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

Vol. 166 , THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2020 No. 204 House of Representatives The House met at 10 a.m. and was These are the people who walked in Doug Hartman, Karen Hasara, Holly called to order by the Speaker pro tem- parades; they helped pass out balloons, Healey, Brian Heckert, Bob pore (Mr. CUELLAR). candy, and political literature; they Hermsmeyer, Dennis Herrington, Nita f carried signs; they put up and took Hill, Mark and Elaine Hoffman, Nancy down political signs of all sizes; they Kimme, Bob Kjellander, Gwen Klinger, DESIGNATION OF SPEAKER PRO helped stuff mail and phone-bank; they Doug Knebel, Lynn Koch, Gale and Pat TEMPORE organized fundraisers, both big and Koelling, Greg Knott, J.C. Kowa, Kel- The SPEAKER pro tempore laid be- small; they manned booths at county vin Kuneth, Keith and Judy Loemker, fore the House the following commu- fairs. Kay Long, Tom and Robin Long, Sen- nication from the Speaker: What causes people to give up their ator David Luechtefeld, Curt and Lu WASHINGTON, DC, time, their talents and possessions to a Maddox, Tony Marsh, Mark and Carol December 3, 2020. candidate, party, or cause? It is at the Mestemacher, Don and Joanne Metzler, I hereby appoint the Honorable HENRY heart of a representative democracy, Guy Michael, Tom and Robin Long. CUELLAR to act as Speaker pro tempore on our constitutional Republic. Kathy Lynch, Kathy Lydon, Andy this day. If someone is going to cast a vote for and Judy Madonia, Tony Marsh, Mayor , you, shouldn’t you know their beliefs? Billy McDaniel, State Representative Speaker of the House of Representatives. If you feel strongly about an issue, Charlie Meier, Mark and Carol f wouldn’t you want to help a kindred Mestemacher, Lois Olson, Bill and MORNING-HOUR DEBATE spirit? Emily Olson, Paul Palazollo, Katherine I started to run for Federal office 28 Parker, Randy Pollard, Richard Porter, The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- years ago, unsuccessful then. I was suc- Bob Radmacher, Ed and Meredith ant to the order of the House of Janu- cessful 4 years later. Ragsdale, Mark and Shirley Repking, ary 7, 2020, the Chair will now recog- When asked in 1992 what I stood for, Pat Roddick, Dora Rohan, Tim Schnei- nize Members from lists submitted by I replied: der, The Schulte family, Tim Schnei- the majority and minority leaders for Less government, individual responsi- der, Randy Shroyer, Irv Smith, Tim morning-hour debate. bility, lower taxes, and more personal free- Smith and Scott McPherson, Kristy The Chair will alternate recognition doms and liberties. Koch Stephenson, State Representative between the parties, with time equally I followed immediately with: Ron Stephens, Richard Stubblefield, allocated between the parties and each I am pro-life, and I support the Second Steve Tomaszewski, Wes Tucker, Troy Member other than the majority and Amendment, and I am a churchgoer. Uphoff, Senator Frank Watson, Don minority leaders and the minority My volunteers subscribe to these val- and Wanda Weder, Jim Wham, Bob whip limited to 5 minutes, but in no ues. They decided not only to vote for Winchester, Sharon Woodward, Boone event shall debate continue beyond me, but they also actively engaged in Wooden. 11:50 a.m. campaign activities. Mr. Speaker, there is always a risk f Mr. Speaker, one way to thank my when you recognize people and name volunteers and supporters is to list THANKING MY CAMPAIGN TEAM names. Most of us, when we do that, their names in the CONGRESSIONAL AND SUPPORTERS forget someone who should have been RECORD, which I am doing today. They mentioned. If I have done that, I apolo- The SPEAKER pro tempore. The are: gize. My intent is not to exclude but to Chair recognizes the gentleman from Mayor Al Adomite, Floyd Alexander, offer thanks. Illinois (Mr. SHIMKUS) for 5 minutes. Kirby Ballard, Sue Barfield, Steve Until I officially leave office, I can Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, another Barker, Rhonda Belford, Bill Bethel, add names to the CONGRESSIONAL group that I would like to pause and Ruth Buettner, Glen Bolger, Pat RECORD, so if I have forgotten you, let thank is my campaign team and sup- Brady, Jen Daulby, Rosalee Davis, me know and I will submit your name. porters. Marty and Donna Davis, Sherri Long Many of my supporters have died. I It is amazing how diverse this group Deeder, Mayor Dick Dietz, Chris Dud- mourned their loss with their families. is. They are young and old; they are ley, Sue (and Jack) Dwyer, Bill Enlow, I tried to attend either the wake or the rich and poor; they live in towns, vil- Bruce and Matt Flannigan, The Tony funeral. We also tried to send notes, lages, and isolated country roads. Fuhrman Family, Mayor Allen Gaffner, memorials, or flowers, whatever was While conservative in ideology, they Kenny and Joni Garret, Andy Goleman, deemed appropriate at the time. identify as Republicans, Democrats, Brad Goodrich, Wally and Evie Gorski, All of my colleagues here on both Libertarians, and even Independents. Wes and Rene Gozia, Brad Graven. sides of the aisle share this experience.

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 11:25 Dec 04, 2020 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A03DE7.000 H03DEPT1 dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with HOUSE H6050 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE December 3, 2020 We would not be here without our sup- We live in a pluralistic society. Part citizen voting easier? To win elections, porters. We couldn’t have survived our of our responsibility is to figure out of course. primary or general election without a how the political Rubik’s Cube comes It is no secret to Democrats or Re- core group of people who believed in us together; getting to ‘‘yes’’ among dif- publicans that, consistent with a 2014 and would always answer the call when ferent and competing points of view; study by Old Dominion University and we needed them. fashioning a result where everyone can George Mason University professors, As long as we have people willing to, get up from the table, perhaps not with noncitizens and illegal aliens vote 80 as Teddy Roosevelt said, step into the everything they sought, but with percent of the time for Democrats. arena and we have people willing to enough to vote ‘‘yes’’ while still being Mr. Speaker, there are many tens of support them, we as a nation will be true to their values. millions of illegal aliens and other non- fine. There is such a thing as principled citizens in America. In 2010, the Census My thanks to them, my volunteers compromise. Indeed, I believe that found 11 million illegal aliens in Amer- and supporters. principled compromise is the only way ica. A 2018 Yale study estimated as f we can move forward and lift up those many as 22 million illegal aliens in America. There are simply so many, FAREWELL TO CONGRESS around us in desperate need of our help. that no one can keep track of how The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Do we no longer believe that? Or did many. Chair recognizes the gentleman from Similarly, no one knows how massive we forget it? the illegal alien voting bloc is or how Washington (Mr. HECK) for 5 minutes. Where I have failed to live up to Mr. HECK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today many voted in 2020. Hundreds of thou- these ideals, I beg your forgiveness. I to speak on this floor for the last time. sands? Oh, most certainly. Millions? can only promise to keep trying. My purpose is to convey two simple Very likely. Finally, I cannot help but think of thoughts: first, an expression of grati- But what we do know for sure is that the eternal wisdom of our former col- tude, foremost to my wife, Paula—we the illegal alien voting bloc was large league, , the longest serv- are newlyweds; we have only been mar- enough and critical enough to winning ing Member of this Chamber in our Na- ried 44 years—and to my two sons. the Presidential race, that at the Octo- tion’s history. When I arrived here, Their support has been the only reason ber 22 Presidential debate, Joe Biden every first-term Member walked on that I have been able to do this. openly and publicly solicited their ille- I have been absent. I am sorry. I down to where he sat and sought his gal votes by promising: ‘‘Within 100 promise to do better. advice, and he gave the same to every- days, I am going to send to the United Thank you as well to my staff. Every one; the same to everyone. He would States Congress a pathway to citizen- Member here knows we ain’t nothing look us in the eye and say: ship for over 11 million undocumented without them. We are just the orna- You have an important job—a very impor- people.’’ ment on the hood of the car, and they tant job—and you are not a very important Think about that for a moment. A are the engine. They have both my un- person. Presidential candidate on national TV dying love and gratitude. Indeed, John taught us that we do promises amnesty and citizenship to il- Thank you to my colleagues. My life not possess power, but that we only legal aliens in hopes of inspiring them is enriched, and I am a better person hold it in trust. For the privilege of to illegally register to vote and vote for having known you. holding the trust for these last 8 years, for that candidate. And a very special callout to my I am forever changed and forever grate- If that brazen solicitation of illegal dear, dear friend, albeit messy room- ful. voting for up to 22 million illegal mate, and an outstanding legislator, I am 2,300 miles out and headed aliens is not criminal solicitation of . home. voter fraud and election theft, it darn Last, thank you to the people of the With that, Mr. Speaker, I perma- well ought to be. 10th Congressional District of Wash- nently yield back. And don’t think for a moment that Joe Biden did not know exactly what ington, whom I affectionately but sin- f cerely refer to as my bosses. You sent he was doing. After all, on May 11, 1993, NONCITIZEN VOTING VIA 1993 NA- me here to represent a newly created then Senator Joe Biden personally TIONAL VOTER REGISTRATION congressional district. It has truly voted for the National Voter Registra- ACT tion Act that makes it illegal—ille- been my privilege. Thank you. Second, a plea, a plea to all those The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gal—to require proof of citizenship who follow here: Please, please work to Chair recognizes the gentleman from when illegal aliens and other nonciti- nurture this institution. Institutions Alabama (Mr. BROOKS) for 5 minutes. zens seek to register to vote. Mr. Speaker, all Americans deserve sustain us, be they our houses of wor- Mr. BROOKS of Alabama. Mr. Speak- er, this is my fourth speech in a series an election system that stops voter ship for our faith or this secular equiv- fraud, prevents election theft, and ac- alent for our democracy. They get us on voter fraud, election theft, and the Presidential election. curately records only lawful votes cast through hard times, but only if we tend by eligible American citizens. Unfortu- to them. For emphasis, the Constitution man- dates that Congress, not unelected Fed- nately, America’s election system is so Citizens in a democracy have, of riddled with systemic flaws that far eral judges, renders the final verdict on course, rights and responsibilities; too many elections are stolen from who won the 2020 Presidential election. Members of this institution, this body, candidates and the American people. likewise. We are all too aware of our Today, I begin addressing systemic In my judgment, that is exactly what rights here, but it is the responsibil- flaws in America’s election process happened in the 2020 Presidential elec- ities that bear emphasizing. that promote voter fraud and election tion, where the election theft was so We have a responsibility to conduct theft, undermine America’s election massive as to favorably compare to ourselves in a civil fashion. It is self- system, and threaten public trust in that old adage: You can’t see the forest evident that civic discourse in America our Republic. for the trees. has degraded; some would say that it In America, only citizens are law- Again, in my judgment, if only lawful has even become vulgar. fully allowed to vote and control Amer- votes cast by eligible American citi- You know, it is hard to reach agree- ica’s elections and destiny, yet, deplor- zens are counted, President Trump ment with a colleague tomorrow that ably, in 1993, Democrats rammed handily won the electoral college and a we have character assassinated today. through Congress the National Voter second term as President. So let us not measure our success in Registration Act that, incredibly, As such, it is my duty, under the terms of the number of Twitter fol- makes it illegal—illegal—to require United States Constitution, on Janu- lowers we have gathered through emo- proof of citizenship that prevents ille- ary 6, if the required one Senator will tion-charged or clever attacks. Let us gal aliens and noncitizens from reg- join me, to object to and later vote to not define those with whom we dis- istering to vote. reject electoral college vote submis- agree, even if that disagreement is pro- Why do Democrats undermine our sions from States whose election sys- found, as ‘‘the other.’’ Republic to make illegal alien and non- tems are so badly flawed as to render

VerDate Sep 11 2014 11:25 Dec 04, 2020 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K03DE7.003 H03DEPT1 dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with HOUSE December 3, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H6051 their vote submissions unreliable, concerned about the economy. The that are being destroyed are non- untrustworthy, and unworthy of more deaths, the worse our economy essential. That is their term, non- acceptance. will suffer. essential. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Mem- Homelessness, food instability, in- Well, I have news for these self-ab- bers are reminded to refrain from en- creasing mental health issues, edu- sorbed elitists. If a job is putting food gaging in personalities toward the cation, increasing domestic violence, on your table and a roof over your head President-elect. crime, this is going to continue to get that job is essential for you and the f worse unless we address the COVID family that depends upon you. issue now, not later, but now. Last spring, I asked if b 1015 Our leadership has been attempting he had taken into account the human ADDRESS THE COVID ISSUE NOW to address this issue for some time. cost of these lockdowns, the suicides, There is only one stumbling block and the drug and alcohol abuse, the domes- The SPEAKER pro tempore. The that is over in the Senate. tic violence, the deferred health Chair recognizes the gentleman from I don’t care if you agree with what screenings and treatments, and the Arizona (Mr. O’HALLERAN) for 5 min- has been proposed or not. Sit down at poverty related deaths that his policies utes. the damn table and talk about it. If were setting into motion. No, we really Mr. O’HALLERAN. Mr. Speaker, you have to be there 20 hours a day, sit haven’t considered that, he breezily re- well, here we are again. The CDC just down and talk about it. plied. announced that we are going through You wouldn’t do this in your normal Don’t know, don’t care. the most difficult time in U.S. public life in business. I have never done that But before Fauci and his followers health history. Why are we here again? in my normal life in business. When we took a wrecking ball to our Nation, Two weeks ago, I asked that this have something moving forward, we poverty had dropped to its lowest rate body not leave, and we stay until we work at it, time and time and time since 1959. Unemployment was the low- finish up the process of a COVID pack- again; and we have to do that now, est in 50 years. The income gap was age. Today, we are back here again, with COVID. Not later, now. narrowing. Wages showed their strong- still not having done that, and now URGENT NEEDS OF TRIBAL COMMUNITIES est growth in 40 years. Christmas is approaching. We will Mr. O’HALLERAN. Mr. Speaker, I How many millions of these jobs have probably be leaving here next week, also want to talk a little bit about Ari- now been wantonly destroyed by auto- hopefully, with a package. But right zona’s First Congressional District and cratic officials who seem oblivious to now, that still is an unknown. our country, on the need to extend the the damage that they are causing? I asked before August the same Tribal deadline from December 31 for Now, according to the CDC’s best es- thing, that we not go back for August another year to make sure they have timate, those under 50 have a 99.98 per- break until we identify a package and the opportunity to use the funds that cent chance of recovering from COVID, get it done in a bipartisan way, work- were given to them. if they get it at all; 99.98 percent. And ing toward protecting the American There is an assumption that you can, 40 percent who get it don’t even know people, protecting families of America, over a 6-month period, put millions of they have it. protecting American businesses. dollars out there and get something Even for the most vulnerable group, Since then, we now have a projection done right away. I know that; I am a over 70, the survival rate is 94.6 per- by one of the top groups that have pro- former project manager. I know to cent. jected deaths, and they are saying build a building it takes 2 to 3 years to Now, Sweden did not force its busi- 350,000 deaths just after Christmas. get the planning done and get the work nesses to close. Sweden didn’t shut On December 1, 2,760 people died; on done. down its schools and abandon its chil- December 2, 3,157. Those projections And here, the CARES Act clearly in- dren to the streets. Sweden didn’t even are identified as increasing because of dicated a need for COVID relief for the adopt a mask mandate. the amount of people hospitalized and Tribal Nations, not just because they Sweden did what free societies do; the percentages historically that have have not been able to address the issue, they gave the best advice they could, been indicated. but they need to address the issue. and they trusted their citizens to use I ask Leader MCCONNELL to please re- Mr. Speaker, I say one more time, their own good judgment of what meas- consider his statements. First, he had let’s get this COVID thing done. ures made sense to them. indicated that we were going to be able f The result? Well, as of this morning, to address this issue just after the elec- Sweden’s mortality rate from COVID is tion. Politics should not be playing a CURFEWS AND SENSE 154 deaths per million below that of the role in this process. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The United States. If we had Sweden’s rate, Now it is, when the new decision Chair recognizes the gentleman from that would mean over 50,000 fewer comes out by the bipartisan group in California (Mr. MCCLINTOCK) for 5 min- American deaths from COVID. the Senate, he says he rejects it, and utes. Meanwhile, Sweden has sustained a that maybe after the first of the year Mr. MCCLINTOCK. Mr. Speaker, Gov- fraction of the economic damage that we will get to it. ernor Newsom made a groundbreaking our lockdown leftists have inflicted on How many Americans have to die be- discovery regarding COVID–19 last innocent Americans. Globally, the fore we get serious about this? How week. Apparently, it has learned to tell United Nations warns that 130 million many of our fellow citizens have to die, time. Thus, acting under the strictest people will starve to death around the our friends, our neighbors? I don’t of scientific standards, he has ordered world because of the economic damage know if there are any family members Californians to run home before 10 caused by these measures. who have died, but they are in danger, p.m., lock their doors, and hide from Mr. Speaker, this has to stop. The I can guarantee. this insidious virus until daybreak. good news is that more and more Our hospitals, our doctors are plead- Unfortunately, COVID doesn’t seem Americans are questioning the lunacy ing day after day after day, do some- to be following the curfew, so Newsom of these policies and the hypocrisy of thing about this. Please do something is now threatening yet another hard those who impose them. Newsom’s cur- about this. We are overwhelmed. We lockdown of virtually the entire State few order was met with spontaneous can find beds for the doctors to be able throughout the Christmas season. Don defiant demonstrations across the to treat our citizens. What we cannot we now our plague apparel. State. Elected sheriffs are increasingly do is find doctors and nurses and tech- There is just one nagging question refusing to enforce these autocratic or- nicians that are working 7 days a week, the Governor hasn’t bothered to an- ders. Pastors are reopening their 16-hour days, going back to their fami- swer. If these lockdowns are so success- churches. Businesses are reopening, lies, going to bed, and coming back ful, why do we need to keep having even as their owners are taken away in again. them? handcuffs. I do not understand it at all. If we are Now, we are told not to worry. We All mass hysterias are driven by concerned about the economy, let’s be are cheerfully assured that the jobs blind fear, fanned by politicians and

VerDate Sep 11 2014 11:25 Dec 04, 2020 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K03DE7.004 H03DEPT1 dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with HOUSE H6052 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE December 3, 2020 charlatans who see opportunity in that he did. But those of us in the be able to do telemedicine and tele- them. And we have, sadly, learned that trenches, in the neighborhoods that education. More central Arkansans are such fear can cause a free people to have been traditionally forgotten, taking their meals at food banks. Mr. abandon their legacy of freedom and those of us that know that our commu- Speaker, frontline workers depend on independence, their prosperity, and nities lacked the voices to be heard, help and our health industry to deliver their common sense, but only for a the disenfranchised of the city of New the care that is essential. while. York will forever remember him for his Yet, Mr. Speaker, for what has the Every time in history that this has accomplishments. House leadership and Speaker PELOSI happened, there is always a moment Community policing, he got $1.8 bil- brought us back to Washington, D.C., when the fear fever breaks, and the lion to establish the community polic- to consider? Is it to consider this hysteria suddenly burns itself out. The ing program; foot officers, foot patrol much-needed delivered COVID–19 relief French Revolution, the Salem witch officers, in neighborhoods across the for the American people? trials, the Communist hysteria of the city of fighting crack and No. 1950s all had a moment when the ab- crime but, most importantly, knowing Is it to extend the deadline for the surdity of it all became so apparent the community, the small business Paycheck Protection Program or bring that it overcame the fear and the peo- owners, having a daily relationship, al- the discharge petition to the House ple turned on their tormentors. most as family members, preventing floor that House Republicans have pro- Now, I don’t know if the recent wave the kind of conflict that is plaguing posed, that has over 180 signatures of of business and religious persecutions, America today. this body to help our small businesses the unlimited home detention orders, The beacon schools that he opened who desperately need that assistance? and the demonstrated hypocrisy of up, after-school programs that became No. those who have ordered them signals the center of communities across the Mr. Speaker, while Arkansans and that moment. But every shopkeeper city of New York; the Arthur Ashe Sta- Americans are suffering, and while Re- who defies these petty tyrants, every dium for tennis, which houses the US publicans are working to extend crit- parent who confronts their school offi- Open and yields more revenue than ical assistance like the Paycheck Pro- cials, every person who refuses to sub- baseball, basketball, and football for tection Program, our House Demo- mit to the dysfunctional dystopian the city of New York. cratic leadership is putting a bill to le- world created by the lockdown left And, of course, that day when he wel- galize pot on the floor of the United brings us one step closer to that turn- comed Nelson Mandela to New York States House for a vote. ing point. It can’t come soon enough. City, it was such an important day. I Let that sink in. In the midst of this pandemic and in the midst of calls f went to that celebration, and many of us in New York felt that day that New across the country to help the Amer- HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY York was the center of the universe. ican people, our leadership in this OF MAYOR DAVID DINKINS Every neighborhood enjoyed and cele- House has proposed a bill to legalize The SPEAKER pro tempore. The brated freedom for South Africa, and pot. Chair recognizes the gentleman from Mayor Dinkins was our mayor. What a My friends on the other side of the New York (Mr. ESPAILLAT) for 5 min- great day. What a great mayor. aisle are showing just how much they utes. What a legacy, Mr. Speaker. are out of touch with conditions in our Mr. ESPAILLAT. Mr. Speaker, I rise I stand here to honor that legacy so country today. People are working to today to honor the life of a great New that it will never be forgotten that the make ends meet for their families. Yorker, someone that has made us all great, late David N. Dinkins was an in- They are trying to educate their chil- proud, someone that we all stand on tegral part of the gorgeous mosaic that dren while juggling work obligations. his shoulders, the late Mayor David N. he always called New York. They are trying to protect themselves Dinkins. and their loved ones from this virus. Words cannot express how we feel in f And that is why we are here this New York with the passing of Mayor b 1030 week: To legalize pot? Dinkins. Many of us stand on his shoul- Mr. Speaker, Republicans are lead- DEMOCRATS PRIORITIZE ders, as many of us here in this Cham- ing. Our discharge petition could help MARIJUANA OVER COVID RELIEF ber stand on the shoulders of other gi- small businesses right now, and every ants that came before us. None of us The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Democrat should sign it. Yet, Mr. really stand on our own. We stand on Chair recognizes the gentleman from Speaker, for 40 times, our Speaker of the shoulders of those trailblazers, Arkansas (Mr. HILL) for 5 minutes. the House has blocked the consider- those pioneers that opened the door to Mr. HILL of Arkansas. Mr. Speaker, ation of extending the Paycheck Pro- men and women across the country. in , our public health experts tection Program. House Democrats Mayor Dinkins was such a leader. He said that we needed to stay home to need to follow the lead of House Repub- was the first and, up to today, the only fight this virus and to bend the curve. licans and put Americans above their African-American mayor in New York Those public health experts urged the special interest friends by moving City, a city that prides itself on diver- administration and Congress to design COVID–19 relief today on this House sity. In fact, New York City says that COVID–19 relief that included 8 weeks floor, by calling up our discharge peti- its strength really comes from the of paycheck protection and enhanced tion and voting on paycheck protection depths of its diversity. unemployment compensation through relief. People from all over the world, immi- July, all with the thought that that RECOGNIZING CLAYTON BOOTHE grants, as I was in 1964, coming from was the amount of support that we Mr. HILL of Arkansas. Mr. Speaker, I the Dominican Republic, people from needed to provide, given the nature of rise today to recognize an exceptional all over the world come to New York this virus. young man in my district, Clayton City looking for that dream. Different Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to state Boothe, who was raised to value a races, ethnicities, religions make New the obvious: Months later, America re- broad span of interests. At just 17 years York City strong. And Mayor Dinkins mains in the throes of a brutal pan- old, he is excelling in many of these often called the city a gorgeous mo- demic, Americans are hurting, and Ar- areas. saic, and that was its strength. kansans are hurting. Every day I hear He is captain of his quiz bowl team, So we honor his legacy and his many from restaurant owners and hotel oper- founder of Maumelle High School’s years of service as a New York State ators who are concerned about whether chess team, and a member of Arkansas’ Assembly member, as a Manhattan or not they will stay in business and Governor’s School and the National borough president, and then, of course, whether or not they can survive. Honor Society. He is ranked top of his as mayor of the city of New York. Central Arkansans tell me that they class, and he is one of 16,000 His detractors, and those that at- are spending more time worried about semifinalists in the 2021 National Merit tempt to be revisionists of history, will their school kids, keeping their schools Scholarship Program out of 1.5 million never acknowledge the great things open, and having reliable broadband to nationwide applicants.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 11:25 Dec 04, 2020 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K03DE7.006 H03DEPT1 dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with HOUSE December 3, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H6053 He is a writer who is working on a ban and when we secured millions to May God bless my colleagues with novel. He is a musician and a member combat the opioid epidemic. the strength to do what is right, and of the Arkansas Sympathy Youth Or- In retrospect, those were the good may God bless this great country. chestra. He hopes to attend North- days. f western University in Chicago, and I Then there were days when it felt REMEMBERING CHAIRMAN BOB expect him to succeed wherever life like our politics was absolutely irre- SMITH takes him. I congratulate Clayton on deemable, when a peaceful march for his hard work and keen interests. justice in my community was used as a The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Keep it up, Clayton, and make weapon to tell my constituents that it Chair recognizes the gentleman from Maumelle High School and your family is impossible to believe that Black Oregon (Mr. WALDEN) for 5 minutes. proud. Lives Matter while also believing that Mr. WALDEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise f the vast majority of police officers are today to commemorate and honor the heroes. Those marchers were called life and legacy of former Congressman FAREWELL ADDRESS TO Bob Smith. An Oregon native—born in CONGRESS thugs and they were called rioters just for believing that peaceful protests Portland and raised in Burns—he had a The SPEAKER pro tempore. The could change this country. The public deep understanding of what it meant to Chair recognizes the gentleman from was told that their movement was dan- be an Oregonian and he knew the needs New York (Mr. ROSE) for 5 minutes. gerous and not something you should of the surrounding communities, espe- Mr. ROSE of New York. Mr. Speaker, listen to but something you should be cially the rural part of our State. this may be the last time I get to ad- afraid of. Yet for those who saw it with He went to Willamette University in dress this hallowed Chamber, and for their own eyes, the truth cut through Salem and received a degree in agri- that I am grateful for this opportunity. all those smears. culture. He would go on to put that de- I want to start by thanking my staff. gree to work on his own ranch. I remember being outside of a super- It may come as a surprise to some of In 1960, Bob’s career as a public serv- market. It was raining, and I was mis- my colleagues, as well as the press, but ant began when he was elected to the erable. An off-duty police officer came I do have some flaws. My staff worked Oregon House of Representatives. He up to talk to me. He assured me he was with me for 2 years—some of them even served in the State house until 1972. He no Democrat, but he had been working longer—and together we—not me, we— was speaker of the Oregon House dur- that day of the march. He had been accomplished an extraordinary amount ing the 1969 and 1971 sessions. skeptical, but those young men and for the great people of southern Brook- I remember as a 13-year-old young- women changed his mind, and he was lyn and Staten Island. ster going with my father, whom they proud of them. That officer saw past As I leave to pursue new adventures, were recruiting to run for the legisla- the lies and past the differences others I want to depart, though, with a few ture, down to Salem to see Bob Smith have used to divide us. He witnessed words of optimism for our great coun- and the speaker of the house. I was his fellow Americans in pain, and for try, as well as a warning. about this tall. I looked up, and here him it changed everything. In typical We live in a tough time for truth, and was this giant of a man. He was a giant Staten Island fashion, though, right it is causing faith in our government to of a man in Oregon politics, but a very after, he told me he wasn’t going to corrode. There is not a person in this kind soul. vote for me and that I was going to Chamber who thinks the American peo- He then served in the State senate lose for a thousand other reasons. ple trust us. There is not a person sit- from 1973 to 1982. When Oregon got its ting here right now who thinks the But conversations like that refreshed fifth congressional seat, he ran for that American people believe in our govern- my memory and my faith that this and was elected. He actually ran 31 dif- ment. country can one day live up to its ferent times for election and never lost This didn’t happen overnight. It was promise. We can put the government a single one. death by a thousand disappointments, back on the side of working people In the State house, Bob passed a a thousand scandals, and a thousand from New York City to Washington, number of pieces of legislation. He al- lives broken by politicians who mock a D.C., and everywhere in between. ways stood up for farmers and ranchers virus until it kills their neighbor; who That is the America we know is pos- in eastern Oregon and for lower taxes. carve us up into blue States and red sible: One where, in the face of un- He led the effort in the Congress to States, yet have the nerve to question imaginable vitriol, we don’t hate back; pass a balanced budget amendment. In someone else’s patriotism; who saw no in the face of unimaginable adversity, the State senate, he actually helped problem whatsoever giving a trillion- we don’t give up fighting until it pass the kicker law, which said when dollar tax cut to Big Pharma and com- doesn’t matter what you look like and Oregon collects more tax revenue than panies that are killing our planet, but where you come from, but in this coun- anticipated, that goes back to the tax- then they clutch their pearls when we try you can accomplish your dreams— payer. That went into the constitution say we want to be there for poor people a safe America, a just America, our eventually. and when we say we want to be there America. Bob went on to serve here, as I said, for the most vulnerable. In light of recent electoral results, for 14 years, from 1983 to 1995, and then During my few years in politics, I some have begun to wonder if Demo- came back to chair the Agriculture have seen how we can beat back this crats should soft-pedal the fight for Committee when he returned from 1997 festering cynicism: when we fight like equal justice, if they should take a step to 1999. hell for what is right, especially for back from fighting for economic secu- I am joined here on the floor today those who need us most, when we bring rity or even just give up. I am here to by a colleague from Oklahoma (Mr. converts to our side by promoting say absolutely not. This cannot wait. LUCAS), who served with Chairman truth where there is injustice, and by Justice cannot wait. If you aren’t will- Smith on the Agriculture Committee. appealing to common sense and—God ing to risk everything to build a better Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman forbid—humanity. country, then you do not belong here in from Oklahoma (Mr. LUCAS). I have seen constituents who thought the first place. Mr. LUCAS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the their government was there only to Mr. Speaker, to close, representing gentleman for yielding. It is an honor screw them over; begin to hope that Staten Island and south Brooklyn has to be here. Discussing my Agriculture maybe that wasn’t the case when we been the honor of my life. On behalf of Committee chairman and my colleague passed the Victim Compensation Fund; Leigh, Miles, and myself, I thank the for 21⁄2 years, Bob Smith, is truly an and when we cut through the red tape people of the 11th Congressional Dis- honor. to finally begin the construction of the trict for this extraordinary privilege. I When I was sworn in, in a special East Shore Seawall, the largest resil- am not sure what life has in store for election and I first surveyed this body, iency project in New York City his- us, but I will be on the front lines mak- one of the faces I recognized was this tory. I saw it when we reunited fami- ing sure our city and our country live huge figure of a man standing at the lies torn apart by the racist Muslim up to its promise. back brass rail. I can still almost see

VerDate Sep 11 2014 11:25 Dec 04, 2020 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K03DE7.008 H03DEPT1 dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with HOUSE H6054 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE December 3, 2020 Bob right over there surveying the VFW POST 334 CELEBRATES 75TH treme left. Politicizing access to cap- House floor and watching the process. ANNIVERSARY ital needs to end, and the Fair Access Bob was one of those folks who had a The SPEAKER pro tempore. The rule is a step in the right direction. quiet, calm demeanor. He was a won- Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Mr. Speaker, the proposed rule- making codifies longstanding prin- derful mentor to me in that first 6 (Ms. SLOTKIN) for 5 minutes. months, then he went home to the Ms. SLOTKIN. Mr. Speaker, today, I ciples and OCC guidance that banks ranch for 2 years, and then we begged rise to celebrate the 75th anniversary should provide access to capital and him to come back and lead the Agri- of VFW Post 334 in Oxford, Michigan. credit based on the assessment of an culture Committee for the next 2 years. Since its founding, VFW Post 334 has individual borrower’s risk as opposed served the local community in Oxford. to making broad-based decisions im- Bob was a wonderful mentor to me. pacting entire industries. It is guided He was a wonderful mentor to the un- Whether it is their shelf at the Oxford/ Orion food pantry, a float in the annual by fundamental principles of non- derclassmen. The first times that I discrimination and would ensure that went with the committee on trips to Christmas parade, a regular fish fry, or maintaining the Orion Veterans Memo- banks can’t pick winners and losers in understand agriculture around the the marketplace. This rule will have world was with Bob, and he had a dip- rial, residents can count on the post to show up and support the community. meaningful impacts on some of Amer- lomat’s style and skill. He was firm. As ica’s strongest industries and the Congressman WALDEN remembered, he Post 334 is committed to making a difference in the lives of veterans. By Americans they serve. wouldn’t take anything from anyone. The prohibition against redlining He had a way about him. He gained praying for those deployed, supporting their families at home, providing a based on race, ethnicity, or neighbor- your trust and he gained your con- hood, regardless of an individual’s fidence. form to gather and share experiences of service, and honoring those who are no qualifications and creditworthiness, is It is hard to believe that he is not longer with us, the VFW preserves the a well-established principle in Federal with us anymore. But Bob was one of bonds that are forged through military law. That prohibition and that prin- those folks whose personality, his service. ciple should be extended to lawful cred- heart, and his intellect were just as big For its work, Post 334 was recognized itworthy businesses as well. Mr. Speaker, over the last several and broad as those shoulders were. I in 2019 as a Michigan All-State Post for years, we have witnessed many cases of consider myself fortunate for having the third year in a row. Most recently, banks publicly committing not to do served with him. I know the family will it was awarded the Diamond Jubilee business with certain legal companies. miss him with intensity forever. But, Award, given to VFW charters that Some banks refuse to finance new coal- Mr. Speaker, 89 years is a good, long have demonstrated exceptional service fired plants; others have refused to pro- life. I can promise you in the time I for three-quarters of a century. vide credit for legally permissible drill- served with him here, he lived it to the Mr. Speaker, in closing, I thank ing operations; others boycotted fire- fullest. Quartermaster Chuck Haskin, Senior arms manufacturers. Advisor Commander Randy Stetson, But these decisions were not based on b 1045 and Post Commander Jim Hubbard for the creditworthiness of the borrowers; their leadership and their service to they were based purely on politics. Mr. WALDEN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the North Oakland community. Coal keeps the lights on. Oil and gas the gentleman from Oklahoma. The spirit of Post 334 is perhaps best heat our homes and fuel our vehicles. Mr. Speaker, Bob did live life to the said by Commander Hubbard: ‘‘We Should coal or oil or gas companies fullest in every measure. And when he honor the dead by helping the living.’’ be subjected to a different lending and Kaye and Matt and Tiffany and Mr. Speaker, in addition to these re- standard just because of their public Chris all lived back here, they had a marks which will live on in the RECORD perception by a select few? Of course farm outside in Virginia, and then he of the people’s House, it is my privilege not. would commute to Oregon. But on to recognize their service by arranging These industries should not be penal- weekends when he was here, he and for a flag to be flown over the Capitol ized simply because of the nature of then-Commerce Secretary Mac in their honor. This flag will be pre- their business and private lenders’ de- Baldrige would rodeo. They would go sented in Oxford to recognize their con- sire to placate the far left. In fact, out and rope and participate in rodeos tinued service to community and to these are companies that provide the around, and here you had a sitting country. most affordable and reliable forms of Member of Congress and the Secretary Mr. Speaker, I congratulate Post 334 energy to the American people. They of Commerce out in the rodeo grounds. on a successful 75 years and wish them are being punished only because they Mr. Speaker, Bob lived a life big and the best in the 75 years to come. are politically unpopular. bold. And ‘‘free man,’’ like his middle f Under the rule, banks can no longer name, he believed in freedom. He be- make these qualitative decisions to lieved in freedom in America. He stood OCC FAIR ACCESS RULE redline entire industries. Industries up for eastern Oregon and for our farm- The SPEAKER pro tempore. The that play crucial roles in the everyday ers and ranchers and our communities. Chair recognizes the gentleman from lives of Americans deserve fair access Those of us who fly in and out of cen- Kentucky (Mr. BARR) for 5 minutes. to America’s financial system and tral Oregon owe a big thank-you to Mr. BARR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today should not be demonized as pawns in him as well since he used his ability in in support of the Office of the Comp- the politics of the day. this body to get us a tower there so we troller of the Currency’s recently pro- Banks are in the business of assess- could have real flights in and out of posed rule to ensure fair access to ing, measuring, and managing risks. central Oregon, and improved, cer- banking services. Banks should be making lending deci- tainly, the interchange of I–5 and High- The fair access rule is a welcomed de- sions based on quantifiable risks asso- way 62. velopment in a time when political cor- ciated with a loan. If a legally oper- rectness and public relations pressure ating business is a sound credit risk by Mr. Speaker, Bob did so much for our are driving the Nation’s largest banks’ objective standards, banks should not State. He stood strong for our country. lending decisions rather than risk be permitted to cut off financing sim- He believed in freedom. He was a dear metrics associated with an underlying ply because the business isn’t in the friend. loan. good graces of certain politicians. And to Kaye and to Matt and Chris Banks are deciding to cut off access Many of the rule’s detractors say it and Tiffany and the whole Smith fam- to capital, divest their holdings, or is an overreach by the OCC or somehow ily, we extend our deepest condolences. otherwise limit financing to legally op- motivated by partisan goals; but, in re- What a life well-lived, a public service erating businesses just because those ality, the rule simply implements di- career that will be tough for anybody businesses are politically unpopular rectives under Dodd-Frank to promote to ever top. with outspoken critics on the far ex- fair access to financial services and

VerDate Sep 11 2014 11:25 Dec 04, 2020 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00006 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K03DE7.010 H03DEPT1 dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with HOUSE December 3, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H6055 fair treatment of customers. It codifies There is no greater joy I have than We have also built hundreds of units in regulation statements and guidance being your father. Thank you for being of new housing. We have also expanded from financial regulators under Presi- my greatest and best legacy. organ and tissue donation registry. dent Obama. To my wonderful wife, Pat, I could Mr. Speaker, I am proud of the leg- In 2014, then-Comptroller Tom Curry not have selected a better partner to acy and work of Missouri’s First Con- said to regulated banks: share in my post-congressional career. gressional District. You shouldn’t feel that you can’t bank a Your love and optimism keep my life May God bless you all. customer just because they fall into a cat- balanced and exhilarated. I so look for- f egory that, on its face, appears to carry an ward to our days to come. elevated level of risk. Higher risk categories IRAN—AMERICA’S GREATEST Mr. Speaker, of course, the best part THREAT of customers call for stronger risk manage- of being a Member of Congress has been ment and controls, not a strategy of total helping tens of thousands of constitu- The SPEAKER pro tempore. The avoidance. ents solve issues with the Federal Gov- Chair recognizes the gentleman from Now, some critics of the OCC’s rule ernment. None of that would have been Wisconsin (Mr. STEIL) for 5 minutes. have made the argument that it would possible without my dedicated and Mr. STEIL. Mr. Speaker, I rise to ad- compromise financial stability to force compassionate staff over the years: Pa- dress one of the greatest threats to lenders to extend credit to dying indus- tricia, Sheila, Virginia, Sandy, American safety—Iran. Iran is the largest state sponsor of tries, such as the fossil energy indus- Ishmael, Jasmina, Sean, Craig, Percy, terrorism, and from past actions, we try, that have no future under leftwing Adam, Marvin, Richard, Les, Mark, know the regime cannot be trusted. policies like the Green New Deal. Lou, Brian, Michelle, Brittany, Josh, However, over the past 4 years, Has it ever occurred to these politi- Pauline, Perre, Samantha, Sherry, progress has been made: cians that the reason why these fossil Tony, Bill, Frank, Erica, Matt, Rico; Our maximum pressure campaign and energy companies might face a chal- my communications director, Steven sanctions have reined in Iran’s power; lenging future is because of their own Engelhardt; and the late Alyson policies and because of their unrelent- Normalization agreements between Singfield and the late Dottie Ross. Israel and numerous nations in the re- ing desire to deny them the credit that I also thank an exceptional American they need to continue to operate. gion continue to isolate Iran; who has devoted 48 years of public serv- The United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Mr. Speaker, the debanking of cer- ice to the U.S. House, my remarkable tain legally operating industries is one and Sudan have embraced peace and constituent services director, Edwilla cooperation. in a series of examples of corporate Massey. leaders succumbing to the pressure of I thank my devoted executive assist- b 1100 activists and far-left politicians. They ant and scheduler, Karyn Long. Karyn At this moment of success, the have ceded the primacy of shareholders is family. She always went above and United States cannot back down. We and are now letting politics drive their beyond for me, and I am forever grate- cannot return to one-sided deals that financing decisions. ful. strengthen Iran. Mr. Speaker, I commend Acting I also especially thank all my chiefs There is little doubt that without our Comptroller Brooks on proposing this of staff: Harriet Grigsby, Darryl efforts, Iran will continue its pursuit thoughtful and timely rule of non- Piggee, and Yvette Cravins. for a nuclear weapon and regional discrimination. This rule will ensure In the book of Matthew, chapter 25, dominance. We must maintain pressure that all legal American companies verses 36–40, the Scriptures read: on the regime. have full access to the robust U.S. fi- When I was naked, you clothed Me. When I Just last month, the IAEA confirmed nancial system and the economic free- was sick, you visited Me. And when I was in what we suspected all along: that the dom they deserve, and it will put an prison, you came to Me. The righteous an- Iranian regime continues to ramp up end to the misguided practice of banks swered, ‘‘Lord, when did we see You hungry, its nuclear program. In fact, it is accel- playing politics with American jobs. thirsty, clothed You, or in prison visited?’’ erating its efforts. This is not the time f And the answered them, ‘‘Truly I say to to appease the Iranian regime. We you, as you did it to the least of these my FAREWELL TO CONGRESS must stand strong. brothers, you did it to Me.’’ Under the Obama-Biden administra- The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Mr. Speaker, these Scriptures have tion, we saw years of failed foreign pol- Chair recognizes the gentleman from been a guidepost for my career in pub- icy. We saw years of policy that al- Missouri (Mr. CLAY) for 5 minutes. lic service. Over my 10 terms, I have lowed Iran to continue developing a nu- Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today fearlessly advocated for the permanent clear weapon, years of policy that sent to offer my farewell remarks as a Mem- interest of and pallets of cash to Iran, years of policy ber of the people’s House. And while I other unheard voices. I have had many that neglected our alliance with Israel, will be sad to leave this historic place, legislative achievements in this body, and years of policy that allowed Ira- I will forever be grateful for the oppor- and I thank all of my colleagues who nian terrorism to thrive across the re- tunity to serve Missouri’s First Con- assisted me in doing as the Scriptures gion. gressional District for two decades and noted, ‘‘caring for the least of these.’’ After the failed Obama-Biden Iran to have been blessed with the friend- Mr. Speaker, in my remaining time, I deal was implemented, Iran continued ship of so many colleagues. highlight a few victories. perpetuating violence, terrorism, and Mr. Speaker, I have given my best be- For 14 years, I hosted the Clay Career proxy wars across the Middle East. cause my constituents deserve nothing Fair at St. Louis’ HBCU Harris-Stowe Iran came closer and closer to obtain- less. I learned that vital lesson about State University, which connected ing a nuclear weapon. public service from my best adviser and thousands of jobseekers with good-pay- President Trump has shown there is my personal hero, my dad, former Con- ing jobs, providing economic stability. another way. We do not need to ap- gressman Bill Clay. The truth is none Creating jobs and economic develop- pease terrorist states and turn our of my success would have been possible ment was a priority for me. We were backs on Israel. Instead, the Trump ad- without my remarkable family. able to build the new $120 million Na- ministration’s strength has helped set I thank the rock of our family, my tional Archives administration center the conditions for regional peace. Co- mother, Carol, and my devoted and tal- in North St. Louis County. operation between Israel and other ented sisters, Vickie and Michelle. The greatest economic victory for Middle Eastern states is continuing to Mr. Speaker, I also thank my chil- North St. Louis was the bipartisan ef- grow. This change of policy has dren, Carol and Will. No Member serves fort to build the headquarters of the brought hope. unto themselves. Families also sac- National Geospatial-Intelligence Agen- Peace is possible. But peace does not rifice greatly. cy. That $1.7 billion project is the larg- happen through capitulation, and it Carol and Will, you all have made me est single Federal investment in St. will not happen if we go backwards. extremely proud. You carry yourselves Louis’ history, of which I am ex- It is clear the U.S. sanctions tar- with such dignity, poise, and character. tremely proud. geting Iran are working. We need to

VerDate Sep 11 2014 11:25 Dec 04, 2020 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00007 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K03DE7.012 H03DEPT1 dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with HOUSE H6056 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE December 3, 2020 maintain our sanctions against Iran PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE question has been raised with regard to and take decisive steps to prevent eva- The SPEAKER. Will the gentleman his election. sion. Sanctions have cut off vital re- from South Carolina (Mr. WILSON) The SPEAKER. Is there objection to sources that Iran’s leaders use to en- come forward and lead the House in the the request of the gentleman from rich themselves and spread terrorism. Pledge of Allegiance. ? U.S. financial sanctions make it harder Mr. WILSON of South Carolina led There was no objection. for Iran to fund its ambitions to be- the Pledge of Allegiance as follows: The SPEAKER. Will Representative- come a nuclear power. I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the elect HALL and the members of the Unfortunately, bad actors work hard United States of America, and to the Repub- Georgia delegation present themselves to get around United States’ sanctions. lic for which it stands, one nation under God, in the well. That is why I co-introduced the Pre- indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. All Members will rise and the Rep- venting Illicit Finance Act. This bill f resentative-elect will please raise his supports our maximum pressure cam- right hand. COMMUNICATION FROM THE Mr. HALL appeared at the bar of the paign and creates a public-private CLERK OF THE HOUSE group to limit the abuse of the finan- House and took the oath of office, as cial system by bad actors like Iran. My The SPEAKER laid before the House follows: bill strengthens the United States’ the following communication from the Do you solemnly swear that you will sup- ability to enforce financial sanctions Clerk of the House of Representatives: port and defend the Constitution of the against Iran, Russia, and other adver- OFFICE OF THE CLERK, United States against all enemies, foreign saries. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, and domestic; that you will bear truth faith and allegiance to the same; that you take Our maximum pressure campaign is Washington, DC, December 2, 2020. Hon. NANCY PELOSI, this obligation freely, without any mental working. We cannot turn a blind eye to The Speaker, House of Representatives, reservation or purpose of evasion; and that Iran’s aggressions and pursuit of ter- Washington, DC. you will well and faithfully discharge the du- rorism. Iran must be held accountable. DEAR MADAM SPEAKER: I have the honor to ties of the office to which you are about to By strengthening our sanctions en- transmit herewith a scanned copy of a letter enter, so help you God. forcement and maintaining our tough received from Mr. Chris Harvey, Director of The SPEAKER. Congratulations, you approach, we can prevent Iran from be- Election, Georgia Office of Secretary of are now a Member of the 116th Con- coming a nuclear power. State, indicating that, according to the pre- gress. liminary results of the Special Election held f December 1, 2020, the Honorable Kwanza Hall f RECESS was elected Representative to Congress for WELCOMING THE HONORABLE the Fifth Congressional District, State of KWANZA HALL TO THE HOUSE The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- Georgia. ant to clause 12(a) of rule I, the Chair With best wishes, I am OF REPRESENTATIVES declares the House in recess until noon Sincerely, The SPEAKER. Without objection, today. CHERYL L. JOHNSON. the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Accordingly (at 11 o’clock and 2 min- Enclosure. BISHOP) is recognized for 1 minute. utes a.m.), the House stood in recess. OFFICE OF SECRETARY OF STATE, There was no objection. , GA, December 2, 2020. f Re Fifth Congressional District Runoff Spe- Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Madam Speaker, ladies and gentlemen of the b 1200 cial Election Unofficial Results. House, the Honorable KWANZA HALL is Hon. CHERYL L. JOHNSON, AFTER RECESS Clerk, House of Representatives, a native of Atlanta, attended Atlanta The recess having expired, the House Washington, DC. public schools, and attended the Massa- was called to order by the Speaker at DEAR MS. JOHNSON: Please accept this cor- chusetts Institute of Technology. noon. respondence to advise you that the unofficial He worked for the Fulton County results of the Special Election held on Tues- Government. He was vice president of f day. December 1, 2020, for Representative in technology for GoodWorks Inter- PRAYER Congress from the Fifth Congressional Dis- national, and he is currently director trict of Georgia, show that Mr. Kwanza Hall The Chaplain, the Reverend Patrick received 12,094 votes or 54% of votes of the of business development at Mactech J. Conroy, offered the following prayer: total number of votes cast for that office. Engineering. Loving God, we give You thanks for It would appear from these unofficial re- In 2002, he was elected to the Atlanta giving us another day. sults that Mr. Hall was elected as Represent- Board of Education. In 2005, he was In the waning days of this 116th Con- ative in Congress from the Fifth Congres- elected to the Atlanta City Council, gress, we ask Your blessing upon the sional District of Georgia. District Two, where he served three To the best of our knowledge and belief at Members of this people’s House and, consecutive terms. this time, there is no contest to this elec- Following the death of our beloved most especially, upon the leadership. It tion. is on their shoulders the most impor- As soon as the official results are certified colleague, Congressman , tant negotiations of this Congress have to this office by all jurisdictions in Clayton Kwanza qualified to run in the special been placed. County, DeKalb County, and Fulton County election to fill the unexpired term of They have been entrusted by their that comprise the Fifth Congressional Dis- Congressman Lewis, which was held on fellow Americans with the awesome trict of Georgia, an official Certificate of November 3. There were several can- privilege and responsibility of sus- Election will be prepared for transmittal as didates, but none received the required required by law. majority under Georgia law. taining the great experiment of demo- Please do not hesitate to contact me if you cratic self-government. Give them wis- have any questions. On December 1, KWANZA won the run- dom, grace, insight, and courage to Sincerely, off special election. His election means forge legislation, especially during CHRIS HARVEY, that the people of the Fifth Congres- these trying times of coronavirus pan- Elections Director. sional District of Georgia, in Atlanta, will be represented and have a voice demic, that allows us all to move for- f ward toward an encouraging future. during this lameduck session of the May all that is done this day be for SWEARING IN OF THE HONORABLE 116th Congress as we debate and, hope- Your greater honor and glory. KWANZA HALL, OF GEORGIA, AS fully, enact, among other things, the Amen. A MEMBER OF THE HOUSE FY 2021 appropriations bill funding the f Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Madam operations of the Federal Government Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that and much-needed COVID–19 relief for THE JOURNAL the gentleman from Georgia, the Hon- America’s families, businesses, and our The SPEAKER. Pursuant to section orable KWANZA HALL, be permitted to State and local governments. 4(a) of House Resolution 967, the Jour- take the oath of office today. He is married to Fulton County Com- nal of the last day’s proceedings is ap- His certificate of election has not ar- missioner Natalie Hall, and they have proved. rived, but there is no contest and no two sons.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 13:44 Dec 04, 2020 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00008 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K03DE7.014 H03DEPT1 dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with HOUSE December 3, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H6057 Madam Speaker, I yield to my col- Fowler, and Ambassador Andrew harshest jungle terrain in the world. league from the Seventh District of Young. Upon return, each man in the unit was Georgia, the Honorable . f awarded a Bronze Star. Mr. WOODALL. Madam Speaker, I Mr. Randle’s book, ‘‘Hell on Land, thank my friend from Georgia for ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER Disaster at Sea—the Story of ’s yielding. And I want to welcome our The SPEAKER. Under clause 5(d) of Marauders and the Sinking of the new colleague to the Chamber. This rule XX, the Chair announces to the Rhona,’’ described his experience isn’t usually the way that it is, and House that, in light of the administra- watching the sinking of this ship in nothing about the path you took to get tion of the oath of office to the gen- 1943. He was one of a handful of men here is usually the way that it is. tleman from Georgia, the whole num- with the Marauders who had been But so often, on this floor, we talk ber of the House is 431. sworn to secrecy about the sinking for about giving a voice to the voiceless, 57 years, since it was caused by the f and sometimes it seems as if it is a world’s first guided missile. simple cliche. I wonder how many of ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER Mr. Randle passed away at the age of my colleagues would put in the kind of PRO TEMPORE 97 on November 23, 2020. But before he time and effort that we all put in to The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. did, we were able to contact him and his family and let them know that a get reelected to provide a voice, not for BLUMENAUER). The Chair will entertain 2 years, not even for 12 months, but for up to 15 requests for 1-minute speeches Congressional Gold Medal will be the remainder of a cycle. on each side of the aisle. placed in the Smithsonian in his honor. It speaks to the character of Mr. Perhaps there is no better tribute to HALL, and it speaks to his commitment f his life than in the words of his family, to the Fifth Congressional District of LAST MINUTE COVID–19 RELIEF He loved the Lord and he loved the Georgia that he put himself out there United States flag. (Ms. UNDERWOOD asked and was and committed himself, as he did given permission to address the House f throughout that campaign cycle, to be for 1 minute and to revise and extend b 1215 that voice and to make sure that there her remarks.) was not a day that went by that the PROTECTING THE PAYCHECK Ms. UNDERWOOD. Mr. Speaker, it Fifth Congressional District of Georgia PROTECTION PROGRAM ACT has been 6 months since the President could have been represented but was signed coronavirus relief legislation. (Ms. CRAIG asked and was given per- not. Since then, the House has passed two mission to address the House for 1 You are joining, certainly a very spe- minute and to revise and extend her re- cial seat, but you are joining a very comprehensive bills to deliver urgently needed relief. Senate Republicans and marks.) special delegation here, and I want to, Ms. CRAIG. Mr. Speaker, I rise today on behalf of all of the Republicans in the Trump administration need to do the same. because COVID–19 is threatening the the Georgia delegation, congratulate American Dream across Main Streets you and welcome you here today. Northern Illinoisans are doing every- thing they can to be safe and provide throughout Minnesota and this Nation. Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Madam Small business relief is needed now Speaker, as dean of the Georgia delega- for their families, but this is a once-in- a-century pandemic and no community more than ever. tion, it is my pleasure to present and Unfortunately, the support we have can weather this alone. We must come to welcome to this House and to yield provided is poised to become a signifi- together. to the gentleman from Georgia’s Fifth cant tax burden for some business own- America is nearing a million new Congressional District, the Honorable ers due to a misguided interpretation cases a week. Families are struggling KWANZA HALL. by the Treasury Department. We can- and facing an uncertain future. Small Mr. HALL. Madam Speaker, to my not allow struggling businesses to be businesses are closing their doors. Chil- colleagues from Georgia, other col- taxed on the aid we have provided to dren are going hungry. leagues in the House, I am KWANZA them as a lifeline. If we, as a Congress do not act now, HALL and I am so thankful to be here Fortunately, there is a solution in folks at home will be forced to face today. place to rectify this mistake. In May, I their toughest winter yet, without the In July, just before Congressman joined Representatives LIZZIE FLETCH- support they need as human beings and Lewis passed away, I had COVID, and I ER and to introduce H.R. deserve as Americans. spent about 3 weeks lying flat dealing 6574, the Protecting the Paycheck Pro- Our communities are working to- with it, and I didn’t know I would be tection Program Act, which would en- gether to help mitigate the spread of here. So God blessed me with that time sure that PPP loan recipients whose this virus. Now Congress must work to- to think about what I would do next loans are forgiven are not required to gether to pass a robust, evidence-based with my life at the same time Con- treat the loan proceeds as taxable in- relief package. The American people gressman LEWIS had passed away. He come. was a friend. He was a neighbor. He and are doing everything they can. Con- Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to my father served in the civil rights gress must do so, too. join me in defending our Nation’s small movement together. My father, Leon f businesses by supporting this common- Hall, was in Montgomery at the same HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY sense legislation. time, and Selma. f So I had to think about what was OF FRED RANDLE next for me. And God gave me a choice: (Mr. WESTERMAN asked and was REMEMBERING SENATOR TOM Do you want to do your business, or do given permission to address the House CASPERSON you want to do My business? for 1 minute and to revise and extend (Mr. BERGMAN asked and was given And I stepped up and answered the his remarks.) permission to address the House for 1 call, and He said: I have a mission for Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I minute and to revise and extend his re- you. The mission is to run for that of- rise today to honor the life and legacy marks.) fice and serve District Five. of Mr. Fred Randle. Mr. BERGMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise We have a lot of things on the plate Mr. Randle was a longtime Hot today on behalf of Michigan’s First in front of us, and I just want to be a Springs resident who was part of Congressional District in memory of a unifier, a person who can help us get Merrill’s Marauders during World War friend, devoted father and husband, and some things done on behalf of the least II. Merrill’s Marauders were U.S. sol- dedicated public servant, Senator Tom of these, as Congressman Lewis would. diers who fought in the Pacific The- Casperson, who passed away on Sun- So thank you all for having me. ater, using jungle warfare techniques day, November 29, after a hard-fought Thank you to my mother, my father, to penetrate deep behind enemy lines. and courageous battle with cancer. who is not with us, to the Congressmen In just 5 months, the Marauders ad- Senator Casperson served in the who have come before me, Wyche vanced 720 miles through some of the for 14 years and

VerDate Sep 11 2014 11:25 Dec 04, 2020 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00009 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K03DE7.016 H03DEPT1 dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with HOUSE H6058 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE December 3, 2020 was a fierce advocate in Lansing for Mr. TIFFANY. Mr. Speaker, I want This week, she was named the Flor- our Upper Peninsula way of life. to follow up on the comments from the ida Superintendent of the Year by the Tom was a strong and universally re- Congressman from the First District of Florida Association of District School spected voice, confronting challenging Michigan. Superintendents, and we are all incred- issues head-on and working across the Today, I recognize a good friend and ibly proud of her well-deserved recogni- aisle for the benefit of his constituents. great American, Tom Casperson, who tion. His unwavering commitment to his passed away this weekend. Tom lived Over these last 5 years, including family, his faith, and his community is in Representative BERGMAN’s district during Dr. Greene’s leadership, the unquestionable. The entire State of in Escanaba, Michigan. Duval graduation rate increased from Michigan is a better place because of I knew Tom as a State senator when 76 percent to 86 percent, an amazing ac- him. he worked on numerous issues across complishment. To Tom’s family and friends, Isaiah State lines with me. The Good Neigh- She has also helped to improve safety 41:10 says: bor Authority promoting better man- and security within our schools and Do not fear, for I am with you. Do not be agement of our national forests origi- fought to secure additional educational dismayed, for I am your God. I will strength- nated at a hearing Tom and I put to- funding for Duval County Public en you and help you; I will uphold you with gether in Breitung Township, Michi- Schools. Dr. Greene is an excellent ex- My righteous right hand. gan. Tom Casperson may have had a ample and mentor to both educators Please join me in honoring the ex- greater impact on Upper Peninsula and students alike. traordinary life of Senator Tom issues in the Michigan Legislature On behalf of the Fourth Congres- Casperson. than anyone who served the Upper Pe- sional District of Florida, I thank Dr. f ninsula. Greene for her commitment to edu- While I knew Tom as a State senator, cation and for working hard every day AMERICAN PEOPLE WAITING FOR he will be remembered for far more to make Duval County Public Schools COVID RELIEF than that, including as a man of great a place where students can learn, grow, (Ms. SCANLON asked and was given faith. and thrive. Mr. Speaker, I send my deepest sym- permission to address the House for 1 f minute and to revise and extend her re- pathies to Tom’s wife, Diane, and their marks.) family. CALLING FOR COVID RELIEF Ms. SCANLON. Mr. Speaker, this It has been a great privilege to have (Mr. LEVIN of California asked and week, December’s rent and mortgage known such a fine man. May Tom was given permission to address the payments came due for millions of Casperson rest in peace. House for 1 minute and to revise and Americans, marking another gut- f extend his remarks.) wrenching deadline for families who DECRIMINALIZING CANNABIS Mr. LEVIN of California. Mr. Speak- have been forced to make the impos- er, I rise today on behalf of every (Mr. EVANS asked and was given sible decision between putting food on American who has lost a loved one be- permission to address the House for 1 the table or keeping a roof overhead. cause of this pandemic. I rise for those minute.) We have been asking for months for Mr. EVANS. Mr. Speaker, in my city who have lost their jobs or who are the Senate to take up one of the relief of Philadelphia and across the country, struggling to make ends meet in the packages that the House has passed people of color are thrown in jail more wake of this virus. I rise for the doc- and sent for consideration or for the and with harsher sentences than White tors, the nurses, the caregivers, and Senate to come up with its own COVID people for the same cannabis-related the first responders who put them- relief proposal. While there has finally crimes. selves at risk every day as they try to been some movement this week, it is Cannabis is one of the fastest grow- save lives. way overdue. ing U.S. industries, but Federal law These folks in my district and across My constituents cannot wait any keeps many businesses of color out of the Nation know that the enemy is not longer. As the coronavirus surges yet this market. That is why I urge my our neighbors or our political oppo- again in my region, I hear every single colleagues to support passage of a jobs nents. The enemy is this virus. And day from folks who have exhausted bill, the MORE Act. It would decrimi- they are counting on us to come to- every resource to scrape by, but they nalize cannabis at the Federal level gether to provide relief. cannot make ends meet without more and expunge prior Federal convictions We must act urgently to provide relief. related to marijuana. Half of all States State and local governments with the These are folks like Denise from have already decriminalized cannabis. funding they need to maintain essen- Linwood. Last spring, she and her hus- This jobs bill would also create the tial workers and provide critical serv- band both lost their jobs in the hospi- opportunity trust fund, which would ices, including in public safety and tality industry. They have two kids at generate grant programs to provide education. home learning virtually. Now they are services and funds to those most nega- We must act so that small businesses faced with the expiration of unemploy- tively impacted by the war on drugs. don’t shutter their doors, laying off the ment benefits, and they fear eviction This includes the equitable cannabis li- good people who live and work in our come January. censing program that I introduced in communities. Ann from Wayne is a schoolteacher the Homegrown Act. The American people cannot and who is trying to get a COVID test so The House and Senate need to pass should not have to wait any longer. I she can take care of her elderly mother the MORE Act now, as the growing urge my colleagues to put their dif- and do her job, but she has had to jump cannabis industry is an important eco- ferences aside and treat this emergency through hoop after hoop because we nomic development tool for commu- like our lives depend on it—because still lack a national testing strategy. nities of color like mine. Let’s pass they do. My constituents and our local offi- this jobs bill. f cials are doing everything in their f CONGRATULATING RITEDOSE power to feed their families and stay safe. It is past time that the Federal CONGRATULATING DR. DIANA (Mr. WILSON of South Carolina Government does the same. America is GREENE asked and was given permission to ad- waiting. (Mr. RUTHERFORD asked and was dress the House for 1 minute and to re- f given permission to address the House vise and extend his remarks.) for 1 minute and to revise and extend Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. HONORING SENATOR TOM his remarks.) Speaker, congratulations to Ritedose CASPERSON Mr. RUTHERFORD. Mr. Speaker, I Corporation of Columbia, a South (Mr. TIFFANY asked and was given rise today to congratulate Duval Coun- Carolina company on the front lines of permission to address the House for 1 ty Public Schools Superintendent Dr. America’s spectacular effort to secure minute.) Diana Greene. a coronavirus vaccine.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 11:25 Dec 04, 2020 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00010 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K03DE7.019 H03DEPT1 dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with HOUSE December 3, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H6059 Thursday, it was announced that the Marijuana Opportunity Reinvest- House for 1 minute and to revise and Ritedose has been selected as a subcon- ment and Expungement Act. extend his remarks.) tractor of ApiJect Systems America, Mr. Speaker, millions of Americans Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speak- led by CEO Franco Negron, to produce are unemployed right now due to this er, I rise today to remember and honor prefilled single-dose syringes for the unprecedented pandemic, wondering William E. ‘‘Billie’’ Clanton of Odum, vaccine. how they are going to make ends meet, Georgia, who passed away on November In 4 months, Jody Chastain, the and thousands are dying each day from 27. president and CEO of Ritedose, and his the COVID virus. But instead of work- Billie was raised in Wayne County talented team have up-fitted a facility ing to find a bipartisan solution to pro- and grew up picking tobacco and har- that will produce up to 45 million doses vide relief to Americans, our Demo- vesting turpentine on his family farm. a month of the vaccine. That is Amer- cratic majority wants us to convene He was born with a robust entrepre- ican ingenuity at its best, and it is our this august body to vote on pot legisla- neurial spirit which caused him to go capable workforce in South Carolina at tion. from managing a successful fruit stand, their best. This is simply unbelievable. The Re- as well as many other businesses, all The Ritedose success in Operation publican Senate has voted multiple the way to owning and operating the Warp Speed, led by Vice President times on targeted relief that Repub- Dodge dealership in 1965. MIKE PENCE, is a historic achievement licans and Democrats agree upon, but Billie went on to serve as vice presi- and another Donald Trump victory, Senate Democrats have blocked each dent of Southeastern Chrysler and which the fake media will distort. effort. Dodge Advertising board for 30 years. I am grateful that The Ritedose Cor- We all agree that more PPP funds He was an avid supporter of Wayne poration is integral in this effort for need to be made available. We all agree County and was very active in his com- the health and safety of American fam- that unemployment benefits should be munity. ilies. extended. We all agree that our Billie was a 12-year host of the Day In conclusion, God bless our troops, healthcare workers need additional for Wayne, an event at his farm, which and we will never forget September the funding. is a great event held in support of 11th in the global war on terrorism. Mr. Speaker, we need to prioritize Wayne County. It is truly enjoyed by Mr. Speaker, we appreciate the cour- the needs of the American people, not many every year and something I al- age of . Cheech and Chong. This is wrong and ways look forward to. needs to be called out. Because of his prominence in his f community and his life devoted to f HONORING THE MEMORY OF serving others, the new Highway 169 ROBERT S. WASHOCK, JR. GIVING CREDIT TO OPERATION Overpass will be dedicated in his name. (Ms. WILD asked and was given per- WARP SPEED Mr. Speaker, my deepest thoughts mission to address the House for 1 (Mr. GUEST asked and was given per- and prayers go out to Billie’s family, minute and to revise and extend her re- mission to address the House for 1 his wife, Nell; his five daughters; his 16 marks.) minute and to revise and extend his re- grandchildren; his seven great-grand- Ms. WILD. Mr. Speaker, I rise to marks.) children, and two more on the way; his honor the memory of a hero in my Mr. GUEST. Mr. Speaker, since the friends; and the entire Wayne commu- community who recently passed away outbreak of the coronavirus in the nity during this most difficult time. from this devastating virus. Robert S. United States, the promise of the de- f Washock, Jr., or Bob as he was known velopment of a vaccine has allowed PROXY VOTING to everyone, was a devoted father, Americans to remain optimistic in the (Mr. MCCARTHY asked and was grandfather, husband, brother, and midst of tragedy. Now, after months of sacrifice, the coronavirus vaccine has given permission to address the House friend. He defended our Nation in the for 1 minute and to revise and extend and was a member been found. This accomplishment would not have been possible without his remarks.) of Dyle E. Bray VFW Post 739 in Ban- Mr. MCCARTHY. Mr. Speaker, for the hard work of scientists working gor, , serving as quarter- months, Democrats have used an un- around the world and the support by master and treasurer of the Home As- constitutional scheme to allow Mem- the tremendous feat of government in- sociation. bers to vote from home. They call it novation known as Operation Warp I am fortunate to have had the oppor- proxy voting. I call it exactly what it tunity to know Bob, and the qualities Speed. Now, following the discovery of the is: shadow voting. that I can speak to are those that Mr. Speaker, Democrats are turning vaccine, we must focus on the produc- touched the lives of countless people away from their responsibility to their tion and distribution of the vaccine to across our community: kindness, constituents by staying home and the American people and to those humor, and compassion. The tributes handing their voting card to NANCY across the globe. that have poured in from people of PELOSI. They are handing over their every walk of life reflect the world of Public officials are optimistic that distribution of the vaccine could begin voting card and not coming to work. difference that he made. But why? What is so important that in a matter of weeks, a massive jump At this extraordinarily difficult time they can’t show up? Do you know what forward in the process to rid the world for Bob’s family and many friends, I ex- we found? Because they wanted to at- of this dangerous virus. This produc- tend my deepest condolences. On behalf tend a space launch that never took tion of millions of dosages of vaccine of a grateful community, it is my off, or they want to hang out on their will not happen overnight, but thanks honor to pay tribute to Bob for his life- boat. Who knows what else they have to and the long service as an Active Duty service- done. member and as a proud veteran to the Trump administration, the vaccine will Mr. Speaker, they don’t have to show country he loved. His spirit will en- reach vulnerable Americans faster than up to vote because, guess what. Some- dure. anticipated, saving thousands of lives one else will do it for them. Maybe if in the process. we renamed Congress ‘‘The French f Mr. Speaker, I thank all who helped PRIORITIZING NEEDS OF Laundry,’’ they all might show up here. advance this extraordinary accom- This has been going on for months, AMERICAN PEOPLE plishment. and Democrats have worked overtime (Mr. MURPHY of North Carolina f to hide it from the American people. asked and was given permission to ad- b 1230 Mr. Speaker, to date, there have been dress the House for 1 minute.) 4,836 votes cast in this body by law- Mr. MURPHY of North Carolina. Mr. IN MEMORY OF WILLIAM E. makers who weren’t even here. Speaker, I would like to call attention ‘‘BILLIE’’ CLANTON Think about that: 4,836 votes cast in to the only bill subject to a rule this (Mr. CARTER of Georgia asked and this body by Members who weren’t week in the House of Representatives, was given permission to address the even here.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 11:25 Dec 04, 2020 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00011 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K03DE7.021 H03DEPT1 dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with HOUSE H6060 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE December 3, 2020 Over a dozen lawmakers have given Mr. Speaker, that is wrong, and you Costa Kennedy Pingree Courtney Khanna Pocan ANCY ELOSI their vote to N P on every know it. Everybody in this body knows Cox (CA) Kildee Porter single bill since this scheme was in it. It is despicable. Craig Kilmer Pressley place. Last night, the number was over If Democrats want to waste the Crist Kim Price (NC) 60 Democrats. Nearly one-third of the American people’s time with these ri- Crow Kind Quigley Cuellar Kirkpatrick Raskin entire conference of the Democratic diculous bills, they will need to show Cunningham Krishnamoorthi Rice (NY) Party did not show up for work. I up to do it. Republicans won’t be a Davids (KS) Kuster (NH) Rose (NY) promise you, each and every one of party to this unconstitutional, un- Davis (CA) Lamb Rouda them will get their paycheck. democratic mess any longer. Davis, Danny K. Langevin Roybal-Allard Mr. Speaker, Americans are working Dean Larsen (WA) Ruiz f DeGette Larson (CT) Ruppersberger hard to keep their businesses open, to DeLauro Lawrence Rush keep food on the table and their kids in PROXY VOTING DelBene Lawson (FL) Ryan school. They deserve a Representative Delgado Lee (NV) Sa´ nchez Demings Levin (CA) Sarbanes who will show up for the job, the job (Mr. BIGGS asked and was given per- mission to address the House for 1 DeSaulnier Levin (MI) Scanlon that they said they would do, the job Deutch Lieu, Ted Schakowsky they asked people to vote for them so minute and to revise and extend his re- Dingell Loebsack Schiff they would come to Washington to give marks.) Doggett Lofgren Schneider Doyle, Michael Lowenthal Schrader their voice to Congress, not to give it Mr. BIGGS. Mr. Speaker, I will tell you that I have sat here and listened to F. Lowey Schrier to NANCY PELOSI. Engel Luja´ n Scott (VA) Mr. Speaker, this is embarrassing. some of the 1 minutes from my friends Escobar Luria Serrano This week is only about cats and can- across the aisle, and they are talking Eshoo Lynch Sewell (AL) about the need for COVID relief. Espaillat Malinowski Shalala nabis when it should be about COVID. Evans Maloney, Sherman Think for one moment of what we are Apparently, to get COVID relief, you Finkenauer Carolyn B. Sherrill going to do in this body with the his- have got to have cannabis. You have Fletcher Maloney, Sean Sires got to have pot. That is the Democrats’ Foster Matsui Slotkin tory of what has happened on this Frankel McAdams Soto floor: the battle of civil rights; the version of COVID relief this week. Gabbard McBath Spanberger question of whether to end World War But they don’t feel like they all need Gallego McCollum Speier I or World War II; the question of to be here to deal with this issue, so Garamendi McEachin Stanton they are going to mail it in. They are Garcı´a (IL) McGovern Stevens whether every man and woman is Garcia (TX) McNerney Suozzi equal. Those are the things that we de- going to phone in their votes, and, Golden Meeks Swalwell (CA) bate on this floor. And they were de- quite frankly, in a most disturbing and Gomez Meng Takano bated in the times of need. unconstitutional manner. Gonzalez (TX) Mfume Thompson (CA) Gottheimer Moore Thompson (MS) But what is of need to the American Mr. Speaker, we can be here; they Green, Al (TX) Morelle Titus public? We all know the challenges should be here. If this meant every- Grijalva Moulton Tlaib faced before us. We have been fighting thing that they say it does, they would Haaland Mucarsel-Powell Tonko it for months. But 40 times on this show up. They would show up and vote. Hall Murphy (FL) Torres (CA) Harder (CA) Nadler Torres Small floor the Democrats have said no. We could have had committee hear- Hastings Napolitano (NM) Mr. Speaker, our own Speaker of the ings, for Pete’s sakes. We could have Hayes Neal Trahan House said we would not leave this committee hearings where we could Himes Neguse Trone body until we voted on COVID relief. Horn, Kendra S. Norcross Underwood discuss and debate. We would have Horsford O’Halleran Vargas They had 40 times to do it, and they floor debates with open rules. And you Houlahan Ocasio-Cortez Veasey said no. know what? People would show up. Hoyer Omar Vela´ zquez Mr. Speaker, 4,836 times a Member Huffman Pallone Wasserman didn’t even show to cast a vote, and f Jackson Lee Panetta Schultz Jayapal Pappas Waters they still got paid. What about all MOTION TO ADJOURN Jeffries Pascrell Watson Coleman those businesses that are shut down Johnson (GA) Payne Welch now permanently? There is more than Mr. BIGGS. Mr. Speaker, I move that Johnson (TX) Perlmutter Wexton $130 billion sitting to go to the workers the House do now adjourn. Kaptur Peters Wild The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Keating Peterson Wilson (FL) for small businesses. Kelly (IL) Phillips Yarmuth Mr. Speaker, 23 Democrats on the question is on the motion to adjourn other side signed a letter in September offered by the gentleman from Arizona NOT VOTING—205 and said: If we do not get a COVID re- (Mr. BIGGS). Abraham Cline Gosar The question was taken; and the Aderholt Cloud Granger lief bill, we will sign that discharge pe- Allen Cole Graves (LA) tition. Speaker pro tempore announced that Amodei Collins (GA) Green (TN) And what does that do for the Amer- the noes appeared to have it. Armstrong Comer Griffith ican public? It goes around the Speaker Mr. BIGGS. Mr. Speaker, on that I Arrington Conaway Grothman demand the yeas and nays. Babin Cook Guest of the House so the voice could actu- Bacon Crawford Guthrie ally come to the floor and the bill The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- Baird Crenshaw Hagedorn could be here and voted upon. And they ant to section 3 of House Resolution Balderson Curtis Harris said they would sign it if nothing hap- 965, the yeas and nays are ordered. Banks Davidson (OH) Hartzler Barr Davis, Rodney Heck pened. I wonder if their word will be The vote was taken by electronic de- Bergman DeFazio Hern, Kevin kept, because I looked at the book and vice, and there were—yeas 5, nays 220, Biggs DesJarlais Higgins (LA) it hasn’t. not voting 205, as follows: Bilirakis Diaz-Balart Higgins (NY) The Speaker of the House said we Bishop (NC) Duncan Hill (AR) [Roll No. 229] Bishop (UT) Dunn Holding would not leave unless we had COVID YEAS—5 Bost Emmer Hollingsworth relief. But they call us back, and what Graves (MO) Hice (GA) Womack Brady Estes Hudson do they call us back for? The post of- Herrera Beutler Rogers (KY) Brooks (AL) Ferguson Huizenga fice. Brooks (IN) Fitzpatrick Hurd (TX) NAYS—220 Buchanan Fleischmann Jacobs Well, Republicans put up COVID re- Buck Flores Johnson (LA) Adams Bonamici Casten (IL) lief on the floor that day, but Demo- Bucshon Fortenberry Johnson (OH) Aguilar Boyle, Brendan Castor (FL) Budd Foxx (NC) Johnson (SD) crats said no. They call us back this Allred F. Chu, Judy Burchett Fudge Jordan Amash Brindisi Cicilline week when people are hurting, people Burgess Fulcher Joyce (OH) Axne Brown (MD) Clark (MA) are losing their jobs. Maybe that is Byrne Gaetz Joyce (PA) Barraga´ n Brownley (CA) Clarke (NY) Calvert Gallagher Katko why one-third of the Democrats don’t Bass Bustos Clay Carter (GA) Garcia (CA) Keller show, because they don’t want to show Beatty Butterfield Cleaver Carter (TX) Gianforte Kelly (MS) Bera Carbajal Clyburn their face to the constituents, that the Castro (TX) Gibbs Kelly (PA) Beyer Ca´ rdenas Cohen only thing they are going to do on the Chabot Gohmert King (IA) Bishop (GA) Carson (IN) Connolly Cheney Gonzalez (OH) King (NY) floor this week is vote about cats and Blumenauer Cartwright Cooper Cisneros Gooden Kinzinger cannabis. Blunt Rochester Case Correa

VerDate Sep 11 2014 11:25 Dec 04, 2020 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00012 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K03DE7.023 H03DEPT1 dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with HOUSE December 3, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H6061 Kustoff (TN) Pence Stewart The Clerk read the resolution, as fol- is a bill that deals with the unequal en- LaHood Perry Stivers lows: forcement of our drug laws where peo- LaMalfa Posey Taylor Lamborn Reed Thompson (PA) H. RES. 1244 ple are treated differently and more Latta Reschenthaler Thornberry Resolved, That upon adoption of this reso- negatively because of the color of their Lee (CA) Rice (SC) Tiffany lution it shall be in order to consider in the skin. Really? Lesko Richmond Timmons House the bill (H.R. 3884) to decriminalize My distinguished Republican friend Lipinski Riggleman Tipton Long Roby and deschedule cannabis, to provide for rein- did not object to any of the bills we are Turner Loudermilk Rodgers (WA) vestment in certain persons adversely im- bringing up today sponsored by Repub- Upton pacted by the War on Drugs, to provide for Lucas Roe, David P. licans—five different bills—but he Luetkemeyer Rogers (AL) Van Drew expungement of certain cannabis offenses, Marchant Rooney (FL) Vela and for other purposes. All points of order chose to object to a bill that is address- Marshall Rose, John W. Visclosky against consideration of the bill are waived. ing the issue of racial justice. Wagner Massie Rouzer In lieu of the amendment in the nature of a Now, I guess I shouldn’t be surprised Walberg Mast Roy substitute recommended by the Committee McCarthy Rutherford Walden because it is consistent with the atti- McCaul Scalise Walker on the Judiciary now printed in the bill, an tudes that come out of this White McClintock Schweikert Walorski amendment in the nature of a substitute House, but it also makes clear to me McHenry Scott, Austin Waltz consisting of the text of Rules Committee that the Republican Party is no longer McKinley Scott, David Watkins Print 116–67, modified by the amendment Meuser Sensenbrenner Weber (TX) printed in the report of the Committee on the party of Lincoln. It is the party of Miller Shimkus Webster (FL) Rules accompanying this resolution, shall be some of the most intolerant voices on Mitchell Simpson Wenstrup considered as adopted. The bill, as amended, the rightwing and those who dabble in Moolenaar Smith (MO) Westerman shall be considered as read. All points of conspiracy theories. It really is sad. Mooney (WV) Smith (NE) Williams Mullin order against provisions in the bill, as The Republicans made a motion that Smith (NJ) Wilson (SC) Murphy (NC) Smith (WA) amended, are waived. The previous question Wittman the House do now adjourn to highlight Newhouse Smucker shall be considered as ordered on the bill, as Woodall the fact that we are able to vote re- Norman Spano amended, and on any further amendment Nunes Stauber Wright thereto, to final passage without intervening motely in this Chamber in the midst of Yoho Olson Stefanik motion except: (1) one hour of debate equally a pandemic. The leader said that near- Palazzo Steil Young ly one-third of the Democratic Caucus Zeldin divided and controlled by the chair and rank- Palmer Steube ing minority member of the Committee on didn’t vote yesterday, which, by the b 1355 the Judiciary; and (2) one motion to recom- way, they did because we do have re- Messrs. BROWN of Maryland, YAR- mit with or without instructions. sponsible voting rules in place in the MUTH, JOHNSON of Georgia, and Ms. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gen- middle of this pandemic. Now, get this, TLAIB changed their vote from ‘‘yea’’ tleman from Massachusetts is recog- Mr. Speaker. But then, right after say- to ‘‘nay.’’ nized for 1 hour. ing that, 95 percent of the Republican So the motion to adjourn was re- Mr. MCGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, for Conference didn’t even show up to vote. jected. the purpose of debate only, I yield the You can’t make this stuff up, Mr. The result of the vote was announced customary 30 minutes to the gen- Speaker. as above recorded. tleman from Georgia (Mr. WOODALL), They didn’t vote in person, and they my good friend, pending which I yield MEMBERS RECORDED PURSUANT TO HOUSE didn’t vote remotely—nothing. Maybe I RESOLUTION 965, 116TH CONGRESS myself such time as I may consume. am missing something here, but I don’t During consideration of this resolu- Barraga´ n (Beyer) Kaptur (Dingell) Payne think the strategy was very well Bera (Aguilar) Kennedy (Kuster (Wasserman tion, all time yielded is for the purpose thought through. Bonamici (Clark (NH)) Schultz) of debate only. The distinguished minority leader is (MA)) Kim (Davids Peters (Kildee) GENERAL LEAVE Boyle, Brendan puzzled why we have passed rules that (KS)) Pingree (Kuster Mr. MCGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, I ask F. (Jeffries) Kirkpatrick (NH)) allow people to vote remotely during Brownley (CA) (Stanton) Pocan (Raskin) unanimous consent that all Members this pandemic. I have a news flash for (Clark (MA)) Lamb (Golden) Porter (Wexton) be given 5 legislative days to revise and him: Close to 275,000 people are dead. Carson (IN) Langevin Pressley extend their remarks. (Cleaver) We have colleagues, both Democratic (Lynch) (Trahan) Castor (FL) The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there colleagues and Republican colleagues, Price (NC) (Demings) Lawson (FL) objection to the request of the gen- (Demings) (Butterfield) who have been infected by this virus. Cohen (Beyer) tleman from Massachusetts? While many Republicans are rushing Costa (Cooper) Lee (NV) Roybal-Allard There was no objection. Dean (Scanlon) (Kuster (NH)) (Garcia (TX)) to attend maskless superspreader DeSaulnier Lieu, Ted Ruiz (Dingell) b 1400 Christmas parties at the White House, (Matsui) (Beyer) Rush we in the Democratic majority are fol- Deutch (Rice Lofgren (Underwood) Mr. MCGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, before (NY)) (Jeffries) Schneider I begin, I feel I need to respond to the lowing the guidelines by the Attending Doggett Lowenthal (Casten (IL)) meltdown that occurred right before Physician in the Capitol, by the CDC, (Raskin) (Beyer) Schrier the vote on the Republican side. by Dr. Fauci, and by every reputable Doyle, Michael Lowey (Tonko) (DelBene) F. (Cartwright) As the distinguished minority leader medical expert in the world. McEachin Serrano Operating remotely during a pan- Escobar (Garcia (Wexton) (Jeffries) knows, House Democrats have sent two (TX)) McNerney Sherrill major coronavirus relief bills over to demic, I want to tell my friend, is not Frankel (Clark (Raskin) (Pallone) the Senate. Sadly, those bills have radical, it is not unique, and it is not (MA)) Meng (Kuster Sires (Norcross) Garamendi been gathering dust on MITCH MCCON- unprecedented or lazy. It is respon- (NH)) Speier (Scanlon) (Sherman) NELL sible. It is constitutional. The Supreme Moore (Beyer) Thompson (CA) ’s desk. He has refused to schedule Grijalva (Garcı´a Mucarsel-Powell (Kildee) a vote and a debate on those bills. Court is working remotely, as are leg- (IL)) islators around the country and around Hastings (Wasserman Titus (Connolly) But the good news is that today, at (Wasserman Schultz) Watson Coleman 12:45, we find out that Leader MCCON- the world. Schultz) Nadler (Jeffries) (Pallone) NELL and Speaker PELOSI have spoken We aren’t doing this because it is Jayapal Napolitano Welch about their shared commitment to convenient, Mr. Speaker. We are doing (Raskin) (Correa) (McGovern) Johnson (TX) Pascrell Wilson (FL) completing an omnibus and COVID re- it because it is necessary, and we are (Jeffries) (Pallone) (Hayes) lief package as soon as possible. I take doing it because we want to save lives. f that as good news. So, we invite our Republican col- We can walk and chew gum at the leagues to join us, to be responsible, PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION same time in this Democratic-con- and to understand why these rules are OF H.R. 3884, MARIJUANA OPPOR- trolled House of Representatives. That so incredibly important and maybe set TUNITY REINVESTMENT AND means we need to deal with not only an example for others in this country, EXPUNGEMENT ACT OF 2019 passing an omnibus bill and a COVID especially those who operate in 1600 Mr. MCGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, by di- relief bill, but we have other work that Pennsylvania Avenue. rection of the Committee on Rules, I needs to be done as well. Mr. Speaker, on Wednesday, the call up House Resolution 1244 and ask I find it curious, Mr. Speaker, that Rules Committee met and reported a for its immediate consideration. the bill the minority leader objected to rule, House Resolution 1244, providing

VerDate Sep 11 2014 11:25 Dec 04, 2020 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00013 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A03DE7.003 H03DEPT1 dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with HOUSE H6062 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE December 3, 2020 for the consideration of H.R. 3884, the This is what beginning to reverse the cause I have gotten to do some hum- Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment failed war on drugs looks like, Mr. dingers. We have done some serious and Expungement Act, under a closed Speaker. It is a testament to all of legislating in the 10 years I have been rule. The rule provides 1 hour of debate those who have fought for a fresh and in Congress. We have done some serious equally divided and controlled by the more effective approach year after year rulemaking in the 2 years Mr. MCGOV- chair and ranking member of the Com- after year. ERN has been chairman of the Rules mittee on the Judiciary. It self-exe- Now, I have worked side by side with Committee. cutes a manager’s amendment by many of them in this effort since I was Mr. Speaker, you can always tell Chairman NADLER, and it provides for first elected to Congress back in 1996. when we have been burning the mid- one motion to recommit with or with- For so long, we were told the same night oil in the Rules Committee be- out instructions. thing. We were told to wait, to wait, to cause the rule will take a good 7, 8, or Mr. Speaker, we are here today to wait. Well, cannabis-related amend- 9 minutes to read here on the floor of continue our effort to reform our Na- ments couldn’t even get a fair fight on the House. Why? Because getting good tion’s failed approach to the war on this floor under the prior Republican legislation done is a complicated, dif- drugs, to put racial justice at the heart Congresses. Not a single one was ever ficult thing to do. It involves a lot of of our Nation’s Federal cannabis pol- made in order in the 112th, 113th, or give and take; it involves a lot of icy, and to make restorative justice a 114th Congresses—not one. We could voices at the table; and it involves a reality for so many Americans. This is bring no bill to the floor related to can- lot of time in the Rules Committee to what the public has demanded for so nabis. The only one made in order last make that happen. long, that Congress address the broken Congress was an amendment to eradi- Mr. Speaker, we are down here today status quo that allows the color of cate illegal grow operations on Na- surrounded by Purell wipes, hand sani- someone’s skin to dictate the repercus- tional Forest System land. tizer, and , and we are sions of their actions. Congress has stood idly by for too not here to talk about that COVID This is not hyperbole, Mr. Speaker. long as communities of color, in par- package that my friend from Massa- Cannabis accounts for almost half of ticular, were being torn apart. This chusetts referenced. We are here to, all drug arrests in our country—half. majority, Mr. Speaker, is committed to sadly, participate in what has become a Most are arrested for possessing small doing something about it. The House theme in this Congress, and that is amounts, not for selling or manufac- has debated more amendments on can- folks will have the germ of a wonderful turing anything. nabis policy last year than it did dur- idea on the Democratic side of the That is bad enough. But today in ing my entire 20 years in Congress, and aisle. They will nurture that idea in America, Mr. Speaker, you are nearly now we are moving forward with the their Democratic Caucus, and they will four times more likely to be arrested most sweeping reforms in generations. put together all the parts of that idea for cannabis if you are Black. Commu- This is what a more responsive Con- they believe need to come together in nities of color use cannabis at roughly gress looks like. their Democratic Caucus. Then, we will the same rate as their White counter- Now, some, particularly on the other come to the House floor, and we will parts, but if you look like me, Mr. side, have wondered why we are moving pass that idea with Democratic votes. Speaker, you are far less likely to face forward with these reforms now. We Then, we will be vexed, truly vexed, the same penalties. must soon fund the government for the about why that idea goes to the United I am not okay with that, and nobody next fiscal year and pass the annual de- States Senate and dies. should be. I am not okay with a system fense bill. We are also trying to prod I say truly vexed, Mr. Speaker. I have that treats those who have been con- the Senate to get serious about a true been here a long time. We have seen victed of minor cannabis offenses like COVID relief bill. this happen. Leadership of both parties they are some kind of drug kingpin. Again, as I said earlier, we have a lit- knows, when you put together an idea And I am not okay with a system that tle bit of hopeful news, based on the all by yourself, when you don’t take sends people to prison for cannabis-re- conversation between the Speaker and the time to get all the voices in the lated offenses even in States where rec- the Senate majority leader. We have a room together, and when you don’t reational cannabis use has been legal- lot to do in the waning days of this take the time to build the strategic ized. Congress, and I get that. But the an- partnerships, then good ideas do die. To do nothing about this is intoler- swer is simple. This is not an either-or Sometimes it is on the way to the able, and to pretend like this is a prob- proposition. Congress, as I said before, other Chamber; sometimes it is in con- lem for communities of color to solve can walk and chew gum at the same ference; and sometimes it is on the alone is inexcusable. time. President’s desk. America’s failed war on drugs helped A recent survey found that nearly 60 We had numerous amendments of- create this problem. It will take a na- percent of Americans support this un- fered to this bill. None but the man- tional, holistic approach to resolve it. derlying bill. That includes a majority ager’s amendment was made in order. H.R. 3884 represents a major step for- of both Democrats and Republicans. We had Republican advocates for many ward. It complements other bipartisan The facts are clear, and the public of the provisions in this bill speak of criminal justice reform bills passed in wants Congress to act. the opportunity to do something to- this Congress and in the 115th Con- The question is, what are we going to gether but that those opportunities gress. do about it? were missed along the road in the Judi- This underlying bill removes can- I think it is time for us to take a ciary Committee. nabis from the Controlled Substances stand, to stand for restorative justice, I take my friend from Massachusetts’ Act, decriminalizing it at the Federal to stand for racial justice, to stand for comments to heart when he is so en- level so States can set their own laws. criminal justice reform, and to stand thusiastic by a conversation that our It also puts a process in place to ex- with the majority of Americans de- Speaker has had with the majority punge prior convictions made in Fed- manding reforms to our Nation’s can- leader in the Senate. I, too, am excited eral courts and establishes services to nabis policy. about that because talking about what help those convicted of cannabis-re- Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of we have done all by ourselves in a par- lated crimes whose lives have been my time. tisan way doesn’t lead to positive out- harmed by the war on drugs, because Mr. WOODALL. Mr. Speaker, I yield comes for my constituency. Our leader- no lives should be destroyed by this myself such time as I may consume. ship in the Democratic-led House get- failed policy. I appreciate my friend from Massa- ting together with the leadership in Finally, this bill also makes Small chusetts yielding me the customary 30 the Senate, the Republican-led Senate, Business Administration funding avail- minutes. that kind of bipartisan partnership able for legitimate cannabis-related Mr. Speaker, this may very well be does lead to good outcomes for our con- businesses while helping ensure people the last rule I do down here on the stituents back home. I am hopeful that of color can participate in this thriving floor of the House, and I was sad when we will be able to see that come to fru- industry. SUSAN was reading from the rule be- ition.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 11:25 Dec 04, 2020 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00014 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K03DE7.028 H03DEPT1 dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with HOUSE December 3, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H6063 Today, however, we do not have the Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to with common sense to support this rule COVID package. We have the Mari- defeat this rule and give us a chance to and the underlying legislation. juana Opportunity Reinvestment and do better. In the absence of that, I also Mr. WOODALL. Mr. Speaker, it is Expungement Act. Mr. Speaker, I have will have an opportunity to defeat the now my pleasure to yield such time as long said that we needed to have a bill previous question and bring up some of he may consume to the gentleman like this on the floor of the House. My those COVID packages that really can from Oklahoma (Mr. COLE), one of our friend from Massachusetts tells me we make a difference for our friends back former colleagues on the House Budget have debated more marijuana amend- home. Committee, currently the leader of the ments in the past 2 years than we have Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of Republican side of the House Com- in the past 20 years. I take him at his my time. mittee on Rules. word that that is true. I don’t think Mr. MCGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, I am Mr. COLE. Mr. Speaker, I thank my this is a topic that we have not been happy to yield 2 minutes to the gentle- very good friend from Georgia for woman from Pennsylvania (Ms. SCAN- spending enough time on. I think it is yielding. LON), a distinguished member of the a topic that has received more than its Normally, when I come down to this Rules Committee. fair share of attention in this Congress. floor, it is to debate the rule with my The racial equities that my friend Ms. SCANLON. Mr. Speaker, like my colleague, the distinguished member of good friend, the distinguished chair- talks about deserve better than to be man of the Committee on Rules, and it part of a partisan package that goes the Committee on Rules from Georgia, I, too, hope that the renewed interest is to disagree with the legislation, in nowhere. The generational disparities many cases. And at least that is true: that my friend from Massachusetts in both Houses in passing COVID relief yields fruit sooner rather than later. It I am opposed to the rule and opposed to talks about deserve better than to be the underlying legislation. part of a package that has been cobbled does require that the Senate make it a priority, and I have been advised that Mr. Speaker, the real purpose that I together for the floor rather than built the Senate’s priority this afternoon am here today is something that my together for the President’s desk. once again is confirming another con- friend from Georgia referred to oft too b 1415 servative judge. So we will both have fleetingly in his opening comments, I agree with absolutely every heart- to hold out hope as we move forward. and that is that this may be his last felt comment my friend from Massa- Mr. Speaker, I am here today, appearance managing a rule of the chusetts shared, from the time being pleased to rise in support of today’s floor of the House. now, to the opportunities that have rule and the underlying legislation, the Now, I had the good fortune to serve been wasted, to the inability to have MORE Act. in Congress throughout my friend’s dis- these discussions when we need to and It becomes clearer by the day that tinguished 10-year career. We served, as the ability that we have had recently the time is long overdue for the Fed- he said, on the Committee on Budget to have them more. eral Government to bring its mari- together. We have had the opportunity So to have all of that truth there to juana policy into the 21st century. to serve on both the majority and the The current approach has failed our be wasted on a December 3 package minority on the Committee on Rules youth, has failed to stem more harmful that will not be moving anywhere, I together. I was very proud to be a drug usage, and, most notably, has would say to my friend, I believe hurts member of the Republican Study Com- failed communities of color across the me as much as I know it will hurt him. mittee—still am—during his tenure as United States. That is because, when it He does not go through these efforts to our chairman. comes to marijuana, there are two jus- simply be a part of the motion; he goes Mr. Speaker, I have to say, probably tice systems in the United States: a through these efforts because he be- something that my good friend, the gentler, more understanding system lieves in the goal. I regret that this ap- chairman, will agree with, we regret mostly available to White Americans, pears to be another messaging exercise very much that my friend has made the and a punitive, less-forgiving system in front of us today. decision to leave Congress and go pur- primarily enforced against Black and NDAA, Mr. Speaker, National De- sue—and, I am sure, successfully— Brown Americans. other things. fense Authorization Act, a bill that we Mr. Speaker, this isn’t justice. This We regret it because ROB WOODALL have come together as Republicans and is not who we must be as a nation. Democrats to speak with one voice on Thousands of people, mostly younger has been, throughout his 10 years, a for over 60 years, still hangs out there, Black and Brown men, remain incar- Member’s Member, a person whom I needs to be done by this year; funding cerated, while a growing number of have never heard say one ill word of the Federal Government, not just States, including Pennsylvania, have about anyone on either side, even while because of all the healthcare items, but decriminalized and legalized marijuana vigorously disagreeing with that per- because of those more mundane items, for medicinal and recreational use. son; a person who has made us proud from transportation to education to The question is no longer whether we with the civility and the decency with our veterans—all of those dollars need are living in a world if we will legalize which he has conducted his office and to be provided. cannabis. States across the country are discharged his duties; somebody that I Reauthorization of program after leading the way and demonstrating think everyone on the Committee on program, like the United States Coast how to safely, responsibly, and effec- Rules not only likes and admires, but Guard, for example, we have priority tively regulate cannabis for medicinal considers an invaluable part of the after priority after priority that this and recreational use. Committee on Rules because he man- House still has left to accomplish, not Mr. Speaker, the MORE Act will de- ages to make his points and bring out in a partisan way, but in a unified way criminalize marijuana by removing it the best in our committee and, again, that can move through the United from the Controlled Substances Act do so in a way that is always civil, that States Senate and on to the President’s and apply retroactively to prior and is always appropriate, and, frankly, desk. I know we are going to get to pending marijuana-related convictions. that is quite often humorous and dif- these priorities, but it is not without The bill will also require Federal fuses difficult situations. some frustration that I find myself on courts to expunge prior convictions If we had more Members in the the floor here again talking about bills and require courts to consider resen- United States House of Representatives that will not be on their way to the tencing hearings for those still under like ROB WOODALL, we would be a bet- President’s desk. supervision. ter body than we are—and I think both I find myself talking in a dis- The MORE Act will not fix all of the sides would agree on that. He knows appointed tone with my friend from injustices caused by the obsolete and how to conduct debate and argument. Massachusetts about opportunities ineffective approach of the Federal He knows the process. He knows how to that we have to make a difference for Government towards cannabis, but it is work through the process in a civil families, but opportunities that are a good and long-overdue start. manner. I have seen him do it in the going to be missed because of the way Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my col- majority. I have seen him do it in the we have crafted it. leagues to side with justice and side minority.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 11:25 Dec 04, 2020 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00015 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K03DE7.030 H03DEPT1 dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with HOUSE H6064 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE December 3, 2020 I could not be prouder of him and the But the bottom line is I have had Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I service he has rendered to this institu- some of my best fights with you, and thank the gentleman from Massachu- tion. I could not be, frankly, sorrier we have disagreed on a lot of issues, setts as chair of the Committee on about losing a colleague who I think but we have disagreed without being Rules, and I collectively thank the has contributed each and every day. disagreeable. Committee on Rules for its diligent Now, ROB was the chief of staff, Mr. The Committee on Rules has to deal work on the MORE Act, and that is Speaker, before he came here, to one of with a lot of contentious issues. We H.R. 3884. our predecessors, John Linder, who have dealt with our share of conten- Let me, as well, thank JERRY NAD- also was a member of the Committee tious issues in this last Congress, but I LER, chairman of the Committee on the on Rules. So he came to this com- have really taken great comfort and Judiciary, for his great work and, of mittee really understanding how it great inspiration by the example of course, two outstanding members, BAR- works, much like the chairman, who you, Mr. WOODALL and Mr. COLE and BARA LEE and , for had a very similar career pattern him- others who understand the incredible their consistent and persistent deter- self, working as a staffer then coming nature and the incredible majesty of mination. on and now, obviously, rising to the this institution that we get to serve in. Mr. Speaker, this morning I spoke to preeminent position on the committee So even among these contentious de- a representative of the law enforce- as our distinguished chairman. He has bates, you have never, ever drawn us ment community, and I indicated to seen a lot of Members work through down. It has always been in a way that him that we are about to move forward this process as well, just as I have, and is respectful and that honors your con- on the decriminalizing of marijuana at I suspect he values my friend, even victions and your beliefs. the Federal level, eliminating, feder- though he is on the other side, as deep- We have been together early in the ally, the criminalization of marijuana ly as I do. morning; we have been together in the and cannabis. I indicated that it was Mr. Speaker, I just want to say, for middle of the afternoon, late at night. not to undermine law enforcement and the record, to my friend, ROB: We are We meet a lot in the Committee on not to promote drug use but, in es- going to miss you. We are going to Rules, but Mr. WOODALL’s good nature sence, to bring about justice and to miss you on the committee. But much and his sense of humor, whether it is provide for the right kind of roadway more importantly, this institution is intentional or unintentional, makes it for what over a majority of Americans, going to miss you. It is going to miss a little more interesting and, I dare Republicans and Democrats, want. your civility. It is going to miss your say, makes it a lot more fun. It is an important legislative initia- decency. It is going to miss your indus- So I want to take this opportunity to tive. It provides a vehicle for sales tax try. It is going to miss the manner in thank you for the many years of distin- and a vehicle that allows businesses in which you represent all of us to your guished service, both your near decade the marijuana business to be able to constituents and, frankly, when you of service as a Member of Congress and bank legally. It provides for a reinvest- speak on this floor to the people of the before that, as Mr. COLE pointed out, ment program, an opportunity grant United States of America. You have your service working for Congressman program, and, as well, an expungement every reason to be proud of the career John Linder, who was also on the Com- program governed by Federal courts. that you have built here. You could mittee on Rules. b 1430 never be as proud of your career as all You have brought with you some in- of us are of you and the manner in credible people as well. I see your long- It ensures that there are no sales which you have conducted yourself. time Committee on Rules staffer Janet made to those under 21. It deals with My friend, this may be the last rule; Rossi on the floor here today. She is substance abuse. This is a real step for- although, I have got to tell you, if I here to honor your service, as well as ward in bringing America together, and can sneak you in one more time, I the others who are here today. And I I know that my colleagues tomorrow would. It is like we are losing, I think, just want to thank her for all of her on the floor of the House will recognize our best pitcher, and if I can find one work in the Committee on Rules as that is what we are doing. more game to stick him in, believe me, well over these years. As many people know, the States I will. But I want to tell you how much I always think it is really hard to be that have decriminalized can continue; I admire you, how much I like you, a staff member and work for us on the those who have not can continue their how much I revere your career, how Committee on Rules because you have laws as well. much I will miss you as a Member and to listen to all of us go on forever and So I ask my colleagues to support a friend. ever and ever. H.R. 3884 when it comes to the floor. Mr. MCGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, I yield Mr. Speaker, let me just close with Let us do it in unity. myself such time as I may consume. this, and that is I think you and I come I, too, want to take the opportunity, Mr. Speaker, I associate myself with from different parts of the country and very briefly. Mr. WOODALL, I think we the remarks of the distinguished rank- we have very different points of view have seen each other quite frequently, ing member, Mr. COLE. on our politics, but to me, politics either on this floor in debate or in the We are going to miss you, ROB, and should be about conviction, not about Rules Committee. Let me echo the gen- this may be my final opportunity to be political opportunism or flip-flopping erosity and cordialness of your per- able to yield to you during a rules de- with whatever way the prevailing sistent intellect in challenging each bate. The end of Congress is obviously winds are going. and every one of us who came to make rapidly approaching, and you have de- What I have always admired about our case. That is all we can do as cided to retire from Congress after a you is that you feel strongly about Americans and Representatives, is to very distinguished career. We have what you believe in. You know what make our case. spent countless hours not only up in you believe in and you fight for your I join you. Let us work together for a the Committee on Rules, but together convictions, whether it is popular or COVID–19 relief package and have that on this floor debating many conten- not popular. And I agree with Mr. COLE as our legacy as we leave this place. tious issues. My distinguished friend when he said that this institution But I wanted to make sure you knew from Georgia is always very focused, would be better served if we had more that Texans appreciate your great and he is always right on message and Members like you. leadership. Georgians and Texans have he is really quite impressive. Mr. Speaker, I want to say thank a good relationship. Congratulations to Mr. Speaker, every once in a while, you, and I hope you come by the Com- you. Thank you for your service. my mother watches these proceedings, mittee on Rules next time you come Mr. WOODALL. Mr. Speaker, I yield and she will always say: You know, back to Washington, and maybe if I get 4 minutes to the gentlewoman from Ar- that WOODALL guy, he is a very good lost and I am in Georgia, I will stop by izona (Mrs. LESKO), a member of the debater. your firm and we can reminisce. Judiciary Committee and the Rules And I always say: Well, what about Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the Committee. me? I mean, do you have anything nice gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. JACKSON Mrs. LESKO. Mr. Speaker, first, be- to say about your son? LEE). fore I talk about the bill at hand, I

VerDate Sep 11 2014 11:25 Dec 04, 2020 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00016 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K03DE7.032 H03DEPT1 dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with HOUSE December 3, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H6065 want to say just what an honor it has relief bill. This notwithstanding the destroyed hundreds of thousands of been serving with you on the Rules fact that for the last over six months, young Black lives. Black people use Committee, Mr. WOODALL. he has held everything up. We have ac- cannabis no more frequently than You know, I didn’t know Mr. tually sent two major COVID relief Whites, but they are arrested about WOODALL, really, before I served on the bills over to the Senate. So I am hope- four more times, and in some parts of Rules Committee with him, and I found ful. I am going to try to be hopeful the country, it is much, much greater. him to be very witty, a very good de- that, in fact, this is for real. We are still arresting or citing 600,000 bater as well. You do it in such a nice I would also say that the focus of this people a year for something that the way. You really win the debates, but bill is on unfair, unequal, and racist majority of Americans now think you do it with a smile, and you do it in drug laws. I mean, as I said in my open- should be legal. That is why the voters a friendly way. I really appreciate the ing statement, if people want to know in this country took it into their own way you conduct yourself and how you what systemic racism is, look at how hands. That is why today, 99 percent of actually win arguments, but you are our drug laws are enforced in this the American population have some ac- very friendly about it. country. cess to legalized cannabis. I don’t know what your future holds, If you look like me and you were This will help us set up a system but I wish you all of the best. You are caught with a small amount of can- moving forward. It will stop the inter- extremely talented, and it really is an nabis, you would probably get off with ference by the Federal Government for honor to serve with you. a very, very light sentence, if any- research, for banking, for being able to Mr. Speaker, let me talk about the thing. But if the color of your skin promote an opportunity to make this bill. I find it crazy, quite frankly, that were black or brown, it is a whole dif- work properly and not interfere with the American people and small busi- ferent story. what voters in States have decided to nesses are hurting, because of the I mean, our system of drug laws is do in the best interest of their public. COVID crisis, and they need COVID re- what systemic racism is in this coun- I really appreciate our being at this lief, and we are not concentrating on a try. No matter what you think about, point. The legislation was carefully bipartisan COVID relief stimulus pack- you know, States legalizing marijuana crafted over the course of two years age right now that will actually be or not legalizing marijuana, or what- with the Judiciary Committee. It signed into law. ever, I think we all ought to be com- comes on the heels of other legislation, I find it just incredulous that, in- mitted to making sure there is equal like the Safe Banking Act, and we have stead, my Democratic colleagues are justice under our laws. research legislation that is moving for- focusing on legalizing marijuana na- People’s lives were ruined because of ward. Five States, including Arizona, tionwide. the color of their skin and how our just approved it. Sometimes I think that the world is drug laws were enforced. It is wrong. Mr. Speaker, this is a historic mo- turned upside down, when you have a The time has long since passed for us ment. It is an important step towards State—I think Oregon—that bans plas- to do something. That is what this is rationalizing the policy, towards racial tic straws but legalizes cocaine and all about. justice, towards health, so that maybe heroin. It is just insane to me and I So we will work on the COVID relief the parents in my neighborhood don’t think to a majority of my constitu- bill, and I hope that MITCH MCCONNELL have to formulate cannabis medicine ents, whether they be Republican, is sincere in what he said to Speaker to stop their babies from being tor- Independent, or Democrat, quite frank- PELOSI. I believe we will come together tured by extreme seizure disorder. ly. on an omnibus bill to keep our Govern- The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. It is interesting to me—I sit on the ment running, but we also need to ad- YARMUTH). The time of the gentleman Rules Committee and the Judiciary dress issues like this. has expired. Committee—that on a lot of these to- Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the Mr. MCGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, I yield bacco bills that the Democrats have gentleman from Oregon (Mr. BLU- an additional 1 minute to the gen- been promoting, it says, okay, we don’t MENAUER). tleman from Oregon (Mr. BLU- want flavored tobacco. But yet on Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, I MENAUER). marijuana, they don’t seem to care appreciate the gentleman’s comments Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, about that. They don’t care. and his courtesy. that is why a number of States that In this bill, there is nothing about we Listening to my colleague from Ari- haven’t yet legalized cannabis have shouldn’t have flavored edibles or zona sort of made my head hurt. This passed legislation to legalize that. candies or brownies that would be en- legislation does not legalize cannabis This is an opportunity for us to right ticing to children. As far as I know, across the country. What it does is it this historic wrong. This is an oppor- that is not in this bill at all. Yet, we stops the Federal Government from tunity for us to turn the page and move want to ban that with tobacco. This interfering with what States have de- forward without Federal interference makes absolutely no sense to me and cided to do. so that we are not outsourcing the no sense, I think, to the American pub- No small amount of irony, her State product development to Canada or lic. just approved legalizing cannabis. And Israel. It is an opportunity for us to re- At a time when parents are trying to this legislation would prevent the Fed- alize the promise while we realize the get their children back into school eral Government from interfering with notion of racial justice. with an in-person option, because their what her voters decided. I urge, in the strongest possible children are falling so far behind be- I have been waiting for this historic terms, for my colleagues to get in step cause of the lockdowns of schools, here moment for a long time. I was in the with the vast majority of the American we are with a bill that will make it Oregon legislature when we were the public, with what has happened at the easier for these same children to get first State to decriminalize cannabis. I State level, to be able to make this marijuana products. have been working from Bangor, safe, affordable, and healthy, some- I am sorry. I just don’t get it. I don’t Maine, to Santa Barbara ever since thing that will make a big difference understand the motivation. I am abso- trying to end the failed prohibition of for people across the country. It is lutely opposed to this bill. cannabis. something for which time is long over- Mr. MCGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, I yield It is happening today, because it has due, and I herald the day and hope that myself such time as I may consume. been demanded by the voters, by facts, my colleagues will vote for it. Mr. Speaker, I want to respond to my by the momentum behind this issue. Mr. WOODALL. Mr. Speaker, if we good friend from Arizona. I am not sure It is now a $17 billion industry. It em- defeat the previous question, I will she was on the floor earlier when I an- ploys 250,000 people. It is powerful in amend the rule to allow for consider- nounced that, finally, MITCH MCCON- terms of economic development. ation of a bill that will assist our NELL seems willing to want to nego- More important, as my friend from struggling small businesses as we enter tiate a deal, not only on an omnibus Massachusetts said, this is an oppor- the winter months and folks are antici- bill, but he seems to be interested in tunity to strike a blow against the pating increased risks of having to talking about how we can get a COVID failed war on drugs that has literally shut their doors.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 11:25 Dec 04, 2020 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00017 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K03DE7.034 H03DEPT1 dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with HOUSE H6066 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE December 3, 2020 Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous con- It was bicameral, the House and the help with PPE for people who, quite sent to insert the text of my amend- Senate working together, and then the frankly, are running short right now as ment in the CONGRESSIONAL RECORD administration, obviously, signing it we see another surge; help support our immediately prior to the vote on the into law. And that program has proven cities and towns that are struggling; previous question. to be overwhelmingly successful and and help support our restaurants. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there saved so many jobs all over this Na- Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of objection to the request of the gen- tion, including in my district back in my time. tleman from Georgia? Cincinnati. Mr. WOODALL. Mr. Speaker, I yield There was no objection. So I introduced a bill that would do myself the balance of my time. Mr. WOODALL. Mr. Speaker, I yield just that and provide targeted assist- Mr. Speaker, I think about how many 5 minutes to the gentleman from Ohio ance to small businesses that truly times the gentleman from Ohio has (Mr. CHABOT), the ranking Republican still need help. Unfortunately, the been down here to do exactly what he on the Small Business Committee, a Democratic leadership in this body has has just done, which is to say: I have a gentleman who has had great experi- blocked efforts to even have a vote on bill that is ready to go, a bill that I ence bringing together bipartisan this legislation, not just once or twice know will get bipartisan support here groups in an effort to make a difference or three times or a dozen times, but 40 on the floor of the House, a bill my for families back home. times, 4–0. Forty times the Democratic friends in the Senate will be anxious to Mr. CHABOT. Mr. Speaker, I want to leadership has blocked consideration or move, and a bill that I know the Presi- reiterate the comments of the previous having a vote on this. dent will put his signature on. speaker on our side, the gentlewoman Because the Democrats would also I appreciate his efforts in that, and I from Arizona. Mr. WOODALL has made support this. You would have Demo- know it is not a Johnny-come-lately great contributions to this body in the crats and Republicans, once again, commitment to these struggling busi- decade that he has served here. working together and passing this and nesses. I remember when we were sit- He happens to be a classmate of helping small business people all across ting down trying to work out that very mine. We came together in 2010. That the country and, most importantly, the first package in the spring, and the was his first time as a Member of Con- people and families that are supported very productive role that the gen- gress. It was my second time around, by them. tleman from Ohio played in bringing because I lost back in ‘08 after being As we all know, many small busi- people together to get that done. here 14 years. So I have seen Mr. nesses are still uncertain about their You remember that, Mr. Speaker. WOODALL in operation here for the last future. Many are on the verge of clos- We didn’t have a bunch of debates on decade. He has done a tremendous job ing their doors permanently. If that the floor of the House, a bunch of pre- on behalf of not only his constituents continues to happen, communities all vious questions to defeat, a bunch of but for the people of this great Nation. across our great Nation will be abso- amendments designed to confuse or dis- I want to thank him for his dedication lutely devastated. tract. No. We worked it all out to- and hard work for the people that he This should have been dealt with gether, both sides. Both sides, politi- represents and for the people of this months ago. But apparently our Demo- cally here in the House, both sides bi- Nation overall. cratic leadership feels it is more urgent camerally here in the Congress, both Mr. Speaker, 2 weeks ago, I spoke on to vote on legislation to legalize pot ends of Pennsylvania Avenue. this very floor urging action on behalf and to deal with lions and tigers than Why? of our Nation’s 31 million small busi- they do to help those small businesses Because we all felt that sense of ur- nesses, as the ranking member of the that really need the help. That is just gency to get something done, and we House Small Business Committee, for- a shame. did it. merly the Chair of that committee for Today, if we defeat the previous ques- Mr. Speaker, I tell constituents back two terms. tion, we make improvements to the home that the thing most freshmen are I said then that there was no better Paycheck Protection Program, and fi- going to learn in the first 6 months way to celebrate Small Business Satur- nally get additional targeted relief to that they didn’t know when they got day than to deliver much-needed aid, the small businesses all across this here is how hardworking and conscien- again, to the small restaurants and country that are counting on us. Let’s tious all of their colleagues turn out to manufacturers and shops that are not let them down. be. All you see are these faces on FOX many of them just hanging on by a Mr. MCGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, I yield News or MSNBC fussing with one an- thread. myself such time as I may consume. other, but the truth is that behind the That assistance could come in the Mr. Speaker, let me just say to the scenes it is a very powerful orchestra form of the Paycheck Protection Pro- gentleman from Ohio, I think we all of men and women trying to get the gram, the PPP. That program has sup- know what needs to happen, and that is people’s business done. ported over 50 million jobs across this that the Senate majority leader needs Mr. Speaker, I want to say to my great Nation. That is over 50 million to be willing to come to the table and friend from Massachusetts, first and people who didn’t have to worry about sit down and work out a deal. probably most importantly, I wish he how they were going to pay their bills We heard today that the Speaker has was not chairman of the Rules Com- or how they were going to support had a constructive conversation with mittee. I wish a Republican was chair- their families, because of this bipar- him. Hopefully we will end up with man of the Rules Committee because tisan program that we passed here in something that, quite frankly, is going the American people felt in their wis- this body. to help a lot more people than what the dom that Republicans should be run- gentleman is suggesting here. What we ning this institution. There are a lot of b 1445 do know is that nobody has been work- reasons why it didn’t happen. I am not Unfortunately, that program stopped ing harder than the Speaker of the here to place blame on that today. accepting applications almost 4 months House to try to get a COVID relief bill. But I will say to the gentleman that ago, back on August 8, but still has She met around the clock with Sec- if it cannot be a Republican who leads over $130 billion remaining in its cof- retary Mnuchin, with anybody in this the Rules Committee, how pleased I am fers. Millions of small firms across the administration who would be willing to that the gentleman has led the Rules country have utilized the PPP program come to the table. Committee, because his love for this to keep their shops open, to keep pay- Our problem has been the Senate. institution far transcends whatever the ing their employees, and to keep serv- Now, that may be changing today. I political passions of the day are. ing their communities. hope it is. But I would also say that we The Rules Committee has had to do a To me, it seems like common sense have sent over two major COVID relief lot of difficult decisionmaking in this to open the program back up. After all, bills, which, unfortunately, the gen- Congress, Mr. Speaker. I wish we did it was initially crafted, as I mentioned, tleman voted against, which would not have proxy voting in this institu- in a bipartisan way, Republicans and help not just small businesses, but help tion today. We do. That is the product Democrats actually working together. our schools, help our first responders; of a Rules Committee effort. In many

