All time shall be equally allocated between the parties and in no event shall debate continue beyond 11 50 a. M. Each member other than the majority and minority leaders and the minority whip shall be limited to five minutes. The chair recognizes the gentleman from pennsylvania, r. Thompson, for five minutes. Mr. Thompson thank you, mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, next week is National Forest products week which the nation observes from october 15 through october 21. Each year since 1960 our nation has celebrated the achievements of the Forest Product manufacturers and organizations throughout this country. The Forest Products industry is an integral part of u. S. Manufacturing competitiveness and is among the top 10 manufacturing sectors employers in 45 states. In the commonwealth of pennsylvania, this industry is home to 26 5wood products, paper, and packaging manufacturing facilities that make more than 16 million in products annually and contribute nearly 3 million to state and local economies through wages and compensation. More than 53,600 hardworking men and women in the commonwealth of pennsylvania are employed by the Forest Products industry. Forest products continue to meet the evolving needs of people across the country and around the world. The Forest Products industry directly employs about 900,000 supports 2. 4 million jobs and it is 4 of the total u. S. Manufacturing g. D. P. The industry meets a payroll of approximately 50 billion annually, and manufactures almost 240 billion in products every year. Supports one third of the United States is forested. 751 million acres. Federally owned forest apply 97 of the word harvests in the United States and tribal forests supply approximately 6 and federal forests apply only 2 of the wood used by the Forest Products industry. More than 56 of u. S. Forests are privately owned, much of it by family forest owners who manage their lands to provide value to future generations. The industry has tremendous impact on our environment, too. A single tree can absorb more of co2 each year. In the United States, forest and Forest Products store enough carbon each year to offset approximately 12 of the nations co2 emissions. Forest products play a valuable role in the life of every american every day. Co2 each year. In the United States, forest and Forest Products store enough carbon each year to 2 3 of the nations Drinking Water comes from forests. From paper and packaging to wood products, tissue and other personal care items, these products are at the heart of modern life and modern economy. Paper products allow us to communicate, teach, and learn. They provide safe packaging for goods and consumeables, as well as personal hygiene and cleanliness. Wood products provide shelter and necessary components of daily life. Mr. Speaker, because the industry plays such an Important Role in the lives of everyday americans, in 1960 congress designated the third week in october as National Forest products week. Next week the country celebrates with events and advocacy campaigns to mark that occasion. Mr. Speaker, i wholeheartedly join those across the nation who applaud the Forest Products industry for its many contributions. 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. The chair now recognizes the gentleman from oregon, mr. Blumenauer, for five minutes. Mr. Blumenauer thank you, mr. Speaker. Three years ago the Obama Administration took a very positive and important step towards curbing Greenhouse Gas emissions by initiating the Clean Power Plant. The First Ever National limit on Carbon Pollution from power plants. The plan was devised to give states the option how to tailor their reductions in Carbon Pollution following benchmarks set by the federal government. For years states and local governments, businesses, universities have been making progress towards this lowcarbon future, both in anticipation of full implementation of the Clean Power Plan, and spurred on for a variety of other forces. Now the Trump Administration has vowed to unravel the Clean Power Plan. But the momentum will not stop because of this reckless act. Donald trump and scott pruitt cannot repeal engineering, science, or economics. Their attempts would only harm the economy and our citizens, miring us in the path to serve the interests of big coal. The case for action reducing Carbon Pollution is compelling. Clean power plan encourages steps to reduce the dangerous trend of accelerating climate disruption and attendant extreme weather events. Hurricanes harvey, irma, marie are only the latest example of those events. Now mfls acres in the west are exploding millions of acres in the west are exploding of wildfires, more frequent, intense, and dangerous forest fires are the reality now spurred by climate disruption. Out of control wildfire has torched oregons beloved Columbia River gorge and now latest instances are the California Wine country, taking lives, destroying property, and damaging crops. Regardless of your view on Climate Change, the Clean Power Plan is a very important step for the United States. It stands on firm legal ground. The Supreme Court has ruled on three separate occasions, the e. P. A. Has the authority and the responsibility to protect our families from Carbon Pollution. Cleaner energy and cleaner environment under the power plan would improve the lives of working americans. By 2030, it would prevent 90,000 asthma attacks, 300 days missed from work and school, and 3,600 premature deaths every year. Instead of protecting human health, particularly those in communities most impacted by Carbon Pollution, trump and his e. P. A. Attack dog pruitt are seeking to tilt the Energy Playing Field back in favor of big coal. Make no mistake, without subsidies and regulatory favoritism, most old dirty coal plants would have