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

Vol. 163 WASHINGTON, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2017 No. 209 House of Representatives The House met at 9 a.m. and was PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE New Kingstown Volunteer Fire Com- called to order by the Speaker. The SPEAKER. Will the gentleman pany where Penny and Michael enjoyed f from Michigan (Mr. KILDEE) come for- years of fellowship and service to the community. PRAYER ward and lead the House in the Pledge of Allegiance. Penny dedicated her life to helping The Chaplain, the Reverend Patrick Mr. KILDEE led the Pledge of Alle- others, especially our youth. Her mem- J. Conroy, offered the following prayer: giance as follows: ory will live on in the hearts of all Dear God, we give You thanks for those whose lives she touched. giving us another day. I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Repub- Bless the Members of the people’s lic for which it stands, one nation under God, f House in these few days before so many indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Americans gather with families and f AMERICAN FAMILIES LEFT loved ones in a season of good will to- BEHIND AGAIN ward all. ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER May that spirit pervade these Halls The SPEAKER. The Chair will enter- (Mr. KILDEE asked and was given and Chambers, and may the work done tain up to five requests for 1-minute permission to address the House for 1 and being done redound to the benefit speeches on each side of the aisle. minute.) Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, yesterday, of all, most particularly those whom f You favor: the least among us. I guess for the second day in a row, this As always, we pray that all that is REMEMBERING PENNSYLVANIA House voted for massive tax cuts for done be for Your greater honor and FFA’S PENNY BRAMMER people at the very top and left behind glory. (Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania a lot of working Americans. In fact, it Amen. asked and was given permission to ad- gave permanent tax cuts to corpora- f dress the House for 1 minute and to re- tions and only temporary help for some vise and extend his remarks.) American families. They said that the THE JOURNAL Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. marketplace and corporations needed The SPEAKER. The Chair has exam- Mr. Speaker, I rise today in memory of certainty. That is why those tax cuts ined the Journal of the last day’s pro- Penny Brammer, who passed away last were permanent. ceedings and announces to the House week after a courageous battle with Now, we have a continuing resolution his approval thereof. breast cancer. She was 59. for 28 days of funding after 11 months Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Jour- Penny worked for the Pennsylvania of not doing anything about it. nal stands approved. FFA Association and was affection- What about the certainty for vet- Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. ately known as ‘‘Mama B’’ by the Com- erans that they are going to get the Mr. Speaker, pursuant to clause 1, rule monwealth’s youth leaders of agri- healthcare that they deserve? I, I demand a vote on agreeing to the culture. She inspired thousands of It is not a priority. Speaker’s approval of the Journal. teenagers to have the passion and drive What about the certainty for chil- The SPEAKER. The question is on to pursue their dreams. dren who depend on CHIP? the Speaker’s approval of the Journal. Penny is survived by her loving hus- It is not a priority. The question was taken; and the band, high school and FFA sweetheart, What about the certainty for those Speaker announced that the ayes ap- Michael Brammer; her son and daugh- families who are struggling with a fam- peared to have it. ter-in-law, Greg and Jackie Brammer; ily member fighting opioid abuse? Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. her daughter and son-in-law, Sherisa All the promises ring hollow because Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the and Jason Nailor; as well as her par- they are not a priority. Corporations ground that a quorum is not present ents, George and Shirley Shaver. She are the top priority. With this tax bill, and make the point of order that a also leaves her adored grandchildren: and now the continuing resolution, the quorum is not present. Terrin, Grace, Joleigh, Jordyn, and American people, who struggle every The SPEAKER. Pursuant to clause 8, Jayce. single day, are just not a priority. rule XX, further proceedings on this Mr. Speaker, my heart is heavy for After 11 months of complete Repub- question will be postponed. the entire Brammer family, as well as lican control and false promises, Amer- The point of no quorum is considered for Penny’s extended family at the ican families get left behind again. It is withdrawn. Pennsylvania FFA Association and the a shame.

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

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VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:52 Dec 22, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A21DE7.000 H21DEPT1 H10348 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE December 21, 2017 ARKANSAS STATE CHRISTMAS the 27th Congressional District of rule I, the Chair declares the House in TREE Texas, I wish him a happy retirement. recess subject to the call of the Chair. (Mr. WESTERMAN asked and was f Accordingly (at 9 o’clock and 9 min- utes a.m.), the House stood in recess. given permission to address the House CHIP REAUTHORIZATION for 1 minute and to revise and extend (Mr. FITZPATRICK asked and was f his remarks.) given permission to address the House Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I b 1221 for 1 minute and to revise and extend rise today to recognize a truly talented his remarks.) group of students whose artistic abili- AFTER RECESS Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, I ties are on display here in our Nation’s The recess having expired, the House rise this morning to once again implore Capital. was called to order by the Speaker pro this Congress to take bipartisan action Students from Washington Middle tempore (Mr. HOLDING) at 12 o’clock to extend Federal funding of the Chil- School and the South Arkansas Arts and 21 minutes p.m. dren’s Health Insurance Program, or Center in El Dorado, Arkansas, de- CHIP. f signed ornaments adorning this year’s In my home State of Pennsylvania, Arkansas State Christmas tree on the more than 176,000 children have gained REPORT ON RESOLUTION PRO- Ellipse here in Washington, D.C. access to affordable, comprehensive VIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF The students used colored pencils, healthcare coverage through CHIP, SENATE AMENDMENT TO H.R. paper, markers, and glitter to create providing them with age-appropriate 1370, DEPARTMENT OF HOME- beautiful pieces of art which represent medical and developmental care. LAND SECURITY BLUE CAM- Arkansas’ natural resources and econ- Since the program became law, the PAIGN AUTHORIZATION ACT OF omy. percentage of uninsured children na- 2017; PROVIDING FOR CONSIDER- I congratulate these students on tionwide has decreased by more than ATION OF H.R. 4667, FURTHER highlighting the best of the Natural half, from 13.9 percent in 1997 to 6.6 per- SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIA- State in a truly wonderful way. I wish cent in 2016. TIONS ACT, 2018; AND PROVIDING them, their families, and all of the As a result of its reliability and effec- FOR PROCEEDINGS DURING THE Fourth District of Arkansas a Merry tiveness, CHIP has consistently en- PERIOD FROM DECEMBER 22, Christmas filled with joy and smiles, joyed strong bipartisan support. In 2017, THROUGH JANUARY 7, 2018 like I felt when I saw this remarkable September, I joined a bipartisan group Mr. WOODALL, from the Committee art from home. from across Pennsylvania in urging on Rules, submitted a privileged report f leaders of both parties to take action (Rept. No. 115–477) on the resolution (H. HONORING CAPTAIN F.W. ‘‘ROCCO’’ to ensure that children have access to Res. 670) providing for consideration of MONTESANO high-quality health insurance coverage the bill (H.R. 1370) to amend the Home- during their formative years, a move land Security Act of 2002 to require the (Mr. FARENTHOLD asked and was we know yields an abundance of posi- Secretary of Homeland Security to given permission to address the House tive outcomes: fewer hospitalizations, issue Department of Homeland Secu- for 1 minute and to revise and extend increased earning power, and better rity-wide guidance and develop train- his remarks.) healthcare outcomes as an adult. ing programs as part of the Depart- Mr. FARENTHOLD. Mr. Speaker, I While this Chamber has already ment of Homeland Security Blue Cam- rise today to honor a Navy veteran and taken action, passing legislation last paign, and for other purposes; pro- retiring Executive Director of the USS month to fund CHIP, the Senate has viding for consideration of the bill Lexington Museum on the Bay, Cap- yet to act. It is crucial we provide cer- (H.R. 4667) making further supple- tain F.W. ‘‘Rocco’’ Montesano. tainty and security for children, par- mental appropriations for the fiscal Following his graduation from the ents, and providers and move to sign year ending September 30, 2018, for dis- Naval Academy, Rocco served the U.S. into law CHIP extension legislation as aster assistance for Hurricanes Harvey, Navy in numerous positions over his soon as possible. Irma, and Maria, and calendar year 30-year career, completing more than Mr. Speaker, the time is now for the 2017 wildfires, and for other purposes; 5,500 flight hours and 900 carrier land- Senate to act. and providing for proceedings during ings. From serving as commanding of- f the period from December 22, 2017, ficer in aircraft squadrons to man- through January 7, 2018, which was re- REFORM FISA 702 PROGRAM power director for the Chief of Naval ferred to the House Calendar and or- Air Training, Captain Montesano has (Mr. MASSIE asked and was given dered to be printed. always shown his dedication and com- permission to address the House for 1 mitment to our country. minute.) f His bravery and service earned him Mr. MASSIE. Mr. Speaker, on De- COMMUNICATION FROM THE many awards, including two Legion of cember 31 of this year, the FISA 702 CLERK OF THE HOUSE Merit Medals, two Meritorious Service surveillance program expires. Medals, a Navy and Marine Corps Com- Ostensibly, this program allows our The SPEAKER pro tempore laid be- mendation Medal, and five Sea Service intelligence agencies to spy on and fore the House the following commu- Ribbons, amongst many others. stop terrorism. However, it is a well- nication from the Clerk of the House of His service, however, did not stop known fact that the FBI has used this Representatives: when he retired from the Navy. In 1998, program as a back door to our Con- OFFICE OF THE CLERK, Captain Montesano became the Execu- stitution to spy on Americans. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, tive Director of the USS Lexington Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues Washington, DC, December 21, 2017. Museum on the Bay in Corpus Christi, Hon. PAUL D. RYAN, not to reauthorize this program before The Speaker, House of Representatives, where he served for 19 years. December 31 without significant re- Washington, DC. Throughout his time as Executive Di- forms. We all took an oath to uphold DEAR MR. SPEAKER: Pursuant to the per- rector, Rocco brought innovation and and defend the Constitution. We need mission granted in Clause 2(h) of Rule II of creativity to his position and did a phe- to stay true to that oath and require the Rules of the U.S. House of Representa- nomenal job maintaining and improv- the FBI to get a warrant if they want tives, the Clerk received the following mes- ing the museum that sits on Corpus to go into the 702 database to surveil sage from the Secretary of the Senate on De- Christi Bay. Through his patriotism, Americans. cember 21, 2017, at 9:25 a.m.: loyalty, and service, he holds true to That the Senate agreed to S. Con. Res. 31. f That the Senate passed S. 117. the values of an American citizen and RECESS That the Senate passed S. 501. he inspires us all. With best wishes, I am I thank Rocco for his commitment to The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Sincerely, our Nation. On behalf of everyone in SIMPSON). Pursuant to clause 12(a) of KAREN L. HAAS.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 01:42 Dec 22, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K21DE7.002 H21DEPT1 December 21, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H10349 PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION (b) the Journal of the proceedings of the Mr. Speaker, as you know, this House OF SENATE AMENDMENT TO H.R. previous day shall be considered as approved has been working through, in a bipar- 1370, DEPARTMENT OF HOME- if applicable; and tisan way, funding our neighbors who LAND SECURITY BLUE CAM- (c) the Chair may at any time declare the have been so dramatically affected by House adjourned to meet at a date and time, PAIGN AUTHORIZATION ACT OF within the limits of clause 4, section 5, arti- disasters, whether in the Virgin Is- 2017; PROVIDING FOR CONSIDER- cle I of the Constitution, to be announced by lands, in Puerto Rico, in Florida, in ATION OF H.R. 4667, FURTHER the Chair in declaring the adjournment. Texas, or the devastating wildfires in SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIA- SEC. 5. The Speaker may appoint Members California. This has been a national TIONS ACT, 2018; AND PROVIDING to perform the duties of the Chair for the du- focus, and billions of dollars have al- FOR PROCEEDINGS DURING THE ration of the periods addressed by sections 3 ready gone out the door to meet the PERIOD FROM DECEMBER 22, and 4 of this resolution as though under initial emergency needs. This is an ad- clause 8(a) of rule I. 2017, THROUGH JANUARY 7, 2018 SEC. 6. Each day during the periods ad- ditional appropriations measure. Mr. WOODALL. Mr. Speaker, by di- dressed by sections 3 and 4 of this resolution rection of the Committee on Rules, I shall not constitute a calendar day for pur- b 1230 poses of section 7 of the War Powers Resolu- call up House Resolution 670 and ask It comes under a closed rule, Mr. for its immediate consideration. tion (50 U.S.C. 1546). SEC. 7. Each day during the periods ad- Speaker, but it does self-execute two The Clerk read the resolution, as fol- dressed by sections 3 and 4 of this resolution amendments that had been offered: an lows: shall not constitute a legislative day for pur- amendment by Mrs. MIMI WALTERS and H. RES. 670 poses of clause 7 of rule XIII. an amendment by Miss GONZA´ LEZ- Resolved, That upon adoption of this reso- The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gen- COLO´ N. lution it shall be in order to take from the tleman from Georgia is recognized for 1 It also provides for an hour of debate, Speaker’s table the bill (H.R. 1370) to amend hour. equally divided between the chair and the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to require Mr. WOODALL. Mr. Speaker, for the ranking member of the Appropriations the Secretary of Homeland Security to issue purpose of debate only, I yield the cus- Committee, and it provides for a mo- Department of Homeland Security-wide guidance and develop training programs as tomary 30 minutes to my friend from tion to recommit for the minority. part of the Department of Homeland Secu- Massachusetts (Mr. MCGOVERN), pend- The rest of what you heard from the rity Blue Campaign, and for other purposes, ing which I yield myself such time as I Reading Clerk, Mr. Speaker, was that with the Senate amendment thereto, and to may consume. During consideration of typical language that you hear at the consider in the House, without intervention this resolution, all time yielded is for end of the year when Members are of any point of order, a motion offered by the the purpose of debate only. going to be traveling, to allow for the chair of the Committee on Appropriations or GENERAL LEAVE housekeeping that takes place here, to his designee that the House concur in the allow the House to continue to func- Senate amendment with an amendment con- Mr. WOODALL. Mr. Speaker, I ask sisting of the text of Rules Committee Print unanimous consent that all Members tion as the traditional authorities pro- 115-52. The Senate amendment and the mo- may have 5 legislative days to revise vided in December and January during tion shall be considered as read. The motion and extend their remarks. the district work period. shall be debatable for one hour equally di- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there With that, Mr. Speaker, again, I vided and controlled by the chair and rank- objection to the request of the gen- think we have exhaustively debated ing minority member of the Committee on tleman from Georgia? these issues. I urge my colleagues to Appropriations. The previous question shall There was no objection. support the rule. Let’s get on to the be considered as ordered on the motion to its underlying measures. adoption without intervening motion. Mr. WOODALL. Mr. Speaker, most of Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of SEC. 2. Upon adoption of this resolution it what you just heard from the Reading shall be in order to consider in the House the Clerk you could have heard during the my time. bill (H.R. 4667) making further supplemental previous 4 hours of testimony that we Mr. MCGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, I yield appropriations for the fiscal year ending have been taking in the Rules Com- myself such time as I may consume. September 30, 2018, for disaster assistance for mittee this morning. I understand (Mr. MCGOVERN asked and was Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria, and there was no other game in town going given permission to revise and extend calendar year 2017 wildfires, and for other on this morning, so if folks were tuning his remarks.) purposes. All points of order against consid- in to C–SPAN, they were treated to my Mr. MCGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, we are eration of the bill are waived. The amend- ments printed in the report of the Com- friend from Massachusetts, our ranking strongly opposed to this rule. mittee on Rules accompanying this resolu- member from New York, our chairman Mr. Speaker, I have to say to my col- tion shall be considered as adopted. The bill, from Texas, and all the gang there on leagues that this is really a sad day, as amended, shall be considered as read. All the Rules Committee as we worked not only for the institution, but for the points of order against provisions in the bill, through this. United States of America. as amended, are waived. Clause 2(e) of rule But forbid the thought if someone It is frustrating that we are here XXI shall not apply during consideration of else had something else on their mind today doing a third continuing resolu- the bill. The previous question shall be con- this morning, I want to go through just tion. For those who are watching these sidered as ordered on the bill, as amended, and on any further amendment thereto, to briefly what you heard from our Read- proceedings, we should be actually final passage without intervening motion ex- ing Clerk. passing appropriations bills that fund cept: (1) one hour of debate equally divided This is a single rule that provides for the government for an entire year. We and controlled by the chair and ranking mi- consideration of two measures. The shouldn’t be funding the government nority member of the Committee on Appro- first is the Senate amendment to H.R. week to week, month to month. priations; and (2) one motion to recommit 1370. It is continuing appropriations to Yet my Republican friends have with or without instructions. make sure the lights stay on and the ended up doing just that. They can’t SEC. 3. On any legislative day of the first checks go out the door. It makes in seem to get their act together, not- session of the One Hundred Fifteenth Con- gress after December 21, 2017— order a motion to concur in the Senate withstanding they are in control of the (a) the Journal of the proceedings of the amendment with an amendment con- House of Representatives, they are in previous day shall be considered as approved; sisting of the text of this continuing control of the United States Senate, and resolution. and they are in control of the White (b) the Chair may at any time declare the To debate that, Mr. Speaker, we pro- House. They simply cannot govern. House adjourned to meet at a date and time, vide an hour of debate divided between They are lucky that the American peo- within the limits of clause 4, section 5, arti- the chair and the ranking member of ple can’t sue them, because they would cle I of the Constitution, to be announced by the Appropriations Committee. I think be sued for political malpractice. the Chair in declaring the adjournment. every Member of this Chamber under- The one thing that they are supposed SEC. 4. On any legislative day of the second session of the One Hundred Fifteenth Con- stands the nature of this legislation, to do is to keep this government run- gress before January 8, 2018— but we provided that time nonetheless. ning and to keep the lights on, yet we (a) the Speaker may dispense with organi- The second measure is H.R. 4667. It is lurch from one crisis to another crisis zational and legislative business; the disaster aid package. to another crisis to another crisis.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 01:42 Dec 22, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K21DE7.005 H21DEPT1 H10350 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE December 21, 2017 Today, what they are saying is: Let’s have to drink water that is contami- their status. On average, about 122 a kick the can down the road until Janu- nated with lead is also a part of our na- day, we are told. ary 19. You know what will happen tional security. So there are people who are here who then? We ought to have been working in a had the protections under DACA who Another crisis. Then we will be in the bipartisan way to resolve all of these are losing their status, losing their same situation, and we will probably issues together. jobs, losing their livelihoods, and their kick the can down the road another We need to work to fund the opioid lives have been thrown into turmoil. few weeks. epidemic. What we have done in this Why in the world would we do that? That is not the way government is Congress is given lots of speeches about The majority of Americans, over- supposed to run. People need certainty, how terrible this opioid epidemic is. We whelmingly Democrats and Repub- and this Congress has delivered any- have talked about the need to support licans and Independents, all believe we thing but certainty. It has to stop. It is our local communities. should protect the DREAMers. frustrating. We have done a lot of talking, but We heard in the Rules Committee: A solution, if I can be so bold as to what we need to do is appropriate the Well, we need more committee delib- suggest a solution to dealing with some necessary money so that local commu- eration. Again, the President took of the problems that the Republican nities can implement the strategies to their protections away on September 7. leadership is confronting, might be a effectively deal with the opioid crisis It is now December 21. little bipartisanship, might be opening in their areas. We ought to have been What have you been doing? up this process a little bit, might be a focusing on that. They said: Well, the Judiciary Com- little bit more deliberation on the floor We need additional veterans funding. mittee needs to do more hearings. of the House of Representatives. Democrats are urging Republicans to Well, what have they been waiting for? There are a couple of ways they can join us to provide urgently needed re- The Judiciary Committee recently govern. One is, they can govern in a sources to veterans facing a dire short- set up a bill, the concealed carry reci- way where they respect all points of fall at the VA, meeting our responsi- procity bill, which allows people from view, where they actually respect the bility to ensure that no veteran is left States that have almost no standards viewpoint of the minority, where they behind or denied the care and opportu- to issue permits for people to carry open the process up so the minority nities they deserve upon return from concealed weapons to be able to go to can, every once in a while, offer some the battlefield. any State in this country, no matter amendments and offer some alter- CHIP, the Children’s Health Insur- what those States’ standards may be, natives, where they negotiate on ance Program, and community health basically endangering my constituents. spending bills in good faith, where they centers are incredibly important to us They brought that to the Rules Com- know they are not going to get every- and people throughout this country. mittee. They had time to bring that be- thing and the minority knows they are We are calling for immediate reauthor- fore the Rules Committee and before not going to get everything, but they ization of these vital initiatives, one the House. There was not a single hear- end up in a compromise that is good that doesn’t rob Peter to pay Paul, one ing. None. enough to get bipartisan support. that doesn’t say we are going to fund We had this tax scam bill that we That is the way things used to be CHIP by taking money away from the just voted on where 83 percent of the done around here. I don’t know why it prevention program that provides mon- tax breaks go to the top 1 percent of is so difficult to get back to those days, eys for immunizations and dealing with the wealthiest in this country. Remem- but if they want the government to run issues like lead paint and other issues ber that bill that the President just better, that is what they need to do. that affect our kids. celebrated with all my Republican They have to stop this my-way-or-the- We need emergency disaster relief friends? highway approach to every single piece that is adequate to meet the needs of That came before this House, and of legislation that comes before this all the States and localities and terri- there wasn’t a single hearing on it. But body. tories that have been impacted by now we need to have hearings when it My friends have had more closed these terrible natural disasters. comes to protecting the DREAMers. rules than any other session of Con- We need to save Americans’ endan- It is outrageous. These DREAMers gress. This is the most closed session in gered pensions. Millions of hard- are contributing to the betterment of the history of the Congress. That is working Americans’ pensions are at our communities. We should celebrate what this session will go down in his- risk, and we are calling for bipartisan them. We should value them. They tory as being: the most closed session action to enact a responsible reform have served in our military. They are in the history of Congress. plan to ensure that these struggling out front leading disaster relief efforts, They have used martial law, they pensions will keep on going. saving lives. They are working in For- have used closed rules, they have had We also believe that we ought to pass tune 500 companies. They are going to emergency meetings, all to try to get the bipartisan Dream Act that we school. They are valued members of us to this point where we are kicking spent a lot of time in the Rules Com- our community. And we treat them the can down the road for a couple of mittee talking about today. Demo- like this? weeks. That is it. cratic Leader NANCY PELOSI; Minority Come on. If we brought the Dream What we should have been doing is Whip STENY HOYER; and the head of the Act to the floor, it would pass with working together not only to keep the Hispanic Caucus, MICHELLE LUJAN Democratic support and a big chunk of government open, but we ought to have GRISHAM, spent many hours at the Republican support. There is abso- been working together to raise the Rules Committee today. Leader PELOSI lutely no reason to continue to stall on caps. was there for 21⁄2 hours testifying on this issue. All that will happen as a re- Democrats want a strong national the need to pass the bipartisan Dream sult of our stalling is that more people defense. We also need an equal increase Act. will lose their status, more lives will be in our domestic budget, which includes We ought to do that before we go thrown into turmoil. critical national security functions and home for Christmas. There are 800,000- I would just say to my colleagues: It commitments to hardworking families. plus people whose lives are in the bal- is the Christmas season. This is a time, My friends ought to know that one- ance because, on September 7, Donald if ever, where the spirit ought to take third of the nondefense domestic budg- Trump decided to end protection for over, and we ought to do something et goes to national security, veterans, the DREAMers. good for the American people, not just homeland security, and the State De- Here is what the President I don’t for the donors, but for the people. partment’s and the Justice Depart- think appreciates and what some of my Giving a tax break to corporations ment’s counterterrorism initiatives. colleagues I think don’t appreciate, but and wealthy people will help with the I would also say that supporting we learned about this today in the fundraisers, but what we need is to housing initiatives and investing in Rules Committee: we don’t have until help these people, these DREAMers education and environmental protec- March to deal with the Dream Act. whose lives are in the balance. We tion so that our fellow citizens don’t Each and every day, people are losing can’t wait.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 01:42 Dec 22, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K21DE7.007 H21DEPT1 December 21, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H10351 Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to opportunity to build this bridge. It the history of our country. That is the vote ‘‘no’’ on this rule, allow us to happens above my pay grade, I am distinction. bring up a standalone Dream Act or an going to confess. To the 700,000 people I So, yes, we are exorcised. And we are amendment that would allow the represent back home, Mr. Speaker, let exorcised over the fact that, as we are Dream Act to be made in order, and I me go ahead and confess this deal is about to adjourn for Christmas, hun- hope that we can get back to regular taking place way above my pay grade. dreds of thousands of people, DREAM- order. But it is probably right there at the ers in this country, their lives have Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of pay grade of the President of the been thrown into turmoil. These are my time. United States, the Speaker of the people who have served in our military. Mr. WOODALL. Mr. Speaker, I yield House, and the minority leader. When They have led rescue efforts during myself such time as I may consume. folks don’t show up to the table for the these recent hurricanes. They con- Mr. Speaker, this time of year folks conversation, it makes it harder to get tribute greatly to our community. A get rightfully exorcised about the there. majority of people in this country want issues of the day. Is there always a good reason to stay them to remain here, and we can’t even We all came here to do something for home? get a vote on the House floor, notwith- the men and women whom we rep- I am sure there is. standing the fact that we all know resent back home. Every time we get Are there more good reasons to be that, if we brought it to the floor, we to the end of a year, we think: I have there? would pass it. got to get it done; I have got to get it I think the answer is: Yes. Mr. Speaker, the Republican major- done; I have got to get it done. I recog- Mr. Speaker, I will advise my friend ity has prioritized their tax scam bill nize those passions are going to exist. from Massachusetts that I don’t have over reauthorizing the Children’s I actually don’t believe for a minute Health Insurance Program, community that my friend from Massachusetts be- any speakers remaining this morning. Folks have been exhaustibly elucidated health centers, helping DREAMers, and lieves my vote in favor of the tax bill even funding our government, which had anything to do with fundraising or by the 4 hours of discussion we had this morning, and I am prepared to close brings us to where we are now, days be- my donors. He might believe that fore Christmas, scrambling to fulfill about somebody in this Chamber—I when he is. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of our most basic responsibilities. hope that he does not—but I know he But we should be doing more here my time. doesn’t believe it about me. It just than just trying to keep the lights on. isn’t true. b 1245 We also have a responsibility toward I have been fighting for tax reform Mr. MCGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, I yield the hundreds of thousands of young since the day I was elected. In fact, I myself such time as I may consume. Americans—they are Americans in ran for this job to fight for tax reform. Mr. Speaker, I have a lot of concerns every way except on paper—who have We do the American people a disservice about the way this process is unfold- been betrayed by this administration. when we suggest something nefarious ing. We need to pass the Dream Act, and we is going on. Sometimes we just dis- And, yes, the gentleman is right. I need to do it now. Thirty-four of my agree, Mr. Speaker, and those disagree- am exorcised. I am exorcised that we Republican colleagues have already ments are okay. In fact, those disagree- have gone through all of these gyra- spoken up and urged Speaker RYAN to ments are expected. Our Founders in- tions, including being on hold trying to help these young people. The majority tended them, and they created this in- figure out what we were going to bring of this House is ready to do the right stitution to sort those disagreements to the floor all night last night, and we thing. out. So I hope we won’t sell either our- end up with this: basically kicking the Mr. Speaker, here is our chance to do selves or the American people short in can down the road for a few weeks and just that. If we defeat the previous that regard. question, I will offer an amendment to But I do want to agree with my not dealing with some essential emer- gency priorities that are a concern to the rule to bring up H.R. 3440, the friend that this is frustrating. It is Dream Act. The bipartisan, bicameral frustrating to be here for a continuing most people in this country. Again, going back to this tax bill, legislation has the support of the ma- resolution, Mr. Speaker. Remember jority of this House and would pass if it that we passed the National Security that is an example of where bipartisan- ship might have been helpful. I don’t were brought up for a vote. and Defense Appropriations bill in July Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous con- recall a tax reform package—I don’t of this year. We have waited patiently sent to insert the text of my amend- even want to call it reform because, ba- for the Senate to be able to take it up, ment in the RECORD, along with extra- sically, it is a giveaway to big corpora- and it has not. neous material, immediately prior to tions and to wealthy special interests— We passed all of the appropriations the vote on the previous question. bills, Mr. Speaker, before the end of the that has been rammed through Con- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there fiscal year, back in September, and we gress purely on a partisan basis. objection to the request of the gen- have been waiting for the Senate to But maybe it had something to do tleman from Massachusetts? take those up. It has not. It is an in- with the fact that Democrats weren’t There was no objection. credibly frustrating time. welcome to the table. Mr. MCGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, I yield Now, my friend suggested a solution Maybe it had to do with the fact that 3 minutes to the gentleman from Texas would be bipartisanship. I could not Democrats were locked out. (Mr. DOGGETT). agree with him more. It takes 60 votes Maybe it had something to do with Mr. DOGGETT. Mr. Speaker, I am all to move something through the Sen- the fact that this so-called conference in favor of keeping our government ate. I just barely have over 50 Repub- committee was a sham and, when open. The difference that I have with licans. The only way these funding Democrats showed up, a deal had al- my Republican colleagues is that I bills are going to move through the ready been struck. want to keep it open for everyone. Senate is with bipartisan support. For That is not bipartisanship. Here, at Christmas, we think of the anyone in this Chamber to deny that is And maybe we are a little bit exor- children first, but the children are not going to be to deny the reality of math. cised because, time and time again, put first in this underlying bill. The Bipartisanship is the solution. when people go before the Rules Com- Children’s Health Insurance Program I remember, Mr. Speaker, when my mittee looking to offer legitimate, ger- (CHIP) is barely left on life support. President invited the Democratic lead- mane amendments to try to improve There are children out there right ership down to the White House to legislation, rather than being able to now, some with dreaded diseases or dis- work on exactly this issue a month have the opportunity to offer those abilities, and their access to a family ago. Folks got frustrated with the amendments on the floor and have a physician is not assured because this tweet he sent out that morning and de- debate, we are shut out all the time. Congress has not acted on the Chil- cided they were going to stay home. Again, this Congress, this Republican dren’s Health Insurance Program. In- I understand the frustrations. What I Congress, this session, has the distinc- stead of Christmas cards, they are don’t understand is missing out on an tion of being the most closed session in about to get cancellation notices.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 01:42 Dec 22, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K21DE7.008 H21DEPT1 H10352 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE December 21, 2017 And there are children who were truly Merry Christmas and Happy New lion people that visit Community Health brought here to America, through no Year to all of America’s children. Centers (CHC’s) for critically needed health fault of their own, without a visa. They Mr. WOODALL. Mr. Speaker, I yield care. It is completely irresponsible for Con- grew up here. They only know this myself such time as I may consume. gressional Leaders to have created this cri- Mr. Speaker, here, in these cold days sis. Moreover, it is now unconscionable for country. They have since passed a Congress to head home for the holidays with- criminal background check. They had outside, it is easy to create a lot of rhe- out taking action to right this wrong. paid a fee, but their future is uncer- torical heat on the inside. I would The holidays are a time to reflect on how tain. They are called DREAMers be- argue that legislative light is what we fortunate we are and help those in need. In cause they have a dream of giving back need more often than not. that vein, the CBC will not support a Con- to America and being full Americans, We brought the Children’s Health In- tinuing Resolution unless CHIP is reauthor- which they are, in everything but those surance Program bill to the floor that ized and fully funded for five years and Com- my friend from Texas just referenced, munity Health Centers are reauthorized and legal papers. fully funded for two years. Moreover, the off- And we, in Congress, have our own Mr. Speaker. We didn’t just bring it to sets for these programs must not harm other responsibility. It is a responsibility to the floor; we brought it through com- vulnerable communities by reducing funding respond to their passionate pleas. We mittee. We brought it through com- for other programs, such as the Prevention should not support another partisan mittee, and we passed it. We brought it Fund. For this to be the state of play one Republican continuing resolution or to the House floor, and we passed it. day after giving away $1.5 trillion to huge appropriations process that does not We sent it to the Senate, and there it corporations and the wealthy is absurd and assure the future of our 800,000 sits. offensive. But when it passed the House floor, Close to 2 million children across this DREAMers. country are in danger of losing CHIP cov- I can tell you, from meeting with my friend from Texas voted ‘‘no.’’ He erage in January, with another 1 million set them personally, I think of a cardiac voted ‘‘no.’’ to lose coverage in February. A short term nurse, I think of a county prosecutor, I Now, do I believe for a moment that approach to providing these children and think of a number of teachers whom I is because he hates children? I do not. their families with certainty is absolutely ir- have met and many students, all of Do I believe for a moment that it is responsible. Without swift reauthorization whom are DREAMers, who want to be because he doesn’t want folks to have and fully funded coverage, young lives hang full Americans. And I think of the access to healthcare? I do not. I believe in the balance. Congress’ failure to act will set off a chain of dire-consequences for chil- groups in Texas like RAICES and he had legitimate policy reasons for de- ciding not to reauthorize the program dren, as well as their families, communities, TOPS and JOLT and the University and states. A family without insurance is a Leadership Initiative and a number of then that he has just taken to the floor family more likely to fall victim to financial others that are working with these and talked about the merits of reau- crisis related to medical costs, such as bank- DREAMers to secure their future. thorizing. ruptcy. Even President Trump, in one of his It is okay to disagree on those issues, Similarly, Community Health Centers play few reasonable tweets, in September, and it is even okay to highlight those an essential role in low-income communities said: differences. What is not okay is to de- as they protect and expand access to critical ‘‘Does anybody really want to throw scribe this Chamber as a Chamber that and affordable care. The Community Health doesn’t care. What is not okay is to de- Centers Fund (CHCF) provides mandatory out good, educated, accomplished funding for federal health centers, which pro- young people who have jobs, some serv- scribe this as a Chamber that doesn’t vide primary, dental, and other supportive ing in the military?’’ act. care in medically underserved areas. Robust I think the answer here, if given a My friend was absolutely right: it is and reliable support for Community Health free vote, Republicans and Democrats, a bipartisan priority to fund the Chil- Centers results in more health centers, an the majority would say absolutely not; dren’s Health Insurance Program, and increased number of patient visit, and more we need these young people. we did. The Senate has not acted. It available services. These services save lives, This holiday season is one that you hasn’t gotten the full reauthorization especially in communities struggling to pro- done. If we pass the continuing resolu- vide affordable care to poor, largely minor- would hope would open closed hearts to ity communities. see the humanity in these young peo- tion today, that funding will continue. The CHCF is even more essential to the ple. But amidst all the self-congratula- Let’s disagree on those things that more than 27 million people it helps support tory high-fives and patting on the back we disagree about, but let’s be honest in light of recent efforts to the dismantle our yesterday down at the White House, with ourselves about the legitimacy of nation’s health insurance market. As you nothing was said about the DREAMers. those disagreements. Let’s try to find well know, the elimination of the Affordable The Republican leadership has appar- more light than heat in this new year. Care Act’s individual mandate will add 13 ently decided to leave town without Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of million uninsured Americans, increase pre- my time. miums by 10 percent, and make it harder for doing anything for them. sick people to get insurance. I believe that the Dream Act, the Mr. MCGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, I yield The Congressional Black Caucus has been DACA authorization they have now, 3 minutes to the gentleman from Flor- the conscience of this Congress since its in- was terminated by the President just ida (Mr. HASTINGS), my colleague on ception in 1971. We have provided moral lead- to use them as a bargaining chip. That the Rules Committee. ership and courageous advocacy for our con- was way back in September. And since Mr. HASTINGS. Mr. Speaker, my stituents and for all Americans that have that time, the majority has had ample dear friend that just spoke with ref- felt disenfranchised or left behind. At the opportunity to act. erence to acting, let me tell you what time of year when we are supposed to be action was undertaken with reference most charitable, it is urgent that Congress The SPEAKER pro tempore. The act to reauthorize CHIP and Community time of the gentleman has expired. to CHIP. Health Centers and provide robust funding Mr. MCGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, I yield Prevention money was used as the for both. Children and families do not need the gentleman from Texas an addi- pay-for. So, somehow or another, that to spend the holidays worrying about their tional 30 seconds. action doesn’t rub some of us in the health. It is time for Congress to do what it Mr. DOGGETT. Mr. Speaker, I would right way. is responsible and moral. Accordingly, the just say that all of us as Members of Mr. Speaker, I include in the RECORD CBC will not support any legislation to pre- Congress are eager to return to our a letter from the Congressional Black vent a shutdown unless these critical pro- grams are addressed. families as soon as possible across Caucus to Speaker PAUL RYAN. Sincerely, America, but our DREAMers are left CONGRESSIONAL BLACK CAUCUS, CEDRIC RICHMOND, with fear and uncertainty about re- December 21, 2017. Chair. turning to their families and about PAUL RYAN, Washington, DC. Mr. HASTINGS. Mr. Speaker, I lift their future. from it one paragraph that says: These deserving young people should DEAR SPEAKER RYAN: On behalf of the Con- gressional Black Caucus (CBC), I write today The holidays are a time to reflect on how not be used as bargaining chips for a to strongly urge you to provide a more per- fortunate we are and help those in need. In wish list of anti-immigrant policies. manent solution for close to 9 million chil- that vein, the Congressional Black Caucus Let’s reject this rule, enact the Dream dren enrolled in the Children’s Health Insur- will not support a continuing resolution un- Act, reauthorize CHIP, and offer a ance Program (CHIP) and more than 27 mil- less CHIP is reauthorized and fully funded

