Transcripts For CSPAN U.S. House Of Representatives 10042017 20171004

Differences into opportunities, richness and strength. Prevent us from turning them into sources of division, polarization, hate and bigotry. The most merciful one, this incredible diverse nation of ours is one of the most successful attempts to understand your wisdom in creating us different. We are far from being perfect, but came a long way in creating a multicultural, multireligious and Pluralistic Society by making in america, you will be judged by what you do, not by who you are, as one of our foundational promise. The most compassionate one, help us to preserve our achievements in this regard. Do not let the Destructive Forces of division and exclusion erode our ideals. Our Firm Commitment to diversity and pluralism. Empower us and these legislators to further improve the culture of inclusion and welcome to all in our nation and beyond. The most forgiving one, even if and when we forget you, please do not forget us. In your most holy and beautiful names we pray. Amen. The speaker the chair has examined the journal of the last days proceedings and announces to the house his approval thereof. Pursuant to clause 1 of rule 1 the journal stands approved. The pledge of allegiance will be led by the gentleman from new york, mr. Katko. Mr. Katko 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 without objection, the gentleman from north carolina, mr. Price, is recognized for one minute. Thank you, mr. Speaker. I rise to introduce todays guest chaplain, my friend, Imam Abdullah antepli. Imam antepli has been a prie pioneer and muslim Campus Ministry serving since 2003 at wesleyan university, hartford seminary. He was founder of the muslim chaplain. During his chaplaincy, he provided an islamic perspective to discussions of faith, spirituality, social justice, peace and cultural change. He effectively built bridges and promoted understanding across religious and cultural divides. That was his mission and it continues to be his mission to this day. Imam antepli leadership roles include chief representative of Muslim Affairs at the college of arts and sciences and senior fellow in the office of civic engagement. Hes also served as associate director of duke islamic studies center. Imam antepli also serves as senior fellow of the jewishmuslim relations it the is a loam Heartland Institute shaloam Heartland Institute. He brought a religious perspective to religious issues, he traveled around the world as an influential ambassador, informal ambassador to engage in religious diplomacy. Im honored to welcome imam antepli back to the house of representatives. Hes a prophetic voice for peace and justice. Hes an engaging teacher and counselor. Hes a gifted interpreter of his faith. And hes an effective promoter, not merely of interfaith tolerance but of positive engagement. Im happy to count him as a friend and with my colleagues to express appreciation for his words of inspiration today. The speaker pro tempore the chair will now entertain up to 15 further requests for oneminute speeches on each side of the aisle. For what purpose does the gentleman from louisiana seek recognition . I ask unanimous consent to address the house for one minute and to revise and extend. The speaker pro tempore without objection, the gentleman is recognized for one minute. Thank you, mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, i often hear at home from folks who are frustrated with their experience of air travel, with airport security. We have an opportunity to address part of the problem to reduce flight times, to prevent involuntary bumping, to save fuel, reduce emissions, to reduce the amount of Government Employees and to save money both in the Public Sector and out of our constituents pockets. Mr. Graves the f. A. A. Is spending billions of dollars attempting to implement new technologies and next Generation Air Traffic Control management systems. In their failing. Right now we have the 21st century airr act. That act is the step in the right direction. It will unleash American Innovation and allow us n to catch up with other countries but to surpass them. Its about american jobs. Its about providi the flying public with the serce they deserve. I urge you to support to advance the 21st century airr act. Thank you. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back. For what purpose does the entleman from new york rise . Without objection,he gentleman is recognized for one minute. Mr. Higgins mr. Speaker, treasury secretary mnuchin and the president said that their plan would not benefit the rich and would gr the economy. They called it the mnuchin rule. If you make 730,000 a year in america, your income would rise y 8. 5 or 129,000 a year or 10,750 a month. This is your tax cut under the trump plan, a direct violation of what we were told. We were also told that this plan was a middleclass miracle. If you make 67,000, your ncome will rise by 1. 2 or 670 a year or a whooping 56 a month. This is not a miracle. This is an illusion. This plan will increase the deficit by 2. 4 trillion over the next 10 years. We were all wondering where all the deficit hawks are or where any of the deficit hawks are. We were told that these tax cuts would pay for themselves. News flash. Tax cuts dont pay for themselves. In fact, economists from goldman say these tax cuts will have virtually no good impact on the economy. The treasury secretary and the National Economic advisor are both immediately from goldman. This tax cut is a fraud being perpetrated against the American People and against the american middle class. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentleman from new york seek recognition . I ask unanimous consent to address the house for one minute. The speaker pro tempore without objection, the gentleman is recognized for one minute. Mr. Cat roe mr. Katko today most actions are in partisan lens. The 21st century airr act represents a wide array of political ideologies. Modernizing air Traffic Control has historically been a bipartisan issue. 20 years ago, thenpresident clinton said, quote, the f. A. A. s 20year effort to modernize its air Traffic Control technology simply has not been able to keep pace for either the emergence of new technology or the growth and demand for air travel. We can continue on the current course and continue to experience crowded airports, flight delays and even higher passenger frustration, but if we act decisively now to improve our infrastructure, we can ensure that our air travel and the 21st century is the safest, most costeffective, most efficient in the world, end quote. These words are still true today because we have failed to act decisively. The f. A. A. Is struggling to give americans the 21st century air Traffic Control system they deserve. We have the opportunity to change that with the airr act. Many form Top Administration officials from both parties support reform as well as Broad Coalition of stakeholders. Air Traffic Control reform hasnt been a partisan issue, and it shouldnt become one now. I urge all my colleagues to pass the critical bill for american aviation. With that i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentlemans time has expired. For what purpose does the gentleman from texas seek recognition . I ask 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. Green mr. Speaker, i rise today to recognize Eastwood Academy and Lions Elementary School in houston, texas, as National Blue ribbon schools for 2017. The u. S. Department of educations selections blue ribbon schools each year from across the country based on their Overall Academic excellence and progress in closing the achievement gap. Lions element and Eastwood Academy are two of just 342 schools selected nationwide this year. Lions elementary and Eastwood Academy were selected exemplary highperforming schools based on state and national assessments. While serving historically disadvantaged communities, North Houston and eastwood. I thank the parents, teachers, administrators of Eastwood Academy and lions elementary for their hard work and commitment to bring a Brighter Future for our children and our community. Finally, i want to thank the students for their diligence and Academic Excellence and wish them beth in their future endeavors best in their future endeavors and i yield back my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back. For what purpose does the gentleman from georgia seek recognition . Mr. Speaker, i ask 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, i rise today to honor the life of nolan watson, a georgia resident and veteran of the United States air force who joined our heavenly father earlier this year after battling Kidney Cancer for over a decade. In 1966 mr. Watson was one of the heroic men during the cold war who was involved in the cleanup efforts after a b52 bomber collided with the kc135 tanker in spain releasing four hydrogen bombs. After his service, mr. Watson suffered from severe medical problems and was ultimately diagnosed with Kidney Cancer in 2002. Nolan is survived by his lovely wife, who has been a fierce and devoted advocate for her husband working tirelessly throughout the years to garner the recognition these young men deserve for the sacrifices they made responding to this unfortunate disaster. Mr. Hice mr. Speaker, i ask my colleagues to stand with me and join me for a moment of silence to honor the life and legacy of nolan watson, a hero, who sdembs our respect and who will be sorely deserves our respect and who will be sorely issed. Thank you, mr. Speaker. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back. For what purpose does the gentleman from california seek recognition . I ask 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. Costa mr. Speaker, i rise today to spotlight the statement of lieutenant jay silvera made after an incident involving racial slurs. His speech made three clear points. First, the appropriate response for horrible language and horrible ideas are a better idea. Second, we currently have the opportunity to think about our defining values as americans and to stand firm on our values. And lastly, if you cannot treat someone with dignity and respect, then you need to get out. Lieutenant general silvera is a role model. I stand here today to share these words because we in washington need to hear and heed them. We must think about who we are as a nation, and we Must Stand Firm in our values. After all, we are americans. Our values have always defined us. So we simply cannot accept the words and actions of those who do not treat others with dignity and respect. And we must respond to horrible language and hateful ideas with better ideas and a strong resolve to rise above hate. This is how we become a better and a stronger nation. I yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back. For what purpose does the gentleman from kansas seek recognition . I ask unanimous consent to address the house for one minute. The speaker pro tempore without objection, the gentleman is recognized for one minute. Mr. Speaker, i rise today in support designating the first friday in october as manufacturing day. Mr. Marshall manufacturing provides over 12 million jobs and contributes 2 trillion to our economy. In kansas, manufacturing accounts for nearly 1 5 of the states economy and directly employs over 160,000 people. The industry has a long and successful history in kansas and this friday i plan to help a small manufacturing company, superior boiler works, in uh tchison, kansas, of 100 years of being in business. These Small Businesses have a substantial impact on local communities by providing goodpaying jobs like places like atwood, kansas. I ask my colleagues to support designating the first friday in october as National Manufacturing day. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back. For what purpose does the gentleman from illinois rise . Without objection, the gentleman is recognized for one minute. Thank you, mr. Speaker. Years ago children were killed at sandy hook. We failed to act. Last year in a hate crime against the lgbtq community, 49 people were killed in the Pulse Night Club terrorist attack and congress did nothing. This week at least 59 people have been killed and over 500 injured in the worst mass shooting in modern american history. Will congress yet again lack the courage to act . Mr. Quigley will we prioritize thoughts and prayers at the expense of substantive action that saves lives . Will we hide behind its too early to talk about gun violence excuse . If so, when is the right time . A week from now, a month, a year . Or perhaps after the next mass shooting. For over the 1,500 mass shooting victims since sandy hook, the right time to talk about gun violence has tragically come and gone. But we can and must turn the pages today. Let us not continue dishonoring their memories because of political pressure and fear to do what is right. Thank you. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. For what purpose does the gentleman from florida seek recognition . Without objection, the gentleman s recognized for one minute. Mr. Bilirakis thank you, mr. Speaker. This friday we celebrate National Manufacturing day. The economist Peter Navarro recently said that manufacturing is the seed for all other jobs in the United States. I couldnt agree more. Manufacturers are the pioneers, the innovators, and the people who bring ideas to life. With over 20 of floridas manufacturers located in the tampa bay area, im proud of the fact that there are more than 2,500 manufacturers in and around my district. Their work couldnt be more essential to our community. And our country. It is our job to support manufacturing and to create a Business Environment which they can thrive. This means passing meaningful tax reform, eliminating regulations that stifle the industry, and encouraging stem education, which is needed for work force development. I look forward to continuing to work on these important issues as we embrace the full potential what have it means to be to make it in america. Made in america. Thank you very much. I appreciate it and i yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. For what purpose does the gentleman from michigan seek recognition . Mr. Kildee mr. Speaker, i ask unanimous consent to address the house for one minute. The speaker pro tempore without objection, the gentleman is recognized for one minute. Mr. Kildee mr. Speaker, middle class families should be the focus of tax relief. Not billionaires. Not the wealthiest americans. Unfortunately the ryanmcconnell tax plan fails that basic test. Independent Analysis Shows that the republican plan would actually raise taxes on many middle class families. ,iving billionaires, the top 1 the biggest breaks. The Nonpartisan Tax Policy Center says that middle class families could actually pay an increase of d 1,29 of 1,290 a year. Even worse, the families i represent would be asked to foot the bill for a big, massive giveaway to the rich. Under the republican plan, the wealthiest families, 5,400 families that are the superwealthy in this country, would get a 270 billion break. Through the repeal of the estate tax. 100 families in my home state of michigan, the devos family, certainly the trump family. This is not representative of the values of the American People. Just saying that the people at the top wont benefit doesnt make it true. Read the bill. Look at these analyses. This is a giveaway to the wealthiest americans and it is wrong. The speaker pro tempore the gentlemans time has expired. For what purpose does the gentleman from idaho seek recognition . Without objection, the gentleman is recognized for one minute. Mr. Speaker, i rise today in support of h. R. 36, the paincapable unborn Child Protection act. This legislation passed the house yesterday and i encourage the senate to vote on it soon. I am strongly prolife. The federal governments most important responsibility is protecting human life, including the lives of the unborn. Additionally, we have a moral obligation to minimize pain and suffering, especially for the most innocent among us. Mr. Labrador the United States is one of the only seven countries that allow abortion after 20 weeks. At the 20week mark, anesthesia is used in fetal surgeries for patients still in utero. For premature babies born at this stage, special care is given to reduce their pain. H. R. 36 will prohibit abortions after the 20week mark, precisely because of the substantial evidence that unborn babies at this stage can and do feel pain. I am proud to support h. R. 36 and i am glad it passed the house. I will continue to do all i can to advance a culture of life in idaho and in america. Thank you, mr. Speaker. I yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentlemans time has expired. The gentlewoman from hawaii is recognized. Or, for what purpose does the gentlewoman from hawaii seek recognition . Without objection, the gentlelady is recognized for one minute. Ms. Gabbard mr. Speaker, right now 3. 5 million americans, our fellow citizens, are facing a humanitarian crisis. In puerto rico the majority of people still lack basic electricity, clean Drinking Water and medicine. Basic necessities just to stay alive. But to speak of the basic resources they need to begin the great task of rebuilding their lives and their communities. Its been days since the hurricane passed over puerto rico, leaving death and destruction in its wake. The people of puerto rico are literally crying out for help. There are far too many, especially those in rural communities, who still have not been reached by those bringing aid. As representative from an island state in hawaii, i can only imagine their frustration and desperation. I urge the administration to dedicate all available divorces resources to helping the people of puerto rico, work with congress to pass an emergency aid package to ensure that those delivering aid have what they need to help the people of puerto rico and save lives. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady yields back the balance of her time. For what purpose does the gentleman from pennsylvania seek recognition . Mr. Thompson request unanimous consent to address the house for one minute, revise and extend my remarks. The speaker pro tempore without objection, the gentleman is recognized for one minute. Mr. Thompson thank you, mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, i rise today to commend the department of Veterans Affairs for proping a rule that will allow v. A. Credentialed Health Care Providers to practice telemedicine across state lines. This is excellent news because our veterans should receive the best care possible, no matter where they live or are located. With advances in technology, we see new opportunities for veterans to obtain coverage through telemedicine, especially in some of our most rural areas. The v. A. Rule is similar to a bill introduced together with representative brownley called the vets act. Existing license requirement for v. A. Service providers are not in line with the technology and care available today. Outdated regulations prevent did prevent individuals to receive care within the v. A. System from accessing qualified providers that utilize telemedicine, simply because of geography and a state border. Thats wrong and we must change it. I urge my colleagues to cosponsor the vets act, and work to give our veterans access to the best care possible. Our service men and women answered their countrys call. Lets be there for them when they return home. Thank you, mr. Speaker. I yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. For what purpose does the gentleman from rhode island seek recognition . Mr. Cicilline i ask unanimous consent to address the house for one minute. The speaker pro tempore without objection, the gentleman is recognized for one minute. Mr. Cicilline mr. Speaker, 58 innocent people were murdered in las vegas. Their killer used 12 bunk stocks to convert his semiautomatic weapons to the equivalent of a machine gun. No one should possess one of these devices, let alone 12 of them. Thats why im introduced legislation to ban them. Im mindful, mr. Speaker, that weve been here before. After newtown, aurora, san bernardino, orlando, and so many other mass shootings, each time our republican friends have refused to afpblgt now in the wake of the worst mass shooting act. Now in the wake of the worst mass shooting in modern history, our republican colleagues are refusing to act and make the problem worse by pressing proposals that will make the problem worse, making it easier to carry a concealed weapon and buy a silencer. This is insane. I get. It elections have consequences. You won last i get it. Elections have consequences. You won last november so you get to do what you want. But this is wrong. Lets come together and do something. I promise you, if Congress Fails to respond to the demand for commonsense gun safety legislation, we will be held to account by those we serve and rightly so. Lets Work Together and do something. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. For what purpose does the gentleman from indiana seek recognition . Without objection, the gentleman is recognized for one minute. Thank you, mr. Speaker. We have an Incredible Opportunity to pass tax cuts for the American People. I appreciate president trumps leadership on this issue, as well as the leadership of chairman brady, in working to pass the president s tax plan. And while we are working on tax cuts, i rise today to urge the chairman and the ways and Means Committee to also eliminate tax credits for Illegal Immigrants. Most hoosiers get it. Mr. Messer we cant continue to reward people who come to our country illegally whirblingse those who work hard and play by the illegally, while those who work hard and play by the rules struggle to get ahead. Ive oftened legislation to close a loophole that allows 7 billion in refundable Child Tax Credits to be paid out to Illegal Immigrants every year. This money should be used to increase the Child Tax Credit for lawabiding american families. President trump included this proposal in his budget request to congress and i believe it should be included in the president s broader tax plan. Thank you, mr. Speaker. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. For what purpose does the gentlelady from michigan seek recognition . Without objection, the gentlewoman is recognized for one minute. Mrs. Lawrence mr. Speaker, i rise today to fully support the funding of chip, the Childrens Health Insurance Program. Chip plays a very Important Role in providing lowincome children across the country with health insurance. Without chip, over nine million children nationwide, including 90,000 in my great home in michigan, will lose access to doctor checkups, immunizations and basic health care. For last two days weve heard numerous concerns for the unborn children. We must show that same compassion toward the lowincome children who are alive and living in our communities, who have access to Critical Health care, including chip, as a matter of life or death. Chips impact is felt in communities of color. 52 hispanic and 54 of all black children nationwide. As members of congress we have a duty to protect our nations children. We need to extend funding for chip and support the millions of families who rely on this program. I thank you and i yield back. Lets take care of our children in america. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman yields back the balance of her time. For what purpose does the gentleman from oregon seek recognition . Mr. Walden mr. Speaker, i ask unanimous consent to re mr. Defazio mr. Speaker, i ask unanimous consent to remove my name from h. R. 367. The speaker pro tempore without objection. Mr. Defazio may i proceed with my one minute . The speaker pro tempore without objection, the gentleman is recognized for one minute. Mr. Defazio mr. Speaker, in light of the tragic and horrific events this sunday, i believe our focus should be on bipartisan efforts to investigate the causes and lessen the potential for gun violence in america. Thats why im calling on speaker ryan to name a select committee to address these issues. Additionally, i believe the Republican Leadership should formally withdraw their socalled sportsmans package, which has many objectionable provisions. Furthermore, we need to bring to the floor a vote on comprehensive background check legislation that includes closing the gun show loophole and individual internet sale loophole. Theres overwhelming support in the public and this congress for those actions. Id like to see what the investigation reveals and whether a suppresser would have allowed this monster to create more carnage. However, we do know he used something called a bump stock which id never heard of before. Anything that converts a semiautomatic weapon into something that is virtually a fully automatic weapon, which are outlawed, should not be sold. The bump stocks and any other devices like that should be banned. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. For what purpose does the gentleman from maryland seek recognition . Excuse me, california. Without objection, the gentleman is recognized for one minute. Mr. Speaker, today i rise in disbelief that this congress has shamefully allowed the Childrens Health Insurance Program, chip, to expire earlier this week. Chip provides health care to 8. 9 million lowincome children in our country and to over two million children in my home state of california. My republican colleagues have spent all their time and energy this year fighting to repeal health care for millions of americans covered by the Affordable Care act. And now they have failed to protect health care for our countrys children. If we do not act quickly, it could soon lead to states not enrolling children and potentially even denying them coverage all together, due to the lack of funding. Mr. Carbajal it is critical we fund chip program without delay and provide certainty to these families, that they will not lose their Health Coverage because of this irresponsible and derelict congressional inaction. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentleman from maryland seek recognition . I ask unanimous consent to address the house for one minute and to revise and extend my rafment remarks. The speaker pro tempore without objection, the gentleman is recognized for one inute. Mr. Brown three days after Congress Allowed the Childrens Health Insurance Program to expire, this house once again passed the bill that restricts Womens Health and reproductive rights. This should not be the time to prioritize politics. Women should not be able to women should be able to make their own choices about their bodies and their health care. Over the past 40 years, the Supreme Court has affirmed a womans constitutional right to privacy, including the right to choose. Not only is the 20week ban imposed by this congress not based on accepted science, this ban disregards the role doctors play in making health decisions. In states that have already passed this ban, young people, women of color, lowincome women and immigrant women are the ones the most impacted by the ban. If we care about Womens Health, we should work to reduce unintended pregnancies, expand access to contraception and support maternal and Childrens Health. Instead, the majority is slashing medicaid, attacking planned parenthood, and passing bans. Not me. Ill remain committed to protecting Womens Health and supporting the constitutional right to choose. I yield back, mr. Speaker. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back. For what purpose does the gentleman from georgia seek recognition . Mr. Woodall mr. Speaker, by the direction of the committee on rules, i call up House Resolution 553 and ask for its immediate consideration. The speaker pro tempore the clerk will report the resolution. The clerk house calendar number 90. Ouse resolution 553, resolved,that at any time after adoption of this resolution the speaker may, pursuant to clause 2b of rule 18, declare the house resolved into the committee of the whole house on the state of the union for consideration of the concurrent resolution h. Con. Res. 71, establishing the congressional budget for the United States government for fiscal year 2018 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2019 through 2027. The First Reading of the concurrent resolution shall be dispensed with. All points of order against consideration of the concurrent resolution are waived. General debate shall not exceed four hours, with three hours of general debate confined to the congressional budget equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking minority member of the committee on the budget and one hour of general debate on the subject of economic goals and policies equally divided and controlled by representative tiberi of ohio and representative Carolyn Maloney of new york or their respective designees. After general debate the concurrent resolution shall be considered for amendment under the fiveminute rule. The concurrent resolution shall be considered as read. No amendment shall be in order except those printed in the report of the committee on rules accompanying this resolution. Each such amendment may be offered only in the order printed in the report, may be offered only by a member designated in the report, shall be considered as read, and shall be debatable for the time specified in the report equally divided and controlled by the proponent and an opponent. All points of order against such amendments are waived except that the adoption of an amendment in the nature of a substitute shall constitute the conclusion of consideration of the concurrent resolution for amendment. After the conclusion of consideration of the concurrent resolution for amendment and a final period of general debate, which shall not exceed 10 minutes equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking minority member of the committee on the budget, the Committee Shall rise and report the concurrent resolution to the house with such amendment as may have been adopted. The previous question shall be considered as ordered on the concurrent resolution and amendments thereto to adoption without intervening motion except amendments offered by the chair of the committee on the budget pursuant to section 305a5 of the congressional budget act of 1974 to achieve mathematical consistency. The concurrent resolution shall not be subject to a demand for division of the question of its adoption. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from georgia is recognized for one hour. Mr. Woodall thank you, mr. Speaker. I appreciate that, and i would tell you that during consideration of this resolution all time is yielded for the purpose of debate only. I would like to yield the customary 30 minutes to my friend from massachusetts, pending which i yield myself such time as i may consume. Mr. Speaker, id also like to ask unanimous consent that all of my colleagues may have five legislative days to revise and extend their remarks. The speaker pro tempore without objection. Mr. Woodall mr. Speaker, its going to be a great day. I dont know how your wednesday has gotten started, but we are now in the throes of budget day. Budget day only happens on the floor of this house once a year, and its one of those times where i would tell you the house operates as every man, woman and child across this country believes the house should operate every day. I have the great honor as a member of the rules committee and as a member of the Budget Committee of bringing this structured rule to the floor today. Mr. Speaker, h. Con. Res 71, the rule that well be debating for the next hour, makes in order every single budget substitute that was offered in the rules committee. Let me tell you what that means in practical terms. Over the next two days, were going to hear visions laid out for what the American Government should spend, what american policy should look like, what the federal budget should include. Over the next two days, we will hear visions laid out from every single member, group in this institution that cared enough about this process to craft a budget of their own. Mr. Speaker, i serve in the republican study committee. I was once chairman of the budget and Spending Task force on the republican study committee. I had the honor of crafting a substitute budget to bring to the floor to offer for my colleagues consideration. Over the next two days, any member who has a voice that needs to be heard has had the opportunity. We put out the call last week. My friend from massachusetts and, i we sit on the rules committee, mr. Speaker. We sent out the call to the membership in advance to say this is what we expect to happen in the rules committee. This is what were going to be considering in the rules committee. We sent out the call for any member of this house to craft their substitute amendment, and we received four. We received four. We received one from the Congressional Black Caucus. We received one from the progressive caucus. We received one from the republican study committee. And we received one from the democrats on the Budget Committee. Every single one of those has been made in order by the rule that i will ask my colleagues to support today. Were going to debate those. We are going to vote on those each individually, allowing everybody to have their say, and that budget that this house ultimately agrees on, collectively, collaboratively after these days of debate, well then send to the United States senate for its consideration. Mr. Speaker, they say that budgets are a reflection of values. I believe that to be true. Were going to have budgets on the floor of the house to consider that cut taxes. Budgets that believe that the economy has not grown to its full potential, budgets that believe that the American Work force Participation Rate is still at historically low levels and we have to get men, women back into the work force, we have to reward that dignity of work. We have budgets that are going to cut taxes in an effort to stimulate that job growth across this land. We have other budgets that are concerned we are not bringing enough revenue into the government coffers. Its true, mr. Speaker. I know youre thinking it. Were bringing in more tax revenue today than we ever have in the history of the United States of america. Thats true. But we are still running budget deficits, and so well consider those budget today that dont necessarily believe that spending is the problem. They think its tax collection thats the problem. Well consider budgets that raise taxes by about 2 trillion. Well consider other budgets that raise taxes by about 4 trillion. Mr. Speaker, i think well even consider budgets that raise taxes by 9 trillion. Mr. Speaker, there are only two things that can happen in this institution. We either have to raise more revenue or we have to cut spending or we have to mortgage our childrens future. Three things. Raise taxes, cut spending, mortgage our childrens future. Next two days we are going to have that debate and were going to have that discussion. I know where my constituency lands, mr. Speaker. There are tough decisions that have to be made, mr. Speaker, and they believe they sent men and women here to do that. If you havent had a chance to work with her this season, chairwoman diane black on the house Budget Committee, if there is a more patient and more persistent member of this body, i dont know who that would be. She has worked tirelessly to move this process along to get us to where we are today trying to get people together around a unified vision of what we can do and what we should do, not just as an institution, but as a nation. I expect well have some disagreements over the next two days, mr. Speaker. Wont surprise me at all. In fact, i think this institution is characterized by the things that we disagree about. Certainly thats what the media would like to focus on. But at the end of this process, what will have to be said is we have considered every idea, that we have considered every point of view, that we have made room for every voice and that we have now come together on a common pathway forward. That is what is ahead of us, mr. Speaker, if we support this rule that were debating now. Again, i urge my colleagues to support this rule. I hope you will find that budget that meets your constituency needs, support that underlying budget and then lets move a budget to the United States senate and speak with one voice for the American People. With that i reserve the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman reserves. The gentleman from massachusetts is recognized for 30 minutes. Mr. Mcgovern thank you, mr. Speaker. I want to thank the gentleman from georgia, my good friend, mr. Woodall, for yielding me the customary 30 minutes, and i ask unanimous consent to revise and extend my remarks and yield myself such time as i may consume. The speaker pro tempore without objection. Mr. Mcgovern mr. Speaker, i obviously rise in strong opposition to this rule. D mr. Speaker, this can be a frustrating place. So frustrating that sometimes i want to tear the remaining two strands of hair on my head out in my what we do here, opinion, is not to advance anything that is good for the American People. This is a frustrating place because what happens on this house floor is either nothing or you guys make things worse. On sunday, we once again witnessed a massacre. The worst mass shooting in american history. People across this country are demanding action, but the response of the Republican Leadership in this congress is nothing. We had a moment of silence, but it Means Nothing because thats all we do. There are no hearings, no debate, no votes, nothing. Just absolutely nothing. And its obvious that too many epublicans have been intimidated and have been frightened or have been bought off by the National Rifle association. Its shameful and quite frankly its disgusting. If the Republican Leadership of this house is not willing to lead, then move aside. Allow us to bring measures to the floor so we can have a vote, so we can have a debate, so we can enact measures that might save some lives. And mr. Speaker, what were considering today, this republican budget, is an example of the majority making things worse for the American People. You know, budgets are moral documents. They show what we value and what we care about, and if this budget reflects republican values, then shame on republicans. I mean, when you look at the specific programs House Republicans target, it becomes clear just how cruel this budget really is. You know, last night in the rules committee i complained loudly to the distinguished chairwoman of the Budget Committee about the cuts to the supplemental nutrition assistance program, known as snap. Basically a program that provides poor people food. It helps prevent hunger in this country. In this budget, they call for 164 billion in cuts. 164 billion in cuts to this program. The chairwoman said, well, i believe that people who get this benefit ought to work, and i pointed out to her last night and i am going to point out to my colleagues here today, that the majority of people on this program, 67 of the people who are on this program are not expected to work. Why . Because theyre children, because theyre Senior Citizens, because theyre disabled. Of those who can work, the majority work. Of those who can work, the majority work. But you have individuals who are working, who are on snap because they earn so little that they still qualify for this program. O why arent we demanding that work pay more in this country . Why not demanding an increase in the minimum wage so its a livable wage so people that work dont have to be on public assistance . Instead, you know, we have yet another attack on poor people in the form of these cuts. You know, the gentlelady said, well, i want to narrow it down to just abled bodied adults without dependents. They ought to work. Most of these people do work, mr. Speaker, but many of them dont work for a number of reasons. Many have limited educational experience with 80 having no more than a High School Education or a g. E. D. Some are aging out of foster care. Some have Underlying Mental Health issues, difficult history of Substance Abuse or exoffenders with nowhere else to turn, and as many as 60,000 of these able bodied adults without dependents, you know, our who are qualified for snap initially are veterans. These are courageous men and women who have served our country, who have returned home and are having difficulty reintegrating into the community, getting on their feet. And our gratitude for their service is, you know, were going to throw you off a food benefit . I mean, i dont know what people are thinking who drafted this in the budget. The chairwoman of the Budget Committee said, its important that we constantly review programs to see if theyre working, if theyre living up to our expectations. I agree. Im a liberal democrat. I want to make sure that whatever programs are in existence are working. Are effective. Nobodys for ineffective government. And i happen to sit on the agriculture committee. And we have already held 23 oversight hearings on this program. 