VerDate Sep 11 2014 11:25 Dec 04, 2020 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00018 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K03DE7.035 H03DEPT1 dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with HOUSE December 3, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H6067 cases, the effort of the wisdom of Sol- first time is a step in the right direc- because you are passionate, you are omon trying to figure out how to pro- tion. Having this conversation end smart, and you are effective. You have tect an institution and all of its prac- today, because it is a partisan package served your constituency incredibly tices, where we are just caretakers of that is not well thought through serves well, and you have served this institu- this institution, going to pass it on to none of us. tion incredibly well. the next generation, while we have had Mr. Speaker, I would again encourage Mr. Speaker, going back to what Mr. to grapple with some challenges that my colleagues to defeat the rule so we COLE said at the very beginning, I we never anticipated grappling with, don’t go down that road. think this place would benefit from and hopefully will never have to grap- Mr. Speaker, my friend from Massa- more people of your caliber. And even ple with again. chusetts mentioned Janet Rossi on my though you would like to demote me to Mr. Speaker, the gentleman from team. I have Nick Scoufaras on my ranking member instead of chairman, I Massachusetts has brought an incred- team, sitting beside me. We all are sur- am still going to miss you, and I thank ible amount of not just leadership, but rounded by great people that we get to you for your friendship. You are a good a great amount of love for this institu- work with day in and day out. man, and we are going to miss you a tion, and for the members of his com- When you go to work for a member lot. on the Rules Committee, that means mittee. And I don’t want to embarrass b 1500 the gentleman by pointing out some of you will work early, and you will work these circumstances, but I can go late, and you can work often. It is an Mr. Speaker, the underlying bill de- through a list of times this year where amazing opportunity that we have to serves to be considered and passed. As the gentleman from Massachusetts serve in this institution. It is also an I said earlier, nearly 60 percent of the stood not on behalf of the Democratic amazing opportunity that folks that American public supports this bill. A Caucus, but on behalf of the Rules we get to surround ourselves with have majority of Democrats and a majority Committee against some other under- to serve in this institution. of Republicans throughout the Nation currents in the , There is no more humbling space want this bill passed. Prior Republican Congresses were ap- to stand up on behalf of his 13 members than having someone who can do any- parently fine with turning a deaf ear to and the work that we have to get done thing they want to with his or her life the will of the people. They blocked there together. That’s never an easy say, Rob, I will join you; I will sit here virtually all cannabis-related measures thing to do, and I want to tell the gen- with you; we will work side by side and from getting a vote on the floor year tleman how much I appreciate and no- we will accomplish things together. after year. tice those efforts. While I appreciate the very heartfelt But this majority is not. We believe Mr. Speaker, to do the really big comments from my friend from Massa- in listening to the people we represent. things that we all know need to get chusetts and my friend from Okla- We believe in actually doing something done, not the least of which are on the homa, one thing that occurs to me on about the war on drugs. Its failures committee you and I serve on, the my way out the door is how much less have been staring us in the face for a Budget Committee, it takes strong one would be able to do without all the greatness that folks are surrounded by. very long time. men and women, men and women of Americans came together in record conviction, but also men and women of Mr. Speaker, I get to thank Nick be- cause he is here. I can thank Janet be- numbers following George Floyd’s faith, not just faith in their Lord, but death to fight against systemic racism. faith in this institution that we can cause she is here. But I would just say to each of my colleagues who are here, Combating that means, among other bring out the very best in one another things, reforming our policies toward as opposed to bringing out the very we are all so lucky folks are sur- rounding us in order to help us all lift cannabis. These laws have been used to worst. disproportionately lock up people of Far too often we have bills like the this great Nation up. We often get color for decades. It is past time we one before us today that could be bills sucked into the drumbeat of whatever showed the moral courage to do some- that we were talking about with one the activity of the day is if you have not had an opportunity to recognize thing about it. voice. This is a historic moment. Let us When is the right time to decide that the greatness of those staffers around seize this chance. Let us pass this bill. edible marijuana for our children you, and occasionally even the Mem- I urge everyone to vote ‘‘yes’’ on the should be banned at the Federal level? bers around you, even those who sit on previous question, and I urge a vote of Is it after 50 States have grappled with the other side of the aisle. ‘‘yes’’ on the rule. these decisions? Is it before? Mr. Speaker, there is a lot to be con- The material previously referred to Well, we have made that decision in cerned about in America today, but a by Mr. WOODALL is as follows: terms of alcohol. We have made that lot of opportunities for optimism. And AMENDMENT TO HOUSE RESOLUTION 1244 decision in terms of tobacco. It seems many of those opportunities sit here, At the end of the resolution, add the fol- like the easy time to make that would and sit here, and sit there, and sit here. lowing: be now. But we have not made that de- I am grateful to be a part of that. SEC. 2. Immediately upon adoption of this cision in the underlying bill. We have Mr. Speaker, I would ask my col- resolution, the House shall proceed to the not made those amendments in order. leagues to defeat the previous question consideration in the House of the bill (H.R. Mr. Speaker, I said at the beginning, so that we can bring the Chabot legis- 8265) to amend the Small Business Act and and I will say here at the end: I am lation to the floor. If we can’t defeat the CARES Act to establish a program for glad we are taking up this legislation. the previous question, defeat the rule second draw loans and make other modifica- It offends me, as one who loves the so that we can go back and make sure tions to the paycheck protection program, law, that we ask Federal law enforce- and for other purposes. All points of order all voices are heard. against consideration of the bill are waived. ment officers to enforce one set of rules Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance The bill shall be considered as read. All while the State and local law enforce- of my time. points of order against provisions in the bill ment officers may be enforcing a com- Mr. MCGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, I yield are waived. The previous question shall be pletely different set of rules. It offends myself such time as I may consume. considered as ordered on the bill and on any me that we would put Federal law en- Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman amendment thereto to final passage without forcement officers in harm’s way for an from Georgia for his kind words. I al- intervening motion except: (1) one hour of industry that, as my friend from Mas- most feel like I want to yield him more debate equally divided and controlled by the sachusetts pointed out, is a multibil- time to have the compliments keep chair and ranking minority member of the Committee on Small Business; and (2) one lion-dollar cash cow legalized by State coming. motion to recommit. jurisdictions across the country. The bottom line is that even though SEC. 3. Clause 1(c) of rule XIX shall not I am troubled by having two sets of we disagree on a lot of issues, and apply to the consideration of H.R. 8265. laws in this country. Laws we choose sometimes in our debates you make me Mr. MCGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, I yield to follow and laws we choose not to fol- want to pull the remaining last two back the balance of my time, and I low. This is the institution to solve strands of hair out of my head, the rea- move the previous question on the res- that. Having this discussion for the son why I sometimes feel that way is olution.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 11:25 Dec 04, 2020 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00019 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K03DE7.038 H03DEPT1 dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with HOUSE H6068 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE December 3, 2020 The SPEAKER pro tempore. The ‘‘(37) COMMUNITY ADVANTAGE LOAN PRO- as mostly rural or completely rural in the question is on ordering the previous GRAM.— most recent decennial census; question. ‘‘(A) PURPOSES.—The purposes of the Com- ‘‘(vii) the term ‘service-connected’ has the The question was taken; and the munity Advantage Loan Program are— meaning given the term in section 101(16) of Speaker pro tempore announced that ‘‘(i) to create a mission-oriented loan guar- title 38, United States Code; the ayes appeared to have it. antee program that builds on the dem- ‘‘(viii) the term ‘small business concern in MR. WOODALL. Mr. Speaker, on onstrated success of the Community Advan- an underserved market’ means a small busi- tage Pilot Program of the Administration, as ness concern— that I demand the yeas and nays. established in 2011, to reach more under- ‘‘(I) that is located in— The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- served small business concerns; ‘‘(aa) a low- to moderate-income commu- ant to section 3 of House Resolution ‘‘(ii) to increase lending to small business nity; 965, the yeas and nays are ordered. concerns in underserved and rural markets, ‘‘(bb) a HUBZone; Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, fur- including veterans and members of the mili- ‘‘(cc) a community that has been des- ther proceedings on this question are tary community, small business concerns ignated as an empowerment zone or an en- postponed. owned and controlled by socially and eco- terprise community under section 1391 of the f nomically disadvantaged individuals, Internal Revenue Code of 1986; women, and startups; ‘‘(dd) a community that has been des- COMMUNICATION FROM THE ‘‘(iii) to ensure that the program under ignated as a promise zone by the Secretary CLERK OF THE HOUSE this subsection (in this paragraph referred to of Housing and Urban Development; The SPEAKER pro tempore laid be- as the ‘7(a) loan program’) is more inclusive ‘‘(ee) a community that has been des- fore the House the following commu- and more broadly meets congressional intent ignated as a qualified opportunity zone nication from the Clerk of the House of to reach borrowers who are unable to get under section 1400Z–1 of the Internal Rev- credit elsewhere on reasonable terms and enue Code of 1986; Representatives: conditions; ‘‘(ff) a rural area; or OFFICE OF THE CLERK, ‘‘(iv) to help underserved small business ‘‘(gg) any area for which a disaster declara- HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, concerns become bankable by utilizing the tion or determination described in subpara- Washington, DC, December 3, 2020. small-dollar financing and business support graphs (A), (B), (C), or (E) of subsection (b)(2) Hon. NANCY PELOSI, experience of mission-oriented lenders; has been made that has not terminated or The Speaker, House of Representatives, ‘‘(v) to allow certain mission-oriented expired more than 2 years before the date (or Washington, DC. lenders, primarily nonprofit financial inter- later, as determined by the Administrator) DEAR MADAM SPEAKER: Pursuant to the mediaries focused on economic development on which a loan is made to such concern permission granted in Clause 2(h) of Rule II in underserved markets, to access guaran- under the program; of the Rules of the U.S. House of Representa- tees for loans under this subsection (in this ‘‘(II) for which more than 50 percent of the tives, the Clerk received the following mes- paragraph referred to as ‘7(a) loans’) of not employees reside in a low- or moderate-in- sage from the Secretary of the Senate on De- more than $250,000 and provide management come community; cember 3, 2020, at 11:44 a.m.: and technical assistance to small business ‘‘(III) that is a startup or new business; That the Senate agrees to the House concerns as needed; ‘‘(IV) owned and controlled by socially and amendment to the bill S. 910. ‘‘(vi) to provide certainty for the lending economically disadvantaged individuals, in- That the Senate agrees to the House partners that make loans under this sub- cluding Black Americans, Hispanic Ameri- amendment to the bill S. 1069. That the Senate passed S. 434. section and to attract new lenders; and cans, Native Americans, Asian Pacific Amer- That the Senate passed S. 496. ‘‘(vii) to encourage collaboration between icans, and other minorities; That the Senate passed S. 578. mission-oriented and conventional lenders ‘‘(V) owned and controlled by women; That the Senate passed with an amend- under this subsection in order to support un- ‘‘(VI) owned and controlled by veterans; ment H.R. 1044. derserved small business concerns. ‘‘(VII) owned and controlled by service-dis- That the Senate passed without amend- ‘‘(B) DEFINITIONS.—In this paragraph— abled veterans; ment H.R. 3349. ‘‘(i) the term ‘covered institution’ means— ‘‘(VIII) not less than 51 percent owned and That the Senate passed without amend- ‘‘(I) a development company, as defined in controlled by one or more— ment H.R. 3465. section 103 of the Small Business Investment ‘‘(aa) members of the Armed Forces par- With best wishes, I am, Act of 1958 (15 U.S.C. 662), participating in ticipating in the Transition Assistance Pro- Sincerely, the 504 Loan Guaranty program established gram of the Department of Defense; CHERYL L. JOHNSON, under title V of such Act (15 U.S.C. 695 et ‘‘(bb) Reservists; Clerk. seq.); ‘‘(cc) spouses of veterans, members of the f ‘‘(II) a nonprofit intermediary, as defined Armed Forces, or Reservists; or in subsection (m)(12), participating in the ‘‘(dd) surviving spouses of veterans who ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER microloan program under subsection (m); died on active duty or as a result of a serv- PRO TEMPORE ‘‘(III) a non-Federally regulated entity cer- ice-connected disability; or The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- tified as a community development financial ‘‘(IX) that is eligible to receive a veterans ant to clause 8 of rule XX, the Chair institution by the Community Development advantage loan; will postpone further proceedings Financial Institutions Fund established ‘‘(ix) the term ‘small business concern today on motions to suspend the rules under section 104(a) of the Riegle Commu- owned and controlled by socially and eco- nity Development and Regulatory Improve- nomically disadvantaged individuals’ has the on which the yeas and nays are or- ment Act of 1994 (12 U.S.C. 4703(a)); and meaning given the term in section 8(d)(3)(C); dered. ‘‘(IV) an eligible intermediary, as defined ‘‘(x) the term ‘startup’ means a business The House will resume proceedings in subsection (l)(1), as in effect on the day that has not yet opened; and on postponed questions at a later time. before the date of enactment of this para- ‘‘(xi) the term ‘veterans advantage loan’ f graph, that participated in the Intermediary means a loan made to a small business con- Lending Pilot Program established under cern under this subsection that is eligible for COMMUNITY ADVANTAGE LOAN subsection (l)(2); a waiver of the guarantee fee under para- PROGRAM ‘‘(ii) the term ‘existing business’ means a graph (18) or the yearly fee under paragraph Ms. VELA´ ZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I small business concern that has been in ex- (23) because the small business concern is a move to suspend the rules and pass the istence for not less than 2 years on the date concern described in subclause (VI), (VII), or bill (H.R. 7903) to amend the Small on which a loan is made to the small busi- (VIII) of clause (viii). ness concern under the program; ‘‘(C) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is established Business Act to establish the Commu- ‘‘(iii) the term ‘new business’ means a a Community Advantage Loan Program nity Advantage Loan Program, as small business concern that has been exist- under which the Administration may guar- amended. ence for not more than 2 years on the date on antee loans made by covered institutions The Clerk read the title of the bill. which a loan is made to the small business under this subsection, including loans made The text of the bill is as follows: concern under the program; to small business concerns in underserved H.R. 7903 ‘‘(iv) the term ‘program’ means the Com- markets. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- munity Advantage Loan Program estab- ‘‘(D) PROGRAM LEVELS.—In each of fiscal resentatives of the United States of America in lished under subparagraph (C); years 2021 through 2025, not more than 10 Congress assembled, ‘‘(v) the term ‘Reservist’ means a member percent of the number of loans guaranteed SECTION 1. COMMUNITY ADVANTAGE LOAN PRO- of a reserve component of the Armed Forces under this subsection may be guaranteed GRAM. named in section 10101 of title 10, United under the program. Section 7(a) of the Small Business Act (15 States Code; ‘‘(E) NEW LENDERS.— U.S.C. 636(a)) is amended by adding at the ‘‘(vi) the term ‘rural area’ means any coun- ‘‘(i) FISCAL YEARS 2021 AND 2022.—In each of end the following: ty that the Bureau of the Census has defined fiscal years 2021 and 2022—

VerDate Sep 11 2014 11:25 Dec 04, 2020 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00020 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K03DE7.041 H03DEPT1 dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with HOUSE December 3, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H6069 ‘‘(I) not more than 150 covered institutions interface between the covered institutions as part of the weekly reports on lending ap- shall participate in the program; and and the Administration; provals under this subsection— ‘‘(II) the Administrator shall allow for new ‘‘(ii) shall ensure that the training and ‘‘(aa) on and after the date of enactment of applicants and give priority to applications technical assistance described in clause (i) is this paragraph until the date on which the submitted by any covered institution that is provided for free or at a low-cost; and regulations promulgated under subparagraph located in an area with insufficient lending ‘‘(iii) may enter into a contract to provide (L)(i) take effect, the number and dollar under the program. the training or technical assistance de- amount of loans guaranteed under the Com- ‘‘(ii) FISCAL YEARS 2023, 2024, AND 2025.— scribed in clause (i) with an organization munity Advantage Pilot Program of the Ad- ‘‘(I) IN GENERAL.—In each of fiscal years with expertise in lending under this sub- ministration; and 2023, 2024, and 2025— section, mission-oriented lending, and lend- ‘‘(bb) on and after the date on which the ‘‘(aa) except as provided in subclause (II), ing to underserved markets. Administration begins to approve loans not more than 175 covered institutions shall ‘‘(K) DELEGATED AUTHORITY.—A covered in- under the program, the number and dollar participate in the program; and stitution is not eligible to receive delegated amount of loans guaranteed under the pro- ‘‘(bb) the Administrator shall allow for authority from the Administration under the gram. new applicants and give priority to applica- program until the covered institution makes ‘‘(II) SEPARATE ACCOUNTING.—The number tions submitted by any covered institution not less than 7 loans under the program. and dollar amount of loans reported in a weekly report under subclause (I) for loans that is located in an area with insufficient ‘‘(L) REGULATIONS.— guaranteed under the Community Advantage lending under the program. ‘‘(i) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days Pilot Program of the Administration and ‘‘(II) EXCEPTION FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025.—In after the date of enactment of this paragraph under the program shall include a breakdown fiscal year 2025, not more than 200 covered and in accordance with the notice and com- by the categories of race, ethnicity, and gen- institutions may participate in the program ment procedures under section 553 of title 5, der of the owners of the small business con- if— United States Code, the Administrator shall cerns. ‘‘(aa) after reviewing the report under sub- promulgate regulations to carry out the pro- ‘‘(ii) ANNUAL REPORTS.— paragraph (M)(iii), the Administrator deter- gram, which shall— ‘‘(I) IN GENERAL.—For each of the first 5 mines that not more than 200 covered insti- ‘‘(I) outline the requirements for participa- fiscal years in which the program is in effect, tutions may participate in the program; tion by covered institutions in the program; the Administration shall submit to the Com- ‘‘(bb) the Administrator notifies Congress ‘‘(II) define performance metrics for cov- mittee on Small Business and Entrepreneur- in writing of the determination of the Ad- ered institutions participating in the pro- ship of the Senate and the Committee on ministrator under item (aa); and gram for the first time, which are required Small Business of the House of Representa- ‘‘(cc) not later than July 30, 2024, the Ad- to be met in order to continue participating tives, and make publicly available on the ministrator notifies the public of the deter- in the program; internet, information about loans provided mination of the Administrator under item ‘‘(III) determine the credit score of a small under the program and under the Commu- (aa). business concern under which the Adminis- nity Advantage Pilot Program of the Admin- ‘‘(F) GRANDFATHERING OF EXISTING LEND- tration is required to underwrite a loan pro- istration. ERS.—Any covered institution that partici- vided to the small business concern under ‘‘(II) CONTENTS.—Each report submitted pated in the Community Advantage Pilot the program and the loan may not be made and made publicly available under subclause Program of the Administration and is in using the delegated authority of a covered (I) shall include— good standing on the day before the date of institution; ‘‘(aa) the number and dollar amounts of enactment of this paragraph— ‘‘(IV) require each covered institution that loans provided to small business concerns ‘‘(i) shall retain designation in the pro- sells loans made under the program on the under the program and under the Commu- gram; and secondary market to establish a loan loss re- nity Advantage Pilot Program of the Admin- ‘‘(ii) shall not be required to submit an ap- serve fund, which— istration, including a breakdown by— plication to participate in the program. ‘‘(aa) with respect to covered institutions ‘‘(AA) the gender of the owners of the ‘‘(G) REQUIREMENT TO MAKE LOANS TO UN- in good standing, including the covered insti- small business concern; DERSERVED MARKETS.—Not less than 75 per- tutions described in subparagraph (F), shall ‘‘(BB) the race and ethnicity of the owners cent of loans made by a covered institution be maintained at a level equal to 3 percent of of the small business concern, disaggregated under the program shall consist of loans the outstanding guaranteed portion of the in a manner that captures all the racial made to small business concerns in under- loans; and groups specified in the American Community served markets. ‘‘(bb) with respect to any other covered in- Survey conducted by the Bureau of the Cen- ‘‘(H) MAXIMUM LOAN AMOUNT.— stitution, shall be maintained at a level sus; ‘‘(i) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in equal to 5 percent of the outstanding guaran- ‘‘(CC) whether the small business concern clause (ii), the maximum loan amount for a teed portion of the loans; and is located in an urban or rural area; and loan guaranteed under the program is ‘‘(V) allow the Administrator to require ‘‘(DD) whether the small business concern $250,000. additional amounts to be deposited into a is a startup, an existing business, or a new ‘‘(ii) EXCEPTION.— loan loss reserve fund established by a cov- business, as provided in the weekly reports ‘‘(I) IN GENERAL.—The Administration ered institution under subclause (IV) based on lending approvals under this subsection; may, in the discretion of the Administration, on the risk characteristics or performance of ‘‘(bb) the proportion of loans described in approve a guarantee of a loan under the pro- the covered institution and the loan port- item (aa) compared to— gram that is more than $250,000 and not more folio of the covered institution. ‘‘(AA) other 7(a) loans of any amount; than $350,000. ‘‘(ii) PILOT PROGRAM.— ‘‘(BB) other 7(a) loans of similar amounts; ‘‘(II) NOTIFICATION.—Not later than 2 days ‘‘(I) REVERSION.—Beginning on the date of ‘‘(CC) express loans provided under para- after approving the guarantee of a loan enactment of this paragraph and ending on graph (31) of similar amounts; and under subclause (I), the Administration shall the day before the date on which the regula- ‘‘(DD) other 7(a) loans of similar amounts provide notification of the approval to the tions promulgated by the Administrator provided to small business concerns in un- covered institution making the loan. under clause (i) take effect, the Adminis- derserved markets; ‘‘(I) INTEREST RATES.— trator may only carry out the Community ‘‘(cc) a comparison of the number and dol- ‘‘(i) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in Advantage Pilot Program of the Administra- lar amounts of loans provided to small busi- clause (ii), the maximum allowable interest tion based on applicable program guidelines, ness concerns under the program, under the rate prescribed by the Administration on requirements, and other policy in effect on Community Advantage Pilot Program of the any financing made on a deferred basis pur- September 1, 2018, except that the definition Administration, and under each category of suant to the program shall not exceed the of underserved market shall include— loans described in item (bb), broken down maximum allowable interest rate in effect ‘‘(aa) a community and an area described by— on September 1, 2018. in items (ee) and (ff), respectively, of sub- ‘‘(AA) loans of not more than $50,000; ‘‘(ii) MODIFICATION.—The Administration paragraph (B)(viii)(I); and ‘‘(BB) loans of more than $50,000 and not shall not modify the maximum allowable in- ‘‘(bb) small business concerns described in more than $150,000; terest rate described in clause (i) unless the clauses (IV) and (V) of subparagraph ‘‘(CC) loans of more than $150,000 and not Administration provides the public with an (B)(viii). more than $250,000; and opportunity to comment for a period of not ‘‘(II) TERMINATION.—Beginning on the date ‘‘(DD) loans of more than $250,000 and not less than 180 days before implementing the on which the regulations promulgated by the more than $350,000; modified interest rate. Administrator under clause (i) take effect, ‘‘(dd) the number and dollar amounts of ‘‘(J) TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.— the Administrator may not carry out the loans provided to small business concerns The Administration— Community Advantage Pilot Program of the under the program and under the Commu- ‘‘(i) shall in person and online, provide up- Administration. nity Advantage Pilot Program of the Admin- front and ongoing training and technical as- ‘‘(M) REPORTING.— istration by State, and the jobs created or sistance for covered institutions making ‘‘(i) WEEKLY REPORTS.— retained within each State; loans under the program in order to support ‘‘(I) IN GENERAL.—The Administration shall ‘‘(ee) with respect to loans provided to prudent lending standards and improve the report on the website of the Administration, small business concerns under the program

VerDate Sep 11 2014 11:25 Dec 04, 2020 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00021 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A03DE7.007 H03DEPT1 dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with HOUSE H6070 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE December 3, 2020 and under the Community Advantage Pilot ‘‘(IV) institute regular and sustainable sys- rates for minority-owned firms were Program of the Administration— tems of communication between the Admin- about three times higher compared to ‘‘(AA) the performance of the loans pro- istration and covered institutions partici- those of nonminority-owned firms with vided by each type of covered institution; pating in the program. gross receipts under $500,000. ‘‘(BB) the performance of the loans broken ‘‘(ii) REPORT.—Not later than 180 days after down by loan size; the date of enactment of this paragraph, the To that end, the Community Advan- ‘‘(CC) the performance of the loans broken Administrator shall submit to the Com- tage program partners with SBA’s cer- down by whether the credit score of the bor- mittee on Small Business and Entrepreneur- tified development companies, SBA rower is above, below, or equal to 140; ship of the Senate and the Committee on microlenders, and community develop- ‘‘(DD) the predictive purchase rate of the Small Business of the House of Representa- ment financial institutions, or CDFIs, loans; tives a report that includes— all of which have deep relationships in ‘‘(EE) the early default rate of the loans; ‘‘(I) the recommendations of the Commu- the neighborhoods and can expand ac- ‘‘(FF) the 12-month default rate of the nity Advantage Working Group established loans; cess to capital in these areas. under clause (i); and The Community Advantage program ‘‘(GG) the cumulative default rate for the ‘‘(II) a recommended plan and timeline for loans for the 5-year period preceding the re- implementation of those recommendations. reaches significantly more women and port; ‘‘(O) TERMINATION.—The authority to carry minorities than traditional 7(a) loan ‘‘(HH) the charge-off rates of the loans; out the program under this paragraph shall programs, which will be critical to ‘‘(II) the charge-off rates as a percent of terminate on September 30, 2025.’’. helping these groups that were hit es- the unpaid principal balance as in table 9 of The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- pecially hard by the COVID–19 pan- the annual budget submitted by the Admin- demic. istration; and ant to the rule, the gentlewoman from ‘‘(JJ) the purchase rates as a percent of the New York (Ms. VELA´ ZQUEZ) and the To fill gaps in lending, it is impera- unpaid principal balance as in table 8 of the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. CHABOT) tive that we empower the community annual budget submitted by the Administra- each will control 20 minutes. lenders with the strongest relation- tion; The Chair recognizes the gentle- ships in these areas. We can accomplish ‘‘(ff) a list of covered institutions partici- woman from New York. this by passing the bill before us today pating in the program and the Community GENERAL LEAVE to bring stability and long-needed rec- Advantage Pilot Program of the Administra- Ms. VELA´ ZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I ask ognition to a program that has success- tion, including— ‘‘(AA) the name, location, and contact in- unanimous consent that all Members fully delivered over $770 million in cap- formation, such as the website and telephone may have 5 legislative days in which to ital since its inception. number, of each covered institution; and revise and extend their remarks and in- I thank Ms. CHU and Mr. SPANO for ‘‘(BB) a breakdown by the number and dol- clude extraneous material on the meas- working in a bipartisan manner on this lar amount of the loans approved for small ure under consideration. important legislation. business concerns; and The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there Mr. Speaker, I recommend a ‘‘yes’’ ‘‘(gg) the benchmarks established by the objection to the request of the gentle- vote to all of my colleagues in the working group under subparagraph (N)(i). woman from New York? House, and I reserve the balance of my ‘‘(III) TIMING.—An annual report required There was no objection. time. under this clause shall— Ms. VELA´ ZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I ‘‘(aa) be submitted and made publicly Mr. CHABOT. Mr. Speaker, I yield available not later than October 15 of each yield myself such time as I may con- myself such time as I may consume. year; and sume. I rise in support of H.R. 7903, as ‘‘(bb) cover the lending activity for the fis- Mr. Speaker, before I begin, I would amended. This is a bill to improve and cal year that ended on September 30 of that like to take a moment to recognize my authorize the SBA’s Community Ad- same year. good friend and colleague, Ranking vantage Loan Program for 5 years. ‘‘(iii) GAO REPORT.—Not later than 3 years Member CHABOT. Mr. CHABOT has led Mr. Speaker, before I get into the after the date of enactment of this para- this committee with me for years. To- business of the day, I would like to graph, the Comptroller General of the United gether, we have worked in a bipartisan States shall submit to the Administrator, mention that, with the passage of these the Committee on Small Business and Entre- manner to pass legislation that will four bills today, our committee has preneurship of the Senate, and the Com- help entrepreneurs across the country produced 35 individual bipartisan mittee on Small Business of the House of launch and grow their small busi- pieces of legislation that have passed Representatives a report— nesses. the House just this Congress. We have ‘‘(I) assessing— STEVE has been an absolute pleasure had similar numbers the previous two ‘‘(aa) the extent to which the program ful- to work with. Not only is he results- Congresses, as well. That is an uncom- fills the requirements of this paragraph; and oriented, but he is strongly committed ‘‘(bb) the performance of covered institu- mon occurrence in a time of divided to bipartisanship and finding common government. tions participating in the program; and ground. While we do not always agree, ‘‘(II) providing recommendations on the The reason we have been so success- administration of the program and the find- Ranking Member CHABOT has always ful in improving the programs that ings under items (aa) and (bb) of subclause respected our views and the need to benefit America’s more than 30 million (I). work together to do the right thing for small businesses is the leadership and ‘‘(N) WORKING GROUP.— America’s small businesses. the bipartisanship of our chairwoman, ‘‘(i) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 90 days The bills we are bringing to the floor NYDIA VELA´ ZQUEZ. after the date of enactment of this para- today represent our committee’s long Now, this is my swan song, so to graph, the Administrator shall establish a tradition of collaboration. Community Advantage Working Group, Turning to the legislation now, I rise speak, here as the ranking member of which shall— in support of the bill before us today, the committee, as I am term-limited ‘‘(I) include— H.R. 7903, which would codify the and, therefore, unable to continue serv- ‘‘(aa) a geographically diverse representa- SBA’s Community Advantage Loan ing in that role. I have had the pleas- tion of members from among covered insti- ure of being on the Small Business tutions participating in the program; and Program. Initially launched in 2011 as a pilot Committee—I am on the Foreign Af- ‘‘(bb) representatives from the Office of fairs Committee and Judiciary Com- Capital Access of the Administration, in- program, Community Advantage pro- cluding the Office of Credit Risk Manage- vides 7(a) loan guarantees to nonprofit mittee, as well—for 12 terms now, rep- ment, the Office of Financial Assistance, and lenders to make loans up to $250,000 to resenting Ohio’s First Congressional the Office of Economic Opportunity; small businesses in underserved mar- District. I have also been fortunate to ‘‘(II) develop recommendations on how the kets. have been the ranking member two of Administration can effectively manage, sup- As we all know, businesses in under- those terms and the chair of the com- port, and promote the program and the mis- served areas have historically strug- mittee two of those terms, as well. sion of the program; gled to access capital through conven- Again, that is why I am term-limited. ‘‘(III) establish metrics of success and In each of those terms that I have benchmarks that reflect the mission and tional credit markets. This is particu- population served by covered institutions larly true for minority-owned small spent in a leadership position on the under the program, which the Administra- businesses. committee, my counterpart was Chair- tion shall use to evaluate the performance of According to the Minority Business woman or Ranking Member those covered institutions; and Development Agency, the loan denial VELA´ ZQUEZ. She has remained a valued

VerDate Sep 11 2014 11:25 Dec 04, 2020 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00022 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A03DE7.007 H03DEPT1 dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with HOUSE December 3, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H6071 friend and a reliable partner to do the gressman ROSS SPANO, does just that check Protection Program, or PPP, things that we needed to do to help the by providing statutory authorization first launched at the start of April, tra- Nation’s small businesses. I sincerely to the Community Advantage program, ditional lenders prioritized their larg- thank her for the partnership that we already a proven and successful pilot est and longstanding clients, making it have forged over the years. program. difficult for underserved businesses to We share a common bond of wanting Thanks to Community Advantage, even submit an application for assist- to do everything in our power to help underserved small businesses, which ance. America’s small businesses, and we typically have the hardest time access- To address this problem, Congress es- have consistently been able to put par- ing loans, can gain access to affordable tablished a set-aside lending authority tisan politics aside and work together financing and technical assistance for community financial institutions to support that goal. So, again, I thank from mission-based, primarily non- like certified development companies, her for her willingness to work with profit lenders through SBA’s 7(a) loan microloan intermediaries, and commu- my staff and me over those years, and guarantee. That means more money in nity development financial institu- I hope and trust that they will be able more communities to keep our busi- tions, many of which are already cer- to continue that relationship with my nesses operating. This is something we tified Community Advantage lenders. replacement, and I think that will hap- need now more than ever. The result was a success, as these non- pen. The Community Advantage program traditional lenders were able to reach Finally, I mentioned staff before. I was first established almost 10 years the underserved businesses and, to- want to thank the longtime Demo- ago as a pilot at the Small Business gether, deliver over 141,000 PPP loans cratic Small Business Committee staff- Administration with the goal of deliv- totaling more than $8.5 billion. ers Melissa Jung, Justin Pelletier, ering capital to the hard-to-reach busi- Now it is time to build on that suc- Naveen Parmar, and Ellen Harrington nesses that need under $250,000 in fi- cess. This legislation before us today for their extraordinary commitment to nancing to grow. Since 2011, the pro- includes measures, with bipartisan bipartisanship over the years, regard- gram has facilitated over $850 million agreement, to make the program even less of who was chair or who was the in loans averaging $140,000 each. Com- stronger. It will expand the definition ranking member. Again, on that com- pare that to the average 7(a) loan of of ‘‘underserved businesses’’ to explic- mittee, we have worked together for $530,000, and it is clear Community Ad- itly include those owned by people of many years now. vantage is meeting a small business color and those located in declared dis- Now, to the business at hand. When need that is unfilled by the traditional aster areas, and it will increase the traditional and conventional lending is 7(a) program. percentage of loans that lenders must out of reach for the Nation’s smallest It has also made a big impact in my make in underserved markets from 60 businesses, they have the opportunity district, where businesses have re- to 75 percent of their portfolios. It will also allow SBA to make loans up to to turn to a number of the SBA’s gov- ceived nearly $10 million in Commu- $350,000 on a case-by-case basis. ernment guaranteed lending programs. nity Advantage loans. That includes For approximately 10 years, the SBA With these improvements and the businesses like Unincorporated Coffee long-term certainty afforded by statu- has been operating a Community Ad- Roasters in Altadena, California, which tory authorization, this bill will make vantage pilot program that combines received a Community Advantage loan the Community Advantage program an access to capital and technical assist- last summer. This business had been in even more powerful tool for closing the ance. The legislation before us today operation for under 2 years, but their credit gap and delivering affordable makes structural changes and improve- Community Advantage loan allowed capital to more small businesses. ments in the program and authorizes it them to expand into the space next With a long and arduous economic re- for 5 years. door and open a second company to covery before us, this bill will help With oversight and reporting require- roast their own coffee beans for the countless small businesses rebuild, and ments in place, this program will con- wholesale market. it will help them to start anew as we tinue to provide access to capital and b 1515 recover from the coronavirus pan- consistency to the Nation’s job cre- demic. They have even added jobs and con- ators who truly need assistance. Mr. Speaker, I thank Congressman tinued to grow during the pandemic. I thank the gentleman from Florida SPANO for his partnership and Chair- That is what can happen when we (Mr. SPANO) and the gentlewoman from woman VELA´ ZQUEZ and Ranking Mem- make small business loans just a little California (Ms. ) for working ber CHABOT for their strong support. I in a bipartisan manner on behalf of the less difficult to access. And it is an ex- also thank the Community Advantage Nation’s smallest firms. They have perience shared by businesses across lenders and borrowers whose success both worked together on this and pre- the country. and testimony over the years have vious legislation, both of them, in the Last year, I chaired a hearing in the powerfully made the case for Congress spirit of bipartisanship on that com- Subcommittee on Investigations, Over- to pass this legislation to authorize the mittee. sight and Regulations to examine the program. Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my col- Community Advantage program. We Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to leagues to support H.R. 7903, which was heard from borrowers and lenders vote ‘‘yes’’ on H.R. 7903. favorably reported out of the com- about the ways that Community Ad- Mr. CHABOT. Mr. Speaker, I yield mittee via voice vote, and I reserve the vantage has closed the credit gap for such time as he may consume to the balance of my time. underserved businesses. gentleman from Florida (Mr. SPANO). Ms. VELA´ ZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I Because of their focus on economic Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman yield such time as she may consume to and community development, the mis- for his service in this body. He has in- the gentlewoman from California (Ms. sion-based lenders that facilitate Com- troduced and supported a number of JUDY CHU), the sponsor of the bill and munity Advantage loans can leverage pieces of legislation and has worked the chair of the Subcommittee on In- their strong relationships within the very hard in his leadership position as vestigations, Oversight and Regula- community to provide accessibility, ranking member of the Oversight, In- tions. guidance, and assistance to the busi- vestigations and Regulations Sub- Ms. JUDY CHU of California. Mr. nesses that too often find themselves committee. I thank him for his service Speaker, I rise today in strong support on the margins without the ability to here. of my bill, H.R. 7903, which would au- access capital from traditional banks. Mr. SPANO. Mr. Speaker, I thank the thorize the Community Advantage As a result, Community Advantage is gentleman from Ohio (Mr. CHABOT) for Loan Program for 5 years. To help our able to reach far more businesses those kind comments. I appreciate that struggling economy, we need a bipar- owned by people of color, women, and very much. tisan bill that gets money to those who veterans than traditional 7(a) loans. I rise today in support of a bill I am need it. This is a proven model, and we can proud to sponsor, H.R. 7903, legislation This bill, which I am proud to have see further evidence in the response to to improve and authorize the SBA’s introduced with my colleague, Con- the COVID–19 pandemic. When the Pay- Community Advantage Loan Program.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 11:25 Dec 04, 2020 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00023 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K03DE7.043 H03DEPT1 dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with HOUSE H6072 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE December 3, 2020 Small businesses are the driver of our Ms. VELA´ ZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, in al- at any time to consider a conference communities, and now, more than ever, most a decade, Community Advantage report to accompany H.R. 6395; that all it is imperative for Congress to support lenders have delivered over $770 million points of order against the conference them. in affordable capital to underserved report and against its consideration be In my home State of Florida, there small businesses across America, as- waived; that the conference report be are over 2.5 million small businesses sisting women- and minority-owned considered as read; and that the pre- employing over 3.5 million Floridians. businesses that have historically strug- vious question be considered as ordered As a former small business owner gled to secure affordable capital on the conference report to its adop- myself and as someone who will be a through traditional means, yet new tion without intervening motion ex- small business owner again very, very lenders are hesitant to participate be- cept: one, 1 hour of debate; and, two, soon, I understand the sacrifice many cause of its pilot status and frequently one motion to recommit if applicable. small business owners make to keep changing rules. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there their doors open and to meet their pay- Today’s bill will remedy these prob- objection to the request of the gen- rolls. I know the challenges that they lems and ultimately grow the CA pro- tleman from Massachusetts? face and the grit that it takes for them gram to deliver more capital to entre- There was no objection. to persevere and the impact that they preneurs who need access to affordable have on our communities. capital the most, especially those se- Among these challenges for many f verely impacted by the COVID–19 pan- small businesses is acquiring the cap- demic. ital that is necessary to finance their 504 MODERNIZATION AND SMALL operations. Mr. Speaker, I applaud the work by the gentlewoman from California (Ms. MANUFACTURER ENHANCEMENT Many of the tools available at the ACT OF 2020 SBA strive to increase access to capital JUDY CHU) and the gentleman from ´ for small businesses that are unable to Florida (Mr. SPANO) for their efforts in Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I receive it through conventional and crafting a bipartisan bill to codify the move to suspend the rules and pass the traditional lending markets. One of Community Advantage program. bill (H.R. 8211) to amend the Small these tools to support small businesses Mr. Speaker, I encourage all my col- Business Investment Act of 1958 to im- is the SBA’s Community Advantage leagues to vote ‘‘yes,’’ and I yield back prove the loan guaranty program, en- Loan Program, which was launched as the balance of my time. hance the ability of small manufactur- a pilot program to assist small busi- The SPEAKER pro tempore. The ers to access affordable capital, and for nesses in historically underserved and question is on the motion offered by other purposes, as amended. rural areas. It targets assistance to the gentlewoman from New York (Ms. The Clerk read the title of the bill. veteran-owned businesses, women- VELA´ ZQUEZ) that the House suspend the The text of the bill is as follows: rules and pass the bill, H.R. 7903, as owned businesses, startups, and under- H.R. 8211 served minority communities, all key amended. job creators. The combination of finan- The question was taken; and (two- Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- resentatives of the United States of America in cial and technical assistance has made thirds being in the affirmative) the Congress assembled, the program a proven game changer for rules were suspended and the bill, as many small businesses. amended, was passed. SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentle- A motion to reconsider was laid on This Act may be cited as the ‘‘504 Mod- ernization and Small Manufacturer Enhance- woman from California (Ms. JUDY CHU) the table. ment Act of 2020’’. for her bipartisan leadership in pro- f viding strategic improvements to this SEC. 2. ADDITIONS TO POLICY GOALS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT COMPANY PRO- program and to move it from a pilot CONFERENCE REPORT ON H.R. 6395, GRAM. program to an authorized program for WILLIAM M. (MAC) THORNBERRY Section 501(d)(3) of the Small Business In- the next 5 years. NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZA- vestment Act of 1958 (15 U.S.C. 695(d)(3)) is The improvements included in H.R. TION ACT FOR 2021 amended— 7903 will ensure the program serves Ms. KENDRA S. HORN of Oklahoma (1) by redesignating subparagraphs (A) through (L) as subparagraphs (B) through businesses truly in need of SBA serv- submitted the following conference re- ices. Specifically, H.R. 7903 defines the (M), respectively; port and statement on the bill (H.R. (2) by inserting before subparagraph (B) (as program with congressional intent. It 6395) to authorize appropriations for outlines how Community Advantage so redesignated) the following: fiscal year 2021 for military activities ‘‘(A) workforce development through work- lenders must operate within the pro- of the Department of Defense, for mili- based or work-integrated training, which gram and details loan terms and other tary construction, and for defense ac- shall be satisfied by demonstrating that a requirements. tivities of the Department of Energy, small business concern that is a subject of Mr. Speaker, I also thank the chair- the project has— to prescribe military personnel woman and the ranking member for ad- ‘‘(i) a documented in-house training pro- strengths for such fiscal year, and for vancing this important legislation that gram, the duration of which is not shorter other purposes. will strengthen and improve the Com- than 12 weeks; or munity Advantage Loan Program. (For conference report and state- ‘‘(ii) entered into a contract with an enti- ty— Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to ment, see proceedings of the House of December 3, 2020, published in Book II.) ‘‘(I) to provide trained applicants for any support the bill. open position of employment at the small Mr. CHABOT. Mr. Speaker, this is a f business concern; and good bill that deserves our support. ‘‘(II) that ensures that any applicant pro- The SBA’s Community Advantage pro- MAKING IN ORDER AT ANY TIME vided to the small business concern under gram provides both financial and tech- CONSIDERATION OF CON- subclause (I) has undergone not fewer than 12 nical assistance to our Nation’s small- FERENCE REPORT ON H.R. 6395, weeks of training that is relevant to the est firms. It is a great program that WILLIAM M. (MAC) THORNBERRY open position described in that subclause,’’; (3) by amending subparagraph (D) (as so re- has proven results. NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZA- TION ACT FOR 2021 designated) to read as follows: Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to ‘‘(D) expansion of minority-owned, em- support this bill, and I yield back the Mr. MCGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, I ask ployee-owned, or women-owned business de- balance of my time. unanimous consent that it be in order velopment,’’;

VerDate Sep 11 2014 13:50 Dec 04, 2020 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00024 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K03DE7.045 H03DEPT1 dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with HOUSE December 3, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H6073 (4) in subparagraph (L) (as so redesig- ‘‘(I) Reduce the amount of standby debt be- with respect to the program established nated), by striking ‘‘producers, or’’ and in- fore the closing as a result of regularly under this title, district counsels of the Ad- serting ‘‘producers,’’; scheduled payments. ministration shall be subject to the same re- (5) in subparagraph (M) (as so redesig- ‘‘(J) Reduce the cost of the project with re- quirements, and shall have the same author- nated), by striking the period at the end and spect to which the loan is made. ity and responsibilities, as in effect with re- inserting a comma; ‘‘(2) FEES.—The Administrator shall— spect to that program on the day before the (6) by inserting after subparagraph (M) the ‘‘(A) issue a rule regarding the amount of date of enactment of this section, except following new subparagraphs: a closing fee that may be financed in a de- that— ‘‘(N) enhanced ability for small business benture that is issued by a certified develop- ‘‘(1) the Office of Credit Risk Management concerns to reduce costs by using energy ef- ment company to make one or more loans to of the Administration shall have the respon- ficient products and generating renewable small business concerns, the proceeds of sibility for all duties relating to conducting energy, which are used by that concern for the pur- file reviews of loans made under this title; ‘‘(O) aid revitalizing of any area for which poses described in subsection (a), except that and a disaster has been declared or determined such amount shall be not less than $3,500; ‘‘(2) district counsels of the Administration under subparagraph (A), (B), (C), or (E) of and shall not have any responsibility relating to section 7(b)(2) of the Small Business Act, or ‘‘(B) periodically update the rule issued the review of closing packages with respect ‘‘(P) expansion of small business concerns under subparagraph (A). to a loan made under this title. with 10 or fewer employees.’’; and ‘‘(3) NO ADVERSE CHANGE AND FINANCIAL ‘‘(b) DESIGNATED ATTORNEYS.—For the pur- (7) in the flush text following subparagraph STATEMENT.—Before the closing with respect poses of this title, the following provisions (P), as added by paragraph (6), by striking to a loan made under subsection (a), the bor- and requirements shall apply with respect to ‘‘subparagraphs (J) and (K)’’ and inserting rower and any operating company shall— a designated attorney of a certified develop- ‘‘subparagraphs (K) and (L)’’. ‘‘(A) make the certification required under ment company: section 120.892 of title 13, Code of Federal ‘‘(1) A designated attorney that meets the SEC. 3. INCREASE IN LOAN AMOUNTS FOR MANU- requirements determined under paragraph FACTURING LOANS. Regulations, or any successor regulation; and (2) shall be responsible for certifying docu- Section 502 of the Small Business Invest- ‘‘(B) submit to the certified development ments relating to the closing of a loan de- ment Act of 1958 (15 U.S.C. 696) is amended— company a financial statement that is not scribed in this title. (1) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), more than 180 days old, which the company ‘‘(2) The Administrator may determine any by striking ‘‘The Administration’’ and in- shall certify not later than 120 days before continuing education requirements that the serting the following: the date on which the certified development designated attorney shall be required to sat- ‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Administration’’; company issues a debenture with respect to isfy in order to be permitted to close a loan and the project to which the loan relates. made under this title. ‘‘(3) If, as of the date of enactment of this (2) in subsection (a), as so designated— ‘‘(c) EXPRESS PROGRAM.—An accredited (A) in paragraph (2)(A)— lender certified company may, with respect section, a certified development company (i) in the matter preceding clause (i), by to a covered loan, take any of the following does not have a designated attorney, during striking ‘‘section’’ and inserting ‘‘sub- actions with respect to the loan: the 270-day period beginning on that date of section’’; and ‘‘(1) Any action described in any of sub- enactment, the certified development com- (ii) in clause (iii), by striking ‘‘$5,500,000’’ paragraphs (A) through (J) of subsection pany may identify such an attorney, subject and inserting ‘‘$6,500,000’’; and (b)(1). to the approval of the Administrator.’’. (B) in paragraph (3)(A), by striking ‘‘this ‘‘(2) If the borrower is not delinquent with SEC. 5. CERTIFIED DEVELOPMENT COMPANY section’’ and inserting ‘‘this subsection’’. respect to the loan payments— LOANS FOR SMALL MANUFACTUR- ERS. SEC. 4. IMPROVEMENTS TO 504 LOAN CLOSING ‘‘(A) permit the loan to subordinate to a (a) CONTRIBUTION REQUIREMENT.—Section PROCEDURE. new third-party lender loan for the purposes 502(a)(3)(C) of the Small Business Investment Title V of the Small Business Investment of refinancing that third-party lender loan, Act of 1958, as designated by section 3, is Act of 1958 (15 U.S.C. 695 et seq.) is amend- except that no refinanced amount with re- amended— ed— spect to the loan may be increased in order (1) by redesignating clauses (i), (ii), (iii), (1) in section 502, as amended by section 3, to provide cash to the borrower; and (iv) as subclauses (I), (II), (III), and (IV), by adding at the end the following new sub- ‘‘(B) permit a new party to assume respon- respectively, and adjusting the margins of sections: sibility for the loan if the original borrower such subclauses accordingly; ‘‘(b) CLOSING.— remains on the loan as the original guar- (2) by inserting before subclause (I), as so ‘‘(1) AUTHORITY OF CERTAIN DEVELOPMENT antor; redesignated, the following: COMPANIES.—An accredited lender certified ‘‘(C) obtain force placed insurance cov- ‘‘(i) for a small business concern that is company may take any of the following ac- erage for the loan if the borrower has al- not a small manufacturer (as defined in sec- tions to facilitate the closing of a loan made lowed insurance coverage with respect to the tion 501(e)(7))—’’; under subsection (a): loan to lapse; and (3) in subclause (III), as so redesignated, by ‘‘(A) Reallocate the cost of the project ‘‘(D) endorse an insurance check with re- striking ‘‘clauses (i) and (ii)’’ and inserting with respect to which the loan is made in an spect to the property that is financed by the ‘‘subclauses (I) and (II)’’; amount that is not more than 10 percent of loan in an amount that is less than $100,000. (4) in subclause (IV) as so redesignated, by the overall cost of the project. ‘‘(3) Certify that the loan is compliant with striking the period and the end and inserting ‘‘(B) Correct any name that is applicable to the appraisal requirements and environ- ‘‘; or’’; and the loan, including the name of any bor- mental policies and procedures applicable to (5) by adding at the end the following: rower, guarantor, eligible passive company the loan under Standard Operating Proce- ‘‘(ii) for a small manufacturer (as defined described in subparagraph (C)(i), and oper- dure 50 10 6 of the Administration, effective in section 501(e)(7))— ating company described in subparagraph August 28, 2020, or any successor Standard ‘‘(I) at least 5 percent of the total cost of (C)(ii). Operating Procedure. the project financed, if the small business ‘‘(C) Form any of the following to receive ‘‘(d) DEFINITIONS.—In this section— concern has been in operation for a period of proceeds of the loan: ‘‘(1) the term ‘accredited lender certified 2 years or less; ‘‘(i) An eligible passive company that com- company’ means a certified development ‘‘(II) at least 5 percent of the total cost of plies with section 120.111 of title 13, Code of company that meets the requirements under the project financed, if the project involves a Federal Regulations, or any successor regu- section 507(b), including a certified develop- limited or single purpose building or struc- lation. ment company that the Administration has ture; ‘‘(ii) If an eligible passive company is designated as an accredited lender under ‘‘(III) at least 10 percent of the total cost of formed under clause (i), an operating com- such section 507(b); and the project financed if the project involves pany with respect to that eligible passive ‘‘(2) the term ‘covered loan’— both of the conditions set forth in subclauses company. ‘‘(A) means a loan made under subsection (I) and (II); or ‘‘(D) Correct the address of any property (a) in an amount that is not more than ‘‘(IV) at least 5 percent of the total cost of with respect to which the loan is made. $500,000; and the project financed, in all other cir- ‘‘(E) Correct the name of any interim lend- ‘‘(B) does not include a loan made to a bor- cumstances, at the discretion of the develop- er or third-party lender. rower that is a franchise that, or is in an in- ment company.’’. ‘‘(F) Change any third-party lender or in- dustry that, has a high rate of default, as an- (b) CREATION OR RETENTION OF JOBS RE- terim lender if that lender is a financial in- nually determined by the Administrator.’’; QUIREMENT.—Section 501(e) of the Small stitution that is regulated by the Federal and Business Investment Act of 1958 (15 U.S.C. Government or a State government. (2) by adding at the end the following new 695(e)) is amended— ‘‘(G) Make a guarantor a co-borrower or a section: (1) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘creates or co-borrower a guarantor. ‘‘SEC. 511. CLOSING AND OVERSIGHT. retains’’ and all that follows through the pe- ‘‘(H) Add a guarantor that does not change ‘‘(a) SBA DISTRICT COUNSELS.—Beginning riod at the end and inserting ‘‘creates or re- ownership with respect to the loan. on the date of enactment of this section, tains 1 job for every $75,000 guaranteed by

VerDate Sep 11 2014 12:28 Dec 04, 2020 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00025 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A03DE7.111 H03DEPT1 dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with HOUSE H6074 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE December 3, 2020 the Administration, except that the amount ing paragraphs (4) and (5) and inserting the SEC. 8. LOW-INTEREST REFINANCING UNDER is $150,000 in the case of a project of a small following new paragraphs: THE LOCAL DEVELOPMENT BUSI- NESS LOAN PROGRAM. manufacturer.’’; ‘‘(4) NEW FACILITIES.— (2) in paragraph (2), by striking ‘‘creates or ‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—With respect to a (a) EXPANSIONS.—Section 502(a)(7)(B) of the retains’’ and all that follows through the pe- project to construct a new facility, an as- Small Business Investment Act of 1958, as riod at the end and inserting ‘‘creates or re- sisted small business concern may perma- designated by section 3 and amended by sec- tains 1 job for every $75,000 guaranteed by nently lease not more than 20 percent of the tion 5(d), is further amended— the Administration, except that the amount project if such concern— (1) in the matter preceding clause (i), by is $150,000 in the case of a project of a small ‘‘(i) permanently occupies and uses not less striking ‘‘50 percent’’ and inserting ‘‘100 per- manufacturer.’’; than 60 percent of the project; cent’’; and (3) by redesignating paragraph (6) as para- ‘‘(ii) plans to occupy and use an additional (2) in clause (v), by adding ‘‘and’’ at the graph (7); and portion of the project that is not perma- end; (3) by striking clause (vi); and (4) by inserting after paragraph (5) the fol- nently leased not later than 3 years after re- (4) by redesignating clause (vii) as clause lowing: ceipt of assistance under this section; and (vi). ‘‘(6) For a loan for a project directed to- ‘‘(iii) plans to permanently occupy and use ward the creation of job opportunities under 80 percent of the project not later than 10 (b) REPEAL.—Section 521(a) of division E of subsection (d)(1), the Administrator shall years after receipt of such assistance. the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016 publish on the website of the Administration (Public Law 114–113; 129 Stat. 2463; 15 U.S.C. ‘‘(B) SMALL MANUFACTURERS.—With respect the number of jobs created or retained under to an assisted small business concern that is 696 note) is repealed. the project as of the date that is 2 years after a small manufacturer (as defined in section (c) REFINANCING.—Section 502(a)(7) of the the completion (as determined based on in- Small Business Investment Act of 1958, as formation provided by the development com- 501(e)(6)), subparagraph (A)(i) shall apply with ‘50 percent’ substituted for ‘60 percent’. designated by section 3, is amended by add- pany) of the project.’’. ing at the end the following new subpara- ‘‘(5) EXISTING BUILDINGS.—With respect to a (c) COLLATERAL REQUIREMENTS.—Section graph: 502(a)(3)(E)(i) of the Small Business Invest- project to acquire, renovate, or reconstruct an existing building, the following shall ‘‘(C) REFINANCING NOT INVOLVING EXPAN- ment Act of 1958, as designated by section 3, SIONS.— apply: is amended by adding at the end the fol- ‘‘(i) DEFINITIONS.—In this subparagraph— ‘‘(A) OCCUPANCY REQUIREMENTS.—The as- lowing: ‘‘Additional collateral shall not be ‘‘(I) the term ‘borrower’ means a small sisted small business concern may perma- required in the case of a small manufacturer business concern that submits an application nently lease not more than 50 percent of the (as defined in section 501(e)(7)).’’. to a development company for financing project if the concern permanently occupies (d) DEBT REFINANCING.—Section 502(a)(7)(B) under this subparagraph; of the Small Business Investment Act of and uses not less than 50 percent of the ‘‘(II) the term ‘eligible fixed asset’ means 1958, as designated by section 3, is amended project. tangible property relating to which the Ad- in the matter preceding clause (i) by insert- ‘‘(B) EXCEPTION.—The assisted small busi- ministrator may provide financing under ing ‘‘(or in the case of a small manufacturer ness concern may permanently lease more this section; and (as defined in section 501(e)(7)), that does not than 50 percent of the project if— ‘‘(III) the term ‘qualified debt’ means in- exceed 100 percent of the project cost of the ‘‘(i) such concern— debtedness that— expansion)’’ after ‘‘cost of the expansion’’. ‘‘(I) has occupied and used the existing ‘‘(aa) was incurred not less than 6 months (e) AMOUNT OF GUARANTEED DEBENTURE.— building for a consecutive 12-month period before the date of the application for assist- Section 503(a) of the Small Business Invest- before submitting an application for assist- ance under this subparagraph; ment Act of 1958 (15 U.S.C. 697(a)) is amended ance under this section; ‘‘(bb) is a commercial loan; by adding at the end the following: ‘‘(II) agrees to permanently use less than ‘‘(cc) the proceeds of which were used to ‘‘(5) Any debenture issued by a State or 50 percent of the existing building and per- acquire an eligible fixed asset; local development company to a small man- manently lease more than 50 percent for a ‘‘(dd) was incurred for the benefit of the ufacturer (as defined in section 501(e)(7)) consecutive 12-month period after receiving small business concern; and with respect to which a guarantee is made such assistance; and ‘‘(ee) is collateralized by eligible fixed as- under this subsection shall be in an amount ‘‘(III) affirms that the existing building is sets; and equal to not more than 50 percent of the cost appropriate for current and reasonably an- ‘‘(ii) AUTHORITY.—A project that does not of the project with respect to which such de- ticipated needs; and involve the expansion of a small business benture is issued, without regard to whether ‘‘(ii) the development company assisting concern may include the refinancing of good cause has been shown.’’. such project— qualified debt if— SEC. 6. ASSISTANCE FOR SMALL MANUFACTUR- ‘‘(I) provides written notice to the Admin- ‘‘(I) the amount of the financing is not ERS. istrator on the date on which the develop- more than 90 percent of the value of the col- Title V of the Small Business Investment ment company closes the loan for such lateral for the financing, except that, if the Act of 1958 (15 U.S.C. 695 et seq.), as amended project; and appraised value of the eligible fixed assets by section 4(2), is further amended by adding ‘‘(II) once each year during the first 5 years serving as collateral for the financing is less at the end the following new section: of the loan, and once every 2 years for the re- than the amount equal to 125 percent of the ‘‘SEC. 512. ASSISTANCE FOR SMALL MANUFAC- mainder of the loan— amount of the financing, the borrower may TURERS. ‘‘(aa) conducts an examination of the as- provide additional cash or other collateral to ‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator shall sisted small business concern to ensure the eliminate any deficiency; ensure that each district office of the Admin- concern is not a real estate development ‘‘(II) the borrower has been in operation for istration partners with not less than 1 re- business; and all of the 2-year period ending on the date source partner to provide training to small ‘‘(bb) files with the Administrator an anti- the loan application is submitted; and business concerns assigned a North Amer- investor certification signed by the develop- ‘‘(III) for a financing for which the Admin- ican Industry Classification System code for ment company and the assisted small busi- istrator determines there will be an addi- manufacturing on obtaining assistance under ness concern. tional cost attributable to the refinancing of the program carried out under this title, in- ‘‘(C) LEASE TERM.—Any residential lease the qualified debt, the borrower agrees to cluding with respect to the application proc- made under this paragraph shall be for a pay a fee in an amount equal to the antici- ess under that program and partnering with term of not more than 1 year, and any com- pated additional cost. development companies under this title. mercial lease made under this paragraph ‘‘(iii) FINANCING FOR BUSINESS EXPENSES.— ‘‘(b) RESOURCE PARTNER DEFINED.—In this shall be for a term of not more than 5 ‘‘(I) FINANCING FOR BUSINESS EXPENSES.— section, the term ‘resource partner’ means— years.’’. The Administrator may provide financing to ‘‘(1) a small business development center a borrower that receives financing that in- (as defined in section 3 of the Small Business (b) REPORT.—Not later than 5 years after cludes a refinancing of qualified debt under Act); the date of the enactment of this Act, the clause (ii), in addition to the refinancing ‘‘(2) a women’s business center (described Administrator of the Small Business Admin- under clause (ii), to be used solely for the under section 29 of such Act); istration shall submit to Congress a report payment of business expenses. ‘‘(3) a chapter of the Service Corps of Re- analyzing the impact of the amendments ‘‘(II) APPLICATION FOR FINANCING.— An ap- tired Executives (established under section made by this section on access to capital for plication for financing under subclause (I) 8(b)(1)(B) of such Act); and small business concerns (as defined under shall include— ‘‘(4) a Veteran Business Outreach Center ‘‘(aa) a specific description of the expenses section 3 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. (described under section 32 of such Act).’’. for which the additional financing is re- 632)), and recommending whether similar no- SEC. 7. LEASING RULES FOR NEW FACILITIES quested; and AND EXISTING BUILDINGS. tice, examination, and certifications require- ‘‘(bb) an itemization of the amount of each (a) IN GENERAL.—Section 502(a) of the ments should be made to the program estab- expense. Small Business Investment Act of 1958, as lished under section 7(a) of the Small Busi- ‘‘(III) CONDITION ON ADDITIONAL FINANC- designated by section 3, is amended by strik- ness Act (15 U.S.C. 636(a)). ING.—A borrower may not use any part of the

VerDate Sep 11 2014 12:28 Dec 04, 2020 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00026 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A03DE7.111 H03DEPT1 dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with HOUSE December 3, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H6075 financing under this clause for non-business percent. This structure has proved to 8211, the 504 Modernization and Small purposes. be extremely successful for all parties Manufacturing Enhancement Act of ‘‘(iv) LOANS BASED ON JOBS.— involved. 2020. ‘‘(I) JOB CREATION AND RETENTION GOALS.— However, earlier this Congress, our I would like to thank the ranking ‘‘(aa) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator may provide financing under this subparagraph Investigations, Oversight and Regula- member for being an original cosponsor for a borrower that meets the job creation tions Subcommittee heard from stake- of this bill; the chairwoman, for her goals under subsection (d) or (e) of section holders who expressed concerns with leadership, and to her staff for helping 501. the loan closing process, specifically me and my constituents throughout ‘‘(bb) ALTERNATE JOB RETENTION GOAL.— that delays have caused loans to fall the 116th Congress. The Administrator may provide financing through and businesses to lose out on Our small businesses are suffering. under this subparagraph to a borrower that affordable financing. Every day we see a new wave of busi- does not meet the goals described in item To that end, Ms. CRAIG and Mr. nesses closing their doors. Unemploy- (aa) in an amount that is not more than the ment numbers are rising, and our econ- product obtained by multiplying the number CHABOT have put forth today’s bill to of employees of the borrower by $75,000. streamline the closing process and omy is suffering. ‘‘(II) NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES.—For purposes make compliance easier for CDCs, bor- I hear from constituents daily that of subclause (I), the number of employees of rowers, and third-party lenders alike. their businesses are on their very last a borrower is equal to the sum of— The bill also enhances access to capital leg, and without action to support ‘‘(aa) the number of full- time employees of for small manufacturers by increasing them, they will soon be forced to close. the borrower on the date on which the bor- the maximum 504. Loan amount for These are not simply businesses. These rower applies for a loan under this subpara- small manufacturers from $5.5 million are livelihoods, family traditions, and graph; and priceless contributions to our commu- ‘‘(bb) the product obtained by multi- to $6.5 million. These changes address plying— the issues we have heard in our engage- nities. ‘‘(AA) the number of part-time employees ment with CDCs and their borrowers in It is our job, as Members of Congress, of the borrower on the date on which the bor- our districts. to support these businesses, ensure rower applies for a loan under this subpara- Mr. Speaker, I thank Ms. CRAIG and they survive these troubling times, and graph; by Mr. CHABOT for their hard work and ap- provide them with multiple avenues to ‘‘(BB) the quotient obtained by dividing plaud them for their efforts to make bi- succeed. the average number of hours each part time partisan improvements to this valuable In addition to relief, we need to pass employee of the borrower works each week program. legislation that provides businesses in by 40. various industries opportunities for ‘‘(v) NONDELEGATION.—Notwithstanding Mr. Speaker, I recommend a ‘‘yes’’ section 508(e), the Administrator may not vote to all my colleagues in the House, growth and access to capital. One way permit a premier certified lender to approve and I reserve the balance of my time. we can do this is to build upon the Small Business Administration’s suc- or disapprove an application for assistance b 1530 under this subparagraph. cessful 504 loan program that promotes ‘‘(vi) TOTAL AMOUNT OF LOANS.—The Ad- Mr. CHABOT. Mr. Speaker, I yield economic development, job creation, ministrator may provide not more than a myself such time as I may consume. and retention and expansion of small total of $7,500,000,000 of financing under this I rise in support of H.R. 8211, the 504 businesses. subparagraph for each fiscal year.’’. Modernization and Small Manufacturer The 504 loan program is designed by The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- Enhancement Act of 2020. local certified development companies, ant to the rule, the gentlewoman from Fortunately, many of the SBA’s gov- or CDCs, delivered by those companies, New York (Ms. VELA´ ZQUEZ) and the ernment guaranteed loan programs which are private, nonprofit corpora- gentleman from Ohio (Mr. CHABOT) have a strong track record of producing tions whose entire purpose is to pro- each will control 20 minutes. results. Included near the top of that mote economic development within The Chair recognizes the gentle- list is the 504 loan program. their communities. woman from New York. The SBA’s 504/CDC Loan Program The program backs long-term, fixed- GENERAL LEAVE provides the Nation’s smallest busi- rate loans to support investment in Ms. VELA´ ZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I ask nesses with long-term and fixed-rate fi- major fixed assets through a three-part unanimous consent that all Members nancing. partnership with a local lender. may have 5 legislative days in which to Importantly, for a project to qualify One year ago, in the Subcommittee revise and extend their remarks and in- for this government guarantee loan on Investigation, Oversight, and Regu- clude extraneous material on the meas- program, certain economic develop- lation hearing, CDC lenders spoke ure under consideration. ment goals must be met, including job about their experiences with this loan The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there creation and job retention goals. program and the many issues they objection to the request of the gentle- H.R. 8211 modernizes that program by navigated, we saw areas for improve- woman from New York? expanding the public policy goals to in- ment. There was no objection. clude businesses with 10 employees or One was the lengthy and complex Ms. VELA´ ZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I less, as well as enhancing the program loan closing process which caused yield myself such time as I may con- for small manufacturers. third-party lenders to walk away, sume. I would like to thank the gentle- along with various outdated rules and Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the woman from Minnesota (Ms. CRAIG) for guidelines hindering the financing of bill before us today, H.R. 8211, the 504 working with me in a bipartisan fash- projects. Modernization and Small Manufacturer ion to craft this piece of legislation. In order for small businesses to take Enhancement Act of 2020, a bill that I would also like to thank the chair- advantage of these programs, we must makes important improvements to the woman, Ms. VELA´ ZQUEZ, once again for listen to this feedback and alter our SBA’s 504 Loan Program. advancing this legislation that was fa- programs accordingly. That is why I Over 62 years ago, Congress created vorably reported out of committee introduced H.R. 8211. the 504 Loan Program at SBA to help unanimously; so both Republicans and This bill would make an array of im- America’s small businesses access af- Democrats supporting it. provements to the 504 program, making fordable, long-term capital needed to I urge my colleagues to support this, it more accessible to small businesses purchase land, real estate, heavy ma- which provides crucial updates to the and ultimately driving economic devel- chinery, equipment, and other fixed as- SBA’s program, and I reserve the bal- opment and growth. sets. ance of my time. In a time of economic crisis and un- The program is a true public-private Ms. VELA´ ZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I employment, we must continue to in- partnership. An SBA-backed Certified yield such time as she may consume to vest in our small businesses, specifi- Development Company provides 40 per- the gentlewoman from Minnesota (Ms. cally small manufacturers, in order to cent of the financing; a bank or credit CRAIG), the sponsor of the bill. promote economic development and union provides 50 percent; and the Ms. CRAIG. Mr. Speaker, I rise today the creation and retention of good-pay- small business borrower provides 10 to urge my colleagues to support H.R. ing jobs. We must do everything we can

VerDate Sep 11 2014 12:28 Dec 04, 2020 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00027 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A03DE7.111 H03DEPT1 dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with HOUSE H6076 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE December 3, 2020 to support small manufacturers and en- rules were suspended and the bill, as ‘‘(A) the applicable certified development sure that the SBA programs available amended, was passed. company; to them are operating as effectively A motion to reconsider was laid on ‘‘(B) the designated attorney that closed and efficiently as possible. the table. the loan for the certified development com- In addition, H.R. 8199, the 504 Credit pany; and f ‘‘(C) the Commercial Loan Service Center. Risk Management Improvement Act of 504 CREDIT RISK MANAGEMENT ‘‘(3) If a complete file review conducted 2020, which is also under floor consider- under paragraph (1) reveals a deficiency that ation later today, would further clarify IMPROVEMENT ACT OF 2020 ´ could result in a loss to the Administration, provisions in the 504 program, enhanc- Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I requiring the applicable certified develop- ing its accessibility and effectiveness. move to suspend the rules and pass the ment company or the designated attorney to Mr. Speaker, small businesses are the bill (H.R. 8199) to amend the Small promptly correct the deficiency. heart of this economy, and with the Business Act to enhance the Office of ‘‘(k) SUPERVISION OF CERTIFIED DEVELOP- improvements from H.R. 8211 and H.R. Credit Risk Management, to require MENT COMPANIES.—With respect to the super- 8199, more small businesses will be able the Administrator of the Small Busi- vision of certified development companies— to grow and ultimately contribute to ness Administration to issue rules re- ‘‘(1) an employee of the Office shall— ‘‘(A) be present for, and supervise, the re- the economic landscape of not only lating to environmental obligations of view of any such company that is conducted their communities but this country. certified development companies, and by a contractor of the Office on the premises I urge all of my colleagues to support for other purposes, as amended. of the company; and these bills before us today. The Clerk read the title of the bill. ‘‘(B) supervise the review of any such com- Mr. CHABOT. Mr. Speaker, I have no The text of the bill is as follows: pany that is conducted by a contractor of the other speakers and I am prepared to H.R. 8199 Office that is not conducted on the premises close, so I yield myself the balance of Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- of the company; and my time. resentatives of the United States of America in ‘‘(2) the Administrator shall— Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to Congress assembled, ‘‘(A) develop a timeline for the review by support this bipartisan legislation. As SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. the Office of certified development compa- our Nation’s small businesses continue This Act may be cited as the ‘‘504 Credit nies and the submission of reports regarding Risk Management Improvement Act of 2020’’. those reviews, under which the Adminis- to face numerous capital access chal- trator shall— lenges, the SBA’s existing government SEC. 2. ENHANCEMENTS TO THE OFFICE OF CREDIT RISK MANAGEMENT. ‘‘(i) submit to a certified development guarantee loan programs must be pre- Section 47 of the Small Business Act (15 company a written report of any review of pared to provide assistance. This bill, U.S.C. 657t) is amended— the company not later than 90 days after the H.R. 8211, does just that by expanding (1) by striking subsection (b) and inserting date on which the review is concluded; or the 504/CDC Loan Program’s economic the following: ‘‘(ii) if the Administrator expects to sub- development goals and enhancing the ‘‘(b) DUTIES.—The Office— mit the report after the end of the 90-day pe- program for small manufacturers. ‘‘(1) shall be responsible for— riod described in clause (i), notify the com- This program has a proven record of ‘‘(A) supervising— pany of the expected date of submission of the report and the reason for the delay; and the success, and the improvements ‘‘(i) any lender making loans under section 7(a) (in this section referred to as a ‘7(a) ‘‘(B) if a response by a certified develop- that this legislation delivers will con- lender’); ment company is requested in a report sub- tinue this track record into the future. ‘‘(ii) any Lending Partner or Intermediary mitted under subparagraph (A)(i), require I ask for my colleagues’ support, and participant of the Administration in a lend- the company to submit responses to the Ad- I yield back the balance of my time. ing program of the Office of Capital Access ministrator not later than 45 business days Ms. VELA´ ZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I of the Administration; after the date on which the company re- yield myself such time as I may con- ‘‘(iii) any small business lending company ceives the report. sume. or a non-Federally regulated lender without ‘‘(l) ENFORCEMENT AUTHORITY AGAINST CER- The SBA’s 504 program has enjoyed a regard to the requirements of section 23; and TIFIED DEVELOPMENT COMPANIES.— track record of success in delivering af- ‘‘(iv) any certified development company ‘‘(1) INFORMAL ENFORCEMENT AUTHORITY.— fordable, long-term capital to small described under the program established The Director may take an informal enforce- ment action against a certified development businesses for acquiring land, real es- under title V of the Small Business Invest- ment Act of 1958 (referred to in this section company if the Director finds that the com- tate, or heavy machinery. as a ‘certified development company’), as pany has violated a statutory or regulatory Furthermore, the CDCs who deliver provided in subsection (k); and requirement or any requirement in a Stand- the program are actively involved in ‘‘(B) conducting file reviews with respect ard Operating Procedures Manual or Policy promoting local economic develop- to loan closings under the program estab- Notice relating to a program or function of ment, especially for underserved busi- lished under title V of the Small Business In- the Office of Capital Access. ness communities. vestment Act of 1958, as provided in sub- ‘‘(2) FORMAL ENFORCEMENT AUTHORITY.— As the chair of the Small Business section (j); and ‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—With the approval of the Committee, I have seen the values ‘‘(2) may— Lender Oversight Committee established CDCs have delivered in my community ‘‘(A) take formal and informal enforcement under section 48, the Director may take a actions against a certified development com- formal enforcement action against any cer- in New York City, across the State, pany, as provided in subsection (l); and tified development company if the Director and across the country. I am proud of ‘‘(B) charge a certified development com- finds that the company has violated— our opportunity here today to continue pany a fee, as provided in subsection (m).’’; ‘‘(i) a statutory or regulatory requirement, supporting their work and helping en- and including a requirement relating to the nec- trepreneurs access affordable capital, (2) by adding at the end the following new essary funds for making loans when those especially as our local economies con- subsections: funds are not made available to the company tinue adjusting to the realities of con- ‘‘(j) LOAN CLOSING FILE REVIEWS.—With re- from private sources on reasonable terms; or ducting business in the COVID–19 era. spect to a loan closing under the program es- ‘‘(ii) any requirement described in a Stand- tablished under title V of the Small Business ard Operating Procedures Manual or Policy I want to applaud the work by Ms. Investment Act of 1958, the Office shall be re- Notice relating to a program or function of CRAIG and Ranking Member CHABOT for sponsible for the following: the Office of Capital Access. their collaboration to improve the 504 ‘‘(1) Conducting a complete file review of a ‘‘(B) ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS.—The decision loan program. random selection of all loan closings, the to take an enforcement action against a cer- I encourage all my colleagues to sup- number, frequency, and conduct of which tified development company under subpara- port this bill, and I yield back the bal- shall be at the discretion of the Office, to en- graph (A) shall be based on the severity or ance of my time. sure program integrity, including a review of frequency of the violation and may include The SPEAKER pro tempore. The the items listed on the Checklist for Com- assessing a civil monetary penalty against question is on the motion offered by plete File Review contained in the appro- the company in an amount that is not great- the gentlewoman from New York (Ms. priate form of the Administration. er than $250,000. ´ ‘‘(2) Not later than 60 days after the date ‘‘(3) FAILURE TO SUBMIT ANNUAL REPORT.— VELAZQUEZ) that the House suspend the on which each complete file review con- With respect to a certified development com- rules and pass the bill, H.R. 8211, as ducted under paragraph (1) is completed, pre- pany that, as of the date that is 30 days after amended. paring a written report documenting the re- the date on which the company is required to The question was taken; and (two- sults of that review, which the Office shall submit any report, fails to submit that re- thirds being in the affirmative) the send to— port, the Director may—

VerDate Sep 11 2014 12:28 Dec 04, 2020 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00028 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K03DE7.050 H03DEPT1 dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with HOUSE December 3, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H6077 ‘‘(A) suspend the company from partici- Ms. VELA´ ZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I working together to craft this legisla- pating in the program established under title yield myself such time as I may con- tion, once again, in a bipartisan man- V of the Small Business Investment Act of sume. ner. 1958 for a period that is not longer than 30 Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the I want to thank the chair, Ms. days; or ´ ‘‘(B) impose a penalty on the company in bill before us today, H.R. 8199, which VELAZQUEZ also for encouraging that an amount to be determined by the Director, clarifies the role of SBA’s Office of cooperation between both sides. except that the amount of the penalty shall Credit Risk Management with respect Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to be not more than $10,000. to the 504 loan program. support this, and I reserve the balance ‘‘(m) FEE AUTHORITY REGARDING CERTIFIED In 2018, Congress passed bipartisan of my time. DEVELOPMENT COMPANIES.— legislation to codify SBA’s Office of Ms. VELA´ ZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I re- ‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Effective one year after Credit Risk Management, which con- serve the balance of my time. the date of the enactment of this subsection, ducts periodic reviews of SBA lenders Mr. CHABOT. Mr. Speaker, I yield the Office may collect from each certified de- such time as he may consume to the velopment company a fee, the amount of to ensure they are complying with pro- which— gram requirements and, ultimately, gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. ‘‘(A) shall be determined on a graduated safeguarding the integrity of SBA’s BISHOP) and, again, thank him for his scale according to the size of the portfolio of loan programs. leadership in working across party the certified development company with re- That legislation focused on the 7(a) lines with the gentlewoman from Min- spect to the program carried out under title loan program, giving the office the reg- nesota (Ms. CRAIG). I want to commend V of the Small Business Investment Act of ulatory and enforcement tools it need- her as well. 1958; and ed to conduct oversight over SBA’s Mr. BISHOP of North Carolina. Mr. ‘‘(B) shall not exceed the amount that is 1 Speaker, I thank the gentleman from basis point with respect to the value of the largest lending partners and hold them portfolio described in subparagraph (A). accountable. Ohio for yielding. ‘‘(2) PAYMENT.—A certified development Today’s legislation takes that over- Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. company on which a fee is imposed under sight work one step further by increas- 8199, the 504 Credit Risk Management paragraph (1) shall pay the fee from the serv- ing the office’s responsibilities in su- Improvement Act of 2020. icing fees collected by the development com- pervising the 504 program, bringing Small businesses are the core of our pany pursuant to regulation.’’. much-needed consistency and clarity Nation’s entrepreneurship, innovation, SEC. 3. RULES RELATING TO OBLIGATIONS OF for all 504 program participants. and creative activity. It is paramount CERTIFIED DEVELOPMENT COMPA- that Congress invest its resources into NIES UNDER THE NATIONAL ENVI- The bill will shift loan closing file re- RONMENTAL POLICY ACT. view responsibilities for the 504 loan empowering small businesses to fuel (a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days program to the Office of Credit Risk job growth and transform commu- after the date of the enactment of this Act, Management, streamlining and stand- nities. the Administrator of the Small Business Ad- ardizing an important process. By in- The 504 program gives small busi- ministration shall issue rules to clarify the creasing SBA’s responsibilities in over- nesses necessary resources, and this procedures necessary for an eligible certified seeing the 504 loan program, we are im- legislation will bolster and improve the development company to comply with the implementation of that program. By applicable requirements under National En- proving the long-term sustainability of vironmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 the program, ensuring it will be avail- giving small businesses access to fixed- et seq.). able for the next generation of entre- rate financing, through the 504 pro- (b) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in preneurs. gram, small businesses that have lim- this section shall be construed to modify the I applaud Mr. BISHOP and Ms. CRAIG ited capital are able to afford costly requirements of the National Environmental for all of their diligence and persever- down payments. Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.). ance on this issue and, more impor- This program has made Queen City (c) ELIGIBLE CERTIFIED DEVELOPMENT COM- tantly, their commitment to America’s Catering a success story. When the PANY DEFINED.—In this section, the term ‘‘el- company needed financing for a larger igible certified development company’’ small businesses. means a certified development company de- I urge all my colleagues to support location, they turned to Business Ex- fined under title V of the Small Business In- this bill, and I reserve the balance of pansion Funding Corporation, a cer- vestment Act of 1958 (15 U.S.C. 695 et seq.) my time. tified development company in Char- that receives assistance pursuant to such Mr. CHABOT. Mr. Speaker, I yield lotte that helped them secure a 504 title. myself such time as I may consume. loan. These funds led to a new state-of- SEC. 4. DETERMINATION OF BUDGETARY EF- I rise in support of H.R. 8199, the 504 the-art kitchen for high-quality food FECTS. Credit Risk Management Improvement preparation, management offices, high- The budgetary effects of this Act, for the Act of 2020. tech conference areas, and warehouse purpose of complying with the Statutory The SBA’s 504/CDC Loan Program Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010, shall be deter- space for rental items. mined by reference to the latest statement provides lending assistance to thou- Better yet, since receiving this 504 titled ‘‘Budgetary Effects of PAYGO Legisla- sands of small businesses year in and loan, Queen City Catering has grown tion’’ for this Act, submitted for printing in year out. This assistance translates astronomically. This small business in- the Congressional Record by the Chairman of into supporting tens of thousands of vestment allowed the business to grow, the House Budget Committee, provided that jobs on an annual basis. This economic while creating jobs for North Caro- such statement has been submitted prior to development program is and has been linians. the vote on passage. making a difference in neighborhoods Fellow Members of Congress, I im- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- and communities all across this great plore you to imagine the impact that ant to the rule, the gentlewoman from Nation. 504 loans have on small businesses in New York (Ms. VELA´ ZQUEZ) and the With any successful government pro- your communities. That is exactly gentleman from Ohio (Mr. CHABOT) gram, oversight must remain a signifi- what my colleague, Congresswoman each will control 20 minutes. cant factor. H.R. 8199 places an impor- CRAIG, did with me when we crafted the The Chair recognizes the gentle- tant focus on oversight and ensures the 504 Credit Risk Management Improve- woman from New York. SBA has the appropriate capabilities to ment Act. GENERAL LEAVE oversee the 504/CDC Loan Program. While the existing loan program has Ms. VELA´ ZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I ask Beyond oversight, H.R. 8199 also en- offered financial tools to help small unanimous consent that all Members sures that the 504/CDC Loan Program businesses, we must act today and im- may have 5 legislative days in which to participants have the rules and guid- prove the program so it can help busi- revise and extend their remarks and in- ance to comply with the National Envi- nesses serve their communities for clude extraneous material on the meas- ronmental Policy Act and successfully years to come. ure under consideration. operate within that program. The bill before us outlines important The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there I want to thank the gentleman from capabilities of the SBA’s Office of Cred- objection to the request of the gentle- North Carolina (Mr. BISHOP) and the it Risk Management pertaining to the woman from New York? gentlewoman from Minnesota (Ms. 504/CDC Loan Program. Importantly, There was no objection. CRAIG) for their leadership and for the changes will ensure the program’s

VerDate Sep 11 2014 12:28 Dec 04, 2020 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00029 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A03DE7.113 H03DEPT1 dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with HOUSE H6078 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE December 3, 2020 longevity by detailing how it should The question was taken; and (two- minations in the women-owned and supervise a file review. thirds being in the affirmative) the service-disabled veteran-owned small Additionally, this legislation re- rules were suspended and the bill, as business contracting programs, but it quires the SBA to provide clear direc- amended, was passed. does not review appeals for the tion to certified development compa- A motion to reconsider was laid on HUBZone program. That process is dif- nies as they navigate environmental the table. ferent. rules and regulations. When a protest challenging a f Lastly, this will help ensure that the HUBZone designation is filed, SBA’s program continues to operate on the PARITY FOR HUBZONE APPEALS HUBZone director will review and fees built into the program. ACT OF 2020 make a decision. If the decision is ap- I am confident that these improve- ´ pealed, the head of the Office of Gov- ments will strengthen the program for Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the ernment Contracting and Business De- both small businesses and the pro- velopment will review and render a de- gram’s lending partners. This legisla- bill (H.R. 8229) to require the Adminis- trator of the Small Business Adminis- cision, which is final. tion is a step in the right direction to By shifting HUBZone eligibility ap- tration to issue a rule authorizing the ensure that small businesses can thrive peals to the Office of Hearings and Ap- Office of Hearings and Appeals to de- as they bring innovative goods and peals, H.R. 8229 achieves priority and cide appeals relating to the status of services to consumers around the coun- uniformity in SBA’s contracting pro- HUBZone business concerns, and for try. grams. Moreover, it promotes trans- other purposes. I want to, again, thank Congress- parency since the office’s decisions are The Clerk read the title of the bill. woman CRAIG, Chairwoman VELA´ ZQUEZ, published. and Ranking Member CHABOT for their The text of the bill is as follows: Mr. Speaker, I urge Members to sup- work and their help on this legislation. H.R. 8229 port this legislation, and I reserve the I urge my colleagues to support it. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- balance of my time. resentatives of the United States of America in b 1545 Mr. CHABOT. Mr. Speaker, I yield Congress assembled, myself such time as I may consume. Mr. CHABOT. Mr. Speaker, I have no SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. further speakers on my side, so I am This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Parity for 8229, the Parity for HUBZone Appeals happy to close. HUBZone Appeals Act of 2020’’. Act of 2020. Mr. Speaker, Congress must continue SEC. 2. AUTHORITY FOR THE OFFICE OF HEAR- As we have heard from the chair- to work together to strengthen the INGS AND APPEALS TO DECIDE AP- woman, the current appeals process for SBA’s existing guaranteed loan pro- PEALS RELATING TO QUALIFIED HUBZONE SMALL BUSINESS CON- the HUBZone program raises several grams. The SBA’s programs must work CERNS. concerns, including questions of con- for the Nation’s smallest firms and the Not later than 1 year after the date of the flict of interest, lack of transparency, Nation’s taxpayers. H.R. 8199 meets enactment of this Act, the Administrator of and lack of responsibility. both objectives by applying appro- the Small Business Administration shall The AA-GCBD plays a key leadership priate oversight requirements to the issue a rule authorizing the Office of Hear- role within the organizational struc- ings and Appeals of the Administration to SBA’s 504/CDC loan program. There- ture of the SBA and is primarily re- fore, I urge my colleagues to support decide all appeals from formal protest deter- minations in connection with the status of a sponsible for the supervision of all the this bipartisan legislation. concern as qualified HUBZone small business SBA’s various Federal contracting pro- Mr. Speaker, I, once again, thank Ms. concern (as such term is defined in section grams, including the HUBZone pro- CRAIG and Mr. BISHOP for their leader- 31(b) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. gram. ship, and I thank the chairwoman for 657a(b))). Unlike the AA-GCBD, the SBA’s Of- her leadership on this. I yield back the The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- fice of Hearings and Appeals is a fully balance of my time. ant to the rule, the gentlewoman from functioning independent organization Ms. VELA´ ZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I New York (Ms. VELA´ ZQUEZ) and the unconnected to the SBA’s Federal con- yield myself the balance of my time. gentleman from Ohio (Mr. CHABOT) tracting programs, and OHA adminis- Mr. Speaker, since its inception, each will control 20 minutes. trative judges are trained to hear ex- SBA’s 504 program has enabled thou- The Chair recognizes the gentle- actly these types of matters. sands of businesses to hire employees, woman from New York. By moving HUBZone appeals from grow to more locations, and expand op- the AA-GCBD’s purview to OHA GENERAL LEAVE erations. These 504 loans are some of through the passage of this bill, the Ms. VELA´ ZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I ask the most affordable for commercial AA-GCBD will be empowered to focus unanimous consent that all Members real estate projects, and most only re- on its primary supervisory responsibil- may have 5 legislative days in which to quire a 10 percent down payment from ities while HUBZone small businesses revise and extend their remarks and to small business owners. In its 62-year will be able to receive impartial, fair, include extraneous material on the history, it has proven to be a strong- and knowledgeable treatment of their measure under consideration. performing SBA program that has cases by OHA. helped entrepreneurs create jobs in The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there H.R. 8229, this bill, makes a nec- every corner of our country. objection to the request of the gentle- essary correction in the way HUBZone Thanks to Mr. BISHOP and Ms. woman from New York? appeals are conducted. CRAIG’s efforts, the bill before us today There was no objection. ´ I thank the gentlewoman from Amer- will make commonsense improvements Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I ican Samoa (Mrs. RADEWAGEN), our to this important program. By shifting yield myself such time as I may con- vice ranking member, as well as the all loan closing file review responsibil- sume. gentlewoman from Pennsylvania (Ms. ities to the Office of Credit Risk Man- Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. HOULAHAN) for their bipartisan leader- agement, program integrity will be 8229, the Parity for HUBZone Appeals ship on this legislation—again, Repub- preserved, and the 504 program will be Act of 2020, introduced by the gentle- licans and Democrats working together an affordable financing option for the woman from American Samoa (Mrs. on this committee. next generation of entrepreneurs. RADEWAGEN) and the gentlewoman Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to from Pennsylvania (Ms. HOULAHAN). support this legislation. vote ‘‘yes,’’ and I yield back the bal- H.R. 8229 will grant SBA’s Office of Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she ance of my time. Hearings and Appeals jurisdiction over may consume to the gentlewoman from The SPEAKER pro tempore. The appeals of HUBZone eligibility deter- American Samoa (Mrs. RADEWAGEN). question is on the motion offered by minations. The Office of Hearings and Mrs. RADEWAGEN. Mr. Speaker, I the gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Appeals provides independent quasi-ju- thank Ranking Member CHABOT for VELA´ ZQUEZ) that the House suspend the dicial review of certain SBA program yielding time. rules and pass the bill, H.R. 8199, as decisions. Under current law, the office Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. amended. decides appeals of eligibility deter- 8229, the Parity for HUBZone Appeals

VerDate Sep 11 2014 12:28 Dec 04, 2020 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00030 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K03DE7.054 H03DEPT1 dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with HOUSE December 3, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H6079 Act of 2020. I thank Ms. HOULAHAN for Mr. CHABOT. Mr. Speaker, I have no vival. Our committee was working day her collaboration on this important further speakers on my side, and I and night, trying to develop a bipar- legislation. yield myself the balance of my time. tisan package in mere days that will SBA’s various small business con- Mr. Speaker, this is good legislation. provide economic relief to small busi- tracting programs support different It moves the ball forward. Moving the nesses. These were trying economic types of entrepreneurs, from women HUBZone appeals process to the OHA times, and we needed to bring people and service-disabled veterans to mi- places small businesses that have a together and act fast to rescue small norities and the economically dis- complaint about the program on equal businesses. It wasn’t easy, but one advantaged, by providing these busi- footing with other appeals processes thing was certain. I was fortunate to nesses with special Federal contracting throughout the SBA, and that is a good have Ranking Member CHABOT by my preferences. thing. side. Whether a business holds a specific I want to, again, thank Mrs. Mr. Speaker, I am proud of the relief status is critical in determining wheth- RADEWAGEN for her leadership on this we have been able to deliver to our er that company is eligible to compete particular legislation and Ms. Main Street small businesses. I would for these special contract opportuni- HOULAHAN from Pennsylvania as well, also be remiss if I didn’t mention ties. Not only does the business have a and the chairwoman, as always, for Ranking Member CHABOT’s excellent vested interest in obtaining and main- working in a bipartisan manner. staff, who have worked tirelessly with taining its status, but the Federal Gov- Mr. Speaker, I urge adoption of this us. I thank Kevin Fitzpatrick, Jan Oli- ernment also has an interest in making bill, and I yield back the balance of my ver, Joe Hartz, Rob Yavor, Vivian Ling, sure these special contracts are not time. Delia Barr, Alison Kerman, and Rachel awarded to fraudulent firms. If a com- Ms. VELA´ ZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I Emmons for their commitment and pany is suspected to be ineligible for a yield myself the balance of my time. dedication. They have worked hand in status it claims to hold, an interested Mr. Speaker, we all know consistent glove with my staff to ensure hearings party can protest the firm’s status. procedures in government foster a bet- went well and the pandemic relief pro- Currently, for Historically Underuti- ter understanding of the rules and im- grams were working as intended. lized Business Zone-qualified, or prove overall agency effectiveness. Mr. Speaker, I am saddened that HUBZone-qualified, small businesses, H.R. 8229 furthers that ideal by pro- Ranking Member CHABOT will not be the final arbiter of a firm’s special viding the HUBZone program with par- returning to the committee as ranking HUBZone status is the Associate Ad- ity and uniformity with the women- member in the next Congress. I will ministrator of the Office of Govern- owned and the service-disabled vet- certainly miss our conversations dur- ment Contracting and Business Devel- eran-owned programs. ing hearings and listening to the many opment, or AA-GCBD. This differs sig- Furthermore, by making the Office of unique ways his name is pronounced. I nificantly from SBA’s other Federal Hearings and Appeals the final arbiter thought my name was tough. contracting programs in which SBA’s of all protest eligibility determina- Steve, you will be sorely missed. Office of Hearings and Appeals, or tions, H.R. 8229 capitalizes on every- Thank you for your leadership, dedica- OHA, is the final decisionmaker of a thing the office has to offer: subject tion, and willingness to work across firm’s protested status. the aisle to make our world a little bit OHA, unlike the AA-GCBD, is an matter expertise, efficiency, and trans- brighter. I wish you the very best in independent office of the SBA. Leaving parency. the next Congress. the appeal decision to the AA-GCBD I thank Mrs. RADEWAGEN and Ms. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to raises questions of conflict of interest, HOULAHAN for working together on this support H.R. 8229, and I yield back the whereas housing that process at OHA bipartisan solution. balance of my time. will ensure the decision remains sepa- Lastly, I would like to take a mo- The SPEAKER pro tempore. The rate and independent from any influ- ment to thank the ranking member, question is on the motion offered by ence. Mr. CHABOT, for his outstanding service on the Small Business Committee. the gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Furthermore, the AA-GCBD has ´ many competing priorities and respon- Mr. Speaker, Mr. CHABOT and I have VELAZQUEZ) that the House suspend the sibilities in overseeing all the SBA’s led this committee together through rules and pass the bill, H.R. 8229. The question was taken; and (two- Federal contracting programs. In con- four Congresses, each of us spending thirds being in the affirmative) the trast, OHA administrative judges are equal time as chair and ranking mem- rules were suspended and the bill was primarily tasked with adjudicating ber. Throughout it all, he has been an similar types of appeals and, thus, are incredible partner, working closely passed. A motion to reconsider was laid on well trained and well versed in making with me in good times and bad. the table. educated decisions objectively and im- Over the course of our tenure, we partially. Thus, passage of this bill have shepherded scores of bipartisan f means that small businesses will have bills through the House, giving small GANDHI-KING SCHOLARLY a greater chance of having a fair and businesses better access to capital, EXCHANGE INITIATIVE ACT counseling, and Federal contracts. We knowledgeable assessment of their Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I move to have held numerous oversight hearings case. suspend the rules and pass the bill Finally, the AA-GCBD’s appeals deci- to make sure SBA programs were oper- (H.R. 5517) to affirm the friendship of sions are currently made in a vacuum. ating effectively and efficiently for the governments of the United States There is no visibility into the reasons small businesses, regardless of which of America and the Republic of India, why a decision was reached. In con- party held the White House. In sum, we and to establish a bilateral partnership trast, all of OHA’s decisions are pub- worked very well together. for collaboration to advance develop- lished online and easily searchable. b 1600 ment and shared values, and for other These opinions are critical for small purposes, as amended. businesses to obtain a greater under- You may ask what is the secret to our success, especially during these po- The Clerk read the title of the bill. standing of the rules surrounding their The text of the bill is as follows: eligibility. Therefore, shifting the re- larizing times. And I will point to Rep- H.R. 5517 sponsibility to hear HUBZone appeals resentative CHABOT, who is as com- to OHA will provide the public with mitted to public service as I am. He Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- puts politics aside and works with resentatives of the United States of America in much-needed guidance and trans- Congress assembled, parency. Democrats and Republicans alike to solve problems. SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. In sum, H.R. 8229 will bring greater This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Gandhi-King parity, fairness, and transparency be- When the pandemic struck, it hit Scholarly Exchange Initiative Act’’. tween SBA’s HUBZone program and its small businesses particularly hard, and SEC. 2. FINDINGS. other Federal contracting programs. our committee was called to action. Congress makes the following findings: Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to Small businesses that were once thriv- (1) The peoples of the United States and support this commonsense legislation. ing were fighting for their very sur- India have a long history of friendship and

VerDate Sep 11 2014 12:28 Dec 04, 2020 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00031 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K03DE7.057 H03DEPT1 dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with HOUSE H6080 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE December 3, 2020 the interests of the peoples of the United SEC. 3. GANDHI-KING SCHOLARLY EXCHANGE King Development Foundation (in this sec- States, India, and the world will benefit from INITIATIVE. tion referred to as the ‘‘Foundation’’). Each a stronger United States-India partnership. In order to further the shared ideals and such legal entity within the Foundation (2) Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi and values of Mohandas Gandhi and Martin Lu- shall be organized under the laws of India Martin Luther King, Jr., were dedicated ther King, Jr, the Secretary of State shall and shall not be considered to be an agency establish, in cooperation with the appro- leaders fighting for social justice and social or establishment of the United States Gov- priate representatives of the Government of change, peace, and civil rights in their re- ernment and shall not have the full faith and India, a professional exchange program spective communities, and countries and in credit of the United States. known as the ‘‘Gandhi-King Scholarly Ex- (b) FUNCTIONS.—The Foundation, through the world. change Initiative’’. The initiative should be one or more entities referred to in subsection (3) The use of nonviolent civil disobedience comprised of the following: (a)— is a shared tactic that has played a key role (1) An annual educational forum for schol- (1) shall identify development priorities in defeating social injustice in India, the ars from the United States and India that fo- and administer and oversee competitively- United States, and in other parts of the cuses on the social justice and human and awarded grants to private nongovernmental world. civil rights legacies of Mohandas Gandhi and entities to address such priorities in India, (4) Mohandas Gandhi, who was born on Oc- Martin Luther King, Jr., which shall— including— tober 2, 1869, was murdered on January 30, (A) be held alternately in the United (A) health initiatives addressing tuber- 1948, after dedicating his life to the peaceful States and in India; culosis (TB), water, sanitation, and health empowerment of the people of India and to (B) include representatives from govern- (WASH), and pollution and related health the end of British colonial rule. ments, nongovernmental organizations, civic impacts (PHI); (5) Martin Luther King, Jr., who was born organizations, and educational, cultural, (B) pollution, plastic waste reduction, and on January 15, 1929, was murdered on April 4, women’s, civil, and human rights groups, in- climate-related shocks; 1968, after a life dedicated to peaceful move- cluding religious and ethnic minorities and (C) education; and ments against segregation, discrimination, marginalized communities; and (D) empowerment of women; racial injustice, and poverty. (C) focus on studying the works of Gandhi (2) should provide credible platforms and (6) In February 1959, Dr. King and his wife, and King, and applying their philosophies of models, including returnable capital to at- , traveled throughout to addressing current tract and blend public and private capital, India. By the end of his monthlong visit, Dr. issues, including poverty alleviation, con- which can then be deployed efficiently and King said, ‘‘I am more convinced than ever flict mitigation, human and civil rights chal- effectively to address the priorities identi- before that the method of nonviolent resist- lenges, refugee crises, and threats to democ- fied in paragraph (1). ance is the most potent weapon available to racy and democratic norms in countries (c) ADDITIONALITY.— oppressed people in their struggle for justice around the world. (1) IN GENERAL.—Before an entity within and human dignity.’’. (2) An undergraduate, graduate, and post- the Foundation makes a grant under sub- (7) Fifty years after Dr. King’s visit, All graduate student exchange for students in section (b)(1) to address a priority identified India Radio, the national radio station of the United States and India to— under such subsection, the Foundation shall India, discovered a taped message by Dr. (A) study the history and legacies of Mar- ensure that private sector entities are af- forded an opportunity to support the King that emphasized the intellectual har- tin Luther King, Jr., and Mohandas Gandhi; projects funded by such grants. mony between the messages of Dr. King and (B) visit historic sites in India and the (2) SAFEGUARDS, POLICIES, AND GUIDE- Mohandas Gandhi on nonviolent social ac- United States that were integral to the LINES.—The Foundation shall develop appro- tion. American and the In- dian independence movement; and priate safeguards, policies, and guidelines to (8) On August 22, 2011, the Dr. Martin Lu- (C) research and develop papers on the im- ensure that grants made under subsection ther King, Jr., National Memorial opened to portance of peace, , and rec- (b)(1) operate according to internationally the public in Washington, DC. This newest onciliation in current conflict regions. recognized best practices and standards. memorial on the National Mall pays tribute SEC. 4. GANDHI-KING GLOBAL ACADEMY. (d) LIMITATIONS.—No party receiving a to Dr. King’s national and international con- (a) IN GENERAL.—The president and chief grant made under subsection (b)(1) may re- tributions to world peace through nonviolent executive officer of the United States Insti- ceive such grant in an amount that is more social change. tute of Peace shall create a professional de- than five percent of amounts appropriated or (9) The 116th Congress coincides with both velopment training initiative on conflict res- otherwise made available under section the 150th birth anniversary of Mohandas olution tools based on the principles of non- 7(a)(3) to the entity in the Foundation mak- Gandhi and the 90th birth anniversary of Dr. violence. Such training initiative shall be ing such grant. Martin Luther King, Jr. known as the Gandhi-King Global Academy (e) GOVERNING COUNCIL.— (10) Mohandas Gandhi, who employed the and shall— (1) PURPOSE.—The Government of the principle of , or ‘‘fighting with (1) target representatives from govern- United States and the Government of India peace’’, has come to represent the moral ments, nongovernmental organizations, civic shall convene a Governing Council to provide force inspiring many civil and social rights organizations, and educational, cultural, guidance and direction to the Foundation. movement around the world. women’s, civil, and human rights groups, in- (2) APPOINTMENT OF MEMBERS.—The Admin- (11) Dr. King’s effective use of Gandhi’s cluding religious and ethnic minorities and istrator of the United States Agency for principles was instrumental to the American marginalized communities in countries with International Development, with the concur- civil rights movement. ongoing political, social, ethnic, or violent rence of the Secretary of State, shall appoint (12) There is a long history of civil and so- conflict; a majority of the Governing Council of the cial rights movements in the United States (2) include a specific focus on the success Foundation for a period of five years fol- and in India. As the relationship between the of nonviolent movements, inclusion, and rep- lowing the establishment of the Foundation. United States and India evolves, a binational resentation in conflict resolution; (3) CHARTER.—The Governing Council of the Foundation shall adopt a charter for the foundation through which the governments (3) develop a curriculum on conflict resolu- operation of the Foundation, which shall in- of each country can work together and cata- tion tools based on the principles of non- clude provisions to— lyze private investment toward development violence; and (A) identify development priorities or a objectives would provide an ongoing, produc- (4) make the curriculum publicly available process to identify development priorities; tive institution and symbol of the friendship online, in person, and through a variety of (B) define criteria for application, merit and common ideals of the respective govern- media. (b) PROHIBITION.—The United States Insti- review, and awarding of grants by the Foun- ments and their peoples. dation; (13) There is a global goal of ending tuber- tute of Peace may not, in the course of any activity authorized by subsection (a), enter (C) establish an annual organization-wide culosis by 2030, the United States and India audit by an independent auditor in accord- seek a TB-Free India by 2025, and the United into any contract with an outside entity to conduct advocacy on its behalf. ance with generally accepted auditing stand- States-India Gandhi-King Foundation will ards, the results of which shall be made im- help address gaps across the TB value chain SEC. 5. ESTABLISHMENT OF THE UNITED STATES- INDIA GANDHI-KING DEVELOPMENT mediately available to the Board, the Ad- in prevention, detection, diagnosis, and FOUNDATION. ministrator of the United States Agency for treatment, and would catalyze market-based (a) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Administrator of International Development, and the appro- strategies to bridge the service gap for the the United States Agency for International priate Government of India counterpart; ‘‘last mile’’. Development (USAID), with the concurrence (D) assist in the creation of project specific (14) Leaders in both countries belonging to of the Secretary of State and in coordination timetables for each of the projects funded by both major political parties have prioritized with appropriate counterparts in the Govern- a grant from the Foundation; the United States-India relationship and on ment of India, is authorized to establish, on (E) establish an oversight role and march- a bipartisan basis continue to support a such terms and conditions as are determined in audit rights for the Administrator of the strengthened United States-India partner- necessary and notwithstanding any other United States Agency for International De- ship, recognizing that it will be one of the provision of law, one or more legal entities velopment and the appropriate Government defining partnerships of the 21st century. to compose the United States-India Gandhi- of India counterpart; and

VerDate Sep 11 2014 12:28 Dec 04, 2020 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00032 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A03DE7.112 H03DEPT1 dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with HOUSE December 3, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H6081 (F) establish an annual report on the ac- velopment shall submit to such committees At a time when our country is strug- tivities of the Foundation to be made pub- an update on the progress in implementing gling to come to terms with the reality licly available. each of the initiatives or establishing the or- of systemic racism, I can think of no (f) PUBLICLY AVAILABLE PROJECT INFORMA- ganization referred to in such subsection. better time to advance the work of TION.—The Foundation shall maintain a SEC. 7. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. user-friendly, publicly available, machine (a) IN GENERAL.—There is authorized to be Gandhi; King; and John Lewis, our readable database with detailed project level appropriated to carry out— friend and colleague. information, as appropriate and to the ex- (1) section 3, up to $1,000,000 for each of fis- Mr. Speaker, I strongly support this tent practicable, including a description of cal years 2021 through 2025 to the Secretary measure, and I hope all of my col- the grants made by the Foundation under of State leagues will do the same. I reserve the this section and project level performance (2) section 4, up to $2,000,000 for fiscal year balance of my time. metrics. 2021 to the United States Institute of Peace; Mr. MCCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I yield (g) DETAIL OF UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT (3) section 5, up to $30,000,000 for fiscal year myself such time as I may consume. PERSONNEL TO THE FOUNDATION.— 2021 to the Administrator of the United Mr. Speaker, after years of working (1) IN GENERAL.—Whenever the Adminis- States Agency for International Develop- trator of the United States Agency for Inter- ment; and with India to address certain develop- national Development or the Secretary of (4) section 5, up to $15,000,000 for each of ment challenges, the United States has State determines it to be in furtherance of fiscal years 2022 through 2025, if the private seen impressive results. The best re- the purposes of this Act, the Administrator sector in India commits amounts equal to sults so far is that India, who was once and the Secretary are authorized to detail or that contributed by the United States. a recipient of foreign aid, is now a assign any officer or employee of the Agency (c) SENSE OF CONGRESS ON FOREIGN ASSIST- donor country, but there is still a lot of or the Department, respectively, to any posi- ANCE FUNDS.—It is the sense of Congress that work to be done. the authorization of appropriations under tion in the Foundation to provide technical, This is especially true when it comes scientific, or professional assistance to the subsection (a) should be renewable for one or Foundation or, in cooperation with the more periods of not more than 5 years if the to fighting tuberculosis, improving Foundation, to implementing partners of the Secretary of State, in consultation with the water sanitation, increasing education, Foundation, without reimbursement to the Administrator of the United States Agency and empowering women. That is why I United States Government. for International Development, determines urge my colleagues to support the Gan- (2) STATUS.—Any United States Govern- that the Foundation’s work is successful in dhi-King Scholarly Exchange Initiative ment officer or employee, while detailed or addressing the priorities identified in section Act. assigned under this subsection, shall be con- 5(b)(1) and that the private sector in India This bill, authored by the late Rep- sidered, for the purpose of preserving their has committed funds to the Foundation in accordance with subsection (a)(4). resentative John Lewis, supports the allowances, privileges, rights, seniority, and establishment of a development fund other benefits as such, an officer or employee The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- of the United States Government and of the ant to the rule, the gentleman from that will continue our fight to improve these areas of concern. In addition, it agency of the United States Government New York (Mr. ENGEL) and the gen- will transition management of these from which detailed or assigned, and shall tleman from Texas (Mr. MCCAUL) each continue to receive compensation, allow- will control 20 minutes. programs from the United States to ances, and benefits from program funds ap- The Chair recognizes the gentleman India. It is a public-private partnership propriated to that agency or made available powered by the Government of India to that agency for purposes related to the ac- from New York. GENERAL LEAVE and the private sector, and it is a true tivities of the detail or assignment, in ac- testament to how far India has come. cordance with authorities related to their Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I ask unan- employment status and agency policies. imous consent that all Members have 5 This bill also honors the legacy of (3) SUNSET.—The authorities provided legislative days in which to revise and two men that it is named for, under this subsection shall terminate on the extend their remarks and include ex- Mohandas Gandhi and Martin Luther date that is five years after the establish- traneous material on H.R. 5517, the King, Jr., by creating a professional ex- ment of the Foundation. Gandhi-King Scholarly Exchange Ini- change program to study pressing glob- SEC. 6. REPORTING REQUIREMENTS. tiative Act. al challenges, including the struggle (a) INITIAL REPORTS.—Not later than 120 The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there for civil rights, the fight to end pov- days after the date of the enactment of this objection to the request of the gen- erty, and strategies to decrease global Act— tleman from New York? conflicts. (1) the Secretary of State shall submit to Mr. Speaker, let me take a moment the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the There was no objection. Committee on Appropriations of the House Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield my- to honor the remarkable legacy of Rep- of Representatives and the Committee on self such time as I may consume. resentative John Lewis, who first in- Foreign Relations and the Committee on Ap- Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise in troduced this legislation. I am proud to propriations of the Senate a report on the strong support of the Gandhi-King be here on the floor with Chairman Secretary of State’s plan to establish the ini- Scholarly Exchange Initiative Act, a ENGEL in support of his bill. The cre- tiative authorized under section 3; measure championed by our late friend ation of this foundation is just another (2) the president and chief executive officer and colleague, Congressman John example of his dedication to improving of the United States Institute of Peace shall Lewis of Georgia. the lives of so many people not only submit to the Committee on Foreign Affairs In 2009, John traveled to India to and the Committee on Appropriations of the here in the United States, but around House of Representatives and the Committee commemorate the 50th anniversary of the world. I thank the late Representa- on Foreign Relations and the Committee on Dr. Martin Luther King and Coretta tive John Lewis, and I thank my Appropriations of the Senate a report on the Scott King’s journey to explore friend, Chairman ENGEL, for bringing president and chief executive officer’s plan Gandhi’s teachings on the use of non- this important bill to the floor. to establish the initiative authorized under violent to advance social Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to section 4; and justice. John’s trip and his decades of support it, and I reserve the balance of (3) the Administrator of the United States civil rights work in public service— my time. Agency for International Development shall what he would call ‘‘good trouble’’—led Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I reserve submit to the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Committee on Appropriations of the to the Gandhi-King Scholarly Ex- the balance of my time. House of Representatives and the Committee change Initiative Act. Mr. MCCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I yield on Foreign Relations and the Committee on This legislation honors the long- myself such time as I may consume. Appropriations of the Senate a report on the standing friendship between the people Mr. Speaker, in closing, the goal of Administrator’s plan to establish, not later of the United States and India and es- U.S. foreign assistance should always than 180 days after the date of the enactment tablishes an educational exchange pro- be that countries graduate from our of this Act, the organization authorized gram to advance the teachings of aid. Today, we move one step closer to under section 5. Mohandas Gandhi and Dr. King. It also this goal with the authorization of the (b) PERIODIC UPDATES.—Upon the request establishes a development foundation US-India Gandhi-King Development of the committees specified in subsection (a), the Secretary of State, president and chief that would allow India and the United Foundation. executive officer of the United States Insti- States to work together to address This bill further affirms a strong bi- tute of Peace, and Administrator of the pressing issues, like climate change, lateral relationship between United United States Agency for International De- education, and public health. States and India and will strengthen

VerDate Sep 11 2014 12:28 Dec 04, 2020 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00033 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A03DE7.112 H03DEPT1 dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with HOUSE H6082 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE December 3, 2020 our ties to the world’s largest democ- To quote Congressman Lewis, ‘‘Both Gan- who have committed genocide or war racy. dhi and King were inspired human beings who crimes, and for other purposes. Mr. Speaker, I once again urge my believed deeply in the power of nonviolent re- The Clerk read the title of the bill. colleagues to support this important sistance to injustice as a tool for social The text of the bill is as follows: legislation, and I yield back the bal- change.’’ H.R. 1819 ance of my time. It is because of their courage, commitment, Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield my- and vision of a more tolerant and equitable resentatives of the United States of America in self such time as I may consume. world that we are all able to enjoy and prac- Congress assembled, Mr. Speaker, I am proud we are con- tice our most fundamental democratic free- SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. sidering this excellent measure written This Act may be cited as the ‘‘War Crimes doms. Rewards Expansion Act’’. by our dear friend, John Lewis. I know As the world’s oldest and largest democ- SEC. 2. DEPARTMENT OF STATE REWARDS PRO- we all miss John dearly, but his legacy racies, the United States and India have long GRAM. of advancing the cause of righteousness traditions of upholding these shared values of Paragraph (10) of section 36(b) of the State and justice lives on, and this is a good nonviolent revolutions championed by figures Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 (22 example. like Gandhi, King, and Lewis. U.S.C. 2708(b)) is amended by striking ‘‘de- John championed the Gandhi-King But as we have seen over the past few fined under the statute of such tribunal;’’ Scholarly Exchange Initiative Act to years, both countries have experienced signifi- and inserting the following: ‘‘defined under— further the teachings of Gandhi and Dr. ‘‘(A) the statute of such country or tri- cant affronts to the fundamental democratic bunal, as the case may be; or Martin Luther King, Jr. Their work on principles, which threaten to erode the values ‘‘(B) United States law;’’. civil rights and social justice should be that these men and many others have given The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- a beacon for us all, and I am pleased we their lives to protect. ant to the rule, the gentleman from can pass a measure today to continue Mr. Speaker, the ‘‘Gandhi-King Scholarly New York (Mr. ENGEL) and the gen- their invaluable work for humanity. Exchange Initiative Act’’ seeks to apply the tleman from Texas (Mr. MCCAUL) each Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend and philosophies of Gandhi and Dr. King to conflict will control 20 minutes. partner, Mr. MCCAUL. It is a pleasure resolution efforts and current policy chal- The Chair recognizes the gentleman once again to work with him on the lenges. from New York. committee and to work on legislation With this legislation, we seek to embody the GENERAL LEAVE for the country and the world. best of what we saw of Gandhi, Dr. King, and Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I ask unan- Mr. Speaker, I strongly support this Congressman Lewis in their fight for equality imous consent that all Members have 5 legislation, and I urge my colleagues to and justice as well as seek to preserve these legislative days in which to revise and do the same. I yield back the balance of values so that future generations are empow- extend their remarks and include ex- my time. ered and able to continue the fight against in- traneous material on H.R. 1819, the War Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, as a co- justice. Crimes Rewards Expansion Act. sponsor and a member of the Congressional Just a few months ago, the world was re- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there Caucus on India and Indian Americans, I rise minded of the power nonviolent resistance has objection to the request of the gen- in strong support of H.R. 5517, the ‘‘Gandhi- to effect positive change in the face of grave tleman from New York? King Scholarly Exchange Initiative Act’’, which injustices. There was no objection. establishes an exchange initiative between the In the wake of George Floyd’s murder, mil- Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield my- United States and India to study the work and lions of people across the world and in all 50 self such time as I may consume. legacies of and Martin Lu- states within the U.S. gathered together to Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to support ther King Jr. peacefully protest against police brutality. the War Crimes Rewards Expansion First and foremost, I wish to express my People of different races, socioeconomic Act, and I thank Congresswoman FOXX gratitude and fondness for my former col- classes, ethnicities, genders, and sexual ori- for her hard work on this bill. league and dear friend, John Lewis, who entations came together to demonstrate in the This bipartisan measure enhances passed away a few months ago, for intro- most democratic way possible. the War Crimes Rewards Program, ducing and leading this vital piece of legisla- Mr. Speaker, those marches, which were, which enables the United States to pay tion. without a doubt, inspired by the marches led rewards to individuals who provide in- By passing this bill today, we authorize the by Gandhi and Dr. King, have resulted in a formation that leads to the arrest or U.S. Department of State, in cooperation with genuine dialogue about institutional racism in conviction of foreign nationals who the Indian Government, to incorporate three this country and have awakened efforts to re- commit war crimes, crimes against hu- new programs: form the system, so that it truly benefits all manity, or genocide. the Gandhi-King Scholarly Initiative, which people. This initiative has led to the capture creates an annual educational forum for schol- I am honored to be a leader on this bill, and of fugitives who committed atrocities ars from both countries that focuses on the I urge all Members to join me in voting for in Rwanda and the former Yugoslavia. legacies of Mohandas Gandhi and Martin Lu- H.R. 5517, the ‘‘Gandhi-King Scholarly Ex- This War Crimes Rewards Expansion ther King, Jr; change Initiative Act.’’ Act will strengthen this rewards pro- the Gandhi-King Global Academy, a United The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. gram and ensure that it can be used to States Institute of Peace (USIP) program CUELLAR). The question is on the mo- bring perpetrators to justice, whether tasked with developing a professional develop- tion offered by the gentleman from it is in domestic courts or inter- ment training initiative on conflict resolution New York (Mr. ENGEL) that the House national tribunals. based on the principles of nonviolence; and suspend the rules and pass the bill, Mr. Speaker, American foreign policy the United States-India Gandhi-King Devel- H.R. 5517, as amended. should reflect our values, including the opment Foundation, which establishes a foun- The question was taken; and (two- promotion of human rights, and we dation to address social, environmental, and thirds being in the affirmative) the must do everything possible to bring health priorities in India. rules were suspended and the bill, as justice to victims of atrocities and Mr. Speaker, Congressman Lewis was a amended, was passed. hold perpetrators accountable. This giant among us mere mortals. A motion to reconsider was laid on legislation is an important step in that Not only was he the conscience of the Con- the table. direction, and I am pleased to support gress, widely beloved and revered on both f it. sides of the aisle, but he was also one of the Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of WAR CRIMES REWARDS Original Big Six, a pillar of the Civil Rights my time. EXPANSION ACT Movement, and a lifelong warrior for a more Mr. MCCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I yield just, equitable, and better America. Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I move to myself such time as I may consume. Like Gandhi and Dr. King, Congressman suspend the rules and pass the bill Mr. Speaker, sadly, we live in a world Lewis shaped the world through his actions of (H.R. 1819) to amend the State Depart- where crimes against humanity still nonviolence, and it is in his honor that we ment Basic Authorities Act of 1956 to occur. We have seen two declared geno- gather here today to vote on a bill he cham- provide for rewards for the arrest or cides in just the last 20 years—in pioned. conviction of certain foreign nationals Darfur in 2004, and by ISIS in 2016.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 12:28 Dec 04, 2020 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00034 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K03DE7.061 H03DEPT1 dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with HOUSE December 3, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H6083 We have seen the horrific ethnic H. RES. 996 Whereas according to an investigation by cleanings against the Rohingya in Whereas Yevgeniy Prigozhin is a Russian the London-based Dossier Center, the jour- Burma. We have seen the atrocities national who has maintained close personal nalists had been tracked by officers of the committed by Assad against his own ties with President Vladimir Putin since the Central African Republic gendarmerie who early 2000s; were in close communication with Russian people in Syria. But bringing the nationals tied to the Wagner Group, includ- criminals behind these massacres to Whereas Yevgeniy Prigozhin is the patron and funder of the Wagner Group, also known ing Valery Zakharov and Alexander Sotov; justice can be difficult. That is why 35 as the Private Military Company (PMC) Whereas associates of Yevgeniy Prigozhin years ago, we enacted the State De- Wagner, a Russian mercenary organization were reported to discuss plans to set up partment’s Rewards program. It au- staffed by current and former military and camps ‘‘for combat prep and training in sab- thorizes the Secretary of State to offer intelligence officers, and the Internet Re- otage’’ with the goal of stoking racial vio- rewards for the arrest or conviction of search Agency (IRA), an organization en- lence and carrying out domestic terror at- some of the most dangerous people in gaged in online influence operations; tacks in the United States in the run-up to the world. Whereas the IRA has conducted online in- the November 3, 2020, presidential election; Originally written to be used against formation operations against the United Whereas associates of Yevgeniy Prigozhin States in an attempt to sow division and dis- have set up online influence operations based international terrorists, the successful in Ghana and Nigeria to target social media program has since been expanded to in- cord among the American electorate, as well as the electorates of our European allies and audiences in the United States with the goal clude drug traffickers, war criminals, partners; of inflaming racial tensions and provoking and perpetrators of genocide. As the Whereas entities funded by Yevgeniy social unrest in the run-up to the November world changes and as the international Prigozhin have been used by the Government 3, 2020, presidential election; criminals evolve, we need to make sure of the Russian Federation to conduct mili- Whereas, on December 20, 2016, the Depart- this important program evolves with tary action, subversive operations, and ment of the Treasury designated Yevgeniy them. And that is why I urge my col- disinformation campaigns on its behalf while Prigozhin under Executive Order 13661, ‘‘Blocking Property of Additional Persons leagues to join us in supporting the giving it an appearance of plausible deniability; Contributing to the Situation in Ukraine’’, War Crimes Rewards Expansion Act. for having ‘‘materially assisted, sponsored, Mr. Speaker, the bill makes clear Whereas the Wagner Group was involved in the Russian Federation’s military invasion or provided financial, material, or techno- that these rewards are not just meant and attempted annexation of Ukraine’s Cri- logical support for, or goods or services in to support international tribunals. mea region in February and March 2014, and support of, senior officials of the Russian They can also be used to bring these in the subsequent insurgencies in the eastern Federation’’; dangerous criminals to justice here in Ukrainian regions of Donetsk and Luhansk; Whereas, on June 20, 2017, the Department the United States, under United States Whereas the Wagner Group has been pro- of the Treasury designated the Wagner law. viding military support to the regime of Group under Executive Order 13660, ‘‘Block- Mr. Speaker, I thank the author of Bashar al-Assad in Syria since 2015, fighting ing Property of Certain Persons Contrib- uting to the Situation in Ukraine’’, for being this bill, the gentlewoman from North alongside its forces and helping it recapture significant parts of the country; ‘‘responsible for or complicit in, or having Carolina (Ms. FOXX), and my good Whereas, on February 7, 2018, the Wagner engaged in, directly or indirectly, actions or friend, Chairman ENGEL, for consid- Group led an armed assault on United States policies that threaten the peace, security, ering this bill today, which deserves troops near the city of Deir al-Zour in east- stability, sovereignty, or territorial integ- our support. ern Syria, prompting a United States coun- rity of Ukraine’’; Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance terattack, in what has been described as Whereas, on March 15, 2018, the Depart- of my time. ‘‘the deadliest U.S.-Russia clash since the ment of the Treasury designated Yevgeniy Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield my- Cold War’’; Prigozhin, his affiliated entities, including self such time as I may consume. Whereas the Wagner Group has supported the Internet Research Agency, and his subor- Mr. Speaker, I echo the words of Mr. Khalifa Haftar and his‘‘Libyan National dinates under Executive Order 13694, ‘‘Block- Army’’ by providing mercenaries, artillery, ing the Property of Certain Persons Engag- MCCAUL. I am pleased to support this ing in Significant Malicious Cyber-Enabled legislation, and I urge all Members to tanks, drones, and ammunition, with Yevgeniy Prigozhin personally attending a Activities,’’ for being ‘‘involved in inter- do the same. meeting between Haftar and Russian Defense fering with [U.S.] election processes or insti- Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance Minister Sergei Shoigu in Moscow on No- tutions’’; of my time. vember 7, 2018; Whereas on July 15, 2020, under Executive The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Whereas a United Nations report made Orders 13848, 13694 (as amended), and 13661, question is on the motion offered by public on May 6, 2020, concluded that the the Department of the Treasury designated the gentleman from New York (Mr. Wagner Group has operated up to 1,200 mili- entities located in Sudan, Hong Kong, and ENGEL) that the House suspend the tary contractors in Libya, including snipers Thailand that have enabled Yevgeniy rules and pass the bill, H.R. 1819. and specialized military teams, serving as Prigozhin’s ability to evade United States ‘‘an effective force multiplier’’ for Haftar’s sanctions as well as Prigozhin-linked enti- The question was taken; and (two- ties that have attempted to suppress and dis- thirds being in the affirmative) the army. Whereas mercenaries from the Wagner credit protestors seeking reforms in Sudan; rules were suspended and the bill was Group were deployed to Venezuela in Janu- Whereas, on September 23, 2020, pursuant passed. ary 2019 to provide support for the regime of to Executive Orders 13848, 13694 (as amend- A motion to reconsider was laid on Nicolas Maduro in the face of popular pro- ed), and 13661, the Department of the Treas- the table. tests against his dictatorship; ury designated a network of entities and in- f Whereas Yevgeniy Prigozhin and his affili- dividuals working on behalf of Yevgeniy ated entities have spearheaded operations Prigozhin seeking to advance Russia’s influ- EXPRESSING SENSE OF CONGRESS with the intent to influence political proc- ence in the Central African Republic; THAT YEVGENIY PRIGOZHIN AND esses in Africa on behalf of the Government Whereas, on October 15, 2020, the European HIS AFFILIATED ENTITIES POSE of the Russian Federation in several coun- Union sanctioned Yevgeniy Prigozhin for en- A THREAT TO INTERESTS AND tries, including Madagascar, South Africa, gaging in ‘‘and providing support for Wagner SECURITY OF THE UNITED Sudan, Zimbabwe, and the Central African Group’s activities in Libya, which threaten the country’s peace, stability and security’’; STATES Republic; Whereas the Wagner Group has deployed and Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I move to mercenaries to the Central African Republic Whereas current and former Administra- suspend the rules and agree to the reso- since 2018 and has provided security detail tion officials have affirmed that the malign lution (H. Res. 996) expressing the sense for Central African Republic President activities of Yevgeniy Prigozhin around the of Congress that the activities of Rus- Faustin-Archange Touadera, including Rus- world pose a significant threat to United sian national Yevgeniy Prigozhin and sian national Valery Zakharov, a former se- States national security interests: Now, therefore, be it his affiliated entities pose a threat to curity official with close ties to the Wagner the national interests and security of Group, who serves as the National Security Resolved, That the House of Representa- Adviser; tives— the United States and of its allies and Whereas, on July 31, 2018, Russian journal- (1) condemns any and all attempts by the partners, as amended. ists Orkhan Dzhemal, Kirill Radchenko, and Government of the Russian Federation and The Clerk read the title of the resolu- Alexander Rastorguyev were murdered in the associated actors to influence the domestic tion. Central African Republic while working on a politics of other countries and sow division The text of the resolution is as fol- documentary about the activities of the among their peoples, particularly the United lows: Wagner Group in that country; States and its allies and partners;

VerDate Sep 11 2014 12:28 Dec 04, 2020 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00035 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K03DE7.063 H03DEPT1 dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with HOUSE H6084 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE December 3, 2020 (2) condemns the activities of Russian na- calls for the imposition of additional exposes the truth about the Kremlin’s tional Yevgeniy Prigozhin and his affiliated targeted sanctions. ridiculous claim that Mr. Prigozhin entities that pose a threat to the democratic As Putin and his henchmen, like and the Wagner Group operate inde- values, democratic institutions, and security Prigozhin, continue their attacks on pendently. of the United States and its allies and part- ners; democracies across the world, Congress Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to (3) urges countries and entities engaging must send a strong, unified message support this resolution’s passage, and I with Yevgeniy Prigozhin and his affiliated that we will not tolerate their desta- yield back the balance of my time. entities in business or advisory capacities to bilizing actions and that we are ready Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield my- cease these engagements; to hold them accountable. Passing this self as much time as I may consume for (4) supports the additional designations resolution does just that. the purpose of closing. made by the Department of the Treasury on Mr. Speaker, I strongly support this Mr. Speaker, Yevgeniy Prigozhin is September 23, 2020, and by the European measure, urge all my colleagues to do an enemy of democracy and an adver- Union on October 15, 2020, and calls on the the same, and I reserve the balance of sary of the U.S. and our allies. United States Government and the European From sowing discord and division Union to continue to target the ability of my time. Yevgeniy Prigozhin and his affiliated enti- Mr. MCCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I yield through disinformation campaigns to ties to conduct operations globally and to myself such time as I may consume. stoking violent conflicts around the interfere in the democratic processes of the Mr. Speaker, Yevgeniy Prigozhin is world, Prigozhin is a dangerous Putin United States and its allies and partners; one of the most destructive operators crony. and within Vladimir Putin’s corrupt re- This bipartisan measure condemns (5) calls for close coordination between the gime. The destabilizing activity that Prigozhin’s nefarious activities and United States Government and the govern- he has directed and financed can be felt demonstrates Congress’ support for ments of United States allies and partners to throughout the world. continued cooperation between the ensure that sanctions regimes against United States and our European allies Yevgeniy Prigozhin and his affiliated enti- Mr. Prigozhin bankrolls the Russian ties are enforced and coordinated. Wagner Group, whose mercenaries have to hold him and his Kremlin partners The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- fanned the deadly flames of conflicts, accountable. ant to the rule, the gentleman from propped up dictatorships, committed Mr. Speaker, I hope my colleagues New York (Mr. ENGEL) and the gen- gruesome human rights abuses, all at will join me in supporting its passage, tleman from Texas (Mr. MCCAUL) each the Kremlin’s direction. and I yield back the balance of my will control 20 minutes. In Ukraine, the Wagner Group sup- time. The Chair recognizes the gentleman ported Russia’s illegal annexation of The SPEAKER pro tempore. The from New York. Crimea and the pro-Russian separatists question is on the motion offered by in the country’s east. They have pro- the gentleman from New York (Mr. 1615 b vided military support to the mur- ENGEL) that the House suspend the GENERAL LEAVE derous Bashar al-Assad regime, and rules and agree to the resolution, H. Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I ask unan- they even led an assault against U.S. Res. 996, as amended. imous consent that all Members may troops in Syria in 2018. The question was taken; and (two- have 5 legislative days in which to re- In Libya, Russia has jeopardized ef- thirds being in the affirmative) the vise and extend their remarks and in- forts to bring peace to the country by rules were suspended and the resolu- clude extraneous material on H. Res. supporting Haftar, as well as by send- tion, as amended, was agreed to. 996. ing advanced Russian aircraft and A motion to reconsider was laid on The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there thousands of mercenaries from the the table. objection to the request of the gen- Wagner Group into the country. f tleman from New York? The Wagner Group is also actively CONDEMNING POLITICALLY MOTI- There was no objection. meddling in the domestic politics of VATED IMPRISONMENT AND Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield my- numerous African countries. There, CALLING FOR IMMEDIATE RE- self such time as I may consume. they hope to expand Russian influence LEASE OF POLITICAL PRIS- Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my col- on the continent while also exploiting ONERS IN RUSSIAN FEDERATION leagues on both sides of the aisle for Africa’s natural resources for their own Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I move to joining me to introduce this measure profit. suspend the rules and agree to the reso- condemning one of the principal archi- The United States is not immune lution (H. Res. 958) condemning the tects of Russian aggression around the from the threat posed by the Wagner practice of politically motivated im- world. Yevgeniy Prigozhin is one of Group. Mr. Prigozhin financed the prisonment and calling for the imme- Vladimir Putin’s key cronies, with a Internet Research Agency, a Russian diate release of political prisoners in long history of working against Amer- troll farm that has attempted to inter- the Russian Federation and urging ac- ican interests on behalf of the Russian fere in the United States elections and tion by the United States Government Government. His Internet Research sow discord among the American peo- to impose sanctions with respect to Agency disinformation campaigns have ple. worked to sow division and undermine Let me be clear. Mr. Prigozhin is a persons responsible for that form of democratic elections right here at direct threat to the United States. We human rights abuse, as amended. The Clerk read the title of the resolu- home and also among our allies. cannot allow this behavior to go un- tion. Yevgeniy Prigozhin is also the leader checked. The United States has re- The text of the resolution is as fol- of the Wagner Group, a Russian merce- sponded forcefully, sanctioning him, lows: nary organization, that has spread the Wagner Group, the Internet Re- H. RES. 958 deadly conflict across the globe, engag- search Agency, and many more of Mr. ing in violent and subversive oper- Prigozhin’s front companies and affili- Whereas the right to liberty and security ations in Ukraine, Syria, Libya, and of a person and the protection from arbitrary ates. imprisonment are among the principal sub-Saharan Africa. He has directed In October, I was glad to see the EU human rights guaranteed by Article 9 of the human rights violations in Syria, un- join the United States in sanctioning International Covenant on Civil and Polit- dermined U.S. operations in the Middle Mr. Prigozhin as well. ical Rights, Article 23 of the Concluding Doc- East, and played a key role in invading However, we must keep up the pres- ument of the Vienna Meeting of the Con- and destabilizing Ukraine. sure. That is why I support the resolu- ference on Security and Cooperation in Eu- We must hold Prigozhin accountable tion before us today. It condemns Mr. rope, and Article 5 of the European Conven- and take action to stop his nefarious Prigozhin’s corrupt activity, and it tion on Human Rights; activities. This resolution condemns sends a direct message to the Kremlin Whereas the Russian Federation, as mem- ber of the United Nations, the Organization Prigozhin and his Kremlin partners, ex- that the United States Congress will for Security and Cooperation in Europe presses strong support for the U.S. and continue to hold Mr. Prigozhin ac- (OSCE), and the Council of Europe, is bound European Union sanctions on him, countable for his efforts to further the by international commitments with regard which were announced this fall, and Putin regime’s malign agenda. It also to human rights and the rule of law;

