. Eshoo Mfume Veasey RESOLUTION 965, 116TH CONGRESS DEAR MADAM SPEAKER, pursuant to 42 USC Espaillat Moore Vela Axne (Raskin) DelBene (Heck) Horsford (Kildee) ´ Sec. 300jj–12, I am pleased to appoint the fol- Evans Morelle Velazquez Barraga´ n (Beyer) DeSaulnier Huffman (Kildee) lowing individual to the Health Information Finkenauer Moulton Visclosky Bera (Aguilar) (Matsui) Jayapal (Raskin) Fletcher Mucarsel-Powell Wasserman Blumenauer Doggett (Raskin) Johnson (TX) Technology Advisory Committee: Schultz Foster Murphy (FL) (Beyer) Engel (Pallone) (Jeffries) Ms. Cynthia A. Fisher, Newton, Massachu- Waters Frankel Nadler Bonamici Escobar (Garcia Kennedy setts Fudge Napolitano Watson Coleman (Raskin) (TX)) (Deutch) Thank you for your attention to this mat- Gallego Neal Welch Brownley (CA) Foster (Beyer) Khanna (Gomez) ter. Garamendi Neguse Wexton (Clark (MA)) Frankel (Clark Kind (Beyer) Sincerely, Garcı´a (IL) Norcross Wild Ca´ rdenas (MA)) Kirkpatrick KEVIN MCCARTHY, Garcia (TX) O’Halleran Wilson (FL) (Gomez) Garamendi (Gallego) Golden Ocasio-Cortez Yarmuth Case (Sherman) Republican Leader. (Cartwright) Gonzalez (TX) Kuster (NH) f NAYS—171 Clay (Davids (Gomez) (Clark (MA)) Abraham Babin Bergman (KS)) Grijalva (Garcı´a Lawson (FL) DELIVERING FOR AMERICA ACT Allen Bacon Biggs Costa (Cooper) (IL)) (Evans) Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New Amash Baird Bilirakis Davis (CA) (Wild) Hastings Lieu, Ted (Beyer) Armstrong Balderson Bishop (NC) DeGette (Blunt (Wasserman Lipinski (Cooper) York. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to House Arrington Barr Bishop (UT) Rochester) Schultz) Lofgren (Jeffries) Resolution 1092, I call up the bill (H.R.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 05:30 Aug 23, 2020 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00018 Fmt 4636 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K22AU7.028 H22AUPT1 SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with HOUSE August 22, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H4271 8015) to maintain prompt and reliable (d) DEFINITIONS.—In this section— are continuing to deliver the mail for postal services during the COVID–19 (1) the term ‘‘COVID–19 public health emer- the American people in the middle of a health emergency, and for other pur- gency’’ means the public health emergency de- global pandemic. poses, and ask for its immediate con- clared by the Secretary of Health and Human Services on January 27, 2020, with respect to the The Postal Service is a critical com- sideration in the House. 2019 Novel Coronavirus; ponent of America’s infrastructure. It The Clerk read the title of the bill. (2) the term ‘‘election mail’’ means mail con- provides a lifeline of medication, sup- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- sisting of— plies, and mail for all Americans, ev- ant to House Resolution 1092, an (A) voter registration application forms, com- erywhere they live, especially in this amendment in the nature of a sub- pleted voter registration application forms, and time of need. stitute consisting of the text of Rules voter registration cards or similar materials; Earlier this year, the Postal Service (B) absentee and other mail-in ballot applica- Committee Print 116–61, modified by asked Congress to help. They asked us the amendment printed in House Re- tion forms, blank absentee and other mail-in ballots, and completed absentee and other mail- for $25 billion in critical assistance to port 116–480, is adopted and the bill, as in ballots; and help navigate through this crisis, just amended, is considered read. (C) other materials relating to an election like all these other industries did, busi- The text of the bill, as amended, is as which are mailed by a State or local election of- nesses and entities that received Fed- follows: ficial to individuals who are registered to vote in eral funds from Congress. H.R. 8015 the election; and This was not a Democratic request. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- (3) the term ‘‘government entity’’ means the Federal Government or any State (as that term It came from the Postal Service, and it resentatives of the United States of America in was supported unanimously by the Congress assembled, is defined in section 311 of title 5, United States Code) or local government and any subdivision Board of Governors, all of whom were SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. thereof. This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Delivering for appointed by President Trump. America Act’’. SEC. 3. ADDITIONAL APPROPRIATION FOR THE In response to this urgent request, POSTAL SERVICE. SEC. 2. PROMPT AND RELIABLE POSTAL SERV- the House acted. The House said yes. ICES DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC. There is appropriated, out of any money in We acted swiftly to help the Postal the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, for the (a) IN GENERAL.—During the period beginning Service. We voted to include $25 billion on the date of enactment of this Act and ending fiscal year ending September 30, 2020, for an ad- ditional payment to the Postal Service Fund (es- in the HEROES Act, and we passed it on the last day of the COVID-19 public health on May 15. emergency or January 31, 2021, whichever is tablished under section 2003 of title 39, United later, the United States Postal Service may not States Code), $25,000,000,000, to remain available Unfortunately, the President would implement or approve any change to the oper- until expended. Of the amount appropriated in not agree, and the request has lan- ations or the level of service provided by the the previous sentence, $15,000,000 shall be trans- guished for more than 3 months. And Postal Service from those in effect on January 1, ferred to ‘‘United States Postal Service—Office now we know why, because the Presi- 2020, that would reduce service performance or of Inspector General—Salaries and Expenses’’. dent told us why. He admitted on na- impede prompt, reliable, and efficient services, SEC. 4. RULE OF CONSTRUCTION. tional television that he was blocking including any of the following actions: Nothing in this Act shall be construed to alter the $25 billion in order to hobble mail- (1) Any change in the nature of postal serv- or otherwise effect the terms and conditions of ices which will generally affect service on a na- section 3406 of title 39, United States Code (re- in voting. That is what he said, and I tionwide or substantially nationwide basis. lating to balloting materials under the Uni- would like to read it to you. (2) Any revision of service standards. formed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting ‘‘They want $25 billion for the post (3) Any closure or consolidation of any post Act). office. Now they need that money in office or postal facility, or any reduction of such SEC. 5. BUDGETARY EFFECTS. order to make the post office work, so office or facility hours. (a) IN GENERAL.—The amounts provided by it can take all of these millions and (4) Any prohibition or restriction on the use of this Act are designated as an emergency require- overtime or overtime pay to Postal Service offi- millions of ballots.’’ ment pursuant to section 4(g) of the Statutory Regrettably, it does not end there. cers or employees. Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010 (2 U.S.C. 933(g)). Now the new Postmaster General is (5) Any change that would prevent the Postal (b) DESIGNATION IN THE SENATE.—In the Sen- Service from meeting its service standards or ate, this Act is designated as an emergency re- using this lack of funding to justify cause a decline in measurements of performance quirement pursuant to section 4112(a) of H. Con. sweeping and damaging changes to relative to those service standards. Res. 71 (115th Congress), the concurrent resolu- Postal Service operations, and we have (6) Any change that would have the effect of tion on the budget for fiscal year 2018. seen the results: national headlines delaying deferring, or curtailing mail, allowing for the non-delivery of mail to a delivery route, The SPEAKER pro tempore. The bill, about delays of days and weeks in mail, or increasing the volume of undelivered mail. as amended, shall be debatable for 2 veterans desperately waiting for their (7) Treating election mail as any class of mail hours, equally divided and controlled medications, sorting machines being other than first-class mail, regardless of whether by the chair and ranking minority ripped out and put in dumpsters. such treatment requires payment of overtime member of the Committee on Oversight Yesterday, some of my Republican pay to officers or employees of the Postal Serv- and Reform. colleagues argued at the Rules Com- ice. (8) Removing, decommissioning, or any other The gentlewoman from New York mittee that there are ‘‘no delays.’’ stoppage of mail sorting machines, other than (Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY) and the That is right, no delays happening any- for routine maintenance. gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. COMER) where. They claimed repeatedly that (9) Removing or eliminating any mail collec- each will control 1 hour. there is no data that proves these tion box that is available to the public. The Chair recognizes the gentle- delays are real. (10) Enacting any rule, policy, or standard woman from New York. But we have eyes, and we have heard the purpose or effect of which would delay the GENERAL LEAVE accounts from across this Nation, from delivery of mail to or from a government entity. (11) Instituting any hiring freeze. Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New our districts and every district in this (b) REVERSAL OF POLICIES HINDERING DELIV- York. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous Nation, and we have the Postmaster ERY OF MAIL.—The United States Postal Service consent that all Members may have 5 General himself who admitted yester- shall reverse any initiative or action that is legislative days in which to revise and day that there are, in fact, delays, that causing delay in processing or delivery or non- extend their remarks and insert extra- he feels bad about them, and that he is delivery of the mail. neous material on H.R. 8015. working feverishly to address them. (c) ELECTION MAIL.— (1) POLICY ON POSTMARKS.—It shall be the The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there In addition, this afternoon, we have policy of the United States Postal Service to objection to the request of the gentle- something else. We have new informa- postmark, which shall include any imprinted in- woman from New York? tion. We have received new internal dicia from the Postal Service that indicates the There was no objection. Postal Service documents showing na- date of receipt, all election mail processed by the Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New tionwide performance data from July Postal Service. York. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself 5 and August, official post office data. (2) SAME-DAY PROCESSING.—The United States minutes. These new documents show that the Postal Service shall ensure, to the maximum ex- tent practical, that election mail is processed Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support delays we have all heard about are ac- and cleared from any postal facility or post of- of the Delivering for America Act. I tually far worse than previously ex- fice on the same day it is received at such a fa- also rise in strong support of the brave pected and told us. And they are across cility or post office. postal workers across this Nation who the board. They are across this Nation.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 05:30 Aug 23, 2020 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00019 Fmt 4636 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K22AU7.032 H22AUPT1 SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with HOUSE H4272 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE August 22, 2020 This afternoon, I am making these Second, Democrats claim Postmaster Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the new documents available to all Mem- DeJoy is removing mail sorters to in- gentlewoman from the District of Co- bers of the House, and I urge you to re- tentionally slow the mail. These sort- lumbia (Ms. NORTON). view them carefully. They will be ers were on track to be removed prior Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, even dur- available on the floor during this de- to his appointment and reflect the re- ing this pandemic with most agencies bate. ality that mail volume is down 33 per- down, we had not heard complaints The bill we are considering today is cent over the past 15 years. from the Postal Service until Louis DeJoy was appointed Postmaster Gen- simple. It does two things. First, it b 1345 provides the $25 billion the Postal eral. On the contrary, the pandemic Service requested on a bipartisan basis The third Democrat claim is that the had not kept our mail from being faith- to help during the coronavirus crisis. Postal Service cannot manage volume fully delivered. Second, it returns delivery standards resulting from the upcoming election. Almost immediately after DeJoy as- to the way they were before the Post- In 2019, the Postal Service handled an sumed office, pandemonium broke out. average of 471 million pieces of mail master General recently caused all For example, in Ward 8 of my district, each day. Assuming all 158 million reg- those delays, which has an impact on there was no mail for 2 weeks. And the istered voters decided to vote by mail, the delivery and the ability of Ameri- District and 46 States have been the total volume of requested and cans to vote by mail. warned by the Postal Service itself mailed ballots would not exceed a typ- This is not a partisan issue. It makes that it cannot guarantee that all mail ical day of total USPS mail volume. absolutely no sense to implement these ballots will arrive in time to be count- Fourth, the Democrats claim the ed. dramatic changes in the middle of a Postmaster General’s pilot program pandemic less than 3 months before the Mr. DeJoy did not tell the truth at and his efforts to reduce excessive the Senate hearing yesterday. We know November elections. overtime were intended to sabotage the The American people do not want that from a July 15 memorandum di- election. The Postmaster General testi- recting employees explicitly to leave anyone messing with the post office. fied he never sought to eliminate over- They certainly do not want it to be po- mail behind and to significantly cut time. Instead, he sought to get postal overtime. We know that from an Au- liticized. They just want their mail, operations on time so there would be gust 7 Postal Service action that reas- they want their medicines, and they less need to rely on overtime and re- signed 23 top executives with decades want their mail-in ballots delivered in duce extra mail truck trips. With over- of institutional knowledge of postal op- a timely way. And that is exactly what time costs of $1.1 billion in 2018 alone, erations in order to centralize oper- our bill does. why wouldn’t you try to improve on ations. We know and will bring out be- Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of that? fore this hearing is over today that the my time. The Fifth Democratic claim is that Mr. COMER. Mr. Speaker, I yield my- Post Office continues to be sabotaged. the Postal Service General Counsel Mr. COMER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 self such time as I may consume. sent letters to the Senate election minutes to the gentlewoman from Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposi- boards to intimidate and stoke fears. North Carolina (Ms. FOXX), a member tion to H.R. 8015, the Delivering for Letters were also sent in May, well be- of the Education Committee. America Act. This is the result of a fore Postmaster DeJoy took over—re- Ms. FOXX of North Carolina. Mr. legislative process only slightly less member, the Postmaster has only been Speaker, during my time in this Cham- absurd than the conspiracies, insinu- in office 60 days—saying what the U.S. ber I have devoted myself to finding ations, and fabrications that gave rise Postal Service has been saying for the truth and working toward good to the purported need for it. years, that some State election boards governance. That requires gathering I mean, just this second, the sponsor have deadlines and requirements that the facts and exposing the lies. It is in of the bill says she has data now that simply do not consider the reality of this light that I rise today to oppose we can all receive while we are voting Postal Service operations and logistics H.R. 8015, the so-called Delivering for on the bill. I mean, is this data from a constraints. America Act. whistleblower? We all know their If a State allows voters to request ab- H.R. 8015 aims to solve a made-up cri- record with whistleblowers. sentee ballots 1 day before the election, sis by forcing the Postal Service to The process is broken. Regardless, we why wouldn’t the Postal Service advise double down on the very same activi- are here today debating a bill to simul- there might be a problem. ties that have caused it to lose money taneously hamstring and bail out the Sixth. Democrats are acting like any consistently each year since 2006. Then Postal Service. We have had no com- mail delays are new and orchestrated they give the Postal Service another mittee hearings or markups. On Mon- by Postmaster General DeJoy. As I $25 billion to lose with no strings at- day, we will hear from the new Post- have said time and time again, I have tached. master General, after we vote on the been hearing about postal delays for Mr. Speaker, there is no immediate bill. It makes no sense. The result is years. Where there are delays, it makes Postal Service crisis. Democrats manu- deeply flawed. sense to figure out why, and it makes factured this crisis and are using it to Although Dr. Fauci advised that even more sense to do something to fix create fear and advance their agenda. there is no reason Americans cannot them. The Postal Service currently has $14 vote in person, citizens choosing to And, finally, the false narrative that billion in cash on hand, which is vote by mail must have their ballots the Postal Service is running out of enough to sustain operations through delivered in a timely manner. The money and will cease operations before August of 2021. This comes on top of Postmaster General has pledged that is the election. Currently, the Postal the fact that the Postal Service has his mission. And on Friday, before the Service has over $15 billion cash on not even touched the $10 billion loan Senate, he pledged ballots would be de- hand, that’s enough to keep it solvent that Congress extended to it in the re- livered faster than first-class mail, until August 2021, and enough time for cently passed CARES act. without rate increases. us to do the right thing. The Postal Service has many long- I want to turn now and, one by one, Like the Russia hoax and the im- term problems, but there is no short- debunk the Democrats’ conspiracy peachment sham, the Democrats have term crisis. If Democrats were serious theories. manufactured another scandal for po- about ensuring the longevity of the First, Democrats claim DeJoy is re- litical purposes. Postal Service, we would finally pass moving blue collection boxes to sabo- Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New bipartisan measures like the Postal tage the election. This is an absurd York. Mr. Speaker, first, in response, Service Reform Act of 2017 that was claim. This removal process is routine. this is not a Democratic conspiracy championed by former Representatives The Postal Service has removed 35,000 theory. Republican officials from Meadows and Cummings. This bill boxes over the last 10 years. Under across this country, elected and ap- would enact meaningful reforms, keep President Obama, at least 12,000 mail- pointed, have expressed their own con- mailing costs down, encourage innova- boxes were removed, and no one cried cerns about postal delays and the tion, and not require additional tax- foul then. President’s comments. payer bailouts.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:59 Aug 23, 2020 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00020 Fmt 4636 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K22AU7.033 H22AUPT1 SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with HOUSE August 22, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H4273 Our current Postmaster General The Postmaster’s announcement [Feb. 23, 2012] DeJoy took the job despite being didn’t commit to reversing the cuts to KENTUCKY MAIL PROCESSING CLOSINGS vilified in public. He was unanimously service and capacity, especially restor- ANNOUNCED selected by the bipartisan U.S. Postal ing sorting machines that absolutely KENTUCKIANA DISTRICT—As a result of Service Board of Governors because the are critical tools in moving large vol- studies begun five months ago, the Postal board saw tremendous value in his dec- umes of mail, especially on the eve of a Service has made the decision to move all mail processing processing operations from: ades of experience managing and grow- consequential national election. Bowling Green, KY Processing and Dis- ing a successful nationwide logistics That is why this bill would restore tribution Facility (P&DF) to the Nashville, company. He certainly had the quali- the service delivery standards and op- TN, Processing and Distribution Center fications to work with Congress and erations in place before Mr. DeJoy (P&DC). take on the task of postal reform. took office. Campton, KY, Customer Service Mail Processing Center (CSMPC) to the Louis- Mr. Speaker, we need long-term solu- The Postmaster’s announcement tions to fix the long-term problems of ville, KY, P&DC. didn’t include an agenda to support Elizabethtown, KY, CSMPC to the Louis- the Postal Service. H.R. 8015 merely election mail that demonstrates a com- ville P&DC. aims to score political points on an mitment to helping the Postal Service Hazard, KY, CSMPC to the Knoxville, TN, issue that does not even exist. I urge fulfill its historic role in this upcoming P&DC. Lexington, KY, P&DC to the Louisville my colleagues to vote ‘‘no’’ on this bill. election in a pandemic. That is why Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New P&DC and the Knoxville P&DC. this bill will ensure that election mail York. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to London, KY P&DF to the Knoxville P&DC. is prioritized for expedited delivery, as Paducah, KY, P&DF to the Evansville, IN, the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. CON- has been the practice in previous years. P&DF. NOLLY), the distinguished chairman of The Postmaster’s announcement did Somerset, KY, CSMPC to the Knoxville the Subcommittee on Government Op- P&DC. erations. not explain to the public, whom he Once the transfers are completed, the mail Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, we serves, how an executive could fail so processing operation at the closing sites will just heard more of the same on the spectacularly and still keep his job. So cease. There will be no change to any of the other side of the aisle, denial and we still have work to do because the retail units, business mail entry units or ve- sabotage continues. hicle maintenance facilities at these loca- disinformation. And I find it particu- tions at this time. larly ironic that my friend from North We must restore public confidence in It also has been determined as a result of Carolina would cite the unanimous de- the Postal Service and its ability to the study of the Louisville, KY, Annex, that cision of the Board of Governors. support voting by mail during the there was no significant opportunity to im- Well, guess what? That same Board worst pandemic in 100 years. American prove efficiency or service through consoli- of Governors unanimously rec- democracy demands no less. dation of mail processing operations, and no ommended the $25 billion you are de- That is our history. That is the his- changes will be made at this time. tory Mr. DeJoy ignored, and that is the The Postal Service has experienced a 25 clining that is in this bill today. It is percent decline in First-Class Mail volume interesting how we cherry-pick facts. awesome responsibility he betrayed. since 2006, and receives no tax dollars for its Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support Mr. COMER. Mr. Speaker, I want to operations, relying instead on the sale of of the Delivering for America Act. add, there is no evidence of the charges postage, and postal products and services. There is an ongoing and concerted ef- of the gentleman from Virginia. ‘‘The decision to consolidate mail proc- fort to disrupt the timeliness of mail Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the essing facilities recognizes the urgent need delivery and to erode public confidence to reduce the size of the national mail proc- gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. essing network to eliminate costly underuti- in the Postal Service, all leading, if MASSIE). successful, to the largest voter suppres- lized infrastructure,’’ said Chief Operating Mr. MASSIE. Mr. Speaker, in March, Officer. ‘‘Consolidating operations is nec- sion in American history since Jim Speaker PELOSI called me a dangerous essary if the Postal Service is to remain via- Crow. nuisance for insisting that at least half ble to provide mail service to the nation.’’ The effort is being directed by the of Congress come back to vote on a $2 Specific dates have not been set for the new Postmaster General, Louis DeJoy, transition. Until a specific date has been an- trillion bailout bill. This week, she has a crony and major donor of the Presi- nounced, residential and business mailers called Congress into session to vote on dent. A President who opposes mail-in will continue to be served through the cur- a post office bill that is nothing but po- voting for everyone apparently but rent facilities. litical posturing. In December 2011, the Postal Service himself and his wife. A President who Now, Speaker PELOSI told us we agreed to impose a moratorium on closing or has called the Postal Service a joke consolidating post offices and mail proc- and a scam, and who threatened to would probably be back in August to vote on a PPP bill. What she didn’t tell essing facilities prior to May 15, 2012, to give veto the CARES Act with $2 trillion for Congress and the Administration the oppor- desperately needed assistance all over us is that the PPP would stand for tunity to enact an alternative plan. this country simply to block this fund- PELOSI’s political posturing. This delay was designed to allow Congress ing. Let me read a quote from the chief sufficient time to enact comprehensive post- On August 18, the Postmaster Gen- operating officer of the U.S. Postal al legislation. In the meantime, the Postal eral announced, finally, he put a hold Service that might explain what is Service continued all necessary steps re- quired for the review of these facilities, in- on some of the sweeping operational going on. ‘‘The decision to consolidate mail processing facilities recognizes cluding public notifications, public input changes that were not only misguided meetings and consideration of public com- amid a pandemic, but actually eroded the urgent need to reduce the size of ments. public confidence in America’s favorite the national mail processing network Implementation of this consolidation is government agency, the Postal Serv- to eliminate costly underutilized infra- contingent upon the outcome of pending ice. structure.’’ That was the chief oper- rulemaking for a proposal to revise existing All in a day’s work for someone un- ating officer under Obama and Biden. service standards. This announcement is pro- qualified and unfit to begin with for In fact, that is from a press release in vided in advance so that appropriate plan- 2012 when they announced they were ning and notification can be made in accord- the office he now occupies. ance with existing employee agreements. By now we should all know better closing nine processing facilities in the A list of mail processing studies and their than to take the administration at its State of Kentucky. In fact, they didn’t status is available at usps.com/ word. And despite the Postmaster’s re- remove the equipment, they locked the ourfuturenetwork. Specific information ported retreat, the sabotage continues. doors and turned out the lights and about individual studies, including public The Postmaster is still not advocating shut it down forever, even in Lex- meeting summaries and summary briefs, is for additional funding for the Postal ington, Kentucky, our second biggest posted on the website, usps.com/ Service, despite the recommendation city in Kentucky. A year earlier they areamailprocessing, as it becomes available. by his own Board of Governors. He is closed down a processing facility in my [Apr. 28, 2011] still not committed to using overtime district, the Obama administration ASHLAND MAIL PROCESSING OPERATIONS as a tool during the pandemic to com- did—Obama/Biden. MOVING TO CHARLESTON, WV pensate for 40,000 postal workers who I include those press releases in the ASHLAND, KY—As a result of a study begun have had to quarantine or gotten sick. RECORD. in September 2010, the Postal Service has

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:59 Aug 23, 2020 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00021 Fmt 4636 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K22AU7.036 H22AUPT1 SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with HOUSE H4274 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE August 22, 2020 made the decision to move mail processing In my own district, in the city of have ballot harvesting across the coun- operations from the Ashland Processing and Boston and city of Brockton, the Post- try. So, we have no purging of votes. Distribution Facility to the Charleston WV al Service has removed at least six We are just going to send out millions Processing and Distribution Facility. Kentuckiana District Manager James W. high-capacity mail sorting machines in of ballots, among which deceased peo- Kiser said, ‘‘Given the drastic 20 percent de- the mail facility in South Boston, and ple are there, folks who have moved, or cline in mail volume the Postal Service has two more from the postal processing ballots just being sent out all over the experienced since 2007, we must take action and distribution center in the city of place. There will be no voter IDs re- to reduce the size of our mail processing net- Brockton, causing a 4- to 5-day delay quired. Yet, all these ballots, somebody work. Consolidating operations and placing right now in the city of Brockton. is going to vote for them and send our people where we need them is necessary b 1400 them back in. Talk about political if the Postal Service is to remain viable to malpractice. provide mail service to the nation.’’ Why would someone do that 10 days I understand our employees’ concern over The chairwoman herself ought to be before a congressional primary in Mas- the first to stand up and testify of the this move,’’ Kiser added, ‘‘but the consolida- sachusetts in the midst of a pandemic tion makes sense given the fiscal realities. disaster of her own election that took when people are being asked to vote by The Charleston facility has the capacity to over 6 weeks or thereabouts to get the handle the additional workload and we can mail in order to keep themselves safe? results because these mail-in ballots Mr. Speaker, I was elected on 9/11, realize significant savings by shifting oper- kept coming and coming and coming, the day of the terrorist attacks on our ations there.’’ thousands of which were thrown out. It The transition is expected to be completed country. As horrific as that day was, I opened doors for lawsuits in your own by January 2012. Some employees may be re- feel proud that our Nation came to- election. assigned to the Charleston facility or to gether, as Americans do in difficult It is just absolute insanity what we other vacant positions as a result of the times. We mourned our fallen heroes. move. are doing here, to me. It is a represen- We tried to comfort their families. And This move will not cause any changes in tation of why people are so disgusted we turned to face our adversary to- local mail delivery,’’ said Kiser. ‘‘Letters with Washington. mailed to local addresses will be delivered gether, Democrat and Republican. We talk about the delays in the mail Looking back, I believe our democ- the next day, the same as before. I am con- service. In April this year, we had a fident the transition will be smooth and racy was less in danger then than it is briefing—not a hearing, a briefing—to transparent to our customers and they will today. I say that for two reasons. First, inform us of the delays that were going continue to receive the same excellent serv- because we were united then, and we to be brought about in the Postal Serv- ice they always have.’’ are divided today. And we know who There will be no change in service stand- ice due to COVID. Well, that is hap- divides us. Secondly, back then, the ards for 96.3 percent of mail. However, as a pening. We have thousands of postal threat was external. But today, at this result of the consolidation, service to 403–406, workers who are not working because moment, the greatest threat to our de- 413–414, 417–418, 430–432 and 456 will change of COVID. from overnight to 2-day. Service to 246–248, mocracy is the current administration. We also have great delays—would 250–253, 258–259 and 261–266 will improve from I call on my colleagues: Stand to- you not agree?—in cities like Portland, 2-day to overnight. ‘‘The significant cost gether. Stand together and defend de- like Chicago. Of course, there are in- savings and productivity gains expected from mocracy. Defend your own constitu- credible delays. People are scared to this consolidation were deciding factors in ents’ right to vote. I urge my col- making this very difficult decision,’’ said death to even deliver the mail in cities Kiser. leagues to vote in favor of H.R. 8015. Defend democracy. You will miss it like this. Here we come to a place like Full retail services will still be available this to bail out the Postal Service with at the Ashland Post Office. when it is gone. The Ashland Business Mail Entry Unit will Mr. COMER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 $25 billion that the Postmaster General remain open for large volume business mail- minutes to the gentleman from Geor- himself says they do not need, with $14 ers. Large volume business mailers will be gia (Mr. HICE), the ranking member of or $15 billion cash on hand and another able to bring their mail to the Ashland Busi- the Subcommittee on Government Op- $10 billion waiting, if needed, in the ness Mail Entry Unit at 1140 Carter Ave. erations. Treasury. Mr. MASSIE. Mr. Speaker, my mail, Mr. HICE of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I This is absolutely unneeded. Yet, this if I send it to my neighbor, goes to thank the ranking member and my bill is going to give an additional $25 Charleston, West Virginia, before it friend for yielding. billion without any reforms. comes back to Kentucky. Is this part of I would counter by saying the great- Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to some vast conspiracy? No. It’s part of a est threat to democracy in the country vote against this bill. decade’s long realignment process is the current majority in the House of Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New where the post office is trying to Representatives. What we are doing York. Mr. Speaker, yesterday, in the match the needs of the consumers to even right here today, what we are Rules Committee, the other side kept the post office infrastructure. doing right now, we haven’t even had a claiming that there was no data about These voter suppression conspiracies, hearing on this. the slowdown in the mail, absolutely who knows what the Democrats will We are going to have a hearing on none. blame next. Last month they were Monday for something we are voting on Well, this new report, this data, blaming the Census, this month they today. Absolute political malpractice shows a 10 percent decline in service are blaming the post office, probably is what we are watching right here. since July 1 after the new Postmaster next month they will blame Amtrak. Why do we even debate this? Why don’t General came into office and imple- Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New we have a vote and then debate it? mented a slowdown of the mail. York. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to That is the same issue as what we are Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the the gentleman from Massachusetts doing right now. distinguished gentlewoman from Illi- (Mr. LYNCH), the chair of the Sub- My Democratic friends over here are nois (Mrs. BUSTOS). committee on National Security for blaming the President as though he is Mrs. BUSTOS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the Committee on Oversight and Re- involved in voter suppression. We want the gentlewoman for yielding. form. to talk about voter suppression. We I rise in support of the Delivering for Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, as chair- want to talk about influencing the America Act. The post office is a life- man of the Subcommittee on National vote. line to rural communities. More than Security, I want to rise in strong sup- Our own Speaker PELOSI just a little 1,000 people in the district that I serve port of H.R. 8015, the Delivering for while ago had a press conference in have written to my office desperate to America Act. which she was touting, 100 days ago, save the Postal Service: a disabled vet- This urgent legislation would reverse the HEROES Act passed. What she did eran who depends on the post office to the ill-advised changes to mail delivery not say was what was in the HEROES deliver lifesaving medication; a small that the new Postmaster General has Act: forbidding States from having business owner who needs the post of- implemented to the injury of every voter ID. fice to deliver her products in an effi- American’s right to vote, and at a seri- We are going to have universal mail- cient and cost-effective way, so she can ous peril to our democracy. in ballots, no voter ID. We are going to feed her family; seniors who must self-

