THE CLERK

THE SPEAKER'S ROOM, WASHINGTON, D.C., FEBRUARY 16, 2017. I HEREBY APPOINT…

THE SPEAKER'S ROOM, WASHINGTON, D.C., FEBRUARY 16, 2017. I HEREBY APPOINT THE HONORABLE HAROLD ROGERS TO ACT AS SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE ON THIS DAY. SIGNED, PAUL D. RYAN, SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

TEMPORE PURSUANT

CHAIR WILL NOW RECOGNIZE MEMBERS FROM LISTS SUBMITTED BY THE MAJORITY AND…

CHAIR WILL NOW RECOGNIZE MEMBERS FROM LISTS SUBMITTED BY THE MAJORITY AND MINORITY LEADERS FOR MORNING HOUR DEBATE. THE CHAIR WILL ALTERNATE RECOGNITION BETWEEN THE PARTIES. ALL TIME SHALL BE EQUALLY ALLOCATED BETWEEN THE PARTIES AND IN NO EVENT SHALL DEBATE CONTINUE BEYOND 11:50 A.M. TODAY. EACH MEMBER OTHER THAN THE MAJORITY LEADERS AND MINORITY WHIP SHALL BE LIMITED TO FIVE MINUTES. THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES THE GENTLEMAN FROM PENNSYLVANIA, MR. COSTELLO, FOR FIVE MINUTES.

MR. COSTELLO

THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. I RISE TODAY IN SUPPORT OF THREE VETERANS' BILLS…

THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. I RISE TODAY IN SUPPORT OF THREE VETERANS' BILLS THE HOUSE CONSIDERED THIS WEEK AND PASSED. I'D LIKE MY CONSTITUENTS TO KNOW HOW THE HOUSE IS WORKING TO BETTER SERVE OUR VETERANS, AND I WANT TO SPECIFICALLY FOCUS ON THE WINGMAN BILL, WHICH WE PASSED. MR. SPEAKER, ENABLING CASEWORKERS TO MORE EFFICIENTLY HANDLE THE CASEWORK THAT WE RECEIVE FROM VETERANS IS CRITICALLY IMPORTANT. RIGHT NOW MY OFFICE, MUCH LIKE MOST MEMBERS IN CONGRESS, IS EXPERIENCING A TREMENDOUSLY HIGH VOLUME OF PHONE CALLS AND OFFICE VISITS ABOUT A MULTITUDE OF ISSUES, AND I WELCOME THAT CONTINUED ENERGY AND INTERESTS FROM MY CONSTITUENTS. BUT I ALSO WANT TO REMIND EVERYONE THAT A CENTRAL FUNCTION OF CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT OFFICES, PERHAPS ITS MOST IMPORTANT DAY-TO-DAY FUNCTION, IS TO BE A CLEARING-HOUSE FOR SOLVING A VARIETY OF PROBLEMS FOR OUR CONSTITUENTS AND THE RESOURCE TO HELP THEM AND THE CASEWORKERS IN OUR DISTRICT OFFICES DO AN EXCEPTIONAL JOB. THAT'S WHY ENHANCING THE TOOLS FOR CASEWORKERS TO MORE EFFICIENTLY SERVE VETERANS CAN HAVE THE CASES MORE EFFECTIVELY ADMINISTERED AND ANSWERS PROVIDED TO VETERANS. THIS WEEK WE TOOK AN IMPORTANT STEP BY STREAMLINING THE PROCESS BY PASSING THE WINGMAN ACT. IT WOULD ALLOW CASEWORKERS TO GET TO READ-ONLY CASES. THAT'S IF THE VETERAN GRANTS THEIR CONGRESSIONAL OFFICE TO ACCESS THAT. THEY ARE TRAINED TO HANDLE THIS SENSITIVE INFORMATION AS PART OF THEIR WORK TO SERVE CONSTITUENT WHO IS ARE VETERANS. I WAS PLEASED TO SUPPORT THIS BILL AND BELIEVE IT WILL HAVE A POSITIVE RESULT FOR VETERANS SEEKING ASSISTANCE IN MY OFFICE IN PENNSYLVANIA AND VETERANS ACROSS THE COUNTRY. IN FACT, DID I ASK FOR COMMENT IN MY OFFICE AND I ESPECIALLY WANT TO THANK THEM FOR THE ABOVE AND BEYOND, 110% EFFORT THAT THEY ARE GIVING DAY IN AND DAY OUT. PARTICULARLY AT THIS POINT IN TIME WITH SUCH A HIGH VOLUME OF PHONE CALLS AND OFFICE VISITS, THEY ARE STILL GETTING THEIR CASEWORK DONE, BUT THIS BILL THAT WE HAVE PASSED THE HOUSE WILL HELP THEM FURTHER IN HELPING VETERANS. JASON, MY CONSTITUENT SERVICES DIRECTOR, HAD THIS TO SAY ABOUT THE BILL. THE ACCOUNTABILITY PIECE IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT. THIS WILL ALLOW US TO SEE A MORE COMPLETE PICTURE RATHER THAN JUST RELYING ON WHAT WE'RE TOLD BY THE V.A. THIS SHOULD ALSO HELP US TRIAGE THE INQUIRIES, THEREBY REDUCING THE NUMBER OF CONTACTS WE HAVE TO MAKE TO OUR V.A. LIAISONS, SOMETHING THEY WOULD PROBABLY WELCOME AS WELL. LISA FROM MY WESTCHESTER OFFICE, INDICATED SHE ALSO BELIEVES IT'S A GREAT INITIATIVE. IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE THE CLAIMS PROCESS IS A LENGTHY ONE. WE WOULD BE BENEFICIAL TO BE ABLE TO PERIODICALLY CHECK IN ON THE RECORD TO MONITOR ITS PROGRESS. MOST TIMES VETERANS SAY THEY WOULD JUST LIKE TO KNOW THAT THE V.A. LETS THEM KNOW THAT THE CLAIM IS STILL BEING WORKED ON RATHER THAN FORGOTTEN. IT WOULD LED OUR OFFICE PROVIDE THAT INFORMATION WITHOUT THE ADDED STEPS OF CONTACTING V.A. EMPLOYEES. AND PATRICK FROM MY OTHER OFFICE, A VETERAN HIMSELF, SAID THAT IN MY VIEW, IT'S AN INTERESTING CONCEPT WHICH WOULD ALLOW US TO MOVE MORE SWIFTLY FROM INFORMATION GATHERER TO ADVOCATE FOR CASES THAT LEGITIMATELY WARRANT IT. OFTENTIMES THERE'S A SIGNIFICANT LAG TIME BETWEEN PLACING THE INQUIRY AND RECEIVING SUBSTANTIVE FEEDBACK AT WHICH TIME WE WILL HAVE TO MAKE THE JUDGMENT IF FURTHER ACTION IS JUSTIFIED. IT WOULD MAKE THE V.A. MORE ACCOUNTABLE AS WELL AS TO OUTSIDE EYES WHICH IS ALSO VERY MUCH NEEDED. SO IT SOUNDS GOOD TO ME. AND IT ALSO SOUNDS GOOD TO ME, AND I BELIEVE IT WILL DO GOOD FOR VETERANS ACROSS THIS COUNTRY AND I AM PLEASED TO SEE IT PASS THE HOUSE AND ENCOURAGE THE SENATE TO MOVE SWIFTLY ON IT. MR. SPEAKER, I RISE TODAY TO SPEAK ABOUT MATH COUNTS, A NATIONAL PROGRAM DESIGNED TO IMPROVE MATH SKILLS AMONG U.S. STUDENTS. THE 2017 MATH COUNTS COMPETITION SERIES WILL CONSIST OF APPROXIMATELY 40,000 STUDENTS. 23 SCHOOLS WITH 182 STUDENTS COMPETED IN THE 32ND CHESTER COUNTY MATH COUNTS COMPETITION AT GREAT VALLEY MIDDLE SCHOOL RECENTLY, AND I WANT TO COMMEND ANOTHER SCHOOL DISTRICT AND SPECIFICALLY THEIR MIDDLE SCHOOL AND ALSO THE VALLEY FORGE MIDDLE SCHOOL OF THE T.E. SCHOOL DISTRICT FOR PROLIFERATION IN THE TOP SIX SCHOOLS AS WELL AS THE FOLLOWING OTHER SCHOOLS IN MY CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. THE GREAT VALLEY MIDDLE SCHOOL, THE LIONVILLE MIDDLE SCHOOL, THE J.R. FUGIT MIDDLE SCHOOL. CONGRATULATIONSES TO ALL SCHOOLS INVOLVED, ALL -- CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL SCHOOLS INVOLVED, ALL STUDENTS PARTICIPATING AND THE TEACHERS AND ADMINISTERS WHO HELP MAKE MATH COUNTS VALUABLE. MR. SPEAKER, I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK HIS TIME. THE CHAIR NOW RECOGNIZES THE GENTLEMAN…

THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK HIS TIME. THE CHAIR NOW RECOGNIZES THE GENTLEMAN FROM ILLINOIS, MR. GUTIERREZ, FOR FIVE MINUTES.

MR. GUTIERREZ

MR. SPEAKER, I WILL SPEAK IN SPANISH TO THE PEOPLE OF PUERTO RICO. THE…

MR. SPEAKER, I WILL SPEAK IN SPANISH TO THE PEOPLE OF PUERTO RICO. THE TRANSLATION IS AT THE DESK. [SPEAKING SPANISH]

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK HIS TIME. THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES THE GENTLEMAN…

THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK HIS TIME. THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES THE GENTLEMAN FROM MINNESOTA, MR. EMMER, FOR FIVE MINUTES.

MR. EMMER

MR. SPEAKER, I RISE TODAY TO CELEBRATE MACATUNE'S FINE FOODS FOR 100 YEARS…

MR. SPEAKER, I RISE TODAY TO CELEBRATE MACATUNE'S FINE FOODS FOR 100 YEARS OF BUSINESS SUCCESS. AT THE BEGINNING OF THE 20TH CENTURY, THEY BEGAN A FAMILY TRADITION OF MAKING HOME MADE SAUSAGE. THIS TRADITION WAS COMMERCIALIZED IN 1917 WHEN HIS SON, ARTHUR, BOUGHT A SAUSAGE MAKER FROM GERMANY AND OPENED THE MEAT MARKET IN WACONIA. WHAT BEGAN AS A MODEST BUSINESS TRANSFORMED INTO A BOOMING SUCCESS AS THEY DEVELOPED A REPUTATION FOR PRODUCING QUALITY MEATS. TODAY, THE BUSINESS IS RUN BY KIM AND LORI MACATUNE AND THEIR FAMILY. WHILE IT'S NOW A FULL SERVICE SUPERMARKET THEY HAVE MAINTAINED THE FAMILY TRADITION BY OFFERING THEIR HOME MADE FAMILY SAUSAGE IN THE MEAT MARKET. CONGRATULATIONS TO THE ENTIRE FAMILY FOR THEIR 100-YEAR COMMITMENT TO THE FAMILY BUSINESS, FOR UPHOLDING THEIR LONG-STANDING TRADITION AND FOR EXEMPLIFYING THE AMERICAN DREAM. WE WISH YOU ANOTHER CENTURY OF SUCCESS. MR. SPEAKER, I RISE TODAY TO CELEBRATE THE LIFE AND CAREER OF A LEGENDARY MINNESOTAN WHO PASSED AWAY JUST LAST WEEK. RAY CHRISTENSEN WAS A RENOWNED SPORTSCASTER IN THE NORTH STAR STATE AND BEST KNOWN FOR HIS RADIO PLAY-BY-PLAY FOR THE MINNESOTA GOLDEN GOPHERS. A NATIVE BORN MINNESOTAN, RAY GREW UP IN MINNEAPOLIS AND BRAVELY SERVED OUR COUNTRY IN WORLD WAR II. AFTER RETURNING FROM THE WORLD, RAY ATTENDED THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA WHERE HE LETTERED IN BASEBALL. UPON GRADUATION, REAGAN HIS CAREER ANNOUNCING GOPHER -- BEGAN HIS CAREER ANNOUNCING GOPHER GAMES AND BASKETBALL GAMES IN 1956. HE WORKED FOR WCCO AS A SPORTSCASTER UNTIL 2001 AND WAS INDUCTED INTO THE MINNESOTA BROADCAST HALL OF FAME IN 2002. RAY WAS THE VOICE THAT WE ALL GREW UP WITH. HIS VOICE WAS THE ONE THAT WE LISTENED TO EVERY GAME DAY AND MINNESOTA ATHLETICS WILL CERTAINLY NOT BE THE SAME WITHOUT HIM. I SPEAK FOR ALL MINNESOTANS WHEN I SAY THAT HE WILL TRUE BE MISSED. MR. SPEAKER, I RISE TODAY TO CELEBRATE DELANO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IN MY DISTRICT FOR BEING RECOGNIZED AS A REWARD SCHOOL FOR THE FOURTH TIME IN THE PAST FIVE YEARS. IN ORDER TO BE CATEGORIZED AS A REWARD SCHOOL, THE SCHOOL MUST BE IN THE TOP 15% OF THE HIGHEST PERFORMING SCHOOLS IN THE STATE. DELANO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL'S UPDATED CURRICULUM, IMPROVED PHYSICAL EDUCATION PROGRAM AND NEW MUSIC CLASSES ARE THE BEST. A GOOD EDUCATION OPENED ALL OF LIFE'S SCHOOLS AND I'D LIKE TO THANK DELANO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL FOR GIVEN MINNESOTA STUDENTS KEY. YOUR DEDICATION TO OUR CHILDREN DESERVES RECOGNITION AND I'M PROUD TO CONGRATULATE YOUR WORK HERE TODAY. MR. SPEAKER, I YIELD BACK.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK. THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES THE GENTLEMAN FROM SOUTH…

THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK. THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES THE GENTLEMAN FROM SOUTH CAROLINA, MR. CLYBURN, FOR FIVE MINUTES.

MR. CLYBURN

THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. MR. SPEAKER, I RISE TODAY AS PART OF THE…

THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. MR. SPEAKER, I RISE TODAY AS PART OF THE OBSERVATION OF BLACK HISTORY MONTH. TO CONTINUE MY SERIES OF REMARKS RECOGNIZING HCBCU'S, HISTORICAL BLACK COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES. I'M ASKING MY COLLEAGUES TO JOIN ME TO SUPPORT CLINTON COLLEGE IN ROCK HILL, SOUTH CAROLINA, AND MORRIS COLLEGE IN MY HOMETOWN OF SUMPTER. CLINTON COLLEGE WAS FOUNDED IN 1894 BY THE A.M.E. ZION CHURCH. UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF MR. CROCKETT AND REVEREND W.M. ROBINSON TO COMBAT ILLITERACY OF FORMER SLAVES. THE INSTITUTION WAS NAMED FOR BISHOP CALEB CLINTON, THEN THE PRESIDING BISHOP OF THE PALMETTO CONFERENCE OF THE A.M.E. ZION CHURCH. ORIGINALLY NAMED CLINTON INSTITUTE IN 1909, IT WAS RENAMED CLINTON NORMAL AND INDUSTRIAL INSTITUTE AND WAS AUTHORIZED TO GRANT STATE TEACHING CERTIFICATES. IN THE LATE 1940'S, THE SCHOOL WAS AGAIN REORGANIZED AS CLINTON JUNIOR COLLEGE, OFFERING VARIOUS ASSOCIATE DEGREES IN RELIGION AND OTHER LIBERAL ARTS. STILL AFFILIATED WITH A.M.E. ZION CHURCH, IT GREW UNDER THE CURRENT PRESIDENT DR. COPELAND WHO HAS LED THE INSTITUTION SINCE 2002. IN 2013, THE COLLEGE FOR THE FIRST TIME WAS ACCREDITED TO OFFER TWO BACHELOR DEGREE PROGRAMS. A BACHELOR OF ARTS IN RELIGION STUDIES AND A BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION. SUBSEQUENTLY, IT HAS CHANGED ITS NAME TO CLINTON COLLEGE AND ENROLLMENT IS AT A 15-YEAR HIGH. FOR THE PAST 120 YEARS, CLINTON COLLEGE HAS BEEN PROVIDING ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE AS WELL AS IN STUDENT MORAL AND SPIRITUAL GROWTH INTO THEIR STUDENTS. THE COLLEGE TAKES PRIDE IN BEING, AND I QUOTE ITS MOTTO, A BEACON OF LIGHT FOR THE DAY'S SCHOLARS AND TOMORROW'S LEADERS. I THANK ALL OF MY COLLEAGUES FOR JOINING ME IN HONORING CLINTON COLLEGE TODAY. MORRIS COLLEGE WAS ESTABLISHED IN MY HOMETOWN OF SUMPTER, SOUTH CAROLINA, BY THE BAPTIST EDUCATIONAL AND MISSIONARY CONVENTION OF SOUTH CAROLINA IN 1908 TO PROVIDE RELIGIOUS AND EDUCATIONAL TRAINING TO AFRICAN-AMERICANS. ORIGINALLY THE COLLEGE FEATURED ELEMENTARY AND HIGH SCHOOL EDUCATION AS WELL AS A COLLEGE CURRICULUM. ITS COLLEGE OFFERED TEACHER CERTIFICATES AND DEGREESES IN LIBERAL ARTS AND THEOLOGY. IN THE 1930'S AND 1940'S, MORRIS DROPPED HIS ELEMENTARY AND HIGH SCHOOL PROGRAMS AND BECAME SOLELY A LIBERAL ARTS AND RELIGIOUS COLLEGE. MORRIS' GRADUATES INCLUDE FIRST LIEUTENANT LEROY BOUMAN WHO WAS PART OF THE ORIGINAL CLASS OF TUSKEGEE AIRMEN. THESE AFRICAN-AMERICAN PILOTS TRAINED IN THE SEGREGATED COMPLEX NEAR TUSKEGEE, ALABAMA, AND THE WALTER BOTHERO ARMY AIRFIELD IN SOUTH CAROLINA. -- BORROW ARMY AIRFIELD IN SOUTH CAROLINA. HE FLEW 36 COMBAT MISSIONS OVER GERMANY. HE WAS AMONG 300 SURVIVING TUSKEGEE AIRMEN HONORED WITH THE CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL IN 2007 BY PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH. MY MOTHER GRADUATED FROM MORRIS COLLEGE IN 1953 WHEN I WAS 12 YEARS OLD. MY FATHER STUDIED THEOLOGY AT MORRIS IN THE EARLY 1940'S FOR THREE YEARS BUT WAS NOT ALLOWED TO FINISH HIS STUDIES BECAUSE HE HAD NOT GRADUATED HIGH SCHOOL. HAVING HAVING BEEN BORN IN 18 THE 7 IN SEGREGATED SOUTH CAROLINA, HE WAS NOT ALLOWED TO ADVANCE BEYOND THE SEVENTH GRADE. BUT BECAUSE HE CONTINUED TO SELF-TEACH AND STUDY, HE WAS ABLE TO PASS THE COLLEGE ENTRANCE EXAM. THOUGH HE WAS NOT ALLOWED TO GRADUATE IN 1945 AS HE SHOULD HAVE, HE WAS POSTHUMOUSLY AWARDED HIS BACHELOR OF THEOLOGY DEGREE, 58 YEARS LATER, IN 2003. FOR THE PAST 43 YEARS, MORRIS COLLEGE HAS GROWN TO ENROLLMENT OVER 1,000. UNDER PRESIDENT RICHARDSON, MORRIS HAS ESTABLISHED AN ARMY ROTC UNIT, JOINED THE UNITED NEGRO COLLEGE FUND, AND HAS CONSTRUCTED 18 NEW CAMPUS BUILDINGS. REVEREND DR. CHARLES JACKSON, PRESIDENT AND CHAIRMAN OF MORRIS' BOARD OF TRUSTEES, RECENTLY ANNOUNCED THAT PRESIDENT RICHARDSON WILL RETIRE THIS SUMMER, LEAVING MORRIS WELL POISED FOR THE FUTURE. I ASK MY COLLEAGUES TO JOIN ME IN HONORING CLINTON AND MORRIS COLLEGES IN CELEBRATION OF BLACK HISTORY MONTH. I YIELD BACK.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES THE GENTLEMAN FROM GEORGIA, MR. CARTER, FOR FIVE…

THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES THE GENTLEMAN FROM GEORGIA, MR. CARTER, FOR FIVE MINUTES.

MR. CARTER

MINUTES.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

BACK. THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK. THE CHAIR…

BACK. THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK. THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM CALIFORNIA, MISS TOREST -- MRS. TORRES THE GENTLEMAN, FOR FIVE MINUTES.

MRS. TORRES

THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. I RISE TODAY TO TALK ABOUT ONE OF THE CONSEQUENCES…

THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. I RISE TODAY TO TALK ABOUT ONE OF THE CONSEQUENCES OF DONALD TRUMP'S REFUGEE BAN THAT HAS SO FAR BEEN IGNORED. THE DAY AFTER DONALD TRUMP ISSUED HIS EXECUTIVE ORDER TO BAN REFUGEES AND ALL CITIZENS FROM SEVEN MUSLIM MAJORITY COUNTRIES, FOUR CHILDREN HAVE EL SALVADOR LANDED IN MIAMI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT. IT IS A SHORT FLIGHT FROM EL SALVADOR, BUT THE CHILDREN HAD BEEN WAITING A LONG TIME TO COME HERE. IN 2015 THEY APPLIED TO COME HERE THROUGH THE CENTRAL AMERICA MINORS PROGRAM THAT WAS STARTED IN 2014 AS A SAFE AND LEGAL WAY FOR A LIMITED, A VERY SMALL NUMBER OF CHILDREN FROM CENTRAL AMERICA. AFTER SUBMITTING TO D.N.A. TESTS, SCREENINGS, AND A LONG APPLICATION PROCESS, THEY WERE FINALLY GIVEN VISAS AND THEY WERE ON THEIR WAY HERE. HERE. HOWEVER, AFTER LANDING AT MIAMI AND PASSING THROUGH THE CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION SCREENING, AND ON THEIR WAY TO THEIR CONNECTING FLIGHT, THEY WERE STOPPED AND PULLED INTO A SECONDARY INSPECTION. FOR SIX LONG HOURS THESE CHILDREN WERE DETAINED IN A COLD ROOM WITHOUT FOOD OR WATER. THESE CHILDREN HAD DONE EVERYTHING RIGHT AND WAITED A LONG TIME TO FLEE A VERY TRAUMATIC SITUATION. THEY CAME HERE AND THEIR FIRST EXPERIENCE WAS TO BE TREATED LIKE CRIMINALS. THIS IS JUST ONE EXAMPLE OF HOW TRUMP'S HASTY, HARMFUL, EXECUTIVE ORDER IS UNDERMINING OUR AMERICAN VALUES. IT IS JUST ONE MORE REASON WHY INSTEAD OF REWRITING IT AND AS HE SAYS THAT HE IS DOING, HE SHOULD RESCIND IT ALL TOGETHER. BUT OF COURSE THESE CHILDREN ARE THE LUCKY ONES. THE FORTUNATE FEW WHO GOT A CHANCE TO COME HERE LEGALLY. MANY OF MY COLLEAGUES WILL RECALL THAT IN THE SUMMER OF 2014 THOUSANDS OF CHILDREN WERE CENTRAL AMERICA ARRIVED AT OUR SOUTHERN BORDER. THOSE CHILDREN WERE FLEEING GANGS AND VIOLENCE. MANY OF THEM TURNED THEMSELVES IN TO THE BORDER PATROL. THEY WERE NOT TRYING TO SNEAK IN TO OUR COUNTRY. THEY WERE ASKING FOR ASYLUM. THEY WERE ASKING FOR RELIEF AND PROTECTION. WE KNEW THAT IF WE WERE GOING TO STOP KIDS FROM MAKING THAT DANGEROUS JOURNEY TO COME HERE, SOME OF THEM WALKING OVER 1,000 MILES TO OUR SOUTHERN BORDER, THAT WE WOULD HAVE TO TACKLE THE ROOT CAUSES THAT COMPEL THEM TO LEAVE. SO THE LEADERS OF HONDURAS, EL SALVADOR, AND GUATEMALA WOULD -- WITH SOME HELP FROM GENERAL JOHN KELLY CAME UP A PLAN TO BRING SOME STABILITY TO THOSE THREE COUNTRIES. AND CONGRESS WORKING ON A BIPARTISAN BASIS PROVIDED SOME FINANCIAL SUPPORT. BUT EVEN AS WE MAKE LONG-TERM INVESTMENTS IN THE NORTHERN TRIANGLE, WE NEED TO DEAL WITH THE FACT THAT CHILDREN FROM THESE COUNTRIES STILL NEED OUR PROTECTION. IN THE SHORT TERM. THAT IS WHY THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION CREATED A FEW PROGRAMS TO HELP A VERY SMALL NUMBER OF THOSE CHILDREN. THOSE CHILDREN DID WHAT WE ASKED THEM. THEY DIDN'T COME ACROSS OUR BORDER, THEY DIDN'T CROSS MEXICO. THEY WAITED IN LINE AS THEY WERE TOLD. EVEN IF WAITING IN LINE MEANT STAYING IN HARM'S WAY. BECAUSE OF DONALD TRUMP'S EXECUTIVE ORDER, THOSE CHILDREN NOW FACE A VERY UNCERTAIN FUTURE. LOST IN THE MEDIA COVERAGE OF THIS ORDER IS THE SUSPENSION OF THE REFUGEE PROGRAM, BLOCKAGE OF THESE VULNERABLE CHILDREN AS WELL. I AM GLAD THAT THE JUDGE HAS STAYED THE ORDER. I HOPE THAT THE PRESIDENT WILL RESPECT THE JUDGE'S ORDER. BUT MORE THAN THAT, I HOPE THAT THE PRESIDENT WILL TAKE A REAL LOOK AT ALL THE HARM THAT HE HAS ALREADY CAUSED FOR SO MANY PEOPLE, INCLUDING SO MANY INNOCENT CHILDREN. I HOPE THAT HE PUTS AN END TO HIS CRUEL COUNTERPRODUCTIVE EXECUTIVE ORDER ONCE AND FOR ALL. THANK YOU. I YIELD BACK.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLELADY YIELDS BACK. MEMBERS ARE REMINDED TO REFRAIN FROM ENGAGING…

THE GENTLELADY YIELDS BACK. MEMBERS ARE REMINDED TO REFRAIN FROM ENGAGING IN PERSONALITIES TOWARD THE PRESIDENT. THE CHAIR NOW RECOGNIZES THE GENTLEMAN FROM KENTUCKY, MR. BARR, FOR FIVE MINUTES.

MR. BARR

MR. SPEAKER, I RISE TODAY TO RECOGNIZE A CUTTING-EDGE AEROSPACE AND…

MR. SPEAKER, I RISE TODAY TO RECOGNIZE A CUTTING-EDGE AEROSPACE AND DEFENSE COMPANY LOCATED IN THE SIXTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT OF KENTUCKY. S.M.C. MANUFACTURING SERVICES. FOR MORE THAN 30 YEARS THE COATES FAMILY HAS BEEN THE EPITOME OF KENTUCKY ENAGAIN NEWT AND PROGRESS. IN 1978 THEY BEGAN SOUTHLAND MANUFACTURING COMPANY, WHICH HAS EVOLVED INTO S.M.C. MANUFACTURING SERVICES, AND NOW EMPLOYS MORE THAN 140 PEOPLE AT ITS KENTUCKY HEADQUARTERS. RECENTLY I HAD A CHANCE TO VISIT S.M.C. AND TOUR THEIR 45,000-SQUARE FOOT FACILITY, WHICH HELPS TO BUILD COMPONENTS FOR THE COMMONLY REMOTE OPERATED WEAPONS STATION, CROWS. THIS PRODUCT IS A STABILIZED MOUNT THAT CONTAINS A SENSOR SUITE AND FIRE CONTROL SOFTWARE ALLOWING ON THE MOVE TARGET ACQUISITION AND FIRST BURST TARGET ENGAGEMENT. THIS FACILITY HAS INCREASED BY 20,000 SQUARE FEET IN 2016, AND HAS THE ABILITY TO HOUSE MORE THAN 300 EMPLOYEES, WHICH DRAWS ITS EMPLOYEES FROM COUNTIES IN THE SIXTH DISTRICT AND SURROUNDING COUNTIES. . S.M.C. NOT ONLY SUPPLIES COMPANIES IN KENTUCKY BUT ACROSS THE UNITED STATES AND ABROAD. ONE EXAMPLE WHERE S.M.C. SUPPORTS THE DEFENSE OF THIS NATION IS THEIR SUPPORTS WITH K.P.S. OF JOHNSTOWN, PENNSYLVANIA, WHICH IS LOCATED IN THE DISTRICT OF MY FRIEND AND COLLEAGUE CONGRESSMAN KEITH ROTHFUS. WITH MORE THAN 14,000 CROWS IN SERVICE, THEY CAN BE FOUND IN MORE THAN 5 DIFFERENT PLATFORMS IN THE UNITED STATES ARSENAL, INCLUDING THE STRYKER, EMRAP, ABRAM AND AMPHIBIOUS COMBAT VEHICLE, SOMETHING THAT'S RELIED ON BY THE ARMY, THE NAVY AND THE MARINES. I APPLAUD S.M.C. FOR BEING A VETERAN-FRIENDLY WORKPLACE AND A MANUFACTURING COMPANY THAT'S PROUD TO EMPLOY ABOUT AN EQUAL NUMBER OF MEN AND WOMEN. I'M PLEASED TO SUPPORT JOB-CREATING MANUFACTURING COMPANIES LIKE S.M.C. AND K.P.S. WHICH POSITIVELY IMPACTS STATES LIKE KENTUCKY AND HELPS TO STRENGTHEN OUR NATIONAL SECURITY CAPABILITIES WHILE SUPPORTING OUR VETERANS. THANK YOU AND I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

TIME.

MR. O'ROURKE

MR. O'ROURKE: MR. SPEAKER, I RISE TODAY OUT OF DEEP CONCERN ABOUT THE…

MR. O'ROURKE: MR. SPEAKER, I RISE TODAY OUT OF DEEP CONCERN ABOUT THE SAFETY AND SECURITY OF THE COMMUNITY THAT I REPRESENT AND OF THIS COUNTRY. EL PASO, TEXAS, THE CITY THAT I AM SO FORTUNATE TO SERVE AND REPRESENT IN CONGRESS, HAPPENS TO BE THE SAFEST CITY NOT JUST IN THE STATE OF TEXAS BUT IN THE ENTIRE UNITED STATES. THERE ARE A NUMBER OF REASONS FOR THAT. WE HAVE OUTSTANDING LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT, WHETHER IT'S THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT OR EL PASO CITY POLICE, STATE TROOPERS OR FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT, BORDER PATROL AGENTS, CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION OFFICERS AND THE AGENTS OF THE IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT. BUT A BIG PART OF THE EXPLANATION FOR OUR SAFETY IS THE FACT THAT 24% OF THE PEOPLE THAT I REPRESENT WERE BORN IN ANOTHER COUNTRY. THEY CAME TO THIS COUNTRY TO DO BETTER, TO GET AHEAD, TO CONTRIBUTE TO OUR SUCCESS AND TO THE AMERICAN DREAM. AND IT'S ALSO BECAUSE EVERYONE IN THE COMMUNITY OF EL PASO FEELS COMFORTABLE AND SAFE IN REPORTING CRIME, IN TESTIFYING AND COMING FORWARD, ESPECIALLY IN CASES OF DOMESTIC ABUSE, TO LOCAL AUTHORITIES. THAT'S WHY I'M SO CONCERNED AFTER I RECEIVED A CALL LAST NIGHT FROM THE EL PASO COUNTY JUDGE, VERONICA ESCOBAR, TO SHARE WITH ME AN INCIDENT THAT HAPPENED LAST WEEK IN THE EL PASO COUNTY COURTHOUSE WHERE A WOMAN, UNDOCUMENTED, MEXICAN NATIONAL, HAD GONE TO THE CENTER AGAINST FAMILY VIOLENCE OUT OF FEAR FOR HER LIFE AFTER BEING ABUSED, SHE ALLEGED, BY HER BOYFRIEND. CENTER AGAINST FAMILY VIOLENCE ESCORTED HER TO THE EL PASO COUNTY COURTHOUSE TO RECEIVE A PROTECTION ORDER. THE JUDGE GRANTED THAT ORDER, BUT IN THAT COURTROOM WHERE THE JUDGE GRANTED THE ORDER WERE, ACCORDING TO THE COUNTY ATTORNEY, THE COUNTY JUDGE AND THE JUDGE WHO PRESIDED OVER THAT TRIAL, AGENTS FROM IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT WHO ESCORTED THE DOMESTIC ABUSE SURVIVOR OUT OF THE COURTHOUSE AND INTO DETENTION AND PERHAPS TO DEPORTATION TO MEXICO. WE WILL NOT CONTINUE TO BE THE SAFEST CITY IN AMERICA. WE WILL NOT CONTINUE TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE SAFETY OF THE UNITED STATES AND TO THE STATE OF TEXAS IF PEOPLE DON'T FEEL COMFORTABLE REPORTING DOMESTIC ABUSE, REPORTING CRIMES, SERVING AS WITNESSES, WORKING WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT. I URGE THIS PRESIDENT, THIS ADMINISTRATION TO SEND AN UNEQUIVOCAL MESSAGE TO THE FEDERAL AGENTS WORKING IN EL PASO AND EVERY SINGLE ONE OF OUR COMMUNITIES THAT IT IS IMPERATIVE FOR THE SAFETY AND SECURITY OF THIS COUNTRY AND EVERY PERSON WHO IS IN THIS COUNTRY THAT WE RESPECT ALL PEOPLE OF ALL COMMUNITIES, REGARDLESS OF THEIR IMMIGRATION STATUS. MR. SPEAKER [SPEAKING SPANISH] IF ANYONE IN THE COMMUNITY OF EL PASO IS CONCERNED, FEARS THEY WILL BE NOT ABLE TO COME FORWARD TO REPORT THEIR CRIME OR DOMESTIC ABUSE, HAS A QUESTION, WANTS MY HELP, I WANT TO BE THERE FOR THEM. THEY NEED TO CALL ME 915-541-1400. MR. SPEAKER, WE WILL CONTINUE TO BE THE SAFEST CITY IN AMERICA WHEN EVERY MEMBER OF OUR COMMUNITY FEELS SAFE, CAN WORK WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT AND WHEN LAW ENFORCEMENT RESPECTS EVERY SINGLE MEMBER OF OUR COMMUNITY. WITH THAT, MR. SPEAKER, I YIELD BACK.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK. THE GENTLEMAN WILL PROVIDE A TRANSLATION OF HIS…

THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK. THE GENTLEMAN WILL PROVIDE A TRANSLATION OF HIS REMARKS TO THE CLERK. THE CHAIR NOW RECOGNIZES THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM CALIFORNIA, MS. ROYBAL-ALLARD, FOR FIVE MINUTES.

MS. ROYBAL-ALLARD

MR. SPEAKER, I RISE IN STRONG OPPOSITION TO THE TITLE 10 RESOLUTION OF…

MR. SPEAKER, I RISE IN STRONG OPPOSITION TO THE TITLE 10 RESOLUTION OF DISAPPROVAL THAT WILL BE ON THE FLOOR LATER TODAY. THIS MISGUIDED RESOLUTION WILL LIMIT ACCESS TO CRITICAL HEALTH CARE SERVICES BY ALLOWING STATES TO CHERRY-PICK WHICH FAMILY PLANNING PROVIDERS THEY WANT TO PARTICIPATE IN THE TITLE 10 PROGRAM. MR. SPEAKER, MILLIONS OF AMERICANS RELY ON FAMILY PLANNING CLINICS FOR CANCER SCREENINGS, WELL WOMEN EXAMS, BIRTH CONTROL AND SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASE SCREENINGS AND TREATMENT. 85% OF THE PEOPLE SERVED BY THESE CLINICS HAVE INCOMES BELOW 200% OF THE FEDERAL POVERTY LEVEL, AND 48% OF THEM ARE UNINSURED. FURTHERMORE, AT LEAST HALF OF FAMILY PLANNING CLINICS ARE LOCATED IN RURAL AND UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES ALREADY WITH LIMITED ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE. IF THIS RESOLUTION PASSES, POLITICIANS IN ANY STATE OR COMMUNITY WILL BE ABLE TO INTERFERE WITH ELIGIBLE AND COMPETENT TITLE 10 PROVIDERS WHO CARE FOR THE MOST VULNERABLE AND UNDERSERVED IN OUR COUNTRY. THE ONLY FACTORS THAT SHOULD EVER DICTATE ELIGIBILITY TO PROVIDE FAMILY PLANNING, HEALTH SERVICES ARE PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCY AND STATE LICENSURE. I URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO VOTE NO ON H.J. RESOLUTION 43 AND PROTECT HEALTH CARE ACCESS FOR FOUR MILLION AMERICANS WHO RELY ON THE TITLE 10 CLINICS FOR THEIR CARE. I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLELADY YIELDS BACK. THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM…

THE GENTLELADY YIELDS BACK. THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM CALIFORNIA, MS. LEE, FOR FIVE MINUTES.

MS. LEE

THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MR. SPEAKER. I'D LIKE TO FIRST OF ALL SUBMIT THE…

THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MR. SPEAKER. I'D LIKE TO FIRST OF ALL SUBMIT THE NAMES INTO THE RECORD OF THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO DIED IN WORLD WAR II WHILE POSTED IN NORMANDY, SPECIFICALLY THE AFRICAN-AMERICAN MEN AND WOMEN WHO I WILL SPEAK ABOUT.

TEMPORE WITHOUT

WITHOUT OBJECTION.

MS. LEE

UNANIMOUS CONSENT. EVERY YEAR WHEN WE CELEBRATE AND REFLECT ON BLACK…

UNANIMOUS CONSENT. EVERY YEAR WHEN WE CELEBRATE AND REFLECT ON BLACK HISTORY MONTH, WE LEARN THE STORIES OF SOME OF AMERICA'S GREATEST SCIENTISTS, ACTORS, WRITERS, ENTERTAINERS AND SCHOLARS, WORKERS, ORDINARY PEOPLE WHO MADE MAJOR CONTRIBUTIONS TO THIS GREAT COUNTRY. AS A MEMBER OF THE MILITARY VETERANS' APPROPRIATIONS SUBCOMMITTEE, I WANT TO SHARE THE UNSUNG HEROES OF THE VALIANT BLACK MEN AND WOMEN WHO SERVED THEIR COUNTRY DUTIFULLY DURLED DURING WORLD WAR II EVEN IN THE FACE OF ADVERSITY. WE KNOW ABOUT THE BRAVE TUSKEGEE AIRMEN RED TAILS WHO FLEW FIGHTER AND BOMBERS PLANES DURING WORLD WAR II, BUT MANY DO NOT KNOW THAT THE RED TAILS WERE ONLY A FEW OF NEARLY ONE MILLION AFRICAN-AMERICANS WHO SERVED DURING THE WAR. THESE COURAGEOUS MEN AND WOMEN FOUGHT BRAVELY TO PROTECT DEMOCRATIC IDEALS OF FREEDOM AND EQUALITY. SADLY, THE COUNTRY THEY SERVED DID NOT LIVE UP TO THOSE IDEALS. WHEN THEY RETURNED FROM VICTORY IN EUROPE AND THE PACIFIC, MANY DID NOT RECEIVE A HEROES WELCOME BECAUSE OF THE COLOR OF THEIR SKIN. MY DAD, THE LATE LIEUTENANT COLONEL GARVIN TUT, WAS ONE OF THOSE HEROES. HE SERVED IN THE 96TH BATTALION IN ITALY, SUPPORTING THE NORMANDY INVASION. HE WAS IN WORLD WAR II, THE KOREAN WAR AND SERVED IN THE ARMY FOR 25 YEARS. ONLY RECENTLY HAVE THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF AFRICAN-AMERICAN MEN AND WOMEN DURING WORLD WAR II HAVE BEEN RECOGNIZED AS OUR COUNTRY HAS ATTEMPTED TO ACKNOWLEDGE ITS SAD AND DARK PAST. THAT IS WHY I'M TAKING TIME ON THE FLOOR TODAY TO HONOR THE MEMORY OF THE 138 AFRICAN-AMERICAN MEN AND WOMEN BURIED IN NORMANDY, AMERICAN CEMETERY AND THE FIVE MEN WHO REMAIN MISSING. IT'S MY HOPE THAT BY SHARING THESE STORIES AND ENTERING THEIR NAMES IN THE RECORD MORE PEOPLE WILL COME TO APPRECIATE THE SACRIFICES OF THESE BRAVE MEN AND WOMEN WHO SERVED THIS COUNTRY WITH DISTINCTION DURING WORLD WAR II. NOW, MOST PEOPLE KNOW THAT ON JUNE 6, 1944, APPROXIMATELY 2,000 SOLDIERS LANDED ON THE BEACHES OF NORMANDY FOR WHAT WOULD BE A MAJOR TURNING POINT IN THE WAR. BUT FAR FEWER KNOW THE ALL-BLACK 320TH BARRAGE BALLOON BATTALION SERVED WITH DISDINKS -- DISTINCTION DURING THE D-DAY INVASION. THEY WERE THE ONLY BALLOON BATTALION DEDICATED TO PROTECTING TROOPS FROM INTENSE GERMAN AIRCRAFT ATTACKS ON OMAHA AND UTAH BEACHES. THIS WAS UNIQUE BECAUSE BLACK UNITS WERE USUALLY KEPT FROM COMBAT AND FULFILLED ESSENTIAL SUPPORT SERVICES INSTEAD. AS PART OF THEIR MISSION TO PROTECT ALLIED TROOPS, THE MEN OF THE 320TH IMPLEMENTED INNOVATIVE IDEAS TO EASE TRANSPORTATION TO SHORE OF BARRAGE BALLOONS THAT WEIGHED HALF A TON. IN ADDITION TO DEFENDING AMERICAN SOLDIERS DURING D-DAY INVASIONS, THE BATTALION ALSO SECURED ITS OWN SUCCESSFUL OFFENSIVE STRIKES. THE BATTALION'S INGENUITY AND SERVICE WAS LATER RECOGNIZED AS AN IMPORTANT ELEMENT OF THE AIR DEFENSE TEAM BY DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER WHO WAS SUPREME ALLIED COMMANDER GENERAL AT THE TIME. SADLY, NO SACRIFICE COMES WITHOUT THE LOSS OF HUMAN LIFE. DURING THE D-DAY INVASION, THE 320TH SUFFERED TWO CASUALTIES. ONE CORPORAL BROOKS AND CORPORAL HENRY J. HARRIS FROM THE 320TH ARE BOTH BURIED AT THE NORMANDY AMERICAN CEMETERY. EACH OF THESE MEN WERE DECORATED WITH THE PURPLE HEART, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL AND WORRELL WAR II VICTORY MEDAL FOR THEIR VALIANT SERVE SERVAIS. JAMES M. MCLAIN OF THE 320TH WHO DIED ON JULY 16, 1944. HE WAS ALSO BURIED AT THE CEMETERY. AFRICAN-AMERICANS WHO WERE BURIED AT THE CEMETERY, THE MEN FROM THE 320TH WERE BURIED WITH THEIR WHITE PEERS. EVEN THOUGH UNITS WERE SEGREGATED UNTIL PRESIDENT HARRY TRUMAN CHANGED OFFICIAL DEFENSE DEPARTMENT POLICIES IN 1948, BLACK AND WHITE SOLDIERS WHO DIED IN NORMANDY WERE BURIED TOGETHER. AT THE NORMANDY AMERICAN CEMETERY, 135 AFRICAN-AMERICAN MEN AND THREE AFRICAN-AMERICAN WOMEN WERE LAID TO REST FROM 1944 TO 1945. MR. SPEAKER, THERE ARE FIVE BLACK MEN WHO REMAIN MISSING IN ACTION WHILE POSTED IN NORMANDY. THEY ARE HONORED ON THE WALLS OF THE MISSING AT NORMANDY WITH MORE THAN 1,700 OTHERS. WHILE WOMEN WERE NOT ALLOWED IN COMBAT DURING WORLD WAR II, THREE BLACK WOMEN FROM THE 6,888TH POSTAL DIRECTORY BATTALION OF THE WOMEN'S ARMY CORPS ALSO BURIED AT THE CEMETERY. THEY WERE KILLED DURING AN ACCIDENT WITH A JEEP. NOW, THIS WAS AN ALL-WOMEN, ALL-BLACK UNIT THAT HELPED PROCESS MAIL IN EUROPE UNTIL -- EXCUSE ME -- DURING WORLD WAR II. THEY WERE THE FIRST BLACK BATTALION DEPLOYED AFTER FIRST LADY ELEANOR ROOSEVELT AND CIVIL RIGHTS LEADER DR. MARY MCCLOUD BETHUNE ADVOCATED FOR BLACK WOMEN TO JOIN THE WOMEN ARMY CORPS, THE W.A.C., FOR NEARLY A YEAR AND A HALF. THEY WERE TRAINED IN JUJITSU BECAUSE THEY WERE NOT ALLOWED TO CARRY FIREARMS. MR. SPEAKER, I'D LIKE TO ASK FOR THE REMAINDER OF MY STATEMENT TO BE ENTERED IN THE RORLED. BUT I WANT TO THANK THE CHAIR OF OUR SUBCOMMITTEE, MR. DENT, OUR RANKING MEMBER LOWEY AND MR. BISHOP, YOURSELF, MR. ROGERS, FOR YOUR SUPPORT IN THE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE AND FOR THE AMERICAN BATTLE MONUMENTS. VERY DEDICATED WORK IN HELPING US BRING THESE GREAT HEROES AND SHROES TO THE ATTENTION OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE BY PROPERLY RECOGNIZING THEIR SACRIFICES AND THEIR LEGACIES.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

AT C-SPAN.ORG. SEARCH "WASHINGTON JOURNAL." WE WILL GO LIVE TO THE HOUSE.…

AT C-SPAN.ORG. SEARCH "WASHINGTON JOURNAL." WE WILL GO LIVE TO THE HOUSE. DEBATE THIS AFTERNOON OVERTURNING OBAMA ADMINISTRATION RULES. LIVE COVERAGE HERE ON C-SPAN.

CHAPLAIN CONROY

COMPLETE US PRAY. LOVING GOD, WE GIVE YOUHANKS FORGING U ANHER DAY -FOR…

COMPLETE US PRAY. LOVING GOD, WE GIVE YOUHANKS FORGING U ANHER DAY -FOR GIVIG US ANOTHER DAY THE PSALMIST CANNOT FIND ENOUGH WORDS TO EXPRESS TRUST IN Y. PERSONAL EXPERE OF YR PRESENCE, CARE AND ABIDING GUDANCE GIVESIS TO HIS SO . LORD, MY RY FTRESS, MY DELIVERER, GOD, MY ROCK OF REFE, MY IELD, T LLNESS OF MY SALVATION, MY STNG HOLD. STIR IR HEARTS TODAY YOUR SPIRIT. TOUCH THE SOUL OF O NATION THAT WE MAY SEE YOUR NG WORK IN OUR WORK, YRTRENTH BEND OUR WEAKNES,OUR PURPIN OUR EORTS ALAW OF E, EA DRAWING ALL OF US IWORLD TO LASTIN FREEDOM. YOU AR EVER FAIT, O LORD WORTHY OF ALL OURUS MAY ALL THAT IS DONE IN E PEOPLE'S HOUSE BE FOR YOUR GREATER HONOR AND GLORY, AMEN.

THE SPEAKER

THE CHAIR HAS EXAMINED THE JOURNAL OF THE LAST DAY'S PROCEEDINGS AND…

THE CHAIR HAS EXAMINED THE JOURNAL OF THE LAST DAY'S PROCEEDINGS AND ANNOUNCES TO THE HOUSE HIS APPROVAL THEREOF. PURSUANT TO CLAUSE 1 OF RULE 1 THE JOURNAL STANDS APPROVED. FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEMAN FROM UTAH SEEK RECOGNITION?

MR. BISHOP

PURSUANT TO CLAUSE 1 OF RULE 1, I DEMAND A VOTE ON AGREEING TO THE…

PURSUANT TO CLAUSE 1 OF RULE 1, I DEMAND A VOTE ON AGREEING TO THE SPEAKER'S APPROVAL OF THE JOURNAL.

THE SPEAKER

THE QUESTION IS ON AGREEING TO THE SPEAKER'S APPROVAL OF THE JOURNAL.…

THE QUESTION IS ON AGREEING TO THE SPEAKER'S APPROVAL OF THE JOURNAL. THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE. THOSE OPPOSED, NO. IN THE OPINION OF THE CHAIR, THE JOURNAL STANDS APPROVED.

MR. BISHOP

MR. SPEAKER, NOT SO FAST. I OBJECT TO THE VOTE ON THE GROUNDS THAT A…

MR. SPEAKER, NOT SO FAST. I OBJECT TO THE VOTE ON THE GROUNDS THAT A QUORUM IS NOT PRESENT AND I MAKE A POINT OF ORDER THAT A QUORUM IS NOT PRESENT.

THE SPEAKER

PURSUANT TO CLAUSE 8 OF RULE 20, FURTHER PROCEEDINGS ON THIS QUESTION ARE…

PURSUANT TO CLAUSE 8 OF RULE 20, FURTHER PROCEEDINGS ON THIS QUESTION ARE POSTPONED. THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE WILL BE LED BY THE GENTLEMAN FROM WASHINGTON, MR. NEWHOUSE.

MR. NEWHOUSE

MR. SPEAKER, I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF…

MR. SPEAKER, I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.

THE SPEAKER

THE CHAIR LAYS BEFORE THE HOUSE A COMMUNICATION.

THE CLERK

THE HONORABLE THE SPEAKER, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SIR, THIS LETTER IS…

THE HONORABLE THE SPEAKER, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SIR, THIS LETTER IS TO INFORM YOU IN YOUR ROLE AS SPEAKER THAT I HAVE TODAY SENT A LETTER TO MY GOVERNOR RESIGNING MY SEAT IN CONGRESS. A DUPLICATE OF THAT LETTER IS ATTACHED. I'M TRULY HONORED THAT PRESIDENT TRUMP HAS GIVEN ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO LEAD THE OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET, THE OPPORTUNITY TO WORK WITH SUCH A TALENTED AND INTELLIGENT GROUP OF PEOPLE IN TRYING TO RESTORE OUR COUNTRY'S FISCAL SECURITY WAS TOO GOOD TO PASS UP. IT DOES, HOWEVER, COME AT THE PRICE OF LEAVING THE HOUSE. I AM THANKFUL FOR THE EFFORTS YOU HAVE MADE ON MY BEHALF ON THIS EFFORT. I AM THANKFUL FOR THE LEADERSHIP YOU HAVE SHOWN DURING MY TIME IN THE HOUSE, BUT MORE THAN ALL OF THAT, I AM THANKFUL FOR YOUR FRIENDSHIP OVER THE LAST SIX YEARS. WORKING WITH YOU AS A CHAIRMAN AND AS SPEAKER WILL FOREVER BE ONE OF THE HIGHLIGHTS OF MY CAREER. I SINCERELY HOPE MY RESIGNATION IS NOT THE END OF THAT RELATIONSHIP. INDEED, I CHOOSE TO SEE IT SO SIMPLY THE NEXT CHAPTER OF OUR EFFORT TO TRY TO SERVE THE NATION. ALL THE BEST, THANKS, AGAIN AND GOD BLESS, SIGNED SINCERELY, MICK MULVANEY, MEMBER OF CONGRESS.

THE SPEAKER

THE CHAIR ANNOUNCES TO THE HOUSE THAT IN LIGHT OF THE RESIGNATION OF THE…

THE CHAIR ANNOUNCES TO THE HOUSE THAT IN LIGHT OF THE RESIGNATION OF THE GENTLEMAN FROM SOUTH CAROLINA, MR. MULVANEY, THE WHOLE NUMBER OF THE HOUSE IS 431. THE CHAIR WILL ENTERTAIN UP TO 15 REQUESTS FOR ONE-MINUTE SPEECHES ON EACH SIDE OF THE AISLE. FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEMAN FROM WASHINGTON SEEK RECOGNITION?

MR. NEWHOUSE

MR. SPEAKER, I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT TO ADDRESS THE HOUSE FOR ONE MINUTE…

MR. SPEAKER, I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT TO ADDRESS THE HOUSE FOR ONE MINUTE AND TO REVISE AND EXTEND.

THE SPEAKER

WITHOUT OBJECTION, THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED.

MR. NEWHOUSE

THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. I RISE TODAY TO RECOGNIZE THE RETIREMENT OF MY…

THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. I RISE TODAY TO RECOGNIZE THE RETIREMENT OF MY DEAR FRIEND AND FELLOW W.S.U. ALUMNIST, MR. GARY PETERSON. FOLLOWING HIS GRADUATION IN 1965, GARY BEGAN A DISTINGUISHED CAREER ON BEHALF OF OUR COUNTRY AND NOTABLE WASHINGTON INSTITUTIONS. SUCH AS THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST NATIONAL LABORATORY, HANFORD, ENERGY NORTHWEST, THE STATE DEPARTMENT AND RECENTLY AS VICE PRESIDENT OF THE TRICITY DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL. FOR FIVE DECADES, GARY HAS DEVOTED -- HAS BEEN A DEVOTED ADVOCATE FOR THE TRICITIES AND HE'S BEEN AN ADVOCATE FOR THE DEVELOPMENT. HE'S BEEN PART OF THE NUCLEAR CLEANUP MISSION IN HANFORD. IN CONGRESS, GARY HAS PROVIDED ME WITH CRITICAL COUNSEL WHILE GENEROUSLY SERVING ON MY HANFORD WORKING GROUP. HIS INTEGRITY AND DISTINGUISHED CAREER WERE RECOGNIZED WITH HIS 2013 INDUCTION INTO W.S.U.'S MURRELL AND ALUMNI HALL OF ACHIEVEMENT. I'M HONORED TO CALL GARY A FRIEND AND WILL BE FOREVER GRATEFUL FOR HIS PATRIOTISM AND DEDICATED SERVICE TO THE TRICITIES AND OUR GREAT NATION. MR. SPEAKER, I THANK YOU AND I YIELD BACK.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS. FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM NEW…

THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS. FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM NEW JERSEY SEEK RECOGNITION? WITHOUT OBJECTION, THE GENTLEWOMAN IS RECOGNIZED FOR ONE MINUTE.

MRS. WATSON COLEMAN

TODAY I HAVE THE PERSONAL PLEASURE AND HONOR OF SAYING A FEW WORDS ABOUT A…

TODAY I HAVE THE PERSONAL PLEASURE AND HONOR OF SAYING A FEW WORDS ABOUT A LEADER IN OUR COMMUNITY WHO HAS DEDICATED HIS LIFE TO THE BETTERMENT OF OTHERS. BOB OLIVER IS THE PRESIDENT OF ASUCA -- PARDON ME -- IS THE PRESIDENT C.E.O. OF ASUCA, AMERICAN PHARMACEUTICAL INC. WHICH IS BASED IN OUR DISTRICT IN PRINCETON, NEW JERSEY. BOB'S STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP HAS BEEN INSTRUMENTAL IN DEVELOPING A DIVERSE PORTFOLIO OF MARKETED PRODUCTS. SPECIFICALLY FOCUSING ON NEUROSCIENCE, CARDIO, RENAL AND ONCOLOGY. ESS' WORKED FOR OVER 40 YEARS HELPING US NAVIGATE THE HEALTH CARE SYSTEM MORE EASILY AND HAS PUBLICLY ADDRESSED MENTAL HEALTH STIGMA, DISPARITY IN HEALTH CARE TREATMENT AND THE FUTURE OF HEALTH CARE USING TECHNOLOGY ADVANCEMENTS. HE'S WORKED CLOSELY WITH LOCAL ADVOCACY GROUP TO AID VETERANS AND OTHER INDIVIDUALS STRUGGLING WITH HOMELESSNESS, MENTAL ILLNESS, ADDICTION AND POVERTY. IN ADDITION TO BEING A COMMUNITY PARTNER, THROUGH HIS LEADERSHIP ROLE, HE'S BEEN INSTRUMENTAL IN DRIVING ECONOMIC GROWTH IN THE PHARMACEUTICAL SECTOR AS WELL AS CREATING JOB OPPORTUNITIES IN MY STATE. MOST RECENTLY, HE WAS FEATURED AS ONE OF "EBONY" MAGAZINE'S POWER 100, AND A PANELIST ON CNN AND FEATURED LEADER IN "FORBES" MAGAZINE. THE JOURNEY IS JUST BEGINNING AS HE CLOSES THIS CHAPTER AND PROCEEDS TO MOVE FORWARD IN HIS LIFE. HE'S MADE US VERY PROUD. WE ARE PROUD TO TAKE THIS MOMENT TO ADDRESS HIS ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND TO THANK HIM FOR HIS LIFETIME OF ACHIEVEMENT. WE WISH HIM THE BEST OF LUCK AND GOD SPEED. THANK YOU AND I YIELD BACK.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEWOMAN YIELDS. FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEMAN FROM MINNESOTA…

THE GENTLEWOMAN YIELDS. FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEMAN FROM MINNESOTA SEEK RECOGNITION?

>>

I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT TO ADDRESS THE HOUSE FOR ONE MINUTE AND TO REVISE…

I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT TO ADDRESS THE HOUSE FOR ONE MINUTE AND TO REVISE AND EXTEND MY REMARKS.

TEMPORE WITHOUT

WITHOUT OBJECTION, THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED FOR ONE MINUTE.

>>

MR. SPEAKER, I RISE TODAY TO RECOGNIZE AND CELEBRATE THE LIFE OF BILL…

MR. SPEAKER, I RISE TODAY TO RECOGNIZE AND CELEBRATE THE LIFE OF BILL COOPER. BILL WAS A LEADER, INNOVATIVE, PHILANTHROPIST AND FRIEND AND HE LIVED THE AMERICAN DREAM. HE GREW UP IN DETROIT WHERE HE WORKED AS A POLICE OFFICER WHILE EARNING A DEGREE IN ACCOUNTING. HIS CAREER IN BANKING BROUGHT HIM TO MINNESOTA IN 1985 WHEN HE BECAME C.E.O. OF STWIN CITIES FEDERAL. HE TRANSFORMED THE SMALL SAVINGS AND LOAN INTO A THRIVING NATIONAL BANK. BILL WORKED TO ENSURE ALL CHILDREN HAD ACCESS TO A QUALITY EDUCATION BY FOUNDING THE FRIENDS OF EDUCATION.

MR. LEWIS

WHICH SPONSORS 15 SCHOOLS AND SERVES MORE THAN 9,000 CHILDREN. BILL WAS A…

WHICH SPONSORS 15 SCHOOLS AND SERVES MORE THAN 9,000 CHILDREN. BILL WAS A DEFINING FORCE AS WELL IN MINNESOTA POLITICS. HE HE ALWAYS STOOD UP FOR CONSERVATIVE PRINCIPLES AND SERVED AS CHAIRMAN OF THE STATE REPUBLICAN PARTY FROM 1997 TO 1999. BILL COOPER LEFT HIS MARK ON MINNESOTA, AND HE WILL BE DEEPLY MISSED BY ALL OF US WHO KNEW HIM. I YIELD BACK.

THE SPEAKERPRO TEMPORE

FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEMAN FROM FLORIDA SEEK RECOGNITION?

>>

I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT TO ADDRESS THE HOUSE FOR ONE MINUTE AND TO REVISE…

I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT TO ADDRESS THE HOUSE FOR ONE MINUTE AND TO REVISE AND EXTEND MY REMARKS.

TEMPORE WITHOUT

WITHOUT OBJECTION, THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED FOR ONE MINUTE.

MR. BILIRAKIS

THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. I RISE TODAY ON BEHALF OF THE 30 MILLION AMERICANS…

THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. I RISE TODAY ON BEHALF OF THE 30 MILLION AMERICANS AFFECTED BY A RARE DISEASE. AN ASTOUNDING 95% OF RARE DISEASES HAVE NO APPROVED TREATMENTS OR CURES. MY BILL, THE OPEN ACT, SEEKS TO CHANGE THAT. THE OPEN ACT PROVIDES INCENTIVES FOR DRUG MAKERS TO REPURPOSE MAJOR MARKET TREATMENTS FOR RARE DISEASE PATIENTS. IT COULD OPEN THE DOOR FOR A SURGE IN BIOTECHNOLOGY JOBS AND INVESTMENT. MOST IMPORTANTLY, THE OPEN ACT WOULD HELP MAKE SURE THOSE SUFFERING FROM A RARE CONDITION CAN FINALLY FIND SAFE, EFFECTIVE, AFFORDABLE MEDICATION. I WAS INSPIRED TO WRITE THE OPEN ACT AFTER MEETING WITH FOLKS WHO LIVE WITH RARE DISEASES LIKE ASHLEY PIKE, CANDACE LEHRMAN FROM FLORIDA. THE IDEAS THAT SHAPED THIS LEGISLATION FROM THOSE WHO WILL HELP MOST RARE DISEASE PATIENTS. AFTER ALL, RARE DISEASES ARE NOT A RARE PROBLEM. THE OPEN ACT HAS THE POTENTIAL TO BRING HOPE TO MILLIONS OF PATIENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES. THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. I YIELD BACK.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK SEEK RECOGNITION?

MR. HIGGINS

I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT TO ADDRESS THE HOUSE FOR ONE MINUTE.

TEMPORE WITHOUT

WITHOUT OBJECTION, THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED FOR ONE MINUTE.

MR. HIGGINS

FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEMAN FROM INDIANA SEEK RECOGNITION?

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEMAN FROM INDIANA SEEK RECOGNITION?

>>

I SEEK UNANIMOUS CONSENT TO ADDRESS THE HOUSE FOR ONE MINUTE AND TO REVISE…

I SEEK UNANIMOUS CONSENT TO ADDRESS THE HOUSE FOR ONE MINUTE AND TO REVISE AND EXTEND MY REMARKS.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

WITHOUT OBJECTION, THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED FOR ONE MINUTE.

>>

MR. SPEAKER, MANY OF US HAVE COME HERE TO THE FLOOR TO SHARE WITH THE…

MR. SPEAKER, MANY OF US HAVE COME HERE TO THE FLOOR TO SHARE WITH THE COUNTRY AND OUR COLLEAGUES STATISTICS AND DATA DEMONSTRATING HOW OBAMACARE IS FAILING PATIENTS. WE'VE SHOWN THE NUMBERS RELATED TO SKYROCKETING PREMIUMS AND DEDUCTIBLES AND THE REDUCTION OF PATIENT CHOICE.