VerDate Sep 11 2014 12:28 Dec 04, 2020 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00036 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A03DE7.063 H03DEPT1 dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with HOUSE December 3, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H6085 Whereas, on October 3, 2012, the Parliamen- silence critics and deny fundamental human clude extraneous material on H. Res. tary Assembly of the Council of Europe rights’’; 958. adopted Resolution 1900 (2012) which defined Whereas, on August 6, 2020, a court in Mos- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there anyone whose ‘‘detention has been imposed cow sentenced seven activists to between objection to the request of the gen- in violation of one of the fundamental guar- four years suspended and sevem years in antees set out in the European Convention prison for participating in an alleged ex- tleman from New York? on Human Rights and its Protocols’’ and ‘‘is tremist organization, ‘‘The New Greatness’’, There was no objection. the result of proceedings which were clearly after an investigation marked by the use of Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield my- unfair and . . . appears to be connected with provocateurs, torture, ill-treatment, and self such time as I may consume. political motives of the authorities’’ as a po- forced confessions, in what the Memorial Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support litical prisoner; Human Rights Center and the Moscow Hel- of H. Res. 958, which condemns politi- Whereas based on the criteria of the Par- sinki Group have described as a ‘‘politically cally motivated imprisonment by the liamentary Assembly of the Council of Eu- motivated case’’ aimed at ‘‘suppressing the Russian Government and calls for the rope Resolution 1900 (2012), the Memorial freedom of expression’’; immediate release of all political pris- Human Rights Center, a Russian nongovern- Whereas, on June 18, 2019, the Department mental organization, estimates that there of State affirmed that ‘‘the United States is oners in Russia. are currently more than 300 political pris- deeply concerned by the growing number of According to the Memorial Human oners in the Russian Federation, a six-fold individuals . . . identified by credible human Rights Center, there are more than 300 increase since 2015; rights organizations as political and reli- political prisoners in Russia today. Whereas the Memorial Human Rights Cen- gious prisoners held by the Government of These prisoners are human rights advo- ter list of Russian political prisoners in- the Russian Federation’’ and called on the cates, journalists, Ukrainians from Cri- cludes journalists, civil society activists, Government of the Russian Federation ‘‘to human rights advocates, participants of mea, and American citizens like Paul release all those identified as political or re- Whelan and Trevor Reed. peaceful organizations, and Ukrainian citi- ligious prisoners immediately and cease its zens from illegally annexed Crimea; use of the legal system to suppress dissent It has been common practice for the Whereas the Russian Federation’s longest- and peaceful religious practice’’; Kremlin to target opposition figures as detained political prisoner, Alexey Pichugin, Whereas, on January 28, 2020, 43 parliamen- an act of political revenge. Russian au- has been incarcerated since June 19, 2003, in tarians from 16 European countries intro- thorities regularly abuse counterter- violation of two rulings by the European duced a Resolution in the Parliamentary As- rorism laws and Interpol’s Red Notice Court of Human Rights and the opinion by sembly of the Council of Europe to appoint a system to silence critics and deny the United Nations Working Group on Arbi- rapporteur ‘‘to examine the growing crisis them fundamental human rights. trary Detention; with politically motivated imprisonments in Whereas investigative journalist and We must not only condemn these the Russian Federation’’; and abuses, but we must increase the eco- former editor of the independent newspaper Whereas, on June 29, 2020, the Parliamen- Noviye Kolyosa, Igor Rudnikov was held in tary Assembly of the Council of Europe’s nomic and political cost for Russian of- pretrial detention from November 1, 2017, Legal Affairs Committee appointed Icelandic ficials who engage in unjust until June 17, 2019, on alleged extortion lawmaker Thorhildur Sunna Aevarsdottir to imprisonments and political retalia- charges, which were later dropped by the serve as the rapporteur on political prisoners tion. court; in Russia: Now, therefore, be it This resolution calls on the Depart- Whereas Igor Rudnikov’s detention and Resolved, That the House of Representa- charges were criticized by the OSCE Rep- ments of State and Treasury to use the tives— Sergei Magnitsky Rule of Law Ac- resentative on Freedom of the Media and Re- (1) condemns the practice of politically porters without Borders, calling them motivated imprisonment in the Russian Fed- countability Act of 2012 and the Global ‘‘clearly trumped-up’’ and ‘‘an act of polit- eration that violates the country’s inter- Magnitsky Human Rights Account- ical revenge’’, respectively; national obligations on human rights and ability Act to pursue Russia officials Whereas opposition activist Konstantin the rule of law and expresses its solidarity who are responsible for or complicit in Kotov was sentenced to 1.5 years imprison- with all those unjustly imprisoned in the politically motivated imprisonment. I ment on April 20, 2020, for participating in Russian Federation; peaceful demonstrations, in a ruling Am- remember in 2012, we all worked to- (2) calls on the Government of the Russian nesty International has described as ‘‘a pro- gether to put this very important law Federation to immediately release individ- found injustice’’; on the books. uals designated by the Memorial Human Whereas Anastasia Shevchenko, an activ- Rights Center as political prisoners under No one deserves to be used as a polit- ist in the Open Russia movement, has been the criteria of the Parliamentary Assembly ical pawn by Vladimir Putin. It is crit- held under house arrest since January 23, of the Council of Europe Resolution 1900 ical that Congress strongly condemns 2019, on the charge of belonging to an ‘‘unde- (2012), including Alexey Pichugin, and takes action against Russia’s sirable’’ organization and has been des- Konstantin Kotov, Anastasia Shevchenko, ignated by Amnesty International as a pris- wrongful imprisonments. oner of conscience; Yuri Dmitriev, and Dennis Christensen; Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to Whereas Yuri Dmitriev, a leader of Memo- (3) urges the United States Government, in support this measure, and I reserve the rial Society’s branch in the Republic of all its interactions with the Government of balance of my time. the Russian Federation, to raise individual Karelia region of the Russian Federation Mr. MCCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I yield cases of Russian political prisoners and advo- who has worked to document mass burial myself such time as I may consume. sites from Stalin-era executions, has been cate for their release; and (4) calls on the Secretary of State and the Mr. Speaker, I have said many times held in detention since June 28, 2018, on that Vladimir Putin is not our friend. charges of child pornography that Human Secretary of the Treasury to use their au- Rights Watch has described as ‘‘bogus’’ and thority under the Sergei Magnitsky Rule of Under his command, the Russian Gov- part of an ongoing ‘‘smear campaign’’, and Law Accountability Act of 2012 (title IV of ernment has invaded Georgia, started a was sentenced to 13 years in prison on Sep- Public Law 112–208), the Global Magnitsky war with Ukraine, assisted Bashar al- tember 29, 2020; Human Rights Accountability Act (subtitle Assad’s murderous campaign in Syria, Whereas Dennis Christensen, a Jehovah’s F of title XII of Public Law 114–328), and and meddled in our elections. other applicable United States statutory au- Witness and a Danish citizen, was sentenced But he is not just a threat to inter- to 6 years’ imprisonment on February 6, 2019, thorities to designate officials of the Govern- ment of the Russian Federation who are re- national security. Vladimir Putin is an in a decision condemned by the United enemy of democracy. We know this by States Commission on International Reli- sponsible for human rights abuses in the gious Freedom as part of the broader pattern form of politically motivated imprisonment. his brutal actions that he has taken of the Russian Government ‘‘engaging in or The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- against his own people. tolerating severe violations of religious free- ant to the rule, the gentleman from Over the last 20 years, under Putin’s dom’’; New York (Mr. ENGEL) and the gen- control, Moscow has chipped away at Whereas, on February 10, 2020, 7 activists tleman from Texas (Mr. MCCAUL) each the few political freedoms once enjoyed from Russia’s Penza Oblast were sentenced will control 20 minutes. in Russia. Media outlets have been to terms of 6 to 18 years for alleged member- The Chair recognizes the gentleman shut down; political parties have been ship in a terrorist group following a deten- from New York. attacked; opposition figures have been tion marked by torture, ill-treatment to ex- GENERAL LEAVE assassinated; and activists have been tract confessions, and periods held incommu- nicado; Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I ask unan- thrown in jail. Whereas Human Rights Watch described imous consent that all Members may This is not the future that so many the case as an example of the Russian au- have 5 legislative days in which to re- in Russia had hoped for when the Iron thorities ‘‘abusing counterterrorism laws to vise and extend their remarks and in- Curtain was lifted. Now, hundreds of

VerDate Sep 11 2014 12:28 Dec 04, 2020 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00037 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A03DE7.064 H03DEPT1 dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with HOUSE H6086 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE December 3, 2020 political prisoners occupy cells in Rus- tisan resolution, H. Res. 958, ‘‘Condemning international commitments, including the incar- sian jails. They aren’t there because the practice of politically motivated imprison- ceration of political prisoners, occur. they are bad people. They aren’t there ment and calling for the immediate release of It is our responsibility as Members of Con- because they are real criminals. They political prisoners in the Russian Federation gress to pass this resolution today in order to are there because Vladimir Putin is and urging action by the United States Gov- urge the Russian Federation to release its po- afraid of them. He doesn’t want them ernment to impose sanctions with respect to litical prisoners and respect the basic human to challenge his authority. He doesn’t persons responsible for that form of human rights of its citizens. want them to have a voice. rights abuse.’’ I urge all Members on both sides of the Today, we have a chance to provide a For years, Russia’s human rights record has aisle to join me in voting for H. Res. 958, voice for the people Putin has tried to continued to deteriorate, with the rights to ‘‘Condemning the practice of politically moti- silence. This resolution condemns the freedom of expression, association, and vated imprisonment and calling for the imme- practice of jailing individuals for polit- peaceful assembly consistently restricted, both diate release of political prisoners in the Rus- ical purposes and calls for the release by law and in practice. sian Federation and urging action by the of all political prisoners in Russia. It Most often, the people who are courageous United States Government to impose sanc- also urges the administration to im- enough to attempt exercising their most basic tions with respect to persons responsible for pose sanctions on Russian officials who human rights, including freedom of the press that form of human rights abuse.’’ are complicit in human rights abuses. and freedom of speech, face reprisals, ranging The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Once again, I want to thank my good from harassment to police ill-treatment, arbi- question is on the motion offered by the gentleman from New York (Mr. friend, Chairman ENGEL, for intro- trary arrest, heavy fines, and, in some cases, ducing this bill. He has been a great criminal prosecution and imprisonment. ENGEL) that the House suspend the champion for victims of tyranny his Among the Kremlin’s political prisoners are rules and agree to the resolution, H. entire career. I am grateful for all of journalists, opposition activists, peaceful pro- Res. 958, as amended. The question was taken; and (two- his hard work. testers, adherents of ‘‘prohibited’’ religious thirds being in the affirmative) the Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to groups, such as Jehovah’s Witnesses, as well rules were suspended and the resolu- support this resolution, and I yield as members of ‘‘undesirable’’ political organi- tion, as amended, was agreed to. back the balance of my time. zations like Open Russia, an organization that A motion to reconsider was laid on Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield my- has done a lot to support victims of human the table. self such time as I may consume for rights violations in Russia. the purpose of closing. In fact, several human rights defenders and f Mr. Speaker, first, I want to thank NGOs have been targeted within Russia under EXPRESSING CONCERN OVER my friend, the ranking member of the the laws on ‘‘foreign agents’’ and ‘‘undesirable DETENTION OF AUSTIN TICE Foreign Affairs Committee, Mr. organizations’’. Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I move to MCCAUL. It has been a pleasure work- Mr. Speaker, this resolution seeks to do suspend the rules and agree to the reso- ing closely with him on so many pieces three things: lution (H. Res. 17) expressing concern of legislation. I know that the work Condemn the practice of politically moti- over the detention of Austin Tice, and will continue, and we will continue to vated imprisonment by the Russian govern- for other purposes, as amended. keep in touch and make sure that we ment, particularly under the leadership of The Clerk read the title of the resolu- go the right way in trying to stop these President Vladimir Putin; tion. human rights abuses all over the world. Call for the immediate release of those des- The text of the resolution is as fol- The number of political prisoners in ignated as political prisoners in the Russian lows: Russia has increased by sixfold since Federation; and H. RES. 17 the year 2015. This is what we have Urge the current Administration to impose Whereas Austin Tice is a 39-year-old vet- come to expect from Vladimir Putin’s sanctions on those responsible for these eran, having served in the Marine Corps as Russia: Blatant disregard for human human rights abuses using the Sergei an infantry officer, a Georgetown law stu- rights and rule of law. Magnitsky Rule of Law Accountability Act, the dent, and a graduate of Georgetown Univer- The United States must stand firm Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability sity, from Houston, Texas; against Russia’s practice of politically Act, or other authorities. Whereas Austin is an Eagle Scout, Na- motivated imprisonment and impose By passing this resolution today, we are tional Merit Scholarship finalist, and eldest sanctions against anyone responsible of seven children; sending a bipartisan message to the Russian Whereas Austin was a contributing free- for these human rights abuses. It is Government that we see the violations of lance journalist to McClatchy Newspapers, really important that the U.S. Con- human rights that are occurring, and we will the Washington Post and other media out- gress stand up and do this. It is really not stand idly by while people who are fighting lets, and a recipient of the 2012 George Polk important that we do it, regardless of for progress are tortured and ill-treated. Award for War Reporting; political party. Furthermore, counter-terrorism provisions Whereas, in May 2012, Austin crossed the It is really important to send Putin a are widely used to target dissent across the Turkey-Syria border to report on the inten- message that we are not going to sit country and in Crimea, and torture tactics re- sifying conflict in Syria; idly by and allow him to do his bad Whereas, on August 11, 2012, Austin cele- main pervasive, as does impunity for its per- brated his 31st birthday in Darayaa, Syria; work. He has interfered with our elec- petrators. Whereas, on August 14, 2012, Austin de- tions. He has tried again. He succeeded Last year, due to the growing disconnect parted for Beirut, Lebanon, was detained at some of the time; he didn’t succeed in between the authorities and general public, a checkpoint near Damascus, Syria, and con- other times. But we want him to stay there was an increase in street protests, rang- tact with family, friends, and colleagues away, and we want the people of Russia ing from political to economic to social and ceased; to have a government where they can even to environmental issues. Whereas, in late September 2012, a video feel free, not one where they feel the In July and August of 2019, more than clip appeared on YouTube showing Austin boot on their neck all the time. 2,600 people were arrested during protests in blindfolded and being prodded up a hillside by masked militants; We need to stand firm against Rus- Moscow, which had remained peaceful until Whereas in the years since Austin’s dis- sia’s practice of politically motivated the police and National Guard officers forcibly appearance, no group has claimed responsi- imprisonment and impose sanctions intervened. bility for his capture; against anyone, even Putin, respon- According to Amnesty International, there Whereas the Syrian government has never sible for these human rights abuses. were numerous reports of arbitrary arrest, use acknowledged detaining Austin and has de- Mr. Speaker, I urge Members to sup- of excessive, as well as indiscriminate force nied the same to Austin’s parents; port H. Res. 958, and I yield back the and ill-treatment of protesters by the officers, Whereas officials of the United States be- balance of my time. but none of these cases were known to have lieve Austin is alive and being held in Syria and that the Syrian government should as- Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, as a been investigated. sist in locating and returning Austin to his member of the Tom Lantos Commission for As a fierce defender of human rights and family; Human Rights and a former member of the the world’s oldest democracy, the United Whereas Austin Tice’s parents, Marc and Commission on Security and Cooperation in States has a duty to the world to speak up in Debra Tice, have been diligent in their ef- Europe, I rise in strong support of this bipar- the face of injustice and when violations of forts to find their son, repeatedly meeting

VerDate Sep 11 2014 12:28 Dec 04, 2020 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00038 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K03DE7.068 H03DEPT1 dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with HOUSE December 3, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H6087 with senior officials of the United States have diplomatic influence with the Syrian ing member, MICHAEL MCCAUL, for his Government, the Syrian government, the government; and leadership on this issue. I am proud to United Nations, and many others; (5) requests that the Department of State support this measure, and I encourage Whereas the Tices have traveled to the and the intelligence community continue to my colleagues to do the same. Middle East multiple times, most recently in work with and inform Congress and the fami- Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of December 2018, seeking Austin’s safe release, lies of Austin Tice and Majd Kamalmaz to and Debra Tice spent four months living in the extent possible regarding efforts to se- my time. PERMANENT SELECT COMMITTEE ON Damascus, Syria, for the same purpose; cure their safe release and return from de- INTELLIGENCE, Whereas the Tices have partnered with Re- tention in Syria. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, porters Without Borders to launch cam- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- paigns with nearly 270 newspapers and media Washington, DC, December 1, 2020. organizations, highlighting Austin’s case in ant to the rule, the gentleman from Hon. , their publications and on their websites; New York (Mr. ENGEL) and the gen- Committeee on Foreign Affairs, Whereas institutions and organizations, in- tleman from Texas (Mr. MCCAUL) each House of Representatives, Washington, DC. cluding Georgetown University, Georgetown will control 20 minutes. DEAR CHAIRMAN ENGEL: I write concerning Law Center, the National Press Club, the The Chair recognizes the gentleman H. Res. 17, a resolution that expresses con- cern regarding the 2012 capture and deten- Committee to Protect Journalists, from New York. McClatchy, and the Washington Post, have tion in Syria of Austin Tice—a U.S. Citizen, collaborated to raise and maintain public b 1630 journalist, and veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps; and encourages the Executive Branch awareness of Austin’s detention; GENERAL LEAVE to take further actions aimed at bringing Whereas, on November 18, 2018, then- Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I ask unan- about Mr. Tice’s immediate and safe return. United States Special Presidential Envoy for Certain provisions in the resolution fall Hostage Affairs, Robert O’Brien, said that imous consent that all Members have 5 within the jurisdiction of the House Perma- the United States Government believes Aus- legislative days in which to revise and nent Select Committee on Intelligence tin Tice is alive; extend their remarks and include ex- (HPSCI), as set forth in Rule X of the House Whereas at a press briefing on March 19, traneous material on H. Res. 17. of Representatives for the 116th Congress. 2020, President Trump expressed concern for The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there In the interest of permitting your com- Austin and called on the Syrian government objection to the request of the gen- mittee to proceed expeditiously to floor con- to release him; tleman from New York? sideration of this important bill, I am will- Whereas Majd Kamalmaz is a 62-year old There was no objection. ing to waive this committee’s right to se- Syrian-American psychotherapist, father of quential referral. By waiving consideration four, and resident of Texas; Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield my- self such time as I may consume. of H. Res. 17, HPSCI does not waive any fu- Whereas Majd is a well-known mental- ture jurisdictional claim over the subjects health professional with experience in dis- Mr. Speaker, in August 2012, Amer- contained in the bill which fall within aster relief and post-traumatic care; ican journalist and Marine veteran HPSCI’s Rule X jurisdiction. I also ask that Whereas in February 2017 Majd traveled to Austin Tice was abducted while report- our exchange of letters be included in the Syria to visit an elderly family member and ing on the ongoing conflict in Syria. Congressional Record during consideration aid civilians traumatized by the Syrian civil Eight years later, Tice continues to be of the measure on the House floor. war; held captive, his family and friends un- I continue to be grateful for our commit- Whereas on February 16, 2017 Majd’s family tees’ longstanding cooperation, both regard- received word that he had been detained at a aware of his condition and where- ing this matter and others. And I continue to checkpoint on his way to Ghouta, outside of abouts. strongly support this and other efforts to se- Damascus, Syria; Five years later, another American cure Mr. Tice’s immediate and safe return to Whereas since February 2017 Majd’s family citizen, Texas resident and the United States. has not heard from him; psychotherapist Majd Kamalmaz, was Sincerely, Whereas the Syrian government has never detained without cause in northern ADAM B. SCHIFF, publicly acknowledged detaining Majd; Syria while visiting an elderly family Chairman. Whereas Majd’s family and the Syrian- member and aiding civilians trauma- American community have advocated tire- HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, lessly for his immediate release; tized by the civil war. Kamalmaz has COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS, Whereas in July 2020, United States Am- been imprisoned by the Assad regime Washington, DC, November 23, 2020. bassador and Special Presidential Envoy for in Syria ever since without access to Hon. ADAM B. SCHIFF, Hostage Affairs Roger Carstens publicly the outside world. House Permanent Select Committee on Intel- stated, ‘‘The U.S. Government is in frequent The Tice and Kamalmaz families ligence, contact with the Kamalmaz family to pro- have worked tirelessly to secure the House of Representatives, Washington, DC. vide support and information’’ and that immediate release of their loved ones. DEAR CHAIRMAN SCHIFF: I am writing to ‘‘Bringing home Majd, along with all U.S. you concerning H. Res. 17, expressing con- citizens held hostage or wrongfully detained Still, Austin and Majd continue to suf- cern over the detention of Austin Tice, and abroad, has the attention of the highest lev- fer inside Syria. H. Res. 17 encourages for other purposes. I appreciate your willing- els in the U.S. government.’’; and the Department of State, the Office of ness to work cooperatively on this legisla- Whereas, as described in the Caesar Syria the Special Presidential Envoy for Hos- tion. Civilian Protection Act of 2019 (22 U.S.C. 8791 tage Affairs, and other U.S. Govern- I acknowledge that provisions of the bill note), Congress calls on the regime of Bashar ment entities to work jointly to facili- fall within the jurisdiction of the House Per- al-Assad to release all political prisoners manent Select Committee on Intelligence tate Tice and Kamalmaz’ safe release under House Rule X, and that your Com- forcibly held within its prison system and to and return. allow access to the same facilities for inves- mittee will forgo action on H. Res. 17 to ex- tigations by appropriate international This legislation does not legitimize pedite floor consideration. I further ac- human rights organizations: Now, therefore, the Assad regime. I would never do knowledge that the inaction of your Com- be it that. For years and years, I have called mittee with respect to the bill does not Resolved, That the House of Representa- them out on all of their human rights waive any future jurisdictional claim over tives— violations. It is a brutal regime, mur- the matters contained in the bill that fall (1) expresses its ongoing concern regarding dering men, women, and children in the within your jurisdiction. I will also support the appointment of House Permanent Select the capture of Austin Tice in August 2012 and hundreds of thousands. Majd Kamalmaz in February 2017, and their Committee on Intelligence conferees during continuing detention; So, this doesn’t legitimize the Assad any House-Senate conference convened on (2) encourages the Department of State, regime, nor does it legitimize the de- this legislation. the intelligence community, and the inter- plorable tactic of hostage-taking. In Lastly, I will ensure that our exchange of agency Hostage Recovery Fusion Cell to fact, it does the opposite. letters is included in the Congressional jointly continue investigations and to pursue Passing this resolution is a recogni- Record during floor consideration of the bill. all possible information regarding Austin tion that our country stands with Aus- Thank you again for your cooperation re- garding the legislation. I look forward to and Majd’s detention; tin Tice and Majd Kamalmaz and those (3) encourages the Department of State continuing to work with you as the measure like them who have been victims of the moves through the legislative process. and the Special Presidential Envoy for Hos- Assad regime. tage Affairs to engage the Syrian govern- Sincerely, ment to facilitate Austin and Majd’s safe re- Mr. Speaker, I thank Congressman ELIOT L. ENGEL, lease and return; for introducing this impor- Chairman. (4) encourages the Department of State to tant legislation. I want to also recog- Mr. MCCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I yield work with foreign governments known to nize, once again, our committee’s rank- myself such time as I may consume.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 12:28 Dec 04, 2020 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00039 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A03DE7.107 H03DEPT1 dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with HOUSE H6088 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE December 3, 2020 Mr. Speaker, 3,034 days. That is how over the past years. He and I, working The President has weighed in. He has long Austin Tice, a former U.S. marine together with other Members in this sent the Tice family a message indi- and freelance journalist, has been held Chamber, will bring Austin home, fi- cating that he is going to work hard to captive in Syria. It is far past time nally. bring Austin home. that he be returned home to his family Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of Mr. Speaker, this resolution today is in Houston. my time. another step in the direction of bring- Austin has dedicated his life to his Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 ing Austin Tice home. He is a great country and to serving others. After minutes to the gentleman from Texas American. He has played by the rules. serving 10 years in the United States (Mr. GREEN), the author of this impor- He is the kind of son that any one of us Marine Corps, Austin decided to enroll tant resolution. would want to have and the kind of son in law school. He wanted to continue Mr. GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I that Debra and Marc Tice are blessed helping those who needed help the thank the chairperson of the com- to have. But their blessing should not most. While he was attending George- mittee, Mr. ENGEL, and the ranking end with having a son; their blessing town Law, just down the street from member of the committee, Mr. should end with having their son with here, he couldn’t stop thinking about MCCAUL, for supporting this legisla- them. what he had seen and the people he had tion. Again, I thank all who have played a Mr. Speaker, I am on a mission of met on his tours in the Middle East. role in getting this resolution to the So, before beginning his final year of mercy. I have been on a mission of floor. mercy for 8 years because it has been law school, Austin decided to return to Mr. MCCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 the Middle East. Only this time, it more than 8 years now that Austin minutes to the gentleman from Arkan- Tice has been detained in Syria. Eight would be to report on the atrocities sas (Mr. HILL), whose constituent is years it has been. That is also how long happening in Syria. Majd Kamalmaz. The Assad regime’s brutal attacks on this family has been grieving. Mr. HILL of Arkansas. Mr. Speaker, I I, too, know the Tice family. I have its own people were horrifying to hear thank my friend, Mr. MCCAUL, for the met with them multiple times and about. They were even using chemical time and take a moment to salute and talked with them multiple times weapons on their own people. provide tribute to Congressman ELIOT today, in fact. Unfortunately, there weren’t enough I am grateful to many people who ENGEL for his extraordinary service as reporters on the ground in Syria to have made it possible for this resolu- chair of the House Foreign Affairs verify their crimes or tell the world tion to come to the floor, so I think it Committee. His wise counsel will be about the suffering of the Syrian peo- important that I immediately thank missed in this House. ple. So, Austin did what he has always them. Mr. Speaker, let me thank, too, my done. He stepped up to the plate and Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Speak- good friend on the House Financial filled a much-needed void in a very er PELOSI because I talked to her per- Services Committee, a colleague and dangerous place in order to help those sonally about the Tice situation. I collaborator on many good things, my who could not help themselves. thank Majority Leader HOYER; I had a friend, Congressman AL GREEN from But then, on August 14, 2012, as he conversation with him. I want to thank Houston, for his service and leadership was preparing to return home, Austin Congressman HILL for his steadfast re- on this important matter. was captured at a checkpoint in Da- solve to not only help Austin but to Austin Bennett Tice, an inter- mascus. Now, more than 8 years later, help Dr. Kamalmaz, his constituent. national correspondent in Syria and a he is still being held in Syria. Austin is Again, Chairman ENGEL has been Marine veteran who we have heard now entering his ninth year of cap- stellar, superb, and supreme in allow- about today, has been missing since tivity. In just a matter of months, he ing this to come to the floor. Mr. 2012. And my constituent, Dr. Majd will turn 40 years old. MCCAUL has been a great partner. He Kamalmaz, a noted child therapist who Mr. Speaker, that is nine birthdays has demonstrated the kind of biparti- was in Syria attending the funeral of a that he will have missed back home, sanship that the public expects from us relative, has been missing since 2017. nine Thanksgiving dinners without his on issues such as these. Of course, I These families deserve certainty and family. Later this month, it will be thank the 41 cosponsors of this legisla- recovery of their loved ones, Mr. nine Christmases that his family has tion. Speaker. Both Mr. Tice and Dr. had to endure without him. Finally, I thank the Tice family for Kamalmaz have called on American I have met Austin’s parents many having the courage, the strength, the and international leaders to bring times, and it is very tragic and emo- intestinal fortitude to stay with it. home their loved ones. tional. Each time, I see the pain in Never one time have they given up on It is our duty to do whatever we can their eyes as they describe their tire- the belief that their son, their eldest to ensure that these and all other less efforts to bring him home. That is son, can be returned home to them. Americans held abroad are returned a pain that only parents can truly un- Who was Austin Tice? Well, he loved safely and as soon as possible. derstand. his country. He loved his country. He I am grateful for the leadership of It is up to us here in this Chamber to went to the Marines. He was a Marine President Trump and now National Se- show the Tice family that we will not captain, a veteran Marine captain. He curity Advisor and former Special tolerate this for another year. Austin is such. He played by the rules. At 16 Envoy for Hostage Affairs Robert deserves to have his life back, and his years of age, he was in college. He re- O’Brien for their steadfast determina- family deserves to have him back. ceived his undergraduate degree from tion to bring American citizens home. Mr. Speaker, with this resolution, we Georgetown University School of For- Our work will not be complete until once again urge the administration to eign Services. He played by the rules. all Americans are reunited with their continue working to bring Austin He went on to get an opportunity to families and their loved ones. home. The State Department should help others. He believed in helping We ask for God’s blessings on this use all the tools at its disposal to en- other people. This is why he went to House floor for those held in captivity sure his safe and immediate return. Syria. and for their loved ones. Congress will not rest, and I will not He went to those places where few of Mr. Speaker, I vote in favor, and I rest, and my colleague, Congressman us would dare to go, and he went be- urge my colleagues to vote in favor of GREEN, will not rest until Austin and cause he wanted the world to know this important legislation. Let’s pull the other American hostages detained what is happening in these distant together in this House to bring home abroad have been safely reunited with places. And while he was there, he went our American hostages. their families. missing. A month after he was not Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 Mr. Speaker, I thank my dear friend heard from, a 43-second video emerged minute to the gentleman from Texas and colleague, Congressman AL GREEN, with the title ‘‘Austin Tice is Alive.’’ (Mr. GREEN), the author of this impor- for his introduction of this bill. The We know that he is alive. We want tant resolution. Tice family are his constituents. He him back alive. We are asking all who Mr. GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, has stood by them day in and day out can be of service to do so. on an issue such as this, no one should

VerDate Sep 11 2014 12:28 Dec 04, 2020 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00040 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K03DE7.072 H03DEPT1 dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with HOUSE December 3, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H6089 be left behind who has played a role in truth of what went on in Syria and ment to secure the prisoners’ release helping with this cause. We have men- continues to go on. home. The immediate release of Amer- tioned that it is bipartisan, but it is Please join me in supporting this res- ican citizens Austin Tice and Majd also bicameral. olution and sending a powerful mes- Kamalmaz is very important to us. Senators CRUZ and CORNYN have sage. As you have heard, they have been played a role in helping us to get this Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I reserve unjustly held in Syria, and we are not message to the world. Mr. Speaker, I the balance of my time. going to let it go. We are not going to want to thank them, the 41 Members Mr. MCCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I yield stop until they are released. It is the who signed on, and all others who myself the balance of my time. right thing to do, and it is the only signed on to a letter that we sent to Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman ELIOT thing that we can do. the President. ENGEL, Representatives GREEN, BILI- I again thank Congressman GREEN Mr. Speaker, I am grateful for the op- RAKIS, , and so many of my for introducing this bipartisan resolu- portunity to say these words of grati- other colleagues on both sides of the tion. I thank Mr. MCCAUL for working tude and thanks. aisle for supporting this important with us on this. Mr. MCCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 measure. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance minutes to the gentleman from Florida Austin Tice dedicated his life to serv- of my time. Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, as a co- (Mr. BILIRAKIS). ice. From his time in the Marine Corps Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, the to his reporting on the brutal civil war sponsor, a mother, and a senior member of story of Austin Tice’s disappearance and humanitarian crisis in Syria, he the House Judiciary Committee, I rise in and presumed imprisonment is tragic lived to improve the lives of others. strong support of this bipartisan resolution, H. and frustrating. Think about it: Austin went to Syria Res. 17, ‘‘Expressing Concern Over the De- I met with Austin’s loving parents, to document some of the most brutal tention of Austin Tice, and for other pur- Marc and Debra, last year in my office, crimes against humanity so the world poses.’’ In May of 2012, the summer before Austin’s where they told me about the heart- would see it, to expose what Assad has final year at Georgetown Law School, he breaking details of his abduction in done to his own people to the world, chose to go to Syria as a freelance journalist 2012 at a checkpoint near Damascus on and the price he had to pay for that is to be put into a Syrian prison. to cover the country’s civil war. his way to Beirut. Austin felt compelled to tell the story of the It is far past time that we repay Aus- Hearing about Austin, I knew I had horrific and ongoing conflict there as well as tin for his service, not only to our to do what I could to try and help, just its impact on the people of Syria. like these other Members who have country, but to the world to expose On August 14, 2012, Austin departed from spoken earlier. So, with the Tices sit- these war crimes, to expose what was the town of Darayya, a suburb of Damascus, ting in my office, I called upon the help happening over there, and the courage to travel to Lebanon, but shortly after leaving, of my Syrian-American friend and con- he had to go over there to photograph. he was detained at a Syrian check point. stituent, Paul Jallo. I put Mr. Jallo on By bringing him home to his friends Five weeks later, a 43-second video speakerphone as we brainstormed with and his family, that is the way we pay emerged online with the title, ‘‘Austin Tice is Marc and Debra as to how we could him back. We have to use every tool at Alive’’, showing Austin being held by a group navigate the treachery of this situa- our disposal within the United States of unidentified men with assault rifles, but tion on the ground in Syria. Government to bring him home to his there was no other message that accom- family. b 1645 panied the video. Again, I want to thank all those in- Even still today, no group has claimed re- Paul vowed to enlist the assistance of volved, and in particular, Congressman sponsibility for his capture nor have there his family and friends living in Damas- GREEN, who represents the family, been any demands in exchange for his re- cus to try and garner critical informa- whom we have talked to extensively. lease. tion as to Austin’s current location This is one of those measures that is Austin Tice was not a combatant. and the identity of his captors. I can- really an emotional one from the heart He was simply a young man doing his job, not thank and commend Paul enough because we are talking about the life of yet he has, without a doubt, had to suffer un- for his continued efforts to help the a patriot who is trapped in a very bad imaginable ordeals and face the dangers of Tices in this ongoing endeavor to de- prison in Syria overseas and cannot get conflict, hostile governments, and rapacious termine the status of Austin’s well- out, and it has been 8 years—8 years, bandits while reporting on the Syrian civil war. being. for God’s sake, Mr. Speaker. It is time My heart goes out to Austin’s parents, We are frustrated, Mr. Speaker, that to bring Austin home. Debra and Marc Tice, as well as the rest of we still can’t confirm with any degree Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance his family and loved ones for the pain and un- of certainty Austin’s captors, though of my time. certainty that they have had to endure for over we believe that Syrian President al- Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield my- eight years. Assad’s government has within its self the balance of my time for the pur- Eight years. power and influence to see to Austin’s pose of closing. Mr. Speaker, that is over 2,920 days that release, despite denials of detaining Today’s resolution calls for the im- Austin’s mother has had to go without hearing him. mediate release of American citizens his voice, holding his hand, or seeing his face. This is unacceptable, Mr. Speaker. Austin Tice and Majd Kamalmaz, who Austin was born and raised in my home- Austin was not a combatant, not a have been unjustly held in Syria. It is town, Houston, Texas. He is the oldest of seven siblings, a former threat to al-Assad’s regime, and yet he time the Assad regime heeds our calls U.S. Marine, and his lifelong dream was to be- had to endure the terrible fate of im- and works with the U.S. Government come an international correspondent for NPR. prisonment without acknowledgment. to secure their return home. It is no secret that the risk of arrest, abduc- Austin, who proudly served our coun- I have been a critic of the Assad re- tion, or death make journalism extremely dan- try as an officer in the United States gime in all the years I have been in gerous and difficult in Syria. Marine Corps, deserves better, and his Congress, which is 32 years. The Assad In fact, according to Reporters Without Bor- parents, Marc and Deborah Tice, who regime has been brutal with its own ders, Syria is ranked 174th out of 180 coun- have tirelessly fought for answers, de- people, has murdered so many of its tries in the 2020 World Press Freedom Index. serve better. own people, and I know that Mr. In 2020 alone, Reporters Without Borders Today we are going to send a mes- MCCAUL will remember not so long ago, has documented the killings of 40 journalists sage to the Syrian Government that on the Foreign Affairs Committee, and 3 media assistants as well as the impris- the United States of America has not someone smuggled in a bunch of photo- onment of 260 journalists, 122 citizen journal- forgotten about Austin Tice and that graphs that were taken in Syrian pris- ists, and 12 media assistants in Syria. we will not give up on him. ons. They were horrific and reminded Last year, I joined 122 Members of the Today we are here, and we are going one of the 1930s and 1940s with the House of Representatives and over 50 Sen- to stand up and fight for someone who genocide in Europe. ators in a bipartisan letter to the President, de- put himself in the face of danger to It is time the Assad regime heeds our manding that his Administration act to facilitate make sure that we always knew the calls and works with the U.S. Govern- Austin’s release from Syria.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 12:28 Dec 04, 2020 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00041 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\K03DE7.073 H03DEPT1 dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with HOUSE H6090 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE December 3, 2020 With that letter and this resolution, I am Whereas Trevor Reed’s defense team was (8) expresses support to the family of once again calling on the Department of State, denied access to additional video evidence Trevor Reed and commitment to bringing the Office of the Special Presidential Envoy for from the police vehicle and police station Trevor Reed home. that had the potential to prove his inno- Hostage Affairs, and other U.S. government The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- cence; ant to the rule, the gentleman from entities to engage with Syria for the purpose Whereas the police officers claimed emo- of securing Austin’s safe release. tional and physical damages, but did not sus- New York (Mr. ENGEL) and the gen- From serving in Afghanistan and Iraq as a tain any visible injury, or claim any time tleman from Texas (Mr. MCCAUL) each Marine to working as a journalist dedicated to missed from work; will control 20 minutes. delivering vital news to the American people, Whereas the Constitutional Supreme Court The Chair recognizes the gentleman Austin Tice spent his life giving back and of the Russian Federation and the Second from New York. showing up for this country. Court of Cassation of General Jurisdiction GENERAL LEAVE concurred that Russian procedural law was Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I ask unan- Now we need to do the same for him and violated in the way that Trevor Reed’s bail bring him home. was revoked; imous consent that all Members have 5 I am honored to be a leader on this resolu- Whereas the United States Embassy in legislative days in which to revise and tion, and I wish to thank my colleague and Moscow has filed complaints with the Rus- extend their remarks and include ex- good friend from Texas, Representative AL sian Foreign Ministry regarding denial of traneous material on H. Res. 1115. GREEN, for his leadership on this resolution. communications with Trevor Reed; The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there I urge all Members on both sides of the Whereas during the trial, the defense coun- objection to the request of the gen- aisle to join me in voting for H. Res. 17, ‘‘Ex- sel presented 59 minutes of traffic camera tleman from New York? video that showed the police car— pressing Concern over the Detention of Austin There was no objection. (1) did not change direction or leave its Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield my- Tice, and for other purposes.’’ lane; self such time as I may consume. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The (2) did not swerve; and Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support question is on the motion offered by (3) did not stop or slow down; the gentleman from New York (Mr. Whereas, on July 30, 2020, Golovinsky Dis- of H. Res. 1115, calling for the imme- ENGEL) that the House suspend the trict Court Judge Arnout read a verdict that diate release of Trevor Reed. rules and agree to the resolution, H. dismissed all defense evidence, witnesses, I would like to thank my colleague, Res. 17, as amended. and government experts and included infor- Mr. CONAWAY, for introducing this bi- The question was taken; and (two- mation from the investigator’s case files partisan resolution. thirds being in the affirmative) the that were not discussed or read into the In 2019, U.S. citizen and former Ma- court files; rules were suspended and the resolu- rine Trevor Reed traveled to Russia. Whereas the judge sentenced Trevor Reed While on his trip, Moscow’s Police tion, as amended, was agreed to. to 9 years in prison camp and was ordered to The title of the resolution was pay 100,000 rubles to each police officer for Service detained and held Reed for over amended so as to read: ‘‘A resolution moral and physical injuries; a year. On July 30, 2020, Reed was con- expressing concern over the detention Whereas Trevor Reed had already been de- victed of trumped-up assault charges of Austin Tice and Majd Kamalmaz, tained in Russia for 1 year at the time of the and sentenced to 9 years in a Russian and for other purposes.’’. judge’s verdict; and prison camp. A motion to reconsider was laid on Whereas, the United States Ambassador to During his sham of a trial, Mr. Russia, John Sullivan, upon Trevor’s sen- the table. Speaker, traffic camera footage dis- tencing, stated that the prosecution’s case proved the charges, and even the Rus- f and the evidence presented against Mr. Reed sian judge laughed at the prosecution’s were ‘‘so preposterous that they provoked CALLING FOR IMMEDIATE laughter in the courtroom’’, the conviction absurd attempts to provide evidence. RELEASE OF TREVOR REED and sentence were ‘‘ridiculous’’, and ‘‘justice Despite this, Trevor Reed’s defense Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I move to was not even considered’’: Now, therefore, be team was denied access to additional suspend the rules and agree to the reso- it— video footage from the police vehicle lution (H. Res. 1115) calling for the im- Resolved, That the House of Representa- and station that could have provided tives— further proof of his innocence. mediate release of Trevor Reed, a (1) expresses support for Trevor Reed, Paul United States citizen who was unjustly While it is no surprise that Putin and Whelan, and all prisoners unjustly impris- his cronies didn’t conduct a fair trial, sentenced to 9 years in a Russian pris- oned in the Russian Federation; it is appalling that Trevor is being held on, as amended. (2) condemns the practice of politically The Clerk read the title of the resolu- motivated imprisonment in the Russian Fed- without medical treatment during a tion. eration, which violates the commitments of global pandemic and being denied con- The text of the resolution is as fol- the Russian Federation to international obli- sular access and communication with lows: gations with respect to human rights and the his family. rule of law; H. Res. 1115 not only calls for the im- H. RES. 1115 (3) urges the United States Government, in mediate release of Trevor, but ex- Whereas United States citizen Trevor Reed all its interactions with the Government of presses support for all unjustly de- is a resident of Granbury, Texas, and a the Russian Federation, to raise the case of tained prisoners in Russia and urges United States Marine Corps veteran; Trevor Reed and to press for his release; Whereas Trevor Reed traveled to Moscow (4) calls on the Government of the Russian U.S. officials to raise Trevor’s case dur- to visit his girlfriend on May 16, 2019; Federation to immediately release Trevor ing all interactions with the Russian Whereas Moscow’s Police Service detained Reed and all other prisoners arrested for po- Government. The resolution also de- Trevor Reed on August 16, 2019; litical motivations; mands that Russia provide the regular Whereas Trevor Reed was accused of grab- (5) urges the Government of the Russian consular access and proper medical bing the arm of the police officer driving the Federation to provide unrestricted consular care afforded to Trevor through the Vi- vehicle and elbowing another officer while en access to Trevor Reed while he remains in enna Convention. route to the police station, causing the vehi- detention as required under the Vienna Con- Again, I thank Mr. CONAWAY for his cle to swerve and therefore endangering the vention on Consular Relations; lives of the police officers; (6) calls on the Government of the Russian commitment to bringing Trevor, a fel- Whereas the United States Embassy in Federation— low Texan, home. Moscow has filed numerous diplomatic com- (A) to provide Trevor Reed any necessary Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to plaints with the Russian Foreign Ministry medical treatment and personal protective support this measure, and I reserve the regarding Trevor Reed being denied consular equipment; balance of my time. access, communications, medical treatment, (B) to notify the United States Embassy in Mr. MCCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I yield family visitations, and other violations of Moscow of any medical problems or com- myself such time as I may consume. the Vienna Convention on Consular Rela- plaints that arise during his detention; and Mr. Speaker, Trevor Reed is a 29- tions; (C) to provide the United States Embassy year-old Texas resident and former Whereas Trevor Reed’s defense team pre- in Moscow with full access to all of Trevor sented video evidence from traffic camera Reed’s medical records; United States Marine who served his footage to the courts that disproves the po- (7) urges the Government of the Russian country with distinction. He was an lice officers’ statements of supposed Federation to respect Trevor Reed’s univer- Eagle Scout and a Texas Rangers fan, a endangerment and wrongdoing; sally recognized human rights; and dedicated son and brother.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 12:28 Dec 04, 2020 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00042 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A03DE7.104 H03DEPT1 dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with HOUSE December 3, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H6091 He is not a criminal; yet the Putin served with you and proud to call you because, frankly, justice is at the whim regime treated him like one, sen- a friend. of Vladimir Putin, the man who poi- tencing him to 9 years in a Russian Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the sons citizens on NATO territory and prison for a crime he did not commit. gentleman from Texas (Mr. CONAWAY), uses the bludgeon of a hammer to actu- In fact, Trevor was only charged with a the sponsor of this bill. ally get his will and power. fabricated crime after the Russian po- Mr. CONAWAY. Mr. Speaker, I thank So sometimes I think when we as lice discovered that he was a former my colleague from Texas for yielding Americans look at our political de- U.S. Marine and, thus, in their eyes, a and for those very kind words. I thank bates, we look at it as a form of dys- political pawn that could be used. Chairman ENGEL and Mr. MCCAUL, the function when, in reality, while the de- The evidence presented in the court- ranking member, for bringing this res- bate can be dysfunctional, it is very room during his case was so flimsy olution forward. functional that we are having them. that it induced laughter from those in I rise today in strong support of the But in this case, I think it needs to the room, including the Russian judge. passage of my resolution calling for the be clear that we stand up for American What a joke. immediate release of Trevor Reed. citizens no matter what, and we don’t So I stand here today once again to For the past 475 days, Trevor Reed, care what their political stripes are call for Trevor Reed’s immediate re- an eighth-generation Texan, Eagle when they are detained by somebody lease so he can return home to his fam- Scout, and, more importantly, a United like Vladimir Putin. ily, where he belongs. States Marine veteran, has been held in This resolution calls for the imme- This is an issue very close to my a Russian prison camp for crimes he diate release of Trevor Reed. He is a heart. Just a few months ago, Trevor’s did not commit. U.S. citizen, he is a Marine Corps vet- mother flew out to D.C. to join me and The Putin regime is clearly using eran, and he was unjustly sentenced to Congressman CONAWAY as we intro- Trevor as a political pawn. If they do 9 years in a Russian prison. duced this resolution. Paula told us not release him, he will be forced to He has been detained for over a year how her son was attending college in serve an additional 9 years in a Russian now on baseless charges filed through pursuit of the American Dream before prison camp, making it almost 10 an overtly corrupt trial. Putin took that away from him. And years, total, that Trevor and his family His lawyers have been denied access she told us how her husband, Joey will endure this nightmare. to the so-called evidence that the Rus- Reed, spends most of his time in Rus- Trevor was initially detained by Mos- sian authorities used to detain Trevor. After speaking with his mother, I sia, working every single day to bring cow’s Police Service in August of 2019 have learned that his family has had a his son home where he belongs. for public intoxication, but after the difficult time talking to him on the As a father of five myself, I cannot Russian intelligence agency identified phone, limited interaction, because the imagine being in their shoes, knowing him as a U.S. Marine, they upped the authorities will not let Trevor commu- their son is suffering in a Russian pris- charge, now accusing him with endan- nicate in English and they give him on for a crime he did not commit and gering the lives of two police officers. feeling helpless to do anything about only a few calls home. b 1700 It is an abuse of power and it is a it. Mr. Speaker, Paula and Joey and Their claims were undeniably dis- clear attempt by the Russians to make Trevor, they need us. They need their proved by Trevor’s defense team. The an example of Trevor, an American, Congressmen and -women to fight for accusation, and the lack of evidence to and this must be rectified imme- them today. support it, was so absurd that even the diately. Mr. Speaker, I applaud my colleagues Passing this resolution will send a Russian judge erupted in laughter dur- for bringing up this important measure strong message to Putin and his cro- ing his trial. Yet the judge disregarded to the floor today. nies that America will not stand by all evidence, witnesses, and govern- Mr. Speaker, I thank Mr. CONAWAY idly as they hold American citizens as ment experts by choosing to sentence and I thank the chair and ranking political pawns, including Michael Trevor to the harshest punishment member. I thank Chairman ENGEL for Calvey and Paul Whelan. It will dem- ever given for this alleged crime in this his many, many years of service as well onstrate that Congress stands firmly particular classification. Vladimir Putin has repeatedly on the committee and in this House. with Trevor, Paula, Joey, and their en- Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I reserve threatened our Nation and bullied our tire family, along with the other Amer- the balance of my time. allies around the globe. His antagonism ican hostages abroad, and that we will Mr. MCCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I yield continue to fight until we bring Trevor and animosity towards our country, myself such time as I may consume. home and give him back his future. our people, and our ideals holds no Mr. Speaker, in closing, I thank my The holiday season is here upon us bounds. friend and fellow Texan, Representa- once again, and Trevor deserves to We are now seeing our own innocent tive CONAWAY, who represents the fam- spend this Christmas with his family in citizens and their families caught in ily, for introducing this important res- the comfort of his home, not alone in a the middle of Putin’s reprehensible po- olution. cold prison cell. litical games. I have engaged the highest levels of Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of Mr. Speaker, an entire decade of this government in this case, Trevor’s case, my time. man’s life is at stake. I urge my col- from Deputy Secretary Biegun to Spe- Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I reserve leagues to support this resolution with cial Envoy for Hostage Affairs, Roger the balance of my time. a strong message to Vladimir Putin: Carstens. Mr. MCCAUL. Mr. Speaker, if I can the House of Representatives solidly And now I am proud to join many of take a point of personal privilege, this stands against an American citizen my colleagues and fellow Texans from may be perhaps the last time I appear being used as a political pawn. Free both sides of the aisle in supporting with my dear friend MIKE CONAWAY on Trevor Reed. this resolution and raising more aware- this distinguished floor. We came in to- Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague ness about Trevor’s case. gether, Mr. Speaker, with you, as well. for his kind words again. So to Trevor and the Reed family, I I remember it 16 years ago. My, has Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I reserve would just like to say to you that time gone fast. the balance of my time. Texas is with you and America is with But the time you have served, Mike, Mr. MCCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 you. We will stand by you and with you in this Congress and spoken in this minutes to the gentleman from Illinois here in the Congress every day until we Chamber, as you chaired the Agri- (Mr. KINZINGER). finally bring Trevor home. culture Committee and served on the Mr. KINZINGER. Mr. Speaker, I So, again, Mr. Speaker, I thank my House Intelligence Committee, sir, let thank the gentleman for yielding, and dear friend, Congressman CONAWAY, me just say how proud I am to call you I thank the chairman and the ranking who sponsored the legislation. I thank a friend. You have served your country member for bringing this to the floor. Chairman ENGEL. and your constituents with honor and When we think about Russian pris- Another point of personal privilege: I distinction, and I am proud to have ons, we don’t often think about justice think that this will not be the last day

VerDate Sep 11 2014 12:28 Dec 04, 2020 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00043 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K03DE7.076 H03DEPT1 dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with HOUSE H6092 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE December 3, 2020 we speak on the floor. I believe on Sec. 2. Definitions. ment, and continuity of National Heritage Monday we will have another oppor- Sec. 3. National Heritage Area System. Areas. tunity to be together, and I would love Sec. 4. National Heritage Area System man- (b) NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA SYSTEM.— agement. to deliver some special remarks about The National Heritage Area System shall be Sec. 5. Study areas. composed of all National Heritage Areas. my favorite chairman. Sec. 6. Local coordinating entities. (c) RELATIONSHIP TO THE NATIONAL PARK Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance Sec. 7. Property owners and regulatory pro- SYSTEM.— of my time. tections. (1) RELATIONSHIP TO NATIONAL PARK Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield my- Sec. 8. Authorization of appropriations. UNITS.—The Secretary shall encourage par- self such time as I may consume for Sec. 9. Statutory Clarification. ticipation and assistance by any unit of the the purpose of closing. SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS. National Park System located near or en- Mr. Speaker, again, I thank Mr. CON- In this Act: compassed by any National Heritage Area in (1) FEASIBILITY STUDY.—The term ‘‘feasi- AWAY for his work on this bipartisan local initiatives for that National Heritage bility study’’ means a study conducted by measure that calls on the Russian Gov- Area that conserve and interpret resources the Secretary, or conducted by one or more consistent with an approved management ernment to drop the trumped-up other interested parties and reviewed and ap- plan for the National Heritage Area. charges against Trevor Reed and imme- proved by the Secretary, in accordance with (2) APPLICABILITY OF LAWS.—National Her- diately release him from prison. the criteria and processes required by sec- itage Areas shall not be— Trevor and all those unjustly de- tion 5, to determine whether a study area (A) considered to be units of the National tained in Russia deserve to be released meets the criteria to be designated by Fed- Park System; or and safely reunited with their families eral statute as a National Heritage Area. (B) subject to the authorities applicable to for this holiday season. (2) INDIAN TRIBE.—The term ‘‘Indian Tribe’’ units of the National Park System. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to support means any Indian or Alaska Native tribe, SEC. 4. NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA SYSTEM MAN- band, nation, pueblo, village, or other com- this measure and I urge all Members to AGEMENT. munity the name of which is included on the (a) MANAGEMENT PLAN.— do the same. list most recently published by the Sec- (1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 3 years Mr. Speaker, let me comment on my retary of the Interior pursuant to section 104 after a National Heritage Area is included in friend’s remarks. It has been a pleasure of the Federally Recognized Indian Tribe the National Heritage Area System outlined for me to work with Mr. MCCAUL as the List Act of 1994 (25 U.S.C. 5131). by this Act, the local coordinating entity of ranking member of the committee and (3) LOCAL COORDINATING ENTITY.—The term the National Heritage Area shall submit to when he was the chairman. We have ‘‘local coordinating entity’’ means the entity the Secretary for approval a management done incredible work on our com- designated by Federal statute to— plan for the National Heritage Area. (A) carry out, in partnership with other in- mittee, both Democrats and Repub- (2) REQUIREMENTS.—The management plan dividuals and entities, the management plan shall— licans, working together in a bipar- for a National Heritage Area; and (A) incorporate an integrated and coopera- tisan way. I am very proud of the work (B) operate a National Heritage Area, in- tive approach for the protection, enhance- we have all done and very proud of the cluding through the implementation of ment, and interpretation of the natural, cul- work I have done personally with Mr. projects and programs among diverse part- tural, historic, scenic, and recreational re- MCCAUL. I know we are going to con- ners in a National Heritage Area. sources of the National Heritage Area; tinue to fight the good fight, because (4) MANAGEMENT PLAN.—The term ‘‘man- (B) be developed using a comprehensive we stand for something. We are so agement plan’’ means the management plan planning approach that includes— for a National Heritage Area required under blessed to live in this country, and we (i) opportunities for stakeholders, includ- this Act. ing community members, local and regional want to make sure that other people (5) NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA.—The term governments, Tribal governments, busi- get the same kinds of freedoms that we ‘‘National Heritage Area’’ means— nesses, nonprofit organizations, and other in- have. (A) each National Heritage Area, National terested parties— Again, Mr. Speaker, I support this Heritage Corridor, Natural Preservation (I) to be involved in the planning process; measure, and I urge all Members to do Commission, National Heritage Canalway, and the same. I yield back the balance of National Heritage Route, Heritage Corridor, (II) to review and comment on draft man- my time. Cultural Heritage Corridor, Heritage Part- agement plans; and nership, and National Heritage Partnership, (ii) documentation of the planning and The SPEAKER pro tempore. The the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields National question is on the motion offered by public participation processes, including a Historic District, or other area designated by description of— the gentleman from New York (Mr. Federal statute with the explicit purpose of (I) the means by which the management ENGEL) that the House suspend the establishing a national heritage area des- plan was prepared; rules and agree to the resolution, H. ignated by Congress before or on the date of (II) the stakeholders involved in the proc- Res. 1115, as amended. enactment of this Act; and ess; and The question was taken; and (two- (B) each National Heritage Area designated (III) the timing and method of stakeholder thirds being in the affirmative) the by Federal statute after the date of enact- involvement; ment of this Act, unless the law designating (C) include— rules were suspended and the resolu- the area exempts that area from the Na- tion, as amended, was agreed to. (i) an inventory of— tional Heritage Area System by specific ref- (I) the resources located in the National A motion to reconsider was laid on erence to this Act. Heritage Area; and the table. (6) NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA SYSTEM.—The (II) any other property in the National f term ‘‘National Heritage Area System’’ Heritage Area that— means the system of National Heritage (aa) is related to the themes of the Na- NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA ACT Areas established by this Act. tional Heritage Area; and OF 2020 (7) SECRETARY.—The term ‘‘Secretary’’ (bb) should be preserved, restored, man- Mr. CASE. Mr. Speaker, I move to means the Secretary of the Interior. aged, or maintained because of the signifi- (8) STUDY AREA.—The term ‘‘study area’’ cance of the property; suspend the rules and pass the bill means a specific geographic area that is the (H.R. 1049) to authorize a National Her- (ii) comprehensive policies, strategies and subject of a feasibility study under section 5. recommendations for the conservation, fund- itage Area Program, and for other pur- (9) TRIBAL GOVERNMENT.—The term ‘‘Tribal ing, management, and development of the poses, as amended. government’’ means the governing body of National Heritage Area; The Clerk read the title of the bill. an Indian Tribe. (iii) a description of actions that the Fed- The text of the bill is as follows: SEC. 3. NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA SYSTEM. eral, Tribal, State, and local governments, H.R. 1049 (a) IN GENERAL.—In order to recognize cer- private organizations, and individuals have tain areas of the United States that tell na- agreed to take to protect the natural, histor- Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- tionally significant stories and to conserve, ical, cultural, scenic, and recreational re- resentatives of the United States of America in enhance, and interpret the areas’ natural, sources of the National Heritage Area; Congress assembled, historic, scenic, and cultural resources that (iv) a program of implementation for the SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS. together illustrate significant aspects of our management plan by the local coordinating (a) SHORT TITLE.—This Act may be cited as country’s heritage, there is established a Na- entity that includes a description of— the ‘‘National Heritage Area Act of 2020’’. tional Heritage Area System through which (I) actions to facilitate ongoing collabora- (b) TABLE OF CONTENTS.—The table of con- the Secretary may provide technical and fi- tion among partners to promote plans for re- tents of this Act is as follows: nancial assistance to local coordinating enti- source protection, restoration, and construc- Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents. ties to support the establishment, develop- tion; and

VerDate Sep 11 2014 12:28 Dec 04, 2020 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00044 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K03DE7.078 H03DEPT1 dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with HOUSE December 3, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H6093 (II) specific commitments for implementa- Heritage Area not more than 5 years before submit to the Committee on Natural Re- tion that have been made by the local co- another evaluation would otherwise be re- sources of the House of Representatives and ordinating entity or any government, orga- quired under paragraph (1). the Committee on Energy and Natural Re- nization, or individual for the first 5 years of (B) ADDITIONAL EVALUATIONS.—The Sec- sources of the Senate a report that de- operation; retary may conduct additional evaluations scribes— (v) the identification of sources of funding as the Secretary deems appropriate. (A) the findings of the study described in for carrying out the management plan; (c) COORDINATION.—The head of any Fed- subsection (a) for that study area; and (vi) analysis and recommendations for eral agency planning to conduct activities (B) any conclusions and recommendations means by which Federal, Tribal, State, and that may have an impact on a designated of the Secretary. local programs, including the role of the Na- National Heritage Area is encouraged to con- (2) TIMING.— tional Park Service in the National Heritage sult and coordinate these activities with the (A) With respect to a study carried out by Area, may best be coordinated to carry out Secretary and the local coordinating entity the Secretary in accordance with paragraph this subsection; and to the maximum extent practicable. (2)(A)(i), the Secretary shall submit a report (vii) an interpretive plan for the National SEC. 5. STUDY AREAS. under subparagraph (A) not later than 3 Heritage Area; and years after the date on which funds are first (a) FEASIBILITY STUDIES.— (D) recommend policies and strategies for made available to carry out the study. (1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary may carry resource management that consider and de- out or certify a study to assess the suit- (B) With respect to a study carried out by tail the application of appropriate land and ability and feasibility of designating a spe- interested individuals or entities in accord- water management techniques, including the cific geographic area as a National Heritage ance with paragraph (2)(A)(ii), the Secretary development of intergovernmental and inter- Area to be included in the National Heritage shall submit a report under subparagraph (A) agency cooperative agreements to protect Area System. not later than 180 days after the date on the natural, historical, cultural, educational, which the Secretary certifies under para- (2) PREPARATION.—The feasibility study scenic, and recreational resources of the Na- shall be carried out— graph (2)(B) that the study meets the re- tional Heritage Area. (A) by the Secretary in consultation with quirements of paragraph (3). (3) EXCEPTIONS.—The requirements in para- Tribal, State, and local historic preservation SEC. 6. LOCAL COORDINATING ENTITIES. graph (2) shall not apply to management (a) DUTIES.—For any year that Federal plans in effect on the date of the enactment officers, State and local historical societies, State and local tourism offices, and other ap- funds have been made available under this of this Act. Act for a National Heritage Area, the local (b) EVALUATIONS.— propriate organizations and governmental agencies; or coordinating entity for that National Herit- (1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year be- age Area shall— (B) by interested individuals or entities, if fore the authorization for Federal funding (1) submit to the Secretary an annual re- the Secretary certifies that the completed expires for a National Heritage Area, the port that describes the activities, expenses, study meets the requirements of paragraph Secretary shall— and income of the local coordinating entity (4). (A) conduct an evaluation of the accom- (including grants to any other entities dur- (3) CERTIFICATION.—Not later than 1 year plishments of that National Heritage Area; ing the year that the report is made); after receiving a study carried out by inter- and (2) make available to the Secretary for ested individuals or entities under paragraph (B) and submit a report detailing audit all records relating to the expenditure (2)(B) the Secretary shall review and certify the evaluation required by subparagraph (A) of Federal funds and any matching funds; whether the study meets the requirements of to— and paragraph (4). (i) the Committee on Natural Resources of (3) require, with respect to all agreements (4) REQUIREMENTS.—A study under para- the House of Representatives; and authorizing expenditure of Federal funds by graph (1) shall include analysis, documenta- (ii) the Committee on Energy and Natural other organizations, that the organizations tion, and determination on whether the Resources of the Senate. receiving the funds make available to the study area— (2) EVALUATION COMPONENTS.—An evalua- Secretary for audit all records concerning tion prepared under paragraph (1) shall— (A) has an assemblage of natural, historic, the expenditure of the funds. and cultural resources that— (A) assess the progress of the local coordi- (b) AUTHORITIES.—The local coordinating nating entity with respect to— (i) represent distinct aspects of the herit- entity may, subject to the prior approval of (i) accomplishing the purposes of the au- age of the United States; the Secretary, for the purposes of preparing thorizing legislation for the National Herit- (ii) are worthy of recognition, conserva- and implementing the approved management age Area; and tion, interpretation, and continuing use; and plan for the National Heritage Area, use Fed- (ii) achieving the goals and objectives of (iii) would be best managed— eral funds made available through this Act the approved management plan for the Na- (I) through partnerships among public and to— tional Heritage Area; private entities; and (1) make grants to Indian Tribes, a State, (B) analyze the Federal, Tribal, State, (II) by linking diverse and sometimes non- a local government, nonprofit organizations, local, and private investments in the Na- contiguous resources; and other parties within the National Herit- tional Heritage Area to assess the impact of (B) reflects traditions, customs, beliefs, age Area; the investments; and and folklife that are a valuable part of the (2) enter into cooperative agreements with (C) review the management structure, story of the United States; or provide technical assistance to the Indian partnership relationships, and funding of the (C) provides outstanding opportunities— Tribes, State, a local government, nonprofit National Heritage Area. (i) to conserve natural, historic, cultural, organizations, Federal agencies, and other (3) RESULTS OF EVALUATION.—Based upon or scenic features; and interested parties; the evaluation under paragraph (1), the Sec- (ii) for recreation and education; (3) hire and compensate staff, which may retary shall prepare a report with rec- (D) contains resources that— include individuals with expertise in natural, ommendations for the National Park Serv- (i) are important to any identified themes cultural, and historic resources conserva- ice’s continued role, if any, with respect to of the study area; and tion; economic and community development; the National Heritage Area. If the report rec- (ii) retain a degree of integrity capable of and heritage planning; ommends that Federal funding for the Na- supporting interpretation; (4) obtain money or services, including tional Heritage Area be— (E) includes Tribal governments, residents, those provided under other Federal laws or (A) continued, the report shall include an business interests, nonprofit organizations, programs; analysis of— and State and local governments that— (5) contract for goods or services; and (i) ways in which Federal funding for the (i) are involved in the planning of the (6) support activities of partners and any National Heritage Area may be reduced or study area; other activities that further the purposes of eliminated over time; (ii) have developed a conceptual financial the National Heritage Area and are con- (ii) the appropriate time period necessary plan that outlines the roles of all partici- sistent with the approved management plan. to achieve the recommended reduction or pants in the study area, including the Fed- (c) PROHIBITIONS ON THE ACQUISITION OF elimination; and eral Government; and REAL PROPERTY.—The local coordinating en- (iii) justification for the continued funding (iii) have demonstrated support for the des- tity may not use Federal funds received in light of other National Park Service core ignation of the study area; under this Act to acquire real property or responsibilities and priorities; or (F) has a potential local coordinating enti- any interest in real property. (B) eliminated, the report shall include a ty to work in partnership with the individ- (d) HERITAGE AREA COMMISSIONS.— description of potential impacts on conserva- uals and entities described in paragraph (1) (1) Section 804(j) of division B of H.R. 5666 tion, interpretation, and sustainability of to develop the study area while encouraging (Appendix D) as enacted into law by section the National Heritage Area. State and local economic activity; and 1(a)(4) of Public Law 106–554 (54 U.S.C. 320101 (4) UPDATES; ADDITIONAL EVALUATIONS.— (G) has a conceptual boundary map that is note; 114 Stat. 2763, 2763A– 295; 123 Stat. 1294; (A) UPDATES.—The Secretary may satisfy supported by the public. 128 Stat. 3802) is amended by striking ‘‘shall the requirement under paragraph (1) for a (b) REPORT.— terminate’’ and all that follows through the National Heritage Area by updating an eval- (1) IN GENERAL.—For each study carried period and inserting ‘‘shall terminate on uation that was completed for that National out under subsection (a), the Secretary shall September 30, 2034.’’.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 12:28 Dec 04, 2020 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00045 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A03DE7.118 H03DEPT1 dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with HOUSE H6094 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE December 3, 2020 (2) Section 295D(d) of Public Law 109–338 ally until the non-Federal share is consistent agement of this important program, (120 Stat. 1833; 130 Stat. 962) is amended by with paragraph (1). meaning that each site operates under striking ‘‘shall terminate’’ and all that fol- (c) AUTHORITY TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE.— its own authorization. lows through the period and inserting ‘‘shall Notwithstanding any other provision of law, Both the Obama and Trump adminis- terminate on September 30, 2034.’’. the Secretary may provide assistance to a trations have asked Congress to enact SEC. 7. PROPERTY OWNERS AND REGULATORY National Heritage Area during any fiscal PROTECTIONS. year for which appropriations are authorized a programmatic bill to improve site Nothing in this Act shall be construed to— under subsection (a). management and ensure a continued (1) abridge the rights of any property SEC. 9. STATUTORY CLARIFICATION. consistent commitment to our Na- owner, whether public or private, including (a) AUTHORIZATION LIMITATIONS.—Any pro- tional Heritage Areas. the right to refrain from participating in any vision of law enacted before the date of the The bill offered today by our col- plan, project, program, or activity conducted enactment of this Act that provides for a league would address that need by pro- within the National Heritage Area; termination, expiration, or other time limi- viding a standard under which these (2) require any property owner to permit tation on the authorization for a National sites would be designated, reviewed, public access (including Federal, Tribal, Heritage Area is hereby superceded and shall funded, and overseen. State, or local government access) to such have no effect. property or to modify any provisions of Fed- (b) FUNDING LIMITATIONS.—Any provision Mr. Speaker, I thank Representative eral, Tribal, State, or local law with regard of law enacted before the date of the enact- TONKO for his continued work in sup- to public access or use of private lands; ment of this Act that provides for a termi- port of our National Heritage Area pro- (3) alter any duly adopted land use regula- nation, expiration, or other limitation on gram, and I thank Ranking Member tion or any approved land use plan or any the time or amount of an authorization of BISHOP for working with us to improve other regulatory authority of any Federal, appropriations for a National Heritage Area this bill in committee. Tribal, or State, or local government, or to is hereby superceded and shall have no ef- Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my col- convey any land use or other regulatory au- fect. leagues to vote in support of H.R. 1049, thority to any local coordinating entity; (c) EVALUATIONS.—Any provision of law en- (4) authorize or imply the reservation or acted before the date of the enactment of and I reserve the balance of my time. appropriation of water or water rights; this Act that requires the Secretary to con- Mr. BISHOP of Utah. Mr. Speaker, I (5) diminish the authority of the State to duct an evaluation of or submit a report on yield myself such time as I may con- manage fish and wildlife including the regu- the accomplishments of a National Heritage sume. lation of fishing and hunting within the Na- Area is hereby superceded and shall have no With that mask, it is a lot easier to tional Heritage Area; effect. do that, too. (6) create any liability, or have any effect (d) OTHER AUTHORITIES.—Any provision of I appreciate the offer to be involved on any liability under any other law, of any law enacted before the date of the enactment in this lameduck session here today. It of this Act that provides for the establish- private property owner with respect to any is one of those things that you have to persons injured on such private property; ment, management, administration, oper- (7) affect the authority of any Federal offi- ation, or otherwise affects a National Herit- take in some kind of stride. cial to provide technical or financial assist- age Area and is not explicitly otherwise pro- One assumes that if you are coming ance under any other law; vided for in this Act shall not be affected by back here for a lameduck session, there (8) modify any law or regulation author- this Act. are major issues that need to be done izing Federal officials to manage Federal The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- before we actually go back and the land under their control or limit the discre- ant to the rule, the gentleman from next session of Congress can actually tion of Federal land managers to implement Hawaii (Mr. CASE) and the gentleman take up. Although, I do remember the approved land use plans within the bound- from Utah (Mr. BISHOP) each will con- first time I was elected here, we were aries of a National Heritage Area, nor shall trol 20 minutes. this Act be construed to modify, alter, or voting in January on the budget from amend any authorized uses of these Federal The Chair recognizes the gentleman the last session of Congress that they lands; or from Hawaii. had failed to do. (9) enlarge or diminish the treaty rights of GENERAL LEAVE But in all of that, we look at the any Indian Tribe within the National Herit- Mr. CASE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unani- things that are still before us today, age Area. mous consent that all Members may and they are huge issues: what we are SEC. 8. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. have 5 legislative days in which to re- going to do with the coronavirus, fund- (a) IN GENERAL.—Notwithstanding any vise and extend their remarks and in- ing to help with that problem, national other provision of law, for each of fiscal clude extraneous material on the meas- defense authorization still yet having years 2020 through 2034, there is authorized to be done, appropriations bills still to be appropriated not more than $750,000 for ure under consideration. each National Heritage Area. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there yet to be passed. (b) AVAILABILITY.—Amounts made avail- objection to the request of the gen- Instead of dealing with those this able under subsection (a) shall remain avail- tleman from Hawaii? week, we find ourselves here with these able until expended. There was no objection. suspensions, most of which will not (c) COST-SHARING REQUIREMENT.— Mr. CASE. Mr. Speaker, I yield my- have a chance of actually going all the (1) FEDERAL SHARE.—Notwithstanding any self such time as I may consume. way through the system. Many of them other provision of law, including any law Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. should start over again and be done designating a National Heritage Area, the 1049, sponsored by my friend, Rep- separately. But, at any rate, this is Federal share of the total cost of any activ- ity funded with appropriations authorized by resentative TONKO of New York, a fel- what we have been called back to do. subsection (a) shall not be more than 50 per- low member of the Natural Resources The Germans had a good word for it: cent. Committee. kleinigkeiten. (2) FORM OF NON-FEDERAL SHARE.—The non- Mr. Speaker, since 1984, Congress has It is those little things. It is not the Federal share of the total cost of any activ- established 55 National Heritage Areas. major issues of the day. It is the small ity funded with appropriations authorized by These incredible sites protect our di- stuff. Now, admittedly, kleinigkeiten, subsection (a) may be in the form of in-kind verse historical, cultural, and environ- those little things, sometimes can en- contributions of goods or services fairly val- mental treasures, from the Erie able one to get a victory and they can ued. Canalway to the Great Basin of Utah also cause a problem that stops one (3) EXCEPTION.—Notwithstanding section 9(b), for each National Heritage Area estab- and beyond, preserving and inter- from success. But what we are dealing lished before the date of the enactment of preting unique aspects of our American with today here on the floor is a whole this Act without a non-Federal cost share re- story. bunch of kleinigkeiten. So I am happy quirement or with a non-Federal cost share Heritage Areas are also a major boon to be invited to be part of this effort requirement of less than 50 percent— for local economies, supporting cul- that is here. (A) the non-Federal cost share require- tural tourism and driving investment. I also want to say one another thing, ment, or lack thereof, shall remain at the They are also a great deal for the tax- too, as well, because the bills that are previously enacted level for 2 full fiscal payer, ensuring that every Federal dol- on the floor, when they are printed, years after the date of the enactment of this Act; and lar spent on the program is matched when they are talked about, will have (B) after the period referred to in subpara- with at least $1 of non-Federal funding. the sponsors’ names, Members of the graph (A), the non-Federal cost share re- However, Congress has so far failed House, sometimes Senators who are in- quirement shall increase by 10 percent annu- to pass a law standardizing the man- volved in this, and what is never listed

VerDate Sep 11 2014 12:28 Dec 04, 2020 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00046 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A03DE7.118 H03DEPT1 dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with HOUSE December 3, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H6095 on here is actually the people who number one, ignoring property rights then at least have some rational reason make this possible. of individuals. The local government for why heritage areas are established. b 1715 can solve that problem by themselves. Have some kind of standard. They don’t need us to do it. Now, what Mr. TONKO is doing is the I want to make one mention of the Or the idea of assuming responsibil- first step in coming up with some way staff that we have. It is the staff that ities and powers from local govern- of doing this appropriately. It is not does the research. It is they who actu- ments. Local governments in an near enough. The bill does nothing ally write the bills. It is they who actu- interlocal cooperation agreement can about the root problem of heritage ally conduct the talking points. It is do that by themselves. They don’t need areas just sucking up $700,000 to they who organize the session so it can a heritage area to accomplish that. $800,000 a year and never, never going run smoothly. But one thing that heritage areas do away, never getting off the Federal So the staff that is sitting to your that local governments can’t do by dole. That still needs to be addressed. left over there does a huge amount of themselves is give themselves money It doesn’t happen in here. work that will never be credited in any and that, unfortunately, is why most But that is why I appreciate Mr. way, shape, or form, but it should be; heritage areas exist, because they will TONKO going forward with this par- working into the night to make sure get $700,000 to $800,000 a year just to ticular bill because, for once, we need that what we do here on the floor is run these. to sit back and say, why are we doing possible, and we should recognize them See, this was the nice part about it. these heritage areas? What is their pur- and be grateful. When this was established in 1994, the The staff on my right over here has pose? What is their value? chairman of the Parks Subcommittee done the same thing. Lisa Pittman, to If we are not doing it in an intel- my right, has been here for 33 years was from Minnesota, and he claimed ligent way, then all this becomes is working in this body, making sure that that the amount of support is going to simply pork barrel for certain people to we do things the right way. She will be limited. There is a limit of time or take the money back home to their dis- have forgotten more than—no offense the amount of money that the Federal trict, pound themselves on the chest to the Parliamentarians—the Parlia- Government can be in a heritage area; and say, look what I have done, even mentarians will ever know about how 10 years, we are out of there. And then though it sets the country on a dan- to do things properly, effectively, and they are on their own, and they will gerous precedent. with civility. She works tirelessly get all the benefits of that conserva- The Federal Government and our without asking for the limelight or the tion. Federal spending are in trouble, not be- The idea was heritage areas would be effort. cause we spend too much, but we spend Lisa, at one time, I got you on C– for a limited time with a limited money on too many things. And that is SPAN when you had to come down in amount of money. And as the gen- why we, as a Federal Government, have the well and hand me a piece of paper. tleman from Hawaii suggested, there to prioritize, and so should heritage are still 55 heritage areas. Not one of I hope to get you in the CONGRESSIONAL areas be part of that priority process, them has ever disappeared. Years after RECORD right now. and we don’t do that. To realize that in a month from now the time has gone by, they are still So, Mr. Speaker, I say to the gen- I am going to be gone and no one cares; there and still they are getting that tleman, I appreciate this. Whether this but a month from now, you will also be $700,000 to $800,000 to run their pro- gets through, I doubt it. gone, and there will never be—it will be grams. But I hope the gentleman will pick it decades before somebody can actually The heritage areas are no longer up again in the next Congress and con- replace you. there to try and get the people so they tinue to work forward so we try and So to the staff that is here, the staff can make things for themselves and look at these heritage areas and say, that is on the floor, the staff that has handle it. Heritage areas are simply a why are we doing this? What is the pur- worked on the committee, they should drain on the budget that no one wants pose? And how can we avoid the objec- be recognized as best we can for the to control. Appropriators don’t try and tions, the obsessive, the abuse that has work that they do to make everything control the spending; authorizers don’t happened in many of these areas in the possible. Even though we get the head- try and control the spending. Even the future; so that Tennessee cannot be lines and we get the names in bold type administration, though they talk and one heritage area. in the articles, there should be given complain about it, don’t try and do it. So the gentleman is really trying to some recognition to staff. The Clinton administration had a get local people to work for their own We have a bill that is before us that problem with this. The Bush adminis- local advantage to appreciate it, and deals with heritage areas. I congratu- tration asked us to quit doing heritage make sure that we do it right way. late the sponsor of this for taking on areas. The Obama administration cut So, with that, having tried to empha- something that needs to be done and, the funding for heritage areas in their size the fact that this is a huge prob- even if this does not happen, or if it proposed budget by 50 percent. And the lem, I do want to be very clear that I does happen, still has work that needs Trump administration also tried to support this particular bill and I sup- to be done on this topic area. limit what we were doing with heritage port the gentleman’s effort. The idea of heritage areas was actu- areas. We haven’t gone far enough, to be ally pushed on us by the National Park That is the problem. What we do with honest. There is an amendment we Service, who wanted to find a way of heritage areas makes no sense. It tried to make in the committee which stopping all the Members from trying doesn’t have value to it. It doesn’t have would force heritage areas to lower the to create more national parks in their responsibility and we are not even ra- amount of money they keep getting areas; giving them an alternative. tional. from the Federal Government until The idea was to get local govern- Tennessee has a heritage area for they are finally weaned off the system. ments coming together and forming a Civil War—what is it really called? I still think that is the right thing to cooperative so that they could actually Civil War something. The heritage area do. We can talk about that in the fu- use and increase the tourism and the is the entire State of Tennessee. That ture because that is an issue still be- opportunities for getting people to is illogical. That is not what it was in- fore us. come and visit these particular areas. tended to do. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of Now, everything that is done in a na- We have corrupted the idea of herit- my time. tional heritage area does not need the age areas. And I compliment Mr. TONKO Mr. CASE. Mr. Speaker, I yield my- Federal Government to be involved. for what he is trying do. He is saying, self such time as I may consume. Every heritage area could simply, by look, if we are going to have these stu- I certainly appreciate the overview of an interlocal cooperation agreement, pid heritage areas—and it looks like no the ranking member in his initial re- simply come to do everything that hap- one has the responsibility to actually marks today. I would note that the pens in a heritage area. go back and do what we originally in- bills before us today, these 12 bills, are The two problems that heritage areas tended to do; appropriators won’t, and all coming to the floor from the Nat- have had in the past are dealing with: we don’t seem to do it by ourselves— ural Resources Committee. They are

VerDate Sep 11 2014 12:28 Dec 04, 2020 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00047 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K03DE7.080 H03DEPT1 dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with HOUSE H6096 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE December 3, 2020 critical bills in many areas, from nat- I also want to thank my friends, our While the Trump administration has ural resources to indigenous peoples former colleague, Charlie Dent, and proposed eliminating this critical pro- and beyond. Congressmembers MCKINLEY and G.T. gram year after year, I am grateful for Many of these bills actually come to THOMPSON, for their hard work on this the work of my colleague from New us from the Senate and, if passed here, legislation and continued support for York, Congressman , for will go on directly to the President, so heritage areas. his leadership on this issue. And I this is a productive agenda that we While the ranking member cited staff thank Chairman GRIJALVA and the have here with every expectation that on both sides, I would endorse that. I Natural Resources Committee for their these bills will advance. also add to the compliments my legis- efforts to bring this legislation to the I also want to say, on behalf of the lative person, Emily Silverberg, for the floor. majority, that I fully endorse the rank- outstanding work she has done and her I urge passage of H.R. 1049, to support ing member’s commendations to the longtime dedication and devotion to the National Heritage Area program staff that are with us today and in our the effort. and to continue preserving our Na- Natural Resources Committee. He H.R. 1049 is a bipartisan, common- tion’s history and natural beauty. makes an important and vital point. sense bill, and I urge my colleagues to We all appreciate our staff. We are support this legislation. b 1730 blessed by their service. We are blessed The SPEAKER pro tempore. Without Mr. CASE. Mr. Speaker, I urge my by their expertise, and I would be re- objection, the gentlewoman from Puer- colleagues to support this legislation, miss if I did not say, on behalf of our to Rico (Miss GONZA´ LEZ-COLO´ N) will and I yield back the balance of my chair, Chair GRIJALVA, that we all en- control the balance of the time. time. dorse those comments, and I thank him There was no objection. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The for those very kind comments. Miss GONZA´ LEZ-COLO´ N of Puerto question is on the motion offered by Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the Rico. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the bal- the gentleman from Hawaii (Mr. CASE) gentleman from New York (Mr. TONKO). ance of my time. that the House suspend the rules and Mr. TONKO. Mr. Speaker, I thank Mr. CASE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 pass the bill, H.R. 1049, as amended. the gentleman from Hawaii for yield- minutes to the gentleman from Rhode The question was taken; and (two- ing. Island (Mr. CICILLINE). thirds being in the affirmative) the Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support Mr. CICILLINE. Mr. Speaker, I rise rules were suspended and the bill, as of H.R. 1049, the National Heritage in strong support of H.R. 1049, the Na- amended, was passed. Area Act. I thank Chairman GRIJALVA tional Heritage Area Act. and the staff of the committee for their A motion to reconsider was laid on Since 1984, the National Heritage longtime support and effort here. And I the table. Area program has played a vital role in thank Ranking Member BISHOP for rec- f preserving the history, culture and ognizing the value of this legislation natural beauty of our Nation’s most LEECH LAKE BAND OF OJIBWE and working with us on this. RESERVATION RESTORATION ACT The national heritage areas connect historically and naturally significant us, and perhaps more importantly, fu- communities. It has worked closely Mr. CASE. Mr. Speaker, I move to ture generations with the voices and with those communities to help make suspend the rules and pass the bill (S. places that have shaped who we are as them vibrant and ensure their place as 199) to provide for the transfer of cer- Americans. These sites deliver more part of the national landscape. tain Federal land in the State of Min- than just a significant economic re- In my home State of Rhode Island, nesota for the benefit of the Leech turn; they help us reveal the diverse the Blackstone River Valley National Lake Band of Ojibwe. and sometimes hidden gems of our cul- Heritage Corridor plays a vital role in The Clerk read the title of the bill. tural heritage and fill us with a sense preserving the history of communities The text of the bill is as follows: in Blackstone Valley, the birthplace of of place that brings our complex his- S. 199 tory to life. the American Industrial Revolution. In addition to preserving this his- Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- For the first time, this bill estab- resentatives of the United States of America in lishes a standardized set of criteria for tory, the coordinating entity for the Congress assembled, Blackstone Valley Heritage Corridor the designation of new national herit- SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. age areas and a rigorous process for ex- works hand in hand with the National This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Leech Lake isting national heritage areas to ensure Park Service to support the continued Band of Ojibwe Reservation Restoration accountability. development of the Blackstone River Act’’. H.R. 1049 has 221 cosponsors, and Valley National Historical Park, which SEC. 2. LEECH LAKE BAND OF OJIBWE RESERVA- strong bipartisan, and wide geographic runs from Providence and Pawtucket TION RESTORATION. support that speaks to the value of this through Worcester, Massachusetts. (a) FINDINGS.—Congress finds that— program locally and nationally. Mem- I was proud to lead the House effort (1) the Federal land described in subsection (b)(1) was taken from members of the Leech bers recognize what heritage area in- to establish this national park in 2014 and look forward to seeing its contin- Lake Band of Ojibwe during a period— vestment means to their given commu- (A) beginning in 1948; nities and regions, and similar pro- ued growth and development in close (B) during which the Bureau of Indian Af- posals have been introduced and cham- coordination with the Blackstone Her- fairs incorrectly interpreted an order of the pioned by both the Bush and Obama ad- itage Corridor. Secretary of the Interior to mean that the ministrations. The relationship between the Black- Department of the Interior had the author- The National Heritage Area, or NHA, stone Heritage Corridor and the Black- ity to sell tribal allotments without the con- program is one of the Department of stone Valley National Historical Park sent of a majority of the rightful land- the Interior’s most cost-effective ini- plays a vital role in telling the story of owners; and (C) ending in 1959, when the Secretary of tiatives, relying on public-private part- how America became a prosperous na- tion through its mills and factories, the Interior was— nerships in which every Federal dollar (i) advised that sales described in subpara- is matched with an average of $5.50 in and the immigrant communities in graph (B) were illegal; and other funding. Rhode Island and Massachusetts that (ii) ordered to cease conducting those For my part, I greatly appreciate the worked in those industries and that sales; good that the Erie Canalway National helped build the foundation of our (2) as a result of the Federal land described Heritage Corridor and the Maurice D. country. in subsection (b)(1) being taken from mem- Hinchey Hudson River Valley National The National Heritage Area Act will bers of the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe, the Heritage Corridor have done for my ensure that this relationship can con- Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe hold the smallest tinue by authorizing funds for heritage percentage of its original reservation lands district and for upstate New York. of any Ojibwe bands in Minnesota; I commend the Alliance of National areas through 2034 and fostering new (3)(A) the applicable statute of limitations Heritage Areas and the National Parks opportunities for relationships between prohibits individuals from pursuing through Conservation Association for their heritage areas and the National Park litigation the return of the land taken as de- hard work on this critical legislation. Service to grow. scribed in paragraph (1); but

VerDate Sep 11 2014 12:28 Dec 04, 2020 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00048 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K03DE7.082 H03DEPT1 dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with HOUSE December 3, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H6097 (B) a Federal judge ruled that the land ment of this Act, to any land or interest in other encumbrances on the land and could be restored to the affected individuals land. does not intend to immediately modify through the legislative process; (2) PROHIBITIONS.— the current land uses. Additionally, the (4) a comprehensive review of the Federal (A) EXPORTS OF UNPROCESSED LOGS.—Fed- land will stay in tax-exempt fee status land demonstrated that— eral law (including regulations) relating to (A) a portion of the Federal land is encum- the export of unprocessed logs harvested as part of the Chippewa National For- bered by— from Federal land shall apply to any unproc- est until the Tribe develops a plan for (i) utility easements; essed logs that are harvested from the Fed- future economic and residential use. (ii) rights-of-way for roads; and eral land. I want to especially commend the (iii) flowage and reservoir rights; and (B) NON-PERMISSIBLE USE OF LAND.—The Tribe for working together with local (B) there are no known cabins, camp- Federal land shall not be eligible or used for electric co-ops on a memorandum of grounds, lodges, or resorts located on any any gaming activity carried out under the understanding regarding some of the portion of the Federal land; and Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (25 U.S.C. last remaining issues so that we could (5) on reacquisition by the Tribe of the 2701 et seq.). bring the bill before us today in a bi- Federal land, the Tribe— (3) FOREST MANAGEMENT.—Any commercial (A) has pledged to respect the easements, forestry activity carried out on the Federal partisan fashion. rights-of-way, and other rights described in land shall be managed in accordance with ap- I want to also extend sincere appre- paragraph (4)(A); and plicable Federal law. ciation to our colleague from Min- (B)(i) does not intend immediately to mod- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- nesota (Ms. MCCOLLUM) for introducing ify the use of the Federal land; but ant to the rule, the gentleman from the House companion of the legisla- (ii) will keep the Federal land in tax-ex- Hawaii (Mr. CASE) and the gentle- tion, H.R. 733, and for working dili- empt fee status as part of the Chippewa Na- woman from Puerto Rico (Miss gently with the Natural Resources tional Forest until the Tribe develops a plan Committee, the Tribe, and the local in- that allows for a gradual subdivision of some GONZA´ LEZ-COLO´ N) each will control 20 tracts for economic and residential develop- minutes. terests to ensure that passage of this ment by the Tribe. The Chair recognizes the gentleman bill could become a reality. (b) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: from Hawaii. Mr. Speaker, I urge quick adoption of (1) FEDERAL LAND.— GENERAL LEAVE S. 199, and I reserve the balance of my (A) IN GENERAL.—The term ‘‘Federal land’’ Mr. CASE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unani- time. ´ ´ means the approximately 11,760 acres of Fed- mous consent that all Members may Miss GONZALEZ-COLON of Puerto eral land located in the Chippewa National have 5 legislative days in which to re- Rico. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to Forest in Cass County, Minnesota, the the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. boundaries of which shall be depicted on the vise and extend their remarks and in- STAUBER). map, and described in the legal description, clude extraneous material on the meas- submitted under subsection (d)(1)(B). ure under consideration. Mr. STAUBER. Mr. Speaker, I rise (B) INCLUSIONS.—The term ‘‘Federal land’’ The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there today in support of S. 199, legislation includes— objection to the request of the gen- that rights a historic wrong made (i) any improvement located on the Fed- tleman from Hawaii? against a Tribe in my district, the eral land described in subparagraph (A); and There was no objection. Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe. (ii) any appurtenance to the Federal land. Mr. CASE. Mr. Speaker, I yield my- Right after I took office, Chairman (2) SECRETARY.—The term ‘‘Secretary’’ self such time as I may consume. Jackson and other leaders from the means the Secretary of Agriculture. Mr. Speaker, S. 199, the Leech Lake Leech Lake Band approached me with (3) TRIBE.—The term ‘‘Tribe’’ means the a longstanding issue. In the 1950s, the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe. Band of Ojibwe Reservation Restora- Secretary of Agriculture claimed land (c) TRANSFER TO RESERVATION.— tion Act, introduced by Senator TINA (1) IN GENERAL.—Subject to valid existing SMITH from Minnesota, directs the De- owned by Leech Lake under a dubious rights and paragraph (2), the Secretary shall partment of Agriculture to transfer ap- administrative transfer, ignoring pleas transfer to the administrative jurisdiction of proximately 11,760 acres of Federal from the Tribe and upending the Tribal the Secretary of the Interior all right, title, land in the Chippewa National Forest tradition of land ownership. and interest of the United States in and to to the Department of the Interior to be Landholdings such as these are the the Federal land. held in trust for the benefit of the foundation of Tribal sovereignty. (2) TREATMENT.—Effective immediately on Tribe. Therefore, this wrong had to be righted the transfer under paragraph (1), the Federal with an act of Congress that transfers land shall be— The Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe is a (A) held in trust by the United States for federally recognized Tribe with ap- the roughly 11,000 acres back from the the benefit of the Tribe; and proximately 10,660 members with a res- Agriculture Department to the Leech (B) considered to be a part of the reserva- ervation located within the National Lake Band of Ojibwe. tion of the Tribe. Chippewa Forest in Cass County, Min- From the first conversation I had (d) SURVEY, MAP, AND LEGAL DESCRIP- nesota. The Leech Lake Band has the with the band, I supported this land ex- TION.— largest population of all the Minnesota change. This acreage was taken from (1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall— Tribes yet the smallest amount of land Leech Lake and needed to be returned. (A) not later than 180 days after the date of available for its use. Unfortunately, the legislation itself enactment of this Act, complete a plan of was flawed. It lacked any language al- survey to establish the boundaries of the Much of the Tribe’s land was lost Federal land; and when many of its members were ille- lowing rural utilities access to long- (B) as soon as practicable after the date of gally dispossessed of their land via standing rights of ways and easements enactment of this Act, submit a map and ‘‘secretarial transfers’’ during the to ensure maintenance for power and legal description of the Federal land to— 1950s. Secretarial transfers were a other services can be performed. It is (i) the Committee on Natural Resources of transaction where the Department of crucial this transfer is done the right the House of Representatives; and the Interior approved the sale or trans- way, meaning electric cooperatives de- (ii) the Committee on Indian Affairs of the fer of Tribal land and/or individually livering power have the access they Senate. owned Indian allotments without the need for maintenance. (2) FORCE AND EFFECT.—The map and legal description submitted under paragraph (1)(B) consent of the Tribe or the individual Therefore, I worked with the band shall have the same force and effect as if in- Indian allottees. This practice resulted and the rural electric cooperatives to cluded in this Act, except that the Secretary in the Tribe having insufficient land to achieve a win-win solution. Through a may correct any clerical or typographical meet the current needs of its member- years-long negotiation, I am happy to error in the map or legal description. ship. see a signed memorandum of under- (3) PUBLIC AVAILABILITY.—The map and The return of the land through S. 199 standing between Leech Lake and the legal description submitted under paragraph will assist the Tribe in rebuilding its cooperatives delivering service in the (1)(B) shall be on file and available for public land base, enable the protection of sa- area, which include Beltrami Electric, inspection in the office of the Secretary. cred sites, and allow the construction Lake Country Power, and Crow Wing (e) ADMINISTRATION.— (1) IN GENERAL.—Except as otherwise ex- of housing on some of the tracts near Power. pressly provided in this section, nothing in the Tribe’s existing communities. After receiving and reviewing the this section affects any right or claim of the The Tribe intends to respect all ex- memorandum to accompany the bill, I Tribe, as in existence on the date of enact- isting easements, rights of way, and supported its passage through the

VerDate Sep 11 2014 12:28 Dec 04, 2020 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00049 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A03DE7.103 H03DEPT1 dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with HOUSE H6098 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE December 3, 2020 House Natural Resources Committee. woman from Minnesota (Ms. MCCOL- The Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe has With it now on the House floor, I look LUM). worked for many years to identify the ille- forward to its passage and the Presi- Ms. MCCOLLUM. The chairman of gally transferred land parcels, build local dent signing the Leech Lake Band of the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe has support and address any concerns with the bill. When it was clear the only recourse to Ojibwe Reservation Restoration Act sent a letter that describes the injus- recover these lands was federal legislation, into law. tices that were done when the land was the Band met on several occasions with lead- Mr. CASE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 illegally taken from Tribal members ership of the Chippewa National Forest to minutes to the gentlewoman from Min- and the efforts that have gone into this discuss the issue and draft the bill. The bill nesota (Ms. MCCOLLUM), who is the bill that we will vote on today to cre- includes language consistent with the U.S. principal introducer of the House com- ate that injustice. Forest Service’s mission to adhere to na- panion bill. Mr. Speaker, I include this letter in tional and local policies regarding the man- agement of Federal lands. It directs the Sec- Ms. MCCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I the RECORD. thank my classmate from Hawaii, who retary to work with the Chippewa National LEECH LAKE Forest Supervisor and the Band to identify is overseeing this legislation on the BAND OF OJIBWE, Federal lands in Cass County near con- floor today. I thank the chairman of Cass Lake, MN, November 17, 2020. centrations of the Leech Lake population the full committee as well as the sub- Hon. BETTY MCCOLLUM, and tribal government facilities to ensure committee chair and the members of House of Representatives, that transferred lands address the immediate the Natural Resources Committee for Washington, DC. needs of the Band and reduce fragmentation their unanimous support of H.R. 733, DEAR CONGRESSWOMAN MCCOLLUM: I write of federal land holdings. the House companion to S. 199, the on behalf of the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe In addition, the Band has held several to express our thanks to you for sponsoring Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe Reserva- meetings with rural electric co-ops and other H.R. 733, the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe Res- utilities that utilize federal lands to ensure tion Restoration Act. ervation Restoration Act. H.R. 733 will right the bill would protect rights of way on any I want to thank Leech Lake’s Tribal a historical injustice to the Leech Lake peo- transferred lands. Through meeting and open leaders personally for entrusting me ple by restoring 11,760 acres to tribal trust dialogue, we were able to address the con- with the responsibility of advancing status that the Interior Department illegally cerns of the ROW permitees and ensure that this bill as the sponsor in the House transferred out of trust more than 70 years access is maintained not only for citizens of and introducing the bill in the way ago. our community relying on these essential they wanted it to be introduced so that Previously, former Congressman Rick utility services, but also for the companies they could have negotiations to move Nolan introduced a similar bill in the 115th crossing federal lands. Congress. While the identical companion bill Thanks to the work in addressing concerns this language forward. I am proud of passed the Senate by unanimous consent in with the Leech Lake Reservation Restora- the ability that we all had in working December of 2018, it failed to advance in the tion Act, the once together to make today a reality and House of Representatives before the end of again passed the identical companion bill to that we will be voting on this final the session. H.R. 733, S. 199, by unanimous consent in version of the bill. In January of 2019, the Leech Lake Band of June of 2019. Likewise, the House Natural As I said, it has passed through the Ojibwe asked you to reintroduce the Leech Resources Committee approved the bill by Senate, and it passed through the Sen- Lake Reservation Restoration Act to the unanimous voice vote on September 30, 2020. ate unanimously. I look forward to see- 116th Congress. As the former Co-Chair of Advancing this bill to final passage in the ing this legislation signed into law. the Congressional Native American Caucus, U.S. House of Representatives will restore a your sponsorship of the bill helped elevate Join me in voting today to restore sense of justice that generations of our the national importance of this legislation Leech Lake people have been working to the land that was illegally taken from and highlighted the historic injustice of the achieve and provide the Leech Lake Band of Tribal nations by the Federal Govern- federal takings of Leech Lake Reservation Ojibwe the necessary land base to combat ment during the allotment era. Today trust lands. the housing and homelessness, longstanding we, collectively—the U.S. Congress— The Leech Lake Indian Reservation was es- problems that have been highlighted as ur- have an opportunity to correct a past tablished through a series of treaties with gent needs by the ongoing COVID–19 pan- injustice by returning the land to the the United States and presidential executive demic. Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe that the orders from 1855 to 1874. The initial Leech The Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe values Federal Government sold without the Lake Reservation consisted or 588,684 acres your friendship and dedication to protecting of the Band’s homelands and included the and preserving tribal sovereignty. We look consent of the rightful owners, to have most valuable red and white pine in the re- forward to continuing our work together on it returned to them. gion. These treaties and executive orders this bill and the many other policy issues Between 1948 and 1955, approximately promised that the reserved lands would be facing Indian Country and our Nation in 17,000 acres were illegally transferred the Band’s permanent homeland. these trying times. by the Department of the Interior. The The United States violated these promises Sincerely, bill we are considering today would re- through a series of federal laws and policies FARON JACKSON, SR., turn more than 11,000 of those acres to from 1889 to 1911, moving nearly 530,000 acres Chairman. the Tribe. The return of this land from of our homelands out of trust status. These Ms. MCCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, re- the Forest Service is vitally important federal actions unilaterally sold off large storing this land to the Leech Lake swaths of our Reservation, and separately es- to the Leech Lake Band. They cur- tablished what is now the Chippewa National reservation will support Tribal commu- rently own less than 5 percent of the Forest, all without consent of the Band. nities while also preserving the area land—5 percent of the land—within the In the 1940s and 1950s, the federal govern- for public recreation. It will allow the boundaries of their reservation. This is ment, through unauthorized administrative Tribe to consistently apply their forest the smallest percentage of any Min- actions, took approximately 17,000 acres of management plan across a greater por- nesota Tribal nations. additional Leech Lake Reservation lands tion of the reservation. It will also re- The Chippewa National Forest holds again without consent of the Band or indi- spect all the rights of ways of the util- over 75 percent of the land within their vidual tribal landowners. In these agency-to- ity permits. reservation. Tribal leaders at Leech agency transfers, known as ‘‘secretarial transfers’’, the Interior Department illegally It will be good for Leech Lake Band, Lake have worked diligently for many transferred Leech Lake trust lands to the good for the forest, and good for local years in partnership with the Chippewa USDA-Forest Service. The Interior Depart- communities. And it will be good to National Forest in Cass County to ment put a stop to the illegal transfers in correct a historical injustice. identify the illegally transferred par- 1955 when Department attorneys acknowl- Mr. Speaker, I urge support for S. cels of land and to build local support edged that the actions violated federal law. 199. for this legislation. They have ad- Lawsuits were filed to restore these lands to Miss GONZA´ LEZ-COLO´ N of Puerto dressed concerns with the transfer trust status in federal courts, but the claims Rico. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such through open dialogue and have cre- were time barred. As a result, the only time as I may consume. means of achieving justice for the Leech ated a win-win situation for everyone Mr. Speaker, as was just explained by Lake Band of Ojibwe is through federal legis- my colleague across the aisle, S. 199 involved. lation. H.R. 733/S. 199 would restore the por- The SPEAKER pro tempore. The tion of these illegal secretarial transfer would place approximately 11,000 acres time of the gentlewoman has expired. lands located within Cass County back to the of Federal land managed by the U.S. Mr. CASE. Mr. Speaker, I yield an Interior Department to be held in trust for Forest Service into trust for the Leech additional 1 minute to the gentle- the Band. Lake Band.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 12:28 Dec 04, 2020 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00050 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K03DE7.086 H03DEPT1 dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with HOUSE December 3, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H6099 The Tribe and the lands that would S. 212 graph (A), some solutions remain subject to be held into trust under this bill are lo- Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- review and approval by the Bureau of Indian cated in the Eighth Congressional Dis- resentatives of the United States of America in Affairs, adding additional costs and delay to trict, which is represented by Repub- Congress assembled, Tribal projects. SEC. 3. NATIVE AMERICAN BUSINESS DEVELOP- lican Congressman . I SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Indian Com- MENT, TRADE PROMOTION, AND want to thank Mr. STAUBER for his munity Economic Enhancement Act of 2020’’. TOURISM ACT OF 2000. (a) FINDINGS; PURPOSES.—Section 2 of the hard work on this legislation because, SEC. 2. FINDINGS. Native American Business Development, without it, we would not be here today. Congress finds that— Trade Promotion, and Tourism Act of 2000 After the House companion bill, H.R. (1)(A) to bring industry and economic de- (25 U.S.C. 4301) is amended by adding at the 733, was introduced by Congresswoman velopment to Indian communities, Indian end the following: Tribes must overcome a number of barriers, MCCOLLUM, it was determined that a ‘‘(c) APPLICABILITY TO INDIAN-OWNED BUSI- including— number of the parcels affected by the NESSES.—The findings and purposes in sub- bills had encumbrances, mainly those (i) geographical location; sections (a) and (b) shall apply to any Indian- of public utility co-ops. (ii) lack of infrastructure or capacity; owned business governed— (iii) lack of sufficient collateral and cap- This was, again, another bill that was ‘‘(1) by Tribal laws regulating trade or ital; and commerce on Indian lands; or not properly vetted prior to introduc- (iv) regulatory bureaucracy relating to— tion by a Member from this district. I ‘‘(2) pursuant to section 5 of the Act of Au- (I) development; and gust 15, 1876 (19 Stat. 200, chapter 289; 25 truly believe that, since that time, (II) access to services provided by the Fed- U.S.C. 261).’’. Congressman STAUBER has been a lead- eral Government; and (b) DEFINITIONS.—Section 3 of the Native er in efforts to bring the Tribe and sev- (B) the barriers described in subparagraph American Business Development, Trade Pro- eral utility co-ops together to come to (A) often add to the cost of doing business in motion, and Tourism Act of 2000 (25 U.S.C. a legal agreement to resolve those Indian communities; 4302) is amended— (2) Indian Tribes— (1) by redesignating paragraphs (1) through issues with these easements. (A) enact laws and exercise sovereign gov- We have some concerns regarding the (6) and paragraphs (7) through (9), as para- ernmental powers; graphs (2) through (7) and paragraphs (9) enforceability of this document but ap- (B) determine policy for the benefit of through (11), respectively; preciate the willingness of all parties Tribal members; and (2) by inserting before paragraph (2) (as re- to seek a consensus. I think that is the (C) produce goods and services for con- designated by paragraph (1)) the following: important part today, that there is fi- sumers; ‘‘(1) DIRECTOR.—The term ‘Director’ means nally a consensus on this issue. That is (3) the Federal Government has— the Director of Native American Business a policy the Natural Resources Com- (A) an important government-to-govern- Development appointed pursuant to section ment relationship with Indian Tribes; and 4(a)(2).’’; and mittee majority has little interest in (B) a role in facilitating healthy and sus- pursuing because, unfortunately, S. 199 (3) by inserting after paragraph (7) (as re- tainable Tribal economies; designated by paragraph (1)) the following: does not reflect this improvement in (4) the input of Indian Tribes in developing ‘‘(8) OFFICE.—The term ‘Office’ means the the bill text. Let’s hope the parties will Federal policy and programs leads to more Office of Native American Business Develop- continue to act in good faith despite meaningful and effective measures to assist ment established by section 4(a)(1).’’. this. Indian Tribes and Indian entrepreneurs in (c) OFFICE OF NATIVE AMERICAN BUSINESS I, again, thank Mr. STAUBER for his building Tribal economies; DEVELOPMENT.—Section 4 of the Native efforts and the members of the com- (5)(A) many components of Tribal infra- American Business Development, Trade Pro- structure need significant repair or replace- mittee who worked across the aisle to motion, and Tourism Act of 2000 (25 U.S.C. ment; and 4303) is amended— make this happen today. I am pleased (B) access to private capital for projects in (1) in subsection (a)— he joined our committee during this Indian communities— (A) in paragraph (1)— year. He has been one of the more ac- (i) may not be available; or (i) by striking ‘‘Department of Commerce’’ tive members of the committee during (ii) may come at a higher cost than such and inserting ‘‘Office of the Secretary’’; and his short tenure. access for other projects; (ii) by striking ‘‘(referred to in this Act as Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance (6)(A) Federal capital improvement pro- the ‘Office’)’’; and of my time. grams, such as those that facilitate tax-ex- (B) in paragraph (2), in the first sentence, empt bond financing and loan guarantees, Mr. CASE. Mr. Speaker, I urge my by striking ‘‘(referred to in this Act as the are tools that help improve or replace crum- ‘Director’)’’; and colleagues to support this valuable leg- bling infrastructure; (2) by adding at the end the following: islation, and I yield back the balance of (B) lack of parity in treatment of an Indian ‘‘(c) DUTIES OF DIRECTOR.— my time. Tribe as a governmental entity under Fed- ‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Director shall serve The SPEAKER pro tempore. The eral tax and certain other regulatory laws as— question is on the motion offered by impedes, in part, the ability of Indian Tribes ‘‘(A) the program and policy advisor to the the gentleman from Hawaii (Mr. CASE) to raise capital through issuance of tax ex- Secretary with respect to the trust and gov- that the House suspend the rules and empt debt, invest as an accredited investor, ernmental relationship between the United and benefit from other investment incen- pass the bill, S. 199. States and Indian Tribes; and tives accorded to State and local govern- ‘‘(B) the point of contact for Indian Tribes, The question was taken; and (two- mental entities; and Tribal organizations, and Indians regard- thirds being in the affirmative) the (C) as a result of the disparity in treat- ing— rules were suspended and the bill was ment of Indian Tribes described in subpara- ‘‘(i) policies and programs of the Depart- passed. graph (B), investors may avoid financing, or ment of Commerce; and A motion to reconsider was laid on demand a premium to finance, projects in In- ‘‘(ii) other matters relating to economic the table. dian communities, making the projects more development and doing business in Indian costly or inaccessible; lands. f (7) there are a number of Federal loan ‘‘(2) DEPARTMENTAL COORDINATION.—The guarantee programs available to facilitate fi- Director shall coordinate with all offices and INDIAN COMMUNITY ECONOMIC nancing of business, energy, economic, hous- agencies within the Department of Com- ENHANCEMENT ACT OF 2020 ing, and community development projects in merce to ensure that each office and agency Indian communities, and those programs Mr. CASE. Mr. Speaker, I move to has an accountable process to ensure— may support public-private partnerships for ‘‘(A) meaningful and timely coordination suspend the rules and pass the bill (S. infrastructure development, but improve- and assistance, as required by this Act; and 212) to amend the Native American ments and support are needed for those pro- ‘‘(B) consultation with Indian Tribes re- Business Development, Trade Pro- grams specific to Indian communities to fa- garding the policies, programs, assistance, motion, and Tourism Act of 2000, the cilitate more effectively private financing and activities of the offices and agencies. Buy Indian Act, and the Native Amer- for infrastructure and other urgent develop- ‘‘(3) OFFICE OPERATIONS.—There are author- ican Programs Act of 1974 to provide ment needs; and ized to be appropriated to carry out this sec- industry and economic development (8)(A) most real property held by Indian tion not more than $2,000,000 for each fiscal Tribes is trust or restricted land that essen- year.’’. opportunities to Indian communities, tially cannot be held as collateral; and (d) INDIAN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT INITIA- as amended. (B) while creative solutions, such as lease- TIVES.—The Native American Business De- The Clerk read the title of the bill. hold mortgages, have been developed in re- velopment, Trade Promotion, and Tourism The text of the bill is as follows: sponse to the problem identified in subpara- Act of 2000 is amended—

VerDate Sep 11 2014 12:28 Dec 04, 2020 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00051 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K03DE7.088 H03DEPT1 dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with HOUSE H6100 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE December 3, 2020 (1) by redesignating section 8 (25 U.S.C. the Committee on Indian Affairs of the Sen- Stat. 861, chapter 431; 25 U.S.C. 47), is amend- 4307) as section 10; and ate and the Committee on Natural Resources ed to read as follows: (2) by inserting after section 7 (25 U.S.C. of the House of Representatives a report on ‘‘SEC. 23. EMPLOYMENT OF INDIAN LABOR AND 4306) the following: the findings of the study and recommenda- PURCHASE OF PRODUCTS OF IN- ‘‘SEC. 8. INDIAN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT INI- tions. DIAN INDUSTRY; PARTICIPATION IN MENTOR-PROTEGE PROGRAM. TIATIVES. ‘‘(2) CONTENTS.—The study shall include an ‘‘(a) INTERAGENCY COORDINATION.—Not assessment of each of the following: ‘‘(a) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: ‘‘(1) INDIAN ECONOMIC ENTERPRISE.—The later than 1 year after the enactment of this ‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The study shall assess section, the Secretary, the Secretary of the current Federal capitalization and related term ‘Indian economic enterprise’ has the Interior, and the Secretary of the Treasury programs and services that are available to meaning given the term in section 1480.201 of shall coordinate— assist Indian communities with business and title 48, Code of Federal Regulations (or suc- ‘‘(1) to develop initiatives that— economic development, including manufac- cessor regulations). ‘‘(A) encourage, promote, and provide edu- turing, physical infrastructure (such as tele- ‘‘(2) MENTOR FIRM; PROTEGE FIRM.—The cation regarding investments in Indian com- communications and broadband), community terms ‘mentor firm’ and ‘protege firm’ have munities through— development, and facilities construction for the meanings given those terms in section ‘‘(i) the loan guarantee program of Bureau such purposes. For each of the Federal pro- 831(c) of the National Defense Authorization of Indian Affairs under section 201 of the In- grams and services identified, the study shall Act for Fiscal Year 1991 (10 U.S.C. 2302 note; dian Financing Act of 1974 (25 U.S.C. 1481); assess the current use and demand by Indian Public Law 101–510). ‘‘(ii) programs carried out using amounts Tribes, individuals, businesses, and commu- ‘‘(3) SECRETARIES.—The term ‘Secretaries’ in the Community Development Financial nities of the programs, the capital needs of means— Institutions Fund established under section Indian Tribes, businesses, and communities ‘‘(A) the Secretary of the Interior; and 104(a) of the Community Development Bank- related to economic development, the extent ‘‘(B) the Secretary of Health and Human ing and Financial Institutions Act of 1994 (12 to which the programs and services overlap Services. ‘‘(b) ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT.— U.S.C. 4703(a)); and or are duplicative, and the extent that simi- ‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Unless determined by ‘‘(iii) other capital development programs; lar programs have been used to assist non-In- one of the Secretaries to be impracticable ‘‘(B) examine and develop alternatives that dian communities compared to the extent and unreasonable— would qualify as collateral for financing in used for Indian communities. ‘‘(A) Indian labor shall be employed; and Indian communities; and ‘‘(B) FINANCING ASSISTANCE.—The study ‘‘(B) purchases of Indian industry products ‘‘(C) provide entrepreneur and other train- shall assess and quantify the extent of as- (including printing and facilities construc- ing relating to economic development sistance provided to non-Indian borrowers tion, notwithstanding any other provision of through tribally controlled colleges and uni- and to Indian (both Tribal and individual) law) may be made in open market by the versities and other Indian organizations with borrowers (including information about such Secretaries. experience in providing such training; assistance as a percentage of need for Indian ‘‘(2) MENTOR-PROTEGE PROGRAM.— ‘‘(2) to consult with Indian Tribes and with borrowers and for non-Indian borrowers, as- ‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—Participation in the the Securities and Exchange Commission to sistance to Indian borrowers and to non-In- Mentor-Protege Program established under study, and collaborate to establish, regu- dian borrowers as a percentage of total appli- section 831(a) of the National Defense Au- latory changes necessary to qualify an In- cants, and such assistance to Indian bor- thorization Act for Fiscal Year 1991 (10 dian Tribe as an accredited investor for the rowers as individuals as compared to such U.S.C. 2302 note; Public Law 101–510) or re- purposes of sections 230.500 through 230.508 of assistance to Indian Tribes) through the loan ceipt of assistance under a developmental as- title 17, Code of Federal Regulations (or suc- programs, the loan guarantee programs, or sistance agreement under that program shall cessor regulations), consistent with the goals bond guarantee programs of the— not render any individual or entity involved of promoting capital formation and ensuring ‘‘(i) Department of the Interior; in the provision of Indian labor or an Indian qualifying Indian Tribes have the ability to ‘‘(ii) Department of Agriculture; industry product ineligible to receive assist- withstand investment loss, on a basis com- ‘‘(iii) Department of Housing and Urban ance under this section. parable to other legal entities that qualify as Development; ‘‘(B) TREATMENT.—For purposes of this sec- accredited investors who are not natural per- ‘‘(iv) Department of Energy; tion, no determination of affiliation or con- sons; ‘‘(v) Small Business Administration; and trol (whether direct or indirect) may be ‘‘(3) to identify regulatory, legal, or other ‘‘(vi) Community Development Financial found between a protege firm and a mentor barriers to increasing investment, business, Institutions Fund of the Department of the firm on the basis that the mentor firm has and economic development, including quali- Treasury. provided, or agreed to provide, to the protege fying or approving collateral structures, ‘‘(C) TAX INCENTIVES.—The study shall as- firm, pursuant to a mentor-protege agree- measurements of economic strength, and sess and quantify the extent of the assist- ment, any form of developmental assistance contributions of Indian economies in Indian ance and allocations afforded for non-Indian described in section 831(f) of the National De- communities through the Authority estab- projects and for Indian projects pursuant to fense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1991 lished under section 4 of the Indian Tribal each of the following tax incentive pro- (10 U.S.C. 2302 note; Public Law 101–510). Regulatory Reform and Business Develop- grams: ment Act of 2000 (25 U.S.C. 4301 note); ‘‘(c) IMPLEMENTATION.—In carrying out this ‘‘(i) New market tax credit. section, the Secretaries shall— ‘‘(4) to ensure consultation with Indian ‘‘(ii) Low income housing tax credit. Tribes regarding increasing investment in ‘‘(1) conduct outreach to Indian industrial ‘‘(iii) Investment tax credit. entities; Indian communities and the development of ‘‘(iv) Renewable energy tax incentives. the report required in paragraph (5); and ‘‘(2) provide training; ‘‘(v) Accelerated depreciation. ‘‘(3) promulgate regulations in accordance ‘‘(5) not less than once every 2 years, to ‘‘(D) TRIBAL INVESTMENT INCENTIVE.—The provide a report to Congress regarding— with this section and with the regulations study shall assess various alternative incen- under part 1480 of title 48, Code of Federal ‘‘(A) improvements to Indian communities tives that could be provided to enable and resulting from such initiatives and rec- Regulations (or successor regulations), to encourage Tribal governments to invest in harmonize the procurement procedures of ommendations for promoting sustained an Indian community development invest- growth of the Tribal economies; the Department of the Interior and the De- ment fund or bank.’’. partment of Health and Human Services, to ‘‘(B) results of the study and collaboration (e) CONFORMING AND TECHNICAL AMEND- regarding the necessary changes referenced the maximum extent practicable; MENTS.—The Native American Business De- ‘‘(4) require regional offices of the Bureau in paragraph (2) and the impact of allowing velopment, Trade Promotion, and Tourism Indian Tribes to qualify as an accredited in- of Indian Affairs and the Indian Health Serv- Act of 2000 (25 U.S.C. 4301 et seq.) is amend- ice to aggregate data regarding compliance vestor; and ed— ‘‘(C) the identified regulatory, legal, and with this section; (1) in section 3— ‘‘(5) require procurement management re- other barriers referenced in paragraph (3). (A) in each of paragraphs (1), (4), and (8), by ‘‘(b) WAIVER.—For assistance provided pur- views by their respective Departments to in- striking ‘‘tribe’’ and inserting ‘‘Tribe’’; and suant to section 108 of the Community De- clude a review of the implementation of this (B) in paragraph (6), by striking ‘‘The term velopment Banking and Financial Institu- section; and ‘Indian tribe’ has the meaning given that tions Act of 1994 (12 U.S.C. 4707) to benefit ‘‘(6) consult with Indian Tribes, Indian in- term’’ and inserting ‘‘The term ‘Indian Native Community Development Financial dustrial entities, and other stakeholders re- Institutions, as defined by the Secretary of Tribe’ has the meaning given the term ‘In- garding methods to facilitate compliance the Treasury, section 108(e) of such Act shall dian tribe’ ’’; with— not apply. (2) by striking ‘‘tribes’’ each place the ‘‘(A) this section; and ‘‘(c) INDIAN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FEASI- term appears and inserting ‘‘Tribes’’; and ‘‘(B) other small business or procurement BILITY STUDY.— (3) by striking ‘‘tribal’’ each place the term goals. ‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Government Ac- appears and inserting ‘‘Tribal’’. ‘‘(d) REPORT.— countability Office shall conduct a study SEC. 4. BUY INDIAN ACT. ‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year and, not later than 18 months after the date Section 23 of the Act of June 25, 1910 (com- after the date of enactment of this section, of enactment of this subsection, submit to monly known as the ‘‘Buy Indian Act’’) (36 and not less frequently than once every 2

