October 23, 2019 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H8403 Madam Speaker, very briefly, the But back to the legislation at hand. jamin Franklin, when approached, was last three speakers, including my good The tragedy here is that we could asked what form of government had friend from Oklahoma, have mentioned work together on a variety of things been agreed upon; his response: ‘‘A Re- the ongoing impeachment inquiry here that we both agree would make good public, if you can keep it.’’ in the House of Representatives, and law. My good friend, the ranking—ex- We come here today to keep it, to not they speak of it as being a lack of cuse me—the chairwoman on the House only keep it, but make more perfect transparency. It is almost as if the Re- Administration Committee, Ms. LOF- that Union which we have all taken an publicans are not in the hearings that GREN, mentioned that last night. oath to protect, not just for us and our are going on in this inquiry. There are actually elements in this children, but for generations unborn, In my understanding, although I am bill which, I agree with my friend, are so that they may know and benefit not a member of either of the commit- things we could work on together. from the greatest experiment ever tees of jurisdiction, I have spoken with There are other things that, whether known to humankind, the democratic and have heard publicly the person who we are right or wrong, my friend knows Republic we call the United States of is the responsible person for ongoing we will disagree with and we will not America. matters at this time say that the other accept and, frankly, the United States To do this, to protect our democracy side is there. Their lawyers are asking Senate will not accept and the Presi- from enemies foreign and domestic, we questions. Members, if they choose, are dent will not accept. must put country over party. Indeed, asking questions. So it is a classic legislative dilemma: there have been more than a few times So I don’t understand what they are What do you want to do? Do you want in our history when it was imperative talking about about a lack of trans- to make a point or do you want to that the partisan give way to the patri- parency, particularly when the pre- make law? otic. This is undoubtedly one of those vious impeachments that were done If you want to make law, you get to times and one of those paramount were done by special prosecutors. This the things that you agree on and that issues. is a solemn process. can pass the other Chamber and be Madam Speaker, I urge a ‘‘yes’’ vote And while I agree with my colleagues signed by the President. So far in this on the rule and a ‘‘yes’’ vote on the about the National Defense Authoriza- area of election security, I think my previous question. tion measure, the simple fact of the friends have been more interested in The material previously referred to matter is that we also have a constitu- making a point than actually in mak- by Mr. COLE is as follows: tional responsibility to ensure that the ing law. AMENDMENT TO HOUSE RESOLUTION 650 executive branch of this government So I urge opposition to the rule on At the end of the resolution, add the fol- functions in an appropriate manner H.R. 4617 because it is deeply flawed lowing: and does not do as they are doing: fail- and a partisan bill that will not solve SEC. 2. Upon adoption of this resolution, ing to respond to the oversight respon- the underlying problems. It will not the Committees on the Judiciary, Ways and sibilities of the Article I House of Rep- Means, Financial Services, Oversight and prevent foreign interference in our Reform, and Foreign Affairs and the Perma- resentatives. elections. It will only make it harder I rather suspect that that is just talk nent Select Committee on Intelligence shall for Americans to participate in their when they say that there is no trans- suspend pursuing matters referred to by the own democracy. parency. I suggest to them to stick Speaker in her announcement of September It applies inappropriate regulatory 24, 2019, until such time as the National De- around. They are going to see some schemes to online advertisement. It ap- fense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020 transparency real soon. plies overly inclusive definitions that and the Department of Defense Appropria- Madam Speaker, I reserve the bal- tions Act for Fiscal Year 2020 are signed into ance of my time. could make almost any advertisement a political advertisement and expands law. Mr. COLE. Madam Speaker, I yield Mr. HASTINGS. Madam Speaker, I the power of the Attorney General at myself the balance of my time. yield back the balance of my time, and the expense of the States. I want to begin by thanking my very I move the previous question on the My friends seemed, over and over, to good friend from Florida for what we resolution. want to federalize State elections. We always get, which is always a thought- The SPEAKER pro tempore. The don’t want to do that. That is a big ful debate, always professional, always question is on ordering the previous mistake. One of the best securities we civil. And even when we disagree, I al- question. ways enjoy the exchange, so I thank have is that we have multiple jurisdic- The question was taken; and the my friend for that. tions, and the people close to the peo- Speaker pro tempore announced that I will disagree vehemently, though, ple make the laws under which our the ayes appeared to have it. that the process in terms of impeach- elections occur. Mr. COLE. Madam Speaker, on that I ment that we are going through right We can work together in a bipartisan demand the yeas and nays. now is remotely transparent. The manner and find real solutions to real The yeas and nays were ordered. American people can’t get in there. problems, and I hope and I believe some The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- And, frankly, I can tell you, Members, day we will, Madam Speaker. But in ant to clause 8 of rule XX, further pro- under the rules of the Intelligence the interim, I urge the House to reject ceedings on this question will be post- Committee, all of us, as long as it is both this rule and this bill so that we poned. can actually advance, together, on not classified, are supposed to be able f to get transcripts. We haven’t been something that can pass and become able to get those things. So we will law. ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER watch as this unfolds. Madam Speaker, I urge my col- PRO TEMPORE But my friends would have been far leagues to vote ‘‘no’’ on the previous The SPEAKER pro tempore (Ms. better to do what has been done in pre- question, ‘‘no’’ on the rule, and ‘‘no’’ SCHRIER). Pursuant to clause 8 of rule vious impeachments; that is, to hold a on the underlying legislation. XX, the Chair will postpone further formal vote, to set up a process. I yield back the balance of my time. proceedings today on motions to sus- I do remind my friend, when we went Mr. HASTINGS. Madam Speaker, I pend the rules on which a recorded vote through this during the Clinton years, yield myself such time as I may con- or the yeas and nays are ordered, or the President, President Clinton, had sume. votes objected to under clause 6 of rule the right to have counsel there, the Madam Speaker, I do agree with my XX. right to cross-examine witnesses, the good friend from Oklahoma that our The House will resume proceedings right to subpoena witnesses. Our exchanges are civil; and although we on postponed questions at a later time. friends who were then in the minority have respectable disagreement, the f had the right to subpoena witnesses. simple fact of the matter is that each None of that exists now. There is no of us discharges our responsibilities in DEBBIE SMITH REAUTHORIZATION process. It is very one-sided, very a responsible way. ACT OF 2019 opaque, very obscure, and extremely Madam Speaker, after exiting the Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I partisan. Constitutional Convention in 1787, Ben- move to suspend the rules and pass the VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:22 Oct 24, 2019 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00013 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K23OC7.024 H23OCPT1 H8404 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE October 23, 2019 bill (H.R. 777) to reauthorize programs the rights of survivors of sexual as- evidence, including evidence collected authorized under the Debbie Smith Act sault, is critical to helping States proc- in rape kits, with greater percentages of 2004. ess DNA evidence and reduce the Na- of funding allocated to testing these The Clerk read the title of the bill. tion’s large backlog of untested DNA kits provided in subsequent amend- The text of the bill is as follows: samples. ments. H.R. 777 The law, which I helped author and b 1315 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- enact in its original form in 2004, was resentatives of the United States of America in developed in response to a crisis of un- The act also supports audits of evi- Congress assembled, tested DNA samples, a problem that we dence awaiting analysis at law enforce- SECTION 1.