23 on snap alone. And weve had republican witnesses and weve had democratic witnesses. As my friend from georgia knows, his party is in control, so republicans get to have more witnesses than democrats do. But weve had 23 hearings. , d not one witness, not one recommended 164 billion cut in this program. In fact, what they recommended, democrats and republicans, was that we ought to strengthen wraparound services. So that means, like you ought to fund fully job Training Programs so that states can guarantee people a slot in a job training program. Many argued, democratic and republican witnesses, that the benefit is too inadequate. That we need to expand the benefit. Because contrary to what you hear oftentimes on this floor, about snap and about how general rowls the benefit is and that people generous the benefit is and that people are, you know, its like a gravy train, if you will, the average snap benefit is 1. 40 per person per meal. Thats it. Thats the benefit. And thats why when you talk to the heads of food banks all across the country, in every state in this country, they tell you the same thing. That they experience an uptick in people who need to utilize their services in the middle and toward the end of the month because basically the benefit is not enough to carry them through the month. So they can put enough food on the table for them and their families. We have 42 Million People in the United States of america, the richest country in the history of the world, that are hungry. Im ashamed of that. And im ashamed because hunger is a political condition. What i mean by that is, we can solve it but we dont. Because for some reason this population, these people struggling in poverty, never quite rise to the level as the very wealthy in this country. You know, and we have a budget here that not only cuts snap, but basically cuts a whole bunch of other programs aimed at helping people get out of poverty and helping struggling middle class families. And this basically this budget, just so everybodys clear, is kind of a blueprint to help pave the way for the republican tax cut bill that theyre going to produce on this floor in the not too distant future. It was interesting last night in the rules committee, we heard people talk about, we have to make tough choices because we dont want to saddle our children and our grandchildren and greatgrandchildren with debt. Well, if in fact, you know, my republican friends get their wish, and pass this tax cut, were told it will add about 2. 4 trillion to our debt. And the deal is this, mr. Speaker. One of the faults in their budget is they have these assumptions that we all know are not true. Like, for example, that the Affordable Care act is going to kind of mysteriously disappear. And theyre going to be able to cut medicaid by close to 1 trillion to help offset the cost of their tax cut. But, you know, last time i checked their repeal barely passed this house and it cant seem to get anywhere in the United States senate. So their assumptions are fantasy. Theyre not based on reality. Mr. Speaker, its not just Food Assistance that this budget dismantles. It cuts half a trillion dollars in medicare and ends the medicaid ends the medicare guarantee. It rips apart the Affordable Care act, drastically raising Health Care Costs for older and lowincome adults. And kicks another 20 Million People off their health insurance. If they get their wish here. It makes Higher Education more expensive. It cuts veterans benefits. It reduces our commitment to ensuring that our neighbors have access to affordable housing. It even sticks the american taxpayer with a 1. 6 billion bill to begin constructing a costly and stupid and ineffective wall along the u. S. Southern border with mexico. In case people are scratching their heads, i mean, during the Campaign Donald trump said that mexico was going to pay for the wall. I guess he didnt mean it. Because a down payment is put into their budget. I go on and on and on. But you might ask yourself, mr. Speaker, who wins . The answer is similar. If this budget goes through and they pave the way for their tax cut, the winners are going to be its clear who the winners are. Donald trump, the trump family, and all of his wealthy friends. Because while all these cuts in the budget come from our safety net programs, Infrastructure Investments and programs that help middle and working class families, none of the savings in this budget, thats right, not one penny come from closing tax loopholes to benefit big corporations or the wealthy. As i said before, the drastic cuts are all being used to try to finance this massive tax cut that disproportionately benefits the wealthiest in this country. Give me a break. Give me a break. Mr. Speaker, it is golf balling galling how indifferent so many in this house seem to be to those who are struggling in poverty. Americans, know, most vulnerable, grant they had dont have super p. A. C. S, they dont have big lobbyists. Their voice in washington is supposed to be us. The whole purpose of government in my view is to make sure that everybody guess a fair shake. And the people who need government the most are the people who are struggling in poverty. But to listen to my colleagues and to look at this budget that they put together, it is clear that the poorest americans in this country are being treated as if they dont exist. Theyre invisible. They dont matter. I just find that deeply offensive. President kennedy said it this way, he said, if the free society cannot help the many who are poor, it cannot save the few who are rich. So its frustrating. It is just frustrating that here are with this budget, which devastates so much of what i think is important. I mean, if we implemented what this budget asks us to do, this country would become a tale of two cities. And its already getting to that point. But it would truly become a tale of two cities. It would create a government without a conscience. And i think we need to push back and we need to reject that. Mr. Speaker, this isnt some ayn rand fantasy where we can justs me with the numbers and see what happens we can just mess with the numbers and see what happens. Were talking about real people here. People who are counting on us. People who need help. And this budget fails by any measure, in my opinion, to be a budget, even for republicans to support a budget even for republicans to support. So i believe americas middle class families and all those working to struggle to get in the middle class deserve a heck of a lot better than this. So i would urge my colleagues to vote against this rule and certainly vote against this cruel republican budget. With that i reserve the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman reserves the balance of his time. The gentleman from georgia is recognized. Mr. Woodall thank you, mr. Speaker. I yield myself such time as i may consume. Mr. Speaker, you heard the passion of my friend from massachusetts. And i have had an opportunity to work with him on the rules committee for seven years now. I can tell you that every bit of that passion is sincere. So often i think folks turn on cspan, they look at a group of politicians talking and they think its all for the cameras and its all for show and i will tell you that while i sometimes have that same suspicion when i turn on a program with folks i dont know, with folks i do know, i can tell you that that passion is sincere. What i can also tell you is that many of those concerns are misguided. And i think thats important. What happens here in this institution matters. And our ability to have that debate with one another matters. And the truth is, as you know, mr. Speaker, most of that debate doesnt happen here on the house floor. My friend from massachusetts and i are here today because its time to vote. Were here to bring the rule, were here to bring the substitute, were here over the next two days to vote. But the conversation has gone on not for a day, not for a week, not for a month, but for the better part of this year on what the budget is going to look like. I happen to have a copy of the budget report right here, mr. Speaker. It captures all votes weve taken. It captures all the debate weve had. And it captures what the intent of the institution is. Now, again, were going to have a choice of which budget we want to support. If you think taxes are too low, you can vote to raise taxes. If you think taxes are much too low, you can vote to raise taxes a whole, whole lot. If you think the tax code as it exists today is a ridiculous compilation of confusing provisions, stitched together by a patchwork of congresses over the last 40 years, you can vote for fundamental reform. If youre tired of the fact that america used to be number one in the world in terms of Tax Competitiveness and now were at the bottom of the list, and you want to take america backs to being number one, you can vote for back to being number one, you can vote for that too. I happen to put myself in that category. But i want to read from the budget report. The fact is, i cant. I imagine myself a younger man when i grabbed that report. If i can now read from the the resolutions resolutions reconciliation instructions, thats whats in the budget, mr. Speaker, thats what allows us to take a tax package from the house to the senate, youve heard about how the senates having a tough time getting anything done because it requires a supermajority, requires 60 votes through reconciliation, you can get things done with less than 60 votes. Thats how the Affordable Care act was passed. With less than 60 votes. You can get the tax bill passed with less than 60 votes. It says this. The resolutions reconciliation instructions is that the committee on ways and means will develop will be a comprehensive deficitneutral tax reform legislation and report such legislative language to the committee on the budget. Deficit neutral. Deficit neutral. Nobody want to blow a hole in the budget, mr. Speaker. What the discussion is is can we do better than todays tax code . And candidly, mr. Speaker, if any member of this body wants to take the position that we cant do any better, the i. R. S. Is as good as it can be in implementing the american tax code today, the tax code thats twice as lock as the bible is absolutely as concise and succinct as it can possibly be, those americans who spend dozens of hours, even dozens of days, even dozens of weeks trying to put together their