VerDate Sep 11 2014 12:28 Dec 04, 2020 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00052 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A03DE7.119 H03DEPT1 dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with HOUSE December 3, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H6101 years thereafter, each of the Secretaries to a Native community development finan- dian Country. This includes geographic shall submit to the Committee on Indian Af- cial institution, as defined by the Secretary isolation, lack of infrastructure, and fairs of the Senate and the Committee on of the Treasury. lack of sufficient collateral and cap- Natural Resources of the House of Rep- ‘‘(2) PRIORITY.—With regard to not less ital. The end result is an increased cost resentatives a report describing, during the than 50 percent of the total amount available period covered by the report, the implemen- for assistance under this section, the Com- of doing business in Indian Country, tation of this section by each of the respec- missioner shall give priority to any applica- which stifles outside investment. tive Secretaries. tion seeking assistance for— S. 212 seeks to address these issues by ‘‘(2) CONTENTS.—Each report under this ‘‘(A) the development of a Tribal code or amending three existing Federal laws, subsection shall include, for each fiscal year court system for purposes of economic devel- the Native American Business Develop- during the period covered by the report— opment, including commercial codes, train- ment, Trade Promotion, and Tourism ‘‘(A) the names of each agency under the ing for court personnel, regulation pursuant Act of 2000, the Buy Indian Act, and the respective jurisdiction of each of the Secre- to section 5 of the Act of August 15, 1876 (19 Native American Programs Act of 1974. taries to which this section has been applied, Stat. 200, chapter 289; 25 U.S.C. 261), and the and efforts made by additional agencies development of nonprofit subsidiaries or These laws have been supporting Na- within the Secretaries’ respective Depart- other Tribal business structures; tive businesses and economic develop- ments to use the procurement procedures ‘‘(B) the development of a community de- ment for years. However, they need to under this Act; velopment financial institution, including be updated to reflect the 21st century ‘‘(B) a summary of the types of purchases training and administrative expenses; or economy, as well as the realities in In- made from, and contracts (including any rel- ‘‘(C) the development of a Tribal master dian Country today. evant modifications, extensions, or renewals) plan for community and economic develop- awarded to, Indian economic enterprises, ex- To that end, enactment of S. 212 will ment and infrastructure.’’. increase access to capital for Indian pressed by agency region; (b) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND TRAINING.— ‘‘(C) a description of the percentage in- Section 804 of the Native American Pro- Tribes and businesses, increase oppor- crease or decrease in total dollar value and grams Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 2991c) is amend- tunities for Indian business promotion, number of purchases and awards made with- ed— and create mechanisms and tools to ad- in each agency region, as compared to the (1) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), dress investments in Indian commu- totals of the region for the preceding fiscal by striking ‘‘The Commissioner’’ and insert- nities. year; ing the following: ‘‘(D) a description of the methods used by At the request of the Appropriations ‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Commissioner’’; and Committee, we are making some small applicable contracting officers and employ- (2) by adding at the end the following: ees to conduct market searches to identify ‘‘(b) PRIORITY.—In providing assistance changes to the current bill to update qualified Indian economic enterprises; under subsection (a), the Commissioner shall the fiscal year authorization language ‘‘(E) a summary of all deviations granted give priority to any application described in for some of the programs. This means under section 1480.403 of title 48, Code of Fed- section 803(b)(2).’’. that the bill will have to go back to the eral Regulations (or successor regulations), (c) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.— Senate, where I hope and believe they including a description of— Section 816 of the Native American Pro- will move swiftly to enact it, as ‘‘(i) the types of alternative procurement grams Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 2992d) is amend- amended, before the end of this Con- methods used, including any Indian owned ed— businesses reported under other procurement (1) by striking ‘‘803(d)’’ each place it ap- gress. goals; and pears and inserting ‘‘803(e)’’; and b 1745 ‘‘(ii) the dollar value of any awards made (2) in subsection (a)— pursuant to those deviations; (A) by striking ‘‘such sums as may be nec- I commend the sponsor of the bill, ‘‘(F) a summary of all determinations essary’’ and inserting ‘‘$34,000,000’’; and the chair of the Senate Committee on made to provide awards to Indian economic (B) by striking ‘‘1999, 2000, 2001, and 2002’’ Indian Affairs, Senator HOEVEN from enterprises, including a description of the and inserting ‘‘2021 through 2025’’. North Dakota, for his work on this leg- dollar value of the awards; (d) CONFORMING AND TECHNICAL AMEND- islation. ‘‘(G) a description or summary of the total MENTS.—The Native American Programs Act I also recognize our own colleague, number and value of all purchases of, and of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 2991 et seq.) is amended— Representative from contracts awarded for, supplies, services, and (1) by striking ‘‘tribe’’ each place the term construction (including the percentage in- appears and inserting ‘‘Tribe’’; California for her work on the bill and crease or decrease, as compared to the pre- (2) by striking ‘‘tribes’’ each place the for carrying the House companion, ceding fiscal year) from— term appears and inserting ‘‘Tribes’’; and H.R. 1937. ‘‘(i) Indian economic enterprises; and (3) by striking ‘‘tribal’’ each place the term I urge my colleagues to support S. ‘‘(ii) non-Indian economic enterprises; appears and inserting ‘‘Tribal’’. 212, and I ask for its adoption. ‘‘(H) any administrative, procedural, legal, The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of or other barriers to achieving the purposes of ant to the rule, the gentleman from my time. this section, together with recommendations for legislative or administrative actions to Hawaii (Mr. CASE) and the gentle- COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION AND address those barriers; and woman from Puerto Rico (Miss LABOR, ‘‘(I) for each agency region— GONZA´ LEZ-COLO´ N) each will control 20 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, ‘‘(i) the total amount spent on purchases minutes. Washington, DC, November 30, 2020. ´ made from, and contracts awarded to, Indian The Chair recognizes the gentleman Hon. RAUL M. GRIJALVA, Chairman, Committee on Natural Resources, economic enterprises; and from Hawaii. ‘‘(ii) a comparison of the amount described House of Representatives, Washington, DC. GENERAL LEAVE DEAR CHAIRMAN GRIJALVA: I write con- in clause (i) to the total amount that the Mr. CASE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unani- agency region would likely have spent on the cerning S. 212, the Indian Community Eco- same purchases made from a non-Indian eco- mous consent that all Members may nomic Enhancement Act of 2019. This bill nomic enterprise or contracts awarded to a have 5 legislative days in which to re- was primarily referred to the Committee on non-Indian economic enterprise. vise and extend their remarks and in- Natural Resources, and additionally to the ‘‘(e) GOALS.—Each agency shall establish clude extraneous material on the meas- Committee on Education and Labor. As a re- sult of Leadership and the Committee on an annual minimum percentage goal for pro- ure under consideration. curement in compliance with this section.’’. Natural Resources having consulted with me The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there concerning this bill generally, I agree to SEC. 5. NATIVE AMERICAN PROGRAMS ACT OF objection to the request of the gen- 1974. forgo formal consideration of the bill so the (a) FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR NATIVE tleman from Hawaii? bill may proceed expeditiously to the House AMERICAN PROJECTS.—Section 803 of the Na- There was no objection. floor. tive American Programs Act of 1974 (42 Mr. CASE. Mr. Speaker, I yield my- The Committee on Education and Labor U.S.C. 2991b) is amended— self such time as I may consume. takes this action with our mutual under- (1) by redesignating subsections (b) Mr. Speaker, S. 212, the Indian Com- standing that by forgoing formal consider- through (d) as subsections (c) through (e), re- munity Economic Enhancement Act, ation of S. 212, we do not waive any jurisdic- spectively; and amends current laws to provide indus- tion over the subject matter contained in this or similar legislation, and we will be ap- (2) by inserting after subsection (a) the fol- try and economic development oppor- lowing: propriately consulted and involved as the ‘‘(b) ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.— tunities to Indian communities. bill or similar legislation moves forward so ‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Commissioner may Indian Tribes face many unique ob- we may address any remaining issues within provide assistance under subsection (a) for stacles in their mission to bring indus- our Rule X jurisdiction. I also request that projects relating to the purposes of this title try and economic development to In- you support my request to name members of

VerDate Sep 11 2014 12:28 Dec 04, 2020 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00053 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A03DE7.119 H03DEPT1 dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with HOUSE H6102 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE December 3, 2020 the Committee on Education and Labor to ciate the work that has gone into it ment of a National Water Center, and any conference committee to consider such over the last several years. for other purposes, as amended. provisions. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of The Clerk read the title of the bill. Finally, I would appreciate a response con- The text of the bill is as follows: firming this understanding and ask that a my time. copy of our exchange of letters on this mat- Mr. CASE. Mr. Speaker, I very much S. 914 ter be included in the committee report for appreciate the comments of my col- Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- S. 212 and in the Congressional Record dur- league from Puerto Rico. resentatives of the United States of America in ing floor consideration thereof. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speak- Congress assembled, Sincerely, ers. I am prepared to close, and I re- SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS. ROBERT C. ‘‘BOBBY’’ SCOTT, serve the balance of my time. (a) SHORT TITLE.—This Act may be cited as Chairman. ´ ´ the ‘‘Coordinated Ocean Observations and Miss GONZALEZ-COLON of Puerto Research Act of 2020’’. COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES, Rico. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the bal- (b) TABLE OF CONTENTS.—The table of con- HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, ance of my time. tents for this Act is as follows: Washington, DC, November 30, 2020. Mr. CASE. Mr. Speaker, I urge my Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents. Hon. BOBBY SCOTT, colleagues to support this legislation, TITLE I—REAUTHORIZATION OF INTE- Chair, Committee on Education and Labor, and I yield back the balance of my GRATED COASTAL AND OCEAN OBSER- House of Representatives, Washington, DC. time. VATION SYSTEM ACT OF 2009 DEAR CHAIR SCOTT: I write to you con- cerning S. 212, the ‘‘Indian Community Eco- Mrs. TORRES of California. Mr. Speaker, I Sec. 101. Purposes. stand here today in support of the legislation Sec. 102. Definitions. nomic Enhancement Act of 2019.’’ Sec. 103. Integrated Coastal and Ocean Ob- I appreciate your willingness to work coop- before us, the ‘‘Indian Community Economic servation System. eratively on this legislation. I recognize that Enhancement Act,’’—the Senate companion to Sec. 104. Financing and agreements. the bill contains provisions that fall within my bill in the House. Sec. 105. Reports to Congress. the jurisdiction of the Committee on Edu- For too long, lack of access to credit and Sec. 106. Public-private use policy. cation and Labor. I acknowledge that your community development have hampered the Sec. 107. Repeal of independent cost esti- Committee will not formally consider S. 212 entrepreneurial spirit of Native American mate. and agree that the inaction of your Com- Sec. 108. Authorization of appropriations. mittee with respect to the bill does not tribes. Yet, across the country, Native Amer- Sec. 109. Reports and research plans. waive any future jurisdictional claim over ican entrepreneurs are ready to start new Sec. 110. Strategic research plan. the matters contained in the bill that fall businesses, create jobs, and lift up their com- Sec. 111. Stakeholder input on monitoring. within your Committee’s Rule X jurisdic- munities. Sec. 112. Research activities. tion. My bill is a first step to change that. It up- TITLE II—NAMED STORM EVENT MODEL I will ensure that our exchange of letters is dates and provides new resources to the De- AND POST-STORM ASSESSMENTS included in the Congressional Record during partment of Commerce’s Office of Native Sec. 201. Named Storm Event Model and floor consideration of the bill. I appreciate post-storm assessments. your cooperation regarding this legislation American Business Development. It ensures TITLE III—WATER PREDICTION AND and look forward to continuing to work with the Department of Health and Human Serv- FORECASTING you as this measure moves through the legis- ices is using Native American labor and indus- lative process. try products when appropriate. And, it author- Sec. 301. Water prediction and forecasting. Sincerely, izes the Administration for Native Americans TITLE I—REAUTHORIZATION OF INTE- ´ GRATED COASTAL AND OCEAN OBSER- RAUL M. GRIJALVA, to provide key financial assistance to Native Chair, VATION SYSTEM ACT OF 2009 American community development financial in- House Natural Resources Committee. SEC. 101. PURPOSES. stitutions. Miss GONZA´ LEZ-COLO´ N of Puerto Section 12302 of the Integrated Coastal and I want to thank my friend Congresswoman Rico. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such Ocean Observation System Act of 2009 (33 HAALAND for co-leading this bill with me, and time as I may consume. U.S.C. 3601) is amended to read as follows: Mr. Speaker, I think it is important Senator HOEVEN, Chairman of the Senate ‘‘SEC. 12302. PURPOSES. that, for decades, the Native American Committee on Indian Affairs, for introducing ‘‘The purposes of this subtitle are— and shepherding this bill in the Senate. ‘‘(1) to establish and sustain a national in- communities have struggled with a tegrated System of ocean, coastal, and Great wide array of difficulties relating to The American people and Native commu- nities, should be reassured that there is bipar- Lakes observing systems, comprised of Fed- economic development on their own eral and non-Federal components coordi- land, including poor access to capital, tisan commitment to improving lives in Indian nated at the national level by the Council remote and rural locations, and deg- Country. and at the regional level by a network of re- radation of the local infrastructure. I urge my colleagues, to vote yes and join gional coastal observing systems, and that Only around half of all Native Ameri- us in empowering the Native American entre- includes in situ, remote, and other coastal cans residing or near Tribal commu- preneurs and communities who are building and ocean observation and modeling capa- nities have jobs, and a quarter of Na- solutions for a better tomorrow. bilities, technologies, data management sys- tems, communication systems, and product tive families earn an income that is The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by development systems, and is designed to ad- below the American poverty line. dress regional and national needs for ocean the gentleman from Hawaii (Mr. CASE) Tribal economic development is also and coastal information, to gather specific hampered by the need for Federal ap- that the House suspend the rules and data on key ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes proval before leasing of trust lands, pass the bill, S. 212, as amended. variables, and to ensure timely and sus- legal systems that are not business The question was taken; and (two- tained dissemination and availability of friendly, and issues raised by sovereign thirds being in the affirmative) the these data— immunity. rules were suspended and the bill, as ‘‘(A) to the public; This bill, S. 212, amends three Fed- amended, was passed. ‘‘(B) to support national defense, search eral laws relating to business, eco- A motion to reconsider was laid on and rescue operations, marine commerce, the table. navigation safety, weather, climate, and ma- nomic, and trade development in In- rine forecasting, energy siting and produc- dian communities: the Native Amer- f tion, economic development, ecosystem- ican Business Development, Trade Pro- COORDINATED OCEAN OBSERVA- based marine, coastal, and Great Lakes re- motion, and Tourism Act of 2000, the TIONS AND RESEARCH ACT OF source management, public safety, and pub- Buy Indian Act, and the Native Amer- 2020 lic outreach and education; ican Programs Act of 1974. ‘‘(C) to promote greater public awareness The amendments are intended to in- Mr. CASE. Mr. Speaker, I move to and stewardship of the Nation’s ocean, coast- crease access to capital for Indian suspend the rules and pass the bill (S. al, and Great Lakes resources and the gen- Tribes and businesses, increase oppor- 914) to reauthorize the Integrated eral public welfare; tunities for Indian business promotion, Coastal and Ocean Observation System ‘‘(D) to provide easy access to ocean, coast- Act of 2009, to clarify the authority of al, and Great Lakes data and promote data and create mechanisms and tools to at- sharing between Federal and non-Federal tract investments in Indian commu- the Administrator of the National Oce- sources and promote public data sharing; nities. anic and Atmospheric Administration ‘‘(E) to enable advances in scientific under- Mr. Speaker, I fully support the in- with respect to post-storm assess- standing to support the sustainable use, con- tent behind this legislation and appre- ments, and to require the establish- servation, management, and understanding

VerDate Sep 11 2014 13:44 Dec 04, 2020 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00054 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A03DE7.120 H03DEPT1 dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with HOUSE December 3, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H6103 of healthy ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes ‘‘(B) non-Federal assets, including a net- in consultation with regional coastal observ- resources to ensure the Nation can respond work of regional coastal observing systems ing systems, priorities for System observa- to opportunities to enhance food, economic, identified under subsection (c)(4), to fulfill tions; and national security; and regional and national observation missions ‘‘(iv) establish and define protocols and ‘‘(F) to monitor and model changes in the and priorities; standards for System data processing, man- oceans and Great Lakes, including with re- ‘‘(C) observing, modeling, data manage- agement, collection, configuration stand- spect to chemistry, harmful algal blooms, ment, and communication systems for the ards, formats, and communication for new hypoxia, water levels, and other phenomena; timely integration and dissemination of data and existing assets throughout the System ‘‘(2) to improve the Nation’s capability to and information products from the System, network; measure, track, observe, understand, and including reviews of data collection proce- ‘‘(v) develop contract requirements for predict events related directly and indirectly dures across regions and programs to make each regional coastal observing system— to weather and climate, natural climate var- recommendations for data collection stand- ‘‘(I) to establish eligibility for integration iability, and interactions between the oce- ards across the System to meet national into the System; anic and atmospheric environments, includ- ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes observation, ‘‘(II) to ensure compliance with all applica- ing the Great Lakes; applied research, and weather forecasting ble standards and protocols established by ‘‘(3) to sustain, upgrade, and modernize the needs; the Council; and Nation’s ocean and Great Lakes observing ‘‘(D) a product development system to ‘‘(III) to ensure that regional observations infrastructure to detect changes and ensure transform observations into products in a are integrated into the System on a sus- delivery of reliable and timely information; format that may be readily used and under- tained basis; and stood; and ‘‘(vi) identify gaps in observation coverage ‘‘(4) to authorize activities— ‘‘(E) a research and development program or needs for capital improvements of both ‘‘(A) to promote basic and applied research conducted under the guidance of the Council, Federal assets and non-Federal assets; to develop, test, and deploy innovations and consisting of— ‘‘(vii) subject to the availability of appro- improvements in coastal and ocean observa- ‘‘(i) basic and applied research and tech- priations, establish through 1 or more Fed- tion technologies, including advanced ob- nology development— eral agencies participating in the Inter- serving technologies such as unmanned mar- ‘‘(I) to improve understanding of coastal agency Ocean Observation Committee, in itime systems needed to address critical data and ocean systems and their relationships to consultation with the System advisory com- gaps, modeling systems, other scientific and human activities; and mittee established under subsection (d), a technological capabilities to improve the un- ‘‘(II) to ensure improvement of operational competitive matching grant or other pro- derstanding of weather and climate, ocean- assets and products, including related infra- grams— atmosphere dynamics, global climate structure, observing technologies such as un- ‘‘(I) to promote intramural and extramural change, and the physical, chemical, and bio- manned maritime systems, and information research and development of new, innova- logical dynamics of the ocean, coastal, and and data processing and management tech- tive, and emerging observation technologies Great Lakes environments; and nologies; including testing and field trials; and ‘‘(B) to conserve healthy and restore de- ‘‘(ii) an advanced observing technology de- ‘‘(II) to facilitate the migration of new, in- graded coastal ecosystems.’’. velopment program to fill gaps in tech- novative, and emerging scientific and tech- SEC. 102. DEFINITIONS. nology; nological advances from research and devel- Section 12303 of the Integrated Coastal and ‘‘(iii) large scale computing resources and opment to operational deployment; Ocean Observation System Act of 2009 (33 research to advance modeling of ocean, ‘‘(viii) periodically— U.S.C. 3602) is amended— coastal, and Great Lakes processes; ‘‘(I) review the System Plan; and (1) in paragraph (2), by striking ‘‘section ‘‘(iv) models to improve regional weather ‘‘(II) submit to the Council such rec- 7902’’ and inserting ‘‘section 8932’’; forecasting capabilities and regional weather ommendations as the Interagency Ocean Ob- (2) in paragraph (5), by striking ‘‘inte- forecasting products; and servation Committee may have for improve- grated into the System and are managed ‘‘(v) reviews of data collection procedures ments to the System Plan; through States, regional organizations, uni- across regions and programs to make rec- ‘‘(ix) ensure collaboration among Federal versities, nongovernmental organizations, or ommendations for data collection standards agencies participating in the Interagency the private sector’’ and inserting ‘‘managed across the System to meet national ocean, Ocean Observation Committee; and through States, regional organizations, uni- coastal, and Great Lakes observation, ap- ‘‘(x) perform such additional duties as the versities, nongovernmental organizations, or plied research, and weather forecasting Council may delegate. the private sector and integrated into the needs.’’. ‘‘(3) LEAD FEDERAL AGENCY.— System by a regional coastal observing sys- (2) AVAILABILITY OF DATA.—Section ‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The National Oceanic tem, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 12304(b)(3) of such Act (33 U.S.C. 3603(b)(3)) is and Atmospheric Administration shall func- Administration, or the agencies partici- amended by inserting ‘‘for research and for tion as the lead Federal agency for the im- pating in the Interagency Ocean Observation use in the development of products to ad- plementation and administration of the Sys- Committee’’; dress societal needs’’ before the period at the tem. (3) by amending paragraph (6) to read as end. ‘‘(B) CONSULTATION REQUIRED.—In carrying follows: (b) POLICY OVERSIGHT, ADMINISTRATION, out this paragraph, the Administrator shall ‘‘(6) REGIONAL COASTAL OBSERVING SYS- AND REGIONAL COORDINATION.—Section consult with the Council, the Interagency TEM.—The term ‘regional coastal observing 12304(c) of the Integrated Coastal and Ocean Ocean Observation Committee, other Federal system’ means an organizational body that Observation System Act of 2009 (33 U.S.C. agencies that maintain portions of the Sys- is certified or established by contract or 3603(c)) is amended by striking paragraphs tem, and the regional coastal observing sys- memorandum by the lead Federal agency (2), (3), and (4), and inserting the following: tems. designated in section 12304(c)(3) and coordi- ‘‘(2) INTERAGENCY OCEAN OBSERVATION COM- ‘‘(C) REQUIREMENTS.—In carrying out this nates State, Federal, local, tribal, and pri- MITTEE.— paragraph, the Administrator shall— vate interests at a regional level with the re- ‘‘(A) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Council shall ‘‘(i) establish and operate an Integrated sponsibility of engaging the private and pub- establish or designate a committee, which Ocean Observing System Program Office lic sectors in designing, operating, and im- shall be known as the ‘Interagency Ocean within the National Oceanic and Atmos- proving regional coastal observing systems Observation Committee’. pheric Administration that— in order to ensure the provision of data and ‘‘(B) DUTIES.—The Interagency Ocean Ob- ‘‘(I) utilizes, to the extent necessary, per- information that meet the needs of user servation Committee shall— sonnel from Federal agencies participating groups from the respective regions.’’; and ‘‘(i) prepare annual and long-term plans for in the Interagency Ocean Observation Com- (4) in paragraph (7), by striking ‘‘National consideration and approval by the Council mittee; and Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’’ for the integrated design, operation, mainte- ‘‘(II) oversees daily operations and coordi- and inserting ‘‘Administrator’’. nance, enhancement, and expansion of the nation of the System; SEC. 103. INTEGRATED COASTAL AND OCEAN OB- System to meet the objectives of this sub- ‘‘(ii) implement policies, protocols, and SERVATION SYSTEM. title and the System Plan; standards approved by the Council and dele- (a) SYSTEM ELEMENTS.— ‘‘(ii) develop and transmit to Congress, gated by the Interagency Ocean Observation (1) IN GENERAL.—Section 12304(b) of the In- along with the budget submitted by the Committee; tegrated Coastal and Ocean Observation Sys- President to Congress pursuant to section ‘‘(iii) promulgate program guidelines— tem Act of 2009 (33 U.S.C. 3603(b)) is amended 1105(a) of title 31, United States Code, an an- ‘‘(I) to certify and integrate regional asso- by striking paragraph (1) and inserting the nual coordinated, comprehensive budget— ciations into the System; and following: ‘‘(I) to operate all elements of the System ‘‘(II) to provide regional coastal and ocean ‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—In order to fulfill the identified in subsection (b); and observation data that meet the needs of user purposes of this subtitle, the System shall be ‘‘(II) to ensure continuity of data streams groups from the respective regions; national in scope and consist of— from Federal and non-Federal assets; ‘‘(iv) have the authority to enter into and ‘‘(A) Federal assets to fulfill national and ‘‘(iii) establish requirements for observa- oversee contracts, leases, grants, or coopera- international observation missions and pri- tion data variables to be gathered by both tive agreements with non-Federal assets, in- orities; Federal and non-Federal assets and identify, cluding regional coastal observing systems,

VerDate Sep 11 2014 12:28 Dec 04, 2020 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00055 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A03DE7.129 H03DEPT1 dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with HOUSE H6104 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE December 3, 2020 to support the purposes of this subtitle on ‘‘(II) supporting and integrating all aspects ‘‘(iii) an integrative survey program for ap- such terms as the Administrator deems ap- of coastal and ocean observing and informa- plication of unmanned maritime systems to propriate; tion programs within a region; and the real-time or near real-time collection ‘‘(v) implement and maintain a merit- ‘‘(III) reflecting the needs of State, local, and transmission of sea floor, water column, based, competitive funding process to sup- and tribal governments, commercial inter- and sea surface data on biology, chemistry, port non-Federal assets, including the devel- ests, and other users and beneficiaries of the geology, physics, and hydrography; opment and maintenance of a national net- System and other requirements specified ‘‘(iv) remote sensing and data assimilation work of regional coastal observing systems, under this subtitle and the System Plan; to develop new analytical methodologies to and develop and implement a process for the ‘‘(iv) identifies— assimilate data from the System into hydro- periodic review and evaluation of the re- ‘‘(I) gaps in observation coverage needs for dynamic models; gional associations; capital improvements of Federal assets and ‘‘(v) integrated, multi-State monitoring to ‘‘(vi) provide opportunities for competitive non-Federal assets of the System; and assess sources, movement, and fate of sedi- contracts and grants for demonstration ‘‘(II) other recommendations to assist in ments in coastal regions; projects to design, develop, integrate, de- the development of the annual and long-term ‘‘(vi) a multi-region marine sound moni- ploy, maintain, and support components of plans prepared pursuant to paragraph toring system to be— the System; (2)(B)(i) and transmits such information to ‘‘(I) planned in consultation with the Inter- ‘‘(vii) establish and maintain efficient and the Interagency Ocean Observation Com- agency Ocean Observation Committee, the effective administrative procedures for the mittee through the Program Office estab- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Adminis- timely allocation of funds among contrac- lished under paragraph (3)(C)(i); tration, the Department of the Navy, and tors, grantees, and non-Federal assets, in- ‘‘(v) develops and operates under a stra- academic research institutions; and cluding regional coastal observing systems; tegic plan that will ensure the efficient and ‘‘(II) developed, installed, and operated in ‘‘(viii) develop and implement a process for effective administration of programs and as- coordination with the National Oceanic and the periodic review and evaluation of the re- sets to support daily data observations for Atmospheric Administration, the Depart- gional coastal observing systems; integration into the System, pursuant to the ment of the Navy, and academic research in- ‘‘(ix) formulate an annual process by which standards approved by the Council; stitutions; and gaps in observation coverage or needs for ‘‘(vi) works cooperatively with govern- ‘‘(E) any other purpose identified by the capital improvements of Federal assets and mental and nongovernmental entities at all Administrator or the Council.’’; non-Federal assets of the System are— levels to identify and provide information (D) in paragraph (3)(B), by inserting ‘‘The ‘‘(I) identified by the regional associations products of the System for multiple users Administrator may stagger the terms of the described in the System Plan, the Adminis- within the service area of the regional coast- System advisory committee members.’’ be- trator, or other members of the System; and al observing system; and fore ‘‘Members’’; and ‘‘(II) submitted to the Interagency Ocean ‘‘(vii) complies with all financial oversight (E) in paragraph (4)— Observation Committee; requirements established by the Adminis- (i) in subparagraph (A), by striking ‘‘and ‘‘(x) develop and be responsible for a data trator, including requirements relating to the Interagency Ocean Observing Com- management and communication system, in audits. mittee’’; and accordance with standards and protocols es- ‘‘(B) PARTICIPATION.—For the purposes of (ii) in subparagraph (C), by striking ‘‘Ob- tablished by the Interagency Ocean Observa- this subtitle, employees of Federal agencies serving’’ and inserting ‘‘Observation’’. tion Committee, by which all data collected are permitted to be members of the gov- (d) CIVIL LIABILITY.—Section 12304(e) of the by the System regarding ocean and coastal erning body for the regional coastal observ- Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation waters of the United States including the ing systems and may participate in the func- System Act of 2009 (33 U.S.C. 3603(e)) is Great Lakes, are processed, stored, inte- tions of the regional coastal observing sys- amended— grated, and made available to all end-user tems.’’. (1) by striking ‘‘information coordination communities; (c) SYSTEM ADVISORY COMMITTEE.—Section entity’’ each place it appears and inserting ‘‘(xi) not less frequently than once each 12304(d) of the Integrated Coastal and Ocean ‘‘coastal observing system’’; and year, submit to the Interagency Ocean Ob- Observation System Act of 2009 (33 U.S.C. (2) by striking ‘‘contract, lease, grant, or servation Committee a report on the accom- 3603(d)) is amended— cooperative agreement under subsection plishments, operational needs, and perform- (1) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘or the (c)(3)(D)’’ and inserting ‘‘a memorandum of ance of the System to contribute to the an- Interagency Ocean Observing Committee.’’ agreement of certification under subsection nual and long-term plans prepared pursuant and inserting ‘‘or the Council under this sub- (c)(3)(C)(iii)’’. to paragraph (2)(B)(i); title’’; and (e) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.—The Inte- ‘‘(xii) develop and periodically update a (2) in paragraph (2)— grated Coastal and Ocean Observation Sys- plan to efficiently integrate into the System (A) in subparagraph (A), by inserting ‘‘, tem Act of 2009 (33 U.S.C. 3601 et seq.) is new, innovative, or emerging technologies data sharing,’’ after ‘‘data management’’; amended by striking ‘‘regional information that have been demonstrated to be useful to (B) in subparagraph (C), by striking ‘‘and’’ coordination entities’’ each place it appears the System and which will fulfill the pur- at the end; and inserting ‘‘regional coastal observing poses of this subtitle and the System Plan; (C) by striking subparagraph (D) and in- systems’’. and serting the following: SEC. 104. FINANCING AND AGREEMENTS. ‘‘(xiii) work with users and regional asso- ‘‘(D) additional priorities, including— Section 12305(a) of the Integrated Coastal ciations to develop products to enable real- ‘‘(i) a national surface current mapping and Ocean Observation System Act of 2009 time data sharing for decision makers, in- network designed to improve fine scale sea (33 U.S.C. 3604(a)) is amended to read as fol- cluding with respect to weather forecasting surface mapping using high frequency radar lows: and modeling, search and rescue operations, technology and other emerging technologies ‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Com- corrosive seawater forecasts, water quality to address national priorities, including merce may execute an agreement, on a reim- monitoring and communication, and harmful Coast Guard search and rescue operation bursable or nonreimbursable basis, with any algal bloom forecasting. planning and harmful algal bloom fore- State or subdivision thereof, any Federal ‘‘(4) REGIONAL COASTAL OBSERVING SYS- casting and detection that— agency, any public or private organization, TEMS.— ‘‘(I) is comprised of existing high frequency or any individual to carry out activities ‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—A regional coastal ob- radar and other sea surface current mapping under this subtitle.’’. serving system described in the System Plan infrastructure operated by national pro- SEC. 105. REPORTS TO CONGRESS. as a regional association may not be cer- grams and regional coastal observing sys- Section 12307 of the Integrated Coastal and tified or established under this subtitle un- tems; Ocean Observation System Act of 2009 (33 less it— ‘‘(II) incorporates new high frequency U.S.C. 3606) is amended to read as follows: ‘‘(i) has been or shall be certified or estab- radar assets or other fine scale sea surface ‘‘SEC. 12307. REPORT TO CONGRESS. lished by contract or agreement by the Ad- mapping technology assets, and other assets ‘‘(a) REQUIREMENT.—Not later than March ministrator; needed to fill gaps in coverage on United 30, 2022, and every 5 years thereafter, the Ad- ‘‘(ii) meets— States coastlines; and ministrator shall prepare, and the President ‘‘(I) the certification standards and compli- ‘‘(III) follows a deployment plan that acting through the Council shall approve and ance procedure guidelines issued by the Ad- prioritizes closing gaps in high frequency transmit to Congress, a report on progress ministrator; and radar infrastructure in the United States, made in implementing this subtitle. ‘‘(II) the information needs of user groups starting with areas demonstrating signifi- ‘‘(b) CONTENTS.—Each report required in the region while adhering to national cant sea surface current data needs, espe- under subsection (a) shall include— standards; cially in areas where additional data will im- ‘‘(1) a description of activities carried out ‘‘(iii) demonstrates an organizational prove Coast Guard search and rescue models; under this subtitle and the System Plan; structure, that under funding limitations is ‘‘(ii) fleet acquisition for unmanned mari- ‘‘(2) an evaluation of the effectiveness of capable of— time systems for deployment and data inte- the System, including an evaluation of ‘‘(I) gathering required System observation gration to fulfill the purposes of this sub- progress made by the Council to achieve the data; title; goals identified under the System Plan;

VerDate Sep 11 2014 12:28 Dec 04, 2020 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00056 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A03DE7.129 H03DEPT1 dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with HOUSE December 3, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H6105 ‘‘(3) the identification of Federal and non- integrated oceans observations under this ‘‘(I) may describe the information de- Federal assets as determined by the Council subtitle— scribed in clauses (i) through (viii) of that that have been integrated into the System, ‘‘(1) $48,000,000 for fiscal year 2021; subparagraph on a national level; or including assets essential to the gathering of ‘‘(2) $50,000,000 for fiscal year 2022; ‘‘(II) may consist of separate reports for required observation data variables nec- ‘‘(3) $52,000,000 for fiscal year 2023; each region of the National Oceanic and At- essary to meet the respective missions of ‘‘(4) $54,000,000 for fiscal year 2024; and mospheric Administration. Council agencies; ‘‘(5) $56,000,000 for fiscal year 2025.’’. ‘‘(iii) REGIONAL REPORTS.—If the Sub- ‘‘(4) a review of procurements, planned or SEC. 109. REPORTS AND RESEARCH PLANS. committee opts to prepare a report required initiated, by each department or agency rep- Section 12404(c) of the Federal Ocean under subparagraph (A) as separate regional resented on the Council to enhance, expand, Acidification Research And Monitoring Act reports under clause (ii)(II), the Sub- or modernize the observation capabilities of 2009 (33 U.S.C. 3703(c)) is amended by add- committee shall submit a report for each re- and data products provided by the System, ing at the end the following: gion of the National Oceanic and Atmos- including data management and communica- ‘‘(4) ECONOMIC VULNERABILITY REPORT.— pheric Administration not less frequently tion subsystems; ‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 2 years than once during each 6-year reporting pe- ‘‘(5) a summary of the existing gaps in ob- after the date of the enactment of the Co- riod. servation infrastructure and monitoring ordinated Ocean Observations and Research ‘‘(C) APPROPRIATE COMMITTEES OF CONGRESS data collection, including— Act of 2020, and every 6 years thereafter, the DEFINED.—In this paragraph and in para- ‘‘(A) priorities considered by the System Subcommittee shall transmit to the appro- graph (5), the term ‘appropriate committees advisory committee; priate committees of Congress a report of Congress’ means the Committee on Com- ‘‘(B) the national sea surface current map- that— merce, Science, and Transportation of the ping network; ‘‘(i) is named the ‘Ocean Chemistry Coastal Senate, the Committee on Science, Space, ‘‘(C) coastal buoys; Community Vulnerability Assessment’; and Technology of the House of Representa- ‘‘(D) ocean chemistry monitoring; ‘‘(ii) identifies gaps in ocean acidification tives, and the Committee on Natural Re- ‘‘(E) marine sound monitoring; and monitoring by public, academic, and private sources of the House of Representatives. ‘‘(F) unmanned maritime systems tech- assets in the network of regional coastal ob- ‘‘(5) MONITORING PRIORITIZATION PLAN.—Not nology gaps; serving systems; later than 180 days after the date of the sub- ‘‘(6) an assessment regarding activities to ‘‘(iii) identifies geographic areas which mission of the initial report under paragraph integrate Federal and non-Federal assets, have gaps in ocean acidification research; (4)(A), the Subcommittee shall transmit to nationally and on the regional level, and dis- ‘‘(iv) identifies United States coastal com- the appropriate committees of Congress a re- cussion of the performance and effectiveness munities, including island communities, port that develops a plan to deploy new sen- of regional coastal observing systems to co- fishing communities, low-population rural sors or other applicable observing tech- ordinate regional observation operations; communities, tribal and subsistence commu- nologies such as unmanned maritime sys- ‘‘(7) a description of benefits of the pro- nities, and island communities, that may be tems— gram to users of data products resulting impacted by ocean acidification; ‘‘(A) based on such initial report; from the System (including the general pub- ‘‘(v) identifies impacts of changing ocean ‘‘(B) prioritized by— lic, industries, scientists, resource managers, carbonate chemistry on the communities de- ‘‘(i) the threat to coastal economies and emergency responders, policy makers, and scribed in clause (iv), including impacts from ecosystems; educators); changes in ocean and coastal marine re- ‘‘(ii) gaps in data; and ‘‘(8) recommendations, if any, concerning— sources that are not managed by the Federal ‘‘(iii) research needs; and ‘‘(A) modifications to the System; and Government; ‘‘(C) that leverage existing platforms, ‘‘(B) funding levels for the System in sub- ‘‘(vi) identifies gaps in understanding of where possible.’’. sequent fiscal years; and the impacts of ocean acidification on eco- SEC. 110. STRATEGIC RESEARCH PLAN. ‘‘(9) the results of a periodic external inde- nomically or commercially important spe- (a) CONTENTS.—Section 12405(b) of the Fed- pendent programmatic audit of the Sys- cies, particularly those which support United eral Ocean Acidification Research And Moni- tem.’’. States commercial, recreational, and tribal toring Act of 2009 (33 U.S.C. 3704(b)) is SEC. 106. PUBLIC-PRIVATE USE POLICY. fisheries and aquaculture; amended— Section 12308 of the Integrated Coastal and ‘‘(vii) identifies habitats that may be par- (1) in paragraph (8), by striking ‘‘and’’ at Ocean Observation System Act of 2009 (33 ticularly vulnerable to corrosive sea water, the end; U.S.C. 3607) is amended to read as follows: including areas experiencing multiple (2) in paragraph (9), by striking the period ‘‘SEC. 12308. PUBLIC-PRIVATE USE POLICY. stressors such as hypoxia, sedimentation, at the end and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and ‘‘The Council shall maintain a policy that and harmful algal blooms; (3) by adding at the end the following: defines processes for making decisions about ‘‘(viii) identifies areas in which existing ‘‘(10) make recommendations for research the roles of the Federal Government, the National Integrated Coastal and Ocean Ob- to be conducted, including in the social States, regional coastal observing systems, servation System assets, including un- sciences and economics, to address the key the academic community, and the private manned maritime systems, may be leveraged knowledge gaps identified in the Ocean sector in providing to end-user communities as platforms for the deployment of new sen- Chemistry Coastal Community Vulnerability environmental information, products, tech- sors or other applicable observing tech- Assessment conducted under section nologies, and services related to the System. nologies; 12404(c)(4).’’. The Administrator shall ensure that the Na- ‘‘(ix) is written in collaboration with Fed- (b) PROGRAM ELEMENTS.—Section 12405(c) tional Oceanic and Atmospheric Administra- eral agencies responsible for carrying out of the Federal Ocean Acidification Research tion adheres to the decision making process this subtitle, including representatives of— And Monitoring Act of 2009 (33 U.S.C. 3704(c)) developed by the Council regarding the roles ‘‘(I) the National Marine Fisheries Service is amended by adding at the end the fol- of the Federal Government, the States, the and the Office for Coastal Management of lowing: regional coastal observing systems, the aca- the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Ad- ‘‘(6) Research to understand the combined demic community, and the private sector in providing end-user communities environ- ministration; impact of changes in ocean chemistry and mental information, data products, tech- ‘‘(II) regional coastal observing systems es- other stressors, including sediment delivery, nologies, and services related to the Sys- tablished under section 12304(c)(4); hypoxia, and harmful algal blooms, on each tem.’’. ‘‘(III) regional ocean acidification net- other and on living marine resources, includ- works; and ing aquaculture and coastal ecosystems. SEC. 107. REPEAL OF INDEPENDENT COST ESTI- MATE. ‘‘(IV) sea grant programs (as defined in sec- ‘‘(7) Applied research to identify adapta- (a) IN GENERAL.—The Integrated Coastal tion 203 of the National Sea Grant College tion strategies for species impacted by and Ocean Observation System Act of 2009 Program Act (33 U.S.C. 1122)); and changes in ocean chemistry including vege- (33 U.S.C. 3601 et seq.) is amended by striking ‘‘(x) is written in consultation with ex- tation-based systems, shell recycling, species section 12309 (33 U.S.C. 3608). perts, including subsistence users, academia, and genetic diversity, applied technologies, (b) TABLE OF CONTENTS AMENDMENT.—The and stakeholders familiar with the eco- aquaculture methodologies, and manage- table of contents in section 1(b) of the Omni- nomic, social, ecological, geographic, and re- ment recommendations.’’. bus Public Land Management Act of 2009 source concerns of coastal communities in (c) PARTICIPATION.—Section 12405(e) of the (Public Law 111–11; 123 Stat. 991) is amended the United States. Federal Ocean Acidification Research And by striking the item related to section 12309. ‘‘(B) FORM OF REPORT.— Monitoring Act of 2009 (33 U.S.C. 3704(e)) is SEC. 108. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. ‘‘(i) INITIAL REPORT.—The initial report re- amended in the first sentence by inserting ‘‘, Section 12311 of the Integrated Coastal and quired under subparagraph (A) shall include tribal governments, and subsistence users’’ Ocean Observation System Act of 2009 (33 the information described in clauses (i) after ‘‘groups’’. U.S.C. 3610) is amended to read as follows: through (viii) of that subparagraph on a na- (d) REVISED STRATEGIC RESEARCH PLAN.— ‘‘SEC. 12311. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIA- tional level. Not later than one year after the date of the TIONS. ‘‘(ii) SUBSEQUENT REPORTS.—Each report enactment of this Act, the Joint Sub- ‘‘There are authorized to be appropriated required under subparagraph (A) after the committee on Ocean Science and Technology to the Secretary of Commerce to support the initial report— of the National Science and Technology

VerDate Sep 11 2014 12:28 Dec 04, 2020 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00057 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A03DE7.129 H03DEPT1 dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with HOUSE H6106 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE December 3, 2020 Council shall submit to Congress a revised or any modification to the Named Storm (A) in paragraph (3), by striking the period strategic research plan under section 12405 of Event Model, takes effect.’’; and at the end and inserting the following: ‘‘, ex- the Federal Ocean Acidification Research (B) in paragraph (2)— cept that the term shall not apply with re- And Monitoring Act of 2009 (33 U.S.C. 3704) (i) by redesignating subparagraphs (B) and spect to a State or territory that has an that includes the matters required by the (C) as subparagraphs (D) and (E), respec- operational wind and flood loss allocation amendments made by this section. tively; system.’’; and SEC. 111. STAKEHOLDER INPUT ON MONITORING. (ii) by inserting after subparagraph (A) the (B) in paragraph (5), by inserting ‘‘sus- Section 12406(a) of the Federal Ocean following: tained’’ after ‘‘maximum’’; Acidification Research And Monitoring Act ‘‘(B) DATA COLLECTION.— (2) in subsection (b)— of 2009 (33 U.S.C. 3705(a)) is amended— ‘‘(i) IN GENERAL.—Upon identification of a (A) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘establish (1) in paragraph (2), by striking ‘‘and’’ at named storm under subparagraph (A), and by rule’’ and inserting ‘‘publish for comment the end; pursuant to the protocol established under in the Federal Register’’; and (2) in paragraph (3), by striking the period subsection (c), the Administrator may de- (B) in paragraph (2)(B), by inserting after at the end and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and ploy sensors to enhance the collection of ‘‘Elevation Certificate’’ the following: ‘‘, or (3) by adding at the end the following: covered data in the areas in coastal States other data or information used to determine ‘‘(4) includes an ongoing mechanism that that the Administrator determines are at a property’s current risk of flood, as deter- allows industry members, coastal stake- the highest risk of experiencing geophysical mined by the Administrator,’’; holders, fishery management councils and events that would cause indeterminate (3) in subsection (c)(3)(A)(i), by striking commissions, non-Federal resource man- losses. ‘‘the issuance of the rule establishing the agers, community acidification networks, in- ‘‘(ii) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—If the Admin- COASTAL Formula’’ and inserting ‘‘publica- digenous knowledge groups, and scientific istrator takes action under clause (i), that tion of the COASTAL Formula in the Fed- experts to provide input on monitoring needs action may not be construed as indicating eral Register as required by subsection that are necessary to support on the ground that a post-storm assessment will be devel- (b)(1)’’; management, decision making, and adapta- oped for any coastal State in which that ac- (4) in subsection (d), by striking ‘‘section tion related to ocean acidification and its tion is taken. 12312(b)(2)(C)’’ and inserting ‘‘section impacts.’’. ‘‘(C) IDENTIFICATION OF INDETERMINATE 12312(b)(2)(E)’’; LOSSES IN COASTAL STATES.—Not later than 30 SEC. 112. RESEARCH ACTIVITIES. (5) in subsection (h)— Section 12407(a) of the Federal Ocean days after the first date on which sustained (A) by inserting ‘‘that issues a standard winds of not less than 39 miles per hour are Acidification Research And Monitoring Act flood insurance policy under the national measured in a coastal State during a named of 2009 (33 U.S.C. 3706(a)) is amended to read flood insurance program’’ after ‘‘company’’; storm identified under subparagraph (A), the as follows: and Secretary of Homeland Security shall notify ‘‘(a) RESEARCH ACTIVITIES.—The Director (B) by striking ‘‘or the COASTAL For- of the National Science Foundation shall the Administrator with respect to the exist- mula’’ and inserting ‘‘, the COASTAL For- continue to carry out research activities on ence of any indeterminate losses in that mula, or any other loss allocation or post- ocean acidification which shall support com- coastal State resulting from that named storm assessment arising under the laws or storm.’’; petitive, merit-based, peer-reviewed pro- ordinances of any State’’; (iii) in subparagraph (D), as so redesig- posals for research, observation, and moni- (6) in subsection (i), by striking ‘‘after the nated— toring of ocean acidification and its impacts, date on which the Administrator issues the (I) by striking ‘‘identification of a named including— rule establishing the COASTAL Formula storm under subparagraph (A)’’ and inserting ‘‘(1) impacts on marine organisms, includ- under subsection (b)’’ and inserting ‘‘60 days ‘‘confirmation of indeterminate losses iden- ing species cultured for aquaculture, and ma- after publication of the COASTAL Formula tified under subparagraph (C) with respect to rine ecosystems; in the Federal Register as required by sub- a named storm’’; and ‘‘(2) impacts on ocean, coastal, and estua- section (b)(1)’’; and (II) by striking ‘‘assessment for such rine biogeochemistry; (7) by adding at the end the following: named storm’’ and inserting ‘‘assessment for ‘‘(3) the development of methodologies and each coastal State that suffered such inde- ‘‘(k) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in technologies to evaluate ocean acidification terminate losses as a result of the named this section shall be construed to create a and its impacts; and storm’’; cause of action under this Act.’’. ‘‘(4) impacts of multiple stressors on eco- (iv) in subparagraph (E), as so redesig- systems exhibiting hypoxia, harmful algal nated— TITLE III—WATER PREDICTION AND blooms, or sediment delivery, combined with (I) by striking ‘‘an identification of a FORECASTING changes in ocean chemistry.’’. named storm is made under subparagraph TITLE II—NAMED STORM EVENT MODEL SEC. 301. WATER PREDICTION AND FORE- (A)’’ and inserting ‘‘any indeterminate losses CASTING. AND POST-STORM ASSESSMENTS are identified under subparagraph (C)’’; and SEC. 201. NAMED STORM EVENT MODEL AND (II) by striking ‘‘for such storm under sub- (a) NATIONAL WATER CENTER.— POST-STORM ASSESSMENTS. paragraph (B)’’ and inserting ‘‘under sub- (1) ESTABLISHMENT.— (a) AMENDMENTS TO THE OMNIBUS PUBLIC paragraph (D) for any coastal State that suf- (A) IN GENERAL.—The Under Secretary of LAND MANAGEMENT ACT OF 2009.—Section fered such indeterminate losses’’; and Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere shall 12312 of the Omnibus Public Land Manage- (v) by adding at the end the following: establish a center— ment Act of 2009 (33 U.S.C. 3611) is amended— ‘‘(F) SEPARATE POST-STORM ASSESSMENTS (i) to serve as the research and operational (1) in subsection (a)— FOR A SINGLE NAMED STORM.— center of excellence for hydrologic analyses, (A) in paragraph (2), by striking the period ‘‘(i) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator may forecasting, and related decision support at the end and inserting the following: ‘‘, ex- conduct a separate post-storm assessment services within the National Oceanic and At- cept that the term shall not apply with re- for each coastal State in which indetermi- mospheric Administration and the National spect to a State or territory that has an nate losses are identified under subparagraph Weather Service; and operational wind and flood loss allocation (C). (ii) to facilitate collaboration across Fed- system.’’; ‘‘(ii) TIMELINE.—If the Administrator con- eral and State departments and agencies, (B) in paragraph (6), by inserting ‘‘sus- ducts a separate post-storm assessment academia, and the private sector on matters tained’’ before ‘‘winds’’; and under clause (i), the Administrator shall relating to water resources. (C) in paragraph (7), by striking ‘‘that complete the assessment based on the dates (B) DESIGNATION.—The center established threaten any portion of a coastal State’’ and of actions that the Administrator takes under subparagraph (A) shall be known as inserting ‘‘for which post-storm assessments under subparagraph (D).’’; and the ‘‘National Water Center’’. are conducted’’; (3) in subsection (c)— (2) FUNCTIONS.—The functions of the Na- (2) in subsection (b)— (A) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘540 days tional Water Center shall include the fol- (A) in paragraph (1)— after the date of the enactment of the Con- lowing: (i) in subparagraph (A)— sumer Option for an Alternative System to (A) Improving understanding of water re- (I) by striking ‘‘540 days after the date of Allocate Losses Act of 2012’’ and inserting sources, stakeholder needs regarding water the enactment of the Consumer Option for ‘‘December 31, 2020’’; resources, and identifying science and serv- an Alternative System to Allocate Losses (B) in paragraph (2), by inserting ‘‘, in the ices gaps relating to water resources. Act of 2012’’ and inserting ‘‘December 31, discretion of the Administrator,’’ after ‘‘of (B) Developing and implementing advanced 2020’’; and sensors as may’’; and water resources modeling capabilities. (II) by striking ‘‘by regulation’’; (C) in paragraph (4)(B), by inserting ‘‘and (C) Facilitating the transition of hydro- (ii) in subparagraph (B), by striking expend’’ after ‘‘receive’’. logic research into operations. ‘‘every’’ and inserting ‘‘an’’; and (b) AMENDMENTS TO THE NATIONAL FLOOD (D) Delivering analyses, forecasts, and in- (iii) by adding at the end the following: INSURANCE ACT OF 1968.—Section 1337 of the undation information and guidance for all ‘‘(C) PUBLIC REVIEW.—The Administrator National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 (42 hydrologic events in the United States, in- shall seek input and suggestions from the U.S.C. 4057) is amended— cluding flash flooding, riverine flooding, and public before the Named Storm Event Model, (1) in subsection (a)— water resources outlooks.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 12:28 Dec 04, 2020 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00058 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A03DE7.129 H03DEPT1 dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with HOUSE December 3, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H6107 (E) In coordination with warning coordina- Mr. CASE. Mr. Speaker, I yield my- ers, the system delivers accurate data tion meteorologists, providing decision-sup- self such time as I may consume. that is critical to support coastal port services to inform emergency manage- Mr. Speaker, S. 914, the Coordinated economies, maritime commerce, and ment and water resources decisions. Ocean Observations and Research Act, navigation safety. (b) NATIONAL INSTRUCTIONS.— (1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than one year would reauthorize the Integrated These products are also used to im- after the date of the enactment of this Act, Coastal and Ocean Observation System prove hurricane tracking and weather the Under Secretary, acting through the Di- Act of 2009, called IOOS for short. forecasts, monitor water quality, con- rector of the National Weather Service, shall For over 10 years now, the National duct research on coastal ecosystems, make public an operations and services pol- Oceanic and Atmospheric Administra- and support the U.S. Coast Guard icy directive for the National Water Center. tion, or NOAA, has implemented this search and rescue operations. That was (2) CONTENTS.—The directive required by data-driven national regional partner- the reason I was supporting this, and, paragraph (1) shall include national instruc- ship to successfully improve safety, en- tions to perform the functions of the Na- of course, the dean of the House, Mr. tional Water Center, including the following: hance the economy, and protect the en- , who is showing the way for (A) Operational staff responsibilities. vironment. many of us arriving to the House after (B) Guidelines for content, format, and IOOS is a coordinated network of him. provision of hydrologic and inundation prod- people and technology consisting of In the case of Puerto Rico, we know ucts developed by the National Water Cen- Federal partners and regional associa- firsthand the importance of this sys- ter. tions that generates and disseminates tem. The Caribbean Coastal Ocean Ob- (C) Procedures for cooperation and coordi- continuous data and models for our nation between the National Water Center, serving System is one of the oceans and the Great Lakes. These networks’s 11 regional associations the National Weather Service National Cen- data give us a crucial understanding of ters for Environmental Prediction, National that is based on the island. Among Weather Service River Forecast Centers, and environmental variables, like tempera- other things, it helps support port and National Weather Service Weather Forecast ture, salinity, currents, nutrient con- harbor operations, as well as inter- Offices. centrations, contaminant levels, and island shipping and cruising, by pro- (c) TOTAL WATER PREDICTION.—The Under more. viding observations and models of Secretary, acting through the Director of This bill would also clarify the au- the Office of Water Prediction of the Na- coastal weather, waves, wind, and cur- thority of NOAA in regards to post- rents in the waters surrounding Puerto tional Weather Service, shall— storm assessments, which NOAA has (1) initiate and lead research and develop- Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. been doing the work for since it was ment activities to develop operational water These system assets were particu- appropriated funds in 2016. The bill resource prediction and related decision sup- larly instrumental when Hurricanes makes technical challenges to the port products; Irma and Maria struck in 2017. While COASTAL Act of 2012 so that NOAA (2) collaborate with, and provide decision Puerto Rico was without power and support regarding total water prediction to— can successfully collect the required communications, our buoys kept re- (A) the relevant Federal agencies rep- data to perform post-storm assess- porting data via satellite, providing resented on the National Science and Tech- ments and then provide that informa- crucial information that was utilized nology Council, Committee on Environment, tion to FEMA. by NOAA’s National Hurricane Center Natural Resources, and Sustainability and And finally, this legislation would the Subcommittee on Disaster Reduction; in Miami and other stakeholders. Re- codify establishment of the National (B) State water resource agencies; and authorizing this system network is Water Center as the primary facility (C) State and local emergency manage- necessary to continue supporting this for hydrologic decision support serv- ment agencies; and and other similar efforts across the (3) in carrying out the responsibilities de- ices. As we saw from the historic flood- country and to ensure that we are de- scribed in paragraphs (1) and (2), collabo- ing events last year, it is critical that livering accurate and continuous data ratively develop capabilities necessary for NOAA has these decision support tools. on our oceans and coast. total water predictive capacity, including In the face of climate change, it is so observations, modeling, data management, important that our environmental Mr. Speaker, I should mention, as supercomputing, social science, and commu- planners and managers have the tools well, that while we are taking up a nications. Senate bill, the dean of the House, DON (d) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.— they need to ensure safety for the YOUNG, has been a dedicated supporter There are authorized to be appropriated to American people and the longevity of carry out the activities under this section our coastal natural resources. The Co- of this program for many, many years amounts as follows: ordinated Ocean Observations and Re- and has sponsored a House companion (1) $44,500,000 for fiscal year 2021. search Act will put us on that path. bill. You may have all heard that the (2) $45,000,000 for fiscal year 2022. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of dean of the House recently tested posi- (3) $45,500,000 for fiscal year 2023. my time. tive for COVID, as I did in August, and (4) $46,000,000 for fiscal year 2024. Miss GONZA´ LEZ-COLO´ N of Puerto we are all hoping that he remains (e) DERIVATION OF FUNDS.—Funds to carry strong, as he is, fierce, and well after out this section shall be derived from Rico. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such amounts authorized to be appropriated to time as I may consume. his resounding reelection victory. the National Weather Service and the Na- Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support Mr. Speaker, in conclusion, I know tional Ocean Service that are enacted after of S. 914. many folks living in coastal commu- the date of the enactment of this Act. This bill, the Coordinated Ocean Ob- nities around the Nation will benefit The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- servations and Research Act, will reau- from the enactment of this legislation ant to the rule, the gentleman from thorize the U.S. Integrated Ocean Ob- here today. So not just by the people Hawaii (Mr. CASE) and the gentle- serving System, better known as IOOS, living in the islands or in coastal com- woman from Puerto Rico (Miss and increase Federal support for ocean munities, but in solidarity with Con- GONZA´ LEZ-COLO´ N) each will control 20 data collection and monitoring efforts, gressman YOUNG, I urge the adoption of minutes. which are vital to coastal and island the measure and reserve the balance of The Chair recognizes the gentleman communities across the Nation. my time. from Hawaii. Why this bill is important is, as you Mr. CASE. Mr. Speaker, I certainly GENERAL LEAVE may know, living in Puerto Rico and do deeply appreciate the comments of Mr. CASE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unani- after the hurricanes, this program, it my colleague from Puerto Rico, and mous consent that all Members may was so important for communities in she knows, as well as I do, as members have 5 legislative days in which to re- the Caribbean as well as many other of the Island Caucus—and we include in vise and extend their remarks and in- coastal communities across the Nation. the Island Caucus the largest island of clude extraneous material on the meas- This network consists of 17 Federal all, Alaska, Mr. YOUNG’s island—the ure under consideration. agencies and 11 regional associations deep importance of this system. It is a The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there that provide quality information about matter of life and death to us in many objection to the request of the gen- our coasts, oceans, and Great Lakes. areas and many ways, and so we all tleman from Hawaii? And through the use of tools such as fully endorse this bill from that per- There was no objection. satellites, buoys, and underwater glid- spective.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 12:28 Dec 04, 2020 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00059 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A03DE7.129 H03DEPT1 dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with HOUSE H6108 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE December 3, 2020 Mr. Speaker, I have no further speak- It will save us money. specifically includes the Coordinated Ocean ers. I am prepared to close, and I re- I would really like to congratulate Observations and Research Act to strengthen serve the balance of my time. everybody here on a bipartisan piece of ocean observations. Miss GONZA´ LEZ-COLO´ N of Puerto legislation. It is long overdue. We will Thank you to NANOOS for their efforts to Rico. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to get the problems solved with oceans. accurately predict, model, and manage ocean the gentleman from Alaska (Mr. This is a good piece of legislation, observation data that support the needs of our YOUNG), dean of the House. and I urge my colleagues to support it. region. I urge all of my colleagues to support (Mr. YOUNG asked and was given Miss GONZA´ LEZ-COLO´ N of Puerto this bill. permission to revise and extend his re- Rico. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the bal- The SPEAKER pro tempore. The marks.) ance of my time. question is on the motion offered by Mr. YOUNG. Mr. Speaker, I thank Mr. CASE. Mr. Speaker, I urge my the gentleman from Hawaii (Mr. CASE) my good chairwoman for yielding the colleagues to support this invaluable that the House suspend the rules and time and my good friend on the other legislation for our oceans and all of us, pass the bill, S. 914, as amended. side from Hawaii, one of my brother and I yield back the balance of my The question was taken; and (two- States, for this piece of legislation; time. thirds being in the affirmative) the Congresswoman BONAMICI for a very bi- Ms. BONAMICI. Mr. Speaker, as Co-Chair rules were suspended and the bill, as partisan bill with Senator ROGER of the House Oceans Caucus, I rise in support amended, was passed. WICKER, DAN SULLIVAN, involved in this of S. 914, a bill to reauthorize and increase A motion to reconsider was laid on legislation. It has been hard work, funding for the Integrated Coastal and Ocean the table. dedication to our coasts, our oceans, Observation System. f and the Great Lakes. The ocean covers more than 70 percent of Mr. Speaker, we sometimes forget, the planet, but despite our intrinsic connection b 1800 we hear a lot about climate change, et to our ocean we know very little about what is GREAT LAKES ENVIRONMENTAL cetera, but one of the biggest chal- beneath its surface. The eleven Integrated SENSITIVITY INDEX ACT OF 2020 lenges we have is the condition of our Ocean Observing System regional networks Mr. CASE. Mr. Speaker, I move to oceans and how we can clean it up, but use satellites, buoys, underwater gliders, and only keep that in your mind so maybe suspend the rules and pass the bill (S. tide gauges to deliver accurate and continuous 1342) to require the Under Secretary for we can go forth in the future to really data on our ocean and coasts. I was pleased solve some of these problems, espe- Oceans and Atmosphere to update peri- to work with my House Oceans Caucus Co- odically the environmental sensitivity cially with the plastics. Chair, Congressman DON YOUNG, on the This bill, which includes technical index products of the National Oceanic House companion to reauthorize these impor- changes implemented by the Senate, and Atmospheric Administration for tant ocean observation efforts. each coastal area of the Great Lakes, would reauthorize the Integrated Coastal communities, like those I represent Coastal and Ocean Observation System and for other purposes, as amended. in Northwest Oregon, rely on accurate ocean The Clerk read the title of the bill. Act through the fiscal year of 2024. data and monitoring for information about The 11 regional association networks The text of the bill is as follows: ocean acidification, harmful algal blooms and of the Integrated Ocean Observing Sys- S. 1342 hypoxia, sea level rise, flooding, navigation, tem work with regional partners to de- Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- and port security. In the Pacific Northwest, we velop, operate, and maintain more than resentatives of the United States of America in are fortunate to have the Northwest Associa- 300 observing assets that collect ocean- Congress assembled, tion of Networked Ocean Observing Systems ographic and coastal data, including SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. leading the way. Tribes, commercial fisheries, This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Great Lakes information about rising sea levels, emergency responders, and public health offi- Environmental Sensitivity Index Act of coastal flooding, and harmful algal cials rely on the free and open access data 2020’’. blooms. collected by NANOOS to learn about threats SEC. 2. UPDATE TO ENVIRONMENTAL SENSI- This program is a simple system with TIVITY INDEX PRODUCTS OF NA- multiple uses. to the health of our ocean. I am excited about TIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOS- I will say that a cost-effective ap- the partnership between NANOOS and the PHERIC ADMINISTRATION FOR proach of fulfilling this Nation’s need Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission GREAT LAKES. (a) UPDATE REQUIRED FOR ENVIRONMENTAL for coastal data is very important. that focuses on the Center for Coastal Margin SENSITIVITY INDEX PRODUCTS FOR GREAT The data from these systems enables Observation and Prediction and will help to further our understanding of ocean-estuary LAKES.—Not later than 180 days after the the Coast Guard to reduce the size of date of the enactment of this Act, the Under their search areas by two-thirds. The interactions. I appreciate the continued innova- Secretary for Oceans and Atmosphere shall data is also used for tracking oil spills, tion from NANOOS to meet the needs of our commence updating the environmental sen- providing mariners with sea state con- communities along the Pacific Coast and the sitivity index products of the National Oce- ditions, and for ship detection. Columbia River. anic and Atmospheric Administration for During the Deepwater Horizon oil I am also pleased that this bill directs NOAA each coastal area of the Great Lakes. spill, IOOS regions responded by de- to conduct a vulnerability assessment to iden- (b) PERIODIC UPDATES FOR ENVIRONMENTAL SENSITIVITY INDEX PRODUCTS GENERALLY.— ploying high-frequency radars and un- tify communities that are dependent on coastal and ocean resources and that may be affected Subject to the availability of appropriations derwater gliders to the region to assist and the priorities set forth in subsection (c), with monitoring the spill. IOOS data by ocean acidification. I am grateful for the bi- the Under Secretary shall— standards enabled the Federal com- partisan support for strengthening our under- (1) periodically update the environmental mand center to use non-Federal standing of the socioeconomic effects of sensitivity index products of the Administra- sources of data for the first time. ocean acidification on a range of geographi- tion; and NOAA’s Office of Response and Res- cally diverse coastal communities, and I look (2) endeavor to do so not less frequently toration now routinely uses this data forward to continuing to work with my col- than once every 7 years. (c) PRIORITIES.—When prioritizing geo- in their oil spill response. leagues on this issue. To protect and preserve one of our planet’s graphic areas to update environmental sensi- It also provides core observations for tivity index products, the Under Secretary water level, waves, winds, et cetera, greatest natural resources, we must rapidly shall consider— and it helps to protect against flooding accelerate the collection, management, and (1) the age of existing environmental sensi- and surges of the sea. dissemination of ocean data collection and tivity index products for the areas; Mr. Speaker, this is a good, bipar- monitoring. I recently joined my colleagues on (2) the occurrence of extreme events, be it tisan piece of legislation. I hope it will the House Select Committee on the Climate natural or man-made, which have signifi- save lives. Crisis in releasing a bold, science-based com- cantly altered the shoreline or ecosystem We just had an instance in Haines, prehensive Climate Action Plan to set our na- since the last update; Alaska, where huge waves and rain de- tion on a path to net-zero emissions no later (3) the natural variability of shoreline and coastal environment; and stroyed a lot of our coastal areas. That than midcentury and net-negative thereafter. (4) the volume of vessel traffic and general just happened yesterday. This will help I’m thrilled that our plan for solving the climate vulnerability to spilled pollutants. us try to make sure that we would have crisis recognizes the power of our ocean as (d) ENVIRONMENTAL SENSITIVITY INDEX known that ahead of time. part of the solution. Our Climate Action Plan PRODUCT DEFINED.—In this section, the term

VerDate Sep 11 2014 12:28 Dec 04, 2020 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00060 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K03DE7.095 H03DEPT1 dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with HOUSE December 3, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H6109 ‘‘environmental sensitivity index product’’ with a disaster like an oil spill is, un- Communities throughout the region means a map or similar tool that is utilized fortunately, largely guesswork with have declared states of emergency as to identify sensitive shoreline, coastal or off- our outdated information. roads, bridges, harbors, and wastewater shore, resources prior to an oil spill event in It is so important that we pass this treatment facilities, just to name a order to set baseline priorities for protection and plan cleanup strategies, typically in- much-needed, commonsense legislation few, are in danger due to these high cluding information relating to shoreline so that the Great Lakes region is pre- water levels. type, biological resources, and human use re- pared in the event of an unthinkable As we continue to see disasters and sources. oil spill or other natural disaster. emergencies in the Great Lakes region, (e) FUNDING.—Funds to carry out the ac- Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to government, at all levels, must be pre- tivities under this section shall be derived join me in supporting the Great Lakes pared and have up-to-date information from amounts authorized to be appropriated Environmental Sensitivity Index Act, to act upon. This bipartisan bill would for the Under Secretary that are enacted and I reserve the balance of my time. accomplish that, while demonstrating after the date of the enactment of this Act. Miss GONZA´ LEZ-COLO´ N of Puerto another way my Michigan colleagues The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- Rico. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to and I, and really all of us from the ant to the rule, the gentleman from the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Great Lakes region, are making sure Hawaii (Mr. CASE) and the gentle- HUIZENGA). the Federal Government prioritizes and woman from Puerto Rico (Miss Mr. HUIZENGA. Mr. Speaker, in the protects and preserves the Great GONZA´ LEZ-COLO´ N) each will control 20 midst of a divided Washington, D.C., it Lakes. minutes. is important that Congress comes to- Whether it is responding to rapidly The Chair recognizes the gentleman gether to prioritize the protection of evolving events, such as a natural dis- from Hawaii. the Great Lakes. aster, or planning long-term projects, GENERAL LEAVE As co-chair of the bipartisan Great such as habitat restoration, we need to Mr. CASE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unani- Lakes Task Force, building bipartisan have reliable and accurate information mous consent that all Members may consensus that preserves the Great available to all the players. have 5 legislative days in which to re- Lakes, strengthens their economy, and When it comes to protecting our vise and extend their remarks and in- protects them for future generations lakes, habitats, and shorelines, these clude extraneous material on the meas- has been one of my top priorities. updated maps will allow us to better ure under consideration. While the environmental sensitivity prepare to face natural disasters or The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there index maps may not be the headline- emergencies. objection to the request of the gen- grabbing legislation that we are some- The SPEAKER pro tempore. The tleman from Hawaii? times used to, these maps are critical time of the gentleman has expired. Miss GONZA´ LEZ-COLO´ N of Puerto There was no objection. to the communities across the Great Rico. Mr. Speaker, I yield an additional Mr. CASE. Mr. Speaker, I yield my- Lakes. 30 seconds to the gentleman from self such time as I may consume. We must have accurate assessments Mr. Speaker, I am very happy today Michigan (Mr. HUIZENGA). of coastal resources that are at risk of Mr. HUIZENGA. Mr. Speaker, having to rise in support of S. 1342, the Great severe damage from an emergency or a this updated information will help us Lakes Environmental Sensitivity natural disaster. These environmental analyze and assess the threats facing Index Act. I commend my colleagues, assessments include information on en- the Great Lakes and allow us to be Senators Peters and Young and Rep- dangered and threatened species, vul- more proactive instead of 100 percent resentatives Kildee and Joyce, for their nerable shorelines, and widely used reactive. bipartisan, bicameral efforts on this community resources, such as beaches, The Great Lakes are a way of life for legislation. parks, and boat ramps. many of us in west Michigan and The Great Lakes are the largest The maps are vital to disaster plan- throughout the Great Lakes system, freshwater system by area in the world ning, as well as recovery, research, and and these pristine resources help define and are home to highly productive restoration efforts. It is essential that who we are as a community and a peo- commercial and recreational fisheries, we have an accurate representation of ple. I will continue to work, support, thriving coastal communities, and vulnerable locations and areas in the and advocate for commonsense reforms unique aquatic and terrestrial species. Great Lakes that are in need of protec- like today’s legislation that will pro- This legislation ensures that the tion in the event of an emergency. tect these incredible natural resources Great Lakes are not left behind in en- While maps for the East Coast, the for generations to come. vironmental planning. The bill requires West Coast, and the Gulf Coast have all I do want to thank my fellow col- that the National Oceanic and Atmos- been updated recently, maps for the leagues who have been working on this, pheric Administration, or NOAA, up- Great Lakes have not been updated in Mr. KILDEE from Michigan, Mr. JOYCE date at least once every 7 years its en- over 20 years. from Ohio, and the rest of the Great vironmental sensitivity index products To be clear, while the Great Lakes Lakes Task Force. This has been a for each coastal area of the Great holds over 20 percent of the world’s great, true bipartisan success story, as Lakes. fresh water, providing drinking water we have looked at increasing funding These environmental sensitivity in- to more than 48 million people, it sup- for protecting the Great Lakes through dexes, or ESI maps, are crucial tools ports over 1.3 million jobs, and gen- the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, used in identifying sensitive coastal erates billions upon billions of dollars the GLRI, as well as initiatives like shorelines, biological resources, and in economic activity. Yet, as I stated this. human-use resources prior to a disaster before, our region hasn’t had a proper Mr. CASE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 like an oil spill. In emergencies, coast- environmental map update in more minutes to the gentleman from Michi- al managers and responders can then than two decades. gan (Mr. KILDEE), the co-introducer of use these ESI maps to properly assess This legislation, of which I am a this important legislation. the situation, allocate and prioritize proud cosponsor, would solve this prob- Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise also resources, and plan cleanups. lem by modernizing and updating our in support of S. 1342, the Great Lakes The last time the Great Lakes envi- maps of the Great Lakes. Environmental Sensitivity Index Act ronmental sensitivity indexes were up- Along Lake Michigan and throughout of 2020. dated was in the 1980s. As we all know, the Great Lakes shoreline, the current I was proud to introduce this legisla- between the climate crisis and human state of erosion and high water damage tion here in the House with my Michi- development, our environment has is at a crisis point. gan colleagues and also with Senator changed dramatically across our coun- In my district, along the shores of GARY PETERS, a Great Lakes champion try and world in that time. Lake Michigan, the high water levels on the other side of the building. Dur- In the Great Lakes, for example, we are threatening not only people’s ing his time in the House and the Sen- are seeing record-setting water levels homes and public infrastructure but ate, GARY PETERS has been a staunch and harmful algal blooms. How these the overall ecology and the economy of advocate for the Great Lakes, and I ap- environmental factors would interact the Great Lakes. preciate his efforts over there.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 12:28 Dec 04, 2020 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00061 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A03DE7.127 H03DEPT1 dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with HOUSE H6110 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE December 3, 2020 Mr. Chairman, I represent 118 miles rect the National Oceanic and Atmos- KETTLE CREEK BATTLEFIELD of beautiful Lake Huron shoreline. In pheric Administration to update the SURVEY ACT Congress, I am proud to lead the bipar- environmental sensitivity index maps Mr. CASE. Mr. Speaker, I move to tisan effort on this legislation to pro- for the Great Lakes for the first time suspend the rules and pass the bill tect the Great Lakes. in many years. (H.R. 306) to direct the Secretary of the This legislation, as has been stated, ESI maps document the potential im- Interior to conduct a special resource would update and prioritize environ- pacts from coastal resiliency threats study of the site of the Kettle Creek mental sensitivity index maps for the such as oil spills, coastal flooding, and Battlefield in Wilkes County, Georgia, Great Lakes. These environmental sen- storm damage from high lake levels, and adjacent property, and for other sitivity maps are detailed guides that which have recently plagued many purposes, as amended. highlight vulnerable locations, struc- communities in my district. The Clerk read the title of the bill. tures, and natural resources along our Having grown up and lived my entire The text of the bill is as follows: lakeshore. life along the shores of Lake Erie, I H.R. 306 First responders use these maps to know that the Great Lakes are a na- respond in case of emergency and to Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- tional treasure, an economic power- resentatives of the United States of America in protect habitat, species, and structures house, and one of the United States’ Congress assembled, that are most likely to be impacted by greatest natural resources. SECTION 1. KETTLE CREEK BATTLEFIELD SUR- an oil spill or some other disaster. As the largest system of surface fresh VEY. If one of those disasters occurs in the water on Earth, the Great Lakes pro- (a) SHORT TITLE.—This section may be cited Great Lakes, our emergency responders as the ‘‘Kettle Creek Battlefield Survey Act’’. vide drinking water for an estimated 48 must have the most up-to-date maps (b) RECONNAISSANCE SURVEY.— million people, support more than 1.5 and information in order to respond (1) SURVEY.—The Secretary of the Interior (re- million jobs, and generate $60 billion in quickly and effectively. ferred to in this section as the ‘‘Secretary’’) These maps are maintained by wages annually. That is why it is im- shall conduct a reconnaissance survey of the portant that we work together to pro- site of the Kettle Creek Battlefield in Wilkes NOAA. Some maps in the Great Lakes, County, Georgia, and adjacent property (re- however, have not been updated in dec- tect and preserve the lakes and the communities they sustain. This legisla- ferred to in this section as the ‘‘site’’). ades. That is why this legislation is (2) REQUIREMENTS FOR SURVEY.—In con- necessary, so that our first responders tion will help us do that. ducting the survey under paragraph (1), the have the most up-to-date information Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to Secretary shall evaluate the likelihood that re- to do their jobs effectively. We can’t vote ‘‘yes’’ on this bill today. sources within the site boundary would meet the have one hand tied behind our back Mr. CASE. Mr. Speaker, I am pre- four criteria for new parklands— pared to close, and I reserve the bal- (A) national significance; when protecting the Great Lakes. (B) suitability; The Great Lakes are important to all ance of my time. ´ ´ (C) feasibility; and of us. They support many jobs, gen- Miss GONZALEZ-COLON of Puerto (D) need for National Park Service manage- erate billions of dollars in economic ac- Rico. Mr. Speaker, the Senate passed ment. tivity, and provide drinking water to 40 this bill twice, without even holding a (3) REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after the million people. We have to do every- hearing. The House has not taken any date on which funds are made available to carry out the survey under paragraph (1), the Sec- thing we can to protect them. action on its version of the bill, H.R. 2551, even though it has been referred retary shall submit to the Committee on Natural It also defines literally who we are. If Resources of the House of Representatives and you are from Michigan, you can hold to the Natural Resources Committee the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources up your hand, and the contour of the since last May. of the Senate a report that describes— lakes really defines the shape of our The Senate Committee report on S. (A) the results of the survey; and State. 1342 justified its need by stating that (B) any conclusions and recommendations of I would like to thank Chairman GRI- the environmental sensitivity index the Secretary. JALVA and Chairman HUFFMAN for their maps for the Great Lakes haven’t been The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- help in getting this to the floor today. updated since the 1980s. It also states ant to the rule, the gentleman from I want to thank my own staff, Jordan the maps haven’t been updated since Hawaii (Mr. CASE) and the gentle- Dickinson. I want to thank Rachel between 1985 and 2004. It just depends woman from Puerto Rico (Miss Gentile from the Natural Resources on which paragraph of the report you GONZA´ LEZ-COLO´ N) each will control 20 Committee. read. minutes. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Clearly, no one knows or could be The Chair recognizes the gentleman time of the gentleman has expired. bothered to find out when these maps from Hawaii. Mr. CASE. Mr. Speaker, I yield an were updated. Apparently, it doesn’t b 1815 additional 30 seconds to the gentleman matter for some people. GENERAL LEAVE from Michigan (Mr. KILDEE). CBO scores this bill as costing tax- Mr. CASE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unani- Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, finally, I payers $2 million, but we have no idea mous consent that all Members may want to thank my colleagues, the co- where the administration is on this have 5 legislative days in which to re- sponsors on this legislation, Represent- issue. No money was appropriated for vise and extend their remarks and in- ative HUIZENGA, who we have heard these indexes in 2019, and, clearly, we clude extraneous materials on the from; Representative DINGELL; Rep- don’t have an answer to those ques- resentative JOYCE; and Representative measure under consideration. tions still in this report. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there STEVENS. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance This is, as Mr. HUIZENGA said, one of objection to the request of the gen- of my time. those issues that allows us to cut tleman from Hawaii? Mr. CASE. Mr. Speaker, I urge my across the normal divides. We work There was no objection. colleagues to support this legislation, well together in a bipartisan fashion to Mr. CASE. Mr. Speaker, I yield my- and I yield back the balance of my protect the Great Lakes. This legisla- self such time as I may consume. time. tion is another example of that. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to The SPEAKER pro tempore. The 306, the Kettle Creek Battlefield Sur- support this bill. question is on the motion offered by vey Act, introduced by our colleague, Miss GONZA´ LEZ-COLO´ N of Puerto the gentleman from Hawaii (Mr. CASE) Representative . Rico. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to that the House suspend the rules and This bill would require the Secretary the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. JOYCE). pass the bill, S. 1342, as amended. of the Interior to conduct a reconnais- Mr. JOYCE of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I The question was taken; and (two- sance survey of the Kettle Creek Bat- rise today in support of the Great thirds being in the affirmative) the tlefield in Wilkes County, Georgia. Lakes Environmental Sensitivity rules were suspended and the bill, as On February 14, 1779, at the Battle of Index Act of 2020. amended, was passed. Kettle Creek, approximately 350 patri- I was proud to join Representative A motion to reconsider was laid on ots defeated more than 800 British loy- KILDEE in introducing this bill to di- the table. alists in a surprise attack. The battle

VerDate Sep 11 2014 12:28 Dec 04, 2020 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00062 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K03DE7.099 H03DEPT1 dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with HOUSE December 3, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H6111 marked the only significant victory in is of an individual named Austin property in that area, for the other Georgia by forces opposed to British Dabney. concerns that take place in there. rule and impacted the course of the Despite being a slave, Mr. Dabney So, I am proud of this because Mr. American Revolutionary War. served with honor and distinction in HICE is doing it the right way. This is In 1975, the battlefield was added to the patriot military until he was shot the way all of our studies should take the National Register of Historic in the thigh in the Battle of Kettle place. This is the way all of our con- Places to protect the site’s historic and Creek. Though crippled and returned to cerns should take place, and it is ap- archeological resources. servitude, Mr. Dabney’s actions were propriate. This bill tasks the National Park never forgotten. In fact, after the war, Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance Service with determining the best in 1786, an official act of the Georgia of my time. management options for these historic legislature emancipated Mr. Dabney, Mr. CASE. Mr. Speaker, I yield my- resources, and I would like to thank and they granted him both land and a self such time as I may consume. Representative HICE for his efforts on lifetime pension. This only scratches Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to this bill. the surface of Mr. Dabney’s story. Yet, support the adoption of this measure, Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to it is something that we need never to and I yield back the balance of my support its adoption, and I reserve the forget. time. balance of my time. Kettle Creek was added to the Na- The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Mr. BISHOP of Utah. Mr. Speaker, I tional Register of Historic Places in question is on the motion offered by yield as much time as he may consume 1975, and the 2007 report to Congress by the gentleman from Hawaii (Mr. CASE) to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. the American Battlefield Protection that the House suspend the rules and HICE), who is the sponsor of this bill. Program of the National Park Service pass the bill, H.R. 306, as amended. Mr. HICE of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I noted the Battle of Kettle Creek hav- The question was taken; and (two- thank the Speaker and am grateful for ing demonstrable influence on the thirds being in the affirmative) the the bipartisan support for this bill. course, conduct, and results of the Rev- rules were suspended and the bill, as I want to say a special thank you to olutionary War. amended, was passed. the ranking member, Mr. BISHOP. It Congress has made significant strides The title of the bill was amended so has been an honor to serve under him, in preserving many of the battlefields as to read: ‘‘A bill to direct the Sec- both as the ranking member and the of the Civil War, but I think, unfortu- retary of the Interior to conduct a re- chairman of this committee. His lead- nately, many of the battlefields of the connaissance survey of the site of the ership will be greatly missed. It has Revolutionary War have been forgot- Kettle Creek Battlefield in Wilkes been an honor to serve with him and ten. We need to remember those. County, Georgia, and adjacent prop- under his leadership, and I wish him This legislation is critical to not erty, and for other purposes.’’. the best in the years to come. only preserving Kettle Creek, which A motion to reconsider was laid on Mr. Speaker, I think most Americans has, by the way, tremendous support in the table. are very familiar with great military the community and the State, but I f moments in our Nation’s past and our strongly believe that the stories of history, and all of us could name dif- both Colonel Pickens and the incred- NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOS- ferent places where some of those ible stories of people like Austin PHERIC ADMINISTRATION COM- memorable battles occurred. But many Dabney are worth saving. They are MISSIONED OFFICER CORPS of the Nation’s finest moments took worth saving for generations to come. AMENDMENTS ACT OF 2020 place right here in our own backyard, Mr. Speaker, I look forward to Kettle Mr. CASE. Mr. Speaker, I move to and many people are not even aware of Creek being studied for inclusion in the suspend the rules and pass the bill (S. some of those battles. National Park System. I appreciate my 2981) to reauthorize and amend the Na- One of those took place in the other colleagues’ support for this and urge tional Oceanic and Atmospheric Ad- Washington, Washington, Georgia, in the rest of our colleagues to support ministration Commissioned Officer Wilkes County. As briefly was de- this piece of history and this legisla- Corps Act of 2020, and for other pur- scribed, on February 14, 1779, there was tion. poses. a sizable force of British loyalists who Mr. CASE. Mr. Speaker, I certainly The Clerk read the title of the bill. collided with a small but ferocious do appreciate my colleague’s very emo- The text of the bill is as follows: band of American patriots. They were tional description of the rich history of S. 2981 led by Colonel Andrew Pickens in the Battle Creek and his commitment to Kettle Creek area. They were out- its preservation. I join him in that. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- numbered 2 to 1, and Colonel Pickens resentatives of the United States of America in Mr. Speaker, I have no further speak- Congress assembled, and his men suddenly attacked the ers, and I reserve the balance of my SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS. Tory militia, catching them by sur- time. (a) SHORT TITLE.—This Act may be cited as prise. It was a bloody battle, a severe Mr. BISHOP of Utah. Mr. Speaker, is the ‘‘National Oceanic and Atmospheric Ad- battle, a brutal fight, but it ended up there any time remaining? ministration Commissioned Officer Corps being one of the greatest victories in The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gen- Amendments Act of 2020’’. the southern campaign during the rev- tleman from Utah has 15 minutes re- (b) TABLE OF CONTENTS.—The table of con- olutionary time. This battle involved maining. tents for this Act is as follows: only a few hundred men, but the im- Mr. BISHOP of Utah. Mr. Speaker, I Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents. pact is enormous on the entire Revolu- yield myself such time as I may con- Sec. 2. References to National Oceanic and tionary War. sume. Atmospheric Administration In fact, Colonel Pickens himself said Mr. Speaker, I thank Mr. HICE for ev- Commissioned Officer Corps of the Battle of Kettle Creek: ‘‘I be- erything that he is doing on this par- Act of 2002. lieve it was the severest check and ticular bill. He left already. He is the TITLE I—GENERAL PROVISIONS chastisement the Tories ever received one who has the accent. But I have to Sec. 101. Strength and distribution in grade. in South Carolina or Georgia.’’ admit, back where I live, this would be Sec. 102. Recalled officers. This engagement demonstrated con- called Kettle Crick, not Kettle Creek, Sec. 103. Obligated service requirement. clusively that while the British could so if you can make that change. Sec. 104. Training and physical fitness. Sec. 105. Aviation accession training pro- hold areas and cities like Savannah or But the problem is, obviously, battle- grams. Charleston, they could never grasp fields are disappearing. What Mr. HICE Sec. 106. Recruiting materials. hold of the southern backcountry. has done is try to go about this the Sec. 107. Technical correction. The courage shown by the out- proper way, by doing the study that TITLE II—PARITY AND RECRUITMENT numbered patriots is nothing shy of ab- sets the parameters of what we need, Sec. 201. Education loans. solutely legendary, and they are still and with a great deal of concern and Sec. 202. Interest payments. honored in Georgia today. One of those consideration for the other people who Sec. 203. Student pre-commissioning pro- stories that I would like to share today are living in that area, for private gram.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 12:28 Dec 04, 2020 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00063 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0655 E:\CR\FM\K03DE7.103 H03DEPT1 dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with HOUSE H6112 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE December 3, 2020 Sec. 204. Limitation on educational assist- computation to determine the number of of- officer by the Secretary as the unserved por- ance. ficers on the lineal list authorized to be serv- tion of active duty bears to the total period Sec. 205. Applicability of certain provisions ing in each grade. of active duty the officer agreed to serve. of title 10, United States Code, ‘‘(2) METHOD OF COMPUTATION.—The number ‘‘(2) OBLIGATION AS DEBT TO UNITED and extension of certain au- in each grade shall be computed by applying STATES.—An obligation to reimburse the thorities applicable to members the applicable percentage to the total num- Secretary under paragraph (1) is, for all pur- of the Armed Forces to com- ber of such officers serving on active duty on poses, a debt owed to the United States. missioned officer corps. the date the computation is made. ‘‘(3) DISCHARGE IN BANKRUPTCY.—A dis- Sec. 206. Applicability of certain provisions ‘‘(3) FRACTIONS.—If a final fraction occurs charge in bankruptcy under title 11 that is of title 37, United States Code. in computing the authorized number of offi- entered less than five years after the termi- Sec. 207. Prohibition on retaliatory per- cers in a grade, the nearest whole number nation of a written agreement entered into sonnel actions. shall be taken. If the fraction is one-half, the under subsection (a)(2) does not discharge Sec. 208. Employment and reemployment next higher whole number shall be taken. the individual signing the agreement from a rights. ‘‘(d) TEMPORARY INCREASE IN NUMBERS.— debt arising under such agreement. Sec. 209. Treatment of commission in com- The total number of officers authorized by ‘‘(c) WAIVER OR SUSPENSION OF COMPLI- missioned officer corps for pur- law to be on the lineal list during a fiscal ANCE.—The Secretary may waive the service poses of certain hiring deci- year may be temporarily exceeded if the av- obligation of an officer who— sions. erage number on that list during that fiscal ‘‘(1) becomes unqualified to serve on active TITLE III—APPOINTMENTS AND year does not exceed the authorized number. duty in the commissioned officer corps of the PROMOTION OF OFFICERS ‘‘(e) POSITIONS OF IMPORTANCE AND RESPON- Administration because of a circumstance SIBILITY.—Officers serving in positions des- Sec. 301. Appointments. not within the control of that officer; or Sec. 302. Personnel boards. ignated under section 228(a) and officers re- ‘‘(2) is— Sec. 303. Positions of importance and re- called from retired status shall not be count- ‘‘(A) not physically qualified for appoint- sponsibility. ed when computing authorized strengths ment; and Sec. 304. Temporary appointments. under subsection (c) and shall not count ‘‘(B) determined to be unqualified for serv- Sec. 305. Officer candidates. against those strengths. ice in the commissioned officer corps of the Sec. 306. Procurement of personnel. ‘‘(f) PRESERVATION OF GRADE AND PAY.—No Administration because of a physical or Sec. 307. Career intermission program. officer may be reduced in grade or pay or medical condition that was not the result of separated from the commissioned officer the officer’s own misconduct or grossly neg- TITLE IV—SEPARATION AND corps of the Administration as the result of ligent conduct.’’. RETIREMENT OF OFFICERS a computation made to determine the au- (b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of Sec. 401. Involuntary retirement or separa- thorized number of officers in the various contents in section 1 of the Act entitled ‘‘An tion. grades.’’. Act to reauthorize the Hydrographic Serv- Sec. 402. Separation pay. SEC. 102. RECALLED OFFICERS. ices Improvement Act of 1998, and for other TITLE V—OTHER NATIONAL OCEANIC (a) IN GENERAL.—Section 215 (33 U.S.C. purposes’’ (Public Law 107–372) is amended by AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION 3005) is amended to read as follows: inserting after the item relating to section MATTERS ‘‘SEC. 215. NUMBER OF AUTHORIZED COMMIS- 215 the following: Sec. 501. Charting and survey services. SIONED OFFICERS. ‘‘Sec. 216. Obligated service requirement.’’. Sec. 502. Co-location agreements. ‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The total number of au- SEC. 104. TRAINING AND PHYSICAL FITNESS. Sec. 503. Satellite and data management. thorized commissioned officers on the lineal (a) IN GENERAL.—Subtitle A (33 U.S.C. 3001 Sec. 504. Improvements relating to sexual list of the commissioned officer corps of the et seq.), as amended by section 103(a), is fur- harassment and assault preven- Administration shall not exceed 500. ther amended by adding at the end the fol- tion at the National Oceanic ‘‘(b) POSITIONS OF IMPORTANCE AND RESPON- lowing: and Atmospheric Administra- SIBILITY.—Officers serving in positions des- ‘‘SEC. 217. TRAINING AND PHYSICAL FITNESS. tion. ignated under section 228 and officers re- ‘‘(a) TRAINING.—The Secretary may take SEC. 2. REFERENCES TO NATIONAL OCEANIC called from retired status or detailed to an such measures as may be necessary to ensure AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRA- agency other than the Administration— that officers are prepared to carry out their TION COMMISSIONED OFFICER ‘‘(1) may not be counted in determining the duties in the commissioned officer corps of CORPS ACT OF 2002. total number of authorized officers on the the Administration and proficient in the Except as otherwise expressly provided, lineal list under this section; and skills necessary to carry out such duties. whenever in this Act an amendment or re- ‘‘(2) may not count against such number.’’. Such measures may include the following: peal is expressed in terms of an amendment (b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of ‘‘(1) Carrying out training programs and to, or repeal of, a section or other provision, contents in section 1 of the Act entitled ‘‘An correspondence courses, including estab- the reference shall be considered to be made Act to reauthorize the Hydrographic Serv- lishing and operating a basic officer training to a section or other provision of the Na- ices Improvement Act of 1998, and for other program to provide initial indoctrination tional Oceanic and Atmospheric Administra- purposes’’ (Public Law 107–372) is amended by and maritime vocational training for officer tion Commissioned Officer Corps Act of 2002 striking the item relating to section 215 and candidates as well as refresher training, mid- (33 U.S.C. 3001 et seq.). inserting the following: career training, aviation training, and such TITLE I—GENERAL PROVISIONS ‘‘Sec. 215. Number of authorized commis- other training as the Secretary considers SEC. 101. STRENGTH AND DISTRIBUTION IN sioned officers.’’. necessary for officer development and pro- GRADE. SEC. 103. OBLIGATED SERVICE REQUIREMENT. ficiency. Section 214 (33 U.S.C. 3004) is amended to (a) IN GENERAL.—Subtitle A (33 U.S.C. 3001 ‘‘(2) Providing officers and officer can- read as follows: et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the didates with educational materials. ‘‘SEC. 214. STRENGTH AND DISTRIBUTION IN following: ‘‘(3) Acquiring such equipment as may be GRADE. ‘‘SEC. 216. OBLIGATED SERVICE REQUIREMENT. necessary for training and instructional pur- ‘‘(a) GRADES.—The commissioned grades in ‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.— poses. the commissioned officer corps of the Ad- ‘‘(1) REGULATIONS.—The Secretary shall ‘‘(b) PHYSICAL FITNESS.—The Secretary ministration are the following, in relative prescribe the obligated service requirements shall ensure that officers maintain a high rank with officers of the Navy: for appointments, training, promotions, sep- physical state of readiness by establishing ‘‘(1) Vice admiral. arations, continuations, and retirements of standards of physical fitness for officers that ‘‘(2) Rear admiral. officers not otherwise covered by law. are substantially equivalent to those pre- ‘‘(3) Rear admiral (lower half). ‘‘(2) WRITTEN AGREEMENTS.—The Secretary scribed for officers in the Coast Guard.’’. ‘‘(4) Captain. and officers shall enter into written agree- (b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of ‘‘(5) Commander. ments that describe the officers’ obligated contents in section 1 of the Act entitled ‘‘An ‘‘(6) Lieutenant commander. service requirements prescribed under para- Act to reauthorize the Hydrographic Serv- ‘‘(7) Lieutenant. graph (1) in return for such appointments, ices Improvement Act of 1998, and for other ‘‘(8) Lieutenant (junior grade). training, promotions, separations, continu- purposes’’ (Public Law 107–372), as amended ‘‘(9) Ensign. ations, and retirements as the Secretary by section 103(b), is further amended by in- ‘‘(b) GRADE DISTRIBUTION.—The Secretary considers appropriate. serting after the item relating to section 216 shall prescribe, with respect to the distribu- ‘‘(b) REPAYMENT FOR FAILURE TO SATISFY the following: tion on the lineal list in grade, the percent- REQUIREMENTS.— ‘‘Sec. 217. Training and physical fitness.’’. ages applicable to the grades set forth in ‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary may re- SEC. 105. AVIATION ACCESSION TRAINING PRO- subsection (a). quire an officer who fails to meet the service GRAMS. ‘‘(c) ANNUAL COMPUTATION OF NUMBER IN requirements prescribed under subsection (a) IN GENERAL.—Subtitle A (33 U.S.C. 3001 GRADE.— (a)(1) to reimburse the Secretary in an et seq.), as amended by section 104(a), is fur- ‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Not less frequently than amount that bears the same ratio to the ther amended by adding at the end the fol- once each year, the Secretary shall make a total costs of the training provided to that lowing:

VerDate Sep 11 2014 12:28 Dec 04, 2020 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00064 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A03DE7.133 H03DEPT1 dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with HOUSE December 3, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H6113 ‘‘SEC. 218. AVIATION ACCESSION TRAINING PRO- ‘‘(ii) serve in the commissioned officer ‘‘(C) contrary to the best interests of the GRAMS. corps of the Administration for not fewer United States. ‘‘(a) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: than four years; ‘‘(2) REGULATIONS.—The Administrator ‘‘(1) ADMINISTRATOR.—The term ‘Adminis- ‘‘(D) enroll in— may establish, by regulations, procedures for trator’ means the Under Secretary of Com- ‘‘(i) a four-year baccalaureate program of determining the amount of the repayment merce for Oceans and Atmosphere and the professional flight and piloting instruction; required under this subsection and the cir- Administrator of the National Oceanic and and cumstances under which an exception to re- Atmospheric Administration. ‘‘(ii) other training or education, including payment may be granted. The Administrator ‘‘(2) MEMBER OF THE PROGRAM.—The term basic officer training, which is prescribed by may specify in the regulations the condi- ‘member of the program’ means a student the Administrator as meeting the prelimi- tions under which financial assistance to be who is enrolled in the program. nary requirement for admission to the com- paid to a member of the program will not be ‘‘(3) PROGRAM.—The term ‘program’ means missioned officer corps of the Administra- made if the member no longer satisfies the an aviation accession training program of tion; and requirements in subsection (c) or qualifica- the commissioned officer corps of the Ad- ‘‘(E) execute a certificate or take an oath tions in subsection (d) for such assistance. ministration established pursuant to sub- relating to morality and conduct in such ‘‘(3) OBLIGATION AS DEBT TO UNITED section (b). form as the Administrator prescribes. STATES.—An obligation to repay the United ‘‘(b) AVIATION ACCESSION TRAINING PRO- ‘‘(2) COMPLETION OF PROGRAM.—A member States under this subsection is, for all pur- GRAMS.— of the program may be appointed as a reg- poses, a debt owed to the United States.’’. ‘‘(1) ESTABLISHMENT AUTHORIZED.—The Ad- ular officer in the commissioned officer (b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of ministrator, under regulations prescribed by corps of the Administration if the member contents in section 1 of the Act entitled ‘‘An the Secretary, shall establish and maintain meets all requirements for appointment as Act to reauthorize the Hydrographic Serv- one or more aviation accession training pro- such an officer. ices Improvement Act of 1998, and for other grams for the commissioned officer corps of ‘‘(d) FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR QUALIFIED purposes’’ (Public Law 107–372), as amended the Administration at institutions described MEMBERS.— in paragraph (2). by section 104(b), is further amended by in- ‘‘(1) EXPENSES OF COURSE OF INSTRUCTION.— serting after the item relating to section 217 ‘‘(2) INSTITUTIONS DESCRIBED.—An institu- ‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—In the case of a member the following: tion described in this paragraph is an edu- of the program who meets such qualifica- cational institution— tions as the Administrator establishes for ‘‘Sec. 218. Aviation accession training pro- ‘‘(A) that requests to enter into an agree- purposes of this subsection, the Adminis- grams.’’. ment with the Administrator providing for trator may pay the expenses of the member SEC. 106. RECRUITING MATERIALS. the establishment of the program at the in- in connection with pursuit of a course of pro- (a) IN GENERAL.—Subtitle A (33 U.S.C. 3001 stitution; fessional flight and piloting instruction et seq.), as amended by section 105(a), is fur- ‘‘(B) that has, as a part of its curriculum, under the program, including tuition, fees, ther amended by adding at the end the fol- a four-year baccalaureate program of profes- educational materials such as books, train- lowing: sional flight and piloting instruction that is ing, certifications, travel, and laboratory ex- ‘‘SEC. 219. USE OF RECRUITING MATERIALS FOR accredited by the Aviation Accreditation penses. PUBLIC RELATIONS. Board International; ‘‘(B) ASSISTANCE AFTER FOURTH ACADEMIC ‘‘The Secretary may use for public rela- ‘‘(C) that is located in a geographic area YEAR.—In the case of a member of the pro- tions purposes of the Department of Com- that— gram described in subparagraph (A) who is merce any advertising materials developed ‘‘(i) experiences a wide variation in cli- enrolled in a course described in that sub- for use for recruitment and retention of per- mate-related activity, including frequent paragraph that has been approved by the Ad- sonnel for the commissioned officer corps of high winds, convective activity (including ministrator and requires more than four aca- the Administration. Any such use shall be tornadoes), periods of low visibility, heat, demic years for completion, including elec- under such conditions and subject to such re- and snow and ice episodes, to provide oppor- tive requirements of the program, assistance strictions as the Secretary shall prescribe.’’. tunities for pilots to demonstrate skill in all under this subsection may also be provided (b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of weather conditions compatible with future during a fifth academic year or during a contents in section 1 of the Act entitled ‘‘An encounters during their service in the com- combination of a part of a fifth academic Act to reauthorize the Hydrographic Serv- missioned officer corps of the Administra- year and summer sessions. ices Improvement Act of 1998, and for other tion; and ‘‘(2) ROOM AND BOARD.—In the case of a purposes’’ (Public Law 107–372), as amended ‘‘(ii) has a climate that can accommodate member eligible to receive assistance under by section 105(b), is further amended by in- both primary and advanced flight training paragraph (1), the Administrator may, in serting after the item relating to section 218 activity at least 75 percent of the year; and lieu of payment of all or part of such assist- the following: ‘‘(D) at which the Administrator deter- ance, pay the room and board expenses of the ‘‘Sec. 219. Use of recruiting materials for mines that— member, and other educational expenses, of public relations.’’. ‘‘(i) there will be at least one student en- the educational institution concerned. SEC. 107. TECHNICAL CORRECTION. rolled in the program; and ‘‘(3) FAILURE TO COMPLETE PROGRAM OR AC- Section 101(21)(C) of title 38, United States ‘‘(ii) the provisions of this section are oth- CEPT COMMISSION.—A member of the program Code, is amended by inserting ‘‘in the com- erwise satisfied. who receives assistance under this sub- missioned officer corps’’ before ‘‘of the Na- ‘‘(3) LIMITATIONS IN CONNECTION WITH PAR- section and who does not complete the tional’’. TICULAR INSTITUTIONS.—The program may course of instruction, or who completes the not be established or maintained at an insti- course but declines to accept a commission TITLE II—PARITY AND RECRUITMENT tution unless— in the commissioned officer corps of the Ad- SEC. 201. EDUCATION LOANS. ‘‘(A) the senior commissioned officer or ministration when offered, shall be subject (a) IN GENERAL.—Subtitle E (33 U.S.C. 3071 employee of the commissioned officer corps to the repayment provisions of subsection et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the of the Administration who is assigned as an (e). following: advisor to the program at that institution is ‘‘(e) REPAYMENT OF UNEARNED PORTION OF ‘‘SEC. 267. EDUCATION LOAN REPAYMENT PRO- given the academic rank of adjunct pro- FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE WHEN CONDITIONS OF GRAM. fessor; and PAYMENT NOT MET.— ‘‘(a) AUTHORITY TO REPAY EDUCATION ‘‘(B) the institution fulfills the terms of its ‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—A member of the pro- LOANS.—For the purpose of maintaining ade- agreement with the Administrator. gram who receives or benefits from assist- quate numbers of officers of the commis- ‘‘(4) MEMBERSHIP IN CONNECTION WITH STA- ance under subsection (d), and whose receipt sioned officer corps of the Administration on TUS AS STUDENT.—At institutions at which of or benefit from such assistance is subject active duty who have skills required by the the program is established, the membership to the condition that the member fully sat- commissioned officer corps, the Secretary of students in the program shall be elective, isfy the requirements of subsection (c), shall may repay, in the case of a person described as provided by State law or the authorities repay to the United States an amount equal in subsection (b), a loan that— of the institution concerned. to the assistance received or benefitted from ‘‘(1) was used by the person to finance edu- ‘‘(c) MEMBERSHIP.— if the member fails to fully satisfy such re- cation; and ‘‘(1) ELIGIBILITY.—To be eligible for mem- quirements and may not receive or benefit ‘‘(2) was obtained from a governmental en- bership in the program, an individual must— from any unpaid amounts of such assistance tity, private financial institution, edu- ‘‘(A) be a student at an institution at after the member fails to satisfy such re- cational institution, or other authorized en- which the program is established; quirements, unless the Administrator deter- tity. ‘‘(B) be a citizen of the United States; mines that the imposition of the repayment ‘‘(b) ELIGIBLE PERSONS.—To be eligible to ‘‘(C) contract in writing, with the consent requirement and the termination of payment obtain a loan repayment under this section, of a parent or guardian if a minor, with the of unpaid amounts of such assistance with a person must— Administrator, to— regard to the member would be— ‘‘(1) satisfy one of the requirements speci- ‘‘(i) accept an appointment, if offered, as a ‘‘(A) contrary to a personnel policy or fied in subsection (c); commissioned officer in the commissioned management objective; ‘‘(2) be fully qualified for, or hold, an ap- officer corps of the Administration; and ‘‘(B) against equity and good conscience; or pointment as a commissioned officer in the

VerDate Sep 11 2014 12:28 Dec 04, 2020 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00065 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A03DE7.133 H03DEPT1 dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with HOUSE H6114 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE December 3, 2020 commissioned officer corps of the Adminis- Act to reauthorize the Hydrographic Serv- (A) by striking the subsection heading and tration; and ices Improvement Act of 1998, and for other inserting ‘‘ARMED FORCES AND NOAA COM- ‘‘(3) sign a written agreement to serve on purposes’’ (Public Law 107–372) is amended by MISSIONED OFFICER CORPS STUDENT LOAN IN- active duty, or, if on active duty, to remain inserting after the item relating to section TEREST PAYMENT PROGRAMS’’; and on active duty for a period in addition to any 266 the following: (B) in paragraph (1)— other incurred active duty obligation. ‘‘Sec. 267. Education loan repayment pro- (i) by inserting ‘‘or section 268 of the Na- ‘‘(c) ACADEMIC AND PROFESSIONAL REQUIRE- gram.’’. tional Oceanic and Atmospheric Administra- MENTS.—One of the following academic re- SEC. 202. INTEREST PAYMENTS. tion Commissioned Officer Corps Act of 2002’’ quirements must be satisfied for purposes of (a) IN GENERAL.—Subtitle E (33 U.S.C. 3071 after ‘‘Code,’’; and determining the eligibility of an individual et seq.), as amended by section 201(a), is fur- (ii) by inserting ‘‘or an officer in the com- for a loan repayment under this section: ther amended by adding at the end the fol- missioned officer corps of the National Oce- ‘‘(1) The person is fully qualified in a pro- lowing: anic and Atmospheric Administration, re- fession that the Secretary has determined to ‘‘SEC. 268. INTEREST PAYMENT PROGRAM. spectively’’ after ‘‘Armed Forces’’. be necessary to meet identified skill short- ‘‘(a) AUTHORITY.—The Secretary may pay (c) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of ages in the commissioned officer corps of the the interest and any special allowances that contents in section 1 of the Act entitled ‘‘An Administration. accrue on one or more student loans of an el- Act to reauthorize the Hydrographic Serv- ‘‘(2) The person is enrolled as a full-time igible officer, in accordance with this sec- ices Improvement Act of 1998, and for other student in the final year of a course of study tion. purposes’’ (Public Law 107–372), as amended at an accredited educational institution (as ‘‘(b) ELIGIBLE OFFICERS.—An officer is eli- by section 201(b), is further amended by in- determined by the Secretary of Education) gible for the benefit described in subsection serting after the item relating to section 267 leading to a degree in a profession that will (a) while the officer— the following: meet identified skill shortages in the com- ‘‘(1) is serving on active duty; ‘‘Sec. 268. Interest payment program.’’. missioned officer corps of the Administra- ‘‘(2) has not completed more than three SEC. 203. STUDENT PRE-COMMISSIONING PRO- tion. years of service on active duty; GRAM. ‘‘(d) LOAN REPAYMENTS.— ‘‘(3) is the debtor on one or more unpaid (a) IN GENERAL.—Subtitle E (33 U.S.C. 3071 ‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Subject to the limits es- loans described in subsection (c); and et seq.), as amended by section 202(a), is fur- tablished under paragraph (2), a loan repay- ‘‘(4) is not in default on any such loan. ther amended by adding at the end the fol- ment under this section may consist of the ‘‘(c) STUDENT LOANS.—The authority to lowing: payment of the principal, interest, and re- make payments under subsection (a) may be lated expenses of a loan obtained by a person exercised with respect to the following loans: ‘‘SEC. 269. STUDENT PRE-COMMISSIONING EDU- CATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM. described in subsection (b). ‘‘(1) A loan made, insured, or guaranteed ‘‘(a) AUTHORITY TO PROVIDE FINANCIAL AS- ‘‘(2) LIMITATION ON AMOUNT.—For each year under part B of title IV of the Higher Edu- SISTANCE.—For the purpose of maintaining of obligated service that a person agrees to cation Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1071 et seq.). adequate numbers of officers of the commis- serve in an agreement described in sub- ‘‘(2) A loan made under part D of such title sioned officer corps of the Administration on section (b)(3), the Secretary may pay not (20 U.S.C. 1087a et seq.). active duty, the Secretary may provide fi- more than the amount specified in section ‘‘(3) A loan made under part E of such title nancial assistance to a person described in 2173(e)(2) of title 10, United States Code. (20 U.S.C. 1087aa et seq.). ‘‘(e) ACTIVE DUTY SERVICE OBLIGATION.— ‘‘(d) MAXIMUM BENEFIT.—Interest and any subsection (b) for expenses of the person ‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—A person entering into special allowance may be paid on behalf of while the person is pursuing on a full-time an agreement described in subsection (b)(3) an officer under this section for any of the 36 basis at an accredited educational institu- incurs an active duty service obligation. consecutive months during which the officer tion (as determined by the Secretary of Edu- ‘‘(2) LENGTH OF OBLIGATION DETERMINED is eligible under subsection (b). cation) a program of education approved by UNDER REGULATIONS.— ‘‘(e) COORDINATION WITH SECRETARY OF the Secretary that leads to— ‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in EDUCATION.— ‘‘(1) a baccalaureate degree in not more subparagraph (B), the length of the obliga- ‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall con- than five academic years; or tion under paragraph (1) shall be determined sult with the Secretary of Education regard- ‘‘(2) a postbaccalaureate degree. under regulations prescribed by the Sec- ing the administration of this section. ‘‘(b) ELIGIBLE PERSONS.— retary. ‘‘(2) REIMBURSEMENT AUTHORIZED.—The ‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—A person is eligible to ‘‘(B) MINIMUM OBLIGATION.—The regula- Secretary is authorized to reimburse the obtain financial assistance under subsection tions prescribed under subparagraph (A) may Secretary of Education— (a) if the person— not provide for a period of obligation of less ‘‘(A) for the funds necessary to pay inter- ‘‘(A) is enrolled on a full-time basis in a than one year for each maximum annual est and special allowances on student loans program of education referred to in sub- amount, or portion thereof, paid on behalf of under this section (in accordance with sec- section (a) at any educational institution de- the person for qualified loans. tions 428(o), 455(l), and 464(j) of the Higher scribed in such subsection; ‘‘(3) PERSONS ON ACTIVE DUTY BEFORE EN- Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1078(o), ‘‘(B) meets all of the requirements for ac- TERING INTO AGREEMENT.—The active duty 1087e(l), and 1087dd(j)); and ceptance into the commissioned officer corps service obligation of persons on active duty ‘‘(B) for any reasonable administrative of the Administration except for the comple- before entering into the agreement shall be costs incurred by the Secretary of Education tion of a baccalaureate degree; and served after the conclusion of any other obli- in coordinating the program under this sec- ‘‘(C) enters into a written agreement with gation incurred under the agreement. tion with the administration of the student the Secretary described in paragraph (2). ‘‘(4) CONCURRENT COMPLETION OF SERVICE loan programs under parts B, D, and E of ‘‘(2) AGREEMENT.—A written agreement re- OBLIGATIONS.—A service obligation under title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ferred to in paragraph (1)(C) is an agreement this section may be completed concurrently (20 U.S.C. 1071 et seq., 1087a et seq., 1087aa et between the person and the Secretary in with a service obligation under section 216. seq.). which the person— ‘‘(f) EFFECT OF FAILURE TO COMPLETE OBLI- ‘‘(f) SPECIAL ALLOWANCE DEFINED.—In this ‘‘(A) agrees to accept an appointment as an GATION.— section, the term ‘special allowance’ means a officer, if tendered; and ‘‘(1) ALTERNATIVE OBLIGATIONS.—An officer special allowance that is payable under sec- ‘‘(B) upon completion of the person’s edu- who is relieved of the officer’s active duty tion 438 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 cational program, agrees to serve on active obligation under this section before the com- (20 U.S.C. 1087–1).’’. duty, immediately after appointment, for— pletion of that obligation may be given any (b) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.— ‘‘(i) up to three years if the person received alternative obligation, at the discretion of (1) Section 428(o) of the Higher Education less than three years of assistance; and the Secretary. Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1078(o)) is amended— ‘‘(ii) up to five years if the person received ‘‘(2) REPAYMENT.—An officer who does not (A) by striking the subsection heading and at least three years of assistance. complete the period of active duty specified inserting ‘‘ARMED FORCES AND NOAA COM- ‘‘(c) QUALIFYING EXPENSES.—Expenses for in the agreement entered into under sub- MISSIONED OFFICER CORPS STUDENT LOAN IN- which financial assistance may be provided section (b)(3), or the alternative obligation TEREST PAYMENT PROGRAMS’’; and under subsection (a) are the following: imposed under paragraph (1), shall be subject (B) in paragraph (1)— ‘‘(1) Tuition and fees charged by the edu- to the repayment provisions under section (i) by inserting ‘‘or section 268 of the Na- cational institution involved. 216. tional Oceanic and Atmospheric Administra- ‘‘(2) The cost of educational materials. ‘‘(g) RULEMAKING.—The Secretary shall tion Commissioned Officer Corps Act of 2002’’ ‘‘(3) In the case of a program of education prescribe regulations to carry out this sec- after ‘‘Code,’’; and leading to a baccalaureate degree, labora- tion, including— (ii) by inserting ‘‘or an officer in the com- tory expenses. ‘‘(1) standards for qualified loans and au- missioned officer corps of the National Oce- ‘‘(4) Such other expenses as the Secretary thorized payees; and anic and Atmospheric Administration, re- considers appropriate. ‘‘(2) other terms and conditions for the spectively,’’ after ‘‘Armed Forces’’. ‘‘(d) LIMITATION ON AMOUNT.—The Sec- making of loan repayments.’’. (2) Sections 455(l) and 464(j) of the Higher retary shall prescribe the amount of finan- (b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1087e(l) and cial assistance provided to a person under contents in section 1 of the Act entitled ‘‘An 1087dd(j)) are each amended— subsection (a), which may not exceed the

VerDate Sep 11 2014 12:28 Dec 04, 2020 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00066 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A03DE7.133 H03DEPT1 dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with HOUSE December 3, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H6115 amount specified in section 2173(e)(2) of title (b)(1)(C) does not discharge the person sign- ‘‘(13) Chapter 58, relating to the Benefits 10, United States Code, for each year of obli- ing the agreement from a debt arising under and Services for members being separated or gated service that a person agrees to serve in such agreement or under paragraph (2). recently separated.’’; and an agreement described in subsection (b)(2). ‘‘(i) REGULATIONS.—The Secretary may (6) by inserting after paragraph (19), as re- ‘‘(e) DURATION OF ASSISTANCE.—Financial prescribe such regulations and orders as the designated, the following: assistance may be provided to a person under Secretary considers appropriate to carry out ‘‘(20) Subchapter I of chapter 88, relating to subsection (a) for not more than five con- this section. Military Family Programs, applicable on an secutive academic years. ‘‘(j) CONCURRENT COMPLETION OF SERVICE as-available and fully reimbursable basis. ‘‘(f) SUBSISTENCE ALLOWANCE.— OBLIGATIONS.—A service obligation under ‘‘(21) Section 2005, relating to advanced ‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—A person who receives fi- this section may be completed concurrently education assistance, active duty agree- nancial assistance under subsection (a) shall with a service obligation under section 216.’’. ments, and reimbursement requirements.’’. be entitled to a monthly subsistence allow- (b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of (b) EXTENSION OF CERTAIN AUTHORITIES.— ance at a rate prescribed under paragraph (2) contents in section 1 of the Act entitled ‘‘An (1) NOTARIAL SERVICES.—Section 1044a of for the duration of the period for which the Act to reauthorize the Hydrographic Serv- title 10, United States Code, is amended— person receives such financial assistance. ices Improvement Act of 1998, and for other (A) in subsection (a)(1), by striking ‘‘armed ‘‘(2) DETERMINATION OF AMOUNT.—The Sec- purposes’’ (Public Law 107–372), as amended forces’’ and inserting ‘‘uniformed services’’; retary shall prescribe monthly rates for sub- by section 202(c), is further amended by in- and sistence allowance provided under paragraph serting after the item relating to section 268 (B) in subsection (b)(4), by striking ‘‘armed (1), which shall be equal to the amount speci- the following: fied in section 2144(a) of title 10, United forces’’ both places it appears and inserting ‘‘Sec. 269. Student pre-commissioning edu- ‘‘uniformed services’’. States Code. cation assistance program.’’. ‘‘(g) INITIAL CLOTHING ALLOWANCE.— (2) ACCEPTANCE OF VOLUNTARY SERVICES SEC. 204. LIMITATION ON EDUCATIONAL ASSIST- ‘‘(1) TRAINING.—The Secretary may pre- FOR PROGRAMS SERVING MEMBERS AND THEIR ANCE. scribe a sum which shall be credited to each FAMILIES.—Section 1588 of such title is (a) IN GENERAL.—Each fiscal year, begin- person who receives financial assistance amended— ning with the fiscal year in which this Act is under subsection (a) to cover the cost of the (A) in subsection (a)(3), in the matter be- enacted, the Secretary of Commerce shall person’s initial clothing and equipment fore subparagraph (A), by striking ‘‘armed ensure that the total amount expended by issue. forces’’ and inserting ‘‘uniformed services’’; the Secretary under section 267 of the Na- ‘‘(2) APPOINTMENT.—Upon completion of and tional Oceanic and Atmospheric Administra- the program of education for which a person (B) by adding at the end the following new tion Commissioned Officer Corps Act of 2002 receives financial assistance under sub- subsection: (as added by section 201(a)), section 268 of section (a) and acceptance of appointment in such Act (as added by section 202(a)), and ‘‘(g) SECRETARY CONCERNED FOR ACCEPT- the commissioned officer corps of the Ad- section 269 of such Act (as added by section ANCE OF SERVICES FOR PROGRAMS SERVING ministration, the person may be issued a 203(a)) does not exceed the amount by MEMBERS OF NOAA CORPS AND THEIR FAMI- subsequent clothing allowance equivalent to which— LIES.—For purposes of the acceptance of that normally provided to a newly appointed (1) the total amount the Secretary would services described in subsection (a)(3), the officer. pay in that fiscal year to officer candidates term ‘Secretary concerned’ in subsection (a) ‘‘(h) TERMINATION OF FINANCIAL ASSIST- under section 203(f)(1) of title 37, United shall include the Secretary of Commerce ANCE.— States Code (as added by section 305(d)), if with respect to members of the commis- ‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall ter- such section entitled officer candidates to sioned officer corps of the National Oceanic minate the assistance provided to a person and Atmospheric Administration.’’. under this section if— pay at monthly rates equal to the basic pay of a commissioned officer in the pay grade O– (3) CAPSTONE COURSE FOR NEWLY SELECTED ‘‘(A) the Secretary accepts a request by the FLAG OFFICERS.—Section 2153 of such title is person to be released from an agreement de- 1 with less than 2 years of service, exceeds (2) the total amount the Secretary actu- amended— scribed in subsection (b)(2); (A) in subsection (a)— ‘‘(B) the misconduct of the person results ally pays in that fiscal year to officer can- didates under section 203(f)(1) of such title (i) by inserting ‘‘or the commissioned offi- in a failure to complete the period of active cer corps of the National Oceanic and Atmos- duty required under the agreement; or (as so added). (b) OFFICER CANDIDATE DEFINED.—In this pheric Administration’’ after ‘‘in the case of ‘‘(C) the person fails to fulfill any term or section, the term ‘‘officer candidate’’ has the the Navy’’; and condition of the agreement. meaning given the term in paragraph (4) of (ii) by striking ‘‘other armed forces’’ and ‘‘(2) REIMBURSEMENT.—The Secretary may section 212(b) of the National Oceanic and inserting ‘‘other uniformed services’’; and require a person who receives assistance de- Atmospheric Administration Commissioned (B) in subsection (b)(1), in the matter be- scribed in subsection (c), (f), or (g) under an Officer Corps Act of 2002 (33 U.S.C. 3002), as fore subparagraph (A), by inserting ‘‘or the agreement entered into under subsection added by section 305(c). Secretary of Commerce, as applicable,’’ after (b)(1)(C) to reimburse the Secretary in an ‘‘the Secretary of Defense’’. amount that bears the same ratio to the SEC. 205. APPLICABILITY OF CERTAIN PROVI- SIONS OF TITLE 10, UNITED STATES SEC. 206. APPLICABILITY OF CERTAIN PROVI- total costs of the assistance provided to that CODE, AND EXTENSION OF CERTAIN person as the unserved portion of active duty SIONS OF TITLE 37, UNITED STATES AUTHORITIES APPLICABLE TO MEM- CODE. bears to the total period of active duty the BERS OF THE ARMED FORCES TO officer agreed to serve under the agreement. COMMISSIONED OFFICER CORPS. (a) IN GENERAL.—Subtitle E (33 U.S.C. 3071 ‘‘(3) WAIVER.—The Secretary may waive (a) APPLICABILITY OF CERTAIN PROVISIONS et seq.) is amended by inserting after section the service obligation of a person through an OF TITLE 10.—Section 261(a) (33 U.S.C. 3071(a)) 261 the following: agreement entered into under subsection is amended— ‘‘SEC. 261A. APPLICABILITY OF CERTAIN PROVI- (b)(1)(C) if the person— (1) by redesignating paragraphs (13) SIONS OF TITLE 37, UNITED STATES ‘‘(A) becomes unqualified to serve on ac- through (16) as paragraphs (22) through (25), CODE. tive duty in the commissioned officer corps respectively; ‘‘The provisions of law applicable to the of the Administration because of a cir- (2) by redesignating paragraphs (7) through Armed Forces under the following provisions cumstance not within the control of that (12) as paragraphs (14) through (19), respec- of title 37, United States Code, shall apply to person; or tively; the commissioned officer corps of the Ad- ‘‘(B) is— (3) by redesignating paragraphs (4) through ministration: ‘‘(i) not physically qualified for appoint- (6) as paragraphs (8) through (10), respec- ‘‘(1) Section 403(l), relating to temporary ment; and tively; continuation of housing allowance for de- ‘‘(ii) determined to be unqualified for serv- (4) by inserting after paragraph (3) the fol- pendents of members dying on active duty. ice in the commissioned officer corps of the lowing: ‘‘(2) Section 415, relating to initial uniform Administration because of a physical or ‘‘(4) Section 771, relating to unauthorized allowances. medical condition that was not the result of wearing of uniforms. ‘‘(3) Section 488, relating to allowances for the person’s own misconduct or grossly neg- ‘‘(5) Section 774, relating to wearing reli- recruiting expenses.’’. ligent conduct. gious apparel while in uniform. (b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of ‘‘(4) OBLIGATION AS DEBT TO UNITED ‘‘(6) Section 982, relating to service on contents in section 1 of the Act entitled ‘‘An STATES.—An obligation to reimburse the State and local juries. Act to reauthorize the Hydrographic Serv- Secretary imposed under paragraph (2) is, for ‘‘(7) Section 1031, relating to administra- ices Improvement Act of 1998, and for other all purposes, a debt owed to the United tion of oaths.’’; purposes’’ (Public Law 107–372) is amended by States. (5) by inserting after paragraph (10), as re- inserting after the item relating to section ‘‘(5) DISCHARGE IN BANKRUPTCY.—A dis- designated, the following: 261 the following: charge in bankruptcy under title 11, United ‘‘(11) Section 1074n, relating to annual States Code, that is entered less than five mental health assessments. ‘‘Sec. 261A. Applicability of certain provi- years after the termination of a written ‘‘(12) Section 1090a, relating to referrals for sions of title 37, United States agreement entered into under subsection mental health evaluations. Code.’’.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 12:28 Dec 04, 2020 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00067 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A03DE7.133 H03DEPT1 dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with HOUSE H6116 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE December 3, 2020 SEC. 207. PROHIBITION ON RETALIATORY PER- ‘‘Sec. 269A. Treatment of commission in served in the commissioned officer corps of SONNEL ACTIONS. commissioned officer corps as the Administration may be appointed by the (a) IN GENERAL.—Subsection (a) of section employment in Administration Secretary to the grade the individual held 261 (33 U.S.C. 3071), as amended by section for purposes of certain hiring prior to separation. 205(a), is further amended— decisions.’’. ‘‘(2) REAPPOINTMENTS TO HIGHER GRADES.— (1) by redesignating paragraphs (8) through TITLE III—APPOINTMENTS AND An appointment under paragraph (1) to a po- (25) as paragraphs (9) through (26), respec- PROMOTION OF OFFICERS sition of importance and responsibility des- ignated under section 228 may only be made tively; and SEC. 301. APPOINTMENTS. by the President. (2) by inserting after paragraph (7) the fol- (a) ORIGINAL APPOINTMENTS.—Section 221 ‘‘(c) QUALIFICATIONS.—An appointment lowing: (33 U.S.C. 3021) is amended to read as follows: ‘‘(8) Section 1034, relating to protected under subsection (a) or (b) may not be given ‘‘SEC. 221. ORIGINAL APPOINTMENTS AND RE- to an individual until the individual’s men- communications and prohibition of retalia- APPOINTMENTS. tal, moral, physical, and professional fitness tory personnel actions.’’. ‘‘(a) ORIGINAL APPOINTMENTS.— to perform the duties of an officer has been (b) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—Subsection ‘‘(1) GRADES.— established under such regulations as the (b) of such section 261 is amended by adding ‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in Secretary shall prescribe. at the end the following: ‘‘For purposes of subparagraph (B), an original appointment of ‘‘(d) ORDER OF PRECEDENCE.—Appointees paragraph (8) of subsection (a), the term ‘In- an officer may be made in such grades as under this section shall take precedence in spector General’ in section 1034 of such title may be appropriate for— the grade to which appointed in accordance 10 shall mean the Inspector General of the ‘‘(i) the qualification, experience, and with the dates of their commissions as com- Department of Commerce.’’. length of service of the appointee; and missioned officers in such grade. The order of (c) REGULATIONS.—Such section is further ‘‘(ii) the commissioned officer corps of the precedence of appointees whose dates of com- amended by adding at the end the following: Administration. mission are the same shall be determined by ‘‘(c) REGULATIONS REGARDING PROTECTED ‘‘(B) APPOINTMENT OF OFFICER CAN- the Secretary. COMMUNICATIONS AND PROHIBITION OF RETAL- DIDATES.— ‘‘(e) INTER-SERVICE TRANSFERS.—For inter- IATORY PERSONNEL ACTIONS.—The Secretary ‘‘(i) LIMITATION ON GRADE.—An original ap- service transfers (as described in Department may prescribe regulations to carry out the pointment of an officer candidate, upon grad- of Defense Directive 1300.4 (dated December application of section 1034 of title 10, United uation from the basic officer training pro- 27, 2006)) the Secretary shall— States Code, to the commissioned officer gram of the commissioned officer corps of ‘‘(1) coordinate with the Secretary of De- corps of the Administration, including by the Administration, may not be made in any fense and the Secretary of the Department in prescribing such administrative procedures other grade than ensign. which the Coast Guard is operating to pro- for investigation and appeal within the com- ‘‘(ii) RANK.—Officer candidates receiving mote and streamline inter-service transfers; missioned officer corps as the Secretary con- appointments as ensigns upon graduation ‘‘(2) give preference to such inter-service siders appropriate.’’. from the basic officer training program shall transfers for recruitment purposes as deter- take rank according to their proficiency as mined appropriate by the Secretary; and SEC. 208. EMPLOYMENT AND REEMPLOYMENT shown by the order of their merit at date of ‘‘(3) reappoint such inter-service transfers RIGHTS. graduation. to the equivalent grade in the commissioned Section 4303(16) of title 38, United States ‘‘(2) SOURCE OF APPOINTMENTS.—An original officer corps of the Administration.’’. Code, is amended by inserting ‘‘the commis- appointment may be made from among the (b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sioned officer corps of the National Oceanic following: contents in section 1 of the Act entitled ‘‘An and Atmospheric Administration,’’ after ‘‘(A) Graduates of the basic officer training Act to reauthorize the Hydrographic Serv- ‘‘Public Health Service,’’. program of the commissioned officer corps of ices Improvement Act of 1998, and for other SEC. 209. TREATMENT OF COMMISSION IN COM- the Administration. purposes’’ (Public Law 107–372) is amended by MISSIONED OFFICER CORPS FOR ‘‘(B) Subject to the approval of the Sec- striking the item relating to section 221 and PURPOSES OF CERTAIN HIRING DE- retary of Defense, graduates of the military inserting the following: CISIONS. service academies of the United States who ‘‘Sec. 221. Original appointments and re- (a) IN GENERAL.—Subtitle E (33 U.S.C. 3071 otherwise meet the academic standards for appointments.’’. et seq.), as amended by this Act, is further enrollment in the training program de- SEC. 302. PERSONNEL BOARDS. amended by adding at the end the following: scribed in subparagraph (A). Section 222 (33 U.S.C. 3022) is amended to ‘‘(C) Graduates of the State maritime acad- ‘‘SEC. 269A. TREATMENT OF COMMISSION IN COM- read as follows: MISSIONED OFFICER CORPS AS EM- emies who— ‘‘SEC. 222. PERSONNEL BOARDS. PLOYMENT IN ADMINISTRATION ‘‘(i) otherwise meet the academic stand- ‘‘(a) CONVENING.—Not less frequently than FOR PURPOSES OF CERTAIN HIRING ards for enrollment in the training program once each year and at such other times as DECISIONS. described in subparagraph (A); the Secretary determines necessary, the Sec- ‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—In any case in which the ‘‘(ii) completed at least three years of regi- retary shall convene a personnel board. Secretary accepts an application for a posi- mented training while at a State maritime ‘‘(b) MEMBERSHIP.— tion of employment with the Administration academy; and ‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—A board convened under and limits consideration of applications for ‘‘(iii) obtained an unlimited tonnage or un- subsection (a) shall consist of five or more such position to applications submitted by limited horsepower Merchant Mariner Cre- officers who are serving in or above the per- individuals serving in a career or career-con- dential from the United States Coast Guard. manent grade of the officers under consider- ditional position in the competitive service ‘‘(D) Licensed officers of the United States ation by the board. within the Administration, the Secretary merchant marine who have served two or ‘‘(2) RETIRED OFFICERS.—Officers on the re- shall deem an officer who has served as an more years aboard a vessel of the United tired list may be recalled to serve on such officer in the commissioned officer corps of States in the capacity of a licensed officer, personnel boards as the Secretary considers the Administration for at least three years who otherwise meet the academic standards necessary. to be serving in a career or career-condi- for enrollment in the training program de- ‘‘(3) NO MEMBERSHIP ON TWO SUCCESSIVE tional position in the competitive service scribed in subparagraph (A). BOARDS.—No officer may be a member of two within the Administration for purposes of ‘‘(3) DEFINITIONS.—In this subsection: successive personnel boards convened to con- such limitation. ‘‘(A) MILITARY SERVICE ACADEMIES OF THE sider officers of the same grade for pro- UNITED STATES.—The term ‘military service ‘‘(b) CAREER APPOINTMENTS.—If the Sec- motion or separation. academies of the United States’ means the retary selects an application submitted by ‘‘(c) DUTIES.—Each personnel board shall— following: an officer described in subsection (a) for a ‘‘(1) recommend to the Secretary such ‘‘(i) The United States Military Academy, position described in such subsection, the changes as may be necessary to correct any West Point, New York. erroneous position on the lineal list that was Secretary shall give such officer a career or ‘‘(ii) The United States Naval Academy, caused by administrative error; and career-conditional appointment in the com- Annapolis, Maryland. ‘‘(2) make selections and recommendations petitive service, as appropriate. ‘‘(iii) The United States Air Force Acad- to the Secretary and the President for the ‘‘(c) COMPETITIVE SERVICE DEFINED.—In emy, Colorado Springs, Colorado. appointment, promotion, involuntary sepa- this section, the term ‘competitive service’ ‘‘(iv) The United States Coast Guard Acad- ration, continuation, and involuntary retire- has the meaning given the term in section emy, New London, Connecticut. ment of officers in the commissioned officer 2102 of title 5, United States Code.’’. ‘‘(v) The United States Merchant Marine corps of the Administration as prescribed in (b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of Academy, Kings Point, New York. this title. contents in section 1 of the Act entitled ‘‘An ‘‘(B) STATE MARITIME ACADEMY.—The term ‘‘(d) ACTION ON RECOMMENDATIONS NOT AC- Act to reauthorize the Hydrographic Serv- ‘State maritime academy’ has the meaning CEPTABLE.—If any recommendation by a ices Improvement Act of 1998, and for other given the term in section 51102 of title 46, board convened under subsection (a) is not purposes’’ (Public Law 107–372) is amended by United States Code. accepted by the Secretary or the President, inserting after the item relating to section ‘‘(b) REAPPOINTMENT.— the board shall make such further rec- 269, as added by section 203(b), the following ‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in ommendations as the Secretary or the Presi- new item: paragraph (2), an individual who previously dent considers appropriate.

