Transcripts For CSPAN U.S. House Of Representatives U.S. House 20171221

We all voted to give that 12 weeks. All of us know exactly why the can keeps being kicked farther and farther down the road. Its because the majority cannot muster the majority of their own members to support bipartisan funding bills. Because the governing party which controls the house, senate, and white house has not been able to govern. Senate republican john cornyn can always y, seemed to be kicked down the road. And here we are again with republicans doing exactly that. Mr. Speaker, lets call this c. R. For what it is, a chaotic retreat from rational regular order and fiscal responsibility. We have a supplemental bill that provides some emergency Disaster Relief for those affected by our natural disasters, but it ought to do more, in my opinion, to help those in puerto rico and the virgin islands. Its been three months since irma and maria devastated puerto rico and the u. S. Virgin islands and harvey visited so much water on houston. Many still do not have electricity in puerto rico or running water. These are our fellow americans. We owe it to them and to ourselves to help them in their time of need. Do ress, mr. Speaker, can better. It should do better. We should act in a bipartisan way. I was on the Appropriations Committee as an active member for 23 years. I was a member of the laborhealth committee, and i told people that you could take the 13 of us we were eight democrats and five republicans you could have taken the 13 of us, thrown us up in the air, we would have come down in random seats and had a markup and you would have been hard pressed to identify the democrat or the republican. Because we believed our responsibility was to fund the priorities of this country. Bills. Hat we passed 12 the speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized for one additional minute. Mr. Hoyer i thank the speaker and i thank the gentlelady from new york. The Appropriations Committee used to be an extraordinarily Bipartisan Committee where we worked together, not on a partisan basis but on a basis of trying to determine which priorities were important for our country, what funds were needed so that agencies could operate in an effective way. That, unfortunately, is not happening the way it did. So mr. Speaker, i urge my republican friends who control this house and all the levers of government to work with democrats on making sure that all those who need emergency Disaster Relief as well as those who need funds to operate their Government Agencies in a way that serves america best, i urge us to Work Together toward us because d i urge nobody believes these c. R. s are good policy but they unfortunately are becoming regular if not regular order. I yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentlemans time has expired. The gentlewoman from new york reserves. Mr. Frelinghuysen i reserve, mr. Speaker. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman from new york is recognized. Mrs. Lowey once again, my colleagues, this is an epic failure of governing. How many more times will we have to pass a continuing resolution which not only denies certainty to men and women in uniform and all federal employees but is an inefficient waste of taxpayer dollars . Will the re times majority stumble from crisis to crisis narrowly averted a shutdown . It is long past time that the majority work with democrats to increase the budget caps, write fullyear spending bills. The Appropriations Committee stands ready to do our job. I hope that Republican Leadership finally does its job and agrees to permit reasonable spending bills that vests in americas future. I that invests in americas future. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman from new york yields back the balance of her time. The gentleman from new jersey. Mr. Frelinghuysen i ask my colleagues to vote yes to keep government open. I yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore all time for debate has expired. Pursuant to House Resolution 670, the previous question is ordered. The question is on the motion by the gentleman from new jersey, mr. Frelinghuysen. All those in favor say aye. All those opposed, no. The ayes have it. The motion is agreed to. Without objection, the motion to reconsider is laid on the table. Mr. Frelinghuysen mr. Chairman, i ask for a recorded vote. The speaker pro tempore does the gentleman request the yeas and nays . Mr. Frelinghuysen yes. The speaker pro tempore the yeas and nays are requested. Those favoring a vote by the yeas and nays will rise. A sufficient number having arisen, the yeas and nays are ordered. Members will record their votes by electronic device. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule 20, this 15minute vote on the motion will be followed by fiveminute votes on passage of h. R. 4667, the motion to suspend the rules and pass senate 1532, and the motion to suspend the rules and the rules and pass senate 1766, if ordered. This is a 15minute vote. [captioning made possible by the national captioning institute, inc. , in cooperation with the United States house of representatives. Any use of the closedcaptioned coverage of the house proceedings for political or commercial purposes is expressly prohibited by the u. S. House of representatives. ] the speaker pro tempore on this vote the yeas are 225. He nays the speaker pro tempore on this vote the yeas are 228. The nays are 190. He motion the speaker pro tempore on this vote the yeas are 231. The nays are 188. The motion is adopted. Without objection, the motion to reconsider is laid on the table. The Unfinished Business is the vote on passage of h. R. 4667 on which the nays yeas and nays are ordered. The clerk h. R. 4667, a bill making further supplemental appropriations for the fiscal year ending september 30, 2018, for Disaster Assistance for hurricanes harvey, irma, and maria, and calendar year 2017 wildfires, and for other. Rposes the speaker pro tempore the question is on passage of the bill. Members will record their votes by electronic device. This is a fiveminute vote. [captioning made possible by the national captioning institute, inc. , in cooperation with the United States house of representatives. Any use of the closedcaptioned coverage of the house proceedings for political or commercial purposes is expressly prohibited by the u. S. House of representatives. ] the speaker pro tempore on this vote the yeas are 251. The nays 169. The bill is passed. Without objection, the motion to reconsider is laid upon the table. Order. E will be in members, please take your seats. The house will be in order. Members, please take your seats. Order. Members, please take your seats. He house will be in order. The house will be in order. Members, please take your seats. Remove your conversation from the house floor. For what purpose does the gentleman from california, the majority leader, seek recognition . Mr. Mccarthy i rise for the purpose of making a scheduling announcement. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from california is recognized. Mr. Mccart mr. Mccarthy members are advised these are the last votes expected in the house for he day, week, month, and year. Now, i want to thank all the members for their service to their nation. Wish you and your family a blessed holiday and very, Merry Christmas and look forward to working with all of you in 2018. With that i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from california yields back. Without objection, fiveminute voting will continue. The Unfinished Business is the vote on the motion of the gentleman from missouri, mr. Graves, to suspend the rules and pass senate 1532 on which the yeas and nays are ordered. The clerk will report the title of the bill. The clerk senate 1532. An act to disqualify from operating a commercial Motor Vehicle for life and individual who uses a commercial Motor Vehicle in committing a felony involving human trafficking. The speaker pro tempore the question s. Will the house suspend the rules and pass the bill. Members will record their votes by electronic device. This is a fiveminute vote. [captioning made possible by the national captioning institute, inc. , in cooperation with the United States house of representatives. Any use of the closedcaptioned coverage of the house proceedings for political or commercial purposes is expressly prohibited by the u. S. House of representatives. ] the speaker pro tempore on this vote the yeas are 393. The nays are zero. Zero recorded as present. 2 3 of those voting having responded in the affirmative, the rules are suspended, the bill is passed, and without objection the motion to reconsider is laid upon the table. The Unfinished Business is the question on suspend the rules and passing senate 1766, which the clerk will report by title. The clerk senate 1766, an act to reauthorize the safer act of 2013, and for other purposes. The speaker pro tempore the question is, will the house suspend the rules and pass the bill. So many as are in favor say aye. Those opposed, no. In the opinion of the chair, 2 3 of those voting having responded in the affirmative, the rules are suspended, the bill is passed, and without objection the motion to reconsider is laid upon the table. For what purpose does the gentleman from new york seek recognition . Mr. Speaker, i ask unanimous consent that when the house adjourns today, it adjourn to meet at 2 00 p. M. Tomorrow. The speaker pro tempore without objection, so ordered. The chair lays before the house the following message. The clerk to the congress of the United States. Pursuant to the International Emergency economic powers act as amended, i hereby report that i have issued the enclosed executive order declaring a National Emergency with respect to the unusual and extraordinary threat to the National Security Foreign Policy economy of the United States posed by serious human rights abuse and corruption around the world. In addition to taking action nder iepa, the order implements the Global Human Rights accountability act and its tes certain of authorities. The order blocks the property and interests and property of persons listed in annex to the order. It also blocks the property and interests of any foreign person determined by the secretary of the treasury in consultation with the secretary of state and the attorney general, one, to responsible for or complicit in or to have directly or indirectly engaged in serious human rights abuse. Two, to be a current or former Government Official or a person acting for or on behalf of such an individual who is responsible for or complicit in or has directly or indirectly engaged in corruption. Including the misappropriation of state assets, the appropriation of private assets for personal gain. Corruption related to government contracts, or the extraction of natural resources, or bribery, or, b, the transfer or facilitation of the transfer of proceeds of corruption. The order also blocks any person determined by the secretary of the treasury in consultation with the secretary of state and the attorney general to have materially assisted, sponsored, or provided financial material or technological support for or goods or services to or in support of a, any activity described in, one, 2a or 2b above conducted by a foreign person. B, any person whose property and interests and property are blocked pursuant to the order r c, any entity described in 3a above where activity is conducted by a foreign person. In addition, the order suspends entry into the United States of any alien listed in the annex or determined to meet one or more of the criteria above. I delegated to the secretary of treasury the authority and consultation with the secretary of state to take such actions, including adopting rules and regulations and to employ all powers granted to the president by iepa and the act as may be necessary to implement the order and relevant provisions of the act. I have delegated to the secretary of state the authority to take such actions, including adopting rules and regulations, and to employ all powers granted to the president by iepa and the act as may be necessary to implement the provisions of the order and the the uspending entry into United States of certain aliens. All executive departments and agencies are directed to take all appropriate measures within their the United States of certain author the order. Signed, donald j. Trump, the white house, december 20, 2017. The speaker pro tempore referred to the committee on Foreign Affairs antijudiciary and ordered printed. The chair will now entertain requests for oneminute speeches. For what purpose does the gentleman from pennsylvania eek recognition . Without objection, the gentleman is recognized for one minute. Mr. Speaker, i rise today to call on my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to Work Together to pass the longterm extension of the Childrens Health insurance program. 178,000 pennsylvania children rely on chip to get their health care, thousands of them in my own district. Its a Bipartisan Program and for decades has continued to earn bipartisan support. The house did its job last month, passing a fiveyear extension of the program, and im grateful for chairman weldon and his leadership and support for chip. Mr. Meehan just a few minutes ago the house passed an extension through march and thats good but its not good enough. Unless the house and senate can reach a real agreement, pennsylvanians and their children will again face the prospect of losing their care and its not right to jeopardize kids name of partisan in the name of partisan bickering. Weve done important tasks but chip is important too, and i say to my friends on both side of the aisles, dont let this become a both sides of the aisle, dont let this become a bargaining chip. Lets get this done. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentleman seek recognition . Without objection, the gentleman is recognized for one minute. Right now in my home state the blaze in the communities in my district are still bruised from the 2013 wildfires and are on high alert for the next power. Today we passed my bill and delivered a win for our firefighters and victims of fires by increasing federal funding to recover, rebuild, prevent future fires and keep communities safe. The 2013 mountain fire in my district burned over 27,000 acres, destroyed homes and cost over 25 million. Fire, z i work with cal Mountain Communities Fire Safe Council to author the wildfire prevention act which will deliver tens of millions of dollars to recover, rebuild, prevent future fires and keep our communities safe. This bill puts people above partisanship and solutions above ideology to improve the lives of the people we serve. It makes government work for the people. Thank you to these incredible local partners for working with me to deliver this pragmatic solution for the district and for the community. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentleman from South Carolina seek recognition . Mr. Wilson to address the house for one minute and to revise and extend my remarks. The speaker pro tempore without objection, the gentleman is recognized for one minute. Mr. Wilson mr. Speaker, im grateful that President Donald Trump and Congressional Republicans are delivering on the first meaningful tax cuts in a generation. These tax cuts are in the tradition of ronald reagan, allowing American Families to keep more of their hard earned paychecks and creating jobs. Over 80 of hardworking families will keep more of their own money. As early as february, American Families will see more of their own money as revealed in their paychecks. Additionally, by lowering the Corporate Tax to 21 , american businesses will become more competitive overseas and jobs will be created. Such as nefron industries led by lou and bill kennedy of casey. M proud of all members for delivering tax cuts. In the words of reagan, whenever we lower our tax rate, our entire nation is better off. In conclusion, god bless our troops and we will never forget september 11. Thank you Ambassador Haley for standing tall with President Donald Trump for checking injury use aluminum as the capital jerusalem as the capital of israel. A bless guatemala for being friend in the United Nations. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentleman from new jersey seek recognition . Without objection, the gentleman is recognized for one inute. Mr. Payne mr. Speaker, our Public Schools and public universities are essential for Economic Growth and educating future generations. But knowledge alone is not enough. Our nations future depends on innovative ideas, and innovative ideas require Diverse People working together. In the Public Schools and public universities across the country, educators are helping foster diverse ideas through Cultural Studies. Ne such educator, dr. An twontoinette wilson has poetry, film, scholarship, and service as a way to help young people explore issues that affect women and minorities. She has spent her career helping Public University students understand experiences of marginalized communities in the United States. Mr. Speaker, i commend dr. Ellis williams and the Cultural Studies educators like her for helping future leaders develop the knowledge and wisdom to Work Together for a better future. She has been an asset to educating young people in the state of new jersey for years. And i commend her. With that, mr. Speaker, i yield back. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentleman from arizona seek recognition . From arkansas excuse me for what purpose does the gentleman from arkansas seek recognition . The gentleman from arkansas ask unanimous consent to address the house for one minute and to revise and extend my remarks. The speaker pro tempore without objection, the gentleman is recognized for one minute. Mr. Speaker, i rise today to recognize the congressional app challenge winner from Arkansas Second congressional district, yanukovych lee. Currently a congressional district, ann lee. A rently she is pursuing goal in programming. Stem is education for the future and having serious skills in Computer Programming and coding opens up tremendous opportunities for our youth. Mr. Hill it gives them the skills to compete in a 21st century job market as well as the skills to act on mayor imagination and engage in on their imagination. I wish ann the best in this critical. As a member of the congressional Stem Education caucus and dad of a stem student at the university, i want to continue to support Stem Education throughout arkansas and america. Thank you and i yield back. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentlelady from new york seek recognition . Without objection, the gentlelady is recognized for ne minute. Mrs. Maloney mr. Speaker, last week the s. E. C. Abdicated its responsibility to serve the Public Interest and put at risk the free and open internet that we have all come to depend on. When its three republican commissioners voted to repeal the obamaera Net Neutrality protection. Net neutrality keeps access to the internet equal for everyone. It protects free speech. It protects equal access to the marketplace of ideas. It has been the fundamental principle underpinning the massive innovation and opportunity that the internet has unleashed. But thats all at risk now. Fortunately congress has a say. Im proud to support congressman mike doyles resolution to overturn the f. C. C. s decision and restore our Net Neutrality protections. I also believe the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee should investigate the reports and allegations of fraudulent public comments. Repealing Net Neutrality will inhibit innovation, stifle competition, and threaten free speech. Its time for congress to overturn this decision. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentleman from North Carolina seek recognition . Without objection, the gentleman is recognized for one minute. Mr. Speaker, i rise today to honor amy wright, the cofounder of a coffee shop in wilmington, North Carolina, on being named cnn hero of the year. When amy and her husband, ben, found out that 70 of adults living with disabilities do not have jobs, they opened the doors of biddy and bos in january, 2016, with the goal of having these individuals to interact, contribute, grow and succeed in the workplace. As those in wilmington know, biddy and bos is more than a place to grab coffee. Its a warm and inclusive environment with exceptional customer service. Named after their two children who have down syndrome, the coffee shop employs 40 Exceptional Individuals with disabilities. Congratulations to amy on this very special honor. Mr. Rouzer her and bens contribution to our community and our fellow man is truly remarkable and an inspiration for us all. Mr. Speaker, i yield back. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentleman from new york seek recognition . To address the house for one minute and to revise and extend my remarks. The speaker pro tempore without objection, the gentleman is recognized for one minute. Thank you, mr. Speaker. I rise today to honor a dear friend, kevin lynch, who passed away following a fiveyear battle with cancer just this week. Kevin was a great hoosier, a public servant, a tremendous leader and a tireless advocate in advancing southeastern indiana. Mr. Messer he served as a deer born county commissioner and as president of the ohiokentuckyindiana Regional Council of governments. Kevin kevan was a giants red fan and a loyal fan with a positive spirit, quick with his smile and encouraging word. Kevin served lawrenceburg and Dearborn County with pride but his most important priority was his family. He was a loving husband to mary jo for 27 years and proud father of michael. My thoughts and prayers are with the entire lynch family and all those who knew kevin well. Congratulations to my good friend, kevin, on a tremendous life well lived. God speed, my friend. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentleman rom new york seek recognition . To address the house for one minute and to revise and extend. The speaker pro tempore without objection, the gentleman is recognized for one minute. Mr. Speaker, it is with Great Respect that i rise today to recognize the distinguished career of mr. Sam pollock on the occasion of his retirement. Mr. Pollock is retiring after 0 years of dedicated service to the community as editor of their newspaper. Having worked for decades in newsrooms throughout the nation, mr. Pollock brought many years of experience and proactive leadership to the daily star. I thank mr. Pollock for his commitment to the people of the state of new york and i wish him and his wife, julie, after happiness as they embark upon this new chapter in life. Mr. Speaker, i yield back my time. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentleman from california seek recognition . Unanimous consent to address the house for one minute and to revise and extend my remarks. The speaker pro tempore without objection, the gentleman is recognized for one minute. Mr. Lamalfa mr. Speaker, i rise today in light of the passage of a once in a lifetime generation once in a generation tax relief for low and middle income families, including the vast majority of my district. Some are not satisfied for cutting taxing for every income level and are unnembd of seeing more money in their monthly pay check. Im here there is a simple solution to their problem. As you can see here outlined on page 92 of the i. R. S. Handbook, those individuals will feel right now they are undertaxed and want to pay more of their income to the u. S. Government can do exactly that. One can include a check payable to the bureau of fiscal service. Best part, they can help pay down the debt without raising taxes on everyone else, americas hardworking families who deserve a tax break. So just a reminder, no one is stopping those those feeling undertaxed for paying additional money to the government they would like. Im sure uncle sam would appreciate the christmas present. So dont complain what your neighbors paying. If youre feeling guilty about it when you have the opportunity, feel free, send it in. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentlewoman from new york seek recognition . Mr. Speaker, i request unanimous consent to address the house for one minute. Revise and extend. The speaker pro tempore without objection, the gentlewoman is recognized for one mifpblet one minute. Thank you, mr. Speaker, i rise today to express deep disappointment in the United Nations General Assembly resolution aes10l 22 and state my serious concern over the antiamerican and antisemitic behaviors of the United Nations. Today the United Nations ntinued its ugly legacy of hsinghsingling out israel for condemnation. 86 of the u. N. General Assembly Resolutions criticizing countries between 2012 and 2015 have targeted israel. Ms. Tenney it is a sad and confounding sight to watch syria, north korea, cuba, and other human rights abusers degrade our ally israel and attempt to nullify a decision made by the United States regarding our own embassy. I applaud Ambassador Haley for her resolute remarks and strength of spirit as she stood against rogue regimes for Democratic Values and american interests. I look forward to working with the administration and my colleagues in congress to reassess our foreign aid commitments and realign them with the values and our our values and strategic interests. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore any other further requests for time . Under the speakers announced the of january 3, 2017, gentlewoman from the district of columbia, ms. Norton, is recognized for 60 minutes as the designee of the minority eader. Ms. Norton mr. Speaker, i come to the floor this evening to commemorate 44 years of home rule as the home rule act was signed by president richard nixon. Christmas eve, 44 years ago. After the home rule act was passed by a bipartisan vote. Although it was a democratic congress. I think its worth noting what in his t nixon said signing speech. Im just going to quote a few of his sentences. As a longtime supporter of selfgovernment for the district of columbia, im pleased to sign into law a of historic is significance for the citizens of our Nations Capital. I first voted for home rule, this is nixon speaking, as a member of the house of representatives in 1948, and i have endorsed the enactment of home rule legislation during both my terms as president. Then he went on to say, it is particularly appropriate to assure those persons who live in our capital city the rights and privileges which have long been enjoyed by most of our countrymen. Im pleased that the bill has enjoyed bipartisan support throughout the congressional deliberations. Mr. Speaker, surely we can get back to that moment. Now, the district of columbia is proud and pleased that it is steeped