Transcripts For CSPAN U.S. House Of Representatives U.S. House 20240714

The speaker pro tempore on this vote, the yeas are 284, the nays are 149. This bill is passed. Without objection, the motion to reconsider is laid on the table. He house will be in order. He house will be in order. For what purpose does the entleman from kentucky rise . Mr. Speaker, the house is not in order. The speaker pro tempore the ouse will come to order. The gentleman from kentucky. Mr. Speaker, i have an amendment at the desk to change the title of the bill to a bill to kick the can down the road nd for other purposes. The speaker pro tempore the clerk will report the amendment. The clerk amendment number offered by mr. Massie of kentucky, amend the title so as to read, a bill to kick the can down the road and for other purposes. The speaker pro tempore under clause 6 of rule 16, the amendment is not debatable. The question is on the amendment. Those in favor say aye. Those opposed, no. In my opinion the noes have it. Mr. Speaker. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from kentucky. Mr. Massie i request the yeas and nays. 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 risen, the yeas and nays are ordered. Members will record their votes by electronic device. This is a fiveminute vote. [captioning made possible by the national captioning institute, inc. , in cooperation with the United States house of representatives. Any use of the closedcaptioned coverage of the house proceedings for political or commercial purposes is expressly prohibited by the u. S. House of representatives. ] the speaker pro tempore on this vote the yeas are 47. The nays are 384. The amendment is not adopted. Without objection, the motion to reconsider is laid on the table. Pursuant to clause 1c of rule 19, further consideration of h. R. 549 will now resume. The clerk will report the title. The clerk Union Calendar number 128, h. R. 549, a bill to designate venezuela under section 244 of the immigration and nationality act to permit nationals of venezuela to be eligible for temporary protected status under such section and for other purposes. The speaker pro tempore the house will be in order. For what purpose does the gentleman from pennsylvania seek recognition . Mr. Speaker, i have a motion to recommit at the desk. The speaker pro tempore is the gentleman opposed to the bill . I am in its present form. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman qualifies. The clerk will report the motion. That aller. Rush mr. Reschenthaler moves to recommit the bill to the committee. Insert the following. Because of the economic, humanitarian, security, and refugee crisis that is a direct result of years of socialist policies implemented by the rejackson lee of hugo chavez and nicolas maduro. The speaker pro tempore pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from pennsylvania is recognized for five minutes in support of his motion. Mr. Reschenthaler thank you, mr. Mesh mesh mr. Speaker, the motion to mr. Reschenthaler mr. Speaker, the motion to recommit im offering today inserts language into the bill that blames venezuelas economic, security and refugee crisis squarely here it belongs, on socialism. This crisis is directly the result of years of socialist policies implemented by the authoritarian regimes of hugo chavez and nicholas maduro. Venezuela should be the wealthiest country in south america. Indeed, it once was. However, like all socialist regimes, chavez and maduro ripped power from the hands of their power, depriving venezuelans of their personal liberties and relegating them to poverty, debt, and despair. In socialist country, the government no longer serves the people. The people serve the government. Venezuela is currently experiencing, according to the New York Times the worst economic collapse outside of war in the last half century. The countrys economy has shrunk twice as much as the soviet blocs economy did in their collapse. Venezuelan venezuelans continue to suffer from shortages of food, medicine, and simple commodities. Inflation is set to reach 10 million percent this year. 10 million percent inflation. Thats unthinkable. Venezuelas economy is so bad, their inflation so out of control, that according to bloomberg, a haircut costs five bananas and two eggs. Its absolutely ridiculous. This is what its come to in venezuela. One tenth of the population, one tenth, has fled the country due to economic collapse and government repression. As Margaret Thatcher once said, the problem with socialcism that eventually you run out of other peoples money. Mr. Speaker, earlier this year, i was fortunate enough to get to the border of colombia and venezuela. In fact, i was with a bipartisan, bicameral delegation to the border. I talked to refugees about the conditions from which they fled. I heard stories of physicians who were performing surgeries with smartphone light because the lights in the operating room went off and on. I heard stories from family members who said that people were dying, their other family members, because they couldnt get penicillin for simple wounds and infections. I saw a woman crossing a river in a wheelchair because she was so desperately seeking medical attention. It was truly heartbreaking. To this day, over three million venezuelans have fled for colombia. While the ruthless maduro regime blocks humanitarian aid into venezuela. Yet, mr. Speaker, sadly, members of this very body continue to stand with maduro. The speaker pro tempore the ouse will be in order. Mr. Reschenthaler while members of this body stand with maduro they simultaneously refuse to recognize guy doe as the legitimate president of venezuela. They continue to blame the United States for venezuelas collapse. They align themselves with the disastrous, inhumane policies of socialism. I urge my colleagues to call the crisis in venezuela for what it is. The result of unfettered socialism. I ask that they support this motion to recommit which wont kill the bill, which wont delay its adoption. We must send a strong message. We must send a united message. We must send a message to the world that the United States is a beacon of freedom and hope. That the United States will always fight oppression and that the United States will always empower the people. Yield back. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentlewoman from florida seek recognition . Mr. Speaker, i rise in opposition to this motion. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman is recognized for five minutes. This is an outrageous and truly ensulting amendment meant to do nothing more than to score cheap political points. Lets be clear, republicans are offering this amendment to take a stand against a socialist dictator but they plan to vote against this bill, a bill that does nothing more than protect people from that very dictator. In other words, republicans want to say that they support the venezuelan people but they are completely unwilling to do anything for them. Ms. Mucarselpowell i have just one thing to say to my republican colleagues. Venezuelans dont need your empty words. They need action now. Lets be clear. Every american opposes dictatorial oppression, whether it comes from the far left or from the far right. In south america, we have seen dictators from the right and he left like pin chay in chile, or in argentina, both of whom killed and disappeared thousands of their own citizens in pursuit of rightwing agendas. During those regimes we condemned dictators, i hope you remember those times. We did not use the tragedy of the people to score cheap political points. We all oppose dictatorship and tyranny. It is what binds us together as americans. And coming from south america, i understand very well what happens when we see a dictator rise when it goes unchecked. But instead of honoring democratic principles, this amendment uses it as a political weapon to divide our nation. That is bad enough. But it is worse when those who offer the amendment are also unwilling to help oppressed people who find themselves in a similar situation to the countless immigrants who came to plymouth rock, ellis island or the freedom tower. Let me ask this. Do you think that oppressed venezuelans, immigrants who desperately fled to the United States to seek refuge, prefer we vote and waste our time on an empty condemnation or that we pass meaningful legislation to prevent the administration from deporting them back to a country suffer one of the worst humanitarian crises in this hemisphere . Trump has said that he condemns maduro and says he supports the venezuelan people but his words are as empty as this republican otion before us. Trumps hypocritical immigration policies have left this house no other option but to act. We have the opportunity to set aside politics like 37 of my republican colleagues did on tuesday and do right by our vins way lan brothers and sisters and so by our venezuelan brothers and sisters and so i urge my colleagues to vote know on this m. T. R. [speaking spanish] yield back my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady yields back. Without objection, the previous question is ordered on the motion to recommit. The question is on the motion. Those in favor say aye. Those opposed, no. The noes have it. The motion mr. Speaker, i ask for a recorded vote. The speaker pro tempore a recorded vote is requested. Those favoring a recorded vote will rise. A sufficient number having risen, a recorded vote is ordered. Members will record their votes y electronic device. Pursuant to clause 9 of rule 20, the chair will reduce to five minutes the minimum time for any electronic vote on the question of passage. 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 215. The nays are 217. The motion is not adopted. The question is on passage of the bill. Those in favor say aye. Those opposed, no. The noes have it. This bill is not passed. The gentleman from california is recognized. The gentlelady from california is recognized. Ms. Lofgren i ask for a recorded vote. The speaker pro tempore a recorded vote is requested. Those favoring a recorded vote will rise. A sufficient number having arisen, a recorded vote is ordered. Members will record their votes by electronic device. This is a fiveminute vote. [captioning made possible by the national captioning institute, inc. , in cooperation with the United States house of representatives. Any use of the closedcaptioned coverage of the house proceedings for political or commercial purposes is expressly prohibited by the u. S. House of representatives. ] the speaker pro tempore on this vote, the yeas are 272, the nays are 158. The bill is passed. Without objection, the motion to reconsider is laid on the table. The quhare will receive a message. The messenger mr. Speaker, a message from the speaker. The secretary i have been directed to inform the house that the senate has passed with an amendment h. R. 325 and ask to provide for certain expansions under title 19 under of the Social Security act which the concurrence of the house is requested. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentleman from washington seek recognition . I ask unanimous consent that the committee on transportation and infrastructure be discharged from further consideration of s. 2249 and ask for its immediate consideration in the house. The clerk senate 2249 an act to allow the administrator of the federal Aviation Administration on the date of this act to continue to serve as such deputy administrator. The speaker pro tempore is there objection tore consideration of the bill . Without objection, the bill is read a third time and passed. And the the motion to reconsider s laid on the table. For what purpose does gentlelady from california seek recognition . Ms. Lofgren i ask unanimous consent that the committee on House Administration be discharged from further consideration of House Resolution 420 permitting official photographs of the house of representatives to be taken while the house is in actual session on a date designated by the speaker and ask for its immediate consideration in the house. The speaker pro tempore the clerk will report the title of the resolution. The clerk House Resolution 420, allowing photographs to be taken while the house is in actual session on a date designated by the speaker. The speaker pro tempore is there objection to consideration to the resolution . Without objection. The resolution is agreed to and the motion to reconsider is laid on the table. For what purpose does gentlelady from california seek recognition . Ms. Lofgren i ask unanimous consent that the committee on House Administration be discharged from further consideration of house concurrent resolution 5 , authorizing the use of the emancipation hall for an event to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the arrival of the first african slaves to the territory that would become the United States and ask for its immediate consideration in the house. The speaker pro tempore the clerk will report the title of the concurrent resolution. The clerk house concurrent resolution 5 , authorizing the use of amans hall to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the arrival of the first african slaves that would become the United States. The speaker pro tempore is there objection to the concurrent resolution . Without objection, the concurrent resolution is agreed to and the the motion to reconsider is laid on the table. For what purpose does the gentleman from alabama seek recognition . Mr. Speaker, i ask unanimous consent that the committee on judiciary be discharged for further consideration of h. R. 962 the born alive survivors protection act and ask for its immediate consideration. The speaker pro tempore under guidelines issued by successive speakers in the house rules and manual, the chair is constrained not to entertain the requests unless it has been cleared by the bipartisan floor and ommittee leadership. The gentleman has not been recognized for debate. For what purpose does the gentleman from pennsylvania seek recognition . I ask unanimous consent consent that the committee on judiciary be discharged from further consideration of h. R. 962 the born alive survivors protection act and ask for its immediate consideration in the house. The speaker pro tempore under guidelines consistently issued by successive speakers as recorded in section 956, the house rules and manual, its house is constrained not to entertain the request unless it has been cleared by the bipartisan floor and committee leaderships. The gentleman has not been recognized for debate. The chair will entertain requests for oneminute speeches. For what purpose does the gentlelady from pennsylvania seek recognition . Ask unanimous consent to address the house for one minute and to revise and extend my remarks. The speaker pro tempore without objection. The gentlelady is recognized. A few months ago my office launched a congressional use cabinet for students in pennsylvanias 5th district to share their ideas to faye the issues while learning more about the policy making process and how congress works. Ms. Scanlon i want to acknowledge the students who applied and will be participating in our p. A. 5 youth cabinet this year. A, lucas, lauren, jack, gabriel, han, christian, grace, tria, gwen, gentleman meal, channing, ryan lynch erine, joanna,n, and grace and sarah, joseph and vince. I look forward to working with and learning from these incredible young people and i ield back. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentleman from indiana seek recognition . Ask unanimous consent to address the house for one minute and to revise and extend my marks. The speaker pro tempore without objection. Mr. Speaker, i rise today to celebrate the positive impact that International Auto makers investments have made in the United States and specifically in my home state of indiana. Today, International Auto makers operate 30 manufacturing facilities across 12 states and build more than 60 different vehicle models across the country. The 11 models are produced in my ome state, the subbarue, and outback, which are built in lafayette in our 4th Congressional District. In addition, indiana is home to honda manufacturing of indiana and toyota automotive of indiana. International auto makers have employed 13,000 hoosiers and by direct 000 jobs and indirect employment and invested 7. 5 billion in our states economy. Over 50 years, they have thrived in this country thanks to the economy that welcomes investment the speaker pro tempore the gentlemans time has expired. Join me in recognizing this and i yield back my time. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentlewoman from pennsylvania seek recognition . Ask unanimous consent to address the house for one minute and to revise and extend my marks. The speaker pro tempore without objection. The gentlewoman is recognized for one minute. Two days ago, i received an email from a constituent, approvesor at a Community College in allen town, pennsylvania. Many of her students demepped on snap benefits and she was deeply worried after hearing reports that the administrations plan to further undermine snap through extreme new executive action. These changes would cut assistance to three Million People including children, veterans, disabled americans and seniors. I wish i could send her a reassuring response. It is a shameful time in america when we give tax cuts to billionaires and huge corporations and cant help people put food on their table. Around 44 of snap beneficiaries are children and Research Shows that snap not only reduces hunger and mall nutrition but improves the american peoples lives including improving childrens education outcomes. We cannot turn our backs. Lets stand together, democrats and republicans alike, just like we worked together to protect snap benefits in the farm bill and reject these attacks on our most vulnerable citizens. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentleman from secretary recognition . Mr. Thompson ask unanimous consent to address the house for one minute and to revise and extend my remarks. The speaker pro tempore without objection. Jarkt for one minute. Mr. Thompson i rise today to applaud the bravery, dedication of two finest Law Enforcement officers. The Center District county accepts nominations from the public. The Center County Law Enforcement of the year award. This month, State College officer john as ten and jeffrey ebick were recognized. It has been a part of the Police Department for 25 years and promoted to detective in 2003. His experience and cell phone and Computer Forensics has been ritical in highprofile cases. Ebick is a man of strong character. These officers deserve to be recognized for their work but the men and women who choose these careers do not do so for the accolades but to service and safety. I yeelt back. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentlewoman from texas seek recognition . Ms. Jackson lee permission to address the house for one minute. The speaker pro tempore without objection. Ms. Jackson lee madam speaker, i rise to support h. R. 549 the venezuela t. P. S. Act of 2019. Venezuela signates for an initial 18month period. And such designation would allow eligible nationals who are in the United States to register for t. P. S. Benefits including temporary immigration status. Let me indicate in my community in houston, there are a number of venzuelans who told their story leaving behind family members. Many of them have had the opportunity to be in this country to be safe, but to be concerned about family members. We know that there are difficult times in venezuela. It is important for the United States to engage to try and resolve this. There are crisis of family separation and violence. I would make the point this is an Important Initiative and also say i would like to thank one of the constituents in my community , a company that has many venzuelans working there and generous supporter of houston and it is important to resolve these issues to bring peace to venezuela. T. P. S. Is appropriate and we should do it now. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentleman from mississippi seek recognition . 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. The United States has long stood guard against ideologies that would undermine the principles of our democracy. The boycott, divestment has been regarded as inconsistent with american values. Unfortunately, support for the b. D. S. Movement has been voiced in the house of representatives. Supporting this measure shows disregard for the long standing bond that the United States has developed with israel as a trustworthy ally in the middle east. The United States has never turned a blind eye to our allies and every member of this legislative body should take steps to ensure that we do not betray the enduring trust we have developed with israel and its people. We, as the house of representatives, should bring up h. R. 336, the comprehensive legislation addressing the antib. D. S. Issue. I encourage my colleagues to support additional measures to protect against the b. D. S. Movement and uphold our friendship with the great nation of israel. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentleman from rhode island seek recognition . Mr. Langevin i ask unanimous consent to address the house for one minute, to revise and extend my remarks. The speaker pro tempore without objection, the gentleman is recognized for one minute. Mr. Langevin madam speaker, tomorrow we celebrate the 29th anniversary of the americans with disabilities act. A groundbreaking civil rights law that has improved the lives of millions across the nation, including my own. However, the fight for equality and inclusion is not over. Over the past year, ive collaborated with Disability Advocates and lawmakers from both sides of the aisle to pass bills that strengthen protections for Airline Passengers with disabilities, expand Caregiver Services for disabled veterans, establish a more incluesive Emergency Preparedness and disaster planning process. Ive also called for the federal government to account for its hiring and retention of disabled workers, increase funding for spinal cord injury research, coled legislation to help Small Businesses break down accessibility barriers and pass a bill in the house to authorize 200 million for respite care services. Madam speaker, these efforts are only the beginning and i cannot and will not stop fighting until we achieve the goal of equal opportunity, full inclusion, and economic selfsufficiency for people with disabilities everywhere. Thank you, madam speaker, i yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentleman from North Carolina seek recognition . I ask to address the house for one minute, to revise and extend my remarks. The speaker pro tempore without objection, the gentleman is recognized for one minute. Thank you, madam speaker. I rise today because a resolution was introduced in this body last week supporting the boycott divestment and sanctions or b. D. S. Movement against the state of israel. Again, seemingly right after this body passed another resolution condemning antisemitism, this backwards ideology has reared its ugly head once again in the form of House Resolution 496. Ive come to the floor today to speak to the supporters of bills like these and the 22 members who either voted nay or present on h. Res. 246 earlier this week, to remind them that israel is the only stable democracy in an otherwise volatile region of the world. Mr. Budd it is a place where women serve in the military and hold high office. It is a place where all people are able to express their views without threat from the government. It is a place where arab citizens are elected to the knesset. Bottom line, israel values human rights. Madam speaker, we must condemn antisemitism, no matter where it comes from, and im glad the house did that earlier this week. I yield back my time. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentleman from florida seek recognition . I ask unanimous consent to address the house for one minute. The speaker pro tempore without objection, the gentleman is recognized for one minute. Today i rise to celebrate august 4 as coast guard day. Marking the Services Founding by Alexander Hamilton in 1790. Were very grateful for the brave men and women of the United States coast guard who selflessly serve america, both at home and abroad. My Congressional District in florida is proud to be home to numerous coast coast guard commands, both ashore and afloat. Mr. Crist we have the largest and busiest air station in the country, air station clearwater. And a robust maritime operation at sector st. Petersburg. Coast guard families serve as well, providing the coast seas themselves with the support and resilience they depend on to stand watch day in and day out. So with that, madam speaker, id like to wish a happy 229th birthday to the United States coast guard. I yield my time. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentleman from california seek recognition . I seek unanimous consent to address the house for one minute, revise and extend my remarks. The speaker pro tempore without objection, the gentleman is recognized for one minute. Mr. Lamalfa thank you, madam speaker. One year ago, on july 23, the car fire broke out in chafta county, california, near redding. Sometimes referred to as a fire nato that burned nearly 230,000 acres and destroyed 16 1,600 structures. It took eight lives. It took over a month to fully extinguish what became one of the most destructive fires in california state history. For those impacted by it, it must have felt like the blink of an eye. Everything they owned went up in smoke. A year later everyones still working through the Recovery Process as best as can be done. Its still not easy. In the aftermath of this disaster, even during it, our community showed how strong and resilient our people are. Family, friends and neighbors came together to help each other in any possible way with water, food, clothes, everything they needed. Theyve continued to do so for the whole year. Some of the first homes are now being completed, as people are moving forward. A good sign. Preventing another fire like this is one of my top priorities. The car fire was started when a flat tire caused a wheel to scrape against asphalt and create a spark in a nearby forested area. Ive introduced legislation , combustion act avoidance on rural roads act, which helps avoid this sort of combustion on rural roads by allowing exclusions to clear vegetation within 300 feet of a roadway. Weve got much to do, where people lost everything, this is a prevention that will help to keep it from happening again. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentleman from michigan seek recognition . I seek unanimous consent to address the house for one minute and to revise and extend my remarks. The speaker pro tempore without objection, the gentleman is recognized for one minute. Thank you, madam speaker. I rise today to congratulate Mike Lankford on his retirement. Mike has served as the president of the Utility Workers Union of america since 2006 and been a major leader of that union for many decades. Mr. Levin during his time at the uwua, mike has worked hard to bring about overdue reform that delivers safe, reliable, costeffective and environmentally friendly Utility Services across this whole country. I share his commitment to a cleaner environment and more Affordable Services for working families. And, as a former union organizer, i thank mike for his outstanding dedication to American Workers. Indeed, i can personally attest to mikes stalwart leadership of all American Workers as a member of the afflalo c. I. O. Executive down aflcio executive council. I want to point out that americas veterans have no better friend than Mike Lankford, who helped set up programs to train hundreds and thousands of them for careers in the utility industry. I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating him on his retirement and in wishing him the very best for the next chapter of his life. Thank you, madam speaker, i yield back. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentleman from texas seek recognition . I ask unanimous consent to address the house for one minute and revise and extend my remarks. The speaker pro tempore without objection, the gentleman is recognized for one minute. I thank the speaker. I would note theres a certain smell here of jet fumes. That this chamber is completely empty. Here, july 25, my colleagues, well, its empty for the most part. My colleagues are headed off to the airport to fly home. Fly home for fundraisers, vacation. But you know what theyre not doing . Nobody in this body is going to stay here to secure the border of the United States. Mr. Roy weve got thousands of people pouring a poring across our border. While i. C. E. Does not have the resources to do its job, this body is adjourning. I had 40 of my colleagues, give or take, its a growing list, that have asked the speaker that we should stay here. We should not adjourn. How can we possibly adjourn without giving i. C. E. The resources it needs for the beds to be able to put people, to be able to deal with the border crisis . Yet that is what this body is going to do. It is unconscionable that were allowing our boarder to stay open and that this body is going to adjourn, go home, and for six weeks not do our duty as a sovereign nation, to have a secure border to make sure my grants can come here safely and that our Law Enforcement has the tools that it needs to do the job that we ask them to do when theyre standing on the line every day defending this country. When cartels, having operational control of our border, endangerering this country, it is our duty to do it. We should stay here. The speaker pro tempore the gentlemans time has expired. For what purpose does the gentlewoman from illinois seek recognition . I seek unanimous consent to address the house for one minute. The speaker pro tempore without objection, the gentlewoman is recognized for one minute. Ms. Schakowsky madam speaker, i rise today to offer my deep gratitude and appreciation to someone who has played an inspirational and indispensable role in congress for more than four decades. Y great friend, my guide, judy snyder. After a legendary career as a specialist on congress at the Congressional Research service, really the specialist ultimate specialist on congress, judy is retiring. And i want to let her know how much she will be missed. I was fortunate to meet judy, even before i was sworn into the congress. And as soon as i met her, i realized that i need judy snyder to be my mentor. And i was fortunate that she agreed to do that. Judy has won many welldeserved accolades. But i think that her greatest reward is knowing that she has mentored and trained and inspired so many that have gone on to use her lessons about how congress works, how it really works, how it should work, and then how to really works. That has been the lesson that has improved peoples lives and the members of congress lives and wellbeing. Judy, i love you and i wish you everything good. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentleman from new jersey seek recognition . Madam speaker, i ask unanimous consent to address the house for one minute and to revise and extend my remarks. The speaker pro tempore without objection, the gentleman is recognized for one minute. Evan of ocean city in south jersey recently received the congressional award gold medal. Mr. Van drew along with the stem star award for his work in mathematics. Studentsne of only 538 in the nation and 20 in new jersey to achieve this honor. Which was established in 1979 to recognize and celebrate initiative, achievement and service in our young people. Evan is truly living out those ideals. He participated in over 611 hours of volunteer service for his community and over 1,140 hours developing his academic comprehension skills. And over 1,040 hours with his team sport of crew. Evan is passionate about middle eastern traditions, culture and history. And his goal is to work in international finance. Evan, your service and dedication to south jersey is wonderful. And your accomplishments make clear that you have a bright, a very Bright Future ahead of you. Congratulations on your achievement. We are very proud of you in south jersey. Evan, keep on going. And i yield back. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentleman from new york seek recognition . Madam speaker, i request unanimous consent to address the house for one minute. The speaker pro tempore without objection, the gentleman is recognized for one minute. Thank you, madam speaker. In our first 200 days in this congress, we have passed an incredible amount of legislation to root out corruption, protect health care and combat the opioid epidemic. Unfortunately most of it, though, has died in the legislative grave yard of the senate at the hands of mitch mcconnell. Now, there have been rare moments like the 9 11 Victims Compensation fund, where weve managed to do the right thing. Mr. Rose but as we prepare to go back for a month of work outside of these chambers, i ask one simple question where is our infrastructure bill . Because my constituents at home are sick and tired of their commute, sick and tired of their bridges and their roads that are falling apart. So i put this question to each and every member of the house, leadership in both parties, and the president himself. Lets get the job done. Lets pass a Real Infrastructure bill and, you know what, if the republicans do not want to play ball, if they dont even want to sit at the table with us, then lets pass something out of this chamber and put a very simple question to the senate, a very simple question to the president of the United States whose side are you on . Are you on the side of the corporate pa. C. S. , the wealthiest among us, or are you finally on the side of the hardworking americans that you try to speak to every few years during election season . Thank you, i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentlemans time has expired. Are there any further requests for time . The chair will recognize members for special order speeches without prejudice to the possible resumption of egislative business. Under the speakers announced policy of january 3, 2019, the gentleman from illinois, mr. Garcia, is recognized for 60 minutes as the designee of the majority leader. Mr. Garcia thank you, madam speaker. Mr. Garcia i yield myself such time as i may consume. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Garcia first to begin special orders, i ask unanimous consent that members may have five legislative days to revise and extend their remarks. The speaker pro tempore without objection. Mr. Garcia thank you, madam speaker. I would like to thank poca, porter and jayapal. We are calling for justice for immigrants and put a spotlight on President Trumps harmful attacks on immigrants and Asylum Seekers. He has implemented some of the harshest policies. Trump is repeating one of the worst themes in our history, that of relentless attacks designed to divide our country. Trump people wants people to think that brown people are not due to human rights. Despite in organizing our communities, the Trump White House has pushed forward its antiimmigrant agenda. The stories break my heart and make me really angry. A year ago, the separation of families and the caging of children shocked the conscience of americans. A year later, aall mourned the death of ramirez and his daughter, angie, who were found on the edge of a river embankment. Both drowned in an effort to reach the promise of america. E used to think sharing images would elicit our deepest emotions and there would be enough for change. But even after the death of oscar and his daughter, children continue dying at the hands of this administration as nothing has changed. It is something to become desensitized and easy to believe this is the new normal. This is anything but normal. This is unprecedented. Whenever a scandal comes out or the