December 17, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H7253 Buck Graves (MO) McClintock Speier Titus Wasserman Titus (Connolly) Watson Coleman Wild (Scanlon) Bucshon Green, Al (TX) McCollum Stanton Tlaib Schultz Vargas (Correa) (Pallone) Wilson (FL) Budd Griffith McEachin Stauber Tonko Waters Veasey (Beyer) Welch (Hayes) Burchett Grijalva McGovern Stefanik Torres (CA) Watkins (McGovern) Burgess Grothman McKinley Steil Torres Small Watson Coleman f Bustos Guthrie McNerney Steube (NM) Weber (TX) Stevens Trahan Butterfield Haaland Meeks Webster (FL) STAND UP FOR AMERICANS WHO Calvert Hagedorn Meng Stewart Turner Welch Stivers Underwood Carbajal Hall Meuser Wenstrup ARE TRYING TO SURVIVE THE ´ Suozzi Upton Cardenas Harder (CA) Mfume Westerman COVID–19 PANDEMIC Swalwell (CA) Van Drew Carson (IN) Harris Miller Wexton Carter (GA) Hartzler Moolenaar Takano Vargas (Ms. JACKSON LEE asked and was Wild Cartwright Hastings Mooney (WV) Taylor Veasey Wilson (FL) given permission to address the House Case Hayes Moore Thompson (CA) Vela Wittman for 1 minute and to revise and extend Casten (IL) Heck Morelle Thompson (MS) Vela´ zquez Womack Castor (FL) Hern, Kevin Moulton Thompson (PA) Visclosky her remarks.) Castro (TX) Herrera Beutler Mucarsel-Powell Thornberry Walberg Woodall Ms. JACKSON LEE. Madam Speaker, Chabot Hice (GA) Mullin Tiffany Walden Yarmuth I thought about every day I would rise Timmons Walorski Young Chu, Judy Higgins (LA) Murphy (FL) to emphasize the number of Americans Cicilline Higgins (NY) Murphy (NC) Tipton Waltz Zeldin who have died in the last 24 hours be- Cisneros Hill (AR) Nadler NAYS—5 Clark (MA) Himes Napolitano cause of COVID–19, some 3,000-plus; Clarke (NY) Hollingsworth Neal Amash Massie Roy 300,000 Americans have already died, a Biggs Rice (SC) Clay Horn, Kendra S. Neguse half a million are expected to lose their Cleaver Horsford Newhouse NOT VOTING—37 Cline Houlahan Norcross life by the beginning of the year. Clyburn Hoyer Norman Abraham Gohmert Rooney (FL) It is crucial that we, without ceasing, Cohen Hudson Nunes Bishop (UT) Graves (LA) Ryan pass a COVID–19 package that includes Cole Huffman O’Halleran Brady Green (TN) Sensenbrenner Comer Huizenga Ocasio-Cortez Byrne Guest Spano a lifeline for families that are trying to Conaway Hurd (TX) Olson Carter (TX) Holding Trone survive: cash payment; unemployment; Connolly Jackson Lee Omar Cheney King (IA) Wagner more money for vaccines; more testing; Cooper Jacobs Palazzo Cloud Lesko Walker more money to stop evictions; more Correa Jayapal Pallone Collins (GA) Loudermilk Williams Duncan Marchant money for small businesses, res- Costa Jeffries Palmer Wilson (SC) Dunn McHenry Courtney Johnson (GA) Panetta Wright taurants, and our transportation com- Flores Mitchell Cox (CA) Johnson (LA) Pappas Yoho munity. Fudge Roby Craig Johnson (OH) Pascrell But more importantly, children are Crawford Johnson (SD) Payne Gianforte Rogers (AL) Crenshaw Johnson (TX) Pence losing parents. And the holiday season Crist Jordan Perlmutter b 1701 is coming, and many are not even Crow Joyce (OH) Perry So (two-thirds being in the affirma- thinking about another surge like we Cuellar Joyce (PA) Peters Cunningham Kaptur Peterson tive) the rules were suspended and the had from Thanksgiving. Curtis Katko Phillips bill, as amended, was passed. Madam Speaker, I beg of America to Davids (KS) Keating Pingree The result of the vote was announced prayerfully commemorate, celebrate, Davidson (OH) Keller Pocan as above recorded. love this holiday season, but it should Davis (CA) Kelly (IL) Porter Davis, Danny K. Kelly (MS) Posey A motion to reconsider was laid on be a skinny season to save lives. Davis, Rodney Kelly (PA) Pressley the table. Save lives. Dean Kennedy Price (NC) MEMBERS RECORDED PURSUANT TO HOUSE And we must pass a COVID–19 pack- DeFazio Khanna Quigley age, not leave until we get it done. DeGette Kildee Raskin RESOLUTION 965, 116TH CONGRESS DeLauro Kilmer Reed Allred (Wexton) Frankel (Clark Meng (Clark Americans are dying, and that means DelBene Kim Reschenthaler Axne (Davids (MA)) (MA)) that we have to stand up, and stand up Delgado Kind Rice (NY) (KS)) Garamendi Moore (Beyer) for them, and I am here on the floor to ´ Demings King (NY) Richmond Barragan (Beyer) (Sherman) Mucarsel-Powell stand up for them. DeSaulnier Kinzinger Riggleman Bera (Aguilar) Gottheimer (Wasserman DesJarlais Kirkpatrick Rodgers (WA) Blumenauer (Panetta) Schultz) f Deutch Krishnamoorthi Roe, David P. (Beyer) Grijalva (Garcı´a Nadler (Jeffries) Diaz-Balart Kuster (NH) Rogers (KY) Bonamici (Clark (IL)) Napolitano FAREWELL TO CONGRESS Dingell Kustoff (TN) Rose (NY) (MA)) Haaland (Davids (Correa) Doggett LaHood Rose, John W. Brownley (CA) (KS)) Neguse The SPEAKER pro tempore (Ms. Doyle, Michael LaMalfa Rouda (Clark (MA)) Hastings (Perlmutter) SHERRILL). Under the Speaker’s an- ´ F. Lamb Rouzer Cardenas (Wasserman Pascrell nounced policy of January 3, 2019, the Emmer Lamborn Roybal-Allard (Cisneros) Schultz) (Pallone) Engel Langevin Ruiz Case Heck (Kildee) Payne gentleman from New York (Mr. ENGEL) Escobar Larsen (WA) Ruppersberger (Cartwright) Jayapal (Raskin) (Wasserman is recognized for 60 minutes as the des- Eshoo Larson (CT) Rush Cleaver (Davids Johnson (TX) Schultz) ignee of the majority leader. Espaillat Latta Rutherford (KS)) (Jeffries) Peters (Kildee) ´ Mr. ENGEL. Madam Speaker, I would Estes Lawrence Sanchez Cohen (Beyer) Kennedy Peterson Evans Lawson (FL) Sarbanes Costa (Correa) (McGovern) (McCollum) hope that anyone who has ever had the Ferguson Lee (CA) Scalise Craig Kilmer (Kildee) Pingree privilege to serve as a Member of Con- Finkenauer Lee (NV) Scanlon (McCollum) (Cicilline) Kim (Davids Fitzpatrick Levin (CA) Schakowsky Davis (CA) Pocan (Raskin) gress leaves this place with a heart full (KS)) Fleischmann Levin (MI) Schiff (Scanlon) Porter (Wexton) of gratitude. After 32 years as a Mem- Kind (Beyer) Fletcher Lieu, Ted Schneider Dean (Scanlon) Price (NC) Kirkpatrick ber of this body, I certainly feel that Fortenberry Lipinski Schrader DeFazio (Davids (Butterfield) (Stanton) way. Foster Loebsack Schrier (KS)) Richmond Foxx (NC) Lofgren Schweikert DeGette (Blunt Kuster (NH) (Butterfield) It is hard to believe that I have been Frankel Long Scott (VA) Rochester) (Bustos) Roybal-Allard elected for 16 terms, 32 years. I came Fulcher Lowenthal Scott, Austin DelBene Lamb (Panetta) (Garcia (TX)) here at age 41, not knowing exactly Gabbard Lowey Scott, David (Cicilline) Langevin Ruiz (Dingell) Gaetz Lucas Serrano DeSaulnier (Lynch) Rush what to expect, and I have learned a Gallagher Luetkemeyer Sewell (AL) (Matsui) Lawrence (Underwood) great deal in these 32 years. Gallego Luja´ n Shalala Deutch (Rice (Kildee) Schakowsky I send gratitude, first and foremost, Garamendi Luria Sherman (NY)) Lawson (FL) (Kelly (IL)) to the people of the 16th District of Garcia (CA) Lynch Sherrill Doggett (Raskin) (Demings) Schneider Garcı´a (IL) Malinowski Shimkus Doyle, Michael Lieu, Ted (Beyer) (Casten (IL)) New York for sending me here 16 times. Garcia (TX) Maloney, Simpson F. (Cartwright) Lipinski Schrier It has been an honor to have your trust Gibbs Carolyn B. Sires Escobar (Garcia (Schrader) (Spanberger) and to be your voice here in the House. Golden Maloney, Sean Slotkin (TX)) Lofgren (Jeffries) Serrano Gomez Marshall Smith (MO) Eshoo Lowenthal (Jeffries) Gratitude to thousands of people: the Gonzalez (OH) Mast Smith (NE) (Thompson (Beyer) Sewell (AL) Capitol Police; the Sergeant at Arms; Gonzalez (TX) Matsui Smith (NJ) (CA)) Lowey (Tonko) (Cicilline) the Congressional Research Service; Gooden McAdams Smith (WA) Finkenauer McEachin Sires (Pallone) the Architect of the Capitol; the Office Gosar McBath Smucker (Underwood) (Wexton) Smith (WA) Gottheimer McCarthy Soto Fletcher McNerney (Courtney) of the Attending Physician, Dr. Brian Granger McCaul Spanberger (Raskin) (Raskin) Speier (Scanlon) Monahan; and so many others. It takes

VerDate Sep 11 2014 06:40 Dec 18, 2020 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00023 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A17DE7.012 H17DEPT1 dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with HOUSE H7254 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE December 17, 2020 a small army to keep Congress run- to some countries on the other side of As a child of the Cold War, I remem- ning, and you seldom get the recogni- the globe, if you don’t have much ber learning about America as a beacon tion you have earned. interaction with them, you won’t get of freedom and democracy, standing Gratitude to my staff over the years, to know them, and that is one thing I opposed to an oppressive, totalitarian and let me acknowledge a few who have hope changes, and changes soon. ideology. My entire life has been an been with me for a long while: the staff People have been stopping me here education in what a force for good director on the Foreign Affairs Com- and wishing me well upon my retire- America can be when we are at our mittee, Jason Steinbaum; my chief of ment from Congress, and many, again, best, in the American values that sup- staff, Bill Weitz; and my administra- are from the other party, and I want to port human rights and human dignity, tive assistant here in Washington, Ned thank them, because it means a lot to and America’s character of compassion Michalek. me. and generosity. Madam Speaker, I will include in the I have tried to be bipartisan, not giv- So, of course, as a public servant, I RECORD a full roster of my staff in the ing up what I believe and not pulling wanted to leave my mark on the way office of the 