taxes, thats just the best we can do. Mr. Speaker, ive seen it happen. Sometimes folks throw their hands up and think, we cant do any better. Not me, not today. We can all agree that we can do better than what were doing today, passage of this budget gives us that opportunity. You heard my friend from massachusetts speak from the heart, mr. Speaker. About the ability we have as a government to care for one another. I would tell you that responsibility isnt uniquely a government responsibility. Id say its a faith responsibility, its a family responsibility, its a community responsibility, its a responsibility that begins at home. It doesnt begin here. It begins at home. But it is a sincere responsibility and its one that we want to do better at every day. Im sure youre aware, mr. Speaker, the labor force Participation Rate in america is the lowest its been since the president from my great state of georgia, jimmy carter, was in office. The Labor Force Participation operate. Theres no not one of us in this body theres not one of us in this body that can drive down the street and not see a help wanted sign. Theres not one of us who can go to a business that isnt asking folks to help, yet fewer americans are working today than ever before. Why . Its a hard question. Fewer americans are working today than since the 1970s. Why . Its important that we ask that question. The budgets not designed to answer it. The budget cant answer it. I sit on the Budget Committee. I dont have the jurisdiction to answer. It but i know this. Answer it. But i know. This will you find in this budget but i know this. You will find in this budget a discussion about whether its better to support people in poverty or lift folks out of poverty. It doesnt have to be neutral mutually exclusive. I would tell you we can support folks until we can lift them up but that lifting them up must be our goal, supporting them is not enough. Youll find it here, mr. Speaker, in these pages. This is what were gathered to do and we will have legitimate disagreements about when were doing enough in a particular area and when were doing too much. There are those in this body, mr. Speaker, who believe passionately in education. I am one of those folks. I come from a district with Amazing School systems. You can go to any Public School in my district, mr. Speaker, if you work hard apply yourself, i dont care what your background is, where your family is from, i dont care what you have stacked against you, if you work hard and apply yourself in our Public Schools, you can be anything you want to be. That is erybody want for their constituency back home. And i have colleagues who believe that only washington, d. C. , is successful enough, as a track record of success Strong Enough to implement that vision back home. I dont come from that camp. I see a lot of failure come out of washington, d. C. I see a loft bureaucracy come out of washington, d. C. I see success come out of parents and teachers and principals back home, raising taxes, supporting those institutions, making sure every child has a chance. We do that together as a community. The discussion that we might have in this institution, mr. Speaker, is not do you believe in education, its do you believe educators in washington, d. C. , have the best answers or educators back home in your district have the answers . The truth is we dont have many educators in washington, d. C. We have bureaucrats in washington, d. C. , who oversee educators. I side with my educators back home. Its a legitimate disagreement that were welcomed to have. What cant be said, though, mr. Speaker, is there are any disagreements over the next few days that were not going to be allowed to have. I have said it before and say it again because it makes me proud. We dont always have time or make room for all the voices in this institution, mr. Speaker. You know, sometimes we pick and choose winners and losers, whose voice is going to be heard. Not today. Any member of congress could submit their budget to the United States house of representatives, committee on rules. Its a hard thing to produce a budget. I have told you i have done it before, mr. Speaker. It takes a lot of time, effort, and commitment. If you believe you have a better idea, can you do it. If you did it we made it in order in the rules Committee Last night and well debate it on the floor and vote on it on the floor. We cant always say that that very single idea, every single substitute is going to make it to the floor for a vote. We can say that today. Im proud that we can. Its not going to stop the disagreements, mr. Speaker. But what it is going to do is air those disagreements. What it is going to do is allow us to talk about our differing visions. What it is going to do is allow us to come together on a common vision tend of the day. I hope my colleagues will support this rule so we can begin that process. I hope my colleagues will support the underlying budget of their choice. With that i reserve the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman reserves. The gentleman from massachusetts is recognized. Mr. Mcgovern mr. Speaker, id like to ask unanimous consent to insert in the record a letter from the United States conference of catholic bishops in opposition to the republican budget. Id like to ask unanimous consent to insert a letter from the coalition on human needs against the republican budget. I would like to ask unanimous consent to insert a letter to all members of congress from the National Hispanic leadership agenda against this republican budget. Id like to also ask unanimous consent to submit a letter from the aarp, the main street alliance, and league of conservation voters all in strong opposition to the republican budget. The speaker pro tempore without objection. Mr. Mcgovern mr. Speaker, i just want to make sure that its clear that certainly on the democratic side were very much dedicated to trying to lift people out of poverty. Thats one of the reasons we oppose this republican budget. It cuts 211 million from Financial Aid programs to help people be able to get additional hire education. Thats one of the reasons why we have complained loudly about the inadequate funding for job training. You want people to train for employment. You need to make sure that those slots vailable so people can available so people can get the training they need. The gentleman says dont worry about the debt because the reconciliation instructions will instruct the ways and Means Committee to do a deficit neutral tax plan. Well, i mean, theres lots instruct the of stuff in here that are assumptions that arent true. Like you repeal the Affordable Care act. That didnt happen. Its not going to happen. What were told by the the Tax Policy Center and the committee for responsible budget, according to their analysis, what the republicans are proposing in terms of their tax plan will basically cost well over 2 trillion. And that will be added to our debt. I dont we could debate fantasy land if we want, but the reality is the reality. And this budget is a bad deal for everybody. Streak, this week our nation witnessed the deadliest mass shooting in history. We have endured horrific mass killings in newtown, san bernardino, orlando, and now las vegas among many others all without any congressional action. The killings happen every single day on our streets, at public events, and even in our homes. Mr. Speaker, my heart broke when the children of sandy hook were killed and i remain absolutely done this congress has nothing about it. Nothing. Now 59 people lost their lives in las vegas during what was supposed to be a celebratory event. A concert. This is only 60 months after the last deadliest mass shooting in orlando. Gun violence in this country is out of control. And all we have done done nothing about it. Is cater to the gun lobby. The United States congress is a legislative body, mr. Speaker. Were not a think tank or a church or a synagogue. Thoughts and prayers are not what this country expects from us. It is not what it needs from us. The people of this country need us to act. To pass laws that protect their lives and their childrens lives. As my colleague in the senate, senate chris murphy, has said, i quote, this must stop. It is positively infuriating that my colleagues in congress are so afraid of the gun industry that they pretend there arent any Public Policy responses to this epidemic. There are and the thoughts and prayers of politicians are cruelly hollow if they are paired with legislative indifference, end quote. For this reason f. We defeat the previous question i will offer an amendment to the rule to bring up mr. Thompsons bill, h. Res. 367, which im a cosponsor of, which would establish the select committee on gun violence prevention. Mr. Speaker, let me explain what i mean when i say defeat the previous question. Were here debating which bills will come to the house floor this week. The agenda for the house of representatives. The majority chose to consider their misguided budget, fine. We can do that. But what im saying is that we should also take the first step in at least setting up a committee to look at gun violence in america. So, if we were here debating which bills will come say no to ending debate on this rule, by defeating the previous question, we can then debate whether or not to create this committee. This is the least we can do. Mr. Speaker, i ask unanimous consent to insert the text of my amendment in the record along with extraneous material immediately prior to the vote on the previous question. And to discuss our proposal im happy to yield four minutes to the gentleman from california, mr. Thompson. The speaker pro tempore without objection. Mr. Thompson i thank the gentleman for yielding. Five eaker, its almost years ago that this nation witnessed the terrible tragedy of sandy hook elementary school, where 20 first graders were murdered in their five classroo along with six of their teachers. Congress did nothing. Charleston, a church in charleston, a White Supremacy premises walked in and murdered nine worshipers. Congress did nothing. Orse than that congress didnt even address whats called the charleston loophole that allowed this deranged white supremist to buy a condition or obtain a gun he was buying without even address whats called the completingloophole the background check. Orlando, florida, the nightclub, 49 people murdered. Congress did nothing. The congressional baseball game, ne of our own was shot by some deranged murderer. Congress did nothing. Las vegas, just this past days, the Country Music festival, 49 people completing the background check. Murdered. The biggest mass shooting in the history of the United States of america. 