MR. BUCSHON

TODAY, I WANT TO SHARE WHAT MY CONSTITUENTS ARE SAYING ABOUT THEIR…

TODAY, I WANT TO SHARE WHAT MY CONSTITUENTS ARE SAYING ABOUT THEIR FIRSTHAND EXPERIENCES WITH OBAMACARE. FROM COMMENTS WE HAVE RECEIVED, DEDUCTIBLE WENT FROM $250 TO $2,500. OUR DEDUCTIBLE SKYROCKETED FROM THE AMOUNT WE WERE PLAYING PAYING, PLUS WE HAD FEWER OPTIONS. WE HAD FEWER OPTIONS FROM PLANS. WE HAD TO SWITCH DOCTORS. WE OWN A PHARMACY. WE SEE MANY WITH HIGH PREMIUMS THAT CAN'T AFFORD THE VERY THINGS THEY NEED. COST OF INSURANCE KEEPS GOING UP. IT HAS NEVER GONE DOWN. I DON'T HAVE INSURANCE. IT'S TOO EXPENSIVE. I HAVE KIDS TO FEED. MR. SPEAKER, THE STATUS QUO UNDER OBAMACARE IS UNACCEPTABLE. IT WOULD BE IRRESPONSIBLE AND UNETHICAL NOT TO ACT. OUR PLAN, HOUSE REPUBLICANS WILL BRING FAMILIES RELIEF BY REPEALING AND REPLACING THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT WITH REFORMS THAT LOWER COSTS AND EXPAND ACCESS TO QUALITY, AFFORDABLE HEALTH CARE TO ALL OUR CITIZENS. I YIELD BACK.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM NORTH CAROLINA SEEK…

FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM NORTH CAROLINA SEEK RECOGNITION? WITHOUT OBJECTION, THE GENTLEWOMAN IS RECOGNIZED FOR ONE MINUTE.

MS. ADAMS

AS AN AFRICAN-AMERICAN AND WOMAN OF CONGRESS, MY ELECTION WOULD NOT HAVE…

AS AN AFRICAN-AMERICAN AND WOMAN OF CONGRESS, MY ELECTION WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN POSSIBLE WITHOUT THE EFFORTS OF MAYA ANGELO, FANNY, SOJOURNOR TRUTH AND MANY HEROES BEFORE ME. THESE WOMEN CHAMPIONED CIVIL RIGHTS, WOMEN'S RIGHTS, VOTING RIGHTS AND FOUGHT OPPRESSION SO THAT AFRICAN-AMERICAN WOMEN CAN HAVE A VOICE IN POLITICS. WHEN I WAS ELECTED I BECAME THE 100TH WOMAN TO SERVE IN THE 115TH CONGRESS, THE 20TH WOMAN IN THE CONGRESSIONAL BLACK CAUCUS AND SECOND AFRICAN-AMERICAN WOMAN TO REPRESENT NORTH CAROLINA IN CONGRESS. THAT NIGHT WAS AN HISTORIC WIN FOR WOMEN BUT IT WAS PARTICULARLY SPECIAL FOR AFRICAN-AMERICAN WOMEN. SHIRLEY CHISHOLM ONCE SAID WOMEN MUST BECOME REVOLUTIONARY. THEY CANNOT BE EVOLUTION BUT REVOLUTION. THE TIME WHEN PRESIDENT TRUMP'S CABINET DOES NOT INCLUDE A SINGLE AFRICAN-AMERICAN WOMAN, JUST ONE AFRICAN-AMERICAN WOMAN IN THE SENATE, WE'RE REMINDED THERE'S STILL MUCH WORK TO DO. THIS ADMINISTRATION WILL NOT MAKE A PLACE FOR US, WE WILL MAKE ONE FOR OURSELVES. IT'S TIME TO STAND UP, SPEAK UP AND MAKE OUR VOICES HEARD. I YIELD BACK. .

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEMAN FROM GEORGIA SEEK RECOGNITION? WITHOUT…

FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEMAN FROM GEORGIA SEEK RECOGNITION? WITHOUT OBJECTION, THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED FOR ONE MINUTE.

>>

I RISE TODAY TO HONOR THE LIFE OF QUINTON MOSES, A 10TH DISTRICT NATIVE, A…

I RISE TODAY TO HONOR THE LIFE OF QUINTON MOSES, A 10TH DISTRICT NATIVE, A STAR ATHLETE, AND DEDICATED COACH WHO TRAGICALLY PASSED AWAY IN A HOUSE FIRE THIS PAST SUNDAY MORNING. I PRAY AND GRIEVE FOR THE FAMILY AND FRIENDS OF QUINTON, AS WELL AS THE FAMILY OF ANDREA GODDARD AND HER DAUGHTER, JASMINE, WHO ALSO LOST THEIR LIVES.

MR. HICE

QUINTON MOSES GREW UP IN MY HOME DISTRICT IN ATHENS, GEORGIA. HE ATTENDED…

QUINTON MOSES GREW UP IN MY HOME DISTRICT IN ATHENS, GEORGIA. HE ATTENDED CEDAR SHORES HIGH SCHOOL. HE WENT ON TO PLAY FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA AND WAS NAMED FIRST TEAM ALL S.E.C. ON THE BULLDOGS' 2005 S.E.C. CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM. FOLLOWING THAT, HE SPENT FOUR YEARS IN THE NFL AS A LINEBACKER. HE RETURNED TO OUR COMMUNITY IN 2012 WHERE HE STARTED COACHING STUDENT ATHLETES AT RINEHART UNIVERSITY IN GEORGIA. MR. SPEAKER, QUINTON'S POSITIVE IMPACT ON THE COMMUNITY WAS EVIDENCED BY THE OUTPOURING OF LOVE, CONDOLENCES, BY COACHES, PLAYERS AND FANS, AND I WOULD ASK MY COLLEAGUES TO RISE AND JOIN ME FOR A MOMENT OF SILENCE TO HONOR THE LIVES OF QUINTON MOSES, ANDREA AND JASMINE GODDARD, PRECIOUS LIVES LOST TOO SOON.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM CALIFORNIA SEEK RECOGNITION?…

FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM CALIFORNIA SEEK RECOGNITION? WITHOUT OBJECTION, THE GENTLEWOMAN IS RECOGNIZED FOR ONE MINUTE.

>>

THE PEOPLE AND EVEN TO THE VICE PRESIDENT, DONALD TRUMP WAS FORCED TO FIRE…

THE PEOPLE AND EVEN TO THE VICE PRESIDENT, DONALD TRUMP WAS FORCED TO FIRE YET ANOTHER ADVISOR BECAUSE OF THEIR INAPPROPRIATE TIES TO RUSSIA.

MS. CHU

THAT BRINGS THE TOTAL SINCE HE FIRST LAUNCHED THE CAMPAIGN TO AT LEAST…

THAT BRINGS THE TOTAL SINCE HE FIRST LAUNCHED THE CAMPAIGN TO AT LEAST THREE. THIS INCLUDES FORMER CAMPAIGN CHAIRMAN, PAUL MANIFORD, WHO RESIGNED AFTER SECRET RECORDS SHOWED HE WORKED WITH AND PROFITED FROM THE CORRUPT PRO-RUSSIAN GOVERNMENT IN UKRAINE BEFORE IT WAS OUSTED. AND AS WE SUSPECTED, IT TURNS OUT THAT TRUMP'S CAMPAIGN WAS IN NEAR CONSTANT CONTACT WITH RUSSIA. NOW WE ASK THE QUESTIONS. WHY? DID TRUMP KNOW? HOW WERE THESE SECRET -- HOW DID THESE -- WOULD THESE SECRET TALKS INFLUENCE OUR FOREIGN POLICY? WE DESERVE ANSWERS. REPUBLICANS SAID THEY DON'T WANT TO POLITICIZE THIS AND AGREE. THAT'S WHY I SUPPORT AN INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATION CONDUCTED BY EXPERTS WHO WILL PROVIDE A MORE PUBLIC REPORT. WE HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO THE PEOPLE TO UNEARTH THE TRUTH.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEMAN FROM FLORIDA SEEK RECOGNITION? WITHOUT…

FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEMAN FROM FLORIDA SEEK RECOGNITION? WITHOUT OBJECTION, THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED FOR ONE MINUTE.

>>

MR. SPEAKER, I RISE TODAY BECAUSE THE OPIOID ABUSE EPIDEMIC CONTINUES TO…

MR. SPEAKER, I RISE TODAY BECAUSE THE OPIOID ABUSE EPIDEMIC CONTINUES TO WORSEN ACROSS THIS COUNTRY. IN FLORIDA ALONE, HEROIN AND FENT NELL DEATHS HAVE RISEN BY NEARLY 80%. LOCAL GOVERNMENTS IN FLORIDA ARE RESPONDING AS BEST THEY CAN WITH THEIR LIMITED RESOURCES. BUT THEY CANNOT SOLVE THIS PROBLEM ALONE. THE 18TH DISTRICT OF FLORIDA, IT INCLUDES PARTS OF PALM BEACH COUNTY WHERE MY COLLEAGUE RESIDES, WHICH IS ONE OF THE HARDEST HIT COUNTIES IN THE STATE. IN 2016 THE COUNTY RECEIVED MORE THAN 4,000 OVERDOSE CALLS AND APPROXIMATELY 500 OPIOID-RELATED DEATHS. MR. SPEAKER, OUR NATION'S VETERANS ARE UNIQUELY VULNERABLE TO THIS CRISIS. WE MUST NEVER FORGET OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO THESE BRAVE MEN AND WOMEN, TO ENSURE THAT WHEN THEY LEAVE THE BATTLEFIELD OVERSEAS, THEY AREN'T LEFT TO FIGHT THEIR PERSONAL BATTLE HERE AT HOME ALL ALONE.

MR. MAST

NEW TRAGEDIES DAILY. I YIELD BACK.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM NEW HAMPSHIRE SEEK RECOGNITION?…

FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM NEW HAMPSHIRE SEEK RECOGNITION? FLORIDA, THANK YOU. WITHOUT OBJECTION, THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM FLORIDA IS RECOGNIZED FOR ONE MINUTE.

MS. FRANKEL

THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. THE WEATHER'S MUCH BETTER IN FLORIDA. MR. SPEAKER,…

THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. THE WEATHER'S MUCH BETTER IN FLORIDA. MR. SPEAKER, RUSSIA'S AN ALARMING FORCE IN THE WORLD. A NUCLEAR POWER WITH AN AUTHORITARIAN PRESIDENT. MANY HAVE SEEN OUR EUROPEAN ALLIES, WITH THE INVASION INTO THE UKRAINE AND THREATS OF INCURSION INTO OTHER BALTIC STATES. LIFTING MASS MURDERER ASSAD IN SYRIA, INTERFERING WITH DEMOCRATIC ELECTIONS AROUND THE WORLD AND HERE IN OUR COUNTRY. NOW EVIDENCE MOUNTING THAT THE WHITE HOUSE-PUTIN CONNECTIONS RUN DEEP. MICHAEL FLYNN'S SHADY DEALINGS, LIES TO THE VICE PRESIDENT AND THE PUBLIC. WHAT DID THE PRESIDENT KNOW? WHEN DID HE KNOW IT? ANSWERS TO THESE AND OTHER QUESTIONS CRITICAL TO OUR NATIONAL SECURITY. WE MUST HAVE AN INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATION. THE AMERICAN PEOPLE DESERVE NOTHING LESS. I YIELD BACK.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEMAN FROM ARKANSAS SEEK RECOGNITION?…

FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEMAN FROM ARKANSAS SEEK RECOGNITION? WITHOUT OBJECTION, THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED FOR ONE MINUTE.

>>

I THANK THE SPEAKER. I RISE TODAY TO CONGRATULATE DUCKS UNLIMITED ON ITS…

I THANK THE SPEAKER. I RISE TODAY TO CONGRATULATE DUCKS UNLIMITED ON ITS 80TH ANNIVERSARY. OVER THE PAST EIGHT DECADES, DUCKS UNLIMITED HAS PARTNERED WITH LOCAL COMMUNITIES AND MEMBERS OF CONGRESS TO SUPPORT CONSERVATION OF MILLIONS OF ACRES OF WATER FOWL HABITAT ACROSS NORTH AMERICA.

MR. HILL

AS A LIFE-LONG OUTDOORSMAN, I KNOW THE VALUE OF THESE HABTIT AT&TS AND THE…

AS A LIFE-LONG OUTDOORSMAN, I KNOW THE VALUE OF THESE HABTIT AT&TS AND THE BENEFIT -- HABITATS AND THE BENEFITS THEY PROVIDE TO COUNTLESS AMERICANS WHO ENJOY THESE AREAS FOR A WIDE ARRAY OF RECREATIONAL AND SCIENTIFIC ACTIVITY. WE MUST ENSURE THE PRESERVATION OF THESE HABITATS FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS AND I KNOW THAT DUCKS UNLIMITED WILL WORK TO ENSURE THIS GOAL FOR ANOTHER 80 YEARS. I'D LIKE TO EXTEND MY THANKS AND CONGRATULATIONS TO D.U. AND WISH THEM CONTINUED SUCCESS FOR MANY GENERATIONS TO COME. I YIELD BACK.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA SEEK RECOGNITION?

>>

MR. SPEAKER, I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT TO ADDRESS THE HOUSE FOR ONE MINUTE,…

MR. SPEAKER, I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT TO ADDRESS THE HOUSE FOR ONE MINUTE, TO REVISE AND EXTEND MY REMARKS.

TEMPORE WITHOUT

WITHOUT OBJECTION, THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED FOR ONE MINUTE.

>>

MR. SPEAKER, I RISE TO HONOR AND CONGRATULATE MARK HAWKEN, WHO WILL RETIRE…

MR. SPEAKER, I RISE TO HONOR AND CONGRATULATE MARK HAWKEN, WHO WILL RETIRE TOMORROW AFTER 29 YEARS AS CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF ALTURA CREDIT UNION IN RIVERSIDE, CALIFORNIA. AFTER NEARLY THREE DECADES, MARK'S GREATEST CONTRIBUTION IS LIKELY NOT TO THE CREDIT UNION, WHICH GREW SIGNIFICANTLY UNDER HIS LEADERSHIP. TACK TACK BUT TO THE MEMBERS OF --

MR. TAKANO

BUT TO THE MEMBER OF OUR COMMUNITY WHO HAVE BENEFITED SO MUCH FROM HIS…

BUT TO THE MEMBER OF OUR COMMUNITY WHO HAVE BENEFITED SO MUCH FROM HIS COMMITMENT TO SUPPORTING THE INLAND EMPIRE. WHETHER THE ACADEMIA, ATHLETICS, THE ART OR CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS, MARK HAS BEEN A FIXTURE IN PROMOTING THE INSTITUTIONS THAT DEFINE AND ENRICH OUR COMMUNITY. HIS WORK WITH ORGANIZATIONS, INCLUDING THE UNITED WAY AND THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA-RIVERSIDE, HAS STRENGTHENED OUR COMMUNITY AND EXPANDED OPPORTUNITIES TO THOUSANDS OF INLAND EMPIRE RESIDENTS. I KNOW HE WILL CONTINUE THAT WORK FOR MANY YEARS TO COME. ONCE AGAIN, I CONGRATULATE MARK ON HIS WELL-EARNED RETIREMENT AND THANK HIM FOR HIS CONTINUED SERVICE TO OUR COMMUNITY. THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER, I YIELD BACK.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEMAN FROM ILLINOIS SEEK RECOGNITION?…

FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEMAN FROM ILLINOIS SEEK RECOGNITION? WITHOUT OBJECTION, THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED FOR ONE MINUTE.

>>

MR. SPEAKER, I RISE TODAY TO CONGRATULATE QUINCY NOTRE DAME HIGH SCHOOL ON…

MR. SPEAKER, I RISE TODAY TO CONGRATULATE QUINCY NOTRE DAME HIGH SCHOOL ON 150 YEARS OF ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE AND SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY OF QUINCY, ILLINOIS. QUINCY NOTRE DAME CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL ORIGINALLY OPENED AS A SCHOOL SERVING YOUNG WOMEN. MOTHER CAROLINE AND THE SCHOOL SISTERS OF NOTRE DAME ANSWERED THE CALL TO MEET THE GROWING NEED FOR PRIMARY STADSTUDDIES 1859.

MR. LAHOOD

THE SCHOOL OPENED ITS DOORS IN 1867 AND QUICKLY EXPLODED IN GROWTH.…

THE SCHOOL OPENED ITS DOORS IN 1867 AND QUICKLY EXPLODED IN GROWTH. THROUGHOUT THE PAST 150 YEARS, QUINCY NOTRE DAME HAS ALWAYS SOUGHT TO SERVE THE NEAT KNEADS OF THE QUINCY COMMUNITY -- THE NEEDS OF THE QUINCY COMMUNITY AND ADAPT TO THE CHANGING TIMES. Q.N.D. REMAINS STEADFAST IN ITS MISSION TO EDUCATE LIFE-LONG LEARNERS IN A STRONG FAITH-BASED ENVIRONMENT. I AM CERTAIN THAT MOTHER CAROLINE AND HER SISTERS WOULD BE HUMBLED TO KNOW THEIR SIMPLE ACT OF FAITH AND SERVICE RESULTED IN A LEGACY THAT HAS IMPACTED THOUSANDS OF LIVES FOR 150 YEARS. TO EACH EDUCATOR, ADMINISTRATOR AND INDIVIDUAL WHO HAS HELPED BUILD QUINCY NOTRE DAME INTO THE STELLAR INSTITUTION IT IS TODAY, CONGRATULATIONS. I WISH YOU ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL 150 YEARS. I YIELD BACK.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEVADA SEEK RECOGNITION? WITHOUT…

FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEVADA SEEK RECOGNITION? WITHOUT OBJECTION, THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED FOR ONE MINUTE.

MR. KIHUEN

MR. SPEAKER, THE QUESTION THAT I'VE HEARD MANY TIMES FROM MY CONSTITUENTS…

MR. SPEAKER, THE QUESTION THAT I'VE HEARD MANY TIMES FROM MY CONSTITUENTS DESERVES TO BE ANSWERED. WITH RESPECT TO GENERAL FLYNN AND TRUMP CAMPAIGN AIDES. WHAT DID PRESIDENT TRUMP KNOW AND WHEN DID HE KNOW IT? AND HOW HIGH DOES THIS GO UP? NOW HE'S CALLING THIS FAKE NEWS. MR. PRESIDENT, THIS IS NOT FAKE NEWS. THIS IS REAL. THE AMERICAN PEOPLE DESERVE A TRANSPARENT, INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATION INTO RUSSIA'S INVOLVEMENT WITH THE WHITE HOUSE AND PRESIDENT TRUMP. PRESIDENT TRUMP CONTINUES TO SAY HE WANTS TO PROTECT OUR NATIONAL SECURITY. BUT IGNORES THE REAL SECURITY THREATS WITHIN HIS ADMINISTRATION. EVEN MY COLLEAGUES ACROSS THE AISLE WOULD RATHER FOCUS ON TAKING AWAY HEALTH CARE FORMAN MILLIONS OF AMERICANS -- FOR MILLIONS OF AMERICANS AND THOUSANDS OF NEVADANS, INSTEAD OF INVESTIGATING THE CLEAR AND PRESENT DANGER IN THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. PROTECTING OUR NATIONAL SECURITY IS NOT A DEMOCRATIC ISSUE OR A REPUBLICAN ISSUE. IT IS AN AMERICAN PRIORITY. MR. SPEAKER, I YIELD BACK THE TIME.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM NEW YORK SEEK RECOGNITION?…

FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM NEW YORK SEEK RECOGNITION? WITHOUT OBJECTION, THE GENTLEWOMAN IS RECOGNIZED FOR ONE MINUTE.

>>

THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. MR. SPEAKER, MICHAEL FLYNN'S RESIGNATION AND…

THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. MR. SPEAKER, MICHAEL FLYNN'S RESIGNATION AND REPORTS OF CONSTANT CONTACT BETWEEN RUSSIA AND THE TRUMP CAMPAIGN RAISE SERIOUS QUESTIONS AND THE AMERICAN PEOPLE DESERVE ANSWERS. PRESIDENT TRUMP WAS INFORMED WEEKS AGO THAT FLYNN LIED ABOUT HIS DISCUSSIONS WITH THE RUSSIAN AMBASSADOR AND MIGHT BE VULNERABLE TO BLACKMAIL.

MR. RICE

WHY DID THE PRESIDENT TAKE NO ACTION --

MISS RICE

WHY DID THE PRESIDENT TAKE NO ACTION UNTIL THAT LIE BECAME PUBLIC?…

WHY DID THE PRESIDENT TAKE NO ACTION UNTIL THAT LIE BECAME PUBLIC? PRESIDENT TRUMP WAS REPORTEDLY BRIEFED. WHY DOES HE CONTINUE TO INSIST THAT THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY NO COMMUNICATION WITH RUSSIA? THESE QUESTIONS CANNOT GO UNANSWERED. WE NEED TO PUT POLITICS ASIDE, DO WHAT'S RIGHT FOR OUR DEMOCRACY, AND CREATE AN INDEPENDENT COMMISSION TO FULLY INVESTIGATE RUSSIA'S INFLUENCE ON THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION AND THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION. THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER, I YIELD BACK.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM CALIFORNIA SEEK RECOGNITION?…

FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM CALIFORNIA SEEK RECOGNITION? WITHOUT OBJECTION, THE GENTLEWOMAN IS RECOGNIZED FOR ONE MINUTE.

>>

MR. SPEAKER, I RISE TODAY TO ECHO CONCERNS BY MY COLLEAGUES. I AM…

MR. SPEAKER, I RISE TODAY TO ECHO CONCERNS BY MY COLLEAGUES. I AM CONCERNED BUT NOT SURPRISED ABOUT THE GROWING REVELATIONS FROM THE INTELLIGENCE COMMUNITY OF THE TRUMP CAMPAIGN'S CONTACT WITH RUSSIAN OFFICIALS. RUSSIA'S INVOLVEMENT IN OUR ELECTIONS UNDERMINES AMERICAN DEMOCRACY. GENERAL FLYNN'S RESIGNATION IS NO SUBSTITUTE FOR ANSWERS TO GRAVE CONCERNS AND QUESTIONS OVER PRESIDENT TRUMP'S INVOLVEMENT IN SECRET COMMUNICATIONS WITH THE RUSSIANS AND VLADIMIR PUTIN'S HAND IN OUR ELECTIONS.

MS. BARRAGAN

I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS JUST THE TIP OF THE ICEBERG. THIS IS NOT A -- JUST…

I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS JUST THE TIP OF THE ICEBERG. THIS IS NOT A -- JUST ABOUT LEAKERS. THIS IS ABOUT THE TRUMP-RUSSIA TIES. WE NEED A FULL, BIPARTISAN INVESTIGATION. IT'S OUR DUTY. THANK YOU. I YIELD BACK.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLELADY YIELDS BACK THE BALANCE OF HER TIME. FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES…

THE GENTLELADY YIELDS BACK THE BALANCE OF HER TIME. FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEMAN FROM GEORGIA SEEK RECK FLIGS -- SEEK RECOGNITION? WITHOUT OBJECTION, THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED FOR ONE MINUTE.

MR. JOHNSON

THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. I HOSTED A COMMUNITY LISTENING SESSION WHERE I AND…

THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. I HOSTED A COMMUNITY LISTENING SESSION WHERE I AND MY FELLOW CITIZENS LISTENED TO THE PERSONAL EXPERIENCES OF MUSLIMS, REFUGEES AND OTHER IMMIGRANTS IN THE AFTERMATH OF THE PRESIDENT'S MUSLIM IMMIGRANT BAN AND I.C.E. DRAGNET CRACKDOWN ON LATINOS. IT WAS A SAFE PLACE FOR MUSLIMS, REFUGEES AND IMMIGRANTS TO COME AND SHARE THEIR EXPERIENCES, VALUES AND LOVE FOR THIS COUNTRY. AND PROVIDED AN OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO EMBRACE OUR FELLOW CITIZENS IN LOVE. WE INSIST THAT THESE VALUABLE MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY AND THEIR CHILDREN BE ABLE TO LIVE WITHOUT FEAR AND THRIVE. UNLIKE THE MUSLIM IMMIGRANT BAN, THE PEOPLE OF GEORGIA'S FOURTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT WELCOMED THOSE OF ALL BACKGROUNDS AND RELIGIONS AND THOSE FLEEING PERSECUTION AND FACING WAR AND BLOODSHED. TRUMP'S IMMIGRATION EXECUTIVE ORDER IS CONTRARY TO OUR VALUES AND DANGEROUS TO OUR SECURITY. AMERICANS WHO RESPECT THE CONSTITUTION MUST OPPOSE THESE KINDS OF ACTS. THE INJUSTICE THEY REPRESENT AND THE SUFFERING THAT THEY IMPOSE UPON THE INNOCENT. WITH THAT, MR. SPEAKER, I YIELD BACK.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK THE BALANCE OF HIS TIME. FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES…

THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK THE BALANCE OF HIS TIME. FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEMAN FROM MARYLAND SEEK RECOGNITION?

>>

MR. SPEAKER, I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT TO ADDRESS THE HOUSE FOR ONE MINUTE.

TEMPORE WITHO

WITHOUT OBJECTION, THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED FOR ONE MINUTE.

MR. BEYER

TODAY TO RECOGNIZE PRINCE GEORGIA'S COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS FOR ACHIEVING A…

TODAY TO RECOGNIZE PRINCE GEORGIA'S COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS FOR ACHIEVING A RECORD HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION RATE. PRINCE GEORGIA'S SCHOOLS ARE LIVING UP TO THEIR MOTTO TO BEING GREAT BY CHOICE. EIGHT SCHOOLS HAVE MET THE GOAL OF GRADUATING 90% OF SENIORS WITHIN FOUR YEARS, INCLUDING THREE SCHOOLS IN THE FOURTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT.

MR. BROWN

FLOWERS HIGH SCHOOL, DEVAL HIGH SCHOOL AND THE ACADEMY OF HEALTH SCIENCES…

FLOWERS HIGH SCHOOL, DEVAL HIGH SCHOOL AND THE ACADEMY OF HEALTH SCIENCES AT PRINCE GEORGIA'S COMMUNITY COLLEGES. MANY SCHOOLS IN THE FOURTH DISTRICT, INCLUDING SUITLAND, POTOMAC, AND FORESTVILLE, HAVE DEMONSTRATED REAL PROGRESS WITH GRADUATION RATE GAINS OF MORE THAN 4%. MR. SPEAKER, THESE GAINS HAVE BEEN MADE POSSIBLE BY THE INCREDIBLE DEDICATION OF EDUCATORS AND PARENTS WHO ARE FOCUSED ON POLICIES THAT IMPROVE SCHOOL ACCESS AND MENTORING PROGRAMS, BY EFFECTIVELY USING DA TO -- DATA IT -- DATA TO TARGET STUDENT NEEDS. MR. SPEAKER, WE MUST PREPARE STUDENTS FOR SUCCESSFUL LIVES AND CAREERS ONCE THEY GRADUATE FROM HIGH SCHOOL. THAT'S WHY I'M COMMITTED TO WORKING DURING THIS CONGRESS, TO ENSURE EVERY STUDENT HAS ACCESS TO RIGOROUS, RELEVANT AND RESULTS-DRIVEN CAREER TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION PROGRAMS, TO EQUIP THEM WITH THE SKILLS TO SUCCEED IN THE 21ST CENTURY. THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. .

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEMAN FROM RHODE ISLAND SEEK RECOGNITION?

MR. CICILLINE

MR. SPEAKER, I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT TO ADDRESS THE HOUSE FOR ONE MINUTE.

TEMPORE WITHOUT

WITHOUT OBJECTION, THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED FOR ONE MINUTE.

MR. CICILLINE

MR. SPEAKER, LIKE THE MAIN CHARACTERS IN "STRANGER THINGS" WE ARE NOW…

MR. SPEAKER, LIKE THE MAIN CHARACTERS IN "STRANGER THINGS" WE ARE NOW STUCK IN THE UPSIDE DOWN. RIGHT IS WRONG, WRONG IS UP. BLACK IS WHITE. THE ADMINISTRATION HAS DECEIVED AMERICANS. EXECUTIVE ORDERS ARE SIGNED TO BAN MUSLIMS IN ORDER TO KEEP US SAFE WHILE TOP NATIONAL SECURITY CONVERSATIONS ARE HELD OUT IN THE OPEN. PRESIDENT TRUMP SHOWERS PRAISE ON A THUG LIKE VLADIMIR PUTIN WHILE BULLYING OUR LONG STANDING ALLIES. HE WANTS TO BUILD A BORDER WALL WHILE FLINT, MICHIGAN, GOES WITHOUT CLEAN DRINKING WATER. MORNINGS MAY BE FOR COFFEE AND CONTEMPLATION BUT CHIEF JIM HOPPER IS NOT GOING TO RESCUE US. THIS IS NOT A TV SHOW. THIS IS REAL LIFE. WE HAVE A PRESIDENT LIKE WE HAVE EVER KNOWN. LIKE MIKE, LUCAS, 11, WE MUST HOLD THIS ADMINISTRATION ACCOUNTABLE SO WE CAN ESCAPE FROM OUR OWN VERSION OF THE UPSIDE DOWN. AND WITH THAT I YIELD BACK.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS. FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM TEXAS…

THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS. FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM TEXAS SEEK RECOGNITION?

MS. JACKSON LEE

MR. SPEAKER, I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT TO ADDRESS THE HOUSE FOR ONE MINUTE.

TEMPORE WITHOUT

WITHOUT OBJECTION, THE GENTLEWOMAN IS RECOGNIZED FOR ONE MINUTE.

MS. JACKSON LEE

INTEGRITY, IT'S HONESTY AND ITS HIGH MORAL COMPASS. WE ARE WELL AWARE…

INTEGRITY, IT'S HONESTY AND ITS HIGH MORAL COMPASS. WE ARE WELL AWARE THAFT UNITED STATES INTELLIGENCE IS UNITED -- THAT THE UNITED STATES INTELLIGENCE IS UNITED THAT RUSSIA INTERFERED IN OUR ELECTIONS. IN RESPONSE, PRESIDENT OBAMA IMPOSED SANCTIONS ON THE RUSSIAN GOVERNMENT, PERSONAL ENTITIES. HE EXPELLED DOZENS OF RUSSIAN OFFICIALS FROM THE UNITED STATES. BUT NOW WE KNOW THAT GENERAL FLYNN, IN VIOLATION OF MANY LAWS, INTRUDED AND DISCUSSED THESE ISSUES WITH THE RUSSIAN AMBASSADOR. HIS DEPARTURE DOES NOT END THIS INVESTIGATION. WHO KNEW WHAT WHEN? WHEN DID THE PRESIDENT KNOW IT? THE INTEGRITY OF THIS COUNTRY IS HIGHER AND MORE SUPERIOR THAN ONE INDIVIDUAL. AND WHY WHEN OTHER PRESIDENTS HAVE USED CAMP DAVID AND THE WHITE HOUSE FOR INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMACY MOST OFTEN, WE HAVE THIS SHOWING OVER THE PAST WEEKEND, THIS EMBARRASSMENT OF THE INTERNATIONAL AND THE NATIONAL SECURITY ISSUES AND PERSONNEL BEING FILMED IN AN ORDINARY RESTAURANT OWNED BY THE PRESIDENT? FINALLY, LET ME SAY, WITH THE MANY THOUSANDS -- HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF DACA CHILDREN THAT NEED RELIEF, THE QUESTION IS, CAN THE PRESIDENT ATTEND TO SERIOUS BUSINESS, PROVIDING FOR THESE YOUNG PEOPLE AND SAVING LIVES? I YIELD BACK.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEMAN FROM MARYLAND SEEK RECOGNITION?

>>

MR. SPEAKER, I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT TO REVISE AND EXTEND MY REMARKS.

TEMPORE WITHOUT

WITHOUT OBJECTION, THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED FOR ONE MINUTE.

>>

WE LIVE IN A DANGEROUS WORLD AND THE PRESIDENT NEEDS A NATIONAL SECURITY…

WE LIVE IN A DANGEROUS WORLD AND THE PRESIDENT NEEDS A NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISOR WHO ISN'T UNDER A CLOUD OF SUSPICION. BUT THIS RESIGNATION ISN'T THE END.

MR. RUPP ERSBERGER

END.

KNOW -- MR. RUPP ERSBERGER

WE NEED TO KNOW --

RUPPERSBERGER

WE NEED TO KNOW MORE. I'M URGING THE AGENCIES INVOLVED IN THE UNITED…

WE NEED TO KNOW MORE. I'M URGING THE AGENCIES INVOLVED IN THE UNITED STATES AND CONTINUE THEIR IMPORTANT WORK VIGOROUSLY. I ALSO ASK MY COLLEAGUES IN THE HOUSE LEADERSHIP TO LAUNCH A BIPARTISAN, INDEPENDENT CONGRESSIONAL INVESTIGATION INTO RUSSIA'S INFLUENCE ON THE ELECTION AND THE NEW ADMINISTRATION. LASTLY, I ONCE AGAIN AM CALLING ON PRESIDENT TRUMP TO REMOVE HIS CHIEF POLITICAL STRATEGIST, STEVE BANNON, FROM THE NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL AND REINSTATE THE DIRECTOR OF NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF TO RESTORE SOME SEMBLANCE OF RESPECTABILITY TO THE ORGANIZATION STRUCTURE. I RESERVE THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK. THE CHAIR LAYS BEFORE THE HOUSE THE FOLLOWING…

THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK. THE CHAIR LAYS BEFORE THE HOUSE THE FOLLOWING ENROLLED JOINT RESOLUTION.

THE CLERK

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION 40, JOINT RESOLUTION PROVIDING FOR CONGRESSIONAL…

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION 40, JOINT RESOLUTION PROVIDING FOR CONGRESSIONAL DISAPPROVAL UNDER CHAPTER 8 OF TITLE 5, UNITED STATES CODE, OF THE RULES SUBMITTED BY THE SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION RELATING TO IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NICS AMENDMENTS IMPROVEMENT ACT OF 2007.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE CHAIR LAYS BEFORE THE HOUSE A COMMUNICATION.

THE CLERK

THE HONORABLE THE SPEAKER, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SIR, DUE TO MY…

THE HONORABLE THE SPEAKER, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SIR, DUE TO MY ELECTION TO THE COMMITTEE ON WAYS AND MEANS, THIS LETTER IS TO INFORM YOU THAT I RESIGN MY SEATS ON THE HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE AND THE EDUCATION AND THE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION AND THE WORK FORCE. SIGNED SINCERELY, MICHAEL D. BISHOP.

TEMPORE WITH

WITHOUT OBJECTION, THE RESIGNATIONS ARE ACCEPTED. FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES…

WITHOUT OBJECTION, THE RESIGNATIONS ARE ACCEPTED. FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEMAN FROM UTAH SEEK RECOGNIZE -- RECOGNITION?

MR. BISHOP

MR. SPEAKER, I SEND TO THE DESK A PRIVILEGED RESOLUTION AND ASK FOR ITS…

MR. SPEAKER, I SEND TO THE DESK A PRIVILEGED RESOLUTION AND ASK FOR ITS IMMEDIATE CONSIDERATION.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE CLERK WILL REPORT THE TITLE OF THE RESOLUTION.

THE CLERK

HOUSE RESOLUTION 131, RESOLVED, THAT THE FOLLOWING NAMED MEMBERS BE AND…

HOUSE RESOLUTION 131, RESOLVED, THAT THE FOLLOWING NAMED MEMBERS BE AND ARE HEREBY ELECTED TO THE FOLLOWING --

MR. BISHOP

I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT THE RESOLUTION BE CONSIDERED AS READ.

TEMPORE WITHOUT

WITHOUT OBJECTION. THE RESOLUTION IS AGREED TO AND THE MOTION TO…

WITHOUT OBJECTION. THE RESOLUTION IS AGREED TO AND THE MOTION TO RECONSIDER IS LAID ON THE TABLE. FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEMAN FROM UTAH SEEK RECOGNITION?

MR. BISHOP

HOUSE RESOLUTION 123, I CALL UP HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION 69, PROVIDING FOR…

HOUSE RESOLUTION 123, I CALL UP HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION 69, PROVIDING FOR CONGRESSIONAL DISAPPROVAL UNDER CHAPTER 8 OF TITLE 5, UNITED STATES CODE, OF THE FINAL RULE OF THE DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR RELATING TO NONSUBSISTENCE TAKE OF WILDLIFE AND PUBLIC PARTICIPATION AND CLOTURE PROCEDURES ON NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGES IN ALASKA, AND I ASK FOR ITS IMMEDIATE CONSIDERATION.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE CLERK WILL REPORT THE TITLE OF THE JOINT RESOLUTION.

THE CLERK

JOINT RESOLUTION PROVIDING FOR CONGRESSIONAL DISAPPROVAL UNDER CHAPTER 8…

JOINT RESOLUTION PROVIDING FOR CONGRESSIONAL DISAPPROVAL UNDER CHAPTER 8 OF TITLE 5, UNITED STATES CODE, OF THE FILING RULE OF THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR RELATING TO NONSUBSISTENCE TAKE OF WILDLIFE AND PUBLIC PARTICIPATION AND CLOTURE PROCEDURES ON NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGES IN ALASKA.

TEMPORE PURSUANT

PURSUANT TO HOUSE RESOLUTION 123, THE JOINT RESOLUTION IS CONSIDERED AS…

PURSUANT TO HOUSE RESOLUTION 123, THE JOINT RESOLUTION IS CONSIDERED AS READ. THE GENTLEMAN FROM UTAH, MR. BISHOP, AND THE GENTLEMAN FROM VIRGINIA, MR. BEYER, EACH WILL CONTROL 30 MINUTES. THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES THE GENTLEMAN FROM UTAH.

MR. BISHOP

I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT THAT ALL MEMBERS MAY HAVE FIVE LEGISLATIVE DAYS TO…

I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT THAT ALL MEMBERS MAY HAVE FIVE LEGISLATIVE DAYS TO REVISE AND EXTEND THEIR REMARKS AND INSERT EXTRANEOUS MATERIAL ON HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION 69.

TEMPORE WITHOUT

WITHOUT OBJECTION.

MR. BISHOP

AND WITH THAT, MR. SPEAKER, I AM PLEASED TO YIELD FIVE MINUTES TO THE ONLY…

AND WITH THAT, MR. SPEAKER, I AM PLEASED TO YIELD FIVE MINUTES TO THE ONLY MEMBER OF CONGRESS IN THE HOUSE FROM ALASKA, A PERSON WHO KNOWS THAT , THE DEAN OF THE REPUBLICAN SIDE, MR. YOUNG OF ALASKA.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN FROM ALASKA IS RECOGNIZED FOR FIVE MINUTES.

MR. YOUNG

I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT TO REVISE AND EXTEND.

TEMPORE WITHOUT

WITHOUT OBJECTION.

MR. YOUNG

THANK YOU, MR. CHAIRMAN. THANK YOU, MR. CHAIRMAN, MR. BISHOP, FOR BRINGING…

THANK YOU, MR. CHAIRMAN. THANK YOU, MR. CHAIRMAN, MR. BISHOP, FOR BRINGING THIS LEGISLATION TO THE FLOOR. MY RESOLUTION 69 IS VERY SIMPLE. IT OVERTURNS AN ILLEGAL RULE BY THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION, ILLEGAL RULE. THIS HOUSE, THE STATE OF ALASKA, 1959 CREATED THE STATE OF ALASKA UNDER THE STATEHOOD ACT. IT CLEARLY GRANTED ALASKA THE FULL AUTHORITY TO MANAGE FISH AND GAME ON ALL LANDS IN THE STATE OF ALASKA, INCLUDING ALL FEDERAL LAND. ALASKA NATIONAL INTEREST LANDS ACT OF 1980. IT VERIFIED WHAT THE STATEHOOD ACT DID, PROTECTING THE RIGHT OF THE STATE TO MANAGE FISH AND GAME. MO UDALL WAS CHAIRMAN OF THE INTERIOR COMMITTEE AT THAT TIME AND HE AGREED THIS WAS THE RIGHT THING TO DO, THE THING THAT WE HAD TO DO TO MAKE SURE THERE WAS NO MISINTERPRETATION OF THE NATIONAL LANDS ACT AND STATEHOOD ACT. WHAT OCCURRED UNDER THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION, YOUR ADMINISTRATION ON THAT SIDE, IN THE WEE OURS OF THE NIGHT, WHAT HAPPENED IS THEY PASSED A RULE THAT TOOK THAT AWAY FROM THE STATE AND IT'S HUGE. YOU THINK ABOUT IT, WHEN A REFUGE IN ALASKA, 16 OF THEM, 76.8 MILLION ACRES, THAT'S BIGGER THAN MOST OF THE STATES IN THIS UNION, THEY TOOK THAT RIGHT AWAY FROM THE STATE TO MANAGE FISH AND GAME. NOW, THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF INTEREST GROUPS AND SOME MEMBERS OF CONGRESS THAT FROM FALSEHOODS, FLASS OUT DISHONESTY ON WHAT THIS WILL DO, TAKING BANG THE MANAGEMENT OF FISH AND GAME. THEY TALK ABOUT KILLING PUPPIES AND GRIZZLY BEARS. THAT DOES NOT HAPPEN NOR IN FACT IS IT LEGAL IN THE STATE OF ALASKA. THE OPPOSITION WILL CLAIM THERE IS CONSULTATION WITH THE STATE OF ALASKA. IF THAT'S THE CASE, WHY DID ALASKA FILE SUIT TO OVERTURN THIS RULE? THERE WAS NO CONSULTATION. YESTERDAY, I MET WITH MOST OF THE LEADERS OF THE ALASKA NATIVE COMMUNITY THAT LIVES IN THIS AREA, IN THE REFUGES, AROUND THE REFUGES. NOT ONE OF THEM SUPPORTED THE RULE PASSED BY THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION. THAT SIDE SAYS THEY'RE ALL FOR HELPING THE AMERICAN INDIANS, THE FIRST PEOPLE, YET THEY AREN'T AND ARE SUPPORTING A RULE THAT'S ILLEGAL. ILLEGAL. I WANT TO STRESS THAT. THIS RULE PASSED BY THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION IS OPPOSED BY THE TOTAL DELEGATION, THE GOVERNOR, ALL THE ELECTED OFFICIALS IN THE STATE OF ALASKA AND IT IS AN INFRINGEMENT UPON THE STATE OF ALASKA AND SHOULD BE INFRINGEMENT UPON YOUR STATES. MAYBE WE OUGHT TO GO BACK TO EVERY STATE IN THE UNION. MAYBE EVEN VIRGINIA AND SEE HOW WE MIGHT CHANGE THE RIGHT OF VIRGINIA WHEN THE FEDERAL LANDS WERE INVOLVED IN THE STATE OF ALASKA. YOU STOOD UP IN FRONT OF THIS BODY AND HELD YOUR HAND AND SAID, I SWEAR TO UPHOLD THE CONSTITUTION OF AMERICA AND LAWS PERTAINING TO. EVERY ONE OF YOU TOOK THAT OATH. AND YET YOU STAND ON THE FLOOR AND SOME WILL SAY, OH, WE HAVE TO PROTECT THE WOLF PUPPIES. THAT'S NOT WHAT IT'S ABOUT. IT'S ABOUT THE LAW. THE STATEHOOD ACT. THE RIGHT OF ALASKANS AND RIGHT OF ALASKA TO MANAGE ALL FISH AND GAME. IF YOU VOTE AGAINST THIS RESOLUTION, YOU'RE SAYING THAT CONGRESS DOES NOT COUNT NOR CAN WE KEEP OUR WORD, WE'LL DO WHATEVER IS POPULAR AT THE TIME. AND I SAY SHAME ON. YOU SAID YOU'D UPHOLD THE CONSTITUTION. LET'S PASS THIS LEGISLATION THAT MR. BISHOP HAS BROUGHT TO THE FLOOR. LET'S TURN BACK THAT ILLEGAL LAW THAT THEY'RE TRYING TO IMPOSE UPON THE PEOPLE OF ALASKA AND THE AMERICAN PEOPLE. IF YOU DON'T BELIEVE IN THAT, THEN I SUGGEST YOU TAKE -- RESIGN FROM THE BODY. RESIGN FROM THIS BODY BECAUSE YOU'RE NOT UPHOLDING THE LAW THAT YOU SWORE YOU WOULD DO. THANK YOU, AGAIN, MR. CHAIRMAN. AND THANKS TO THE MEMBERS OF THIS HOUSE THAT SUPPORT THE LEGAL ASPECTS OF THE STATE OF ALASKA. AND I YIELD BACK.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK. THE CHAIR WOULD REMIND THE MEMBERS TO ADDRESS…

THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK. THE CHAIR WOULD REMIND THE MEMBERS TO ADDRESS THEIR COMMENTS TO THE CHAIR. THE GENTLEMAN FROM VIRGINIA IS RECOGNIZED.

MR. BEYER

MR. SPEAKER, I YIELD MYSELF SUCH TIME AS I MAY CONSUME.

TEMPORE WITHOUT

WITHOUT OBJECTION.

MR. BEYER

OK, MR. SPEAKER. I'M DISMAYED TO BE PART OF THIS DISCUSSION OF HOUSE JOINT…

OK, MR. SPEAKER. I'M DISMAYED TO BE PART OF THIS DISCUSSION OF HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION 69. DAY IN AND DAY OUT WE HAVE MEANINGFUL DEBATES IN COMMITTEES AND ON THE HOUSE FLOOR THAT REFLECT VERY REAL PHILOSOPHICAL DIFFERENCES ABOUT THE RESPONSIBILITIES AND LIMITS OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. AND THESE DIFFERENCES AND VIEWS REFLECT DIFFERENCES IN VALUES. TODAY, I CAN'T UNDERSTAND HOW MY REPUBLICAN FRIENDS CAN DEFEND VALUES THAT ALLOW AND PROMOTE THE CRUELEST POSSIBLE KILLING METHODS. HUMANS HAVE HUNTED FOR MILLENNIA. THIS HUNTING TRADITIONALLY REQUIRES PATIENCE AND SKILL AND COUNTRYING AND EVEN COURAGE. -- CUNNING AND EVEN COURAGE. BUT NOT SUGAR DOUGHNUTS, HELICOPTERS OR LEG TRAPS. TODAY'S RESOLUTION WOULD OVERTURN THIS INCREDIBLY FAIR AND REASONABLE U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE REGULATION THAT WOULD RIGHTLY PROHIBIT CONTROVERSIAL AND SCIENTIFICALLY UNJUSTIFIED KILLING METHODS ON 76 MILLION ACRES OF FEDERAL WILDLIFE REFUGE LANDS. 76 MILLION ACRES THAT BELONG TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE. THE NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE IMPROVEMENT ACT AND THE ALASKA NATIONAL INTEREST LAND CONSERVATION ACT AUTHORIZED AND IN FACT REQUIRE THE FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE TO MAINTAIN THE NATURAL DIVERSITY OF REFUGES IN ALASKA, REGARDLESS OF STATE WILDLIFE LAWS. THIS INCLUDES PROTECTING HEALTHY POPULATIONS OF PREDATORS LIKE WOLVES AND BEARS. SO THIS RULE WOULD PROHIBIT THE INHUMANE AND INDISCRIMINANT KILLING OF KEYSTONE SPECIES IN THE NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGES. THIS IS NOT INTERFERING WITH FAIR CHASE HUNTING METHODS AND DOESN'T PREVENT INHUMANE AND INDISCRIMINANT KILLING ON STATE AND PRIVATE LANDS. ANYONE VOTING TODAY TO SUPPORT THIS CONGRESSIONAL REVIEW ACT RESOLUTION TODAY IS SUPPORTING USING AIRPORTS AND HELICOPTERS TO SCOUT LAND AND SHOOT GRIZZLY BEARS, KILLING WOLVES, BLACK BEARS, COYOTES MOTHERS AND PUPS AND DENSE, ACTUALLY GASSING THEM AND THE TRAPPING OF GRIZZLY BEARS AND BLACK BEARS WITH STEEL TRAPS AND SNARES WHERE THEY ARE BLEEDING, SLOWLY DYING OF STARVATION. THEY STRONGLY OPPOSE THESE CRUEL PRACTICES. ALASKA GAINS OVER $2 BILLION IN ECONOMIC ACTIVITY FOR WILDLIFE VIEWING WHICH IS FIVE TIMES WHAT IT EARNS FROM HUNTING. THIS MAKES ECONOMIC SENSE. IT'S A HUGE DRIVER OF TOURISM. MANY COME TO ALASKA FOR THE UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY TO SEE BEARS, WOLVES AND OTHER KEYSTONE SPECIES. THEY ARE THE ONES AT THE VERY RISK IF WE PASS THIS RESOLUTION. . I URGE MY CLEE -- COLLEAGUES TO OPPOSE THIS RESOLUTION. THEY'RE NOT SPORTING PRACTICES. AND THEY VIOLATE ANY UNDERSTANDING OF HUMANE VALUES AND RESPECT FOR NATURE. I RESERVE THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN RESERVES THE BALANCE OF HIS TIME. THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES THE…

THE GENTLEMAN RESERVES THE BALANCE OF HIS TIME. THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES THE GENTLEMAN FROM UTAH.

MR. BISHOP

I AM PLEASED TO RECOGNIZE MR. DUNCAN, THE GENTLEMAN FROM SOUTH CAROLINA,…

I AM PLEASED TO RECOGNIZE MR. DUNCAN, THE GENTLEMAN FROM SOUTH CAROLINA, FOR FOUR MINUTES.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN FROM SOUTH CAROLINA IS RECOGNIZED.

MR. DUNCAN

THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. THANK YOU, MR. CHAIRMAN, FOR YOUR TIME AND YOUR…

THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. THANK YOU, MR. CHAIRMAN, FOR YOUR TIME AND YOUR LEADERSHIP ON THIS ISSUE. I COME TO THE FLOOR TODAY AS THE CO-CHAIR OF THE LARGEST BIPARTISAN CAUCUS IN THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS. THE CONGRESSIONAL SPORTSMAN'S CAUCUS. ON BEHALF OF THE MILLIONS OF SPORTSMEN AND WOMEN AROUND THE COUNTRY, I SAY TO THE FELLOW -- FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. WE WILL NOT BE INTIMIDATED, WE WILL NOT BE STRONG ARM AND WE WILL NOT BE SILENT. STATES HAVE ENJOYED A COOPERATIVE RELATIONSHIP WITH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT FOR YEARS ON WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AND THIS IS A DISTURBING SHIFT THAT WE'VE SEEN IN THE LAST ADMINISTRATION. THOUGH I COME TO THE FLOOR TODAY IN DEFENSE OF ALASKA'S MANAGEMENT RIGHTS OF NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGES, THIS SETS A DISTURBING PRECEDENT FOR THE LOWER 48 STATES. IT'S DISTURBINGLY BRAZEN POWER GRAB BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AGAINST WIDESPREAD OPPOSITION AT THE LOCAL LEVEL. THE RULE REMOVES ALASKA'S AUTHORITY TO MANAGE FISH AND WILDLIFE FOR BOTH NONSUBSISTENCE AND SUBSISTENCE USERS AND FEDERAL WILDLIFE. THE ACTION BY THE LAST ADMINISTRATION VIOLATED THE CLEAR LETTER OF THE ALASKA STATEHOOD ACT, THE ALASKA NATIONAL INTEREST LAND CONSERVATION ACT, AND THE NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE SYSTEM IMPROVEMENT ACT. I WOULD ENCOURAGE MY COLLEAGUES TO SUPPORT WHAT WE'RE DOING TODAY AND STAND IN SUPPORT OF THE GOOD MEN AND WOMEN, THE OUTDOORSMEN IN THE GREAT STATE OF ALASKA. I KNOW YOU'VE HEARD FROM THE GENTLEMAN FROM ALASKA WHO HAS VERY CLEARLY ARTICULATED THE POSITION OF THE PEOPLE HE REPRESENTS IN THAT GREAT STATE. SO I APPLAUD THE CHAIRMAN, I APPLAUD THE ACTION THAT WE'RE TAKING TODAY, AND I URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO SUPPORT IT. WITH THAT I YIELD BACK.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK THE BALANCE OF HIS TIME. THE GENTLEMAN FROM…

THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK THE BALANCE OF HIS TIME. THE GENTLEMAN FROM VIRGINIA IS RECOGNIZED.

MR. BEYER

THREE MINUTES TO THE GENTLELADY FROM THE STATE OF MASSACHUSETTS, MS.…

THREE MINUTES TO THE GENTLELADY FROM THE STATE OF MASSACHUSETTS, MS. TSONGAS.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLELADY IS RECOGNIZED.

MS. TSONGAS

THANK YOU, MR. BEYER. FOR THE THIRD WEEK IN A ROW, REPUBLICANS ARE BACK ON…

THANK YOU, MR. BEYER. FOR THE THIRD WEEK IN A ROW, REPUBLICANS ARE BACK ON THE FLOOR OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES SEEKING TO OVERTURN ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTIONS FOR OUR NATION'S DEEPLY VALUED PUBLIC LANDS. THIS TIME ATTACKING WOOLED LIFE PROTECTIONS FOR ICONIC SPECIES LIVING IN NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGES IN ALASKA. THIS IS NOT A NEW ISSUE FOR ME OR MY CONSTITUENTS. MY LATE HUSBAND, SENATOR PAUL SONKAS, HELPED WRITE THE ALASKA NATIONAL INTEREST LANDS CONSERVATION ACT OF 1980. HE WORKED ON A BIPARTISAN BASIS WITH SENATOR TED STEVENS OF ALASKA TO CRAFT LEGISLATION THAT BALANCED CONSERVATION WITH RESPONSIBLE, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FOR ALASKANS. INCLUDING OIL EXPLORES, MINING, TIMBER HARVESTING AND SPORT HUNTING. BUT HE ALSO STATED ON THE SENATE FLOOR BACK IN 1980, QUOTE, NATURE MADE THE WILDERNESS AND WILDLIFE IN ALASKA MAJESTIC DURING HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF YEARS. MAN, AND I WOULD ADD WOMAN, IS CHALLENGED MERELY TO RESPECT AND PRESERVE THAT NATURAL MAJESTY. UNQUOTE. HE ALSO SPOKE ON THE SENATE FLOOR ABOUT CONSERVATION -- ABOUT CONVERSATIONS AT THE DINNER TABLE WITH OUR THEN 6-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER, WHO ASKED WHAT HER FATHER WAS DOING TO PROTECT ENDANGERED SPECIES. WELL, OUR DAUGHTER HAS GROWN NOW. BUT HERE WE ARE, 37 YEARS LATER, AND CONGRESS DEBATING IF THAT BIPARTISAN LAW CRAFTED WITH MY LATE HUSBAND ALLOWS HUNTERS TO SHOOT BEAR CUBS AND WOLF PUPS IN THEIR DEN ON A NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE. MY COLLEAGUES ARE CORRECT. THAT THAT LAW AND OTHER FEDERAL LAWS GIVE THE STATE OF ALASKA UNIQUE PRIVILEGES AND RESPONSIBILITIES TO OVERSEE WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT ON PUBLIC LANDS. HOWEVER, THIS IS NOT A CARTE BLANCHE. THERE HAS NEVER BEEN A RIGHT TO SET POLICIES ON NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGES THAT ARE INCONSISTENT WITH BEDROCK ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS OR THE MANDATE TO CONSERVE SPECIES AND HABITATS IN THEIR NATURAL DIVERSITY ON WILDLIFE REFUGES. I FULLY SUPPORT THE FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE'S DECISION TO NO LONGER TURN A BLIND EYE TO HARMFUL PRACTICES THAT ARE DETRIMENTAL TO NATIONALLY SIGNIFICANT SPECIES AND ARE NOT ROOTED IN SCIENCE-BASED WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT PRACTICES. IF MY COLLEAGUES SO DESPERATELY WANT TO AUTHORIZE A RIGHT TO SHOOT BEARS FROM A HELICOPTER IN A WILDLIFE REFUGE, I WOULD BE HAPPY TO RECOMMEND SOME VIDEO GAMES. I HEAR VIRTUAL REALITY HEADSETS THESE DAYS MAKE IT JUST LIKE THE REAL THING. THANK YOU, I URGE A NO VOTE ON THIS RESOLUTION. I YIELD BACK.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEWOMAN YIELDS BACK THE BALANCE OF HER TIME. THE GENTLEMAN FROM…

THE GENTLEWOMAN YIELDS BACK THE BALANCE OF HER TIME. THE GENTLEMAN FROM UTAH IS RECOGNIZED.

MR. BISHOP

I RESERVE.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN RESERVES THE BALANCE OF HIS TIME. THE GENTLEMAN FROM…

THE GENTLEMAN RESERVES THE BALANCE OF HIS TIME. THE GENTLEMAN FROM VIRGINIA IS RECOGNIZED.

MR. BEYER

TO THE RANKING MEMBER OF THE NATURAL RESOURCES COMMITTEE, MR. GRIJALVA.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED.

MR. GRIJALVA

THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. TODAY HOUSE REPUBLICANS ARE TAKING A SHORT BREAK…

THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. TODAY HOUSE REPUBLICANS ARE TAKING A SHORT BREAK FROM THEIR CRUSADE TO MAKE OUR AIR AND WATER DIRTIER SO THEY CAN NOW TAKE THE TIME TO MAKE IT EASIER TO KILL BEAR CUBS AND WOLF PUPS ON OUR NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGES IN ALASKA. THE RULE THAT THIS RESOLUTION SEEKS TO REPEAL DOES NOT INFRINGE UPON THE STATE OF ALASKA'S BIZARRE CAMPAIGN TO DESTROY WILDLIFE POPULATIONS ON STATE LANDS. NOR DOES IT PROHIBIT THE STATE FROM CONDUCTING SCIENTIFICALLY VALID PREDATOR CONTROL MEASURES ON REFUGE LANDS. THE MASSIVE FEDERAL OVERREACH AND THE TRAMPLING OF STATES' RIGHTS BEING CLAIMED BY THE SPONSOR OF THIS RESOLUTION AND SUPPORTERS IS NOTHING MORE THAN THE LATEST STATEMENT ABOUT TURNING THE FACTS BY REPUBLICANS HERE IN WASHINGTON. THE TRUTH IS BOTH THE NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE IMPROVEMENT ACT, THE ALASKA NATIONAL INTEREST LANDS CONSERVATION ACT AUTHORIZED AND IN FACT REQUIRE THE FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE TO MAINTAIN THE NATURAL DIVERSITY OF REFUGES IN ALASKA. REGARDLESS OF STATE WILDLIFE LAWS. THIS INCLUDES PROTECTING HEALTHY POPULATIONS OF APEX PREDATORS LIKE WOLVES AND BEARS. INSTEAD, THE RULE PREVENTS THE USE OF METHODS THAT HUNTERS IN OUR OWN COUNTRY AGREE VIOLATE THE FAIR CHASE ETHICAL STANDARDS. IT SEPARATES SPORTS HUNTING FROM PLEASURE KILLING. I DON'T HUNT. BUT NO HUNTER THAT I KNOW WOULD EVER THINK OF CATCHING A BEAR IN A STEEL TRAP OR LURING IT IN WITH BAIT AND THEN SHOOTING IT. OR BLOWING AWAY A MOTHER WOLF AND HER PUPS IN THEIR DEN. THESE ARE THE TYPES OF PRACTICES THIS RULE BANS. AND IT ONLY PROHIBITS THEM ON NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE AREAS. THAT ARE OWNED AND MAINTAINED BY THE AMERICAN PEOPLE, NOT THE STATE OF ALASKA. THESE TACTICS ARE NOT PART OF ANY SCIENCE-BASED WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT STRATEGY. AND DESPITE WHAT A TRUMP'S NEW EDUCATION SECRETARY MIGHT THINK, THESE MEASURES ARE NOT NECESSARY TO PROTECT SCHOOLCHILDREN FROM GRIZZLIES. THIS RESOLUTION IS JUST ANOTHER PIECE OF THE REPUBLICAN AGENDA TO HAND OVER OUR PUBLIC -- HAND OUR PUBLIC LANDS OVER TO STATES AND PRIVATE INTERESTS, AS WELL AS A DISTRACTION FROM THE THINGS HOUSE REPUBLICANS AREN'T DOING. WHERE IS YOUR INFRASTRUCTURE PACKAGE? WHERE IS YOUR SOLUTION TO MAKE TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND COLLEGE MORE AFFORDABLE? WHERE IS YOUR PLAN TO COMBAT CLIMATE CHANGE? THE ANSWER IS THAT THEY DO NOT EXIST. SO INSTEAD WE ARE WASTING TIME ON YET ANOTHER CONGRESSIONAL REVIEW ACT RESOLUTION STANDING IDLY BY WITHOUT PUTTING PEOPLE TO WORK FIXING OUR ROADS AND BRIDGES AND ENERGY GRID, WITHOUT TRAINING AMERICANS TO DO THE JOB OF TODAY'S ECONOMY. NOT TO MENTION TOMORROW'S. AND WITHOUT LIFTING A FINGER TO PROTECT PEOPLE, MANY OF WHOM ARE OUR OWN CONSTITUENTS FROM THE WORST IMPACTS OF GLOBAL WARMING. THE ONLY DIFFERENCE BETWEEN TRUMP AND THE HOUSE REPUBLICANS IS THAT HE DISTRACTS THE PUBLIC TO TRY TO MOVE HIS AGENDA AND THEY DISTRACT THE PUBLIC TO HIDE THE FACT THEY CAN'T MOVE THEIRS. I URGE TO YOU STOP THE DISTRACTIONS AND VOTE NO ON THIS RESOLUTION AND I YIELD BACK.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK THE BALANCE OF HIS TIME. THE GENTLEMAN FROM UTAH…

THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK THE BALANCE OF HIS TIME. THE GENTLEMAN FROM UTAH IS RECOGNIZES -- IS RECOGNIZED.

MR. BISHOP

YIELD THREE MINUTES TO THE CHAIRMAN OF THE SUBCOMMITTEE ON FEDERAL LANDS…

YIELD THREE MINUTES TO THE CHAIRMAN OF THE SUBCOMMITTEE ON FEDERAL LANDS AND OUR FULL COMMITTEE, MR. MCCLINTOCK OF CALIFORNIA.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED.