been shut down years ago if they had been required to meet Carbon Pollution and air quality standards as they should have been. Trump and pruitt are making a big mistake when they assault the clean airr act and the Clean Power Plan. They are on weak legal ground. They are on the wrong side of science, economics, environment, and common sense. The power plan will not be easily unraveled. There is a process to unwind it similar to what it took to put it in place. It will take a lot of hard work and evidence that pruitt doesnt have to repeal it and prevent the e. P. A. From regulating carbon emissions. The plan has powerful allies. Im proud to stand with the environmental community, my fellow democrats in congress, many governments and trade groups, citizens who care, and number of businesses. Mars is the latest companytonouns they are going to follow through on their carbon reduction plan. Well continue this fight for a lowcarbon, healthier, more economic future. We will protect alternative nergy. Honor the commitments that we have made to the wind and solar industries. We will continue to reduce emissions from our not portation sectors by rolling back fuel efficiency standards. With the rk agricultural sector, which makes up 9 of the total Greenhouse Gas emissions. A strong farm bill can reduce emissions and enhance productivity through lowcarbon protections. With the agricultural sector, which makes up 9 of the total Greenhouse Gas ultimately trump and pruitt cannot repeal science, engineering, or economics. And im proud to be part of this effort to ensure that the United States moves forward to exercise leadership in a lowcarbon future to fight Climate Change and Global Weather disruption. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. The chair recognizes the lady from florida, ms. Roslehtinen, for five minutes. Mr. Speaker, n i ask my colleagues support for the Senior Citizen protection act, which i introduced a long along with my friend, congressman brad schneider. Seniors are valued members of our society and we must do everything we can to ensure that they can live with dignity and without fear of being abused by those entrusted to care for them. This bipartisan bill seeks to achieve that goal by creating a National Registry for those convicted of elder abuse that ll be accessible to senior care care providers and families before they make a decision on whom they hire as a caregiver for their loved ones. This National Database will bring together local and state registries in order to prevent abusers from continuing to inflict suffering on senior by simply relocating by simply relocating another. From one community to another. I urge my colleagues to join mr. Schneider and me in support of this measure of florida. The horrific death of 14 seniors in a florida nursing home facility in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma made it abundantly clear that more must be done to protect seniors during and after natural disasters. In times of emergency, many Senior Citizens find themselves disconnected from caregivers and without the treatments and resources that they so desperately need. Our bill seeks to reconnect seniors by requiring that federal agencies assess how their Emergency Response efforts impact the elderly. It also calls for the implementation of standards to better protect and care for Senior Citizens and nursing home residents across our nation during and after emergency situations. This is a commonsense, bipartisan legislative initiative that aims to save the lives of many Senior Citizens and help ensures that the tragedies, tragedy that took place in south florida, will not happen again. I urge my colleagues to join us in support of this lifesaving measure. Mr. Speaker, as we continue to celebrate hispanic heritage month, and the many contributions of our vibrant community throughout our country, i would like to bring attention to a bill that i have sponsored that would permanently showcase the history and stories of american latinos. H. R. 2911, the National Museum of America Latino act would establish a world class Educational Institution on the National Mall for the millions of visitors who come to our Nations Capital every year eager to learn about american history. Latinos have served our great country in every war, dating back to the revolutionary war, and continue to proudly serve in our military. They are Small Business owners, job creators, the tv stars, the Public Public servants. An initiative that has been over 20 years in the making, this museum would be a visual representation of the difficulties that latinos have overcome leaving their home countries whether to flee an oppressive communist regime in my native homeland of cuba or venezuela, or the opportunity to partake in the American Dream, as well as the story of hispanics who have made the u. S. Their home for generation after generation. As the first hispanic woman elected to the u. S. Congress, im proud to invite my colleagues to join me in this endeavor and cosponsor h. R. 2911, the National Museum of the american latino act. Thank you, mr. Speaker. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady yields back. The chair recognizes the gentleman from illinois, mr. Gutierrez, for five minutes. Mr. Gutierrez its been three weeks, three weeks since the eye of Hurricane Maria crossed puerto rico. Three weeks and there are still parts of the island which have not had contact with fema yet. For most people that has meant no power and most still dont have running water. Hospitals and clinics are hit hard. As the New York Times reports, the daughter of one man who died because he receive oxygen treatments. Because of the electricity situation a lot of people die and are still dying. 