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:59 Aug 23, 2020 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00022 Fmt 4636 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A22AU7.023 H22AUPT1 SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with HOUSE August 22, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H4275 isolate because they are at high risk, procurement process because the spe- things. At the end of the day, we are who depend on the Postal Service for cial interest group said that they calling for a vote as we normally do. the supplies they need each and every weren’t notified in time so they could Things are voted up; things are voted day. get preferential treatment on the gov- down. That has been the process that I The Postal Service is more than a ernment contract. And surely, there have come to know over all these service; it is part of who we are. For will be the customary environmental years. Joseph in Peoria, he was a child wait- review. We are here because Americans who ing for that decoder ring to come The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. are Democrats and Republicans and through the mail. For Heather in CISNEROS). The time of the gentleman independents are not getting their mail Pekin, it is a care package full of old has expired. on time. We are here because there has family photos after losing a loved one. Mr. COMER. Mr. Speaker, I yield an been a 10 percent slowdown in the last For Joseph in Kewanee, it is a letter additional 30 seconds to the gentleman 66 days. We are here because sorting from his best friend serving in Afghani- from Georgia. machines have been dismantled at an stan. Mr. FERGUSON. Mr. Speaker, surely accelerated rate, not the normal rate, Birth certificates, college acceptance there will be the customary environ- an accelerated rate all across America. letters, the mortgage paid off, the mental review to understand the im- We are here because mailboxes, with- Postal Service delivers the American pact on the spotted blue tail south out density studies, are being snatched. Dream. We cannot let it fail. Georgia armadillo being run over by all They have been removed over the Mr. COMER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 the new mail trucks. years, but it has accelerated. It has ac- This bill is a sham. It is a shame. It minutes to the gentleman from Geor- celerated to such an extent that now is not needed right now. We are piling gia (Mr. FERGUSON), the chief deputy people are wondering: Where is their up money. We might as well put it on whip. medication? Where is their check? The National Mall, have a bonfire, in- Mr. FERGUSON. Mr. Speaker, I It is veterans. It is our small busi- vite Americans to bring their lawn would like to wish my mother a happy nesses that are hampered by this. It is chairs and a cooler of beer to watch the birthday. Happy birthday, mom. I wish senior citizens. So, we are not here bonfire, so they can see firsthand how I were there to celebrate with you. But mysteriously on a Saturday to point this place wastes money. instead, I am in D.C., voting on a fingers and to call names. senseless bill that was designed strictly Mr. Speaker, I urge a ‘‘no’’ vote. Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New The other side has a right to dis- for political purposes and will put your York. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such agree, but this is a problem. I don’t beloved grandchildren further into time as I may consume. know about your constituents, but all debt. The other side of the aisle has a dou- of mine are telling me that they can’t Now, I have watched my colleagues ble standard. Congress provided hun- get their mail on time. They expect more. on the other side of the aisle come up dreds of billions of dollars to all sorts If the first Postmaster General looked back with some intellectually dishonest of industries, businesses, large and at this day, I am sure Ben Franklin would be stuff in the past. I have seen it happen spinning in his grave. small entities across the country to We have an issue before us. We ought more times than I care to count, but help them cope with the coronavirus this effort takes the cake. Just look at to go at it with vigorous debate. At the crisis. We did not require them to come end of the day, I may lose and you may what Postmaster General DeJoy said forward with detailed plans of how when he testified before the Senate last win, or I may win and you may lose, they are going to spend their money. but the American public loses without week and clearly addressed the litany But they want it for the Postal Serv- of baseless claims. us standing up for this issue. ice. Mr. COMER. Mr. Speaker, obviously First of all, he stated that no reforms Now, the Postal Service made a pub- the last speaker, the gentleman from would be implemented between now lic request, and they requested it and Maryland, missed the part where one of and the election. Overtime will not be presented it to the Board of Governors, his Members proclaimed that the cut between now and November. And who are appointed by President Trump, President was the greatest threat to the very thing the USPS needs more and the Board approved it unani- democracy. than anything else, reform, is going to mously. That is far more than all these Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the be delayed. other entities that we have given bil- gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. He said the removal of the drop boxes lions of dollars to did. And we should GROTHMAN), the ranking member of the will cease, something that I remember support the Postal Service now. well because it happened when I was On top of it, the CBO came out with Committee on Oversight and Reform’s mayor of my hometown of West Point, an estimate that this money would be National Security Subcommittee. Georgia, and our town was furious spent in the next fiscal year, and that Mr. GROTHMAN. Mr. Speaker, I about it then. I just wish my col- they needed it. The CBO record can be thank the gentleman for yielding. leagues on the other side of the aisle found online. This is a very interesting debate had found religion about this issue Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the today. I think it would be a good de- back then instead of sitting up here gentleman from Maryland (Mr. bate to be reviewed by every political fighting over what color to paint the MFUME). science class in the country as we ana- fire hydrants while Rome burned. Mr. MFUME. Mr. Speaker, I thank lyze how Congress has spent us to a $25 This bill calls for 25 billion addi- the gentlewoman for yielding. trillion debt. tional dollars. The postmaster has al- I heard someone on the other side We have a situation today in which ready testified there is over $13 billion said something that disturbed me, so it the U.S. Postal Service is sitting on $15 cash on hand, another $10 billion in has actually taken me off my remarks billion. They have the right to borrow loans they won’t need. because it can’t go unaddressed. $10 billion from a stimulus package bill I want someone to explain to me how For the gentleman to say that Demo- we passed earlier. They are making you are going to spend $25 billion be- crats, the majority party here in the more money this year than last year tween now and November. We know House, are the greatest threat to because deliveries of packages are up. how this place works. On an unauthor- American democracy that the world But despite all these numbers, the ma- ized appropriation, we all know that has ever known, that means we are jority party has decided to spend an ad- before you spend money here, you have more threatening than Putin and the ditional $25 billion. to have a plan, and I haven’t seen one. Russians, more threatening than this Now, I like the post office. I really Then, that plan has to be reviewed and terrible pandemic around us. It is the do. But when you have an agency that then commented on and reviewed sort of thing that I would admonish my can spend $25 billion that is unspent again. Then one more time, it probably side never to say about the other side, right now, $24 billion, and you intro- has to be reviewed. Then, there is the and it is the sort of thing that I think duce a bill to say they need another $25 whole procurement process, bid process takes us away from why we are here. billion, and if you don’t vote for that on equipment, background checks on We are here to have debate and dis- $25 billion bill, it means you don’t want new employees, the lawsuits on the cussion and to reasonably disagree on children to get little toys they are

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:59 Aug 23, 2020 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00023 Fmt 4636 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K22AU7.038 H22AUPT1 SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with HOUSE H4276 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE August 22, 2020 going receive in the mail, or it means honor to serve the people of this great swift completion of their appointed that we don’t like the post office, that Nation and our constitutional obliga- rounds.’’ But, of course, no one foresaw is outlandish. tion to be here present to vote on the that any American President would b 1415 issues facing America. willingly crowbar our mail system to So the question today is: Are there sway an election. So the Delivering for There are other things we can look at issues that need to be addressed in the America Act will safeguard our democ- as well. United States Postal Service? racy from any Presidential subversion. They talk about getting rid of post There certainly are. We all know This legislation will also allow our offices. In the first 3 years in which that there are. After all, the USPS has mail carriers to do their job by ensur- President Trump has complete control been on the Government ing overtime and proper equipment are of the administration, they will be get- Accountability’s High Risk List since available. ting rid of less post office boxes than the beginning of the Obama-Biden ad- It will make sure intentional service Obama from 2013 to 2016—I don’t have ministration. delays are avoided so our seniors get the numbers before 2013; it might be 4 The systemic issues are not new. their Social Security checks and pre- years in a row—in the greatest year in They did not creep up all of a sudden in scriptions. which President Trump got rid of mail- the last few weeks since the new Post- It defends our veterans, who count on boxes. master has been in office. They have this noble occupation for work and rely Another thing to point out is, even if been here for awhile. So, if we are real- on the postal system to deliver their every single person in this country ly trying to address the issues, there is medicine. votes absentee, which they won’t, it room for discussion. My State, Florida, just completed a would only increase mail that month The late Chairman Elijah Cummings primary where nearly 60 percent of the by 11⁄2 percent. So we have no crisis and the now White House Chief of Staff counted ballots arrived by mail. Savvy here. It is something they will easily MARK MEADOWS have a bill that has seniors and residents reeling from a be able to handle. some serious effort put into it. summer of viral outbreaks wanted the The idea that we are even talking Tomorrow we will be having a hear- safety that only mail-in balloting pro- about spending another $25 billion ing with the Postmaster to discuss the vided. today is indicative of why this country bill we are arguing today and voting This year, our country saw half a is going to wind up spending itself into on. million primary ballots rejected, and a oblivion. The White House has offered a $10 bil- main reason they get tossed is due to Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New lion package, which the Speaker has postal delays. York. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to rejected. These brave frontline workers are de- the gentleman from New York (Mr. So there are options if we want to ad- livering goods amid a pandemic, and it JEFFRIES), the distinguished chair of dress the real issues, but today is not has taken its toll on their workforce. the Democratic Caucus. about a serious effort. Today’s effort is So in a State like Florida, known for Mr. JEFFRIES. Mr. Speaker, I thank yet another smokescreen, another con- its razor-thin Presidential elections, the distinguished chair for yielding and spiracy theory forced upon the Amer- we can’t afford to have 59 sorting ma- for her tremendous leadership. ican people to distract us from the real chines left on the sidelines. The post office is as American as problems facing the American people; Blocking postal employees from motherhood, baseball, and apple pie. It to distract from the Speaker’s unwill- overtime is not an option, especially is one of the only entities actually ingness to work with the White House when it may hold up hundreds of bal- mentioned in the United States Con- to protect schools, hospitals, and small lots that decide the Presidency. stitution. It has been around for hun- businesses; to extend PPP to mom-and- The Delivering for America Act helps dreds of years. The first Postmaster pop businesses that are on the brink defend our democracy from the hypoc- General was Dr. Ben Franklin. It is and the families connected to them; to risy of a President who casts mail-in part of the heart and soul of this coun- address the heartbreaking violence and ballots himself one day, then tries to try, and the attacks on the post office destruction in our cities and streets. meddle in our neighbor’s mailbox the by the Trump administration are The American people are tired of next. shameful. this, tired of lurching from one manu- Don’t mess with the USPS. Pass this The American people deserve a Post- factured crisis to another, tired of lead- good bill. al Service that delivers Social Security ership by fear-mongering, tired of this The SPEAKER pro tempore. Mem- checks to senior citizens, delivers med- House preferring to campaign on issues bers are reminded to refrain from en- icine to disabled veterans, delivers un- rather than to fix them. gaging in personalities toward the employment insurance checks to dis- The bill offered today will not save President. placed Americans, and, yes, delivers the USPS or provide for long-term sus- Mr. COMER. Mr. Speaker, that ship ballots to those who choose to vote by tainability. Today’s effort is another has sailed. mail in the midst of a deadly pan- attempt to mask the fact that this Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the demic, because no American should House under this leadership is doing gentleman from Ohio (Mr. GIBBS), an- ever have to choose between their very little for the American people. other great member of the Oversight health, safety, and well-being on the Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New and Reform Committee. one hand and the constitutional right York. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to Mr. GIBBS. Mr. Speaker, once again, to vote on the other. the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. my colleagues on the other side of the This is why we need a fully func- WASSERMAN SCHULTZ), another member aisle are pulling the wool over the tional Postal Service. Don’t mess with of the Committee on Oversight and Re- American people’s eyes. USPS. form. We are here today not to debate or Mr. COMER. Mr. Speaker, may I in- Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Mr. conduct public policy for the benefit of quire as to the balance of our time. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for the Nation; we are here so they can The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gen- yielding. perform in political theater. If you tleman from Kentucky has 431⁄2 min- I rise to support the Delivering for have any doubt about that, this coming utes remaining. America Act, to protect a pillar of our Monday, the Oversight and Reform Mr. COMER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 democracy and fortify a lifeline so Committee is having a hearing with minutes to the gentleman from Texas many Americans count on. the Postmaster General about this (Mr. CLOUD), another Oversight and Re- This bill would provide urgently same issue. form Committee ranking member. needed Postal Service funding and bar So we are voting first, then we are Mr. CLOUD. Mr. Speaker, I thank its leaders from compromising its serv- having hearings? I think that is you- Mr. COMER for yielding. ices during this COVID–19 crisis. know-what backwards. Mr. Speaker, you will never hear me We all know the motto: ‘‘Neither My colleagues on the left are faking complain about having to come to snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of outrage over a made-up crisis to score Washington to vote. After all, it is an night stays these couriers from the points during an election. The United

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:59 Aug 23, 2020 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00024 Fmt 4636 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K22AU7.040 H22AUPT1 SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with HOUSE August 22, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H4277 States Postal Service is under no For every American, no matter how tinue to have Trump derangement syn- greater stress than it was before the remote they live, they can get mail. drome. coronavirus pandemic and well before They can get their prescriptions. They Here are the questions I would ask this election cycle. can have a small business in Powers, my Democrat colleagues: The facts have been laid out by ex- Oregon, pretty remote from every- If the Democrats are so concerned, perts, by independent journalists, by thing, and use the Postal Service. then why have we not had a hearing regular citizens who do the job the Now, you can’t have it both ways, about the Postal Service issues since mainstream media refuses to do. Rath- guys. You say the Postal Service June 15 of 2019? er than find out and report what is doesn’t have a problem. Well, wait a If the Democrats are so concerned, really going on, we have mainstream minute. DeJoy is making these cuts be- why have we not had round-the-clock media parroting Speaker PELOSI’s con- cause he says it has a revenue problem. meetings to discuss the bill that we in- spiracy theory. He has prohibited overtime because tend to fund at $25 billion which is Here are the facts: they have a revenue problem. They being proposed? The post office is solvent through can’t move their delivery vehicle more We have been out of session for 17 most of 2021 and will be able to operate than four times on a route. Eight-mile- percent of the time since March 15. for the 2020 election. They have $15 bil- long route, you are going to walk 2 Why haven’t we been called back in to lion cash on hand. They have a $10 bil- miles each way. discuss this? lion line of credit they have not used. Guess what? Mail is getting delayed If you do the math, on $25 billion, If every single American voted by all across the country. and we have got 70 days left, that is mail this cycle, it would be as low as The fact is, before the pandemic, roughly $325 million per day. one-quarter of the mail the post office they were breaking even or making You tell the American taxpayer handles daily. money if we did away with the stupid where you are spending that money. We have heard a lot about the sorting prefunding of 75 years of healthcare You tell the American taxpayer how machines. First-class mail has really that was put in in the dark of the night we are going to come up with it. You tapered off and the volume of packages by the Bush administration in a lame- tell the American taxpayer this is like has increased, so that is an efficiency duck Congress, and 309 people in this dropping money from a helicopter. standard that is doing better. House, including 87 Republicans, voted If the Democrats are so concerned During the 5-year span of the Obama for that in February, but it hasn’t hap- about the post office, why are we hav- administration, 14,000 blue collection pened. ing to vote today when the Postmaster boxes were removed from the streets. So you can’t have it both ways. General is appearing at the hearing on Twice during election years, the But there is no doubt that the mail is Monday? This is just like determining Obama administration proposed fund- being delayed. I am hearing it from ev- the score of a football game and then ing cuts to the Postal Service. Where erywhere. playing the game on Monday. It makes was the outrage then? There was none. Ms. Lorey, she cares for a blind elder- no sense. Removing and relocating collection ly veteran: I ordered the VA refills for b 1430 boxes where they are more useful is him. They were so late arriving, we had The Democrats have no interest in common sense, not a conspiracy. to ration out his most important medi- hearing the testimony of Mr. DeJoy. Postmaster DeJoy testified and has cation from two pills a day to one pill The only thing they want to do is be- come out publicly saying they are not a day until the prescription arrived. rate and not give the Postmaster Gen- going to do any more cost-cutting Ms. Trudy, Eugene, Oregon: My hus- eral the opportunity to answer, just measures before the election, so every- band is a Vietnam war veteran. His like they did Attorney General Barr, thing is frozen. meds are delivered by mail. I love my which was a disgrace to this country. What the other side really wants is husband. I want him to get the meds he The taxpayers deserve better. universal mail voting, not absentee needs to survive. The Democrats will have no discus- voting, which we all support. They Last year, the Postal Service deliv- sion on the spying of the President want universal mail voting. We just ered 125 million VA prescriptions on since 2016. mail out ballots to anybody, and who time, but somehow, with the efficiency The Democrats have no explanation knows who they will be. All that is measures and the cuts—which I guess of a failed Mueller Report. going to do is sow the seeds, if the elec- they don’t need to make, but he is The Democrats have no explanation tion doesn’t go their way, to create making because of the financial cri- for the impeachment of the President. more chaos and more division in this sis—they can’t deliver VA meds on The post office will fail as well. country. time. They can’t deliver prescription Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New You won’t hear any of these facts drugs for seniors and many other York. Mr. Speaker, I would like to cor- from the mainstream media. Americans who are required by their rect for the RECORD that the Com- The SPEAKER pro tempore. The insurance plan to get their meds mittee on Oversight and Reform had a time of the gentleman has expired. through the mail with just-in-time de- briefing on postal on April 9, 2020— Mr. COMER. Mr. Speaker, I yield an livery, which isn’t happening. right after the COVID crisis struck additional 30 seconds to the gentleman You cannot deny those things. us—with the Postmaster General. from Ohio. Why are they happening? How are Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the Mr. GIBBS. Mr. Speaker, this bill you going to fix it? gentlewoman from Illinois (Ms. provides funding that is already there. You are up here blathering about all KELLY), who is another great member Creating and peddling this conspiracy sorts of crap. Talk about how we are of the committee. theory is irresponsible and reckless. At going to restore this Postal Service in Ms. KELLY of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I a time when Russia and China are med- the United States of America to effi- stand with my colleagues today dling in our elections, we don’t need ciency. shocked and dismayed by the actions of help from Congress peddling fake news. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Mem- this administration. This is one bill that needs to be la- bers are reminded to address their re- For the past few years, the Oversight beled, ‘‘Return to sender.’’ marks to the Chair. and Reform Committee has worked in a Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New Mr. COMER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 bipartisan fashion to modernize the York. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to minutes to the gentleman from South Postal Service with former Representa- the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. DEFA- Carolina (Mr. NORMAN), another great tive MARK MEADOWS leading the ZIO), the distinguished chair of the member of the Oversight and Reform charge. Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. Now, like too many things over the Committee. Mr. NORMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise past 31⁄2 years, mail has become a par- Mr. DEFAZIO. Mr. Speaker, see this today to apologize to the American tisan issue. The Postal Service is a pil- mask? What does it say? ‘‘United taxpayers for this total sham of a proc- lar of our democracy. It is essential for States Postal Service.’’ Not ‘‘busi- ess that the Democrats and this leader- providing critical services such as: life- ness’’; ‘‘service.’’ ship are trying to spread. They con- saving prescriptions, Social Security