VerDate Sep 11 2014 04:53 Dec 22, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00006 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K21DE7.026 H21DEPT1 December 21, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H10353 for 5 years and community health centers Mr. WOODALL. Mr. Speaker, I yield Mr. Speaker, Mr. WOODALL serves not are reauthorized and fully funded for 2 years. myself such time as I may consume. only the Rules Committee and this Mr. Speaker, this morning in the My friend from Florida is a good ac- body in the Republican majority, but Rules Committee, beginning at 8—I countability partner up on the Rules he is also our designee to the Budget might add, we were noticed that we Committee. I have learned from his in- Committee and has excelled in excess were going to meet last night at 10, but tellect, and I have learned from his ex- of understanding the intricate details we did not meet, and then we came in perience in this Chamber. I value that, that not only move this great Nation, early this morning—the distinguished and I value his friendship. but the arguments, a balance between minority leader and the minority whip, When he says that more closed rules them. I appreciate the gentleman very, along with the leader of the Hispanic have been passed in this Congress than very much. Caucus, appeared and stayed for 21⁄2 any other, he is absolutely right. He is Mr. Speaker, I rise today to offer hours discussing the fact that we are absolutely right. And that is worth some advice that I just received from leaving things on the table, but, more talking about, as my friend does regu- the Governor of the State of Texas, specifically, addressing the Deferred larly in the committee. Governor Abbott, who took time to Action for Childhood Arrivals program. Unfortunately, we usually just have call me. I also want to address the dis- But let’s talk about the things that that half of the conversation. What we tinguished gentleman from Florida we are leaving on the table: don’t talk about is that many of those (Mr. HASTINGS), my very dear friend. We are doing nothing about long- closed rules were for bills that were so During that record-setting year, we term flood insurance. well worked out in a bipartisan way in also made in order over 560 amend- We are doing nothing about Perkins committee that there were no amend- ments. That is 560 amendments that loans that have expired. ments offered, that we had already people came to the Rules Committee, We are not funding or addressing the come together in such a collaborative, had literally a committee that engaged opioid epidemic. productive, admirable way that we them on the substance of their ideas, We are not offering legislation to ought to be bragging about instead of listened to it, believed that that sub- help save failing pensions in this coun- denigrating that we didn’t have amend- stance had a good place for debate on try. ments that were offered. this floor. Not necessarily every idea I talked with some teamsters from Other bills, Mr. Speaker, were bills should be vetted here. Sometimes it is Michigan the other day with tears in that might not have been so generally vetted in committee, subcommittee. their eyes concerned about their pen- agreed upon. But when my friend the Sometimes it is vetted at the Rules sions. chairman of the Rules Committee Committee, and sometimes we do not We are doing nothing with reference sends the call out to all 435 Members of make those ideas in order. to long-term, bipartisan reauthorizing Congress and says: If you have any This morning was no different. There for CHIP and community health cen- ideas, bring them to the Rules Com- were a lot of great ideas. As a matter ters. of fact, the minority leader, Ms. We are doing nothing about the FISA mittee. For many of those bills, Mr. PELOSI, came to the Rules Committee reauthorization. Speaker, there wasn’t one idea sug- for several hours. The gentleman, the We are not raising the defense and gested, not one idea suggested to minority whip, Mr. HOYER, came a non-defense spending caps. change the underlying bill. slightly less amount of time, but no We are leaving Medicare extension on b 1300 doubt came to the Rules Committee the table. So did it come under a closed proc- And that is just a to-do list that is and offered us advice about not only ess? partial that we are not addressing. what we are doing but presented the Well, of course, it did, if closed But let me get in the weeds on some- arguments about what they were for. means we ask everybody for all of their thing that the public doesn’t quite un- They were given unlimited opportunity ideas and no one had one, so there was derstand. to discuss that. 196 people appeared right over here no idea to debate on the floor. There was some limit that we had to and signed what is called a discharge Mr. Speaker, there are so many ways offer our challenges back, but it was an petition to bring DACA to the floor; 34 that we can do better with one another, open process, and I appreciate Ms. Members of the House of Representa- but I would suggest to my friends that PELOSI and all the members of the tives sent a letter to the Speaker. If the way to do better with one another committee doing that. you combine those numbers, you have is to build that on a foundation of Mr. Speaker, the reason why I came 218. trust, not a foundation of recrimina- down is to say—and there are lots of My distinguished Rules Committee tions. stories that go on, but the story that I chair and I had a colloquy this morning We have an opportunity in this new was just told by the Governor of the where we discussed that matter. year, Mr. Speaker, to turn a page in State of Texas is that Texas—not un- The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. this institution. I want to say, in my like the islands of Puerto Rico and the HULTGREN). The time of the gentleman time on the Rules Committee, Mr. Virgin Islands, the great State of Flor- has expired. Speaker, I have never had a chairman ida that were in the way of a hurri- Mr. MCGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, I yield who worked as hard to open the process cane—was record-setting rain, 60 the gentleman from Florida an addi- and hear from Members as the gen- inches. It lasted 8 or 9 days. It did in- tional 30 seconds. tleman from Texas (Mr. SESSIONS), the credible damage. Mr. HASTINGS. And the fact of the current chairman. This body has taken time to now matter is I believe that it would pass if Time and time again, where other study getting money back to those af- it were put on the floor. folks would have walked away from the fected areas, and the determination But do you know what is more im- table, the chairman has stayed there to that was made by this body is some $81 portant? We had 58 closed rules in this get input, to hear ideas. Time and time billion. I just found out that the State Congress, completely closed. And to again, when the process would have of Texas has calculated their part of put that into context, we averaged 25 been truncated, he has extended it to the $81 billion, and it is less than 15 closed rules a year in the 4 years the make sure folks had a chance to have percent of the total. Less than 15 per- Democrats were in charge. their voice heard. cent of that total will actually be The Dream Act is a perfect example I am grateful for that, Mr. Speaker. I going to the largest storm in the his- of this. As Members are well aware, we am grateful to the chairman for that tory of America. have tried time and time again to get model that he sets in that committee. I did not offer a complaint. I was sur- a floor vote on the Dream Act. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the prised. I would have thought it would Mr. Speaker, we all know that this gentleman from Texas (Mr. SESSIONS) be in the 50 percent realm. I would CR is the last train leaving town. You to speak on this rule. have thought it would have been high- have given millionaires and billion- Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I thank er. But what I want to say is that not aires help. Let’s give the DREAMers a the distinguished gentleman from everybody gets everything they want Merry Christmas. Georgia (Mr. WOODALL) for yielding. in this town, not even if they are the