273rd sad, it is the mass shooting in the United States of america this year. So whats Congress Going to do . More nothing . Thats not appropriate. In the almost five years since sandy hook, we have been working on our side of the aisle diligently to try and come up some ideas, some solutions to help prevent gun violence. And we have come up with some. Matter of fact, one of them is a bipartisan measure with a bipartisan coauthor on my bill, mr. Peter king from new york, and we have four, five republican coauthors on that ill. Have we had a hearing . No. Have we had a vote . No. All were trying to do with that bill is expand background checks. To make sure that criminals and the dangerously mentally ill cant buy have we had a firearms easily. Make it more difficult for these folks who we know commit crimes with these guns, make it more difficult for them to get their hands on a gun. Its within the confines of the second amendment. Just expands the already existing background checks to include commercial sale of firearms across the country. No hearings, no votes. Instead, our friends on the other side of the aisle have their own gun agenda. They want to legalize silencers. They want to remove the restrictions on silencers. Police entities and officers and chiefs and sheriffs across the country have told us that this is dangerous. It puts the people that we risk. Ent at but thats their gun agenda. If you dont like the ideas that we have brought forward, please bring something forward other than deregulating silencers that will help with this epidemic that were facing in our country. 30 people a day are killed by someone using a gun. What are your ideas . Nothing. Silence. The only thing we have heard now , we hear from your leadership that were not going to discuss policy in regard to gun violence prevention. Thats why we came to congress. Thats why every one of us ran for congress. Was to work on policy. Thats why our constituents sent us to congress to vote on policy. But on the heels of 59 people being murdered the day before yesterday, what are we told . Were not going to do policy on gun violence prevention. Thats not responsible. The bill that my friend, mr. Mcgovern, talked about, my bill, that hes a coauthor on, would establish a select committee, democrats and republicans, to sit down at the same table and try and find some solutions to help prevent gun violence. And then move that to the house for consideration. Thats all we want. We want these issues to be heard. We want to be able to do our job, our constituents want to vote on these issues that are important to the safety of every Single Person in the united stas of america. I ask that we defeat the previous question. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from massachusetts is recognized. Reserves. The gentleman from georgia is recognized. Mr. Woodall thank you, mr. Speaker. I yield myself such time as i may consume. If you have not tuned in to this debate until just these past few minutes, you mht not know that this is the budget debate today. We have been prepping for the budget debate today for about 10 months now. And were ready today. Not just with one budget, but with a variety of budget choices. Whats wonderful about this process is, it has been such an open process, you can come down house floor and air absolutely any idea thats on your mind. Thats not just been true today, mr. Speaker. Thats been true toughout this entire budget process. In fact, i have a letter sipped by literally hundreds of groups that support, not just voting on the rule to bring the budget to the floor, but groups that the budget as we pass it out of the househe budge pass it out of the house Budget Committee. Now, if my colleagues ve any concerns about that, i hope theyll come and knock on my door, mr. Speaker. I promise you one of these groups will be from their part of the country. Certainly in georgia ive got geoia chamber of georgia chamb is on that list. So our folks back home are supportive. If youre from alaba, i have alabamans on here. If youre from baton rouge. From battle creek, i have battle creek. Because what were working on here isnt a republican budget, mr. Speaker. Working on here isnt a regional budget. What were working working on ht a regional budget. What were working on here is the National Budget for the United States of america that can be transformational for absolutely every citizen in absolutely every corner of this country. We have that opportunity. I think were going to seize that opportunity, but we cant do it until we move this rule to get to the underlying bills. I encourage my colleagues to do that. With that i reserve the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman reserves. The gentleman from massachusetts is recognized. Mr. Mcgovern thank you, mr. Speaker. I want to ask unanimous consent to insert in the record letters from the u. A. W. , s. E. I. U. , the National Treasury the speaker pro tempore without objection. Mr. Mcgovern police union, American Federation of narf ent employees, and record, mr. Speaker. The speaker pro tempore without objection. Mr. Mcgovern mr. Speaker, let me say to my colleague from georgia, thank you for reminding us that you advice guys have been working on the budget for 10 months, but according to your own republican Budget Committee website, the budget was supposed to be presented and finished by april 15. So are you a little late. I also want to remind the gentleman, i know he knows this, that the rule sets the agenda for the house. One of the things that the republicans want to bring up is their terrible budget. Thats fine. You can do that. But the rule can also be an opportunity for us to bring up the bill that mr. Thompson has authored. To set up this commission to deal with gun violence. We can do both. You can walk and you can chew gum at the same time. There is not a radical idea. This is our only way to be able to bring something to the floor because the leadership of this house has said no to everything. Theyve sid said no to everything. We cabinet get hearings. We cant cant get hearings. We cant get votes. We cant get debates. We get nothing. So dont no one should be startled by us trying to defeat the previous question. Its perfectly legitimate way to try to expand the agenda. I hope some of my republican friends will vote with us to defeat the previous question. We can still do the budget but we can also do the thompson bill as well. Mr. Speaker, at this point id like to yield two minutes to the gentlewoman from delaware. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman is recognized. Ms. Blunt rochester i thank my friend for yielding. Mr. Speaker, i rise today in opposition to h. Con. Res. 71, the republicans proposed budget. This plan would make extreme and irresponsible cuts to domestic spending programs and weaken our nations social safety net. We should be proposing a budget that provides for real economic growth. We should be strengthening programs that help Young Americans access Higher Education and increasing infrastructure funding and investing in our nations roads and bridges. We should be focused on vision, as operation, a budget reflective of our great nation and the great things we can do. This budget instructs my friend from massachusetts and my committee to find 10 billion in cuts to Agriculture Programs over the next 10 years. This decrease will effect our ability to fund essential usda programs across our country in every congressional district. These are programs that farmers, schoolchildren, families, communities and americans rely on. Where we will we where will we be forced to take the money from . Rural development, conservation programs, our already insufficient nutrition programs or resources for schools . At a time when spending on fighting wildfires has surpassed previous records, will we cut that budget . And this budget and accompanying tax plan does not put us on strong fiscal ground either. Many people dont realize the significance of Agricultural Industry in delaware. Our state is filled with family farmers that produce specialty cropscommodities. Delaware has the highest number of chickens per capita. 300 in any state in the nation. And many of these farmers rely on the very programs that we will be forced to undermine if these cuts are realized. And that hurts all americans. Access to food is not just a farmers issue. It will effect rural communities, urban communities and all of us. This is not a responsible way to govern. I yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman reserves the balance of his time. The gentleman from georgia is recognized. Mr. Woodall mr. Speaker, id say to my friend from massachusetts that i have no further speakers remaining and id be happy to close when the gentlemans prepared. Mr. Mcgovern yeah. Thank you, mr. Speaker. I think were right . So ill close. I yield myself the remaining time. So, mr. Speaker, i just wanted to tell my colleague from georgia in case he hasnt read our, you know, what were trying to propose here, i mean, we basically would were suggesting that you bring up the thompson bill to the floor under an open rule. And even get a motion to recommit. But under an open rule. Take us up on this offer because weve had no open flules this congress. Try it, you might like. It might be contagious. We might see more open rules where democrats and republicans, liberals and conservatives can offer their ideas. We suggest you bring it up. We bring it up under open rule. I urge all of my colleagues to think about that before they cast their vote on defeating the previous question. Mr. Speaker, you know, i began by saying the frustration i have with this place is that we either do nothing or we do we make things worse for people. You know, going back to this issue on creating a commission to deal with gun violence, you know, theres a lot of things id like to do. But maybe this is a way to get some bipartisan buyin to trying to figure out how to respond to this epidemic of gun violence. You