in american history. Ever since the sight of the Nations Capital was chosen by George Washington himself. Were proud to be not only hometown d. C. But the capital of our country. So this evening i want to speak about those two roles. Nd about the role of congress. We move past december 24, 44 years ago, 1973, to today where d. C. Residents have every reason to believe that our country is ready and overdue de or statehood itself. Now, my republican colleagues understand fully our role as the Nations Capital. They understand it because they welcomed their own constituents, the tourists who come here. Theres something upwards of almost 40 million. Many of them come to your own offices first. But they often devolve that the into what is all districts role into that role without making the appropriate distinction. Its not easy te to understand a jurisdiction that has a double identity, hometown identity, capital identity. No, were not schizophrenic here. Lets discuss this evening what it means. I want to discuss it in part because the inevitable turnover in the congress means that i should come and explain this dilemma of our creation eriodically. The first thing we want to do is to avoid the slander that the framers of our constitution , the founders of our country ers country, meant to create a capital city whose residents were not the equals of residents everywhere in the country. Because if that is the case, you wouldnt have had the capital in the first place. The capital was created from two jurisdictions, maryland and virginia, where they had the right to vote. Where they had every single right of american citizens. And those states, those two states were convinced to give the territory that is now the district of columbia for the Nations Capital. They were not about to give up their votes in the capital, and did not. Isnt it interesting during the transition period the representatives from maryland and virginia continued to vote and y always had continued to be recognized in their own jurisdictions all the when for a 10year period the land was in fact being transferred to become what is now the district of columbia. The relationship that the district has to the federal government, to the congress of the United States is an accident of history. D its an aknack ronnistic ccidents you and aknack ronniesic accident after the districts became the capital in 1801. During the revolutionary war when the capital was in philadelphia, the revolutionary war soldiers marched on the capital. Then in philadelphia. Pensions. Their they wanted funding. Pensions. They wanted funding. When the founders saw the men marching on their capital, nfuse reigned, who would bring order . Who was going to protect the capital . Was it philadelphia . Was it pennsylvania . There suddenly wasnt any federal police as yet. So what developed was this fear that the capital might find itself with that dilemma wherever it was formed. Of course thats not the case. The district is protected by 31 federal Police Forces. Not to mention those are the Police Forces everywhere from the capitol police, to the park police, i wont even name them all there are so many. And that is not to mention, and i have already said, of course, the national guard. But not to mention if necessary the armed forces of the United States. About a were talking federal government in formation. We can understand that mistake then. What we cannot abide is that mistake being part of the about federal government in denial of american citizens the same rights that others enjoy. Protection of the federal sector. Is certainly not an issue or the federal sector and the capitol itself more than two centuries later is not an issue. But what should also not be an issue is that anybody, any resident, any american would pay taxes and not be represented on this floor and in the senate. But as i stand here this evening, i represent almost put 0 americans who were precisely in that direction. This is a number to be remembered, though they are number one per capita, number e in taxes paid to support the government of the United States. Put precisely in that direction. Thats one of the oldest jurisdictions. The district of columbia is the most, indeed the only unequal jurisdiction, the only jurisdiction that pays taxes. Without full representation. To be sure i vote in committee and Everybody Knows that in the committees is where the primary work is done. The insult to the people i represent who pay all of those taxes. 12,000 per person every year. That matters come up on this floor, including matters ffecting them, and nobody whom they have voted for can vote on his floor. In the budget was just omnibus that passed. Nobody looked at the d. C. Budget. Nobody in this body except me would know what to do with the d. C. Budget, but it has to come here to be included with the federal budget. This is form without substance, mr. Speaker. The sole reason that the something d. C. Budget comes here is for members to try to overturn some of d. C. s laws that they happen to disagree with. Well, thats what a federal about. All you can pass your laws. I dont like your laws. But you cant do anything about my laws. Except if its the district of columbia. About. You can pass your laws. I dont like your so i think i ought to call the roll on what the district has to abide from members of this on and the senate and why this 44th anniversary of the home rule act it is seeking to become the 51st state. Lets take guns. Senator marco rubio and representative of florida, and representative tom garrett of virginia, have a bill to eliminate all the districts gun laws. It hasnt passed and most of the bills i will speak of hasnt passed because i have to spend a good deal of my time not only working affirmatively for what the district of columbia wants, but for keeping bills like this from being passed. Imagine your Nations Capital, which was a society where anybody could have a gun. The most controversial figures in the world come to your Nations Capital. They eat in our restaurants. They stroll in our streets. You sometimes see that they stop traffic to let their cars go by. Safe as we elves as can but also for the millions of people who come to do business or to have leisure or to see their iconic monument. Representative tom massie i kentucky has introduced a of kentucky had introduced a bill. The district of columbia needed to recognize any and every concealed carry permit as long as you had it from another state. Some states i have very harsh r strong conceal carry requirements. Others have laxed ones. Whatever it is just bring it to the district of columbia. Now, mind you, this body, this congress, my republican colleagues have seen to it that you cant bring a gun into this chamber. They