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:59 Aug 23, 2020 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00025 Fmt 4636 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K22AU7.042 H22AUPT1 SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with HOUSE H4278 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE August 22, 2020 benefits, paychecks, tax returns, let- Ms. PLASKETT. Mr. Speaker, today I supported former Chairman Cum- ters home from military families, and we vote on a bill that would block an mings’ and MARK MEADOWS’ bipartisan absentee ballots to millions of Ameri- attack on the U.S. Postal Service. By solution for the Postal Service because cans. doing so we are blocking an attack on I represent a rural State, and privatiza- The VA delivers prescriptions to 80 an American institution, on our Amer- tion is bad for my constituents. percent of our veterans via the mail. ican way of life, and on democracy. By But do you know how important this This intentional and ridiculous slow- responding to the unanimous requests has been to the Oversight and Reform down means vets are skipping doses of the Trump-appointed Board of Gov- Committee? while checking empty mailboxes. ernors of the Postal Service for a fund- Our last hearing on the Postal Serv- While I was back home, one of my ing of $25 billion and restoring oper- ice was in April of 2019. But somehow, businesses told me they hadn’t received ations to January 1 levels, we will lit- we have decided that because the pre- mail for 10 days. Another person told erally be saving lives. vious Postmaster General who was ap- me they received mail every other day. The necessity of this vote and the ne- pointed in 2015 and didn’t resign until This cannot go on, and we cannot cessity of this legislation shows the June and did something unique in this trust the word of a Postmaster General peril to our democracy that this ad- town—made sure just about everybody who is unqualified and whose sweeping ministration has placed us all in, our hated her. operational changes degrade the Postal elders, our veterans, our businesses, But now we are saying this all blew Service, delay the mail, and threaten and our vote. up last week. But it didn’t. I know it our upcoming election. We must pass We will go further than just voting, didn’t because you can Google postal the Delivering for America Act so we and we will have that hearing on Mon- problems in any jurisdiction from one can return the United States post of- day on the Oversight and Reform Com- end of this country to the other and fice to normal and ensure we have a mittee led by Chairwoman MALONEY to you know they have existed before. safe election where everyone is count- speak with the Postmaster General to But instead we will come to the floor, ed. examine some of his, shall we say, cre- debate a bill offered and sponsored by Mr. COMER. Mr. Chair, I have to ative decisions. the chair of the committee of jurisdic- comment on what the chairwoman said We want to examine the operational tion, we will vote on it today, and then about the briefings. A briefing is not a and organizational changes at the we will have a hearing on Monday committee hearing. With a briefing, Postal Service that have resulted in de- about the bill. So before we even talk there are no notice requirements. Of- livery delays across the country, in- about the fact that we are giving $25 tentimes in the beginning we weren’t cluding the delays of goods and serv- billion to an organization that already allowed to have witnesses, and there ices for small businesses and families, has $25 billion cash on hand, and re- are no transcripts. So there is a big dif- as well as critical medicines. gardless of how you feel about this, $25 billion does not deliver votes, and we ference between a briefing and a com- In my district of the Virgin Islands have no ability to do this. mittee hearing. we are hostage to the U.S. Postal Serv- We are doing this in a way that is Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the ice. We cannot drive to big-box stores, completely and utterly political the- gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. never mind medicines for our elders or ater because anybody who has been KELLER), who is another member of the our veterans. paying attention knows that the post Oversight and Reform Committee. We will review the impact of these office problems are chronic, they are Mr. KELLER. Mr. Speaker, I rise changes on the rights of eligible Amer- not acute. They have lost $70 billion today to discuss the need for meaning- icans to cast their vote through the since 2007, and they lost $9 billion in ful, long-term reform for the United mail in the November elections, but we will also have a few closing questions 2019. States Postal Service. So my question is: Why haven’t we The USPS provides an essential serv- for Mr. DeJoy. Is Mr. DeJoy thinking about that been having hearings on this in the ice to every community in the Nation, Committee on Oversight and Reform yet this agency has lost $78 billion in senior who won’t receive their medi- cine on time due to his policies? for the 2 years I have been here? the last 13 years. In 2009 the Govern- Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New ment Accountability Office published a Has he thought about the veteran who served our Nation and can’t get York. Mr. Speaker, I would like to re- report placing USPS on the high-risk spond to the gentleman’s statement list, doubting the self-sustaining finan- their prescriptions to heal? Has he considered rural Americans that the money is not needed. The cial viability of this agency. The finan- who have to drive 20 miles to the near- Postal Service sought the $25 billion cial state of the USPS has progres- est post office? from Congress to provide this critical sively worsened due to declining mail Has he thought about any of these relief, and that request was supported volume, liabilities, and debt. Proposals people? unanimously by a vote by the Board of to give the USPS $25 billion in cash Or is he, like the President, only con- Governors who were all appointed by without serious reforms will not ad- cerned about his own self-interest? President Trump. dress the fundamental issues that the The SPEAKER pro tempore. Mem- Yesterday we received the report agency faces. bers are reminded to refrain from en- from the nonpartisan Congressional The proposals before us today only gaging in personalities toward the Budget Office, and that report esti- delay real reform and throw taxpayer President. mates that the vast majority of this dollars at a problem with no clear vi- Mr. COMER. That ship has sailed. funding would, in fact, be needed with- sion forward. Rather than politicizing Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the in fiscal year 2021 to provide services to the mail, we should be working to give gentleman from North Dakota (Mr. the American people. the USPS longevity through com- ARMSTRONG) who is another valuable This should be a nonpartisan issue. prehensive reforms. Rather than trying member. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the to fix a problem by simply spending Mr. ARMSTRONG. Mr. Speaker, if gentlewoman from California (Ms. more taxpayer money, we should be en- there is a bill that more accurately re- WATERS). My good friend is the distin- acting reforms to equip our Nation’s flects the failure of Democratic leader- guished chairwoman of the Committee outstanding postal workers with the ship for my first 2 years in Congress, I on Financial Services. tools they need and deserve to continue don’t know what it is. Ms. WATERS. Mr. Speaker, I ran to delivering the mail. This is the only I know that because I came to Con- the floor when I heard that our Mem- way we will ensure that Americans gress knowing of the problems with the bers on the Republican side of the aisle continue to receive this vital service Postal Service. I am the only Repub- are trying to use as an excuse we have without interruption. lican on the Oversight and Reform not had a hearing. Oh, yes. You have Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New Committee who cosponsored the Demo- had a hearing. You have had a hearing York. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to crats’ bill to remove the prefunding of from the American people who are the gentlewoman from the Virgin Is- their pensions. I have been working on shocked that the President and DeJoy lands (Ms. PLASKETT), who is another this, been curious about it, and have are out there dismantling and destroy- outstanding member of the committee. cared about it for a very long time. ing our Postal Service.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:59 Aug 23, 2020 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00026 Fmt 4636 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K22AU7.044 H22AUPT1 SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with HOUSE August 22, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H4279 For 3 years I warned the American Many of us are asking that question stitution. It is not a business to fund people and my colleagues that this today: Why are we here? the bottom line. President was a threat to our democ- The answer is because this House is In just the first 2 months of his ten- racy. Yet, here we are today voting on adrift. This House is a ship without a ure, without having any postal experi- a measure to save the Postal Service rudder. It lacks vision, it lacks direc- ence, this Postmaster General has because it is being sabotaged by a des- tion, and, most importantly, it lacks threatened and has taken actions to perate President in order to cheat in leadership. It simply gets tossed to and undermine decades of precedence with- the 2020 elections. fro by the political wind of the day. in the Postal Service. Since our country’s founding, the Mr. Speaker, it didn’t just start. It Today, Congress must act. As my people have relied on the Postal Serv- has been that way this whole Congress. chairwoman said, that is why we are ice for everything from delivery of let- At a time when America has legitimate here. We must act. The Delivering for ters to our seniors wanting their medi- needs with a pandemic and an economy America Act does just that. Along with cines delivered on time. Veterans want trying to get back on track, it is really providing the Postal Service with a their disability checks on time. Social no surprise that this is the best the left desperately needed $25 billion to offset Security recipients want and need can do. House Democrats offer no hope. revenue that has been forgone due to their money. We need change. COVID–19, it also—and this is some- So I want to say to the Members on Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New thing that is very important—this leg- the opposite side of the aisle: You had York. Why are we here? islation prohibits the Postmaster Gen- better get some courage. If you are We are here because the President of eral from making any operational afraid of the President, you had better the United States went on national tel- changes that will undermine the Postal step up to the plate on this. We will evision on Thursday night and said he Service’s ability to fulfill its mission. not allow the United States Postal was going to defund the post office. Its mission is to deliver the mail. Service to be destroyed by you. That is why we are here. Rain, sleet, snow, gloom of night, the And another message to the Presi- Further, he said he didn’t support Postal Service will deliver the mail. Mr. Speaker, we have a Postmaster dent: Stop removing our blue mail- mail-in voting when we know that mil- General who has come inside and tried boxes from our neighborhoods. lions of Americans will want to vote, to rip it apart from the inside. We will The SPEAKER pro tempore. Mem- for health reasons, by mail. That is say: Cease and desist. bers are reminded to refrain from en- why we are here. In addition to us having the goal of gaging in personalities toward the We are here because we wrote numer- the Postal Service to deliver the mail, President and to address their remarks ous letters to the Postmaster General, our democracy is hinging upon them to the Chair. which he ignored. That is why we are doing that basic job. Mr. COMER. Mr. Speaker, Ms. here. Mr. Speaker, I stand here today to WATERS forgets that President Obama I applaud the Democratic leadership say that the money was asked for by removed 12,000 of those blue boxes that for calling us in for this emergency the Board of Governors—which, by the she just asked that they quit removing. meeting to make sure that the post of- way, is appointed by the President, and Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the fice is funded. It was funded before we which, by the way, are all Republicans gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. even had a Constitution. It is one of who asked for that money to be appro- WESTERMAN). the pillars of our democracy. It is en- priated. The Postmaster General ap- Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I shrined in our Constitution, and it pro- proved and said he needed that money rise today in support of frontline, es- vides vital services to Americans who as well. sential rural mail carriers and postal need medication, the ability to conduct Mr. Speaker, I thank the Speaker for workers across my district and Amer- business, and to stay in touch. It binds bringing this critical legislation to the ica who have continued to go to work us together as a nation. Most of us do floor. I thank the chairwoman for in- and do their jobs during the pandemic. not like the fact that the President of cluding the language that will prohibit This is in sharp contrast to many of our country would even mention the enactment of any rule or standard my colleagues across the aisle who defunding the post office. That is why or policy with the intent to delay the draw a paycheck but don’t show up to we are here. mail from our government. vote or do their jobs. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the We have a real responsibility here Mr. Speaker, I also stand in opposi- gentlewoman from Michigan (Mrs. today. There is not a Member on either tion to H.R. 8015 because it is a sham LAWRENCE), a very distinguished mem- side of the aisle who has not received a bill that has no future. It doesn’t be- ber of the committee who brings valu- letter from our constituents. Let’s do long on this floor. It belongs in the ar- able experience to us as a former mem- our job. chives at the election hoax of the ber of the Postal Service. Mr. COMER. Mr. Speaker, I have the month club. b 1445 most respect for my friend, the chair- How do the Democrats keep a woman of the Committee on Oversight straight face while proposing a $25 bil- Mrs. LAWRENCE. Mr. Speaker, I and Reform, but I believe she lion bailout disguised as election integ- thank the chairwoman for yielding me misspoke. rity when it would equal about $200 per the time. She said the President wanted to ballot if every voter voted by mail? Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong defund the Postal Service. That is not That is preposterous. support of H.R. 8015. This is essential what the President wants to do. The With its current over $14 billion cash legislation to offset the dangerous ac- only time I have heard the word on hand and access to $10 billion from tions taken by the Postmaster General ‘‘defund’’ lately was by the liberal pro- the CARES Act, do we even have to over the last 2 months. gressive wing of the majority party keep explaining that the United States We are here today, in addition to that wants to defund the police. Postal Service is in a more than ade- that, to fund the Postal Service. For Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the quate financial position to remain more than two centuries, the United gentleman from Alabama (Mr. PALM- fully functional well beyond the elec- States Postal Service has delivered ER). tion? mail to every house in America across Mr. PALMER. Mr. Speaker, we are No. The American people are smarter this country—every single home. It is here today because my Democratic col- than Democrats give us credit. I be- the only Federal organization that leagues have created a conspiratorial lieve most see past the smoke and mir- touches every American every single crisis out of thin air in another at- rors. The post office is important. It is day, 6 days a week, confirming that it tempt to dupe Americans with an elec- not going anywhere, and this bill has is an essential government service. tion hoax. Only this time, instead of nothing to do with a fair election. Today, the current administration Russia, it is the United States Postal The ranking member and I partici- and the new Postmaster General seem Service. pated in a youth organization, and at to struggle to understand that the Democrats are intentionally mis- the beginning of each meeting the lead- Postal Service is an essential govern- leading people to believe that the oper- er would ask: Why are we here? ment service authorized by the Con- ational changes at the Postal Service,

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:59 Aug 23, 2020 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00027 Fmt 4636 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K22AU7.045 H22AUPT1 SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with HOUSE H4280 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE August 22, 2020 including the removal of mailboxes and demic. Families and small businesses on. MARK MEADOWS, I don’t even think antiquated processing equipment, just are desperately trying to stay safe and the Democrats—I know the chair- started. That is a lie. Nonetheless, stay afloat as the crisis rages on, and woman hasn’t even talked to him Postal Service officials have confirmed the Postal Service plays a critical role about this, the expert on this issue on that these operational changes, some in their survival. our side. Oh, by the way, he happens to of which were agreed to by Democrat Who else suffers due to the Post- have a pretty important job in this Members, have already been halted master General’s actions? The hard- town, a pretty important job, and you until after the election. working men and women who process guys didn’t even talk to him. In regard to the delay and delivery of and deliver our mail, essential workers. They had a bipartisan bill. If you mail over the last few weeks, the na- He is compromising jobs for genera- really want to work on bipartisan con- tional number cited may well reflect tions that have been a pathway to the cerns and solutions to some problems delays in cities that have been under middle class, particularly in in the post office, that is fine, but that siege by anarchists. I will direct my marginalized communities. is not what this is about. This is all colleagues and the American people’s Our Nation’s economy and the peo- about politics. attention to these photos of the ple’s health rely upon the Postal Serv- You don’t want to address real issues, burned-out post office in Minneapolis. ice. So, too, does American democracy. too busy defunding the police, too busy There is no way to know how many let- Millions will use this indispensable not denouncing the mob that is run- ters to loved ones were lost, or birth- tool to cast their ballots this year. ning so many of our cities. This is all day cards or gifts or family heirlooms They should not be discouraged. They about politics. or that decoder ring that that kid had should be encouraged by the Post- First, it was the Russian collusion. In been waiting for were destroyed and master General. The Postmaster Gen- this committee, it was the Michael will never be delivered. eral is directly attacking the funda- Cohen hearing. I remember that, when I am certain because of the lawless- mental rights and well-being of all he came, the first big hearing of this ness that the Democrats are dan- Americans. Congress. The first-announced witness gerously silent about, the delivery of I call upon him to step down now. His of this committee came and lied to us mail in Portland, Seattle, Chicago, removal is urgently needed, as are all seven times. Then, it was the Mueller New York, and Minneapolis, and other the provisions in the Delivering for report. Then, it was the Ukraine fake cities have been delayed. America Act. impeachment. And now, it is the White You want to talk defunding? Instead Mr. Speaker, I strongly support this House is putting mailboxes in cages of Democrat mayors defunding the po- legislation and call on my colleagues and whatever you are saying now. lice, I would submit that we need to to do the same. A reminder: His sup- Mr. Speaker, the American people make sure that law enforcement in port right now is urgently needed to re- see this for what it is. They see this for every American city is well funded so verse what he has been doing and say- what it is. If you want real solutions, that they can protect not just the post ing. we could have had them. You could office facilities that handle our mail, Mr. COMER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 have worked with Chief of Staff Mead- but also the people who deliver our minutes to the gentleman from Ohio ows. You didn’t want to do that. You mail so that those cards, letters, gifts, (Mr. JORDAN). wanted politics. and election ballots can be delivered. Mr. JORDAN. Mr. Speaker, I thank This was said earlier: If anyone Instead of pushing a conspiracy farce, the gentleman for yielding. should know, it should be the chair- we should be here making sure that Mr. Speaker, the Democrats talked woman of this committee who had to law enforcement has the resources about a slight delay in mail delivery wait 6 weeks after election day to get needed to protect the property and the last several weeks. Well, of course. the results of her election. lives of American families in these cit- Would you want to deliver mail in Imagine what the Democrats want to ies that are under siege. That will help Portland today, cities that have been do is throw live ballots out there to ev- make sure the mail is delivered on under siege for 90-some days? I bet eryone. That was just one congres- time, and people will feel safe in get- there are delays in Portland, Seattle, sional primary election. Imagine what ting it from the mailbox or the post of- Minneapolis, Chicago, and New York. I they want to do—150 million live bal- fice. bet that is where the delays are. lots. That is what the Democrats want. In that regard, the silence of the In fact, how do you deliver mail to a Imagine what that is going to be like. Democrats in this Chamber is deadly. CHOP zone, to a CHAZ zone? How do That is where these guys want to go. Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New you do that? They won’t let them in. I Mr. Speaker, we should be working York. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to mean, come on. We know the facts on real solutions instead of this cha- the gentleman from Massachusetts here. The facts are the post office has rade that the Democrats are putting us (Mr. NEAL), the distinguished chairman more money today than they had this through. of the Committee on Ways and Means. time last year. Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New Mr. NEAL. Mr. Speaker, I thank They got a $14 billion cash reserve. York. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to Chairwoman MALONEY for her good They got a $10 billion line of credit we the gentleman from California (Mr. work on this very issue, and I rise to gave them in the CARES Act. And oh, GOMEZ), the vice chair and an out- condemn Postmaster General DeJoy’s the Postmaster General is moving standing member of the Committee on assault on the U.S. Postal Service. some sorting machines and removing Oversight and Reform. The organizational and operational some mail collection boxes, the same Mr. GOMEZ. Mr. Speaker, someone is changes he has been implementing are thing every Postmaster General has al- lying. On one side, you have the White a betrayal at this moment of the Amer- ways done. In fact, between 2011 and House and the Postmaster General. On ican people. They are turning their 2016, the Obama-Biden administration the other side, you have the hard- backs on seniors and veterans in Pitts- removed 12,000 mail collection boxes. working men and women of the U.S. field, North Adams, Springfield, and Oh, my goodness. And it is happening Postal Service. Southbridge who rely upon the Postal again. The President and the Postmaster Service for their medications and other We are moving some boxes, and General say there is nothing to see essential services. somehow, that is a reason to give $25 here. Nothing to see. They tell us that The Postmaster General is disman- billion to the Postal Service and create their operational changes are meant to tling a lifeline for people in every com- all this ‘‘conspiracy theory’’—not my help the Postal Service. munity across the Commonwealth, but words; The Wall Street Journal called The Postal Service workers, whose his actions particularly harm those it—that the Democrats are doing. job it is to deliver the mail day in and who live in some of the most rural What is really going on here? If you day out, are saying something dif- areas in western Massachusetts. These really wanted to focus on some con- ferent. They are telling us that they mail delays and disruptions will be cerns the post office has, we have a bi- are falling behind on processing pack- harmful at any time, but they are partisan bill that the late Chairman ages because of these operational downright deadly during this pan- Cummings and MARK MEADOWS worked changes. As a result, they are seeing

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:59 Aug 23, 2020 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00028 Fmt 4636 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K22AU7.047 H22AUPT1 SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with HOUSE August 22, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H4281 bugs and rodents swimming around about this administration. It isn’t So, as the Democrats perpetuate this containers of rotten food and meat and being sabotaged. sad political stunt, unfortunately, animals. Myth no. 2: Removing mailboxes there is serious business that goes Now, my Republican colleagues say from public places is uncommon and unmet. But it shows real priority. that this is a conspiracy theory. But I cause for alarm. This week, we learned that 71 percent say to them: You can’t smell a con- This is shocking. We have got coun- of small businesses have used their en- spiracy theory. There are dying ani- try-western stars putting this up on tire paycheck protection loan—they mals, rotten food, rotten meat, rats, Instagram. We need to rush back here spent it all—and 46 percent anticipate flies. on Saturday. But little did we know that they will need more financial sup- You can’t see that in a conspiracy that, during the Obama-Biden years, port over the next 12 months. But that theory. I want them to open their eyes nearly 12,000 mailboxes were removed wasn’t critical enough to be here, be- because their constituents, my con- from communities. Never once did we cause these are real people with real stituents, are suffering because of this rush in on a Saturday to have a bill families. They don’t expect miracles deliberate attempt to sabotage the U.S. that you didn’t have marked up and from us, but they do expect us to at Postal Service. Their constituents— one-third of the Democrats would not least care. Unfortunately, not one seniors and veterans who depend on show. piece of legislation in this so-called fast delivery of their medicines, the The Postal Service is actually con- emergency session is about the fami- small businesses that depend on the stantly moving mailboxes from low- to lies or their future. U.S. Postal Service to stay afloat, and high-volume growth areas, kind of a Nor are we working to protect vac- every American who wants to partake smart thing to do. In some cases, they cine research and support Operation in our democracy safely during this replace them with more modern Warp Speed. No, House Democrats are pandemic. versions. I saw a picture where they ac- doing what they have done for the last Mr. Speaker, I can tell you which tually had a lock in the front. 2 years: They are putting politics be- If you have townhall meetings, you side I believe: the employees of the fore people. will find out a lot of mail gets stolen, U.S. Postal Service. It is with them in Last month, Speaker PELOSI said to so they were protecting the packages mind that I strongly support the pas- us: We can’t go home until a but still allowing you to put the letter sage of H.R. 8015, the Delivering for coronavirus relief package is complete. America Act. in. This isn’t voter suppression. It is I guess we know that is not true. I routine maintenance. Mr. COMER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 wonder if she wants to keep her word Myth no. 3: The Postal Service minute to the gentleman from Cali- this time as well, but I guess we will go doesn’t have the capacity to handle fornia (Mr. MCCARTHY), the Republican home this Saturday. But good news for leader. more absentee ballots. The Postal Service delivers 471 mil- one-third of the Democrats: They don’t Mr. MCCARTHY. ‘‘I urge everyone to lion pieces of mail on an average day. have to go anywhere. They are already be calm. . . . The Postal Service is not home. When she did not get her liberal incapacitated. It is still fully capable Little known fact: People mail less every single year. With all of the ad- wish list, she sent Members home. And of delivering the mail.’’ I guess good news for some Americans: Those are not my words I speak. vancements we put in the Postal Serv- ice, with the technology of our own Those who stayed home and voted, Those aren’t even words of a Repub- they still got paid. lican. They are the words of Ruth life, do you know what year equalled 471 million? About exactly what we did But those small businesses that are Goldway, a Democrat, a former Postal running out, that we are here in this Commissioner and Clinton appointee in 1985. But we do it different than 1985. We body right now that we could do some- who served for 18 years under three have more technology. And because of thing about, or those who are on unem- Presidents. ployment we could do something Based on the facts, Goldway says the that, the Postmaster General actually refuted the capacity in no uncertain about—you have the majority; we Postal Service is perfectly capable of don’t. We are not allowed to bring it to handling election mail. terms to the Senate yesterday. The Postal Service released this: If the floor; you can. But you picked a b 1500 all Americans vote by mail, 330 million crisis of something that is already Unfortunately, we have got bad news ballots over the course of this election, funded. for her. This majority didn’t get the it would only be 75 percent of what They can’t spend the money you message. Instead of listening to the ex- they deliver in a single day. want to give them. Why? Because they perts or following the facts, Democrats Now, I don’t want to claim, Mr. have got $14 billion sitting in the bank are wasting precious time spreading Speaker, that all the Democrats think and another $10 billion they could pull Speaker PELOSI’s mailbox myths. this is a myth. Maybe that is why one- from. But the small businesses don’t. You had an opportunity to have bi- third didn’t show today. I am not sure. The families that can’t pay their rent, partisanship. I have heard words on They said their health was bad. I am they don’t. And what about the vac- this floor today, Mr. Speaker, ‘‘essen- not sure if that is the case either. cine? tial,’’ ‘‘critical’’ that we are here. I ap- Even The New York Times isn’t buy- But you did do something this week. plaud the few Democrats on the other ing the House Democrats’ obvious You extended the shadow voting side who were willing to show. untruths. As it was reported earlier scheme, granting yourselves permis- I know if you cannot make it today, this month: Experts agree that the sion to vote from home until October 2. you have to sign paperwork that your Postal Service has the raw capacity to Mr. Speaker, I will take a bet. I will health will not allow you to be here. absorb the additional ballots, even if make a bet on this floor right now, And the Speaker is bringing us back on 150 million people decided to vote by maybe even a prediction. I bet that a Saturday because it is so critical to mail. gets extended again and probably goes be here right now, in this moment, in Myth no. 4: The Democrats’ legisla- a few days past the election in Novem- this time, but one-third on the other tion will make the Postal Service fis- ber. side must think otherwise. cally sustainable. Who would like to take that bet with Now, let’s go through some of the You are not fixing any of the fun- me? How much do you want to get that myths versus facts. damentals. You are not even taking extended all the way through? Myth no. 1: The Postal Service is the bill that you spent years on, with a What does that mean to the Amer- being sabotaged. Republican and a Democrat, with Eli- ican people? Well, it means the major- The Postal Service is properly funded jah Cummings and MARK MEADOWS, ity party, the Democrats, have cast for the election and beyond. We said it two who would say they come from dif- over 2,520 votes—and counting—from many times here. It is funded com- ferent walks of life, from a philosophy, home. That is just unconstitutional. It pletely through August 2021. That is but found common ground when it doesn’t matter that it is such a big cri- according to the Postal Service. came to the post office, to really fix sis that we are called back. There is The Postal Service has long-term the core of what the problems are. But plenty of room on the floor on the challenges, but they predate anything that is not why we are here today. other side.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:59 Aug 23, 2020 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00029 Fmt 4636 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K22AU7.049 H22AUPT1 SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with HOUSE H4282 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE August 22, 2020 It means a Democrat Member can Why was it an MTR? Because at the here for other reasons. We should be dial in from his boat to vote. I am not moment in time, it was essential, it here for the reasons that the American making that up. That actually hap- was critical. It was reported on that public expect us to. pened. day. You could act that day. The coun- Mr. Speaker, we can do so much bet- It means another Democrat can play try needed us to act, but you said no. ter. This country needs us. We should hooky to go watch a space shuttle You stood up for the Chinese that day. rise to the occasion, not fall for a vi- launch that isn’t even in his own dis- I do not know what the Chinese Com- sion so small as what I see today. trict. munist Party has on the Democrats, The SPEAKER pro tempore. Mem- It means Democrats collect a pay- Mr. Speaker, but it must be powerful. bers are reminded to address their re- check while the hardworking taxpayers It must be so powerful. marks to the Chair. have to pay for their vacation. I know there are bills in the Senate b 1515 And today, it means that 68 Demo- that have passed that would hold them Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New crats—one-third of their Caucus— accountable, but they can’t come to didn’t even care enough to show up for York. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the floor. the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. this so-called emergency session. I have read the reports from the FBI HOYER), the distinguished majority It is critical. I have heard you say it. that they are playing in this campaign, leader. We cannot wait. We cannot wait one that they do have a person they want day. We need to be here and now. Now, Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, I had not to win, to put a new person in office, necessarily intended to speak after the I believe that is true, but not about the but that is not critical to you. post office; about those millions of minority leader, but I cannot help but It is critical that we come today to respond to some of what the minority Americans who need us to act. provide $25 billion to an organization Every time we brought legislation to leader had to say. that Republicans and Democrats, that this floor dealing with the COVID situ- First of all, he practices the Presi- are the commissioners, say they do not ation, it seems to me the Speaker has dent’s favorite tactic. Distract. Speak need. been able to hold it up. I don’t know. about that which is not relevant. All Why do they not need it? Because Maybe you want to try to hold it up the Democrats are voting. They may be they looked at their own bank account past the election. It seems to me that voting at that machine. They may be and realized they have $14 billion. They would be playing politics. It seems to voting at that machine over there. do not need it because, in the CARES me that would be a dereliction of duty. They may be voting at that machine, Act, we gave them another $10 billion It is not how you empower the people’s or they may be voting at that machine to sit there. They do not need it be- voice in Washington; it is how you di- back there. They may be voting by cause they said they could deliver lute it. This is leadership malpractice. proxy, which you didn’t like. The mi- every piece of mail, that it would be This is shameful and this is embar- nority leader sued, and the Court said only 75 percent of what they do in a rassing. it is up to the House to decide its own Mr. Speaker, our first Postmaster single day. rules. General, whom I have heard people Mr. Speaker, I do not want to say all Now, when we passed the HEROES speak of, Ben Franklin, could have the Democrats feel that way, because Act 100 days ago tomorrow, what did been talking about this majority when one-third of them didn’t show up for the minority leader say? Let’s wait and he said: ‘‘Lost time is never found work today even though their own see what happens. And what has hap- again.’’ leader, the Speaker, said they needed pened since then? Thousands, tens of As a majority, Democrats have been to come, even though, when we passed thousands of people have gotten sick, more focused on distractions than solu- on this floor something different than and thousands and thousands of people tions for the American people, from the we haven’t done in more than 230 years, have died in those days. Let’s wait and weakest, most partisan impeachment to let somebody stay home, be on a see. in American history to politicizing the boat, call in, and still get paid, you And what did the majority leader, pandemic and stopping relief for work- said you could not do that. You could who can put a bill on the floor, what ers and families and, now, spreading a only do it if your health was at need. I did he say? Let the States go bankrupt. debunked conspiracy theory about the am not quite sure a hospital is on a Mr. Speaker, there has been a lot of Postal Service. boat in a lake, but to Democrats it talk on the floor about bring this bill Mr. Speaker, Democrats have failed must be. or that bill or the other bill. The Sen- the American public. They have failed They won’t vote on a bill that I pro- ate is controlled by your party, I tell the laid-off workers, the families, the pose to sanction Chinese-affiliated my minority friends in the House. students who are waiting for help; the hackers who attack our vaccine re- They haven’t passed a single bill in 70 small businesses, the doctors, the search. I am not sure that is partisan. days, in 100 days, not a single bill. nurses, they are waiting for help; the I thought that was pure American. Why? Because they would have to com- researchers, the scientists who are de- They won’t help working Americans. promise. veloping a vaccine, they are waiting for They won’t help protect our vaccines. And you say we need to bring things help. But this majority said no. But, yes, they stood that day proudly to the floor. The minority leader, of They did, however, say yes to China. supporting of the Chinese Communist course, had a man named Garland, On this floor, just a few weeks ago, Party. from February to January when Obama there was a bill to sanction anyone I am sorry, Mr. Speaker. America’s was the President of the United States, who would hack into our companies, too great for a vision so small with our and refused to consider it. Do you into our institutions that are working challenges before us. think there is a Founding Father who on a vaccine faster than ever before— We showed up. But you know why we thought that advice and consent meant that would only slow it down—to save showed up? We showed up for the small that they could simply ignore the lives. businesses. We showed up for those who President’s nominations? I think not. We had an opportunity to tell those are unemployed. We showed up for Some people talk about, Oh, there countries: Work with us; don’t steal those school districts that want to find are some very, very important things from us. But your voice was heard loud a way to open safely. We showed up for to do. One of them, the gentlewoman and clear, all the Democrats who the doctors and the nurses. from North Carolina—now, let me, showed up that day. More than two- I know, when I look up on the board, 84,631 deaths since HEROES passed. thirds of you voted ‘‘no’’ on the same there will be a lot of Democrat votes. I Let’s wait. We passed HEROES. No ac- day that it was reported that two Chi- don’t know where those one-third are. tion in the Republican-controlled and nese were hacking into our vaccine. Maybe they are on the boat. Maybe led United States Senate. So don’t That is what you said. they are watching a spaceship. I am whine to me about what you want on I heard the majority leader say it not sure. Maybe some are watching the floor. Don’t whine to me about we was an MTR. Yes, it was. Oprah. could have done this, we could have Why was it an MTR? Because you But one thing I do know, it is essen- done that, we could have done the don’t give us an amendment. tial that we are here. But we should be other.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:59 Aug 23, 2020 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00030 Fmt 4636 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K22AU7.051 H22AUPT1 SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with HOUSE August 22, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H4283 Mr. Speaker, I was just talking to service performance trends over the bill, and 178 of you voted no. No crisis. the chief of staff of the White House, past year. 50 million Americans. Superstorm and I kidded him, I said, You know, My friend from Ohio says, Oh, this is Sandy. People being flooded out of when you were here in the House and a fraud. There is no problem. Not a big their businesses and homes. No crisis. we had Republican leadership and they deal. Maybe he didn’t read the PMG ad- My suggestion is, wherever you are, offered solutions, you undermined visory either. you came here and that’s great, you them. According to these documents, there are here, you can vote in person. Isn’t Who says so? John Boehner says so. has been a significant drop in service that wonderful. I think your vote You had the opportunity to make a standards across the board beginning would count just as much if you had deal. in July, including first-class, mar- voted—but your leadership has told Now we control the House, and very keting, periodicals, and priority mail. you, no, don’t worry about the 86,000 frankly, the majority leader cannot The Postmaster General, of course, people who have died. The minority pass a bill because 20 of your Members has never admitted to the sweeping leader said, well, the crisis is gone. I in the United States Senate want to do delays and reductions in service caused don’t know where he thinks it went. It nothing, and just tell the people who by the actions. Instead, here is what he is certainly visiting the neighborhoods are suffering, who are on unemploy- said: ‘‘We all feel bad about what the in my State and the neighborhoods in ment, who don’t have childcare, you dip in the level of service has been.’’ your State. are on your own. So he knows there was a dip in serv- So the report says the mail has sub- Now, I have heard all this talk about ice right after he made these changes. stantially gone down since the Post- what we could have done. Do it. Do it. Now, what do we know? master General—aiding and abetting, NANCY PELOSI and Secretary Mnuchin A, we know he is a big supporter of in my opinion, the President of the got four deals done. Most of you voted the President, gave a lot of money to United States who wishes to suppress for them, and they passed overwhelm- the President. the vote—acted. ingly in a bipartisan fashion. But you Secondly, we know he was appointed Now, I don’t know how many of you made a decision, nope, no more. by the President. Essentially, yes, read 18 U.S. Code 1703, but it says, Now we have it speculated that if we elected by the Board of Governors—all ‘‘Whoever being a Postal Service offi- don’t take action and have a much thanks to the membership appointed cer or employee’’—and says some other more robust—and a plan for dealing by President Trump—who, by the way, things about secrets, destroys, detains, with COVID–19, which we don’t have unanimously asked for the $25 billion opens, et cetera—‘‘whoever delays and haven’t had, because this President we are talking about. mail, which was intended to be con- called it a hoax. You don’t have to re- We know the President of the United veyed by mail, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than 5 spond to hoaxes. That is what he called States wants to suppress the vote. years, or both.’’ it, a hoax. And, of course, if it is a hoax Why? Now, I had a press conference with you don’t respond, and he didn’t. He says so. He says so. Senator WARNER, Senator VAN HOLLEN, And over 175,000—86,000 since we The first meeting I had with the and six other Members, including EL- passed HEROES—175,000, and CDC says President of the United States with Re- EANOR HOLMES NORTON, one of the sen- it may be up to 200,000 by the end of publican leaders and Democratic lead- ior members of the Chair’s committee. this year. Still, you have passed no bill ers just shortly after he was inaugu- Five minutes before we held that press in the United States. rated President, the first thing he said conference, the Postmaster General We sent a bill over there. You don’t was, I got a majority of the votes. issued his statement that he was going like it, that is fine, pass your own. You If it hadn’t been fraud, if it hadn’t to stop doing what he was doing. I control the Senate. Pass your own, and been all those people that voted ille- guess it was because he thought, Well, then we will go to conference. We will gally, I would have gotten the majority what I am doing is great, everybody see which bill is better, or maybe we of votes. He only got 62 million. 70 mil- will support what I am doing. Or, did will put them together. But what has lion voted for somebody else. And 65 he think, I got my hand caught in the the Senate majority leader done? He million people, the majority of the peo- cookie jar and I better stop? Which do has reduced the $1 trillion offer down ple of the United States voting for you think is the more rational deter- to $500 billion, which the governor of President of the United States, voted mination as to why 5 minutes before he my State says is only sufficient to help for Hillary Clinton. had that press conference he issued his the States because they are hem- I challenge one of you to name me release? That he thought it was fine? orrhaging revenue, and they are on the two members of the electoral college in He could defend it? It was the right front lines of responding to this crisis. 2016. You can’t do it. The American people voted for Hillary Clinton. thing to do? Now, others of you have said all of If he thought all of those, why in this is a feign, this is not real. The President of the United States wants to send, maybe with no name heaven’s name did he change his mind? Mr. Speaker, I ask Madam Chair, has I will tell you why. He knew what he tags and just sort of brown suits on, she spoken about the report from the did was wrong. He probably read that troops to the polls of America. Never in Postmaster General? briefing that service had plummeted my life—and I have run probably for of- Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New since he took that action, and that he fice more times than anybody here but York. Yes, I have. was putting the mail, prescription DON YOUNG—never have I seen armed Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, let me re- drugs, Social Security checks, vet- troops there at the polls to intimidate peat it, notwithstanding that. erans’ checks, at risk. It says, ‘‘The new documents being people. That seems to me to be the logical released by the committee today are My State checks for fraud. And, by conclusion. And as the law says, if you part of the PMG briefing.’’ the way, all those fraudulent votes act and you delay the mail, you com- Now, I hope the Postmaster General, that Donald Trump said had been cast, mit a crime, subject to 5 years in jail, unlike the President of the United not a conviction. He controls the Jus- and a substantial fine. States, reads his briefings. tice Department. He controls, presum- The President says he doesn’t read ably, the FBI. b 1530 his briefings, so he didn’t know about Going back to what I said about this Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentle- the Russian payments to kill American crisis that was occurring that you say woman for her leadership. soldiers and has not responded to this doesn’t exist in the post office. The Postmaster General appeared to date on that assertion. On January 15, 2013, we voted for a back down from his attempt to set the The new documents being released by crisis, 50 million Americans living in Postal Service up for failure just mo- the committee today are part of the the northeast had been savaged by ments before a number of us, as I have PMG briefing, a presentation prepared Superstorm Sandy. About 230 of you said, from the House and Senate were directly for the Postmaster General Republicans were here, you were in about to speak in front of the Postal last week on August 12, 10 days ago. charge. Only 49 of you, not Mr. MEAD- Service headquarters right down the They provide a detailed assessment of OWS, not Ms. FOXX, 49 voted for that street.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:59 Aug 23, 2020 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00031 Fmt 4636 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K22AU7.053 H22AUPT1 SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with HOUSE H4284 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE August 22, 2020 In his testimony yesterday, the Post- casting votes through the mail. I know Providing for justice in policing, did master General indicated that he and you can discount the fact that the we send it over there? Yes. Why? Be- President Trump are simply hitting President wants to suppress the vote. cause we want a fair, more just, more pause. They don’t care about the dimi- He said so. I am not making it up. He equal, more racially conscious Nation. nution of service that the Postmaster said so. Oh, we have all the fraud. And I say racially conscious in the General’s report said, apparently. They By the way, he votes by mail, of sense that we don’t judge people on the just hit pause. Why? Because they are course. You all understand that. I don’t color of their skin. hoping it will go away, the wrongdoing know that he sends an ID card down We strengthened and expanded the that they are perpetrating, not what when he votes. Well, maybe we ought ACA, which in a pandemic may well was done in the past by, yes: Should we to check on that. You are so interested have been very helpful. It hasn’t been make service efficient and effective? in ID cards, let’s see if the President of put on the floor. We should. But that is not why this the United States sends an ID card Protecting workers’ rights to orga- was done. down to Florida. nize and receive their pensions, it All you have to do is look at the They employed tactics such as elimi- hasn’t been put on the floor. President’s statement about wanting nating overtime pay, cutting routes So, if you tell me this can’t pass, it to suppress the vote, particularly of short, reassigning experienced man- can’t pass perhaps because the Presi- minorities. He said that if more Blacks agers, et cetera. dent of the United States tells you that had voted in the last election, I would Maybe you guys and gals don’t have he is not for it, and so it doesn’t pass. have lost. That is what he said. a constituent office open. But every In closing—and I know many of you In his statement on Tuesday, the one of my Members tells me they are have said thank God—in closing, let me Postmaster General indicated that no hearing from thousands of their people. say that you ought to vote for this bill. additional changes would be imple- Congress, therefore, must take action Not for Democrats. You ought to vote to prevent them from simply changing mented. In other words, he is not going for it for your people, for the people in their minds and causing massive postal to back up, even though his report says your rural neighborhoods who are delays in the weeks ahead. Remember, it is diminishing service. Why? He can counting on the postal department to he said he has just delayed his changes, pledge all he wants, but if you don’t bring that prescription drug, which is which caused the fall in service. critical to maintain their health or give the post office department and its Delivering for America Act, that is employees the tools with which to do what the postal department has done save their lives. You ought to vote for the job, no matter what he says about since before the Constitution was it for the over 1 million people getting voting—I am glad that we make sure adopted. I am not going to go through Social Security checks in the mail. that first-class mail treatment—as a what it will require. You know what it That is why you ought to vote for it, matter of fact, there ought to be super- will require. But it would particularly not for us. You ought to vote for it because you first class. require, and I am so pleased, Madam Voting for the President of the Chair, that you included in your bill want everybody to vote; you want ev- United States has got to be the most first-class treatment because voting is erybody to participate in this democ- important thing a citizen does in this first-class priority in America. racy; you want an election that has, election year, and it ought to be treat- Now, I am going to close with this like so many other countries, 80 per- ed as such by the postal department. because so many of you said: This bill cent of our people participating, who Even after 3 months, President is not going to pass. You are wasting don’t want to be the 86,001 who die be- Trump and Senate Republicans con- your time. You shouldn’t send it over cause they went someplace and aggre- tinue to refuse to take action on the there. gated together and got COVID–19. HEROES Act. I talked about that. That If we did that, we wouldn’t do any- That is what this is about, making is why Congress needs to take action thing unless the President said you can our people able to participate safely in now that will ensure our Postal Service do it. Then, we would salute and say: their democracy. can continue to deliver for America ‘‘Yes, sir. We will do it. But if you Vote for this bill. It is not a partisan through this pandemic, just as it al- don’t want it, sir, if you don’t want bill. It is a bill that says Republicans ways has reliably delivered for our peo- FISA—126 of us voted for FISA, but if ought to be safe in voting. Democrats ple. That is why this legislation is nec- you don’t want it, we will change our ought to be safe in voting. Independ- essary. minds in 24 hours,’’ which is what you ents ought to be safe in voting, if that Millions depend on the Postal Serv- did. is what they choose to do. ice to obtain medications, receive pay- But then again, we wouldn’t have This is a good bill. It is a bill for checks, and access vital services. For sent campaign finance reform over America’s democracy. It is a bill for rural communities, in particular, the there because MCCONNELL hasn’t con- making sure that our people are con- Postal Service—that is the irony. For sidered it. We wouldn’t have sent in- nected through the mail. rural communities, the Postal Service vestment and infrastructure and jobs, I thank the chair for bringing this is probably even more important. which MCCONNELL has not put on the bill to the floor. Vote ‘‘yes.’’ I urge a This year, in particular, it will play a floor. We wouldn’t have sent restoring ‘‘yes’’ vote for all Members. crucial role, the Postal Service, in voting rights or ensuring LGBT equal- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Mem- helping tens of millions of Americans ity or protecting Dreamers or ensuring bers are reminded to refrain from en- stay safe from COVID–19. 86,000 Ameri- equal pay for women because MCCON- gaging in personalities toward the cans have died since we passed the HE- NELL hasn’t put equal pay for women President and to direct their remarks ROES Act. The minority leader seems on the floor. to the Chair. to think: Well, people not coming to Requiring background checks for Mr. COMER. Mr. Speaker, may I in- Congress, not wanting to get on an air- safer communities, only 90 percent of quire as to how much time is remain- plane, not wanting to come to Wash- Americans are for that, so I can under- ing. ington and then go home and have to stand why MCCONNELL said: Look, The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gen- sequester themselves for 14 days, oh, there is 10 percent against it. I am not tleman from Kentucky has 25 minutes. they are just playing games. going to put it on the floor for consid- The gentlewoman from New York has If you doubt the validity of their eration. 24 minutes. vote, say so. But whether I cast it far You say you haven’t gotten notice, Mr. COMER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 over there or near here, it is the same and you haven’t been included in the minutes to the gentleman from Ohio, vote. It is my vote, and it is my peo- committee, et cetera. MCCONNELL Mr. LATTA. ple’s voice. doesn’t allow anybody to vote, your Mr. LATTA. Mr. Speaker, I thank my It was so angering for Americans leader. friend, the ranking member, for yield- across the political spectrum that Meeting the challenge of climate ing. President Trump and Postmaster Gen- change, well, of course, many of you Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to eral DeJoy openly sabotaged the Postal don’t believe climate change is real. I this bill, which has not gone through Service in order to prevent people from understand that. regular order and was put together in