know, there have been 26 bills on gun safety introduced in this congress. I ask unanimous consent to insert that in the record. The speaker pro tempore without objection. Mr. Mcgovern sponsored by democrats and republicans. People have their ideas. Some of them are, you know, maybe not so good ideas, some of them may be very good ideas. But lets begin to talk about what our response should be. Thats at least doing something. Thats better than a moment of silence, you know, or offering your thoughts and prayers to eople who were victims in this terrible latest massacre. Weve got to do something. And nothing is no longer sufficient. Cant keep on doing that. I mean, people are horrified that Congress Seems indifferent. We cant even have a hearing on this issue. Never mind a debate on the floor. So i urge my colleagues to defeat the previous question so we can bring up the thompson bill and maybe we can start coming together and coming up with some ideas that might save some lives. Thats the least we can do. And then, mr. Speaker, to my other point about we eith doer nothing or you guys do things either do nothing or you guys do things that mike life worse for people, it brings us to the makes life worse for people, it brings us to the budget. This budget is a cruel budget that targets disproportionately those who are poor and those in the middle class. It is astouppeding to me astounding to me where some of the saveings are sought. I mean, the idea that you would cut snap by 164 billion, a program that provides food to people, a program that where 67 of the people on the benefit are children or Senior Citizens or people who are disabled. A program where those who can work, the majority of them work, but they earn so little in the work force that they still qualify for this program. You want to take that benefit away . A benefit thats 1. 40 per person per meal . I mean, come on. What are people thinking when they make those kind of suggestions . By the way, we all know what this is. Its basically a pretext to move forward on your tax cut plan which benefits donald trump, Donald Trumps family and Donald Trumps friend. You know this idea that somehow its going to be deficitneutral is laughable. The o. M. B. Director, mick mulvaney, stated and i quote, if we simply look at this as being deficitneutral, youre never going to get the type of tax reform and tax reductions that you gates are looking for that you guys are looking for. Thats the former colleague and o. M. B. Director. So this is we all know whats going on here. People ought to think long and hard before they cast their vote for this republican budget. Budgets basically indicate what we value. What we think is important. And i have to tell you, i just dont believe if people read this budget that the majority of my friends, we have disagreements on lots of issues, but i just dont believe that deep in your heart you actually believe this stuff. I mean, this is offensive. We ought to be talking about lifting people up and not putting them down. We ought to be talking about all of the citizens of this country with respect and treating them with dignity. And we ought not treat people in poverty as if somehow theyre invisible and thats what this budget does. So i urge my colleagues to vote down this republican budget. I urge them to defeat the previous question. So we can bring up under an open rule, under an open rule, which nobody in this congress has seen , a bill that would allow us to create a commission, a Bipartisan Commission to deal with gun violence. With that i yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from georgia is recognized. Mr. Woodall thank you, mr. Speaker. Combliled self such time as i i yield myself such time as i may consume. Mr. Speaker, what i love most about budget day is the fact that we do get to talk about our competing ideas. Do i reject some of the implications that weve heard, that what were talking about is whether we love people or not. Thats not the debate today. I want to stipulate that i know the men and women of this chamber on a personal basis and each and every one of them that i know personally loves and cares for their constituents back home. The debate that we have is not whether we love people, its how to love people best. Do you love people best by giving them a check or giving them a job . Thats a legitimate debate. Do you love people best by leaving their children with them or taking their children away from them . Thats a legitimate debate. I believe in families, i believe in the dignity of work. I want to have those debates. I think we do ourselves a disservice when we describe whats going on here today on the floor of the house as anything other than our absolute legal and governmental responsibility to pass a budget for the United States of america. And wherever you sit on the continuum, the political continuum, the economic continuum, the regional continuum, theres a budget for you today. If what you believe, mr. Speaker, is that the problems we have in this country are because taxes are not high enough, theres going to be a democratic substitute coming out of the Budget Committee that will raise taxes about 2. 4 trillion. If you think taxes are too low, we can raise them 2. 4 trillion. That budget never balances. That budget never stops borrowing from our children and grandchildren. That budget never stops mortgaging americas future. But its a legitimate debate. Because folks are taking those funds and theyre investing them in america, theyre prioritizing that investment over balancing. If you believe 2. 4 trillions not enough, mr. Speaker, well have a budget from the Congressional Black Caucus on the floor today that will raise taxes by 4. 2 trillion. We can raise taxes by 4. 2 trillion. Again, that budget never balances, it spends all that money and more. But its a legitimate debate about where those dollars come from and where those dollars are going. Im glad were going to be able to have it. If raising taxes by 4. 2 trillion isnt enough for you, mr. Speaker, we have the progressive budget on the floor, it raises taxes by just over 10 trillion. Again, the budget never balances, it spends all of that money and more, continues to borrow from our children and grandchildren, buts a legitimate debate and but its a legitimate debate and its a conversation worth having and im proud that the rules committee made that debate in order. To describe whats happening on the floor of the house today, mr. Speaker, as anything other than whats exactly expected of this institution is to do us all a diss. I talked about make tax a disservice. I talked about making taxes higher, let me talk for a second about make taxes lower. I talked to friends back home, ive talked to constituents, ive talked to folks for whom i work. And some of them might say, rob, i have enough to feet my feed my family and if it means paying down the debt and deficit, im willing to pay a little bit more. Other members in the community, mr. Speaker, say, for petes sake, im trying to grow a business here, rob, im trying to employ your friends and neighbors, im trying to keep the community working. Im plowing everything i have back into the business. If i dont have to pay as much in taxes, im going to be able to hire more people. The republican budget, mr. Speaker, takes a shot at once in a generation tax reform. Once in a generation. This isnt what we talked about last year, the year br that, the year before that the year before that, the year before that. This is a conversation we have not had since Ronald Reagan and tip oneill had it in 1986. This is a conversation that we have not had since america slipped from number one in the world to almost last in the industrialized world in terms of tax competitives. This is a conversation that america has longed for and we can deliver today. Mr. Speaker, lets have these debates about what our priorities are. Lets have these debates about whether or not we can do better. And at the end of the day, lets agree that we in fact can do better, that our bosses back home expect us to do better, and that by supporting this rule and supporting one of the underlying budgets we in fact will do better. I encourage my colleagues, mr. Speaker, support this rule. Begin this debate. Lets pass this budget. Lets fulfill our promises. Lets make the difference that we all came here to make. With that, i yield back the balance of my time and i move the previous question. The speaker pro tempore the question is on ordering the previous question on the resolution. Those in favor say aye. Those opposed, no. In the opinion of the chair, the noes have it. Mr. Mcgovern mr. Speaker oh mr. Woodall i ask for a recorded vote. The speaker pro tempore does the gentleman ask for the yeas and nays. Mr. Woodall the yeas and nays, mr. Speaker. The speaker pro tempore the yeas and nays are requested. All those in favor of taking this vote by the yeas and nays will rise and remain standing until counted. A sufficient number having arisen, the yeas and nays are ordered. Members will record their votes by electronic device. Pursuant to clause 9 of rule 20rks the chair will reduce to five minutes the minimum time for any electronic vote on the question of adoption of the resolution. This is a 15minute vote. [captioning made possible by the national captioning institute, inc. , in cooperation with the United States house of representatives. Any use of the closedcaptioned 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 231, the nays are 189. The previous question is ordered. The question is on adoption of the resolution. Those in favor say aye. Those opposed, no. The ayes have it. The gentleman from massachusetts. Mr. Mcgovern on that i ask for a record vote. The speaker pro tempore a record vote is requested. Those in support of the request for a recorded vote will rise and be counted. A sufficient number having arisen, a record vote is ordered. Members will record their votes by electronic device. This is a fiveminute vote. [captioning made possible by the national captioning institute, inc. , in cooperation with the United States house of representatives. Any use of the closedcaptioned 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 229 the speaker pro tempore on this are 232. Yeas the nays are 188. The resolution is adopted. Without objection, the motion to reconsider is laid upon the table