president feels threat yepped, he comes after immigrants against those who do not look like him. He has put lives, family, children and communities in danger in a blateant effort to distract the media and our country. Today is an opportunity for my colleagues and i to put a face on the people being impacted by these policies. People are real leaves. Frame this as the agenda of a president and a party who seeks to hold power by dividing americans and to remind our country that every attack is connected. This is all part of a broader agenda of hate. With that, i would like to extend to my colleague, the gentlelady from illinois, as much time as she may take. Ms. Schakowsky im so proud and grateful to join you, congressman garcia. We are both from illinois and we see some of the some same examples of the fear that is plaguing our communities wherever there are immigrants. I take this issue very personally. Neither of my parents was born in the United States of america. But they came here with their small children, with their parents, who made a really good life. My grandfather had a horse and wagon, actually, sold vegetables boldt. Four children, they went to college and made a good life and his granddaughter is in the United States congress. Well, i tell you, my grandparents and my parents did not live with the fear that this president has brought to millions and millions of people and of course, people in our districts. I will tell you, one week ago today, flew home, landed at Ohare Airport in chicago and heard that something was happening over at the international terminal, that there were now a crowd of people d there were there were children, ages i think it was 16, 10 and 9, minors, that were being held at the airport. These were citizen children. Why were they being held there . They came from mexico and had been there on vacation. They came with with an adult relative of theirs who had a valid passport but for some reason, customs and Border Patrol sent that adult back tore mexico and now said only the mother could pick up these minor children. Well, i get that, except that their brother, who is a daca recipient, older than them, an adult, came to pick them up, and they were not released. A lawyer was there with a signed affidavit witnessed by members f the consulate, the mexican consulate. They would not release the children to her. By now there are with a crowd of people saying release the children. And they were giving two pots during the night, meaning one of those girls had to sleep on the floor. This is what is happening at the border, of course. Mistreating children. So finally, there was an agreement that was made. Mom will come. Guess what . Mom is undocumented. She was afraid to come. But she came surrounded by the mexican consulate, by the lawyers, by myself, to make sure that she was able to take her. Hildren home we heard that members of the customs and Border Patrol said and we are investigating this, too, that if these were normal circumstances, that that mother would have been detained. Understand. They would have detained the mother of citizen children who just wanted to travel to mexico, come home and go be with their parents. I mean, what is going on in the United States of america . We hear that people like that, children like that are being sed to lure undocumented parents to the airport. Thats what we hear. And this is just one example of one family of one problem that had to be resolved. Im telling you, i am so heart broken. Im going to the border on wednesday and want to go see again myself what is going on there. We have to say no. This cannot happen. We are the country of the statue of the liberty. The statue of liberty that welcomes my father and his family to this country, not the family of walls and fear and mistreatment and children dying in custody. No, mr. President. This is not the america that we all deserve. And thank you, congressman, for leading this discussion. Mr. Garcia thank you. Next, i would like to recognize the gentleman from vermont, congressman peter welch, for as much time as he needs. Mr. Welch i thank you, congressman garcia. Im from vermont. And its hard to be farther from the southern border in the United States being in vermont, but the question that people ask me in vermont more than anything else is how is it that in the name of our government, under e authority of our flag, instituted a policy since rescinded to take children away from parents . How is that possible . You know, the president talks about a crisis at the border. No argument about that. But is the right response to it that you separate families . Is the right response that you call the people who are coming gang members and rapists and killers . I went to the border as well and met many of the women, men and children who are there. As you know better than anybody and by the way, i appreciate your leadership on this and the leadership of the congressional hispanic caucus, the people who are there are there out of desperation. One woman i spoke to who was from guatemala, told us that she had a 13yearold daughter and her husband had already been murdered. And the mother was told that her daughter was going to become the girlfriend of one of the gang members. And it was that fear that made her leave her home. People do not want to leave their home. And only do it when they absolutely have to to save their lives. And she and her daughter set out in night more than 1,000mile journey to the southern border. And br 2 3 of the way there, the mother statted getting nervous and hearing stories what it would be like and said to her daughter, we have got to go back and the daughter said, mom, we cant. Youre not safe and im not safe. And arrived at the southern border and they make an effort to cross the bridge and are not allowed because of the slowgo policy and no capacity to process. They wade across the river and turn themselves in and the request is for asylum. And that has been criminalized by the Trump Administration. The daughter and the mother separated. When we were with the mom, she didnt know where her daughter was. Is she a rapist . Is she a criminal . Is she a criminal member . She is a mom trying to protect her daughter. There isnt an easy answer. But none of us suggest it is. But not the answer to say that anybody who is seeking to save their lives fleeing economic desperation and seeking to protect a son or a daughter is a criminal. They are asking for help. And you know, its a tough question, how much help can we give. We have to have secure borders, but are we solving the problem but making a crime to ask for help or taking kids and separating them from their parents . Are we solving the problem where we cut aid off to the countries, honduras and el salvador. It cant be solved unless there is recognition on both sides that is something that we have to Work Together to try to address. There are refugees around the world, this some refugees coming to our southern border. But this is a worldwide problem and combination of factors, failed states, environmental damage, economic desperation. And we have to address this in away where we acknowledge the obligation we have to one another. So my hope is that the president , whose leadership on this is absolutely