16th District and on the back from what I feel, but being bipar- the United States conducts itself on Committee on Foreign Affairs, with my tisan in that you can respect each the global stage. There are a few areas profound thanks. And, of course, other even if you don’t agree on some where I like to think I made a dif- Madam Speaker, I send gratitude to of the issues. ference. my fellow Representatives. We are all here trying to do the same I have always had a special place in When I came here, I never could have thing. We are all here trying to bring my heart for the Balkans and, in par- imagined that I would get to be chair- things home to our districts. We are ticular, a country called Kosovo. There man of the House Foreign Affairs Com- here because we love America, and we are many Kosovar Albanians in New mittee. It is a committee that I fol- are here because we are here with peo- York, and that is how I first got to lowed for many years. It is a com- ple who also love America. know the community. A good friend of mittee that I have always thought was My greatest honor here has been to mine, Harry Bajraktari, is the one who prestigious. It is a committee that I serve during this Congress as the chair- introduced me to the community, and thought was very important, and to be man of the House Committee on For- we have been doing work with the com- on that committee was a wonder for eign Affairs. munity and with the country of Kosovo me, but to be the chair of that com- b 1715 ever since. mittee is just unbelievable. I strongly supported the Clinton ad- I especially want to thank the mem- When I was sworn in for my first ministration’s intervention in the Bal- bers of the New York delegation, past term back in 1989, the then-majority kans in 1999. We stopped genocide from and present. We are a group as richly leader, who soon became Speaker, Tom happening again in Europe by doing diverse as the great State we come Foley of Washington State, asked me that. That was NATO at its best, that from. I am proud of the way we have my top three choices for committee as- was America at its best, stopping geno- stood together and stood up for New signments. I had to write it down, one, cide. A million people were being Yorkers, particularly in times of crisis two, and three. For one, I wrote foreign thrown out of Kosovo, and we stopped and tragedy: the pandemic we are en- affairs. For two, I wrote foreign affairs. it. That was one of my proudest mo- during now; Superstorm Sandy; the And for three, I wrote foreign affairs. ments as a Member of Congress. Great Recession; and, of course, in the I did it because I wanted to empha- I remember talking with President aftermath of the attacks of September size the fact that I had hoped to be on Clinton and saying, We have got to 11, 2001. the committee, even though people I am grateful to our leadership on asked me: Why do you want to be on help these people; we have got to help both sides, and it has been a unique foreign affairs? these people. honor to serve alongside our distin- It is not a committee that is back And we did. We know in hindsight that it stopped a genocide. And since guished Speaker, Ms. PELOSI from Cali- home. It is not something that you can fornia. I have served alongside her for meet people on. It is foreign affairs. It then, I have been a champion for the entire length of my time in the is all over the world. Kosovo’s sovereignty and independ- House, and let me tell you—let me tell I haven’t regretted being a member ence. That country has made tremen- everybody—she is certainly one of a of the committee and being the chair- dous strides and is recognized by the kind. I am privileged to call her my man of the Committee on Foreign Af- United States, the UK, France, Ger- friend. fairs for one day. To me, what is going many, Japan, and so many other im- We work very hard here, and some- on in the world, what is going on in the portant nations. times we are so busy working, we don’t world now, what went on in the world The people there are very, very pro- get to know some of our fellow Con- before, what is going on in the world in American; and when you go there as an gress Members, particularly those on the future is so important, and this American, you can’t help but feel how the other side of the aisle. As people Congress needs to be engaged and this much they love this country and how are coming up to me and wishing me Congress needs to be very much listen- grateful they are that we helped them the best as I leave Congress, it is peo- ing to what is going on, and help move with their independence. ple from both parties who are doing it. this country to the direction that we I have been honored by that country My Republican colleagues are doing it all know the United States can do. to have