VerDate Sep 11 2014 04:53 Dec 22, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00007 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K21DE7.012 H21DEPT1 H10354 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE December 21, 2017 Governor of the State of Texas, with a with an American ideal: all of us hav- who have recognized the value of immi- large delegation like Texas. ing the responsibility to make the fu- gration; that our country would be in It is a difficult time we all go ture better for the next generation. stagnation if we didn’t have this con- through, and I offered and expressed And their commitment, their courage, stant reinvigoration of visitors to our my confidence to the Governor that I their optimism, their determination country. would certainly go look at this. It is for a better future makes America When President Obama acted because the first time I learned of this. Less more American. Every newcomer who Congress had not acted to protect the than 15 percent of the emergency funds comes here with that determination DREAMers and their parents, that was that will be presumptively agreed to makes America more American. really important for him to do because today, of this huge storm, goes to Among those people are our DREAM- Congress had not acted. However, it is Texas. I just thought that was worthy ers. This is a very discrete group that important to note that President of me to take time to come and pass on we are hoping to protect in the Dream Reagan, when he was President and information that I had not known Act. Certainly, as our colleagues ac- President George Herbert Walker Bush about, information that I was provided. knowledged this morning, we have im- was at that time Vice President, Con- It tells us how large the need is in this portant work to do on comprehensive gress did act through the Immigration country when the largest storm only immigration reform. We have a respon- Reform and Control Act of 1986. They gets 15 percent. sibility to protect our borders, North did act. And President Reagan’s obser- So I am a ‘‘yes.’’ I am a ‘‘yes’’ for the and South, and anything that flies in, vation was they didn’t go far enough. So he took further executive action other 85 percent that is not going to be East Coast, West Coast, and through called Family Fairness to protect peo- in Texas also. I am a ‘‘yes’’ because I the Gulf. But the fact is that—as was ple in our country, immigrants in our have seen the fires in California, I have pointed out by our colleague, Congress- country. Actually, President Reagan seen the damage from—and Judge HAS- woman LUJAN GRISHAM, the chair of and President George Herbert Walker TINGS kept us up to date. I have been the Hispanic Caucus: think of the Bush protected a higher percentage of aware of Ambassador Patrick Rooney, DREAMers as a discrete piece that newcomers to our country than Presi- who talked with us about the devasta- needs protection now and not wait for dent Obama did with his DACA and tion; and TOM ROONEY in Florida; and the entire comprehensive immigration DAPA action, a higher percentage be- certainly Byrne Buchanan, who spoke reform to be resolved before we deal cause they understood the value to our with us about the damage to the with this emergency. country of newcomers. crops—lots of big problems. Just as we treat CHIP, 9 million chil- President Clinton continued all of I am going to vote for the other 85 dren are depending on CHIP, but we are that. President George W. Bush was a percent, too, not just the 15 percent for not waiting until we revise the whole champion and continues to be a cham- my home State. healthcare system in order to pass pion on recognizing the value of immi- I want to thank the gentleman for al- CHIP, nor did we. When we passed gration. He has spoken about it intel- lowing me time to share my ideas on CHIP, it was before the Affordable Care lectually, with respect, from the heart the floor. I wish Judge HASTINGS a Act had passed. for people coming to our country, and Merry Christmas. But let me say why it is really im- he has urged us to do so. Mr. MCGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, I yield portant for this to happen now. Unfor- He couldn’t get the cooperation of his 1 minute to the gentlewoman from tunately—and, really, I was pleased own party when he was President to co- California (Ms. PELOSI), who spent 21⁄2 that our Speaker registered his dis- operate for comprehensive immigra- hours today in the Rules Committee agreement with President Trump when tion reform, even though when we had fighting on behalf of the DREAMers. he took the action he did in regard to the power as Democrats, we supported Ms. PELOSI. Mr. Speaker, I thank DACA in September. When he did that it. But he could not get the 60 votes in the gentleman for yielding. and said, ‘‘I will give Congress until the Senate. But, nonetheless, he con- I also thank all of the members of March to pass a law,’’ what he didn’t tinues to be a champion, really, for im- the Rules Committee for the excep- understand is that he was putting these migration reform. tional service they provide to the DREAMers at a distinct disadvantage. And here we have a new President House in reviewing legislation that will Every day, over 100, 120-some DACA who campaigned on the backs of new- come to the floor. recipients, DACA-eligible recipients, comers to our country and who made I particularly want to thank my col- lose their status. That means, if they immigrants villains. It is a complete leagues on the Democratic side for hon- are working or whatever they are change from the Republican Party, oring the values of our country by ad- doing, they lose their status to do that from a commitment to valuing new- vocating for an amendment to include in our country. Over 10,000 have lost comers and diversity in our country. It the Dream Act as we go forward. I status since the President’s announce- is a complete departure from President would hope that most of our Members ment—well over 10,000. Reagan, President George Herbert would vote ‘‘no’’ on this rule and not So we can’t wait until March to do Walker Bush, President George W. allow for the previous question to come this because it had consequences Bush, just to name the Republican forward so that it will allow for the known to us but unforeseen by the Presidents. Dream Act to be considered. White House and by the President. And So we find ourselves in this situa- I want to thank the chairman of the I don’t think, in his heart, that the tion, but that doesn’t change the fact that we have a responsibility to all of committee and the distinguished Mem- President intended to hurt these people God’s children to treat them with re- bers on the Republican side, as well as in the very cruel way that they are spect, and when we can do something the Democratic side, for the hospi- being hurt by the actions that are to be helpful, we should. tality extended to the Democratic being taken. whip, Mr. HOYER; the chair of the His- We can’t wait until March. We need b 1315 panic Caucus, Congresswoman action. We need it soon. We need it to There is harm that is coming to the MICHELLE LUJAN GRISHAM; and to me. be bipartisan. That is what we have DREAMers every day, because they are At that meeting, Mr. Speaker, I told been working on—not me; Members, losing status. Regardless of what some the colleagues that we are in a tradi- Member-driven bipartisan cooperation may say, some are being deported. This tion of having great Democratic and in trying to find a path that addresses may be unknown to the President, but Republican Presidents who have been the concerns that some have about the it is not unknown to us in this Con- supportive of newcomers to our coun- border—and we all do—and also ad- gress. try and who recognize that immigra- dresses the Dream Act. I want to thank Congresswoman tion is the constant reinvigoration of As the President said: Let’s call it LUJAN GRISHAM, the chair of the Con- America. DACA. gressional Hispanic Caucus, and her When people come to our country Okay. We will call it DACA. members. I want to thank Congress- with their hopes and dreams and aspi- So here we are. I said at the begin- woman JUDY CHU, the chair of the Con- rations to make the future better for ning of my remarks that we have been gressional Asian Pacific American Cau- their families, they are identifying blessed in our country by Presidents cus; Congresswoman YVETTE CLARKE,

VerDate Sep 11 2014 04:53 Dec 22, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00008 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K21DE7.013 H21DEPT1 December 21, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H10355 who, working with the Congressional activities. Lisette recently graduated Congress should not wait any longer Black Caucus, has been a champion in from Harvard with honors. to act. It cannot turn its back on these that caucus; and all of the Members on Lisette and other DREAMers have so youths, on these immigrants who are both sides of the aisle who are striving much to contribute to our country, but leading productive, positive lives, who to find a path. Donald Trump and other Republicans are giving back to our communities One path that we have open to us is have made their agenda clear. They and contributing immensely to the to defeat this rule, to allow the Dream want to shut down DACA and DAPA economy. Act to come up, and to put that in the and deport hundreds of thousands of Congress has an opportunity today to mix as we go forward. DREAMers and parents of Americans. show the world our values, that we are Again, this isn’t an issue, this isn’t a That is what DREAMers think. We going to protect DREAMers, that we bill. It is a value, and that is the con- don’t want them to think that. We are going to stand with these young versation we had with President want them to think that the President men and women who enrich our coun- Trump. This isn’t an issue, but it is a understands their value, the value of try, who only know the United States value. This is about who we are as a na- our DREAMers, and the challenges as their home. The nearly 800,000 tion and how we respect who we are as that they face. DREAMers are our doctors, our nurses, a nation. That is why, I believe, that If we don’t do something soon, our teachers, our neighbors, and they President Trump will be receptive to Lisette will be deported back to Chile, serve in our military and are pro- signing a bill. He does want—and we a country where she hasn’t lived since tecting us here at home. are all concerned for—border security. she was 6 years old. But because Congress has not acted We will work with him on that, but There are just thousands and thou- and because this Chamber has failed to let’s start by putting on the RECORD sands and thousands of stories of suc- act on the DACA issue, DREAMers are the support of this House for a recogni- cess, of those serving in our military, living in fear and uncertainty of their tion that we are immigrants, by and attending our schools, teaching our future. They are afraid to go to school. large. Unless some of you are Native children, working in high-level posi- They are afraid of losing their loved Americans—and how proud we are of tions, because they all have that immi- ones at a moment’s notice. They are our Native American community in grant attitude of hard work, hard work anxious about whether they will be our country and how blessed we are— ethic, a work ethic, a faith ethic, a able to continue to earn their pay- most of us come from immigrant fami- family ethic, a sense of community. checks and earn a living. lies. In the sense and spirit of community, DREAMers are feeling the pain now. It was interesting to me in doing let’s defeat this rule and allow the They are experiencing the anxiety now. some reading on some of this. I am Dream Act to come forward. They are being detained now. These are very proud of my own Italian-American Mr. WOODALL. Mr. Speaker, I yield real people. heritage. My grandmother was born in myself such time as I may consume. Now, I understand their fear and Baltimore, Maryland. Her parents were Mr. Speaker, we talk a lot about their uncertainty, because, for many of from Venice and Genoa. My father’s what isn’t in the bill today, and we us, this hits real close to home. I have family from Abruzzo. We are very could actually talk a lot longer about 8,000 DREAMers who live in my dis- proud of all of that, which makes us re- what isn’t in the bill. It is a fairly nar- trict. I also have a family member who spect the pride that other people take rowly focused bill, but what is in there, is a DREAMer. Many are afraid of in their heritage. in addition to funding to keep the gov- being deported to a place where they What was interesting to me in recent ernment operating, is funding for our will be strangers, to a country they days, because I remember—I didn’t suf- community health centers that we all haven’t lived in since they were chil- fer this, but I know my father and oth- care so much about; is funding for the dren. ers did: Italians were called ‘‘wops.’’ Children’s Health Insurance Program— Mr. Speaker, this is the 16th time Do you know what wops means? that is a bipartisan issue across this since DACA’s termination that Demo- It means ‘‘without papers.’’ That is Chamber—is funding for the Special crats are challenging Republicans to what they were called: without papers. Diabetes Program. Mr. Speaker, that is take real urgent action to protect These people are without papers, but so important to so many families. I can DREAMers by bringing the bipartisan in every way they are American. go on and on and on. Dream Act to a vote on this floor. I just want to tell you a couple of Are there things that are not in this We must stand up for DREAMers. It stories. One is Fernando Meza Gutier- bill? is the right thing to do. It is what rez. Fernando lives in my district. Fer- Of course there are, and I look for- Americans want us to do. They want nando’s family came to the U.S. Fer- ward to coming back with my col- Congress to protect DREAMers from nando came to the U.S. when he was 9 leagues to address each and every one deportation by an overwhelming ma- years old. In high school, Fernando was of those, but there is so much good jority. It is the moral thing to do. an AP scholar and received the Inter- that is in this bill, Mr. Speaker. If we Again, this is a bipartisan issue. I national Baccalaureate Diploma and conclude this debate to pass this rule, have talked to many of my colleagues the Achievement Award in Foreign we can get on and make those things a across the aisle who want to see a vote Language for French. reality. on this. I believe we will pass it over- Fernando continued to excel aca- Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of whelmingly if we could just get this demically at Santa Clara University, my time. vote. where he graduated cum laude with a Mr. MCGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, I yield This is a moment of truth for our Na- double major in biology and French. 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from tion. I ask my colleagues to vote Now a third-year doctoral student at California (Ms. BARRAGA´ N). against the previous question so that UC San Francisco, Fernando also Ms. BARRAGA´ N. Mr. Speaker, I we can immediately bring the Dream works at UCSF Helen Diller Family thank the gentleman from Massachu- Act to the floor and provide relief for Comprehensive Cancer Center, where setts for yielding. the nearly 800,000 DREAMers in time he is working hard to provide new in- We are in a critical and urgent time. for the holiday season. sights into many diseases and dis- People’s lives are on the line. Mr. WOODALL. Mr. Speaker, I yield orders. On September 5, the President sud- myself such time as I may consume. I just want to tell you one other denly and cruelly terminated the Mr. Speaker, you likely did, as I did story. Lisette Diaz was just 6 years old DACA program. Since that date, 13,000 yesterday, get a wonderful Christmas when her family brought her to the DACA recipients have lost their status card from our friend from California, U.S. from Chile. Growing up in Long Is- and their protections, and every day which I very much appreciated. She land, Lisette excelled in school and was that Congress delays a vote, another was there with her beautiful family. I involved in her community. She went average of 122 lose their status. appreciate the sincerity of her words on to attend Harvard, where she re- That is why this is urgent, that is today. ceived numerous awards and partici- why this is important, that is why we I will just remind this Chamber that pated in a variety of extracurricular need to act now. we are having that conversation for

VerDate Sep 11 2014 04:53 Dec 22, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00009 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K21DE7.015 H21DEPT1 H10356 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE December 21, 2017 one reason and one reason only. That is Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, all The SPEAKER pro tempore. The because, when Democrats had the of us are anxious to go home to our time of the gentlewoman has expired. White House, the U.S. House, and the families and our celebrations, but more Mr. MCGOVERN. I yield the gentle- U.S. Senate, but—much like Repub- and more Americans are seeing every woman from Texas an additional 30 licans today—didn’t have 60 votes to single day, particularly in the last cou- seconds. get around the filibuster, instead of ple days, just how messed up the values Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, we President Obama and the Democratic and priorities of the Republican major- have 300,000 homes underwater. Puerto leaders in the House and the Senate ity really are. Rico has no lights in homes; U.S. Vir- trying to find a bipartisan pathway for- They saw the Republicans go off to gin Islands, none, no homes. Key West ward that could get 60 votes, they the White House and high-fiving and still needs debris picked up. chose to craft an administrative solu- cheering each other for a tax cut that What my constituents are saying is, tion, one that I thought was illegal, provides 81 percent of its benefits to because the lights are out, we are for- one that I thought was unconstitu- the wealthiest Americans and that gotten; because DREAMers don’t have tional, but chose to go it alone. blows about a $1.5-trillion hole in the rights, they are forgotten. So I am not going to stand here and Mr. Speaker, that is not a blame budget. That means debt and deficit. ignore our children, 9 million of them statement. It is an explanation of some Who is left with the coal in the who need CHIP, or our DREAMers. But systemic challenges that exist in this stocking? I am also going to say that, whatever place. We are looking at 9 million children is in this for us, which is not a lot, I am I can assure my colleagues, and I am and their parents who are sick, who going to keep pushing and fighting for happy to have someone disabuse me of have been worrying about how they are my constituents. And the money that the notion, but I have yet to see the going to have the Children’s Health In- issue that we have solved by blaming we are getting, get it to us now—now. surance Program. Yes, we extended it Mr. WOODALL. Mr. Speaker, I con- each other more for it. I have yet to now until March. It expired in Sep- tinue to reserve the balance of my see that pathway to success. tember, but we didn’t have time for time. The pathway I have seen is when those children. Mr. MCGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, I yield folks turn the cameras off, when they We don’t have time for the 800,000 myself the balance of my time. roll up their sleeves, when they decide young people who are serving this Mr. Speaker, it is the Christmas sea- they don’t much care who gets the country right now as DACA recipients. son, so I do want to begin by thanking credit for a solution, they just want to We could pass the Dream Act today. the gentleman from Georgia and the solve it. Let’s get our values straight. Let’s do distinguished chairman of the Rules I will put another one on my col- better than we are. Committee, Mr. SESSIONS, for always leagues’ plate, because, again, I don’t Mr. WOODALL. Mr. Speaker, I would being so polite to me and to other doubt their sincerity. Raju is one of my advise the gentleman from Massachu- Democrats on the committee. constituents. He is here on an H1–B setts that I have no further speakers But I want to say, in all candor, that, visa. His wife, Manju, is here on an H– and I am prepared to close when he is. in spite of that, we are disrespected 4 visa. He came to this country legally I reserve the balance of my time. each and every day when our ideas are 11 years ago. Every few years, he has to Mr. MCGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, I shut out and, in turn, our constituents renew his visa, which costs thousands would inquire if the gentleman has any are disrespected. I represent the same of dollars. When his visa expires, when time to share. number of people as the Speaker of the his driver’s license expires, he has to go Mr. WOODALL. Mr. Speaker, I would House, as any Republican and any back and do it. He is not complaining. advise the gentleman that it appears I other Democrat in this Chamber, and That is what the law of the land said. have committed all of my time. yet, routinely, we are told that our When he agreed to come here, he b 1330 ideas are not welcome. agreed to follow the law of the land. He I believe, Mr. Speaker, that every can’t start his own business. He can’t Mr. MCGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, I yield Member of this House, Democrats and change employers. He is a captive of 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Republicans alike, are entitled to basic the visa program that he came in on. Texas (Ms. JACKSON LEE). respect. We have just gone through the There is no pathway, Mr. Speaker, for Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, most closed session in the history of Raju and Manju to get the same bene- this has been a painful season for so our country, more than 58 closed rules fits that my colleagues are arguing so many of us, from California to Texas to in this session. Over 1,500 amendments, passionately for for 800,000 additional Florida, Louisiana, to Puerto Rico and both Democratic and Republican people. the U.S. Virgin Islands, and so I am amendments, were blocked. That is not Mr. Speaker, the human stories don’t still here begging my colleagues for what we were promised by the leader- begin and end with the DACA program. those who are begging in Texas. ship of this House. Again, a problem that President Right now, my local officials are let- We are disappointed with what we Obama created; not solved, but created. ting my constituents from Kashmere are dealing with today. We are dis- I can go line by line by line of folks Gardens share in the public view how appointed with the inaction and lack of who are facing similar challenges, and desperate they are for housing money. support for the CHIP program and the I question where the justice is when I So this CR and this emergency supple- community health centers funding. We can name constituent after constituent mental should be separated. But the think that is inadequate. We are dis- after constituent who has done every- CR, on the other hand, should be fund- appointed that more funding isn’t pro- thing right, who has paid every dime ing CHIP completely. And DACA, the vided to deal with the opioid crisis. the government has asked, who has ap- DREAMers, should be protected com- I could go on and on and on, but plied for every piece of paperwork that pletely. today, we are asking the Speaker to the government has asked, who has I introduced a bill when Hurricane allow a vote to help the DREAMers, stood in every line that the govern- Harvey came for $164 billion. That is men and women who came here as chil- ment has asked, and there is no path- where we should be, and I know that dren, who have served in our military, way forward for them. because of the sacrifice and loss and who have been first responders saving Let’s not pretend that there is not devastation. But also, a DREAMer lost lives in these disaster relief efforts, 91 common ground that we can come to- his life trying to rescue my constitu- percent who work and pay taxes. They gether on. Let’s confess that perhaps ents, so, you see, we have a situation are important. They are valuable. We we haven’t spent enough time trying to that should be corrected across the should celebrate them. do it. board. Fix the DREAMers, but provide I would say to my colleagues this is Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of for the hurricane victims. a matter of decency. The right and de- my time. I will say that we are going to keep cent thing to do is to help them, not Mr. MCGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, I yield on pushing beyond the $81 billion. I am rationalize inaction. 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Illi- glad the $1 billion that I pushed for for Please, please, for the sake of all that nois (Ms. SCHAKOWSKY). small businesses is in this bill. is good about our country, join us in