MR. MCCLINTOCK

I THANK THE GENTLEMAN FOR YIELDING. MR. SPEAKER, IN THE DYING DAYS OF THE…

I THANK THE GENTLEMAN FOR YIELDING. MR. SPEAKER, IN THE DYING DAYS OF THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION, AND OVER VIGOROUS PROTESTS BY MANY WILDLIFE AND USER GROUPS, NOT TO MENTION THE STATE OF ALASKA ITSELF, THE NATIONAL FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE IMPOSED THE RULE THAT CONGRESSMAN YOUNG'S RESOLUTION OVERTURNS. IN VIOLATION OF THE ALASKA STATEHOOD ACT, THE ALASKA NATIONAL INTEREST LAND CONSERVATION ACT, AND THE NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE SYSTEM IMPROVEMENT ACT, THE FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE REMOVED ALASKA'S AUTHORITY TO MANAGE THE FISH AND WILDLIFE POPULATIONS WITHIN ITS OWN BORDERS ON 76 MILLION ACRES. THAT IS A LAND AREA LARGER THAN 45 STATES. AS PART OF THE ALASKA NATIONAL INTEREST LAND CONSERVATION ACT OF 1980, THE STATE AGREED TO SEVERAL NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGES WITHIN ITS BORDERS. IN EXCHANGE FOR THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ASSUMING CONTROL OF THESE LANDS, ALASKA WAS GIVEN EXPLICIT AUTHORITY TO MANAGE ITS WILDLIFE POPULATION. THIS NEW AGENCY RULE BREAKS THIS PROMISE, IT BEGINS A DANGEROUS PROCESS OF SEIZING CONTROL OF FISH AND GAME MANAGEMENT DECISIONS, WHICH HAVE BY RIGHT, BY LAW AND BY CUSTOM BELONGED TO THE STATES. THE NORTH AMERICAN MODEL OF WILDLIFE CONSERVATION HAS BEEN A HUGE SUCCESS AND HAS SUSTAINED HEALTHY WILDLIFE POPULATIONS FOR MANY GENERATIONS. NOT ONLY IS THE FISH AND WILDLIFE RULE ILLEGAL, IT THREATENS TO REVERSE THE SUCCESSFUL LAND MANAGEMENT RELATIONSHIPS. IT PLACES SEVERE RESTRICTIONS ON THE PUBLIC'S RIGHT TO HUNT AND FISH ON THESE PUBLIC LANDS. IT INTERFERES WITH THE STATE'S SUCCESS IN MANAGING WILDLIFE POPULATIONS TO ASSURE THAT THEY DON'T OVERRUN THE ABILITY OF THE LAND TO SUPPORT THEM. AND IT SHREDS THE COOPERATIVE RELATIONSHIP THAT ALASKA AND THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAVE ENJOYED OVER THESE LANDS SINCE ALASKAN STATEHOOD. WE HAVE THREE OVERARCHING OBJECTIVES IN THE FEDERAL LAND SUBCOMMITTEE. TO RESTORE PUBLIC ACCESS TO THE PUBLIC LANDS, TO RESTORE SOUND MANAGEMENT TO THE PUBLIC LANDS, AND TO RESTORE THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AS A GOOD NEIGHBOR TO THOSE COMMUNITIES AND STATES IMPACTED BY THE PUBLIC LANDS IN ADOPTING THIS RULE -- LANDS. IN ADOPTING THIS RULE, THE AGENCY VIOLATED ALL OF THESE PRINCIPLES. FEDERAL LAND SUBCLE SPEND THIS CONGRESS WORKING ON LEGISLATION TO RESTORE OUR PUBLIC LANDS FROM THE POLICY OF BENIGN NEGLECT THAT HAS PLAGUED OUR LAND MANAGEMENT TO THE POINT WHERE WE'RE LOSING ENTIRE FORESTS IN THE WEST AND WE HAVE STRAINED THE RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN OUR COMMUNITIES AND OUR FEDERAL AGENCIES. THE RESOLUTION SPONSORED BY CONGRESSMAN YOUNG IS AN EXCELLENT START AND URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO SUPPORT THIS RESOLUTION. AND I YIELD BACK.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK THE BALANCE OF HIS TIME. THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES…

THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK THE BALANCE OF HIS TIME. THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES THE GENTLEMAN FROM VIRGINIA.

MR. BEYER

THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. I YIELD FOUR MINUTES TO THE FORMER RANKING MEMBER…

THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. I YIELD FOUR MINUTES TO THE FORMER RANKING MEMBER OF NATURAL RESOURCES, THE GENTLEMAN FROM OREGON, MR. DEFAZIO.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED.

MR. DEFAZIO

I THANK THE GENTLEMAN FOR YIELDING. LET'S TALK ABOUT WHAT THIS RULE DIDN'T…

I THANK THE GENTLEMAN FOR YIELDING. LET'S TALK ABOUT WHAT THIS RULE DIDN'T DO. FIRST OFF, IT DID NOT GRANT THE STATE OF ALASKA ANY ADDITIONAL AUTHORITY TO MANAGE WILDLIFE ON FEDERAL LANDS. THIS RULE IS TOTALLY COMPLIANT WITH INILKA. INILKA ACTUALLY PRIORITIZES CONSERVATION OF THESE SPECIES. APEX PREDATORS ON MORE THAN HALF THE REFUGES IN THE STATE. AS REQUIRED BY IT, THE RULE ENSURES THAT NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGES, THAT'S WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT HERE, WILDLIFE REFUGES, CONSERVE SPECIES AND HABITATS IN THEIR NATURAL DIVERSITY. THAT DOESN'T MEAN YOU KILL THE PREDATORS SO THAT PEOPLE WHO DON'T HAVE GOOD HUNTING SKILLS ARE GOING TO HAVE AN EASIER TIME GETTING THE CAR BOO OR A MOOSE. THAT'S -- CARIBOU OR A MOOSE. THAT'S NOT WHAT THIS IS SUPPOSED TO BE ABOUT ON THE NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGES. IT ACTUALLY PRIORITIZES CONSERVATION OF THESE SPECIES. I JUST HEARD SOMETHING ABOUT THIS WILL SEVERELY RESTRICT HUNTING AND FISHING ON THESE LANDS. ABSOLUTELY NOT TRUE. UNLESS YOU SAY SHOOTING WOLVES AND THEIR PUPS IN THE DEN OR GASSING THEM IN THE DEN IS HUNTING, AND WE'RE RESTRICTING THAT. BEARS AND CUBS WOULD BE KILLED DURING HIBERNATION, HUNTERS CROCRAULING AROUND KILLING BEARS DURING HIBERNATION, NO, HUNTERS DON'T DO THAT. BROWN AND BLACK BEARS WOULD BE TRAPPED, SNARED, USING STEEL-JAWED TRAPS, WIRE SNARES. AGAIN, NOT HUNTERS. NOT SPORTSMEN. LURING AND BAITING GRIZZLY BEARS? WOW, NOW THAT'S A REAL SPORTSMAN-LIKE HUNTER WITH A LOT OF SKILLS KIND OF GUY OR WOMAN WHO HAS TO USE BAIT TO KILL A GRIZZLY BEAR. AERIAL GUNNING OF BEARS BY STATE AGENCY PERSONNEL? THAT'S HUNTERS? NO. NOT QUITE. SPORTSMEN? NO, DON'T THINK SO. AND USING AIRCRAFT TO TRACK BEARS AND KILL THEM THE SAME DAY. THOSE ARE THE THINGS THAT WOULD BE PROHIBITED. THAT'S WHAT'S PROHIBITED. SUBSISTENCE HUNTING, ABSOLUTELY NO IMPACT. FISHING, WHAT ARE -- FISH? I GUESS THE FISHING THING WOULD BE THE GRIZZLY BEARS EAT THE FISH AND PEOPLE WHO DON'T HAVE GOOD FISHING SKILLS WANT TO CATCH THE FISH, SO IF WE KILL THE GRIZZLY BEARS, THEY WON'T EAT THE FISH AND SO IT DOESN'T DUS IMPACT FISHING, I GUESS, SORT OF, MAYBE. . NO, IT DOESN'T. THIS IS ABSOLUTELY INHUMANE, UNSPORTSMANLIKE, AND UNNECESSARY. THE STATE OF ALASKA IS DOING THIS JUST TO INCREASE -- DECREASE PREDAYS -- PREDATION. THE NATURAL BALANCE WHICH CREATES HEALTHIER HERDS OF CARIBOU AND MOOSE POPULATIONS. THERE'S A STUDY DONE IN 2015 BY PROFESSORS FROM BOTH ALASKA AND WASHINGTON THAT SHOWED THAT ACTUALLY HAVING THESE PREDATORS PRESENT INCREASES THE HEALTH AND DIVERSITY OF THE HERDS OF CARIBOU, BECAUSE THE SICK AND LAME AND OLD GET KILLED. THE REST OF THEM FLOURISH, AND THEY BREED. BE MORE THAN ENOUGH STILL TO HUNT. MAYBE YOU WON'T BE ABLE TO DRIVE YOUR PICKUP TRUCK AND STICK THE RIFLE OUT THE WINDOW AND BRAST AWAY -- BLAST AWAY AND GET ONE. YOU MIGHT HAVE TO GET OUT OF THE TRUCK, HAVE HUNTING SKILLS AND TRACK A LITTLE BIT TO GET THE CARIBOU OR THE MOOSE. NO, IF WE KILL OFF ALL THE GRIZZLIES AND WOLVES IT WOULD BE EASIER. THEY'LL OVERPOPULATE. THEN ACTUALLY WHAT THEY'LL DO IS THEY'LL START GOING DOWN IN THE AREAS, HAPPENED IN YELLOW STONE, AND THEN THE STREAMS WILL NOT BE AS PLENTIFUL WITH FISH. THIS IS ABOUT NATURAL BALANCE. IT'S ABOUT FEDERAL LANDS. IT'S ABOUT SPORTS MEN AND WOMEN. , AND IT'S ABOUT PROHIBITING THE STATE OF ALASKA FROM USING ITS EXTREME PREDATOR CONTROL METHODS. THAT'S WHAT THIS IS CALLED. EXTREME PREDATOR CONTROL METHODS. THAT'S ALL IT PREVENTS. THIS IS A VERY SAD DAY IN THE HOUSE. IF THIS RESOLUTION PASSES.

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MR. BISHOP

IT'S MY PLEASURE TO RECOGNIZE THE VICE CHAIRMAN OF OUR FEDERAL LAND…

IT'S MY PLEASURE TO RECOGNIZE THE VICE CHAIRMAN OF OUR FEDERAL LAND SUBCOMMITTEE, MEMBER FROM ARKANSAS, MR. WESTERMAN, FOR THREE MINUTES.

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MR. WESTERMAN

THANK YOU, CHAIRMAN. I RISE TODAY IN SUPPORT OF HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION 69,…

THANK YOU, CHAIRMAN. I RISE TODAY IN SUPPORT OF HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION 69, A BILL TO USE THE CONGRESSIONAL REVIEW ACT TO REPEAL A RULE ISSUED BY THE FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE TO RESTRICT HUNTING WITHIN NATIONAL REFUGES IN ALASKA. I COMMEND CONGRESSMAN YOUNG FOR HIS LEADERSHIP ON THIS LEGISLATION AND DEFENDING HIS CONSTITUENTS' RIGHT TO MANAGE THE WILDLIFE IN THEIR HOME STATE. MR. SPEAKER, THE ASSERTION THAT THE REPEAL OF THIS RULE WOULD ALLOW UNETHICAL MANAGEMENT AND HUNTING PRACTICES IS UTTERLY FALSE. ALASKANS HAVE HUNTED AND MANAGED THEIR LAND FOR GENERATIONS AND THIS OVERREACH BY FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE SIMPLY IMPEDES THEIR ABILITY TO DO JUST THAT. ALLOW ME TO READ FROM THE 2016-2017 ALASKA TRAPPING REGULATIONS, ONE OF THE MANY SOUND MANAGEMENT DOCUMENTS THAT ARE BEING USURPED BY THIS BUREAUCRATIC OVERREACH. AND I QUOTE, WOLVES AND BEARS ARE VERY EFFECTIVE AND EFFICIENT PREDATORS OF CARIBOU, MOOSE, DEER, AND OTHER WILDLIFE IN MOST OF ALASKA HUMANS ALSO RELY ON THE SAME SPECIES FOR FOOD. IN ALASKA'S INTERIOR, PREDATORS KILL MORE THAN 80% OF THE MOOSE AND CARIBOU THAT DIE DURING AN AVERAGE YEAR WHILE HUMANS KILL LESS THAN 10%. MOST OF THE STATE, PREDATION HOLDS POPULATIONS AT LEVELS FAR BELOW THAN WHAT COULD BE SUPPORTED BY THE HABITAT IN THE AIR YEA. IT IS AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE ECOSYSTEM AND ALL WOLF MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS, INCLUDING CONTROL PROGRAMS, ARE DESIGNED TO SUSTAIN WOLF POPULATIONS IN THE FUTURE. ADDITIONALLY, THE REGULATIONS GO ON TO SAY, YOU MAY NOT DISTURB OR DESTROY BEAVER HOUSES OR ANY FUR BEAR OR DEN, SUFFICIENTLY AS WOLVES, COYOTE OR MINK. MR. SPEAKER, THE CLAIM THAT THIS BILL WILL ALLOW ALASKANS TO HUNT WOLVES IN THEIR DENSE IS SIMPLY FALSE RHETORIC. DESIGNED TO MISLEAD THE PUBLIC WHILE BUREAUCRATS TAKE AWAY THE RIGHTS OF ALASKANS. THE PEOPLE OF ALASKA RELY ON THESE LANDS TO PROVIDE FOR THEIR FAMILIES, AND THIS FISH AND WILDLIFE RULE ATTEMPTS TO INSERT WASHINGTON BUREAUCRATS INTO THAT PROCESS. MR. SPEAKER, I CRINGE TO THINK ABOUT U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE USURPING ESTABLISHED LAW. I CRINGE TO THINK ABOUT U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE LEGISLATING THEMSELVES MORE POWER THROUGH THE RULE MAKING PROCESS. CRINGE TO THINK U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE EXPANDING THE REGULATIONS IN ALASKA, AND I SURE AS HECK DON'T WANT THEM EXPANDING THEM IN ACKAFPBLGT MR. SPEAKER, THIS IS A SLIPPERY SLOPE AND I URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO RESCIND THIS OVERREACH AND SUPPORT THIS RESOLUTION. I YIELD BACK.

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THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS. THE GENTLEMAN FROM VIRGINIA IS RECOGNIZED.

MR. BEYER

THANK YOU. MR. SPEAKER, IN A QUICK RESPONSE TO THE NOTION THAT THIS FIERCE…

THANK YOU. MR. SPEAKER, IN A QUICK RESPONSE TO THE NOTION THAT THIS FIERCE OF INHUMANE PRACTICES ARE UTTERLY FALSE, THE "LOS ANGELES TIMES" STORY, 2012, THE HEADLINE IS ALASKA OFFICIAL EXPAND AERIAL SHOOTING OF BEARS. IT GOES ON TO SAY, QUOTE, THE CONTROVERSIAL INTENSIVE MANAGEMENT MOVES ARE THE LATEST IN A SERIES OF INCREASINGLY AGGRESSIVE CONTROL METHODS TARGETING BEARS AND WOLVES IN ALASKA. SOME AREA WOLF PUPS CAN BE GASSED IN THEIR DENSE. AND WOLVES SHOT FROM HELICOPTERS, END QUOTE. MR. SPEAKER, I RECOGNIZE THE DISTINGUISHED GENTLEMAN FROM COLORADO, MR. POLIS, FOR FOUR MINUTES.

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MR. POLIS

THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. WE REALLY SHOULD BE CALLING THIS BILL THE PUPPY…

THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. WE REALLY SHOULD BE CALLING THIS BILL THE PUPPY KILLING ACT. THIS RESOLUTION WOULD OVERTURN A RULE THAT PROHIBITS SOME OF THE CRUELEST HUNTING PRACTICES ON FEDERAL LANDS IN ALASKA. NOW, AGAIN, THIS IS NOT STATE LAND. THIS IS FEDERAL LAND THAT COLORADO TAXPAYERS AND TAXPAYERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY PAY FOR THE MAINTENANCE OF AND WE THE PEOPLE OF THE COUNTRY OWN. THE FISH AND WILDLIFE RULE PROHIBITS SO-CALLED PREDATOR CONTROL ACTIVITIES THAT ALASKA HAS MADE LEGAL IN STATE LAW. AS MR. HUFFMAN SAID, THE ALASKAN BOARD OF GAME SPECIFICALLY VOTED TO ALLOW AERIAL GUNNING AND SNARING OF BEARS. THEY HAVE ENGAGED IN GASSING OF WOLF PUPS IN THEIR DENSE. THESE ARE NOT THEORETICAL MATTERS, THEY ARE ACTUAL MATTERS AS TO WHY THIS RULE IS SO IMPORTANT AND WHY I OPPOSE IT BEING OVERTURNED. IF THIS BILL PASSES, THE ACTIVITIES THAT ARE PREVENTED UNDER THIS RULE FOR REFUGEES CAN ACTUALLY OCCUR. THESE CRUEL AND INHUMANE METHODS THAT ALASKA WISHES TO IMPLEMENT, INCLUDING KILLING WOLF PUPS AND THEIR MOTHERS AT OR NEAR THEIR DENSE, BROWN BEARS WITH THE USE OF STEEL JAWED TRAPS, AND SCOUTING AND SHOOTING GRIZZLY BEARS FROM PLANES AND HERPTS ARE NOT ONLY UNSPORTSMAN LIKE BUT RUN COUNTER TO THE DIRECTIVES OF THE NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE SYSTEM AND THE ALASKA NATIONAL INTEREST LANDS ACT. 31 SCIENTISTS SUBMITTED THEIR SUPPORT FOR THE NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE ACT KNOWING THE REST AVAILABLE SCIENCE INDICATES THE WIDE ELIMINATION OF BEARS, WOLVES, AND OTHERS WILL MAKE HERDS MANLICALLY REAPPEAR. THERE WAS ANOTHER STUDY BY THE 1997 NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCE THAT IS FOUND THAT ALASKA'S PREDATOR CONTROL SYSTEM INCLUDING THE ASSERTION THAT KILLING WOLVES AND BEARS SOMEHOW MAKES OTHER WILDLIFE POPULATIONS HEALTHIER IS NOT SUPPORTED BY SOUND SCIENCE. THIS BLUNT AND UNSCIENTIFIC AND INHUMANE APPROACH TO MANAGING APEX PREDATORS AND CARNIVORES EMPLOYED BY THE STATE OF ALASKA IS ACTUALLY COUNTER TO THE LAW AND THE CONGRESSIONAL MANAGE DATE REGARDING THE WILDLIFE REFUGECIES TEFMENT THE NATIONAL CONSERVATION ACT WHICH PASSED OVERWHELMINGLY IN THIS BODY SAYS, QUOTE, IT REQUIRES OFFICIALTH THE FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE TO QUOTE, CONSERVE FISH AND WILDLIFE POPULATIONS AND THEIR HABITATS IN THEIR NATURAL DIVERSITY. HOW DOES IT PROTECT OUR CARNIVORE SPECIES AND THE SPECIES THEY CONSUME IN THEIR NATURAL DIVERSITY IF THERE IS ARTIFICIAL AND INHUMANE HUMAN INTERVENTION TO KILL PUPPIES AND TARGET BEARS FROM AIRCRAFT? IT'S SIMPLY UNSCIENTIFIC, INHUMANE, AND WRONG. IN DIRECT CONTRAST TO FEDERAL LAW, SCAW HAS ADOPTED REGULATION THAT IS REQUIRE THE KILLING OF -- REGULATIONS THAT REQUIRE THE KILLING OF WOLVES AND BEARS UNDER PREDATION CONTROL EFFORTS TO ARTIFICIALLY INPLATE GAME POPULATIONS FREQUENTLY ABOVE AND THE CARRYING CAPACITY OF THE LAND. THE STATE CURRENTLY AUTHORIZES EXTREME PRACTICES LIKE AERIAL SHOOTING OF WOLVES OR BARRELS BY STATE AGENCY PERSONNEL, TRAPPING OF WOLVES BY PAID CONTRACTORS, AND USING AIRPLANES TO HUNT WOLVES AND BEARS. NOT ONLY IS THIS BILL INHUMANE AND COUNTER TO OUR STEWARDSHIP TO THE FEDERAL WILDLIFE REFUGE, IT IS ALSO COUNTERPRODUCTIVE FOR JOBS AND THE ECONOMY OF ALASKA. WILDLIFE WATCHING PROVIDES ROUGHLY FIVE MORE TIMES THE REVENUE TO THE ALASKAN ECONOMY THAN HUNTING OR TRAPPING. IT TURNS OUT THE AMERICAN PEOPLE AND TOURISTS AROUND THE WORLD WOULD RATHER SEE THESE PUPPIES AND PHOTOGRAPH THEM RATHER THAN SHOOT THEM OR GAS THEM. ACCORDING TO THE FISH AND WILDLIFE RECORDS, WILDLIFE VIEWING ACTIVITIES OF ALASKA SUPPORT OVER $2 BILLION IN ECONOMIC ACTIVITY. WHY IS CONGRESS SPENDING TIME TRYING TO ALLOW PUPPY KILLING AND CRUEL HUNTING METHODS TO OCCUR INSTEAD OF FAIR CHASE METHODS, ESPECIALLY WHEN THIS ACTUALLY UNDERMINES ALASKA'S ECONOMY AND THEIR ECOLOGY OF FEDERAL REFUGES? WHY ARE WE REPEALING THIS RULE WHEN MOST ALASKANS SUPPORT IT? THE AMERICAN PEOPLE KNOW THERE ARE MORE PRESSING ISSUES WE REPEALING FACING THE COUNTRY THAN THIS RULE. I URGE --

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MR. POLIS

AND PROTECTING PUPPIES. THANK YOU, I YIELD BACK.

MR. BEYER

I YIELD AN EXTRA 15 SECONDS.

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MR. POLIS

I URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO JOIN ME IN VOTING WITH THE ALASKAN PEOPLE, WITH…

I URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO JOIN ME IN VOTING WITH THE ALASKAN PEOPLE, WITH THE ECONOMIC INTERESTS OF ALASKA, AND WITH THE TAXPAYERS OF AMERICA WHO ARE STEWARDS OF THIS LAND FOR BETTER WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT PRACTICES AND TO STOP KILLING PUPPIES AND ENGAGING IN INHUMANE TRAPPING AND HUNTING PRACTICES OF BEARS. I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.

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THE GENTLEMAN FROM UTAH IS RECOGNIZED.

MR. BISHOP

IT'S BEEN INTERESTING SO FAR. I YIELD FOUR MINUTES TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM…

IT'S BEEN INTERESTING SO FAR. I YIELD FOUR MINUTES TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM ARIZONA, MR. GOSAR, MEMBER OF OUR COMMITTEE, THAT'S ALSO GOING TO TALK ABOUT THE REALITY OF WHAT WE'RE FACING HERE.

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MR. GOSAR

THANK YOU. ON AUGUST 5, 2016, THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION PUBLISHED ANOTHER…

THANK YOU. ON AUGUST 5, 2016, THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION PUBLISHED ANOTHER OVERREACHING REGULATION THAT THREATENS THE AUTHORITY OF STATES NATIONWIDE TO MANAGE FISH AND WILDLIFE. SPECIFICALLY THE NEW RULE UNDERMINES ALASKA AUTHORITY TO MANAGE FISH AND WILDLIFE ON STATE, PRIVATE, AND FEDERAL LANDS. IT DESTROYS THE COOPERATIVE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE STATE OF ALASKA ANTI-AGENCY THAT HISTORICALLY WORKED WELL. THIS POWER GRAB THREATENS MANAGEMENT POLICIES AND WILDLIFE REFUGES NATIONWIDE AND IF ALLOWED TO STAND WILL SET A DANGEROUS PRECEDENT FOR FUTURE TOP-DOWN MANDATES. THE RULE VIOLATES THE ALASKA CONSTITUTION AND TWO LAWS PASSED BY CONGRESS IN THE FORM OF THE ALASKA NATIONAL INTEREST LANDS CONSERVATION ACT AND THE ALASKA STATEHOOD ACT. PEOPLE THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY OPPOSE THIS MISGUIDED RULE THAT HARMS THE STATE OF ALASKA'S AUTHORITY TO MANAGE FISH AND WILDLIFE WITHIN ITS BORDERS. IN MY HOME STATE OF ARIZONA, 21 DIFFERENT SPORTSMANS GROUPS HAVE COME OUT PUBLICLY AGAINST THE RULE AND ENDORSED REPRESENTATIVE YOUNG'S BILL TO OVERTURN THIS WASHINGTON POWER GRAB. THE 21 ARIZONA SPORTSMANS GROUP INCLUDE ANGERS UNITED, ARIZONA FLY-CASTERS, SPORTSMEN FOR WILDLIFE CONSERVATION, ARIZONA ANTI-LOPE FOUNDATION, ARIZONA BASS FOUNDATION. ARIZONA BIG GAME SUPER RAFFLE. ARIZONA BOW HUNTERS ASSOCIATION. ARIZONA CATFISH CONSERVATION ASSOCIATION. ARIZONA CHAPTER OF NATIONAL WILD TURKEY RED FED RACIAL. ARIZONA DEER FOUNDATION. ARIZONA DESERT BIG HORN DESERT BIG HORN SHEEP SOCIETY. ARIZONA ELK SOCIETY. ARIZONA HOUNDSMAN. ARIZONA OUTDOOR SPORTS. OUTDOOR EXPERIENCE FOR ALL. SHAKE, RATTLE, AND TROLL OUTDOORS. BASS FEDERATION, ARIZONA. REPRESENTATIVE BILL YOUNG'S BILL IS ALSO SUPPORTED BY 27 DIFFERENT SPORTSMEN AND CONSERVATION GROUPS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY. THE NATIONAL RIFLE ASSOCIATION WHOSE KEY VOTING IN SUPPORT OF REPRESENTATIVE YOUNG'S BILL STATED, AND I QUOTE, THE SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT OF THESE RESOURCES NEED TO BE LED BY THE STATE WORKING IN COPPINGS WITH THE FIFLEDS. THE FIFLEDS FINAL RULE WOULD BE SET AND ILL-ADVISED NATIONAL PRECEDENT THAT COULD HAVE FAR-REACHING NEGATIVE IMPLICATIONS ON THE LOWER 48 STATES. H.J. RESOLUTION 69 WILL RESTORE THE JURISDICTION AT STATE-FEDERAL RELATIONSHIP AS CONGRESS HAS PREVIOUSLY DIRECTED, END OF QUOTE. AMERICANS FOR PROSPERITY IS ALSO KEY VOTING IN SUPPORT OF H.J.RES. 69. I QUOTE, THE INTERIOR RULE RELATING TO NONSUBSTANCE TAKE OF WILDLIFE AND PUBLIC PARTICIPATION AND CLOSURE PROCEDURES ON NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGES IN ALASKA UNDERMINES THE ABILITY OF ALASKANS TO MANAGE FISH AND WILDLIFE ON REF FEW LANDS WHICH MAKE UP MORE THAN 20% OF THE STATE. INSTEAD, CONGRESS SHOULD WORK WITH THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION TO ENSURE COOPERATIVE FEDERALISM AND GREATER PUBLIC PARTICIPATION OVER FISH AND WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT DECISIONS, END OF QUOTE. I SHARE THESE CONCERNS. AND URGE REJECTION OF THIS OBAMA POWER GRABBED THAT UNDERMINES ALASKA'S AUTHORITY TO MANAGE FISH AND WILDLIFE ON STATE AND FEDERAL LANDS. I APPLAUD REPRESENTATIVE DON YOUNG FOR HIS EXCELLENT WORK AND LEADERSHIP ON THISISH SHUE. HE'S BEEN SUCCESSFUL OVER THE YEARS IN PROTECT THE INTEREST OF THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA. THIS IS YET ANOTHER EXAMPLE, CLASSIC EXAMPLE. BUREAUCRATIC OVERREACH THAT REPRESENTATIVE YOUNG IS WORKING HARD TO OVERTURN. THE ALASKA DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME KNOWS BEST HOW TO MANAGE FISH AND WILDLIFE IN THE STATE OF ALASKA, NOT WASHINGTON BUREAUCRATS. I URGE ADOPTION OF REPRESENTATIVE YOUNG'S COMMONSENSE BILL AND WITH THAT I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.

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THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS. THE GENTLEMAN FROM VIRGINIA EMBRYONIC.

MR. BEYER

SPEAKER, I YIELD TWO MINUTES TO THE DISTINGUISHED CONGRESSWOMAN FROM…

SPEAKER, I YIELD TWO MINUTES TO THE DISTINGUISHED CONGRESSWOMAN FROM TEXAS, MS. JACKSON LEE.

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MS. JACKSON LEE

HOPE MY COLLEAGUES AND MY FELLOW AMERICANS CAN SEE WHAT IS EVEN GREATER…

HOPE MY COLLEAGUES AND MY FELLOW AMERICANS CAN SEE WHAT IS EVEN GREATER ABOUT THIS COUNTRY AND ITS FAR-REACHING WILDLIFE AND OPEN AREAS. I RISE IN STRONG OPPOSITION TO THIS H.J.RES. 69. BECAUSE I DO THINK IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE BE GOOD CUSTODIANS OF WHAT HAS BEEN GIVEN TO US. YES, TO PROTECT THOSE HUMANS WHO HAVE COME TO BE IN PLACES WHERE WILDLIFE WAS, BUT TO BE GOOD CUSTODIANS. AND THE RULE THAT WAS ADOPTED YEARS AGO, AFTER PUBLIC ENGAGE FRMENT MANY DIFFERENT PEOPLE, -- ENGAGEMENT FROM MANY DIFFERENT PEOPLE, IS REASONABLE AND RATIONAL. DENING OF WOLVES AND THEIR PUPS, SHOOTING OR TRAPPING THEM WHILE AT THEIR DENSE IN THE SPRING, USING AIRPLANES -- DENS IN THE SPRING. USING AIRPLANES TO SHOOT GRIZZLY BEARS. TRAPPING OF GRIZZLY BEARS AND BLACK BEARS WITH STEEL TRAPS AND SNARESES. THAT'S WHAT THIS RULE PREPRESENTS. LURING GRIZZLY BEARS WITH ROTTING MEAT, SUGAR AND PET FOOD TO GET A POINT-BLANK KILL. DENING A BLACK BEAR MOTHER AND CUBS DURING HIBERNATION. REMINDS ME OF THE TIME THAT I CAME TO THE FLOOR LAST YEAR TO STAND AGAINST A HORRIBLE KILLING OF CECIL THE LION BY SOMEONE WHO WANTED A TROPHY. SO LET ME TELL YOU ABOUT THE LESSON FROM DR. ED SMITH, A RETIRED SURGEON, A HUNTER WHO MOVED TO ALASKA FROM COLORADO TO FISH IN THE RIVER THAT FLOWED BY HIS HOUSE. TO BE ABLE TO HUNT. BUT HE ENJOYED FISHING FOR SALMON, CASTING FOR SALMON, AND SEEING THE BROWN BEARS, ALSO KNOWN AS GRIZZLY BEARS. BUT HERE'S WHAT HE SAID. MOST OF US THAT LIVE IN ALASKA ARE HERE BECAUSE WE RECOGNIZE THAT IT HAS SOMETHING THAT THE REST OF THE WORLD DOESN'T. SAID DR. SMITH, PRESIDENT OF THE ALASKA WILDLIFE ALLIANCE, WHICH IS WORKING WITH THE HUMANE SOCIETY TO PROTECT ANIMALS FROM TROPHY HUNTING ABUSES. THE WILDNESS CAN BE DESTROYED BY PEOPLE. WE HAVE STOPPED SEEING THE WILDLIFE BECAUSE WE MADE IT GO AWAY. HE FURTHER SAID, IT IS NOT TRUE THAT ALL ALASKANS ARE OK WITH THE STATE RUNNING RAMPANT ON PUBLIC LANDS.

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MR. BEYER

MR. SPEAKER, I YIELD MS. JACKSON LEE ANOTHER MINUTE.

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THE GENTLEWOMAN IS RECOGNIZED.

MS. JACKSON LEE

I THANK THE GENTLEMAN. AGAIN, IT IS NOT TRUE THAT ALL ALASKANS ARE OK WITH…

I THANK THE GENTLEMAN. AGAIN, IT IS NOT TRUE THAT ALL ALASKANS ARE OK WITH THE STATE RUNNING RAMPANT ON PUBLIC LANDS, HE SAYS. ONLY A MINORITY OF ALASKANS ARE HUNTERS. EVEN FEWER KILL ANIMALS JUST FOR A TROPHY. THIS IS DR. SMITH, A HUNTER. THIS IS NOT A TREE HUGGER. HE'S A HUNTER. WHO MOVED TO THIS BEAUTIFUL LAND THAT WE CAN CALL AMERICA. SO MANY AMERICANS ON THE MAINLAND IN ESSENCE GO TO THIS BEAUTIFUL CONNECTED ALASKA. AND SO DR. SMITH GOESEN TO SAY, LIKE MOST HUNTERS IN -- GOES ON TO SAY, LIKE MOST HUNTERS IN ALASKA, HE'S APPALLED AT PRACTICES THAT HAVE BEEN RAISED UP TO NOT SAVE THE BEAUTY OF THESE WILD ANIMALS. THE NOTION THAT PEOPLE DON'T WANT ANY RULES IS A MYTH. WE WANT GOOD RULES. JUST LIKE EVERYBODY ELSE. I WANT TO STAND ALONGSIDE OF DR. SMITH, DR. ED SMITH, A HEALER, A FORMER DOCTOR, A HUNTER WHO MOVED TO ALASKA, WHO UNDERSTANDS THAT WHAT WE'RE SEEKING TO DISAPPROVE IS WRONG. BECAUSE IT WAS A REASONED RESPONSE TO ALL WHO WERE ENGAGED IN THIS AREA. SO I ASK MY COLLEAGUES TO VOTE NO ON THIS DISAPPROVAL AND TO SUPPORT AND STAND WITH THESE BEAUTIFUL ANIMALS. MR. CHAIRMAN, MR. SPEAKER, I'D LIKE TO ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT TO SUBMIT THIS ARTICLE INTO THE RECORD, THE FIGHT TO PROTECT ALASKA'S PREDATORS.

TEMPORE WITHOUT

WITHOUT OBJECTION.

MS. JACKSON LEE

I THANK YOU. I YIELD BACK. I THANK YOU.

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MR. BISHOP

I'M PLEASED TO RECOGNIZE THE GENTLEMAN FROM GEORGIA, MR. SCOTT, FOR THREE…

I'M PLEASED TO RECOGNIZE THE GENTLEMAN FROM GEORGIA, MR. SCOTT, FOR THREE MINUTES.

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THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED.

MR. SCOTT

THANK YOU, MR. CHAIRMAN. THE ASSERTION THAT REMOVING THIS RULE WOULD ALLOW…

THANK YOU, MR. CHAIRMAN. THE ASSERTION THAT REMOVING THIS RULE WOULD ALLOW FOR EGREGIOUS, CRUEL AND UNSPORTING HUNTING METHODS IS JUST TOTALLY FALSE. THE PEOPLE A OF ALASKA, I TRUST THEM TO MANAGE THE GAME OF THAT STATE. THE IDEA, THE ACCUSATION THAT THIS RULE ALLOWS FOR SHOOTING OF WOLF PUPS IN THEIR DEN IS TOTALLY FALSE. DISTURBING WOLF DENS FOR ANY REASON, HUNTING, TRAPPING OR FOR WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT, IS ILLEGAL IN THE STATE OF ALASKA. TO QUOTE THE 2016-2017 ALASKA TRAPPING REGULATIONS, THE FOLLOWING METHODS ARE ILLEGAL FOR TAKING FUR. YOU MAY NOT DESTROY OR DISTURB BEESKER HOUSES OR ANY FUR-BEARER DEN. THE PEOPLE OF ALASKA CAN BE TRUSTED TO MANAGE THEIR GAME. ADDITIONALY, THE CLAIM THAT REMOVING THIS RULE WOULD ALLOW FOR THE USE OF AIRPLANES OR HELICOPTERS TO HUNT IS TOTALLY FALSE. USING AIRCRAFT TO HUNT IS ILLEGAL IN THE STATE OF ALASKA. TO QUOTE THE 2016-2017 ALASKA HUNTING REGULATIONS, YOU MAY NOT TAKE GAME BY DRIVING, HERDING, HARASSING OR MA LEFTING GAME WITH ANY MOTORIZED VEHICLE SUCH AS AN AIRCRAFT, AIR BOAT, SNOW MACHINE, MOTOR BOAT, ETC. FINALLY, THE CLAIM THAT REMOVING THIS RULE WOULD ALLOW FOR TRAPPING OF GRIZZLY BEARS AND BLACK BEARS WITH STEEL-JAWED LEG HOLE TRAPS, -- LEG HOLD TRAPS, AGAIN, SIMPLY TOTALLY FALSE. TRAPPING OR SNARING BIG GAME IS ILLEGAL IN THE STATE OF ALASKA. AGAIN, TO QUOTE THE 2016-2017 ALASKA HUNTING REGULATIONS, YOU MAY NOT TAKE GAME BY USING A TRAP OR A SNARE TO TAKE BIG GAME, FUR ANIMALS OR SMALL GAME. AS YOU CAN SEE, THESE CLAIMS ARE NOTHING BUT FALSE RHETORIC FROM ANTI-SPORTSMEN THAT THEY THINK KNOW BETTER HOW TO MANAGE ALASKA'S WILDLIFE THAN THE GOOD PEOPLE OF ALASKA DO. ALASKA LAW ALREADY PRECLUDES THESE PRACTICES, YET THEY'RE BEING USED AS AN EMOTIONAL ARGUMENT TO HIDE WHAT IS CLEARLY A BUREAUCRATIC OVERREACH WHICH UNFAIRLY TARGETS THE CITIZENS OF ALASKA. WITH THAT, MR. CHAIRMAN, I YIELD THE REMAINDER OF MY TIME.

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THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK THE BALANCE OF HIS TIME. THE GENTLEMAN FROM UTAH…

THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK THE BALANCE OF HIS TIME. THE GENTLEMAN FROM UTAH RESERVES. THE GENTLEMAN FROM VIRGINIA IS RECOGNIZED.

MR. BEYER

MADAM SPEAKER, I YIELD THREE MINUTES TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM OREGON, MR.…

MADAM SPEAKER, I YIELD THREE MINUTES TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM OREGON, MR. BLUMENAUER.

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THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED FOR THREE MINUTES.

MR. BLUMENAUER

THANK YOU. I APPRECIATE THE GENTLEMAN'S COURTESY. I APPRECIATE HIS…

THANK YOU. I APPRECIATE THE GENTLEMAN'S COURTESY. I APPRECIATE HIS LEADERSHIP ON THIS. I JUST HEARD MY FRIEND TALK ABOUT THESE I IMAGINARY PRACTICES. IF THEY ARE IN FACT IMAGINARY, WHAT'S THE PROBLEM? IN TERMS OF HAVING THE FISH AND WILDLIFE MOVING TO BRING HUNTING STANDARDS IN FEDERAL LANDS IN ALASKA MORE IN LINE WITH STANDARDS FOR OTHER FEDERAL LANDS ACROSS AMERICA? THE FACT IS THAT THESE PRACTICES CAN IN FACT OCCUR, AND THEY ARE -- IT'S THE JUDGMENT OF THE PROFESSIONALS IN THIS FIELD THAT DEVELOPED THIS PROPOSAL FOR THE FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE. THESE ARE THE PEOPLE WHO ARE CHARGED WITH UNDERSTANDING THE DYNAMICS, WHO ARE -- WHO UNDERSTAND THE INTERACTION BASED ON SOUND SCIENCE GOING FORWARD. THE MAJORITY OF PEOPLE IN ALASKA DO NOT SUPPORT SUCH PRACTICES. AND THESE ARE BASICALLY WHAT THE RULES THAT THE REST OF AMERICA DEALS WITH IN TERMS OF OUR WILDLIFE REFUGES. I SPENT A LOT OF TIME WORKING IN THE AREA OF ANIMAL WELFARE. IT'S SOMETHING THAT I FIND IS ONE OF THOSE RARE AREAS IN CONGRESS WHERE THERE'S FAR MORE AGREEMENT THAN DISAGREEMENT. WE FIND ACROSS THE COUNTRY 25,000 ORGANIZATIONS THAT ARE DEDICATED TO ANIMAL WELFARE. AND THIS IS AN AREA THAT I AM SAD TO SEE WE'RE BREAKING DOWN NOW, I THINK, UNNECESSARY CONTROVERSY. BEING ABLE TO DEAL WITH WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AND PROTECTION, BEING ABLE TO DEAL WITH HUMANE HUNTING PRACTICES, TO BE ABLE TO ALLOW THE PROFESSIONALS IN THE FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE AND ELSEWHERE TO BE ABLE TO HELP IN DEVELOPING UNIFORM STANDARDS IS SOMETHING THAT SHOULD NOT BE UNNECESSARILY DIVISIVE. I AM HOPEFUL THAT WE GIVE THE FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE THE AUTHORITY AND RESPONSIBILITY TO MANAGE THESE REFUGES AND THAT WE RESPECT THE FACT THAT THEY TOOK PUBLIC INPUT INTO ACCOUNT. THEY WEIGHED THE COMMENTS. THEY PUT FORWARD A THOUGHTFUL RULE. BEING ABLE TO NULLIFY THIS RULE ENTIRELY, RETURN TO SOME OF THE MOST INHUMANE PRACTICES IS SIMPLY INAPPROPRIATE. INSTEAD OF ROLLING BACK THESE RULES, WE SHOULD RESPECT THE AGENCY'S EXPERTISE, THE WISHES OF THE VAST MAJORITY OF THE PEOPLE WE REPRESENT, AND UNIFORM PROVISIONS TO APPLY IT TO ALL WILDLIFE REFUGES. I AM REALLY DISAPPOINTED THAT THE RHETORIC REACHES THIS LEVEL AND THAT WE'RE RUSHING AHEAD WITH MAKING CHANGES LIKE THIS WITHOUT PROVIDING THE FOUNDATION THAT WOULD NORMALLY OCCUR IN THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS. THIS RULE IS A CULMINATION OF A GREAT DEAL OF TIME AND ENERGY, PUBLIC INPUT, SCIENTIFIC EXPERTISE, AND HARD WORK. AND TO OVERTURN IT SUM ARLY, AS THIS CONGRESS -- SUMMARILY, AS THIS CONGRESS HAS BEEN DOING IN OTHER AREA, I THINK IS A STEP BACKWARDS. IT IS SOMETHING THAT IS NOT SUPPORTED BY THE PUBLIC, AND I THINK IT IS SOMETHING THAT WE OUGHT TO STRONGLY REJECT.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED.

MR. BLUMENAUER

I'LL STOP.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK THE BALANCE OF HIS TIME. THE GENTLEMAN FROM…

THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK THE BALANCE OF HIS TIME. THE GENTLEMAN FROM VIRGINIA RESERVES. THE GENTLEMAN FROM UTAH IS RECOGNIZED.

MR. BISHOP

RESERVE.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN FROM UTAH RESERVES. THE GENTLEMAN FROM VIRGINIA.

MR. BEYER

MADAM SPEAKER, I YIELD MYSELF SUCH TIME AS I MAY REQUIRE.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED.

MR. BEYER

ONE QUICK POINT IS THAT THESE NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGES ARE U.S. PUBLIC…

ONE QUICK POINT IS THAT THESE NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGES ARE U.S. PUBLIC LANDS PAID FOR BY U.S. TAXPAYERS. AND SHOULD BE MANAGED FOR THE BENEFIT OF ALL. LET ME QUOTE FORMER FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE DIRECTOR, DAN ASHE, RECENTLY DEPARTED. HE SAID, QUOTE, THESE ARE NOT GAMES FARM -- GAME FARMS MANAGED FOR THE BENEFIT OF A FEW PEOPLE WHO WOULD CALL THEMSELVES HUNTERS. MUCH HAS BEEN MADE IN THIS DEBATE THIS AFTERNOON, MADAM SPEAKER, ABOUT WHETHER THIS IS PROHIBITED. WE'VE GONE BACK AND FORTH WITH DIFFERENT CASES. LET ME QUOTE A FEW KEY PARAGRAPHS. SECTION 302 AND 303 ESTABLISHESED 16 NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGES. FOR EACH ONE THE PURPOSE IS STATED FOR WHICH THE REFUGE IS TO BE ESTABLISHED. IT SHALL BE MANAGED, INCLUDING, QUOTE, TO CONSERVE FISH AND WILDLIFE POPULATIONS IN THEIR NATURAL DIVERSITY. THE LAW DOESN'T SAY WILDLIFE SHOULD BE MANAGED TO SOME ALTERNATE STATE OF NATURAL DIVERSITY WHERE NO WOLVES, NO BEARS AND OVERPOPULATED MOOSE HERDS CAN DESTROY THE LANDSCAPE. BOTH THIS AND THE IMPROVEMENT ACT, THE 1998 LAW THAT REORGANIZED THE NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE SYSTEM, MANAGED ALASKA'S FEDERAL REFUGE MANAGERS TO CONSERVE NATURAL DIVERSITY, A VALUE THAT THE FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE HAS CORRECTLY NOTED IS -- EVERY FEDERAL COURT TO CONSIDER THE QUESTION, INCLUDING THE NINTH CIRCUIT, WHICH CONTAINS ALASKA, HAS HELD THAT STATES LACK THE AUTHORITY TO OVERRULE FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE MANAGEMENT DECISIONS CONCERNING FEDERAL REFUGE MANAGEMENT. THIS HAS ALREADY BEEN BEFORE THE COURTS, THE COURTS I BELIEVE HAVE ALREADY DECIDED. MADAM SPEAKER, IN THE FEW MINUTES I HAVE LEFT, LET ME JUST QUOTE A FEW OF THE LETTERS WE RECEIVED FROM ALASKA RESIDENTS IN OPPOSITION TO THE RESOLUTION BEFORE US. ELIZABETH WRITES, QUOTE, I AM AN ALASKAN, I HUNT AND FISH AND I SUPPORT REGULATIONS THAT PROHIBIT CRUEL KILLING. THIS RULE WOULD RIGHTLY PROHIBIT CONTROVERSIAL AND SCIENTIFICALLY UNJUSTIFIED KILLING METHODS ON OVER 76 MILLION ACRES OF FEDERAL LANDS. A HUNTER WHO CANNOT COMPLY WITH HUMANE METHODS OF THE TRADE SPORT IS SIMPLY LAZY AND UNDESERVING OF THE RIGHT TO HARVEST THE FLESH OF ANOTHER LIVING THING. THIS IS THE 21ST CENTURY, NOT THE 1800'S. WE MUST CARRY OUT OUR HUNTING IN A CAREFUL AND ORGANIZED FASHION TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF ALASKAN RESIDENTS AS WELL AS THE SUSTAINABILITY OF OUR WILD ANIMAL RESOURCES INTO THE FUTURE. THIS FROM ELIZABETH MOREHEAD FROM EEG ALE RIVER. MY HUSBAND AND I OWNED AND OPERATED A SUCCESSFUL WILDLIFE TOURISM BUSINESS IN ALASKA FOR 27 YEARS. THE BUSINESS STILL CONTINUES IN THE CAPABLE HANDS OF ONE OF OUR GUIDES. I'M WRITING TO CONVEY MY DISPLEASURE OVER THE CONTENT OF THE JOINT RESOLUTION YOU RECENTLY INTRODUCED IN RESPONSE TO THE U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE REGULATIONS THAT BAN CRUEL AND UNSPORTING METHODS OF KILLING BEARS, WOLVES AND COYOTES ON FEDERAL WILDLIFE REFUGES IN ALASKA. AND FROM FRAN IN FAIR BANKS, OVER THE LAST 50 YEARS I'VE WATCHED THE STATE HUNTING REGULATIONS FOR WOLVES AND BEARS GET PROGRESSIVELY MORE EXTREME. THESE METHODS GO FAR BEYOND ANY COMMONSENSE ARE NOT SUPPORTED BY SCIENCE, HAVE NO PLACE IN ALASKA NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGES. THIS IS THE RESULT OF THE SPECIAL INTEREST LOBBY OF EXTREME PRO-HUNTING GROUPS. I FOR ONE AND MANY OTHER ALASKAN HUNTERS DON'T WANT TO SEE THE STATE OF ALASKA TURN OUR NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGES INTO GAME FARMS. FINALLY, FROM JEFF FROM PALMER, I WRITE YOU AS A 23-YEAR-OLD ALASKAN WILDLIFE BIOLOGISTS. CURRENTLY 64 YEARS OF AGE, THE 24-YEAR BIOLOGIST, CURRENTLY 64 YEARS OF AGE. I HUNT AND FISH AND ENJOY A PERMANENT LICENSE TO DO SO IN THE GREAT LAND. AS A BIOLOGIST, I RECOGNIZE A PREDATOR CONTROL DOES NOT WORK IN THE LONG RUN TO STABILIZE OR MAXIMIZE POPULATIONS. I ALSO RECOGNIZE THAT AN ATTEMPT TO REPEAL U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE REGS ON THESE LANDS WILL BE AN ATTEMPT TO CIRCUMVENT, CONTRADICT, OVERTURN OR SIMPLY BREAK THE FEDERAL LAW THAT ESTABLISHES THE FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE MISSION AND AUTHORITY FOR THIS LAND. AS A HUNTER, I FEAR FOR THE REPUTATION OF THE HUNTING TRADITION, INCLUDING CONSERVATION AND FAIR CHASE, FOR SOME OF THE ANTI-PREDATOR TECHNIQUES ARE ALLOWED ANYWHERE, INCLUDING ON FEDERAL LANDS. MADAM SPEAKER, I RESERVE THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN RESERVES THE BALANCE OF HIS TIME. THE GENTLEMAN FROM UTAH IS…

THE GENTLEMAN RESERVES THE BALANCE OF HIS TIME. THE GENTLEMAN FROM UTAH IS RECOGNIZED.

MR. BISHOP

HAPPY TO YIELD A TWO MINUTES TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM ALASKA, THE ONE WHO…

HAPPY TO YIELD A TWO MINUTES TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM ALASKA, THE ONE WHO ACTUALLY LIVES THERE, AND KNOWS THE AREA, AND KNOWS THE NAMES OF THE TOWNS, MR. YOUNG.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED FOR TWO MINUTES.

MR. YOUNG

I THANK THE CHAIRMAN. YOU KNOW, UNDER THE QUORUM OF THE HOUSE, I -- DOCTOR…

I THANK THE CHAIRMAN. YOU KNOW, UNDER THE QUORUM OF THE HOUSE, I -- DOCTOR COULD HE UM -- DECORUM OF THE HOUSE, I WON'T SAY IT'S BULL. I'LL JUST SAY IT'S MISINFORMATION. INFORMATION FROM THESE GENTLEMEN AND LADIES FROM THE HUMANE SOCIETY. THAT'S WHAT IT IS. THERE'S NO SPORT HUNTER THAT'S GOING TO BE SHOOTING CUBS. IN FACT, THERE'S NO ONE IN THE STATE THAT DOES NOT SUPPORT MY RESOLUTION OF ORGANIZED HUNTERS , VIEWERS, I HAVE I HAVE NOT HAD ANY OF THAT. YES, YOU GOT SOME LETTERS. I BELIEVE THE BEST WAY TO JUDGE IS IF THEY DON'T LIKE WHAT I'M DOING, DON'T ELECT ME. I'M SPEAKING FOR THE PEOPLE OF MY STATE, NOT VIRGINIA. NOT A USED CAR SALESMAN. I'M SPEAKING FOR MY PEOPLE. AND THE SECOND FALSE CLAIM IS IT ALLOWS AERIAL SHOOTING OF GUNNING AND BEARS. THAT'S NOT WHAT THIS IS ABOUT. IT'S ABOUT THE LAW. WE WILL WIN IN COURT. I DON'T WANT TO WIN IN COURT. I WANT TO ESTABLISH THE FACT THAT AN AGENCY DOES NOT HAVE THE RIGHT TO BREAK THE LAW. AS FAR AS DAN ASH GOES, WELL, DID HE HAVE ANY SPECIALIST? NO. HE DID THIS BECAUSE OF INTEREST GROUPS. GOVERNING BY INTEREST GROUP. NOT THE HUNTERS. NOT THE ALASKANS. NOT THE GOVERNMENT OF ALASKA. BUT A HUMANE SOCIETY PUT OUT ALL THIS PROPAGANDA. DENING OF WOLVES. BY THE WAY I HAVE TO REMIND PEOPLE, WE USED TO DEN WOLVES. I HAVE DONE IT MY SEFMENT I GOT PAID 50 BUCKS FOR EVER WOLF I GOT. YOU KNOW WHO PAID ME? UNCLE SAM. WHEN WE WERE A TERRITORY. WHEN WE BECAME A STATE WE DID NOT ALLOW THAT. SO LET US DO OUR JOB AS A STATE. INSTEAD OF HAVING THIS CONGRESS TRY TO STOP IT WITH AN AGENCY. SO I'M ASKING MY COLLEAGUES TO VOTE FOR THE LAW. AS I SAID YOU SHOULD UPHOLD AS YOU TOOK YOUR OATH FOR THIS OFFICE. THE LAW. AS YOU CONTINUE THIS MISINFORMATION, I FEEL SORRY FOR YOU, FOR THE INTEREST GROUPS. MR. CHAIRMAN, I DO URGE A YES VOTE ON THIS RESOLUTION.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK THE BALANCE OF HIS TIME. I REMIND THE COLLEAGUES…

THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK THE BALANCE OF HIS TIME. I REMIND THE COLLEAGUES TO ADDRESS THE CHAIR. THE GENTLEMAN FROM UTAH RESERVES. THE GENTLEMAN FROM VIRGINIA IS RECOGNIZED.

MR. BEYER

THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER. JUST IN MILD RESPONSE, I'M -- I BELIEVE…

THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER. JUST IN MILD RESPONSE, I'M -- I BELIEVE HEARTENED TO KNOW THAT MAYBE THE WRONG VERB AT LEAST RESPECT MY FRIEND AND COLLEAGUE FROM ALASKA'S NOTION THAT -- ASSERTION THAT THESE TERRIBLE INHUMANE HUNTING PRACTICES WHICH WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT FOR THE LAST HOUR, WHETHER IT'S GASSING WOLVES IN THE DEN OR SHOOTING BEARS FROM THE HELICOPTER OR USING BAIT FOR THE BEARS OR THE MANY OTHER -- THE IRON LEG TRAPS, ALL THESE THINGS DO NOT OCCUR IN ALASKA ON THE WILDLIFE REFUGES. THAT THEY ARE ILLEGAL IN ALASKA. AND IF THAT'S SO, THAT AN EXCELLENT THING. I WONDER WHY THE NEED FOR THE CONGRESSIONAL REVIEW ACT RESOLUTION TO OVERTURN THE FISH AND WILDLIFE REGULATION IT IS NONE OF THESE ARE HAPPENING? IN ANY CASE, THERE IS STILL A LEGITIMATE DEBATE ABOUT WHETHER THE FISH AND WILDLIFE REGULATION CONTRAVENES IN NOKA AND THE STATE ESTABLISHMENT ACT. HOPEFULLY THIS DOESN'T HAVE TO GO TO COURT IN ORDER TO DO THAT, BUT I THINK THERE SEEMS TO BE A JUDICIAL PRECEDENT IF IT DID GO TO COURT THE FISH AND WILDLIFE REGULATION WOULD BE UPHELD. WITH THAT, MADAM SPEAKER, I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN FROM VIRGINIA YIELDS BACK. THE GENTLEMAN FROM UTAH IS…

THE GENTLEMAN FROM VIRGINIA YIELDS BACK. THE GENTLEMAN FROM UTAH IS RECOGNIZED.

MR. BISHOP

THANK YOU. I YIELD MYSELF THE BALANCE OF THE TIME. MADAM SPEAKER, WE HERE…

THANK YOU. I YIELD MYSELF THE BALANCE OF THE TIME. MADAM SPEAKER, WE HERE TO REPEAL A RULE -- WE ARE HERE TO REPEAL A RULE ISSUED BY THE FEDERAL FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE TO RESTRICT HUNTING ON THE NATIONAL REFUGES IN ALASKA. THIS RULE IS A SOLUTION. THE ONLY PROBLEM IS NO ONE KNOWS FOR WHAT IT IS A SOLUTION BECAUSE THERE IS NO PROBLEM. AND THE SAD PART IS THAT MEANS THAT THIS RULE IS BASICALLY A USELESS RULE. IT HAS NO EFFICACY TO IT. AND DESPITE THE ASSERTIONS THAT HAS BEEN MADE REPEATEDLY AND A CAN COULD HAVE ANY OF ALL DD CAN CALF ANY, THERE RULE DOES NOT DO THAT. THIS RULE DOES NOT ABANDON ANY OF THE PRACTICES YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT ON NON-- ON SUBSISTENCE HUNTING. ONLY ON NONSUBSISTENCE HUNTING. WHICH SIMPLY MEANS IF YOU ARE CLASSIFIED AS A SUBSISTENCE HUNTER, ANYTHING THAT THE OTHER SIDE TALKED ABOUT AND RAILED ABOUT IS ACTUALLY ALLOWED BY THE SILLY RULE. THAT'S WHY THE RULE MAKES NO SENSE. THE STATE OF ALASKA HAD IT UNDER CONTROL AND THERE IS NO REAL PROBLEM THAT IS SOLVED BY THIS RULE THAT IS TOTALLY INEFFICIENT. BUT DID MAKE SOMETHING NICE ABOUT T IT MAKES THINGS WORSE BECAUSE IT'S TALKING ABOUT PREDATOR CONTROL ONLY ON NONSUBSISTENCE HUNTING. UNFORTUNATELY, THE PREDATORS DON'T KNOW WHEN THEY GO AFTER THEIR PREY WHETHER THAT PREY IS DESIGNED FOR A SUBSISTENCE HUNTER OR A RECREATION HUNTER. THEY HAVEN'T LEARNED TO DISTINGUISH THAT YET. ERR GO, HOW YOU ADMINISTER --ERINGO, HOW YOU ADMINISTER THIS LAW, IT'S INEFFECTIVE, IMPOSSIBLE DO SORKS AND WHAT YOU DO IS MAKE A BLANKET APPROACH SO EVERYONE GETS HARMED IN THE SAME EQUAL FASHION. THAT'S WHAT FISH AND WILDLIFE HAS DECIDED TO DO. IN ADDITION TO THAT, YES, IT IS ILLEGAL. IT USURPS STATE AUTHORITY, AND ITURE SURPS IT -- IT'S AMAZING TO ME. I CANNOT BELIEVE IN THE FIRST CONGRESS THAT WE HAD, THE FOUNDING FATHERS WERE THERE COMING UP WITH THE BILL OF RIGHTS AND THE 10TH AMENDMENT, THEY THOUGHT THE 10TH AMENDMENT WOULD EVENTUALLY SOMEDAY BE IMAGINED BY A BUREAUCRAT IN WASHINGTON TO OVERRULE CONGRESS ON MATTERS THAT WERE CLEARLY INTENDED FOR STATE DISCRETION. BUT THAT IS PRECISELY WHAT WE HAVE DONE HERE. THIS RULE VIOLATES THREE, THREE CONGRESSIONALLY PASSED STATUTES THAT HAVE PRECEDENCE ON THIS PARTICULAR ISSUE. FEDERAL LAW AND THIS RULE VIOLATES FEDERAL LAW PASSED BY CONGRESS ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS. WHAT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE ENVISIONED WITH THIS SYSTEM WAS A COOPERATIVE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE STATE AND THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. WHAT THIS RULE SIMPLY DOES IS ALLOW FOR FISH AND WILDLIFE ON THE FEDERAL LEVEL TO HAVE SUPREMACY. TO DESTROY THAT COOPERATION AND COORDINATION AND TAKE OVER CONTROL TOTALLY. THAT'S WRONG. IT SHOR NE THERE. THERE ARE 16 DIFFERENT UNITS UP THERE. THAT'S 76 MILLION ACRES OF LAND NOW GOING TO BE CONTROLLED BY THE FISH AND WILDLIFE SYSTEM HERE IN WASHINGTON. THAT'S MORE ACREAGE THEAN THAN 46 OF THE 50 STATES THAT WE HAVE-ACHE RANG THAN 46 OF THE STATE STATES -- ACREAGE THAN 46 OF THE 50 STATES WE HAVE. MR. BLUE BEN TALL SAID WHY DON'T WE LET THE PROFESSIONALS MAKE THEIR DECISION. THEY DO. THOSE PROFESSIONALS ARE THE ALASKA DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME WHO KNOW EXACTLY WHAT THEY ARE DOING. THEY KNOW THE AREA. THEY KNOW THE ANIMALS. THE SO-CALLED HELICOPTER HUNTING THAT WAS RAILED AGAINST UP HERE IS NOT DONE BY ANY RECREATIONAL HUNTER. THE ALASKA DOESN'T ALLOW THAT. THE ALASKA FISH AND GAME WILL DO THAT FOR MANAGEMENT CONTROL BASED ON SCIENTIFIC PURPOSES AND REASONS. AND THAT ONLY. THIS RULE DOESN'T CHANGE ANY OF THAT. NO. I'M SORRY. THIS RULE ACTUALLY DOESN'T CHANGE ANY OF THE RECREATIONAL HUNTER -- HUNTING WHICH IS OUTLAWED BY THE STATE OF ALASKA. IT ONLY STOPS THE FISH AND WILDLIFE SYSTEM OF ALASKA FROM SIMPLY DOING THEIR JOB AS THEY KNOW HOW TO DO IT. BUT AT THIS TIME I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT, A RESOLUTION LETTER SUPPORTED BY 27 DIFFERENT ORGANIZATIONS, ALL DEALING WITH OUTDOOR LIFE, IN SUPPORT OF THIS PARTICULAR RESOLUTION, I ASK IT BE ENTERED INTO THE RECORD.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

WITHOUT OBJECTION.

MR. BISHOP

THIS COMES FROM GROUPS ALL OVER THE STATE WHO -- ALL OVER THE NATION WHO…

THIS COMES FROM GROUPS ALL OVER THE STATE WHO -- ALL OVER THE NATION WHO UNDERSTAND WHAT IS GOING ON. AND ALSO REALIZE THE PROBLEM -- THERE ARE SOME PEOPLE WHO MIGHT THINK THIS ONLY DEALS WITH ALASKA. TECHNICALLY IT DOES. BUT THE PROBLEM IS IF THIS HAPPENS TO ALASKA, IF THE ABILITY OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO SUPER SEED -- SUPERSEDE IN ALASKA, THIS COULD ALSO HAPPEN IN ANY ONE OF THE LOWER 48 STATES. WE'RE SIMPLY ONE LAWSUIT AWAY FROM FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE BEING EITHER ALLOWED OR REQUIRED TO ORDER SIMILAR REGULATIONS FOR EVERYTHING ACROSS THE LOWER 48 STATES AS WELL. AND THAT IS WHAT'S SO DIFFICULT AND IMPOSSIBLE TO UNDERSTAND. LOOK, I TRY TO SUM UP IT THIS WAY. THAT NONE OF THE PRACTICES THAT HAVE BEEN RAILED ABOUT TODAY ACTUALLY ARE EXISTING. AND ANY OF THOSE THAT ARE ARE EASILY CONTROLLED BY THE ALASKA FISH AND GAME DEPARTMENT. THE UNDERLYING PREMISE, BOTH OF THE RULE THAT THE FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR DID, AND THE UNDERLYING PREMISE OF MOST OF THE DEBATE THAT'S HAPPENED HERE ON THE FLOOR, IS THAT ONLY SOMEBODY WHO LIVES HERE IN WASHINGTON HAS THE INTELLIGENCE, THE FORESIGHT, THE VISION TO MAKE THESE KINDS OF RULES THAT UNFORTUNATELY PEOPLE IN ALASKA ARE SIMPLY TOO DUMB TO DO T ARE YOU A BUNCH OF RED NECK HICKS THAT DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW TO RULE YOURSELF. YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND SCIENCE. YOU BARELY HAVE TELEVISION. I DON'T KNOW WHAT IT IS. BUT WHY DO WE HAVE THIS MIND SET -- MINDSET THAT ONLY WASHINGTON CAN MAKE THESE DECISIONS? THE STATES HAVE PROVEN NOT ONLY ARE THEY CAPABLE, THEY ARE SUPERIOR TO WHAT HAPPENS FROM THIS DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION HERE IN WASHINGTON. THAT'S WHAT THIS IS ABOUT. AN ILLEGAL RULE THAT SIMPLY TAKES AWAY FROM THE STATES WHAT THEY ARE DOING AND WHAT THEY ARE DOING WELL. AND THAT'S WHY THIS SHOULD BE OPPOSED. THAT'S WHY THIS RULE SHOULD BE PULLED AWAY, THIS MIDNIGHT RULE ONCE AGAIN SHOULD BE TAKEN BACK, ALLOW THEM TO START OVER AND DO SOMETHING INTELLIGENT, BUT AT LEAST RECOGNIZE THE PROFESSIONALS, REAL PROFESSIONALS WHO WORK IN THE STATES TO MAKE THIS SYSTEM WORK. THEY CAN DO IT. THEY HAVE DONE IT. ALLOW THEM TO DO THEIR JOBS. AND PROTECT THE REST OF US FROM ANY JUDGE SAYING, OH, IF IT HAPPENED IN ALASKA, MAYBE IT CAN HAPPEN IN YOUR STATE AS WELL. THAT IS A FEAR. THIS IS A RULE PASSED BY FISH AND WILDLIFE, LAST MINUTE IN THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION, THAT DOESN'T SOLVE ANYTHING. AND WILL BE IMPOSSIBLE TO ADMINISTER. AND VIOLATES EVERYTHING THAT HAS GONE ON BEFORE. VOTE FOR THIS RULE, BRING BACK SANITY AND ALLOW THE STATES TO DO THEIR JOBS AS THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO DO AND AS THE LAW PRESCRIBES FOR THEM TO DO. AND WITH THAT I URGE SUPPORT OF THIS. I DON'T KNOW IF YOU ARE UNDECIDED ON WHETHER I WAS FOR THIS RESOLUTION OR NOT, JUST FOR THE RECORD, YES, I SUPPORT THE RECORD. I SUPPORT THIS RESOLUTION. AND I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN FROM UTAH YIELDS BACK HIS TIME. ALL TIME FOR DEBATE HAS…

THE GENTLEMAN FROM UTAH YIELDS BACK HIS TIME. ALL TIME FOR DEBATE HAS EXPIRED. PURSUANT TO HOUSE RESOLUTION 123, THE PREVIOUS QUESTION IS ORDERED. THE QUESTION IS ON ENGROSSMENT AND THIRD READING OF THE JOINT RESOLUTION. SO MANY AS ARE IN FAVOR SAY AYE. THOSE OPPOSED, NO. THE AYES HAVE IT. THIRD READING.