want to be protected in here. They dont want to protect their own constituents in the streets of the district of columbia. In the hotels and restaurants of the district of columbia. Senator ted cruz and epresentative mark of texas and representative mark meadows has introduced a bill that will require the district of columbia to use its funds, its own funds for to send children to private schools. All you have to do is come and ask the district for it. Now, there have been bills on this floor to allow school vouchers. None have ever passed. Now we have two people wanting to give our local funds to anybody that wants to go to a private school. Are you joking . Im standing here to say that will never pass as long as i have anything to do with it. But this is what i must fight. Represent senator James Lankford of oklahoma and representative Brad Wenstrup of ohio have introduced a bill to wipe out the districts death with dignity law. Now, that bill was actually passed in committee, didnt get to the floor, i think because there are states that have such laws and two of them are states of our Republican Leadership. This controversial bill, but you got it in other states, which allows people to take their own lives if they follow a very strict protocol. You dont like you dont like it here, well, you dont live here. Ou dont pay taxes here. Trumps budget also president trumps budget also had this and, again, these have these are pending, im telling you most will not pass because i will fight tooth and nail to keep it from passing. Budget autonomy, there is a bill that would repair, that uld that would eliminates our local budget autonomy act that passed by 83 of the vote in the district of columbia to keep our own local funds. We raise almost 8 billion on our own from coming here for no purpose except to perhaps attack something to overturn our law. Well, the local budget autonomy act still stands. Congress has continued to appropriate the budget. Appropriate means passes passes it without looking at it. But it has not repealed the local budget autonomy act. I will stand firm to keep that rom happening. Weve been able to overcome a law, a bill passed to overcome a d. C. Law thats hugely intrusive. The district passed a law that prohibits discrimination within the district now it has nothing to do with the congress against any family because of the Reproductive Health family hosen by any member. What am i doing, what is congress doing, what is the district doing even knowing what your Reproductive Health choice is . And what kind of congress that believes in local control would so intrusively insert itself into such private matters as hat . Heres one that was almost laughable. Wipes labeling bill. Representative andy harris of maryland offered and i thank him for withdrawing an amendment at markup. Representative harris is a member of the Appropriations Committee. That would have prohibited the district from using its own funds to carry out procedures to keep certain kind of non flushable products from coming to d. C. Pardon me. But what is representative harris doing in our toilets and sewers . To his credit he did withdraw this matter. It was important to the district because these nonflushable matters stop up your sewers and some jurisdictions have already taken action against them. Its our sewers, our town, stay out of our business. The marijuana matter. First congress tried to overturn the districts law that enables possession of a couple ounces of marijuana. I was able to find a flaw in the language they used, and so he Marijuana Law still stands. But the Congress Keeps us from commercializing marijuana as is done in states i think there are almost 10 states now who do that. It keeps us from regulating marijuana further. That is dangerous. Because d. C. Ought to be able to regulate marijuana to keep it out of the hands of children, for example. Your interference, the interference of this body in the affairs of a local jurisdiction about which it knows nothing is not only outrageous on its face but it can be dangerous. The abortion rider or amendment comes annually and it simply keeps the district from spending its own local funds on abortions for lowincome women, although there are 17 states that, of course, do that because they have the autonomy that we seek. And then at the last minute there was something that representative steve king decided that he had to do. You see, i think when members do this, they just must not have enough to do, and i am calling upon their constituents to watch them because if you have a member that does what and here im going to indicate this one shortly but the ones i have just spoken of if you have a member that spends his time writing laws about someone elses jurisdiction, you ought to call him to account. Representative steve king is from iowa. He introduced a bill that would make it a federal crime to commit violence within the district in connection with a legitimate labor dispute. Well, maybe it ought to be a crime and there may be some federal legislation that deals with this matter nationwide, but if its within the district of columbia and theres a legitimate labor dispute and violence, we have enough cops to take care of that, representative king. This be a ed federal crime. So after calling the roll on hose and our home rule matters , let me indicate most of them i have been able by standing ere to take off of our appropriation. Thats the only way they get them passed. It would be very difficult to get them passed, to come here, get the votes, then go to the senate and get the votes so they try the easy way. Just attach it to an appropriation that should not be here in the first place. He budget matter really does gal us. More than 7 10 americans believe that the district of columbia should control its own udget. And thats what in placard. Hows more than anything else, residents guard their own money and thats why this is so. Mportant republicans pose as the champions of local control. In fact, they want the federal government out of much of its own federal business and let the states and localities handle it. How could they then abandon that principle when it comes to the Nations Capital . So look at these numbers. Red and blue. That democrats and republicans, d. C. Should control their own budget slightly more red states. Congress should control d. C. s budget, look at how the numbers deflate. 