VerDate Sep 11 2014 04:53 Dec 22, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00010 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K21DE7.016 H21DEPT1 December 21, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H10357 defeating the previous question so we health centers, send money to edu- 4. Flood Control and Coastal Emergencies: can have an up-or-down vote on the cation, send money to courts, send $13 billion Dream Act, so we can actually help money to the environment; we will not 5. Public Transportation Emergency Relief these 800,000 people, these young indi- only take care of those funding respon- Program: $33 billion viduals who are giving so much to our sibilities; we will also provide those 6. Small Business Disaster Loans Program: country. It is the right thing to do. dollars needed for those men and $2 billion This is the Christmas season. I hope women spread out from Florida to 7. Emergency Conservation Activities: $650 you are all moved to joining us and to Texas to California to Puerto Rico to million helping these people because, as we the Virgin Islands. There is a real 8. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Ad- have learned, each and every day that human being behind each and every ministration: $321 million we wait, more and more of them lose one of these dollars that will go out the 9. National Aeronautics and Space Adminis- their status. They lose their jobs. Their door today. tration: $50 million lives are thrown into deeper turmoil. Mr. Speaker, I encourage my col- 10. Legal Services Corporation: $10 million It is wrong for us to go home and not leagues, vote ‘‘yes’’ on this rule so we 11. Army National Guard: $10 million deal with this. The decent thing to do can get to that underlying legislation. 12. Army Corps of Engineers—Civil Inves- is to vote on the Dream Act. Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise to tigations: $150 million Vote ‘‘no’’ on the previous question. speak on the Rule, and H.R. 4667, one of the 13. Coast Guard: $450 million Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance two underlying bills made in order. 14. National Park Service Historic Preserva- of my time. H.R. 4667 provides $81 billion in aid to re- tion Fund: $800 million Mr. WOODALL. Mr. Speaker, I yield spond to the damage caused by Hurricanes 15. EPA Environmental Programs and Man- myself the balance of my time. Irma and Maria, and the wildfires in California. agement: $2.5 billion There has been a lot of productivity I thank the Speaker and Rules Committee 16. EPA Hazardous Substance Superfund: this week. There has been a lot of work Chairman SESSIONS for acting favorably upon $7 million 17. Leaking Underground Storage Tank that has gone on this week. I am look- my request to bring this emergency disaster Fund: $15 million ing around up there at the dais with supplemental to the floor for debate and vote 18. State and Tribal Assistance Grants: you, Mr. Speaker. I see a lot of as a stand-alone measure. Ever since the widespread and catastrophic $600 million unshaven faces. I’m not just taking 19. Employment and Training Services: about Josef. I am talking about folks destruction of Hurricane Harvey, I have been working closely with the Texas Governor and $100 million who intended to shave and might not 20. Public Health and Social Services Emer- have made it home last night to get the Hurricane Harvey Taskforce to secure the help necessary for the region to rebuild. gency Fund: $2.5 billion that done. 21. Airport and Airway Trust Fund: $90 mil- It takes an incredible amount of staff I have witnessed firsthand the pain of storm- weary Houstonians who lost their homes, their lion time to do this. So what Mr. MCGOVERN 22. Federal-Aid Highways Emergency Relief and I do up in the Rules Committee, belongings, and in many cases their jobs. They are struggling and hurting. Program: $6.5 billion our staffs have been there past mid- And that is just for Texas and the areas af- night time and time again this week So this is personal to me. The amount of funding provided in the dis- fected by Hurricane Harvey; the damage and then back in at dawn. aster relief package is very disappointing be- wrought by Hurricane Irma in Florida, and Hur- I wish that more of the American cause it is not nearly sufficient to ameliorate ricane Maria in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Vir- people, Mr. Speaker, could see the the suffering still being experienced by the gin Islands was nearly as great in dollar terms hardworking, dedicated staff, the team people of the communities in the areas af- and equal in the level of misery and suffering that goes into making all of this pos- fected by Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria. inflicted on the residents. sible, because I think it would make Congress has had more than three months Mr. Speaker, on September 20, 2017, Hurri- them proud. I think, in a season like to develop an aid package that is commensu- cane Maria made landfall in Puerto Rico, this, it would lift them up and make rate to the challenge faced by the affected along the southeastern coast, near the small them feel better about who we are as a states and territories in rebuilding their dev- town of Yabucoa. people and the things that we could ac- astated communities. The devastation wrought on that beautiful complish together. Much of this time has been squandered by Caribbean oasis and its 3.5 million inhabitants, One of those young people, Mr. the Republican congressional leadership’s all- our fellow citizens of the United States, is un- Speaker, is Nate Blake on the Rules consuming focus on ramming through the Re- imaginable, except perhaps to those of us who Committee. He is sitting right here be- publican Tax Scam legislation that gives 83 have lived through and survived similar natural hind me. He is leaving us after 5 years percent of its benefits to the top 1 percent, disasters, like Hurricanes Harvey and Katrina. of service. I want to put that into per- raises taxes on working and middle-class fam- At least 48 people have died as a result of spective, Mr. Speaker. ilies, takes away health insurance from 13 mil- the storm as rescue and recovery operations There is not a staff member up here lion Americans, explodes the deficit by $1.5 proceed, a number likely to rise, especially that can’t leave today and get better trillion and the national debt by $1.7 trillion, with so many elderly, sick, and very young hours and more money going anywhere and will be paid for by 5.4 trillion in cuts to persons at risk. else in town. You will work on Capitol vital programs Americans depend on, includ- Much of Puerto Rico’s population is still Hill for one reason and one reason ing an imminent $25 billion reduction in Medi- without potable drinking water and large only, and that is that you believe, if care funding. swaths of the population still lack electrical only you work hard enough and long Mr. Speaker, on September 6, 2017, ten power. enough, you would make America just days after Hurricane Harvey struck and joined Hurricane Maria destroyed 80 percent of a little bit better. by 44 of our colleagues, I introduced H.R. Puerto Rico’s agricultural industry, including Mr. Blake is one of those believers. 3686, the ‘‘Hurricane Harvey Supplemental banana, plantain and coffee crops, which We will miss him on the committee. It Appropriations Act of 2017,’’ which provides translates into lost income of approximately is a great honor for me that his very $174 billion in disaster relief for the areas af- $780 million. last rule is to be one of mine, and I fected by Hurricane Harvey, the worst On August 30, 2017, Hurricane Irma struck, thank him for his service. superstorm ever to strike the mainland United inflicting horrific damage on the U.S. Virgin Is- Mr. Speaker, they often say every- States. lands of St. Thomas, St. Croix, and St. John, thing’s been said but not everyone has The $174 billion in funding provided by H.R. the Caribbean nations of Barbuda, St. said it. We don’t need to go down that 3686 represents a comprehensive response Maarten, Cuba, and Anguilla, before making path today. This House has done its commensurate to the challenge; specifically, landfall in the Florida Keys. job. It has done its job in a collabo- my legislation provides relief in the following In Florida alone, 6.4 million people were told rative way. It has done its job in a way amounts: to evacuate to safety, leading to days of that the American people can be proud 1. Housing and Community Development jammed highways and frantic searches for of. Fund: $50 billion gasoline amid one of the nation’s largest ever If we pass this rule, we will not only 2. FEMA Disaster Relief Fund: $35 billion emergency evacuations. fund the government, send money to 3. Army Corps of Engineers—Construction: At least 124 persons are known to have lost the troops, send money to community $15 billion their lives in Hurricane Irma, more than

VerDate Sep 11 2014 04:53 Dec 22, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00011 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\K21DE7.018 H21DEPT1 H10358 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE December 21, 2017 200,000 Floridians took refuge in shelters, and of HUD should to the maximum extent prac- against consideration of the bill are waived. nearly 6.5 million homes and businesses were ticable award grants to units of local govern- General debate shall be confined to the bill without power. ment and public housing authorities that have and shall not exceed one hour equally di- vided and controlled by the chair and rank- Mr. Speaker, we do not yet know the full ex- the financial and administrative capacity to ing minority member of the Committee on tent of the damage and devastation suffered manage a grant awarded under the program. the Judiciary. After general debate the bill by our fellows Americans in Florida, the U.S. Let me describe briefly some of the major shall be considered for amendment under the Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico in the wake of provisions contained in the Disaster Relief five-minute rule. All points of order against Hurricanes Irma and Maria. Supplemental: provisions in the bill are waived. At the con- But what we do know is that the costs of re- 1. FEMA Disaster Relief Fund: $27.5 billion clusion of consideration of the bill for covery and reconstruction will be extensive, to provide critical funding to assist the ongoing amendment the Committee shall rise and re- best estimates place the cost in the range of port the bill to the House with such amend- federal disaster response. Allows up to $4 bil- ments as may have been adopted. The pre- $50–$100 billion. lion to be provided for Community Disaster vious question shall be considered as ordered This puts in perspective the inadequacy of Loans (CDLs). on the bill and amendments thereto to final the amount of disaster relief provided under 2. Community Development Block Grants passage without intervening motion except H.R. 4667 and why more, much more, must Disaster Recovery (CDBG–DR): $26.1 billion one motion to recommit with or without in- be done. for housing and infrastructure needs, $13.56 structions. If the Committee of the Whole Mr. Speaker, right now, at this very moment, billion for grants to states, tribes, and terri- rises and reports that it has come to no reso- approximately 300,000 Texans—in Port Ar- tories for unmet housing needs and business lution on the bill, then on the next legisla- thur, in Port Aransas, in Houston and Harris tive day the House shall, immediately after losses. the third daily order of business under clause County—remain homeless or are living in sub- 3. $12.5 billion for mitigation efforts to help 1 of rule XIV, resolve into the Committee of standard homes with blue tarp roofs and in- communities protect against future disasters. the Whole for further consideration of the fected with mold. 4. This funding can provide for housing ele- bill. Today, residents of the Cashmere Gardens vation, buyouts in the flood plain, water/sewer SEC. 9. Clause 1(c) of rule XIX shall not community are meeting with local government infrastructure enhancements, public infrastruc- apply to the consideration of H.R. 3440. officials to highlight their plight and those of ture hardening (e.g. stormproofing public build- THE VOTE ON THE PREVIOUS QUESTION: WHAT other residents in the northeastern part of ings). IT REALLY MEANS Houston. 5. Federal Highway Administration’s Emer- This vote, the vote on whether to order the They are angry and frustrated and anxious, gency Relief: $1.4 billion to address all current previous question on a special rule, is not and who can blame them? damages to federal highways caused by des- merely a procedural vote. A vote against or- Mr. Speaker, this is personal to them; and ignated disasters. dering the previous question is a vote it is personal to me. 6. $12.11 billion for the Army Corps of Engi- against the Republican majority agenda and That is why right now my highest priority is neers to repair existing damages by natural a vote to allow the Democratic minority to to ensure that funding that has been made offer an alternative plan. It is a vote about disasters and for studies and projects to re- what the House should be debating. available expeditiously gets in the hands of duce the risk of future natural disasters, $75 Mr. Clarence Cannon’s Precedents of the local governments so that relief can deliver the million to expedite studies to help mitigate fu- House of Representatives (VI, 308–311), de- resources and services so desperately need- ture disaster damage. scribes the vote on the previous question on ed. 7. 2.9 billion to help displaced students get the rule as ‘‘a motion to direct or control the And I will be working with the Texas Gen- back to school. Funding can be used for both consideration of the subject before the House eral Land Office and HUD Secretary Carson to public and private schools. being made by the Member in charge.’’ To defeat the previous question is to give the relieve the emergency housing crisis in my 8. $3.8 billion for agriculture assistance. congressional district and state. opposition a chance to decide the subject be- 9. $1.66 billion for Small Business Adminis- fore the House. Cannon cites the Speaker’s Mr. Speaker, I wish to commend the bipar- tration Disaster Loans to assist small busi- ruling of January 13, 1920, to the effect that tisan leadership of both Chambers, and my nesses and homeowners repair or replace real ‘‘the refusal of the House to sustain the de- colleagues in the Texas congressional delega- estate, personal property, machinery and mand for the previous question passes the tion for their diligence and commitment in equipment, and inventory and business as- control of the resolution to the opposition’’ bringing this package to the floor for debate sets. in order to offer an amendment. On March and vote. Mr. Speaker, there is much more work to be 15, 1909, a member of the majority party of- I thank Chairman FRELINGHUYSEN and Rank- fered a rule resolution. The House defeated done in my city of Houston, and across the the previous question and a member of the ing Member LOWEY, and Speaker RYAN and areas affected by the terrible, awesome storm opposition rose to a parliamentary inquiry, Democratic Leader PELOSI, and their Senate that will be forever known simply as Hurricane asking who was entitled to recognition. counterparts for the work that has been done Harvey, and by Hurricanes Irma and Maria. Speaker Joseph G. Cannon (R-Illinois) said: thus far and for their assistance in the work That is why I am disappointed that only $81 ‘‘The previous question having been refused, that lies ahead. billion is being provided at this time. the gentleman from New York, Mr. Fitz- I also thank Chairman FRELINGHUYSEN and That is why it must be emphasized and un- gerald, who had asked the gentleman to Ranking Member LOWEY, and T-HUD Appro- derstood that this can only be understood as yield to him for an amendment, is entitled to priations Subcommittee Chairman DIAZ- the first recognition.’’ a partial response because much more fund- The Republican majority may say ‘‘the BALART, and Energy and Water Appropriations ing will be needed to provide our fellow Ameri- vote on the previous question is simply a Subcommittee Chair SIMPSON and Ranking cans in Texas, Florida, Louisiana, Puerto Rico, vote on whether to proceed to an immediate Member KAPTUR for including in the legislation and the U.S. Virgin Islands the help and sup- vote on adopting the resolution . . . [and] before us the following beneficial measures port they need to restore their communities to has no substantive legislative or policy im- that I requested, including: their previous greatness. plications whatsoever.’’ But that is not what 1. Authority to establish and implement a $1 The material previously referred to they have always said. Listen to the Repub- lican Leadership Manual on the Legislative billion pilot program to provide small business by Mr. MCGOVERN is as follows: disaster recovery grants, modeled on H.R. Process in the United States House of Rep- AN AMENDMENT TO H. RES. 670 OFFERED BY 3930, the ‘‘Hurricane Harvey Small Business resentatives, (6th edition, page 135). Here’s MR. MCGOVERN how the Republicans describe the previous Recovery Grants Act,’’ legislation I introduced At the end of the resolution, add the fol- question vote in their own manual: ‘‘Al- on October 3, 2017 and co-sponsored by 16 lowing new sections: though it is generally not possible to amend of our colleagues. SEC. 8. Immediately upon adoption of this the rule because the majority Member con- 2. $75 million for the U.S. Army Corps of resolution the Speaker shall, pursuant to trolling the time will not yield for the pur- Engineers’ Investigations account, which is to clause 2(b) of rule XVIII, declare the House pose of offering an amendment, the same re- be used in areas affected by Hurricanes Har- resolved into the Committee of the Whole sult may be achieved by voting down the pre- vey, Irma, and Maria, and can be used to fi- House on the state of the Union for consider- vious question on the rule . . . When the mo- nance the $3 million Houston-Area Watershed ation of the bill (H.R. 3440) to authorize the tion for the previous question is defeated, cancellation of removal and adjustment of control of the time passes to the Member Assessment Study I have worked to secure status of certain individuals who are long- who led the opposition to ordering the pre- and previously approved by the House. term United States residents and who en- vious question. That Member, because he 3. The bill also includes helpful legislative tered the United States as children and for then controls the time, may offer an amend- language to ensure that in awarding CDBG- other purposes. The first reading of the bill ment to the rule, or yield for the purpose of Disaster Relief funds to states, the Secretary shall be dispensed with. All points of order amendment.’’