THE CLERK

JOINT RESOLUTION PROVIDING FOR CONGRESSIONAL DISAPPROVAL UNDER CHAPTER 8…

JOINT RESOLUTION PROVIDING FOR CONGRESSIONAL DISAPPROVAL UNDER CHAPTER 8 OF TITLE 5 UNITED STATES CODE OF THE FINAL RULE OF THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR RELATING TO NONSUBSISTENCE TAKE OF WILDLIFE AND PUBLIC PARTICIPATION AND CLOSURE PROCEDURES ON NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGES IN ALASKA.

MR. BEYER

I REQUEST THE YEAS AND NAYS.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE YEAS AND NAYS ARE REQUESTED. THOSE FAVORING A VOTE BY THE YEAS AND…

THE YEAS AND NAYS ARE REQUESTED. THOSE FAVORING A VOTE BY THE YEAS AND NAYS WILL RISE. A SUFFICIENT NUMBER HAVING ARISEN, THE YEAS AND NAYS ARE ORDERED. PURSUANT TO CLAUSE 8 OF RULE 20, FURTHER PROCEEDINGS ON THIS QUESTION WILL BE POSTPONED.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM TENNESSEE SEEK RECOGNITION?

MRS. BLACK

MADAM SPEAKER, PURSUANT TO HOUSE RESOLUTION 123, I CALL UP HOUSE JOINT…

MADAM SPEAKER, PURSUANT TO HOUSE RESOLUTION 123, I CALL UP HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION 43 AND ASK FOR ITS IMMEDIATE CONSIDERATION.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE CLERK WILL REPORT THE TITLE OF THE JOINT RESOLUTION.

THE CLERK

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION 43, JOINT RESOLUTION PROVIDING FOR CONGRESSIONAL…

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION 43, JOINT RESOLUTION PROVIDING FOR CONGRESSIONAL DISAPPROVAL UNDER CHAPTER 8 OF TITLE 5, UNITED STATES CODE, OF THE FINAL RULE SUBMITTED BY THE SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES RELATING TO COMPLIANCE WITH TITLE X REQUIREMENTS BY PROJECT RECIPIENTS IN SELECTING SUBRECIPIENTS.

TEMPORE PURSUANT

PURSUANT TO HOUSE RESOLUTION 123, THE JOINT RESOLUTION IS CONSIDERED AS…

PURSUANT TO HOUSE RESOLUTION 123, THE JOINT RESOLUTION IS CONSIDERED AS READ. THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM TENNESSEE, MRS. BLACK, AND THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM COLORADO, MS. DEGETTE, EACH WILL CONTROL 30 MINUTES. THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM TENNESSEE.

MRS. BLACK

MADAM SPEAKER, I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT THAT ALL MEMBERS MAY HAVE FIVE…

MADAM SPEAKER, I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT THAT ALL MEMBERS MAY HAVE FIVE LEGISLATIVE DAYS TO REVISE AND EXTEND THEIR REMARKS AND INCLUDE EXTRANEOUS MATERIAL ON HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION 43, CURRENTLY UNDER CONSIDERATION.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

WITHOUT OBJECTION.

MRS. BLACK

MADAM SPEAKER, I YIELD MYSELF SUCH TIME AS I MAY CONSUME.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLELADY IS RECOGNIZED.

MRS. BLACK

MADAM SPEAKER, I RISE TODAY IN STRONG SUPPORT OF MY RESOLUTION OF…

MADAM SPEAKER, I RISE TODAY IN STRONG SUPPORT OF MY RESOLUTION OF DISAPPROVAL, H.J.RES. 43, WHICH USES THE AUTHORITY OF THE CONGRESSIONAL REVIEW ACT TO OVERTURN THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION'S 11TH HOUR RULE FORCING STATES LIKE TENNESSEE TO FUND ABORTION PROVIDERS. I WANT TO BEGIN TODAY BY STIPULATING VERY CLEARLY WHAT THIS RESOLUTION IS ABOUT. BECAUSE WHILE I AM UNAPOLOGETICALLY PROLIFE, YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE IN ORDER TO SUPPORT THIS RESOLUTION. YOU JUST HAVE TO BELIEVE IN THE 10TH AMENDMENT. DESPITE THE HISRYONICS YOU MAY HEAR ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE AISLE TODAY, WITH TODAY'S RESOLUTION WE'RE NOT, WE'RE NOT ONE, VOTING TO DEFUND PLANNED PARENTHOOD IN ANY WAY, SHAPE, OR FORM. WE'RE NOT VOTING TO CUT TITLE X FUNDING. AND WE'RE NOT VOTING TO RESTRICT ABORTION RIGHTS. . MADAM SPEAKER, WE ARE SIMPLY VOTING TODAY TO FUND THE HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS THAT BEST SUIT THEIR NEEDS WITHOUT FEAR OF REPRIZE PRYCAL FROM THEIR OWN FEDERAL GOVERNMENT -- REPRISAL FROM THEIR OWN FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. I DIDN'T REALIZE THIS WAS A PARTISAN ISSUE AND IT SHOULDN'T BE. BECAUSE THAT'S HOW THE TITLE 10 GRANT PROGRAM FUNCTIONED FOR MORE THAN 45 YEARS UNTIL THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION DECIDED TO LEAVE THIS PARTYING -- PARTING GIFT TO THE ABORTION INDUSTRY ON ITS WAY OUT THE DOOR. FOR ME, THIS IS A PERSONAL ISSUE. AS A REGISTERED NURSE, I KNOW THAT VULNERABLE WOMEN SEEKING TRUE COMPREHENSIVE CARE DESERVE BETTER THAN ABORTION-SENT RICK FACILITIES LIKE PLANNED PARENTHOOD. SO -- ABORTION-SENT RICK FACILITIES LIKE PLANNED PARENTHOOD. SO I WORK WITHIN MY AUTHORITY TO MAKE SURE THAT TENNESSEE HONORED THE WILL OF OUR POPULOUS AND STEERED OUR STATE'S DOLLARS AWAY FROM HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS THAT PERFORMED ABORTIONS. AS A RESULT, OUR SHARE OF TITLE 10 GRANTS HAVE BEEN SENT EXCLUSIVELY TO THE TENNESSEE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, WHICH THEN ALLOCATES THEM TO THE COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENTS AND OTHER QUALIFIED PROVIDERS TO THANK PROTECT THE LIVE OF THE MOST -- THAT PROTECT THE LIVES OF THE MOST VULNERABLE. THAT WAS TENNESSEE'S RIGHT AND IT HAS BEEN ABLE TO EXERCISE THAT RIGHT WHILE PROTECTING ACCESS TO COMPREHENSIVE CARE FOR THOSE WHO ARE MOST IN NEED. AS A MATTER OF FACT, ACCORDING TO H.H.S.'S OWN 2015 TITLE 10 FAMILY PLANNING ANNUAL REPORT, OUR STATE PROVIDED CARE UNDER TITLE 10 TO MORE THAN 75,000 TENNESSEANS. THAT MEANS THAT WE SERVED EVEN MORE CITIZENS THAN THE MORE POPULATED STATES LIKE MICHIGAN AND VIRGINIA. BUT IN DECEMBER OF LAST YEAR, THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION DECIDED TO INTERVENE, SETTING UNPRECEDENTED NEW PARAMETERS ON HOW STATES MUST SELECT TITLE 10 GRANTEES THAT WERE SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED TO PROP UP ITS POLITICAL ALLIES IN THE ABORTION INDUSTRY. WITH MY RESOLUTION, I AM PROPOSING THAT WE GO BACK TO JUST A FEW SHORT WEEKS PRIOR TO DECEMBER 15, 2016, THE DAY BEFORE THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION DECIDED TO REFIGURE THIS -- RECON FIGURE THIS 45-YEAR-OLD PROGRAM -- RECONFIGURE THIS 45-YEAR-OLD PROGRAM WITH ITS ILL-CONCEIVED ORDER. THAT'S ALL MY RESOLUTION DOES. TAKE US BACK 45 YEARS TO THE WAY THE PROGRAM HAS OPERATED. I URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO GIVE STATES THE FREEDOM AND THE FLEXIBILITIES TO TAKE CARE OF THEIR CITIZENS THE BEST WAY THAT THEY KNOW HOW, BY VOTING YES ON THIS H.J.RES. 43. WITH THAT I RESERVE THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLELADY FROM TENNESSEE, MRS. BLACK, RETURNS. THE GENTLELADY FROM…

THE GENTLELADY FROM TENNESSEE, MRS. BLACK, RETURNS. THE GENTLELADY FROM COLORADO, MS. DEGETTE, IS RECOGNIZED.

MS. DEGETTE

THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER. I YIELD MYSELF THREE MINUTES.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLELADY IS RECOGNIZED.

MS. DEGETTE

MADAM SPEAKER, WE'RE NOT EVEN A FULL MONTH INTO THE NEW PRESIDENCY, YET…

MADAM SPEAKER, WE'RE NOT EVEN A FULL MONTH INTO THE NEW PRESIDENCY, YET THE PRESIDENT AND THE REPUBLICANS IN CONGRESS HAVE ALREADY LAUNCHED NUMEROUS ATTACKS ON WOMEN'S HEALTH AND SUCCESS SESS -- ACCESS TO CARE. HERE'S JUST A FEW OF THE EXAMPLES ASIDE FROM TODAY. THEY'RE CHARGING AHEAD TO DISMANTLE THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT WITHOUT MAKING ANY PROMISES TO PRESERVE THE VITAL PROTECTIONS FOR WOMEN THAT ARE IN THAT BILL. THEY IMPOSED AND DRAMATICALLY EXPANDED THE GLOBAL GAG RULE, WHICH HARMS WOMEN'S ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE AROUND THE WORLD. AND JUST AFTER THE HISTORIC WOMEN'S MARCH, HOUSE REPUBLICANS PASSED H.R. 7, AN EXTREME BILL THAT EFFECTIVELY BANS PRIVATE INSURANCE COMPANIES FROM COVERING COMPREHENSIVE HEALTH CARE SERVICES. BUT HERE WE ARE AGAIN TODAY WITH ANOTHER BILL THAT THREATENS ACCESS TO FAMILY PLANNING CARE FOR MILLIONS OF OUR MOST VULNERABLE CITIZENS, BY ATTACKING TITLE 10. TITLE 10 IS THE ONLY FEDERAL PROGRAM DEDICATED SOLELY TO FAMILY PLANNING. WHICH INCLUDES A RANGE OF SERVICES THAT HELP WOMEN AND THEIR PARTNERS PREPARE FOR PREGNANCY AND ENSURE HEALTHY SPACE IN BETWEEN BIRTH. TITLE 10 HELPS FOUR MILLION PEOPLE WHO ARE UNINSURED. TITLE 10 CENTERS ALSO PLAY AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN REDUCING UNINTENDED PREGNANCY. AND TITLE 10 CENTERS ARE ALSO MAJOR POINTS OF ACCESS IN OUR SAFETY NET. SIX IN 10 WOMEN WHO GO TO A TITLE 10 CENTER CONSIDER IT THEIR MAJOR SOURCE OF HEALTH CARE. WHAT THIS RULE THAT REPUBLICANS WANT TO ROLL BACK DOES IS IT SIMPLY REINFORCES LONG STANDING REQUIREMENTS THAT SAY THAT STATES CANNOT DISCRIMINATE AGAINST PROVIDERS FOR REASONS THAT ARE UNRELATED TO THEIR QUALIFICATIONS TO PERFORM FAMILY PLANNING SERVICES WHEN DISTRIBUTING TITLE 10 FUNDING. IN OTHER WORDS, IF AN ORGANIZATION PROVIDES ABORTIONS WITH ITS OWN PRIVATE MONEY, BUT IT QUALIFIES FOR TITLE 10, IT CAN STILL GET THAT FUNDING. NOW, I KEEP HEARING FROM MY COLLEAGUES THIS VIOLATES STATES' RIGHTS. BUT THAT COMPLETELY IGNORES HOW FEDERAL PROGRAMS WORK. VIRTUALLY ALL FEDERAL FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES REQUIRE STATES TO ADHERE TO CERTAIN STANDARDS, TO ENSURE POLICY GOALS ARE MET. AND THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT THIS RULE DID. REPUBLICANS WILL ALSO ARGUE THAT COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS CAN FILL ALL THE GAPS CREATED IN ACCESS BY DENYING THESE CENTERS TITLE 10 FUNDING. THIS CLAIM HAS BEEN DEBUNKED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. FOR EXAMPLE, IN 21% OF COUNTIES WITH A PLANNED PARENTHOOD CENTER, PLANNED PARENTHOOD IS THE ONLY SAFETY NET PROVIDER IN THE AREA. THAT'S WHY THE NONPARTISAN CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE ESTIMATED IF PLANNED PARENTHOOD WERE DEFUNDED, AS MANY AS 390,000 WOMEN WOULD LOSE ACCESS TO CARE AND 650,000 WOMEN WOULD HAVE REDUCED ACCESS. THAT'S WHY REPEALING THIS RULE IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM. JUST THIS AFTERNOON I READ A QUOTE AND HERE'S WHAT IT SAID. QUOTE, PATIENTS AND DOCTORS SHOULD BE MAKING THE BIG DECISIONS, NOT GOVERNMENT BUREAUCRATS. I YIELD MYSELF 30 ADDITIONAL SECONDS.

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THE GENTLEWOMAN IS RECOGNIZED.

MS. DEGETTE

PATIENTS AND DOCTORS SHOULD BE MAKING THE BIG DECISIONS, NOT GOVERNMENT…

PATIENTS AND DOCTORS SHOULD BE MAKING THE BIG DECISIONS, NOT GOVERNMENT BUREAUCRATS. WHO SAID THIS? MARGARET SANGER? NO. IS HE SEAL RICHARDS? NO. HILLARY CLINTON? NO. THE PERSON WHO SAID THIS THIS AFTERNOON IS THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE, PAUL RYAN. I COULDN'T AGREE WITH HIM ANY MORE WHEN IT COMES TO TITLE 10 FAMILY PLANNING MONEY. THIS SHOULD BE MADE BY PATIENTS AND THEIR DOCTORS, NOT BY BUREAUCRATS IN WASHINGTON. I YIELD BACK. I'M SORRY, I RESERVE.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLELADY FROM COLORADO RESERVES. THE GENTLELADY FROM TENNESSEE IS…

THE GENTLELADY FROM COLORADO RESERVES. THE GENTLELADY FROM TENNESSEE IS RECOGNIZED.

BLACKBURN MRS.

THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER. IT IS REALLY MY HONOR TO YIELD TWO MINUTES TO…

THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER. IT IS REALLY MY HONOR TO YIELD TWO MINUTES TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW JERSEY, WHO HAS BEEN A CHAMPION FOR LIFE, AND BEEN FIGHTING FOR LIFE FOR A LONG TIME. THE GENTLEMAN

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THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED.

>>

THANK YOU. SUBSIDIZED BY OVER $500 MILLION TAXPAYERS EACH YEAR, PLANNED…

THANK YOU. SUBSIDIZED BY OVER $500 MILLION TAXPAYERS EACH YEAR, PLANNED PARENTHOOD DISMEMBERS OR CHEMICALLY POISONS A BABY TO DEATH EVERY TWO MINUTES.

MR. SMITH

KILLING OVER SEVEN MILLION INNOCENT CHILDREN SINCE 1973. UNDERCOVER VIDEOS…

KILLING OVER SEVEN MILLION INNOCENT CHILDREN SINCE 1973. UNDERCOVER VIDEOS IN 2015 EXPOSED IN NUMBING CANDOR SEVERAL HIGH-LEVEL PLANNED PARENTHOOD LEADERS NONCHALANTLY TALKING ABOUT PRO PRO-CURING CHILDREN'S ORGANIZES -- PROCURES CHILDREN'S ORGANS FOR A PRICE. THEY TALKED ABOUT GRUESOME DISMEMBERMENT PROCEDURES TO PRESERVE LUNGS FROM FRESHLY KILLED BABIES. ALL OF THIS BEGS THE QUESTION, MADAM SPEAKER, WHY ARE U.S. TAXPAYERS GIVING HALF A BILLION DOLLARS EACH YEAR TO PLANNED PARENTHOOD? H.J.RES. 43 SIMPLY ALLOWS STATES TO REDIRECT FUNDS AWAY FROM ABORTION CLINICS AND DOES NOT REDUCE FUNDING FOR TITLE 10 BY SO MUCH AS A PENNY. THOSE FUNDS ARE JUST REDIRECTED TO OTHER HEALTH CLINICS THAT PROVIDE WOMEN'S HEALTH CARE AND DON'T ENGAGE IN ABORTION. IN MID DECEMBER, ON HIS WAY OUT THE DOOR, FORMER PRESIDENT OBAMA FINAL ITESED A RULE THAT ERCES STATES TO FUND PLAN PLAN -- PLANNED PARENTHOOD WITH THEIR TITLE 10 MONEY. PRIOR TO THE OBAMA RULE, STATES HAD CHOSEN, FIVE OF THEM, TO AWARD TITLE 10 FUNDS TO NON-PLANNED PARENTHOOD ENTITIES. THESE FIVE STATES, TENNESSEE, KANSAS, OKLAHOMA, ARKANSAS, AND OHIO, ACCOUNT FOR NEARLY 16 MILLION IN ANNUAL TITLE 10 FUNDING, AND SERVE OVER 275 -- 279,000 INDIVIDUALS A YEAR. THESE FIVE STATES REDIRECTED THOSE FUNDS TO OTHER HEALTH CLINICS. BUT UNDER THE OBAMA RULE, THESE STATE RECIPIENTS ARE THREATENED WITH LOSING ALL, I SAY AGAIN ALL, OF THEIR TITLE 10 SUPPORT AS IF THEY DO NOT COMPLY. -- IF THEY DO NOT COMPLY. THIS IS THE DEFINITION OF COERCION. THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION TOLD STATES, YOU MUST USE YOUR FAMILY PLANNING DOLLARS TO SUPPORT ABORTIONISTS OR WE WILL TAKE AWAY YOUR FAMILY PLANNING DOLLARS. I THANK THE GENTLELADY FOR HER COURAGE, FOR HER INSIGHT AND FOR OFFERING THIS RULE FOR OUR CONSIDERATION TODAY. I YIELD BACK.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK THE BALANCE OF HIS TIME. THE GENTLELADY FROM…

THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK THE BALANCE OF HIS TIME. THE GENTLELADY FROM TENNESSEE RESERVES. THE GENTLELADY FROM COLORADO IS RECOGNIZED.

MS. DEGETTE

I NOW YIELD TWO MINUTES TO THE RANKING MEMBER OF THE HOUSE ENERGY AND…

I NOW YIELD TWO MINUTES TO THE RANKING MEMBER OF THE HOUSE ENERGY AND COMMERCE COMMITTEE, MR. PALLONE OF NEW JERSEY.

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THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED.

MR. PALLONE

THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER. I RISE TODAY IN STRONG OPPOSITION TO H.J.RES.…

THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER. I RISE TODAY IN STRONG OPPOSITION TO H.J.RES. 43. THIS RESOLUTION IS SIMPLY ANOTHER ATTACK ON WOMEN'S HEALTH AND ANOTHER ATTEMPT BY REPUBLICANS TO LIMIT WOMEN'S ACCESS TO HIGH-QUALITY, ESSENTIAL CARE. FOR DECADES, TITLE 10 FAMILY PLANNING PROGRAM HAS FUNDED GRANTS THAT PROVIDE MILLIONS OF AMERICANS EACH YEAR WITH ACCESS TO A BROAD RANGE OF PREVENTIVE HEALTH SERVICES. INCLUDING CONTRACEPTION CARE AND CANCER SCREENINGS. TITLE 10 IS A CRITICAL SAFETY NET FOR LOW-INCOME WOMEN AND TEENS AND FOR MANY PATIENTS THIS PROGRAM IS THEIR ONLY SOURCE OF HEALTH CARE. BUT THE REPUBLICANS WANT TO LIMIT ACCESS TO THESE SERVICES AND ALLOW STATES TO DISCRIMINATE AGAINST CERTAIN PROVIDERS, ALL AS PART OF THEIR ONGOING IDEOLOGICAL CRUSADE AGAINST ABORTION. I STRESS, THIS RESOLUTION WOULD PERMIT STATES TO PROHIBIT REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS FROM PARTICIPATING IN THE TITLE 10 PROGRAM, AND WOULD ALLOW STATES TO BLOCK ACCESS TO CARE IF THE PROVIDER SEPARATELY PERFORMS ABORTIONS OR IS AFFILIATED WITH HEALTH CENTERS THAT DO. WE ALREADY HAVE SEEN WHAT HAPPENS WHEN STATES TAKE ACTIONS TO DISCRIMINATE AGAINST PROVIDERS IN THE TITLE 10 PROGRAM. ACCESS GOES DOWN, THE UNINTENDED PREGNANCY RATE GOES UP, AND THE SPREAD OF SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS INCREASES. SO I URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO VOTE NO ON THIS RESOLUTION. BECAUSE REPUBLICANS SHOULD NOT BE ENTITLED TO PICK AND CHOOSE PROVIDERS IN THE TITLE TILTE 10 PROGRAM AND PLAY POLITICS -- TITLE 10 PROGRAM AND PLAY POLITICS WITH WOMEN'S HEALTH. I YIELD BACK.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK THE BALANCE OF HIS TIME. THE GENTLELADY FROM…

THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK THE BALANCE OF HIS TIME. THE GENTLELADY FROM COLORADO RESERVES. THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM TENNESSEE IS RECOGNIZED.

MRS. BLACK

THANK YOU. IT'S NOW MY PRIVILEGE TO YEAR I YIELD TO TWO MINUTES TO THE…

THANK YOU. IT'S NOW MY PRIVILEGE TO YEAR I YIELD TO TWO MINUTES TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM KANSAS, A FRERKMAN AND A PHYSICIAN. MR. -- A FRESHMAN AND A PHYSICIAN.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED FOR TWO MINUTES.

MR. MARSHALL

THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER. THIS PAST DECEMBER, OUR PAST PRESIDENT FINALIZED…

THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER. THIS PAST DECEMBER, OUR PAST PRESIDENT FINALIZED A RULE REQUIRING STATES TO FUND PLANNED PARENTHOOD THROUGH TITLE 10 FUNDING. TODAY I RISE AS A CO-SPONSOR OF AND IN SUPPORT OF THIS JOINT RESOLUTION, 43, WHICH APPEALS THIS OBAMA RULE AND ALLOWS STATES LIKE MINE, KANSAS, TO CHOOSE HOW TO BEST ALLOCATE TITLE 10 FUNDS. THE OBAMA RULE IS YET ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF GOVERNMENT OVERREACH THAT TRIES TO FORCE MY STATE TO FUND PLANNED PARENTHOOD. REDIRECTING FEDERAL FUNDS AWAY FROM ABORTION PROVIDERS IS NOT -- DOES NOT REDUCE FUNDS FOR OTHER TITLE 10 PROGRAMS. INSTEAD, THIS WILL ALLOW EVEN MORE FUNDING AVAILABLE FOR COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENTS AND OTHER PUBLIC HEALTH CLINICS FOR FAMILY PLANNING, BALL ISY -- SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASE TESTING, AND LIFESTYLE CHOICES EDUCATION. WHILE PLANNED PARENTHOOD REMAINS A POLITICAL ORGANIZATION THAT SPENT TENS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS IN THE LAST ELECTION TO OPPOSE PRO-LIFE CANDIDATES, LET ME STOP AND SALUTE THE NURSES AND SOCIAL WORKERS BACK HOME AT THE BARTON COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT WHERE I WORKED FOR YEARS. AND SALUTE MY FELLOW DOCTORS, DR. SMITH AND DR. KING AND EVERYONE'S FAVORITE NURSE PRACTITIONER, LUCILLE HEIN, WHO DEDICATED THEMSELVES TO HELPING WOMEN. THAUP AND YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK THE BALANCE OF HIS TIME. THE GENTLELADY FROM…

THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK THE BALANCE OF HIS TIME. THE GENTLELADY FROM TENNESSEE REMBS. THE GENTLELADY FROM COLORADO IS RECOGNIZED.

MS. DEGETTE

MADAM SPEAKER, I AM NOW PLEASED TO YIELD ONE MINUTE TO THE GENTLELADY FROM…

MADAM SPEAKER, I AM NOW PLEASED TO YIELD ONE MINUTE TO THE GENTLELADY FROM NEW YORK, MRS. LOWEY.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLELADY IS RECOGNIZED FOR ONE MINUTE.

MRS. LOWEY

I HOPE THE WOMEN OF AMERICA ARE WATCHING. LET THERE BE NO DOUBT ABOUT THE…

I HOPE THE WOMEN OF AMERICA ARE WATCHING. LET THERE BE NO DOUBT ABOUT THE ACTION OF CONGRESSIONAL REPUBLICANS AND THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION. THEY WILL OPPOSE YOUR RIGHT TO MAKE YOUR OWN HEALTH DECISION AND LIMIT ACCESS TO YOUR REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH CARE AT EVERY AVAILABLE JUNCTURE. RATHER THAN WORK TO CREATE JOBS, HOUSE REPUBLICANS ARE HELPING STATE OFFICIALS LOCK WOMEN -- BLOCK WOMEN FROM GETTING CONTRACEPTION AND OTHER REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH SERVICES. TODAY'S BILL WOULD PARTICULARLY HARM THE NEEDIEST AMERICANS, AS IT COULD DENY THEM THE OPPORTUNITY TO VISIT THE HEALTH PROVIDER OF THEIR CHOICE, WHICH IN MANY INSTANCES MAY BE THE ONLY PROVIDER AVAILABLE WITHIN HOURS OF THEIR HOME. SADLY, THIS WILL BE JUST ONE OF THE MANY ASSAULTS ON WOMEN'S RIGHTS IN THE 115TH CONGRESS. THANK YOU.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLELADY YIELDS BACK THE BALANCE OF HER TIME. THE GENTLELADY FROM…

THE GENTLELADY YIELDS BACK THE BALANCE OF HER TIME. THE GENTLELADY FROM COLORADO RESERVES. THE GENTLELADY FROM TENNESSEE IS RECOGNIZED.

MRS. BLACK

THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER. IT'S NOW MY PRIVILEGE TO YIELD TWO MINUTES TO…

THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER. IT'S NOW MY PRIVILEGE TO YIELD TWO MINUTES TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM INDIANA, MR. LUKE MESSER.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED FOR TWO MINUTES.

MR. MESSER

THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER. THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SHOULD NOT FUND ABORTIONS…

THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER. THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SHOULD NOT FUND ABORTIONS AND IT SHOULD NOT FORCE STATES TO FUND THEM EITHER. THAT'S ONE REASON THIS BODY RECENTLY VOTED TO MAKE THE HYDE AMENDMENT PERMANENT AND GOVERNMENT-WIDE. THE VAST MAJORITY OF AMERICANS SUPPORT THIS POLICY AS A MATTER OF CONSCIENCE. AND AGREE THAT TAX DOLLARS SHOULD NOT FUND ABORTION PROCEDURES. TODAY'S BILL IS CONSISTENT WITH THAT PRINCIPLE. DESPITE THE RHETORIC ACROSS THE AISLE, THE BILL PERMITS BUT DOES NOT REQUIRE STATES TO DIRECT TITLE 10 FUNDS TO HEALTH PROVIDES THAT ARE DO NOT PROVIDE ABORTIONS. WITHOUT THIS BILL, STATES WOULD BE FORCED TO FUND THE ABORTION INDUSTRY BY FEDERAL BUREAUCRATS. THIS IS AN ISSUE OF STATES' RIGHTS, AS WELL AS ONE OF CONSCIENCE. I'M PROUD TO SUPPORT THE MEASURE, STAND UP FOR STATES AND DEFEND LIFE. I WANT TO THANK MY COLLEAGUE, DIANE BLACK, FOR HER HARD WORK AND LEADERSHIP ON GETTING THIS BILL TO THE FLOOR. AND I URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO VOTE FOR ITS PASSAGE. I YIELD BACK.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK THE BALANCE OF HIS TIME. THE GENTLELADY FROM…

THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK THE BALANCE OF HIS TIME. THE GENTLELADY FROM TENNESSEE RESERVES. THE GENTLELADY FROM COLORADO IS RECOGNIZED. .

MS. DEGETTE

I NOW YIELD TO THE GENTLELADY FROM FLORIDA, MS. CASTOR, TWO MINUTES.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLELADY IS RECOGNIZED FOR TWO MINUTES.

MS. CASTOR

I THANK THE GENTLELADY FROM COLORADO FOR HER LEADERSHIP. FOR ALMOST 50…

I THANK THE GENTLELADY FROM COLORADO FOR HER LEADERSHIP. FOR ALMOST 50 YEARS A LAW CALLED TITLE X HAS ENSURED THAT WOMEN ACROSS AMERICA, NO MATTER THEIR STATION IN LIFE, CAN RECEIVE EXPERT ADVICE ON HOW AND WHEN TO PLAN THEIR FAMILY. ON CONTRACEPTIVES AND RECEIVE BREAST AND CERVICAL CANCER SCREENINGS. IT'S SMART PUBLIC POLICY. IT OFTEN ALLOWS WOMEN TO COMPLETE THEIR EDUCATION, TO GET A JOB, TO BECOME FINANCIALLY INDEPENDENT. AND IT'S COST-EFFECTIVE FOR ALL OF US BECAUSE IT SAVES PUBLIC MONEY ON PRENATAL, MATERNITY, AND NEWBORN CARE. IT HAS WORKED TO DECREASE TEENAGE AND UNINTENDED PREGNANCIES. IN FLORIDA, IN 2014 ALONE, OVER 160,000 WERE COUNSELED THROUGH NONPROFIT AGENCIES AND COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS, AND OVER 38,000 UNINTENDED PREGNANCIES WERE PREVENTED, WHICH HELP PREVENT ABOUT 18,000 UNINTENDEDS. THAT RESULTED IN HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN COST SAVINGS. PLUS IT'S DIFFICULT TO PUT A PRICE TAG ON THE ABILITY OF SOMEONE TO BECOME SELF-SUFFICIENT AND GET A GOOD START IN LIFE. TITLE X IS CRITICAL FOR MANY OF MY NEIGHBORS IN FLORIDA, AND IT SHOULD BE PROTECTED. SO IT'S SAD TO SEE MY REPUBLICAN COLLEAGUES TARGET WORKING FAMILIES AND YOUNG WOMEN TO RESTRICT ACCESS TO CONTRACEPTIVES AND FAMILY PLANNING AND OTHER HEALTH SERVICES. IF REPUBLICANS ARE SUCCESSFUL, IT WOULD ONLY HARM OUR COMMUNITIES AND IN DOING SO YOU'RE TARGETING THE FOLKS WHO NEED THE HELP THE MOST. THESE POLITICALLY MOTIVATED ATTACKS ON WOMEN'S HEALTH ARE A DISTRACTION FROM THE REAL ISSUES. ACROSS THE COUNTRY WOMEN, PARENTS, MOMS, AND DADS, NEED GREATER ECONOMIC AND PERSONAL SECURITY NOT LESS. THAT IS WHAT CONGRESS SHOULD BE FOCUSED ON. I URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO VOTE NO ON THIS HARMFUL RESOLUTION AND YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE YEAL YIELDS BACK. -- THE GENTLELADY YIELDS BACK. THE GENTLELADY FROM…

THE YEAL YIELDS BACK. -- THE GENTLELADY YIELDS BACK. THE GENTLELADY FROM COLORADO RESERVES. THE GENTLELADY FROM TENNESSEE IS RECOGNIZED.

MRS. BLACK

THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. IT'S MY HONOR TO YIELD TWO MINUTES TO MY CLASSMATE…

THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. IT'S MY HONOR TO YIELD TWO MINUTES TO MY CLASSMATE AND A GREAT MEMBER FROM ALABAMA, MARTHA ROBY.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLELADY IS RECOGNIZED.

MRS. ROBY

I THANK THE GENTLELADY. MR. SPEAKER, I RISE IN SUPPORT OF HOUSE JOINT…

I THANK THE GENTLELADY. MR. SPEAKER, I RISE IN SUPPORT OF HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION 43. CONGRESS MUST USE ITS AUTHORITY TO STRIKE THIS RULE AND STOP THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT FROM FORCING STATES TO FUNNEL TAXPAYER MONEY TO ABORTION PROVIDERS. THIS RULE IS WRONG ON PROCESS AND IT'S WRONG ONPOLICY. FIRST OF ALL STATES HAVE EVERY RIGHT TO PUT IN PLACE REASONABLE GUIDELINES FOR HOW THEIR FEDERAL DOLLARS ARE SPENT. FOR WASHINGTON TO ATTEMPT TO COERCE STATES IN THIS WAY WOULD BE BAD ENOUGH, BUT FOR UN-ELECTED BUREAUCRATS AND THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES TO GO AROUND CONGRESS AT THE 11TH HOUR OF THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION IS JUST OUTRAGEOUS. MADAM SPEAKER, I THINK WE ALL AGREE THAT LOW-INCOME WOMEN SHOULD HAVE ACCESS TO THE ESSENTIAL TITLE X SERVICES, BUT WHY IS IT NECESSARY FOR THOSE SERVICES TO BE FUNDED AT THE NATION'S LARGEST PROVIDER OF ABORTION? IT ISN'T, OF COURSE, BUT THE ABORTION INDUSTRY AND ITS SUPPORTERS WANT US TO BELIEVE THAT IT IS. WHEN IT COMES TO FUNDING, THEY LIKE TO PRETEND THAT ABORTION DOESN'T EXIST AND THAT PLANNED PARENTHOOD IS THE ONLY PLACE WHERE WOMEN CAN GET HEALTH CARE. BUT THAT'S NOT TRUE. THE TRUTH IS IS THAT THERE IS MORE THAN 13,000 FEDERALLY QUALIFIED AND RURAL HEALTH CENTERS THAT OFFER LOW-COST HEALTH CARE TO WOMEN. THESE CENTERS OUTNUMBER PLANNED PARENTHOOD CENTERS 20-1. THEY JUST DON'T PERFORM ABORTION S. UNDERSTANDING THAT SOME STATES HAVE RIGHTLY ENACTED LAWS AND POLICIES REDIRECTING TITLE X DOLLARS AWAY FROM ABORTION PROVIDERS AND TOWARDS THESE NONCONTROVERSIAL CLINICS. IF THE TRUE GOAL HERE WAS TO ENSURE WOMEN'S HEALTH CARE, NO ONE SHOULD HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THAT. BUT THAT WASN'T THE GOAL AND EVERYBODY KNOWS IT. THERE IS A REASON PEOPLE CALL THIS RULE PRESIDENT OBAMA'S PARTING GIFT TO PLANNED PARENTHOOD. IT WAS A BLATANT, TRANSPARENT ATTEMPT TO PRESERVE THE PIPELINE OF FUNDING TO THE NATION'S LARGEST ABORTION BUSINESS. IT WAS WRONG AND I URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO VOTE TO NULLIFY IT TODAY. THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER. I YIELD BACK.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLELADY YIELDS BAFPBLGT THE GENTLELADY -- BACK. THE GENTLELADY FROM…

THE GENTLELADY YIELDS BAFPBLGT THE GENTLELADY -- BACK. THE GENTLELADY FROM TENNESSEE RESERVES. THE GENTLELADY FROM COLORADO IS RECOGNIZED.

MS. DEGETTE

MADAM SPEAKER, I'M NOW PLEASED TO YIELD THE GENTLELADY FROM CALIFORNIA,…

MADAM SPEAKER, I'M NOW PLEASED TO YIELD THE GENTLELADY FROM CALIFORNIA, MS. SPEIER, ONE MINUTE.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLELADY IS RECOGNIZED FOR ONE MINUTE.

MS. SPEIER

I THANK THE GENTLELADY FOR HER LEADERSHIP AND I THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER.…

I THANK THE GENTLELADY FOR HER LEADERSHIP AND I THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER. IT'S VERY HARD FOR ME TO LISTEN TO THE CONVERSATION ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE AISLE, BECAUSE IT'S A CONVERSATION THEY ARE HAVING WITH THEMSELVES AND CONVERSATION WE'RE HAVING WITH OURSELVES. LET'S BE REAL CLEAR. THIS IS NOT ABOUT PLANNED PARENTHOOD AND ABORTION. BECAUSE WE ALREADY KNOW THAT PLANNED PARENTHOOD GETS NO FUNDING FOR ABORTIONS IN THIS COUNTRY. PURE AND SIMPLE. PLANNED PARENTHOOD GETS FUNDING THROUGH TITLE X TO PROVIDE SERVICES FOR BREAST CANCER SCREENINGS, OTHER CANCER SCREENINGS, S.T.D.'S AND CONTRACEPTION. WHAT MY COLLEAGUES ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE AISLE ARE WILLING TO SAY IS WE JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE PLANNED PARENTHOOD DOESN'T GET A DIME. JUST SQUEEZE EVERY DIME OUT OF THEM THAT MAY BE FEDERAL DOLLARS EVEN THOUGH THEY PROVIDE A REALLY IMPORTANT HEALTH SERVICE. I SAY TO MY COLLEAGUES ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE AISLE, I GUESS WHAT YOU'RE SAYING IS, TO THE 80,000 WOMEN LAST YEAR WHO ARE DIAGNOSED WITH CANCER BECAUSE THEY WENT TO A PLANT PARENTHOOD FACILITY, OF THE 800,000 THAT WERE SCREENED FOR CANCER --

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLELADY'S TIME HAS EXPIRED. THE GENTLELADY YIELDS BACK. THE…

THE GENTLELADY'S TIME HAS EXPIRED. THE GENTLELADY YIELDS BACK. THE GENTLELADY FROM COLORADO RESERVES. THE GENTLELADY FROM TENNESSEE IS RECOGNIZED.

MRS. BLACK

THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER. IT IS NOW MY HONOR TO YIELD TWO MINUTES TO THE…

THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER. IT IS NOW MY HONOR TO YIELD TWO MINUTES TO THE GENTLELADY FROMED ISEDED IS -- SOUTH DAKOTA, KRISTI NOEM.

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THE GENTLELADY FROM SOUTH DAKOTA IS RECOGNIZED FOR TWO MINUTES.

MRS. NOEM

I THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER, FOR TIME TODAY. I RISE TODAY IN SUPPORT OF…

I THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER, FOR TIME TODAY. I RISE TODAY IN SUPPORT OF HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION 43. IT OVERTURNS AN OBAMA-ERA REGULATION FORCING STATES TO ADMINISTER TITLE X HEALTH CARE FUNDING TO ABORTION PROVIDERS LIKE PLANT PARENTHOOD. TIME AND AGAIN THIS CONGRESS HAS RISEN WITH BIPARTISAN SUPPORT TO OPPOSE THE TAXPAYER FUNDING OF ABORTION. ANNUAL PROVISIONS INCLUDING THE HYDE AMENDMENT WHICH HAVE BEEN PASSED REPEATEDLY AND HAVE SAVED AN ESTIMATED $2 MILLION INNOCENT LIVES. TODAY WE RISE AGAIN TO STOP THE TAXPAYER FUNDING OF ABORTION PROVIDERS. I WANT TO BE CLEAR NOTHING WE DO TODAY WILL TAKE A PENNY FROM WOMEN'S HEALTH. INSTEAD, WE'RE EMPOWERING THE STATES TO REDIRECT THESE FUNDS TO COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS AND HOSPITALS THAT OFFER MORE COMPREHENSIVE COVERAGE FOR WOMEN. IN 2014 ALONE, PLANNED PARENTHOOD PERFORMED MORE THAN 300,000 ABORTIONS. WHILE FAILING TO PROVIDE EVEN THE MOST BASIC SERVICES LIKE PRENATAL CARE AT MANY OF THEIR FACILITIES. HOSPITALS AND FEDERALLY QUALIFIED HEALTH CENTERS NOT ONLY OFFER A BROADER RANGE OF SERVICES, BUT ALSO GREATER ACCESSIBILITY IN MANY CASES. WHILE THERE IS ONLY ONE PLANNED PARENTHOOD CENTER IN SOUTH DAKOTA, WE HAVE SIX FEDERALLY QUALIFIED HEALTH CENTERS THAT OPERATE IN 45 SERVICE SITES AND SERVE MORE THAN 54,000 INDIVIDUALS PER YEAR. THESE CARE CENTERS OFFER LOW-INCOME FAMILIES HEALTH SERVICES, BUT THEY DON'T PERFORM ABORTIONS. WE CAN SUPPORT WOMEN'S HEALTH AND SPECIFICALLY HEALTH CARE FOR LOW-INCOME WOMEN WITHOUT SUPPORTING ABORTION PROVIDERS. SIMPLY PUT, HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION 43 DOES NOT RESTRICT ACCESS OR FUNDING TO HEALTH CARE FOR LOW-INCOME WOMEN. WHAT IT DOES DO IS HELP PROTECT TAXPAYERS FROM FUNDING ABORTION PROVIDERS. IT EMPOWERS THE STATES TO DIRECT HEALTH CARE FUNDING TO ORGANIZATIONS THAT TRULY DO SUPPORT WOMEN'S HEALTH. AND IT MAKES STRIDES TOWARDS PROTECTING THE MOST VULNERABLE AMONG US, THE UNBORN. I THINK CHAIRMAN BLACK FOR HER COMMITMENT TO THIS AREA, I'M PROUD TO STAND BESIDE HER AS A PARTNER THIS THIS EFFORT. I THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER. I YIELD BACK.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLELADY YIELDS BACK. THE GENTLELADY FROM TENNESSEE RESERVES. THE…

THE GENTLELADY YIELDS BACK. THE GENTLELADY FROM TENNESSEE RESERVES. THE GENTLELADY FROM COLORADO IS RECOGNIZED.

MS. DEGETTE

MADAM SPEAKER, I'M PLEASED NOW TO YIELD ONE MINUTE TO THE DISTINGUISHED…

MADAM SPEAKER, I'M PLEASED NOW TO YIELD ONE MINUTE TO THE DISTINGUISHED GENTLELADY FROM WASHINGTON STATE, MS.DELBENE.

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THE GENTLELADY IS RECOGNIZED FOR ONE MINUTE.

MS.DELBENE

ANOTHER WEEK, ANOTHER ATTACK ON WOMEN'S HEALTH. ONLY SIX DAYS AGO THE…

ANOTHER WEEK, ANOTHER ATTACK ON WOMEN'S HEALTH. ONLY SIX DAYS AGO THE SENATE CONFIRMED SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES WHO OPPOSES WOMEN'S ACCESS TO NO-COST BIRTH CONTROL. A MAN WHO CLAIMED THAT NOT ONE WOMAN HAS STRUGGLED TO AFFORD CONTRACEPTION. NOW HOUSE LEADERS ARE WORKING TO ERADICATE THE NUMBER OF PLACES WHERE WOMEN CAN ACCESS BIRTH CONTROL. IT'S UNACCEPTABLE. FOR MORE THAN 40 YEARS TITLE X HAS BEEN A BIPARTISAN PROGRAM THAT HELPS VULNERABLE AMERICANS GET BASIC HEALTH CARE. LIKE CANCER SCREENING, H.I.V. TESTS, AND CONTRACEPTION. IN 2014 BIPARTISAN ALONE, IT PREVENTED OVER 900,000 UNINTENDED PREGNANCIES. BUT IF THIS RESOLUTION PASSES, MILLIONS WILL FIND THEMSELVES WITHOUT ACCESS TO THE ESSENTIAL CARE THAT THEY NEED. ESPECIALLY THOSE IN RURAL AND UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES. I SAID IT BEFORE AND I'LL SAY IT AGAIN, OUR CONSTITUENTS DESERVE BETTER. IT'S TIME TO FOCUS ON THE PRIORITIES THAT MATTER TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE. I URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO VOTE NO AND I YIELD BACK.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLELADY YIELDS BACK. THE GENTLELADY FROM COLORADO RESERVES. THE…

THE GENTLELADY YIELDS BACK. THE GENTLELADY FROM COLORADO RESERVES. THE GENTLELADY FROM TENNESSEE IS RECOGNIZED.

MRS. BLACK

THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER. I NOW YIELD TWO MINUTES TO THE GENTLELADY FROM…

THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER. I NOW YIELD TWO MINUTES TO THE GENTLELADY FROM INDIANA, MISS WITH A LORE SKIRKS A FELL WAMSE MEMBER AND ADVOCATE FOR CHILDREN.

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THE GENTLELADY IS RECOGNIZED FOR TWO MINUTES.

MRS. WALORSKI

I THANK REPRESENTATIVE BLACK. MADAM SPEAKER, I RISE TODAY IN STRONG…

I THANK REPRESENTATIVE BLACK. MADAM SPEAKER, I RISE TODAY IN STRONG SUPPORT OF H.J. RESOLUTION 43. THIS RESOLUTION WILL OVERTURN AN OBAMA ADMINISTRATION RULE THAT FORCES STATES TO DIRECT FEDERAL FUNDS TO ABORTION PROVIDERS LIKE PLANNED PARENTHOOD. STATES RECEIVE FEDERAL FUNDING TO SUPPORT FAMILY PLANNING SERVICES. THEY HAVE THE DISCRETION TO DISTRIBUTE THESE TITLE X FUNDS IN THE WAY THAT BEST SERVES THEIR COMMUNITIES. MANY STATES HAVE EXERCISED THEIR DISCRETION TO DIRECT TITLE X FUNDING TO COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS, FAMILY HEALTH CLINICS THAT DO NOT PROVIDE ABORTIONS AND WITHHOLD FUNDING FROM ABORTION PROVIDERS LIKE PLANNED PARENTHOOD. IT'S JUST COMMON SENSE THAT STATES KNOW THE NEEDS OF THEIR PEOPLE AND THEIR COMMUNITIES BETTER THAN WASHINGTON BUREAUCRATS DO. THE STATES SHOULD BE ABLE TO DECIDE HOW THESE FEDERAL FUNDS ARE DISTRIBUTED. UNFORTUNATELY, THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION DISAGREED. SO THEY ISSUED A LAST-MINUTE REGULATION IN THEIR FINAL DAYS IN OFFICE THAT WOULD FORCE STATES TO DISTRIBUTE FUNDING TO ABORTION PROVIDERS. THEIR RULE WOULD TAKE AWAY STATES' ABILITIES TO DIRECT TITLE X FUNDS TO PROVIDERS THAT OFFER COMPREHENSIVE CARE BUT DO NOT PARTICIPATE IN ABORTIONS. IT WOULD FORCE STATES TO ENABLE THE FLOW OF FUNDS TO PLANNED PARENTHOOD AND OTHERS IN THE ABORTION INDUSTRY. I THINK THIS IS REPREHENSIBLE. NOW CONGRESS HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO RIGHT THIS WRONG AND UNDO THE MASSIVE OVERREACH. OVERTURNING THE RULE WON'T REDUCE FUNDING FOR WOMEN'S HEALTH CARE. IN HEALTH CARE. IN FACT, IT WILL LET STATES DIRECT THESE FUNDS IN THE BEST WAY THAT'S BEST FOR THEIR CITIZENS. IT WILL ENSURE STATES CAN SUPPORT WOMEN'S HEALTH AS WELL AS PROTECT THE UNBORN. MADAM SPEAKER, THIS RESOLUTION IS SEENGS TO ROLLING BACK EXECUTIVE OVERREACH AND STANDING UP FOR THE SANCTITY OF LIFE. I URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO JOIN ME IN SUPPORTING H.J. RESOLUTION 43. THANK YOU, I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLELADY FROM TENNESSEE RESERVES. THE GENTLELADY FROM COLORADO IS…

THE GENTLELADY FROM TENNESSEE RESERVES. THE GENTLELADY FROM COLORADO IS RECOGNIZED.

MS. DEGETTE

THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER. I NOW YIELD TO THE GENTLELADY FROM TEXAS, MS.…

THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER. I NOW YIELD TO THE GENTLELADY FROM TEXAS, MS. JACKSON LEE, ONE MINUTE.

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THE GENTLELADY IS RECOGNIZED FOR ONE MINUTE.

MS. JACKSON LEE

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THE REPUBLICANS -- THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLELADY'S TIME HAS…

THE REPUBLICANS -- THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLELADY'S TIME HAS EXPIRED. THE GENTLELADY FROM COLORADO RESERVES. THE GENTLELADY FROM TENNESSEE IS RECOGNIZED.

MRS. BLACK

THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. YOU NOW YIELD TWO MINUTES TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM…

THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. YOU NOW YIELD TWO MINUTES TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM TEXAS, MR. RANDY WEBER.

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THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED FOR TWO MINUTES.

MR. WEBER

I RISE WITH MY REPUBLICAN COLLEAGUES IN SUPPORT OF H.J.RES. 43. UNDER…

I RISE WITH MY REPUBLICAN COLLEAGUES IN SUPPORT OF H.J.RES. 43. UNDER OBAMA THE ADMINISTRATION'S LAST-MINUTE RULE CHANGE TO TITLE X FUNDING STATES, LIKE TEXAS, ARE PREVENTED FROM ESTABLISHING CRITERIA THAT WOULD ELIMINATE THE POSSIBILITY TO RECEIVE GRANT MONEY. THEY SHOULD BE ABLE TO CHOOSE THE HEALTH PROVIDERS THAT BEST SERVE THE NEEDS OF THEIR MOMS AND BABIES. DURING MY TIME IN THE TEXAS LEGISLATURE, WE USED ALTERNATIVES TO ABORTION PROGRAMS. THIS PROGRAM PROVIDES LOW-INCOME PREGNANT WOMEN AND THEIR BABIES CARE ITEMS DURING PREGNANCY AND IT ALSO PROVIDES PREVENTING INFORMATION. IT ALSO FUNDS THE DOWNING REFERRAL AND PREGNANCY INFORMATION HOTLINE, AND DETHE TEXAS PREGNANCY CARE NETWORK. ADDITIONALLY THIS PROGRAM SUPPORTS GROUPS IN MATERNITY HOMES. PROVIDES REFERRALS TO COMMUNITY AND SOCIAL SERVICE PROGRAMS LIKE CHILDCARE. AND OFFERS CLASSES ON LIVE SKILLS, BUDGETING, PARENTING, YES, PARENTING, STRESS MANAGEMENT, AND G.E.D. PREPARATION. NATIONALLY 13,000 FEDERALLY QUALIFIED HEALTH CENTERS AND RURAL HEALTH CARE SEPTEMBERERS PROVIDE COMPREHENSIVE HEALTH CARE SERVICES TO LOW-INCOME MOMS AND THEIR BABIES. . IN MY DISTRICT 14, THIS HELPS MOMS AND THEIR BABIES. THESE AGENCIES DO A TERRIFIC JOB OF SUPPORTING WOMEN AND, YES, THEIR BABIES TOO. WE ARE NOT CUTTING FUNDING. WE ARE NOT CUTTING CARE. WE ARE ENSURING THAT FEDERAL HEALTH CARE CENTERS HAVE THE FUNDS AND SUPPORT THEY NEED TO GIVE TO WOMEN THE CARE THAT THEY DESERVE AND THE BABIES THE CARE THAT THEY DESERVE. I WANT TO THANK THE GENTLELADY FROM TENNESSEE FOR HER EFFORTS TO STAND UP FOR WOMEN AND THEIR BABIES. MADAM SPEAKER, I YIELD BACK.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK. THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES THE GENTLELADY FROM…

THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK. THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES THE GENTLELADY FROM TENNESSEE RESERVES, AND THE GENTLELADY FROM COLORADO IS RECOGNIZED. -- THE GENTLELADY FROM TENNESSEE RESERVES, AND THE GENTLELADY FROM COLORADO IS RECOGNIZED.

MS. DEGETTE

I WANT TO YIELD ONE MINUTE TO THE GENTLELADY FROM CALIFORNIA ONE MINUTE.

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THE GENTLELADY IS RECOGNIZED FOR ONE MINUTE.

MS. LEE

I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIRELESS LEADERSHIP AND FOR HELPING WOMEN AND…

I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIRELESS LEADERSHIP AND FOR HELPING WOMEN AND OUR FAMILY. I RISE IN STRONG OPPOSITION TO H.J.RES. 43. IT'S NO SURPRISE THAT ONCE AGAIN HOUSE REPUBLICANS ARE TRYING TO UNDERMINE WOMEN'S ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE AND BASIC FAMILY PLANNING SERVICES. THIS IDEOLOGICAL CRUSADE -- AND THAT'S WHAT IT IS -- IT WILL HURT THOSE WHO NEED HELP THE MOST, INCLUDING LOW-INCOME WOMEN, WOMEN OF COLOR AND YOUNG WOMEN. IT WILL ALSO DENY THOUSANDS OF FAMILIES FROM CHOOSING THEIR PROVIDER OF CHOICE AND SOMETIMES THE ONLY ACCESSIBLE PROVIDER, AND THAT'S UNDER TITLE 10. NOT ONLY IS THIS RESOLUTION ANTI-WOMAN, IT'S ALSO COUNTERPRODUCTIVE. WE KNOW THAT FOR EVERY DOLLAR SPENT ON TITLE 10 FAMILY PLANNING WE SAVE MORE THAN $7 ON MEDICAID-RELATED COSTS. BUT MY REPUBLICAN COLLEAGUES ARE SO DETERMINED TO TAKE FAMILY PLANNING OPTIONS AWAY FROM LOW-INCOME WOMEN THAT THEY ARE PREPARED TO PUT IDEOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVES ABOVE PUBLIC HEALTH. AS A MEMBER OF THE LABOR, HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES SUBCOMMITTEE OF THE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE, I UNFORTUNATELY SEE THESE ATTACKS ON WOMEN'S HEALTH ALL TOO WELL. LAST YEAR, REPUBLICANS TRIED TO COMPLETELY ELIMINATE FUNDING FOR TITLE 10. BUT DON'T BE FOOLED. THIS PIECE OF LEGISLATION IS NOT ABOUT -- IT'S ABOUT MEMBERS OF CONGRESS TRYING TO CONTROL WOMEN'S BODIES.

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THE GENTLELADY FROM TENNESSEE IS RECOGNIZED.

MRS. BLACK

THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. IT'S NOW MY HONOR TO YIELD TWO MINUTES TO THE…

THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. IT'S NOW MY HONOR TO YIELD TWO MINUTES TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM PENNSYLVANIA, REPRESENTATIVE KEY ROTHFUS. -- KEITH ROTHFUS.

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THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED FOR TWO MINUTES.

MR. ROTHFUS

I RISE IN STRONG SUPPORT FOR H.J.RES. 43, TO STOP AN OBAMA ADMINISTRATION…

I RISE IN STRONG SUPPORT FOR H.J.RES. 43, TO STOP AN OBAMA ADMINISTRATION RULE THAT WOULD FORCE STATES TO SEND TAXPAYER DOLLARS TO ABORTION PROVIDERS, INCLUDING ABORTION GIANT PLANNED PARENTHOOD. IN ADDITION TO LAST YEAR'S SHOCKING VIDEOS WHERE WE HEARD HIGH-RANKING PLANNED PARENTHOOD OFFICIALS USE JARRING, JARRING LANGUAGE, SUCH AS DOING A LESS CRUNCHY TYPE OF PROCEDURE TO PRESERVE BODY PARTS, WE HAVE RECENTLY LEARNED IN PENNSYLVANIA THAT PLANNED PARENTHOOD WAS USING FALSE ADVERTISING ON ITS WEBSITE. THE PENNSYLVANIA FAMILY INSTITUTE RECENTLY FOUND THAT EACH PLANNED PARENTHOOD AFFILIATE IN PENNSYLVANIA DOES NOT PROVIDE PRENATAL SERVICES EVEN THOUGH ALL 27 PLANNED PARENTHOOD LOCATIONS IN PENNSYLVANIA HAD LISTED PRENATAL SERVICES ON THEIR WEBSITE. AFTER THESE CLINICS WERE CALLED AND ASKED, DO YOU PROVIDE PRENATAL SERVICES, NOT ONE HAD ANY SUCH SERVICES TO OFFER. BUT THEY DID OFFER TERMINATIONS. PLANNED PARENTHOOD HAS SINCE REMOVED THE WORD PRENATAL FROM THEIR BOOKING APPOINTMENTS WEBSITE. THEY SHOULD NOT BE RECEIVING ONE DIME OF FEDERAL DOLLARS WHEN THEY ARE ACTIVELY ATTEMPTING TO DECEIVE WOMEN TO GET THEM IN THE DOOR. ABORTION IS NOT HEALTH CARE. SUBSIDIZING THE DESTRUCTION OF HUMAN LIFE IS FEDERAL DOLLARS IN THE NAME OF FAMILY PLANNING IS SIMPLY UNCONSCIONABLE. I ASK YOU TO JOIN ME IN SUPPORTING THE UNBORN AND THIS RESOLUTION AND I YIELD BACK.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK. THE GENTLELADY FROM TENNESSEE RESERVES. THE…

THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK. THE GENTLELADY FROM TENNESSEE RESERVES. THE GENTLELADY FROM COLORADO IS RECOGNIZED.

MS. DEGETTE

MADAM SPEAKER, I YIELD ONE MINUTE TO THE GENTLELADY FROM CALIFORNIA, MS.…

MADAM SPEAKER, I YIELD ONE MINUTE TO THE GENTLELADY FROM CALIFORNIA, MS. CHU.

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THE GENTLELADY IS RECOGNIZED FOR ONE MINUTE.

MS. CHU

I RISE TODAY IN STRONG OPPOSITION TO HOUSE RESOLUTION 43. THIS BILL IS…

I RISE TODAY IN STRONG OPPOSITION TO HOUSE RESOLUTION 43. THIS BILL IS ANOTHER IN --

MS. DEGETTE

HER MICROPHONE IS NOT ON.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLELADY IS RECOGNIZED WILL SUSPEND. THE GENTLELADY IS RECOGNIZED…

THE GENTLELADY IS RECOGNIZED WILL SUSPEND. THE GENTLELADY IS RECOGNIZED MAY CONTINUE.

MS. CHU

STRONG OPPOSITION TO HOUSE RESOLUTION 43. THIS BILL IS ANOTHER IN A LONG…

STRONG OPPOSITION TO HOUSE RESOLUTION 43. THIS BILL IS ANOTHER IN A LONG LINE OF ATTACKS ON WOMEN'S CHOICE, WOMEN'S HEALTH AND WOMEN'S LIVES. FOR YEARS TITLE 10 HAS BEEN THE ONLY FEDERALLY FUNDED PROGRAM DEDICATED TO PROVIDING COMPREHENSIVE FAMILY PLANNING SERVICES FOR LOW-INCOME PATIENTS. THANKS TO TITLE 10, THESE WOMEN HAVE GAINED ACCESS TO SERVICES LIKE BIRTH CONTROL, S.T.D. TESTING, CANCER SCREENINGS, AND SEX EDUCATION. AND FOR MOST OF ITS HISTORY, TITLE 10 HAS RECEIVED BROAD BIPARTISAN SUPPORT FROM CONGRESS. THAT'S BECAUSE IT'S HELPED MILLIONS OF WOMEN AND FAMILIES. BUT NOW REPUBLICANS ARE USING THIS LONG-STANDING PROGRAM TO CONTINUE THEIR ATTACK ON WOMEN'S HEALTH. LAST YEAR REPUBLICANS ELIMINATED TITLE 10 FUNDING FROM THEIR BUDGET ALTOGETHER. THIS BILL IS JUST THE LATEST ATTEMPT TO DO THE SAME THING BY PUTTING FAMILY PLANNING RESOURCES OUT OF REACH FOR POOR WOMEN ACROSS THE COUNTRY. WE CANNOT LET THIS HAPPEN. WE CANNOT LET HEALTHY PREGNANCIES AND HEALTHY FAMILIES BECOME A LUXURY RESERVED ONLY FOR THE WEALTHY. IT MUST REMAIN A RIGHT FOR ALL. I URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO VOTE AGAINST THIS RESOLUTION.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLELADY YIELDS BACK. THE GENTLELADY FROM COLORADO RESERVES. THE…

THE GENTLELADY YIELDS BACK. THE GENTLELADY FROM COLORADO RESERVES. THE GENTLELADY FROM TENNESSEE IS RECOGNIZED.

MRS. BLACK

THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. I WANT TO YIELD TWO MINUTES TO THE GENTLELADY FROM…

THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. I WANT TO YIELD TWO MINUTES TO THE GENTLELADY FROM MISSOURI, REPRESENTATIVE VICKY HARTZLER, WHO IS ACCOUNT CHAIR OF THE OUR VALUES ACTION TEAM.

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THE GENTLELADY IS RECOGNIZED FOR TWO MINUTES.