essential, tones it down and acknowledges this is an issue we have to solve and not just the heel of the boot and not the punitive measure of taking kids from parents or cutting off hade to honduras, el salvador and we need to work because it is more than anything else essential that we acknowledge the responsibility all of us have, whatever our policiesr to treat people humanely. Mr. Garcia, thank you so much for your work on this and i pledge to continue working with you every way i can. And i yield back. Mr. Garcia thank you congressman welch and congresswoman schakowsky of illinois and the congressional progressive caucus for allowing me to lead this conversation. The remarks of the previous speaker is a good way to Historical Context ta i would share in the rest of the proceeding. Migrants are escaping some of the harshest regimes in Central America where they suffered abuse and violent crime. Unlike Central Americans are not arriving for purely economic reasons or to pursue the american dream. Instead, theyre coming to seek safety and the chance to live without fear or death or rape or abuse. Those coming to our border now are families, newborns, children and pregnant women escaping life or death situations, as well as poverty. These deeply rooted causes and push factors help explain why so many guatemalans anddourans are fleeing their countries and heading toward the u. S. El salvador, el salvador has been trapped in a cycle of violence that can be traced back to its civil war in which the u. S. Was complicit. The ms13 gang, which many politicians like to talk about, frequently referred to by the president in justification of his hardline immigration policies, was actually formed in l. A. , in los angeles, california, and introduced into el salvador when its members were deported, often to a country they barely knew. Guatemala also comes out of a reat conflict in that country. A 7yearold guatemalan girl who died in december from cardiac arrest in el paso, caused by severe dehydration and shock, was forced to leave her home due to severe poverty. Her relatives explained that her father did all he could to stay in the land. But necessity made him try to get to the u. S. Honduras, genderbased violence is the second leading cause of death for women in honduras. And in a country where emergency contraception and abortion are banned, even for rape victims, survivors of Sexual Violence have few options if they become pregnant. They can seek to terminate the pregnancy and risk prison time, or they can go through with it and face one of the highest Maternal Mortality rates in all of latin america. As a parent, i understand and empathize with parents who will do whatever it takes to give their children a better life. When youve got a gun to your head, people threatening to rape your child, extort your business, force your son to work for the cartels, what would you do . Aid to the northern triangle region of Central America is a longstanding pillar of American Foreign policy, supported by most democrats and republicans in congress. Providing humanitarian aid to countries in the northern triangle will help stabilize those economies and lift millions out of poverty in the process. Establishing economic stability in those nations is at the root of an effective strategy to reduce the current surge in migrants seeking asylum and ultimately an effort to solve the root causes of the humanitarian crisis at the border. Despite this understanding from the state department, the Trump Administration is reducing aid, annual assistance to Central America has declined by nearly 30 since fiscal year 2016. Funding is crucial to programs that focus on good governance, Economic Growth and social welfare in the northern triangle. This is an issue of National Security and our country and basic human needs and dignity abroad. Instead of receiving children and families with open arms, President Trump is cutting foreign aid for countries in the northern triangle, further exacerbating conditions there. And ultimately feeding into his manufactured crisis at the border. Potentially hundreds of thousands more will be forced to make the difficult decision and head towards the u. S. And the Administration Knows this. Aid is not an immediate fix, or the ultimate solution. And investment in the region can, however, help mitigate violence, corruption and poverty that can help over the long term. The state departments recent announcement to put 180 million on hold to divert further funds will impact political stability and Economic Opportunities in those countries. And therefore the push factors affecting migration. President trump was right when he declared a crisis at the border. What he failed to explain is the role of this administration and how it has played in aggravating the situation. There is real suffering. Every day refugees arriving at the southern border are being detained and held in inhumane conditions. Children locked in cages and infants dying in our care. The bottom line is very simple. The president has made the crisis at the border significantly worse. And it will only intensify with cuts in foreign assistance to the northern triangle. President trump is waging an assault on all fronts against immigrants and Asylum Seekers, and a full assault against the very morals and founding principles of our country. Principles of acceptance, inclusiveness and of refuge for those who seek its shelter. In the interior, for americans living away from the border, it can often seem like the president s assault on immigrants and Asylum Seekers is a distant issue. We see on the news issue we see on the news. But the truth is that the president s terrorizing of communities extends to our backyards, to our schools, to our neighborhoods, and our Church Congregations throughout the country. So i want to take a moment to share a story and give a face to the problem. Without understanding our own personal stake, the wellbeing of our friends, coworkers and neighbors, we cannot fully grasp the extent of the president s assault. Nothing we do in these halls is worth debating if were not willing to understand how our decisions ultimately affect peoples lives. I. C. E. Raids are happening not only at the border, these government actions that separate families and tear children from their mothers are happening in wellestablished immigrant communities around the country. Including many in my district in chicago. A mother and grandmother from chicago is living this reality as we speak. She is married to a u. S. Citizen. She has three u. S. Citizen children. And other grandchildren. A lawabiding, hardworking woman who had never received even a parking ticket in her life, received an order of deportation under the Trump Administration. As a result, she was forced to seek sanctuary in a church where shes been living for the past two years. During this time, besides being away from her children and husband, she also missed the birth of her grandson, diego. Confined to a space that wullkl welcomed her but is not by any means suitable for someone to live without the possibility of ever going out, francis can and her family are asking francisca and her family are asking for our help. If she ever tried to step out for a moment, she