VerDate Sep 11 2014 05:44 Dec 22, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00012 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A21DE7.021 H21DEPT1 December 21, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H10359 In Deschler’s Procedure in the U.S. House Katko Mullin Sessions Slaughter Tonko Wasserman of Representatives, the subchapter titled Kelly (MS) Newhouse Shimkus Smith (WA) Torres Schultz ‘‘Amending Special Rules’’ states: ‘‘a refusal Kelly (PA) Noem Shuster Soto Tsongas Waters, Maxine Speier Vargas to order the previous question on such a rule King (IA) Norman Simpson Watson Coleman King (NY) Nunes Smith (MO) Swalwell (CA) Veasey [a special rule reported from the Committee Welch Kinzinger Olson Smith (NE) Takano Vela Wilson (FL) on Rules] opens the resolution to amend- ´ Knight Palazzo Smith (NJ) Thompson (CA) Velazquez Yarmuth ment and further debate.’’ (Chapter 21, sec- Kustoff (TN) Palmer Smucker Thompson (MS) Visclosky tion 21.2) Section 21.3 continues: ‘‘Upon re- Labrador Paulsen Stefanik Titus Walz LaHood Pearce Stewart jection of the motion for the previous ques- NOT VOTING—11 tion on a resolution reported from the Com- LaMalfa Perry Stivers mittee on Rules, control shifts to the Mem- Lamborn Pittenger Taylor Bridenstine Jones Renacci Lance Poe (TX) Tenney Brooks (AL) Kennedy ber leading the opposition to the previous Smith (TX) Latta Poliquin Thompson (PA) Foster Napolitano Suozzi question, who may offer a proper amendment Lewis (MN) Posey Thornberry Granger Pocan or motion and who controls the time for de- LoBiondo Ratcliffe Tiberi bate thereon.’’ Long Reed Tipton Clearly, the vote on the previous question Loudermilk Reichert Trott b 1402 on a rule does have substantive policy impli- Love Rice (SC) Turner So the previous question was ordered. Lucas Roby Upton cations. It is one of the only available tools Luetkemeyer Roe (TN) Valadao The result of the vote was announced for those who oppose the Republican major- MacArthur Rogers (AL) Wagner as above recorded. ity’s agenda and allows those with alter- Marchant Rogers (KY) Walberg The SPEAKER pro tempore. The native views the opportunity to offer an al- Marino Rohrabacher Walden ternative plan. Marshall Rokita Walker question is on the resolution. Massie Rooney, Francis Walorski The question was taken; and the Mr. WOODALL. Mr. Speaker, I yield Mast Rooney, Thomas Walters, Mimi Speaker pro tempore announced that back the balance of my time, and I McCarthy J. Weber (TX) the ayes appeared to have it. move the previous question on the res- McCaul Ros-Lehtinen Webster (FL) RECORDED VOTE olution. McClintock Roskam Wenstrup McHenry Ross Westerman Mr. MCGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, I de- The SPEAKER pro tempore. The McKinley Rothfus Williams mand a recorded vote. question is on ordering the previous McMorris Rouzer Wilson (SC) A recorded vote was ordered. question. Rodgers Royce (CA) Wittman McSally Russell Womack The SPEAKER pro tempore. This is a The question was taken; and the Meadows Rutherford Woodall 5-minute vote. Speaker pro tempore announced that Meehan Sanford Yoder The vote was taken by electronic de- the ayes appeared to have it, Messer Scalise Yoho Mitchell Schweikert Young (AK) vice, and there were—ayes 228, noes 188, Mr. MCGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, on Moolenaar Scott, Austin Young (IA) not voting 15, as follows: that I demand the yeas and nays. Mooney (WV) Sensenbrenner Zeldin The yeas and nays were ordered. [Roll No. 705] The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- NAYS—188 AYES—228 ant to clause 8 and clause 9 of rule XX, Adams Ellison Luja´ n, Ben Ray Abraham Duffy King (IA) Aguilar Engel Lynch Aderholt Duncan (SC) King (NY) this 15-minute vote on ordering the Barraga´ n Eshoo Maloney, Allen Duncan (TN) Kinzinger previous question will be followed by 5- Bass Espaillat Carolyn B. Amodei Dunn Knight minute votes on: Beatty Esty (CT) Maloney, Sean Arrington Emmer Kustoff (TN) Adopting the resolution, if ordered; Bera Evans Matsui Babin Estes (KS) Labrador Beyer Frankel (FL) McCollum Bacon Farenthold LaHood Suspending the rules and passing S. Bishop (GA) Fudge McEachin Banks (IN) Faso LaMalfa 1393; and Blumenauer Gabbard McGovern Barletta Ferguson Lamborn Agreeing to the Speaker’s approval of Blunt Rochester Gallego McNerney Barr Fitzpatrick Lance Bonamici Garamendi Meeks Barton Fleischmann Latta the Journal, if ordered. Boyle, Brendan Gomez Meng Bergman Flores Lewis (MN) The vote was taken by electronic de- F. Gonzalez (TX) Moore Biggs Fortenberry LoBiondo vice, and there were—yeas 232, nays Brady (PA) Gottheimer Moulton Bilirakis Foxx Long Brown (MD) Green, Al Murphy (FL) Bishop (MI) Frelinghuysen Loudermilk 188, not voting 11, as follows: Brownley (CA) Green, Gene Nadler Bishop (UT) Gaetz Love [Roll No. 704] Bustos Grijalva Neal Black Gallagher Lucas Butterfield Gutie´rrez Nolan Blackburn Garrett Luetkemeyer YEAS—232 Capuano Hanabusa Norcross Blum Gianforte MacArthur Abraham Collins (GA) Garrett Carbajal Hastings O’Halleran Bost Gibbs Marchant Aderholt Collins (NY) Gianforte Ca´ rdenas Heck O’Rourke Brady (TX) Gohmert Marino Allen Comer Gibbs Carson (IN) Higgins (NY) Pallone Brat Goodlatte Marshall Amash Comstock Gohmert Cartwright Himes Panetta Brooks (IN) Gowdy Mast Amodei Conaway Goodlatte Castor (FL) Hoyer Pascrell Buchanan Graves (GA) McCarthy Arrington Cook Gosar Castro (TX) Huffman Payne Buck Graves (LA) McCaul Babin Costello (PA) Gowdy Chu, Judy Jackson Lee Pelosi Bucshon Graves (MO) McClintock Bacon Cramer Graves (GA) Cicilline Jayapal Perlmutter Budd Griffith McHenry Banks (IN) Crawford Graves (LA) Clark (MA) Jeffries Peters Burgess Grothman McKinley Barletta Culberson Graves (MO) Clarke (NY) Johnson (GA) Peterson Byrne Guthrie McMorris Barr Curbelo (FL) Griffith Clay Johnson, E. B. Pingree Calvert Handel Rodgers Barton Curtis Grothman Cleaver Kaptur Polis Carter (GA) Harper McSally Bergman Davidson Guthrie Clyburn Keating Price (NC) Carter (TX) Harris Meadows Biggs Davis, Rodney Handel Cohen Kelly (IL) Quigley Chabot Hartzler Meehan Bilirakis Denham Harper Connolly Khanna Raskin Cheney Hensarling Messer Bishop (MI) Dent Harris Cooper Kihuen Rice (NY) Coffman Herrera Beutler Mitchell Bishop (UT) DeSantis Hartzler Correa Kildee Richmond Cole Hice, Jody B. Moolenaar Black DesJarlais Hensarling Costa Kilmer Rosen Collins (GA) Higgins (LA) Mooney (WV) Blackburn Diaz-Balart Herrera Beutler Courtney Kind Roybal-Allard Collins (NY) Hill Mullin Blum Donovan Hice, Jody B. Crist Krishnamoorthi Ruiz Comer Holding Newhouse Bost Duffy Higgins (LA) Crowley Kuster (NH) Ruppersberger Comstock Hollingsworth Noem Brady (TX) Duncan (SC) Hill Cuellar Langevin Rush Conaway Hudson Norman Brat Duncan (TN) Holding Cummings Larsen (WA) Ryan (OH) Cook Huizenga Nunes Brooks (IN) Dunn Hollingsworth Davis (CA) Larson (CT) Sa´ nchez Costello (PA) Hultgren Olson Buchanan Emmer Hudson Davis, Danny Lawrence Sarbanes Cramer Hunter Palazzo Buck Estes (KS) Huizenga DeFazio Lawson (FL) Schakowsky Crawford Hurd Paulsen Bucshon Farenthold Hultgren DeGette Lee Schiff Culberson Issa Pearce Budd Faso Hunter Delaney Levin Schneider Curbelo (FL) Jenkins (KS) Perry Burgess Ferguson Hurd DeLauro Lewis (GA) Schrader Curtis Jenkins (WV) Pittenger Byrne Fitzpatrick Issa DelBene Lieu, Ted Scott (VA) Davidson Johnson (LA) Poe (TX) Calvert Fleischmann Jenkins (KS) Demings Lipinski Scott, David Davis, Rodney Johnson (OH) Poliquin Carter (GA) Flores Jenkins (WV) DeSaulnier Loebsack Serrano Denham Johnson, Sam Posey Carter (TX) Fortenberry Johnson (LA) Deutch Lofgren Sewell (AL) Dent Jordan Ratcliffe Chabot Foxx Johnson (OH) Dingell Lowenthal Shea-Porter DeSantis Joyce (OH) Reed Cheney Frelinghuysen Johnson, Sam Doggett Lowey Sherman DesJarlais Katko Reichert Coffman Gaetz Jordan Doyle, Michael Lujan Grisham, Sinema Diaz-Balart Kelly (MS) Rice (SC) Cole Gallagher Joyce (OH) F. M. Sires Donovan Kelly (PA) Roby

VerDate Sep 11 2014 04:53 Dec 22, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00013 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A21DE7.006 H21DEPT1 H10360 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE December 21, 2017

Roe (TN) Sessions Wagner ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE Heck Mast Ryan (OH) Rogers (AL) Shimkus Walberg The SPEAKER pro tempore (during Hensarling Matsui Sa´ nchez Rogers (KY) Shuster Walden Herrera Beutler McCarthy Sanford Rohrabacher Simpson Walker the vote). There are 2 minutes remain- Hice, Jody B. McCaul Sarbanes Rokita Smith (MO) Walorski ing. Higgins (LA) McClintock Scalise Rooney, Francis Smith (NE) Walters, Mimi Higgins (NY) McCollum Schakowsky Rooney, Thomas Smith (NJ) Weber (TX) b 1410 Hill McEachin Schiff J. Smucker Webster (FL) Himes McGovern Schneider So the resolution was agreed to. Holding McHenry Ros-Lehtinen Stefanik Wenstrup Schrader Hollingsworth McKinley Roskam Stewart Westerman The result of the vote was announced Schweikert Hoyer McMorris Ross Stivers Williams as above recorded. Scott (VA) Hudson Rodgers Scott, Austin Rothfus Taylor Wilson (SC) A motion to reconsider was laid on Huffman McNerney Scott, David Rouzer Tenney Wittman the table. Huizenga McSally Sensenbrenner Royce (CA) Thompson (PA) Womack Hultgren Meadows Serrano Russell Thornberry Woodall f Hunter Meehan Sessions Rutherford Tiberi Yoder Hurd Meeks Sewell (AL) Sanford Tipton Yoho JOBS FOR OUR HEROES ACT Issa Meng Shea-Porter Scalise Trott Young (AK) The SPEAKER pro tempore. The un- Jackson Lee Messer Sherman Schweikert Turner Young (IA) Jayapal Mitchell Shimkus Scott, Austin Upton Zeldin finished business is the vote on the mo- Jeffries Moolenaar Shuster Sensenbrenner Valadao tion to suspend the rules and pass the Jenkins (KS) Mooney (WV) Simpson bill (S. 1393) to streamline the process Jenkins (WV) Moore Sinema Johnson (GA) Moulton NOES—188 by which active duty military, reserv- Sires Johnson (LA) Mullin Slaughter Adams Gabbard Nolan ists, and veterans receive commercial Johnson (OH) Murphy (FL) Smith (MO) Aguilar Gallego Norcross driver’s licenses, on which the yeas and Johnson, E. B. Nadler Smith (NE) Amash Gomez O’Halleran Johnson, Sam Neal Smith (NJ) Barraga´ n Gonzalez (TX) O’Rourke nays were ordered. Jordan Newhouse The Clerk read the title of the bill. Smith (WA) Bass Gottheimer Pallone Joyce (OH) Noem Smucker Kaptur Nolan Beatty Green, Al Panetta The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Soto Katko Norcross Bera Green, Gene Payne question is on the motion offered by Speier Keating Norman Beyer Grijalva Pelosi Stefanik the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Kelly (IL) Nunes Bishop (GA) Gutie´rrez Perlmutter Stewart GRAVES) that the House suspend the Kelly (MS) O’Halleran Blumenauer Hanabusa Peters Stivers Kelly (PA) O’Rourke Blunt Rochester Hastings Peterson rules and pass the bill. Swalwell (CA) Khanna Olson Bonamici Heck Pingree Takano This is a 5-minute vote. Kihuen Palazzo Boyle, Brendan Higgins (NY) Polis Taylor The vote was taken by electronic de- Kildee Pallone F. Himes Price (NC) Tenney Kilmer Palmer Brady (PA) Hoyer Quigley vice, and there were—yeas 418, nays 0, Thompson (CA) not voting 13, as follows: Kind Panetta Brown (MD) Huffman Raskin King (IA) Pascrell Thompson (MS) Brownley (CA) Jackson Lee Rice (NY) [Roll No. 706] King (NY) Paulsen Thompson (PA) Bustos Thornberry Jayapal Richmond YEAS—418 Kinzinger Payne Butterfield Jeffries Rosen Knight Pearce Tiberi Capuano Johnson (GA) Roybal-Allard Abraham Cartwright Donovan Krishnamoorthi Pelosi Tipton Carbajal Johnson, E. B. Ruiz Adams Castor (FL) Doyle, Michael Kuster (NH) Perlmutter Titus Ca´ rdenas Kaptur Ruppersberger Aderholt Castro (TX) F. Kustoff (TN) Perry Tonko Carson (IN) Keating Rush Aguilar Chabot Duffy Labrador Peters Torres Cartwright Kelly (IL) Ryan (OH) Allen Cheney Duncan (SC) LaHood Peterson Trott Amash Chu, Judy Duncan (TN) Tsongas Castor (FL) Khanna Sa´ nchez LaMalfa Pingree Amodei Cicilline Dunn Turner Castro (TX) Kihuen Sarbanes Lamborn Pittenger Arrington Clark (MA) Ellison Upton Chu, Judy Kildee Schakowsky Lance Poe (TX) Babin Clarke (NY) Emmer Valadao Cicilline Langevin Poliquin Kilmer Schiff Bacon Clay Engel Vargas Clark (MA) Kind Schneider Larsen (WA) Polis Banks (IN) Cleaver Eshoo Larson (CT) Posey Veasey Clarke (NY) Krishnamoorthi Schrader Barletta Clyburn Espaillat Latta Price (NC) Vela Clay Kuster (NH) Scott (VA) Barr Coffman Estes (KS) Lawrence Quigley Vela´ zquez Cleaver Langevin Scott, David Barraga´ n Cohen Esty (CT) Lawson (FL) Raskin Visclosky Clyburn Larsen (WA) Serrano Barton Cole Evans Lee Ratcliffe Wagner Cohen Larson (CT) Sewell (AL) Bass Collins (GA) Farenthold Levin Reed Walberg Connolly Lawrence Shea-Porter Beatty Collins (NY) Faso Lewis (GA) Reichert Walden Cooper Lawson (FL) Sherman Bera Comer Ferguson Lewis (MN) Rice (NY) Walker Correa Lee Sinema Bergman Comstock Fitzpatrick Lieu, Ted Rice (SC) Walorski Costa Levin Sires Beyer Conaway Fleischmann Lipinski Richmond Walters, Mimi Courtney Lewis (GA) Slaughter Biggs Connolly Flores LoBiondo Roby Walz Crist Lieu, Ted Smith (WA) Bilirakis Cook Fortenberry Loebsack Roe (TN) Wasserman Crowley Lipinski Soto Bishop (GA) Cooper Foxx Lofgren Rogers (AL) Schultz Cuellar Loebsack Speier Bishop (MI) Correa Frankel (FL) Long Rogers (KY) Waters, Maxine Bishop (UT) Costa Frelinghuysen Cummings Lofgren Swalwell (CA) Loudermilk Rohrabacher Watson Coleman Black Costello (PA) Fudge Davis (CA) Lowenthal Takano Love Rokita Weber (TX) Blackburn Courtney Gabbard Davis, Danny Lowey Thompson (CA) Lowenthal Rooney, Francis Webster (FL) Blum Cramer Gaetz Lowey Rooney, Thomas Welch DeFazio Lujan Grisham, Thompson (MS) Blumenauer Crawford Gallagher DeGette M. Titus Lucas J. Wenstrup Blunt Rochester Crist Gallego Luetkemeyer Ros-Lehtinen Westerman Delaney Luja´ n, Ben Ray Tonko Bonamici Crowley Garrett Lujan Grisham, Rosen Williams DeLauro Lynch Torres Bost Cuellar Gianforte M. Roskam Wilson (FL) DelBene Maloney, Tsongas Boyle, Brendan Culberson Gibbs Luja´ n, Ben Ray Ross Wilson (SC) Demings Carolyn B. Vargas F. Cummings Gohmert Lynch Rothfus Wittman Maloney, Sean DeSaulnier Veasey Brady (PA) Curbelo (FL) Gomez MacArthur Rouzer Womack Deutch Massie Vela Brady (TX) Curtis Gonzalez (TX) Maloney, Roybal-Allard Woodall Dingell Matsui Vela´ zquez Brat Davidson Goodlatte Carolyn B. Royce (CA) Yarmuth Doggett McCollum Visclosky Brooks (IN) Davis (CA) Gottheimer Maloney, Sean Ruiz Yoder Doyle, Michael McEachin Walz Brown (MD) Davis, Danny Gowdy Marchant Ruppersberger Yoho F. McGovern Wasserman Brownley (CA) Davis, Rodney Graves (GA) Marino Rush Young (AK) Ellison McNerney Schultz Buchanan DeFazio Graves (LA) Marshall Russell Young (IA) Engel Meeks Waters, Maxine Buck DeGette Graves (MO) Massie Rutherford Zeldin Bucshon Delaney Green, Al Eshoo Meng Watson Coleman Budd DeLauro Green, Gene NOT VOTING—13 Espaillat Moore Welch Burgess DelBene Griffith Esty (CT) Moulton Wilson (FL) Bridenstine Granger Renacci Evans Murphy (FL) Bustos Demings Grijalva Brooks (AL) Jones Smith (TX) Yarmuth Butterfield Denham Grothman Frankel (FL) Nadler Foster Kennedy Suozzi Fudge Neal Byrne Dent Guthrie Garamendi Napolitano ´ Calvert DeSantis Gutierrez Gosar Pocan Capuano DeSaulnier Hanabusa NOT VOTING—15 Carbajal DesJarlais Handel ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE Bridenstine Granger Pascrell Ca´ rdenas Deutch Harper The SPEAKER pro tempore (during Brooks (AL) Jones Pocan Carson (IN) Diaz-Balart Harris Foster Kennedy Renacci Carter (GA) Dingell Hartzler the vote). There are 2 minutes remain- Garamendi Napolitano Smith (TX) Carter (TX) Doggett Hastings ing. Gosar Palmer Suozzi