MRS. HARTZLER

THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. I RISE TO OFFER MY UNWAVERING SUPPORT FOR THE…

THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. I RISE TO OFFER MY UNWAVERING SUPPORT FOR THE LIVES OF THE UNBORN, TO STAND IN SOLIDARITY WITH THE STATES AND TO URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO SUPPORT THE PASSAGE OF H.J.RES. 43. THIS RESOLUTION DOES NOT CUT A DIME FROM FAMILY PLANNING FUNDING AVAILABLE TO STATES. IT SIMPLY ENABLES STATES TO DIRECT THE FUNDING TOWARDS NONABORTION WHOLE WOMEN HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS SUCH AS RURAL HEALTH CLINICS AND FEDERALLY QUALIFIED HEALTH CARE CENTERS. IT'S IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER THAT FOR EVERY PLANNED PARENTHOOD CLINIC, THERE ARE 20 FEDERALLY QUALIFIED HEALTH CENTERS. EACH YEAR THESE CENTERS SERVE OVER 21 MILLION AMERICAN WOMEN. THIS IS ALMOST EIGHT TIMES THE IMPACT OF PLANNED PARENTHOOD CLINICS. AND WE KNOW THAT FEDERAL LAW REQUIRES THAT FEDERALLY QUALIFIED HEALTH CENTERS PROVIDE MAMMOGRAMS, PRENATAL SERVICES AND EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES, NONE OF WHICH ARE OFFERED BY PLANNED PARENTHOOD CLINICS. THE STATES WERE WISE TO PRIORITIZE SUCH QUALITY HEALTH CARE FOR WOMEN WITH TITLE 10 FUNDS. PRIOR TO THIS NEW HEAVY-HANDED AGENDA-DRIVEN POLICY, THE STATES MAINTAIN THE FLEXIBILITY TO DETERMINE GRANT RECIPIENTS. BUT THIS LAST-MINUTE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION RULE EFFECTIVELY NULLIFIES THE POLICY OF 13 STATES THAT WANT TO PRIORITIZE WOMEN'S HEALTH OVER ABORTION. THIS OBAMA-ERA RULE COULD IMPAIR FUNDING FOR ANOTHER 10 STATES THAT HAVE CHOSEN COMPREHENSIVE CARE OVER ABORTION-FOCUSED CLINICS LIKE PLANNED PARENTHOOD. IT GETS WORSE. OF THE 13 STATES IMPACTED BY THIS RULE, FIVE STATES, TENNESSEE, KANSAS, OKLAHOMA, ARKANSAS AND OHIO, COULD LOSE ALMOST $16 MILLION IN TITLE 10 FUNDING FOR FAILING TO ABIDE BY THE RULE. AND THIS REGULATION FORCES THESE STATES TO FORGO THEIR TITLE 10 FUNDING FOR ALL OF THE WOMEN IN THEIR STATES. TODAY'S RESOLUTION RESOLVES THIS ENCROACHMENT ON THE STATES, ROLLS BACK THIS LAST-MINUTE RULE AND RESTORES FLEXIBILITY TO THE STATES SO THAT WOMEN CAN RECEIVE THE HEALTH CARE THEY DESERVE. I WOULD LIKE TO THANK CHAIRMAN BLACK FOR HER WORK ON THIS RESOLUTION AND URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO SUPPORT THE PASSAGE OF H.J.RES. 43. THANK YOU. I YIELD BACK.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLELADY YIELDS BACK. THE GENTLELADY FROM TENNESSEE RESERVES, AND…

THE GENTLELADY YIELDS BACK. THE GENTLELADY FROM TENNESSEE RESERVES, AND THE GENTLELADY FROM COLORADO IS RECOGNIZED.

MS. DEGETTE

MADAM SPEAKER, I'M NOW PLEASED TO YIELD TO THE GENTLELADY FROM NEW YORK,…

MADAM SPEAKER, I'M NOW PLEASED TO YIELD TO THE GENTLELADY FROM NEW YORK, MRS. MALONEY, ONE MINUTE.

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THE GENTLELADY IS RECOGNIZED FOR ONE MINUTE.

MRS. MALONEY

ESCALATING AND MORE DANGEROUS WITH H.J.RES. 43. LET'S NOT BEAT AROUND THE…

ESCALATING AND MORE DANGEROUS WITH H.J.RES. 43. LET'S NOT BEAT AROUND THE BUSH. LET'S CALL THIS BILL WHAT IT REALLY IS. IT'S A BACK DOOR ATTEMPT TO RESTRICT ACCESS TO A WOMAN'S CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT TO AN ABORTION. WE ALL KNOW THAT FEDERAL FUNDING FOR ABORTION IS ALREADY PROHIBITED. BUT THIS GOES FURTHER, MUCH FURTHER. IT CUTS OFF FUNDING FOR CONTRACEPTION, SCREENINGS AND TREATMENT IF A PROVIDER ALSO OFFERS ABORTIONS PAID FOR WITH PRIVATE FUNDS. PROVIDERS EITHER STOP DOING ABORTIONS OR THEY LOSE THE FEDERAL FUNDS THAT THEY NEED TO KEEP THEIR DOORS OPEN TO SERVE THEIR COMMUNITIES. IN OTHER WORDS, THE SUPPORTERS OF THIS RESOLUTION ARE WILLING TO SACRIFICE WOMEN'S ACCESS TO BASIC HEALTH CARE SERVICES IN ORDER TO STAMP OUT ABORTION. IT'S CRUEL, IT'S WRONG, AND I WOULD SAY IT'S DISCRIMINATORY. WHEN IS THE LAST TIME THIS BODY WAS CALLED UPON TO CUT OFF ACCESS TO BASIC HEALTH CARE FOR MEN?

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLELADY'S TIME HAS EXPIRED. THE GENTLELADY FROM COLORADO RESERVES.

MRS. MALONEY

VOTE NO.

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THE GENTLELADY FROM TENNESSEE IS RECOGNIZED.

MRS. BLACK

THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER. IT'S NOW MY HONOR TO YIELD A MINUTE TO THE…

THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER. IT'S NOW MY HONOR TO YIELD A MINUTE TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM FLORIDA, TOM ROONEY.

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THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED FOR ONE MINUTE.

MR. ROONEY

ACTS IN OFFICE, PRESIDENT OBAMA ISSUED A RULE REQUIRING THAT STATES GIVE…

ACTS IN OFFICE, PRESIDENT OBAMA ISSUED A RULE REQUIRING THAT STATES GIVE TITLE 10 FAMILY PLANNING FUND GRANTS TO ABORTION PROVIDERS LIKE PLANNED PARENTHOOD. STATES HAVE ALWAYS HAD THE AUTONOMY TO DISTRIBUTE THESE GRANTS TO PROVIDERS THAT THEY CHOOSE. OBAMA TOOK THAT FREEDOM AWAY FROM STATES BY REQUIRING THEM TO DIRECTLY FUND ABORTIONS UNDER THE FALSE ASSERTION THAT THESE -- THAT THIS PROVIDES WOMEN WITH GREATER ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE. THAT'S JUST NOT TRUE. WHAT PEOPLE SEEM TO FORGET IS THAT FOR EVERY ONE PLANNED PARENTHOOD FACILITY IN THE UNITED STATES, THERE ARE 20 FEDERALLY FUNDED COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS THAT STAND READY AND EAGER TO PROVIDE HEALTH SERVICES TO WOMEN THAT DON'T PERFORM ABORTIONS. STATES SHOULD BE ABLE TO MAKE THEIR OWN HEALTH CARE DECISIONS, AND BY PASSING THIS RESOLUTION, WE RETURN THAT POWER TO THE STATES. I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK. THE GENTLELADY FROM TENNESSEE RESERVES, AND THE…

THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK. THE GENTLELADY FROM TENNESSEE RESERVES, AND THE GENTLELADY FROM COLORADO IS RECOGNIZED.

MS. DEGETTE

MADAM SPEAKER, I AM ANOW PLEASED TO YIELD ONE MINUTE -- I'M NOW PLEASED TO…

MADAM SPEAKER, I AM ANOW PLEASED TO YIELD ONE MINUTE -- I'M NOW PLEASED TO YIELD ONE MINUTE TO MS. FRANKEL FROM FLORIDA.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLELADY IS RECOGNIZED FOR ONE MINUTE.

MS. FRANKEL

THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER. FOR WOMEN TO THRIVE IN THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL…

THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER. FOR WOMEN TO THRIVE IN THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL OPPORTUNITIES OF OUR NATION, WE MUST HAVE THE ABILITY TO CONTROL OUR OWN REPRODUCTIVE LIVES AND FULL ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE CHOICES. NOW, HERE WE GO AGAIN. ANOTHER REPUBLICAN BILL AIMED AT TAKING US BACK TO THE DARK, DANGEROUS DAYS WHEN WOMEN WERE PRISONERS OF THEIR OWN BODIES, BACK TO 50 YEARS AGO WHEN KATIE, A NURSE IN FLORIDA, HAD NO ACCESS TO LEGAL CONTRACEPTION AND ABORTION. A MOTHER OF TWO, RECENTLY DIVORCED, PREGNANT, UNABLE TO RESPONSIBLY RAISE ANOTHER CHILD, MADE AN APPOINTMENT ON THE PHONE WITH A NAMELESS PERSON WHO MET HER ON A LONELY STREET CORNER IN MIAMI, BLINDFOLDED HER, HID HER UNDER A RUG IN A CAR AND TOOK HER TO A GARAGE WHERE SHE HAD AN ABORTION. KATIE WAS ONE OF THE LUCKY ONES. SHE SURVIVED. NOT SO FORTUNATE WITH THE WOMEN WHO THREW THEMSELVES DOWNSTAIRS OR INSERTED CHEMICALS OR COAT HANGARS INTO THEIR UTERUSES IN ORDER TO TERMINATE THEIR -- COAT HANGERS INTO THEIR UTERUSES IN ORDER TO TERMINATE THEIR PREGNANCIES. MADAM SPEAKER, WE WILL NOT GO BACK TO THOSE DARK, DANGEROUS DAYS.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLELADY'S TIME HAS EXPIRED. THE GENTLELADY FROM COLORADO RESERVES.…

THE GENTLELADY'S TIME HAS EXPIRED. THE GENTLELADY FROM COLORADO RESERVES. THE GENTLELADY FROM TENNESSEE IS RECOGNIZED.

MRS. BLACK

THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER. I'M HONORED TO YIELD TWO MINUTES TO THE…

THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER. I'M HONORED TO YIELD TWO MINUTES TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM INDIANA, ONE OF OUR FRESHMAN MEMBERS, REPRESENTATIVE JIM BANKS.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN FROM INDIANA IS RECOGNIZED FOR TWO MINUTES.

MR. BANKS

THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER. I RISE TO VOICE MY STRONG SUPPORT FOR HOUSE…

THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER. I RISE TO VOICE MY STRONG SUPPORT FOR HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION 43, WHICH WOULD OVERTURN THE PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATION'S TITLE 10 FAMILY PLANNING FUNDING RULE. IN DECEMBER, THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION FINALIZED A MISGUIDED RULE WHICH DICTATES THAT STATES MUST SEND TITLE 10 FAMILY PLANNING GRANT MONEY TO ABORTION PROVIDERS. EVEN MORE, THIS RULE ALSO THREATENS TO DEPRIVE NONCOMPLIANCE STATES, SUCH AS REPRESENTATIVE BLACK'S HOME STATE OF TENNESSEE, OF ALL TITLE 10 FAMILY PLANNING FUNDS. THIS POLITICALLY MOTIVATED REQUIREMENT WAS MADE NEITHER IN THE INTEREST OF PROTECTING LIFE NOR IN THE INTEREST OF THE STATES. UNDER THE RULE, STATES THAT DECLINE TO SEND TITLE 10 FUNDS TO ABORTION CLINICS WOULD LOSE THEIR TITLE 10 FUNDING COMPLETELY. IF STATES MAKE THE DECISION THEY WANT TO USE THEIR FUNDING TO AFFIRM LIFE, THEN THEY SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO DO SO. THIS RULE BLATANTLY STEPS ALL OVER STATES' RIGHTS AND GOES OUT OF ITS WAY TO FAVOR ABORTION PROVIDERS AT THE SAME TIME. LET'S ENSURE STATES CONTINUE TO HAVE THE FREEDOM AND FLEXIBILITY TO MAKE THE RIGHT DECISIONS FOR THEMSELVES. THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT I'VE ADVOCATED FOR MY ENTIRE CAREER, BOTH IN THE STATE HOUSE IN INDIANA AND AGAIN HERE ON THE FLOOR OF THE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. I EXPRESS MY STRONG SUPPORT FOR THE PASSAGE OF HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION 43, INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE BLACK. THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER. I YIELD BACK.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK, AND THE GENTLELADY FROM TENNESSEE RESERVES. THE…

THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK, AND THE GENTLELADY FROM TENNESSEE RESERVES. THE GENTLELADY FROM COLORADO IS RECOGNIZED.

MS. DEGETTE

MADAM SPEAKER, MAY I INQUIRE AS TO THE TIME REMAINING ON EACH SIDE?

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLELADY FROM COLORADO HAS 15 MINUTES. THE GENTLELADY FROM TENNESSEE…

THE GENTLELADY FROM COLORADO HAS 15 MINUTES. THE GENTLELADY FROM TENNESSEE HAS EIGHT MINUTES. THE GENTLELADY IS RECOGNIZED.

MS. DEGETTE

THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER. I'M NOW PLEASED TO YIELD ONE MINUTE TO THE…

THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER. I'M NOW PLEASED TO YIELD ONE MINUTE TO THE GENTLELADY FROM WASHINGTON STATE,.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLELADY IS RECOGNIZED FOR ONE MINUTE.

>>

I THANK THE GENTLELADY FOR YIELDING. AND I RISE IN STRONG OPPOSITION TO…

I THANK THE GENTLELADY FOR YIELDING. AND I RISE IN STRONG OPPOSITION TO THIS RESOLUTION.

MISS JAYAPAL

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLELADY'S TIME HAS EXPIRED. THE GENTLELADY'S…

SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLELADY'S TIME HAS EXPIRED. THE GENTLELADY'S TIME HAS EXPIRED. THE GENTLELADY FROM COLORADO RESERVES. THE GENTLELADY FROM TENNESSEE IS RECOGNIZED.

MRS. BLACK

THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER. I MUST ONCE AGAIN TALK ABOUT WHAT THIS…

THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER. I MUST ONCE AGAIN TALK ABOUT WHAT THIS RESOLUTION REALLY DOES. THIS RESOLUTION EMPOWERS STATES. IT EMPOWERS STATES THAT ARE ABLE TO CHOOSE TO INVEST IN WOMEN'S HEALTH CARE OVER ABORTION BY SENDING THOSE TITLE X DOLLARS TO CLINICS THAT DO NOT DESTROY INNOCENT LIFE. MY COLLEAGUES ON THE OTHER SIDE TALKED ABOUT HOW THIS IS DESTRUCTIVE TO WOMEN'S HEALTH. I WANT TO JUST MENTION THAT THE TRUE DESTRUCTION TO WOMEN'S HEALTH IS ABORTION. THAT IS THE LITTLE GIRL THAT'S ABORTED THAT WILL NEVER KNOW ABOUT BEING A WOMAN. THIS BILL DOES NOTHING TO PROHIBIT STATES FROM DECIDING WHERE TO BEST USE THEIR DOLLARS. BUT IN STATES SUCH AS MINE AND TENNESSEE FOR THE LAST SIX YEARS, WHO HAVE MADE THAT DECISION, TO SEND THEIR DOLLARS TO FACILITIES THAT THEY BELIEVE GIVE THE BEST WOMEN'S HEALTH CARE, COMPREHENSIVE HEALTH CARE, TO OVER 75,000 WOMEN IN OUR STATE. MORE THAN MANY STATES THAT SURROUND US THAT HAVE LARGER POPULATIONS. IF THIS WAS PROHIBITING WOMEN FROM GETTING SERVICES, WE WOULDN'T BE SO SUCCESSFUL. WE'RE PROVIDING SERVICES TO MORE THAN 75,000 WOMEN IN OUR STATE. WE HAVEN'T SEEN A DECREASE IN SERVICES. WE HAVE SEEN AN INCREASE IN SERVICES. AND IF YOU WERE TO ASK THESE WOMEN WHAT THEY THOUGHT ABOUT SERVICE THAT IS THEY ARE GETTING, AND THESE OTHER FACILITIES SUCH AS DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, AND HEALTH CERTAINTIES, YOU WOULD SEE THEY ARE VERY SATISFIED BECAUSE THEY GET COMPREHENSIVE SERVICES. SERVICES THAT GO BEYOND WHAT PLACES LIKE PLANNED PARENTHOOD CAN EVEN PROVIDE FOR THEM. THEY DO MAMMOGRAMS. THEY DO PROCEDURES IF THERE ARE CANCER CELLS FOUND IN A WOMAN'S CERVIX. SO THIS WHOLE RUSE THIS IS A WAR ON WOMEN, AND THAT WE'RE TAKING AWAY WOMEN'S RIGHT TO HEALTH CARE SERVICES, IS A RUSE. ALL THIS DOES IS TO SAY IF A STATE LIKE TENNESSEE DECIDES THIS IS THE BEST PLACE TO GIVE THE BEST QUALITY OF CARE FOR A WOMAN, THEN HOPEFULLY THEIR BABIES AND THEIR CHILDREN, WHICH IF YOU GO TO THESE CLINICS YOU'LL SEE THEM ALL RUNNING AROUND, THEY HAVE LIFE. IT JUST GIVES THEM THE CHOICE TO DO THAT. DON'T TAKEWAY THAT CHOICE FROM MY STATE. DON'T PUNISH OUR STATE BECAUSE WE DO WHAT WE BELIEVE IS THE BEST THING FOR WOMEN'S HEALTH. AND WITH THAT I RESERVE MY TIME.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLELADY FROM TENNESSEE RESERVES. THE GENTLELADY FROM COLORADO IS…

THE GENTLELADY FROM TENNESSEE RESERVES. THE GENTLELADY FROM COLORADO IS RECOGNIZED.

MS. DEGETTE

MADAM SPEAKER, I'M NOW PLEASED TO YIELD ONE MINUTE TO DR. BERA, FROM…

MADAM SPEAKER, I'M NOW PLEASED TO YIELD ONE MINUTE TO DR. BERA, FROM CALIFORNIA.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED FOR ONE MINUTE.

MR. BERA

I THANK MY COLLEAGUE FOR HER LEADERSHIP. I AM A DOCTOR AND WORKED IN…

I THANK MY COLLEAGUE FOR HER LEADERSHIP. I AM A DOCTOR AND WORKED IN LOW-INCOME AND FREE CLINICS AND I KNOW TITLE X FUNDING WORKS. IT HAS IMPACT. HERE'S HOW WE ALSO KNOW IT WORKS. BY EXPANDING ACCESS TO FULL REPRODUCTIVE SERVICES UNDER THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT AND CONTRACEPTION, WE HAVE SEEN A DRAMATIC REDUCTION IN THE NUMBER OF UNINTENDED PRGNANCIES -- PREGNANSIFMENTS WE'RE DWATHE THE WRONG THING HERE. WE SHOULD BE INCREASING TITLE X FUNDS. WE SHOULD BE DEBATING HOW WE MAKE ACCESS TO FULL REPRODUCTIVE SERVICES MORE READILY AVAILABLE. THAT'S WHAT THE WOMEN OF AMERICA WANT. I URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO VOTE NO ON THIS DANGEROUS BILL. I URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO UNDERSTAND THE WOMEN OF AMERICA ARE WATCHING. I ALSO URGE SOMEHOW THIS MAKES IT TO THE PRESIDENT'S DESK, THE MOTHERS AND DAUGHTERS, MR. PRESIDENT, ARE WATCHING. BE CAREFUL HERE. THIS IS ABOUT PRESERVING ACCESS TO CARE AND FULL PRODUCTIVE RIGHTS. WE'RE WATCHING. I YIELD BACK.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

MEMBERS ARE ME INDED TO DIRECT THEIR COMMENTS -- ARE REMINDED TO DIRECT…

MEMBERS ARE ME INDED TO DIRECT THEIR COMMENTS -- ARE REMINDED TO DIRECT THEIR COMMENTS AND DEBATE TO THE CHAIR. THE GENTLEMAN FROM YIELDS BACK. THE GENTLELADY FROM COLORADO RESERVES. THE GENTLELADY FROM TENNESSEE IS RECOGNIZED.

MRS. BLACK

I RESERVE.

MS. DEGETTE

THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER. I AM NOW PLEASED TO YIELD TO THE GENTLELADY FROM…

THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER. I AM NOW PLEASED TO YIELD TO THE GENTLELADY FROM MAINE, MS. PINGREE, ONE MINUTE.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLELADY FROM MAINE IS RECOGNIZED FOR ONE MINUTE.

MS. PINGREE

THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER. THANK YOU FOR YIELDING. TITLE X FAMILY PLANNING…

THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER. THANK YOU FOR YIELDING. TITLE X FAMILY PLANNING SERVICES ARE AN ESSENTIAL LIFELINE FOR MAINERS WHO NEED ACCESS TO HIGH QUALITY PREVENTIVE AND REPRODUCTIVE CARE. FROM CANCER SCREENINGS TO S.T.I. TESTINGS TO BIRTH CONTROL. THE RESOLUTION WE'RE DEBATING TODAY THREATENS ACCESS TO THESE CRITICAL SERVICES. EVERY YEAR MAINE'S NETWORK OF TITLE X PROVIDERS SERVES MORE THAN 22,000 INDIVIDUALS IN NEARLY EVERY COUNTY. INCLUDING SOME OF THE MOST RURAL AND UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES IN OUR STATE. 65% OF LAST YEAR'S PATIENTS HAD OUTCOMES THAT QUALIFIED THEM FOR FREE OR REDUCED COST SERVICES. FAMILY PLANNING HEALTH CENTERS OFTEN END UP BEING THEIR PATIENT'S PRIMARY SOURCE OF HEALTH CARE. PROVIDERS ARE TRUSTED MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY. THE CARE THEY DELIVER IS HIGH QUALITY. AND OFTEN THEY ARE THE ONLY AFFORDABLE LOCAL OPTION. WITHOUT TITLE X FUNDS, THOUSANDS OF WOMEN AND MEN THROUGHOUT MAINE WOULD STRUGGLE TO ACCESS AND AFFORD ALTERNATIVE PRIMARY CARE. AT A TIME WHEN REPUBLICANS WANT TO REPEAL THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT, WITHOUT A REPLACEMENT PLAN, IT IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVER TO PRESERVE TITLE X AS A CORNERSTONE OF OUR --

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLELADY'S TIME HAS EXPIRED. THE GENTLELADY FROM COLORADO RESERVES.…

THE GENTLELADY'S TIME HAS EXPIRED. THE GENTLELADY FROM COLORADO RESERVES. THE GENTLELADY FROM TENNESSEE RESERVES. THE GENTLELADY FROM COLORADO IS RECOGNIZED.

MS. DEGETTE

THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER. I'M NOW PLEASED TO YIELD ONE MINUTE TO THE…

THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER. I'M NOW PLEASED TO YIELD ONE MINUTE TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM MICHIGAN, MR. KILDEE.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED FOR ONE MINUTE.

MR. KILDEE

THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER. I THANK MY FRIEND FOR YIELDING AND FOR HER…

THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER. I THANK MY FRIEND FOR YIELDING AND FOR HER INCREDIBLE LEADERSHIP ON THIS ISSUE. SO RATHER THAN WORKING ACROSS THE AISLE WITH DEMOCRATS TO GROW OUR ECONOMY, TO REBUILD OLDER COMMUNITIES, TO CREATE NEW JOBS, REPUBLICANS ARE AGAIN FOCUSED ON ATTACKING WOMEN'S HEALTH. UNDERMINING HEALTH CARE PROGRAMS THAT PROVIDE PREVENTIVE CARE FOR OVER FOUR MILLION AMERICANS. MANY LOW-INCOME WOMEN WHO WOULD OTHERWISE BE UNINSURED. ELIMINATING THIS RULE MAKES IT HARDER FOR WOMEN AND FAMILIES TO HAVE ACCESS TO LIFESAVING CANCER SCREENINGS, FOR EXAMPLE. BIRTH CONTROL. OTHER VITAL HEALTH SERVICES. THESE ARE FUNDS THAT ARE PROVIDING NECESSARY HEALTH SERVICES, MADAM SPEAKER. AND EVERYONE IN THIS DEBATE KNOWS WHAT THIS IS ABOUT. THESE DOLLARS DO NOT SUPPORT ABORTION. WE KNOW FEDERAL LAW PROHIBITS THESE DOLLARS FROM BEING USED FOR THAT PURPOSE. BUT TO HEAR FRIEND OR THE OTHER SIDE THAT WOULD IMPLY THAT'S THE CASE. NOW, THERE IS AND SHOULD BE A LEGITIMATE DEBATE ON THAT SUBJECT, BUT IT HAS BEEN THE LAW AND IT CONTINUES TO BE THE LAW THAT THESE DOLLARS ARE NOT USED FOR ABORTION SERVICES. THIS IS ABOUT HEALTH CARE.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED.

MR. KILDEE

LIFESAVING HEALTH CARE FOR WOMEN.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED. THE GENTLELADY FROM COLORADO RESERVES.…

THE GENTLEMAN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED. THE GENTLELADY FROM COLORADO RESERVES. THE GENTLELADY FROM TENNESSEE IS RECOGNIZED. THE GENTLELADY RESERVES. THE GENTLELADY FROM COLORADO IS RECOGNIZED.

MS. DEGETTE

THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER. I NOW AM PLEASED TO YIELD ONE MINUTE TO THE…

THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER. I NOW AM PLEASED TO YIELD ONE MINUTE TO THE GENTLELADY FROM MICHIGAN, MRS. LAWRENCE.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLELADY FROM MICHIGAN IS RECOGNIZED FOR ONE MINUTE.

MRS. LAWRENCE

MADAM SPEAKER, I RISE TODAY IN STRONG OPPOSITION TO HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION…

MADAM SPEAKER, I RISE TODAY IN STRONG OPPOSITION TO HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION 43, YET ANOTHER PARTISAN ATTACK AGAINST WOMEN'S HEALTH CARE. FOR MORE THAN FOUR DECADES TITLE X HAS HELPED SOME OF THE MOST UNDERSERVED WOMEN IN OUR COUNTRY, GETTING ACCESS TO FAMILY PLANNING SERVICES THAT OTHERWISE WILL NOT HAVE BEEN RECEIVED. ONCE AGAIN SOME OF MY COLLEAGUES BELIEVE THAT THEY HAVE THE RIGHT TO IMPOSE THEIR BELIEFS ON A NONPARTISAN ISSUE. INSTEAD OF ALLOWING WOMEN TO CHOOSE FAMILY PLANNING SERVICES THAT ARE RIGHT FOR THEM, THIS CHAMBER IS VOTING TO TAKE THAT CHOICE AWAY. INSTEAD OF ATTACKING LEGITIMATE TITLE X QUALIFIED PROVIDERS WHO SERVE WOMEN ACROSS OUR COUNTRY, OUR CHAMBER SHOULD BE WORKING TO ENSURE THAT ALL AMERICANS HAVE THE RIGHT TO QUALITY HEALTH CARE. MADAM SPEAKER, I URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO STOP THIS ATTACK ON WOMEN'S HEALTH CARE AND I URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO DEFEAT THIS RESOLUTION. I YIELD BACK.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLELADY YIELDS BACK. THE GENTLELADY FROM COLORADO RESERVES.

MS. DEGETTE

MADAM SPEAKER, IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THE OTHER SIDE IS RESERVING ITS…

MADAM SPEAKER, IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THE OTHER SIDE IS RESERVING ITS TIME TO CLOSE, IS THAT CORRECT? SO I'LL JUST RECOGNIZE A FEW MORE OF MY SPEAKERS. AT THIS TIME I'D LIKE TO RECOGNIZE THE GENTLELADY FROM MASSACHUSETTS, MS. CLARK, FOR ONE MINUTE.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLELADY IS RECOGNIZED FOR ONE MINUTE.

MS. CLARK

THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER. THANK YOU TO THE GENTLELADY FROM COLORADO FOR…

THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER. THANK YOU TO THE GENTLELADY FROM COLORADO FOR ALL HER LEADERSHIP. WE'RE BARELY SIX WEEKS INTO THIS NEW CONGRESS AND THE REPUBLICANS ARE BACK AT IT AGAIN. ATTACKING COMPREHENSIVE HEALTH CARE FOR AMERICAN WOMEN. THE REGULATION UNDER ATTACK SAYS THAT IN ORDER TO BE AWARDED TITLE X FUNDING, YOU MUST BE ABLE TO DELIVER THE SERVICES. THOSE SERVICES ARE FAMILY PLANNING AND RELATED PREVENTIVE HEALTH SERVICES. THE MAJORITY IS CORRECT, WE'RE NOT TALKING ABOUT ABORTION BECAUSE ABORTION IS NOT FUNDED BY TITLE X. WHY WOULD REPUBLICANS OPPOSE THIS REGULATION? BECAUSE IT ALLOWS THEM A BACKDOOR WAY TO MAKE FUNDING DECISIONS BASED ON IDEOLOGY NOT QUALITY OF CARE. DON'T WE WANT THE BEST HEALTH OUTCOMES FOR THE OVER FOUR MILLION PATIENTS WHO BENEFITED LAST YEAR FROM H.I.V. TESTS, BREAST EXAMS, AND CONTRACEPTION COVERAGE UNDER TITLE X? TITLE X FUNDED HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS AROUND THIS COUNTRY ARE HIGH QUALITY PROFESSIONALS WHO PROVIDE NEEDED CARE FOR MILLIONS OF FAMILIES. MANY OF WHOM ARE UNDERSERVED. I OPPOSE THIS AND I YIELD BACK.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLELADY YIELDS BACK. THE GENTLELADY FROM COLORADO IS RECOGNIZED.

MS. DEGETTE

MADAM SPEAKER, I'M NOW PLEASED TO YIELD TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK, A…

MADAM SPEAKER, I'M NOW PLEASED TO YIELD TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK, A MEMBER OF THE ENERGY AND COMMERCE COMMITTEE, MR. ENGEL.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED FOR TWO MINUTES.

MR. ENGEL

I THANK MY FRIEND FROM COLORADO FOR YIELDING TO ME. THIS IS NOT A WOMEN'S…

I THANK MY FRIEND FROM COLORADO FOR YIELDING TO ME. THIS IS NOT A WOMEN'S ISSUE OR MEN'S ISSUE. IT'S AN ISSUE FOR ITS RIGHT. PEOPLE HAVE A RIGHT TO MAKE HEALTH CHOICES. IF SOMEONE DOESN'T BELIEVE IN ABORTION, MAKE THAT CHOICE FOR YOURSELF. IF SOMEONE BELIEVES IN SOMETHING ELSE, THEN THEY HAVE THE RIGHT TO MAKE THAT CHOICE. SO ELIGIBILITY FOR TITLE X FUNDING SHOULD BE BASED ON A PROVIDER'S ABILITY TO PROVIDE FAMILY PLANNING SERVICES. PERIOD. WHETHER A PROVIDER OFFERS SAFE AND LEGAL ABORTIONS WITH PRIVATE FUNDS SHOULD NOT BE USED TO PREVENT WOMEN AND MEN FROM GETTING PREVENTIVE CARE LIKE CANCER SCREENINGS OR H.I.V. TESTS. THAT IS ALL THE RULE REQUIRES. IT SHOULD NOT BE CONTROVERSIAL. YET HERE WE'RE. WHAT EFFECT WOULD THIS CONGRESSIONAL REVIEW ACT HAVE? KANSAS HAS GIVEN A REPRE-VIE. THE PROVIDERS THAT PROVIDED ABORTION SERVICE, THE NUMBER OF KANSANS ASSESSING CANCER SCREENINGS, S.T.I. TESTS, AND OTHER CARE THROUGH THE TITLE X PROGRAM PLUMMETED BY THOUSANDS. A VOTE FOR THIS C.R.A. IS A VOTE TO MULTIFLY THAT NUMBER. THE AMERICANS WHO WILL BE AFFECTED BY THIS C.R.A. WILL LOSE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SEE THE PROVIDER OF THEIR CHOICE. SOMETIMES THE ONLY VIABLE PROVIDER. WHY WOULD WE WANT TO PUT WOMEN -- WHY WOULD WE WANT TO PUT ANYBODY THAT THAT CATEGORY? WHERE THEY CANNOT SEE THE ONLY VIABLE PROVIDER BECAUSE SOMEONE ELSE DOESN'T LIKE WHAT THE DOCTOR CAN DO. I URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO VOTE NO. MY REPUBLICAN FRIENDS ALWAYS TALKED ABOUT INDIVIDUAL FREEDOM. AND HOW IMPORTANT IT IS. THIS IS AN INDIVIDUAL FREEDOM OF A WOMAN'S RIGHT TO CONTROL HER OWN BODY AND TO MAKE PERSONAL CHOICES ON HEALTH CARE. WE SHOULD NOT INTERFERE WITH THAT. WE SHOULD ALLOW THE MOST AND THE BEST HEALTH CARE TO BE AVAILABLE TO ALL PEOPLE. I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK THE BALANCE OF HIS TIME. THE GENTLELADY FROM…

THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK THE BALANCE OF HIS TIME. THE GENTLELADY FROM COLORADO IS RECOGNIZED.

MS. DEGETTE

MADAM SPEAKER, I'M NOW PLEASED TO YIELD TWO MINUTES TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM…

MADAM SPEAKER, I'M NOW PLEASED TO YIELD TWO MINUTES TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK, M NADLER.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED FOR TWO MINUTES.

MR. NADLER

I THANK THE GENTLELADY FOR YIELDING. REPUBLICANS ARE CONTINUING THEIR…

I THANK THE GENTLELADY FOR YIELDING. REPUBLICANS ARE CONTINUING THEIR CRUSADE TO CUT OFF ACCESS TO COMPREHENSIVE FAMILY PLANNING SERVICES. LAST YEAR THEY TRIED TO ZERO OUT TITLE X IN THEIR BUDGET. THIS YEAR THEY INTEND TO REPEAL A.C.A.'S COST-FREE CONTRACEPTION COVERAGE FOR WOMEN WITH PRIVATE INSURANCE. TODAY REPUBLICANS ARE ATTEMPTING TO STOP THE FLOW OF TITLE X GRANTS TO HEALTH CENTERS AROUND THE CONTRY. TITLE X GRANTS ENSURE LOW-INCOME FAMILIES HAVE ACCESS TO BIRTH CONTROL AND CAN PLAN THEIR PREGNANCIES SO THAT MOMS AND KIDS STAY HEALTHY. RESEARCH HAS SHOWN WITHOUT THESE SERVICES THE UNINTENDED PREGNANCY RATE WOULD BE 33% HIGHER AND THE NUMBER OF ABORTIONS WOULD BE HIGHER. MY ANTI-CHOICE REPUBLICAN COLLEAGUES SHOULD CHEER THIS PROGRAM. INSTEAD NOT ONLY ARE REPUBLICANS TRYING TO DEFUND PLANNED PARENTHOOD SO THEY WON'T BE ABLE TO PROVIDE CONTRACEPTION HEALTH, NOW WE'RE ROLLING BACK A RULE THAT ALLOWS TITLE X FUNDS TO FLOW TO REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH CENTERS WHICH ARE THE MOST EFFECTIVE PROVIDERS OF SERVICES AND WHICH WE WERE TOLD WOULD PROVIDE THE CONTRACEPTION AND OTHER HEALTH SERVICE THAT IS PLANNED PARENTHOOD NO LONGER WOULD BE ABLE TO. WOMEN ARE WATCHING US TODAY. THEY KNOW THAT BILL IS NOTHING MORE THAN ANOTHER ATTEMPT TO STOP LOW-INCOME WOMEN FROM ACCESSING THE HEALTH CARE THEY NEED AND ALLOW THE GOVERNMENT TO ONCE AGAIN STEP BETWEEN WOMEN AND THEIR DOCTORS. IT'S NO SECRET I SUPPORT A WOMAN'S CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT TO ACCESS ABORTION, BUT EVEN IF YOU DON'T, AND ARE COMMITTED TO REDUCING ABORTION IN THIS CONTRY, YOU SHOULD STEP UP TO THE PLATE AND SUPPORT COMPREHENSIVE AND ROBUST FAMILY PLANNING FOR WOMEN. THIS BILL WILL DO THE OPPOSITE. WE SHOULD ALL SUPPORT CONTRACEPTION FOR THE WOMEN OF THIS COUNTRY AND I URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO REJECT THIS BILL. .

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK. THE GENTLELADY FROM COLORADO IS RECOGNIZED.

MS. DEGETTE

THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MADAM SPEAKER. I AM YOU A NOW PLEASED TO YIELD TO THE…

THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MADAM SPEAKER. I AM YOU A NOW PLEASED TO YIELD TO THE DISTINGUISHED THE GENTLELADY FROM ILLINOIS, MS. -- DISTINGUISHED GENTLELADY FROM ILLINOIS, MS. SCHAKOWSKY, TWO MINUTES.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLELADY IS RECOGNIZED FOR TWO MINUTES.

MS. SCHAKOWSKY

WELL, HERE WE ARE AGAIN. HOUSE REPUBLICANS DO NOT SUPPORT FAMILY PLANNING,…

WELL, HERE WE ARE AGAIN. HOUSE REPUBLICANS DO NOT SUPPORT FAMILY PLANNING, TITLE 10. FOR YEARS REPUBLICANS HAVE TRIED TO COMPLETELY ELIMINATE FUNDING FOR TITLE 10 THROUGH THE APPROPRIATIONS PROCESS. THINK ABOUT THAT. WE ARE DEBATING CONTRACEPTION IN 2017. ASTONISHING. TITLE 10 PROVIDES MILLIONS OF LOW-INCOME MEN AND MIDDLE-INCOME MEN AND WOMEN ACCESS TO REPRODUCKIVE HEALTH CARE SERVICES. AND THE BILL WE'RE -- REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH CARE SERVICES. AND THE BILL WE'RE DEBATING TODAY WOULD REMOVE PROVIDERS FROM THE PROGRAM, LEAVING PATIENTS WITH FEW OPTIONS FOR THE CARE THEY NEED. AND, AGAIN, LET'S BE CLEAR. IF YOU WANT TO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF ABORTIONS, YOU NEED TO ENSURE EVERYONE HAS ACCESS TO FAMILY PLANNING. TEEN PREGNANCY AND THE RATE OF ABORTION ARE AT HISTORIC LOWS BECAUSE WE'VE WORKED TO MAKE CONTRACEPTION MORE AFFORDABLE AND ACCESSIBLE. FOR OVER 60% OF TITLE 10 PATIENTS, THE CLINICS THEY VISIT FOR FAMILY PLANNING SERVICES ARE THEIR OWN -- ONLY REGULAR SOURCE OF CARE. AND YET, WE'RE CONSIDERING LEGISLATION THAT WOULD RESULT IN CLINIC CLOSURES AND WOULD PREVENT MEN AND WOMEN FROM SEEING TRUSTED PROVIDERS IN THEIR OWN COMMUNITIES. DO REPUBLICANS OPPOSE CANCER SCREENING FOR CERVICAL AND BREAST CANCER? DO THEY OPPOSE S.T.D. TESTING? DO THEY OPPOSE CONTRACEPTION? THEIR ANSWERS SEEM TO BE YES BECAUSE THE REPUBLICANS CONTINUE TO IGNORE THESE FACTS IN THEIR EFFORT TO HARM WOMEN'S HEALTH. I URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO PUT AN END TO THE WAR ON WOMEN AND TO OPPOSE THIS VERY DANGEROUS LEGISLATION, AND I YIELD BACK.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLELADY YIELDS BACK. THE GENTLELADY FROM COLORADO IS RECOGNIZED.

MS. DEGETTE

MADAM SPEAKER, I NOW WOULD YIELD MYSELF THE REMAINDER OF THE TIME TO CLOSE.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLELADY IS RECOGNIZED.

MS. DEGETTE

THANK YOU. MADAM SPEAKER, WE HEAR TODAY THIS ISN'T ABOUT DENYING WOMEN AND…

THANK YOU. MADAM SPEAKER, WE HEAR TODAY THIS ISN'T ABOUT DENYING WOMEN AND FAMILIES THE ACCESS TO FAMILY PLANNING AND BIRTH CONTROL BECAUSE STATES WOULD JUST SIMPLY TAKE THAT TITLE 10 MONEY AND PUT IT SOMEWHERE ELSE. UNFORTUNATELY, THIS SEEMS TO BE A BIT OF MAGICAL THINKING. EVEN THE CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE SAID THAT AS MANY AS 390,000 WOMEN WOULD LOSE ACCESS TO CARE AND 650,000 WOMEN WOULD HAVE REDUCED ACCESS IF LEGISLATION LIKE THIS PASSED. THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS, YOU CAN'T SIMPLY SHIFT ALL OF THESE PEOPLE FROM TITLE 10 FAMILY PLANNING CENTERS LIKE PLANNED PARENTHOOD TO COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS, AS THE OTHER SIDE ASSERTS. FOR ONE THING, 69% OF THE COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS ACTUALLY REFER PATIENTS TO FAMILY PLANNING PROVIDERS LIKE PLANNED PARENTHOOD, AND ONLY 19% OF COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS REPORT THAT THEIR LARGEST SITES BOTH PRESCRIBE AND DISPENSE ALL TYPES OF CONTRACEPTIVE METHODS. ONLY HALF OF COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS RECEIVE -- THAT RECEIVE TITLE 10 FUNDING PROVIDE I.U.D.'S AND OTHER TYPES OF LONG-ACTING BIRTH CONTROL, THE MOST EFFECTIVE KIND OF BIRTH CONTROL. SO YOU CAN'T JUST SHIFT EVERYBODY ELSE SOMEPLACE ELSE. IN FACT, THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS ITSELF SAID THAT THEY COULD NOT TREAT ALL THE PATIENTS THAT PLANNED PARENTHOOD NOW HAS IF THIS LEGISLATION WENT THROUGH. LET'S JUST CALL THIS BILL WHAT IT IS. IT'S AN ATTEMPT TO TAKE AWAY IMPORTANT FAMILY PLANNING RESOURCES FROM THE WOMEN AND FAMILIES OF AMERICA. NOW, I THINK IF WE ALL SUPPORT TITLE 10, WHEN THE ANNUAL APPROPRIATIONS BILL COMES UP THIS YEAR, I WOULD ASK MY COLLEAGUES ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE AISLE TO PLEASE JOIN ME AND MY COLLEAGUES IN AN EFFORT TO INCREASE TITLE 10 FUNDING BECAUSE IN ALL THE YEARS I'VE BEEN IN CONGRESS, I'VE SEEN ATTEMPT AFTER ATTEMPT NOT ONLY TO REDUCE ABORTION COVERAGE OR TO REDUCE ABORTION AVAILABILITY BUT ALSO TO STOP FAMILY PLANNING SERVICES. I THINK THAT'S SOMETHING WE COULD AGREE WITH ON, AND I THINK WE CAN DO THAT. AND SO IN THE MEANTIME, LET'S MAKE SURE THAT THE WOMEN OF AMERICA CAN GET ACCESS TO THE FAMILY PLANNING THEY NEED. LET'S CONTINUE TO GIVE FAMILY PLANNING MONEY TO ALL OF THE CENTERS TO DO THAT, AND, AGAIN, I'D LIKE TO REITERATE, WE HAVE NO FEDERAL FUNDING FOR ABORTION. THAT'S THE LAW. I DON'T LIKE THE LAW BUT THAT'S THE LAW. WE'RE TALKING ABOUT FAMILY PLANNING AND TITLE 10. THAT NEEDS TO BE PRESERVED AND ENHANCED. VOTE NO ON THIS BILL, AND I YIELD BACK.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLELADY FROM COLORADO YIELDS BACK. THE GENTLELADY FROM TENNESSEE,

MRS. BLACK

THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER. I WOULD LIKE TO REQUEST THE SUBMISSION OF…

THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER. I WOULD LIKE TO REQUEST THE SUBMISSION OF LETTERS FROM MARCH FOR LIFE ACTION, CHRISTIAN MEDICAL AND DENTAL ASSOCIATION, COALITION LETTERS SIGNED BY 25 ORGANIZATIONS, NATIONAL RIGHT TO LIFE, U.S. CONFERENCE OF CATHOLIC BISHOPS AND FAMILY RESEARCH COUNCIL FOR THE RECORD.

TEMPORE WITHOUT

MADAM SPEAKER, THE 10TH AMENDMENT OF THE CONSTITUTION READS PRETTY CLEARLY…

MADAM SPEAKER, THE 10TH AMENDMENT OF THE CONSTITUTION READS PRETTY CLEARLY TO ME. THE POWERS NOT DELEGATED TO THE UNITED STATES BY THE CONSTITUTION NOR PROHIBITED TO BY THE STATES ARE RESERVED TO THE STATES RESPECTFULLY OR TO THE PEOPLE. I UNDERSTAND THAT THERE IS A DIVERSITY OF VIEWS REPRESENTED IN THIS CHAMBER ON MATTERS OF HEALTH CARE AND HUMAN LIFE. AND I'M NOT ASKING MY COLLEAGUES TO SET THOSE VIEWS ASIDE WITH THIS VOTE. I'M SIMPLY ASKING THEM NOT TO SUBSTITUTE THEIR JUDGMENT FOR THE WILL OF THE STATES. WITH THIS RESOLUTION, WE'RE LETTING STATES CARE FOR THEIR CITIZENS THE BEST WAY THEY KNOW, JUST AS THEY HAVE HAD THAT ABILITY FOR THE PAST 45 YEARS. AND WE ARE MAINTAINING ACCESS TO CARE FOR WOMEN AND FAMILIES. I URGE A YES VOTE ON THIS RESOLUTION, AND WITH THAT I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLELADY YIELDS BACK. ALL TIME FOR DEBATE HAS EXPIRED. PURSUANT TO…

THE GENTLELADY YIELDS BACK. ALL TIME FOR DEBATE HAS EXPIRED. PURSUANT TO HOUSE RESOLUTION 123, THE PREVIOUS QUESTION IS ORDERED. THE QUESTION IS ON ENGROSSMENT AND THIRD READING OF THE JOINT RESOLUTION. THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE. THOSE OPPOSED, NO. THE AYES HAVE IT. THIRD READING.

THE CLERK

JOINT RESOLUTION PROVIDING FOR CONGRESSIONAL DISAPPROVAL UNDER CHAPTER 8…

JOINT RESOLUTION PROVIDING FOR CONGRESSIONAL DISAPPROVAL UNDER CHAPTER 8 OF TITLE 5 UNITED STATES CODE OF THE FINAL RULES SUBMITTED BY THE SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES RELATING TO COMPLIANCE WITH TITLE 10 REQUIREMENTS BY RECIPIENTS IN SELECTING SUBRECIPIENTS.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE QUESTION IS ON PASSAGE OF THE JOINT RESOLUTION. THOSE IN FAVOR SAY…

THE QUESTION IS ON PASSAGE OF THE JOINT RESOLUTION. THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE. THOSE OPPOSED, NO. THE AYES HAVE IT.

MS. DEGETTE

MADAM SPEAKER.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLELADY FROM COLORADO IS RECOGNIZED.

MS. DEGETTE

I REQUEST A RECORDED VOTE.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

A RECORDED VOTE IS REQUESTED. THOSE FAVORING A RECORDED VOTE WILL RISE. A…

A RECORDED VOTE IS REQUESTED. THOSE FAVORING A RECORDED VOTE WILL RISE. A SUFFICIENT NUMBER HAVING ARISEN, A RECORDED VOTE IS ORDERED. OPERATE OF RULE 20, -- PURSUANT TO RULE 8 OF RULE 20, PROCEEDINGS ON THIS QUESTION WILL BE POSTPONED. PURSUANT TO CLAUSE 8 OF RULE 20, PROCEEDINGS WILL RESUME ON QUESTIONS PREVIOUSLY POSTPONED. VOTES WILL BE TAKEN IN THE FOLLOWING ORDER. PASSING HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION 69, PASSING HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION 43 AND AGREEING TO THE SPEAKER'S APPROVAL OF THE JOURNAL, IF ORDERED. THE FIRST ELECTRONIC VOTE WILL BE CONDUCTED AS A 15-MINUTE VOTE. REMAINING ELECTRONIC VOTES WILL BE CONDUCTED AS FIVE-MINUTE VOTES. THE UNFINISHED BUSINESS IS THE VOTE ON PASSAGE OF HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION 69, ON WHICH THE YEAS AND NAYS ARE ORDERED. THE CLERK WILL REPORT THE TITLE OF THE JOINT RESOLUTION.

THE CLERK

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION 69, PROVIDING FOR CONGRESSIONAL DISAPPROVAL UNDER…

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION 69, PROVIDING FOR CONGRESSIONAL DISAPPROVAL UNDER CHAPTER 8 OF TITLE 5, UNITED STATES CODE, OF THE FINAL RULE OF THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR RELATED TO NONSUBSISTENCE TAKE OF WILDLIFE, THE PUBLIC PARTICIPATION AND CLOSURE PROCEDURES, ON NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGES IN ALASKA.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE QUESTION IS ON PASSAGE OF THE JOINT RESOLUTION. MEMBERS WILL RECORD…

THE QUESTION IS ON PASSAGE OF THE JOINT RESOLUTION. MEMBERS WILL RECORD THEIR VOTES BY ELECTRONIC DEVICE. [CAPTIONING MADE POSSIBLE BY THE NATIONAL CAPTIONING INSTITUTE, INC., IN COOPERATION WITH THE UNITED STATES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. ANY USE OF THE CLOSED-CAPTIONED COVERAGE OF THE HOUSE PROCEEDINGS FOR POLITICAL OR COMMERCIAL PURPOSES IS EXPRESSLY PROHIBITED BY THE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.] EXPRESSLY PROHIBITED BY THE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.]

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

ON THIS VOTE, THE YEAS ARE 225 AND THE NAYS ARE 193. THE JOINT RESOLUTION…

ON THIS VOTE, THE YEAS ARE 225 AND THE NAYS ARE 193. THE JOINT RESOLUTION IS PASSED. WITHOUT OBJECTION, THE MOTION TO RECONSIDER IS LAID ON THE TABLE. THE UNFINISHED BUSINESS IS VOTE ON PASSAGE OF HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION 4 , ON WHICH A RECORDED VOTE IS ORDERED. THE CLERK WILL REPORT THE TITLE OF THE JOINT RESOLUTION.

THE CLERK

JOINT RESOLUTION PROVIDING FOR CONGRESSIONAL DISAPPROVAL OF CHAPTER 8,…

JOINT RESOLUTION PROVIDING FOR CONGRESSIONAL DISAPPROVAL OF CHAPTER 8, TITLE 5 BY THE SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES RELATING TO COMPLIANCE BY PROJECT RECIPIENTS .

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

QUESTION IS ON PASSAGE OF THE JOINT RESOLUTION. MEMBERS WILL RECORD THEIR…

QUESTION IS ON PASSAGE OF THE JOINT RESOLUTION. MEMBERS WILL RECORD THEIR VOTES BY ELECTRONIC DEVICE. THIS IS A FIVE-MINUTE VOTE. [CAPTIONING MADE POSSIBLE BY THE NATIONAL CAPTIONING INSTITUTE, INC., IN COOPERATION WITH THE UNITED STATES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. ANY USE OF THE CLOSED-CAPTIONED COVERAGE OF THE HOUSE PROCEEDINGS FOR POLITICAL OR COMMERCIAL PURPOSES IS EXPRESSLY PROHIBITED BY THE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.]

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

ON THIS VOTE, THE YEAS ARE 230 AND THE NAYS ARE 188. THE JOINT RESOLUTION…

ON THIS VOTE, THE YEAS ARE 230 AND THE NAYS ARE 188. THE JOINT RESOLUTION IS PASSED. WITHOUT OBJECTION, THE MOTION TO RECONSIDER IS LAID ON THE TABLE.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

APPROVAL OF THE JOURNAL WHICH THE CHAIR WILL PUT DE NOVO. THE QUESTION IS…

APPROVAL OF THE JOURNAL WHICH THE CHAIR WILL PUT DE NOVO. THE QUESTION IS ON AGREEING TO THE SPEAKER'S APPROVAL OF THE JOURNAL. THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE. . THOSE OPPOSED, NO. IN THE OPINION OF THE CHAIR, THE AYES HAVE IT. AND THE JOURNAL STANDS APPROVED. FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK SEEK RECOGNITION?

>>

WHEN THE HOUSE ADJOURNS TODAY IT MEET AT 1:00 P.M. TOMORROW.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

WITHOUT OBJECTION.

TEMPORE PURSUANT

PURSUANT TO 22 U.S.C. 3003 OF THE FOLLOWING MEMBERS OF THE PART OF THE…

PURSUANT TO 22 U.S.C. 3003 OF THE FOLLOWING MEMBERS OF THE PART OF THE HOUSE ON COMMISSION OF SECURITY AND COOPERATION IN EUROPE.

THE CLERK

MS. JACKSON LEE OF TEXAS AND MS. MOORE OF TEXAS -- WISCONSIN.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE HOUSE WILL BE ORDER. MEMBERS, PLEASE TAKE YOUR CONVERSATIONS OFF THE…

THE HOUSE WILL BE ORDER. MEMBERS, PLEASE TAKE YOUR CONVERSATIONS OFF THE FLOOR. THE CHAIR WILL NOW ENTERTAIN REQUESTS FOR ONE-MINUTE SPEECHES. FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEMAN FROM GEORGIA SEEK RECOGNITION?

>>

ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT TO ADDRESS THE HOUSE FOR ONE MINUTE, REVISE AND…

ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT TO ADDRESS THE HOUSE FOR ONE MINUTE, REVISE AND EXTEND.

TEMPORE WITHOUT

WITHOUT OBJECTION, THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED FOR ONE MINUTE. THE…

WITHOUT OBJECTION, THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED FOR ONE MINUTE. THE GENTLEMAN WILL SUSPEND. MEMBERS, PLEASE TAKE YOUR CONVERSATIONS OFF THE FLOOR. THE HOUSE WILL BE IN ORDER. THE GENTLEMAN FROM GEORGIA.

>>

MR. SPEAKER, WATERS OF THE UNITED STATES OR WOTUS HAS BEEN A THORN IN THE…

MR. SPEAKER, WATERS OF THE UNITED STATES OR WOTUS HAS BEEN A THORN IN THE SIDE OF AMERICANS, ESPECIALLY OUR FORMER, SINCE ITS INTRODUCTION. IT WAS A RULE ISSUED UNDER THE CLEAN WATER ACT BY THE E.P.A. AND ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS DESIGNED TO REDEFINE THE SCOPE OF WATERS PROTECTED AND REGULATED BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

MR. ALLEN

WOTUS WOULD GRANT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT REGULATORY POWER OVER VIRTUALLY…

WOTUS WOULD GRANT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT REGULATORY POWER OVER VIRTUALLY ANY OF NE PLACE WHERE WATER -- ANYPLACE WHERE WATER FLOWS IN THE UNITED STATES. THAT INCLUDES DITCHES, PUDDLES, STREAMS, OR ANY MAN-MADE CONSTRUCTIONS. YOU NAME IT. IF ENACTED, IT WOULD UNDERMINE THE RIGHTS OF STATES, LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, LANDOWNERS AND CREATE MORE RED TAPE, PREVENTING ECONOMIC GROWTH AND JOBS, PARTICULARLY IN THE AGRICULTURE INDUSTRY. IF IT SOUNDS RIDICULOUS, THAT'S BECAUSE IT IS. WOTUS WAS FLAWED FROM THE BEGINNING, IT'S BEEN HELD UP IN THE COURT SINCE 2015. TO ENSURE WOTUS NEVER SEES THE LIGHT OF DAY AND COMPLETELY ELIMINATE THE POTENTIAL OF IT BECOMING A REALITY, I INTRODUCED LEGISLATION TO REPEAL THIS HARMFUL RULE. I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH PRESIDENT TRUMP AND MY COLLEAGUES IN THIS -- ON THIS VERY IMPORTANT ISSUE AND I YIELD BACK.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK THE BALANCE OF HIS TIME. FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES…

THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK THE BALANCE OF HIS TIME. FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM OHIO SEEK RECOGNITION? WITHOUT OBJECTION, THE GENTLEWOMAN IS RECOGNIZED FOR ONE MINUTE.

MS. KAPTUR

BEFORE PRESIDENT TRUMP AND STEVE BANNON BRING IN A WALL STREET BILLIONAIRE…

BEFORE PRESIDENT TRUMP AND STEVE BANNON BRING IN A WALL STREET BILLIONAIRE TO DELVE INTO OUR NATION'S MOST CLASSIFIED INTELLIGENCE, THE AMERICAN PEOPLE HAVE A RIGHT TO KNOW THE FACTS ABOUT WHO HE AND HIS FIRM ARE. IF YOU BELIEVE IN THE UNITED STATES MILITARY, AS I DO, AND NOT SIMPLY CASHING IT OUT --

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEWOMAN WILL SUSPEND. THE HOUSE WILL BE IN ORDER. PLEASE TAKE YOUR…

THE GENTLEWOMAN WILL SUSPEND. THE HOUSE WILL BE IN ORDER. PLEASE TAKE YOUR CONVERSATIONS OFF THE FLOOR. THE GENTLEWOMAN IS RECOGNIZED. IF YOU BELIEVE IN THE --

MS. KAPTUR

IF YOU BELIEVE IN THE U.S. MILITARY AS I DO, THEN WE'D BEST PAY ATTENTION…

IF YOU BELIEVE IN THE U.S. MILITARY AS I DO, THEN WE'D BEST PAY ATTENTION TO STEVEN FEINBERG, C.E.O. OF A COMPANY WHO IS TO BE TASKED WITH LEADING A REVIEW OF OUR U.S. INTELLIGENCE AGENCIES. THEY ALSO OWN AN ILLEGAL DISPUTE OVER A $10 BILLION STATE DEPARTMENT CONTRACT FOR OPERATIONS IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES. THE DIRECTOR OF HOMELAND SECURITY, RETIRED GENERAL KELLY, RECEIVED $166,000 AS AN ADVISOR TO THAT COMPANY. SIMPLY PUT, THEY PROFIT OFF THE PRIVATIZATION OF WAR. HANDING THE KEYS TO OUR INTELLIGENCE AGENCIES OVER TO WALL STREET IS DANGEROUS. PRIVATIZATION OF OUR HOMELAND SECURITY AND ARMED FORCES JEOPARDIZES OUR NATIONAL SECURITY. IT IS CRITICAL WE STAND TOGETHER, TAKE ACTION TO DEMAND TRANSPARENCY, PREVAIL FOR THE SAKE OF FUTURE GENERATIONS, AND PREVENT THE SIPHONING OF FUNDS INTENDED FOR OUR MILITARY. BEFORE ANY WALL STREET SPECULATOR SETS FOOT ON OUR NATION'S MOST PRECIOUS SECURITY TURF. THE AMERICAN PEOPLE AND OUR MILITARY NEED COMPLETE DISCLOSURE AND DIVESTITURE OF ALL MR. FEINBERG'S HOLDINGS. THANK YOU.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEMAN FROM TEXAS SEEK RECOGNITION? WITHOUT…

FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEMAN FROM TEXAS SEEK RECOGNITION? WITHOUT OBJECTION, THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED FOR ONE MINUTE.

MR. POE

MR. SPEAKER, WINE GARDEN REALITY OWNS SEVERAL SHOPPING CENTERS IN TEXAS.…

MR. SPEAKER, WINE GARDEN REALITY OWNS SEVERAL SHOPPING CENTERS IN TEXAS. RECENTLY THEY WERE SUED BY PLAINTIFFS WHO HAD NEVER VISITED THE SHOPPING CENTER. THE COMPLAINT -- ALLEGEDLY NINE DESIGNATED A.D.A. VAN ACCESSIBLE PARKING SPACES WERE NOT DISPERSED FAR APART ENOUGH. THE PLAINTIFF DID NOT NOTIFY WINE GARDEN OF THE ALLEGE VIOLATIONS BEFORE FILING LAWSUIT, SO WINE GARDEN COULDN'T COMPLY. THE REAL ESTATE COMPANY BELIEVES THEY WERE IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE A.D.A. BUT OFTEN COMPANIES LIKE THEM DECIDE THE BEST ECONOMIC DECISION IS TO SETTLE THE LAWSUIT RATHER THAN AN EXPENSIVE COURT TRIAL. BUSINESSES ARE TOLD TO EITHER PAY A SETTLEMENT OR FACE AN EXPENSIVE TRIAL. THE BIPARTISAN BILL THE, A.D.A. EDUCATION AND REFORM ACT OF 2017, REQUIRES PLAINTIFFS TO GIVE BUSINESSS NOTICE IN TIME TO FIX THE ALLEGED A.D.A. INFRACTION BEFORE A LAWSUIT IS FILED. MR. SPEAKER, THE A.D.A. WAS DESIGNED TO IMPROVE ACCESS FOR THE DISABLED, NOT ALLOW A HANDFUL OF GREEDY PLAINTIFFS WHO HAVE NEVER BEEN ON THE PREMISES TO USE A LOOPHOLE TO EXTORT UNSUSPECTING BUSINESS OWNERS OF MONEY. AND THAT'S JUST THE WAY IT IS.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW JERSEY SEEK RECOGNITION?…

FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW JERSEY SEEK RECOGNITION? WITHOUT OBJECTION, THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED FOR ONE MINUTE.

MR. PAYNE

MR. SPEAKER, ARE WE WITNESSING THE FIRST MANCHURIAN PRESIDENCY IN THE…

MR. SPEAKER, ARE WE WITNESSING THE FIRST MANCHURIAN PRESIDENCY IN THE HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES? THIS RESIGNATION -- THIS RESIGNATION OF PRESIDENT TRUMP'S NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISOR, MICHAEL FLYNN, HAS DONE NOTHING TO END THE CONTROVERSY SURROUNDING THE ADMINISTRATION'S RELATIONSHIP WITH RUSSIA. I'M CALLING FOR AN INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATION INTO FLYNN'S ACTIONS. THE WHITE HOUSE KNEW FOR WEEKS THAT FLYNN MISLED ABOUT HIS SECRET COMMUNICATIONS WITH THE RUSSIAN AMBASSADOR. BUT APPARENTLY THAT WAS NOT A PROBLEM FOR THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION. AS LONG AS IT WAS HIDEN FROM THE PUBLIC. DID THE WHITE HOUSE AUTHORIZE FLYNN'S SECRET COMMUNICATIONS? DID THE PRESIDENT? WHY WASN'T FLYNN GONE SOONER? WE YET DON'T KNOW THE ANSWERS TO THESE AND OTHER QUESTIONS. WHAT WE DO KNOW IS THAT THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION IS NOT PREPARED TO PROTECT THIS NATION. FOR ALL THEIR TALK OF NATIONAL SECURITY, REPUBLICANS ARE GIVING PRESIDENT TRUMP A PASS. AN INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATION INTO FLYNN'S ACTIONS IS NEEDED. THE INVESTIGATION MUST DETERMINE IF IMPROPER RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION AND THE RUSSIAN GOVERNMENT EXISTS. MR. SPEAKER, THE AMERICAN PEOPLE ARE DEMANDING TO KNOW AND THEY DESERVE TO KNOW JUST HOW TIGHT RUSSIA'S GRIP IS ON THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION. I YIELD BACK.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEMAN FROM PENNSYLVANIA SEEK RECOGNITION?…

FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEMAN FROM PENNSYLVANIA SEEK RECOGNITION? WITHOUT OBJECTION, THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED FOR ONE MINUTE.

>>

THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. MR. SPEAKER, I RISE TODAY IN SUPPORT OF H.R. 512,…

THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. MR. SPEAKER, I RISE TODAY IN SUPPORT OF H.R. 512, THE WINGMAN ACT. THE WINGMAN ACT WILL HELP MEMBERS OF CONGRESS AND OUR STAFF MEMBERS BETTER ASSIST THE CONSTITUENTSES THAT WE SERVE. IT CUTS BUREAUCRACY OUT OF THE CASE WORK PROCESS AND IT MAKES IT EASIER TO CONNECT PENNSYLVANIA FAMILIES WITH THE SERVICES AND BENEFITS THAT THEY NEED.