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:59 Aug 23, 2020 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00032 Fmt 4636 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K22AU7.055 H22AUPT1 SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with HOUSE August 22, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H4285 response to misinformation and con- tions, Social Security benefits, income retary Steve Mnuchin said, ‘‘While the USPS spiracies online. and tax payments, veterans benefits, is able to fund its operating expenses with- Since the closure of the Toledo, Ohio, Census forms, and absentee ballots to out additional borrowing at this time, we are processing plant in 2012, mail in north- pleased to have reached an agreement on the all American communities, however re- material terms and conditions of a loan, west Ohio has been sent to the mote they may be. should the need arise.’’ Metroplex Processing Facility in Americans’ dependence on the Postal And, White House Chief of Staff Mark Michigan. As my constituents can at- Service has dramatically increased Meadows also confirmed on CNN that the test, this new arrangement has not during this pandemic as we have White House offered the additional $10 bil- worked. We have experienced countless watched the on-time delivery of mail lion in funding to the Postal Service. Re- delays and destroyed and lost mail for decrease significantly. This legislation freshing the left’s collective memory about years, including more than 1,000 absen- provides the $25 billion in emergency the availability of massive amounts of fund- ing to the USPS ought to have put this tee ballots in the 2016 general election. COVID funding to the Postal Service phony claim to bed. That is why I have continuously en- that was unanimously requested by the But House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is insist- gaged with the USPS to fix these prob- bipartisan Board of Governors. ing that the House of Representatives return lems and get our mail sorted in Ohio. It also prohibits and even rolls back to vote on additional funding for the USPS, They have committed to working with changes made by the post office since which illustrates the Democrats’ over- me and officials in Ohio to implement January 1 of this year. That prohibi- arching theme: Just send money; it will al- procedures for election materials. tion lasts through January 2021 or ways solve the problem, whatever the prob- lem is, even if there is no real problem. Unfortunately, under H.R. 8015, the until the end of the pandemic, which- The second deception that the Democrats USPS would be prohibited from mak- ever is later. are using to try and steal the upcoming elec- ing any changes to their operation if it That means no post office can be tion is by conflating the long-established is determined that the changes would closed, consolidated, or reduce hours; practice of absentee balloting with the elec- impede prompt, reliable, and efficient no prohibition or restriction of over- tion-fraud-producing scam that the left is services. time pay; no changes that will delay selling of universal mail-in ballots. By con- It doesn’t specifically say who will be mail delivery or increase the volume of solidating the two, very different voting pro- cedures, they are trying to scare Americans making this determination, so it is safe undelivered mail; and no removal of to assume it will be the unelected bu- into believing that Mr. Trump is going to post office infrastructure, like sorting cheat in the upcoming election. reaucrats, individuals who have told machines or mailboxes. This is consistent with Democrats’ oper- me for years that the preferred way to This legislation protects the integ- ating strategy and the methodology that sort mail would be through the rity of our democracy by requiring they will accuse you of what they are actu- Metroplex. Now, this bill could legally that all election mail be treated as ally trying to accomplish. In this case, the prohibit absentee ballots from being first class, which means ballots must Democrats are trying to steal the election by sending ballots out to every name on every processed in Ohio-based sorting facili- be postmarked, processed, and cleared ties. voter roll. But they are fighting against on the same day that they are received. cleaning up the voter rolls. I cannot in good conscience support Your uncle is dead but still on the voter this new Democratic political sideshow b 1545 roll? A ballot comes to his last address in his because it threatens the rights of my Mr. COMER. Madam Speaker, I yield name. Your cat is somehow on the roll? constituents to have their voices heard 2 minutes to the gentleman from Ari- Fluffy gets a ballot. in November. zona (Mr. BIGGS). Democrats know that their demands will Madam Speaker, I urge a ‘‘no’’ vote Mr. BIGGS. Madam Speaker, I thank incentivize and produce fraudulent ballots by on this legislation. sending out ballots to those who haven’t re- Ranking Member COMER for yielding. quested them. They are OK with that be- Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New Madam Speaker, I include in the cause they think they can win the dead voter York. Madam Speaker, I yield 3 min- RECORD two articles from periodicals. and pet cat demographics. utes to the gentleman from South [From the Washington Tmes, Aug. 18, 2020] They accuse Mr. Trump of defunding the Carolina (Mr. CLYBURN), the distin- USPS—when the left really wants to defund DEMOCRATS FUEL POST OFFICE PANIC WITH the police—and their accusation is a lie. guished majority whip. LIES TO WIN UPCOMING ELECTION Mr. CLYBURN. Madam Speaker, I They know that the president supports the (By Andy Biggs) thank the gentlewoman for yielding. long-standing practice of absentee voting, Madam Speaker, I rise today in sup- There are two almost immutable laws of but claim he is against that. Another lie. operation that form the basis of America’s House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is so con- port of H.R. 8015, the Delivering for political left. The first is that Democrats cerned that she is bringing the House back America Act. This legislation is vital and leftists foment fear in order to obtain into session to vote on legislation that to protecting the United States Postal and maintain political power. The other is means nothing. Oh yeah, it’s urgent alright, Service. that they always accuse everyone else, con- but only after the Democratic convention is I maintain that the post office is the servatives and Republicans, of acts, words completed. Oh, and it’s only to give Demo- thread that holds the fabric of our and ideas in which the left is engaged. crats the opportunity to further the panic- great country together. The Postal If that means that the truth must be adul- driven narrative, because the Senate isn’t going to hear the speaker’s deceptive bill. Service existed before our Nation’s terated in order to craft a narrative that gins up panic and hysteria, they will shade Never forget that the Democrats and left Constitution as the lifeline that con- the truth. Lies beget panic, panic calls for a always accuse you of what they are actually nected far-flung communities. The solution—usually a big spending solution— doing and that they will prevaricate to fur- Founders believed so strongly in the and the Democrats try to exploit that panic ther that claim. The left will try and stoke importance of the post office that they to get more power. panic in the country, then attempt to spend enshrined it in our Constitution. The Democrats are engaged in a any amount of money to quell that panic in The post office provides a critical disinformation campaign regarding the up- order to arrogate power. The deception surrounding the USPS ‘‘cri- public service that we cannot allow to coming election and mail-in ballots that is deceptive and reflective of their goal of win- sis’’ is just another great example of Marx- become a potential political pawn of a ian-Democrat duplicity. dysfunctional, destructive, and, I dare ning the election by hook or crook. Democrats and their left-wing publicists in [From the Blaze, Aug. 21, 2020] say, disastrous administration. This the media claim that President Trump is administration has demonstrated time going to dismantle the United States Postal POSTMASTER GENERAL PROMISES TIMELY DE- and again why government should not Service (USPS). This absurdity typifies both LIVERY OF ELECTION MAIL, SAYS USPS be run like a business. Businesses exist of the Democratic strategies: It is a lie to en- DOESN’T NEED BAILOUT MONEY to make profits. The post office and the gender panic, and the stealing of the election (By Aaron Colen) whole of our government exist to pro- is their objective, not the president’s. Postmaster General Louis DeJoy denied vide services. That is why it is called a They claim that Mr. Trump is going to fis- accusations that the United States Postal Postal Service, not the postal corpora- cally starve the behemoth USPS in order to Service wouldn’t be able to handle increased prevent all mailed ballots from being count- volumes of election mail in November, and tion. ed. Of course, neither claim is true. told the Senate Homeland Security and Gov- Today, we are acting to reinforce our The president signed a bill that provided ernmental Affairs Committee on Friday that Postal Service system, which provides an additional $10 billion to the USPS just a the USPS was ‘‘fully capable’’ of getting the vital services like delivering medica- few weeks ago. At the time, Treasury Sec- job done, CBS News reported.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:59 Aug 23, 2020 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00033 Fmt 4636 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K22AU7.056 H22AUPT1 SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with HOUSE H4286 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE August 22, 2020 DeJoy has been a target of Democrats who General, so what we are going to do is Enough of the criminal and corrupt believe the Trump donor and logistics expert we are going to proscribe any kind of mismanagement of the Postmaster is handicapping the Postal Service at the efforts to make the post office, Postal General. The changes he has brought to president’s urging in order to discourage or Service, work better. We are going to our Postal Service during this pan- limit mail-in voting. ‘‘As we head into the election season, I stop that. Not only are we going to demic are brazen acts of sabotage in- want to assure this committee, and the stop that, we are going to give a new tended to slow down operations and to American public, that the Postal Service is cause of action to trial lawyers against delay mail delivery. fully capable of delivering the nation’s elec- the USPS. This is a hell of a way to repay 600,000 tion mail securely and on time,’’ DeJoy tes- That is what is going on in this bill, dedicated letter carriers and postal tified. and I find that intriguing. It reminds workers who have put themselves in DeJoy said even mail-in ballots sent one me of a Eugene Ionesco play, Luigi Pi- harm’s way in the midst of this pan- week before Election Day would be counted, randello. We are talking theater of the demic, who find dignity in their work because USPS workers will ‘‘scour every and are worried about the impact on plant each night leading up to Election Day’’ absurd here. That is what we are talk- to make sure no ballot is left behind. ing about. services and fear for their very liveli- Rather than being opposed to mail-in vot- Democrats call the failures of USPS hoods and retribution for the calls that ing, as President Donald Trump is, DeJoy a crisis, but they are going to prohibit they have made to all of our offices. told the committee ‘‘I think the American reforms or changes. Think of the irony How dare you. public should be able to vote by mail, and of that. While the Trump administration and the Postal Service will support it.’’ I would suggest that this illustrates its allies continue to gaslight the DeJoy clarified that the potential issue American people, we actually listen to with mail-in ballots is related to state dead- the Democrats’ overarching theme: If you just send money, it will always our constituents and their lived experi- lines that are too close to Election Day, ences and how this has disrupted their which is why 46 states were notified of that solve the problem, whatever the prob- issue in a letter late last month. DeJoy said lem is, even if there is no real problem. lives, what you are referring to as Americans should vote early, if they can. This is not a money issue. This is not fakes news, constituents like Cas- The U.S. Postal Service plans to ‘‘send a an acute issue. This is a long-term sandra, a freelancer from Somerville letter to every American’’ explaining ‘‘what problem that has been there for mul- who waited for 2 weeks for a check our process is’’ for mail-in voting, DeJoy tiple administrations. from a client to arrive. said Friday. ‘‘Freelancing is already unstable,’’ DeJoy, who has been in his role since June, Now, to come in at the last minute— and here is part of the absurdity. she told me, ‘‘and post office delays said he has never spoken to Trump or White mean I have even less assurance that House advisers about making changes to The SPEAKER pro tempore (Ms. service. WILD). The time of the gentleman has the money I have worked for will reach The USPS has long been in bad financial expired. me in a timely fashion.’’ shape, and DeJoy was hired as a logistics ex- Mr. COMER. Madam Speaker, I yield Or Brendan in Charlestown, who re- pert from the private sector to address issues an additional 30 seconds to the gen- quested an absentee ballot more than 3 of cost and efficiency. Some of the changes weeks ago so he and his pregnant wife tleman from Arizona (Mr. BIGGS). that have reportedly been made, such as the could vote without risking their health limiting of overtime and the removal of Mr. BIGGS. Madam Speaker, the richest part of this irony, this absurd- but has yet to receive it because, in the some mail sorting machines and collection Massachusetts Seventh Congressional boxes, have led to some delays in mail deliv- ity, is: Here we are today. We are going ery in some areas. Those operational changes to vote on this bill today, and we are District, nine mail sorting machines were suspended by DeJoy this week to avoid going to have the hearing on Monday have been removed. There must be accountability. It is the appearance of tampering with the Nov. 3 in the committee. That is the richest time to pass the Delivering for Amer- election. part of an absurdity that is going to Some recent primary elections were dis- ica Act. cost us $25 billion. rupted by issues with mail-in ballots. A New The SPEAKER pro tempore. Mem- Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New York congressional election was delayed by bers are reminded to address their re- York. Madam Speaker, just as a point six weeks due to a dispute over some ballots marks to the Chair. that were not postmarked or that were re- of clarification, there is no cause of ac- Mr. COMER. Madam Speaker, I yield ceived after the deadline. Tens of thousands tion in this bill, and it does not in any 2 minutes to the gentleman from Texas of votes that were mailed in weren’t counted way hinder any efficiency that would for various reasons. (Mr. WILLIAMS). speed up the mail. It merely stops any Mr. WILLIAMS. Madam Speaker, I Democrats are pushing for billions of dol- action that slows down the mail until lars in additional funding for the USPS, par- rise today in opposition to H.R. 8015 tially to help with the election. On Friday, the end of this pandemic. and the manufactured crisis my Demo- DeJoy told Congress the USPS did not need Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to cratic colleagues have created regard- a federal bailout, but did advocate for reim- the gentlewoman from Massachusetts ing the U.S. Postal Service. bursement for service provided during the (Ms. PRESSLEY), an extremely valuable For the past week, the American peo- pandemic even while revenues were down. member of the committee. ple have been told they cannot trust Mr. BIGGS. Madam Speaker, ‘‘The Ms. PRESSLEY. Madam Speaker, I the Postal Service to do their job and Postal Service is fully capable of deliv- rise today to say: Enough. In a blatant that Republicans, along with President ering the Nation’s election mail se- attempt to suppress the vote, the occu- Trump, are trying to undermine the curely and on time.’’ That was the tes- pant has continued to attack the legit- agency. timony of the Postmaster General. imacy of our elections, denouncing the That could not be further from the But they don’t trust the Postmaster very method of voting he and his fam- truth. The Postal Service has more General. ily have repeatedly used: mail-in bal- than enough funding to operate for the The post office has taken care of over lots. next calendar year and has not even 400 million pieces of mail every day. Hypocrisy: It should look familiar to acted upon the $10 billion loan the But they don’t trust the Postmaster my colleagues across the aisle. Treasury offered back in July. General. How dare you refer to this as a sham The sad truth is that the Postal Serv- That is intriguing to me, because bill. The only sham here is the patriot- ice has been financially unsustainable they are going to give the Postmaster ism that you allege to espouse while and without reform for over a decade, General an additional $25 billion. They you stand idly by and are complicit in and the bill we are voting on today will don’t trust him, yet they are going to the dismantling of the United States do nothing, absolutely nothing, to im- give him $25 billion when he already Postal Service, which is impacting the prove the shortfalls with this agency. has $15 billion cash on hand and a $10 lives of all of our constituents, dis- We should, instead, be working to- billion line of credit. We don’t trust rupting services. gether to address certain problems we this guy, but we are going to give him Patriotism: They hire more veterans have while being conscious of the tax- $25 billion extra. than anyone else. Veterans rely on payer dollars that have been used for But moreover, this is a crisis. We them to receive lifesaving medication. bailouts over the years. want reforms. We want changes. We The only sham here is the patriotism Madam Speaker, I have a rural dis- don’t trust the current Postmaster which you espouse. trict in Texas, District 25. We rely