VerDate Sep 11 2014 04:53 Dec 22, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00014 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A21DE7.004 H21DEPT1 December 21, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H10361 Pascrell Sanford Tiberi Pocan Rooney, Thomas Suozzi b 1419 Pelosi Scalise Trott Renacci J. Wittman Perlmutter Schneider Tsongas Smith (TX) Mr. DUNCAN of South Carolina Perry Schweikert Turner changed his vote from ‘‘present’’ to Peters Scott (VA) Wagner b 1426 Pingree Scott, David Walberg So the Journal was approved. ‘‘yea.’’ Posey Sensenbrenner Walden So (two-thirds being in the affirma- Quigley Serrano Walorski The result of the vote was announced tive) the rules were suspended and the Reed Sessions Walters, Mimi as above recorded. Reichert Sherman Walz bill was passed. PERSONAL EXPLANATION Rice (SC) Shimkus Wasserman The result of the vote was announced Roby Shuster Schultz Mr. SUOZZI. Mr. Speaker, I was unable to as above recorded. Roe (TN) Simpson Waters, Maxine be present today, December 21, 2017. Had I A motion to reconsider was laid on Rogers (KY) Smith (MO) Weber (TX) Rohrabacher Smith (NE) Webster (FL) been present, I would have voted ‘‘Yes’’ on the table. Rokita Smith (NJ) Welch rollcall votes No. 706 and No. 707, and ‘‘No’’ f Rooney, Francis Smith (WA) Wenstrup on rollcall votes No. 704 and No. 705. Ros-Lehtinen Speier Westerman f THE JOURNAL Ross Stefanik Williams Rothfus Stewart Wilson (SC) MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT The SPEAKER pro tempore. The un- Royce (CA) Takano Womack finished business is the question on Ruppersberger Taylor Yarmuth A message in writing from the Presi- Russell Tenney Young (IA) dent of the United States was commu- agreeing to the Speaker’s approval of Rutherford Thornberry Zeldin the Journal, which the Chair will put nicated to the House by Ms. Mariel de novo. NAYS—187 Ridgway, one of his secretaries. The question is on the Speaker’s ap- Adams Gallego Nolan f Aguilar Garamendi Norcross proval of the Journal. Amash Gomez O’Halleran APPOINTMENTS TO FREDERICK The question was taken; and the Barraga´ n Gonzalez (TX) Pallone DOUGLASS BICENTENNIAL COM- Speaker pro tempore announced that Barton Gottheimer Palmer MISSION the ayes appeared to have it. Bass Graves (GA) Panetta Beatty Graves (MO) Paulsen The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Mr. WOODALL. Mr. Speaker, on that Bera Green, Al Payne BOST). The Chair announces the Speak- I demand the yeas and nays. Beyer Green, Gene Pearce er’s appointment, pursuant to section 5 The yeas and nays were ordered. Biggs Grijalva Peterson Bishop (GA) Gutie´rrez Pittenger of the Frederick Douglass Bicentennial The SPEAKER pro tempore. This is a Bishop (MI) Hanabusa Poe (TX) Commission Act (Pub. L. 115–77), and 5-minute vote. Blum Hastings Poliquin Bonamici Herrera Beutler the order of the House of January 3, The vote was taken by electronic de- Polis Bost Higgins (NY) 2017, of the following Member on the vice, and there were—yeas 225, nays Price (NC) Boyle, Brendan Holding part of the House to the Frederick 187, answered ‘‘present’’ 1, not voting Raskin F. Hoyer Douglass Bicentennial Commission: 18, as follows: Brady (PA) Hudson Ratcliffe Brownley (CA) Jackson Lee Rice (NY) Mr. HARRIS, Maryland [Roll No. 707] Buck Jayapal Richmond And from private life: YEAS—225 Burgess Jeffries Rogers (AL) Ms. Sylvia Quinton, Mardela Springs, Byrne Jenkins (KS) Rosen Abraham Dent Kelly (PA) Capuano Jenkins (WV) Roskam Maryland Aderholt DeSaulnier Kildee Carbajal Johnson (OH) Rouzer Allen DesJarlais King (IA) Dr. C. James Trotman, West Chester, Ca´ rdenas Johnson, E. B. Roybal-Allard Amodei Dingell King (NY) Pennsylvania Carson (IN) Jordan Ruiz Arrington Doggett Krishnamoorthi Carter (GA) Katko Rush f Babin Donovan Kuster (NH) Castor (FL) Keating Ryan (OH) Banks (IN) Duffy Kustoff (TN) Cicilline Kelly (IL) Sa´ nchez AUTHORIZING THE USE OF THE Barletta Duncan (SC) Labrador Clark (MA) Kelly (MS) ROTUNDA OF THE CAPITOL FOR Barr Duncan (TN) LaMalfa Sarbanes Clarke (NY) Khanna Bergman Dunn Lamborn Schakowsky A CEREMONY TO AWARD THE Cleaver Kihuen Bilirakis Ellison Latta Schiff CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL Clyburn Kilmer Bishop (UT) Eshoo Lewis (MN) Schrader Coffman Kind TO BOB DOLE Black Estes (KS) Lipinski Scott, Austin Cohen Kinzinger Blackburn Farenthold Long Sewell (AL) Mr. HARPER. Mr. Speaker, I ask Comer Knight Blumenauer Ferguson Loudermilk Shea-Porter Conaway LaHood unanimous consent to take from the Blunt Rochester Fleischmann Lowey Sinema Connolly Lance Brady (TX) Fortenberry Lucas Sires Speaker’s table the concurrent resolu- Correa Langevin Brat Frankel (FL) Luetkemeyer Slaughter tion (S. Con. Res. 31) authorizing the Costa Larsen (WA) Brooks (IN) Frelinghuysen Lujan Grisham, Smucker Costello (PA) Larson (CT) use of the rotunda of the Capitol for a Brown (MD) Gabbard M. Soto Courtney Lawrence ceremony to award the Congressional Buchanan Gaetz Marchant Stivers Crowley Lawson (FL) Bucshon Garrett Marino Swalwell (CA) Gold Medal to Bob Dole, and ask for its DeFazio Lee Budd Gianforte Marshall Thompson (CA) immediate consideration in the House. DeGette Levin Bustos Gibbs Massie Thompson (MS) Delaney Lewis (GA) The Clerk read the title of the con- Butterfield Goodlatte McCarthy Thompson (PA) DelBene Lieu, Ted current resolution. Carter (TX) Gowdy McCaul Tipton Denham LoBiondo Cartwright Graves (LA) McClintock The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there DeSantis Loebsack Titus Castro (TX) Griffith McCollum Deutch Lofgren Torres objection to the request of the gen- Chabot Grothman McEachin Diaz-Balart Love Upton tleman from Mississippi? Cheney Guthrie McHenry Doyle, Michael Lowenthal Valadao Chu, Judy Handel McMorris There was no objection. F. Luja´ n, Ben Ray Vargas Clay Harper Rodgers The text of the concurrent resolution Emmer Lynch Veasey Cole Harris McNerney Engel MacArthur Vela is as follows: Collins (GA) Hartzler McSally Espaillat Maloney, Vela´ zquez Collins (NY) Heck Meadows S. CON. RES. 31 Esty (CT) Carolyn B. Visclosky Comstock Hensarling Meeks Evans Maloney, Sean Walker Resolved by the Senate (the House of Rep- Cook Hice, Jody B. Meng Faso Mast Watson Coleman resentatives concurring), Cooper Higgins (LA) Messer Fitzpatrick Matsui Wilson (FL) Cramer Hill Mitchell SECTION 1. USE OF THE ROTUNDA OF THE CAP- Flores McGovern Woodall Crawford Himes Moolenaar ITOL FOR CEREMONY TO AWARD Foxx McKinley Yoder Crist Hollingsworth Mooney (WV) THE CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL Fudge Meehan Yoho Cuellar Huffman Moore TO BOB DOLE. Gallagher Neal Young (AK) Culberson Huizenga Moulton (a) AUTHORIZATION.—The rotunda of the Cummings Hultgren Mullin ANSWERED ‘‘PRESENT’’—1 Capitol is authorized to be used on January Curbelo (FL) Hunter Murphy (FL) 17, 2018, for a ceremony to award the Con- Curtis Hurd Nadler Tonko gressional Gold Medal to Bob Dole. Davidson Issa Newhouse (b) PREPARATIONS.—Physical preparations Davis (CA) Johnson (GA) Noem NOT VOTING—18 Davis, Danny Johnson (LA) Norman Bacon Foster Jones for the conduct of the ceremony described in Davis, Rodney Johnson, Sam Nunes Bridenstine Gohmert Kennedy subsection (a) shall be carried out in accord- DeLauro Joyce (OH) O’Rourke Brooks (AL) Gosar Napolitano ance with such conditions as may be pre- Demings Kaptur Palazzo Calvert Granger Olson scribed by the Architect of the Capitol.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:56 Mar 27, 2018 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00015 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\RECORD17\DECEMBER\H21DE7.REC H21DE7 H10362 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE December 21, 2017 The concurrent resolution was con- The Clerk read the title of the bill. Delays in analysis of forensic evi- curred in. The text of the bill is as follows: dence often result in delays of justice: A motion to reconsider was laid on S. 1766 serial offenders can continue victim- the table. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- izing, and innocent individuals may be f resentatives of the United States of America in incarcerated. The SAFER Act helps ad- Congress assembled, dress this common impediment to the AUTHORIZING THE PRESIDENT TO SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. response to rape and sexual assault at AWARD THE MEDAL OF HONOR This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Sexual As- the State, local, and Tribal levels. TO JOHN L. CANLEY FOR ACTS sault Forensic Evidence Reporting Act of Importantly, the SAFER Act also OF VALOR DURING THE VIET- 2017’’ or the ‘‘SAFER Act of 2017’’. would clarify that pediatric forensic NAM WAR SEC. 2. PEDIATRIC SEXUAL ASSAULT NURSE EX- nurses are eligible for training and em- Mr. COFFMAN. Mr. Speaker, I ask AMINERS. ployment grants. This provision under- Section 304(c)(2) of the DNA Sexual Assault scores the critical role that pediatric unanimous consent that the Com- Justice Act of 2004 (34 U.S.C. 40723(c)(2)) is mittee on Armed Services be dis- amended— sexual assault nurse examiners can charged from further consideration of (1) by inserting ‘‘, both adult and pedi- play in a community’s response to chil- the bill (H.R. 4641) to authorize the atric,’’ after ‘‘role of forensic nurses’’; and dren who are victims of abuse. President to award the Medal of Honor (2) by striking ‘‘and elder abuse’’ and in- S. 1766 can help ensure that resources to John L. Canley for acts of valor dur- serting ‘‘elder abuse, and, in particular, the provided for DNA analysis are focused ing the Vietnam War while a member need for pediatric sexual assault nurse exam- on grant recipients making a good of the Marine Corps, and ask for its im- iners, including such nurse examiners work- faith effort to estimate and manage ing in the multidisciplinary setting, in re- mediate consideration in the House. their backlog of untested samples and sponding to abuse of both children and ado- improve efforts to get sex offenders off The Clerk read the title of the bill. lescents’’. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there of our streets. SEC. 3. REDUCING THE RAPE KIT BACKLOG. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to objection to the request of the gen- (a) REAUTHORIZATION.—Section 2(c)(4) of tleman from Colorado? the DNA Analysis Backlog Elimination Act support this important measure, and I There was no objection. of 2000 (34 U.S.C. 40701(c)(4)) is amended by reserve the balance of my time. The text of the bill is as follows: striking ‘‘2017’’ and inserting ‘‘2022’’. Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may con- H.R. 4641 (b) SUNSET.—Section 1006 of the SAFER Act of 2013 (34 U.S.C. 40701 note) is amended sume. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- by striking ‘‘2018’’ and inserting ‘‘2023’’. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support resentatives of the United States of America in of S. 1766, the Sexual Assault Forensic Congress assembled, The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- Evidence Reporting Act of 2017. This SECTION 1. AUTHORIZATION FOR AWARD OF ant to the rule, the gentlewoman from MEDAL OF HONOR TO JOHN L. Georgia (Mrs. HANDEL) and the gentle- bipartisan legislation passed the Sen- CANLEY FOR ACTS OF VALOR DUR- woman from Texas (Ms. JACKSON LEE) ate on October 23, 2017. ING THE VIETNAM WAR. each will control 20 minutes. I am glad that this House is moving (a) WAIVER OF TIME LIMITATIONS.—Not- The Chair recognizes the gentle- this legislation, because it is about withstanding the time limitations specified woman from Georgia. children. It is about the scourge that in section 6248 of title 10, United States children, women, and others find them- Code, or any other time limitation with re- GENERAL LEAVE selves victims of—sexual assault. spect to the awarding of certain medals to Mrs. HANDEL. Mr. Speaker, I ask S. 1766 will reauthorize the DNA persons who served in the Armed Forces, the unanimous consent that all Members Analysis Backlog Elimination Act of President may award the Medal of Honor may have 5 legislative days in which to 2000 through the year 2022, by amend- under section 6241 of such title to John L. revise and extend their remarks and in- ing the language in section 2(c)(4) of 34 Canley for the acts of valor during the Viet- clude extraneous material on S. 1766, nam War described in subsection (b). U.S.C. 40701(c)(4). currently under consideration. (b) ACTS OF VALOR DESCRIBED.—The acts of Furthermore, this legislation also valor referred to in subsection (a) are the ac- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there amends other sections of the DNA Sex- tions of then Gunnery Sergeant John L. objection to the request of the gentle- ual Assault Justice Act of 2004 by en- Canley during combat operations from Janu- woman from Georgia? suring that role of forensic nurses per- ary 31, 1968, to February 6, 1968, during the There was no objection. Vietnam War as a member of the Marine tains to both adult and pediatric care. Mrs. HANDEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield The SAFER Act also amends this Corps, for which he was previously awarded myself such time as I may consume. the Navy Cross. statute by making a provision after S. 1766, the Sexual Assault Forensic ‘‘elder abuse’’ for the need of nurse ex- The bill was ordered to be engrossed Evidence Reporting Act of 2017, also aminers, particularly where there is and read a third time, was read the known as the SAFER Act, will the need for pediatric sexual assault third time, and passed, and a motion to strengthen State and local law enforce- nurse examiners, including such nurse reconsider was laid on the table. ment’s ability to reduce the number of examiners working in the multidisci- f untested rape kits and help take more plinary setting, in responding to abuse ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER offenders off our streets. of both children and adolescents. PRO TEMPORE Congress provides significant re- Finally, this legislation will sunset sources annually to the Department of through 2023 by amending the SAFER The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- Justice to help reduce backlogs of un- ant to clause 8 of rule XX, the Chair Act. The SAFER Act is a critical pro- tested forensic evidence. This legisla- gram, administered by the U.S. Depart- will postpone further proceedings tion will reauthorize the Attorney Gen- today on the motion to suspend the ment of Justice, that allows: eral’s authority to allocate 5 to 7 per- Local law enforcement programs to rules on which a recorded vote or the cent of funds made available to carry obtain funding for programs to reduce yeas and nays are ordered, or if the out the Debbie Smith DNA Backlog the rape kit backlog in communities vote is objected to under clause 6 of Grant Program to help communities across the country; rule XX. audit their backlogs, which is an im- Victims of sexual assault get justice Any record vote on the postponed portant first step in any effort to more quickly than in the past; question will be taken later. eliminate a backlog. Thirty-five percent of funds available f Despite the cases analyzed and im- under the Debbie Smith Act for grants b 1430 provements made with our Federal re- to local law enforcement agencies to sources, backlogs persist due to the focus more resources on rape kit test- SEXUAL ASSAULT FORENSIC ever-increasing demand for evidence ing; EVIDENCE REPORTING ACT OF 2017 testing. According to the National In- Five to seven percent of the Debbie Mrs. HANDEL. Mr. Speaker, I move stitute of Justice, as the value of DNA Smith Act funding to be used by local to suspend the rules and pass the bill evidence is increasingly recognized, jurisdictions to conduct 1-year audits (S. 1766) to reauthorize the SAFER Act more evidence gets collected and sub- of untested sexual assault evidence to of 2013, and for other purposes. mitted to laboratories for analysis. identify serious areas of backlog; and

VerDate Sep 11 2014 04:53 Dec 22, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00016 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K21DE7.031 H21DEPT1 December 21, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H10363 Forensic testing to be done by both is to blame, from the Federal Govern- lost voice. I am suffering from some- pediatric and adult sexual assault ment to local government. what of the same thing, but I have a nurse examiners. It is shameful because victims—and I little bit of a voice, so I can say thank This is a very important measure knew a lot of them at the courthouse you, again, for your very hard work on that will address the large volume of as a judge—don’t know who committed this legislation as a former judge in cases that fester due to the excessive this crime against them, and we have Harris County on the criminal bench. I backlog in our processing of rape kits. the ability to tell them, but we don’t know you saw injustices because rape According to the National Institute because of bureaucratic incompetence. kits had not been processed. of Justice, a multidisciplinary, victim- These haven’t been examined. They I believe, as the chair and co-chair of centered approach and standardized, ef- have the right to know who sexually the Congressional Children’s Caucus ficient evidence processing in sexual assaulted them. and the ranking member on the Sub- assault cases are the focus of its new Also, there are criminals running committee on Crime, Terrorism, Home- report. loose, who have never been prosecuted, land Security, and Investigations, that The report, ‘‘National Best Practices because these rape kits have never we went through this as well. I was for Sexual Assault Kits,’’ outlines 35 been analyzed. And, yes, there are peo- very pleased that the Justice Depart- suggestions for laboratories and law ple incarcerated who are innocent, and ment understood the importance of enforcement to improve their sexual the rape kit can prove their innocence. grants to help our local law enforce- assault investigations, tackling issues It is important that we pass the ment, but, more importantly, that the such as evidence collection, storage, SAFER Act. Get those sexual assault Judiciary Committee understood the and maintenance; backlog tracking and kits analyzed. There are no more ex- importance of this legislation to really processing; victim advocacy and notifi- cuses. move forward to process kits. cation; and sensitivity to trauma in Mr. Speaker, in 1984, Michelle was raped at Can you imagine, Mr. Speaker, chil- sexual assault victims. knifepoint by two men who broke into her dren having a backlog of kits that have A working group—consisting of vic- home. been subjected to sexual assault—the tims and victim advocates, sexual as- They blindfolded her, tied her up with a most dastardly act and violence—not sault nurse examiners and medical ex- phone cord, and gagged tit her before sexually only against adults, but against chil- aminers, forensic laboratories, law en- assaulting her. dren, like 3-month-olds, or toddlers, by forcement agencies, prosecutors, and During the assault, they laughed and sick people who sexually assault them. members of the judiciary—developed bragged that they had been getting away with So the development and implementa- the suggestions over a 2-year period committing this crime for seven years. tion of policies and procedures by the following the Sexual Assault Forensic Much to Michelle’s surprise, they left without National Institutes of Health leads to Evidence Reporting Act of 2013, the ending her life. But hers would now be a life more timely submission of evidence to forensic laboratories, enhances com- SAFER Act, a component of the Vio- filled with suffering and fear. Michelle called munications and investigative proce- lence Against Women Act. We will soon the police and had a rape kit taken. dures, promotes better informed pros- reauthorize the Violence Against She hoped that by achieving justice against ecutorial decisionmaking, and, as my Women Act, and we will be happy to her attackers she would find some measure of friend said, it helps the accused and the have this expansion included in this. peace and closure. accuser. These approaches are the most A victim-centered approach is the Michelle waited for the results, but she wait- important because they get victim par- focus on the needs and the concerns of ed in vain. ticipation. a victim to ensure the passionate and The backlog of untested kits was too large, so her kit was never tested. Victims of sexual assault require jus- sensitive delivery of services in a tice that is swift, thorough, and expe- nonjudgmental manner. A trauma-in- Over the next years, while her rape kit sat collecting dust on a shelf, break-ins and rapes dient so they may begin to heal and at- formed approach considers the impact tempt to put the pieces of their lives of trauma and victim safety consider- continued to happen in her neighborhood. She was in constant fear that her attackers back together. They deserve the best ations. efforts of law enforcement to help Mr. Speaker, my colleague from were still on the loose. Not only does the inability to test rape kits them along the way. Texas, Congressman POE, and my col- deny victims justice, it also puts the safety of When Houston was trying to rebuild league from New York, Congresswoman other innocent people in jeopardy by keeping its rape testing structure, we utilized CAROLYN B. MALONEY, have worked on criminals on the streets. the FBI. And I want to take a moment a number of these issues, and also Sen- To address this issue, Congresswoman to thank the FBI for its deep abiding ator CORNYN, because this is a very im- MALONEY and I introduced the Sexual Assault integrity and honesty and how it portant step. I remember the days, in Forensic Evidence Reporting Act or SAFER comes to the rescue of so many juris- our respective jurisdictions, that we Act, which was signed into law in 2013. dictions, local law enforcement. Let us had a mounting backlog of rape kits. This bill provides funds to states and local- be very clear on how important it is to Do you know what that means, Mr. ities to increase rape kit testing and expand maintain the integrity and the respect Speaker? Women and children do not forensic lab capacities. for the FBI, as opposed to demeaning get either their day in court or do not In the years since SAFER’s enactment there the FBI. Today, on the floor of the get justice. has been progress, but there are still hun- House, I want to thank them for their Mr. Speaker, I believe that this is a dreds of thousands of untested rape kits service. timely and very important legislative across the nation. So this legislation would reauthorize initiative. SAFER was slated to expire at the end of the SAFER Act, provide funding to Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to this year, but thankfully, with bipartisan sup- conduct 1-year audits of untested sex- support the legislation, and I reserve port, Congress has secured its re-authoriza- ual assault evidence, and ensure that the balance of my time. tion and continued existence. law enforcement agencies across the Mrs. HANDEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 This legislation will continue to reduce the country are trained and armed with minutes to the gentleman from Texas national rape kit backlog and help victims the skills and tools they require to (Mr. POE), my colleague. achieve justice. stand against sexual assault and stand Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, one I want to thank Senator CORNYN who has for those individuals who might be vic- of the worst things that can happen to worked with me on SAFER for many years. timized. any of us is to lose their voice, and I And I want to thank the Chairman for bring- The SAFER Act would also ensure have lost mine. I know some of the ing this bill to the floor. I applaud its passage that forensic nurses are eligible for Democrats are glad about that. here today. training under the program. These pro- But I want to say this on behalf of And that is just the way it is. fessionals are indispensable. Our citi- the SAFER Act. There are, in our Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I zens deserve to be protected and re- country, on shelves, in warehouses, and yield myself such time as I may con- main free from harm. Our children, in law enforcement office buildings sume. women, and men, who are sexually as- rape kits that have never been exam- Mr. Speaker, to my good friend from saulted, deserve to be protected, but ined. That is shameful. And everybody Texas, I am just a measure above your their cases must move expeditiously.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 04:53 Dec 22, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00017 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K21DE7.034 H21DEPT1 H10364 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE December 21, 2017 Accordingly, I urge my colleagues to A victim centered approach is the focus on b 1445 join me in supporting this important the needs and concerns of a victim to ensure The SPEAKER pro tempore. The legislation, as we continue to stand for the compassionate and sensitive delivery of question is on the motion offered by victims and against the viciousness of services in a nonjudgmental manner. A trau- the gentlewoman from Georgia (Mrs. ma-informed approach considers the impact of sexual crimes of any kind, protect HANDEL) that the House suspend the them, and bring the perpetrators to trauma and victim safety considerations. rules and pass the bill, S. 1766. justice. I ask for a ‘‘yes’’ vote for this Utilizing both approaches in the develop- ment and implementation of policies and pro- The question was taken. legislation. The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of S. 1766, cedures leads to more timely submission of evidence to forensic laboratories, enhances opinion of the Chair, two-thirds being the ‘‘Sexual Assault Forensic Evidence Re- in the affirmative, the ayes have it. porting’’ or the (SAFER) Act of 2017.’’ communications and investigative procedures, Mrs. HANDEL. Mr. Speaker, I object This bipartisan legislation passed the Sen- promotes better informed prosecutorial deci- to the vote on the ground that a ate October 23, 2017. sion-making, and ultimately may reduce re- quorum is not present and make the S. 1766 will reauthorize the DNA Analysis traumatization of victims by the criminal justice point of order that a quorum is not Backlog Elimination Act of 2000 through the system. present. year 2022, by amending the language in sec- In fact, these approaches are more likely to The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- tion 2(c)(4) of the (34 U.S.C. 40701(c)(4)). increase victim participation and thereby, sup- Furthermore, this legislation also amends port more complete investigations, increasing ant to clause 8 of rule XX, further pro- Section 304(c)(2) of the DNA Sexual Assault the overall likelihood of successful prosecu- ceedings on this question will be post- Justice Act of 2004 (34 U.S.C. 40723(c)(2)) by tions.’’ poned. For these reasons, I support this bill. ensuring that role of forensic nurses pertains The point of no quorum is considered Victims of sexual assault require justice that withdrawn. to both adult and pediatric care. is swift, thorough, and expedient, so that they The SAFER Act also amends this statute by may begin to heal and attempt to put the f making a provision after ‘‘elder abuse’’ for the pieces of their lives back together. They de- need of nurse examiners, particularly, where serve the best efforts of law enforcement to there is the need for pediatric sexual assault help them along the way. FURTHER SUPPLEMENTAL nurse examiners, including such nurse exam- This legislation would reauthorize the APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2018 iners working in the multidisciplinary setting, in SAFER Act, provide funding to conduct one- GENERAL LEAVE responding to abuse of both children and ado- year audits of untested sexual assault evi- Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Speaker, lescents’’. dence, and ensure that law enforcement agen- I ask unanimous consent that all Mem- Finally, this legislation will sunset through cies across the country are trained and armed bers have 5 legislative days to revise 2023 by amending Section 1006 of the with the skills and tools they require to stand and extend their remarks and to in- SAFER Act of 2013 (34 U.S.C. 40701 note). against sexual assault, and stand for those in- clude extraneous material on H.R. 4667. The SAFER Act is a critical program admin- dividuals who might be victimized. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there istered by the U.S. Department of Justice that The SAFER Act would also ensure that fo- objection to the request of the gen- allows: rensic nurses are eligible for training under the Local law enforcement programs to obtain program. These professionals perform indis- tleman from New Jersey? funding for programs to reduce the rape kit pensable functions within the investigation of There was no objection. backlog in communities across the country. sexual abuse cases. They also provide spe- Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Speaker, Victims of sexual assault get justice more cialized care and attention to children, youth, pursuant to House Resolution 670, I call quickly than in the past. and the elderly, who are sexually abused. This up the bill (H.R. 4667) making further 35% of funds available under the Debbie legislation would help local authorities make supplemental appropriations for the Smith Act for grants to local law enforcement certain that state and local forensic nurses are fiscal year ending September 30, 2018, agencies to focus more resources on rape kit fully capable of providing such an important for disaster assistance for Hurricanes testing. service to child victims. Harvey, Irma, and Maria, and calendar 5%–7% of the Debbie Smith Act funding to Our citizens deserve to be protected and re- year 2017 wildfires, and for other pur- be used by local jurisdictions to conduct one- main free from harm. We have a responsibility poses, and ask for its immediate con- year audits of untested sexual assault evi- to do all that we can during those unfortunate sideration. dence to identify serious areas of backlog. times where one of them might be victimized. The Clerk read the title of the bill. Forensic testing to be done by both pedi- Accordingly, I urge my colleagues to join me The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- atric and adult sexual assault nurse exam- in supporting this important legislation as we ant to House Resolution 670, the iners. continue to stand for victims and against sex- amendments printed in House Report This is a very important measure that will ual crimes of any kind. 115–477 are adopted. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance address the large volume of cases that fester The bill, as amended, contains an of my time. due to the excessive back log in our proc- emergency designation pursuant to Mrs. HANDEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield essing of rape kits. section 4(g)(1) of the Statutory Pay-As- myself the balance of my time. You-Go Act of 2010. Accordingly, the According to the National Institute of Jus- Mr. Speaker, let me start by recog- Chair must put the question of consid- tice, a multidisciplinary, victim-centered ap- nizing the tremendous leadership of my eration under section 4(g)(2) of the proach and standardized, efficient evidence colleague, Representative TED POE processing in sexual assault cases are the from Texas. I thank him for giving me Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010. focus of its new report. the honor of being his wing woman in The question is, Will the House now The report, National Best Practices for Sex- presenting this important piece of leg- consider the bill? ual Assault Kits, outlines 35 suggestions for islation today. The question of consideration was de- laboratories and law enforcement to improve And, indeed, the SAFER Act is an cided in the affirmative. their sexual assault investigations, tackling important piece of legislation to rein- The SPEAKER pro tempore. The bill, issues such as evidence collection, storage force the efforts of our local and State as amended, is considered read. and maintenance; backlog tracking & proc- law enforcement in their work to re- The text of the bill, as amended, is as essing; victim advocacy and notification; and duce the number of untested rape kits follows: sensitivity to trauma in sexual assault victims. and help take these sexual assault H.R. 4667 A working group—consisting of victims and predators off the streets. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- victim advocates, sexual assault nurse exam- At the same time, this legislation un- resentatives of the United States of America in iners and medical examiners, forensic labora- derscores the critical role that the pe- Congress assembled, tories, law enforcement agencies, prosecutors diatric sexual assault examiners play DIVISION A—DISASTER ASSISTANCE and members of the judiciary—developed the in this process and makes them eligible The following sums are appropriated, out suggestions over a two-year period following for key training. of any money in the Treasury not otherwise the Sexual Assault Forensic Evidence Report- So, again, I ask my colleagues to appropriated, for the fiscal year ending Sep- ing (SAFER) Act of 2013, a component of the pass this bill, and I yield back the bal- tember 30, 2018, and for other purposes, Violence Against Women Act. ance of my time. namely:

VerDate Sep 11 2014 04:53 Dec 22, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00018 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K21DE7.036 H21DEPT1 December 21, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H10365 TITLE I amount is designated by the Congress as Act: Provided further, That such amount is DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE being for an emergency requirement pursu- designated by the Congress as being for an OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY ant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced emergency requirement pursuant to section Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget and For an additional amount for the ‘‘Office of of 1985. Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985. the Secretary’’, $2,600,000,000, which shall re- main available until September 30, 2019, for FARM SERVICE AGENCY FOOD AND NUTRITION SERVICE necessary expenses related to crops, trees, EMERGENCY CONSERVATION PROGRAM COMMODITY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM bushes, vines, and livestock losses resulting For an additional amount for the ‘‘Emer- For an additional amount for ‘‘Commodity from Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, Maria, and gency Conservation Program’’ for necessary Assistance Program’’ for the emergency food other hurricanes and wildfires occurring in expenses related to the consequences of Hur- assistance program as authorized by section calendar year 2017 under such terms and con- ricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria and of 27(a) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 ditions as determined by the Secretary: Pro- wildfires occurring in calendar year 2017, and U.S.C. 2036(a)) and section 204(a)(1) of the vided, That the Secretary may provide as- other natural disasters, $400,000,000, to re- Emergency Food Assistance Act of 1983 (7 sistance for such losses in the form of block main available until expended: Provided, U.S.C. 7508(a)(1)), $24,000,000, to remain avail- grants to eligible states and territories: Pro- That not less than $300,000,000 of the amount able until September 30, 2019: Provided, That vided further, That the total amount of pay- made available in the previous proviso shall notwithstanding any other provisions of the ments received under this heading and appli- be for necessary expenses resulting from a Emergency Food Assistance Act of 1983, the cable policies of crop insurance under the major disaster declared pursuant to the Rob- Secretary of Agriculture may allocate addi- Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1501 et ert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emer- tional foods and funds for administrative ex- seq.) or the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assist- gency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.): penses from resources specifically appro- ance Program (NAP) under section 196 of the Provided further, That such amount is des- priated, transferred, or reprogrammed to Federal Agriculture Improvement and Re- ignated by the Congress as being for an provide resources to Puerto Rico, the United form Act of 1996 (7 U.S.C. 7333) shall not ex- emergency requirement pursuant to section States Virgin Islands, and States affected by ceed 85 percent of the loss as determined by 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget and wildfires occurring in calendar year 2017 or the Secretary: Provided further, That the Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985. Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria, as de- total amount of payments received under termined by the Secretary, without regard NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE this heading for producers who did not ob- to sections 204 and 214 of such Act (7 U.S.C. tain a policy or plan of insurance for an in- WATERSHED AND FLOOD PREVENTION 7508, 7515): Provided further, That such funds surable commodity for the 2017 crop year, or OPERATIONS will be designated for States impacted by 2018 crop year in the case of citrus, under the For an additional amount, for ‘‘Watershed Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria, or wild- Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1501 et and Flood Prevention Operations’’, for nec- fire and subject to a federal major disaster or seq.) for the crop incurring the losses or did essary expenses for the Emergency Water- emergency declaration: Provided further, not file the required paperwork and pay the shed Protection Program related to the con- That such amount is designated by the Con- service fee by the applicable State filing sequences of Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and gress as being for an emergency requirement deadline for a noninsurable commodity for Maria and of wildfires occurring in calendar pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Bal- the 2017 crop year under NAP for the crop in- year 2017, and other natural disasters, anced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control curring the losses shall not exceed 65 percent $541,000,000, to remain available until ex- Act of 1985. of the loss as determined by the Secretary: pended: Provided, That not less than DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN Provided further, That producers receiving $400,000,000 of the amount made available in SERVICES payments under this heading, as determined the previous proviso shall be for necessary FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION by the Secretary, shall be required to pur- expenses resulting from a major disaster de- BUILDINGS AND FACILITIES chase crop insurance where crop insurance is clared pursuant to the Robert T. Stafford (INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS) available for the next two available crop Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance years, and producers receiving payments Act (42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.): Provided further, For an additional amount for ‘‘Buildings under this heading shall be required to pur- That such amount is designated by the Con- and Facilities’’, $7,600,000, to remain avail- chase coverage under NAP where crop insur- gress as being for an emergency requirement able until expended, for necessary expenses ance is not available in the next two avail- pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Bal- related to the consequences of Hurricanes able crop years, as determined by the Sec- anced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Harvey, Irma, and Maria: Provided, That retary: Provided further, That, not later than Act of 1985. such amount may be transferred to ‘‘Depart- ment of Health and Human Services—Food 90 days after the end of fiscal year 2018, the RURAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS Secretary shall submit a report to the Con- and Drug Administration Salaries and Ex- RURAL HOUSING SERVICE gress specifying the type, amount, and meth- penses’’ for costs related to repair of facili- od of such assistance by state and territory RURAL HOUSING INSURANCE FUND PROGRAM ties, for replacement of equipment, and for and the status of the amounts obligated and ACCOUNT other increases in facility-related costs: Pro- plans for further expenditure and include im- For an additional amount for costs of di- vided further, That obligations incurred for provements that can be made to Federal rect loans, including costs relating to modi- the purposes provided herein prior to the Crop Insurance policies, either administra- fication of such loans, as those terms are de- date of enactment of this Act may be tively or legislatively, to increase participa- fined in section 502 of the Congressional charged to funds appropriated by this para- tion, particularly among underserved pro- Budget Act of 1974 (2 U.S.C. 661a), $18,672,000 graph: Provided further, That such amount is ducers, in higher levels of coverage in future shall be for direct loans for the rehabilita- designated by the Congress as being for an years for crops qualifying for assistance tion of section 515 rental housing (42 U.S.C. emergency requirement pursuant to section under this heading: Provided further, That 1485) in locations where owners were not re- 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget and such amount is designated by the Congress quired to carry national flood insurance, to Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985. as being for an emergency requirement pur- remain available until September 30, 2019: GENERAL PROVISION—THIS TITLE suant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Bal- Provided, That such funds shall be for areas SEC. 101. (a) Section 1501(d)(1) of the Agri- anced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control impacted by Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and cultural Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 9081(d)(1)) is Act of 1985. Maria: Provided further, That such amount is amended by striking ‘‘not more than OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL designated by the Congress as being for an $20,000,000’’ and inserting ‘‘not more than For an additional amount for ‘‘Office of In- emergency requirement pursuant to section $40,000,000’’. spector General’’, $2,500,000, to remain avail- 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget and (b) The amount provided by subsection (a) able until expended, for oversight and audit Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985. for fiscal year 2018 is designated by the Con- gress as being for an emergency requirement of programs, grants, and activities funded by RURAL UTILITIES SERVICE this division and administered by the De- pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Bal- RURAL WATER AND WASTE DISPOSAL PROGRAM anced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control partment of Agriculture: Provided, That such ACCOUNT amount is designated by the Congress as Act of 1985. For an additional amount for the ‘‘Rural being for an emergency requirement pursu- TITLE II Water and Waste Disposal Program Ac- ant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE count’’, $165,475,000, to remain available until Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION expended, for grants to repair drinking water of 1985. systems and sewer and solid waste disposal ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH SERVICE systems impacted by Hurricanes Harvey, PROGRAMS BUILDINGS AND FACILITIES Irma, and Maria: Provided, That not to ex- (INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS) For an additional amount for ‘‘Buildings ceed $2,000,000 of the amount appropriated Pursuant to section 703 of the Public and Facilities’’, $22,000,000, to remain avail- under this heading shall be for technical as- Works and Economic Development Act (42 able until expended, for necessary expenses sistance grants for rural water and waste U.S.C. 3233), for an additional amount for related to the consequences of Hurricanes systems pursuant to section 306(a)(14) of the ‘‘Economic Development Assistance Pro- Harvey, Irma and Maria: Provided, That such Consolidated Farm and Rural Development grams’’ for necessary expenses related to

VerDate Sep 11 2014 04:53 Dec 22, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00019 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A21DE7.014 H21DEPT1 H10366 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE December 21, 2017 flood mitigation, disaster relief, long-term the amount provided under this heading is Harvey, Irma, and Maria, $1,000,000: Provided, recovery, and restoration of infrastructure designated by the Congress as being for an That the amount made available under this in areas that received a major disaster des- emergency requirement pursuant to section heading shall be used only to provide the mo- ignation as a result of Hurricanes Harvey, 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget and bile resources, technology, and disaster coor- Irma, and Maria, and the calendar year 2017 Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985. dinators necessary to provide storm-related wildfires, under the Robert T. Stafford Dis- DRUG ENFORCEMENT ADMINISTRATION services to the Legal Services Corporation aster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act client population and only in the areas sig- SALARIES AND EXPENSES (42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.), $600,000,000, to remain nificantly affected by Hurricanes Harvey, available until expended: Provided, That the For an additional amount for ‘‘Salaries Irma, and Maria: Provided further, That such amount provided under this heading is des- and Expenses’’ for necessary expenses related amount is designated by the Congress as ignated by the Congress as being for an to the consequences of Hurricanes Harvey, being for an emergency requirement pursu- emergency requirement pursuant to section Irma, and Maria, $11,500,000: Provided, That ant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget and the amount provided under this heading is Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985: Pro- designated by the Congress as being for an of 1985: Provided further, That none of the vided further, That within the amount appro- emergency requirement pursuant to section funds appropriated in this division to the priated, up to 2 percent of funds may be 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget and Legal Services Corporation shall be expended transferred to the ‘‘Salaries and Expenses’’ Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985. for any purpose prohibited or limited by, or account for administration and oversight ac- FEDERAL PRISON SYSTEM contrary to any of the provisions of, sections tivities: Provided further, That within the SALARIES AND EXPENSES 501, 502, 503, 504, 505, and 506 of Public Law amount appropriated, $1,000,000 shall be For an additional amount for ‘‘Salaries 105–119, and all funds appropriated in this di- transferred to the ‘‘Office of Inspector Gen- and Expenses’’ for necessary expenses related vision to the Legal Services Corporation eral’’ account for carrying out investigations to the consequences of Hurricanes Harvey, shall be subject to the same terms and condi- and audits related to the funding provided Irma, and Maria, $16,000,000: Provided, That tions set forth in such sections, except that under this heading. the amount provided under this heading is all references in sections 502 and 503 to 1997 NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC designated by the Congress as being for an and 1998 shall be deemed to refer instead to ADMINISTRATION emergency requirement pursuant to section 2017 and 2018, respectively, and except that sections 501 and 503 of Public Law 104–134 OPERATIONS, RESEARCH, AND FACILITIES 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget and (referenced by Public Law 105–119) shall not For an additional amount for ‘‘Operations, Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985. apply to the amount made available under Research, and Facilities’’ for necessary ex- BUILDINGS AND FACILITIES this heading: Provided further, That, for the penses related to the consequences of Hurri- For an additional amount for ‘‘Buildings purposes of this division, the Legal Services canes Harvey, Irma, and Maria, $120,904,000, and Facilities’’ for necessary expenses re- Corporation shall be considered an agency of to remain available until September 30, 2019, lated to the consequences of Hurricanes Har- the United States Government. as follows: (1) $12,904,000 for repair and re- vey, Irma, and Maria, $34,000,000, to remain TITLE III placement of observing assets, Federal real available until expended: Provided, That the property, and equipment; (2) $18,000,000 for amount provided under this heading is des- DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE marine debris assessment and removal; (3) ignated by the Congress as being for an DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE—MILITARY $40,000,000 for mapping, charting, and geod- emergency requirement pursuant to section OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE esy services; and (4) $50,000,000 to improve 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget and OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE, ARMY weather forecasting, hurricane intensity Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985. For an additional amount for ‘‘Operation forecasting and flood forecasting and mitiga- SCIENCE tion capabilities, including data assimilation and Maintenance, Army’’, $20,110,000, to re- from ocean observing platforms and sat- NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE main available until September 30, 2018, for ellites: Provided, That the amount provided ADMINISTRATION necessary expenses related to the con- under this heading is designated by the Con- CONSTRUCTION AND ENVIRONMENTAL sequences of Hurricanes Harvey, Irma or gress as being for an emergency requirement COMPLIANCE AND RESTORATION Maria: Provided, That such amount is des- pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Bal- For an additional amount for ‘‘Construc- ignated by the Congress as being for an anced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control tion and Environmental Compliance and emergency requirement pursuant to section Act of 1985. Restoration’’ for repairs at National Aero- 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985. PROCUREMENT, ACQUISITION AND CONSTRUCTION nautics and Space Administration facilities For an additional amount for ‘‘Procure- damaged by hurricanes during 2017, OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE, NAVY ment, Acquisition and Construction’’ for $81,300,000, to remain available until ex- For an additional amount for ‘‘Operation necessary expenses related to the con- pended: Provided, That the amount provided and Maintenance, Navy’’, $267,796,000, to re- sequences of Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and under this heading is designated by the Con- main available until September 30, 2018, for Maria, $79,232,000, to remain available until gress as being for an emergency requirement necessary expenses related to the con- September 30, 2020, as follows: (1) $29,232,000 pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Bal- sequences of Hurricanes Harvey, Irma or for repair and replacement of Federal real anced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Maria: Provided, That such amount is des- property and observing assets; and (2) Act of 1985. ignated by the Congress as being for an $50,000,000 for improvements to operational NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION emergency requirement pursuant to section and research weather supercomputing infra- RESEARCH AND RELATED ACTIVITIES 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985. structure and for improvement of satellite For an additional amount for ‘‘Research ground services used in hurricane intensity and Related Activities’’ for necessary ex- OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE, MARINE CORPS and track prediction: Provided, That the penses to repair National Science Founda- For an additional amount for ‘‘Operation amount provided under this heading is des- tion radio observatory facilities damaged by and Maintenance, Marine Corps’’, $17,920,000, ignated by the Congress as being for an hurricanes that occurred during 2017, to remain available until September 30, 2018, emergency requirement pursuant to section $16,300,000, to remain available until ex- for necessary expenses related to the con- 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget and pended: Provided, That the amount provided sequences of Hurricanes Harvey, Irma or Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985. under this heading is designated by the Con- Maria: Provided, That such amount is des- DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE gress as being for an emergency requirement ignated by the Congress as being for an UNITED STATES MARSHALS SERVICE pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Bal- emergency requirement pursuant to section SALARIES AND EXPENSES anced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget and For an additional amount for ‘‘Salaries Act of 1985: Provided further, That the Na- Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985. and Expenses’’ for necessary expenses related tional Science Foundation shall submit a OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE, AIR FORCE to the consequences of Hurricanes Harvey, spending plan to the Committees on Appro- For an additional amount for ‘‘Operation Irma, and Maria, $2,500,000: Provided, That priations of the House of Representatives and Maintenance, Air Force’’, $20,916,000, to the amount provided under this heading is and the Senate within 45 days after the date remain available until September 30, 2018, for designated by the Congress as being for an of enactment of this Act. necessary expenses related to the con- emergency requirement pursuant to section RELATED AGENCIES sequences of Hurricanes Harvey, Irma or 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget and LEGAL SERVICES CORPORATION Maria: Provided, That such amount is des- Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985. PAYMENT TO THE LEGAL SERVICES ignated by the Congress as being for an FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION CORPORATION emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget and SALARIES AND EXPENSES For an additional amount for ‘‘Payment to Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985. For an additional amount for ‘‘Salaries the Legal Services Corporation’’ to carry out and Expenses’’ for necessary expenses related the purposes of the Legal Services Corpora- OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE, DEFENSE-WIDE to the consequences of Hurricanes Harvey, tion Act by providing for necessary expenses For an additional amount for ‘‘Operation Irma, and Maria, $21,200,000: Provided, That related to the consequences of Hurricanes and Maintenance, Defense-Wide’’, $2,650,000,