MR. MEEHAN

OUR STAFF MEMBERS AND OUR DISTRICT DO TREMENDOUS WORK EVERY DAY. THEY HELP…

OUR STAFF MEMBERS AND OUR DISTRICT DO TREMENDOUS WORK EVERY DAY. THEY HELP CONSTITUENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES NAVIGATE THE FEDERAL BUREAUCRACY, WHETHER IT'S HELPING VETERANS OBTAIN CARE THROUGH THE V.A., SENIORS ACCESS THEIR MEDICARE OR SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS, OR EVEN HELPING A TRAVELER OBTAIN A PASSPORT FOR AN EMERGENCY TRIP OVERSEAS. TOO OFTEN THAT WORK GOES UNSUNG AND THE HARD WORK THEY DO GOES UNRECOGNIZED. I'M BLESSED TO HAVE A TERRIFIC STAFF IN MY DISTRICT OFFICE, LEDMY MY DISTRICT CHIEF OF STAFF, KAITLIN. OUR TEAM BUILT ON DARROW, AND BRIAN HAVE HELPED LITERALLY THOUSANDS OF INDIVIDUALS AS WE'VE WORKED TO CUT THROUGH THE RED TAPE AND GET THE ANSWERS THEY NEED FROM THE AGENCIES ACROSS THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. THE WINGMAN ACT WILL MAKE THIS DIFFICULT JOB JUST A LITTLE BIT EASIER AND I'M PROUD TO SUPPORT IT. MR. SPEAKER, I YIELD BACK.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEMAN FROM VERMONT SEEK RECOGNITION? WITHOUT…

FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEMAN FROM VERMONT SEEK RECOGNITION? WITHOUT OBJECTION, THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED FOR ONE MINUTE.

MR. WELCH

THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. AFTER ONLY 24 DAYS IN OFFICE, PRESIDENT TRUMP'S…

THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. AFTER ONLY 24 DAYS IN OFFICE, PRESIDENT TRUMP'S NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISOR, MICHAEL FLYNN, RESIGNED IN DISGRAILS. WHY? HE HAD DIRECT CONTACT WITH THE RUSSIAN AMBASSADOR, ASSURING HIM IN LIKELY VIOLATION OF U.S. LAW THAT THE OBAMA SANCTIONS AGAINST RUSSIA WOULD BE REVERSED. AND THEN HE LIED ABOUT IT. THERE IS EVIDENCE OF TRUMP CAMPAIGN OFFICIALS HAVING REGULAR CONTACT WITH RUSSIAN OFFICIALS. AND WE KNOW RUSSIA HACKED INTO D.N.C. FILES AND DOLED OUT STOLEN INFORMATION WITH THE GOAL OF AIDING THE TRUMP CAMPAIGN. SO THE QUESTION IS, WHAT IS THE RUSSIAN CONNECTION? CONGRESS MUST DO ITS JOB. WE SHOULD CONDUCT A FULL SCALE, NO HOLDS BARRED INVESTIGATION OF THE LENGTHS -- LINKS BETWEEN THE TRUMP CAMPAIGN AND RUSSIAN OFFICIALS. THERE IS A MOUNTAIN OF EVIDENCE WE CANNOT IGNORE. THE AMERICAN PEOPLE HAVE A RIGHT TO KNOW, OF COURSE. BUT EVEN MORE IMPORTANTLY, THE ENDURING STRENGTH OF OUR DEMOCRACY IS BEING TESTED. CONGRESS MUST MAINTAIN OUR CONSTITUTIONAL PROTECTION OF CHECKS AND BALANCES, INVESTIGATE NOW, INVESTIGATE FULLY. I YIELD BACK.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEMAN FROM MICHIGAN SEEK RECOGNITION?

>>

MR. SPEAKER, UNANIMOUS CONSENT TO ADDRESS THE HOUSE FOR ONE MINUTE.

MPORE WITHOUT

WITHOUT OBJECTION, THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED FOR ONE MINUTE.

>>

MR. SPEAKER, WE'VE SEEN MORE TROUBLING SIGNS THIS WEEK THAT CONTINUE TO --…

MR. SPEAKER, WE'VE SEEN MORE TROUBLING SIGNS THIS WEEK THAT CONTINUE TO -- THAT THINGS CONTINUE TO GET WORSE UNDER THE HEALTH CARE LAW.

MR. WALBERG

HUMANA ANNOUNCED THEY ARE DROPPING OUT OF THE OBAMACARE MARKETPLACE NEXT…

HUMANA ANNOUNCED THEY ARE DROPPING OUT OF THE OBAMACARE MARKETPLACE NEXT YEAR. THE C.E.O. OF AETNA SAID THAT OBAMACARE IS IN A DEATH SPIRAL. AND FAMILIES IN MICHIGAN AND ACROSS THE COUNTRY ARE LEFT WITH FEWER CHOICES AND SOARING COSTS. MARIE FROM JACKSON, IN MY DISTRICT, IS ONE OF THEM. HER PREMIUMS NEARLY QUADRUPLED LAST YEAR UNDER OBAMACARE. AND THIS YEAR HER PREMIUMS WENT UP SO HIGH SHE COULD NOT AFFORD TO PAY THEM. SO SHE AND HER HUSBAND, WHO IS SELF-EMPLOYED, DROPPED THE PLAN AND NOW ARE GOING WITHOUT ANY HEALTH INSURANCE AT ALL. THE STATUS QUO IS SIMPLY UNSUSTAINABLE. AND WE'RE WORKING TO PROVIDE RELIEF TO FAMILIES WHO ARE STRUGGLING. THIS WILL BE AN ORDERLY, STEP BY STEP PROCESS AS WE TRANSITION TO PATIENT-CENTERED SOLUTIONS THAT LOWER COSTS, INCREASE CHOICES, MAINTAIN PRE-EXISTING CONDITIONS COVERAGE, AND MEET THE NEEDS OF ALL AMERICANS. THAT'S WHAT MARIE AND EVERY SINGLE AMERICAN DESERVES. MR. SPEAKER, I YIELD BACK.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEMAN FROM ILLINOIS SEEK RECOGNITION?

>>

ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT TO ADDRESS THE HOUSE FOR ONE MINUTE, REVISE AND…

ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT TO ADDRESS THE HOUSE FOR ONE MINUTE, REVISE AND EXTEND MY REMARKS.

TEMPORE WITHOUT

WITHOUT OBJECTION, THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED FOR ONE MINUTE.

>>

MR. SPEAKER, I RISE TODAY DEEPLY DISAPPOINTED THAT THE HOUSE HAS AGAIN PUT…

MR. SPEAKER, I RISE TODAY DEEPLY DISAPPOINTED THAT THE HOUSE HAS AGAIN PUT ATTACKING WOMEN'S HEALTH OVER THE IMPORTANT PRIORITIES THE AMERICAN PEOPLE SENT US HERE TO ADDRESS. MORE THAN FOUR MILLION INDIVIDUALS ACROSS THE COUNTRY, MANY OF THEM LOW-INCOME, UNINSURED OR YOUNG, DEPEND ON TITLE 10 FOR FAMILY PLANNING AND RELATED PREVENTIVE CARE.

MR. SCHNEIDER

THIS IS LIFE-SAVING CARE. BIRTH CONTROL, H.I.V. AND OTHER TESTING, AND…

THIS IS LIFE-SAVING CARE. BIRTH CONTROL, H.I.V. AND OTHER TESTING, AND CANCER SCREENINGS, TO NAME BUT A FEW. THE RESOLUTION THAT PASSED TODAY ALLOWS STATES TO DENY TRUSTED REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH CARE PROVIDER FROM RECEIVING TITLE 10 FUNDS FOR PURELY IDEOLOGICAL REASONS. ALREADY 14 STATES HAVE TAKEN OFFICIAL ACTION TO EXCLUDE PLANNED PARENTHOOD AND OTHER CRITICAL REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS FROM SERVING PATIENTS THROUGH THE TITLE 10 PROGRAM. THIS SHAMEFUL LEGISLATION PUTS POLITICS AHEAD OF WOMEN'S HEALTH AND DOES A DISSERVICE TO WOMEN AND FAMILIES ACROSS OUR NATION. I YIELD BACK.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEMAN FROM TEXAS SEEK RECOGNITION? WITHOUT…

FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEMAN FROM TEXAS SEEK RECOGNITION? WITHOUT OBJECTION, THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED FOR ONE MINUTE.

MR. SMITH

MR. SPEAKER, IT'S NO SURPRISE THAT THE MEDIA'S CREDIBILITY HAS HIT A…

MR. SPEAKER, IT'S NO SURPRISE THAT THE MEDIA'S CREDIBILITY HAS HIT A RECORD LOW WITH THE AMERICAN PEOPLE, ACCORDING TO A RECENT GALLUP POLL. THE MEDIA ATTACKED PRESIDENT TRUMP BECAUSE HE PROVED THEIR PREDICTIONS WRONG AND THEIR CANDIDATE LOST. THEY ATTACK HIM BECAUSE THEY ARE MOSTLY LIBERAL DEMOCRATS AND HE IS A CONSERVATIVE REPUBLICAN. THEY ATTACK HIM BECAUSE HE IS REVERSING MANY OF THE POLICIES OF PRESIDENT OBAMA, WHOM THEY OPENLY SUPPORTED. THEY ATTACK HIM BECAUSE HE'S GOING AROUND THEM DIRECTLY TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE WITH HIS TWITTER MESSAGING. THEY ATTACK HIM BECAUSE THEY CAN'T INTIMIDATE OR CONTROL HIM. THE MEDIA'S HATE IS POISONING THE COUNTRY. WOULDN'T IT BE BETTER FOR OUR COUNTRY IF THE MEDIA GAVE THE AMERICAN PEOPLE THE FACTS, RATHER THAN TOLD THEM WHAT TO THINK? WOULDN'T IT BE BETTER FOR OUR COUNTRY IF THE MEDIA TREATED THE PRESIDENT FAIRLY AND WITHOUT MALICE?

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEMAN FROM MASSACHUSETTS SEEK RECOGNITION?…

FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEMAN FROM MASSACHUSETTS SEEK RECOGNITION? WITHOUT OBJECTION, THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED FOR ONE MINUTE.

MR. MCGOVERN

MR. SPEAKER, YESTERDAY CNN REPORTED THAT THE PENTAGON IS CONSIDERING A…

MR. SPEAKER, YESTERDAY CNN REPORTED THAT THE PENTAGON IS CONSIDERING A PROPOSAL TO SEND U.S. GROUND TROOPS TO NORTHERN SYRIA. THIS IS FOR A REPORT TO PRESIDENT TRUMP ON THE WAR AGAINST ISIS DUE THIS MONTH. BUT THE VERY IDEA THAT THE PENTAGON IS SERIOUSLY CONSIDERING SENDING MORE TROOPS INTO SYRIA SHOULD BE A WAKE-UP CALL TO CONGRESS AND TO ALL AMERICANS. THREE YEARS AFTER THE U.S. FIRST SENT TROOPS TO SYRIA AND IRAQ, CONGRESS STILL HASN'T VOTED TO AUTHORIZE THE FIGHT AGAINST ISIS. DO WE REALLY WANT TO SEND MORE AMERICANS INTO WAR? WHAT'S THE MISSION? HOW DOES IT END? FOR THREE YEARS CONGRESS HAS FAILED TO DO ITS CONSTITUTIONAL DUTY. THREE YEARS OF COWARDICE. THREE YEARS OF A BLANK CHECK. SPEAKER RYAN PROMISED ACTION IN 2016. BUT DID NOTHING. WHEN, MR. SPEAKER, WILL THIS HOUSE FINALLY DO ITS JOB? AFTER 100 MORE AMERICAN TROOPS ARE SENT TO SYRIA AND IRAQ? 500 MORE, 1,000? WILL WHEN WILL CONGRESS FINALLY ACT? MR. SPEAKER, SAY THE TIME IS NOW -- I SAY THE TIME IS NOW. I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM ARIZONA SEEK RECOGNITION?…

FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM ARIZONA SEEK RECOGNITION? WITHOUT OBJECTION, THE GENTLEWOMAN IS RECOGNIZED FOR ONE MINUTE.

MR. SALI

MR. SPEAKER, --

MS. MCSALLY

MR. SPEAKER, I RISE TO COMMEMORATE THE LIFE OF TIM, AN ACTIVE MEMBER OF…

MR. SPEAKER, I RISE TO COMMEMORATE THE LIFE OF TIM, AN ACTIVE MEMBER OF TUCSON'S IRISH COMMUNITY, AND A DEAR FRIEND OF MY FAMILY AND MINE WHO WHO SADLY PASSED AWAY ON FEBRUARY 14. TIM DEDICATED HIS LIFE TO GIVING BACK TO OTHERS. FOR EXAMPLE, HE ORGANIZED MEALS AND BOUGHT SLEEPING BAGS FOR THE HOMELESS AT ARMORY PARK AND HE DOUGH NOIT NATED HIS TIME -- DONATED HIS TIME TO HELP THOSE WHO COULDN'T READ OR WRITE SEND LETTERS TO THEIR LOVED ONES. HE WAS HONORED LAST YEAR AS A GRAND MARSHALL OF THE ANNUAL PARADE. HE WAS ALSO A GIFTED STORY TELLER. A REFLECTION OF HIS IRISH ROOTS. ONE OF HIS FAVORITES WAS A TIME HE SANG "O DANNY BOY" AT A DINNER WITH THEN PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE JOHN F. KENNEDY. I'VE KNOWN TIM SINCE I WAS A YOUNG CHILD. WHEN HE WAS 12 HE DELIVERED THE EULOGY AT MY FATHER'S FUNERAL. THROUGHOUT MY LIFE HE'S BEEN A CONSTANT SOURCE OF ENCOURAGEMENT AND ALTHOUGH WE BELONG TO DIFFERENT POLITICAL PARTIES, HE WAS SOMEBODY WHO SHARED WIDELY HIS FAITH AND BELIEF IN ME. MR. SPEAKER, I'M DEEPLY GRATEFUL FOR TIM'S LIFE AND LOVE AND SUPPORT. MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS GO OUT TO HIS FAMILY AND LOVED ONES IN OUR TIME OF GRIEF. I KNOW HE'S NOW SINGING "O DAN REQUEST BOY" WITH THE ANGELS. WITH THAT, MR. SPEAKER, I YIELD BACK. .

>>

PERMISSION TO ADDRESS THE HOUSE FOR ONE MINUTE.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

WITHOUT OBJECTION. THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED FOR ONE MINUTE.

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MR. SPEAKER, I RISE TODAY TO APPLAUD THE UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICES FOR…

MR. SPEAKER, I RISE TODAY TO APPLAUD THE UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICES FOR ITS DEDICATION OF THE OSCAR DELA RENTA POSTAL STAMP. THIS WAS REVEALED IN NEW YORK CITY IN A WONDERFUL CEREMONY AND PART OF U.S. POSTAL SERVICES FOREVER COLLECTION. AS A LIFELONG FRIEND, I DEARLY MISS OSCAR AND CARE ABOUT HONORING HIS WORK AND MEMORY. TO ME AND SO MANY AMERICANS PARTICULARLY IMMIGRANTS, HE WAS MORE THAN JUST A DESIGNER. HE WAS A GOOD FRIEND AND PIONEER. AS A MEMBER OF THE COMMUNITY AND AS A MEMBER OF THE U.S. CONGRESS, IT IS MY GOAL TO HIGHLIGHT THE ACHIEVEMENT OF IMMIGRANTS WHO HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO AMERICA'S SOCIETY AND CULTURE. OSCAR WAS REGARDED BY SOME OF THE MOST PROMINENT FIGURES INCLUDING FIRST LADIES. HIS CREATIVITY AND RESOURCEFULNESS MADE HIM A TRUE NATIONAL TREASURE. OSCAR WAS WIDELY KNOWN FOR HIS LOVE OF COUNTRY AND DEEP AFFECTION FOR THE COMMUNITY. I'M PROUD TO SEE OSCAR'S LEGACY KEPT ALIVE. OSCAR IS STILL WITH US. HE WAS ASKED HOW HE WANTED TO BE REMEMBERED, HE SAID AS A PRETTY DRESS. I YIELD BACK.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEMAN FROM PENNSYLVANIA SEEK RECOGNITION?

>>

CONSENT TO ADDRESS THE HOUSE FOR ONE MINUTE.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED FOR ONE MINUTE.

MR. THOMPSON

MR. SPEAKER, I RISE TODAY TO SPEAK ABOUT THE IMPORTANT ROLE THAT…

MR. SPEAKER, I RISE TODAY TO SPEAK ABOUT THE IMPORTANT ROLE THAT MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP PLAYS IN STRENGTHENING U.S. MANUFACTURING. THIS PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP CONSISTS OF CENTERS LOCATED THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES. MANUFACTURERS CAN RECEIVE SERVICES BY VISITING A CENTER, INCLUDING WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, COMMERCIALIZATION EXPORTING AND MANY OTHER HELPFUL STRATEGIES. I MET WITH A CENTER IN MY HOME DISTRICT. IT WORKS TO INCREASE PRODUCTIVITY AND GROWTH FOR MANUFACTURERS IN CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA. OVER THE PAST 25 YEARS, I.M.C. HAS HELPED MANUFACTURING COMPANIES IN THE KEEPSTONE STATE. AMERICAN MANUFACTURING IS A CRITICAL PART OF OUR ECONOMY. I'M PLEASED TO SEE THE PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS WORKING TO HELP SUPPORT SMALL AND MID-SIZED MANUFACTURERS. THEY PRODUCE QUALITY MADE IN AMERICA PRODUCTS. I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING THEIR CONTINUED GROWTH AND SALUTE TO CENTERS NATIONWIDE TO HELP THEM DO JUST THAT. I YIELD BACK.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEMAN FROM FLORIDA SEEK RECOGNITION?

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PERMISSION TO ADDRESS THE HOUSE FOR ONE MINUTE.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

WITHOUT OBJECTION. THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED.

>>

TO RECOGNIZE AND CONGRATULATE CALIFORNIA'S NEW ATTORNEY GENERAL, FORMER…

TO RECOGNIZE AND CONGRATULATE CALIFORNIA'S NEW ATTORNEY GENERAL, FORMER CONGRESSMAN BE CEASERA -- BECERRA. HE WAS OUR VICE CHAIR FROM 2009 TO 2013 AND OUR DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS CHAIR FOR THE 114TH CONGRESS. WE ALL KNOW THAT ATTORNEY GENERAL BECERRA WAS A STAUNCH DEFENDER OF SOCIAL SECURITY, MEDICARE, MEDICAID AND SNAP. HE WAS A SUPPORTER FOR OUR DREAMERS AND DACA AND WOMEN'S RIGHTS. HE WAS A MENTOR TO ME, INSPIRING NEW MEMBERS WHO CAME HERE LOOKED TO HIM FOR ADVICE ESPECIALLY IN THE FIRST COUPLE OF WEEKS HERE. AND I WANT TO THANK ATTORNEY GENERAL BECERRA FOR COMING TO A ROUND TABLE IN MY DISTRICT TO VISIT WITH SO MANY OF OUR AGRICULTURAL WORKERS IN OUR COMMUNITY AND SO MANY DREAMERS. IT'S SO CRITICAL FOR AGRICULTURE, FARMERS AND RURAL AMERICA THAT WE CONTINUE TO MAKE SURE THAT AGRICULTURE CONTINUES TO BE STRONG IN OUR NATION. AS A CALIFORNIAN, HE STARRED IN "BETTER KNOW YOUR DISTRICT." THANK YOU MR. BECERRA BEING A MEMBER OF CONGRESS AND LOOKED OUT FOR US AND DEFENDED OUR VALUES. AND I YIELD THE REMABEDER OF MY TIME.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEMAN FROM PENNSYLVANIA SEEK RECOGNITION?

>>

PERMISSION TO ADDRESS THE HOUSE AND REVISE AND EXTEND.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

WORKS OF

MR. ROTHFUS

I HIGHLIGHT THE PROGRESS THAT PENNSYLVANIAIANS IN RESTORING OUR STREAMS…

I HIGHLIGHT THE PROGRESS THAT PENNSYLVANIAIANS IN RESTORING OUR STREAMS POLLUTED BY WASTE COAL. THROUGH THE USE OF INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGY WORKERS IN THE COAL REFUSE TO ENERGY ENERGY HAVE BROUGHT ABOUT ENERGY, RESTORING LANDSCAPES TO THEIR ORIGINAL NATURAL BEAUTY. IT IS A SUCCESS STORY AROUND. UNFORTUNATELY, ONE SIZE FITS ALL WASHINGTON REGULATIONS THREATEN TO STOP THE SUCCESS STORY IN ITS TRACKS AND DESTROY THE FAMILY-SUSTAINING JOBS. THAT IS WHY FOR THE THIRD TIME I AM INTRODUCING MY SATISFYING ENERGY NEEDS WHILE SAVING THE ENVIRONMENT OR SENSE ACT IN THE 115TH CONGRESS. MY LEGISLATION ENSURES THAT REGULATIONS ARE TAILORED TO A SMALL SUBSET OF POWER PLANTS TO CONTINUE THEIR EFFORTS AND RESTORE WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA'S NATURAL BEAUTY AND COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY. THIS LEGISLATION PASSED THE HOUSE BY A VOTE OF 231-183. AND I URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO SUPPORT IT ONCE AGAIN SO THE VITAL AND SUCCESSFUL ENERGY CAN BE KEPT UP.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLELADY SEEK RECOGNITION -- GENTLEMAN SEEK…

FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLELADY SEEK RECOGNITION -- GENTLEMAN SEEK RECOGNITION?

MR. LOWENTHAL

YOU KNOW FROM THE MOTHER OF FOUR WITH A PRE-EXISTING CONDITION TO THE…

YOU KNOW FROM THE MOTHER OF FOUR WITH A PRE-EXISTING CONDITION TO THE FAMILY OF A YOUNG BOY WHO CAN NOW AFFORD HEALTH INSURANCE FOR THE FIRST TIME, WE HAVE HEARD CONSTANTLY AND OVER AND OVER HOW THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT HAS SAVED LIVES. THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT PROVIDES QUALITY AFFORDABLE INSURANCE TO MILLIONS OF AMERICANS. JUST IN MY DISTRICT ALONE, NEARLY 100,000 PEOPLE WHO ARE NOW COVERED THROUGH -- THROUGH THE COVERED CALIFORNIA EXCHANGE OR THROUGH THE MEDICAID, WHICH IS IN CALIFORNIA, THE EXPANSION, THEY STAND TO LOSE COVERAGE IF THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT IS REPEALED. IT IS COMPLETELY IRRESPONSIBLE TO SPEAK ABOUT REPEALING THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT WITH NO REPLACEMENT AND I URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO THINK ABOUT THEIR OWN CONSTITUENTS BEFORE DOING SO. THANK YOU. AND I YIELD BACK.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES GENTLEMAN SEEK RECOGNITION?

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PERMISSION TO ADDRESS THE HOUSE ONE MINUTE.

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I RISE TODAY TO BRING ATTENTION TO A PILOT PROGRAM IN MY DISTRICT IN…

I RISE TODAY TO BRING ATTENTION TO A PILOT PROGRAM IN MY DISTRICT IN PENSACOLA, FLORIDA. THE 39 MILLION WORDS INITIATIVE IS A COLLABORATIVE EFFORT BROUGHT BY RESEARCHERS FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE INSTITUTE. THE 30 MILLION WORDS INITIATIVE WILL EDUCATE HOSPITALS ON BEST PRACTICES FOR SPEECH AND ENGAGEMENT DURING THE CRITICAL LEARNING STAGE UP TO THREE YEARS OLD. AS WE KNOW INTERACTION BY SPEECH OR MUSIC WITH YOUNG CHILDREN HAS NOT ONLY HAD AN IMPACT ON LEARNING ABILITIES BUT EMOTIONAL NEEDS. THIS PROGRAM STRIVES TO INCLUDE ALL NEWBORNS REGARDLESS OF INCOME LEVELS, RACE OR ETHNICITY. WE CAN CHALLENGE THE STEREOTYPES WE HAVE BECOME TOO USED TO AND BUILD A FUTURE STEMMING FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE AND BRINGING NEW IDEAS FOR A VISION. THIS UNIQUE PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN OUR COMMUNITY LEADERS AND PARENTS OF OUR FUTURE GENERATION WILL GARNER A SECURE FOUNDATION FOR OUR CHILDREN TO BRING STRONGER EDUCATION, ALLOW LIMITLESS POSSIBILITIES AND MEETING THE CHALLENGES TO BUILD A BETTER TOMORROW. I YIELD BACK.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA SEEK RECOGNITION?

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PERMISSION TO ADDRESS THE HOUSE FOR ONE MINUTE AND REVISE AND EXTEND.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

WITHOUT OBJECTION. GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED.

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THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN UNITED STATES AND ISRAEL IS AN IMPORTANT ONE AND…

THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN UNITED STATES AND ISRAEL IS AN IMPORTANT ONE AND BENEFICIAL TO BOTH SIDES.

MR. LAMALFA

IN HIS TERM WELCOMING PRIME MINISTER NETANYAHU AND SHOWING THAT THE U.S.…

IN HIS TERM WELCOMING PRIME MINISTER NETANYAHU AND SHOWING THAT THE U.S. RELATIONS IS IMPORTANT WITH ISRAEL TO US AS IT IS TO THEM. ISRAEL HAS A RIGHT TO EXIST AS A JEWISH STATE AND MUST OBSERVE ITS HISTORY ON THIS EARTH HAS BEEN A VERY STRONG ONE FOR THEIR RIGHTS TO BE PART OF THE FIBER OF THE MIDDLE EAST. THE UNITED STATES NEEDS TO BE ON THEIR SIDE AND AFFIRM PARTNER. KUDOS TO PRESIDENT PRESIDENT TRUMP FOR MAKING THIS RELATIONSHIP EARLY ON IN THIS TERM AND SENDING TO THE PEOPLE OF ISRAEL AND PEOPLE OF THIS COUNTRY OF THE IMPORTANCE OF THAT RELATIONSHIP. I YIELD BACK.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

ANY FURTHER REQUESTS FOR ONE-MINUTE SPEECHES? THE CHAIR LAYS BEFORE THE…

ANY FURTHER REQUESTS FOR ONE-MINUTE SPEECHES? THE CHAIR LAYS BEFORE THE HOUSE THE FOLLOWING PERSONAL REQUESTS.

THE CLERK

LEAVE OF ABSENCE REQUESTED FOR MR. BISHOP OF GEORGIA FOR TODAY AND MR. CAR…

LEAVE OF ABSENCE REQUESTED FOR MR. BISHOP OF GEORGIA FOR TODAY AND MR. CAR BELLOW OF FLORIDA FOR TODAY.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

WITHOUT OBJECTION. WITHOUT OBJECTION, THE REQUESTS ARE GRANTED. UNDER THE…

WITHOUT OBJECTION. WITHOUT OBJECTION, THE REQUESTS ARE GRANTED. UNDER THE SPEAKER'S ANNOUNCED POLICY OF JANUARY 3, THE GENTLEMAN FROM IOWA, MR. KING, IS RECOGNIZED FOR 60 MINUTES AS THE DESIGNEE OF THE MAJORITY LEADER.

MR. KING

IT'S MY PRIVILEGED TO BE RECOGNIZED TO ADDRESS YOU HERE ON THE FLOOR OF…

IT'S MY PRIVILEGED TO BE RECOGNIZED TO ADDRESS YOU HERE ON THE FLOOR OF THE UNITED STATES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES THIS GREAT DELIBERATIVE BODY. I WOULD BE PLEASED TO YIELD TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEBRASKA, MR. FORTENBERRY.

MR. FORTENBERRY

I THANK THE GENTLEMAN FROM IOWA FOR THE TIME. PERHAPS THIS WILL EMBARRASS…

I THANK THE GENTLEMAN FROM IOWA FOR THE TIME. PERHAPS THIS WILL EMBARRASS YOU, MY COLLEAGUE, STEVE KING, AS I WAS FLYING INTO NEBRASKA, I'M LOOKING OUT OF THE WINDOW AND LOOKING AT THE ROLLING HILLS OF THE WESTERN EDGE OF IOWA AS IT BORDERS THE MISSOURI RIVER AND ALL OF THAT BEAUTIFUL TERRACING AND PRODUCTIVE FARMLAND TO INCREASE YIELD AND I WONDER HOW MUCH OF THAT STEVE KING DID OF THAT IN A FORMER LIFE. I'M GRATEFUL FOR NOT ONLY THE TIME BUT YOUR FRIENDSHIP.

MR. KING

AND THE ANSWER WOULD BE A FAIR AMOUNT.

MR. FORTENBERRY

AS I WAS GOING THROUGH MY MAIL LAST WEEK, I READ A PUBLICATION THAT I…

AS I WAS GOING THROUGH MY MAIL LAST WEEK, I READ A PUBLICATION THAT I RECEIVED FREQUENTLY AT MY HOUSE FROM WHAT'S CALLED "THE GREAT PLAINS TRAILS NETWORK," A DEDICATED AMOUNT OF PEOPLE WHO PROMOTE HIKING AND BIKING TRAILS IN MY HOMETOWN OF LINCOLN. THEY PROVIDE AN EXTRAORDINARY SERVICE TO OUR COMMUNITY. AND MOST NOTELY THE TRAILS SYSTEMS PROVIDES AN ALTERNATIVE MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION, PHYSICALLY LINKING OUR COMMUNITY IN CREATIVE WAYS ALONG CREEK BEDS AND UNDERPASSES THROUGH OPEN PLAINS AND WOODED AREAS AND BESIDES WOODEN FENCES BETWEEN RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOODS. THESE TRAILS ALSO LINK US IN A PROFOUND WAY. THEY LINK US TO THE VALUES OF HEALTHY EXERCISE, NEIGHBORS AND THE BEAUTY OF NATURE, EVEN IN THE SETTING OF THE URBAN ENVIRONMENT. I RECEIVED AN UNUSUAL MEDIA REQUEST RECENTLY. "NEW YORK" MAGAZINE" WISHED TO SPEAK TO ME. I TOOK THE MEETING BECAUSE I WANTED TO GIVE A PERSPECTIVE ON THE ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP PARTICULARLY IN LIGHT OF POLICY DEBATES ON ENERGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT. SINCE THIS TOPIC COULD BE SO TOXIC, I THOUGHT IT WAS IMPORTANT TO REFRAME THE ISSUES WITH PRARIE PERSPECTIVE. PERHAPS IT'S TIME TO SPIKE THE FOOTBALL AND FOCUS ON SOLUTIONS AND ACTIVITIES THAT ALL OF US CAN AGREE ON AND ALL OF US SEE ARE BENEFICIAL. MR. SPEAKER, FOR THE 21ST CENTURY, WE MUST HARMONIZE ENVIRONMENTAL AND ECONOMIC SECURITY. AND AS A DEFICIT PUBLIC POLICY APPROACH, I'M CONSIDERING A NEW IDEA, CALLED THE ZERO EMISSIONS ENERGY CREDIT. THE ZEEC. THE MORE WE CAN DO ABOUT THIS THE MORE WE CAN STEWARD OUR RESORS. THIS ZEEC CONCEPT WOULD REWARD THROUGH TAX CREDITS. IN THIS WAY, THE GOVERNMENT ISN'T PICKING ONE TECHNOLOGY OVER ANOTHER OR FIGHTING OTHER ONE REGULATION VERSUS ANOTHER, BUT POSITIVELY VALUING THE DIMINISHING EXTERNAL COSTS OF POLLUTING EMISSIONS. NOW, MR. SPEAKER, ENVIRONMENTAL INITIATIVES CAN ALSO TAKE MANY OTHER FORMS. AND I'M VERY PROUD TO BE RECENTLY NAMED THE CO-CHAIR OF THE INTERNATIONAL CAUCUS CONSERVATION CAUCUS CALLED THE I.C.C. IT'S ONE OF THE LARGEST BIPARTISAN CAUCUSES IN THE CONGRESS. THE I.C.C. WORKS TO ENSURE THE SUSTAINABILITY OF BOTH PERSON AND WILDLIFE. IT WORKS TO PROMOTE MARKET INNOVATION AS WELL AS PROPER STEWARDSHIP OF OUR PRECIOUS NATURAL RESOURCES. AS AN EXAMPLE, NOT LONG AGO IN THE AFRICAN COUNTRY OF MOZAMBIQUE, IN THE MIDST OF A CIVIL WAR, THE GARANGOSA NATIONAL PARK WAS COMPLETELY STRIPPED OF WILDLIFE AND DEVOID OF PEOPLE. A ONCE LUSH MIKE -- MICROECOLOGICAL SYSTEM, NOW DEAD. PRIMARILY DUE TO POLITICAL DISAGREEMENT. INTERESTINGLY, FASCINATINGLY, EXTRAORDINARILY, A MERE 10 YEARS LATER, THANKS TO THE WORK OF A MAJOR PHILANTHROPIST AND A RECEPTIVE GOVERNMENT, A PARK SYSTEM NOW TEAMS WITH WILDLIFE WITH INDIGENOUS PEOPLE REINTEGRATED BACK INTO THEIR HOMELAND WHO ARE ENGAGED IN NOW GOOD AND SUSTAINABLE FARMING METHODOLOGY, THEY'RE ENGAGED IN PARK MANAGEMENT, AS WELL AS CONSERVATION. ALL CREATING AN ATMOSPHERE IN WHICH THE ENTIRE ECOSYSTEM ONCE AGAIN THRIVES. MR. SPEAKER, I DON'T KNOW ANYONE IN THIS BODY OR ANYWHERE ELSE WHO WANTS DIRTY AIR OR DIRTY WATER. HOWEVER, AS ANOTHER EXAMPLE IF YOU LIVE IN BEIJING, POLLUTED AIR ALONE COSTS YOU 5 1/2 YEARS OFF YOUR LIFE. PARTS OF INDIA, PERHAPS WORSE. BY THE WAY, THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT WAS INFURIATED WITH THE UNITED STATES BECAUSE WE CREATED AT OUR EMBASSY A POLLUTION MONITORING DEVICE AND THEN PUBLICLY RELEASED THAT DATA THROUGH CHINESE SOCIETY. IT HAD A MAJOR EFFECT. AND AS ONE CHINESE PERSON ONCE WHISPERED TO ME, WHAT'S THE PURPOSE OF ALL THIS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IF IT KILLS YOU? ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT WITHOUT A SOUL STRIPS US OF THE CAPACITY TO FULLY PROSPER. ON THE OTHER HAND, ONE OF THE PRIME CONTRIBUTORS TO ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION IS ECONOMIC UNDERDEVELOPMENT. PERSONS WHO HAVE DIMINISHED ECONOMIC OPTIONS WILL USE THE RESOURCES AT HAND. SOMETIMES MERELY TO SURVIVE. THE TRAGEDY OF THE COMMONS OCCURS WHEN THERE ARE FRACTURED SOCIAL LINKAGES A LACK OF ACCESS TO TECHNOLOGY AND INFORMATION TO FEED AND CLOTHE AND HOUSE IN A MORE SUSTAINABLE WAY. MR. SPEAKER, I BELIEVE THIS. AS NEW TECHNOLOGIES EMERGE, WE MAY SEE EXCITING OPPORTUNITIES TO BUILD OUR OWN SUSTAINABLY SOURCED MICROENERGY ECONOMY. ONE THAT HARR MONOIZES WITH THE ENVIRONMENT AND CREATES NEW ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES AND LINKAGES. THIS DOESN'T MEAN WE ALL LIVE ON GAME PRESERVES, BUT THROUGH PROPER PUBLIC POLICY AND INNOVATION, WE MAY BE ON THE TRAIL TO ENVIRONMENTAL, ECONOMIC, AND COMMUNITY SECURITY, AND PERHAPS CREATING A NEW TYPE OF GREAT PLAINS ENERGY NETWORK. WITH THAT SAID, MR. SPEAKER, I WANT TO THANK AGAIN MY GOOD FRIEND CONGRESSMAN KING FOR THE VARIOUS ASPECTS OF LEADERSHIP HE'S PROVIDING PARTICULARLY TODAY ON AN ESSENTIAL ISSUE, THE PRO LIFE ISSUE, AND I THANK HIM AND YIELD HIM MY TIME.