had a highway and a road and my Democratic colleagues as well, I said foreign affairs because, you named after me. And they even put me wishing me the best. It has been just know, since I was a kid, growing up in on a postage stamp. I was joking with an honor to serve with them. Bronx, New York, in public housing, my wife. I said, You know, it is not a We have to get to know each other since that time, I have been fascinated cheap postage stamp they put me on. It better. I think we have lost some of with America’s leadership role in the is a 2 pound postage stamp—two euro, that. world. I should say, a two euro postage stamp. If you have a colleague and you don’t All four of my grandparents were What an honor for me. serve on their committee and you are Jewish immigrants from what is now I served for a time as chairman and not from their State and you are from Ukraine, who fled the pogroms of the ranking member of the Western Hemi- the opposite political party, you don’t early 20th century, looking for safe sphere, Civilian Security, and Trade really get to know them. That is a haven and opportunity. And guess Subcommittee, and I have always shame, because I have learned that we what? They found it in America. They pushed for a foreign policy that focuses have so much talent on both sides of came here before World War I. If they on prioritizing what is going on in our the aisle, people who are coming up to hadn’t come here, they almost cer- own neighborhood. me and wishing me well, Republicans tainly would have perished in the Holo- One of the last bills President Obama as well as Democrats, and that is really caust. signed into law was my bill, the West- the way it should be. This country has been a refuge to ern Hemisphere Drug Policy Commis- Again, if you don’t see somebody in people who are hurting for many, many sion Act, which required our govern- the gym, if you don’t travel with them years, and I am grateful for it. ment to take stock of what has worked

VerDate Sep 11 2014 06:40 Dec 18, 2020 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00024 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K17DE7.044 H17DEPT1 dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with HOUSE December 17, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H7255 and what has failed in our drug policy ceives from both sides of the aisle. Con- ple coming up to me and wishing me over the last few decades. The commis- gress should continue to give this part- congratulations come from both par- sion recently submitted its report to nership its full support in the future. ties, and for that I am deeply, deeply Congress with recommendations that I No one should play partisan politics grateful. hope will improve U.S. drug policy and with America’s relationship with So as I said, we don’t always agree. save lives. Israel. We have had heated debates in this I have also been a strong advocate for The Constitution gives Congress Chamber over war powers, weapons closer ties to our Caribbean neighbors. broad oversight authority to make sure sales, and more. But when we debate, I wrote the United States-Caribbean the executive branch is serving the we debate on the merits of the policy. Strategic Engagement Act to push for American people. As chairman, I have Then we cast our votes. Immediately a new strategy to engage Caribbean worked hard to demand accountability after, we get back to working together countries that seek out the expertise of from the administration. It hasn’t al- towards policies that leaves politics at the vibrant Caribbean diaspora living ways been easy, but during this Con- the water’s edge. That has always been right here in the United States. gress, the committee has succeeded in the culture of the Foreign Affairs Com- And when the Trump administration shining a light on some pretty trou- mittee. cut off assistance to Central America, I bling developments at the State De- As I said before, I am grateful to my was proud to lead a bipartisan effort to partment. partner in maintaining that tradition, restore those resources that are help- It is important that this work con- our ranking member, my friend from ing to reduce crime and violence and tinue into the next Congress, even as Texas, MICHAEL MCCAUL. We have be- root out corruption. the Trump administration ends and come good friends. We have rep- Thanks to my partner and friend, MI- President-elect Biden takes office. resented our country together overseas CHAEL MCCAUL of Texas, who was right After all, we don’t conduct oversight and we have wrapped up a lot of legis- there on the trip with me, right by my just for the sake of conducting over- lative victories. I certainly will miss side fighting with me, fighting with me sight. It shouldn’t be used as a political working with him. for