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:59 Aug 23, 2020 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00034 Fmt 4636 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A22AU7.025 H22AUPT1 SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with HOUSE August 22, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H4287 upon the Postal Service to fulfill serv- Mr. BISHOP of North Carolina. Over 90 percent of Americans have a ices that my constituents would other- Madam Speaker, I thank the gen- favorable opinion of the Postal Service. wise go without. I am an advocate for tleman for yielding. We have to restore that bond. That is improving this agency, and we should Madam Speaker, our presence today, what this legislation does. dedicate time to do just that, but there this unserious legislation, even all the Mr. COMER. Madam Speaker, I yield is an actual crisis among us that yelling across the aisle and the stray- 30 seconds to the gentleman from should demand our immediate atten- ing off topic, they all underscore a con- Pennsylvania (Mr. FITZPATRICK). tion. trast: Democrats whip up hysteria; Re- Mr. FITZPATRICK. Madam Speaker, In the car business, you can’t charge publicans show up to work. I thank Ranking Member COMER for the sticker price if you don’t have a ve- They call a Saturday session, sup- yielding. hicle to deliver, and you don’t sell used posedly because of an emergency. Re- Madam Speaker, I stand today with cars that won’t start. We are not deliv- publicans are here, but about 70 Demo- the hardworking letter carriers and ering results today. The immediate cri- crats don’t show up. And that has been postal workers of the United States sis we need to address is caused by the the pattern all summer: Republicans Postal Service. COVID–19 pandemic. come to work; Democrats dial it in, The USPS must be fully funded so Main Street America and families sometimes from the fishing boat. that my constituents and millions across Texas are wanting results, but They say the virus keeps them from across our Nation can receive the high- my colleagues on the other side of the congregating to work, but they encour- quality and timely service that the aisle would rather ignore this truth age the throng outside the Postmaster post office has always provided us. and, instead, politicize a conspiracy General’s personal residence. Madam Speaker, today I will vote in theory. If my colleagues are serious Or consider Representative GRI- favor of the Delivering for America about postal reform, then let’s get to JALVA: not at work today, but joined a Act. work, but the legislation before us postal union protest 4 days ago. They Republicans and Democrats, House today isn’t the answer. It is, frankly, a can congregate to whip up hysteria, and Senate, must come together and waste of time. just not to work. address the serious challenges that I should be home with my family. I Now, Louis DeJoy is showing up to USPS has been facing for quite some should be home with my grandchildren. work. Testifying yesterday, he calmly time now. I look forward to continuing As we say in Texas, ‘‘This dog won’t debunked apocryphal tales about blue to work with our colleagues on bipar- hunt.’’ Well, let me tell you, this dog collection boxes and sorting machines. tisan solutions to move all of our he- won’t hunt. Monday, he testifies before the House roes forward and support our heroes at And, P.S., let’s make the Postal Oversight and Reform Committee, but the U.S. Postal Service. Service run like a business. Democrats fan hysteria today without b 1600 Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New waiting for facts, even though they York. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 min- don’t show up. Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New utes to the gentlewoman from Michi- Let’s drop the hysteria. Let’s all York. Madam Speaker, I yield 11⁄2 min- gan (Ms. TLAIB), another great member show up to work. Americans need our utes to the distinguished gentlewoman of the committee. help. from Massachusetts (Ms. CLARK), who Ms. TLAIB. Madam Speaker, do you Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New is the vice chair of our caucus. hear that? That is our democracy York. Madam Speaker, I yield 11⁄2 min- Ms. CLARK of Massachusetts. crumbling. utes to the gentleman from Maryland Madam Speaker, 99 days ago House I want all of my neighbors, I want all (Mr. SARBANES), an outstanding mem- Democrats passed the HEROES Act to of America to know why the people’s ber of the committee. provide much-needed relief to the House is here for an emergency vote on Mr. SARBANES. Madam Speaker, I American people suffering from this Saturday while Senate Majority Lead- thank the chairwoman of the com- pandemic. er MCCONNELL went on vacation: We mittee for yielding. What was the reaction from the are experiencing a global pandemic, I support this bill strongly. GOP? and now our U.S. Postal Service is I want to speak a little bit to what A shrug. under attack. the Postmaster General acknowl- Funding for State and local govern- Let it be clear: This administration edged—admitted—yesterday. He called ments to protect jobs of first respond- is waging an authoritarian campaign it a dip in service. He finally admitted ers and teachers? to sabotage this election by manipu- that after being pressed extensively on MITCH MCCONNELL said: Let them go lating the Postal Service to suppress it. bankrupt. our votes, and they are threatening the I want to tell you what the dip looks Feeding hungry children and fami- livelihood of our postal workers, our like in my district. lies? seniors, our veterans, and so many So, in all of 2019, our constituent They said: Let’s hit the pause button. more in the process. service folks opened 11 cases to deal Funding for testing, treatment, and This is not a conspiracy theory. This with delays and service problems with hospitals as death tolls soared over is fascism. We will not stand for this the mail—11 cases in 2019. So far this 175,000? now or ever. year, there have been 106. Donald Trump said: It is what it is. In Michigan right now, machines ca- Now, I am not talking about people Unemployment benefits and eviction pable of sorting 35,000 pieces of mail who are just calling in and complaining protection? per hour have disappeared from postal because the mail is late and then they Not right now. facilities. hang up the phone and so forth. This is In May, we also funded the post of- Brave workers are blowing the whis- where they have got real concerns fice, a critical service enshrined in our tle and saying that they have never about what is happening and they ask Constitution, a lifeline to seniors and seen anything like this, Madam Speak- us to open a case. There have been 106 veterans, like John, who called me yes- er. this year compared with 11 last year, terday from my hometown who had to We must put an end to it. and 103 of those in the last 4 weeks. wait an extra week to get his medica- Madam Speaker, I say to the White That is not a dip in service. That is a tion. House: Hands off the United States collapse of service, and it tracks ex- It is a pillar of our democracy allow- Postal Service. actly to the time that Louis DeJoy has ing people to vote safely from home Let’s make it clear through this law been on the job. this fall. We are here today to defend to fund our Postal Service and undo Here is what is so terrible: When you this institution from slow deliveries these harmful attacks and restore nor- attack the Postal Service from within, and removal of critical mail infrastruc- mal operations. which is what he is doing, it has the ef- ture. Twelve mail sorting machines in Mr. COMER. Madam Speaker, I yield fect of trying to separate the postal my home State have been removed. 2 minutes to the gentleman from North workers from the public that trusts When Mr. DeJoy was asked about Carolina (Mr. BISHOP). them. this, he said: They are not needed.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:59 Aug 23, 2020 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00035 Fmt 4636 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K22AU7.060 H22AUPT1 SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with HOUSE H4288 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE August 22, 2020 Donald Trump said he didn’t want Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New Even the Postmaster General just those ridiculous ballots delivered. York. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute testified yesterday: ‘‘The Postal Serv- We will not stand by while the Postal to the gentlewoman from California ice is fully capable and committed to Service is dismantled and good jobs are (Ms. ESHOO), who is the distinguished delivering the Nation’s election mail lost. We will fight so that every vote is chair of the Subcommittee on Health fully and on time.’’ counted. on the Energy and Commerce Com- That is the Postmaster General. Vote ‘‘yes’’ for the Postal Service. mittee. If you would have listened to him—I Vote ‘‘yes’’ for the people. Vote ‘‘yes’’ Ms. ESHOO. Madam Speaker, I am know there is a hearing Monday. for democracy. here today to speak on behalf of the Maybe if you would have waited to see Mr. COMER. Madam Speaker, I yield Postal Service in our country. what he actually said Monday in this 21⁄2 minutes to the gentleman from I am here today because I view it as committee, Madam Speaker, you would Utah (Mr. CURTIS). a Democratic institution in our coun- have known that this is a fabricated Mr. CURTIS. Madam Speaker, like try. crisis. But you knew that before. many of my constituents, I have fol- I am here today because the Framers Madam Speaker, they knew this was lowed the allegations circling around placed it in the Constitution. a fabricated crisis. the Postal Service. These are serious I am here today because my constitu- In fact, when we talk about the allegations. To get to the heart of the ents are not receiving their prescrip- money, oh my gosh, the post office is problem, I spoke directly to Utah’s tion drugs, businesses are not receiving going to run out of money. Well, the postal leadership. their mail, and people are not receiving problem is the facts decry even that. As I asked questions and waded their mail. They have got a surplus of over $12 bil- through the rumors, I learned four im- I am here today to speak on their be- lion sitting in the bank today and then portant facts: half because they are outraged. They they have got—this is the Department First, it is clear that the Postal Serv- are outraged about two things that of Treasury, Madam Speaker, a $10 bil- ice needs additional funding. How have happened, that the President has lion line of credit that they can’t even much and under what circumstances is said and attacked mail-in votes. access because they have too much a worthy debate. But let me be clear: Guess how votes are counted? money in the bank right now. the funding solution has no bearing on They are carried by the mail service. Imagine small businesses watching their ability to handle the upcoming The Postmaster General, instead of on a Saturday because they can’t open. mail-in ballots. The United States building it up, is dismantling it. It is They are not even sure if they are Postal Service has enough cash on over the top to see pictures of postal going to be in business next week be- hand to operate well into 2021. boxes being unhinged. cause they have no money in the bank, Second, the increased demand of Vote for the Delivering for America and they are hearing about this crisis. mail-in ballots does not stretch their Act. The people deserve it. Congress is coming in on a Saturday. Mr. COMER. Madam Speaker, I yield capacity. Mail-in ballots will increase Then they find out the post office has 3 minutes to the gentleman from Lou- the demand on the system by a little over $12 billion in the bank and they isiana (Mr. SCALISE), who is the Repub- over 1.5 percent. In the words of Utah’s have access to a line of credit of $10 bil- lican whip. district director, not even a bump in lion from Treasury that they can’t get Mr. SCALISE. Madam Speaker, I volume. The day I spoke with him to today because they have got too thank the gentleman from Kentucky Utah’s mail delivery system was 500,000 much money in the bank. for yielding. letters under capacity. When you think about why we are Right now, it is here. This is the let- Third, the accusation that they are here on a Saturday, I would think if we ter from Treasury. removing boxes and cutting overtime It is so important, Madam Speaker, are being brought here on a Saturday to thwart mail-in ballots is just plain that 68 Democrats chose not even to in the middle of a pandemic, it is to not true. Boxes have always been show up today. Sixty-eight are not help those millions of families who are moved to adjust to volume. To calm even here today because this is a fake struggling, Madam Speaker. fears, the Postal Service has put a 90- I would think if we are going to come crisis. It is a fabricated crisis. day moratorium on moving boxes. here on a Saturday, it would be to help It is a shame that instead of helping Likewise, rumors that overtime is those millions of small businesses, the small businesses and families, they are being cut so mail-in ballots will be de- restaurants in south Louisiana and trying to scare the American people layed is false. I confirmed this with New Orleans that don’t even know if when everybody knows there is enough Utah’s district director. In his words: they are going to open again because of money to carry out the mail. Barack Never in my career have we left mail where we are right now. Obama and Joe Biden took out over undelivered because of overtime. In this pandemic you would think 11,000 mailboxes, and it was never even Fourth, the concerns with mail-in that is what we would be here for. a problem. balloting have everything to do with But instead, Madam Speaker, why We have got to vote against this. the State’s preparedness, not the Post- are we here? Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New al Service. States who have allowed For a fabricated crisis. York. Madam Speaker, I yield 11⁄2 min- ballots to be requested just 4 days be- The Wall Street Journal: ‘‘NANCY utes to the distinguished gentleman fore election are irresponsible and PELOSI Goes Politically Postal. Con- from Illinois (Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI), should be accountable for mail-in bal- gress ought to be embarrassed by this who is the chair of the Subcommittee lot problems, not the United States evidence-free conspiracy theory.’’ on Economic and Consumer Policy on Postal Service. Further, mail-in bal- The New York Times: ‘‘I Was a Post- the Oversight and Reform Committee. lots take longer to count and delays al Service Regulator for 18 Years. Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI. Madam can be expected, but not because of the Don’t Panic. The service is perfectly Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman Postal Service. capable of handling election mail.’’ from New York for her leadership. Madam Speaker, if you are not sure That was a Bill Clinton-era appointee. Madam Speaker, I rise as a proud co- whom to believe, ask your mail carrier. Then you look at, again, this fab- sponsor of H.R. 8015, the Delivering for Ask them if there is anything less than ricated crisis that, oh my gosh, there America Act. 100 percent effort given by them to de- are mailboxes being closed. Madam Speaker, the USPS is under liver mail-in ballots and all mail, and Let’s look at the record. During the attack. In the last month, Postmaster then make sure to thank them. I am so Obama-Biden years—just 4 years— General DeJoy has made irreversible grateful for the many men and women 11,560 mailboxes removed. changes causing mail delivery backlogs who work so hard to deliver our mail Where were the hearings for that? as long as 3 weeks. But don’t just take every day. Where were the Saturday votes to my word for it; 1,612 constituents of We need a strong and vibrant Postal decry that they were closing mail- mine have contacted us about delayed Service, but this bill thrown together boxes? mail. in the middle of the night does not de- It never happened because it is not a Denise Winchar contacted us saying: liver. real crisis. I run a small business and rely on the

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:59 Aug 23, 2020 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00036 Fmt 4636 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K22AU7.062 H22AUPT1 SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with HOUSE August 22, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H4289 post office to receive payment for my 51 for example. But the Democrats shouted all the more. After hearing clients. Without payment, I have no in- have grown a little lazy to develop the some of the leadership on the other come. Any delay in getting paid is a necessary back story. side of the aisle, I guess they learned big hardship for me. In the past month, The Postal Service hoax is more akin the same approach—a weak argument I have had to wait several weeks for to theories that the Earth is flat, that isn’t holding up. payment. NASA faked Moon landings, that Elvis When I heard the majority leader Take Vanesa Deben’s word for it. She is alive, and that Paul McCartney is talk about ‘‘this is for the people,’’ this says: My insurance forces us to get our dead. Even the Loch Ness Monster, Big is for ‘‘your people,’’ I don’t believe prescription delivered by mail, I have Foot, and the Chupacabra at least that at all because Jeanie, my rural diabetes and I need to take my meds or yielded photographic evidence. mail carrier, is working today; 68 risk health problems. The USPS is a In closing, I want to thank my Demo- Democrats are not working today. Yet, service that we all pay for with our cratic colleagues for inviting us here this is supposed to be something of im- taxes and as a paying customer we for a Saturday afternoon matinee in portance. need to demand that we get our service August. I urge them next time to put Last week, we heard the convention back now. more effort into their future con- start this postal deal going on. This is The Delivering for America Act in- spiracy theories. If you no longer have just a continuation of the Democrat cludes three important provisions, time to properly craft your fake news convention. I want you to know that Madam Speaker. narratives, you can also have the nothing that has been said about sup- It reverses the dangerous operational Democratic National Committee laun- posedly what the President is attempt- changes implemented by Postmaster der money to hire a British spy to go ing to do in defunding, in deflating, in DeJoy. to your Russian friends and develop an- stopping the vote or the mail service is It includes $25 billion in relief to the other set of fake dossiers. true. My Democrat colleagues know USPS. Madam Speaker, have a good after- that as well. I think that is why 68 It requires the USPS to treat all offi- noon. I urge a ‘‘no’’ vote. chose to stay home today as opposed to cial election mail as first-class mail. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Mem- coming here in a planned event that Madam Speaker, I strongly urge my bers are reminded to address their re- meant nothing other than politics. colleagues to support this legislation. Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New Mr. COMER. Madam Speaker, I yield marks to the Chair. York. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute 3 minutes to the gentleman from Cali- b 1615 to the distinguished gentleman from fornia (Mr. NUNES). Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New Mr. NUNES. Madam Speaker, I thank Rhode Island (Mr. LANGEVIN). York. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute Mr. LANGEVIN. Madam Speaker, I the gentleman for the time. to the gentleman from Massachusetts Since the election of President thank the gentlewoman for yielding. (Mr. KEATING), a distinguished Member Trump, the most absurd conspiracy Madam Speaker, Postmaster General of Congress. DeJoy’s attempts to push forward oper- theories have been proclaimed as gos- Mr. KEATING. Madam Speaker, for pel by the entire Democratic Party and ational changes that delay the mail are several years, I was a letter carrier, simply unacceptable. My constituents their media mouthpieces. working my way through college and Let’s begin with the Russian collu- depend on the U.S. Postal Service. In grad school, working overtime as mail sion hoax; the theory that Trump was the past week alone, I received over volume necessitated—and, yes, neces- a secret Russian agent who colluded 1,000 constituent letters expressing sitated. It was understood then that it with Putin to steal the 2016 election confusion and anger over these changes was a necessity. from Hillary Clinton. The theory com- that he has planned and implemented. I worked with dedicated postal work- prised many preposterous sub-conspir- A senior from Coventry wrote to me, ers, many of whom were veterans who acies, including several wild tales. expressing her alarm over what might For example, secret computer servers persevered through emergencies—hur- happen if her diabetic husband failed to communicated with Russians. ricane, blizzards, floods. As the motto receive his medications on time. Secret meetings with Russians oc- says, ‘‘gloom of night.’’ A constituent from Wakefield, who curred in Prague, and secret Russian Now, our country faces new emer- has not missed an election since 1956, money laundering from the Trump gencies, a pandemic that threatens emailed me to ask if he should vote in campaign. lives and encumbers our basic rights, person, despite being 85 years old with Best of all, Putin had a secret stash like the right to vote safely and in an health concerns. of nude pictures of Trump and the now economic crisis, where 600,000 Postal Madam Speaker, no one should have infamous pee tapes that the Democrats Service workers battle back, providing to wait for lifesaving medications or and their puppets in the media spent economic stimulus and $1.6 trillion in risk their health to cast a vote. I urge several years searching all over Europe sales revenues. my colleagues to support this bill. Mil- for. The Postal Service is an economic lions of Americans are counting on us, The Russia hoax ultimately im- and healthcare lifeline, a lifeline that and we cannot let them down. ploded. But, Madam Speaker, you have Donald Trump is trying to sever, all to Mr. COMER. Madam Speaker, I yield to almost admire the Democrats’ amaz- sabotage mail-in voting he thinks will 1 minute to the gentleman from Texas ing ability to jump from one debunked dampen his chances to cling to power. (Mr. GOHMERT). conspiracy theory to another without a He is the gloom of night, and it is our Mr. GOHMERT. Madam Speaker, I hint of shame, embarrassment, or self- job, our duty, to throw some sunlight thank my friend from Kentucky for reflection. his way and to stop him. yielding. The Democrats supposedly convened Mr. COMER. Madam Speaker, may I Madam Speaker, look, I am pleased us here today to protect Americans inquire how much time each side has that Democrats here are upset about from Trump’s latest nefarious plot—his remaining. what has happened to the post office. alleged attempt to sabotage the Postal The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gen- My regret is, you didn’t get upset dur- Service to steal the election. In the tleman from Kentucky has 8 minutes ing the Obama administration when grand scheme of Democratic con- remaining. The gentlewoman from New they were shutting down our post of- spiracy theories, this one really is York has 10 minutes remaining. fices, not just getting rid of 12,000 mail- scraping the bottom of the barrel. Mr. COMER. Madam Speaker, I yield boxes, shutting down processing cen- I suppose we can grant the Demo- 1 minute to the gentleman from Michi- ters. In my district, when they shut crats that the post office actually does gan (Mr. WALBERG). down the Overton processing center, it exist, and it does deliver mail. But Mr. WALBERG. Madam Speaker, I meant mail going from Tyler to Long- watching them vent outrage on social thank the gentleman for yielding me view, or vice versa, went to Dallas then media about missing mailboxes and the time. to Shreveport and back. anti-mail theft devices is rather sad. Madam Speaker, I was told in persua- The Deputy Attorney General came Good conspiracy theories have rich, sion class many, many years ago that to my office—I had been demanding a false details that tell a story, like Area if you had a weak argument, you meeting with the Postmaster General—

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:59 Aug 23, 2020 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00037 Fmt 4636 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K22AU7.063 H22AUPT1 SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with HOUSE H4290 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE August 22, 2020 but, oh, no. No time for that. They had $15 billion in cash on hand and $10 bil- heard my friends on the other side of no decency. They tried to say 390 miles lion more from the CARES Act. the aisle say this is not serious. Do you would be cheaper and quicker than The independent Postal Service know why this is serious? Madam going 30 miles. Board and the independent Postmaster Speaker, 176,000 dead Americans from It is an outrage what the Obama ad- General have repeatedly assured the COVID–19 and the projection that there ministration did, including their Post- American people that they can handle may be 300,000 dead by December 1. master General, who was in office until the increased volume in mail-in voting. Madam Speaker, I left and got on a June 15 of this year. Let’s be clear. Today’s vote is more plane from a hotspot—14 to 20 percent Wake up. Let’s complain about the political theater. It is another scene infection. So my constituents who are post office during the Obama years. from the Democrats’ one-act play ti- suffering from stage IV cancer need the Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New tled Defeat President Trump at All mail. York. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute Costs, even if it means peddling a de- If they want the proof, I read the to the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. ceitful narrative that undermines the words of General Counsel and Execu- COHEN). American people’s trust in the very in- tive Vice President Thomas J. Mar- Mr. COHEN. Madam Speaker, I thank stitutions of our democratic Republic. shall of the U.S. Postal Service: ‘‘We the chairwoman for yielding. To say the Postal Service is all of a are currently unable to balance our Madam Speaker, Mr. DeJoy was be- sudden incapacitated, unable to pro- costs with available funding sources to fore a Senate committee on Friday. He vide a secure, mail-in process, is not in- fulfill both our universal service mis- was asked if he would put back in the tellectually honest. It is downright sion and other legal obligations.’’ sorters that he had removed, and he predatory. The post office says they have no said no. Democrats who falsely call into ques- money. We need to be able to deliver I think that is because he had al- tion the security of our elections to this money to them and vote on this ready done his dirty work. He had al- justify a $25 billion bailout is a scam bill. ready slowed down the mail by taking and a political payoff to their govern- Madam Speaker, I support the bill the sorting machines out, and the flat ment union bosses. and urge my colleagues to vote for it. sorters as well, which my postal people Madam Speaker, I urge my Democrat Madam Speaker, I rise to speak in strong tell me is causing great delays and will colleagues: Stand up to your leader- support of H.R. 8015, the Delivering For cause greater delays. ship. Stop this shameful charade. See America Act. I thank Chairwoman MALONEY for her lead- He had already done it. He refused to the grave danger of manipulating the ership in drafting H.R. 8015. put them back in. Why? Because the American people to score cheap, polit- As a senior member of the House Judiciary job was done, and he didn’t want to put ical points. Committee and member of the House Budget those sorters back in to see that the Madam Speaker, let’s get back to Committee, I am particularly interested in why mail was delivered. He is no Karl Ma- work. and how this Administration has tampered with lone. He does not deliver. He is not the Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New the proper functioning of the U.S. Postal Serv- ‘‘Mailman.’’ York. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute ice. These postal sorters need to be there. to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. JUDY CHU), the distinguished chair The drafters of the 1789 Constitution of the 39,000 letters an hour go through. The United States knew the vital importance of flat sorters are necessary for the mail- of the Asian Pacific American Caucus. Ms. JUDY CHU of California. Madam communication to the nation and its people, so in ballots. There is no reason he Speaker, I rise today in strong support they vested authority with the Congress to wouldn’t put them back in. It wouldn’t of H.R. 8015, the Delivering for America sustain and maintain a national postal service. save any money. It costs money to Act, because I will not tolerate sabo- Article I, Section 8, clause 7, in the Con- take them out. He didn’t save money tage of the U.S. Postal Service. stitution of the United States provides that the by taking them out. He reduced effi- This week, I went to my local post Congress has the power ‘‘To establish Post ciency. He reduced the ability of the office to fight back against the attacks Offices and post Roads . . .’’ Post Office to deliver ballots to elect a on mail delivery that my Republican The Postal Clause was added to the Con- person safely in America. This is a colleagues now claim never happened. stitution to facilitate interstate communication shame, and it is a crime. But I stand by those who know better as well as to create a source of revenue for Madam Speaker, I support the bill, than anyone, our country’s postal the early United States. and everyone here should. workers. The freedoms of the press and of speech Mr. COMER. Madam Speaker, I yield They talked about how cuts to over- are guaranteed in the First Amendment to the 2 minutes to the gentleman from Texas time are forcing mail carriers to aban- Constitution and the establishment of a na- (Mr. ARRINGTON), my good friend. don their routes halfway through, and tional postal system, an authority vested by Mr. ARRINGTON. Madam Speaker, I how deliberate reductions to operating the Constitution in the Congress, are indispen- rise in strong opposition to the Demo- capacity mean that they cannot meet sable features of a strong and stable democ- crat bill entitled Delivering for Amer- their community’s needs. racy. ica Act. What an irresponsible and dis- My constituents also know better. A national postal system to collect and dis- honest title. Every day, I have heard from seniors tribute mail efficiently, affordably, reliably, and Democratic leadership must take the whose medications have been delayed, without regard to the sender’s or recipient’s American people as fools. This bill at- small businesses unable to get orders race, creed, color, national origin, religion, re- tempts to deceive the American people to customers, and workers waiting to gion of residence, or political affiliation by manufacturing a crisis that simply receive a check. Pharmacies in my dis- strengthens and fortifies democracy by ena- does not exist. trict have even needed to tell cus- bling all persons to communicate with any and This bill also distracts this body tomers to pick their medicine up in all other Americans. from actually doing something in this person instead of relying on the mail. A functioning and effective national postal Chamber that matters, like con- No one should have to risk exposure system strengthens the economy by facilitating demning violent mobs terrorizing our to COVID–19 just to pick up a prescrip- the efficient delivery of goods and services, communities, like helping hardworking tion, especially not so the President promotes the public health by facilitating the families across this country in this un- can suppress votes in November. timely delivery of needed medical supplies and precedented time of need. Madam Speaker, vote to save the prescription drugs to senior citizens and vet- Madam Speaker, here are the facts: post office. erans, and enriches civil society by facilitating The United States Postal Service is a Mr. COMER. Madam Speaker, I re- the delivery of letters of greetings, sympathy, Blockbuster video in a Netflix world. serve the balance of my time. congratulations, and love, thus strengthening Everyone knows it is a broken business Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New the mystic bonds of affection of Americans for model. It has failed its workers; it has York. Madam Speaker, I yield 30 sec- each other and for the United States. failed its retirees; and it has failed the onds to the distinguished gentlewoman Fifty years after the Constitution went into American taxpayers. from Texas (Ms. JACKSON LEE). effect the population of the United States Despite the need for long-term re- Ms. JACKSON LEE. Madam Speaker, ballooned at a greater rate than it has ever form, the Postal Service currently has over the last couple of hours, I have since.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 05:42 Aug 23, 2020 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00038 Fmt 4636 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\K22AU7.065 H22AUPT1 SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with HOUSE August 22, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H4291 During that period, the population grew from Earlier this summer Postal Service manage- among Democratic voters at 12.81 percent 3,929,214 in 1790, the year of the first census, ment acknowledged that 2,830 workers had compared to 12.39 percent of Republican vot- to 17,069,453 in 1840. tested positive for COVID–19, out of a total ers. For those who may think mail tampering is workforce of approximately 630,000. In Texas, there were 16,211,198 registered fine so long as it is an absentee ballot or ab- However, USPS officials have not made voters and 4,084,431 votes for the 2020 pri- sentee ballot request—they need to know that publicly available the number of deaths. maries. In comparison, in 2016 there were tampering with the U.S. mail is a federal fel- With the urgent need to fix the postal serv- 14,238,436 registered voters and 4,272,383 ony. ice, we must not forget that the Postal Service votes. Mail theft carries a penalty of up to five employees are essential workers in COVID– The attack on the viability and value of ab- years in federal prison and fines of up to 19, and if they are essential it means that their sentee voting should be viewed as just one $250,000 for each violation. work is essential. component of many assaults on our elections It is also a crime to injure, deface, or de- For 55 cents, anyone can send a first class system that may make this a very difficult stroy any mail deposited in a mailbox. letter anywhere in the United States and there election year. For each act of vandalism, you could be im- is no private sector mail service that can do Over the past several weeks, sweeping prisoned for up to three years and fined up to this at this low price. operational and organization changes at the $250,000. In 2019, the Postal Service: Postal Service have resulted in delays in the Communication for the purpose of com- Delivered 142.6 billion pieces of mail to 260 mail across the country, including in rural com- merce, linking and strengthening bonds million addresses in America; munities, among veterans and seniors, and in among family, and friends as well as keeping Delivered 1.2 billion prescriptions, including blue and red states alike. citizens informed was of the utmost impor- most of the medications ordered by the VA; Some of those changes include curtailing tance to the health and wellbeing of the young Served 70 percent of businesses with fewer overtime, restricting deliveries, eliminating democracy. than ten employees; and sorting machines, and removing mailboxes. Over the centuries, the arrival of new tech- Had a 90 percent favorability rating, making Concerns have been raised by both Demo- nology that supported communication did not it the most popular federal agency. cratic and Republican officials at the federal, The Postal Service: end the need for an affordable and easily ac- state and local levels. Is often the only delivery option for rural cessible national postal service. These changes are being rushed through— America where service is not profitable; in the midst of a global pandemic just months The telegraph, telephone nor the Internet Delivers 48 percent of the world’s mail with ended the need for the delivery of letters, before the November elections—without ade- one of the world’s largest civilian vehicle quate consultation with Congress, the Postal cards, packages, and newspapers or maga- fleets; and zines. Board of Governors, the Postal Regulatory Is a vital service for the more than 18 million Commission, postal employees unions, state The American people are depending on the seniors who do not use the Internet. House and the Senate, just like they depend election officials, business organizations, and The Postal Service has become a pharmacy other stakeholders. on the Post Office to deliver a secure and of choice for millions of Americans who live in voter centered November Election that em- The Postmaster General also recently reas- pharmacy deserts, which are locations where signed 23 postal executives in an overhaul powers them to cast ballots for the candidates there are no pharmacies to serve commu- of their choice. that experts warn ‘‘deemphasizes decades nities. worth of institutional postal knowledge’’ and Election Day must not become a victim of The Postal Service is an essential compo- COVID–19 through manipulation of the postal ‘‘centralizes power around DeJoy.’’ nent to Veterans’ and seniors’ health because The restructure also proposed a hiring service or by any other means foreign or do- they deliver medicines to our veterans. freeze, early retirements, unit realignments, mestic. The VA has now confirmed to us that the and regional downscaling. I will work with my colleagues to ensure that United States Postal Service (USPS), which is On August 11, 2020, the Postal Service’s all available means are provided to ensure responsible for delivering about 90 percent of General Counsel sent a letter to Congress ex- that every voter, no matter their party or pref- all VA mail order prescriptions, has indeed plaining that state election workers had been erence has access to cast a vote that will be been delayed in delivering these critical medi- notified that paying Marketing Mail rates in- counted in the November election. cations by an average of almost 25 percent stead of First-Class rates for election mail ‘‘will For over 200 years, the American people over the past year, with many locations experi- result in slower delivery times and will in- have relied upon the National Postal Service encing much more significant delays. crease the risk that voters will not receive their to be there—no matter what—they have deliv- In addition to delivering prescriptions and ballots in time to return them by mail.’’ ered the mail during a civil war, pandemics, business mail, they are also delivering democ- This breaks from the Postal Service’s long- hurricanes, forest fires, and terrorist attacks. racy to millions of voters who will need to cast standing practice of prioritizing the delivery of The Postal Service employs 633,108 of our their ballot by mail this election year to reduce all election mail to meet First-Class delivery friends and neighbors, including more than their risk of contracting COVID–19. times. 100,000 veterans. The U.S. mail service has provided essen- The 2011 Canadian RoboCon suppression The Postal Service is one of the leading tial mail service for absentee voting for well scandal is the political scandal stemming from employers of minorities and women, with mi- over 100 years by enabling Union troops to events during the 2011 Canadian federal elec- norities comprising 39 percent and women vote during the Civil War, World War I, World tion. comprising 40 percent of the workforce. War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, It involved robocalls and real-person calls The Post Office has become a path to good Iraqi Freedom, and to this day. that were designed to result in voter suppres- paying jobs that lifts people out of poverty. Since that time, absentee or not in-person sion. Postal workers have been determined to be voting has grown in popularity across the Elections Canada and the Royal Canadian essential workers during the pandemic and United States and is now a welcomed and val- Mounted Police conducted investigations into they have delivered service without complaint ued component for assuring citizen participa- the claims that calls were made to dissuade or fail during this national crisis. tion in public elections. voters from casting ballots by falsely telling As of July 2020, nearly 5,400 USPS em- In 2016, 20.9 percent of all votes cast in them that the location of their polling stations ployees tested positive for COVID–19 among that federal election were done so by absen- had changed. its workforce of 630,000. tee ballots and this year that number is ex- Further possible electoral law violations A May a report stated that of the 130 Fed- pected to be much higher due to COVID–19. were alleged as the evidence unfolded. eral Employees who had died due to COVID– In 2018, there were 153.07 million people Under the Canada Elections Act, it is an of- 19, 60 of them were employed at the U.S. registered to vote in the United States, which fense to willfully prevent or endeavor to pre- Postal Service. is lower than the peak of 157.6 million reg- vent an elector from voting in an election. In June, a staggering 17,000 workers, or 3 istered voters in 2016. On Election Day, May 2, 2011, reports of percent of the United States Postal Service Montana had the highest voter turnout rate voter suppression, mostly centered on the workforce, had been quarantined since the with 45.6 percent for the 2020 presidential pri- riding of Guelph, led to the discovery that a start of the pandemic, according to a recent mary elections. computer in the Guelph Conservative cam- report by Government Executive magazine. The voter turnout rate in Texas for the 2020 paign office may have been used to make the By the beginning of July, around 70 percent presidential primary elections was 21 percent. calls. of those quarantined have been cleared to go More than 4 million Texans voted in the While the Elections Canada investigation ini- back to work. 2020 presidential primary election, with turnout tially focused on calls sent into Guelph amidst

