Transcripts For CSPAN U.S. House Of Representatives U.S. House Debate On Short-Term CR 20171207

The chair recognizes the gentleman from new jersey. Mr. Frelinghuysen mr. Chairman, i rise today to present h. J. Resolution 123, a continuing resolution that maintains funding for federal Government Operations and prevents a shutdown. Current funding legislation expires tomorrow, friday, december 8. Congress must act now to prevent a Government Shutdown and preserve vital federal programs that americans rely on. This action is critical to our nations stability, our National Security, our economic health, and the wellbeing of the American People. This simple clean extension of Funding Provides the fiscal year 2018 funding for Government Programs through december 22. An additional two weeks, and will allow time for the leadership to reach a deal on an overall top line spending levels for the 2018 fiscal year. I would note that the executive branch supports adoption of this continuing resolution. Yesterdays statement of Administration Policy says, and i quote, this legislation funds the federal government at current spending levels without extraneous provisions, end of quotation marks, and concludes, advisors would recommend the president sign the bill into law. Mr. Chairman, i ask consent to submit december 6 statement of Administration Policy regarding house joint resolution 123 for the record. The speaker pro tempore without objection. The house completed our appropriations work over 80 dayings ago mr. Frelinghuysen passing all fiscal bills for the first time in nearly a decade this included important funding for National Defense and other important matters. Unfortunately, the Appropriations Committee could not proceed without an agreement with the senate on overall funding levels. The reality is were running into a deadline this week and this resolution is our best and only option at this time. Once a broader budget agreement has been reached, which i hope will be shoon will be soon, the committee will continue its work to complete final negotiations with the senate on all 12 regular Appropriations Bills that will fully fund the federal government through september of next year. In our committee our committee is also moving quickly to move on a third emergency supplemental funding bill to help communities across the nation recover from recent major disasters. In the meantime, Congress Must do its job and pass the continuing resolution. And then another one into the new year to keep the government open and ensure that all important federal services are available to all americans. I urge support of this necessary and responsible legislation and reserve the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman reserves. The gentlelady from new york is recognized. Ms. Slaughter mr. Chairman, i yield myself such time as i may consume. It is extremely regrettable that today rselves here mr. Chairman, it is extremely egreatable that we find ourselves here today. Epublicans have defense and nondefense priorities are critical to our safety and prosperity. Mrs. Lowey the majority failed to engage all year, choosing instead to pass partisan appropriation bills that can never be signed into law. More than two months ago, President Trump and Democratic Congressional leaders struck an agreement to avoid a Government Shutdown. And buy time for negotiations on new spending caps that would make it possible to enact a responsible, bipartisan, fullYear Spending law. Precious little has been accomplished since then. Now here we are again with the majority asking for support for a twoweek stopgap continuing resolution. So i ask the majority, what do you expect to accomplish in the next two weeks that we have been unable to accomplish in the last two months . I want to repeat that. Id really like to know what you expect to accomplish in the next two weeks when we havent been able to accomplish anything in the last two months. The rationale to support a shortterm, stopgap continuing resolution is that the parties are engaged in good faith negotiations to develop a responsible, bipartisan spending package. Negotiations are on a positive trajectory and additional time is simply needed to seal a deal. And anyone can anyone in this chamber claim that this is the case today . The president continues to irresponsibly threaten a Government Shutdown and launch add hominem attacks. And launch ad hominem attacks. Majority leadership is playing games with this and future continuing resolutions. Negotiations on new spending caps for defense and nondefense investment are stalled an the majority is grasping for excuses as to why they have failed to protect 700,000 Young Americans from deportation. Reauthorize the Childrens Health Insurance Program or move expeditiously on critical disaster assistance. Is there any evidence whatsoever that this majority intends to fulfill these vital responsibilities to the American People. Given these failure, i believe it is incumbent on members of congress to say, enough is enough. The American People are sick of the games, they want results. Its time for the Republican Leadership and President Trump to get serious, engage with democrats. We stand ready and willing to help develop a framework for responsible, bipartisan spending agreement and to negotiate the details of a full Year Spending package. I reserve the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady reserves. The gentleman from new york is recognized. New jersey. Mr. Frelinghuysen i yield two minutes to the distinguished chairman of the state foreign operations subcommittee, my colleague, mr. Hal rogers of kentucky. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Rogers i thank the gentleman for yielding me time. I rise in full support of the second fiscal year 2018 continuing resolution this year, which will fund the federal government through december 22 of this year. This bill is a necessary measure to continue vital Government Programs and services. It also prevents uncertainty and harm in a shutdown. This year, the committee worked at a historic pace to produce and then pass all 12 bills to fund the government. And chairman frelinghuysen should be recognized for this feat of leadership. Its important that we eventually send these bills to the president s desk. As chairman of the state and foreign operations subcommittee, i want to highlight that the funding provided in our bill supports continued leadership by the u. S. And advances our National Security and economic interests. This funding is critical to addressing the many challenges that we face around the world. Mr. Speaker, while c. R. s are never our preferred course of action, the bill before us today will give us more time to complete our work with the senate and put together a final bill that will support the American People. Our current continuing resolution expires tomorrow so we must act today. I urge my colleagues to vote yes on the c. R. And i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman reserves. The gentleman from new york is recognize the gentlewoman from new york is recognized. Mrs. Lowey im pleased to yield two minutes to the gentlewoman from ohio, the Ranking Member of the energy and water subcommittee, ms. Kaptur. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady is recognized. Ms. Kaptur i thank the Ranking Member, congresswoman lowey of new york, for the phenomenal job shes done this year and commend chairman frelinghuysen for trying to herd cattle on a very vast range. Here we are again, mere hours away from a needless shutdown, a cliff created by the republican majority. Already we are three month into the 2018 fiscal year and congress is no closer to finalizing among our chief constitutional responsibilities, and that is funding the departments of our nation to do their job. For a nation at war, the department of defense, Largest Department in this bill, cant et contracts because of this adolescent dallying by congress. I rise with frustration today as the Appropriations Committee subcommittee did their job over the last year. They toiled away for months, chipping away in each subcommittee bill. But that proved to be a fruitless effort since we had no agreed upon budget caps within which to make those decisions because the republican majority produced no budget. Theres simply no good reason why we are here again kicking decisions down the road and for two weeks . Let me remind my colleagues, we were over seven months late last fiscal year before we fully funded our government. This fits and starts, fits and starts, surely, is not what the American People deserve. For example well, know a million our fellow citizens in puerto rico, still dont have energy and power and vast, vast numbers this disruption for managing health care as an unnecessary burden you should the circumstances they confront daily. Many states are preparing to shut down their chip program in Case Congress doesnt act. How is that for a christmas or hanukkah present to the children of america. The republican majorities majoritys are out of line, no working with no leadership to finalize government funding for the entire 2018 fiscal year which began three months ago. Unacceptable. Instead republicans choose to avoid doing what is critical and rather than pass a tax bill that rewards the wealthiest in our country and wreaks havoc on americas hardworking class, they ought to do the dutiful work of managing the funds to operate the departments that serve the people of the United States. The American People are worried, mr. Speaker. And the majority has abdicated their leadership. I urge my colleagues to keep their on any hasty vote on this bill and demand the majority come to the table to finalize the f. Y. 2018 spending plan. With that, i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady reserves. The gentleman is recognized. Mr. Frelinghuysen im pleased to yield two minutes to the chairman of the agriculture subcommittee on appropriations, mr. Aderholt of alabama. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Aderholt i rise also in support of the house joint resolution 123, which obviously would extend funding for the federal government for the next two weeks. We have had a highly condensed schedule this year, but the Appropriations Committee has made pretremendous progress in an open and as head tremendous progress in an open and deliberate process as we moved forward. The agriculture spropingses appropriations subcommittee which i have the privilege to chair received input from over 350 individual members and we produced our bill in less than two months. Just a few months ago, as most of my colleagues here in the house know, we the house took up and took up and we passed 12 Appropriations Bills. The chairman delivered on the promise they would do. So now were coming to the end of the year. Theres final negotiations to be done and i and my colleagues agree that a c. R. Is not the best option, however, i would ask my colleagues to support this resolution, to ensure that we have basic services that continue for our constituents until we have the final time to pleat our work. With that, i reserve the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman reserves. The gentlelady is recognized. Mrs. Lowey mr. Speaker, im very pleased to yield four minutes to the gentlewoman from florida, the Ranking Member of the military construction and Veterans Affair committee, ms. Wasserman schultz. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady is recognized. Ms. Wasserman schultz i thank the gentlewoman for yielding. I rise in strong opposition to this continuing resolution, which is yet again a complete abdication of our responsibilities. Instead of adopting fully funded Appropriations Bills or an omnibus with an actual chance of passing this congress, we remine remain mired in this unbreakable habit of passing continuing resolutions. This not only creates needless uncertainty, it cost ours government billions in wasted taxpayer dollars. Moreover, this abdication reflects the leaderships abandonment and needs of our constituents. For one, we have yet to pass the dream act desm spite widespread support nationally and the growing fear of deportations this congress has ignored the 122 dreamers who lose their protected status every day. These are americans. By any definition. And this is their home. I will not stand by as this president cruelly threatens to send these brave young people back to countries about which they have no memory. And when will this body fully address the disasters that have ravaged florida, texas, puerto rico, the Virgin Islands an california . Countless communities including my own are anxiously awaiting vie call recovery assistance that only the federal government can provide. These abdications are simply immoral. And it doesnt end there. Congress has failed to renew the Childrens Health Insurance Program. States and families across america are scrambling to find replacement funds and Health Care Alternatives for their children. When did chip and protecting the health of our children become a partisan issue . My republican colleagues want to add more than 1 trillion to the deficit for tax cuts for big corporations and the top 1 . But then they say we cant afford to spend a fraction of that on health care for children . These priorities are backward and morally indefensible. And instead of protecting americans from the scourge of gun violence, republicans are weakening our already feeble gun laws by passing legislation that ensures more deadly gun violence in our tun towns and cities. We need to pass an omnibus budget that doesnt threaten programs for our veterans and children or make drastic cuts to the medicare and Medicaid Programs that our seniors rely upon. Instead of handing mass i tax cuts to millionaires, we should pass a budget that supports education, expands Womens Health and provide provides real Economic Relief to the middle class. In short, we have to break this bodys obsession with promoting the interest of the welloff and special interests and ignoring the needs of children, dreamers, seniors the middle class this continuing resolution does nothing more than provide another shortterm fix for the Republican Leaderships unhealthy addiction. It is a i bomb nabble, it is irresponse it is abominable, it is irresponsible and we should set it aside and focus on making longterm decisions for the American People. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady reserves, the gentleman from new jersey. Mr. Frelinghuysen i yield to ms. Granger from texas. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady is recognized. Ms. Granger i thank the chairman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, i rise today in support of this continuing resolution. Our most solemn responsibility as members of congress is to provide for our nations security. The world is more dangerous and unstable than at any time in recent history. The threat from north korea grows each day. Russia continues to create nstability in the ukraine, the balkans. China is militarizing the South China Sea and meanwhile issa and al qaeda continue to spread their perverted version of islam across europe, africa, asia and the middle east. We must send a clear message to our adversaries that our military is prepared to confront anyone who threatens us at anytime. A shutdown of the department of defense will only embolden our adversaries and threaten our National Security. Our military needs stable, predictable and timely funding to ensure it is prepared to meet the threats we face now and in the future. Members demonstrated their commitment to rebuilding our military this past summer by passing the make america secure appropriations act, which included the defense appropriations bill for fiscal year 2018. Only a budget agreement that gives our men and women in uniform the funding they need and removes the threat of sequestration will provide them that certainty. The house must pass this continuing resolution to allow time for our agreement to be reached that will fully fund our nations defense. Shutting down the government is not an option. I urge all members to support this very important legislation. Thank you and i yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman reserves. The gentlelady from new york. Mrs. Lowey mr. Speaker, i yield four minutes to the gentlewoman from connecticut, the Ranking Member of the labor h subcommittee, ms. Delauro. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady is recognized. I thank the gentlelady. Mr. Speaker, i rise to comment on this continuing resolution and on the past year of this congress. The biggest economic challenge of our time is that people are in jobs that do not pay them enough to live on. Wages are not keeping up with rising costs for health care, childcare and housing, and too many families struggle to make ends meet. Let alone put money in a college fund or go on vacation. That is what we should be focused on. We ought to be creating jobs and raising wages. Yet, for the first nine months of this year, this congress attempted again and again to repeal the Affordable Care act, which would have raised premiums and deductibles, throw millions off insurance and made health care unaffordable. Then, we spent our entire fall on the republican tax scam. Big corporations, millionaires, illionaires write write this to make the government work for them. And the republicans are rigging senator orrin hatch said, and i quote, i have a rough time spending billions and billions and trillions and trillions to help people that wont help themselves, wont lift a finger and expect the federal government to do everything. Get out of the senate chamber. Understand what peoples lives are about today. Walk in their shoes and understand their struggle. But this is the ugly truth of the republican tax bill. This is what the vote was about. These are their values on display. This tax scam is going to raise the deficit, and the republicans will use it as an excuse to cut vital social safety net programs, medicare, medicaid, social security, liheap, tanf, education programs, snap, food snaps. Right now funding is insufficient to provide childcare assistance to all who is eligible. Yet, if we pass this tax bill we will be under intense pressure to cut this assistance. That is what they want to do. This is wrong. Now we are punting one of our core obligations as a congress. Funding our Government Programs. This is unacceptable. Its a disturbing pattern and its unsustainable. We should be negotiating spending levels for 2018. The majority can never again speak about regular order. This year has been one partisan attempt after another to harm working class and middle class americans so they could fulfill their campaign promises. We have no budget agreement. We have no resolve on childrens Insurance Program. We have no resolve on a myriad of programs that people rely on, to live their lives every day. Theres no resolve on the dreamers. Why would we need another two weeks when theyve had all this time to work on these issues . The American People deserve better. I say shame on this congress and vote no on this continuing resolution extension. I yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady reserves. The gentleman from new jersey. Mr. Frelinghuysen mr. Speaker, im pleased to two minutes to mike simpson of idaho. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Simpson thank you, mr. Chairman. First, i want to thank the chairman of the Appropriations Committee, mr. Frelinghuysen. Under his leadership the committee reported and the whole house considered and passed all 12 Appropriations Bills for fiscal year 2018. This year is the First Time Since 2010 that the house passed all 12 appropriation bills. I would hope my colleagues on the other side of the aisle would listen for just a minute. In 2010, the democrats controlled both the house, the senate and the white house. Guess what, they passed all the appropriation bills on time. You know what they also did . They passed a c. R. Until january 19 until february excuse me until december 19 when they hadnt completed their work yet even though they had passed all 12 appropriation bills in the house. They passed another c. R. Until the 22nd. When they had completed their work, they passed a c. R. In january. When we got the majority we finished up the appropriation process. So their outrage is a little bit misplaced. Now we need to finish the final details with our colleagues in the senate and we must do this to ensure this government stays open. Continuing resolutions of any length is not anyones ideal solution to funding our government. Ideally that appropriation bills would be passed by october. It provides the most stability for agencies to carry out these programs in an efficient and effective manner. But when we need more time to complete those negotiations supporting a c. R. To keep our government functioning is the only responsible vote for National Security, for our economy and for the general welfare of the American People. As chairman of the energy and water subcommittee, i am aware of the positive impact the federal government has in each of these areas. Whether its the department of energys maintaining our Nuclear Weapons stockpile, the corps of engineering dredging our ports and waterways so goods and materials can move freely or the bureau of reclamation providing tens of millions of people with water. We must avoid disruptions. Will we get all our work done by january 22 . I dont know. But one thing i can guarantee, we will not get it done by tomorrow. And a vote against this resolution is a vote to shut down the government. So if my colleagues on the other side of the aisle want to shut down the government, all they have to do is vote no. I urge my colleagues to vote yes, and i reserve the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman reserves. The gentlelady from new york is recognized. Mrs. Lowey mr. Speaker, im pleased to yield two minutes to the gentlewoman from texas, ms. Jackson lee. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady is recognized. Ms. Jackson lee i thank you. You know, mr. Speaker, i really rise on behalf of the American People, and all it takes is a simple pen and cooperation between appropriators to get the job done. Just a few days ago i listened to representatives from the city of houston. Theyre only a sample of the hurting people who have suffered after hurricanes, one of the toughest hurricane seasons in the history of the United States. They indicated that there are 300,000 Single Family homes and multifamily homes still under. In my district alone, among other districts, from one part of the state to the next, there are People Living in shells of a house. We have yet had a response to be able to help those individuals whove either maxed out, dont have the insurance because they were not in a flood zone. That requires us to not do a c. R. But to work on the appropriation. Ive got Health Clinics who are coming to me every day and the texas Childrens Hospital wondering about the Childrens Health Insurance Program because people are hurting. You know, im not trying to oppose a bill for myself. Im opposing a bill that doesnt have the needs of the American People. It doesnt have health care in it. It doesnt have the hurricane funding in it. It doesnt have the funding we need for the army corps for pending projects to stop the major catastrophic flooding in houston, harris county. And it has low, nondefense spending, and let me be very clear. I want a prepared military. I want them to have the training and the equipment that they need. It doesnt have that as well. So, frankly, i believe that we have to stand against a war on the American People. A tax bill thats moving along but the appropriations is not. 1. 