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‘‘(e) AUTHORITY FOR OFFICERS TO OPT OUT ices Improvement Act of 1998, and for other rolled in the basic officer training program OF PROMOTION CONSIDERATION.— purposes’’ (Public Law 107–372) is amended by of the Administration and is under consider- ‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Director of the Na- striking the item relating to section 229 and ation for appointment as an officer under tional Oceanic and Atmospheric Administra- inserting the following: section 221(a)(2)(A).’’. tion Commissioned Officer Corps may pro- ‘‘Sec. 229. Temporary appointments.’’. (d) PAY FOR OFFICER CANDIDATES.—Section vide that an officer, upon the officer’s re- SEC. 305. OFFICER CANDIDATES. 203 of title 37, United States Code, is amend- quest and with the approval of the Director, (a) IN GENERAL.—Subtitle B (33 U.S.C. 3021 ed by adding at the end the following: be excluded from consideration for pro- et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the ‘‘(f)(1) An officer candidate enrolled in the motion by a personnel board convened under following: basic officer training program of the com- this section. ‘‘SEC. 234. OFFICER CANDIDATES. missioned officer corps of the National Oce- ‘‘(2) APPROVAL.—The Director shall ap- ‘‘(a) DETERMINATION OF NUMBER.—The Sec- anic and Atmospheric Administration is en- prove a request made by an officer under retary shall determine the number of ap- titled, while participating in such program, paragraph (1) only if— pointments of officer candidates. to monthly officer candidate pay at monthly ‘‘(A) the basis for the request is to allow ‘‘(b) APPOINTMENT.—Appointment of officer rates equal to the basic pay of an enlisted the officer to complete a broadening assign- candidates shall be made under regulations, member in the pay grade E–5 with less than ment, advanced education, another assign- which the Secretary shall prescribe, includ- two years of service. ment of significant value to the Administra- ing regulations with respect to determining ‘‘(2) An individual who graduates from tion, a career progression requirement de- age limits, methods of selection of officer such program shall receive credit for the layed by the assignment or education, or a candidates, term of service as an officer can- time spent participating in such program as qualifying personal or professional cir- didate before graduation from the basic offi- if such time were time served while on active cumstance, as determined by the Director; cer training program of the Administration, duty as a commissioned officer. If the indi- ‘‘(B) the Director determines the exclusion and all other matters affecting such appoint- vidual does not graduate from such program, from consideration is in the best interest of ment. such time shall not be considered creditable the Administration; and ‘‘(c) DISMISSAL.—The Secretary may dis- for active duty or pay.’’. ‘‘(C) the officer has not previously failed miss from the basic officer training program SEC. 306. PROCUREMENT OF PERSONNEL. selection for promotion to the grade for of the Administration any officer candidate (a) IN GENERAL.—Subtitle B (33 U.S.C. 3021 which the officer requests the exclusion from who, during the officer candidate’s term as et seq.), as amended by section 305(a), is fur- consideration.’’. an officer candidate, the Secretary considers ther amended by adding at the end the fol- SEC. 303. POSITIONS OF IMPORTANCE AND RE- unsatisfactory in either academics or con- lowing: SPONSIBILITY. duct, or not adapted for a career in the com- ‘‘SEC. 235. PROCUREMENT OF PERSONNEL. Section 228 (33 U.S.C. 3028) is amended— missioned officer corps of the Administra- ‘‘The Secretary may take such measures as (1) in subsection (c)— tion. Officer candidates shall be subject to the Secretary determines necessary in order (A) in the first sentence, by striking ‘‘The rules governing discipline prescribed by the to obtain recruits for the commissioned offi- Secretary shall designate one position under Director of the National Oceanic and Atmos- cer corps of the Administration, including this section’’ and inserting ‘‘The President pheric Administration Commissioned Officer advertising.’’. shall designate one position’’; and Corps. (b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of ‘‘(d) AGREEMENT.— (B) in the second sentence, by striking contents in section 1 of the Act entitled ‘‘An ‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Each officer candidate ‘‘That position shall be filled by’’ and insert- Act to reauthorize the Hydrographic Serv- shall sign an agreement with the Secretary ing ‘‘The President shall fill that position by ices Improvement Act of 1998, and for other in accordance with section 216(a)(2) regard- appointing, by and with the advice and con- purposes’’ (Public Law 107–372), as amended ing the officer candidate’s term of service in sent of the Senate,’’; by section 305(b), is further amended by in- the commissioned officer corps of the Ad- (2) in subsection (d)(2), by inserting ‘‘or im- serting after the item relating to section 234 ministration. mediately beginning a period of terminal the following: ‘‘(2) ELEMENTS.—An agreement signed by leave’’ after ‘‘for which a higher grade is des- an officer candidate under paragraph (1) ‘‘Sec. 235. Procurement of personnel.’’. ignated’’; shall provide that the officer candidate SEC. 307. CAREER INTERMISSION PROGRAM. (3) by amending subsection (e) to read as agrees to the following: (a) IN GENERAL.—Subtitle B (33 U.S.C. 3021 follows: ‘‘(A) That the officer candidate will com- et seq.), as amended by section 306(a), is fur- ‘‘(e) LIMIT ON NUMBER OF OFFICERS AP- plete the course of instruction at the basic ther amended by adding at the end the fol- POINTED.—The total number of officers serv- lowing: ing on active duty at any one time in the officer training program of the Administra- tion. ‘‘SEC. 236. CAREER FLEXIBILITY TO ENHANCE RE- grade of rear admiral (lower half) or above TENTION OF OFFICERS. may not exceed five, with only one serving in ‘‘(B) That upon graduation from such pro- gram, the officer candidate— ‘‘(a) PROGRAMS AUTHORIZED.—The Sec- the grade of vice admiral.’’; and retary may carry out a program under which (4) in subsection (f), by inserting ‘‘or in a ‘‘(i) will accept an appointment, if ten- dered, as an officer; and officers may be inactivated from active duty period of annual leave used at the end of the in order to meet personal or professional appointment’’ after ‘‘serving in that grade’’. ‘‘(ii) will serve on active duty for at least four years immediately after such appoint- needs and returned to active duty at the end SEC. 304. TEMPORARY APPOINTMENTS. ment. of such period of inactivation from active (a) IN GENERAL.—Section 229 (33 U.S.C. ‘‘(e) REGULATIONS.—The Secretary shall duty. 3029) is amended to read as follows: prescribe regulations to carry out this sec- ‘‘(b) PERIOD OF INACTIVATION FROM ACTIVE ‘‘SEC. 229. TEMPORARY APPOINTMENTS. tion. Such regulations shall include— DUTY; EFFECT OF INACTIVATION.— ‘‘(a) APPOINTMENTS BY PRESIDENT.—Tem- ‘‘(1) standards for determining what con- ‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The period of inactiva- porary appointments in the grade of ensign, stitutes a breach of an agreement signed tion from active duty under a program under lieutenant junior grade, or lieutenant may under subsection (d)(1); and this section of an officer participating in the be made by the President. ‘‘(2) procedures for determining whether program shall be such period as the Sec- ‘‘(b) TERMINATION.—A temporary appoint- such a breach has occurred. retary shall specify in the agreement of the ment to a position under subsection (a) shall ‘‘(f) REPAYMENT.—An officer candidate or officer under subsection (c), except that such terminate upon approval of a permanent ap- former officer candidate who does not fulfill period may not exceed three years. pointment for such position made by the the terms of the obligation to serve as speci- ‘‘(2) EXCLUSION FROM RETIREMENT.—Any pe- President. fied under subsection (d) shall be subject to riod of participation of an officer in a pro- ‘‘(c) ORDER OF PRECEDENCE.—Appointees the repayment provisions of section 216(b).’’. gram under this section shall not count to- under subsection (a) shall take precedence in (b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of ward eligibility for retirement or computa- the grade to which appointed in accordance contents in section 1 of the Act entitled ‘‘An tion of retired pay under subtitle C. with the dates of their appointments as offi- Act to reauthorize the Hydrographic Serv- ‘‘(c) AGREEMENT.—Each officer who partici- cers in such grade. The order of precedence ices Improvement Act of 1998, and for other pates in a program under this section shall of appointees who are appointed on the same purposes’’ (Public Law 107–372) is amended by enter into a written agreement with the Sec- date shall be determined by the Secretary. inserting after the item relating to section retary under which that officer shall agree ‘‘(d) ANY ONE GRADE.—When determined by 233 the following: as follows: the Secretary to be in the best interest of ‘‘Sec. 234. Officer candidates.’’. ‘‘(1) To undergo during the period of the in- the commissioned officer corps of the Ad- (c) OFFICER CANDIDATE DEFINED.—Section activation of the officer from active duty ministration, officers in any permanent 212(b) (33 U.S.C. 3002(b)) is amended— under the program such inactive duty train- grade may be temporarily promoted one (1) by redesignating paragraphs (4) through ing as the Director of the National Oceanic grade by the President. Any such temporary (6) as paragraphs (5) through (7), respec- and Atmospheric Administration Commis- promotion terminates upon the transfer of tively; and sioned Officer Corps shall require in order to the officer to a new assignment.’’. (2) by inserting after paragraph (3) the fol- ensure that the officer retains proficiency, at (b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of lowing: a level determined by the Director to be suf- contents in section 1 of the Act entitled ‘‘An ‘‘(4) OFFICER CANDIDATE.—The term ‘officer ficient, in the technical skills, professional Act to reauthorize the Hydrographic Serv- candidate’ means an individual who is en- qualifications, and physical readiness of the

VerDate Sep 11 2014 12:28 Dec 04, 2020 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00069 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A03DE7.133 H03DEPT1 dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with HOUSE H6118 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE December 3, 2020 officer during the inactivation of the officer time of the return of the officer to active ‘‘(1) the entitlement of the officer and of from active duty. duty as described in that subparagraph— the dependents of the officer to medical and ‘‘(2) Following completion of the period of ‘‘(I) such pay or bonus is no longer author- dental care under the provisions of chapter the inactivation of the officer from active ized by law; or 55 of title 10, United States Code; and duty under the program, to serve two ‘‘(II) the officer does not satisfy eligibility ‘‘(2) retirement or separation for physical months on active duty for each month of the criteria for such pay or bonus as in effect at disability under the provisions of subtitle period of the inactivation of the officer from the time of the return of the officer to active C.’’. active duty under the program. duty. (b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of ‘‘(d) CONDITIONS OF RELEASE.—The Sec- ‘‘(ii) PAY OR BONUS CEASES BEING AUTHOR- contents in section 1 of the Act entitled ‘‘An retary shall— IZED.—Subparagraph (A) shall cease to apply Act to reauthorize the Hydrographic Serv- ‘‘(1) prescribe regulations specifying the to any special or incentive pay or bonus oth- ices Improvement Act of 1998, and for other guidelines regarding the conditions of re- erwise covered by that subparagraph with re- purposes’’ (Public Law 107–372), as amended lease that must be considered and addressed spect to an officer if, during the term of the by section 306(b), is further amended by in- in the agreement required by subsection (c); revived agreement of the officer under sub- serting after the item relating to section 235 and paragraph (A)(i), such pay or bonus ceases the following: ‘‘(2) at a minimum, prescribe the proce- being authorized by law. ‘‘Sec. 236. Career flexibility to enhance re- dures and standards to be used to instruct an ‘‘(C) REPAYMENT.—An officer who is ineli- tention of officers.’’. officer on the obligations to be assumed by gible for payment of a special or incentive TITLE IV—SEPARATION AND RETIREMENT the officer under paragraph (1) of such sub- pay or bonus otherwise covered by this para- OF OFFICERS section while the officer is released from ac- graph by reason of subparagraph (B)(i)(II) SEC. 401. INVOLUNTARY RETIREMENT OR SEPA- tive duty. shall be subject to the requirements for re- RATION. ‘‘(e) ORDER TO ACTIVE DUTY.—Under regu- payment of such pay or bonus in accordance Section 241 (33 U.S.C. 3041) is amended by lations prescribed by the Secretary, an offi- with the terms of the applicable agreement adding at the end the following: cer participating in a program under this of the officer under chapter 5 of title 37, ‘‘(d) DEFERMENT OF RETIREMENT OR SEPA- section may, in the discretion of the Sec- United States Code. RATION FOR MEDICAL REASONS.— retary, be required to terminate participa- ‘‘(D) REQUIRED SERVICE IS ADDITIONAL.— ‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—If the Secretary deter- tion in the program and be ordered to active Any service required of an officer under an mines that the evaluation of the medical duty. agreement covered by this paragraph after condition of an officer requires hospitaliza- ‘‘(f) PAY AND ALLOWANCES.— the officer returns to active duty as de- tion or medical observation that cannot be ‘‘(1) BASIC PAY.—During each month of par- scribed in subparagraph (A) shall be in addi- completed with confidence in a manner con- ticipation in a program under this section, tion to any service required of the officer sistent with the officer’s well-being before an officer who participates in the program under an agreement under subsection (c). the date on which the officer would other- shall be paid basic pay in an amount equal to ‘‘(4) TRAVEL AND TRANSPORTATION ALLOW- wise be required to retire or be separated two-thirtieths of the amount of monthly ANCE.— under this section, the Secretary may defer basic pay to which the officer would other- ‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—Subject to subparagraph the retirement or separation of the officer. wise be entitled under section 204 of title 37, (B), an officer who participates in a program ‘‘(2) CONSENT REQUIRED.—A deferment may United States Code, as a member of the uni- under this section is entitled, while partici- only be made with the written consent of the formed services on active duty in the grade pating in the program, to the travel and officer involved. If the officer does not pro- and years of service of the officer when the transportation allowances authorized by sec- vide written consent to the deferment, the officer commences participation in the pro- tion 474 of title 37, United States Code, for— officer shall be retired or separated as sched- gram. ‘‘(i) travel performed from the residence of uled. ‘‘(2) SPECIAL OR INCENTIVE PAY OR BONUS.— the officer, at the time of release from active ‘‘(3) LIMITATION.—A deferment of retire- ‘‘(A) PROHIBITION.—An officer who partici- duty to participate in the program, to the lo- ment or separation under this subsection pates in a program under this section shall cation in the United States designated by may not extend for more than 30 days after not, while participating in the program, be the officer as the officer’s residence during completion of the evaluation requiring hos- paid any special or incentive pay or bonus to the period of participation in the program; pitalization or medical observation.’’. which the officer is otherwise entitled under and SEC. 402. SEPARATION PAY. an agreement under chapter 5 of title 37, ‘‘(ii) travel performed to the residence of Section 242 (33 U.S.C. 3042) is amended by United States Code, that is in force when the the officer upon return to active duty at the adding at the end the following: officer commences participation in the pro- end of the participation of the officer in the ‘‘(d) EXCEPTION.—An officer discharged for gram. program. twice failing selection for promotion to the ‘‘(B) NOT TREATED AS FAILURE TO PERFORM ‘‘(B) SINGLE RESIDENCE.—An allowance is next higher grade is not entitled to separa- SERVICES.—The inactivation from active payable under this paragraph only with re- tion pay under this section if the officer— duty of an officer participating in a program spect to travel of an officer to and from a ‘‘(1) expresses a desire not to be selected under this section shall not be treated as a single residence. for promotion; or failure of the officer to perform any period of ‘‘(5) LEAVE BALANCE.—An officer who par- ‘‘(2) requests removal from the list of se- service required of the officer in connection ticipates in a program under this section is lectees.’’. with an agreement for a special or incentive entitled to carry forward the leave balance TITLE V—OTHER NATIONAL OCEANIC AND pay or bonus under chapter 5 of title 37, existing as of the day on which the officer ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION MAT- United States Code, that is in force when the begins participation and accumulated in ac- TERS officer commences participation in the pro- cordance with section 701 of title 10, United SEC. 501. CHARTING AND SURVEY SERVICES. gram. States Code, but not to exceed 60 days. (a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 270 days ‘‘(3) RETURN TO ACTIVE DUTY.— ‘‘(g) PROMOTION.— after the development of the strategy re- ‘‘(A) SPECIAL OR INCENTIVE PAY OR BONUS.— ‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—An officer participating quired by section 1002(b) of the Frank LoBi- Subject to subparagraph (B), upon the return in a program under this section shall not, ondo Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2018 of an officer to active duty after completion while participating in the program, be eligi- (33 U.S.C. 892a note), the Secretary of Com- by the officer of participation in a program ble for consideration for promotion under merce shall enter into not fewer than 2 under this section— subtitle B. multi-year contracts with 1 or more private ‘‘(i) any agreement entered into by the of- ‘‘(2) RETURN TO SERVICE.—Upon the return entities for the performance of charting and ficer under chapter 5 of title 37, United of an officer to active duty after completion survey services by vessels. States Code, for the payment of a special or by the officer of participation in a program (b) CHARTING AND SURVEYS IN THE ARCTIC.— incentive pay or bonus that was in force under this section— In soliciting and engaging the services of when the officer commenced participation in ‘‘(A) the Secretary may adjust the date of vessels under subsection (a), the Secretary the program shall be revived, with the term rank of the officer in such manner as the shall particularly emphasize the need for of such agreement after revival being the pe- Secretary shall prescribe in regulations for charting and surveys in the Arctic. riod of the agreement remaining to run when purposes of this section; and SEC. 502. CO-LOCATION AGREEMENTS. the officer commenced participation in the ‘‘(B) the officer shall be eligible for consid- (a) IN GENERAL.—During fiscal years 2021 program; and eration for promotion when officers of the through 2030, and subject to the availability ‘‘(ii) any special or incentive pay or bonus same competitive category, grade, and se- of appropriations, the Administrator of the shall be payable to the officer in accordance niority are eligible for consideration for pro- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Adminis- with the terms of the agreement concerned motion. tration may execute noncompetitive co-loca- for the term specified in clause (i). ‘‘(h) CONTINUED ENTITLEMENTS.—An officer tion agreements for real property and inci- ‘‘(B) LIMITATION.— participating in a program under this section dental goods and services with entities de- ‘‘(i) IN GENERAL.—Subparagraph (A) shall shall, while participating in the program, be scribed in subsection (b) for periods of not not apply to any special or incentive pay or treated as a member of the uniformed serv- more than 20 years, if each such agreement bonus otherwise covered by that subpara- ices on active duty for a period of more than is supported by a price reasonableness anal- graph with respect to an officer if, at the 30 days for purposes of— ysis.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 12:28 Dec 04, 2020 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00070 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A03DE7.133 H03DEPT1 dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with HOUSE December 3, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H6119 (b) ENTITIES DESCRIBED.—An entity de- tially reported’’ and inserting ‘‘can be re- and with the same respect, as is ac- scribed in this subsection is— ported on a restricted or unrestricted basis’’. corded to commissioned officers of our (1) the government of any State, territory, (b) INVESTIGATIVE REQUIREMENT.—Such other six armed services, the Army, possession, or locality of the United States; subtitle is amended— Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, (2) any Tribal organization (as defined in (1) by redesignating sections 3546 and 3547 section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination as sections 3548 and 3549, respectively; and and United States Public Health Serv- and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. (2) by inserting after section 3545 the fol- ice Commissioned Corps. 5304)); lowing: The bill before us today is led by a (3) any subdivision of— ‘‘SEC. 3546. INVESTIGATION REQUIREMENT. Republican, Alaskan Senator SUL- (A) a government described in paragraph ‘‘(a) REQUIREMENT TO INVESTIGATE.— LIVAN. It passed through the Senate (1); or ‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Com- committee and the Senate itself by (B) an organization described in paragraph merce, acting through the Under Secretary unanimous consent. It is a virtual com- (2); or for Oceans and Atmosphere, shall ensure panion with improvements to H.R. 2406, (4) any organization that is— that each allegation of sexual harassment re- which was introduced by me and both (A) organized under the laws of the United ported under section 3541 and each allegation Democratic and Republican colleagues, States or any jurisdiction within the United of sexual assault reported under section 3542 and reported out of our Natural Re- States; and is investigated thoroughly and promptly. sources Committee. (B) described in section 501(c) of the Inter- ‘‘(2) SENSE OF CONGRESS ON COMMENCEMENT nal Revenue Code of 1986 and exempt from OF INVESTIGATION.—It is the sense of Con- If passed today, it will go straight to tax under section 501(a) of such Code. gress that the Secretary should ensure that the President, whose Department of (c) COLLABORATION AGREEMENTS.—Upon the an investigation of alleged sexual harass- Commerce testified to our Natural Re- execution of an agreement authorized by ment reported under section 3541 or sexual sources Committee: ‘‘The Department subsection (a) with an entity, the Adminis- assault reported under section 3542 com- believes this bill would improve trator may enter into agreements with the mences not later than 48 hours after the NOAA’s ability to administer the entity to collaborate or engage in projects or time at which the allegation was reported. programs on matters of mutual interest for NOAA Corps. The Department is very ‘‘(b) NOTIFICATION OF DELAY.—In any case supportive of the ability to retain vet- periods not to exceed the term of the agree- in which the time between the reporting of ment. The cost of such agreements shall be alleged sexual harassment or sexual assault erans of the NOAA Corps and the apportioned equitably, as determined by the under section 3541 or 3542, respectively, and unique skill sets they possess. The Of- Administrator. commencement of an investigation of the al- fice of Management and Budget has ad- (d) SAVINGS CLAUSE.—Nothing in this sec- legation exceeds 48 hours, the Secretary vised that there is no objection to the tion shall be construed— shall notify the Committee on Commerce, transmittal of these views, from the (1) to affect the authority of the Adminis- Science, and Transportation of the Senate trator of General Services; or standpoint of the administration’s pro- and the Committee on Natural Resources of (2) to grant the Administrator of the Na- grams.’’ the House of Representatives of the delay. tional Oceanic and Atmospheric Administra- The bill is also supported whole- tion any additional authority to enter into a ‘‘SEC. 3547. CRIMINAL REFERRAL. heartedly by two of our Nation’s fore- lease without approval of the General Serv- ‘‘If the Secretary of Commerce finds, pur- most servicemember organizations, the ices Administration. suant to an investigation under section 3546, 350,000-strong Military Officers Asso- evidence that a crime may have been com- SEC. 503. SATELLITE AND DATA MANAGEMENT. ciation of America, representing all mitted, the Secretary shall refer the matter Section 301 of the Weather Research and military officers of all services, and the Forecasting Innovation Act of 2017 (15 U.S.C. to the appropriate law enforcement authori- ties, including the appropriate United States 5.5-million-strong Military Coalition, 8531) is amended— whose motto is, ‘‘Proudly serving all (1) in subsection (c)(1), by striking subpara- Attorney.’’. (c) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of graph (D) and inserting the following: seven uniformed services.’’ contents in section 2(b) of such Act is ‘‘(D) improve— In fact, but for the isolated objec- amended by striking the items relating to ‘‘(i) weather and climate forecasting and tions of a few Members, which we may sections 3546 and 3547 and inserting the fol- predictions; and hear from shortly, which appear to lowing new items: ‘‘(ii) the understanding, management, and arise from some combination of a fun- exploration of the ocean.’’; and ‘‘Sec. 3546. Investigation requirement. damental misunderstanding or lack of (2) in subsection (d)— ‘‘Sec. 3547. Criminal referral. appreciation for the mission of NOAA (A) in paragraph (1)— ‘‘Sec. 3548. Annual report on sexual assaults in the National Oceanic and At- and its Uniformed Officer Corps, one (i) by striking ‘‘data and satellite systems’’ could scarcely imagine a more broadly and inserting ‘‘data, satellite, and other ob- mospheric Administration. ‘‘Sec. 3549. Sexual assault defined.’’. supported measure. serving systems’’; and The National Oceanic and Atmos- (ii) by striking ‘‘to carry out’’ and all that The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- follows and inserting the following: ‘‘to ant to the rule, the gentleman from pheric Administration, or NOAA, cele- brates its half-century anniversary this carry out— Hawaii (Mr. CASE) and the gentleman year as ‘‘America’s environmental in- ‘‘(A) basic, applied, and advanced research from Utah (Mr. BISHOP) each will con- telligence agency.’’ Never, during that projects and ocean exploration missions to trol 20 minutes. meet the objectives described in subpara- half-century, has its mission been so The Chair recognizes the gentleman graphs (A) through (D) of subsection (c)(1); or important, and never has it been grow- from Hawaii. ‘‘(B) any other type of project to meet ing so fast. other mission objectives, as determined by GENERAL LEAVE NOAA now operates oceanic observa- the Under Secretary.’’; Mr. CASE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unani- tion and research throughout our (B) in paragraph (2)(B)(i), by striking ‘‘sat- mous consent that all Members may world’s oceans, measuring the health of ellites’’ and all that follows and inserting have 5 legislative days in which to re- our oceans, the health of our fisheries, ‘‘systems, including satellites, instrumenta- vise and extend their remarks and in- tion, ground stations, data, and data proc- and weather prediction. It operates at- essing;’’; and clude extraneous material on the meas- mospheric research and observation, (C) in paragraph (3), by striking ‘‘2023’’ and ure under consideration. weather prediction, and, again, na- inserting ‘‘2030’’. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there tional hazard warnings. SEC. 504. IMPROVEMENTS RELATING TO SEXUAL objection to the request of the gen- It operates fisheries enforcement in- HARASSMENT AND ASSAULT PRE- tleman from Hawaii? creasingly throughout our world, in- VENTION AT THE NATIONAL OCE- There was no objection. ANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINIS- cluding in partnership with our friends TRATION. Mr. CASE. Mr. Speaker, I yield my- and allies. It increases partnerships (a) REPORTING.—Subtitle C of title XXXV self such time as I may consume. with foreign countries, projecting part of the National Defense Authorization Act Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong of our soft power throughout this for Fiscal Year 2017 (33 U.S.C. 894 et seq.) is support of this bipartisan, bicameral world. It does its vital work with a amended— measure to treat the commissioned of- critical team, including the structured, (1) in section 3541(b)(3)(B) (33 U.S.C. ficers of one of our Nation’s seven uni- uniformed Commissioned Officer Corps. 894(b)(3)(B)), by striking ‘‘can be confiden- formed services, the National Oceanic The women and men of the NOAA tially reported’’ and inserting ‘‘can be re- ported on a restricted or unrestricted basis’’; and Atmospheric Administration Com- Corps operate NOAA’s highly special- and missioned Officer Corps, with the same ized international fleet of research and (2) in section 3542(b)(5)(B) (33 U.S.C. basic statutory recruitment, advance- survey ships and aircraft. They con- 894a(b)(5)(B)), by striking ‘‘can be confiden- ment, retention, and benefit structure, duct international world-class oceanic

VerDate Sep 11 2014 12:28 Dec 04, 2020 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00071 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A03DE7.133 H03DEPT1 dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with HOUSE H6120 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE December 3, 2020 and atmospheric research, including various arguments that could just as colleague from Alaska, the dean of the the famous Hurricane Hunter aviators easily be made for any other uniformed House, on this bipartisan, bicameral who fly into, above, and around hurri- service. measure. canes to give NOAA’s National Weath- If we are going to go down that road, Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of er Service forecasters accurate data for should we not make those arguments my time. their storm forecasts and warnings globally, not selectively and Mr. BISHOP of Utah. Mr. Speaker, I used by emergency managers as they discriminatorily as to one of our seven yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from make life and death decisions. services? Mississippi (Mr. PALAZZO). Like the other uniformed services, They recite arguments that are sim- Mr. PALAZZO. Mr. Speaker, I thank Active Duty NOAA Corps officers spend ply inaccurate and, again, that seem to the ranking member for yielding. most of their careers away from home, reflect a deep misunderstanding of I rise today in support of S. 2981, the at sea, in the air, and in remote loca- NOAA’s mission. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Ad- tions such as Antarctica, conducting Here is the bottom line for this bill: ministration Commissioned Officer this important work. Their work is fre- NOAA does exist. It has existed for 50 Corps Amendments Act of 2020. This bi- quently in increasingly hazardous con- years. It has done its work with a com- cameral and bipartisan legislation ditions. mitted officer corps for 50 years. It is aims to improve the smallest uniform However, the corps is often over- not being abolished. That mission, that service in our country, the NOAA Com- looked in the legislative process, re- corps will continue. That mission is missioned Officer Corps. sulting in a patchwork of statutory au- critical and its personnel must be rec- The men and women of the NOAA thorities, benefits, and service obliga- ognized and improved. And NOAA offi- Corps operate a highly specialized fleet tions. cers are commissioned officers in our of scientific ships and aircraft, several This bill will help the NOAA Corps services and should be fully recognized of which are based in my district on improve recruitment, retention, and di- as such, similar to all others. the Mississippi Gulf Coast and along Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my col- versity to attract the best and the coastlines around the Nation. The re- leagues to support this bipartisan, bi- brightest commissioned officers and search conducted on these scientific cameral, needed, and fair bill. platforms helps to improve hurricane better align the NOAA Corps with the Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of other uniformed services as they con- forecasts, manage healthy and sustain- my time. able fisheries such as red snapper, and tinue their service to NOAA and our Mr. BISHOP of Utah. Mr. Speaker, I ensure safe and efficient maritime Nation. yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from commerce on America’s waters. 1830 Alaska (Mr. YOUNG), the dean of our b Members of the NOAA Corps are the Congress, so he can speak on this bill, The NOAA Corps Amendments Act is ones who operate the 9 aircrafts and 15 and then I will correct the RECORD an important step to make sure that vessels in NOAA’s growing fleet. Dur- the NOAA Corps has the authority it afterwards. (Mr. YOUNG asked and was given ing a hurricane, they deploy on mis- needs to continue as an effective serv- permission to revise and extend his re- sions into the storm; and immediately ice for our country. after hurricanes, they deploy to assess The bill gives the NOAA Corps offi- marks.) Mr. YOUNG. Mr. Speaker, I thank damage and map out debris in the cers employment rights in line with my good friend for yielding. I am going channels to open our ports back up as other uniform services, authorizes edu- to miss Mr. BISHOP, his work, his being soon as possible. cation loan repayment programs for a gentleman and a good friend as the All these activities are essential to NOAA Corps officers, tuition support years have gone by. I have been my district and many others, espe- for prospective officers, and gives through 3,452 Members of Congress, and cially this year where we had back-to- NOAA updated authority to manage he is one of the good ones. back hurricanes in the Gulf impacting the size and composition of the corps. I thank Congressman CASE and Sen- our maritime economy and ecosystems. In their letter supporting the NOAA ator DAN SULLIVAN for this legislation. NOAA Corps officers provide essen- Corps Amendments Act, the Military I know there is some opposition to it, tial scientific and operational expertise Officers Association of America, the but in Alaska, NOAA plays a very im- needed for NOAA to meet its missions Nation’s leading voice for commis- portant role. They do navigation, all every day. Recognizing NOAA’s 50th sioned officers of all seven uniformed types of flood control. I can name all anniversary and their growing respon- services, highlighted the importance of the things they do. They monitor fish sibilities, this legislation will help the NOAA Corps for national defense. stocks. NOAA retain and recruit the most They stated that, ‘‘The unique sci- They manage the tsunami warnings. qualified officers and will offer these entific and operational expertise, flexi- We have some really good earthquakes servicemembers the level of personal bility, and deployment capability of in Alaska and some pretty good waves. and professional support that they de- the NOAA Corps continues to be a force They give us a warning system that serve. multiplier for U.S. and ally air, land, makes it work, and it works very well. The 2020 hurricane season confirms and sea operation.’’ They work on the Sea Grant pro- that we need to make the right invest- This first reauthorization of the gram, provides highly qualified fellows ments so the NOAA Corps can become NOAA Commissioned Officer Corps who are very important. In fact, I even better at predicting storms, in since 2002, under the House counterpart think I have hired four in my career turn, protecting life and property while bill’s co-introducer of the dean of the and they have worked in my office. helping conserve our fisheries that are House, Mr. YOUNG, further improves They are outstanding young people. vital to our national heritage. the diversity of the corps by author- This is a piece of legislation that is Mr. Speaker, I believe it is crucial izing financial aid for a student bipartisan. It is badly needed. There that we reauthorize and support the precommissioning education in ex- will be some people who say we don’t NOAA Commissioned Officer Corps, and change for service, which will need it. And I will give NOAA notice I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of prioritize underserved populations to right now that sometimes they better it. undertake careers in NOAA and ad- wake up. They use an excuse of the flu Mr. CASE. Mr. Speaker, I express my dresses sexual harassment issues by for not monitoring our fish stocks. In appreciation to new colleague, Mr. strengthening the corps’ policies, in- that case, then, they should have gone PALAZZO, for his support of this critical cluding required reporting of potential out and gotten private people to do it bill. offenses. for them, because we need that con- Those of us that live in the oceans Mr. Speaker, we may shortly hear ob- stant flow of information to make sure and on the coasts completely under- jections that, as noted, represent a dis- we don’t overfish or underfish the stand the value of NOAA, again, as a tinct minority in Congress and the uni- stocks. matter of life and death in many cases, formed services community. They re- So, NOAA, wake up a little bit. and we understand that NOAA can only cite three decades’–old arguments that Mr. CASE. Mr. Speaker, I deeply ap- do its job with a motivated, high-exper- we have long moved past. They recite preciate the support of my friend and tise Corps.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 12:28 Dec 04, 2020 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00072 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K03DE7.106 H03DEPT1 dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with HOUSE December 3, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H6121 Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve The Corps recognizes its life-line connec- officers’ count to an all-time high of 500. The the balance of my time. tion to the NOAA fleet of civilian ships, Corps already struggles with funding its Mr. BISHOP of Utah. Mr. Speaker, I which has fallen from 21 to 16 since 2008, not- handsome benefits and generous retirements, am assuming I have the traditional 15 ing that if NOAA does not invest in recapi- as witnessed by several budget bills to re- talizing its fleet there will be ‘‘significant’’ vamp their retirement and benefit system minutes remaining? personnel impacts. The most recent NOAA (there are more retired Corps officers than The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gen- Fleet Plan (which conveniently omits any those currently serving, and because Corps 1 tleman from Utah has 16 ⁄2 minutes re- costs) notes that half of NOAA’s ships are officers can retire with as little as 10 years of maining. due to be mothballed by 2028. While the Plan service, more will join these ranks). More- Mr. BISHOP of Utah. Mr. Speaker, I calls for the replacement of these ships, Con- over, serious allegations of sexual assault include in the RECORD two documents. gress has not supported greatly expanding and harassment have also plagued the NOAA The first document is the dissenting this expensive fleet, providing partial fund- Corps, resulting in a recently enacted sexual views that Republicans filed on this ing for preliminary designs for only a single harassment law specifically targeted to the vessel to date since 2016. Instead, Congress bill in the committee. The second is Corps and Corps funding for sexual assault has worked around the Corps, supplying mil- prevention. The NOAA Corps should get its the summary of problems that the De- lions to NOAA line offices to conduct fish- house in order before recruiting three to six partment of Commerce Inspector Gen- eries surveys through vessel leases while ad- new platoons into its ranks. eral, the GAO and the NOAA itself monishing NOAA for endangering the lives of Apparently, even with these issues, the have found with the corps, which in- those aboard the NOAA vessel Hi’ialakai NOAA Corps has apparently had no problem cluded a conclusion that the corps does which apparently suffered hull failure. In filling its current recruitment quota if it not meet the criteria for military bene- fact, because of their age, many of the NOAA needs such a large personnel increase. Under- vessels spend considerable time in dry dock standably so—it is a great gig with almost fits; converting officers to civilians (4 in the most recent NOAA Fleet update) or would result in a net savings; that a all the benefits of a military career with few are otherwise home in port. Perhaps this ex- of the risks. Despite this and with no jus- NOAA Corps officer using a govern- plains why the most recent billet roster for tification, H.R. 2406 creates lavish and expen- ment computer onboard a NOAA ship the 321 NOAA Corps officers show only 94 as- sive new perks and extends even more exist- was accessing child pornography; pur- signed to ships (including dry-docked ships), ing armed forces benefits to current, future poseful violations of the Clean Water while the vast majority are deskbound pro- and retired Corps members: Act by NOAA Corps-operated vessels; viding ‘‘mission support’’ or rotating short- Paid three-year sabbatical with travel and term through civil service positions (like transportation allowances and continued and a very damning observation that ‘‘cetacean photo specialist’’) in NOAA pro- ‘‘insufficient oversight and circumven- medical and dental care; gram offices. These latter positions could The ability to opt out of promotion boards. tion of statutory requirements as insti- otherwise be filled by less expensive civilians The Corps is supposedly an up-or-out organi- tutionalized organizational behavior with expertise in the subject matter area and zation but based on a GAO decision analysis, and culture’’ within this NOAA Corps. with a longer-term commitment to the pro- it appears that an officer who failed to be gram. DISSENTING VIEWS H.R. 2406 promoted twice can be retained on staff until These numbers illustrate why the average the officer can qualify for early retirement; No doubt the members of the National Oce- NOAA Corps officer is more likely to face a Every single benefit provided to retired or anic and Atmospheric Administration Corps paper cut than an IED, which begs the ques- separated armed services members, including of Commissioned Officers (NOAA Corps) are tion why multiple military and veterans ben- employment preferences and assistance, hardworking men and women who are honor- efits are extended to the Corps under H.R. medical and dental care, and commissary ably serving our Nation, especially those 2406. During the world wars some NOAA per- and exchange access; who pilot into the turbulent hearts of hurri- sonnel were temporarily assigned to the All benefits relating to armed services canes. However, there is no justification that armed services; this has not recurred, and family programs, including free admission to this small, underutilized uniformed service according to GAO the Department of Defense national parks; should continue to exist, much less be great- has no plans to commandeer NOAA Corps of- An elaborate student loan repayment pro- ly expanded with unprecedented benefits ficers. However, the modern Corps has used gram of up to $60K a year (currently the under this legislation. this potential assignment authority as a jus- limit for military doctors and other armed We are not the only ones who agree with tification for access to military benefits, forces health professionals) for as little as this assessment. The House of Representa- like burial at Arlington Cemetery or the G.I. one year in service; tives reported or passed (by voice vote) mul- bill. We hope that the House Armed Services A student pre-commissioning program for tiple bills that eliminated the NOAA Corps; and the Veterans Affairs Committees, which tuition, fees, education materials, monthly the Administration itself attempted to shift received referrals of this legislation, will subsistence allowance, and a clothing allow- the Corps into civilian status; and none take a hard look whether these benefits ance, where repayment can be waived by the other than Vice President Al Gore slated the gratefully provided to those who have fought Corps if the student fails to be commissioned NOAA Corps for elimination as part of his re- for our freedom should be extended to per- and where any obligation can be discharged inventing government initiative. In part be- sons who are not under the Code of Military in bankruptcy under certain circumstances. cause of the Corps’ higher expenses for its Justice, whose appointments are not re- Payment for advanced degrees (tuition, military- and veterans-type benefits, the viewed and approved by the Senate and who room and board) as well as professional cre- Government Accountability Office (GAO) has apparently aren’t even subject to a physical dentials for employment post-Corps; determined that the functions of the Corps fitness requirement (see section 104 of the Eligibility for special payments (up to could be accomplished less expensively using bill). Again, we recognize the special case of $60K), including personal money allowances; civil servants or private contractors. More the NOAA Corps aviators, and would support Mandatory hiring preferences in federal seriously, GAO identified the Corps itself as their transfer to the Coast Guard or another agencies; a major impediment to more efficiently and armed service so that legislation like this Certain senior officers allowed to retain effectively accomplishing its primary mis- would be unnecessary. their higher rank and pay while not serving sions—to collect coastal and geodetic data, Giving the sinking NOAA fleet, one of the in those positions if approaching retirement; conduct fishery surveys and produce nautical most troubling aspects of H.R. 2406 is the and charts—because of its continued insistence 55% increase in the size of the Corps and the Repayment for failure to satisfy service re- that it must use its own ships to accomplish removal of the legal constraints on the num- quirements for appointments, training and these goals and its reluctance to schedule ber of officers and certain flag officers. These promotions is discretionary with the Corps, time on other, newer vessels like the Univer- numbers can be increased even further be- and any obligation can be discharged in sity-National Oceanographic Laboratory cause the legislation allows the Corps to re- bankruptcy under certain circumstances. System ships or the new $127M National hire retired officers or to designate officers Finally, we note that this legislation was Science Foundation regional class research serving in ‘‘positions of importance and re- not originated or transmitted to Congress by vessel. Moreover, the Corps is greatly resist- sponsibility’’ who don’t count against these NOAA and was reviewed by the Office of ant to creating private-sector jobs by uti- caps. In addition, the Corps can have an un- Management and Budget only after the lizing equally qualified contractors—like limited number of paid officer candidates to markup of the bill. During the Obama Ad- those hired by the Army Corps of Engineers, populate the Corps ranks. Under current law, ministration, the Senate Commerce, Science the Navy and the Environmental Protection the Corps is restricted to 321 officers and this and Transportation Committee con- Agency—to command and staff NOAA ships number can be raised to 379 only if appro- templated slightly less generous NOAA or conduct coastal surveys. In 1990, the De- priate funding is available and, most impor- Corps bills in the past, albeit without any partment of Commerce Inspector General tantly, the Secretary of Commerce has ‘‘jus- hearings. Perhaps it is just a coincidence concluded that NOAA Corps members as- tified organizational needs for the commis- that a senior NOAA Corps officer was re- signed to shore-based duties were 59% more sion corps for each such fiscal year’’. Not cently detailed to the Democrat Natural Re- costly than equivalent civilians. If H.R. 2406 only has the Corps failed to justify this mas- sources Committee staff who was previously is enacted, that cost differential will be even sive increase, but this legislation strikes assigned to the Senate Commerce Com- higher. these requirements while inflating the Corps mittee. Given the Committee Democrats’

VerDate Sep 11 2014 12:28 Dec 04, 2020 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00073 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K03DE7.108 H03DEPT1 dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with HOUSE H6122 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE December 3, 2020 focus on Trump Administration ethics, we card to purchase $18,000 in aftermarket parts The corps now is restricted to 321 of- hope that appropriate measures have been to their motorcycle. ficers. It can be raised to 379 officers put in place to prevent conflicts of interest In 2004, NOAA Corp was found to have con- only if there is appropriate funding with this assignment. sistently failed to follow requirements for Senate confirmation of appointments and from Congress. Most importantly, the NOAA CORP ISSUES promotions since at least 1986. Furthermore, Secretary of Commerce will justify or- In a 1999 Government Accountability Office it was found that seventy-five percent of pro- ganizational needs for the commis- (GAO) letter to Chairman , Sub- motions were made without first securing sioned corps for that particular year. committee on Energy and Environment, Senate confirmation. The report identified Not only has the corps failed to jus- House Committee on Science, indicated that the causes for this problem: insufficient tify an increase—this massive increase, GAO has for years ‘‘urged NOAA to aggres- oversight and circumvention of statutory re- but this legislation strikes those rea- sively pursue more cost-effective alter- quirements as institutionalized organiza- natives for acquiring needed marine data.’’ tional behavior and culture. sonable requirements of ever going for- ward in the future. And it does conduct ‘‘[NOAA] continues to rely heavily on its Mr. BISHOP of Utah. The NOAA and create an all-time high of 500 billet aging in-house fleet of ships—many of which Corps is a very small, underutilized but are costly and inefficient to operate and spots in there whether it is needed or uniformed service group. It prevents maintain and lack the latest state-of-the-art not. questions with this type of group, with technology . . .’’ and is ‘‘reluctant to give It is no surprise that there are those their history that they have, first of serious consideration to the many innova- in the administration that do not sup- tive and more modern ways that private sec- all: Why should they exist in the first port this personnel increase. tor . . . could meet its basic marine data place? But more significantly, why The NOAA Corps’ roster illustrates needs.’’ should they greatly expand and grant In a 1996 program evaluation, the Depart- why the average corps officer is far unprecedented benefits that this legis- ment of Commerce Inspector General rec- more likely to face a paper cut than ommended that NOAA terminate its fleet lation gives to this group? Congress, the administration, and any other kind of accident in their ca- modernization efforts, cease investing in its reers in this corps military function. ships, and immediately begin to decommis- even Vice President Al Gore all slated sion, sell, or transfer them; and contract for this NOAA Corps for elimination. In Which means if that is the situation, if the required ship services.’’ part, it was because the corps’ higher these are desk jobs in the first place, In a 1997 testimony from NOAA’s Director expenses because of their military-type why are there multiple military and of Information Resources Management, the veteran benefits extended to the corps agency expressly stated that NOAA Corps benefits, even though they perform no military-type activities. under this bill? does not meet criteria for receiving military During World War II, this corps was compensation, converting officers to civil- The Government Accounting Office, ians would result in annual net savings, and GAO, determined that the functions of temporarily commandeered and put that entitlement to military rank was an the corps could be less expensively into the Navy service. Unfortunately, outgrowth of temporary assignments during given using civil servants or private today, the Department of Defense has the second world war, but defense officials collectors. More seriously, the GAO no plans whatsoever to commandeer envision no role for them in the future. said that the corps itself is a major im- any of the NOAA Corps or their offi- In 1998, the DOC IG included NOAA’s fleet cers. However, the corps still uses that as one of the top 10 most serious manage- pediment to more efficiently and effec- ment challenges facing the Department of tively accomplishing its missionary history, that example during World Commerce. statement, which is to collect coastal War II when they were desperately In 2017, GAO released a new report on data, to conduct fishing surveys, and to needed and used to justify claiming NOAA Corp’s functions and again found that produce nautical charts. military and veteran benefits that are the Corp has not succeeded in expanding pri- Now, why is this the case? normally given to our Armed Forces. vate sector involvement in data collection— Well, in one part because the corps I don’t think there is anyone here a recommendation made by GAO as early as their 1999 report and the IG’s 1996 rec- insists that it must use their own that has any doubt or would have any ommendations. The report also found NOAA ships, which are failing. They are re- kind of grave problem giving benefits was significantly understating agency costs sistant to ever contracting with quali- to those who fought for our freedom, to conduct data collection functions com- fied contractors like the Army Corps of but the corps is not that type of a pared to the private sector. Engineers does and the Navy does and group. They do not fall under the Code GAO’s reviews of NOAA’s cost comparison even the EPA does. Even this bill rec- of Military Justice. Their appoint- reports from ’06–’16 found that NOAA had not reported significant costs such as acquisition ognizes that problem. If you go to look ments are not reviewed and approved of a $24 million new vessel, nor did NOAA at section 501, it mandates that at by the Senate. They aren’t even sub- factor in major vessel maintenance into least two private-sector charting and ject to physical fitness requirements of their operational cost estimates. Ultimately, surveying contracts must be given. the military. NOAA Corp simply used costs to measure a They recognize that what is happening Moreover, and what is really prob- single square nautical mile surveyed to com- right now is not effective, it is not effi- lematic, is there have been serious al- pare costs, ignoring those above and other cient, and it is a failure. legations of sexual assault and harass- significant operational costs. This review ultimately found that NOAA The fleet for this corps has gone from ment that have plagued this NOAA Corp did not develop a strategy for expand- 21 down to 15 since 2008, and the GAO Corps, resulting recently in the enact- ing private sector, cost effective, data collec- also noted that the NOAA fleet plan is ment of a corps sexual harassment law tion as required by law. to mothball half of their ships by 2028. and targeted funding for sexual assault NOAA Corp also did not include adminis- Congress has only partially funded a prevention. trative costs in their comparisons because single vessel since 2016, but the money they ‘‘do not have the software to track con- Is this the kind of group, in all sin- tract administration costs.’’ that has been gone is still in the mil- cerity, that deserves mandatory Fed- Ultimately, NOAA determined that car- lions, and it goes to line officers, not eral hiring preferences? That would re- rying out actions in regard to the rec- for Naval vessels or for their leases. quire student loan repayment at the ommendations of this report would be dif- If one looks at the recent billet ros- same rate as you would any military, ficult because it would ‘‘[require] the coordi- ter, you would find that the NOAA like a military doctor? Is that the nation of multiple offices within NOAA . . .’’ Corps has 94 of its 321 officers assigned same requirement that would have a 3- In 2015, a NOAA Corp officer was found to to ships. Only 94. That includes the have had website traffic on a government year paid sabbatical or free graduate computer aboard the NOAA ship Ron Brown, dry-docked ships. The vast majority of school for post-employment work or which was linked to a ‘‘notorious presence of their officers are desk-bound, pro- even pocket money for their admirals? child pornographic images and is frequented viding, as NOAA says, mission support by pedophiles.’’ like having a whale photographer. b 1845 In 2014, DOC OIG found the improper dis- Now, giving the sinking number of All of you, if you were serious about charge of untreated water from a NOAA Corp the NOAA fleet, the increased cost of this, should sign up for these. The ben- vessel was an apparent practice—a violation the NOAA officers, the most troubling efits are great, and all you have to do of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act. aspect of this particular bill is a 55 per- is photograph a couple of whales. NOAA CORP ISSUES cent increase in the size of the corps; This bill, finally, was not trans- In 2008, a NOAA Corp employee was found not in the amount of work to be done, mitted to Congress by the administra- to have used a government purchase credit but in the size of the corps. tion. No, no. Perhaps it is coincidental

VerDate Sep 11 2014 12:28 Dec 04, 2020 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00074 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A03DE7.130 H03DEPT1 dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with HOUSE December 3, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H6123 that there are two NOAA Corps officers what the other six do. All we are doing its ranks, as have other uniformed who have been detailed to our Natural today in expanding is bringing them up services, and, as he points out as well, Resources Committee staff, one of to the same level as the other six this Congress responded with an act whom was previously assigned to the corps. specific to the NOAA situation. This Senate Commerce Committee staff He says that the mission of NOAA is bill goes further and strengthens that where this bill originated. a minor mission, so why should we re- act. So we are responding to the con- Given that concept, given that con- ward them—I suppose is what he is say- cern in Congress, as has NOAA itself. nection, we need to have serious meas- ing—with the same promotion benefits, Finally, he seems to have some con- ures put into effect to maybe prevent the same educational benefits, the tinuing issues with a staff member these conflicts of interests in the fu- same retirement benefits, the same re- from NOAA assigned to the committee. ture that have created this NOAA spect as the other six. It is not unusual, of course, for depart- Corps dream bill where they get all the I would say to him, first of all, be- ments in the administration to second benefits but don’t have the responsibil- cause that mission is worthy of that members for some work. We have had ities and they don’t do the same work. treatment. And, number one, if he is fellows do it all the time. But if that is When I said we were dealing with referring to the GAO report from a gen- an issue we have to look at, that is an kleinigkeiten today, this is the small- eration ago, the NOAA Corps does so issue we have to look at, but that is est of all the kleinigkeiten. much more today. not an issue that should stand in the This is not a good bill. This is not I think we would all agree that the way of a constructive and fair adjust- something that we should forward on. mission that the NOAA Corps works ment of the benefits and position af- We do need to look seriously at this on, which is the basic health and qual- forded to NOAA officers. corps in the future. ity of our oceans, of our atmosphere, of I would conclude by going back to And this is not something that is our ability to predict the weather, of the fact that, if the gentleman’s con- new. There are those who have been our ability to protect our shorelines, of cerns are so widespread, if his concerns working on this issue and dealing with our ability to protect and sustain our are so deep, then why do we have the this corps for the last 30 years and still fisheries, is so much greater than it principal military uniformed services have not come up with the proper solu- ever was. associations of our country supporting tion to it. He complains that some of the mem- this bill without qualification? Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of bers of the NOAA Corps spend time on- I refer to the Military Officers Asso- my time. shore. Is that any different from the ciation of America. I also refer to The Mr. CASE. Mr. Speaker, I yield my- Navy? I don’t think the Navy has all of Military Coalition, 5.5 million mem- self such time as I may consume. its officers out at sea all the time, and bers, consisting of—and I am not going Mr. Speaker, I certainly regret to neither does the NOAA Corps. The to read all their names because I think hear the words from my friend, the Army doesn’t have all of its officers it is about 30 here. I will just read ranking member’s mouth on this bill, overseas in battle zones. maybe the first 10 or so—the Air Force because in scattershotting 9 or 10 cher- He says a number of times: This is a Association, the Air Force Sergeants ry-picked arguments, he ignores the 55 percent increase in the size of the Association, the Army Aviation Asso- big picture. corps. ciation of America, the Association of He ignores, again, the big picture Yes, it does authorize an increase in Military Surgeons, the Association of that the NOAA Corps are doing serious the size of the NOAA Corps from 320 to the United States Navy, the Blinded work for our country, are commis- a maximum of 500—by the way, the last Veterans Association, the Coast Guard, sioned officers, one of our seven com- authorization, as already noted, was al- the Public Health Service, the Fleet missioned officer corps, and are not most 20 years ago—but that increase is Reserve Association, the Gold Star recognized the same as the other six, to subject to two conditions: First of all, Wives of America, the Iraq Afghanistan include the Public Health Service, it can only be increased on the certifi- Veterans Association. which is a commissioned officer corps cation of need by the Secretary of It is very clear that military officers and is entitled to the same benefits as Commerce; and it is subject to congres- and their community view their NOAA the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, sional oversight, both general over- colleagues and the corps as being treat- and Coast Guard. sight authority and, most importantly, ed substantially unfairly in the big pic- I think, in all honesty—and I don’t funding. ture and want them to be afforded, think he means to do this—he does a So there are lots of steps between 320 again, the same benefits, the same re- great disservice to the people who are and 500, but this gives them the author- spect that is due the other six services. serving in the NOAA Corps by some of ity to move if it is needed. Frankly, I That is why, Mr. Speaker, we have a his statements, because these people believe that we should move it up, but situation where the Senate passed this are trying to do their best for our that is up to us to decide with the Sec- bill, a Republican Senator’s bill, by country. retary of Commerce and with the Con- unanimous consent. That is why this I am not sure that the Member has gress. House should pass this bill, as well, and ever spent time on a NOAA ship in the He says: Well, we are not building send it to the President. high seas as I have, but if you do that, any new NOAA ships. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of you know that there is nothing really Well, I think we should build a lot my time. to distinguish them from any of their more new NOAA ships. I believe that Mr. BISHOP of Utah. Mr. Speaker, I fellow officers in any of the other serv- NOAA’s mission is going to be—I think yield myself such time as I may con- ices. that when we look back on today 25 sume. It would take a lot of time to go years from now at the size of this effort Mr. Speaker, once again I appreciate through each of my colleague’s 9 or 10 for our Federal Government, we are the comments that are made in defense cherry-picked arguments. I want to going to say to ourselves: That was so of this organization, but as I said be- make a couple of quick comments and insufficient given the challenge that fore, this is a 30-year-old problem. then some big picture observations. we faced. Unfortunately, NOAA Corps is not First of all, if I am not mistaken, the There is a dire need for additional part of the military. They don’t do GAO report that he refers to is dated NOAA-related research, NOAA-related military-type functions. The National 1996, a whole generation ago. That re- activities across this country, across Health Services, the other uniformed port itself was disputed by subsequent this world. So the fact that we have corps, they don’t get these same kind studies and, I submit, is really no not authorized and built a sufficient of benefit. longer relevant. number of new NOAA ships for its mis- The gentleman is right; there is a He says, twice: Why should we great- sion is no reason to treat the NOAA Of- provision, and there has been, on the ly expand the unprecedented benefits ficer Corps differently from the other ability of expanding this corps if there that the NOAA Corps receives? six services. were appropriations for it and if the There is a very simple answer to My colleague rightly raises the issues Secretary of Commerce would justify that: Because they don’t get today NOAA has had of sexual assault within it. The problem is this bill removes

VerDate Sep 11 2014 12:28 Dec 04, 2020 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00075 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K03DE7.110 H03DEPT1 dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with HOUSE H6124 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE December 3, 2020 that. So it will now be up to the corps Mr. BISHOP of Utah. Mr. Speaker, on (6) QUALIFIED LAND GRANT-MERCED.—The to decide what their size is and what that I demand the yeas and nays. term ‘‘qualified land grant-merced’’ means a their justification is. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- community land grant issued under the laws It is the wrong thing to do. This is or customs of the Government of Spain or ant to section 3 of House Resolution Mexico that— the wrong approach. This is not the 965, the yeas and nays are ordered. (A) is recognized under New Mexico Stat- right way of doing it. And I am sorry, Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, fur- utes Chapter 49 (or a successor statute); and the studies have shown that repeatedly ther proceedings on this motion will be (B) has a historic or cultural record of use over and over and over again. postponed. of lands under the jurisdiction of a Secretary concerned or their original or patented exte- If, indeed, there are some people who f want to do this, it is wrong. It is sim- rior boundaries are located adjacent to land ply wrong. This is not a military. To LAND GRANT-MERCEDES TRADI- under the jurisdiction of a Secretary con- insist that they get military benefits is TIONAL USE RECOGNITION AND cerned. CONSULTATION ACT (7) SECRETARY CONCERNED.—The term ‘‘Sec- an abuse of the system. It doesn’t hap- retary concerned’’ means the relevant Sec- pen anywhere else. It is only with this. Mr. CASE. Mr. Speaker, I move to retary of the Department of Agriculture or So I am sorry. suspend the rules and pass the bill the Department of the Interior, with respect With that, Mr. Speaker, I don’t have (H.R. 3682) to provide for greater con- to land under the jurisdiction of that Sec- to play this game of reserving. I would sultation between the Federal Govern- retary. be happy to, but I think we are the ment and the governing bodies of land (8) STATE.—The term ‘‘State’’ means the State of New Mexico. only ones left on this topic on the grant-mercedes and acequias in New floor. No one else actually cares. SEC. 3. GUIDANCE ON PERMIT REQUIREMENTS Mexico and to provide for a process for FOR QUALIFIED LAND GRANT-MER- So, if the gentleman is ready, I will recognition of the historic-traditional CEDES. yield back, urging a ‘‘no’’ vote on this boundaries of land grant-mercedes, and (a) IN GENERAL.—In accordance with all particular bill because it is the wrong for other purposes, as amended. relevant laws, including subchapter II of thing to do and it is not—not—justi- The Clerk read the title of the bill. chapter 5 of title 5, United States Code (com- monly known as the ‘‘Administrative Proce- fied. The text of the bill is as follows: Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance dure Act’’) and all applicable environmental H.R. 3682 laws, and not later than 2 years after the of my time. date of the enactment of this Act, the Sec- Mr. CASE. Mr. Speaker, I yield my- Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- resentatives of the United States of America in retary concerned, acting through the appro- self such time as I may consume. Congress assembled, priate officials of the Department of Agri- Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague, culture and Department of the Interior in SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. the ranking member, for his passion on the State, in consultation with the New Mex- This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Land Grant- ico Land Grant Council, the governing bodies this matter. Mercedes Traditional Use Recognition and I think he is wrong, and I think the of qualified land grant-mercedes, and Indian Consultation Act’’. Tribes, shall issue the written guidance de- entire Senate thinks he is wrong, and I SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS. scribed in subsection (b). think the majority of this House In this Act: (b) CONTENTS OF GUIDANCE.— thinks he is wrong. He is, of course, en- (1) ACEQUIA.—The term ‘‘acequia’’ has the (1) IN GENERAL.—Written guidance issued titled to his opinion, but I think that meaning of the term ‘‘community ditch’’ as under subsection (a) shall include— the statement that this bill is wrong is that term is construed under New Mexico (A) a description of the historical-tradi- not borne out by the facts; it is not Stat. 73–2–27. tional uses that— borne out by the sentiment, again, of (2) COMMUNITY USER.—The term ‘‘commu- (i) a community user or a governing body nity user’’ means an heir (as defined under of a qualified land grant-merced may con- the broader community. the laws of the State) of a qualified land duct for noncommercial use on land under If there is a problem with NOAA or grant-merced. the jurisdiction of the Secretary concerned; any other commissioned officer corps, (3) GOVERNING BODY.—The term ‘‘governing and the way to solve that problem is not to body’’ means the board of trustees author- (ii) require a permit from the Secretary kill the corps itself. The way to solve ized under State law with the control, care, concerned; that problem is not to deprive it of the and management of a qualified land grant- (B) administrative procedures for obtain- resources that it needs to fix its prob- merced. ing a permit under subparagraph (A); lem and to continue its mission. (4) HISTORICAL-TRADITIONAL USE.—The term (C) subject to subsection (c), the fees re- For me to accept the ranking mem- ‘‘historical-traditional use’’ means, for a quired to obtain that permit; qualified land grant-merced, for noncommer- (D) the permissible use of motorized and ber’s argument would be for me to ac- cial benefit— nonmotorized vehicles and equipment by a cept that, in fact, NOAA itself is not (A) the use of water; community user or the governing body of a relevant, and I don’t believe that. I be- (B) religious or cultural use and protec- qualified land grant-merced for noncommer- lieve NOAA is entirely relevant, and it tion; cial historical-traditional use on land under needs to be staffed by people who are (C) gathering herbs; the jurisdiction of the Secretary concerned; incentivized to be recruited, who are (D) gathering wood products; (E) the permissible use of mechanized vehi- incentivized to stay and to want to do (E) gathering flora or botanical products; cles or equipment by a community user or their job, and who are recognized as (F) grazing, to the extent that grazing has governing body of a qualified land grant- traditionally been carried out on the land, as merced for historical-traditional use on land such. determined by the Secretary concerned in under the jurisdiction of the Secretary con- This is not about the military, per se. consultation with the governing body of the cerned; and I would disagree with his characteriza- affected land grant-merced; (F) the permissible use of non-native mate- tion that the NOAA Corps does not per- (G) hunting or fishing; rial by a community user or the governing form a military function. It is cer- (H) soil or rock gathering; and body of a qualified land grant-merced for any tainly quasi-military in many ways, (I) any other traditional activity for non- of the uses covered in paragraphs (2) and (3) but that is not what this is about. This commercial benefit that— on land under the jurisdiction of the Sec- is about fairly recognizing one of our (i) has a sustainable beneficial community retary concerned. use, as determined by the Secretary con- (2) ROUTINE MAINTENANCE AND MINOR IM- seven commissioned officer corps orga- cerned in consultation with the governing PROVEMENTS.—Written guidance issued under nizations in our country. body of the affected land grant-merced; subsection (a) shall address routine mainte- Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance (ii) supports the long-term cultural and so- nance and minor improvements of infra- of my time. cioeconomic integrity of the community, as structure owned or used by a qualified land The SPEAKER pro tempore. The determined by the Secretary concerned in grant-merced on land under the jurisdiction question is on the motion offered by consultation with the governing body of the of the Secretary concerned, including— the gentleman from Hawaii (Mr. CASE) affected land grant-merced; and (A) cleaning, repair, or replacement-in- that the House suspend the rules and (iii) is agreed to in writing by the Sec- kind of infrastructure; retary concerned and the governing body of (B) maintenance and upkeep of a trail, pass the bill, S. 2981. the qualified land grant-merced. road, cattle guard, culvert, or fence; The question was taken. (5) INDIAN TRIBE.—The term ‘‘Indian Tribe’’ (C) maintenance and upkeep of a monu- The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the has the meaning given the term in section 4 ment or shrine; opinion of the Chair, two-thirds being of the Indian Self-Determination and Edu- (D) maintenance and upkeep of a commu- in the affirmative, the ayes have it. cation Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304). nity cemetery;

VerDate Sep 11 2014 12:28 Dec 04, 2020 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00076 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K03DE7.111 H03DEPT1 dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with HOUSE December 3, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H6125 (E) maintenance and upkeep of a livestock than 21 months after the date of the enact- vise and extend their remarks and in- well, water lines, water storage container, or ment of this Act. clude extraneous material on the meas- water tank; and (c) EXPIRATION OF AUTHORITY.—The author- ure under consideration. ity to promulgate regulations under sub- (F) any other routine maintenance or The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there minor improvement associated with histor- section (a) shall expire 30 months after the ical-traditional uses identified by any of the date of the enactment of this Act. objection to the request of the gen- entities described in subsection (a) in the (d) EXTENSION OF DEADLINES.—The Sec- tleman from Hawaii? process of developing the guidance. retary may extend, for not more than 180 There was no objection. (3) MAJOR IMPROVEMENTS.—Written guid- days, a deadline under subsection (b) or (c) Mr. CASE. Mr. Speaker, I yield my- ance issued under subsection (a) may de- if— self such time as I may consume. scribe the process for managing major im- (1) the negotiated rulemaking committee Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support provements of infrastructure owned or used referred to in subsection (e) concludes that of H.R. 3682, sponsored by our friend by a qualified land grant-merced on land the committee cannot meet the deadline; and colleague, Representative LUJA´ N of under the jurisdiction of the Secretary con- and cerned, including— (2) the Secretary so notifies the appro- New Mexico. (A) construction or expansion of a commu- priate committees of Congress. This bill would support land grant nity water or wastewater system; (e) COMMITTEE.— communities and acequias across New (B) construction or major repair of a live- (1) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Secretary shall Mexico and Texas by providing guid- stock well, water lines, water storage con- ensure that a negotiated rulemaking com- ance on certain allowable land uses. tainer, or water tank; mittee is established under section 565 of Since the end of the Spanish-Amer- (C) construction or major repair of a monu- title 5, United States Code, to carry out this section. ican War and the signing of the Treaty ment or shrine; of Guadalupe Hidalgo, these commu- (D) installation of a cattle guard; (2) MEMBERS.—The members of the com- (E) construction of a trail, road, or fence; mittee shall be— nities have faced challenges accessing (F) construction or expansion of a ceme- (A) the relevant Regional Forester (or a basic resources like fuel wood and graz- tery; and designee of the relevant Regional Forester); ing land and clarity on their infra- (G) any other major improvement associ- and structure maintenance obligations. ated with historical-traditional uses, as de- (B) the selected representative of a non- These challenges continue to the termined by the Secretaries concerned. governmental organization identified by the present day, and this bill would help Secretary of Agriculture as having a state- (4) NOTICE AND COMMENT.—Written guid- provide some certainty and clarity in ance issued under subsection (a) shall set wide acequia membership, nominated by such organization to the Secretary of Agri- order to better support these commu- forth the policies and procedures for notice nities and hopefully improve relations and comment on planning decisions, routine culture. engagement, and major Federal actions that (3) REQUIREMENTS.—The committee shall with Federal land managers. could impact historical-traditional uses of a confer with, and accommodate participation I want to thank Representative qualified land grant merced, and methods of by— LUJA´ N for his tireless service and sup- providing notice under subsection (a), in- (A) representatives of any agency or com- port on behalf of land grant commu- cluding— mission of the State government established nities and acequia owners, and I urge (A) online public notice; or designated by the State to advise public all of my colleagues to vote in support (B) printed public notice; officials on proposed legislation affecting acequias; and of H.R. 3682. (C) mail, including certified mail, and I reserve the balance of my time. email notifications to governing bodies (B) State acequia elected officials. through a listserv; and (f) EFFECT.—The lack of promulgated regu- b 1900 (D) mail, including certified mail, and lations shall not limit the effect of the For- email notifications to the Land Grant Coun- est Service’s Acequia Guidance Document, Mr. BISHOP of Utah. Mr. Speaker, I cil. dated July 2, 2019. yield myself such time as I may con- (c) FEES FOR QUALIFIED LAND GRANT-MER- SEC. 6. SAVINGS. sume. CEDES.—Where the Secretary concerned is Nothing in this Act shall be construed— I appreciate this opportunity. This authorized to consider the fiscal capacity of (1) to impact the State’s authority to regu- bill has got one thing that I think is the applicant in determining whether to re- late water rights, in conformance with all going for it very heavily in that it au- State and Federal laws and regulations; duce or waive a fee for a permit for histor- thorizes the opportunity of having the ical-traditional uses, the Secretary shall (2) to impact the State’s authority to regu- consider— late the management of game and fish, in Federal Government being forced to (1) the socioeconomic conditions of com- conformance with all State and Federal laws actually deal with the local commu- munity users; and and regulations; nity on management practices. That is (2) the annual operating budgets of gov- (3) to impact any valid existing rights or something we have been trying to get erning bodies of qualified land grant-mer- valid permitted uses, including grazing per- in all land management policies in the cedes. mits; United States. This does that, that is SEC. 4. CONSIDERATION OF HISTORICAL-TRADI- (4) to create any implicit or explicit right why we support it. to grazing on Federal lands; or TIONAL USE IN LAND MANAGEMENT Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of PLANNING. (5) to alter or diminish any rights reserved In developing, maintaining, and revising for an Indian Tribe or members of an Indian my time. land management plans pursuant to section Tribe by treaty or Federal law. Mr. CASE. Madam Speaker, I yield 4 202 of the Federal Land Policy and Manage- SEC. 7. DETERMINATION OF BUDGETARY EF- minutes to the gentleman from New ment Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1712) and section FECTS. Mexico (Mr. LUJA´ N). 6 of the National Forest Management Act (16 The budgetary effects of this Act, for the Mr. LUJA´ N. Madam Speaker, as a U.S.C. 1604), as applicable, the Secretary con- purpose of complying with the Statutory proud New Mexican, I rise in support of cerned shall, in accordance with applicable Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010, shall be deter- the Land Grant-Mercedes Traditional law, consider and, as appropriate, provide for mined by reference to the latest statement and evaluate impacts to historical-tradi- titled ‘‘Budgetary Effects of PAYGO Legisla- Use Recognition and Consultation Act tional uses by qualified land grants-mer- tion’’ for this Act, submitted for printing in that I introduced to ensure that the cedes. the Congressional Record by the Chairman of Federal Government recognizes the SEC. 5. SPECIAL USE PERMITS FOR ROUTINE the House Budget Committee, provided that historical and cultural significance of MAINTENANCE AND MINOR IM- such statement has been submitted prior to New Mexico’s land grants and acequias. PROVEMENTS OF ACEQUIAS. the vote on passage. Growing up on a small farm in (a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- Nambe, New Mexico, I would wake up the Secretary Agriculture shall initiate pro- ant to the rule, the gentleman from before dawn to feed the livestock, to cedures under subchapter III of chapter 5 of Hawaii (Mr. CASE) and the gentleman open the ‘‘compuertas’’ or the title 5, United States Code, to promulgate from Utah (Mr. BISHOP) each will con- headgates to allow the waters of the such regulations as are necessary to carry trol 20 minutes. acequia to flow to our land and irrigate out and implement the Forest Service’s The Chair recognizes the gentleman our crops. These chores and respon- Acequia Guidance Document, dated July 2, from Hawaii. sibilities, preserving our acequias and 2019. GENERAL LEAVE (b) PUBLICATION OF PROPOSED REGULA- communal lands, are part of our way of TIONS.—The Secretary shall cause to be pub- Mr. CASE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unani- life in New Mexico. lished in the Federal Register proposed regu- mous consent that all Members may Land grants and acequias have been lations to implement this section not later have 5 legislative days in which to re- around for generations, hundreds of

VerDate Sep 11 2014 12:28 Dec 04, 2020 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00077 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A03DE7.126 H03DEPT1 dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with HOUSE H6126 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE December 3, 2020 years, and they deserve recognition and local stakeholders over manage- way of life, practicing traditional from the Federal Government. Tradi- ment of New Mexico’s land grants and methods of stewardship over our land tional communities face a growing acequias. and water. number of challenges, such as the cli- H.R. 3682 requires coordination be- But for more than a century, these mate crisis, which impacts the local tween the Department of Agriculture, communities have fought for recogni- watersheds and forested areas. Without the Department of the Interior, and tion, consultation, and access to their improved consultation and cooperation land grant-mercedes. These are the historic communal lands, which are between the Federal Government and governing bodies of certain community necessary to sustain their land-based traditional communities, these com- land grants made by Spain or Mexico heritage and agricultural economies. munities may not have access to the in the 17th to the mid-19th centuries to At the hearing I chaired on this bill, resources they need to survive. individuals, groups, and communities we heard from Arturo Archuleta of the This legislation offers land grants to promote the settlement of the New Mexico Land Grant Council about the opportunity to be more involved in southwestern United States. the unique connection between tradi- the issues that impact their commu- Specifically, this bill directs Federal tional communities and the lands they nity by requiring that future Federal land management agencies to make manage, and the challenges they face land management planning consider these bodies aware of changes to man- because some of the lands that for- historical and traditional uses. agement plans and other Federal ac- merly belonged to them are now Fed- It directs the Federal Government to tions affecting their land grants. H.R. eral lands. issue guidance on permit requirements 3682 also requires the Federal Govern- He noted that as the climate change for qualified traditional use commu- ment to issue guidance on permitting continues to impact watersheds and nities and helps New Mexicans who and permissible uses. forested uplands, the protection of tra- have stewarded these lands for genera- Finally, this bill creates a process for ditional uses must be included in the tions maintain precious infrastructure New Mexico’s land grant-mercedes to conversations about the management like acequias. establish their historical boundaries of public lands for land grant commu- This legislation recognizes the im- and provides a pathway for acquiring nities to survive. portance of protecting culturally im- Federal land that falls within those These are the same messages I have portant sites and communities and en- boundaries when the Federal Govern- heard when I have visited land grant sures that the impact of Federal ac- ment disposes of it. communities in my district. tions on historical-traditional uses is We should always strive to make sure The bill we consider today will pro- evaluated and considered during the that the Federal Government is a good vide enhanced access and consultation land management planning processes. neighbor to the communities most im- between Federal land management To ensure that acequia associations pacted by its land management deci- agencies and land grants and acequias, have a strong voice in advocating for sions, and this good bill does exactly which is an essential part for maintain- their right to maintain their infra- that. It empowers rural communities ing their way of life, and I am proud to structure, this legislation requires the in New Mexico with a greater say over support it. Forest Service to work directly with land management decisions impacting Mr. CASE. Madam Speaker, I cer- acequia associations to develop a pro- their historically important common tainly endorse and agree with my col- posed rule on special use permits. lands which will, in turn, ensure con- league’s comments on Mr. LUJA´ N’s Addressing these challenges faced by tinued community care and use for service in the House. The House’s loss land grant and acequia communities, generations to come. is the Senate’s gain. including their interactions with the So I support this legislation. I thank And I would also note that I person- Federal Government, has been a pri- the gentleman very much for bringing ally enjoyed Mr. LUJA´ N’s personal tes- ority of mine since I was elected to it forward, and I yield back the balance timony from an acequia before the Congress. of my time. committee. That is the way to do it, I am proud and honored to have Mr. CASE. Madam Speaker, I am where you have a real sense of what worked with the New Mexico Land very happy to yield 2 minutes to the the actions are that you are taking. Grant Council and the New Mexico gentlewoman from New Mexico (Ms. I urge passage of this legislation, and Acequia Association to move this legis- HAALAND), chair of the subcommittee I yield back the balance of my time. lation forward. of jurisdiction, National Parks, For- The SPEAKER pro tempore. The I am grateful to Chairman GRIJALVA, ests, and Public Lands, my friend and question is on the motion offered by Ranking Member BISHOP, Sub- colleague. the gentleman from Hawaii (Mr. CASE) committee Chair HAALAND, and Rank- Ms. HAALAND. Madam Speaker, I that the House suspend the rules and ing Member YOUNG, and Representative rise today in support of H.R. 3682, the pass the bill, H.R. 3682, as amended. CASE for their support in bringing this Land Grant-Mercedes Traditional Use The question was taken; and (two- important legislation to the House Recognition and Consultation Act. thirds being in the affirmative) the floor. I would like to begin by congratu- rules were suspended and the bill, as Today, with the support of New Mexi- lating the author of the bill, my good amended, was passed. co’s traditional communities, I urge friend and colleague, Representative The title of the bill was amended so the House to pass my legislation and BEN RAY LUJA´ N, and thank him for as to read: ‘‘A bill to provide for great- ensure a victory for our land grants having me as an original cosponsor. er consultation between the Federal and acequias. His hard work and dedication to mov- Government and the governing bodies The SPEAKER pro tempore (Ms. ing this bill forward are what got it to and community users of land grant- DEGETTE). Without objection, the gen- the House floor today. And the testi- mercedes in New Mexico, to provide for tleman from Washington (Mr. mony from Representative LUJA´ N from a process for recognition of the his- NEWHOUSE) will control the balance of beside an acequia during our virtual toric-traditional uses of land grant- the time. hearing on the bill helped our col- mercedes, and for other purposes.’’. There was no objection. leagues to understand how important A motion to reconsider was laid on Mr. NEWHOUSE. Madam Speaker, on this legislation is to our constituents. the table. behalf of the ranking member, I would We will absolutely miss Representa- f just like to say that we support this tive LUJA´ N when he begins service on legislation. We certainly appreciate the other side of the Capitol in the HEALTH CARE ACCESS FOR our friend, Mr. LUJA´ N, for bringing it Senate, but we look forward to con- URBAN NATIVE VETERANS ACT forward. tinuing to work with him on these and Mr. CASE. Madam Speaker, I move Just a few comments I would like to other issues that are important for to suspend the rules and pass the bill make, rising in support of H.R. 3682. New Mexico and our country. (H.R. 4153) to amend the Indian Health This bill seeks to ensure better con- In our home State of New Mexico, Care Improvement Act to authorize sultation and collaboration between land grants and acequias have long urban Indian organizations to enter our Federal land management agencies played a critical role in our traditional into arrangements for the sharing of

VerDate Sep 11 2014 12:28 Dec 04, 2020 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00078 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K03DE7.114 H03DEPT1 dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with HOUSE December 3, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H6127 medical services and facilities, and for that encompasses 74 federally-operated b 1915 other purposes. IHS facilities, as well as 114 individual The Clerk read the title of the bill. reimbursement agreements with trib- HAWAI’I NATIONAL FOREST The text of the bill is as follows: ally-operated IHS sites. STUDY H.R. 4153 However, because Section 405 does Mr. CASE. Madam Speaker, I move Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- not explicitly reference UIOs, these fa- to suspend the rules and pass the bill resentatives of the United States of America in cilities are excluded from receiving any (H.R. 7045) to require the Secretary of Congress assembled, reimbursements from the VA. This has Agriculture to conduct a study on SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. severely hampered the ability of urban lands that could be included in a Na- This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Health Care Indian health organizations to properly tional Forest in Hawai’i, and for other Access for Urban Native Veterans Act’’. care for the Native veterans living in purposes. SEC. 2. SHARING ARRANGEMENTS WITH FED- ERAL AGENCIES. urban centers and has forced these vet- The Clerk read the title of the bill. Section 405 of the Indian Health Care Im- erans to travel great distances to reach The text of the bill is as follows: provement Act (25 U.S.C. 1645) is amended— an IHS facility or, sadly, to abstain H.R. 7045 (1) in subsection (a)(1), by inserting ‘‘urban from treatment altogether. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- Indian organizations,’’ before ‘‘and tribal or- We can all agree that Native veterans resentatives of the United States of America in ganizations’’; and should have equal access to healthcare, Congress assembled, (2) in subsection (c)— regardless of where they choose to re- SECTION 1. HAWAI’I NATIONAL FOREST STUDY. (A) by inserting ‘‘urban Indian organiza- side. As such, H.R. 4153 will bring par- tion,’’ before ‘‘or tribal organization’’; and (a) PURPOSE.—The purpose of this Act is to ity to the IHS system by allowing UIOs identify lands within the study area that (B) by inserting ‘‘an urban Indian organiza- to enter into reimbursement agree- tion,’’ before ‘‘or a tribal organization’’. would— ments with the VA. (1) support the conservation of biodiversity The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- I want to thank the sponsor of the not found elsewhere in the National Forest ant to the rule, the gentleman from bill, Representative from System; Hawaii (Mr. CASE) and the gentleman California, for advocating on behalf of (2) support or expand the research mission from Utah (Mr. BISHOP) each will con- Native veterans everywhere, and I urge of the Institute of Pacific Islands Forestry; trol 20 minutes. quick adoption of this bipartisan legis- (3) promote shared stewardship with local communities, including indigenous popu- The Chair recognizes the gentleman lation. from Hawaii. lations, the State of Hawai’i, and non-profit Madam Speaker, I reserve the bal- groups; and GENERAL LEAVE ance of my time. (4) support or expand the international Mr. CASE. Madam Speaker, I ask Mr. BISHOP of Utah. Madam Speak- programs of the Forest Service related to unanimous consent that all Members er, I yield myself such time as I may conservation of forest ecosystems, sustain- may have 5 legislative days in which to consume. able forestry, protection of threatened, en- revise and extend their remarks and in- This is a good bill, and we obviously dangered, and migratory species, controlling clude extraneous material on the meas- have no problems with this particular the spread of invasive species, international ure under consideration. bill. reforestation, and other forest restoration The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there When I started, I talked about efforts. objection to the request of the gen- kleinigkeiten on the small stuff. As (b) STUDY REQUIRED.— (1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 3 years tleman from Hawaii? good as this is, it is still small stuff after the date of the enactment of this Act, There was no objection. and, actually, it is taken out—it is a the Secretary shall conduct a study to iden- Mr. CASE. Madam Speaker, I yield portion of S. 886, which deals with In- tify available land within the study area myself such time as I may consume. dian water rights settlements and ex- that could be included in a National Forest Madam Speaker, H.R. 4153, the tensions. That entire bill, if you really in Hawai’i. Health Care Access for Urban Native want to help out Native American pop- (2) COORDINATION REQUIREMENT.—The Sec- Veterans Act, will ensure that Native ulations, if you really want to solve retary shall conduct the study under para- American veterans have equal access some of these problems for them, espe- graph (1) in coordination the Hawai’i Depart- ment of Land and Natural Resources. to healthcare, regardless of their loca- cially during this time, with the pan- tion of residence, by expanding Depart- (3) CONSULTATION REQUIREMENT.—In car- demic going on and hitting those areas rying out the study under paragraph (1), the ment of Veterans Affairs, VA, funding even harder than some of the others, Secretary— to include urban Indian health centers. that entire Senate bill should be taken (A) shall consult with— The Indian Health Service acts as the up and passed. (i) the Hawai’i Department of Land and primary Federal agency responsible for Now, the fact that you have taken a Natural Resources; and providing healthcare to federally rec- small portion of that out and put it (ii) the Hawai’i Department of Agriculture; ognized Indian and Alaska Native com- here as a separate bill still makes this and munities. Currently, there are three a decent bill and I am supportive of it. (B) may consult with such other govern- mental or nonprofit entities as the Secretary types of facilities that make up the But if we really cared, and we were IHS system: Federally-operated facili- determines appropriate. really important with what we did, (4) REPORT.—Not later than 3 years after ties, tribally-operated facilities, and take the entire Udall bill, bring it over the date of enactment of this Act, the Sec- urban Indian organization-operated, here and pass the damn thing so that retary shall submit a report to the Com- UIO, facilities. we can get it signed and get it enacted mittee on Energy and Natural Resources of As opposed to the federally-operated into law. That is really what would the Senate and the Committee on Natural and tribally-operated facilities, which help people and that wouldn’t be Resources of the House of Representatives are often located in remote areas, UIO kleinigkeiten. That is a big deal. that identifies— facilities have been established in larg- Madam Speaker, I yield back the bal- (A) available land within the study area er cities in order to accommodate the that could be included in a National Forest ance of my time. in Hawai’i; large populations of tribal members lo- Mr. CASE. Madam Speaker, I urge (B) the ownership of the land within the cated in urban areas. adoption of this measure, and I yield study area; By law, a Native veteran is eligible back the balance of my time. (C) any undeveloped land in the study area to receive services under both the VA The SPEAKER pro tempore. The that may be at risk of development; and and IHS and can choose which one to question is on the motion offered by (D) any actions that could be carried out use at any given time. Section 405 of the gentleman from Hawaii (Mr. CASE) to preserve the open and undeveloped char- the Indian Health Care Improvement that the House suspend the rules and acter of the land within the study area. Act, or IHCIA, authorizes the VA to re- pass the bill, H.R. 4153. (c) EFFECT.—Nothing in this section au- imburse federally-operated and trib- The question was taken; and (two- thorizes the Secretary to take any action that would affect the use of any land not ally-operated IHS facilities for any thirds being in the affirmative) the owned by the United States. services that they provide to eligible rules were suspended and the bill was (d) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: Native veterans. passed. (1) AVAILABLE LAND.—The term ‘‘available To that end, the VA has entered into A motion to reconsider was laid on land’’ means any land within the study areas one national reimbursement agreement the table. that is—

VerDate Sep 11 2014 12:28 Dec 04, 2020 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00079 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K03DE7.116 H03DEPT1 dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with HOUSE H6128 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE December 3, 2020 (A) Federally owned; est in Hawaii in a manner that will (5) INDIAN TRIBE.—The term ‘‘Indian tribe’’ (B) managed by a Federal land manage- benefit both Hawaii’s island commu- has the meaning given the term in section 4 ment agency in partnership with a non-Fed- nities and the National Forest Service. of the Indian Self-Determination and Edu- eral entity; or As we continue to identify solutions cation Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304). (C) land not described in subparagraph (A) (6) LAHAR.—The term ‘‘lahar’’ means a or (B) that fulfills the purpose of this sec- to our climate and biodiversity crises, large debris flow of mostly volcanic material tion, as determined by the Secretary. I hope we can all see the value in tak- that is— (2) SECRETARY.—The term ‘‘Secretary’’ ing this step toward protecting Ha- (A) often fast-moving; and means the Secretary of Agriculture, acting waii’s unique forest resources and our (B) a hazard in watersheds downstream of through the Chief of the Forest Service. native species. volcanic peaks. (3) STUDY AREA.—The term ‘‘study area’’ Madam Speaker, I strongly urge my (7) LIDAR.—The term ‘‘LiDAR’’ means means the islands of Hawai’i, Maui, colleagues to support this bill. light detection and ranging. (8) SECRETARY.—The term ‘‘Secretary’’ Moloka’i, La¯ na’i, O’ahu and Kaua’i in the Mr. BISHOP of Utah. Will the gen- State of Hawai’i. means the Secretary of the Interior, acting tleman yield? (4) UNDEVELOPED LAND.—The term ‘‘unde- through the Director of the United States veloped land’’ means land— Mr. CASE. I yield to the gentleman Geological Survey. (A) that is located within the study area; from Utah. (9) STATE.—The term ‘‘State’’ means— (B) that is free or primarily free of struc- Mr. BISHOP of Utah. Is the gen- (A) a State; and tures; and tleman sure he really wants the Fed- (B) the District of Columbia. (C) the development of which is likely to eral Government having a forest in his (10) STATE OFFICE.—The term ‘‘State of- affect adversely the scenic, research, wild- place? fice’’ means any unit of State government life, or recreational value of the study area. that handles the identification, mapping, as- Mr. CASE. Yes. sessment, and research of landslide hazards The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- Mr. BISHOP of Utah. Twenty years or responding to landslide events, includ- ant to the rule, the gentleman from from now, come back here, and we will ing— Hawaii (Mr. CASE) and the gentleman tell the gentleman we told him so. (A) a State geological survey office; from Utah (Mr. BISHOP) each will con- Madam Speaker, I have no objections (B) a State department of emergency re- trol 20 minutes. to the bill, and I yield back the balance sponse; and The Chair recognizes the gentleman of my time. (C) a State department of transportation. from Hawaii. Mr. CASE. Madam Speaker, I accept (11) TERRITORY.—The term ‘‘territory’’ means— GENERAL LEAVE the offer of Mr. Ranking Member. I will (A) the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico; Mr. CASE. Madam Speaker, I ask look the gentleman up in 20 years. (B) Guam; unanimous consent that all Members Madam Speaker, I yield back the bal- (C) American Samoa; may have 5 legislative days in which to ance of my time. (D) the Commonwealth of the Northern revise and extend their remarks and in- The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Mariana Islands; clude extraneous material on the meas- question is on the motion offered by (E) the Federated States of Micronesia; (F) the Republic of the Marshall Islands; ure under consideration. the gentleman from Hawaii (Mr. CASE) (G) the Republic of Palau; and The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there that the House suspend the rules and (H) the United States Virgin Islands. objection to the request of the gen- pass the bill, H.R. 7045. SEC. 3. NATIONAL LANDSLIDE HAZARDS REDUC- tleman from Hawaii? The question was taken; and (two- TION PROGRAM. There was no objection. thirds being in the affirmative) the (a) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Secretary shall Mr. CASE. Madam Speaker, I yield rules were suspended and the bill was establish a program, to be known as the ‘‘Na- myself such time as I may consume. passed. tional Landslide Hazards Reduction Pro- Madam Speaker, I rise in strong sup- A motion to reconsider was laid on gram’’ (referred to in this section as the port of my bill, H.R. 7045. This legisla- ‘‘program’’)— the table. (1) to identify and understand landslide tion would require the Secretary of Ag- f hazards and risks; riculture, in coordination with the Ha- NATIONAL LANDSLIDE (2) to reduce losses from landslides; waii Department of Land and Natural (3) to protect communities at risk of land- PREPAREDNESS ACT Resources, to conduct a study to iden- slide hazards; and tify lands in the State of Hawaii that Mr. CASE. Madam Speaker, I move (4) to help improve communication and merit inclusion in the National Forest to suspend the rules and pass the bill emergency preparedness, including by co- System. (H.R. 8810) to establish a national pro- ordinating with communities and entities re- Hawaii is the most isolated island gram to identify and reduce losses from sponsible for infrastructure that are at risk of landslide hazards. chain and one of the most ecologically landslide hazards, to establish a na- (b) DESCRIPTION OF PROGRAM.— diverse places in the world. Within tional 3D Elevation Program, and for (1) PROGRAM ACTIVITIES.—The Secretary, in these constrained borders, we have 10 other purposes, as amended. coordination with the Interagency Coordi- of the 13 world climate zones and eco- The Clerk read the title of the bill. nating Committee on Landslide Hazards es- systems, ranging from the deserts to The text of the bill is as follows: tablished by subsection (c)(1) (referred to in the tropics, where plants and animals H.R. 8810 this section as the ‘‘Committee’’) and in co- ordination with existing activities of the that found their way to Hawaii evolved Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- United States Geological Survey and other resentatives of the United States of America in like nowhere else. The study would Federal agencies, shall— Congress assembled, consider how a Hawaii national forest, (A) identify, map, assess, and research which we do not currently have, could SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. landslide hazards; contribute to the conservation of this This Act may be cited as the ‘‘National (B) respond to landslide events; and biodiversity not found elsewhere in the Landslide Preparedness Act’’. (C) in coordination with State offices, National Forest System while sup- SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS. units of local government, territories, and porting the research mission of the In- In this Act: Indian tribes— stitute of Pacific Islands Forestry. (1) 3D.—The term ‘‘3D’’ means 3-dimen- (i) establish working groups with State of- My bill provides the first step in es- sional. fices, units of local government, territories, (2) 3D ELEVATION DATA.— and Indian tribes to identify regional and tablishing a national forest in Hawaii. (A) IN GENERAL.—The term ‘‘3D elevation local priorities for researching, identifying, It would help inventory where Hawaii’s data’’ means 3D, high-resolution data ob- mapping, and assessing landslide hazards; native koa, ohia, and sandalwood for- tained using LiDAR, IfSAR, or other meth- and ests can be conserved and expanded for ods over the United States (including terri- (ii) develop and implement landslide haz- cultural and commercial practices. It tories). ard guidelines for— would help identify where cultural (B) INCLUSIONS.—The term ‘‘3D elevation (I) geologists; sites could be better conserved and ac- data’’ includes terrestrial and bathymetric (II) geological and geotechnical engineers; cess expanded to the public and practi- elevation data. (III) emergency management personnel; (3) 3D ELEVATION PROGRAM.—The term ‘‘3D and tioners. It would help provide the basis Elevation Program’’ means the 3D Elevation (IV) land use and other decisionmakers. to bring together local stakeholders to Program established under section 5(a). (2) NATIONAL STRATEGY.—Not later than 1 move forward the conversation of how (4) IFSAR.—The term ‘‘IfSAR’’ means year after the date of enactment of this Act, to responsibly establish a national for- interferometric synthetic aperture radar. and every 5 years thereafter, the Secretary,

VerDate Sep 11 2014 12:28 Dec 04, 2020 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00080 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A03DE7.169 H03DEPT1 dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with HOUSE December 3, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H6129 in coordination with the Committee, shall for the rapid deployment of Federal sci- (i) landslide hazard and risk reduction and develop and publish a national strategy for entists, equipment, and services to areas im- planning; landslide hazards, risk reduction, and re- pacted by a significant landslide event— (ii) tools for communities; sponse in the United States (including terri- (A) to support emergency response efforts (iii) research; and tories), which shall include— and improve the safety of emergency re- (iv) such other topics as the Advisory Com- (A) goals and priorities for the program; sponders; mittee determines appropriate. (B) priorities for data acquisition, re- (B) to improve data collection; and (B) CONSIDERATION.—The Secretary and the search, communications, and risk manage- (C) to conduct research to advance the un- agency heads described in subparagraphs (B) ment on landslides and landslide hazards derstanding of the causes, impacts, and re- through (I) of subsection (c)(2) shall take across relevant Federal agencies; and duction of landslide hazards and risks. into consideration any recommendation of (C) a detailed interagency plan, which (c) INTERAGENCY COORDINATING COMMITTEE the Advisory Committee submitted under shall take into consideration national dis- ON LANDSLIDE HAZARDS.— subparagraph (A). aster preparedness, response, and recovery (1) IN GENERAL.—There is established a frameworks, to carry out the national strat- committee, to be known as the ‘‘Interagency (e) GRANT PROGRAMS.— egy, including details about the programs, Coordinating Committee on Landslide Haz- (1) COOPERATIVE LANDSLIDE HAZARD MAP- projects, and budgets that will be used to im- ards’’. PING AND ASSESSMENT PROGRAM.— plement the national strategy. (2) MEMBERSHIP.—The Committee shall be (A) IN GENERAL.—Subject to appropria- (3) NATIONAL LANDSLIDE HAZARDS DATA- composed of the following members (or their tions, the Secretary may— BASE.—In carrying out the program, the Sec- designees): (i) provide grants, on a competitive basis, retary, in coordination with State offices, (A) The Secretary, who shall serve as to State, territorial, local, and Tribal gov- units of local government, territories, and Chairperson of the Committee. ernments to research, map, assess, and col- Indian tribes, shall develop and maintain a (B) The Secretary of Agriculture. lect data on landslide hazards within the ju- publicly accessible national landslide hazard (C) The Secretary of the Army. risdictions of those governments; and and risk inventory database to compile, (D) The Secretary of Commerce. (ii) accept and use funds received from maintain, standardize, and evaluate data re- (E) The Secretary of Homeland Security. other Federal and non-Federal partners to garding— (F) The Secretary of Transportation. advance the purposes of the program. (A) landslide hazards and risks; (G) The Director of the National Science (B) PRIORITY.— (B) the impact of landslides on— Foundation. (i) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall con- (i) health and safety; (H) The Director of the Office of Science sult annually with the Committee, States, (ii) the economy and infrastructure; and and Technology Policy. units of local government, territories, and (iii) the environment; (I) The Director of the Office of Manage- Indian tribes to establish priorities for the (C) landslide hazard stabilization; and ment and Budget. grant program under this paragraph. (D) reduction of losses from landslides. (3) MEETINGS.—The Committee shall meet (ii) FUNDING PRIORITIZATION.—In providing (4) LANDSLIDE HAZARD AND RISK PREPARED- at the call of the Chairperson. grants under this paragraph, the Secretary NESS FOR COMMUNITIES.—In carrying out the (4) PURPOSE AND DUTIES.—The Committee shall give priority to projects— program, the Secretary, in coordination with shall— (I) that will achieve the greatest landslide the Secretary of the Army, the Secretary of (A) advise and oversee the program; hazard and risk reduction; Commerce, the Secretary of Homeland Secu- (B) facilitate communication and coordina- (II) that reflect the goals and priorities of rity, the Secretary of Transportation, and tion across Federal agencies in the planning, the national strategy established under sub- management, budgeting, and execution of the heads of other relevant Federal agencies, section (b)(2)(A); landslide activities; and and in consultation with State offices, units (III) not less than 50 percent of the total (C) support the development and execution of local government, territories, and Indian cost of which is matched by non-Federal of the national strategy under subsection tribes, shall develop and disseminate— sources; and (A) landslide planning and risk reduction (b)(2), including by— (IV) that include acquisition of enhanced guidance, guidelines, maps, tools, and train- (i) supporting the development of national elevation data consistent with the 3D Ele- ing materials to help inform State, terri- goals and priorities for the national strat- vation Program. torial, local, and Tribal governments and de- egy; (C) REQUIREMENT.—If the Secretary elects cisionmakers with respect to— (ii) articulating Federal agency roles, re- to provide grants under subparagraph (A)(i), (i) the use and implementation of landslide sponsibilities, and resources for carrying out hazard assessments; the national strategy; and the Secretary shall publish on a publicly (ii) the applied use of the database devel- (iii) overseeing the implementation of the available website a description of— oped under paragraph (3); national strategy. (i) the grants; and (iii) reducing losses from landslides; and (d) ADVISORY COMMITTEE.— (ii) the findings made from those grants. (iv) resources available for communities (1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall estab- (2) NATIONAL LANDSLIDE RESEARCH working to improve landslide hazard pre- lish an advisory committee, to be known as GRANTS.— paredness; and the ‘‘Advisory Committee on Landslides’’ (A) IN GENERAL.—To advance the goals and (B) landslide preparedness curricula and (referred to in this subsection as the ‘‘Advi- priorities of the national strategy estab- training modules for— sory Committee’’). lished under subsection (b)(2)(A), subject to (i) State, territorial, local, and Tribal offi- (2) MEMBERSHIP.—The Advisory Committee appropriations, the Director of the National cials; shall be composed of not fewer than 11 mem- Science Foundation (referred to in this para- (ii) Federal, State, territorial, local, and bers— graph as the ‘‘Director’’) may provide grants Tribal emergency managers; and (A) of whom none may be an individual de- to eligible entities for landslide research, in- (iii) the National Guard. scribed in any of subparagraphs (A) through cluding research on— (5) DEBRIS FLOW EARLY WARNING SYSTEM.— (F) of section 7342(a)(1) of title 5, United (i) the causes, mechanisms, triggers, hy- In carrying out the program, the Secretary, States Code; and drology, and geology of landslides; in coordination with the Secretary of Com- (B) who shall be representatives of— (ii) ways to reduce landslide hazards and merce and the Secretary of Homeland Secu- (i) States, including State geological orga- risks to minimize loss of life and property, rity, shall expand the early warning system nizations; including landslide hazard and risk commu- for debris flow by— (ii) territories, including territorial geo- nication, perception, decisionmaking, tools, (A) expanding the early warning system for logical organizations; and technologies; and post-wildfire debris flow to include recently (iii) Indian tribes, including Tribal geologi- (iii) other goals and priorities of the na- burned areas across the western United cal organizations; tional strategy established under subsection States; (iv) research institutions and institutions (b)(2)(A). (B) developing procedures with State, ter- of higher education that are qualified— (B) ELIGIBLE ENTITIES.—The Director shall ritorial, local, and Tribal governments to (I) to provide advice regarding landslide determine whether an entity is eligible to re- monitor stormwater drainage in areas with hazard and risk reduction; and ceive a grant under this paragraph. high debris flow risk; and (II) to represent related scientific, archi- (C) REQUIREMENTS.—In providing grants (C) identifying high-risk debris flow areas, tectural, engineering, and planning dis- under this paragraph, the Director shall— such as recently burned land and potential ciplines; (i) ensure that the grants are provided on a lahar hazard areas. (v) industry standards development organi- competitive basis; (6) EMERGENCY RESPONSE ACTIVITIES.—In zations; and (ii) consider grant applications submitted carrying out the program, the Secretary, in (vi) State, territorial, local, and Tribal by eligible entities that have developed the coordination with the Secretary of Com- emergency management agencies. application in partnership with 1 or more merce, the Secretary of Homeland Security, (3) RECOMMENDATIONS.— State geological surveys; and the heads of other relevant Federal agencies, (A) IN GENERAL.—The Advisory Committee (iii) publish on a publicly available website States offices, units of local government, shall submit to the Committee recommenda- a description of— territories, and Indian tribes, shall establish tions for the implementation of the program, (I) the grants; and and support emergency response procedures including recommendations regarding— (II) the findings made from those grants.

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(f) BIENNIAL REPORT.—Through calendar (iii) in coordination with the 3D Elevation (D) the 3D National Elevation Sub- year 2030, the Secretary shall submit to Con- Federal Interagency Coordinating Com- committee; and gress a biennial report, including a descrip- mittee established under subsection (b), (E) State offices. tion of, with respect to the 2-calendar-year States, and industry and standards bodies, (4) MEETINGS.—The Committee shall meet period preceding the date of the report— the development of standards and guidelines at the call of the Chairperson. (1) the goals and accomplishments of the for 3D elevation data acquisition to increase (5) DUTIES.—The Committee shall— Committee in carrying out the national accessibility to 3D elevation data in a stand- (A) oversee the planning, management, and strategy developed under subsection (b)(2); ard, easy-to-use format; and coordination of the 3D Elevation Program; (2) the results of the activities of the Com- (iv) the identification, assessment, and and mittee under this section; and adoption of emerging technologies to im- (B) develop, by not later than 1 year after (3) the extent to which any recommenda- prove the accuracy and efficiency of the 3D the date of enactment of this Act, and up- tions of the Advisory Committee under sub- Elevation Program. date periodically thereafter— section (d)(3)(A) have been implemented. (2) MANAGEMENT.— (i) a strategic plan that establishes goals (g) SIGNIFICANT EVENTS.—Not later than 1 (A) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall man- and priorities for activities carried out under year after a significant landslide event in the age the 3D Elevation Program— the 3D Elevation Program; and United States (including territories) occurs, (i) to ensure efficiency with respect to re- (ii) a detailed management plan to imple- the Secretary shall publish on a publicly lated activities of the Department of the In- ment the strategic plan. available website— terior and other participating Federal de- (c) SUBCOMMITTEE OF NATIONAL GEOSPATIAL (1) a description of the landslide event and partments and agencies; and ADVISORY COMMITTEE.— the implications of the event on commu- (ii) to meet the needs of Department of the (1) ESTABLISHMENT.— Interior programs, stakeholders, and the nities, including life and property; (A) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall es- (2) recommendations on how the identifica- public. tablish, within the National Geospatial Advi- tion of the landslide risk could have been im- (B) OTHER FEDERAL DEPARTMENTS AND sory Committee, a subcommittee (referred to proved prior to the event; AGENCIES.—The head of each Federal depart- in this subsection as the ‘‘Subcommittee’’). ment and agency involved in the acquisition, (3) a description of the effectiveness of any (B) MEMBERSHIP.—The Subcommittee production, distribution, or application of 3D warning and risk communication, including shall— elevation data shall— the dissemination of warnings by State, ter- (i) consist of not fewer than 11 members, of (i) coordinate with the 3D Elevation Fed- ritorial, local, and Tribal partners in the af- whom none may be a Federal officer or em- eral Interagency Coordinating Committee fected area; ployee; and established under subsection (b) to acquire (4) recommendations to improve risk iden- (ii) include representatives of— additional, enhanced 3D elevation data; tification, reduction, and communication to (I) research and academic institutions; (ii) submit to the Secretary a description landowners and units of local government; (II) industry standards development orga- of priority areas of interest for 3D elevation (5) recommendations to improve landslide nizations; data collection for use in providing grants hazard preparedness and emergency response (III) units of State and local government; activities under this section; and and cooperative agreements under sub- section (d); and (6) such other findings as the Secretary de- (IV) the private sector. termines appropriate. (iii) implement policies and procedures for data acquisition and sharing that are con- (2) DUTIES.— (h) FUNDING.—For each of fiscal years 2021 sistent with standards and guidelines devel- (A) ASSESSMENT.—The Subcommittee shall through 2024— conduct an assessment of— (1) there is authorized to be appropriated oped under the 3D Elevation Program; (iv) participate in, and share the results (i) trends and developments in— to the United States Geological Survey, (I) the collection, dissemination, and use of $25,000,000 to carry out this section; and benefits of, the 3D Elevation Program, in accordance with standards and guidelines de- 3D elevation data; and (2) there is authorized to be appropriated veloped under the 3D Elevation Program; (II) science and technology relating to 3D to the National Science Foundation, and elevation data; $11,000,000 to carry out this section; and (v) ensure that any 3D elevation data ac- (ii) the effectiveness of the 3D Elevation (3) there is authorized to be appropriated quired with Federal grant funding— Program in carrying out the activities de- to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric (I) meets 3D Elevation Program standards; scribed in subsection (a)(1); Administration, $1,000,000 to carry out this and (iii) the need to revise or reorganize the 3D section. (II) is included in the national holdings of Elevation Program; and (i) DERIVATION OF FUNDS.—Funds to carry those data. (iv) the management, coordination, imple- out the activities under this section shall be (b) 3D ELEVATION FEDERAL INTERAGENCY mentation, and activities of the 3D Elevation derived from amounts authorized to be ap- COORDINATING COMMITTEE.— Program. propriated that are enacted after the date of (1) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Secretary, in co- (B) REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after the enactment of this section. ordination with the Secretary of Commerce the date of enactment of this Act, and every SEC. 4. GROUND SUBSIDENCE. and the Secretary of Homeland Security, 2 years thereafter, the Subcommittee shall As the Secretary determines to be appro- shall establish an interagency coordinating submit to the Secretary and the 3D Ele- priate and subject to appropriations, the committee, to be known as the ‘‘3D Ele- vation Federal Interagency Coordinating Secretary, through existing programs, shall vation Federal Interagency Coordinating Committee established under subsection (b) advance the identification, mapping, re- Committee’’ (referred to in this subsection a report that includes— search, and monitoring of subsidence and as the ‘‘Committee’’), to better coordinate (i) the findings of the assessment under groundwater resource accounting, particu- 3D elevation data management across the subparagraph (A); and larly in areas affected by drought. Federal Government. (ii) recommendations of the Subcommittee SEC. 5. 3D ELEVATION PROGRAM. (2) MEMBERSHIP.—The Committee shall be based on those findings, if any. (a) ESTABLISHMENT OF 3D ELEVATION PRO- composed of the following members (or their (d) GRANTS AND COOPERATIVE AGREE- GRAM.— designees): MENTS.— (1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall estab- (A) The Secretary, who shall serve as (1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary may make lish a program, to be known as the ‘‘3D Ele- Chairperson of the Committee. grants and enter into cooperative agree- vation Program’’— (B) The Secretary of Agriculture. ments with other Federal departments and (A) to provide 3D elevation data coverage (C) The Secretary of Commerce. agencies, units of State, local, or Tribal gov- for the United States; (D) The Secretary of Homeland Security. ernment, institutions of higher education, (B) to coordinate and facilitate the collec- (E) The Director of the National Science nonprofit research institutions, or other or- tion, dissemination, and use of 3D elevation Foundation. ganizations to facilitate the improvement of data among Federal departments and agen- (F) The Director of the Office of Science nationwide coverage of 3D elevation data. cies and non-Federal entities; and Technology Policy. (2) APPLICATIONS.—To be eligible to receive (C) to produce standard, publicly accessible (G) The Director of the Office of Manage- a grant or enter into a cooperative agree- 3D elevation data products for the United ment and Budget. ment under this subsection, an entity de- States; and (H) The head of any other Federal depart- scribed in paragraph (1) shall submit to the (D) to promote the collection, dissemina- ment or agency, at the request of the Sec- Secretary an application at such time, in tion, and use of 3D elevation data among retary. such manner, and containing such informa- Federal, State, local, and Tribal govern- (3) COORDINATION.—The Committee shall tion as the Secretary may require. ments, communities, institutions of higher coordinate, as appropriate, with the existing (3) TERMS AND CONDITIONS.—A grant or co- education, and the private sector through— activities of— operative agreement under this subsection (i) cooperative agreements; (A) the 3D Elevation Program Executive shall be subject to such terms and conditions (ii) the development and maintenance of Forum; as the Secretary determines to be appro- spatial data infrastructure to provide qual- (B) the Alaska Mapping Executive Com- priate, including making data publically ity control and deliver to the public 3D ele- mittee; available and interoperable with other Fed- vation data products; (C) the 3D Elevation Working Group; eral datasets.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 12:28 Dec 04, 2020 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00082 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A03DE7.170 H03DEPT1 dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with HOUSE December 3, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H6131 (e) FUNDING.—For each of fiscal years 2021 ter of seconds, a tragic landslide near (2) by inserting before subsection (b) (as so through 2024, there is authorized to be appro- Oso killed 43 people, destroyed over 40 redesignated) the following: priated to the Secretary $40,000,000 to carry homes, and severely damaged public in- ‘‘(a) BREED.—The term ‘breed’ means to fa- out this section. frastructure and private property. cilitate propagation or reproduction (wheth- (f) DERIVATION OF FUNDS.—Funds to carry out the activities under this section shall be That day forever changed the people er intentionally or negligently), or to fail to derived from amounts authorized to be ap- of Oso, Darrington, Arlington, the prevent propagation or reproduction.’’. Stillaguamish Tribe, and the Sauk- propriated to the Secretary that are enacted (b) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.— after the date of the enactment of this sec- Suiattle Tribe. But even in the after- (1) CONSOLIDATED FARM AND RURAL DEVEL- tion. math of the landslide, it was incredibly OPMENT ACT.—Section 349(a)(3) of the Con- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- inspiring to see a community come to- solidated Farm and Rural Development Act ant to the rule, the gentleman from gether to help each other through this (7 U.S.C. 1997(a)(3)) is amended by striking Hawaii (Mr. CASE) and the gentleman tragedy. That is why I introduced this ‘‘section 2(a)’’ and inserting ‘‘section 2(b)’’. (2) LACEY ACT AMENDMENTS OF 1981.—Sec- from Utah (Mr. BISHOP) each will con- bill, the National Landslide Prepared- tion 7(c) of the Lacey Act Amendments of trol 20 minutes. ness Act. 1981 (16 U.S.C. 3376(c)) is amended by striking The Chair recognizes the gentleman In 2016, I introduced the first version of this bill and have been working tire- ‘‘section 2(f)(2)(A)’’ and inserting ‘‘section from Hawaii. 2(g)(2)(A)’’. GENERAL LEAVE lessly to get it signed into law. This Mr. CASE. Madam Speaker, I ask will allow significant progress to be SEC. 3. PROHIBITIONS. unanimous consent that all Members made in landslide science and will Section 3 of the Lacey Act Amendments of may have 5 legislative days in which to allow communities to be better pre- 1981 (16 U.S.C. 3372) is amended— revise and extend their remarks and in- pared for when landslides do occur. (1) in subsection (a)— As the Oso landslide demonstrated, clude extraneous material on the meas- (A) in paragraph (2)— simply sending aid after a tragic nat- (i) in subparagraph (A), by striking the ure under consideration. ural disaster is insufficient. We need to semicolon at the end and inserting ‘‘; or’’; The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there do more to fund programs and research (ii) in subparagraph (B)(iii), by striking ‘‘; objection to the request of the gen- efforts to prevent future natural disas- or’’ and inserting a semicolon; and tleman from Hawaii? (iii) by striking subparagraph (C); and There was no objection. ters from becoming national tragedies. In recent years, we have seen dra- (B) in paragraph (4), by striking ‘‘(1) Mr. CASE. Madam Speaker, I yield through (3)’’ and inserting ‘‘(1) through (3) or matic increases in extreme weather myself such time as I may consume. subsection (e)’’; and Madam Speaker, the National Land- events, and we need to do everything in (2) by amending subsection (e) to read as slide Preparedness Act sponsored by our power to make sure that commu- follows: nities across the country are better my colleague, Ms. DELBENE, would es- ‘‘(e) CAPTIVE WILDLIFE OFFENSE.— prepared. Given the importance of this tablish a national landslide hazards re- ‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—It is unlawful for any duction program through the United issue, I strongly urge my colleagues to person to import, export, transport, sell, re- States Geological Survey to better support this bill. Getting it signed into ceive, acquire, or purchase in interstate or identify landslide risks and to improve law is long overdue, and I hope the foreign commerce, or in a manner substan- emergency preparedness for commu- Senate will pass this bill quickly and tially affecting interstate or foreign com- send it to the President’s desk for his merce, or to breed or possess, any prohibited nities. This bill also directs USGS to wildlife species. implement a 3D elevation program to signature. Mr. CASE. Madam Speaker, I urge ‘‘(2) LIMITATION ON APPLICATION.—Para- update and produce high-resolution adoption of this measure, and I yield graph (1) does not apply to— elevation data across the country. back the balance of my time. ‘‘(A) an entity exhibiting animals to the The House passed a version of this public under a Class C license from the De- The SPEAKER pro tempore. The legislation by voice vote last year, but partment of Agriculture, or a Federal facil- question is on the motion offered by after further negotiation with both the ity registered with the Department of Agri- the gentleman from Hawaii (Mr. CASE) majority and the minority in the Sen- culture that exhibits animals, if such entity that the House suspend the rules and ate, we have agreed to a few changes in or facility holds such license or registration pass the bill, H.R. 8810, as amended. in good standing and if the entity or facil- the language and are passing this re- The question was taken; and (two- ity— vised bill to allow the Senate to move thirds being in the affirmative) the ‘‘(i) does not allow any individual to come this compromise to the President be- rules were suspended and the bill, as into direct physical contact with a prohib- fore it adjourns. amended, was passed. ited wildlife species, unless that individual Madam Speaker, I urge my col- A motion to reconsider was laid on is— leagues to support this important leg- the table. ‘‘(I) a trained professional employee or islation, and I reserve the balance of contractor of the entity or facility (or an ac- f my time. companying employee receiving professional Mr. BISHOP of Utah. Madam Speak- BIG CAT PUBLIC SAFETY ACT training); er, I yield myself such time as I may ‘‘(II) a licensed veterinarian (or a veteri- Mr. CASE. Madam Speaker, I move nary student accompanying such a veteri- consume. to suspend the rules and pass the bill narian); or Madam Speaker, once again, I have (H.R. 1380) to amend the Lacey Act ‘‘(III) directly supporting conservation pro- no objection to this particular bill. I do Amendments of 1981 to clarify provi- grams of the entity or facility, the contact is have objections to the process we are sions enacted by the Captive Wildlife not in the course of commercial activity going through. Safety Act, to further the conservation (which may be evidenced by advertisement The House has already passed a bill. of certain wildlife species, and for or promotion of such activity or other rel- It went to the Senate. The Senate evant evidence), and the contact is inci- other purposes, as amended. dental to humane husbandry conducted pur- passed a bill. It came back here. Now, The Clerk read the title of the bill. we introduced a new bill to go up there suant to a species-specific, publicly avail- The text of the bill is as follows: able, peer-edited population management with different changes in it going back H.R. 1380 and care plan that has been provided to the to the Senate. We should have fixed it Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- Secretary with justifications that the plan— the first time. But having said that, go resentatives of the United States of America in ‘‘(aa) reflects established conservation with it. Congress assembled, science principles; Madam Speaker, I yield back the bal- SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. ‘‘(bb) incorporates genetic and demo- ance of my time. This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Big Cat Pub- graphic analysis of a multi-institution popu- Mr. CASE. Madam Speaker, I yield 4 lic Safety Act’’. lation of animals covered by the plan; and minutes to the gentlewoman from SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS. ‘‘(cc) promotes animal welfare by ensuring (a) IN GENERAL.—Section 2 of the Lacey that the frequency of breeding is appropriate Washington (Ms. DELBENE). Act Amendments of 1981 (16 U.S.C. 3371) is for the species; Ms. DELBENE. Madam Speaker, al- amended— ‘‘(ii) ensures that during public exhibition most 7 years ago, on March 22, 2014, (1) by redesignating subsections (a) of a lion (Panthera leo), tiger (Panthera ti- Washington experienced one of its through (k) as subsections (b) through (l), re- gris), leopard (Panthera pardus), snow leop- worst natural disasters ever. In a mat- spectively; and ard (Uncia uncia), jaguar (Panthera onca),