what is right. Michael is a Repub- tool. If existing laws and regulations You know, Members generally don’t lican from Texas. I am a Democrat aren’t up to the task of preventing get to know each other. I said it before, from New York. We have become real- abuses and mismanagement, then we if you are not on the same committee ly, really good friends, and I wish there need to remedy these weaknesses. It is as someone, you will not know that would be more of that in Congress. up to Congress to bend back the crook- person. If that person is not from your When you get to know someone, again, ed branch. State, you probably won’t know that in the other party, and you don’t serve I am confident that my successor, my person. And if you haven’t traveled on a committee with them, but then friend from New York City, just like with that American, or done other you get to know them, you see how me, GREGORY MEEKS, will carry the things, you won’t know that person. marvelous they are. We have such good committee’s work forward with dis- We have got to change that. We have people here from all over the country tinction. I am glad that he is replacing got to know each other. We have got to doing their best, working hard and rep- me as chairman of the Foreign Affairs work with each other. We have got to resenting their districts well, and Mi- Committee, and I know that he will do accept each other. We are all here be- chael is certainly in that league. a wonderful job. cause we love the United States of So I was proud to lead a bipartisan It is on that point, the Foreign Af- America. effort to restore those resources that fairs Committee’s work, that I take the So with so much left on the Foreign are helping to reduce crime and vio- most pride. I have said for a long time Affairs Committee to do, I know GREG- lence and to root out corruption. that the Foreign Affairs Committee is ORY MEEKS will do a fine job of leading I have also long focused on American the most bipartisan committee in Con- the committee. In the 117th Congress, I policy toward Syria. In 2003, I wrote gress. Even at a time when our politics hope the Foreign Affairs Committee the Syria Accountability and Lebanese are so polarized, the members of our continues to take on these challenges. Sovereignty Restoration Act, which committee have worked together to ad- Congress needs to reclaim its authority helped end the Syrian occupation of vance American interests, values, and in foreign policy that has been chipped Lebanon. It pushed the Syrians out of leadership around the world. away year after year, in deference to Lebanon. We don’t always agree. We have had the executive branch, no matter who is In 2012, I sponsored the first bill to heated debates in this Chamber over in the executive branch. arm the Free Syrian Army in its fight war powers, weapons sales, and more. We need to make the State Depart- against the Assad regime. And just a But when we debate, we debate on the ment authorization act a regular part year ago, my legislation, the Caesar merits of the policy. Then we cast our of Congress’ work. And Congress needs Syria Civilian Protection Act, finally votes. Immediately after, we get back to reassert its authority over war pow- became law, providing the toughest to working together toward policies ers. I am confident that the committee sanctions to date on Assad, who has that leave politics at the water’s edge. can do big things, that Congress still killed so many people, and his We have always said that the Foreign has the capacity to do big things, to enablers. Affairs Committee is the most bipar- govern. I encourage the incoming Biden ad- tisan committee in Congress, and it is. We are here to govern. We come to ministration to take full advantage of We have always said that politics Washington from 441 different commu- these tools, dial up pressure on the re- should stop at the water’s edge when nities, each with its unique character gime, and try to stop the violence. Members of Congress are leaving our and concerns and priorities. That is 441 I said at the start of my time here, country and going to other countries elected officials whose job it is to stand when I spoke to some people back because when we are there, Democrats up for our constituents to make their home, that Israel would not have a bet- and Republicans, traveling together, voices heard. But we cannot lose sight ter friend in Congress than ELIOT we represent the United States of of the fact that the House of Rep- ENGEL. And no matter where you stand America, and so partisanship should resentatives—not 441 individuals, but on U.S. policy toward Israel, it would stop at the water’s edge. We have the body we constitute—has a responsi- be tough to argue that I haven’t lived worked very hard to do that. bility to govern. up