4 trillion taken out of the fat that does not exist so the bones of the American Peoples budget so that a tax cut can go to the top 62 and 80 but we cant have the funding the speaker pro tempore the gentleladys time has expired. Ms. Jackson lee this is a war on the American People. And for one, mr. Speaker, i have the speaker pro tempore the gentleladys time has expired. Ms. Jackson lee fight for the American People. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady reserves. The gentleman from new jersey is recognized. Mr. Frelinghuysen mr. Chairman, im pleased to yield two minutes to mr. Culberson from texas. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Culberson thank you, mr. Speaker. I want to thank congresswoman jackson lee and look forward to having her vote in support of this continuing resolution because she is committed, as i am, to everyone in texas is committed to make sure the money continues to flow, to the victims of Hurricane Harvey to Hurricane Irma and maria. As congresswoman jackson lee knows, if this c. R. , if this continuing resolution is defeated, if she votes against it, shes voting to stop the flow of money to the hurricane victims in houston and i know she doesnt want that to happen. Thats one of the many reasons why i rise today in this continuing resolution, for this continuing resolution, because we need to make sure the military has the funds it needs to operate. I want to ensure the f. B. I. And the department of justice have the funds they need to continue to protect the people of america against terrorism, to protect children and women against violence. To stop the scourge of opioid trafficking and abuse. And to stop the International Drug cartels from pouring their drugs into this country. I am proud of the work of my subcommittee, the justice, science, justice appropriations subcommittee, to ensure Law Enforcement agencies in this country have the funds they need, to ensure the department of commerce, National Science foundation, and nasa have the funds they need to make sure america continues to be the world leader in scientific and space exploration. My colleagues on the Appropriations Committee working along with the houston delegation, including ms. Jackson lee, were working together arm in arm with the florida delegation to create a Hurricane Relief package that will ensure that the people of texas and florida and puerto rico are adequately compensated for their losses, that we repair the damage to our Flood Control infrastructure, but this is going to take time, mr. Speaker. The senate has not passed any Appropriations Bills. While the has house has passed all 12 of them. We have not agreed for defense spending levels. We must continue the hurricane package. I urge ms. Jackson lee and the entire house to vote in support of the c. R. To make sure our hurricane victims are taken care of and the federal government continues. Thank you. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady from new york. Mrs. Lowey i yield one minute to ms. Jackson lee. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady is recognized. Ms. Jackson lee my friend has spoken on the floor of the house and i look forward to working with him and standing against any legislation that does not provide Hurricane Harvey funding and the c. R. Does not. Theres nothing in the c. R. That has anything to do with those who are suffering with houses that are in disrepair or destroyed and as well other items, army corps of engineer items and thats why i stand ready, not to be in a dispute, but to really raise the issue with my colleagues of how urgent it is to move to the appropriations process. I mentioned in my remarks that im concerned as much about military preparedness as i am about nondefense Discretionary Spending. I want everybody to be helped. I want the American People to be helped. And so my vote, whatever it might be, is going to be to drive this engine forward to make sure resources get down to harris county, houston, corpus, and all the parts of texas that are in need and my fellow brothers and sisters in puerto rico, the u. S. Virgin islands and florida. I think thats what we want to do by working together. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman from new york reserves. The chair recognizes the gentleman from new jersey. Mr. Frelinghuysen mr. Chairman, i yield two minutes to the chair of the Homeland Security subcommittee, judge john carter from texas. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from texas is recognized for two minutes. Mr. Carter i thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, i rise in support of this twoweek continuing resolution. This shortterm c. R. Is a necessary stopgap to keep the government operating until we finalize an agreement for the top line numbers and finish our work on all 12 Appropriations Bills. As some of my colleagues have noted, the house Appropriations Committee completed its work several months ago, passing all 12 of the bills out of this chamber back in september. About 80 days ago. The other chamber has not made the same progress. And the resolution before us today will buy us a little time to negotiate with our counterparts who are behind. Once we our budget deal is done, we will be able to begin those negotiations and im confident well be able to quickly finish our work. I cannot overstate the importance of getting all 12 Appropriations Bills conferenced across the line. But i would be remiss if i did not emphasize the critical things funded in my bill. The final f. Y. 2018 bill for the department of Homeland Security is necessary to ensure our nation is safe, secure, and resilient against terrorism and other threats. The American People count on us to get the job done. I urge my colleagues to support the shortterm c. R. , to avert a Government Shutdown to allow us to complete our work. I yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back. The gentleman from new jersey reserves. The chair recognizes the gentlelady from new york. Mrs. Lowey i reserve. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Frelinghuysen im pleased to yield two minutes to mr. Calvert of california. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized for two minutes. Mr. Calvert i rise in support of the continuing resolution of the c. R. I want to commend chairman frelinghuysen and the staff for they work on this which provides for continuity through december 22. This will provide time to work on a comprehensive budget agreement which is necessary for kuok to complete its work on the fiscal year 2018 budget. The house propings committee has worked tirelessly this year. Each of the subcommittees held numerous oversight hearings, marked up individual bills in subcommittee and full committee and each of those bills came to the house floor where they are they were amended and passed in the full house. In the case of interior committee, which i have the privilege to serve as chairman, 80 amendments were offer by both republicans and democrats prior to final passage. This is a demonstration that the House Appropriation Committee continues to be the workhorse committee in the house. Even with all this work completed a great deal of work remains. This c. R. Provides a bridge necessary to give our leadership the time it needs to determine the top line number in both defense and nondefense Discretionary Spending for fiscal year 2018. Once that agreement is in place, my interior subcommittee and other subcommittees will get to work negotiating a comprehensive, fiscal year 2018 budget. Its important we complete this work. Another reason why i support this shortterm continuing resolution is so we have time oto determine the needs to ensure the sufficient funds are available to respond to fires burning in my home state of california. There are three major fires burning today, los angeles, Ventura County terk the thomas fire already burned 96,000 acres. Early this morning it was only 5 contained. All californians know about the infamous santa ana winds. They are blowing now. These hot winds mixed with high temperatures, low humidity, we are experiencing in Southern California they make for dangerous conditions. Mr. Frelinghuysen i yield 15 seconds to the gentleman. Mr. Calvert just one spark can result in devastating wildfire, putting life and property at risk. With that, mr. Speaker, i urge passage of the continuing resolution and i yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields. The gentlelady reserves. The gentleman from new jersey. Mr. Frelinghuysen im pleased to yield two minutes to the chairman of the laborhhshealth subcommittee from oklahoma. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. I rise to urge support for the shortterm continuing resolution. I want to begin my remarks by congratulating the chairman. Mr. Cole his leadership and my friend on the other side they put together the bill in april thats funding the government today. A majority of democrats voted for that in the house and senate, a majority of republicans voted for it, the president signed it. Under the chairmans leadership, all 12 passed well before the deadline to fund the government of september 30. Hes been prepared to negotiate for 80 days. He hasnt been sitting around in those 80 days. He also passed two Disaster Relief bills and is working on a third one now. I think we have the hardest working chairman and committee in congress. The rest of the government, the senate in particular, need to catch up with us. To their credit, they are sitting down with the president today and were beginning to see some progress. We need this additional time to allow us to fund the government. My friends who oppose it, whats your alternative . Shutting down the government . I know they dont want to do that. Theyve always argued against it, i always thought they were right when they argd against it. If we follow their advice and reject this amendment, the government will shut down on friday that doesnt do any american any good the chairman offered the responsible alternative here. I urge its passage and yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back. The gentleman reserves. The gentlelady reserves. The gentleman from new jersey. Mr. Frelinghuysen i yield two minutes to the chairman of the transportation and h. U. D. Subcommittee, mr. Diazbalart from florida. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized for two minutes. Mr. Diazbalart i want to first thank the chairman for bringing the 12 bills once again. This is just a shortterm continuing resolution. Its a clean, date extension. This c. R. Will give an opportunity to continue to move forward quickly, by the way, toward finalizing Appropriations Bills. Its important to note that for example in the transportation and h. U. D. Bill we considered 22 amendments in committee, 39 amendments here on the floor. You see this has been an open and fair process the entire way. But now we must. We must move quickly to finish the job and conference all 12 of these bills. In the meantime, however, we must keep the government open and funded. This is especially, by the way, important, now this our communities are pulling together to recover from three devastating hurricanes as well as thousands of families threatened by raging wildfires in california. We cant take the risk of shortchanging our first responders. Our military. Given the natural disasters at home and the threats from our adversaries abroad. A vote against this c. R. Would do just that. So again, just for the transportation and housing, segment this will support ongoing transportation and safety missions, air traffic control, housing for as a rule commercial vulnerable citizens including our veterans. I strongly urge a yes vote on the c. R. , we cannot let those folks down, we cannot shut the federal government. It allows us to finish the job and i thank the chairman for his steadfast leadership. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back. The gentleman from new jersey reserves. The gentlelady from new york reserves. The gentleman from new jersey. Mr. Frelinghuysen im pleased to yield two minutes to the chairman of this the Veterans Affairs subcommittee, mr. Dent of pennsylvania. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized for two minutes. Mr. Dent i too rise to join my colleagues in urging the house to pass the continuing resolution before us. This is not the course of action any of us would prefer obviously but the house passed all 12 Appropriations Bills and it was on the path to complete action on appropriations before the start of fiscal year 2018 but our ambition was overtake bin events. Whether you want to blame the ponderous pace of the senate or time devoted to important issues like obamacare or tax reform, in any event we need to pass this shortterm continuing resolution to prevent disruption of important governmental programs and create a window in which budget cap discussions can occur. All of us stand ready to conference our Appropriations Bills once the debate on budget caps is resolved. I want to emphasize how important it is for us to pass each of the 12 Appropriations Bills. Its prnt that each be enacted rather than cherry picking a few that may have the broadest support. Its dangerous to allow any part of the government to run on a c. R. , or auto pilot for a full year when we have worked hard to include oversight provisions and targeted funding reductions in our bills. All these would be lost with a yearlong c. R. Speaking about the programs and military construction, v. A. Bill, which i chair a full year c. R. Prevents d. O. D. From starting 204 new projects. S the core of our milcon program. Each year we appropriate funding for hundreds of new projects. D. O. D. Can manage in a shortterm c. R. But a fullyear c. R. Would be destating. While some programs are advance funded to prevent cutting off services to veterans, there are new activities that would be blocked by a fullyear c. R. , like the new Electronic Health record for its successor for care outside the v. A. System. I urge members to vote yes for this shortterm measure to give us time and tools we need to move forward on passage of all 12 Appropriations Bills and also to avert a Government Shutdown. So again, i urge an affirmative vote on the c. R. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back. The gentleman from new jersey reserves. The gentlelady from new york reserves. The gentleman from new jersey. Mr. Frelinghuysen im pleased to yield two minutes to the distinguished chairman of the energy and Commerce Committee, mr. Walden of oregon. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized for two minutes. Mr. Walden thank you, mr. Speaker. Thank you to the distinguished chairman of the Appropriations Committee from new jersey for his great work on this and so many other issues. I rise to support the continuing resolution and highlight a very important shortterm provision in here that provides certainty for children, families, and states that rely on the Childrens Health Insurance Program known as chip. This adjustment, which was introduced by mr. Costello of pennsylvania, mr. Emmer of minnesota, will provide the centers for medicare and Medicaid Services with greater flexibility of existing dollars so they can assure chip programs across the country including now in my home state of oregon can continue to have vital federal funding they need this month to continue chip. This emergency funding will help families and states while congress finishes the job of providing funding for Childrens Health insurance. Public health priorities. Our Community Health centers. Medicare extenders that seepors rely on. All that work needs to get done. Its prnt to note, we did not arrive at this place of needing a stopgap funding resolution because this house failed to act. We acted. We did our part. We did our part. Im disappointed that the house has passed championing healthy kids act, passed this house with bipartisan support, yet to be hammered out in the senate. Over there they need 60 votes to get anything done. A minority of the minority can lock things up, which theyve done. What makes the inaction on chip even more frustrating is the housepassed bill mir mor mirror