40 of the island still lacks nning water because of the ren blackout. Which still affects 85 of the island. As a result, many people are bathing in streams and receiving water from huge tanks. Never a good idea. And this is after three weeks in the most powerful nation on earth. This is unacceptable. Our response to hurricane blackout. Which maria and other people of puerto rico is a national and International Embarrassment and tragedy. Our own citizens and our own caribbean colonies of puerto rico and virgin islands, and we have not helped them all that we can. I spoke to chicago firefighters yesterday who have been in pork fork for about a week and in puerto rico for about a week and they told me it is worse than were being told. They told me yesterday that they are still making contacts towns where people come up to them and say thank god, its fema. Youre finally here. Only to be told no, were not fema. Chicago. Towns where were firefighters and they embrace and cry with gratitude. Last week a group of my colleagues and i got together. We represent large puerto rican communities here on the mainland and connecticut, new york, massachusetts, illinois, ohio, and florida. All of us have been contacted by our constituents who are in desperate need to get their loved ones back and out of puerto rico. After three weeks they have run out of patience and not interested in excuses. They want their parents. They want their tia with cancer. They want their cousins on dialysis off the island, period, now. They want a plane ticket to get the hell out. Our communities are ready. Lorraine, ohio, hartford, boston, orlando, chicago, new york, were ready. The problem is transportation. If you have money, connections or internet access, then you probably can find a flight out. I know this because i was in puerto rico two weeks ago and i saw the land rovers, the jaguars parked at the private airports in san juan because if you have the money you already put your family on a plane out of dodge. The people of fema have been doing a great job given the constraint but i think fema and the military resources should focus on the task of evacuating the elderly, the circumstances the vulnerable from the island. Look this is the way fema works. They say, well, we only take on tasks that the governor asks us to take on. And the governors not likely to go to fema to ask them to get thousands and thousands of his constituents off the island. Number one, its a difficult request for any local official to make. Captains of industry and leaders on the island want to puerto there are rican workers. But if the same captain, those same captains of industry and political leaders, guess what, i bet you most of them already got their loved ones off the island. Number two, we know the governor has to be extremely careful how he asks for anything because we know the president doesnt take criticism very well or even the hint of criticism. The governor doesnt want to get backballed by the president who might go off on a twitter rant at any moment, but our puerto rican constituents dont vote for governor of puerto rico. They vote for us, for delauro, for crowley, for mcgovern, for espaillat, for marcy kaptur, and they want us to help them get their families out of dangers way. They are demanding help getting their family members out and i think fema and the u. S. Military can do the job. They just need the orders from the people in charge. Lets be clear. If anyone wants to leave puerto rico, they should have our help in doing so. For thousands its a question of life and death and survival. That is what is needed to help puerto rico. We dont need the president tossing paper towels to storm victims like he was tossing a ball to a dog or maybe tossing peanuts to squirrels in the park. We need airplanes, ships and helicopters to get the people the hell out. Otherwise, it will be worse. Instead of let them eat cake its let them die. The speaker pro tempore the gentlemans time has expired. The chair recognizes the gentlelady from North Carolina, ms. Foxx, for five minutes. Ms. Foxx thank you very much, mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, i rise today to celebrate the work of a very wonderful constituent of the Fifth District of North Carolina, teresa lewis. Every september we celebrate American Business womens day in order to recognize the many different backgrounds and diverse occupations of American Business women. However, it is my belief that we should celebrate American Business women like teresa lewis every day. Teresas success was born out of determination and the desire to provide a better life for her family. In 1986, teresa founded work force carolina, a professional Staffing Service that includes recruitment, interview completion and skills assessment. As c. E. O. Of work force carolina, teresa has employed thousands of people, and her company has served as a boon to the North Carolina economy. Most importantly, teresa serves as a role model to all women and men in our country. I commend teresa lewis on all of her many accomplishments and thank her for all she does for the community. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady yields back. The chair recognizes the gentleman from new york, mr. Espaillat, for five minutes. Thank you, mr. Speaker. This is a critical time of life and death for millions of u. S. Citizens in the island of puerto rico and also in the virgin islands. The efforts to rebuild will be great, and we each have a Critical Role to play to help these families recover following the aftermath of these catastrophic storms. We have witnessed so much devastation this hurricane season, and the impact has been particularly destructive and wreaked havoc. It has left millions of u. S. Families without shelter, electricity and their lives in ruin. We all have a part to play in the Recovery Efforts and must answer the calls to provide relief and aid and the immense rebuilding efforts that will take place to assist all of them who have been affected. The amount of help and heart ive seen in my home state of new york, including a recent effort of uptown united this weekend, and constituents of my line Lynn Manuel Miranda and children willing to crack open their piggy banks have been welcoming. If the federal government could match that compassion, then puerto rico will be well on its way to recovery. Last night the House Appropriations committee released 36. 