VerDate Sep 11 2014 04:53 Dec 22, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00020 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A21DE7.014 H21DEPT1 December 21, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H10367 to remain available until September 30, 2018, gram’’, $704,000, to remain available until vided further, That the Secretary shall con- for necessary expenses related to the con- September 30, 2018, for necessary expenses re- sider giving priority to projects located in sequences of Hurricanes Harvey, Irma or lated to the consequences of Hurricanes Har- areas that suffered the most damage from Maria: Provided, That such amount is des- vey, Irma or Maria: Provided, That such these hurricanes and to projects located in ignated by the Congress as being for an amount is designated by the Congress as areas that have had multiple major disaster emergency requirement pursuant to section being for an emergency requirement pursu- declarations in recent years: Provided further, 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget and ant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced That funding utilized for authorized shore Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985. Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act protection projects shall restore such OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE, ARMY RESERVE of 1985. projects from the design level of protection For an additional amount for ‘‘Operation TITLE IV to the full project profile at full Federal ex- and Maintenance, Army Reserve’’, pense: Provided further, That the completion CORPS OF ENGINEERS—CIVIL of ongoing construction projects receiving $12,500,000, to remain available until Sep- DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY tember 30, 2018, for necessary expenses re- funds provided under this heading shall be at lated to the consequences of Hurricanes Har- CORPS OF ENGINEERS—CIVIL full Federal expense with respect to such vey, Irma or Maria: Provided, That such INVESTIGATIONS funds: Provided further, That upon approval amount is designated by the Congress as For an additional amount for ‘‘Investiga- of the Committees on Appropriations of the being for an emergency requirement pursu- tions’’ for necessary expenses related to the House of Representatives and the Senate ant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced consequences of Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, funds provided under this heading may be Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act and Maria, $75,000,000, to remain available used to construct any project studied using of 1985. until expended to expedite and complete at funds provided under the heading ‘‘Investiga- tions’’ or any project with a completed OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE, NAVY RESERVE full Federal expense studies, including Chief’s Report that has not yet been author- Preconstruction Engineering and Design, for For an additional amount for ‘‘Operation ized if the Secretary determines that the flood and storm damage reduction, including and Maintenance, Navy Reserve’’, $2,922,000, project is technically feasible, economically shore protection, in areas that were affected to remain available until September 30, 2018, justified, and environmentally acceptable: by Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, or Maria: Pro- for necessary expenses related to the con- Provided further, That, using these funds, the sequences of Hurricanes Harvey, Irma or vided, That the Secretary may use funding non-Federal cash contribution for authorized Maria: Provided, That such amount is des- provided under this heading to complete on- but unconstructed projects, projects with ignated by the Congress as being for an going studies, to initiate and complete up to completed Chief’s Reports that have not yet emergency requirement pursuant to section two authorized studies for assessing regional been authorized, or projects that are funded 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget and flood and storm risks, and to initiate and as ongoing studies under the heading ‘‘Inves- Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985. complete up to six authorized feasibility tigations’’ shall be financed in accordance OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE, AIR FORCE studies: Provided further, That the Secretary with the provisions of section 103(k) of Pub- RESERVE shall consider giving priority to studies in lic Law 99–662 over a period of 30 years from For an additional amount for ‘‘Operation areas that suffered the most damage from the date of completion of the project or sepa- and Maintenance, Air Force Reserve’’, these hurricanes and to studies in areas that rable element: Provided further, That a report $5,770,000, to remain available until Sep- have had multiple major disaster declara- identifying all ongoing construction tember 30, 2018, for necessary expenses re- tions in recent years: Provided further, That projects, authorized but unconstructed lated to the consequences of Hurricanes Har- a report identifying all ongoing studies, au- projects, and projects with completed Chief’s vey, Irma or Maria: Provided, That such thorized studies for assessing regional flood Reports that have not yet been authorized, amount is designated by the Congress as and storm risks in the impacted areas, and including project cost estimates and identi- being for an emergency requirement pursu- authorized feasibility studies eligible for fication of whether each project is in a cat- ant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced funding under this heading, including identi- egory to be considered for priority, shall be Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act fication of whether each study is in a cat- submitted to the Committees on Appropria- of 1985. egory to be considered for priority, shall be tions of the House of Representatives and OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE, ARMY NATIONAL submitted to the Committees on Appropria- the Senate not later than 45 days after the GUARD tions of the House of Representatives and date of enactment of this Act: Provided fur- ther, That not more than $500,000,000 of the For an additional amount for ‘‘Operation the Senate not later than 30 days after the funds provided to expedite construction shall and Maintenance, Army National Guard’’, date of enactment of this Act: Provided fur- be available until such report is submitted: $55,471,000, to remain available until Sep- ther, That no allocation shall be made to ini- Provided further, That for projects funded tember 30, 2018, for necessary expenses re- tiate any new study until the Secretary sub- under this heading, the provisions of section lated to the consequences of Hurricanes Har- mits to the Committees on Appropriations of 902 of the Water Resources Development Act vey, Irma or Maria: Provided, That such the House of Representatives and the Senate of 1986 shall not apply to these funds: Pro- amount is designated by the Congress as a list of all new studies selected to be initi- vided further, That up to $50,000,000 of the being for an emergency requirement pursu- ated using funds provided under this head- ing: Provided further, That such amount is funds provided to expedite construction shall ant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced be used to expedite continuing authorities Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act designated by the Congress as an emergency requirement pursuant to section projects to reduce the risk of flooding and of 1985. storm damage in areas impacted by Hurri- PROCUREMENT 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985: Pro- canes Harvey, Irma, or Maria: Provided fur- OTHER PROCUREMENT, NAVY vided further, That beginning not later than ther, That any projects using funds appro- priated under this heading shall be initiated For an additional amount for ‘‘Other Pro- 60 days after the date of enactment of this only after non-Federal interests have en- curement, Navy’’ $18,000,000, to remain avail- Act, the Assistant Secretary of the Army for tered into binding agreements with the Sec- able until September 30, 2020, for necessary Civil Works shall provide monthly reports to retary requiring the non-Federal interests to expenses related to the consequences of Hur- the Committees on Appropriations of the pay 100 percent of the operation, mainte- ricanes Harvey, Irma or Maria: Provided, House of Representatives and the Senate de- That such amount is designated by the Con- nance, repair, replacement, and rehabilita- tailing the allocation and obligation of these tion costs of the project and to hold and save gress as being for an emergency requirement funds. pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Bal- the United States free from damages due to anced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control CONSTRUCTION the construction or operation and mainte- Act of 1985. For an additional amount for ‘‘Construc- nance of the project, except for damages due tion’’ for necessary expenses related to the to the fault or negligence of the United REVOLVING AND MANAGEMENT FUNDS consequences of natural disasters, including States or its contractors: Provided further, DEFENSE WORKING CAPITAL FUNDS Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria, That such amount is designated by the Con- For an additional amount for ‘‘Defense $10,480,000,000, to remain available until ex- gress as an emergency requirement pursuant Working Capital Funds’’ for the Navy Work- pended to rehabilitate, repair, and construct to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced ing Capital Fund, $9,486,000, to remain avail- United States Army Corps of Engineers Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act able until September 30, 2018, for necessary projects: Provided, That $55,000,000 of the of 1985: Provided further, That beginning not expenses related to the consequences of Hur- funds provided under this heading shall be later than 60 days after the date of enact- ricanes Harvey, Irma or Maria: Provided, used to address emergency situations at ment of this Act, the Assistant Secretary of That such amount is designated by the Con- Corps of Engineers projects, and to rehabili- the Army for Civil Works shall provide gress as being for an emergency requirement tate and repair damages to Corps of Engi- monthly reports to the Committees on Ap- pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Bal- neers projects, caused by natural disasters: propriations of the House of Representatives anced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Provided further, That $10,425,000,000 of the and the Senate detailing the allocation and Act of 1985. funds provided under this heading shall be obligation of these funds. OTHER DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE PROGRAMS used to expedite construction of projects for MISSISSIPPI RIVER AND TRIBUTARIES DEFENSE HEALTH PROGRAM flood and storm damage reduction, including For an additional amount for ‘‘Mississippi For an additional amount for operation shore protection, in areas that were affected River and Tributaries’’, $370,000,000, to re- and maintenance for ‘‘Defense Health Pro- by Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, or Maria: Pro- main available until expended, for necessary

VerDate Sep 11 2014 04:53 Dec 22, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00021 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A21DE7.014 H21DEPT1 H10368 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE December 21, 2017 expenses to dredge navigation projects in re- to remain available until expended, for nec- emergency requirement pursuant to section sponse to, and repair damages to Corps of essary expenses related to natural disasters, 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget and Engineers projects caused by, natural disas- including technical assistance related to Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985. ters: Provided, That such amount is des- electric grids: Provided, That such amount is TITLE VI ignated by the Congress as an emergency re- designated by the Congress as an emergency DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY quirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) requirement pursuant to section OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Def- 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget and icit Control Act of 1985: Provided further, Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985. OPERATIONS AND SUPPORT That beginning not later than 60 days after STRATEGIC PETROLEUM RESERVE For an additional amount for ‘‘Operations the date of enactment of this Act, the Assist- and Support’’ for necessary expenses related ant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works For an additional amount for ‘‘Strategic to the consequences of Hurricanes Harvey, shall provide monthly reports to the Com- Petroleum Reserve’’, $8,716,000, to remain Irma, and Maria, $25,000,000, to remain avail- mittees on Appropriations of the House of available until expended, for necessary ex- able until September 30, 2020, for audits and Representatives and the Senate detailing the penses related to damages caused by natural investigations of activities funded by this allocation and obligation of these funds. disasters: Provided, That such amount is des- title: Provided, That such amount is des- ignated by the Congress as an emergency re- OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE ignated by the Congress as being for an quirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) For an additional amount for ‘‘Operation emergency requirement pursuant to section of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Def- and Maintenance’’ for necessary expenses to 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget and icit Control Act of 1985. dredge navigation projects in response to, Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985. GENERAL PROVISION—THIS TITLE and repair damages to Corps of Engineers U.S. CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION projects caused by, natural disasters, SEC. 401. In fiscal year 2018 and each fiscal OPERATIONS AND SUPPORT $608,000,000, to remain available until ex- year thereafter, the Chief of Engineers of the For an additional amount for ‘‘Operations pended, of which such sums as are necessary U.S. Army Corps of Engineers shall transmit and Support’’ for necessary expenses related to cover the Federal share of eligible oper- to the Congress, after reasonable oppor- to the consequences of Hurricanes Harvey, ation and maintenance costs for coastal har- tunity for comment, but without change, by Irma, and Maria, $104,494,000, to remain bors and channels, and for inland harbors the Assistant Secretary of the Army for available until September 30, 2019: Provided, shall be derived from the Harbor Mainte- Civil Works, a monthly report, the first of That such amount is designated by the Con- nance Trust Fund: Provided, That such which shall be transmitted to Congress not gress as being for an emergency requirement amount is designated by the Congress as an later than 2 days after the date of enactment pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Bal- emergency requirement pursuant to section of this Act and monthly thereafter, which in- anced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget and cludes detailed estimates of damages to each Act of 1985: Provided further, That not more Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985: Pro- Corps of Engineers project, caused by nat- than $39,400,000 may be used to carry out vided further, That beginning not later than ural disasters or otherwise. 60 days after the date of enactment of this U.S. Customs and Border Protection activi- TITLE V Act, the Assistant Secretary of the Army for ties in fiscal year 2018 in Puerto Rico and the Civil Works shall provide monthly reports to GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION United States Virgin Islands, in addition to the Committees on Appropriations of the FEDERAL BUILDINGS FUND any other amounts available for such pur- House of Representatives and the Senate de- For an additional amount to be deposited poses. tailing the allocation and obligation of these in the ‘‘Federal Buildings Fund’’, $126,951,000, PROCUREMENT, CONSTRUCTION, AND funds. to remain available until expended, for nec- IMPROVEMENTS FLOOD CONTROL AND COASTAL EMERGENCIES essary expenses related to the consequences For an additional amount for ‘‘Procure- For an additional amount for ‘‘Flood Con- of Hurricanes Harvey, Maria, and Irma, for ment, Construction, and Improvements’’ for trol and Coastal Emergencies’’, as authorized repair and alteration of buildings under the necessary expenses related to the con- by section 5 of the Act of August 18, 1941 (33 custody and control of the Administrator of sequences of Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and U.S.C. 701n), for necessary expenses to pre- General Services, and real property manage- Maria, $3,000,000, to remain available until pare for flood, hurricane and other natural ment and related activities not otherwise September 30, 2022: Provided, That such disasters and support emergency operations, provided for: Provided, That funds may be amount is designated by the Congress as repairs, and other activities in response to used to reimburse the ‘‘Federal Buildings being for an emergency requirement pursu- such disasters, as authorized by law, Fund’’ for obligations incurred for this pur- ant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced $537,000,000, to remain available until ex- pose prior to enactment of this Act: Provided Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act pended: Provided, That such amount is des- further, That not more than $15,000,000 shall of 1985: Provided further, That funds are pro- ignated by the Congress as an emergency re- be available for tenant improvements in vided to carry out U.S. Customs and Border quirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) damaged U.S. courthouses: Provided further, Protection activities in Puerto Rico and the of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Def- That such amount is designated by the Con- United States Virgin Islands, in addition to icit Control Act of 1985: Provided further, gress as being for an emergency requirement any other amounts available for such pur- That beginning not later than 60 days after pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Bal- poses. the date of enactment of this Act, the Assist- anced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control U.S. IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS ant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works Act of 1985. ENFORCEMENT shall provide monthly reports to the Com- SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION OPERATIONS AND SUPPORT mittees on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Senate detailing the DISASTER LOANS PROGRAM ACCOUNT For an additional amount for ‘‘Operations allocation and obligation of these funds. (INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS) and Support’’ for necessary expenses related to the consequences of Hurricanes Harvey, EXPENSES For an additional amount for the ‘‘Small Irma, and Maria, $30,905,000, to remain avail- For an additional amount for ‘‘Expenses’’ Business Administration—Disaster Loans able until September 30, 2019: Provided, That for necessary expenses related to the con- Program Account’’ for the cost of direct such amount is designated by the Congress sequences of Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and loans authorized by section 7(b) of the Small as being for an emergency requirement pur- Maria, $20,000,000, to remain available until Business Act, $1,652,000,000, to remain avail- suant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Bal- expended to oversee emergency response and able until expended: Provided, That up to anced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control recovery activities: Provided, That such $618,000,000 may be transferred to and merged Act of 1985. amount is designated by the Congress as with ‘‘Salaries and Expenses’’ for adminis- being for an emergency requirement pursu- trative expenses to carry out the disaster PROCUREMENT, CONSTRUCTION, AND ant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced loan program authorized by section 7(b) of IMPROVEMENTS Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act the Small Business Act: Provided further, For an additional amount for ‘‘Procure- of 1985: Provided further, That beginning not That none of the funds provided under this ment, Construction, and Improvements’’ for later than 60 days after the date of enact- heading may be used for indirect administra- necessary expenses related to the con- ment of this Act, the Assistant Secretary of tive expenses: Provided further, That the sequences of Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and the Army for Civil Works shall provide amount provided under this heading is des- Maria, $33,052,000, to remain available until monthly reports to the Committees on Ap- ignated by the Congress as being for an September 30, 2022: Provided, That such propriations of the House of Representatives emergency requirement pursuant to section amount is designated by the Congress as and the Senate detailing the allocation and 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget and being for an emergency requirement pursu- obligation of these funds. Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985. ant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985. ENERGY PROGRAMS For an additional amount for the ‘‘Small ELECTRICITY DELIVERY AND ENERGY Business Administration—Office of Inspector TRANSPORTATION SECURITY ADMINISTRATION RELIABILITY General’’, $7,000,000, to remain available OPERATIONS AND SUPPORT For an additional amount for ‘‘Electricity until expended: Provided, That such amount For an additional amount for ‘‘Operations Delivery and Energy Reliability’’, $13,000,000, is designated by the Congress as being for an and Support’’ for necessary expenses related

VerDate Sep 11 2014 04:53 Dec 22, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00022 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A21DE7.014 H21DEPT1 December 21, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H10369 to the consequences of Hurricanes Harvey, assignment or mission assignment task sistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5184(c)(1)), loans to a Irma, and Maria, $10,322,000, to remain avail- order to another Federal department or territory or possession, and instrumental- able until September 30, 2019: Provided, That agency regarding a major disaster in excess ities and local governments thereof, may be such amount is designated by the Congress of $1,000,000, not later than 5 days after the cancelled in whole or in part only at the dis- as being for an emergency requirement pur- issuance of such mission assignment or mis- cretion of the Secretary of Homeland Secu- suant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Bal- sion assignment task order, the Adminis- rity in consultation with the Secretary of anced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control trator shall publish on the Agency’s website the Treasury: Provided further, That notwith- Act of 1985. the following: the name of the impacted standing any other provision of law, the Sec- COAST GUARD State, the disaster declaration for such retary of Homeland Security, in consultation State, the assigned agency, the assistance with the Secretary of the Treasury, shall de- OPERATING EXPENSES requested, a description of the disaster, the termine the terms, conditions, eligible uses, For an additional amount for ‘‘Operating total cost estimate, and the amount obli- and timing and amount of Federal disburse- Expenses’’ for necessary expenses related to gated: Provided further, That not later than ments of loans issued to a territory or pos- the consequences of Hurricanes Harvey, 10 days after the last day of each month session, and instrumentalities and local gov- Irma, and Maria, $112,136,000, to remain until a mission assignment or mission as- ernments thereof: Provided further, That such available until September 30, 2019: Provided, signment task order described in the pre- costs, including the cost of modifying such That such amount is designated by the Con- ceding proviso is completed and closed out, loans, shall be as defined in section 502 of the gress as being for an emergency requirement the Administrator shall update any changes Congressional Budget Act of 1974 (2 U.S.C. pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Bal- to the total cost estimate and the amount 661a): Provided further, That the Federal anced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control obligated: Provided further, That for a dis- Emergency Management Agency may trans- Act of 1985. aster declaration related to Hurricanes Har- fer up to 1.5 percent of the amount under this ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE AND vey, Irma, or Maria, the Administrator shall paragraph to the Disaster Assistance Direct RESTORATION submit to the Committees on Appropriations Loan Program Account for administrative For an additional amount for ‘‘Environ- of the House of Representatives and the Sen- expenses to carry out under this paragraph mental Compliance and Restoration’’ for ate, not later than 5 days after the first day the direct loan program, as authorized by necessary expenses related to the con- of each month beginning after the date of en- section 417 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster sequences of Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and actment of this Act, and shall publish on the Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 Maria, $4,038,000, to remain available until Agency’s website, not later than 10 days U.S.C. 5184): Provided further, That of the September 30, 2022: Provided, That such after the first day of each such month, an es- amount provided under this paragraph for amount is designated by the Congress as timate or actual amount, if available, for the transfer, up to $150,000,000 may be transferred being for an emergency requirement pursu- current fiscal year of the cost of the fol- to the Disaster Assistance Direct Loan Pro- lowing categories of spending: public assist- ant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced gram Account for the cost to lend a territory ance, individual assistance, operations, miti- Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act or possession of the United States that por- gation, administrative, and any other rel- of 1985. tion of assistance for which the territory or evant category (including emergency meas- possession is responsible under the cost-shar- ACQUISITION, CONSTRUCTION, AND ures and disaster resources): Provided further, ing provisions of the major disaster declara- IMPROVEMENTS That not later than 10 days after the first tion for Hurricanes Irma or Maria, as au- For an additional amount for ‘‘Acquisition, day of each month, the Administrator shall thorized under section 319 of the Robert T. Construction, and Improvements’’ for nec- publish on the Agency’s website the report Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency As- essary expenses related to the consequences (referred to as the Disaster Relief Monthly sistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5162): Provided further, of Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, Maria, and Mat- Report) as required by Public Law 114–4. That of the amount provided under this thew, $718,919,000, to remain available until Of the amounts provided under this head- paragraph for transfer, up to $1,000,000 may September 30, 2022: Provided, That such ing for the Disaster Relief Fund, up to be transferred to the Disaster Assistance Di- amount is designated by the Congress as $4,000,000,000 may be transferred to the Dis- rect Loan Program Account for administra- being for an emergency requirement pursu- aster Assistance Direct Loan Program Ac- tive expenses to carry out the Advance of ant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced count for the cost of direct loans as author- Non-Federal Share program, as authorized Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act ized under section 417 of the Robert T. Staf- by section 319 of the Robert T. Stafford Dis- of 1985. ford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assist- ance Act (42 U.S.C. 5184) to be used to assist aster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY local governments in providing essential (42 U.S.C. 5162): Provided further, That the OPERATIONS AND SUPPORT services as a result of Hurricanes Harvey, amount provided under this heading is des- For an additional amount for ‘‘Operations Irma, or Maria: Provided further, That such ignated by the Congress as being for an and Support’’ for necessary expenses, amounts may subsidize gross obligations for emergency requirement pursuant to section $58,800,000, to remain available until Sep- the principal amount of direct loans not to 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget and tember 30, 2019: Provided, That such amount exceed $4,000,000,000 under section 417 of the Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985. is designated by the Congress as being for an Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emer- FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT TRAINING emergency requirement pursuant to section gency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5184): Pro- CENTERS 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget and vided further, That notwithstanding section OPERATIONS AND SUPPORT Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985. 417 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief For an additional amount for ‘‘Operations PROCUREMENT, CONSTRUCTION, AND and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. and Support’’ for necessary expenses related IMPROVEMENTS 5184), a territory or possession, and instru- to the consequences of Hurricanes Harvey, For an additional amount for ‘‘Procure- mentalities and local governments thereof, Irma, and Maria, $5,374,000, to remain avail- ment, Construction, and Improvements’’ for of the United States shall be deemed to be a able until September 30, 2019: Provided, That necessary expenses, $1,200,000, to remain local government for purposes of this para- such amount is designated by the Congress available until September 30, 2020: Provided, graph: Provided further, That notwith- as being for an emergency requirement pur- That such amount is designated by the Con- standing section 417(b) of the Robert T. Staf- suant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Bal- gress as being for an emergency requirement ford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assist- anced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Bal- ance Act (42 U.S.C. 5184(b)), the amount of Act of 1985. any such loan issued to a territory or posses- anced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control PROCUREMENT, CONSTRUCTION, AND sion, and instrumentalities and local govern- Act of 1985. IMPROVEMENTS ments thereof, may be based on the projected DISASTER RELIEF FUND loss of tax and other revenues and on pro- For an additional amount for ‘‘Procure- (INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS) jected cash outlays not previously budgeted ment, Construction, and Improvements’’ for For an additional amount for ‘‘Disaster for a period not to exceed 180 days from the necessary expenses related to the con- Relief Fund’’ for major disasters dec