VerDate Sep 11 2014 12:28 Dec 04, 2020 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00083 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A03DE7.170 H03DEPT1 dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with HOUSE H6132 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE December 3, 2020 cougar (Puma concolor), or any hybrid there- SEC. 7. DETERMINATION OF BUDGETARY EF- concerns. It enjoys wide bipartisan sup- of, the animal is at least 15 feet from mem- FECTS. port, and it is time we passed it into bers of the public unless there is a perma- The budgetary effects of this Act, for the law. purpose of complying with the Statutory nent barrier sufficient to prevent public con- It is unknown how many big cats, in- tact; Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010, shall be deter- ‘‘(B) a State college, university, or agency, mined by reference to the latest statement cluding tigers, lions, jaguars, leopards, or a State-licensed veterinarian; titled ‘‘Budgetary Effects of PAYGO Legisla- cougars, and hybrids, are currently ‘‘(C) a wildlife sanctuary that cares for tion’’ for this Act, submitted for printing in kept in private ownership in the United prohibited wildlife species, and— the Congressional Record by the Chairman of States, but estimates are in the range ‘‘(i) is a corporation that is exempt from the House Budget Committee, provided that of 5,000 to 10,000. That means an aver- taxation under section 501(a) of the Internal such statement has been submitted prior to age of up to 200 big cats are in private Revenue Code of 1986 and described in sec- the vote on passage. ownership in every State in America. tions 501(c)(3) and 170(b)(1)(A)(vi) of such The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- I don’t know about you, Madam Code; ant to the rule, the gentleman from ‘‘(ii) does not commercially trade in any Speaker, but I wouldn’t feel safe with prohibited wildlife species, including off- Hawaii (Mr. CASE) and the gentleman my children or grandchildren living spring, parts, and byproducts of such ani- from Utah (Mr. BISHOP) each will con- next door to a tiger, nor does that seem mals; trol 20 minutes. humane for the animals whose ances- ‘‘(iii) does not breed any prohibited wildlife The Chair recognizes the gentleman tors roamed vast expanses of the sa- species; from Hawaii. vannahs and jungles. ‘‘(iv) does not allow direct contact between GENERAL LEAVE As we saw in ‘‘Tiger King,’’ the top the public and any prohibited wildlife spe- cies; and Mr. CASE. Madam Speaker, I ask priority for private big cat owners is ‘‘(v) does not allow the transportation and unanimous consent that all Members not the best interests of animals or display of any prohibited wildlife species off- may have 5 legislative days in which to public safety but rather greed, profit, site; revise and extend their remarks and in- or glory. ‘‘(D) has custody of any prohibited wildlife clude extraneous material on the meas- Since 1990, there have been around species solely for the purpose of expedi- ure under consideration. 300 dangerous incidents involving big tiously transporting the prohibited wildlife The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there cats in the United States—including species to a person described in this para- objection to the request of the gen- graph with respect to the species; or one just today—that have resulted in ‘‘(E) an entity or individual that is in pos- tleman from Hawaii? human injuries, mauling, and even session of any prohibited wildlife species There was no objection. death. When these incidents occur, that was born before the date of the enact- Mr. CASE. Madam Speaker, I yield first responders are also put at risk ment of the Big Cat Public Safety Act, and— myself such time as I may consume. since they are not trained or equipped ‘‘(i) not later than 180 days after the date Madam Speaker, I rise today in to handle situations involving big cats. of the enactment of the such Act, the entity strong support of H.R. 1380, the Big Cat Madam Speaker, I hope you can all or individual registers each individual ani- Public Safety Act. agree with me that the private owner- mal of each prohibited wildlife species pos- At the beginning of this hectic year, sessed by the entity or individual with the ship of big cats opens the door for United States Fish and Wildlife Service; many Americans were introduced to rampant animal abuse and also pre- ‘‘(ii) does not breed, acquire, or sell any the issue before us today and this legis- sents a dangerous and significant risk prohibited wildlife species after the date of lation for the first time through the to public safety. the enactment of such Act; and ‘‘Tiger King,’’ which in addition to a This bill is endorsed by over 27 orga- ‘‘(iii) does not allow direct contact be- plethora of colorful real-life characters nizations, including the Association of tween the public and prohibited wildlife spe- also shined a spotlight on the dark side Zoos and Aquariums and the National cies.’’. of keeping lions, tigers, and other big Sheriffs’ Association. Of special note as SEC. 4. PENALTIES. cats in captivity. well is that the Zoological Association (a) CIVIL PENALTIES.—Section 4(a)(1) of the The Big Cat Public Safety Act ends Lacey Act Amendments of 1981 (16 U.S.C. of America, which previously opposed 3373(a)(1)) is amended— the ownership of big cats as pets and this measure, has withdrawn its oppo- (1) by inserting ‘‘(e),’’ after ‘‘(d),’’; and prohibits exhibitors from allowing pub- sition and is now neutral because its (2) by inserting ‘‘, (e),’’ after ‘‘subsection lic contact with big cats, including board has now banned public contact (d)’’. cubs. with big cats at its accredited zoos. (b) CRIMINAL PENALTIES.—Section 4(d) of In 2003, Congress unanimously passed Please join me in voting for this leg- the Lacey Act Amendments of 1981 (16 U.S.C. the Captive Wildlife Safety Act, which islation to stop animal abuse and bad 3373(d)) is amended— (1) in paragraph (1)(A), by inserting ‘‘(e),’’ amended the Lacey Act to prohibit the actors like those we saw in ‘‘Tiger after ‘‘(d),’’; import, export, buying, selling, trans- King.’’ In the midst of a roller coaster (2) in paragraph (1)(B), by inserting ‘‘(e),’’ port, receiving, or acquisition of big of a year, here is one thing we can do after ‘‘(d),’’; cats across States to the U.S. border. to reduce the mayhem. (3) in paragraph (2), by inserting ‘‘(e),’’ However, the existing law did not in- Madam Speaker, I reserve the bal- after ‘‘(d),’’; and clude prohibitions for the private pos- ance of my time. (4) by adding at the end the following: session or breeding of big cats. Mr. BISHOP of Utah. Madam Speak- ‘‘(4) Any person who knowingly violates Currently, State laws vary quite a er, I reserve the balance of my time. subsection (e) of section 3 shall be fined not bit. Some States have no restrictions; more than $20,000, or imprisoned for not Mr. CASE. Madam Speaker, I yield 3 more than five years, or both. Each violation some simply require registration; and minutes to the gentleman from Illinois shall be a separate offense and the offense is some completely prohibit ownership of (Mr. QUIGLEY). deemed to have been committed in the dis- big cats as pets. Mr. QUIGLEY. Madam Speaker, I trict where the violation first occurred, and The Big Cat Public Safety Act builds rise in support of my bill, H.R. 1380, the in any district in which the defendant may on the Captive Wildlife Safety Act by Big Cat Public Safety Act, and I am have taken or been in possession of the pro- making it illegal to privately possess grateful for the bipartisan support it hibited wildlife species.’’. or breed lions, tigers, leopards, chee- has received. I also want to thank my SEC. 5. FORFEITURE OF PROHIBITED WILDLIFE tahs, jaguars, cougars, or any hybrid. staffer, Max, who worked so hard on SPECIES. Section 5(a)(1) of the Lacey Act Amend- The bill is narrowly focused on pri- this measure. ments of 1981 (16 U.S.C. 3374(a)(1)) is amended vately owned animals and includes ex- The Big Cat Public Safety Act has by inserting ‘‘bred, possessed,’’ before ‘‘im- emptions for exhibitors with U.S. De- been endorsed by the Fraternal Order ported, exported,’’. partment of Agriculture class C li- of Police, the National Sheriffs’ Asso- SEC. 6. ADMINISTRATION. censes, such as zoos, State universities, ciation, and numerous other State and Section 7(a) of the Lacey Act Amendments and sanctuaries. local law enforcement agencies because of 1981 (16 U.S.C. 3376(a)) is amended by add- This bill, championed by my col- 500-pound carnivores pose a serious and ing at the end the following: ‘‘(3) The Secretary shall, in consultation league, Representative MIKE QUIGLEY, very real threat to first responders, law with other relevant Federal and State agen- along with an astounding 230 cospon- enforcement officers, and entire com- cies, promulgate any regulations necessary sors, is a commonsense solution to ad- munities around the country. The to implement section 3(e).’’. dress public safety and animal abuse photo behind me is not staged.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 12:28 Dec 04, 2020 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00084 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A03DE7.162 H03DEPT1 dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with HOUSE December 3, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H6133 This bill is also endorsed by the Hu- have an exhibit of big cats on display. on this issue. Some ban private use. mane Society of the United States and As long as the zoo does not allow direct Others allow it with no questions countless other animal welfare organi- contact between people and the public asked. This is cruel and dangerous. zations because lions and tigers do not and these big cats, they will not be af- Today, we are voting on a bill to belong in urban apartments or in cages fected by this legislation. change that. in suburban backyards and because pri- This practice also takes a toll on law Madam Speaker, I appreciate my vate citizens simply do not have the re- enforcement agencies that are forced friends, Mr. FITZPATRICK, Mr. sources to care for dangerous animals to respond to escapes and attacks when QUIGLEY—people who have spent time that are meant to roam over hundreds big cats have outgrown cub petting and advancing this issue, and finally, it is of square miles. are funneled into the hands of private before us. It will restrict private own- As was stated, this bill is supported citizens. ership of big cats, reduce breeding, and by the AGA and is not opposed by the Madam Speaker, this bill is sup- help minimize abuse. Zoological Association of America, the ported by both the National Sheriffs’ As has been referenced and needs to trade association for small roadside- Association and the Fraternal Order of be emphasized, this is narrowly focused type zoos, because ripping newborn Police. on privately owned animals with ap- cubs from their mothers moments after I thank the Humane Society, Animal propriate exemptions for zoos and uni- their birth to use them as props in Wellness Action, and the Animal Wel- versities and sanctuaries. It can im- photos is already cruel enough, but fare Institute for their incredible advo- prove the lives of big cats and protect once they are too big to be safely held, cacy on this issue, and to my prede- communities when things go wrong. brutally killing them is just wrong. cessor who worked on this bill, Con- These cats were never meant to be in gressman Jeff Denham from the State captivity. Unlicensed ownership and b 1930 of California, for all of his work. And, breeding is bad for the animals. It is Nearly 65,000 Americans have signed of course, I thank my partner on this bad for the community. It doesn’t ad- a Change.org petition calling for the legislation, Congressman MIKE vance conservation or education. immediate passage of this bill because QUIGLEY. Madam Speaker, I hope that we will the Netflix series ‘‘Tiger King’’ showed As a member of the bipartisan Con- both vote today overwhelmingly to end the world in stark relief how gressional Animal Caucus, we are com- the exotic trade on big cats and focus exploitive, dangerous, and inhumane mitted to ensuring that our govern- our efforts on real, meaningful con- this tiny so-called industry is. ment is doing its part to promote ani- servation efforts at home and abroad. I This bill should be served by every mal welfare, and it is crucial that we think we were all just horrified by American because right now taxpayers stand up for animals, both as individ- what we saw with the television series, shoulder the cost of monitoring and uals and societies. ‘‘Tiger King.’’ Sadly, one would think regulating private owners, and when Madam Speaker, as was pointed out, that that would be enough to motivate big cats are rescued from horrific con- there are 230 cosponsors on this bill the action. ditions or simply abandoned by over- that collectively represent over 165 Having worked on this issue over the whelmed owners, they pay for the care million Americans who support this years, I had some opportunity to be fa- and feeding of these cats. legislation. miliar with some of the players. This is Madam Speaker, I thank the many Madam Speaker, I urge all my col- something that I hope now is finally Republican Members of Congress who leagues to vote ‘‘yes’’ on H.R. 1380, the going to end, and it can today with our support this bill, which is cosponsored Big Cat Public Safety Act. vote. by more than half the House. Mr. CASE. Madam Speaker, I yield 3 Mr. BISHOP of Utah. Madam Speak- I urge every Member to stand with minutes to my colleague from Oregon er, I yield myself such time as I may the law enforcement community and (Mr. BLUMENAUER). consume. stand up for those that need our help Mr. BLUMENAUER. Madam Speaker, Madam Speaker, with apologies, but cannot ask for that. Please vote for I appreciate the gentleman’s courtesy lions and tigers and bears, oh my. I this bill. in permitting me to speak on this. have to say that before somebody else Mr. BISHOP of Utah. Madam Speak- Madam Speaker, I am excited that does it. But we also have to realize, as er, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman this bill is finally making it to the we are going through the kleinigkeiten from Pennsylvania (Mr. FITZPATRICK). floor. We have watched the support of this day’s efforts, that this is one of Mr. FITZPATRICK. Madam Speaker, build while we have watched the case those kleinigkeiten coming again here. for too long, big cats have been mis- become ever stronger. We should also realize that Oz was not treated, exploited, and abused in pri- As has been referenced by my col- reality, it was a movie, and that re- vate roadside zoos. Private possession leagues, across the country, there are ality TV is not that of which should be of big cats is a tremendous risk to hu- thousands of big cats—‘‘exotics’’ they the basis of public policy. mans as well. On average, a 1-year-old are referred to—in terms of tigers and This bill, contrary to what I have tiger weighs about 200 pounds and can lions who are often kept by private been hearing so far, is not about pro- easily harm or kill a human. owners in unsafe and abusive condi- tecting the public from big cats. It is These wild animals are trained to tions. They are shown often bred by un- about hurting small, family-run zoos perform for paying customers, and at licensed exhibitors in basements or across the country. It is a power play the end of the day, they are wild, dan- backyards. Not only does this cause of some kind, which is one of the rea- gerous animals that are a serious risk suffering among these exhibit wild ani- sons why the Zoological Association of to humans and themselves. mals that are not meant to live under America expressed their grave con- Big cats, themselves, are also at risk, these conditions, but it does, as has cerns with this bill in a very pointed as there have been countless reports of been referenced, pose a risk to commu- letter addressed to the committee abuse, mistreatment, and exploitation nity safety. chairman, that this represents an un- at private zoos. Since 1990, there have been almost warranted Federal intrusion into the Madam Speaker, opponents of our 380 dangerous incidents involving cap- rights and responsibilities of wildlife legislation argue that it unfairly tar- tive big cats in 46 States and the Dis- exhibitors and will have significant gets small zoos, pitting the large trict of Columbia, leading to some negative impacts on federally licensed against the small. To be clear, this leg- traumatic injuries—and even death. zoological facilities. islation has nothing to do with the zoo Too often, as has been referenced, it Madam Speaker, the issue is that, size and does not ban any zoo from pos- is the first responders who answer calls under current law, anyone who has one sessing, breeding, or exhibiting big involving these animals, exposing po- of these exhibitions must obtain a class cats. Our legislation prohibits zoos lice and fire to unnecessary risk. They E exhibitor license, and that is given from allowing the public to interact are trained for public safety, not to by the United States Department of with big cats. deal with these huge and occasionally Agriculture under the Animal Welfare It does not in any way impact the dangerous animals. State law is com- Act. So a licensee under the Animal typical model of zoos in which they pletely inadequate. It is a patchwork Welfare Act has to abide by all the

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Pursu- doing its job effectively and efficiently. that is not going to go further through- ant to clause 8 of rule XX, the unfin- Madam Speaker, this bill ignores all out the process, which I guess is one of ished business is the vote on ordering of that under the guise of animal wel- the reasons I think we should be happy. the previous question on the resolution fare, denying responsible Federal li- At least we know this will be the last (H. Res. 1244) providing for consider- cense facilities and predicating these time that this will be discussed here in ation of the bill (H.R. 3884) to decrimi- class E exemptions on animal rights the Capitol building at any time. nalize and deschedule cannabis, to pro- ideology, not necessarily the policy of Madam Speaker, as a Congress, we vide for reinvestment in certain per- what has been taken during the past. sons adversely impacted by the War on What happens now is that this par- can do much better. We ought to do much better. We ought not to spend Drugs, to provide for expungement of ticular bill has, special interest groups certain cannabis offenses, and for other having drafted it, now amends the our time coming up here dealing with the kleinigkeiten. purposes, on which the yeas and nays Lacey Act—not the Animal Welfare were ordered. Madam Speaker, I yield back the bal- Act, but the Lacey Act—and now has The Clerk read the title of the resolu- ance of my time. the Department of the Interior being tion. the ones who are responsible for what Mr. CASE. Madam Speaker, I yield The SPEAKER pro tempore. The is going on here. myself the balance of my time. question is on ordering the previous So what is illegal now under the question. Lacey Act changes would be legal I appreciate, again, the comments The vote was taken by electronic de- under the Animal Welfare Act, which is from the ranking member, but I think vice, and there were—yeas 225, nays still going to be on the books. If noth- he is out of step with the majority in 160, not voting 45, as follows: ing else, we should actually ask those this House, given the bipartisan nature people who are responsible for this bill of this particular legislation. [Roll No. 230] just to come clean and try and make A couple of quick points to answer YEAS—225 sure that they write the bill so there is some of his objections. Adams Escobar Lofgren consistency so you don’t have con- Aguilar Eshoo Lowenthal First of all, as I mentioned earlier, Allred Espaillat Lowey flicting acts, because you have con- the Zoological Association of America Axne Evans Luja´ n flicting policy with this. has withdrawn its opposition to this Barraga´ n Finkenauer Luria And this bill also provides some huge Bass Fletcher Malinowski bill. The Zoological Association of Beatty Foster Maloney, loopholes for big, well-funded zoos and America, contrary to the statement, is Bera Frankel Carolyn B. will crush those small but well-regu- not opposed to this bill. Beyer Fudge Maloney, Sean lated private facilities. That is not the Bishop (GA) Gabbard Matsui Second, he talks about the guidelines way we should be running that par- Blumenauer Gallego McAdams by the USDA being sufficient. They are Blunt Rochester Garamendi McBath ticular policy. obviously not sufficient when the sta- Bonamici Garcı´a (IL) McCollum Madam Speaker, the smaller facili- Boyle, Brendan Garcia (TX) McEachin ties are well-regulated. It is done by tus quo across this country still has F. Golden McGovern the Department of Agriculture. There such a tremendous and deleterious im- Brindisi Gomez McNerney Brown (MD) Gonzalez (TX) Meng are specific rules and guidelines. The pact on animal welfare, as well as pre- sents a continued risk for public safe- Brownley (CA) Gottheimer Mfume laws are specific and they are there. Bustos Green, Al (TX) Moore What this bill will do is put con- ty. As was noted in some of the com- Butterfield Grijalva Morelle flicting guidelines, which means, pass ments earlier, in fact, we have a patch- Carbajal Haaland Moulton work of regulation across this country; Ca´ rdenas Hall Mucarsel-Powell this bill, if you wish, but—well, very Carson (IN) Harder (CA) Murphy (FL) little chance of it actually going all whereas, it is time for us to have one Cartwright Hastings Nadler the way, but even if you want to pass uniform standard across this country Casten (IL) Hayes Napolitano that would apply everywhere. Castor (FL) Heck Neal this bill, you are going to have to come Castro (TX) Higgins (NY) Neguse back and fix the two because you have, He complains that this bill is a mat- Chu, Judy Himes Norcross now, two bills that are still on the ter of special interest. I would submit, Cicilline Horn, Kendra S. O’Halleran if the special interests are those spe- Cisneros Horsford Ocasio-Cortez books that are in conflict. So at least Clark (MA) Houlahan Omar do it the right way. cial interests that are concerned about Clarke (NY) Hoyer Pallone This bill was pushed by special inter- the welfare of animals and are con- Clay Huffman Panetta est groups. It is poor policy that is not cerned about public safety, then those Cleaver Jackson Lee Pappas Clyburn Jayapal Pascrell backed by science but is backed by rad- are good special interests to be aligned Cohen Jeffries Payne ical ideology, and it does not fit the re- with. Connolly Johnson (GA) Perlmutter ality of what is taking place. The De- Madam Speaker, I yield back the bal- Cooper Johnson (TX) Peters partment of Agriculture is doing their Correa Kaptur Peterson ance of my time. Costa Keating Phillips functions properly and effectively and The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Courtney Kelly (IL) Pingree efficiently, and we should not pass this Cox (CA) Kennedy Pocan bill. question is on the motion offered by Craig Khanna Porter Madam Speaker, with all the signifi- the gentleman from Hawaii (Mr. CASE) Crist Kildee Pressley that the House suspend the rules and Crow Kilmer Price (NC) cant things we could be doing in a Cuellar Kim Quigley lameduck session, with all the stuff we pass the bill, H.R. 1380, as amended. Cunningham Kind Raskin can do with the pandemic, with both The question was taken. Davids (KS) Kirkpatrick Rice (NY) Davis (CA) Krishnamoorthi Rose (NY) Republicans and Democrats in both the The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the Davis, Danny K. Kuster (NH) Rouda House and the Senate agreeing on so opinion of the Chair, two-thirds being Dean Lamb Roybal-Allard many things, so much low-hanging in the affirmative, the ayes have it. DeGette Langevin Ruiz fruit, we could easily pass something DeLauro Larsen (WA) Ruppersberger Mr. BISHOP of Utah. Madam Speak- DelBene Larson (CT) Rush that would have a major impact, some- er, on that I demand the yeas and nays. Delgado Lawrence Ryan thing that would be real, or actually Demings Lawson (FL) Sa´ nchez put the NDAA on here and do some- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- DeSaulnier Lee (CA) Sarbanes ant to section 3 of House Resolution Deutch Lee (NV) Scanlon thing that is real, or actually come to Dingell Levin (CA) Schakowsky an agreement on a CR, at least, if not 965, the yeas and nays are ordered. Doggett Levin (MI) Schiff the resolutions of all our appropria- Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, fur- Doyle, Michael Lieu, Ted Schneider F. Lipinski Schrader tions. That would be big. That would ther proceedings on this motion will be Engel Loebsack Schrier be sufficient. That would be worthy of postponed.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 12:28 Dec 04, 2020 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00086 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K03DE7.126 H03DEPT1 dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with HOUSE December 3, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H6135

Scott (VA) Stevens Underwood MEMBERS RECORDED PURSUANT TO HOUSE Lee (CA) Omar Sherman Scott, David Suozzi Vargas RESOLUTION 965, 116TH CONGRESS Lee (NV) Pallone Sherrill Serrano Swalwell (CA) Vela Levin (CA) Panetta Sires Barraga´ n (Beyer) Kennedy (Kuster Peters (Kildee) Sewell (AL) Takano Vela´ zquez Levin (MI) Pappas Slotkin Bera (Aguilar) (NH)) Pingree (Kuster Shalala Thompson (CA) Visclosky Lieu, Ted Pascrell Smith (WA) Bonamici (Clark Kim (Davids (NH)) Sherman Thompson (MS) Wasserman Lipinski Payne Soto (MA)) (KS)) Pocan (Raskin) Sherrill Titus Schultz Loebsack Perlmutter Spanberger Boyle, Brendan Kirkpatrick Porter (Wexton) Sires Tlaib Waters Lofgren Peters Speier Slotkin Tonko F. (Jeffries) (Stanton) Pressley Lowenthal Peterson Watson Coleman Stanton Smith (WA) Torres (CA) Brownley (CA) Lamb (Golden) (Trahan) Lowey Phillips Welch Stevens Soto Torres Small (Clark (MA)) Langevin Price (NC) Luja´ n Pingree Wexton Carson (IN) (Lynch) Suozzi Spanberger (NM) (Butterfield) Luria Pocan Wilson (FL) (Cleaver) Lawson (FL) Swalwell (CA) Speier Trahan Rooney (FL) Lynch Porter Takano Stanton Trone Yarmuth Castor (FL) (Demings) Malinowski Pressley (Demings) Lee (NV) (Kuster (Beyer) Thompson (CA) Roybal-Allard Maloney, Price (NC) Thompson (MS) Cohen (Beyer) (NH)) Carolyn B. Quigley NAYS—160 (Garcia (TX)) Titus Costa (Cooper) Lieu, Ted (Beyer) Maloney, Sean Raskin Amash Guest Reed Ruiz (Dingell) Tlaib DeSaulnier Lipinski Matsui Rice (NY) Amodei Guthrie Rice (SC) Rush Tonko (Matsui) (Schrader) McAdams Richmond Armstrong Hagedorn Roby (Underwood) Torres (CA) Deutch (Rice Lofgren (Jeffries) McBath Rose (NY) Arrington Harris Rodgers (WA) Torres Small (NY)) Lowenthal Schneider McCollum Rouda Babin Hartzler Roe, David P. Doggett (Raskin) (Beyer) (Casten (IL)) (NM) Baird Hern, Kevin McEachin Roybal-Allard Rogers (AL) Doyle, Michael Lowey (Tonko) Schrier McGovern Ruiz Trahan Balderson Herrera Beutler Rogers (KY) F. (Cartwright) McEachin (DelBene) Trone Banks McNerney Ruppersberger Hice (GA) Rooney (FL) Escobar (Garcia (Wexton) Serrano Underwood Barr Hill (AR) Meeks Rush Rose, John W. (TX)) McNerney (Jeffries) Vargas Bergman Hollingsworth Meng Ryan Rouzer Frankel (Clark (Raskin) Sherrill ´ Veasey Biggs Hudson Mfume Sanchez Roy (MA)) Meng (Kuster (Pallone) Moore Sarbanes Vela Bilirakis Huizenga ´ Rutherford Garamendi (NH)) Sires (Norcross) Morelle Scanlon Velazquez Bishop (NC) Hurd (TX) (Sherman) Scalise Moore (Beyer) Speier (Scanlon) Moulton Schakowsky Visclosky Bishop (UT) Jacobs Grijalva (Garcı´a Mucarsel-Powell Schweikert Thompson (CA) Mucarsel-Powell Schiff Wasserman Bost Johnson (OH) (IL)) (Wasserman Schultz Shimkus (Kildee) Murphy (FL) Schneider Brady Johnson (SD) Hastings Schultz) Waters Brooks (AL) Jordan Simpson Titus (Connolly) Nadler Schrader (Wasserman Nadler (Jeffries) Watson Coleman Buchanan Joyce (OH) Smith (MO) Watson Coleman Napolitano Schrier Schultz) Napolitano Welch Buck Joyce (PA) Smith (NE) (Pallone) Neal Scott (VA) Higgins (NY) (Correa) Neguse Scott, David Wexton Burchett Katko Smith (NJ) Welch (Sa´ nchez) Pascrell Norcross Serrano Wild Burgess Keller Smucker (McGovern) Jayapal (Raskin) (Pallone) Wilson (FL) Chabot Kelly (MS) Spano O’Halleran Sewell (AL) Johnson (TX) Payne Wilson (FL) Ocasio-Cortez Shalala Yarmuth Cheney Kelly (PA) Stauber (Jeffries) (Wasserman (Hayes) Cline King (NY) Stefanik Kaptur (Dingell) Schultz) NAYS—160 Cloud Kinzinger Steil Cole Kustoff (TN) Steube The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Amash Griffith Reed Comer LaHood Stivers question is on the resolution. Amodei Grothman Rice (SC) Conaway LaMalfa Taylor Armstrong Guest Roby Arrington Guthrie Crawford Lamborn Thompson (PA) The question was taken; and the Rodgers (WA) Babin Hagedorn Crenshaw Latta Tiffany Speaker pro tempore announced that Roe, David P. Baird Harris Curtis Lesko Timmons Rogers (AL) the ayes appeared to have it. Balderson Hartzler Davidson (OH) Long Tipton Rogers (KY) Davis, Rodney Loudermilk Mr. WOODALL. Madam Speaker, on Banks Hern, Kevin Rooney (FL) Turner Barr Herrera Beutler DesJarlais Lucas Upton that I demand the yeas and nays. Rose, John W. Diaz-Balart Luetkemeyer Bergman Hice (GA) Rouzer Van Drew The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- Bilirakis Hill (AR) Duncan Marshall Roy Walberg ant to section 3 of House Resolution Bishop (NC) Hollingsworth Emmer Massie Rutherford Walden Bishop (UT) Hudson Estes Mast 965, the yeas and nays are ordered. Scalise Walker Bost Huizenga Ferguson McCaul Schweikert Walorski The vote was taken by electronic de- Brady Hurd (TX) Fitzpatrick McClintock Shimkus Fleischmann McKinley Waltz vice, and there were—yeas 225, nays Brooks (AL) Jacobs Watkins 160, not voting 45, as follows: Buchanan Johnson (OH) Simpson Flores Meuser Smith (MO) Fortenberry Miller Weber (TX) Buck Johnson (SD) [Roll No. 231] Smith (NE) Fulcher Moolenaar Webster (FL) Burchett Joyce (OH) Smith (NJ) Gallagher Mooney (WV) Wenstrup YEAS—225 Burgess Joyce (PA) Westerman Case Katko Smucker Garcia (CA) Murphy (NC) Adams Costa Gonzalez (TX) Williams Chabot Keller Spano Gibbs Newhouse Aguilar Courtney Gottheimer Wilson (SC) Cheney Kelly (MS) Stauber Gohmert Norman Allred Cox (CA) Green, Al (TX) Cline Kelly (PA) Stefanik Gooden Nunes Wittman Axne Craig Grijalva Cloud King (NY) Steil Granger Olson Womack Barraga´ n Crist Haaland Cole Kinzinger Steube Graves (MO) Palazzo Woodall Bass Crow Hall Collins (GA) Kustoff (TN) Stivers Green (TN) Pence Yoho Beatty Cuellar Harder (CA) Comer LaHood Taylor Griffith Perry Young Bera Cunningham Hastings Conaway LaMalfa Grothman Posey Zeldin Beyer Davids (KS) Heck Thompson (PA) Crawford Lamb Bishop (GA) Davis (CA) Higgins (NY) Tiffany Crenshaw Latta NOT VOTING—45 Blumenauer Davis, Danny K. Himes Timmons Curtis Lesko Blunt Rochester Dean Horn, Kendra S. Tipton Abraham Dunn Meeks Davis, Rodney Long Bonamici DeGette Horsford Turner Aderholt Foxx (NC) Mitchell DesJarlais Loudermilk Boyle, Brendan DeLauro Houlahan Upton Allen Gaetz Mullin Diaz-Balart Lucas F. DelBene Hoyer Van Drew Bacon Gianforte Palmer Duncan Luetkemeyer Brindisi Delgado Huffman Walberg Brooks (IN) Gonzalez (OH) Reschenthaler Emmer Marshall Brown (MD) Demings Jackson Lee Walden Bucshon Gosar Richmond Estes Massie Brownley (CA) DeSaulnier Jayapal Walker Budd Graves (LA) Riggleman Ferguson Mast Bustos Deutch Jeffries Byrne Higgins (LA) Scott, Austin Fitzpatrick McCaul Walorski Butterfield Dingell Johnson (GA) Calvert Holding Sensenbrenner Fleischmann McClintock Waltz Carbajal Doggett Johnson (TX) Carter (GA) Johnson (LA) Stewart Flores McKinley Watkins Ca´ rdenas Doyle, Michael Kaptur Carter (TX) King (IA) Thornberry Fortenberry Meuser Weber (TX) Carson (IN) F. Keating Case Lynch Veasey Fulcher Miller Webster (FL) Cartwright Engel Kelly (IL) Collins (GA) Marchant Wagner Gallagher Moolenaar Wenstrup Casten (IL) Escobar Kennedy Cook McCarthy Wild Garcia (CA) Mooney (WV) Westerman Castor (FL) Eshoo Khanna DeFazio McHenry Wright Gibbs Murphy (NC) Williams Castro (TX) Espaillat Kildee Gohmert Newhouse Wilson (SC) Chu, Judy Evans Kilmer Golden Norman Wittman Cisneros Finkenauer Kim b 2032 Gonzalez (OH) Nunes Womack Clark (MA) Fletcher Kind Gooden Olson Woodall Clarke (NY) Foster Kirkpatrick Messrs. GREEN of Tennessee and Granger Palazzo Yoho Clay Frankel Krishnamoorthi DESJARLAIS changed their vote from Graves (MO) Pence Young Cleaver Fudge Kuster (NH) Green (TN) Posey Zeldin ‘‘yea’’ to ‘‘nay.’’ Clyburn Gallego Langevin So the previous question was ordered. Cohen Garamendi Larsen (WA) NOT VOTING—45 Connolly Garcı´a (IL) Larson (CT) Abraham Allen Biggs The result of the vote was announced Cooper Garcia (TX) Lawrence Aderholt Bacon Brooks (IN) as above recorded. Correa Gomez Lawson (FL)

VerDate Sep 11 2014 13:50 Dec 04, 2020 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00087 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A03DE7.135 H03DEPT1 dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with HOUSE H6136 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE December 3, 2020 Bucshon Gaetz McHenry of certain wildlife species, and for Swalwell (CA) Trone Wasserman Budd Gianforte Mitchell other purposes, as amended, on which Takano Turner Schultz Byrne Gosar Mullin Thompson (CA) Underwood Waters Calvert Graves (LA) Palmer the yeas and nays were ordered. Thompson (MS) Upton Watkins Carter (GA) Hayes Perry The Clerk read the title of the bill. Tipton Van Drew Watson Coleman Carter (TX) Higgins (LA) Reschenthaler The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Titus Vargas Welch Cicilline Holding Riggleman Tlaib Wexton question is on the motion offered by Veasey Cook Johnson (LA) Scott, Austin Tonko Vela´ zquez Wild Davidson (OH) Jordan Sensenbrenner ASE Torres (CA) Wilson (FL) the gentleman from Hawaii (Mr. C ) Visclosky DeFazio King (IA) Stewart Torres Small Womack that the House suspend the rules and Walden Dunn Lamborn Thornberry (NM) Yoho Waltz Foxx (NC) Marchant Wagner pass the bill, as amended. Trahan Zeldin Gabbard McCarthy Wright The vote was taken by electronic de- vice, and there were—yeas 272, nays NAYS—114 b 2116 114, not voting 44, as follows: Amash Grothman Pence Amodei Guthrie Perry Mr. RUTHERFORD changed his vote [Roll No. 232] Armstrong Hagedorn Posey from ‘‘yea’’ to ‘‘nay.’’ YEAS—272 Arrington Harris Rice (SC) Babin Hartzler Roby So the resolution was agreed to. Adams Maloney, Fortenberry Baird Hern, Kevin Rodgers (WA) The result of the vote was announced Aguilar Carolyn B. Foster Banks Hice (GA) Roe, David P. Allred Maloney, Sean as above recorded. Frankel Barr Hollingsworth Rogers (AL) Axne Matsui A motion to reconsider was laid on Fudge Bergman Hudson Rogers (KY) Balderson McAdams Gabbard Biggs Huizenga Rose, John W. the table. Barraga´ n McBath Gallagher Bishop (NC) Johnson (SD) Rouzer Bass McCaul PERSONAL EXPLANATION Gallego Bishop (UT) Jordan Roy Beatty McCollum Garamendi Brady Joyce (PA) Scalise Mr. ALLEN. Madam Speaker, due to Bera McEachin Garcia (CA) Brooks (AL) Keller Shimkus COVID–19, I was unable to vote the week of Beyer McGovern Garcı´a (IL) Burgess Kelly (MS) Simpson Bilirakis McNerney December 2, 2020. Had I been present, I Garcia (TX) Byrne Kelly (PA) Smith (MO) Bishop (GA) Meeks would have voted ‘‘nay’’ on rollcall No. 229, Golden Cheney Kustoff (TN) Smith (NE) Blumenauer Meng Gomez Cline LaHood Spano ‘‘nay’’ on rollcall No. 230, and ‘‘nay’’ on rollcall Blunt Rochester Mfume Gonzalez (OH) Cloud LaMalfa Stauber Bonamici Moolenaar No. 231. Gonzalez (TX) Collins (GA) Lamborn Steil Bost Moore PERSONAL EXPLANATION Gooden Comer Latta Steube Boyle, Brendan Morelle Gottheimer Conaway Lesko Stivers Mr. KING of Iowa. Madam Speaker, I was F. Moulton Granger Crawford Long Taylor Brindisi Mucarsel-Powell unable to vote on December 2, 2020 and De- Green, Al (TX) Crenshaw Loudermilk Thompson (PA) Brown (MD) Murphy (FL) cember 3, 2020 due to not being in town. Had Grijalva Davidson (OH) Luetkemeyer Tiffany Brownley (CA) Nadler Guest DesJarlais Marshall Timmons I been present, I would have voted as follows: Buchanan Napolitano Haaland Duncan Massie Walberg Buck Neguse ‘‘no’’ on rollcall no. 228; ‘‘no’’ on rollcall no. Hall Emmer Mast Walker Burchett Norcross 229; ‘‘no’’ on rollcall no. 230; and ‘‘no’’; and Harder (CA) Estes McClintock Walorski Bustos O’Halleran Hastings Ferguson McKinley Weber (TX) ‘‘no’’ on rollcall no. 231. Butterfield Ocasio-Cortez Hayes Fleischmann Meuser Webster (FL) MEMBERS RECORDED PURSUANT TO HOUSE Carbajal Olson Heck Flores Miller Wenstrup Ca´ rdenas Omar RESOLUTION 965, 116TH CONGRESS Herrera Beutler Fulcher Mooney (WV) Westerman Carson (IN) Pallone Barraga´ n (Beyer) Kennedy (Kuster Higgins (NY) Gibbs Murphy (NC) Williams Peters (Kildee) Cartwright Panetta Bera (Aguilar) (NH)) Hill (AR) Gohmert Newhouse Wilson (SC) Pingree (Kuster Case Pappas Bonamici (Clark Kim (Davids Himes Graves (MO) Norman Wittman (NH)) Casten (IL) Pascrell (MA)) (KS)) Horn, Kendra S. Green (TN) Nunes Woodall Pocan (Raskin) Castor (FL) Payne Boyle, Brendan Kirkpatrick Horsford Griffith Palazzo Young Porter (Wexton) Castro (TX) Peters F. (Jeffries) (Stanton) Houlahan Pressley Chabot Phillips Brownley (CA) Lamb (Golden) Hoyer NOT VOTING—44 (Trahan) Chu, Judy Pingree (Clark (MA)) Langevin Huffman Abraham Gaetz Palmer Price (NC) Cicilline Pocan Carson (IN) (Lynch) Hurd (TX) Aderholt Gianforte (Butterfield) Cisneros Porter Perlmutter (Cleaver) Lawson (FL) Jackson Lee Allen Gosar Rooney (FL) Clark (MA) Pressley Peterson Castor (FL) (Demings) Jacobs Bacon Graves (LA) Clarke (NY) Price (NC) Reschenthaler (Demings) Lee (NV) (Kuster (Beyer) Jayapal Brooks (IN) Higgins (LA) Clay Quigley Riggleman Cohen (Beyer) (NH)) Roybal-Allard Jeffries Bucshon Holding Cleaver Raskin Rooney (FL) Costa (Cooper) Lieu, Ted (Beyer) (Garcia (TX)) Budd Johnson (LA) Clyburn Johnson (GA) Reed Scott, Austin DeSaulnier Lipinski Ruiz (Dingell) Calvert King (IA) Cohen Johnson (OH) Rice (NY) Sensenbrenner (Matsui) (Schrader) Rush Carter (GA) Loebsack Cole Johnson (TX) Richmond Stewart Deutch (Rice Lofgren (Jeffries) (Underwood) Joyce (OH) Carter (TX) Marchant Cooper Rose (NY) Thornberry (NY)) Lowenthal Schneider Kaptur Connolly McCarthy Correa Rouda Vela Doggett (Raskin) (Beyer) (Casten (IL)) Cook McHenry Costa Katko Roybal-Allard Doyle, Michael Lowey (Tonko) DeFazio Mitchell Wagner Schrier Courtney Keating Ruiz F. (Cartwright) McEachin Dunn Mullin Wright (DelBene) Cox (CA) Kelly (IL) Ruppersberger Escobar (Garcia (Wexton) Foxx (NC) Neal Yarmuth Serrano Craig Kennedy Rush (TX)) McNerney (Jeffries) Crist Khanna Rutherford Frankel (Clark (Raskin) Sherrill Crow Kildee Ryan (MA)) Meng (Kuster b 2157 (Pallone) Cuellar Kilmer Sa´ nchez Garamendi (NH)) Sires (Norcross) Cunningham Kim Sarbanes Mr. STEIL changed his vote from (Sherman) Moore (Beyer) Speier (Scanlon) Curtis Kind Scanlon Grijalva (Garcı´a Mucarsel-Powell ‘‘yea’’ to ‘‘nay.’’ Thompson (CA) Davids (KS) King (NY) Schakowsky (IL)) (Wasserman So (two-thirds being in the affirma- (Kildee) Davis (CA) Kinzinger Schiff Hastings Schultz) Davis, Danny K. Kirkpatrick Schneider tive) the rules were suspended and the (Wasserman Nadler (Jeffries) Titus (Connolly) Davis, Rodney Krishnamoorthi Schrader Schultz) Napolitano Watson Coleman bill, as amended, was passed. Dean Kuster (NH) Schrier Higgins (NY) (Correa) (Pallone) The result of the vote was announced DeGette Lamb Schweikert (Sa´ nchez) Pascrell Welch DeLauro Langevin Scott (VA) as above recorded. Jayapal (Raskin) (Pallone) (McGovern) DelBene Larsen (WA) Scott, David A motion to reconsider was laid on Johnson (TX) Payne Wilson (FL) Delgado Larson (CT) Serrano (Jeffries) (Wasserman (Hayes) the table. Demings Lawrence Sewell (AL) Kaptur (Dingell) Schultz) DeSaulnier Lawson (FL) Shalala PERSONAL EXPLANATION f Deutch Lee (CA) Sherman Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Madam Speaker, Diaz-Balart Lee (NV) Sherrill on rollcall no. 230, I am not recorded because BIG CAT PUBLIC SAFETY ACT Dingell Levin (CA) Sires Doggett Levin (MI) Slotkin of circumstances which caused me to miss the The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- Doyle, Michael Lieu, Ted Smith (NJ) vote. Had I been present, I would have voted ant to clause 8 of rule XX, the unfin- F. Lipinski Smith (WA) nay. Engel Lofgren Smucker ished business is the vote on the mo- Escobar Lowenthal Soto On rollcall no. 231, I am not recorded be- tion to suspend the rules and pass the Eshoo Lowey Spanberger cause of circumstances which caused me to bill (H.R. 1380) to amend the Lacey Act Espaillat Lucas Speier miss the vote. Had I been present, I would Amendments of 1981 to clarify provi- Evans Luja´ n Stanton have voted nay. Finkenauer Luria Stefanik sions enacted by the Captive Wildlife Fitzpatrick Lynch Stevens On rollcall no. 232, I am not recorded be- Safety Act, to further the conservation Fletcher Malinowski Suozzi cause of circumstances which caused me to

VerDate Sep 11 2014 12:28 Dec 04, 2020 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00088 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A03DE7.165 H03DEPT1 dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with HOUSE December 3, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H6137 miss the vote. Had I been present, I would farm leaders to visit to work to for 1 minute and to revise and extend have voted nay. expand U.S. ag exports into that coun- her remarks.) PERSONAL EXPLANATION try. Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, Mr. GRAVES of Louisiana. Madam Speaker, He is also a great leader within the American people are hungry. Ameri- please excuse my absence. I was notified that cooperative Farm Credit System, cans are losing their homes. And one which he first joined in 1974. Jimmy I was exposed to COVID–19 and am following American every 30 seconds is dying. We was first elected by his fellow south quarantine guidelines set by the CDC. Had I need to be able to address this question Texas farmers to represent them on the been present, I would have voted ‘‘nay’’ on and address it immediately. board of the Coastal Bend Production We passed the HEROES Act so many rollcall No. 230, PQ, ‘‘nay’’ on rollcall No. 231, Credit Association in February 1982. months ago that had testing money. It Rule, and ‘‘nay’’ on rollcall No. 232, HR 1380. Jimmy went on to become a lifelong had restaurant money for all our local PERSONAL EXPLANATION board member of the Farm Credit Bank restaurants. It had PPP to save busi- Mr. BACON. Madam Speaker, I had a pos- of Texas, where he serves today as nesses. It had PPE money in terms of sible exposure to COVID–19 and have gone board chair and oversees efforts to sup- helping getting the equipment that is into quarantine in accordance with CDC guide- port farmers in Texas, New Mexico, needed to save nurses and doctors, but lines. Had I been present, I would have voted Louisiana, Alabama, and Mississippi. it was not done. ‘‘nay’’ on rollcall No. 230, ‘‘nay’’ on rollcall No. This year, Jimmy will complete his There is no reason for us to leave this 231, and ‘‘yea’’ on rollcall No. 232. term as board chair of the Farm Credit place without recognizing the Amer- MEMBERS RECORDED PURSUANT TO HOUSE Council, where he has led efforts to ican people are crying out for relief. I RESOLUTION 965, 116TH CONGRESS support farmers and farm families am willing to look very carefully at Barraga´ n (Beyer) Kaptur (Dingell) Payne across the United States. the bipartisan legislation that would Bera (Aguilar) Kennedy (Kuster (Wasserman Jimmy Dodson has devoted his life to include dollars for local governments Bonamici (Clark (NH)) Schultz) agriculture, and our Nation’s farm finally and as much for education and (MA)) Kim (Davids Peters (Kildee) families have benefited tremendously Boyle, Brendan (KS)) Pingree (Kuster vaccines. But the main message is the F. (Jeffries) Kirkpatrick (NH)) from his efforts. On behalf of the U.S. American people are crying out: Do Brownley (CA) (Stanton) Pocan (Raskin) House of Representatives and the something for us. (Clark (MA)) Lamb (Golden) Porter (Wexton) House Agriculture Committee, I extend We have done it as Democrats. I ex- Carson (IN) Langevin Pressley my deepest gratitude to Jimmy for his (Cleaver) (Lynch) (Trahan) tend my hand of friendship so that we Castor (FL) Lawson (FL) Price (NC) tireless efforts and his tireless support can negotiate, pass legislation to save (Demings) (Demings) (Butterfield) of American farmers and ranchers. I Cohen (Beyer) lives in America. COVID–19 is raging. Lee (NV) (Kuster Roybal-Allard wish him the very best as he continues Let’s do something about it. Costa (Cooper) (NH)) (Garcia (TX)) DeSaulnier his lifelong service to Texas and U.S. Lieu, Ted (Beyer) Ruiz (Dingell) f (Matsui) agriculture. Lipinski Rush Deutch (Rice (Schrader) (Underwood) f RECOGNIZING CAPE ASSIST (NY)) Doggett (Raskin) Lofgren (Jeffries) Schneider (Mr. VAN DREW asked and was given Lowenthal (Casten (IL)) RESTAURANTS AND STORES ARE Doyle, Michael BEING FORCED TO SHUT THEIR permission to address the House for 1 F. (Cartwright) (Beyer) Schrier minute and to revise and extend his re- Escobar (Garcia Lowey (Tonko) (DelBene) DOORS McEachin Serrano marks.) (TX)) (Mr. LAMALFA asked and was given Frankel (Clark (Wexton) (Jeffries) Mr. VAN DREW. Mr. Speaker, I (MA)) McNerney Sherrill permission to address the House for 1 would like to recognize Cape Assist, a Garamendi (Raskin) (Pallone) minute and to revise and extend his re- substance misuse prevention and treat- Meng (Kuster Sires (Norcross) (Sherman) marks.) ment agency which serves Cape May Grijalva (Garcı´a (NH)) Speier (Scanlon) Mr. LAMALFA. Mr. Speaker, the Moore (Beyer) Thompson (CA) County in south Jersey. (IL)) Christmas season is here, a time during Hastings Mucarsel-Powell (Kildee) From prevention and education pro- (Wasserman (Wasserman Titus (Connolly) which our small businesses typically grams for our community to recovery Schultz) Schultz) Watson Coleman thrive, the season that gets them services for those in need, the services Higgins (NY) Nadler (Jeffries) (Pallone) through much of the rest of the year (Sa´ nchez) Napolitano Welch that they offer are invaluable. They Jayapal (Raskin) (Correa) (McGovern) fiscally. This year, however, restaurants and are invaluable to our community and Johnson (TX) Pascrell Wilson (FL) to the lives that they literally help (Jeffries) (Pallone) (Hayes) stores are forced into shutting their save. f doors on much of Main Street America. However, the Paycheck Protection During this pandemic, people have, RECOGNIZING JIMMY DODSON Program has saved 51 million jobs unfortunately, turned to more drugs and more alcohol and more substance (Mr. CONAWAY asked and was given across the country. abuse. Cape Assist helps individuals permission to address the House for 1 Speaker PELOSI could use this legis- who are struggling with these addic- minute and to revise and extend his re- lative week to free up the remaining tions to turn the corner of their addic- marks.) $135 billion in PPP reserves, but in- tions and help them to get better. Mr. CONAWAY. Mr. Speaker, it is stead we are voting on legalizing a schedule I narcotic, and then whether I thank the staff of Cape Assist for with great respect and honor that I rise the diligent and lifesaving work they today to recognize Jimmy Dodson as to pass a Carole Baskin anti-tiger bill. Now is not the time to play politics do to ensure our community is edu- he completes his term as the chair of cated in these issues and that those in the Farm Credit Council Board of Di- by withholding money that has been already allocated on behalf of small need have the support to get through rectors. business. At the end of the year, if we the most difficult times of their lives. Jimmy is a third-generation farmer, do not use these funds, they will ex- Keep up the great work, Cape Assist. and he grows cotton, corn, wheat, milo, pire. God bless you and God bless the work and operates a seed sales business near I encourage all my colleagues to join that you do. Robstown, Texas, where he and his me in signing the discharge petition for f wife, Barbara, live today. H.R. 8265, freeing up these funds imme- CONGRESS NEEDS TO GET THEIR Jimmy is a great leader in the cotton diately and reviving the tested and ef- PRIORITIES STRAIGHT industry, as the past chair of the Na- fective PPP to save more small busi- tional Cotton Council of America, the nesses this year, especially as govern- (Mr. BURCHETT asked and was given American Cotton Producers, and the ments clamp down even more so on permission to address the House for 1 Cotton Foundation. He is a founding their closures. minute and to revise and extend his re- member of Cotton LEADS, the cotton f marks.) industry’s sustainability program, and Mr. BURCHETT. Mr. Speaker, with a member of the boards of Cotton In- AMERICANS ARE CRYING OUT FOR this body back to work this week, I was corporated, the Texas Agricultural Co- RELIEF hoping we would be here to work and operative Council, and the Gulf Coast (Ms. JACKSON LEE asked and was to address the ongoing health and eco- Cooperative. He was one of the first given permission to address the House nomic crisis. Unfortunately, that is not

VerDate Sep 11 2014 12:28 Dec 04, 2020 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00089 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A03DE7.166 H03DEPT1 dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with HOUSE H6138 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE December 3, 2020 the case. While small businesses and and the balance of the week on account have no significant effect on the def- hardworking Americans struggle to get of quarantining. icit, and therefore, the budgetary ef- by, we are spending what little time we f fects of such bill are estimated as zero. have left during this Congress voting ADJOURNMENT f on marijuana legislation. EXECUTIVE COMMUNICATIONS, Mr. Speaker, we need to get our pri- The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. ETC. orities straight and start governing re- ALLRED). Pursuant to section 4(b) of sponsibly. And we can do that right House Resolution 967, the House stands Under clause 2 of rule XIV, executive now by reopening the applications for adjourned until 9 a.m. tomorrow. communications were taken from the the Paycheck Protection Program, Thereupon (at 10 o’clock and 9 min- Speaker’s table and referred as follows: which still has $133 billion available to utes p.m.), under its previous order, the EC-5728. A letter from the Inspector Gen- small businesses and workers trying to House adjourned until tomorrow, Fri- eral, Department of Agriculture, transmit- get through this crisis. day, December 4, 2020, at 9 a.m. ting the Department’s investigative report of the three Forest Service (FS) fatalities that Luckily, there is a way around the f occurred during the Twisp River Fire outside obstruction that currently exists in OATH OF OFFICE MEMBERS, RESIDENT of Twisp, Washington on August 19, 2015, pur- this body. I am one of the 186 members COMMISSIONER, AND DELEGATES suant to 7 U.S.C. 2270c; Public Law 107-203, on the discharge petition that would The oath of office required by the Sec. 2; (116 Stat. 744); to the Committee on bring H.R. 8265 to the floor for a vote. sixth article of the Constitution of the Agriculture. This commonsense legislation would United States, and as provided by sec- EC-5729. A letter from the Commissioner, reopen the applications for the Pay- Commodity Futures Trading Commission, tion 2 of the act of May 13, 1884 (23 transmitting a report of the Climate-Related check Protection Program and give Stat. 22), to be administered to Mem- Market Risk Subcommittee, Market Risk small businesses access to unspent bers, Resident Commissioner, and Dele- Advisory Committee entitled ‘‘Managing Cli- money. Members of this body know gates of the House of Representatives, mate Risk in the U.S. Financial System’’; to how important this bill is in this cur- the text of which is carried in 5 U.S.C. the Committee on Agriculture. rent situation. It is a shame that those 3331: EC-5730. A letter from the Congressional who set the floor schedule are focused ‘‘I, AB, do solemnly swear (or af- Review Coordinator, Animal and Plant on advancing partisan priorities rather Health Inspection Service, Department of firm) that I will support and defend Agriculture, transmitting the Department’s than rising to meet the challenges fac- the Constitution of the United final rule — National Poultry Improvement ing our workers and small businesses. States against all enemies, foreign Plan and Auxiliary Provisions [Docket No.: f and domestic; that I will bear true APHIS-2018-0062] (RIN: 0579-AE49) received faith and allegiance to the same; November 4, 2020, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. OTHER MEDICATIONS TO TREAT 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 COVID–19 SHOULD BE LOOKED that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or Stat. 868); to the Committee on Agriculture. INTO EC-5731. A letter from the Regulations purpose of evasion; and that I will Management Division, Rural Development (Mr. GROTHMAN asked and was well and faithfully discharge the given permission to address the House Innovation Center, Rural Development-Rural duties of the office on which I am Utilities Service, Department of Agriculture, for 1 minute.) about to enter. So help me God.’’ transmitting the Department’s final rule — Mr. GROTHMAN. Mr. Speaker, this has been subscribed to in person and Request for comments on Rural Energy Sav- past July, medical research teams at filed in duplicate with the Clerk of the ings Program (RESP) (RIN: 0572-AC45) re- Israel’s Hebrew University in Jeru- House of Representatives by the fol- ceived November 16, 2020, pursuant to 5 salem and New York’s Mount Sinai lowing Member of the 116th Congress, U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on Ag- Hospital released a study indicating pursuant to the provisions of 2 U.S.C. that the FDA-approved cholesterol riculture. 25: EC-5732. A letter from the Regulations drug fenofibrate may significantly KWANZA HALL, Fifth District of Geor- Management Division, Rural Development- downgrade the severity of COVID–19. gia. Innovation Center, Rural Business Coopera- The medical teams were led by He- f tive Service, Department of Agriculture, brew University Professor Ya’acov transmitting the Department’s final rule — Nahmias and Mount Sinai’s Dr. Ben- BUDGETARY EFFECTS OF PAYGO Biorefinery, Renewable Chemical, and jamin tenOever. During their research, LEGISLATION Biobased Product Manufacturing Assistance they found the novel coronavirus and Pursuant to the Statutory Pay-As- Program [Docket Number: RBS-20-BUSI- studies conducted on human lung tis- NESS-0015] (RIN: 0570-AA73) received Novem- You-Go Act of 2010 (PAYGO), Mr. YAR- ber 16, 2020, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); sue found that COVID–19 prevents the MUTH hereby submits, prior to the vote Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to routine burning of carbohydrates, on passage, for printing in the CON- the Committee on Agriculture. which leads to fat in the lungs, which GRESSIONAL RECORD, that H.R. 1380, the EC-5733. A letter from the Director, Regu- causes people to die. Big Cat Public Safety Act, as amended, latory Management Division, Environmental What happens is that people take would have no significant effect on the Protection Agency, transmitting the Agen- fenofibrate, which is a drug that was deficit, and therefore, the budgetary ef- cy’s final rule — Tolerance Crop Grouping Program V [EPA-HQ-OPP-2006-0766; FRL- commonly used for high cholesterol fects of such bill are estimated as zero. treatment, and it stops this inflamma- 10015-19] (RIN: 2070-AJ28) received November 16, 2020, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); tion and improves people’s respiratory Pursuant to the Statutory Pay-As- Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to systems. You-Go Act of 2010 (PAYGO), Mr. YAR- the Committee on Agriculture. Right now, these doctors are not MUTH hereby submits, prior to the vote EC-5734. A letter from the Board Chairman given the support they should be given on passage, for printing in the CON- and Chief Executive Officer, Farm Credit Ad- by the CDC and the NIH. We have a lot GRESSIONAL RECORD, that H.R. 3682, the ministration, transmitting the 2019 annual of people dying of coronavirus, and I Land Grant-Mercedes Traditional Use report of the Farm Credit Administration; to the Committee on Agriculture. think our people should not be too Recognition an Consultation Act, as EC-5735. A letter from the Director, Office proud to recognize that sometimes amended, would have no significant ef- of Legislative Affairs, Legal, Federal Deposit cures are made in other countries. fect on the deficit, and therefore, the Insurance Corporation, transmitting the I strongly encourage the CDC to look budgetary effects of such bill are esti- Corporation’s final rule — Branch Applica- at fenofibrate and these two great re- mated as zero. tion Procedures (RIN: 3064-AF54) received searchers. November 16, 2020, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 f Pursuant to the Statutory Pay-As- You-Go Act of 2010 (PAYGO), Mr. YAR- Stat. 868); to the Committee on Financial LEAVE OF ABSENCE MUTH hereby submits, prior to the vote Services. EC-5736. A letter from the Assistant Sec- By unanimous consent, leave of ab- on passage, for printing in the CON- retary for Legislation, Department of Health sence was granted to: GRESSIONAL RECORD, that H.R. 8199, the and Human Services, transmitting the 38th Mr. GRAVES of Louisiana (at the re- 504 Credit Risk Management Improve- Annual Report to Congress on the Implemen- quest of Mr. MCCARTHY) for December 2 ment Act of 2020, as amended, would tation of the Age Discrimination Act of 1975

VerDate Sep 11 2014 12:28 Dec 04, 2020 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00090 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K03DE7.134 H03DEPT1 dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with HOUSE December 3, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H6139 for Fiscal Year 2019, pursuant to 42 U.S.C. mulgation of State Air Quality Plans for 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on En- 6106a(b); Public Law 94-135, Sec. 308(b); (92 Designated Facilities and Pollutants; Arkan- ergy and Commerce. Stat. 1556); to the Committee on Education sas, New Mexico, and Albuquerque-Bernalillo EC-5752. A letter from the Director, Regu- and Labor. County, New Mexico; Control of Emissions latory Management Division, Environmental EC-5737. A letter from the Secretary, De- From Existing Commercial and Industrial Protection Agency, transmitting the Agen- partment of Education, transmitting the De- Solid Waste Incineration Units [EPA-R06- cy’s final rule — Approval and Promulgation partment’s correction notice — Direct Grant OAR-2020-0357; FRL-10016-22-Region 6] re- of State Plans for Designated Facilities and Programs, State-Administered Formula ceived November 16, 2020, pursuant to 5 Pollutants; City of Philadelphia and District Grant Programs, Non Discrimination on the U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. of Columbia [EPA-R03-OAR-2019-0678; FRL- Basis of Sex in Education Programs or Ac- 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on En- 10016-45-Region 3] received November 16, 2020, tivities Receiving Federal Financial Assist- ergy and Commerce. pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law ance, Developing Hispanic-Serving Institu- EC-5745. A letter from the Associate Direc- 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Com- tions Program, Strengthening Institutions tor, Regulatory Management Division, Envi- mittee on Energy and Commerce. Program, Strengthening Historically Black ronmental Protection Agency, transmitting EC-5753. A letter from the Program Ana- Colleges and Universities Program, and the Agency’s direct final rule — Arkansas: lyst, Federal Communications Commission, Strengthening Historically Black Graduate Final Approval of State Underground Stor- transmitting the Commission’s final rule — Institutions Program [Docket ID: ED-2019- age Tank Program Revisions and Incorpora- Video Description: Implementation of the OPE-0080] (RIN: 1840-AD45) received Novem- tion by Reference [EPA-R06-UST-2018-0701; Twenty-First Century Communications and ber 16, 2020, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); FRL-10014-65-Region 6] received November 16, Video Accessibility Act of 2010, [MB Docket Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to 2020, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public No.: 11-43, FCC 20-155] received November 16, the Committee on Education and Labor. Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the 2020, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public EC-5738. A letter from the Assistant Sec- Committee on Energy and Commerce. Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the retary for Legislation, Department of Health EC-5746. A letter from the Associate Direc- Committee on Energy and Commerce. and Human Services, transmitting the 12th tor, Regulatory Management Division, Envi- EC-5754. A letter from the Attorney Advi- Annual Report on Delays in Approvals of Ap- ronmental Protection Agency, transmitting sor, Media Bureau, Federal Communications plications Related to Citizen Petitions and the Agency’s final rule — Determination of Commission, transmitting the Commission’s Petitions for Stay of Agency Action for Fis- Attainment by the Attainment Date for the final rule — Cable Service Change Notifica- cal Year 2019, pursuant to 21 U.S.C. 355(q)(3); Salt Lake City, Utah and Provo, Utah 2006 tions [MB Docket No.: 19-347]; Modernization (June 25, 1938, ch. 675, §505(q)(3) (as amended 24-Hour PM2.5 Nonattainment Areas [EPA- of Media Regulation Initiative [MB Docket by Public Law 110-85, Sec. 914(a)); (121 Stat. R08-OAR-2020-0002; FRL-10016-52-Region 8] re- No.: 17-105]; Amendment of the Commission’s 956); to the Committee on Energy and Com- ceived November 16, 2020, pursuant to 5 Rules Related to Retransmission Consent [MB Docket No.: 10-71] received November 16, merce. U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. EC-5739. A letter from the Acting Assistant 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on En- 2020, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Secretary for Legislation, Department of ergy and Commerce. Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Health and Human Services, transmitting EC-5747. A letter from the Associate Direc- Committee on Energy and Commerce. EC-5755. A letter from the Program Ana- the National Health Service Corps Report to tor, Regulatory Management Division, Envi- lyst, Consumer and Governmental Affairs Congress for the Year 2019, pursuant to 42 ronmental Protection Agency, transmitting Bureau, Federal Communications Commis- U.S.C. 254i; July 1, 1944, ch. 373, title III, Sec. the Agency’s final rule — Findings of Failure sion, transmitting the Commission’s final 336A (as amended by Public Law 107-251, Sec. to Submit State Implementation Plan Revi- rule — Misuse of Internet Protocol (IP) Cap- 307(b)); (116 Stat. 1649); to the Committee on sions in Response to the 2016 Oil and Natural tioned Telephone Service [CG Docket No.: 13- Energy and Commerce. Gas Industry Control Techniques Guidelines 24]; Telecommunications Relay Services and EC-5740. A letter from the Assistant Sec- for the 2008 Ozone National Ambient Air Speech-to-Speech Services for Individuals retary for Legislation, Department of Health Quality Standards (NAAQS) and for States with Hearing and Speech Disabilities [CG and Human Services, transmitting the in the Ozone Transport Region [EPA-HQ- Docket No.: 03-123]; Structure and Practices NURSE Corps Loan Repayment and Scholar- OAR-2020-0485; FRL-10016-24-OAR] received of the Video Relay Service Program [CG ship Programs report to Congress for FY November 16, 2020, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. Docket No.: 10-51] received November 16, 2019, pursuant to 42 U.S.C. 297n(h); July 1, 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 2020, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public 1944, ch. 373, title VIII, Sec. 846(h) (as amend- Stat. 868); to the Committee on Energy and Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the ed by Public Law 107-205, Sec. 103(d)); (116 Commerce. Committee on Energy and Commerce. Stat. 814); to the Committee on Energy and EC-5748. A letter from the Associate Direc- EC-5756. A letter from the Secretary, De- Commerce. tor, Regulatory Management Division, Envi- partment of the Treasury, transmitting a EC-5741. A letter from the Assistant Sec- ronmental Protection Agency, transmitting six-month periodic report on the national retary for Legislation, Department of Health the Agency’s final rule — emergency with respect to Syria that was and Human Services, transmitting the FY Mefentrifluconazole; Pesticide Tolerances declared in Executive Order 13338 of May 11, 2019 Report on the Preventive Medicine and [EPA-HQ-OPP-2020-0068; FRL-10015-56] re- 2004, pursuant to 50 U.S.C. 1641(c); Public Public Health Training Grant Program, pur- ceived November 16, 2020, pursuant to 5 Law 94-412, Sec. 401(c); (90 Stat. 1257) and 50 suant to 42 U.S.C. 295c(d); July 1, 1944, ch. U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. U.S.C. 1703(c); Public Law 95-223, Sec 204(c); 373, title VII, Sec. 768(d) (as amended by Pub- 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on En- (91 Stat. 1627); to the Committee on Foreign lic Law 111-148, Sec. 10501(m)); (124 Stat. ergy and Commerce. Affairs. 1002); to the Committee on Energy and Com- EC-5749. A letter from the Associate Direc- EC-5757. A letter from the Secretary, De- merce. tor, Regulatory Management Division, Envi- partment of the Treasury, transmitting a EC-5742. A letter from the Assistant Sec- ronmental Protection Agency, transmitting six-month periodic report on the national retary of Legislation, Office of the Sec- the Agency’s final rule — National Emission emergency with respect to the Central Afri- retary, Department of Health and Human Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants: can Republic that was declared in Executive Services, transmitting a report titled, ‘‘Inno- Phosphoric Acid Manufacturing [EPA-HQ- Order 13667 of May 12, 2014, pursuant to 50 vative State Initiatives and Strategies for OAR-2020-0016; FRL-10015-94-OAR] (RIN: 2060- U.S.C. 1641(c); Public Law 94-412, Sec. 401(c); Providing Housing-Related Services and AU25) received November 16, 2020, pursuant (90 Stat. 1257) and 50 U.S.C. 1703(c); Public Supports under a State Medicaid Program to to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Law 95-223, Sec 204(c); (91 Stat. 1627); to the Individuals with Substance Use Disorders Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on Committee on Foreign Affairs. Who Are Experiencing or at Risk of Experi- Energy and Commerce. EC-5758. A letter from the Secretary, De- encing Homelessness’’, pursuant to Public EC-5750. A letter from the Director, Regu- partment of the Treasury, transmitting a Law 115-271, Sec. 1017(a); (132 Stat. 3923); to latory Management Division, Environmental six-month periodic report on the national the Committee on Energy and Commerce. Protection Agency, transmitting the Agen- emergency with respect to Yemen that was EC-5743. A letter from the Associate Direc- cy’s final rule — Air Plan Approval; ID, In- declared in Executive Order 13611 of May 16, tor, Regulatory Management Division, Envi- corporation by Reference Updates and Rule 2012, pursuant to 50 U.S.C. 1641(c); Public ronmental Protection Agency, transmitting Revisions [EPA-R10-OAR-2019-0401; FRL- Law 94-412, Sec. 401(c); (90 Stat. 1257) and 50 the Agency’s final rule — Air Plan Approval; 10016-18-Region 10] received November 16, U.S.C. 1703(c); Public Law 95-223, Sec 204(c); Missouri; Removal of Control of Emission 2020, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public (91 Stat. 1627); to the Committee on Foreign from Solvent Cleanup Operations [EPA-R07- Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Affairs. OAR-2020-0439; FRL-10016-37-Region 7] re- Committee on Energy and Commerce. EC-5759. A letter from the Vice President, ceived November 16, 2020, pursuant to 5 EC-5751. A letter from the Director, Regu- Office of External Affairs, Overseas Private U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. latory Management Division, Environmental Investment Corporation, transmitting the 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on En- Protection Agency, transmitting the Agen- annual report of the Corporation for Fiscal ergy and Commerce. cy’s final rule — Air Plan Approval; NC; Blue Year 2019 on Development Impact, pursuant EC-5744. A letter from the Associate Direc- Ridge Paper SO2 Emission Limits [EPA-R04- to 22 U.S.C. 2200a(a); Public Law 87-195, Sec. tor, Regulatory Management Division, Envi- OAR-2020-0001; FRL-10016-41-Region 4] re- 240A (as amended by Public Law 99-204, Sec. ronmental Protection Agency, transmitting ceived November 16, 2020, pursuant to 5 14(a); (99 Stat. 1674); to the Committee on the Agency’s final rule — Approval and Pro- U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. Foreign Affairs.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 12:28 Dec 04, 2020 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00091 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\L03DE7.000 H03DEPT1 dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with HOUSE H6140 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE December 3, 2020 EC-5760. A letter from the Executive Direc- Transportation, transmitting the Depart- Transportation, transmitting the Depart- tor, Federal Retirement Thrift Investment ment’s final rule — Amendment of Class D ment’s final rule — Standard Instrument Ap- Board, transmitting the Board’s direct final and E Airspace; St. Louis, MO [Docket No.: proach Procedures, and Takeoff Minimums rule — Availability of Records received No- FAA-2020-0319; Airspace Docket No.: 20-ACE- and Obstacle Departure Procedures; Mis- vember 16, 2020, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 5] (RIN: 2120-AA66) received November 4, cellaneous Amendments [Docket No.: 31319; 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 2020, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Amdt. No.: 3911] received November 4, 2020, Stat. 868); to the Committee on Oversight Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law and Reform. Committee on Transportation and Infra- 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Com- EC-5761. A letter from the Director, Office structure. mittee on Transportation and Infrastruc- of Acquisition Policy, Office of Government- EC-5770. A letter from the Management ture. Wide Policy, General Services Administra- and Program Analyst, FAA, Department of EC-5778. A letter from the Management tion, transmitting the Administration’s final Transportation, transmitting the Depart- and Program Analyst, FAA, Department of rule — Federal Acquisition Regulation; Fed- ment’s final rule — Amendment of Class D Transportation, transmitting the Depart- eral Acquisition Circular 2021-01; Introduc- and E Airspace and Establishment of Class E ment’s final rule — Airworthiness Direc- tion [Docket No.: FAR-2020-0051, Sequence Airspace; Alton/St. Louis, IL [Docket No.: tives; The Boeing Company Airplanes [Dock- No.: 6] received November 4, 2020, pursuant to FAA-2020-0321; Airspace Docket No.: 20-AGL- et No.: FAA-2020-0579; Product Identifier 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. 17] (RIN: 2120-AA66) received November 4, 2020-NM-009-AD; Amendment 39-21163; AD 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on 2020, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public 2020-14-09] (RIN: 2120-AA64) received Novem- Oversight and Reform. Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the ber 4, 2020, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); EC-5762. A letter from the General Counsel, Committee on Transportation and Infra- Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to Office of Management and Budget, Executive structure. the Committee on Transportation and Infra- Office of the President, transmitting a noti- EC-5771. A letter from the Management structure. fication of a nomination and change in pre- and Program Analyst, FAA, Department of EC-5779. A letter from the Management viously submitted reported information, pur- Transportation, transmitting the Depart- and Program Analyst, FAA, Department of suant to 5 U.S.C. 3349(a); Public Law 105-277, ment’s final rule — Amendment of Class E Transportation, transmitting the Depart- 151(b); (112 Stat. 2681-614); to the Committee Airspace; Baudette, MN [Docket No.: FAA- ment’s final rule — Airworthiness Direc- on Oversight and Reform. 2020-0362; Airspace Docket No.: 20-AGL-19] tives; Diamond Aircraft Industries Airplanes EC-5763. A letter from the Acting Director, (RIN: 2120-AA66) received November 4, 2020, [Docket No.: FAA-2020-0644; Product Identi- Employee Service, Office of Personnel Man- pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law fier 2019-CE-057-AD; Amendment 39-21160; AD agement, transmitting the Office’s final rule 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Com- 2020-14-06] (RIN: 2120-AA64) received Novem- — General Schedule Locality Pay Areas mittee on Transportation and Infrastruc- ber 4, 2020, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); (RIN: 3206-AO05) received November 16, 2020, ture. Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law EC-5772. A letter from the Management the Committee on Transportation and Infra- 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Com- and Program Analyst, FAA, Department of structure. mittee on Oversight and Reform. Transportation, transmitting the Depart- EC-5780. A letter from the Management EC-5764. A letter from the Acting Director, ment’s final rule — Amendment of Class E and Program Analyst, FAA, Department of Employee Service, Office of Personnel Man- Airspace; Decorah, IA [Docket No.: FAA- Transportation, transmitting the Depart- agement, transmitting the Office’s final rule 2020-0376; Airspace Docket No.: 20-ACE-7] ment’s final rule — Airworthiness Direc- — Probation on Initial Appointment to a (RIN: 2120-AA66) received November 4, 2020, tives; Airbus Helicopters [Docket No.: FAA- Competitive Position, Performance-Based pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 2019-1099; Product Identifier 2018-SW-026-AD; Reduction in Grade and Removal Actions 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Com- Amendment 39-21164; AD 2020-15-01] (RIN: and Adverse Actions (RIN: 3206-AN60) re- mittee on Transportation and Infrastruc- 2120-AA64) received November 4, 2020, pursu- ceived November 16, 2020, pursuant to 5 ture. ant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104- U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. EC-5773. A letter from the Management 121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on and Program Analyst, FAA, Department of on Transportation and Infrastructure. Oversight and Reform. Transportation, transmitting the Depart- EC-5781. A letter from the Secretary, De- EC-5765. A letter from the Acting Director, ment’s final rule — Amendment of Class E partment of Labor, transmitting reports ti- Office of the Director, Office of Personnel Airspace; Webster City, IA [Docket No.: tled, ‘‘The Department of Labor’s List of Management, transmitting the Office’s final FAA-2020-0398; Airspace Docket No.: 20-ACE- Goods Produced by Child Labor or Forced rule — Guidance Procedures (RIN: 3206-AO01) 8] (RIN: 2120-AA66) received November 4, Labor’’ and ‘‘The Department of Labor’s 2019 received November 16, 2020, pursuant to 5 2020, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Findings on the Worst Forms of Child U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Labor’’, pursuant to 22 U.S.C. 7112(b)(3); Pub- 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on Committee on Transportation and Infra- lic Law 109-164, Sec. 105(b)(3) (as added by Oversight and Reform. structure. Public Law 113-4, Sec. 1232); (127 Stat. 146); EC-5766. A letter from the Assistant Attor- EC-5774. A letter from the Management jointly to the Committees on Education and ney General, Office of Legislative Affairs, and Program Analyst, FAA, Department of Labor, Oversight and Reform, and Ways and Department of Justice, transmitting the Transportation, transmitting the Depart- Means. Fourteenth Annual Government-to-Govern- ment’s final rule — Amendment of Class E f ment Violence Against Women Tribal Con- Airspace; Winner, SD [Docket No.: FAA-2020- sultation and the 2019 Tribal Consultation 0377; Airspace Docket No.: 20-AGL-20] (RIN: REPORTS OF COMMITTEES ON Report of the Office on Violence Against 2120-AA66) received November 4, 2020, pursu- PUBLIC BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS Women, pursuant to 34 U.S.C. 20126(c); Public ant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104- Under clause 2 of rule XIII, reports of Law 109-162, Sec. 903(c) (as added by Public 121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee committees were delivered to the Clerk Law 113-4, Sec. 903(3)); (127 Stat. 120); to the on Transportation and Infrastructure. Committee on the Judiciary. EC-5775. A letter from the Management for printing and reference to the proper EC-5767. A letter from the Agency Rep- and Program Analyst, FAA, Department of calendar, as follows: resentative, United States and Trade- Transportation, transmitting the Depart- Mr. SMITH of Washington: Committee of mark Office, Department of Commerce, ment’s final rule — Establishment of Class E Conference. Conference report on H.R. 6395. transmitting the Department’s final rule — Airspace, Sleetmute, AK [Docket No.: FAA- A bill to authorize appropriations for fiscal International Trademark Classification 2020-0359; Airspace Docket No.: 15-AAL-5] year 2021 for military activities of the De- Changes [Docket No.: PTO-T-2020-0037] (RIN: (RIN: 2120-AA66) received November 4, 2020, partment of Defense and for military con- 0651-AD49) received November 16, 2020, pursu- pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law struction, to prescribe military personnel ant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104- 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Com- strengths for such fiscal year, and for other 121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee mittee on Transportation and Infrastruc- purposes (Rept. 116–617). Ordered to be print- on the Judiciary. ture. ed. EC-5768. A letter from the Management EC-5776. A letter from the Management f and Program Analyst, FAA, Department of and Program Analyst, FAA, Department of Transportation, transmitting the Depart- Transportation, transmitting the Depart- PUBLIC BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS ment’s final rule — Removal of Class E Air- ment’s final rule — Standard Instrument Ap- Under clause 2 of rule XII, public space, and Amendment of Class D and Class proach Procedures, and Takeoff Minimums bills and resolutions of the following E Airspace; Jacksonville, FL [Docket No.: and Obstacle Departure Procedures; Mis- FAA-2019-0932; Airspace Docket No.: 19-ASO- cellaneous Amendments [Docket No.: 31320; titles were introduced and severally re- 24] (RIN: 2120-AA66) received November 4, Amdt. No.: 3912] received November 4, 2020, ferred, as follows: 2020, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law By Mr. PETERSON: Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Com- H.R. 8843. A bill to amend the Food Secu- Committee on Transportation and Infra- mittee on Transportation and Infrastruc- rity Act of 1985 to increase the number of structure. ture. acres authorized for enrollment in the con- EC-5769. A letter from the Management EC-5777. A letter from the Management servation reserve program, and for other pur- and Program Analyst, FAA, Department of and Program Analyst, FAA, Department of poses; to the Committee on Agriculture.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 12:28 Dec 04, 2020 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00092 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\L03DE7.000 H03DEPT1 dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with HOUSE December 3, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H6141 By Mr. WILSON of South Carolina: to the appropriate committees of Congress By Mr. PAPPAS: H.R. 8844. A bill to require reports and de- advance notice of certain meeting announce- H.R. 8860. A bill to amend title 38, United terminations relating to imposition of sanc- ments; to the Committee on Transportation States Code, to make certain improvements tions against the Badr Organization, and for and Infrastructure. in the laws relating to whistleblower protec- other purposes; to the Committee on Foreign By Mr. GRAVES of Louisiana: tion at the Department of Veterans Affairs, Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on H.R. 8854. A bill to amend title 49, United and for other purposes; to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subse- States Code, to establish a program to track Veterans’ Affairs. quently determined by the Speaker, in each potential sources of airborne foreign object By Mr. RICE of South Carolina (for case for consideration of such provisions as debris to prevent the collision of aircraft himself, Ms. DEGETTE, Mr. REED, and fall within the jurisdiction of the committee with such debris, and for other purposes; to Mr. BUTTERFIELD): concerned. the Committee on Transportation and Infra- H.R. 8861. A bill to permit Centers for Dis- By Ms. SEWELL of Alabama (for her- structure. ease Control and Prevention-recognized vir- self, Mr. ARRINGTON, Mr. RUIZ, and By Mr. of Oklahoma (for tual diabetes prevention program suppliers to be included in the Medicare Diabetes Pre- Mr. HUDSON): himself, Mr. BUDD, Mr. TIFFANY, Mr. vention Program Expanded Model conducted H.R. 8845. A bill to amend title XVIII of the RESCHENTHALER, Mr. WEBER of Texas, by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid In- Social Security Act to provide for Medicare Mr. GAETZ, Mr. JOYCE of Pennsyl- novation under section 1115A of the Social coverage of multi-cancer early detection vania, Mr. PERRY, Mr. BANKS, Mr. Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1315a); to the Com- screening tests; to the Committee on Energy STEUBE, Mr. BAIRD, Mr. FLORES, Mr. and Commerce, and in addition to the Com- mittee on Energy and Commerce, and in ad- BIGGS, Mr. KELLER, Mr. AUSTIN SCOTT dition to the Committee on Ways and Means, mittee on Ways and Means, for a period to be of Georgia, and Mrs. LESKO): subsequently determined by the Speaker, in for a period to be subsequently determined H.R. 8855. A bill to prohibit Federal em- by the Speaker, in each case for consider- each case for consideration of such provi- ployees from making allegations or appeals ation of such provisions as fall within the ju- sions as fall within the jurisdiction of the with respect to an adverse action to more risdiction of the committee concerned. committee concerned. than one entity, and for other purposes; to By Ms. SPANBERGER (for herself and By Mr. CHABOT: the Committee on Oversight and Reform. H.R. 8846. A bill to authorize the imposi- Mr. COLE): By Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia (for him- H.R. 8862. A bill to reauthorize the Preg- tion of sanctions on certain persons engaged self, Ms. ADAMS, Mrs. BEATTY, Mr. nancy Assistance Fund; to the Committee on in a pattern of significant theft of United BERA, Mr. BISHOP of Georgia, Mrs. Education and Labor. States , and for other BUSTOS, Mr. BUTTERFIELD, Ms. CAS- By Mr. STEWART: purposes; to the Committee on Foreign Af- TOR of Florida, Ms. CLARKE of New H.R. 8863. A bill to prohibit the further ex- fairs, and in addition to the Committee on York, Mr. COOPER, Mr. DESAULNIER, tension or establishment of national monu- the Judiciary, for a period to be subse- Mr. MICHAEL F. DOYLE of Pennsyl- ments in Utah except by express authoriza- quently determined by the Speaker, in each vania, Ms. ESHOO, Ms. FUDGE, Ms. tion of Congress; to the Committee on Nat- case for consideration of such provisions as GABBARD, Mr. GARAMENDI, Mr. GREEN ural Resources. fall within the jurisdiction of the committee of Texas, Mr. GRIJALVA, Ms. By Mr. STEWART: concerned. HAALAND, Mr. HASTINGS, Ms. JACKSON H.R. 8864. A bill to direct the Secretary of By Ms. CHENEY: LEE, Mr. KILMER, Ms. KUSTER of New the Interior to enter into agreements with H.R. 8847. A bill to designate the facility of Hampshire, Mr. LANGEVIN, Mrs. LAW- States to allow continued operation of facili- the United States Postal Service located at RENCE, Ms. LEE of California, Mr. ties and programs that have been determined 440 Arapahoe Street in Thermopolis, Wyo- LOWENTHAL, Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALO- to have a direct economic impact on tour- ming, as the ‘‘Robert L. Brown Post Office’’; NEY of New York, Mr. SEAN PATRICK ism, mining, timber, or general transpor- to the Committee on Oversight and Reform. MALONEY of New York, Ms. MOORE, tation in the State and which would other- By Mr. COOK: Mr. NADLER, Ms. NORTON, Mr. wise cease operating, in whole or in part, H.R. 8848. A bill to convey certain Federal PETERS, Mr. POCAN, Mr. SARBANES, during a Federal Government shutdown that land in California to Twentynine Palms, Ms. SCHAKOWSKY, Ms. SPEIER, Mr. is the result of a lapse in appropriations, and California; to the Committee on Natural Re- THOMPSON of Mississippi, Ms. TITUS, for other purposes; to the Committee on Nat- sources. Mr. VARGAS, Mr. YARMUTH, Mr. ural Resources. By Mr. COOK: BEYER, and Mr. LYNCH): By Mr. STEWART (for himself, Mr. H.R. 8849. A bill to facilitate land ex- H.R. 8856. A bill to award a Congressional COOK, Mr. SIMPSON, Mr. AMODEI, and changes in California between the California Mr. LAMBORN): State Lands Commission and the Depart- Gold Medal to the , collec- tively, in recognition of their unique con- H.R. 8865. A bill to improve the process for ment of the Interior, and for other purposes; awarding grants under certain programs of to the Committee on Natural Resources. tribution to Civil Rights, which inspired a revolutionary movement for equality in the Department of Transportation to certain By Mr. COOK: counties in which the majority of land is interstate travel; to the Committee on Fi- H.R. 8850. A bill to convey certain Federal owned or managed by the Federal Govern- nancial Services, and in addition to the Com- land in California to Apple Valley, Cali- ment and to other units of local government mittee on House Administration, for a period fornia; to the Committee on Natural Re- and Tribal governments in those counties, to be subsequently determined by the Speak- sources. and for other purposes; to the Committee on er, in each case for consideration of such pro- By Mr. CROW (for himself and Mr. Transportation and Infrastructure. visions as fall within the jurisdiction of the BALDERSON): By Mr. STEWART: H.R. 8851. A bill to establish a Next Gen- committee concerned. H.R. 8866. A bill to improve the process for eration Entrepreneurship Corps program By Mr. LYNCH: awarding grants under certain programs of within the Small Business Administration, H.R. 8857. A bill to establish a Consumer the Department of Agriculture to certain and for other purposes; to the Committee on Protection Relief Fund to empower lenders counties in which the majority of land is Small Business, and in addition to the Com- to deploy credit to vulnerable borrowers owned or managed by the Federal Govern- mittee on Education and Labor, for a period needing access to credit as a result of the ment and to other units of local government to be subsequently determined by the Speak- COVID-19 pandemic; to the Committee on Fi- and Tribal governments in those counties, er, in each case for consideration of such pro- nancial Services. and for other purposes; to the Committee on visions as fall within the jurisdiction of the By Mr. MCKINLEY (for himself, Mr. Agriculture, and in addition to the Commit- committee concerned. VEASEY, Mr. ARMSTRONG, Mrs. tees on Energy and Commerce, and Financial By Ms. GABBARD (for herself and Mr. BUSTOS, Mr. MOONEY of West Vir- Services, for a period to be subsequently de- GAETZ): ginia, Mr. MICHAEL F. DOYLE of Penn- termined by the Speaker, in each case for H.R. 8852. A bill to amend title 18, United sylvania, Mrs. FLETCHER, and Mr. consideration of such provisions as fall with- States Code, to provide that offenses com- BERGMAN): in the jurisdiction of the committee con- mitted on the basis of political affiliation H.R. 8858. A bill to amend the Internal Rev- cerned. constitute hate crimes, and for other pur- enue Code of 1986 to extend and allow an By Ms. TITUS (for herself, Mr. MAST, poses; to the Committee on the Judiciary, elective payment of the tax credit for carbon Mr. GAETZ, Mr. FITZPATRICK, Mr. and in addition to the Committee on Edu- oxide sequestration; to the Committee on SUOZZI, Mr. of California, cation and Labor, for a period to be subse- Ways and Means. Mr. COHEN, Ms. SHALALA, Mrs. DIN- quently determined by the Speaker, in each By Mrs. MILLER (for herself, Mr. GELL, Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois, case for consideration of such provisions as CRAWFORD, Mr. WEBER of Texas, Mr. Mr. HARDER of California, Ms. LEE of fall within the jurisdiction of the committee GRAVES of Louisiana, and Mr. California, Ms. NORTON, Mr. LYNCH, concerned. PENCE): Mr. NADLER, Mr. CICILLINE, Mr. LEVIN By Mr. GRAVES of Louisiana (for him- H.R. 8859. A bill to establish an innovative of Michigan, Mr. LOWENTHAL, Ms. self and Mr. LARSEN of Washington): mobility and technology deployment grants JAYAPAL, Ms. ESHOO, and Mr. HURD of H.R. 8853. A bill to direct the Secretary of program, and for other purposes; to the Com- Texas): Transportation and the Administrator of the mittee on Transportation and Infrastruc- H.R. 8867. A bill to amend title 38, United Federal Aviation Administration to provide ture. States Code, to prohibit the Secretary of

VerDate Sep 11 2014 12:28 Dec 04, 2020 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00093 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\L03DE7.100 H03DEPT1 dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with HOUSE H6142 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE December 3, 2020 Veterans Affairs from conducting medical Article 1 Section 8 Congress has the power to enact this legis- research causing significant pain or distress By Mr. COOK: lation pursuant to the following: to cats; to the Committee on Veterans’ Af- H.R. 8850. Article 1, Section 8 of the U.S. constitution fairs. Congress has the power to enact this legis- By Mr. STEWART: By Mr. TRONE (for himself, Ms. JUDY lation pursuant to the following: H.R. 8863. CHU of California, and Mr. LEVIN of Article 1 Section 8 Congress has the power to enact this legis- California): By Mr. CROW: lation pursuant to the following: H.R. 8868. A bill to amend title V of the H.R. 8851. Article 1 Section 8 Clause 18 Public Health Service Act to provide for in- Congress has the power to enact this legis- By Mr. STEWART: creased oversight of recovery housing, and lation pursuant to the following: H.R. 8864. for other purposes; to the Committee on En- Article I, Section 8, Clause 3: The Congress Congress has the power to enact this legis- ergy and Commerce. shall have Power To regulate Commerce lation pursuant to the following: By Ms. WILD (for herself and Mr. with foreign Nations, and among the several Article I, Section 8, Clause 8; Article IV, FITZPATRICK): States, and with the Indian Tribes. Section 3; and Article X H.R. 8869. A bill to create a Council on By Ms. GABBARD: By Mr. STEWART: Emergency Response Protocols to ensure the H.R. 8852. H.R. 8865. establishment of accessible, developmentally Congress has the power to enact this legis- Congress has the power to enact this legis- appropriate, culturally aware, and trauma- lation pursuant to the following: lation pursuant to the following: informed emergency response protocols in U.S. Constitution including Article 1, Sec- Article I, Section 8, Clause 3 public schools, early childcare and education tion 8, Clause 1 (General Welfare Clause) and By Mr. STEWART: settings, and institutions of higher edu- Article 1, Section 8, Clause 18 (Necessary and H.R. 8866. cation, and for other purposes; to the Com- Proper Clause), Article 4, Section 3, Clause 2 Congress has the power to enact this legis- mittee on Education and Labor. (Property). lation pursuant to the following: By Mr. FOSTER (for himself, Mr. By Mr. GRAVES of Louisiana: Article I, Section 8, Clause 3 TAKANO, Ms. STEVENS, Mr. RYAN, and H.R. 8853. By Ms. TITUS: Mr. BROOKS of Alabama): Congress has the power to enact this legis- H.R. 8867. H. Res. 1248. A resolution expressing sup- lation pursuant to the following: Congress has the power to enact this legis- port for the designation of December 3, 2020, Article I, Section 1 and Article I, Section 8, lation pursuant to the following: as the ‘‘National Day of 3D Printing’’; to the Clauses 3 and 18 of the United States Con- Article I, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitu- Committee on Energy and Commerce. stitution tion By Mr. WALBERG (for himself and Ms. By Mr. GRAVES of Louisiana: By Mr. TRONE: STEVENS): H.R. 8854. H.R. 8868. H. Res. 1249. A resolution expressing sup- Congress has the power to enact this legis- Congress has the power to enact this legis- port for frontline workers, residents of long- lation pursuant to the following: lation pursuant to the following: term care facilities, individuals with pre- Article I, Section 8, Clauses 3 and 18 of the Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution of existing conditions, and K-12 educators to re- United States Constitution the United States. ceive priority access to a COVID-19 vaccine; By Mr. KEVIN HERN of Oklahoma: By Ms. WILD: to the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H.R. 8855. H.R. 8869. Congress has the power to enact this legis- f Congress has the power to enact this legis- lation pursuant to the following: lation pursuant to the following: CONSTITUTIONAL AUTHORITY Article 1, Section 8, Constitution of the Article I Section VIII United States of America STATEMENT f By Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia: Pursuant to clause 7 of rule XII of H.R. 8856. ADDITIONAL SPONSORS the Rules of the House of Representa- Congress has the power to enact this legis- tives, the following statements are sub- lation pursuant to the following: Under clause 7 of rule XII, sponsors were mitted regarding the specific powers U.S. Constitution, Article 1, Section 8 added to public bills and resolutions, as fol- lows: granted to Congress in the Constitu- By Mr. LYNCH: H.R. 302: Miss RICE of New York. tion to enact the accompanying bill or H.R. 8857. Congress has the power to enact this legis- H.R. 754: Miss RICE of New York. joint resolution. lation pursuant to the following: H.R. 947: Miss RICE of New York. By Mr. PETERSON: Article 1, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitu- H.R. 1348: Ms. CASTOR of Florida. H.R. 8843. tion H.R. 1407: Ms. ESHOO, Ms. UNDERWOOD, and Congress has the power to enact this legis- By Mr. MCKINLEY: Mr. SCALISE. lation pursuant to the following: H.R. 8858. H.R. 1694: Ms. BARRAGA´ N. The ability to regulate interstate com- Congress has the power to enact this legis- H.R. 2767: Mr. CRIST, Mrs. NAPOLITANO, Mr. merce and with foreign Nations pursuant to lation pursuant to the following: NEGUSE, Mr. DANNY K. DAVIS of Illinois, Mr. Article 1, Section 8, Clause 3. Section 8—Powers of Congress. To make ALLRED, and Mrs. FLETCHER. By Mr. WILSON of South Carolina: all Laws which shall be necessary and proper H.R. 2846: Ms. WEXTON. H.R. 8844. for carrying into Execution the foregoing H.R. 3165: Ms. PINGREE. Congress has the power to enact this legis- Powers, and all other Powers vested by this H.R. 3571: Mr. CASE. lation pursuant to the following: Constitution in the Government of the H.R. 3711: Mrs. FLETCHER and Mr. MCNER- Article 1, Section 8 United States, or in any Department or Offi- NEY. By Ms. SEWELL of Alabama: cer thereof. H.R. 3874: Mr. PHILLIPS. H.R. 8845. By Mrs. MILLER: H.R. 4022: Ms. JUDY CHU of California. Congress has the power to enact this legis- H.R. 8859. H.R. 4386: Mr. POCAN. lation pursuant to the following: H.R. 4997: Ms. WEXTON. Article I, Section 8 Congress has the power to enact this legis- H.R. 5002: Mr. GIBBS, Mr. STEUBE, Mr. By Mr. CHABOT: lation pursuant to the following: NEGUSE, and Mrs. BEATTY. H.R. 8846. Article I, Section 8 Congress has the power to enact this legis- By Mr. PAPPAS: H.R. 5141: Mr. NEAL. lation pursuant to the following: H.R. 8860. H.R. 5164: Mr. POCAN. Article l. Section 8 Congress has the power to enact this legis- H.R. 5267: Mr. VELA. By Ms. CHENEY: lation pursuant to the following: H.R. 5534: Ms. DELBENE. H.R. 8847. Article I, Section 8, Clause 18 of the United H.R. 5535: Mr. RESCHENTHALER. Congress has the power to enact this legis- States Constitution states that ‘‘Congress H.R. 5907: Ms. GARCIA of Texas. lation pursuant to the following: shall have the authority to make all Laws H.R. 6143: Mrs. FLETCHER. Article 1, Section 8, Clause 7, which shall be necessary and proper for car- H.R. 6197: Ms. ADAMS. ‘‘The Congress shall have Power to . . . es- rying into Execution the foregoing Powers, H.R. 6364: Mr. DEFAZIO and Mr. KHANNA. tablish Post Offices and Post Roads . . .’’ and all other Powers vested by the Constitu- H.R. 6698: Mr. CARTWRIGHT. By Mr. COOK: tion in the Government of the United States, H.R. 6754: Mr. PAPPAS and Mrs. DAVIS of H.R. 8848. or in any Department or Officer thereof.’’ California. Congress has the power to enact this legis- By Mr. RICE of South Carolina: H.R. 6821: Mr. SMUCKER, Mrs. WAGNER, Mr. lation pursuant to the following: H.R. 8861. KUSTOFF of Tennessee, Mr. UPTON, and Mr. Article 1 Section 8 Congress has the power to enact this legis- VAN DREW. By Mr. COOK: lation pursuant to the following: H.R. 6958: Mr. COLE, Mrs. LURIA, Mr. H.R. 8849. Section 8 of Article I of the Constitution WELCH, Mr. SIRES, Mr. HASTINGS, Mr. COSTA, Congress has the power to enact this legis- By Ms. SPANBERGER: Ms. DEAN, Mr. VARGAS, Mr. COHEN, and Mr. lation pursuant to the following: H.R. 8862. CLEAVER.

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H.R. 7222: Mr. SUOZZI. H.R. 8072: Mr. GUEST and Mr. LUETKE- H.R. 8731: Mr. HUFFMAN. H.R. 7227: Mr. GRIJALVA. MEYER. H.R. 8772: Ms. ESCOBAR. H.R. 7255: Ms. BLUNT ROCHESTER. H.R. 8143: Mr. SWALWELL of California. H.R. 8788: Mr. TIFFANY. H.R. 7361: Mr. BURGESS. H.R. 8282: Mr. RICE of South Carolina. H.R. 8793: Ms. JAYAPAL. H.R. 8368: Mr. WENSTRUP. H.R. 7406: Mr. ALLEN. H.R. 8817: Mr. FITZPATRICK. H.R. 7419: Ms. LEE of California. H.R. 8420: Mr. KILMER. H.R. 8484: Mr. NEGUSE. H.R. 8818: Ms. NORTON. H.R. 7755: Ms. DEAN. H.R. 8485: Ms. NORTON. H.J. Res. 104: Ms. BASS. H.R. 7806: Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana and Mr. H.R. 8544: Mr. VEASEY. H. Con. Res. 27: Mr. SEAN PATRICK MALO- GALLAGHER. H.R. 8550: Mr. GRIJALVA. NEY of New York. H.R. 7816: Mr. CARTWRIGHT. H.R. 8598: Ms. HOULAHAN. H. Con. Res. 71: Mr. CARSON of Indiana. H.R. 7826: Mr. LOWENTHAL, Mr. SMUCKER, H.R. 8632: Ms. LOFGREN. H. Res. 114: Mr. KING of Iowa. Mr. POCAN, Mr. EVANS, Ms. MUCARSEL-POW- H.R. 8639: Ms. PINGREE. H. Res. 174: Mr. MAST. ELL, Ms. LEE of California, Ms. BONAMICI, Mr. H.R. 8662: Ms. MATSUI, Mr. MEUSER, Mr. H. Res. 1165: Mr. LAMB and Mr. HIGGINS of SUOZZI, Mr. VARGAS, Mrs. DAVIS of Cali- KELLER, and Mr. AGUILAR. New York. fornia, Ms. KUSTER of New Hampshire, and H.R. 8667: Mr. GRIJALVA and Mr. KHANNA. Ms. LOFGREN. H.R. 8701: Mr. RUTHERFORD. H. Res. 1178: Mr. GOMEZ. H.R. 7838: Mr. GOHMERT. H.R. 8702: Mr. HAGEDORN, Mr. THOMPSON of H. Res. 1191: Mr. VARGAS. H.R. 7843: Mr. CARBAJAL. California, Mr. KUSTOFF of Tennessee, Mr. H. Res. 1234: Mr. LOWENTHAL, Mr. H.R. 7887: Mr. SIRES. STIVERS, Mr. BACON, Ms. BARRAGA´ N, and Mr. CICILLINE, Ms. MCCOLLUM, Mr. ESPAILLAT, H.R. 7940: Mr. LYNCH. GUEST. Mr. HIGGINS of New York, Mr. BLUMENAUER, H.R. 8027: Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of H.R. 8727: Mr. GRIFFITH, Mr. PENCE, Mrs. Mr. CARBAJAL, and Mr. CRIST. New York. LESKO, Mr. COSTA, and Mr. KILMER. H. Res. 1246: Mr. SCHWEIKERT.

NOTICE For conference report and statement, see proceedings of the House of December 3, 2020, published in Book II.

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Vol. 166 WASHINGTON, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2020 No. 204 Senate The Senate met at 10 a.m. and was tors, the nonprofit industry is hurting CORONAVIRUS called to order by the President pro because of COVID–19. Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, tempore (Mr. GRASSLEY). As part of the CARES Act passed last anyone who has heard me speak about f March, Congress enacted key provi- coronavirus relief going back months sions encouraging charitable giving to PRAYER has heard one central principle: Let’s help support organizations that are deliver right away on all the subjects The Chaplain, Dr. Barry C. Black, of- being called upon more than ever to where everybody agrees and argue over fered the following prayer: help Americans because of the virus the rest later. The solution to this im- Let us pray. pandemic. These charitable giving pro- passe has been in plain sight for a long Holy God, who desires us to prosper visions that are in the CARES Act time now for anybody willing to see it: and experience health, give our Nation apply both to individuals who itemize Agree where we agree, bank that such a harvest of righteousness that their taxes and those who do not progress, make law, take a whole lot of our land will be filled with peace, itemize. pressure off struggling people, and then quietness, and unity. Use our law- Iowa is blessed to have an extensive keep debating the areas where we don’t makers to enable our citizens to live in network of charitable organizations agree. safety, confidence, and peace. that are supported by incredible volun- There is no actual reason why the As our Senators seek to serve You teers who open up their pocketbooks to fates of commonsense policies like a and country, give them the wisdom and support their neighbors in need. This second round of the job-saving Pay- courage to bring harmony from dis- fall, Senator ERNST and I heard from at check Protection Program had to be cord. Lord, be merciful to them as they least 20 nonprofits in the Cedar Rapids linked to the fates of fringe proposals wait with eager expectancy for Your area about the challenges that they like stimulus checks for illegal immi- guidance. face because of the pandemic and nat- grants. There is no reason why the fate May they honor the promises they ural disasters, and also we heard of the of funding for vaccine distribution or make, living lives that reflect the in- successes they have had this year. extending unemployment aid or legal tegrity of Your Kingdom. The work that Iowa nonprofits do is certainties for universities should have We pray in Your great Name. Amen. inspiring and has tremendous impact. been tied to radical ideas like paying f In this season of Thanksgiving, I speak people more not to work than essential PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE on behalf of my own State to thank workers earn on the job. these organizations, their employees, These linkages have been totally ar- The President pro tempore led the and volunteers for the hard work and bitrary, just a political decision that Pledge of Allegiance, as follows: services that they deliver every day of Democratic leaders made many months I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the the year to Iowans in need. back. Democratic leaders have tried to United States of America, and to the Repub- create a narrative where it is taken for I yield the floor. lic for which it stands, one nation under God, granted that the most bipartisan, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. I suggest the absence of a quorum. commonsensical relief policies would The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The live or die with their side’s most out- DAINES). The Senator from Iowa. clerk will call the roll. landish ideas. Well, that just isn’t so. Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, I ask The senior assistant legislative clerk They have tried to create a dynamic unanimous consent to speak for 1 proceeded to call the roll. where they move from one made-up minute in morning business. Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I number to a second slightly smaller ar- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without ask unanimous consent that the order bitrary number and call it a meaning- objection, it is so ordered. for the quorum call be rescinded. ful concession. The truth is simple. f The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without This has always been about policy dif- objection, it is so ordered. ferences. We have two sides with two GIVING TUESDAY different visions for the best way to Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, the f support our Nation through what we Tuesday after Thanksgiving has been hope will be the last chapter of the known as Giving Tuesday. I suppose pandemic. RECOGNITION OF THE MAJORITY this Giving Tuesday is receiving more That isn’t new. We have disagree- LEADER attention than usual because of the ments all the time. Our system can virus pandemic that we have been in The PRESIDING OFFICER. The ma- handle disagreements, but both sides for the last 12 months. Like many sec- jority leader is recognized. have to be willing to compile their

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

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VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:39 Dec 04, 2020 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A03DE6.000 S03DEPT1 dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with SENATE S7192 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE December 3, 2020 commonalities and make law here, I promise, our deep differences will The NDAA is one of the most impor- and, up to now, our Democratic col- still be here to debate. Our disagree- tant pieces of legislation that we pass leagues have declined to do that. ments will be right where we left them. here every year. It is the bill that au- Remember, their side said in March But do you know what can’t wait? thorizes funding for our troops and lays this pandemic was ‘‘a tremendous op- What can’t wait are American workers, out our defense priorities. portunity to restructure things to fit American small businesses, K–12 Like the last two NDAAs, this year’s our vision.’’ So when Republicans tried schools, the vulnerable Americans and bill focuses on restoring military readi- to pass commonsense relief measures frontline healthcare workers for whom ness and ensuring that our Nation is in July, in September, and in October, speedy vaccine distribution will lit- prepared to meet threats posed by as well, our Democratic colleagues ac- erally be a life-or-death matter. major powers like Russia and China. tually blocked policies they do not Yesterday, my home State of Ken- In November of 2018, the bipartisan even oppose. tucky experienced yet another dread- National Defense Strategy Commission It has been heartening to see a few ful—dreadful—record-setting day. But released a report warning that our hopeful signs in the past few days. Kentuckians also know that hope is in readiness had eroded to the point that After months of arbitrary attachment sight. Our State’s workers are standing we might struggle to win a war against to sky-high dollar amounts that the by at the UPS Worldport in Louisville a major power like Russia or China, Speaker of the House claimed were es- and the DHL Express American Hub in and the Commission noted that we sential—that it would be an insult to northern Kentucky, key logistics cen- would be especially vulnerable if we settle for a nickel less—those baseless ters that will play crucial roles in were ever called on to fight a war on claims have suddenly evaporated. sending vaccines all around the coun- two fronts. That is at least movement in the try. Over the past 2 years, we have made right direction, but the underlying re- Our people are hurting, but they are real progress on restoring military ality is still with us. There are many ready to finish this fight. Congress readiness, but we still have more work important policies that have strong bi- should not keep them waiting for rein- to do. partisan support. There are many oth- forcements that should have arrived This year’s National Defense Author- ers that do not, and the way to help the literally months ago. ization Act continues our investment country is for our Democratic col- So compromise is within reach. We in ensuring that our military is pre- leagues to finally let the former group know where we agree. We can do this. pared to meet current and future be signed into law while we keep argu- Let me say it again. We can do this, threats in any domain. ing over the rest. and we need to do this. So let’s be Of course, no matter what weapons or The targeted second round of pay- about actually making a law. tanks or planes we have, our greatest check protection that we have been military resource will always be our trying to establish since July would f men and women in uniform, and this help a huge number of small businesses RESERVATION OF LEADER TIME year’s NDAA invests in improving the quality of life for our military mem- survive to the finish line and help huge The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. BAR- bers and their families. The bill sup- numbers of workers to keep their jobs. RASSO). Under the previous order, the ports a 3-percent pay raise for our And it can pass the Senate today, prob- leadership time is reserved. ably with 95 votes. troops, and it builds on previous meas- With the apparent success of Oper- f ures to improve military healthcare ation Warp Speed, it makes no sense to CONCLUSION OF MORNING and housing. It will also provide sup- skimp on the systems to distribute and BUSINESS port for our military families in areas deliver vaccines around the country. like childcare and professional develop- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Morning Those funds could pass the Senate ment for military spouses. business is closed. today, possibly unanimously. As I said, this bill is one of the most University presidents have made it f important measures that we pass every year, and we need to make sure that we clear they need certainty for their re- EXECUTIVE SESSION openings. Let me say that again. Uni- pass the final version of this legislation versity presidents have made it clear before Christmas. Failing to pass this they need legal certainty for their re- EXECUTIVE CALENDAR legislation would send the wrong mes- openings. That shouldn’t be partisan. sage to our troops and our allies and to Liability protections should be able to The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under our adversaries. pass the Senate today. the previous order, the Senate will pro- While this may not be a perfect bill, A number of our Democratic col- ceed to executive session to resume it contains a lot of important provi- leagues have focused especially on sev- consideration of the following nomina- sions to rebuild our military and to eral of the unemployment relief pro- tion, which the clerk will report. give our men and women in uniform grams that are set to expire in a mat- The senior assistant legislative clerk the tools they need to defend our Na- ter of days. I specifically made sure to read the nomination of Christopher tion. We need to pass it as soon as pos- include those programs in my frame- Waller, of Minnesota, to be a Member sible. work a few days ago. That extension of the Board of Governors of the Fed- TRIBUTE TO MICHAEL ENZI could pass the Senate today. eral Reserve System for a term of four- Mr. President, yesterday afternoon, The House of Representatives is teen years from February 1, 2016. MIKE ENZI delivered his farewell ad- spending this week on pressing issues Mr. MCCONNELL. I suggest the ab- dress. While MIKE has more than like marijuana—marijuana—you know, sence of a quorum. earned his retirement over a long and serious and important legislation befit- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The dedicated career in Washington and in ting this national crisis. But here in clerk will call the roll. Wyoming, we are going to miss him the Senate, I put forward a serious and The senior assistant legislative clerk here in the U.S. Senate. highly targeted relief proposal includ- proceeded to call the roll. MIKE is an accountant and spent ing the elements which we know the Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, I ask years as a small business man, and he President is ready and willing to sign unanimous consent that the order for brought that background and common into law. Why should these impactful the quorum call be rescinded. sense to Washington, DC, with him. and noncontroversial life preservers be The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without In many ways, he has been the con- delayed one second longer? objection, it is so ordered. science of the Senate on spending At long last, let’s do what Congress NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT issues, reminding us that we don’t have does when we want an outcome. Let’s Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, I was an unlimited amount of money to make law on all the subjects where we pleased that the Senate unanimously spend and that every dollar we add to agree and on all the areas where Presi- agreed yesterday to proceed to con- the debt is a burden that will have to dent Trump is ready to sign bipartisan ference on the 2021 National Defense be met by our children and relief into law. Authorization Act. grandchildren.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:39 Dec 04, 2020 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G03DE6.002 S03DEPT1 dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with SENATE December 3, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S7193 As chairman of the Budget Com- food banks in East Las Vegas just be- surance. People without jobs are strug- mittee, he has passed budgets with an fore Thanksgiving. The mobile food gling right now to pay rent or mort- eye to restraining spending and less- bank is one of our food pantries gages or healthcare. ening the burden we place on future throughout the State of Nevada, and Let me tell you, housing assistance generations. His 2018 budget also paved this particular one is run by Three from the CARES Act helped tens of the way for the landmark Tax Cuts and Square. I arrived around 8 a.m. in the thousands of Nevadans and millions of Jobs Act, which reformed America’s morning to a line of cars waiting at the Americans keep a roof over their outdated Tax Code, helped create jobs site. That line sometimes gets so long, heads. That was legislation we passed and opportunities for workers, and put police have to direct traffic around it. immediately in a bipartisan way—one more money in the pockets of Amer- Literally, they lined up at 3 a.m. The of four. But those funds have run out. ican families. food pantry doesn’t even open until 7 They are gone, and they need to be re- MIKE is an outstanding legislator, or 8 in the morning, but they were placed. When the limited CDC eviction and he is also one of the finest human there at 3 a.m., around the block, in moratorium expires on January 1, Ne- beings you will ever meet. I think all of their cars to stay safe from the COVID– vada is bracing for 250,000 to 400,000 us have benefited from his thoughtful- 19 pandemic. There were over 350 of possible evictions. That is more than 20 ness at one time or another. I remem- them throughout that morning. That is times the national number of evictions ber when I was experiencing heel pain a not unusual with what is happening in in 2019. few years ago with an ailment called Nevada right now. That is not unusual, Families and seniors can’t get plantar fasciitis, and I mentioned it to and it should be, but because this pan- enough to eat. In August and Sep- MIKE because he was a shoe salesman demic has hit Nevada and so many tember, 234,000 Nevadans said their and a shoe store owner. It wasn’t more States so hard, we are seeing the con- households were experiencing food in- than a few days later when MIKE came sequences of inaction by this body in security. That is 11 percent of Nevada to me with some heel inserts to put the Senate. households going hungry—the second into my shoes, which, I might add, As I got there that morning, I imag- largest share in the country. One hun- helped a lot. Obviously, he had a lot of ined those people in the middle of the dred and twenty-nine thousand said experience through the years dealing night with their lights and power off in that the children in their homes didn’t with people with foot issues. But it was their cars to save fuel in the cold have enough food. typical of MIKE ENZI—thoughtful and desert night. And they waited pa- The longer we delay passing addi- practical, down-to-earth. tiently. They were quiet because they tional economic relief, the more jeop- In business, as everyone knows, the knew assistance would be there when ardy we create for our entire economy, customer comes first, and MIKE has morning came. And sometimes that nationwide. Don’t take my word for it; brought that attitude to his 24 years food runs out for those many people just listen to Chairman Powell of the here in the U.S. Senate. As a shoe who are waiting, and then they have to Federal Reserve, who has been saying salesman, he put his customers first, come the next day. But because of the this over and over again—most re- and as a Senator, he always put his inaction in this Chamber, most Nevad- cently in a hearing in the Banking constituents and the American people ans who are hurting don’t have that re- Committee, which I am a member of. assurance that there will be imme- first. He has never forgotten how to The Senate must do more to help diate, swift relief for them because help people. He has never forgotten people not just in my home State but they don’t know when Federal help will where he comes from. He has worked across the country, especially now, as come. Lifeline organizations like Three hard every day that he has been here in case counts are climbing. We are only Square, which are working tirelessly to the Senate to make life better for the months away from being able to give help families fill the gaps, are running people of Wyoming and for American the population at large immunity to out of resources. citizens. this deadly virus. We have to do every- It has been 223 days since the Senate He is an outstanding colleague and a thing we can to help people get to that last approved funds to help all Ameri- friend, and I will miss his wisdom and time, to ensure that for the coming cans endure this once-in-a-lifetime ca- expertise—and his great fishing stories. months, Nevadans can stay in their MIKE, I wish you the very best of ev- tastrophe. Meanwhile, too many people homes, they can take care of their erything in your retirement. I am glad in Nevada are languishing in the dark, kids, they can keep their businesses you will have more time to spend with hoping for economic assistance that running, knowing that they will have Diana and the kids and grandkids and still hasn’t arrived. an opportunity to open them in the fu- more time to enjoy your beloved home In Nevada, we continue to have the ture, and they can protect themselves State of Wyoming. While no State will second highest unemployment rate in from this virus. The only way to do ever compare to South Dakota in my the country at 12 percent. That is al- that is to get them the relief they need book, I have to say that Wyoming is most twice the national rate. Unem- now. spectacularly beautiful, and I am glad ployment is so high in Nevada because you will be able to be there now on of the coronavirus pandemic. It has That relief simply has to include more of a full-time basis. But you will stopped conventions, entertainment, more money for State, local, and Trib- be missed here. I want to thank you for hospitality, and travel operations in al governments, which have had to cut your service and your friendship. May the Silver State and across the coun- back on critical services in the middle God bless you and your family in your try. In August, in Nevada, employment of a pandemic. retirement. in travel and tourism was down 25 per- It should include extended unemploy- I yield the floor. cent over last year. Nationwide, spend- ment benefits and pandemic unemploy- I suggest the absence of a quorum. ing on travel has declined by 42 percent ment assistance, as well as more loans The PRESIDING OFFICER. The compared to 2019. As a result, there are for our small businesses and for PPP. clerk will call the floor. 60 percent fewer travelers to McCarran It must have housing assistance to The senior assistant legislative clerk International Airport in Las Vegas and prevent a wave of homelessness and ill- proceeded to call the roll. 50 percent fewer travelers to Las Vegas ness. Ms. CORTEZ MASTO. Mr. President, itself. The American Hotel and Lodging It should do more to protect workers, I ask unanimous consent that the order Association estimates that without fund education, and stave off hunger for the quorum call be rescinded. more funding, nearly 70 percent of ho- for families. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without tels may close by the end of this year. It also needs to include billions that objection, it is so ordered. Because of the devastation to what States have asked for to help with vac- CORONAVIRUS had been a thriving hospitality indus- cine distribution. We are going to be Ms. CORTEZ MASTO. Mr. President, try in Nevada, many of the jobs aren’t rolling out millions of doses of vac- I rise today to talk a little bit about there right now, and too many workers cines, all of which will need to be what is happening in Nevada. Last in Nevada can’t pay their bills. More stored, handled, and tracked across 50 week, I had the opportunity to be than 175,000 people in the Silver State States. Healthcare workers not just in home, and I went to one of our mobile continue to claim unemployment in- Nevada but across the country will

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:39 Dec 04, 2020 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G03DE6.004 S03DEPT1 dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with SENATE S7194 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE December 3, 2020 need training to administer the vac- goes on the floor of the Senate. I don’t compromise that the Senators have cine, and the public needs education agree with that, but that is the way worked on. about vaccine safety and access. the rules are set. MITCH MCCONNELL de- I yield the floor. We have witnessed an amazing feat of cides every single day what legislation RECOGNITION OF THE MINORITY LEADER human ingenuity in developing a vac- comes to the floor of the Senate, what The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. cine faster than we have ever done it can be debated, what amendments can BRAUN). The Democratic leader is rec- before, but the Federal Government come. I have watched this for years as ognized. and this Chamber still haven’t set MITCH MCCONNELL, instead of including CORONAVIRUS money aside to make sure that vac- the Democrats in bipartisan negotia- Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, first, cines get to those who need it. tion on some of these important bills, let me thank my colleague and friend, It also has to include money for test- puts them together behind closed the senior Senator from the great ing and tracing so that we can contain doors, with only Republicans and State of Nevada, for her words. They spread of this virus and get more peo- maybe the current administration, and are on point. I hope the Republican ple back to work. then puts them on the floor of the Sen- leader was listening. I hope our Repub- Nobody should be standing in the ate for the first time; bypasses our lican colleagues were listening because way of a comprehensive, bipartisan re- committee hearings, where there is bi- her genuine concern for her State, lief package to help Americans hold partisan support, usually, for bills; by- which is suffering just like mine is— out until they can get the vaccines we passes that and puts it on the floor of both States depend on entertainment know are coming. They need relief the Senate without any compromise, and tourism. It is real. We all want to now. That is why I support the bipar- without any of the Democrats’ involve- get something done, and we are all tisan proposal that our colleagues in ment, and expects us to vote for it, and willing to give to get something done, the Senate put together just recently. then holds the Democrats account- That proposal, which they look at in but the Republican leader holds the able—accountable—because we didn’t a comprehensive way for all of our key, and we hope he is open to com- have the opportunity to fight for our States, includes money for State, local, promise. I will have more to say on States and put important funding in and Tribal governments. It includes ad- that in a minute, but I thank her for there for State and local government, ditional unemployment insurance. It her comments. for broadband, for our healthcare work- supports funding for small businesses, We all know how desperate things including the Paycheck Protection ers, for our hospitality industry—you are. Yesterday, we were leveled by Program, EIDL disaster loans, res- name it. That is not the way the Sen- some of the grimmest statistics of the taurants, stages, and deductibility. ate should be operating. You know pandemic. More than 100,000 Americans What I mean by stages are the live that, and I know that. were hospitalized; more than 2,700 We have to get back to a time when events in the hospitality industry that Americans died, the highest recorded we compromise, when we all come rep- have been so devastated and have not number in a single day since the pan- resenting our States. We all have equal received any relief during the time we demic began; more than 274,000 Ameri- votes. There are two of us from each have appropriated funds to address the cans have died in total. That is the pandemic. It includes CDFI, commu- State. We are fighting for our constitu- equivalent of a 9/11 attack every day nity lender support. It includes trans- ents and our States, and we should be for 92 days in a row. portation—our airlines, our airports, able to have that debate, that con- Unlike the spring, when the rates of our buses, our transit, Amtrak—and versation, on the floor of the Senate in infections and fatalities peaked before our workers there. It includes vaccine a fair manner. That is why I ask MITCH steadily declining, the winter months development and distribution and test- MCCONNELL to allow a vote on this pro- and the hangover from Thanksgiving ing and tracing. It includes money for posal. travel will likely cause these rates to I had the opportunity to watch one of healthcare provider relief. It includes get worse before they get better. money for education, for student loans, my colleagues talk about this. I abso- The steady yet staggering loss of and, yes, housing assistance and rental lutely agree with him, Senator ANGUS American life is horrific. And because assistance that is needed now. It also KING. He said: I sit in these commit- so many of us are isolated, because so includes money for nutrition, for the tees, in these bipartisan committees, many have contracted the disease and food insecurity that I just talked about and I vote for relief for disasters, hurri- have experienced relatively mild symp- that I witnessed that morning in Las cane disasters, fire disasters—fires in toms and recovered quickly—thank Vegas and that we hear about con- the Western States where I come from God—there is a sense that things are stantly, not just in Nevada but across and where you know so well that the not as bad as they seem. But the raw this country. It includes money for fires are devastating our Western accounting is unavoidable, and it is childcare, for broadband, for the U.S. States. But for the hurricanes that harrowing. The loss of our friends, our Postal Service—so many things. happen in Texas, Florida—you name parents, our neighbors, our siblings, It was well reasoned and com- it—I vote for relief because I know our colleagues must be acknowledged promised and thought out, and it was those constituents in those States are and mourned and must inspire us to re- our colleagues coming together—Re- suffering. I don’t look at them as blue double our efforts to defeat this evil publicans and Democrats coming to- States or red States. I look at them as disease. gether—for the best interests of this Americans who are in need right now, As COVID–19 races through much of country. and I am going to support that relief. the country, the economic fallout of I will tell you, we do not need unani- Why are we doing that with this the pandemic also broadens. Many fam- mous support for this proposal. What coronavirus relief package? I do not ily budgets and small businesses are at we need is a vote on the floor of the understand. It is not what the Amer- their breaking point. Senate. That is why I am asking MITCH ican people expect of us. It is not what Economists are now warning that the MCCONNELL to allow this proposal to they want, and it is not what they de- U.S. economy could fall into double-dip come to the floor of the Senate for a serve. I cannot stress this enough: It is recession without additional relief vote. If some of my colleagues don’t time for the Senate to get back to from Congress. Let me say that again. want to support any more relief, then work on behalf of the American public. We could have a double-dip recession they don’t have to vote for it. But I That means that we are willing to com- unless there is relief—good, strong re- would guarantee and I would suspect promise. That means we are willing to lief from Congress. That is why Demo- that there are more than enough of my do what is right and what is needed in crats have been so desperately trying colleagues on both sides of aisle who our communities because I can guar- to convince our Republican colleagues want to pass relief for the many Ameri- antee you, any one of us who goes and the Republican leader, in par- cans across this country in our States home to our State—we are all suf- ticular, to work with us in a bipartisan who are suffering right now, but they fering; we all see it. That is what the fashion on another round of emergency have to be given the opportunity. American people expect of us. Federal relief. I get that right now, there is only I hope MITCH MCCONNELL allows a Speaker PELOSI and I made a new one person who gets to decide what vote on the floor for this bipartisan offer to Leader MCCONNELL and Leader

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:39 Dec 04, 2020 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G03DE6.005 S03DEPT1 dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with SENATE December 3, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S7195 MCCARTHY on Monday in hopes of I yield the floor. for conserving lands in 50 years. He jump-starting serious negotiations. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- just wanted to get it done. I saw that Leader MCCONNELL responded by circu- ator from Ohio. as he worked tirelessly in public and lating another version of a partisan, TRIBUTE TO SENATORS LAMAR ALEXANDER, behind the scenes to ensure we got it Republican-only draft. MIKE ENZI, , AND CORY GARDNER across the finish line. In the spirit of compromise, Speaker Mr. PORTMAN. Mr. President, I am Jane and I have cherished our time PELOSI and I believe the bipartisan on the floor today to pay tribute to together with you and Honey, LAMAR, framework introduced by a group of friends and colleagues who will be leav- and we hope that will continue. eight Senators on Tuesday should be ing the Senate at the start of the new Here in the Senate, we will miss your used as the basis, the framework, for Congress. experience, your wisdom, your spirit of immediate bipartisan, bicameral nego- I consider LAMAR ALEXANDER, who bipartisanship, and your perseverance tiations. Of course, we and others will spoke yesterday, to be a friend and a and determination to advance our offer improvements, but the need to mentor. He is an institution around country’s priorities and get things act is urgent, and we believe that with here. He is what I would consider an done. good-faith negotiations, we could very old-school Senator in the best way. He Another colleague who has focused well come to an agreement. not only takes the time to learn the on results is Senator MIKE ENZI, a true son of Wyoming, who has represented We are already much closer to an issues, but he also understands how to his home State with class in this agreement because of the bipartisan explain the importance of the policies Chamber for nearly a quarter of a cen- talks these eight Senators have cre- that we work on up here to the people tury. MIKE is someone I have gotten to ated, and we can build off their mo- back home. By embodying the prin- know and respect over the past decade mentum. ciples of collegiality and bipartisan- What is the alternative—another as we have served together here in the ship, he has accomplished a lot for the Senate. round of legislative failure, a failure to people of Tennessee and all Americans. help the American people? The Repub- In his time here on , MIKE has In the Senate, you need 59 other Sen- accomplished a lot for Wyoming. As lican leader came to the floor this ators to say ‘‘That is a good idea’’ to morning to say ‘‘compromise is within chair of the HELP Committee, he get anything accomplished. It is crit- helped lead the way on crucial pension reach’’—his words—before reiterating a ical, then, to get to know your col- long list of Republican demands and reforms—complicated stuff but really leagues, learn about how to work with important. He promoted greater access blaming the Democrats for everything. them constructively to get things Once again, the Republican leader ar- to education and affordable healthcare done. LAMAR ALEXANDER is masterful gued that the Senate should pass only and pushed for improvements to work- at that. place safety. He was always willing to what Republicans approve of and leave We have accomplished a lot under his the rest for later, and he now says that reach across the aisle. leadership on a lot of important issues. Over the past three Congresses, he an emergency relief bill should be lim- In the interest of time, I will mention has embraced his past life as an ac- ited by only what President Trump will two recent examples where I worked countant and used his position as chair sign. with LAMAR and watched him make a Of course, we could say, similarly, of the Senate Budget Committee to difference in the lives of all Americans. that the bill should be limited only by push for smarter spending here in First, his 21st Century Cures Act, Washington. That is a perspective we what a Democratic House will pass. which passed back in 2016, provided Neither is true compromise. The will really miss in this time of explod- needed authorization for investments leader knows that. But for some rea- ing deficits. I have to say, I am a bit envious of son, in the midst of this generational in the National Institutes of Health and other research institutions to help MIKE’s post-Senate career plans. As he crisis, Republican Leader MCCONNELL tells me, he is going back to Wyoming does not seem inclined to compromise create new breakthroughs in treat- to spend time with Diana and his won- to actually get something done. But ments and cures for cancer, Alz- derful family and to spend more time what he wants to do is posture, to put heimer’s, and other diseases, as well as on the rivers of Wyoming with his fly partisan bills on the floor and say: advancements in developing medical rod. Take it or leave it. treatments tailored to each person’s MIKE, I hope sometime soon I will be The real answer here is to sit down individual genome. It was groundbreaking work. able to come out to Gillette to join you and talk. Let’s use the bipartisan and Diana so you can show me your fa- framework developed by eight Senators It probably got less notice, but it also authorized an unprecedented vorite fishing spots. Congratulations from both sides as our starting point. on a well-deserved retirement. We have precious little time left be- amount of funding in the State opioid response grants to combat opioid We are saying goodbye to another fore the end of the year. The country giant of the Senate this year when Sen- has some desperate needs. Unemploy- epidemics that have hit almost all of ator PAT ROBERTS leaves us. I saw Sen- ment remains too high. Laid-off work- our States. Certainly, it has hit Ohio ator ROBERTS on the floor here a mo- and Tennessee hard. This has served as ers need our assistance until the econ- ment ago. I see him now. an absolutely exceptional complement omy fully recovers. Small businesses I view PAT ROBERTS as the Matt Dil- need another round of support. to what is called the Comprehensive lon of the United States Senate. Matt With the imminent availability of a Addiction and Recovery Act, which we Dillon, for those of you who know who vaccine, it is crucial that there be ad- passed earlier that year. Without the he was, was a resident of Dodge City, ditional funding for manufacturing and 21st Century Cures Act, we would not just like PAT, and like Marshal Dillon distribution. The distribution efforts have made the progress we have and the marine he is proud to be, PAT will be led by the States, which further achieved in the past few years in turn- knows how to lay down the law. But he increases the need to deliver assistance ing the tide of this deadly disease, and does it with humor and smiles and a to State and local governments. I have seen it firsthand in my State wink, and he does it in a way with that As we all take great hope and solace and around the country. dry Kansas sense of humor that is very in the idea that a vaccine is just We also could not have accomplished effective. By the way, he is always around the corner, we must make nec- the landmark Restore Our Parks Act looking for Miss Kitty. essary preparations to ensure that we without his help. This bill, now law, He has used that combination of have enough doses; that it is distrib- will help to rebuild our national park toughness and hard work and humor to uted effectively, efficiently and fairly; infrastructure by helping to address accomplish a lot here in Congress. and that Americans can access it that backlog of $12 billion now in main- PAT’s focus has always been on the peo- affordably. tenance projects. Over 100,000 jobs will ple of Kansas. He has done a lot for the We can make a significant downpay- be created in the next 5 years due to people of Kansas, but his work went far ment, right now, toward preparing the this legislation. beyond Kansas. country for a vaccine with an emer- LAMAR didn’t care about getting the It turns out he is the only person in gency relief bill before the Christmas credit for this historic bill, by the America to have chaired the Agri- holiday. way—probably the most important bill culture Committee both in the House