5 billion Disaster Relief package. 5 billion of that will go correctly to puerto rico. 14 billion for femas Disaster Fund and 16 billion for the National Flood insurance program. I see this as an additional down payment. I hope this is just the beginning. Nearly a month into this crisis, the status of puerto rico today is such. The jones act, on sunday the white house led the 10day shipping waiver for the jones act expire for puerto rico, meaning that foreign ships can no longer bring aid to the hurricaneravaged island from u. S. Ports. I have been pushing for at least a oneyear waiver and a permanent waiver for oil. Electricity, to date only 15 of Puerto Ricans have power and electricity. Not being able to get in contact with their loved ones and the grave impact the lack of electricity has on patients with dialysis. Water, access to clean Drinking Water lingers around 20 . It is reported that sea born bacteria are contam sea borne bacteria are contaminating the water supply which could lead to e. Coli and typhoid. That can really be disastrous. The typical treatments for these illnesses like tetanus shots and powerful antibiotics are now readily available in the island where medical supplies are quickly running out. The damage estimated is calculated around 95 billion. This is roughly 150 of the puerto rican annual gross domestic product. The down payment should be 10 billion to 15 billion. The budget, the white house has reported they have asked congress to authorize approximately 30 billion in new disaster related funding. Fatalities, mr. Speaker, the official death toll has increased to 43 deaths, directly or indirectly related to Hurricane Maria. The death toll unfortunately will continue to rise, and this is becoming more and more our caribbean katrina. I urge my colleagues to pass Disaster Relief fund for puerto rico, the u. S. Virgin islands and the caribbean. Thank you and i yield back my remaining time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back his remaining time. The chair recognizes the gentleman from texas, mr. Farenthold, for five minutes. Thank you, mr. Speaker. I want to take a few minutes to talk about and thank team rubicon and all the other volunteers who are helping to assist victims of Hurricane Harvey with storm cleanup, not only in the district i represent but throughout the state of texas. Many of our cities still have piles and piles of debris. Initially it was trees and brushes cleared. But now as people are starting to survey and repair the damage of their home, theres insulation, theres sheet rock, their personal belongings out along the street waiting to be picked up and cleaned up. This monday i spent time with the governor of texas, greg abbott, visiting some of our cities and theyre telling me that the cleanup may not be complete in some cities like port aran sass or rockport until port aransas or rockport until december or january. Its going to take a lot of people. Several weeks ago, speaker ryan and several members of the texas delegation joined team rubicon in the houston area aiding and demolitioning and cleaning up in the storm devastated area. The commitment to service is inspiring. Last week, janice dean of fox news visited the district i represent and told the story of how team rubicon is helping with debris removal in wharton, texas. Thats a population of 9,000, south of houston, that was devastated by floodwaters associated from the storm. It was founded by two marines, jake woods and william mcnultry, who knew they could use their military experience and go out and help others. Since then, team rubicon has drastically expanded across the nation. United the skills and experience of veterans and First Responders to rapidly deploy Emergency Response teams. I want to thank team rubicon for all the help they provided the folks of texas, especially wharton, and the people around the world that have suffered since disasters since 2010. I also want to thank janice dean of fox news for helping tell their story. Janices commitment to team rubicon didnt stop with just telling the story. In fact, once the story aired, shes donated 15,000 from sales of her Childrens Book freddiy the frogcaster to team rubicon and will be donating proceeds from this book to the group. Thank you, janice. Thank you, team rubicon. And thank you for everyone who is helping out those who are victims of Hurricane Harvey and the various other disasters that this nation is facing right now. Thank you and i yield back, mr. Speaker. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back. The chair recognizes the lady from nevada, ms. Rosen, for five minutes. Ms. Rosen thank you. Mr. Speaker, i rise today to honor the memory of my constituent, First SergeantCharleston Hartfield of the Nevada Army National guard. Our community lost a true Blue American hero on the first of october. Since the age of 18, officer hartfield valiantly served our country and our community, spending 16 years in the army, both in active duty and the Nevada National guard and 11 years in our local Law Enforcement. First sergeant hartfield spent the first year deployed to iraq as part of the initial invasion in 2003 where they were awarded the combat action badge for having bravely engaged in combat operations. Those who knew officer hartfield remember him for his kindness to others and for pouring his heart into our community as a husband, a father, a friend and a youth football coach. Officer Charleston Hartfield was taken from us far too soon by a senseless tragedy. Our valley and this nation will mourn his loss and we will Carry Forward his spirit of courage and selflessness. Thank you. Its hard to put into words the devastation and heartbreak my community suffered on october 1, 2017. This horrific violence has forever altered the lives of countless families in las vegas and across this country. My heart breaks for those who lost a parent, a child, a sibling and a friend, and while this was the deadliest mass shooting in modern american history, i know that we join a long list of communities, sandy hook, aurora, tucson, san bernardino, orlando, all who have suffered way too much through similar heart wrefrpbling violence. I have heartwrenching violence. Ive lived in Southern Nevada for nearly 40 years and i tell you i have been overwhelmed by the resilience of las vegas. We are not just sin city or the glittering lights of the strip. We are also a tight knit Compassionate Community of hardworking families, and the shooting on october 1 exemplified the worst of humanity, but our response represented the very best of people. As we try to figure out how to move forward, i can tell you we are finding strength and hope and courage in our brave First Responders, and the heroic selfsacrifice of men and women who risked and gave their lives for others and for the kindness of strangers who helped transport the wounded to the hospital, who stood in line for hours to donate blood and who came together to support the survivors. I implore my colleagues on each side of the aisle to come to the table and have real conversations about Commonsense Solutions to address gun violence. There is no sidge policy solution, but i know we can support the Second Amendment while taking reasonable steps to reduce the carnage inflicted on our communities by gun violence and mass shooting. Mr. Speaker, devices designed to cause mass casualties like bump stocks and high capacity magazines, they have no practical purpose for hunting or selfdefense. And they only increase the threat for potential victims trying to find safety like those at the mandalay bay. They make it more challenging for Law Enforcement to confront and neutralize an active shooter. I urge all of my colleagues to please join together in a bipartisan effort. We need to take commonsense steps in congress to decrease the scope of widespread destruction and tragic mass shootings. No community should ever be forced to experience the grief and trauma that my constituents are now confronting. It is more urgent than ever that we take meaningful action to reduce this toll of widespread gun violence. The time is now. Thank you. I yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the lady yields back. The chair recognizes the gentleman from california, mr. Costa, for five minutes. Without objection. Mr. Costa mr. Speaker, i rise today to speak about the significance of the joint competitive plan of action regarding iran, more commonly referred to at Iran Nuclear Agreement. I have always been a vocal advocate for tough sanctions on iran. While i was a member of the House Foreign Affairs committee, i was in 2010 a member of the Conference Committee that drafted the comprehensive iran sanctions accountability and divestment sanctions in 2010 and subsequently did make a difference. Unfortunately, iran continues to support terrorist organizations and its record on human rights is wellknown. But we should not withhold certification of the Iran Nuclear Agreement without credible evidence that iran san 2010 and subsequently is not complying. Lets remember this agreement has always been about iran not obtaining nuclear weapons. Doing so would strip the United States of our credibility with future International Agreements, not just with iran but with our allies as well. In addition to iran, we have negotiated the Iran Nuclear Agreement with the united kingdom, germany, european union, china, russia, and we must keep our word. In other words, to remain credible the United States cannot change positions on International Agreements from one administration to another without serious justification and without the consent and working with our allies. Especially now as we fairsing increasing threat with north korea. Were facing increasing threat with north korea. We must work with our allies and together make a safer world through a competitive strategy a comprehensive strategic that involves diplomacy, sanctions, and deter reince if deterrence if we must use such force. Besides he refusing to recertify the agreement, i will continue to advocate for the use of the tools to take a strong, strong stance against iran for their support of terrorist state activities and their abuse of human rights. But refusing to recertify Nuclear Agreement without clear evidence that iran has breached the agreement would deeply damage our relationships with our allies and weaken our credibility worldwide. Today i rise to commemorate hispanic heritage month, which is september 15 to october 15 every year. This month we honor and celebrate the history and culture of the achievements and contributions of the hispanic leaders and communities throughout our great country. Rom serving in our armed forces to starting forces to starting businesses that further develop our economy and provide employment americans. Hispanics have contributed great advancements in science, medicine, literature, and education. The americans. Hispanic people critical in shaping our nation and in the valley that i have the honor to represent. For example, my home state of california alone there are over 815,000 hispanic or latinoowned companies, which together generate over 