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:59 Aug 23, 2020 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00039 Fmt 4636 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A22AU7.029 H22AUPT1 SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with HOUSE H4292 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE August 22, 2020 nationwide complaints, the investigation ex- been reassembled and removed. Work- the United States of America refused panded to complaints in other ridings across ers are being prohibited from working to act. the country. overtime. Letters and packages are pil- On the great issue of the HEROES Court documents filed in mid-August 2012 ing up. Act, which has lifesaving implica- by the Commissioner of Canada Elections in- I was proud to help lead the charge of tions—some 86,000 have died since it dicated that the elections watchdog had re- Chairwoman MALONEY, Chairman CON- was passed—the Senate has failed to ceived complaints of fraudulent or misleading NOLLY, and Mr. DEFAZIO earlier this act. calls in 247 of Canada’s 308 ridings, recorded month in a letter we wrote to Speaker On the issue of delivering lifesaving in all ten provinces and at least one territory. PELOSI. Now, I am proud to vote in medications by way of the Postal Serv- The deciding margin for control for the gov- favor of protecting the essential insti- ice, when the Postal Service needs our ernment was within the margin of error cre- tution. The U.S. Postal Service has help, the Senate has refused to act. ated by the fraudulent robocalls, which were been delivering for us our entire lives. And a Senate that refuses to act puts successful in misdirecting voters resulting in Now it is time that we deliver for them the actions of the House at risk, be- them not being able to cast votes in that na- and for America. cause the truth is this: It takes an act tional election. Madam Speaker, I urge my col- of Congress to help these entities; it It is my strong view that we must prepare leagues to vote in favor of H.R. 8015. takes an act of Congress to help the voters from all socioeconomic backgrounds Mr. COMER. Madam Speaker, may I people of the United States of America; and ethnic cultural experiences to be prepared inquire how much time each side has and you cannot get an act of Congress to deal effectively with efforts to misinform remaining. if the Senate refuses to act. them about their participation in the November The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gen- Mr. COMER. Madam Speaker, I re- Election. tleman from Kentucky has 4 minutes serve the balance of my time. We must focus on the unsuspecting among remaining. The gentlewoman from New Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New the voting population who have no idea what York has 51⁄2 minutes remaining. York. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute is coming their way and prepare them to meet Mr. COMER. Madam Speaker, I re- to the gentlewoman from Ohio (Ms. that challenge by linking them to the election serve the balance of my time. KAPTUR), the chair of the Sub- protection efforts to allow them to develop the Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New committee on Energy and Water Devel- needed resources so they are prepared to ex- York. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute opment, and Related Agencies of the ercise the most precious of rights and do the to the distinguished gentleman from Committee on Appropriations. work of citizenship by casting their votes for a Colorado (Mr. NEGUSE). Ms. KAPTUR. Madam Speaker, I rise government that serves We The People and Mr. NEGUSE. Madam Speaker, I as a former letter carrier in support of works to make our union more perfect. H.R. 8015, to prevent the dangerous This view is shaped by the decades of elec- thank Chairwoman MALONEY for her budget and service cuts proposed by tions filled with disinformation and misinforma- leadership. Postmaster General DeJoy. tion tactics designed to suppress or repress Madam Speaker, I am proud to speak The Postmaster General claims he black, LatinX, and young voters from voting or in strong support of the Delivering for has not taken any steps to limit over- having their votes counted. America Act. For these reasons, I urge my colleagues to I have been here on the floor listen- time for postal employees. His state- join me in voting in support of H.R. 8015. ing to this debate, and I have heard ment is hollow, because internal Postal USPS Email from Constituent several of my Republican colleagues Service documents show how policy Ms. Jennifer describe this as a manufactured crisis. changes prohibit ‘‘extra’’ or ‘‘late’’ SUBJECT: USPS concerns MESSAGE: Tell that to my constituents. trips, which means you finish deliv- First, thank you for having a ‘‘post office’’ Tell that to Kelsey, a small business ering the mail in your bag that day, category. Neither senator does. Second, this owner in Loveland, Colorado, who is and they mandate that carriers ‘‘re- is ridiculous. The postmaster has conflicts of turn on time,’’ which means they can’t interest. He is dismantling the postal serv- worried about her ability to get pack- ice, which is explicitly required by the con- ages delivered on time to her cus- finish the job. stitution. I depend on the USPS as a con- tomers because of delays at the Postal In normal times, the Postal Service stituent. My company depends on it for cor- Service. is crucial, but during a pandemic, on- respondence and service with clients, espe- Manufactured crisis? Tell that to time and efficient mail delivery is a cially while we work from home due to Marsha, my constituent in Boulder, matter of life and death. Covid. My clients depend on it to get services who depends on mail-order prescrip- Today’s legislation will not just pro- and benefits. Please vote or act to hold the tions, which this month took nearly 2 tect the Postal Service, but, given that postmaster accountable and to stop these ri- people’s homes are now polling places, diculous changes he is making. They make weeks to arrive. no business sense for a ‘‘business’’, and they This is not a manufactured crisis. the service protects the very essence of are unethical for a government-provided, There is a real crisis at the Postal our democracy. constitutionally-mandated service. Service under this Postmaster General, Don’t mess with USPS. Mr. COMER. Madam Speaker, I re- and we, here in the House, strive to fix Mr. COMER. Mr. Speaker, I reserve serve the balance of my time. it. the balance of my time. Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New That is why I am a strong supporter Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New York. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute of the bill that is before the House York. Mr. Speaker, I yield 30 seconds to the gentlewoman from North Caro- today, ultimately to ensure that the to the gentlewoman from California lina (Ms. ADAMS). current standards of the Postal Service (Ms. LEE). Ms. ADAMS. Madam Speaker, I are protected and provide $25 billion in Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Speaker, thank Chairwoman MALONEY for her emergency funding. we see across the country the disman- leadership. Let us get this done for the American tling of the Postal Service, which has Madam Speaker, I rise today in people. been a lifeline in American life. strong support of H.R. 8015, the Deliv- My constituents are terrified, and ering for America Act. Our courageous b 1630 they are angry because they are not re- postal workers and letter carriers have Mr. COMER. Madam Speaker, I re- ceiving their medications on time; been essential in keeping our country serve the balance of my time. delays are hurting our small busi- on track during this pandemic. More of Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New nesses; and they are outraged that us than ever are relying on the U.S. York. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute their constitutional right to vote could Postal Service to safely deliver medi- to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. be taken away. cation and mail in a timely manner. GREEN). This is not only an attack on our de- But now, this handpicked Postmaster Mr. GREEN of Texas. Madam Speak- mocracy but also on our workforce he- General is engineering an unconstitu- er, it is shameful and sinful that his- roes, who, in spite of the pandemic, de- tional assault against the Postal Serv- tory will record that, on the great liver our mail. Forty percent of these ice from the inside out. issues of our time, many of them, the heroes are people of color. My grand- I saw it myself just yesterday in Senate failed to act. On issues con- father retired as a letter carrier after Charlotte. Mail sorting machines have cerning life and death, the Senate of 35 years of service.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 04:06 Aug 23, 2020 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00040 Fmt 4636 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A22AU7.030 H22AUPT1 SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with HOUSE August 22, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H4293 I urge an ‘‘aye’’ vote to support, rath- services and their democracy and their Service, throughout our history, from er than to destroy, our Postal Service. vote. the very start, has been in tying our Mr. COMER. Mr. Speaker, I yield my- Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the country together. self the balance of my time. gentlewoman from California (Ms. In the early 19th century, when vis- Mr. Speaker, despite the passionate PELOSI), the distinguished Speaker of iting America to write his great book, arguments made by supporters of H.R. the United States Congress, the first ‘‘Democracy in America,’’ Alexis de 8015, the truth is simple: The new Post- woman in history, as we celebrate the Tocqueville praised the Postal Service master General is not trying to sabo- 100th anniversary of women gaining as being the great link between minds, tage the election. He is doing the exact the right to vote. writing that not ‘‘in the most enlight- opposite. In fact, he is ensuring that We are so proud of you and your lead- ened rural districts of France there is States are educated on the reality of ership. an intellectual movement either so the Postal Service operations so that Ms. PELOSI. Mr. Speaker, I thank rapid or on such a scale as’’ this, as the enough time is given for American citi- the gentlewoman for her kind words of Postal Service. zens to vote by mail if they choose to introduction, but I most importantly So it has been excellent from the do so. want to thank her for being the cham- start, part of the unity of America. Just yesterday, the Board of Gov- pion, the champion in defense of the As we all know, the postal motto ernors announced a bipartisan com- Postal Service. I rise to join her in sup- states: ‘‘Neither snow nor rain nor heat mittee to focus on election mail issues. port of the Delivering for America Act, nor gloom of night stays these couriers Voting by mail is a crucial way that to protect lives, livelihood, and the life from the swift completion of their ap- American citizens can exercise their of our American democracy during a pointed rounds.’’ constitutional right to vote, and it is critical moment for our Nation. As Members of Congress, we have a important that all ballots be counted. I thank you, Madam Chair, again, for responsibility to ensure that those cou- The Postal Service will be able to the intellectual resource you have been rageous couriers are not stayed from handle an increase in mail volume in shaping the legislation, for making their constitutional duty to serve the ahead of the election as they have al- us current in terms of the reports from American people. the Postal Service, what is at stake, ready handled a larger volume of Cen- I join you, Madam Chair, in saluting and why this legislation, Mr. Speaker, sus forms and stimulus checks earlier the patriotic men and women who risk is so important. their health and safety to serve the this year. I salute House Democrats for their This increase in mail will also bring American people every day: our postal enthusiasm, energy, and insistence on in revenue, strengthening the U.S. workers, our letter carriers, and all delivering for America. Since day one Postal Service’s fiscal outlook. Let’s who may bring us together. of the postal crisis, they have conveyed There is a second postal motto in- not forget that the Postal Service al- the concerns of their communities to ready has approximately $15 billion in scribed above the original Washington, Congress, holding events, accelerating D.C., Post Office, and this is really so cash on hand, which will allow it to be a drumbeat, and shining light on this operational through August of 2021. It clearly what the Postal Service has crisis. been about: also has a $10 billion line of credit from I am going to talk about three the CARES Act that it has not drawn Messenger of Sympathy and Love things, Mr. Speaker and Madam Chair Servant of Parted Friends down. and Mr. Ranking Member. This is Consoler of the Lonely The USPS clearly does not need a about the provenance of the postal sys- Bond of the Scattered Family bailout for the 2020 election season. To tem and how important it has been to Enlarger of the Common Life provide these funds without a concrete America, also what the challenges are Carrier of News and Knowledge business reform plan that modernizes Instrument of Trade and Industry in delaying service and, therefore, why Promoter of Mutual Acquaintance the post office for long-term viability this legislation is so necessary. Of Peace and of Goodwill Among Men and would be reckless. First, let me say that, in the Con- Nations. We all want to see an operational, ef- stitution of the United States, it says Our Postal Service is the beautiful ficient Postal Service that best serves that Congress shall have the power to thread that connects our country, de- every American. My grandmother was establish post offices and post roads, livering sympathy and love, news and a rural mail carrier for 27 years. As Article I, Section 8. So the post office knowledge, peace and goodwill. And as both her grandson and as a Representa- is there in the Constitution. a grandmother, I will say, we have seen tive elected by rural Kentuckians, I But even before that, it has been a our children and grandchildren write know firsthand the importance of a re- pillar of American democracy. It is an their letters to Santa; we have seen liable Postal Service in helping small all-American institution, which enjoys messages come from the tooth fairy; businesses thrive, ensuring Americans the overwhelming support of the Amer- we have seen photos and drawings of get their medications on time, and al- ican people for a reason. Again, en- families taking joy in each other that lowing folks to share greeting cards shrined in the Constitution, an insepa- no amount of social media can convey. with loved ones. rable part of our national story, help- So, again, we must honor their serv- Americans deserve an improved Post- ing transition America from colonies ice with our full support and protection al Service, but this bill potentially to country. and gratitude for what they mean in makes things worse. In the early 1770s, our Founders re- our lives. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance lied on the precursor of the Postal Today, the Postal Service—and this of my time. Service, the Committees of Cor- is why this is so important that we Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New respondence, to educate people about have this legislation—provides critical York. Mr. Speaker, delivering the mail the abuses of the British and to build services for Americans in every corner and medications and ballots, this is a support for independence. of the country: for our workers, deliv- part of our Constitution. It is impor- Even before the Declaration of Inde- ering paychecks and tax returns; for tant to our democracy. pendence was signed, the Continental our seniors, ensuring Social Security And numbers don’t lie. This internal Congress had established the Postal benefits; for small businesses, pro- report from the Postal Service shows Service as one of the first and most im- viding shipping and essential services; that services are down 10 percent since portant offices that would be part of for millions of Americans, particularly this Postmaster General took charge. the new government. rural Americans, delivering 1.2 billion I want to publicly thank the Speaker Two of our U.S. Presidents, Abraham prescriptions, including most of the of this great body for her leadership Lincoln and Harry Truman, would medications delivered by the VA. and for calling this emergency meeting proudly hold the title of postmaster. In 2019, 1.2 billion prescriptions were and emergency vote. And there was no One of our Founders, Benjamin Frank- delivered by the Postal Service, and change in service until she called the lin, was the Postmaster General. Actu- that was before the coronavirus hit. meeting and vote. ally, he established the Postal Service. I thank you for standing up to the So this goes to the heart of our coun- b 1645 American people and fighting for their try and the connection that the Postal That was before the coronavirus hit.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 04:06 Aug 23, 2020 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00041 Fmt 4636 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K22AU7.068 H22AUPT1 SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with HOUSE H4294 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE August 22, 2020 And for voters: Delivering absentee machines that were removed from the will cast their vote to elect a new government ballots and election mail, which is es- post offices; amidst a dangerous pandemic that has dev- sential, especially during the I have no intention of replacing the astated countless American families. To date, coronavirus epidemic. No one should be blue mailboxes that have been ripped over 170,000 Americans have died due to forced to choose between his or her from our neighborhoods; and COVID–19 and over 5.6 million Americans health and the right to vote. He has no plans for ensuring ade- have been infected. The pandemic has dis- Across the Nation, though, the Post- quate overtime, which is critical, crit- rupted our health, economy and our way of master General is pushing sweeping ical for the timely delivery of the mail. life, including our democratic traditions. Ameri- new operational changes that degrade He said he has no intention of treat- cans are rightfully worried about how to safely service, delay the mail, and threaten to ing ballots as first-class mail. Now, cast their vote this November. disenfranchise voters, particularly in yesterday he said something different, Public health experts agree that voters will communities of color. but that is what he told me a couple of be empowered to protect themselves and their Now the Postmaster says he will days ago. families by having safe voting options, which postpone any further changes until And I said to him, We will have the includes absentee voting. Having the option to after the election, that is what he says. provision in the bill that requires you vote by mail ensures that voters who cannot But this is about more than the elec- treat ballots as first-class mail. And he vote in person don’t have to choose between tion. This legislation is written in a said, Well, if it is in the bill, then I will their health and their right to vote. timely fashion to be about the have to do it. Hence, his change of atti- The engine of voting by mail is the United coronavirus, and these changes should tude. States Postal Service. In every election, postal be there until the end of January or He has not adequately addressed workers provide an essential service to our the end of the raging epidemic, which- America’s concerns about the slow- democracy by processing and delivering mil- ever is later. down and the delivery of medicine to lions of absentee ballots for domestic, over- It is in that regard that I rise as veterans. He just didn’t even seem to seas and military voters. This November, sev- Speaker to support the legislation. But know about it. Really? eral million Americans will depend on the as a representative of my district Today, Chairwoman MALONEY re- Postal Service to exercise their right to vote. where I am not called Madam Speaker, leased new internal post office docu- But in recent months, new leadership at the I am called NANCY, this is what they ments that expose the severity of the Postal Service directed drastic operational pol- have told me. service declines and delivery delays icy changes that disrupted mail processing Michael said, he is a veteran with caused by the Postmaster General’s and slowed mail delivery nationwide. The im- epilepsy. He reports that prescriptions drastic changes. pact of the delays has been harmful to Ameri- sent by the VA through the mail are These documents make clear that the cans, especially senior citizens, veterans and taking twice as long to arrive. Postmaster General has deliberately the sick, who depend on the Postal Service to Walker says, he is a senior with de- misled Congress and the American peo- receive medications, retirement checks and bilitating health conditions, is now ple about the extent of the damage, other essentials. Former Postal Service execu- struggling to send and receive his mail brushing them off as a dip in service or tives, election administrators and voter advo- after his closest mailbox was suddenly as unintended consequences. These rev- cacy groups have warned that ongoing delays removed. elations show that we cannot have con- in mail services will likely disenfranchise vot- Claire, an 83-year-old with serious fidence that the Postmaster General is ers that will cast absentee ballots this Novem- chronic illness, who does not have a car prioritizing the Postal Service or the ber. and is afraid to use public transport millions who rely on it. The Delivering for America Act will work to during the pandemic, is in a panic be- Now, the House is moving forward restore prompt and reliable mail delivery serv- cause she is utterly dependent on with a, hopefully, bipartisan vote, and ices to the American people. The bill rolls USPS for her medication and other I think it will be, on Delivering for back the recent disruptive operational changes vital deliveries, and of course, her bal- America Act, which will reverse the at the Postal Service and prohibits the Postal lot. Trump damage and provided $25 billion Service from implementing any further Another San Franciscan, Charlotte, to the United States Postal Service. changes that will delay mail and reduce deliv- warns that the Postal Service is vital Sadly, the administration has al- ery standards. to our country, not only when it comes ready threatened to veto this legisla- The bill also works to protect access to ab- to mail and voting, but also for funda- tion, which contains the same amount sentee voting and prevent voter disenfran- mental needs of Americans. of funding, the $25 billion, that was rec- chisement caused by delayed mail. It does And as Mark, another constituent, ommended by the United States Postal this by ensuring that all election mail, including puts it, not only does what Trump is Service Board of Governors. They are absentee ballots, will be treated as first-class doing put the integrity of the Novem- bipartisan. They are 100 percent ap- mail, and will receive a postmark, or other in- ber elections at risk; people are suf- pointed by Donald Trump, and they dicia indicating date of receipt. In addition to fering every day, and they are not re- unanimously recommended the $25 bil- protecting the absentee voting system, these ceiving their critical medications. lion that is contained in this bill. changes will help maintain trust and con- That is what I am hearing from my So for the sake of every senior who is fidence in the Postal Service. constituents, and they are told to go to delayed in getting his or her Social Se- And lastly, the bill will appropriate much the drug store. Well, they really can’t curity check, every veteran who is de- needed funding support to the Postal Service in some cases. It endangers them to go layed in getting his or her medication, in the amount of $25 billion which will help en- to the drugstore, instead of getting it every working family who is delayed in sure the long-term financial stability of the through the mail. Go to the drugstore. getting their paycheck, and every agency, and was requested by the Board of So, again, this is immediate in their voter now facing the prospect of choos- Governors appointed by President Donald lives. We are their representatives. ing between their vote and their Trump. That is our job title and our job de- health, we need to pass this bill. As November 3rd nears, and the COVID–19 scription. In representing my constitu- Mr. Speaker, with that, I urge a pandemic continues to threaten American life ents, I wanted to convey some samples strong bipartisan vote for H.R. 8015, the and health, our duty today, as representatives of concern that we have heard. Delivery for America Act. Let’s pass of the American people, is to safeguard the Earlier this week, in response to the this under the leadership of distin- American people’s right to essential mail serv- activism of the American people, peo- guished Chairwoman MALONEY for the ices and the right to vote. The Delivering for ple have risen up, I have never seen people. America Act, if enacted, will put into the place anything quite like it. The Postmaster Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New the necessary measures to ensure we fulfill General announced changes that are York. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the this duty, and so I urge my colleagues to sup- wholly insufficient and do not reverse balance of my time. port this critical legislation. damage already wreaked. He said to Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in sup- Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speak- me, frankly—and I have to give him port of H.R. 8015. er, the Postal Service is a lifeline to rural com- credit for his honesty—he said, I have This upcoming 2020 general election will be munities. While some Americans have had the no intention of replacing the sorting like no other we have witnessed. Americans opportunity to work from home during this