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:39 Dec 04, 2020 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G03DE6.007 S03DEPT1 dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with SENATE S7196 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE December 3, 2020 and in the Senate. His tireless work to Mexico. I have gotten to know him miss DOUG as a bipartisan partner in pass farm bills over those years to help over that time through our work to- that effort, and I appreciate his work- growers and ranchers has made him a gether on a number of different legisla- ing with us on those trade issues and friend to farmers everywhere, even in tive projects. Most have been around other things. Ohio. conservation and the environment. We The Senate is a body that is really Just as important was his work as have had a lot of success in that re- driven by personal relationships be- chair of the Senate Intelligence Com- gard. tween 100 Members. Senators ALEX- mittee. Some may not recall this, but We have been cochairs together of ANDER, ENZI, ROBERTS, GARDNER, he is the one who spearheaded the re- what is called the International Con- MCSALLY, UDALL, and JONES have been forms to our intelligence services after servation Caucus. There is legislation key and valuable Members of that 100- 9/11 to avoid another such tragedy. called the Tropical Forest Conserva- person group, and we are going to miss PAT, I hope you and Franki get a tion Act, which we have been able to them. They have all served this body well-deserved retirement, and I look work together on to get reauthorized. well as legislators and as people. They forward to continuing to stay in touch. This has been incredibly important leg- are of high character. They are the We are also going to be losing a rel- islation. Probably the No. 3 or 4 source kind of folks with whom you want to atively young and energetic Member of of CO2 emissions in the world is the work, and they have been effective be- our caucus here, who is also an accom- burning forest, and this has managed cause of that. They will be missed, and plished bipartisan legislator, when to save many millions of acres from I wish them all well. CORY GARDNER leaves next year. With the burning by simply saying to these I yield the floor. only a few short years in the Senate countries: We will do a debt-for-nature The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- here, CORY has proven he knows how to swap with you. If you owe a debt to the ator from Colorado. get things done, using his background United States—which, by the way, Mr. GARDNER. Mr. President, I sug- in the House and his friendships to be many are unlikely to ever pay any- gest the absence of a quorum. effective for Colorado and the country. way—we will let you use that in ex- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The He is a smart guy, and we have worked change for protecting your forest. clerk will call the roll. together on a lot of critical issues to It has been remarkably successful. At The legislative clerk proceeded to address some of the biggest issues fac- a time when we seem to have a lot of call the roll. ing our country. partisanship and fights around here Like almost all Coloradans, he loves about global warming and climate Mr. GARDNER. Mr. President I ask the outdoors. His work for conserva- change, this is one area in which we unanimous consent that the order for tion in the outdoors is something that have been able to find common ground, the quorum call be rescinded. I have had an opportunity to work with and that is because TOM has been will- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without him on, including the historic Great ing to step up and be a great partner in objection, it is so ordered. American Outdoors Act, which was that. VOTE ON WALLER NOMINATION signed into law recently by the Presi- He has also helped me pass legisla- Under the previous order, all dent. It includes the Restore Our Parks tion that requires that the U.S. Postal postcloture time has expired. Act, but also a passion of his was the Service use its inventory of the Save The question is, Will the Senate ad- permanent funding for the Land and Vanishing Species stamps to help pro- vise and consent to the Waller nomina- Water Conservation Fund, which has tect the rich wildlife and natural re- tion? been a long-sought goal of the con- sources that we have and protect en- Mr. GARDNER. Mr. President, I ask servation and environmental commu- dangered species. This has resulted in for the yeas and nays. nity. Frankly, it could not have been $5 million to $6 million a year going to- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there a done without CORY’s involvement—pe- ward that effort. Unfortunately, we sufficient second? riod. have had to convince the Postal Serv- There appears to be a sufficient sec- CORY, we are going to miss your ice to continue allowing that great ond. sunny disposition. source of funding to be there for our The clerk will call the roll. He may be the most optimistic Mem- vanishing species. Again, TOM has been The legislative clerk called the roll. ber of the U.S. Senate. He always has a very helpful in that. Mr. THUNE. The following Senators smile on his face. Even when things Even in these past months, we are necessarily absent: the Senator seem bad, he manages a way for them haven’t stopped our work on environ- from South Carolina (Mr. GRAHAM), the to look good. mental issues. Earlier this year, we in- I will miss working with you on some troduced the bipartisan REPLANT Act Senator from Georgia (Mrs. LOEFFLER), of these important projects. I wish you to help the U.S. Forest Service address and the Senator from Georgia (Mr. the very best as you start the next the growing reforestation backlog PERDUE). stage of your career. across our country. This is supported Mr. DURBIN. I announce that the We are also sad to see MARTHA by the Trump administration. It is also Senator from California (Ms. HARRIS) MCSALLY go. I have appreciated get- supported by TOM UDALL. Therefore, we and the Senator from Vermont (Mr. ting to know her over the past couple are hoping it can get done. SANDERS) are necessarily absent. of years. In a short period of time, she He leaves the Senate with a legacy of The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mrs. was a passionate advocate for Arizona tirelessly working to protect the nat- FISCHER). Are there any other Senators as a member of the Armed Services ural beauty of his State and our coun- in the Chamber desiring to vote? Committee. She used her own trail- try for future generations, and we wish The result was announced—yeas 48, blazing path as the first female fighter him well in the future as he and Jill nays 47, as follows: pilot to have flown in combat to advo- continue to work on those issues to- [Rollcall Vote No. 251 Ex.] cate for our men and women in uni- gether. YEAS—48 form. We worked together on bipar- Finally, our colleague is Alexander Enzi Portman tisan legislation, as an example, to end going to be departing after serving the Barrasso Ernst Risch cosmetics animal testing. She was in- people of Alabama for the past couple Blackburn Fischer Roberts of years. I have gotten to know DOUG Blunt Gardner Romney volved in a lot of different issues. Boozman Grassley Rounds We want to thank you for all you through our bipartisan efforts that Braun Hawley Rubio have done in the Chamber, and I look have focused on standing up to unfair Burr Hoeven Sasse forward to staying in touch. trade practices. Our Trade Security Capito Hyde-Smith Scott (FL) Cassidy Inhofe Scott (SC) Senator TOM UDALL has joined us Act to reform section 232, I think, is Collins Johnson Shelby here in the Chamber. I call Senator the right approach to be sure we hold Cornyn Kennedy Sullivan UDALL ‘‘Cousin’’ because of his cousin those accountable who violate our Cotton Lankford Thune Mark Udall and our friendship. TOM trade laws but to also do it in a way Cramer Lee Tillis Crapo McConnell Toomey UDALL has now served for 12 years in that protects American jobs and Cruz Moran Wicker the U.S. Senate for the people of New strengthens our U.S. economy. I will Daines Murkowski Young

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:39 Dec 04, 2020 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00006 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G03DE6.008 S03DEPT1 dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with SENATE December 3, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S7197 NAYS—47 The PRESIDING OFFICER. Are there thought they were getting a payroll Baldwin Heinrich Reed any other Senators in the Chamber de- tax holiday, but that is not the case. Bennet Hirono Rosen siring to vote? The reality is, whatever they didn’t Blumenthal Jones Schatz The yeas and nays resulted—yeas 61, pay in the form of payroll taxes now Booker Kaine Schumer Brown Kelly Shaheen nays 34, as follows: and in the past couple months they Cantwell King Sinema [Rollcall Vote No. 252 Ex.] would be required to pay back right Cardin Klobuchar Smith YEAS—61 after those holidays. Carper Leahy Stabenow Casey Manchin Alexander Gardner Reed And when businesses looked at this Tester Coons Markey Barrasso Grassley Risch Udall and when workers and employees Cortez Masto Menendez Blackburn Hassan Roberts Van Hollen around the country looked at this, Duckworth Merkley Blunt Hawley Romney Warner Durbin Murphy Boozman Hoeven Rounds they overwhelmingly rejected it. They Warren Feinstein Murray Braun Hyde-Smith Rubio said they didn’t want to participate. Whitehouse Gillibrand Paul Burr Inhofe Sasse Wyden Here is what UPS said about this pro- Hassan Peters Capito Johnson Scott (FL) Cardin Jones posal: ‘‘We recognize that for some, it Scott (SC) NOT VOTING—5 Carper Kelly Shaheen may have been helpful to have more Cassidy Kennedy Graham Loeffler Sanders Shelby money in their paychecks in 2020, yet Harris Perdue Collins King Cornyn Lankford Sinema not all employees have professional tax The nomination was confirmed. Cotton Lee Sullivan planning needed to prepare effectively The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under Cramer Manchin Tester for the added obligation they would Thune the previous order, the motion to re- Crapo McConnell face in 2021.’’ consider is considered made and laid Cruz Moran Tillis Daines Murkowski Toomey So even though this payroll tax de- upon the table, and the President will Enzi Murphy Wicker ferral proposal got a burst of attention, be immediately notified of the Senate’s Ernst Paul Young it turned out to be meaningless for Fischer Portman action. most workers around the country. Mr. THUNE. Madam President, I ask NAYS—34 Most private sector employers didn’t unanimous consent that the manda- Baldwin Gillibrand Schatz participate, and their employees and tory quorum call be waived. Bennet Heinrich Schumer workers didn’t want them to partici- Blumenthal Hirono Smith The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without pate. objection, it is so ordered. Booker Kaine Stabenow Brown Klobuchar Udall Unfortunately, the one big exception f Cantwell Leahy Van Hollen to this has been members of our Armed Casey Markey CLOTURE MOTION Warner Forces, the folks who every day stand Coons Menendez Warren Cortez Masto Merkley The PRESIDING OFFICER. Pursuant Whitehouse guard to protect our country, and Fed- Duckworth Murray Wyden eral employees who do the Nation’s to rule XXII, the Chair lays before the Durbin Peters Senate the pending cloture motion, Feinstein Rosen business with respect to important services they provide. which the clerk will state. NOT VOTING—5 The bill clerk read as follows: And as the private sector has re- Graham Loeffler Sanders jected this, we have heard from thou- CLOTURE MOTION Harris Perdue sands of Federal employees who say: We, the undersigned Senators, in accord- The PRESIDING OFFICER. On this ance with the provisions of rule XXII of the We don’t want to participate either. We Standing Rules of the Senate, do hereby vote, the yeas are 61, the nays are 34. have heard from members of the Armed move to bring to a close debate on the nomi- The motion is agreed to. Forces that say: We don’t want to be nation of Liam P. Hardy, of Virginia, to be a f used as guinea pigs and be required to Judge of the United States Court of Appeals EXECUTIVE CALENDAR participate. for the Armed Forces for the term of fifteen years to expire on the date prescribed by The PRESIDING OFFICER. The So I want to be really clear that if we law. clerk will report the nomination. don’t correct this, the damage will con- Mitch McConnell, , The bill clerk read the nomination of tinue to be done, and these members of , Roger F. Wicker, Cindy Liam P. Hardy, of Virginia, to be a our Armed Forces and Federal employ- Hyde-Smith, , , Judge of the United States Court of ees will be forced to pay even more , , Thom Appeals for the Armed Forces for the back after the holidays. Tillis, , Michael B. Enzi, term of fifteen years to expire on the Now, I wrote to Treasury Secretary , , Mike Mnuchin and to OMB Director Vought Crapo, James E. Risch, James date prescribed by law. Lankford. The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. about this back in September, Sep- tember 8, just as the deferral was start- The PRESIDING OFFICER. By unan- YOUNG). The Senator from Maryland. ing, and we were joined in that letter imous consent, the mandatory quorum UNANIMOUS CONSENT REQUEST—S. 4810 by 22 Senators—Senators from both call has been waived. Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Mr. President, I The question is, Is it the sense of the am on the floor today to discuss a sides of the aisle. We had a simple bi- Senate that debate on the nomination question of fundamental fairness to partisan request. It was: Make this of Liam P. Hardy, of Virginia, to be a members of our Armed Forces and to payroll tax deferral optional, make it Judge of the United States Court of Federal employees. voluntary. If Federal employees and Appeals for the Armed Forces for the I think we all may recall a few members of our Armed Forces want to term of fifteen years to expire on the months ago when President Trump or- participate in this proposal, fine. Let date prescribed by law, shall be dered the Department of the Treasury them do it, but don’t force, don’t re- brought to a close? to establish a system to push busi- quire, don’t coerce members of our The yeas and nays are mandatory nesses, companies, and employers military and Federal employees to par- under the rule. around the country to defer the collec- ticipate. The clerk will call the roll. tion of employees’ payroll taxes. Those And we didn’t get a response to that The bill clerk called the roll. are the taxes that go to Social Secu- letter to Secretary Mnuchin and CBO Mr. THUNE. The following Senators rity and Medicare. The key word here Director Vought. So I asked Secretary are necessarily absent: the Senator is ‘‘defer’’ because this is really a shell Mnuchin about this issue at a Senate from South Carolina (Mr. GRAHAM), the game. Banking Committee hearing on Sep- Senator from Georgia (Mrs. LEOFFLER), Any moneys that businesses do not tember 24. I said: Mr. Secretary, why and the Senator from Georgia (Mr. pay into Social Security and Medicare shouldn’t we make this voluntary? PERDUE). now are going to have to be paid by Why should you require members of Mr. DURBIN. I announce that the those Federal employees right after the our Armed Forces and Federal employ- Senator from California (Ms. HARRIS) holidays, starting in January. ees to participate in the program if and the Senator from Vermont (Mr. And many employees around the they don’t want to? And his response SANDERS) are necessarily absent. country were at first confused. They was: Yeah, it would be ‘‘reasonable’’ for

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:55 Dec 04, 2020 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00007 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A03DE6.003 S03DEPT1 dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with SENATE S7198 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE December 3, 2020 the payroll tax to be voluntary ‘‘if peo- today because the payroll tax cut is on it. And, by the way, the measure ple don’t want to participate. Sounds about supporting workers who might that the Senator from Montana men- like common sense.’’ have had their hours reduced. tioned that we should pass right now Well, we expected some followup These are workers who are living for coronavirus relief, that doesn’t from the Secretary of Treasury. Noth- paycheck to paycheck, workers across have a payroll tax holiday. It doesn’t ing. So we sent a followup letter— our country who are struggling to do what the Senator just said he wants again, a bipartisan letter. Nothing. make ends meet because of the impact to do. It doesn’t say anything about So now it is December, and the of COVID–19 on our economy. that. Trump administration is still forcing Allowing folks to keep more of their So if the Senator or others want to members of our Armed Forces and Fed- hard-earned money could make a big introduce legislation to have a payroll eral employees who don’t want to par- difference. It would provide immediate tax holiday for those who have been en- ticipate in this now-forced deferral pro- support—immediate support—for Mon- rolled in this program for the last 4 gram—they want to continue to force tana’s families who are struggling to months, go ahead. But why would you them to do it. So we introduced a bi- get by. And, importantly, we ensure allow another day to pass requiring partisan piece of legislation called the that this will have no impact—zero im- members of our Armed Forces who Protecting Employees from Surprise pact—on Social Security because we don’t want to participate to participate Taxes Act. It is pretty straightforward. transfer money from the general fund to participate or requiring Federal em- It says: If a Federal employee or mem- to the Treasury. ployees who are out there providing ber of the armed services wants to par- This is not a new concept. It has been public services to participate? That is ticipate, let them participate. If they done by Congress. In fact, it was done all this does. This doesn’t preclude want to opt out, let them opt out of it. under the Obama administration. As an anything the Senator talked about I want to stress that the Federal example, a Montanan who earns an an- doing. All it does is to say: Right now, workers we have heard from and the nual salary of about $40,000 typically for those people who are calling who organizations and unions that rep- pays about $2,500 in payroll taxes every don’t want to be enrolled in this pro- resent Federal workers strongly sup- year. Forgiving the taxes deferred dur- gram, let them out. Let them out. port this measure. And why not? It is ing this 4-month payroll tax deferral And what the Senator from Montana hard to argue that we shouldn’t let the would save that Montanan about $827. is saying is: No, I want to continue to folks who are standing guard to protect What we should be doing is working hold them hostage to pass a proposal that isn’t even in the majority leader’s us make a choice about whether they together to pass a COVID relief pack- own bill. want to participate in this program. age that delivers much needed aid for And that is what people get sick and Also, just to remind our colleagues— families who have had a tough go the tired about around this country. maybe they haven’t kept track of last several months. And it is going to So let’s just pass this. This is a sim- this—the Senate chose not to partici- get tougher going forward, not only for ple, straightforward bill. I welcome de- pate. The Senate chose not to partici- these families but workers and small bate on the bipartisan proposal that pate in this program, whether on a businesses. has been put forward by a number of mandatory or a voluntary basis. The Instead, my colleagues across the Republican Senators and a number of House of Representatives chose not to aisle have continued to block very tar- Democratic Senators, but don’t try and participate in this program. geted relief, several times, right here mix this up into that larger debate. So it is going to be interesting to on the floor of the U.S. Senate, which This is very simple. It just says to a hear the Senators say that they want is holding Montanans and the Amer- member of the Army, the Navy or any to require members of our Armed ican people hostage. We should come of the services who doesn’t want to be Forces and Federal employees to enroll together and agree on this targeted re- forced to participate in this right now in a program that this Senate decided lief. We can continue to disagree on that they don’t have to. That is what was not good for members of the Sen- these other items, but let’s get this this says, and by opposing this, you are ate staff and the House of Representa- targeted relief package passed. saying that you want to prolong the re- tives decided was not good for House So instead of coming to the floor quirement that they participate in a staff. today to try to pass a bill that under- program that they don’t want to be a Yet, if we don’t support this proposal, mines a payroll tax holiday to save part of. this is simply passing the bipartisan folks more of their hard-earned money, The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- legislation I mentioned to give our I urge my colleague here before us to ator from Montana. members of the Armed Forces and Fed- work with Members of his caucus and Mr. DAINES. Mr. President, I appre- eral employees that choice. If we don’t get the COVID–19 relief passed. ciate the Senator from Maryland rais- pass this, we are going to require them Once again, we should be forgiving ing these points. In regard to the pro- to continue to participate in a program these taxes as a payroll tax holiday, posal of the bill that was passed by they don’t like. not unlike what happened during the NANCY PELOSI, the Speaker of House, So, Mr. President, as if in legislative Obama administration, and for these the reason we didn’t take a vote on session, I ask unanimous consent that reasons, I object. that bill in the U.S. Senate is because the Finance Committee be discharged The PRESIDING OFFICER. Objec- it was full, basically, of her wish list of from further consideration of S. 4810 tion is heard. many items that didn’t really relate to and the Senate proceed to its imme- The Senator for Maryland. COVID–19 relief. We did put a targeted diate consideration. I further ask that Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Mr. President, bill on the floor of the U.S. Senate in the bill be read a third time and passed just to respond to the Senator from the amount of $600 billion that, frank- and the motion to reconsider be made Montana, I think he well knows that it ly, addressed many of the issues that and laid upon the table with no inter- has been over 6 months since the House the House had in their bill, and we had vening action or debate. of Representatives passed the first He- many issues that we agreed on here in The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there roes Act with comprehensive COVID–19 the Senate that would be at least tar- objection? relief. They have also passed an up- geted. This is about the Paycheck Pro- The Senator from Montana. dated ‘‘Heroes 2 Act,’’ but we never tection Program. This is relief for Mr. DAINES. Mr. President, reserv- even had a vote here in the U.S. Senate schools. This is resources for the vac- ing the right to object, I am here to ex- on that provision. We have been cine, for additional PPE, for additional press support for this payroll tax holi- blocked from having that vote by the testing. It is a long list, including re- day, and I think Congress should do Republican leader. lief for the U.S. Postal Service. Of much better than that, and that is to I don’t know where my colleague course, I would hope that you would come together and forgive these taxes, stands on the bipartisan framework support it, but we were blocked from period. that was just released. That is some- even bringing that bill to the floor of In fact, back in March, I pushed for thing that I can support and pursue, the U.S. Senate. We couldn’t get to de- Congress to include a payroll tax cut in but listening to the Senate majority bate on that bill in September when it the CARES Act, and I still support that leader, he has been pouring cold water came before the U.S. Senate.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:55 Dec 04, 2020 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00008 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G03DE6.014 S03DEPT1 dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with SENATE December 3, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S7199 I appreciate these points. Obviously, Cassidy Hyde-Smith Romney the Senate Appropriations Committee; we have a disagreement. President Collins Johnson Rounds and at the Senate Republican con- Cornyn Jones Rubio Trump pushed for Congress to pass a Cotton Kelly Sasse ference. payroll tax cut. I would rather see a Cramer Kennedy Scott (FL) Some who started with me in 2003 are cut, not a deferral. That is the way to Crapo King Scott (SC) still working for me after 18 years, and Cruz Lankford really help workers across this coun- Shaheen some have moved on to other opportu- Daines Lee Shelby Enzi Manchin nities, but each has played a major role try. When Congress failed to act in Sinema Ernst McConnell July, the President enacted that defer- Sullivan in the Senate, whether they were help- Fischer Moran Tester ing to pass laws, serve our constitu- ral as a way to provide immediate re- Gardner Murkowski lief to the American people. I would Graham Murphy Thune ents, or answering the front-office ask that we come together and let’s Grassley Paul Tillis phone. Hassan Reed Toomey We have some important traditions forgive those taxes. Forgive them, and Wicker Hawley Risch here in the Senate, including the maid- they won’t be getting a surprise tax in- Hoeven Roberts Young crease if we do that. en speech, which I delivered 17 years Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Mr. President, NAYS—34 ago, in my case, and the farewell just very briefly in response, I think Baldwin Gillibrand Schatz speech, which I delivered yesterday, Bennet Heinrich Schumer but for me, something is missing. Usu- everyone knows what is going on here. Blumenthal Hirono Smith This is a very simple proposal. If you Booker Kaine Stabenow ally staff is acknowledged in the fare- want to participate in President Brown Klobuchar Udall well address, which either makes the Cantwell Leahy Van Hollen address way too long or at least too lit- Trump’s deferral, you can continue to Casey Markey participate in the deferral program. Warner tle time to properly acknowledge their Coons Menendez Warren Cortez Masto Merkley contributions. I am here today to make But if you are in the Armed Forces or Whitehouse Duckworth Murray are a Federal employee and you are Wyden a ‘‘Salute to the Staff’’ speech. I know Durbin Peters my colleagues agree that their own ac- being required to do that right now and Feinstein Rosen you don’t want to, we should let them complishments are the result of work- opt out. That is all this is about, and I NOT VOTING—7 ing with superior staff, so perhaps, if I am really surprised that our Repub- Burr Loeffler Sanders may not be presumptuous, a ‘‘Salute to Harris Perdue the Staff’’ speech might become an ad- lican colleagues would block members Inhofe Portman of our Armed Forces and Federal em- ditional Senate tradition. The nomination was confirmed. ployees from making a simple choice When I say ‘‘superior staff,’’ here is The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under which they believe is in their best in- what I mean: superior in being what the previous order, the motion to re- terest. Senator Howard Baker used to call an consider is considered made and laid So I am disappointed with the objec- eloquent listener—that the constituent upon table, and the President will be tion and will continue to pursue this. on the phone might be right or even immediately notified of the Senate’s Thank you. the staffer in the other office might be action. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- right; superior in courtesy to the Ten- The Senator from Tennessee. ator from Montana. nesseans for whom we work; superior Mr. DAINES. Mr. President, I ask f in insight; superior in resolving com- plex issues and wrapping up the result unanimous consent to yield back the LEGISLATIVE SESSION time in order for the vote to occur now. in a nice package with a ribbon tied The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there around it, ready to be passed and objection? MORNING BUSINESS signed into law whenever the moment Without objection, it is so ordered. came that it could be passed, which Mr. ALEXANDER. Madam President, would usually be a surprise and at an VOTE ON HARDY NOMINATION I ask unanimous consent that the Sen- inconvenient time; and superior in The PRESIDING OFFICER. The ate proceed to legislative session and writing and speaking plain English in question is, Will the Senate advise and be in a period of morning business, order to persuade at least half the peo- consent to the Hardy nomination? with Senators permitted to speak ple we are right; and superior in work- Mr. DAINES. I ask for the yeas and therein for up to 10 minutes each. ing well together—something you are nays. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without supposed to learn in kindergarten—so The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there a objection, it is so ordered. we have a good time while we are sufficient second? Mr. ALEXANDER. Madam President, working. There appears to be a sufficient sec- I ask unanimous consent that I be rec- Unlike almost every other Senate of- ond. ognized to speak for as long as I may fice, at the suggestion of my chief of The clerk will call the roll. require. staff, David Cleary, we created a single The legislative clerk called the roll. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without team composed of personal office staff Mr. THUNE. The following Senators objection, it is so ordered. here and in Washington, DC, and the are necessarily absent: the Senator f committee staff, with David in charge from North Carolina (Mr. BURR), the of all of that. I originally thought that RECOGNIZING THE STAFF OF Senator from Oklahoma (Mr. INHOFE), was a big mistake. I didn’t see how SENATOR ALEXANDER the Senator from Georgia (Mrs. LOEF- anyone could be in charge of all of FLER), the Senator from Georgia (Mr. Mr. ALEXANDER. Madam President, that, but I was wrong about it because PERDUE), and the Senator from Ohio here is my view of serving in the U.S. what it did was break down barriers (Mr. PORTMAN). Senate: It is hard to get here, it is hard and eliminate jealousy, improve com- Mr. DURBIN. I announce that the to stay here, and while you are here, munication, and create a much happier Senator from California (Ms. HARRIS) you might as well try to accomplish and effective working condition. and the Senator from Vermont (Mr. something good for the country. Ac- The results have been exceptional. SANDERS) are necessarily absent. complishing something good in the For 18 years, I have gotten up every The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mrs. U.S. Senate means working with a su- morning thinking I might be able to do CAPITO). Are there any other Senators perior staff. something good to help our country, in the Chamber desiring to vote? Today, I want to pay tribute to the and I have gone to bed most nights The result was announced—yeas 59, 270 men and women who have served on thinking that I have. That couldn’t nays 34, as follows: my staff since I came to the Senate in have happened without the privilege of [Rollcall Vote No. 253 Ex.] 2003, in my personal office, both here in working with an exceptional staff. YEAS—59 Washington, DC, and in the six Ten- The truth is—we all know this—that nessee offices; in the Senate Health, there is just no physical way for any Alexander Blunt Capito Barrasso Boozman Cardin Education, Labor, and Pensions Com- U.S. Senator to see every single one of Blackburn Braun Carper mittee; the Senate Rules Committee; our constituents every time we want to

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:55 Dec 04, 2020 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00009 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G03DE6.016 S03DEPT1 dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with SENATE S7200 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE December 3, 2020 see them or talk to them on the phone, Our staff has experienced some great with a grim cancer diagnosis. The em- although we all make our best efforts personal joys. We celebrated the birth ployee’s parents lived in China. They to do that. And you learn pretty quick- or adoption of 30 babies over those 18 were unable to see the employee be- ly that constituents expect and deserve years. Just as I met my wife Honey cause of COVID–19 restrictions. Long to be treated not just with courtesy while we were both working in the Sen- and short, Keith worked it out so they but promptly. For example, Senator ate, some of our staffers met their could receive the appropriate paper- Estes Kefauver held this seat that I spouses while working on my staff, in- work and fly here to be with their now hold when I was a high school stu- cluding: Mackensie Burt and Paul daughter. dent. McKernana, Will Patterson and Kath- One story that I got to see in person One day, Maude from Madisonville, erine Knight, Virginia Heppner and was about Wilbur ‘‘Bill’’ Hoffman from his hometown, called Senator Bobby McMillin, Laura Lefler and John World War II. Mary Wooldridge, in our Kefauver’s office and said: ‘‘I want to Herzog, Will Campbell and Victoria Memphis office, was asked if there was speak to Estes.’’ Souza, and Patrick Jaynes and Jill some way he could be recognized for The staffer said: ‘‘I’m sorry but Sen- Salyers. They are all married now. his World War II service. She worked ator Kefauver is tied up on the floor.’’ We also have experienced some pro- with the service and discovered that he There was a long silence. Maude said: found sorrows. Some have lost parents, was not only eligible for a Purple Heart ‘‘Well, you go down and untie the son nursed seriously injured children, or after he had been wounded at Pointe du of a gun and get him up off the floor been through their own health emer- Hoc on D-Day in 1944, he had also and tell him Maude’s on the phone and gencies. earned the Bronze Star and the Ranger wants to speak to him.’’ In November 2007, Trey Lefler, a very Tab awards. In 2012, he was presented So our constituents expect to talk special staffer and friend, was involved with these awards by our State’s high- with us when they want to. in a serious car accident and died as a est ranking military officer, General My first visit to the Senate was when result of his injuries. Haston at a ceremony I attended. He I was a junior in high school. It was Many staff members have stayed. We died a year later. part of the American Legion Boys Na- have worked together for a long time. Each fall, Kay Durham in our office tion Program. I was invited to visit Some have been a part of our team— works through about 150 Tennesseans’ Senator Kefauver. I was 17 years old. I meaning we worked together—since I applications to attend our Nation’s was reluctant to do that because I was became a Senator: Patrick Jaynes, service academies. She has worked sure he had many more important peo- State director; Lindsey Seidman, dep- with over 2,500 candidates applying for ple to see than a 17-year-old boy from uty staff director on the HELP Com- those academies. Maryville, TN. I was even more sure of mittee; Jane Chedester, field represent- There is no better State director that when I arrived at his office be- ative in Knoxville; Kay Durham, con- than Patrick Jaynes. He also served as cause his office was just filled with stituent services representative in deputy chief of staff. He worked to cre- people who looked important and Nashville; Charlotte Jackson, who ate a smooth relationship between looked like they had come from all knows more about how to help people what happens in Tennessee and what over the world to see him. But his as- with a visa problem than anybody in happens here. I have traveled thou- sistant came out and swished me in the world; Matt Varino, field represent- sands of miles with Patrick. He has not through all the important people, ative in Jackson; Gina Parkerson in run into anybody, but we have been doing her best to make me feel com- Tri-Cities; Stephanie Chivers, a senior through a lot of flat tires and some fortable. Kefauver had a reputation for adviser in Nashville. speeding tickets. Patrick and I have being accessible, and it was because his It is pretty remarkable. It is not so seen it all. He is full of insights. He al- staff made it appear that he always easy to be on the staff of a U.S. Sen- ways has energy for the next event and was. ator in the State they represent. Ev- can always solve a problem. I remind my staff that there are erybody knows who you are. Every- During my time in the Senate, the many people who want to see us who where you go, you are likely to be conference elected me three times as suspect that we feel we are too impor- sought out by people who need help, chairman of the Senate Republican tant to see them, and we should do ev- people who are hurting. It is easy to conference. That is a little bit of a po- erything we can to help them under- get burned out. It is hard to stay in a litical job. What you are supposed to do stand that we know that they are the job like that for that long. is come up with something that Repub- important ones. Patrick Jaynes says that while these licans can say to counter what Demo- The staff and I have done our best to might be jobs in politics, the politics crats are saying. It is especially a chal- try to do that. With all of the Senators end when you start the job. You have lenge to do that for Republicans to get with whom I have served from Ten- to work with everyone and help every- them to talk on a single message. nessee, we have what we call Tennessee one. All of the Senators—every one of us— Tuesday, which are breakfasts where Our Tennessee field representatives are experts in politics or we wouldn’t any Tennessean can come and visit have traveled thousands of miles, have gotten here. And Republican Sen- with both Senators, have a little meeting with mayors, businesses, ators are especially independent-mind- breakfast, and have their photograph schools, hospitals, and other organiza- ed. Republicans and Democrats will taken. tions across our 95 counties. often all do things together as a cau- In 18 years, 270 people have worked Caseworkers have handled about cus, but we do it differently than they on my Senate staff—as I mentioned, in 20,000 cases over the years, like getting do. Democrats will all hold hands and Jackson, Nashville, Tri-Cities, Knox- disability benefits, helping a World jump off the cliff together. Republicans ville, Memphis, Chattanooga, or in War II veteran get a medal, helping a will also all jump off the cliff at the Washington, DC, on my personal staff family stranded overseas get home. same time, but one will do a somer- or the Health, Education, Labor, and For example, Laura Ray Goodrich is sault, one will do a back flip, one will Pensions staff or the Rules Committee a staffer in Jackson. She heard of a sin- do a dive, and so forth. or Appropriations Committee or at the gle mother having desperate issues get- The goal was to come up in the cau- Senate Republican conference. There ting her tax refund. The mother needed cus with a catchy phrase. For example, are a lot of places to have a lot of the money to help pay rent and the on energy, ‘‘Find more, use less,’’ or staff—153 women, 117 men. rest of her bills. Laura got to work and about ObamaCare, ‘‘step by step,’’ in- Our staff has also benefited from the reached out to the IRS. She discovered stead of ‘‘comprehensive.’’ work of 433 interns. These interns usu- the mother’s returns had been wrong To persuade Senators to say the ally stay with us 1 to 3 months, and for several years and helped the same thing, staff would record clips of they have some real work experiences thrilled single mother recover far more them saying what I thought they while they are here, and they are pret- money than she was expecting. should say, and then we would show ty good. In fact, 30 staff members—that Keith Abraham, who works in the that back to them at lunch. I found is 11 percent of our staff—began their Knoxville office, heard from a Ten- that Senators paid a lot more atten- work in our office as interns. nessee company about an employee tion to watching themselves say things

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:55 Dec 04, 2020 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00010 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G03DE6.017 S03DEPT1 dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with SENATE December 3, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S7201 than they did to watching me suggest ommend the bill to the Senate. This everybody when it passed, but it never to them what to say. law was the result of complicated and was passed. The result of the immense It wasn’t me doing all that; it was nimble work by Peter Oppenheim, efforts—the whole goal—was to reduce staff doing it. They came up with Lindsay Fryer, Matt Stern, and David the cost of healthcare premiums in the catchy phrases, many of them. They Cleary. individual insurance market. President made sure we communicated them at FAFSA Simplification. Twenty mil- Trump worked well with us on that. the conference. lion Americans fill out this ridicu- Virginia McMillin and Liz Wroe did While I was on the Rules Committee, lously complex form for Federal aid for countless hours of work, but we I had a chance—I worked with Senator Pell grants and student loans. You couldn’t quite get it across the finish SCHUMER on that. We were ranking— have seen me hold it up on the Senate line. really, like this year, we didn’t know floor. Everyone agrees it can be 33 in- Then, this year, there was the shark who would be the new President. I had stead of 108 questions. Almost everyone tank. With the support of Senators an opportunity to speak at President agrees it is the major obstacle to low- BLUNT and SHELBY, we worked together Obama’s inauguration. We talked income students getting Federal aid to with Francis Collins, of the National about the peaceful transfer or the reaf- go to college because they are intimi- Institutes of Health, to create an ini- firmation of power as a conspicuous dated by it. Bob Moran, Lauren Davies, tiative of $2.5 billion to produce 50 mil- symbol of our democracy. There is no and Andrew LaCasse have worked hard lion more COVID diagnostic tests a possible way to organize a Presidential with Senator MURRAY’s staff. We have month than current technologies would inauguration without a superior staff. it about half done. We would like to get do. Grace Graham, Melissa Pfaff, and Mary Jones and Lindsey Seidman were it across the finish line before the end Laura Friedel on Senator BLUNT’s staff the ones who were in charge of all that of the year. worked on that. for us. Head Start. In 2007, we came up with During all of this, Grace Graham was Then, in 2012, on the Senate HELP the idea. Sarah Rittling was the staff- in her third trimester—not during all Committee—as the senior Republican er. It was to establish 200 centers of ex- of it. During the latter part of this, she for 2 years, then 6 years as chairman— cellence for the Head Start Program. was in her third trimester. She was the staff grew a lot. Senator Ted Ken- Then, in 2005, Katrina came and Rita working on design policies and being a nedy used to say that the HELP Com- came, two big hurricanes. Kristin traffic cop between here and the House. mittee had about one-third of the juris- Bannerman was critical to legislation, To date, she and Stash, her husband, diction of the Senate. It certainly does where we worked with Senator Ken- have had their first child, Penn. She is a lot of work, and it needs a lot of tal- nedy, Senator Dodd, and Senator Lan- back at work, and the country is better ented staff members. During my 8 drieu for voucher funding to assist with off for everything that she has contrib- years as the senior Republican, the the cost of educating 150,000 public and uted. Our committee leadership positions staff helped organize 209 hearings, 752 nonpublic school students in grades K– are often considered the plum posi- witnesses, mostly bipartisan—meaning 12 displaced by the hurricane. that I agreed with Senator Harkin Then, reauthorizing the Perkins Ca- tions, but you can do a whole lot with a talented personal staff. Ours has put first, then Senator MURRAY for the last reer and Technical Education Act. Edu- in long hours and has met expecta- 6 years, on whom the witnesses would cation Week said it was ‘‘a watershed tions. For example, on the Great Amer- be. We produced 90 bills that have be- moment.’’ Staffer Jake Baker worked ican Outdoors Act, Anna Newton and come law. on that. Senator ENZI did a lot of the Lindsay Garcia did yeoman’s work. That is a lot of work—weeks of work heavy work. This is a bill that good people have lit- by the staff. Securing each witness I have been fortunate to have two ex- erally been trying to pass since the Ei- often takes a host of conversations traordinary women whom I work with senhower years. It was the most impor- with Democratic committee staff, nu- on the team of staff on the HELP Com- tant piece of outdoor legislation in merous phone calls with experts. mittee who handle family health pol- Every bill that becomes law takes ef- that period of time. icy: Mary-Sumpter Lapinski and Grace With the Music Modernization Act, forts that are hard to comprehend out- Graham. we worked with Senator Hatch and his side the walls of Congress, from the Before they started, Melissa Pfaff, staff. We eventually got 85 cosponsors, consultations with constituents and Page Kranbuhl, and Marguerite Salee but this one nearly ran off the road experts to the drafting of the legisla- Kondracke were instrumental in pass- several times. Lindsay Garcia and Paul tion, to the work with other members ing the PREEMIE Act in 2003, getting McKernan made sure it became law. and outside groups, to consulting, to the bill well written and signed into The America COMPETES Act was trying to soothe bruised feelings, to law, working with the March of Dimes back in my early years as a Senator, working with other committee mem- to help give more babies a chance to when I was very junior, so I got the Re- bers, bring it to the attention of the live long and healthy lives. publican leader and the Democratic majority leader, try to find an oppor- Once I became senior on the HELP leader to cosponsor it. It passed with, I tunity for it to be on the Senate cal- Committee, we began to work on the think, more than 60 cosponsors to im- endar, then bill support, then remove 21st Century Cures Act. Senator prove our competitive position in the holes. There is a lot of work to do in MCCONNELL said it was the most impor- world. passing a bill and making a law, and tant law of that Congress. It helps Matt Sonnesyn and David Cleary staff does most of the work. Senators speed medical innovations to patients were the key staffers on that. They do a lot, but they can’t do it all. in doctors’ offices. Margaret Coulter, were not just working with staff people Here are some of the achievements Andy Vogt, Melissa Pfaff, Brett Meeks, around here. For example, with the worth highlighting. I mentioned many and others spent countless hours get- America COMPETES Act, the bill of them yesterday in my farewell ad- ting ready for that. wouldn’t have passed if it had not been dress, so I won’t go into great detail FDA user fees. This showed Grace for 800 outdoor recreation environ- about them today; for example, the Graham’s ability to be a traffic cop mental groups outside of Congress who Every Student Succeeds Act. This was working with Senator MURRAY’s staff supported the bill and encouraged Sen- the bill to fix No Child Left Behind. It and with House committees. We had a ators to get off planes and come back affects 50 million children in 100,000 really fairly seamless effort to take here to cast crucial votes. We are schools. President Obama called it ‘‘a these complicated pieces of law to col- grateful for that. Matt Sonnesyn Christmas miracle.’’ The lect user fees from drug and device worked with the Iraq Study Group rec- Journal said it was the largest devolu- makers and include significant new ommendations that we made during tion of power from Washington to the provisions to speed those drugs and de- the George W. Bush years, and Erin States in 25 years. I will never forget vices into doctors’ offices. Reif and Lucas DaPieve have been ex- what, to me, was a truly emotional mo- The most popular bill that never be- perts on foreign affairs and appropria- ment, when every Senator on our com- came a law was called Alexander-Mur- tions. mittee—this is from to ray. I even bought a case of Scotch While I have been chairman of the —voted to rec- called Alexander-Murray to give out to Energy and Water Appropriations, we

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:55 Dec 04, 2020 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00011 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G03DE6.019 S03DEPT1 dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with SENATE S7202 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE December 3, 2020 have had 5 straight years in a row— One thing I know is I wouldn’t be It has been a great privilege over these hopefully, we will have 6—of funding very good as a chief of staff, so I needed 18 years to work with such an excep- the Office of Science, which supports a very good chief of staff to do some tional staff. our 17 National Laboratories. We have things that I don’t do as well. My first I ask unanimous consent to have also stepped up funding for all of the one was Tommy Ingram, whom I have printed in the RECORD a list of the inland waterways, like Chickamauga known since 1966 when he was a Ten- names of my staff. Lock, and for supercomputing in order nessean reporter, and I was working for There being no objection, the mate- to keep us first in the world. Tom Howard Baker in his second campaign. rial was ordered to be printed in the Craig, Tyler Owens, Meyer Seligman, We have been friends ever since. He was RECORD, as follows: Jen Armstrong, and Adam DeMella all my campaign manager and chief of Keith Abraham, Halee Ackerman, Hayley played key roles in that. staff as Governor. He did the same Alexander, Abbey Allen, Stacy (Cline) Amin, I met every week with what I called thing. He is really responsible for much Carrie Apostolou, Sarah Arbes, Katie Argo, my Energy Working Group. I found the Jen Armstrong, Abby Atkins, Margaret At- of my success in politics. kinson, Jill Bader-Thompson, Jake Baker, intersection of energy and environment David Morgenstern joined my staff in to be, really, the most fascinating new Brandon Ball, Aaron Baluczynski, Andy 2005 as legislative director, and he be- Banducci, Kristin Bannerman-Herrmann, subject for me during my time as a came chief of staff in 2009. Kathryn Bell, Bailee Beshires, Anthony Senator, and we did a lot of work on Matt Sonnesyn came to me from the Birch. that both on the Committee on Appro- Harvard Kennedy School of Govern- Jeremy Boshwit, Lyndsay Botts, Jennifer priations and with other Senators. ment. He was initially a senior policy Boyer, Charlie Brereton, Kelly Brexler, Meeting with that energy policy staff Palmer Brigham, Justine Brittain, Louie adviser. He was one of the few Repub- Brogdon, Austin Bryan, Adam Buckalew, helped to get the America COMPETES lican students in the Harvard Kennedy Act passed. It stopped the Road to No- Brenda Buescher, Ace Burch, Jonathan School of Government, so he was well Burke, Andrew Burnett, David Campbell, where in the Smokies. It pushed back trained in defending his views. Will Campbell, Victoria (Souza) Campbell, on the efforts to promote Big Wind on Ryan Loskarn served as chief of staff Meredith Carter, Laura Chambers-Crist, our mountain ridges, and it resulted in starting in 2007. Robbie Champion. record funding for energy and water de- Then, in my personal office, David Jane Chedester, Stephanie Chivers, Sarah velopment. Sharon Segner, Jessica Cleary has been the chief for the past 7 Chu, David Cleary, Joseph Cody, Chris Con- Holliday, Conrad Schatte, and Lindsay nolly, Molly Conway, Mary Catherine Cook, years. You can see him somewhere in Hannah Cornwell, Margaret Coulter, Tom Garcia all led those teams. an outrageous red and black suit on We spend a lot of time working with Craig, Sydney Crawford, Starling Crossan, the Senate floor. David and I have Joseph Cwiklinski, Lucas DaPieve, Ashton staff to get the policy right and trying worked together for almost 15 years. Davies, Elizabeth Davis, Adam DeMella, to get the message right. You have to First, he served as staff director for the Evan Dixon, Christine Dodd. be able to persuade at least half the HELP Subcommittee on Children and Kay Durham, Emily Durnin, Jennifer Ellis, people that you are right in this busi- Grant English, Seth Ephrussi, Greg Families. He used to work for John ness. Words matter. We spend a lot of Facchiano, Sarah Fairchild, Anna Catherine Boehner in the House. time on headlines so that we convey Feaster, Qur’an Folsom, Kyle (Hicks) In 2014, after becoming the ranking what we are trying to do. The individ- Fortson, Harrison Fox, Jr., Emily France, member of the HELP Committee, Evann Freeman, Lindsey Fryer, Alice uals who have led our communications David suggested, as I said earlier, that Ganier, Kitty Ganier, Lindsay Garcia, Jaime unit include Alexia Poe, Harvey Valen- he be both chief of staff and staff direc- Garden, Nick Geale, Elizabeth Gibson. tine, Lee Pitts, Jim Jeffries, Brian tor of the committee. I recounted how, Randall Gibson, Jr., Houston Goddard, Reisinger, Margaret Atkinson, Liz Meredith Good-Cohn, Laura Ray Goodrich, at first, I thought that was a bad idea, Wolgemuth, Ashton Davies, and Taylor Carolyn Gorman, Elizabeth Gorman, Rey- but it was one of the best ideas sug- Haulsee. nard Graham, Grace (Stuntz) Graham, John You can’t run an effective office gested to me because it made our staff Grant, Jon Grayson, Sarah Greene, Sharon without a good office manager. We so much more effective and work so Hagget, Daniel Hale, Jeremy Harrell, Bran- much better. It was the key to our suc- don Harrison, Heather Hatcher, Jenn Hat- have had the best—Trina Tyrer and field, Taylor Haulsee, Crystal Hayslett, Faye Debbie Paul. Misty Marshall came to cess, really, and I do not know of a more effective chief of staff of the Sen- Head. us from the White House, where she William Heartsill, Alicia Hennie, Richard was the director of correspondence for ate than David Cleary. He led our ef- Hertling, John Herzog, Laura (Lefler) Laura Bush. forts to fix No Child Left Behind, the Herzog, Kai Hirabayashi, Madison Hite, Jes- One of the toughest, most important 21st Century Cures, the reauthorizing sica Holliday, Alexanderia Honeycutt, Derek jobs in the Senate office that people of Perkins, and the FDA user fees legis- Horne, Elizabeth Howell, Haley Hudler, Kara outside the Senate don’t really appre- lation. I appreciate how much time Huffstutter, Jones Hussey, Jordan Hynes, Marci, his wife, and Maria, their Joel Igelhart, Neena Imam, Tom Ingram, ciate as much is the job of scheduling. Charlotte Jackson, Patrick Jaynes. It requires constant changes, great dis- daughter, have given to our team. Jill Jaynes, Jim Jeffries, Lora Jobe, Tonya cretion, enormous promptness, and at- To close, I would like to thank all 270 Johnson, Madeline Jurch, Nora Khalil, Lina tention to detail. Every day is a mis- staff members who have given time and Kilani, Kimberly Kirkpatrick, Emily Kirlin, match of meetings and calls. There is energy to our office. One of those, Rey- Katherine Knight, Bill Knudsen, Hillary no schedule, really, in the U.S. Senate. nard Graham, has been my administra- Knudson, Page Kranbuhl, Andrew LaCasse, You just kind of keep up with what is tive right hand for many years. His Lesley Landrum, Mary-Sumpter Lapinski, bigger job is that he is a minister on Trey Lefler, Jeff Lewis, Bridget Lipscomb, going on, and you put it down on a Rachel Littleton. piece of paper. Suddenly, everything the weekends. There isn’t time to rec- Anne Locke, Brett Logan, Linda Long, can get wiped out by an emergency ognize the accomplishments of each Ryan Loskarn, Molly Lukic, Nick call. Bonnie Sansonetti, Sarah Fair- one by name, but there are many, and Magallanes, Christina Mandreucci, Molly child, and Alicyn York have been the I am grateful to every single indi- Marsh, Misty Marshall, Allison Martin, very best. vidual. David McAdam, Meghan McCully, Paul The legislative director conducts the It has been a tremendous gift to work McKernan, Mackensie (Burt) McKernan, office orchestra. I have been very fortu- with a skilled and dedicated staff. Each Bobby McMillin, Virginia (Heppner) person who has served in this office McMillin, Kayla McMurry, Brett Meeks, Mi- nate that Allison Martin has been our chael Merrell, Will Meyer IV. conductor. She used to work for Bill should be proud of what we have ac- Latonya Miller, Meade Miller-Carlisle, Frist and . She is a complished. I have been so fortunate to Scot Montrey, Lana Moore, Bob Moran, West Tennessean, but the whole State have been on the same team with each David Morgenstern, Jennifer Moroney, Ni- is what she cares about as well as the of you for the last 18 years. cole Morse, Brandon Morton, Kim Morton, country. If you were to look for some- In a farewell address yesterday, I said Jeff Muhs, Patrick Murray, Katie Neal, Beth body with her skill and talent, you that I wake up every day thinking I Nelson, Anna Newton, Laura Marks O’Brien, might be able to do something good for Andrew Offenburger, Katie Oglesby, Peter would be looking for a very long time. Oppenheim, Tyler Owens. David Cleary, Richard Hertling, Matt our country and that I go to bed most Mary Parkerson, Will Patterson, Debbie Sonnesyn, and David Morgenstern were nights thinking that I have. It has been Paul, Megan Paulsen, Austin Payne, Con- also legislative directors. a great privilege to be a U.S. Senator. stance Payne, Laura Pence, Kelly Perry,

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:55 Dec 04, 2020 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00012 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G03DE6.020 S03DEPT1 dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with SENATE December 3, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S7203 Morgan Petty, Melissa Pfaff, Charlie Phelps, open and his three employees on the cial credit that is keeping businesses Jr.; Lee Pitts, Alexia Poe, Greg Proseus, payroll. open and helping State and local gov- Erin Reif, Brian Reisinger, Sarah Rittling, A Michigan retiree who struggles to ernments provide necessary services. John Rivard, Michelle Rodriguez, Adam buy enough groceries is wondering if it Also on December 31, the Centers for Rondinone. Kristin Rosa, Kristyn Royster, Marguerite is safe to wait in a long line at her Disease Control and Prevention’s evic- (Sallee) Kondracke, Bonnie Sansonetti, San- local food bank or if that is where she tion moratorium expires, and the Fed- dra SawanLara, Conrad Schatte, Lowell will get sick. eral foreclosure moratorium and some Schiller, Michael Schulz, Lauren (Davies) Michigan families who have seen al- opportunities for forbearance expire. Schwensen, Kelly Scott, Sharon Segner, most 9,300 of their grandparents and Imagine what it would be like to Lindsey (Ward) Seidman, Meyer Seligman, neighbors and uncles and cousins and begin a new year with no roof over Erin Shea, Trina (Eager) Shiffman, Tyler friends and community leaders get sick your head or your family’s, no place for Shrive, Aliza (Fishbein) Silver, Tiffany and die from this horrible virus are your children to sleep, and no place to Smith, Kathleen Smith, LaShawnda Smith. wondering who is going to be next. Rhonda Smithson, Charles Snodgrass, stay clean in the middle of a raging Matt Sonnesyn, Daniel Soto, Kristin (Nel- The truth is that we are not just fac- pandemic. son) Spiridon, Riley Stamper, Daniel Stan- ing a health crisis right now—we are And on January 1, millions of student ley, Matthew Stern, Deborah Sturdivant, facing an economic crisis; we are fac- loan borrowers will have to resume Bill Sullivan, Carey Sullivan, Curtis Swager, ing a housing crisis; and we are facing their payments whether they can af- Caroline Taylor, Rhonda Thames, Josh a hunger crisis all at the same time. ford them or not. Thomas, Nathan Thomas, Kristi Thompson, Coronavirus cases, hospitalizations, These programs have been, literally, Sean Thurman, Kara Townsend, Diane Tran. and deaths keep rising, and we haven’t a lifeline for families, for communities, Bill Tucker, Harvey Valentine, Tim Valen- even seen the effects of Thanksgiving tine, Curtis Vann, Matt Varino, Andy Vogt, for businesses during the pandemic. Sandra Wade, Jack Wells, Marty West, Mitch gatherings yet. We are seeing unem- And while vaccines are on the horizon Whalen, Rob Wharton, Louann White, Dono- ployment claims tick up, and those are and we are so happy to hear the van Whiteside, Brent Wiles, Samantha Wil- expected to get worse after seasonal progress, this pandemic is far from liams, Liz Wolgemuth, Mary Wooldridge, Liz jobs will be cut in January. over. Cutting off this vital help now Wroe, Sharon Yecies, Alicyn York. Some studies have estimated that would be like an ambulance driver Mr. ALEXANDER. I yield the floor. about 40 million renters in the United stopping 2 miles short of the hospital The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- States are at risk of losing their and making the accident victim get ator from Michigan. homes. There are already 10,000 evic- out and walk the rest of the way to the Ms. STABENOW. Madam President, tion actions that have been filed in a emergency room. first, let me join with so many of my number of States. Those are 10,000 fam- We need to face this health crisis, colleagues in wishing our distinguished ilies who need to find new places to live this economic crisis, this housing cri- friend and Senator from Tennessee best right now, in the winter, in the middle sis, this hunger crisis with seriousness wishes. of a health pandemic. and boldness. People in Michigan and Thank you, Senator ALEXANDER, for We have all seen the massive lines of across the country are crying out for your incredible leadership and working cars at food banks across the country. help. It is time for this body to listen. across the aisle. So many good things In a normal year, the Food Bank of It is time for Congress to lead. that you have talked about are so Eastern Michigan helps about 14 per- We should not go home until we have meaningful to all of us. I appreciate cent of the population in 22 counties passed at least a short-term survival the way you have conducted yourself get enough food to eat. This year, it is package to help Americans through the with the committees and with Mem- helping 40 percent to put food on the next few months. That is our job. That bers, and I have enjoyed the oppor- table. Before COVID–19, the South is our job, and we should not go home tunity to work with you. Electric vehi- Michigan Food Bank provided food to until that job is done. cles didn’t quite get across the line this about 80 families a week. Now it is We are the United States of Amer- year with what we wanted to do in helping more than 500 families a week. ica—United States of America. Nothing terms of tax cuts, but I appreciate the This is an emergency. These families, is holding us back from helping our chance to have been able to partner businesses, community organizations, citizens other than people’s unwilling- with you. Certainly, I wish you the and seniors can’t just wait around, hop- ness to do it. Nothing. best in your next steps in work as you ing for a Christmas miracle. They need We are the United States of America. end the year with your family. In help now, and it is our responsibility to There is no reason we are not coming whatever you do, I know you will be do it now. together, and shame on the Congress very successful. That is why I am so pleased that law- and the White House if we don’t act f makers on both sides of the aisle have now to help our citizens. been working to come together on ad- CORONAVIRUS There is nothing holding us back but ditional help. There are still a lot of the political will to do it, and it needs Ms. STABENOW. Madam President, details to work out, but I am hopeful, to get done. There are many of us now it might be hard to believe it is actu- in being part of the process on the on both sides of the aisle working to do ally December. In normal times, a lot workings of the details, that we are that, and we need to make sure that of families in Michigan would be fo- going to be able to come together on an people lean in together and get this cused on getting ready for the holi- agreement that will help families and done. days, and while Michigan children businesses and communities get I yield the floor. might still be counting down the days through these tough times. The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. until Santa arrives, their parents have Whatever agreement we reach won’t SCOTT of Florida). The Senator from a lot bigger issues weighing on their be perfect. We know that. It won’t be West Virginia. minds. everything everybody wants. Yet we f A Michigan dad has been out of work can’t wait because time is quickly run- for months and is wondering how long ning out. On December 26—only 23 days REMEMBERING OFFICER CASSIE his family will be able to keep scraping from now—vital unemployment pro- JOHNSON by in the new year after his unemploy- grams will expire, cutting off benefits Mrs. CAPITO. Mr. President, I rise ment runs out. that millions of workers will need to be today to talk of one of West Virginia’s A Michigan single mom whose hours able to provide for their families. very own—Police Officer Cassie John- have been cut and who has been unable If you are self-employed, if you are a son. to pay the rent for months is won- contract worker, if you are a gig work- Officer Johnson was a member of her dering just how long it will be until her er, suddenly you will have zero help— hometown of Charleston’s police de- family will be out on the street. zero. partment, where she joined less than 2 The owner of a Michigan small busi- Five days after that, on December 31, short years ago. ness is wondering if he will see enough the Federal Reserve’s emergency lend- She was a devoted daughter, sister, a of a holiday boost to keep the doors ing program ends. That will cut off cru- loyal friend, and a lover of animals.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:55 Dec 04, 2020 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00013 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A03DE6.030 S03DEPT1 dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with SENATE S7204 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE December 3, 2020 She had three dogs. She was formerly a versation that we had, and she said House and the Senate gavel out for the humane officer, as well, in our commu- that hundreds of West Virginians had final time this Congress, we still have nity. And, boy, did she have a bright reached out to her personally. Many a lot of work to do. future ahead of her. had stopped by the hospital, wanting to Headlines have focused on the large, On Tuesday, the Charleston Police say goodbye to Officer Johnson. These ‘‘must-pass’’ legislation, which will re- Department received a call about a gestures have just been so touching, quire a good amount of debate and traffic complaint. Officer Johnson an- and I could tell it really helped her compromise in the coming days— swered that call and responded accord- family and, in particular, her mother things like government funding, the ingly, just as she would have any other Sheryl. National Defense Authorization bill, call. Charleston Police Chief Tyke Hunt and another COVID–19 relief package. Shortly after arriving at that loca- told Officer Johnson’s mother that she But there are actually countless other tion, she was shot in the chest. The raised her right, and that Officer John- bills that have already passed the Sen- bullet hit her badge and deflected into son was ‘‘a good-hearted soul who had ate with broad bipartisan support and her neck, where it eventually struck a to pay the ultimate sacrifice.’’ continue to linger in purgatory on the main artery. Chief Hunt is right. It is a bitter pill. House’s legislative calendar. She was rushed to the hospital, and In a local interview following her After weeks, months, and, in some every effort was made to save her life. swearing-in, Officer Johnson said: ‘‘I cases, more than a year of waiting, the She was 28. She was 28 years old. am really happy to finally getting to Speaker and the House leadership Sadly, we learned yesterday that the follow my dreams in working with refuse to let these commonsense bipar- decision was made to remove her from Charleston PD.’’ tisan bills have a vote on the House life support, and she will not be able to She continued by saying: ‘‘I’ve grown floor. Just to give you an idea of the pull through. up and lived in Charleston my whole type of legislation they are holding up, We also learned that Officer Johnson life. I just wanted to help make my let’s start with the Jenna Quinn Law. is an organ donor, which means she city a better place—and be there and to This legislation carries the name of an will be able to share the gift of life be able to help the citizens of this inspiring young Texan who is a sur- with others. city.’’ vivor of child sexual abuse and who has I had the opportunity to speak with This job was a dream come true for made it her mission in life to end the Officer Johnson’s mother Sheryl just Officer Johnson. She loved her commu- cycle of abuse that harms our children this morning, and she expressed to me nity, and our community loved her in communities across the country. her daughter’s commitment to organ back. Like all of our law enforcement, Jenna was the driving force behind a donation. She said that her daughter Officer Johnson cared for us and was 2009 Texas law requiring training for felt very strongly about giving this gift fiercely dedicated to protecting her teachers, caregivers, and other adults to others in the event that something community—and that is my commu- who work with children on how to pre- like this could happen. She was very nity. When I think of Officer Johnson, vent, recognize, and report child sexual clear about her wishes, and I think I think of her protecting my family abuse. You can imagine the teachers, that is a testament to the kind of per- and my neighbors, my community, the in particular, who spend—at least be- son Officer Johnson was. larger community of Charleston. fore COVID—day after day after day As former Charleston Police Depart- Police officers like Officer Johnson with children. They are actually in the ment Lieutenant Paul Perdue said, selflessly put their lives on the line best position, sometimes, to identify ‘‘The end of her life will be the second every day for the safety of our commu- symptoms of sexual abuse, if properly beginning for others and that’s just nities. They never know what is around trained. who she was.’’ the corner. They never know. She Since 2009, a number of other States As you can imagine, our community thought she was going for a parking have passed similar laws, but the train- is hurting, and all of our law enforce- violation. It is a hard job and one that ing often lacks adequate funding, and ment across the country is hurting is rarely appreciated enough. that is where our Federal legislation today for our community and Officer I ask—if you have heard this today or comes in. I introduced this bipartisan Johnson’s family. if you have read about this—that we all bill with Senator HASSAN from New But the outpour of support has just take a minute today and every day to Hampshire to finally back that train- been incredible to witness. Throughout thank our law enforcement and recog- ing with Federal funding through this week, West Virginians have been nize the sacrifices that they make to grants from the Department of Health honoring Officer Johnson’s life in so ensure that our communities are safe and Human Services. At a time when many ways, such as in Charleston, and protected. the experts believe that abuse is on the where our beautiful coliseum and civic I would also ask you to keep the rise as families are isolated at home center has been lit in blue in honor of Johnson family in your hearts and due to COVID–19 mitigation efforts, her and our law enforcement. prayers—our chief, Chief Hunt of the this legislation could not be more ur- There has been a great money-raising Charleston Police Department, and all gent. effort to help Officer Johnson’s family of her brothers and sisters in the police meet what is going to be a financial department and the first responders. Despite the fact that this bill will de- challenge. And what do we do with her Our mayor, Mayor Amy Goodwin, has liver real change for the most vulner- pets? There has been an effort to have done a wonderful job of bringing the able in our communities and that it her pets adopted. I just read before I community together and showing a passed the Senate with unanimous sup- came in here that the GoFundMe page wonderful show of support for Officer port, the House refuses to even vote on for Officer Johnson had already exceed- Cassie Johnson and her family, and I it. House Democrats have chosen to ed its goal, and, hopefully, it will con- thank her. hold this lifesaving legislation hostage tinue to grow. The entire city of Charleston is hurt- in order to advance a partisan bill that Last night a candle vigil was held ing, so please keep them in your hearts they know has no chance of becoming outdoors to honor her life and legacy, and prayers as well. law. where the community leaders spoke With that very difficult time, I yield Unfortunately, those are the types of and Officer Johnson’s mother Sheryl the floor. games that, sadly, we have had to be- spoke. It is a tough duty, a tough as- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- come accustomed to when it comes to signment for any mom. ator from Texas. House Democrats. But, as I said, this is only one of a long list of bills that they During the vigil, her mother spoke f about Officer Johnson’s love for her are sitting on. community, about her desire to protect SENATE LEGISLATIVE AGENDA Over the summer, the Senate passed everyone she was surrounded by. Mr. CORNYN. Mr. President, the leg- legislation that had taken aim at an- You know, when I talked to her islative year is quickly drawing to a other crisis harming our children, mother this morning, she echoed those close, but the lights on the 116th Con- which is e-cigarettes. Prior to COVID– same sentiments in the phone con- gress haven’t gone out yet. Before the 19, headlines were dominated by stories

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:55 Dec 04, 2020 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00014 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G03DE6.023 S03DEPT1 dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with SENATE December 3, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S7205 about mysterious vaping-related ill- endar. Add in the long list of bills led the liberal lion of the Senate, Ted Ken- nesses and healthy teenagers being ad- by our Republican and Democratic col- nedy, was serving with MIKE ENZI on mitted to emergency rooms with symp- leagues, and we have a major legisla- the Health, Education, Labor, and Pen- toms usually associated only with dec- tive logjam in the House. sions Committee. They were enor- ades-long smokers. As I understand it, next week is set mously productive—one of the most Well, to state the obvious, the most to be the House’s last workweek of the conservative Members and one of the effective way to prevent children from 116th Congress. That means that, un- most liberal Members of the U.S. Sen- becoming addicted to these devices is less Speaker PELOSI and House Demo- ate. So I asked MIKE, our friend Sen- to stop them from getting their hands cratic leadership allow movement on ator ENZI: How do you do it? on them in the first place. If the 16- these compromise, commonsense bipar- He said: It is simple. It is the 80–20 year-old went to a gas station or con- tisan bills, we are going to have to rule. You take the 80 percent that you venience store and attempted to buy an start from square one. We are going to can agree on, the common ground, and e-cigarette, they would be turned away have to start all over again in the next you get it done, and you leave the 20 because that sale could not take place Congress. percent that you can’t agree on to an- without a proper ID, but those same Now, I know it is not unusual for a other day and another fight. age-verification requirements don’t Member of Congress to take legislative That is the kind of common sense we apply to online purchases. Devices can hostages to advance their own agenda, need more of here in the U.S. Senate be ordered and delivered without any but this is not a time to play those when it comes to solving our Nation’s proof of age or an ID. kinds of politics, particularly on these problems. Senator FEINSTEIN, the senior Sen- kinds of subjects. These aren’t con- When there are big debates on policy ator from California, and I introduced troversial bills. We are talking about or high-stakes negotiations, Senator legislation to change that and ensure grants to prevent child sexual abuse, ENZI is not one to share his opinions that online purchases are subject to reform to stop kids from buying e-ciga- with reporters in the hallways or, the same age verification requirements rettes online, a lifeline of hope for thankfully, to air his grievances on na- as those made in person. Once again, folks who suffer from mental illness tional television, but he does work be- this legislation passed the Senate and are transitioning from our crimi- hind the scenes, settling disagreements unanimously, but the House has re- nal justice system, and so much more. with private phone calls and meetings fused to take any action. As I said, these bills are just one step rather than fiery speeches and press re- And here is another one. Last month, away from heading to the President’s leases. we passed a bill to provide mental desk for his signature, so it is time for healthcare to those transitioning out Speaker PELOSI and the leadership of There is no question he has had to of the criminal justice system. More the House to quit playing games and settle a lot of disagreements during his than half of the individuals in the allow the House to vote on these life- 24 years in the Senate, especially, as I criminal justice system have experi- changing bills. said, during his time on the HELP Committee and as chairman of the enced a mental health issue, and our f justice system too often fails to pro- Budget Committee. We have 100 indi- TRIBUTE TO MICHAEL ENZI vided adequate diagnosis and treat- viduals in the Senate from all across ment. Mr. CORNYN. Mr. President, on an- this big and diverse Nation of ours who But even when these individuals do other matter, we know we have a lot of have very different ideas about what receive treatment while incarcerated, lawyers in Congress, and we have some should be done and opinions on how to they are rarely given the tools they former businessmen. We even have peo- get it done, but part of what makes need to succeed upon release. Approxi- ple who are lawyers and businessmen him so successful is settling those dif- mately 80 percent of the people are un- who serve in our midst. They are doc- ferences—look past the areas where we insured after being released, making it tors, educators. We have a few farmers. disagree, and look at common ground. nearly impossible for them to continue But we have only two accountants, to Besides the 80–20 rule that has for- mental health treatment without addi- my knowledge, one of whom is our ever stuck in my mind as a great for- tional safety net provisions. friend MIKE ENZI. mula for solving problems and getting Senator BLUMENTHAL, our colleague For those of us who have long fought things done, MIKE has a great attitude from Connecticut, and I introduced leg- to rein in spending and to get our na- about life—one that I find very positive islation to support those who have be- tional debt in check, MIKE’s contribu- and inspiring, even. He says: ‘‘You have come part of our criminal justice sys- tion to those efforts has been invalu- to have an attitude of gratitude.’’ tem who have decided to turn their able. But that is only part of the rea- That is another thing I will remem- lives around and to provide them stable son we are sad to say farewell to such ber about MIKE ENZI—always grateful treatment if they suffer from a mental an incredible colleague. for his ability to serve his fellow Wyo- illness as they transition out of incar- Long before Senator ENZI’s career in ming citizens, for his family, his won- ceration. That is not only in their best politics or even accounting, he joined derful family, and for this great coun- interest, but it is in the best interest of the family shoe business, cleverly try that we live in. I know he is eager the larger community, because these named ‘‘NZ Shoes’’—that is capital to spend more time enjoying the great people, rather than being a danger to ‘‘N,’’ capital ‘‘Z,’’ Shoes. It wasn’t long outdoors. MIKE has said he wants to ac- the community, can contribute to the before our friend MIKE, at the young tually go fishing in all 50 States. I community. age of 30, was lured into a life of public don’t know how many States he has This legislation passed the Senate service and elected mayor of Gillette, not yet fished in, but after he leaves with unanimous support, but, once WY. His career would lead him to the the U.S. Senate, hopefully he will ac- again, no movement in the House, and Department of the Interior, the Wyo- complish his goal of going fishing in all the list goes on and on and on. ming State House and Senate, and 50 States of the Union. We unanimously approved legislation eventually here to the U.S. Senate. But We will miss him here in the Senate. to provide justice to families of human Senator ENZI still holds on to the les- I yield the floor. smuggling victims and assistance to sons he learned in those early days I suggest the absence of a quorum. local communities battling the prob- selling shoes. lem, to help State and local govern- A few years ago, he said: The PRESIDING OFFICER. The ments strengthen their cyber security Legislating is like selling shoes. You have clerk will call the roll. and safeguard their elections, and to to know your market, what they want, and The bill clerk proceeded to call the increase cross-border economic and who’s willing to buy what you’re [selling]. roll. educational partnerships with Mexico. Well, I don’t know how effective Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I Those half dozen bills I just named MIKE was as a shoe salesman, but I can ask unanimous consent that the order are only a handful of the ones I intro- tell you that he has been a master for the quorum call be rescinded. duced that have passed the Senate but broker here in the Senate. I still re- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without are collecting dust on the House cal- member when I came to the Senate, objection, it is so ordered.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 04:17 Dec 04, 2020 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00015 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G03DE6.024 S03DEPT1 dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with SENATE S7206 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE December 3, 2020 EXECUTIVE SESSION Standing Rules of the Senate, do hereby fective. This is the kind of vaccine that move to bring to a close debate on the nomi- has been the most effective among the nation of Nathan A. Simington, of Virginia, most effective vaccines we have ever EXECUTIVE CALENDAR to be a Member of the Federal Communica- had. tions Commission for a term of five years Pfizer and Moderna have both come Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I from July 1, 2019. move to proceed to executive session to Mitch McConnell, Cindy Hyde-Smith, forward and asked for their emergency consider Calendar No. 649. Joni Ernst, , Tim Scott, use authorizations. The emergency use The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Lamar Alexander, Pat Roberts, Kevin doesn’t really mean they have cut any question is on agreeing to the motion. Cramer, Shelley Moore Capito, Lindsey corners. The only thing we have failed The motion was agreed to. Graham, , , to do is to watch the 30,000 or so people The PRESIDING OFFICER. The , Todd Young, , for another 2 or 3 years who were in clerk will report the nomination. , . both of these trials. That is why we The bill clerk read the nomination of f can’t say with certainty if this vaccine Stephen Sidney Schwartz, of Virginia, LEGISLATIVE SESSION will last for a lifetime or if this vaccine to be a Judge of the United States will be a 3-year vaccine or even a 1- Court of Federal Claims for a term of Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I year vaccine. What we can say with fifteen years. move to proceed to legislative session. certainty is that, about 95 percent of The PRESIDING OFFICER. The CLOTURE MOTION the time, it will prevent you from get- question is on agreeing to the motion. Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I ting the disease. Of course, if people send a cloture motion to the desk. The motion was agreed to. are prevented from getting the disease, The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clo- Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I they can’t spread the disease, and that ture motion having been presented suggest the absence of a quorum. is why a 90 percent effective vaccine, under rule XXII, the Chair directs the The PRESIDING OFFICER. The like the measles vaccine, was basically clerk to read the motion. clerk will call the roll. 100 percent effective as long as people The bill clerk read as follows: The bill clerk proceeded to call the took it. roll. CLOTURE MOTION So we need to step back, really, I Mr. BLUNT. Mr. President, I ask We, the undersigned Senators, in accord- think, and look at the unconventional ance with the provisions of rule XXII of the unanimous consent that the order for way we got here. How did we get from Standing Rules of the Senate, do hereby the quorum call be rescinded. 3 to 5 to, maybe, 10 years to less than move to bring to a close debate on the nomi- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without a year of discovering a virus for the nation of Stephen Sidney Schwartz, of Vir- objection, it is so ordered. very first time to our having a vaccine? ginia, to be a Judge of the United States f The way that researchers have been Court of Federal Claims for a term of fifteen able to move forward with this and the years. CORONAVIRUS VACCINE way that Congress and the Trump ad- Mitch McConnell, Joni Ernst, John Booz- Mr. BLUNT. Mr. President, the Pre- man, James E. Risch, Mike Rounds, ministration have responded to this Roger F. Wicker, Mike Crapo, Mitt siding Officer and I are here, and we pandemic has been extraordinary. In Romney, John Barrasso, Shelley Moore have been meeting today in Wash- our country, Operation Warp Speed has Capito, Pat Roberts, Thom Tillis, ington at, really, a groundbreaking accelerated the development of this Cindy Hyde-Smith, , moment as we continue this battle for new vaccine through a fast-track proc- Lindsey Graham, , Tim our health, for our economy, and ess that could be described, really, in Scott. against the virus. What makes this one word—unprecedented. Normally, f such a critical moment are the devel- vaccines take years. Researchers have LEGISLATIVE SESSION opments we have seen in the last 10 to go out and secure funding, get ap- days regarding a vaccine. provals, and study results step by step Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I Public health experts around the to get to where we are today. Only then move to proceed to legislative session. world have agreed, almost from day The PRESIDING OFFICER. The would a vaccine be determined to be one, that the way to really find the end question is on agreeing to the motion. safe and effective, and only then would of this pandemic—the ultimate weap- The motion was agreed to. manufacturing begin. on—would be to develop a vaccine that Normally, with a vaccine, the day f worked. Less than a year ago, which the vaccine is approved is the day you EXECUTIVE SESSION was in January and February of this start manufacturing. We know that year, we were hearing that 2 years this is not what is happening here. In would set a record for developing a vac- fact, in just a few minutes, I am going EXECUTIVE CALENDAR cine and that sometimes a vaccine that to mention that the head of distribu- Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I has been developed on a new disease tion is saying, on the day the vaccine move to proceed to executive session to like this has taken 3 and 5 and even 10 is approved, we will start shipping mil- consider Calendar No. 911. years or more. Yet here we are, less a lions of copies of that vaccine all over The PRESIDING OFFICER. The year from the discovery of COVID–19, the country. question is on agreeing to the motion. with not just one vaccine but two vac- This all really started with The motion was agreed to. cines that have already applied for Congress’s deciding, as we put these The PRESIDING OFFICER. The their use permits. Both vaccines have COVID relief packages together from clerk will report the nomination. shown an effectiveness of more than 90 the very first couple of packages, that The bill clerk read the nomination of percent, and a third vaccine with a when it came to a cure, we were not Nathan A. Simington, of Virginia, to similar response is about to get to the going to let funding stand in the way be a Member of the Federal Commu- place at which it, too, can apply for nor were we going to let it stand in the nications Commission for a term of use. way of investing some money some- five years from July 1, 2019. These are incredible numbers. It where that just simply didn’t work be- CLOTURE MOTION wasn’t that many months ago that cause, by investing money where it Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I healthcare experts were saying, if we didn’t work, it allowed us to invest send a cloture motion to the desk. get a vaccine that is effective 50 per- money where it did work. Congress ap- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clo- cent of the time or more, that the gov- propriated $18 billion for vaccines and ture motion having been presented ernment should consider accepting testing. About $12.5 billion has gone under rule XXII, the Chair directs the that vaccine and making it available to into the vaccine side. Most of the rest clerk to read the motion. people, and here we are with a 90 per- has gone into testing, with some going The bill clerk read as follows: cent effective vaccine. I had the mea- into therapy. This is a decision Con- CLOTURE MOTION sles, and my kids had the measles shot, gress made. With this vaccine, we are We, the undersigned Senators, in accord- which seemed to pretty much elimi- going to become partners in developing ance with the provisions of rule XXII of the nate the measles. It was 90 percent ef- how we fight back.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 04:17 Dec 04, 2020 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00016 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G03DE6.028 S03DEPT1 dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with SENATE December 3, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S7207 There was a risk that some of the have invested $2.5 billion to help de- Pfizer will have about 25 million vac- vaccine candidates we supported velop and purchase 100 million doses of cines to distribute almost imme- wouldn’t make it, but there was never the vaccine being developed by diately. Moderna will have about 20 a risk that the vaccine candidates that Moderna. That was jointly developed million to distribute almost imme- did make it wouldn’t be as safe as any by the National Institute of Allergy diately. And we know that others are vaccine has ever been. In fact, many of and Infectious Diseases and the com- standing right behind them. these vaccines have had more people pany. Another thing that Congress asked involved in the studies than ever be- We have dedicated $2 billion in a dif- the Centers for Disease Control to do fore. Because of the virulence of the ferent pattern to purchase 100 million was to come up with a recommendation virus, the people in the studies, frank- doses of the Pfizer vaccine, and we on who the vaccine should be given to. ly, were more likely than not to be ex- have done that with that investment in And just this week the CDC advisory posed to COVID, and a bunch of them a way that allows us to shorten the committee made their recommenda- were more likely than not to catch it. processing time, combining various tion to the Centers for Disease Control. Of course, that is the moment when study phases and clinical trials going Either today or sometime soon after you decide if the group that caught the on at the same time and moving for- today, the CDC, in all likelihood, will virus was the group that had the ward in a way that also allowed us to adopt those recommendations as they virus—the group that had the vaccine be manufacturing vaccines while we have in this past. in these studies—or if it were the group were still studying and moving toward The recommendations go something that didn’t have the vaccine. What we final approval by the FDA. like this: First, you want to prioritize found out was, 95 percent of the time, So we have two vaccines standing healthcare workers and people most it was the group that didn’t have the and ready now for final approval, an- likely to have the worst result if they vaccine, which is where you get that 95 other one to join them soon, and an- catch the virus. So if you take all the percent number. other one to join them quickly after healthcare workers in America and all Congress provided that we would that. But all of them are already in the the people in a senior living kind of take some risk. We so often hear that stage of manufacturing. condition in America, you are talking failure is not an option. In this case, if So what is the worst thing that could about around 15 percent of the popu- you didn’t fail, you were not trying have happened to taxpayers? We invest lation. hard enough. If all you wind up with in a vaccine that turns out not to Somewhere in there, either in that are things that have gotten approved, work, and, at that point we step in, group or the next group, you include then you probably have left some meet our commitment—in essence, buy all the first responders and police offi- things on the table that you should the vaccine that didn’t work—be sure cers in the country, who come into sit- have tried. that it is effectively destroyed, and re- uations so often that they have no con- The Presiding Officer is a great busi- alize that that was a chance that we trol over, and then you go to the other nessman, and he knows, if you are in a business that is growing, you are going took that didn’t produce a result. But essential employees in America—the to have some failures. If you have the other vaccines that did work had a childcare center worker, the school- never had failures in your business, result and had vaccine available as teacher, the busdriver, the grocery you have not tried anything new, soon as they were approved. store clerk, the food processing person In fact, General Perna, Operation which means you probably haven’t who is out there making this happen. grown. So we would have failures not Warp Speed’s chief operating officer, I think there has been some decision in a vaccine that we would give to peo- said the government would begin vac- made on the healthcare workers that ple but by thinking: This would appear cinations within 24 hours after a vac- we should include clergy in the like it would have a good chance of cine secures FDA approval. In the past, healthcare workers because they are so being approved, so let’s put it in the I would say you would be closer to say- often present in hospitals and with peo- group of vaccines that we are working ing it will be 12 or 24 months after ap- ple in circumstances where they would on. proval before the first vaccine is ready like to see someone from their faith President Trump and Operation Warp to go to the first person, but now we present, but that person also is a Speed stepped up and decided they were are saying 24 hours, and we are on the healthcare provider in the healthcare going to move at a faster pace than edge of that 24 hours. network and, just like others working ever before but with more safety than I talked today with the Governor of in the hospital, will be able to get that we have had in most vaccine develop- my State, the Governor of Missouri, early vaccination. ments in the history of the country. So Mike Parson, and the head of the Mis- But let’s go back to the essential we decided to support several vaccines souri Department of Health and Senior workforce. The essential workforce of that, again, we thought had a better Services, Dr. Randall Williams, about the groups we have talked about and chance of being approved than not. what they were doing. They submitted others who come into lots of contact Now, you take some risk in that be- a plan early. I was with the Governor— with people are often least able to cause all of the vaccines won’t be ap- I think it was in mid-August—when the make arrangements in their own time proved, but you take no risk if you are Centers for Disease Control told all the to even get a vaccine if it is for free. going to support a vaccine that is ap- Governors: We want to have a plan by They are going to be a big priority. proved but that is not safe. Yet that is the end of October of how you are When I go to the grocery store and I not what happened at all. You just put going to distribute this vaccine when ask someone for help, which I often a lot of racehorses in the race. you get it. need to do to find the one thing on my The dean of the National School of I said at about that same time that if list I don’t know how to find, or when Tropical Medicine at Baylor University we failed in our effort to get the vac- I go by to check out with the grocery says, if you are racing to get a vaccine cine effectively distributed after the ef- store clerk, if the grocery store clerk, quickly, one way to do it is to put as fort we made to get it, it would be one no matter how big the shield is be- many horses in the race as you can, of the great government failures of all tween them and me, if they couldn’t and that is exactly what we have done. time. possibly get it from the person who We have invested in several potential But Governor Parson, Dr. Williams, checked out 2 days earlier or early that vaccines and, I think, three different and others who have worked hard on day, they can’t possibly give it to me. paths to a vaccine, which means that this in our State put a plan in and put So every step of the way, the whole all of the vaccines that are approved it in pretty early and now are ready to country becomes safer until, hopefully, will not be exactly the same in how execute that plan as soon as they have by the end of April or so, we are at a you have to store them, in how you the vaccine available to them. place where everybody has access to have to transport them, and whether About 2 percent of the population of the vaccine. you have to have one shot or two to the country lives in Missouri, and so By the way, by the time you do the 15 have the full vaccine. about 2 percent of every distribution percent of the population that is most And we have signed contracts with will go to Missouri as vaccines are likely to have a bad result if they get six leading candidates already. We ready. the virus and healthcare workers and

VerDate Sep 11 2014 04:17 Dec 04, 2020 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00017 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G03DE6.033 S03DEPT1 dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with SENATE S7208 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE December 3, 2020 add that to the 35 percent of the popu- more impact than a much bigger pack- well to a friend and a public servant lation that is the essential workforce, age would have 4 or 5 months from who served my State of Illinois and our that is 50 percent of the population now. There is no reason we shouldn’t be Nation well. His name was Charles Car- that could have the vaccine if they able to find common ground. This is a roll Smith, but his friends called him chose to have it. time when we can make that effort to Charlie. He died on the day after I think most people think that we finish the job. The pandemic is affect- Thanksgiving. Our paths crossed often are there, in our State and other ing Americans every day. I have talked over the years. places, by sometime in April. In fact, to a lot of people who have seen greater Charlie served as Illinois’ deputy sec- Dr. Fauci said that Americans deter- numbers of drug dependency and huge retary of state under then-Secretary of mined to be at the highest risk— declines in mental health because that State Alan Dixon. When Alan Dixon healthcare workers, frontline workers, support network is gone and isolation was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1980, seniors, those with underlying condi- has taken over, and worry about fam- Charlie came to Washington with him. tions—could be vaccinated by the end ily, finances, and health has become a He was a key member of the Dixon of the year. big part of that. staff, serving as both legislative direc- Certainly, if there is a second shot, it Let’s show the people we work for tor and senior national security ad- might be by the end of January, and that we are going to be able to con- viser. When Alan Dixon left the Senate, you have 15 percent of the whole popu- tinue this job, and let’s praise the Charlie joined the staff of Kentucky lation vaccinated by the end of Janu- great researchers in our country and Senator , then the Sen- ary or sometime in January, and an- others who stepped forward in incred- ate’s Democratic whip. Charlie was other 35 percent would have the vac- ible ways to do things that just 9 Senator Ford’s legislative staff direc- cine available to them by sometime in months ago nobody thought could pos- tor and a trusted adviser to Senator April. sibly be established in the timeframe Ford on matters involving national se- Then we look at the rest of the popu- we are working on right now. curity and foreign relations. lation. But in each step of the way—let The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- He helped craft and pass many impor- me say again—every time you take ator from Missouri. tant pieces of legislation, including the somebody off the playing field of where f 1990 law establishing the Defense Base contact with the virus could success- EXECUTIVE SESSION Closure and Realignment Commission fully occur, everybody else gets safer in 1990. He went on to serve as execu- too. tive director of the 1995 Defense Base If a person who has been vaccinated EXECUTIVE CALENDAR Closure and Realignment Commission- is where the germs happen to land in- a massive task to try to realign Amer- stead of the person standing beside Mr. BLUNT. Mr. President, I ask ica’s military bases with the realities them who wasn’t vaccinated, the life of unanimous consent that the Senate of the post-Cold War world. that particular germ is gone, and even- proceed to executive session for the consideration of the following nomina- The work of the Base Closure Com- tually that is how you emerge from a mission was necessary, complex, and pandemic. There just aren’t enough tion: Executive Calendar No. 568. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without historic, and Charlie’s intricate under- people left for this to land on that ei- standing of both the Defense Depart- ther haven’t had it or haven’t had the objection, it is so ordered. ment and the security needs of Amer- vaccine to prevent it. The clerk will report the nomination. ica and our allies was critical to the It is a critical time. It is an impor- The senior assistant legislative clerk commission’s success. Despite the gar- tant time. I think we have written two read the nomination of Lanny Erdos, of gantuan task, Charlie was never too new chapters in pandemic response, Ohio, to be Director of the Office of busy to listen. I and all of the Members both in testing and in vaccines. Surface Mining Reclamation and En- Operation Warp Speed has done in forcement. of the Illinois congressional delegation months what typically can take 10 to There being no objection, the Senate appreciated his willingness to always 15 years and, even in an expedited way, proceeded to consider the nomination. consider fairly our explanations about can take 2 to 3 to 5 years. Mr. BLUNT. Mr. President, I ask the national security importance of the Given the urgent need to beat this unanimous consent that the Senate military bases in our State. He never virus, I think Operation Warp Speed, vote on the nomination with no inter- put his thumb on the scale for Illinois, with the great scientific community—a vening action or debate; that, if con- but he made sure that we received a lot of this is built on research that was firmed, the motion to reconsider be fair hearing. The day the commission funded by NIH. One of the priorities of considered made and laid upon the announced its recommendations in the Congress for the last 5 years has table and the President be immediately 2005, Charlie called me to explain in been to increase NIH funding, at a time notified of the Senate’s action. layman’s language just what the rec- when we know more about genetics. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without ommendations meant for Illinois and Two of these vaccines are basically objection, it is so ordered. for America. I have never met anyone based on the molecular code that is The question is, Will the Senate ad- with a greater understanding of the sort of the software for genetics. It is a vise and consent to the Erdos nomina- workings of the Defense Department different way than vaccines have been tion? and the ability to translate that The nomination was confirmed. developed before and would not have knowledge into plain English. He was a been developed without government- f rare one. encouraged research. LEGISLATIVE SESSION Charlie came by his political and leg- Having a diverse selection of vac- islative skills the old-fashioned way. cines means there are different people He inherited them. He grew up in an producing vaccines at the same time in MORNING BUSINESS Irish Catholic Democratic family on different places, and we will have, more Mr. BLUNT. Mr. President, I ask the North Side of Chicago. His father likely, a quick and fair distribution of unanimous consent that the Senate was in politics; his mother was a pro- any FDA-authorized vaccines. proceed to legislative session and be in fessor. Charlie was the first-born and Certainly, I have been frustrated, as a period of morning business with Sen- only son in the family of three chil- many of us have, to think that we have ators permitted to speak therein for up dren. not been able to reach an agreement on to 10 minutes each. The Smith family took politics and what money we might need to finish The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without democracy seriously. Charlie and his this vaccine effort, the distribution ef- objection, it is so ordered. father were both named Charles Carroll fort. f Smith, senior and junior. Family leg- Hopefully, we can come to the next end has it that they were descended round of COVID relief sooner rather REMEBERING CHARLES CARROLL from Charles Carroll, one of the signers than later. SMITH of America’s Declaration of Independ- As I said earlier this week, a targeted Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, I would ence and a member of the Continental funding package now will have a lot like to take a few moments to say fare- Congress. Whether it was true or not—

VerDate Sep 11 2014 04:17 Dec 04, 2020 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00018 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G03DE6.035 S03DEPT1 dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with SENATE December 3, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S7209 this was before at-home DNA testing— unwavering selflessness was an incred- CPA, and a financial planner allowed the Smith family strove to live up to ibly valuable asset to both the pantry him to shape Idaho’s tax policy and Charles Carroll’s patriotic example. and her community. communicate complex tax legislation When Charlie was about 11, his father It is my distinct honor to recognize to fellow legislators and constituents. decided that the Smith family home Laura for her tireless service to the He considered tax dollars sacred and should be a laboratory of democracy. people of Teton County. Her kindness took great care in spending them re- They would discuss important events and charitable approach to work serves sponsibly. at the dinner table, and once a week, as an inspiration to all Montanans who As he climbed the ranks of leadership they would have a meeting to vote on serve our communities.∑ to become president pro tempore, matters involving the family. After f Brent never forgot the people he served just one or two of these family meet- in Madison and Bonneville Counties TRIBUTE TO ROY LEE LINDSEY ings, Charlie had an epiphany. He told and always demonstrated true concern his sister Sheila: ‘‘You know, if we ∑ Mr. INHOFE. Mr. President, I am for their challenges and concerns. De- three kids stick together, we can out- pleased to recognize Mr. Roy Lee spite the demands on his time, he con- vote Mom and Dad.’’ He said: ‘‘I want a Lindsey for his 22 years of service at tinued to serve his community on the bike. What do you want?’’ Charlie fig- the Oklahoma Pork Council. Since board of the Citizens Community Bank ured out what both of his sisters want- 1998, he has served as a steadfast advo- and as president of the Rexburg Cham- ed and how to deliver it. At the next cate for pork producers and the agri- ber of Commerce and Rexburg Kiwanis family meeting, the girls supported culture industry in Oklahoma and we Club. He never stopped advocating on Charlie’s proposal to buy him a bike. are grateful for his years of service. behalf of his constituents, regularly The kids won, and Charlie got his bike. Over the years, I have had the experi- contacting our offices to secure assist- The Smith family never held another ence of working directly with Roy Lee ance for those needing help with Fed- family vote, but Charlie would go on to on a number of issues, and I have eral agencies. use his coalition-building skills in the greatly valued his insight, partnership, Senator Brent Hill leaves behind a interest of public service for the rest of and dedication to ensuring the hard- legacy of service and integrity, and we his life. working pork producers in the State of wish him and his wife Julie, their chil- In 1968, Charlie joined the U.S. Army Oklahoma have access to the Federal dren and grandchildren the best as he and served as an intelligence officer in resources they need. Anyone who has transitions back to private life. His Vietnam during the Tet offensive. had the pleasure to meet and work steadfast leadership will be missed in He left public service in 1999 and with Roy Lee can attest for his love of the Idaho Senate, but we know his began his second career as a lobbyist. the state of Oklahoma and the pork in- community and our State will continue He was respected by members of Con- dustry. His unwavering passion and to be blessed by his influence for years gress on both sides of the aisle as a dedication have enabled him to be an to come.∑ straight shooter and a good man. extraordinary ambassador for Okla- f Besides his family, politics, and pub- homa, both regionally and nationally. TRIBUTE TO MAYOR JOHN PAUL lic service, Charlie loved the Chicago From sharing producers’ perspectives CHRISTENSEN Bears and the Cubs and playing golf. on multiple farm bill reauthorizations Every Christmas season, Charlie hosted to engaging in workforce development ∑ Mr. ROMNEY. Mr. President, we rise a party for his friends at the Army initiatives to educate our future gen- to congratulate John Paul Christensen Navy Country Club in Arlington, VA. It eration of farmers, Roy Lee has always on his lifetime of service to the State was always a great, bipartisan celebra- provided a judicious, thoughtful, and of Utah and Sanpete County and most tion. This Friday, Charlie’s friends will considerate perspective on Federal pol- recently his service as mayor of gather by to remember him on icy. His understanding of the chal- Mayfield, UT. John’s service also in- what would have been his 26th annual lenges of agriculture production and cludes a career in law enforcement, as Christmas party. He will be missed appreciation for the producers he rep- an emergency medical responder and as there, and he will be missed in the resents has consistently been apparent a city councilman. halls of Congress, in his old neighbor- in his advocacy efforts and instru- As a sixth-generation native of hood in Chicago, and many other mental in the pork industry’s growth Sanpete County, John has dedicated places. and prosperity in Oklahoma. his life to the betterment of his com- Loretta and I send our condolences to I know I join his family and all that munity. By virtue of his stewardship as Charlie’s wife Patti Turner; his sisters, know him in thanking him for his mayor, the people of Mayfield have Sheila Smith and Catherine Wilson; years of service and contributions to John to thank for dramatic improve- and his many, many friends. Oklahoma and our entire agriculture ments to the city’s infrastructure, in- ∑ cluding its culinary water and drainage f community. f systems, streets, roadways, cemetery, ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS and Mayfield Park. Mayor TRIBUTE TO BRENT HILL Christensen’s accomplishments are ∑ Mr. RISCH. Mr. President, along made possible in large part by the in- TRIBUTE TO LAURA NOWLIN with my colleague Senator MIKE dustrious community of volunteers and ∑ Mr. DAINES. Mr. President, this CRAPO, I rise today to recognize Idaho spirit of friendship that Mayfield week I have the honor of recognizing State Senate President Pro Tempore boasts. Laura Nowlin of Teton County for her Brent Hill’s 19 years of service to the The residents of Mayfield know John compassion and dedication to her com- State of Idaho. as a man of great character and com- munity. In 2001, Brent Hill was appointed to passion. In law enforcement and as an Since 1986, Laura has devoted her lead Idaho’s 34th District as a State emergency medical responder, the com- time to working at the Teton County senator. He quickly developed a reputa- munity trusted John with protecting Food Pantry as both a volunteer and a tion as a legislator who led with integ- their lives and livelihoods, an often member of the executive board. Over rity, civility and kindness—character- thankless duty that requires mental the course of her 33 years at the food istics that earned him reelection to fortitude and dedication to serving the pantry, she ensured families in the serve nine consecutive terms in the greater good. His long tenure in public community had healthy and hearty Idaho State Senate. service is evidence of his success. groceries with no exceptions. Rain or In the Idaho Senate and throughout Although he is leaving public office, shine, Laura was always there to help the 34th District, Brent was known as a we know that John will continue to the people of Teton County get the nu- stalwart supporter of small businesses, serve his community and family with trition they needed. family values, natural resources, and heart. As a devoted husband to Julie, a Recently named a board member public education. Brent’s expansive father of 9, and a grandfather of 19, emeritus of the pantry, Laura will be knowledge of the Federal and State tax John’s legacy and example will endure. dearly missed by her colleagues. Her codes from his experience as a CEO, The great people of Mayfield, Sanpete

VerDate Sep 11 2014 04:17 Dec 04, 2020 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00019 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A03DE6.023 S03DEPT1 dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with SENATE S7210 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE December 3, 2020 County, and our fellow Americans understanding of the issues as a man MEASURES REFERRED ought to look to John’s commitment raised in Monroe. The following bill was read the first to public safety, duty, and service with Few can boast the wealth of personal and the second times by unanimous gratitude. and professional experiences amassed consent, and referred as indicated: Thank you, John.∑ by Ralph Okerlund in his long and dis- H.R. 7995. An act to amend title 31, United f tinguished career—from dairyman to States Code, to save Federal funds by au- senate majority leader—but every TRIBUTE TO RALPH OKERLUND thorizing changes to the composition of cir- Utahn can admire and follow his com- culating coins, and for other purposes; to the ∑ Mr. ROMNEY. Mr. President, we wish mitment to service. His record in gov- Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban to congratulate State Senator Ralph ernment is not marked by expedience Affairs. Okerlund on a remarkable career dedi- but, rather, by a willingness to rise to f cated to the relentless advancement of the occasion and answer the call of his prosperity for the great State of Utah. EXECUTIVE AND OTHER neighbors and friends who seek his reli- COMMUNICATIONS For the many Utahns lucky enough to able judgement and sound leadership. know him personally—from the hills of Ralph Okerlund has led for 36 years as The following communications were Monroe to the halls of the State legis- an elected official and will continue to laid before the Senate, together with lature—it is no surprise that Ralph has serve his family, his friends, and his accompanying papers, reports, and doc- chosen to spend more time with his community with grace and humility.∑ uments, and were referred as indicated: loving family following a consequential EC–5997. A communication from the Dep- f tenure in public life. Even for the many uty Administrator for Policy Support, Food Utahns to whom Ralph is still un- MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT and Nutrition Service, Department of Agri- known, his influence on civic life culture, transmitting, pursuant to law, the A message from the President of the report of a rule entitled ‘‘Child Nutrition through his statewide legislative United States was communicated to achievements is significant and endur- Programs: Rescission of Milk, Whole Grains, the Senate by Ms. Ridgway, one of his and Sodium Flexibilities: Notice of Vacatur’’ ing. secretaries. (RIN0584–AE84) received in the Office of the Senator Okerlund’s success can be President of the Senate on December 02, 2020; f measured in tangible improvements in to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, his district and across the State. His EXECUTIVE MESSAGE REFERRED and Forestry. legislative efforts to facilitate invest- EC–5998. A communication from the Direc- ment in Utah’s infrastructure projects, In executive session the Presiding Of- tor of the Regulatory Management Division, with tax credit incentives and coordi- ficer laid before the Senate a message Environmental Protection Agency, transmit- nation with the State energy and eco- from the President of the United ting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule en- nomic development offices, have States submitting a nomination which titled ‘‘Sethoxydim; Pesticide Tolerances’’ (FRL No. 10016–23–OCSPP) received in the Of- brought billions of dollars to Utah—a was referred to the Committee on Armed Services. fice of the President of the Senate on Decem- massive boon to the State’s economy ber 2, 2020; to the Committee on Agriculture, and its rural counties. In addition, his (The message received today is print- ed at the end of the Senate pro- Nutrition, and Forestry. efforts through the legislative appro- EC–5999. A communication from the Direc- priations process delivered Snow Col- ceedings.) tor of the Regulatory Management Division, lege a new building and higher pay for f Environmental Protection Agency, transmit- ting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule en- its employees. As a member of the leg- MESSAGE FROM THE HOUSE islative leadership on Capitol Hill, Sen- titled ‘‘Adipic acid; Exemption from the Re- At 10:57 a.m., a message from the quirement of a Tolerance’’ (FRL No. 10015– ator Okerlund kept his commitment to 57–OCSPP) received in the Office of the allocate tax dollars wisely and effec- House of Representatives, delivered by Mrs. Cole, one of its reading clerks, an- President of the Senate on December 2, 2020; tively. to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, Senator Okerlund’s success can also nounced that the House has passed the and Forestry. be measured by his family and by his following bills, without amendment: EC–6000. A communication from the Fed- fortitude. His professional journey S. 945. An act to amend the Sarbanes-Oxley eral Register Liaison Officer, Office of the began as a teacher, with degrees from Act of 2002 to require certain issuers to dis- Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition Dixie College and the University of close to the Securities and Exchange Com- and Sustainment, Department of Defense, mission information regarding foreign juris- transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of Utah. Ralph then returned to Monroe dictions that prevent the Public Company a rule entitled ‘‘Repeal of DFARS Clauses to help run his family farm and to be Accounting Oversight Board from per- Related to Taxes Applied to Foreign Con- closer to his father, whose injury com- forming inspections under that Act, and for tracts in Afghanistan’’ (RIN0750–AL11) re- pelled his return. Okerlund would ac- other purposes. ceived in the Office of the President of the quire and later sell the dairy but ran S. 4054. An act to reauthorize the United Senate on December 2, 2020; to the Com- the farm for years until his election to States Grain Standards Act, and for other mittee on Armed Services. the Monroe City Council. Apace with purposes. EC–6001. A communication from the Fed- his subsequent ascensions to the may- The message also announced that the eral Register Liaison Officer, Office of the House has passed the following bill, in Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition or’s office, Sevier County commission, and Sustainment, Department of Defense, State senate, and ultimately senate which it requests the concurrence of transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of majority leader, is his family of chil- the Senate: a rule entitled ‘‘Repeal of DFARS Provision dren and grandchildren beside him, in- H.R. 7995. An act to amend title 31, United and Clause on Reserve Officer Training Corps cluding his beloved wife Cindy, who States Code, to save Federal funds by au- and Military Recruiting on Campus’’ call Monroe home. Ralph has persisted thorizing changes to the composition of cir- (RIN0750–AK89) received in the Office of the through hardship with the support of culating coins, and for other purposes. President of the Senate on December 2, 2020; his family. The message further announced that to the Committee on Armed Services. A tireless champion for rural Utah, the House has agreed to the following EC–6002. A communication from the Fed- eral Register Liaison Officer, Office of the Senator Okerlund has represented the concurrent resolution, in which it re- Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition unique challenges and opportunities quests the concurrence of the Senate: and Sustainment, Department of Defense, facing farmers, ranchers, and rural H. Con. Res. 125. Concurrent resolution di- transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of folks at the State and national level as recting the Clerk of the House of Representa- a rule entitled ‘‘Restriction on the Acquisi- president of the Council of State Gov- tives to make a correction in the enrollment tion of Tantalum’’ (RIN0750–AK94) received ernments Western Association. In this of H.R. 1830. in the Office of the President of the Senate role, he represented Utah’s interests The message also announced that the on December 2, 2020; to the Committee on among neighboring States with com- House has agreed to the amendment of Armed Services. EC–6003. A communication from the Fed- peting ideas on how to manage critical the Senate to the bill (H.R. 1830) to re- eral Register Liaison Officer, Office of the issues like regional energy and land quire the Secretary of the Treasury to Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition management. His successes in these ef- mint coins in commemoration of the and Sustainment, Department of Defense, forts is undoubtedly owed to his deep National Purple Heart Hall of Honor. transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of

VerDate Sep 11 2014 04:48 Dec 04, 2020 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00020 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G03DE6.027 S03DEPT1 dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with SENATE December 3, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S7211 a rule entitled ‘‘Inflation Adjustment of Ac- Environmental Protection Agency, transmit- ting, pursuant to law, the Department’s quisition-Related Threshold’’ (RIN0750–AK76) ting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule en- Agency Financial Report for fiscal year 2020 received in the Office of the President of the titled ‘‘Financial Responsibility Require- and the Uniform Resource Locator (URL) for Senate on December 2, 2020; to the Com- ments Under CERCLA Section 108(b) for Fa- the Report; to the Committee on Homeland mittee on Armed Services. cilities in the Electric Power Generation, Security and Governmental Affairs. EC–6004. A communication from the Fed- Transmission, and Distribution Industry; the EC–6022. A communication from the Com- eral Register Liaison Officer, Office of the Petroleum and Coal Products Manufacturing missioner, Social Security Administration, Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition Industry; and the Chemical Manufacturing transmitting, pursuant to law, the Agency and Sustainment, Department of Defense, Industry’’ (FRL No. 10017–87–OLEM) received Financial Report for fiscal year 2020; to the transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of in the Office of the President of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Gov- a rule entitled ‘‘Repeal of DFARS Provision on December 2, 2020; to the Committee on ernmental Affairs. ’Alternate Preservation, Packaging, and Environment and Public Works. EC–6023. A communication from the Chief Packing’’’ (RIN0750–AK59) received in the Of- EC–6013. A communication from the Direc- Financial Officer, Department of Homeland fice of the President of the Senate on Decem- tor of the Regulatory Management Division, Security, transmitting, pursuant to law, the ber 2, 2020; to the Committee on Armed Serv- Environmental Protection Agency, transmit- Department’s Agency Financial Report for ices. ting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule en- fiscal year 2020; to the Committee on Home- EC–6005. A communication from the Fed- titled ‘‘Significant New Use Rules on Certain land Security and Governmental Affairs. eral Register Liaison Officer, Office of the Chemical Substances (20–2.B)’’ (FRL No. EC–6024. A communication from the Chair Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition 10015–16–OCSPP) received in the Office of the of the Board of Governors, Federal Reserve and Sustainment, Department of Defense, President of the Senate on December 2, 2020; System, transmitting, pursuant to law, the transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of to the Committee on Environment and Pub- Inspector General’s Semiannual Report for a rule entitled ‘‘Repeal of DFARS Clause lic Works. the six-month period from April 1, 2020 ’Substitutions for Military or Federal Speci- EC–6014. A communication from the Acting through September 30, 2020; to the Com- fications and Standards’’’ (RIN0750–AK60) re- Assistant Secretary, Employee Benefits Se- mittee on Homeland Security and Govern- ceived in the Office of the President of the curity Administration, Department of Labor, mental Affairs. EC–6025. A communication from the Ad- Senate on December 2, 2020; to the Com- transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of ministrator, Environmental Protection mittee on Armed Services. a rule entitled ‘‘Additional Policy and Regu- Agency, transmitting, pursuant to law, the EC–6006. A communication from the Fed- latory Revisions in Response to the COVID– Agency’s Semiannual Report of the Office of eral Register Liaison Officer, Office of the 19 Public Health Emergency’’ (RIN1210–AB98) Inspector General for the period from April Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition received in the Office of the President of the 1, 2020 through September 30, 2020; to the and Sustainment, Department of Defense, Senate on November 10, 2020; to the Com- Committee on Homeland Security and Gov- transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of mittee on Finance. ernmental Affairs. a rule entitled ‘‘Treatment of Certain Items EC–6015. A communication from the Direc- EC–6026. A communication from the Chair- as Commercial Items’’ (RIN0750–AK66) re- tor of the Legal Processing Division, Inter- man, Federal Maritime Commission, trans- ceived in the Office of the President of the nal Revenue Service, Department of the mitting, pursuant to law, the Commission’s Senate on December 2, 2020; to the Com- Treasury, transmitting, pursuant to law, the Semiannual Report of the Inspector General mittee on Armed Services. report of a rule entitled ‘‘Additional Policy for the period from April 1, 2020 through Sep- EC–6007. A communication from the Presi- and Regulatory Revisions in Response to the tember 30, 2020; to the Committee on Home- dent of the United States, transmitting, pur- COVID–19 Public Health Emergency’’ land Security and Governmental Affairs. suant to law, a report relative to the con- ((RIN1545–BP97) (TD 9931)) received in the Of- EC–6027. A communication from the In- tinuation of the national emergency that fice of the President of the Senate on No- spector General of the Pension Benefit Guar- was originally declared in Executive Order vember 16, 2020; to the Committee on Fi- anty Corporation, transmitting, pursuant to 13851 of November 27, 2018, with respect to nance. law, the Inspector General’s Semiannual Re- Nicaragua; to the Committee on Banking, EC–6016. A communication from the Regu- port to Congress for the period from April 1, Housing, and Urban Affairs. lations Coordinator, Centers for Medicare 2020, through September 30, 2020; to the Com- EC–6008. A communication from the Sec- and Medicaid Services, Department of mittee on Homeland Security and Govern- retary of the Securities and Exchange Com- Health and Human Services, transmitting, mental Affairs. mission, transmitting, pursuant to law, the pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled EC–6028. A communication from the Chair- report of a rule entitled ‘‘Management’s Dis- ‘‘Medicare Program; Modernizing and Clari- man, Federal Maritime Commission, trans- cussion and Analysis, Selected Financial fying the Physician Self-Referral Regula- mitting, pursuant to law, the Commission’s Data, and Supplementary Financial Informa- tions (CMS–1720-F)’’ (RIN0938–AT64) received Performance and Accountability Report for tion’’ (RIN3235–AM28) received in the Office in the Office of the President of the Senate fiscal year 2020; to the Committee on Home- of the President of the Senate on December on December 2, 2020; to the Committee on Fi- land Security and Governmental Affairs. 2, 2020; to the Committee on Banking, Hous- nance. EC–6029. A communication from the Sec- ing, and Urban Affairs. EC–6017. A communication from the Chief retary of Veterans Affairs, transmitting, EC–6009. A communication from the Direc- Counsel, Foreign Claims Settlement Com- pursuant to law, the Department of Veterans tor of the Regulatory Management Division, mission of the United States, Department of Affairs’ Semiannual Report of the Inspector Environmental Protection Agency, transmit- Justice, transmitting, pursuant to law, the General for the period from April 1, 2020 ting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule en- Commission’s annual report for calendar through September 30, 2020; to the Com- titled ‘‘Rhode Island; Final Approval of year 2019; to the Committee on Foreign Rela- mittee on Homeland Security and Govern- State Underground Storage Tank Program tions. mental Affairs. Revisions, Codification, and Incorporation EC–6018. A communication from the Assist- EC–6030. A communication from the Chair- by Reference’’ (FRL No. 10015–22–Region 1) ant Legal Adviser for Treaty Affairs, Depart- man of the Surface Transportation Board, received in the Office of the President of the ment of State, transmitting, pursuant to the Department of Transportation, transmitting, Senate on December 2, 2020; to the Com- Case-Zablocki Act, 1 U.S.C. 112b, as amended, pursuant to law, the Board’s Performance mittee on Environment and Public Works. the report of the texts and background state- and Accountability Report for fiscal year EC–6010. A communication from the Direc- ments of international agreements, other 2020; to the Committee on Homeland Secu- tor of the Regulatory Management Division, than treaties (List 2020–0101 - 2020–0103); to rity and Governmental Affairs. Environmental Protection Agency, transmit- the Committee on Foreign Relations. EC–6031. A communication from the Sec- ting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule en- EC–6019. A communication from the Assist- retary of Veterans Affairs, transmitting, titled ‘‘Chemical Data Reporting; Extension ant Legal Adviser for Treaty Affairs, Depart- pursuant to law, the Department of Veterans of the 2020 Submission Period’’ (FRL No. ment of State, transmitting, pursuant to the Affairs’ Semiannual Report of the Inspector 10016–96–OCSPP) received in the Office of the Case-Zablocki Act, 1 U.S.C. 112b, as amended, General for the period from October 1, 2019 President of the Senate on December 2, 2020; the report of the texts and background state- through March 31, 2020; to the Committee on to the Committee on Environment and Pub- ments of international agreements, other Homeland Security and Governmental Af- lic Works. than treaties (List 2020–0091 - 2020–0100); to fairs. EC–6011. A communication from the Direc- the Committee on Foreign Relations. EC–6032. A communication from the Sec- tor of the Regulatory Management Division, EC–6020. A communication from the Acting tion Chief of the Diversion Control Division, Environmental Protection Agency, transmit- Assistant Secretary, Employee Benefits Se- Drug Enforcement Administration, Depart- ting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule en- curity Administration, Department of Labor, ment of Justice, transmitting, pursuant to titled ‘‘South Carolina: Final Authorization transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of law, the report of a rule entitled ‘‘Implemen- of State Hazardous Waste Management Pro- a rule entitled ‘‘Transparency in Coverage’’ tation of the Ryan Haight Online Pharmacy gram Revisions’’ (FRL No. 10016–11–Region 4) (RIN1210–AB93) received in the Office of the Consumer Protection Act of 2008’’ (RIN1117– received in the Office of the President of the President of the Senate on November 17, AB20) received in the Office of the President Senate on December 2, 2020; to the Com- 2020; to the Committee on Health, Education, of the Senate on November 9, 2020; to the mittee on Environment and Public Works. Labor, and Pensions. Committee on the Judiciary. EC–6012. A communication from the Direc- EC–6021. A communication from the Direc- EC–6033. A communication from the Sec- tor of the Regulatory Management Division, tor, National Science Foundation, transmit- tion Chief of the Diversion Control Division,