to that commitment. I have been MICHAEL MCCAUL has worked very When I came here 32 years ago, the proud to stand with our ally, Israel, hard to do that, and I wish that we two parties looked very different from our closest friend in the Middle East would have more of that in Congress, the way they look now: Southern and, I would argue, in the world, realizing that we are all representing Democrats and Rockefeller Repub- throughout my career. our districts back home, our districts licans. The diffusion of political I believe that the United States and and constituencies are different, and ideologies across the aisle made it nec- Israel share an incredibly important we are all trying to do the best we can. essary for the two sides to seek out partnership, and the cornerstone of And I respect my colleagues on both compromise if the House was going to this relationship is the support it re- sides of the aisle who work hard. Peo- get its work done.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 06:40 Dec 18, 2020 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00025 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K17DE7.046 H17DEPT1 dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with HOUSE H7256 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE December 17, 2020 b 1730 and a range of other issues. We owe it So, I won’t be a Member here, but I As the parties have realigned over to the American people to try to gov- certainly will continue to have many the years, it has become harder and ern, to try to work together, not to re- friends here and will watch and see harder for the House to advance any- flexively reject what the other side what this Congress does. We have some thing that stands a chance at becoming says, not root our entire agenda in try- tremendously talented people. law except noncontroversial measures ing to make political gains in the next Again, I want to thank the Speaker, or must-pass legislation like the de- election, not to ignore facts and NANCY PELOSI; the majority leader, fense authorization and spending bills. science and reality because political al- STENY HOYER; and others as well who Frankly, again, as I said, it has be- legiances demand it. really have helped me and have been come harder and harder just to get to And, yes, that means acknowledging part and parcel of what I have done. know one another. I am a pretty pro- the results of last month’s election and JIM CLYBURN, thank you as well. gressive Democrat by most measures, supporting the smooth transfer of My colleagues, life is bittersweet, but I always thought it was important power next month when President- and there are happy and sad things to cultivate relationships with my Re- elect Biden takes office as President of that sometimes come together. I am publican colleagues. We need to try to the United States. happy because I have had the privilege build cross-party bonds. We need to The Constitution has given the of serving here. I am happy because I work together with all Members of the American people this body, the House like to think that I have done good for House. of Representatives. In turn, the House people in this country. But I am sad to I may disagree with someone on 95 has given our country the 13th Amend- be leaving this body. percent of policy questions, but if you ment, suffrage for women, Social Secu- To my colleagues, I will be watching don’t know a person, Mr. Speaker, then rity and Medicare, the Civil Rights you; I will be proud; I will see what you don’t stand a chance of finding the Act, and the Voting Rights Act. They goes on; and I will stand by the TV or 5 percent in common and trying to weren’t easy victories, but if our prede- any other place and say: These are my build on it. If you don’t know a person, cessors in Congress hadn’t tried, then colleagues, and they are very, very Mr. Speaker, it is so much easier to they would never have been victories good. They care. dismiss his or her motives, and that is at all. It has been an honor and a privilege As we enter the dark winter of this really where things start to fall apart. to be a Member of Congress in the pandemic, we know there is light at No Member of this body doesn’t love United States of America. I am so the end of the tunnel. Today in the America. We share wildly different vi- grateful to have had that privilege. United Kingdom and soon the United sions of the best way for America to Thank you to all my colleagues. Best States, the most vulnerable are being meet its full potential, of the best way wishes, and God bless America. vaccinated against this deadly disease. to improve the lives of the American Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance That will soon happen here. But so people, but we all love our country. of my time. much