MR. KING

I THANK THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEBRASKA, MR. FORTENBERRY, FOR HIS PRESENTATION…

I THANK THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEBRASKA, MR. FORTENBERRY, FOR HIS PRESENTATION TODAY AND FOR THE JOB HE'S BEEN DOING FOR A LONG TIME REPRESENTING THE EASTERN THIRD OF NEBRASKA, GENERALLY SPEAKING. I'D POINT OUT, WE FIRST MET ON THE PRO-LIFE ISSUE. AS I WAS LOOKING AT THE PRIMARY CANDIDATES VYING FOR THAT POSITION IN EASTERN NEBRASKA, I WANTED TO MEASURE THEIR CHARACTER, THE CONTENT OF THEIR CHARACTER, VALUE OF THEIR FAITH AND THEIR COMMITMENT TO PRINCIPLE AND PLANNING AND ESPECIALLY LIFE. IN LOOKING AT THE CANDIDATES, IT DIDN'T TAKE LONG TO FIGURE THAT OUT AND I THINK NEBRASKANS HAVE DONE VERY, VERY WELL WITH THE REPRESENTATIVES THEY HAVE SENT TO CONGRESS, ESPECIALLY WITH MR. FORTENBERRY, WHO HAS EXCEEDED MY EXPECTATIONS, AND I'M PLEASED TO SAY THAT INTO THE RECORD. AS HE INDICATED, I CAME TO THE FLOOR HERE THIS AFTERNOON, MR. SPEAKER, TO SPEAK ABOUT LIFE. ABOUT INNOCENT, UNBORN HUMAN LIFE. AND TO START WITH, I'LL PUT IT THIS WAY, MR. SPEAKER. THERE'S A SERIES OF VALUES THAT WE HOLD DEAR. MANY OF THE DEBATES HERE ON THIS FLOOR AND IN COMMITTEES AND VARIOUS COMMITTEE ROOMS AROUND THE HILL THAT WE HAVE ARE MORE OR LESS WORKING AROUND THE EDGES OF THE CENTRAL ISSUES. SOMETIMES, THOUGH, WE DO GET TO THESE CENTRAL ISSUE AND THE CENTRAL ISSUE WAS DEBATED ON THIS FLOOR EARLIER WITH A DIFFERENT PIECE OF LEGISLATION. BUT WHEN YOUNG PEOPLE ARE GROWING UP IN AMERICA AND THEY'RE LISTENING TO THEIR PARENTS, THEIR TEACHERS, OTHER FRIENDS AND RELATIVES AND SCHOOLMATES, THE QUESTION THAT WILL EMERGE, YOU CAN'T GROW UP IN AMERICA WITHOUT THE QUESTION OF ABORTION EMERGING. SOMETIMES THEY'RE COUNSELED ON ONE SIDE OF THAT QUESTION, SOMETIMES ON THE OTHER. BUT WHEN I'M TALKING TO YOUNG PEOPLE I WANT THEM TO SHAPE THEIR VALUES AROUND THE MOST SOLID MORAL PRINCIPLES, AS OUR FOUNDING FATHERS SHAPED OUR VALUES, THE VALUES OF AMERICA, AROUND THE MOST SOLID MORAL PRINCIPLES. AND IT DOESN'T DO TO JUST SIMPLY PASS OFF THE IDEA OF ABORTION AND SAY I'M NOT GOING TO THINK ABOUT IT, OR LEAVE IT UP TO GOD TO DECIDE. HE CALLS ON US. ALSO. TO CONTEMPLATE THESE THINGS. OUR FOUNDING FATHERS WROTE INTO THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE THAT WE HAVE A RIGHT TO LIFE, LIBERTY, AND THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS. AND WHEN I CONTEMPLATE THOSE WORDS AND THE ORDER OF THOSE WORDS, IT'S OFTEN CONFLATED TOGETHER AS EQUAL OR EQUIVALENT VALUES AS IF LIFE AND PURE SUIT OF HAPPINESS ARE EQUIVALENT -- AND PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS ARE EQUIVALENT VALUES AND LIBERTY, AND YOU CAN STIR IT UP AND NO ONE'S PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS SHOULD BE DIMINISHED BY SOMEONE ELSE'S SEARCH FOR LIBERTY OR THE EXERCISE OF LIBERTY OR NO ONE'S LIFE SHOULD TRUMP THAT OF SOMEONE ELSE'S PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS OR LIBERTY. BUT MR. SPEAKER, IN UNDERSTANDING THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE, THE FOUNDATION OL DOCUMENT THAT UNDERGIRDS OUR CONSTITUTION AND THE MOST BEAUTIFUL DOCUMENT WRITTEN IN THE HISTORY OF THE NATION STATE, AND I BELIEVE THAT THE DECLARATION AND THE CONSTITUTION WERE INSPIRED WITH DIVINE GUIDANCE, JUST A LITTLE BIT LOWER STANDARD OF TRUTH THAN DIVINE INSPIRATION, BUT DIVINE GUIDANCE. I BELIEVE OUR FOUNDING FATHERS THOUGHT DEEPLY ABOUT THAT MESSAGE THAT WAS COMING TO THEM FROM ABOVE AND THE WORDS THAT WERE PUT DOWN ON THAT PARCHMENT BY THOMAS JEFFERSON, THE RIGHT TO LIFE, LIBERTY, AND THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS, WERE RIGHTS THAT WERE CONSIDERED CAREFULLY TO BE PRIORITIZED IN THEIR ORDER OF WHAT WAS THE MOST IMPORTANT DOWN TO THE LEAST IMPORTANT OF THE THREE. LIFE CAME FIRST. THEY DIDN'T SAY RIGHT TO LIBBER -- RIGHT TO PURSUIT OF HAPPY PNS, TO LIBERTY, TO LIFE. OR LIBERTY, PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS AND THEN TO LIFE. AND TO UNDERSTAND WHAT THAT MEANS, THINK OF THIS. FIRST THE DEFINITION OF PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS AS UNDERSTOOD BY OUR FOUNDING FATHERS. OUR FOUNDING FATHERS DIDN'T SEE THIS PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS AS, LET'S JUST SAY A TAILGATE PARTY ON A SATURDAY NOON OR EARLY SATURDAY AFTERNOON. IT WASN'T ABOUT GOING TO -- GOING OFF TO A PARTY OR SITTING IN YOUR BACKYARD WITH YOUR FAMILY OR DOING THE THINGS WE ENJOY TO DO, ENJOYING SPORTS, WATCHING OR PARTICIPATING OR BEING OUT ON THE WATER OR DOWN THE SKI SLOPES, THAT WAS NOT IMAGINED AT ALL AS THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS BECAUSE THEY UNDERSTOOD PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS TO BE THE DEFINITION OF THE GREEK TERM, WHICH I PRONOUNCE UDAM; -- E--- EUDOMNIA. YOU'RE WELCOME. WHAT IT MEANS IS, IN PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS, BUT HAPPINESS UNDER THE GREEK UNDERSTANDING OF IT THE TERM WAS THE WHOLE PERSON. THE DEVELOPMENT -- TO DEVELOP ONE'S SELF AS A WHOLE PERSON. DEVELOP YOURSELF PHYSICALLY AS YOU GO INTO -- GRE INTO ADULTHOOD. KEEP YOURSELF IN SHAPE, BUILD YOUR MUSCLES UP, EAT HEALTHY, SLEEP HEALTHY DO, THE HEALTHY THINGS, MAKE SURE THIS TEMPLE OF OUR BODY IS TAKEN CARE OF RESPECTED AND TAKEN CARE OF BECAUSE THAT'S THE VESSELS THROUGH WHICH WE CARRY OUR VALUES. SO IT WAS THE PHYSICAL HEALTH PLUS PART OF THE -- WAS PART OF THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS BUT ALSO THE MENTAL DEVELOPMENT. AND NOT JUST PURSUING KNOWLEDGE, NOT ROTE MEMORIZATION ALONE WHICH HAS ITS VALUE, ALWAYS HAS HAD, ALWAYS WILL HAVE, BUT ALSO THE UNDERSTANDING OF A PHILOSOPHICAL PERSON AND THAT -- INTELLECTUALLY COMPLETE INDIVIDUAL TO COMPLEMENT THE PHYSICALLY HEALTHY AND IN SHAPE INDIVIDUAL, PHILOSOPHICALLY SOUND, INTELLECTUALLY SOUND BUT ALSO THEOLOGICALLY SOUND. THAT'S THE COMPLETE HUMAN BEING. THAT'S MAKING THE MOST OUT OF GOD'S GIFT TO US. AND DEVELOPING OURSELVES PHYSICALLY AND MENTALLY, EMOTIONALLY, THEOLOGICALLY, PSYCHOLOGICALLY. THE WHOLE HUMAN BEING. AND SO THE UNDERSTANDING THAT OUR FOUNDING FATHERS WAS THIS, THAT YOU HAVE A RIGHT TO PURSUE THIS. YOU HAVE A RIGHT TO DEVELOP YOURSELF. IN FACT, THE IMPLICATION IS WE HAVE AN OBLIGATION TO DO SO. AND THAT MEANS WE'VE GOT AN OBLIGATION TO EVALUATE THE MORAL QUESTIONS IN FRONT OF US WITH THE BRAIN THAT WE'RE GIVEN. AND THE VALUES THAT WE'VE DEVELOPED AND THE EDUCATION THAT WE WORKED TO EARN. THAT'S PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS. BUT THAT'S THE LOWEST OF THE THREE ON THE PRIORITY, MR. SPEAKER. THE NEXT VALUE UP IS LIBERTY. THE VALUE OF LIBERTY, THERE ARE CERTAIN THINGS THAT ARE OUR LIBERTY. WE TAKE LIBERTY WITH OUR SPEECH. WE TAKE LICKER -- LIBERTY WITH OUR RELIGION. WE TAKE LIBERTY WITH THE PRESS, OUR RIGHT TO ASSEMBLE, ALL THOSE THINGS. IF SOMEONE ELSE IS IN PURSUIT OF THEIR EA HAPPINESS, THEY'RE NOT GOING TO TAKE AWAY OUR RIGHTS TO OUR LIBERTY. MOST OF OUR RIGHTS TO LIBERTY ARE WRAPPED UP IN THE BILL OF RIGHTS. BUT THE FIRST AMENDMENT CATCHES THE MOST IMPORTANT ONES EARLY AND ALSO THE LIBERTY TO KEEP AND BEAR ARMS, THE PROPERTY RIGHTS THAT COME ALONG IN THE FIFTH AMENDMENT. COMPONENTS OF LIBERTY THAT WE HAVE AND THE PROVISIONS THAT ALLOW US TO FACE A JURY OF OUR PEERS AND NO DOUBLE JEOPARDY, THOSE ARE LIBERTY. THE LIBERTIES THAT ARE DEFINED TRUMP THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS. IN OTHER WORDS, IF SOMEONE ELSE CAN'T TAKE AWAY OUR FREEDOM OF SPEECH BECAUSE THEY'RE IN SEARCH OF A GOOD TAILGATE PARTY. AND YET, FROM LOWEST PRIORITY, THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS TO THE NEXT LEVEL UP, THE LIBERTY, TO THE HIGHEST LEVEL UP IS THE RIGHT TO LIFE. LIFE ITSELF IS SACRED. AND WHEN I TALK TO YOUNG PEOPLE I ASK THEM THE QUESTION, DO YOU BELIEVE, DO YOU BELIEVE THAT HUMAN LIFE IS SACRED IN ALL OF ITS FORMS. AND THEY LOOK AROUND AT EACH OTHER IN THE BLEACHER SEATS IN THE GYMNASIUM, IF IT HAPPENS TO BE IN A SCHOOL IN THAT FASHION, AN THEY COME TO A CONSENSUS, YES. AND I'LL ASK THEM, IS YOUR LIFE SACRED? IS YOUR LIFE SACRED? HOW ABOUT THE PERSON SITTING NEXT TO YOU? IS THEIR LIFE SACRED? AND AFTER A LITTLE WHILE THEY START TO NOD THEIR HEADS AND AGREE. IT'S NO TRICK QUESTION. HUMAN LIFE IS SAKE REDS IN ALL OF ITS FORMS. ONCE YOU UNDERSTAND THAT AN WE ACCEPT THAT UNIVERSAL CONSENSUS THAT'S THERE IN THIS SOCIETY OF AMERICA, THEN THE ONLY OTHER QUESTION WE HAVE TO ASK IS, IF HUMAN LIFE IS SACRED, WE PROTECT IT WITH ALL THAT WE HAVE, THEN WE NEED TO KNOW WHEN LIFE BEGINS, AND WE NEED TO KNOW WHEN LIFE ENDS. AND WE KNOW THAT THE SUPREME COURT IN 1973, 44 YEARS AGO, CAME TO A CONCLUSION THAT, ACTUALLY THEY DIDN'T KNOW THEY SPOKE OF VIABILITY. AND THEY USED A VAGUE, MUSHY DEFINITION OF VIABILITY AND TRIMESTERS. BUT THAT'S NOT A WAY TO DEFINE LIFE. WHEN YOU DEAL WITH SOMETHING THAT IS SACRED IN ALL OF ITS FORMS, YOU DON'T USE A DEFINITION OUT THERE THAT SAYS MAYBE IT IS OR MAYBE IT ISN'T A LIFE. MAYBE IT IS VIABLE, MAYBE IT ISN'T. MAYBE IT HAS CROSSED THE THRESHOLD OF THIS TRIMESTER OR THIS ONE OR THIS ONE. WHAT THEY ENDED UP IN ROE V. WADE AND DOLE VS. BOLTON A COMBINATION OF THE TWO, WAS ABORTION ON DEMAND AND THE PERSON'S RIGHT TO LIFE, THE PERSONHOOD THAT BEGINS AT THE MOMENT OF CONCEPTION, IS SUBJECT TO THE JUDGMENT OF THE MOTHER WHO MAY THINK THAT THIS LIFE IS INCONVENIENT TO HER LIBERTY OR HER PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS. THAT WAS WHEN THEY CROSSED A MORAL LINE THAT NEEDS TO BE EXAMINED BY EVERYONE IN THIS COUNTRY WHO GOES TO THE POLLS AND VOTES, OR CONDUCTS THEMSELVES IN A FASHION WITH THIS ABORTION INDUSTRY ITSELF. I SAY TO THEM, STUDENTS ESPECIALLY IS HUMAN LIFE SACRED IN ALL OF ITS FORMS? AN THINK ANSWER COMES BACK, YES, IT IS. THEN I HAVE TO SAY, THEN YOU HAVE TO CHOOSE WHEN A MOMENT THAT LIFE BEGINS. THERE'S ONLY ONE MOMENT THAT WE KNOW AND THAT IS THE MOMENT OF CONCEPTION. THAT MOMENT OF CONCEPTION THAT LIFE BEGINS IS A MOMENT THAT I BELIEVE GOD PLACES A SOUL IN THAT LITTLE BEING THAT'S A FULL COMPLEMENT OF THE COMBINATION OF THE D.N.A. OF THE FATHER AND THE MOTHER, THE FULL COMPLEMENT OF THE HUMAN BEING, A UNIQUE HUMAN BEING, A UNIQUE HUMAN BEING THAT WILL NEVER BE ANOTHER ONE EXACTLY LIKE THAT LITTLE BABY THAT'S CONCEIVED. THERE WILL BE ANOTHER ONE. EVEN IDENTICAL TWINS HAVE THEIR DISTINCTIONS, MR. SPEAKER. MOTHERS CAN TELL THEM APART. NOT ALWAYS EASILY BUT THEY CAN TELL -- FATHERS CAN TELL LITTLE BABIES APART. EVEN THOUGH THEY HAVE MATCHING D.N.A., THEY'RE STILL UNIQUE. THEY'RE STILL A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT IN DIFFERENT WAYS. AND THEY HAVE PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS THAT BECOME MORE AND MORE APPARENT AS THE YEARS GO ON. THERE ARE NO TWO HUMAN BEINGS EXACTLY THE SAME. THAT'S BECAUSE GOD MADE IT THAT WAY. TO THINK HOW UNIQUE THIS IS. OVER SEVEN BILLION PEOPLE NOW ON THIS PLANET. OUR POPULATION HAS GONE OVER SEVEN BILLION PEOPLE. OF ALL THE PEOPLE THAT HAVE GONE THROUGH THEIR GRAVES THROUGHOUT HISTORY FROM THE IMPINGE OF TIME, FROM THE GARDEN OF EDEN UNTIL TODAY, ALL THE PEOPLE THAT LIVE ON THE PLANET, SEVEN BILLION A DAY, ALL THE PEOPLE THAT WILL COME LIKELY BY THE BILLIONS INTO THE FUTURE, THERE ARE NO TWO FACES THAT ARE THE SAME, THAT ARE THE SAME. THEY SOMETIMES LOOK A LITTLE THE SAME, MORE THAN A LITTLE BUT THERE ARE NO TWO FACES THAT ARE THE SAME. THERE ARE NO TWO FACES THAT ANYONE THAT KNOWS THEM CAN TELL THE DIFFERENCE. THINK TO CREATE A SPECIES, WE, HOMOSAPIENS, THAT WE WON'T BE NEVER BE MATCHED BEFORE SINCE THE BEGINNING OF TIME AND NO MATTER WHAT ANY SCIENTISTS MIGHT DO IN THE LABORATORY, THERE WON'T BE ANYBODY EXACTLY THE SAME EVEN IF THE D.N.A. MATCHES EXACTLY. THAT IS A UNIQUE APPROACH TO THIS. AND THINK ABOUT THIS. THE THING THAT WE MEASURE OURSELVES AND RECOGNIZE OURSELVES BY, OUR FACE, OUR VIISAGE, CARRIES WITH IT THE PACKAGE OF ALL THE EMOTIONS AND THE THOUGHTS AND THE EXPRESSIONS THAT BYPASS SO MUCH NEED TO USE THE WORDS IN THIS VERY EXCELLENT LANGUAGE THAT WE HAVE. THINK OF HOW YOU INTERACT WITH YOUR FRIENDS, YOUR FAMILY, YOUR NEIGHBORS WHEN YOU'RE SITTING IN A MEETING, WHEN YOU'RE GIVING FACIAL EXPRESSIONS THAT DON'T REQUIRE A SOUND AND THOSE PEOPLE LOOK AT THOSE FACIAL REACTIONS AND REACT OFF IT. I LOOK TO THE DAYS, AS MR. FORTENBERRY SAID, WORKING WITH A CREW LAYING PIPE WITH MY THREE SONS AND WE MAY NOT HAVE TO SPEAK ALL DAY LONG BECAUSE FACIAL EXPRESSIONS, A NOD HERE AND THERE, WE CAN COMMUNICATE WITH OUR FACIAL EXPRESSIONS AND THAT'S ENOUGH. THAT'S A UNIQUE THING THAT WE'VE BEEN BLESSED WITH. BUT EVERY ONE OF US ARE UNIQUE, AND OUR LIVES BEGIN AT THE MOMENT OF CONCEPTION. WE CAN'T MEASURE -- WE CAN'T PROVE SCIENTIFICALLY WHEN THAT MOMENT OF CONCEPTION IS. WE JUST KNOW WE KNOW THAT'S WHEN THAT BABY, WHEN THE COMPONENTS OF THE D.N.A. OF THE FATHER AND THE MOTHER COME TOGETHER IN THAT FERTILIZED EGG, THAT'S A MOMENT OF CONCEPTION. THAT'S THE MOMENT THAT LIFE BEGINS. AND SO I'D LIKE IT IF WE COULD IDENTIFY SCIENTIFICALLY IF A LITTLE BELL WENT OFF AND WE KNEW, HERE'S CONCEPTION, THERE'S A UNIQUE LITTLE LIFE HERE IN THE WOMB OF THE MOTHER. BY THE WAY, SHE IS A MOTHER AT THAT MOMENT. BUT WE CAN'T DO THAT YET. WE'VE COME A LONG WAYS. WE DIDN'T -- WHEN OUR FAMILY WAS BORN WITH THAT TIME WE COULDN'T TELL WHETHER IT WAS A BOY OR GIRL. SO IT WAS NICE TO, IN MY OPINION, HAVE A SURPRISE ON WHETHER IT'S A BOY OR GIRL. OF COURSE, I ALWAYS PRAYED THEY WOULD BE MENTALLY HEALTHY AND AFTER THAT PHYSICALLY HEALTHY BUT NEVER ASK WHETHER IT SHOULD BE A BOY OR GIRL BUT TODAY WE KNOW. WE CAN MEASURE IF IT'S A BOY OR GIRL. WE CAN TELL FACIAL CHARACTERISTICS. WE CAN SEE THE PERSONALITY OF THESE LITTLE UNBORN BABIES IN THE WOMB WHEN THEY MAKE FACES, YOU CAN SEE THEM GRIMACE, YOU CAN SEE THEM SMILE, YOU CAN SEE THEM SUCK THEIR THUMB. AND THERE ARE MANY, MANY PEOPLE IN THIS COUNTRY TODAY THAT HAVE A 4-D ULTRASOUND OF ONE OR MORE OF THEIR CHILDREN THAT'S TAKEN WELL BEFORE THEY'RE BORN. I CAN THINK OF ONE OF MY DISTRICT PERSONNEL WHO HAS IN HIS OFFICE IN SUH CITY A FRAMED PICTURE OF THE -- SIOUX CITY A FRAMED PICTURE OF JOSEPH DEAN ANDERSON, MY GOD SON. IT'S THERE FRAMED THE ULTRASOUND OF THAT LITTLE BABY BOY MONTHS BEFORE HE WAS BORN AND NOW HE'S ABOUT 7 YEARS OLD OR SO. PERFECT LITTLE TOAD-HEADED, BLOND-HAIRED KID RUNNING AROUND WITH LOVE AND ENERGY BUT HE WAS FIRST KNOWN IN HIS MOTHER'S WOMB AND FIRST RECOGNIZED AS A FAMILY MEMBER THERE AND HIS PICTURE FRAMED AND STILL IS THERE IN THE OFFICE IN SIOUX CITY AND HE'S ABOUT TALL ENOUGH TO SEE IT STRAIGHT ON THESE DAYS. THAT HAPPENS ALL THE OVER AMERICA BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT LIFE BEGINS AT THE MOMENT OF CONCEPTION. WE HOLD IT, WE CHERISH LIFE. IT'S SACRED TO US. AND THESE LITTLE BABIES ARE THE FUTURE OF AMERICA. THEY'RE GOD'S WILL AND THEY ARE THE FUTURE OF AMERICA. AND YET NEARLY 60 MILLION OF THEM HAVE BEEN ABORTED OVER THE YEARS SINCE 1973 IN ROE VS. WADE. NEARLY 60 MILLION. THINK OF THAT. 60 MILLION BABIES IN 44 YEARS. AND WE'RE WATCHING A NATION THAT HAS A BIRTH RATE NOW THAT'S LOWER THAN THE REPLACEMENT RATE. AND YOU HEAR DEBATE ON THIS FLOOR, MR. SPEAKER, THAT SAYS THAT WE HAVE TO GO TO FOREIGN COUNTRIES TO BRING PEOPLE IN HERE TO DO THE WORK THAT WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH PEOPLE TO DO. I DON'T ACCEPT THAT AS A RATIONAL THING FOR A COUNTRY TO DO IN THAT WAY. WE CAN USE MORE. WHAT WE NEED IN THIS COUNTRY IS GOOD PEOPLE TO HAVE MORE BABIES AND RAISE THEM RIGHT. AND YET WE'RE MISSING 60 MILLION. THAT DOESN'T INCLUDE THE SECOND GENERATION OF THOSE WHO WERE ABORTED IN THE FIRST HALF OF THE 44 YEARS OF ROE VS. WADE. THOMAS JEFFERSON CONCLUDED THAT A GENERATION WAS 19 YEARS. THAT'S PROBABLY A LITTLE LONGER THAN THAT TODAY. A GENERATION WAS TURNED OVER IN HIS ESTIMATION 19 YEARS. 44 YEARS SINCE ROE VS. WADE. I WILL DIVIDE IT BY TWO. TWO GENERATIONS. TWO GENERATIONS, A THIRD OF AMERICANS GONE BECAUSE OF A COURT DECISION THAT'S UNJUSTLY FOUND, UNCONSTITUTIONALLY FOUND, IMMORALLY FOUND, IRRATIONALLY FOUND AND THE GUILT THAT THIS NATION CARRIES FOR TOLERATING A SUPREME COURT DECISION AND ACCEPTING THAT SUPREME COURT DECISION. THERE'S NOT EVERYBODY IN THIS COUNTRY THAT CARRIES THAT GUILT BECAUSE WE HAVE ARMIES OF PRO-LIFE WORKERS THAT ARE OUT THERE ON A DAILY BASIS DOING ALL THEY CAN TO BRIDGE THE GAP FOR I'D SAY A MOTHER WHO IS IN A CRISIS AND CAN'T CARE FOR THEIR BABY THAT'S ON THE WAY. THE CRISIS PREGNANCY CENTERS THAT ARE THERE. THE LIVES SAVED BY PRO-LIFE WORKERS. THE LIVES SAVED BY THE INSPIRATION THAT COMES FROM SEEING HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF PRO-LIFE MARCHERS COME TO THIS CITY AND MAKE THAT MARCH FROM THE -- AROUND THE WASHINGTON MONUMENT ALL ON UP TO THE SUPREME COURT AND TO THE WEST SIDE OF THE SUPREME COURT TO PLEAD FOR JUSTICE FOR THOSE WHO ARE VOICELESS IN THE UNBORN. WELL, MR. SPEAKER, IT'S TIME FOR THIS CONGRESS TO ADDRESS THIS. IT'S TIME FOR CONGRESS TO MOVE ALONG THE ISSUE, AND SO BECAUSE WE CANNOT MEDICALLY PROVE WHEN A CONCEPTION BEGINS BUT WE BELIEVE PROFOUNDLY THAT PERSONHOOD BEGINS AT THE MOMENT OF CONCEPTION AND PERSONHOOD NEEDS TO BE PROTECTED IN ALL OF ITS FORMS, THE CLOSEST WE CAN GET TO VERIFYING THAT PERSONHOOD, THAT CONCEPTION IS THE MEASURE OF THE HEARTBEAT. WE ALL KNOW THAT A BEATING HEART IS LIFE. WHEN THE HEART STOPS BEATING, LIFE ENDS. AND SO NOW WE CAN DETECT A HEARTBEAT AS EARLY AS 16 DAYS FROM CONCEPTION. AND OFTEN THE NUMBER IS PUBLISHED TO BE 18 DAYS FROM CONCEPTION, MR. SPEAKER. IT MAY NOT ALWAYS BE DETECTABLE IN EVERY PREGNANCY THAT EARLY BUT IT IS ENTIRELY PREDICTABLE -- DETECTABLE EARLY ON IN THE PREGNANCY. SO I'VE INTRODUCED LEGISLATION, MR. SPEAKER, TO PROTECT THESE INNOCENT BABES, THESE BABES THAT CAN'T SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES, THAT CAN'T CRY OUT FOR THEIR OWN MERCY BUT THEY'RE ALREADY FORMED IN THEIR MOTHER'S WOMB AND THE UNIQUE INDIVIDUAL THAT GROWS FROM, THAT MATCHING OF THOSE TWO D.N.A., AND WHEN THAT HEART STARTS TO BEAT, A PHYSICIAN CAN DETECT THAT HEARTBEAT AND WHEN THEY CAN DETECT THE HEARTBEAT WE NEED TO PROTECT THE BABY AND WITH THE UNDERSTANDING THAT WHEN A HEARTBEAT CAN BE DETECTED, THE BABY MUST BE PROTECTED, I HAVE DRAFTED AND INTRODUCED LEGISLATION THAT IS H.R. 490, MR. SPEAKER. THIS BILL IS TITLED, THE HEARTBEAT PROTECTION ACT OF 2017. IT MAKES A LIFE-SAVING STRIDE IN ENSHRINING THE RIGHTS, THE RIGHTS OF THE UNBORN, INTO U.S. LAW. IT ENSURES THAT NO CHILD FOR WHOM A HEARTBEAT IS DETECTABLE IS ABORTED UNLESS THE LIFE OF THE CHILD'S MOTHER IS ENDANGERED, IN FACT, BY A PHYSICAL DISORDER, BY A PHYSICAL ILLNESS OR BY PHYSICAL INJURY. AND ANY ABORTIONIST WHO PERFORMS AN ABORTION UNDER THIS LEGISLATION, H.R. 490, THE HEARTBEAT PROTECTION ACT OF 2017, ANY ABORTIONIST WHO PERFORMS AN ABORTION IN SPITE OF A DETECTABLE HEARTBEAT AND OUTSIDE OF THE EXCEPTIONS THAT I DEFINED, WHICH IS FOR PHYSICAL DISORDER, PHYSICAL ILLNESS OR PHYSICAL INJURY, ANY PHYSICIAN WHO PERFORMS THE HEARTBEAT OUTSIDE OF THOSE -- EXCUSE ME -- PERFORMS AN ABORTION OUTSIDE THOSE EXCEPTIONS WOULD BE SUBJECT TO A FINE OR IMPRISONMENT. AND THAT'S A PERIOD UP TO FIVE YEARS OR BOTH. THIS IS A SERIOUS PIECE OF LEGISLATION, AND IT NEEDS TO BE BECAUSE LIFE ITSELF IS THE NUMBER ONE THING THAT IS SACRED HERE IN THIS PLANET, ESPECIALLY IN THIS COUNTRY. THIS LEGISLATION, THE HEARTBEAT PROTECTION ACT OF 2017, WILL REQUIRE ALL PHYSICIANS BEFORE CONDUCTING AN ABORTION TO DETECT THE HEARTBEAT OF THE UNBORN CHILD, AND THAT MEANS THEY HAVE TO -- THEY HAVE TO MAINTAIN THE RECORDS OF THEIR ENDEAVOR TO DETECT THE HEARTBEAT AND IF A HEARTBEAT IS DETECTED, THE BABY IS PROTECTED. THAT'S THE CENTER OF THIS LAW. AND EVER SINCE ROE VS. WADE WE'VE -- WHICH WAS UNCONSTITUTIONALLY DECIDED IN 1973, 44 YEARS AGO, THESE 60 MILLION BABIES, ALMOST 60 MILLION BABIES THAT HAVE BEEN ENDED BY THE ABORTION INDUSTRY, THEY RECEIVED A RUBBER STAMP FROM THE COURTS, FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, NOT FROM THIS CONGRESS AND NOT FROM THE STATES. THE SUPREME COURT OVERRULED THE EFFORTS IN THE STATES TO PROTECT INNOCENT UNBORN HUMAN LIFE. THE SUPREME COURT OVERRULES THIS CONGRESS TO PROTECT UNBORN HUMAN LIFE, AND WE HAVE BEEN TRYING TO FIND WAYS AROUND THAT DECISION EVER SINCE 1973. BUT I'VE INTRODUCED THE BILL AND IT WILL PROTECT THE LIVES OF THE VOICELESS' INNOCENCE. AND THEN TO MAKE A POINT NOW, MR. SPEAKER, THERE ARE PROBABLY SOME PEOPLE THINKING THIS IS A LITTLE BIT TOO BIG OF A LEAP FOR WHERE WE ARE IN THE -- ON THE TOPIC TODAY. AND I WOULD SUBMIT THAT IT'S NOT, THAT WE HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH WHAT I WILL CALL PATIENT -- TOO PATIENTLY WITH INCREMENTALISM. WHEN I CAME TO THIS CONGRESS MORE THAN A DECADE AGO, I HAD BEEN AT THAT TIME ALREADY WORKING TO TRY TO HELP PASS LEGISLATION THAT BANNED PARTIAL BIRTH ABORTIONS. AND THE SUPREME COURT HAD FOUND THE PARTIAL BIRTH ABORTION BAN TO BE UNCONSTITUTIONAL BASED ON A COUPLE OF THINGS, AND ONE OF THEM WAS THE SUPREME COURT RULED THAT IT WAS NECESSARY TO SAVE THE LIFE OF THE MOTHER OR THE HEALTH OF THE MOTHER AND THE OTHER ONE WAS THAT WE HADN'T DEFINED -- CONGRESS HADN'T DEFINED THE ACT PRECISELY ENOUGH. AND SO WE WENT TO WORK IN THE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE, AND I WANT TO THANK CONGRESSMAN STEVE CHABOT OF OHIO FOR TAKING THE LEAD ON THIS ISSUE. AND WE HELD HEARING AFTER HEARING AND CAME -- CONGRESS HAD FINDINGS THAT A PARTIAL BIRTH ABORTION WAS NEVER MEDICALLY NECESSARY TO SAVE THE LIFE OF THE MOTHER, AND THAT'S WITH MUCH, MUCH TESTIMONY OF EXPERTS BEFORE THE COMMITTEE FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME, DEFINITIVELY CONCLUDED SUCH AND THEN THE ACT ITSELF WAS MORE PRECISELY DEFINED. THEN IT WENT BACK BEFORE THE COURTS, AND EACH OF THE FEDERAL DISTRICTS THAT HEARD THE CASE, THREE OF THEM SIMULTANEOUSLY, ALL OF THEM TURNED IT DOWN AS UNCONSTITUTIONAL BUT IT WENT TO THE SUPREME COURT WHERE THE BAN ON PARTIAL BIRTH ABORTION WAS UPHELD. AND IT HAS SAVED SOME LIVES. BUT IT'S PUT A SMALL DENT IN THIS HUGE 60 MILLION ABORTED BABIES INDUSTRY. AND SO WE BEGAN TO GO TO WORK ON THIS IN OTHER WAYS, AND WE HAVE LEGISLATION THAT'S INTRODUCED BEFORE THIS CONGRESS THAT BANS SEX-SELECTED ABORTIONS. AND WE KNOW THERE ARE FAMILIES NOW THAT WILL USE THAT -- I'LL SAY MOTHERS AND FATHERS -- THAT WILL USE THE ULTRASOUND TO DETERMINE THE SEX OF THE BABY AND IF THEY WANT A LITTLE BABY BOY AND IT'S A GIRL, SOMETIMES THEY WILL ABORT THAT LITTLE GIRL AND TRY AGAIN FOR A BOY. WE KNOW THIS IS HAPPENING IN PLACES LIKE CHINA WHERE THEY HAD UP UNTIL RECENTLY THE ONE-CHILD POLICY AND THE PROPORTION OF BOYS TO GIRLS IS WAY OUT OF WHACK IN CHINA BECAUSE THEY'RE ABORTING LITTLE BABY GIRLS BECAUSE THEY'D PREFER HAVING A BOY. THAT HAPPENS IN AMERICA, TOO, BUT NOT AS STATISTICALLY EVIDENT, BUT IT'S IMMORAL TO DO THAT AND THAT PIECE OF LEGISLATION HAS 77% SUPPORT AND THAT'S THE STRONGEST SUPPORT WE HAVE STATISTICALLY FOR ABORTION LEGISLATION THAT EXISTS -- AS FAR AS I KNOW -- IN THIS CONGRESS. THEN, WE HAVE PAIN-CAPABLE LEGISLATION. LITTLE BABIES THAT CAN FEEL THE PAIN OF ABORTION, WHEN THAT NEEDLE WITH THE SALINE SOLUTION IS STUCK INTO THAT -- MR. SPEAKER, I'M JUST GOING TO BYPASS THE DETAILS OF HOW THIS FUNCTIONS. THE BABIES CAN FEEL PAIN. THEY CAN EXPERIENCE JOY. THEY CAN EXPERIENCE PLEASURE. AND THEY EXPERIENCE PAIN. AND WE HAVE LEGISLATION TO PROHIBIT ABORTION FROM THE TIME THAT WE CAN DETERMINE THAT THAT BABY FEELS THE PAIN OF BEING ABORTED. . BUT THAT'S ANOTHER DEFINITION -- THAT'S THE DEFINITION OF PAIN, NOT A DEFINITION OF LIFE. IF THIS IS A UNIQUE LIFE AS I'VE DESCRIBED AT LENGTH HERE, THEN THIS UNIQUE LIFE MUST BE PROTECT. WE DON'T SAY THIS UNIQUE LIFE THAT HAS A SOUL THAT GOD PUT THAT GOD PUT INTO THIS SOUL FROM THE MOMENT OF CONCEPTION DOESN'T DESERVE TO BE PROTECTED UNLESS THEY CAN FEEL PAIN. WHAT WE'RE SAYING IS IT BOTHERS OUR CONSCIENCE TOO MUCH TO HAVE A BABY KILLED THAT CAN SUFFER, CAN FEEL THE PAIN AND SUFFERING. AND SO I SUPPORT THESE OTHER TWO PIECES OF LEGISLATION THAT I'VE DESCRIBED, THE SEX-SELECTED ABORTIONS, THE PAIN-CAPABLE, THE BAN ON SEX-SELECTED ABORTIONS, THE BAN ON PAIN PAIN-CAPABLE ABORTION. BUT, MR. SPEAKER, THAT DOESN'T GET AT THE HEART OF THIS. THE HEART OF IT IS THIS, THE SACREDNESS OF HUMAN LIFE. HUMAN LIFE IS SACRED IN ALL ITS FORMS. IT BEGINS AT THE MIAMI OF CONCEPTION. WE NEED LEGISLATION TO PROTECT THAT PERSONHOOD. WHEN WE CAN DEFINE AND CLEARLY DETECT A HEART BEAT A HEART BEAT IN A BABY FROM AS EARLY AS 16 DAYS, WE MUST PROTECT THE LIFE OF THAT INNOCENT BABY. AND SO, THAT, MR. SPEAKER, IS MY CONVICTION, MY DEEP CONVICTION, MY VERY PROFOUNDLY HELD CONVICTION, BUT I WONDERED, WHAT DOES THE REST OF THE COUNTRY THINK. SOMETIMES I FIND MYSELF OUT THERE WITHOUT A MAJORITY. SOMETIMES THEY WILL SAY, WELL, YOU DIDN'T HAVE A MAJORITY BECAUSE YOU WEREN'T RIGHT. AND THIS ONE, I HAVE NO DOUBT, MR. SPEAKER, HUMAN LIFE IS SACRED IN ALL OF ITS FORMS. SO WE ASK THE QUESTION IN POLLING, ACROSS AMERICA, WHAT DO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE THINK OF THE PROPOSAL TO BAN ABORTION ONCE A HEART BEAT CAN BE DETECTED. AND WE AND MR. SPEAKER, THE POLLING OUT THERE IS CAREFULLY DONE. I'M GOING TO GIVE YOU THE NUMBERS FIRST. THIS IS A YEN NUMBER THAT ASKS THE QUESTION IF THE HEART BEAT IS DETECTED, THE BABY IS PROTECTED AND HERE'S HOW THE POLLING CAME TOGETHER. 69% AGREE WITH THE POSITION THAT I'M TAKING HERE AND THE BILL I'VE INTRODUCED H.R. 490, THE HEART BEAT PROTECTION ACT OF 2017. THE DATA CONTAINED IN THIS POLLING REPORT ARE RESPONSES TO A A QUESTION COMMISSIONED BY FAITH THROUGH THE ACTION, IN A POLL, 1,002 INTERVIEWS CONDUCTED OF U.S. ADULTS NATIONWIDE. THE SAMPLING ERROR FOR THE 1,002 INTERVIEWS IS PLUS OR MINUS 3.1%. ABOUT AS ACCURATE AS YOU GET WITH POLLING. THAT MEANS THERE'S A 95% CONFIDENCE LEVEL THAT THESE NUMBERS ARE RIGHT. AND THE DATA IS WEIGHTED IN THE NATIONAL DISTRIBUTION OF U.S. ADULTS. THE TOOK MINIMAL STATISTICAL WEIGHTING AND USED IT TO CALIBRATE THE SAMPLES. SO KNOWN POPULATION PERCENTAGES. IT'S IN RELATION TO THE DEMOGRAPHIC VARIABLES OF AGE, GENDER -- I BET, AGE, SEX, EDUCATION AND REGION. SO IT'S SCIENTIFICCALLY APPLIED, IT'S A POLL RUN FROM JANUARY 19 UNTIL JANUARY 27. THIS IS PRETTY FRESH INFORMATION, ABOUT AS FRESH AS IT GETS. THESE INTERVIEWS WERE CONDUCTED, THEY WERE CONDUCTED OVER A MAJORITY -- OVER MAJORITY LANDLINES. 40% OFF CELL PHONES OR OTHER MOBILE DEVICES SO WE GOT A GOOD CROSS SECTION OF PEOPLE THROUGHOUT THAT. AND THEY WERE CONDUCTED BY EXPERIENCED, TRAINED INTERVIEWERS AND THEY WERE SUPERVISED AT ALL TIMES, MONITORED, AND COMPUTER-ASSISTED TELEPHONE INTERVIEWING TO MAKE SURE THE BALANCE WAS AS GOOD AND OBJECTIVE AS IT COULD GET, MR. SPEAKER. AND SO THIS POLLING RESULT SAYS -- IT'S TO THIS. AMONG U.S. ADULTS NATIONWIDE, A SLIGHT MAJORITY, 55%, AGREE STRONGLY, STRONGLY, THAT IF A DOCTOR IS ABLE TO DETECT A HEART BEAT OF AN UNBORN BABY THAT BABY SHOULD BE LEGALLY PROTECTED. THAT'S THE CORE OF THE QUESTION THAT WAS ASKED. 18% DISAGREE EITHER STRONGLY OR SOMEWHAT WITH THIS. SO WHEN I LOOK AT THE NUMBERS, HERE, 69% OVERALL ARE PACKAGED UP -- UP WITHIN THE AGREE STRONGLY COMPONENT. 55%. NOW THAT'S A SLAND SLIDE IN A POLITICAL ELECTION, 55%. THIS WOULD BE A LANDSLIDE IN THE POLLING THAT SAYS 55% STRONGLY AGREE THAT IF A DOCTOR CAN DETECT A HEART BEAT, THE UNBORN BABY SHOULD BE PROTECTED BY LAW. 55% LANDSLIDE MAJORITY, MR. SPEAKER. THEN ADD TO THAT 14% WHO AGREE SOMEWHAT WITH THIS. FROM A GENERAL AGREEMENT STANDPOINT, 69% OR AS CLOSE AS YOU CAN GET AND IN THE EXACTLY HIT THE NUMBER. SEVEN IN 10 AMERICANS SAY, LET'S PROTECT THOSE LIVES OF THOSE INNOCENT UNBORN BABIES WHEN YOU CAN HEAR THEIR HEART BEAT. YOU CAN HEAR THEIR HEART BEAT. THE PEOPLE THAT DISAGREE, PEOPLE THAT DISAGREE STRONGLY, ARE ONLY 10%. AND THEN THOSE WHO DISAGREE SOMEWHAT ARE ANOTHER 8%. 18% DISAGREEING ON THE OTHER SIDE. ONLY 10% DISAGREE STRONGLY. SO 55% SAY THEY STRONGLY SUPPORT A BAN ON ABORTION ONCE A HEART BEAT CAN BE DETECTED, THE BABY IS PROTECTED. ONLY 10% DISAGREE WITH THAT STRONGLY. I'M GOING TO SAY THEY ARE PROBABLY SOME OF THE HARD CORE LEFTISTS I'M ENGAGED IN DEBATE WITH ON ALMOST A DAILY BASIS. BUT DIVIDE 10% INTO 55% AND SAY FOR EVERYONE OUT HERE WE SHOULD NOT PROTECT THAT INNOCENT, UNBORN BABY WHOSE HEART IS BEAT, FOR EVERYONE WHO SAYS THAT, THERE ARE FIVE AND A HALF AMERICANS WHO SAY, WE HAVE TO PROTECT, WE HAVE AN OBLIGATION TO AND THEY BELIEVE STRONGLY WE PROTECT THE LIVES OF THOSE INNOCENT, UNBORN BABIES WITH A HEART BEAT. THAT'S A HUGE MAJORITY ON THE SIDE OF LIFE. I'M FWRATFIED TO KNOW THAT THAT'S THE POSITION OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE. ONLY A 3.1% MARGIN OF ERROR IN A SCIENTIFIC POLL THAT I'M HAPPY IS NOW PART OF THE RECORD HERE IN THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS. HERE'S ANOTHER WAY TO ANALYZE THIS POLL. I'M LOOKING AT THIS ONE THAT SAYS THERE ARE 13% UNDECIDED, MR. SPEAKER. SO YOU HAVE 69% AGREE, 18% THATTIES AGREE, AND 13% THAT NEITHER AGREE NOR DISAGREE. I ALWAYS WONDER, WHEN WE'RE DOING POLLING, WHY DO WE MEASURE THE -- THOSE WITHOUT AN OPINION? IF THEY DON'T AGREE OR DISAGREE, THAT'S ABOUT THE DEFINITION OF AMBIVALENT, AND SO I TAKE THAT OUT OF THERE AND CALCULATE IT THE OTHER WAY AND PUT TOGETHER, ADD TOGETHER 69% AND 18% AND THEN YOU SAY WHAT PERCENTAGE ARE THOSE THAT AGREE? THAT'S ACTUALLY 79.3% SAY WE SHOULD NOT ABORT A BABY WHOSE HEART IS BEATING. AND 20.7% SAY WELL, IT WOULD BE OK WITH THEM IF WE DID. THAT'S ANOTHER WAY OF MEASURING THIS AND IT'S STILL, THAT'S A FOUR TO ONE MEASURE. 5 1/2 TO ONE, FOUR TO ONE, AMERICANS ARE READY TO PROTECT UNBORN HUMAN LIFE. THINK WHAT THIS MEANS. THINK WHAT IT MEANS THAT WE ARE A SOCIETY THAT SEEMS TO HAVE PLUGGED OUR EARS TO THE UNDERSTANDING THAT LIFE BEGINS AT CONCEPTION. I'VE KNOWN FOR IF -- I'VE KNOWN THIS FOR A LONG TIME. IT WASN'T A MYSTERY TO ME. I SEE THE BEAUTIFUL LITTLE BABY GOING OUT NOW, THAT'S VERY GRATIFYING THING TO SEE FROM DOWN HERE THAT PARENTS RAISING THEIR CHILDREN RIGHT. AND FROM MY STANDPOINT I HAVE THIS MEMORY OF, I GOT MARRIED IN 1972, I REMEMBER SITTING THERE AND THE DISCUSSION AT THAT TIME WAS, WE HAVE ALL THESE BABIES BEING BORN IN CENTRAL AMERICA AND WHY DO THEY HAVE THESE BABIES IF THEY CAN'T FEED THEM? WHY DON'T THEY JUST ABORT THEM? I REMEMBER THAT DISCUSSION AROUND CARD CLUB ON FRIDAY NIGHT. AND IT DIDN'T REALLY TRIGGER ME AT THE TIME BECAUSE WE HADN'T BEEN VERY FAR INTO THE AWORGS DEBATE. I HADN'T THOUGHT ABOUT IT VERY MUCH. WE WEREN'T PARENTS, MARILYN WASN'T PREGNANT AT THE TIME. WE WERE JUST MARRIED. SO I REMEMBER THAT DISCUSSION THOUGH AND IT JUST DIDN'T HIT ME. IT HAD JUST KIND OF WENT THROUGH. I DON'T KNOW IF I ENGAGED IN IT. I JUST REMEMBER SOMEBODY AT THE TABLE SAID IF THEY CAN'T FEED THEM WHY DON'T THEY JUST HAVE AN ABORTION? NOT VERY LONG AFTER THAT, OUR FIRST WILD CHILD WAS BORN. AND I PICKED UP THAT LITTLE BY BY, WASN'T LITTLE, HE WAS A LITTLE BIT SHORT OF NINE POUNDS, BUT I LOOKED AT HIM AND I WAS IN SUCH AWE OF THE MIRACLE OF THAT LITTLE BOY, THAT LITTLE BABY BOY NAMED DAVID, THERE WAS AN AURA ABOUT HIM. HE WAS A PRODUCT OF MARILYN AND ME, OF OUR LOVE. AND THERE HE IS, AMY RACK LOUSE LITTLE CHILD IN MY HANDS, WARM AND SQUIRMY AND SOFT AND BEAUTIFUL, AND A MIRACLE, IT'S DIFFERENT IF IT'S SOMEBODY ELSE'S CHILD I SUPPOSE BECAUSE IT HADN'T HIT ME LIKE THAT, BUT THERE WAS AN AURA ABOUT THIS LIT LE BABY, YOU COULD HAVE CONVINCED ME HE WAS THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST HIMSELF. I LOOKED AT HIM AND THOUGHT, HOW COULD ANYONE TAKE THIS LITTLE MIRACLE'S LIFE? HOW COULD THEY KILL THIS BABY NOW, HE'S MINUTES OLD? HOW COULD THEY TAKE HIS LIFE THE MINUTE BEFORE HE'S BORN? NO ONE CAN DO THAT. ALMOST NO ONE. BUT THEY TAKE THE -- COULD THEY TAKE HIS LIFE THE MINUTE AFTER HE WAS BORN, COULD THEY TAKE IT THE MINUTE BEFORE HE WAS BORN, COULD SOMEONE TAKE HIS LIFE AN HOUR BEFORE HE WAS BORN OR A DAY? A WEEK BEFORE HE WAS BORN? OR A MONTH? OR A TRIMESTER? OR TWO TRIMESTERS? OR EIGHT MONTHS? OR 36 WEEKS OR 37 WEEKS BEFORE HE WAS BORN? WHAT CHANGED, WHAT CHANGED THROUGHOUT THAT TIME. FROM THE MOMENT DRN AND IN A MATTER OF MINUTES IT ALL FELL INTO PLACE FOR ME. FROM THE MOMENT OF CONCEPTION HE WAS FORMED. IN HIS MOTHER'S WOMB. AND FROM THAT POINT ON, HE'S GROWING ON THE GENETIC CONFIGURATION THAT HE IS. BLESSED WITH A SOUL PLACED IN HIM AT THAT MOMENT. AND THAT LITTLE BOY GREW FROM THAT POINT ON, NOW HE'S A FATHER OF THREE OF MY GRANDCHILDREN AND THEY'RE ALL MIRACLES TO ME. OUR OTHER SONS ARE ALL MIRACLES TO ME. OUR OTHER GRANDCHILDREN ARE ALL MIRACLES TO ME. BUT I CAN'T CONCEIVE OF DOING ANYTHING EXCEPT SACRIFICING IF I NEEDED TO MY LIFE TO PROTECT THEM BECAUSE THEY ARE -- THEY ARE UNIQUE HUMAN BEINGS WORTHY OF ALL THE PROTECTION THAT SOCIETY CAN GIVE THEM JUST LIKE EVERY AMERICAN IS AND EVERYBODY ON THIS PLANET IS SEEN IN GOD'S EYES. THERE HAS TO BE A MOMENT THAT OUR LIVES BEGIN. WE HAVE TO CHOOSE THAT BECAUSE WE CAN'T HAVE -- WE CAN'T HAVE AN IMMORAL POSITION COMING OUTS OF LAW THAT SAYS, WELL, IT'S UP TO THE MOTHER TO DECIDE WHETHER THIS BABY IS GOING TO HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO FILL ITS LUNGS FULL OF FREE AIR AND STREAM FOR ITS OWN MERCY. THEY CAN'T DO THAT FROM THE MIAMI OF CONCEPTION. BUT THEY CAN DO THAT FROM THE MOMENT OF BIRTH. AND IF WE COULD HEAR THAT INNER WOMB SCREAM AT THE MOMENT OF ABORTION, WE WOULD PLUG OUR EARS AND -- IN TERROR AND FRIGHT AT THE CRIME THAT ABORTION IS. AND SO IT'S OUR MORAL OBLIGATION TO PROTECT ALL HUMAN LIFE FROM THE MOMENT OF CONCEPTION UNTIL NATURAL DEATH. THAT'S WHAT THIS BILL DOES. H.R. 490. THE HEART BEAT PROTECTION ACT OF 2017. THE POLLING THAT WE HAVE HERE SAYS CLEARLY THAT THE AMERICAN PEOPLE AGREE, AND IT'S NOT ONLY, MR. SPEAKER, THE AMERICAN PEOPLE , IT IS, ACTUALLY, IN THE POLLING. BUT I SEPARATED THEM OUT INTO CATEGORIES SO WE COULD UNDERSTAND HOW PEOPLE THINK ABOUT THIS AND HOW THEY THINK ABOUT IT FROM THE CATEGORIES OF BEING REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS, AND NO PARTY OR INDEPENDENTS. AS YOU CAN SEE, AMONG THE REPUBLICANS, 86% AGREE THAT IF A HEARTBEAT CAN BE DETECTED, THE BABY IS PROTECTED. THAT'S AN 86 TO 6%. 86% OF REPUBLICANS. THAT'S ABOUT AS HIGH A NUMBER AS YOU SEE ON ANYTHING. I SHOULD RUN A MEASURE SOMETIME OF WHAT -- WE SHOULD ASK DOES THE SUN COME UP IN THE EAST, THAT'S PROBABLY ONLY ABOUT A 97% ISSUE. BUT IT'S 86% WANTS TO PROTECT THAT BABY WITH A HEARTBEAT. REPUBLICANS. DEMOCRATS, STILL THAT LANDSLIDE MAJORITY, 55% OF DEMOCRATS WANT TO PROTECT A BABY FROM THE MOMENT A HEARTBEAT CAN BE PRO-- CAN BE DETECTED. 25% SAY NO. 55% SAY YES. IT'S EASILY, IT'S MORE THAN A 2-1 SUPPORT AMONG DEMOCRATS THAT SUPPORT THE LANGUAGE IN THIS BILL FOR H.R. 490, THE HEARTBEAT PROTECTION ACT. AMONG INDEPENDENTS, THEY'RE A LITTLE MORE PRO LIFE THAN DEMOCRATS ARE, SHOULDN'T BE SURPRISED AT THAT. 61% OF INDEPENDENTS WANT TO PROTECT A BABY FROM THE MOMENT THAT THEIR HEART BEAT CAN BE DETECTED. THIS IS A HUGE ISSUE FOR AMERICA. AMERICA IS NOT YET INFORMED ENOUGH ABOUT THIS LEGISLATION THAT'S AVAILABLE. AND SOMETIMES WE GET STUCK IN A RUT AND WE DECIDE, WELL, WE'VE BEEN WORKING ON THE SEX-SELECTED LEGISLATION OR THE PAIN-CAPABLE LEGISLATION, OR WE'VE BEEN TRYING TO GET PLANNED PARENTHOOD DEFUNDED WHICH THIS CONGRESS MUST DO, AND WE NEED TO DO IT PERPETUALLY, NOT JUST ANNUALLY, THOSE ARE ALL THINGS WE NEED TO BE WORKING ON, BUT IT'S TIME NOW FOR THIS CONGRESS TO SWING FOR THE FENCES, TO MOVE LEGISLATION THAT'S BASED UPON A CLEAR AND DISTINCT PRINCIPLE, A PRINCIPLE OF LIFE, IF THAT HEARTBEAT, BEAT, BEAT, OF THAT LITTLE BABY'S HEART, THAT INNOCENT LITTLE BABY, CAN BE DETECTED, WE HAVE A MORAL OBLIGATION TO PROTECT THAT BABY. THEN HOW DO WE MEASURE THE END OF LIFE? HOW HAS IT BEEN FROM TIME IMMEMORIAL. WHEN THE HEART STOPS, WHEN THE HEART CAN NO LONGER BEAT. WE MEASURE BRAIN WAVES AND OTHER THINGS BUT WHEN THAT HEART STOPS, THAT HEART CAN'T BE STARTED, WE CAN'T SUSTAIN LIFE. WE CALL THAT DEATH. AND AN WHEN AN ABORTION IS COMMITTED, THAT LITTLE BABY'S HEART IS BEATING. AND YOU KNOW THE ABORTION STOPS A BEATING HEART. THAT'S ON POSTERS BY THE KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS AND OTHERS ALL OVER THIS COUNTRY, ABORTION STOPS A BEATING HEART. WE NEED TO PROTECT THE LIVES OF ALL OF THOSE LITTLE BABIES WITH BEATING HEARTS. AND WE CAN DETECT THEM NOW WITH THE ULTRASOUND AND THE SCIENCE THAT WE HAVE. AND IT'S TIME. IT'S TIME FOR THIS CONGRESS TO MOVE, ESPECIALLY WHEN WE SEE -- OH, IN OUR MARCH FOR LIFE HERE THAT I MENTIONED A LITTLE EARLIER, MR. SPEAKER, WHEN WE HAVE HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE THAT COME OUT HERE AND GATHER DOWN ON THE MALL AND THEN MARCH TO THE SUPREME COURT BUILDING TO PLEAD FOR THE COURT TO PROTECT INNOCENT UNBORN HUMAN LIFE, WHAT'S HAPPENING IS AMERICA IS WAKING UP. AMERICA IS FEELING THE GUILT, AND WE PRAY FOR THE MOTHERS WHO HAD ABORTIONS, BUT AMERICA IS ALSO UNDERSTANDING THAT THERE IS A LIFE THAT BEGINS AT THE MOMENT OF CONCEPTION. AND SO OF ALL OF THE FAMILIES THAT HAVE FIRST BONDED WITH THIS LITTLE UNBORN BABY, BY SEEING THE ULTRASOUND, SOMETIMES BY FRAMING IT AS IT EXISTS IN MY SIOUX CITY OFFICE, BUT THE MILLIONS OF CASES ACROSS THE COUNTRY ARE RAISING THE AWARENESS OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE. AND IT'S NOT JUST THE MOTHER AND THE FATHER THAT SEE THAT ULTRASOUND. THEY SEE IT IN REAL TIME. AND THEY HEAR THE SOUND FOR REAL. IT'S NOT JUST A PICTURE THAT GOES UP ON THE WALL THAT'S FRAMED, BUT IT'S A LIVING, BREATHING, MOVING ORGANISM WHERE YOU CAN SEE THAT INNOCENT LITTLE BABY SQUIRMING AND MOVING INSIDE THE -- IN THE AMBIOTTIC FLUID. AND YOU CAN SEE -- AMBIOTIC FLUID. AND YOU CAN SEE THE MOVEMENT AND THE EXPRESSIONS ON THE FACE THAT THIS IS A REAL HUMAN BEING AND YOU WANT TO GET YOUR HANDS ON THAT LITTLE BABY AND LOVE HIM BUT YOU HAVE TO WAIT FOR THEM TO GROW ENOUGH FOR YOU TO DO THIS. LITTLE BROTHERS AND SISTERS ARE SHOWN THAT ULTRASOUND AND THEY -- THIS IS YOUR LITTLE BROTHER OR YOUR LITTLE SISTER THAT WE EXPECT ON SUCH AND SUCH DATE. COME PRETTY CLOSE WITH THAT DATE. SIBLINGS ARE RECOGNIZING THEIR BROTHER OR THEIR SISTER, ACKNOWLEDGING THAT THEY'RE THERE AS AN INNOCENT UNBORN HUMAN BEING WELL BEFORE THEY'RE BORN AND THEY GROW UP KNOWING THIS AND NOW FOR THE 44 YEARS SINCE ROE VS. WADE, WE HAVE MILLIONS AND MILLIONS OF PRO-LIFE PEOPLE, MILLIONS AND MILLIONS OF ANTI-ABORTION PRO-LIFE PEOPLE WHO UNDERSTAND THIS, THEY GREW UP UNDERSTANDING THIS AND NO ONE CAN TELL THEM IT'S A BLOB OF A TISSUE AND IT'S NOT ALIVE. I RECALL A WORLD WAR II VETERAN AND ONE WHO I ADMIRED AND RESPECTED AND HIS NAME -- HE'S PASSED AWAY NOW, AS MANY OF THEM HAVE, BUT HIS NAME WAS VICK LUNDSMAN AND WE WERE TALKING. WHEN THE PRO-ABORTION SAY THIS BABY'S NOT ALIVE, IF THIS BABY IS NOT ALIVE, WHY THEN DO YOU HAVE TO KILL IT? WHY DO YOU HAVE TO KILL IT? I THOUGHT HE PAUT THAT INTO A PACKAGE ABOUT AS COMPRESSIONED AS IT COULD BE. WE KNOW -- I THOUGHT HE PUT THAT INTO A PACKAGE ABOUT AS COMPRESSED AS IT COULD BE. WE KNOW THAT THIS IS CREATED IN THE SAME IMAGE WE ARE CREATED IN, IN GOD'S IMAGE, AND NOW WE KNOW FROM 16 DAYS ON THAT WE CAN -- IT'S NOT JUST THAT WE KNOW THERE'S A HEARTBEAT, BUT WE CAN HEAR IT. WE CAN HEAR THE BEAT, BEAT, BEAT, BEAT OF THAT LITTLE HEART. AND TO THINK OF THAT LITTLE HEART STRUGGLING FOR LIFE, TO THINK OF THAT BABY SQUIRMING TO TRY TO AVOID THE ABORTIONIST, TO THINK OF THAT BABY FEELING THE PAIN, TO THINK OF THAT BABY BEING ABORTED BECAUSE THE MOTHER OR THE FATHER WANTED A BOY OR A GIRL OR BECAUSE SOMEBODY TOLD THEM THAT BABY WASN'T GOING TO BE EXACTLY PERFECT, NONE OF THAT MEASURES UP AGAINST INNOCENT UNBORN HUMAN LIFE, SACRED LIFE. THAT LIFE WE HAVE TO PROTECT FROM THE MOMENT OF CONCEPTION UNTIL NATURAL DEATH. THAT'S WHAT'S WRAPPED UP IN THIS HEARTBEAT BILL, AND IF WE HAD THE SCIENCE TO PROVE THE MOMENT OF CONCEPTION, I'D BE STANDING HERE WITH A MOMENT OF CONCEPTION BILL. WE DON'T HAVE THAT SCIENCE TODAY, BUT WE DO HAVE THE SCIENCE OF DETECTING A HEARTBEAT AND WE KNOW THE SOUND OF A BEATING HEART IS THE SOUND OF LIFE, AND IF YOU CAN DETECT A HEARTBEAT, IF YOU CAN HEAR THAT HEART BEATING IN ANY OF US, YOU KNOW THAT PERSON IS ALIVE, YOU KNOW THERE'S A SPIRIT WITHIN US, YOU KNOW THAT OUR SOUL IS STILL WITHIN OUR BODY AND YOU KNOW THERE'S A WHOLE -- THERE'S A PERSON TO GET UP AND MOVE ABOUT AND LAUGH AND LEARN AND REPRODUCE AND CONTRIBUTE TO GLORIFY THIS EARTH IN THE WAY THAT WE ARE CHALLENGED TO DO. YET, 60 MILLION BABIES HAVE BEEN DENIED THAT OPPORTUNITY, HAVE BEEN DENIED THAT GIFT OF LIFE. WHAT MIGHT HAVE THEY DONE? WHAT MIGHT HAVE THEY DONE FOR AMERICA? WHAT MIGHT HAVE THEY DONE FOR THE WORLD? HOW MANY PRESIDENTS? HOW MANY MOTHER THERESAS? HOW MANY BILLY GRAHAMS? HOW MANY LIVES THAT MIGHT SOLVE THE PROBLEMS THAT WE ARE FACING TODAY IN THIS UNITED STATES CONGRESS? WE CAN'T DENY THAT POTENTIAL. WE CARRY THAT GUILT TODAY, BUT THE BEST WE CAN DO IS END IT AS SOON AS WE CAN END IT AND WE'D END 90% TO 95% OF ABORTIONS IN AMERICA WITH H.R. 490, THE HEARTBEAT PROTECTION ACT. SO MR. SPEAKER, I WANT TO REMIND -- I WANT TO REMIND YOU HERE IN THIS CONGRESS THAT THIS IS -- THIS IS A BILL THAT HAS STRONG, STRONG SUPPORT IN THE POLLING THAT WE HAVE ROLLED OUT HERE, 86% OF REPUBLICANS SAY IF A HEARTBEAT CAN BE DETECTED THAT BABIES SHOULD BE PROTECTED. 55% OF THE DEMOCRATS AGREE IF A HEARTBEAT CAN BE DETECTED THE BABY IS PROTECTED. 61% OF INDEPENDENTS SAY THAT IF A HEARTBEAT CAN BE DETECTED, THE BABY IS PROTECTED. AND OF THOSE WHO OPPOSE IT, AT LEAST THOSE WHO OPPOSE IT VIGOROUSLY, ONLY 6% OF REPUBLICANS, 25% OF DEMOCRATS. AND I'M GOING TO SUSPECT THAT A FAIR AMOUNT OF THESE 25% OF DEMOCRATS, MR. SPEAKER, ARE MORE FOR POLITICAL REASONS AND THAT THEY WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO SUSTAIN THEMSELVES IN A MORAL DEBATE ON THE TOPIC. AND I THINK THAT MAY OR MAY NOT BE THE CASE FOR THE 27% OF NO PARTIES. BUT TO PUT THIS BACK INTO SUMMARY, MR. SPEAKER, HERE'S THE EASIER NUMBERS TO REMEMBER. 69% OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE WITH ONLY A 3.1% MARGIN OF ERROR BELIEVE THAT IF A HEARTBEAT CAN BE DETECTED, THE BABY IS PROTECTED. THAT IS SEVEN IN 10 AMERICANS THAT TAKE THAT STAND, AND THAT IS ONE OF THE STRONGEST PIECES OF SUPPORT YOU CAN GET FOR ANY BILL THAT WOULD EVER COME TO THIS FLOOR OR ANY DISCUSSION THAT WE EVER HAVE IF YOU GET UP TO THAT LEVEL OF SEVEN OUT OF 10 AND ONLY 18%, ONLY 18% DISAGREE VIGOROUSLY. AND SO, MR. SPEAKER, I HOPE THAT THE PEOPLE THAT LISTEN IN ON THIS CONVERSATION BETWEEN US HAVE CONTEMPLATED THE CENTRAL POINTS THAT I HAVE PUT INTO THIS DEBATE, IN THIS DISCUSSION HERE THIS EVENING AND I HOPE THEY THOUGHT ABOUT THE PRINCIPLES THAT ARE INVOLVED AND I HOPE THEY'RE ABLE TO CARRY THIS MESSAGE ALONG TO THEIR CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN AND INTO OUR SCHOOLS AND OUR CLASSROOMS AND OUR CHURCHES AND OUR SYNAGOGUES ALL ACROSS THIS LAND IS THIS PROFOUND BELIEF THAT AMERICANS SHARE THAT WE BELIEVE THAT HUMAN LIFE IS SACRED AND IT NEEDS TO BE THEN SACRED IN ALL OF ITS FORMS AND THE SECOND QUESTION IS, AT WHAT MOMENT DOES LIFE BEGIN, AND THERE'S ONLY ONE MOMENT IN THE FULL DEVELOPMENT OF A FULL HUMAN BEING AND THAT'S THE MOMENT OF CONCEPTION. AND THE CLOSEST WE CAN SCIENTIFICALLY GET TO PROOF OF THAT CONCEPTION IS THE SOUND AND THE DETECTION OF THAT HEARTBEAT WHICH WE ALL RECOGNIZE TO BE THE SOUND OF LIFE, AND THAT SOUND OF LIFE, THAT BEAT, BEAT, BEAT, BEAT, BEAT OF THAT HEART CANNOT BE EXTINGUISHED BY A MORAL HUMAN BEING WHO BELIEVES THAT HUMAN LIFE IS SACRED IN ALL OF ITS FORMS AND KNOWS THAT IT BEGINS AT THE MOMENT OF CONCEPTION AND THEN WE CAN MEASURE THE HEARTBEAT AND PROTECT THAT BABY FROM THE MOMENT THAT THAT HEART HAS BEGUN TO BEAT AND ANY DOCTOR THAT FAILS TO FOLLOW THE DIRECTIVE IN THIS LEGISLATION, IN H.R. 490, ANY DOCTOR THAT FAILS TO SEARCH FOR A HEARTBEAT AND CONDUCTS AN ABORTION WITHOUT OR CONDUCTS AN ABORTION IN SPITE OF THAT BEATING HEART IS FACING A FINE AND A PRISON TERM UP TO FIVE YEARS OR BOTH. AND THAT'S A RESPECT FOR HUMAN LIFE. BY THE WAY, WE HOLD THE MOTHER HARMLESS. SHE'S ALSO PROTECTED FROM ANY TOUCH OF THIS LAW. IT'S ONLY THE ABORTIONIST THAT IS THE ABORTIONIST THAT IS THE SUBJECT OF THIS PIECE OF LEGISLATION THAT I'VE INTRODUCED. BUT IT AIMS TO PROTECT -- HEARTBEAT PROTECTION ACT OF 2017. THEY HAVE SEEN THE FILM, HAVING ONCE SEEN THE FILM THAT FAMILIES GROW UP RESPECTING THE HEARTBEAT OF INNOCENT UNBORN HUMAN LIFE. MR. SPEAKER, I APPRECIATE YOUR ATTENTION THIS EVENING. I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

WE THANK THE GENTLEMAN FROM IOWA. UNDER THE SPEAKER'S ANNOUNCED POLICY OF…

WE THANK THE GENTLEMAN FROM IOWA. UNDER THE SPEAKER'S ANNOUNCED POLICY OF JANUARY 3, 2017, THE GENTLEMAN FROM MARYLAND, MR. RASKIN, IS RECOGNIZED FOR 60 MINUTES AS THE DESIGNEE OF THE MINORITY LEADER.

MR. RASKIN

MR. SPEAKER, THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I'M DELIGHTED TO BE WITH YOU THIS…

MR. SPEAKER, THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I'M DELIGHTED TO BE WITH YOU THIS AFTERNOON, AND I HAVE A SERIES OF OTHER SPEAKERS THAT WILL BE JOINING ME LATER IN THE HOUR FROM THE PROGRESSIVE CAUCUS AS WE DISCUSS SOME OF THE KEY EVENTS OF THE WEEK FROM OUR PERSPECTIVE. I WOULD ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT THAT ALL THE MEMBERS HAVE FIVE LEGISLATIVE DAYS TO REVISE AND EXTEND THEIR REMARKS AND INCLUDE EXTRANEOUS MATERIAL ON THIS SUBJECT OF OUR SPECIAL ORDER.

TEMPORE WITHOUT

WITHOUT OBJECTION, SO ORDERED.

MR. RASKIN

MR. SPEAKER, I LOVE MAGIC, AND I BET A LOT OF PEOPLE OUT THERE WATCHING…

MR. SPEAKER, I LOVE MAGIC, AND I BET A LOT OF PEOPLE OUT THERE WATCHING TODAY LOVE MAGIC TOO. EVER SINCE I WAS A KID, I LOVED THE COPS AND THE CARD TRICKS AND THE RABBIT COMING OUT OF THE HAT. WHEN -- I -- I LOVED THE CUPS AND THE CARD TRICKS AND THE RABBIT COMING OUT OF THE HAT. I ENTERTAINED AT BIRTHDAY PARTIES HELPING TO PAY MY WAY THROUGH COLLEGE. AND THE KEY MOVE IN MAGIC, AS YOU KNOW, MR. SPEAKER, IS THE SLEIGHT OF HAND AND I LOOKED UP THE DEFINITION OF SLEIGHT OF HAND IN THE MERRIAM WEBSTER DICTIONARY WHICH DESCRIBES IT AS A CLEVERLY EXECUTED DECEPTION. A SLEIGHT OF HAND IS SOMETIMES QUICK FINGERS, THE FRENCH PHRASE FOR LIGHTNESS OF HAND. IT'S DEFINED AS THE SET OF CLOSELY RELATED TECHNIQUES USED BY A STAGE MAGICIAN TO MANIPULATE THE PERCEPTIONS OF THE AUDIENCE. SLEIGHT OF HAND DEPENDS ON THE USE OF PSYCHOLOGY, CAREFUL STAGE MISDIRECTION, CONSTANT BLABBERING AND STRATEGIC CONFUSION TO DISTRACT THE AUDIENCE. MR. SPEAKER, THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES HAS BEEN MASTERFULLY DEPLOYING SLEIGHT OF HAND EVER SINCE HIS INAUGURATION. WITH HIS NONSTOP TWEETING AND HIS INSESSANT MAD ANTICS, THE PRESIDENT DISTRACTS US FROM THE REAL ACTION WHICH IS WHAT'S HAPPENING HERE IN CONGRESS. WE ARE WITNESSING A MAGIC TRICK ON THE WORLD'S LARGEST STAGE, THE AUDITORIUM OF AMERICAN DEMOCRACY. AND WE, THE PEOPLE, ARE THE CAPTIVE, BEDAZZLED AND TOTALLY DISTRACTED AUDIENCE OF THE PRESIDENT. THE TWEETS ARE A MASSIVE SLEIGHT OF HAND DISTRACTING US FROM THE SERIOUS DESTRUCTION OF PUBLIC POLICY AND LAW THAT'S TAKING PLACE RIGHT HERE IN CONGRESS. AND I WANT TO SAY AT THE OUTSET, I PREFER TO THINK OF THIS AS A MAGIC TRICK BECAUSE THE ALTERNATIVE THAT THE PRESIDENT SIMPLY CAN'T CONTROL HIMSELF IS ALMOST TOO HORRIFIC TO CONTEMPLATE. BUT THE CONSTITUTION DOES HAVE A WAY OF DEALING WITH THAT PROBLEM, TOO, AND YOU CAN FIND IT IN THE 25TH AMENDMENT. BUT TODAY WE'RE GOING TO ASSUME THAT ALL OF THIS IS A MAGIC SHOW. AND YOU KNOW, I USED TO COACH KID'S SOCCER, AND WHEN I COACHED SOCCER I ALWAYS TELL THE KIDS, DON'T BUNCH, KEEP YOUR EYE ON THE BALL, STAY IN YOUR LANES AND PASS THE BALL. BUT WITHOUT FAIL, THE YOUNGER KIDS CHASE THE BALL, THEY MOVE THROUGHOUT THE FIELD IN A BILL CLUMP, A BIG MOB. I SAID DON'T FOLLOW THE MOB THAT'S FOLLOWING THE BALL. GO WHERE THE BALL IS GOING. WHEN THEY'RE YOUNG THEY DON'T KNOW HOW TO DO IT. BUT I THINK THIS ADVICE APPLIES HERE AS WELL TO AMERICA, TO THE POLITICS. DON'T FOLLOW THE MOB THAT'S FOLLOWING THE BALL. LET'S NOT BE DISTRACTED FULL TIME BY ALL THE TOM FOOLERY AND TWEET FOOLERY. THERE ARE IMPORTANT AND DANGEROUS THINGS HAPPENING RIGHT HERE IN CONGRESS RIGHT NOW. . WHILE THE PRESIDENT IS TWEETING INSULTS AND FAKE NEWS AND INFLATING HIS SLENDSER COLLEGE VICTORY AND MAKING FUN OF MERYL STREEP AND SHOUTING ABOUT NORDSTROM'S DEPARTMENT STORE, AND TALKING ABOUT HOW HE'S GOING TO MAKE MEXICO PAY FOR HIS WALL AND SO ON, WHAT'S TAKING PLACE IN CONGRESS IS THE SYSTEM THIC DISMANTLING -- SYSTEMIC DISMANTLING OF THE REGULATORY APP RATS THAT THE AMERICAN PUBLIC DEPENDS -- APPARATUS THAT THE AMERICAN PUBLIC DEPENDS ON FOR CLEAN AIR, CLEAN WATER, SAFE FOOD, A DECENT ENVIRONMENT, AND CONTROL OF CRIMINALITY IN THE COUNTRY. THE FUNDAMENTAL POLITICAL ACTION THAT WE MUST BE PAYING ATTENTION TO NOW IS THE DISMANTLING OF THE REGULATORY APPARATUS OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, WHICH IS HAPPENING EVERY DAY RIGHT HERE IN THE HALLS OF CONGRESS. THIS IS THE APPARATUS THAT PROTECTS OUR FOOD, OUR AIR, OUR WATER, OUR HEALTH CARE, OUR FINANCIAL SYSTEM, THE ABILITY OF PEOPLE TO INVEST SAFELY ON WALL STREET, OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH FOR OUR WORKERS, ALL OF THIS IS BEING ATTACKED IN TERRIFYING AND OFTEN INVISIBLE WAYS. BEHIND THE SCENES, WHILE THE WIZ ARD OF ODD -- WIZAR OF ODD CONVENE -- WIZARD OF ODD CONVENES A DINNER IN MAR-A-LAGO AND HAS A DISCUSSION ABOUT NATURAL SECURITY AMONG DINERS, WHILE ALL OF THAT IS HAPPENING, CONGRESS IS ROLLING BACK ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTIONS TO PROTECT STREAMS AND RIVERS AND DRINKING WATER FROM POLLUTION. THEY'RE SAVAGING THE RULES THAT RESTRICT THE VOLUME OF GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS THAT ARE LEAKED INTO THE ATMOSPHERE. DESTABILIZING OUR CLIMATE SYSTEM. CHECK OUT HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION 38 AND 36. WHILE THE DISTRACTOR IN CHIEF WHINES ABOUT LEAKS, WHILE HIS WHOLE CAMPAIGN WAS BASED ON LEAKS OF EMAILS THAT WERE CAPTURED BY RUSSIAN AGENTS WORKING TO GET HIM ELECTED, IN CONGRESS THEY'RE ROLLING BACK FINANCIAL REGULATIONS WHICH ENSURE THAT WORKERS HAVE RETIREMENT SAVINGS OPTIONS. H.J.RES. 66. AND WHICH PROTECT CONSUMERS FROM EXCESSIVE FINANCIAL RISKS. H.R. 78. THEY'VE ALSO TARGETED AND ROLLED BACK A LABOR REGULATIONS THAT PROMOTE SAFE AND HEALTHY WORKPLACES AND FAIR EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES. H.J.RES. 37. AMAZINGLY WHILE PRESIDENT TRUMP'S NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISOR, GENERAL FLYNN, WAS FORCED TO RESIGN WHEN IT WAS REVEALED THAT HE HAD BEEN COLLUDING WITH RUSSIANS TO LIFT THE SANCTIONS THAT THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION HAD IMPOSED ON RUSSIA, HERE IN CONGRESS WE ARE PASSING BILLS TO RESCIND ANTI-CORRUPTION REGULATIONS THAT REQUIRED OIL AND GAS COMPANIES TO REPORT MONETARY PAYMENTS THAT THEY MADE TO FOREIGN GOVERNMENTS. H.J.RES. 41. SO, TRUMP TWEETS ABOUT LEAKS WHILE HIS ADMINISTRATION IS ONE VAST LEAK TO THE RUSSIANS. AND HERE MEMBERS OF THE G.O.P. ARE WORKING TO THROW AN INVISIBILITY AND SECRECY CLOAK OVER CORPORATE PAYMENTS BEING MADE TO FOREIGN GOVERNMENTS AND CORPORATIONS. WHILE THE WORLD IS DISTRACTED BY ALL OF THE SLEIGHT OF HAND THIS CONGRESS IS PASSING BILLS TO GIVE GOVERNMENT BACK TO GIANT CORPORATIONS AND SPECIAL INTERESTS THAT CARE NOT FOR THE COMMON GOOD, BUT SIMPLY FOR THEIR OWN BOTTOM LINE. MR. SPEAKER, AS A FRESHMAN, I'VE BEEN HERE FOR ONLY EIGHT WEEKS. AND I'VE GOT TO TELL THAT YOU I'M DISAPPOINTED THAT I HAVE NOT VOTED ON A SINGLE BILL IN THE HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE THAT HAS HAD SO MUCH AS A HEARING. YES, I WANT TO REPEAT THAT. WE HAVE VOTED ON FIVE BILLS SINCE I GOT HERE AND NOT ONE OF THEM HAS HAD A HEARING. NOW, I COME FROM MARYLAND FROM THE MARYLAND STATE SENATE, WHERE I PROUDLY SERVED FOR 10 YEARS. AS A STATE SENATOR. AND WHEN WE HAD A BILL COMING UP, NO BILL COULD BE BROUGHT TO THE FLOOR WITHOUT A HEARING FIRST. AND ANYBODY WHO WANTED TO COME TESTIFY ON THE BILL COULD COME TESTIFY ON IT. NOW, THAT'S NOT PRACTICABLE HERE IN THE U.S. CONGRESS. HOWEVER, WE COULD AT LEAST HAVE EXPERTS RELATING TO THE BILL AND PEOPLE WHO ARE AFFECTED BY THE BILL COME IN AND TESTIFY. BUT WE HAVEN'T DONE THAT IN THE HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE. INSTEAD WE VOTED ON A SERIES OF BILLS WHICH TO MY MIND DRAMATICALLY CURTAIL THE PUBLIC INTEREST. YESTERDAY WE VOTED ON A BILL TO DISMANTLE ESSENTIALLY, TO PUT INTO A STIFLING STRAIGHTJACKET, THE CLASS ACTION MECHANISM THAT HAS BEEN USED OVER THE DECADES TO VINDICATE THE INTERESTS OF PEOPLE WHO ARE VICTIMS OF SEX DISCRIMINATION, VICTIMS OF RACE DISCRIMINATION, VICTIMS OF TOXIC TORTS, VICTIMS OF ASBESTOS POISONING. AND WE VOTED BASICALLY TO TRASH CLASS ACTION YESTERDAY. WITHOUT EVEN SO MUCH AS A BILL. NOW IN SOME OF THE OTHER BILLS IT WAS SAID TO ME, WELL, THERE WERE HEARINGS IN PRIOR CONGRESSES. ONE MEMBER SAID, WE HAD A HEARING ON THAT BACK IN 2012. THIS IS 2017. FIVE YEARS LATER. BUT ON THIS PARTICULAR BILL THAT I'M TALKING ABOUT, NOBODY EVEN HEARD THE BILL. THERE WAS NO HEARING ON IT. IT WAS SIMPLY BROUGHT UP FOR A VOTE. THAT'S IRRESPONSIBLE LEGISLATION. THAT'S NOT REAL DEMOCRACY. WHEN YOU DON'T EVEN HAVE A HEARING AND PEOPLE WHO ARE AFFECTED BY THE LEGISLATION DON'T HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO COME AND TALK ABOUT IT. NOW, THEY'RE NOT HAVING HEARINGS BECAUSE THEY THINK AND THEY'RE PROBABLY RIGHT, WE'RE NOT PAYING ATTENTION. WHY, WHAT ARE WE PAYING ATTENTION TO? WE'RE PAYING ATTENTION TO THE MAGICIAN. WE'RE PAYING ATTENTION TO THE WIZARD OF ODD. WE'RE PAYING ATTENTION TO THE TREAT TWEETHS INSTEAD -- TO THE TWEETS INSTEAD. BUT THE GOOD NEWS IS THAT THE AUDIENCE IS STARTING TO WISE UP. THE WHOLE COUNTRY IS WAKING UP TO THE PROFOUND DANGERS OF THE ADMINISTRATION'S FINANCIAL AND POLITICAL ENTANGLEMENT WITH RUSSIA. WITH THE RUSSIAN CORPORATE AND GOVERNMENTAL ELITE. JUST THIS WEEK THE NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISOR, MR. FLYNN, RESIGNED AFTER REPORTS CAME OUT ABOUT HIS COMMUNICATIONS WITH THE RUSSIAN AMBASSADOR WHILE PRESIDENT OBAMA WAS STILL IN OFFICE, COMMUNICATIONS DEALING WITH THE LIFTING OF ANGSTS -- SANCTIONS ON RUSSIA, COMMUNICATIONS THAT GENERAL FLYNN LIED ABOUT. AND WAS FORCED FROM OFFICE BECAUSE OF IT. HE MISLED VICE PRESIDENT MIKE PENCE AND OTHER OFFICIALS ABOUT HIS CONVERSATIONS WITH THE DIPLOMAT. WHICH WAS BEING MONITORED AND RECORDED BY THE INTELLIGENCE COMMUNITY. NOW, MR. SPEAKER, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, MY FELLOW AMERICANS, LET'S THINK ABOUT THIS FOR A MOMENT. AS A FORMER CHIEF OF THE DEFENSE INTELLIGENCE AGENCY, MR. FLYNN WAS NO INNOCENT ABOUT THE WORLD OF SPY VERSUS SPY. HE MUST HAVE KNOWN THAT HIS TELEPHONE CALL WITH THE RUSSIAN AMBASSADOR WAS BEING MONITORED AND RECORDED. DID HE REALLY -- IF HE REALLY WANTED TO GO ROGUE AND OPERATE ON HIS OWN, WITHOUT THE PERMISSION AND THE LICENSE OF PRESIDENT TRUMP, HE NEVER WOULD HAVE ALLOWED THAT TELEPHONE CONVERSATION TO BE RECORDED. BUT HE DID ALLOW IT TO BE RECORDED. HE MADE THAT CALL WITH PRESUMEABLE FULL KNOWLEDGE THAT OTHER PEOPLE IN THE INTELLIGENCE COMMUNITY WOULD BE LISTENING IN ON IT. WHICH LEADS ME TO THE INNES CAPABLE, LOGICAL CONCLUSION -- INNES CAPABLE, LOGICAL CONCLUSION THAT -- INESCAPABLE, LOGICAL CONCLUSION. I DON'T KNOW IT. I SURMISE IT. HOUR ARE -- HOW ARE WE GOING TO KNOW WHETHER OR NOT THIS IS TRUE? HOW DO WE GET TO THE BOTTOM OF THE RUSSIAN CONNECTION IN THE CAMPAIGN? HOW DO WE GET TO THE BOTTOM OF THE RUSSIAN CONNECTION IN THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION? WE NEED TO HAVE A FULL, COMPLETE, INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATION BY EXPERTS LIKE THE 9/11 COMMISSION WHICH GETS TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS PROFOUND DANGER, THIS DAGGER POINTED AT THE THROAT OF AMERICAN DEMOCRACY. MR. SPEAKER, EVERYBODY LOVES MAGIC, I THINK. EVERYBODY LOVES THE ENCHANTMENT OF BEING FOOLED, OF BEING DISTRACTED, OF BEING DIVERTED. THAT'S WHY PEOPLE GO TO MAGIC SHOWS. IT'S DIVERTING. IT'S AMUSING. IT'S FUN. AND EVERYBODY LOVES A GREAT MAGICIAN. NONE WAS GREATER IN OUR HISTORY THAN THE GREAT HOUDINI, WHO DAZZLED THE WORLD WITH HIS EXTRAORDINARY OPTICAL ILLUSIONS AND EFFECTS. HIS AMAZING ABILITY TO SIMULATE TELEPATHY. BUT HE ALSO HAD A VERY STRONG ETHICAL AND PROFESSIONAL CODE ABOUT BEING A MAGICIAN. HE NEVER REVEALED A TRICK. BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY, HE NEVER TRIED TO FOOL PEOPLE IN ORDER TO DEFRAUD THEM. HE NEVER TRIED TO FOOL PEOPLE IN ORDER TO HUMILIATE THEM. HE NEVER TRIED TO FOOL PEOPLE IN ORDER TO TAKE AWAY THEIR RIGHTS. HE NEVER TRIED TO FOOL PEOPLE IN ORDER TO DEMORALIZE AND CRUSH THEM. OR TO STRIP THEM OF THEIR FREEDOM. HE NEVER TRIED TO FOOL PEOPLE IN ORDER TO VICTIMIZE THEM. INDEED, IN THE 1920'S, MR. HUE DINNY -- MR. HOUDINI CHANNELED ALL OF HIS MAGNIFICENT ENERGY AWAY IF -- FROM DOING HIS MAGIC SHOW AND INSTEAD PUT IT INTO THE SEPARATE BUT RELATED TASK OF EXPOSING PSYCHICS AND MEDIUMS AND CONMEN AND PRACTITIONERS OF THE OCCULT AND THE DARK ARTS WHO DID TAKE ADVANTAGE OF PEOPLE'S GOODWILL. WHO DID TAKE ADVANTAGE OF PEOPLE'S IMPRESSIONABILITY TO DEFRAUD THEM, TO TAKE THEIR MONEY AND THEIR BELONGINGS AND TO DISTRACT THEM FROM THE REAL WORLD. AND TO UNDERMINE THE MORAL AND ETHICAL PRINCIPLES THAT SHOULD GOVERN HUMAN BEHAVIOR AND MUST GOVERN SOCIAL LIFE. ALTHOUGH HOUDINI IS NO LONGER WITH US, HE HAS GREAT HEIRS TODAY. IN SOCIALLY RESPONSIBLE IN A MACHADO JIGSES. -- MAGICIANS. BUT ALREADY MILLIONS OF AMERICANS THEMSELVES, MILLIONS OF US IN THE AUDIENCE, HAVE WOKEN UP TO THE FACT THAT WE HAVE BEEN PULLED AS A NATION INTO AN IRRATIONAL AND DANGEROUS FANLTSY WORLD, AN ECHO CHAMBER OF MALIGNANT NARS SIMILAR AND CRUELTY AND PARANOIA. IT'S TIME FOR US, FOR ALL OF US, TO STOP BEING DISTRACTED, TO STOP BEING BEDAZZLED, AND TO PAY ATTENTION TO THE REAL GAME WHICH IS, ONE, TRYING TO GET AMERICA TO JOIN WITH VLADIMIR PUTIN, A DICTATOR AND AUTOCRAT, WHO SAID THAT THE SINGLE GREATEST CATASTROPHE OF THE 20TH CENTURY WAS THE DISILLUSION OF THE SOVIET UNION. IN ORDER TO CREATE AN INTERNATIONAL LEAGUE OF DICTATORS, DEMAGOGUES AND DESPOTS TO VIOLATE HUMAN RIGHTS AND CRUSH LIBERAL DEMOCRACY. AND TWO, TO DISMANTLE AT HOME THE PUBLIC REGULATORY INFRASTRUCTURE WHICH PROTECTS OUR LAND, OUR AIR, OUR WATER, OUR CLIMATE, OUR LIBERTIES, OUR FREEDOMS, OUR EQUAL RIGHTS, AND OUR CAPACITY TO FUNCTION AS THE GREATEST DEMOCRACY ON EARTH. AND TO FUNCTION AS AN EFFICIENT AND EFFECTIVE GOVERNMENT, MEETING THE NEED KNEADS OF THE PEOPLE -- MEETING THE NEEDS OF THE PEOPLE. THE MAGICIANS OUT THERE, THERE AREN'T MANY, BUT YOU HAVE A SPECIAL OBLIGATION TO HELP US BLOW THE WHISTLE. AND YOU'RE DOING IT. BUT IT'S REALLY THE AMERICAN PEOPLE, IT'S US, IT'S ALL OF US WHO MUST STAND UP. YOU KNOW, THE CONSTITUTION TALKS ABOUT THREE BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT. ARTICLE 1 IS CONGRESS, ARTICLE 2 IS THE EXECUTIVE, ARTICLE 3 IS THE JUDICIARY. WE CALL CONGRESS THE FIRST BRANCH. WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT IT, WHAT'S EVEN MORE IMPORTANT THAN THE CONGRESS IS THE TRUNK, THE ROOTS OF DEMOCRACY. EVERYTHING GROWS UP FROM THE PEOPLE. THE BRANCHES ARE OUT THERE, BUT CONGRESS WORKS FOR THE PEOPLE. THE PRESIDENT WORKS FOR CONGRESS AND THE PEOPLE. THE SUPREME COURT AND THE JUDICIARY WORK FOR THE PEOPLE. IT'S TIME FOR THE PEOPLE TO DISSOLVE THE SPELLS THAT HAVE BEEN CAST OVER THE COUNTRY. SAY, THIS IS A DEMOCRACY. WE OPERATE BY THE CONSTITUTION AND THE RULE OF LAW. AND WITH THAT, MR. SPEAKER, I'M GOING TO YIELD TO MY DISTINGUISHED COLLEAGUE FROM ILLINOIS, CONGRESSWOMAN SCHAKOWSKY, FOR FOUR MINUTES. MS. SCHAKOWSKY.