anywhere rors the bipartisan policy framework vetted voted out of the Senate Committee two months ago. Unfortunately, though, again, democrats over there fail tide gree on how to fund these programs. Thats different than what we did. Here in the house a championing healthy kids act delivers high Quality Health care, peace of mind to millions of americans, providing five years of funding for the Childrens Health Insurance Programs, one of the longest extensions ever for the program. It would mean continued access to health care for approximately nine million children across the country that are enrolled in chip, another 122,700 in oregon alone. Our house bill was fully funded. We did the heavy lift. We funded it through responsible reforms like asking seniors who make 40,000 a month, 480,000 a year, to pay about 135 more for their medicare. Rich seniors pay a little more. Im sure these grandmothers and grandfathers would do that to help kids afford their health insurance. We paid it. Its ready to go. We need the senate to act. I commend the Appropriations Committee and the leadership there for putting this provision in so we wont let kids fall through the gap. With that, i yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back. The gentleman from new jersey reserves. The gentlelady from new york reserves. The gentleman from new jersey. Mr. Frelinghuysen im pleased to yield two minutes to the gentleman in the health and commerce subcommittee, dr. Burgess of texas. Two minutes. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized for two minutes. Mr. Burgess i thank the chairman for yielding. I must confess, mr. Speaker, i must confess, today i was astonished to read an article in one of the online magazines, House Democratic leadership asked their members to vote against this stopgap funding bill because of the stalemate over the funding on the state Childrens Health Insurance Program we just heard the chairman of the energy and Commerce Committee detail the work that has been done on this bill and let me assure this congress, there are probably people in here saying, what do you mean . We voted on this bill. We voted this bill out of the house weeks ago. It was offset, it was everything the senate asked for. They were delivered the fiveyear time frame, the funding levels the senate asked for, they got everything they wanted. Yes it was offset in a responsible fashion but now were told House Democratic leadership says vote no on this continuing resolution because we dont like the stopgap funding for the state Childrens Health Insurance Program. What in the devil do they want to happen . We did our work. We did our work and did our legislative work. We did delay things unfortunately, there was a shooting at the house baseball game that caused us some delay and came back two weeks later and got our work done and responsible bill and reflective of everything requested by the senate and was offset as requested by a number of members of this body and languished in the senate since the early part of october. It is time for the senate to take up and pass that bill so we dont have to have this continued discussion. This continuing resolution is important because it stops a problem that some of our states are going to face. The other body could fix it and they should. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady from new york reserves. The chair recognizes the gentleman from new jersey. Mr. Frelinghuysen i yield to the gentleman from minnesota. I thank the distinguished chair of the Appropriations Committee. In my home state of minnesota, the Childrens Health Insurance Program known as chip provides coverage for thousands of lowincome pregnant women and new mothers and their children. When funds for my states chip program ran out, they were wondering the fate of their health care. We teamed up with representative ryan costello, chairman walden and subcommittee chair burgess to introduce the chip stability act to bring certainty and stability to millions of families across the country. Im so grateful that our solution is incorporated into this continuing resolution today. Let me be clear, this is not enough. When the house passed the championing the healthy kids act, we put politics aside and americas most vulnerable first. It is my hope that the senate will do the same very soon. I encourage all my colleagues to support this continuing resolution so chip recipients are able to receive the coverage they need. And i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from minnesota yields back. The gentleman from new jersey reserves. E gentlelady from new york reserves. Mr. Frelinghuysen i have the right to close. Does the gentlewoman have any further speakers . The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady is recognized. Mrs. Lowey i yield myself such time as i may consume to close. I reiterate the democrats have said all year, there must be a deal to raise spending caps in order to enact appropriation bills. Instead of heeding that advice, the majority is once again stumbling from crisis to crisis trying to fund the government two weeks at a time. Without a path forward to keep our country secure and make investments to grow our economy, we should immediately lift the caps on defense and nondefense spending. I yield back my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady yields. The chair recognizes the gentleman from new jersey. Mr. Frelinghuysen i urge my colleagues to vote yes on this responsible and necessary legislation. Lets keep the federal government open for business to serve our constituents across the nation. And i yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. All time for debate has expired. Pursuant to House Resolution 647, the previous question is ordered. The question is, on engrossment and third reading of the joint resolution. Those in favor say aye. Those opposed, no. The ayes have it. Third reading. The clerk joint resolution making further continuing appropriations for fiscal year 2018 and for other purposes. The speaker pro tempore the question is on passage of the joint resolution. Those in favor say aye. Those opposed, no. The ayes have it mr. Frelinghuysen i request a recorded vote. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman requests the yeas and nays. The yeas and nays are requested. Those favoring a vote by the yeas and nays will rise. A sufficient number having arisen, the the yeas and nays are ordered. Pursuant to clause 8, rule 20, further proceedings on this question will be postponed. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentleman from texas seek recognition . Mr. Hensarling i call up h. R. 477 and ask for its immediate consideration in the house. The speaker pro tempore the clerk will report the title of the bill. The clerk h. R. 477, a bill to amend the Securities Exchange act of 1934 to exempt from registration brokers performing services in connection with the transfer of ownership of privatelyheld companies the speaker pro tempore the text of rules Committee Print 11514 is adopted and the bill as adopted is considered read and shall be debatable for one hour equally divided by the chair and ranking minority member of the committee. After one hour, it shall be in order to consider further amendments printed in part a of house report 115143 if offered by the member designated in the report which shall be considered read and separately debatable for the time specified in the report equally divided and controlled by the pro in the event and not subject to a demand for the division of the question. The gentleman from texas, mr. Hensarling, and the gentlewoman from california, ms. Waters, each will control 30 minutes. The chair recognizes the gentleman from texas. Mr. Hensarling i ask unanimous consent that all members may have five legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and submit ex trainous on the bill under consideration. The speaker pro tempore without objection. Mr. Hensarling i yield myself such time as i may consume. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Hensarling if it wasnt for the last moment, a lot of things wouldnt get done in life, but last evening, the Ranking Member and i came to a meeting of the minds on a path forward for h. R. 477, so for efficiency of time for the house, i thank the Ranking Member for her willingness to work on a bipartisan basis to move this bill forward. Unfortunately, mr. Speaker, our Small Businesses labor under a ton of regulations, some of which are quite good and quite helpful but they can be very heavy burden and cost upon our Small Businesses. One is an unnecessary Registration System for Small Business brokers and so i want to thank the gentleman from michigan, mr. Huizenga, for his leadership to make sure they have a simplified registration regime and help our Small Businesses as they are engaging in sales. Its a good bipartisan piece of legislation and i thank him for his leadership and i thank the Ranking Member for working on a bipartisan basis. And i reserve. The speaker pro tempore the the gentleman reserves the balance of his time. The chair recognizes the gentlelady from california. Thank you very much i yield myself five minutes. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady is recognized. Ms. Waters this seeks to provide a statutory exemption with the securities and Exchange Commission for certain brokers who facilitate the merger or acquisition of Small Businesses known as m a brokers. When Congress First considered this exemption during the 113th congress, our goal was to prompt regular. To provide brokers designed for persons helping persons to facilitate capital. We succeeded. Two weeks after the house passed hat bill, the s. E. C. Had staffs view if an m. A. A. Broker complied it would recommend that the s. E. C. Not take enforcement action against that broker for failing to register with the commission. Specifically, the no action letter required the m a broker to abide by restrictions to provide such an exemption from being misused to raise capital or being abused by bad actors. H. R. 477 is Still Necessary to provide Legal Certainty since the no action letter is merely the nonbinding opinion of s. E. C. Staff. I understand their concerns. However the bill owe myths several of the conditions contained in the no action letter that protects Small Businesses and their investors. Im pleased that this Congress Representatives sherman and huizenga have worked on a bipartisan basis to add these protections back and through an amendment. If so amended, i will support h. R. 477, which would strike the right balance between regulatory relief and the protection of Small Companies and their investors. In particular, the amended bill uld require an m a broker to provide them with clear written disclosures and contain their consent to their conflicts of interest, prohibit mmp and a brokers to raise capital rather than transfer ownership of Small Businesses, prohibit shell ompanies for using it as a backdoorway to foster other bad actors from using the exemption. The bill would not change the statutory definition of probinger and preserving the s. E. C. s ability to bring Enforcement Actions for violations of the antifraud provisions. The bill would limit the relief to mergers and acquisitions involving companies involving less than 250 million in annual gross receive news which is the total income of the company or 25 million in annual earnings which is the amount of income minus expenses. The amendment would provide the s. E. C. To modify these thresholds as necessary or appropriate in the public interests for the protection of investors. As our nations baby boomers head into retirement and look to sell their businesses to a new generation of flowers. It is important they are able to do it. If amended h. R. 477 would allow them to do just that. And so i would support the bill. With that, i would like to thank my colleagues and thank mr. Hensarling and thank mr. Sherman. This is an important bill for all of us. We are all so supportive of our businesses and want them to do will and not be hindered by unnecessary regulations and with that, i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady yields. The chair recognizes the gentleman from texas. Mr. Hensarling im pleased to yield one minute to the distinguished chairman of the Small Business committee, the gentleman from ohio, mr. Chabot. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Chabot i rise in support of h. R. 477 and i want to thank chairman hensarling and chairman huizenga. While we are seeing improvements in our economy, we will not experience its full potential until we fully unleash Small Businesses. As chairman of the Small Business committee, i hear from Small Business owners that regulations are preventing their growth and expansion. The bill before us today addresses one of the many regulatory hurdles that stand in the way of development. This would decrease the burdens on Small Businesses that are going through the next phase of their growth including transitions in ownership. This should be a time of expansion and increased opportunities, not higher costs and bureaucratic red tape. Lets Work Together on behalf of our nations Small Businesses so they can continue to grow today and create the jobs of tomorrow. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from ohio reserves. The chair recognizes the gentleman from texas. Mr. Hensarling mr. Speaker, i yield three minutes to the gentleman from michigan, the sponsor of the legislation and the chairman of the Financial Services subcommittee on markets, securities and investment, mr. Huizenga. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized for three minutes. Mr. Huizenga mr. Chairman, i appreciate your hard work on this. The mission of the securities and Exchange Commission is to protect investors and maintain orderly markets and facility market formation. It was mandated by law to conduct a forum focusing on Small Business capital formation. The Government Forum has highlighted the merger and acquisition broker proposal as one of its top recommendations to help Small Businesses. The proposal would address Business Brokers and merger and acquisition advisers in the business of facilitating the purchase and sale of privately held Small Companies. The proposal would reduce the federal regulation compliance cost which can exceed 150,000 for a broker and after that costs 75,000 per additional year. The s. E. C. Has never acted on this despite the recommendation. And as we see baby boomers retire, there is an estimated 10 trillion of equity locked up in these small familyowned businesses. The federal securities regulations require a broker to be registered and regulated by the s. E. C. Like a wall Street Investment banker publicly trading. Anyone who is selling a business like a hardware store, a Jewelry Store or pizza parlor has to be treated they are being sold or bought by a wall Street Investment bank. Egardless of their size. We dont think thats right. Is legislation reduces costs and facilitates private business Merger Acquisitions and sales of Small Businesses this Small Business initiative promotes Economic Growth and development. So weve worked very closely across the aisle with our colleagues and i want to say thank you even in todays politically charged environment that we have, its nice to show the American People that we can actually do some positive, efficient, effective initiatives with bipartisan support. And id like to thank my colleagues, representative posey, higgins, sherman, maloney, as well as chairman hensarling and Ranking Member waters for their efforts to reach a bipartisan consensus and get the important legislation across the finish line. Ive been working on this now for three congresses. We believe that we have a very positive spot here where we can all support this and i want to encourage my colleagues to support and vote for h. R. 477, demonstrate that congress can actually work in a bipartisan manner and get some things