can be sure that she would be caught by i. C. E. Officials who are constantly surveilling the church. Her decision to fight back against trumps cruel immigration policies have taken a toll on her family. Her daughters have suffered emotional trauma, but thats not it. As a provider for her family, the void she left when she took sanctuary has been felt economically as well. In my district and around the country, there are many people like francisca who have been nothing but lawabiding, hardworking neighbors, contributing to our economy by paying taxes and supporting the community they live in. In return, however, many of our neighbors who are no different than ourselves, save for the lack of certain papers, have been met with oppression from an administration that has helped that is hellbent on using immigrants as scapegoats to explain the deeprooted problems in our country. Its up to congress to point out the real problems and stop trumps xenophobic and irrational policies. I. C. E. Raids throughout the country continue to terrorize families and communities, hurt our local economies, and Small Businesses, and rip u. S. Citizens children from their parents. The president s assault on immigrants goes well beyond the border, it is terrorizing those all around us for none other than political gain. Blatant suppression of votes and intimidation of communities across the land. Recent news that the census will be printed without the Citizenship Question is a victory for everyone in this country. This is especially important for historically undercounted groups, including communities of color, People Living in large housing units, and immigrants. Every Single Person in our democracy counts. And must be counted in the census to accurately distribute federal funding and resources. The constitution is clear on this topic. The final census count determines so much of our daily lives. New hospitals and schools, representation in government, funding programs like medicaid, ensuring everyone counts ensures funding for the programs our constituents need, and for healthy neighborhoods. Recently released documents have proven what we already suspected. That the Trump Administration announced the addition of a Citizenship Question in yet another attempt to disenfranchise and intimidate the immigrant community. It was a chief political move to undermine the integrity of the census. Is this a person of the United States . A seemingly small question, but one with so many implications. This is especially true for children, including u. S. Citizen children living in mixedstatus families, whose families might avoid the census for fear of their information being shared. Our fight to count every Single Person is not over. We still have a lot of work ahead of us. The back and forth of the Citizenship Question left many of my constituents scared and confused. This remains the administrations goal. While President Trump has backed down from his attempts to add a Citizenship Question to the census, he is directing u. S. Agencies to provide all information they have on u. S. Citizenship. In other words, he continues to use any means of intimidation to threaten immigrants. When one method is blocked, he tries another. But ensuring a complete count on the 2020 census is a fight we can win. I started working on it as a cook county commissioner and will continue working to ensure that every Single Person is counted. Our representation, our schools and hospitals and health care depend on it. The president continues to weaponize this office in every possible way. We must fight back until we have justice for all and justice for immigrants. Madam speaker, today weve heard powerful stories and comments from my colleagues from all around the country about the countless ways that president rump is driving an antiimmigrant agenda and terrorizing communities all around the country. Whether its the tension of american citizens detention of american citizens, trump ending asylum protections and eligibility, changes to the citizenship test, placing children in cages to send a message, leaving women and children in inhumane conditions detention camps, we must remember that this administration is not only hurting immigrants, its hurting citizens, mixedstatus families, nd entire communities. Black, white, asian and latino. These harmful tactics may be aimed at a few, but they are harming us all. Trumps assault on immigrants and Asylum Seekers is an assault on all americans, an assault on our values values, an assault on our history of welcoming the worlds tired and weary. He is leading a fullcourt press on the very soul of who we are as americans. Deeply disturbing is the fact that we know that trumps ongoing attacks on immigrants are deeply rooted in racism. We see it in the muslim ban, we see it in the 2020 census Citizenship Question, the public charge rule. Trump says criminals are drug dealers criminals, drug dealers, rapists are invading our country, casting a generalization over communities all over the land. Land that is false. Its the reason he wants fewer immigrants from whole countries, and more from Northern European countries like norway or so he has said. When a crowd chanted recently, send her back, in a response to trumps attacks against my colleagues, we knew it was never about legal immigration. The president announced i. C. E. Raids, his intent was to terrorize, black, brown and immigrant communities. Lively hoods and families are at stake and many in the communities like the ones i represent were thrown into fear and trauma and the president threatened raids over twitter. Parents today are forced to have tough conversations with their children to set up emergency plans in the event they would not return home from work. This is sad and tragic. While the president continues to attack immigrants and Asylum Seekers, i remind my constituents this is not the time to be fearful or timid, this is the time to act like courageous americans and those who aspire to be americans as well. We are a nation of many peoples and certainly of immigrants. America is and has been great precisely because we have long welcomed immigrants with opened arms and will continue to do so. To be american is to be of immigrant heritage with the exception of our fate i have american sisters and brothers who have suffered because of tactics to divide us because of creed and country. We are stronger than this president and no matter how long this assault goes on, it is our it is in our blood as americans to never lose failingt in the fight for equal Human Dignity and opportunity for all. We must fight until there is justice for all. And justice for immigrants in america. If we are talking about trumps assault on immigrants, we cannot leave out what the president has done to dreamers. At the beginning of this administration, the president rescinded daca under the authority of then attorney general jeff sessions. Hat action was the opening salvo on President Trumps Assault Using the power of the oval office. The decision to end daca and the daca program was a direct attack on young men and women all of whom were brought into this country through no decision of their own. Many came as babies. Many Daca Recipients are dreamers call no other