VerDate Sep 11 2014 04:06 Aug 23, 2020 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00042 Fmt 4636 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\K22AU7.070 H22AUPT1 SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with HOUSE August 22, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H4295 pandemic, our letter carriers and postmasters Postmaster General DeJoy to implement and we risk the health and lives of our sen- do not. They’re working tirelessly to ensure harmful and unprecedented operational and iors, veterans, and millions of other patients people in every comer to the country are get- service changes at the Postal Service, such who rely on mail-order medications during a ting their mail and packages, which for our at- as reducing overtime, restricting deliveries, pandemic that has now claimed the lives of risk population, has been especially critical. and eliminating sorting machines and mail- nearly 175,000 people in the U.S. Finally, we I’ve been supportive of the $25 billion in boxes. These actions have resulted in unac- risk the disenfranchisement of seniors and emergency funding included in this legislation ceptable wait times for mail across the coun- other higher-risk individuals whose safest op- and I’m relieved that at the urging of members try, delaying timely delivery of prescription tion is casting mail-in ballots. like myself and the postal workers, a dan- medication and other vital mail, and endan- Protecting the integrity of the Postal Service gerous private right of action provision, which gering our upcoming election. should never be a partisan issue. Congress would have allowed trial lawyers to take ad- Following heavy criticism, the Postmaster must pass the Delivering for America Act, and vantage of the 2020 election, was removed. General issued a wholly insufficient and mis- work quickly to reverse the substantial dam- As someone who has worked across the leading pause in operational changes. But it is age inflicted by the Trump Administration. aisle to support the Postal Service, I was dis- now clear after his testimony before the Sen- I urge my colleagues to vote Yay and the appointed when it recently became a political ate Committee on Homeland Security and Senate to take up this bill immediately. weapon. Governmental Affairs, that he has no intention Ms. JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, We should not be politicizing the Postal of taking meaningful action to reverse the today, at a time when the United States Postal Service and in tum, the thousands of hard- damage that the Postmaster General’s sweep- Service is needed more than ever before, I am working employees that serve each of our dis- ing changes have inflicted. Additionally, the proud to stand in support of H.R. 8015, the tricts. pause does nothing to ensure voters that their Delivering for America Act. As Ranking Member of House Administra- election ballots will be delivered in time if they Ahead of the November elections, we must tion, I’ll tell you that, while I’m supportive of mail their ballots account to their state’s dead- focus all efforts and resources to ensure that this bill, it is not going to solve our election ad- lines. Finally, the pause is only temporary, and voting is safe, fair, and accessible for all. ministration problems. the damaging changes are set to return after That’s why I am pleased that the Delivering for Despite early warnings from the Postal the election. Two weeks ago, I called for the America Act includes a requirement for elec- Service, at least eighteen states still have bal- Postmaster General to resign. Today, I repeat tion mail to be considered first-class, a ban on lot request and return policies that are incom- that call and stand firm that he must step the removal of mail sorting machines, and a patible with their delivery standards, which sig- down. total reversal of any policies hindering the de- nificantly increases the risk of disenfranchising The Trump Administration’s efforts to sabo- livery of mail. voters. tage the Postal Service have endangered the Election mail is not the only mail impacted We saw hundreds of thousands of ballots lives and livelihoods of millions who rely on by the recent changes. In my district, I have during recent primaries across the country go the USPS for essential services like delivering heard stories from my constituents about uncounted for this very issue. NPR estimates life-saving medications, medical equipment, delays in delivery for vital medications, bills, nearly a half a million were rejected—dis- Social Security benefits and paychecks. The and other important packages through the proportionately disenfranchising minority and Postmaster General’s decision to impose mail. At a time when seniors and those with younger voters. these dangerous changes in the middle of an preexisting conditions are unable to go out in Despite early warnings from the Postal ongoing pandemic has magnified the disrup- public to pharmacies, or when those who lost Service, unrealistic ballot request and return tion of many of these vital services. their jobs see the bills piling up, timely deliv- policies continue to be one of the biggest im- The use of mail-order prescriptions, for in- eries should be the least of their worries. pediments to ensuring every vote is counted. stance, has increased by 20 percent during This past week, I had the opportunity to A recent poll found 59 percent of Americans the pandemic. Due to the degradation of serv- meet with the Dallas County Postal Service still prefer to vote in person, yet there’s noth- ice, mail-order medications are reportedly tak- and Union leaders to address the role of the ing in this bill to help states allow people to ing weeks to be delivered, forcing patients to federal government in protecting the proc- safely go to the polls. skip doses of life-saving medicines. Veterans esses, operations, and service standards for So I’m not voting for this bill because I think throughout the country have reportedly faced the USPS. There, I was glad to hear that ev- the post office is trying to sabotage our elec- wait times of three weeks or more for mail- erything was running up to speed thanks to tions, I’m voting for this bill because we’re in order medications, which has left the Depart- the hardworking men and women—who risk the middle of a pandemic, the Postal Service ment of Veterans Affairs scrambling to find al- their health day in and day out—to guarantee is vital to our society, and they need our help. ternative delivery services. that our mail is delivered. And while I’m glad we’re back here for a Stopping these changes and reversing the The USPS boasts one of the most diverse special session to help the Postal Service, I damage already done is not enough. We must workforces in the country. In Texas, African wish we were also voting on a deal to help our provide the additional funding in this bill to en- Americans and Latinos make up a significant schools, small businesses, and the millions of sure services continue uninterrupted through percentage of employees, and more than 50 people still out of work because of the pan- the election and the pandemic. But in the percent are women. Because minority commu- demic. President’s own words, he opposes any emer- nities are disproportionately affected by Mr. NADLER. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong gency funding because he believes that with- COVID–19, proper PPE is necessary for their support of the Delivering for America Act (H.R. out it, the Postal Service will not be able to safety—which this bill provides funding for. It 8015), which would restore normal U.S. Postal handle the estimated influx of mail-in ballots in also prohibits a restriction on the use of over- Service (USPS) operations and prohibit the the upcoming general election. The President time pay for USPS employees and prevents Trump Administration from implementing or himself has voted by mail in the last three the institution of a hiring freeze, to ensure that approving any changes that would impede elections but continues to attack mail-in voting they are equitably compensated for their ef- service during the COVID–19 pandemic. The as rife with fraud. In reality, voting fraud of all forts. bill also provides $25 billion in emergency forms is extremely rare, and that’s especially Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to sup- funding, matching the level requested by the true with mail-in voting, whose fraud rates are port this measure and hope for its immediate bipartisan Board of Governors, and which the immeasurably small. Oregon, the first state to consideration in the Senate. House passed as part of the Heroes Act in expand mail-in ballots to general elections, Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, May. has sent out more than 100 million mail-in bal- I rise in strong support of H.R. 8015, the De- For over two and a half centuries, our na- lots since 2000, and has documented less livering for America Act. This legislation will tion’s Postal Service has stood as an inde- than a dozen cases of fraud. put a stop to Postmaster General Louis pendent, neutral entity focused solely on con- With the number of Americans voting by DeJoy’s sabotage of the U.S. Postal Service necting Americans and providing essential mail for the election expected to more than and help reverse the damage that has already services. This independence has allowed the double from the last due to the pandemic, been done. H.R. 8015 will prohibit operational Postal Service to maintain its status as the Congress must protect the right of every or service changes during the COVID public country’s most trusted government agency for American to vote. If Congress fails to act, we health emergency and ensure the level of decades. risk permanent damage to the integrity of our service that was in place on January 1, 2020. Over the past several weeks, the Trump Ad- elections and our government institutions; we The bill also includes $25 billion to help shore ministration has turned the Postal Service into risk the livelihoods of farmers and workers up postal operations that have been badly im- an instrument of partisan politics by enabling around this country who rely on the USPS; pacted by the pandemic.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 04:06 Aug 23, 2020 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00043 Fmt 4636 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A22AU7.027 H22AUPT1 SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with HOUSE H4296 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE August 22, 2020 I have been deeply disturbed by recent Governors for $25 billion in aid and in support more relied upon than it has been in operational and organizational changes at of H.R. 8015, the Delivering for America Act. previous elections. USPS designed to sabotage mail delivery The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. The Postal Service will be a crucial service ahead of our 2020 presidential elec- HIMES). All time for debate has expired. link in the chain of custody between tion. In his brief tenure as Postmaster Gen- Pursuant to House Resolution 1092, voters and State or local election eral, Mr. DeJoy—a major contributor to the the previous question is ordered on the boards. For the Americans who choose President’s reelection campaign—has pushed bill, as amended. to cast their vote via mail, they need through sweeping changes to mail delivery The question is on the engrossment to be sure that their ballot, their voice, processes and procedures, dismantled vital and third reading of the bill. will be safe. We, therefore, need the mail sorting equipment, and undertaken a The bill was ordered to be engrossed proper measures in place to ensure that major restructuring intended to sideline career and read a third time, and was read the integrity is maintained. postal officials. This nakedly partisan attempt third time. In addition, if we are going to give to subvert democracy and undermine con- MOTION TO RECOMMIT the Postal Service funding, I think my fidence in the integrity of our election process Mr. COMER. Mr. Speaker, I have a colleagues on both sides of the aisle is unconscionable and unacceptable. The motion to recommit at the desk. need assurances that it will be spent Postmaster General should be ashamed of The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is the where Americans need it more. The himself. gentleman opposed to the bill? prioritization of medical deliveries and The USPS is a vital lifeline to millions of Mr. COMER. Mr. Speaker, I am op- ballots for this election. people across our country, especially now. posed to the bill in its current form. My motion contains reasonable addi- Veterans and seniors rely on the mail to get The SPEAKER pro tempore. The tions to H.R. 8015 that ensure that this prescriptions, people are staying connected Clerk will report the motion to recom- funding gets to where it needs to go. These provisions ensure that funds with loved ones through mail while sheltering mit. must only be spent on operating ex- at home, and more voters will cast their ballots The Clerk read as follows: penses to keep our postal workers paid by mail this year than ever before. Fast, reli- Mr. COMER moves to recommit the bill, and to keep them safe with personal able postal service is critical to providing these H.R. 8015, to the Committee on Appropria- tions with instructions to report the same protective equipment. essential services. Yet, my office has received These provisions will also ensure numerous complaints of late or inconsistent back to the House forthwith, with the fol- lowing amendment: that a portion of these funds go to mail service since the Postmaster General’s prioritizing pharmaceutical deliveries changes went into effect. One constituent, a Add after section 2(c) the following: (d) PENALTIES FOR POSTAL SERVICE EM- to get life-saving medicines to Ameri- senior from Napa, wrote to me afraid her nec- PLOYEE FEDERAL ELECTION TAMPERING.— cans quicker. Lastly, these provisions essary medication would be useless by the (1) IN GENERAL.—An employee of the ensure that these funds are used to time it arrived. The medication, which is tem- United States Postal Service may be subject prioritize ballots as well as establish perature sensitive and usually takes 2–3 days to disciplinary action consisting of removal, penalties for postal employees who to deliver, hadn’t shown up in more than 10. reduction in grade, debarment from Federal tamper or interfere with election mail. Our letter carriers are dedicated to providing employment for a period not to exceed 5 For instance, any postal employee years, suspension, or reprimand if the em- our communities the highest level of service. will face penalties if they knowingly Since the founding of our Post Office, they ployee— (A) knowingly and willfully obstructs or and willfully slow down the processing have lived by the motto: ‘‘Neither snow nor retards the passage of election mail prod- of mail or use their official authority rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these ucts, or any carrier or conveyance carrying to interfere with the election of a Fed- couriers from the swift completion of their ap- election mail products; or eral candidate. This upcoming election pointed rounds.’’ The Delivering for America (B) uses his official authority for the pur- will put millions, possibly hundreds of Act will help ensure postal employees can pose of interfering with, or affecting, the millions of votes, in the literal hands keep this oath. That’s why I am proud to sup- nomination or the election of any candidate of Postal Service workers who we must for Federal office. port and to be a coauthor of the legislation. I trust to deliver ballots safely and on (2) APPLICATION.—Paragraph (1) shall apply urge a yes vote. time. Mr. DANNY K. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speak- to any act that would be a violation of such paragraph taken on or after the date of en- The election will put our collective er, I rise in support of our Postal Service and actment of this Act. faith in our Postal Service like we have in support of its mission to serve our people, In section 3, add at the end after the period never seen before, and those who break in support of its role in our democracy, in our the following: ‘‘Such funds may only be used the trust of the Americans need to face elections, in support of its role in delivering for operating expenses and may not be used the consequences. vital goods and services critical to the health to pay any outstanding debt of the Postal Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to and well-being of our people and our economy Service: Provided further, That during the vote in favor of this motion to recom- COVID–19 emergency, the Postal Service and in support of the men and women of the mit, and I yield back the balance of my Postal Service who have added the pandemic shall use a portion of such funds to prioritize the delivery of postal products for ballots re- time. to the list of barriers they cast aside each day lated to Federal election mail and medical or Mrs. LAWRENCE. Mr. Speaker, I in their daily rounds. pharmaceutical delivery purposes and may claim the time in opposition to the mo- Mr. Speaker, I note that we do not require establish temporary delivery points, in such tion. that our government departments and agen- form and manner as the Postal Service de- The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gen- cies show a ‘‘profit.’’ That is not their purpose. termines necessary, to protect employees of tlewoman from Michigan is recognized We do not defend our country for a ‘‘profit.’’ the Postal Service and individuals receiving for 5 minutes. We do not educate our children for a ‘‘profit.’’ deliveries from the Postal Service.’’ Mrs. LAWRENCE. Mr. Speaker, obvi- We do not protect our environment for a ‘‘prof- Mr. COMER (during the reading). Mr. ously, my colleagues on the other side it.’’ Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that of the aisle are not aware that fraud is Mr. Speaker, we long ago rejected the the Clerk dispense with the reading. a Federal—voter fraud is a crime. We Luddite movement which advocated breaking The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there have already established and funded machines in a futile effort to turn back sci- objection to the request of the gen- the United States Postal Inspection entific and technological progress. Breaking tleman from Kentucky? Service. and discarding postal sorting machines is sab- There was no objection. Little do they know, whenever an otage today, just as it was in the 1800s. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- employee is in a postal facility, there Mr. Speaker, I am deeply troubled by the ant to the rule, the gentleman from are internal galleys in every facility alarming delays in First-Class, marketing, and Kentucky is recognized for 5 minutes where you are observed for 24 hours a Priority Mail documented by the Postal Serv- in support of his motion. day by postal inspectors. Mr. Speaker, ice’s own briefing packet for the Postmaster Mr. COMER. Mr. Speaker, my col- I am very comfortable that we will ad- General from last week. I have seen evidence leagues on both sides of the aisle have here to those laws. We have clerks who of these delays in the pictures sent and the shown immense passion today for both have sworn duties to protect elections. stories told to me by postal employees. their constituents and the integrity of But let me tell you, Mr. Speaker, 3 Mr. Speaker, I proudly cast my vote in sup- this upcoming national election. There months ago this House passed the HE- port of the request from the Postal Board of is no doubt that voting by mail will be ROES Act, and I ask my colleagues to

VerDate Sep 11 2014 06:08 Aug 23, 2020 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00044 Fmt 4636 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A22AU7.038 H22AUPT1 SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with HOUSE August 22, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H4297 open their mail because we sent them a The vote was taken by electronic de- Higgins (NY) McBath Scanlon letter that will protect the Postal vice, and there were—yeas 182, nays Himes McCollum Schakowsky Horsford McEachin Schiff Service. We sent them a letter saying 223, not voting 25, as follows: Houlahan McGovern Schneider that we need to send funding to the [Roll No. 181] Hoyer McNerney Schrader States and local governments so they Huffman Meeks Schrier YEAS—182 Jackson Lee Meng Scott (VA) will not defund the police departments. Jayapal Abraham Gooden Palazzo Mfume Scott, David If you want to know who is defunding Jeffries Aderholt Gosar Palmer Moore Serrano Johnson (GA) the police department, the lack of a Allen Graves (LA) Pence Morelle Sewell (AL) Johnson (TX) movement in the Senate to send that Armstrong Graves (MO) Perry Moulton Shalala Kaptur Arrington Green (TN) Posey Mucarsel-Powell Sherman necessary money to cities who must Keating Babin Griffith Reed Murphy (FL) Sherrill balance their budget. And the only way Kelly (IL) Bacon Grothman Reschenthaler Nadler Sires Kennedy they can balance their budget is to cut Baird Guest Rice (SC) Napolitano Slotkin Khanna Neal because they don’t have the funding Balderson Guthrie Riggleman Smith (WA) Kildee Neguse Banks Hagedorn Roby Soto that has been taken away from them Kilmer Norcross Barr Harris Rodgers (WA) Speier because of COVID. Kim O’Halleran Bergman Hartzler Roe, David P. Stanton Kind Ocasio-Cortez So you have the responsibility, Mr. Biggs Hern, Kevin Rogers (AL) Stevens Kirkpatrick Speaker, the Republicans have on their Bilirakis Herrera Beutler Rogers (KY) Omar Krishnamoorthi Suozzi Bishop (NC) Hice (GA) Rooney (FL) Pallone hands the defunding of our police de- Kuster (NH) Swalwell (CA) Bishop (UT) Hill (AR) Rose (NY) Panetta Lamb Takano partment. I wanted, too, to be very Bost Holding Rose, John W. Pappas Langevin Thompson (CA) clear that we have heard repeatedly Brady Hollingsworth Rouzer Pascrell Larsen (WA) Thompson (MS) that the Democrats had manufactured Brindisi Horn, Kendra S. Rutherford Payne Larson (CT) Titus Brooks (AL) Hudson Scalise Perlmutter a crisis at the expense of this Presi- Lawrence Tlaib Buchanan Huizenga Schweikert Peters Lawson (FL) Tonko dent, and that the emergency funding Buck Hurd (TX) Scott, Austin Peterson Lee (CA) Torres (CA) is ‘‘an unnecessary bailout plan.’’ Bucshon Jacobs Sensenbrenner Phillips Lee (NV) Trahan We do not need to help the current Budd Johnson (OH) Simpson Pingree Levin (CA) Trone Burchett Johnson (SD) Smith (MO) Pocan President to create a crisis. We have Levin (MI) Underwood Burgess Jordan Smith (NE) Porter Lieu, Ted Vargas seen every single day statements from Byrne Joyce (OH) Smith (NJ) Pressley Lipinski Veasey the White House about what we are Calvert Joyce (PA) Smucker Price (NC) Loebsack Vela Carter (GA) Katko Spanberger Quigley doing and what we should not do with Lofgren Vela´ zquez Carter (TX) Keller Stauber Raskin the Postal Service. I want everyone Lowenthal Visclosky Chabot Kelly (MS) Stefanik Rice (NY) Lowey Wasserman here to know that every postal em- Cheney King (NY) Steil Richmond Luja´ n Schultz ployee takes an oath that they will ad- Cline Kinzinger Stivers Rouda Luria Waters Cloud Kustoff (TN) Taylor Roybal-Allard here to the Constitution, that they will Lynch Watson Coleman Cole LaHood Thompson (PA) Ruiz Malinowski Welch serve and protect. Comer LaMalfa Tiffany Ruppersberger Maloney, Wexton The majority of the postal workers Conaway Lamborn Tipton Rush Carolyn B. Wild are veterans who have served in the Crawford Latta Torres Small Ryan Maloney, Sean ´ Wilson (FL) Crenshaw Lesko (NM) Sanchez military, who continue their service in Matsui Sarbanes Yarmuth the Postal Service. I want it to be very Cunningham Long Turner Curtis Loudermilk Upton NOT VOTING—25 clear that this election that is being Davidson (OH) Lucas Van Drew held hostage right now by the Postal Davis, Rodney Luetkemeyer Wagner Amodei Graves (GA) Shimkus Brooks (IN) Higgins (LA) Spano Service’s internal decisions to tear it DesJarlais Marshall Walberg Duncan Massie Walker Collins (GA) Johnson (LA) Steube apart, where you have over 600,000 em- Dunn Mast Walorski Cook Kelly (PA) Stewart ployees reporting to work who want to Emmer McAdams Waltz Diaz-Balart King (IA) Thornberry Estes McCarthy Watkins Flores Marchant Timmons uphold their oath of office. Gabbard Meuser I want to say today, Mr. Speaker, Ferguson McCaul Weber (TX) Walden Fitzpatrick McClintock Webster (FL) Gibbs Olson that the Postal Service motto is nei- Fleischmann McHenry Wenstrup Granger Roy ther rain, snow, heat or gloom of night Fortenberry McKinley Westerman you will not deter these carriers from Foxx (NC) Miller Williams b 1754 Fulcher Mitchell Wilson (SC) their mission. And we are standing Gaetz Moolenaar Wittman Messrs. SEAN PATRICK MALONEY here today saying, no. Return to sender Gallagher Mooney (WV) Womack of New York, DEUTCH, JEFFRIES, Ms. Garcia (CA) Mullin Woodall this unnecessary MTR. That we, as SCANLON, Mr. CICILLINE, Ms. Democrats, we are putting forth this Gianforte Murphy (NC) Wright Gohmert Newhouse Yoho WASSERMAN SCHULTZ, and Miss bill to ensure that we are not in that Golden Norman Young RICE of New York changed their vote place where we are going to try to Gonzalez (OH) Nunes Zeldin from ‘‘yea’’ to ‘‘nay.’’ deter the Postal Service from doing NAYS—223 Mr. GOSAR changed his vote from their job. ‘‘nay’’ to ‘‘yea.’’ Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to Adams Cicilline Deutch Aguilar Cisneros Dingell So the motion to recommit was re- wake up, to understand that this is not Allred Clark (MA) Doggett jected. a Democrat or Republican issue, be- Amash Clarke (NY) Doyle, Michael The result of the vote was announced cause the ballots that are going to be Axne Clay F. Barraga´ n Cleaver Engel as above recorded. moving through the Postal Service, Bass Clyburn Escobar MEMBERS RECORDED PURSUANT TO HOUSE some of them may even go to them, Beatty Cohen Eshoo RESOLUTION 965, 116TH CONGRESS they better protect the Postal Service. Bera Connolly Espaillat Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance Beyer Cooper Evans Axne (Raskin) DeSaulnier Jayapal (Raskin) Bishop (GA) Correa Finkenauer Barraga´ n (Beyer) (Matsui) Johnson (TX) of my time. Blumenauer Costa Fletcher Bera (Aguilar) Doggett (Raskin) (Jeffries) The SPEAKER pro tempore. Without Blunt Rochester Courtney Foster Blumenauer Engel (Pallone) Kennedy objection, the previous question is or- Bonamici Cox (CA) Frankel (Beyer) Escobar (Garcia (Deutch) dered on the motion to recommit. Boyle, Brendan Craig Fudge Bonamici (TX)) Khanna (Gomez) There was no objection. F. Crist Gallego (Raskin) Foster (Beyer) Kind (Beyer) Brown (MD) Crow Garamendi Brownley (CA) Frankel (Clark Kirkpatrick The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Brownley (CA) Cuellar Garcı´a (IL) (Clark (MA)) (MA)) (Gallego) Bustos Davids (KS) Garcia (TX) Ca´ rdenas Garamendi question is on the motion to recommit. Kuster (NH) Butterfield Davis (CA) Gomez (Gomez) (Sherman) The question was taken; and the (Clark (MA)) Speaker pro tempore announced that Carbajal Davis, Danny K. Gonzalez (TX) Case Gonzalez (TX) Ca´ rdenas Dean Gottheimer (Cartwright) (Gomez) Lawson (FL) the noes appeared to have it. Carson (IN) DeFazio Green, Al (TX) Clay (Davids Grijalva (Garcı´a (Evans) Mr. COMER. Mr. Speaker, on that I Cartwright DeGette Grijalva (KS)) (IL)) Lieu, Ted (Beyer) demand the yeas and nays. Case DeLauro Haaland Costa (Cooper) Hastings Lipinski (Cooper) The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- Casten (IL) DelBene Harder (CA) Davis (CA) (Wild) (Wasserman Lofgren (Jeffries) Castor (FL) Delgado Hastings DeGette (Blunt Schultz) Lowenthal ant to section 3 of House Resolution Castro (TX) Demings Hayes Rochester) Horsford (Kildee) (Beyer) 965, the yeas and nays are ordered. Chu, Judy DeSaulnier Heck DelBene (Heck) Huffman (Kildee) Lowey (Tonko)

VerDate Sep 11 2014 04:06 Aug 23, 2020 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00045 Fmt 4636 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K22AU7.072 H22AUPT1 SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with HOUSE H4298 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE August 22, 2020

McNerney Peters (Rice Schneider Pelosi Schrader Tonko PERSONAL EXPLANATION (Raskin) (NY)) (Houlahan) Perlmutter Schrier Torres (CA) Meng (Clark Peterson (Vela) Serrano Peters Scott (VA) Torres Small Ms. GRANGER. Mr. Speaker, I was unable (MA)) Pingree (Clark (Jeffries) Peterson Scott, David (NM) to attend votes due to circumstances beyond Moore (Beyer) (MA)) Sires (Pallone) Phillips Serrano Trahan Mucarsel-Powell Porter (Wexton) Speier (Scanlon) Pingree Sewell (AL) Trone my control. Had I been present, I would have (Wasserman Price (NC) Thompson (CA) Pocan Shalala Turner voted ‘‘nay’’ on rollcall No. 179, ‘‘nay’’ on roll- Schultz) (Butterfield) (Kildee) Porter Sherman Underwood Rooney (FL) Pressley Sherrill call No. 180, ‘‘yea’’ on rollcall No. 181, and Nadler (Jeffries) Titus (Connolly) Upton (Beyer) Price (NC) Sires Napolitano Visclosky Van Drew ‘‘nay’’ on rollcall No. 182. Roybal-Allard Quigley Slotkin (Correa) (Raskin) (McCollum) Raskin Smith (NJ) Vargas PERSONAL EXPLANATION Omar (Pressley) Ruiz (Aguilar) Watson Coleman Reed Smith (WA) Veasey Panetta (Kildee) Rush (Pallone) Rice (NY) Soto Vela Mr. WALDEN. Mr. Speaker, due to a long- Pascrell (Underwood) Welch Richmond Spanberger Vela´ zquez standing prior commitment, I was unable to re- (Pallone) Sa´ nchez (McGovern) Rose (NY) Speier Visclosky Payne (Aguilar) Wilson (FL) Rouda Stanton Wagner turn for votes on Saturday, August 22. Had I (Wasserman Schakowsky (Hayes) Roybal-Allard Stauber Wasserman been present, I would have voted ‘‘nay’’ on Schultz) (Kelly (IL)) Ruiz Stefanik Schultz rollcall No. 179 (PQ); ‘‘nay’’ on rollcall No. 180 Ruppersberger Stevens Waters The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Rush Stivers Watson Coleman (Rule); ‘‘yea’’ on rollcall No. 181 (MTR); and question is on the passage of the bill. Ryan Suozzi Welch ‘‘nay’’ on rollcall No. 182 (H.R. 8015). The question was taken; and the Sa´ nchez Swalwell (CA) Wexton Speaker pro tempore announced that Sarbanes Takano Wild PERSONAL EXPLANATION Scanlon Thompson (CA) Wilson (FL) the ayes appeared to have it. Schakowsky Thompson (MS) Yarmuth Mr. ROY. Mr. Speaker, under the advice of Schiff Mr. COMER. Mr. Speaker, on that I Titus Young my physician, due to a bulging disk in my Schneider Tlaib demand the yeas and nays. back, I could not get on a plane to return to The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- NAYS—150 Washington to vote on H.R. 8015, the Deliv- ant to section 3 of House Resolution Abraham Gohmert Newhouse ering for America Act. Had I been present, I 965, the yeas and nays are ordered. Aderholt Gonzalez (OH) Norman would have voted ‘‘nay’’ on rollcall No. 179, The vote was taken by electronic de- Allen Gooden Nunes Amash Gosar Palazzo ‘‘nay’’ on rollcall No. 180, ‘‘yea’’ on rollcall No. vice, and there were—yeas 257, nays Armstrong Graves (GA) Palmer 150, not voting 24, as follows: Arrington Graves (LA) Pence 181, and ‘‘nay’’ on rollcall No. 182. Babin Green (TN) Perry PERSONAL EXPLANATION [Roll No. 182] Baird Griffith Posey YEAS—257 Banks Grothman Reschenthaler Mr. MEUSER. Mr. Speaker, I was unable to Barr Guest Rice (SC) Adams DelBene Kim Bergman Guthrie Riggleman attend today’s roll call votes. Had I been Aguilar Delgado Kind Biggs Hagedorn Roby Allred Demings present, I would have voted ‘‘nay’’ on rollcall King (NY) Bilirakis Harris Rodgers (WA) Axne DeSaulnier Kirkpatrick Bishop (NC) Hartzler Roe, David P. No. 179, ‘‘nay’’ on rollcall No. 180, ‘‘yea’’ on Bacon Deutch Krishnamoorthi Bishop (UT) Hern, Kevin Rogers (AL) rollcall No. 181, and ‘‘nay’’ on rollcall No. 182. Balderson Dingell Kuster (NH) Brady Hice (GA) Rogers (KY) Barraga´ n Doggett LaMalfa Brooks (AL) Hill (AR) Rooney (FL) PERSONAL EXPLANATION Bass Doyle, Michael Lamb Buck Holding Rose, John W. Beatty F. Langevin Bucshon Hollingsworth Rouzer Mr. KING of Iowa. Mr. Speaker, I was un- Bera Engel Larsen (WA) Budd Hudson Rutherford Beyer Escobar able to vote on August 22, 2020 due to not Larson (CT) Burchett Huizenga Scalise Bishop (GA) Eshoo Lawrence Burgess Jacobs Schweikert being in DC. Had I been present, I would have Blumenauer Espaillat Lawson (FL) Byrne Johnson (OH) Scott, Austin voted as follows: ‘‘no’’ on rollcall No. 179; ‘‘no’’ Blunt Rochester Evans Lee (CA) Calvert Johnson (SD) Sensenbrenner Bonamici Finkenauer on rollcall No. 180; ‘‘yes’’ on rollcall No. 181; Lee (NV) Carter (GA) Jordan Simpson Bost Fitzpatrick Levin (CA) Carter (TX) Joyce (PA) Smith (MO) and ‘‘no’’ on rollcall No. 182. Boyle, Brendan Fletcher Levin (MI) Chabot Keller Smith (NE) F. Fortenberry Lieu, Ted Cheney Kelly (MS) Smucker MEMBERS RECORDED PURSUANT TO Brindisi Foster Lipinski Cline Kinzinger Steil HOUSE RESOLUTION 965, 116TH CON- Brown (MD) Frankel Loebsack Cloud Kustoff (TN) Taylor GRESS Brownley (CA) Fudge Lofgren Cole LaHood Thompson (PA) Buchanan Gallego Axne (Raskin) Huffman (Kildee) Peters (Rice Lowenthal Comer Lamborn Tiffany Bustos Garamendi Barraga´ n (Beyer) Lowey Conaway Latta Tipton Jayapal (Raskin) (NY)) Butterfield Garcı´a (IL) ´ Bera (Aguilar) Lujan Crawford Lesko Walberg Johnson (TX) Peterson (Vela) Carbajal Garcia (TX) Blumenauer Luria Crenshaw Long Walker (Jeffries) Pingree (Clark Ca´ rdenas Golden (Beyer) Lynch Curtis Loudermilk Walorski Kennedy (MA)) Carson (IN) Gomez Bonamici Malinowski Davidson (OH) Lucas Waltz (Deutch) Porter (Wexton) Cartwright Gonzalez (TX) (Raskin) Maloney, DesJarlais Luetkemeyer Watkins Khanna (Gomez) Price (NC) Case Gottheimer Brownley (CA) Carolyn B. Duncan Marshall Weber (TX) Kind (Beyer) (Butterfield) Casten (IL) Graves (MO) (Clark (MA)) Maloney, Sean Dunn Massie Webster (FL) Kirkpatrick Rooney (FL) Castor (FL) Green, Al (TX) Matsui Ca´ rdenas Emmer Mast Wenstrup (Gallego) (Beyer) Castro (TX) Grijalva McAdams (Gomez) Estes McCarthy Westerman Kuster (NH) Roybal-Allard Chu, Judy Haaland Case McBath Ferguson McClintock Williams (Clark (MA)) Cicilline Harder (CA) (Cartwright) (McCollum) McCaul Fleischmann McHenry Wilson (SC) Lawson (FL) Cisneros Hastings Clay (Davids Ruiz (Aguilar) McCollum Foxx (NC) Miller Wittman (Evans) Clark (MA) Hayes (KS)) Rush McEachin Fulcher Mitchell Womack Lieu, Ted (Beyer) Clarke (NY) Heck McGovern Costa (Cooper) (Underwood) Gaetz Moolenaar Woodall Lipinski (Cooper) Clay Herrera Beutler McKinley Davis (CA) (Wild) Sa´ nchez Gallagher Mooney (WV) Wright Lofgren (Jeffries) Cleaver Higgins (NY) McNerney DeGette (Blunt (Aguilar) Garcia (CA) Mullin Yoho Lowenthal Clyburn Himes Meeks Rochester) Schakowsky Gianforte Murphy (NC) Zeldin (Beyer) Cohen Horn, Kendra S. Meng DelBene (Heck) (Kelly (IL)) Lowey (Tonko) Connolly Horsford Mfume NOT VOTING—24 DeSaulnier Schneider McNerney Cooper Houlahan Moore (Matsui) (Houlahan) Amodei Granger Roy Correa Hoyer Morelle Doggett (Raskin) (Raskin) Brooks (IN) Higgins (LA) Shimkus Serrano Costa Huffman Moulton Engel (Pallone) Meng (Clark Collins (GA) Johnson (LA) Spano (Jeffries) Courtney Hurd (TX) Mucarsel-Powell Escobar (Garcia (MA)) Cook Kelly (PA) Steube Sires (Pallone) Cox (CA) Jackson Lee Murphy (FL) (TX)) Moore (Beyer) Diaz-Balart King (IA) Stewart Speier (Scanlon) Craig Jayapal Nadler Foster (Beyer) Mucarsel-Powell Flores Marchant Thornberry Thompson (CA) Crist Jeffries Napolitano Frankel (Clark (Wasserman Gabbard Meuser Timmons (Kildee) Crow Johnson (GA) Neal (MA)) Schultz) Gibbs Olson Walden Titus (Connolly) Cuellar Johnson (TX) Neguse Garamendi Nadler (Jeffries) Visclosky Cunningham Joyce (OH) Norcross (Sherman) Napolitano Davids (KS) Kaptur O’Halleran b 1839 Gonzalez (TX) (Correa) (Raskin) Davis (CA) Katko Ocasio-Cortez (Gomez) Omar (Pressley) Watson Coleman Davis, Danny K. Keating Omar So the bill was passed. Grijalva (Garcı´a Panetta (Kildee) (Pallone) Davis, Rodney Kelly (IL) Pallone The result of the vote was announced (IL)) Pascrell Welch Dean Kennedy Panetta as above recorded. Hastings (Pallone) (McGovern) DeFazio Khanna Pappas (Wasserman Payne Wilson (FL) DeGette Kildee Pascrell A motion to reconsider was laid on Schultz) (Wasserman (Hayes) DeLauro Kilmer Payne the table. Horsford (Kildee) Schultz)