MS. SCHAKOWSKY

THANK YOU SO MUCH. I REALLY APPRECIATE PARTICIPATING IN THIS HOUR. ABOUT…

THANK YOU SO MUCH. I REALLY APPRECIATE PARTICIPATING IN THIS HOUR. ABOUT THINGS THAT I THINK THE AMERICAN PEOPLE REALLY OUGHT TO BE CARING ABOUT. YOU KNOW, THE MINUTE THAT DONALD TRUMP TOOK THE OATH OF OFFICE AND PUT HIS HAND IN THE AIR, HE WAS IN VIOLATION OF THE LAW. IT'S JUST A FACT. THE TRUMP HOTEL, WHICH IS IN THE OLD POST OFFICE BUILDING, THERE'S A VERY EXPLICIT CONTRACT THAT SAYS NO ELECTED OFFICIAL MAY ENTER INTO A CONTRACT FOR THAT HOTEL AND PROFIT FROM THE BUSINESS IN THAT HOTEL. AND THERE WAS A LAWSUIT THAT WAS FILED. IT'S STILL PENDING. AND YOU MAY NOT THINK THAT'S A REALLY BIG DEAL. BUT HOW ABOUT THIS. WHAT IF THERE WERE DELEGATIONS FROM SOMEWHERE ELSE IN THE WORLD, SOME COUNTRY THAT REALLY WANTED TO CURIE FAVOR WITH THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AND DECIDED A REALLY GOOD WAY FOR ME TO DO IT, FOR US TO DO IT, WOULD BE TO MOVE OUR DELEGATION TO STAY AT THE TRUMP HOTEL, MAYBE WE COULD HAVE A BIG GALA, WE COULD HAVE A PARTY AND MAKE A LOT OF MONEY FROM THAT AND GUESS WHAT, MAYBE THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES WOULD NOTICE THAT. THAT WE'RE SPENDING MONEY, THAT HE -- IN THE HOTEL, FROM WHICH HE GAINS A PROFIT, AND THAT WOULD BE A REALLY SWELL IDEA. . ACTUALLY, THE FRAMERS OF THE CONSTITUTION THOUGHT WAS NOT SUCH A GRAND IDEA AND VERY EXPLICITLY WUT INTO THE CONSTITUTION SOMETHING THAT WOULD PROHIBIT ANY FOREIGN GOVERNMENT FROM INFLUENCING U.S. POLICY. THEY WERE WORRIED ABOUT THE KING OF ENGLAND. THEY WERE WORRIED ABOUT FRANCE. THEY WERE WORRIED ABOUT OTHER COUNTRIES HAVING TOO MUCH INFLUENCE ON THE UNITED STATES BY HAVING FAVOR WITH THE PRESIDENT AND THE DECISIONMAKERS AND SO THEY INTRODUCED AND PUT INTO THE CONSTITUTION VERY EXPLICITLY WHAT THEY CALL THE EMOLUMENTS CLAUSE. IN ARTICLE 1, THAT'S THE EXECUTIVE -- ARTICLE 1, SECTION 9 OF THE CONSTITUTION. AND WHILE EMOLUMENTS IS NOT A WORD WE USE IN REGULAR CONVERSATIONS. EMOLUMENTS, I NEVER USED IT BEFORE THIS. I NEVER HEARD OF IT BEFORE THIS, ACTUALLY. BUT IT'S A CONCEPT THAT IS PART OF OUR CONSTITUTION AND IT'S VERY SIMPLE THAT NO GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL SHOULD RECEIVE BENEFITS OF ANY KIND, OF ANY KIND FROM A FOREIGN GOVERNMENT AND PRESIDENT TRUMP IS CLEARLY VIOLATING THAT CONSTITUTIONAL PRINCIPLE. SO UNLIKE ANY PRESIDENTS BEFORE HIM, PRESIDENT TRUMP HAS ACTUALLY REFUSED TO FULLY SEPARATE HIMSELF AND HIS FAMILY FROM HIS BUSINESS DEALINGS. IT'S ALSO VERY UNUSUAL, OF COURSE, THAT WE HAVEN'T SEEN HIS TAX RETURNS WHICH HAS BEEN PRETTY STANDARD FOR ANY PRESIDENT TO RELEASE HIS TAX RETURNS AND IT'S BEEN A REQUIREMENT FOR THE CABINET THAT MR. TRUMP HAS EXACTED FROM THOSE NOMINEES, AND BECAUSE OF HIS BUSINESS HOLDINGS, TRUMP AND HIS FAMILY ARE CONSTANTLY, CONSTANTLY RECEIVING BENEFITS FROM OTHER COUNTRIES. WHETHER IT'S FOREIGN GOVERNMENTS RENTING THIS SPACE AT THE TRUMP HOTEL IN D.C., THE LOANS AND BUSINESS AGREEMENTS THAT THE TRUMP ORGANIZATION HAS WITH CHINA, RUSSIA AND MANY OTHER COUNTRIES. WE DON'T KNOW THEM ALL. WE HAVEN'T SEEN THEM ALL. THAT WOULD BE IN HIS TAX RETURNS AND ALL THE DIFFERENT SECTIONS OF THE TAX RETURN. HIS HOLDINGS IN SAUDI ARABIA AND TURKEY, WHICH HE HAS REFUSED TO PUT INTO A BLIND TRUST. SO IT'S TROUBLING ENOUGH THAT PRESIDENT TRUMP AND HIS FAMILY ARE PROFITING OFF OF THE PRESIDENCY, BUT NOW IT'S BECOMING CLEAR THAT THIS LACK OF ETHICS COULD THREATEN OUR NATIONAL SECURITY AND NATIONAL INTEREST. SO IF YOU HAVEN'T CARED UNTIL NOW, YOU OUGHT TO START CARING. LOOK AT RUSSIA. TRUMP HAS DONE BUSINESS IN RUSSIA AND HAS REMAINED UNCOMFORTABLY CLOSE TO VLADIMIR PUTIN. HE REFUSES TO RELEASE HIS TAX RETURNS WHICH COULD CLARIFY THE SPECIFIC FINANCIAL INTEREST THAT HE HAS IN RUSSIA. PRESIDENT TRUMP KNEW HIS NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISORS, MICHAEL FLYNN, WAS COMPROMISED BY RUSSIAN INTELLIGENCE AND HAD MISLED VICE PRESIDENT PENCE, YET FLYNN WAS ALLOWED TO REMAIN IN ONE OF OUR MOST NATIONAL SECURITY POSITIONS UNTIL CRITICISM FROM CONGRESS, THE MEDIA AND THE PUBLIC BECAME TOO MUCH TO IGNORE. PRESIDENT TRUMP CONTINUES TO GLOSS OVER THE SERIOUS PROBLEMS THAT LED TO FLYNN'S RESIGNATION. INSTEAD, HE ATTACKS THE MESSENGER AND THE LEAKS THAT BROUGHT FLYNN'S CONDUCT TO LIGHT. THESE ARE BRIGHT RED FLAGS. THESE ARE SIGNS THAT THE PRESIDENT HAS SOMETHING TO HIDE. AMERICANS DESERVE A PRESIDENT WHO THEY CAN TRUST IS PUTTING THE COUNTRY'S INTERESTS AHEAD OF HIS OWN, HE'S PUTTING HIS COUNTRY'S INTERESTS AHEAD OF ANOTHER COUNTRY. THERE SHOULD BE NO QUESTION OF THE PURITY OF THE PRESIDENT'S MOTIVES, ESPECIALLY WHEN HE'S MAKING CRITICAL SECURITY DECISIONS ON BEHALF OF THE NATION AND IF PRESIDENT TRUMP WANTS TO ASSURE THE AMERICAN PEOPLE THAT HE DESERVES OUR TRUST, HE MUST BE TRANSPARENT, WE NEED A BIPARTISAN, INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATION OF HIS CONFLICTS OF INTEREST, PARTICULARLY WITH RUSSIA, BUT NOT EXCLUSIVELY. HE MUST RELEASE HIS TAX RETURNS, AND HE MUST FULLY SEPARATE HIMSELF FROM HIS BUSINESS DEALINGS. THE CORRUPT PRACTICES OF THIS ADMINISTRATION MUST STOP. OUR COUNTRY AND OUR CONSTITUTION DEMAND NOTHING LESS. AND I THANK THE GENTLEMAN SO MUCH FOR SHARING THIS TIME WITH ME.

MR. RASKIN

THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MS. SCHAKOWSKY. I WOULD NOW YIELD SIX MINUTES TO MY…

THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MS. SCHAKOWSKY. I WOULD NOW YIELD SIX MINUTES TO MY GOOD, THE ASSISTANT DEMOCRATIC LEADER, MR. CLYBURN OF SOUTH CAROLINA.

MR. CLYBURN

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YIELDING ME THE TIME. MR. SPEAKER, I RISE TO…

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YIELDING ME THE TIME. MR. SPEAKER, I RISE TO CONTINUE HONG HCBU'S, HISTORICAL BLACK COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES, -- HONORING HCBU'S, HISTORICAL BLACK COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES. WHILE OTHER 3% OF OUR NATION'S HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS ARE HISTORICALLY BLACK, HBCU'S HAVE 20% OF THE NATION'S COLLEGE GRADUATES. TODAY I RECOGNIZE AND CELEBRATE TWO OF THE SEVEN HBCU'S IN MY CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. MAURICE COLLEGE AND DENMARK TECHNICAL COLLEGE BOTH IN DENMARK, SOUTH CAROLINA. MAURICE COLLEGE WAS FOUNDED -- AS DENMARK INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL IN 1897 BY ELIZABETH EVELYN WRIGHT WHEN SHE WAS JUST 23 YEARS OLD. WRITE STUDIED AT TUSKEGEE INSTITUTE AND WAS A DEVOTEE OF BOOKER T. WASHINGTON. SHE HAD PREVIOUSLY LED EFFORTS TO START SCHOOLS FOR AFRICAN-AMERICANS IN SOUTH CAROLINA WE WAS MET WITH THREATS OF VIOLENCE. SHE PERSISTED IN HER EFFORTS TO OFFER AFRICAN-AMERICANS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR A BITTER LIFE AND WITH VOORHEES CREATED AN INSTITUTION THAT WOULD STAND THE TEST OF TIME. WRIGHT ORIGINALLY TAUGHT SCHOOL IN A STORE IN DENMARK, BUT IN 1902, NEW JERSEY PHILANTHROPIST, RALPH VOORHEES DONATED MONEY TO PURCHASE LAND AND TO CONSTRUCT A BUILDING FOR THE SCHOOL. A HIGH SCHOOL AT FIRST, VOORHEES HAD CLASS AT THIS LEVEL FOR AFRICAN-AMERICANS IN THE AREA. IN 1924 THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH PARTNERED WITH VOORHEES, AND IN AFFILIATION THAT CHURCH CONTINUES TILL THIS DAY. THE COLLEGE BEGAN TO OFFER JUNIOR COLLEGE DEGREES IN 1947, AND FOUR-YEAR DEGREES IN 1962. WHILE ORIGINALLY FOUNDED ON THE PRINCIPLES OF BOOKER T. WASHINGTON TO TEACH JOB AND TRADE SKILLS TO AFRICAN-AMERICANS, VOORHEES NOW PROUDLY CLAIMS TO OFFER A BLEND OF WASHINGTON'S PHILOSOPHY AND THAT OF W.E.B. DUBOIS WHO BELIEVED A CLASS CAL LIBERAL ARTS EDUCATION WAS VITAL TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF AFRICAN-AMERICANS -- CLASSICAL LIBERAL ARTS EDUCATION WAS VITAL TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF AFRICAN-AMERICANS. A DENMARK NATIVE GRADUATED FROM VOORHEES UNIVERSITY. HE BECAME ACTIVE WITH THE STUDENT NONVIOLENT COMMITTEE PARTICIPATING IN HIS 1966 MARCH AGAINST FEAR. IN 1968, AFTER RETURNING TO SOUTH CAROLINA, SULLIS WAS ARRESTED AND IMPRISONED WHILE SUPPOSEDLY EXCITING THE CONFRONTATION BETWEEN STUDENTS AND POLICE THAT BECAME KNOWN AS ORANGEBURG MASSACRE. WHEN POLICE OPENED FIRE ON STUDENTS, KILLING THREE AND JURRING 27. -- INJURYING 27. VOORHEE S'S PRESIDENT, DR. EVANS, PREVIOUSLY SERVED AS INTERIM PRESIDENT OF MY ALMA MATER SOUTH CAROLINA YOU STATE. IN THAT ROLE -- SOUTH CAROLINA STATE. IN THAT ROLE HE GOT SOUTH CAROLINA OUT OF A FINANCIAL CRISIS. I SINCERELY BELIEVE THAT VORHEES COLLEGE IS WELL -- VOORHEES COLLEGE IS WELL POSITIONED. DENMARK TECHNICAL COLLEGE, WHOSE CAMPUS IS ADJACENT TO VOORHEES WAS A SOUTH CAROLINA BRANCH OF THE TRADE SCHOOL SYSTEM. IT WAS CREATED IN 1948 BY THE SOUTH CAROLINA GENERAL ASSEMBLY AND MANDATED TO PROVIDE TRADE SKILLS TO AFRICAN-AMERICANS. DURING THE SEPARATE BUT EQUAL ERA, DENMARK TECH WAS ONE OF THE FEW OPPORTUNITIES FOR TRADE SCHOOL EDUCATION OFFERED TO AFRICAN-AMERICANS BY THE STATE. IN THE EARLY 1960'S, GOVERNOR HOLLINS AND THEN SENATOR JOHN WEST LED THE EFFORT TO CREATE THE SOUTH CAROLINA TECHNICAL COLLEGE SYSTEM. IN 1969, THE EXISTING TRADE SCHOOL IN DENMARK WAS TRANSFERRED INTO THE SYSTEM, AND THE MODERN DENMARK TECHNICAL COLLEGE WAS CREATED. ITS TOTAL ENROLLMENT IS APPROXIMATELY 2,000. 96% OF WHOM ARE MINORITY STUDENTS. DENMARK TECH CONTINUES TO BE PROVIDE TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND TRADE SKILLS IN THE REGION OF VANBERG, VONWELL COUNTY. VOORHEES COLLEGE AND DENMARK TECHNICAL COLLEGE, LIKE THEIR FELLOW HBCU'S, MADE AN INDELIBLE IMPACT ON THEIR COMMUNITIES, SOUTH CAROLINA, AND THE NATION. THEY HAVE PROVIDED GENERATIONS OF AFRICAN-AMERICANS EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES, AND I LOOK FORWARD TO THEIR CONTINUED SUCCESS. MR. SPEAKER, I YIELD BACK.

MR. RASKIN

FOR THOSE EXCELLENT AND THOUGHTFUL REMARKS. WE SHOULD BE JOINED…

FOR THOSE EXCELLENT AND THOUGHTFUL REMARKS. WE SHOULD BE JOINED MOMENTARILY BY REPRESENTATIVE SHEILA JACKSON LEE. I WANTED TO CLOSE OUT, THOUGH, MY OWN THOUGHTS BY RESPONDING TO SOMETHING I'VE BEEN HEARING OVER THE LAST WEEK HERE IN THE HALLS OF CONGRESS. NOW THAT IT'S CLEAR FROM OUR INTELLIGENCE AGENCIES, 16 OF THEM, INCLUDING THE C.I.A., THE F.B.I., THE DEFENSE INTELLIGENCE AGENCY, THE NATIONAL SECURITY AGENCY AND SO ON, THAT VLADIMIR PUTIN HAD A DELIBERATE CAMPAIGN OFESS P.J.AGE, CYBER-- ESPIONAGE TO UNDERMINE AMERICAN DEMOCRACY IN THE 2016 ELECTION, AND NOW THAT IT'S CLEAR THAT THERE WERE HIGH-LEVEL CONTACTS BETWEEN TRUMP ASSOCIATES AND OFFICIALS OF THE RUSSIAN GOVERNMENT, IT'S NO LONGER BEING DENIED BY ANYBODY ON EITHER SIDE OF THE AISLE, BUT WHAT I STARTED TO HEAR IS, WELL, SURE, THEY TRIED TO HACK OUR ELECTION AND, SURE, THEY LEAKED THOUSANDS OF EMAILS AND, SURE, THEY CHANGED THE DYNAMICS OF THE CAMPAIGN AND WHAT PEOPLE WERE TALKING ABOUT IN THE CAMPAIGN BUT THERE'S NO PROOF THEY STUFFED ANY BALLOT BOXES OR THEY HACKED INTO THE COMPUTERS. AND THAT'S TRUE. WE DON'T KNOW THEY STUFFED ANY BALLOT BOXES OR HACKED IN THE COMPUTER. WE HAVE TO SEE IF ANYTHING COMES OUT ABOUT THAT WHEN WE FINALLY DO A REAL COMPREHENSIVE INVESTIGATION BUT, MR. SPEAKER, THE REALITY IS THAT WE SHOULD BE TERRIFIED AND APPALLED AND OUTRAGED THAT THEY WERE ALLOWED TO GO AS FAR AS THEY DID. HOW MANY PEOPLE IN THIS BODY WOULD ACCEPT A FOREIGN ENTITY COMING INTO OUR CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS AND SPENDING MILLIONS OR HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS AGAINST US, HACKING INTO OUR COMPUTERS, RELEASING OUR EMAILS AND COMPLETELY CHANGING THE DYNAMICS OF THE CAMPAIGN? SO WHEN I HEAR FROM COLLEAGUES THAT, WELL, YES, THEY DISTORTED THE CAMPAIGN, THEY HACKED IN THE CAMPAIGN BUT THEY DIDN'T STEAL THE ELECTION, I THINK THEY'RE MAKING A DISTINCTION WITH NO DIFFERENCE AT ALL. IF YOU DERAIL THE CAMPAIGN, YOU KIDNAP THE CAMPAIGN, YOU HIJACK THE CAMPAIGN, YOU HAVE ALTERED THE OUTCOME OF THE ELECTION, ESPECIALLY ONE IN WHICH YOUR OPPONENT GETS 2.9 MILLION VOTES MORE THAN YOU DID, ESPECIALLY IN AN ELECTION WHERE YOU ARE ABLE TO TORTURE OUT ONLY THE SLENDERIST OF ELECTORAL COLLEGE VICTORIES IN THREE STATES BY 70,000 VOTES. SO I SIMPLY REJECT THE CONSTANT CLAIM THAT I'M HEARING FROM COLLEAGUES, MR. SPEAKER, THAT WE DON'T NEED TO WORRY ABOUT RUSSIAN SUBVERSION OF THE 2016 ELECTION BECAUSE IT ONLY AFFECTED THE CAMPAIGN. IT DIDN'T NECESSARILY AFFECT THE ELECTION OUTCOME TO -- OUTCOME. TO INFLUENCE THE CAMPAIGN IS TO INFLUENCE THE ELECTION OUTCOME. I SEE THAT CONGRESSWOMAN SHEILA JACKSON LEE IS NOT HERE SO I WILL YIELD BACK, MR. SPEAKER, AND THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR COURTESY.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK THE BALANCE OF HIS TIME. UNDER THE SPEAKER'S…

THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK THE BALANCE OF HIS TIME. UNDER THE SPEAKER'S ANNOUNCED POLICY OF JANUARY 3, 2017, THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES THE GENTLEMAN FROM GEORGIA, MR. WOODALL, FOR 30 MINUTES.

MR. WOODALL

THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. I APPRECIATE YOU YIELDING ME THE TIME. WE SEE SO…

THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. I APPRECIATE YOU YIELDING ME THE TIME. WE SEE SO MUCH ON TV, I WAS WATCHING THE PRESIDENT'S PRESS CONFERENCE A LITTLE WHILE AGO. WE SEE SO MUCH DISCORD OUT THERE. THIS TIME THAT WE HAVE IN THE AFTERNOON, TO REALLY DELVE DEEP INTO THE ISSUES, IS SO VALUABLE. IT'S ONE OF THE ONLY TIMES THE AMERICAN PEOPLE GET TO SEE US DELVING DEEPLY INTO THE ISSUES. YOU AND I KNOW THAT WE'RE IN THE COMMITTEE ROOM, WE'RE BEHIND CLOSED DOORS IN A BIPARTISAN WAY, GRAPPLING WITH ALL OF THE HARDEST ISSUES THAT FACE AMERICAN FAMILIES. BUT FOLKS DON'T SEE IT. THEY DON'T FEEL IT. AND WHY IT IS WE CELEBRATE THE DISCORD INSTEAD OF CELEBRATE AING THE DISCOURSE IS -- CELEBRATE AING THE DISCOURSE IS A MYSTERY TO ME -- CELEBRATING THE KISS DOCTORS -- THE DISCOURSE IS A MYSTERY TO ME. I BRING SOME STORIES FROM THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT FROM MY DISTRICT AT HOME. IT'S NOT GOING TO BE A SURPRISE TO YOU, THESE ARE STORIES OF CHALLENGES. IT'S UP IN FORSYTHE A COUNTY, GEORGIA, JUST NORTH OF -- FORSYTHE COUNTY, GEORGIA, JUST NORTH OF ATLANTA. HEYWARD FROM A SINGLE MOM, SHE HAS TWO KIDS, AGED 11 AND 13. CHEF A FAMILY PHYSICIAN THAT THEY WANT TO HANG ON TO. SHE SAID, I WORK PART-TIME AS A PAR LEGAL. I ALSO RECEIVE CHILD SUPPORT PAYMENTS. SHE SAID SHE WAS ENCOURAGED BY A HEALTH INSURANCE COMPANY TO GO OUT AND ENROLL IN MEDICAID INSTEAD. BUT NEITHER OF HER CHILDREN'S DOCTORS ACCEPT MEDICAID. HOW OFTEN DO WE HEAR THAT? THE SOLUTION FOR EVERYTHING IS TO DUMP EVERYONE INTO MEDICAID. WELL, MEDICAID IS NOT A HEALTH CARE SYSTEM. IT'S A HEALTH CARE PAYMENT SYSTEM. YOU HAVE TO FIND A DOCTOR WHO WILL ACCEPT THE PAYMENT. THIS YOUNG WOMAN'S DOCTORS DO NOT. SHE SAID, SHE WENT ON HEALTHCARE.GOV, FILLED OUT AN APPLICATION, AND WAS OFFERED A PLAN FOR $464 A MONTH WITH A 12DS,600 DEDUCTIBLE. SHE MAKES $25,000 A YEAR. AND WHAT WE HAVE OFFERED HER IS A $500 A MONTH POLICY, $464 A MONTH, WITH A $12,000 DEDUCTIBLE. THAT'S NOT AFFORDABLE, SHE SAYS. SHE CALL AN INSURANCE BROKER, TO LOOK A FOR A SIMILAR POLICY. THEY WERE PRICED THE SAME WAY. SHE SAID, I HAVE DECIDED TO PAY THE OBAMACARE FINE AS INSTEAD. -- FINES INSTEAD. MR. SPEAKER, I TELL THIS STORY BECAUSE I KNOW THAT EVERY SINGLE MEMBER OF THIS BODY WANTS TO SERVE THE CONSTITUENCY THAT SENT THEM HERE. EVERY SINGLE MEMBER OF THIS BODY WANTS TO FIND A SOLUTIONS FOR FOLKS BACK HOME. AS WE LOOK AT THE NUMBERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY, WE FIND THAT MORE AMERICANS THAT WE PURPORTED TO HELP WITH THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT HAVE DECIDED TO PAY A FINE INSTEAD OF JOIN THE EXCHANGE SYSTEM. MR. SPEAKER, WE HAVE MORE AMERICANS OPTING OUT OF THE SYSTEM THAN OPTING INTO THE SYSTEM, BECAUSE WE HAVE FAILED THOSE VERY PEOPLE WE PURPORTED TO HELP. FROM BEAU FORT, GEORGIA, MR. SPEAKER, I'M A FULL-TIME STUDENT WITH A PART-TIME JOB THAT DOESN'T OFFER HEALTH OR DENTAL INSURANCE. I CAN'T GET HEALTH INSURANCE THROUGH MY PARENTS, BECAUSE THEY'RE ON MEDICARE. I SHOP SHORTSTOPPED FOR HEALTH PLANS, BUT ALL -- I SHOPPED FOR HEALTH PLANS BUT ALL OF THE ONES IN THE EXCHANGE ARE OUT OF MY BUDGET. I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO PAY A FINE BECAUSE I CAN'T AFFORD HEALTH CARE. THINK ABOUT THAT. MR. SPEAKER, I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO PAY A FINE, THIS YOUNG STUDENT SAYS, BECAUSE I CAN'T AFFORD THE HEALTH CARE. IF I CAN'T AFFORD THE HEALTH CARE, I CERTAINLY CAN'T AFFORD THE FINE. THESE WERE THE PEOPLE THAT WE PURPORTED TO HELP WITH THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT AND THEY ARE NOT BEING SERVED. BACK IN COMING, GEORGIA, MR. SPEAKER, TODAY I'VE BEEN IN MY OFFICE FOR HOURS TRYING TO FIND AFFORDABLE HEALTH CARE THAT ACCOMMODATES MY PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIAN. PRICES START FOR ME AT $750 -PLUS BEFORE OBAMACARE -- $750-PLUS. BEFORE OBAMACARE I WAS PAYING $365 WITH MORE ACCESS TO DOCTORS. IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT THE MONEY, MR. SPEAKER. THESE NETWORKS, AS YOU KNOW, ARE CLOSING MORE THAN 1/3 OF THE COUNTIES IN AMERICA HAVE NO CHOICE OF INSURE WHATSOEVER. THE NET, WITH ARE NARROWING, FOR EXAMPLE ARE NOT JUST FINDING IT HARD TO PAY FOR CARE, THEY'RE FINDING IT HARD TO CHOOSE THEIR PHYSICIAN. A RETIRED COUPLE IN PEACH TREE CORNERS, GEORGIA, MR. SPEAKER, I RETIRED LAST YEAR AND MY HUSBAND RETIRED THIS YEAR. BOTH OF US ARE IN OUR 60'S. WE KNEW WE'D HAVE TO PAY A LOT FOR HEALTH INSURANCE BUT I WAS STUNNED WHEN WE SIGNED UP FOR THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT TO THE TUNE OF MORE THAN $1,200 PER MONTH. I RECENTLY RECEIVED A IN THE FROM OUR INSURER THAT PREMIUMS FOR 2017 WILL GO TO OVER 2DS,000 PER MONTH. A -- THE FAMILY PLAYED BY THE RULES THEIR ENTIRE LIFE, MR. SPEAKER. RETIRED. NEEDED ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE. WENT TO THE EXCHANGES THAT WERE PURPORTED TO HELP PEOPLE FIND AFFORDABLE HEALTH CARE, FOUND A $1,200 A MONTH POLICY THAT THIS YEAR RISES TO $2,000 A MONTH. I SAY THIS TO THE YOUNG PEOPLE. PLANNING FOR THEIR RETIREMENT. THINK BEING PUTTING SOMETHING AWAY FOR A RAINY DAY. THIS COUPLE, $2,000 A MONTH SIMPLY FOR THEIR PREMIUM. ANOTHER FAMILY IN CUMMING, GEORGIA, MR. SPEAKER, SIX YEARS AGO WE HAD A PERFECTLY ACCEPTABLE HIGH DEDUCTIBLE PLAN WITH AN H.S.A. FOR 3DS00 A MONTH -- $300 A MONTH. AS OBAMACARE HAS BEEN IMPLEMENTED, IT'S GONE FROM $300 TO $450 TO $750 TO $950 PER MONTH AND OUR ONLY REMAINING OPTION IS A $1,450 PER MONTH PLAN THAT PROVIDES EFFECTIVELY THE SAME COVERAGE. MR. SPEAKER, I ADDED THAT ONE BECAUSE THESE FOLKS WEREN'T LOOKING FOR HEALTH CARE. THESE FOLKS WEREN'T UNINSURED. THESE FOLKS DIDN'T HAVE A PROBLEM FINDING INSURANCE. THEY HAD IT UNDER CONTROL THEMSELVES AND IN THE NAME OF HELPING THE UNINSURED, THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT CAME IN, RE-REGULATED THE ENTIRE INSURANCE INDUSTRY, EVEN FOR PEOPLE WHO ALREADY HAD HEALTH CARE, AND DROVE THIS FAMILY'S PREMIUMS FROM $300 A MONTH TO $1,400 A MONTH. MR. SPEAKER, WHO DEFENDS THESE THINGS? WHO DEFENDS THESE THINGS? I TELL YOU, I WILL NOT HAVE A COLLEAGUE FROM THE DEMOCRATIC SIDE OR THE REPUBLICAN SIDE WHO WOULD SAY ANY OF THESE CONSEQUENCES WERE INTENDED WHEN THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT WAS PASSED. THEY MIGHT HAVE BEEN INEVITABLE. BUT THEY WERE NOT INTENDED. SO WE CAN AGREE THERE'S A PROBLEM. WE CAN AGREE THERE'S A PROBLEM AND IF YOU DON'T THINK THAT WE CAN AGREE, LET ME REFER FIRST TO FORMER PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA. JUST LAST FALL HE SAID THIS. DESPITE THIS PROGRESS, TOO MANY AMERICANS STILL STRAIN TO PAY FOR THEIR PHYSICIAN VISITS AND PRESCRIPTIONS, COVER THEIR DEDUBBLETTABLES OR PAY THEIR MONTHLY INSURANCE BILLS. THEY STRUGGLE TO NAVIGATE A COMPLEX, SOMETIMES BEWILDERING, SYSTEM AND THEY REMAIN UNINSURED. THAT'S RIGHT. THEY REMAIN UNINSURED. THE TRILLION-PLUS DOLLARS WE SPENT TO SOLVE THE ISSUE OF THE UNINSURED SOLVED NOTHING. WE CONTINUE TO HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE UNINSURED. AND YET WE HAVE ADDED PROBLEMS TO THOSE WHO ARE INSURED. DEMOCRATIC GOVERNOR MARK DAYTON FROM MINNESOTA IN OCTOBER OF LAST YEAR, MR. SPEAKER, THE REALITY IS THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT IS NO LONGER AFFORDABLE. THE REALITY IS THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT IS NO LONGER AFFORDABLE. THESE ARE THE WORDS OF FOLKS WHO SUPPORTED THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT. FORMER PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON. SO YOU'VE GOT THIS CRAZY SYSTEM WHERE ALL OF A SUDDEN 25 MILLION MORE PEOPLE HAVE HEALTH CARE, AND THEN THE PEOPLE WHO WERE OUT THERE BUSTING IT, SOMETIMES 60 HOURS A WEEK A, LINED UP WITH THEIR PEOPLE ARE -- WIND UP WITH THEIR PREMIUMS DOUBLES WITH THEIR COVERAGE CUT IN HALF. IT'S THE CRAZIEST THING IN THE WORLD. THERE'S A GROUP OF PEOPLE, MOSTLY SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS AND EMPLOYEES, WHO MAKE JUST A LITTLE TOO MUCH TO QUALIFY FOR MEDICAID EXPANSION, OR FOR THE TAX INCENTIVES, WHO CAN'T GET AFFORDABLE HEALTH CARE PREMIUMS IN A LOT OF PLACES. FORMER PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON SAYS THERE ARE GUYS OUT THERE BUSTING IT 60 HOURS A WEEK, TRYING TO MAKE IT WORK FOR THEIR FAMILIES, AND WE HAVE FAILED THEM. IT'S NOT THAT THEY HAD A PROBLEM TO BEGIN WITH. MANY OF THESE FOLKS HAD INSURANCE THAT THEY LIKED TO BEGIN WITH. WE FAILED THEM WHEN WE RE-REGULATED THEM INTO PROBLEMS INSTEAD OF SOLVING PROBLEMS. MR. SPEAKER, THE BROKEN PROMISES BEGAN RIGHT AWAY. YOU'LL REMEMBER THE FACT CHECK ORGANIZATION THAT NAMED, IF YOU LIKE YOUR DOCTOR, YOU CAN KEEP YOUR DOCTOR. IF YOU LIKE YOUR PLAN, YOU CAN KEEP YOUR PLAN. AS THE LIE OF THE YEAR. OVERPROMISING AND UNDERDELIVERING HAS BEEN THE NATURE OF OBAMACARE. WE WERE PROMISED PREMIUMS WOULD DECLINE BY $2,500. THE AVERAGE FAMILY'S REAMUM HAS INCREASED BY $4,300. WE WERE PROMISED THE COST OF HEALTH CARE WOULD GO DOWN, BUT DEDUCTIBLES HAVE RISEN MORE THAN 60%. WE WERE PROMISED YOU COULD KEEP YOUR DOCTOR, BUT 70% OF US FIND OURSELVES IN NARROWER NETWORKS TODAY THAN WE DID BEFORE. MIDDLE CLASS AMERICANS WERE PROMISED THEY WOULDN'T SEE A TAX INCREASE BUT AS WE JUST HEARD FROM THIS YOUNG STUDENT, WHEN YOU CAN'T FIND A PLAN THAT MEETS YOUR NEEDS, YOU'RE FINED BY THE I.R.S. YOU'RE PAYING TAXES RIGHT THEN. MR. SPEAKER, I'M NOT BLAMING THESE SYSTEMIC PROBLEMS. ON PRESIDENT OBAMA. I'M NOT BLAMING THESE SYSTEMIC PROBLEMS ON THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT. WHAT I'M DOING IS POINTING OUT THAT WE PASSED THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT WITH A TRILLION DOLLARS IN NEW TAX INCREASES, WITH A RE-REGULATION OF ALL OF THE INSURANCE PLANS THAT PEOPLE LIKED BEFORE, IN THE NAME OF SOLVING THESE PROBLEMS WHICH WE DID NOT SOLVE. I'LL TAKE YOU TO MY HOME STATE OF GEORGIA, MR. SPEAKER. ON AVERAGE, 32% IS THE INCREASE THAT WE'RE SEEING IN PREMIUMS ON OUR EXCHANGE. 32% THIS YEAR ALONE. AND OF THE FOLKS WHO ARE PARTICIPATING IN THE EXCHANGE, MR. SPEAKER, 80% OF THEM RECEIVE A GOVERNMENT SUBSIDY. LET ME SAY THAT AGAIN. OF THE FOLKS WHO PARTICIPATE IN THE TRILLION-DOLLAR AFFORDABLE CARE ACT EXCHANGE PROGRAM IN THE STATE OF GEORGIA, 80% OF THEM DO SO BECAUSE THE GOVERNMENT IS PAYING FOR THEIR HEALTH CARE. THAT'S A PRETTY GOOD INCENTIVE TO GET IN THE SYSTEM. IF YOU'RE GOING TO GET A SUBSIDY PAYMENT, FOLKS ARE IN THE SYSTEM, 80% REQUIRE THAT SUBSIDY IN ORDER TO BE ENTICED INTO THE SYSTEM. AS YOU KNOW, MR. SPEAKER, MORE PEOPLE REJECTED GOING INTO THE SYSTEM, OPTING INSTEAD FOR NO HEALTH CARE, THAN WENT INTO THE SYSTEM. WITH THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT. THE AVERAGE WAGE EARNER IN GEORGIA, MR. SPEAKER, GETS NO SUBSIDY FROM THE GOVERNMENT. 400% OF THE POVERTY LINE, AS YOU KNOW, IS WHERE THAT SUBSIDY KICKS IN. THAT'S ABOUT $48,000 A YEAR IN THE STATE OF GEORGIA. I'M TELLING YOU, IF YOU EARN $48,000 A YEAR, YOU HAVE BILLS AND OBLIGATIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES AND YOU FIND YOURSELF IN ONE OF THESE $2,000 A MONTH PREMIUM SITUATIONS, THAT THIS RETIRED COUPLE IN GEORGIA DID, YOU CANNOT AFFORD HEALTH INSURANCE. OR AT LEAST YOU CANNOT AFFORD THE HEALTH INSURANCE THAT THE GOVERNMENT TODAY IS REQUIRING THAT YOU HAVE. LET'S THINK ABOUT THOSE REQUIREMENTS, MR. SPEAKER. THE GOVERNMENT IN ITS WISDOM DECIDED IT WAS GOING TO FORCE FOLKS INTO PLANS THAT IT DEEMED APPROPRIATE. MANY OF THOSE CAME IN THE FORM OF HEALTH CARE COOPS. IT WAS CERTAINLY A REASONABLE IDEA. LET'S ALLOW FOLKS IN STATES BACK HOME TO JOIN TOGETHER AND PROVIDE HEALTH INSURANCE. WE SUCKED FOLKS INTO THOSE COOPS, MR. SPEAKER, GET AN UNSUSTAINABLE SYSTEM, THIS DEATH SPIRAL OF OBAMACARE, A MILLION FOLKS WERE SUCKED INTO COOPS THAT WENT BELLY-UP, MR. SPEAKER. THEY LOST THEIR INSURANCE. ONCE WHEN THE OBAMACARE CAME INTO BUSINESS, THEY LOST THEIR INSURANCE AGAIN WHEN THESE COOPS FAILED. AS YOU CAN SEE ON THIS MAP, THE ORIGINAL CO-OPS HAVE FAILED, ONLY A FEW REMAIN IN BUSINESS TODAY. IT REMAINS TO BE SEEN IF THEY'LL MAKE IT THROUGH THE YEAR. WHEN WE TALK ABOUT CHOICE, MR. SPEAKER, FIVE STATES HAVE ONLY ONE INSURER IN THE HE CAN CHANGE. THAT WAS THE WHOLE POINT OF THE EXCHANGE. THAT'S WHY WE SPENT LITERALLY BILLIONS UPON BILLIONS TO SET UP THESE EXCHANGES, SO THAT CONSUMERS COULD COMPARE AND CHOOSE. TWO THINGS WENT WRONG. NUMBER ONE, WE SET UP THIS LIST OF MANDATES THAT EVERY INSURANCE PLAN HAD TO COMPLY WITH, WHICH DISINCENTIVIZED FOLKS TO JOIN THOSE PLANS TO BEGIN WITH. AND THEN NUMBER TWO, BY SETTING UP WHAT YOU HAD TO HAVE IN A PLAN, YOU BY DEFINITION RESTRICTED THE CHOICE OF INDIVIDUALS TO CHOOSE WHAT THEY WANT. SO YOU END UP WITH FIVE STATES WITH ONLY ONE INSURER UNDER OBAMACARE. NOW, THAT'S BEFORE THE ANNOUNCEMENT THIS WEEK FROM HUMANA THAT IT'S WITHDRAWING FROM ALL OF THE OBAMACARE PLANS AT THE END OF 2017. THAT WAS BEFORE THE ANNOUNCEMENT THIS WEEK FROM THE AETNA C.E.O., THAT HE SEES THE DEATH SPIRAL THAT OBAMACARE IS INVOLVED IN, HIS WORDS, AND IT REMAINS TO BE SEEN WHETHER THEY WILL PARTICIPATE NEXT YEAR OR NOT. I DON'T NEED TO FIND CONSENSUS AMONG 218 MEMBERS OR EVEN 435 MEMBERS ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT OBAMACARE IS SUCCEEDING OR FAILING. WHAT I NEED IS FOR FOLKS TO LOOK AT THE 19 MILLION UNINSURED AMERICANS WHO HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO GO INTO THIS TRILLION-DOLLAR SYSTEM, AN OPPORTUNITY TO REACH FOR THE GOLDEN RING AS IT WAS DESCRIBED BY ITS AUTHORS AND ITS PROPONENTS, AND THEY SAID NO. . THEY SAID IT DOESN'T WORK FOR ME. THEY SAID IT DOESN'T FIT INTO MY FAMILY'S NEEDS AND DESIRES AND EXPECTATIONS OF THESE 19 MILLION, MR. SPEAKER. 6 1/2 PAID A TAX PENALTY. 6 1/2 MILLION AMERICANS, FAILED BY THEIR GOVERNMENT IN A $1 TRILLION HEALTH CARE DEREGULATION, FAILED BY OBAMACARE AND MEDICAID AND FAILED BY THEIR GOVERNMENT, YET AGAIN, WHEN THEY RECEIVED A BILL BECAUSE THE $1 TRILLION PROGRAM WE PUT TOGETHER DIDN'T WORK FOR THEM AND THEIR FAMILY. CAN'T WE AGREE THAT IF OUR GOAL WAS TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM OF THE UNINSURED AMERICAN THAT HAVING 19 MILLION AMERICANS WHO WOULD RATHER STAY UNINSURED THAN PARTICIPATE IN THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT IS THE DEFINITION OF FAILURE? WE CAN DO BETTER. AND THERE IS A BETTER WAY, MR. SPEAKER. LET THERE BE NO MISTAKE ABOUT THAT. I KNOW THERE'S A LOT OF ANXIETY OUT THERE. I DON'T WANT TO MINIMIZE THAT. FEAR IS A CORROSIVE, CORROSIVE MOTION TO HAVE, AND I WANT TO DO MY VERY BEST TO ALLAY THE FEAR OF ANYONE IN AMERICA, MR. SPEAKER, WHO IS BENEFITING FROM THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT. AS THESE NUMBERS HAVE DEMONSTRATED, THERE ARE NOT MANY, BUT IF YOU SPEND $1 TRILLION AND REREGULATE AN ENTIRE INDUSTRY, I CERTAINLY HOPE THERE'S AT LEAST ONE FAMILY OUT THERE WHO GOT SOMETHING OUT OF IT. I KNOW THAT THERE ARE. I QUOTE GREG WALDEN, THE CHAIRMAN OF OUR ENERGY AND COMMERCE COMMITTEE, MR. SPEAKER, WHO AS YOU KNOW HOS WIDE JURISDICTION FOR RE-- WHO HAS WIDE JURISDICTION FOR REREGULATING HEALTH CARE. HE SAID THIS JANUARY OF THIS YEAR, WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE WITH PRE-EXISTING CONDITIONS CONTINUE TO GET COVER. MR. SPEAKER, IT'S A MYTH THAT CONGRESS DIDN'T CARE ABOUT PRE-EXISTING CONDITIONS. IT WAS REPUBLICANS IN CONGRESS LED BY REPUBLICAN NEWT GINGRICH FROM THE GREAT STATE OF GEORGIA WHO ABOLISHED PRE-EXISTING CONDITIONS IN EVERY FEDERALLY REGULATED PLAN BACK IN 1996. HE DID THAT IN PARTNERSHIP WITH BILL CLINTON. WHAT YOU HAVE HEARD FROM OUR CHAIRMAN OF THE ENERGY AND COMMERCE COMMITTEE IS, WE'RE COMMITTED TO DEALING WITH PRE-EXISTING CONDITIONS. TAKE THAT ANXIETY OFF YOUR LIST. FROM TOM PRICE, NOW THE SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, NOBODY'S INTERESTED IN PULLING THE RUG OUT FROM ANYBODY. WE BELIEVE THAT IT'S ABSOLUTELY IMPERATIVE THAT INDIVIDUALS THAT HAVE HEALTH CARE BE ABLE TO KEEP HEALTH COVERAGE AND MOVE HOPEFULLY TO GREATER CHOICES AND OPPORTUNITIES TO GAIN THE KIND OF COVERAGE THEY WANT FOR THEMSELVES AND THEIR FAMILIES. THERE HAS BEEN A LOT OF TALK ABOUT FAMILIES LOSING HEALTH CARE. THAT'S NOT OUR GOAL, NOR IS IT OUR DESIRE, NOR IS IT OUR PLAN. THE NEW SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES SAID THAT THIS YEAR. NOW, MR. SPEAKER, I DON'T WANT TO OVERPROMISE AND UNDERDELIVER. OBAMACARE IS FAILING. THE EXCHANGES ARE FAILING. INSURANCE COMPANIES ARE LEAVING. PLANS ARE BEING CANCELLED. I AM NOT SAYING IF YOU LIKE YOUR PLAN YOU CAN KEEP IT, BECAUSE YOUR PLAN MAY BE ONE OF THE OVERLY REGULATIONS, OVERLY PRICED PLANS THAT IS COLLAPSING ACROSS THIS COUNTRY. WHAT I AM SAYING TO YOU IS, OUR COMMITMENT IS TO HELP AND NOT HURT IN THAT AREA. I CANNOT PREVENT OBAMACARE FROM FAILING. I CANNOT PREVENT YOUR PLAN FROM GOING AWAY, BUT I CAN PROVIDE AN OFFRAMP FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY SO YOU CAN FIND, AS SECRETARY PRICE SAYS, BETTER CHOICES AND BETTER OPPORTUNITIES. FROM THE UNITED STATES SENATE, MR. SPEAKER. MAJORITY LEADER MITCH MCCONNELL, THERE WILL BE A STABLE TRANSITION PERIOD. WE WILL TURN TO A REPLACEMENT POLICY THAT COSTS LESS AND WORK BETTER THAN WHAT WE HAVE NOW. SOME CONTEND THAT BY FULFILLING OUR PROMISE TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE WE'RE SOMEHOW GOING TO GO BACK TO THE WAY THINGS WERE BEFORE OBAMACARE, WHICH WE ALL KNOW IS UNTRUE. IF YOUR FAMILY IS GRAPPLED WITH PRE-EXISTING CONDITIONS BECAUSE YOUR STATE DIDN'T ADDRESS IT THE SAME WAY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT DID BACK IN 1996, FOLKS ARE COMMITTED IF YOU'RE PLAYING BY THE RULES TO STICK WITH YOU AND YOUR FAMILY THROUGH THIS TRANSITION. IF YOUR FAMILY BENEFITS FROM THE RAISING OF THE LIFETIME CAPS THAT WAS A PART OF THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT, YOU'VE WON THAT DEBATE. YOU NEEDTH WORRY AS WE GO THROUGH -- YOU NEEDN'T WORRY AS WE GO THROUGH THIS TRANSITION. IF KIDS ARE STAYING ON YOUR POLICY UNTIL THEY'RE 26 YEARS OLD, I THINK YOU WON THAT DEBATE. I THINK THAT'S ABSOLUTELY GOING TO BE PART OF THAT CONVERSATION IN THIS TRANSITION. IF YOU HAD A FEAR, IF YOU HAVE A WORRY, IF YOU HAVE A CONCERN, I DON'T WANT TO MINIMIZE IT. I WANT TO ALLAY IT. BUT COME AND SHARE IT WITH YOUR MEMBER OF CONGRESS. SHARE IT WITH YOUR UNITED STATES SENATOR. WE HAVE A GROUP OF LEADERS COMMITTED TO ADDRESSING THOSE CONCERNS. AND FINALLY PAUL RYAN, OUR SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE. WE CAN AND SHOULD HAVE A SYSTEM IN THIS COUNTRY WHERE EVERYBODY CAN HAVE ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE HEALTH CARE, INCLUDING PEOPLE WITH PRE-EXISTING CONDITIONS. THERE ARE THINGS THAT UNITE US IN THIS BODY, AND ONE OF THOSE THINGS IS CARING FOR PEOPLE, CARING ABOUT PEOPLE, WANTING FOLKS TO GET A FAIR SHAKE, IF YOU PLAYED BY THE RULES YOU DESERVE A FAIR SHAKE. THAT BRINGS US ALL TOGETHER IN THIS INSTITUTION, AND I DON'T WANT ANY FAMILY TO FIND THEMSELVES IN FEAR THAT THEY'RE BEING FORGOTTEN IN THIS TRANSITION, BUT THERE IS A VERY REAL FAIR IF YOU'RE IN THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT PLAN TODAY, THAT PLAN WILL FAIL. MR. SPEAKER, THERE'S TWO THINGS WE CAN DO. WE CAN PRETEND THAT FAILURE IS NOT IMMINENT. YOU CAN LOOK AT ALL THE INSURERS WITHDRAWING FROM OBAMACARE. YOU CAN LOOK AT ALL THE RATE INCREASES GOING UP IN DOUBLE DIGITS. YOU CAN LOOK FOR ALL OF THE FOLKS OPTING OUT BECAUSE IT'S GOTTEN TOO EXPENSIVE AND DOESN'T SERVE THEIR FAMILY'S NEEDS. YOU CAN SEE THE FAILURE OF OBAMACARE, BUT THE NUMBER OF OPTIONS THAT WE HAVE, THE NUMBER OF PLANS UNDER DISCUSSION TO REPLACE IT IS NUMEROUS, MR. SPEAKER. WE GOT THE BETTER WAY HEALTH CARE PLAN. WE HAVE THE AMERICAN HEALTH CARE REFORM ACT. WE HAVE THE EMPOWERING PATIENTS FIRST. WE HAVE THE RULES COMMITTEE CHAIR'S PLAN. THE OBAMACARE REPLACEMENT ACT. MR. SPEAKER, WE HAVE OPTIONS TO BEGIN TO GET TO THOSE OPTIONS -- MR. SPEAKER, WE HAVE OPTIONS. TO BEGIN TO GET TO THOSE OPTIONS, WHETHER WE LIKED IT FROM THE BEGINNING, OBAMACARE HAS FAILED. AND WITH THAT RECOGNITION WE CAN REPEAL THOSE COSTLY MANDATES. WE CAN REPEAL THOSE CONSTRICTIVE AGREEMENTS. WE CAN REPEAL THOSE THINGS THAT HAVE ISOLATED US FROM CHOICE AND HAVE SEPARATED US FROM OUR DOCTORS AND WE CAN BEGIN TO RESTORE A PATIENT-CENTERED, FAMILY-FIRST SYSTEM. MR. SPEAKER, I HAVE NO DOUBT THAT YOU ARE A SMART, SMART MAN. I HAVE NO DOUBT THAT YOU WORK HARD FROM DAWN TILL DUSK EVERY DAY, BUT NO MATTER HOW HARD YOU WORK, I PROMISE YOU WILL NOT KNOW BETTER THAN THE FAMILIES IN MY DISTRICT WHICH HEALTH CARE PLAN IS BEST FOR THEM. AND I APPRECIATE YOU NOT TRYING TO SECOND GUESS THEM. I CANNOT MAKE EVERYBODY IN AMERICA HAPPY, MR. SPEAKER, BUT I CAN GIVE EVERYBODY IN AMERICA THE CHOICE TO MAKE THEMSELVES HAPPY. I CAN'T EMPOWER FAMILIES IN AMERICA THEIR OWN CHOICES, THEIR OWN DECISIONS ABOUT WHAT WORKS BEST FOR THEM. PUT YOUR MIND AT EASE. FOR FOLKS WHO HAVE CONCERNS, WE HEAR YOU. FOR FOLKS WHO HAVE BEEN HURT, WE'RE COMING FOR YOU. AND FOR FOLKS WHO KNOW THERE'S A BETTER WAY, WE STAND WITH YOU. IT'S GOING TO BE A LONG SPRING AND SUMMER, MR. SPEAKER, BECAUSE THIS IS ONLY HEAVY LIFTING, BUT IT'S THE RIGHT THING TO DO AND WE GOT THE RIGHT GROUP OF MEN AND WOMEN HERE TO DO IT. I THANK YOU FOR SPENDING THE TIME WITH ME THIS AFTERNOON TO DISCUSS IT. WITH THAT I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS. UNDER THE SPEAKER'S ANNOUNCED POLICY OF JANUARY 3,…

THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS. UNDER THE SPEAKER'S ANNOUNCED POLICY OF JANUARY 3, 2017, THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES THE GENTLEMAN FROM ARKANSAS, MR. HILL, FOR 30 MINUTES.

MR. HILL

I THANK THE SPEAKER. AS WE GATHER TONIGHT IN THE HISTORIC HOUSE CHAMBER…

I THANK THE SPEAKER. AS WE GATHER TONIGHT IN THE HISTORIC HOUSE CHAMBER WHERE SO MUCH OF OUR NATION'S HISTORY HAS BEEN DEBATED AND DISPATCHED, IT'S GOOD TO HEAR MY FRIEND FROM GEORGIA TALK ABOUT THE CHALLENGES THAT FACE OUR COUNTRY WITH THE FAILURES OF THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT AND HIS THOUGHTFUL PRESENTATION ON JUST PRECISELY WHAT WE NEED TO DO TO SAVE AMERICANS FROM THE FAILURES OF THIS BAD LAW. SO I THANK THE GENTLEMAN FROM GEORGIA FOR HIS REMARKS TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE AND TO THIS CHAMBER. IT'S AN HONOR FOR US TO BE IN THE HISTORIC HOUSE CHAMBER WHERE EVERY DAY THE DISTINGUISHED LAWGIVERS IN OUR HISTORY LOOK DOWN ON THIS CHAMBER. GEORGE MASON WHO WROTE THE VIRGINIA DECLARATION OF RIGHTS, LOOKS DOWN ON THE SPEAKER'S DIEAS AS DOES THOMAS JEFFERSON, THE AUTHOR OF OUR DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE. AND NO SPEAKER STANDS AT THE DESK AND ADDRESSES THE PEOPLE'S HOUSE WITHOUT THE STEELY GAZE OF MOSES, THE ULTIMATE, MOST REVERED LAWMAKER, MR. SPEAKER. HE LOOKS DOWN ON YOU AND ON THIS CHAMBER FOR TRUTH AND JUSTICE. YOU KNOW, MR. SPEAKER, WE AMERICANS WORK HARD. WE WORK HARD EVERY DAY OF THE WEEK, AND WE LOVE FRIDAYS. WE LOVE FRIDAYS SO MUCH THAT WE SAY, THANK GOD IT'S FRIDAY, AND OVER THE YEARS, TGIF HAS BECOME NOT ONLY SOMETHING THAT EVERY ONE IN OUR COUNTRY THAT WORKS HARD RECOGNIZES BUT BECAME A POPULAR RESTAURANT. IN THE AUTUMN WE LOVE OUR FRIDAY NIGHTS WATCHING HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL. IN THE WINTER MAYBE IT'S CATCHING A MOVIE AND EATING A PIZZA WITH OUR FRIENDS OR FAMILY. IN THE SPRING, FRIDAY CAN FIND US CATCHING A BASEBALL GAME, THE AMERICAN PASTIME. MR. SPEAKER, LAST FRIDAY NIGHT, I WAS IN CAIRO, EGYPT, AND WHAT I SAW IN CAIRO WAS THAT SAME JOYOUS, HAPPY EXPERIENCE OF FAMILIES SHARING THEIR SUCCESSES OF THE WEEK, CELEBRATING A GREAT SOCCER VICTORY, CLAPPING TO WONDERFUL, WARM LOCAL MUSIC AND WITNESSING THE SQUEAL OF THEIR KIDS RUNNING AROUND THEIR PARENTS CELEBRATING A BIRTHDAY OR JUST A GOOD WEEK AT WORK OR SCHOOL. THE STREETS OF THE BAZAAR IN CAIRO WERE CHALK FULL LAST FRIDAY, MR. SPEAKER, WITH THE LIVING AND LOVING JUST GOING ABOUT THAT WEEKLY EXPERIENCE, PURSUING THEIR OWN VERSION OF HAPPINESS AND TGIF. FRIDAY NIGHT IN CAIRO, THE LAND OF THE FAY ROW, LAND OF THE BEGINNING -- PHAROAH, LAND OF THE BEGINNING, DANCING AND DINING AND BARGAINING OF THE BAZAAR THAT'S BEEN THE CENTER OF TRADING, MERCHANDISING FOR HALF OF THE MILLENNIA. MR. SPEAKER, MY TRIP TO EGYPT WAS MARKED NOT JUST WITNESSING THE JOY OF EGYPTIAN FAMILY LIFE AND SEEING AND SHARING WHAT WE HAVE IN COMMON, IT WAS A REMINDER THAT THE 91 MILLION EGYPTIANS ARE ON THE FRONT LINES OF THE GLOBAL WAR ON TERROR. A WAR THAT UNITES THE LEADERSHIP OF EGYPT AND THE LEADERSHIP OF THE UNITED STATES , ARM IN ARM TO DESIGN AND IMPLEMENT THE MOST EFFECTIVE STRATEGIES WE CAN TO DEFEAT THE EVIL ENEMY OF ISIS, AL QAEDA, BOKO HARAM AND THEIR BLOODY COHORTS ACROSS THE GLOBE. IN MY VIEW AFTER THE APPROACH OF THE PAST EIGHT YEARS, OUR ENEMIES ARE STRONGER AND ENGAGED MORE BROADLY THAN EVER BEFORE. NOTHING HAS DRIVEN THIS POINT HOME MORE THAN OUR VISIT IN CAIRO TO THE ST. PETER AND ST. PAUL'S COPTIC CHURCH. LOCATED ON THE PLAZA ADJACENT TO THE OFFICES OF HIS HOLINESS, COPTIC POPE II, THERE WAS JOY THERE LAST SATURDAY MORNING, MR. SPEAKER, LISTENING TO THE CHANTS OF THE PRIEST, THE REVERENCE OF THE FAMILIES IN THE PEWS, THE KIDS, AGAIN, SQUEALING, SMILING IN THEIR PARENTS' ARMS. BUT, MR. SPEAKER, ON THE PERIPHERY OF THAT JOY WAS A STARK REMINDER OF THE DESTRUCTION THERE ON DECEMBER 11S WHEN A MALE ISIS JIHADIST SUICIDE BOMBER ENTERED THAT CHURCH DISGUISED AS A WOMAN AND DETONATED HIS VEST, MURDERING 25, MOSTLY WOMEN, SPLATTERING THE WALLS AND FLOORS OF GOD'S HOUSE WITH THEIR BLOOD. AS I WALKED THROUGH THAT SAME ENTRANCE LAST SATURDAY, MR. SPEAKER, THE CHURCH HAS DEVELOPED A REVENANT SHRINE TO THOSE WHO WERE LOST. THE POT MARKS IN THE MARBLE ARE THERE FROM THE SHRAPNEL FROM THE VEST. BUT THAT CHURCH IS A SYMBOL OF UNITY IN EGYPT, NOT DIVISION, AS IT WAS VISIT BID -- VISITED BY PRESIDENT ALCEE SEE WHO SHARE HIS CONCERN, HIS AFFECTION FOR EGYPTIANS NO MATTER WHAT THEIR RELIGIOUS BACKGROUND. . BEST SUMMARIZED BY THE HOPE OF THE COPTIC CHURCH. AND WE HAVE TO REMIND OURSELVES THAT THE WORD COMES FROM THE GREEK WORD WHICH MEANS EGYPT. THE COPTIC IS AS OLD AS ST. MARK'S ARRIVAL. AND THE WISE OLD POPE TOLD US AND I THINK, REALLY CAPTURED THE SPIRIT OF THE EGYPTIAN PEOPLE AND THE RESOLVE THAT'S TAKING PLACE IN THAT COUNTRY WHEN THE PRESIDENT SAID EGYPTIANS TAKE TWO THINGS FROM THE NILE RIVER. THEY TAKE WATER AND THEY TAKE THEIR MODERATION OF THEIR BELIEFS. SO, MR. SPEAKER, TONIGHT, I WANTED TO COME TO THE HOUSE CHAMBER AND PAY TRIBUTE TO THE EGYPTIAN PEOPLE FOR BEING ON THOSE FRONT LINES ON THE FIGHT AGAINST RADICAL ISLAMIC TERRORISM AND PAY TRIBUTE TO THE PEOPLE OF EGYPT WORKING TO DEFEAT THIS IDEOLOGY AND I COMMEND THE PRESIDENT OF EGYPT FOR HIS COMMITMENT. COINCIDING WITH THE PROPHET ON NEW YEAR'S 2015, THE PRESIDENT OF EGYPT WENT TO THE MOST RESPECTIVE INSTITUTION AND CALLED UPON THE WORLD'S 1.6 BILLION FAITHFUL MUSLIMS TO SUPPORT A RELIGIOUS REVOLUTION. HE CALLED ON THE LEADERS TO REJECT THE MINDSET OF DEATH AND JIHAD. MR. SPEAKER, IN BOTH EGYPT AND AMERICA, WE COME FROM DUST AND TO DUST, WE SHALL RETURN. WE ARE MADE IN GOD'S IMAGE AND GO HAS GIVEN US LIFE, LIBERTY AND PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS. EACH OF US HAS AN OBLIGATION TO WORK OUR SOCIETIES AND MAKE THEM THE BEST THEY CAN BE. IN JANUARY, WE WITNESSED A CHANGE IN LEADERSHIP HERE IN THE UNITED STATES. WE HAD A FORMER PRESIDENT WHO GREW UP IN HAWAII AND RIDING THE WAVES IN HAWAII AND RODE A WAVE INTO THE WHITE HOUSE AND BOBBED ON TOP OF THOSE WAVES FOR EIGHT YEARS. NOW, WE HAVE A PRESIDENT IN THE WHITE HOUSE WHO IS NOT RIDING THE WAVES, HE'S MAKING WAVES AND IT'S MY HOPE HE WILL TAKE NEW ACTION TO WIN THE WAR, THE GLOBAL WAR ON TERRORISM. I HAVE TO SAY, MR. SPEAKER, WHETHER IT TAKES THREE MONTHS OR 30 YEARS, I WON'T REST UNTIL WE UNIFY THE CIVILIZED WORLD TO REJECT JIHAD, REJECT THE TERROR WE SAW AT ST. PETER AND ST. PAUL'S CHURCH IN CAIRO. MR. SPEAKER, WE NEED TO CONDEMN THOSE WHO CONDONE IT AND FINANCE IT. WE NEED TO REJECT IT WHEN WE SEE IT TAUGHT IN THE MOSQUE AND REJECT IT ON FACEBOOK AND REJECT IT IN THE MEDIA. WE MUST CONDEMN THOSE WHO SAY IT'S WRONG BUT STAND SILENT. MR. SPEAKER, THERE ARE NO BYSTANDERS IN THIS FIGHT AND NO SUBSTITUTE FOR VICTORY. MR. SPEAKER, ALL ACROSS THE WORLD TONIGHT, WE AMERICANS, WE WANT OUR FRIDAYS BACK. TGIF, MR. SPEAKER. TGIF. I YIELD BACK.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE CHAIR WOULD ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO ADJOURN.

MR. HILL

HOUSE ADJOURNS TODAY TO MEET AT 1:00 P.M. TOMORROW.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED FOR A MOTION.

MR. HILL

I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT THAT WHEN THE HOUSE ADJOURNS TODAY IT MEET AT 1:00…

I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT THAT WHEN THE HOUSE ADJOURNS TODAY IT MEET AT 1:00 P.M. TOMORROW.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

THE QUESTION IS ON THE MOTION TO ADJOURN. THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE. THOSE…

THE QUESTION IS ON THE MOTION TO ADJOURN. THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE. THOSE OPPOSED, NO. THE AYES HAVE IT. THE MOTION IS ADOPTED. ACCORDINGLY THE HOUSE STANDS ADJOURNED UNTIL 1:00 P.M. TOMORROW.

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TOMORROW.