work remains before we can get And I worry that more and more Mem- back to normal. f bers are mired in mistrust on the other People are out of work, out of money, WARNING OF MARXISM IN side or saddled with purity tests, mak- and out of food. The American people AMERICA ing it difficult to build relationships will look to this body to govern. I The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. and seek common ground. know in my heart that we can put the ROSE of New York). Under the Speak- We have to resist the urge to let the American people first and answer the perfect be the enemy of the good. This er’s announced policy of January 3, call at this pivotal moment in our 2019, the gentleman from Wisconsin doesn’t mean abandoning our prin- country’s history. (Mr. GROTHMAN) is recognized for 60 ciples or losing sight of our goals. It The future success of the American minutes as the designee of the minor- means acknowledging the progress in people depends on the success of the ity leader. our political system takes time and House in meeting this challenge. So, I Mr. GROTHMAN. Mr. Speaker, in ad- perseverance. It means understanding will be rooting for all of you. that, as convinced as I might be that It has been a pleasure being your col- dition to addressing the Chair, I also my view is the correct one, a big chunk league. It has been a pleasure working want to address any history or civics of this body and of this country is like- with you. It has been a pleasure watch- teachers dealing with America and ly to disagree. It means taking wins ing how hard you work and what we do make some requests to them tonight. where we can get them, even if they for the American people. Thank you for In order to understand the current are modest. Because when we accom- letting me be your colleague. Thank events and understand why I and some plish even a little bit of good here, we you for being so kind to me and my other people are so concerned about haven’t done so in service of an idea or family. the outcome of this election, we must our party. We have done it for the When my son, who is now 34, my mid- have a discussion of Marxism. American people. That is what it dle child, came to the House when I All American schoolchildren should means to govern, and we are here to was first elected, he was 2 years old. have an understanding of Marxism. To govern. My daughter was 7, and my other son understand why over 30,000 American For example, I am a proud member of wasn’t born yet. He used to point to troops died in Korea, we must know a the Medicare for All Caucus. Going all the Capitol, and he used to say: ‘‘Cap- little bit about Marxism. To under- the way back to my time in the State itol. Daddy works there.’’ We would all stand why over 50,000 American troops house in Albany, I have supported sin- kind of laugh and think he was really, died in the Vietnam war, we must gle-payer healthcare. I hope to see really cute. Well, today, he is 34 years know a little bit about Marxism. Medicare for All in my lifetime. But old, and my three children have grown When I think of Marxism, I think of that hasn’t stopped me, over the last up with Congress, with the House, and three things. I think of their hatred of three decades, from voting for legisla- they know how much it means to me to God and hatred of religion. I think of tion that I thought would move the be a Member of this House and how Karl Marx’s thesis when he was back in needle in the right direction. much it means to them to learn all the college. It was in part titled ‘‘I Hate I was never under the illusion that things that we have been doing for the All Gods.’’ And, of course, I think when we would get there with one swing. But past several years. China bragged about getting rid of the we did get the Children’s Health Insur- I will never forget this place. I hope last churches, so I always associate ance Program, and we did get the Af- to come back and visit several times. I Marxism with the end of Christianity. fordable Care Act, which has made a will never forget my colleagues and my Secondly, I associate Marxism with difference in the lives of millions of friends. I will never forget that I am the elimination of the family as a so- Americans. It was real progress, which fortunate and we are fortunate to be cial unit. As a matter of fact, the we are defending even today. Americans, to love this country, to elimination of the family as a social It was also more than a decade ago, help move the country to policies that unit was one of the original goals of and our country still faces massive we think are best for the country and Karl Marx. I believe he was already challenges when it comes to healthcare for the world. teaming up with Engels by that time.

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