24 blue. 22 red. Anybody who thinks about it knows the answer. And that is one of the reasons m standing here this evening. Because i think numbers like this show that what im saying about local control, about equality in this body represents the views of the American People and find anybody in this body to show differently. Ultimately we recognize on this 44th anniversary of the signing of the home rule act that there s no substitute for statehood. I should mention that the congress experimented with home the for some time before home rule act was finally passed in 1973. It gave home rule in 1820 and then sometimes it would take it back. Imagine living in a city where they can take back your local control. To their credit, after the civil war, the Republican Congress gave d. C. Home rule and a delegate im called a delegate and congresswoman and that ome rule version of home rule is precisely what we have today. The 1973 home rule act essential lisa replica of of the ly a replica home rule given by congress. How did we lose it . Democrats, controlled by southerners, took back home rule after reconstruction and struggling to get back the selfgovernment that the Republican Congress had given the district after the civil war. Talk about bipartisanship. This all started with republicans. It ended with the home rule act. Richard nixon and bipartisan support of the congress. And now i think most americans would agree its time to move on. Theres no substitute for being equal to the states. Cant have some secondclass citizens in the United States today, not in 21st century america. We are seeking the major elements of statehood even before we get statehood. For example, the district of columbia government has actually shut down when the federal government has shut down even though our budget is balanced and no flaw in it and nobody in the congress has even looked at it simply because it has to come here. I have been able to get a bill every year that allows the district to stay open even if the even if the Congress Closes the federal government down, so we dont know what will happen over in the senate today. We have just passed a congressional resolution, pitiful though it was, to keep the government open for just a few more weeks. It passed the house, its got to pass the snafment i cant take the chance the district will close double play for no reason except the congress doesnt know how to take care of its own business. I was finally able to convince the congress to extricate us from their fight to keep open. Whatever you do to us, you certainly havent extricated us all together because our budget still comes here, but you certainly dont mean to close down a big city like the district of columbia. Its budget, which handles vital atters like the police and keeping order. I dont mean to say that all republicans have failed to see this. My hat is off to representative darrell issa. Who headed the committee that the urisdiction over district of columbia. He called witnesses from the district of columbia, the district of columbia the sill the city down president , the chief executive officer on a routine hearing since, yes, congress can do that. It rarely does. And he heard, even more important he he listened to their testimony. And when he heard these officials from the district of lumbia testify about the Financial Condition of the district of columbia, its reserves, that its among the best in the nation, representative issa, and this is so important to understand, maybe you dont think members of congress are always listening to your testimony. He was listening to this testimony because after hearing that testimony representative endorsed lifornia budget autonomy and he has worked tirelessly with local officials and with me and with his own party to secure the autonomy of the budget autonomy worked tirelessly with local officials and districts budget so it wouldnt be here. I havent asked him, but he may not be for statehood. I doubt that he is. Hes a good republican. But i think he understands perhaps better than most of his colleagues that you have no business, that no one has any business in a federal republic with somebodys local budget in this chamber. And i will be forever grateful. I want to say my thanks as well to former representative tom davis who resigned from the congress a few years ago who was instrumental in helping the istrict to get votes for a vote in the house and in the senate. And that bill, the d. C. Voting rights act, actually passed the house and passed the senate. So why dont we have at least the vote in the house and the senate now. And the reason is that the National Rifle association convinced some members to place an amendment that would have wiped out all of the districts gun laws. And therefore the residents of the district of columbia, after helping me for years to achieve their first vote on this floor, had to leave that vote on the table. Ill be forever grateful to congressman tom davis. What kind of jurisdiction are we talking about . Its very important. For us to remember that were alking about a city with a 14. 6 million budget which is larger than the budget of 12 states, why shouldnt we therefore have statehood . Were talking about a city that. S a 2. 5 billion surplus thats the envy of the states. Ask my colleagues how many of them have a surplus that large. The per capita income of the people i represent is higher than that of any state. Thats an interesting figure that should be explained. There are many poor people in the district of columbia, but there are many high earners, too. And when you put it together thats one of the reasons you per capita st taxes paid. Thats why you get 12,000 per year. In federal taxes from d. C. Residents. Its personal income. The personal income or the people i represent is hire than seven states. The per capita personal consumption in expenditures is higher than that of any state. And the total personal consumption expenditures are greater than those of seven states. This is a very productive, a that rdworking city earns its way and earns the way and contributes as well mightily to its country. People understand it. Because the district is attracting residents in large numbers. We have had in this city an increase in residents since the last census. Hat becomes on a monthly basis 800 new residents coming to live in your Nations Capital every month. Almost 700,000, the Larger Population today, than wyoming and then vermont. They are states, they have two senators, they have the same number of representatives as the district of columbia. One. Theirs votes. The districts does not. If the truth be told, the district is about the same in population as seven states. Those seven states have two senators each and one representative who votes on this floor. They and i are equivalent in every respect except, of course, for the taxes per capita we pay. And yet they have the vote, notwithstanding the high taxes, the number one per capita in taxes District Residents pay, those seven states have the vote and we do not. Today we have passed a new tax bill. Imagine how