done for the American People. So i urge swift consideration. With that, mr. Speaker, i yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields. The gentleman from texas. Mr. Hensarling time, mr. Speaker . The speaker pro tempore 25 minutes. Mr. Hensarling i will conclude by saying that again this is a commonsense reform, it is a balanced reform, its good for Small Business, it is bipartisan, i urge all of my colleagues to adopt h. R. 477 and again, thank you Ranking Member and the gentleman from california for their leadership to work on a bipartisan basis. I yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back. All time for debate on the bill has expired. For what purpose does the gentleman from california seek recognition . I have an amendment at the desk. The speaker pro tempore the clerk will designate the amendment. The clerk amendment number one printed in part a of house report 115444, offered by mr. Sherman of california. The speaker pro tempore pursuant to House Resolution 647, the gentleman from california, mr. Sherman, and the member opposed each will control five minutes. The chair recognizes the gentleman from california. Mr. Sherman thank you. I yield myself such time as i may consume. I rise to offer an amendment to h. R. 477, the Small Business Mergers Acquisitions simplification act of 2017. I want to thank the gentleman from michigan, its been a pleasure to work with him on this bill over a period of three congresses. And with the adoption of this amendment, the bill will be in a forum a form that will secure support from both sides of the aisle, not only my support, but more importantly the Ranking Members support. In the 113th congress, the house of representatives unanimously supported a similar bill to provide relief to the m a community for providing that in certain circumstances, a Small Business merger or acquisition broker would not have to register. As a result of that action by the house, which was not matched by action in the senate, the securities and Exchange Commission understood the wisdom of this house and introduced a no action letter dated january, 2014, provide the same level of relief requested by the house. In their no action letter, however, the s. E. C. Placed several limitations on the exemption from legislation that were not included in the house bill but with this amendment will be included in this years bill. These limitations provided additional pr teches for investors and Small Businesses. It excluded bad actors and shell companies, prohibited passive buyers in an m a transaction to assure they cant use this exemption as a Capital Raising mechanism. Prohibited an m a broker for providing financing for the transfer. Prohibited m a brokers from binding a party to a transfer of ownership and i think this is most important requiring that to be eligible eligible, a broker would have to disclose to both parties and get their consent if theyre being paid by both parties. So theres both a sillers commission and buyers commission, you have to tell the buyer, you have to tell the seller. Now, those who want to step outside the safe harbor can simply register. But those will be exempt from registration need to comply with this with these six elements. The Small Business mergers acquisition sales and brokerage simplification act will codify the s. E. A. No action letter and provide certainty to the Small Business and Merger Acquisition brokers. In the last congress i opposed the bill because it included only two of the six restrictions included by the s. E. C. With this amendment the bill will include all restrictions. S that bipartisan amendment and includes all the limitations of the s. E. C. No action letter, its been a pleasure to work with the gentleman from michigan on it. In addition, our amendment provides that the s. E. C. Has the Rule Making Authority to determine the correct thresholds of gross revenues and of ebitda, earnings of a company before interest, taxes, depretionuation and amortization, in determining whether a company qualifies thurn bill. The s. E. C. Is the agency with the expertise to do this. I encourage nem to examine this issue closely and ensure that any threshold in place is evidencebased. And i encourage them in future years to inflation adjust whatever limitation dollar figures they have in their regulations. I am pleased to offer this amendment with my colleague, mr. Huizenga, who i may have previously identified as the gentleman from michigan. And i offer it also with the support of the Ranking Member. I urge the passage of this amendment as it will assure bipartisan support for the bill and reserve the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman reserves. For what purpose does the gentleman from michigan seek recognition . I rise to claim time in opposition to the amendment even though i am not opposed. The speaker pro tempore without objection. The gentleman is recognized. Thank you, mr. Speaker. I appreciate the opportunity to address the amendment and the work of mr. Sherman, mrs. Maloney, Ranking Member and obviously our chairman as well. Mr. Huizenga i do agree and accept this amendment as a friendly amendment. It does confirm what the no action letter has put in place. I believe it properly makes sure that the s. E. C. s role is preserved but they but that congress has its imprimatur on this as well and it aligns the bill with the principles in the no action letter. I think this is a good amendment. Reasonable amendment. And pleased to work with the gentleman from california as well and glad that we could get timelyttled and out in a manner announcer cspans washington journal. Life every day with news and policy issues that impact you. Friday morning, sarah ferris will join us to discuss ongoing negotiation and of the government funding deadline and possible shutdown. Be sure to watch it cspans washington journal live at 7 00 eastern friday morning. [captions Copyright National cable satellite corp. 2017] [captioning performed by the national captioning institute, which is responsible for its caption content and accuracy. Visit ncicap. Org] announcer this weekend on American History tv on cspan3. Eastern, yale00 University Historian Joanne Freeman on alexander hamilton. When washington became president in 1789, he made hamilton the nations first secretary of treasury. He structured a National Financial system and pushed to strengthen and empower the national government. Launching aly very fierce political bauer battle. Thomas jefferson was his for most clinical opponent. Political opponent. Announcer a training film about inappropriate behavior in the workplace. You are new here, right . I would like to remind you that around here i like a lot of decisions. I pick up your violation reports. I signed threeday passes. A word of advice, if you want to get along on the staff, it would be beneficial to you to be nice to me. Announcer and at 8 00 on the presidency, historian daniel on Andrew Jacksons efforts to challenge and even cripple the bank of the United States during the 1830s. No president before had said anything like this. Other president s had warned americans against entangling foreign alliances. They had warned americans against sectionalism and excessive partisanship at home. Jackson warned them against control of their own government by in his words, the rich and powerful. Announcer American History tv. All weekend every weekend only on cspan3. A look at what of the headlines in politico. House passes bill to send off Government Shutdown. 3, avoiding a9 Government Shutdown for another two weeks and overcoming since conservative objectives. You can read more at politico. Com. From the Minneapolis Star Tribune my senator al franken announces his resignation from the u. S. Senate after recent allegations of sexual misconduct. We will show senator frankens remarks and son cspan. Meetingsident trump with congressional leaders to talk about 2018 spending. After that come fbi director Christopher Wray responding to criticism of his agency