98 billion or 900 million in general receipts to the economy. In fresno, merced, and maderia counties which i represent, there are nearly 27,000 hispanic or latino owned companies which together generated last year over 2 billion. So the story of hispanic friends, neighbors, and loved ones is the story of the American Dream as they have the same hopes and aspirations that all americans have to make a better life for themselves and their families. Through hard work, access to better education, and equal treatment under the law. Let us remember after all were a nation of immigrants. Past and present. For over 250 years since the United States, immigrants have come from all over the world to america to have a bert life for themselves and better life for themselves and in turn made us the greatest country in the world. So during hispanic heritage month i am honored to celebrate the community, whose determination and achievements are an integral part of not only our nation, but the San Joaquin Valley that i have the honor to r i yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back. The chair recognizes the gentleman from texas, mr. Green, for five minutes. Mr. Green thank you, mr. Chairman. I ask unanimous consent to revise and extend my remarks. The speaker pro tempore without objection. Mr. Green thank you. And stand , i rise in the well of the congress of the United States of america. Im always honored that i have this opportunity and i see it as a preeminent privilege to be able to stand in the well of the congress of the United States of america. I love my country. I said it many times. Right here at this podium. I salute the flag, mr. Speaker. I say the pledge of allegiance. I sing the national anthem. I love my country. And because i love my country, i can stand here in the well of the house of the United States of america and announce that i are rt the nfl men who professional football players. I can say i support them because i believe in what the flag says and stands for. Liberty and justice for all. I believe in this. And if there is to be liberty and justice for all, the cause that they are part of has to be called to the attention of the american public. I support the nfl players, mr. Speaker. And i want to say to those who say they are so lucky, they are so lucky they are making millions, why dont they just play football . They are making millions. They ought to be happy. First, let me comment in this way. They are earning millions. They are earning millions. Their bodies are being torn apart in many cases. They are earning millions. They get concussions. They are earning millions. They suffer after they leave football. They are earning millions. And they are also earning pain as they play a game that amuses many. To those who say they are making plenty of money and they ought to just go away, i contend that they are not doing it for the money. Doing it because they understand injustice anywhere is still a threat to justice everywhere, as dr. King put it. They want to eliminate the. Njustice that they see in so doing they had decided to take a knee. I salute the flag. I support my country. I love my country. And i respect what they are doing in the form of peaceful protest to bring about change that ought to have been brought bout decades, centuries ago. Should have been but has not been. Yes, we have come a long way, but we sure have a long way to go. W to those who say they have earned millions why arent they happy . Well, its not hush money. Is that what youre saying . That when they get paid thats hush money that says they dont have freedom of speech . Does that check negate their freedom of speech . I think not. Freedom of speech is something that you cherish whether you live in a mansion or you live under a bridge. Freedom of speech belongs to you, doesnt matter your station in life. Doesnt matter your ethnicity. Doesnt matter our religion. Supreme of speech belongs to you because are you a child of god and live in the greatest country in the world. So i stand in support of the nfl players. I want them to continue. I want them to stand their ground. I want this movement to those who those who were thwarted to know that you are trying to thwart injustice. When you try to change the subject and make it about something that its not, you are trying to thwart injustice. With you dont do it intention, thats the reality. We cannot allow injustice to continue. And i thank god there are those who with intention, thats the reality. Who are having their bodies abused who are willing to take a stand by taking a knee against injustice. And they still respect this country and this flag. And this anthem. And if there is one or two one among them who has other thoughts, then i dont support that. I support those who have a righteous cause and who are respectful of the country, who can love the flag and still protest. I support that. Im an american. I was born in the United States f america. Im a patriotic american. I believe in this country. If you believe in im it, you ought to allow peaceful protest to continue because john f. Kennedy was right when he was paraphrased by dr. King. Those who make peaceful protest impossible will make other forms of protest infestible. Inevitable. Quoted. Araphrased not dealing with whistleblower protections. Later today, a dozen bills dealing with a number of issues, including other whistleblower protections. Federal Employee Retirement funds. Nd creating a Fredrick Douglass bicentennial celebration. The senate, meanwhile, returns for legislative work next week. Live coverage of the house at noon here on cspan. And now well take you over to the House Foreign Affairs committee. Theyre holding a hearing on iranian threats. This days before President Trump is expected to announce his decision on recertifying the iran nuclear deal. 98