the presse residents i represent imagine how the residents i represent feel about the tax bill. Theyll pay more taxes because the salt, state and local tax deduction, has been erased. Its been with us for almost 100 years. So instead of taxation without constituents , my will have double taxation, at least when it comes to that particular matter. The state and local taxes. Double taxation without representation. So when the bell rang for the tax vote, i did not come down because i could not vote for the citizens of the district of olumbia. When there are votes on this involving our rs military and life and death, i do not come down because i cannot vote. Still, though, i remember the purple fingers from the citizens of iraq and afghanistan where they not only were signifying that they had voted, but they were signifying who gave them the vote. Members of the military from the United States, including members from the district of and bia, who have fought died in every war since the war that created the United States f america. District residents have overpaid for the equal citizenship. This chart illustrates it tragically. 1, d war sr. World war 635, district of columbia residents, lost their lives in that war. That was a figure greater than three different states. World war ii, that was a big one. 3,573 d. C. Residents lost their lives in world war ii. That was five times greater than the districts losses in world war i. Losses s greater than in four different states. Moving on to the korean war, we District Residents lost their lives. And that figure was greater the he loss of life by ilitary in eight different states. And finally, the vietnam war. In that war. And that was a figure greater than 10 different states. All told, this city, which is a had almost as 200,000 residents. Serve in the military. I. Ts only since world war i hasten to add that theres never been a war, and i have not recounted the 19th century wars, theres never been a war where the residents of your Nations Capital were not among those who fought and died. Now, i must ask if there is any member of congress who would stand for the federal government dictating a local budget or matters coming to the house floor if they were able to show what i have shown here this evening about the district of columbia. Maybe there will be some understanding of why we must district d resist the of columbia until it is given the equality of states by becoming the 51st state. As i have indicated it is impossible to lay our present predicament to the framers of our constitution. Remember, they went to war, it is they who gave us the slogan of taxation without representation. They were willing to die to commit treason, largely on the notion that they were paying taxes to the crown and had no representation. How can you possibly lay the present predicament of the district on the framers . It is not them. It is on us. In the 21st century. Congress cannot continue to ask the residents of the Nations Capital to watch democracy in operation for everybody else except them. Even on matters affecting them. Affecting them solely. If a matter involves the district of columbia and has to come before us, then everybody gets to vote on that matter, except the representative of the istrict of columbia. You cant justify that alongside american principles. Given how much in federal taxes the people i represent pay. Given their sons and daughters who have always gone to war for their country. All of that without a vote in the house and the senate required by consent of the overnment. We have two choices. When you think about it, we have only one. The congress can continue to xercise autocratic authority over the american citizens who live in their own Nations Capital, treating them, if i may quote it, in the words of the great frederick douglass, whose bicentennial we will be celebrating in 2018, and who was a resident of this city, and treating protested, the district and its citizens as alien not citizens, but subjects. We are not subjects. We are american citizens. Nd the only alternative if one gives it only half a thought is to live up to the nations the e and ideal and pass new columbia admissions act to make the residents of your Nations Capital equal by affording them, affording them 51st ght to live in the state of the union of states called the United States of america. Mr. Speaker, i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman yields back. Under the speakers announced spoifl january 3, 2017, the gentleman from texas, mr. Gohmert, is recognized for 60 minutes as the designee of the majority leader. Mr. Gohmert thank you, mr. Speaker. Its been quite a week. Ups and downs, not knowing whether bills would be passed or the government would be funded, whether wed be able to help america with a much improving economy in the new year by passing the tax cut bill. But we got it done. And it ended up being a good week. And here we are, this will be the last opportunity to speak before were out for christmas, and i heard some good news today about ukraine. We have the annual president ial Prayer Breakfast the first thursday of february each year, except when the first thursday its on irst, and then the eighth, which it will be this february. We had representatives from ukraine government come to our national Prayer Breakfast here nd they started one there, and began to grow and now for the first time Ukraine Legislature as passed a bill recognizing celebration of christmas, the day of jesus birth, we celebrate jesus birth on that day, december 25. And so it apparently from what were told, emanates from them coming over, being part of our Prayer Breakfast, where the president comes and then starting one and then now were going to be celebrating the in america and all those what care to and at the same time the Ukrainian Government will do so. So thats a big bit of news there. And i was listening to my friend, delegate from the district of columbia, and it took me back to when i first got here as a member of congress and i saw the license plate saying taxation without representation, you know, and i know studying history, never ceasing to study history, that that was one of the war cries for the revolution. Taxation without representation is tyranny. As Benjamin Franklin once said if we do not get to select even one of the people in parliament, then that parliament has no right to place any tax on us. And then upon hearing that puerto rico, guam, mariana islands, u. S. Virgin islands, all of the territories where they have a delegate or commissioner but dont have a full voting member, those are areas that are not required to pay any federal income tax. And in fact, when i found out, the more i looked into it, theres only one place in