VerDate Sep 11 2014 04:06 Aug 23, 2020 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00046 Fmt 4636 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A22AU7.031 H22AUPT1 SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with HOUSE August 22, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H4299 EMERGENCY STOPGAP USCIS month of June preceding the date on which rity shall develop and implement processes STABILIZATION ACT such adjustment takes effect exceeds the to ensure that the availability of premium Consumer Price Index for All Urban Con- processing, or its expansion to additional im- Mr. RASKIN. Mr. Speaker, I ask sumers for the same month of the second migration benefit requests, does not result in unanimous consent that the Com- preceding calendar year. The provisions of an increase in processing times for immigra- mittee on the Judiciary and the Com- section 553 of title 5, United States Code, tion benefit requests not designated for pre- mittee on the Budget be discharged shall not apply to an adjustment authorized mium processing or an increase in regular from further consideration of the bill under this subparagraph. processing of immigration benefit requests (H.R. 8089) to amend the Immigration ‘‘(4) USE OF FEE.—Fees collected under this so designated. subsection may only be used by U.S. Citizen- SEC. 3. REPORTING REQUIREMENTS. and Nationality Act to expand pre- ship and Immigration Services to— mium processing for certain immigra- (a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days ‘‘(A) provide the services described in para- after the date of the enactment of this Act, tion benefits, and for other purposes, graph (5) to premium processing requestors; the Secretary of Homeland Security shall and ask for its immediate consider- ‘‘(B) make infrastructure improvements in provide to the appropriate Committees a 5- ation in the House. adjudications processes and the provision of year plan, including projected cost esti- The Clerk read the title of the bill. information and services to immigration and mates, procurement strategies, and a project The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there naturalization benefit requestors; schedule with milestones, to accomplish objection to the request of the gen- ‘‘(C) respond to adjudication demands, in- each of the following: cluding by reducing the number of pending tleman from Maryland? (1) Establish electronic filing procedures immigration and naturalization benefit re- for all applications and petitions for immi- There was no objection. quests; and The text of the bill is as follows: gration benefits. ‘‘(D) otherwise offset the cost of providing (2) Accept electronic payment of fees at all H.R. 8089 adjudication and naturalization services. filing locations. ‘‘(5) PREMIUM PROCESSING SERVICES.—The Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- (3) Issue correspondence, including deci- Secretary— resentatives of the United States of America in sions, requests for evidence, and notices of ‘‘(A) may suspend the availability of pre- Congress assembled, intent to deny, to immigration benefit re- mium processing for designated immigration SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. questors electronically. benefit requests only if circumstances pre- This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Emergency (4) Improve processing times for all immi- vent the completion of processing of a sig- Stopgap USCIS Stabilization Act’’. gration and naturalization benefit requests. nificant number of such requests within the (b) SEMI-ANNUAL BRIEFINGS.—Not later SECTION 2. EXPANSION OF PREMIUM PROC- required period; and than 180 days after submission of the plan ESSING. ‘‘(B) shall ensure that premium processing described in paragraph (1), and on a semi-an- (a) IN GENERAL.—Section 286(u) of the Im- requestors have direct and reliable access to nual basis thereafter, the Secretary shall ad- migration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. current case status information as well as vise the appropriate Committees on the im- 1356(u)) is amended to read as follows: the ability to communicate with the pre- plementation status of such plan. ‘‘(u) PREMIUM FEE FOR CERTAIN IMMIGRA- mium processing units at each service center (c) APPROPRIATE COMMITTEES DEFINED.—In TION BENEFIT TYPES.— or office that provides premium processing this section, the term ‘‘appropriate Commit- ‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Home- services.’’. tees’’ means— land Security is authorized to establish and (b) EXPANSION TO NEW BENEFIT REQUESTS.— (1) the Committee on Appropriations, the collect a premium fee for the immigration (1) IN GENERAL.—Notwithstanding the re- benefit types described in paragraph (2). quirement to set a fee by regulation under Committee on the Judiciary, and the Com- Such fee shall be paid in addition to any section 286(u)(3)(B) of the Immigration and mittee on Homeland Security of the House of other fees authorized by law, deposited as Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1356(u)(3)(B)), as Representatives; and offsetting receipts in the Immigration Ex- amended by subsection (a), the Secretary of (2) the Committee on Appropriations, the aminations Fee Account established under Homeland Security may set a fee under that Committee on the Judiciary, and the Com- subsection (m), and used for the purposes de- section without regard to the provisions of mittee on Homeland Security and Govern- scribed in paragraph (4). section 553 of title 5, United States Code, if mental Affairs of the Senate. ‘‘(2) IMMIGRATION BENEFIT TYPES.—Subject such fee is consistent with the following: SEC. 4. DETERMINATION OF BUDGETARY EF- to reasonable conditions or limitations, the (A) For a petition for classification under FECTS. Secretary shall establish a premium fee section 203(b)(1)(C) of the Immigration and The budgetary effects of this Act, for the under paragraph (1) in connection with— Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1153(b)(1)(C)), or a purpose of complying with the Statutory ‘‘(A) employment-based nonimmigrant pe- petition for classification under section Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010, shall be deter- titions and associated applications for de- 203(b)(2) involving a waiver under section mined by reference to the latest statement pendents of the beneficiaries of such peti- 203(b)(2)(B) of such Act, the fee is set at an titled ‘‘Budgetary Effects of PAYGO Legisla- tions; amount not greater than $2,500 and the re- tion’’ for this Act, submitted for printing in ‘‘(B) employment-based immigrant peti- quired processing timeframe is not greater the Congressional Record by the Chairman of tions filed by or on behalf of aliens described than 45 days. the House Budget Committee, provided that in paragraph (1), (2), or (3) of section 203(b); (B) For an application under section 248 of such statement has been submitted prior to ‘‘(C) applications to change or extend non- the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 the vote on passage. immigrant status; U.S.C. 1258) to change status to a classifica- The bill was ordered to be engrossed ‘‘(D) applications for employment author- tion described in subparagraph (F), (J), or and read a third time, was read the ization; and (M) of section 101(a)(15) of such Act (8 U.S.C. third time, and passed, and a motion to ‘‘(E) any other immigration benefit type 1101(a)(15)), the fee is set at an amount not reconsider was laid on the table. that the Secretary deems appropriate for greater than $1,750 and the required proc- premium processing. essing timeframe is not greater than 30 days. f ‘‘(3) AMOUNT OF FEE.— (C) For an application under section 248 of PROVIDING FOR THE APPOINT- ‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—Subject to subparagraph the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 MENT OF FRANKLIN D. RAINES (C), with respect to an immigration benefit U.S.C. 1258) to change status to be classified AS A CITIZEN REGENT OF THE type designated for premium processing by as a dependent of a nonimmigrant described the Secretary on or before August 1, 2020, the in subparagraph (E), (H), (L), (O), (P), or (R) BOARD OF REGENTS OF THE premium fee shall be $2,500, except that the of section 101(a)(15) of such Act (8 U.S.C. SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION premium fee for a petition for classification 1101(a)(15)), or to extend such classification, Mr. RASKIN. Mr. Speaker, I ask of a nonimmigrant described in subpara- the fee is set at an amount not greater than unanimous consent that the Com- graph (H)(ii)(b) or (R) of section 101(a)(15) $1,750 and the required processing timeframe mittee on House Administration be dis- shall be $1,500. is not greater than 30 days. ‘‘(B) OTHER IMMIGRATION BENEFIT TYPES.— (D) For an application for employment au- charged from further consideration of With respect to an immigration benefit type thorization, the fee is set at an amount not the joint resolution (H.J. Res. 88) pro- designated for premium processing but not greater than $1,500 and the required proc- viding for the appointment of Franklin described in subparagraph (A), the initial essing timeframe is not greater than 30 days. D. Raines as a citizen regent of the premium fee shall be established by regula- (2) CLARIFICATION.—The required proc- Board of Regents of the Smithsonian tion, which shall include a detailed method- essing timeframe for each of the applications Institution, and ask for its immediate ology supporting the proposed premium fee and petitions described in paragraph (1) shall consideration in the House. amount. not commence until the date that all pre- The Clerk read the title of the joint ‘‘(C) BIENNIAL ADJUSTMENT.—The Secretary requisites for adjudication are received by resolution. may adjust a premium fee under subpara- the Secretary of Homeland Security. graph (A) or (B) on a biennial basis by the (c) OTHER BENEFIT REQUESTS.—In imple- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there percentage (if any) by which the Consumer menting the amendments made by sub- objection to the request of the gen- Price Index for All Urban Consumers for the section (a), the Secretary of Homeland Secu- tleman from Maryland?

VerDate Sep 11 2014 04:06 Aug 23, 2020 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00047 Fmt 4636 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K22AU7.077 H22AUPT1 SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with HOUSE H4300 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE August 22, 2020 There was no objection. ceived July 23, 2020, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. CLEAVER, Mr. BUCK, Mr. WELCH, and The text of the joint resolution is as 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Mr. RASKIN): follows: Stat. 868); to the Committee on Education H.R. 8089. A bill to amend the Immigration and Labor. and Nationality Act to expand premium H.J. RES. 88 5073. A letter from the Director, Regula- processing for certain immigration benefits, Resolved by the Senate and House of Rep- tions Policy and Management Staff, Food and for other purposes; to the Committee on resentatives of the United States of America in and Drug Administration, Department of the Judiciary, and in addition to the Com- Congress assembled, That, in accordance with Health and Human Services, transmitting mittee on the Budget, for a period to be sub- section 5581 of the Revised Statutes of the the Department’s final rule — Medical De- sequently determined by the Speaker, in United States (20 U.S.C. 43), the vacancy on vices; Exemption From Premarket Notifica- each case for consideration of such provi- the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian In- tion: Class II Devices [Docket No.: FDA-2019- sions as fall within the jurisdiction of the stitution, in the class other than Members of N-2686] received July 23, 2020, pursuant to 5 committee concerned. considered and passed. Congress, occurring by reason of the expira- U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. By Mr. CURTIS: tion of the term of John W. McCarter Jr. of 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on En- H.R. 8090. A bill to amend title VI of the Social Security Act to provide a limitation Illinois on March 21, 2020, is filled by the ap- ergy and Commerce. on the recoupment of Coronavirus Relief pointment of Franklin D. Raines of Wash- 5074. A letter from the Director, Regula- Fund amounts; to the Committee on Over- ington, DC. The appointment is for a term of tions Policy and Management Staff, Food sight and Reform. six years, beginning the date of the enact- and Drug Administration, Department of By Mrs. BUSTOS (for herself, Ms. ment of this joint resolution. Health and Human Services, transmitting HAALAND, Mr. ROSE of New York, Ms. the Department’s final rule — Medical De- The joint resolution was ordered to JACKSON LEE, Mr. COHEN, Mr. SAN vices; Petitions for an Administrative Stay be engrossed and read a third time, was NICOLAS, Mr. PAPPAS, Mr. THOMPSON of Action: Electrical Stimulation Devices for read the third time, and passed, and a of California, Ms. KAPTUR, Mr. Self- Injurious or Aggressive Behavior LYNCH, Mr. CASE, Mr. RUSH, Mrs. motion to reconsider was laid on the [Docket No.: FDA-2016-N-1111] received July WATSON COLEMAN, Mr. KILDEE, Ms. table. 23, 2020, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); TITUS, Ms. LEE of California, Mrs. Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to f DINGELL, Mr. CONNOLLY, and Ms. the Committee on Energy and Commerce. RECOGNIZING THE GRADUATING BLUNT ROCHESTER): CLASS OF FIREFIGHTERS IN f H.R. 8091. A bill to direct the Secretary of Defense to provide to States the total SALEM COUNTY NEW JERSEY REPORTS OF COMMITTEES ON amount of funds for the costs to the States (Mr. VAN DREW asked and was given PUBLIC BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS of activating the National Guard in response permission to address the House for 1 Under clause 2 of rule XIII, reports of to the COVID-19 pandemic; to the Committee minute and to revise and extend his re- committees were delivered to the Clerk on Armed Services. By Ms. JACKSON LEE (for herself, for printing and reference to the proper marks.) Mrs. LAWRENCE, Mr. RASKIN, Ms. Mr. VAN DREW. Mr. Speaker, I rec- calendar, as follows: KELLY of Illinois, Ms. BLUNT ROCH- ognize this year’s graduating class of Mr. MCGOVERN: Committee on Rules. ESTER, Mr. TONKO, Mr. GARCI´A of Illi- firefighters in Salem County, south House Resolution 1092. Resolution providing nois, Mrs. BEATTY, Ms. LEE of Cali- Jersey. for consideration of the bill (H.R. 8015) to fornia, Ms. FUDGE, Mr. MCNERNEY, I was honored to attend and see this maintain prompt and reliable postal services Ms. SEWELL of Alabama, Mr. class in action at the Fire Academy during the COVID–19 health emergency, and CA´ RDENAS, Mr. HASTINGS, Mr. COHEN, for other purposes (Rept. 116–480). Referred FF1 recruit graduation earlier this Ms. NORTON, Ms. KAPTUR, Mr. to the House Calendar. KHANNA, Mr. MFUME, Ms. SHERRILL, month. They are not just a team; they f Ms. TLAIB, Mr. CUELLAR, and Mr. are a family. NEGUSE): This special class was hardened and PUBLIC BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS H.R. 8092. A bill to amend the Help Amer- unified in the midst of a nationwide Under clause 2 of rule XII, public ica Vote Act of 2002 to establish the methods by which individuals may apply for an absen- coronavirus. I am so proud to be able bills and resolutions of the following to represent these men and women in tee ballot in elections for Federal office, to titles were introduced and severally re- permit individuals to cast absentee ballots Congress and to recognize them for ferred, as follows: at polling places and early voting locations their feat. By Mr. BURGESS: on or before the date of the election, and for They represent the resolve and the H.R. 8086. A bill to provide additional ap- other purposes; to the Committee on House commitment that makes this great Na- propriations for the public health and social Administration, and in addition to the Com- tion even greater. Your Nation is proud services emergency fund, and for other pur- mittee on Oversight and Reform, for a period of you. Your community is proud of poses; to the Committee on Appropriations, to be subsequently determined by the Speak- you. We are all proud of you and the and in addition to the Committee on the er, in each case for consideration of such pro- Budget, for a period to be subsequently de- visions as fall within the jurisdiction of the selfless work that you are all begin- committee concerned. ning. God bless you all. And God bless termined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall with- By Mr. HURD of Texas: these United States of America. H.R. 8093. A bill to adjust the boundary of in the jurisdiction of the committee con- Big Bend National Park in the State of f cerned. Texas, and for other purposes; to the Com- ADJOURNMENT By Mr. CHABOT: mittee on Natural Resources. H.R. 8087. A bill to amend the Small Busi- By Mr. ROSE of New York (for himself, The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- ness Act and the CARES Act to establish a Mr. MCKINLEY, Mr. BRINDISI, Mr. program for second draw loans and make ant to section 4(b) of House Resolution RIGGLEMAN, Mr. CISNEROS, Mr. GRIF- other modifications to the paycheck protec- 967, the House stands adjourned until 10 FITH, and Mr. UPTON): a.m. on Tuesday, August 25, 2020. tion program, and for other purposes; to the H.R. 8094. A bill to address behavioral Thereupon (at 6 o’clock and 44 min- Committee on Small Business, and in addi- health and well-being among health care pro- tion to the Committees on the Judiciary, the fessionals; to the Committee on Energy and utes p.m.), under its previous order, the Budget, and Appropriations, for a period to House adjourned until Tuesday, August Commerce. be subsequently determined by the Speaker, By Mr. RUSH: 25, 2020, at 10 a.m. in each case for consideration of such provi- H.R. 8095. A bill to direct the Secretary of f sions as fall within the jurisdiction of the the Interior to establish a grant program to committee concerned. provide funds for the removal of Confederate EXECUTIVE COMMUNICATIONS, By Mr. STAUBER: symbols, and for other purposes; to the Com- ETC. H.R. 8088. A bill to provide funding to law mittee on Natural Resources. Under clause 2 of rule XIV, executive enforcement agencies, and for other pur- By Mr. ZELDIN (for himself, Mr. KING poses; to the Committee on the Judiciary, communications were taken from the of New York, Mr. COLLINS of Georgia, and in addition to the Committee on the Ms. STEFANIK, Mr. AUSTIN SCOTT of Speaker’s table and referred as follows: Budget, for a period to be subsequently de- Georgia, Mr. STEUBE, Mr. BANKS, and 5072. A letter from the Assistant General termined by the Speaker, in each case for Mr. MEUSER): Counsel for Regulatory Affairs, Pension Ben- consideration of such provisions as fall with- H. Res. 1093. A resolution establishing a efit Guaranty Corporation, transmitting the in the jurisdiction of the committee con- ‘‘Bill of Rights’’ to support United States Corporation’s final rule — Benefits Payable cerned. law enforcement personnel nationwide in in Terminated Single-Employer Plans; Inter- By Ms. LOFGREN (for herself, Mr. their work to protect our communities; to est Assumptions for Paying Benefits; re- NADLER, Mr. FORTENBERRY, Mr. the Committee on the Judiciary.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 04:06 Aug 23, 2020 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00048 Fmt 4636 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K22AU7.078 H22AUPT1 SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with HOUSE August 22, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H4301 CONSTITUTIONAL AUTHORITY make all needful Rules and Regulations re- H.R. 6364: Ms. DELBENE and Mrs. MURPHY STATEMENT specting the Territory and other Property of Florida. belonging to the United States.’’ H.R. 6561: Mr. GARCI´A of Illinois. Pursuant to clause 7 of rule XII of By Mr. ROSE of New York: H.R. 6626: Ms. PRESSLEY. the Rules of the House of Representa- H.R. 8094. H.R. 6654: Mr. LYNCH. tives, the following statements are sub- Congress has the power to enact this legis- H.R. 6776: Mr. CASE and Ms. SHERRILL. mitted regarding the specific powers lation pursuant to the following: H.R. 6897: Ms. OMAR. granted to Congress in the Constitu- Under Article I, Section 8 of the Constitu- H.R. 6921: Mr. BILIRAKIS. tion, Congress has the power ‘‘to make all tion to enact the accompanying bill or H.R. 6986: Ms. BASS. Laws which shall be necessary and proper for joint resolution. H.R. 6988: Mr. BUCK and Mr. BANKS. carrying into Execution the foregoing Pow- H.R. 6994: Mr. ROUDA. By Mr. BURGESS: ers, and all other Powers vested by this Con- H.R. 7071: Ms. CRAIG, Mr. LOWENTHAL, Mr. H.R. 8086. stitution in the Government of the United COOPER, Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD, Mr. DAVID Congress has the power to enact this legis- States, or any Department or Officer there- SCOTT of Georgia, Mr. TED LIEU of California, lation pursuant to the following: of’’. Mr. CUNNINGHAM, Ms. MCCOLLUM, Mr. SMITH Article 1, Section 8 By Mr. RUSH: of Missouri, Mrs. MILLER, Mrs. RODGERS of By Mr. CHABOT: H.R. 8095. H.R. 8087. Washington, Ms. BROWNLEY of California, Congress has the power to enact this legis- Congress has the power to enact this legis- Mr. YOHO, Mr. MCKINLEY, and Mr. WEBER of lation pursuant to the following: lation pursuant to the following: Article I Section 8 Texas. Article I, Section 8 H.R. 7085: Mr. MOULTON. By Mr. STAUBER: f H.R. 7158: Mrs. HAYES. H.R. 8088. ADDITIONAL SPONSORS H.R. 7219: Mr. SOTO. Congress has the power to enact this legis- H.R. 7232: Ms. TITUS. lation pursuant to the following: Under clause 7 of rule XII, sponsors H.R. 7370: Mr. LEVIN of California, Mrs. Article I, section 8, clause 1 were added to public bills and resolu- NAPOLITANO, Mr. DANNY K. DAVIS of Illinois, By Ms. LOFGREN: tions, as follows: and Mr. COOPER. H.R. 8089. H.R. 40: Mr. SCHIFF. Congress has the power to enact this legis- H.R. 7521: Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD. H.R. 838: Mr. GALLAGHER and Mr. COMER. lation pursuant to the following: H.R. 7601: Mr. DIAZ-BALART. Article I, Section 8, clause 4 provides Con- H.R. 1174: Mr. HORSFORD. H.R. 7632: Mr. BOST, Mr. MOONEY of West H.R. 1224: Ms. JUDY CHU of California, Mr. gress with the power to establish a ‘‘uniform Virginia, Mr. KELLY of Pennsylvania, and WELCH, Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois, Mr. rule of Naturalization.’’ Mr. WRIGHT. SEAN PATRICK MALONEY of New York, Mr. By Mr. CURTIS: H.R. 7640: Mr. LARSON of Connecticut, Mr. H.R. 8090. BILIRAKIS, Mr. LEVIN of Michigan, Mr. NOR- TONKO, and Mr. DEFAZIO. Congress has the power to enact this legis- CROSS, and Mr. ENGEL. H.R. 7673: Mr. NADLER and Mr. KENNEDY. lation pursuant to the following: H.R. 1367: Mr. GONZALEZ of Ohio, Mr. FOS- H.R. 7691: Mr. KILMER. TER, Mr. GONZALEZ of Texas, and Mr. Article I, Section 8 H.R. 7777: Mr. WESTERMAN, Mr. ALLRED, TAKANO. By Mrs. BUSTOS: Mr. KELLER, and Ms. CRAIG. H.R. 1450: Mr. RICHMOND, Ms. DEAN, Mr. H.R. 8091. H.R. 7809: Mr. CRIST and Mr. PHILLIPS. MALINOWSKI, Mr. PHILLIPS, Mr. KIM, Mr. Congress has the power to enact this legis- H.R. 7819: Mr. ROSE of New York and Mr. NEGUSE, Ms. MUCARSEL-POWELL, Mr. lation pursuant to the following: COSTA. O’HALLERAN, Mr. COX of California, and Mr. Article l, Section 8. H.R. 7842: Mr. BUDD. By Ms. JACKSON LEE: ROSE of New York. H.R. 7864: Ms. NORTON. H.R. 8092. H.R. 2201: Mr. HARDER of California. H.R. 7913: Mr. PERLMUTTER. Congress has the power to enact this legis- H.R. 2381: Mr. TIFFANY. H.R. 7947: Ms. JUDY CHU of California and lation pursuant to the following: H.R. 2442: Mr. RICHMOND. This bill is enacted pursuant to the power H.R. 2694: Mr. VELA. Mr. LANGEVIN. granted to Congress under Article I, Section H.R. 4150: Mr. CUNNINGHAM. H.R. 8003: Mr. CARSON of Indiana, Ms. NOR- 5, Clause 1 and Article I, Section 8, Clauses H.R. 5297: Mr. ARMSTRONG and Mr. TON, Mr. COOPER, and Ms. LEE of California. 1 and 17 of the United States Constitution. O’HALLERAN. H.R. 8020: Mr. CARSON of Indiana. By Mr. HURD of Texas: H.R. 5936: Mr. PANETTA. H.R. 8027: Ms. BLUNT ROCHESTER. H.R. 8093. H.R. 6104: Mr. KIND, Mr. LAHOOD, and Mr. H.R. 8061: Mr. HASTINGS and Ms. SHALALA. Congress has the power to enact this legis- BAIRD. H.R. 8069: Mr. NEWHOUSE. lation pursuant to the following: H.R. 6142: Mr. ENGEL. H.J. Res. 20: Mr. JACOBS. Article IV, Section 3, clause 2 provides H.R. 6169: Mrs. DINGELL, Mr. CASE, and Mr. H. Res. 913: Mr. KIM. Congress with the power to ‘‘dispose of and STIVERS. H. Res. 959: Mr. DELGADO.

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