VerDate Sep 11 2014 04:48 Dec 04, 2020 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00021 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A03DE6.007 S03DEPT1 dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with SENATE S7212 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE December 3, 2020 Drug Enforcement Administration, Depart- the forefront of carbon emissions reduction the Louisiana oil and gas industry supports ment of Justice, transmitting, pursuant to technology development like carbon capture nearly two hundred and fifty thousand jobs law, the report of a rule entitled ‘‘Implemen- and storage that can capture ninety percent inside the state of Louisiana and more in ad- tation of the Combat Metamphetamine of carbon emissions from fossil fuels; and joining states, it accounts for fourteen per- Epedemic Act of 2005; Retail Sales; Notice of Whereas, in addition, the offshore oil and cent of the state’s tax revenue, and supplies Transfers Following Importation or Expor- gas industry in the United States operates $73 billion of the state’s gross domestic prod- tation’’ (RIN1117–AB05) received in the Office under some of the most stringent environ- uct; and of the President of the Senate on December mental rules in the world and its infrastruc- Whereas, an analysis has found that such a 2, 2020; to the Committee on the Judiciary. ture also supports some of the most abun- proposal, if enacted, would cause the loss of EC–6034. A communication from the Execu- dant fish habitat providing fishing opportu- nearly one million jobs nationwide in the tive Director, National Mining Hall of Fame nities that have made Louisiana the first twelve to twenty-four months, forty- and Museum, transmitting, pursuant to law, ‘‘Sportsman’s Paradise’’; and eight thousand of which are located here in the Museum’s 2019 annual report and finan- Whereas, protecting leasing and production Louisiana; and cial audit; to the Committee on the Judici- in the Outer Continental Shelf will help Whereas, this proposal would significantly ary. combat climate change by helping our state reduce our domestic energy production, EC–6035. A communication from the Presi- combat coastal land loss and sustain oil and making our nation more dependent on less dent and Chief Executive Officer, National gas operations in the Gulf of Mexico critical reliable, less safe foreign sources for energy Railroad Passenger Corporation, Amtrak, to energy innovations needed to reduce car- produced under weaker environmental stand- transmitting, pursuant to law, a report rel- bon emissions; and ards and a higher carbon footprint; and ative to a request for additional funding as a Whereas, Louisiana and its local econo- part of a COVID–19 relief bill; to the Com- mies, especially communities reliant on en- Whereas, with energy demand expected to mittee on Commerce, Science, and Transpor- ergy development and production, have felt continue to rise until at least 2040, Louisiana tation. an outsized impact from the COVID–19 pan- currently produces nearly twenty percent of our nation’s energy, refines approximately f demic and are expected to face a slower re- covery than many other states because of forty-five percent of the total United States PETITIONS AND MEMORIALS our large service sector employment; and petroleum, and processes fifty-one percent of The following petitions and memo- Whereas, Louisiana already faces major the nation’s natural gas; and rials were laid before the Senate and budget shortfalls that will impact schools, Whereas, while meeting this demand year were referred or ordered to lie on the emergency services, and other essential serv- after year, Louisiana energy producers are at ices; and the forefront of carbon emissions reduction table as indicated: Whereas, under the provisions of the Gulf technology development like carbon capture POM–261. A concurrent resolution adopted of Mexico Security Act, in 2019 alone energy and storage that can capture ninety percent by the Legislature of the State of Louisiana production on the Outer Continental Shelf of carbon emissions from fossil fuels; and urging the United States Congress and the generated over $155 million to the state of Whereas, in addition, the offshore oil and Louisiana Congressional delegation to take Louisiana used for coastal restoration and gas industry in the United States operates such actions as are necessary to defeat pas- hurricane preparedness; and under some of the most stringent environ- sage of the ‘‘Ocean-Based Climate Solutions Whereas, ensuring access to available leas- mental rules in the world and its infrastruc- Act of 2020’’ and to protect future opportuni- ing acreage on the Outer Continental Shelf ture also supports some of the most abun- ties for oil and gas exploration on the Outer will protect offshore energy production as an dant fish habitat providing fishing opportu- Continental Shelf; to the Committee on essential part of our state’s budget when our nities that have made Louisiana the Commerce, Science, and Transportation. state and local governments need it the ‘‘Sportsman’s Paradise’’; and HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 38 most; therefore be it Whereas, protecting leasing and production Whereas, Rau´ l M. Grijalva (D–Ariz.), Chair- Resolved, That the Legislature of Louisiana in the Outer Continental Shelf will help man of the United States House Committee does hereby memorialize the Louisiana Con- combat climate change by helping our state on Natural Resources has unveiled legisla- gressional Delegation and the United States combat coastal land loss and sustain oil and tion entitled the ‘‘Ocean-Based Climate So- Congress to take such actions as are nec- gas operations in the Gulf of Mexico critical lutions Act of 2020’’ with the intent to in- essary to defeat passage of the ‘‘Ocean-Based to energy innovations needed to reduce car- clude ocean impacts of climate change in the Climate Solutions Act of 2020’’ and to pro- bon emissions; and discussions of methods to address climate tect future opportunities for oil and gas ex- Whereas, Louisiana and its local econo- change mitigation; and ploration on the Outer Continental Shelf; Whereas, in an effort to restore coastal and be it further mies, especially communities reliant on en- ecosystems, strengthen marine mammal Resolved, That a copy of this Resolution be ergy development and production, have felt conservation, reduce carbon emissions from transmitted to the presiding officers of the an outsized impact from the COVID–19 pan- shipping vessels, improve international Senate and the House of Representatives of demic and are expected to face a slower re- ocean governance, and pursue other ocean- the Congress of the United States of America covery than many other states because of related solutions to the climate change cri- and to each member of the Louisiana Con- our large service sector employment; and sis, the legislation seeks to end the federal gressional Delegation. Whereas, Louisiana already faces major offshore oil-leasing program; and budget shortfalls that will impact schools, Whereas, although these pursuits sound POM–262. A concurrent resolution adopted emergency services, and other essential serv- laudable, it is important to remember that by the Legislature of the State of Louisiana ices; and the Louisiana oil and gas industry supports urging the United States Congress and the Whereas, under the provisions of the Gulf nearly two hundred and fifty thousand jobs Louisiana Congressional delegation to take of Mexico Security Act, in 2019 alone energy inside the state of Louisiana and more in ad- such actions as are necessary to defeat pas- production on the Outer Continental Shelf joining states, it accounts for fourteen per- sage of the ‘‘Ocean-Based Climate Solutions generated over $155 million to the state of cent of the state’s tax revenue, and supplies Act of 2020’’ and to protect future opportuni- Louisiana used for coastal restoration and $73 billion of the state’s gross domestic prod- ties for oil and gas exploration on the Outer hurricane preparedness; and uct; and Continental Shelf; to the Committee on Whereas, ensuring access to available leas- Whereas, an analysis has found that such a Commerce, Science, and Transportation. ing acreage on the Outer Continental Shelf proposal, if enacted, would cause the loss of HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 38 will protect offshore energy production as an nearly one million jobs nationwide in the essential part of our state’s budget when our Whereas, Rau´ l M. Grijalva (D–Ariz.), Chair- first twelve to twenty-four months, forty- state and local governments need it the man of the United States House Committee eight thousand of which are located here in most; therefore be it Louisiana; and on Natural Resources has unveiled legisla- Whereas, this proposal would significantly tion entitled the ‘‘Ocean-Based Climate So- Resolved, That the Legislature of Louisiana reduce our domestic energy production, lutions Act of 2020’’ with the intent to in- does hereby memorialize the Louisiana Con- making our nation more dependent on less clude ocean impacts of climate change in the gressional Delegation and the United States reliable, less safe foreign sources for energy discussions of methods to address climate Congress to take such actions as are nec- produced under weaker environmental stand- change mitigation; and essary to defeat passage of the ‘‘Ocean-Based ards and a higher carbon footprint; and Whereas, in an effort to restore coastal Climate Solutions Act of 2020’’ and to pro- Whereas, with energy demand expected to ecosystems, strengthen marine mammal tect future opportunities for oil and gas ex- continue to rise until at least 2040, Louisiana conservation, reduce carbon emissions from ploration on the Outer Continental Shelf; currently produces nearly twenty percent of shipping vessels, improve international and be it further our nation’s energy, refines approximately ocean governance, and pursue other ocean- Resolved, That a copy of this Resolution be forty-five percent of the total United States related solutions to the climate change cri- transmitted to the presiding officers of the petroleum, and processes fifty-one percent of sis, the legislation seeks to end the federal Senate and the House of Representatives of the nation’s natural gas; and offshore oil-leasing program; and the Congress of the United States of America Whereas, while meeting this demand year Whereas, although these pursuits sound and to each member of the Louisiana Con- after year, Louisiana energy producers are at laudable, it is important to remember that gressional Delegation.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 04:48 Dec 04, 2020 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00022 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A03DE6.009 S03DEPT1 dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with SENATE December 3, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S7213 REPORTS OF COMMITTEES pense of reprinting on the Executive man, which nominations were received by the Senate and appeared in the Congres- The following reports of committees Calendar that these nominations lie at the Secretary’s desk for the informa- sional Record on October 26, 2020. were submitted: Navy nominations beginning with John A. By Mr. BLUNT, from the Committee on tion of Senators. O. Abordo and ending with True Xiong, Rules and Administration, with an amend- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without which nominations were received by the Sen- ment in the nature of a substitute: objection, it is so ordered. ate and appeared in the Congressional S. 959. A bill to establish in the Smithso- Air Force nomination of Michael G. King, Record on October 26, 2020. nian Institution a comprehensive women’s to be Colonel. Navy nominations beginning with Joshua history museum, and for other purposes. Air Force nominations beginning with Jef- M. Adams and ending with Kent J. D. Wong, By Mr. BLUNT, from the Committee on frey Donald Adling and ending with Chris- which nominations were received by the Sen- Rules and Administration, without amend- topher D. Zaremski, which nominations were ate and appeared in the Congressional ment: received by the Senate and appeared in the Record on October 26, 2020. H.R. 2420. An act to establish within the Congressional Record on November 12, 2020. Navy nominations beginning with Cas- Smithsonian Institution the National Mu- Air Force nominations beginning with sandra E. Abbott and ending with James J. seum of the American Latino, and for other Chikaodi H. Akalaonu and ending with Yoon, which nominations were received by purposes. Tabatha R. Zellhart, which nominations the Senate and appeared in the Congres- were received by the Senate and appeared in sional Record on October 26, 2020. f the Congressional Record on November 12, Navy nominations beginning with Ezindu EXECUTIVE REPORTS OF 2020. U. Ananti and ending with Eric C. Wright, COMMITTEES Air Force nominations beginning with which nominations were received by the Sen- Brian C. Adkins and ending with Scott C. ate and appeared in the Congressional The following executive reports of Zetterstrom, which nominations were re- Record on October 26, 2020. nominations were submitted: ceived by the Senate and appeared in the Navy nominations beginning with Michael By Mr. INHOFE for the Committee on Congressional Record on November 12, 2020. A. Ajao and ending with Bryan E. Armed Services. Air Force nominations beginning with Wooldridge, Jr., which nominations were re- Marine Corps nomination of Brig. Gen. Jason W. Abshire and ending with Brian P. ceived by the Senate and appeared in the Austin E. Renforth, to be Major General. Yoder, which nominations were received by Congressional Record on November 12, 2020. Army nomination of Col. Guy M. Jones, to the Senate and appeared in the Congres- Navy nominations beginning with Natalie be Brigadier General. sional Record on November 12, 2020. R. Bakan and ending with Christopher E. Air Force nomination of Lt. Gen. Michael Air Force nominations beginning with Verzosa, which nominations were received by T. Plehn, to be Lieutenant General. Priscilla M. Adams and ending with Isaac C. the Senate and appeared in the Congres- Navy nomination of Rear Adm. Jeffrey W. Williams, which nominations were received sional Record on November 12, 2020. Hughes, to be Vice Admiral. by the Senate and appeared in the Congres- Navy nominations beginning with James Air Force nominations beginning with sional Record on November 12, 2020. P. Adwell and ending with Jessica N. Woody, Brig. Gen. Patrick J. Cobb and ending with Air Force nomination of Miriam A. which nominations were received by the Sen- Brig. Gen. Darrin E. Slaten, which nomina- Krieger, to be Colonel. ate and appeared in the Congressional tions were received by the Senate and ap- Air Force nominations beginning with Record on November 12, 2020. peared in the Congressional Record on No- Jean P. Peltier and ending with Tara L. Navy nominations beginning with Bryan C. vember 18, 2020. Villena, which nominations were received by Barletto and ending with David W. Warning, Air Force nominations beginning with the Senate and appeared in the Congres- which nominations were received by the Sen- Brig. Gen. Matthew D. Dinmore and ending sional Record on November 12, 2020. ate and appeared in the Congressional with Brig. Gen. Mark A. Weber, which nomi- Army nomination of John M. Tokish, to be Record on November 12, 2020. nations were received by the Senate and ap- Colonel. Navy nominations beginning with Colleen peared in the Congressional Record on No- Army nomination of Mark Y. Lee, to be L. Abuzeid and ending with Robyn V. White, vember 18, 2020. Colonel. which nominations were received by the Sen- Air Force nominations beginning with Army nomination of Andrew C. Sinelli, to ate and appeared in the Congressional Brig. Gen. Sandra L. Best and ending with be Colonel. Record on November 12, 2020. Army nomination of Phillip J. Armstrong, Brig. Gen. Brett A. Wyrick, which nomina- Navy nomination of Brian B. Toupin, to be to be Colonel. tions were received by the Senate and ap- Lieutenant Commander. Army nomination of Tony D. Nguyen, to be Navy nomination of Jennifer L. Rhinehart, peared in the Congressional Record on No- Colonel. to be Lieutenant Commander. vember 18, 2020. Army nomination of Matthew B. Harrison, Navy nomination of Brandon E. Clark, to Air Force nominations beginning with to be Colonel. be Lieutenant Commander. Brig. Gen. James R. Camp and ending with Army nomination of Michael S. Scioletti, Navy nominations beginning with Chris- Brig. Gen. Torrence W. Saxe, which nomina- to be Colonel. topher L. Allen and ending with Edward P. tions were received by the Senate and ap- Army nomination of Brandon M. Crisp, to Windas, which nominations were received by peared in the Congressional Record on No- be Second Lieutenant. the Senate and appeared in the Congres- vember 18, 2020. Marine Corps nomination of William J. sional Record on November 12, 2020. Air Force nomination of Brig. Gen. Barry Warkentin, to be Lieutenant Colonel. Navy nominations beginning with Raynard A. Blanchard, to be Major General. Marine Corps nomination of Jared L. Allen and ending with Marlin Williams, Air Force nomination of Col. Tara D. Reddinger, to be Lieutenant Colonel. which nominations were received by the Sen- McKennie, to be Brigadier General. Navy nominations beginning with Raul T. ate and appeared in the Congressional Air Force nominations beginning with Col. Acevedo and ending with Sheu O. Yusuf, Record on November 12, 2020. Matthew A. Barker and ending with Col. which nominations were received by the Sen- Navy nominations beginning with James Bryony A. Terrell, which nominations were ate and appeared in the Congressional G. Angerman and ending with Joseph M. received by the Senate and appeared in the Record on October 20, 2020. Zukowsky, which nominations were received Congressional Record on November 18, 2020. Navy nominations beginning with Branden by the Senate and appeared in the Congres- Air Force nominations beginning with Col. J. Albrecht and ending with Brandy L. Zehr, sional Record on November 12, 2020. Jeffrey R. Alexander and ending with Col. which nominations were received by the Sen- Navy nominations beginning with Matthew Rick L. Mutchler, which nominations were ate and appeared in the Congressional B. Alexander and ending with Angelina R. received by the Senate and appeared in the Record on October 20, 2020. Woodburn, which nominations were received Congressional Record on November 18, 2020. Navy nominations beginning with Mark E. by the Senate and appeared in the Congres- Air Force nominations beginning with Col. Beaudet and ending with Zachary B. sional Record on November 18, 2020. John H. Bondhus and ending with Col. Peter Zumwalt, which nominations were received Navy nominations beginning with Derek S. L. Zalewski, which nominations were re- by the Senate and appeared in the Congres- Bernsen and ending with William J. Reimer, ceived by the Senate and appeared in the sional Record on October 20, 2020. which nominations were received by the Sen- Congressional Record on November 18, 2020. Navy nominations beginning with Chris- ate and appeared in the Congressional Air Force nomination of Col. Denise M. topher L. Adcock and ending with Michael J. Record on November 18, 2020. Donnell, to be Brigadier General. Yoshihara, which nominations were received Navy nominations beginning with Deena Air Force nomination of Col. Anthony D. by the Senate and appeared in the Congres- R. Abt and ending with Todd W . Wish, which Stratton, to be Brigadier General. sional Record on October 20, 2020. nominations were received by the Senate and Mr. INHOFE. Mr. President, for the Navy nominations beginning with Jason E. appeared in the Congressional Record on No- Committee on Armed Services I report Hayes and ending with Christopher S. Wal- vember 18, 2020. ton, which nominations were received by the Navy nominations beginning with Patrick favorably the following nomination Senate and appeared in the Congressional R. Adams and ending with David M. Yost, lists which were printed in the Record on October 20, 2020. which nominations were received by the Sen- RECORDS on the dates indicated, and Navy nominations beginning with Jeffrey ate and appeared in the Congressional ask unanimous consent, to save the ex- B. Aday and ending with Jessica L. Zimmer- Record on November 18, 2020.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 04:48 Dec 04, 2020 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00023 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A03DE6.034 S03DEPT1 dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with SENATE S7214 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE December 3, 2020 Navy nominations beginning with Joshua INTRODUCTION OF BILLS AND By Mr. COONS (for himself and Mr. D. Allen and ending with Shawn F. Zentner, JOINT RESOLUTIONS SCOTT of South Carolina): which nominations were received by the Sen- S. 4964. A bill to establish a Next Genera- ate and appeared in the Congressional The following bills and joint resolu- tion Entrepreneurship Corps program within Record on November 18, 2020. tions were introduced, read the first the Small Business Administration, and for Navy nominations beginning with and second times by unanimous con- other purposes; to the Committee on Small Oluwaseun O. O. Abegunde and ending with sent, and referred as indicated: Business and Entrepreneurship. Peter J. Zollweg, which nominations were By Mr. KENNEDY: By Mr. COTTON (for himself, Mr. received by the Senate and appeared in the S. 4954. A bill to amend the CARES Act to MCCONNELL, Mrs. BLACKBURN, Mr. Congressional Record on November 18, 2020. simplify the procedure for applying for for- BOOZMAN, Mrs. LOEFFLER, Mr. Navy nominations beginning with Bekim giveness for certain loans made under the PERDUE, and Mr. SCOTT of Florida): F. Austin and ending with Henry A. Paycheck Protection Program, and for other S. 4965. A bill to regulate the posting of Villatoro, which nominations were received purposes; to the Committee on Small Busi- personal information of government officials by the Senate and appeared in the Congres- ness and Entrepreneurship. on the internet, and for other purposes; to sional Record on November 18, 2020. By Mrs. FEINSTEIN (for herself and the Committee on the Judiciary. Navy nominations beginning with Robert Mrs. BLACKBURN): f T. Augustine and ending with Alexander J. S. 4955. A bill to amend the Internal Rev- Wunderlich, which nominations were re- enue Code of 1986 to provide for an election SUBMISSION OF CONCURRENT AND ceived by the Senate and appeared in the to expense certain qualified sound recording SENATE RESOLUTIONS Congressional Record on November 18, 2020. costs otherwise chargeable to capital ac- Navy nominations beginning with Gavin L. The following concurrent resolutions count; to the Committee on Finance. and Senate resolutions were read, and Kurey and ending with Anthony J. Wich, By Mr. CASEY (for himself, Ms. which nominations were received by the Sen- referred (or acted upon), as indicated: DUCKWORTH, and Mr. VAN HOLLEN): ate and appeared in the Congressional S. 4956. A bill to create a Council on Emer- By Mr. SCHUMER (for himself and Record on November 18, 2020. gency Response Protocols to ensure the es- Mrs. GILLIBRAND): Navy nominations beginning with Chris- tablishment of accessible, developmentally S. Res. 788. A resolution recognizing the topher S. Fife II and ending with Wayne M. appropriate, culturally aware, and trauma- 20th Anniversary for the Jed Foundation; to Zanni, which nominations were received by informed emergency response protocols in the Committee on the Judiciary. the Senate and appeared in the Congres- public schools, early childcare and education By Mr. MENENDEZ (for himself, Mr. sional Record on November 18, 2020. settings, and institutions of higher edu- DURBIN, Mr. CARDIN, Mrs. FEINSTEIN, Navy nominations beginning with James cation, and for other purposes; to the Com- Mr. COONS, Mr. MARKEY, Mrs. SHA- F. Adams and ending with Mary C. Walsh, mittee on Health, Education, Labor, and HEEN, Ms. DUCKWORTH, and Mr. MUR- which nominations were received by the Sen- Pensions. PHY): ate and appeared in the Congressional By Mr. CASEY (for himself, Mr. BOOK- S. Res. 789. A resolution urging the Gov- Record on November 18, 2020. ER, Mr. VAN HOLLEN, Mr. ernment of Thailand to protect and uphold Navy nominations beginning with David F. BLUMENTHAL, Mr. MENENDEZ, Ms. democracy, human rights, the rule of law, Boring and ending with Jacqueline Zimny, SMITH, Ms. DUCKWORTH, Ms. WARREN, and rights to freedom of peaceful assembly which nominations were received by the Sen- Ms. STABENOW, Mr. BROWN, Mrs. SHA- and freedom of expression, and for other pur- ate and appeared in the Congressional HEEN, Mr. MERKLEY, Mr. PETERS, poses; to the Committee on Foreign Rela- Record on November 18, 2020. Mrs. GILLIBRAND, Mr. REED, Mr. MAR- tions. Navy nominations beginning with Neha U. KEY, Ms. BALDWIN, Ms. KLOBUCHAR, By Mr. MENENDEZ (for himself, Mr. Athavale and ending with Eric T. Wilmer, and Mr. SANDERS): RUBIO, and Mr. DURBIN): which nominations were received by the Sen- S. 4957. A bill to provide for an emergency S. Res. 790. A resolution supporting efforts ate and appeared in the Congressional increase in Federal funding to State Med- to strengthen protection, assistance, and so- Record on November 18, 2020. icaid programs for expenditures on home and lutions for Venezuelan women and children; Navy nominations beginning with Malikul community-based services; to the Committee to the Committee on Foreign Relations. A. Aziz and ending with Scott H. Zinn II, on Finance. By Mr. COONS (for himself, Mr. SCOTT which nominations were received by the Sen- By Mr. PORTMAN (for himself, Mr. of South Carolina, Mr. CARPER, and ate and appeared in the Congressional CARDIN, Mr. THUNE, and Mr. MENEN- Ms. ERNST): Record on November 18, 2020. DEZ): S. Res. 791. A resolution designating No- Navy nominations beginning with Luis E. S. 4958. A bill to provide for a vaccine safe- vember 2020 as ‘‘National College Applica- Banchs and ending with Matthew K. ty public awareness campaign; to the Com- tion Month’’; considered and agreed to. Wittkopp, which nominations were received mittee on Health, Education, Labor, and By Mr. MCCONNELL (for himself and by the Senate and appeared in the Congres- Pensions. Mr. SCHUMER): sional Record on November 18, 2020. By Mr. BRAUN: S. Res. 792. A resolution to authorize rep- Navy nominations beginning with George S. 4959. A bill to increase transparency and resentation by the Senate Legal Counsel in W. Acfalle and ending with Emma S. Yearby, access to group health plan and health insur- the case of Chad Michael Frein v. Dianne which nominations were received by the Sen- ance issuer reporting, and for other purposes; Feinstein; considered and agreed to. ate and appeared in the Congressional to the Committee on Health, Education, By Mr. RUBIO (for himself, Mr. SCOTT Record on November 18, 2020. Labor, and Pensions. of Florida, Mr. PERDUE, Mr. JONES, Space Force nominations beginning with By Mr. REED: Mr. SHELBY, and Mrs. LOEFFLER): Israel Abensur and ending with Devin Lee S. 4960. A bill to extend of period for ad- S. Res. 793. A resolution remembering the Zufelt, which nominations were received by justment of status for certain Liberian na- December 6, 2019, terrorist attack at Naval the Senate and appeared in the Congres- tionals; to the Committee on the Judiciary. Air Station Pensacola and commemorating sional Record on November 12, 2020. By Ms. BALDWIN: those who lost their lives, and those who By Mr. BLUNT for the Committee on Rules S. 4961. A bill to improve the efficiency and were injured, in the line of duty; considered and Administration. reliability of rail transportation by reform- and agreed to. * Allen Dickerson, of the District of Colum- ing the Surface Transportation Board, and By Mr. BOOKER (for himself, Mr. MAR- bia, to be a Member of the Federal Election for other purposes; to the Committee on KEY, Mr. SANDERS, Mr. BLUMENTHAL, Commission for a term expiring April 30, Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Mr. MENENDEZ, Mr. COONS, Ms. KLO- 2025. By Mr. SCHATZ: BUCHAR, Ms. WARREN, Ms. * Shana M. Broussard, of Louisiana, to be a S. 4962. A bill to amend the Omnibus Crime DUCKWORTH, Mr. WHITEHOUSE, Mr. Member of the Federal Election Commission Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to au- BROWN, and Mr. DURBIN): for a term expiring April 30, 2023. thorize a grant program to assist State and S. Con. Res. 50. A concurrent resolution * Sean J. Cooksey, of Missouri, to be a local law enforcement agencies in pur- urging the establishment of a United States Member of the Federal Election Commission chasing body-worn cameras and securely Commission on Truth, Racial Healing, and for a term expiring April 30, 2021. storing and maintaining recorded data for Transformation; to the Committee on the * Nomination was reported with rec- law enforcement officers; to the Committee Judiciary. ommendation that it be confirmed sub- on the Judiciary. f ject to the nominee’s commitment to By Mr. SCHATZ: respond to requests to appear and tes- S. 4963. A bill to establish a bipartisan ADDITIONAL COSPONSORS Presidential Commission to study the estab- tify before any duly constituted com- S. 914 lishment of a National Museum of the Amer- mittee of the Senate. ican People to tell the story about the mak- At the request of Ms. KLOBUCHAR, her (Nominations without an asterisk ing of the American People, and for other name was added as a cosponsor of S. were reported with the recommenda- purposes; to the Committee on Energy and 914, a bill to reauthorize the Integrated tion that they be confirmed.) Natural Resources. Coastal and Ocean Observation System

VerDate Sep 11 2014 04:48 Dec 04, 2020 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00024 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A03DE6.014 S03DEPT1 dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with SENATE December 3, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S7215 Act of 2009, to clarify the authority of (Mr. DAINES) was added as a cosponsor sors of S. 4086, a bill amend title 38, the Administrator of the National Oce- of S. 3067, a bill to amend title XVIII of United States Code, to revise the defi- anic and Atmospheric Administration the Social Security Act to combat the nition of Vietnam era for purposes of with respect to post-storm assess- opioid crisis by promoting access to the laws administered by the Secretary ments, and to require the establish- non-opioid treatments in the hospital of Veterans Affairs, and for other pur- ment of a National Water Center, and outpatient setting. poses. for other purposes. S. 3072 S. 4150 S. 980 At the request of Mrs. HYDE-SMITH, At the request of Ms. COLLINS, the At the request of Mr. WYDEN, his the name of the Senator from Texas name of the Senator from Louisiana name was added as a cosponsor of S. (Mr. CORNYN) was added as a cosponsor (Mr. KENNEDY) was added as a cospon- 980, a bill to amend title 38, United of S. 3072, a bill to amend the Federal sor of S. 4150, a bill to require the Sec- States Code, to improve the provision Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to pro- retary of the Treasury to provide as- of services for homeless veterans, and hibit the approval of new abortion sistance to certain providers of trans- for other purposes. drugs, to prohibit investigational use portation services affected by the novel S. 1267 exemptions for abortion drugs, and to coronavirus. At the request of Mr. MENENDEZ, the impose additional regulatory require- name of the Senator from Texas (Mr. S. 4162 ments with respect to previously ap- At the request of Mrs. FISCHER, the CRUZ) was added as a cosponsor of S. proved abortion drugs, and for other 1267, a bill to establish within the name of the Senator from Oklahoma purposes. Smithsonian Institution the National (Mr. INHOFE) was added as a cosponsor Museum of the American Latino, and S. 3291 of S. 4162, a bill to provide certainty for for other purposes. At the request of Mr. ROBERTS, the airport funding. S. 1273 name of the Senator from Nevada (Ms. S. 4326 At the request of Mr. KENNEDY, the ROSEN) was added as a cosponsor of S. At the request of Mr. ENZI, the name name of the Senator from Illinois (Ms. 3291, a bill to amend the Small Busi- of the Senator from Idaho (Mr. CRAPO) DUCKWORTH) was added as a cosponsor ness Act to expand tax credit education was added as a cosponsor of S. 4326, a of S. 1273, a bill to amend title 17, and training for small businesses that bill to require the Secretary of the United States Code, to establish an al- engage in research and development, Treasury to honor the 100th anniver- ternative dispute resolution program and for other purposes. sary of completion of coinage of the for copyright small claims, and for S. 3451 ‘‘Morgan Dollar’’ and the 100th anni- other purposes. At the request of Mr. SCOTT of South versary of commencement of coinage of S. 1363 Carolina, the names of the Senator the ‘‘Peace Dollar’’ , and for other pur- At the request of Ms. KLOBUCHAR, her from Connecticut (Mr. BLUMENTHAL), poses. name was added as a cosponsor of S. the Senator from New York (Mrs. S. 4433 GILLIBRAND) and the Senator from Wis- 1363, a bill to authorize an AI Center of At the request of Mr. CORNYN, the Excellence within the General Services consin (Ms. BALDWIN) were added as co- name of the Senator from Mississippi Administration, and for other pur- sponsors of S. 3451, a bill to improve (Mrs. HYDE-SMITH) was added as a co- poses. the health and safety of Americans liv- sponsor of S. 4433, a bill to authorize S. 1443 ing with food allergies and related dis- the National Medal of Honor Museum At the request of Ms. ERNST, the orders, including potentially life- Foundation to establish a commemora- name of the Senator from New Hamp- threatening anaphylaxis, food protein- tive work in the District of Columbia shire (Ms. HASSAN) was added as a co- induced enterocolitis syndrome, and and its environs, and for other pur- sponsor of S. 1443, a bill to amend the eosinophilic gastrointestinal diseases, poses. Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to pro- and for other purposes. S. 4461 vide a nonrefundable credit for working S. 3723 family caregivers. At the request of Mr. LANKFORD, the At the request of Mr. SCHATZ, the names of the Senator from Pennsyl- S. 1652 name of the Senator from Nevada (Ms. vania (Mr. TOOMEY), the Senator from At the request of Mr. CASEY, the CORTEZ MASTO) was added as a cospon- Wisconsin (Mr. JOHNSON), the Senator names of the Senator from Illinois (Ms. sor of S. 3723, a bill to provide services from Indiana (Mr. BRAUN), the Senator DUCKWORTH) and the Senator from Or- to victims of sexual abuse who are in- from Utah (Mr. LEE), the Senator from egon (Mr. MERKLEY) were added as co- carcerated, and for other purposes. sponsors of S. 1652, a bill to amend the Florida (Mr. SCOTT), the Senator from S. 3753 Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to pro- Wyoming (Mr. ENZI), the Senator from At the request of Mr. BRAUN, the vide for a refundable adoption tax cred- Montana (Mr. DAINES) and the Senator name of the Senator from Louisiana it. from Louisiana (Mr. CASSIDY) were (Mr. KENNEDY) was added as a cospon- added as cosponsors of S. 4461, a bill to S. 2257 sor of S. 3753, a bill to direct the Sec- At the request of Mr. DURBIN, the provide for a period of continuing ap- retary of Veterans Affairs to ensure name of the Senator from Vermont propriations in the event of a lapse in that certain medical facilities of the (Mr. LEAHY) was added as a cosponsor appropriations under the normal appro- Department of Veterans Affairs have of S. 2257, a bill to reform the financing priations process, and establish proce- physical locations for the disposal of of Senate elections, and for other pur- dures and consequences in the event of controlled substances medications. poses. a failure to enact appropriations. S. 3814 S. 2907 S. 4494 At the request of Ms. HASSAN, the At the request of Mr. YOUNG, the At the request of Ms. HASSAN, the names of the Senator from New York name of the Senator from Massachu- names of the Senator from Ohio (Mr. (Mrs. GILLIBRAND), the Senator from setts (Ms. WARREN) was added as a co- BROWN), the Senator from Virginia Maryland (Mr. VAN HOLLEN), the Sen- sponsor of S. 3814, a bill to establish a (Mr. KAINE), the Senator from Kansas ator from Connecticut (Mr. MURPHY) loan program for businesses affected by (Mr. MORAN), the Senator from Massa- and the Senator from Minnesota (Ms. COVID–19 and to extend the loan for- chusetts (Ms. WARREN), the Senator SMITH) were added as cosponsors of S. giveness period for paycheck protec- from Delaware (Mr. CARPER), the Sen- 2907, a bill to amend title XVIII of the tion program loans made to the hard- ator from Oregon (Mr. WYDEN) and the Social Security Act to provide cov- est hit businesses, and for other pur- Senator from Pennsylvania (Mr. erage of medical nutrition therapy poses. CASEY) were added as cosponsors of S. services for individuals with eating dis- S. 4086 4494, a bill to amend title VI of the So- orders under the Medicare program. At the request of Mr. BOOZMAN, the cial Security Act to extend the period S. 3067 names of the Senator from Alaska (Mr. with respect to which amounts under At the request of Mrs. CAPITO, the SULLIVAN) and the Senator from Ne- the Coronavirus Relief Fund may be name of the Senator from Montana vada (Ms. ROSEN) were added as cospon- expended.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 04:48 Dec 04, 2020 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00025 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A03DE6.017 S03DEPT1 dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with SENATE S7216 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE December 3, 2020 S. 4497 ica’s Veterans and Caring for Camp resolution; which was referred to the At the request of Mr. TOOMEY, the Lejeune Families Act of 2012, to make Committee on the Judiciary: name of the Senator from Oklahoma certain enhancements to grants award- S. RES. 788 (Mr. LANKFORD) was added as a cospon- ed by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs sor of S. 4497, a bill to temporarily sus- and contracts between the Secretary Whereas, 20 years ago, Donna and Phillip pend duties on imports of articles need- and entities that provide services to Satow set out to launch a blueprint for sui- cide prevention with the founding of the Jed ed to combat the COVID–19 pandemic. homeless veterans, and for other pur- Foundation; S. 4594 poses. Whereas Donna and Phillip tragically lost At the request of Mr. TESTER, the S. 4867 their son, Jed, 2 years earlier to suicide; name of the Senator from Oregon (Mr. At the request of Mr. COONS, the Whereas they recognized the need for a WYDEN) was added as a cosponsor of S. names of the Senator from Maine (Mr. uniform model for suicide prevention on col- 4594, a bill to amend title 38, United KING) and the Senator from West Vir- lege and university campuses and the need to ginia (Mrs. CAPITO) were added as co- address the stigma and secrecy associated States Code, to improve and to expand with mental health in these communities; eligibility for dependency and indem- sponsors of S. 4867, a bill to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Serv- Whereas campus prevention programs at nity compensation paid to certain sur- the time were limited in scope and priority, vivors of certain veterans. ices to support research on, and ex- and the Satows are to be commended for panded access to, investigational drugs S. 4613 their dedication to mental health and cre- for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and ating the Jed Foundation, a national non- At the request of Mr. BOOZMAN, the for other purposes. profit organization, to surmount those hur- name of the Senator from South Da- S. 4907 dles; kota (Mr. ROUNDS) was added as a co- At the request of Mr. PETERS, the Whereas, through their passion, vision, and sponsor of S. 4613, a bill to amend the names of the Senator from New York dedication to the Jed Foundation, the Fairness to Contact Lens Consumers Satows have worked tirelessly to transform (Mr. SCHUMER) and the Senator from Act to prevent certain automated calls the way teen and young adult mental health Nevada (Ms. CORTEZ MASTO) were added and to require notice of the avail- is understood and supported; as cosponsors of S. 4907, a bill to nullify ability of contact lens prescriptions to Whereas, due to the commitment and vi- Executive Order 13957, entitled ‘‘Cre- patients, and for other purposes. sion of the Satows, the Jed Foundation is a ating Schedule F In The Excepted recognized leader in transforming policies, S. 4657 Service’’. programs, and systems to protect the mental At the request of Ms. ERNST, the S. 4918 and emotional health of, and prevent suicide for, teens and young adults; names of the Senator from Nevada (Ms. At the request of Mr. LEE, the name ROSEN) and the Senator from Indiana Whereas, through the efforts of the of the Senator from North Carolina Satows, the Jed Foundation created JED (Mr. YOUNG) were added as cosponsors (Mr. TILLIS) was added as a cosponsor of S. 4657, a bill to direct the Secretary Campus, a program which has helped imple- of S. 4918, a bill to transfer antitrust ment a comprehensive approach to mental of Veterans Affairs to designate one enforcement functions from the Fed- health for over 300 colleges and universities week each year as ‘‘Buddy Check eral Trade Commission to the Depart- representing nearly 3,700,000 students, Week’’ for the purpose of outreach and ment of Justice, and for other pur- strengthening their mental health, sub- education concerning peer wellness poses. stance use, and suicide prevention programs; Whereas, in the past 20 years, the Jed checks for veterans, and for other pur- S. 4935 poses. Foundation has provided programs and re- At the request of Mr. WYDEN, the sources that have helped more than 3,000 S. 4663 names of the Senator from New York high schools, colleges, and universities At the request of Ms. HASSAN, the (Mrs. GILLIBRAND), the Senator from strengthen their mental health safety nets names of the Senator from North Da- Connecticut (Mr. BLUMENTHAL), the for teens and young adults throughout the kota (Mr. CRAMER), the Senator from Senator from Massachusetts (Mr. MAR- Nation; Wyoming (Mr. BARRASSO), the Senator KEY), the Senator from Wisconsin (Ms. Whereas the Jed Foundation has educated from Iowa (Ms. ERNST) and the Senator BALDWIN), the Senator from New Jer- over 10,000 high school, college, university, and other mental health professionals in sui- from Delaware (Mr. CARPER) were sey (Mr. BOOKER) and the Senator from added as cosponsors of S. 4663, a bill to cide prevention through various educational Minnesota (Ms. SMITH) were added as initiatives; amend title 31, United States Code, to cosponsors of S. 4935, a bill to provide Whereas the Jed Foundation has partnered save Federal funds by authorizing continued assistance to unemployed with over 1,600 college and universities to changes to the composition of circu- workers. utilize the Foundation’s ULifeline.org online lating coins, and for other purposes. S. CON. RES. 9 resource center to provide students with in- S. 4757 At the request of Mr. ROBERTS, the formation about mental health and how to seek help if they are struggling; At the request of Mr. DURBIN, the name of the Senator from West Vir- Whereas the Jed Foundation and the names of the Senator from Washington ginia (Mr. MANCHIN) was added as a co- Satow’s vision have continued to address the (Mrs. MURRAY), the Senator from Ne- sponsor of S. Con. Res. 9, a concurrent mental health needs of diverse communities vada (Ms. ROSEN) and the Senator from resolution expressing the sense of Con- by ensuring that mental health resources are New Mexico (Mr. HEINRICH) were added gress that tax-exempt fraternal benefit culturally responsive and providing key re- as cosponsors of S. 4757, a bill to amend societies have historically provided sources in Spanish for Latinx teens, young the Animal Welfare Act to establish and continue to provide critical bene- adults, and their families; additional requirements for dealers, fits to the people and communities of Whereas the Jed Foundation and the and for other purposes. the United States. Satow’s dedication to mental health has led to in-depth research to help schools and com- S. 4840 S. RES. 778 munities more effectively understand and At the request of Mr. ROBERTS, the At the request of Mr. BRAUN, the support the mental health of LGBTQ+ teens name of the Senator from Mississippi name of the Senator from South Caro- and young adults; (Mrs. HYDE-SMITH) was added as a co- lina (Mr. SCOTT) was added as a cospon- Whereas the Jed Foundation has created a sponsor of S. 4840, a bill to amend title sor of S. Res. 778, a resolution recog- national campaign, Seize the Awkward, to XVIII of the Social Security Act to re- nizing Interscholastic Athletic Admin- encourage teens and young adults to start a istrators’ Day on December 15, 2020. conversation with a friend who may be quire the inclusion of certain audio- struggling with mental health issues; only diagnoses in the determination of f Whereas the Jed Foundation’s anonymous risk adjustment for Medicare Advan- SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS mental health self-evaluator has been used tage plans, and for other purposes. by students over 400,000 times to assess their S. 4858 symptoms and receive customized informa- tion about how to seek help for their mental At the request of Mr. ROUNDS, the SENATE RESOLUTION 788—RECOG- health needs; name of the Senator from Georgia (Mr. NIZING THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY FOR THE JED FOUNDATION Whereas the Jed Foundation works toward PERDUE) was added as a cosponsor of S. a future where every high school, college, 4858, a bill to amend title 38, United Mr. SCHUMER (for himself and Mrs. and university has a comprehensive mental States Code, and the Honoring Amer- GILLIBRAND) submitted the following health system that supports mental and

VerDate Sep 11 2014 04:48 Dec 04, 2020 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00026 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A03DE6.019 S03DEPT1 dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with SENATE December 3, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S7217 emotional health and reduces the risk of sub- largest annual multinational military exer- elected government, political reforms, long- stance misuse and suicide for teens and cise in the Indo-Pacific region, which is term peace, and respect for established inter- young adults; hosted by Thailand; national human rights standards; Whereas the Jed Foundation, through the Whereas the Government of Thailand con- (3) urges the Government of Thailand to Satow’s vision and commitment, works to tinues to be a partner on humanitarian and protect and uphold democracy, human equip all teens and young adults with the refugee assistance, including support from U- rights, the rule of law, and rights to freedom ability to navigate mental health challenges, Tapao Royal Thai Navy Air Field for multi- of peaceful assembly and freedom of expres- to seek and give help, and to emotionally national relief efforts following the 2004 In- sion, as well as immediately and uncondi- prepare them to enter adulthood and fulfill dian Ocean tsunami and 2015 Nepal earth- tionally release political activists and re- their potential; and quake; frain from harassing, intimidating, or perse- Whereas the Jed Foundation works to have Whereas Thailand ended absolute mon- cuting those engaged in peaceful protests, mental health recognized as part of general archy and transitioned to a constitutional with particular care for the rights and well- health and wellness, and to reduce the monarchy in 1932, and since then has revised being of children and students; shame, secrecy, or prejudice often associated its constitution seventeen times, including a (4) calls on the United States Government with mental health: Now, therefore, be it 1997 constitution that enshrined democrat- to support the right of the people of Thai- Resolved, That the Senate— ically elected representatives in a bicameral land to peacefully and democratically deter- (1) recognizes the 20th anniversary of the national assembly and the prime minister as mine their future; and Jed Foundation; head of government, and a 2007 constitution (5) unequivocally states that a military (2) commends Donna and Phillip Satow for that largely retained that structure; coup to resolve the current political crisis their vision, continued commitment, and Whereas cycles of coups and military rule would be counterproductive and risk further leadership; and have been a recurring feature of governance undermining bilateral relations between the (3) applauds the Jed Foundation for being a in Thailand for almost a century; United States and Thailand. Whereas the Royal Thai military con- leading organization promoting the well- f being of students, families, and schools and ducted a coup in 2014, abolished the 2007 con- paving the way for more young people to find stitution, declared martial law, and replaced SENATE RESOLUTION 790—SUP- the resources and the support they need. the civilian government with a junta under PORTING EFFORTS TO the leadership of Army Commander Prayuth STRENGTHEN PROTECTION, AS- f Chan-ocha; SISTANCE, AND SOLUTIONS FOR SENATE RESOLUTION 789—URGING Whereas the junta’s National Council for VENEZUELAN WOMEN AND CHIL- THE GOVERNMENT OF THAILAND Peace and Order drafted a new constitution DREN TO PROTECT AND UPHOLD DE- which was promulgated in 2017, and served to MOCRACY, HUMAN RIGHTS, THE erode Thailand’s democracy and constitu- Mr. MENENDEZ (for himself, Mr. tional protection of rights; RULE OF LAW, AND RIGHTS TO RUBIO, and Mr. DURBIN) submitted the Whereas, in March 2019, Thailand held elec- following resolution; which was re- FREEDOM OF PEACEFUL ASSEM- tions that several independent monitoring BLY AND FREEDOM OF EXPRES- groups declared as deeply flawed and heavily ferred to the Committee on Foreign SION, AND FOR OTHER PUR- tilted to favor the military junta, whose Relations: POSES party, headed by Prayuth, formed a new gov- S. RES. 790 ernment with the support of the military-ap- Mr. MENENDEZ (for himself, Mr. Whereas over 5,400,000 Venezuelans have pointed and unelected Senate; been displaced across Latin America and the DURBIN, Mr. CARDIN, Mrs. FEINSTEIN, Whereas, in January 2020, the opposition Caribbean—the world’s second largest dis- Mr. COONS, Mr. MARKEY, Mrs. SHAHEEN, political party Future Forward was dissolved placement crisis—and at least 7,000,000 peo- Ms. DUCKWORTH, and Mr. MURPHY) sub- and banned on order of the Constitutional ple inside Venezuela are in need of humani- mitted the following resolution; which Court following a flawed legal process pre- tarian assistance as a result of the country’s was referred to the Committee on For- mised on spurious charges; ongoing political and economic crisis; eign Relations: Whereas the Government of Thailand has Whereas the COVID–19 pandemic is exacer- failed to properly investigate issues with re- S. RES. 789 bating the humanitarian crisis in Venezuela, spect to violent assaults against democracy given the country’s weak health infrastruc- Whereas the Kingdom of Thailand and the activists and government critics within ture, and posing particular risks for Ven- United States of America first established Thailand, as well as enforced disappearances ezuelan refugees and migrants such as evic- relations in 1818 and entered into the Treaty and killings of exiled Thai political dis- tion, loss of livelihoods, border closures and of Amity and Commerce in 1833, formalizing sidents across Asia; other travel restrictions, lack of access to diplomatic relations; Whereas, since February 2020, tens of thou- health care for those without documenta- Whereas Thailand was the first treaty ally sands of protesters across Thailand, largely tion, and gender-based violence; of the United States in the Asia-Pacific re- students and youth, have peacefully called Whereas it is well-recognized that displace- gion and remains a steadfast friend of the for democratically elected government, con- ment crises— United States with shared values of democ- stitutional reform, and respect for human (1) exacerbate pre-existing violence against racy, rule of law, universal human rights, rights; women and girls; and a free market; Whereas the Government of Thailand has (2) interrupt children’s education and in- Whereas the United States and Thailand in responded to these peaceful protests with re- crease their exposure to violence and exploi- 1954 signed the Southeast Asia Collective De- pressive measures, including intimidation tation; fense Treaty (Manila Pact), pledging to tactics, surveillance, harassment, arrests, vi- (3) cause major stress and trauma on indi- ‘‘strengthen the fabric of peace and freedom olence and imprisonment; viduals and families that can have profound and to uphold the principles of democracy, Whereas Prayuth declared a state of emer- effects on mental health and result in sig- individual liberty and the rule of law’’; gency on October 15, 2020, and characterized nificant needs for psychological and social Whereas, through the Treaty of Amity and the growing pro-democracy protests as support; and Economic Relations of 1966, along with a di- threats to national security and public safe- (4) disrupt family and community connec- verse and growing trading relationship, the ty; tions that mitigate against such violence United States and Thailand have developed Whereas more than 170 peaceful protesters and trauma; strong economic ties; have been arrested since February 2020, Whereas, between 2015 and 2016, maternal Whereas the United States recognizes many of them charged with serious crimes, mortality rates in Venezuela increased by 65 Thailand as a founding member of the Asso- including sedition, that carry potentially percent and infant mortality within the first ciation of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) long prison sentences; and week of life increased by 53 percent, and the and host of the 35th ASEAN Summit in 2019, Whereas UNICEF has expressed concern dire state of Venezuela’s public health sys- which reaffirmed that body’s commitment to about the potential harm that children face tem has compelled women to flee the coun- ‘‘a region of lasting peace, security and sta- amidst the ongoing protests in Thailand and try in order to give birth; bility, sustained economic growth, shared called on all parties to uphold children and Whereas one-third of Venezuelan house- prosperity and social progress’’; young people’s right to freedom of expression holds are food insecure, with the greatest Whereas Thailand was designated a major and peaceful assembly, and to protect them risk of adverse nutritional impacts on chil- non-NATO ally in 2003, and is one of the from all forms of violence and intimidation: dren, pregnant and lactating women, and the strongest security partners of the United Now, therefore, be it elderly, according to the World Food Pro- States, a relationship that was recognized Resolved, That the Senate— gram; and expanded upon in the United States- (1) reaffirms the strong relationship be- Whereas the growing prevalence of crimi- Thailand Joint Vision Statement for the tween the United States and Thailand based nal violence, especially intimate partner vio- Thai-United States Defense Alliance in 2012; on shared democratic values and strategic lence, and human trafficking, endemic cor- Whereas the Governments of Thailand and interests; ruption, and impunity in Venezuela has con- the United States hold numerous joint mili- (2) stands in solidarity with the people of tributed to a significant increase in tary exercises, including Cobra Gold, the Thailand in their quest for a democratically femicides;

VerDate Sep 11 2014 04:48 Dec 04, 2020 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00027 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A03DE6.035 S03DEPT1 dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with SENATE S7218 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE December 3, 2020 Whereas Venezuelan women and girls re- (4) encourages governments hosting Ven- high school graduates, who faced a 20 percent port an increase in pregnancies of adolescent ezuelan refugees and migrants, as well as decline from the prior year in immediate girls over the past 2 years, including many international and nongovernmental organi- matriculation to an institution of higher resulting from sexual violence and coercion; zations providing assistance, to ensure that education; and Whereas indigenous women and girls in shelter, health care, food assistance, mental (4) the unemployment rate of adults with a Venezuela’s border communities face height- health and psychosocial support, and other bachelor’s degree and the unemployment ened risks of violence as a result of extreme basic services are accessible to women and rate of adults whose highest credential is a poverty, discrimination, and the encroach- children; high school diploma differ by 20 percentage ment of extractive mining industries on (5) calls on the international community, points, a gap that has grown larger as a re- their land; including both humanitarian and develop- sult of COVID–19; Whereas women and girls fleeing Ven- ment actors, to focus greater attention and Whereas the National Student Clearing- ezuela face grave threats of sexual violence, resources to address the violence, abuse, and house reports that undergraduate enrollment exploitation, and trafficking by armed exploitation suffered by Venezuelan women in colleges and universities is declining pre- groups operating in border regions, such as and children, including by disaggregating cipitously in the midst of the COVID–19 pan- the Eje´rcito de Liberacio´ n Nacional (ELN), data by sex and age in needs assessments and demic, particularly for nontraditional stu- and these threats have grown since COVID- program reporting; and dents; related border closures have forced asylum (6) supports increasing United States diplo- Whereas the complexity of financial aid seekers into unofficial border crossing routes matic initiatives and humanitarian assist- systems and rising college costs can serve as (‘‘trochas’’); ance to strengthen protections for Ven- additional deterrents or barriers for students Whereas the trafficking of Venezuelan ezuelan refugees and migrants and their host and families as they assess the viability of women and children is linked to organized communities, with an emphasis on the pro- higher education programs as a postsec- crime and armed groups, which often kidnap tection of women and children. ondary option; girls into trafficking networks in other f Whereas many students struggle to iden- countries and, in addition, forcibly recruit tify and compare postsecondary options due boys and young men; SENATE RESOLUTION 791—DESIG- to— Whereas, despite the generous policies of NATING NOVEMBER 2020 AS ‘‘NA- (1) difficulties accessing school counseling host countries, less than half of Venezuelan TIONAL COLLEGE APPLICATION services, which is evidenced by an esti- refugee and migrant children were attending MONTH’’ mation of the American School Counselor school prior to COVID-related closures, be- Association that the student-to-counselor cause of lack of documentation to enroll, Mr. COONS (for himself, Mr. SCOTT of ratio in the United States is 430 to 1; limited space in public schools, and lack of South Carolina, Mr. CARPER, and Ms. (2) an absence of reliable programmatic resources to pay fees; ERNST) submitted the following resolu- and institutional outcome data; and Whereas governments throughout Latin tion; which was considered and agreed (3) a lack of comparable and understand- America and the Caribbean have partici- to: able college financial aid offers; pated in a series of technical meetings to co- Whereas, in addition to expanding out- ordinate a regional strategy for the protec- S. RES. 791 reach and support to recent high school tion and regularization of Venezuelan refu- Whereas equality of opportunity for all graduates, colleges and universities must gees and migrants—known as the ‘‘Quito people is one of the noblest aspirations of the also expand outreach and support to all un- Process’’—and issued a joint declaration in United States; dergraduate students; November 2019 that agreed to strengthen Whereas data on the benefits of higher edu- Whereas the Digest of Education Statistics measures against human trafficking, gender- cation demonstrate that, in spite of ongoing for 2019 of the National Center for Education based violence, discrimination, and xeno- barriers to access and student success, col- Statistics and the 2015–16 National Postsec- phobia, and to establish a regional protec- leges and universities can still provide path- ondary Student Aid Survey found that, of tion protocol for refugee and migrant chil- ways to economic opportunity; undergraduate students in the United dren and adolescents; Whereas the United States built a thriving States— Whereas the United States has committed middle class by funding colleges and univer- (1) approximately 27 percent are older than to strengthen international protection of sities to provide avenues to individual eco- 25 years of age; women and children through the U.S. Strat- nomic opportunity and shared economic (2) 38 percent are enrolled part-time; egy on Women, Peace, and Security, which growth; (3) 24 percent are parents; and aims to ‘‘promote the protection of women Whereas higher education enhances the (4) 86 percent live off-campus; and girls’ human rights; access to humani- economic mobility of individuals, which is Whereas the National Center for Education tarian assistance; and safety from violence, evidenced by— Statistics highlights that completion of the abuse, and exploitation around the world’’, (1) a finding by the Brookings Institute Free Application for Federal Student Aid is as well as through the U.S. Government that the median lifetime earnings of holders one of the best predictors of immediate col- Strategy on Advancing Protection and Care of an associate degree are uniformly greater lege enrollment, as high school seniors who for Children in Adversity; and than the median lifetime earnings of holders complete the form are 84 percent more likely Whereas the international community has of solely a high school diploma; and to begin postsecondary education in the fall prioritized addressing the issue of gender- (2) a finding by the Pew Economic Mobility following high school graduation; based violence in humanitarian contexts by Project that, for an individual born in the Whereas applications for State-based fi- establishing a Safe from the Start initiative, lowest income quintile, obtaining a 4-year nancial aid are available in many States for implemented by the Department of State degree or a higher degree is associated students who do not qualify for Federal stu- and the United States Agency for Inter- with— dent aid; and national Development: Now, therefore, be it (A) an approximately 70 percent dif- Whereas the ongoing impact of the COVID– Resolved, That the Senate— ference in the probability of that indi- 19 pandemic on communities, families, and (1) expresses grave concern for the massive vidual earning an income outside the low- educational systems across the United and growing humanitarian needs of Ven- est income quintile; and States underscores and reinforces the value ezuelans, including over 5,400,000 Venezuelan (B) a threefold difference in the prob- of ensuring that all individuals, including refugees and migrants, with particular con- ability of that individual going on to earn students enrolled in high school and working cern for the impact of the displacement cri- an income in the highest income quintile; adults— sis and the COVID–19 pandemic on women Whereas the Bureau of Labor Statistics re- (1) understand their postsecondary options; and children; ports that— (2) understand college financing opportuni- (2) recognizes the many communities (1) the unemployment rate of high school ties; and across Latin America and the Caribbean that graduates in 2019 who did not immediately (3) have support to navigate the college ap- continue to generously receive and host Ven- matriculate to an institution of higher edu- plication and financial aid processes: Now, ezuelan refugees and migrants while also cation the following fall semester was 18.2 therefore, be it fighting to recover from the COVID–19 pan- percent, which is significantly higher than Resolved, That the Senate— demic; the overall unemployment rate of the United (1) designates November 2020 as ‘‘National (3) appreciates participation in the Quito States; College Application Month’’; Process by the Governments of Argentina, (2) approximately 34 percent of high school (2) encourages the people of the United Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, the Do- graduates in 2019 did not immediately ma- States to— minican Republic, Ecuador, Guyana, Mexico, triculate to an institution of higher edu- (A) evaluate options for pursuing higher Panama, Paraguay, Peru, and Uruguay, and cation the following fall semester, which education; encourages implementation of their commit- represents a decline from the prior year in (B) submit a Free Application for Federal ments to strengthen national processes of the rate of immediate matriculation of new Student Aid or an appropriate application documentation and registration and to bol- high school graduates to an institution of for State-based financial aid in order to re- ster protections for Venezuelan refugees and higher education; ceive college financing opportunities; and migrants subject to gender-based violence, (3) the decline described in paragraph (2) (C) support every student, regardless of the human trafficking, and xenophobia; was most notable among African American background, age, or resources of the student,

VerDate Sep 11 2014 04:48 Dec 04, 2020 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00028 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A03DE6.028 S03DEPT1 dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with SENATE December 3, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S7219 in obtaining the skills and knowledge needed SENATE RESOLUTION 793—REMEM- (5) lauds the decision to give medals and to thrive; BERING THE DECEMBER 6, 2019, awards to the law enforcement officers, uni- (3) supports efforts to better assist low-in- TERRORIST ATTACK AT NAVAL formed servicemembers, and civilians who come and first-generation college students AIR STATION PENSACOLA AND responded heroically on the morning of De- throughout the financial aid and college ap- cember 6, 2019; and COMMEMORATING THOSE WHO (6) commends the efforts undertaken by plication process; LOST THEIR LIVES, AND THOSE (4) urges public officials, educators, par- the Department of Defense to enhance secu- WHO WERE INJURED, IN THE ents, students, and communities in the rity at military installations to ensure that United States to observe National College LINE OF DUTY the tragedy represented by the terrorist at- tack is never repeated. Application Month with appropriate activi- Mr. RUBIO (for himself, Mr. SCOTT of ties and programs designed to encourage stu- Florida, Mr. PERDUE, Mr. JONES, Mr. f dents to consider, research, and apply to col- SHELBY, and Mrs. LOEFFLER) submitted lege and for financial aid; and the following resolution; which was SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLU- (5) commends teachers, counselors, men- considered and agreed to: TION 50—URGING THE ESTAB- tors, and parents who support students S. RES. 793 LISHMENT OF A UNITED STATES throughout the college application process, COMMISSION ON TRUTH, RACIAL as well as the organizations and institutions Whereas December 6, 2020, the 1-year anni- versary of the terrorist attack at Naval Air HEALING, AND TRANS- partnering to eliminate barriers to higher Station Pensacola (referred to in this pre- FORMATION education. amble as the ‘‘terrorist attack’’), is a day of Mr. BOOKER (for himself, Mr. MAR- commemoration for those who lost their f lives, and those who were injured, during the KEY, Mr. SANDERS, Mr. BLUMENTHAL, terrorist attack, including— Mr. MENENDEZ, Mr. COONS, Ms. KLO- BUCHAR, Ms. WARREN, Ms. DUCKWORTH, SENATE RESOLUTION 792—TO AU- (1) Ensign Joshua Kaleb Watson of Enter- prise, Alabama; Mr. WHITEHOUSE, Mr. BROWN, and Mr. THORIZE REPRESENTATION BY (2) Aircrewman Third Class Mohammed DURBIN) submitted the following con- THE SENATE LEGAL COUNSEL IN Sameh Haitham of St. Petersburg, Florida; current resolution; which was referred THE CASE OF CHAD MICHAEL and to the Committee on the Judiciary: FREIN V. (3) Aircrewman Third Class Cameron Scott Walters of Richmond Hill, Georgia; S. CON. RES. 50 Mr. MCCONNELL (for himself and Whereas the 3 servicemembers who died in Whereas the first ship carrying enslaved Mr. SCHUMER) submitted the following the terrorist attack were posthumously Africans to what is now known as the United States of America arrived in 1619; resolution; which was considered and awarded the Purple Heart; Whereas the terrorist who committed the Whereas that event 400 years ago was sig- agreed to: terrorist attack was a Saudi Arabian foreign nificant not only because it ushered in the military student who had been radicalized institution of chattel slavery of African S. RES. 792 and established contacts with Al Qaeda Americans, but also because it facilitated Whereas, Senator Dianne Feinstein has operatives prior to attending flight training the systematic oppression of all people of been named as a defendant in the case of at Naval Air Station Pensacola; color that has been a devastating and insuffi- Chad Michael Frein v. Dianne Feinstein, Civil Whereas Naval Air Station Pensacola secu- ciently understood and acknowledged aspect Action No. 20–CV–0252–LJV, currently pend- rity forces and Escambia County, Florida, of our Nation’s history over those past 400 ing in the United States District Court for law enforcement officers took decisive ac- years, and that has left a legacy of that op- the Western District of New York; tion to end the terrorist attack and have pression that haunts our Nation to this day; Whereas, pursuant to sections 703(a) and rightly earned the praises and awards be- Whereas the institution of chattel slavery 704(a)(1) of the Ethics in Government Act of stowed upon them; in the United States subjugated African 1978, 2 U.S.C. §§ 288b(a) and 288c(a)(1), the Whereas 2 civilians were awarded the De- Americans for nearly 250 years, fractured our Senate may direct its counsel to defend partment of the Navy Superior Civilian Nation, and made a mockery of its founding Members of the Senate in civil actions relat- Medal for Valor for their heroic actions dur- principle that ‘‘all men are created equal’’; ing to their official responsibilities: Now ing the terrorist attack; Whereas the signing of the Constitution of therefore, be it Whereas 7 individuals were awarded the the United States failed to end slavery and Purple Heart, or the law enforcement equiva- oppressions against African Americans and Resolved, That the Senate Legal Counsel is lent, for injuries sustained during the ter- other people of color, thus embedding in so- authorized to represent Senator Feinstein in rorist attack; ciety the belief in the myth of a hierarchy of the case of Chad Michael Frein v. Dianne Fein- Whereas 9 military personnel were awarded human value based on superficial physical stein. the Navy and Marine Corps Medal for their characteristics such as skin color and facial heroic actions during the terrorist attack; features, and resulting in purposeful and per- Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, on Whereas 8 military personnel were awarded sistent racial inequities in education, health behalf of myself and the distinguished the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation care, employment, Social Security and vet- Democratic leader, Mr. SCHUMER, I Medal for their heroic actions during the ter- eran benefits, land ownership, financial as- send to the desk a resolution author- rorist attack; sistance, food security, wages, voting rights, Whereas 8 law enforcement officers were and the justice system; izing representation by the Senate awarded the Medal of Valor for their actions Whereas that oppression denied oppor- Legal Counsel and ask for its imme- taken during the terrorist attack; and tunity and mobility to African Americans diate consideration. Whereas December 6, 2020, marks 1 year and other people of color within the United since the lives of 3 military personnel were States, resulting in stolen labor worth bil- Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, this tragically cut short by the egregious act of lions of dollars while ultimately forestalling resolution concerns a civil action pend- terrorism at Naval Air Station Pensacola: landmark contributions that African Ameri- ing in New York federal court against Now, therefore, be it cans and other people of color would make in Senator FEINSTEIN. In this lawsuit, the Resolved, That the Senate— science, arts, commerce, and public service; (1) condemns the December 6, 2019, ter- Whereas Reconstruction represented a sig- pro se plaintiff asserts a jumble of con- rorist attack at Naval Air Station Pensacola nificant but constrained moment of advances fusing allegations claiming that local (referred to in this resolution as the ‘‘ter- for Black rights as epitomized by the Freed- government officials in California have rorist attack’’); man’s Bureau, which negotiated labor con- assaulted him and taken his property. (2) commemorates in sorrow the tracts for ex-enslaved people but failed to se- servicemembers and civilians who lost their cure their own land for them; He appears to sue Senator FEINSTEIN lives, or who were injured, and the harm Whereas the brutal overthrow of Recon- because he wrote to her for assistance, caused to the surrounding community, as a struction failed all individuals in the United and she did not take sufficient action result of the terrorist attack; States by failing to ensure the safety and se- to satisfy plaintiff. Plaintiff’s suit is (3) remembers Ensign Joshua Kaleb Wat- curity of African Americans and by subject to dismissal on jurisdictional son, Aircrewman Third Class Mohammed emboldening States and municipalities in Sameh Haitham, and Aircrewman Third both the North and South to enact numerous grounds and failure to state a claim. Class Cameron Scott Walters, who were laws and policies to stymie the socio- This resolution would authorize the killed in the terrorist attack; economic mobility and political voice of Senate Legal Counsel to represent Sen- (4) expresses gratitude for the heroic ac- freed Blacks, thus maintaining their subser- ator FEINSTEIN in order to seek dis- tions that the civilians, uniformed per- vience to Whites; missal of this suit. sonnel, and law enforcement performed in Whereas Reconstruction, the civil rights the aftermath of the terrorist attack; movement, and other efforts to redress the

VerDate Sep 11 2014 04:48 Dec 04, 2020 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00029 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A03DE6.036 S03DEPT1 dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with SENATE S7220 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE December 3, 2020 grievances of marginalized people were sabo- Whereas those discriminatory government merated in this resolution, but also to their taged, both intentionally and unintention- actions, among other government policies descendants; and ally, by those in power, thus rendering the that have had racially disparate impacts, (2) urges the establishment of a United accomplishments of those efforts transitory have disproportionately barred African States Commission on Truth, Racial Heal- and unsustainable, and further embedding Americans and other people of color from ing, and Transformation to properly ac- the racial hierarchy in society; building wealth, thus limiting potential cap- knowledge, memorialize, and be a catalyst Whereas examples of government actions ital and exacerbating the racial wealth gap; for progress toward— directed against populations of color (re- Whereas research has shown that the per- (A) jettisoning the belief in a hierarchy of ferred to in this resolution as ‘‘discrimina- sistent racial wealth gap has had a signifi- human value; tory government actions’’) include— cant negative impact on other racial dispari- (B) embracing our common humanity; and (1) the creation of the Federal Housing Ad- ties, such as the achievement gap, disparities (C) permanently eliminating persistent ra- ministration, which adopted specific policies in school dropout rates, income gaps, dis- cial inequities. designed to incentivize residential segrega- parities in home ownership rates, health out- f tion; come disparities, and disparities in incarcer- (2) the enactment of legislation creating ation rates; AUTHORITY FOR COMMITTEES TO the Social Security program, for which most Whereas United States civic leaders and MEET African Americans were purposely rendered foundations have spearheaded critical efforts Mr. BLUNT. Mr. President, I have 3 ineligible during its first 2 decades; to advance racial healing, understanding, (3) the Servicemen’s Readjustment Act of and transformation within the United requests for committees to meet during 1944 (commonly known as the ‘‘G.I. Bill of States, recognizing that it is in our collec- today’s session of the Senate. They Rights’’; 58 Stat. 284, chapter 268), which left tive national interest to urgently address have the approval of the Majority and administration of its programs to the States, the unhealed, entrenched divisions that will Minority leaders. thus enabling blatant discrimination against severely undermine our democracy if they Pursuant to rule XXVI, paragraph African American veterans; are allowed to continue to exist; (4) the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, 5(a), of the Standing Rules of the Sen- Whereas many of the most far-reaching which allowed labor unions to discriminate ate, the following committees are au- based on race; victories for racial healing in the United thorized to meet during today’s session (5) subprime lending aimed purposefully at States have been greatly enhanced by the in- of the Senate: families of color; volvement, support, and dedication of indi- COMMITTEE ON ARMED SERVICES (6) disenfranchisement of Native Ameri- viduals from any and all racial groups; cans, who, until 1924, were denied citizenship Whereas at the same time, much of the The Committee on Armed Services is on land Native Americans had occupied for progress toward racial healing and racial eq- authorized to meet during the session millennia; uity in the United States has been limited or of the Senate on Thursday, December (7) Federal Indian Boarding School policy reversed by our failure to address the root 3, 2020, at a time to be determined, to during the 19th and 20th centuries, the pur- cause of racism, the belief in the myth of a conduct a hearing on nomination. pose of which was to ‘‘civilize’’ Native chil- hierarchy of human value based on super- COMMITTEE ON HOMELAND SECURITY AND dren through methods intended to eradicate ficial physical characteristics such as skin GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS Native cultures, traditions, and languages; color and facial features; (8) land policies toward Indian Tribes, such Whereas the United States institution of The Committee on Homeland Secu- as the allotment policy, which caused the slavery, as well as other examples enumer- rity and Governmental Affairs is au- loss of over 90,000,000 acres of Tribal lands, ated in this resolution, represent intentional thorized to meet during the session of even though two-thirds of that acreage was and blatant violations of the most basic the Senate on Thursday, December 3, guaranteed to Indian Tribes by treaties and right of every individual in the United 2020, at 10 a.m., to conduct a hearing. other Federal laws, and similar unjustified States to a free and decent life; COMMITTEE ON THE JUDICIARY land grabs from Indian Tribes that occurred Whereas the consequences of oppression regionally throughout the late 1800s and into against people of color have cascaded for The Committee on the Judiciary is the termination era in the 1950s and 1960s; centuries, across generations, beyond the era authorized to meet during the session (9) the involuntary removal of Mexicans of active enslavement, imperiling for de- of the Senate on Thursday, December and United States citizens of Mexican de- scendants of slaves and other targets of op- 3, 2020, at 10 a.m., to conduct a hearing scent through large-scale discriminatory de- pression what should have otherwise been on nomination. portation programs in the 1930s and 1950s; the right of every individual in the United COMMITTEE ON RULES AND ADMINISTRATION (10) the United States annexation of Puer- States to life, liberty, and the pursuit of hap- to Rico, which made Puerto Ricans citizens piness; The Committee on Rules and Admin- of the United States without affording them Whereas more than 40 countries have reck- istration is authorized to meet during voting rights; oned with historical injustice and its after- the session of the Senate on Thursday, (11) racial discrimination against Latino math through forming Truth and Reconcili- December 3, 2020, at 10 a.m., to conduct Americans, which has forced Latino Ameri- ation Commissions to move toward restora- a closed briefing. cans to fight continuously for equal access tive justice and to return dignity to their f to employment, housing, health care, finan- citizens; cial services, and education; Whereas for 3 decades there has been a THE CALENDAR (12) the Act entitled ‘‘An Act to execute growing movement inside and outside Con- certain treaty stipulations relating to Chi- Mr. BLUNT. Mr. President, I ask gress to have the Federal Government de- nese’’, approved May 6, 1892 (commonly unanimous consent that the Com- velop material remedies for the institution known as the ‘‘Chinese Exclusion Act’’; 22 of slavery, including through a Commission mittee on Homeland Security and Gov- Stat. 58, chapter 126), which effectively halt- to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals ernment Affairs be discharged and the ed immigration from China and barred Chi- for African-Americans described in H.R. 40, Senate proceed to the immediate con- nese immigrants from becoming citizens of 116th Congress, as introduced on January 3, sideration of the following bills, en the United States, and which was the first 2019; instance of xenophobic legislation signed bloc: H.R. 2246, H.R. 4279, S. 4409, H.R. Whereas the formation of a United States into law specifically targeting a specific 2969, H.R. 3275, H.R. 3847, H.R. 3870, H.R. Commission on Truth, Racial Healing, and group of people based on ethnicity; 4034, H.R. 4200, H.R. 4672, H.R. 4785, H.R. Transformation does not supplant the forma- (13) the treatment of Japanese Americans, 4975, H.R. 5062, H.R. 5317, S. 4684, H.R. tion of a Commission to Study and Develop despite no evidence of disloyalty, as suspect Reparation Proposals for African-Americans, 2454, H.R. 3005, H.R. 3680, H.R. 4725, H.R. and traitorous in the very country they but rather complements that effort; and 4875, H.R. 4971, H.R. 5307, and H.R. 5954. helped to build, leading most notably to the Whereas contemporary social science, med- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there mass incarceration of Japanese Americans ical science, and the rapidly expanding use of objection to proceeding to the bills, en beginning in 1942; (14) the conspiracy to overthrow the King- artificial intelligence and social media re- bloc? dom of Hawaii and annex the land of the veal the costs and potential threats to our There being no objection, the com- Kingdom of Hawaii, without the consent of democracy if we continue to allow unhealed, mittee was discharged and the Senate or compensation to the Native Hawaiian peo- entrenched divisions to be ignored and ex- proceeded to consider the bills, en bloc. ple of Hawaii; and ploited: Now, therefore, be it Mr. BLUNT. I ask unanimous consent (15) the United States history of colo- Resolved by the Senate (the House of Rep- that the bills, en bloc, be read a third nialism in the Pacific, which has resulted in resentatives concurring), That Congress— time and passed and that the motions economic, health, and educational dispari- (1) affirms, on the 400th anniversary of the ties among other inequities, for people in arrival of the first slave ship to the United to reconsider be considered made and United States territories, as well as inde- States, that the Nation owes a long-overdue laid upon the table, all en bloc. pendent nations with which the United debt of remembrance to not only those who The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there States has treaty obligations; lived through the egregious injustices enu- objection?

VerDate Sep 11 2014 04:48 Dec 04, 2020 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00030 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A03DE6.039 S03DEPT1 dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with SENATE December 3, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S7221 Without objection, it is so ordered. was ordered to a third reading, was Service located at 1201 Sycamore f read the third time, and passed. Square Drive in Midlothian, Virginia, f as the ‘‘Dorothy Braden Bruce Post Of- DEPUTY DONALD WILLIAM DURR, fice Building’’ was ordered to a third REVEREND CURTIS WEST HARRIS CORPORAL ZACH MOAK, AND PA- reading, was read the third time, and POST OFFICE BUILDING TROLMAN JAMES WHITE MEMO- passed. RIAL POST OFFICE BUILDING A bill (H.R. 3847) to designate the fa- f The bill (H.R. 2246) to designate the cility of the United States Postal Serv- OFFICER ROBERT GERMAN POST facility of the United States Postal ice located at 117 West Poythress OFFICE BUILDING Service located at 201 West Cherokee Street in Hopewell, Virginia, as the Street in Brookhaven, Mississippi, as ‘‘Reverend Curtis West Harris Post Of- The bill (H.R. 5062) to designate the the ‘‘Deputy Donald William Durr, Cor- fice Building’’ was ordered to a third facility of the United States Postal poral Zach Moak, and Patrolman reading, was read the third time, and Service located at 9930 Conroy James White Memorial Post Office passed. Windermere Road in Windermere, Flor- Building’’ was ordered to a third read- f ida, as the ‘‘Officer Robert German ing, was read the third time, and NORMANDIA MALDONADO POST Post Office Building’’ was ordered to a passed. OFFICE BUILDING third reading, was read the third time, and passed. f A bill (H.R. 3870) to designate the fa- f MELINDA GENE PICCOTTI POST cility of the United States Postal Serv- OFFICE ice located at 511 West 165th Street in DEPUTY SANDEEP SINGH New York, New York, as the DHALIWAL POST OFFICE BUILDING The bill (H.R. 4279) to designate the ‘‘Normandia Maldonado Post Office The bill (H.R. 5317) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Building’’ was ordered to a third read- Service located at 445 Main Street in facility of the United States Postal ing, was read the third time, and Service located at 315 Addicks Howell Laceyville, Pennsylvania, as the passed. ‘‘Melinda Gene Piccotti Post Office’’ Road in Houston, Texas, as the ‘‘Dep- f was ordered to a third reading, was uty Sandeep Singh Dhaliwal Post Of- read the third time, and passed. JOHN HENRY TURPIN POST fice Building’’ was ordered to a third OFFICE BUILDING reading, was read the third time, and f passed. A bill (H.R. 4034) to designate the fa- LAWRENCE M. ‘LARRY’ WALSH SR. cility of the United States Postal Serv- f POST OFFICE ice located at 602 Pacific Avenue in ROBERT L. BROWN POST OFFICE The bill (S. 4409) to designate the fa- Bremerton, Washington, as the ‘‘John A bill (S. 4684) to designate the facil- cility of the United States Postal Serv- Henry Turpin Post Office Building’’ ity of the United States Postal Service ice located at 303 East Mississippi Ave- was ordered to a third reading, was located at 440 Arapahoe Street in nue in Elwood, Illinois, as the ‘‘Law- read the third time, and passed. Thermopolis, Wyoming, as the ‘‘Robert rence M. ‘Larry’ Walsh Sr. Post Office’’ f L. Brown Post Office’’ was ordered to was ordered to be engrossed for a third SERGEANT DAVID KINTERKNECHT be engrossed for a third reading, was reading, was read the third time, and POST OFFICE read the third time, and passed as fol- passed, as follows: lows: S. 4409 A bill (H.R. 4200) to designate the fa- cility of the United States Postal Serv- S. 4684 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- resentatives of the United States of America in ice located at 321 South 1st Street in resentatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, Montrose, Colorado, as the ‘‘Sergeant Congress assembled, SECTION 1. LAWRENCE M. ‘‘LARRY’’ WALSH SR. David Kinterknecht Post Office’’ was SECTION 1. ROBERT L. BROWN POST OFFICE. POST OFFICE. ordered to a third reading, was read the (a) DESIGNATION.—The facility of the (a) DESIGNATION.—The facility of the third time, and passed. United States Postal Service located at 440 United States Postal Service located at 303 f East Mississippi Avenue in Elwood, Illinois, Arapahoe Street in Thermopolis, Wyoming, shall be known and designated as the ‘‘Law- PETTY OFFICER 2ND CLASS (SEAL) shall be known and designated as the ‘‘Rob- rence M. ‘Larry’ Walsh Sr. Post Office’’. MATTHEW G. AXELSON POST OF- ert L. Brown Post Office’’. (b) REFERENCES.—Any reference in a law, (b) REFERENCES.—Any reference in a law, FICE BUILDING map, regulation, document, paper, or other map, regulation, document, paper, or other The bill (H.R. 4672) to designate the record of the United States to the facility re- record of the United States to the facility re- ferred to in subsection (a) shall be deemed to facility of the United States Postal ferred to in subsection (a) shall be deemed to be a reference to the ‘‘Lawrence M. ‘Larry’ Service located at 21701 Stevens Creek be a reference to the ‘‘Robert L. Brown Post Walsh Sr. Post Office’’. in Cupertino, California, as Office’’. the ‘‘Petty Officer 2nd Class (SEAL) f f Matthew G. Axelson Post Office Build- BEN REIFEL POST OFFICE ALTHEA MARGARET DAILY MILLS ing’’ was ordered to a third reading, BUILDING POST OFFICE BUILDING was read the third time, and passed. A bill (H.R. 2454) to designate the fa- f The bill (H.R. 2969) to designate the cility of the United States Postal Serv- facility of the United States Postal LANCE CORPORAL RHONALD DAIN ice located at 123 East Sharpfish Street Service located at 1401 1st Street North RAIRDAN POST OFFICE in Rosebud, South Dakota, as the ‘‘Ben in Winter Haven, Florida, as the ‘‘Al- The bill (H.R. 4785) to designate the Reifel Post Office Building’’ was or- thea Margaret Daily Mills Post Office facility of the United States Postal dered to a third reading, was read the Building’’ was ordered to a third read- Service located at 1305 U.S. Highway 90 third time, and passed. ing, was read the third time, and West in Castroville, Texas, as the f passed. ‘‘Lance Corporal Rhonald Dain Rairdan RAY CHAVEZ POST OFFICE f Post Office’’ was ordered to a third BUILDING reading, was read the third time, and LANCE CORPORAL ANDY ‘ACE’ passed. A bill (H.R. 3005) to designate the fa- NOWACKI POST OFFICE f cility of the United States Postal Serv- A bill (H.R. 3275) to designate the fa- ice located at 13308 Midland Road in cility of the United States Postal Serv- DOROTHY BRADEN BRUCE POST Poway, California, as the ‘‘Ray Chavez ice located at 340 Wetmore Avenue in OFFICE BUILDING Post Office Building’’ was ordered to a Grand River, Ohio, as the ‘‘Lance Cor- The bill (H.R. 4975) to designate the third reading, was read the third time, poral Andy ‘Ace’ Nowacki Post Office’’ facility of the United States Postal and passed.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 04:48 Dec 04, 2020 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00031 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G03DE6.037 S03DEPT1 dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with SENATE S7222 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE December 3, 2020 sideration of H.R. 473 and the Senate Mr. BLUNT. I know of no further de- PAULA CROOM ROBINSON AND proceed to its immediate consider- bate on this measure. JUDY SPRAY MEMORIAL POST ation. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there OFFICE BUILDING The PRESIDING OFFICER. The further debate? A bill (H.R. 3680) to designate the fa- clerk will report the bill by title. Hearing none, the question is on cility of the United States Postal Serv- The senior assistant legislative clerk adoption of the resolution. ice located at 415 North Main Street in read as follows: The resolution (S. Res. 791) was Henning, Tennessee, as the ‘‘Paula A bill (H.R. 473) to authorize the Every agreed to. Croom Robinson and Judy Spray Me- Word We Utter Monument to establish a Mr. BLUNT. I ask unanimous consent morial Post Office Building’’ was or- commemorative work in the District of Co- that the preamble be agreed to and the dered to a third reading, was read the lumbia and its environs, and for other pur- motions to reconsider be considered third time, and passed. poses. made and laid upon the table with no f There being no objection, the com- intervening action or debate. mittee was discharged, and the Senate The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there CHAPLAIN (CAPT.) DALE GOETZ proceeded to consider the bill. objection? MEMORIAL POST OFFICE BUILD- Mr. BLUNT. Mr. President, I ask Without objection, it is so ordered. ING unanimous consent that the bill be The preamble was agreed to. A bill (H.R. 4725) to designate the fa- considered read a third time and (The resolution, with its preamble, is cility of the United States Postal Serv- passed, and the motion to reconsider be printed in today’s RECORD under ‘‘Sub- ice located at 8585 Criterion Drive in considered made and laid upon the mitted Resolutions.’’) table. Colorado Springs, Colorado, as the f ‘‘Chaplain (Capt.) Dale Goetz Memorial The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there Post Office Building’’ was ordered to a objection? AUTHORIZING REPRESENTATION third reading, was read the third time, Without objection, it is so ordered. BY THE SENATE LEGAL COUN- and passed. The bill (H.R. 473) was ordered to a SEL IN THE CASE OF CHAD MI- third reading, was read the third time, f CHAEL FREIN V DIANNE FEIN- and passed. STEIN LANCE CPL. STACY ‘ANNIE’ f DRYDEN POST OFFICE Mr. BLUNT. Mr. President, I ask DIRECTING THE CLERK OF THE unanimous consent that the Senate The bill (H.R. 4875) to designate the HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES proceed to the consideration of S. Res. facility of the United States Postal TO MAKE A CORRECTION IN THE 792, submitted earlier today. Service located at 2201 E. Maple Street ENROLLMENT OF H.R. 1830 The PRESIDING OFFICER. The in North Canton, Ohio, as the ‘‘Lance Mr. BLUNT. Mr. President, I ask clerk will report the resolution by Cpl. Stacy ‘Annie’ Dryden Post Office’’ unanimous consent that the Senate title. was ordered to a third reading, was proceed to the immediate consider- The senior assistant legislative clerk read the third time, and passed. ation of H. Con. Res. 125, which was re- read as follows: f ceived from the House and is at the A resolution (S. Res. 792) to authorize rep- resentation by the Senate Legal Counsel in NORMAN DUNCAN POST OFFICE desk. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The the case of Chad Michael Frein v Dianne BUILDING Feinstein. clerk will report the concurrent resolu- The bill (H.R. 4971) to designate the tion by title. There being no objection, the Senate facility of the United States Postal The senior assistant legislative clerk proceeded to consider the resolution. Service located at 15 East Market read as follows: Mr. BLUNT. I ask unanimous consent Street in Leesburg, Virginia, as the A concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 125) that the resolution be agreed to, the ‘‘Norman Duncan Post Office Building’’ directing the Clerk of the House of Rep- preamble be agreed to, and the motions was ordered to a third reading, was resentatives to make a correction in the en- to reconsider be considered made and read the third time, and passed. rollment of H.R. 1830. laid upon the table with no intervening f There being no objection, the Senate action or debate. proceeded to consider the concurrent The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without POSTMASTER ROBERT INGRAM objection, it is so ordered. POST OFFICE resolution. Mr. BLUNT. I ask unanimous consent The resolution (S. Res. 792) was The bill (H.R. 5307) to designate the that the resolution be agreed to and agreed to. facility of the United States Postal the motion to reconsider be considered The preamble was agreed to. Service located at 115 Nicol Avenue in made and laid upon the table with no (The resolution, with its preamble, is Thomasville, Alabama, as the ‘‘Post- intervening action or debate. printed in today’s RECORD under ‘‘Sub- master Robert Ingram Post Office’’ was The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without mitted Resolutions.’’) ordered to a third reading, was read the objection, it is so ordered. f third time, and passed. The concurrent resolution (H. Con. f Res. 125) was agreed to. REMEMBERING THE DECEMBER 6, f 2019, TERRORIST ATTACK AT HOLLY VETERANS MEMORIAL NAVAL AIR STATION PENSACOLA POST OFFICE NATIONAL COLLEGE APPLICATION AND COMMEMORATING THOSE The bill (H.R. 5954) to designate the MONTH WHO LOST THEIR LIVES, AND facility of the United States Postal Mr. BLUNT. Mr. President, I ask THOSE WHO WERE INJURED, IN Service located at 108 West Maple unanimous consent that the Senate THE LINE OF DUTY Street in Holly, Michigan, as the proceed to the consideration of S. Res. Mr. BLUNT. Mr. President, I ask ‘‘Holly Veterans Memorial Post Office’’ 791 submitted earlier today. unanimous consent that the Senate was ordered to a third reading, was The PRESIDING OFFICER. The proceed to the consideration of S. Res. read the third time, and passed. clerk will report the resolution by 793, submitted earlier today. f title. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The The senior assistant legislative clerk clerk will report the resolution by AUTHORIZING THE EVERY WORD read as follows: title. WE UTTER MONUMENT A resolution (S. Res. 791) designating No- The senior assistant legislative clerk Mr. BLUNT. Mr. President, I ask vember 2020 as ‘‘National College Applica- read as follows: tion Month’’. unanimous consent that the Com- A resolution (S. Res. 793) remembering the mittee on Energy and Natural Re- There being no objection, the Senate December 6, 2019, terrorist attack at Naval sources be discharged from further con- proceeded to consider the resolution. Air Station Pensacola and commemorating

VerDate Sep 11 2014 22:26 Dec 10, 2020 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00032 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\RECORD20\DECEMBER\S03DE0.REC S03DE0 sradovich on DSKJLST7X2PROD with CONG-REC-ONLINE December 3, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S7223 those who lost their lives, and those who deemed expired, the Journal of pro- NOMINATIONS were injured, in the line of duty. ceedings be approved to date, the time Executive nomination received by There being no objection, the Senate for the two leaders be reserved for their the Senate: proceeded to consider the resolution. use later in the day, and morning busi- IN THE ARMY Mr. BLUNT. I ask unanimous consent ness be closed; further, that following that the resolution be agreed to, the THE FOLLOWING NAMED OFFICER FOR APPOINTMENT leader remarks, the Senate proceed to IN THE UNITED STATES ARMY TO THE GRADE INDICATED preamble be agreed to, and the motions executive session and resume consider- WHILE ASSIGNED TO A POSITION OF IMPORTANCE AND to reconsider be considered made and ation of the Schwartz nomination. Fi- RESPONSIBILITY UNDER TITLE 10, U.S.C., SECTION 601: laid upon the table with no intervening nally, notwithstanding rule XXII, I ask To be lieutenant general action or debate. that the cloture motions filed during LT. GEN. BRYAN P. FENTON The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there today’s session of the Senate ripen at f objection? 5:30 p.m. on Monday. Without objection, it is so ordered. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without CONFIRMATIONS The resolution (S. Res. 793) was objection, it is so ordered. agreed to. Executive nominations confirmed by The preamble was agreed to. the Senate December 3, 2020: f (The resolution, with its preamble, is OFFICE OF SURFACE MINING RECLAMATION AND printed in today’s RECORD under ‘‘Sub- ENFORCEMENT mitted Resolutions.’’) ADJOURNMENT UNTIL MONDAY, LANNY ERDOS, OF OHIO, TO BE DIRECTOR OF THE OF- DECEMBER 7, 2020, AT 3 P.M. FICE OF SURFACE MINING RECLAMATION AND ENFORCE- f MENT. ORDERS FOR MONDAY, DECEMBER Mr. BLUNT. Mr. President, if there is FEDERAL RESERVE SYSTEM 7, 2020 no further business to come before the CHRISTOPHER WALLER, OF MINNESOTA, TO BE A MEM- Senate, I ask unanimous consent that BER OF THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS OF THE FEDERAL Mr. BLUNT. Mr. President, I ask RESERVE SYSTEM FOR A TERM OF FOURTEEN YEARS unanimous consent that when the Sen- it stand adjourned under the previous FROM FEBRUARY 1, 2016. ate completes its business today, it ad- order. THE JUDICIARY journ until 3 p.m., Monday, December There being no objection, the Senate, LIAM P. HARDY, OF VIRGINIA, TO BE A JUDGE OF THE 7; further, that following the prayer at 5:09 p.m., adjourned until Monday, UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE ARMED FORCES FOR THE TERM OF FIFTEEN YEARS TO EXPIRE and pledge, the morning hour be December 7, 2020, at 3 p.m. ON THE DATE PRESCRIBED BY LAW.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 04:48 Dec 04, 2020 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00033 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 9801 E:\CR\FM\G03DE6.041 S03DEPT1 dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with SENATE December 3, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E1083 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS

PERSONAL EXPLANATION sional and community roles. Her spirit and en- The majority of Albert’s working life was with ergy have helped thousands of people across General Motors, Packard Electric Division. HON. our country, and I know she will be sorely During one period, when he was laid off from OF NORTH CAROLINA missed. General Motors, he purchased a Dairy Queen I join with Dr. Albright’s colleagues, peers, in Windham, Ohio, and operated it for several IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES and all those she has served throughout her years. Thursday, December 3, 2020 career to thank her for her outstanding efforts Mr. Sipka is a great supporter of the Boy Mr. BUDD. Madam Speaker, I missed votes to better the lives of others, and I wish her Scouts of America, having been active in because I tested positive for Covid-19. many happy years of retirement. scouting and taking numerous canoe trips to Had I been present, I would have voted f Canada over the years. Albert’s Christian faith is a deep aspect of his life. He has also en- YEA on No. 228. CONGRATULATING FATIMA HIGH f joyed traveling, snorkeling, canoeing, and gar- SCHOOL’S CROSS COUNTRY dening. PERSONAL EXPLANATION TEAM FOR WINNING THE 2020 Albert contributes his long life to his family, CLASS III STATE CHAMPIONSHIP having good and hard-working parents and HON. five brothers that always got along. There is no doubt that Albert is a hard-worker and has OF PENNSYLVANIA HON. OF MISSOURI enlisted this trait to his children and grand- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES children. Mr. Sipka’s daughter-in-law, Diane, is Thursday, December 3, 2020 Thursday, December 3, 2020 my neighbor, and I am honored to wish him Mr. RESCHENTHALER. Madam Speaker, the happiest of birthdays. Please join me in Mr. LUETKEMEYER. Madam Speaker, I had I been present, I would have voted YEA congratulating Albert and his family for this rise today to ask my colleagues to join me in on Roll Call No. 228. milestone and thanking him for his service to congratulating the Fatima Comets cross coun- our country. f try team for winning the 2020 Missouri Class f IIN HONOR OF DR. ANN ALBRIGHT III State title. This team and Coach Marc Bridges should IN RECOGNITION OF RYAN BATES HON. DIANA DeGETTE be commended for their hard work throughout this past year and for bringing home the state HON. OF COLORADO title to their school and community. OF MICHIGAN IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Madam Speaker, please join me in recog- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Thursday, December 3, 2020 nizing the Fatima Comets cross country team Thursday, December 3, 2020 for a job well done. Ms. DEGETTE. Madam Speaker, I rise Mrs. DINGELL. Madam Speaker, I rise f today to honor Dr. Ann Albright, and to cele- today to recognize Ryan Bates and his years brate her extraordinary contributions to the di- RECOGNIZING ALBERT GEORGE of distinguished service with Michigan United. abetes community in light of her retirement. SIPKA His leadership and community impact are wor- While I am saddened to see Dr. Albright thy of commendation. leave the Centers for Disease Control and HON. TIM RYAN Ryan Bates is the founding director of Michi- Prevention, I know we are all eternally grateful OF OHIO gan United, a statewide coalition of 100 orga- for the time she has spent—both at the CDC, IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES nizations that work together to achieve eco- and throughout her career—as a national nomic, social, and racial justice in Michigan. In leader in the fight against diabetes. Thursday, December 3, 2020 this capacity, Ryan has led the coalition to ex- While at the CDC, she led the development Mr. RYAN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to tend its mission statewide, encouraging all to and implementation of the National Diabetes recognize Mr. Albert George Sipka, of Warren, use their voices to advocate for a just, equi- Prevention Program—the nation’s top program Ohio, who will soon celebrate his 100th birth- table, and sustainable future. As a Michigan- working to prevent and delay the onset of type day on December 12th. native and graduate of the University of Michi- 2 diabetes. Albert was born to George and Susan Sipka gan, Ryan deeply understands the needs of Dr. Albright’s innovative approach to diabe- in Duquesne, Pennslyvania in 1920. Albert the state community and has dedicated his ca- tes prevention translated a well-established was raised in Newton Falls, Ohio, which is lo- reer to effecting positive change throughout preventative care study into a successful, na- cated in my Congressional District. He grad- the state. Previously, Ryan has been an orga- tionwide program. Her work to expand access uated from Newtown Falls High School in nizer for the Michigan Raise the Wage Coali- to diabetes care was unparalleled—she also 1938. tion, Environment Michigan, and the Gamaliel spent time working with the Centers for Medi- Mr. Sipka enlisted in the Navy on October Foundation. In addition, Ryan has overseen care & Medicaid Services to establish and im- 16, 1942 and served until November of 1945. four successful Michigan State House races plement Medicare coverage for the National During his service, he served as a cook on a and worked with Reform Immigration for DPP lifestyle intervention program. ship in the Pacific. Four of the six Sipka broth- America across the Midwest. Prior to her time at the CDC, Dr. Albright ers bravely served during World War II. Taking Throughout Michigan, Ryan Bates is recog- served as Chief of the California Diabetes Pro- advantage of the GI Bill, Albert graduated from nized as a humble, compassionate, and effec- gram for the California Department of Health Kent State University in 1951 with a degree in tive leader who strives to make a difference. Services. She also served as President of Business Administration. He seeks to build bridges that unite commu- Health Care and Education for the American Shortly before enlisting, Albert married the nities and draw people together, and he has Diabetes Association, Senior Health Policy Ad- love of his life, Theresa Novak. They married committed himself to fighting for a brighter fu- visor in the Office of the United States Sur- on February 8, 1942 and had two children, Al- ture for all. Ryan has been a strong voice for geon General and led the Secretary of bert and Elaine. He also has four grand- communities across Michigan and has brought Health’s Diabetes Detection Initiative. children—Jessica, Donna, Albert, and Allison. critical awareness to significant issues affect- I’m among the countless people who have Albert also took care of his dear Theresa dur- ing the state. His leadership has made a last- been lucky enough to work alongside Dr. ing her 15-year battle with Alzheimer’s. This ing difference, and we are grateful for his Albright as we search for innovative ways to show’s how serious Albert was to the vows of years of dedicated service. treat and prevent diabetes. We appreciate her his marriage, his character, and his dedication Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join compassion and dedication in all her profes- to family. me in honoring Ryan Bates. We are proud to

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

VerDate Sep 11 2014 14:08 Dec 04, 2020 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A03DE8.001 E03DEPT1 dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with REMARKS E1084 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks December 3, 2020 celebrate his work, accomplishments, and sig- sult for a COVID–19 infection during the most CONGRATULATING CALVARY LU- nificant community impact. We thank him for recent district work period, I was unable to THERAN HIGH SCHOOL’S CROSS his outstanding leadership and wish him the travel to the Capitol to vote on December 2, COUNTRY TEAM FOR WINNING best of luck in his future endeavors. 2020. THE 2020 CLASS I STATE CHAM- f Had I been present, I would have voted PIONSHIP YEA on Roll Call No. 228. PERSONAL EXPLANATION HON. BLAINE LUETKEMEYER f HON. SUSAN W. BROOKS OF MISSOURI OF INDIANA RECOGNIZING THE HARD WORK OF IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES WILLINGBORO OFFICER SALLY Thursday, December 3, 2020 LANDRUM Thursday, December 3, 2020 Mr. LUETKEMEYER. Madam Speaker, I Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana. Madam Speaker, rise today to ask my colleagues to join me in I was not present for the following roll call HON. ANDY KIM congratulating the Calvary Lutheran Lions vote. Had I been present, I would have voted OF NEW JERSEY cross country team for winning the 2020 Mis- as follows: Roll Call 228: H.R. 7995 Coin IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES souri Class I State title. Metal Modification Authorization and Cost Thursday, December 3, 2020 This is the Calvary Lutheran high school’s Savings Act—On the Motion To Suspend the first state championship in school history. This Rules and Pass the Bill—YEA. Mr. KIM. Madam Speaker, I rise today to team should be commended for their hard f honor Officer Sally Landrum. She is one of work throughout this past year and for bringing just twenty-three officers in our nation to re- home the state title to their school and com- CELEBRATING THE LIFE AND LEG- ceive the U.S. Attorney General’s Award for munity. ACY OF SCIOTO COUNTY COM- Distinguished Service in Community Policing. Madam Speaker, please join me in recog- MISSIONER MICHAEL CRABTREE I, and the town of Willingboro, cannot be nizing the Calvary Lutheran Lions cross coun- prouder of her. try team for a job well done. HON. BRAD R. WENSTRUP The Attorney General Award for Distin- OF OHIO guished Service in Community Policing is f IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES given to exceptional officers who have gone COMMEMORATING COMMISSIONER Thursday, December 3, 2020 above and beyond their call of duty to protect their communities, implementing ‘‘innovative ED HUMPHREY’S SERVICE TO Mr. WENSTRUP. Madam Speaker, I rise community policing strategies, criminal inves- CLERMONT COUNTY today to mourn the death and celebrate the tigations, and field operations that have prov- life of Scioto County, Ohio Commissioner Mi- en effective in enforcing our laws.’’ The Attor- HON. BRAD R. WENSTRUP chael Crabtree, who passed from this Earth ney General could not have picked a better of- earlier this week. OF OHIO ficer than Officer Landrum, who exemplifies IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Mike was a staple of the community, a dedi- good community policing. cated public servant, and an unwavering advo- Officer Landrum has been a stalwart of the Thursday, December 3, 2020 cate for Scioto County. His love of country and community. Throughout her time at the Mr. WENSTRUP. Madam Speaker, I am commitment to bettering our community were Willingboro Police Department, Officer honored to recognize Commissioner Ed Hum- indisputable. Landrum has organized story times, toiletry Michael Crabtree was a true patriot who phrey for his years of tireless service and drives for the homeless, a resiliency program served in the US Army with the 82nd Airborne dedication to the Clermont County community for officers in distress, and elderly training pro- Division, then stayed engaged in many civic as he is set to retire at the end of the year. grams. I commend Officer Landrum for her organizations, ultimately serving 18 years as Commissioner Humphrey has been a fixture of work, and I know I speak on behalf of my con- County Commissioner. Clermont County for his entire life, and his stituents across Burlington and Ocean County While Mike’s earthly mission is complete, service to our community has been felt for when I say this award is well-deserved. his impact on Scioto County and all that knew generations. him will be felt for generations as his legacy Mr. Humphrey’s early volunteer work as a lives on. f firefighter with the Miamiville Fire Department led to the development of the Life Squad on We are all forever grateful for his service PERSONAL EXPLANATION and I will miss working with him. which he served as EMS Chief for 12 years. I ask for everyone to join me in praying for He went on to serve as Fire Chief from 1987 Mike’s wife, Dianna, his friends and family, for HON. KEN CALVERT to 1989 before transitioning to elected official the community he served, and the lives Mike OF CALIFORNIA to serve on the Miami Township Board of touched. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Trustees. During his time as trustee, Mr. Humphrey f Thursday, December 3, 2020 helped facilitate profound change in Miami PERSONAL EXPLANATION Mr. CALVERT. Madam Speaker, I was un- Township. He improved Fire and EMS serv- fortunately prevented from traveling and un- ices, police services, established a first-class HON. able to make votes on December 2, 2020. park system, and more. OF INDIANA Had I been present I would have voted in Beyond his government roles, Mr. Hum- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES favor of H.R. 7995. phrey devoted countless hours to a variety of Thursday, December 3, 2020 community programs: coaching youth sports, f serving as President of the Clermont County Mrs. WALORSKI. Madam Speaker, on 12/2/ Township Association and Chairperson of the PERSONAL EXPLANATION 2020, I was unavoidably detained. Clermont County Health District Advisory Had I been present, I would have voted Council, and joining his local masonic lodge, YEA on Roll Call No. 228. HON. Milford Lodge 54 F. & A.M. f OF LOUISIANA It is a privilege to know Mr. Humphrey, not PERSONAL EXPLANATION IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES only because of his incredible service to our community, but also as a friend. He has led a Thursday, December 3, 2020 HON. life of service devoted to his commitment to Mr. GRAVES of Louisiana. Madam Speaker, leave his community better than he found it. OF NORTH CAROLINA I was notified that I was exposed to COVID– I wish Mr. Humphrey the best on his well- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 19 and am following quarantine guidelines set deserved retirement. I know I can speak on Thursday, December 3, 2020 by the CDC. behalf of myself and the Clermont County Ms. FOXX of North Carolina. Madam Had I been present, I would have voted community when I say we are grateful for his Speaker, due to a test indicating a positive re- YEA on Roll Call No. 228. many years of service.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 14:08 Dec 04, 2020 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A03DE8.006 E03DEPT1 dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with REMARKS December 3, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E1085 PERSONAL EXPLANATION Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join his journey on Earth might be over, his legacy me in honoring Dr. Rupert Lewis as he deliv- will live on in the advice he gave, the stories HON. DAVID N. CICILLINE ers the keynote speech at The PuLSE Institute he told, and the people he brought together. OF RHODE ISLAND Literary Circle Forum. Dr. Lewis’s academic Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join expertise continues to make a difference, and me in honoring the life of Zachary ‘‘Zac’’ IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES his testimony will enhance our community’s Plantz. He was a man who lived his life for Thursday, December 3, 2020 understanding of the role the Caribbean has others and brought joy into the world. I know Mr. CICILLINE. Madam Speaker, had I been played within our own nation. that Zac’s passion and commitment to his present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call f family, friends, and community will have a last- ing impact on all of us. No. 228. HONORING THE LIFE OF MR. f ZACHARY JACOB ‘‘ZAC’’ PLANTZ f IN RECOGNITION OF DR. RUPERT TRIBUTE TO FORMER REPRESENT- LEWIS HON. DANIEL LIPINSKI ATIVE ROBERT FREEMAN ‘‘BOB’’ OF ILLINOIS SMITH HON. DEBBIE DINGELL IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF MICHIGAN Thursday, December 3, 2020 HON. PETER A. DeFAZIO IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Mr. LIPINSKI. Madam Speaker, I rise today OF OREGON Thursday, December 3, 2020 to honor the life of my dedicated staff member IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES and friend, Zachary Jacob ‘‘Zac’’ Plantz. His Thursday, December 3, 2020 Mrs. DINGELL. Madam Speaker, I rise life was tragically taken in a car accident on today to recognize Dr. Rupert Lewis as he de- November 26th at the age of 27. Zac was an Mr. DEFAZIO. Madam Speaker, I rise today livers the keynote speech at The PuLSE Insti- incredibly gifted young man who had immeas- to pay tribute to the life of former Representa- tute Literary Circle Forum. Dr. Lewis’s signifi- urable potential and the ability to bring joy to tive Robert Freeman ‘‘Bob’’ Smith. cant academic achievements are worthy of others. He loved his family, served his com- I am deeply saddened by the passing of my commendation. munity, and was passionate about helping friend and former colleague and offer my Dr. Rupert Lewis is Professor Emeritus of people. deepest condolences to his friends and family. Political Thought in the Department of Govern- A Frankfort native and lifelong Chicago loy- I served with Bob in Congress for a decade. ment at the University of the West Indies, Ja- alist, Zac was a proud graduate of Providence He spent his life serving Oregonians in various maica. He is a scholar of the Garvey move- Catholic High School and the University of roles, including president of the Public Lands ment and Caribbean radicalism in the twen- Notre Dame where he played for the Fighting Council, and in the Oregon legislature as tieth and twenty-first centuries, and he holds Irish rugby team. After college, Zac began his House Speaker and subsequently Senate Mi- years of experience lecturing political science, career as a successful consultant, but found a nority Leader. He dedicated his life to his com- political thought in the Caribbean, and African new sense of purpose in pursuing his true munity, his constituents, and all Oregonians. and global politics. Currently, Dr. Lewis is a passion for public service. In 2018, Zac began Growing up in Burns, he worked as a ranch- research fellow in the PJ Patterson Centre for his political career by coordinating a Chicago er. His experiences provided a deep knowl- Africa-Caribbean Advocacy at the UWI, work- mayoral campaign for Jerry Joyce, Jr. Last edge of the needs and concerns of rural Or- ing alongside Jamaican Prime Minister PJ year, I brought Zac into my campaign and egonians, and he was one of their fiercest ad- Paterson to strengthen the relationship be- quickly learned what a gifted young man he vocates. Bob was also a man of principle. He tween the Caribbean and Africa. was. Before long, he became my Campaign retired from Congress in 1995, yet ran again Dr. Lewis is recognized globally as a lead- Manager. After the campaign, Zac joined my in 1997 because his successor, a member of ing academic in political thought. He has pub- congressional staff as a Senior Policy Advisor. his own party, had lied about his military serv- lished a host of essays and biographies that During his time in my office, he demonstrated ice, among many other problems. He won, have propelled the academic discipline for- a great ability to bring people together and and when he returned to Congress for what ward and have been formative in scholars’ un- make a difference in the lives of constituents would be his last term, he was elected Chair- derstanding of politics in the Caribbean. Be- in Illinois’s 3rd Congressional District. Zac’s man of the House Agriculture Committee, yond academics, Dr. Lewis is an activist for contagious energy and ability to lift people up placing him in a powerful role championing reparative justice and has earned the Order of was nothing short of remarkable. policies important to rural communities. Distinction, Commander class honor from the Though Zac had many career accomplish- Make no mistake, Bob and I had policy dis- Government of Jamaica for his efforts. Dr. ments in his short life, he also demonstrated agreements, but we were always friends and Lewis’s selection to deliver the keynote his exceptional character through charitable worked together often. One of my fondest speech underscores his wide expertise and endeavors. For the past six years, Zac ran memories is when Bob and I worked along- exemplifies his commitment to enhancing sixty miles in November to raise money for side former Senator Mark Hatfield to designate awareness of the Caribbean’s impacts on the Movember, a charitable organization dedicated the Newberry Crater as a Monument in order global community. As the United States cele- to improving men’s mental health. His efforts to protect the area from energy development. brates the election of Vice President-elect through this organization will have a lasting Though we came from different sides of the , the first Black woman of Ja- impact on countless lives. aisle, this designation effort was just one ex- maican descent to assume the vice presi- Zac was a friend to so many of us and I ex- ample of how we were able to come together dency, Dr. Lewis will provide valuable insight tend my heartfelt condolences to Zac’ s loving as Oregonians to protect the people, re- of the Caribbean’s many contributions to parents Ron and Laura, his siblings Logan, sources, and great outdoors that make Or- United States politics and how it continues to Tyler, and Abby, his longtime girlfriend Kath- egon home. Bob is missed, but his life of serv- shape American political life today. leen, and all of Zac’s family and friends. While ice and inspiring legacy lives on.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 14:08 Dec 04, 2020 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A03DE8.016 E03DEPT1 dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with REMARKS Thursday, December 3, 2020 Daily Digest Senate United States Postal Service located at 1401 1st Chamber Action Street North in Winter Haven, Florida, as the ‘‘Al- Routine Proceedings, pages S7191–S7223 thea Margaret Daily Mills Post Office Building’’, Measures Introduced: Twelve bills and seven reso- and the bill was then passed. Page S7221 lutions were introduced, as follows: S. 4954–4965, S. Lance Corporal Andy ‘Ace’ Nowacki Post Office: Res. 788–793, and S. Con. Res. 50. Page S7214 Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Measures Reported: Affairs was discharged from further consideration of H.R. 2420, to establish within the Smithsonian H.R. 3275, to designate the facility of the United Institution the National Museum of the American States Postal Service located at 340 Wetmore Ave- Latino. nue in Grand River, Ohio, as the ‘‘Lance Corporal S. 959, to establish in the Smithsonian Institution Andy ‘Ace’ Nowacki Post Office’’, and the bill was a comprehensive women’s history museum, with an then passed. Page S7221 amendment in the nature of a substitute. Page S7213 Reverend Curtis West Harris Post Office Build- Measures Passed: ing: Committee on Homeland Security and Govern- mental Affairs was discharged from further consider- Deputy Donald William Durr, Corporal Zach ation of H.R. 3847, to designate the facility of the Moak, and Patrolman James White Memorial Post United States Postal Service located at 117 West Office Building: Committee on Homeland Security Poythress Street in Hopewell, Virginia, as the ‘‘Rev- and Governmental Affairs was discharged from fur- erend Curtis West Harris Post Office Building’’, and ther consideration of H.R. 2246, to designate the fa- the bill was then passed. Page S7221 cility of the United States Postal Service located at Normandia Maldonado Post Office Building: 201 West Cherokee Street in Brookhaven, Mis- Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental sissippi, as the ‘‘Deputy Donald William Durr, Cor- Affairs was discharged from further consideration of poral Zach Moak, and Patrolman James White Me- H.R. 3870, to designate the facility of the United morial Post Office Building’’, and the bill was then States Postal Service located at 511 West 165th passed. Page S7221 Street in New York, New York, as the ‘‘Normandia Melinda Gene Piccotti Post Office: Committee Maldonado Post Office Building’’, and the bill was on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs was then passed. Page S7221 discharged from further consideration of H.R. 4279, John Henry Turpin Post Office Building: Com- to designate the facility of the United States Postal mittee on Homeland Security and Governmental Af- Service located at 445 Main Street in Laceyville, fairs was discharged from further consideration of Pennsylvania, as the ‘‘Melinda Gene Piccotti Post H.R. 4034, to designate the facility of the United Office’’, and the bill was then passed. Page S7221 States Postal Service located at 602 Pacific Avenue Lawrence M. ‘Larry’ Walsh Sr. Post Office: in Bremerton, Washington, as the ‘‘John Henry Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Turpin Post Office Building’’, and the bill was then Affairs was discharged from further consideration of passed. Page S7221 S. 4409, to designate the facility of the United Sergeant David Kinterknecht Post Office: Com- States Postal Service located at 303 East Mississippi mittee on Homeland Security and Governmental Af- Avenue in Elwood, Illinois, as the ‘‘Lawrence M. fairs was discharged from further consideration of ‘Larry’ Walsh Sr. Post Office’’. Page S7221 H.R. 4200, to designate the facility of the United Althea Margaret Daily Mills Post Office Build- States Postal Service located at 321 South 1st Street ing: Committee on Homeland Security and Govern- in Montrose, Colorado, as the ‘‘Sergeant David mental Affairs was discharged from further consider- Kinterknecht Post Office’’, and the bill was then ation of H.R. 2969, to designate the facility of the passed. Page S7221 D1037

VerDate Sep 11 2014 14:28 Dec 04, 2020 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 0627 Sfmt 0627 E:\CR\FM\D03DE0.REC D03DEPT1 dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with DIGEST D1038 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — DAILY DIGEST December 3, 2020 Petty Officer 2nd Class (SEAL) Matthew G. bud, South Dakota, as the ‘‘Ben Reifel Post Office Axelson Post Office Building: Committee on Building’’, and the bill was then passed. Page S7221 Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs was Ray Chavez Post Office Building: Committee on discharged from further consideration of H.R. 4672, Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs was to designate the facility of the United States Postal discharged from further consideration of H.R. 3005, Service located at 21701 Stevens Creek Boulevard in to designate the facility of the United States Postal Cupertino, California, as the ‘‘Petty Officer 2nd Service located at 13308 Midland Road in Poway, Class (SEAL) Matthew G. Axelson Post Office Build- California, as the ‘‘Ray Chavez Post Office Build- ing’’, and the bill was then passed. Page S7221 ing’’, and the bill was then passed. Page S7221 Lance Corporal Rhonald Dain Rairdan Post Of- Paula Croom Robinson and Judy Spray Memo- fice: Committee on Homeland Security and Govern- rial Post Office Building: Committee on Homeland mental Affairs was discharged from further consider- Security and Governmental Affairs was discharged ation of H.R. 4785, to designate the facility of the from further consideration of H.R. 3680, to des- United States Postal Service located at 1305 U.S. ignate the facility of the United States Postal Service Highway 90 West in Castroville, Texas, as the located at 415 North Main Street in Henning, Ten- ‘‘Lance Corporal Rhonald Dain Rairdan Post Office’’, nessee, as the ‘‘Paula Croom Robinson and Judy and the bill was then passed. Page S7221 Spray Memorial Post Office Building’’, and the bill Dorothy Braden Bruce Post Office Building: was then passed. Page S7222 Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Chaplain (Capt.) Dale Goetz Memorial Post Of- Affairs was discharged from further consideration of fice Building: Committee on Homeland Security H.R. 4975, to designate the facility of the United and Governmental Affairs was discharged from fur- States Postal Service located at 1201 Sycamore ther consideration of H.R. 4725, to designate the fa- Square Drive in Midlothian, Virginia, as the ‘‘Doro- cility of the United States Postal Service located at thy Braden Bruce Post Office Building’’, and the bill 8585 Criterion Drive in Colorado Springs, Colorado, was then passed. Page S7221 as the ‘‘Chaplain (Capt.) Dale Goetz Memorial Post Officer Robert German Post Office Building: Office Building’’, and the bill was then passed. Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Page S7222 Affairs was discharged from further consideration of Lance Cpl. Stacy ‘Annie’ Dryden Post Office: H.R. 5062, to designate the facility of the United Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental States Postal Service located at 9930 Conroy Affairs was discharged from further consideration of Windermere Road in Windermere, Florida, as the H.R. 4875, to designate the facility of the United ‘‘Officer Robert German Post Office Building’’, and States Postal Service located at 2201 E. Maple Street the bill was then passed. Page S7221 in North Canton, Ohio, as the ‘‘Lance Cpl. Stacy Deputy Sandeep Singh Dhaliwal Post Office ‘Annie’ Dryden Post Office’’, and the bill was then Building: Committee on Homeland Security and passed. Page S7222 Governmental Affairs was discharged from further Norman Duncan Post Office Building: Com- consideration of H.R. 5317, to designate the facility mittee on Homeland Security and Governmental Af- of the United States Postal Service located at 315 fairs was discharged from further consideration of Addicks Howell Road in Houston, Texas, as the H.R. 4971, to designate the facility of the United ‘‘Deputy Sandeep Singh Dhaliwal Post Office Build- States Postal Service located at 15 East Market Street ing’’, and the bill was then passed. Page S7221 in Leesburg, Virginia, as the ‘‘Norman Duncan Post Robert L. Brown Post Office: Committee on Office Building’’, and the bill was then passed. Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs was Page S7222 discharged from further consideration of S. 4684, to Postmaster Robert Ingram Post Office: Com- designate the facility of the United States Postal mittee on Homeland Security and Governmental Af- Service located at 440 Arapahoe Street in fairs was discharged from further consideration of Thermopolis, Wyoming, as the ‘‘Robert L. Brown H.R. 5307, to designate the facility of the United Post Office’’, and the bill was then passed. States Postal Service located at 115 Nicol Avenue in Page S7221 Thomasville, Alabama, as the ‘‘Postmaster Robert Ben Reifel Post Office Building: Committee on Ingram Post Office’’, and the bill was then passed. Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs was Page S7222 discharged from further consideration of H.R. 2454, Holly Veterans Memorial Post Office: Committee to designate the facility of the United States Postal on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs was Service located at 123 East Sharpfish Street in Rose- discharged from further consideration of H.R. 5954,

VerDate Sep 11 2014 14:28 Dec 04, 2020 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 0627 Sfmt 0627 E:\CR\FM\D03DE0.REC D03DEPT1 dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with DIGEST December 3, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — DAILY DIGEST D1039 to designate the facility of the United States Postal Simington, of Virginia, to be a Member of the Fed- Service located at 108 West Maple Street in Holly, eral Communications Commission. Page S7206 Michigan, as the ‘‘Holly Veterans Memorial Post Of- A motion was entered to close further debate on fice’’, and the bill was then passed. Page S7222 the nomination, and, in accordance with the provi- Every Word We Utter Monument: Committee on sions of Rule XXII of the Standing Rules of the Energy and Natural Resources was discharged from Senate, a vote on cloture will occur upon disposition further consideration of H.R. 473, to authorize the of the nomination of Stephen Sidney Schwartz, of Every Word We Utter Monument to establish a Virginia, to be a Judge of the United States Court commemorative work in the District of Columbia of Federal Claims. Page S7206 and its environs, and the bill was then passed. Prior to the consideration of this nomination, Sen- Page S7222 ate took the following action: Enrollment Correction: Senate agreed to H. Con. Senate agreed to the motion to proceed to Legisla- Res. 125, directing the Clerk of the House of Rep- tive Session. Page S7206 resentatives to make a correction in the enrollment Senate agreed to the motion to proceed to Execu- tive Session to consider the nomination. Page S7206 of H.R. 1830. Page S7222 National College Application Month: Senate Nominations Confirmed: Senate confirmed the fol- agreed to S. Res. 791, designating November 2020 lowing nominations: as ‘‘National College Application Month’’. By 48 yeas to 47 nays (Vote No. EX. 251), Chris- Page S7222 topher Waller, of Minnesota, to be a Member of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System Senate Legal Counsel: Senate agreed to S. Res. for a term of fourteen years from February 1, 2016. 792, to authorize representation by the Senate Legal Pages S7192–97 Counsel in the case of Chad Michael Frein v. Dianne By 59 yeas to 34 nays (Vote No. EX. 253), Liam Feinstein. Page S7222 P. Hardy, of Virginia, to be a Judge of the United Naval Air Station Pensacola Terrorist Attack: States Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces for the Senate agreed to S. Res. 793, remembering the De- term of fifteen years to expire on the date prescribed cember 6, 2019, terrorist attack at Naval Air Station by law. Pages S7197–99 Pensacola and commemorating those who lost their During consideration of this nomination today, lives, and those who were injured, in the line of Senate also took the following action: duty. Pages S7222–23 By 61 yeas to 34 nays (Vote No. EX. 252), Senate Schwartz Nomination—Cloture: Senate began agreed to the motion to close further debate on the consideration of the nomination of Stephen Sidney nomination. Page S7197 Schwartz, of Virginia, to be a Judge of the United Lanny Erdos, of Ohio, to be Director of the Office States Court of Federal Claims. Page S7206 of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement. A motion was entered to close further debate on Page S7208 the nomination, and, in accordance with the provi- Nomination Received: Senate received the fol- sions of Rule XXII of the Standing Rules of the lowing nomination: Senate, and pursuant to the unanimous-consent 1 Army nomination in the rank of general. agreement of Thursday, December 3, 2020, a vote Page S7223 on cloture will occur at 5:30 p.m., on Monday, De- Messages from the House: Page S7210 cember 7, 2020. Page S7206 Prior to the consideration of this nomination, Sen- Measures Referred: Page S7210 ate took the following action: Executive Communications: Pages S7210–12 Senate agreed to the motion to proceed to Execu- Petitions and Memorials: Pages S7212–13 tive Session to consider the nomination. Page S7206 A unanimous-consent agreement was reached pro- Executive Reports of Committees: Pages S7213–14 viding that Senate resume consideration of the nomi- Additional Cosponsors: Pages S7214–16 nation at approximately 3 p.m., on Monday, Decem- Statements on Introduced Bills/Resolutions: ber 7, 2020; and that notwithstanding Rule XXII, Pages S7216–20 the motions to invoke cloture filed during the ses- sion of Thursday, December 3, 2020, ripen at 5:30 Additional Statements: Pages S7209–10 p.m., on Monday, December 7, 2020. Page S7223 Authorities for Committees to Meet: Page S7220 Simington Nomination—Cloture: Senate began Record Votes: Three record votes were taken today. consideration of the nomination of Nathan A. (Total—253) Pages S7196–97, S7199

VerDate Sep 11 2014 14:28 Dec 04, 2020 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 0627 Sfmt 0627 E:\CR\FM\D03DE0.REC D03DEPT1 dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with DIGEST D1040 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — DAILY DIGEST December 3, 2020 Adjournment: Senate convened at 10 a.m. and ad- Kevin R. Brock, former Assistant Director for Intel- journed at 5:09 p.m., until 3 p.m. on Monday, De- ligence, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Department cember 7, 2020. (For Senate’s program, see the re- of Justice; Sharyl Attkisson, Sinclair’s Full Measure, marks of the Acting Majority Leader in today’s Arlington, Virginia; and Lee Smith, Washington, Record on page S7223.) D.C. BUSINESS MEETING Committee Meetings Committee on Rules and Administration: Committee or- (Committees not listed did not meet) dered favorably reported the following business items: BUSINESS MEETING S. 959, to establish in the Smithsonian Institution Committee on Armed Services: Committee ordered favor- a comprehensive women’s history museum, with an ably reported 4,090 nominations in the Army, Navy, amendment in the nature of a substitute; Air Force, Marine Corps, and Space Force. H.R. 2420, to establish within the Smithsonian Institution the National Museum of the American CROSSFIRE HURRICANE Latino; and Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Af- The nominations of Shana M. Broussard, of Lou- fairs: Committee concluded a hearing to examine isiana, Sean J. Cooksey, of Missouri, and Allen Congressional oversight, focusing on a case study of Dickerson, of the District of Columbia, each to be Crossfire Hurricane, after receiving testimony from a Member of the Federal Election Commission. h House of Representatives resentative to Congress for the Fifth Congressional Chamber Action District, State of Georgia. Page H6056 Public Bills and Resolutions Introduced: 27 pub- Whole Number of the House: The Speaker an- lic bills, H.R. 8843–8869; and 2 resolutions, H. nounced to the House that, in light of the adminis- Res. 1248–1249, were introduced. Pages H6140–42 tration of the oath to the gentleman from Georgia, Additional Cosponsors: Pages H6142–43 the whole number of the House is 431. Page H6057 Report Filed: A report was filed today as follows: Motion to Adjourn: Rejected the Biggs motion to Conference report on H.R. 6395, to authorize appro- adjourn by a yea-and-nay vote of 5 yeas to 220 nays, priations for fiscal year 2021 for military activities Roll No. 229. Pages H6060–61 of the Department of Defense and for military con- struction, to prescribe military personnel strengths Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and for such fiscal year, and for other purposes (H. Rept. Expungement Act-Rule for Consideration: The House agreed to H. Res. 1244, providing for consid- 116–617). Page H6140 eration of the bill (H.R. 3884) to decriminalize and Speaker: Read a letter from the Speaker wherein she deschedule cannabis, to provide for reinvestment in appointed Representative Cuellar to act as Speaker certain persons adversely impacted by the War on pro tempore for today. Page H6049 Drugs, to provide for expungement of certain can- Recess: The House recessed at 11:02 a.m. and re- nabis offenses, by a yea-and-nay vote of 225 yeas to convened at 12 noon. Page H6056 160 nays, Roll No. 231, after the previous question Oath of Office-Fifth Congressional District of was ordered by a yea-and-nay vote of 225 yeas to Georgia: Representative-elect Kwanza Hall pre- 160 nays, Roll No. 230. Pages H6061–68 sented himself in the well of the House and was ad- Order of Business—Consideration of the Con- ministered the Oath of Office by the Speaker. Ear- ference Report to Accompany H.R. 6395: Agreed lier, the Clerk of the House transmitted a scanned by unanimous consent that it be in order at any copy of a letter received from Mr. Chris Harvey, Di- time to consider a conference report to accompany rector of Election, Georgia Office of Secretary of H.R. 6395; that all points of order against the con- State, indicating that, according to the preliminary ference report and against its consideration be results of the Special Election held December 1, waived; that the conference report be considered as 2020, the Honorable Kwanza Hall was elected Rep- read; and that the previous question be considered as

VerDate Sep 11 2014 14:28 Dec 04, 2020 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 0627 Sfmt 0627 E:\CR\FM\D03DE0.REC D03DEPT1 dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with DIGEST December 3, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — DAILY DIGEST D1041 ordered on the conference report to its adoption eration and urging action by the United States without intervening motion except: (1) one hour of Government to impose sanctions with respect to debate; and (2) one motion to recommit if applica- persons responsible for that form of human ble. Page H6072 rights abuse: H. Res. 958, amended, condemning Suspensions: The House agreed to suspend the rules the practice of politically motivated imprisonment and pass the following measures: Amending the and calling for the immediate release of political Small Business Act to establish the Community Ad- prisoners in the Russian Federation and urging ac- vantage Loan Program: H.R. 7903, amended, to tion by the United States Government to impose amend the Small Business Act to establish the Com- sanctions with respect to persons responsible for that form of human rights abuse. Pages H6084–86 munity Advantage Loan Program. Pages H6068–72 Expressing concern over the detention of Austin 504 Modernization and Small Manufacturer En- Tice: H. Res. 17, amended, expressing concern over hancement Act of 2020: H.R. 8211, amended, to the detention of Austin Tice; Pages H6086–90 amend the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 Agreed to amend the title so as to read: ‘‘Express- to improve the loan guaranty program, enhance the ing concern over the detention of Austin Tice and ability of small manufacturers to access affordable Majd Kamalmaz, and for other purposes.’’. Pages H6072–76 capital. Page H6090 504 Credit Risk Management Improvement Act Calling for the immediate release of Trevor of 2020: H.R. 8199, amended, to amend the Small Reed, a United States citizen who was unjustly Business Act to enhance the Office of Credit Risk sentenced to 9 years in a Russian prison: H. Res. Management, to require the Administrator of the 1115, amended, calling for the immediate release of Small Business Administration to issue rules relating Trevor Reed, a United States citizen who was un- to environmental obligations of certified develop- justly sentenced to 9 years in a Russian prison. ment companies. Pages H6076–78 Pages H6090–92 Parity for HUBZone Appeals Act of 2020: H.R. National Heritage Area Act: H.R. 1049, amended, 8229, to require the Administrator of the Small to authorize a National Heritage Area Program. Business Administration to issue a rule authorizing Pages H6092–96 the Office of Hearings and Appeals to decide appeals relating to the status of HUBZone business concerns. Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe Reservation Restora- tion Act: S. 199, to provide for the transfer of cer- Pages H6078–79 tain Federal land in the State of Minnesota for the Gandhi-King Scholarly Exchange Initiative Act: benefit of the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe. H.R. 5517, amended, to affirm the friendship of the Pages H6096–99 governments of the United States of America and Indian Community Economic Enhancement Act: the Republic of India, and to establish a bilateral S. 212, amended, to amend the Native American partnership for collaboration to advance development Business Development, Trade Promotion, and Tour- and shared values. Pages H6079–82 ism Act of 2000, the Buy Indian Act, and the Na- War Crimes Rewards Expansion Act: H.R. 1819, tive American Programs Act of 1974 to provide in- to amend the State Department Basic Authorities dustry and economic development opportunities to Act of 1956 to provide for rewards for the arrest or Indian communities. Pages H6099–H6102 conviction of certain foreign nationals who have Coordinated Ocean Observations and Research committed genocide or war crimes. Pages H6082–83 Act: S. 914, amended, to reauthorize the Integrated Expressing the sense of Congress that the activi- Coastal and Ocean Observation System Act of 2009, ties of Russian national Yevgeniy Prigozhin and to clarify the authority of the Administrator of the his affiliated entities pose a threat to the na- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration tional interests and security of the United States with respect to post-storm assessments, and to re- and of its allies and partners: H. Res. 996, quire the establishment of a National Water Center. amended, expressing the sense of Congress that the Pages H6102–08 activities of Russian national Yevgeniy Prigozhin Great Lakes Environmental Sensitivity Index and his affiliated entities pose a threat to the na- Act: S. 1342, amended, to require the Under Sec- tional interests and security of the United States and retary for Oceans and Atmosphere to update periodi- of its allies and partners. Pages H6083–84 cally the environmental sensitivity index products of Condemning the practice of politically motivated the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administra- imprisonment and calling for the immediate re- tion for each coastal area of the Great Lakes. lease of political prisoners in the Russian Fed- Pages H6108–10

VerDate Sep 11 2014 14:28 Dec 04, 2020 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 0627 Sfmt 0627 E:\CR\FM\D03DE0.REC D03DEPT1 dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with DIGEST D1042 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — DAILY DIGEST December 3, 2020 Kettle Creek Battlefield Survey Act: H.R. 306, Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commis- amended, to direct the Secretary of the Interior to sioned Officer Corps Act of 2002. Pages H6111–27 conduct a special resource study of the site of the Senate Referrals: S. 434 was held at the desk. S. Kettle Creek Battlefield in Wilkes County, Georgia, 496 was held at the desk. S. 578 was held at the and adjacent property; Pages H6110–11 desk. Page H6068 Agreed to amend the title so as to read: ‘‘To di- rect the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a recon- Senate Message: Message received from the Senate by the Clerk and subsequently presented to the naissance survey of the site of the Kettle Creek Bat- House today appears on page H6068. tlefield in Wilkes County, Georgia, and adjacent property, and for other purposes.’’. Page H6111 Quorum Calls—Votes: Three yea-and-nay votes de- veloped during the proceedings of today and appear Land Grant-Mercedes Traditional Use Recogni- on pages H6134–35, H6135–36, and H6136–37. tion and Consultation Act: H.R. 3682, amended, to provide for greater consultation between the Fed- Adjournment: The House met at 10 a.m. and ad- eral Government and the governing bodies of land journed at 10:09 p.m. grant-mercedes and acequias in New Mexico and to provide for a process for recognition of the historic- Committee Meetings traditional boundaries of land grant-mercedes; THE WESTERN HEMISPHERE DRUG POLICY Pages H6124–26 COMMISSION: CHARTING A NEW PATH Agreed to amend the title so as to read: ‘‘To pro- FORWARD vide for greater consultation between the Federal Government and the governing bodies and commu- Committee on Foreign Affairs: Full Committee held a nity users of land grant-mercedes in New Mexico, to hearing entitled ‘‘The Western Hemisphere Drug provide for a process for recognition of the historic- Policy Commission: Charting a New Path Forward’’. traditional uses of land grant-mercedes, and for other Testimony was heard from the following Western purposes.’’. Page H6126 Hemisphere Drug Policy Commission officials: Shan- non O’Neil, Chair; Cliff Sobel, Vice Chair; and Mary Health Care Access for Urban Native Veterans Speck, Executive Director. Act: H.R. 4153, to amend the Indian Health Care Improvement Act to authorize urban Indian organi- THE UNFOLDING CONFLICT IN ETHIOPIA zations to enter into arrangements for the sharing of Committee on Foreign Affairs: Subcommittee on Africa, medical services and facilities. Pages H6126–27 Global Health, Global Human Rights, and Inter- Requiring the Secretary of Agriculture to con- national Organizations held a hearing entitled ‘‘The duct a study on lands that could be included in Unfolding Conflict in Ethiopia’’. Testimony was a National Forest in Hawai’i: H.R. 7045, to re- heard from Lauren Ploch Blanchard, Specialist in Af- quire the Secretary of Agriculture to conduct a study rican Affairs, Congressional Research Service, Library on lands that could be included in a National Forest of Congress; and public witnesses. in Hawai’i. Pages H6127–28 ENSURING THE 2020 CENSUS COUNT IS National Landslide Preparedness Act: H.R. 8810, COMPLETE AND ACCURATE amended, to establish a national program to identify Committee on Oversight and Reform: Full Committee and reduce losses from landslide hazards, to establish held a hearing entitled ‘‘Ensuring the 2020 Census a national 3D Elevation Program. Pages H6128–31 Count is Complete and Accurate’’. Testimony was Big Cat Public Safety Act: H.R. 1380, amended, heard from J. Christopher Mihm, Managing Direc- to amend the Lacey Act Amendments of 1981 to tor, Strategic Issues Team, Government Account- clarify provisions enacted by the Captive Wildlife ability Office; Joseph Salvo, Chief Demographer, Safety Act, to further the conservation of certain Population Division, Department of City Planning, wildlife species, by a 2⁄3 yea-and-nay vote of 272 New York City, New York; Jeff Landry, Attorney yeas to 114 nays, Roll No. 232. General, Louisiana; and a public witness. Pages H6131–34, H6136 –37 Suspension—Proceedings Postponed: The House Joint Meetings debated the following measure under suspension of NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION the rules. Further proceedings were postponed. ACT National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administra- Conferees agreed to file a conference report on the tion Commissioned Officer Corps Amendments differences between the Senate and House passed Act: S. 2981, to reauthorize and amend the National versions of H.R. 6395, to authorize appropriations

VerDate Sep 11 2014 14:28 Dec 04, 2020 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00006 Fmt 0627 Sfmt 0627 E:\CR\FM\D03DE0.REC D03DEPT1 dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with DIGEST December 3, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — DAILY DIGEST D1043 for fiscal year 2021 for military activities of the De- COMMITTEE MEETINGS FOR FRIDAY, partment of Defense, for military construction, and DECEMBER 4, 2020 for defense activities of the Department of Energy, (Committee meetings are open unless otherwise indicated) to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fis- cal year. Senate No meetings/hearings scheduled. House No hearings are scheduled.

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Next Meeting of the SENATE Next Meeting of the HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 3 p.m., Monday, December 7 9 a.m., Friday, December 4

Senate Chamber House Chamber Program for Monday: Senate will resume consideration Program for Friday: Consideration of H.R. 3884— of the nomination of Stephen Sidney Schwartz, of Vir- Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement ginia, to be a Judge of the United States Court of Federal Act. Claims, and vote on the motion to invoke cloture thereon at 5:30 p.m.

Extensions of Remarks, as inserted in this issue

HOUSE DeFazio, Peter A., Ore., E1085 Lipinski, Daniel, Ill., E1085 DeGette, Diana, Colo., E1083 Luetkemeyer, Blaine, Mo., E1083, E1084 Brooks, Susan W., Ind., E1084 Dingell, Debbie, Mich., E1083, E1085 Reschenthaler, Guy, Pa., E1083 Budd, Ted, N.C., E1083 Foxx, Virginia, N.C., E1084 Ryan, Tim, Ohio, E1083 Calvert, Ken, Calif., E1084 Graves, Garret, La., E1084 Walorski, Jackie, Ind., E1084 Cicilline, David N., R.I., E1085 Kim, Andy, N.J., E1084 Wenstrup, Brad R., Ohio, E1084, E1084

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